"Why are you here?" Airene asked curiously, stepping away from her mother with a curious expression on her face.
Cailen was a little lost as to how the two children knew each other, it's not like they were old enough to have personal lives outside of their parents.
Thankfully, he wasn't the only one that looked a little lost.
Lucia and Ivan looked a bit confused as they regarded their daughter, and Asher was giving Cailen a questioning look as if to ask if he knew anything.
Cailen only shook his head as subtly as he could as Ezekiel shrugged his shoulder, looking to his feet shyly.
"Mom, he’s in my class," Airene said, glancing back at her mother, but immediately turning back to Ezekiel.
"Oh, what a small world," Lucia commented politely, smiling at Cailen. "Airene, sweetie, I'm assuming these are Ezekiel’s parents," Lucia explained softly since Ezekiel&nb
"Alright, you should know," Cailensaid as he walked- yes,walked-Asherup to the door of their flat.Asherwas walking now, with the help of a cane, and at about a quarter of the speed of a normal person, but he was walking so Cailenwas thankful.There was a while there where Cailenknew Asherfigured he would never walk again and was ready to just give up, but he pushed through it and now he was able to come home with the promise of coming back to the hospital twice a week for Physio.It was the first time Asherwould be home since the accident. He had been discharged this morning but had to wait because Cailenstill had to finish his shift before he could take him home."That the second you get in there, you will have a face full of slobber," Cailenwarned him, referring to the dog waiting inside.Loki has been miserable the past few weeks without Asher, not even Ezekiel 
The next little while was just as hectic as it was in the hospital, even with Cailen'stime off.There was so much to deal with, and because Asherwas injured, it was all left up to Cailen, though he could tell Asherfelt bad about that.If Cailenwasn't getting Ezekielready or taking him to school, he was waiting on Asher, changing his bandages, and making sure he took his medication.If he wasn't doing that, he was cleaning the flat, going grocery shopping and taking Loki on walks.And when he wasn't doing that, he was taking care of the legal aspect of Asher's accident.It was pretty straightforward, he got injured on the job and wasn't able to work, and with his leg the way it was now, he wouldn't be able to return as a firefighter because the risk was too great.Asherwas getting compensated at the moment, getting regular cheques as if he were still working, and he would be getting them until
Cailenwas mildly concerned when he dropped Ezekieloff at school one day, watching as the boy walked away but was approached by a familiar little red headed girl.Cailendidn't immediately freak out. He stayed calm and just watched from his car, ready to intervene if needed.Cailenhad spoken to Ezekiel's teacher like he had said he would and she agreed to keep an eye on the children.She also said she would speak to Aireneprivately and hopefully explain to her about bullying and teasing.Cailenhad been given daily updates when he picked Ezekielup from school and she's told him that she hasn't seen anything alarming, but that didn't mean it stopped for good so Cailenkept a close eye on the two children.Ezekielslowed his pace, obviously a little hesitant towards the little girl and Cailencouldn't help but feel a little angry at that.He didn't like anyone making Ezekiel&n
Cailensmiled at the commotion, turning to see Ashersmiling as well before he too was turning to meet Cailen'seyes.Asher's smile grew as he reached over, grabbing Cailenby the waist and pulling him in close to give him a kiss.Cailen restedhis hand on Asher's arm near his shoulder so as not to hurt him in anywayas he tip his toes to reach his husband.Cailenhad been expecting a simple peck on the lips, something small and quick before they could be interrupted by anyone but Asherkept his hold on Cailen'swaist and kept him close, almost lifting him up against his bodyas he slowly worked his lips against Cailen's.Cailendidn't pull away, he let Asherkiss him, returning the kiss as soon as he realized Asherhad wanted more than just a quick peck.Cailenslid his hand up behind Asher's neck, deepening the kiss and sort of getting caught up in it.He k
They all ate in the living room because their table just wasn't big enough for seven people plus a baby.They put Ezekielon the floor infront of the coffee table, pulled in a few chairs from the kitchen and everyone else just held their plates in their hands.Of course before Hazeland Matthewcould eat, they had to feed Aariyahbut that didn't take too long and now she was in Asherand Cailen'sroom taking a nap in a make shift crib they had made with their blanket so she wouldn't accidentally roll off the bed.It was nice, sitting here on the couch with Asherby his side, Ezekielat their feet eating dinner and their friends spread out in the living room.It felt normal again, and Cailenwasn't only talking about Asherand his accident.It felt normal to be sitting here with Matthewand Hazelhaving to worry about the little girl asleep in the bedroom.It felt norma
The room was silent as the little boy hurried down the hall, the only thing breaking said silence was the slam of his door once Ezekielmade it to his room.Cailenflinched at the noise, fully aware of the sleeping baby in the room next to it. Sure enough, a faint crying noise started, getting louder and louder with each passing second the group of them just sat there.Cailenwas a bit unsure of what to do. Surely there was a parenting rule about not paying tantrums any attention but Cailenwasn't sure if thisisclassified as a tantrum and he was fairly certain he couldn't just let Ezekielgo without seeing if the boy was okay.It was Hazelwho got up first, breaking the apparent game that they all play statues for a moment.Cailenwatched her shuffle by, mouthing out an apology that she waved off, smiling softy at him and squeezing his shoulder on the way.Matthewquickly followed be
Cailen is startled from his sleep by a sudden weight crashing into him and then a wet nose sniffing at his face.He knows who it is instantly and groans, not caring if he wakes Asher up at this point.It's his dog, if Loki is waking Cailen up, then Asher can get woken up as well.Cailen brought his arms up, having to untangle himself from Asher's grasp in order to do so, and shielded his face from the intruding nose.It's not like this has never happened before, but it didn't happen often.Loki was usually pretty good at just sleeping at the foot of their bed, but recently, he's been cuddling up to Ezekiel in his so it was a bit strange.Either way, Loki was waking Cailen up so he started to sit up, just remembering to be gentle in case Asher's arm or leg was in the right position to get squished."Loki, down," Cailen mumbled, his tone firm.Cailen heard a groan come from behind him and knew Asher was now awake.
"Yeah, I love you too," Cailensaid with a small smile before hanging up his phone and slipping it into his pocket.He went to turn around but paused as a man in a suit rushed by him, obviously in a hurry.They were at the airport saying goodbye to Noahbefore he got on a flight to Scotlandand apparently,he was not the only one planning a trip that weekend.You could barely move without bumping into someone and Cailenhad to step away into a corner in order to answer his phone because it was so loud.Once the man had passed,Cailencontinued back towards the small group that was gathering outside the gate Noahwas to go through to get to his flight.They were all there, Matthew, Hazel, and of course Aariyah, William, Asherand Ezekiel, all hugging Noahgoodbye before his departure.He had been in the middle of saying goodbye when his phone rang and he excused himself to answer
"Hey, hey, it's the superstar, finally making an appearance!" Matthewcalled out when they entered the kitchen.Cailengrinned at this while Williamlooked a bit sheepish. He knew he was never around much and constantly apologized for it, but they all understood and were all proud of their friend."Shut up, I've been busy!" Williamdefended just as the two girls at the counter turned in their stools and gasped.They each climbed their way down from the stools, Aariyahalmost taking a tumble but she caught herself and then they were each latched onto one of William's legs, the older man chuckling."Uncle William!" Maddisonsquealed, squeezing William's leg tight.Williamawkwardly bent down as far as he could without hurting or squishing the small girls, reaching out to rest a hand on each of them."How are two of my favorite girls?" he asked.It was truly adorable how much they each loved
Cailenonly had to look over the boy's shoulder to see his brother saunter in, but Ezekieland Ellianahad to turn around and Cailencouldn't say he was exactly surprised by the reaction.Ellianagasped in surprise while Ezekieldarted forward and threw himself at his uncle.Williamchuckled and wrapped Ezekielup in a tight hug, rocking him back and forth slightly before letting go."Uncle William, you made it!" Ezekielsaid happily.It had been a while since Ezekieland Maddisonlast saw him."Papasaid he didn't know if you were coming," Ezekielexplained.William mockscoffed."Of course I will! I wouldn't miss my favorite nephew turning fifteen!" Williamexclaimed.Cailentook a peek over at Ellianato see a look of confusion mixed with awe and nearly lost it. He would never understandthe effect Williamhad on teen
Both Matthewand Cailenlooked over to where the girls were sitting.It was instinctive now, whether it was your own child saying it or not, when you heard 'Daddy'or ‘Papa’, you look.Maddisonwas standing from her spot and making her way over to where Cailenand Matthewsat, a sheet of paper in her hands."Look, isn't my flower pretty?" she asked holding up the paper to Cailenwhere he saw a simple flower drawn on it.It was pink with big petals and a small green stem and looked like every other flower drawing she'd ever done but Cailenstill nodded along, smiling at his daughter."Yes, it's beautiful, love," Cailensmiled, his arms still bouncing Mishaup and down on his knee."But- But isn't mine beautiful-er?" Aariyahstood in a hurry, rushing over to them and nearly tripping as she held up her own drawing of an almost identical flower.Cailens
"Dude, she'll be here soon," Trippsaid, leaning across the island in the kitchen to reach for the bowl of crisps that Cailenhad put out. "Calm down or you'll start getting sweat stains," he added, scrunching up his nose in distaste.Tripp, if possible, had grown up to be even bigger than Ezekiel, though that wasn't much of a surprise with how much taller he's always been than Ezekiel. He still had his blonde hair,though it wasn't quite so golden anymore-more of a dirty blonde, and has acquired glasses over the years.Cailenremembers the first day he had come over with them on, the boy had been mortified but he's grown to love them, claiming the girls were really into the 'nerdy' look these days."And no girl likes sweat stains," Aireneadded from her spot at the island.Airenehad grown up to be quite the beautiful girl, her hair still a fiery red and her green eyes bright and enchanting.Ezekie
Cailenstopped a ways back, pulling his coat tighter around him as the fall breeze blew and made him shiver.He was always surprised sometimes when he really looked at Ezekieland saw how much he's grown.Up until last year,it seemed as though he had missed the puberty bus until one day,Cailenreally looked at him and noticed he had grown about a foot and was stealing his cologne to wear.It was a bit of a shock that he quickly got over and went out to buy Ezekielhis own cologne along with some shaving supplies since he had noticed the boy had also started growing some scruff.It was something he never had a problem with in the first place because until now, he never had a single hair grow on his face, well aside from his eyebrows and his head, of course.Cailenknew he was going to be one of those teenagers that looked way olderthan they really were just because puberty decided to randomly
Maddison rushed over to them, throwing herself into Asher's legs hard enough that her feet left the ground and she was able to crawl into Asher's lap, with his help of course."What do you mean ‘Zekeleft’?" Asherquestioned as he wrapped his arms around his daughterso she wouldn't fall off.She had nestled herself nicely in his lap so her legs dangled over the edge but she was able to look up at them both with her big blue eyes.They adopted Maddison out of the orphanage when she was six years old, soon after Ezekielhad come up to them one day and asked if they were ever going to adopt another child.It was completely random and out oftheblue and had taken them both by surprise so much that they didn't know what to say.They honestly hadn't thought about adopting again, but when Ezekielexplained that he was only wondering because he thought it might be nice to have someone to play w
Seven years later…"Alright," Cailenheard come from down the hall.It was only a couple steps further so he made the small venture to poke his head around the corner and into the hall to see Asherjust coming up from the basement."The basement isofficially 'Teen-Proof'," Asher said around an exhausted sigh.Cailenfully stepped into the entrance of the hallway, crossing his arms over his chest and waiting for his husband to meet him at the end of the hall and proceeding to follow him into the kitchen.Cailenstill cringed slightly whenever he walked into the kitchen, more so when he had company following him.They were in the middle of renovating the kitchen, the last of the house's renovation, thankfully.When they purchased the house four years ago, they had gotten it pretty cheap because it needed so much work done to it. They just hadn't realized how much work it ne
"Yeah, I love you too," Cailensaid with a small smile before hanging up his phone and slipping it into his pocket.He went to turn around but paused as a man in a suit rushed by him, obviously in a hurry.They were at the airport saying goodbye to Noahbefore he got on a flight to Scotlandand apparently,he was not the only one planning a trip that weekend.You could barely move without bumping into someone and Cailenhad to step away into a corner in order to answer his phone because it was so loud.Once the man had passed,Cailencontinued back towards the small group that was gathering outside the gate Noahwas to go through to get to his flight.They were all there, Matthew, Hazel, and of course Aariyah, William, Asherand Ezekiel, all hugging Noahgoodbye before his departure.He had been in the middle of saying goodbye when his phone rang and he excused himself to answer
Cailen is startled from his sleep by a sudden weight crashing into him and then a wet nose sniffing at his face.He knows who it is instantly and groans, not caring if he wakes Asher up at this point.It's his dog, if Loki is waking Cailen up, then Asher can get woken up as well.Cailen brought his arms up, having to untangle himself from Asher's grasp in order to do so, and shielded his face from the intruding nose.It's not like this has never happened before, but it didn't happen often.Loki was usually pretty good at just sleeping at the foot of their bed, but recently, he's been cuddling up to Ezekiel in his so it was a bit strange.Either way, Loki was waking Cailen up so he started to sit up, just remembering to be gentle in case Asher's arm or leg was in the right position to get squished."Loki, down," Cailen mumbled, his tone firm.Cailen heard a groan come from behind him and knew Asher was now awake.