Chapter Two:

Eddie had been doing some last minute paperwork that he really couldn't afford to put off much longer when he got a call from Phil. Phiz informed him that Janet had all but barricaded herself (a sure exaggeration) in Charlie's nursery and was refusing to go to work. Eddie had just shaken his head in slight amusement and told Phil that he would be home as soon as possible. The paperwork, while important, would not take precedent over his family. He would just have to come in extra early finish it.

Now, he was walking into his house and was a bit disconcerted with how quiet it was. Since the baby was born, the place had been nothing but barely controlled chaos, and there seemed to never be a peaceful moment. "Phil?" he asked when he got in and shut the door. "Janet? Is anyone here?"

Phil came walking in from the kitchen, relief on his face at seeing Eddie. "Hey man. Glad you're here. Janet won't come out. No matter what I said, she just stays in there. I don't think she's gonna want to talk to anyone but you."

Already heading upstairs, Eddie threw back a, "Thanks, Phil. I got it."

Phil debated whether or not to stay and then decided that the new family needed some alone time. He knew that Pizza Girl was going to be home so he decided to get into Klauss and head on over there. It was still a battle getting out of the house, but the car and his girlfriend's place had become safe zones for him now. Without another thought, Phil got his keys and headed for the garage.

Upstairs Eddie softly knocked on the nursery door. "Hey, baby, it's me. Can I come in?" A muffled "yeah" was his only answer, so Eddie opened the door to see something that never failed to make his heart turn to mush. His wife was sitting in the rocking chair that had been in his family for generations, there daughter curled close to her, sound asleep. "Hey sweetie. What goes on?" His throat then tightened when she lifted her face to him.

Tears were streaming down her face, her voice hoarse as she answered him. "I'm so sorry, Eddie. I tried to leave but then I realized that she needs me too much. I can't leave our baby so soon. She's so fragile and vulnerable. What happens if she gets hungry and Phil can't get the formula right? What happens if she needs me to hold her? There are too many things that could go wrong! She needs me here!"

While Janet rambled, Eddie had moved to kneel in front of her. His hand reached out to touch Charlie's head. "Hey, it's ok. I understand. And you have nothing to apologize for. You can stay with her as long as you like. But, J, Phil is perfectly capable of taking care of her. And Sully's and your phone are on speed-dial if he needs you. Everything will be fine."

Janet sighed and got up. She gently laid Charlie into the crib and after turning on the baby monitor, motioned Eddie to follow her out. They walked into their bedroom and both sat on the bed. "I know that it's stupid." Eddie opened his mouth, but she put up her hand to stop him. "No, it is. I know in my head that Phil is great with her and she trusts him. He's been with her as much as me and you and there isn't anything he doesn't know how to do when it comes to her." Janet looked up at Eddie, a smile tugging at her lips. "Don't think I didn't find out that you bribed him to change her diapers for the first two weeks."

Eddie was about to argue, but knowing he was caught, just laughed instead. The moment of levity quickly passed, however, as Janet continued.

"It's just that I'm gonna miss her so much. She's been a constant in my life for three months, nine more if you count the pregnancy; I don't know how to adjust to life without her in the next room."

Eddie reached up and cupped Janet's face. "I know, baby, it's tough. But you can do it. I did; and you know you can do anything I can do and better."

Janet smiled. "How did you do it? How did you leave?"

Eddie's hand trailed down her arm and took her hands in his. "Well, I knew that she was here being taken care of by her wonderful mother, and my diaper-changing machine of a best friend. I knew she was safe. And…" Eddie paused, causing Janet to look up from their intertwined hands. "I called every five minutes and worked short days. I think even installed a webcam remember? We'll make this work."

Janet took a deep breath. "Yeah, I know. I just worry sometimes. First time mom and all that. But you would know; first time dad." Janet laughed suddenly. "And to think, this morning I was looking forward to having a break from her." Tears welled up in her eyes. "What kind of mother does that make me? Wanting a break from my child?"

Eddie wiped the tears from her face that were beginning to fall. "Is that what this is about?" At Janet's hesitant nod, Eddie continued, "Hey, babe, there is nothing wrong with wanting to get away every now and then. I love Charlie to death, but she is exhausting! I think she may be the reason that Phil finally decided to leave the house!" That had the desired result and Janet huffed out a watery laugh. "You don't need to feel guilty about going to work to get a break. You're not abandoning her. Not even close. You're the best mom ever, Janet and she loves you. I love you."

Janet smiled and leaned in to kiss him. Sometimes she wondered what she had done in her life to be graced with such a wonderful man. He had always made her feel like the most amazing and beautiful woman in the world, and now here he was, making her feel like the most amazing mom in the world. She loved him so much!

Eddie broke the kiss and gently pushed her back to lie on the bed and then followed her down. He settled at her side and pulled her close. "Feel a little better now?" He felt Janet nod from where her head lay on his chest. "Good, because we will be ok. We have each other and we'll figure it out together. Now then, just because you didn't go to work, doesn't mean that you can't get that break. How about a little old-fashioned make-out session?" When she didn't answer, he looked down, only to find her eyes closed, fast asleep. Eddie chuckled gently; not minding, for the first time in his life, that a woman had fallen asleep at the prospect of making out with him. He reached down to pull the covers over them and closed his eyes too. As he followed his wife into dreamland, the only thought in his mind was, 'yeah, we're gonna be ok.'