Jimmy didn't think that Tony would make any trouble. Just as Jimmy had suspected, Tony cared about Noah but knew he was in good hands. Jimmy knew that Tony would want to be a part of Noah's life. He had talked it over with Breena and agreed that it was only fair. They immediately opted to include Tony in as many family events as possible. Tony really did need family in his life.
"Did you invite Tony to the zoo this weekend?" Breena asked.
"He and Tali were planning on going anyway. So it works out." Jimmy replied.
"I am glad that he can be in his brother's life." Breena commented.
"Me too. Tony told me about his brother after it happened. He was devastated. He only brought it up once and then never again." Jimmy explained.
"You knew? Why didn't you tell me?" Breena asked.
"It was just after Tori died. You were in such a bad place. I was too and Tony needed that but he needed to open up." Jimmy explained.
"You don't think he will change his mind, right?" Breena asked.
"No he said this was best." Jimmy reminded.
Leaving Noah with the Palmer's was harder than Tony had let on. If Noah were with anybody else, he would have requested custody. He knew the Palmer's story and knew that he could not do that to them. He knew it would kill Breena to lose another child and Jimmy would be destroyed as well. He knew that Noah was in good hands. Still he had his feelings of hurt. Jimmy and Breena had invited Tali and him to join them at the zoo. He had gladly accepted. He could be Noah's brother and even if they did not live in the same house and see each other every day. It was far better than the pain of never getting to know his little brother.
"We are going to the zoo with Jimmy, Breena, and uncle Noah this weekend." Tony explained to Tali.
"Uncle Noah?" Tali asked.
"Jimmy and Breena's son. He is my brother." Tony explained.
"Why he live with the Palmers?" Tali asked.
"It's a long story but they give him a great home. Just like I am giving you a great home." Tony explained.
"OK" Tali replied.
Jimmy and Breena were curled up on the couch with their son. They had just returned from introducing him to their co-workers. Everybody was enthralled by the child and thrilled for them to finally have a baby of their own. Ducky was especially thrilled for his surrogate son. Noah was shy around the crowd but still offered smiles and the occasional hello. They knew the child had been through a great deal and did not expect him to warm up to strangers right away. They were just glad that Noah was doing well with them and with his older brother.
"Are you excited to see Tony tomorrow?" Jimmy asked.
"Bubba?" Noah asked.
"Yeah your big brother." Breena confirmed.
"Happy" Noah cooed.
"He sure is excited to spend the day with you." Jimmy replied.
Jimmy was spending time with Noah while Breena got dinner ready. They were fine with Noah watching TV and having screen time but were working not to make them the first resort. Jimmy had a pile of trains set out on the floor and had constructed a makeshift track out of notebook paper. Noah picked up the bright green train and drug it gently around the circular track. Jimmy reached for the baby blue train and followed his son around the track.
"Wanna race?" Jimmy asked.
"Race?" Noah questioned.
"GO!" Jimmy cried crawling around the track.
"Go! Go! Go!" Noah chanted following his dad around.
"What's going on in here?" Breena demanded.
"We were just having a race." Jimmy replied.
"Is that from my notebook?" Breena questioned.
"No we got it from the cheap notebook you keep in the kitchen drawer." Jimmy explained.
"Just clean up the mess." Breena warned.
"Yes mom" Jimmy sighed.
It felt good to laugh again. Breena had not laughed much since the death of her daughter. She had barely even smiled since the loss of her second baby. This child had brought something out in her. She still mourned for her lost children. She still cried for them but Noah brought joy to her life. She loved having a baby and she loved that he brought out the side of Jimmy she had not seen since their first loss. It was nice to be happy again. After being in deep mourning for so many years.
"I cleaned up the mess in the living room." Jimmy announced.
"Thank you." Breena replied.
"I'm sorry we got carried away." Jimmy apologized.
"It's OK I don't mind a mess." Breena assured.
"I'm glad we have him." Jimmy replied.
"Me too. I just wish that we still had one of our babies." Breena admitted.
"Me too" Jimmy agreed.
The family ended up curled up together on Jimmy and Breena's bed. Noah had a nightmare and after trying to calm him for over an hour. Breena just brought the child to bed with her. Noah made a beeline for Jimmy. Burying his head in his father's side.
"Dada" Noah cooed.
"Baby boy" Jimmy whispered.
"He sure loves you." Breena commented.
"He loves you too." Jimmy assured.
"I know" Breena replied.
Jimmy woke in the middle of the night to find that Noah had moved over to Breena's side. He smiled, reached over grabbed his phone, and took a picture. Noah loved Breena too and it brought such joy to him to know that Breena was so happy and confident. He was thrilled that she finally had the baby she always dreamed of.
"What?" Breena asked pulling herself up.
"I just had to get a picture." Jimmy replied handing Breena the phone.
"Did you move him?" Breena questioned.
"No he crawled over to you." Jimmy explained.
"I know we just got him but do you ever think about more?" Breena asked.
"I know you always wanted three and I am open. Let's let him get adjusted and then maybe starting trying to adopt a baby." Jimmy suggested.
"Sounds like a plan." Breena replied before falling back asleep.
"Of course with Noah our family is perfect no matter what." Jimmy whispered.
A/N: Tony gets to know his brother in the next chapter. New chapter will be up soon. Thanks for reading and please review.
