Abigail Meets Her New Brother(s)
The day Cordelia went into labor for the second time was quite different from the first time. The first time she'd been twenty years old and kinda scared. The second time, she was nearly twenty seven and very excited. But it still hurt. Which explains why Xander is currently recovering from an elbow to his groin. It was after all, largely responsible for her current condition and just so perfectly positioned next to her that she just couldn't resist.
Abigail knew nothing of that, since Xander wasn't in the room at the moment. All she was interested in was meeting John. She'd finally convinced her parents that that was what he wanted to be called.
"Hey, it works. My grandpa's name was John. Plus we've got two friends named John. Johnathan 'Jack' O'Neill and John Sheppard. Let them think, he was named for one of them." Xander said.
That's pretty much what they did.
Abigail poked her new brother's arm. He was just kinda laying there. "When can he play with me?" She asked.
"Well, he has to learn how to, first. Babies learn alot in their first year. Since they can't talk, they learn to use different ways of crying to tell us about different problems they have. I'm hungry sounds way different then my diaper needs changed. Once he's learned how to do that, he needs to figure out how to roll over and then sit up and stand up. He has to learn one thing at a time. But you can play with him. You can shake a rattle for him. Or read him a story. Or sing him a song. I'm sure he'll tell us what he likes and doesn't like." Cordelia told her.
"Well he's hungry right now. His tummy's rumbly." Abigail said. Cordelia listened for a moment with her enhanced hearing and realized Abigail was right. She put a blanket over herself and positioned John so he could eat.
"He can't eat people food yet, mommy?"
"He needs baby food. Mommies make food for their own babies."
"Oh." She paused like she was listening to something and then said. "He likes that mommy."
"You're reading him aren't you?"
"Yes, he said I could. I can tell you what he wants, until he can tell you."
"Alright, as long as you remember. Only with permission."
Abigail nodded.
Rhonda went into labor a day later. Abigail got to meet her newest honorary brother, Chris, soon after.
She poked him in the arm too.
"Why is he bigger than our baby?"
"Because he demanded his mommy eat pizza instead of popcorn with butter and cheese on it, like you and John both did." Xander said.
Abigail tilted her head slightly and then said.
"You made him mad, daddy. He says he didn't demand. He just liked how his mommy's tummy was rumbly when she ate it."
"You're reading him too, Abigail?" Rhonda asked.
"Yes, he likes the blue blanket better. It's softer. The yellow one is scratchy. He says he feels warm and his tummy is full."
"Thank you for telling me Abigail. Just remember to ask first, okay?" Rhonda said. "You don't want to get in trouble for reading someone without permission."
"Okay. Is it okay if I tell Heidi and Tor that Allie messed her pants just now?"
Heidi quickly checked and found that yes, Allie had messed her pants and took her to get changed.
"Allie is old enough now to be able to tell her mommy and daddy that herself, Abigail. She's more than two years old now and able to talk. But it's good that you're looking out for them." Xander said.
"Since I can't take Clem for show and tell, can I take John?"
"No, they won't let you. And he's too little. But you could take some pictures to show and tell and pass them around." Xander told her.
She did just that. They were a big hit.
