The Baby Game: The Secret

“You're really not gonna say good morning?” Mark asked as Alex tried to calm down from the scare that he had gotten: waking up in Mark's bed.

“Good morning.” Alex grunted, knowing that Mark would not let it go until he said something.

“Dad's making breakfast, so do you want to go down in your jammies or get dressed first?” Alex saw his overnight bag by the door.

“Get dressed.”

“Let’s work on full sentences, Baby Lexie.” Mark grabbed the boy and unzipped his pajamas. The red onesie had been a compromise and he hoped Alex did not ever work out how little they made him look. Somehow, he thought having bare feet instead of footies magically made him look mature. Now Mister Mature sat on his floor in nothing but a diaper. “We had a lot of fun playing the Baby Game last night, didn't we?” Alex curtly nodded. “You're really not a morning person, are you?” Mark kissed Alex's forehead before ripping off his diaper. He smiled as Alex hurried over to the dresser, hoping that now that they would officially be brothers, he would finally get over his bashfulness and accept what Mark had told him a few nights ago: once he stops looking cute naked, he would no longer be a silly little boy. Mark wasn't sure yet if that would prove true.

Mark let Alex dress himself, liking the stark contrast between his dark blue t-shirt and the white and yellow Spidey briefs with Miles, Spidey, and Gwen on the butt.

“No, no pants, Baby Lexie.” Mark said, intervening and shoving the shorts back into his bag.

“What? But-”

“No buts. Come on, out you go.” Mark pushed Alex toward the door. “I need to get dressed too and it's courteous to give me privacy.” He nudged Alex out into the hall. “You can either sit down and wait for me so I can carry you or you can head down and get a headstart on breakfast.”

Alex headed for the stairs, refusing to let Mark even have the opportunity to carry him down or worse, make him slide down the stairs on his bottom like he had done last night. He knew he had to hurry because Mark surely wouldn't take that long to get dressed.

“I don't hear a whole herd of rhinos coming down the stairs, so that must be Lexie!” Mark's dad said, all but pulling Alex off the bottom step and into his arms. “Good morning, buddy!” Alex wasn't sure if he had said buddy or bunny as they spun around and Alex found himself handed off to his mom.

“Morning, mom.” He mumbled as he landed in her lap.

“Just one little rhino calf.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing. Good morning, Lexie.” She kissed his forehead. “Do you want to wait for Mark or should I start?”

“Start wha-” a forkful of pancake plunged into his mouth. “Mom!”

“Mmm is right! Can you say ‘thank you, da- Mark’s dad’?”

“I made them.” He said as if that needed explanation.

“And Lexie loves them!”

They continued like this for an eternity that could not have been longer than five minutes, with Mom keeping Alex’s mouth full in between bits of banter with her boyfriend, until Mark came downstairs.

“You started without me!” Mark said as Alex was immediately passed to him. “You should’ve told me you were starving, Baby Lexie!” He kissed Alex’s cheek as he went over to his chair. “Tummy all grumbly?”

“He ate half of a pancake.” Mom reported.

“Not helping.” Alex muttered. Why was everyone so okay with this? He was pantsless and being talked to like he was the littlest kid on earth.

“Get him fed,” Mark's dad said, placing a plate in front of Mark. “And then, we’ve got our news to share.” News? Alex looked at the faces around him, abruptly struck with the sense that the news, whatever it might be, was only news to him.

“What's the news?” He asked, but Mom mimed zipping her lips, while Mark began to feed him.

Mark never really tried to aim for Alex's mouth and even when he tried to move his head to catch forkfuls, his face still got covered with food. No matter what though, Mark would insist that his face was nowhere near as messy as that time in the restaurant, so it was best to be fed. Alex had even been coerced into confessing to his mom a few days ago ‘I play with my food cuz I'm a silly little boy, so it's good to have a young man like Mark to help me stay focused'.

“Both hands.” Mark murmured as Alex reached for the milk. He pushed a bit of pancake into Alex's mouth so he had to hold onto the bright yellow and green sippy cup while he chewed. “Cups are a privilege, Baby Lexie.” Mark said. “So we use both hands and always have a lid on top!” Alex had learned the hard way that there were worse things than a toddler sippy cup.

Finally, Mark put the fork aside, but even then, Mom and Dad's news had to wait while Mark fastidiously cleaned his hands and face.

“Probably too much to ask for this to make it through a pancake breakfast unscathed.” Mark said, pulling Alex's shirt over his head. Now he was in nothing but his underwear, his stupid little boy underwear, while everyone else was fully clothed!

“All full?” Mom asked Alex as if he had been the one holding things up.

“Yeah.”

“Full sentence, Baby Lexie.” Mark whispered, still holding him in his lap. “Remember?” That ‘remember’ had more than one meaning to it, Alex knew.

“Yes, mama.” Alex mumbled. He felt Mark's breath on his ear, but apparently that was enough for now.

“Alright. Mark, well, you already figured it out, so” Mom smiled and leaned forward slightly to be more on Alex's level. “Lexie, Mark's daddy asked me to marry him!”

“What?!” Alex exclaimed. This couldn't be happening! He… no!

“I think what Baby Lexie means,” Mark said, looking at his dad and soon-to-be mom. “Is congratulations.” He enjoyed how neither of them seemed all that bothered by him openly calling Alex Baby Lexie. It just meant it was his name now.

“And we'll of course want you both involved.” Mom said. “It'll be a small ceremony. Just the four of us, a friend or two, and…” she shrugged. “We'll get it figured out!”

“Go congratulate them, Baby Lexie.” Mark whispered, kissing the top of his soon-to-be baby brother's head. “Give them a big hug and say ‘congratulations Mama and Dada!”

“I'd love a hug, Lexie.” Mom said, overhearing them. Alex looked up at Mark, who kissed his cheek.

“He'll be your dada, so you better get in the habit now.” Mark stood up and Alex suddenly wished he had gotten dressed. Whatever Mark had wanted to make him wear had to be better than being in nothing but underwear as he hugged first Mom and then Mark's dad. Soon he'll be my dad, Alex thought as he dutifully called him dada. This was all too new to really know what to think of that.

“I better get going.” Mom said once Alex was done congratulating the pair. “Once I pick you up, we can discuss the wedding more.” She kissed Alex's cheek before handing him off to Mark, then kissed Mark's dad. I'm not ready to call him dad, let alone dada, Alex thought as Mark wiped his face unnecessarily. “What are you boys planning today?”

“Baby Lexie and I-” Mark began, dread immediately flooding Alex, but Mark's dad interrupted.

“I've got plenty of projects and twice as many helpers.”

“But Dad!” Alex snickered at Mark's whiny tone as he felt relief.

“Where do you need help?”

“That's the spirit!” Mark's dad said. “I don't want to hear it, Mark. The three of us are getting some projects around the house done. Mark, you're gonna be mowing the lawn” he looked expectantly at Mark. “And you and me, Lexie, we're gonna tackle the garbage disposal in the kitchen.”

“Sounds good.” Alex said, seizing his opportunity to get out of Mark's lap. “Let me just go get dressed-” Mark's dad clearly had everything planned out and was not taking suggestions.

“Don't worry. We'll get you dressed before you need to go.” He placed a hand on Alex's head to steer him toward the kitchen. “Mark, lawn. Lexie and I'll handle things in the kitchen.”

“Make sure you let dada do some of it, Baby Lexie.” Mark called after him, loving the image of the smaller boy being led into the kitchen in just his underwear. If only he had had a little tool belt with play tools, it would have been too cute for words.

"So, what do we need to do?" Alex asked, wishing he could have gotten dressed. It annoyed him that this wasn't the first time Mark's dad had seen him in his underwear, but it felt really strange to be alone with him like this.

"You've got a very important job." He said. "You're gonna hold this for me and make sure to keep it aimed right here." He pointed at the large light grey disposal unit under the sink. "Think you can do that for me?" Alex looked at the flashlight in his hand.

"Uh, I thought you needed help." He took it. This had to be a joke.

"I do. My headlamp's busted, not that it ever worked right." He reached over and turned the flashlight on. "Keep the light right here."

"But"

"It's tight down here, so we'd just be in each other's way."

"I guess so." Alex felt ridiculous until he realized this could be a blessing in disguise. "Uh, while you're getting set, d'you" why was he asking for permission? "I'm gonna go get dressed."

"I need the light, Lexie."

"You can just call me Alex." He reached out and adjusted the flashlight again.

"Keep it right there where I'm working, kay, Lexie?" Alex sighed and nodded. "I'm gonna be looking over here, not at you, bud. If we're gonna be working together, we gotta work on communication. Communication. Do you know what that word means?"

"Yes!" He chuckled as if he found Alex's growing frustration adorable.

"I knew you were smart. So, I'll ask you a question and I want you to use your words." So this is where Mark gets it from, Alex thought. "Understand?"

"Yes." Once again, he moved the flashlight right where he wanted it.

"There. Still like a statue, Lexie."

I almost wish I was with Mark, Alex thought, though he had a sudden horrible image of him pushing a bubble mower around in just a diaper. It was so horrifying, he shuddered and Mark's dad had to reach over to readjust the light.

“Alright!” Mark's dad got to his feet with a theatrical groan before washing and drying his hands. “All that's left now is to give her a test!” He grinned. “Wanna do the honors, Lexie?”

“Uh” was all he got out before his feet left the tiled floor of the kitchen. Mark at least had to exert some effort to lift Alex; his dad made it seem as if Alex weighed nothing, slipping a hand under his bottom.

“Mwah! Mwah! Mwah! Mwah!” Four kisses landed on the defenseless boy's cheeks, Mark's dad chuckling as he scrubbed at his cheeks in disgust. “Sorry, Mark's right. Your cheeks are adorable and irresistible.” He bounced Alex slightly on his arm. “He used to be cute like you, but he's an icky teenager, isn't he?”

“I'm thirteen too.” Alex reminded him.

“Do you wanna help,” his brow furrowed slightly. “What was it you called me earlier?”

“Dad.” Alex said, hoping he really didn't remember.

“No, that's what- that's not it.” He pretended to think really hard. “I can't remember what it was.” Alex was getting tired of being in his arms. Should I just say it to get this, whatever it is, over with? “Maybe we need to shake it loose!” Alex gasped as, quicker than he would have ever thought possible, he was upside down with Mark's dad holding his ankles. “Mark used to love this when he was little.” He said. “Do you remember, Lexie?”

“Dada!” Alex exclaimed. Immediately, he was set right again and Mark's dad peppered his cheeks with kisses.

“Oh, that's right.” He hugged him to his chest. “Did I scare you? I guess Mark was a bit older when I'd do that with him.”

“I'm older than Mark!” Alex protested.

“Okie dokie. Do you wanna help Dada test the garbage disposal, Lexie?” He turned Alex away from him and pointed at the faucet. “We turn on the water.” Alex reached out and did just that. “And then we flip that switch all the way back there!” He held Alex out so he could reach the switch on the far side of the counter. The garbage disposal snarled to life. “We did it!” Shifting Alex to one arm, he flipped the switch off. “It's not a toy, is it?”

“Uh, no.” Alex said. Who would even think it was a toy?

“Lawn's done!” Mark's voice came only a second before he did. His hair was plastered against his head by sweat and he was shirtless. His navy blue boxer briefs peeked out of his shorts, completely different from the white and yellow Spider-Man undies Alex wore. “Did you two get your plumbing done?”

“Sure did, Lexie's a whiz at this.”

“I bet!” Mark smiled at Alex. “I'm a little too sweaty to play with you right now, but I'm gonna shower and then we can do something fun, Baby Lexie, okay?” He came over and squished Alex's face. “You keep dada out of trouble, okie dokie?” Alex watched Mark walk away, wondering if he would have been better off going with him or not.

“Do you want to watch Spidey?” Mark's dad asked as he carried Alex into the living room.

“Mark is the one who likes that show.” Alex said, still hoping that he could somehow get through to Mark's dad.

“Alright, maybe later.” He set Alex down on the floor and then sat there himself. There was a brief second where neither of them seemed to know what to do but he lunged forward and pulled Alex into his lap. “Tickle little Lexie! Tickle little Lexie!” His tickles felt different than Mark's, but Alex was just as much at his mercy as he squealed and squirmed.

“Stop! Stop!” Alex protested, kicking and swinging his hands.

“Only if you tell me what game you want to play, Lexie!” He renewed his tickles. “Lexie Wexie, wiggle worm! Loves to giggle, squeal and squirm!”

“Stop! I wanna… wanna-”

PBBBT! Mark's dad blew a raspberry into Alex's tummy.

“Only one way to make me stop!” He said in sing-song. PBBBT! “What's the magic word?” Alex had no idea, not that he could even form a coherent thought with the nonstop tickles. “What's the magic word?” How was he able to ask that while tickling and blowing raspberries? He seemed to be everywhere at once! Alex tried desperately to roll away, but there was no escape. What was the magic word though? He had to make this stop! And soon, he thought as he realized he hadn't used the bathroom all morning. “What's the magic word, Lexie Wexie?”

“Stop! I need… I gotta-” His desperate mind worked over time and he suddenly knew what Mark's dad was looking for. “Dada!” The tickles stopped as if it really was a magic word, but it was too late. “Dada…” he whimpered as the front of his underwear grew warm and wet.

“Aww, what's wrong, kiddo? Oh.”

“I didn't mean to!” Alex protested shrilly. “I… I…”

“It's okay, Lexie.” He said gently. “We were having fun and I got carried away. We should've gone potty after we were done with our project.” Alex sniffled, refusing to let the tears that filled his eyes fall. “Don't worry. We'll get you all cleaned up and no one will know what happen, ok? Not even Mark.”

By the time they stood in the downstairs bathroom, the tub filling up, Alex was almost certain he had gotten the tears under control. This wasn't fair! He hadn't wet his pants in so long! At least Mark hadn't been there, but he knew he would hear about it, no matter what his dad said.

“Alright, off come the soggy pants.” Mark's dad said. “And into the tub you go!” Alex's legs kicked out of habit as Mark's dad lifted him up and into the bubble-filled tub. “Bubbles will make you feel better, I bet.” Mark's dad said. “Here, there's even some cups for you to play with.”

“I normally take showers.” Alex said softly, wishing he had mentioned it before the tub was completely full.

“Maybe we can pour a cup of water over your head to give you the full experience.” Mark's dad said, reaching into the tub to give his side just one last tickle. “Is the water warm?”

“Yeah.”

“And it smells a lot better than pee, I bet.” Alex nodded, unsure of what to do.

Obviously, this was better than being in wet underwear, but Mark's dad seemed like he was only barely fighting the urge to bathe him or touch him or something. And he hadn't even gotten a chance to really process the shocking news of earlier today. Mom was engaged. Mark, who seemed to think he was a baby and had even stolen his name, was going to be his brother!

“You're a real cute kid, you know that?” Mark's dad said, pulling Alex out of his thoughts. Alex slapped the water in frustration.

“Seriously! I am older than Mark!” He insisted, wishing his voice sounded more authoritative as it echoed in the bathroom. “I am not some little kid!”

“I know thirteen feels like you're practically an adult, but trust me, Lexie. You shouldn't be in any hurry to grow up.”

“Preferring showers to bubble baths isn't-”

“Oh, I hear Mark!” Alex snorted. Mark's dad's feigned excitement over the sounds of Mark coming down the stairs – actually a lot like a whole herd of rhinos, Alex realized – made it sound like he was irrationally jazzed about his son. “Don't worry. It's our secret, kay?”

“We're in here!”

“Baby Lexie! Why are you in the tub?” Alex had spent enough time with Mark to know that his question was mostly because he was disappointed that he hadn't gotten to be the one to put him in the bubbles.

“Look at him smile! Someone missed you!” Mark's dad said before launching into a tale about how Alex had worked up a sweat and had asked to take a bath. Sure, it still made him sound little, but it was better than the truth and gave Alex a moment of peace to figure out why he genuinely had smiled when Mark walked into the bathroom.

“Baby Lexie, getting all nice and clean?”

“Oh, we haven't gotten to the actual bath yet.” That was all Mark needed to hear.

“No!” Alex whined, trying to find somewhere in the tub where Mark couldn't get him with the washcloth that practically manifested in his hand. Mark's dad slipped away without Alex even noticing as he devoted his full attention to fruitlessly fending off Mark.

“We gotta get you clean, Baby Lexie.” Mark said, scooping up a handful of bubbles and bringing it to Alex's chin. “You've been in here so long, you've grown a beard!”

“Stop!”

“Rub a dub dub, Baby Lexie's in the tub, getting so nice and clean.” Mark said in sing-song, grabbing a kicking foot and giving it a wash.

It felt like an eternity for Alex, but the water was still warm by the time Mark lifted him out of it, Alex's bottom lip trembling as he stood on the bath mat, waiting for a towel. Mark dried him off and gave him a hug, wrapping the towel over his head and around his shoulders.

“We'll need to get you one of those super cool hooded towels, huh?” Alex only shrugged. “What animal would you want? A dinosaur? A froggy? Froggies hop, you know.”

“I know.”

“So gloomy. Did I wash off every bit of your silliness?”

“Yeah.” Alex said.

“Oh!” Mark laughed. “That's just silly, which means…” He poked at Alex's exposed belly. “Baby Lexie's still silly, yes he is! Silly little boy! Silly little-” Alex jerked away to avoid this turning into another tickling. He would just have to give in, just this once.

“I'm a silly little boy!” He said. Mark grinned and Alex felt a sudden warmth as he realized he liked making Mark happy.

“That's right. Ready to go get dressed, silly little boy?”

“Yeah.” His overnight bag still waited upstairs and normal clothes were all he wanted. He stumbled as Mark pulled the towel, landing yet again in a hug.

“Or do you want to play the baby game?” Mark murmured into his hair.

“No.”

“Then I wanna hear you tell me what you are, nice and loud.”

“I'm a silly little boy!” Alex declared.

“You wanna know what would be very, very silly?” Better not be playing the baby game, Alex thought. “Running to my bedroom nakee!” The towel came off so fast, Alex spun.

“But”

“Go on.” Mark got to his feet. “Run! But only to the stairs. We gotta be careful on the stairs!”

Mark watched the little boy run as fast as he could with his hands all but plastered between his legs. It was funny to him that, even with all the times he had been naked in front of Mark, he was still so shy about it.

“How should we go up?” Mark asked.

“Safely and carefully.” Alex said as if this was a boring class and the teacher insisted that the room answer in unison.

“That's right.” Mark chuckled. “But I meant it a little more practically. Do you wanna do hands and knees again?” Alex shook his head. “Alright, two hands, two feet then.” Two hands, Alex had learned, meant he held Mark's hand with one of his and the other held the railing. Two feet meant he had to bring both feet onto the same step before going up to the next one. The whole process took forever, but it was better than being carried and kissed the whole way. “We did it, Baby Lexie!” Mark declared when they reached the top. His hands free, Alex was ready to get dressed, so he ran toward Mark's open door. “Red light, red light, find your seat!”

“Stop!” Alex had stopped, but he refused to sit down in the middle of the hallway.

“Baby Lexie.” Mark said, still standing at the top of the stairs. “Come back here so we can do it right.” Alex rolled his eyes and turned to go to Mark's room. Turning his back was a mistake and he shrieked as Mark grabbed him, having caught up to him far more quickly than he had thought possible. “You need to listen to me, Baby Lexie.” He said, his voice soft, but firm. “You are cute and silly, I won't let you be a brat.”

“I want to get dressed!”

“I know you do. You know how I know? I listen and I would like you to do the same, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Now what do we do when we do something wrong? Even when we don't think it was really our fault?”

“I'm sorry.”

“Thank you, Baby Lexie.” He kissed Alex's cheeks, loving how nice he smelled freshly bathed. “You're gonna be a great little brother.”

“I'm older than you.” Mark sighed.

“Baby Lexie, I just asked you to listen. I didn't say younger brother, I said little brother.” Alex felt the frustration rising again and wondered if Mark could feel him getting warmer from it.

“I know, but you know they mean the same thing.”

“I think,” Mark rocked Alex until their eyes met. “I think we get to decide what it means. When I say you're my little brother, I mean you're my brother who I'm going to love and protect and care for, every single day until the day I die.” Alex was so struck by how genuine Mark sounded, he settled into his arms as Mark carried him into his room.

When did he have time to make his bed? I don't remember his dad telling him to. Alex wondered as Mark deposited him on the floor. Even his pajamas and Mark's sweaty clothes from mowing seemed to be nowhere to be found. He groaned as he realized that another missing was his overnight bag.

"Now, Baby Lexie, we can either do undies or a diaper."

"Underwear."

"You didn't let me finish, silly!" Mark said. "With the diaper, you'll get pants, well shorts, and a shirt."

"And with underwear?"

"Undies will mean a shirt and a Baby Lexie dance party."

"Better not be any of the songs from last time." Mark smiled.

"Cross my heart, kiss your cheek."

"Underwear."

"Naked Baby Lexie's forgetting to use full sentences."

"I want underwear, please." He immediately regretted it when he saw briefs with brightly colored bunnies in Mark's hands.

Thinking back to the restaurant, Mark had been unable to resist buying Baby Lexie a pack of Bunnydale briefs. He made him watch the show, but after only an episode, he took pity on the little boy and admitted it was too childish. That did not change the fact that Baby Lexie had Bunnydale undies and now had to choose between toddler superheroes or pastel bunnies every morning, with Mark making the choice for him when he could.

The first time Alex had actually put them on himself willingly – though why he had, Mark had never found out – Mark decided to go easy on him, setting aside his plans to watch baseball with Baby Lexie diapered and cuddling in his arms to let the silly little boy play tablet games, albeit in nothing but his bunny undies.

Alex typed out his name, rolling his eyes as he had to wait after each letter for it to announce the letter in the cutesy voice.

"Is your name Alex?" The tablet asked. Mark grabbed his hand before he could confirm.

"No." He whispered, kissing Alex's head. "Try again, little guy."

"But that is my name."

"Do we need to go back to that Bunnydale number game?" Mark's finger hovered over the red x to close this game. “It would match your undies!”

"No." Alex sighed and went through the ordeal of listening to the cheery voice announce every letter of Baby Lexie.

"Is your name Baby Lexie?" Alex had to be imagining the tone of disbelief in the app's voice.

"Yes, it is!" Mark said in just as cheerful a voice. “That was a very good job spelling!” He smiled as Alex started playing the game, thrilled he hadn't tried to get away with Lexie. His name was Baby Lexie. “My silly little boy.” Mark murmured lovingly.

“On goes your undies!” Mark said back in the present. “Now we just need a shirt and then the Baby Lexie dance party can begin!” He had just the shirt in mind, a faded old Disney t-shirt that he had gotten as a handmedown from some relative, so he felt like it was right to hand it down now to his soon-to-be little brother. “Baby Lexie, there's cookies on the hiiiigh shelf! We gotta reach!”

“You can just say 'put your arms up'.” Alex muttered.

“Oh, right. We're still working on getting our silly levels back up.” Mark slipped the shirt down over Alex's reluctantly raised arms, grinning as the shirt fell down to nearly his knees. It was big on Mark and not that nice, so it worked perfectly as a playtime shirt. “There, no one will even know you've got a bunny bum.” He squished Alex's face. “Maybe we should talk to Mama and Dada.”

“About what?” Alex hated how he sounded with squished cheeks, but he knew Mark loved it.

“They're doing big important adult paperwork for the wedding. Marriage certificate, right?”

“Sure?”

“So we'll pick up a name change form to make your last name Bunnybum!”

“That is so dumb.”

“Alright, let's get ready for your dance party!”

How does he know so many baby songs? Alex thought as Mark made him dance to song after song, each sung by some overly peppy adult or, worse, a cheery chorus of children. Each and every song was so repetitive, Alex felt like he might never get them out of his head. When the dance party finally ended and Mark took Alex downstairs to play with his toddler toys while Mark and his dad watched sports, Alex realized he was humming Boom, Boom and making the toys move in tune.

Lunchtime came and Alex was moved into the kitchen to play under Mark's watchful eye as he made him chicken nuggets and french fries. Alex had flashbacks to the restaurant as ketchup was smeared all over his face and hands as Mark sloppily fed him.

“This is a familiar sight.” Mom said as she walked in.

“His clothes are clean though.” Mark said as if Alex's mess wasn't his fault. “Are you ready to go bye-bye with Mama, Baby Lexie?”

“I need my-”

“Let's finish your milk.” Mark pushed the spout of the sippy cup into Alex's mouth and he could only drink down the rest of it in silence as everyone chatted around him. Once the cup was drained, Alex's face was wiped, his overnight bag all but forgotten as they all headed toward the front door. Didn't anyone else care that he was only wearing a t-shirt?

“Bye-bye, Dada.” Alex said, giving him a hug from Mark's arms.

“Thanks for all your help, kiddo!” He said with a grin. Alex knew that wasn't true, but he squirmed around to face Mark.

“Bye-bye, Mark.” He said.

“I'm gonna get you buckled in safe and snug before we say bye-bye.” Mark explained, handing Alex off to his mom as if it was the most natural thing in the world before slipping his shoes on.

“You're not saying bye-bye to me, Lexie, but I'll still take a hug and kiss.” Alex blushed, but complied, though he was unsure what to say to accompany it.

“Mama.” He mumbled, hoping that Mark wouldn't come up with some embarrassing full sentence.

“I'll take Baby Lexie back.” Mark said. “Did you miss me, little bro?”

“It was like five seconds.”

Mark carried Alex out to the car, making a beeline for the back seat diagonal from the driver's seat. Alex hoped that he might get put in the front seat, but he knew Mark would never do such a thing.

“Alright, Baby Lexie's in the seat, now for your seatbelt.” He reached over and buckled Alex in, adjusting his shirt to make sure it wasn't all bunched up. “All set for your trip home!” He announced before adding under his breath. “And you know what to call me.” He smiled down at Alex and raised his voice again as Alex's mom got in the car. “See you, Baby Lexie.”

“Bye-bye, big brother.” Alex hugged him and kissed his cheek, knowing Mark would probably like that. His grin told him he did and he waved as the car backed up and took Alex away.

“Did you have fun even though Mark's daddy set you to work?” Mom asked as they reached the end of the block.

“I guess.”

“Did he ask you about the wedding?”

“Huh? Uh, no.” He wondered if he should tell Mom about his thoughts regarding the wedding. He wanted her to be happy, but how could she actually love a guy whose son was so… weird? No, maybe not.

“Well,” she smiled at him in the rearview mirror. “We obviously want you and Mark to be a part of it.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Mark's role is still up in the air.”

“It is.”

“Well, yeah. Gr- Mark's Da-” she laughed. “I guess we'll say Dada since that's what you say. Dada isn't sure if he's gonna ask his friend to be Best Man or have Mark be Best Man. He'll definitely be a groomsman though.”

“And me?” Alex asked, his voice wavering.

“Oh, that was easy. You're gonna be the ringbearer.”