xp_logs | Alex and Hank, Monday night (Reply)

Alex comes over to congratulate Hank on the baby and give him a present. They talk about the nusery and baby proofing and Hank even gets in another wedding crack.

Just having returned from the mall, Alex dropped of must of his purchases off in his and Lorna's suite then wandered down the hall to Hank's door. A rather large bag from the Disney store was in one hand while the other moved up to knock on the door.

Hank looked up from his coffee. A knock. That had been most definitely a knock. "Come in," he called, yawning. Ugh. Night shifts played merry hell with the sleep patterns. Still, there was Thursday to look forward to....

Alex peeked his head in before wandering into the room. He dropped the bag by the door and, careful of the coffee, practically tackled Hank with a hug. "Hi!"

Hank beamed, setting the coffee down and hugging back. "Hi. How's my blondest little brother?" he said affectionately.

"Coming to congratulate his bluest brother properly on his upcoming adoption! I'm so happy for you dude!" He stayed were he was in Hank's arms, but cocked his head back to look up at him. "The journal system is to impersonal." Alex nodded as if to prove his point

"It is." Hank smiled. "Although it does have its moments... like outing me as a prospective parent." He tickled Alex's side. "And you as a prospective uncle."

Squeaking, Alex pulled away. "See? I told you you would be a dad before me! And I can't wait to be an uncle!" His excitement was showing just a bit.

Hank laughed. "Yes, yes, you were right... by sheer coincidence, though!" He eyed the bag speculatively. "Is that a gift I see before me?"

"Oh right!" In his excitement, Alex had forgot one of the reasons for his visit. Going back over to the bag, he pulled out a large plush of Squirt the sea turtle from Finding Nemo, complete with Hawaiian flowers on his shell. He turned and handed it to Hank. "Present for the little squib."

"Oh, my..." Hank took the turtle, smiling. "This is... thank you, Alex. The baby's very first toy." He gave his adopted little brother another hug. "Thank you. It's just perfect."

Not expecting the praise for his gift, Alex blushed as he returned the hug. "I was out shopping and saw it at the store and thought of you and the baby..." He stopped and laughed softly. "I'm glad you like it."

"I do. It's wonderful." Hank beamed. "I have to start planning the nursery... Scott suggested green and yellow. The turtle will even match!"

"Oh bright colors! That's an awesome idea." Alex was already planning in his head other things he could get for the nursery, all Hawaiian themed of course.

"And blue and pink will work equally well." Hank smiled. "Scott offered to help with the repainting... care to make it a family affair? No wallpaper, though... he's not good with wallpaper."

"Only if I can add some Hawaiian flowers to the walls. I know where I can get some awesome stencils..." His thoughts drifted off again for a moment. "And I'm sure Shiro would paint a mural or something if I asked... It's going to be the best nursery ever, for what's going to be the most spoiled baby ever, if I know you right..." Alex winked playfully at Hank.

"I am not going to spoil it," Hank said with dignity. "I am going to raise it in accordance with the principles laid down by the greatest experts in child-rearing, and ensure that it is neither spoiled nor neglected, but raised with love and a suitable level of care." He paused and grinned. "Well, okay, I'll spoil it just a little."

Having raised an eyebrow at Hank's long speech about child care, Alex burst out laughing. "Thought so!"

Hank laughed. "Well, I 'm going to do my best... but yes, I'll probably be the most doting father in existence, at least until Nate's child is born." He poked Alex's stomach gently. "And you're going to be just as bad."

"Yes but I'm not going to be a father for a long time!" Alex stuck out his tongue at Hank "And if you don't spoil your kid, I will."

"You are going to be the most absurdly doting uncle around," Hank said fondly. "And when you're in Hawaii, I will email you hundreds of pictures."

"Damn straight I will be and you had better." Alex moved to hug Hank again. "You are going to be an awesome dad."

Hank returned the hug. "I'm going to do my best," he said, and then he grinned impishly. "So, you and Lorna... when ARE the wedding bells going to chime? Should I start shopping for tiny baby tuxedos?"

Jumping back, Alex hit Hank playfully on the shoulder. "Don't you start that again!" Even as he tried to look hurt, he couldn't stop the smile. "Lorna's too busy planning the food for Nate and Moria's wedding anyway to worry about another one..."

"I'm just kidding." Hank smiled. "But you two are far too sweet together. It's lucky I have a high tolerance." He shook his head, looking around. "Dear lord... I'm going to have to child-proof this place," he said, belatedly realizing it. "Everything off the floor, nothing that can be pulled down onto a little head or wrap around a small neck..."

: "We'll help you with that too. This place will be a baby haven when we're done!" Alex knew nothing about baby-proofing so he didn't see anything wrong with the room, but if Hank said so, he believed him.,

Hank nodded. "It will! I'll need more storage space, though." He grinned. "Shopping is definitely called for."

"Well, the baby's aunt is a shopaholic. I'll let you borrow Lorna for a day and you'll ever everything you ever needed!" Though the thought of Hank putting wedding idea in Lorna's head slightly frightened him

Hank beamed. "And she'll like my choice of green for the decorating scheme. Eeeexcellent," he purred, in his best Evil Genius voice. "It's alllll coming together."

That just made Alex giggle. "Yep, you are going to be one great dad..."