Strip that down

5 months later

Jane Quinn

It's been five months since I became a live in nanny. And honestly? Everything was great, except for Cheryl's
We walk back inside the house laughing at Bear gurgling. We went out to the park. "What took you guys so long?" Cheryl asks, her arms crossed over her chest. "Um, we went to the park." Liam says. Cheryl stands​ up and walks away. "Can you put Bear to bed please while I talk to her?" Liam asks me handing Bear over. I nod walking up stairs with Bear in my arms. We walk into his room and I lay him down as he yawns.
"No! How can I trust you when such a beautiful young woman is around!" Cheryl yells downstairs.
"What did I do to break your trust?!" Liam yells back.
"That night at the bar with that slut that's what!" She yells back. Hey, I'm that slut. Rude.
"That was more than a year ago! Let it go!" Liam fires back.

Bear starts whimpering​. His lips start quivering. I pick him up and hug him close to my chest. He calms down.
"Have they been fighting allot?" I ask Bear even though I already knew the answer.
He gives me a sad look, almost saying: "yes, every night." ,paining me. No kid deserves to grow up like this. I see Bear slowly fall asleep so I put him down in his bed and walk downstairs to talk to his parents.

"Hey guys, could you not scream at each other?" I ask as I reach the last stair. "Stay out of it." Cheryl snaps. I huff.
"Bear can hear every single word the two of you yell at each other! Don't Tell me to "stay out of it"!! I'm his babysitter! You two should go to couples counseling! No, better yet. Sit down, first session begins now." I say getting fed up with her. They both sit down.

"Now , Cheryl. Why are you mad?" I ask sitting down in front of both of them.
"Liam's just so distant. I feel like we need to work on our relationship. I love you Liam, but we're both so busy with work and, well, I'm just working all the time. I- love Bear, but we both know we can't continue this. I barely know how to get him to sleep. I'm not ready for Parenthood. You are, I'm not." She says looking at me then Liam.
"Cheryl, I'm the busy one?! You're constantly at work? Oh and why do only you and Mr. Paul stay after work. I checked. Literally only you two! What are you doing with him?" Liam asks her.
"We- we're co-workers!" She was nervously.
"Liar! Tell me the truth!" He says.
"Fine! I've been cheating on you Liam! I never wanted to start a family with you! We were a publicity stunt! But one stupid night had to ruin that!" Cheryl yells.
"We're over!" He yells.
"You're damn right we are! You're keeping Bear!" She yells grabbing a suitcase from the closet, running up to her room to pack. I turn to Liam, who has his head in his hands. I hear sniffles coming from him but before I get the chance to comfort him, Cheryl is already downstairs and storming out of the house.

We hear a loud cry. I run upstairs and see Bear crying in his bed.
"Mama." He cries holding his small arms out to me. I pick him up. Wait- did a 11 month old baby just say mama?! Wait did he just call me mama?! Is that even possible?

I run downstairs with Bear in my arms. Liam's crying with his head held low. "Liam!! Bear said-" I start but get cut off by Bear: "Mama!" He giggles as Liam shoots up happily. He takes Bear and hugs him.

"Did my little cub just say his first word?!" He asks the small child excitedly​, even though he's obviously been crying.

"Mama." Bear says looking at me.

"Did he just call you mama?" Liam asks me.

"I think so." I say.

"Well, he could use one since Cheryl left. So, um, Jane. I know this is your fifth month and I don't wanna freak you out. But could you be Bear's mother? Like a stand in mother. Nothing romantic between us. He can't grow up with just a father. Please." Liam pleads.

And these next words, changed us forever.

"Of course." I smile.