CHAPTER XXXI

"How are they?", Antoine asked over the phone as soon as they arrived home.

"They are alright. Watching some cartoons on TV". Cael answered.

"And how is Killian? Did he say anything?"

"Not yet. He seems all normal to me. Didn't say or do anything strange".

"Thank you for taking them at the last minute".

"No problem. Are you and Cyrus alright?"

"Just worried about the kids. But we are alright", He sighed. "Tell me if anything changes. We'll get them tomorrow morning".

"Okay".

When he ended the call, he saw Killian peeking.

"Hey, little guy. Did you want to talk with your mommy, too?"

"No", he said quietly.

"He asked about you, if you're okay. Are you alright, son?"

"Yeah", he said sadly, but then gave a smile that looked fake. "Daddy, want to play with me?"

"What do you want to play?"

"Come here", and he ran to the room where his toys were already on the floor. The boy sat down and began playing with his toys.

"Baby, your mommy told me that you missed me. But is there any other reason for you to want to come here?"

"Dad, look: the dino you gave me!"

"Yes, this is the dino I gave you. Did you hear me?"

"It's my favorite dino".

The boy was consciously avoiding the topic. Cael decided that it was better to wait, let him come at the right moment and talk.

After lunch, while Cael and Nate organized the kitchen, the boys were playing in the bedroom. Cael went to give them dessert when he heard Killian whispering to Collin.

"Daddy won't need us".

"He won't?"

"He won't be our daddy anymore".

"Why?"

At this moment, Killian noticed Cael on the door with chocolate cake.

"Chocolate!", Killian screamed, excited.

Cael was in a daze for a few seconds, and didn't realize when the boys came running toward him to get the cake.

"Calm down", he said as the two little beasts almost jumped on him to get the dessert. "Here, have some chocolate".

"Yay", the two celebrated.

"Come to the living room to eat, so you won't leave crumbles on the bedroom".

"Okay, dad", Killian said, smiling.

The boys sat down to eat, and Cael called Nate to talk.

"What's up?", Nate asked, drying his hands.

"I heard something when I went to the bedroom". He said whispering. "I don't know how to say this... The kids, especially Killian, think they are going to lose his other dad after the babies are born".

"They said so?"

"Yes. Killian did. I don't know what to do. Should I do something?"

"I don't know. Maybe this is something for Antoine and Cyrus to solve. Even if you talk to the kids right now, it won't have much effect. They need to talk to them and deal with it".

"I'll call Antoine".

"Okay. I'll finish the dishes, hun. And keep an eye on the kids. Go talk in the bedroom".

"Alright". He said, already dialing the numbers on his phone. The conversation with Antoine and Cyrus was quick, as they have lots to think about after it. When explaining, he tried to transmit the exact words the kids had spoken.

"We will call back later", Antoine said, his voice trembling, and ended the call.

Cael went back to the kitchen, where Nate was finishing organizing.

"And?" Nate asked.

"They are taking the time to think about it. Decide what to do...".

"And you still think you should do something".

"He is my son too".

"I know. But there are things that you can't deal with. Maybe they decide to include you in this conversation, to show a united front, but that is a decision they need to make. Co-parenting is complicated, and to have a complex family is hard. But you need to respect each others' decisions and know what each of you can do". Nate said, holding his hand. "Now, just be patient and let us hear from them". He gave him a peek on his lips.

"Okay, I'll be patient". He sighed.

Antoine and Cyrus called an hour later.

"Can you bring the kids tomorrow morning? I think this is a conversation we should have together. We should reassure them that we are all there for them, and that they will always have their family and their home. But I'd rather do it here than there. We need to show that this is their home and they can feel safe and loved here".

"I understand", he said, firmly, but joyful inside knowing that they were including him in this conversation. Nate was right, sometimes, we have to wait, and let things take its course.

The kids went to bed early, but they had a hard time falling asleep. In the middle of the night, Killian woke up and knocked on Cael's and Nate's door to ask to sleep with them. A short time later, Collin appeared asking to sleep with them too.

Next morning, when they were getting the kids ready to go back to their mother's place, Killian asked:

"Can't we stay another day?"

"You can't, baby. Your mother misses you a lot".

"And I miss you a lot". Killian answered, shyly.

"I know. But your mommy wants to talk to you, urgently".

"But..."

"No buts. You need to go".

"Okay", he said, sadly.

They got into the car, and many times during the ride, Killian cried saying he wanted to go back. When he cried, Collin cried too. Nate tried to calm them, but it would only last a few minutes until they cried again. When they arrived, Cyrus and Antoine were waiting at the door. Collin would avoid their eyes, and hide behind Cael. Killian completely ignored them and didn't want to leave the car. He was still sitting in his chair, and Antoine went to the car and lowered himself a little to look at the boy. He tried to caress his head, but the kid avoided his touch.

"Baby, I think we need to talk. Can you come inside? We have some leftover cake from your birthday and I made pancakes. Please, let's just get inside to talk". Antoine pleaded, but the boy just ignored.

"Let me try", Cael suggested. "Lian, hear what your mommy has to say at least. If you're still feeling bad after this, we can go back to the apartment. What do you think?"

"We can go back?", Killian asked.

"Yes".

"Okay", he said and opened his arms for his dad to get him. In the back, Antoine let out a sigh. On the entrance, Cyrus convinced Collin to get inside, after the boy complained many times.

They sat down in the living room. Killian was restless, and Collin kept looking somewhere else.

"Babies, I think we have to talk urgently".

"Can I go get my toys?", Killian asked.

"No, we need to talk first. It's important, baby".

Killian got up to go to his room.

"Lian. Sit down. Your mother is talking". Cyrus said.

"You're not my dad". Killian said angrily. Everyone answered with surprise at the boy's words. Killian was not as affectionate as Collin, but he always loved Cyrus a lot.

"Lian! Why are you saying that?", Antoine asked.

"He is not. You are just going to abandon us". Killian cried.

"That's not true Lian. We both love you a lot", Cyrus answered.

"You don't. You never wanted us". He screamed, and the words stung in Antoine's heart.

"Why would you think that?" Antoine questioned.

"You didn't". Collin cried. "No one wanted us".

"Babies, you were a surprise in my life, but a good one. From the moment I found out, I couldn't do anything but love you". Antoine said, getting close to them.

"I never imagined meeting you, or loving you. But I do. I couldn't imagine my life without the two of you". Cyrus said, getting on his knees to look at the kids closely.

"And I have loved you from the moment I knew about you. You're the joy and the light in my life. We all love and cherish you". Said Cael.

"Why did you think that after the babies are born that your dad won't be your dad anymore?"

"Ariel told us", Killian said.

"Ariel?" Antoine inquired.

"A kid from their class", Cyrus answered. "What did they say?"

"That his mom never wanted him. His dad left because of him. And after his brother was born, his new dad and mom left him. I don't want you to leave me. I love my daddy and my mommy". Kilian cried.

Cyrus grabbed him and hugged him. The boy was a mess.

"Daddy also loves you a lot. And I have lots of love to give, enough for you, Collin, your mommy, and the babies". He hugged him tightly. "I will never abandon my son. Never".

Collin started crying and Antoine sat beside him hugging and comforting him. Cael just stayed sat, looking at them, until Antoine called and told him to come with them. Their family was complicated, but he was part of it.

Killian and Collin cried for some good minutes. After that, they finally sat down and ate the leftover cake and pancakes. With their stomachs happy, they were ready to ask questions about the babies, and Antoine was ready to answer. It was better to see them like this, and the table full of people that loved and cherished them.