A Great Day Was Had By All

Stevo was a bit concerned. Jeff had been in the guest room for an age now, and it was very quiet. He pushed the door open softly and couldn't help but smile. Jeff had fed Livvy and changed her, then said he would put her down for a sleep. The problem was that she hadn't made it to the crib they'd got ready for her. Jeff was on the rocking chair and Livvy was cuddled up on his chest, fast asleep.

Jeff heard the door open and looked over, smiling sheepishly at his friend. He glanced down at Livvy and risked talking softly to Stevo. "Sorry, Seb, she just kinda gave up the ghost and looked so comfy I didn't want to risk waking her by getting up."

Stevo walked over and put one hand on Jeff's shoulder and the other on Livvy's head, stroking her hair gently. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head and then kissed Jeff as well

"You better be careful, Jeffie. You're really good with her, Ben will be getting jealous. I don't think he'd take kindly to another man if her life."

"Oh, I think I'm safe, Seb. He knows that he wouldn't have to worry about either of us even if she was all grown up," Jeff grinned. "You wanna take her so I can get up?"

Stevo took Livvy from Jeff and looked down at her sleeping. It would take more than them placing her in the crib to wake her, this girl could sleep for Australia. They gently placed her down and covered her with a thin doona. Jeff checked the baby monitor before they both left the guest room.

"Fancy a cuppa?" Jeff asked walking toward the kitchen.

"Mate, I fancy you, but I guess a cuppa will have to do right now. We don't want to risk waking the baby do we."

Jeff grinned over his shoulder and winked at Stevo as he put the kettle on.

They took their tea, and the monitor, out to the back porch and sat on the glider in the shade, they'd had a hectic morning playing with Livvy. As small as she was, she'd managed to run rings around them. Jeff was amazed just how fast she could crawl around. He was glad she was sleeping, he could get his second wind before she woke ready for more play. Finishing his tea, he put his mug on the nearby table and stretched out with his head on Stevo's lap. He closed his eyes as Stevo stroked his hair, and he soon drifted off to sleep in the warm afternoon breeze. Stevo smiled down at him and rocked the glider gently with his foot.

Jeff came to with a start. "What time is it?" he asked.

"Don't panic, mate. You've only been asleep for about thirty minutes. Livvy is still away in dreamland, and you needed a bit of a rest. Poor old thing, you aren't as young as you were."

"Oi!" Jeff exclaimed, jumping up and chucking a cushion at Stevo. "Just watch it, mate, or you'll be taking an early bath," he warned pointing to the pool.

"That would be nice. It's a shame we can't take Livvy in there."

"Why not?" Jeff asked. "I'm sure we could rig something up to keep her safe." He looked over at the inflatable chair Stevo loved to use in the pool and grinned. He has an idea.

In no time at all he'd strapped the baby bouncer securely onto the seat and took it to the pool. He placed the seat in the water and dived in after it, pushing it around to make sure it was stable.

"It looks good, mate. Now all we need is the little princess."

"She'll wake up when she's ready," Jeff said, getting out of the pool and shaking himself over Stevo. "We need to make sure we put enough sunscreen on her when we bring her out, and put her little hat on too."

"No worries, no corners cut for Miss Wade."

It wasn't too long before Livvy woke up. She was a great baby, no crying for attention, she just amused herself until Stevo went in to check. She looked over and actually frowned. Stevo called for Jeff, laughing.

"What's up, Seb?"

"Look at her, I don't think I'm the face she wants to see."

Jeff poked his head round the door and Livvy's face lit up with a radiant smile as soon as she saw him. He giggled as he went to lift her out of the crib. "Hello, Little One. You have a good nap?"

Livvy smacked his cheeks with her little hands and gave him a little baby kiss. "Aw, thanks, Luv. You gonna give Uncle Seb one as well?"

As if she understood, she looked over at Stevo and had a quizzical look on her face. Stevo gave her a smile and a little wave, and was greeted with a shy grin in return. He kissed her cheek and she blew happy bubbles at him. They checked her nappy, then changed her ready for the pool.

Jeff got in the water and Stevo sat on the edge holding Livvy. When the chair was dragged close enough, they put her in and strapped her securely in the bouncer. Jeff then pulled her round and round the pool. He was relieved to see that she was enjoying every minute of it, screaming in delight when Stevo flicked water on her feet.

They didn't stay in the pool too long, they were mindful of the fact that the sun was reflecting up from the surface, and they wanted to keep Livvy safe. She was a little sad to be lifted out of her seat, but soon cheered up again when they took her inside to play.

Later on, they changed her and fed her some tea, then got comfy on the sofa and listened to music until it was time to put her to bed. They both hoped that Ben and Liana wouldn't come for her too early the next day as they were going to miss her when she went home.