Page 44 of The Baby Plan

“Shall we turn in?” asked Samson, with a yawn.

“Sure,” Sophie answered, feeling suddenly self-conscious.

“You take the bed,” he offered. Seeing the uncertainty on Sophie’s face, he added, “Honestly, I can sleep anywhere, I’ll be fine in the armchair.”

They took turns to go down the corridor and use the utilitarian bathroom set aside for parents staying and then settled down as best as they could for the night. Sophie was grateful there was the cot between them, which made it feel less like they were actually sleeping next to each other. Of course all the noises from the rest of the ward and the fact that nurses were coming in regularly to check on Alana, also put an end to any atmosphere of romance which may potentially have been gently hanging in the air.

“Well, goodnight,” said Sophie, nonchalantly, turning off the lamp.

“Night,” Samson replied.

Sophie naturally thought she should turn away from Samson, so it wasn’t like she was watching him, and he wouldn’t spot if she slept with her mouth open, but then she wouldn’t be able to see Alana and would need to turn over every time she wanted to check on the little girl.

She lay awake for a long time, trying to keep as quiet as possible, both so she didn’t disturb Samson, and so she could hear Alana’s breathing. The room was not as dark as Sophie was used to sleeping in thanks to a window next to the door letting in light from the corridor outside, despite their closing its blinds. She could make out Samson’s outline. The nurse had brought him a blanket which he’d wrapped himself in. A few times when she’d glanced over, he’d been staring out across the room, seemingly deep in contemplation. Once, their eyes had met over the cot. Sophie smiled, but she wasn’t sure if it was light enough for him to make that out. He didn’t return her smile anyway, and turned away.

Alana was sounding almost completely better by morning and managed plenty of breakfast. The hours seemed to crawl by as they waited for the doctor to come round to confirm they could go home, and then having to hang around for the antibiotics Alana would need to take for the next few days. It was after lunch by the time a very grumpy, sleep-deprived Alana was discharged.

Thankfully, it didn’t take long for Sophie to drive them all home.

“It’s time for Alana’s bottle and then shall I put her down for her nap?” Samson asked as he closed the front door behind them and stifled a yawn himself.

“I’ll make up her bottle,” Sophie offered. “I don’t know about putting her in her room by herself... she’s exhausted, but I want to keep an eye on her for the rest of the day at least.”

“How about I set up the travel cot in the den?”

“Perfect, I’ll get us a cup of tea and then I can sit in there with her and veg-out in front of the television while she sleeps.”

“Mind if I join you?” asked Samson.

“Of course not. What do you want to watch?”

“Something funny. Have a browse on Netflix?”

Sophie made tea and prepared Alana’s bottle before beginning searching the streaming service while Samson put up the travel cot and changed Alana’s nappy. He joined her on the sofa and gave Alana her bottle while Sophie continued scrolling. It was hard choosing something they’d both enjoy; she didn’t know what he liked to watch. It wasn’t something they’d ever discussed.

“How about Friends?” Samson suggested, spotting the programme on the suggestions list.

“Really?” asked Sophie incredulously.

“Yeah.” He sounded embarrassed. “I like Friends, don’t you?”

“Sure, I just didn’t think you would.”

“Let’s binge: season one, episode one.”

“OK.” Sophie laughed.

Alana fell asleep in Samson’s arms while she had her bottle. Once he was sure she was absolutely fast asleep, he gently transferred her into the cot, before sitting back down on the sofa with a sigh and downing the last of his tea.

Sophie tried to surreptitiously edge away as much as she possibly could from Samson; being close to him was far too discombobulating with her body telling her it wanted to edge nearer, but her mind firmly reminding her of their very complicated situation. Soon though she became absorbed in the show, settling down into the comfortable sofa and giving in to the exhaustion. Alana’s breathing was sounding normal, and so Sophie felt she could relax a little. She felt safe and so happy to be back where she now thought of as home, and her eyes slowly closed.

* * *

The next thing Sophie knew, Alana was gurgling away. Sophie opened her eyes — her niece was sitting up in the travel cot. Then Sophie realised she was leaning against Samson. She’d somehow moved against him while she’d been napping. She got up as swiftly as she could, wiping her mouth as she did to check she hadn’t dribbled in her sleep. Oh dear Lord! What would he think of her? She was picking up Alana as Samson began to wake. He stretched languidly and opened his eyes.

“Wow, how long was I asleep?” he asked.

Sophie checked her watch. “About an hour and a half.”

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