Archive of Our Own ^beta

"Eric, have you thought about having kids?"

Jack drops the question on a Saturday morning, when he and Eric are lounging on the couch.

They’re watching The Golden Girls for the umpteenth time this morning – the result of Eric begging for it for twenty minutes and Jack finally giving in. In both their hands rests a warm cup of coffee to fight off the slight chill in the air and the sleep from their eyes. Jack’s nestled against Eric’s chest, letting Eric be the big spoon in a rare event. Eric, happy to play the part, has his free arm casually draped along his side to keep him close. It’s peaceful. Comfortable. Easy.

Nothing really feels easy or peaceful, though, when the topic of ‘kids’ is breached.

It stops Eric in his tracks.

It’s not as if he’s never thought about having kids. He’s probably considered it more than most by this point, if he’s being honest with himself. Not only has he already dated a woman with a child, but he’s also helped a complete stranger through childbirth and nearly adopted a child – would have, had he not been in college at the time. It’s next to impossible to go through all of that and not once consider becoming a dad. 

It’s just that, in all that prior dreaming and speculating, Jack’s name hadn’t factored in yet. 

Things have been going really well lately with them. Really, they have. Eric’s gotten to know and love the new, older Jack – his little quirks, the habits he’s kept since college, his new maturity. He’s also enjoyed getting to know Jack as a lover, boyfriend, and even potential husband. Given everything he’d heard about his relationship with Rachel, Eric had been nervous Jack wouldn’t be up to par with what he’d need across those channels. However, he’s been nothing but pleasantly surprised. Jack’s been wonderful to him. Eric’s had so little to complain about. 

That’s the thing, though. Life’s been so good with Jack that Eric’s assumed he’s been playing with house money. Getting Jack back into his life and seeing him turn into the good version of himself Eric knew was sitting below the surface has felt like a dream. Surely, life couldn’t bless him more with the promise of marriage and a kid or two with his dream guy. No way, no how. So why would he have tormented himself with the prospect of what could be until he was sure it was a sure thing? He’s been content to live in the moment – to enjoy the here and now only. 

Blinking, perplexed at suddenly having to consider that future and fast , Eric quickly clears his throat. 

“Why, uh, what’re you… huh?”

Jack doesn’t laugh at Eric’s garbled response, thank goodness. It’s one of the many reasons Eric feels so lucky to have this new version of him now; he just gets when Eric’s brain needs some time to catch up. 

The new Jack, instead of reacting, simply takes a sip of his drink, leaves a full beat to lower it back to his lap, and then asks again, lighthearted, “Do you want kids?”

“With you?”

Jack tilts his head back slightly, resting it against Eric’s shoulder. That sharp, playful edge Eric adores slips into his tone, joining a cute little scrunch of his brow. “I don’t see anyone else sitting in your lap. Of course with me! Haven’t you thought about it before?”

“I... I can’t say I have.”

The moment the words leave his mouth, Eric can tell he’s messed up. The air shifts, the peaceful rhythm of the morning screeching to a halt, and he curses himself for not coming up with something, anything , better or with more context to salvage it. But, honesty is second nature to him, even when it works against him, and he’s never been good at speaking when on a sleepy brain. 

Jack’s personal reaction is immediate. 

Mug poised in mid-air, he stills as though Eric’s words have stuck him in place. Then, slowly, carefully, he sets the cup on the table, the soft clink of ceramic sounding unnaturally loud, and turns. When he finally faces Eric, his expression is unreadable. It quickly shifts though, landing on something that makes Eric’s stomach drop in an even worse way: disappointment .

Oh, how Eric hates seeing that face painted in disappointment. 

“You… haven’t? Not at all?”

“No, that’s not what I meant,” Eric tries, but Jack’s already long since began mulling it over, his eyes narrowing.

 “What did you mean, then?” His voice is quiet, tentative in a way that cuts deeper than if he’d yelled. “Because it kinda sounds like you don’t want kids with me.” 

Eric’s mind scrambles, desperate, searching perilously for a way to fix the damage. He eventually settles on blurting out the first thing that comes to him – a disaster according to his better judgement, and naturally, the exact opposite of what he needs to do. 

“I’m sorry!”

Of course, it does little to change Jack’s face. If anything, his disappointment seems to settle further in, hardening into something colder, sadder . Eric’s chest tightens. His throat runs dry as he fumbles for more words or something Jack might actually listen to and find comfort in. 

But then Jack hits him with something he doesn’t expect, something that feels like a royal sucker punch to the gut and takes out all the air in the room at once.

“Is it because of my dad?”

Eric’s veins run cold. 

“W-What?”

Jack pulls back, shifting to the other side of the couch. The action’s plain enough to show Eric he’s trying to get the space he needs to avoid whatever Eric’s gonna say next, and the thought of that alone is enough to devastate Eric. Also devastating? Jack folding his arms across his chest, closing himself off. His expression twists with hurt. 

“I know my family situation wasn’t exactly…n ormal , but I never thought you of all people would hold that against me, Eric.”

“No!” Eric shakes his head, shocked that Jack would jump to such a thing so quickly. “Jackie, I’d never- I swear, I-”

“Then what is it?” Jack interrupts, his voice sharper. “Am I still too evil for you? So screwed up, I’d screw up a kid? Is that what you think?”

Eric’s jaw drops. Jack’s done nothing but improve since their chance reunion eight months ago. In fact, he’s become a whole different person when it comes to his work life and a way kinder version of himself outside of it. Jack should know that he’d never speak that lowly of him, especially after everything they’ve been through these past few months together. Eric’s told him how proud he’s been, how amazed he’s felt at witnessing it all. He shakes his head, unsure where to even begin there.

Only, Jack stops him before he can attempt.

“Don’t just say you’d never, tell me why ,” he snaps, composure cracking. “Because it sure sounds like you’ve thought about it enough to not think about it with me.”

Eric reaches for Jack’s hand then, desperate for some kind of connection and to get him to stop spiraling for two seconds to maybe listen . Jack swats him away before he can make contact, though. The rejection stings – a sharp, sudden pain that reverberates through Eric and makes him feel wounded, oddly like how he used to feel when Jack would go on a mean streak in the student union. How past Jack made him feel. He winces, withdrawing his hand, and for a split second, Jack almost looks regretful about it. 

That is, until his hurt takes over again, and it comes back at Eric stronger than before.

“Jack, please,” Eric pleads, his voice breaking at the sight. “I just didn’t expect you to bring this up out of nowhere! M-M-My brain doesn’t have the right words to say to you right now.”

“So, what?” Jack snaps again, standing now. “You need a scheduled meeting to talk about our future? Should I have sent you a memo, Senator? ”

“No!” Eric exclaims. “Jack, c’mon. You’ve- it was just a big question, okay? Give me a second t-to think, to explain myself, just-”

“I can’t do this right now,” Jack cuts him off, his voice low and firm. “I-I… I need space.”

Eric’s heart slams in his chest. He lurches forward, nearly tripping over his own feet as he reaches out, his hand brushing the air where Jack’s shirt just was. “Jack, wait- please!”

Jack pauses only long enough to throw a glance over his shoulder, his expression a storm of pain and frustration. “Don’t, Eric. Just… I need to think and…cool down, I guess. And you need time to actually figure out what you want, apparently. Maybe it’ll be good for both of us.”

Eric opens his mouth, only to be silenced with a sharp shake of Jack’s head.  “Don’t. I mean it.”

And with that, Jack strides out of the living room with heavy footsteps. Eric listens to them, wilts as he remains frozen in place to the tune of a firm right, left, right, left echoing down the hallway. The bedroom door eventually shuts behind him with a rattle, the sound echoing through their now quiet apartment, hitting Eric where he now sits alone, stunned. 

Sinking back onto the couch, he runs a hand through his hair. All he wanted was a quiet morning with Jack. Now, Jack’s gone, and it feels like everything’s crumbling thanks to his big mouth and, apparently, too-slow brain. Figures. 

“Great job, Matthews,” he mutters to himself, hanging his head.

Half an hour later, Eric still hasn’t left the living room. 

The fight keeps replaying in his head, is why. He watches it, beat for beat, just like all the reruns he and Jack watch before bed. He lets each replay make his heart ache more like some kind of masochist, hoping something will resonate from it and point out what to do next.

He just can’t believe how quickly things went wrong. He can’t process how Jack’s mind made such large leaps toward him being cruel, or how all the walls he’s let down with Eric over the past few months managed to get rebuilt in an instant. The weight of that, of his inability to express his fears properly causing Jack so much pain, sitting on his shoulders feels unbearable, itchy almost. He doesn’t like being in his skin right now while Jack’s sitting in the other room, thinking all sorts of sad things because of him like that.

The itchiness tells him he needs to get out of there – to do something, anything to fix it. 

But, his hands tremble as he presses them into the cushions and pushes himself up, and he’s barely supported by his own shaky legs. Not only that, but when he just stands there, trying to secure himself in place, it becomes very evident that he has not a clue of what to do next. Should he do anything? Could he even, when he’s acting like this and can barely think straight? 

Luckily for him, autopilot eventually makes the decision for him. His – still very shaky – legs drag him forward and bring him to their coat rack, and his arms reach with those trembling hands of his first for his jacket, and then his keys off the entranceway table nearby. Once bundled up, those same hands reach for the door handle, ready to send him on his way….somewhere, he supposes.

It’s in this moment, wobbly hand on the doorknob, that a voice in the back of Eric’s mind chooses to pose another round of rapid-fire questions. He asks himself if maybe leaving right now isn’t the best thing for him to do. He asks if he maybe should go and knock on their bedroom door, if he should try and talk things out with Jack like old times. There’s no way he could still be that mad, right? Maybe he could make something work. Maybe they could still work again.

Right when that voice starts to sound compelling, another voice decides to chime in – Jack’s from earlier. Jack’s voice reminds him in bold, flashing lights how Jack needs space. Jack doesn’t want to talk this through right now, doesn’t need to do it until he steps through their bedroom door again in a better mindspace. No matter how much Eric doesn’t like it, doing the opposite of what Jack wants will only make things worse. He knows this. He needs to respect this, and fast.

So, with one last look back over his shoulder at their empty living room, Eric takes the quick elevator ride down to his car and goes away from home as intended. 

He reaches the driver’s seat a few minutes later to the tune of a revved engine and heat pouring into the cabin shortly thereafter. It’s cozy – the perfect setting for a road trip. However, for all its perfection, one thing becomes abundantly clear to Eric to be missing the longer he sits there enjoying the ambiance: a place to go. 

There’s no way he can go to his parents like this. That much is for certain. They’ll surely take Jack’s side in this case. They’ve always loved him so much, practically rejoiced at the thought of Jack becoming his boyfriend when it happened, to his surprise. Cory and Topanga also could open a whole can of worms. He could see it now – he’d state his dilemma, Cory and Topanga would get into some jumbled debate about any future kids of theirs they may or may not have, Riley would somehow get involved, and he’d find himself playing some pointless game in Auggie’s room just to avoid whatever spiral of a debate that’d turn into. He might not know much, but he knows he doesn’t need that now. He needs stillness. He needs simple.

Before he fully realizes what he has in mind, his car begins rolling forward.

The cityscape around him soon fades, transforming first into cozy suburbs and then into long, empty roads lined with trees and the occasional small house. In time, these empty roads begin to look familiar, dotted with familiar signs and familiar names. With them in sight, Eric begins to wonder just why they look so familiar in the first place. He’s no longer in New York, that much he knows, and though he might have crossed the border into Pennsylvania a few miles back, he doesn’t think he’s in Philly. They aren’t streets he’s seen while meeting constituents. So, why then do they ring so many bells? 

The answer comes to Eric minutes later, courtesy of an old wooden sign, weathered but sturdy as it stands nestled in its patch of grass. 

You are entering POTTSTOWN -  HOME of the WORLD’S LARGEST YOGURT CUP

Pottstown.

Of course he would end up there. 

It was the place he ran to the last time he didn’t know what else to do, when the world seemed far too big and scary for him and he felt daunted by the challenges it presented him. It also was, somehow, the place where he put himself back together and made a decision to change things for the better. Eric feels a strange bit of hope, turning past the sign, that the little off-the-beaten-path town might be able to work a similar miracle for him this time around. If he can’t face Jack right now, maybe he can face himself through the eyes of kind strangers again and work things out so he can one day soon. 

Turning down the road, Eric’s car rolls right into the parking lot for the ol’ motel-slash-souvenier shop-slash-diner. As he gets out and approaches the door, the faint hum of chatter and the smell of fresh coffee and frying bacon greet him like old friends, as if beckoning him back home. Eric kind of wonders in that moment what his life might’ve been like, had he chosen to make it his home like he’d wanted to before. He certainly would’ve never met Jack, that’s for certain. Maybe that would’ve been a good thing. Then again, he’s not quite sure life would’ve been worth living without his best friend, even if spent in the company of a sweet girl and her customers. 

To Eric’s surprise, completely derailing his thoughts, it’s none other than that sweet gal that he sees as he steps through the diner’s doors. 

Irene.

She’s as beautiful as she had been all those years ago. Her hair’s longer now, falling in soft curls below her shoulders, and there’s a slight crinkle at the corners of her eyes, yet her bright, warm smile still lights up the room as she tends to her customers. It’s as if time hasn’t dulled her spark one bit. If anything, it seemed to have made her more radiant than ever. Eric wonders to himself, as he slides into a random seat, if she’d be able to think the same of him. He’d like to hope so. Either way, he can’t help but feel giddy to see she’s doing so well. 

He feels rather glad to see that the diner’s doing well, too. Glancing at the menu in front of him, it looks freshly updated and clean. He knows from his time traveling around cities both good and bad that this is a good sign. It shows progress, funding. Support. He’d like to believe his guidance on advertising might have saved it back in the day enough to get them to this point. In his heart though, he knows it probably was Irene’s good nature and spirit that did it for them. Surely, anyone with a heart would fight to keep her happy and smiling here – including maybe even coughing up some extra cash from their own accounts to keep the place afloat. Lord knows he would’ve done as much, had he had the funds back then.

At the sound of a soft gasp, Eric looks up to find that happy, smiling face of Irene staring right back at him. It’s not just her gaze that captures his attention though; her very pregnant belly also comes into view, and Eric lets out a small, surprised gasp of his own at its being on her , his Irene from all those years ago. Before he can fully process, she’s rushing forward to meet him at the counter. 

“ERIC! Oh my gosh, I thought I’d never see you again!”

“Irene!” Eric feels his heart skip, his smile widening the closer she gets. “H-How are you? How’s... both of you?”

A lovely blush colors Irene’s cheeks at Eric’s words. She brings her hand to rest on her stomach, which he notes is concealed by some stretchy black fabric just below her top, and gives it a fond rub for good measure. It suits her, he thinks. 

“We’re good,” she says, continuing to cradle her baby bump. Eric can already see there’s so much love there for her child, feels a bit breathless by it all. “So good, actually.”

“How long has this been going on?” 

“Eight months and a week tomorrow,” Irene proudly confirms. “Not sure if it’s a boy or a girl yet, but whatever it is, it’s a kicker! Keeps me on my toes every day at work. Though I bet it’s nothing compared to what you must handle at work, Mr. Senator .”

Now, it’s Eric’s turn to blush. Swatting his hand in the air, he shakes his head at her, making Irene’s smile brighten. “Nah, nah, what I do is child’s play! You’re out here growing a whole human! And working! That’s like, so cool and so much harder. All I do is sit listening to folks fighting back and forth all day about bills and neck ties and stocks, whatever those are.”

Irene giggles. Eric swears her eyes twinkle. “Oh, I think you do more than that. I’ve been reading about you, you know.”

“Me? Really?”

“Mmhmm,” she nods, tapping her finger on his menu. “As soon as I heard the same Eric Matthews of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that I’d met was out there changing cities and states for the better, I made it my business to see all the amazing work you were doing first hand. You’ve made something of a name for yourself, mister.”

“You think so?”

“Oh, I know so,” she affirms, tapping the menu again. “I mean, I don’t think I’ve read a single bad thing about you from St. Upidtown or all the city folk in New York. Our city officials don’t even fly by under the radar like that, and you know it’s a far cry from a big metro like yours. That means you’re doing something right.” 

Eric smiles, looks away. “You’re still way too kind to me.”

“Yeah well, you sure make it hard not to be.”

They pause, sharing a moment together. Then, Eric looks to where her hand rests on his menu and taps the glistening gem on her ring finger. 

“So, care to tell me about the lucky guy?”

Irene pulls her hand back, glancing down at her ring as she bites her lip shyly. “His name’s Charles. We met a few years after you passed through, and we got married not long after. He’s a good man.”

“I’m glad.” Eric smiles softly. “You deserve someone who’ll be good to you and your family. Speaking of, I never asked. Is this your first kid together? Or do you have a whole pack waiting in the wings to take over the diner and hold me for ransom?”

“No, no pack like that.” Irene laughs and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “This is our first, actually. He and I, we’ve had some trouble conceiving. I was amazed we had enough time left to have this one, but here they are, growing away.”

“Little guy or gal was just waiting for the right time, ‘s all” Eric jests, getting an exaggerated nod out of Irene. In her next breath, slightly out of its normal kilter, she holds up a hand to him and pivots, going over to a girl Eric hadn’t noticed on his first approach. They share a hushed few words before Irene slips out the side of the counter and makes her way to Eric. Eric can’t help but look her over now that he can see her in full. She looks great. Any second from popping, no doubt, but truly great. He greets her with a warm smile. 

“They let you off the hook that easily around here?”

“Perks of being pregnant,” she teases, rubbing her belly again. “Besides, I can always make something up about you being here on official governmental business and needing my assistance. That is, so long as you’d be willing to back me up.”

Feigning shock, Eric puts his hand over his heart. “Ms. Irene, are you asking me, Senator of the great state of New York, to lie about official government matters? Yeesh, you think you know someone for two days.”

Irene smirks. “You were always a funny one. Glad to see that hasn’t changed.”

“Couldn’t change that if I tried,” Eric says, sincere. “It’s my curse. Different question, better question actually. Do you want to take my seat? I know when my mom was pregnant, she would always say her feet were killing her, her back was killing her, and on and on and on. I’d feel kinda’ silly sitting here while you’re in that kind of pain, if you are.”

Shaking her head, Irene ushers for him to stay. “I was actually thinking we could maybe go somewhere more quiet and talk, if that’d be alright with you? It’s just, I-I really meant it when I said I thought I’d never see you again, Eric. I’d hate to miss out on having one more good conversation with you, if I can have the chance for one.”

Eric nods, warmth flickering through him at her words. “Yeah, of course. I’d love that, and I’ve got the time. Lead the way.”

With that, Irene grabs her purse from behind the counter and gestures toward the side door. Eric pops up from his spot and hustles to follow her and open it before she arrives, ever the gentleman. She grins, thanking him.

“We can head to the motel,” she explains, guiding Eric forward along the parking lot. “Charles paid for a room there just in case I need to rest during shifts. I’ve got some snacks there too, if you’re hungry. I know I sorta’ distracted you from the diner.”

Eric chuckles and waves her off. “Nah, you’re good. I wasn’t really looking for anything to eat, though I might take you up on a snack if they’re the good ones.”

The motel is not all that different to what it once was. Eric can tell as much the second they pass through its lobby and into its main hallway. The walls are still a mustard yellow. The carpet is still a greyish green color. When Irene unlocks the door to a modest room with a single bed, a cozy armchair, and a small table in the corner, he remembers his room with Cory looking not all that dissimilar. No doubt, most of the funding they have received has gone to the diner. The place might as well have been stuck in the 90s for the last twenty years. 

Across the greyish-green carpet, Irene takes Eric’s moment of inspection to sink into the armchair across the room. She does so with a relieved sigh, propping her feet up on the ottoman, and gives a small wince before shifting in place. Eric almost questions it, nearly dares to bring it up and wonder if she’s okay, but quickly decides against it when thinking back to how his mother reacted when he or his dad asked one-too-many questions. The last thing he’d want to do is upset her when he’s trying to rekindle their friendship.

He leans against the wall instead, rubbing the back of his neck. 

“So,” Irene says, tilting her head up at him with a much calmer face than before. “I feel like I’ve sort’ve gone a little backwards with the questions and such. What brings you back to Pottstown like this? And don’t tell me it’s for the pie, I want the truth.”

Eric laughs, but it’s short-lived. He lowers himself onto the edge of the bed, his fingers lacing together. “The truth? Haha, I uh…I’m not sure if you’d want to hear the truth.” 

Irene raises an eyebrow, waiting. Eric sighs.

“There’s someone I’ve been seeing for the past few months,” he continues, his voice soft but steady. “Someone I… well, someone I really care about. Probably more than anyone. My best friend”

Irene’s eyes widen slightly. “Wow. Well, that’s wonderful, Eric.”

“It is,” Eric agrees, but his tone falters. “Except I, uh, might’ve blew it with them. Big time. We kind of had a fight this morning. A big one. About kids, of all things.”

Irene sits forward, curiosity sparking in her eyes. “Kids? You mean, like, having them?”

“Yeah,” Eric says, sighing. “They just...dropped it on me out of nowhere! ‘Do you want kids with me?’ Like it was a casual question about dinner plans! And I froze. I didn’t even know how to answer him at first. I wish I hadn’t at all, actually.”

Irene studies him for a long moment, her brows scrunching together in thought. Finally, settling on some unspoken conclusion, she lets out a soft hum and asks, “What was your answer?”

Eric groans and hits his head against his hand. “Something stupid. I said I hadn’t thought about it yet. Which was true, mind you! But J- my partner took it the wrong way and it got so outta’ hand. They think I don’t want kids now. Or, well, they think I think they’d suck at it. Which I don’t! God man, they’d make such a cool parent. Seriously, once they really got into it and past all the initial worries and everything, I think they’d be great.”

Nodding, Irene plants another question on him. “Do you want kids?”

“I do,” he responds without hesitation, his hands grabbing at his knees. “I really do. After I left here, I sort of realized it, you know? Not just ‘cause I got a little older and my mom had my little brother Josh around then, but like, I met this really amazing little kid, Tommy? And he was everything. I mean, he was so cool and so smart and fun . I-I-I just got such a kick out of making him smile and palling around with him all the time. Nearly adopted him, even.”

A look of realization hits Irene. “Wait wait, Tommy? That little curly haired boy you brought onto your campaign?”

“Yes! The very same! You did follow my political stuff!”

“That debate makes so much more sense now,” she exclaims, shaking her head. “Oh Eric, whether you ended up with that little boy as yours or not, anyone with eyes can see that you sure made a big impact on him. Anybody who can do that for a kid could be a really good dad.” 

“Thanks, I appreciate that. I just wish I had been a really good partner when I’d had the chance.”

Irene frowns. “Hey, don’t talk like that. People don’t always know what they need to say when the time comes. You can’t beat yourself up, calling yourself a bad partner about that.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“If you’re as gone for each other as you told me you were, if you’re really best friends, then yeah,” she shrugs. “I can be pretty sure he knows you aren’t some monster and just didn’t get the words out right. I’m also pretty sure he didn’t mean to get as upset about it as it sounds like he was. In fact, I reckon he might’ve been struggling just as much as you to say the right thing.” 

Eric glances at her. “You really think?”

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said something to Charles and regretted it the second I said it,” Irene laughs. “When you have big feelings, you sometimes say big things or share other big feelings that you don’t think through, and they come out messy.  It happens. What matters more than what happened, though, is how you choose to move next.”

Eric slumps back against the bed. “But I handled it so badly, Irene. He literally walked away from me . He’s never done that before. I don’t know how to fix it.”

“Start with honesty,” she says firmly, leaning forward. “When you talk to him, tell him exactly what you told me. That you do want kids with him, that his question caught you off guard and you misspoke in the heat of the moment. And tell him how much you believe in him and his ability to be a good dad. He needs to hear that.”

Eric nods, her words sinking in. “You make it sound so simple.”

“It’s not,” Irene says with a small smile. “But it’s worth it, for him and you.”

Smiling ever-so-slightly, Eric lets himself sit there against the bed and think. He thinks about doing what Irene mentioned, about confronting Jack again but doing so with more tact, more love , and lets himself actually hope a little. If she and Charles could get through that kind of fight before, maybe they stood a chance of doing it, too. They ended up with a whole baby, after all – one they really tried for over time, meaning there’d been plenty of time for fights and misunderstandings to occur. Perhaps Jack was right and a little time apart would put them on the track for a happy ending like theirs, or at least for them to weather this initial slip up. 

Thinking about that though, Eric notices something that stops him in his tracks completely.

“You said he.”

Irene nods, giving him a knowing look as he slowly sits up to face her. “Why yes, I believe I did say he, didn’t I?”

“How…how’d you know I was talking about a guy?”

“On account of you slipping up and calling your partner a he only a thousand different times,” she replies, smirking a little. “I don’t mind it, you know. I think it’s real sweet.”

Fidgeting a little, Eric nervously chuckles. “You, uh, aren’t just saying that, right? I’m not about to face Pottstown’s legion of small-town doom or something?”

Irene shakes her head, giving Eric the warmest look she can muster. “Nope, no doom stuff around and not just saying at all. We might be from a small town, but that doesn’t mean we’re all small minded. Won’t lie to you and say I totally expected it from ya’, but Eric…I’ve always rooted for your happiness. I’d like to think you’ve known that too deep down, based on what we shared back before. Of course I’m gonna’ be mighty happy about someone making you feel loved and supported enough to want a kid or two. No need to worry about all the other stuff.”

Eric feels the warmth from before re-enter his veins. It causes him to blush a little, to think back on the goodness Jack brings to his life and all the kindness he does hold in his heart. Blinking up at Irene, he decides to be a little daring – daring enough to share him with her, that is. 

“Jack,” he says, pausing for Irene to put two and two together. When she does, they share a grin Eric instantly clocks as giving her full support. It gives him confidence and then some to go on. “We’re, um, longtime friends, since a little after we met actually. He went away for a while after college. We just reconnected a little over a year ago after a work thing and have been dating for about ten of those. He lives with me now, too. He’s kind of the best person I know.”

“He sounds pretty amazing,” Irene agrees, her expression warm. “Has he ever been around this place bef- oh. ”

Before she can continue, Irene winces. Her hand flies to her belly in an instant, followed by a soft gasp and groan that makes Eric’s heart stop for a beat or two.

“Irene?” He’s on his feet in an instant, kneeling in front of her, looking her over for any obvious causes of pain. “What’s wrong? I-Is everything alright?”

Her face tightens, and she breathes through her nose. “I think...I think my water just broke.”

Eric’s eyes widen. “What? Now? Here? Oh man, you’re so going to have to replace that chair.”

“I’ll put it on my tab,” Irene hisses, gripping the arm of the chair with all her might. Another groan rips through her before things slightly ease up, her eyes fluttering a little. “Oh my God, Charles is going to kill me.”

Springing into action, Eric jumps up from the ground and reaches haphazardly into his pocket. Pulling out his phone, he begins to dial 9-1-1, only to backtrack and hold the phone toward Irene. “Shit, okay, okay! Just breathe, I’ve got you. We’ll call Charles, you’ll be at the hospital with him, and everything will be fine! Yeah, just like that! That sounds good, right? Dontcha’ think?”

Irene shakes her head and leans back against the seat. “That’s not gonna’ happen, Eric.”

“Well, it needs to, ‘cause I don’t know nothin’ ‘bout birthin’ no babies.”

“That’s not what I meant,” she grits out as her contraction subsides, her hands no longer gripping the seat as tight as before. “Charles. He’s uh, not gonna’ make it here in time. There’s no way.”

“Huh?”

“He’s across the world right now in a conference,” she says, a twinge of sadness in her voice. “He told me to tell him if I started showing signs of labor, in case he could fly and make it, but I-I didn’t think the back pain I’ve been having had anything to do with my contractions. Guess it did.”

Frowning, Eric reaches for her hand. “I thought you said you were fine earlier?”

“I thought I was,” Irene responds, getting a little teary-eyed. “I was so wrong though, and now…now he’s gonna’ miss it. I’m so stupid.”

“No,” Eric’s quick to say, squeezing her hand. “No, if you think I’m not stupid for how I screwed things up with Jack, then I’m not letting you think you’re stupid for this. Look, Irene, we’ll go to the hospital together, okay? You can call Charles and let him know what’s going on in the car, just so he knows, yeah? A-And that I’ll be there the entire time until I know you’re both safe. Does that sound okay?”

Irene whimpers, her hand reaching for her belly again. “What about Jack, though? You need to get back to him, Eric. I don’t want to stop you from making things right.”

Eric looks Irene in the eye – squeezes her hand again. “Let me handle the worrying about Jack for a little bit. Right now, what you need to do is focus on the human you’re bringing into the world. That’s more important than anything. Okay?”

She pauses, considering another protest, but eventually, Irene nods and squeezes Eric’s hand back. Carefully, going at what seems like a snail’s pace under the circumstances, Eric moves to help Irene off the chair to stand. Once she’s stable, they slowly move to the door and out to the parking lot, over to where Eric’s car sits waiting. He gently guides Irene inside before running at lightning speed around the car to his door. When he hops in, Irene’s powering her way through another contraction. He sits with her through it, willing his mind to remember and share the breathing techniques his mom and that lady he helped give birth shared. 

The moment she’s good to go, he puts the key in the ignition, turns the car on, and floors it.  

By the time they reach the hospital, Irene is barely holding it together. According to her, her ‘back pain’ had been on and off over the past two days, meaning her baby no doubt could’ve been pretty far along by the time her water broke. Judging by the way her contractions speed up over the thirty-five minute car ride to the nearest large hospital, and the little bit of pregnancy knowledge he read up on, Eric figures what ‘could be’ is probably, actually, fact. 

It turns out Charles agrees with him. Irene calls him on speaker while they’re on the road as soon as her next contraction ends. She spills everything, telling him about her pain and her water breaking and Eric watching over her, and to his credit, he takes it like a champ. He doesn’t blame her, doesn’t get upset, doesn’t even sound bothered by it all aside from being sad he can’t be there for her. He just sends his love, has Eric swear he’ll take care of her, and says he’ll see Irene the second his flight lands. He also tells her to give his love to the baby. The way Irene laughs through her nerves and says she will makes Eric smile. It makes him want to call Jack, too. 

Jack has to wait, though. He knows as much when he parks at the hospital with Irene, who has fallen into significantly more pain since she called Charles. As she winces, near tears, he helps her toward the hospital and gets the attention of the nursing staff. Thankfully, they rush to her side upon seeing her and get her a wheelchair, which Eric helps her into as gingerly as he can. She thanks him for his help, a tear finally escaping, before the staff wheels her back to her room to assess her condition.

It’s a brutal wait sitting out there waiting for her, one filled with bouncing legs, chewed fingernails, and more than a little bit of pacing,  but thankfully, it doesn’t last two long for Eric. Eventually, a nurse comes out and tells him he’s requested by ‘his sister’s side’ in her room just down the hall. Anyone else might’ve paused or even questioned this, but Eric? Senator Matthews himself? Well, he is always game for a bit of roleplay and sneaking around. The added bonus of getting to be there for his friend made him fully commit, thanking the kind nurse for taking such good care of his beloved ‘sister’ and telling her how he couldn’t wait to tell their ‘mom’ about this. 

By the time Eric makes it inside, Irene’s settled into her hospital bed and surrounded by a handful of monitors. Her room is quaint, with a little window letting in natural light and a small couch waiting opposite the soon-to-be-bed for her little guy or girl. Eric silently claims the couch as his – before the little one has a chance to call dibs, of course – before jogging to her bedside. Once there, he takes her hand back into his and reaches to brush the hair out of her face. She tries her best to give him a smile in thanks, though it comes out more of a twisted little thing as more pain hits her. 

“Hi,” she says, her voice all wobbly. “You stayed.”

Eric tosses her a boyish grin. “Of course I did. I’m not going anywhere, just like I said.”

They sit quietly for a moment then, taking a breath, the weight of the situation finally washing over them. Only the sound of the monitors beeping and the nurses moving around the room join them for a short while. And then, after Eric coaxes her through a particularly rough contraction, Irene breaks in with a heartbreaking admission. 

“I’m terrified,” she whispers, her voice small, terribly worried. “What if I can’t do this?”

Eric shakes his head, leaning closer. “Irene, look at me. You’re going to do amazing. Your people have been doing this for years, longer than you or I or anyone can count back to. I promise, you’ll pop that little one out with flying colors and be happy you did it. Er, well. You know what I mean.”

Irene stifles back a laugh, wincing a bit. “No, Eric. Those are kind words and all, but I mean the whole parenting thing. What if I can’t do it right?”

“You’ll be fine.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because you love your baby,” he states, as if it’s as obvious as the stars in the sky. “I can tell. I know I’m no dad, but watching my own dad raise me and my siblings, and after almost adopting Tommy…I dunno. I can tell. Kinda like how you could tell earlier about me. And I kinda’ noticed in all that that love tends to be how families get through things. You can always learn the other stuff as you go, but love’s the key, you know? And I think you and Charles have it.”

Irene’s lips tremble, but she smiles. “Now who’s the one being too kind?”

“Not kind, just honest. I swear.” 

“I’m sure Jack likes that about you.”

At the mention of him, Eric feels heat rush to his cheeks. “Not so sure Jack even likes me right about now.”

“You two will work it out,” she says confidently, her grip tightening on his hand. “You love him, don’t you?”

“More than anything,” Eric admits quietly.

“Then don’t give up on him,” Irene urges. “Jack’s a smart guy. He’ll realize what happened and be ready to make up with you once you’re home. And you’re smart too, so don’t go thinking you can’t get there with him.”

“I’ll try my best.”

“Good,” she grins, wincing a little – perhaps anticipating her next contraction, if Eric’s timing in the car was right. “Because you’ve been great here so far, and I’d hate to think Jack would miss out on seeing that with you and your own little one. Now uh, if you could maybe find me a nurse, I really think now might be a good time for them to be here.”

“Huh?”

Breathing a bit sharper, Irene looks him in the eye. “I won’t go into too many details, but I’m feeling some things down there telling me this baby is coming sooner rather than later.”

Eric’s eyes widen, and he bolts upright. “O-Oh, okay, uh- I’m on it! On it, yes. Yup. Uh, NURSE! I THINK IT’S BABY TIME HERE!”

The room is all movement once Eric returns with help. It’s a blur of voices and urgency, and in a lot of ways, Eric wonders how he will be able to keep calm with all that going on around them, let alone Irene. But then, he holds her hand, and she holds his back, and the doctor talks both of them through everything that’s going to happen with an even, assured voice, and it works wonders for him – for both of them, he thinks, as Irene prepares herself to begin to push. She looks ready. Ready to be a mom, ready to accomplish the task at hand, to showcase how amazing she is. Eric thinks back to the lovely lady who he and his father had helped deliver before and, to his surprise, he doesn’t even think she was as prepared to face this moment as Irene is now. It makes him feel proud, in a weird way. Proud of his friend, if he is able to call her that now. Hopes so, at least. 

He murmurs encouragement her way as she breathes through her pushes, dutiful either way. 

In the end, after about an hour and a half of on-and-off chaos and incredible feats of humankind as far as Eric is aware, Irene’s little bundle of joy makes their triumphant entrance into the world with a miraculous wail. 

“It’s a girl!” 

The doctor announces it to the room gladly, lifting the tiny baby for just a moment before handing her to Irene. Tears stream down Irene’s face as a chorus of nurses get to work cleaning her. Eric, too, finds himself unable to stop from crying in the moment. He leans down and squeezes Irene’s shoulder. 

“That was the most amazing thing ever. Oh my god, you’re a superhero!”

Irene giggles back at him, nodding silently in delirious agreement. The nurses hand her a towel then and help her bundle up her daughter, keeping her close. By the time they’re done maneuvering the two of them and getting the baby comfortable, the baby’s cries have simmered down to gentle, content sounds. It’s mind blowing at its very least. 

“A girl,” Irene whispers up to Eric then, her voice trembling. “Can you even believe it?”

“No,” he admits, voice thick with emotion as well. “She’s adorable as hell, though. Good job, there.”

Irene giggles back, thanking him. The two of them rest there under Eric’s dutiful watch for another few minutes as nurses continue their work, basking in the impressiveness of life and what’s just transpired. Life comes back into focus, however, when the nurses come to bring the little girl away so she can be measured, weighed, cleaned more, and so on. Irene is hesitant about it, having just started acclimating to the little wiggling baby on her chest, but gives in eventually after a few words. Eric does his job as the observant friend by looking over the nurses’ shoulders as they do their job, making sure all is well. Irene gets a kick out of it – thanks him profusely for being such a ‘watchful uncle’ to her when they both return to her side.

“Hi, sweetheart,” she murmurs to the baby as she’s placed back on her chest, her voice breaking as awe and a hint of exhaustion take their hold. “I’m your momma. Your daddy will be here soon, but he loves you just as much as I do, sweetie. I promise. We love you so, so much.”

Eric stays quiet, giving her the moment, until Irene looks up at him with a watery smile. “Hey, do you wanna hold her?”

He freezes. “Are you sure?”

“She’s already heard your voice more than half the people in this room,” Irene teases, her smile widening. “I think she’d like to meet ya’.”

Eric’s never been one to decline the chance to meet someone. Carefully, anxiously, he moves himself into place and follows Irene’s instructions to take the baby into his arms. Thankfully, it’s far from his first time holding a newborn, so it comes easy to him – like riding a bike after some time. Still just as magical, though. Incredibly magical. 

“Wow,” Eric breathes, overwhelmed. “Would you look at that? She didn’t even cry!”

Proud and amused, Irene nods and gives him a tired smile. “Knew it, Eric. You’re a natural.”

A natural.

For a moment, the world fades away. 

In that moment, waves of emotions crash over Eric like tidal waves – joy, awe, and a longing so impossibly deep, it nearly knocks the breath out of him. 

Because, yeah. Holding this little one does feel natural. It does feel right, and perfect, and everything he’d ever want to feel holding a new life. And yet, he can’t help but feel like it’d be better spent with Jack at his side. 

The picture of them in a moment like this comes to him so vividly. He sees them, standing side by side or sitting on the edge of a bed like Irene’s. He sees their eyes filled with tears and their hearts bursting as they hold a little bundle, a little life with ten fingers and ten toes with nothing known about life beyond the love they share.

It gives him chills. 

It also, inexplicably, creates the most intense urge within him to speak to Jack – one that nearly brings him to his knees, if not for the bundle he’s holding. 

“I uh, I need to put you back now,” he quickly tells the sweet little girl, already dreading possibly disturbing her in the trade off with Irene but feeling his emotions rising far faster. “But I’m so happy to meet you and know you’re going to be amazing. Your mom’s already amazing. You’re in great hands.” 

He glances up at Irene, who’s watching him with a knowing smile.

And then, he reluctantly hands her back, gestures at the door so Irene knows he’ll be right back, bolts outside the door, and dials Jack’s number by sheer muscle memory. 

He picks up on the second ring. 

“Eric? Oh my god Eric, where are you?” 

His voice is tight. Eric knows he only sounds like this when he’s worried, like really , actually worried deep in his bones. It forms a lump in his throat. He goes a bit sick.

“Are you okay? I’ve been calling around, a-and no one’s had any idea where you are. I wasn’t getting any answer here either, and I-I just-”

“I’m fine,” Eric interrupts gently, rubbing at his chest. “Look, hey uh, I’m at a hospital in Pottstown. Long story, but I’ll be home soon, I promise.”

“A hospital?” Jack’s voice pitches higher. “What the hell Eric, are you hurt? What happened?”

“No, no, I’m fine, I promise,” he quickly assures Jack. “I was helping a friend. She just had a baby, and...well, it’s been a day.”

“A ba- ?” There’s a pause. Then, Jack’s voice returns, softer. “Nevermind. That doesn’t- Eric, the way we left things wasn’t right. I kept thinking about it and I just, if that was the last thing I told you, if you were hurt-”

“H-Hey, it’s alright,” Eric assures again, keeping his voice level. “I’m fine, and it wasn’t, okay? I’m sorry I didn’t call or text to let you know not to worry like that. That wasn’t cool of me, either.”

“I wasn’t cool to yell at you like that.”

“It’s okay, Jack.”

“No, it’s not. It wasn’t,” Jack says more firm, a hint of strain emerging. “I hate that I treated you like you’re stupid or like you’re some monster. I should’ve just stopped and listened, o-or actually talked instead of shutting you down like that. God, I was so stupid-”

“Jack,” Eric says, his voice firm but kind. “Stop. If I’m not stupid, you’re not stupid, okay? We were both caught off guard and reacted kinda dumbly. We’ll figure this out.”

Jack exhales shakily. “Yeah. Yeah, I just...I need you to know, I love you. No matter what.”

Eric smiles, leaning back against the wall. “I love you too, Jackie. I’ll be home before you know it and we’ll talk it through, alright? No interruptions this time. Full discussion and everything. I’ll even let you choose the snacks.”

“Okay,” Jack murmurs, sounding a little more hopeful than before. “I’ll be here then. Drive safe and, uh. Get home soon, yeah?”

“Roger that.”

Hanging up, Eric feels a bit lighter knowing he’s going to do just that.

He feels even lighter when he returns to Irene. She’s holding her daughter again, face glowing with happiness as she sees him. The second he reaches her bedside, she winks at him. 

“You called him, didn’t you?”

Eric blushes something fierce. “That obvious, huh?”

“A little bit. It’s cute, though. I take it it went well?”

Nodding, Eric casts his gaze to the little girl sleeping in her arms. He smiles. 

“Yeah. I think we’re going to be okay.”

Irene’s expression melts into more joy. “I’m so glad. Hey, you want to know something I figured out while you were gone?”

Pulling up a chair, he nods. “Uh, of course! Lay it on me.”

“Her name’s Natalie,” she announces, looking down at her daughter and giggling slightly. “Natalie Hope. Charles, um, really liked the name Hope for a girl, but he wanted me to take the first name. So I got to thinkin’, and I remembered that my mom’s middle name is Natalie. I’d kinda like to keep her around through my daughter, ya’ know? What do you think?”

Eric’s heart swells. “I think that’s a really nice name.”

“Good,” Irene says, proud, nuzzling Natalie closer. “So do I. Listen uh, Eric, now that she’s got a name and we’re mostly set here…I dunno. I think it’s best I let you go actually make good on being okay with Jack.”

Eric swallows hard. “Really? I-I mean, will you be okay here without anyone?”

“I think we’ll manage,” she affirms, leaning down to kiss Natalie’s forehead. “Besides, Charles should be here in a few hours. I wouldn’t want you to have to wait around all that time. Not when something all big and important’s waitin’ for you back home.”

“You’re really sure about this?”

She reaches out, taking his hand. “You were here when I needed someone most, Eric. You watched over us, both of us, and did such a good job. That’s all I could have asked for,” she adds, smiling through misty eyes. “Now, I want you to go take care of yourself. Get your happy ending.”

“You really think I won’t screw it up again?”

“I really think you won’t,” Irene states. She tosses Eric a wink. “You’re kind of impossible to stay mad at. And you have a great heart. Trust me, it’ll work out. And if it doesn’t? Well, you know the way here. Send Jack on over. I’ll set him right.”

Chuckling, Eric leans down and brushes a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Thank you. For everything. I’ll never forget this, Irene.”

She squeezes his hand as he rises, her smile widening. “Neither will I. And don’t you dare let another decade go by without staying in touch, okay? Natalie deserves to know her Uncle Eric.”

Eric laughs, blinking back real tears. “Deal. You take care of yourself, okay? And that little one, too.”

With one last lingering look at Irene and Natalie, Eric steps back and makes his grand exit out of the room. His chest feels tight as he walks to the elevator, emotions swirling – gratitude, hope, and the faintest trace of fear. But, as he drives back to New York, his determination to face it all head-on, to get back on track with Jack, grows with every mile, and he starts to believe it really could be alright again. 

Damn it all, it really could. 

It’s nearing midnight when Eric finally pulls up to their apartment. The wind is swirling around him, ushering in what’s sure to be the next big snowstorm. It makes him have to hide in his collar a little bit, have to hustle from the parking garage to his building to avoid frostbite. It’s for the best, really. He was going to be sprinting inside anyway. Now he just has more of an excuse. 

His heart’s racing as he hurdles inside. As he paces down the hall, as he presses the elevator button, it’s like time can’t move fast enough. It doesn’t move fast enough, in his opinion. He’s never felt a handful of floors feel like a century until now. It makes him want to jump through the doors and climb up the building himself, like Spiderman. 

He’s saved from the endeavor by the dinging of the elevator and the slow slide of the doors to the side, opening up to Eric’s penthouse floor. He jogs, panting, and nearly loses his keys as he fumbles for them to open the door. The lingering chill of the outdoors makes the hairs on his arms and the back of his neck stand as it comes unlocked. Then again, maybe it’s the anticipation. Eric doesn’t know – doesn’t care to figure out. 

Because with one click of the lock, he’s inside, and Jack’s there. Jack’s there, right on the couch where they had been before, and he looks like he’s cried for hours, but he’s never looked more beautiful in Eric’s eyes. He wastes no time running over to him, doesn’t even care to shut the door all the way. Jack stands and only barely keeps them both on their feet as Eric crashes into him. They’ve never shared a stronger hug. It brings a sob out of Eric. Jack holds him impossibly closer, daring to prevent more from coming. 

“I’m sorry,” Eric murmurs into his neck, his voice wobbly. “I’m so sorry for everything, for leaving, for the way I handled this morning. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Jack shakes his head against Eric’s shoulder. “No Eric, I’m the one who should be sorry. I pushed you, I assumed things, and I made you feel like you couldn’t talk to me. That’s so…I don’t even know what to say about that.”

Eric pulls back just enough to cup Jack’s face in his hands, their foreheads almost touching. “Listen to me, Jackie. I don’t care about what was said and wasn’t said. I do want kids, though. With you . I was just shocked. You caught me completely off guard showing me this whole world I didn’t know was possible, and I panicked. But I’ve been thinking about it all day, and the truth is...there’s no one else I’d want to do this with. No one else I’d want to raise a family with, I swear.”

Jack’s eyes search Eric’s. “You mean that?”

“Every word,” Eric says, his voice steady. “You’re the person I care about most in this world. If you’re ready to start talking about this, then I am, too. Okay?”

Jack nods, a stray tear slipping down his cheek. “Yeah. Okay.”

“We’ll look into options. I-I’ll see if Topanga has any fancy lawyer advice on it too, whatever helps.” Eric’s hands slip to fall at Jack’s waist. Jack watches them go before looking back at Eric. His eyes are shiny. “I just want us to be happy.”

“I do, too,” Jack says, voice scratchy. He grips at Eric’s side, grounding himself. “Like we were this morning. You’re positive we can get there? You don’t hate me?”

“There are very few things I can think of that would ever make me hate you,” Eric says. He leans in and kisses Jack’s nose, making his face scrunch. “What happened earlier wasn’t one of them, okay? We can get back to how we were this morning. I’ll do you one better though and give you that plus some fun future plans for three. How does that sound?”

Smiling, Jack leans into Eric. “Not bad.”

“Just not bad?”

“Oh, shut up.”

“I’m not letting you leave this spot unless you say it was more than not bad, Jackie.”

“Eric-”

“ Jackie , c’mon. Admit it. You’re really excited about it.”

“Just-ERIC!”

Eric pounces on Jack, showering him with tons of kisses that get Jack laughing, pretending to be grossed out, and looser than he’s been since the morning. They fool around like that, Eric teasing Jack and reveling in his attempts to squirm away, until they both end up falling onto the couch and resting on top of each other like they had been before, at the start of all this. Catching his breath, Jack looks up at Eric like then. Eric gazes down at him and feels his heart skip a beat. 

“You’re gonna’ be a great dad one day, Eric.”

Stealing another kiss, Eric ruffles up Jack’s hair. “You too, Jackie. Irene agrees.”

“Irene?”

“My friend who had a baby today,” he explains, smoothing out his work so Jack doesn’t protest. “I, uh, met her when I didn’t get into college. She’s this real sweet girl. Dated her for a day or so, actually. She helped me back then and I guess I sorta knew she’d help me again today with you. Just didn’t expect I’d be helping her have a whole kid as payment.”

Jack snorts. “She’s okay, right? Irene?”

“Oh yeah. Had the cutest little baby girl, actually. Seriously, when we have a kid, I’d love it if they were just like her. The kid hardly cried once! Isn’t that crazy?”

“Yeah,” Jack grins, squeezing Eric’s hand as he weaves their fingers together. “So crazy, man.”

“She said she wants us to come see her soon, Irene. Think she wants the two of them to meet you. I sorta didn’t get to talk too much about you before the whole labor thing went down, so I think she wants to see for herself what you’re like. You know, to see what I’m dealing with these days.”

Smirking, Jack nudges at Eric. “Yeah, well. I think that can be arranged. Want you here all to myself for a little bit, though. That okay with you?”

“More than. C’mere.”

One Year Later

The hospital room is quiet, save for the soft coos of the tiny bundle in Eric’s arms. 

He’s seated in a chair beside their surrogate’s former hospital bed, the one she’d left only an hour or so before when she’d officially left their new family on their own. Their newborn daughter looks a little bit like her, has the same wispy blonde hair on top of her head. She’s got Eric’s nose, though – his smile too, he thinks, though Jack tells him it’s too early to tell that sort of thing.

He’s standing just to the side of where Eric sits, peering over his shoulder. His arm is draped along Eric’s side, framing their new family nicely. Eric feels his presence behind him like a warm blanket, feels tickled every time his shadow crosses past their daughter’s face. 

Looking at her now, feeling her little fingers wrap around his pointer finger with all her might, he shakes his head in pure, unadulterated love. 

“She’s amazing,” he murmurs, barely above a rumble in his chest. “I can’t believe she’s ours.”

“Neither can I,” Jack says back, pressing an idle kiss to the crown of Eric’s head. “Little miss Samantha Brooke’s a stunner.”

“Our Sammy,” Eric coos at her, grinning from ear to ear. His heart’s so full, he fears it might burst at any moment. “She’s so calm. Are we sure she’s part of me?”

Chuckling, Jack pats at Eric’s arm. “Wait until she hits the terrible twos. If she’s still this calm then, then we can start asking questions.”

They share a tender look.

Then, across the room, they’re interrupted by the door creaking open ever-so-slightly. It’s Cory, Topanga, and Shawn. The trio grin as they slide in, faces lighting up one by one as they pass through the door.

“Mind if we come in?” Topanga whispers, looking uncharacteristically tentative. 

“Get on in here,” Eric says, grinning. “The kid wants to see her family.”

And that, she does. Sammy’s little sparkling blue eyes stare up in wonder as the three gather around Eric and Jack. Topanga ends up being the lucky first one to hold her, which results in her eyes welling up with tears and Cory warning her sternly to ‘not get any ideas’ and ‘remember the nightmare of colic-y Auggie.’ He eventually gives in and holds her next – immediately changing his tune, of course, and melting into a puddle of whimpers the second Sammy does a little baby sneeze and blinks up at him. That’s when she’s, notedly, passed to Shawn. 

His gaze turns breathtakingly serious the second they’re eye to eye. 

“I never thought I’d have a niece,” he says, tone swelling with emotion. “This is unreal.”

“Tell me about it,” Jack calls over, equally sobered by the sight. Eric stands from the chair and moves around back to join Jack at his side, bringing him in by the waist. Jack rubs at his eye. Shawn doesn’t try as hard to hide his feelings. A tear openly falls from his eye down onto Sammy’s blanket wrap. 

“You’re going to be so loved,” he tells her, holding his own finger to her so she can attempt to hold it like Eric’s. It takes her a sec, but she eventually gets the hang of it. He cracks a smile. “Not just by your dads, but by me, too. I know us Hunters don’t have the best rep for sticking around, but this new generation of ours? Well, we’re fixing that. And I think you’re the perfect reason why. Always know I’ve got your back, kid.”

As Shawn nuzzles her close, Eric does the same to Jack – now openly crying at his side. 

Their group ends up taking a few more turns gushing over Sammy after Shawn, asking questions and sharing stories and tips from when Auggie and Riley were little. Eric and Jack take them all in stride, finding themselves overwhelmed in the best way with the love of their family. They also take in stride when the trio bring the two Matthews kids over later for a visit along with their respective families. 

All of the hustle and bustle makes them cherish the quiet that follows once everyone returns home, when it’s just the three of them again. It makes it all seem more real. 

There’s one thing, though, that comes to Eric’s mind then that’s needed to make it officially, really real. He pulls out his phone the second he remembers it, catching Jack by surprise as he packs some of the supplies from the hospital into their diaper bag. 

“You better not be asking the agency for another surrogate, Matthews. We just got her.”

Eric laughs and rolls his eyes. Jack raises a brow.

“Not yet, though don’t tempt me. Actually, I was texting someone we forgot to spread the good news to.”

Frowning, Jack sets down the bag and walks over to Eric. “Who’s that? All the family knows. Rach knows. Mr. Feeny knows.”

Eric holds up the phone so Jack can see his screen. Jack’s face softens as he sees the name Irene 🥧 at the top, followed by a picture they’d had taken an hour ago of the two of them holding Sammy on the bed. In the text box below, Eric’s typed Meet Samantha Brooke. Thanks for believing in us.  

Overcome with emotion, Jack snakes his arm around Eric. They share a tender kiss. Eric hits send before going in for one more. When they part, the two read the reply together over gentle smiles and warm hearts.

She’s beautiful. Just like her dads. Congratulations, you two. Nat, Charles, and I send our love.

And as they sit there together, tucked in close with their little girl sleeping soundly a foot away, Eric feels that love washing over them all.