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He was perfect.
So utterly perfect . Tyler brushed his finger along baby Jack's soft cheek. His newborn son was still asleep in his arms, having been lulled since he was given to Wednesday. It was so surreal , seeing him here after months of waiting.
"I should hope this one will take on my superior genes," Wednesday said sleepily from her bed.
"We'll see," Tyler kept on smiling down at Jack for a few seconds. "Do you want to hold him again?"
Wednesday was still slick with sweat. Most of the mess was already cleaned up by the nurses, but she hadn't had any energy to do anything for herself and forbid anyone from touching her. "No. You may keep him for now."
"Do you want anything?" Tyler asked, mindful not to overwhelm her with questions.
She waved her hand around vaguely. "Just get me some water."
Tyler filled the cup provided by the hospital, still holding onto Jack. He gave it to her. "Dad said he won't be getting here until tomorrow. Says he can't wait to see Jack."
They agreed that neither set of parents or friends would be permitted to visit. Pugsley was watching over Dean, he had been since Wednesday had gone into labor. They would be stopping by in a short bit and they were the only ones allowed. Anyone else would be turned away. Wednesday and Tyler wanted to spend this time with their son, without any distractions from other people.
"My parents will be fawning over us both," Wednesday grumbled. "My mother has likely had several visions already."
"Let them fawn," he replied, taking a seat at her bedside. "You deserve to be fawned over."
Wednesday rolled her head towards him, opening her eyes. He thought she was going to sigh over him being sappy. But instead, she murmured, "We have another child."
He smiled, kissing her softly. "Yes, we do. And you're both beautiful." Tilting the newborn so she could fully see him, he said, "Look, Jack, that's your mama. See how pretty she is?"
Wednesday's eyes kept fluttering, she was trying to keep herself awake for when Dean and Pugsley would get here. Tyler would keep their visit short so she could take a long nap. "I do hope Dean is not in a difficult mood today," she said through a yawn.
Their son had been progressively crankier with the development of the pregnancy. He was not at all liking the idea of having a sibling. Tyler suspected he didn't want to share them and have all of their attention on the baby. He and Wednesday already discussed this. They would ensure that he didn't feel left out and came up with designated days for one of them to spend the day with him doing something fun.
However, that did not do anything right now. Prior to Wednesday going into labor, he would scowl at her stomach, sometimes exclaiming that he ' didn't want the baby .' No amount of talking to him worked. No amount of reassurance that he was loved by both of them and that would never change did anything. Tyler just hoped that with little Jack being here, it would magically get better.
"He likes your brother," Tyler had been hounded by Dean whenever he was asked if he could go see his Uncle Pugsley. He just knew Pugsley had roped their son into some kind of crime by now. He could just tell by the giggles and glances sent his way. "Maybe this'll be what he needs, you know? Maybe he just needs some time away."
"Perhaps you are right," Wednesday remarked.
"I just hope he didn't cry too long," Tyler said with a bit of guilt. Their day was uprooted by Wednesday going into labor. Dean had not reacted well, whether because he realized the baby was coming or because they would be separated for a while. He'd sobbed, holding onto Tyler's leg. It hurt him having to gently push his little boy away, but he'd needed to get Wednesday to the hospital.
"I am sure he was fine," she said.
Someone knocked on the hospital room door. Tyler thought it was one of the medical staff coming to check on Wednesday again, but it turned out to be Pugsley and Dean.
Their son was grasping Pugsley's hand, his face lighting up when he saw them. Tyler could concur; he'd missed his little boy. "Mama! Daddy!"
"Hey, Sis," Pugsley greeted, shutting the door. "Tyler."
Dean rushed over to Wednesday's bed, climbing up to be with her. Tyler quickly reached out with his free hand to stop him from getting on her abdomen as she was still quite tender there, even with the pain medication she was given. "You've got to be careful, Dean," he advised, keeping his voice at a level that his son would not mistake for anger. "Mama's tired and she hurts a lot. Be gentle with her."
Dean's little eyes got big. "Mama's hurt? Why?"
By now, Wednesday spoke up, smoothing down his unruly hair. "It's natural to be in pain after having a baby, mijo."
"Oh," Dean said, his excitement dwindling. He was not happy at being reminded of the baby.
Tyler almost forgot that Pugsley was still there. "I hope he wasn't too much trouble," he said. "And sorry about the other night. He's not usually like that."
Pugsley shrugged. "He was fine. Wore himself out after he let Solanine chase him around."
Solanine was Pugsley's pet komodo dragon. He'd been a gift from Uncle Fester just last year for Christmas. Dean loved him and the other various Addams Family pets. Even though he accepted practically everything else, the one thing Tyler struggled with was this. The rest of the family saw no harm. His in laws thought it was healthy for a young boy to be close with animals.
Tyler wouldn't say anything this time, not when Pugsley had come without complaint on such short notice to watch over Dean. "As long as he behaved," he said.
"Daddy, Daddy," Dean tugged on the sleeve of his sleeve. "Guess what? Guess what? Uncle Pugsley said I could have ice cream!"
"He did?" Tyler smiled.
"Yeah!" Dean beamed. " And we're gonna go to the park and he said we can let Kitty with us so he can chase peoples."
"People," Wednesday corrected.
"That sounds like a fun afternoon," Tyler commented. When Dean was busy chattering to Wednesday, snuggling into her side, he said to Pugsley. "Is that really a good idea? Won't someone...call animal control or something?"
"I got tranquilizers," Pugsley brushed off his concern.
"I didn't think you'd want to use something like that on Kitty."
"Not for Kitty," Pugsley scoffed, smirking lightly. "They're for anyone that complains. Can't call animal control if they're unconscious."
"Right," Tyler said dryly.
Wednesday gestured towards Tyler. "Go meet your new brother, Dean."
"I don't wanna," Dean made a face.
"Remember what I told you, Dean?" Pugsley went to take a peek at his new nephew, eyes softening.
"Yeah," Dean mumbled.
"Mother and Father like the name, by the way," Pugsley told them.
"Did you tell him?" Wednesday glared at Tyler.
"Mother had a vision," Pugsley spared Tyler from enduring her wrath.
"Just as I predicted," Wednesday sighed.
"What did Uncle Pugsley tell you?" Tyler asked Dean.
Their son just shrugged without looking at anyone.
"I told him he'll like having a brother someday," Pugsley said. “He’ll need someone to torture. I told him how we used to do it all the time to each other.”
“Except without the medieval torture devices,” Tyler deadpanned.
“Not to worry, I’ve already started collecting for them,” Wednesday said.
“Of course you have.”
Wednesday placed her hands on Dean’s shoulders. “Why do you not want to see your brother?”
“Cuz...” Dean muttered, burying his face in her shoulder.
“Because why?”
“You’re gonna forget all about me!” Dean’s lip wobbled.
“Hey,” Tyler caught his attention and shook his head. “That isn’t true. We told you that. We love you just as much as we love your new brother.”
“And it isn’t going to change,” Wednesday added.
“See,” Pugsley said, causing Dean to glance up at him. “I told you.”
“Mama, did you want to have a brother?”
“She wanted me dead,” Pugsley snorted.
“He isn’t wrong,” Wednesday said. “I did try to drown him. Unfortunately, Lurch intercepted.”
“On accident.”
“Yes, that is true.”
“Don't get any ideas,” Tyler warned his son. The last thing they needed was for him to be a copy-cat.
Dean removed his face from Wednesday’s body, glancing over in Tyler’s direction. “Can I see him?”
Relieved, Tyler said, “Yeah. Just be careful. You can’t be rough with him.” He lowered baby Jack so Dean could see him properly, a soft smile appearing when Dean looked at him with no trace amount of hostility. “Say hi to your new brother, Jack.”
Jack made a noise, a soft whine that startled Dean.
“It’s okay,” Tyler laughed lightly. “Do you wanna hold him? Come here.” He gave Jack to Pugsley for the moment, so he could bring Dean into his lap, taking Jack back into his arms so they could both hold him.
It felt like bliss holding onto his boys . His boys . Tyler couldn’t think of anything better than this. Watching Dean caress Jack’s face, curiosity winning out any of the hesitancy he’d been feeling for these past few months. Things seemed to be looking up.
But then Dean grabbed Jack by the nose and pulled on it, causing the baby to start wailing.
Maybe he spoke too soon.