Better Man

"Mummy?" Scotty asks, running towards me as fast as his little legs can carry him.

"What's up?" I ask, crouching down to his level, still holding the wet shirt I was hanging out to dry.

"Aedan's crying, Dad said to come and get you,"

"How come?" I asked, a little worried. I put the shirt back in the basket before taking Scotty's hand, following him inside to the Nursery.

"Dad's been trying for hours to get him to sleep, but he won't stop crying,"

"Hours?"

"Yes, Mummy, hours," As he slowed down Scotty pointed inside the Nursery where Brian was trying to get Aedan to sleep. "I'm gonna go play with Max. I hate hearing Aeden cry,"

"Okay, but you make sure not to stir Max up. Last time you did he got very angry at you," Scotty rolled his eyes.

"Fine, but if Max poo's in the cubby house again..." Not hearing the end of his sentence I stepped into Aedan's bedroom, taking care not to startle Brian.

"Shh," Brian tried to soothe Aedan, but it wasn't working. "Come on, Little Man," He pleaded.

"Here," I took Aedan into my arms and he calmed down, instantly. "There you go, Aedan. You're alright,"

"How'd you do that?" Brian asked, smiling. "I've been trying for hours,"

"Hours?"

"Okay maybe fifteen minutes, but still," I laughed a little, and put our three-month-old son into his cot where he fell back to sleep. "I gotta go out for a bit,"

"What? -Brian you said you'd be home all day," My voice had risen, so I pointed to the door indicating we should leave Aedan's room before arguing.

"I know I said that, but something's come up," Brian tried to reason as I closed the door to Aedans room, holding a baby monitor. "I'll be back, three hours tops," Sighing I looked at my watch, he'd be back by dinner at least.

"Remember you told Scotty you'd let him help with dinner," I surrendered.

"Okay, I love you," He moved to kiss my lips, but I moved so he ended up kissing my cheek as he pulled back he raised his eyebrow. "Anna-"

"I think I'm coming down with a cold," I lied. "I don't want you to catch it,"

"Alright, see you later," As Brian left me holding the baby monitor, tears rose in my eyes the prickling sensation back for the fourth day in a row. "Anna, have you seen- Hey, what's wrong?" Brian hugged me, only making the tears worse.

"I'm fine," I lied, again. "Stubbed my toe, that's all. What were you looking for?"

"My keys. You sure you're okay?" Nodding, I produced his car key's from my back pocket. "I had to get Scotty's backpack out earlier,"

"Forgot about that. Okay, bye," Kissing my cheeck again he left.

"Mum why is Daddy going?" Scotty asked, as Brian pulled out of the driveway. "He said he'd take me to the beach,"

"He did?" Suddenly any tears were gone, and I was angry at Brian. "How about I call uncle Zacky?"

"No, he doesn't like to play in the sand he likes to swim,"

"Okay, who likes to play in the sand with you?"

"Dad," Scotty turned and walked away. "He always does this,"

"I'm sorry, Scotty," I whispered, wiping away fresh tears.