TW:
None! It's actually fluffy for once!

Eliza was exhausted. Baby Pip had been wailing for two hours, despite a diaper change, a bottle, and an unimaginable amount of bouncing. Philip screamed, his little firsts banging against Eliza's chest.

"Shh, baby, mamas here. I'm here." Eliza soothed, though her attempts did nothing in quieting the teething baby in her arms.

Maria soon followed her, staring sadly at the small bundle of sadness in her wife's arms.

"Do you think it's time we call him?" Maria suggested, meeting her wife's face and seeing the exhausted expression she wore.

"You know that he's busy. His big case is presenting in court today. He doesn't need us calling him like a nanny." Eliza huffed.

"You know that he won't think that. I'm sure he can come around and take Pip quickly." Maria shushed, kissing her wife's head and getting her phone out.

She dialled their best friends number, listening as the calling tone sounded. He didn't answer, so instead, she called John, Alexander's husband.

"Hey, Ria, what's up?" John's voice called out, always quick to answer.

"Hey, John, any chance you can put your husband on?"

"Ria, he's got court in an hour, I don't know-"

"It'll be quick, I promise."

John could be heard shuffling about, before Alexander's voice came to the phone.

"Hello?" He sounded exhausted, though Maria knew that he'd have had at least 6 energy drinks at this point.

"Alex, hi. We could do with you over here, and I know it's court day, but it'll only be quick." Maria said, her voice raining an octave at the request.

"Maria... I can't, I'm really sorry- I just- I have a lot on today-"

"I know, I know. Look, what if you bring your notes, I'll test you on them, and you do me a little favour. Please?" Maria reasoned, knowing she'd won him over.

"Look... okay- I'll be over in a few- you owe me, Ria." Alex huffed, putting the phone down.

~H~

A knock sounded at the door, and Maria rushed to open it, Philip's wails increasing at the intrusion.

"Come, here, give him to me." Alex outstretched his arms, taking the small baby and gently rocking him.

Philip soon calmed down, instead nestling his face into Alexander's trimmed stubble. The man had an odd connection with the child, who was his by blood, as he'd been a sperm donor for his friends. The baby immediately clung to him, babbling softly.

Maria went to get his case notes out, but he stopped her, instead gently pressing a kiss to Pip's forehead. Alexander ran his thumb inside the baby's mouth, feeling his teeth coming through.

"Get him one of the frozen rings, I'll put him to bed." Alex whispered, his voice rumbling through his chest and making the baby smile.

After Pip was settled, Alexander retreated from the room.

"He's out for the count. Leave him and he'll be fine." Alex yawned, his eye bags making his demeanour much weaker.

"I need to get to court, I'm running late." He realised, eyes widening as he grabbed his messenger bag and left the house silently.