HAPPINESS....THE SEQUEL!

Chapter 11

"I really wish he had a name..."  Brian remarked as he peered at the baby.  Seated next to it in the back seat of the car.  "I don't want to just call him baby..."  he complained.  

"I don't like it either...but I understand why they've hesitated to do it...like Mrs. Hargreaves said...he likely has a birth certificate with his name on it..." Roger responded.

"Can we at least call him something while we have him?"  Brian requested.  "She doesn't have to know and it would feel nicer than 'baby'..."  he observed.  

"Let's get through the first night and see..."  Roger suggested.  Already worried about Brian's attachment to the little boy.  Worried about his own as well.

Roger pulled the car into the private drive and parked.  He got out of the car and went over and unlocked the door.  He then watched Brian in the car as he wrapped a blanket tighter around the baby before he opened the car door.  It was getting quite cold out with the sun going down and he took the baby bag as Brian pulled the baby from the car seat.  Holding him against him as they walked briskly to the back door. Roger opening it and letting Brian get inside.

"We made it home safe and sound..."  Roger verbalized as he and Brian took the stairs up to the living quarters.  They reached the hallway and walked straight to their bedroom.  

"Here we go little one..."  Brian remarked as he laid him down on the bed.  Smiling at him and pulling back the blanket.  "Let's make sure you don't need a nappy change..."  he considered.  Carefully removing the baby's clothes and the nappy underneath.  Finding it wet.  "Yes...let's get you dry..."  he said as Roger watched him adeptly clean the baby up and apply a fresh nappy.

"I guess helping with Asha was good training..."  Roger noted as Brian redressed the baby. 

"Yes...it has been..."  Brian agreed.  Finishing and picking up the boy.  Cradling him and smiling widely at him.  Making Roger feel warm inside at the joy in Brian's face.

"Can I hold him?"  Roger requested.  Brian nodded and held him out as Roger took hold of the baby.  Instantly liking the weight in his arms and watching his face as he lifted him up a little and cooed to him.  "You seem like a happy boy!" Roger told him in a soft voice as the baby squirmed a bit and made a sound of agreement.

"For a baby who was abandoned he does seem unaffected...thank goodness..."  Brian noted as he watched Roger admiring the little one. Happy to see him engaged with the baby.

"I'm going to prepare a bottle for him and then we will get him settled..."  Brian advised.  Roger carried the baby and followed Brian into the kitchen.  Observing and learning as Brian unpacked the baby bag and explained the steps of bottle making.  Reminding Roger that the instructions were also on the formula canister if he forgets.  

"How often will he eat?"  Roger questioned.  Brian pointed at the empty wipe board newly installed on the wall next to the telephone.  

"I will have his schedule printed out there so you will know what he should be doing anytime of the day or night..." Brian advised.  "I got a wipe board so we can update it as needed..."  he added as Roger realized Brian was thinking long term.  He recalled their conversation earlier that day about his expectations of keeping the baby.  It seemed like Brian had only half heard him.

"We won't have him long enough for a change to his schedule..."  Roger reminded his husband.  Brian frowned hearing it.

"I know..."  Brian responded.  "I'm just trying to be optimistic..."  he said as Roger then frowned back.

"And I am just trying to remind you to be realistic..."  Roger pointed out.  They both stood looking at each other.  Silent, but a subtle stand off forming.  The sound of the telephone broke their growing disagreement.