My Baby Daddy Isn’t Human

Raelynn crouched down slowly, her gaze softening as she tried to meet the little boy's tearful eyes. His small frame trembled as he clutched a stuffed animal against his chest, his cheeks red and wet from crying. She gave him a warm smile, her voice soft as she asked, "Hey there, what's wrong? Did you lose your mommy and daddy?"

The boy sniffled, his little hand coming up to rub at his eyes as he nodded. "I… I can't find them," he whispered, his voice shaking

"Oh no," Raelynn murmured sympathetically, reaching out to pat his shoulder. "That must be so scary. Don't worry, though. We'll find them together, okay?" She stood and held out her hand, waiting for him to take it. "Come on, let's go look for them."

As the boy hesitantly slipped his small hand into hers, Elion's voice cut through the moment. "You've got to be kidding me."

Raelynn glanced back at him with a raised brow. "What?"

Elion crossed his arms and frowned. "You really want to wander around the hospital looking for his parents?"

"What else are we supposed to do, Elion? Leave him here to fend for himself?" Raelynn asked, her tone sharper now. "What if some bad person comes along and takes him?" As if to emphasize her point, she pulled the little boy closer, wrapping her free arm protectively around him. Her eyes challenged Elion as if daring him to argue.

Elion sighed, rubbing his temple. "Just take him to the information center. Someone will come to claim him."

Raelynn shrugged, her grip on the boy's hand firm. "Sure, that's an option, but it's not my first choice. Let's go," she said and tugged the boy gently forward.

The boy hesitated, tugging back against her hand. "Carry me," he said, lifting his arms with a pleading expression.

Raelynn's expression softened further. "Alright, sweetheart," she said, quickly bending down to scoop him into her arms. The boy settled against her shoulder, sniffling softly as he clung to her.

"Promise we'll find them?" the boy whispered, holding out his pinky finger.

Raelynn chuckled, linking her pinky with his. "I promise."

She started to walk, the boy nestled against her, but after only a few steps, she paused and looked over her shoulder at Elion. "Well? Are you coming?"

Elion sighed like he'd had enough but finally uncrossed his arms and followed. "You're impossible," he muttered under his breath.

They wandered through the quiet hospital corridors, Raelynn doing her best to keep the boy comfortable. But as time wore on, the weight of the child began to take its toll. She adjusted him awkwardly, shifting him from one arm to the other, her steps growing slower. Finally, Elion stepped forward with a grumble. "Give him here."

"What?" Raelynn asked, slightly breathless.

Elion didn't wait for her to argue. He plucked the boy from her arms with surprising gentleness and settled him onto his broad shoulders in a piggyback ride. The boy squealed with delight, his small hands gripping Elion's hair for balance.

"You don't have to—" Raelynn started.

"Stop reading into things," Elion interrupted. "I just don't want you getting too tired. It's bad for you, and worse for the baby if you drop him or something."

Raelynn gave him a faint smile, her hand brushing against the boy's leg as if to reassure herself he was secure. "Thank you," she said softly.

Elion didn't respond, but the stiffness in his shoulders seemed to ease as they continued walking.

Eventually, they reached the hospital's information center. Raelynn approached the desk, explaining the situation to the staff member behind it. The little boy, perched on Elion's shoulders, was distracted by the stuffed animal in his hands, occasionally tugging on Elion's hair. Despite the boy's antics, Elion remained stoic, showing no sign of irritation.

As they waited for the boy's parents to be contacted, Raelynn turned her attention to the child. "Do you like funny faces?" she asked, leaning in closer.

The boy nodded shyly, his tears forgotten. Raelynn grinned and began to scrunch up her face, puffing out her cheeks and crossing her eyes. The boy giggled, his tiny hands reaching out to touch her cheeks as he laughed.

Elion glanced down at her, one eyebrow raised. "Is this really necessary?"

Raelynn stuck her tongue out at him, making the boy laugh harder. "Laughter is the best medicine," she quipped.

The little boy's giggles turned into a delighted squeal as he began bouncing on Elion's shoulders, tugging harder on his hair. Elion's expression didn't change, though his hair was now a wild mess.

Raelynn stifled a laugh as she reached up to smooth his disheveled hair. "You've got a new look," she teased, brushing her fingers through the tousled strands.

Before Elion could respond, the sound of hurried footsteps drew their attention. A couple came rushing into the information center, their faces etched with relief. "Oh, thank God!" the woman exclaimed, tears streaming down her face as she spotted the boy.

"Mommy! Daddy!" the boy shouted, bouncing excitedly on Elion's shoulders.

Elion lifted the boy down and handed him to his father, who scooped him up into a tight embrace. The parents kissed their son's cheeks, their gratitude evident in every gesture.

"Thank you so much," the father said, his voice thick with emotion. "We don't know what we would've done if something had happened to him."

"It's no trouble," Raelynn replied with a warm smile. She stepped back slightly, still holding onto Elion's arm lightly for balance.

The mother beamed at them. "You two are such a lovely couple," she said earnestly.

Raelynn froze, her hand still resting on Elion's arm. Her cheeks turned pink as she quickly withdrew her hand. "Oh, we're not—" she began, but the parents had already turned their attention back to their son.

Elion glanced at her, his expression hard to read, but there was the tiny twitch at the corner of his mouth. Raelynn looked away, busying herself with brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Well, Elion wasn't as bad as she thought...