Baby Training: Day 02

Since he was going to have two newborns at once, Eric Delko was spending his Saturday afternoon with his best friends' children.

Call it Training Day 02. That was what Horatio was referring to it as. The children's dad was going to be there but Eric was flying solo looking after the kids while their mom and his own pregnant fiancee spent the afternoon out. In preparation for the young man having two sets of diapers and late night feedings thrown at him, Eric was getting a dose of what it was like to look after a preschooler, a toddler and an infant at the same time. Along with diapers, bottles and dribble cloths, Eric was also getting a dose of sippy cups, toddler snacks, fingerpaint portraits and sibling spats between a four-year-old and two-year-old. He said he didn't mind all the previous things but him having to be the bad guy and put Rachel or Cheyenna in time-out if they misbehaved was not something he wanted to do.

Ever.

With his own kids, in the future, sure Eric would be able to handle it. But with his nieces, no way.

"You're going to be in the house. What are you going to be doing today?" Eric asked.

"I'll be listening on the intercom. I'll be downstairs in the rec room watching The Godfather Trilogy," Horatio said, grabbing a sub sandwich and two cans of soda from the frig and shoving a large bag of chips under one arm. "Unless one of the children sends me an S.O.S., for which I'll be the judge, you're on your own."

Eric knew the girls had just had breakfast so lunch for them would be a while. He didn't have any problems with feeding Austin, hopefully changing the boy's diapers wouldn't be too difficult, either. He was definitely going to remember to cover the boy up this time.

By the time lunch had ended nothing big had happened. There was a minor hitch during lunch when Eric didn't cut the crusts off of Cheyenna's sandwich. However the two-year-old remedied this situation herself.

"Ewic, crusts," Horatio heard her say.

Calleigh called soon after. She and Aimee were getting ready to go to a movie. Before she had to turn off her phone she wanted to know how Eric was doing.

"Well, I haven't heard any screaming from either party," the lieutenant told her. "He did forget to cut the crust off Cheyenna's sandwich though. Other than that he's doing good. I'm hearing a lot of laughing so that's always good."

Eric had to admit he was having fun. He was glad he hadn't had to give any time-outs, only one warning to the sisters when they started to fight over a puzzle. Taking care of children, especially ones that young was tiring but it was more rewarding than anything else. Eric had no idea hugs and kisses from little ones could make one melt so much inside.

"I loves you, Eric," Rachel said to him, turning around and hugging him while sitting in the Cuban's lap. "You should take care of us more often."

Eric kissed the girl's forehead.

"I loves you, too, sweetie," he said.

"How's things going?" Aimee asked Calleigh. "I didn't hear a racket."

"They seem to be having fun," Calleigh said. "Horatio said he didn't hear any cries for help from Eric when he fed the girls lunch or when he changed Austin, so he hasn't been peed on, either."

Nearing 5:00pm, Eric had to admit he was getting tired. By then he did have to use a time-out on each girl. Having to do that he realized it bothered him more than the children. The girls were coloring on the floor. Their baby brother though was fussing. He calmed some when Eric held him so the young CSI was walking the floor with him. By the time Horatio came up from the basement rec room at 5:20pm Eric knew the look on his face said "thank god, you're here!"

"You're off the clock now. I'll take 'em," he said, reaching out and taking Austin from Eric. "Hey lil' man, what's the matter?" He said to the baby.

Eric went over to the girls and bent down.

"Uncle Eric is going home, now, guys," He said to them.

"Are you gonna came back and play with us soon?" Rachel asked.

"Of course I am. I love being with you guys."

Both girls gave Eric a hug and kiss before he left.

Eric had dropped on to the couch as soon as his coat and shoes were off. He fell asleep immediately. Calleigh smiled at the sight of her fiancé snoring softly when she walked through the door an hour later.

"Hey," she said softly, touching his cheek to wake him. "You have a nice day?"

"I did," Eric yawned. "But put it this way," he said, rubbing her rounded belly. "After these guys, it'll be ten years before we have any more!"

Calleigh burst out laughing.

I know it's been a while but I'm not sure if anyone is reading so please R & R!