About 2 weeks had flown by and Cosmo's belly was now really starting to pop out. It got to the point where his white shirt, even if he had tried to cover it up with a sweater of something, wouldn't cover his belly all the way. On top of that, Cosmo found it immensely more difficult to float as he started his second trimester (month), so Wanda ended up requesting for Jorgen to allow the pair to go on paternity leave, assigning Timmy with a temporary fairy until Cosmo has recovered.
Cosmo's guilt towards Timmy strengthened once the paperwork had been completed. He hadn't really been much involved in his adventures now that he had baby in his oven, and he was wondering what Timmy was thinking once he heard the news. He didn't want him to feel like Cosmo was cutting him out of his life, but he also found himself less and less capable to do even the simplest to tasks, let alone help Timmy out with his problems. Just yesterday, Cosmo tried to make himself a sandwich, and wasn't able to reach the paper towels that were pushed towards the wall end of their cabinet. He ended up just poofing a Star Bar instead, since he had a sudden craving for chocolate and peanut butter.
"Sweetie, just try to take it easy today", Wanda asked, "I know you're upset right now but I really don't think you should be stressing out as badly as you have been lately. It's not good for the baby."
"I know, Wanda. It's just..", Cosmo whined, "I keep getting in people's way. First my Mama wasn't happy, then you had to go talk to Jorgen, and now we have to leave Timmy alone! Ugh, maybe we should have waited."
"Timmy will be fine. We're not leaving him forever just yet, but we have to take care of you first. Once you have the baby and recover, we will be back. We're just taking a well needed break, that's all. Look, let's just enjoy what we're doing today. I'm sure the baby will love it.", Wanda smiled, before kissing Cosmo on his lips quickly.
"Ok Ok, you're right. I'm sorry. Everything's just been so hard lately", Cosmo sighed, allowing himself to submit to Wanda's embrace, "You're one of the few people that had been here for me. Thank you."
While the two fairies kept hugging, Cosmo had allowed Wanda to rub his belly again, in hopes that the two would bond a bit even before it was born. Cosmo smiled giggled slightly when Wanda started kissing his stomach, blushing a bit.
"Pfft..Honey..that tickles!", Cosmo laughed as Wanda kept kissing his bump.
"What? I can't help it! It's just so little!"
They kept going for about another 3 minutes before they heard a faint poofing sound coming from their front yard and a gentle knocking sound following soon after. Cosmo opened it to find his father floating there, holding a couple of bags in his arms.
"Dad! You're early. We weren't expecting you for another hour, when Wanda's parents show up."
"I know dear, but I was just so excited and I had to come over now. Plus, traffic has been pretty slow today so I thought better early than late. I'm not interrupting anything, am I?", Papa Cosma asked.
"No. We had only just taped the walls and floors, and that's about it. Nothing crazy yet.", Cosmo said, as Papa Cosma looked at his belly and smiled softly.
"Aww..looks like someone's getting big! Can I hold it again, please?"
"Uh..sure..come inside first.", Cosmo said. Papa Cosma smiled and shook hands with Wanda after he had set the stuff down before turning towards the baby bump, stroking it as gently as he could. After a few minutes, he felt the baby kick, forcing his to move his hand off.
"Oh my..it kicked!", he yelped, a large smile on his face, "Aw, I just can't wait to see you, darling."
"Is Mama coming? And what in the world happened to your face?", Cosmo asked, noticing a small red hand mark on Papa Cosma's face. His father's smile dropped almost instantly, moving his hands off Cosmo's baby.
"Well..no dear. She..uh…let's just say she went to the liquor store again last night.", he squeaked, looking down on the floor. "She's been in a pretty bad mood recently."
"Oh, did she catch you? You know, when we went to get lunch?"
"No, I don't think so. We..uh..had another disagreement last night..and I..uh..don't really want to keep talking about it, sweetheart", Papa Cosma squirmed, before looking at his bags, "Oh! You want to see what I got for the baby?"
As his father sat down and dug through the bags, Cosmo couldn't help but think he went a bit overboard. It was like watching a magician pull out a never ending strand of clothes, except if the cloth were baby supplies. Cosmo watched as his father pulled out a light blue baby blanket, and a white pillow, in addition to the matching crib sheets, and pink teddy bear and other stuffed animals he had gotten. He had also pulled out a couple of baby bottles, a pack of diapers and wipes, a mobile that had stars and planets rotating around, a couple of pacifiers, and a green rattle, with little pink hearts around it.
"Wow, ..you didn't have to do all that.", Wanda started. Papa Cosma's smile returned.
"I know but I wanted to, so much. I didn't know what the gender was, so I got pretty much every color you could think of, but I figured you wanted to do the clothes yourself once you find out.", he giggled, "Have you guys went to the doctor yet? To find out the gender? Or are you guys waiting?"
"We hadn't yet. We still need to book an appointment. We've just been so busy lately. We were gonna keep it a surprise but I guess now that you bring up clothes, we might need to find out soon. What do you think, Cosmo?"
"Uh..I guess so. I really wanted it to be a surprise though.", Cosmo whined slightly, "I kind of hope it's a girl."
"Well, just as long as it's healthy, that's all that matters in my opinion", Papa Cosma said, just before another poofing sound was heard, with a ringing noise following. Wanda went over to get it this time.
"Sugar plum!", a large Italian man's voice boomed, scooping Wanda up in a hug.
"Hi Big Daddy! Glad you could make it!", Wanda said, "Where's mom?"
"She's getting the crib and paint outta the car. Would you mind if I propped the door for her?"
"Uh yeah, come on in.", Wanda said, leading her father inside. After he had propped the door, her mother came in with a large cardboard box on her shoulders, smiling at Wanda as she led her into the empty room, leaving Big Daddy alone with Cosmo and his father. Wanda's mother also led Wanda out towards their car to get the rest of their stuff.
"So you two had finally done the deed, eh?", he asked, glaring slightly at Cosmo, who stood there nervously.
"I..Y-Yes sir! We've been trying for 8 years now."
"Ah. Well, if that's what Wanda wants, then fine.", Big Daddy started, before closing in on Cosmo, "But if you do anything to hurt the grandchild or Wanda, you'll be sleeping with the fishes. Understood?"
"Y-Yes sir! Got it!"
"Good", Big Daddy sighed before the two women stepped back outside, with Wanda's mom returning with a 24 pack of Royal Crown Beer.
"Beer? Seriously mom?", Wanda asked. Her mother rolled her eyes and smiled.
"Eh, something for the ladies. No reason why we can't drink while we do this."
"Fine. Just don't go overboard with it."
"Alright alright, sheesh."
After her mother had finished loading the alcohol into the fridge, Wanda instructed her parents into the nursery to start painting the north wall, while Cosmo and his father painted the south. After a while of painting, they took a break to let the first coat dry and got together to set up the baby crib, that appeared to have more confusing words than in Da Rules book, at least what it seemed like to Cosmo.
As they kept working, while Cosmo was both shocked that Wanda's parents accepted the fact that the grandchild was half-him and grateful that he still had support from his wife and father, he still felt that something was missing. He felt a bit hurt remembering that his mother was busy drinking her life away rather than wanting to share this moment with her family. It was as if she didn't care about the family like she claimed she did.
Sure, Mama Cosma was the one who did most of the support financially, but she always made it seemed like her husband and kids owed her whenever she helped them out. For instance, when his sister was still living with them and wanted to join the Poofy Pants High marching band, Mama Cosma had made it perfectly clear that she were to use her allowance to pay for her school fees, and any trips she wanted to go on, she would have to save that money and do a million extra chores around the house, including cleaning and scrubbing their parents' bathroom. He also remembers how Mama Cosma rarely cooked much other than bake cookies but would expect a 'thank you for our meal' from everyone on days she did cook. He never understood why they had to thank her for something she was expected to do as a parent.
After about another hour of hard work, Cosmo started sweating and panting, barely keeping a steady grasp on the baby crib's bars.
"Cosmo, why don't you go sit down for a while?", Wanda asked, putting her hand on his shoulder.
"B-But..I want.."
"We got this taken cared of, so go relax for a while. Get a drink of water. I know you really want to get this done but I don't want you dehydrating yourself or the baby.", Wanda said firmly, not leaving much room for debate. Cosmo sighed and got up from his spot, headed towards the kitchen to sip on some water, only for his cell phone to ring in his pants pocket. He grabbed it out and looked at the Caller ID, not recognizing the number.
Eh..probably just another robot.
To make sure he was correct, Cosmo picked up the call, only for a familiar yet strange female voice to call him by his name.
"Cosmo? Is that you?", she said. Cosmo nodded. "I can't hear you when you're nodding, dude."
"How do you know my name?"
"Dude! It's me! Chelsea! Your sister!", Chelsea exclaimed, "Dad told me to call you. Said you have something important to announce."
"Yeah well I was really hoping to hear from Schnozmo before I said anything to you guys.", Cosmo started, "How have you been, by the way?"
"Not great, I'm afraid. You remember my boyfriend Garret, right?"
"Uh..not really."
"Yeah. We're still living together but he actually just got laid off his job and I got fired after my little comment on fairy book. Hardly anyone is buying my music anymore, and I already spent what I had on rent and utilities." Chelsea vented, "But enough stalling. What are you hiding from your big sis?"
"I was trying to find your's and Schnozmo's numbers to tell you that I'm pregnant. I've just entered my second month."
"Really? Holy cow! Congrats! Didn't think you had it in you!"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I didn't think you would be the first to get married and have kids is all. Nothing personal.", Chelsea said nonchalantly, "Did you tell mom yet? I know dad already knows."
"Yeah. She..didn't take it well. She actually said that I should tell my wife I cheated on her."
"What the Fu-?"
"Yeah yeah I know! She didn't even have the nerve to show up today, when we're getting the room set up!", Cosmo snapped, feeling resentment enter his body quickly, his headache growing deeper as he got angrier, "Dad said she went to the liquor store again, and I even saw a hand mark on his face!"
"Oh, like that one he got when he spilled Mama's whiskey bottle that one night?"
"Yeah. It's not as bad but I can't help but think she should have been there. It's bad enough we kept our wedding from her, now she barely wants anything to do with our baby.", Cosmo sighed, "She absolutely HATES Wanda but I never understood why. She just never approved of her, even though she makes me the happiest man alive. Is my happiness not enough for her?"
"Pfft..mine sure wasn't I'll tell you that now.", Chelsea snarled, "I dunno though. You've always been the favorite out of the three of us so.."
"That's not my fault though!"
"I know I know. I don't blame you. I guess she just doesn't want to lose you.", Chelsea suggested, "Which I find hilarious, by the way. If I'm right, she doesn't want to lose you because she's bitter about cutting me and Schnozmo off. You know, we'd probably be ok had Mama been a little less selfish."
"Yeah. I still remember when you told her you wanted to go to Harmony University instead of Wishbrooke like Mama had wanted.", Cosmo whimpered. Chelsea snorted.
"Heh..yeah I'm surprised she didn't explode, she screamed and cussed so much. Man, had you and dad not have been there, I don't know what would have happened."
"Do you regret it?"
"What? Hell no! Why should I regret making my own decisions.", Chelsea snapped, "I'm tired to living under Mama's stupid rules and frankly, you should do the same."
"Why?"
"If she's going to treat you like crap because you're in love with someone she doesn't like, then she doesn't deserve to see the child, not matter how much money she still spends on you. End of discussion."
"I-I know but she at least needed to know. She would have found out about the child, anyways, so I dunno why I even try anymore.", Cosmo sighed, "D-Did you want to come to the baby shower?"
"When is it?"
"I don't know yet. We've been dealing with other things..I can't even remember all that we've done so far, other that me puking and crying all morning."
"Depends. Is Mama gonna be there?"
"I dunno, but you know I gotta invite her. She'll throw a fit if she finds out I didn't."
"Look, I'll come but only if Mama isn't there.", Chelsea groaned, "I don't really want to talk to her right now, anyways. Hell, I'd be lucky if she looked in my direction."
"I'll let you know if she wants to come later then.", Cosmo sighed, "Do you think Schnozmo would want to be there?"
Suddenly, Chelsea was silent for a good few minutes. Cosmo pulled the phone away from his ears to check and see if he had hung up on accident, only for the phone to give off an AHEM noise.
"Uh..you do know what happened to him, right?", Chelsea asked."
"No? What?"
"Schnozmo's in jail."
