Disclaimer: I don't own FF8. Well, each chapter is going to depict an important event in Laguna's life. This is when he's one, the next will be when he's three and so one… the ages will change each chapter until I get to his late teens. I hope you like this chapter; Laguna isn't going to have a very happy life I'm afraid, a lot of this will be out of IANA.
-Rhyein
***
"Laguna Ethan Loire! Come back here!" Brook called playfully as a naked Laguna ran away from her. "It's time to take your bath!" Laguna just giggled and ran past Clay Loire, who was reading the newspaper. He peered over the top and chuckled as Brook ran by him, calling Laguna's name.
"What are you laughing at?" Brook asked sternly, stopping in front of Clay. He put his paper down and looked at her.
"What's wrong? Am I not allowed to laugh as you chase our naked son around the room?"
"You could help me get him," she grumbled, turning to see where Laguna had run off to.
"I was reading the paper, and you seem to be doing fine without me…" he answered, narrowing his eyes.
"You never help me with the baby, you just sit there and watch with an amused smile on your face. You're his father, why don't you act like it?"
"I don't want to argue with you today, Brook."
"Why not? We argue everyday anyway, why not today? It's gotta come out sometime." Clay stood up and looked down at Brook.
"Not today, Brook." He turned away from her.
"Hey! Don't walk away when I'm talking to you!" she said, grabbing his arm and spinning him around. "You never wanted him anyway, but he's here now, and you are his father whether you want to be or not, Clay."
"Let go." Clay pulled his arm out of her grasp and glared at her. "You're right, I didn't want a baby right now. I was hoping we could wait a bit longer before having one, but he's here now. I can't do much about that. Just because he's here doesn't mean I have to pay attention to him, or play with him, or help you with him. Now let go of me and give him his bath."
"I think you should give him his bath."
"I don't want to."
"Why? Why don't you want to be with your own son?" Laguna stood staring at his parents; he had stopped running a while ago and now just stood there, watching silently. As the argument became louder, Laguna toddled a few steps forward and fell on his bottom. He stared up at his parents and tears began to form in his eyes.
"Then why? Huh? Why do you stay around then? Why-"
"STOP!" a small voice interrupted. Brook and Clay looked at each other, confused. "STOP, STOP, STOP, STOP!" it continued. Brook turned around and looked at the floor where Laguna was sitting, still naked, crying. He looked up at her sobbing and opened his mouth. "STOP!" he said. She blinked and knelt on the floor.
"Did he just say his first word?" Clay asked.
"Yes, he did."
***
"Bed time Laguna!" Brook said picking him up. Laguna giggled and lied his head on Brook's shoulder. She smiled and glanced at the clock. Clay had gone into the base as usual, but was about two hours late in coming home. Where is he? She wondered, carrying Laguna up the stairs to his bedroom.
Laguna curled up and stuck his thumb in his mouth after his mother had put him in the crib. She smiled and pulled the blanket over him as he dozed off quickly. She sighed and went to her own bedroom and got undressed. She lied down, wondering where Clay was and slowly fell asleep.
Brook awoke suddenly to the sound of the front door opening. She glanced up at the clock groggily and saw that it was three o'clock a.m. She waited as the sound of footsteps approached the bedroom and the door opened. She could hear someone get undressed and then slid into the bed next to her.
"Why are you so late?" she asked quietly.
"Are you still awake?" Clay replied, surprised.
"The sound of the front door being unlocked woke me up."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"Where were you?"
"…I went out with the guys."
"Why didn't you call?"
"I didn't want to wake you and Laguna up." Brook sighed. She didn't really believe him, but she was much to tired to argue with him.
"Fine. Good night."
"Good night."
***
A few days later…
"Where the hell have you been?" Brook asked venomously as Clay walked through the door. He was over three hours late.
"I was at work."
"Since when does the Army work overtime in the middle of peace?" Clay stiffened and put his briefcase down. Brook came toward him, an angry look on her face. "You told me you'd be home at six o'clock precisely. You're always home on time. You haven't been home on time for about three weeks, and I'd like to know why. It's another woman, isn't it?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," he answered coldly.
"Don't lie to me, Clay!"
Laguna stood in his playpen, watching his parents silently. His green eyes were wide with innocence and fear. His mother was screaming at his father, but all he could do was watch. He didn't understand what was going on, he was only a year old after all. The baby flinched at the sound of glass breaking and gripped the bar of his playpen tighter. His parents came out of the kitchen, his father being pursued by his mother. Clay looked extremely angry and was trying to ignore Brook's questions. Laguna watched them stop near him and argue some more.
"Stop!" Laguna whimpered. The two adults ignored him. Suddenly, Clay slapped Brook across the face. The sound of his hand coming in contact with her face was loud and frightened Laguna, causing him to start crying. Brook hung back by the wall, holding her face, tears falling down her cheeks, and Clay picked Laguna up, trying to quiet him.
"Shhh…" Clay said, but Laguna only cried louder and reached for Brook. Clay stood holding the squirming baby and then put him in the playpen and walked away.