Alpha Ian's The One and Only

Chapter 1

Natasha's P.O.V

Two weeks later

"I will review the analysis over the weekend. We can finalize the reports on Monday and set up the meeting with Brewster's." I was sitting in my kitchen with the laptop, files, and a journal spread out on the countertop while talking to my assistant on the phone. "Good night, Carrie, and enjoy the weekend."

"Sure. Good night, Dr Shaw, and you too enjoy your weekend."

I ended the call and set the phone aside. I gulped the last of my coffee in one go. I could have used something stronger, but I don't drink alcohol. It has been a long and tiring week. Being a surgeon and running a Genetic Testing laboratory is exhausting, but I love my job. Setting my mug aside, I carried on with my work, occasionally writing down my observations in the journal. Yes, I prefer writing over typing; call me old-fashioned.

I was far too engrossed in my work when I heard a noise from upstairs. Instant fear crept into my mind, and I began to panic. I was alone in the house. I don't even own a cat or a dog. Painstakingly slow, I got up from my high chair, put my phone in my pocket, and walked toward the kitchen entrance while grabbing the fire extinguisher from the wall.

I heard the noise again; it took everything in me not to scream. I might be paranoid, but I am not taking anything lightly after meeting with Slade. I walk up the stairs on silent feet. I heard the noise again, THUD, like something falling on the floor.

I followed the voice through the hallway to Liam's bedroom and opened the door. And there he is, upside down on the window, his upper body on the floor, his legs on the window, his shirt riding up, and a stupid grin on his face. He smelled of alcohol.

"Oops! Hi mom," his face paled when he saw me standing by the door. "I can explain."

"That you will but first, let's get you out of the window." Keeping the fire extinguisher near the door, I helped him sit straight and popped up against the wall.

"I am going to be sick." He said and tried to stand up before falling back again. I quickly grabbed him and somehow managed to drag him to the bathroom. Halfway through the room, he...bleeeeeehh...emptied the contents of his stomach. Eww! I hate vomit. "My god Liam!"

Somehow, we managed to go to the toilet bowl, and he bleeeeeehhed again! Just eww! When he finished, I dragged him into the shower, dropped him on the floor and turned on the shower knob.

"You said you will be at Adam's place doing homework. Since when does homework include drinking alcohol? Hmm?" But he was passed out on the floor. I quickly removed his clothes, leaving him in his boxers. After he was clean, I dried him off with a towel.

"I am home," Claire yelled from the front door.

"Claire, please come up here and lend me a hand," I yelled back. I heard her footsteps getting closer, and she appeared at Liam's door. "Be careful! there is vomit on the floor."

"Oh no, he is in trouble," she remarked, her eyes wide in horror when she saw Liam's state.

"Yes, he is. Please help me get him on his bed. You grab his arms, and I will hold his legs." We half dragged, half carried him out of the bathroom. "Turn to your right, watch your step, careful," we manoeuvred him around the vomit and dropped him on his bed.

"He is so heavy!" Claire exclaimed, shaking her arms out. He was still passed out. I slapped him hard enough to wake him up. Yup, always works.

"What? Claire! Is mom home? She cannot see me like this. I will be grounded forever!" He said, looking at Claire. Looks like he forgot all about me. I look at Claire and point toward the vomit...ew...on the floor. "Please clean that up while I change him and put him to bed."

"On it." She ran out of the room to get cleaning supplies, and I turned to look at my eldest sitting on the bed or trying to hold his weight up, looking at me with wide eyes.

"Hi, mom."

"Hi, Liam."

"How are you?"

"I am peachy. You should be worried about yourself," I said, giving my 'mom' stare. I walked towards his drawers and removed a pair of joggers and a t-shirt for him to sleep. "Here, change into these, and I will turn my back."

I turned my back but stayed there in case he needed any help. "Done." Just as he finished, Claire walked into the room with cleaning supplies.

"Claire! Mom found out," Liam exclaimed, pouting. Claire looked like she was about to burst out laughing. Well, the situation is hilarious, but being a mom, I cannot let my kids know. So, I kept or tried to keep a straight face throughout.

"Yes, Liam, she did," she said while snorting to contain her laughter and quickly turned her back to get the mess cleaned up.

I turned to Liam, "Come on, bedtime for you. We will talk about this tomorrow." As soon as he was in bed, he passed out again. I covered him with a blanket. I went downstairs into the kitchen to fill a water bottle and take a couple of Ibuprofen from the cabinet. Going back to his room, I saw the cleaned floor, and Claire is nowhere in sight. I guess she went back to her room to freshen up. I placed the bottle and medicine on his nightstand. He mumbled something in his sleep.

I kissed his forehead, switched off the lights and closed his bedroom door on my way out. Making my way downstairs, I collapsed on the couch. What a night! I thought chuckling. A few minutes later, Claire jumped on the couch, clearly excited and wanting to know what happened tonight.

"Sooooo...," she said, dragging the word. And I told her. By the end, she was holding her stomach, gasping for breath, and laughing so hard I had to steady her to prevent her from falling off the couch.

"Oh my god!!! This. Is. Golden! Oh my god!!!" I think that's what she said in between her laughter. We spend an hour talking about random stuff and discussing our day.

"Come on, off to bed now. It is getting late."

"Yes ma'am," she said getting up from the couch. "Good night, mama," she gave me a flying kiss and walked towards the stair.

"Good night, love," I said, giving her a flying kiss.

I just sat there smiling, and then I looked at the kitchen countertop. I have work to do. Sighing, I got up from the couch, deciding to put in a couple of hours before calling it a night.