Fathers First: Chapter 18
Dec. 18th, 2006 02:29 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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nickngregRating: Chapter 18: PG
Author: kieksterbanjo
Warnings: None
Summary: Fathers before anything else...Nick and Greg take on the challenge of raising children
Disclaimer: Would I like to own them? YES. But do I? Alas No. I would also like to make money from this and marry Benji Schwimmer from So You Think You Can Dance but one must live in the real world. *sigh*
Chapter 18
“We’re really gonna do this aren’t we?” Greg whispered as he and Nick lay in bed later that night; Greg’s head on Nick’s chest as he slowly picked at the warn letters of Nick’s t-shirt.
He got no answer from above his head and for a minute he thought Nick might be asleep, “Unless YOU don’t want to. I thought this is what you wanted?” Greg heard Nick whisper; his voice thick with sleep.
Greg picked his head up, surprised, to put his chin on Nick’s chest, looking at Nick’s eyes as he looked down at Greg, “It IS. It totally is. I just thought…it would never happen. The number of talks we had about this, all of which ended the same way; we were done having kids. It just seems…I don’t know…surreal that it’s actually happening.” He shrugged.
Nick smiled and brought a hand lazily up to stroke Greg’s cheek, “Well I guess we had to even out the count didn’t we?”
“What do you mean?” Greg asked with a confused chuckle.
“Well right now I’ve got two kids and you’ve got one, only seems fair to even it out.”
Greg’s eyes widened, “It’s going to be mine?” He said shocked as if the thought hadn’t even crossed his mind.
“Well I guess that’s up to you. But yeah.” Nick nodded.
“You’d let another one be mine? Even after the first time?” Greg cracked.
“Heyyyyyyy.” Nick said warningly, “Charlie may be a little out there but that never hurt anyone. You’re a little out there and everyone loves you.” He laughed as Greg poked him in the ribs, “But no, seriously? I can’t believe you’d even THINK that this kid wouldn’t be yours.”
Greg sighed, “As clichéd as it sounds I’ve actually always thought of Charlie as the only good thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
“…That’s the most clichéd thing I’ve ever heard.” Nick said after a moment and Greg rolled his eyes.
“I know, I know. What I’m trying to say is that I never really thought of having another kid because I never thought I could get another one as perfect as Charlie.”
“It’ll be a part of you and therefore can’t be anything BUT perfect. You don’t even have to try Greg.” Nick said sweetly.
“You HAVE to show me this book of unBELIEVABLY romantic lines that you’ve kept hidden. Who does your writing?” Greg asked sarcastically even though he couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face.
“I look at you and it just comes out so I guess I’d have to say the writer is you.”
“I should get a medal.” Greg smirked, snuggling back against Nick’s chest as Nick chuckled.
-- -- --
“But I already HAVE two.” Aidan whined spinning on his desk chair.
Nick stopped the chair from spinning and turned Aidan to face him. He figured when telling the kids they were going to have a new brother or sister, Aidan would be the easiest to win over. His assumption, however, had been a little off, “You don’t want a little brother or sister? Someone to look up to you? Think you’re the coolest?” Nick tried.
Aidan rolled his eyes, “But I’ve already got two!” He tried again, crossing his arms over his chest.
Nick sighed and tried a different tact, “Look Aidan, your opinion really matter to us. Daddy and I really want you behind this. Was it hard when Jellie came?” He asked.
“I guess not.” Aidan sighed with a pout.
“And won’t it be cool to get one more gift on your birthday when he or she gets older?”
Aidan smiled slightly at that, “Well all right, I guess it’s okay.”
Nick smiled and shook Aidan’s shoulder, “Good man, you’re going to make an amazing third time big brother.” Aidan’s smile widened at that and Nick leaned forward to kiss Aidan’s forehead before leaving the eight year old to his homework. Nick breathed a sigh of relief as he closed Aidan’s bedroom door behind him; it had taken him almost an hour to get Aidan on board and he still hadn’t mentioned that Aidan and Charlie would be sharing a room once the baby was born. He figured he would leave that until another day.
He laughed as he met Greg leaving Charlie’s bedroom. Greg who looked frazzled and tired, “How’d it go?” Nick asked slinging an arm around Greg’s shoulders as they walked slowly to the stairs.
“I finally got him to stop repeatedly saying ‘No, no, no, no, no’.” Greg said hopefully, laying his head on Nick’s shoulder as Nick nodded, “However only after I promised that he could name the new baby.” Greg cringed.
Nick laughed, “Oh god it’s gonna be named ‘Dora’ or ‘Spongebob’ or ‘The kid in the pink or blue hat’ isn’t it?”
“Probably.” Greg agreed, “Hopefully he’ll forget about it. It’s a little ways from now.”
Nick nodded as they passed Angelica’s room. He stopped in his tracks and Greg looked at him funny, “Why the stopping?”
“Should we tell Angelica?” Nick asked with a shrug.
“I doubt she’ll care one way or another.” Greg shrugged as well.
“Well that might be kinda nice after the conversations we just had.” Nick suggested and Greg laughed, pulling Nick with him as he opened the bedroom door. Angelica sat in her crib picking at her toes and babbling to herself.
“Hey Jellie!” Greg said happily walking to the crib and lifting the baby out, “Dad and I have something to tell you.” He grinned as Angelica reached up and grabbed his nose in her small hand and squeezed, amusing herself to the point of laughter. Greg chuckled and looked over at Nick, “Oh yeah. I’m extremely glad we left her to last.”
Nick just smiled.
-- -- --
“So, Nicky, what are you up to the rest of the day?” Warrick asked as he untied his dress shoes and pulled his sneakers out of his locker.
Nick took his gun from its holder, checked the clip and then put it in the top of his own locker before answering, “Ummm Greg and I are going to try and catch a few hours of sleep, pick up the boys and then go to the mall; some last minute Christmas shopping to do and we have to get the kids Santa picture.” He shrugged.
Warrick nodded, “Sounds like a full day.” Nick snorted in response, “Hey man do you mind if I tag along with you to the mall? I’ve got some Christmas shopping to do myself.”
Nick shrugged again, “Yeah that should be fine. As long as you don’t mind waiting with us while we try and get all three kids to sit still and not cry during their Santa picture.” He cracked and Warrick chuckled, “I’m not kidding; last year Angelica slept through the whole thing, I fear we may have a tornado on our hands this year.” Nick sighed, pulling his work shirt over his head and throwing it into his backpack.
“Hey aren’t you supposed to wait until I get here to start undressing?” Greg asked making his way into the locker room and opening his own locker with a wink in Nick’s direction.
“Why do *I* always have to be here when these guys talk like this?” Warrick asked more to the heavens then to the men in the room with him. Nick and Greg laughed, “All right man I’ll see you later.” Warrick sighed, clapping hands with Nick, who nodded, “Sanders.” Warrick smiled, patting the younger man on the back on his way out.
“Good night!...morning.” Greg called after him before turning to Nick, “Graveyard shift for how many years now and I’m still not sure what the kosher term is?” He asked.
Nick chuckled, “I think it’s a judgment call, and I also think no one cares.” He cracked.
“Hey that’s not very nice.” Greg pouted crossing his arms over his chest.
“Awwwww.” Nick sighed moving to wrap his arms around Greg from the side. The move did nothing to alleviate Greg’s pout, “You’re too cute you know that?” Nick tried but Greg’s bottom lip remained stubbornly jutted out, “Have a baby with me?” Nick tried hopefully.
That did it. Greg’s pout melted into a smile, “Okay.” He said happily leaning in for a kiss.
“Come on. If we get home in the next 20 minutes we may be able to get 4 hours of sleep.” Nick said and Greg jumped to beat the deadline.
-- -- --
“Note to self; only ask to come to the mall with you guys when the kids AREN’T around.” Warrick cracked as Charlie and Angelica poked and prodded him as they walked through the mall.
Nick and Greg laughed, “They’re excited to see their Uncle Warrick. But I can get them off of you if you want.” Greg commented pulling Charlie from Warrick’s leg.
“Daddy can you hold my sweater.” Charlie asked without skipping a beat, walking by Greg’s side as he tugged at the knit sweater he was wearing.
“Not right now.” Greg said laughing as Angelica practically climbed over Warrick’s head.
“But it’s itchy!” Charlie protested.
“Keep it on until after your picture Char.” Nick said, absently, as he pushed Angelica’s empty stroller slowly in front of him; peering in stores as they passed. Charlie pouted his distain but removed his hand from the offending sweater.
“Do you give this munchkin enough attention?” Warrick asked rearranging the squirming baby to sit in his arms and smoothed out her dress.
“No we keep her locked in her bedroom all day.” Greg said with a shrug and Warrick rolled his eyes.
“Good thing she’s your last then.” Warrick commented with a snort as the group came to stand in the line for Santa pictures.
Nick and Greg smirked at each other. They hadn’t told their coworkers their plans to have a fourth child; figuring they would wait until it was actually under way before breaking the news.
“Not very busy today.” Nick commented, noticing only three families ahead of them.
“Well it is only…” Greg looked down at his watch as his eyes widened, “4:00. Most people aren’t off work yet and I have to be going.” He said eyeing Nick.
“Oh!” Nick said knowingly, “Right, you’re doctor’s appointment.”
“Doctor’s appointment? You’re not sick, are you Sanders?” Warrick asked concerned.
“No. No. This is more of a…fun visit.” Greg said trying not to laugh as Warrick looked at him funny, “Nicky do you mind showing me where the car is parked?”
Nick quirked an eyebrow, “Sure G.” He said, “Warrick do you mind watching the kids for a minute?”
“Yeah. Sure.” Warrick said suspiciously as Nick and Greg walked out of the line.
When they were a sufficient ways away from Warrick, Greg stopped Nick and turned him to face him, “Tell me you want this. Tell me you’re not just doing this for me because you know I want another one.” Greg asked; fear in his eyes.
“I want this.” Nick said without hesitation.
“Even though we don’t have the money for it?” Greg asked.
“We’ll find it.” Nick assured.
“Even though we don’t have the time for it?”
“We’ll make time.”
“Even though…”
Nick cut him off, “Greg!” He said sharply and Greg shut up, “Would you stop that before I change my mind? I want to do this, despite everything. Now I’m worried YOU don’t want to.” He chuckled nervously.
“Oh I want to. It’s just after I do this there really isn’t any turning back, so to speak. I wanted to make sure you’re really into this.” Greg shrugged.
Nick smiled and pointed to the exit, “Go. Do it.” He said simply and Greg smiled widely before kissing Nick on the cheek and starting to walk away. He stopped when Nick called after him, “You sure you don’t want me to come. Give you a hand?” He asked with a wink and Greg laughed.
“You just want to come so you can watch.” Greg said, returning the wink and Nick laughed, “And besides I’ve got all the help I need up here.” He said pointing to his head with a smirk, “Later Cowboy.” Greg called with a wave as he continued on his way.
Nick smiled to himself and watched his husband leave before walking back over to where Warrick stood holding Angelica on his shoulder with one arm and Charlie upside down with the other, “What happened here?” Nick asked taking Angelica from Warrick’s shoulder and setting her on the ground.
“Uncle Warrick bet me he couldn’t hold all of us at the same time.” Aidan explained with a giggle.
Nick shook his head, “What did he bet you?” He asked looking at Warrick who shrugged.
“He never said.” Aidan said as if that didn’t quite sound right and Nick and Warrick laughed.
“It’s our turn anyway.” Nick commented picking Angelica up again.
A kindly older woman in an apron walked up to them with a smile, “How many do we have meeting Santa today and what are their names?” She asked smiling largely at Aidan who seemed less then enthused.
“Three.” Nick answered pointing at the children, “And it’s Aidan, Charlie and Angelica.” He supplied pointing to each of the kids in turn.
“All right then why don’t we go meet Santa?” She asked holding out her hand to Charlie who took it excitedly.
“Hi Santa.” He said happily when they reached the man in red sitting in a large chair, shaped like a sleigh.
“Well hello there.” Santa’s voice boomed and Charlie looked up in awe at the power of it before hopping up onto his knee.
Aidan was next to the approach the mall Santa with a pout, “Why so sad young man?” Santa asked patting his knee and Aidan shrugged. Nick watched the exchanged with confusion. Aidan had been overly excited to see Santa before they had left and now he seemed like he didn’t want to be there. But then Nick realized that Aidan was caught between two worlds. A world that still let him believe in Santa and go sit on his knee and another where he was told that wanting to see Santa was not cool.
“Why don’t you stand in front Aidan and we’ll put Jellie on Santa’s lap.” Nick suggested and watched Aidan perk up at that, obviously Nick had given him an out.
Nick smiled and moved to position Angelica onto Santa’s knee when suddenly the realization must have hit the baby that the slightly scary large man in the red suit and white beard that had been far away a minute ago was now not only right next to her but her father was about to leave her with him.
Angelica erupted into screams and clung to Nick for all she had, grabbing anything she could. Nick carefully pulled the tiny hands from his shirt, whispering calming words to the obviously not calm child. When he was finally free he sprinted to behind the camera where Warrick stood as Aidan arranged himself in front of Santa, “Okay everybody, smile!” The lady in the apron said cheerfully, Angelica continued to scream, “Ohhhh someone’s not happy. Look at this Angelica.” She said waving a stuffed bee in the air.
“Just take the picture.” Nick said simply.
“But Angelica’s crying man.” Warrick said as if Nick was crazy.
“It’s happened with both Charlie and Aidan and you learn to just take the picture because trying to get them to calm down is a lost battle and makes all the other people wait. But taking them out of the picture has them wondering years down the road why they weren’t in that years Santa picture. So, you take the picture.” Nick explained and Warrick nodded impressed.
“O-kay.” The lady in the apron said slowly as if she thought Nick was crazy, “On three! One, two, three!”
-- -- --
“Could her face GET any more red?” Greg asked that night before work as he looked down at the 5X7 picture in his hand.
“Oh trust me, it could have. If the lady taking the picture had waited any longer Angelica’s head might have exploded and I’m sure the kids in the line would have soon realized that the man in front of them was not Santa. Do you SEE the death grip she has on his beard?” Nick chuckled as he put away dishes from the dishwasher.
“I like the picture though, they look good. How were the boys?” Greg asked as he flipped open the photo book in front of him; lifting the plastic to lay the photo underneath.
“They were both good.” Nick said with a nod coming to sit next to Greg at the kitchen table, “Hard to believe next year we’ll have one more in this photo.” He commented as Greg flipped through the Santa pictures of Christmas’ past; showing Aidan every year since he was not even one to the present as well as the additions of both Charlie and Angelica, “How’d today go by the way?”
Greg shrugged, “Today was the easy part.” He smiled as Nick rubbed a hand up and down Greg’s back.
“Do you remember that year?” Nick commented, stopping Greg as he passed a picture, “We had decided to go to lunch right before the picture and Charlie spilt orange soda all over his white shirt?”
“Why did we let him have orange soda to begin with?” Greg asked with a laugh remembering the day when a two year old Charlie had made his white shirt orange, causing Nick and Greg to have to buy him a new one at the mall before the picture.
“Aidan had gotten orange soda and Charlie wouldn’t let us order him anything OTHER then orange soda.” Nick reminded.
Greg nodded and flipped to another picture, “This was the year you decided Aidan didn’t need to go to the barber and cut his hair on your own.” Greg commented pointing at a three year old Aidan, smiling as he sat on Santa’s knee with one of the worst haircuts known to man.
“Ha. Ha.” Nick said sarcastically, “The scissors were dull. It wasn’t my fault.”
“Sure they were.” Greg said with fake sympathy and ducked as Nick swatted his shoulder. Greg righted himself with a laugh and the two sat reminiscing over every photo in the book until it was time to go to work.
TBC
A/N: I wanted to keep in the Christmas theme because well its Christmas LOL and I wanted to write a chapter about the Santa picture because it’s a tradition in my family that every year me and my two older sisters go and get our picture taken with Santa and my mom puts it in a book with a poem about that year’s Christmas. We still go every year even though I’m 19 years old and I’m the youngest!
I hope you all have Christmas or Hanukah or whatever holiday you celebrate traditions that make you smile as much as the Santa picture makes me smile. Happy Holidays all! :)
P.S you probably already know this but feedback would be very much appreciated. Thanks for reading!
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Date: 2006-12-18 09:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-18 05:43 pm (UTC)I love your story, they're just too cute with children lol
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Date: 2006-12-20 05:26 am (UTC)