Cailen managed to get Ezekiel fed, dressed, and to school on time, surprisingly enough.
He was late for work however, because he stopped in to talk with Ezekiel's teacher, explaining what had happened and that Ezekiel may not seem fully attentive today.
She was very understanding and said she would probably let him go off to the back of room so he could be alone if he needed.
Cailen had thanked her and rushed out of there as fast as he could, apologizing profusely to Madeline when he arrived at work.
Madeline gave him a stern look, probably for the sole reason of protecting her reputation because she then gave him a small smile and nodded him along.
He was grateful to have her as a boss, well she was more a supervisor, but still, she was pretty reasonable at times.
Cailen tried to make it through the first half of his day, going to his usual patients that he had to give medication to, bri
There was nothing funny about what Matthewsaid, nothing to laugh at,yet a choked off laugh bubbled it's way out of his mouth, earning a smirk from Matthew."Yeah, it’sgreat," Cailenmumbled, taking a shaky breath and letting it out in a rush as he looked to the ceiling above, the lights making him squint."You're momwanted me to tell you to call her when she can come see Ash," Matthewsaid nonchalantly as if Cailenweren't still taking deep breaths in order to keep himself calm."And she's always available if you need her to watch Zeke," Matthewadded.Cailennodded, he knew that already, she had sent him several text messages and he did reply so he didn't know why she felt the need to ask Matthewto tell him."So, Papa, huh?" Matthewstarted, grinning at Cailen.It was obvious what he was doing, trying to search for a topic that would take Cailen'smind from
"Is he awake yet?" Noahasked, rushing into the room and stopping mid-step when he looked to the bed and saw that Asherwas not awake yet.The doctor had finished operating on Asherabout an hour ago and had returned Asherto his bed but had told Cailenhe was still heavily drugged and would be in and out of consciousness for a while.Asherhadn't woken up at all since the doctor returned him but at least now,he really was just sleeping, not knocked out.He was still on a breathing machine but instead of the full face mask he had before,it was only two little tubes that went into his nostrils.There were still other wires connected to him-a heart monitor just in case and a morphine drip because he would still be in a lot of pain but there weren't as many as before."No, hasn't woken up since the doctor brought him back," Williamexplained from where he sat on the other side of the s
Cailenwiped at Asher's chin without being bothered by it at all.With how long he's been a nurse,he's had to clean more than his fair share of vomit.Cailenmay not have been able to help operate on Asher, but he was allowed to take care of him like this and he had offered to do so, so they wouldn't have to send someone else in here.He was certain Asherwould be more comfortable with Cailentaking care of him rather than a random person.Cailenreached behind him for the glass of water that was always given to the patients and turned back around, holding it infront of Asher's face."Ash, can you swish this around in your mouth, love?" Cailenasked, placing the cup at Asher's lips.Asherwasn't really all here, Cailencould tell, but he did comply with Cailen'sinstructions and swished a bit of water around in his mouth."Okay, now spit," Caileninstructed and watc
Ashereventually fell asleep again so Cailenlowered him down onto the bed gently, kissing his forehead and making sure he was tucked in so he wouldn't get cold.Cailenleft the room after that since Asherwas sleeping and made his way to the front desk.Madelinehad gone home already but Cailenstill had to report what he found out when Asherwoke up.Instead of Madelinebehind the desk,there was a young man with a dark head of hair and blue eyes that Cailen'snever seen before.It wasn't surprising because he hasn't worked a night shift in a long time and wouldn't be now that he had Ezekielto take care of.Cailenstill approached the desk, ready to introduce himself and report what he found."Hi, if you'd fill this out,we'll be with-" the man said, obviously not knowing who Cailenwas either."Uh, that's okay, um, I work here actually," Cailen&nbs
The man beside her wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close as he smiled at Asherwho remained still, his eyes still locked on the little girl.Cailenwas a bit shocked to hear this. He kind of forgot about why this had all happened in the first place.He looked to the little girl who had a small scratch on her left arm but was otherwise fine.She stepped forward, away from her parents and up beside Asher, her eyes locked on himwith a look of wonder in them.Cailencould relate, he knew he often looked at Asherlike that but it was different seeing it on her face.It was different seeing it on the face of a little girl who Asherhad saved because it made Cailenrealize just how truly amazing Asherwas.He's never met anyone Asherhas saved before. Sure, he's heard stories and of course believed them one hundred percent but it was something to hear about it, and something
Cailenhad to leave to go get Ezekielfrom school, make him dinner and make sure he did his homework before Noahcame over to watch him while Cailencame back to the hospital so it was sort of convenient that Asherhad fallen asleep.He was avoiding bringing Ezekieldown to the hospital because Ashertruly wasn't very sociable and he didn't want Ashergetting upset at Ezekielover anything because the boy might take it to heart.Even the guy’s visits have been sparse because Ashercouldn't handle socializing with so many people right now-his head still hurt, he was still feeling a bit nauseous sometimes, and it all made him very irritable.That family coming to visit was proof enough that Asherwasn't ready.The only person Asherwould allow for any length of time was Cailen, and he was certain that was only because Cailendidn't really give him an option.As
"Zeke!" Cailencalled out into the flat from the kitchen."When you're donewithyour homework, come and eat!" Cailenset the plate of food he had made down on the kitchen table, wiping his hands off on the towel and looking around the kitchen for that glass of juice he had poured.He was a bit scatter brained at the moment because he was supposed to leave in five minutes or he'd be late and Noahwasn't here yet.He resisted the urge to text him, the guywas doing a favor for him after all, and busied himself with cleaning up the kitchen.He didn't want to be late because he knew he was already asking a lot of the hospital to split his shifts like this. He had to go talk to them and work out a shift that had him starting later in the day so he could drop Ezekieloff at school, then he was off early in order to pick him up and back to work a couple hours later to finish his shift.It was a bit exhaust
Asherwent through a few different moods lately.Either he was extremely grumpy and annoyed, so hopped up on drugs that he couldn't wipe the goofy smile from his face, or just very apologetic about everything he did.Cailenthought he was the most clear-headed when he was apologetic and was kind of thankful he got to talk to Asherlike this tonight."There's nothing to be sorry for, Ash," Cailentold him, stroking his thumb along Asher's knuckles."Yes there is," Ashersaid, his voice sounding a bit off, a little shaky. "I- I shouldn't have gone. The..." Ashersaid, trailing off, and his brow furrowing in concentration.Cailenwaited patiently, wanting to tell him that it was okay now that he was pausing but he knew if he did, it'd only upset Ashermore because he hadn't meant to pause.He was trying to think of a word so Cailendidn't interrupt."Chief. The chief asked me to
"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.