Tom knelt down and pulled Anima's hood further over her face while she sat in the wheelchair. She had put on sunglasses and wrapped up CJ as well, holding him close to her chest. They didn't want press and fans mobbing them or shooting candids as they made their way to their car. They would use the service entrance where Tom had his car waiting. They were cautious as he wheeled her out. They couldn't see anyone coming, so he hurriedly strapped CJ into their new carseat. After strapping CJ into the car and helping his wife into the back to watch him, Tom pulled out onto the road cautiously. He only saw a small group outside, but Anima didn't want photos if their baby swimming across the internet. He completely understood.
On the way to their apartment, Tom drove like an old man. He had a big sticker on every window that said baby on board, and he even had on the hazard lights. Anima sat in the back, commenting about it with a giggle in her voice. Tom felt he was actually quite justified.
When they got to their apartment, there was quite a circus going on there. They arrived just in time to witness Elsa instructing the three guys that made up Tom's circle of friends, all of them were carrying various items. Tom helped Anima into the house where Elsa had followed so she could see CJ for herself. Anima pulled the blanket away to reveal a wrinkly little face for her to coo over.
Elsa herself was quite a new mom. She just gave birth to twin boys: Tristan and Sasha. They were about two months old now, and Elsa had them in a playpen in the corner. They were sleeping side-by-side in their blankets.
"Oh! He's adorable!" Elsa said quietly. "I didn't catch what Chris said about his name. What's is it?"
"Cobalt Jones," Tom said proudly as he rearranged the blanket over him. Since leaving the hospital, he had been nit-picking about how warm or cold his son was.
"Tom," Anima interrupted.
"Hm?"
"Why don't you help the guys? I'll sit here on the sofa and try to rest a little bit."
Tom nodded and went to find Chris, who was in his bedroom. "Need help?"
"Umm...yeah. What I'm doing here is moving the dressers a little closer together to give room for who ever is pacing around and rocking him," he said as he stood on one side of a dresser.
Tom reached for the other side and pulled as he pushed.
"There we go."
Tom reached for the bassinet and moved it next to the dressers.
"Now, would you like the changing table to be in here or out in the living room area?"
"Hell, I don't know. I'm not really the pro on this one. Where would you put it? You're the one with experience."
"It would be better to have it in the living room since your bathroom isn't big enough. If you put it in here, you or Ann could wake the other from the kid's crying."
Tom nodded and walked out where he saw Anima nodding off. "Is he awake?" he mouthed to Elsa who currently held CJ.
She nodded and reached down to touch his tiny hand. "I remember when India was this small. Now I've got two new boys to look after."
"Hey, um, mind if we call it a night? I know it's still-"
Elsa cut him off. "Oh, no. It's fine. Yes, we can leave now and you can call us when you need us."
With that, she handed CJ to Tom and then herded the three men out of the house. Tom sighed and sat down beside Anima. She just grunted in her sleep, digging her toes under his thigh like she always did. It was an annoying habit that often woke him in the middle of the night. He wouldn't trade it for the world though. Especially not now.
"Wait a minute...you're making a face at me. Are you...? Shit. Looks like I'm breaking in the changing table."
Tom walked over to the changing table and made sure everything he needed was within reach. He gently strapped CJ in and pulled the diaper away.
"Fucking shit!" Tom yelped as a stream of urine shot up and in his direction. Thankfully he was only sprinkled by the stream. When his son seemed to be finished, he wiped him and strapped him with a new diaper. His son had a goofy gas-grin. "You planned that, didn't you?" he grumbled softly, his hand on his son's stomach as he tickled him.
CJ breathed heavily and wiggled under his father's touch.
Tom smiled and unstrapped CJ before putting him in a onesie Ben bought him. It was green and had "I Believe in Sherlock Holmes" emblazoned on the front. Typical Ben. Tom yawned as he picked CJ up and laid him in his bassinet. CJ flailed, but then he relaxed and started to doze off. Tom continued to rub his son's belly until he was asleep.
"Tom?" Anima whispered from behind him. She still sounded exhausted.
"Hey, I was planning to get some sleep," Tom said, wrapping himself around her. She laid against him, still breathing heavily with sleep. "Want to join me?"
"Mhm. Tom?"
"Hm?"
"Will you carry me? My lady parts ache."
Tom snickered softly and picked her up bridal style. He carried her over to the bed and sat her down before undressing her and putting her in one of his t-shirts. She just sat there like a doll until he gently eased her onto the bed. As he was undressing he could hear her deep breathing. Poor thing was still so stressed and tired. Tom eased himself into bed and wrapped himself around her.
