Hi! Sorry this chapter is late, I was at my dad's house and I couldn't bring my laptop. I lied last chapter, I skipped all the way until Azaylah was in second grade. I felt that second grade was a better time to start the story than in Kindergarten. I have warning for this chapter, there's a lot of language in it, including a nasty one that I absolutely hate. Sorry if you don't like cussing, but it's a vital part of the story. Also, I will probably only be updating this fic twice more before I have to stop for a week( maybe 2), I have band camp all day for a while and won't be able to update. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter, and please review, It's been a while since I asked for reviews, but I really want to know if you guys are actually liking this story. Thanks.
Nick smiled happily he led the group of 8 year olds into the Rice Amphitheater. He sat all 10 of them in two rows and stood in front of them counting. There were 4 boys( Colin, Dean, David, and Timmy) and 6 girls (Kelsey, Lela, Molly, Heather, Rose, and Virginia). They all looked around in awe, and some glancing outside the window to see the boats on the lake.
"Hi guys, I'm Nick. To start off our adventure for the day, I have a set of rules," Nick started cheerfully clasping his hands together. The kids turned to look at him, with excited grins.
"Okay, first you have to listen to me at all times. If I say you can't do something don't do it, it's for your and the animals safety. Second, don't run, trust me, falling into the pool in your clothes will not be any fun." Some of the kids giggled, making Nick smile. "Finally, don't be shy, enjoy yourselves!"
Nick beckoned them over with hand and they all leaned forward, "Now, here comes the best part. All of you are on a mission; the lives of three different animals are on your hands. You get to feed them."
The kids squealed and looked around at each other. "So first, I need 4 people to feed the dolphins." Heather, Timmy, David and Colin raised their hands, so fast, that Kelsey flinched.
Nick nodded and wrote their names down on his clipboard.
"Now, I need 4 of you to feed the Beluga Whales." Dean, Lela, Virginia and Molly raised their hands, Nick wrote this down, and looked up at Kelsey and Rose.
"Kelsey, Rose, you two are going to be feeding the Seal Lions." Rose grinned happily, but Kelsey looked a bit nervous.
Nick stood up straight and beckoned them to follow him. They walked all the way to the Beluga Whale tank. Lela, Dean, Virginia and Molly immediately stepped towards Nick. Nick told them to stay near the wall as he led them inside the tank. He grabbed a bucket of herring and octopus and walked back to the children.
"Aright, so these Beluga's eat a lot of things. Does anyone know what they eat?"
Molly raised her hand immediately, and Nick called on her "Octopus, Herring, Squid and clams."
Nick nodded and smiled, "Correct, now today, you'll be feeding them, octopus and herring." He beckoned the four kids over and handed them each a rubber glove. They slipped it over their tiny fingers and held out their hands. Nick set a herring and an piece of an octopus in their hands. Molly wrinkled her nose and stared down at the food in her hands. Nick turned and blew his whistle four times. Four whales swam over to them and each made a whistling sound. The children giggled as they stared at the creatures in awe.
Nick picked out a herring and held it up, "All you have to do is gently toss it at them, they'll catch it. And watch your fingers." He tossed the fish and one of the beluga's caught it and swallowed.
Each of the kids turned to the beluga's and tossed the fish first. The whales caught them and sprayed water out of their blowhole. The kids then tossed the octopus and giggled when they were eaten by the whales.
"You can all pet them now if you'd like, be careful and don't slip."
The children enjoyed feeding the rest of the animals, and having a hour tour around Wild Reef. They parents arrived for them at the Amphitheater, thanked Nick and left. Nick went around the tanks and made sure all the animals were ready for the night and left when the Aquarium closed. He took a cab and made it back to his house in 15 minutes. When he opened the front door, he expected to be met with the scent of food or Azaylah's giggles. Instead he was met with Jeff standing in the doorway, with his hands on his hips and a look on his face that made Nick shiver.
Nick toed his shoes off and set his bag in the closet. He started off towards Jeff, but he would move.
"What?"
Jeff narrowed his eyes at him, "Are you aware, that our daughter learned a new word?"
Nick tried to walk past him, "Jeff, she learns new words everyday, she's 5."
Jeff chuckled bitterly, "She learned this one from you, because I recall you saying it last night at dinner. And then again later that evening."
Nick bit his lip, "What is she saying?"
"Fuck. Nick, this is your fault! She's been saying it all day; I had to come home from Walgreens because she said it loudly when I dropped a box of Advil!"
Nick immediately felt guilty, "I- uh… Sorry?"
Jeff rolled his eyes, "Sorry isn't going to fix it! You go correct her!" He pushed Nick towards the living room and walked to the kitchen.
Nick slowly walked to the living room and found the girl on the couch, playing with Barbie. "Hey, sweetie."
Azaylah looked up at him and smiled, "Daddy!" She got up sending the flying across the carpet. She looked behind her and saw the doll, "Fuck." Nick felt the color in his face fade, and his feet stop in their tracks.
"Azaylah..." He started but then trailed off, he picked her up and walked her to her room. She started to curse, making Nick cringe. "Azaylah, that's a very bad word, you can't be saying things like that."
Azaylah looked up at him with wide eyes, "Bad word?" Nick nodded.
"Yes, it's very bad. You're daddy and I are upset with you for saying it."
He set her in her crib, and she looked up at him with watery eyes. "Daddy, I'm sorry!" she whispered.
"Azaylah, you are not to get up from your crib, or leave your room until tomorrow," Nick said firmly. He turned and left the room. He wished Morgan was there, she'd definitely know how to deal with this in a better fashion. After the first month, Jeff and Nick had searched everywhere for a babysitter, a few refused because they were gay, and others they couldn't trust. Finally, an elderly lady, Morgan, who lived down the street, agreed and had been caring for Azaylah ever since. She was like a mother in a way. He changed into shorts (no shirt, it was far too hot for that) and walked to the living room.
Jeff was standing in the living room, organizing the book shelf. "Fuck, Jeff. I don't know how you do it."
Jeff turned to look at him with fire in his eyes, "Nick, language!"
The brunet held his hands up in mock fear, "Alright, alright." Nick walked up behind him, wrapped his arms around Jeff's waist and rested his head on his shoulder, "Why are you so moody?"
Jeff sighed, "I'm sorry. It was the whole cursing thing, and I just really don't want to send Azaylah to school."
Nick chuckled, "We have to send her, eventually."
"I know," Jeff sighed. "I just don't want her to be teased because she's got two daddies."
Nick felt his throat tighten. He knew the kids from school could be tough, and even more so because Azaylah had gay dads. Honestly, he didn't want to send her either, but he knew they couldn't protect her forever.
"Baby, we can't do anything. They'll find her eventually. We just have to be there for her."
Jeff nodded and rested his hands over Nick's, still not fully satisfied. Nick pulled Jeff to the couch and onto his lap. Jeff rested his head against Nick's chest and ran his fingers over the smooth skin. Nick stroked Jeff's hair, while whispering loving things into his ear.
Azaylah stopped saying the cuss, being locked up in her room was obviously the worst punishment for her. She started kindergarten a month later. Sure enough, two kids in her class teased her, for not having a mommy. She ignored it though, and kept her head high, she was proud of her daddies. Nick and Jeff where even more proud of her, for dealing with it. They were happy, as long as she was.
One day when she was in Second Grade, she came home with a question that bothered her all day. The grades bullies, Greg and Harold, had gone up to her at the playground and started teasing her about her dads. When they left, Harold called them something that bothered her. Later some of the kids in her class started to call her one.
Both her dads where home that day, since they decided to take a day for themselves. She kissed them both on the cheek (giggled when Nick's stubble tickled her) and went to her room to change out of her uniform. When she was done she walked over to the living room, where Nick and Jeff sat watching Harry Potter(why they watched them over and over again, was a question that still ate at her as well), legs tangled, and occasionally pressing kisses on each other. She stopped to admire them for a second, even after all these years, they were in love. She was only 7, but she could see it.
She shyly walked over to them and stood in front of the TV and looked at them. Jeff immediately let go of Jeff and sat up, "What's the matter, honey?"
Azaylah played with her brown, curly, hair and sighed. "Papa, Daddy. What does fag mean?" She watched as the color from both of their faces drained, Jeff opened his mouth and shut it. Tears welled in his eyes, so he got up and ran from the room. Nick looked away and then patted the couch beside him. Azaylah sat down as she looked at him with expectant eyes.
"Azaylah, you Dad and I love you very much. And we love each other very much. Boys can love boys, girls can love girls, and girls and boys can love each other. But, sometimes, people don't agree with that. They think it's a bad thing, because God hates it, or they think it's gross." For the girl, all that he had said was all new. She knew you can fall in love with whoever you want. But she didn't know, that people didn't like it. She also knew, Nick didn't believe in god, but her Daddy did.
"Papa, but what is a fag?" Nick winced at the word.
"Azaylah, please," he said, taking a deep breath. " F- it's is a very bad word. It's a mean thing to say to someone."
Azaylah wiped a tear from her eye, "Greg and Harold called you guys it today. And then called me it.."
Nick pulled her into a hug, "Oh, Sweetie." He pulled away and looked her in the eye, "Listen, I'm going to talk to your teacher okay? And if they ever do it again, tell me or you dad, okay?"
Azaylah nodded, "I will, I promise."
Nick smiled at her and kissed her cheek, his stubble scratching her. "Now, go do your homework."
Azaylah nodded and disappeared into her room. Nick got up and went to their room. The same as it's always been. Jeff sat on the edge of the bed, sobbing into his hands
Nick immediately sat beside him, "Baby, don't cry. Please."
Jeff turned to sob on his shoulder, "S-she do-oesn't deserve it. She shouldn't k-k-know"
Nick rubbed circles into his back, "I know, but she understands now. Don't cry."
Jeff eventually stopped and fell back into the bed. His eyes were red and puffy, and his cheeks where pink. "I'm sorry for breaking down. I just… Wasn't ready.."
Nick stroked his hair, "I know, it's okay." Jeff crawled under the blankets and beckoned for Nick. Nick slid in beside him and wrapped his arms around him. Jeff fell asleep within minutes, his light snores filling the room. Azaylah quietly snuck into the room and saw Jeff asleep, but Nick still awake. Nick moved so she could be in the middle of the two of them. Nick wrapped his arms around the two of them and watched as the girl fell asleep as well.
As he fell asleep, Nick started to think. He knew this was only the beginning; Azaylah's teasing was only going to get worse. But this was now, and they had to deal with together.