A/N: Sorry it took me so long, I'm not going to lie I haven't been in the writing mood lately. But I have scripted out the rest of the story and I hope you stay along for the ride. Don't forget to leave a review it means a lot to me to hear from you guys.

Benny's Baby

Chapter 3: When Erica Met Eric

"Grandma it'll be fine," said Benny as he looked into the bassinet and smiled at Eric. "We were fine yesterday when you left us alone, isn't that right little guy?"

"But you weren't exactly alone now where you?" asked Evelyn as she watched her grandson stop and give her a confused stare. "That's right; you think I didn't know about you sneaking out to visit with your friends?"

"I know I shouldn't have taken him out, but being stuck in the house is driving me crazy, I'm a social creature. Besides I wanted them to meet him."

"It's not just about you anymore, you're a parent now. You have to think about what you do, and how it will affect Eric."

"Ethan said the same thing yesterday."

"Because he's a smart kid," she noticed to hurt look in his eyes. "I'm not saying that you're stupid, but you need to think before you act. Look before you leap."

"And when have I ever-?" He looked down at Eric and then at his Grandma a huge blush across his face. "Ok, you're right. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize, just think. You're lucky he didn't catch a cold considering how chilly it's been lately. I'll be back in an hour or so, and no magic."

"Wait why not?"

"Because the last time you did magic unsupervised you became a father."

There was no arguing that point. He watched as she pulled out of the driveway, and then lifted Eric out of the bassinet. He smiled as his son giggled and waved his arms back and forth.

"Time to eat," said Benny as he tickled Eric's belly. "Let's make sure you're clean, nothing worse than feeding you when you stink."

One diaper change later he was sitting on the sofa with a bottle in one hand and the baby in the other. He held it up and laughed at the infant's memorized expression.

"You are a small little guy," said Benny as he took a moment to just hold and appreciate his son. "But one day you're going to be awesome like me. Maybe you'll even be a Spellmaster, what do you think?"

Eric looked at him waiting for the bottle; Benny lowered it and watched as he sucked away happily. He had this dad thing nailed down.

Or maybe not.

Benny bit him lip in frustration as he looked down at his unhappy son. Despite the text messages and determination from the previous day the idea that was he was father suddenly seemed… difficult. Maybe he wasn't ready to be a dad? After all he was only a sixteen year old boy, who in their right mind wanted to be a dad so young?

"What's the matter?" asked Benny as he picked Eric up. "What's wrong little guy?"

For the last half hour Eric had been crying, and for the last half hour he struggled to find some way to calm him down. What had he done that could have possibly set him off?

"All I did was feed you, and put you down for a nap," said Benny as he took a seat in the rocking chair. "Was the formula bad? Or do you not want to sleep?"

And when was his Grandma going to get back? How long did it take to get diapers, formula and food for the house? When the swaying motion failed to calm the child he reached for the stuffed rabbit on his bed.

"Come on," said Benny as he made the rabbit dance. "Smile for Daddy?"

Eric continued to cry and Benny tossed it aside in frustration. He descended the stairs determined to calm his son down. Was it possible he was still hungry? He pulled a bottle out of the fridge, and held it up high. Eric began to cry harder and if it was possible louder.

"Why do you keep crying?" asked Benny as his voice suddenly cracked. He felt as though he was about to start crying himself. "What did I do to make you so unhappy?"

He shifted Eric into the crook of his left arm when he heard someone knocking at the door. He walked over to it and threw it open. Standing in front of him the chilly afternoon air was none other than Erica. She looked at him and then at baby in his arms.

"E-Erica?" asked Benny as he stared at her. "W-What are you doing here?"

"Sarah called me over to hang out with her while she babysat the dweeb next door. I heard crying while I was flying over heard," said Erica as she continued to stare at the baby and bottle in his arms. "Why do you have a baby?"

"This is Eric he's my… my…" Benny looked around and then smiled. "Cousin, we're watching him while his parents are away."

"Normally this is the part where I walk away and wonder why I ever stopped by, but you obviously need help."

"What makes you say that?"

"Because you have no idea what you're doing with that baby," said Erica as she crossed her arms. "And if I leave you with him, then there's a good chance you might do something stupid."

"I've watched him before," said Benny defensively as he rocked his son back and forth. "I know what I'm doing."

"Fine," said Erica as she held up her hands. "Good luck then."

He bit his lip as he stared down at the unhappy infant. "Fine, I need your help."

"I know," said Erica as she turned a huge grin across her face. She stopped at the doorway and waited. "Aren't you going to invite me in?"

"Oh yeah, come on in."

She entered the hallway and in one fluid motion took Eric from Benny. "So why is someone with such a nice name so upset?"

"I don't know," said Benny as he shut the door. "I fed him, tried to put him down for his nap and he hasn't stopped crying since."

"If he just ate why are you trying to feed him again?" asked Erica as she took a seat on the sofa. Benny looked at her and then at the bottle in his hand and shrugged. "Anyway I think I know what's wrong, hand me that baby rag over there."

Benny handed it to her, watched as she placed it on her shoulder. She lifted Eric up and gently began to pat his back. After a few moments he let out a little burp before going quiet.

"How did you do that?" whispered Benny afraid that too much noise would upset Eric again.

"Can you show me how you fed him?" Benny nodded and held the bottle up. Erica sighed took hold of his hand and angled it. "Hold it like this; if you hold it that way he'll will suck in air when he's eating and it'll make him gassy. That's why he was so upset. I'm guessing you didn't burp him after his last feeding?"

"No," whispered Benny as he turned a bright red color. "I-I forget."

"This is why you shouldn't be watching a baby," said Erica as she rolled her eyes at him. "When you're watching over a baby you have to remember they rely on you to take care of them. They have no way to take care of themselves; you can't skip corners, especially when it comes to the younger ones."

"I'm sorry," whispered Benny as Erica handed him the infant. He felt tears beginning to well up in his eyes and blinked them away. "Your right I shouldn't be watching him."

"Well to be fair I do have a few years of babysitting experience than you. I shouldn't have said that, sorry."

They sat in awkward silence the only noises coming from Eric, and after a few minutes Benny couldn't take it anymore.

"I know spending time with me is probably the last thing you wanted to do but you really helped me out, thanks."

"I only did it for the baby," said Erica looking away trying to hide the flush on her cheeks. "Besides I wanted to make sure you were ok too."

"Me?"

"You weren't in school on Friday."

"Is that why you apologized? Did you think I was sick or something?"

"What? No..." She refused to meet his eyes. "Rory's no fun to argue with that's all."

"So that's your reason for coming over here? Because you like to argue with me? What kind of answer is that?"

"You know what?" She got up. "You annoy me."

"The feelings mutual," said Benny as he followed her towards the door. "Oh, and FYI Ethan's parents don't go out on Sunday."

"Good luck getting him to sleep."

"What?"

Erica slammed the door, and sure enough Eric broke out into tears.

"That," whispered Benny as he rocked him back and forth. "That was your mom."