Parenting101

Chapter 3

April's POV *That Friday*

Mrs. Dreelan went around the room asking us our "baby's" name. When she came to us, Andy and I both hesitated before muttering "Nothing Fowler."

Mrs. Dreelan gave us a ridiculous look, "You're joking right?"

"It was either that or Easton and I refuse to call it Easton because I hate it."

She gave us the same ridiculous look before turning to announce to the whole class, "Look, you've got to learn to get on with you partner. The whole purpose of this project is to help you prepare to co-parent with whoever it is you have a child with."

Yeah, but normally, we choose our own partner, instead of someone else choosing for us.

I sighed, "Do you want to name it Easton?"

Andy just laughed, "Nah, I kind of like calling it Nothing. It's something you'll never hear again."

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't suppress my giggle, "Well okay. Nothing it is."

****

Five weeks into the project and it's gone pretty smoothly until one night when Nothing just wouldn't stop crying. I was so tired and couldn't sleep because a stupid baby doll wouldn't shut up! I didn't know what else to do so I called Andy.

  "Hello?" he answered in a sleepy voice.

  "Sorry, I woke you, but the baby won't stop crying. I'm exhausted and I didn't know what to do," I said in one big breath.

  "Shh, calm down. I'll be there in a second."

  "Okay, thank you."

  About ten minutes later, I heard a knock on my balcony door. I opened it to see a tired looking Andy standing there.

  "I'm so sorry. I know it's my night to take care of Nothing. I should've dea-"

  "No, no," Andy interrupted. "It's my responsibility too. Get some rest April. You need it."

  "Thanks lots, Andy," I said, getting into my bed.

  To my surprise, Andy followed me with the crying baby. He laid down beside me with it. After a while, Nothing finally stopped crying. Andy laid it in the bassinet by my bed and turned to face me. He smiled at me, "You just have that baby charm," he winked.

  I rolled my eyes and chuckled, "Pshh, okay!" I answer with mock exasperation.

  He smiled even bigger at me and gave me this look I'll never forget. It was a certain look of fondness that one usually get when they're falling for you. Little did I know at the time, that's exactly what was happening.

  "Go to sleep, April. I'll stay on the night shift."

  I smiled and nodded before pulling covers up over my body and letting myself fall into a deep slumber.