**Chapter 1: Up, Daddy!**

Lyle stumbled into the kitchen, his eyes half-closed from the remnants of last night's Netflix binge, the blue glow of the screen still etched on his retina. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of Alex's hastily applied cologne – a potent mix that made Lyle's head spin. As he reached for the coffee pot, he knocked over a stack of diapers, which cascaded onto the floor like a fluffy, absorbent waterfall. "Mornin', gorgeous," he mumbled to the empty room, his voice husky from disuse. Alex, already seated at the kitchen table, looked up from his phone, where he was scrolling through a social media thread on the best ways to soothe a fussy baby. His eyes, bloodshot from lack of sleep, crinkled at the corners as he smiled. The soft morning light streaming through the window highlighted the dark circles under his eyes, a testament to their collective sleep deprivation. "Morning, hot mess," Alex replied, tossing a diaper at Lyle, who caught it with a grunt. Just then, a high-pitched giggle echoed from the living room, followed by the sound of baby babble. Erik, their tiny, traumatized toddler, was up and about, and Lyle and Alex were already running on fumes. Erik's laughter was infectious, and Lyle couldn't help but smile as he stumbled towards the living room. As Lyle entered the room, he found Erik perched on the couch, wrapped in a faded Batman blanket, with Handsome, their Italian Greyhound, snuggled up beside him. Erik's big brown eyes sparkled as he exclaimed, "Wuv you, Dada!" – or at least, that's what Lyle thought he said. Erik's baby talk was still a mystery to them, but they were slowly deciphering his unique language. Lyle's heart melted. "Aww, baby boy, I wuv you too!" He swooped in for a sloppy kiss, which Erik reciprocated with a slobbery grin. Handsome, sensing attention was being diverted, nuzzled Erik's hand, and the baby obligingly scratched behind the dog's ears, cooing, "Gentwe, Handsome, gentwe!" Alex appeared behind Lyle, a cup of coffee in hand, and wrapped his arms around Lyle's waist. "Morning, stretchy baby," he whispered, earning a sleepy smile from Lyle. As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, Erik began to babble excitedly, "Uppy, Daddy! Up, uppy, up!" Lyle turned to Alex, a questioning look on his face. "I think someone wants to go up," he said, and Alex nodded, handing Lyle the coffee. As Lyle lifted Erik into the air, the baby squealed with delight, "Wheeee! Up, Daddy, up!" Lyle and Alex exchanged a look, both of them already exhausted but fueled by their love for this tiny, human chaos agent. The kitchen was still a mess, the coffee pot was still on, and the day was young – but as Lyle and Alex navigated the morning with Erik in tow, they knew they were in for another beautiful, messy, love-filled day. And as they moved through their morning routine, Erik's giggles and babbles filled the air, a soothing balm for their frazzled nerves. With Erik secure in Lyle's arms, Alex leaned in, his voice low and husky. "You ready for this, Daddy?" Lyle nodded, his eyes locking with Alex's. "Born ready, Daddy." As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, with Erik snuggled up between them, they knew that no matter what the day brought, they would face it together – as a family.