February 27th, 2004
Week 14
Brandon and Andy couldn't believe Ethan was seventeen. It made them feel so old. He would be in college soon. In six days, even Isabella would be aging. She'd be eight. Gracie was even getting bigger. She was crawling around the house and pulling herself up on furniture. It sort of made Andy want another one.
"We'll have to settle on becoming an aunt and uncle again." Brandon said as he washed the table.
"I know." She smiled softly. "I just can't help but to wonder how it'd be with another child."
"I know." Brandon said turning the water in the sink on. "Ethan will be out of the house soon and-"
"Doesn't that make you want to have another though?" Andy asked.
"It makes me happy and proud we could raise a stable boy and he wants to go out into the world." Brandon said. Andy sighed slightly, "Baby, do you really want another child?"
"Not right this second, but in the next five years I wouldn't mind it." Andy said. "I love being a mom."
"You make a terrific mom." He told her. "If it's in five years, I can handle another child. Ethan will be out by then."
"Maybe we'll have a boy this time." Andy said. Brandon chuckled.
"Maybe." He said putting his sweatshirt on. "If there's nothing else you want me to do, I'm going to go for a run." Andy shook her head.
"Go have fun." She said exiting the room. Brandon didn't hesitate. He bolted from the house. Andy went on the porch. The cold air hit at her arms. She stared at her neighbours. She assumed Elizabeth and Mikey were cleaning out a room for the baby right about now.
"Hey." Elizabeth stood behind Andy. She jumped.
"Christ, Woman." She laughed, "You scared the shit out of me."
"Sorry." She chuckled, "Do you have any tea?"
"What kind?" Andy asked as they walking into the house.
"Any kind. I'm so nauseous." Elizabeth said. Maybe Andy didn't want to get pregnant. She didn't enjoy the throwing up part.
"All right. Sit down and relax." Andy said, "I'll have some made in a moment." She grabbed two cups. She would let Elizabeth be the pregnant one for now. In five years, maybe she'd change her mind. "Besides being sick, how are you feeling?"
"Eh...I'm very tired." She said rubbing her tiny bump, "The boys at least have been extremely helpful."
"Good." Andy said putting tea bags in the cups, "It was so helpful when Ethan and Isabella helped out around the house."
"I still need to clean though." Elizabeth smiled.
"I hope with no cleaning products." Andy frowned. Elizabeth shook her head.
"Michael won't let me get even close to a mop." She said.
"I knew he was good for something." Andy chuckled as she poured boiling water into the cups.
"He's good for something a lot more than that." Elizabeth winked.
"I don't want to know." Andy handed her the tea. "There you go." Elizabeth thanked her. Anything to calm her stomach was good. She wanted this baby to be out already. She couldn't handle much more throwing up.
March 13th, 2004
Week 16
Stefanie was busy. Chandler was turning eight in five days and she was determined to make it the best birthday party Astoria had seen in years. Chandler wanted a Cowgirl theme. Her with was Stefanie's command.
"Stef, I'm going out." Clark said running down the stairs.
"What?" Stefanie stared at him.
"I'm going out." He said.
"I needed you to take Morgan and Breckin to get new shoes." Stefanie said. She watched him groan, "I told you two days ago They needed new shoes."
"#1 It's Brandon's birthday. #2 Morgan isn't even a year old. She doesn't need shoes." Clark said. Stefanie was starting to get mad.
"#1 I don't care. #2 She's starting to walk and she needs to get used to wearing something on her feet." Stefanie said.
"Shit." Clark growled.
"Clark, I'm about to cry I'm so stressed." She said, "I'm taking Chandler for a dress fitting. Hudson and Elijah have dentist appointments. I need to go food shopping and book that pony for Chandler's birthday."
"Fine." Clark said, "But Breckin and Morgan are having beers with me." A tiny smile came across Stefanie's face.
"Don't let them get too drunk." She said kissing him softly, "Thank you. I need all the help I can when you don't have a case going on."
"Rub it in." Clark muttered.
"Go have fun." She chuckled.
* * *
Clark walked into the bar with two children in hand. The men stared at him.
"Couldn't get out of it?" Richard asked.
"No." Clark muttered.
"Daddy, wanna get soda." Breckin said.
"You will just...hush up." He said. Michael made a whip noise, "Shut up Mikey."
"I didn't say a word." He laughed.
"I think it's great." Lawrence said, "Breckin needs to be shown how to be a man."
"Maybe we can take him to a strip club later." Brandon said.
"If I want to keep my nuts, no." Clark said sitting at the bar.
"I like nuts." Breckin said. The men held back their laughter.
"Happy birthday, brand." Clark said.
"Thanks." Brandon said sipping his beer, "Do I get to change a diaper for my birthday?"
"I'll leave that to Mikey Boy." Clark winked, "He needs to practice."
"I've changed plenty in my day." Michael said.
"Uncle Data! Look!" Breckin began to spin on the bar stool.
"Careful, Buddy." Richard said, "Daddy will be cleaning up your barf." Clark grimaced. So much for an evening out with the boys.
"I'm sorry about them crashing, Brand." Clarks aid. Brandon shrugged as he bounced Morgan on his knees.
"I don't care. I like your kids." Brandon said, "You can tell we've all grown up and become fathers. A good night out for my is to be with the kids....when they're quiet." Michael nodded.
"That sounds like Heaven to me." He said. Clark hated to admit it. he never wanted to grow up. But, now he was. He was a father of five and had to provide for them. he was....a man.
* * *
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