CHAPTER XX

"Will mommy be okay?", Killian asked, sitting on his chair in the back seat of Cael's car.

"Yeah. Don't worry Lian. Your mommy will be alright in a day or two. You just have to wait and when you go back he will be totally fine". Nate answered.

"Promise?"

"Promise".

Collin held his brother's hand while he sat, sulking. He didn't like sleeping on someone else's bed, and would rather be on his own, with his own pillow and his toys to keep him company. He liked his room and his daddy and mommy kissing him goodnight. And he hated using those diapers to sleep, and peeing himself from anxiety every time he slept outside. But he had to be strong. For mommy.

"And tonight you can see Doha and Jinx", Nate said, cheering the kids up.

"Will we really see the cats?" Collin asked, excited. The cats rarely showed themselves.

"Yeah. When your dad is there, they come running to play with him". He said, referring to Cael. Dev and Ant told him to start calling him that next to the kids, to get them slowly used to it. It was working with Collin, with Killian not so much.

"Really? Dad is so awesome!" Collin expressed. Cael, who was driving, blushed feeling a little proud of himself.

"Your dad is really awesome. Jinx hates everyone, even me sometimes, but he loves your dad so much that he would jump on his arms and won't get out".

"That's so cool!" Collin loved Jinx and would always try to hug him, but the cat never let him get close.

"I bet if you ask your dad, he will help you hold Jinx tonight".

"Really?"

"Yeah".

"Dad", He called Cael.

"Yes", Cael still felt butterflies in his tummy every time his son called him that.

"Can you help me hold Jinx?"

"Sure".

"For real?"

"We will try. But you can't force the cat".

"Okay, okay", the boy said, smiling.

"And if the cat doesn't want you need to let him go".

"Uhum", he nodded.

"Alright then".

While they talked, Killian had already fallen asleep. He also liked the cats, but preferred them in their space, and him in his. The ride took forty minutes as they had to make a detour because of the closed road. When they arrived, Cael was carrying Collin and Nate, Killian, both half asleep. Out of nowhere, the minute they opened the door, the cats came running and Jinx tried to jump on Cael's arms, ignoring there was already a kid there. Cael's other hand was occupied with the boy's bag and he couldn't hold the cat who started to meow to call his attention. The sound woke Collin who looked at the cat and exclaimed:

"Jinx!". He jumped to the ground and tried to grab the cat, who in his turn jumped to the space left on Cael's arms. "Jinx" he cried, calling the cat. Cael got inside and placed the bag on the sofa and sat with Jinx in his lap.

"Come here", He called Collin softly. The boy sat beside him. "You need to be gentle with him. Try getting closer, slowly". The boy sat a little closer, and the cat didn't move. "Now pet him gently in the head".

"Okay". He petted him and the cat let him. He let out a laugh out of surprise and happiness.

"Now you can pet his back".

When he petted the cat's back, the cat turned over, showing his belly and grabbing the hand with his paws, and bit the hand gently.

"Ouch". Collin exclaimed. The cat, then, licked the place he bit.

"That's the cat's way of saying he is happy".

"It hurts", Collin cried.

"Let me see".

Collin took out his hand and showed it to Cael. Luckily there were no marks, as the cat controlled himself when he bit. But it was red. Cael kissed the place the cat bit.

"My uncle always said that a kiss can make the pain go away".

"My mommy says that too". Collin smiled. "It's not hurting anymore".

"That's good. Do you still wanna pet the cat?"

"Yeah".

"Okay".

They continued going slowly, letting the cat get used to Collin, until Cael put the cat on Collin's lap and it stayed. Just for a few minutes, but enough time for Collin to overflow with joy.

While they played with the cat, Nate put Killian to sleep. It was a tiring day for them. They played a lot at the party. Even Cael played a lot with them. It was a joyful day. A little later, the tiredness also hit Collin who fell asleep while playing with Cael. He changed him, with the boy asleep, to put on the diaper, and placed him in the bed in the guest's room, next to Killian. As he left the bedroom, Nate gave him a glass of wine and invited him to sit on the sofa with him.

"Tired?" Nate asked.

"A little".

"Want to take a bath and watch a movie before going to sleep? You are a little tense".

"I probably am. It's the first time they are trusting me with staying with the twins. Well, they are trusting you, but I'm here".

"Well, they are trusting you, too. Don't worry. It's easier than you think. And... also a little harder. It is pretty much a box of surprises. But you're doing fine".

"Thanks. If you want, you can choose a movie while I take a bath. Something cozy".

"Cozy? Okay". He laughed. "Go there".

When he got out of the bath, Nate had chosen a movie. But he asked if Cael could make some popcorn while he took a bath too. While Cael was preparing the popcorn, Killian woke up.

"What are you doing?" He asked, rubbing his eyes.

"I'm making some popcorn, Lian".

"Humm".

"Do you want popcorn?"

"Ahamm".

"Okay. Sit there and I'll bring the popcorn".

Killian sat on the sofa, but when Cael brought the popcorn, he was already asleep. Cael grabbed him and went to take him back to bed. He took two steps and Killian woke up.

"I want popcorn".

"Okay". Cael put him down and sat him next to the popcorn.

"I want sweet popcorn"

"Sweet popcorn? We only have salty popcorn".

"Daddy always makes me popcorn with chocolate. Or caramel".

"Sorry, Lian. I don't know how to make popcorn with chocolate or caramel".

"But..."

"What are you doing?" Collin appeared out of nowhere and asked.

"We are eating popcorn". Cael answered.

"But there is no chocolate in it". Killian answered.

"Do you only eat chocolate popcorn?" Cael asked.

"Killian does". Collin answered.

"Ah... Kids, why don't you go back to bed? Tomorrow you can eat chocolate popcorn".

"Okay", Killian answered sulking. "But can we watch a cartoon first?"

"What do you wanna watch?" Cael asked.

"Lilly the Ladybug and the Colors Kingdom".

"Lilly the..."

"Ladybug", the boys answered in unison.

"Okay, just one episode and you go to sleep".

He put on the show and the kids sat on the carpet to watch it. While they were watching, Nate got out of the shower.

"Why are the kids awake?"

"They wanted popcorn, but since I didn't have chocolate popcorn, they didn't want it. And now they are watching one episode of this... Ladybug something, and going to sleep".

"They shouldn't be watching this show this late. Nor eating popcorn. You can tell them to just go back to sleep, or give them some warm milk or something. It's time for them to be in bed". He whispered to Cael. "You don't need to give in just because they want something. They have fixed times for bed because they need to learn some good sleep hygiene. It's hard saying no. But it's something you have to do. Okay?"

"Okay. I'll try".

The episode ended. Killian and Collin didn't say anything, hoping for them not to notice. But Cael said:

"Now, it's time for bed".

"But I'm still not sleepy". Collin said with big pleading eyes.

"We said just one episode, and it's just one episode".

"Please", Collin pleaded.

Killian just grabbed the remote and turned on one more episode. Cael took the remote and turned it off.

"It was just one episode. That's what we agreed".

Killian just kept sitting in front of the TV, his face showing an angry expression.

"If you want some warm milk to relax and sleep, it's okay. But no more cartoons".

"Okay", Collin got up and went to the bedroom. He looked back and saw Killian who was staring straight at the TV. Cael kneeled next to Killian and touched his arm, but the boy dodged.

"Lian, you have to go to bed now".

"I don't want any fake dad". He whispered.

"What?", Cael asked as he didn't understand what the boy murmured.

"I don't want any fake dad. I want my real mommy and daddy". He cried, tears rolling down his face.

Cael took a step back, not knowing what to do. Nate got close to him, kneeling next to Killian.

"Killian, I know you are worried about your mommy, and wanted to be with you daddy now taking care of him. But you can't treat Cael like that. He is also your real dad. Like your mommy Antoine and your daddy Cyrus. They are all your real parents. Wouldn't your daddy feel bad if you called him a fake dad? So how do you think Cael feels?"

Killian started to cry more.

"I want my mommy and daddy. I want my mommy and daddy".

Nate looked at Cael and motioned for him to take a step ahead. Cael took the boy's hands and held them, a little clumsily, and whispered to the boy.

"You will get back to your parents, I promise. But, now, your daddy needs to take care of mommy, and they need to be alone for that. As soon as your mommy is better, you'll be able to see him again. Your mommy wouldn't like to see you crying like that while he is sick, would he? So let's relax and calm down, so that your mommy can see the strong boy you are, and not be worried and get better faster. Okay?"

"Okay", the boy sniveled and hugged Cael. "Sorry for calling you a fake dad".

"You're forgiven". He hugged the boy back and grabbed him, sitting on the sofa with him. Collin came back and sat next to him, hugging his brother. Killian kept crying, but soon fell asleep. And Collin fell asleep soon after. They took both the boys to bed, and went back to watch a movie while eating popcorn.

***

"So how is he?" Nate asked over the phone. He phoned as soon as the kids woke up.

"He woke up a little better, but his heat increased again. I think it will last until tomorrow". Dev answered.

"He is working too much. That's probably why he forgot the pills".

"Yeah... I will talk to him again when he is sober", he paused, "How are the kids?"

"Killian was a little sensible last night, and he cried a little. But he seems better now".

"Are they awake?"

"Yeah. I will call them". He went to the living room, where Cael played Jenga with the kids. "Killian, Collin, Cyrus wants to talk to you".

"Daddy!", they exclaimed.

Nate put the phone on speaker and placed it next to them.

"Daddy, daddy!", they both shouted.

"Hi, babies. How are you?"

"We are playing Jenga", Collin answered.

"That's a hard game. Who is winning?".

"I'm winning", said Killian.

"That's so cool, Lian".

"How is mommy?", Killian asked.

"Mommy is better, but he will need another day to rest. I talked to uncle Nate and he will let you sleep another day there with Jinx and Doha".

"Daddy, daddy. I got to put Jinx on my lap yesterday", Collin said happily. However, Killian began to cry.

"I want my mommy, I want my mommy". He cried and snuffled. Cael hugged him and caressed his head.

"It's okay, it's okay".

"Lian, I know you miss mommy. But mommy needs to be alone with daddy now to get better. But he will get better soon, and when he gets better he will make your favorite pancakes. Because mommy loves you so much and he wants Lian to be strong and not to cry now. You're strong, aren't you Lian?"

"I'm strong", he answered.

"Good. So listen to uncle Nate and dad Cael and I'll get you tomorrow. Okay?"

"Okay", he sniffed and tried to contain his tears.

"Daddy will have to hang up now to take care of mommy. Bye bye babies".

"Bye". The twins said. They sat down and played the game for a few more minutes, but the kids weren't paying attention to it.

"Cael, I was thinking about going to the park to run. But there are two problems" Nate said.

"Two problems?", Cael laughed.

"Yes. One called Killian, and one called Collin". Nate laughed and the kids widened their eyes. "Well, of course, they won't be a problem if they want to go to the park with us. So are you two little problems?"

"No, no. I want to go to the park". They said together.

"So let's go", Cael said.

They got downstairs and into the car. After a month in Bjuldr, Cael decided to buy a car and it was the best decision he took. All for the little moments in the way to work with Nate, and now to take his kids to the park.

The day was gorgeous, clear blue skies, a warm temperature - not too hot, neither too cold, just ideal - and a nice breeze.

"I wish we had brought Jesse", said Collin.

"Yeah", Killian agreed.

"We can bring him next time", Cael said as he parked. "We can bring the bikes next time, also".

The park was full. The kids wanted to go to the playground. They took them there and Cael helped them in the swings and in the slide. Now, they were in the seesaw. He went to sit next to Nate on a bench.

"It's great to spend these moments with them. It's such a wonderful time". He whispered.

"Yeah. It's a pity that they probably won't remember them in a few years". Nate whispered back.

"What?"

"Do you remember what happened when you were three years old?"

Cael thought for a while before answering.

"No".

"The area responsible for memories is still developing at this age. So they probably won't remember these moments".

"Oh. That is really a pity", he started to wonder. If they won't remember this time and the time before... "Then they...". He didn't finish, but Nate read his thoughts.

"Yeah. In a few years, it will be like you have always been in their life".

"That sounds good", still it is so strange, and feels a little wrong, like a lie. He wanted to add.

"It's just how time works. Unfortunately, or fortunately, it erases some things, especially when we are kids. But we shouldn't cry for the things we've forgotten. We can't do anything about it. And because of these memories, our relation with things, and people, change. Still, things will be hard for a while".

"I know".

"These kids were used to one life, one story. And it's hard to change. But you're doing really well, love". He kissed him on his cheek.

"Thank you, love".

They kept watching the kids playing until noon. After that, they went to a restaurant for lunch. Then, they walked around for a while and later went back home where they watched Ponyo and Lilo and Stitch. When they finished the movie, it was already the kid's bath time. Cael got drenched while washing them, and ended up taking a bath too. Then, Cael tried a recipe of popcorn with chocolate, which didn't end well, but it was edible, and they watched Shrek before going to sleep. They brushed their teeth and laid down to bed. Sleep time was more calm then the day before, and Cael and Nate soon went to sleep too. Fifteen minutes after they had laid down, Killian opened the door and asked:

"Can I sleep here?" Cael looked at Nate, who nodded.

"Sure. Come here". Cael opened space for him to lie in the middle of them.

As soon as he got in bed, Killian fell asleep. Some minutes later, Collin came looking for his brother, and ended up sleeping with them too. It was a beautiful night.

The morning after, Dev came to get them. He told them that Antoine was better, just a little tired and a little hangover from the pheromone rush. And he thanked both of them for taking care of the kids. He left, and Cael wondered if he would have the chance to spend such blissful moments with his kids again.