Hailey tilted her head back and tipped the eye drops in her eyes. She blinked quickly with a sigh.
"Damn pink eye," she whispered.
Jay poked his head in the bathroom and smiled, "How's it going?"
Hailey looked at him, "I hate this."
Jay laughed, "I'm just glad mine's clearing up. You want me to put them in for you?"
"Please," Hailey rolled her eyes and laughed.
"Let me see," Jay stepped forward and gently held her chin, "They're still blue though. Pretty as ever."
Hailey lightly pushed him away, "Stop."
"Never," Jay chuckled and squeezed her waist. He brushed his thumbs under her shirt, "How's baby girl doing?"
"Currently doing cartwheels," Hailey said, "You still can't feel?"
Jay shook his head, "Hopefully soon."
"We'll have to look it up," Hailey kissed his cheek then walked past him.
Jay turned and watched her slip her shirt covered in Blake's food off, "It's my last day of pink eye quarantine, did you want to do anything?"
Hailey laughed, "I want to be able to see properly and not scare my baby."
Jay smirked, "You have to admit that was funny."
Hailey pulled one of his shirts on and shook her head at the memory of Blake crying when she'd gone in his room to grab him the morning she'd woken up with her eyes glued shut.
"Don't you have to get some work done?" Hailey asked.
Jay shrugged, "I have some stuff to do. I'll probably call in to the bullpen and see what's going on. Kevin's been crushing it lately."
"Is he gonna be your number one?" Hailey tugged at the bottom of her shirt and turned to look at herself in the mirror.
"Uh," Jay moved to sit on the bed, "I don't know. Maybe. I can see that happening. They're all great though. I need them all."
Hailey smiled and sat next to him, "Wrong answer."
"What?" Jay's face fell.
"I'm your number one," Hailey teased.
Jay chuckled and nudged her, "Yeah, you are."
Blake crawled into their room, "Mama. Up."
"When do we teach him manners?" Jay asked as Hailey bent down to grab Blake.
She rolled her eyes, "Why don't we teach him how to walk first?"
"As cool as that would be," Jay said, "I really don't want him getting into trouble."
"He won't get into trouble," Hailey poked Blake's nose, "Right? You're going to be a good boy."
Blake babbled at her and played with her hair.
"He played in the toilet yesterday," Jay pointed out.
"Yeah, that wasn't good," Hailey breathed.
Blake giggled and looked at Jay, "Dada. Dada shh. Dada no."
Jay raised an eyebrow, "Hailey."
She laughed and held Blake up to blow raspberries on his stomach, "You need to be nice to Daddy."
"Dada!" Blake screamed, "Dada!"
"Now you want me?" Jay grabbed him, "Now you want Daddy?" He tossed Blake up in the air a few times before turning around and dropping him on the mattress to tickle him.
Hailey smiled at them then pushed off the bed, "Entertain him for a bit?"
"Course," Jay started kissing across Blake's face and laughed with each squeal Blake let out.
Hailey patted his back and walked out to the hall straight into Drew's room where he was sitting in front of his fish tank. She smiled and knocked on the wall, "Hey, buddy."
Drew looked up with a sigh, "Hi."
"How'd your reading go?" Hailey asked. She lowered herself next to him on the ground then tapped the book in his lap.
Drew shrugged, "Fine. Can I tell you something?"
"Always," Hailey smiled.
"I actually miss school," Drew said, "This stupid disease is horrible. I don't like doing school stuff by myself. I know I usually complain, but this is just mean."
"You're not doing it by yourself," Hailey set her hand on his back, "Dad and I have been helping you."
"Dad thinks social studies is boring and you messed up my science experiment yesterday," Drew mumbled.
"Um," Hailey breathed in, "Well, in Dad's defense-"
"Social studies is very important, Mom," Drew tipped his head back, "How am I ever going to be an adult if I don't learn about maps?"
"You crushed maps!" Hailey moved onto her knees in front of him, "You have all the states memorized!"
Drew groaned, "But…I…I'm just…"
"Take your time," Hailey said softly.
"School is hard," Drew looked down at his hands, "But I think it's important."
Hailey nodded, "It is important."
"But," Drew sighed deeply, "This is just a mess."
"Why?" Hailey asked.
"I like being with you and Dad," Drew breathed in, "Even if you're not the most amazing teachers."
Hailey laughed softly and tugged him into a hug, "I love you."
Drew curled up into her and mumbled, "I love you too."
Hailey kissed the top of his head, "I'm going to ignore that little sassy comment you made too, and just say that I liked spending time with you too. It was fun."
"I wouldn't say fun," Drew sat back, "My eyes were disgusting. They weren't as bad as Dad's, but they were pretty bad."
"Yeah, you got Dad in quite a mess," Hailey laughed.
"It's not my fault," Drew held up a finger, "That was Rosie."
Hailey shook her head, "We're not going to blame others."
"She deserves it," Drew whined, "She ruined my life."
"Hey," Hailey gently held his chin, "Stop. If you really did get pink eye because of Rosie, that means she was also sick. You need to be nice to her."
Drew pursed his lips then pulled away, "Fine."
Hailey raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms.
Drew shrugged and lightly scratched his leg.
"Hello, anyone in there?" Jay called out.
"Mama!" Blake yelled, "Doo!"
Hailey squeezed Drew's hand then turned, "In here."
Jay came in the room bent over holding Blake up trying to get him to walk, but was pretty much just dragging his feet.
Drew laughed, "He looks like a worm."
Blake giggled and pulled his feet up into the air.
"So strong," Hailey smiled and put her hands out, "Come here, baby. Walk to Mommy."
Jay sat on the ground and stood Blake up, "Let's do this. It's baby boot camp. Buzz is walking by the end of the day, that's a promise."
"We need to bribe him," Drew said then hurried out of the room.
Jay gently let go of Blake's hands, "You can do it. Go to Mommy."
"Come here, baby," Hailey said softly and reached out, "You can do it."
Blake took a single step then fell backwards with a huff.
"Again," Jay stood him up, "Let's go. Walk."
Hailey rolled her eyes, "Be nice."
"I'm being motivational," Jay winked.
Hailey laughed and waved her hands at Blake, "Sure."
Blake squatted down and put his hand in his mouth.
"Look what I have," Drew said as he returned. He held up one of Blake's pacifiers and the stuffed dog he'd been sleeping with recently.
Blake's eyes widened and he yelled, "Doo! Doo!"
Jay laughed, "Well, go get him. Go get your toy."
Blake took two shaky steps toward Drew before falling forward and quickly crawling over to him just as he was sitting next to Hailey. He pulled at his dog, "No, Doo."
"You need to walk," Drew said. He swung the pacifier in front of Drew's eyes, "Look what I have."
Blake reached up with a whine.
"Back up," Hailey said as she grabbed Blake and scooted backwards, "Just a few feet though. We'll try just a little bit."
Jay smiled and pulled his phone out to begin taking a video as Blake started yelling at Drew and reaching for his pacifier again.
"Go get it," Hailey laughed, "Go get your paci, go get it."
Drew waved it around, "I have Buzz's pacifier."
Blake huffed and took a step forward, "Doo."
Hailey smiled and slowly let go of him as he continued taking steps toward Drew.
"And I have your dog," Drew smiled as he held it up.
Blake whined and quickened his steps until he was crashing into Drew. He laughed and grabbed both of his prized possessions sticking his pacifier in his mouth.
"He did it!" Hailey cheered.
Jay laughed and crawled over to pick up Blake, "You walked! You walked to Drew!"
Blake smiled around his pacifier and pulled at Jay's hair.
"It was me," Drew patted Blake's back, "I'm the one who taught him that."
Hailey laughed softly, "It was a team effort."
"I'm the one who got him to walk this time though," Drew said, "Because I'm the best, right Buzz? I'm the best brother."
Jay winked at Hailey then lightly punched Drew's arm, "And humble." He stood Blake back up, "Go back to Mommy."
Hailey patted the floor, "Come here. Come here, baby boy." She put her hands out when Blake started wobbling, "It's okay, I'm right here."
Blake took a few steps toward her then fell backwards with a whine, "Mama."
"Oh, don't give up," Hailey said, "You can do it."
Jay stood Blake up again, "Keep trying."
Blake huffed at him and babbled in annoyance.
"Really?" Jay raised an eyebrow, "You really think that?"
Blake waved his hands around, "Dada."
"I'm listening," Jay said then pointed toward Hailey, "But I want you to walk toward Mom."
Blake made a soft noise then hit his stomach and yelled more nonsense.
Drew's eyes widened and he looked between Blake and Jay.
"Hey," Hailey snapped her fingers, "Blake Henry." He looked at her and instantly stopped making noise. "Say 'sorry' to Dad and then come here," Hailey said.
Blake whimpered and made a quiet noise in Jay's direction before heading over to Hailey and burying his face in her shoulder. He gripped her hair and mumbled.
"I know," Hailey hugged him. She smiled slightly at Jay who just chuckled and shook his head.
"Are you going to discipline him for yelling at you?" Drew asked.
Jay sighed, "No, he's just a baby."
Drew's jaw dropped slightly, "Are you serious?"
Jay nodded, "He's just mad, bud. He can't talk and we're trying to get him to walk. We have to remember that he's learning."
Drew rolled his eyes, "He's spoiled."
"Be nice," Hailey said softly while rubbing Blake's back.
"Maybe you need to go to big brother boot camp," Jay teased.
Drew sighed and crawled over to go back to watching his fish.
"Just a hard day," Hailey whispered.
Jay nodded, "For both of them."
"All of us," Hailey corrected with a slight smile.
Jay chuckled at her pink tinged eyes, "I guess so."
"Hailey," Jay said from his spot on the couch, "Come here."
She looked up from sorting through a pile of paperwork, "Yeah?"
"Come here," Jay repeated, "I found some stuff."
Hailey laughed, "Stuff? I'm making sure all my doctor appointments are in a row."
"That can wait," Jay smirked, "This is important."
"Oh, oh really?" Hailey walked over to him and sat down on the couch, "Yes?"
"Internet says he'll get there," Jay said.
Hailey raised an eyebrow, "Who will get where?"
"Blake will walk when he's ready," Jay showed her the article he was just reading.
Hailey rolled her eyes, "I know that. At least he started today, though. Soon enough he'll be running around here." She stood, "Now, can I-"
Jay pulled her back down to the couch, "I was looking up other stuff too."
"Oh, so you're like the baby expert today," Hailey smiled, "More stuff for baby boot camp, sergeant?"
"Not necessarily," Jay gently pushed her back so she was laying down.
Hailey laughed and pulled her feet up on the cushions, "What are you doing?"
Jay put a finger to her lips then slipped her shirt up over her stomach. He cleared his throat before kissing her exposed skin and whispering, "Hi, baby."
Hailey relaxed and brushed her fingers over his hair.
"Can you hear me?" Jay asked, "You should be able to hear me."
Hailey pushed up on her elbows, "Really?"
Jay nodded and pressed his hand to her stomach, "Baby girl. Hey, baby girl? Can you tell me you hear me?"
Hailey laid back down and closed her eyes. Did she want to go finish figuring out her schedule for the week? Yes. Did she want to go watch Blake sleep in his crib? Yes. But did she also want to lay here forever as Jay whispered soft words against her stomach while lightly rubbing circles over her sides? Hell yes.
"I love you. I do. I'm going to protect you every single day. I promise you that. And I promise you to be the best dad I can. I'm not letting you date in high school, but I'll definitely let you do other stuff."
Hailey laughed softly, "Like what?"
"Like…drive," Jay chuckled, "I'm good with teaching her how to drive at fifteen."
"Ah, fifteen," Hailey slipped her hand along the side of his face, "A year early."
"Well, we'll follow all laws," Jay smirked.
"What else can she do?" Hailey asked.
Jay kissed her stomach, "Anything, really. I just don't want her getting hurt."
Hailey hummed and settled back into the throw pillow.
Jay continued pressing soft kisses to her skin and telling the baby he loved her until Hailey decided it was time for her nightly strawberry ice-cream in bed. Jay left the house defeated from not feeling the baby to go restock their ice-cream and Hailey went upstairs to wait in bed.
She was half asleep when Jay returned with a bag in one hand and a bowl of ice-cream in the other.
"You took too long," Hailey muttered.
"I thought of something," Jay said.
Hailey sat up to grab her ice-cream, "What's that?"
Jay pulled out a pair of big headphones and quickly unwrapped them to connect them to his phone.
Hailey began eating, "Jay. What the hell?"
He ignored her question, but slipped the blanket off of her to press the headphones to her stomach. He turned on his playlist that he reserved for trying to get Blake to sleep and cranked the volume up.
Hailey laughed as she could hear the classical music fill the room, "Honey-"
Jay shushed her then felt around her stomach, "Come on. She can hear and I should be able to feel her kick now. This isn't fair."
Hailey sadly smiled, "Soon. You're not missing much."
"Liar," Jay whispered. He switched the song to a slightly faster one, "Do you think she's okay?"
"I felt her flipping around earlier," Hailey nodded, "Jay, today just isn't the day."
"But Blake walked, Drew admitted he misses school, all three of our kids should hit a milestone today," Jay said.
Hailey held out a spoonful of ice-cream to him, "Will this make you feel better?"
Jay glanced up from shuffling through his music, "No thanks. That's all for you."
Hailey shrugged and ate it, "If you say so."
"Baby girl," Jay said against Hailey's stomach, "Little birdie, what kind of music do you like?"
Hailey laughed, "Stop, you're tickling me."
Jay smirked and lightly tickled her sides, "Suck it up. I'm trying to get her to move."
"Let's try tomorrow," Hailey said, "I want to finish this ice-cream and have you hold me right now."
"I will definitely hold you after baby girl moves," Jay smiled.
Hailey sighed, "Whatever. Have fun prodding me."
Jay laughed and fixed the headphones around her, "Let's see. Drew likes this one."
Hailey smiled at the soft song and did her best to only focus on her ice-cream as Jay worked his way through all his songs. Suddenly, though, she heard a song that she knew wasn't on Jay's baby playlist.
"Care to explain why you're playing 'Get Low' right now?" she asked.
"It's a good song," Jay laughed, "And it always makes you dance."
Hailey rolled her eyes, "Jay, this isn't appropriate."
"It's just a song," he said. He cupped both his hands around her stomach, "Come on, baby girl."
"Would you play it for Blake or Drew?" Hailey set her empty bowl on her nightstand.
"God no," Jay said.
Hailey raised an eyebrow, "Then what makes you-"
She stopped at a swift kick inside her right where Jay's hand was.
Jay's eyes widened, "Hailey."
She held her breath, "Wait."
The baby kicked again three times and Jay laughed.
"Oh my god," he smiled and put the song on repeat, "She's like you!"
Hailey laughed with him, "And you felt it? You felt her kicking?"
Jay looked up with tears in his eyes and nodded.
Hailey smiled back at him and put her hand out.
He took it and scooted up closer to her with his hand still resting on her stomach next to the headphones.
Hailey kissed him and whispered, "I love you even though this is one of the weirdest things you've ever done."
Jay smirked against her lips and breathed, "I love you too."
The baby kicked again and they both laughed.
It was late at night, she was tired, "Get Low" was on repeat in the background, and, now that the baby was full-on kicking, Hailey knew she wasn't going to get much sleep especially with the sugar from the ice-cream in her system, but it was easily her favorite moment from her pregnancy so far.
A/N: Another small, fluffy chapter before a chapter that might be…not as fluffy…but I hope you still like this one! My birthday's this week and there's the finale, so I'm not sure when the next one will be up, but I hope to see you soon!
