I unlocked the door and smiled as Frank stepped inside the apartment, Ryan snuggled up in his arms. I shut the door behind us and rubbed Frank's back. “What do you think, sweetie?”
He looked up at me and grinned. “It's perfect. How are we gonna pay for it, though?”
I stroked his hair slowly. “I start work tomorrow, on minimum wage, but Ange says he's gonna start taking more designs and stuff from me, so we’re gonna be okay. Follow me.”
I led Frank down the hall, pushing open the nursery door. He gasped. “Holy crap.”
The beautiful crib stood against one wall, and there were tables and bookcases all around the room. Stacks of new baby clothes, toys, and nappies filled up most of the floor space. “It's a mess, but the crib is all made up and ready.”
Frank kissed my cheek and walked over to it, lowering Ryan down and tugging a soft blanket over him. I stood behind Frank, hugging his waist tightly. “He looks so happy,” Frank commented softly, leaning over and stroking the baby’s cheek. I nodded. “He does. Let's leave him to sleep and we can go look at our bedroom, yeah?”
Frank followed me across to the bigger bedroom, smiling happily. “Wow. How'd you get all the furniture so quickly?”
I sighed and stroked his back. “A lot of thrift store stuff, and from the spare bedroom at Angelo’s place. But the crib and the living room stuff is mostly new.”
He smiled and nuzzled my cheek. “Thank you, baby. You're so great.”
I chuckled and hugged him tightly, running my fingers through his hair. “If you say so. You look sleepy, Frankie, why don't you take a nap? I'll start making us something for dinner.”

---

Frank was half asleep, leaning over his food tiredly. I ruffled his hair as I got up. “You okay?”
He sighed and rubbed his eyes, picking up his fork. “Mhm.”
“Good.”
I grabbed one of the baby bottles and the tin of formula, keeping an eye on Frank as I mixed it. “You still sore?”
“Nah,” he mumbled, swallowing a tiny mouthful. “Just tired and not very hungry.”
I sighed and shook the bottle, turning to face him. “Tomorrow you need to do some kind of exercise. You've been in bed and not doing anything for too long, that's why you're sleepy and not hungry. Promise me you will while I'm at work?”
Frank nodded slightly and I kissed his cheek as I walked past. “Good. I'm gonna go feed Ryan.”

I scooped up the tiny baby and sat down in the armchair across the room. His eyes opened slowly and he stared up at me, looking very confused. I chuckled softly and waved. “Hey there. You hungry?”
His little face scrunched up and he started to cry. I sighed and offered him the bottle, relaxing as he stopped screaming to drink. I stroked his hair with my thumb as I held the bottle to his lips, smiling slightly. “You're a funny little thing.”
He finished the bottle off quicker than I expected and I laid him on the changing table, sorting his nappy out before putting him back in his crib. “Cutie,” I chuckled, tucking him in carefully. “Eat, sleep, and poop. What a great life.”
I stayed close until I was sure he'd fallen asleep, then went back to Frank, who was still struggling to eat his dinner.
I washed my hands and walked over to him, stroking his hair. “Come on. You don't have to eat all of it if you don't want to. We can cuddle and watch tv if you'd rather.”
Frank shrugged and I crouched down. “Tell me what's wrong, Iero,” I said firmly. “You're not just tired.”
He sighed and grabbed at my hand. “I just don't feel good, Gee. I should be happy and excited and everything and I just feel kinda down.”
I kissed the side of his head and squeezed his hand. “It's common for people who've just given birth, sweetie. You don't need to feel guilty or anything, it'll just take you a while.”
Frank looked down at me sadly. “Are you sure?”
“Nope,” I answered softly. “I'm like 99 percent there.”
He smiled slightly and rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”
I laughed and stood up. “Come on. Couch time, sweetie.”

---

Ryan woke me up three times that night, screaming at me. I got up and fed him each time, rocking him until he went back to sleep.
Frank slept through it all, having always been a heavy sleeper. I didn't mind, not after our conversation that evening. He was upset and I was happy to cut him some slack.

I was awoken for the last time at about five thirty, so I just stayed up, watching tv on low volume with Ryan in my lap, his little body curled up against my stomach. By the time Frank woke up, at about seven, I was half asleep, Ryan still tucked up happily. Frank chuckled and scooped him up, holding the baby against his chest as he went to the kitchen to start the coffee machine. I got up slowly and followed him, running a hand through my hair. Frank turned and kissed my cheek. “You're gonna have a great day at work today. Ry and I are gonna be lazy all day.”
I laughed and pulled him into a proper kiss. “Mhm. I'm sure. Don't forget to do something though, even if it's just going out for a walk.”
Frank nodded and handed Ryan over to me. “I won't. I gotta pour the coffee.”
I cradled Ryan, stepping back a couple steps to give Frank some space. Ryan looked up at me and smiled brightly. I grinned back. “Frankie, Ry just smiled at me.”
Frank turned. “Really? I don't think I've seen him smile before.”
“Me neither.”
“Aww,” Frank purred, taking the baby from me and kissing his nose. Ryan giggled and Frank shot me a smile.
“So cute. Both of you,” I commented, glancing at the clock. “I gotta go, Frankie. I'll see you guys soon.”
Frank gave me a quick kiss goodbye and I hurried off.

---

The next couple days were very similar. Frank stayed with Ryan during the day and I got the night shift. I was completely exhausted, working all day and spending my nights back and forth between the nursery and my own bed. Frank seemed better, but still complained of feeling down.
I got home on Friday and hugged Frank quickly. “How's Ryan?” I asked, kicking my shoes off and hanging up my coat.
“Great. We went to that new parents class today.”
There was something off in the way he said it. I frowned. “Was it okay?”
He shrugged and leaned against the wall. “I kinda got kicked out..?”
“Why?”
Frank sighed and turned as Ryan screamed. “I'll be right back.”
He jogged off and I went into the kitchen, grinning. Frank had actually put something on for dinner.
He came back a few minutes later, holding a giggling Ryan.
“I tried to explain I was his bio mum and they all kinda laughed at me, and when I tried to explain further, they said the group was for normal families and freaks weren't welcome.”
I stared at him. “Wow.”
Frank shrugged. “At least Ryan isn't old enough to notice yet. I'm tempted to just start saying he's adopted.”
I kissed Frank's forehead and stroked Ryan's cheek. “If that makes you more comfortable, it's okay,” I murmured. “I'm just sad we can't be proud of our beautiful baby boy without someone being horrible.”
Frank nodded and kissed me softly. “I'll go put him back in bed, dinner is almost done.”

---

I woke up the next morning, confused. Frank was still asleep next to me and I couldn't figure out what felt wrong. I glanced at the clock.
9:08. My eyes widened and I jumped out of bed, scrambling into the nursery. Ryan wasn't in his crib. I ran back to the bedroom and woke Frank quickly, panicking already. Frank and I searched the whole apartment, and by the time we had checked behind every piece of furniture and under every blanket, he was sobbing. I hugged him tightly, rubbing his back and pulling out my phone. I was about to dial the police when a call popped up. I answered immediately.
“Hello?”
Chris laughed. “Hey, fucktard. I thought I told you to get out of the city.”
Frank went stiff in my arms.
“Got a little hard when Frank gave birth,” I said quietly, my heart sinking.
“Mhm. Your baby is so beautiful, by the way.”
Frank ripped the phone out of my hand and was screaming down the line before I could stop him. Chris hung up in seconds, and the phone slipped out of Frank's hand and dropped to the floor.
I grabbed at his waist, but he was already running, snatching his shoes and keys as he left.
“Fuck!”
I hurried after him, hopping as I put my shoes on, but the car squealed into the driveway when I was halfway down the steps. Frank stepped on it and the car leapt onto the road and was gone.
I swore again and went back inside, calling Angelo out of desperation.

Notes

..oops?