Education [Classification AU]

9. Tense

**I would STRONGLY recommend re-reading the BBQ chapter for this to make sense, some of the characters are hard to follow if you don't remember who they are lol**

Monday morning, Samuel was waken by someone poking his cheek. A quick look at the clock that happened to be beside the bed said that the time was a solid 2:49 a.m. great. 

"Hey baby," He rasped, his voice filled with sleep "You okay? What's going on?"

Sam's eyes finally fixed on the image in front of him. He saw (little?) Caleb, trusty pointer and index fingers stuck in his mouth. He was dragging along a light brown blanket that Sam coulda swore was always on his bed. Sam drew his eyes up to his eyes and saw small tears pricked on the sides, nothing to worry about, he was usually fussy when he woke up (big or little). 

"H-Hold me? Please?" Caleb asked softly. 

This sent Sam for a loop. 

He still couldn't tell if he was big or little, and he was also seeking comfort- Which was great! Just not at 3 in the morning.

"Yeah- sure honey," Sam lifted the blanket and scooted back into the bed "C'mon in, do you want a paci? Anything?" 

"No, jus' you." He said, climbing in and pressing his back to Sam's chest. 

Samuel smiled. He pressed a soft kiss on the top of Caleb's head and closed his eyes, "Okay, go to sleep. You need it."

Caleb fell asleep first, to Sam's confusion. Why did he come to get him? I mean, of course, he always appreciated some much-needed cuddles with his little, but why now? 

He didn't have much more time to ponder, as sleep soon took over his thoughts and he was led into a very comfortable sleep. 

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Sam was the first to wake this time. Caleb was tucked securely under his chin, sleeping ever so soundly.

Another glance at the clock said that it was now 8:08 a.m. 

Great 

a genuine one this time.

He sighed as he realized that there was no way he was going back to sleep. He had papers to grade anyway.

He slid out of bed and lifted a still-sleeping Caleb in his arms. Better to have him safe in his own bed with the railing, than to have him fall face-first onto the hardwood in the guest bedroom. 

With one hand under Caleb's butt, he slung the blanket over his shoulder and slowly made his way back to Caleb's room. 

During the short walk, he noticed that Diana was already awake, as usual. She took a sip of her coffee and sent a knowing look to Samuel right as he turned the corner. 

Sam got to Caleb's room and slowly set the boy down on his bed. Sam noticed that the railing was still up, which was odd because Caleb would've had to climb over that railing to get out and he really didn't want that to be the case. 

He left, shutting the door quietly. 

He swiftly walked back to the guest room to throw on some regular clothes, jeans and a loose button-down, and met Diana again, this time they both were downstairs in the kitchen. 

"Coffee?" She asked, already going to grab him a mug.

"Oh- yes, please. Thank you."

She handed him the full mug and smiled, "He used to come find me or Neil when he was little. If he couldn't sleep or had a nightmare, or even if he just wanted to cuddle. He used to just climb into our bed and attach himself to one of us."