Summary: Eight swore that the next time he was having an unexpected baby, it would be with someone he actually likes.

Parents: Eight and Cater

This was why they had created protection.

He was only twenty-five while she was twenty-four. Both had come fresh out of college. Both had just started their careers. He was a sports journalist who wrote mostly about boxing and kickboxing and taught martial arts to kids at the local dojo during his off time. She worked as a biochemical scientist in Rubrum University.

He was supposed to hate her. They were the worst enemies known in college. They argued every time they passed by each other, which would explain why they were banned from all the libraries in the city (very ugly story that ended with Eight in the hospital and Cater in jail). But that night when they had the graduation party…things went horribly wrong. He shook his head and groaned loudly. This was all his fault!

"Well you're looking fine." Someone commented. Eight groaned louder. He knew that voice and unfortunately it was the person he knew would be the least of help to him: Jack. The blonde scratched the back of his head and sat beside his best friend, "Seven told me what happened and is on her way. Well, actually, Ace, Deuce, Trey, Sice, and Seven are coming. I just happened to be nearby when I got the text."

Eight shook his head, "That's everyone."

"Yeah. Well, we were all surprised to find out that Cater has a baby." Jack thought about what he said for a while and shrugged, "Nah, I wasn't that surprised."

Eight for the first time that day laughed as Jack realized what he said. He turned bright red and shook his head, "No! I didn't mean that…Please don't mention it to her." He said with a desperate plea in his voice.

After a few minutes of silence, Jack brushed his fingers through his hair and sighed, "Okay, so maybe I kind of thought it was possible for her to get pregnant this early, but I never imagined the father to be you…"

"Yeah?" Eight said in a dull voice, "One thing, I'm never drinking again."

"Ahh, makes sense now." Jack nodded in a teasing way. The redhead frowned and looked hard at the ground.

"She hates me." He covered his face with his hands, "Damn. How the hell are we going to afford to keep a baby alive? I'm still living off cupped ramen and bottled water."

Jack scratched his chin and nodded as if he were solving a mystery. Eight punched him on the shoulder, "Stop it. That's creepy."

"Ah!" the blonde snapped his finger. His friend simply sighed. Jack snickered, "Just adding some effect. But okay, I have an explanation that might help you." He gave a smug smile.

Eight rolled his eyes, "And what exactly is that oh wise one?"

Jack gave him a knowing look, and then smiled, "You said 'how are we going to afford' and not 'how is she going to afford'. That's a sign that you plan to take care of your child. I'm not saying you have to get married, but if you stay dedicated to him, then that means that he would get half the love he needs. The other half comes from Cater, but if she doesn't stay dedicated, then at least all his 'aunts and uncles' will give him the love he deserves. You don't think we're going to leave you two to fact this ordeal alone, are you?"

Eight was left speechless. He wanted to say something, but as he opened his mouth, nothing came out. As he was about to say thank you, a nurse came in. She seemed pretty young, maybe fresh out of college. Eight figured inexperienced since she said, "You're Cater's…boyfriend…right?"

Ignoring the laughing jackass, who was rolling on the floor, he shrugged, "Something like that. So is it a boy or a girl? Wait, if she wants me to leave, I understand."

"Actaully, she's nearly dilated and requested for your presence."

Eight felt a cold chill through his spine. Cater wanted him there? Oh boy, things were going to get messy. Jack slapped him on the back, "Good luck. Stay strong. I just got a text from the others that they're just looking for a good parking spot. See you later!"

After he changed into scrubs, he went into the delivery room and nearly fainted at the spot. His eyes, fal'cie, they'll never be the same again. He would have to bleach them later, and even that wouldn't remove what he saw. Cater was gripping the bars of her bed so tightly that her hands were turning white. And so the harsh-tongue festival began, "WHY THE HELL DO YOU LOOK PALE? I CALLED YOU IN FOR SUPPORT!"

And as he went to hold her hand, she slapped it and hissed, "THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!

And then some rather inappropriate cursing came in, followed by, "I SWEAR I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU DO THIS! AHHHH! CRAP! I HATE YOU!"

Deciding that he doesn't want his son to first hear cussing as he comes into the world, and that he was getting annoyed as well, he called out to her firmly, "Cater."

She glared at him as if he were the devil, "THE HELL DO YOU WANT?"

"I'm sorry." He simply said, "You're doing a great job by the way."

He did the right move. At least he hoped he did since she began to cry. She let go of her grip on the bed and held tightly on him. "It hurts…"

"I'm here. Just hold on and know that I'm here with you. We started this together, so I'm not going to leave you now."

"She's fully dilated!" the nurse said, "Now Cater, you have to push!"

Eight swore that he didn't feel his hand throughout the entire process. And he figured that he'd be deaf for the next hour. But as soon as he heard a cry, he knew it was all over. He looked over and saw a bloody baby being covered in clean white blankets. He was then carried away to another station to be cleaned and checked. Cater fell against her bed and kept taking deep breaths. "I hate you so much…" she said weakly.

"Hate you too." He grinned. "So tell me, was it painful? Cause I could tell that you were having a blast."

She shot him a look, "You do know that I can legally own a gun."

And his smile died, "Wha– They actually allowed you?" he said in a ridiculous voice.

"Yeah, I can demonstrate to you later. Mind if I use you as the target?"

"Fine then, good luck of taking care of the baby by yourself."

Suddenly her playful expression went away. She looked into his red eyes and asked him in a serious tone, "Wait, so you're going to be his father?"

"Course. I mean, what kind of person would I be if I left you two alone?" He said with a sincere tone. "I told you, we started this together, so I'm not leaving you."

She grabbed his hand and smiled, "Thanks."

Minutes later, a nurse returned with a pleasant smile on her face, "Congratulations. It's a healthy baby girl."

Girl? That was unexpected. Cater reached out for her baby and nearly dropped her. Eight jumped and nearly slapped her for that. It was his baby as well, "Geez. After all that trouble, you're just going to drop her?"

"Oh quiet." She said in a tender voice. Eight raised his eyebrows. Cater being nice? That's something new. But as he saw his baby girl's face, he couldn't help but smile as well. He leaned in nearer and pushed a strand of hair from her eyes. She looked at him and it almost felt that she knew who he was. Her father. And she was his daughter. Amazing.

"Hey Cater?" he asked softly as he adjusted her hold on their baby. "I have a question for you."

She gave a playful smirk, "Yeah, if you dare try to propose to me, I am going to throw this baby at you."

"I dare you." He rolled his eyes, "Besides, I'm not planning that just yet…how about we go on a date?" Since she did not reply, he continued, "I want this to work out…I am not that stupid to rush things. I think you get my point."

"Fine, for-" but then she realized she had no name for the baby, "What should we name her?"

They looked at their child and thought about it. She had red hair just like them (what else?), and green eyes. Big, green eyes that looked so innocent. Eyes that are ready to face the world with a smile, "Cinque?" Eight merely suggested.

"Huh?"

"Well, we have Ace, Deuce, Trey, you, and Sice. Aren't they all sides of the dice or something? Anyways, the number five is missing. And now that she's part of our big happy family…"

"It does mean unpredictability and enthusiasm in those tarot card readings…" Cater mumbled.

"Yeah, just like how we made her," Eight teased. Cater smiled and lightly hit her head against his.

"Well, they said there is a meal later on. It's for three."

"It's a date then?"

"Yeah. You. Me. And baby Cinque." She nudged to the little girl.

"Sounds awesome." He leaned in closer until he could hear her breathing. It was soft, he noticed, and felt peaceful. He leaned in closer until their heads were touching. Cater didn't seem to mind at all. Eight let little Cinque grab his finger, "Hey there Cinque. It's Daddy."

Cinque looked into his eyes and giggled. She then crushed it…literally. Eight swore he heard a cracking sound and cursed silently while Cater laughed without a care. He looked at the both of them and found a warm feeling he has never felt before. It was happy; joyful. He then realized something.

This was his family.

Even if it might last for only a while.

A/N: I had so much fun writing this! I also feel like writing an entire story for this now…e-hem. Man, I'm confused now. JackXCater is something that I liked, but now I'm beginning to like EightXCater as well…curse the random number generator!

Sneak Peek to the next chapter: "I am the monkey king!" Jack declared as he kept on jumping on the bed. Seven laughed as she admitted defeat. When she looked back however, he fell down with a loud thud.

"Jack!" she called out.

"Sis…I think I broke my arm…"