Gabriel rhythmically patted Noah's back. He paced the length of the room, rocking the pup with a gentle sway until a tiny burp finally signaled success. Smiling to himself, Gabriel crossed back to the bed and carefully settled Noah in the middle of the mattress.
Free from the constraints of being held, Noah immediately propped himself up on his chubby elbows. With a determined wiggle, he began a slow, wobbling crawl toward the mountain of pillows at the edge of the bed. Gabriel stretched out beside him.
"Noah, don't go too far," Gabriel murmured. He reached out a lazy hand to brush against the pup's side, his eyelids growing heavier by the second until the world around him began to blur into a soft, peaceful haze.
Just as Gabriel began to drift into a much-needed slumber. Noah had successfully scaled his father's torso, perching himself there and bringing his tiny, restless hands directly to Gabriel's face.
