Chapter 222: Chapter 222: Wifey, Teach Me
Sunlight streamed through the spotless floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm patch of light across the wooden floor.
Without realizing it, Wren Sutton had fallen asleep on Adrian Lancaster’s shoulder, her breathing even and deep.
Time seemed to stand still. The air flowed gently, painting a heartwarming and soothing picture.
To help Wren sleep more comfortably, Adrian Lancaster adjusted his position, gently lying down with her in his arms.
He turned on his side and gazed quietly at Wren Sutton’s profile.
Her skin was as fair as ever, thankfully free of any pregnancy marks.
Her eyelashes cast small shadows beneath her eyelids, and her lips were lightly pursed. Her quiet, docile appearance was enough to soften his heart.
Adrian Lancaster was mesmerized, his mind drifting back to the first time he had ever met Wren Sutton.
Back then, her face still held a touch of youthful innocence. The slightest bit of teasing from him would make her blush shyly and whine playfully in his arms.
She had given him all of her firsts, and he had taken them for granted, doing as he pleased. He never truly cherished her, always acting high and mighty.
Adrian Lancaster cursed himself. ’I’m such a bastard.’
He had such a beautiful, gentle, and understanding wife, yet he’d had the heart to hurt her. He’d been too stubborn to admit his feelings for her sooner, completely ignoring her own.
A sharp, bitter pang shot through Adrian Lancaster’s chest. He reached out, carefully brushing a stray lock of hair from Wren Sutton’s forehead before leaning down to press a kiss there.
"Honey, I’m sorry. I’ve put you through so much. I’m a bastard."
"I’ll change. I’ll never let you suffer even the slightest bit from now on."
Just as Adrian Lancaster finished muttering to himself, the baby girl in the crib stirred, letting out a soft whimper.
He immediately looked up, his gaze darting over alertly.
The little one just smacked her lips and quickly fell back asleep.
Adrian Lancaster breathed a sigh of relief. He lay back down, gently holding Wren Sutton, careful not to squeeze too tightly for fear of waking her.
A little while later.
"WAAH—WAAH—" A sudden cry shattered the silence.
Wren Sutton jolted awake. She was about to get up instinctively when Adrian Lancaster gently held her down.
"You rest. I’ll check on the baby."
He swiftly rolled out of bed.
Wren Sutton didn’t move.
The baby boy’s face was bright red from crying, his little hands and feet flailing in the air.
Adrian Lancaster bent down and lifted his son out of the crib. His movements were still a bit clumsy and stiff, but much better than the first time.
"Son, don’t cry, Daddy’s here," he cooed, cradling the baby in his arms and rocking him gently as he paced back and forth in the bedroom.
The wooden floor creaked softly, accompanying the off-key lullaby he was humming.
The baby boy wasn’t buying it. Not only did his crying not stop, it grew even louder.
Adrian Lancaster continued to soothe him, but it was still no use. He started pacing in anxious circles.
Seeing this, Wren Sutton pushed herself up, leaning against the headboard.
"When babies cry, it’s usually because they’re hungry or they need a diaper change."
Hearing that, Adrian Lancaster immediately placed his son back in the crib and carefully undid the snaps on his onesie to check.
Sure enough, he was wet.
"Honey, you’re amazing. You guessed right."
"Take off the diaper," Wren Sutton said, pointing to the storage bin next to the crib. "There are fresh ones inside. Change him into a new one."
"Okay."
Adrian Lancaster obediently did as he was told. He tore open the Velcro tabs on the sides, opened the diaper, and then, under Wren Sutton’s guidance, used a baby wipe to clean his son’s bottom.
The little guy was not cooperating. He kicked his legs wildly, his cries growing even more piercing.
Adrian Lancaster: "..."
Wren Sutton: "You’re not doing it right."
"How should I do it?" Adrian Lancaster asked humbly. "Honey, please teach me."
Wren Sutton continued to guide him patiently. "Gently hold his ankles with your left hand and lift them up a little. Yes, just like that. Then, use your right hand to wipe with the wet wipe. Be quick, babies don’t like having their bottoms bare for too long."
Adrian Lancaster followed her instructions, and it was indeed much easier.
Once he was clean, Adrian picked up the diaper rash cream, hesitating.
"Honey, how much of this should I use?"
Wren Sutton: "A pea-sized amount. Rub it between your palms and gently pat it onto the baby’s bottom. Don’t smear it."
"Got it."
Adrian Lancaster followed Wren Sutton’s instructions to the letter.
The baby’s skin was soft and smooth. After applying the cream, he picked up a new diaper, unfolded it, and placed it under his son.
"Leave a little gap at the front. Don’t make it too tight," Wren Sutton reminded him.
Adrian Lancaster adjusted the position, fastened the diaper symmetrically, and then checked the tightness with his finger. Once he was sure it was okay, he snapped the onesie shut.
Mission accomplished.
However, the baby was still crying. It had changed from loud wails to aggrieved sobs, his little mouth quivering.
The baby girl in the other crib began to get fussy too. With both little ones crying at the same time, Adrian Lancaster was overwhelmed. He tried to soothe one, then the other, to no avail, breaking out in an anxious sweat.
Wren Sutton gave an exasperated smile. She got out of bed, walked over, and picked up her daughter, gently checking her diaper.
"She isn’t wet. She must be hungry."
After speaking, she glanced at her son. "Your brother is probably hungry too."
Adrian Lancaster: "I’ll call the nanny up to prepare the formula."
Wren Sutton stopped him. "Don’t. I’ll do it."
It dawned on Adrian Lancaster. "I’ll watch and learn. From now on, preparing the formula will be my job."
Wren Sutton didn’t say anything, giving her tacit approval. She put the baby down and went to the bathroom to wash her hands, with Adrian Lancaster following right behind her.
Soon, they both finished washing their hands and came out together.
Wren Sutton took a bottle from the sterilizer, poured in warm water heated to 46 degrees Celsius according to the measurement marks, then added the formula—three level scoops, no more, no less.
"Use warm water for the formula, between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius."
"There’s no single rule for the powder-to-water ratio. It varies between different brands and stages. Just follow the instructions on the packaging."
As she spoke, Wren Sutton gently shook the bottle. With a steady motion of her wrist, the powder quickly dissolved.
"After mixing the formula, squeeze a few drops onto the inside of your wrist to test the temperature. If it doesn’t feel hot, it’s just right. Then you can give it to the baby."
Adrian Lancaster listened and watched intently, committing every word Wren Sutton said and every move she made to memory.
"Okay, I’ve got it. Let me try."
Wren Sutton gave the bottle to their daughter, letting her drink first.
Adrian Lancaster was in charge of preparing the formula for their son.
He strictly followed Wren Sutton’s instructions, mimicking how she had just prepared the formula. Although his movements were a bit clumsy and slow, the result met the standard perfectly.
Their son stopped crying and eagerly drank from the bottle. A sense of accomplishment swelled in Adrian Lancaster’s heart.
At the same time, he came to the profound realization that caring for a baby was no simple task. There was still so, so much to learn.
"When we move back home tomorrow, I’ll book a childcare specialist to come to the house and teach me."
Wren Sutton, holding their daughter, looked back at Adrian Lancaster and asked tentatively, "Are you really planning to be a full-time dad?"
Adrian Lancaster nodded solemnly and walked over, holding their son.
"I’m not just going to be a full-time dad, I’m going to be a full-time husband, too. I won’t go out unless it’s necessary. I’ll stay home to take care of the kids and you."
A flicker of light crossed Wren Sutton’s eyes, and she avoided his earnest gaze.
"I don’t need you to wait on me."
