Author's Notes: Thank you again for all the wonderful reviews and comments. I had a blast reading them while I was in the hospital. I just got out today from the hospital, after they removed my gallbladder. Excited, here's the newest chapter for this story.
I'm excited of the story's direction. I can't wait to write more, as the character development for both Tina and Mike are moving on quite nicely. This chapter puts more focus on the whole Tike potential. It offers a more natural and at ease element for both of them. I got the impression that both characters are more at ease when they are not in the public's eye, since they came across as shy and closeted. This scenario offers them a safer playing field. I think both of them act more at ease if they are away from the big crowds, and act more themselves when they are in an environment (or company) they are comfortable with.
Reviews are highly appreciated!
Disclaimer: Glee belongs to Fox.
Mike watched in dismay as his parents moved around their home, dropping travel bags by the front door and disappearing again up the staircase to retrieve other items. He faintly wondered how many things his parents really needed on their 5-day vacation. It was after all, just five days. From his spot in on the living room couch, he cast a weary glance to the nondescript travel bags, to the playpen, and to the moving lump next to him.
Said lump moved further, made warbling noises, and squeaked.
"Hey," Mike looked down as the lump moved into his lamp and started to fiddle with the zipper of his jacket.
"Are you sure the two of you will be alright?" Mike's mother, Ellen, reappeared in their living room, staring at the duo on the couch. She eyed them worriedly and spared her husband a long glance. "I don't think this is a good idea, honey. We can't just leave Mike and the baby all alone for five days,"
"Mom, Jay-jay and I will be fine," Mike smiled at his mother reassuringly, and for good measure ruffled the baby's tuft of black hair. Jay-jay, the baby, giggled and made a grab for Mike's hand.
"See? Mike said so himself, I'm sure they'll be fine," Mike father, Sam, smiled at his wife and patted Mike on the shoulder. "I'm pretty sure Mike can take care of his nephew. Besides, Mrs. Andrews promised to check up on the two while we are gone. She's taking care of jay-jay when Mike's in school,"
"You two go on your vacation, you two need it," Mike flashed them his best 'I'm-responsible' grin and half hugged the baby.
"I don't know," his mother looked unconvinced and rubbed her arms.
"Mom, we'll be fine," he smiled reassuringly and started bouncing the baby on his lap. The baby laughed and waved his hands in the air. "See? He just loves his Uncle Mike,"
"I don't know why your brother and Jen decided to drop off Jay-jay this week. Couldn't they have just gone on vacation when we aren't on vacation as well?" his mother did not look pleased.
"It's like their second honeymoon, Mom. Cut them some slack,"
"We'll this is our wedding anniversary!" Ellen raised a delicate eyebrow at her son.
"C'mon, you two," Sam laughed. "I'm sure all will be well. Son, you have all the numbers, right? If anything comes up, just give us a call. Mrs. Andrews is just next door, so she can help you if anything comes up. The emergency numbers are all on the fridge, so you don't have to worry. There's also enough money around for baby food and supplies, as well as your allowance and some extra cash just in case,"
"Jay-jay is almost done teething, so he may be a little fussy at times. His feeding schedule is on the fridge. All his formula and the baby food are in the kitchen, in the first cabinet. There are enough diapers for around three days, so you might need to go out and buy new ones soon. Also,"
"Mom, I think you guys will miss your plane," Mike cut her off, standing up and holding the baby close to his hip.
"But, I'm not yet done!" Ellen sent a panicked look to both her son and grandson. With a strangled cry, she swooped down and kissed the baby on the cheek. She got teary eyed and kissed her son on the cheek as well, before hugging both of them fiercely.
Chuckling, Sam slapped Mike heartily on the shoulder and offered a half-hug. "Take care, son," Picking up their bags, he offered Mike one last smile. "We'll give you a call once we're in Miami. We'll call you guys every day, just to check up on you two and make sure that all is fine,"
"Right," Mike watched his parents shuffle out of their front door and pile into his dad's car. He waved as the car slowly drove out of their driveway and down the road. Sighing, Mike turned to the baby in his arms. "So,"
The baby blinked up at him, grinned, and held onto Mike's jacket. Cooing, Jay-jay promptly started drooling.
"Oh-kay," Mike turned on his heels and returned inside, closing the door behind him. Holding the baby at arms length to stop the baby drool from dribbling all over his favorite green jacket he sighed. "This is not how I imagined to spend my Friday or weekend, for that matter,"
The baby frowned when Mike slowly lowered him into the playpen. Not really liking the idea, Jay-jay immediately started to tear up and cry rather loudly.
"Okay, bad idea," Mike breathed, straightening and holding the baby close to his chest. He frowned when he felt drool on his neck and he sighed. "Great,"
The crying came in intervals as the afternoon dragged on. Refusing to let go of Mike, Jay-jay mumbled about his mommy and daddy, while sniffling into Mike's chest. He tried to offer the baby his bottle or entice him with baby food, but the boy simply refused.
"C'mon," Mike coaxed the baby after he finally stopped crying again, and sat in his playpen. "Maybe some milk? Or do you want to play?"
Getting a whimper of a response, Mike plopped down onto the carpet and watched dejectedly as the baby moved around the pen. Feeling lost, he sighed. Maybe looking over a baby wasn't as easy as he thought it would be. Pulling out his cellphone, he called the first person that came to mind.
"Mike?"
"Tina, hi!" Mike spared a glance at Jay-jay, who squealed at him.
"Was that a baby?"
"Err, yeah. Listen, I need help. I'm looking over my nephew. And well, things aren't as easy as I thought they would be. Could you?"
"Come over?" He swore he could feel her smile over the phone. "Sure, Mike. I'll be there in 10 minutes."
"Tina, you're an angel," he said it before he really thought about it. Blushing, he cleared his throat. "Great, I'll see you then,"
Tina let out a nervous laugh. "See you. Don't burn the house down,"
Successfully enough, Mike did not burn down the house within the 10 minute interval of Tina's arrival. He practically flew off the floor once the doorbell rang, signaling Tina's arrival.
"Hey," Mike breathed, smiling sheepishly at the amused girl at his front step. "I…uh…"
"It's okay," Tina smiled at him and slowly looked over his shoulder. "So, where's the baby?"
"In here," Mike stepped aside and allowed her to step inside. He watched her remove her jacket, and he stepped forward, helping her remove it. "Let me," he took the jacket and hung it on the rack. He was surprised to see her dressed rather normally, in a pair of jeans and a black sweater.
"Thanks," Tina smiled at him. Stepping around him, she walked out of the hallway and into the living room. A smile formed on her lips as she spotted the fussy baby in the playpen. "Hey!" she greeted the baby, crossing the room and kneeling in front of the pen.
From the foyer, Mike watched as Tina sat down on the ground and cradled the baby in her arms. Fascinated, he watched as Jay-jay stopped fussing around and stared at Tina with a transfixed expression. Mike grinned widely as Tina started cooing at the baby, and cuddling it.
"This baby is the cutest!" Tina gushed, looking at Mike over her shoulder and beaming widely at him. She giggled when the baby touched her cheek and made a grab for her ponytail.
"Of course he is," Mike said while moving into the room and sitting down on the couch, watching them contently. "He is my nephew after all,"
Tina made a face at him. "Right," She turned to the baby and kissed his right cheek. "I think you're cuter," And she beamed when the baby giggled.
"No fair," Mike whined. "The baby has an unfair cute baby advantage,"
Tina stood up and cradled the baby in her arms. She offered Mike a crooked smile and plopped down next to him on the couch. "Babies are supposed to be cute," she said. Absently, she played with the baby and turned to Mike. "So, aren't you going to introduce us?"
"Oh, right," Mike looked a bit confused at the situation. "Tina, this is Jay-jay, my nephew. He's 10 months old. Jay-jay, this is Tina, one of my friends from school. She will be your new friend,"
Jay-jay blinked at the two momentarily, before trying to climb up Tina's chest and hanging onto her neck. "Hmmm,"
Tina chuckled and hugged the baby. "Aw, he is definitely adorable," she turned her head to Mike. "And you had problems?"
"He kept on crying. I panicked," Mike raised his arms in defense. And as if on cue, the baby squirmed in Tina's arms, held onto her sweater quite tightly and began to wail. Alarmed, Mike sent Tina a pointed look. "See?"
Running a hand over the baby's diaper, Tina frowned. "I think he needs to be changed," Turning to Mike, she cuddled the baby. "Get the baby bag and that blanket. You might as well learn how to change a diaper,"
Nodding numbly, Mike shuffled around the room bringing in Jay-jay's baby bag and the throw blanket. Since they had no changing table, Mike threw the blanket over the small coffee table before Tina lay the baby down on it.
"There you go, buddy," Tina tickled the baby's stomach, in hopes of appeasing him. Kneeling in front of the table, she easily removed Jay-jay's pants and checked the diaper. Grinning down at the baby, she poked him playfully. "You have a wet diaper!"
Mike watched from the sidelines as Tina skillfully removed the diaper, rolled it up, and made faces at his nephew. With a flourish of baby wipes, a sprinkling of baby powder, and a quick wrestling match, she had easily changed the baby's diapers in less than 10 minutes. Normally, it took him half an hour.
"I'm amazed," whistled Mike, as Tina picked up the baby and promptly began to cuddle Jay-jay. He helped her clean up, throwing the used diaper into the trash. "It takes me ages to change him,"
Tina shrugged and set the baby onto her lap. "I babysit for our neighbors. After a while, you kind of get a hang of it," She picked up Jay-jay and allowed him to stand on her lap. The baby bent his knees in response and started marching on her thighs. "Hey, there,"
"He really likes you," commented Mike, watching the two play with each other. Tina squealed when Jay-jay pulled on her ponytail rather roughly in hopes of sticking it into his mouth.
Tina giggled and allowed the baby to climb up her torso, and hug her neck. Leaning against the couch and turning to Mike, she made a face. "What's not to like about a Goth girl like me?" she joked.
"You're great,"
It came out before he really even thought about it. And when he started thinking about it, Mike stared wide eyed at Tina, who promptly started blushing. Clearing his throat, Mike straightened and turned away from the duo. "Err," he breathed, slowly turning red and feeling his heart beat a mile a minute. "Do you want pizza for dinner?"
Blushing, Tina intently watched the baby but allowed a small smile to play on her lips. "Sure,"
A/N: Thank you for reading, please share your reviews!