I walked out of the school building, with a huge smile on my face. I wanted to go and see Alex and Phoenix this morning before I went to school, but he wouldn’t let me. He told me I needed to, and I quote, ‘get my learn on’. Gosh, I face palmed so hard when he said that. It’s like he is already one of those ‘try to be cool’ dad’s.

I reached my car, got in, and the first thing I did was plug my phone into the AUX cord, turned on my car, then put on pandora, changing it to my Slipknot station and started off to the hospital. I honestly couldn’t wait to see my wonderful boyfriend and child. Yes, Phoenix was my child now, Alex had me sign his birth certificate, clarifying that I was now his other Dad. I was so surprised and even more excited when Alex asked me to do it before I left last night, I would have to say it was one of the best moments of my life. Plus, if anything ever happened to Alex, it means that he would stay with me, and not be shipped off to some foster care family.

But, just by signing that one paper, Alex proved to me how much he actually cares and wants me in Phoenix and his life. I have never felt so loved and wanted ever, and it was the best feeling I could ever imagine.

My thoughts trailed off to some other random thought, but then soon I was pulling into the hospital parking lot, parked my car and got out. I placed the car seat in the back where it belong before I went to school this morning, and multiple people at school kept asking me if I had a child, and each time I would proudly say yes. Yes, I was a father.

I walked into the hospital, went down the hallway to the recovery wing, and entered Alex’s room. Seeing him sitting up on his bed, feeding Phoenix is lunch bottle. It was such a sweet moment, that I didn’t want to waste it, so before I said anything to let Alex know I was in the room, I took out my phone and snapped a quick picture, the sound going off and caught Alex’s attention. Making eye contact with him I smiled at him, and all he did was roll his eyes a giggle a tiny bit. “Hey babe.” I said as I went over to stand next to the bed he was sitting on, getting him to look up at me as I placed a sweet little peck on his lips. “How did everything go today?”

“Everything went pretty well. Other than Phoenix likes to throw hissy fits when no one is holding him. But, I guess it’s a good thing that I found that out sooner than later, seeing as I might freak out when we got home if he cried every time we set him down.” He answered as he looked back down at our beautiful little boy.

“I’m glad everything is going well. I just wish I was here to help you all day.” I sat down with him on the bed and placed my arm around his shoulders.

“No. You need to go to school and get the learn on, Barakat.”

“Ugh. Here we go again with the hipster dad quotes. Please, just don’t start telling lame dad jokes.”

“Um, pretty sure the more time we send with him, the less cool we are going to get. So that means we will both be telling lame dad jokes pretty soon.” He laughed, causing me to laugh as well.

I looked down at Phoenix and saw that his bottle was empty. “Want me to burp him while you get dressed to go home?”

“Will you please? I can’t wait to get home and just sleep. I’m so tired.” He said, letting me stand up and then placed the small child into my arms as I bounced a bit to keep him from getting the least bit upset. “There is a little towel in the bathroom, put that on your shoulder before you do it, or he might spit up on you.” I nodded at his words and walked into the bathroom, seeing a freshly cleaned towel hanging over the rack, picked it up and placed it over my shoulder. Then I softly placed Phoenix leaning over my shoulder the slightest bit and started to pat his back as I continued to lightly bounce myself.

It took about three minutes for Phoenix to finally burp, which caused him to, like Alex said he would, spit up on the towel. I removed it out from under him and placed it it the open waste basket by the toilet and then left the bathroom to go see if Alex was ready to leave. “Ready to go Mama bear?” I asked with a smile.

“I sure am.” Just when the words left his mouth, a nurse walked in with a wheelchair, getting him to sit down in it. I walked over to him in the chair, and placed Phoenix in his arms, where Alex wrapped him up in his little blanket. “Let’s go home.” He softly spoke.

---

We got home and I helped my lovely boyfriend into the house with one arm, and carried Phoenix in his car seat on the other. He was wide awake and just waiting for someone to pick him up. “Alright, I think I can get to the bed from here. Just, watch over Phoenix whilst I take my nap please.” Alex spoke up as we got to the bottom of the stairs.

“Are you sure you don’t need my help?” I asked with worry.

“I’m sure, baby. Thank you so much. I love you.” He placed a small kiss on my lips and slowly walked up the stairs. I watched him as he walked up and went down the hallway to our room, just to make sure he got there safely.

“Come on, Phoenix. Let’s jam out to some music while Daddy is upstairs taking a nap.” I spoke to the tiny human as I set down the carseat, reached in and unbuckled him to lift him out. “How about some good ol’ Blink 182? Sound nice little one?” I talked to him as I went over to the stereo with him in my arms, managing to put in album Dude Ranch, which wasn’t my most liked one, but it still was good.

I then sat down on the ground, having grabbed the blue little baby blanket to lay down on the ground, I placed Phoenix on it and sat him in front of me. “What’s up little guy?” I chuckled. “You are just the cutest little boy I have ever seen.” I realized I started using what sounded like a baby voice of my own. “You get to meet Daddy and I’s friends tomorrow, how does that sound?” I continued with my tone, and played with his little hands, causing him to let out the sweetest little giggle I have ever heard. “Aw, you are so adorable, Phoenix.” I gushed over the little bundle of joy in front of me.

“So, I was thinking, Nix, one day while Daddy is busy, we can go out and go shopping just for you. I’ll buy you all the band merch a little one could ever want. We can have you rocking some Blink for sure, maybe even some Green Day, or even Metallica! You are going to be the coolest kid on the block.” I chuckled a bit, my funny voice causing him to giggle some more.

I then looked into his eyes and I could see that he was going to do great things when he got older. He was going to be a child raised by pure love and happiness. “You know, just because I’m not your biological Dad like your other Daddy is, I’m still going to treat you as if you were. I will give you nothing but love, and make sure no harm comes to you or Daddy. Wanna know why?” I waited, as if I was going to get a reply from him. But I just smiled and continued. “Because I love the both of you with all my heart. I want you to never forget that little one.” I picked him up off his little blanket and put him in my arms, placing a kiss on his head as he reached for my finger and held onto it with a soft grip. And in this moment, I knew what I was born to do, and that was to spread love and keep my new found family happy.

Notes

Three chapters in two days. How great are we? :)
Now it's all handed over to Krys, have fun girly!

~Jagk.