It's a Boy!

In an effort to mend their relationship and move past the unfortunate "Michella Sato Christmas incident", Maggie asked if she could take Persephone out to brunch, naturally, Persephone only agreed if Micaela came along as a buffer. Although in the past month the two women interacted, there were always others around for levity.

The two women had arrived thirty minutes early, and so while Persephone finished getting ready, Chris entertained them downstairs.

Persephone was drying her hair when she got a notification that an item she had special ordered the month before had just been delivered. Unable to contain her excitement, she immediately ran downstairs barefoot for the package.

Chris was just walking inside with the large box as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Babe, you got a package," he said as he placed the large box on the floor.

Persephone covered her mouth with her hands unable to contain her excitement. "Actually, it's a package for you," she stated excitedly. "Open it!" She encouraged as she went to sit next Micaela while Chris got to work. Persephone instinctively reached for her hand and held it tightly.

Micaela leaned in and whispered to Persephone, "I don't know why, but I have a feeling you're up to something."

Unable to tear her gaze away, she nodded enthusiastically. "That's because you know me by now," she replied in a hushed tone.

"What is it?" Maggie turned to look at Persephone.

All Persephone could do was motion back toward where Chris opened the cardboard box to show a black security box.

Chris grabbed the interior box and sat next to his mother. He unlatched the box and opened it.

Persephone's smiled widened at the look of confusion that overtook Chris's face. "Congratulations! It's a boy!" She announced as she stood to take a closer look at the item in the box.

Micaela followed.

Chris stood, clearly appalled at his faux baby. Maggie hovered over the baby for a better look.

"You got me a doll, babe?"

Persephone reached in to pull the baby out of the cushioned box. It was in a car seat, and under the car seat came a box full of accessories for its care. She rummaged through the accessories until she found what she was looking for - a bracelet.

Not just any bracelet, but a bracelet that would be locked on Chris's wrist until Persephone decided she had proven her point. When she located it, she removed the plastic tab in the battery and walked to where Chris was, unceremoniously locking it on his left wrist, behind his smartwatch.

"Hey! What are you doing?" He protested immediately. "What is that?"

Ignoring his question, she went to the doll and took it out of the carrier, quickly realizing it had a realistic weight to it. She found the button to activate the baby and turned it on. A chime alerted her it was active.

Persephone smiled, as she cradled the baby. She began taking the accessories out of the box and placing them on the coffee table one-by-one.

"Darling, don't be ridiculous," Micaela grabbed the doll delicately from her. "He has a father," she said as she handed the doll to Chris. "You have to be careful with the head," she said she positioned Chris's arms around the doll.

Chris released a short chuckle before grabbing the doll's thigh, it immediately bent backward, and the sound of shrill screaming and crying filled the house. He held the doll at arm's length. "How do you turn it off?" He asked desperately.

Persephone scrunched her nose. "Sorry, sweetness but you don't." She walked to Chris's side and made him cradle the doll. The doll immediately quieted down. "This doll gets you as close as possible to experiencing fatherhood without an actual infant." She pointed to the instructions of the sofa. "All you need to take care of him is right there. Try not to let him cry too long." She tapped the bracelet on his wrist. "The baby will recognize you because he's paired to this bracelet."

Chris looked bewildered. "Babe," he uttered slowly. "I have to go to the gym."

Persephone shrugged. "But I'm going to brunch," she said slowly. "We can't leave the baby by himself."

Maggie immediately stood. She took the baby from Chris, cradling it close to her heart. "I'll take care of little Christopher Paul," she said staring at the plastic-coated thing with tenderness. "Give me the bracelet," she ordered.

Persephone bit her tongue from making a quip about wanting that bracelet but not the bracelet she got her for Christmas.

"His name is actually Gotham, and the whole point to this is to show Chris what it's really like to have a baby." She took the baby from Maggie and placed it back in Chris's arms.

Maggie laughed. "What kind of a name is Gotham?" She took the baby from Chris's arms once more. "And anyway, I would definitely help my son out with children."

Chris hugged Maggie. "Thanks, mom!"

Persephone huffed. "The whole point to this is to show Chris how much children change the existence of their parents," she said slowly, trying hard not to get upset. "This baby is going back in one week, and I feel it's important for Chris to get as much out of this experience as possible on his own."

Maggie shook her head, "One day won't make a difference."

"It's the first day!" Persephone exclaimed as she looked at Chris. She mouthed, "Back me up!"

He sighed. "Fine. I won't go to the gym today, but mom should stay and help me." He spread his hands in front of him. "That's a fair compromise, right?"

Persephone narrowed her eyes on him. "Fine." She looked at Micaela. "I guess it's just you and me for brunch then," she said. "Come with me."

Persephone went back upstairs trying to think of a way to get rid of Maggie. She thought she had a way, but she was going to need Micaela's help.