*Chapter 30*
"You're going to be an uncle, Ralph!" Taffyta kindly chimed as the four hustled across Game Central Station. Ralph glanced down at her with a sheepish smile.
"I'm kind of nervous," Ralph chuckled as all three girls glued their glossy, gorgeous eyes up at him. He heaved a short breath and looked forward into Hero's Duty.
"You'll be great," Candlehead chimed sweetly. The four quickly made their way into Hero's Duty as fast as they could. They came into Calhoun's home hesitantly. The first person they saw was Felix, who was eagerly holding the tethered end of the rope Calhoun was attached to. She was swallowed by the dark code room. Everyone gently rushed up to Felix with eager smiles.
"Just in time, guys," Felix chimed; his hands were shaking.
"Felix, you doing okay?" Ralph chuckled as the three girls stood somewhat behind Ralph, respectfully keeping their distance.
"Oh, brother, I'm so nervous," Felix said shakily, his smile wavering. Ralph smiled and carefully pat Felix's shoulder.
"You'll be fine," Ralph said softly, "We're all here for you."
"Thanks you guys," Felix stated with a smile as he glanced to the three racers behind Ralph. They nodded with eager smiles.
Suddenly, the rope Felix was gripping tightened a few times, signaling to pull Calhoun back. Everyone held their breath in anticipation. Felix quickly began to pull his bride back, the dark code room practically swallowing her, and any light, whole. After a minute or two of pulling, Felix finally pulled Calhoun out of the dark room she floated from. Everyone's eyes were glued to Calhoun, and the new bundle she held in her arms. The baby was wrapped in a soft, pink blanket. Vanellope quickly stood next to Ralph and stood on tip toes, her spirit eager and excited. Calhoun smiled wide as her and Felix quickly huddled into each other. Ralph and his three racers remained still, letting the two new parents have their moment. Calhoun gently unraveled the pink blanket with eager eyes, as if opening the best present she could receive.
"She's, beautiful," Felix said gently, his voice quivering. He gently put his hand on the bundled baby's stomach.
"She has your eyes," Calhoun said gently as she looked at Felix with a happy smile. They gazed down at their creation in awe, their eyes filled with curiosity and joy. Felix breathed a chuckle as their baby began to coo and squirm.
"It's a girl," Vanellope said to Ralph, Taffyta and Candlehead. Everyone beamed with excitement. Felix looked up at the four, his face flushed a variety of different, shocked emotions. He gazed excitedly at the four, inviting them closer with his smile.
"Come see," Felix urged softly. The four quickly stepped over, as if eager puppies let off their leash.
They gently crowded Calhoun, Felix and their bundle, eagerly gazing down at their new addition. She was beautiful. Her innocent, piercing blue eyes gazed up at everyone in curiosity, her mouth agape slightly. She had small tufts of bright blonde hair atop her small head. Felix gently began to stroke her small hand as Calhoun tugged her closer in her arms; their love for their new addition made the air thick with warmth. Everyone gazed down at her for a few, long moments, taking in the sight of something so new and precious. Vanellope bit her lip in excitement and gently pat Felix's arm.
"Tammy," Felix breathed as him and Calhoun caught eyes, both shining like the sun.
"You guys did good," Vanellope said with a small giggle as she pat
Felix's arm again, "She's amazing."
"I've never felt anything like this," Felix heaved a small sigh and gazed longingly at his and Calhoun's daughter.
"Ralph, you're an uncle!" Vanellope said quietly as she glanced up at Ralph. Ralph breathed a small chuckle and nodded gently and nervously.
"Hard to believe, really," Ralph smiled down at Vanellope.
After a few minutes, everyone worked their way into the living room. Calhoun and Felix sat close on the couch. Taffyta and Candlehead shared the other couch adjacent from them while Ralph and Vanellope made themselves comfortable on the two arm chairs nearby. Calhoun and Felix took turns holding their new baby. Tammy cooed and whined quietly, her intelligent eyes tried to focus on her new parents. Calhoun and Felix looked smitten, their eyes hardly left their new creation.
"It's cool that I can say I have a niece now," Ralph chimed in gently. Everyone smiled at him, Felix chuckled.
"I'm just thankful she didn't somehow end up with your hands," Felix laughed, everyone chuckled and glanced at Ralph's large hands. Ralph slumped his shoulders.
"They're not so bad," Ralph scoffed, "Sure they get in the way sometimes, but you learn to live with it."
"Do you want to hold Tammy, Uncle Ralph?" Felix chimed, he smiled sincerely at his brother. Ralph felt the code leave his face.
"I-I, um," Ralph stammered as he gazed nervously at the helpless bundle in Felix's arms.
"It's okay to be nervous, Ralph," Vanellope said sweetly as she put her hand on his large one. Ralph gazed at her for reassurance, "But, you'll be fine. I promise."
"I'll try," Ralph breathed nervously as Felix stood up. Calhoun nodded gently.
"You'll be fine," Calhoun smiled, "We all know you're a big softy."
"It's true," Ralph chuckled nervously as Felix came closer.
"You ready?" Felix smiled softly as Ralph readied his arm and nodded once. Felix gently slid Tammy into Ralph's arm, snuggling her into Ralph's chest. Felix stepped away as all eyes were glued to Ralph. Ralph froze and gazed down at the helpless, squirming bundle of new code in his arm.
Tammy long blinked a few times before fixing her beautiful, blue eyes on Ralph. She gazed at him curiously, her arms and feet squirming a little. Ralph chuckled nervously in surprise and gently tucked her into his chest. He curled his hand into her, keeping her safe and cuddled into his warmth. Felix gently pat Ralph's shoulder and stood next him to look down at his daughter.
"You're a natural," Felix stated kindly. Ralph beamed and stared down at Tammy. She babbled and reached her hands up towards Ralph a little, her eyes eager and happy. Ralph felt his heart swell with love for his new niece. She was perfect.
"She likes you," Vanellope beamed as she leaned over to get a good look at Tammy.
"I wonder what kind of gamer she'll be," Taffyta wondered gently as everyone gazed at Ralph and Tammy.
"Maybe Calhoun's sidekick in Hero's Duty," Candlehead chuckled.
"Sounds like my kind of fun," Calhoun beamed.
"Whatever she grows up to be, she'll be great I'm sure," Felix sighed with a smile.
"It'll be interesting to find out," Ralph said gently as he curled Tammy closer to his chest in his large arm.
Vanellope gazed at the sight, her heart swollen. She couldn't take her eyes away from the sweet, contradictory sight. She held her breath and intently watched Ralph. She felt as if every single day, with Ralph, was a new lesson in looking learned. Vanellope smiled longingly and relayed Felix's words in her head; Ralph definitely was a natural. He carefully stroked his large finger on Tammy's little belly, causing Tammy to squirm and smile a gummy smile. Ralph chuckled, his eyes glued to his little niece. Vanellope bit her lip as Ralph leaned down to place a small kiss on Tammy's forehead. Vanellope subtly lulled her head and gazed at Taffyta and Candlehead with a look of love struck grief. The two girls shot her knowing looks and giggled to themselves.
"Have you ever dealt with babies before, Ralph?" Taffyta chuckled, "Just a second ago, you were so nervous."
"N-No, never," Ralph chuckled as he gazed down at Tammy, "I've always struggled with attempts to be gentle, but failed. I-I'm a bit clumsy, I guess."
"Well, it looks like you're on your game when it comes to the stuff that sincerely matter," Calhoun smiled.
"It's so weird that, you guys made her," Vanellope breathed, "Just a half an hour ago, she didn't even exist."
"I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around it as well," Felix chuckled as Ralph carefully handed Tammy back to him; he eagerly smiled at Vanellope, "Do you want a turn?"
"Sure," Vanellope chimed as she perked up. Felix slowly walked over to Vanellope, his eyes fixed on his new daughter. He carefully slid Tammy into Vanellope's arms and stepped back to sit on the couch with Calhoun.
"It'll be interesting when she starts learning to talk," Taffyta said with a smile as everyone's eyes were now on Vanellope.
"I wonder what her first words will be," Vanellope smiled as she adjusted Tammy in her arms, cuddling her close and warmly in her arms.
"Fix it!" Taffyta said with a small laugh, everyone chuckled.
"That'd be surprising," Ralph said with a smile as he scoot closer to Vanellope. He eagerly gazed down at Tammy in Vanellope's arms.
"She's here just in time for Spring Break," Vanellope said as she glanced up at Calhoun and Felix.
"Is that already tomorrow?" Candlehead put her hand on her forehead in disbelief.
"Yeah, it snuck up on all of us," Taffyta said with a smile, "I can't wait for tanning, volleyball, and surfing! We can dip Tammy's feet in the water too."
"She'll love that," Felix smiled as he glanced at his wife.
"She might, but I won't," Calhoun chuckled.
"You'd rather spend your days in the dark with crazy cy-bugs?" Taffyta asked as she wrinkled her nose. Calhoun shrugged.
"You get used to it," Calhoun laughed.
The six friends hung out for most of the night, kindly passing Tammy around so everyone could appreciate her. When Tammy started to get fussy, everyone figured it was about time to leave the new, little family alone for the night. Everyone slowly moseyed out of Hero's Duty after saying their longing goodnight's to Calhoun, Felix and little Tammy. Game Central Station was calm, only a few gamers hung around for the evening. The stationed hummed with its usual, gentle electric current. Ralph, Vanellope, Taffyta and Candlehead calmly gathered outside of Hero's Duty.
"Well, today was interesting," Taffyta beamed as she looked up at Ralph before shooting Vanellope a knowing glance. Vanellope wrinkled her nose in return.
"It was," Ralph breathed as he rubbed the back of his head, "I've never held a baby before. Heck, I've never been related to anyone but Felix."
"The number only will grow from here on out," Candlehead said gently with a smile as she held her hands behind her back. Vanellope blushed and looked down at her feet.
"So, Spring Break starts tomorrow?" Vanellope asked, trying to avoid the conversation Candlehead and Taffyta were dying to have.
"Yep," Ralph breathed.
"It's not totally wise to rush to EZ Living on the first day of Spring Break," Taffyta said gently.
"Why not?" Ralph asked curiously.
"Because anyone who's anyone goes to EZ Living on the very first day of Spring Break," Taffyta laughed, "If we want a good spot on the beach, it's probably wise to go on the second or third day."
"Sounds good to me," Vanellope sighed as she glanced up at Ralph,
"I think I'm going to have a day long reset tomorrow. I think I really need it."
"I think we all do," Candlehead added, all three racers looked bushed.
"That sounds nice," Ralph smiled, "As much as I love wrecking things, sleeping is right up there on the list."
"Tell me about it," Taffyta chuckled as Ralph took a step backwards to slowly slink away from the group of girls.
"So I'll see you all first thing the day after tomorrow?" Ralph asked with a smile.
"Yep! We're probably going to just head over to EZ Living first thing, so we'll meet you there," Vanellope smiled a little.
"Felix, Calhoun and I will have a spot saved," Ralph said as he slowed down, "I'm sure Felix will probably want to get Tammy out into new scenery."
"Okay," Taffyta called, "We'll meet up with you guys then."
"I'll catch up with you guys," Vanellope softly said to Candlehead and Taffyta. Ralph stopped walking and gazed at Vanellope with a smile.
"Okay, we'll wait in the outlet for you," Taffyta called as the two girls split from Ralph and Vanellope. Vanellope nodded and quickly skipped to catch up to where Ralph was standing. He was halfway between Hero's Duty and his own game outlet. Game Central station was dim, but hummed with calm life.
"Hey," Ralph said gently with a smile as Vanellope approached him, "Everything okay?"
"Yeah," Vanellope breathed before looking down bashfully, she gently slipped both her hands into Ralph's, "I just wanted to thank you, again, for last night."
"You're always welcome in my home," Ralph smiled down at her calmly.
"And you're right," Vanellope chuckled, still looking down, "Your bed is the most comfortable."
"Told yah," Ralph chuckled.
"Especially, with you next to me," Vanellope said as she averted her gaze to Ralph's, her eyes daring, yet gentle.
"I-I'm just, glad I didn't crush you on accident," Ralph breathed shakily as Vanellope squeezed his hands.
"I don't think you could if you tried," Vanellope breathed gently, her eyes locked to Ralph's. Ralph swallowed the lump in his throat and stared down at her, every single light in Game Central Station sparkled in her eyes.
"You know," Ralph started before looking around nervously; he inhaled a small breath, "You can spend your day long reset with me, again, o-only if you'd like."
"At this point," Vanellope held her breath for a second as she inhaled a shaky breath, her face practically on fire, "I-I don't think any resting would be accomplished," Vanellope said in a soft exhale as she looked down, her face hot. She could practically feel the ground tremble beneath the two, "I-I really should just rest and do some Spring cleaning around the castle, s-so I can thoroughly enjoy my Spring Break."
"Fair enough," Ralph said gently with a smile, his eyes glued to her in surprise; Vanellope could feel both their hands become sweaty.
"Thank you, for the offer," Vanellope smiled teasingly into Ralph's eyes.
"No problem," Ralph said gently, his face flushed. He smiled a small, dizzy smile.
"I'll see you first thing, after tomorrow," Vanellope smiled as she gave Ralph's hands one last squeeze before softly slipping away from him.
"Yes," Ralph stammered as he nervously put his hands on his hips, "W-we'll make sure to get a good spot on the beach."
"Goodnight, Ralph," Vanellope said softly with a smoldering smile. She gave him a knowing look before casually walking towards Sugar Rush.
"Goodnight," Ralph exhaled a long, shaky breath and shook his head with a small, curious smile.
