A Frog Bean

“Jason!” you exclaim exasperatedly, “Let that nice and incredibly patient nurse give our eight month old son the vaccine that will protect him from the flu please.”

The man just chuckles, preparing the syringe. “Trust me, I’ve dealt with many first time parents, usually the baby is the least worried about the shot.”

“I’m not worrie-” Your boyfriend starts to argue but a look from you and the nurse shuts him up quick. “I’m just a bit concerned.” He corrects. “It’s gonna hurt him.”

“Yes it will, baby,” you place your hands on his shoulders in a way to comfort him, your Leo giving you a toothless smile as you near. “But it will be just a pinch and it will be for just a second. Not to mention he has the both of us here. He’s going to be fine Jason, I promise.”

Your words seem to help him and he gives you a smile and loosens his grip on his baby. The baby who’s still happy and laughing, extending his small arms towards you. 

“Okay,” Jason finally whispers. “Just be gentle please.” 

“You know, I can hold him-” you offer but are interrupted by a very strong and strict ‘No’ from your man. 

You move to his left, so the nurse can come closer. Jason removes his palm from Leo’s forearm, turning the baby’s body towards the right. 

At the sight of the needle both father and son grimaced a bit.

You see Jason take in a deep breath and hold your son closer to his stomach. 

Your baby’s face scrunches as he feels the sharp point of the needle. A huge cry leaves his small body and water starts streaming down. 

“I’m so sorry buddy.” Jason whispers into Leo’s hair, “So sorry.”

You reach out to comfort your boy but Jason doesn’t let you, he continues to apologize and whisper ‘i love you’s to his hair.

After taking the syringe away and putting on a bandaid with a cartoon on it, the nurse reaches to check Leo but Jason instinctively moves him away. 

“You said it would hurt for one second, Why’s he still crying?”

“Poor guy’s just scared, probably just wants to be with dad and mom.”

Sure enough the longer Jason held him, the more quicky his cries quietened.

You go to your family, gently leaning into Jason’s side. “So I get why Leo was crying, but why were there tears in your eyes Jason?” 

“You lied to me!”

“Bug…” Jason sighs exasperatedly but the small girl ignores him and continues airing out her grievances very loudly in the waiting room. 

“You said we were going to get ice cream!”

“I said we would go to get ice cream after we go to the doctor’s.” He gives her a gentle push to get her attention but her arms are still crossed and she’s looking everywhere but at him. It breaks his heart a bit but he knows there’s something else going on.

“You tricked me.” she grumbles. 

“I know your mama told you and Leo about your appointments. You both have these checkups yearly. What’s bothering you this time?”

Sofia sighs deeply, falling back into the plastic chair, her arms splayed and legs dangling from the edge as it no longer reaches the ground. 

“Anisha M. went to the doctor last week and they gave her a huge injection. Her whole arm hurt for the entire day and she couldn’t even play tag!”

“I thought Anisha M. moved away last year?”

“No, that was Anisha C, you gotta pay more attention Jay.”

“Okay okay, I’m sorry.” He puts his arm around his girl and she automatically leans into him. “You’re scared that they’re gonna give you a shot?” 

“I’m not scared, I'm just a little concerned.”

 A smile finds his mouth at her response, “Oh yeah? Concerned about your tag playing abilities?” 

She looks up at him, her tiny face etched with worry, “She said it was really big, Jay.”

At her words, Jason takes her onto his lap. Sofia refuses to not meet his eyes, her fingers twisting and turning the material of his shirt. 

“It’s okay to be scared bug but just know that I’m here with you. So is your mom and your brother, they’re just in the other room. You can hold my hand the whole time.”

That makes her look up at him, “You promise?” 

“Of course, I’ll hold your hand and then if it hurts too much, I’ll kiss it better. Then after your brother’s finished with his check ups, we’re all gonna go and get ice cream, okay?”

She looks satisfied. “Okay Jay, I trust you.”

His heart clenches at that, “Thank you for trusting me, my love. You know that I love you right? And that I’ll do anything to protect you?”

Sofia rolls her tiny eyes at him, “Well duh, you tell me like all the time.” 

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