You can count on me for a helping hand.

[strikesachord]

From the moment the baby had born, Frizzle had become Gobo's pride and joy, and it really seemed that the feeling spread through all of the others, not just Mokey. And while Gobo appreciated everyone's love for their son, and all the help they offered, he couldn't help notice there was a bit less help when Frizzle woke up before dawn, screaming and crying.

He didn't blame them, honestly, but it would have been nice... Ah, well.

He and Mokey were quite tired after a particularly bad string of nights, and Gobo had insisted Mokey get some sleep now that the day had really begun. He'd take care of Frizzle, while the others were still catching up on their own sleep at the Manor. It wasn't even leadership duties... It was what a father did.

He was rocking Frizzle in his arms, hoping he could catch up on sleep as well, when he heard a knock on the door. Were the others back already- Maybe just Boober? Boober might knock, Wembley and Red never did.

"Come in!"

Comments

[gobetween]

He was struck silent for a moment, that welling up of emotion creating a knot in his throat that made it hard to talk around. Raising his hand, carefully cradling Frizzle with his arm, he wiped away tears from his eyes that were considerably happier than the last.

"Yeah. Yeah, I think you're right, Mokey..." A faint, fond laugh. "You usually are."

[thewisdomwithin]

Mokey giggled, and shrugged a bit. "Thank you, Gobo. I'm touched to hear you say that."

She patted Frizzle's head gently, and pressed a kiss to his snout, then smiled back up at Gobo. "And no matter what you and Lexi decide to do, I want you to come here whenever you'd like. You are always welcome with us. Frizzle has so much love, but more can only be good for him."

[gobetween]

He smiled just to watch her dote on her son, and he chuckled softly in his throat. "That's definitely something I learned... Being surrounded by friends and loved ones is the best thing to grow up with.

"Why, I bet half the reason I am who I am- and, and your Gobo too..! -is because of you and everyone else. Because you all were there, to share my experiences and for me to bounce off of, I'm who I am because of that."

[thewisdomwithin]

Her smile shifted into a more excited near-grin at those words. "Gobo... Thank you, for saying so. I think you're right. I don't think - any of us, on either side, would be the same without one another." A slight pause. "I know the five of us have to be together when all's said and done. And, no, I don't think it's different for you. They're still with you, Gobo, always."

[gobetween]

He smiled up at her, knowing what she said was true, all of it. They had influenced each other, and even apart they were all still together. There was something in that, and he didn't have to think at all to come up with it.

"You cannot leave the magic."

[thewisdomwithin]

"Exactly." Mokey smiled, nodding, as she tapped the tip of his nose. "And everything's magic, isn't that right, Gobo? If you see it that way."

[gobetween]

He scrunched his nose a bit and laughed quietly. "Exactly. Like I said, everything that's ever happened to me has been magic. Whether or not I ever realized it at the time. Sure, some things have been actual magic... Solving the rhyming rock comes to mind." A bit of a snicker. "But there's magic in getting postcards and winning tug-o-tails contests and doing plays, too."

[thewisdomwithin]

She giggled. "I think so, too. The happiness and togetherness those things bring are very magic." She made a little humming sound, soft and sweet, as she tickled Frizzle's stomach, causing a giggle from him, too. "Just let me ask one favor of you, Gobo?"

[gobetween]

That little giggle suffused him with a new warmth all its own.

"Sure, what is it Mokey?"

[thewisdomwithin]

"When Lexi's pregnant, if that's how you two decide to have your baby... Take care of yourself, not just her and the little one. Try not to worry. I know it won't be easy, but I promise it will help if you can try."

Her Gobo had been such a wreck for so much of the pregnancy, and she worried that for the Gobo in front of her - with all his compassion and sensitivity - it might be even harder.

[gobetween]

He was confused a moment, then chuckled a bit. "I'll do my best, you can count on that."

[thewisdomwithin]

"Thank you, Gobo. Oh! Oh, Gobo, and if Lexi has any questions, I would be so happy to answer them."

[gobetween]

He nodded, giving her a smile. "You got it. I'll be sure to pass that right along to her, I know she'd value your input."

[thewisdomwithin]

"Thank you, Gobo," she said, getting to her feet and walking around behind his chair to give him a little squeeze. "I'm so glad I got to meet you."

[gobetween]

He leaned toward her at that, the best he could do, and smiled brightly.

"Yeah, me too." A pause, then he snickered gently. "Hey, Mokey? My arms are starting to get a little tired-..."

[thewisdomwithin]

"Oh, of course!" she giggled, and came around to scoop up Frizzle. She half-tossed him up a bit, causing the baby to gurgle in delight.