Breaking Point (BWWM)

35. Yearn

A/N: Thank y'all so much for your patience with me. Last month was long and hectic! As you know I graduated and it was such a stressful ordeal, not to mention everything that followed. For those reasons I couldn't get it out to y'all sooner. Anyways, I hope you enjoy! I look forward to reading your thoughts on it!

P.S. If there's anything you'd REALLY like to see before this story ends, let me know! 😉

In the week since Lucy's been gone, Brooke has shown absolutely no signs of giving birth. Not even a false alarm, which by now would have at least given Braxton some hope about his wife having a speedy return. Surely if he's really feeling her absence, the boys are, too.

Most mornings, Aesir wakes up with an eagerness to see her back home, ready to get that hug he was promised. But when he inevitably finds that she's still gone, his entire demeanor slumps. It's disheartening to see. Both their children have been needing Braxton's attention more. Thankfully Seth and Jooyoung have taken over a large portion of the work he has to do. Without Lucy here and with the summer about to roll into fall, he's got a lot of increasing demands. School will soon be back in session in their community, which always indicates big changes. Especially now with so many newcomers.

Fortunately, he's been relieved of most of his duties until Lucy returns, so he can focus all his energy on juggling the boys on his own. Seth and Joo had apparently done it for Lucy when he'd had that dreadful episode for three weeks. The guilt will never leave him for his actions back then.

  "Aesir, are you done eating?"

  The boy bobs his head, "Uh-huh." He sets his fork down and pushes his bowl away. He already starts to turn out of his seat to go play.

  Braxton stops him, "Wait...! Let me clean your face first." He'll get marinara sauce everywhere otherwise. Braxton sets Tre's spoon in his bowl and moves it away from him before the baby can get any ideas. Atreus whines and reaches for his food, so Braxton makes quick work of cleaning Aesir's face. The boy pouts up at him, like he has more important places to be. "Don't play too rough, 'Sir," he bids.

  "I won't, Daddy," he dismisses impatiently, turning and sliding out his seat before running to the sunroom to get his toys. Atreus whines again, leaning forward and reaching for his food. Braxton sighs at the impatient baby, he acts like he hadn't had a whole bottle before eating.

  He's quick to give him another spoonful, sighing thoughtfully as he munches away. He's getting better at keeping it in his mouth, at least. It's no wonder Lucy is always finding projects to do when she's not working. Aesir will be busy playing and soon enough both the boys will be napping for at least an hour. Without any work to do, Braxton can't think of a single thing to do if he gets any spare time. He normally doesn't get to have time to himself. Not since he was a kid. Something always needed to be done, no matter how minor.

  Faye smiles as she reaches for the dishes to clear, "Did you enjoy your meal, sir?"

  "It was good. Aesir loved it," Braxton nods along, standing to unstrap Tre from his high chair. Under his onesie his round belly looks so pudgy. He can't help smiling at the adorable sight. His wife would swoon if she were here.

  "I'll send your compliments to the chef, sir," she says. She lingers for a moment, hesitating to say something more. Braxton looks down at the older woman expectantly, waiting for her to go on. He holds Tre in his arm, trying not to move him too much. It would be great to not get spat up on right now. Especially after he just cleaned the baby's cute face. "The Luna and I were nearly done sorting the library before she left. The librarian had made one of his last shipments a few weeks ago and we normally organize it in her spare time..."