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His cheeks turned crimson. “Oh. Right. Yeah. Definitely a sign.”
When their daughter began to fuss and Rainy went to soothe her while she finished feeding their son, Killion stopped her. “Don’t worry. I’ve got her.”
“She’s probably hungry too,” Rainy said.
“I’ve got it covered.” Killion reached inside the basket and pulled out a small bottle. “I wasn’t sure how this would work, so I made a couple of these from the freezer stockpile just in case. Unless you’d rather feed her with… you know.”
Rainy bit her bottom lip to hold back her amusement. “Go ahead. We can tag team this one.”
He nodded and gently lifted the baby from the stroller and first laid her against his shoulder and kissed the top of her head before cradling her in his arms and offering her the bottle he’d prepared for her.
When their daughter fussed and didn’t take the bottle, Killion looked at Rainy, who smiled.
“I don’t think she’s hungry. She ate pretty well before we started our adventure around the building,” she said. “I just changed them too.”
“What do you think is wrong? She never fusses unless she’s hungry or needs a diaper change,” Killion said, with panic in his voice. “Do you think she’s come down with something?”
Rainy put their son over her shoulder and began to pat his back. “I don’t think so. She seems fine. No symptoms other than a little fussy.”
“You know, for their age and being preemies, the risks are much higher and the consequence of illness can be more serious for them,” he countered.
Rainy simply continued to smile and remained calm. “I don’t think it’s anything serious. She only just started to get upset.”
Killion held her out in front of him, cradled in his arms, and looked her over. “I don’t know. Does she seem a little pale to you? She’s drooling. Too early for teething, right? Everything I’ve read says we’re still months away from that.”
“This guy’s done.” A subtle giggle escaped Rainy when their son released a boisterous belch, and she moved to the blanket to prop him in one of the pillows Killion brought. “I think she’s the same pale peachy tone she’s been since we’ve known her.”
“I don’t know. The way she’s looking at me. I’ve never seen her so alert.” Killion held the baby to his face, pressing her forehead to his mouth. “She might be warm. Low-grade temperature, maybe.”
Rainy placed the back of her hand across the little one's forehead and shook her head. “She’s fine. You’re a little flush, and I see the sweat beading on your brow. I think you’re the one feeling a little warm.”
Killion quickly handed the baby to Rainy and began to palm his forehead, testing his temperature all over his face. “You think it’s me? You think I’m sick? I shouldn’t be around them… or you. I don’t want to put them at risk, and you’re still healing…”
Rainy clutched their daughter against her body with one arm while pulling the extra pillow closer to their son and placed their daughter in it. “There we go.”
Killion looked back and forth between the babies and Rainy, who seemed oddly calm. “That’s it? You’re just putting her down?”
“Yes.” Rainy snickered. “I think she was just lonely in that stroller by herself. She’s back with her brother and can see us. She seems fine.”
Killion turned his attention back to the babies and watched them a moment before panic set in once more. “Look at them. Maybe he’s sick too. Their eyes are everywhere, and their arms are sort of flailing.”
“Killion, have you ever brought them in here before?”
He thought for a moment. “No. I haven’t.”
She nodded with confidence. “Look around. There’s so much to see. It’s bright. Maybe they’re just noticing their surroundings more and intrigued by this space. Some say everything is blurry for some time, and I’ve even heard some say they can’t make out shapes or colors. Regardless of the science, which I’m sure you’re well read on, I think they see something different from their usual, and it’s stimulating, hence, their flailing arms.”
“So they’re excited.” He watched them and followed their stare to the canopy of trees above where they were sitting. “She seems calmer now. Maybe you’re right. She just missed him.”
“She probably heard you. Wanted to be near you.” Rainy shrugged, watching the twins take in their surroundings. “They may not be able to speak yet, but they still know what they want and how to communicate it. She knows our voices and even her brother’s.”
“I-I hadn’t thought about that. You’re probably right. Again. They’re usually so good and easy for the most part. The fussing was out of character,” he said.
“So is hanging out in here, in the stroller, without her brother,” Rainy pointed out.
“Ah. You’re good at this parenting thing. I’ve read everything I can get my hands on, been around more baby nieces and nephews than I can count, and it didn’t click for me. I guess I still have a lot to learn.” He paused for a moment. “They’re lucky to have you. We’re lucky to have you. I would have rushed her to the doc.”
“We make a good team, then,” she said.
