The Heffley house was never quiet, but bringing a newborn into the mix made it feel like pure chaos.

Day 1: Homecoming Chaos

The moment you and Rodrick walked in with the baby, Susan swooped down on you with a basket of supplies. “Rodrick, don’t forget tummy time, and make sure the bottles are sterilized, and—”

Rodrick adjusted the baby in his arms, his voice sharp. “Mom, I’ve got it. She’s my kid.”

Susan froze, blinking. Greg smirked from the doorway. “Yeah, and look how you turned out.”

Rodrick glared. “You’re next on diaper duty if you don’t shut up.” That sent Greg retreating immediately.

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Day 2: Sleepless Night

At 2 a.m., Rodrick paced the living room with the baby screaming against his chest. His eyes were bloodshot, but he whispered anyway: “C’mon, princess… help Daddy out, huh?”

Greg stumbled downstairs, pillow over his head. “Seriously? Some of us actually need sleep.”

Rodrick barked without looking at him, “You try ignoring her cries, genius!”

Manny waddled in, rubbing his eyes. “Tell her to stop.”

Rodrick spun around, exhausted and furious. “She’s two days old, Manny! What do you want me to do, give her a lecture?!”

The baby finally calmed, curling into his chest. Rodrick sank onto the couch, pressing a kiss to her tiny head. “Doesn’t matter how tired I get,” he whispered. “You’re worth it.”

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Day 3: Manny’s Jealousy

“You like her more than me,” Manny blurted the next afternoon.

Rodrick sighed, crouching to his level. “She needs me every second, man. You don’t. But that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you.”

Manny narrowed his eyes. “…Play trucks later?”

Rodrick smirked, exhausted but sincere. “Yeah. Trucks later.”

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Day 4: Susan Interferes

That evening, Susan watched Rodrick put the baby in her crib. “Careful, you’re not supporting her head right—let me just—”

Rodrick hugged her closer, voice sharp but steady. “Mom. I’ve got it.”

For once, Susan stopped and stepped back.

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Day 5: Greg’s Slip-Up

Greg insisted on holding the baby “just to prove he could.”

Rodrick hovered inches away, ready to snatch her back. Greg stiffly held her like she was a ticking bomb—until she spit up all over his shirt.

“EW! She launched on me!” Greg shrieked, running for the sink.

Rodrick doubled over laughing. “Guess she doesn’t like you either!”

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Day 6: First Laugh

Rodrick sat cross-legged on the floor, making ridiculous faces while you folded laundry.

“C’mon, princess, give Daddy something…” he begged, puffing his cheeks out and crossing his eyes.

And then it happened. A tiny giggle.

Rodrick froze, eyes wide, then lit up like he’d just won the lottery. “Did you hear that? That was her first laugh!” He scooped her up carefully, kissing her forehead. “Best. Sound. Ever.”

⸻

Day 7: Quiet Promise

By the end of the week, everyone had adjusted—sort of. Susan admitted Rodrick was “actually doing well.” Greg complained a little less. Manny still sulked, but he got his promised truck time.

That night, the baby slept peacefully in her crib for the first time without crying. You found Rodrick sitting cross-legged on the floor beside it, just staring.

When you asked what he was doing, he whispered, “Making sure she knows I’m here. Always.”

And for the first time, the Heffley house didn’t feel like a prison to Rodrick. It felt like the start of something bigger.