TITLE: "Don't Argue With Daddy" (4/
AUTHOR: Cindy ()
RATING: AA
CHARACTERS: Toby and the gang
SUMMARY: The Boys take a trip to Sunny Florida
POV: Toby
TIMEFRAME: Continues from "Pass the Piper"
***Eight***
Wearing a blue and white striped shirt Piper and I were finally able to go out and have breakfast. I wasn't expecting to see Sam or Josh so I was surprised when I did.
Josh noticed us and waved us over to their table. "Good morning," we said to one another.
"We thought you would have been here earlier with the way she eats," Sam joked as he gave Piper a kiss.
I gave them a tired look. "Dressing problems again?"
Josh was becoming an expert on my problems. "You can say that. I hope you have a lot of coffee coming. I need it."
"Late night?"
"You have no idea Sam. I just couldn't fall asleep. I'm not used to being without CJ I guess. When I wasn't getting kicked every half hour I began to worry."
"Ahh. You've fallen into that old comfort zone," Sam spoke as if he was familiar with the subject.
"I guess. I don't know really. I'm too tired to think." The waitress brought over coffee. Right now she was my idol.
"I've got us tickets for the game."
"Already Sam? How did you get them so fast?"
"Sam here likes to shop with his fingers," Josh joked.
Sam threw Josh a dirty look. "I logged onto the ticket venue and purchased them with my credit card. No big deal. I don't know anyone who doesn't do that."
"Millions of Americans Sam. People do still like to go to malls and shop in person. Not just via the internet."
Josh had a point but personally I'd take the internet over being bumped around by obnoxious shoppers. Then again my patience isn't what it used to be.
"Speaking of shopping, have you and CJ bought everything you need for the baby?"
"Sam this is CJ we're talking about. Before she even told me about the baby she had the stuff bought."
"Yeah I guess women get excited over that," Sam sighed. "Still it would be fun to do you know. Shop for a baby I mean."
Josh agreed with Sam which through me for a loop. "I have an idea," Sam started. "Why don't we go shopping ourselves and buy stuff. It will be fun. I haven't been in a toy store in ages."
I groaned. "You know that's not a bad idea considering whom it's coming from," Josh answered.
"I'm not about to spend a day baby shopping with you two of all people. I'm sure the baby has everything by now."
"Come on Toby. Don't you want the baby to have something that you yourself chose? Not just stuff CJ went and got?"
"Hmm."
"Sam has a point Toby. This is your baby too. Why not get involved and buy some things. I'll buy the little gaffer some toys. Who knows I might even find something for myself."
While Sam and Josh tried convincing me of this wonderful idea Piper began clearing her throat for attention. I looked over at her and she glared back at me.
"What's wrong pumpkin?"
"It's time to go to Disney World."
"Oh sweetie not today."
"But I'm dressed like a sailor," Piper grabbed at her t-shirt to prove her point.
"You're not a sailor. Disney World isn't going anywhere. We can go there tomorrow."
"Piper don't you want to go toy shopping?" Sam asked enthusiastically.
"No."
"No? Why not?"
"Because it's not for me. It's for the stupid baby."
"Hey," I almost shouted. "That's enough of that. The baby isn't stupid."
"Whatever," Piper rolled her eyes at me. God how I hate that.
"Don't roll your eyes at me. You know that drives me nuts."
"Then stop baby talking. You know how that drives me nuts."
Josh chuckled and looked around. I assume he was hoping to be anywhere but here. So did I. "We're not opening that can of worms again."
"You don't like being a big sister Piper?" Sam asked.
She shrugged. "I don't know. The thing isn't here yet and there are so many rules already."
"Yeah that's got to be hard," Sam was sympathizing with a four year old. "They make a lot of noise and they get to have all kinds of brand new stuff."
"Yep," Piper agreed quietly.
"And then when they get bigger they start to touch your toys. And that's not right."
"You see. That's all I's talking about," Piper was happy she finally found someone to understand.
"Well we could always buy an illegal zapper. That way when the baby touches one of your belongings we can just shock the sucker. That'll teach him or her," I was being full blown sarcastic.
"Okay that was graphic for a morning conversation," Sam stated as he drank his juice.
"I can't wait to have kids," Josh chuckled.
"Excuse me? Were you not the one that stated how he detested the little ankle biters?" I do believe those were his correct words.
"Yeah but Donna and I will have good kids. I'll be great keeping them in line."
"Oh please Josh. You can't even walk a straight line."
"That's harsh Toby. I'm good with Piper. (beat) Right Piper?"
"You're not bad I guess," was her response.
"What do you mean I'm not bad? I let you stay up. I feed you lots of junk. I tell you funny jokes about your dad," Josh looked at me. "Okay that might have revealed a bit much."
"Oh yeah Josh. You're going to be a great dad. The kid will spend half its life at fat camp telling kids bad jokes," I replied.
Our food arrived and we ate in silence. Once the bill was paid we agreed to get a van and go shopping. "When am I going to Disney World?"
"Tomorrow," I answered.
"Are we sure this time?"
"Yes. Tomorrow we will go. I promise."
"Can I get that in writing?"
"No you can't." Piper was walking behind Sam and ahead of me.
"Can I pick something out for the baby?"
"Sure honey. Assuming it isn't a muzzle."
***Department Store***
"Oh my goodness," Josh exclaimed as we entered a child's fantasy come true.
"I'm going to need a harness," was all I could say. I looked at Piper who was dragging her mouth on the floor. Straight ahead of us was Barbie Land. This was going to cost me big time.
"Great idea Josh. I hope you two brought empty credit cards. You're going to need them," I grabbed a buggy and picked Piper up. She tried to fight me going in.
"I want to walk Daddy."
"No way Jose."
"But I wants to look."
"You still can. Only I call it look with your eyes and not with your hands."
"You're mean," Piper crossed her arms and turned her head away from me.
"I can live with that," I began pushing the buggy into dangerous territory. I made a quick left and Piper screamed.
"Barbie's down there. Barbie's down there," her little fingers were going mad trying to point in the direction of Barbie.
"The baby doesn't need a Barbie."
"I does."
"We're here for the baby remember?"
Piper didn't answer me. She was in her ignoring stage. I only hoped it would last until we were safely out of here. Josh had his own buggy and we walked past the numerous aisles until we came to the baby section. It was huge.
Piper told me that her sandal had come undone. I was occupied for a few seconds as I refastened her shoe. When I was done I noticed Josh's buggy was already half full.
"Jesus Josh I thought we were just getting some blankets. Maybe a rattle."
"What? I only have a few things."
"Uh, how are we going to get all this stuff back to Washington?" Great question of Sam to ask NOW that we were here.
Josh and I shrugged. "Air Force One is big enough to carry all this stuff. Then we just send it over to Toby's."
That was good enough. And on we continued. We went down one aisle and I picked out half a dozen sleepers, some receiving blankets with cute teddy bears, a few rattles of different sizes and a dozen baby bottles.
"CJ isn't breast feeding?" Sam inquired.
"She is but I want to be able to feed the baby too. I don't want the kid to resent me later on in life because I never participated."
"Are you kidding me?" Josh asked.
"Hey, I'm leaving no stone left unturned. I want to be a hands on father all the way."
Josh and Sam glanced down at Piper who was shaking one of the rattles. She was getting sort of lost beneath all the items I had thrown in the buggy. "Okay squirt. How about we let you out to stretch those stumps of yours?"
Piper clapped her hands and it was Sam who scooped her out. "You guys go on. I'm going to take Piper over to the big sister aisle," he gave me a wink as he left hand in hand with Piper.
"It bothers you doesn't it?"
"What's that Josh?" I grabbed a thick pastel coloured blanket for those cool nights.
"That you didn't get to be a part of Piper while she was growing up."
I took a deep breath and exhaled. "Every day," I said quietly.
"I can't imagine what that's like for you Toby. I'm really sorry for you though."
"I know you are Josh."
"But look at it this way. Cindy might have gotten the early years with her, but you have her now. And you have her future and that's extremely important. Because you get to mold and shape her into the lovely and smart young women you and I both know she will be."
I was emotionally stunned that this was coming from Josh. "I often wonder if she realizes what I missed. You know not being there for her when she was a baby. Maybe that's why she resents this one so much?"
"She's four Toby. She doesn't grasp the concept."
"Are you sure? She sure grasps everything else."
"True," we both laughed. "I know she tests you all the time and I understand why she does it even."
"Really? Care to share that one with me because I'm dying to know?"
"She needs to know her place."
"Josh I've told her how important she is to both CJ and I-"
"I know Toby. But she's a kid with a selective memory. She's new to you still. There were a few years between Joanie and I, and she still resented me. And, she had our parents longer than Piper has had you guys before a second child came along."
"I just wish she wasn't so-" I couldn't find the word.
"Much like you?" Josh offered.
"That wasn't what I was searching for."
"But that's what she is. She's you Toby right down to her birth name. That's why you clash so much."
"I don't want her to be like me Josh. I want her to be better than me."
"Every parent wants their child to better than them one way or another. But it doesn't mean they don't want them have their qualities as well."
"Well why can't she have CJ's then?"
"Because then no kid would play with her for fear of her beating them up," he joked back. "Seriously though Toby. That little girl is amazing. I know I joke about her and call her names and-"
"Yeah I heard about Princess Poison."
"Ahh come on Toby. They were expensive ties." I smiled as I recalled how she glued all of his ties together. Josh continued, "You are so lucky to have any part of you come out of her. So what if it's your stubbornness and take no crap qualities that she radiates. She's still yours and that's something to be proud of."
"I don't know what to say Josh. I'm floored at your ability to be so….so human."
"Yeah. It's a gift. If you tell anyone though I'll deny it."
"I would give my life for her Josh."
"I don't doubt that for a second Toby."
"Despite everything, she has brought me back to life. And I want to spend the rest of mine making sure that she knows that."
"Want a tip?"
"Sure."
"Don't break any promises you make to her. Promises mean trust and respect. Break that and you break the tie that bonds you together."
"Are you sure you're Josh Lyman?"
Josh winked at me and continued strolling up the aisle. I shook my head and followed.
***Nine***
By placing a large and very soft Teddy Bear into my buggy I had completed my shopping. I had no choice since our buggies were full. I had yet to figure out how to pay for all of this. I suppose I could sell my house. CJ is going to kill me.
Josh turned his buggy around and when I stepped up beside him I caught a glimpse of Sam running toward us with a buggy full of toys and of course my daughter.
"Josh! Toby!"
As Sam came beside us Josh immediately began investigating the items Sam had. "Holy crap Sam. Where did you find this stuff?" Josh removed a board game that looked familiar to me.
"In the Memory Lane aisle. You guys, it is so cool."
Josh held the game up for me to see. It was called Lie Detector. I remembered that game very well. It was one of my favourites for reasons I cannot recall.
I took the game from Josh and he picked up another item. "Oh look at this. King Zor. I loved King Zor."
"What's King Zor?"
"You don't know King Zor? Toby what kind of parents did you have? Everyone knows King Zor," Josh rambled.
"I doesn't," Piper announced.
"Everyone not born in the past four years," Josh restated.
"Toby, King Zor was only the best toy in the world. He came with darts and you fired them at his tail before he spit missiles at you," Sam explained.
"Missiles?" I asked doubtfully.
"Well they were just little yellow balls. But they were supposed to be missiles. Man, I would play with that for hours."
"Me too," Josh admitted. I put the Lie Detector game back into the buggy and removed another item. Oh yeah Odd Ogg. Now he was a classic.
"What's that one?" Josh asked leaning in closer to me to get a better look.
"Odd Ogg," I answered. "I used to love this. He was half turtle and half frog."
"What was his thing?"
"His thing Josh?"
"You know what I mean Toby. What did he do?"
"He'd chase you if you threw the balls at him right. If you didn't then he would move further away from you."
"Great, a ball chasing half turtle and half what again?"
"Frog," Sam answered.
"Right, frog. Wow that must have been a blast," Josh said sarcastically reaching further into the buggy.
I can't believe they still have this around. "Oh cool," Josh drooled over what looked like an action figure.
"What?" I asked not really interested in dolls.
"Buck Rogers. Oh man how I wanted to be Gil Gerard when I was a kid."
"I loved that show," Sam commented.
"You wanted to be a doll?" I asked Josh.
"Buck Rogers wasn't just a doll Toby. But an action figure."
"I remember when my mom brought him home for me. I was thrilled," Sam was off to his childhood.
"Yeah. I remember I slept with, oh what was her name….?"
"I know who you're talking about, Ardella. Man she was hot."
"Sam, it was a doll," I reminded him.
"So. You played with a frog slash turtle."
"So did you."
"No I didn't. I wasn't allowed."
"What? Are you serious? You weren't allowed to play with Odd Ogg but it was alright to play with Barbie's?"
"Buck Rogers wasn't a Barbie. He was a hero. And for your information Odd Ogg scared me. So my parents didn't think it was wise for me to keep playing with him."
"Scared you? It was a toy Sam."
Josh laughed. "I know I didn't have one of those Odd eggs but why was it scary?"
"Odd Ogg," I corrected. Josh winked at me.
"Because he moved. He had batteries and every time he made a jump towards me I would scream."
Now this was funny stuff. "You screamed every time a toy jumped at you?" Josh asked of Sam.
"Well it was scary you know. I was only small. How would you like it if your toys jumped at you?"
"But that was the whole point of the damn thing Sam," I pointed out.
"Well regardless. My parents took the batteries out of it and I wasn't allowed to play with it. Instead I just admired it from a far."
"You're sad Sam. I beat kids like you up you know."
"You still do Toby." He had a point. Who was I to argue?
"Ten bucks says you were afraid of Operation?"
"I'm not going to take that bet," Sam snapped at Josh.
"He was scared," Josh said to me before he grabbed another item.
"Are you buying all this stuff Sam?" I asked him while removing the game Time Bomb.
"No. Or atleast I don't think so. I know I want some of it. I just thought I would show you guys what I found."
"What's this?" I held up the Time Bomb game.
"Time Bomb."
"I can read Sam. I know what it's called. What is it?"
"You don't know Time Bomb?"
"I wouldn't be standing here asking you Sam if I did. Now would I?"
"It was a fun game. I'd play it with my sister or with cousins, friends. You wind it up and then you throw it around. Whoever catches it when it finally goes off was out of the game."
Josh scrunched his face up. "Ah Sam that sounds like Hot Potato."
"Well it's not. It's called Time Bomb."
"Sounds like they ripped off Hot Potato to me Sam." Sam grabbed the game from me.
"Well they didn't," he threw the game back into the buggy.
"That sounds like a loud game Sam. Did your parents have to take the batteries out of that one too? Sam gave me a dirty look.
"Okay I want this," Josh held up a box with a picture of a great white shark. The infamous Jaws. Doesn't matter what age I am, that damn shark scared the shit out of me. Or atleast the idea of one being in the waters did.
"I used to have that," I said hitting the box. "That was the game where no matter how hard you tried to not be afraid you still got scared when it would snap its mouth shut."
"Oh my God Toby. I was terrified of this game." I looked at Josh. "No seriously I was. And not in a sissy way like Sammy here. But when I was a kid and I would play this and my sister Joanie would stand behind me singing in a deep voice, daaaaaaaa-dum, daaaaaaaa-dum. I damn near wet my pants every time I made the attempt to go for the stupid camera or the bones."
I thought I was going to wet myself. I was laughing so hard I'm surprised I didn't pass out. "What?" Josh asked startled at my reaction. "It's a true story."
That made me laugh even harder. Even Sam had to grab hold of the buggy to keep himself together. "My sister was evil Toby. I mean really evil."
"I'm sorry Josh. It's just that I remember doing the same thing to David when he was younger." I wiped my tears away.
"That is like so mean." Sam and I burst out laughing again. "You're just as evil as my sister," Josh threw the game back into the buggy. He grabbed another one and displayed it for me. "Look Evil Toby."
He was holding an Evil Knieval doll. For some reason that was funny too and I continued to laugh. "I give up," Josh said. He grabbed Piper out of the buggy and with his buggy and my child he walked away. Sam and I tried to catch our breaths but every time we caught a glimpse of each other that only made us laugh harder.
Today is a good day.
