Work Text:
Happy Days
"Well, its not the worst task in the world." Tom said with a smile.
Aiden sighed, his husband was right. The would be fine.
The.pair were staring at the adorable baby Zara who giggled and clapped, seated on her crib and gazing at them with big sparkling eyes.
Aiden wasn't sure why he agreed to this. After Disventure Camp he didn't think he'd cross paths with the wicked Riya Sharma again. Until they were cast together in a movie. Yay.
The woman had finally given him a proper apology and she wasn't a bad co-worker to have. Still they weren't as close for him and Tom to be considered good options for babysitter.
"It's just four days. I'll get you connected with big agents when we come back. Please pleaseeeeee!" She'd begged.
So Aiden caved. Bidding her, Alec, and Fiore farewell as the group headed to India for Eesha Sharma's acting debut.
"Should we pick her up?" Tom asked.
"Yeah, I just hope she got more of Alec's attitude than her mom's. Okay Zara, up you go."
He wasn't too strong, but thankfully the giggling baby wasn't heavy at all. She smiled at him and then promptly gripped the white side of his hair. The baby grip was gentle but strong.
"Maybe let's get you free before she decides to pull your hair." Tom said, gently tearing the tiny hand's grip from his husband's hair.
Zara then gripped Tom's thumb.
Aiden could've sworn the taller's man eyes were sparkling as he stared at the chubby one year old.
Tom sniffed. "If I was Riya I wouldnt be able to put her down."
Aiden laughed. "I mean, she's cut down her roles a bit since Zara came. I kinda miss bickering with her." He said, though he'd never admit it to the haughty actress.
"Better you and her than me and Alec. Don't let that skinny nerd fool you he's though to fight."
Aiden laughed remembering those days. It had been a while since the group was onscreen for a season of the show. Four years now? Five? No matter, they didn't really need a return but he wouldn't mind one for nostalgia's sake.
A high pitched squeal from Zara brought him back to reality. The little one seemed to be hungry.
"We should feed her. C'mon Zara! Let's eat!"
The Çelik-Sharma household was beautiful, a tastefully decorated mansion that would be his and Tom's home until the babysitting job was completed. Though knowing his rival he would not be setting foot on certain areas of it. 'Those two might've done it there too. How is Zara their only bio baby?'
"The pantry is stocked. Though Riya said she only eats homemade baby food."
"Then we should check the fridge. I have a feeling they might've left it prepped already."
"I mean we have a blender and fresh food. We could cook for her. Right Zara?"
The baby cooed in response. Yeah that was going to be the last resort. He didn't want to think of what would happen if they made a mess of the kitchen, or worse yet broke something.
The couple gently sat the baby or her high chair. Aiden opened a jar of banana mango puree and began feeding her. Zara was calm and smiled the second the sweet fruit mash made contact with her lips.
"You like that one?" Aiden asked as he kept on feeding her.
He got his answer as the baby laughed and flailed her chubby arms. Her hand collided with the spoon and sent some puree flying
"Careful Zara! This is to eat not to wear!"
Tom laughed as he gently wiped the baby's face with a napkin. Zara obliged. Meanwhile Aiden was both flustered and confused when his husband gently licked his cheek.
"Wha?"
"You had some mash on your pretty face, handsome." Tom said sweetly.
"My my, can't keep your lips off me even in front of the kiddo." He said seductively. "Thanks for the help hon."
"Anytime." Tom said with a bashful chuckle.
The meal concluded uneventfully as Aiden kept the spoon away from Zara when she wasn't eating. Tom kept her distracted with funny faces and a one sided conversation between him and the cooing child, but at long last she was fed, burped, and sleepy.
"One more hour till bedtime. She's such a calm baby."
"Yeah, she reminds me of Tony when he was a baby. Glad I kept some of the expertise." Tom said.
"I've always wanted a sibling. What was it like?"
"Things in our household used to be...hectic. but I loved helping mama with Tony. He was always a sweet kid, even the late night crying or less cute parts of childcare were fun to do because he'd always smile when you lovingly cared for him just like Zara here..."
Aiden gently placed a hand on his back. "Give it time, handsome. Forgiveness takes time but I believe you two will reconcile sooner rather than later."
"Thanks."
Zara seemed to have sense the sadness and reached her little arms for a hug. Tom took her and accepted the loving gesture.
Aiden was slowly growing fond of the idea of seeing Tom hold a little one of their own...
"Uh...Zara. Did you just use the restroom?" Tom asked.
The baby's expression was all the answer he needed.
"Guess its time to change ya." He joked as he headed down the hall to the nursery.
Yep. Aiden was definetly going to give his husband a child someday. Maybe sooner than expected.
"How come all babies have the ability to turn food into toxic waste?" Tom asked as he was done changing the baby and picked her up.
She just laughed and gazed at him curiously. Right, the scars...He hadn't been alone with Zara before so maybe now she'd realize how he looked and she'd cried and be scared and cry–
Zara laughed and placed her chubby hand upon his scarred face, gently touching it.
"Oh. Good to know I'm not scary..." He said relieved.
Tom didn't notice his husband had come in and now wrapped his arms around him. "You could never be scary. Those scars are marks of courage, and they make you look very sexy."
"Darling! Not in front of the baby!"
Zara didn't seem to mind. Perhaps she was used to her overly affectionate parents.
"Hehe fine, I'll give you kisses once we put her to sleep. Just need to give her a bottle before bed."
Aiden was a fast learner, quickly holding Zara as she liked and gently feeding her. Despite having eaten a few hours prior she consumed the whole bottle quickly and gave a happy smile once burped.
"You sure like your food. And pulling hair." Aiden muttered as once again Zara wanted to pull on his dyed hair.
"C'mon Zara! You can wait until you're older to do hair styling!" Tom said as he tried to loosen her grip again.
"If you're less fussy, I'll sing you a bedtime story rather than read it!" Aiden offered.
And strangely enough Zara seemed to understand and let go of his platinum blonde hair.
Once she stopped fussing, Tom gently laid her down on the crib and covered her with her blankie. Zara's big black eyes stared at Aiden as he hummed and readied his voice.
Tom too was mesmerized as his husband began to sing. Every single time Aiden used his beautiful voice it was as an angel itself was singing in a choir. Well, now that was an unfair comparison Aiden was his angel.
He sang 'Over the Hills and Far Away' a song that told the story of a man unfairly jailed for a crime he didn't commit, as his alibi for the accusation would reveal he was having an affair with his best friend's wife.
It wouldn't be his first pick for a bedtime story, and for a baby no less, but given they knew Zara and Fiore had both been on set with Riya and were fond of their mother's work, the girls probably had enjoyed darker media.
Tom focused on his voice, on the lines, on how lovely Aiden looked singing to an adorable baby who was slowly falling asleep to the sound of his angelic voice.
As he sang the last line, Tom checked the little one. She was fully asleep.
"She's asleep. Good job, darling." He said as he held him.
"Thanks." Aiden said with a small yawn. "We should go to bed soon too. Riya said Zara sometimes wakes up past midnight for another bottle."
"Alright...just can we look at her a little longer?"
"Hmm? Getting baby fever, honey?"
Tom looked at Zara, then at his husband smiling at him.
"Would it be crazy if I said yes?"
The four days passed quickly, some hours of sleep were lost but still the pair had grown incredibly attached to the little one. More so when she laughed alongside them as Yul fell during rehearsal during videochat with him and James. Oh yeah she was her mother's daughter when it came to rivalries!
But she was also quiet like Alec and they read to her often, they played, and even watched musicals with her. Aiden could tell Zara would be a great dancer when she grew up. Tom had a good laugh introducing her to older cartoons and hearing her giggle at the earlier ones. Specifically, Spy vs Spy.
It was a really nice time that had now come to an end. They were both surprised that the little farewell might bring them to tears.
Zara wiggled out of Aiden's arms and wobbled towards her family the second they came through the front door. Riya quickly picked her up and gave her many kisses, then Alec and finally Fiore, who took away the baby in her arms as the adults talked.
"She looks so happy! Thank you so much!" Riya said.
"No problem, it was really fun to care for her."
"You two seem chirpy. I expected tears and tiredness. Zara is usually fussy when we're not with her." Alec said.
"Really? She was the best!" Tom said. "I'm gonna miss her."
"You're more than welcome to come by anytime! I take it she was good practice." Riya said with a knowing look.
Both Tom and Aiden blushed.
"Love please, let them figure it out." Alec teased. "But as Riya said, you're welcome to babysit if you want. Fiore too though–"
"Nope! Your daughter is a genius but that's precisely why I know we're not suited to babysitting her. Call Ellie and Gabby!"
He held no ill will toward Fiore but nobody was gonna be taking any chances!
Riya laughed. "Alright. Alright. Then I'll see you later then. Let me get you what I promised before you guys go home."
Yeah going home was going to be nice. It was only now that Tom had grown more comfortable expanding his surroundings and social circle in LA and for better or worst he prefered his home to the luxurious mansion.
Aiden seemed to agree. He too enjoyed the change of pace and the time with the little one, but right now he was looking forward to going home.
"Ada! Twom!"
They heard Zara's voice called out with the goofy names she'd given them the times she spoke. Fiore was bringing her back. "I think she wants to see you off."
Tom gently hugged the baby and then Aiden held her too. She returned the gesture.
"Awww! She really seems in tune with you both!" Riya beamed. "Maybe she'll be thrilled to have a new companion when you guys have a little one of your own!"
The couple was blushy again. "No offense Riya but you guys had Zara rather quick! I wouldn't be opposed to it just, you know!"
Alec smirked. "Let's just say if wasn't for the age and our work we might have more little ones."
"Agh! Alec we didn't need to know to that!" Aiden cried out.
"Seriously beware the quiet ones!" Tom said.
Fiore laughed. "But Aiden was quiet once. Does that mean you two–"
"I am not dignifying this with a response!" Aiden said.
Yep. Perhaps it was for the best Zara didn't inhert her parents humor. Her sister already had.
Well if anything that meant upcoming news would be well recieved.
Tom was happy to be sleeping on his own bed with his husband. The pictures of their wedding and milestones on the wall, their shared closet to the side their desk. God he'd missed home. Though strangely enough he was also msising Zara.
'Was Riya plotting to give us baby fever? I can never tell with her.' He mused.
Meanwhile he heard Aiden come out of the bathroom. He smiled though also looked as if he was going to cry.
"Babe? Are you okay?!" Tom asked he got off the bed.
Aiden chuckled. "I am fine just...I have some news. I didn't want to say anything in front of the Çeliks or before I confirmed it but I checked.
Tom, I'm pregnant."
He nearly fell off the bed with boy joy and surprise. "Really?! You sure?"
"Yeah. I'll need a blood test to be absolutely certain but every other test I took has been positive."
Tears left Tom's eyes immediately. "We're gonna be parents...Aiden we're gonna have a baby!" He cheered as he picked up his husband and spun him around in a loving hug.
"We're going to be dads! I can't believe it!" Aiden said as he returned the hug.
Tom gently put him down, still full of joy. "You think I'll do well? I don't want to make the kid sad I...I am a little scared."
"Its okay babe. I am scared too but I know you're gonna give it your all and be an amazing father! Besides we had good practice recently."
Right. Four days wasn't the same as having a newborn 24/7 but it was good practice and it did make them both long for a little one.
Tom seemed to be thinking the same thing. "You think Riya knew and that's why she asked us to babysit?"
Aiden sighed. "Maybe? You can never tell with her...But I guess we can let her scheme this time around."
Tom chuckled. "Agreed."
"You're gonna get so fat!"
That earned Yul a snack from both Grett and Riya. "Behave!"
Aiden just chuckled at the scene. He'd waited until most of the group was reunited for Fiore's birthday to bring up the announcement. He wasn't showing at one month but Aiden was fully certain.
"Those are great news! I'll make sure they have perfect wardrobe by the time they are born!" Ellie beamed as she was already thinking of designs for the child's clothes.
Gabby and Grett were also squealing in delight at the news and ready to ask a million questions. Alec seemed happy, though he was calmer than the rest as he held Zara. "That's good to hear. I know you two will do great."
Riya smirked. "Good to know I was right! Congrats to you both! I'll be happy to babysit if needed."
"Mom, you'll spoil the baby." Fiore said while smiling at the news and the extra cake she got.
"As long as you don't teach them to throw people off cliffs." Aiden said.
Fiore laughed while her mother was less amused.
She rolled her eyes. "Yes yes, no heights for baby just like dad."
James laughed. "He's never gonna let that go Raya. Now everyone scoot over, group photo time."
Tom smiled as everyone got squished together for the picture. Unlike him and his little sibling, his own child would have a very crowed and loving if wacky family.
'It'll be okay.'
He glanced at baby Zara as he got close to the group. The little one smiled, blissfully unaware of how much she'd helped. 'Thanks sweetie.'
"Everyone say 'baby!'"
The group obeyed and both Aiden and Tom were certain this would be the first photo they would hang on their child's room, so they could feel the unconditional love.