Sydney to the Max Season 5: Episode 13 - Babysitting Bussiness
Written By: DrDoom2006 and "Fun But Shy Girl"
With Input From: WritingWithKeon
Based on Characters Created by: Mark Reisman
Sydney, Emmy and Sophia arrived from school as usual. It was a sunny Friday afternoon and the three girls were happy that another weekend had arrived. As they entered the living room they saw Max dialing on his cellphone.
-Oh, hi girls, you're just in time. Hey, who do you think is better for babysitting, Joyce or Carly?
-We're getting a babysitter? It's going to be so much fun! – Emmy said
Sophia looked at her with a deadly glare while Sydney sat beside her dad.
-Uh, Dad… I don't know if you noticed but… we're all 16 now… I don't think we need a babysitter…
-Oh, not for your girls. For Lauren. Angela and I are going for a full day of relax and fun in a spa tomorrow and we need someone to take care of your baby sister – he replied
Sydney smiled
-I can take care of her – she said
Max looked a bit surprised as he then responded back to his first born daughter.
-Really Syd. Are you sure? It's just you never showed interest in babysitting before, and you always are busy with school, the other girls, or Harry.
-Dad, she's my baby sister. I love her and I'm happy to take care of her all day by myself if you want me to. But with that being said, I'm sure I can get Lauren's other big sisters here to help. I mean they have interest in child care too. Right girls?
-Well I took care of a puppy when I was in the shelter – Emmy said with a smile
-That's not helping… - Sophia replied
-Look, taking care of a baby is a great responsibility and...
-We'll help out too Dad – Sophia, who had accustomed herself to call Max that, replied
-Plus I'll call Olive. I bet she'd love to help too. - Sydney added
The man gave it a thought.
-OK, I'll talk to Angela and I'll let you girls know, OK?
The following morning Angela and Max gave Sydney, Sophia, and Emmy the last instructions.
-Everything you need to feed the baby is on the fridge and on the counter, OK? Angela and I will be checking on you and in case of an emergency you call us, OK? – Max said
Sydney pushed him out.
-We'll be fine Dad, trust us.
As the adults left, Emmy went to check on Lauren
-How is she? – asked Sophia
-Asleep, she looks like an angel – the Latina replied with a smile as she walked down the stairs
The three girls were watching TV when the door bell rang, and Olive appeared with DVD box set in her hand.
-LOOK WHAT I GOT! The whole first season of the Werewolf Girlfriend Reboot Series.
Emmy was overjoyed
-OMG. The reboot that premiered on the CW last year? This is going to be awesome!
-Wait, remember that we need to take care of Lauren – Sydney said
-That's going to be easy, she's an angel – replied Sophia
It was twenty minutes after that when the girls were watching their show when the cries of Lauren startled them
-Sophia, can you go check on Lauren? – Sydney said
-Emmy, can you go? - Sophia in turn said
-But I went ten minutes ago – the Latina replied
-Fine. I'll go – Olive said.
The blonde went to the girl's room where Lauren"s crib was, taking the baby she tried to calm her down. Unfortunately for her, all the efforts proved unsuccessful, nervous she carried the baby downstairs
-Guys she keeps crying – she announced
Sydney got up from the couch.
-Maybe she's hungry
The brunette went to the kitchen and it was then and there that she realized she had never in her life had seen Angela make a bottle for Lauren nor had she asked her. Nervous she went to the door and called Sophia
-What is it?
-You know how to make a bottle for Lauren right?
-I… I thought you knew…
-OK… uhm… let's… let's start by warming up some water…
Sophia got up on a chair and looked at the containers stored there
-Uh… there's powdered milk… baby formula… ahm… also
But Sydney was looking for the bottles and didn't see the chair where Sophia was, seconds after Emmy and Olive were startled when the heard a scream, a crash, and the sound of things falling down. As they entered the kitchen they found Sophia laying on top of Sydney and both of them covered in powdered milk.
-What… happened? – Emmy asked
-Are you guys OK? – Olive asked
-I'll be when Sophia gets up – Sydney said
Olive helped her up and, as they cleaned up, they realized all the powdered milk for Lauren was on the floor.
-Guys… Lauren is still crying – Olive said
Sydney started to feel a sense of panic like she never had before. Everything today was supposed to go smoothly, but now that Lauren couldn't be fed properly. She started to panic, as she voiced her concerns out loud.
-Oh no. If Lauren doesn't get her milk, she might not get strong bones, or her growth will be stunted, or the experience of going hungry for a day will leave her traumatized, and she'll go through her whole life feeling like the world is out to get her and...
Olive then interrupted Sydney by putting her hands on the shoulders of her best friend.
-Or you just go get her more milk, while we try to entertain Lauren with some toys. Okay?
Sydney took a deep breath as her brief moment of panic stopped.
-You're right Olive. Sorry about freaking out like that. I'll go to the store right now.
Sydney was about to walk out the back door when she realized something
-Guys… do any of you have any money?
Two hours later and after great effort the four teenagers had managed to get a bottle for Lauren and finally calmed down the baby. Leaving Lauren in her room, the four young ladies proceeded to sit in front of the TV again as Emmy spoke.
-So now can we watch the New Werewolf Girlfriend Reboot?
Sydney got up as she smiled and spoke.
-Sure. Just... hold on. Where's the remote? Oh shoot. I think I brought it with me to Lauren's room when she was crying. Hold on. I'll get it.
Sydney headed up to Lauren's room, but upon expecting to see Lauren playing with her toys on the small mat she was left on, Sydney saw no baby in the room. Sydney suddenly freaked out as she screamed.
-BABY GONE! OH GOD! LAUREN IS GONE!
The other three teenagers ran upstairs looking worried, as Sophia spoke first.
-What happened Sydney?
-I don't know. I left her here and now she is just gone.
-But how? She couldn't have opened the door - Olive noted
Suddenly Emmy looked guilty as she spoke up.
-Oh no. Uh... I was the last one out of here when we left Lauren in here, and... I may have forgotten to close the door behind me. But I'll do everything I can to find her now!
The four teenage girls then began to look around the house as Sydney moved more slowly looking like she was in shock as she slowly spoke out loud.
-I lost her. I lost my baby sister. She's now lost alone, cold, hungry, and traumatised for life and I'll never see her agai...
-I FOUND HER! - Olive happily said.
Sydney turned her head and saw Olive holding Lauren. Sydney looked relieved as Olive carried Lauren over to Sydney.
-She just crawled into her parents' bedroom and was digging her face into one of your dad' shirts he left on the ground. It was kinda cute.
Sydney instantly embraced Lauren as she spoke to her baby sister.
-You're okay. I'm so sorry you got lost baby sis. For the rest of the day, you're staying right by our side completely.
-But what about watching the Werewolf Girlfriend Reboot? - Emmy asked.
Sydney looked at Emmy with shock, confusion and anger in her face.
-What!? You wanna expose our baby sister here to media containing violence, suggestive dialogue, and moderate amounts of sexual innuendo!? I will not allow that! We keep things rated G and family friendly in this househoold while stil monitoring what they'll being culturally exposed to!
-But we want to see it! – Sophia protested
-And I already made pop-corn – added Emmy
Sydney sighed
-OK! Binge watch your show while I take Lauren to the park. She needs fresh air anyway.
As Sydney put Lauren in a stroller downstairs, Olive approached Sydney and talked to her.
-You don't need me to go with you, right?
Sydney sighed as she looked at Olive.
-I'm fine. Look, I'm the one that insisted to my dad I wanted to take care of Lauren; not you. So it's okay if you wanna stay here and watch TV with...
-OKAY. THANK YOU!
Olive then rushed over to the TV, as Sydney chuckled a bit and then grabbed some food from the kitchen.
Half an hour later Sydney was in the park. She sat on a bench and heard the birds chirp as she slowly began to feed Lauren some of the mushed-up food she brought. Suddenly two old ladies passed by Sydney, but stopped and starred at her as they saw what she was doing. The two old ladies approached Sydney as one of them spoke to her.
-Well... I see you're being quite responsible there young lady. How old are you and your little one there?
-Oh. I'm sixteen, and this little one here is a few months shy of her first birthday.
The old women looked shocked as the other one spoke up.
-Oh my. Pregnant at fifteen then. You poor thing.
-What!? No, no, no. This is my dad and step-mom's kid. She's my little sister. I am not a teen mother.
-Now, now there young lady. There's no need to hide the truth. Doing so will only make it worse. You know our church has special programs to assist teen mothers like yourself.
-No, no. Really. She's just my sister, and she has plenty of family to suport her.
-Well you can keep saying that, but we'll definitely be praying for you tonight.
The two old ladies walked away as Sydney sighed while looking at Lauren.
-So what do you know Lauren, people think I'm your mom…
The baby giggled
-Yeah, very funny…
-Hi Sydney! - a familiar voice said
Sydney turned her face and saw Harry walking towards her.
-HARRY!
-I went to your home and Olive said you were going to be here.
As they were talking, an adult woman along with her teenage daughter passed by.
-See Cami? That's why I don't like that boyfriend of yours. Excuse me girl, how old are you?
Sydney sighed
-Sixteen.
-And you? – she said looking at Harry
-Oh, I'm seventeen but...
-See Cami? If you don't practice abstinence you'll wind up a poor tired teen parent like these two are and...
Sydney, who was tired of all that had happened that day, finally blew up and with a sarcastic voice yelled
-SO WHAT!? WE LOVE EACH OTHER AND WE EXPRESSED OUR LOVE AND OUR FAMILIES SUPPORT US!
The mother not understanding Sydney's sarcastic tone stood horrified.
-The nerve... let's go Cami.
Trembling Sydney sat back in the bench, as Harry stood frozen and with his face bright red
-Syd…
-Some people. I mean all she did was look at us and she assumed...
Fully realizing what she had said now, she suddenly looked a bit nervous.
-I mean… not that I wouldn't like it if one day, we... you know, lets head back to my place.
As they walked back home Sydney remained silent while Lauren took her bottle
-Syd.. – Harry said
The brunette stopped and sighed.
-I'm sorry OK? It's just that… before you arrived I had to deal with several other people thinking I was a teen mom and… I guess I just exploded back there…
Harry held her hand
-It's OK, if our relationship gets to that point I'll make sure that doesn't happen.
-Excuse me? – Sydney blushed again
-I mean, when you're ready to want to have kids, I'll really make sure I do make it to happen to you... or rather we will make it happen to us... or maybe it's...
Sydney giggled and kissed him softly
-It's getting dark, we better get home
But as they arrived Sydney had another surprise waiting for her. As she opened the door she found the other three girls eating vegetables with dip and particularly Emmy eating what definitely looked like baby food.
-What … are… you… guys… eating?
-Oh I used the vegetables in the kitchen to prepare some snacks – Olive said
-And I found this delicious pure in the fridge, I mean, who made this? – Emmy said
-Sydney why is your eye twitching? – Sophia said
Harry was fast to react
-OK, we better take another walk, we'll be back – he said pulling both Sydney and Lauren's stroller back out
-THEY WERE EATING LAUREN'S VEGETABLES AND THE MASHED FOOD I LEFT FOR HER DINNER!
-Ok ok, it's fine; we can...
-NO IT'S NOT! THOSE WERE THE ONLY VEGETABLES WE HAD! NOW LAUREN IS GOING TO BE HUNGRY AND SAD AND IT WILL BE MY FAULT!
-Sydney we can solve this.
-I'M SUPPOSED TO TAKE CARE OF HER TODAY HARRY, AND I'M FAILING MISERABLY!
Harry held her hands.
-Syd it's OK, I'll get you some baby food for Lauren and it'll be fine.
Later that evening, Lauren was sitting in a play pen while Sydney and Sophia were cleaning up from dinner time. As they started to clean up, Sophia looked at some CD's stacked up nearby.
-Hey Syd. Why don't we play some of this classic rock while we clean up from dinner. Lauren should be exposed to the oldies by goodies.
Sydney suddenly looked freaked out as she spoke up.
-What? But she's young and impressionable. Some of those old rock songs that talk about rebelling against authority might cause Lauren to grow up hating all authority figures, and she'll wind up becoming some punk with green spikey hair. But if we play some classic music instead, she'll have more refined tastes; like the kind university professors have.
Sophia looked a bit freaked out as she backed away from Sydney.
-Whatever you say girl.
An hour later Sydney was preparing a humidifier in the kitchen as Sophia stepped in.
-Hey. Just finished giving Lauren a bath, and Olive is drying her off.
-Thanks Sophia. I'll take it from here.
-You sure? Lauren in my sister too and I wanna help.
-No, no. You have to catch up on English homework with Emmy. Plus... I did tell my dad that I could do this.
Olive then walked into the kitchen holding Lauren. Sydney smiled as Olive handed Lauren over to Sydney.
-Okay Syd. Lauren is all washed and cleaned. Gotta go home now. Goodnight girls.
Then just as Olive left, there was a crashing sound. Sydney and Sophia looked worried as they heard Emmy call out to them.
-I'M FINE. JUST TRIPPED ON SOMETHING IN LAUREN'S ROOM. UM... DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO FIX A BROKEN CRIB!?
Sophia then looked at Sydney with a guilty face.
-Um.. Syd.. you are the only one of us that took a wood shop for a semester. So...
-UUGHH! - Sydney groaned
Sydney was using tools to put Lauren's crib back together in the baby's bedroom. Sydney looked tired, frustrated, and also sweaty; causing her to strip down to just a tight tank top and short shorts. Eventually Sydney finished putting the crib together. She put away her tools, put Lauren's mattress and blanket back in the crib, and then fell to the floor. Sydney laid on her back and looked up at the cieling as she spoke out loud.
-Why am I doing this to myself?
Then Lauren crawled into the room, crawled on top of Sydney, and then laid down on Sydney's chest, resting her head just below Sydney's chin. Sydney smiled as she gently embraced Laruen in her arms.
-Oh yeah. That's why.
Sydney then lay on the floor for the next half hour, holding Lauren in her arms, as the baby slowly drifted to sleep.
Some time later, Sydney was sitting in a chair wearing a night gown, as she looked at Lauren sleeping in her crib. Sophia then stepped into the room and looked at Sydney confused.
-Hey. Aren't you going to bed?
-Well, I'm just gonna stay with Lauren.
-Why? We have baby monitors. If she cries, we can hear her.
-Well... I'm gonna stay here just the same.
-Well... okay Sydney. Suit yourself.
Sophia left, as Sydney remained just watching the peaceful Lauren sleep. However as Lauren slept peacefully, Sydney's mind was not. She felt her mind beginning to worry again. Then Sydney found herself seeing a green light. An alien spaceship appeared outside the window, and a beam from it pulled Lauren from her crib and into the alien spaceship. A panicked Sydney then jumped out the window with her hands out screaming.
-No. Don't take her! Take me! Take me instead!
-Sydney, wake up! - Max said.
Suddenly Sydney was awakened and saw she was still in her chair, Lauren was still in her crib, and Max was now standing near her. Sydney looked at her father confused.
-Dad! You're back.
-Yeah. Sorry that me and Angela got home so late.
-Oh God. I'm so sorry I fell asleep while on the job. I meant to watch Lauren all night and...
-Whoa, whoa. It's late. You're allowed to sleep Sydney. Besides, Lauren looks fine.
-I... I guess she is dad. It's just... taking care of a baby... I didn't realized before today just how stressful it is. And not just the crying, feeding, and changing. It's all the extra work like fixing things that suddenly need to be fixed, and... the worrying. Oh God, I kept worrying about how things could go wrong. I mean I never realized that when you take care of a child, it's like... it's like your heart is outside of your body, and you constantly live in fear anything could break it at any time.
Max smiled as he briefly hugged Sydney and gave her a kiss on the head, before speaking again.
-Welcome to the world of what it feels like to be a parent. Now how about you go to bed?
Sydney looked at Lauren for a moment, and then at her dad.
-Actually... I kind of wanna stay here tonight. Not because I'm still worried, but because... I kinda like being close to my baby sister.
-Well, okay. Oh, by the way. When you weren't watching earlier, Sophia got a candid picture of you and Lauren together. She sent it to Angela, and well... we couldn't resist but immediately print the photo and frame it at this place we saw on the way back home. Here.
Max then handed Sydned a framed photo that featured a zoomed in picture of herself laying on the floor holding Lauren as the teenager and baby looked at each other smiling. Tears appeared in Sydney's eyes.
-Wow. Thank you.
-Yeah. I know. Also... remind you of anything?
Then Max held out another picture more familiar to Sydney, that Sydney recognized from her fathers' bedroom. It was a picture of Max sixteen years ago, laying on the floor shirtless, holding a baby Sydney in his arms, as the father and daughter looked at each other smiling. As Sydney placed both pictures next to each other on a dresser nearby, Max spoke.
-I'll let you keep those both here for awhile. Good night Syd.
Max began to walk out of the room, but suddenly he stopped when Sydney called out to him.
-Dad... the way things were today with me and Lauren... was it a lot like this for you when I was a baby?
Max smiled as he looked at Sydney.
-Yeah.
Then Sydney jumped up, ran to her father, and hugged him as she spoke.
-Thank you.
THE END