Neighbors

29

August 23, 2015

Lin's POV

I walked back into the theatre, completely unsure of what to say or do. I had a few days off with Pip, but she insisted I go back. She was very insistent on me getting a break before and now she's worried about me missing work? I was so confused.

"Hey, you look tired." Chris laughed.

"That baby can sure cry... I know who he takes after most now." I groaned. Chris laughed at me and I heard the door click open.

"Alright, you have ten seconds to show me baby photos." Daveed, Oak, Leslie and Groff were all waiting there. I smiled and pulled out my phone.

"Aw!! Look at him!" Groff smiled.

"He's so tiny!" Oak cooed.

"What's his name?" Daveed asked.

"Max." I smiled.

"Max?" Chris questioned.

"Pippa and I agreed on it." I smiled. "It was short, sweet, and to the point." I laughed. "She's going to bring him by after one of the matinee's next week." I smiled.

"Good! We need to corrupt that baby!" Groff laughed.

*One Week Later*

Pippa's POV

"They don't know you're here yet?" Renee asked.

"Lin does. But not the rest of the cast." I smiled. Jasmine had taken Max out of his car seat and was holding him. All three of us sat together in her dressing room since it was bigger than the rest of ours.

"Hi baby!" Jasmine cooed.

"How have you been holding up?" Renee asked.

"I'm super tired. Lin has been such a huge help. He'll come home from work and he'll immediately drop his things and go straight for Max. It at least gives me time to clean up the kitchen. Then at night I get up with him depending on the show schedule." I explained. Renee smiled and held my hand.

"You're doing great. Trust me. That baby is so cute and so happy." Renee smiled.

"Thank you." I whispered.

"Hey Jasmine, why did you..." Anthony had opened the door to her dressing room and smiled when he saw me. "Pip! Max!" He gasped. He shut the door behind him and gave me a small hug. "Tiny baby!" He cooed when he got to Jasmine.

"Now if they have a kid..." I pointed.

"Oh yeah. They're gonna be great." Renee smiled. I nodded in agreement and got my text from Lin explaining that it was okay to walk out on stage with Max.

"Well, it's time to present my child to the rest of the cast." I laughed. Jasmine frowned and placed Max back in his seat, buckling him in as well. "You can play with him later." I laughed. "You are his godmother after all."

"I know... I just want to keep holding him... He's such a good baby!" Jasmine frowned. I carried him with his car seat out through the winding mess of backstage. Renee led the way with Jasmine and Anthony behind us.

"Alright everyone! Special surprise here!" Lin laughed. I walked out on stage with Max's seat and everyone gasped. "Everyone meet my son!" Lin announced. Of course he would make a big deal about it. Everyone started the hugging party, most of them cooing over Max.

"You did great." Chris laughed while hugging me. "And you look great! Not that tired. So Lin wasn't lying when he said that he was helping." He smiled.

"He's a big help." I smiled.

"If you need anything, my wife and I are just a phone call away. We can help out." He said quietly.

"Of course. Thank you." Everyone was so supportive... Why was everyone so supportive? Why was everyone just so perfect??

"What's going on here?" Tommy had arrived on stage and was looking well... Not too happy that everyone was here...

"Lin brought his kid and Pippa!" Daveed smiled. Tommy walked over to me and gave me a huge hug. His demeanor instantly changed when he saw me.

"Nice to see you walking. Last time I saw you, you were all ready to burst at the opening night party." He laughed.

"Thanks. I felt that way honestly. But now it's all there." I pointed at Lin who was holding Max and showing him off. Tommy walked over to him and was looking at the little baby. It all didn't seem real... Me having a little kid, Lin still being with me, and heck being able to do any of this... it really didn't feel real to me.

~~~

"Oh my son!" Lin smiled. We were in his dressing room now and he was dancing with Max in his hands.

"Be careful!" I warned. Lin scoffed and placed Max in my arms the minute he got fussy.

"I think I broke him." He mumbled.

"Gee thanks." I said while bouncing him. "It's okay. Momma's got you." I whispered. "Daddy just thinks he can spin you around and around!" I said while walking with him. Max made his usual noises and looked up at me with his big brown eyes.

"Yet you're allowed to walk with him and bounce him?" Lin whined.

"He's a momma's boy." I shrugged. "Aren't you?" I smiled at him. Max gave me a little smile and I almost fell over. "Lin he's smiling!" I gasped. He jumped up and looked at Max. He was smiling! Smiling so big!

"Such a big moment!!" Lin sniffed. "He's gonna be full of happiness when he gets older." He whispered. I nodded in agreement, just seeing this baby smile so big... It was going to make every person smile no matter what.

"I should get him home. It's almost time for him to eat and then bedtime." I sighed.

"Aw... But my little babies..." Lin frowned.

"We'll be fine at home. You get home safe tonight." I knew he would, but I still didn't trust these city people. Always in a rush.. Lin kissed Max's head and then kissed me a few times.

"I promise." He whispered.