A/N: Surprise chapter!

Parentship

By AnotherSideTheOtherStory

Chapter 3: The Not So Obvious Truth

"H-he's your son," muttered Ross, as he leaned forward and looked Matthew up and down. The small boy gave him a curious look before squeezing the stuff pig tight in his hands and burying his face into Benny's shoulder. After a moment Ross sank back into his chair and rubbed his face in disbelief. He turned to his wife who appeared to be as much as loss for words as he was, and when she offered no input he looked back at both the boys and Evelyn before mumbling: "And you said you're psychic, Benny's a wizard and Sarah's a vampire?"

"Yeah," mumbled Ethan as he kept his eyes focused on the ground instead of his parents. For some reason he felt like a little kid who had made a mess was being forced to own up to his mistake. In a low tone he asked: "Are you guys mad at me?"

Before his parents could respond Benny stood up with Matthew in his arms. "It's not Ethan's fault. I created Matt on accident while trying to figure out something for our biology project. If your going to be mad at anyone, then be mad at me. I was messing around with magic when I shouldn't have been."

"We're not mad, just… shocked," whispered Samantha still trying to process everything that the two boys had just told them. "Oh my god we're grandparents."

"You think that's bad I'm a great-grandmother now," said Evelyn casually as she shook her head. "But I can confirm that Matthew is as a much a Morgan as he is a Weir, and like I told the boys last night there's a good chance that not only will he have powers similar to his parents, but that they'll manifest early."

The Morgans shared an uneasy look and Ethan felt tears burn at the corner of his eyes. His parents were disappointed in him they had to be. He looked up when he felt Benny place a hand on his knee and that warm feeling spread throughout his stomach when the older boy flashed him an encouraging smile.

"Why don't you kids take Matthew to the park while we talk," offered Evelyn with as she crossed her legs. Samantha opened her mouth to speak but stopped when the older woman held up a hand. "Don't worry they're both quite responsible when it comes to the well being of others, and it would be better for them to tire out the little one than having him sit here while I explain the finer points of magic to you both."

Ethan thankful for the exit mumbled a good-bye to his parents and kept his eyes down as he made his way for the door. Once outside he let out a pent up breath and look over at Benny who appeared indifferent to the way things had turned out.

"How could you be so calm during all that?" asked Ethan after a moment as they began their walk to the park. He shuddered at the thought of disappointing his parents and added: "I bet there disappointed in me, I've never done something this irresponsible before."

"First of all you didn't do anything wrong, I did," said Benny as he adjusted Matt in his arms, earning him a smack of appreciation from Bacon. "And second they're not disappointed I think they're just in shock. How often does your sixteen year old son come home and tell you that he and his best friend are parents?"

"Papa!" cried Matt as he extended his arms out towards Ethan and tried to wiggle free from his father's grip. "Papa!"

"What does he want?" asked Ethan uncertainly as he looked to Benny for an explanation. "And why does he keep calling me Papa?"

"Because I'm his Daddy, and you're his Papa," said Benny as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. Ethan turned red and felt that strange nervous warmth suddenly explode. "And right now it looks like he wants you to carry him."

"C-carry?"

"Come on," said Benny trying his best not to laugh at his friend's discomfort. "Don't look so afraid E, here."

"I don't think-" Too late. A moment later Matt was resting comfortable in his arms. The tiny boy looked at Ethan gave him a kiss on his forehead and lay his head down on his shoulder. "H-he's a lot lighter than I thought."

"We were both tiny kids, so it makes sense. Plus if you look at us now we're still kinda string beany."

They walked in silence, and Ethan smiled as he instinctively rubbed his son's back. He caught sight of the way Benny was looking at him and felt himself go redder. Was he doing something embarrassing or did he have something on his back? Maybe he was carrying Matt wrong? He must've hung out with Benny a million times, so why did he suddenly feel so self-conscious?

"W-what?" Stammered Ethan unable to take his friend's curious expression any longer. "Stop looking at me like that."

"S-sorry!" said Benny with a laugh as he held up his hands. "You just… I mean Matt looks really cute when he's resting on you like that."

When they came to the cross walk Ethan turned to Benny and said: "Last night when we talking about our future we didn't really talk about our future at all."

"What do you mean?" asked Benny as he stuffed his hands in his pocket and followed him across the street. "We talked about trying to finish high school, going to college, getting jobs, saving up money for Matt when he's ready goes to school, and all that kind of stuff."

"Yeah well what happens if we end up going to college in a different city or town or country. As much as I know you don't want to hear this we're not always gonna be together."

Benny frowned, and Ethan immediately regretted his choice of words. He could see it on his friend's profile, the way he suddenly slouched, the downcast eyes, it was almost too much for him to handle. Trying to backtrack he added: "I'm not saying that it's going to happen, but think about it. Sarah and Erica graduate in a month, and we become seniors. Our future is going to happen faster than you think. What happens if I end up marrying Sarah, or you find someone you love and you move away? What happens to Matt then? These are the kind of things we never even thought of let alone talked about last night."

"You marry Sarah?" asked Benny trying to make a joke of the situation at hand. "You've only been together for a month."

"You know what I mean," mumbled Ethan as he heard the soft crunch of sand underneath his feet. He took in the small park and smiled as he recalled the days he and Benny had spent there while growing up.

"Down!" cried Matt as he suddenly sprang to life in Ethan's arms. The brunette looked over at Benny for reassurance and frowned when he got a laugh in response.

"Why are you laughing at me?"

"You're his parent as much as I am E, you don't need to confirm everything with me, I trust you."

Ethan let the boy down and smiled when he ran off to the small swing set giggling the entire way. They followed after him and watched as their son struggled to get onto the swing while holding his stuff pig. When he realized he couldn't do it he ran back over to Ethan and held up Bacon.

"Please hold," said Matt with a serious expression. "Bacon my brother, don't lose."

"I promise," said Ethan with a nod as he took the stuff pig in his hand. Matt nodded sternly before running back off to the swing, but not before casting one weary glance over his shoulder at his beloved pig. "Why does he talk in little bursts like that?"

"I think it's because he's still young and kind of shy," said Benny as he walked over to the swing set. He picked up their son and set him on the swing before gently rocking it back and forth. "He's a lot like you E, I mean yesterday we spent two hours reading books together. The more I think about the more I realize he has the body of a three year-old but mentally he's way smarter than that."

"As long as he's healthy I don't care," said Ethan. He watched the boy giggle as he went back and forth. The way his hair curled, the bright glow in his eyes, that mischievous hint in his smile, all at once Ethan wondered if he was thinking of Matt or Benny. "I don't know."

"Don't know what?"

"I-I didn't say that! I said I still can't believe we told my parents everything," spurted Ethan trying to cover up his accidental slip. "It almost doesn't feel real."

"Are you still worried about them being disappointed?"

"No, because the more I think about the more it seems they were trying to understand everything. I'm actually kind of excited now."

"About what?"

"About having a son, and having this parentship thing with you. I know it's gonna be tough, but I also know that with you there we'll be able to get through it. There isn't anybody I could imagine doing this with more than with you B."

"I'm glad," whispered Benny with a small smile. When Ethan gave him a curious look he turned red and pointed at the stuffed animal in his hand. "B-because Matt really trusts you, and he doesn't give Bacon to just anyone."

"Well he should trust me," said Ethan matching his friend's blush with one of his own. "After all I am his Papa."

They both smiled sheepishly unaware they were holding each other's hand.

It was sunset by the time they returned to the Morgan household, and upon their arrival they were greeted with hugs from both Samantha and Ross. Ethan handed Matt off to Benny, and suddenly began to cry.

"You guys aren't disappointed in me right?"

"What?" asked Samantha as she looked down at his son. "Honey no, we're not disappointed, we're glad you came to us and told us the truth. How many other parents and say their son trusts them enough to tell them something like this."

"We're just scared," whispered Ross as he placed his hands on Ethan's shoulder. "Raising a child is a scary thing, and it's not easy. I know you probably don't want to hear this but you need to, no matter how ready you think you might be, you never really are."

Ethan sniffled and asked: "What if I can't do it?"

"Come here champ," said Ross as he gave Ethan a tight tug. "Your not alone, you have your mom, me, Evelyn, and Benny here to help. So don't ever think your alone. Got that?" He nodded. "Good, why don't you, Benny, and Matt go wash up while we get the table ready for dinner."

Ethan started up the stairs trying to put as much distance between Benny and him as possible. He felt oddly embarrassed at his sudden outburst, and once he hit the top step he felt Benny's hand wrap tightly around his.

"E why didn't you tell you were still scared?"

"I didn't want to worry you ok?" mumbled Ethan as he opened the bathroom door. "Can we just drop it?"

"No we can't," said Benny as he let of his friend's hand. "Ethan you said it yourself, this a parentship which means if your not ok, you have to tell me because that means I'm not ok. We have to be team, especially when it comes to the little things like this."

"Hearing my dad say that reminded me of how real this is," said Ethan as he turned on the faucet and looked at his reflection. "We were talking about this last night like it was a game, and it's not. We're responsible for a life Benny, a real human life and it scares me."

"It scares me too," said Benny as he pulled his friend into a hug. Matt placed a kiss on his Papa's cheek, and wiped away the tears.

"No more sad," whispered the tiny boy as he held up Bacon. "Bacon doesn't like Papa sad."

Ethan nodded and rested his head against Benny's shoulder. He shivered when he felt his friend's hand go up and down his back in calm soothing motions. Little by little his fears melted away and he realized he wasn't alone, that he could do this, but more than that he could be a good father.

"You ok?" asked Benny when Ethan finally pulled away from him.

"Yeah," answered Ethan before he splashed water on his face. Once he wiped it off he added: "I'm better now."

Once they were done washing their hands they joined the rest of the Weir and Morgan family downstairs for dinner. Jane watched with indifference as her brother and his best friend set a kid down between them. There was something different about them, and though she couldn't put her finger on it she asked:

"Magically created son?"

"Magically created son," answered Benny and Ethan in unison as they shared the same goofy grin.

"Strangers things have happened," mumbled Jane with a small smile as she realized what had bothered her. She wondered if her brother had picked up on it yet and with mischievous grin said aloud: "Wait till Sarah realizes her boyfriend has a son!"