Chapter Text
Greg came over for dinner again a few days later. When they finished eating he was surprised when Victoria volunteered to help him clean up the dishes.
"Thank you for watching out for Hudson," she muttered, picking up the towel.
Greg smiled and started washing the plates. "Glad to."
Victoria hesitated as she dried the first few plates. "He gets bullied a lot at school," she admitted quietly. "I can't always protect him."
"Have you talked to your Mum?" asked Greg.
Victoria shrugged. "I don't think it would make any difference. Worse case he'd put him in a different school where I couldn't keep an eye on him."
"Ah, I can understand that worry," said Greg.
"Hudson said your dad died when you were young?" she asked.
"Well, I was about your age, but yeah. Mum didn't really date anybody until I was out of school though, at least not that I saw."
Victoria dried the next plate. "Is she happy?"
"I think eventually," said Greg. "She's never remarried, but she's had a good life. Retired by the seaside these days."
"I think you make Mum better," said Victoria. “He... he's trying."
Greg looked at her. "And I know it's difficult. For all of you. Sometimes when someone loses someone they shut everyone else out, even those they should be holding closer."
Victoria nodded and dropped the towel on the counter. "I'm gonna go watch some more Doctor Who," she said, walking towards the living room.
Greg smiled after her and finished cleaning up the kitchen, then went to join the others in the living room.
**
At the end of the night, Greg yawned and reached for his keys. "Guess I should be heading home.
Victoria and Hudson shared a look. "You can stay if you want," she said.
"Just don't be loud," added Hudson.
Mycroft looked scandalized. Greg chuckled and leaned over to kiss him. "Do you mind?"
"It appears I'm outnumbered," he said. "Yes, you may spend the night."
Greg took his hand. "I'll go if you want."
Mycroft shook his head. "I sleep better with you here," he admitted quietly as Victoria and Hudson headed upstairs.
"And I sleep better with you. I'm not nearly as energetic as they seem to think."
"I'd beg to differ," said Mycroft, getting to his feet. "Come along."
**
The next few weeks went by quicker than Greg had expected. He wasn't hanging out with Mycroft and the twins every day, but often enough that he knew he would miss them when they went back to school. Victoria was still stand offish and Hudson still conciliatory, but Greg felt like he had a family.
Towards the end of the summer holiday he came to Mycroft and the twins with a suggestion. "What would you all say to visiting my Mum?"
Mycroft smiled at him. "Sounds marvelous to me. I'll take the time off work. Victoria, Hudson, what do you think?"
"Sounds alright," said Victoria without looking up from her mobile.
"Fine by me," said Hudson with slightly more enthusiasm.
Mycroft looked at his son. "Would you like to invite Henry along?"
Hudson looked momentarily panicked. "Why would I want to do that?"
Mycroft reached over to squeeze his shoulder. "No reason. Forget I asked."
Hudson swallowed hard and then turned to hurry up the stairs. Mycroft looked after him, then back to Greg. "Just give me the dates, I'll make arrangements."
**
About a week later everyone was piling their bags into Greg's car. It reminded Greg of the occasional road trip they would take when he was small. Back then he just wanted to get to where they were going. Now he wished he'd listened to his parents chatter. But at least Mum was still going. Maybe she and Mycroft could talk.
Once everyone was settled, Greg drove carefully through London traffic and out of the city. He had the radio on low, Mycroft was napping in the passenger seat and the kids were keeping themselves occupied in the back. If he was honest with himself, he'd always wanted this. But his mate hadn't, so he'd respected his wishes and they'd never had children. He rarely thought of his former mate anymore, not with his life so full with Mycroft and his family. But, despite all the pain and drama of the last few years, he did hope he was well. Sometimes two people just didn't go together as well as they thought they did. Greg reached over to touch Mycroft's hand for a moment before turning his attention back to the road.
Mycroft stirred and opened his eyes, giving Greg a questioning look. "Just glad you're here," he said.
Mycroft smiled. "As am I," he answered, looking back at Victoria and Hudson.
"We're fine, Mum," said Victoria.
It started raining as they neared the coast. Greg was aware of Mycroft's anxiety and drove even more carefully than usual. It had to be hard to be living in England and be reminded every time it rained. Probably more so at times like this when he was in the car, even if he hadn't been there during the accident.
"Mum lives right on the coast," said Greg into the silence. "I probably don't visit her as much as I should, but I know she'll be glad to see all of you."
"It was nice of her to invite us out," said Mycroft.
"She's heard nothing but good things," promised Greg with a smile.
A rainbow came out as they neared the small village. Greg took it as a good sign, pulling up to park in his mother's drive.
Greg got out of the car and grinned as the door opened. He walked over to hug his mum and led her over to where Mycroft and the kids were getting out. "Mum, this is Mycroft, Victoria and Hudson. My mum, Natasha."
She reached over and hugged all three of them. "So good to meet you. I've heard good things," she smiled. "Greg will get your bags, come on in. I made biscuits."
Greg smiled as she guided them into the house, then went to the boot for the luggage, getting inside just ahead of the rain starting again.
Everyone was gathered in the front room. Greg could hear laughter as he carried the luggage upstairs. He wasn't certain about sleeping arrangements, so he put everything into the guest room and went back down to join the others.
Victoria was grinning at something Mum had said. Greg snagged a biscuit and settled in close to Mycroft on the sofa. "Whatever Mum said, she's exaggerating," said Greg.
"I suspect not," Mycroft muttered into his tea.
The conversation carried on for a little longer, Greg mostly just listening and enjoying the moment, but finally his Mum brought things to a conclusion. "Greg why don't you take Victoria and Hudson down to the beach. I'm sure they'd like to stretch their legs."
Greg knew a hint when it was written in giant neon letters. "Alright," he said, finishing his own tea. It looked like it had stopped raining, but he still snagged Mycroft's umbrella as he led the way out the back door.
"Your Mum is nice," said Hudson as they took a worn path through the garden.
"Well I think so, but I'm a bit biased," said Greg.
Victoria ran ahead of them and disappeared over a low hill. "Sometimes she likes to run," shrugged Hudson.
"I can understand that," said Greg. "Don't run as much as I used to. Your Mum does though."
"Yeah. He's always a little worried about getting heavy again. I guess he was big as a kid."
"Well, I'll love him the same no matter what." Greg looked towards the horizon, then back towards Hudson. "You know I care a lot about you and Victoria too, right?"
Hudson nodded. "You'd be an alright step-dad."
"Well, thank you. I don't know if we're quite ready for that step, but I'm glad you think so." Greg put an arm around him and hugged him.
Hudson let him hug for a minute, then hurried forward after his sister.
Greg chuckled and walked a little slower to give them space.
When he finally topped the little hill he could see Victoria and Hudson skipping stones into the waves. Greg took a seat on the grass to watch them, the sea-breeze ruffling his hair, feeling more satisfied than he had in a very long while.
"Can you skip rocks?" asked Victoria.
"Oh, I used to be decent," said Greg, getting back to his feet. "Let's see what I remember."
**
Mycroft appeared on the hill towards dusk. "I've been told to fetch you for supper," he called.
Victoria and Hudson shared a look, then raced each other back towards the house. Greg went to Mycroft's side and scented him gently. "You alright?" he asked.
Mycroft rubbed his eyes. "Been speaking with your mother. She's a lovely woman."
"Yeah." Greg kissed him gently and turned back towards the house.
"Greg," said Mycroft quietly, stopping and turning to face him. "I do love you. You know that?"
"I do, and I love you too," Greg leaned in to kiss him again.
Mycroft kissed him back with a gentle smile, then took his hand as they headed for the house.
Dinner was waiting for them. Greg's mum sat at the head of the table with Greg and Mycroft on one side and Hudson and Victoria on the other. Greg would never turn down his mother's cooking and quickly dug in.
"I can certainly see where Greg learned from," said Mycroft.
She smiled. "He always was eager to learn." There was something in her eyes when she looked at Mycroft. Mycroft nodded and swallowed. "I have a question for you two," he said, looking at the twins.
Victoria rolled her eyes. "I don't care if you want to get married," she said.
Mycroft looked surprised. "Well, I appreciate that, but that wasn't the question I wished to ask."
Hudson elbowed his sister. "What, then?"
"Do you want to go back to your school? It's a very good school, but if you wish to go somewhere closer to home, I'll make arrangements."
Victoria stared at him a moment. "No. All my friends are there."
Hudson shrugged. "As you said, it's a very good school. I'm fine, Mum."
Mycroft nodded. "Alright. If you change your mind, however, please let me know." He glanced at Mycroft's mum then went back to his dinner.
Greg squeezed Mycroft's hand under the table and the conversation shifted to other things.
**
That night, Victoria and Hudson elected to sleep out under the stars. Greg crawled into bed next to Mycroft and held him gently. "They can see you are trying."
Mycroft smiled and kissed him. "Thank you for giving me the strength."
"Naw, you already had it in you. Just needed someone to have a little faith." Greg scented him and held him close. "And I wouldn't mind marrying you, you know."
"I do know," said Mycroft quietly. "And I know you're willing to wait until I'm ready."
"I'd wait a lifetime for you, Mycroft Holmes."
"I don't think I'll make you wait that long," said Mycroft with a sad smile. "But I have to make sure I've got myself sorted out before I take that step."
"And that is a very wise decision," said Greg. "I'm here. Whatever you need."
"Just you," said Mycroft quietly. "I love you."
"I love you too. And I love your family."
"Our family, I think, even if not in the eyes of the law."
Greg raised his head and kissed him again. "Yes. Our family."