It was a good 40 minute ride to Ballonela in which time the small family of 3 was watching TV for most of it after Alex grew bored and started to play idly with the now empty bottle of Lavender cola having drunk it at a rate that would put an alcoholic to shame.
"When in Mews name did you develop a taste for the stuff?" Scorch said as Nina looked at him "clearly he has good taste just like his mother" the Gardevoir countered, "or lack of said taste" Scorch said with the clearest note of sarcasm.
The three laughed as Cinder announced their arrival to Tangleweed manor with the announcement sending some excitement through Alex, Nina picked up Alex leaving the stroller in the caravan as Scorch picked up all the carrier bags and Alex's belongings despite Nina's offer to carry something since Alex was not that heavy.
When the three descended Alex's nose was assaulted by the familiar smell of oil, paint and metal of the garage Cinder found himself in, as Alex was carried past Cinder he could not stop himself from raising both arms up towards the Rapidash saying "wait! I wana pet him" fully knowing the response he is going to get but it had been so long since he had seen the giant Rapidash that has carried him on his back thousands of times.
Cinder lowered his head so he was head level with Nina and Alex letting out a warm and deep breath "master pet me?" he asked inquisitively, "of course" Alex said as Nina got close enough to Cinder so that Alex could with a bit discomfort twist his body towards the giant equine and failing to just pet his massive head ended up hugging him instead.
"Quick take a picture" Nina said trying to keep the noise from reaching Alex "picture?" he managed to get out still hugging Cinders head as the flash of a phone camera was set off, "DELETE THAT THIS INSTANCE!" Alex shouted trying to reach to the now chuckling Scorch. "Aaaw baby wants to spend time with daddy?" Scorch said in a half joking half mocking tone clearly enjoying himself as he picked up the bags again before walking deeper into the house, Alex knew they were not going to let him live it down after calling Scorch 'daddy' out of some weird reflex though most men would scream anything when a tube is being pulled from their penis.
"Alex?" came the gentle melodic chirping of Jessy the floppy eared Lopunny coming down the corridor in a pair of dungarees with a white T-shirt with a daisy in the middle both of which are covered in mud, "what did I say about trailing mud in the house?" Nina said with a sigh "not my fault if the shower is down the hall" Jessy said with a smile.
"Either way come here and give me a hug my little trainer" Jessy said taking steps forward towards Alex before said Lopunny was lifted off the ground by an unseen force, "not until you have had a shower young lady," Nina said eyes glowing with Psychic looking up at the filth covered rabbit "besides he is fresh out of the hospital he is basically as vulnerable as a newborn."
"I take offence to that" Alex said flatly whilst folding his arms not noticing the two women grinning "aaw baby boy getting pouty?" Jessy said jokingly as she was lowered back to the ground, "I think so besides we need to get him introduced to his new bedroom" Nina said bouncing Alex gently and unannounced the bouncing made the pressure in the humans bladder very very obvious and very unstoppable.
"Did he just?" Jessy asked as it clicked in Alex's brain making him want to scream out in frustration, the uncomfortable hospital diaper warmed up and became less like cardboard and more like a warm gel pad between his legs.
"it's alright Alex no need to cry" Nina said rubbing Alex's back after feeling his breathing become heavier as if on the verge of tears, "i-i-i am not going to cry" Alex stuttered out his voice remain low from his back being rubbed "I know, I know you're being such a big boy about it" Nina said striding up the stairs and making her way down a corridor and into a room of dark blue and purple.
"it isn't quite done yet but we can always add things you want" Nina said smiling as she popped off the bottom of the bodyglove then peeled off the soaked diaper, "now where is it.. ah there" Nina muttered to herself as she rummaged around the duffle bag Scorch left by the bare changing table. "there we go" Nina said taking a wetwipe to Alex's crotch which shocked him, "COLD!" he yelped out both hands grabbing onto the arm that held the wetwipe.
"I know Alex but the quicker I get this done the sooner you're in something more comfy" Nina cooed using one hand to move her boys hands away as she finished off cleaning him, "please tell me you at least are not going to-" Alex said composing himself after a bit being interrupted by Nina straightening her back and holding up a red diaper with a scorbunny pattern and a light blue diaper with a raltz pattern.
"Are these my only choice?" Alex asked all colour draining from his face "for now" Nina said making Alex sigh before pointing at the scorbunny one, more gently than before Nina had him powdered and in the diaper but this time it was not a tight cardboard pain but instead was more like an actual pillow.
"Better?" she asked "better" Alex said in response, "by the way" Alex says using his good hand to push himself up to look around the almost empty room "what is this?" utterly confused by the lack of decoration and furniture, "your nursery though your crib is still flatpacked but it should be ready by tonight, your toybox and toys are to be delivered and where is fritz?" Nina said though the last bit was more focused towards herself.
First came the sound of a plug from a tub being pulled then a grey furred Zoroark walked in from a second door with a towel wrapped around his waist, "did you seriously take a bath with the nursery tub?" Nina said pinching the bridge of her nose "what?" Fritz said raising the towel to dry his hair and Nina's hand flew to Alex's eyes.
"IN FRONT OF THE BABY!" Nina said offended by the action "starters I am 20 second I have seen you all naked before" Alex said fussing out from under Nina's hand, "fine I won't cover your eyes when it comes to this stuff at home" Nina said with a huff folding her arms. "Alex it has been ages did you enjoy the toy I made for you?" Fritz said referring to the laptop, "oh right I haven't really had the chance to just sit around with it we kinda had to leave in a hurry" Alex said with Fritz nodding in acknowledgment.
"well I probably owe you an explanation before I have to dash off to prepare your bed for tonight," Fritz says reaching under the changing table where he pulled out some jeans and a jumper with pockets that were clearly added, "whilst I am here consider me this houses handyman with complete willingness to not do my job so I can play with my adorable little trainer" he added pinching Alex's cheek before vanishing off to do who knows what.
Alex let out a sigh "you getting tired?" Nina asked and Alex for the first time in well over a decade and a bit agreed, "yes… incredibly" he says and Nina nods lifting him up resting his head over her shoulder. "You can sleep in mummy and daddys bed" she says nuzzling the side of his head, "not waiting for me to slip up to call yourself that?" Alex says smiling as he rests his head on her shoulder.
Carried down the hall he was brought into a room with walls of oak panels, 2 wardrobes, a bathroom, many dressers and what Alex was laid on was an extremely soft and extremely comfortable bed. Nina dimmed the lights "guess it's nap time for you my little baby boy, need anything to help you sleep?" she asks and Alex actually considered it.
"I am fine really just need like 5 minutes rest" Alex says getting comfy where he was laying cringing a bit when he used the stumps to push himself into position, "those are still going to be a bit sore don't be afraid to say when the pain gets a bit much ok" Nina says covering Alex up with a blanket.
With the baby in her bed Nina left Alex to have some rest.