Living Happily After

74: Hopes for the Future

The next day...

Gilbert's eye shot open, he quickly sat up and looked around. He was on the bed, Violet sleeping soundly beside him, and his newborn son in the crib beside her.

He checked the time, and it was only 2 in the morning, he sighed and laid back down, trying to get as much sleep as he can before waking up again at 7.

He covered his eye with his arm and tried to get some sleep, but he couldn't. He can't get the image of his nightmare out of his head. He was told to think of other things, but it doesn't seem to work.

Gilbert slowly got up and left the bedroom, closing the door quietly. He went downstairs and grabbed himself a glass of water.

He drank it slowly, then set the glass on the counter. He sat down at the couch, and leaned back; trying to shaking off his thoughts of the past.

'What helped me through this before? I used to smoke...but I can't anymore, I quit for a reason. I used to drink...but I can't either, it's irresponsible...I just...shouldn't think about it...what's done is done.'

'Everything is fine, no one is hurt, we're happy, I'm happy...there's no war nor battles. Their lives are not at risk, I mean they could still be in danger, but that's a given for everyone....so, I'm fine. I'm okay, nothing is happening. This will pass...'

Gilbert calmed himself, thinking about where he is and how he is, and how everything is under control. He breathed deeply in, then out, closing his eyes in the process.

"Gilbert?" A quiet hoarse voice called him.

He flinched and stood up. He sighed when he noticed that it was only Violet, who of which had woken up when Gilbert stood up and went downstairs. But she didn't get up and assumed that Gilbert got something to drink, then she noticed that he was taking quite a long time.

"Are you okay? You look a little pale." Violet said, as she walked down the stairs. "It's only 2, did something happen?"

Gilbert shook his head, "It's nothing, I'm fine." He said, as he walked towards her. "Let's go back to sleep."

He walked up the stairs first, before he felt a tug on his shirt. He looked back.

Violet was suspicious, but she didn't say so directly. She tugged on his shirt and smiled softly upon him. "Okay." She said, as if to say, 'I'll believe you, if you say so.'

Gilbert inwardly sighed, he knew he can't hide anything from his wife, and if he did, he wouldn't for long. He nodded, and took her hand.

"Let's go to the room."

And Gilbert and Violet laid in bed together, Gilbert talking and Violet lending an ear.

Violet tried her best to stay awake, she wanted to support her husband and be there for him. Also wanted to hear what Gilbert is going through so that she could understand him better.

But being a mother is tiring, even if Robert was quiet than most babies, it's harder for her to tell what he needs. He only cries if he's really distraught, uncomfortable and hungry. He doesn't cry if he wants attention or really anything other than that, which worries her.

While listening to Gilbert's deep soothing voice, Violet fell asleep. Shoulders drooped down and eyes every heavy; Gilbert understood.

He covered her shoulders with the blanket and gently kissed her forehead. "Thank you."

He noticed Robert squirming in his crib. He quietly stood up and took Robert into his arms. "I'll take care of you too. Don't wake your mother, she's really tired right now. We best let her sleep, right?"

Robert babbled.

"Yes, I know...I'll tell you again when you're older, but you and your mother are the people that keep my mind at peace. I love you both. So rest easy, I'll be here." Gilbert saw his eyes getting heavier, he smiled.

"Sleep well and grow up strong, my boy."

Hours later...

"Gilbert..."

"Mmm..."

"You have work today, right? You said you'll have get up early to meet the new officers joining your station."

"...right..." Gilbert sat up, squinting his eyes and letting them adjust to the light.

Once he opened his eyes fully, he saw the bright light was from the room's ceiling light. "It isn't even sunrise yet..." He mumbled as he stood up and made his side of the bed.

"Well, you told me to wake you up before sunrise." Violet said, tending to Robert who woke up from the lights.

"Right," Gilbert shook his head, "I'm sorry."

Violet slightly frowned, "Don't be sorry." She gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Good morning." Then gave him a soft smile.

Gilbert smiled back. "Good morning." He sighed at himself and headed to the bathroom. "I'll take a shower."

Violet nodded, laying Robert back down in the crib, he was fast asleep. "I'll set your clothes out." She said.

"Yes, thank you."

"I'll work on your breakfast too. Can you check on Robert when you're done showering? I'll bring breakfast to you." Violet asked, waiting for a reply before going out the door.

"Alright, get some breakfast for yourself as well. Let's eat together." Gilbert replied from the shower.

"Mm." Violet hummed, then went downstairs.

After Gilbert showered, he wiped himself down and wore the ironed uniform on the bed. He also checked on Robert, who was sleeping soundly, then he looked for some new socks and a belt.

"Here's breakfast." Violet walked in the room, with a tray and laid it on the bed.

"Mmm, smells good, what is it?" Gilbert asked as he's still looking for socks. "Hey, where are the socks?"

"Oh, they're..." Violet walked towards the drawer next to the closet. "...here." Then she gave Gilbert the pair.

"Oh. You put our socks on the gift drawer?" Gilbert said, as he wore the socks.

Violet chuckled softly, "You call it the gift drawer?" She walked over to Gilbert and adjusted the buttons on his shirt.

"There was some empty space on the drawer that was gifted to us by Mr. Hodgins, so I put the socks in there. Our closet drawer was overflowing with socks and underwear anyways."
Violet said, finishing the buttons.

"Thank you." Gilbert smiled.

Violet smiled back. "Let's eat some breakfast, you wanted to be early, right?"

"Maybe...I'll be less early." Gilbert said, to which Violet smiled and shook her head to.

(A/N: Hoped you liked the extra words. I wanted to make up for not posting once a week anymore, I have a life now, congrats to me haha- sorry. Anyways, thank you again very much for reading, and hopefully you liked the chapter enough to vote. 🙏😊)