The Five Times Pyro Babysat

Chapter Three: Cranky

Bobby breathed a sigh of relief as finally Abi grew heavy, her breathing becoming steady. Gently he laid her down on the beanbag in the middle of the floor, turning towards the sofa. He smiled as the fire mutant sprawled across said sofa let out a long yawn.

"Are you needing rocked to sleep too?" he teased, sitting down on the small patch of sofa left free. John scowled and raised a middle finger.

"Fuck you Iceman."

Bobby frowned slightly.

"Please don't swear in front of Abi," he asked quietly. John waved a hand dismissively.

"A...she's asleep and B...she can't understand," the fire mutant sighed softly as Bobby's frown deepened. "But I'll try and cut back on the offensive language."

"Thank you," Bobby smiled, resting a hand gently on John's chest. He bit his lip apprehensively, glancing down at the sleeping baby. "Look John, I need to go to the store and get Abi diapers..."

"You have her for the weekend and you don't have diapers?" John asked incredulously.

"She's had a bit of a growth spurt since she was last here," a slight frown played at the ice mutant's face. "The diapers I have are too small."

John's expression softened, knowing how Bobby felt when he missed details like this in Abi's life. He reached out and ran a hand lightly over Bobby's arm.

"So you want me to keep an eye on sleeping beauty over there while you go shopping?" he smiled uneasily as Bobby nodded hopefully. "Here's hoping she doesn't wake up then."

"You'll be fine," Bobby smiled appreciatively. "I'll be as quick as I can."

John just nodded and smiled, leaving his weary sigh until the ice mutant had left the room. He cringed as Abi stirred, bracing himself for a scream but the baby settled back down. Gradually the fire mutant started to relax as little Abi slept but he quickly tensed again as she whimpered, wriggling about as her eyes blinked open. John inhaled sharply as the baby blinked rapidly.

"Oh don't even think about it..." John sighed as Abi looked frantically around the room for her father, her bottom lip starting to tremble. John clambered off the sofa and knelt in front of the beanbag, speaking to the little girl in a tired, resigned but on the whole calm voice. "Your daddy will be back soon."

Abi stopped looking around the room and turned her gaze towards John, her bottom lip stopping quivering but a pout took over her lips instead.

"Look missy I know you're cranky but I'm cranky too," John arched an eyebrow as Abi's pout faded, her eyes widening slightly as the gazed intently at the fire mutant. A slight smile pulled at the corners of John's lips as he gently poked her in the stomach. "And it's all your fault I'm cranky – you crying all night..." a smile broke out onto John's face as Abi's mouth opened as if shocked although he knew she couldn't understand what he was saying. "Yes you!" he continued lightly, ticking her stomach softly. "You interrupted our I haven't seen you for three weeks sex," John laughed quietly as Abi just stared back at him intently, mouth still agape, as if hanging on every word. "Every time I got somewhere you interrupted," he poked Abi's stomach accusingly, earning a gurgled laugh from the little girl. "Did your mother put you up to it eh?" he poked her again, earning another giggle as Abi tried to grab his hand. "Eh? Did she tell you to ruin my sex life?"

"Aye ah ya ya doo..." Abi gurgled, grinning up at the fire mutant, her icy blue eyes sparkling happily. John laughed and continued to tickle her stomach lightly.

"Someone got their daddy's eyes, didn't they?" he smiled, his free hand stroking her cheek softly.

"Ya ya ah buh ya..."

The fire mutant shook his head slightly and leant back, sitting in front of the baby, clasping his hands on his lap. Abi frowned slightly, her pout returning.

"Ah ya!"

"Excuse me?" John smirked at what could only be described as a scowl on the baby's face. Abi stuck her arms out towards him.

"Ah ya ya da!"

John started to laugh and shake his head but quickly leant forward and scooped the little girl up as her bottom lip started to tremble.

"Hey..." he laughed uneasily, standing up and holding Abi awkwardly. Immediately her smile returned, a gurgled laugh escaping her lips. John shook his head. "Demanding little madam aren't you?" he smiled affectionately, adjusting his hold to get a more secure grip. "You get that from your daddy too."

"Charming."

John spun round to find Bobby standing in the doorway. Abi let out an excited squeal at the sight of her father but John just scowled. Quickly he walked forward, handing the baby to the ice mutant.

"I think she needs one of those diapers," he muttered, walking past and heading straight for the bathroom. Bobby arched an eyebrow and turned back to Abi.

"Told you he wasn't that bad," he smiled. His daughter grinned back broadly.

"Ah ya da ya..."