Page 15 of Manny Included

“Sure, kiddo.You want a bite of mine?”Pete mimicked opening up wide.

“’kay!”Eric took a bite, and his eyes went wide.

“You like it?”Bay asked.He didn’t know the kid well enough to know if that was a good look of surprise or a bad one.

“Uh-huh.’nother bite, please?”

“Sure.”Pete cut off a section of the burger and offered it over.

“Is it better than chicken fingers?”Bay asked.He needed to find out if they had a grill.He’d be surprised if there wasn’t.They’d cooked out in the backyard a lot when he and Tony were kids.

“Uh-huh.”

Belle seemed worried.“Are we supposed to eat that?”

“It’s okay, honey.You don’t have to.”

“You’ve got your chicken fingers and fries.A little bird told me that was your favorite.Right?”Bay didn’t care what the kids ate, as long as they did.

“Yeah.I like the crunchy.”

“Good deal.You need to eat, Merida.Have a fry.”

She grabbed the offered french fry in her chubby little hand and banged both hands on her high chair table.“Fie!”

“That’s right, baby girl!Your fry!”Pete cheered for her, and so did Eric and Belle.

Bay just watched, a little stunned at the show.It was good she was eating, right?And talking?So he guessed it was worth cheering for?It was just so far removed from anything he knew.He mentally cursed Tony for dying and leaving him in the middle of this family of kids and manny who all knew what the hell they were doing while he sat here, floundering.

The baby began to cry, and Pete stood.

“I’m going to get Flynn.Everyone keep eating.I’ll be right back after I change him.”

Oh fuck him.He watched Pete leave him there with the three other kids, trying not to let his panic show.He did not know how to do this, and that was not a comfortable feeling for him, nor a familiar one.He gave Belle his best smile and then shoved his burger back in his mouth.

Eric did the same thing, and Belle just nibbled.The little girl just mangled her fry and babbled.He sure hoped he wasn’t expected to know what she was saying because it sounded like gibberish to him.

He had a few bites of his burger and nothing exploded, the kids seemed happy to keep eating, so he did the same and hoped it stayed that way until Pete got back.

The baby was fussy but sat in his highchair and ate a fry while Pete grabbed some apple sauce and a little spoon, along with a sippy cup.

It was fascinating the way that Pete navigated all four children like it was easy.He guessed Pete was used to it, but he didn’t treat it as his job.

He acted like a parent.

Again, thank goodness, because he sure didn’t have any clue on how to be one.

“Thank you for the hamburger.It’s very tasty, and Eric there is a convert.”

“You’re welcome.Will’s got meals coming for us tomorrow.Hopefully, everyone will approve of his choices.”He just hoped it was all easy to reheat.

“Can I go take a bath?I miss Mommy.”Belle was crying again, and Pete nodded.

“Of course.I’ll save your nuggets in case you’re hungry after your bath.”

Once she’d left the room, he turned to Pete and asked quietly, “She’s okay to take a bath on her own?”

“She is.She’ll holler if she needs help, but she’s fine.”