-Past-

Shizuo's POV

Reiko was seven months old and started crawling around. She was even too fast for me to keep up with her. Baby proofing the apartment was difficult enough and keeping a gate near places I didn't want her entering. Reiko was drooling more than usual and started biting everything in sight. The fussiness and the constant whining is what caused me to call my mom. Something was wrong.

"Mom? Rei's acting up and I don't know what's going on. She's fussier than usual and started nibbling on everything she lays her hand on…" Rei bit my finger without warning. Although it didn't hurt, I was still surprised. "Don't bite daddy, princess." I covered my hand over the speaker and my mom chuckled, hearing what I said. "Shizuo, dear she's teething. Her teeth are starting to grow in. Have her chew on something like a cold washcloth or a toy…mind the small pieces, she could choke!" I panicked nearly dropping my cell phone and checked all of her toys, sighing in relief. She seemed pleased when I handed her a rattle. It was a squishy soft texture that was safe for her to chew on. It brought a warm smile to my face knowing my little girl was going to be okay.

"Thank you, mom. You've helped me out a lot. I never thought I could handle being a single parent." I sighed heavily, tears in the corner of my eyes. Without my mom around I would've been wasting more time at the library. "I felt the same way, my dear boy. But you and your brother turned out wonderful. I'm sure my granddaughter will too."

. . . . . . . . . . . .

"I got work today, babygirl so Shinra and Celty will be taking care of you for the day." I talked to her as if she could understand every word but I knew she recognized those names. She had this cute smile on her face that caused me to pepper her face with kisses. I was left a little devastated by Shinra's voice mail telling me he wasn't able to watch her because of his job. Celty was busy herself with multiple transporter jobs. Kasuka was frequently on set and I wouldn't dump Rei on Kyohei or his gang. There was only one person I could think of that was left. Izaya. As much as I wanted to kill him he's not one to harm a child…so I hoped. I was quickly reconsidering it. I didn't know if Rei would end up hurt. I was panicking inside but my little girl placed her tiny hand on my finger. She was babbling about as if trying to tell me "It's going to be okay, daddy." And my heart swelled up in warmth, giving me the courage to call the bastard.

"Hello? ~" His cheerful tone was immediately pissing me off.

"Hi…Izaya…"

"Shizu-chan, what a surprise! Did you miss me?"

"No, shut up. I need you to do me a favour."

"And you picked me? I am certainty flattered."

"You weren't my first choice, flea. Listen up. I need to go to work today and I want you watch Rei for me."

"Is that a kitten or a puppy? There are animal daycares you-"

"I have a daughter…a human child."

There was silence on the other end of the receiver. I was about to throw my cell out the window but I needed it communicate particular people. And I didn't want to frighten Rei. It went on for about five minutes.

"Shizu-chan knocked up a lady and is now taking care of the child?! Ahahaha! I never thought I'd ever hear such a thing in my life."

"Flea, I'm serious…please watch her for me. I have a bag with all of her things."

"Can't your girlfriend do it?"

"She isn't around, dumbass. Don't you think I would've thought of that already?"

"Fine…bring her here. I promise to keep her safe. But if I have to offer her as a human sacrifice I cannot refuse the overlord."

"IZAYAAAAAA!"

Rei trembled with widened eyes at my extremely loud tone and started wailing. "Shhhh…babygirl. It's okay. Daddy shouldn't have scared you like that." I pat her back comfortingly and forgot that Izaya was probably listening in on us. He didn't make any ill-mannered comments or anything, he just stayed quiet. Finally, she calmed down after I gave her the soother to suck on.

"Shizu-chan, you have such good motherly instincts." Izaya softly spoke on the other end. I could almost sense a warm smile on his lips but I'm really just imaging things. I would never take the title of mother as an insult. Being a parent is the hardest job in the world and you would never truly understand until you start raising a child yourself. "Yeah, yeah. I will be there within a half an hour. Be ready." I warned him harshly and hung up the phone.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Once I arrived at the flea's penthouse, I rang his doorbell. Rei was sound asleep, snug in my arms and I was afraid once I left her with Izaya she would start crying for me. She's done it with Shinra but abnormally calm with Celty. I wasn't sure how it was going to be with the flea. It was so hard to get her to sleep like this since she always insisted on exploring every inch of apartment. The door swung open to my surprise was the flea in a bathrobe. "Shizu-chan, welcome…and this is Rei-chan? She's so cute even if she looks like the brute." He carefully took her into his arms rubbing my baby girl's back and I was surprised that he knew what he was doing.

"How did you-" I began and the flea chuckled quietly.

"I was the one babysitting my annoying sisters at this age. Rei will be safe with me, I was kidding earlier."

He had a warm smile on his face that I imagined earlier and I tried to shake off. It felt weird to think of him in that way. A person who was gentle with children didn't sound like Izaya at all. But here he was holding my little girl gently in his arms. "She's so well behaved. I'm not used to this. What time will you be by to pick her up?" He asked petting her light brown hair back. "Five in the evening sometimes four thirty. Oh and there's a list of things I carefully put together of her daily routine and things you should watch out for." I leaned in placing a soft kiss on her little forehead.

Right when I did that her eyes shot open and she started whining. "Don't cry, little one. I'll be back." It was getting hard for me to leave her alone with Izaya. But I really didn't have a choice. By the time I closed the door, she started crying loudly for me. My heart sank deeply hearing her cry and I sighed in relief hearing the flea trying to comfort her. Maybe…she really was in good hands.

"Like daughter like father, except you're a lot smarter than that protozoan. I bet that side of you is from your runaway mother." Izaya teased me with his signature smirk.