A/N: After two rather Erica drama heavy chapters I figured it was time to change pace just a little bit. I hope you guys enjoy it, and don't forget to leave a review!

Benny's Baby

Chapter 6: Sometimes Ethan Just Makes Sense

Benny shot up in bed feeling more exhausted and tired than ever before. A cold sweat had broken out over his body during the night causing him to shiver as he looked around. He tried his best to remember the dream that had bothered him so much, but in the early morning gloom it was already beginning to fade. His heart beat began to slow as he took in the details of his room, everything seemed fine. Something wasn't right though. He peered out the window and saw the light gray clouds overhead, so much for a nice bright sunny day. Then it him him: Eric was missing. He threw off the covers and darted into the hallway, where could he be? Where was his son?

He's going to be a terrible father.

He ran down the stairs and stopped when he saw his Grandma giving Eric a bath in the sink. He let out a sigh and allowed himself a weak half-hearted laugh.

"I didn't expect you to get up this early," said Evelyn as gently rubbed the infant with a small towel. "You forgot I said I'd watch him for you didn't you?"

He's lucky he has magic and an understanding grandma or he'd be like any other teenager out there.

"I thought Eric has been kidnapped," confessed Benny as he walked over to her. "Why are you giving him a bath so early?"

"He needed one." She handed Benny the towel clad baby and then looked at him. "You slept all night long?"

"Yeah, whatever you gave me really helped. I had the strangest dreams though, what was in that tea?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary, just water and papaver somniferum," said Evelyn as she turned away. "Dry him off, and get ready for school. If you're up this early then there's no reason to be late."

"Yes Grandma," said Benny as he smiled at Eric who smiled back at him. He looked out the window again, it was starting to drizzle.

"Ok I'm sorry but I don't see what the problem is."

"Are you kidding me? He could die!"

"I'm still not sure."

"You seriously don't see all the problems with this?" asked Benny as he laid Eric on the blanket. The infant looked up at him with his mouth wide open. "Because this is freaking me out."

"I'm sorry B," said Ethan as he sat crossed legged on the ground. "I just don't see how this is really something to freak out about. I mean all kids do this at one point or another."

"Just watch ok?"

He let go of Eric, who after a few seconds of struggling turned over onto his stomach. He let out a giggle of triumph and Benny motioned to him dramatically. "See?"

"So he's rolling over," said Ethan as he tried to understand his friend's concern. "What did your Grandma say about it?"

"She said its fine, but you saw how long it takes him to actually get over."

"Yeah and?"

"What if he suffocates because he turns over at night?"

"Benny I think you might be over reacting."

"You don't know that, what if I wake up and he's dead! I might not have a son! He could be dead because he's turning over…. Wow, now that I'm saying out loud I actually feel kind of stupid."

"You said it not me," said Ethan as he watched Eric reach out with arms. He felt himself smile. "You know in a few weeks he might start crawling."

"Don't say that," said Benny with a groan. "I can barely stand the idea of him turning over, the fact he might be moving around soon scares me."

"It a part of him growing up, believe it or not this is just gonna keep happening. I wish it wasn't raining; it would've been a good day to take him to the park. How often do you take him out?"

Nothing good can ever come from being a teenage parent.

"I-I don't."

"Why not?"

You should wait until you're older and married, or at least have someone your happy with before you even consider a child.

"Remember when we walked home from the park the other day?" Ethan nodded. "You didn't notice it, but everyone was staring at me. Normally it wouldn't bother me, but after Erica's reaction it started to really get to me. What if people start to treat Eric differently because he has a teenage parent? What happens when it's time for him to start school?"

"That's years away."

"But he's growing up fast you just said so," said Benny as he tickled his son's toes. "Can I ask you something?"

"If you're about to ask me to babysit then the answer's no. The last time I did I almost lost my sister to the underworld."

"Has anyone ever said something to you that just stuck in your head? Like you know it shouldn't bother you but it does?"

"Sometimes, it depends on who said it."

Benny said nothing and looked down at Eric who happily looked up at him. "Yesterday I heard Erica and Rory talking and she was going on and on about how I created Eric. She said all these things, and I don't think she was trying to mean, and normally I ignore or forget anything she says. But lately everything she says just sticks in my head, and I can't stop thinking about it."

How irresponsible can he get?

"What did she say this time?"

"She said that my Grandma should be disappointed in me, and that I'd make a terrible father. And then I thought about my dad, and how's he always traveling. He doesn't even know about Eric, and he probably won't until he visits, if he visits. Is it wrong that I actually agreed with her?"

"Come here," said Ethan as he motioned for Benny to lean forward. When he did he smacked him across the head. "That's the doubting yourself. Don't listen to Erica, she's mean. You never listened to her before, and you shouldn't now. Just because she's genetically Eric's mom doesn't mean you have to listen to anything she says. Your Eric's parent, not her."

"I said something like that yesterday!" called Evelyn from the other room.

Benny went red and crossed his arms. He looked at Ethan who had a hopeful smile and on his face, and then began to laugh from the absurdity of had just happened. Ethan joined in and once they caught their breath they began to laugh again.

"You're right, I guess it just really hit me yesterday. Eric's my responsibility; I have to take care of him. This whole time people are telling me this, and I've been ignoring it like it's just another love spell gone wrong. This isn't a week long thing, this is for the rest of my life, and with Erica being Erica it finally got to me."

"Are you going to tell her?"

"I don't know," Benny looked down at his son who had was attempting to reach out for him. "What would happen if she found out that she was a mom? Can you imagine what she'll do to me? It would be like one of those shark attack videos." Benny closed his eyes and visualized the carnage that would ensue. "There's no way she can find out about him."

"It's probably better if you told her, imagine how much worse things could get if she found out on her own. Or if Rory told her."

"He's too spaced out to put it together. And I'd rather not rush to my death by telling her I made her a mother on accident."

"That's something you don't hear every day," said Ethan as he stood up and stretched. "I thought you liked Erica."

"I don't want to talk about it." Ethan looked at him strangely. "What?"

"You don't want to talk about it, Benny I hate to be the one to tell you this but you're going to have to. You have a son, and he's not just yours but Erica's too. Any chance at ignoring your crush went away when your son came into the world."

"I have a son," said Benny changing the subject as he picked Eric up. "I still can't get used to saying that. I'm a dad, and I have a son."

"You know when you told us I was sort of shocked at first, but then I realized that there was no way he could've been made... the... 'traditional' way."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean you don't have a girlfriend, you haven't had one, in fact the last physical contact you had with a girl was when Erica kissed you. So there's no way Eric couldn't have been anything but magic."

"You don't know that." Silence. "I hate it when you do that."

"Do what?"

"Make sense." Ethan gave him a look and Benny walked away trying to keep what little pride he had left in tact. When he returned it was with a bottle in hand. He took a seat on the sofa and Ethan sat next to him.

"You know," said Benny as watched his son drink from the bottle. "It feels right holding him, like it was meant to happen. I can't explain it, but when I hold him it's-it's like nothing in the world can hurt me. I feel complete when I have Eric in my arms."

"It must be something that happens when you become a parent."

Benny cradled Eric in the nook of his arm, and held the bottle up. His son sucked away happy, and despite himself Ethan couldn't help but stare at the baby. Benny shifted his position and as pulled the bottle away Eric began to whimper. "I guess you're still hungry."

"Can-Can I hold him?" asked Ethan shyly as he looked at the baby. "I mean if that's ok with you."

"Of course," said Benny as he scooted over to his friend. "Ok, kind of put your arm like mine. Perfect, and now I'm going to hand you Eric so be prepared."

Benny gently placed the infant in his friend's arm. A nervous smile spread across Ethan's face as he looked down at the baby. "He's so light."

"Yeah, he's a small little peanut, but you know I wouldn't have it any other way. Here want to feed him?" Benny handed him the bottle. "Just make sure there's no air at the tip, tilt it a little."

"This is crazy," said Ethan as he looked down at the baby. "I can't believe I'm holding my best friend's baby."

Benny smiled. "It's something else isn't it?"

"You might hate me for saying this, but I can see both you and Erica in him."

"I know," said Benny as he looked at Eric, and felt his heart swell with pride. "I can too."