Finding It

Conner was beyond exhausted. He knew Ashley was going through a rough time so he was doing his damndest to be there for her. He told her he loved her and he was going to prove it, dammit. So while she was trying to get through her therapy sessions, he was still pretty much being the only taking care of Claire aside from a feeding or a changing here and there. On top of that, he was back to working at least TV tapings and a house show or two. He was beyond stressed and tired.

On a rare day off, Claire was doing fine and Conner had collapsed onto the couch and fell into an almost coma-like sleep for a nap.

Ashley had been upstairs, putting some of her clothes together so she could wash them. She had been going to therapy sessions to work herself out and get herself better. While she was putting things together, she heard Claire starting to fuss and cry. She sighed and went to get Conner. "Uh...Conner..." she said.

Conner could just barely hear Claire crying but his body would not let him get up. He continued to sleep.

Ashley sighed as she tried to wake him up and realized he wasn't going to get up. She headed back to Claire's room and looked at her.....then picked her up, rocking her a bit. "It's okay Claire." she told her.

the baby continued to cry and want to be really close to Ashley or anyone.

Ashley held Claire closer to her and kissed the top of her head. "It's okay, Mommy's here."

Claire began to calm down a little.

"Good girl." she told her as she continued to rock her in her arms.

Claire cooed and smiled as she relaxed in her mother's arms.

Ashley smiled back. "I think somebody wants some baby food." she said as she kissed her forehead. "Let's go get you some."

Claire made little noises and fussed a little, but mainly because yes, she was hungry.

Ashley headed downstairs to grab some of the baby food to feed Claire.

Claire baby babbled as Ashley carried her.

Ashley nodded a bit, as Claire was babbling and she got her food out. She put her in the high chair and sat down in front of her, to start feeding her. "Open up."

Conner woke up a while later and looked around. "Nnngg...Ashley?" he called through a yawn.

"In the kitchen." she called out.

He groggily went into the kitchen. "Hey..." he yawned as he stretched. "How long was I asleep?"

She glanced over and chuckled to herself a little, then went back to feeding Claire. "Hm, probably close to three hours."

"Oh my god." he sighed. "I'm sorry..."

"It's fine, you were tired." she shrugged.