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“Quit hogging him, Aliya!”
“Don’t shout so loud, he’s sensitive.”
“Nika, I don’t think he even knows what's happening,” Chuchu scoffs, watching the other Earth House members from afar. Rather, Former Earth House members. It’s been about 6 years since the younger members graduated. Despite the years passing, they still stay in contact with one another. Some are still with Gund-Arm INC. while others have branched off onto new paths. But they have all decided, early on, to get together at least once a month.
So today was their 'reunion.' Usually at a local pub or someone’s house, they opted for a nearby park since the weather in early May became too beautiful to pass up. With cold beer and a few pizzas, the group enjoyed the day, but it got even better when Suletta brought along a small surprise.
“Aliya, you have to share,” Lilique states, calm and upbeat. She smiles at Aliya holding little Llywelyn. A carbon copy of Suletta, his bright red locks are as unruly as his Mama’s, and his smile is just as bright.
“Everyone will get to hold him, don’t worry,” Suletta sighs, happy that others are occupying her infant son. The 6 month old is the apple of her and Miorine’s eyes, but being new parents has been more difficult than expected. A break is always welcomed.
“I still can’t believe it,” Ojelo huffs. “You and Miorine are parents.”
“Yeah," Nuno says with a mouth full of pizza. He quickly washes it down with beer before continuing. “You’ve made me WAY more aware of the consequences of not using protection.”
“Nuno!” Nika exclaims. “Not in front of the baby.” Horrified, she covers the baby's ears with her hands.
“I’m just saying. I’m exhausted just looking at you, Suletta.” Nuno hands her a beer from the cooler. Suletta silently accepts it, eager to have an alcoholic beverage for the first time in what seems like forever. She chugs half of it down, much to the surprise of everyone else.
“Is Miorine still not letting you drink?” Nika asks as Aliya finally lets her hold Llywelyn. She bounces the baby in her arms, smiling gleefully.
Suletta nods, sighing at the ice cold beverage. “She’s breastfeeding, so no caffeine or alcohol.”
“Sheesh,” Till grimaces. “I’ve seen Miorine down an entire pot of coffee in 30 min. I can’t imagine how she must feel now.”
Suletta only shrugs. “She’s managing. But I appreciate you guys letting me bring him. Miorine was in dire need of a break.”
“Of course!” Aliya exclaims. “Anything to see this little cutie,” she coos to the baby who giggles at her. She plays with his small teddy, making him talk and kiss the baby all over. His giggles fill the air as she continues her antics. His smile can brighten even the sunniest afternoon, and his laugh melts everyone’s heart.
Everyone except Chuchu.
“Chuchu?”
The pinkette looks up from her beer. Everyone stares at her, even little Llywelyn.
“Do you want to hold him?” Nika asks. Everyone ceases their baby babble, eager for their friend's answer. They all know she’s been hesitant at best when it comes to babies, not just Llywelyn.
Chuchu was never one to swoon over the drooling human larvae.
Despite being one of the first to visit Miorine’s hospital room, she never held him. She never felt the need to do it. Some people made fun of her for it. Growing up, she never liked babysitting or even being in the same vicinity as one. When adults would ask her why, she explained,“I just don’t like babies.” They were loud, smelly, and messy. 'Who would choose to be around one?' a young Chuchu thought. Many scoffed at her, saying when she has her own, she’d melt too.
That’s a bit of a cheap shot, since most parents automatically adore their children. You’d have to if it was YOUR kid. It has something to do with biology, Chuchu thought. She never really listened in biology class. But Llywelyn isn’t hers. He is Suletta and Miorine’s son. She had to admit, he was one of the better babies, always smiling and laughing. Of course, he cried, but he was easily swayed. Easily distracted and soothed. He also easily distracted everyone else. Today alone, several random strangers came up, cooing and gawking at the baby. It made her wonder, what all the fuss is about?
“Aunty Chuchu?” Nika hums sweetly, holding up the baby. “Aunty, I want you to hold me.” Everyone starts to chuckle, watching the pinkette blush. She puffs out her chest, crossing her arms in annoyance.
“Don’t call me that.” she scoffs. “It makes me feel old.”
“Pwease, Aunty Chu?” Aliya joins in the teasing, hiding her face behind the baby. Suletta tries to diffuse the conversation. “Chuchu, you don’t have to hold him,” she states, giving her a tired smile.
“Aw, you nervous, Aunty Chuchu?” Nuno teases further. Ojelo laughs, hiding his smile behind his beer can.
“I’m not!” Chuchu blushes, but after a few seconds of persistent nagging, she relents. “I’ll do it, ok?” She exclaims, slamming down her beer.
Everyone gasps in surprise, eager to see the pinkette finally hold the baby. They lean in their seats with immense anticipation. Sitting down next to Nika, she opens her lap, arms outstretched and ready. Llywelyn, ever the happy baby, babbles at the new comer, reaching out towards her and her large cotton candy pigtails.
“Just don’t pull my hair, kid.” Chuchu sighs as the baby boy is lifted from Nika’s lap to hers.
Under the watchful gaze of Suletta, Chuchu holds Llywelyn, albeit barely. She keeps him standing, holding onto his little body by his torso, supporting him under his arms. His little gray overalls are bunched up after being passed around like a football, so Suletta walks over, fixing his clothes.
“He likes it when you help him stand, but make sure to keep him stable. He still kind of spazzes sometimes,” Chuchu looks up, now noticing how tired Suletta looks. The dark bags under her eyes and stained shirt are obvious indicators of exhausted new parents. Despite it all, her smile is the brightest she’s ever seen.
She’s definitely not having kids anytime soon.
Llywelyn, out of habit, reaches out towards his Mama. Failing to grab hold of her, he starts to cry, his pacifier falling out of his mouth. Luckily, a lanyard is attached to the end, pinned to his little overalls. Without missing a beat, Suletta pops the pacy back in his mouth and comforts him by stroking his head, brushing back the wild tuft of hair. “It’s ok, Lew.” She hums. “It’s Aunty Chuchu.”
“Suletta,” Chuchu growls, but her threats are empty. How can she be threatening while holding a smiling cherub-like baby?
She looks back to Llywelyn, who turns his attention to her. He stares right at her, transfixed, and honestly, it’s a bit intimidating. Holding a baby, in general, is intimidating.
He is fragile, yet fearless, reaching out to grab anything and everything. He is completely unaware of any dangers, focused solely on eating, sleeping, and pooping. If he could, he’d put any dirty tool he could get his little hands on in his mouth, but is picky about whether his milk is formula or from Miorine.
And as he grows older, Llywelyn will adapt and grow into a full fledged human being. A fully functioning member of society with the potential to do anything. It is astounding to think that this drooling glob of flesh and bones is the start to every great person.
“You’re like a steak with a brain.” Without warning, the words escape Chuchu’s lips. Nika chuckles, raising a brow. “A steak with a brain?”
“You’re like a wet-ware android,” Chuchu continues. Now everyone in Earth House is chuckling at Chuchu’s equivalent to baby talk.
“Holding you is like holding a hunk of meat, but you have a mind.” Chuchu’s stare meets the baby’s. His blue orbs pierce through her eyes, her soul. “You’re a living being not created in a factory. Your Mama came in your Mommy, and then you were willed into existence.”
“Chuchu!” Suletta blushes. “Don’t say it like that.”
But the pinkette keeps going.
“Cells bonded together and built you, but you’re more than a piece of flesh. You’re a living, breathing, thinking being.” As she continues her monologue, baby Llywelyn is entranced by her. His eyes are wide, taking in all the new sights and sounds.
“When I look into your eyes, I see the little gears turning, experiencing all these new sights, smells, and sounds. It’s like a galaxy, ever expanding as you take in all this new knowledge on living. You’re experiencing what it’s like to be alive!”
Chuchu’s words are far from everyone else expected. Their giggles turn into admiration. Her words are honestly overwhelming. It forces everyone else to think about their own existence, and what it means to be alive.
“Holding you, it’s transcendent. You’re transcendent!”
Llywelyn giggles, reaching out to Chuchu’s face. He grabs onto her nose, or at least tries too. His little fingers can’t wrap around the tip.
“Chu-,” he mumbles behind his pacifier. Chuchu raises a brow. With one hand still holding him, she pulls his binky from his mouth. She leans in, anxiously waiting.
“Chuchu,” he gurgles, smiling gleefully at the pinkette's now smirking face.
“Did he just-” Nuno gasps, and Ojelo’s mouth opens wide with shock.
“He did!” Nika clasps her hands together in excitement. “Was that his first word?” She looks to Suletta, who is rightfully dumbfounded.
“Chuchu,” Llywelyn giggles again. He claps his hands together, mimicking Nika.
“Wait-WHAT!” Suletta exclaims. “Miorine is going to be so upset! She’s been trying to get him to say Mommy for ages.”
“Looks like he prefers Aunty Chuchu,” Chuchu smirks to the redhead. “Isn’t that right, Lew?”
The baby neither confirms nor denies, settling on his new fascination, Chuchu’s hair. He reaches out with a pudgy hand, grabbing a small fist full of her pigtail. With all his might, he pulls, bringing the cotton candy locks to his mouth.
“OUCH!” Chuchu cries out. Everyone in the group bursts into laughter.
“I told you not to touch the hair!”