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His phone buzzed. The team group chat had been going since eight, when somebody had apparently told Fen.

Fen: ROGNAR HAS A BABY

Fen: I need everyone to understand that ROGNAR has a BABY

Korvash: Elena told you, didn’t she

Fen: I’m putting it in the newsletter

Tarmek: There is no newsletter.

Fen: there is now

Tarmek: Is he all right?

He stared at that one for a moment.

Rognar: I’m fine

Charlie wailed directly into his ear, and he reconsidered.

Rognar: actually no

Rognar: she won’t stop crying

Rognar: she settles for a few minutes then starts again

The response was immediate.

Korvash: fever?

Rognar: no

Korvash: eating?

Rognar: not much

Rognar: Mildred says she had 6 oz around 3

Rognar: maybe 2 since we got home

Three dots appeared beneath Korvash’s name. Then disappeared. Then appeared beneath a name Rognar hadn’t expected.

Brogan: how many people held her today

He frowned and went back through the day. Mildred. Someone at the county office. George’s paralegal for a minute while he signed paperwork. The girl at the store while he wrestled with the car seat. Him.

Rognar: 5 or 6

Brogan: new house new smells new people

Brogan: she’s overtired and overstimulated

Brogan: stop trying new things

Brogan: dark room. hold her. stay put.

A moment later.