Page 71 of Bossy Baby

“It hurts so bad,” Hayley whined.

“Here, baby,” Mac helped him sit up. “Lean against me.”

Hayley turned his head so his face was buried in Mac’s chest. Okay, so maybe it helped a little when Mac held him.

“Take a drink,” Mac urged. “Come on, sweetheart. Take a drink and we’ll get your pills swallowed.”

It took more coaxing from his Daddy, but soon Hayley had taken two pills and drunk a cup of juice.

“How about we cuddle on the couch?”

“No,” Hayley mumbled. Still feeling miserable. “Floor.”

“Floor it is,” Mac agreed.

Hayley pressed his lips together. Mac needed to stop doing that, being all sweet and calm. “I don’t want to lie on the floor.” There, let Mac figure out what to do now.

“You’re right,” Mac said. “That was a silly idea.” He rose to his knees before pushing Hayley’s hair out of his face.

Hayley knew his face would be red and splotchy, but he didn’t care. Mac could accept him or not.

“But I know just what to do for my boy,” Mac announced.

“You do?” Hayley peered up at Mac. Maybe his Daddy could help.

“Trust me?” Mac questioned.

Hayley rubbed his nose and sniffled. “Yes.”

“Good. Stay there. I’ll be right back.”

Mac was gone before Hayley could even respond. Hayley threw himself back on the carpet. How was this fair? His Daddy was supposed to stay by his side! He wasn’t supposed to leave the room.

Hayley was working up to another good crying fit as Mac returned.

“Come here, baby.” Mac reached down to pick him up.

Refusing to help, Hayley remained dead weight. That would teach his Daddy to leave him.

“Okay. I can work with this, though.” Scooping Hayley up, Mac was still smiling. He carried Hayley up the stairs.

Hayley didn’t want to go to bed, either. He opened his mouth to complain, but then Mac did something Hayley didn’t expect. Still cuddling Hayley tight, Mac stuck his finger in Hayley’s mouth.

“Instead of talking, why don’t you suck on my thumb?”

So Hayley started to suck on Mac’s thumb.

Now that both hands were completely full, Mac had to open the French doors with his elbow. Hayley could have helped, but he didn’t want to.

Mac carried Hayley to the bed and laid him down. He sat next to Hayley on the small mattress, letting Hayley still suck on his thumb.

“Here’s what is going to happen,” Mac said softly. “I have laid out some stuff for you. You’re not going to talk or argue. You’re going to let Daddy take care of you. The only word out of your mouth can bestopif you don’t like something.”

Okay, Hayley could do all that.

Mac removed his thumb and Hayley whined.

“I know sweetie,” Mac told him. “Give me just a minute.”

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