Me: Welcome to Chapter Six!

Otto: What do you have planned this time?

Me: Just something extremely adorable!

Otto: Okay!

Me: Okay, this is a special shout-out to mobileholmes, who suggested these and I am gladly doing one.

Otto: Thanks mobileholmes!

Me: I don't own SRMTHFG.

Otto: Read and review!

Chapter Six: Slipping and Sliding

I looked at Chiro and then at Otto. I was going to get that mechanic. I told Otto specifically not to get Chiro muddy when he took him to the park. And what does he do? He brings back a mud coated baby!

"Otto," I said threateningly. "What did I tell you?"

Otto stared at me and then looked at Chiro. Realization hit him like a ton of bricks. "I'm so sorry, Nova!" Otto shouted. "You told me not to get Chiro muddy and I did. But I didn't do it!"

"Then who did it?" I asked. I activated my fists.

"Some of the teenagers did!" Otto said. "I put Chiro on the table while I got into his bag to get a bottle and when I turned around those kids were throwing him into the mud!"

I sighed and deactivated my fists. "Take Sprx with you next time," I said.

"Alright," Otto said. "You want me to give him a bath?"

"No," I sighed. "I'll do it,"

"You sure?" Otto asked.

I gave him a threatening glance. "I'm sure Otto," I growled as I took Chiro. "Go help Gibson or something. I can handle bath time,"

Otto looked hurt as he walked away, I sighed. I was definitely too harsh on him.

"Why Ottie sad?" Chiro asked.

"Ottie's sad because Mommy yelled," I said.

"Why you yell?" Chiro asked.

"Because Ottie broke the rules," I said.

"Oh," Chiro said. "Nap time?"

"No," I said. "Bath time first,"

"Mommy take bath too?" Chiro asked.

I looked at myself. I was muddy and sweaty. I smiled. "Yes, Mommy take bath too," I said.

"Yeah!" Chiro shouted. He looked around. "Where Daddy?" he asked.

"Daddy needed a break," I said. Antauri and me had gotten into an argument earlier today and had left to clear his mind.

"Okay," Chiro said. "He gonna read me a story tonight?"

"I don't know," I said. "But I do know you need a bath!"

Chiro stuck his tongue out. "Me no like bath!" he shouted.

I smiled and took him to the bathroom, making sure Chiro couldn't open the door if he tried to escape.

"No!" Chiro screamed. "No, no, no!"

I sighed and started the bath water as Chiro squirmed. Chiro hated it when I gave him a bath. He preferred Antauri or Gibson to do it and I was left to dress him and kiss him good-night while Antauri read him a bed-time story.

The moment Chiro hit the water I was soaked. He kicked and splashed. I was close to snapping.

Then I remembered. "Hey Chiro," I said. "You wanna take a bath with Mr. Squeaky?"

Chiro stopped kicking and splashing. "Yes Mommy!" he said.

"Then you gotta stop kicking and splashing, okay?" I said.

"Okay!" Chiro said. I grabbed the rubber duck known as Mr. Squeaky and handed it to Chiro. He squealed with delight and pretended that Mr. Squeaky was a little boat about to cross the Shuggazoom Ocean. I poured water over his head and he claimed it was raining and Mr. Squeaky had to make it through a hurricane.

"Oh really?" I asked. Chiro nodded his head. "That must be really scary for Mr. Squeaky,"

"Yeah," Chiro said. "But he strong like you,"

I smiled. "Then he'll do just fine," I said.

Soon enough bath-time was over. Chiro pouted as I pulled him out the tub and put Mr. Squeaky away. "It's nap time," I said.

Chiro yawned. "But I'm not tired," he protested.

"Yes you are," I said. "Your yawning as loud as a hippo!" I tickled him and he laughed.

I took him to his room and put him into his pajamas. His blue eyes fluttered shut and I smiled. I knew he was tired! I lied him into his crib and tip toed out the room. The moment the door was closed I heard Antauri walk into the hallway.

"Nap time?" he asked.

I flinched. He sounded a lot like Mandarin right then. "Bath-time and nap time," I said.

"Alright," Antauri said. I could tell he was still thinking.

"I'm going to take a bath," I said. I tried to get around him but Antauri grabbed my arm.

"Nova," Antauri said. "I'm sorry. I should have never yelled this morning. I know you're just trying to be a good mother. I'm sorry,"

He let me go and went to his room. I just stood there, in complete shock. Why was Antauri apologizing? I was the one who had started the argument, even though it was only about who was going to watch Chiro today.

I sighed and went to the bathroom to clean up the mess Chiro had made and then take my own shower. Maybe Antauri and I don't get along the best but we have little man keeping us together.

I just hope that he'll be enough to make us last.