Phoenix Drop University- Softmore Year

20: Family (Finale)

"BABY!?"

Aphmau's voice could be heard halfway down the hall, earning snickers and worried glances towards their shut front door.

Aaron was holding Mia in his arms, her crawling up to his head and playing with his ears, Aphmau stands wide jawed at the stovetop, the bowl of soup boiling almost over the great pot.

"Where did-"

"Headmaster, it's a long story." He said with a great happiness growing in his heart for finally a child graced their presence.

"Can I...?" Aaron lifts her and places her into Aphmau's arms, Mia is at first silent, but begins to play with the long raven hair draping from the older woman's head.

"Mia, this is your mommy, say hi." Aaron brushes Mia's ears down to her head and Mia stares at Aphmau just long enough-

For her to start crying.

Now it wasn't because Aphmau was holding her, or because she was angry at much of anything.

She was hungry, and her belly ached.

Aphmau feels her heart sink, but Aaron just chuckled and carried the small child to the kitchen, where suddenly, formula and baby bottles had appeared.

"Thanks..." he murmured to himself not letting anyone overhear, sitting Mia on the counter.

He quickly made the formula and stuck the bottle in the crying toddlers mouth, she gripped it immediately and sucked it dry, burping seconds afterwards.

And then, she took off into the house, attempting to sprint but tripping over her own feet as she didn't, Aaron and Aphmau took off after her.

And for the rest of the day, they chased her around the dorm, for a toddler, she certainly could get around, and at least once she had somehow gotten onto a cupboard far out of the couples reach.

Finally after many hours, tears, and yelling, she slips up and jumps right into Aaron's arms.

Aphmau huffs behind him and stares disbelievingly at the toddler, her tail between her legs and a stitch in her chest.

"Where the heck did that energy come from?" She asks breathlessly, a small smile on her face.

"She's a werewolf, worse she's a puppy, she has boundless energy." Mia attempts to wiggle out of Aaron's hold, but her manages to keep hold of her.

"Alright, playtime is over, we gotta buy a crib and blankets, extra formula, diapers, toys, and baby proof the place, car seat." He starts listing off the things they would need, his face falling, they didn't have enough money for that... not even close.

"Are you going to be a stereotypical dad and not read the instructions, taking forever to install the car seat?" Aphmau cracks and Aaron chuckles, before freezing up at the word 'dad.'

He was a father now, he couldn't wrap his ears around it, a father, a dad, to a little girl, his little pug.

"Yes. And I will start, by giving my daughter a nickname. Pug the Magnificent!" Mia looks up from his arms, and he looks down at her lovingly.

"Pug? Why?" She asks, and Aaron points to the curled tail on the toddler, the tail currently going a mile a minute.

"Because she is adorable." Aaron lifts her up above his head and nuzzles his nose into her stomach, she squeals and giggles making Aaron smile.

"Well Pug, I'm not going to leave you here..."

Minutes later Travis and Katelyn were called, Travis screaming happily when Mia immediately waddled towards him, climbing into his arms.

"Ah! Katie she's so cute!" Travis cries gleefully hugging the small pup.

Instead, Katelyn shoots daggers at Aaron who bashfully rubs the back of his neck.

"Katelyn, I know what your thinking." Aphmau starts, but before another word can be said Aaron clears his throat.

"Katelyn, Don't assume, besides, your a aunt now." She stares at him, pondering this before cracking a smile, and looking down to the little girl.

"Hey little one." Mia looks up from Travis's arms and nearly falls out of them trying to get to her, but Katelyn catches her and lifts her up the the bluenetts shoulders.

"Thanks for watching her, we owe ya." Aphmau says grabbing her purse from the doorway and Aaron following close behind.

As the door shuts behind them, Aaron smile turns into a worried grimace.

"Aph, we don't have the cash to care for her." Aphmau looks at him surprised and shakes her head.

"Did you forget? I got the job down at Harry's, we have the cash."

He had forgotten, in fact, he had not even noticed how often she was out of the dorm, he had been so absorbed in finding Drake.

Several hours pass and they return with everything a toddler would ever need, bottles, diapers, formula, a crib, blankets, clothes, etc.

As they open the door, Travis has passed out on the couch and every light was off except the one in their bedroom.

Katelyn had fallen asleep on the bed in the middle, Mia sleeping soundly next to her, they look at each other and smile...

"I think we're going to be fine." Aaron says softly, kissing his girlfriend on the top of the head, and finally setting up the crib.