*DING DONG*
"Thank goodness you're here," Lexi said opening the door of her condo. She looked exhausted: fly away hair, mismatching clothes, tired eyes, and a stain that probably came from the baby bunny she was holding. Alice Lola Bunny – born 3 months ago on Valentines Day (February 14th).
"Yeah, it's no problem," Rev said, "Tech will be here in half an hour, Slam is still on tour, and Duck is still holding a grudge about your fracturing his hand."
"UGH! I was in labor at 2 o'clock in the morning," Lexi said annoyed.
"He'll get over it," the roadrunner said while taking the baby, "Hello Alice!" The baby giggled at him.
"I really appreciate your help. I just need some rest."
"Again, no problem. You're my friend and I don't mind babysitting," he said while slightly bouncing Alice. Lexi explained where everything was and then went to her and Ace's room.
"It's just you and me until either Tech or Duck show up," Rev said. Alice babbled while putting her tiny hands in her mouth. Lexi closed the door. She was so tired but knew she should shower first. Taking care of a baby by herself would've been more exhausting if she didn't have her friends' help.
Her family was supportive but lived too far away for frequent visits. After her shower, Lexi grabbed one of Ace's old t-shirts out the drawer. She smelled it to get the faint scent left behind of the late husband.
Lexi flopped on the bed for her very needed nap, dreaming of Ace.
~(flashback)~
"Annnd… Take off the blindfold!" Ace said. Lexi took the blindfold Ace had made her wear in the car off. In front of them was an abandoned building. It looked as if it hadn't been used in years.
"Surprise!" The gray bunny shouted.
"You found a haunted building?" Lexi asked.
"No," Ace laughed, "You're looking at the future location of 'Ace's Dojo'."
"It's a bit of a fixer upper but I can see it," she said hugging her fiancé. They had just gotten engaged two months ago after being together for three years. "You sure you can do this plus work and wedding planning?"
"The guys can help. Plus, you'll always be my top priority," Ace said kissing the top of Lexi's head, then her cheek, and lastly her lips.
"I don't have the keys yet, but you can see inside a bit," Ace said excitedly.
~(end of flashback)~
"Hi Tech!" Rev said answering the door thirty minutes later.
"Hey, Where's Lexi?" Tech asked entering the condo.
"I'm guessing she's sleeping by now. I've just been playing with Alice." Alice was currently sitting in a bouncer seat staring at the two male anthros with her emerald-colored eyes.
"It's crazy how genetics work. She looks exactly like Lexi. There's not one physical trait of which one of us could be the donor," Tech stated. They kept Ace's plan secret from Lexi, like Ace had planned. They couldn't just walk into a clinic with hair samples. A blood sample and parental/guardian permission was needed for DNA testing. Tech would've done it himself if: a) blood didn't make him faint and b) he didn't want a death sentence from hurting Lexi's only child. Suddenly, Alice started squirming and fussing.
"Aww, Alice what's wrong?" Rev said picking her up. "Are you hungry? Tech, can you make her a bottle please?"
"Sure," Tech said. The condo was like a second home to them now. Tech took his time choosing a bottle and evenly measuring the formula.
"Tech, it doesn't have to be one hundred percent perfect," said Rev trying to calm the fussy baby.
"I'm just making sure she'll be well nourished," Tech said while shaking the bottle. "I'm still not used to baby and kid stuff."
"Well now's your chance," Rev said giving Alice to Tech. Her crying got quiet when she saw her bottle. Tech gave it to her, and the baby sucked away. Then the guys heard a door open. Lexi exited her bedroom in a change of clothes: an oversized yellow T-shirt, pink leggings, and pink slippers. Bed hair and ears untied. She sleepily walked to the kitchen and grabbed a water bottle.
Lexi barely opened her eyes or noticed the two men and baby. Then she was back in her room. Baby Alice tossed her bottle when she figured out it was empty.
"Now burp her so she doesn't throw up on you," Rev said.
"I know you have a little brother, but isn't he like only 6 years younger than you?" Tech asked while gently tapping the baby's back.
"Yeah, he's 17, but my mom dumped a bunch of baby knowledge on me when I told her about Lexi." Baby Alice burped and still managed to spit up on Tech's shoulder.
Hours later, it was nighttime. Lexi woke up to rain hitting the window. She exited her room to check on everyone. Alice was sleeping in her pink crib and Rev was sleeping in a chair in the nursery. Tech was in the living room, typing away on his laptop.
"Thanks for helping out," Lexi said.
"No problem," Tech said barely looking up, "Honestly Rev did more than I did." Lightning flashed and seconds later thunder boomed. Lexi tensed up.
"I-I can get some extra blankets for you and Rev," she said.
"It's okay," Tech said while packing up his stuff, "I'll take Rev home." He headed towards the nursery. Thunder crashed again and the raindrops were louder.
"Please don't go," Lexi said nervously as she grabbed the back of his shirt.
"What? Are you sca-," Tech didn't finish his sentence. When he turned around, Lexi was shaking with tears down her face. Then Tech remembered how familiar tonight's storm was to the tragic event last year. He quickly hugged the crying bunny.
"It's okay. I'm sorry," Tech wanted to kick himself for being so insensitive.
"It's not your fault," she sniffled. After Ace's death, Lexi had developed astraphobia: fear of storms. Her grief therapist told her it was normal to develop fears and not to blame yourself for accidents. But of course, the brain doesn't stop thinking.
The two stayed embraced until Lexi calmed down. Tech decided to wait out the storm and let Rev sleep. He was a night owl anyway.
