SEEKING 7 | boys of tommen

c a t p a r e n t s

"I want a big dirty takeaway, with a minimum of three thousand calories and a side order of grease," Gibsie announced when he staggered into his room late Saturday evening, looking thoroughly spent. Clad in grey sweatpants and a white muscle vest, his blond hair sticking up in every direction, he looked like a man broken by the day's events. "Seriously, babe. I'm fading away here."

"Oh my god?" I half-gasped, half-laughed, eyeing his disheveled appearance. "Who broke you?"

"Who d'you think?" he retorted with an exhausted groan as he stumbled toward me. "Quick, push over, princess. My legs are bolloxed."

"Don't you mean 'bambied'?" I snickered, using the new term I'd picked up from Aofie.

"They're shaking so bad it feels like my kneecaps are about to dislocate," he grumbled, collapsing face-first onto his bed, narrowly avoiding Cherub, who was curled up on my lap, taking a well-deserved break from her mischievous sons, Tom, Dick, and Harry.

"Look at those tremors!" I cackled, glancing at his wobbly legs. "You've been bambied hard."

Gibsie groaned in reply, his face buried in the mattress. "You think it's funny, but it's not," he muttered. "That bastard fucked me harder in the gym than he ever did Little Shannon."

"Ew, Gibsie!" I grimaced, slapping his sweat-slicked shoulder. "You couldn't take a shower before I came over? And for the record, that's my sister!"

"Shower?" He raised his head just enough to gape at me. "Princess, it took everything I had in me just to get back to you!"

"It couldn't have been that bad," I teased, rolling my eyes.

"He's a sadist," Gibsie argued, his tone laced with disgust. "A madman. I never want to see the inside of a gym again."

"You agreed to it, remember?" I pointed out. "You wanted pints at Biddies last night and made the deal yourself. Plus, you asked him to train you up for The Academy."

"Train me?" he deadpanned, barely lifting his head from the mattress. "He tried to break my soul."

I covered my mouth to stifle a laugh. "So, what, the dream of being a professional rugby player is off the table now?"

"Fuck that," he groaned, managing to roll onto his back. "I was built for comfort, not speed. I'll join the family business and become a baker."

"You are a great baker," I indulged him, half-smiling.

"I am a great baker," he said with a proud grin. "Seriously, though. I've really improved."

"Hands down," I agreed. "Since you took the job at your mam's bakery, it's like you're a different person in the kitchen. And those fairy cakes you make? Best I've ever tasted."

"See?" He reached out to stroke Cherub's back. "This is why I love you. You get me."

"I do get you," I laughed, gently placing Cherub on his chest. "Which is why I feel the need to say that while this new ripped version of Gerard Gibson—" I paused to lightly trace the contours of his newly defined abs before slipping off the bed "—is nice, I still like the old one better."

"You miss my love handles," he teased, grinning as Cherub purred contentedly on his stomach.

"Maybe?" I laughed, although in truth, he never really had any love handles to begin with. Scooping up the three kittens from their basket, I carried them over to the bed. "Here. Get reacquainted with our boys."

"Dick!" Gibsie cooed, picking up the fluffiest of the trio. "How's my little man doing?"

"Don't forget Tom and Harry," I warned, climbing back onto the bed. "You always play favorites with Dick."

"That's because I love my Dick," Gibsie cooed again, rubbing noses with the ginger kitten. "Isn't that right, little guy? You're my favourite."

"Gibsie!" I scolded, laughing at the absurdity.

"Alright, alright." He reluctantly set Dick down and turned to Tom and Harry. "Listen, babe, I love all our kids, but I can't look at Tom and Harry without seeing him."

"Gerard," I gasped in mock horror, snatching up Harry. "How could you?"

"I know, I know." He groaned. "It's terrible. But I can't help it. They've got his creepy white hair and those beady green eyes..."

"Brian might've fathered them, but you're their dad," I scolded. "Dads are supposed to love all their children equally."

"I try!" Gibsie insisted. "But Brian has traumatized me, Aurora! Remember when he scratched me in the shower? Or bit my toe, and I had to get a tetanus shot? Every time I see Tom and Harry, I'm triggered!"

"This is terrible," I wailed dramatically, cradling the kittens. "Our babies deserve better!"

"Wait—" In one swift move, Gibsie scooped me up and set me on my feet facing him. "Are we in a fight?"

"Maybe," I muttered, crossing my arms defiantly.

"We're a team, babe," he tried to reason, pulling me closer. "We don't fight."

"Oh, no, no, no," I snapped, twisting his ear. "You can't sweet talk your way out of this one."

"Ow! Was that necessary?" he grumbled, rubbing his ear.

"Yes." I stared at him, feigning seriousness.

"Everything okay in here?" A light knock came at the door before Sadhbh peeked her head in, her brows raised in curiosity. "I thought I heard shouting."

"Gerard doesn't love our babies," I said dramatically, pointing an accusing finger at him.

"That's not true!" Gibsie looked flustered. "I love them all. I just... prefer not to look at two of them."

"Is it Tom and Harry?" Sadhbh asked knowingly, covering her smile.

"Yes!" we both chorused, matching each other's level of outrage.

"Oh dear." She shook her head with a soft laugh. "Alright, one at a time. Let's sort this out." She crossed her legs and made herself comfortable on the bed, watching us like a referee.

I immediately jumped in. "I've been doing the night feeds! I went without sleep for months when Cherub refused to take care of them. They're his responsibility too! Even Claire agrees with me!"

"Excuse me?" Gibsie retorted, waving his arms. "Who took them to Claire's every weekend to give you a break? And who got a job to cover Cherub's maternity vet bills? This big dick, that's who!"

"Language, Gibsie," Sadhbh chimed in, barely containing her laughter.

Ignoring her, I turned to him and shouted, "Being a dad isn't just about money! They live here!"

"Reginald lives with me!" he shouted back. "I've never asked for a single caterpillar in child support for him. I find his critters myself, every single day!"

I couldn't help but laugh at that. "I appreciate you doing that, you know I hate getting my nails dirty."

"And I appreciate you for being such a good mammy," he said, voice still firm. "Wouldn't want to do this with anyone else."

"Me neither," I replied softly.

"Are we still fighting?" He tilted his head. "Or can we hug it out?"

"Hug it out," I grinned, lunging at him. "Definitely hug it out."

"Thank Jesus," he sighed, pulling me into a bear hug. "Worst ten minutes of my life."

"What am I going to do with you two?" Sadhbh laughed. "You're like an old married couple."

"We'll think about it over Chinese food," Gibsie said, his eyes lighting up. "Two beef satays, please."