Chapter 39: Changing Noah’s Diapers

Kael woke up the next morning with a dull ache in his chest.

He tried to sit up, but the movement made him wince. After a moment, he gave up and reached for his phone instead.

It was a little past seven.

He had planned to resume his morning exercises today, but after remembering Marcus’s punch, he decided that plan could wait. The nurse had told him to rest, and for once, Kael wasn’t going to argue with medical advice.

At least, not until he could move without feeling like someone had used him as a punching bag.

A small noise came from the crib beside his bed, making Kael turn his head. Noah was awake, moving his arms and making little sounds as his eyes wandered around the room. When the baby noticed his father, he continued waving his hands as though he wanted to get his attention.

"Good morning, Noah," Kael whispered.

Noah kicked his legs in response.

"Did you sleep well? I hope you did because your father had a terrible night," Kael told him.

The baby answered with another noise, and Kael smiled before carefully pushing himself to his feet.

"All right, all right. I’m getting up," Kael said as he approached the crib.

His chest still hurt, so he moved slowly when he lifted Noah. The baby settled against him, catching the front of his shirt with his tiny fingers.

"Easy, little man. Daddy’s a bit sore today," Kael said as he adjusted Noah in his arms.

He carried his son to the changing table and checked his diaper. Since it needed changing, Kael gathered the supplies and got to work. He wasn’t as quick as Sera, but he remembered the steps she had shown him. He cleaned Noah, changed the diaper, and fastened it properly before checking to make sure it wasn’t too tight.

"There, much better, isn’t it?" Kael asked as Noah waved his arms.

He kissed the baby’s forehead and carried him to the armchair near the window. Sera was still asleep in the bedroom after staying awake with Noah several times during the night. Kael wanted her to get some proper rest, so he settled into the chair with their son and reached for the small feeding bag they kept nearby.

"Let’s see. You’ve had your diaper changed, and now you probably want breakfast," Kael said.

Noah moved his mouth as he looked at his father.

"Good guess, Dad," Kael joked, smiling at the baby.

He prepared the milk, checked its temperature, and began feeding Noah. The baby drank eagerly, occasionally pausing to move his hands. Kael watched him carefully to make sure he was comfortable.

Over the past few weeks, Kael had learned a few things about his son. Noah often became restless when he was uncomfortable, and he usually settled after being fed or changed. There were still times when Kael couldn’t figure out what he wanted, but he was beginning to recognize some of his son’s usual habits.

When Noah finished drinking, Kael held him upright against his shoulder and gently patted his back.

"Take your time, little man. There’s no rush," Kael said.

A few minutes later, Noah let out a small burp, making Kael laugh quietly.

"Good job. Your mother would be proud of us," Kael told him.

He continued holding Noah near the window. The morning light came through the curtains, and the baby seemed interested in the movement of the leaves outside. Kael adjusted the blanket around him and looked toward the bedroom.

"Your mother has been doing a lot for us lately. We’ll let her sleep a little longer, all right?" Kael said.

Noah stared at him without responding.

Kael smiled. "I’ll take that as a yes."

He leaned back carefully and allowed his son to rest against his chest. For a while, he simply watched Noah’s face as the baby occasionally moved his fingers or turned his head toward his father’s voice.

Kael had spent the previous day thinking about becoming a hunter, proving his strength, and finding out what the strange appraisal stone had detected. He still wanted answers, but none of those things needed his attention that morning. His son was right there with him, and Kael wanted to make the most of the time they had together.

A familiar chime suddenly sounded in his mind.

[Family Care Quest Completed.]

[Objective: Provide attentive care for your child while recovering.]

[Evaluation: The user independently identified and responded to the child’s basic needs.]

[Reward: Family Care Perception +1%.]

Kael read the notification carefully before another message appeared.

[Family Care Perception has improved.]

[Effect: Slightly improves recognition of familiar family members’ basic needs through their usual behavior and responses.]

Kael looked down at Noah as he considered the reward. It wasn’t a boost to his strength or speed, and it wouldn’t help him land a better punch against Marcus. It certainly wouldn’t make him a more capable hunter overnight. Instead, the reward improved something he was already trying to learn: how to recognize and respond to the needs of his family.

Kael was satisfied with that.

"Well, Noah, looks like we’re both learning something today," he told his son.

The baby wrapped his fingers around Kael’s thumb, and Kael gently squeezed his tiny hand.

"Don’t worry. I’ll get better at this," Kael promised.

Sera woke up about an hour later and found Kael sitting in the armchair with Noah resting against his chest. The feeding supplies had been cleaned and put away, and the changing table was neat. She stopped at the doorway for a moment before walking over to them.

"Good morning," Sera said softly.

Kael looked up at her. "Morning. Did you sleep well?"

"Better than yesterday," Sera replied as she sat on the sofa beside him. "How are you feeling?"

"My chest still hurts, but it’s not as bad as last night," Kael answered.

Sera looked concerned. "Did you take anything for the pain?"

"Not yet. I wanted to get Noah settled first," Kael explained.

Sera frowned slightly. "Kael, you don’t have to do everything yourself. If you’re hurting, wake me up."

"I know. I just wanted you to rest a little longer because you were up several times last night," Kael replied.

Her expression softened. "Thank you, but you need rest too."

"I’ll take something after breakfast. I promise," Kael assured her.

Sera looked down at Noah. "Did he eat?"

"Yes. I changed his diaper first, then fed him. He burped a few minutes later, and now he’s been watching the trees outside," Kael explained.

Sera smiled. "You remembered everything."

"I’m trying," Kael replied.

"You did well," she told him.

The simple praise made Kael smile. He had been learning how to care for Noah since the baby arrived, and there were still plenty of things he wasn’t confident about. Hearing Sera say he had done well mattered more than he expected.

Sera reached over and gently touched Noah’s cheek.

"Hello, sweetheart. Did Daddy look after you properly?" she asked the baby.

Noah moved his arms, and Kael shook his head with a smile.

"Don’t let that fool you. He was very demanding this morning," Kael told her.

Sera laughed softly. "I believe you."

Kael shifted slightly and winced, which Sera noticed immediately.

"Let me take him for a while," Sera offered.

"I can manage," Kael replied.

"I know you can, but you’re injured, and you’ve already looked after him this morning. Let me have my turn," Sera insisted.

Kael hesitated before carefully passing Noah to her.

"All right. Thank you," Kael said.

Sera settled the baby against her chest and adjusted his blanket. "You’re welcome. Now, what would you like for breakfast?"

"Something simple. I’ll eat whatever you make," Kael answered.

"Then I’ll prepare eggs and toast," Sera decided.

"That sounds good. Do you want me to help?" Kael asked.

Sera gave him a look. "You’re going to sit here and rest."

"I was only asking," Kael replied.

"And I’m answering," Sera said firmly.

Kael smiled. "All right. I’ll behave."

Sera leaned over and kissed his forehead before standing up.

"Good. I’ll bring your breakfast when it’s ready," she told him.

Kael watched her carry Noah toward the kitchen. He was grateful that she had taken over without making him feel useless. He also knew he needed to be sensible about his recovery instead of treating every task as something he had to prove he could handle. With that in mind, he settled back into the chair and waited for breakfast.