Motherhood.

"Waah"

The cry pierced the night like a knife. Christina was up in an instant. Noel was crying again. Shaggy flopped over to see Christina's shadow retreating down the hallway as she walked sleepily to the nursery. With a sigh, he rolled over and went back to sleep. Five kids had made Christina an expert on late night whether it was a nightmare, sickness, or a dirty dipar. She knew exactly how to handle it.

Christina opened the door to the newest room of her home and looked around. It was pretty much the same set-up as all the other nurseries they'd ever had. Crib, Changing table, Comfy chair, Bookshelf. It was all there; that was how Christina liked it. She looked down into the crib at the tiny baby that wriggled inside.

"What's wrong, Noel?" She whispered as she lifted the baby from the crib.

She was fed and dry soon afterward so, Christina sat down in her chair gazing at Noel who grasped her fingers in interest.

"If only your grandparents could see you now,"

The baby squeaked.

"You want me to talk to you,"

Another noise.

"Okay,"

Christina was delighted to just sit and talk to Noel. She got so caught up in talking to her daughter that she didn't notice Shaggy had come in until he was right next to her.

"Looks like someone likes a good story," he chuckled.

"It seems that way,"

"I think," Shaggy said taking Noel from Christina, "that you two are going to be great friends,"

"Me too,"

…..

Christina had begun taking Noel with her when she was old enough for Christina to return to work. Noel was very clearly Mommy's girl. She wasn't happy unless Christina was nearby. That afternoon while Christina prepared for the art classes, Noel rested comfortably inside a playpen snuggling with an old teddy bear that Beatrice had given her. Christina finished setting up the easels and had started to write the assignment on the board she jumped back in surprise, however, when her erasers went flying throughout the room.

"Oh, Noel why?" Christina laughed when the flying objects fell to the ground.

It wasn't unheard of for Noel to have magic bursts that came and went. Usually, this meant things would levitate. Christina had explained that Noel's powers would stabilize soon. For now, however, everyone was wary of these random magic bursts. All except, Christina who knew how to handle it. Picking up her fallen erasers she turned to the pen where her daughter slept. It wouldn't be very long until she woke up so, Christina went ahead and readied a bottle of milk. No sooner had Christina heated it did Noel awake wanting food.

Christina scooped the crying baby from the playpen and dangled the bottle in front of her face. In response, Noel grasped the bottle tightly and proceeded to drain it of its contents.

"You are Shaggy's daughter," Christina laughed.

After finishing with the bottle Noel let it slip from her grasp. Christina caught it using her magic and with a flick of her hand, it was in the sink ready to be washed. For right now, however, Christina sat in her desk chair softly humming tunes to the baby as she played with loose strands of Christina's hair. Christina didn't mind this as Noel had never really pulled her hair she seemed perfectly content just twirling it around her fingers. This time, however, Noel caught sight of something else. Christina laughed as Noel reached for the necklace she was wearing.

The butterfly necklace Shaggy had given her as a birthday gift years ago was still one of her favorite things to wear. Noel seemed to like it as well. Christina looked up at her students entered the classroom. Beatrice stopped and asked if she could hold Noel.

"After your work is finished,"

Every student in the room could tell that Christina enjoyed being a mother. After giving instructions for the assignment she turned her attention back to Noel. Christina did pay attention to her students though. She just carried Noel with her. The girls didn't mind, they loved the baby. Almost as much as Christina herself.

…...

When Christina got home that day she had her work cut out for her. The house needed to be cleaned, dinner needed to be cooked and, Christina had to mend Shaggy's clothes again. However, Christina didn't mind. She loved taking care of things. She put Noel in her play pen and set to work. After an hour the twins came home bringing the triplets with them. By this time Christina sat on the couch mending Shaggy's clothes while Noel was watching My Little Pony.

"Mom have you cooked dinner?" Beatrice asked before taking her bag to her room.

"No, I've been busy,"

"Good," Nathan laughed.

"What?"

"I've brought pizza!" Shaggy cried as he and Scooby entered the house.

Shaggy passed the boxes to Scooby before greeting Christina with a kiss. Shaggy's had stayed late to help a few of the students. Now, he was home and intended to spend time with his family. As they progressed to the dining room Noel began to cry.

"I'll have to change her first," Christina sighed.

Oh well, this was motherhood.