Hello, my lovely readers. It's time for babies, babies, everywhere! On with the show…

Chapter 19: Three Idiots and a Baby

Josh

Hood pulled over his head, Josh Rouza tried to make himself invisible as he made his way through the hospital corridors. However, it was early morning, which meant patients, and doctors, and nurses, and many others. Hand covering the back of the baby in his arms' head; Josh navigated the halls with care and dread.

A soft sniffle made Josh look down. Big green-grey eyes looked up at him through a halo of black curls. "It's okay, little guy." Josh pressed a kiss to the top of the boy's head. The child buried his wet eyes into Josh's hoodie.

With a deep inhale, Josh tried to stay calm. He could do this. But panic welled in his chest anyway. The child seemed to be aware of Josh's fear and began to cry.

"Hey, I know. This is our first day. Just you and me. Which is why I am trying to find Daddy."

Pulling back, the baby gave Josh a disgruntled look. "Daddy?" This was followed by a reproachful look.

"Other Daddy?" Josh smiled.

Puckering his lips, the baby took hold of the drawstring of Josh's hoodie. "Daddy!" The baby said brightly. He grinned up at Josh. His nose wrinkled up as he giggled and then sneezed.

"Oh, boy." Josh leaned against the closest wall. With one hand, he unzipped the diaper bag Aiden had handed Josh that morning. Removing a Wet One, he wiped the baby's nose while the child pushed at Josh's hand, wriggling, and making growly noises. He did not like the business of having his nose cleaned.

"Sorry." Eyes darting around, trying to find a trash can; Josh caught sight of Hayley Marshall on the other side of the hallway. "Shit!" Josh cried, whirling away. He shifted his new baby boy to his other hip. With any luck, Hayley did not see them.

Closing his eyes, Josh counted to five. If Caroline Forbes found out that Josh and Aiden's adoption attempt went through, and anyone else found first... Well, Josh would be in big trouble. The kind of trouble that end with Josh waking up in OR Three to find his hands surgically sewed to his butt kind of trouble. And Josh needed his hands!

And Caroline was upset enough with her mother's passing. What she really needed, upon arriving in New Orleans, was good news. Josh could not think of anything better than a new baby to snuggle with. Plus, he and Care could compare parenting drama and see if their babies bonded. They were about the same age. What if they became besties, too? It would be something to cherish.

A sudden smile broke out on Josh's face. This is why he probably did not notice Bonnie Bennet making her way towards him. "Josh, you busy? I need able bodies in the ER." She came to stand in front of Josh.

"It's my day off, Dr. Bennett." Josh adjusted his son on his hip. His son. It still felt weird to think in those terms. It had only been three days since they brought the baby home.

Bonnie nodded. "I've been stuck coming in on many a day off. And I can see somebody talked you into babysitting this cutie," she took one of the child's feet, jiggling it and offered him a bright smile." The baby giggled and rocked on Josh's hip before Bonnie added: "But I really do need you in the ER. As soon as you can find the daycare. Thank you, Dr. Rouza." Without another word, Bonnie walked off.

Josh did not know whether to be insulted by Bonnie's thinking he was babysitting, or relieved. But it looked like he had to take his child to daycare.

~0~

Emma Tig shook her head as she stared at a clipboard and then back at Josh with a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry, Doctor, but we do not have any more spaces available. Perhaps you could try in the morning."

Adjusting his child on his hip, Josh shook his head. "I can't wait until tomorrow. Dr. Bennet needs me in the ER. Now."

"And state law only allows so many places in a daycare. I know, being a new parent can be stressful. Perhaps there is someone you know who has the day off, and who would be willing to watch young Landon for you?"

Josh stopped himself for saying: "Yeah! Me! I had a day off! But people are always sick, and injured, and dying, and I don't get to just say: Sorry! That's too bad for you! I just got a new baby and my life is more important than yours!" Well, he could. But it would make him a terrible doctor.

Landon gave Josh a look like he knew his dad was trying to pawn him off on some schmuck. "Yeah. Maybe..."

Emma looked down at the clipboard. "I can go ahead and make a note of you bringing Landon in tomorrow; if you need us."

"Thank you." Nodding, Josh wanted to sit down on the floor and cry. Why hadn't he read a handbook, or something, or listened to Caroline as she droned on about the first months with Hope?

Josh headed down the hallway. He, again, was lost in thought. And, again, he did not note anyone coming his way; until they were right in front of him. "Josh! Ah, look at the baby!" Oliver Kenner stood in front of Josh. "Look at this little guy!"

Lucien Castle stood beside Oliver. "He's adorable!"

"Thanks. Excuse me." Josh started to keep move around them when a hand came down on his shoulder. "Moonlighting as a babysitter?" Tyler patted Josh on the back. "Who suckered you into that gig?"

Josh sighed. "Aiden." He stroked Landon's back as the child's head spun around to take in the new people.

"Aiden has you babysitting?" Tyler walked over to stand in front of Josh, staring at his fellow resident. Then Tyler's brown eyes went wide. "You got a-"

"Stop talking!" Josh ordered his friend. "Caroline doesn't know yet! And she will not find out that you knew! Alright!"

"Right." Tyler nodded, and mimed zipping his lips shut.

"Know what?" Oliver looked confused.

"Know that they have a-" Lucien caught sight of Josh's death glare. "Side-career as babysitters..."

"Why aren't you in the ER?" Josh asked Tyler.

Tyler lifted a new cast on his left arm. "Oliver fell on it, during a game."

"Not my fault you didn't go long!" Oliver said, shrugging.

Rolling his eyes, Josh had a bad thought. "Could you guys watch him. I've got to go. Dr. Bennett asked me to help out."

"Sure." Oliver held out his arms and Josh handed his child over, with great reluctance. Aiden would not find out. And he would not murder his husband. Sure...

"Guard him with your lives!" Josh hurried away before he changed his mind.

Tyler

"I need the practice anyway," Tyler told Lucien as he pretended to eat Landon's feet. The baby laughed, his curls falling in his eyes. "Besides, this kid is easy. Not like my little cousins, who could be real pains."

Just after the words came out of Tyler's mouth, Landon made a face and began to cry. "What did you do to him?" Lucien demanded. He turned Landon around on his shoulder and patted his little back. "It's alright. Tyler will be a daft daddy. But it's really not his fault. Nature of the beast, and all that..."

"You take that back, Lucy!" Tyler snarled.

Landon began to cry louder. Chocking sobs filled the air. "You're upsetting the little guy. Give him here!" Oliver held out his arms. Lucien handed him over. "There, there. Don't let them get to ya. You're okay, now that Uncle Ollie's got ya."

Glaring, Tyler thought of a smart retort to use on Oliver. Like Aiden and Josh would make him into "Uncle Ollie." No way. Not over Tyler. Ty and Josh went through their intern years together. They lost people. Went to the best parties. And when Tyler got married, Josh would be one of his groomsmen. Not that Josh had remembered to ask Tyler to do the same for his wedding... But then again, Josh's and Aiden's wedding hadn't been a big, like Care's and Klaus.'

"Akkk!" Landon grunted. Then he vomited on "Uncle Ollie's" shirt.

Tyler and Lucien looked at each other before they both began to laugh. "Looks like Oliver is not the Baby Whisper, after all!" Tyler hooted as Oliver held the baby out from him.

Grinning, Lucien took the squirming child. "It would appear not."

"Man!" Oliver looked over his shoulder, frowning. "I was planning on wearing this on a date tonight."

"And who would date you?" Tyler asked.

Lucien's brows rose. "He does look a little less mountain man today. Doesn't he."

Running his hands through his hair, Oliver gave them dirty looks. "Cute paramedic. Now, I've got to go change my shirt. Excuse me." He stalked off.

Smirking, Lucien bounced Landon on his hip. "You upchucked on Ollie on purpose, didn't you, you little rascal. Wanted more time with Uncle-"

"Lucy!"

"Lucy!" Landon cried before his face wrinkled up.

"What's that that for?" Lucien gave the baby a long look.

"What is that smell?" Hand going to his nose, Tyler realized what it was. "Time for a change."

"Oh, no!" Lucien shook his head. "Here! Take him!" He tried to push the baby toward Tyler who held up his good arm. "Drat!"

"Bat!" Landon cried, grinning.

Tyler laughed. "Looks like Uncle Lucy will be offering multiple services: Diaper change, and teaching the baby how to swear in British."

"Like Bex won't teach yours how to do the same!" Lucien shot back. "Where the bloody hell is the changing station?"

"How would I know?"

"Daft daddy!"

Tyler rolled his eyes. "Bathroom." He led the way into the closest men's room. Lucien walked in. They looked around before Tyler's brows rose.

"Are you bloody well joking?" Glaring at the room, Lucien turned to Tyler. "Nothing of the sort. What shall we do, now, pray tell?"

Thinking about it, Tyler groaned. "Lady's room?"

With a shake of his head, Lucien wordlessly walked past Tyler, and out the door. They went into the lady's room and managed to not get punched, kicked, or screamed at. "Of course, in the twenty-first century they do not have changing stations for gents!" Tabs removed from the old diaper, Lucien made a face as wiped the baby's butt and then slid a new diaper under him.

"I'll talk to Dr. Mikaelson," Tyler said.

Picking up Landon, Lucien placed the boy on his hip. "And that will do what good?"

Following Lucien out the door, Tyler said: "I'm the father of his grandkid."

"And? You think that Bex will be having you over, to spend a great amount of time with the new tike?"

Tyler folded his good arm over his chest. "She's not going to cut me out of the kid's life!"

"We'll see about that."

Opening his mouth, Tyler was about to reply, but his phone went off with a new text. Hand going down, Tyler grabbed the phone out of his pants' pocket. Eyes widening at the words on the screen, he began to hurry away from Lucien. "We're about to find out!"

"What?" Lucien looked confused.

"Out of my way! I'm about to be a dad!" Tyler shouted at people as he darted between them.

Rebekah

"Where is everyone?" Rebekah Mikaelson demanded. She had lost all of her dignity when she felt her water break in the middle of a grocery store aisle and had soaked through the sweatpants she only wore to clean the floor in, prior to her pregnancy.

"Where are-" Aiden, who Rebekah usually thought of a swell chap, but. right now, she wanted to throttle him with his own scrub pants.

Seething, as she bent over a gurney, and willed the labor pains to go away, Rebekah snarled out: "The bloody fathers, you idiot!"

Aiden gave Rebekah a long look. "Would you like some ice chips?"

Growling, Rebekah pressed her face into the bed sheets. "Ahhhhh!" she cried.

"Contractions are getting closer."

"I KNOW that!"

The door opened. "Bekah, you look lovely!" Kol called out.

"Get out!" Rebekah thundered at him.

Kol tilted his head to the side. "But I want to know whose nose the baby gets. That way I'll know what to get them for their sixteenth birthday!"

"I WILL kill you!" Rebekah snarled, sweat pouring down her forehead.

The door opened, again. "Kol, what are you doing in here?" Sage demanded. "I said not until she needs sutures!"

"Why would I need sutures? What do you plan on doing to me?" Rebekah glared at her sister-in-law.

Sage shook her head. "Not me. The baby. And you know what can happen. You don't want an intern sewing you up, do you?"

Grumbling, Rebekah glowered at Kol. "Aiden, ice chips. Please!"

Aiden left the room and Hayley came in. "Hey! I heard it's time. How are you feeling?" She came over to rub Rebekah's back.

"Hayley, you love me?" With a wide grin, the expectant mother called to her best friend in the entire world. She knew what she about to say was not an unreasonable request. After all, Hayley had not had to carry this child around for nine months. Rebekah had done all the hard work.

"Yes."

"Good. Then get on this gurney, and have the baby for me!" Rebekah glanced over her shoulder to see Hayley slowly backing away. "Where are you going?" Traitor, Rebekah thought. Coward. Why is she leaving me!

"I should tell Elijah the good news!"

"No! Come back! Let me hold your hand!"

But Hayley had already fled the room. Rebekah's shoulders slumped. "Where the bloody hell are Marcel and bloody Tyler? They're all full of grand promises, until this thing is coming out of me!" She gave Kol a look. "You didn't send them pics of my feet again, did you?"

"No." Kol shook his head. But that little smirk gave him away.

"YOU!" Rebekah growled, trying to make her away around the gurney, but another contraction caught her off-guard. "Ohhhh! Owwww!" She sunk down to the floor.

"I think this is about the time we get you in bed." Sage moved to help Rebekah up. Kol headed over to join Sage.

"Do not touch me!" Rebekah warned Kol, lifting a warning finger to point at him.

"Rebekah, what are you doing?" Klaus entered the room. He walked over and picked Rebekah up with ease, like they were still small children. He laid her down on the bed. "You're about to have a baby. No time to be lounging about on the floor."

"Nik!" Rebekah pressed her wet cheek to Klaus' shirt. "Kol is being monstrous! And Sage said our fool of a brother would have to sew me up!" Crying, she took his hand. "And stupid, bloody Marcel and Tyler will not come! I texted them, hours ago!"

"Less than ten minutes." Aiden came in with the ice chips. "Here's your ice." He handed the cup over to Rebekah who shoved a piece into her mouth and sucked it.

"Can we get a wet towel, too?" Klaus asked. Aiden grabbed a towel and soaked it before handing it to Klaus who wiped Rebekah's brow. "You'll be alright. I'm here."

"Did you tell Caroline? Is she coming, too?"

"She's still in Mystic Falls. But she will be home, soon."

"Right." Another contraction came on and Rebekah gritted her teeth.

"Let's see how far along we are..." Sage said and moved Rebekah's feet into the stirrups while Rebekah tired not to think about a person coming out of her.

The door opened, again. "Are we late? Is the baby here?" Esther cried, coming in with a bouquet of flowers. "Oh, my!"

"Mother!" Rebekah was wrong. Now, she had lost all her dignity.

"Esther. I believe Rebekah would like her privacy. Good lord!" Mikael stood in the doorway before covering his eyes.

Kol rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on! We're all doctors here. Well, other than Mother-"

"Nurses are just as important!" Esther snapped. "Come along, Kol! We'll see you after the birth, darling!" she called to Rebekah who stared at the ceiling. She might die here.

After her family had left, Rebekah called to Sage: "You're too quiet!"

"Oh. Well. You're doing fine. In fact, your crowning."

"What?" Rebekah sat up. "No! They're not coming out so soon! Tyler. Marcel! They're not here..."

"Who's not here?" Marcel stood in the doorway. Rebekah began to cry harder. "Hey!" He came over to stand on Rebekah's other side. "You thought I would miss this?" He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "No one could keep me from you."

Rebekah smiled and took a deep breath. "Time to push!" Sage called out.

Rebekah nodded. She could feel it. And she really wished she did not. "I wish I'd had an epidermal!" she shouted before pushing. "Bloody hell!"

"Good." Sage nodded. "Give me another one!"

Grinding her teeth, Rebekah held Marcel's and Klaus' hands. "Ahhhhh!"

"One more! Give me a big one!" Sage shouted.

"Blasted hell!" Rebekah cried.

A cry came from the other end of the gurney. Rebekah fell back. She let out sigh of relief when the door opened. "Am I too late?"

"Just about to cut the cord. Want to do the honors?" Sage held out a pair of scissors to Tyler, who looked at the baby in awe, or Rebekah assumed it was the baby. It had blasted well better be the baby…

"Sure." Rebekah couldn't see him cut the cord, but she did see him hand the baby over to Aiden to be washed. She felt happy. Marcel leaned over to nuzzle her cheek. She'd done it.

"Um..."

"What?" Rebekah demanded.

"Rebekah... Try to stay calm..." Sage said.

"What the bloody hell?"

"I need you to push. Again."

"Why?"

"There is another baby."

"What?" Tyler and Rebekah asked.

"Push, Bekah!"

"You. Bloody. Fool! How could you miss an entire baby?" Rebekah seethed as she pushed. "One more!" Sage called and Rebekah snarled. She didn't care if Sage was family, Rebekah was going to sue the redhead into the next century!

Sage mumbled to herself before calling out: "And you have a girl!"

"And a boy!" Tyler told her, taking the first baby and handing him off to Marcel.

"Bloody hell," Rebekah groaned. She closed her eyes. She just wanted to go to sleep.

~0~

"I should call Josh, tell him the good news," Aiden said while he held the girl twin.

"He's in the ER. He asked me to help with the kid you guys were babysitting." Tyler rocked the boy twin in his arms. Rebekah noted Aiden grow very still.

"Babysitting..." Aiden said.

"Yeah." Tyler glanced at Aiden. "Oh, wait..." He looked guilty. "Lucien's got him."

"I hoped you enjoyed knowing Josh!" Aiden growled before he handed Rebekah her baby and took off.

"That was weird," Marcel said. "So, what are we going to call these little people?"

"Maya?" Tyler glanced at Rebekah who nodded.

"And Ethan." Rebekah looked down at the baby in her arms. "Mikaelson-Lockwood." Rebekah glanced at Marcel who nodded and pressed another kiss to the top of her head. "You will be loved by so many family members. Always and forever, my loves."

Answer to guest review:

Guest: Hi, thank you for reviewing! I do hope you enjoy this chapter, too! We still have about eleven before the conclusion! :)

Thank you for reading, faving, following, and reviewing. :)

Be safe,

-J