Nick and Charlie 6 years into the future

A shift in dynamics

Nicks pov:

As the days turned into weeks, our focus shifted to Oakley's next hearing appointment. With each passing day, I found myself growing increasingly anxious, my mind consumed by thoughts of what the future might hold for our precious son.

The morning of the appointment arrived, and we made our way to the paediatrician's office with heavy hearts and hopeful spirits. As we waited anxiously in the crowded waiting room, Oakley played contentedly in my arms, oblivious to the weight of the moment.

Finally, our name was called, and we followed the nurse down the familiar hallway to the examination room. The pediatrician's greeted us with a warm smile, her eyes kind and understanding as she took in our worried expressions.

"Let's take a look at Oakley's hearing, shall we?" she said, her voice gentle but determined.

With practised ease, she conducted a series of tests, checking Oakley's response to various sounds and stimuli. As the tests progressed, I held my breath, willing Oakley to pass with flying colours.

But when the results came back, they confirmed what we had feared—Oakley's hearing was still the same as before. My heart sank at the news, a heavy weight settling in the pit of my stomach.

"I'm sorry," the paediatrician said, her voice filled with sympathy. "It looks like Oakley's hearing loss is still present."

I nodded numbly, my mind racing with questions and fears. What did this mean for Oakley's future? Would he ever be able to hear like other children his age?

But before I could voice my concerns, the paediatrician continued, her tone hopeful.

"However, I've taken the liberty of putting in a referral for Oakley to see a specialist who can fit him with hearing aids. With the right support, he may be able to hear more clearly and develop his language skills."

A flicker of hope sparked in my chest at her words, a glimmer of light in the darkness of uncertainty. Hearing aids—perhaps they were the solution we had been searching for, the key to unlocking Oakley's full potential.

As we left the paediatrician's office and made our way home, I couldn't shake the feeling of relief that washed over me. While Oakley's journey was far from over, we had taken a step in the right direction—a step towards solutions, towards answers, towards a brighter future for our beloved son.

As we returned home from Oakley's hearing appointment, a sense of calm settled over our household. Despite the weight of the news we had received, there was also a glimmer of hope in the form of the referral for hearing aids. With that thought in mind, we set about our evening routine, determined to focus on the present moment and the joy that surrounded us.

Once we were settled in the living room, Oakley and Lily began to play together on the floor, their laughter filling the room with the sweet sound of innocence and joy. It was a sight that never failed to warm my heart, watching our twins interact and bond with each other in their own unique way.

Meanwhile, Charlie and I sank onto the sofa, our arms wrapping around each other as we settled in for a moment of quiet reflection. The events of the day weighed heavily on our minds, but there was also a sense of gratitude for the love and happiness that surrounded us.

"They're almost a year old, you know," Charlie said softly, his voice tinged with a mixture of wonder and disbelief.

I nodded in agreement, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

"I can hardly believe it. It feels like just yesterday that they were born, and now look at them—growing and thriving right before our eyes."

Charlie chuckled softly, his gaze lingering on Oakley and Lily as they played together on the floor.

"They're growing up so fast," he remarked, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

I reached out and squeezed his hand, a silent gesture of reassurance and solidarity.

"But no matter how fast they grow, one thing will never change—they'll always be our babies, and we'll always be here for them every step of the way."

🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂

Charlies pov:

Over the next few days, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with Nick. He seemed quieter than usual, lost in his own thoughts, and there was a distant look in his eyes that I couldn't quite place. It was as if he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern.

I tried to broach the subject gently, asking him if everything was okay and if there was anything on his mind that he wanted to talk about. But each time, Nick brushed off my concerns with a forced smile and a quick change of subject, leaving me feeling even more confused and unsettled than before.

As the days passed, Nick's behaviour only seemed to grow more erratic. He withdrew into himself, retreating into a shell of silence that left me feeling shut out and alone. It was as if a barrier had sprung up between us, one that I couldn't penetrate no matter how hard I tried.

I found myself racking my brain, searching for clues to explain Nick's sudden change in demeanour. Had something happened at work? Was he feeling overwhelmed by the demands of parenthood? Or was it something else entirely, something that he was keeping hidden from me?

The uncertainty gnawed at me, eating away at my peace of mind until I could barely think straight. I longed to reach out to Nick, to wrap my arms around him and reassure him that whatever he was going through, he didn't have to face it alone. But the wall of silence that surrounded him seemed impenetrable, leaving me feeling helpless and alone in my concern.

As the days stretched into weeks, I resolved to keep a closer eye on Nick, to be there for him in whatever way he needed, even if it meant giving him the space he seemed to crave. But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was seriously wrong, and that whatever it was, it was tearing us apart one silent moment at a time.

A/N
Hmm I wonder whats wrong with Nick 🤭🤔