Anonymous: "Prompt: Catherine or someone else babysitting Julian and something fun/cute relating to that?"

Just felt like some Julian today. There's no Japril in here, but he's their kid so you know…Think I could've done better with this but, the muse ebbs and flows and this was all I had in me today.

100 Encore, Day 14: "Secret Weapon"

"Nana, how long do I have to be here?" Julian sighed after saying goodbye to Jackson and putting his backpack down.

"That is the first question you ask your nana when you walk in the door? Come here and give me a hug first, at least."

He complied, but just couldn't help himself. "But how long Nana?" he asked, mid-hug.

"I don't really know sweetheart, until mama has your baby sister, however long it takes her."

"How long it taked fer me to come out of mama's belly?"

"Awhile, bud. I think your parents were waiting a day and a half before they actually got to hold you."

"Oh! It was cozy in her belly."

"Something like that…Here come on daddy said you didn't eat any dinner. Grandpa ordered a pizza. Are you hungry?" Catherine led her grandson into the kitchen.

"Yeah acause mommy was makin' dinner saying 'Ouch, ouch ouch,' and then she finally satted right down on the kitchen floor and said 'J, can you call daddy for me? And I did and daddy comed home and taked me here."

"That is a very good story, J! You helped your mama so much!"

"This pizza is so yummy grandpa! Only eat pepperoni wit dad cause mom doesn't like it best, but she sometimes eats it. She likes vege-bles on her pizza."

Richard chuckled, his grandson was always generous with details. "I'll keep that in mind when I order pizza for her."

"Bowen is hurting my mama right now. Why she didn't go to the hospital?"

"She doesn't mean to hurt her, sweetie. She's just making her way into the world. And your mom just likes to have babies at home. God knows why," Catherine shook her head. "But it's not my body."

"I hurted my mama, too?"

"I imagine so, I wasn't there."

"Why not?" Julian asked, pulling a piece of cheese off his pizza and dangling it above his mouth before eating it.

"Your mom and dad wanted to spend time alone with you for a little bit when you were first born bud. They do everything alone for a little bit."

"When you meeted me?"

"You were two weeks old."

J swallowed hard, eyes wide. "I stayin' here two weeks afore I see my sister?"

"No silly! I'm gonna take you over there as soon as your dad texts me I can. I think they're gonna text me when she's born and then after mom and Bowen rest a little bit."

"Ok. I will be the first to hold her afore anyone?"

"Of course not, Julian! Mom and dad are! Then you, and you wanna know something cool?" Catherine whispered, and Julian nodded. "Nana is so happy you are here with me now, because you are my secret weapon to get in and meet Bowen so much sooner than I met you."

He giggled, so excited at the idea of being so important. "Awesome!"

"So let's eat up and stop talking so we can make cards, that way we have presents for her when we meet her!" It had been awhile since Catherine babysat a child. She knew Julian was talkative, she just never realized how exhausting all of the questions could be. Her son had always been a man of few words.

"Julian, wake up, sweetie! It's time to go meet your sister," Catherine walked in to her guest room at 1 am, lifting her grandson out of bed.

"Nana, what time is it?"

"I just told you, sweetheart. It's really early in the morning, but Bowen's here already and she's ready to meet us. And then mom and dad said they want you to come home and sleep in your own bed. Grandpa's waiting in the car."

Julian yawned, rubbing sleep from his eyes. "Nana, you so 'sited acause I your secret weapon fer seein' Bowen, right?"

"Yes bud, I'm so excited to have you here," Catherine kissed his cheek.

"You 'membered the cards we made an' the chocolate chip cookies my mama will love?"

"Yes babe grandpa got it all, don't you worry. In fact, let's practice being quiet in the car. Because how quiet do you have to be around babies, J? I know you know."

"Oh, so quiet nana," he yawned, resting his head against her shoulder. But his eyes were wide open. He was not going to miss his chance to hold his baby sister.