Chapter Text
Alex is on his feet, swaying his hips to the Encanto soundtrack as he folds laundry. Elena is at his feet, secure in her bouncer while she watches the movie with wide brown eyes. She bops up and down occasionally when something exciting happens in the movie.
He can hear the front door open, followed by the sound of David’s nails scampering on the tile in the foyer.
“I’m back!” Henry calls out, closing the door behind him.
“We’re in here!” Alex shouts over the tv.
Henry and David make their way into the living room and stop in front of David’s crate so he can unhook him from his harness and leash. Elena has spun herself in her bouncer so she can watch Henry with adoration.
“Theresa said David was a very good boy today at the groomers. He even ma—”
“Dah!” Elena exclaims, showing off her newly cut bottom teeth.
Her chubby fist slams down on the colorful buttons of her bouncer, setting off a series of sounds— a boing, a short car horn, and a bark. Henry’s dropped David’s leash so it puddles at the dog’s paws.
“Did she… Did she just say my name?” Henry asks in complete disbelief.
Alex sputters, “I— I don’t know?”
They’re far from experts when it comes to baby speak. Most of the time Elena just makes a series of noises that could or couldn’t be a word. This time is no different.
“Dah, dah!” She says more insistently as if she wants to make sure Alex and Henry understand her. Her tiny eyebrows are furrowed as her legs jump making her bounce faster in the seat.
“Oh mi vida!” Alex immediately bursts into tears. His little girl just spoke her first word . “You missed daddy?”
“My clever, clever girl!” Henry’s voice is thick with tears as he comes rushing forward into the living room.
He gets on his knees in front of her, carpet burn nearly putting a hole in the knees of his jeans. Alex joins him there, wrapping his arms around Henry. He doesn’t think he’s ever been more proud than right now.
Henry’s peppering kisses from the top of her curly head to her rosy cheeks, to the back of her impossibly small hands. She’s squealing in glee at the way the kisses tickle. Alex is positive his heart is going to implode from how much love fills his heart as he looks at his whole world.
“Dah!” Elena can’t stop now that she’s started.
“That’s right my little dove, Daddy missed you too. Don't fret, I’m right here.” Henry lifts her out of her bouncer and into his arms.
He holds her tight to his chest and buries his face in her neck. The skin is soft and sweet the way only a baby’s is.
“She’s just like me. I miss Daddy when he leaves for fifteen minutes too.” Alex kisses her head and then kisses Henry on the cheek.
“You’ll have to text the groupchat so they can finally settle the bet. I just know Pez is going to rub it in everyone’s faces.” Henry laughs as he rubs Elena’s back with his palm.
“I was so convinced it was gonna
A whine begins to build from deep within her chest, a warning sign of an impending breakdown. The tone creeps higher and higher as she begins pushing Henry away and squirming.
“What’s the matter my baby? What is it?” Henry asks in his soft Dad voice.
“Shh, shhh,” Alex tries to soothe her, rubbing a finger against her cheek.
“DAH!” She begins hysterically crying. Her little face is scrunched up as fat tears roll down her cheeks. She’s earnestly trying to twist out of Henry’s arms.
Henry shoots a look at Alex over his shoulder. He looks just as bewildered as Alex feels. He just shrugs in response.
“Maybe try putting her down?” Alex suggests.
Being first time parents means trial by error, and a lot of it. If one thing doesn’t work to soothe her, surely there has to be something.
“Here you go.” He coos as he puts her back in her bouncer and pops her purple binky in her mouth.
Henry smoothes her curls back away from her watery honey eyes. Her mile-long lashes are clumped together with tears. She’s the absolute spitting image of Alex. Sometimes he’s taken by surprise by how much she resembles his husband. It’s as if the Fox genetics didn’t zero groundwork in the womb.
She sucks on the binky experimentally and sniffles. It seems as if she’s relaxing.
“Much better.” Just as the words leave Alex’s mouth, she spits the binky out, launching it onto the floor, and immediately begins crying again. “Or not…”
Henry runs a hand through his hair and stands up. He turns to face Alex.
“I dunno, sweetheart. Did you feed her her one o’clock bottle? Maybe she’s hungry?” Henry’s grasping at straws.
“We finished the bottle just a little bit ago. Maybe she’s tired?” Alex suggests.
A bright giggle breaks through their brainstorming session.
“Dah!” She’s back to cheering her new favorite word and her voice is filled with joy.
Henry and Alex turn back to Elena, only to find David standing protectively by her side, his tail wagging steadily. His tongue laps at her tears, replacing them with wet kisses instead. He places his chin on the bouncer’s tabletop and looks up at Elena with puppy eyes.
“Dah, dah, dah,” she continues babbling and patting David on the head.
David looks back at Alex and Henry, tongue lolling out the side with contentment. Elena’s tears have completely dissipated. She had been asking for David all along.
“Look at him, he’s so smug. He knows he beat you out, Hen.” Alex cackles, leaning his chin on Henry’s shoulder.
“I can’t even be cross about it. Look how sweet they are!” Henry coos.
Alex flops on the couch, dragging Henry down with him.
“I could watch them for hours. It’s like an instant dopamine drip.”
They watch them interact, saccharine and innocent, built in best friends. Alex slowly cards through Henry’s hair with his fingers. Elena continues babbling to David, no doubt telling him all her secret thoughts.
“She’s growing up so fast.” Henry says softly.
Alex can hear the wave of emotion threatening to break in his voice. It can feel overwhelming, each day unveiling a new development— a new tooth, a favorite food, a dimple in her cheek. They feel grateful to bear witness to it all.
“I can’t wait to have a front row seat.” Alex muses.
“Me too.”