Eighteen Years Later

Chapter 36 - Kidnapped

⚠️TW!Chapter contains stuff about child kidnapping!⚠️

Charlie POV

Shopping with kids never gets easier. We got back from Kent and visiting my family the other day, without any more arguments I might add. I am reminded how easily kids get distracted, pull clothes off the racks and run off around the store. It's just their curious natures but man can it get you some stares. Nick and I try to get from shop to shop without causality and too much attention on us. But it is sometimes inevitable.

I tried to push back cloth shopping, like I do every season but Summer is fast approaching and both my children have grown out of their summer clothes from last year. Both Alec and Millie grow at rapid rates, like all kids.

No one prepared me for the sadness I would feel as a father seeing my little babies grow up. They were my teeny baby, who I rocked and nursed to bed each night to independent, brave, confident kids going into the world.

So here I am, sitting in a children's fitting room helping my son try on some shorts.

"Those ones look great buddy!" I say enthusiastically to Alec who is pulling at the denim shorts with a little batman patch on the front pocket "And look it's got batman on them!"

I'm not sure why he seems hesitant and unsure, I got those thinking he would love them. Superheroes on shorts, I thought he would be jumping around in excitement.

"I dunno papa..." He fidgets and his eyes are glassy and worried.

"You don't like them sweetie?" I sigh

"I do, It's just..." He starts and I encourage him to go on. His face is screwed together with anxiety and all I want to do is take it away.

"Go on."

"None of the other kids wear superheroes and bright stuff anymore. They all wear dark stuff with logos, papa!" He exclaims and I sigh.

Nick and I always said to let kids be kids, we dress them age appropriately in children's clothing whether that be in tutus, dinosaurs, princesses or superheroes. They are kids and can only dress like that for a short amount of time. I cannot understand why someone would dress their toddler in something for adults.

"Oh honey" I sigh, I know how much wanting to fit in is like "Please don't worry about the other kids, if you like the batman shorts, we will get them. You don't have to do or wear something just because everyone else is"

I can see the clocks turning in his head as it tilts in confusion. My words seep in and I smile seeing his face light up at the realization he doesn't need to do something because everyone else is.

"Really?" He jumps, grinning like the Cheshire cat.

I nod, chuckling "Yes Alec, really. I want you to be yourself and express yourself however you want. Do you want the shorts?" I ask

"Can we get the Flash ones too?" He asks with excitement and he jumps around at my nod.

My son tries on a few more pieces, all with either superheroes, video game characters or teenage mutant ninja turtles. Alec is re-dressing into his clothes when I hear someone's footsteps on the other side of the door.

"Char? Are you still here?" I instantly recognized the voice, my husband. He went with Millie to the girls section.

"Yes Nicky, just a moment, we are almost out" I call back

"Papa!" Millie yells and I laugh, throwing my head back at her little giggles

Alec and I leave the changing room and reunite with Nick and Millie. Nick has some bags of Millie's new clothes in his arms and Millie pulls at his shirt at his feet.