A/n This one-shot is a little random. It is a thought I had ages ago and I was writing on my phone on train journeys to and from work, but I have finally finished it! Ted Lasso throughout has this focus on difficult relationship with fathers like with Ted, Nate, Jamie, and Rebecca. I wanted to write a different outlook especially because in the show Ted has become a father-figure to not just Jamie but so many members of the team.

Anyway, I am rambling.

/

Baby Bea

When he first cried off training citing a niggle, they didn't think much of it. It was only the start of pre-season and there were a few players unavailable, so it wasn't a big deal. Then his niggle turned into an ankle injury, and it became more of a worry – especially because he wasn't coming in to get it checked by the team physio.

Relax Ted, it is just pre-season.

Is the message that Jamie sent to his gaffer who frowned at it on his screen for almost a full minute. It took him back to his first season with the club and the delinquent Jamie Tartt was then. He has matured in that time, and this all seems like a big step back, an unusually big step back.

The team spent a couple of weeks overseas at the beginning of July to play some pre-season games in the Netherlands and Belgium which got the squad very excited. The buzz was great, one that Ted thinks Jamie would have loved and fed off, and his gut warped in worry at the thought. Professionally, they are about to start a season back in the top division and Jamie is one of his best (if not, the best) players. They need to get the season off to a flyer to prove to the sceptics that they're not going to become another yo-yo club like Fulham or Norwich which immediately goes back down to the Championship. He is hungry for success at this club, a hunger which he hasn't really experienced before, and to achieve that success he desires he needs his team fully fit and ready. Personally though, he is concerned that there is something more to all this.

Maybe his number nine is injured, maybe it is the truth, but he should have had his ankle checked by the doctor and the physio so that he can recover in the best way and so that they know a rough time for his return. The fans are... apprehensive that their star player didn't take part in any of the pre-season games against Ajax, FC Utrecht, Genk, or Club Brugge. "He is injured." Ted told the media a week into their European travels. "We expect him to be fit and ready for the start of the season."

Ted stands outside Jamie's front door now, his head aching from the pressure, not being able to wait to see him any longer. He told Beard and Roy that he was going to pop round tomorrow, after washing and sleeping the travels off him, but he couldn't wait. He is starting to get really worried. So he rings the doorbell without another thought before stuffing his hands back into the pockets in his khakis whilst he waits. For a second, he considers that maybe he isn't home. The house is dark, and no-one appears to be answering the door making him frown as he turns on his heels to leave.

But then the door is unlocked and pulled open with a clatter. "Coach?" Jamie questions and nervously runs his fingers through his long hair. Ted immediately whips back round to face him. "What are you doing here?" His player's nerves are potent, so much so that they almost travel to him, and he finds his fingertips twitching in his pockets.

"I'm here Jamie to see if you're alright." He honestly replies and the nervous expression on Jamie's face has shifted into one of pure fear. Alarm bells sound in Ted's head, loudly, uncomfortably so. "How's the ankle?" But he has to push past them and focus on his player.

"Oh, erm..." The interruption which comes is so unexpected that it has Ted's jaw falling slack as he tries to understand it. The sound of a baby, crying, from inside the house fills his ears. Jamie turns towards the sound and his shoulders slump in defeat, both embarrassed and a little relieved that his secret has been found out. He glances back towards his manager and swallows the lump in his throat, his features twisted in anguish. "I-I don't know what to do." He sorrowfully admits and although it takes a stunned Ted a few seconds to get his brain going, when he does, he is inviting himself inside and Jamie steps out of the way, not having the energy to fight this. He closes the front door shut.

They stand in the dark hallway for a short period, their forms only being illuminated by the light streaming in through the two windows that don't have curtains. Jamie has drawn the rest of the curtains and blinds in the house shut, to try and stop any paparazzi invading his privacy to snap pictures of his secret who is continuing to bawl. He is just glad about the distance between his and his neighbours' houses, if they weren't detached then they would surely hear. That would be one thing too many to try and deal with. "Can I meet them?" Ted cautiously asks, endeavouring to move on this interaction in aim to put his player at some kind of ease. The only other time he has seen him so tense has been around his father either in the physio room at Nelson Road or the dressing room at Wembley.

He looked scared on both of those occasions, and he is sure as hell scared now. "Yeah." He mutters and leads the way upstairs, managing to make it up them safely because of muscle memory whereas his coach has to grip the banister tightly, worried he could fall in the dark.

The baby's crying gets louder as they reach the first bedroom which Ted assumes to be his by the large, unmade bed in the centre but now there is also a cot pushed up against the far wall near the window. The room is lit by only the bedside lamps. "I-I had this one-night stand at a Halloween party." Jamie begins to explain, whilst leaning into the cot to scoop up his wailing child, the tiny infant immediately quietens at the contact as he holds them close. "After the season ended, I saw Bea's mother again and she was heavily pregnant. A couple of months later and here we are."

"Bea is a lovely name."

"Thank you. It was my nan's name." He holds his daughter upright by resting her against his chest, one hand supporting her head and neck whilst his other is under her nappy-clad bottom. A couple of months ago he really knew nothing about babies and how to care for them, now it is like it's all he knows. This whole situation may be terrifying to Jamie but when he cradles her it gives him a sense of calm. He has never loved anyone or anything more. "I think my mum will be pleased when she finds out."

"She doesn't know?"

"Ted, no one knows." Jamie sighs and briefly meets his coach's gaze, but it is too intense that he looks away, his body rocking as he attempts to keep Bea calm. He focuses on her and how her little chest rises and falls against his own, dipping his head he kisses her softly on the top of her hair, a thin covering that feels so silky and delicate. Everything about her is delicate. "We are on our own."

"You're not on your own." Ted sternly states, his jaw clenching, hating these words even came out of one of his players' mouths. He is about to start his third season coaching these young men, he hoped by now they wouldn't feel this way. Even in tricky circumstances. "You are never on your own." He reiterates and he watches the smallest of smiles, maybe out of relief, ghosting his number nine's lips.

Ted takes a sweeping glance around the room and although it is quite dark, he spots the expensive crib and changing table, the boxes of nappies, the neatly folded stack of onesies on top of a chest of drawers. He remembers how on edge he was when Henry was born. He wanted to do everything he could to be a great dad but truthfully, he and Michelle were struggling to make ends meet and he was terrified that he wouldn't be able to do right by his son. They managed and although it was tough at times, he wouldn't have changed the experience for anything, and Henry has turned out more than okay.

When he came to Richmond, he wouldn't have been sure whether that Jamie could have looked after a baby. He was spoilt, immature and frankly a pain in the arse. Seeing the scene in front of him now, fills him with pride. These may not be the most ideal circumstances to have a baby, but at least he is doing his best. "I got to be real with you Jamie, being a father is a whole lotta responsibility." He needlessly reveals, but Jamie drinks in every syllable that leaves him, willing to take any and all advice in this moment. "But I think you're doing a pretty good job."

"You do?"

"Yeah I do." He replies with a smile, and he thinks he perceives some of the tension lift from Jamie's form. "I can see how much you love your daughter and how you're trying to do right by her. We just need to find a way to do all that and get you back in training." He explains and the younger man nods in understanding, but he appears to hold his baby tighter at the notion. It is clear how afraid he is. "Is the mom...?"

"I don't know." Jamie cuts him off. "She is trying to give the impression that she doesn't care but... I'm worried that she's got post-natal depression." Whilst he was trying to wind down in front of the telly yesterday, he discovered all about baby blues from scrolling through websites on his phone. He grasps that there is a chance that she genuinely wants nothing to do with Bea, but from spending so much time with the infant he isn't sure how anyone could think like that. "But I can't go see her and look after Bea." Mainly because he doesn't want to be spotted with a baby just yet, the idea makes him queasy.

Jamie wants to protect his daughter from the outside world and the outside world to him is split into four groups. There is the group that wants him to succeed, usually Richmond fans with a few Manchester City supporters thrown in. These are the people who chant his name and cheer whenever he makes contact with the ball. On the flip side, there is the group that want him to fail. Both Manchester clubs spring to mind, including the City fans who despise the manner he left the club, and most other London clubs' supporters. Football rivalry is a big thing. Then there are the people who seem to enjoy making his life difficult: his dad, the media, especially the paparazzi who lurk everywhere including at the end of his street. The thought of them getting close to his daughter makes him angry and want to drop kick each and every one of them.

The final group are the people who don't know who he is nor care. A few years ago, he almost hated those people, he couldn't believe that people didn't know who Jamie Tartt was but now he is thankful of those people. They give him the opportunity to breathe and be himself. Chloe, Bea's mum, didn't know who he was at the party. It was great, he felt like he could be himself around her and now everything is a mess concerning their relationship. They spoke a little after the party but then she just ghosted him, he suspects it is because this is when she discovered her pregnancy. He could have been there for her more. Yes, he probably would have freaked out a small bit but really this is a good thing. He loves being a dad. "Hey." Ted gets his attention, and it is only now he realises that he did drift. "I can watch Bea whilst you go and check on her."

"You sure?"

"Of course, I am!" He says a little too loudly making Bea's head flop in his direction. Ted grimaces and mouths his apologies to Jamie, but that just makes him chuckle. Ted Lasso used to really get on his wick. He was convinced that the niceness and positivity was all just mind games and now he understands that he couldn't have been more wrong. He is genuine. "I'm a father, I know how to look after babies."

"O-okay." He finds himself agreeing, his voice coming out as a stutter but swiftly he gets the sense that this is alright. Jamie trusts Ted. Plus, he wouldn't be gone long... "Changing stuff is all in 'ere." He says whilst carefully passing over his daughter, making sure his coach has a hand bracing Bea's neck and head before he takes a step back. "Formula and clean bottles are in the kitchen by the sink, in case she gets 'ungry." Ted is listening, of course he is listening… but he is also slightly distracted by the adorable infant now falling asleep in his arms. "If you need me-"

"I will call. Promise." He watches Jamie take a deep breath, appearing much calmer and more confident than he did just seconds before. The young man pulls off his milk-marked t-shirt and chucks it into an open hamper near the bedroom door, before he grabs a fresh shirt from his wardrobe. He is trying to make an effort even though he is exhausted, and this brings a smile to Ted's face. He uses his fingers as a makeshift comb and runs them through his much longer than usual locks, and then pushes on an Alice band. It has been ages since he has managed to get a haircut and his hair is becoming out of control. He may be doing a good job at looking after his daughter, but self-care has gone out of the window. "Jamie, I'm going to invite Rebecca round here." The striker's eyes go wide and fists ball at his side. "Don't panic. We need a course of action, and she is great at that."

Jamie takes a deep breath, his fists relaxing and instead he plays with the hem of his clean t-shirt. He remains silent for now, his eyes scanning his surroundings as he mulls this over. Eventually his concentration falls to his daughter whose quiet snoozes seem to fill the space and he knows that he has to do what is right. For her. "Alright." He concedes with a sigh and closes the gap between them. His thumb comes up to Bea's cheek and he gently runs it lightly over her pink skin. It is amazing that just her presence makes him calmer. "Be good pumpkin." He murmurs to his daughter.

Ted: Hey boss, you free right now?

Rebecca: Yes, why?

Are you okay?

Ted: Can you come over to Jamie's? It's important.

Rebecca: To Jamie's? Yes, of course.

Rebecca isn't sure what to expect when she arrives at Jamie's home. She has never been here before, she had to get the address off Higgins, but then again, the only player's home she has ever set foot in is their former captain, Roy Kent, and that was after he retired. Turns out the terrifying and foul-mouthed Roy is a chef in the making, it was quite a spectacular dinner party. She shakes the thought from her and rings the doorbell, as soon as the door begins to open, she can't hide the shock from her face or tone. "Oh my god." It is Ted holding a baby.

He hurries her in with a waving of her free hand, glancing out at the street to check for paparazzi as he does so. No-one is around. The front door is barely shut before he is blurting out the introductions in a hushed manner. "Rebecca Welton meet Beatrice Tartt." Is enough of an explanation for Rebecca to join the dots, but still her jaw is slack and mouth wide. "Actually, maybe it is just Bea…" He considers, looking heavenwards and deep in thought, but still swaying minutely side to side to keep the infant tranquil. "Either way, this is Jamie's daughter." Bea gurgles in a way of greeting.

Rebecca has no words. How can Jamie have a child? In her eyes he is still a child himself but perhaps that is harsh. She allows Ted to lead her into the living room, still speechless, now wondering where the hell the man of the hour even is. "Take a seat boss." He urges and she does whilst shrugging off her baby-pink denim jacket, her attention not leaving baby girl. "Okay, you have questions." He grasps, halting his pacing the other side of the coffee table.

"Yes, many." She replies and he nods, pushing her to voice them. "Did he tell you? How long have you known? Who is the mother? Why did you ask me here? And where the hell is Jamie?" She becomes louder and louder as her questions tumble out, realising this when Ted cradles Bea closer to his chest as if to shield her. Rebecca sighs and goes to pinch the bridge of her nose but instead ends up swiping a loose blonde lock from her forehead. "Sorry."

"That's alright." He smiles, appearing as carefree as ever. "Jamie didn't tell me, I found out about an hour ago when I turned up here to see if he was okay. I was worried. The mother… he didn't mention her name but said she was a one-night stand at a Halloween party – oh my golly gosh that is why he called her pumpkin." He suddenly comprehends and his smile turns into a full-on grin. "That's cute." His dark eyes find Rebecca who seems unamused, so he pushes past the delightful anecdote in attempt to answer her many questions. "I asked you here because Jamie needs help, he needs a plan, and you are a fantastic problem solver. He is currently at the mom's house to check in on her. She apparently doesn't want anything to do with little Bea here, but Jamie thinks she has a case of the baby blues."

"Oh."

"Yeah… it is a tricky situation."

"Okay, one more question." He encouragingly nods at this. "Why are you just… carrying her around?" Rebecca performs some kind of confused gesture with her hands to accompany her question, the clear look of bewilderment on her face makes him chuckle.

"She likes it." Her eyebrow raises at his statement. "Okay, I like it. Look at how cute she is!" He holds Bea up higher, angling her little pink face towards his boss who just raises her brow higher. "Fine." Ted huffs and walks a few paces to the curtained window where there is a small rocking chair underneath, he leans down and gently lays her in it before sensibly strapping her in. "Did you want a drink, boss? I am sure I will be able to find my way around Jamie's kitchen." He asks, now facing the blonde who still seems shellshocked by the whole situation.

"No, no, I'm okay- I think you should just sit down." She instructs, not being able to string her thoughts together while he is being so distracting. He obeys with a nod, sitting in an armchair next to Bea's rocker. "I'm confused what the problem is. People have babies all of the time."

"Well potentially Jamie is going to have to do this without Bea's mom."

"So he would have to be a single parent big whoop." She resists the urge to roll her eyes. It is probably unfair, on Ted, Bea and certainly Jamie, but today has been tough with her ex-husband dominating the press because of cute photo of his daughter in a West Ham onesie. Apparently it "broke" the internet, which Keeley was very riled up about whereas Rebecca chose to ignore that the problem exists. "Surely Jamie can afford childcare." She muses and watches her gaffer's brow dip, most likely frowning because of her supercilious attitude.

"I don't think that's the problem." Is his simple yet stern response, hoping she catches up and she does so with a sharp intake of breath.

"The press." She realises and resists the urge to face palm.

"Bingo." Ted says with a curt nod, glad to finally be getting somewhere. "He has been hiding away in here with her because he is trying to protect her. It is real scary out there. I don't think he will want an announcement or anything, but we need to be there for him and supporting if, more like when, this gets out." He then turns his head and looks down at the baby in her chair as she begins to nod off, the sight of her eyes fluttering shut warms both of their hearts. "He is gonna be a good dad. I have mighty faith in him."

"Also if the mother does want to be in the picture and she is suffering from post-natal depression then she will need protecting too." Rebecca thinks from the other side of the coin and immediately his attention is on her, taking in every word she utters like they are gold dust. "And I guess there is also the matter of getting him on the pitch – shit – next week." She smacks her hand against her mouth, feeling guilty that she swore in front of a baby, the image just making Ted chuckle from his seat. She wants to hate that he laughed at her, but honestly she loves hearing the noise. This is something she has to push past and ignore, in order to remain focussed on the job at hand. "The longer we leave it, the more rumours will be created in the press."

"It's a conundrum." He hums, glancing down at Bea once more.

Rebecca allows a silence to settle for a few moments, appreciating the blissful sight in front of her. Broodiness is a rarity with her, perhaps because it was shaken out of her by Rupert who would regularly be vocal about not wanting children. He trained her into thinking it was not something she wanted but the moment he strode into her office to tell her that he and Bex were expecting, the lie she had told herself dissolved and she saw the reality. She did want children, but she has lost the opportunity now. All she can do is value what she does have, even if that is just this beautiful view before her. "He is lucky to have you. They all are." She announces, thinking of the breakthroughs she has witnessed with individual members of the team, thanks to the man she hired to tear them down. "I know you must miss Henry, but you are a father figure to each and every one of those players."

All Ted can do is smile with unshed tears making his eyes glimmer and his moustache twitching upwards in a way she finds endearing.

It is almost three o'clock in the morning when Jamie returns, dark bags under his eyes but a spring in his step. He is quiet on entering the house, not wanting to wake his baby girl, and on seeing light coming from his living room, he heads on in, ready to have a more productive conversation with his coach despite the early hour – what he actually finds is touching.

The room is being illuminated by a lamp in the corner, revealing an adorable setting of both Ted and Rebecca snoozing on his sofa, her leaning against his side with her head on his shoulder and Bea sprawled across his chest. He has an arm wrapped around her back, supporting her, a paternal move if Jamie has ever seen one. "Er, coach?" He speaks up, hovering only a few feet away from the group. The sound makes Ted jerk awake with a long exhale yet still safely holding the small child.

"Sorry Jamie. Just dozing." He apologises but the striker isn't sure what for, he is very grateful for everything he has done tonight. "What time is it?" He questions and then notices the weight on his left shoulder but smiles to himself on seeing who the weight belongs to.

"About three o'clock. Sorry I took so long, there was a lot to talk about…" He says looking genuinely guilty, something the old Jamie, the immature Jamie, would never display. "Chloe is doing better though but I am going to get her some therapy and then we are going to give this joint parenting thing a go when she is ready." He explains, earning a somewhat dopey smile from the American who is dosed up on sleep. "I was proper focussed on 'er and then I started to panic about the press, but Chloe told me it is gonna be fine and I believe her. Maybe people knowing isn't so bad. It doesn't matter, not really." He then bends down and deftly picks up his daughter from Ted's chest, holding her flush against him, somehow without waking her. "All that matter is this little person right 'ere."

"I am glad your talk was productive and you're feeling better." Ted talks quietly, his voice so low that his upper body vibrates but that just seems to entice a sleeping Rebecca even closer. "We did come up with plan, but it doesn't sound like you need it. You are an adult and I trust your instincts."

"Cheers coach." Jamie earnestly thanks also speaking softly. "And I am sorry. For not telling ya and leaving the team in the lurch. I swear I will be there for the match at the weekend."

"Thank you for apologising but there is no reason to feel bad. Life throws curveballs every now and then but this one is pretty cute." Quashing his player's worries is easy in this moment because everything he is saying is the truth. "I will have to stick you on the bench though, I hope you know that."

"That's alright. I will be a super sub."

"I have no doubt about that." He chuckles the movement finally awaking the snoozing woman at his side. "Oh, wakey wakey boss." Ted murmurs to her as she squints, trying to adjust to the light. He then looks back to Jamie, amusement clear in his features and says, "We will get out of your hair." Rebecca shields her eyes with the back of her hand and groans just as she feels an arm snake around her body, helping her to her feet. "There you go boss."

After a big stretch of her arms, she is happily upright and sending the number nine a comforting smile. "Thank you both, so much." He says, rocking in attempt to settle Bea who has started to rouse, but she is probably hungry. "You going to be alright getting home?"

"We will be fine. Don't worry about us Jamie." Ted replies and begins to guide the blonde towards the door.

She does manage a "See you, Jamie" before they depart as she grabs her jacket from the arm of the sofa.