The Interview • Chris Evans

The Interview, Take Two

"Open up little man, Carrot Airlines incoming."

Theo's delighted squeals echoed around the kitchen, Carson taking advantage and sticking the spoon in his mouth. Somehow the carrot puree still managed to get everywhere, Theo using his hands to spread it into his hair, and you smiled as Carson grimaced indulgently at the mess.

"Hey you two," you said, grinning as Theo turned and gave you a gummy smile, his two bottom teeth flashing. "How long has he been up?"

"Only a couple hours. He woke up shortly after I got here, figured you needed the rest." He punctuated his words by clapping as Theo ate the last bite of his dinner. "Dinner is on the stove."

You followed the scent of spiced tomatoes, finding Carson's bolognese sauce simmering. Grabbing a bowl, you ladled a healthy portion over the cooked noodles, digging in before you even sat down.

"Fuck Carson this is great," you said around a mouthful, wincing as Theo started chanting fufufu. He was a little sponge and you needed to watch the swearing around him.

"Little man, you have carrot in your ears," Carson said sternly, Theo only laughing harder as he was scooped out of the chair and held in arms that were nearly bigger than him.

Carson started to carry him upstairs when Theo's tiny lip quivered. He stopped in his tracks, looking to you with bewilderment. "Little man never cries."

With a chuckle you pushed your almost empty bowl away – you'd been starving – before heading to the sink. "Blame Chris for this one," you said, motioning that Carson should join you.

"Let's get ready for sink showerrrrr," you called out like a boxing announcer, Theo clapping and squealing excitedly.

Making sure the water was a good temperature, you started by cleaning his hands while he sat on the edge of the sink, propped up by Carson. As was tradition, Theo began clapping and flailing, the water getting everywhere; on the floor, on you, on the counter, all over poor unsuspecting Carson. He was a good sport though, using his hand to splash water on the carrot caked into his hair. It was easily the least effective way to clean a baby, but Chris had fun doing it so now Theo fussed if his post meal cleanups were done any other way.

"That was certainly something," Carson remarked as you turned off the faucet. "Is it safe to take him up to get changed now?"

You nodded as he scooped up Theo, held the wet wiggling baby in his arms, and carried him upstairs to get changed, Dodger hot on their heels. Using a dishcloth, you wiped up the water that was everywhere but in the sink. Your eyes snagged on the clock on the stove. There were still hours to go until Chris' interview aired.

Carson came back downstairs, Theo clad in the cutest dinosaur onesie that had been a gift from Ro. You reached out for him, his little arms extended as you scooped him up, swinging in a circle as you kissed his rounded cheeks. His giggles were infectious and you smiled at his enthusiasm. He really was the happiest baby.

Like most nights, Carson's presence was more than welcome, especially on nights Chris was away. It was a chance to have a conversation with an adult – one who happened to be one of your closest friends – and an opportunity for Carson to get some time in with his favourite little man.

The evening was fairly mild for January, so Carson joined you, Theo and the dogs as you went for a winter walk on the property, enjoying the remains of the gentle snowfall from yesterday.

It reminded you that in just a few days it would be the two year anniversary of that first fateful interview, and for the second time that day you marvelled at all the changes in that short time.