Work Text:
Of all the Rogers brothers and their wives, Curtis and Chloe had the least roller coaster of a marriage, the theory being the worst thing to ever happen to them had already happened before they ever met. But when the couple brought triplets: Bently, Ivy, and Aspen into their world the changes started to show. The triplets were suspiciously well behaved, even in the presence of their older, over excitable cousins. Chloe gave off a loving gentle mother image but when the family was at home, Curtis noticed her hesitant to interact with their children. He thought she was just overwhelmed and struggling with doubt that every new parent did. But then he picked up on other things, her disinterest in baking-which had been her largest passion and he wasn’t sure she was eating or sleeping when he wasn’t home. He noticed she was eager to get out of the house and away from their family any chance she got. The more and more things he noticed, the more concerned he became, he went to Steve and Annie for advice, knowing their struggles to bring William into the world would make them more sympathetic and knowledgeable on the subject.
“You don’t think she’d hurt herself or the kids, do you?” Steve asked.
“Absolutely not! Curtis snapped at his big brother.
“I’m sorry, I just ask because it sounds like postpartum depression.” Steve explained. “The doctors warned us about it a few weeks before Annie delivered Will.”
“Apparently I was at higher risk for baby blues,” Annie sighed, stirring her coffee. “But I never displayed symptoms. Chloe is still seeing her therapist?”
“She was down to once a month but I don’t think she’s been since before the triplets were born.” Curtis confessed. “You think she needs to be seen?”
“If it is postpartum depression, it will help.” Annie promised.
“And she already has a relationship with her therapist so I don’t see her fighting you on the matter.” Steve noted.
“And her therapist will be able to determine what the best treatment plan is. I think most is resolved with therapy but some cases require medication.”
Curtis nodded in understanding and appreciative of their help, “And um, please don’t tell anyone about this.”
“Of course not, Chloe is my best friend. I know she wouldn’t want this advertised and I’d bet money she is hating herself more than anything.” Annie took a sip of her coffee before the baby monitor lit up showing William rolling over in his crib. “I’m going to take care of him before he starts crying.”
Annie stood, patted Curtis shoulder, kissed Steve before exiting the room. Once the two were left alone Steve rounded on his brother full of concern.
“I don’t want to alarm you, but until you talk to her therapist about the severity of her condition, I wouldn’t leave her alone with the kids.” Steve watched as Curtis tensed, always the defender of his wife which Steve could understand, he was just as protective as his own wife. “We all love Chloe but when Annie’s OB told us about the condition I did my own research, if this goes untreated ….”
“Chloe would never hurt anyone!” Curtis snapped. There wasn’t even a kernel of doubt in his mind that his wife was incapable of any kind of violence.
“Just …” Steve sighed. “Just be careful, I have no doubt your game plan will work out, I just want you to be careful.”
“I’m grateful to you and Annie but Chloe would never hurt herself or our kids.” Curtis promised.
Leaving his brother with a two armed long hug, pulling strength from his brother's embrace. When Curtis arrived home he found Chloe crying as she attempted to bottle feed Ivy.
“Sugar?” he asked carefully.
“She wouldn’t latch on! None of them would! They hate me! I had to use that stupid machine to pump just to feed my own kids because they hate me.”
Her crying grew to shake her arms, her hysteria disrupting Ivy’s feeding who in turn began to cry loud enough to walk her brother and sister who proceeded to cry as well. He’d just said her name and chaos broke out, he was prepared but the talk with his brother and sister-in-law gave him strength. He took Ivy from his wife and resumed her feeding.
“Why don’t you go take a bubble bath? I’ll handle the kids.” he gave her a soft smile, relieved when she accepted his offer. He wanted her to be calm when he suggested she return to therapy. Not that she’d get it, Chloe was a big supporter of mental health but it wouldn’t be interrupted correctly if he suggested it while she was having a breakdown. His wife now placated, Ivy distracted with her bottle, he moved to the nursery to calm down Bently and Aspen.
“Hi babies, what’s going on?” he said softly. “Did sissy wake you up?” He stood between their two cribs alternating stroking their cheeks. His calm demeanor and soft words quickly lulled them back to sleep. “Daddy is gonna make everything better, promise.” he kissed each of their foreheads.
Ivy finished her bottle, Curtis burped her and laid her in her own crib once she’d fallen asleep. He took a moment to recompose himself before going to check on Chloe. He found her eyes closed but awake soaking in the bath, the water a deep purple color and flora scent informed him she was using those bath bombs she and Annie had made leading up to the birth. He sat on the lip of the tub and reached into the water grabbing one of her legs that he began to massage.
“Why don’t they like me?” Chloe looked up at him, trying to comprehend.
“They love you Sugar. I love you. I think we are all just struggling to adapt to these new life changes.” he continued to roll his thumbs over the ball of her foot.
“What do I do?”
“Well, I think you should start seeing Dr. Stephens again. Her receptionist called recently to reschedule but then we had then we had kids so we kinda forgot.” he explained.
“How will that help the kids?” Curtis studied his wife trying to hide the sympathy he felt for her and the shame that he wasn’t capable of assisting her with this issue.
Most of her demons he’d been able to beat the shit out of and either kill or lock up in prison but this was mental and his physique was at a disadvantage for those problems. He hated seeing her struggling and not being able to ease her burdens, it made him feel like he was failing her as a husband.
“I think we have to start on ourselves first, then go from there.” he smiled.
“But they love you!” She allowed silent tears to run.
“Which means we can afford to take turns to get help so our family will grow stronger.”
“That’s not fair to you, I can’t put all the responsibility on your shoulders.”
“It will just be temporary and I don’t mind, Give and take, right?” he asked. He placed her leg back in the water and grabbed the other to provide the same soothing treatment.
“Am I broken Curtis?”
“No baby,” he said firmly.
“We just had kids, this should be a happy time but I just feel … nothing.”
“I don’t think there’s a certain way we are supposed to feel, for all I know we are supposed to be sad and if that’s the case, I’m the broken one.”
Chloe glared at him in a way that was very much more like his wife than he’d seen in a long time. He couldn't help but chuckle at her, it turned into a full laugh when she splashed him with water.
The day of Chloe’s appointment was the first time they left the triplets in the care of someone other than themselves. Curtis waited outside during Chloe’s session so as not to provide a distraction but he found himself on edge. He kept texting Steve for an update on the kids and looking around the reception area as if that would provide him the answers he so needed in regards to his wife. Five minutes before her session was to end Dr. Stephens beckoned him to join them in her office, a kind smile on her face. When he entered the room it was clear his wife had been heavily crying, he knew she may need space but his instincts had him pulling a chair closer to her so he could rub her back while they spoke.
“The good news is Chloe is familiar with this process and she'd be open to returning to the weekly session for the time being.” Curtis looked to his wife with a supportive smile. “You’re concerns were valid and accurate Mr. Everett but her symptoms in no way indicate she is a risk towards anyone and she doesn’t need medicinal aid at this time.”
Dr. Stephens provided a booklet with information on things they could do at home as well as verbally provided Curtis with ways he could assist Chloe when things got difficult. Both were receptive to the knowledge and prepared to implement the necessary changes. Dr. Stephens warned them this wasn’t something that would magically be cured but the couple were already proving they were willing and open to do what was necessary for recovery. History of Chloe’s reputation in the office and her file was a pillar of adaptability when it came to increasing or decreasing sessions based on her doctor's recommendations. With Dr. Stephens on their side, she was confident the family would end up on top of this situation.
The drive to pick up the triplets allowed Curtis a glimpse into the effects one session had, his more open and animated wife was peeking through again. Even more telling was her interaction with the kids when they returned home, they were more receptive to her and she was finding smiles easier. When they put the kids down for a nap, the nurturing side of her that he’d constantly pictured while she’d been pregnant finally came forth. Chloe kissed each of their foreheads and then sought him out for comfort and affirmations of her actions.
“We’ll be okay Sugar. I promise.” he kissed her lips tenderly and wrapped her in his arms to cuddle her into the couch. Some baking show quietly played on the television but the couple focused on the day's events, reassured.