just_another | [open - baby meeting!]

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[open - baby meeting!]

Dane has been home for exactly thirty-seven hours and a few minutes, give or take, when Joel looks at the clock on the wall as he paces the length of the library, the baby in his arms. He's been fussing today, more than he has yet, and he and Spencer have been taking turns walking with him around the house once they've established that he doesn't need to be changed and he isn't hungry. They've been given their space after the initial invasion, his parents choosing to stay at a hotel for the duration of their time here rather than taking over the house. As much as he loves having his parents here, as much as he's loved seeing them with their grandson, he's also extremely grateful for it.

Ellie, though, had called that afternoon and suggested Joel try flipping Dane over onto his stomach. She'd said something about colic, told him that holding the baby on his stomach might help, and since then Joel has been carrying a peaceful Dane around the house, his little cheek resting against Joel's wrist. He's fast asleep for the time being and Joel can't imagine putting him down. He's a warm, comforting weight on Joel's arm and although he's tired, although he knows there's still a lot of adjusting to be done, he's also never been this happy.

Spencer is napping. At least he hopes he is. Joel had all but forced him to go upstairs and lie down. They sleep when Dane sleeps, that's the way their lives are meant to go now, and now that Dane actually is sleeping, Joel is debating heading upstairs and joining Spencer. The thought of crawling into bed with his husband, settling Dane comfortably on his chest and just lying there for a little while is somehow even more appealing than actually getting to sleep.

If he sleeps, he's bound to miss something, and Joel doesn't want to miss a moment of this.

That's exactly what Spencer is thinking as he lies wide awake in their bedroom. He'd tried more than once to close his eyes and keep them shut, force himself into a sleep that just won't come, but for once he's not being kept awake because of the nightmares he fears might plague him; it's because he knows that just downstairs are the two people he loves more than anything else in this world.

It's only been a day and a half since they've been allowed to bring Dane home, since they'd been overly careful in placing their baby, their tiny, beautiful baby, into his car seat for the drive home while Erin and her husband tried to hide their laughter behind their hands as they'd watched.

"Definitely brand new parents," her husband had commented, and it hadn't been with any ill intent. Spencer had only smiled and shrugged, as if there was nothing that could be done about it and really, there can't be. He's a father now, he's partly responsible for someone's life for the rest of his own, and as daunting as that may be, Spencer has never been happier. The only comparison he could possibly make would be to the day he and Joel had gotten married, and it's with that thought that he finally gives up and rolls out of bed to join his family.

They'd texted friends earlier in the day to mention when a good time would be to drop by to meet the baby. It's getting to be just after noon now, and he's absolutely exhausted, but the promise of getting to see Dane again gives him a burst of happy adrenaline. He'd be happy to stay this way for the rest of his life, at home with just his husband and their child; but he supposes having company over wouldn't be so bad.

After all, there's something appealing about being able to say that today, he and Joel are going to be introducing their son.

[Time to meet the baby. Tag Joel or Spencer or BOTH, but just indicate in your tag what you'd prefer. If both, the order will be your pup, Joel, Spencer.]

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Spencer gives his husband a look of mock admonishment, though he's long since grown used to Joel's unusual sleeping habits. It hadn't been much a problem at first anyway, not when Spencer had been regularly having nightmares after what had happened in the lighthouse, and the anise seed Joel had given Spencer then had helped but in truth, it'd been sleeping in the same bed with him that had helped more. What had happened with Roman had threatened to undo so much of that, so much of Spencer's ability to cast his fears aside before allowing himself to drift off to sleep, but Davin's charm and Joel's potions, even the the trip to New York--perhaps especially the trip to New York--have been helpful in that regard.

The charm doesn't ward off memories, of course, so there are still the occasional moments when he freezes at the sight of someone who looks just like Roman from behind or when an unfamiliar face walks into the door of Crossroads; but he's been far too busy to really worry about any of that, his mind has overcompensated with thoughts of Dane and of fatherhood, and perhaps that might be stressful for some new parents but for Spencer, it comes as a relief.

He can't help his smile when Joel kisses him, and he suddenly feels exhausted but in the best possible way. Spencer is sure the bags under his eyes are more pronounced than usual thanks to the last few days, but he also can't think of anything that could be more worth it. Not a moment has gone by yet that he hasn't thought of his son, of the future they have ahead of them, and it's not like he hasn't thought about anything else but more often than not, it seems like the second something like checking in on Charlotte or going to the grocery enters his mind, Dane does something to capture his attention again.

"We can blame the cuteness, yes," Spencer agrees, looking back at Mira with a faint flush to his cheeks. "If we start to get unbearable, just tell us. I don't know that it'll actually stop us but at least we'll be aware. We just don't want to miss a second of anything."

They owe Ellie so much already, Spencer thinks, because she's given them so much advice that just can't be found in generic parenting books. The books are helpful, to be sure, they offer a basic preparation for new expecting parents, but it's experience that is the best teacher. Spencer isn't surprised by it, and he knows Ellie would never ask for anything in return except for some quality time with her grandson, but the fact that she's so free and open with her knowledge makes him want to do something for her in return. He just isn't sure what that is yet.

He shifts just slightly, careful not to wake the baby as he holds Dane out a bit and lifts his head to see if Lara wants to take him. It's still hard to let the baby go, no matter how short of a time it's for, and he'd taken seriously internal issue with it when the nurses had whisked Dane away for a bit the day he'd been born. He'd known it was important, especially because Dane had been born so early, but Spencer is still very much aware of how panicky and pouty he'd been with every passing second Dane hadn't been returned to them.

"He's lighter than you might think," Spencer warns, "he was three weeks early. But if you keep him turned over like he is now, he should be fine. If he's not, well, you have the luxury of being able to give him right back to us."

"Oh, no. No magic," he says, shaking his head, but it sort of pleases him to think she might feel that way. It means he and Spencer have done exactly what they wanted in making the nursery and it isn't as if Joel is ashamed of what he is -- not really, not anymore -- but with Spencer he tries to live as normally as possible. To include him in everything and that means he doesn't use his magic as often as he might otherwise. "It's just... a lot of hard work between the two of us."

"I know," Joel says, grinning, meaning the baby, of course. "I know." It's an impossible feeling, one he can't even begin to describe and he thinks Bach might understand. At least a little.

"He's amazing." And he knows he sounds like one of those gushy parents who can't talk about anything but their baby, but he doesn't care.

"Well, I mean, not immediately," Joel says with a flustered little laugh and he wonders if maybe he should be a little embarrassed, but he doesn't think he's alone in wanting this. Maybe he and Spencer haven't talked about it in any great length, but he trusts that they're on the same page with this, as they so often are with everything in their lives. They're in sync in ways he's never imagined he could be with another person and even this, even these plans he has for the future, for someday, he imagines Spencer isn't thinking of a life all that different from the one he's picturing.

His smile soften a little then, because even if he already knows what Coop has said to be true, there's a difference in actually hearing it. He's been so wrapped up in the fact that they finally have their baby that he hasn't really stopped and allowed himself to think about any of the fears he knows are going to one day creep in. One day soon, he expects, but he doesn't want to let it happen any sooner than it has to. And it helps to know he isn't going to be the only one looking out for Dane. It's always been him and Spencer, always the two of them together, but now he's realizing it's not just the two of them.

They have so many people willing to help. So many people who are going to look after Dane. He's going to be so loved. The luckiest child in the world.

"I know," he says, still looking flushed and pleased. "And I also know when he comes out saying things he shouldn't possibly know already, you'll be the one to blame." But he clearly doesn't mind that either, not if his smile is anything to go by.

It is surprisingly easy to forget everything around the little boy. Bach is surprised that even Joel is dimming for him, while he had been so very present in Bach's mind.

"Soft little fella. Never thought about listen-" There's nothing more than a murmur, a soft demand for care and love and it feels like something you could get addicted to. "He is so young. Fresh, really."

"That's not something I'm familiar with", she replies dryly, because Joel won't view it as fishing for compliments or anything self hating. It's simply the truth.

"Maybe there's a career change in it for you, then."
I have a sister in need of a nursery very soon. Moira, of course. Amelie's relationship won't last that long."

Edited 2015-07-06 14:58 (UTC)

"Hey," Joel says, brightening when he sees Raleigh and Spencer enter the room. He's been waiting for the first chance to call her and have her over to see Dane, knowing she's been one of the people who's most excited about this. She's been here for a lot of things, though, and he understands. She's lived with them both, she's called this house her home and it's just different for her.

"Come see him," he says, nodding at the place beside him on the couch so she can meet Dane. It's only been a few days, but he already feels like it's been this way forever. He can't imagine his life any other way and he knows not that long ago Dane hadn't been here at all, but he just can't quite remember what that had been like.

"He's asleep now, but he might wake up for you," he tells her, then looks across the room at Spencer and he knows he's never been this happy before.

Edited 2015-07-06 15:32 (UTC)

She tried not to fidget, but more or less completely failed. She wasn't the most spiritual of witches and didn't go in for the whole aura thing, but she could swear the entire house glowed with happiness. Which was exactly how it should be in her opinion. A happy family, safe in their home with their child. She tried not to be jealous, reminding herself that a family was never something she wanted, no matter what that curse said and she mostly failed at that, too.

But those were thoughts for another time. Now it was baby time and she even brought presents for the daddies and the baby and when the door finally opened, she was grinning ear to ear at the look on Joel's face. "Dude, you were made for dad-hood. It totally agrees with you."

"Let's hope it's not mind control," Les jokes but he gives Joel a smile. It's easy to sense Joel's excitement over the prospect of learning Dane's magical abilities, and he can't help wonder about himself as a child. He wasn't as gifted as he is now, but he still had powers. Some of his fondest memories involve his mother teaching him spells. Maybe it will be like that with Joel and Dane; he kind of hopes so.

"I'm certain he'll be a great witch," he says. "And even if he isn't, he's more than cute enough to make up for it."

"Just six days old," Joel agrees, still smiling. It's funny, he never imagined this would happen, but he feels like he's itching to get Dane back in his arms. Holding his son is like an addiction and he wants so badly for his friends to meet him and hold him, but there's a part of him that never wants to let go either.

"And he was early, too. His due date wasn't until July seventh, but he came on June nineteenth. Nearly three weeks early."

He's pleased by that, then smiles and shrugs. "I mean, if she were to want help, I would be happy to," he says. "I love doing things like this, I don't need to be paid for them. I helped Raleigh get the bakery ready and I've done a bunch of renovations with Spencer here at home."

And the store, he's been taking care of that since he took over from his father, doing all the maintenance, all the repairs. It means something to him, to own a place like that.

He's sure the grin he's wearing is bordering on stupid, but he can't help it. Since bringing Dane home, it's all he's been able to do between delicately touching the soft, dark hair on Dane's head or pressing kisses to Spencer's cheek whenever he passes by. Despite his parents being in town for this, it's been a relatively quiet few days and he's been quite happy with it, but it's nice to have the company now, too. They're ready for it.

He's ready to show off a little bit.

"Dane, meet Essie," he says, shifting the sleeping baby. "She takes care of at least one of your daddies when he's no good at it himself and when the other one isn't around to do it."

"If it is, we're more doomed than we already are," Joel says with a laugh, shifting his arms to brush some hair from his eyes. It's not even a question of being doomed, he knows he and Spencer are already so far gone. Dane has them both wrapped around his little finger and they're hopeless. "Do you want to hold him? He's fast asleep and hasn't eaten in the past little while, so he probably won't throw up all over you."

Davin's heart flutters with nervousness when Joel sets the baby in his arms, but soon he realizes that it isn't so hard. Dane settles against him and Davin makes sure to prop his head up like Joel showed him, and then grins hugely. He looks up for a few pictures, but his attention is quickly drawn back to the baby. "Hello there, baby Dane."

He reaches up with his other hand and makes a small noise when Dane's chubby little hand wraps around Davin's outstretched finger. "Oh wow, lookit that grip, aye?"

When Spencer says that he's on the babysitter's list, Davin looks up in surprise. "Really?"

He swallows hard and nods, giving them a warm smile. "Anytime, guys. I'd be honored."

"Get annoying?" Spencer scoffs, though his grin is wide and teasing. He tilts his head down to gaze at the baby, to shift Dane in his arms just enough so that he can press a gentle kiss to the top of his head and take in that newborn smell that he's read so much about but couldn't really imagine until he'd held his son for the first time. One article had mentioned a study in which it was found that the smell of newborns actually triggered dopamine release, and Spencer doesn't think he could really argue with that.

Every time he's near the baby, he becomes deliriously happy, almost always on the verge of either tears or hysterical laughter over the fact that this is what they've been waiting for the past eight months and now that Dane is here, Spencer is in awe of how much more incredible it is to be a parent than he'd even been expecting. There's nothing quite like it, no way to explain it, and he hasn't attempted to try yet. All he knows is that Joel is right, their baby is perfect. Dane will always be perfect to them, no matter the circumstances.

"We'd keep the book fully stocked for the rest of eternity if it's a book starring Dane," Spencer adds, and he's only half joking because as far as he's concerned, Dane should be the star of everything. "But yes, if you ever do get tired of being a renowned author of novels for adults, just know we will fully support any effort you make to venture into the world of children's literature."

" Does that mean he' s not completely finished yet?" It felt like it, in a way. Not a bad way, just like he wasn't completely closed up to be his own creature yet. Something you have to be extra careful around.

Bach looks up, tears his eyes off the tiny little happiness. "Dude, you're fidgeting. I'm not going to take him home, take him back if it hurts that much. There's nothing more than a comfy help hum anyway. I was just curious, that's all."

"You did?" She even manages to keep her face blank when he mentions Raleigh and her little angry girl image. How does two have ever found each other, and what it says about Joel ..she doesn't know. Maybe he just loves charity cases, and Aoife is just another one.

"I don't know if she would want help. She's still ignorant about who she really is. Telling her to create a nursery in the Coombs house might run her off."

"Oh?" Les looks down at Dane sleeping quite peacefully. It's hard to imagine him anything but. He gives Joel a smile and shrug at the offer, a tiny bit nervous at the idea though. "Since you are promising a vomit-free experience, I'll have to accept," he says. He's never been around a baby long enough to hold one, but he reaches out for Dane where Joel is offering him the swaddled bundle to hold, tucking the baby against his body carefully. He doesn't want to drop Joel's only child. It hardly comes to that though because Dane doesn't even make a peep. Not even when Les takes his tiny hand between two fingers, thinking it's impossible for something alive to be so tiny and cute.

"He looks like you," Les observes with a smirk now that he can tell from this angle.

"Yeah," Joel agrees with another pleased smile and he can't quite believe just how happy that makes him. If Dane had looked like Spencer instead, he knows he would have been just as happy to see his husband's familiar and beloved features reflected in their son's face, but this is something unbelievable. He had come to expect the baby would look like Spencer, but here Dane is with his dark curls, and sometimes it doesn't quite feel real.

"We weren't sure if it would be me or Spencer," he explains. "We both, um... d-donated. Next time will be Spencer, though."

He's already taken more pictures than he would have imagined possible, but he just keeps going, adding to the ones already on his phone. He puts it away just as Dane reaches for Davin's finger and he's still too young to be anything resembling coordinated, but his tiny fingers wrap around Davin's and Joel is scrambling for his phone again.

"I'm sorry, I know this is obnoxious," he says, but he doesn't stop.

And he knows they won't be all keen to leave Dane alone with anyone for awhile yet, but Spencer is right when he says Davin is on the short list. Besides his family, it isn't a particularly long list, but there are a few people he knows he'll be willing to leave the baby with. One day. Many, many months from now.

"Next time?" Les cradles Dane's head carefully in his hands, feeling the extra soft hairs and skin beneath his fingers. He is amazed how perfect this baby is, and he decides there's no way Dane won't have a million people around to spoil him. Glancing up at Joel, he takes in the expression on his face with a curious smile.

"So you're already planning another one? I guess if you got one this cute the first time, another wouldn't hurt," he says.

"Adult paranormal horror to whimsical children's book seems like an easy enough leap," Caden says with a laugh. He sits down and holds out his arms in a display of just how great he is at holding babies. A lot of his friends have kids and Caden has always been great with them, even if he doesn't yet have any great desire to have children of his own. "Can I hold him? I need to get in some quality honorary uncle time before I have to head out to L.A."

Joel nods in response to Aoife's question, but he's paying more attention to what she's saying about her sister. He's heard whispers, but he mostly doesn't pay attention to town gossip and isn't entirely sure what might be going on. "Where's she living now?" he asks. "She should have her baby wherever she's most comfortable."

And if she wants to stay out of the Coombs house, he doesn't think he can blame her. Sometimes he thinks all the girls might be a little better off not having to live under that shadow.

"Well, we haven't really talked about it yet," Joel admits with a small smile and a shrug. "I just... sort of assume." He and Spencer are almost always on the same page, so he can't imagine they won't be here. They've discussed names for girls already, too, other names they like, and they do have a third bedroom. At the moment it's a spare, but he likes the idea of putting another baby in there someday. "Anyway, it wouldn't be any time soon."

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