Baby and Me

My first story I hope you all like it thanks

 

It had only been a few days since Kyle was dropped in my lap as my elder brother, Matthew and his new wife, Rebecca went on their honeymoon. Kyle was my nephew and he was not yet two years old. I was seventeen and lived with Matthew and Rebecca ever since our parents passed away two summers ago. I didn't really understand how to take care of a baby but I had watched my brother and Rebecca parent him so I was a bit aware of what to do. However, I didn't think they'd pass him onto me to take care of him for the week that they were gone.

"You're a handful," I said and I looked at Kyle who sat on the floor, a big smile spread across his face.

"James," he said and he pointed his index finger.

"That's right," I said. "My name is James." I smiled and picked him up and held him in my arms. "Guess what Kyle? You're mom and dad are coming home today."

He gave me a big smile like he understood my words and I smiled back. A few more hours and my brother would be home to look after Kyle. I was glad summer vacation was nearing its end and I would be able to go back to school. The phone rang and I set Kyle down in his playpen and answered.

"Hello? Vaughn residence."

"Hello, may I speak to Mr.James Vaughn?" said the male voice on the other end.

"This is James Vaughn speaking."

"I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, son. But your brother, Matthew and a Rebecca Vaughn were on a flight from Rome, Italy when it crashed over the Atlantic ocean earlier today. It has been reported that there were no survivors. We have managed to recover a few bodies and we would like you to come to the central mortuary and identify the two bodies just to be sure."

My arm slowly fell to my side and it wasn't until the phone crashed onto the floor until realization hit me. No… Matthew wasn't dead. There must have been some mistake. I picked up the phone and I cleared my throat.

"I'm on my way," I said and I put the phone back on its charger and grabbed my car keys and picked Kyle out of his playpen and took him out to the car and strapped him into his car seat. He beamed at me but I couldn't bring myself to smile back.

As I parked in the parking lot I could feel myself shaking. As I took Kyle from his seat he could feel my shakiness and he placed his hand on mine and kissed my cheek as if he knew I was anxious and worried. I entered the mortuary and the doctors looked at me and towards Kyle. One of them offered to take him while I went into the room but I felt uneasy about that so I told them I would just take him.

"James Vaughn?" asked a male doctor as he came out of the main room.

I raised my hand. "That would be me."

"Please come with me," he said and he led me into a room that reminded me of the rooms that I'd see when watching crime shows. "Would you identify these two bodies," he said as he opened two drawers.

I quickly turned Kyle away so he wouldn't see. "Don't look," I whispered in his ear. I nodded towards the doctor to show the bodies. My face grew pale as I saw the two bodies that were lying on the metal beds.

"Matthew…" I whispered. "Rebecca…"

"So, they are who we assumed them to be?"

"N-no..."

"No?"

"There's been some mistake. This isn't my brother. My brother isn't dead. Just yesterday I was talking to him... He said he was coming home today. Th-this is his son, Kyle," I said pointing to Kyle. "He said he couldn't wait to see him! He's turning two tomorrow you see." I could feel the tears forming in my eyes. "S-so he can't be dead. He can't-"

"Mr. Vaughn, calm down."

"He's not dead! That's not him!" I shouted angrily. "My brother's coming home later today! He said so himself!"

"Mr. Vaughn…"

I held Kyle tighter in my arms. I held him close as the tears kept flowing. He sensed this and I felt his little arms wrap around my head. I could feel his own tears fall onto my shoulder and I cried even harder. I held his head as I cried into his own shoulder.

The doctor left us alone and he told us to come out when we were ready.

That was the day that Kyle became my own. I took him in ad my own child. I would be the one to take care of him… to raise him. This time… I wouldn't be the one to leave him.

 

Lol forgot exactly what it was called since I've never actually been to one and I myself don't watch crime shows but thanks for the positive comments

 

It wasn't that I couldn't hear them, I had just chosen to ignore them. All those people talking about me and saying things like,

"That's the other son, right? Why does he look so calm?"

"He probably just doesn't care."

"Now that his brother is gone he probably feels that he doesn't have to look after the baby anymore. He's probably relieved."

"He's seventeen right? He's at that stage where he thinks he's better than everyone."

Comments like that continued as if they all thought I was totally oblivious to what they were saying. People seemed rather sociable for a funeral after party. I could see people talking and laughing and somehow it made me angry inside. From the corner of my eye I saw Kyle walking around. He was then bumped and accidently kicked down onto the ground. As this happened he let out a shrill scream and I rushed over to him as quickly as I could.

"Watch out!" I shouted at the man who had kicked Kyle. I then picked Kyle up in my arms and hugged him closely, patting his back.

The man turned to me, his face red. Why was he the one angry? He glared at me and then before I knew it, the side of my face stung. Silence filled the room and I lifted a hand to my cheek. Kyle screamed louder and I found myself standing there, frozen as stone. That was when the tears started flowing.

"Ahh... sorry," said the man.

However, the tears kept falling and I collapsed to the ground with Kyle in my arms. "You idiot!" I screamed. "Damn you Matthew! Damn you! You were supposed to come home! You were supposed to be here for Kyle and raise him up to be a good boy! Fuck you! I fucking hate you!" I sobbed. "Why now?! Damn you you shitty brother! I hope you're damn happy!"

People started murmuring throughout the room and I just hugged Kyle ignoring it all. "I don't care," I said. "I'll do it. Just you see, Matthew… I'm going to do a good job and raise this kid better than what you could possibly have done."

"Well said, James."

My eyes widened and I turned to see my grandmother from my father's side. How many years had it been since I last saw her? I wiped the tears from my eyes and I looked straight at her.

"So you are the one that's going to look after Kyle then?"

I nodded. "My brother and I were not poor. When Mum and Dad died they left us everything. I can also get a job. I will take full responsibilty for Kyle… I can take care of him."

"Are you sure? You are seventeen and still a highschool student. What are you going to do with Kyle when you are in school?" she asked and she eyed me down.

"There is a daycare center in my school. It is free for students with kids. Of course I'm to be his legal guardian so he will in fact become my child. I can speak with the teacher in charge and if you wish I can have her call you," I said and I swallowed hard. Would she allow me to keep Kyle? Would the rest of the family agree to this or was I getting too ahead of myself.

"Very well," was all she said before she turned around and left.

Very well? That was all she needed to say? Did she trust me enough to let me keep him? I gave a small smile and I hugged Kyle close.

"Hey Kyle…"

He patted my head in acknowledgement and I kissed the top of his head.

"You are now my son, okay?"

The rest of the afternoon followed out and near the end people ignored me as they left the funeral home. I ignored them back as I would most likely never see any of them again so there was no point in starting an arguement. Some people nodded towards me in acknowledgement before they left and others did speak to me.

"You take care of that boy," said my Aunty Jodie. "If you can't deal with him, your Uncle Mark and I will have no problem taking him off your hands."

I smiled at her. "I will do my best for him."

"Good man," said my Uncle Mark and he patted my shoulder. "My brother would have been proud."

I watched them leave and I looked at Kyle. "I won't lose you to anyone, Kyle."

He smiled wide for me and he rested his head on my shoulder. I smiled too and I patted his back and rocked him in my arms. Staring that day would become an important chapter in my life and I wad going to work as hard as I could to make things work. Overcoming challenges and hardships would have to become a priority. I would do this… for Matthew.