Daddy Duo

Chapter 10

Creature of the Night

(AN: You thought it was going to end there? NO! The beatings, um postings, will continue until everyone is happy! Happy I Say! I am the Empress of MUSH!)

"It's sooo good to be home," said Duo. He was lying on the sofa, sprawled out and disheveled.

"God, I need a shower," he moaned.

They were surrounded by packages of disposable diapers, baby furniture and toys.

"It looks like a baby store blew up in here," Hilde said.

"Did Quatre send that rocking horse?" asked Duo.

"Yes, I have no idea where that is going to go," said Hilde, sighing.

"We need a bigger place," said Duo.

"Or less stuff," Hilde sat down next to him.

"A seven pound person has totally taken over our apartment," muttered Duo.

"Let's keep him anyway," he joked.

The seven-pound person began to wail in the next room.

"Room service," said Duo, getting up and going into the baby's room.

"Don't be scared of the evil bunnies," he cooed at Solo, who was flailing his arms and legs around and screaming at the top of his little lungs.

"Just so you know, I did not decorate this room, okay?" he said to Solo, picking him up. "Your mother can arrange for your therapy."

The wailing subsided and was replaced by fussing noises.

"Ooh, someone smells nasty!" said Duo.

"He needs changed," called out Duo.

"Well, do it!" said Hilde. "I know you know how," she said, "probably better than me."

"See what happens when you advertise your skills?" asked Duo to the air.

"Let's see. We have some little tiny diapers here and some of these wet wipes and a toxic waste container here to put the nasty in." He was talking to keep the baby distracted. Solo seemed mesmerized by the sound of Duo's voice.

"EW, little dude," exclaimed Duo, carefully taking off the diaper and cleaning Solo.

He put on a clean diaper and snapped the tiny clothes back on.

"There all set to do it again," said Duo. He picked up the baby and took him out to Hilde.

"The next part is yours," he said, handing the baby to her.

"Unfortunately, I am not a dairy bar on two legs like mom here."

Hilde grinned at him. "MOO," she said.

"But, are you a contented cow?" he teased.

"I am," she said. "Although my house is utter chaos and so is my life."

"I guess we'll get used to it."

"He's kind of a cute kid," said Duo, looking over at the baby who was busy nursing. "He's starting to look less like a gnome."

"What a terrible thing to say!" said Hilde. "He's gorgeous!"

"Who do you think he looks like?" asked Duo, "I think he looks a little like you."

"Me?" said Hilde, "I think he looks like you, definitely!"

"Hard to tell, he doesn't have enough hair yet."

"It's sort of that golden brown color like yours, though," said Hilde thoughtfully, brushing the baby's head with her finger.

"I guess," said Duo. "It's just fuzz."

"He eats like you," said Hilde, grinning. "All the time."

"He has to get bigger so he can play hockey," said Duo.

The doorbell rang. "I'll get it," said Duo, unnecessarily.

Hilde pulled a small blanket over her exposed breast, just in case.

It was Quatre and Trowa. Quatre had a large bouquet of white roses in his arms.

"Come in, if you can get in," said Duo. "It's kind of cramped in here.

"I can see that," said Quatre.

"You need a bigger place," he said.

"Or less stuff," said Trowa.

"Yeah, I know," said Duo, ushering them into the living room.

"Where's the baby?" said Quatre.

"He's under the blanket," said Hilde, "It's the meal before lunchtime time."

"Oh," said Quatre. "I hope we didn't come at a bad time."

"No," said Hilde. "I don't mind if you don't."

A large belch came from under the blanket. "Well, he's done," she said.

Trowa snickered.

Hilde nodded. "No manners, either," she said. "Just like his Dad."

Hilde reached under the blanket and pulled her shirt down. "Want to hold him?" she said to Quatre.

He came over and sat down beside Hilde. "I'd love to," he said, holding out his arms.

"I'll go get us something to drink," said Duo, getting up and going to the kitchen. "And I'll find something to put the flowers in."

Hilde handed him to Quatre. "He looks like Duo." Quatre gazed down at the tiny face.

"That's what I think," said Hilde. "I can't tell what color his eyes are yet. But, they'll probably be some shade of blue."

"Trowa, come here and look," said Quatre. "He's so cute!"

"Baby lions are cuter," said Trowa, but he came over and sat down next to Quatre and looked over his shoulder. "No offense," he said to Hilde, and she grinned back.

"Touch him," said Quatre. "He's really soft."

Trowa reached out one long finger and carefully stroked the baby's head.

"He's very soft," he said quietly. "Like cotton."

"Do you want to try holding him?" asked Hilde.

"I never, I mean, I don't know how," said Trowa.

"I'll show you," said Quatre. "You just make sure his head and neck are supported with one hand, and then hold his little body on the other arm."

He passed the baby over to Trowa, who was holding him like he was a stick of dynamite ready to explode.

"Relax," said Quatre. "You won't break him." Trowa exhaled and shifted the baby against his chest.

"It's nice, isn't it?" said Quatre.

"He smells nice," said Trowa, sniffing.

"He didn't a while ago," said Duo, coming in the room with a cup of tea for Quatre and lemonade for everyone else.

"I'm glad I wasn't here for that," said Trowa.

Solo yawned and stretched snuggled his head against Trowa's chest, then exhaled softly. "I think he's asleep," said Trowa, peering down at his face.

"He likes you," said Duo. "If you can come over at 3:00 a.m. and do the same trick, I'd appreciate it," he joked.

"Uh, no thank you," said Trowa. "But I do like holding him."

Quatre smiled. "You're a natural," he said. "All my sisters kids like you."

"Why do I feel like I'm being set up for something?" asked Trowa, raising an eyebrow, but he smiled briefly back at Quatre.

"I'm not making you do anything against your will," said Quatre, folding his arms.

"No, you're just trying to lure me with irresistible baby cuteness."

"Are you two wanting a kid?" asked Duo. "If I'm not being too nosey."

"Well, we're discussing it," said Quatre.

"There are lots of kids that need a good home," said Quatre. "It's all your fault, Duo, you got me thinking about it at my party a few months ago. I still haven't sold Trowa on the idea, though."

"It's a big change," Trowa said. "I don't know if I'm ready. We have time to think about it."

"Yes, we do," said Quatre quietly.

"See what you started," he said to Duo, but he was smiling.

"Well, if my two cents is worth anything, I think you'd be great parents," said Duo.

"But it is a lot of hard work," he said, "I won't tell you that we're not overwhelmed and exhausted, besides the fact that it costs a fortune. But, I still am glad it happened."

Hilde nodded. "And we're definitely going to have to move," she said, looking around. "We need more room."

Quatre looked up. "I might be able to help you with that."

"I know a lot of people in real estate, and I can probably get you a great deal."

"Really?" said Hilde, "That'd be wonderful. But I don't want you to be inconvenienced."

"No problem," he said, "One of my assistants can handle the whole thing."

He pulled out a cell phone and dialed, then after a few minutes conversation, hung up.

"All set," he said, simply. "I have them call you in a week or so."

"Consider it a baby gift," said Quatre.

"You've already given us so much," said Duo.

"What better things do I have to do but make things easier for someone I care about?" asked Quatre.

"You have plenty to do," said Duo. "But I appreciate it anyway. You're the best, Q-man."

"Well, we have to be going," Trowa said, looking at his watch. "You have an appointment in 30 minutes, koi," he said. He gently handed the baby back to Duo.

"I know it," sighed Quatre, "I need a vacation."

"Yes, you do," said Trowa. "You're starting to get little worry lines."

"Where?" asked Quatre, feeling his face.

"I'm kidding, koi!" said Trowa, bending down slightly to kiss him.

"I'd still love you even if you were wrinkled," he said.

"Good to know," Quatre said, kissing him back.

"Good-bye, Maxwells," said Quatre.

Duo stood up and embraced each one of his friends in turn.

"Come and see us anytime," he said. "We're open 24 hours now."

Quatre chuckled. "I understand."

"See you later," said Trowa, opening the door. The couple left hand in hand.

"Can you imagine?" asked Duo. "Quatre wants to have a kid!"

"Not so hard to imagine," said Hilde. "A lot of people want children. He's the type that usually does, coming from a big family and all."

"They'll work it out," said Duo. "Whaddya want to bet that Trowa'll come around?"

"I think he will too," said Hilde, "When he's ready."

"I guess we didn't have much choice in the matter," said Duo.

"No, but I'm glad we had this thrust upon us, so to speak," said Hilde.

She looked over at Duo who was still holding Solo. He looked so natural that way, she smiled at them.

"What?" asked Duo.

"I'm just thinking what a great daddy you are," said Hilde.

"Did you have any doubts?" asked Duo.

"A few," she replied. "But I think we're doing okay so far."

"A whole week and we're still sane," said Duo wearily. "Whoopee."

"I still need a shower," he said. "I'm all grungy."

"Go ahead," said Hilde. "I'll take him.

"He's asleep," said Duo, "I can just pop him in his crib."

"And, you should get a nap while he's asleep," said Duo.

"I will," said Hilde. "I guess I'm on Solo time, because I sure can't get him to sleep at night."

"I'm going to shower and then hit the sheets too," said Duo.

Hilde went into their bedroom and collapsed on the bed.

The last thing she heard was the shower running before she passed out.