chapter 82: I'll be the best big brother
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Chapter 82 – Liam's POV
"I'll Be the Best Big Brother"
Before, the baby was just something Mom and Dad talked about a lot.
She had a growing belly, she ate weird things, and she cried during commercials — even the ones with happy endings.
But after today?
After I saw the baby on the screen, moving like a little fish inside her tummy?
Everything changed.
The baby was real now.
Not just real — mine.
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"Do you think the baby saw me wave?" I asked Dad on the way home.
"I'm not sure," he said, glancing at me in the rearview mirror, "but if the baby did, they probably waved back with their tiny hand."
That made me smile. I looked over at Mom, who was sitting in the front seat with one hand resting on her belly. Her face was tired, but there was something different about it too. She looked… peaceful. Happy. Like a sunshine cloud.
I reached forward and poked her shoulder. "Did you hear the heartbeat too?"
She nodded, her eyes still watery. "It's the most beautiful sound in the world."
"It sounded like a superhero heartbeat," I said proudly.
Dad laughed. "Definitely a superhero baby."
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When we got home, I didn't even want to play video games like I usually did. I followed Mom everywhere she went, asking about the baby.
"Do you think it's a boy or a girl?"
"Can babies hear inside your tummy?"
"Will it have my nose or your eyes?"
Finally, Mom sat on the couch and pulled me beside her. Her arms wrapped around me in that warm, soft way I loved so much.
"You have so many questions," she said, brushing my hair back.
"I just want to know everything," I whispered. "I want to be ready."
She tilted her head. "Ready for what?"
"To be a big brother."
Her eyes softened. "You already are."
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I didn't know how to explain it, but something in me had changed.
Ever since I saw the baby squirming on the screen, something inside my chest felt… bigger. Like my heart had grown.
It wasn't just about me anymore.
It was about us — me and the baby.
I wanted to protect them.
To teach them things.
To make them laugh.
Just like Dad did for me.
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That night, after Mom fell asleep, I tiptoed into her room and stood next to her. Her belly moved a little — maybe she was breathing, maybe the baby was doing flips again.
I placed my hand gently on it.
"Hi," I whispered, just in case the baby was listening. "It's me, Liam. I'm your big brother."
The room was quiet, the only sound was the humming of the air conditioner.
"I saw you today," I said softly. "You looked like a little space alien. But don't worry — I think that's normal."
I giggled a little, then sat down on the edge of the bed.
"I want you to know something," I whispered, leaning closer. "You don't have to be scared. I'll be here. Always."
Mom stirred slightly but didn't wake. She just turned a little, pulling a pillow closer to her.
I smiled and slipped back to my room, feeling like I'd just made a secret promise.
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The next day, I started preparing.
I took all my stuffed animals and lined them up on my bed. "You guys are going to have a new roommate soon," I told them. "So no scaring the baby."
I even pulled out some of my old baby books. I couldn't really read the big words yet, but I looked at the pictures. I wanted to know what babies needed, how to burp them, and what not to do — like putting stickers on their heads (which I apparently did to myself as a baby).
Then I made a list:
Liam's Baby Plan
1. Always share toys (even the dinosaur ones).
2. Make sure Mom drinks her juice.
3. Talk to the baby every day.
4. Ask Dad to teach me lullabies.
5. Never let the baby feel alone.
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Later that afternoon, I sat on the rug in the living room while Mom folded laundry. I reached for one of her soft maternity shirts and held it up.
"This looks like a tent now," I said with a grin.
Mom laughed. "I know. Everything's getting bigger."
"Even the baby?"
"Especially the baby."
"Can I feel?"
She nodded and leaned back on the couch. I scooted over, placing both hands carefully on her belly like a doctor.
"She feels like a balloon."
"He," she teased. "What if it's a boy?"
I shrugged. "Then I'll share my Legos."
She smiled. "What if it's a girl?"
"Then I'll teach her how to build a rocket ship."
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Dad came in from work just then, loosening his tie and tossing his keys in the bowl.
"Welcome home!" I shouted, running to hug him.
"Someone's excited."
I looked up proudly. "We're training for baby duty."
He raised a brow. "We?"
"Yep. I'm gonna be the best big brother ever."
Dad lifted me up with a groan. "I don't doubt it for a second."
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That evening, I took one of my favorite picture books and sat cross-legged beside Mom on the bed.
"I'm reading to the baby now," I said seriously.
Mom handed me the book. "Go for it, Dr. Liam."
I opened it and began reading the best I could, sounding out the words I didn't know. Mom smiled the whole time, her hand gently resting on her belly.
When I finished, I leaned close and whispered, "Sleep tight, little bean."
That's what I started calling the baby — Little Bean.
Because even though they were small now… I knew they were going to grow into someone amazing.
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