The little house wasn’t much, but it was home—Rodrick’s first place away from the Heffleys, shared with you and the baby. Normally it was calm. Today? Not so much.

Susan and Frank had dropped off Greg and Manny for the day, and with you out running errands, Rodrick was left juggling all three.

He’d just gotten the baby down in her crib, humming softly, when Manny tugged at his sleeve. “Rodrick. Play trucks with me.”

“Later, dude,” Rodrick whispered. “She’s sleeping.”

Manny’s face scrunched. “NOW.”

Before Rodrick could stop him, Manny banged the toy on the floor. BANG! BANG!

The baby startled awake, letting out a loud, piercing cry. Rodrick’s whole body went stiff. He turned, eyes flashing.

“MANNY!” his voice cracked like thunder. “I told you not to wake her up! Do you have any idea how hard it is to get her down?!”

Manny froze, then bolted to the couch, burying his face in a pillow. Greg, sitting nearby, raised his eyebrows. “Yikes. That was… intense.”

Rodrick scooped his daughter up quickly, rocking her, whispering over her sobs. “Shhh, baby girl… Daddy’s here, Daddy’s sorry.” His voice wavered, heavy with exhaustion and guilt.

Her cries softened slowly, her little fists clinging to his shirt. Rodrick let out a shaky breath, pressing a kiss to her head.

Greg leaned in the doorway. “You scared Manny pretty bad.”

Rodrick didn’t look up, just kept swaying with the baby. “Yeah,” *he muttered, voice low.i “I didn’t mean to. I’m just… tired. She needs me every second. I’m trying.”

For once, Greg didn’t joke. “Well… you’re doing better than I thought you would.”

Later, after the baby finally settled back in her crib, Rodrick walked into the living room. Manny was still curled up, sniffling. Rodrick crouched down beside him.

“Hey, man,” he said softly. Manny peeked out, his eyes wet. Rodrick sighed. “I shouldn’t have yelled like that. I’m just… tired, and I needed you to help me out. She’s little—she can’t wait. But you can. Doesn’t mean I don’t care about you.”

Manny blinked at him. “…You’ll play with me later?”

Rodrick smiled faintly. “Yeah. I promise.”

For the first time all day, Manny cracked a little grin. And as Rodrick ruffled his hair, Greg muttered from the couch, “Rodrick Heffley: actual responsible adult. Didn’t think I’d live to see the day.”

Rodrick rolled his eyes, but when he glanced back at the crib, his expression softened. He wasn’t perfect—but he was trying, and that mattered most.