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That won’t be comfortable.

I sit beside him and ease his arm free. He makes a sleepy sound but doesn’t wake.

“I know, sweetheart. I’m almost done.”

His boots come off first. I set them together beside the dresser, then unbutton his coat and work it carefully from beneath him.

He helps a little without knowing he’s helping, shifting when I lift his shoulder, turning toward me when I pull the coat free.

“Good boy.”

Jamie settles immediately.

“You like that, don’t you?” All men do, deep down.

His hair is still caught beneath one shoulder, so I gather it carefully and pull it free. It’s even softer than it felt outside the store.

I run my fingers through the ends, separating a small tangle before spreading it across the pillow.

Vanilla. I lean closer and breathe it in again. Definitely vanilla.

I bought coconut shampoo for his bathroom. I thought it would suit him, but I was wrong.

I’ll go to his old place during his next nap and find out what he uses. Shampoo, conditioner, whatever makes it this soft. I want the same ones here. He needs to smell like this when I brush his hair.

I pick up his coat and fold it over my arm. It’s worn and not the right shade. He’ll look better in the things I bought for him.

His boots go on the bottom shelf beside his new shoes. I like the way they hug his ankles.

When he’s properly put away, I look around the room one more time. He has everything he needs for tonight. Almost.

I turn on the little mushroom nightlight beside his bed. Soft plastic, tiny bulb. It gives off just enough warm light to see without making the room too bright. I don’t put lamps in doll rooms anymore.

Jamie has rolled onto his side. I pull the blanket over him and tuck it loosely around his shoulders.

“Sleep as long as you need, sweetheart,” I whisper and pet his face.

His skin is warm against my lips as I kiss beside his mouth.

I leave the nightlight on and close the door behind me. Then I lock it.

Jamie needs his sleep.

I go downstairs and start his dinner.

I used to make a whole meal for the first night. Meat, vegetables, bread, dessert. Everything arranged nicely so they’d know I was taking care of them now. Nobody ever ate it.

New dolls are usually too upset when they wake up. By the time they calm down enough to be hungry, everything is cold or dried out.

A slow cooker works better. I put in a roast with potatoes and carrots. Nothing spicy. Nothing that will get unpleasant if Jamie sleeps longer than I expect. It can stay warm until he’s ready, or if he sleeps straight through, he can have it tomorrow night.

I wash my hands and take my laptop to the kitchen table.

I have three emails waiting. One is from a client who still hasn’t sent me the receipts I asked for yesterday. Another wants to know if a new laptop counts as a business expense. The third is from my boss reminding everyone about a meeting Monday morning.

I answer all three, then open the reconciliation I was working on before I left to get Jamie.

I tried an office job once. Too many hours away from the house, and there was always someone asking where I was going if I left in the middle of the day.