Josh was sitting at his computer when Jenna called the next Tuesday afternoon. He answered it and put it on speaker as he was typing up a list of things he'd need to do before he and Tyler left for California on Friday. "Hello?"

"Um... I have a situation," she spoke quickly.

"Are you okay?" Josh asked instantly.

"Yeah I'm fine. Jake's mom was hanging stuff up and fell off a ladder and broke her ankle. She's fine but she's in the hospital and Jake wants to go see her and obviously I should go," she paused. "My usual babysitter is busy and I was wondering if you could watch the kids for a couple hours."

"Yeah, of course," Josh instantly agreed. "When?"

"How soon can you leave work?"

"Probably like twenty minutes if you let me finish what I'm doing now."

"Could you come then?" She asked.

"Yeah. That should work," he paused. "Can I bring Tyler? If he wants to come that is."

"Um..." Jenna hesitated. "I don't know. Will that distract you from the kids?"

"No," Josh assured. "They'll be my number one priority like always."

"I don't know..." she sighed. "I get weird vibes from him."

Josh scoffed. "You're literally the one who told me to ask him out, Jenna."

"That was before I met him! He just gives me a strange feeling. Plus I've had one conversation with him I don't really want him alone with my kids when I don't know him."

"Well I like him a lot and I know he's a good person," Josh defended his boyfriend. "And if he's not then like I said your children are my number one priority. Please? I won't let anything happen."

It was silent for a moment before Jenna groaned. "Fine! Fine. But it's only because I trust you. I don't trust him."

Josh smiled. "Thanks, Jenna. We'll be there soon."

"You better."

---

Josh parked in Jenna's driveway and looked at Tyler. The brunette was staring anxiously at the house. "Are you okay, baby?" Josh asked him.

Tyler looked over at him. "Uh, yeah," he nodded. "I'm just... kids aren't my thing."

"You didn't have to come," Josh told him. "I can take you back home if you want?"

"No," Tyler insisted. "It's fine."

Josh nodded and got out, Tyler following him as they went up to the door. Instead of knocking, Josh just walked in like he usually did.

Josh's eyes widened when he saw how chaotic his friend's house was. It was a disaster and there were toys and messes everywhere. Emerson was sitting in his play pen and contently playing with toys but Hallie was running around with a blanket tied around her neck like a cape.

She saw Josh was there and ran to him. "Uncle Josh!"

He laughed and bent down, holding his arms up. When she reached him he scooped her up and stood up, holding her tight to his chest. "Hey, angel," he smiled.

She looked at Tyler with wide blue eyes and Tyler stared back. "Who's this?" She asked Josh.

"This is Tyler. We're dating," he explained. "This is Hallie," he turned to Tyler who looked uncomfortable.

"Hi," Hallie smiled and waved. He waved back. She turned to Josh. "I didn't know boys could date boys."

"They can," he nodded. "And girls can date girls."

"That's so cool!" She gasped. "Did you know Mommy and Daddy are leaving?" She began as Josh set her on the ground. "Grandma got hurt so they're gonna go see her in the 'spital. Daddy's already there."

"I heard," Josh replied, taking Tyler's hand and leading him over to the couch and gesturing for him to sit down after he moved a stuffed elephant out of the way.

Jenna walked into the living room with a stressed look on her face. She went over to Hallie and kissed her forehead before bending down and kissing Emerson's. "Thanks for coming. I'll let you know a more sure time we'll be back but it won't be any later than eight because that's when visiting hours are over."

It was only four and Josh could handle her kids until then. He's taken them for the weekend before. "Alright. Tell Jake I said hi."

"Will do," she walked towards the door. "Bye guys, love you."

"Bye, Mommy!" Hallie said excitedly, climbing on the couch and plopping down on Josh's lap.

Jenna smiled before leaving the house, shutting the door behind her.

And that's when things got worse.

Emerson instantly burst into tears, wailing loudly. Tyler had a panicked look on his face and Josh had to stifle a laugh. He gave Tyler a quick kiss before walking over to the play pen. He took his suit jacket and tie off and set them on the couch and then picked Emerson up. "What's up, little guy?"

He only continued to cry, burying his face into Josh's chest as he yelled. "Is he okay?" Tyler asked. It was very evident he was trying not to freak out.

"Yeah," Josh assured, rocking back and forth slightly. "He just gets separation anxiety whenever Jenna leaves," he explained, rubbing Emerson's back. "Usually if I go rock him in his chair he's alright. Can you keep and eye on Hallie while I go calm him down or do you want her to come with me?"

Tyler blinked. "Uh..."

"You should stay here, Tyler!" Hallie said excitedly. "I can show you my dollhouse," she pointed to the mentioned toy that was resting over by the bookshelf.

"Great, I'll be right back," Josh told them before walking down the hall into Emerson's room to use the rocking chair.

He sat down and held the ten month old to his chest, beginning to rock him back and forth. Emerson grabbed ahold of Josh's pointer finger and held onto it while he Josh rubbed his back.

Josh glanced around the room, taking in all the decor Jenna had set up. His heart swelled when he saw the picture of him holding Emerson for the first time when he was first born.

Josh had never thought about having kids but he wasn't opposed to them. He was getting relatively old and he's only been in a handful of relationships so obviously he wasn't ready to have a kid. He wouldn't mind being a dad some day, the thought warmed his heart, but he just didn't think it was in the cards for him.

A few minutes later, Emerson stopped crying. He hadn't fallen asleep but his cries turned into whines and then he began babbling to himself. Josh smiled, setting the child on his lap. "Hey there, buddy," he smiled. "You better?"

He whined and made grabby hands at Josh and the blonde chuckled. "Let's go play," he held Emerson and got up, carrying him to the living room.

He was almost there when he stopped, hearing conversation.

"This is my princess doll. I named her Hallie 'cause that's my name and I wanna be a princess," he heard Hallie say.

"I wanted to be a princess when I was little too," he heard Tyler reply.

"You're a boy you can't be a princess, silly!"

"Oh yes I can," Tyler challenged. "Did you know I wear makeup sometimes?"

"You do?" Hallie asked in amazement.

"Mhm. I like mascara— the black stuff you put on your eyelashes —and sometimes lip gloss. It makes my lips look pretty and that makes all the boys want to kiss me."

Josh heard Hallie giggle. "But the only boy you should be kissing is Josh, right?"

"Right," Tyler agreed instantly, making Josh smile. "So I can be a princess if I want to be. It doesn't mean I'm a girl. Boys can be feminine and girls can be masculine. That's okay. You can do what you want to make yourself happy."

"I like that Josh is dating you. You're very nice," she hummed. "Are you guys gonna get married like my mommy and daddy?"

That's when Josh shut it down. "Hey, I'm back," he sat on the ground and put Emerson in front of him. "What were you talking about?"

"How Hallie's the second prettiest princess," Tyler informed.

The three year old gasped. "Who's the first?"

Tyler cracked a smile. "I am, of course."

Josh just shook his head with a laugh.

Tyler was definitely someone he wanted to keep around as long as he could.