AN: Sorry this took so long I had writers block, thanks to Alice for helping me and being my beta reader =D. Enjoy!
Chapter One
Five Months Later
Jason awoke to the birds chirping outside and to his daughter babbling through the baby monitor. It had been five months since Jason moved back in with his family and he felt like he made a better decision in his life. Maggie-Maye had grown up so much since then and now managed to sit by herself and learnt how to fling food to the amusement of her uncles. He rolled back his covers and went into his daughter's room and smiled. She lied in her crib with her foot in her mouth, her curly hair sitting just before her ears. She was a miniature him.
"And what do you think you're doing Miss Maggie-Maye. You shouldn't be sucking your foot. It's very disgusting." He leant down and picked her up removing her foot and kissing her forehead. Maggie-Maye giggled and followed suit except hers was sloppier and wetter than her fathers. They gradually made their way down the stairs entering the kitchen, realising they were the last ones again. He placed Maggie in her high-chair and Jason sat down next to Shane, grabbing a few cheerio's throwing them on the tray in front of his daughter.
"We have band practise today Jase, just a heads up." Nate called from across the table. Jason nodded his head in understanding but the squealing of his daughter brought his attention back to her.
"Shane, stop pulling that face at her she doesn't find it amusing, she finds you amusing because you have a mind of a four year old." Pulling his face away from Maggie, Shane gasped exaggeratingly at his brother but smirked.
"How dare you Jason, she's my niece and …" A piece of soggy cereal landed on his face mid sentence causing him to glare playfully at his niece.
***
Melody filled the room in perfect harmony as Connect Three practised their new song Paranoid. Maggie-Maye sat between her father and Uncle Nate, whilst Shane sat opposite; staring at her father as he played his guitar, entranced by the beautiful sound. They completed the song for the fifth time.
"Ok lets have a break I still need to figure out this chord, it doesn't sound right." As Nate began to play again an out of place strumming occurred. Nate looked down at Maggie-Maye as she smiled up happily at him.
"Do it again Mags." He encouraged her as he played random bars and chords; her chubby fingers went to the guitar strings and strummed over and over, causing her to giggle. Jason stared at her in amusement.
"Ok, she's definitely got my genes." He exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air; whilst watching his daughter play with her uncle.
"Does that mean she inherited your dumbness too?" Shane called from the other side of the room. Let's just say the pillow hit his head very hard.
***
Jason sighed as he heard his daughter's giggles from upstairs, band practise finished half an hour ago and Shane had taken Maggie to give him a rest. His eyes drooped shut and his breaths slowly evened out, catching up on his sleep he'd missed out on for the past five months.
Shane's P.O.V
I carefully undressed Maggie after checking the heat of the bath water and placed her in. Her hands started to splash the water immediately, splashing me in the process. She definitely loved the water. I started to splash water on her back and body to get her clean. The bit I hated the most was coming up, washing her hair. She may have inherited the curly hair gene but it was a pain to wash. It would get all in knots causing Maggie to squirm, sometimes allowing soap in her eyes. I hated seeing my niece cry; it practically tore my heart in two. Grabbing her Dora plastic beaker filling it up before wetting her hair, I got the Johnson's baby hair shampoo. Nate just had to come in after placing the cup on the side of the bath and massaged in the soap.
"Have fun getting the soap out of her hair without making her cry. I'm so glad it isn't my turn to give her a bath." I noticed him smirk behind the packet of chips he was eating. I swear my little brother could be so cocky sometimes; I have no clue where he got from.
"Yeah, your on diaper duty." I laughed as he groaned something under his breath before stomping off to his room.
"I swear Mags, your uncle…" water suddenly drenched my whole head and part of my shirt. What is it with my niece getting me today? I glanced down towards her mouth agape jokingly and I noticed that not only was she giggling innocently, but also holding the Dora the Explorer cup in her hands.
"You missy, have it out for me. You love watching your uncle squirm."
15 Minutes Later
I bundled Maggie-Maye up in an oversized green bath towel and carried her against my now bare chest carrying her into her room and placed her on the changing table getting her dry.
"Nate, she's all yours!" I called him into the room, as I walked out of the room; I got my own back.
"Good luck Nate." I patted his back. "You'll need it."
End of Shane's P.O.V
Nate's P.O.V
Shane passed me smugly and I glanced towards my niece. Sure I love her and she's a little bundle of joy but she sure made a mess. I grudgingly walked towards the changing table, preparing myself for the worst.
"Mags I hope this isn't a horrible surprise; Uncle Nate doesn't deserve that now does he?" I questioned her even though she didn't understand me; she just stuck her chubby hand in her mouth just staring at me.
Life had been hard since Jason and Maggie-Maye were abandoned; Jason couldn't sleep and stopped being around Maggie for three weeks before mom and dad knocked some sense into him. He finally picked up his daughter and didn't put her down for hours, a smile even appeared on his lips when Maggie reached up and touched his face. Our parents managed to catch him on camera. Mom had to teach Jason how to do everything and within a week, he was a pro. But he wasn't the only one to learn; me and Shane did to. We had to learn how to give Maggie baths, feed her; things like that. I would never change that though. I want to be in her life watching her grow up; I know Shane does as well. I love her too much to even think about her and Jason leaving.
A sigh escaped my lips as I undid the diaper Shane put on after giving her a bath. I reached out to grab a clean diaper and groaned. Only Shane would not set out the diapers and forget to get the damn things out anyway. I looked down towards Maggie-Maye again and eyed her.
"If I pick you up will you promise not to tinkle on me?" She only took her hand out of her mouth and giggled. "I'll take that as a yes." I picked her up and held her close to my chest as I walked into the walk-in closet, I reached up and grabbed the diapers and smiled at my success. The smile wiped off my face as soon as it was formed as I felt my t-shirt was suddenly damp. Well there goes my Elvis Costello shirt…
End of Nate's P.O.V
It had been five hours since Jason fell to sleep making it eight o'clock. Maggie had already eaten and was in bed. He rolled over and suddenly woke up causing him to fall onto the floor. He started to rub the sleep out of his eyes.
"Oh honey, you're awake, did you enjoy your sleep?" Denise questioned as she scurried out the kitchen helping him off the floor. Jason merely nodded his head and followed his mother into the kitchen seeing that his brothers and dad were waiting for him to sit down to have dinner. He nodded his head towards his brothers and father then glanced towards Maggie's high chair, taking a second glance.
"Where's Maggie-Maye?" Shane burst into laughter, Nate joining him. Their parents started to scold them but smiles evident on their face.
"Oh sleeping beauty it's eight o'clock, Margaret-Maye Tibby Gray has been asleep since six o'clock this evening." The laughter doubled again after prayer was said, with Jason grumbling under his breath as he ate the home cooked meal his mother prepared.
11:30 p.m
Jason's P.O.V
I sighed walking around Maggie's bedroom as she continued to cry her heart out. This was worse than that night five months ago. I tried everything mom taught me. I checked her temperature, her diaper … everything. It's been like this for a half hour.
"Hey, Jase she ok? She's been crying for ages." Nate and Shane walked into the nursery clad in their pyjamas. I shrugged my shoulders glancing worriedly at my daughter; tears began to fill my eyes. Nate suddenly smiled and walked up behind me.
"Guys I've got an idea."
***
"It's the Rod Stewart song mom used to listen to; you guys know what I mean?" Nate asked and we all nodded. We all picked up our guitars and started to play to my screaming daughter in her crib.
Wake up Maggie I think I got something to say to you
It's late September and I really should be back at school
I know I keep you amused but I feel I'm being used
Oh Maggie I couldn't have tried any more
You lured me away from home just to save you from being alone
You stole my heart and that's what really hurt
The morning sun when it's in your face really shows your age
But that don't worry me none in my eyes you're everything
I laughed at all of your jokes my love you didn't need to coax
Oh, Maggie I couldn't have tried any more
You lured me away from home, just to save you from being alone
You stole my soul and that's a pain I can do without
All I needed was a friend to lend a guiding hand
But you turned into a lover and
mother what a lover, you wore me out
All you did was wreck my bed
and in the morning kick me in the head
Oh Maggie I couldn't have tried anymore
You lured me away from home 'cause you didn't want to be alone
You stole my heart I couldn't leave you if I tried
I suppose I could collect my books and get on back to school
Or steal my daddy's cue and make a living out of playing pool
Or find myself a rock and roll band that needs a helpin' hand
Oh Maggie I wish I'd never seen your face
You made a first-class fool out of me
But I'm as blind as a fool can be
You stole my heart but I love you anyway
Maggie I wish I'd never seen your face
I'll get on back home one of these days
Maggie eyes slowly slipped shut and drifted off into a deep sleep.
"Night Maggie, sweet dreams, we love you baby girl." We whispered in unison.
AN: The song in this chapter is Maggie-May by Rod Stewart. Please review. Thanks.