FicWad

Patrick stared at the ring on Casey’s hand in shock, unable to make any words as he looked at Pete, who was beaming, and then to Casey, who was glowing. He looked at the ring, and then to Casey’s belly, where there wasn’t any sign yet of the baby she was carrying. “I’m going to be an Uncle?” He questioned, even though he knew the answer. “And I’m gaining a sister??”

“I’m calling the National Guard,” Joe managed to get out, trying to make a joke, but his mind was in a haze at the news that he too would be an Uncle. He yelped when Patrick’s hand struck the back of his head, his own hand going up to rub the wounded spot.

“Be nice,” Patrick said as he moved to Casey and hugged her close. “Congratulations Casey,” he said, smiling wide now as the news began sinking in. He looked to Pete. “And congrats to you too Pete.”

“Thanks Trick,” Pete said as Andy came over and hugged him. “Thanks Andy.”

Andy chuckled and shook his head. “So my little extended family grows even more now,” he chuckled as Casey smiled. He went to her when Patrick let go of her. “I’m happy for you,” Andy said as he pulled her into his arms, rubbing her back as Pete was pulled into Patrick and Joe’s arms. “You guys are going to be awesome parents.”

“And I’ll die laughing the first time that baby sneers at me,” Joe said, finally out of his shock.

“And I’ll just grin my fool head off,” Pete said before he chuckled.

“Are you sure you wanna marry that fool?” Andy asked, giving Casey a teasing grin that made her giggle. “I think you don’t know what you’re getting into,” he said as she moved away from him, and Pete broke away from Patrick and Joe.

She wrapped her arms around Pete and looked at Andy, a content look on her face. “Nah, I know what I’m getting into. He’s just going to have to deal with having me with him all the time,” she said as Pete wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her side softly.

- - - - -

“So, think you can handle the fact that you’re going to be playing Daddy in less than a year?” Patrick asked Pete as they sat in the living room of Casey’s apartment as they waited for Andy, Joe, and Casey to get back from going to get food for everyone. “It’s a big responsibility.”

Pete nodded. “I know it is,” he said with a small smile that betrayed the millions of thoughts running through his head at once. “Anything I have trouble with I can always ask Mom for help since she raised three kids. Or I can always ask your Mom since she raised you,” Pete lightly jabbed, laughing when Patrick socked him in the arm.

“Ass,” Patrick grinned.

“Aw, why thank you,” Pete snickered.

“So, you finally found someone you want to settle down with for the rest of your life? Someone you fully trust no matter what?” He asked, smiling when Pete smiled and nodded. “Good. You deserved to be happy Pete, and I’m glad you finally found someone you can be happy with. It’s about damn time.”

“Yeah... And we’ve been through a lot already too...”

“Isn’t that the truth,” Patrick chuckled. “You guys have been through Hell and back, but hey, you made it out fine and you still have each other.”

“That is definitely true,” Pete said as he looked up when the door opened and the missing three walked through the door.

“We’re back,” Andy announced as he held up the food he was carrying. Andy, Casey, and Joe went into the little dining area and set the food down as Pete and Patrick came in. “Okay, find yours and dig in,” Andy said as he looked for his food and took it to the table when he found it.

“You know, I’m still having trouble believing I’m going to be an Uncle,” Joe said as he grabbed his food when he found it and sat next to Andy at the table. “It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around.”

“How do you think I feel?” Pete chuckled as he got his food and sat next to Casey who had already found hers and sat down. “I’m going to be the Father of that child you’ll be the Uncle of. Try wrapping your mind around that one,” he said as he smiled over at Casey, who smiled at him. “I can only imagine how Casey feels,” Pete said, looking at Joe, who cocked his head, confused by what Pete meant.

“I’m the one who has to carry the baby,” Casey explained and Joe nodded, now understanding. “I feel sorry for Pete since he’ll have to deal with my mood swings when the hormones kick in,” she said before she started eating the Chinese take out that was hers.

“I am so sorry Pete,” Patrick said with a small snicker that earned him a soft kick in the shin from Pete. “So violent,” he chuckled.

“Yeah, but you like it,” Pete winked, making Patrick quickly shut up and Joe laugh.