This is going to be a three part story. It features Ned, Sally and JoJo as a young baby. And as a disclaimer, I don't own Leathwing Bat.
Part One: Leatherwing
"WHA, WHA!"
Ned O'Malley turned over on his side and yawned. He glanced at the clock; it was only three in the morning. He sighed, hanging his head; it was JoJo.
Yet again.
Next to him, his wife began to move. Ned moved to the edge of the bed and slipped on his loafers. Sally had been up with JoJo for the past two nights. For some odd reason, he had been waking up in the wee hours of the morning. They thoughts that if he was left alone he would go to sleep but that was not the case. With JoJo, he wouldn't be silent until someone came in and held him.
"Honey, where are you going?" Sally asked as she rubbed her eyes.
"I'm going to comfort our son and you are going back to sleep," Ned gave her a small kiss on her head. "You've been staying up to late."
"Sweetie, you don't have to do that." Sally yawned.
"Yes, yes I do." Ned gave her a smile as he headed out of the room.
"WHA, WHA!" Baby JoJo cried.
The door opened and in walked his father. Ned wasn't noticed for his son was still bawling. It wasn't until Ned picked up his baby boy was he noticed. JoJo, however, still decided to cry.
"Come on buddy," Ned walked around a bit. "Can't you go to sleep? Its night time!"
Now Ned realized that this reasoning wasn't going to work with a baby Who. JoJo was only a few months old. He still used his crying as means to communicate. Still, it did take a toll on Sally.
Ned pondered for a second until he came up with an idea. He walked over to the window, his son in hand. Then, he began to gently bounce the little bundle before he began to sing.
"I," said the little leatherwing bat."
I'll tell to you the reason that
The reason that I fly by night
Is because I've lost my heart's delight."
JoJo's crying softened before it completely came to a stop. With his big, round eyes of brown he gazed at his father. He seemed to be listening rather intently for a child his age. Ned grinned and started the next verse.
"I" said the blackbird sittin' on a chair
"Once I courted a lady, fair.
She proved fickle and turned her back
And ever since then I've dressed in black."
JoJo still stared his father, listening to every lyric. Ned walked back towards the crib but JoJo started whimpering. No, he wasn't finished yet. Ned merely ran his fingers across his son's face. This small act made JoJo giggle and coo. Ned grinned and sat down in a rocking chair. Again, his son gazed at him, waiting to hear more of the song.
"I" said the woodpecker sittin' on a fence
"Once I courted a handsome wench
She got scared and from me fled
And ever since then my head's been red."
Ned couldn't believe it; he was a daddy. Months had pasted since JoJo had been born but Ned just couldn't get over the fact that he had a healthy, adorable little boy. Every father was proud of their children but Ned felt like the proudest of the mall. This was the true meaning of happiness. Nothing could compare to being a father and a husband.
JoJo yawned; he was starting to wear down. Ned chuckled slightly before he began to sing again.
"I" said the little turtle dove
"I'll tell you how to win her love
Court her night and court her day
Never give her time to say o-neigh!"
Ned watched as JoJo's eye lids began to droop. But Ned his baby; he wasn't going to go to sleep right away. He was going to try his best to stay awake. Tonight was an unwinnable battle though.
Ned stood up, cuddling his beloved child as he sang the last line of the song.
"I" said the bluejay and away he flew
"If I were a young man I'd have two
If one were faithless and chanced to go
I'd add the other string to my bow"
Again, JoJo yawned and his eyes closed completely. Gently, without waking him up, Ned placed the slumbering baby into his bed. Then, he placed a small kiss on the boy's head before he turned around and left.
He entered his bedroom to find his wife fast asleep. A small grin appeared on his face. Carefully, he slipped back into bed, not wanting to wake her up. In her sleep, she rolled on her side and scooted closer to him. Ned gently snuggled against her before he too fell back to sleep.