Princess of the universe // Hardzzellee

Chapter 49

It was a long day before Claire called them into her office.
"Take a seat," She said while gesturing at the chairs in front of her. 
"I just reviewed everything from earlier conversations with you, but also with Addison and her caseworker. And the notes from today," Claire started. Ben, who was seated in the middle of the three, grabbed his husband's hands in his own.
"I am very glad I get to share that I can give you the all-clear to adopt Addison," Claire said. Gwil's eyes widened while Ben's jaw dropped. They looked at each other before relief washed over them.
"I do have a few things I want to discuss though," Claire said. They all turned their heads to her.
"There is a waitlist for adoptions. So, the first date I could find is two months away. Gwil, you passed your assessment, but I can see that you still struggle. Which is very understandable since it has happened so recently. I passed you under the exception that you are going to continue therapy until at least the adoption date," Claire said. Gwil nodded.
"I was already planning on doing that," Gwil said.
"Very well."

They went to pick up Addison from Rami's house. They hadn't shared with Addison where they were going. Rami knew that they didn't want to tell Addison right away and that they were planning a surprise reveal for her. So, when they pulled into Rami's driveway, he came outside. He quickly closed the door behind him. 
"We got an adoption date," Joe said. Rami's jaw dropped before he rushed forward to wrap his arms around Joe.
"Congratulations," Rami said before placing a quick kiss on Joe's cheek. He quickly gave Ben and Gwil a hug as well. 
"And you just arrived in a car? Talk about progress," Rami said while patting Gwil on the shoulder. Gwil's breath hitched in his throat. 
"Thanks, mate."

Rami got inside to tell Addison her dads were waiting for her outside. Lucy quickly slipped outside to congratulate the three before  Addison walked outside. When the door opened, Addison ran straight into Ben's open arms. 
"Hi, sweetheart," Ben said while picking her up. Addison wrapped her arms around Ben's neck.
"Did you miss us or something?" Ben asked. Addison nodded. 
"We missed you too, honey." Ben walked her over to the car, strapping her into the car seat. Joe sat down in the passenger's seat again. Gwil quietly joined Addison in the backseat. Joe was talking with Addison about her day. Meanwhile, Gwil was staring out the window. His hand was holding onto his own knee so tightly that his knuckles were turning white.

When they pulled up in their driveway, he was the first one to leave the car. He opened the front door before walking inside, kicking his shoes off to the side while doing so.
"I am going to take a shower," Gwil said to Joe as soon as he walked in after him. Before Joe could say anything, Gwil turned around and walked over to the bathroom. Joe raised his eyebrows before shrugging. He walked into the kitchen to start dinner. Meanwhile, Addison was telling Ben about everything she had done that day.

That night a loud scream woke Ben. He rubbed his hand through his eyes. He let go of Joe before sitting upright. The lamp on the nightstand got turned on before Ben could do it. Ben is met by Joe's eyes staring up at him, his hand on the light switch. Ben looked over at Gwil to see that the covers and his pajamas were absolutely drenched. Gwil was mumbling quietly under his breath. Ben immediately scooted over to shake him. Meanwhile, they heard some stumbling coming from the other room. Ben looked over at the corridor.
"I'll go and check on her," Joe said before stepping out of bed.

The lamp of Addison's nightstand had been turned on. Addison was sitting upright in bed, her legs trapped against her chest. 
"Hey, sweetie. Is everything alright?" Joe asked. She looked up to meet Joe's eyes. Her own eyes were wide open.
"There was screaming," She said. Joe smiled softly at her before sitting down on the bed next to her.
"I heard that as well. I went to check. There were just some teens outside messing around. It's nothing to worry about, alright?" Joe said. 
"Are you sure?" Addison asked.
"I am absolutely sure," Joe said. Addison nodded before crawling under her covers again. 

Joe bent down to place a kiss on her forehead. 
"I love you, angel," Joe whispered.
"I love you too, beebs." 
"Sweet dreams," Joe said before standing up. He turned the light off before shutting the door behind him.

When he walked back into their bedroom, Ben was putting fresh sheets on the bed.
"Gwil wanted to take a shower to wash off all the sweat. Can you bring him some clean pajamas?" Ben asked. Joe nodded while he immediately made his way over to their closet. He picked out one of Gwil's favorite pajama sets and a clean pair of boxers. Just when he walked into the bathroom, Gwil stepped out of the shower. 
"Here you go, Mr. Handsome," Joe said while putting the clothes down next to the sink. Gwil shot him a quick smile.

"Hey, come here," Joe said after Gwil got dressed. Joe had his arms wide open. Gwil walked over to him with his head bowed. He let Joe wrap his arms around him. How much Gwil was trying to, he couldn't hold back the tears any longer. He didn't even notice that Joe pulled away the slightest to pull him into the bedroom. Gwil felt like he couldn't move any part of his own body. So, he let Joe and Ben push him into the bed. It's Ben who immediately reached out to pull him close. Ben placed a few kisses on Gwil's forehead while Gwil continued to sob. Joe rubbed his hand over Gwil's back. 

"What was your dream about, sweetheart?" Ben asked.
"It was about that day," Gwil mumbled.
"The accident?" Joe asked while he crawled into bed behind Gwil. The latter hummed. 
"I saw things that I couldn't remember. And it didn't end well. Instead of us surviving, she died. And I felt like I killed her and-, and-, and-" Gwil couldn't continue because a waterfall of tears made their way down his cheeks.
"Take a deep breath, sweetheart. Take a deep breath."

It took a few more minutes before Gwil had calmed down.
"Addison is absolutely okay. She is asleep down the hall. If you want to, you can go and check on her," Joe said. As if Addison could read his mind, there was a knock on the door.
"Want to ask if she wants to sleep here tonight?" Joe whispered. Gwil nodded. So, Joe walked over to the door. Addison has her head bowed. Joe knelt in front of her. 
"What's up?" He asked.
"I can't sleep," Addison said.
"Do you want to sleep in our bed tonight?" Joe asked. He carefully moved some strands of hair out of her face. Addison looked up. When she saw the questioning look on Joe's face, she nodded. Joe immediately lifted her up. Addison was giggling while Joe laid down on the bed with Addison on top of his chest. Addison moved her head around a little until she found a comfortable position. Gwil laid down on his side next to Joe. He threw his arm over Addison's back. 

Addison moved around some more.
"Do you want to sleep like this or lay in between us?" Joe asked.
"Like this, please?" Addison asked. Joe pressed a kiss on her forehead.
"Whatever you want," He said. Ben scooted over so he could spoon Gwil, letting his arm rest on Gwil's waist.
"Goodnight, my sweethearts," Gwil said. He felt Ben tightening his hold on him.
"Goodnight," Addison mumbled, sounding more asleep than awake.
"Nightynight."
"Sweet dreams," Ben said.