25th November 2022 - Los Angeles California
"No- No! I can do it by myself!" Lux insists, trying tot take the wash cloth out of Sebastians hand.
"Luxie, I'm sorry babe, but you most definitely can't do it by yourself." Sebastian says calmly, pulling the washcloth away from her so that she can't reach it. "We can't get your cast wet in the water and having you wash yourself is just too much of risk lovie."
Lux huffed, her good hand gripping the edge of the tub as she tried to glare up at Sebastian. "I'm not a baby. I can do it," she muttered stubbornly.
It certainly wasn't helping that Lux seemed to be in no sort of headspace at all right now and was adamant on being treated like any other normal 15 year old girl.
Sebastian crouched beside the tub, resting the damp washcloth on the edge where Lux couldn't grab it. "I know you're not a baby, Luxie," he said gently. "I also know you're strong and capable. But your arm needs to heal, and I don't want you to get hurt or mess up your cast."
Lux crossed her arms over her chest with a huff, careful not to jostle her injured one. "I can still do stuff! You and Papa keep treating me like I'm made of glass."
Sebastian sighed, reaching out and brushing a strand of damp hair out of her face. He knew this wasn't just about the bathâit was about her independence, her need to feel in control of something.
"I know, and I'm sorry that it's making you so frustrated but I need you to understand that you need help with this. You're strong, and you're brave. But letting someone help you doesn't make you any less of those things." He tries to explain, lathering up the wash cloth with vanilla scented bubbles.
Lux frowned, her gaze dropping to the water as she mulled over his words. Her good hand absentmindedly traced patterns along the surface, causing ripples to distort her reflection.
Sebastian waited patiently, allowing the small girl to work through her frustration.
"Fine." Lux huffed bitterly.
Sebastian smiled softly and he dipped the washcloth into the water and wrung it out, his movement gentle. "Thank you baby," he said warmly. "I'll be quick, I promise."
She gave a small nod, still pouting.
Sebastian hummed a soft tune as he carefully washed around her cast, taking extra care not to let any water near it.
"You smell like cookies now," Sebastian teased lightly, breaking the silence and trying to lighten the mood. "Vanilla bubbles are clearly the superior choice."
Lux couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "Cookies are better than boring soap."
"Exactly my point." Sebastian replied as he spun Lux round in the water so that he could get her back.
"Is Auggie still napping?" She asked, her good hand playing with the bubbles that rested on the surface of the water.
"Mhm" Sebastian hummed. "He had a rough night last night so papa and I figured we'd let him sleep a little longer."
Lux nods softly, feeling Sebastian turn her back around again. It always amazed her how easily he could handle her as if she weighed nothing. "Can I help to wake him up?"
Sebastian chuckled, shaking his head slightly as he reached for a towel. "I think Auggie would love that, but only if you're gentle, okay? He was pretty fussy last night, and Papa's trying to make sure he gets enough rest."
Lux gave a small, determined nod as Sebastian wrapped the soft towel around her, lifting her out of the tub with ease. "I'll be gentle."
"I know you will, sweetheart," Sebastian replied, setting her down carefully on the plush bathroom rug. He began drying her off, mindful of her cast. "Once you're dressed, we can check on him together. Sound good?"
She nodded again, her earlier frustration melting away. "Can I pick what I wear?" she asked, looking up at Sebastian with a spark of independence still shining in her eyes.
"Of course," Sebastian said with an encouraging smile. "Why don't you go pick something comfy? I'll be right behind you to help with your cast if you need it."
Lux nodded, scampering off to her room, clutching the towel around her as she went. Sebastian chuckled softly as he gathered the bath supplies, pleased to see her mood beginning to brighten.
She entered her room, shutting the door behind her as she headed over towards her closet. It was always easy to pick out outfits here since Sebastian and Vincent had brought her a seemingly endless amount of clothes. It was so much better in comparison to the 2 pairs of jeans and 3 tops she wore on rotation when she lived with her mom.
She reaches over to the hangers, pulling down a cute pink tank top and a sweater with some shimmery stars embroidered into the fabric. She then grabs a pair of light wash jeans and some normal underwear. That was the best thing about dressing herself. She could put on normal underwear instead of the usual diapers.
It was silly but it made her feel so independent.
Once dressed, she glanced in the mirror, smoothing down her sweater with her good hand. The shimmer of the stars made her smile, reminding her of the conversation about constellations with Dr. Hart a few days earlier.
She reached for her hairbrush, de-tangling her wet hair so that it looked more presentable before skipping back out of her room to find Sebastian who was still in the bathroom cleaning up after bath time.
Sebastian glanced up as Lux entered, her pink sweater and shimmery stars catching the light. He smiled warmly, noticing the small but proud expression on her face. "Look at you, all dressed and looking lovely," he said, his tone full of encouragement. "Did you brush your hair too? That's impressive."
Lux nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I wanted to make sure it wasn't all tangly."
Sebastian reached out to gently pat her head. "Good job, Luxie. I'm proud of you." He set the last of the bath supplies on the counter and straightened up. "Ready to check on Auggie?"
"Yeah!" Lux's eyes lit up, her earlier pout long forgotten. She turned and started toward August's room, glancing back over her shoulder to make sure Sebastian was following.
The hallway was quiet, the sunlight streaming through the windows creating warm patches on the hardwood floor. Lux stopped outside Auggie's door, her hand hovering over the knob. She turned back to Sebastian, her voice dropping to a whisper. "What if he's still sleepy?"
Sebastian crouched beside her, his tone gentle. "Then we'll be extra quiet, okay? Just a little peek to see if he's ready to wake up. Sound good?"
Lux nodded, a small grin spreading across her face as she turned the knob and peeked inside. Auggie was curled up in bed, his plush elephant tucked under one arm as he sucked on a pacifier.
"He still looks sleepy." Lux mumbled quietly.
Sebastian chuckled softly, his hand resting on her shoulder as he peeked over her head. "Yeah, he does. But that's okay, sometimes we all need extra rest."
"Maybe he needs to sleep more?" Lux asks quietly, looking up at the older man.
Sebastian smiled down at her, his hand gently squeezing her shoulder. "Yeah, sometimes we need more sleep than we think. Let's not wake him just yet then. But if he wants to play later, you'll be ready, right?"
Lux nodded, her eyes softening as she observed Auggie in his peaceful state. "He looks like a little kid sometimes," she whispered, thinking out loud.
Sebastian chuckled lightly, his voice just as soft. "He's got that sweet side, for sure. He's always been like that, even before all the changes."
"Really?" Lux asks curiously.
Sebastian nods, gently guiding her back out of the room. "Mhm. You do too, baby"
Lux's eyes widened a little, her curiosity piqued. "I do?"
"Yep," Sebastian said with a gentle smile, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You've got that sweet side too, just like him. So small and precious."
Lux smiled softly, her cheeks flushing a little at the compliment. It was nice to hear someone see that side of her. She'd never really thought of herself that way before.
"Is that why you and papa treat us like this? Because there are childlike characteristics about us?" Lux asked, holding the mans hand as they walk down the hall.
Sebastian paused for a moment, glancing down at Lux with a thoughtful expression. He could see the curiosity in her eyes, the desire to understand the dynamics between them more deeply. It was a good question, one he knew was coming eventually.
"Well, Lux," he began, squeezing her hand softly as they continued walking down the hallway. "Papa and I treat you the way we do because we love you. We love all parts of you, whether you're being big or little, or anything in between. We want you to feel safe, no matter what headspace you're in."
He paused briefly, searching for the right words. "It's not just about the childlike side of you, though. It's about seeing all of who you areâyour strengths, your vulnerabilities, and everything that makes you, you. Some days you may want to be independent and strong, like a big girl. And other days, you may need to be cared for and comforted, like a little one. And both of those things are okay. Actually, they're both wonderful."
Lux just hums in acknowledgement, hopping down the stairs beside him.
"Do you think I'll always be able to feel both big and little?" She asked softly.
"I think," he began slowly, "that you will always have both sides of you. You're not just one thing, Lux. You're a mix of everything. They all come together to make you who you are. And no matter what, we'll always be here for you, supporting whichever side you need to explore or lean into."
He smiled down at her, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "So yes, sweet girl, I think you'll always be able to feel both big and little. And that's something really special."
Lux's eyes softened, a thoughtful expression crossing her face.
"Snack?" She asked.
Sebastian chuckled at her random change of topic, but he was more than happy to follow her lead. "Snack sounds perfect," he said, ruffling her hair lightly. "What are you in the mood for, Lux?"
She thought for a moment, her gaze drifting to the kitchen as if it held all the answers. "Maybe some fruit... and cookies?"
Sebastian grinned. "Fruit and cookies? I think that's a winning combination. Let's go see what we've got."
As they reached the kitchen, Sebastian opened the fridge, pulling out a small bowl of fresh strawberries and some sliced apples. He set them on the counter alongside a plate of homemade cookies they'd baked together earlier in the week. "Here we go, a little snack of both."
"Thanks dad." Lux hums, taking a big bite out of one of the cookies.
Sebastian blinked, his hands momentarily frozen over the bowl of strawberries. The word hung in the air. Dad.
He glanced down at Lux, who was happily munching away on her cookie, completely unaware of the effect her casual remark had on him. 'Daddy' is what he was used to hearing. It had become her go-toâbut something about the simplicity of 'Dad' felt different. It was more grounded, more intentional, even if she hadn't realized it.
A smile tugged at his lips, warm and a little bittersweet. "You're welcome, sweetheart," he said softly, ruffling her damp hair. He leaned against the counter, watching her nibble on a strawberry next. "Save some room for dinner later, though, okay?"
Lux nodded, nibbling on a strawberry now, its sweetness making her smile. "What are we having for dinner?"
Sebastian leaned back in his chair, pretending to think deeply. "Hmm, I was thinking spaghetti. With garlic bread, of course. What do you think?"
Her face lit up. "Yes! Spaghetti is the best!"
"I thought you might say that," Sebastian said with a chuckle.
The sound of footsteps approached the room and Vincent appeared in the doorway, glasses on and still in work mode. He's spent the day up in the study on a few very important business calls and was coming down for some coffee before he got back to work.
"Well, this looks cozy," He said, walking over to the coffee machine. He glanced at Lux, his sharp eyes softening behind his glasses. "Having a little snack, sweetheart?"
"Yeah!" Lux chirped. "Daddy said I could have fruit and cookies. And we're having spaghetti for dinner!"
Vincent raised an eyebrow, glancing at Sebastian with a playful smirk. "Cookies before dinner? You're spoiling her."
Sebastian shrugged with mock innocence, a grin tugging at his lips. "What can I say? I'm a pushover for little Luxie."
Vincent chuckled as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "Well, I suppose it's deserved. You've been such a good girl, haven't you, Lux?"
She nodded earnestly, her damp hair bobbing with the motion. "I brushed my hair all by myself and everything!"
"Impressive," Vincent replied, taking a sip of his coffee. "And Auggie?"
"Still napping." Sebastian said. "Poor boy was completely wiped out when me and Lux went to check on him. I think he might be coming down with something actually."
Vincent grimaced, leaning against the counter. "That wouldn't surprise me. He's been off the past couple of days. I'll go in and check on him before my next meeting."
Sebastian nodded, putting a few more strawberries on Lux's plate when he noticed she'd finished everything.
"Good idea. I've got dinner under control, so no rush," He said, giving Vincent a reassuring glance before turning back to Lux. "How about you help me with the garlic bread later, Luxie?"
Her face lit up. "Can I put the butter on?"
"Absolutely," Sebastian said with a grin. "You're the butter expert around here."
Vincent chuckled softly, shaking his head as he pushed off the counter. "Don't let her eat half the bread before dinner," he teased, heading toward the hallway. "I'll check on Auggie and see if he's ready to wake up."
Sebastian nodded, beginning to get the ingredients out to make dinner.
Meanwhile, Vincent headed up the stairs, walking down the hall until he reached August's room. He gently knocked on the door before pushing it open, his footsteps quiet on the floor. August was still curled up in bed, his breathing soft and steady, the plush elephant clutched tightly against his chest. Vincent's heart softened at the sight of his oldest boy looking so vulnerable and peaceful.
"Auggie," he called softly, approaching the bed. He crouched beside it, his hand resting gently on the teen's shoulder. "How are you feeling, sweetheart?"
August stirred slightly, his eyes fluttering open, unfocused at first. He blinked a few times before his gaze landed on Vincent. "Papa?" he mumbled around the pacifier still in his mouth.
"Yes, sweetheart, I'm here," Vincent said with a warm smile. "You ready to wake up now?"
August blinked slowly, his mind still fuzzy from sleep. He clutched his plush elephant closer, curling into Vincent's hand. "Still sleepy," he mumbled, his voice muffled by the pacifier.
Vincent chuckled softly, smoothing August's hair back with a gentle touch. "That's okay, love. You don't have to get up just yet. How about I sit with you for a little while?"
August nodded slightly, his eyelids drooping again as Vincent settled onto the edge of the bed.
Vincent reaches his hand out, gently brushing it against the boys forehead. He was warm but not to the point where it was that concerning. It was just something to keep an eye on.
"Feeling okay, baby boy?" Vincent asked softly, leaning closer, his voice low and soothing.
August gave a lazy nod, though his eyes remained heavy. "I'm warm... and tired..." he mumbled, his voice still groggy from sleep. He shifted slightly, pulling the covers higher around himself.
Vincent smiled, his heart aching with the tenderness he felt for his son. "Rest as long as you need, Auggie. We're here for you."
"Okay..." August's voice trailed off as he snuggled deeper into his blanket, his pacifier still comfortably in his mouth.
"I'll be right back," he murmured, giving August one last gentle pat on the shoulder before standing up. He glanced at his watch, then back down at his son. "I'm going to check in with daddy about dinner. You rest, okay?"
August didn't respond, already sinking back into the comfort of sleep, his breathing deepening.
Vincent left the room quietly, shutting the door behind him. He found Sebastian and Lux in the kitchen, with Sebastian already preparing the garlic bread and setting up the pasta ingredients.
"How's Auggie?" Sebastian asked, glancing up from his task.
"Still sleeping. He's a bit warm, but nothing too concerning... yet. I think he's just worn out." Vincent replied.
Sebastian nodded, his expression softening.
"I'm not sure he'll really be up for dinner tonight. I'll ask but I won't push it." Vincent said as he grabbed a sippy cup and filled it up with some water.
Sebastian nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, I think it's probably best not to push him. He's been through a lot these past few days, and his body is telling him to rest." He reached over to sprinkle some seasoning onto the garlic bread.
"Do you think he'll be okay?" Lux asked, her voice soft with concern.
"I think so, sweetheart. He's a tough kid, but sometimes he just needs extra rest. He'll be back to his usual self in no time." Vincent explained.
"Can I bring him something later? Like a snack or something?" she offered, her eyes full of that familiar sense of responsibility she always seemed to carry.
Vincent's smile widened, his heart warmed by her caring nature. "That's a thoughtful idea, Luxie. You could check in on him after dinner, see if he's ready for something light. If not, that's okay, too."
Lux nodded, content with the idea of helping in her own way.
Sebastian placed the garlic bread in the oven, then turned to Vincent with a knowing look. "I'll keep an eye on Auggie while you focus on your work, alright? We've got the dinner covered here."
"Sounds good," Vincent agreed, giving his partner a quick smile before taking a sip of his coffee. "I'll check in with you both later."
Sebastian smiled back. "Thanks, babe."
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Guys, I just realised I MISSED Thanksgiving in this book omg lmfaoooo ðð We're just going to pretend like that didn't happen cause I'm too lazy to re-write this lolll.