Olly still wasn't better by Thursday and Ryan needed to go back to work. As much as he loved Oliver, sitting around like this, watching the same movie over and over again to keep his kid quiet and not doing anything was slowly driving him mad. He hadn't been at work since Tuesday and he really wanted to go back.

'Will, I love my son but I can't be at home anymore. I'm going stir crazy. Please let me come back to work.' Ryan protested. He was sitting on the couch, watching Oliver play on the mat with blocks. His nose was runny and Ryan didn't even bother wiping it up right now. He probably should've but he was a little bit preoccupied.

'Well, you can't really come back to work until Olly is 100% better. You promised me, asshole.' Will said and Ryan could hear loud noises in the background, like tables sliding on the ground.

'What the fuck are you doing? Why can't I come back now? Olly's almost better. He's just a little bit sniffly.' Ryan protested. It wasn't a complete lie. Oliver was almost better. He was still a little sick.

'It's a surprise, Ryan,' Will stopped talking and the sound of scraping came through the phone and Ryan cringed. He hated the sound of metal on flooring being dragged. It physically hurt him. 'How about you and Oliver come in for lunch today? I could do with some company for a change.' Will mumbled and Ryan nodded even though Will couldn't see him. Suddenly Oliver jerked and let out a sneeze before looking up at Ryan.

'Sounds like a plan. I've got to go Will. Olly's just sneezed and well, it's not good. Bye.' Ryan hung up and placed his phone down, sighing slightly. Oliver's bottom lip was trembling and Ryan's heart tugged in his chest. Olly still wasn't better and Ryan honestly felt a little guilty for wishing he could go back to work. He should be enjoying his time with his baby.

'Oh Oliver...' Ryan slid down the couch until he was crouched in front of Oliver. Olly sniffled and his brown eyes were glassy with unshed tears. With a small frown, Ryan used his sleeve to wipe up Olly's nose and picked the kid up, resting him on his hip.

He stood up again, stumbling slightly and rang his mum, worried. Eventually she picked up.

'Ryan? What's up, honey?' She asked, concern laced in her tone. Ryan rested his phone between his shoulder and ear and used his now spare hand to rub at Olly's head.

'Olly's slowly getting better but I wanted to go out and take him to the park. Is that okay? That wouldn't make him worse?' Ryan asked.

'He should be fine. Take his medicine and a spare change of clothes and his bag. He'll be okay. If he gets worse taken him back to the doctors. Just be careful about what he does. Keep him away from water, definitely. I've got to get back to work. Love you.' She reassured him and Ryan just nodded.

'Okay. Bye mum. Love you.' He hung up and glanced around his lounge room. Toys were scattered all of the room, the TV playing the start screen of Cat in the Hat. The couches had plastic covering to keep them in pristine condition and away from Olly's mouth and grubby hands.

He carried Oliver to his bedroom, rubbing his back slightly. He opened the door and set the child down on the change table before rummaging through the cupboard for clothes.

Ryan stopped and sighed. He loved being a parent. If you gave him the option of changing his life to something else, he'd decline. He just hated how hard it was to raise the kid on his own. Sure, he had his parents to help him but he didn't have a partner by his side. He was a one man band. He wished Z wanted to raise him as well.

Eventually, Ryan found the onesie that always calmed Oliver down, no matter what. A smug smile tugged at his mouth as he quickly changed Olly's clothes. Z would never be able to do this. She'd freak out.

Because yeah, as much Ryan wished Elizabeth was helping him, he knew how much of a terrible mother she'd be. Maybe in a few years, sure. She'd be a good parent but right now, she'd be terrible. She wasn't cut out for parenting currently. Besides, she had no idea how Oliver worked and what made him happy or upset him.

'Okay, buddy. Wanna go see Uncle Will or play on the swings?' He cooed and Oliver just kicked his legs and smiled. Spit bubbles poured out of Olly's mouth and Ryan just giggled. Oliver was by far the cutest being he'd ever seen.

'Okay. Let's go.' Ryan lifted Oliver up with a small grunt and grabbed his messenger back that had all of Olly's stuff in it.

*-*-*-

Ryan was pushing Olly in his stroller and had an earbud in, listening to music. Oliver was quiet except for the little exclaims of delight every time a dog barked and the little babbled of incoherent words came out of his mouth. Ryan could see Oliver's little, fat legs kicking underneath the shade and it made him smile. His kid was so cute.

Ryan stopped at the park and the half words coming from Oliver's mouth rose in pitch and he made grabby hands at the swings. Ryan crouched in front of Oliver, hands on the child's knees.

'Do you want to go on the swings?' Ryan asked and Oliver nodded excitedly. 'No, speak to me, Olly and then we'll go play, okay?'

Oliver mumbled something that sounded very similar to, 'I want to play on the swings' but syllables were missing. Ryan unbuckled the belt and stepped back as Oliver jumped out of the seat and started running, or what Ryan guessed was running, over to the free swing. He pulled himself up onto the swing and held onto the chain. He swung his legs impatiently and scowled slightly as he waited for his father.

Ryan laughed and pushed the stroller over to the swing before standing behind his son. He quickly did the buckles up and started pushing Olly slowly, the toddler squealing in delight and yelling faster in baby language.

'It's not often that you see guys who love to play with their kids without their mother around.' Ryan jumped a little and looked to his left to see a lady with blonde hair and a baby on her hip.

'Really?' Ryan asked and looked back down at Oliver with a small frown. His son was now pushing himself and yelling.

'No. It's lovely. I'm Lindsey and this is Bandit.' She pointed to her baby then stuck her free hand out and Ryan shook it.

'Ryan. This is Oliver.' Olly piped up at his name and tried to turn around in his seat to look back at them. Ryan smiled and started pushing him again.

'How old is he?'

'He's three. Four in a few months.' Ryan said and Lindsey nodded and bounced Bandit on her hip.

'Bandit's almost one. How time flies, am I right?' She smiled and all Ryan could do was nod.

'Yeah...' He trailed off and turned back to Oliver with a small smile on his face. Lindsey was right. How time did fly. As cliché as it was, it seemed like yesterday that Oliver was born.

Elizabeth was squeezing his hand so tightly his fingers were tinted purple. She was shouting profanities at him and her hair was plastered to her neck and face with sweat. Her cheeks were tinted a bright red.

The room looked like a murder scene. Doctors were crowded around her and telling her what to do and Ryan was scared and excited at the thought of being a parent. He didn't know how to raise a child but he knew that with the help of his parents as Z, he'd do an okay job.

'Ryan, I'm going to chop-' Elizabeth was cut off by the sound of a small cry and a the biggest grin spread across her face and her grip slackened. She let Ryan's hand go and the nurse standing at the end of Z's bed was now holding a little red and white body and Ryan's fears increased.

'It's a healthy baby boy!' She exclaimed, smiling and Z's smile grew. She stared up at Ryan, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears.

What if I hurt the baby? Or accidentally kill it? Oh god what if I'm a terrible parent? He began to panic and just stared at the nurse as she cleaned off the baby.

Once he was clean, the nurse handed him to Elizabeth and stared down at her newborn.

'Hey, Oliver.' She whispered and Ryan placed his hand on Z's shoulder, smiling and his heart was beating fast. He could hear the pounding in his ears.

'You did it, Z. I'm proud of you.' He whispered and kissed Z's sweaty head.

'So...' Lindsey trailed off. Her voice made Ryan jump slightly.

'I'm gay, Lindsey.' He said bluntly and she frowned.

'Oh. I didn't...' She turned on her heels quickly and began walking away. Ryan sighed and Oliver began squirming in the chair. He pointed at the climbing frame and slide, mumbling and whining at Ryan.

'Okay buddy, let's go.' Ryan leaned down and unbuckled the belt. Oliver was quick and jumped out of the seat before running to the slide. Ryan grinned and followed after him, trailing the stroller behind him.

*-*-*-

Ryan spent another hour or so at the park, waiting for Oliver to tire himself out and he eventually did, complaining that he was tired. When Ryan said for him to climb back in the stroller and that they'd go and see Uncle Will, Olly happily obliged and got in without a fuss, waiting for Ryan to buckle him in.

It was roughly one in the afternoon by the time they left the park and headed to Will's café. Oliver was fast asleep in the stroller and Ryan was listening to music.

Whenever Oliver was passed out or quiet, Ryan couldn't help but think about what his life would be like without his kid or if he never met Elizabeth.

Maybe he would've gone to college and studied literature or art. Maybe he would be happily living in a shitty apartment with his boyfriend. Maybe he would've been in a band with someone. He didn't know.

And as much as he wished he could find out, he was happy with Oliver and being a dad with a troubled partner who was supposed to help him raise his son. Instead, she was partying and modelling and having the time of her life with her asshole boyfriend.

Ryan had only met him once when he went to drop Oliver off at Z's house. He answered the door and if looks could kill, Ryan would be a little puddle of ash.

'Oh, so you're the dickhead who knocked my girlfriend up?' He had sneered and all Ryan could do was stare and protectively hold Oliver away from him.

Eventually, Elizabeth came to the door and if she had heard what her boyfriend said, she didn't say anything, just took Oliver and his stuff from Ryan's hands before slamming the door shut. Ryan had never been more offended than in that moment.

The bell chimed when Ryan pushed the stroller into the café and looked around. Luckily, there weren't many people there. The guy in the business suit who came in the other day was sat in a booth and a couple sat at a table. Plus a few people scattered around the shop. That was it.

Ryan pushed the stroller over to a table closer to the counter so he could talk to Will. Will came out the door that led to the store room and laughed when he saw Ryan.

'Didn't think you'd show your face.' He joked and Ryan flipped him off, making sure Oliver didn't see.

'Funny.' Ryan rolled his eyes and sat Oliver in the chair beside him. Will told Hayley, one of their co-workers to look after the register while he sat and talked to Ryan.

'Also, bring out a chocolate milkshake and a caramel milkshake. Plus a colouring book and pens.' He shouted and stripped off the apron. He sat down in the chair next to Olly.

'Will!' Oliver chanted over and over again, the word coming out funny. Will had the biggest grin on his face as Oliver reached out, making grabby hands at Will.

'Hey buddy, pal. How's your day been?' He asked the toddler and Olly launched into a tale about his day. Of course Will didn't get what Oliver was saying due to the fact that he was still learning how to talk. Still, Will nodded and acted like he understood.

'So, Ryan, how's your day been?' Will asked once Oliver was done. Hayley showed up and handed Oliver the colouring book and pens to Oliver with a smile and placed the milkshakes down on the table before leaving.

'I got hit on by a girl. I don't think she was pleased. But it was to talk to another parent.' He said, keeping his eyes on Olly who talked to himself quietly and coloured in.

'That's nice dude. Are you coming to Linda and Spence's wedding?' Will asked.

'I don't know. I should go since I am Spencer's best man but, I don't have anyone to look after Olly that weekend.' Ryan sighed.

'Get your parents to do it. Or Elizabeth. He's her kid.' Will spat Elizabeth's name with such venom it made Ryan laugh.

'I'll ask. If I can't get anyone to look after him, I probably won't go.' Ryan admitted and Will patted Ryan's shoulder.

'Your parents will gladly look after him, Ryan. They adore your kid.' Will said and Ryan nodded, taking a sip out of his caramel milkshake. Oliver looked up and asked to have some and Ryan just handed him the straw. 

___

Hey guys !!

How are you all? 

I'm on holidays and I'm heading to Brisbane in three days !! I get to meet my internet friend again !!

Votes, comments and feedback are always welcome !

Xo, Riley