117: Baby Fever and Security Protocols

                                    

                                          

I decided to stay back at Alexandria while Daryl took the twins to Oceanside for training day. I would've gone too, but I felt like I needed to stay for Siddiq. I've been lying saying that me staying has something to do with Siddiq and Rosita's new baby, Socorro Espinosa. We just call her Coco.
The real reason I stayed though is because of Siddiq's PTSD. It's gotten worse. Avalon is dealing with the same thing. She screams almost every night from another nightmare. Avalon is with her father and twin right now, so I know they can help her. But Siddiq, he needs me.
After Coco was born three men stepped forward to help Rosita with the baby. Obviously Siddiq because he is Coco's father. Then there is Gabriel who is in the same situation as me. We're both in relationships with one of Coco's parents. And then there's Eugene. His crush on Rosita has inspired him to make a baby chart for the 'sake of Coco'. I simply just scoffed at his chart since I had two babies, and I didn't need a damn chart to tell me they were okay.
Wait sorry I did say chart didn't I? It's actually several charts. He has charts for everything. How much weight she's gained. How much she's grown. How long she sleeps during her naps. What temperature to make her bottle and how long to heat it up for. And even how many poops Coco takes in a day. I'm glad Eugene didn't put this much effort into the twins health. He would've drove me crazy. Like he's kinda doing now.
Siddiq and I are standing in front of these charts while I hold onto sweet baby Coco. I remember when the twins were this little. I kinda miss it. Sometimes I think I want another baby, but then I remember pregnancy and say 'Fuck that'.
"Five minutes and sixteen seconds." Eugene was describing to us how long to heat up Coco's bottles. "Not more. Not less."
Siddiq laughed immediately at Eugene's words before replying. "So if I were to heat the milk up for, like, five minutes and eighteen seconds-"
"I have rigged the kitchen timer to go off at precisely five and sixteen, so such a scenario will not come to pass." Eugene cut Siddiq off and I couldn't help but laugh. It's nice that he cares about Coco but he needs to back off a little. 
"We could just ignore the timer." I shrugged while looking at Siddiq with his daughter cooing in my arms.
"I would not advise that." Eugene stated before continuing to lecture us on how to care for a baby. As if I didn't have two of my own and helped raise Judith, Maisie, and Gracie. I used to know nothing about being a mother. But now it's like I'm the mother hen of Alexandria. "Furthermore, I've taken the liberty of charting her feedings and diaper changes. She is very regular. Congratulations."
Rosita and Gabe finally joined us in the living room. Rosita had been in another room trying to burn off the rest of her baby fat while Gabriel spoke to Oceanside with the radio in their spare room. I set those up with Eugene. Now we can communicate with all of our communities without actually having to travel there. 
"Eugene." Rosita spoke in an irritated tone. "She's a baby, not a science experiment. You can't boil people down to charts and graphs."
"Yeah, I'd say the twins did just fine without charts. " I commented.
"No," Siddiq slightly chuckled. "You know what? I'll take it. Might not use it all or, like, any of it. But thanks."
That was a nice way of telling Eugene to shove the charts up his ass. 
"You know, ever since everyone got those damn radio setups, Eugene, Nora..." Rosita looked at us in an accusatory way while nodding her head at Gabriel. "This one's been doing nothing but talking." She then looked at her boyfriend. "You gotta move that thing out of the house."