Chapter 1o
Shane fed Ray carefully, spooning the pureed meat and peas into the baby’s tiny rosebud mouth. Whistle had demonstrated mentally how to eat, and the baby took to it with a will. His little face was soon smeared with food, a sure sign that he was a healthy eater. Shane smiled and wiped his face with a moist washcloth afterward, cleaning up the mess. The baby echoed his smile, those crystalline-blue eyes staring up at him. They were full of the same guiless innocence as Whistle’s. He felt that he could get lost in his son’s gaze too, although not quite in the same way.
He stroked the baby’s cheek. “I don’t think that we’ll call Amanda for a few days,” he commented to Whistle. “Because if she sees us both looking so tired and washed out, she’ll freak. I’ll go into town tomorrow and buy Sunshine here some clothes and diapers and baby food."
Whistle smiled at him sunnily. “That will be good, Shane. Will you also buy some steak and chocolate ice cream?” he asked hopefully.
He laughed, shaking his head. “Yes, I’ll buy plenty of food for us too, Whistle,” he said affectionately. “Anyway, do you want to watch some t.v. and then go back to bed? I for one could still use some more sleep.”
The blonde nodded. “We both need to replenish our energy.”
Shane collected Ray from the high chair, carrying the baby with him into the living room. Whistle padded after him, and they sat down on the couch. Shane put his free arm around Whistle, and the blonde snuggled up to his side. “I am so glad to be back, Shane,” he murmured.
“I’m really glad that you made it back, too, Whistle. I don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost both you and Ray,” Shane shivered at the mere thought, his arms tightening around the two most important men in his life.
The baby squirmed and made a small sound of complaint over this tight hold, so Shane forced his arms to relax. He didn’t need to clutch at his loved ones anyway; they were both safe and sound. He nodded at the remote. "Would you turn on the t.v., Whistle? My hands are kind of full right now.”
The blonde giggled a little, reaching forward to snag the remote off the coffee table. He relaxed back into Shane’s hold, as he clicked on the remote and began to channel surf in the way that Shane had taught him. He didn’t really care what they watched, since he was totally fascinated by all human television programs. Ray seemed to be watching the screen as well, although he was too young to understand what he was seeing. One of his tiny hands had made its way into his mouth, and he sucked at it contentedly as Shane and Whistle chose something to watch.
They went to bed very early, both still pretty worn out. Ray went right to sleep again when Whistle told him to, and Shane was utterly grateful for this communicating ability. Getting up with a crying baby when you felt like you’d been run over by a tractor-trailer would have been hellish. He got into bed and pulled Whistle up against him, the blonde’s head resting on his chest as they fell asleep together once more.
He woke up at almost ten the next morning, blinking at the late morning sunlight streaming in through the blinds. Whistle and the baby were still asleep. He looked down into the being’s beautiful face, so happy to be holding Whistle once again that it almost overwhelmed him. He kissed the blonde’s face to wake him, and Whistle’s nose scrunched in the charming way it had before the crystalline-blue eyes popped open. “Good morning, Shane,” he said.
“Morning, Whistle. Time to get up and eat,” Shane remarked.
“Yes!” the being replied, looking very happy about this prospect. Not a surprise; he loved to eat anyway, and Whistle had gone for eight days without any food at all. He had to make up for that period, and Shane was sure that he would.
He sat up, raking a hand through his hair and yawning. Shane glanced at the bassinet at the angelic baby still sleeping within. “Why don’t you wake up Sunshine? I’ll go and get a clean diaper for him.”
“Of course, Shane,” the blonde said, getting out of bed to pad over to the bassinet and bend over it.
The human went to the nursery to get another diaper for Ray, returning to find Whistle holding the baby in his arms. Ray was blinking the sleep from his eyes, as he clutched at the front of the t-shirt that Whistle had worn to bed. The blonde’s head was near the baby’s, and Shane was sure that they were silently talking again. They both looked up at him when he entered the bedroom. “Hey, you two,” he said fondly. “Time for breakfast as soon as I change Ray’s diaper.”
Whistle took the baby over to the changing table, which Shane had demonstrated to him a few weeks ago. He’d been intensely curious about the odd piece of furniture when it had arrived. The being watched as Shane changed Ray’s diaper, wanting to know how to do it so that he could change his son’s diapers in the future. When he was finished, Shane tickled the baby’s tummy then scooped him up. “To the kitchen!” he declared.
Whistle followed him as he carried Ray to the kitchen and put the baby in his high chair. Shane made them all scrambled eggs, since Ray could easily eat those. He also made bacon and toast for himself and Whistle, since the being adored bacon. He loved it when it was slightly crispy without being burnt, and would snarf it down as though he’d never eaten in his entire life. Which was really true, since on his world his people didn’t actually eat food to replenish their energy.
After they’d eaten and Shane cleaned up the kitchen, he turned to Whistle. “You’ll have to stay here alone with Ray while I’m gone, since I don’t have a car seat big enough for him,” he told the being. “Will you two be okay?”
Whistle looked rather indignant. “Of course we will! I can look after the Little One, Shane!”
He held up his hands placatingly. “Sorry, I just wanted to be sure. You know I worry because I care so much about you guys.”
Whistle’s face softened, and he stood slightly on tip toe to kiss his Lamhulae’s mouth. “I know. But you do not need to worry about us; Shane. We will be fine while you’re gone.”
Shane nodded. “Okay. You got the whole diapering thing down?”
“I think so,” Whistle replied. “It does not look very complicated.”
Shane felt rather skeptical about this, but didn’t let it show in his face. He trusted Whistle; it was time to show that. “All right. I should be back in a couple of hours. Here,” he went down and retrieved a playpen from the closet in the nursery and set it up in the living room. Then he showed Whistle that he could put Ray into it, so that the baby would be safe even if he had to go to the bathroom or something. The being was fascinated by this device as well, and was leaning over it talking to Ray when Shane went out the door to do some much needed shopping.
He drove quickly into town, worried in spite of himself. Whistle was just so innocent – he didn’t know much about babies. And on his world, Ray would have been a little ball of floating energy, not a physical creature that had to be fed and given drinks and have his diaper changed. Ray didn’t seem very fussy, but he’d still have all of the other needs that any other human child would.
Shane went to a store to buy a car seat and some clothes for Ray first, before buying perishables. The nice clerk helped him pick out some outfits that might fit his son. Shane told her that he’d just adopted a baby who was nine months old, and that he didn’t have any clothes for the tyke because he’d expected to get a newborn originally. They picked out all kinds of outfits, and then he grabbed a car seat that was rated very safe and sturdy before departing the store precipitously. Then he drove quickly to a nearby grocery store to get adult food, baby food, and diapers.
He loaded it all into his car and jumped in; wanting to get home and make sure that everything was all right. Shane drummed his fingers on the steering wheel impatiently at each light, cursing any delay. Finally he was out of town, and could drive faster. He went up to nine miles above the speed limit, and prayed that a cop wouldn’t pull him over. He didn’t mind paying a ticket, but he WOULD mind the delay of waiting while the cop wrote it out.
Finally, he turned into his driveway with a feeling of relief. He stopped the car and got out, heading for the house. He wanted to check on his lover and son before he brought everything in. He pulled the door open and walked inside, his ear tuned for any noises. But the house was very quiet, a fact that made the hairs try to stand up on the back of his neck. It was a little TOO quiet. “Whistle?” he called anxiously. “I’m home!”
No reply. Shane felt his stomach clench. “Whistle?!” he called again, louder. “Where are you?!”
Still nothing. Shane was now close to panicking completely. He dashed into the living room, but the playpen was empty. He checked the kitchen, but didn’t see either Whistle or Ray. His breathing had picked up so much that it was a wonder that he wasn’t hyperventilating. Shane ran down the hallway to check the bedrooms, but couldn’t find Whistle or his son. There were only a few rooms to check, and then what would he do if he couldn’t find them? Christ, had those Darklings come back after all? He felt a wild sob starting up in his chest and throat as he went down the hallway to yank the bathroom door open.
He came to a halt at the sight within. Whistle was sitting in the bathtub with Ray on his lap, both of them happily playing with the warm water. The baby was splashing and squealing, while Whistle laughed merrily above his head. Shane felt all of his muscles relax so much it was a wonder he didn’t slide to the floor, and he exhaled a long sigh of relief. “Hi, Whistle, I’m back,” he managed to say almost calmly.
The being looked up with a sunny smile. “Shane! Ray and I are taking a bath,” he said unnecessarily. “I think he likes the water.”
“Yeah, it looks like he does,” Shane agreed. “I’m going to start bringing stuff in. Okay?”
“All right. Ray and I will get out soon,” Whistle said.
“Take your time. I’ll start lunch while you bathe,” Shane said.
Whistle looked happy at the mention of food. The human shut the bathroom door and went to go unload his car, his legs rubbery. God, that had been so freaking scary! Of course Whistle hadn’t been able to hear him calling through a closed bathroom door. Shit. He’d almost had a heart attack when he hadn’t been able to find them.
He carried all of the stuff inside and put the groceries away, then put on some soup and made grilled cheese sandwiches for himself and Whistle, lightly heating a jar of chicken and rice baby food for Ray in the microwave. He set the jar, along with a tiny spoon, on the high chair ready to go when Whistle and the baby emerged from the bathroom. Doing all of these routine domestic things helped to soothe his nerves, so that when Whistle finally came down the hallway with the baby wrapped up in a fluffy towel, he could smile easily at both of them.
“Will you diaper him while I finish lunch?” he asked the being. Whistle nodded, bearing his son off to use the changing table.
Shane put the soup into bowls, and the grilled cheese sandwiches onto plates. He set these on the table, and poured them each a glass of water. He also put some juice in a baby cup for Ray. Whistle came back in with a now diapered Ray (and he’d done a surprisingly good job, too) in his arms. He put the baby into his high chair and plumped down into his seat. “Mm, it looks good,” he said happily.
“Eat up,” Shane said. “While I feed Ray.”
Whistle did so, while the human spoon fed the chicken and rice into the baby’s small mouth. He alternated the bites of food with sips of the juice. The baby was becoming more vocal, making talking noises as his crystal blue eyes watched the spoon between bites. Whistle finished his sandwich and licked crumbs from his lips, a sight that diverted Shane’s attention so much that Ray managed to drool a long string of food down his chin before he could catch it.
Whistle got up and came over to him. “Let me fed him now, Shane,” he told his Lamhulae. “You should eat your food before it gets cold.”
Shane was reluctant to do so, but he knew that Whistle was right. He handed the spoon to the being and went to his own seat. He glanced up briefly to make sure that the blonde was doing all right, but fortunately for him Whistle was a quick learner. He’d watched Shane feed Ray three times already, and that was more than enough. He was carefully spooning the food into the baby’s mouth, while murmuring to the child in a loving tone of voice. The sight made Shane pause in his eating, entranced by these beautiful creatures who were all his.
When lunch was over Shane took Ray to the changing table to try the outfits that he’d bought on. If some of them didn’t fit he’d take them back and get bigger things. But fortunately the clerk had managed to find him clothes that were mostly just the right size. He dressed the baby in a blue jumper that almost matched his amazing eyes. Then he picked up a rattle and shook it in front of Ray’s face, which made those eyes go very wide. He grinned as the noise and movement of the rattle hypnotized his son.
Whistle came and peered over his shoulder, almost as interested as the baby. Shane handed him a spare rattle that he’d bought with Whistle in mind, knowing that the being would be fascinated as usual. Ray kicked and threw his fists out as Whistle shook his rattle with glee and Shane continued to entertain their child.
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Shane fed Ray carefully, spooning the pureed meat and peas into the baby’s tiny rosebud mouth. Whistle had demonstrated mentally how to eat, and the baby took to it with a will. His little face was soon smeared with food, a sure sign that he was a healthy eater. Shane smiled and wiped his face with a moist washcloth afterward, cleaning up the mess. The baby echoed his smile, those crystalline-blue eyes staring up at him. They were full of the same guiless innocence as Whistle’s. He felt that he could get lost in his son’s gaze too, although not quite in the same way.
He stroked the baby’s cheek. “I don’t think that we’ll call Amanda for a few days,” he commented to Whistle. “Because if she sees us both looking so tired and washed out, she’ll freak. I’ll go into town tomorrow and buy Sunshine here some clothes and diapers and baby food."
Whistle smiled at him sunnily. “That will be good, Shane. Will you also buy some steak and chocolate ice cream?” he asked hopefully.
He laughed, shaking his head. “Yes, I’ll buy plenty of food for us too, Whistle,” he said affectionately. “Anyway, do you want to watch some t.v. and then go back to bed? I for one could still use some more sleep.”
The blonde nodded. “We both need to replenish our energy.”
Shane collected Ray from the high chair, carrying the baby with him into the living room. Whistle padded after him, and they sat down on the couch. Shane put his free arm around Whistle, and the blonde snuggled up to his side. “I am so glad to be back, Shane,” he murmured.
“I’m really glad that you made it back, too, Whistle. I don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost both you and Ray,” Shane shivered at the mere thought, his arms tightening around the two most important men in his life.
The baby squirmed and made a small sound of complaint over this tight hold, so Shane forced his arms to relax. He didn’t need to clutch at his loved ones anyway; they were both safe and sound. He nodded at the remote. "Would you turn on the t.v., Whistle? My hands are kind of full right now.”
The blonde giggled a little, reaching forward to snag the remote off the coffee table. He relaxed back into Shane’s hold, as he clicked on the remote and began to channel surf in the way that Shane had taught him. He didn’t really care what they watched, since he was totally fascinated by all human television programs. Ray seemed to be watching the screen as well, although he was too young to understand what he was seeing. One of his tiny hands had made its way into his mouth, and he sucked at it contentedly as Shane and Whistle chose something to watch.
They went to bed very early, both still pretty worn out. Ray went right to sleep again when Whistle told him to, and Shane was utterly grateful for this communicating ability. Getting up with a crying baby when you felt like you’d been run over by a tractor-trailer would have been hellish. He got into bed and pulled Whistle up against him, the blonde’s head resting on his chest as they fell asleep together once more.
He woke up at almost ten the next morning, blinking at the late morning sunlight streaming in through the blinds. Whistle and the baby were still asleep. He looked down into the being’s beautiful face, so happy to be holding Whistle once again that it almost overwhelmed him. He kissed the blonde’s face to wake him, and Whistle’s nose scrunched in the charming way it had before the crystalline-blue eyes popped open. “Good morning, Shane,” he said.
“Morning, Whistle. Time to get up and eat,” Shane remarked.
“Yes!” the being replied, looking very happy about this prospect. Not a surprise; he loved to eat anyway, and Whistle had gone for eight days without any food at all. He had to make up for that period, and Shane was sure that he would.
He sat up, raking a hand through his hair and yawning. Shane glanced at the bassinet at the angelic baby still sleeping within. “Why don’t you wake up Sunshine? I’ll go and get a clean diaper for him.”
“Of course, Shane,” the blonde said, getting out of bed to pad over to the bassinet and bend over it.
The human went to the nursery to get another diaper for Ray, returning to find Whistle holding the baby in his arms. Ray was blinking the sleep from his eyes, as he clutched at the front of the t-shirt that Whistle had worn to bed. The blonde’s head was near the baby’s, and Shane was sure that they were silently talking again. They both looked up at him when he entered the bedroom. “Hey, you two,” he said fondly. “Time for breakfast as soon as I change Ray’s diaper.”
Whistle took the baby over to the changing table, which Shane had demonstrated to him a few weeks ago. He’d been intensely curious about the odd piece of furniture when it had arrived. The being watched as Shane changed Ray’s diaper, wanting to know how to do it so that he could change his son’s diapers in the future. When he was finished, Shane tickled the baby’s tummy then scooped him up. “To the kitchen!” he declared.
Whistle followed him as he carried Ray to the kitchen and put the baby in his high chair. Shane made them all scrambled eggs, since Ray could easily eat those. He also made bacon and toast for himself and Whistle, since the being adored bacon. He loved it when it was slightly crispy without being burnt, and would snarf it down as though he’d never eaten in his entire life. Which was really true, since on his world his people didn’t actually eat food to replenish their energy.
After they’d eaten and Shane cleaned up the kitchen, he turned to Whistle. “You’ll have to stay here alone with Ray while I’m gone, since I don’t have a car seat big enough for him,” he told the being. “Will you two be okay?”
Whistle looked rather indignant. “Of course we will! I can look after the Little One, Shane!”
He held up his hands placatingly. “Sorry, I just wanted to be sure. You know I worry because I care so much about you guys.”
Whistle’s face softened, and he stood slightly on tip toe to kiss his Lamhulae’s mouth. “I know. But you do not need to worry about us; Shane. We will be fine while you’re gone.”
Shane nodded. “Okay. You got the whole diapering thing down?”
“I think so,” Whistle replied. “It does not look very complicated.”
Shane felt rather skeptical about this, but didn’t let it show in his face. He trusted Whistle; it was time to show that. “All right. I should be back in a couple of hours. Here,” he went down and retrieved a playpen from the closet in the nursery and set it up in the living room. Then he showed Whistle that he could put Ray into it, so that the baby would be safe even if he had to go to the bathroom or something. The being was fascinated by this device as well, and was leaning over it talking to Ray when Shane went out the door to do some much needed shopping.
He drove quickly into town, worried in spite of himself. Whistle was just so innocent – he didn’t know much about babies. And on his world, Ray would have been a little ball of floating energy, not a physical creature that had to be fed and given drinks and have his diaper changed. Ray didn’t seem very fussy, but he’d still have all of the other needs that any other human child would.
Shane went to a store to buy a car seat and some clothes for Ray first, before buying perishables. The nice clerk helped him pick out some outfits that might fit his son. Shane told her that he’d just adopted a baby who was nine months old, and that he didn’t have any clothes for the tyke because he’d expected to get a newborn originally. They picked out all kinds of outfits, and then he grabbed a car seat that was rated very safe and sturdy before departing the store precipitously. Then he drove quickly to a nearby grocery store to get adult food, baby food, and diapers.
He loaded it all into his car and jumped in; wanting to get home and make sure that everything was all right. Shane drummed his fingers on the steering wheel impatiently at each light, cursing any delay. Finally he was out of town, and could drive faster. He went up to nine miles above the speed limit, and prayed that a cop wouldn’t pull him over. He didn’t mind paying a ticket, but he WOULD mind the delay of waiting while the cop wrote it out.
Finally, he turned into his driveway with a feeling of relief. He stopped the car and got out, heading for the house. He wanted to check on his lover and son before he brought everything in. He pulled the door open and walked inside, his ear tuned for any noises. But the house was very quiet, a fact that made the hairs try to stand up on the back of his neck. It was a little TOO quiet. “Whistle?” he called anxiously. “I’m home!”
No reply. Shane felt his stomach clench. “Whistle?!” he called again, louder. “Where are you?!”
Still nothing. Shane was now close to panicking completely. He dashed into the living room, but the playpen was empty. He checked the kitchen, but didn’t see either Whistle or Ray. His breathing had picked up so much that it was a wonder that he wasn’t hyperventilating. Shane ran down the hallway to check the bedrooms, but couldn’t find Whistle or his son. There were only a few rooms to check, and then what would he do if he couldn’t find them? Christ, had those Darklings come back after all? He felt a wild sob starting up in his chest and throat as he went down the hallway to yank the bathroom door open.
He came to a halt at the sight within. Whistle was sitting in the bathtub with Ray on his lap, both of them happily playing with the warm water. The baby was splashing and squealing, while Whistle laughed merrily above his head. Shane felt all of his muscles relax so much it was a wonder he didn’t slide to the floor, and he exhaled a long sigh of relief. “Hi, Whistle, I’m back,” he managed to say almost calmly.
The being looked up with a sunny smile. “Shane! Ray and I are taking a bath,” he said unnecessarily. “I think he likes the water.”
“Yeah, it looks like he does,” Shane agreed. “I’m going to start bringing stuff in. Okay?”
“All right. Ray and I will get out soon,” Whistle said.
“Take your time. I’ll start lunch while you bathe,” Shane said.
Whistle looked happy at the mention of food. The human shut the bathroom door and went to go unload his car, his legs rubbery. God, that had been so freaking scary! Of course Whistle hadn’t been able to hear him calling through a closed bathroom door. Shit. He’d almost had a heart attack when he hadn’t been able to find them.
He carried all of the stuff inside and put the groceries away, then put on some soup and made grilled cheese sandwiches for himself and Whistle, lightly heating a jar of chicken and rice baby food for Ray in the microwave. He set the jar, along with a tiny spoon, on the high chair ready to go when Whistle and the baby emerged from the bathroom. Doing all of these routine domestic things helped to soothe his nerves, so that when Whistle finally came down the hallway with the baby wrapped up in a fluffy towel, he could smile easily at both of them.
“Will you diaper him while I finish lunch?” he asked the being. Whistle nodded, bearing his son off to use the changing table.
Shane put the soup into bowls, and the grilled cheese sandwiches onto plates. He set these on the table, and poured them each a glass of water. He also put some juice in a baby cup for Ray. Whistle came back in with a now diapered Ray (and he’d done a surprisingly good job, too) in his arms. He put the baby into his high chair and plumped down into his seat. “Mm, it looks good,” he said happily.
“Eat up,” Shane said. “While I feed Ray.”
Whistle did so, while the human spoon fed the chicken and rice into the baby’s small mouth. He alternated the bites of food with sips of the juice. The baby was becoming more vocal, making talking noises as his crystal blue eyes watched the spoon between bites. Whistle finished his sandwich and licked crumbs from his lips, a sight that diverted Shane’s attention so much that Ray managed to drool a long string of food down his chin before he could catch it.
Whistle got up and came over to him. “Let me fed him now, Shane,” he told his Lamhulae. “You should eat your food before it gets cold.”
Shane was reluctant to do so, but he knew that Whistle was right. He handed the spoon to the being and went to his own seat. He glanced up briefly to make sure that the blonde was doing all right, but fortunately for him Whistle was a quick learner. He’d watched Shane feed Ray three times already, and that was more than enough. He was carefully spooning the food into the baby’s mouth, while murmuring to the child in a loving tone of voice. The sight made Shane pause in his eating, entranced by these beautiful creatures who were all his.
When lunch was over Shane took Ray to the changing table to try the outfits that he’d bought on. If some of them didn’t fit he’d take them back and get bigger things. But fortunately the clerk had managed to find him clothes that were mostly just the right size. He dressed the baby in a blue jumper that almost matched his amazing eyes. Then he picked up a rattle and shook it in front of Ray’s face, which made those eyes go very wide. He grinned as the noise and movement of the rattle hypnotized his son.
Whistle came and peered over his shoulder, almost as interested as the baby. Shane handed him a spare rattle that he’d bought with Whistle in mind, knowing that the being would be fascinated as usual. Ray kicked and threw his fists out as Whistle shook his rattle with glee and Shane continued to entertain their child.
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