The Love You Give

Baby Love

Ezra saw the look on Henry's face as she walked into Chemistry and laughed. "Biology project." He nodded in understanding. "She looks so real." Henry said as Janelle began kicking off her baby blanket. "Courtesy of Hugh Industries." Ezra removed the blanket and folded it. She remembered Mr. Kolbe saying that the dolls were like real babies and the onesie Janelle was currently in was thick. "I can't believe this school has a partnership with Hugh Industries. They're leaders in almost every industry." Henry nodded in agreement. "Clarkson High may be public, but it's still filled with the richest kids in the state and money talks." Mrs. Connelly entered the class and smiled at the sprinkled car seats. "I always love this time of year for my students in Biology." She spoke up with a smile as the bell rang and Jacob sprinted in the room. Ezra shook her head before his eyes met hers and then the car seat. The confusion on his face was enough to make Ezra chuckle.

"You have something you want to tell me?" Jacob asked her as class dismissed. "It's for biology you goof. Your brother and I are parents now." Jacob looked at the doll. "That's freakishly real looking." Janelle's big brown eyes stared right at Jacob. "She likes you." Ezra giggled before lifting the car seat. "She better like me. I'm Daddy number 2." Ezra began to laugh heartily. "Goodbye Jacob!" She called out before heading to Calculus. "Teen Mom looks good on you." Mason joked. Ezra snickered at him. "She is a cutie though." Mason looked at Janelle. Ezra noticed that though the babies couldn't cry between 8-3 it didn't stop them from getting fussy. She picked her up in her arms and almost instantly all of her thrashing stopped. "You look good with a baby." Ezra looked up at Mason who was right beside her. The bell rang and Jace walked in to a scene that enraged him. Ezra looked up at him and gave him one of her magical smiles and the bomb was immediately diffused.

"You have something you want to tell me?" Jace asked her once class was over. "Funny, your triplet said the same thing." Jace chuckled ignoring Mason's gaze. "Which one?" Ezra stood up in front of him with a smile. "The one who's not the father." Mason's eyes widened. Ezra placed Janelle back in her car seat. The baby had actually gone to sleep in her arms and she wanted to keep it that way. "Remember, Jackson and my Biology project. She is the next phase." Jace nodded. "She's really cute. Even looks like you two." Ezra smiled. "That's what I was going for." Jace lifted the car seat effortlessly and seeing him with a baby made Ezra's ovaries scream. She told herself she was too young for a baby as they walked out together. "I think this will be the first time you'll be getting to World Lit on time." Ezra teased. "Yeah, well I got to make sure my girl and daughter get to their destination safely." Ezra smiled at him. "You'd claim her even though she wasn't yours." Jace laughed at her. "She's a Scott. Of course she's mine."

They made it to class and it was obvious a lot of Biology students had World Literature. Ms. Gatlin was beside herself cooing at babies and checking out baby outfits. Jace placed Janelle's car seat on Ezra's desk before smiling at her. She knew he wanted to kiss her so bad so she blew him one before whispering "later." Lucy Jane squealed the moment she saw all the babies. The collective shushing sound was made by all the mother and fathers in the room who had collectively gotten their babies to sleep. "I love her already!" Lucy Jane smiled down at a still sleeping Janelle. "What's her name?" Ezra loved her excitable best friend. "Her name is Janelle. Janelle Selena Scott." Mason couldn't help the scoff that left his lips causing Ezra to turn to him. "Sorry. I didn't mean to. I guess, I just hoped you'd have a say in the naming process." Ezra eyed him. "I did. I'm the one that named her. I wanted her initials to match her Daddy's." Ezra smiled happily and Mason didn't miss the look of love in her eyes.

Ms. Gatlin began teaching and all was well until Ezra noticed Janelle getting fussy. She removed the baby blanket and tried to focus back on the teaching until the loudest cry pierced the room. All the students with babies looked to their own, but Ezra was mortified that it was her child crying. "I'm so sorry," Ezra called out to Ms. Gatlin before taking Janelle out of the car seat. She tried rocking her, but nothing helped. Ezra looked to Jackson with panic in her eyes and he got up to help her, but Ms. Gatlin stopped him. She picked up the crying doll who actually had real tears in her eyes and continued teaching like it was nothing. Eventually Janelle stopped crying and Ezra felt like she could breathe again. She was going to have a talk with Mr. Kolbe about this although a part of her felt he knew this would happen to any of them.

"In all my years teaching while this project was started, I have never seen a more beautiful baby." Ms. Gatlin said handing Janelle to Jackson. "Thank you," Jackson and Ezra said in unison as if this was their actual child. "Babies like to be rocked, but you can't be sitting down while doing it. You have to be moving. They like to inconvenience their parents in the worst way." This got them to laugh. "I'm so sorry," Ezra apologized once more. "Oh hush, child. I actually was a young mother. It's a hell of a ride. You kiddos go grab lunch, but know that all that noise is bound to wake her up." Jackson looked down at the sleeping baby doll in his arms and smiled. "Can we eat in here with you, Ms. G.?" She smiled and nodded before heading back to her desk and lasagna.

"Here, take her and I'll be right back with lunch for us." Jackson said handing Janelle over. "You sure?" He nodded before kissing her lips and leaving. Ezra's eyes bugged out before she looked at Ms. Gatlin who saw the whole thing. "You four make a lovely quad." Ms. Gatlin said as she smiled up at Ezra. Ezra was in shock. "How did you..." The older woman shrugged her shoulders. "I've lived many lives, dear. I too was in a polyamorous relationship. Me and six other men." Ezra's eyes really bugged out. "How did you manage?" She shrugged once more. "The heart wants what it wants. You make a way." Ezra sat Janelle back in her car seat before sitting down. "What happened to them? If you don't mind me asking." The teacher smiled at her. "Some wanted different things. Others wanted things I couldn't give. We all walked away a little heartbroken, but overall thankful for the memories and experiences."

"It'll be different for you though. They're brothers. They're bonded already and adding their feelings for you just strengthens an already solid foundation." Ezra smiled at her. "I'm so sorry that took so long. The cafeteria was a mad house. Babies crying everywhere. I'm so glad we didn't bring her down there," Jackson said handing Ezra a chicken salad sandwich and juice. "What did I miss?" Ezra and Ms. Gatlin shared a look before giggling. "Nothing, Bubba. Nothing at all." Ezra leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss which shocked him. "Ezra," he said tilting his head towards Ms. Gatlin.

"She already knows and is a supporter." Ezra smiled before taking a bite of her sandwich. They listened to Ms. Gatlin's latest tales and laughed at the jokes and journeys she'd experienced. "Thank you three for keeping me company." She said looking down at a very awake Janelle. "I don't know. We might be in here for the next two weeks while we have Janelle," Jackson said picking up the car seat. "That's fine by me." They said their goodbyes before heading into the already crowded hallway. "I'll see you in Psychology, baby girl." Jackson said. "Do you want me to carry her diaper bag since you have her and your backpack?" Jackson nodded giving it to her. "I'll see you in a few."