"Uninvited company!" Cailen called out into the flat, knowing they were in here somewhere.
Sure enough, they heard a loud cackle of laughter that was now as familiar as his own.
It was coming from the living room so Asher and Cailen both headed in that direction, their knees being attacked immediately when they turned the corner after Loki finally realized they were home.
Cailen gave the dog a quick pat, greeting him briefly whereas Asher got right down and allowed the dog to lick him all over.
Cailen liked dogs, he wouldn't have allowed Asher to have Loki if he didn't, but that didn't mean he enjoyed getting a face wash by him.
Cailen was busy anyway, glaring at the four people making themselves at home in their living room.
They were all grinning innocently as if they hadn't just technically broken into their home.
Cailen wasn't panicked because he knew these four people, th
"Cai, any tips for getting this thing out of me?" Hazelasked, half joking, half serious.Cailensmirked at her, offering her a hand as she tried to put on her shoes."Well, sex is the most recommended method, or at least sexual arousal. Gets the oxytocin flowing... Or acupuncture, aromatherapy... or just simple relaxation, but nothing has been fully established in any of their effectiveness," Cailenexplained.He's been kind of coaching Hazelthrough this whole thing, even setting her up with the best doctor at the hospital he worked at."So I would just stick with the fun one," Cailensuggested, sending her a wink that she snorted at."So the acupuncture?" she teased, looking to Matthewwho gave her an unimpressed look."Exactly," Cailenagreed, grinning at Matthewwho reached out to flick him in the nose.Cailenchuckled, swatting his hand away then pulling both him and Noa
"I'm sorry,Mom, but we just wanted to get settled before we spring everyone on him," Cailenspoke into the phone that was squished between his ear and shoulder as he finished wrapping up Ezekiel's sandwich that he had made to pack with him for lunch.It was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that was making a right mess of his fingers but it was Ezekiel's favorite so Cailenfigured it was worth it.Ezekielwas in his room, hopefully getting ready for school, but Cailensuspected he was playing with his toys. It was alright though, they were ahead of schedule anyway."I know, I'm just excited is all. I'm a grandmother!" Cailenheard his mother's voice say through the phone, obviously excited.Cailensmiled as he put the sandwich into the Batman lunch container. Honestly,this kid loved batman too much for his own good, but his smile faded as what Edensaid sunk in."Uh, yeah... Mom, you mig
"Zeke, you're supposed to be getting ready for school. We're going to be late," Cailensaid even though they really weren't.Ezekielgrumbled something out, something Cailencouldn't make out but it didn't matter. It was probably something along the lines of 'I don't want to go to school'."Come on, up,up!" Cailensaid, slipping his hands under the boy's armpitsto lift him to his feet."But, Cailen-" Ezekielbegan to protest."No, come on, we're going to be late and I've got to go to work," Cailenreminded him.Ezekielhuffed and stomped over to his bed where an outfit was laid out for him. Asherthought it wasn't necessary to pick out an outfit for the boy but Asherhad never tried to get him dressed for school.Cailenlet Ezekielpick once and Ezekielhad come out butt naked, much like he is now, and that was the end of that.Cailenstayed as
Cailenwas exhausted to say the least.He just wanted to go to sleep but the chairs were not comfortable at all and William's fidgeting- who couldn't seem to sit still long enough for Cailento rest his head on the man’s shoulder- was not helping.It's been about two hours since Hazelarrived and Cailenhad got Matthewall scrubbed up and into the delivery room.Cailendidn't stay because technically,only the husband was allowed in there and although he could probably get away with it if he helped out in some way, he figured it'd be best not to push his luck. That, and he didn't particularly want to seeHazel in that state, wherehe could be seeing most of her everything.Cailenhad called Asherafter getting Matthewinto the delivery room, explaining what was going on.Asherof course wanted to rush down here and be here for Matthewand Hazelbut
"Cailen, I have to pee," Ezekielsaid, crossing his legs in front Cailenand doing a little dance.Cailenlet his suspicions go-for now-and smiled at the boy, ready to get up and take him to the toilet."I could take him?" Williamasked more than offered, looking from Ezekielto Cailenthen Asher. "You guys are probably knackered... I'm sure I could handle taking him to the toilet."Cailenlooked to Asherwho only shrugged, not seeing a problem with that. Cailenlooked to Ezekiel, raising his eyebrows at the boy."Is that alright, Zeke? Do you mind if Wiltakes you?" Cailenasked.Cailenknew Williamwas trying to get some more time with the boy, probably wanting to get to know him or make up for the last time they met and Cailenwanted them to, but he didn't want Ezekielto be uncomfortable.Ezekiellooked to William, hesitating for a m
"We all should go though.I'm sure Hazel's very exhausted and this one is probably going to be sent in to run some tests soon," Cailensaid, slipping his hands under the baby and lifting her from Ezekiel's lap.Cailencarefully handed Aariyahback to her mother, Hazelsmiling gratefully at Cailenbecause she knew he knew how tried she was. He's been through this enough times to know she'll probably be zonked out soon."Thanks for waiting,guys," Matthewsaid, looking to William, Cailenand Asher. "And thanks for making it, Noah."The Scottishnodded, sending him a smile."Of course," Noahsaid."And thank you, Cai. I know I was freaking out a bit there," Matthewchuckled, nervously scratching at the back of his neck.Cailenchuckled, shrugging his shoulder."You're not the first father-to-be I've had to calm down," Cailenteased."Okay, mister, re
"Asher," Cailenwhispered even though he knew Ashercouldn't hear him anymore.Cailenwas tempted to just stay there but he knew if he did, he probably wouldn't be able to move in the morning. So instead of risking that, Cailenvery carefully and very awkwardly swung his legs around, maneuvering Ezekiel's so they wrapped around his waist and stood, holding the boy by his thighs.Ezekieldidn't even stir, not loosening his grip either, as Cailenhobbled down the hall and kicked open the door to their room.Asherwas waiting for them in the bed, grinning at Caileninnocently."You got him?" Asherasked around a chuckle, watching the duo carefully in case Cailenreally didn't have him."Yes, no thanks to you," Cailengritted out, shooting his husband a glare as he made his way to the bed, noticing Loki had curled up at the end and had already fallen asleep."He's not that heav
"Wil's going to want to steal him away and have him perform with him when he's older.""Don't get ahead of yourself," Noahsaid. "Could of just been a one-time thing, but I think he's got natural talent even if we were just doing some chords," Noahcomplimented, smiling softly."Could you imagine? Zekeauditioning for... Got Talentor something?" Cailenasked, half joking, half serious."Who knows? Maybe he will," Noahagreed with a small nod of his head.Cailenreached out then, grabbing Noah's hand and giving it a squeeze."How are you holding up?" Cailenasked.Noahshrugged, not meeting Cailen'seyes."We started fighting a lot when we moved in together," Noahexplained.This surprised Cailenbecause Noahhad never told them but then again, they had kind of gone AWOL for a while there, having to deal with Ezekieland all. Now Cailenfel