I love my nephew/brother-in-law.

I'm going with nephew because calling him 'son' seems a little too... odd, given the circumstances, but 'brother-in-law' really shouldn't describe a five year old who's care I'm partially in charge of.

Not the point.

Laz is just a really amazing kid. Came home this afternoon with Jacques - how did I end up being a free babysitter? - and they spent the entire afternoon building a construction paper diorama on the deck. It's really a masterpiece. There's pink palm trees and more sandy glue seams than I'm willing to point out, but the sheer concentration those two put into this project was adorable.

Plus Jacques spent most of the project explaining various minor kid-details for Laz. Stuff like why it's so important to ask for pudding before Mom - or Dom, in this case - lies down for a nap, because she'll be more willing to say yes. And why peanutbutter cookies are better with milk or fruit punch, but not lemonade. It was a very informative afternoon for Laz and I both.

Although, Laz did try and con me into buying him a gameboy. Not going to happen considering the networking thing that's set to go down in about three years, but I'm not mentioning that to anyone but Dom. And Jean. And possibly Hank, if the vibes I've been getting off of he and Becca's last interactions are anything to go by. Oh. And any of you lot who are set to breed. Don't touch the gameboys!

And Laz's only had one more minor blow up about the binding of his powers. It was last week when Jimmy and I took him and a couple of the younger kids fishing. Dom was, strangely enough, at church. One of the joggers on the beach we hit - it was closer to Kyle and Juan's parents house - tripped over Leilei and made her cry. Laz tried.. something. Didn't work and he had a minor meltdown next to the icecream stand. Luckily, Jimmy was there to watch the kids while I took him to the side and calmed him down a bit.

I had the "We'll work on this when you're older and more able to deal with all this." conversation again. It might have stuck this time, but I'm not holding my breath.

He's down for the count right now. He conked out during a story he asked me to read and is snoring on the couch next to me.

It's an amazing sight. One that just kind of settles in my chest and lets me breathe a little easier. That and the fact that I can feel Dom in the other room, with Livia growing inside her. It's just... kind of indescribable. Even with some of the big problems - Dom's had her driving privileges revoked for awhile until her extra CAT scans come back - I wouldn't trade these last months for anything.

Right. I'm off to bed. Because I am an Old Man and need lots of energy for tomorrow. It's Snack Day. *sighs*

I used to be big and tough. I swear.