Chuck vs The First Year of Parenthood Chapter 1: A New Reality, a chuck fanfic

Chuck vs. The First Year of Parenthood

Brand new story for you folks. I wanted to capture what it's like for Chuck and Sarah in their first year of being parents of A.J. Bartowski. The highs, lows, and everything in between. It will most definitely be roller coaster that's for sure. Read and find out! Anyways, I think you'll enjoy it. Enjoy the read peeps.

Again, if you enjoyed reading my stories and left a comment please leave a comment for this one as well. Tell me what you think and I hope you enjoy the read!

A New Reality

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Abraham Jeremiah "A.J." Barotwski was born 7:45 p.m. Friday, July 15th 2011 at Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. After 10 days spent lacking sleep, worrying and being concerning about the health, as well as the well-being of their son he would finally be able to go home but not before giving credit where credit is due. Dr. Wong, his nursing staff, and not to mention Ellie's mentor Dr. Ensley for seemingly working around the clock to provide them with all the information, as well as valuable time in helping make their child better. In their minds, Dr. Ensley will never be forgotten as long they live.

As far as A.J. is concerned, he would most definitely be welcomed with open arms once Chuck and Sarah brought them out to the private waiting room where Team Bartowski anxiously awaited to see A.J. The quasi chaos in gushing over the future generation of a Bartowski was controlled thanks in part to Casey who they will be forever grateful for. However, once it was over they all would be headed back home to Los Angeles.

Of course, the newly appointed agents, The Assistant Director of Operations William Dennis, his assistant, and not to mention General Beckman stayed back for obvious reasons. Team Bartowski, mainly the former spy couple along with Casey and Travis, knew that somewhere down the road they would find their paths crossing with Casey's former training recruits someday.

In any case, the trip back home would certainly be considerably relaxing for the very relieved parents with the whole ordeal thankfully now behind them. Of course, Casey would have the opportunity to pilot his baby The Bird of Prey with the previous pilot stepping down or should I say was threatened with bodily harm to relinquish his duties. Yet, as much as that sense of relief embraced the proud parents, in a manner of speaking, they would seemingly not let go of the embrace of their infant baby boy. Sarah, more so for Chuck, took her role as protective mama bear very seriously and Team Bartowski knows very well to tread lightly when it comes to the woman who is not just a former C.I.A. Agent, but a trained assassin as well.

In Chuck's mind, his wife reminds him of Linda Hamilton's character Sarah Conner protecting "the chosen one" John Conner because he is the savior of a future without Skynet ruling the word. To him, if Sarah is Sarah Conner then he is of course Kyle Reese played awesomely by Michael Biehn. True, Reese met his unfortunate demise in the first Terminator movie but he will make sure not to meet his untimely demise knowing he's fighting for the future of his own family in a very different way. Of course, when it comes to their own Terminator they can be rest assured he will always be on their side and never betray them.

You see, even though he may at times act like a robotic soldier who takes orders from his version of Skynet ala General Beckman, his loyalties are forever bonded with his two former teammates. It's a bond of loyalty that will certainly be firmly attached to the newest member of Team Bartowski. Essentially, it's that same hulking NSA Agent who unbeknownst to he and Sarah, gave a heartfelt and quite possibly motivating speech to A.J. causing his health to completely turn around for the better. As much as they've been in the dark concerning that piece of information, they know the two of them can always count on Casey as a beacon of light who'll continually protect the family from any form of darkness threatening to darken their lives. It's a task Chuck knows he won't take lightly and knowing the big guy he'll die trying.

As for he and Sarah, Chuck once again knows the team dynamic in regards to becoming a trio rather than a duo has forever changed the landscape to the point where adapting to new situations and circumstances is considered now their way of life. For the former nerd herd leader, he knows in the back of his mind that he must have a balance when it comes to his priorities as a husband and a father at home to his priorities as a CEO of a flourishing computer/gaming company.

To him, being a husband and father takes top precedent over being the leader of a potentially global company that could very well be financially beneficial. Granted, to be financially set without any worries whatsoever to him is awesome but it's all meaningless if he doesn't have his family by his side.

For Chuck Irving Bartowski, he considers himself the richest man in the world having a beautiful wife and mother along with a now healthy son to help be there to raise. A son that he doesn't want to miss out on not only the major moments in his life, but the insignificant moments that are considerably special. All those moments will be documented, which is typical for any new parents that want to capture every little thing of their baby's life. While sitting there cuddled up next to his wife, he is aware that pictures are being taken of the 3 of them despite his seemingly unwavering and focused attention on more important matters.

He's 100% sure they'll be posted on Facebook and/or Instagram but they know the unwritten rule in which protocol dictates the parents post the first pics of the child before anyone does. Plus, Sarah already laid down the social media law on each one of them with Casey backing his former partner up with an emphatic grunt and death stare as well. Fortunately, Team Bartowski knows to obey the rules set forth by the new mom and her scary enforcer of a big brother.

It doesn't get any better than this. It's those 7 prophetic words that bring a new found sense of hope for the future; but at the same time it brings about thoughts of uncertainty as well. The reality they've known, witnessed, and gotten accustomed to for quite some time has shifted entirely into a new reality, which is far much scarier place than ever before with A.J. in it. Yet, for right now, they are just going to be in the moment and enjoy every second of it.

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A Week Later

July 24, 2011

It's pitch black when all of a sudden the sound of a crying baby is heard within the darkness. The only light that can be seen are the time being illuminated on the clock at that reads 2 a.m. and a small red light on the other side of where the clock is. In any case, the cries continue to go on until a female voice is heard.

"Babe…" the female's voice faintly uttered. Her voice sounding considerably drained of energy. …wake up. It's your turn." she softly said. A response is heard or should I say mumbled within the darkness but unable to be deciphered causing the woman to continue on. "Honey!" she loudly whispered. "Do you hear our son on the baby monitor crying?"

After what seems like a hauntingly long silence, an answer is finally given. "Yeah…" responded the male voice within the darkness. "…I hear him."

It's at this point, the sound of soft, whimpering barks of a dog are suddenly heard within the darkness as well. The combination of soft, whimpering dog barks and a crying baby greatly increase the tension already going on. It doesn't help matters any that a slight metallic ringing can be heard at the same time the dog decided to make its presence known. A dog that from the sound of things is pouncing on not only the bed, but on the two people attempting to sleep on the bed as well. Ultimately, this leads the woman in question to speak up once again.

"Get up." she politely urged. Once again, a mumbled mix of undecipherable words is expressed. This leads to the female in question to add more responsibility to the mix. "Deal with your dog too."

"She's our dog…" the man retorted back. "…remember." he added in a childish manner of tone.

Now, for any guy to respond back to their partner in crime in a childish manner would most definitely deserve what is coming to them. Add to the fact, their dog is reacting in a way where she wants to be let out in order to help the source of the cries. It's that same source in which she has formed a bond with and has dedicated her life to not only protect the baby boy considered her little brother, but watch over him as well. Of course, the established bond the dog has for the baby was immediate once he was introduced to her and the proud parents couldn't have been any happier upon witnessing the heartfelt/comforting scene before their very own eyes.

Unfortunately, heartfelt and comforting between a baby-dog relationship isn't really an open point of discussion right now for the woman. A woman who had a total of 4 hours sleep in the last nights and if she doesn't get enough of it the man she loves will probably not suffer the unfortunate wrath of woman who has the skills she hasn't used in quite some time. It's those skills that she knows if push comes to shove she'll have to utilize in order to get her point across. Fortunately for his safety and not to mention well-being those particular set of skills are set aside…for now.

The female voice responded back in the same manner. "I remember." A few moments of silence go by before the woman's voice calmly erupts once again. "Well?"

"Well what?" the seemingly beleaguered husband replied back.

From within the darkness, several muffled curse words are expressed by baby's mother. "Did you even hear me?" angrily asked the irritated woman.

"Yeah babe." he quickly answered in a more muffled tone this time around. After a brief silence, he continues on. "Stop licking my ear."

"What? I'm not licking your ear?"

In that instance, the man's better half realizes their dog is the one licking his ear. As much as she wants to be amused by the current situation and express a bit of laughter, she restrains herself from doing so causing the smile on her laps to quickly fall flat. It's at that very moment within the darkness the woman takes more drastic measures. It's not long before the sound of something or should I say somebody is heard dropping to the floor inevitably a somewhat painful groan. A few seconds later, a light is switched on by none other than Sarah Bartowski. She is sitting on the bed in a shirt and baggy shorts minus the covers on the bed. Where are the covers you might be asking yourself? The blanketed sheet minus the top comforter is on the carpeted floor of their bedroom….where Chuck is currently laying face down on.

"Chuck?" You alright?" she asked peeking over the edge of her husband's side of the bed with concern in her voice. The top comforter nearly pulled off the bed but not completely.

There is momentary silence as Sarah leans over to her left to see if her husband is badly injured. For her, it was the only option left because her previous attempts failed. Thankfully, she sees movement and the fact their dog Peaches is playfully licking his face and he's playfully interacting with her back is most definitely a positive sign.

"Yeah, I'm fine." he painfully answered back as Peaches nuzzles and sniffs her master's face. The brief moment of silence before Chuck continues on. "Sarah."

"Yeah." she replied expressing a somewhat remorseful look on her face.

"I forgive you."

A soft and considerably amused smile appears on her face. A face that exhibits baby eyes from the lack of sleep she's been expressing the last 3 days. Thankfully, she has a husband who has been experiencing the same thing right there by her side as well. She truly takes comfort in that.

"Thanks."

"Umm babe."

"Yes?"

"Can you do me a favor?"

"What is it?" she inquired quirking her right brow.

"Instead of A.J…." he said still on the floor with Peaches sitting next to his head. "…could you call our son Gotham?" suggested the former nerd herd leader. "Just one time right now."

A confused expression appears on Sarah's face as she quirks her right brow. At first, she's a bit hesitant to do so, but she agrees to it. "Okay." she replied shaking her head in disbelief. Anything else?" wondered the former C.I.A. Agent. She's now holding the baby monitor with the sound of their son continuing to cry.

"Yeah. Could you also add these two words…needs you."

At this point, Sarah has no idea why her husband is asking her for this seemingly screwy request. However, it's the unpredictably and how he keeps things interesting that always has her loving him more every single day. In her mind, it's how he keeps the adventures of parenthood so entertaining and lighthearted, which she absolutely appreciates.

"Gotham needs you." she stated sitting up on her knees.

Instantly, Chuck pops up from his side of the bed wearing the cover sheet like a cape tied not only around his neck. Underneath the blanketed cover sheet he's wearing Star Wars pajama bottoms and out of pure coincidence a Batman shirt. He has a superheroes stance and then gives his response.

"Say no more." he announce in a gravelly Christian Bale Batman Begins/The Dark Knight tone.

He takes a couple steps forwards whipping the bed sheet behind him forward and immediately trips to the floor. This leads Peaches to pounce over checking the condition of master then at her other master who is at this point laughing her butt off on the bed. Fortunately, Chuck doesn't miss a step and stumbles his way towards the door with Peaches in tow as Sarah witnesses the entire thing unfold. Thankfully, her husband doesn't trip again heading to their bedroom door but not before whipping the bed sheet forward in considerably dramatic fashion.

Afterwards, he reaches for the door and opens it but before heading to their crying son she flashes his ever so Bartowski smile towards her. He then disappears out the door along with their loveable pooch closing it behind him leaving Sarah to simply laugh and shake her head at her adorably, dorky husband. It's not long before she lays reaching over to pull the top comforter towards and inevitably over her. Once she lays back comfortably in her spot still holding the baby monitor, the blonde beauty reaches over to turn off the lamp light blanketing the entire bedroom in darkness once again.

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"All right bud…" Chuck softly smiled peering down at his newborn son. "…you have a clean diaper now." he added leaning over to his right. The tired but proud father dumps the tightly balled up dirty one in the metal receptacle next to the changing station.

Afterwards, he re-buttons his son's baby onesie with the followings words in front: I Am A Jedi Like My Father Before Me. In any case, when it came to changing diapers Chuck became an absolute pro at it with him practice time by changing his niece Clara's diapers, but Travis' son Wesley's diaper as well. Of course, when they weren't available he would resort practicing on one of his son's stuffed animals that were given as a gift or Peaches, which failed miserably. He vividly recalls an episode of The Office where Jim and Pam are expecting their baby so he sharpens his diapering skills using anything from a baby doll to Angela's cat much to her dismay. In his mind, if there were a competition in changing a baby's diapers he would win.

Chuck carefully lifts up his son and cradles him in his arms. It's not long before he begins humming as he sways back and forth all-the-while dances somewhat around the nursery. Peaches sits there observing him and her little brother to the point where she ends up laying down next to the rocking chair. In any case, the humming inevitably turns to singing with the former nerd herder leader singing the first song that pops into his head when it comes to his son. Father To Son by Phil Collins.

Somewhere down the road, you're gonna find a place
It seems so far, but it never is
You won't need to stay, but you might lose your strength
On the way

The new father can't help but imagine his son growing up and trying to find his place in the world. True, it seems so far away right now but it can most definitely move within a blink of an eye. For its a place where he's trying to figure out his own identity. It's during his journey of self-discovery that he may become mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and not to mention physically tired. That's when he may feel as if he's all alone.

Sometimes you may feel you're the only one
Cause all the things you thought were safe, now they're gone
But you won't be alone, I'll be here to carry you along
Watching you 'til all your work is done

While continuing to cradle his son in his arms, he expresses a soft smile once again. He knows that A.J. will never feel or think he's alone because his parents and family will always remind how loved he is. His heart will always be found with the most important people in his life and that will give him the strength to run wherever or whoever he wants to. Now, it's that whoever in the form of a woman he hopes will not break his heart. If she does, his mom will literally break her he thinks to himself.

When you find your heart, you'd better run with it
Cause when she comes along, she could be breaking it
No there's nothing wrong, you're learning to be strong
Don't look back
She may soon be gone, no don't look back
She's not the only one, remember that

It's that particular thought that causes Chuck to be expressed a soft chuckle. Once it's over, he knows that heartbreak and first love is a part of life. He'll learn to get over and be strong like he did when Jill broke his heart. It took him a very long time to get over it and it wasn't until Sarah stepped into his life that his heart eventually healed. Jill was part of his past. Sarah is his present. His forever future and he hasn't look back since them. It's that same type of thinking he has for his wife that he hopes and wishes for his son who will go through the same thing he did, but with much different circumstances that don't involve the spy business.

If your heart is beating fast, then you know she's right
If you don't know what to say, well, that's all right
You don't know what to do?
Remember she is just as scared as you

As he continues rocking his son and singing softly the song to his son, he knows one day that he will meet and fall in love with the woman he's meant to be with. His heart will be beating a million miles a second and everything that his old man and mother have told him about true love has been right. Essentially, the stories that his son heard about how even though it was difficult at times for his father to speak to his mother, he laid his heart on the line for her. Stories in which he wasn't the only scared in taking a risk with his heart as his mother was as well.

Don't be shy, even when it hurts to say
Remember, you're gonna get hurt someday, anyway
Then you must lift your head, keep it there
Remember what I said
I'll always be with you don't forget
Just look over your shoulder I'll be there.

If you look behind you, I will be there.

The youngest Bartowski sibling knows all too well from personal experience about heartbreak. In his heart of hearts he hopes and prayers that A.J. doesn't shy away from coming to him and Sarah when he feels the stinging pain that he possibly think will never go away. If and when he does, they'll assure him the pain will go away. It will take time but in the meantime they'll lovingly advise him to keep his head up and to always remember that he's never alone in what he's going through inside. They've been there and all he ever has to do is look over his shoulder. They're right there behind him every step of the way.

It's during that particular thought in which he suddenly realizes his son has fallen asleep. In that instance, he carefully moves towards his son's crib and upon reaching it he bends down making sure not make any sudden moves that would cause him to wake up crying again. However, before setting him down, he gently kisses his son's forehead. After setting him down, he bends back up and takes a moment to stare at his son who is now fast asleep. As much as he wants to stare at him forever, he forcefully tears himself away and heads back to the master bedroom where probably his wife is fast asleep.

XXX

"All right bud, you have a clean diaper now."

Those are the last words that Sarah hears while lying in bed within the darkness of their master bedroom. She had every intention of going back to sleep once Chuck went to go take care of their son. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case as she began listening in on the one sided conversation he was having with A.J. A conversation that she couldn't help but smile at to the point it melted her heart. What melted her heart even more is the song that her husband started singing to her first born to the point it gets her pretty emotional.

Somewhere down the road, you're gonna find a place
It seems so far, but it never is
You won't need to stay, but you might lose your strength
On the way

For any mother, the greatest fear is that her son will fall in the love with a woman. Why? A son's mother will and always be his first love she thinks to herself. As much as the former C.I.A. Agent dreads that even happening so far into the future, she knows it isn't happening right now. If it were possibly, she would want A.J. to say the way he is now and never grow up. Unfortunately, he will and while growing up he may lose the strength of moving forward to his future. That's when she, her husband, and the people who love/care about will most definitely back him up.

Sometimes you may feel you're the only one
Cause all the things you thought were safe, now they're gone
But you won't be alone, I'll be here to carry you along
Watching you 'til all your work is done

When it comes to youngest Wexler sister, she felt alone not just in her family life years ago but also as a government agent. The only time she felt alive was when she was someone else during missions. It's that type of loneliness she doesn't want her son to ever experience for himself. In her mind, it's a tortuous existence to even live. A fate worse than death to carry around or even be burdened with. Thankfully, her husband is the reason why she will never feel alone again and it's that same exact feeling she wants her own son to experience, as well as carrying along with him when he grows into a man.

A man that will one day find his heart in a woman who reflects back all his thoughts, feelings, and emotions. For Sarah, Chuck was and still is that man who forever changed her thoughts, feelings, and emotions when it came to that thing called love. It certainly gave her a newfound outlook on what love truly means and it's something she genuinely wants his son to have minus the utter heartbreak of course. No mother wants to see their son be hurt by a woman and as much as she would like to water board any girl or woman who breaks her son's heart she knows it will be a learning experience for him. He's a Bartowski after all.

It's that particular thought that brings a soft smile to her face. While continuing to lie on her bed under the comforter, the blonde beauty can't help but think that when her time is up and says goodbye to her son. She will be comforted in the knowledge he'll have the woman he's fallen madly in love with by her side to comfort him. A woman who is totally right for him and will look to a prosperous bright future instead of a heartbreaking past. True, she will always remind A.J. his mother will be forever #1 in his heart and when the time comes when she's not she'll gladly step aside becoming #2. However, she's thankful it isn't right now because after all he's just a few weeks old.

If your heart is beating fast, then you know she's right
If you don't know what to say, well, that's all right
You don't know what to do?
Remember she is just as scared as you

Sarah recalls the moment she fell in love with Chuck. It was at the nerd herd desk at Buy More and he could have totally blew off the father freaking about how he screwed up not being able to tape his daughter's ballet recital to show her mother to help her. He didn't. Instead, he showed her what kind of many Chuck absolute was and still is today. Sarah most definitely wants those same qualities to shine forth in A.J. In her heart of hearts, if he's anything like his father he'll somehow do the right thing and/or have the right words to say. If not, then that's okay, she and Chuck will be right there to help him knowing full well the girl is just as scared as he is.

If you look behind you, I will be there.

The emotions she feels about her son and her husband overwhelm her to the point where she begins tearing up, especially when listening to the last lyrics of the song Chuck is singing. As a mother, she knows all he ever needs to do is ask. He doesn't have to be afraid or shy to do that she thinks to herself. Granted, kisses makes the pain and hurt go away when they are little kids but they don't necessarily help when you're a grown up. It takes time for the heartache to go away and she along with Chuck hope that their son will understand that as he grows up dealing with whatever happens when it comes to girl situation. Ultimately, it's a part of growing up and most importantly all he has to do is look behind him knowing their son can always count on them to be there no matter what through his ups, as well as downs.

Her thoughts concerning the future of her son are broken up when the master bedroom door opens up. She watches her husband slip in with Peaches in tow and quietly close the door still wearing the bed sheet around his neck as a cape. It's at that point, Sarah switches on the lamp causing Chuck to momentarily freeze expressing a deer in headlights look on his face. The brief moment of silence but that goes away when the superhero dad speaks up.

"I thought you were asleep?" he softly stated untying the sheet around his neck. He makes his way to his side of the bed, then lowers himself inevitably taking his place right next to his wife. The next thing he knows, he's greet with a lovingly, passionate kiss on his lips that seemingly lasts forever. It's not long before it's over much to the dismay of Chuck who has no idea why he deserved something that unexpected. "What was that for?"

"For just being your awesome self." Sarah answered with a smile on her face.

Chuck flashed his unmistakable Bartowski noticing something else as well. "Were you crying?" he asked with concern reaching up to wipe a few errant tears from her face.

"Yeah…" she nodded. "…happy ones." she added raising the baby monitor clutched in both hands.

"You heard?"

Sarah nodded. "You sounded beautiful."

"Awesome. I just hope I did Phil Collin's song justice."

"To me you did babe." she proudly smiled.

Once again, Chuck smiled after hearing that coming from his wife. He leans forward to plant his lips on his wife's one more time before reaching back to scratch the head of his loyal pooch Peaches. Afterwards, husband and wife rearrange the blanket and comforter on their bed. In a matter of seconds, the bed is ready to be slept leading the former spy couple to cuddle underneath. However, they do Sarah places the baby monitor back in its spot on the nightstand to her right then reaches up turning off the light blanketing their bedroom in complete darkness.

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