Darkness Returns | Darkness #2

12.

"You're gay."

I sigh as Aiden runs around David. I decided to ask Ivan and him if they could look after Aiden and Seb tonight. Easton and Asher are not including me in the operation, but I'm going along anyway. 

My babies can't stay home alone though. Hence why David and Ivan are here to pick them up. 

Aiden always finds David an easy target to bully, which he is doing right now while running circles around the poor man. His husband is seated on my couch, laughing his ass off. And little Seb is clinging to me, not used to any other people at home.

He's met David and Ivan at the dance before, but I doubt he recognizes them. So much has happened these past few days. I also feel bad for sending him with people he barely knows, but it's only for a night and Aiden is with him. 

"I don't want to go," he whispers in my neck. I hug him a little closer. "Someone told me they have lots of pancakes, though."

I glance at Ivan, who nods in agreement. "Lots. The whole fridge is stuffed." 

That makes Seb doubt a little. I encourage him, gently brushing the curls out of his face. I love his curls, they're so cute. "And Aiden will come with you. And do you know who will be there too?"

He shakes his head, climbing closer to me again and resting his head on my chest. I smile. "Marco."

He looks up. "Marco?" Ivan nods, "Marco."

"No! Aiden!" A scream sounds. The three of us look up, seeing David fall down harshly on the floor. He groans and rolls on his back. "I hate my life."

Aiden giggles, climbs on top of David and starts jumping. Ivan sighs. He stands up and rescues his poor husband. "You are trouble, little Whitlock."

Aiden ignores that and points in Ivan's face, grinning broadly. "You're gay!" Ivan nods, not paying much attention and helping David up all while carrying Aiden. "That I am."

The little boy on his arm is pleased with this answer. "I am gay too!"

Ivan looks from the boy at me, but I shake my head and shrug. I have no idea what he's talking about. 

"Oh yeah?" David subtly asks. Aiden nods and wiggles out of Ivan's grip. He reaches for David instead. "Being gay is so cool! Is daddy gay too?"

"If you mean Dominic, I would say yes," David grins. "Just like grandma always thought." He winks at me. I roll my eyes as I think about how I had to explain miss Elisabeth Dominic isn't gay. On my wedding day. 

Aiden shrugs and hugs David, calmed down enough to close his eyes. His little arms are wrapped around David's neck. I see his eyes close. 

Seb, who's still around my neck, watches it all with wide eyes. When I want to give him to Ivan, he gasps and starts shaking his head, hugging me closer. 

"No, no," he cries out. "I don't want to go!" His eyes fill with tears as he looks up at me. "I'll be better."

I kiss his forehead. "You don't have to do better. But I'm going to do very dangerous. I need to fight the monsters under your bed, so they can't bite off your toes. And tomorrow I will come get you and Aiden and there will be no monsters anymore. Okay?"

He nods, reluctantly letting go of me. David bends through his knees, talking to the little boy in a soft voice. Sebastian ducks away. My poor baby.

I don't want to leave him alone. I meant it when I said he's welcome here. But I need to help Easton and Asher to get the rest of our family back. Michael and the others might be with them, but their Father is a huge trigger for them.

David winks at me, picking Seb up. Instead of fighting him, Sebastian hugs him and falls asleep on the spot. "It's me," David lets me know, "Ivan does this all the time too."

Ivan's mouth drops as he glares at his husband. "I do not. Why would you even—God, David, that was a secret!"

I chuckle together with David. Aide joins in with his laughter, even if he has no idea what's going on.

The bags I made earlier are on their way out. I give them to Ivan, who carries them to the car. After both of the boys have been clicked into their seats safely, David and Ivan come back to me. 

I get kisses on my cheeks and squeezes in my hands. "Stay safe, okay? I can't handle Aiden more than two nights in a row," David mutters. I laugh. 

"He can be a pain in the ass. But you'll get along." Ivan frowns, "Still. Promise us to be safe. I don't think any of us could bear to lose you."

I give them another hug, which they immediately return. Their fear is almost tangible. I want to stay safe too, for them and for my family, but this is something I just need to do. For them and for me.

David sniffles when we pull back, but Ivan gives him a sweet look to keep him strong. They leave shortly after, with me waving after the car. Just when theirs leaves, Easton's pulls up. I see them holding up a hand as a way of greeting.

Asher gets out first. He immediately walks to me and scoops me up in a hug, hiding his face. "I can't keep doing this," he whispers, "this needs to stop."

His shoulders start to tremble and soon enough, he's sobbing in my arms. I cup the back of his head and brush his back, softly soothing him. Easton is parking the car and will join us any moment now.

"We'll be okay," I tell Ash. "You have a plan and people to assist you. Dominic and Camilla will be back tomorrow." He sobs, pressing his hands in his eyes to stop the tears. Easton walks up to us, giving me a sorrowful face. Happened at the office too, he mouths. 

My heart breaks for them. I know Dominic is a big influence on Asher. Ash's confidence comes from Dominic. I saw him giving my poor baby a pep talk the other day.

Easton needs Dominic too, even if he doesn't break without him. They all need each other, and I'm sure Dominic feels the same right now. I would bawl my eyes out too. And I do bawl my eyes out. Just not in front of them. It discourages them and gets them upset, so I only cry when they are asleep.

We just need Dominic back, together with our daughter.