I do not own HSM.

Summary: Jack meets Troy for the first time.

Form: One-shot

POV: Third person

Updates: N/A. Update any ideas :)

. . .

Jack Bolton was scared. No, scared wasn't the the right word, he
decided, tapping rythmically on the steering wheel with his fingers.
Scared was a feeling appearing in a split second, that stops your
heart cold and makes your mind blank. For that time you can't do
anything-everything is on hold when you look fear dead in the eye.
Then it leaves just as it came-your body left shuddering and gasping
for air, your heart pounding trying to regain control in your chest;
hair slicked down with sweat and eyes wide. Jack wasn't scared-scared
was more of a in the present emotion. He was more nervous-anxious even-
about the future.

He didn't know what to do; he didn't know what to say. For an instance
he regretted putting all those parenting books his wife gave him in
the drawer beside his desk. He wasn't cut out to be a dad; he
regretted thinking he ever was.

What was he even suppossed to be thinking right now? Surely a father
would be dreaming of his son-speeding to get to his wife in the
hospital and be there for the big moment; every single thought donated
on a tiny little human that could be held with one arm.

Instead he found himself keeping below the speed limit, barely
noticing the streets pass by, missing many short-cuts and speedways.
It was the middle of day dammit! Weren't these things suppossed to
happen at night? The sky was dark with clouds, but that didn't change
the fact in was mid-afternoon. The minute the phone rang in his office
he knew-oh he knew what was coming.

Troy. That was going to be his name. His own fathers name; a man that
died honourably for their country when he was just thirteen.

He could imagine it rolling off his tongue. Troy, get started on your
homework! Troy, time for dinner! Troy, wake up! You'll miss the bus!
He blinked feverishly, was that going to be his life? For an instance
he faltered, his foot dropped off the pedal and he came to a stop
right in the middle of Main Street.

Life rolled before him. He could see it: the blue eyed boy looking up
at him full of innocence for the first time. His first steps. His
first bike. His first fall. Preschool. Elementary. Middle school. High
school. College. It whizzed by him in a second leaving his mind
scrammbling for the peices. "Troy, hang on a second, I'm coming." he
whispered, stepping on the gas.

The huge building loomed infront of him in minutes, the speed limit
forgotten on the way. He rushed inside, keys still in the ignition.
What did it matter? His son was waiting for him.

A nurse led him to the room. The second he stepped in he felt for the
first time he was exactly where he needed to be. Not wasting a second
he stood beside his wife and took her hand.

"Common little guy, just a little further," the doctor breathed from
out of view. Lucille's hand clenched around his own and she screamed.
The nurses yelled, something beeped. Then all went silent. Jack shut
his eyes and counted the seconds. One. Two. Thr-a suddenly cry rang
out and he took a breath for the first time in minutes.

He smiled down at Luce and they shared a smile. "You did good," He
whispered, kissing her shiny forehead. A smile still stained her mouth
as she shut her eyes for a moment and took a breath.

"Would you like to hold him?" She sat up instantly, her eyes gleaming
as she craddled the now silent little blue bundle in her arms. "Hey
mister," she cooed, rocking gently. I perched above her and watched.
They fit together perfectly, she knew what to do naturally. Panic
suddenly gripped me again-I didn't know what to do. I can't do this.

Just then she looked up to Jack, pushing him into his arms. He
accepted him without a second thought. His muscles relaxed as the
little being melted into him, his little fist hitting his chest. He
smiled. "Hey Troy."

His round face twisted into a yawn and his eyes slowly opened. Jack's
heart stopped and mind went blank. He wasn't scared; or anxious; or
nervous, not even close. He was perfect. Looking down at Troy's clear
blue eyes not once touched with pain or evil he cried. He wished to
stay in that moment forever-just staring at something so beautiful-so
perfect. They looked right at each other for minutes-Troy was looking
right up at him and smiling. Slowly his eyelids closed and fists fell
to his sides but Jack just kept staring, he wished he could've all day.

He reluctantly handed him back over to a nurse at her request and slid
down in a chair beside Luce's sleeping form.

Maybe he didn't have a clue what he was doing, but he was going to be
by Troy's side every step of the way. Jack wouldn't know what to say
if he came home crying. He won't know what he should do if he got into
trouble with the principal. He didn't care though, as long as he could
be there with him with every mistake it'd be alright, they'd learn
from each other and keep on chugging along because Troy was his son
and he was his dad and everything came second to that.

(Can you say corny? Haha)

. . . . . . . . .

Used to be a bunch of one-shots but I decided to change it so they
each have their own story. Hope you enjoyed reading, please review
your thoughts.

Smile Everyone Your Beautiful ;)