"It's been a long day for the little guy," Stacey said. "We should grab some lunch and head home."
"No arguments here," Jim said. Mike scowled. He didn't want to leave the mall yet!
"No!" he fussed from the stroller. "Wanna stay!"
"Buddy, you need to get back home for a nap," Jim said patiently. "And Stacey needs to feed you."
"Do here!" Mike argued, trying his best to talk like a toddler.
"It's uncomfortable for her to feed you in public," Jim said. Mike whined loudly. He continued to fuss as they headed towards the mall entrance, but didn't go into a full temper tantrum until Jim was taking him out of the stroller.
"No! No want go!" Mike screeched. Jim sighed and looked at Stacey.
"Right move, babe. He's definitely overtired."
"No, not tired!" Mike wailed. A few people passing by chuckled at the familiar scene: two young parents wrangling their troublesome toddler.
"Yeah, you are," Jim said firmly. Stacey grabbed their bags and returned the stroller to the rental place at the mall, then joined Jim and Mike. The three of them headed for the car.
"I don't want to leave," Mike whined as Jim buckled him into his car seat.
"I know, but we have to. You're still new to being so little. This was a lot for you."
"But-"
"When we get home, I'll feed you," Stacey interrupted. That got Mike to be quiet, excited by the promise of her tasty milk.
When they got home, as promised, Stacey nursed Mike. Then he got a diaper change, as he was wet, and was put down for his nap.
When he woke up, he nursed again and was allowed to wander around the house. Though there was a pair of eyes on him constantly, and he wasn't allowed to do a lot of things.
After a dinner of breast milk and some toddler friendly food, Mike was put down for the night. He curled up in his too big bed, sucking on his pacifier, waiting for morning to come.