Here's another chapter. I'm starting to get worried that in the past 3 months that the last chapter has been up I've had maybe 100 people read it and only 2 reviews. Thank you for those reviews. On the other hand now I know why people get discouraged from writing. Thanks to the 15 people who have favorited my story and the 16 who have it on their alert list. You people make me smile
Ch. 45 A little R and R
Later that night the celebration at Mickey's was long and enjoyable. I found out that Anna would indeed take Antonio during practice and any other time we needed her too and she wasn't busy. Aunt Casey cooed over the baby but warned me that raising a child wasn't easy as it seemed. I told her that I knew that but I also knew the team was standing behind me. She was happy for me and eventually she got back to work. After that we headed back to the dorms where Luis handed me the diaper bag and car seat and then he wandered away. It had only been a few hours but somehow I'd forgotten I said I would take him that weekend.
At about two in the morning the baby started crying and for the life of me I couldn't figure out what was wrong. I was trying to rock him back to sleep when Dean came in. "What the hell Lizzy?" He asked. I looked from the baby to him with a pleading look. "Can't you make him shut up?"
"I've tried; I don't know what to do." I said nearly in tears. Dean growled low in his throat then walked over and took the baby from me. Then he checked the diaper, tried a pacifier, fed him but still the baby continued to scream. All the while I watched Julie, Connie, and Dwayne standing in the doorway. I shot them a look and they only shook their heads.
"You know all I have is older siblings." Dwayne said.
"I've only got an older brother." Julie said.
"I was five when my sister was born. Sorry." Connie said. Suddenly they were spread apart. Kenny came in forcefully took the baby and thumped it on the back a few times. Antonio burped and Kenny handed him back to Dean.
"There was too much gas in his stomach. Now rock him back to sleep and you'll be good for at least five hours." Kenny said. I turned to him and wrapped my arms around him.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you. How can I ever repay you?" I said.
"Let me go so I can go back to sleep." He said.
"Oh right." I let him go and he left the room.
"Close the door on your way out." Dean said. A few moments later the door shut and Dean was laying the baby back in his car seat.
I sat down on my bed and blinked back tears as the harsh reality hit me. "I can't do this. I'm going to Mr. Stewart in the morning and demanding he take the baby back. I'm not cut out to be a mother. I don't know the first thing about being a mom."
"Of course you're not."
"You're supposed to be cheering me up." I snapped.
"Honey, listen to me. I hate crying women. Worst thing a man ever has to see and I can tell you all these pretty words and make you feel better for the time being but I think you need the truth. Statistically and reportedly this project is a scare tactic."
"It's working." I said.
Dean put a finger over my lips and continued. "This project is made to make teenagers realize they are not ready to be parents. I don't remember where I read it but I read somewhere that those school districts that employ the 'Baby Project'," He said with air quotes, "have a lower rate of teen pregnancies than that of schools that don't. Maybe it's not the only factor but I know it's part of it. It's made to scare you. It's made to show you what it takes to take care of another human life. I know in most schools, well at least the one in Chicago they only take care of the kid for two weeks. Maybe Eden Hall thought that wasn't enough. However you have the entire team at your disposal. I may not be happy about you working so closely with Luis but at least I know that he has younger siblings and he's acclimated to taking care of them."
"You're telling me that it's all a scare tactic?" I asked.
Dean nodded. "And it's meant to be hard. Some people can't take it. And I can understand if you're one of them but I want you to give it a few more days. After that if you want to go to Mr. Stewart I'm sure he'd be ok with taking it back." Dean said.
"How do you know all this?" I asked.
"Jeff it took three days, Tony about a week and Lissy actually managed it for the full two weeks." Dean said.
"They told you all this?"
"Yeah, and I have faith in you. I know you can do this but it isn't going to be easy." He said. He wrapped me in a hug.
"You're going to help me right?" I asked.
"Of course. I'll always be here for you." He smiled. I nodded and we climbed into my bed. He pulled the covers up over us and wrapped me in them and his arms. "I love you Lizzy."
"I love you too Dean."
Later that morning around five the baby started wailing the same wail as the day before in study hall. Knowing that cry I got up and fed him before trying to figure out whether or not I should go back to bed. I finally decided that bed was the only place I wanted to be. The alarm went off a nine o'clock and almost as soon as I turned it off Dean's grip tightened. "You're not leaving." He said.
"Dean, let go. I have to go help...my friend."
"On Saturday at nine in the morning?"
"Yes, and I've got another friend I've got to help tomorrow as well."
"Baby, sleep in a bit longer, please."
"Your begging isn't going to work. I promised I'd help and I can't break that promise."
"Fine," he pouted. I knew what he was trying to do so I did my best to ignore his look. Finally I was dressed and ready to go. I leaned down and kissed him as I tried to ignore the incredible urge to climb back into bed. "Come back to bed." Dean whispered against my lips. I kissed him one more time then pulled away.
"I really want to but I don't break promises."
"I guess I'll respect that. Good morning."
"Good night." I grabbed the diaper bag and the car seat and left the room. Lunch came sooner than I thought it would and Ant started crying. It wasn't a cry I heard before so I instantly picked him up to find out what was wrong and slowly his crying slowed.
"You're magic." Fulton said as he sat down next to me. I looked over at Dean but he just shrugged.
"Ok if you believe that Fulton." I said. Ant started to get fussy so I tried feeding him but he didn't drink any. Next I tried his pacifier and he settled down.
"Something happen last night?" I told him what happened up till the point where I broke down. "Lizzy, you're an amazing girl and you'll figure this out. You'll never be alone. Don't sweat it; no one's expecting you to be perfect at the start. Take your time and don't be so hard on yourself." Fulton said. "I can't believe I missed all that."
"You could sleep through a tornado." I said.
"Dude, you creep me out sometimes." Dean said.
"Why?" Fulton asked rolling his eyes at me.
"How'd you know she was scared of that?"
"Because I know her inside and out." Fulton answered.
"It creeps me out too, well sometimes. Thanks Fulton it helped."
"More than what I said last night?" Dean asked.
"About the same." I answered looking down at the dozing child in my arms.
"But what was more?" Fulton pressed. I looked at Adam for help but he was talking to Charlie about some game.
"Please don't make me choose between you two." I said.
"Hey Lizzy, Kenny told me what happened last night, I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you but I'm here in case you need to ask anything." Luis said. I nodded and my art friends came over.
"Hey girls." I said.
"Is this the little one?" Anna asked.
"Yup, his name is Antonio." I said.
"Awww." All three girls cooed. I rolled my eyes and sighed.
Then I got an idea. "Luis is absolutely brilliant with him. He really knows his stuff." I said trying to convince Anna he was a good guy. I knew it was working too.
"Really?" Anna asked.
"Oh absolutely. He'll make a great dad someday." Luis blushed but Anna seemed to be very interested in it. "Oh girls by the way this is Luis, Fulton, Portman, Kenny, Adam, Charlie, Julie, Russ, and Averman. Guys!" They all stopped and looked up. "Guys, these are a few of my other friends, Anna Sanders, Emma Benson, and Alyssa Calloway." They said their various greeting and then went back to their conversations. "Ewww, why is my arm all wet?" I asked. Luis took Ant from me and laughed. I wiped my arm off and glared at Luis.
"Your son needs his diaper changed." Luis said looking as though he was trying not to smile. Then I realized what he had said.
"Diaper change?" I asked. I gulped and looked at him.
"Come on it won't take long. Hey Anna want to walk with?" Luis asked.
"Sure." Anna said. We walked out of the cafeteria and down to an empty classroom. Luis laid Ant on the table and guided me through changing a diaper. There were a lot more steps than I thought but it seemed easy enough.
"Thanks for the help Luis; I don't think I could have done this without you."
"All part of my job." Luis said. I smirked and took Ant back to the cafeteria leaving Anna and Luis to walk back together. When I got back Emma was talking to Julie and Kenny and Aly had taken my seat as she talked to Fulton. Unfortunately that meant there were no more seats at that end of the table. I stood thinking about what to do when Aly looked up.
"Oh I'm so sorry; I didn't mean to take your seat." She said standing. Then I knew what I could do.
"It's fine sit down." I said. "Just pass me the car seat down there." She handed me the seat, I put Ant in it, and then I sat it next to Dean's chair. After that was done I sat down in Dean's lap.
"Well hello there." Dean said wrapping an arm around my waist.
"Hi." I answered shyly.
"Now that I've got you back I'm demanding you spend the afternoon with me."
"But I..."
"But what? Why does it always come to buts with you? We've been dating for two months and I barely get to see you unless we're dead asleep. It's not fair. Come on, it's Saturday, you've got plenty of time to do homework tomorrow and even if you don't get it done to perfect standards your dad is still going to love you. Please it's just one afternoon."
"How about Fulton and I watch Antonio for you and you and Portman can go out and do something. Get your mind off school work." Aly said.
"Guys, please. You love each other too much to keep fighting like this. Please, for my sake stop fighting." Fulton said. I hated making Fulton angry or upset with me. He had a point and even if I wanted to make sure my homework was perfect I couldn't neglect my boyfriend or I'd lose him. I sighed and scratched my forehead. "Please give me a chance to know my little godson." That wasn't the only thing he wanted. I could tell just by looking at him and by the way his eyes darted to Aly I knew he wanted to get to know her as well.
"Fine, fine, you win. But tomorrow I'm doing all my homework and nothing any of you say is going to stop me." I grudgingly agreed.
Dean thanked Fulton and after making sure Fulton and Aly had everything they needed Dean and I headed out. We ended up at a small café in town watching people walk past as we sipped our hot cocoa.
Gordon's PoV
Casey's divorce was nearly final and although it had been a long, hard battle I was glad that I had been the one to help her through it. It was nice to see her again. I was praying that the final negotiations would go through just the way I planned so it would be done and over with sooner rather than later. Casey couldn't seem to wait for that to happen. I was on my way over to her apartment to talk her through the final negotiations when I spotted the café she had talked about often. Coffee could only help so I pulled off the road and went inside. There was no line so I walked up to the counter to see the girl behind it staring off as though she was day dreaming.
"Interesting day dream?" I asked. She snapped up and looked at me guiltily.
"I'm sorry, yes it was but it'll never be anymore than that. Welcome to Pierre's Café on Sixth. My name is Christine what can I get for you?" I told her my order and also bought some donuts just in case.
"What's wrong with making the day dream come true?" I asked as she handed me my change.
"Just look at them. They're too in love to ever split up, besides I couldn't do that to her. Not when she's my roommate's boyfriend's cousin." Christine answered. She pointed behind me and I turned to look. There sat Portman and a girl. Portman reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind the girl's ear and said something causing the girl to blush. She looked back up at him and I recognized the girl. Lizzy Jacobs. As Christine made my order I walked over to them.
"Shouldn't you two be in school?" I couldn't help but ask.
"Shouldn't you be in Cali?" Lizzy asked.
"Lizzy." Portman scolded.
"It's Saturday and a valid question." Lizzy said. She turned her head looking out the big bay window as Portman stood.
"It's good to see you again Coach." Portman said.
"I'm not your coach anymore Portman and you already know why I'm not in Cali anymore Jacobs." I said shaking Portman's hand.
"What brings you in to town if you're a lawyer? Meeting some client?"
"Yes actually. We're going over the final stages of the negotiations and I thought I'd bring some coffee and donuts. You two are together I take it?"
"Yeah I had to drag her away for some r and r."
"How long?"
"About two months." I looked back at Lizzy and could tell she wasn't pleased.
"Well I should get going; I don't want the coffee to cool. Tell the team I said hello and I'll see you guys later."
"Well alright. Later Bombay."
I said my goodbyes, grabbed my order, and then headed for the door.
"Give him a chance to prove himself." Portman said.
"Don't start this argument not now." Lizzy answered as I paused at the door.
"Ok beautiful." Portman sighed.
"Thank you handsome."
"Lizzy, you're ruining my tough, bash brother image." They both laughed and I left the shop.
Lizzy's PoV
My good mood was only slightly ruined when Bombay showed up but Dean eventually got my mind off it. The clock read 8:45 p.m. when we got back to campus with two cups of hot chocolate and Dean put a move in on his TV. Halfway through the movie Dean took my empty cup setting it on his side table and turned my face to him. Then he kissed me. We were making out pretty heavily when the door opened and then shut.
"Aw man." I heard. I cringed in horror recognizing that voice. "I came in here to get away from that. Lizzy you have your own single room, go over there and suck face with my best friend." I looked away from Dean and at Fulton.
"How'd it go with Aly today?" I asked.
Fulton's cheeks went bright red as Dean hit the pause button and he and I sat up.
"Aw our little bash brother is growing up." Dean teased.
"She is somethin' isn't she?" I said.
"Yeah she is, I really like her." Fulton said dropping back on to his bed. I climbed off Dean's bed and knelt next to Fulton on his. Then I bounced up and down on my knees.
"So what did you do?" I asked.
"We just hung out. That baby can sure cry when he's hungry."
"Who has him now?" I asked still bouncing.
"The team, they're in Dwayne's room."
I stopped bouncing and was ready to go get him. "Oh well then I should go get him." Fulton grabbed my wrist before I could climb off the bed.
"Not just yet. So what did you two do off campus?" Fulton asked.
"People watching." I answered. "So is Aly sweet?"
"Yeah she's real sweet."
"Sweeter than me?"
"Sometimes even a bobcat is sweeter than you." Fulton said honestly.
"Dude, don't make her cry." Dean said.
"You really think that Fult?" I asked.
"Look Lizzy, sometimes when you really want something you're the sweetest person I know but other time you can be a true jerk and that's nothing against you it's just the kind of person you are." Fulton said. At that moment I knew he was only telling the truth. He was my best friend and he really loved me but didn't want to hurt me. I wasn't completely upset but it did make me wonder if I could change it.
"So you're saying if I wasn't such a tomboy I would be sweeter?" I asked.
"Maybe but then again you were raised with six guys and really without a sweet woman's influence you know how to get what you when you want even if you get manipulative about it. You can be sweet Lizzy but not the kind of sweet most girls are."
"Oh..." I said. A plan was formulating in my head to prove him wrong.
"So what did you and Port do people watching?"
"We went down to Pierre's Café on Sixth and had a couple hot chocolates as people walked past their window."
"Oh, see anyone interesting?" Fulton asked. I could feel my jaw start to tighten as I held back a scowl. "Was it something I said?"
"No, well it all depends on what you meant by interesting." Dean said.
"I just meant like business suits, a clown," I flinched, "An Artist, that kind of interesting." I swallowed hard and looked at Dean. "I take that as you saw someone you didn't like." Fulton said. I nodded. "Jefferson, McGill, Crystal...?"
"Worse."
"Than which one?"
"All three."
"Bombay." Fulton said. Dean nodded.
"Why don't you like him?" Dean asked. I knew he wanted to fix my problem but this wasn't something he could fix.
"Dean, babe, I love you and if it was any other person I'd let you help me work it out. It's a trust issue and well something else but you can't do anything about it."
"But I..."
"No Dean. I know you want to do something but it's out of your control and unless there's a way to make me instantly trust him and get rid of what he did in the past you just need to forget about it. I'm not saying this to be mean or anything, it's just too complicated of a problem for you to fix. So Fult tell me about Ally."
"I really like her."
"Good, do you plan to ask her out?'
"You don't think it's too soon?"
"No I don't. You could ask her to be your Valentine after spending tomorrow with her."
"You think that will work?"
"I'll eat my glove if it doesn't." I said.
"So did Bombay say anything to you?" Fulton asked.
There you have another chapter. Notice Bombay didn't say who he was meeting or what it was about to Lizzy? We all know he was meeting Casey but he never mentioned that to her. Hmmmm.