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Chapter 72 - Turbulence
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2024-10-29 19:42:56When Cailen walked into the kitchen, he saw everyone already seated, an empty seat beside Ezekiel that he supposed was meant for him.
Asher sat on the other side of Ezekiel, followed by Noah, then Eden and Dean, and another empty seat for William.
Cailen took his seat, ruffling Ezekiel's hair who pretty much ignored the action as he shoved hot dog in his mouth. William soon followed, taking his seat beside Cailen and digging in.
The food was his favorite, macaroni and cheese with hot dogs, probably also made with Ezekiel in mind but no one seemed to mind.
"So, have Stella and David found a place yet?" Cailen asked.
He hadn't actually spoken to Stella in a while, though she has been sending him texts, asking when she could meet Ezekiel. The texts have slowed down recently since she and her husband have been looking for a house to move into and Cailen&n
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Cailenhad been shuffling his way forward on the couch, getting ready to stand to goto bed, but froze with Asher's words because, this has never happened before."What?" Cailenasked stupidly."I- I'm just going to sleep here tonight," Asherrepeated, shrugging his shoulder as if this wasn't a big deal.Cailenlooked at him a second longer, the man unable to meet his gaze, before scoffing at the situation."Okay," Cailensaid angrily and disbelieving, standing up from the couch and heading to their room, trying not to stomp in anger because Ezekielwas sleeping and there were people living underneath them.Again, Cailensuppressed the urge to slam the door shut, opting to not touch itatall in case he couldn't control himself.Maybe he was actually hoping Asherwould come to bed anyway and didn't want him to think he wasn't welcome by the door being closed, but he wasn't
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Asherhad also been quite distant the past couple days, maybe not physically but definitely mentally.Sure, he would still wrap his arm around Cailen'swaist or kiss him on the cheek, but it somehow just felt wrong.Like he was just going through the motions because he knew this is what he should be doing but like he didn't actually feel like doing it.Like when he left for work this morning, Ashergave him a chaste kiss to the lips, mumbled out a goodbye and barely looked him in the eye before fleeing for the door.Their goodbyes in the morning were usually longer-a lot longer-and involved a lot more embracing, kisses and some playful teasing.This morning,Cailenalmost broke down in the kitchen because that's all it's been the past couple days.He couldn't say Asherwas completely to blame because Cailendidn't want to bring it up either but he couldn't help but notice the wedge
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"I'm sorry," Asherapologized, never breaking eye contact. "I've been acting like a twat lately," Asheradmitted and as much as Cailenwould like accept the apology and leave it at that, he knew Asherwasn't totally in the wrong."So have I," Cailenadmitted, running his hands up Asher's arms and looking down at where their bodies met. "Why can't we figure this one out?" Cailenasked, knowing it's what Asher's been thinking as well."I don't know, because we're both a little stubborn and think we're right?" Ashersuggested, half teasing but half serious.Cailengave him a half smile, his hand resting on Asher's shoulders."I want you to know, I do support you. I know it might seem like I don't... But Ijust worry, Ash," Cailenexplained, continuing before Ashercan interrupt and he can't get his point across."I love that being a firefighter makes you happy, and all I want is for
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"What?" Cailensaid, maybe sort of squeaked."Yeah, I think he should go," Asherchuckled. "I mean, not forever... maybe just a couple months to clear his head and see what he really wants to do. But he always talks about missing home and I think it's kind of mixing with all the Camilleemotions... So I think he should go and just sort everything out," Ashersaid.Cailenhadn't been expecting this at all. He had expected Asherto be very upset about this, to be begging Noahto stay, not telling him to go."Oh, you're not going to miss him?" Cailenasked, confused."Of course I am," Ashersaid. "But... You know, we're always busy with Zekeand now Mattand Hazelhave Aariyah. He's only got Wilto hang around and Wil's focusing on his band... I'm sure it gets lonely, he just doesn't want to say anything and make us feel bad," Asherexplained.Cailennever thought
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"I have a son," Cailenanswered with a patient smile, still finding it odd but equally exciting when he told people that, no matter how many times he has told her this.Mrs. Cruzsmiled at this, the wrinkles by her eyes becoming more prominent."How old?""He's eight," Cailenreplied, watching as her eyes lit up with joy from his answer."Oh, they're such darlings at that age," she commented but Cailencould tell now that she was lying in her bed, she was getting tired."Yeah, he's pretty amazing," Cailenreplied, double checking that everything on the monitor was correct. "I'll be back in a couple hours with your dinner before I leave, okay?" Cailensaid, heading towards the door."Okay, dear," she smiled sleepily at Cailen, her eyes falling shut as she fell asleep.Cailenshut the door behind him, smiling to himself because he really did enjoy talking to Mrs. Cruz, even if she didn't
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Cailenwas already grabbing the pants off the doorknob and slipping them on, underwear be damned."What's wrong?" Cailenasked, noticing Asherclimbing out of bed as well, going in search of his clothes."Zekehad a nightmare..." Williamsaid, and although it didn't slow his movements any as he searched for his shirt, his heart did calm some because this was something that had happened many times."Yeah... Hegets those. We're coming over," Cailensaid into the phone as Asherhanded him his shirt.Cailenglanced around Asherat the alarm clock and saw that it was nearly two in the morning."Is he still up?I want totalk to him on the phone.""Yeah... he's- he's here, but um, he doesn't want to talk about it. He said not to call you," Williamsaid, his voice turning into a whisper."We're coming,Wil, just try to keep him calm if you can," Cailen
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They didn't knock when they arrived at the house.They both climbed out of the car, Asherbarely remembering to lock it and hurried inside.The house was quiet and dark except for the quiet noise of the television and low glow from the screen that was coming from the living room.Cailenand Asherkicked off their shoes and hurried into the living room where Williamsat on an armchair, his attention on the screen though it looked like he was ready to pass out from how tired he was.On the couch that was facing the television,they could see a blonde head poking over the top and as they drew closer,they could see Ezekiel's as well.When they stepped into the living room, Williamturned to them and stood in relief, gesturing to the couch where Ezekielwas."Zeke, look who's here," Williamsaid, smiling softly at the boy.Both Noahand Ezekielturned to see Cailen
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"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
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"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
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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
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"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
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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.
