It had been eight months since Lucy's birthday. I was getting nervous. Eva and Taylor were both very close to having there babies. We hadn't come up with names yet. We didn't even know what gender they would be. Lloyd had been going through regular check ups with both of the mothers to check in the children. Thankfully. Both babies were still alive and well. Zac was getting really anxious. He couldn't sit still for more than thirty seconds without fidgeting. I needed to help my friend. I pulled out a console from the shed and set it up. Time for some epic first person shooter action. "Hey Zac! Come here!". Zac ran in. "WHAT HAPPENED?! IS SOMEONE HURT!?". "No. Calm down. I just want to play some video games with you". "Ok?" He says, obviously confused. I send a text to Eva.
Me: Having some mate time with Zac to calm him down, he needs to calm down a lot. He can't sit still for more than thirty seconds without fidgeting. He needs something to take his mind off worrying about Taylor. Love you, Leo.
I got a reply in a few seconds.
Eva: it's great that you're such a great friend for him. I'll try to keep everyone away for a while. ;) Love you to, bye
We started to play. Zac warmed up to it after a while and really started to enjoy himself. When we finished a game, Zac thanked me for taking his mind off of the situation. "Anytime! I just don't like seeing you this uptight". "Haha yeah, I'm just really nervous". Lloyd rushes in and talks to us both. "Eva and Taylor are boy having their children at the same time!". "WHAT?!" Zac and I yell, running out of the room. Zac runs into Taylor and his room. And I run into my room. Mia is in there. Eva is halfway through child birth, and Mike is carrying Taylor with Zac. Lloyd is running about frantically and preparing the kitchen for surgery. I run out and find Lucy. She is staring at everyone looking very puzzled. "What's going on daddy?". "Everything's fine darling" I say and walk to my room with Lucy in my arms. After a few minutes, Mia comes out and beckons us in. "Daddy? What's happening?". "Meet your baby brother. Peter". "Wow! What's a brother?". She says. "A brother is like a person who is related to you" I say. "Leo, she is five. She doesn't know what related means". Eva says. It took us a full five minutes to explain a brother to Lucy. When we were done we went up to give little Peter a cuddle. Lucy was fascinated by him. "He's so tiny" she exclaimed and stared in wonder at him. It was my turn to hold him next, and I loved it. His little fingers wrapped themselves around my finger. Mia came and did a few checks on Peter to see if he was healthy. "He is a very happy healthy baby" Mia reported smiling. "Have you ever considered being a nurse? Because you would suit the role" Eva said to her. "Thankyou" Mia replied and walked out the room. Zac walked in to my room looking extremely happy. "Everyone is alive and well!" He reported. "Meet Charlotte" he says and opens the door. There is no one there. "Oh, in all my excitement I forgot that she was downstairs". He ran downstairs and surveyed the area. Taylor had been stitched up and was gently starting to wake up. He picked her up gently and gestured for Mia to follow him with Charlotte. He took Taylor upstairs and tucked her into bed. Mia handed him Charlotte and for the first time. He got to hold his daughter. She looked up at him with her big green eyes. "You're going to do great things for this world Charlotte, I can feel it". "She will" Taylor said, sitting up. "Careful! Don't rip your stitches". "I'm ok Zac". I knock on the door and ask to come in. "Sure!" Zac says. "This is Peter" I say, walking over to the parents. "And this is Charlotte" Zac says, showing her to me with pride. Peter begins to cry and I shush him with my finger. While Peter happily sucks on my finger, I congratulate Taylor and Zac. They do likewise and I give them something from behind my back. "I thought you might want a coffee machine. To keep you awake in the long nights ahead" I say and pass them the gift. They laugh nervously and thank me for my gift. I feel the sucking in my finger stop and notice that Peter has fallen asleep. Charlotte begins to cry and Zac passes her to Taylor for a feed. Zac and I walk out of the room and find Lucy pacing around. "Hi Lucy! Are you ok?" I ask cheerfully. "I don't know what to draw for the baby! I'm st-st- stassed?". "It's stressed Lucy, and everything will be fine. The baby will love your drawing no matter what you draw" I say reassuringly. "And that's how you be a father" I say to Zac and walk off. "Hey! What do you mean by that?!" I just laugh and take Peter into our room. Eva is sleeping so I put Peter down and walk out silently. Zac waits against the wall outside his room. "Charlotte has just gone to sleep. I think Taylor is gonna get some rest to, so we have to be quiet". "Eva's sleeping as well" we have to be 2x as quiet. Lucy comes up to me with a drawing and shows it to me. I remember what I had heard other parents say when I was younger. I have to show both of my children that I love them and are interested. As exciting as having a second child is. You have to make your first one know that you haven't forgotten that they are there. I look into Lucy's eyes and tell her that it is a great drawing and that baby Peter will love it. She runs off and I stand up. I'm not sure what I should do now. After so long of being snowed under by things that I have to do, I have to admit. I don't like to waste time. Mike comes up to me, his face full of worry. "What's happened?" I ask Mike. "It's Thomas, he's back".
