[Silence settles upon the room as the door clatters shut behind Jasper, leaving Hendrik practically twiddling his thumbs while looking at his friend's daughter. He can do this. It's only a few hours. It's really not that much different from when he was a child.

...Except he was "helping" his older sister while she "babysat" the neighbor's child at one time. And he's pretty sure they were being watched the entire time anyway.

He peers over at Celestine as she wiggles in her cradle, tentatively deciding to strike up a conversation.]

You are a very stalwart little one. I had to be held all the time when I was your age because I hated to be alone.

[...]

But look at you. Your father is out the door and not a whimper to be heard. Perhaps you take after him.

[...Wait. That's probably not a good thing. His brows knit together as he prods at Celestine's little feet, just short of actively tickling her. He'll stay with her for a little while longer before trying to figure out what to do with himself.]