The day had finally arrived for Jack to attend his first day of preschool. After all those months Denise spent last year, looking and shortlisting for a preschool- The Teddy Bear Club was the one they'd decided. Their toddler was enrolled into TBC's 'Moyen Jardin' class at their Lincoln Preschool Campus; a destination that was a short twenty-nine minute drive away from their home in West Roxbury. Sunny Hill was the other preschool she'd considered, due to her sister-in-law's recommendation. Though Denise liked what Sunny Hill offered, she though TBC had a better program. But when asked the honest truth of why she picked TBC, she explained it wasn't the program but how happy Jack looked when she told him he was going to a preschool called 'The Teddy Bear Club' that made up her mind.

Still, she did not base her decision based on their adorable name. After all, she was an intellect and a pragmatist who wanted nothing but the best for her son. It was just preschool, but it was the foundation of his education. She perused their website, extensively studying their curriculum and staff members. And on a rare day that Chris had free, they drove down to take a tour of the campus. It didn't take them long to see how great the preschool was. They had a vast curriculum that taught subjects Chris and Denise wanted Jack to learn, subjects in performing arts and creative writing as that was what they were passionate about.

TBC also taught French, which Denise thought would benefit Jack in the long run. He was already learning bits of Mandarin from his maternal grandmother, so if he learned to speak French as well then he'd be trilingual. Denise was trilingual- well, she would be if she would just revised her French from her high school days. But with no one to speak to, she didn't see the point of it. That was part of the reason why she'd pushed for TBC, perhaps if Jack started to speak French it'd give her reason to do so as well. Chris didn't mind, he liked that his wife could speak multiple languages and would love for his child to have the same advantage. The world was a tough place to survive, any additional skill or talent was beneficial.

"Breakfast is ready!" Chris called from the kitchen as Denise got Jack dressed for his first day upstairs. The toddler was being particularly fussy with what he wore today, claiming he wanted to make a good impression on his first day. Denise was trying her best to be understanding and patient, but after the third t-shirt he wouldn't put on- she was done. "What are they doing, Dodger?" He rhetorically asked his dog, who looked at him with a tilted head. "C'mon, you two!" He continued to call as he walked over to the stairs, looking up from the bottom step. "It's our first day, we don't want to be late!"

"Tell that to Mr. I-Can't-Decide-On-A-Shirt," Denise grumbled as she walked into Chris' line of vision. "What is he so afraid of? The paparazzi catching him in an 'Elmo' t-shirt instead of a 'Pooh Bear' one? God forbid." He chuckled at her exasperated expression, holding out a hand as she descended the stairs. "Is this retribution for the paces I put my mother through as a child?" He laced his fingers with hers, giving her hand a light squeeze. "God, I really hope baby number two will be easier when it comes to his or her time to go to preschool."

"Is he dressed now?"

"Not even close. If you'd like to try your luck and offer him some fashion advice, you're more than welcome. I'm going to go eat my breakfast," she pulled her hand from his and headed towards the kitchen as he made his way upstairs to check on their son.

"Jack," Chris knocked on the door just as Jack took off another t-shirt. "What are you doing, bud?" He asked as he entered, taking a seat on the edge of his son's bed. "What's wrong with Mickey Mouse?" He held up the t-shirt the child had just taken off. "Why don't you want to wear it on your first day?"

"What if other people don't like Mickey Mouse?"

"It doesn't matter if other people don't like Mickey Mouse, you like Mickey Mouse. Come here," he grabbed his son by the hand and pulled him towards him, tugging the shirt over his head. "See," Chris smiled as he straightened Jack's t-shirt, smoothing his hand over the toddler's tummy. "You look so handsome, red is definitely your color."

"Thank you," Jack managed a small smile, tugging at the corners of his shirt. Chris ran his hand through his soft locks, waiting with a soft smile for Jack to bring up what was troubling him. He could've easily just asked, but he and Denise believed in trust and open communication- they didn't want to force things out of their son, they wanted him to come to them on his own.

"Daddy?"

"Yes, buddy?"

"What if other people don't like me?"

"Oh, buddy." Chris felt his heart ache as he lifted his son onto his leg, kissing his head. "That is not going to happen, you are one of the most likable people I've ever met. You are funny, and smart, and so kind. What's not to love about you, hm?" Jack managed a small smile, resting his head against his dad's shoulder. "Every first day is daunting, believe me. And you're allowed to be nervous, you just can't let your emotions get the best of you. You think Mama and I don't get nervous when we have to start a new job? We worry that people might not like us too, but that doesn't stop us from doing what we do."

"Why would anyone dislike you and Mama?"

"And why would anyone dislike you, Jack Jack?" He quizzed and the toddler wiggled his little mouth, pondering. Chris chuckled as he planted him back on the ground. "Come on," he rose to his feet and took Jack's hand. "Let's go eat breakfast before we're late for your first day, which is more likely than someone not liking you. Is this the backpack you're carrying?" He asked, grabbing Jack's Mickey Mouse backpack off the floor when he saw a nod. "Well, looks like we made the right decision with the shirt then." He joked and Jack giggled.

• • • • • • • •

Saying goodbye to Jack was a lot harder than Denise had anticipated. She thought she'd be fine, that she'd be able to give him a hug and a kiss and simply send him on his way. In fact, she was so confident that she'd be fine that she bet Chris a hundred bucks that he'd be the one to struggle, rather than her. She was sure she'd win until she hugged Jack and realized she didn't want to let go. After all that one on one time she'd spent with him while on her hiatus, she didn't want things to change. She wanted him to stay with her all day, accompanying her on all her errands and adventures around Boston. She wanted him to ask her silly questions and sing songs with her, she wanted to have Disney movie marathons with him and bake days where they'd end up having food fights in the kitchen, she wanted to not be without his adorable face while he was still her precious little boy.

"Denise," Chris' gentle hand rubbed Denise's back, informing her it was time for the kids to go inside the classroom. Most of the other parents had already said their goodbyes and gotten into their cars, with a few exceptions- like himself and Denise. "It's only four hours," he reminded her and she released a sigh of relief. "By the time we finish our chores and errands, we'll be back to pick him up."

"I know," she nodded in response. "Alright, let's- let's go." She descended, lowering Jack onto his feet. "Daddy and I will see you soon, sweetheart." She whispered into his ear when she gave him one final squeeze. Her eyes well with tears when she felt his arms tightened around her neck, just as she was about to pull away from him. "You're going to have so much fun and everyone is going to love you, I promise." She told him and he nodded, sniveling. "If anyone tries to be mean to you, you tell them who your daddy is."

"Captain America?"

"Well, yeah." She and Chris glanced at each other, laughing. "But Chris Evans will work too," she booped Jack's nose and he giggled. "We love you so much, Jack." She told him, taking his hands in her. "And we're going to miss you every second you are away from us, so don't worry, we're not going to forget about you. We will be here as soon as your school day ends, ready to take you to eat ice-cream so you can tell us all about your first day."

"Okay," he grinned.

Denise released Jack's hands and rose to her feet, watching as he walked towards the line his classmates had formed by the teacher's instructions. Chris wrapped an arm around Denise and she leaned into him, sighing. "He's going to be fine," he assured her. "Look at him, he's making friends already." They watched as Jack began to talk to another boy, carrying what appeared to be a Captain America backpack. "A Captain America backpack," Chris chuckled, "how 'bout that?"

"I'm pretty sure the parents are the fans." Denise smiled and waved politely at the couple whose conversation was obviously about how Chris Evans and Denise Hogan's son was in the same class as their son. "Can we go? They look like they want to make conversation and I am not in the mood to do that right now."

"What happened to wanting to make friends with other parents?" He teased as he began to lead her back to their car. "You realize we're going to have get along with the parents of whoever he befriends right?" He quizzed and she hummed a "mm hm" in response. "So what if the Captain America backpack boy ends up being his lifelong friend and his parents' first impression of us is us blowing them off?"

"I smiled and waved at them, that's good enough for now. It's the first day, I'm sure they can understand us not wanting to interact when we're going through something as emotional as saying goodbye to our son." She reasoned and he chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "And if that boy really is a potential lifelong friend for Jack, maybe wait for a name instead of calling him 'the Captain America backpack boy'."

"I think it's catchy, no?"

"Absolutely not," she laughed.

"How are you holding up?"

"It feels like I have a gaping hole in my chest," she answered honestly, despite knowing it meant she would lose their bet. "I'm so worried, Chris. I know it's only four hours, but a lot can happen in four hours. What if he has a mean teacher, or there is a bully in his class? He's not exactly the kind of kid who fights back. I just- I want him to have a good experience, I don't want him to grow up hating school as much as we did."

"He will, and even if he doesn't, he is going to be fine. He is so much stronger than we ever were, more mature too. All he did today was change a few shirts, we kicked and screamed and clawed at the car door. I know you're worried, but I promise you he has the capacity to handle whatever life throws his way. Just like you," he pressed his lips against her hair.

"Just like us," she corrected with a smile.

"Right, of course," he chuckled. "Just like us."