Inside Of Our Minds (Hannibal Lecter's Son)

Chapter 26) Family Reunion

I started bring the kids to see Papa more and more. Arthur loved him, Papa adored seeing his grandchildren. He was even allowed to hold the twins once with guards present, even Arthur got to give him a hug and a kiss.

Chilton wasn't pleased with me and I could tell. I was giving Papa something positive. Chilton couldn't deny me access to Papa because I was his sole heir. My insurance was the one covering his stay. I did pay the bills. I paid as much as possible to make sure he was comfortable.

One day after I finished some work online Arthur came up to me and looked at me.

"When will Mama be back?" He asked.

"The end of spring love, if you want I can call him."

"No no." He said. "I'm okay with our calls every weekend."

"Then what's the matter bud?" I asked putting him on my knee.

"Does Mama not like Grandpa?"

"In his own way he does. Grandpa did some bad things so your Mom isn't too fond of you and your brother and sister seeing him." I said. "Which is why we can't tell him okay?"

"Okay Papa I understand." He said giggling. "Can I go explore the basement?" He asked. Knowing I did say that he wasn't allowed down there. Just then one of the twins started crying.

"Not now baby, I gotta give the twins their bottles." I said getting up. Arthur ran off to go play and I fed the twins. I changed Thomas's diaper and put them back down for a nap.

After that I sat Arthur down and began giving him some preschool lessons. Teaching him to read and write was tricky. I just did what I can seeing as he has to meet a certain criteria to go into kindergarten.

The front door opened and I froze. I didn't know who all had the keys to this place seeing as Alana Bloom did just waltz right in one time. I told Arthur to hide while I checked it out.

I looked around the corner and saw Ashton with his suitcase. I ran up and hugged him. He hugged me back and we kissed.

"How was Lithuania?" I asked.

"Lots of beers." He replied chuckling. "How are our babies?"

"They're good." I said. "Arthur is currently learning to write and read so he can get into kindergarten." I said.

"I'm glad. You really are a good Dad." He said before kissing my cheek. I smiled and took his luggage. Ashton went to take a shower after the long flight. I went into the bathroom to unpack his bathroom things he brought along.

"Michael dear?" Ashton called out from the shower.

"Yes love?"

"I hired a maid for the castle to keep it clean, there was a body displayed in the small house on the edge of the property so there was some investigation but it's been totally cleaned."

"Thank you my love."

"Also using the furniture in the house I made everyone's rooms. Hannibal and Mischa's cribs were in the basement so I cleaned those up for the twins and Hannibal's old room would be great for Arthur, the bed can last him until he's about 15."

"You didn't throw anything away did you?"

"Of course not dear. I put things into boxes and put them in the basement. I decorated the house with what the house already had. When we got there this summer you're more than welcome to fix anything you want."

"Thank you love, I appreciate it."

"Not a problem, have you heard from Hannibal?"

"I went to see him a few weeks ago but he's doing well I suppose."

"Does he know about our children?"

"I haven't told him yet. He knows we have plans to adopt and have a surrogate but he doesn't know we already have them."

"Good, I don't want my babies seeing him."

"Our babies and why not? He can't and wouldn't hurt them. I want them to meet him and know where they come from."

The shower curtain practically flew open. Water dripping off of Ashton's body. He grabbed a towel and looked at me.

"I will not let our kids NEAR him, whether he's locked up and safe behind bars or not."

"So what's gonna happen when they're older and ask about grandparents? Yours are dead, my mother is dead and all I have is him!" I defended. "He took care of me since I was Arthur's age. He raised me Ashton and I can't excuse his murders and behavior but I know that I love him because he's my Dad."

"He killed and ate people Michael, YOU kill and eat people too. I don't want our kids near that. Point blank." He said getting dressed.

"Fine." I said leaving the room.

I went back downstairs and took Thomas out of his cradle. It was almost his bath time, I grabbed his little towel and headed up the stairs. Arthur followed me.

"Daddy can I help?"

"Of course, After all you have to get a bath too."

"Can I take a bath with Tommy?" He asked. His ginger hair curled over his eye.

"When he's older you can, he's too little right now."

"Oh alright."

I put Tommy in his bath seat after undressing him. I began running the warm water over him.

"Shit. I forgot to grab the baby shampoo." I said looking at Arthur. "It's under the sink, could you keep an eye on Tommy while I grab it?"

"Yes Dad." He said. I turned away for a minute and walked over to the sink. I grabbed the baby shampoo and turned around only to see Arthur holding Tommy's head under water.

"Tommy!" I screamed rushing over pulling his head up. Arthur was giggling.

Tommy seemed to be okay after coughing. I looked At Arthur.

"Go to your room now!" I demanded. He started crying and went to his room.

Ashton came up the stairs and to the bathroom.

"What happened?"

"Take Tommy to the hospital and make sure he's okay, Arthur held his head under water."

"Oh my god." He said looking at me.

"Tommy is breathing fine now but just for safe measure." I said handing him Thomas who was wrapped in a towel at this point.

"I'll get his diaper on and take him to the emergency room." Ashton said before leaving with him. I went to Arthur's room where he sat on his small toddler bed.

"Arthur.. why did you try to hurt your brother?"

"Cause he cries a lot."

"We don't hurt our siblings alright? You're gonna follow me."

He got up and followed me to my office. I put the small chair from his drawing table in the corner.

"You're gonna sit there until your Mom gets back, think about what you did." I said. It took everything in me not become Papa but I wanted to do better with my kids. Arthur started crying but I couldn't give in. I wanted to hug and comfort him so bad. I just left the room and gave Mischa her bath then fed her.

Ashton got back two hours later. Thomas was asleep so he put him straight to bed.

"Doctor says he's fine and shouldn't suffer long term." Ashton said. "What did you do to Arthur?" He asked.

"He had to sit in time out while you were gone." I explained.

"Good, good." He said. "I'm gonna go get him and put him to bed."

"Sounds like a plan, I'm gonna smoke then head to bed." I said before kissing his cheek. I went and sat in the living room while smoking a cigarette and reading.