Hey guys, I'm back!
Summary: While William helps babysit JJ, he asks his Aunt Lyla for advice and ends up inadvertently revealing a special talent he hasn't expressed since his mother passed away.
Oh and Disclaimer (cover your ears) I DON'T OWN ARROW OR ANY OF THE CW CHARACTERS!
"You sure you can manage?" John asked Lyla, watching Oliver talk to William.
"I changed hundreds of diapers from this one." She gestured to the small toddler sitting next to William on the sofa. "But don't worry, if things get too rough, I'll call in the cavalry."
"I know Lyla." John kissed his wife. "It's just, our son's not even William's age. It just seems…"
"Surreal that a teenage boy is in our house who's also our godson?" Lyla asked.
"I was gonna say a little risky but that works too." John smiled at Lyla. The team had a mission to get to, and William along with JJ needed to be watched. And since Raisa was out of town and Lyla was the director of ARGUS, Oliver had two reasons to entrust Lyla with her ability to protect the boys.
William however didn't have much experience with little kids, since he preferred to be a loner most of the time, which was one of the reasons why he didn't have friends. But his father had insisted that William get to know his godmother and their son. William knew he wasn't the best babysitter but he wanted to get to know his godmother.
"William." Oliver said to his son. "I've got a meeting to get to tonight and John's gotta heal up so I'm gonna need you to be the man of the house."
"Great." William remarked dryly. "So no pressure then."
"I know you don't hang out with kids much, but consider this a training exercise." Oliver said.
"I still don't understand why you couldn't leave me with Aunty Thea or Grammy Smoak." William complained.
"William." Oliver warned sternly to watch his tongue. "We talked about this. Thea's busy tonight, she's getting back into her job after getting out of a coma. And your Grammy Smoak is visiting her sister. Besides, you and JJ seem to have a bit of a rivalry."
"For the last time Dad, that little punk was the one who stoles Uncle Rene's hockey mask and put it in my backpack!" William exclaimed.
"Yeah, yeah." said Diggle. "That's what they all say."
William started to roll his eyes before he caught his father's look, that silently told him to behave. "Come on, Will. Do I really have to promise you ice cream for dinner?"
"That's not a bad incentive." William flashed a smile.
Oliver laughed, clapping the boy's shoulder. "Nice try."
"Oliver?" William's Uncle Diggle called from the open door. "We have to go."
"I'll be back." Oliver promised his son. "Be good."
"Don't worry." Lyla said to Oliver. "I'll make sure he and JJ get along."
Unfortunately, it didn't seem so as JJ stuck out his tongue and blew a raspberry, prompting a scornful look from William's azure eyes.
Oh it was on like Donkey Kong!
"JJ!" William screamed chasing the three year old toddler around the living room. "Come on, your mom is gonna kill me if I don't get you to eat!"
"Dinner's almost ready!" Lyla called from the kitchen causing the 13 year old to groan in annoyance.
"Na, na, nana, na!" JJ taunted and continued running and laughing like a hyena. Exactly what led to this madness, even William would never understand. It was just one trick by JJ after another. Although in hindsight, maybe offering him a sugar cookie as a peace offering wasn't the best idea.
How do parents put up with this? William thought to himself as he chased the toddler around the house. Finally he cornered the little boy and grabbed him by the arms.
"Not so tough now are you?"
JJ gave a devil smile just before dragging his tongue on William's hand and escaping. "Gross!" William exclaimed.
"Boys!" Lyla scolded.
Groaning like a broken train engine, William stormed to the kitchen. "Can't you keep your own kid under control?"
"He just wants to play." Lyla reasoned.
"By using my hand as a pacifier?" William lifted his saliva covered hand.
"Go wash your hands." Lyla pointed to the sink. As William scrubbed the spit of his hands, a light bulb might have as well been over his head.
"Hey, Aunt Lyla?" He asked. "Does JJ like music?"
"Yes, it's pretty much the only thing that calms him down whenever he gets excited or scared." Lyla explained as she added the finishing touches to her chicken casserole. "Why?"
"Oh nothing." William lied rather quickly. "Just wondering. Cause I saw a piano in the living room."
"Yeah that belonged to JJ's great Uncle." said Lyla, already seeing where this was going. "It was passed down in the family and it was a wedding present from JJ's grandmother. She didn't want to sell it or see it go to waste."
"That's really sweet." William complimented, drying his hands. "Hey do you want some help setting the table?"
"Oh no, that's ok." Lyla said. "I believe there's a piano in the living room that's still tuned and has the solution to your babysitting problem."
Just as William was about to leave, he turned around and said, "Don't tell my parents or aunt about this please."
"No problem." Lyla smiled at the departing teen before washing her hands and reaching in her pockets for her phone.
While in the living room, William blew the dust off the piano keys once he opened the case. It was a little old but after playing a few notes, he decided it was ok for at least a few bars.
Samantha had made him take Saturday lessons every week when he was a kid, believing it would "broaden his horizon on what the world has to offer." He was saddened when he had to leave his piano teacher, Ms. Michelle when he moved from Central City, but once he moved to his new town, he started playing less and less because he got caught up with schoolwork, and completely stopped when Adrian Chase took his mother away from him. Without his mother, he saw no reason to play music.
But when it comes to babysitting a toddler high on sugar, desperate times call for desperate measures.
Flexing his fingers a little, he took a deep breath and began to drum his fingers on the piano, playing the opening bars to the only song that was on his mind-Despacito.
The air was filled with music, vibrant, colorful music that felt alive. William hadn't played for a long time but every note, every sound was a vivacious sound that sent a excitement up both JJ and Lyla's spines as they listened.
When he was playing, William felt a sense of happiness spread from the tips of his finger all the way to his toes. He had forgotten what it was like to make such a beautiful sound from his hands but as he played, he thought about his mother and how they would have sing alongs on Christmas. He played a little bit faster to add to the tears dripping down his cheeks. But no matter the tempo, his hands on the piano were like butterflies, they were dancing on the keyboard. All the major, minor and flat notes that were played were combining together to create harmony that sounded like no other in the world.
By the time he was finished, JJ was sitting on the sofa with his jaw sitting on the floor. Lyla was itching to clap for her godson but she was afraid she would embarrass him, even though she filmed the entire thing on her phone.
"Again, again!" John Diggle Jr clapped happily while clutching his teddy bear.
William laughed a little when he shut the case. "Sorry kiddo. It's time for dinner." With a grunt he picked up the active three year old and asked, "So does this mean you finally like me?"
In response JJ stuck out his tongue and said, "You're still a poophead."
"Jonathan Diggle Jr!" Lyla exclaimed. "Don't let me hear you speaking in that language!"
"No, no, it's ok." William retorted. "I guess this feud isn't over." Smiling, he took the boys went to the table and sat down for Lyla's famous chicken casserole.
But when Lyla later showed the entire Team Arrow the video, everybody was floored by William's performance. Even Dinah Drake, who hadn't cried since her partner died.
Hope you enjoyed this
