Chapter 4: Settling
"GAH!" I shouted as I looked through the gap of my crib. I quickly grab the rail to stand and watch the doorway. I listen to the footsteps patter as Dad walks into the room.
"Hey, little guy. Up already?" He said as he approached my crib. "Come here."
He grabs me and started walking down the hallway. He put me in a high chair before entering the kitchen to get my baby formula.
It's been a few months. And with that, Mom went back to work. I think she works at the hospital as she was wearing the same animal beanie and wore a lab coat.
I don't see her, so I must have woken up "late". She goes to work very early in the morning and comes back very later. And with my occasionally mess up sleeping cycle I can't always see her those days.
She's off on the weekend, but if you ask me I think she should work less. But I'm biased.
Ever since Mom started working, Dad took care of me.
He is clumsy and messy and eats some of my food. He's more of a child than me. But... he's cool sometimes. I like his mustache.
Anyways, I watch him mix up my formula and patiently waited for him to bring it. Despite his clumsiness and immaturity, I appreciate him for trying.
In our first about alone together, it was so awkward. He just sat me on his lap and we just sat there on the couch. He tried to make small talk that didn't go well as I am a baby. I think he was just adjusting to the change of mom not being here, or maybe he was adjusting to me.
I don't know which is which. But as we spend more time together, he got more and more involved with me. Starting with a goofy face to playing together to him messing with me.
I snap out of my thoughts as Dad hands me my bottle. I brought it to my mouth as I drank from it.
Dad sat nearby, staring hard at the newspaper. He taps the table before pulling out a pen and lying it down, revealing a crossword puzzle.
I let out a small puff at the reveal before finishing off my milk.
Noting that Mom wasn't here I conclude that she has already left. Meaning I missed her, which was a shame as I don't see her much except for the weekends. She leaves earlier in the and comes back late.
I personally think she should take a break, prompted by the winks under her eyes. But hey, maybe I'm biased.
I sat in my chair idly before realizing I was still hungry. I look at Dad as a smile grew on my face when I raise my hands. And slammed them down!
"GAH!" I cried with a squeal. Dad yelp as he jumped up, looking at me. He sighed tiredly as he stand up and checks on me.
"What do you need?" He asked as he pokes my diaper. I raised my bottle in response. "You want more milk?"
He tries to grab it when I moved it away quickly. He stared at me as I open my mouth widely. "You want baby food?"
I stare at him as he heads into the kitchen before smirking. After the conversation with Mom and Gross, I have been more communicative. The slam was to get his attention but it was also an act of revenge for him messing with me.
I watch him bring back a jar of baby food. The food was ok, however, like everything in a life of a baby, it can be repetitive. I yearn for the day I can eat solid food.
"Like see what we have today, Mushy Grapes... so just grapes?" He contemplates as he opens the jar. He plucked a spoon in and scooped out its insides. "Here comes the rascal."
He says his catchphrase as he spoon-feeds me. I ate it, tasting its grape flavor. However, my pleasure was interrupted as I watch Dad scoop another before eating it.
I annoyedly glare at him before quickly swallowing my serving, banging for more as I'm pretty sure he eats more of it than me. I open my mouth but before I can complain a spoon gently fall on my tongue.
I hear chuckling as Dad laughs at my now botched attempt. I hate him.
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A grin grew on my face as I crawled across the floor. It really wasn't anything hard, just needed more arms to get stronger and not crumple under my body.
However, I could help but smile as I move towards the outstretched arm. "That's it. Finn, you can do it." Mom cheered, sitting across from me.
I quicken my pace and she wraps me up once I was in her arm. I lean into the hug, glad that she was here to witness this. She celebrates joyfully and turns to Dad who had a mischievous smile.
Mom, who was so happy she didn't notice, asked. "Is that wonderful, Marty?"
"I mean yeah sure, but it only starts with crawling, then standing then opening doors, then sneaking out late with unknown women."
"Marty, no! Finn isn't going to be like that." She cried out, holding dearly to her pure and precious child.
It felt like she was joking, but I could see her concerned face. I look at Dad, who chuckled at me, with annoyance. Thus must pay for thee.
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I got my revenge quite earlier, it wasn't on purpose though. I'll let you guess what I mean. Anyways, baby life will always be boring, at times it felt repetitive. Not everything is bad, I have Mom, and I guess Dad. But I just get up, eat, and sleep. I wanted to do something. Just to change it up.
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I sat at the door, yelling as I pointed to it. I stare at my dirty blonde father as he returns it in confusion.
"You... want to go outside?" He pieced it together.
I nodded.
"Okay." He stated simply.
I didn't know what to expect but the answer surprised me. "I've been meaning to use that stroller for a while."
I crawl towards him quickly and he picks me up. Time skip and I sitting in a stroller. He buckles me in and opens it. "Okay, here we go!" He exclaims excitedly.
Only to be stopped by a flight of stairs. A brief carry of the stroller and we were back on the move.
The topical winds blew past my face, fluttering my nonexistent hair. It's like this strand of hair stands up. Dad said he would cut my hair when I was older as he was a barber.
I closed my eyes in relaxation as the old man did all the work, noting this could be an act of revenge. It was cloudy, the sun barely being able to get out. It was a nice day.
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The people on this island were weird. Well, maybe not weird but they sure dress like it. Some wear animal beanies. Others wear clothes that were skintight with balls attached to them in some places. It was weird. I don't know where I came from but I get a sense this isn't normal.
Anyways, I look around the place in interest. It was nothing mindblowing, but it's nice to be out here. There's another weird thing, no one was out in the water. Land on sand unoccupied. Weird.
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Dad and I were going back home when someone called Dad.
"Marty is that you?!"
We stop as a man came up to us. "Matthew?" Dad asked surprised.
"Marty, nice to see you again. How have you been?" He gives Dad a small hug. "Who's the bugger?" He was looking at me.
"This is Finn."
"I didn't know you were in the business of babysitting."
"I'm not, this is my son," Dad explained.
"Shut. Up. YOU have a child?! I don't believe it, what is he a midget? I saw a funny movie about one recently." He said before making some kind of reference.
"No, no. He's really my son." Dad assures.
"That's crazy." He let out, shaking his head in disbelief at me. "Hey… can I talk to you about something?"
"What is it?"
He whispered into Dad's ears, and his eyes widen. Dad grab him, pulling him closer to him as he harshly whispered to him. I could only hear Dad say "Sorry man, I don't do that anymore".
"Dang. Welp, I got to go. See you, Marty. Little Finn." He quickly recovered and said his goodbyes. I couldn't see him behind us but we stayed still until Dad sighed.
That was weird.
Dad started walking again and we went home.
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Word count: 1471
This is for Mr_Cuak. Might update soon. Thoughts on the chapter would be appreciated.
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