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Into the Woods: Baby Edition
Rasmus was a great addition to the team. Mitch and Auston had taken him under their wing. The couple liked the young player and he’s taken a liking to them. Sometimes he showed up at their house just to hang out for the night: eating, video games, or whatever the young player wanted. Mitch told Auston multiple times that he wanted a child now and no matter how many times Auston told him that Rasmus wasn’t an actual child and was a grown man. Mitch wasn’t having any of it and was already looking into adoption and surrogacy. Auston normally just shook his head, did he want children with Mitch, yes. But he knew right now wasn’t the best time, chances are one of them would have to quit hockey and neither were ready for that yet.
Mitch and Auston both watched as Rasmus tripped in practice, sliding headfirst into the boards. Auston had to hold Mitch against him while he tried to go and help the younger player. The medical staff surrounded him while the rest of the team watched in horror. This was something that normally happened in games but it wasn’t anyone’s fault. He turned too quick trying to find the puck and just went down; he was just too close to the board and going at a good speed. No helmet, no matter how good, would protect against something like that. It was when the stretcher came out onto the ice that Mitch lost it, trashing in Auston’s hold on him.
“No, let me help him.” Mitch tried thrashing out of the hold Auston had on him but Ashton was stronger. Auston started skating backwards toward the opposite tunnel bringing Mitch with him.
“Mitchy the medical staff has got this. They’ll let us know what’s going on as soon as they know alright.” Mitch still wasn’t cooperating, trying to get Auston to let go of him. Once they were in the locker room Auston sat Mitch down in his stall and knelt down, boxing him in.
“ Please Aus.” There were tears falling from Mitch’s eyes.
“I know you want to help Mitchy but you’re no help to anyone if you’re hysterical. Let’s get undressed and showered. Practice will probably be cut short anyway.”
“Help?” Auston helped Mitch take off his practice gear before taking his off. The shower was more about getting Mitch to relax than getting clean at this point. When they got back into the dressing room most of the team was there beside John and the other alternatives besides them. Mitch got dressed silently before going to sit with Auston. They normally kept their relationship out of the locker room but Mitch needed it today, he needed the comfort he only got from Auston. It wasn’t long before Keefe and the rest of the team came in. Everyone was quiet. It was hard watching a teammate goes down like that, but it was worse with the younger ones. Everyone felt the need to protect them, Mitch and Auston both remember those days.
“Rasmus is being taken to the hospital, it looks like it’s just a concussion but his neck bent at a funny angle so they want to make sure there’s no neck or spinal injury. Go home, we’ll let you know more once we know more.” Keefe nodded his head and left the room.
“Come on Mitchy.” Auston stood taking Mitch’s hand. They said their goodbyes and left.
***
It was just after midnight when Auston’s phone rang. Auston and Mitch both shot out of bed, knowing that a phone call in the middle of the night wasn’t anything good. Auston stood up and went into the hallway to answer the phone. Mitch sat anxiously in their bed, hoping that everything was alright. When Auston came back in he looked a little pale and shaken.
“Hey, what’s up?” Mitch sat up. Auston sat down on the edge of the bed beside Mitch.
“It’s Rasmus.”
“No, no, no.” Mitch teared up.
“No baby, it’s not like that. He has a severe concussion, but his neck and back are fine. But he seems to have regressed?”
“What does that mean?” Mitch said
“It means he’s now two. Body, mind, everything.”
“H-h-how?” Mitch stuttered.
“Happens sometimes apparently, especially among younger players like him. That was Kyle on the phone. Apparently, he’s been asking for us, well what they’re assuming he's saying, he’s speaking Swedish. They called Willy in to talk to him, and all he could get out of him was a lot of crying and asking for his parents. So they called his parents but he made it clear he didn’t want them. Kyle was wondering if he could bring him here for us to watch, considering how close the three of us are. I said yes but we can say no if you don’t want to.”
“No, yes. I want to, of course, I do. When’s he coming?”
“Probably in the morning. They want to keep him at the hospital tonight. It doesn’t look like he still has his concussion now that he’s regressed but they want to double check. Kyle will call in the morning before he comes by. Now it’s almost 2 am, we should probably go back to sleep.”
Auston got him and Mitch laying back down. But both were too jittery to fall back to sleep. Both spent the rest of the night dozing but never actually falling back to sleep. Mitch got up just after 5 and made them coffee to get through the day. It wasn’t much later when Kyle called and said he was coming by, bringing Rasmus and everything they needed for a two year old. A knock at the door came not long after that. Mitch quickly ran to answer it, letting Kyle and baby Rasmus in.
“Sorry about this, especially with such short notice.” Kyle was trying to juggle a twisting baby and bag. Rasmus was whining and reaching for Auston and Mitch. Mitch was the one to take him from Kyle, Rasmus immediately relaxed in Mitch’s hold, head resting on his shoulder.
“Do you have more things for him in your car?” Auston asked. His heart almost couldn’t handle the sight before him. Mitch had a tight grip on Rasmus, swaying slightly while humming under his breath.
“Yeah, can you help me bring it up?” Auston nodded, taking one last look at Mitch before going down to help Kyle bring everything up.
It took 20 minutes and countless trips up to get everything up. Mitch had made breakfast one-handed in the meantime, Rasmus sitting on his hip while he cooked. Auston and Kyle started getting some of the bigger items together while Mitch finished cooking. They had the bed together when Mitch called them to eat. Rasmus still refused to leave Mitch’s side, sitting on Mitch’s lap while they ate.
“So we’re not sure yet how this is going to work. He seems very content staying here with you guys and doesn’t seem to want anyone else. The only way I got him to come with me today was by telling him we were coming to see you guys. He also doesn’t seem to know any English, just Swedish.”
“We’ll figure it out. This is about the age that he started learning English, so as long as we talk to him in English he’ll pick it up. We’ll get Willy to tell us some phrases we’ll need in Swedish.” Mitch said, he was feeding Rasmus strips of peanut butter toast. Rasmus had one hand tight around a sippy cup of milk, the other holding into Mitch’s shirt.
“Alright, I’m heading into the office now to talk this through with the rest of management. I’ll call you later and let you guys know what’s happening. For the game, tonight bring him with you, and we’ll figure it out them. Until he’s back to normal, he’s listed with a concussion and neck injury.” Kyle left soon after, leaving Mitch and Auston standing in the middle of their apartment surrounded by baby items. Mitch was still holding Rasmus, but now that Kyle was gone he seemed to have calmed down.
“Well, Rasmus let’s find you something to play with while we put everything away. How does that sound buddy?” Auston asked, reaching out and tickling his tummy. Rasmus giggled, turned a little into Mitch hiding his face in Mitch’s neck.
“Come on buddy.” Mitch sat Rasmus down on the floor. He seemed a little unsteady on his feet but took a few steps toward Auston.
“Hey, buddy.” Auston said, reaching down and ruffling his hair. Rasmus whined, holding his hands up for Auston to pick him up. Auston picked Rasmus up, throwing him gently into the air. Rasmus giggled, clutching onto Auston’s neck when he was back in his arms.
“Can we not break him? Put him down and let’s get all this together before we have to leave.” Mitch watched fondly as Auston and Rasmus played.
Auston sat him down before helping Mitch go through all the bags. They found some blocks and a ball that Rasmus seemed very interested in. Auston and Mitch sorted through everything while Rasmus built with the blocks. Mitch was putting clothes away while Auston got the rest of the large items together. He also tackled getting the car seat in the back of Mitch’s car. When he came back into the bathroom after finally installing the car seat he found Mitch in their bedroom with Rasmus. Mitch had him laying on the bed changing his diaper. Auston watched from the doorway while Mitch changed him, tickling his tummy and talking to him. He got Rasmus dressed in a pair of jeans and a little leafs jersey, Mitch’s jersey.
“Why does he get to wear your jersey?” Auston asked, coming up behind Mitch, arms wrapping around his waist.
“Because I’m clearly his favourite.” Mitch turned and pressed a quick kiss to Auston’s lips.
“Okay Mr. Bias, let’s head out we have to be there for review soon.” Auston grabbed the bag they were using as a makeshift diaper bag and left the apartment, Mitch following him still holding Rasmus.
It seems like no one but Willy was brought up to speed on Rasmus. If the shocked faces and gasps were anything to go by. Mitch and Auston stood in the doorway of the locker room for several moments, Rasmus resting on Auston’s hip. He seemed to decide in the car that he likes Auston more than Mitch. Mitch only pouted a little when Rasmus wanted Auston to carry him inside the arena.
“What’s going on here guys?” Mo asked.
“Rasmus had a very severe concussion and has regressed. Kyle called us last night; apparently, he just wanted us. So Kyle dropped him off this morning, and he’ll be staying with us until further notice. But what’s actually going to happen is uncertain. So until then say hello to baby Rasmus.” Mitch said, tickling Rasmus' tummy. He laughed, hiding his face in Auston’s neck.
“Mamma och pappa är bäst.” Rasmus said, face hidden in Auston’s neck.
“Har du roligt med mamma och pappa?” Willy asked coming over to stand beside Auston. Rasmus looked up after hearing words in his native tongue.
“Jättekul!” Rasmus giggled.
“I think he’s in good hands.” Willy gently ran his hand over Rasmus’ back.
“Alright, now that everyone’s met him we do have a reason to be here.” Keefe said entering the locker room. The team started leaving the locker room but Mitch grabbed Auston’s arm, keeping him back.
“He called us mama and papa. I have no idea what else he said but he definitely said, mama and papa.” Rasmus lifted his head from Auston’s shoulder.
“Mamma.” He said pointing to Mitch.
“Pappa.” He pointed to Auston.
“Shit.” Auston said, eyes wide looking down at Rasmus.
“Hey, just because you’re new parents doesn’t mean you get to skip out on review, let’s go.” JT stuck his head in the locker room, where neither Auston or Mitch had moved.
“Right coming.” Mitch adjusted the bag on his back and followed their captain out, hearing Auston’s footstep fall in behind him.
Review went about we well as it could. Rasmus got antsy part way through, switching from Auston’s to Mitch’s lap. Mitch grabbed the blocks he was playing with earlier and sat Rasmus on the floor. He was content for a while before he wasn’t. That’s when the crying started. Mitch picked him up, walking around the back of the room, bouncing him hoping to soothe him. It didn’t work, he continue crying with his face buried in Mitch’s neck. They tried everything to get him to calm down. They tried changing him, but nothing. Giving him some crackers, he just threw them. Auston tried taking him, but Rasmus just screamed harder, clinging to Mitch. Auston found a pacifier in the bag, Rasmus took it for a few minutes and just when they though they were in the clear he spat it out and started crying again.
By now Keefe had stopped review, Rasmus cries making it hard for anyone to hear. Some of the guys slipped out, giving them space. Some of the fathers on the team tried helping but nothing was working. Mitch looked up at Auston and Auston could tell this was hard for him. That’s when Auston got an idea.
“I’ll be right back.” Auston pressed a kiss to Mitch and Rasmus’ foreheads. When he returned he had a cup of milk from the coffee shop in the arena. He found the sippy cup stuffed in the bottom of the bag and quickly filled it with the milk.
“Here buddy.” Auston held the straw of the sippy cup to Rasmus’ mouth. He took the straw between his lips and started to relax, head resting on Mitch’s chest. Mitch relaxed as well, sinking to sit in a chair. Auston knelt on the floor beside them, still holding the cup to his mouth. When the cup was empty Rasmus was basically asleep. Mitch rocked him until he fell asleep, one hand clutching tight to Mitch’s shirt like he was scared he would leave him in his sleep.
“We’ve got this right?” Mitch asked, eyes red like he was about to cry.
“Of course baby.” Auston helped Mitch stand without waking the baby. Getting him into his car seat was a lot more work, Mitch ended up having to sit in the back with Rasmus still clutching his shirt in one hand.
***
Getting ready for the game that night was a lot, to put it nicely. Between getting all of them something to eat, then having to bathe Rasmus, and then getting them all dressed they were pushing the time. Mitch and Auston were both in their game suits, Rasmus in black jeans and a little Matthews’ jersey. Auston’s not sure where Kyle got the little leafs jersey’s so quickly but he loved them so much. Auston was holding Rasmus at the door waiting for Mitch to finished gathering all of Rasmus’ things up and into the bag.
“Ready?” Auston asked, seeing Mitch come around the corner with the bag in his hand.
“Yeah, wait let’s get a picture.” Auston rolled his eyes but allowed Mitch to pull him over to the floor-to-ceiling mirror in the hallway. All three smiled for the picture, Mitch snapped several. But his favourite was the one where he and Auston were each kissing one of Rasmus’ cheeks each who was smiling ear to ear.
Auston wasn’t at all surprised that they were the last ones to the arena. As soon as they entered the loud locker room Rasmus tried burrowing into Mitch’s neck, mumbling something in Swedish that no one understood. Getting ready was a challenge, Auston tried to speed through his pregame routine. When Auston was dressed he took Rasmus from Mitch sitting in his stall.
“Alright game time. Mitch, Auston come talk to me.” Keefe said pointing to the hallway.
“What are we doing with him for the game?” Mitch asked, rubbing Rasmus’ back.
“A trainer is going to stay in here with him. Media isn’t allowed in the locker room after the game to avoid him being seen. Do you have his bag here? Marissa should be here any second.”
Getting Rasmus to stay with Marissa was a whole other problem. Every time Mitch tried handing him off, he would scream and hold tighter to Mitch. Keefe and the team were standing at the doorway watching everything go down. Mitch and Auston shared a look before all but throwing Rasmus into Marissa’s arms and running from the locker room. They could hear his cries the whole way down the hallway. Mitch wanted to run back and take him back, cuddle him to his chest and never let him go but that wasn’t possible right now, he had a game to play and win. He had to do it for Rasmus.
They won the game, blowing out the sharks 5-0. Mitch was anxious to get back to the locker room. At the first intermission, Rasmus struggled to let them leave again. During the second intermission, Auston got Rasmus to sleep, leaving him curled up in Mitch’s stall with one of Auston’s hoodies around him. Mitch was really hoping he was still sleeping when they got back and threatened the others to be quiet going to the locker room; he doesn’t care if they won if Rasmus was sleeping and they woke him up Mitch’s newly discovered mama bear side would come out.
Thankfully Rasmus was still asleep in Mitch’s stall, Auston’s hoodie pressed against his face. Mitch and Auston both quickly got undressed and showered, ready to get home. Auston carefully picked Rasmus up, making sure his hoodie was still wrapped around him. They were ready to leave when Kyle came in and stopped them.
“So we figured out what we’re doing. After practice tomorrow we’re going to announce that you’ve both been hurt and are going to be out, day-to-day kinda things. You’ll be spending the time at my family’s cabin outside of Toronto. After practice tomorrow you’ll leave and go there until Rasmus is back to an adult. Should only be a week, maybe two. It’s not ideal but clearly, he doesn’t want to be with anyone else and doesn’t want just one of you. But we’ll make do with what we got. Check-in every few days to let us know how he’s doing.”
“Okay, are we going to need to take anything with us? Food, things like that?” Auston asked.
“No, I’ll handle everything. You just worry about getting him and yourselves packed. You’ll be leaving right after practice tomorrow while the rest of the team prepares to go on the road trip.”
Mitch thanked Kyle and the three left. It was late when they got home, Auston got Rasmus into the bed into the corner of their room. The two made the decision to pack in the morning both stripping out of their suits into pyjamas and into bed. Mitch was asleep not long after he climbed into bed, head pillowed on Auston’s bicep. Auston took a few minutes to fall asleep listening to Mitch’s slight wheezing in his sleep (from a couple broken noses from hockey) and Rasmus' deep breathing. Auston honestly couldn’t believe this was his life right now.
***
“Auston we’re never going to be packed if you don’t help me.” Mitch all but whined, stomping his foot and crossing his arms.
“I thought Rasmus was the baby here Mitchy.” Auston looked up at Mitch where he was laying on the floor on his back, Rasmus sitting on his stomach.
“He is and if you don’t help me I’m going to Kyle’s cabin by myself.”
“Fine, come on buddy. Mamma’s being a meanie.” Auston stood up, grabbing Rasmus under his arms and lifting him in the air.
“We haven’t determined who was mamma and pappa yet.”
“Oh but haven’t we. Rasmus baby who’s that?” Rasmus looked between Mitch and Auston, following Auston’s hand to Mitch.
“Mamma!” Rasmus reached for Mitch, who blushed but took the baby who was reaching for him.
“Not another word from you Matthews.” Mitch turned and took Rasmus to the bedroom to finish packing clothes for the three of them. Auston could get everything else if he’s going to be a smartass.
Practice went by quickly. It was a closed practice today, making it easier to fake the injuries. Rasmus sat on the bench and as long as he could see Auston or Mitch he was happy. At the end of practice, Mitch whisked Rasmus off the bench into his arms, spinning in circles at center ice. Auston stood off to the side, videoing the two.
“Ready Mitchy?” Auston called putting his phone away.
“Let’s go.” After getting keys and directions from Kyle they were off, driving three hours to get to the cabin.
The drive went pretty good. Rasmus and Mitch slept most of the way. Auston was surprised to see how large the cabin was when they got there. It was two stories and was overlooking a lake that would be great in the summer, but in the middle of winter was covered in ice and snow. Auston shook Mitch awake, telling him to grab their bags from the back while he grabbed Rasmus. Mitch grumbled but nonetheless grabbed all their bags from the back.
Auston was stunned when he entered the cabin. He knew that it looked large from the outside but it was twice as big on the inside. There was a large living room with a fireplace on the right; to the left was a large kitchen and dining room. There was a patio that Auston was sure looked out over the lake. The stairs to get upstairs were in the corner of the living room.
“Holy shit.” Mitch dropped the bags, mouth wide open as he stood beside Auston.
“Let’s check upstairs then we can get something to eat.” Auston put his hand on Mitch’s back, leading them toward the stairs. Rasmus was still dozing lightly on Auston’s shoulder, head lifting once when they were going upstairs but immediately put it back down and burying his face in his neck.
“How is it bigger up here?” Mitch was in awe of the upstairs. The hallway was long with an overlook to the kitchen with a little reading area. There were four doors in the hallways. Mitch opened one of the doors, finding a large bathroom. The next door was a large bedroom, a bunk bed was pushed against one wall and a double bed was pushed against the opposite wall, a dresser in the middle.
“This place is ridiculous.” Auston said, shifting Rasmus in his arms. The next room was clearly set up for Rasmus. A toddler bed on one wall with leafs sheet. A change table against the other wall, stocked with everything they could need. There was an abundance of toys and books lining the shelves on the other side of the room.
“This room is huge. How did Kyle get this all set up in one day?” Auston laid Rasmus down on the bed as Mitch spoke, tucking him in.
“It’s Kyle. He could probably build a whole house in a day if need be. Let’s check out the other room, see if it’s ours.” Auston took Mitch’s hand and the two opened the last door together.
This was the biggest room they’ve seen so far. A king-sized bed in he middle of the room, and bedside tables on either side. A TV was hanging on the wall across from the bed, and a seating area under the large window overlooking the lake. There were two doors on the other side of the room, Auston opened them to reveal a large walk-in closet and a bathroom. Auston turned around to talk to Mitch but found him laying face down on the bed.
“This bed is so soft. I’m never leaving. I’m quitting hockey and kicking Kyle out of his own cabin. This is where I live now.” Mitch’s words were mumbled against the bed.
“I guess I’m cooking and you two are napping.” Mitch gave him a thumbs up, snuggling into the sheets.
Auston scoffed and left the room, checking on Rasmus before he went downstairs. Auston wasn’t surprised to see the kitchen fully stocked with all the food they could need for a few weeks. Auston pulled out some wraps, meat, cheese and sauce to make some wraps. Once, Auston, had them made and plated up and sat on the table he went back upstairs to wake his sleeping beauties. Auston started with Rasmus, sitting down on the edge of the bed and shaking his shoulder.
“Pappa.” Rasmus whined rolling away from Auston.
“I know big mean pappa, let’s go get mamma up.” Auston picked Rasmus up, laying him on the changing table to change his diaper and clothes.
“Mamma?” Rasmus asked, starting to wake up.
“Yup, gotta get mamma than we can eat.” Auston picked Rasmus up and went to get Mitch. He was very much still sleeping, star fished across the bed. Auston sat Rasmus down on the bed, who immediately jumped onto Mitch’s back. Mitch groaned and turned over so Rasmus was sitting on his stomach.
“Did pappa set you up to this?” Rasmus just giggled.
“Come on you two, I got lunch ready then we can find something to do.” Mitch picked Rasmus up and carried him down the stairs.
***
One week late and Mitch never wanted this to end. For the last week the three have been relaxing, and being a family. Mitch knew that this would be coming to an end soon, Rasmus’ concussion would soon heal and he would soon be back to normal but Mitch wasn’t ready. He liked being woken up in the morning to a little boys crashing between him and Auston, calling him mamma and demanding frukost. Mitch doesn’t know what he’s going to do when things go back to normal. Kyle was calling later in the day and Mitch was prepared to quit and never return to hockey. Find a way to keep Rasmus little forever and never look back. Solid plan really.
“Mitch, babe, come on Kyle’s calling.” Auston called up the stairs. Mitch was making use of the reading nook at the top of the stairs, Rasmus sitting on his lap while Mitch read countless books to him.
“Think he’ll notice if I take you and run.” Mitch whispered into Rasmus’ ear, causing him to giggle.
“He’ll notice.” Mitch jumped at Auston’s voice that was right behind him. He turned with an innocent smile on his face.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, now let’s go.” Mitch followed Auston down the stairs with Rasmus in his arms. Auston was right and when Mitch got downstairs Auston’s laptop was set up on the coffee table with Kyle’s face taking up most of the screen. He was in one of the conference rooms are the arena and Mitch assumed some of the teammates were there, at least Willy to translate.
“Hey, guys how’s everything going?” Mitch could see that Kyle was a little disappointed when Mitch sat down with baby Rasmus on his lap.
“Going good, junior here is well still junior.” Mitch held Rasmus tight to him. This call was just proof that this was all ending soon and he needed to cherish it as long as possible.
“Well he should soon be back. Doctor said a week and a half and he should be healed. When he does call me and we’ll figure out our next steps.”
“Thanks Kyle for everything. Honestly, everything that you’ve been had been great and more than we could’ve ever needed.”
“You’re welcome. I'm glad you’re having a great time but it’ll be nice to have you back. Willy can you come and talk to Rasmus?” Willy slid the laptop over revealing his face along with a few of their teammate's smiling faces.
“Hur är det med dig Rasmus?”
”vill stanna här med mamma och pappa för alltid.” No one was sure what he said but from the look of Willy’s it must’ve been something.
”What did he say, Willy?”
”He wants to stay forever with Mitch and Auston.”
Mitch tightened his hold on Rasmus. He wasn’t ready to leave either. This time away made Mitch realize how much he wanted a baby. At this point, he was willing to throw away his whole career just to be a dad. He would be an awesome stay-at-home dad and Auston made more than enough to sustain the two of them plus a child or two, or three, maybe a dog while they were at it as well. All Mitch had to do was get Auston to agree to fatherhood and after watching him and Rasmus together for the last week it shouldn’t be that hard to do.
It didn’t seem like anyone really knew what to say to that. Auston and the guys talked for a bit while Mitch kept his face hidden in Rasmus’ hair so the others couldn’t see the unshed tears in his eyes. Mitch knew that Auston knew that he was upset; Auston’s hand rubbing gently up and down his back was a big indicator. As soon as the call ended Mitch turned his face into Auston’s neck and started crying. Rasmus reached up and tried wiping away Mitch’s tears. He was mumbling in Swedish but neither of them could make out what he was saying.
“Mitchy baby, it’s okay.” Auston ran his fingers through Mitch’s hair, trying to provide some comfort.
“No, it’s not. This is all going to end soon and I’m not ready. I need this Auston, please. I don’t want to go back to just the two of us.”
“Oh, Mitchy.” Auston didn’t say anything else just allowed Mitch to cry into his neck. Rasmus squirmed his way off the couch and was now sitting on the floor playing with some toys. He would occasionally look back to see if Mitch was still crying or not.
“I want a baby Aus. A real one, please. I’ll quit hockey I don’t care but now that I’ve had this I can’t go back to being without it.”
“You’re serious about this aren’t you Mitchy?” Auston lifted Mitch’s chin so he could look him in the eyes.
“100%. I want this with you, no one else.” Mitch pressed their forehead together, rubbing noses.
“Ok, Mitchy. When we get back we’ll look into it I promise. For now, let’s enjoy this time we have left with Rasmus.” Auston pressed a kiss to Mitch’s lips.
“Give me 10 then I’ll be back I promise. Let’s go for a walk. We still have a couple of hours of daylight left.” Auston nodded as Mitch ran up the stairs. Auston watched him go, he knew that Mitch liked fatherhood he just didn’t realize until right now how much this was affecting him.
“Mamma okej pappa?” Rasmus asked crawling into Auston’s lap.
“Yeah, bud he’s alright. Let’s get you ready for outside.”
Auston stood with Rasmus in his arms. By the time Auston got them both ready for outside Mitch was coming back down. He looked better and his eyes weren’t red anymore. Mitch got ready and the three left the cabin. Even in the winter most of the trails were beautiful and easy enough to walk through with a toddler. Auston and Mitch held hands while Rasmus ran ahead of them, kicking up snow and giggling. Mitch had a feeling this was almost the end of this fairy tale; soon the rug was going to pulled out from under them and they’d be thrust back into normal life.
***
The next night Mitch was woken in the middle of the night to a loud crashing noise. Mitch immediately ran to Rasmus’ room. The sight in front of him broke his heart. Rasmus was back to an adult, sitting on the floor in the middle of his now broken toddler bed. Mitch felt Auston come up behind him, the noise also waking him. Mitch felt the tears brimming his eyes and knew he had to leave.
“I can’t.” Mitch pushed past Auston and ran back into the room and into the bathroom, locking and shutting the door behind him. The tears flowed freely now that he was alone.
“Is he okay?” Rasmus’ asked. He was going to stand but quickly realized he was naked and blushed.
“He needs time. I’ll get you some clothes and you can sleep in one of the other beds for the rest of the night.” Auston went back into his and Mitch’s room, grabbing some of Mitch’s clothes for Rasmus to wear. Auston stepped out while he got dressed and before long he was joining him in the hallways.
“How are you feeling about this?” Rasmus asked Auston as they walked down the hallway.
“I’m alright. I knew this would be hard for Mitch to handle once things were back to normal. It’s not your fault in any way, I need you to know that. Okay?” Auston grabbed both of Rasmus’ shoulders and turned him so he could look him in the eyes.
“If I knew this was going to be so hard on him I would’ve picked someone else to stay with.”
“Don’t think that would’ve helped. He would’ve just come in and taken you for himself anyways. We’ll make it through this. For tonight you just sleep and let me worry about Mitch, I’m really good at it.”
“Can you stay, just until I fall asleep?” Auston nodded and sat on the edge of one of the beds in the other room. Once he was sure Rasmus had fallen asleep he snuck out and back into his and Mitch’s room.
“Mitch, can you open the door for me?” Auston gently knocked on the door, trying to turn the handle to find it locked.
“No. Leave me alone.” Came Mitch’s broken reply. Auston felt his heart break a little from hearing how wrecked Mitch sounded.
“You should know by now that that’s not going to happen. We need to talk about this baby?” Auston listened for movement in the bathroom. The door flew open and Mitch crashed into Auston’s chest. Auston wrapped his arms around Mitch, rubbing his back with he cried into his arms. Auston picked Mitch up, leg around his waist, and carried him over to the bed. They sat in silence for several minutes; Mitch’s crying was the only sound to be heard.
“I’m sorry I’m such a mess.”
“It’s okay, Mitch you’re grieving.”
“Grieving? No one died Auston.” Mitch pulled away from Auston, looking confused.
“You’re grieving in a different way. Yes, Rasmus is still alone and sleeping in the next room but that doesn’t mean you’re not grieving. You’re grieving the loss of parenthood. We’ve spent the last week and a half as parents Mitch and you fell in love with it. Now that Rasmus is no longer a baby you’re grieving the loss of being a parent. We’ll make it through and I promise when we get back we’ll start the process of having our own family. Adoption, surrogacy, doesn’t matter. I’m ready to start a family with you, Mitch.”
“You mean it?”
“Of course Mitchy. Now let’s go to sleep and tomorrow we’ll discuss it more.” Auston manoeuvred them both so they could lie down. Mitch laid his head on Auston’s chest, slowly falling asleep.
***
The next morning was hectic, to say the least. They called Kyle first thing in the morning. He was happy but told them to take their time coming back, the team was on a road trip and wouldn’t be back for another two days. Then came the packing. They didn’t think they had that much stuff for them but trying to find everything and get it packed was seeming like a never-ending chore.
Auston left Mitch alone in Rasmus’ room to pack everything up. Rasmus tried going in and helping but Auston pulled him away, Mitch needed this time to himself to put everything away. After Mitch had all the baby items packed he sat on the floor surrounded by the bags of baby items. He was currently holding a little jersey in his hands, running his thumb over the 16 on the back. He remembered the first time he put Rasmus, seeing his numbers on the back of a baby who called his mamma. Mitch wiped his eyes and finished packing before meeting the other two downstairs.
“Ready Mitchy?” Auston asked. Mitch nodded and carried the bag out to the car. Auston grabbed his arm and stopped him before he got into the car.
“I love you, and we’re going to be parents one day soon.” Auston said, leaning their foreheads together.
“I love you too, so much than you’ll ever know.” Mitch pressed a quick kiss to Auston’s lips before they got into the car and started to drive back to Toronto.