Nick and Charlie 6 years into the future

the strain of parenthood

Tw: yelling, arguing

Third person

Nick stood in the dimly lit nursery, cradling Lily in his arms as she softly cooed, while Oakley lay sleeping in his crib nearby.

The room was filled with the gentle hum of the white noise machine and the occasional squeak of the rocking chair as Nick shifted his weight. Despite the peaceful scene, a storm brewed within him.

He glanced at the clock on the wall and sighed. It was already past midnight, and he had lost track of how many times he had gotten up with the twins throughout the night.

Parenthood was taking its toll, and Nick couldn't shake the feeling of disconnect that seemed to grow with each passing day.

As he gently placed Lily back into her crib, Nick's mind drifted to Charlie. They had barely spent any time together lately, let alone quality time as a couple.

The demands of caring for the babies consumed their every waking moment, leaving little room for anything else. Nick missed the intimacy they once shared, the late-night conversations, and the simple pleasure of just being together.

He quietly made his way to their bedroom, where Charlie lay sound asleep, exhausted from another long day of parenting.

Nick hesitated for a moment, feeling a pang of guilt for what he was about to do. But he knew he couldn't keep his feelings bottled up any longer.

"Charlie," Nick whispered, gently shaking his shoulder. "We need to talk."

Charlie stirred awake, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "What's wrong, Nick? Are the babies okay?"

Nick took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "It's not the babies, Charlie. It's us. I feel like we're drifting apart, and I don't know how to fix it."

Charlie sat up, concern etched on his face. "I know it's been tough, Nick. But we're in this together, remember? We'll figure it out."

Nick shook his head, frustration bubbling to the surface. "But when, Charlie? We barely have time for each other anymore. It's always feeding, changing nappys, and trying to get them to sleep. I miss us, Charlie. I miss being a couple."

Charlie reached out to touch Nick's hand, his expression softening. "I miss it too, Nick. But we can't let this tear us apart. We'll make time for each other, even if it's just a few minutes every day. We'll find a way."

But Nick couldn't shake the feeling of resentment that had been building up inside him. "I don't want just a few minutes, Charlie. I want us to be a priority again. I want to feel connected to you, not just as co-parents, but as partners."

Their voices began to rise, the tension in the room palpable. Harsh words were exchanged, accusations thrown like daggers in the darkness.

"Why can't you understand how I feel, Charlie?" Nick yelled, his frustration boiling over. "I'm drowning in nappys and bottles, and you act like everything's fine!"

Charlie's eyes flashed with anger. "And what about me, Nick? Do you think I'm not struggling, too? I'm doing the best I can!"

"Your best isn't good enough, Charlie! We're falling apart, and all you care about is making excuses!" Nick yelled

Charlie's jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides. "I can't believe you're saying this, Nick. I thought we were in this together."

Their argument escalated, each word a weapon in the war between them. Yelling filled the room, drowning out the cries of the babies in the nursery.

"You're not the only one sacrificing here, Nick!" Charlie shouted, his voice raw with emotion. "I'm trying my hardest to keep this family together, but you're making it impossible!"

Nick's chest heaved with exertion, tears streaming down his face. "I just want us to be a family again, Charlie. Is that too much to ask?"

Charlie's shoulders slumped, his anger giving way to sadness. "No, Nick, it's not. I want that, too, more than anything."

But the damage had been done, and the wounds they inflicted upon each other ran deep.

As the night wore on, their argument continued, echoing through the empty house like a haunting melody.

And when the first light of dawn finally broke through the darkness, Nick and Charlie lay side by side in silence, their hearts heavy with regret.

They knew that rebuilding their relationship wouldn't be easy, but they were determined to make it work.

For the sake of their family and their love for each other, they would weather this storm together.