"Ace, we can hold and watch Manisha while the two of you pack a bag," Mel says, Ace looks down at Manisha whose eyes seem to be changing.
"I," she tries not to stammer, Graham is in the bedroom packing the bags.
"Ace, she is my niece. I will not drop her. We have a baby brother who is 8 months older than her and I have held him. I also held Manisha the day she was born and have many times since," Mel understands that Ace just wants to be with her daughter and the father most of the time, but there is a whole house that will keep an eye on Manisha for them.
"I know, I just." Ace tries to put words to her thoughts, but fails.
"A worried Mother. First time. Mom warned us all about this happening; we have been patient." Ace looks back at Mel.
"I trust you guys I do, but I didn't even know my Daughter the first few hours of her life. Only Graham did."
"Ace," Graham calls from the bedroom, "can you please help me make sure that Manisha's bag is fully packed. I don't want to forget anything." Ace looks at Manisha then at Mel.
"Ok, you can watch her, she should be asleep for around 45 minutes until her next feeding. She just had a diaper change." Mel smiles and starts to watch Manisha as Ace goes into her bedroom. "Graham, I'm here. Mel is keeping an eye on Manisha." Graham turns to face her.
"I feel like I am missing something." He almost whines.
"Is this a glimpse for the future," she adds with small laughter in her voice.
"What do you mean?"
"Whining, for when Manisha is older."
"She just started babbling. According to the books she is a few months away from saying 'Mama and Dada.' "
"I know. Come on, let's go through the list we made." Once the list has been gone through twice Ace, Graham gets in the back of the car with Manisha while Mel drives to their parents.
"You two love Manisha more than life itself."
"She is our gift," Graham says as a small cry is heard next to him.
"Mel?"
"We are 10 minutes out. I'll drive faster."
"NO," both parents say in unison.
"I have been driving under the speed limit this whole time, we'll be ok if we go the limit."
Once they arrive Zoe is standing outside. "Harry is in there with Steven. Liam is in his room like always. Now hand me Manisha," she says as Ace gets the small car seat that has her daughter out.
"They haven't even really anyone hold her."
"Well, that's gonna change since both Grandmas are here."
"Both," Ace starts to panic.
"Sarah Jane and I of course. I know she would love to be a Grandmother to this sweet little one and any future little one," she winks as she doesn't listen to Ace's protest as she takes Manisha from her. "Come now." Mel sits back not used to seeing her mother like this.
The next day, food is out to snack on and the parade is on. Steven is playing with a few of his toys. Liam is on his phone. Ace shares a look with Graham. "So Little Man, have you talked to Adric lately?"
"No, I like someone and Adric doesn't understand why."
"Have you explained it to him?"
"Why should you, did you explain to Yaz when you started to like my sister."
"Yaz knew from our first interaction that I liked your sister. Maybe text him tomorrow."
"Maybe, how do you know about this?"
"Tegan's parents are blaming her and times when Manisha isn't sleeping, I take Mani out to the front room and Tegan has been up late a few nights."
"Hmm," Liam says before going back to his phone. A small cry is heard again, Graham gets up and he and Ace make it to where Manisha was sleeping. Zoe and Harry sigh at the first time parents that run every time a cry is heard.
"Mel, are they always like that?"
"Worse, they don't want her out of one of their sights. I wonder how Ace is going to do her online class in two months."
"We should talk to them, Harry."
"I don't think that I am the best to do that. I think Ace still isn't happy with me with everything."
"You did help Kathleen move stateside."
"I know, she deserves to know everyone."
"No she doesn't. The only family I need is going to be here tonight or I live with them." Ace says as she has Manisha in her arms who is babbling incoherently, Graham is right next to them with the diaper bag on his shoulder.
"Ace," Harry says, wishing Ace would give the woman a chance.
"No Dad, even though my birth giver will never be my Mom, that is Zoe and only Zoe. Kathleen didn't even want to know me as a baby."
"Ace there is more to the story, that I didn't want to tell you when I found out."
"What is it?"
"It's not the talk for holidays."
"Then why did you even think to say something?" Manisha's eyes open, she looks to her mom and reaches for the chain around her neck with her promise ring and tugs on it.
"Ow, Manisha, what was that for?" Incoherent babbles again.
"She knows your voice Dear," Graham says with a smile, "and just like me doesn't want to see you upset."
"Graham, I think I should try and put the ring on again." Graham goes behind her and unclasps the chain. Mel takes the opportunity to take her niece who laughs and pulls some of her hair into her mouth.
"Ace, this ring is a promise, and I am making that promise again. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and maybe even grow our family, after you graduate and start your dream job of course."
"Graham," she smiles, "I know our plans." He slips the purple ring back on her finger.
"Son," Graham turns to Harry as he stands up, "can you please come with me outside."
"Dad?"
"Ace, nothing to worry about."
Graham follows him out, "so you two have plans?"
"We do, we'll wait until after she graduates to get married. She knows one day before I am going to ask her to marry me."
"When."
"If you are ok with it, next Thanksgiving. I still need to find a ring, and I want Manisha to be with us in the park."
"Hmm."
"What?"
"Why do you two want a long engagement?"
"You don't need to worry Sir, I love Ace more and more every day. Only two people can make my heart sing, that is Ace and Manisha. Should we get inside?"
….
One month later, Ace and Graham arrive a day after Mel, Manisha had a check up and some shots. "I know you're not happy Sweetie." Ace coos to her as she gets her out of the car. "Mommy can kiss it better, once we are inside, and it smells like you also need a diaper change."
"Want help," asks Graham as he hands her the diaper bag so he could carry in the gifts.
"I got it, you put those under the tree. I wonder where everyone is," she says because for the first time no one is there to greet them.
"Maybe everyone finally understands that we are capable parents."
"Graham they all already know that, it's just that they think we are over protective."
"We may be, but in this world with both of our backstories, who is to blame." She smiles at him.
"Great, I can't get my key." Graham puts down the gifts as a car pulls up.
"Which pocket?"
"Diaper bag front pocket," she smiles at him while trying to calm Manisha. Once he gets the key and opens the door.
"Everything awaites for my two girls," he adds a flourish with his hands making Ace laugh.
"My Prince Charming, get the gifts and get inside."
"Anything for you."
"Anything eh?"
"Not here and don't you need to wait for your doctor to ok it."
"Yes, now get them, I need to change Mani."
Once inside Graham arranges the gifts and meets Ace upstairs, wrapping his arms around her as she changes Manisha. "How is our little screamer?"
"Calming down," her voice changes as she looks to her daughter, "isn't that right Manisha. Mommy is taking care of you." A small giggle is heard from the table.
"She has your giggle," Graham tells Ace, kissing her cheek.
"I am her mommy," Ace finishes redressing Manihsa. "Now let Mommy and Daddy see that arm." Ace says picking her up. "Who should kiss it first, Mommy or Daddy?" Manisha reaches for Graham's hand. Graham bends down and kisses where the bandaid is, then Ace. There is a sound at the door, both turn in panic to see the smiling faces of Zoe and Harry.
"Mom, Dad?"
"You two are very good with her. We have been watching basically since before you walked in the door," Zoe says, stepping forward giving both a hug before taking Manisha.
"Is someone excited for her first Christmas?"
"She is, though she doesn't understand what it is. What about Steven?"
"Constantly saying Momma and Dada and I'm glad he can't read. The two babies here are getting spoiled by Santa."
"Mom, we are Santa for Manisha. You know her parents," Ace says when Harry nods for Graham to follow him and takes Manisha.
"None of her gifts from us say Santa. They all say Nan and Pops."
"Good, as long as you understand that Graham and I will be Santa for our little girl." She puts her hands on her hips.
"Ace, I didn't mean anything, believe me." She steps closer to Ace.
"I know in my head and heart you didn't, but you can't blame me with how you said it all. You could have said that Steven is spoiled by Santa and Manisha by Nan and Pops. Then I would not have reacted like this and Dad and Graham wouldn't have left the room with Manisha so she didn't have to hear an argument. Wait, the two of you have decided what you want her and any future children to be called."
"Of course, we are a family." Zoe steps closer to Ace again wrapping her in her arms.
"Mom, I'm tired, Graham really tries his best, but with him back at work and everyone else at school, I am alone for most of the day."
"That's normal, and you are basically taking a year off of school to see her grow."
"I am taking a couple online classes starting in a few weeks."
"Well, for those remaining weeks, you will be here, Graham is off work, your Dad can take some time off work, I know I can."
"You went back?"
"Yes, I only show families, so I can bring Steven. Sometimes though Sarah Jane watches him."
"I know when I go back fulltime next fall, we will either have to pay or find someone to watch him."
"Ask his Gran."
"You?"
"I'm opting for Nan. Sarah Jane may want Gran, ask her."
"I will when she comes over Christmas morning. I'm glad she decided to stay here."
"Who knows, maybe she'll move closer to the two of you."
"That means splitting our holidays, I don't want that."
"I know, but we all are close, and it's not like it's a different state. It's just a 2 hour drive."
"A drive that will get harder as Manisha gets older."
"Oh shush, you and Graham are more capable, and plus you live with three wonderful roommates. All of them will help out with Manisha whenever you ask."
"I know, they have taken to making sure Graham and I can take a nap together for a few hours on weekends."
"Good, you are letting them help out now. That is different from just a month ago." Ace smiles as she hears a lot of laughter.
"We should head down." As they make it down they find Steven showing Manisha some of his toys. Her eyes are big as she looks and reaches for a book that Steven was showing her and tries to put it in her mouth.
"Mommy," Steven screams, making Manisha let out a wailing cry. Ace steps forwards, Zoey stopping her and Harry bends down.
"Stev, she is your little niece, she's at the age where everything goes into her mouth."
"Mommy," he says again, turning and holding his arms out to Zoe. Zoe picks him up, earning a scowl from Ace who goes to her daughter that was picked up by Liam.
"I know it sucks being the youngest in a family, but you won't always be that way Mani. Trust me. I thought I would be, then Steven was born; and a few months later you came along. Now it may be a few years, maybe close to how long it was for me, but trust me. Your Mommy and Daddy will give you more siblings." Ace is stopped in her tracks watching Liam like this.
"Li," she says, making Liam look at her hearing his old nickname.
"Yes, Dotty," he retorts back.
"You are an amazing Uncle."
"Eh, I just know this family," he smiles as he gives Manisha to Ace.
Two days later, everyone minus the two babies are in the living room eating dessert when there is a sound coming from the baby monitor, a sound Ace feels something is up. She hands her plate to her dad, grabbing Graham and the two make their way upstairs. "Steven Vislour McShane, what are you doing," she says sternly. He looks at her with large brown eyes and slumps down. Graham goes to pick up Manisha.
"My toy," Steven pouts. Words fall on deaf ears as the parents leave the room and head out with a now awake and crying Manisha.
"Your Son just tried to smother my Daughter," Ace announces to Zoe and Harry.
"What?!"
"Yes Mom, your little angel thinks my Daughter, thinking she was a toy. Where he got it in his mind it was ok to treat a toy like that is beyond me. I do not want them in the same crib anymore." She turns to Sarah Jane who looks between Ace and Zoe as Harry heads upstairs shaking his head.
"Sarah Jane, if we have a playpen in the car, can we spend tonight at your house."
"Um sure, but shouldn't you?"
"I want Manisha close to us for the rest of the night, Mom."
"I'm sorry, we have never seen him do that."
"Well it happened. It's a good thing I listened to my gut. Graham?" She doesn't have to finish the sentence before Graham is out the door. They spend the rest of the week with Sarah Jane as Zoe keeps trying to apologize to Ace. Harry is the only one that was able to talk her down from leaving the next morning and stay with Sarah Jane until New Years.