#bcu

Mack gnawed on his lip from his spot on the couch, glancing over to the kitchen for what felt like the hundredth time. The test still right where he left it, next to Will’s shaker cup. There was no way that the other boy would be able to miss it when he woke up.

Still, Mack couldn’t stop bouncing his knees, jittery with nerves, but also so, so excited. He knew that Will wanted kids, had confessed to wanting a large family during the last family skate, after spending half the afternoon chasing around their teammates' kids with bright eyes and a wide grin. He just hoped that Will wouldn’t get cold feet, being as young as they were; that he’d be just as excited about the news. 

He didn’t have to wait for long, because less than a half hour later of almost vibrating out of his skin, Mack heard the telltale signs of Will moving around their room.

“Morning, baby,” Will yawned, arms stretched above his head as he padded into the living room. He was wearing one of Mack’s hoodies, just a tad too big on him. “You’re up early.” 

“Couldn’t sleep,” Mack mumbled, bringing one of his own hoodie strings to his mouth. 

“Coulda stayed to cuddle,” Will murmured, leaning over the back of the couch. 

Mack shrugged, tilting his head back for the kiss Will was silently asking for. “Didn’t wanna wake you.” 

“I wouldn’t have minded,” Will said, kissing the tip of his nose before straightening up and heading towards the kitchen. “Have you had anything to eat yet?” 

“No.” He gnawed the aglet between his teeth harder as Will opened the fridge, pulling out the ingredients for his morning smoothie. 

“Want me to make you any-” Will stopped dead and Mack knew that Will had seen it, the tiny positive that was about to change their lives. 

Will turned to look at him, jaw-slacked and wide-eyed. “Mack?” 

“We’re gonna have a baby?” he said, voice shaking a little. 

For a split second, Will just stared at him.

Then, his whole face changed, a wide smile taking over as shock melted into bright, disbelieving joy. “Really?” 

Mack nodded, a shy smile creeping onto his own face at Will’s reaction. “Yeah.” 

In a flash Will was out of the kitchen and vaulting over the couch with a breathless laugh, looming over top of him, cradling Mack’s face in his hands. 

“You’re serious?” Will asked, his eyes shining with excitement.

“Yeah,” Mack repeated, unable to say anything else as he felt his own excitement wash over him, relieved that Will was happy. 

Will kissed him, once, twice, his smile getting bigger each time as he giggled into Mack’s mouth. 

“We’re gonna have a baby,” Will giggled, resting their foreheads together. “We’re really having a baby!” 

Mack giggled back, he’d worried himself sick over how this moment would play out. Had thought out every possible scenario, from Will walking out on him with a look of disgust, to the very moment they were living now; happy and so, so, so in love. 

–

Mack had been worried about telling three people in particular: his dad, Will’s mom and Mike Grier, in that order. 

Knowing that he’d most likely have to miss at least an entire season having his baby and then recovering enough to get back on the ice was something that he was still trying to accept. He had no idea how his dad would take it. Will’s mother had always been sweet with him, treating him like another son; but he’d also heard her hiss into her phone about another member of their HOA and ever since he’d always been on his best behaviour around her. He wasn’t sure how telling her that he and Will were having a baby out of wedlock would go - Will hadn’t helped either when he said there was a 50/50 shot of her being angry or not. Grier was another story, he was surely going to be the easiest of the three, but Mack was about to tell him that they’d be without their franchise player for the foreseeable future. Even if the Sharks had never treated him like a commodity, he knew the NHL was a business. It was going to be a major blow to their season no matter what. 

They decided to tackle their respective parents alone, and then tell their GM together.

Rick had taken it surprisingly well, all things considered. After he got over his initial shock, he’d merely given him a quick once over, as if he could physically see the changes that were about to happen to Mack’s body and sucked on his teeth. “I’ll have to do some research on how to adjust your workouts and then figure out a recovery plan.” 

Mack had blinked at how easy it had been, his anxiety fizzling out into disbelief. “You’re not upset?” 

“I’m surprised, but not upset. Have you told your mother?” 

“No.”

“She might be upset.” 

It had taken Colleen a little longer to get onboard with the whole baby thing. Will had come home from lunch with her, a tight smile on his face as he’d leaned against the island, across from where Mack was trying to sort through all the new vitamins and supplements his dad had sent; like he already knew that Mack wouldn’t like whatever he was going to say. 

“So?” 

“She’s going to throw you a shower,” Will said carefully. 

Mack blinked, rubbing idly at the hardly there swell of his belly. He could tell that Will hadn’t told him everything, was easing him in with bite-sized pieces of information that he could process slowly, the way he did when he was trying not to overwhelm him. “That’s not terrible. What else?” 

Will fiddled with his chain. “She wants them baptized. Back home, in Lexington.” 

Oh. Not the end of the world.

Mack had assumed that Will would want to do some Catholic things with their baby, they just hadn’t really had time to talk about it fully. Were still trying to wrap their heads around the fact that they were actually having a baby in the first place. He genuinely didn’t care either way, his family wasn’t religious in the slightest, and the only times that he stepped foot in a church were either for a wedding or whenever Will asked him to come to Mass. But this was something that clearly mattered to Will, so it mattered to Mack. 

“That’s like - what? The water thing?” 

Will snorted, his hair falling over his eyes as he dipped his head forward. “A baptism, yeah, baby. The water thing.” 

“That’s fine,” he shrugged. “I just - your mom can’t go overboard with it. I don’t want the whole city there. Just family.” 

“Of course,” Will nodded instantly, running his hand through his hair. “Uh, it’s not just Mom. I want them to be baptized as well. Grace and I were. I know you weren’t - and that’s fine - but it matters to me that they are.” 

“Will,” he said, reaching across the island to poke at his forearms. “I know it matters to you, idiot. And as long as it’s not a thing, then I’m fine with it. Promise.”

Will had let out a sigh of relief, collapsing forward with his head against the quartz. “Thank you. I’ll make sure that Grace tells her to chill out with everything.” 

And that had been the end of that. 

Telling Grier had gone exactly as they’d assumed. He’d simply leaned back in his chair, congratulated them both before rubbing at his eyes and meeting Will with a serious look. “Looks like you’ve got more weight to pull this season, Smitty.” 

Mack had been put on LTIR later that afternoon. 

It should’ve felt bigger than it did, when they walked out of Grier’s office. Mack was stepping away from the game that his life had always revolved around. There was going to be an extended period of time where he wouldn’t be allowed on ice, even to practice. But Will curling Mack under his arm and pressing a kiss to his temple shoved those thoughts to the back of his head. He knew that he could survive this as long as Will was there with him. 

–

His pregnancy seemed to fly by.

Mack had hardly blinked before he’d gone from staring at the positive test in his hands to being in his third trimester; rounder, sweatier and crankier than he’d ever been in his life.

But Will had stuck by his side through it all, from doctor’s appointments, to weekly bump update photos that Will posted to his finsta, to being the one who had to untie Mack’s skates for the last time when he couldn’t bend down to reach his laces any longer. 

There was always a hand on his lower back when they went out on a walk, his thumb expertly digging at the knots, just like Rick had instructed. If Mack shifted while sitting on the couch, Will was already reaching for another pillow. 

At some point, videos of people holding their pregnant partner’s belly had wound up on Will’s tiktok. Initially, both of them had been nervous to try it, not wanting to potentially hurt the baby, or Mack. 

But the relief that Mack had felt as Will had slid his hands under his bump and gently lifted had caused a truly guttural sound to come out of his mouth. Now, Will would regularly come to stand behind Mack and hold his bump for however long Mack wanted. 

The bigger his belly grew, the more attentive Will became. Every night when they crawled into bed, Will would shimmy down to rest his cheek against Mack’s belly and gently trace the sign of the cross over the curve of his taut skin. 

Mack always tried to give Will a little privacy while he prayed, for both of them. It was enough to bring tears to his eyes most nights, because of his stupid hormones. 

Sometimes he couldn’t help listening to the soft words Will murmured into skin. 

Always starting with, “angel of God, my guardian dear…” before finishing with a whispered, “Saint Gerard, thank you for your intercession with God for our baby, please keep them safe for me and let Mack get some rest tonight.” A kiss would be pressed to the skin below his belly button as Will muttered out an, ”amen,” before crawling his way back up to give him a proper goodnight kiss.

It had been during one of those quiet nights that they felt the baby move for the first time.

Will’s cheek had been pressed to the side of Mack’s belly while Mack’s hand was curling through his hair, listening to Will narrate the cooking tiktok that he was watching to their baby when they’d both felt the little prod against Mack’s side for the first time. 

They’d locked eyes for a brief second before they’d felt it again, a slight shift under Mack’s skin. Will’s eyes had gone so wide as his phone was dropped into the comforter, hands spreading wide and reverent over Mack’s belly. 

“Oh my God,” Will whispered, his hands smoothing over Mack’s bump. “Hey bud, are you finally saying hi?” 

Will almost hadn’t wanted to come back up the bed that night, wanting to stay right where he was, resting against Mack’s belly, not wanting to miss another kick. 

Before he knew it, Colleen’s shower had arrived and Mack almost didn’t survive it. Thankfully, Will and Grace had worked together to keep it between their immediate families and the team.

That hadn’t stopped Colleen from transforming the Toffoli’s backyard into something Mack was sure she’d found on Pinterest. There were balloons and streamers everywhere, cakepops that looked like rattles. And a massive stack of gifts that he was horrified to learn were for him. 

“Technically for the baby,” Colleen had corrected, handing him a blue mocktail. 

He’d almost waddled his way back out to Will’s car when he saw the massive balloon arch in the centre of the backyard, framing a sign that read: Roster Update: Baby Celebrini-Smith Arriving This Spring!

Will had thought it was hilarious and coaxed Mack back outside with the promise of an hour-long, uninterrupted foot rub once they got home. 

An additional hour had almost been tacked on once Colleen had called them both over for photos. It reminded him of those awkward prom photos he’d see on insta every spring. Especially when someone called out, “hands on the belly, dad!” 

Mack had scowled and blushed a bright red as Will, grinning like an idiot, stepped up behind him and settled both hands on the sides of his stomach. 

“I hate this so much.” 

“You’re doing great, baby,” Will murmured, pressing a kiss to his temple, both of them pointedly ignoring the dramatic “aww’s” that came from a couple of their teammates. “You’ve got an hour tops and then we can sneak home.” 

By the time that they got home, there had been no less than a hundred photos taken, and now their nursery was packed to the brim with toys, tiny clothes and a floor to ceiling stack of diapers. 

Mack had started huffing and puffing from carrying in just an armful of stuffed animals, he had no idea how Will managed with the rest. To show his thanks he curled his arms around Will’s neck, trying to get as close as he could with the bump, and rested his head in the crook of his neck. 

It was finally starting to settle in, that they were actually going to have a baby soon. One that was already so loved. 

–

As soon as the Sharks season ended, they’d flown to Vancouver with a little more than a month before Mack was due. By then living in his own skin had started to feel strange. His centre of gravity had changed, he was constantly aching and every movement accentuated the heavy curve of his belly. He’d kept up with his off season routine for as long as he could, stubbornly refusing to let the fact that he felt like he was carrying around a bowling ball strapped to his stomach slow him down. Even at eight months pregnant he was trying to keep himself as active as he could until the very end. It was just something that was hardwired into him.

Unfortunately for him, everyone else seemed to have decided that his sole purpose for the next month was to sit down with his feet up and keep growing his baby. If he was standing too long, he’d be directed to the couch, he’d get shooed away from trying to help put groceries away. But the scariest part was when his usual high impact workouts got swapped out for mobility training and stretching. And even those started being modified to be easier. The slightest sign of fatigue had his dad hovering in a way that freaked Mack out. Never once had he been given the option to abandon a set before he was finished, but now it was offered to him constantly. 

The final straw had come when he’d tried to argue his way into doing one more grouse grind with Aiden and Will. He’d received the sternest ‘no’ he’d ever got from his mother and was told to sit his ass back down. 

To his absolute betrayal, Will had nodded along approvingly while his mother reminded him of the strain his body was already under and that he shouldn’t even be considering anything other than putting his feet up.

“Your ankles have been so swollen lately, baby,” Will had gently reminded him, while working his thumb over a cramp in his calf. “And your back has been bugging you all week.” 

A small part of him was glad that he wouldn’t be going because the baby had dropped a few days earlier and Will was right; everything had started to ache, his back and hips especially. He couldn’t remember the last time he hadn’t felt some kind of ache or pain. Standing up on his own had turned into a production always involving Will’s help. 

Turns out growing a baby was incredibly exhausting. 

That night just a few short hours after they’d both crawled into Mack’s old twin-sized bed, and Will had finished his nightly prayer for their baby, Mack had gone into labour. The pain of his first contraction woke him from a dead sleep, and almost instantly he’d known what was happening. 

“Oh fuck,” he gasped, one hand flying to his belly, another contraction hitting him hard as he tried to push himself upright. 

Will was awake instantly, curls a mess as he scrubbed the sleep from his eyes. “What? What’s wrong?” 

In the dark, Mack flailed out the hand not pressed to his belly and managed to grasp onto Will’s wrist, gritting his teeth until the pain subsided. “Baby’s coming.” 

“For real?” 

“Yes,” Mack grunted, the sound trailing off into a deep, guttural groan as another wave hit him. 

The sound startled them both as they locked eyes. Will was out of bed in an instant, trying to shove his legs back through the pair of sweats he’d tossed on the floor. “C’mon, baby. Let’s get you dressed and to the hospital.” 

–

Everything started to blur as soon as Will helped Mack into his clothes. His parents had woken from the noise and then once they realized what was happening, everyone in the house was awake. It took less than fifteen minutes for Mack and Will to be loaded into the back of Rick’s truck before they were on the road.

By the time they were admitted, Mack was already sweating, exhausted and so deeply over being pregnant. Thankfully, Will hadn’t left his side the entire time, always offering his hand to squeeze through the pain. Every time Mack opened his eyes after another rough contraction, Will and his dad were there, helping and encouraging him through it.

William Charles Patrick Celebrini-Smith IV was born healthy, chunky and screaming as he was placed on Mack’s chest, swaddled in the monogrammed baby blanket that Grace had knit. 

“Billy,” Mack muttered, dazed and in disbelief of the angry, wriggly infant on his sweaty torso. His entire hand covered the entire width of his baby’s back. “My Billy.” 

“Oh, Mack,” Will choked out, tears streaming down his cheeks as he brushed sweaty strands of hair off Mack’s forehead with trembling fingers. “Oh baby, he’s perfect.” 

“Good job, Mackers,” his dad said, hand firm on his shoulder, voice rough in a way that Mack had never heard. “I’m proud of you, bud. Really proud.” 

Mack could hardly see properly through his own tears. But he could see ten tiny fingers curling weakly around the edge of the blanket, a tiny scrunched up nose and full red cheeks. 

He was here; their baby was finally here.

“You did so good, such a good job, Macklin,” Will praised, leaning over both him and their baby. “Thank you. Thank you for him.” 

A tired smile stretched across his face at the look of reverence and love in Will’s eyes. Exhaustion was settling over him heavily, but his chest was full of warmth and an overwhelming sense of satisfaction that he’d had his baby. 

“Wanna hold him?” He mumbled, feeling the tiny flutter of Billy’s breath under his palm. “I bet he can’t wait to meet his dada.” 

Will startled and looked at Mack with wide eyes, like he hadn’t realized that holding his son was an option. “Fuck - really?” 

Mack nodded and carefully shifted the bundle in his arms. “Yeah, he’s yours too.” 

Will’s whole face crumpled for a second before he scrubbed at his eyes with the edge of his hood. “Yeah - Christ, I just gotta get a hold of myself first.” 

“It’s alright,” he hummed, stroking a gentle finger across Billy’s downy soft cheek. “He’s not going anywhere.” 

When Will finally nodded with a shaky sigh, his dad was there carefully picking Billy up off his chest. For a second, Mack was taken back to a long forgotten, blurry memory of being smaller and meeting RJ for the first time, an identical smile on his dad’s face as he gently rocked the baby in his arms before approaching an eagerly awaiting Will. 

“Alright,” his dad said, steady and confident, but softer than normal. “Head first, always make sure you’re supporting his head. He’ll let you know if he doesn’t like how you’re holding him.” 

Will perked up instantly, nodding intently as his dad settled Billy in Will’s arms, waiting for Will to nod before he took his hands away. “There you go.” 

“I’ve got him,” Will said quickly, eyes watering again as he stared in wonder. “Oh my god, Mack.” 

Billy made a small, irritated sound, grunting as he wiggled in Will’s arms. 

“You’re doing good, Will,” his dad said, stepping closer to reach out if needed. “Just rock him a bit and he’ll settle down.” 

On command, Will started rocking side to side, making soft cooing sounds as he kissed Billy’s forehead again, soothing their baby right back down. “You’re alright, bud. Dada’s got it under control.” 

There was a beat where they all waited to see if Billy would fuss again, but thankfully he’d settled into Will’s arms.

“You’re pretty alright with this baby thing, Rick,” Will murmured. “Might be coming back for more advice.” 

“After four kids, some things stick with you,” his dad said, still watching Billy. “I can still remember bringing Aiden home for the first time. Then Macklin, and Charlie and RJ.” 

Will stared at Billy as he kept rocking, nodding to himself. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget today.” 

“Me neither,” Mack mumbled, feeling his eyes droop as he took in Will holding their baby, how amazed he was at the bundle in his arms. 

“It’s alright Mack,” his dad said, his eyes sliding off of Will and Billy to settle on him. “You worked hard enough. You can rest now, we’ll all still be here when you wake up.” 

–

The end of August in Lexington was sticky and humid, not a breeze to be found as sweat collected at the base of Mack’s spine. Thankfully the inside of the church that the Smiths attended was air conditioned, but it still wasn’t enough to keep the thin linen of his shirt from sticking between his shoulder blades. It had been exactly what Mack expected when they’d pulled up, a quaint little church with a spire and stained glass windows, an ancient looking cemetery off to the side, surrounded by an old iron fence. 

Billy grunted in his arms and Mack instantly started bouncing him a little. His baby was just over three months old and deeply unimpressed with the white dress that Colleen had produced for today. Apparently Will, Grace and every other Smith baby ever had worn it during their baptisms, and that tradition would carry on with Billy. 

Mack gently uncurled Billy’s tight little fist where it was gripping and tugging on the fabric and let him hold into his finger instead. He had no less than three different outfits ready to change Billy into something more comfortable when all of this was finished. 

“He doing alright?” Will asked, tugging at the sleeves of his suit jacket. “He’s not overheating is he?” 

Mack dipped his head to nuzzle his nose into the wispy white curls at the crown of Billy’s head. “He’s fine, I just don’t think he likes the dress.” 

“Gown,” Will corrected, guiding him with a hand on his hip towards the pews at the front of the church. “It’s a christening gown.” 

“Whatever it is, I don’t think he likes it,” Mack said as he took a seat in the empty pew, the wood creaking under his weight. 

“He’ll be out of it soon,” Will promised, sitting down next to him and sliding his arm along the pew behind Mack’s back. “Mom’s probably gonna want pictures of him in it after the service though.” 

“Of course she will,” Mack said, smiling when his and Will’s families joined them in the pew. Charlie to his left and Grace to Will’s right. “We aren’t posing with every single person in here though.” 

“Oh god no,” Will said with a frown. “Just family and probably with Father John.” 

Mack nodded, he should be able to handle that, assuming everything else went the way it was supposed to.

“What is he wearing?” Charlie whispered, leaning against his side. “It looks like an old tablecloth.” 

“Long story,” he said under his breath. “It’s a Catholic thing. I think. Could also just be a Smith thing.” 

“If you say so,” she said, watching Billy squirm and kick his legs. “Mack, he's getting all tangled in it.” 

“Charlie, don-”

He wasn’t quick enough to swat his sister’s hand away as she pulled up the hem of the gown exposing Billy’s bare feet, his toes curling as Charlie delicately gripped his tiny left foot in her hand. 

“Mack.” 

“Don’t let Colleen see,” he hissed, swatting her hand away and draping the gown back over Billy’s feet. “You know he just tugs socks off, and she gets weird when he doesn’t have anything on his feet.” 

“You couldn’t get him to keep his socks on for what, like an hour?” 

Mack leveled his sister with a look that she paid no attention to as she cooed at Billy. “It’s not worth the meltdown. No one’s gonna know. Right?” 

She shrugged, “sure, Macky.” 

“Everything alright?” Will asked, turning away from his conversation with Grace. 

“Yeah, Charlie’s just being annoying.” 

He grunted at the sharp elbow to his ribs and adjusted Billy slightly before he gave Charlie one back. “I’m holding my baby.” 

“And I didn’t elbow the baby.” 

“Macky.” 

The hand Will had rested on the back of the pew curled around his shoulder and gave him a quick squeeze, getting his attention before Will tilted his head down the pew towards his mother. Shit. Message received. 

With one final glare sent his sister’s way, he settled back into the pew. Ahead of them, there was already stuff set up for what Mack assumed was for the service. Will had gone over it with him a couple times now, so he knew what to expect. The priest would come in, say a few prayers and then they’d go up to the stone font that Mack thought looked like a fancy bird bath, already full of water. That’s when Billy would get the water poured over his head and it would basically be over from there. 

A few minutes later, a side door near the altar opened and an older priest stepped out. A hush falling over the church as the man greeted the congregation, which was mostly comprised of Smiths. He began with a few opening prayers, his voice carrying across the high ceilings. It wasn’t long before Will nudged his knee and he sat up straighter as the priest approached them. 

“Good morning,” he said warmly, a soft smile on his face as he looked at Billy. “What name have you given your child?” 

Will straightened beside him. “William Charles Patrick Celebrini-Smith IV.” 

“Or just Billy,” Mack said. “Less of a mouthful.” 

There was a soft patter of laughter throughout the church as the priest’s smile grew. “A strong name, from a strong family. What do you ask of God’s Church for Billy?” 

“Baptism, Father,” Will answered. 

After that, Mack zoned out for a bit, just looking around the church and the people present before focusing back on Billy. He was just starting to get old enough where he just wanted to look at everything; his wide eyes flickering over from Charlie to Will to the stained glass windows behind the altar. It always brought a smile to Mack’s face, seeing how curious and interested Billy was becoming with the world. His tiny fingers gripped Mack’s finger tighter and he couldn’t help but press a kiss to his pink, chubby cheek.

There were a few more prayers that Will and his family seemed to know by heart, no stumbling over any of the words. He vaguely wondered if this was where he and Will would get married. It wouldn’t be the worst place in the world, and he knew that it would make Will happy to stand up at the altar with him. Saying vows and exchanging rings. Maybe by then, Billy would be walking and he’d be their ring bearer, toddling down between the pews eager to get to them in order to be held.

But that was getting a little ahead of things. One ceremony at a time. 

Will tapped his thigh and that was when Mack knew that it was time to stand up. Will guided him to the font, up close the carved ornate stone looked even more like a bird bath, but Mack knew better to voice those thoughts as Grace and Will Vote joined them with the priest. 

Mack hadn’t really cared much about who Billy's Godparents would be, or understood the meaning behind it, beyond like, the whole being there for Billy thing. No one in his family met the criteria for it, so he trusted Will to make that decision. 

The priest droned on, and Mack could tell that Billy’s patience was wearing thin, his little feet kicking out as he made tiny huffing and grunting sounds. Thankfully, all it took Will brushing a delicate hand over the crown of his head for Billy to look towards his dada and settle, big eyes locked in on Will. 

“I can take him,” Will said under his breath, hands reaching out. “See if that’ll help chill him out.” 

Mack easily handed Billy over, feeling his heart flutter at the way Will’s eyes softened the second Billy was settled into his arms. Their baby gave one grunt before his hand flailed out, latching onto Will’s hand on his belly. 

Things started moving pretty quick after that, with Mack following Will’s lead, on what to say and how to draw the sign of the cross over Billy’s forehead. Before he knew it, they were being guided over to the font and this was when he started prepping himself for a meltdown. Will had been trying to get Billy used to the water during bathtime, pouring little cupfulls of water over his head while cooing and telling him what a good job he was doing. 

They were about to see how well that prep was going to work. 

Carefully, Will tilted Billy back, holding him up over the font. His little face frowning at being held so far away from his dada. 

“You’re alright, little man,” Will soothed, smiling wide when Billy locked eyes with him. “You’re doing so good.” 

“William Charles Patrick Celebrini-Smith IV,” Father John began, dipping his hands into the basin. 

Billy grunted, wriggling in Will’s hands. 

“I baptize you in the name of the Father-” 

The first handful of water trickled over Billy’s curls, their baby letting out a startled whine.

“And of the Son-” 

Billy’s face soured, his arms flailing. 

“And of the Holy Spirit.” 

The final handful of water was dribbled over Billy’s head as he let out a loud, outraged squeal that caused a murmur of soft laughter and knowing coos. Even Father John looked amused as he handed Will a small cloth to dry Billy with. 

“I know, buddy,” Will murmured, lifting him back up to his chest, gently wiping at Billy’s head. “Worst thing that’s ever happened to you. But you did it, brave boy. Dada’s got you.” 

–

Mack leaned back in his lawn chair, watching no less than a dozen Smith cousins buzz around Colleen and Bill’s backyard. After a thousand photos, Will had finally managed to convince his mom that she had enough and given Mack the break he so desperately needed in the car ride back from the church. 

He was enjoying this rare moment to himself, no one hounding him, and Billy safely with Will across the yard, freshly changed out of his gown and into the pair of overalls with a lobster motif that Will had bought. 

Billy was half asleep against Will’s shoulder, his eyes fluttering as Will swayed back and forth, holding court with his great aunts and uncles. He looked like such a natural at it, even how he subtly shifted away when someone got too close, making sure that Billy wasn’t poked and prodded at by every well-meaning relative. Mack had offhandedly mentioned it on their way to the church, how he didn’t want Billy getting stressed out being passed around to everyone and risk getting sick. Will was taking his worry seriously. 

“Well that wasn’t too painful, was it, Macky?” His dad said, appearing out of nowhere to sit in the empty chair to Mack’s right. He had two beers in his hand and Mack raised a questioning brow when one was handed his way. 

“Take it,” his dad said with a look. “You’ve had a long day, and you still have another drive tonight, don’t you?” 

“Yeah,” Mack sighed, taking the bottle and swiping at the dripping condensation. “Bill and Colleen are letting us stay at their house in Cape Cod for a bit. We’re leaving once everyone’s gone.” 

Will promised him that the drive wouldn’t take that long, a little more than an hour if traffic was good. He was looking forward to a little vacation, just the three of them; their first as a family. He also knew that Will wanted Billy to see the Atlantic Ocean, to dip his little toes into like they’d done across the continent in Vancouver. 

The photo of Mack dipping Billy’s toes in the Pacific was currently Will’s background. Mack would have his matching one tomorrow. 

“Got everything you’ll need?” 

Mack twisted the top off his bottle and nodded, taking a long sip. “Yeah, Will’s got all the stuff packed, it just needs to be put in the car.” 

His dad nodded as he took his own drink, his eyes scanning across the yard until they stayed in one spot. Mack didn’t even need to check to know it was on Will and Billy. 

“He’s adjusted to everything well, hasn’t he?” 

Mack couldn’t help the smile on his face as he thought about how incredible Will had been; how incredible he was as a father. “Yeah, he’s been amazing.” 

His dad hummed as he tipped his beer back for another swig. 

For a moment, neither of them spoke, just watched Will across the yard. 

“You know I was a little worried.” 

Mack glanced over, his brow furrowed. “You said you were excited about Billy.”

“I was worried about how much you were giving up. You missed an entire season, and you’re still on track to miss part of this upcoming one. You’ve been recovering well, but you’re still not fully recovered.” He paused. “And I was a little worried about whether or not you’d have enough support.” 

Mack couldn’t help but frown. “Will’s always been there for me.” 

“I know that, Macky. But you’re both young. Will could’ve got cold feet. Or might not have been up for the challenge of raising a baby. Things happen.” His dad leaned back in his chair. “But, if Billy wakes up in the middle of the night, Will’s been the one getting up so you can stay in bed, he makes sure that you both have everything you need before himself. He’s stepped up, Macklin. He’s a good parent, you both are.” 

Something warm settled in his chest at his dad’s praise. He leaned over to rest his head against his dad’s shoulder. “Thanks, Dada.” 

Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket, at the same time his dad’s watch lit up. 

Time to feed Billy. 

There wasn’t even time for him to stand up before Will was already excusing himself and heading back across the yard, his hand spanning Billy’s back. 

“Bottle time for the baby lobster.” Lawbstah. 

“Give him here, Will,” his dad said, finishing off his beer and pushing himself out of his chair. “You’ve both had a long day, Robyn and I can take over for a bit.” 

Will blinked. “You don’t have to do that, Rick. I got it.” 

His dad waved his hand. “Let me spend time with my grandson while you sit down. C’mon.” 

Will knew better than to argue as he kissed Billy’s head and handed him over. Billy easily settled into his granddada’s arms. “Thank you.” 

“I’ll bring him back with a full belly,” his dad promised, already heading back inside.

“Thanks, Dada!” Mack called out, smiling when Will flopped into the empty chair, instantly tipping over to rest his head on Mack’s shoulder. 

“Tired?” 

Will grinned, “a little.” 

“Are you gonna be alright to drive? Or do you want me to?” 

Will snorted. “You wanna drive at night? To somewhere you’ve never been?” 

Mack nudged the shoulder Will was leaning on. “If you needed me to, yeah.” 

“I’ll be alright, thanks for offering, baby.” 

Will’s hand wiggled its way into Mack’s and squeezed. “We should get going soon, before it gets dark. I don’t really feel like unloading the car in the middle of the night.” 

He leaned over and pressed a kiss to the top of Will’s head. “After my parents are done feeding Billy and he’s asleep, then we can head out.” 

“Letting them do all the hard work is an incredible idea.” Will nodded his head in agreement. “But he’ll probably go down easy, it was a big day for him.”

“Big day for all of us.” 

“Yeah,” Will brought their joined hands up to press a kiss to his knuckles. “Thank you for today.”