Mine (Part III) - Nolou/Uglydolls Fanfic

27 | Family

(Nolan's POV)

After consoling one another, we had a quiet dinner. Very quiet. 

After everyone had cleaned up, we'd gone over to the couch to watch a couple episodes of Wonder Pets. When the clock struck 10, Lachlan had finally fallen asleep on me.

Lou: "Bunny. He's asleep..."

The blonde  informed me with a gentle voice. I knew Lachlan would've been more comfortable in his own bed. But I wasn't ready to let go of him. I held him tight so he wouldn't roll off my chest. His little breaths triggered something in me that could only be described as a 'paternal instinct'. But perhaps it was deeper than that. For a while, I thought maybe if I held him long enough, he'd be safe from everything. 

Lou: "Here. I'll carry him to bed."

The blonde got up and stood next to the couch we laid on. I pet Lachlan's soft brown hair a couple more times before nodding Lou. 

"Careful..." I whispered as Lou picked up my child. He smiled and held the slumbering Lachlan securely.

Lou: "I got him. Don't worry."

He whispered back and began to make his way upstairs. I followed until we made it to a room full of spiderman posters and boxes of Legos lined up on the sides. 

Lou set him down gently on the bed and covered him with the blanket. I turned on the nightlight and kissed my baby on the forehead. Lachlan lay on his side and mumbled something with closed eyes. 

Once he was sleeping still, Lou and I left the room silently. We stood in the hallway for a minute. Lou tilted his head, probably trying to figure out what it was I needed.

Lou: "Are you tired?"

I shook my head 'no'. 

After a moment of thinking, he held my hand and led me back downstairs. He guided me to the kitchen table and said he'd get water for me. I sat quietly and let my mind wonder as he got a glass cup and filled it. His blue eyes watched me from across the room, probably noticing my distress. Suddenly, out of nowhere, he'd moonwalked over to me with the cup. It made me smile. I guess it fed his ego, and once I had the cup close to my chest, he did a Michael Jackson pose. The one where he holds his hat and balances on his toes. He even made the 'hee hee' sound. 

He finally stood normally and looked at me for some kind of reaction. My cheeks inflated until I couldn't hold my laugh anymore. I had to set the cup on the table so I wouldn't drop it. He laughed along and sat in the chair next to me. I sipped my water and smiled to myself. I'd forgotten how goofy Lou could be when you least expected it.

Lou: "Better..?"

"Yeah. Thanks.."

I set the cup down on a stand and cleared my throat. 

"I'm sorry, Lou. "

I sighed and tried to get my thoughts straight. 

"I'm sorry I told you he was yours. I should've made sure first. But I didn't..."

I felt a gentle hand touch my back.

Lou: There's no way you could've known. That's not your fault, bunny."

Another moment passed where I had to stop myself from assuming things and overthinking.

"If you... didn't want to be with us anymore, I'd understand."

Lou: "What? Nolan, I'm not leaving you guys.. That's what you're worried about?"

"Well, yeah..."

Lou: "Bunny. I'm not going anywhere. This situation is.. complicated. But that doesn't mean I'm just going to up and leave."