A/N: Thanks everyone for your patience with me. I have more than this, which I will probably post in a couple days, but until then, I just want to address a couple things:
To those who question Regina's alcoholic tendencies and the ASL mention. THIS IS AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. Not everything is going to follow exactly as it happened in the show. Please keep that in mind.
Everyone else, thanks for your support! I love knowing people are enjoying my work.
Anyway... Enjoy!
After two days, Daphne had adjusted well. The communication was still hard, she spent a lot of time screaming, trying to speak louder than was really needed. After watching John and Kathryn cover their ears as they did, she eventually stayed silent. Toby began to warm up to Daphne, even spending some time playing with her in the playroom he usually shared with Bay.
"Look at them," Kathryn whispered from the doorway. "They just look so natural." She smiled, leaning her head against the frame.
"Yes, they do." She turned to face her husband.
"So now what do we do?" John looked at her, smiling softly.
"We wait. Angelo and Regina will meet up with us in Amanda's office to get Daphne back, we can discuss it then. Until then, let them play." He nodded towards the children, taking his wife by the hand. "Let's see to lunch. After, maybe we can take them to the park."
Angelo stood back. Lined up against the walls, were four canvases, all covered in random paint, both brush and finger strokes. Bay sat at the table, banging on a drum set before her, squealing in delight. He turned and looked back at the toddler, shaking his head. There was no doubt in his mind that this was his and Regina's daughter.
"Lunch time, Bay." He spoke, has accent rolling the name off his tongue. The toddler looked up at him and smiled.
"Up." She spoke, lifting her arms for him to lift her. Angelo lifted the toddler in one arm, taking the drum in the other. He smiled at her, nuzzling her cheek with his nose. Bay giggled, hiding her cheek in her shoulder and smiling at Angelo. He recognized that smile, and he loved it so much more seeing it on the toddlers face. He felt more secure, more comfortable in their lives now that they had their daughter, but something was still not right. He missed Daphne.
"Let's go take mommy some lunch, alright?" Angelo spoke with a smile, setting the drum back on the shelf near his guitar. Bay clapped her hands excitedly and giggled. Angelo beamed. He had seen such a change in Bay, she had opened up to them, accepted them. It was like his family was whole again, and he was no longer questioning his relationship with Regina.
He placed the toddler in the safety seat, buckling her in and slipping behind the wheel. He placed the picnic basket on the passenger seat, pulling away from the curb and heading for the salon.