Totally Different

Kayla was exhausted. The kind of exhaustion that settled into her bones, making even the simplest tasks feel monumental. But as she sat in the nursery, rocking Scottie in her arms, she couldn't help but smile down at her daughter.

"You're lucky you're cute," she murmured, brushing a finger along Scottie's chubby cheek.

Travis appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed. "She keeping you up?"

Kayla sighed. "She's got her days and nights mixed up."

Travis walked over, gently taking Scottie from her arms. "Here, I got her. Go get some sleep."

Kayla hesitated, but her body was already screaming at her to take the opportunity. "You sure?"

Travis smirked. "What kind of dad would I be if I couldn't handle my own kid for a few hours?"

"Alright," she relented, standing up and stretching. "If she gets fussy, try walking around with her. She likes movement."

Travis nodded. "Got it. Now go."

Kayla didn't argue. She shuffled down the hall, collapsing onto her bed and instantly knocking out.

—

The next morning, Kayla woke up to the smell of breakfast.

That was new.

She pulled on a robe and walked downstairs, pausing when she saw Travis standing at the stove, flipping pancakes with Scottie strapped to his chest in a baby carrier.

"Wow," she teased, leaning against the doorway. "Didn't know you had domestic skills."

Travis turned, smirking. "I contain multitudes."

Kayla laughed, walking over to peek at Scottie. "She let you sleep at all?"

"Not really," he admitted. "But we had a good talk at 3 AM about how much we love Mom and big sis."

Kayla rolled her eyes. "You're ridiculous."

Just then, the front door swung open, and Donna walked in with Hartley, who ran straight to Kayla. "Mommy!"

Kayla scooped her up, kissing her cheek. "Hey, baby! Did you have fun with Nana?"

Hartley nodded eagerly. "Uh-huh! We made cookies and played tea party!"

Travis turned, handing Hartley a mini pancake. "And now, you get Daddy's famous pancakes."

Hartley giggled, taking a big bite. "Yummy!"

Donna smiled, watching the scene unfold. "You guys look like a real little family."

Kayla and Travis exchanged a glance before Kayla quickly turned away. "Well, we kinda are."

Donna nodded, a knowing glint in her eye. "Right."

—

Later that afternoon, while Travis was in the backyard playing with Hartley, Kayla and Donna sat on the couch, watching Scottie sleep in her bassinet.

Donna sipped her tea. "You know, seeing Travis like this reminds me of when Hartley was born."

Kayla smiled. "Yeah?"

Donna nodded. "I remember that first week... Lord, I don't think I've ever seen two people more overwhelmed in my life."

Kayla chuckled. "It was a lot."

Donna set her tea down. "You wanna know what I remember most?"

Kayla turned to her. "What?"

—

Flashback – The First Week with Hartley

Kayla sat on the couch, staring blankly ahead while Hartley screamed in her bassinet. She hadn't slept in what felt like days, and Travis looked just as wrecked beside her, his head in his hands.

"What do we do?" Travis groaned. "She won't stop crying."

Kayla sighed, rubbing her temples. "I don't know, Travis. Maybe she just hates us."

Travis turned to her, eyes wide. "You think?"

Kayla shot him a look. "No, you idiot! But I don't know what's wrong!"

Travis stood, pacing the living room. "Okay. Okay. We got this." He grabbed his phone and started typing. "I'm Googling."

Kayla groaned. "We are not trusting Google with our child's well-being!"

"Well, I don't see you coming up with any ideas!"

They both turned to Hartley, who was still screaming.

Kayla sighed, standing up and scooping her into her arms. "Come on, baby. What do you need?"

Travis rubbed his face. "She's fed, changed, burped... Maybe she just hates life right now?"

Kayla rocked her gently, then an idea struck her. She turned to Travis. "Sing to her."

Travis blinked. "Sing?"

"Yes! You always sing in the car. Try it."

Travis hesitated before clearing his throat. Then, in the softest voice Kayla had ever heard from him, he started singing, "You Are My Sunshine."

Hartley's cries slowed.

Kayla's eyes widened. "Oh my God. It's working."

Travis continued, his voice growing steadier. "Please don't take my sunshine away..."

By the time he finished, Hartley was completely quiet, her tiny face relaxed.

Kayla stared at Travis. "I take back everything I said about you being useless."

Travis smirked. "Damn right."

—

Present Day

Donna chuckled, shaking her head. "You two were a mess, but you figured it out."

Kayla smiled, looking at Scottie. "Yeah. We did."

Just then, Travis came inside with Hartley, both of them breathless from playing outside.

Kayla looked up at him, a soft expression on her face.

Travis caught her gaze. "What?"

Kayla shook her head, smiling. "Nothing."

And for the first time in a long time, everything felt... right.