3.18 The Trouble With IF's

"One more push," Drew instructed an exhausted, sleep deprived girl.

Shaking her head Tayla whimpered "I don't think I can..."

"Yes you can," Drew told the girl "all I'm asking for is one more push and you'll be done. You'll have a beautiful new baby to love and cherish."

"Ok one more push," she panted screaming as she exerted herself squeezing Amboses hand.

"Come on babe you can do this," he encouraged her. He looked up and away from Tayla's face as the shrill cry of a baby filled the room.

"Congratulations you two," Drew held up a squirming unhappy baby for them to see "it's a boy." She wrapped the wriggling baby in the towel she had set aside for the purpose. While she was busy doing that there was a loud commotion downstairs. "That's probably the paramedics" she said glancing at Ambrose "go and let them in" she instructed.

Nodding he bent down to kiss plant a kiss on Tayla's forehead before he left. Handy the baby to her Drew smiled down at them. "Thank you," Tayla said while gazing into her son's face "I don't think I could have done this without your help."

"You're very welcome," Drew told her stepping aside as the paramedics filled the room.

***

Once the paramedics had left with Tayla and Ambrose Drew took the opportunity to clean up and shower before wandering upstairs to check on Caleb and the kids. She smiled as she watched him on the floor bent over the table playing blocks. "I wish I had a camera," she said from the doorway.

Looking up Caleb almost knocked over the blocks he and the kids had stacked up. "Daddy careful," Indira instructed.

"Sorry baby doll," he bent to kiss his the top of her head. In the process he bumped into the table knocking a several of the blocks over.

"Dad," Andrew scowled up at him "look what you did!"

"Sorry bud," Caleb reached across and messed up his son's hair.

"Quit it," Andrew pushed his hand away.

Caleb looked up at Drew "our little man is way too serious." He moved to stand up and go to her.

"Don't go," Megan cried grabbing his leg.

"Sweetie I'm not going anywhere," Caleb told the girl smoothing her pink hair from her tear stained face. He picked his niece up as she fresh tears spilled from her brown eyes.

"Daddy up," Indira entreated patting his leg looking up at him. Bending he scooped her up too. 

Marveling at the differences between the two girls. One the image of is mother with the pink hair and the other with her dark hair was definitely still a Gray even with the green eyes she had most definitely inherited from her great grandfather William. Looking over their little heads he glanced over at Drew "well?"

"Megan is now a big sister," Drew told everyone.

"Yay" the girls cheered.

"So what," Andrew announced from the floor knocking the remaining blocks over.

"Hey now none of that," Caleb admonished. The little boy looked up at his father bottom lip quivering. "It's not fair. I want to be big bruder."

Caleb looked over at Drew "now what?" he asked.

Shrugging "how should I know? You're the one who said he'd get over it. Forget all about it." She moved to pick up the unhappy toddler. "Hey little man" she said as she tickled him "you get to be something better then a big brother."

His eyes lit up "really?" he asked curious.

Nodding Drew whispered in his ear. He pulled back laughing "me the big boy cousin," he announced to the room. "That's better than being big bruder." He started to squirm in Drew's arms "down mama," he demanded. Laughing she put him on the floor ruffling his hair. Swiping at her hand he scowled "stop that."

"Daddy down please" Indira requested kissing his cheek before joining her brother by the blocks.

"Meggie you want down?" Caleb asked the silent little girl. As she nodded Caleb kissed her cheek before putting down near her cousins. Joining Drew in the door way he wrapped his arms around her. Drew snuggled into his embrace. "How did things go up here?" she asked.

"They were a little upset with screams; especially Megan" Caleb nuzzled his nose in her hair "you smell good."

"I should hope so," she giggled "I took a shower before coming up here."

He tried to smother a yawn "do you think it's too early to put them down for a nap?"

Looking up from the table Andrew scowled at his parents. Indira gave her brother a look shaking her head at him. It was Megan who made her displeasure known "no nap. No nap" she screamed.

***

Squeezing Caleb's arm Drew hid her face in his shirt to hide her smile. It wouldn't do to encourage the little girl. "Let's go and sit on the couch for a while" she murmured to him "it won't be long before they'll be ready to go down."

 Sighing he allowed Drew to guide him from the room. Sitting on the couch he yawned "I don't know about them but I could use a nap."

Leaning on his shoulder Drew felt her eyes close as she murmured "so could I."

"Hey don't fall asleep on me," Caleb protested "if I have to stay awake so do you."

Moaning she sat up rubbing he eyes "I don't know how my parents did it," she commented "they had six kids to keep track of.  Uncle Gene must have been superman when he took us in with his four kids and us. I'm falling down exhausted chasing three."

"Today is a special case" Caleb put his arm around her "you did deliver a baby. If you ask me your entitled to be a little exhausted."

"Then you won't mind if I put my head in your lap. Close my eyes and go to sleep?" she asked.

"Let me grab a book to read first" he moved to the nearby bookcase made a selection and sat down beside her "ok I'm ready."

Smiling she nestled her head in his lap. Smiling up at him "you know what this reminds me of?"

Shaking his head "no what?" he asked looking down at her.

"Of when I was a little girl and daddy would read to me until I fell asleep." She closed  her eyes as Caleb opened the book and began to read out loud to her. After a few minutes his voiced lulled her to sleep. Looking down at her peaceful face as she slept Caleb brushed hair from her face whispering "sweet dreams sweetheart." Whether drawn to his voice or intrigued by the story the little ones emerged from the room. They sat around the couch listening to Caleb read until their eyes drooped and shut as they fell asleep on the floor. The last one to close his eyes was Caleb as he stumbled over the words as they blurred and blended together. The book slipped from his fingers falling onto the couch. He leaned his head back falling into a deep dreamless sleep.

***

Caleb was enjoying the sunshine and the tranquil sounds of birds chirping in the nearby trees. He couldn't believe another year had gone by and Tayla was once again expecting another child. The twins were four months short of their 4th birthday. Times like this he was glad he had taken Emit up on his offer; although he feared there was more to the offer then Emit had told him. He didn't understand how one family could be that important that the fate of every universe depended on the to have children. Smiling he shrugged his shoulders remembering when his mother had sat them all down telling them about the responsibilities of being the chosen heir. At the time it had hurt knowing she hadn't chosen him but he knew deep down that his brother Noah was the better choice. Now he understood the responsibility of carrying that weight would have meant now he had a family of his own. What would Emit ask of his children in the future? That question sometimes kept him awake at night.

"Caleb?" Drew shouted at him.

"Huh what?" he looked up at her "I thought you were out shopping?" He stood up to kiss her cheek.

"I was and if you want to be a dear you can carry the proceeds of my shopping excursion into the house." Looking around "where are the kids?"

Looking around the yard it dawned on him how quiet it had become. He had been so engrossed in his own thoughts he hadn't realized the kids weren't outside. "I...I don't know" he stammered "they were out here playing in the sand box..."

"They're probably in the house," she said trying not to worry.

Running his hands through his hair "I'm sorry. I should have kept better watch...."

"It's ok honey. They have to be around here somewhere," she said trying to keep her anger in check 

"I'm going inside to see if they're there." Turning towards the house she asked "can you bring in the groceries?"

He could feel his anxiety rising as he grabbed multiple bags at once. He should make two trips but something was telling him something was and he didn't want to waste time doing this when he should be looking for the kids. Upon entering the house he could hear the happy voices of Megan and 

Leeland playing together. Walking into the kitchen he found India contentedly banging away on the xylophone. No matter how much Caleb tried to show her the right way she insisted on doing it her way.

She looked up as he entered the room "listen please" she requested as she made an unusual flourish and her banging actually resembled music.

"Very good sweetie," Caleb patted her head once he had dropped the bags on the floor. "You're getting really good sweetie."

"Daddy" she said looking up at him "mama's upset."

"I know sweetie," he sighed as he knelt beside his little princess.

Indira snuggled into him as she spoke "Andrew runned off."

Caleb felt his arms tighten around her small frame "do you know where he went?"

Nodding Indira pointed towards the garden "he's going on an adventure." She touched his face continuing "it's ok daddy Peanut Butter Boy is with him."

Damn he thought that stupid imaginary friend. He should have insisted on getting rid of that stupid doll. He didn't know why but that thing had always given him bad vibes. He stood up as Drew came running into the kitchen. "Caleb I can't find Andrew anywhere. He's not in the house. I've checked all his regular hiding places."

"But mama Andrew is outside" Indira pointed again towards the garden. "He's ok. Peanut Butter Boy is with him."

"I'll go look for him," Caleb gave Drew a brief reassuring hug before he moved towards the door "don't worry I'll find him."

She nodded biting back the hundred hurtful words she wanted to scream at him. She knew all too well that their son delighted in hiding from them. Giggled nonstop after he jumped out of his hiding place and scaring them as they searched for him. She knew this was another of his escapades. He was in the garden waiting for his chance to pounce on them. Even though she knew that was the case it didn't keep her heart from racing or the worry she felt knowing her baby wasn't anywhere in sight.

***

For the first time Caleb wished they had a smaller garden. Looking up at the sky hoping he found the little boy before it became too dark. "Andrew" he called "it's time to come inside." He hoped the adventurous little boy would hear his voice and come to him. He certainly regretted letting him keep that stuffed rag doll that arrived in the mail. He didn't even know who had sent it to them. It was suspicious that only the twins had received one. Caleb himself had memories of having one when he was growing up. His lips curled up as he remembered Puzzle. Why did Peanut Butter Boy give him such bad vibes when he trusted Puzzle implicitly growing up? Opening the gate to one of the gardens Caleb called out again.

There was something a little different about this doll. Andrew had an unnatural attachment to it. Talked to it like it was real. Granted he had done the same thing with Puzzle. She had been his only friend for a while. He certainly didn't want his son to experience the same pain he did growing up friendless. So deep in thought he almost missed the subtle movement of the leaves but there it was the unmistakable purple/blue/white hair of his son, the little trouble maker. If his mind hadn't been so preoccupied he might have seen him earlier. He crept closer to the plant his son was hiding behind. As he got closer he heard his son talking to Peanut Butter Boy. He turned his back and rubbed his chin hoping Andrew would take the bait and jump from his hiding place.

***

"Peanut Butter Boy it's getting awfully dark," Andrew whined "I want to go inside."

"Not yet," PBB demanded.

"I don't like it out here," Andrew protested.

"It'll be fun. Trust me" PBB cajoled  him "you're the one who wanted to go on an adventure."

"I know" Andrew fell silent. At times like this he didn't like Peanut Butter Boy very much. He wanted to play with Meggie or Indy not hiding in the dark by himself. Moving Andrew announced "I'm going inside."

"Have you forgotten what happened last time you didn't play with me?" PBB asked a hint of menace in his voice. "Do you want that to happen again?"

"No," his voice quivered as fear settled over him "I'll stay I promise." He sat down jostling the branches of the plant hoping his dad would find him.

"He's facing the other way" PBB told him "now is our chance to find a better hiding place."

Nodding Andrew gathered his feet beneath him getting ready to run for the gate. He ran tripping on the loose dirt. He flailed his arms out sending Peanut Butter Boy flying.

"There you are," Caleb ran up to him and swooped him up into his arms.

"Daddy" Andrew snuggled into his arms squirming as Caleb began to walk towards the house. "Wait! Daddy please we can't leave Peanut Butter Boy out here."

Caleb kept walking ignoring his son's protests. That doll could rot out here for all he cared.

"I can't leave him out here," Andrew tired to struggle from his father's arms "Please you don't understand."

Caleb didn't stop walking until he got to the house and shut the door. Drew ran to him and enveloped them both in a hug crying. "Don't ever do that again" she pleaded "you scared mommy."

"I'm sorry," Andrew cried in a small scared voice "Peanut Butter Boy said it would be an adventure."

"Honey Peanut Butter Boy isn't real" Drew chided him.

"He is too," the little boy insisted "I need to go get him. He doesn't like it when I leave him alone" Tears welled up in his eyes "please he's going to be real mad at me."

"Caleb maybe you should go outside and get his doll" Drew suggested as she took her distraught son in her arms. "I'll give Andy a bath."

"It's just a doll," Caleb protested "we shouldn't encourage this unnatural attachment to this thing."

"Please Caleb just do it," she smiled at him "I'll explain why later. Trust me I wouldn't ask if I didn't think it was important."

"What do you want me to do with it when I find it?" Caleb asked giving in. He didn't know why he was doing this but if Drew thought it was important he'd follow along.

"Put it in the shed for the night...."

"But mama Peanut Butter Boy doesn't like to be alone" Andrew protested.

"It's ok honey It's just for one night." Drew told him "Peanut Butter Boy will be alright alone for one night."

***

"Is our little man asleep?" Caleb asked getting into bed.

"He is but he didn't like leaving Peanut Butter Boy in the shed. He's convinced that it'll do something bad..."

"That's ridiculous. It's just a doll," Caleb protested "I had one as a child...."

"I know but I've heard stories of imaginary friends becoming real and doing terrible things."

"You don't believe those stories do you?" Caleb looked at her in disbelief.

Looking down fidgeting with the blanket "I do". She reached up with a hand stroking his face. It was soothing to feel his beard beneath her fingers. "My cousin Heath is a product of an IF that had come to life. Heath is half human and half IF. From the things I've heard his mother repeatedly tried to kill his father, my Uncle Adam. I do believe that we have reason to be concerned..."

"It's just a doll...."

"A doll that has the ability to influence our child's thinking" Drew told him "Andrew is scared that Peanut Butter Boy will get into the house and hurt Indira. He says Peanut Butter Boy has threatened to hurt her before to make him do things he didn't want to do."

"I don't understand" Caleb admitted "how can a doll be so dangerous?"

"I don't know but once it makes a connection with a child it's difficult to break..."

"Can it be broken?" he asked recalling his son's frantic struggles to get to the doll. "I don't like this. I really, really don't like this." He cast his mind back trying to think if he had been controlled by his IF but all he had felt was companionship. Puzzle had been his friend. "Not all those IF dolls are bad. Puzzle wasn't."

"You might be right but our son's IF isn't a nice one." Drew frowned "I called Aunt Beverly for advise. She's going to have Uncle Adam call us in the morning. If anyone knows what to do they will."

"Ok but until then that doll stays in the shed" Caleb told her. Drew nodded hoping that was the best thing to do.