*SIX DAYS LATER*

Meilin cried from her new bassinet.

"Stay here with her." Mal, before Inara could even groan, left the bedroom to retrieve a bottle. The baby wailed, and she reached over the side and gathered the wiggly little thing resting in the bassinet lined with Mal's old quilt. The man being called father, had also tucked the stuffed buffalo into the bassinet and placed the teddy bear on the nightstand.

Sitting up, she held Meilin close, and adjusted the little cap. "You've got him trained in ten days. Impressive," dropping a kiss on the delicate forehead, she continued "little one." Pulling the warm sheets up, she draped them gently over her daughter, and waited for Mal to return whilst singing softly to mollify the baby. The nights were getting colder as winter was daring to sweep over the prairie, and even though the bassinet was a nice place for Meilin and the fireplace's heat rose to the second story, Inara was worried about her getting too cold at night. Keeping her in the middle of the bed would keep the infant warmer when winter came, as she would be in between their body heat.

"One bottle, for the papoose." Mal announced, shutting the door and getting in bed. Passing the bottle to Inara, he scooted close to her and allowed her to lean against him.

"She and the rest of the house thank you." the mother yawned as the crying ceased. "You're becoming quite good at this."

"Well, I only gotta work and take care of this ranch, keep everyone warm and fed. I have mountains of time to wake up every night and perfect the art of bottle making." He snarked back, slipping his good arm around her waist. "Baby first, right?"

"That appears to be your theory, because you have been doting on her." Inara told him with a wry chuckle. Taking her eyes off of Meilin, she absorbed his face, how he smiled just a second, just a sliver, though it was tired. He yawned, and kissed the side of her head before resting his own head against hers. It was newer form of intimate contact for them both. It wasn'