Had Noel been by himself, I would've easily slammed the door in his face, but a crying baby wasn't something I could ignore.
I pulled the door open to invite the men. "Does he feel warm? Have you taken his temperature?"
"I don't know. I mean he feels a little warm, but he's been using so much energy to cry, it could be why he’s warm. I tried to use the thermometer thingy that Lupe left, but he's too squirmy. I can't keep him still long enough to get a reading."
Noel set Mo’s baby carrier on the coffee table. I unfastened the straps holding Mo in the carrier and lifted him out. His entire body was taut, his face red as he wailed.
"Maybe he has a stomachache or something. But I don't know what to do about that. What do you give a baby with a stomachache?"
I felt Mo’s forehead, but as Noel had said, it was hard to tell if the warmth was due to a temperature or agitation. I put Mo over my shoulder and gently rubbed his back bouncing slightly.
"Here, maybe you should put this over your shoulder, so he doesn't ruin your dress.” Noel handed me a cloth diaper.
I put it over my shoulder and then set Mo back against it. I walked around my living room, patting his back and singing the song my mother sang to me. Mo’s crying didn't stop but the intensity lessened.
I shifted him to cradle him in my arms. "Did you bring the thermometer?"
Noel reached into the diaper bag, pulling out the device and handing it to me. Holding Mo with one hand as I continued to rock him. I used my other hand, inserting the device into his ear. When it beeped I read the result.
"This says his temperature is normal."
Noel let out a relieved breath.
I handed the thermometer back to him and continued to soothe Mo. "I don't think he's sick and so my suggestion would be just to watch him. If he has a stomachache, I think that will eventually go away." What the hell did I know?
Noel nodded. "The internet wasn't very helpful when it came to helping babies with stomach aches."
A few moments later Mo was quiet and his eyes began to droop. "Whatever it is, he seems to be okay now."
"Thanks to you." Noel sounded sincere. It was almost like he’d forgotten the other night where we’d fought, fucked, and then parted ways.
"Would you like me to set him back in his carrier or do you want to carry him?"
“You put him in his carrier. Hopefully he’ll stay asleep and get some rest. Sometimes there’s something about me that he doesn't seem to like."
I arched a brow at him. "Maybe he needs his mother."
Irritation flashed on his face. "Gee, why didn’t I think that?" He gave off a frustrated growl and his expression turned apologetic. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to snap at you. His mother isn't in the area, and it doesn't appear she's going to be anytime soon."
I nodded and looked at my watch. If I didn't leave soon, I would be late meeting Anne.
"I appreciate the help, Harper. I thought that Mo and I had come to terms, but the last day or two, it's been pretty tough. He takes up most of my physical and mental energy. I can't remember the last time I had a meal or slept through the night."
I hated how pathetic he looked. There was an endearing quality to it, and I didn't want him to be endearing. It made it harder to hate him.
"I'm supposed to be heading out soon, but I can fix you something to eat if you like." Inside I was slapping myself. Why was I offering to feed him?
"I've already taken up so much of your time. It looks like you have a hot date or something."
There was an edge to his tone almost as if he didn't like the idea of me going out on a hot date. Or maybe I was just projecting my wish that it was torturing him to see me all dolled up, but not able to have me.
"I'll just get some takeout,” he finished.
Mo made a little squeaking noise that had us both looking at him as he rested in his carrier. His eyes remained closed, and he let out a breath as if he was settling into a long sleep.
I looked at Noel's face as he watched his supposed son. He had a slight smile on his face, but I couldn't be sure if it was from feeling love toward Mo or relief that he wasn't going to wake up and cry.
Finally, his gaze returned to me. "Well, I guess I should be going."