If Charles cried himself to sleep that night, the two didn't speak of it.
If Erik clutched at Charles tighter that night, neither of them uttered a word the following morning.
Charles and Erik each held a baby twin, the older twins running around the men, playing tag. Lorna was babbling incoherently in Charles's arms while Nina stared out their nursery window that was slightly ajar, listening to the birds outside.
"Pietro, Wanda, you need to calm down before you hurt yourselves," Charles admonished lightly, hoisting Lorna up more on his hip. Charles brushed a strand of the toddler's bright green hair behind her ear, smiling down at the girl. Erik's genes must have a penchant for odd hair- both Lorna and her brother had distinctly abnormal, beautiful hair. Nina and Wanda had gorgeous, matching auburn hair that assured others of their shared heritage.
Wanda and Pietro came to a screeching halt, Pietro unable to stop in time and ending up crashing into his twin. The two ended up sprawled on the ground, and instantly they were wrestling, Wanda screaming that'd he'd done it on purpose. Charles shook his head, thinking to himself how they got their fighting spirit from their father.
Sensing unease, Charles turned to the doorway. Jean stood there, fiddling with her hair in agitation. "Ah, Jean, good. Please, come in, meet the children," Charles spoke soothingly, encouragingly. Jean's eyes widened, though she still stepped forward, all eyes now on her- except the toddlers. Lorna was now poking Charles's cheeks while her twin was trying to reach the window from her daddy's arms.
Erik was watching her warily as she knelt down, introducing herself to the children. Pietro gave her a shy smile while Wanda proceeded to question the new person about her braiding skills.
Charles wished he could ask her about how she was holding up, if her night had been fraught with terrors or as dreamless as Charles had hoped. Charles no longer believed in happy dreams.
However, with the children and Erik in the room, he knew he wouldn't get the truth. Jean, despite her telepathy, did not appreciate others knowing how she felt. Besides, whatever nervousness she felt obviously melted away as she talked to the very serious Wanda about the merits of the Dutch braid, and Pietro tried to simply get the courage to utter a word. With the children, Jean would be fine. Jean would be happy- or as happy as she could be.
Charles gently set Lorna on the ground on her bottom, facing her towards the redhead. Lorna stared at her, blinking her large, luminous green eyes up at the new person in her presence. Jean smiled at her, the older twins having gone to play again. Lorna crawled toward her, babbling nonsense. Jean giggled, sweeping her up in her arms on the floor. For a moment, Lorna's fingers reached for the collar, studying it as she had studied Charles's collar upon their meeting.
Charles smiled as Jean tickled the little, green-haired girl's stomach, Lorna giggling and squealing and batting at Jean's hands. Charles must admit, no matter how he felt about their father, he loved these children. Charles looked over at Erik, noticing now that Nina was still clutched in her father's arms. Nina had stopped looking out to the birds, now looking up at her steely-eyed father, her stubby fingers clutching his shirt collar. Erik's eyes were trained on Jean, as if watching for anything suspicious.
Charles calmly walked over, quickly gaining Erik's stare. Nina saw him too, and she squealed in her excitement, chubby arms stretching out to Charles. He obliged her, plucking her from her father's grasp. Erik's anxiety and sternness melted away to resigned worry, allowing for Charles to take his daughter over to the young telepath. Charles plopped down on the ground with little Nina, having her face the redhead holding her twin.
Nina crawled out of Charles's lap, grabbing a little handful of her sister's outfit and pulling; Lorna, who was only loosely held by Jean, squealed as she fell backward into her sister. Nina's laugh came out as a gurgle, crawling into Jean's lap and pawing at her new nursemaid. Charles laughed, helping Lorna roll back over. Charles stood, knowing Jean had this under control.
He looked to Erik, who appeared as if he wouldn't move from his spot. He was simply staring at where Jean and the baby twins were playing on the ground, unmoving. Charles went to him, grabbing Erik's hand and led him out of the room. Erik dumbly followed, unseeing. Erik felt as if he couldn't quite breathe. The children were his only connection to his precious Magda and his last remaining family. Without them, he was truly alone. Entrusting his children with a stranger, a telepath, was harder than he expected. Charles, he trusted. Charles was an amazing man, a sweet soul despite his power over others. This Jean was a stranger, a possible threat. How could Erik leave them with her?
"Erik, I can sense you unease and worry like a tsunami. Quiet your mind, friend. She wouldn't think to hurt your children," Charles assured, smiling comfortingly. Erik looked to him, staring into his expressive, blue depths, hoping to find comfort there that he couldn't find anywhere else. Charles and his children were his solace.
Charles led Erik to the library, a game of chess calling them. Erik's advisors would be able to handle the kingdoms today. They knew where to find their King if need be.
For now, Erik needed Charles.
