Not like him
Dinah was relaxing on the couch with a lovely cup of tea and one of her favourite books. Turbo had taken Tank into their bedroom and was playing with her, giving Dinah a nice break. Between recovering from giving birth, learning how to be a new mom, and caring for a baby that seemed to always know exactly when she was just about to fall asleep, she really hadn’t had much time to herself. That’s not even mentioning her husband.
Turbo seemed to be having a bit of a difficult time adjusting to fatherhood, but damn he was trying. He was more than happy to help her with things, like changing her diapers or feeding her a bottle but… the best way Dinah could explain it was, it’s like he’s afraid to be alone with Tank. He really doesn’t pick her up unless he has to, invites Mama or one of Dinah’s coach friends whenever Dinah had to leave the house, and he always looked so awkward when he tried to play with her. Like he didn’t know what to do, which is odd because Dinah learned pretty quickly entering a baby is probably the easiest thing she’s ever done.
So Dinah was taken by surprise when Turbo offered to sit with Tank for awhile. She hoped it meant his fatherly instincts were starting to kick in. Unfortunately her peace was broken by a shout from their bedroom. Dinah jumped up and rolled over to their bedroom, nothing could have prepared her for what she found when she peered inside.
Turbo was standing at the edge of the bed his eyes wide with panic, it appears Tank had crawled off the bed and got stuck upside down between the wall and the nightstand. Her little legs were kicking in the air but she wasn’t crying. Dinah quickly rushed over and scooped up her girl, the kid’s face was more surprised than upset. Though she smiled wildly when she saw her mom. She then quickly turned to her husband and gently set a hand on his shoulder. Slowly he relaxed as they both sat back down. Tank plopped back on her belly and crawled over to her dad. Though Turbo looked uncomfortable as the child tried to get her father’s attention.
”Sweetheart, look at her, she’s okay.”Dinah said softly “She’s not crying or upset, look she wants you to hold her.”
”Maybe you should do it Dinah, she always cries when I pick her up.” He said bashfully. Dinah noticed his hands were shaking.
”It’s because she knows you’re scared honey.” Dinah gave Greaseball a knowing look. She’d been waiting for an opportunity to have this conversation with him, it just never came up, until now.
”What? I’m not scared of a baby Dinah!” Turbo reacted defensively.
”I know love, I don’t think you’re scared of her, you’re scared FOR her.” She said, scooping up their baby so she wouldn’t fall off the bed again. “Sweetheart babies are like sponges, they soak up whatever they touch. When she touches you she soaks up fear.”
”Well… it’s just… I… I don’t know how to handle a baby.” Turbo admitted, unable to meet Dinah’s gaze “I’ve never really been around em before, I thought I could handle it but… yeah Dinah, I’m scared. I’m sacred that I’m a bad dad!”
”Aww sweetie.” Dinah said pulling her husband in for a gentle kiss on the cheek. “Do you know how I know you’re not a bad dad?” Turbo looked at Dinah bewildered. “A bad dad wouldn’t look that their kid the way you do. A bad dad wouldn’t care about hurting their kid or not.” Dinah gently took Turbo’s hands and gently set Tank in them. She Turbo tense a little so she didn’t let go, the baby still seemed happy. Her little hands reaching upwards. “From the first moment you looked at her, I could tell you loved her with every bolt in your body.” She saw Turbo starting to relax a little as she slowly pulled her hands away. “You’ve got a good heart Turbo, you just gotta trust it.” She finished talking and completely pulled her hands away. Turbo took a deep breath and looked down at Tank, the only sound coming from her being happy sounding baby babble.
Turbo laughed gently his voice sounding joyful as he pulled their child closer. Tank made a happy squeal as her hands touched Turbo’s face. He smiled so wide Dinah thought his face was going to break. “Hi… hi little stinker.” He said his face gently nudging into her, Tank laughed loudly. Dinah sat back admiring this beautiful scene. When all sudden something happened that neither of them expected.
”Dada!” Tank mumbled
”Holy shit! Babe did you hear that?” Turbo exclaimed “Babe is that what I think it was?” Dinah laughed and smiled.
”Yeah baby, she just said dada.” She leaned in and gave both of them a tight hug.
”She said dada.” Turbo muttered. Dinah had to admit she was a little jealous she hadn’t said mama first, but seeing just how much it meant to Turbo made it easy for her to brush those feelings aside. “Not gonna lie Dinah, for a long time I-I never thought I’d be able to do this. The whole father thing.”
”Why’s that love?” Dinah asked.
”uhh well, my old man was a real hard ass.” Turbo answered “Like if I couldn’t make a lap in a certain time he’d make me sleep outside with absolutely nothing but the clothes on my back.” Turbo’s smile faltered. Dinah knew very little about Turbo’s childhood, but she knew he it wasn’t good. “I was always told that saying about apples and trees. Always thought it meant I’d be a horrible dad, just like mine was.”
”But you’re not, look at your girl right now Turbo, look at her beautiful face and ask yourself, would I ever do to her what he did to me?” Dinah responded quickly, she wanted to shut that train of thought down as soon as possible. Turbo looked down and shook his head.
”No, I knew, from the moment you told me you were pregnant. I knew I was nothing like him.” Turbo said pulling Tank to his chest, resting her head in the crook of his neck. “I loved this crazy little monkey the moment I found out she existed.”
“And she loves you too.” Dinah finished Turbo’s sentence.
”Yeah, and we both absolutely adore her mother.” Turbo carefully leaned in to give Dinah a quick kiss, as they pulled away Tank released a rancid fart. Turbo made a gagging sound “Holy shit kid, that was bad!”
”Yeah sweetheart, there was nothing holy about that.” Dinah said clamping her hand down on her nose. She went to take her but Turbo stood up.
”No it’s okay babe I got it.” He said confidently.