Hey guys!
Hope you enjoy this one. Also, their baby girl is going to be here soon – any name suggestions?
Thanks!
"You did what!?" he sighed heavily
"Babe, it's a good opportunity for us to learn and experiment"
"Why can't we experiment on a doll? We don't have time for that, and worse, we have no idea what to do"
"News flash, in two months I'm going to squeeze out of me a living human that YOU put in here" she pointed to her belly "And she won't care if we have or don't have time. We will still need to take care of her! So we are doing it in order to not break our baby accidentally"
"Oh, so it's all right if we break their baby?" He muttered bitterly
"It's not, we won't break him. But anyway Annabeth will be available for anything we need".
Zoe was in the office this morning. Wanda came to her with her son, Henry, who was born 4 months ago. Wanda told her that she and Tom wanted to go to a relative's wedding and because it requires many hours in the roads they preferred not to bring the baby with them, but they were left without a babysitter because Tom's mother wanted to go with them. Zoe heard it and she got the idea that she and Wade could take care of the baby during the day. Zoe knew that they must find a way to be near a baby because both of them have no idea what to do and the birth is approaching. Wanda was excited about the idea and agreed immediately. In the evening when Zoe came home she told Wade.
"This is such a bad idea ..." Wade looked miserable
"Please, please, please" She put her arms around his neck and held him closer.
Wade sighed. "When?"
"The day after tomorrow"
"Fine. But don't leave me alone with him" He leaned down and attached his lips to hers.
"Hmm ... we'll see," she whispered into the kiss
XXXXXXX
The next morning when Wade was at the Rammer Jammer Tom approached him.
"Wade, I heard you and Dr. Hart are going to babysit little Henry while we're away. This is such an honor; Wade Kinsella himself is his babysitter! I will tell him about it when he grows up"
"Calm down, Tom, it's not a big deal ... it's just one day"
"Sure it is. That's why I made you this list" he gave him a full detailed page
"It's his favorite songs, you'll have to sing it to him before he eats" Tom explained
"Oh, if he doesn't stop crying you'll have to talk in a high voice, almost a squeak. He responds best to that. And that's what you need to do to put him to sleep" Tom turned the page and showed him.
Wade sighed, "Okay, Tom. Thank you. I'll show it to Zoe"
"If Tom Long can do it, there's no reason I won't be able to do it too" Wade thought to himself
XXXXXXXXX
"Explain to me again why we can't stay at home?"
"Because our house is being renovated and we don't even have a kitchen yet. And you can't look after a child in this situation"
"Okay, so why didn't we go to Lavon's house?"
"He got some important meetings today at his house and he doesn't need us to be there with a baby and disturb"
"You so owe me"
"You will thank me after your daughter is born"
He pouted, but he knew there was no choice. He has no idea how to handle a baby and he better try to deal with it
XXXXXXXX
"You're here! Wonderful. Baby Henry, say hello to Aunt Zoe and Uncle Wade. They came to be with you today while mommy and daddy are away. You'll be a good boy and behave yourself, right?" Wanda spoke softly to her son
"Hey Baby" Zoe said, a huge smile on her face. Wade stood behind her with a grumpy face
"Here," Tom took the baby from Wanda and put him in Wade's arms by surprise. "You should get used to it from now on" Wade's eyes widened and he stared at the baby.
"Relax babe, he is not going to blow up in your arms" Zoe tried to calm him
"Ha ha," he still looks scared.
"We're going to be late, we better get going," Tom reminded Wanda.
"We'll get back as soon as possible. You've got everything you need" Wanda turned to Zoe and Wade, pointing at all the baby's things.
"He just woke up so he should be fine the next few hours. In the pages I gave you there is everything you need to know," Tom added.
"Don't worry guys, everything will be fine. You can go" Zoe led them out the door, "Bye, have fun!"
"He's cute. But I think he hates me," Wade muttered and ran his hand over Henry's cheek. Zoe leaned against the door and looked at them with a smile. "Damn, he's hot," she thought to herself.
"What?" Wade noticed she was staring at them
"Nothing," she said innocently, biting her lower lip. Before he could reply, Henry started to cry.
"Whoa, take him" Wade looked frightened. Zoe thought it was hilarious.
"Bring him to me. Hey Henry. What's wrong baby? Shh ..." She stroked his back and he calmed down immediately
"I told you he hates me," Wade muttered and went outside for a breath of air
Zoe's phone rang. She put the baby in his crib and took the call.
When he entered he heard the end of her conversation. "I'll be right there"
"What? Where are you going?" He said nervously.
"There is a medical emergency; I'll be back as soon as possible"
"Wait, why can't Brick do it?"
"Apparently he has his own emergency with Magnolia; he went to visit her in the boarding school with Lemon."
"No, you're not serious, I can't stay here alone!" He was absolutely terrified.
She caressed his arm, "I will do everything to return quickly, you can do it. And if you need help call Annabeth," she tried to reassure him. When that didn't work, she did the only thing she knew always calmed him. She grabbed his face with her hands, stood up on her toes and pressed her lips to his. And it worked. "I'll see you soon," she whispered.
XXXXXXXXX
Wade decided he can't take a chance and immediately dialed Annabeth. He tried several times but she didn't answer. Zoe also didn't answer him. He knew Lemon wasn't in the town so he decided to call George.
"Tucker! I need an urgent legal advice. This can't wait. I'm at the Long's house. Come here and I'll explain everything."
Luckily for Wade, baby Henry lay still in the crib.
When George arrived he was surprised to see Wade alone with the baby. He couldn't stop himself from laughing.
"Shut up," Wade stared at him.
"So what exactly am I doing here?" George asked curiously
"Zoe had to go for a medical emergency and I have to have someone here with me. No way am I staying with him here alone. Annabeth was supposed to be available but she is not answering. Lemon is out of town. So you're next"
"You know that you are going to have your own child soon? You should get used to it"
"Yes, yes, I know. You stay here." He gave him a stern look
George just smiled and sat down beside him on the couch. During the next hour they sat with Henry and entertained him with his toys. They were chuckling at how cute he is.
"You see, it's not that hard," George smiled
"Yeah ... not too hard," he ran his hand over Henry's soft hair. "Wait what ... Oh shit"
"Don't swear in front of the baby"
"This is our smallest problem now ... I think we need to change him"
They stared at each other for a minute and then Wade got up and took a diaper and wipes and gave them to George. "Here"
"What? Why me?"
"Because you have nephews so you know what to do"
"I have nephews but I only play with them and then I return them to their parents. I've never changed a diaper"
"But surely you've seen how it's done! And you were with Lemon when Magnolia was a baby!"
"Yeah but I ran away whenever she had to changed her"
Wade picked up the baby who started to giggle. "Funny huh?"
Suddenly the baby began to cry
"We have to change him," he handed him to George and took his phone
"What are you doing?"
"Calling Annabeth"
Annabeth didn't answer again. "What shall we do?" Wade began to panic.
He decided to try the next person on the list.
"Lavon! Hey man, I know you have a lot of meetings today but I need you urgently. There is an emergency in the Long's house. Yes, I'm waiting," he put the phone back in his pocket. "He'll be here soon."
"You totally lied to him"
"There is no one else! Besides, he is mayor. He has to ensure the welfare of the residents in the town. Henry is a resident of the town. So there"
XXXXXXXX
Finally, after 10 minutes there was a knock at the door.
"Thank God!" Wade let him in the house. Lavon scowled when he saw the baby in the George's arms.
"What's wrong with him?" He asked
"We need to change his diaper"
"So do it"
"Wade is afraid to do it." George added
Lavon took the baby in his hands and stared at them both. "Are you out of your minds? You said it was an emergency! I have a town to run!"
"Well, it really is an emergency," Wade sounded desperate.
Lavon rolled his eyes, "You are useless! And you wade, you're going," Wade interrupted
"Yeah I know, I'm going to be a father. Got It! It doesn't mean that I have any idea what to do"
Lavon changed the baby's diaper and gave him to Wade, clean and happy. "Here, done" Henry smiled.
"It's our secret," Wade warned Lavon. "Zoe would kill me if she knew what happened here"
"I'm so not having kids" George muttered
"Remind me not to let you get close to my daughter," Wade looked at him a minute later but his gaze softened.
"Thanks for coming, guys." He sighed. "I'll be fine here. I guess Zoe will be back soon"
He accompanied them to the door and closed it behind them.
XXXXXXX
A few minutes later Zoe called to say she will come in about an hour. It was a beautiful day outside and Wade was bored so he decided to go out for a walk with Henry in his stroller.
But unfortunately things didn't go as planned. People constantly stopped him. Especially women. Almost all of them were girls he went out with in the past. Or rather slept with. Everyone in town knew he was married now. But somehow it made the women more daring... Usually it didn't bother him and he knew how to evade the flirtation and looks gently. But it seemed that this time things got worse. It wasn't innocent as before, the looks were accompanied by whistles and cries such as "Wade I want to have babies" and worse. Wade felt uncomfortable and decided to go back to the house.
When Zoe got back she found him sitting on the couch, the baby was lying in his crib.
She sat down close to him, their knees touching.
"You look different," he looked at her curiously
"No I don't," she waved it away quickly. He wasn't convinced.
"You think that just because you missed me"
He kissed her hair "always".
"So ... Should I be worried?" She asked with a smile
"About what?" He didn't understand where the question came from
"have you seen Dash's blog? You are the main star there," she looked at him teasingly
"Oh God, you can't be serious," he sighed and put his hands over his face. Zoe felt the panic in his voice
"Oh, I'm totally serious. Dash also added a video where you could hear in the background some girls shouting they want to have your babies ..."
"I swear I didn't do anything. I went with Henry for a short walk outside and it's like they never saw a man with a baby, they went crazy. And I" before he could finish his sentence, he felt her lips on his.
"I don't care. No need to explain," she whispered into the kiss and she felt he immediately calmed down.
"You're the only one I want to have babies with" he whispered and pressed his forehead to hers.
"Okay, good"
XXXXXXX
It was 1 am. They returned home a few hours ago. They lay quietly in bed, in the dark. Neither of them fell asleep. Zoe stroked his arm with her finger.
"There was no medical emergency today, right?" He asked suddenly. She froze.
"What? Why do you think so?" She almost squeaked
"Well, as a start, when I went out I could see Brick from the distance .He escorted a patient out of the practice"
"It doesn't mean anything. Maybe he came back earlier from visiting Magnolia"
"Perhaps. But I knew something wasn't right. Your hair looked different this morning and your nails too," he pointed out to her hand.
"Fine, you caught me. I was with Annabeth and Lemon in Mobile." she admitted.
"I see ... So you're basically saying that it was a trap. You wanted to make me stay alone with the baby," he said seriously.
She lifted her head, "Are you angry?"
He just smiled, "But did you see? I got along myself!" He was very proud of himself.
"Yes, good job. You did it all by yourself, huh?" She narrowed her eyes
"Yes. All by myself. And it was great"
"Good. Because I already told Wanda that you're free on Saturday" She grinned mischievously
His eyes widened.
"Oh, and this time Lavon will be out of town," she added teasingly as she led her fingers over his chest.
"You know!" He grabbed her arm and stopped her.
"Yes. I know," her smile was so wide it threatened to break out of her face.
"I hate you"
"No, you don't" she kissed him softly.
"Thank you," he whispered
He didn't need to explain to her what he was thanking her for. She knew exactly. She knew it was what he needed. True, it's not that he now knows a lot more than he did this morning, but it gave him the confidence that he would be fine and that he could do it.
"I love you" She rested her head on his chest.
"I love you too."