Three hours later, Carl came back to the Vortex residence, still dizzy from a brain-freeze. He may have used up his whole allowance, but it was worth it. All he needed was a couple of milkshakes to calm his nerves. Instead of hanging up the hat and coat properly, he just threw them onto the rack. The rack then lost balance and toppled over. He made his way into the kitchen, while mumbling about how mean Cindy could be. How would she feel if she ever found out he abandoned her on the project? No, it's not like she would've cared. She was probably waiting for him to leave the house, since she refuses Carl to have any share of Petunia. It doesn't look like she will be asking for any help sometime, and if she did, he won't be the one she'll come crying to. He opened the fridge door, raiding for a snack. All a sudden, he could sense a presence behind him. Carl took a quick look over his shoulder.

"AAAAAAAHHHH!"

There was Cindy, holding Petunia with only one hand, with the other one on her hip. She looked dead mad, and Carl swore he saw her green eyes turned red for a split sec. Despite how angry she was, she still held the baby very gently. However, she likely won't be gentle with Carl. He could really use his best friend right now.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!"
"I-i-I-i-I–"
"STOP STUTTERING!"
"But you're making me nervous right now! When I'm nervous, I stutter!"
"Hooray, you can speak clearly again! Now would you be kind as to explain why YOU WALKED OUT ON ME AND THE BABY LIKE THAT?"
"I thought you already had everything under control, and you didn't need me–"
"You men are so worthless! You know how to bring children into this world, but you sure as heck don't know how to take care of them! Just because you make the money, doesn't give you any right to neglect your beloved wife and child! All you husbands do is eat, lie around, and messy up the house! You don't give me any credit for all the potential I bring into this family! You know what?! I WANT A DIVORCE!"
"YOU DON'T YOU TO BE SO MEAN!"
"Excuse me?!"

Carl had to speak up for himself, and that was either now or never. Cindy had to push his buttons far enough to get him to do so. What a hypocrite. First she won't let him get anywhere near Petunia, let alone, look at her, and now she accuses him of being no help around. She never wanted his help ever since they got assigned with each other. It's like she's trying to take advantage of him just because he's dimwitted and fragile. Determinately having to say how he feels, he could see what Jimmy has to put up with. Speaking of Jimmy, if he and her were accredited together, they would bring the house down.

"How could you accuse me of not being any help?! I THOUGHT THAT'S WHAT YOU WANTED! You wouldn't let me near Petunia, touch Petunia, or even look at Petunia! We were suppose to be in this together! I never got to do anything, just you! How am I gonna watch my little girl grow up if you keep pushing me away?! Are you gonna push me away from everything?! For when she goes to her first prom and graduates high school?! I haven't even gotten the chance to hold her! Just so you know, Vortex, you may be the mother, BUT I'M THE FATHER! I should at least have the right to be there for my daughter when she needs me!"

Carl finally learned how to give himself confidence without Jimmy's help. But after his monologue, he deeply regretted it, shielding his face with both of his hands, saying Please don't hit me! That was sugar rush talk! Cindy didn't look upset. Her expression looked like a mix between surprised and confused. She never thought she'd see the day this pathetic pufferfish would actually stand up against anyone without having Nerdtron aid him. Cindy held Petunia with both hands, looking down at her while she thought it out. Carl didn't take his hands away from his face, since he was still expecting the worst. Instead, she took into consideration, handing him Petunia up front. The hands moved away from the face, but he didn't feel it was safe to touch the baby yet.

"I'm… …sorry, okay. If you want in on the project, here."
"Are you sure? You're not gonna try to pull anything, are you?"
"Why would I do that? Yes, I can be mean, mainly to the male species, but I give kudos to the weak who actually stand up tall for once. And… …you did make a point."

Gently taking the sack from her hands, he held Petunia up, looking at her face to face, even if she lacked one. Holding her felt so nice. He felt like a real father already. Carl hopes he can do more for his little Petunia then just hold her, and perhaps Cindy will let him.

"Wow, Cindy. Thanks. And… I'm sorry for snapping like that."
"No biggie. I don't blame you for getting angry. Now, don't let out a word of this to anyone, cuz if anyone finds out I've been nice to you, they'll think I'm nice to Jimmy, and then they will come to the conclusion that I…. …lIkE hIm. UGHHHHHHGHGH."
"You were nice to him once. I saw you."
"We were locked in a cellar!"

…..

"I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO WATCH THE BABY?!"

Sheen and Libby were in the kitchen once more, where a loaf of bread, which used to be their son Toy Boy, sat plated on the counter. The time Libby made it back, she knew what happened when the sweet sent of baked goods met her nose. Also by the way Sheen stared at it with fright, while sucking his thumb. Any fool would know what bread is made out of. For someone who kept giving their son attention all day, he sure doesn't give any concern for Toy Boy's safety. Now for the baby's demise, Sheen's to blame for. Just now, Libby was starting to intimidate him, for he knows this was all his fault. His father didn't know anything about the project, or what they were working with. Not even the diaper it was wearing gave him any clue. Now cornered, Sheen had to confess to Libby up front, while crying too.

"I'm sorry! I was the only one you could rely on, but then Ultralord was on at this hour…. ULTRALORD, LIBBY, and… WAAAHHHH, you were right! I am a bad father! If I had just paid attention in class, Toy Boy would still be with us today!"
"Sheen, I never said you were a bad father."
"Huh?"
"Well, you did the job wrong, but what do you know? You're young, and so am I. We're not ready to have a baby together. (I don't think I ever wanna marry you, either). Maybe I'm no better at this either. Mrs. Pampers said this project was suppose to be a team effort, and what did we do all day? Pull and shove, debatin' who's right and who's wrong. Maybe you would've understood better if I just been reasonable with you."
"Stop trying to make me feel better! I'm responsible for our son's death!"
"I'm responsible too, ya know."

Libby pulled him into a friendship hug, and Sheen returned it back in respect. However, she failed to notice the smug little grin he put on behind her back. He knew if he pulled his fake waterwork act, Libby would go easy on him. But, deep within him, he's still grieving over Toy Boy.

"Ya know, Sheen, I don't know how we gonna break this up to Mrs. Pampers. We could tell her it was just an accident."
"Orrrrrrrrrr, we could just buy a replacement from the supermarket, and then nobody's in trouble."
"For once, I actually agree with you."

…

Carl wanted to make sure he had much fun as possible with Petunia before the day ends. Instead of getting in the way, Cindy just watched. He put the baby in the basket of his bike (which still had the training wheels on), and took her for a ride around the park. He met up with some other couples and their babies. Next, he bought two ice creams from a vendor, one for him, and one for his little girl. With the sack having no mouth, Carl just smushed the frozen treat all over her face. Cindy was gradually disgusted in what she was seeing, but she didn't wanna interfere. Carl looked too happy. Next, he took her to the zoo, where he showed her animals of different varieties, mostly the llamas. He even tried to get Petunia to touch one of the llamas, but because of that, he got dragged out by security. He took her to the playground afterwards, pushing her on the swing, building sand castles with her, and going down the tube slide. Well, she only made it down. Cindy covered her mouth while giggling, watching Carl make a fool out of himself. Lastly, 6:47 PM, he took his daughter to a grassy field, with a beautiful sunset view.

"WHEEEEEEEEEEE! ARE YOU SEEING THIS, CINDY?!"

He was twirling little Petunia around in his arms. Living this fatherly experience was so pure to him. Although, he's not ready for girls, he would settle for one big happy family. It would be nice having miniature Carls stomping their feet around the carpet. He would love a few little people to share his passion with. If he ever wanted to have children with anyone, that be Jimmy. He could feel the flour sack saying "Dada" to him. After twirling little Petunia around, he threw her into the air, catching her in his arms. He tried at it again, and again. Cindy smiled, watching the fat nerd boy enjoy himself. She can be one of the most meanest kids in Retroville, and she likes living this lifestyle, but for some reason doing a good deed had a very pleasing feel to it. Carl threw Petunia much higher in the air than he threw her before, and put his arms out, ready to catch. Unfortunately, he missed. Petunia fell with a hard splat, and a heavy amount of white powder launched upwards, also fogging up his glasses. After wiping his lens off, he took a good look at Petunia to see if she were okay. Too late for that.

"PETUNIA!"

Setting down on his knees, Carl stared at his now dismembered sack of flour.

"I'm so sorry, Petunia. I'm sorry."

Carl picked up the opened sack and cradled it in his arms, with tears cascading down his face. Flour continued to pour down. It may have been just pretend, but it felt real to him. Carl attached himself to the sack ever since Cindy finally lend it to him. He wanted to prove to her that he could do a great job just as she could. He wanted to show her that he wasn't the worthless allergy kid she views upon him as. Now, he may never have children in his upcoming future. Any parent knows that dropping your baby is a dangerous hazard. Cindy was indeed furious. She wanted to yell at him for screwing this whole thing up, but how could she when Carl was crying over the sack like it were a real deceased child? Making it worse for him would just be more unbearable. She gave him a soft pat on the shoulder.

"It's not your fault, Carl. You tried your best."

….

7:00 PM at the Neutron household. Jimmy was at his desk, burying his nose deep into a geometry textbook, his homework as usual. He was moving slower than how he normally studies, possibly due to Nick on his mind. Goddard entered the room and scratched at his owner's chair, moaning in hunger.

"I'll feed you later, boy. Just two more chapters."

Disappointed, Goddard walked off to the corner, and laid there. Why does he have to be so stubborn? Even though Nick thought he was doing the boy genius a favor, he had no idea how important this project was to him, but it's best if he didn't find out. Nick would probably be crept out being crushed over by a boy. Not just any boy, but a boy who's sunk down to the bottom of the food chain, behind Carl Wheezer. Jimmy thought it through: Maybe Nick's not worth it. Watching him neglect Leonardo so many times, he'd probably do the same to a real baby. Aside from being a father, Nick doesn't seem to be a suitable lover in general. Nick had been giving him some life hacking advice in the past, with sneaking out being the last, but some of his suggestions were a bit immoral for Jimmy's taste. If they ever became an official item, Nick would likely drag Jimmy into situations he wouldn't feel comfortable around, and get him in trouble for it. He questions himself: Why did he ever forgive Nick for chickening over a "chicken?"

Soft, faint singing entered the room. It came from his phon-o-ceiver, which Jimmy had forgotten he left on. Picking up his invention, he increased the volume, since he never heard that voice before. It couldn't be recognized as his mom's or dad's. He can't believe it; It was Nick's voice. Why is he singing anyways? He got out from his room, then followed the voice. Peaking from behind the stairs' banister, he saw Nick, rocking the sack back and forth, while serenading a lullaby. What happened to the stone hard Nick that consulted him on this "stupid project" hours ago? Jimmy continued to observe Nick as he not only sung it a lullaby, but also fed it and changed it too. He knew how to change a diaper better than he could. Nick probably wanted in on this assignment all along, he just had to make sure he was alone with the baby first. He was afraid Jimmy would judge him for being so tender, since nobody looks at him that way. After tucking Leonardo in, with a kiss goodnight, he saw Jimmy standing there, leaning casually against the wall. He was left frozen in place.

"You saw nothing, Neutron!"
"I already saw everything."
"You tell anyone about this, and I'll strangle you with your own hair!"
"It's okay, Nick. I understand. Your secret is safe with me. Take a good friend's word. And if I fail to keep it shut, you are welcomed to do your worse to me. If you like, I'll leave you alone again with Leon, and forget everything that ever happened."

As Jimmy made one step on those stairs, Nick stopped him.

"Neutron!"
"Yes?"
"Well, thinkin' this project is important to you… …and I haven't done anything in return for you, saving my mom from being chicken feed… Don't take this personal, okay? If working together means so much to you, what do you say… …we start all over?"
"You really mean that Nick?"
"Sure, whatever. But on one condition."
"Yes?"
"You be the mom, and I'll be the dad."
"*Sigh* It's a done deal."

The two then shook their hands on it.

…

The next day, everyone returned with their sacks. Most of them being broken, some of them were handled under another student's care. Carl and Cindy got a C. Even though their sack is severely damaged, they still gave it their all. Libby and Sheen tried to pass off a different sack as their baby, but they could never deceive Mrs. Pampers, cuz she could tell it was a different brand. When the two showed what really happened to Toy Boy, they even brought the loaf with them, the teacher almost fainted, then graded them with an F-.

"Couldn't you just give us a B for bread?"

Jimmy and Nick, of course, was awarded with an A+. Not only were they were the fewer students to bring their baby back in one piece, but they also learned how to cooperate. Jimmy looked upon Nick with a grin. He thought wrong about him. He may be as tough as nails, but somewhere inside, he's hiding a cuddly soft teddy bear. Jimmy found himself lucky, being the only kid, and possibly the only human, to witness another side of Nick nobody ever got a chance to see. Working with Nick had been fun, a dream you might say, but too bad it ended so soon. Maybe him and Nick will reunite together some day, if the time is right. He'll probably uncover more about him than he ever knew.

"We did great, Nick."
"Don't touch me."
"Sorry."

The final chapter! But not the final misadventures of Jimmy and Nick. ;)