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"So that's why I think he's asking all of a sudden." Jeff says, fidgeting with his food.
Charlie nods and sips his drink. It made sense for Alan to want a family. He always seemed so happy watching Jeff babysit their nephew. Charlie puts his cup down at the same time his phone buzzes on the table. He picks it up to peek at the message.
Babe: Was that you?
Charlies eyebrows draw together in confusion. He sends a quick text back.
Charlie: I'm still at lunch with Jeff. Are you okay?
Babe doesn't reply. Charlie tries calling but is sent to voicemail after a few seconds. He makes eye contact with a curious Jeff from across the table, who immediately gets up to pay for their food.
Charlie: Babe?
Charlie tries calling over and over again but keeps getting sent to voicemail. Charlie is already speed walking to the car when Jeff runs to catch up with him. "What's going on?" Charlie opens his mouth to reply when his phone suddenly buzzed in his hands.
Babe: Someone's here.
Charlie feels like someone dumped ice water down his back. At the distressed noise coming from his throat, Jeff grabs the phone to read the message. "I'll call Alan, he can meet us there. I'll drive. Keep talking to him." Charlie nods and hurriedly gets in the car so he could text Babe back.
Charlie: Where's Nong?
Charlie: I will be home soon.
Charlie: Babe?
Charlies panicked breathing makes Jeff step on the pedal harder. "They're fine Charlie. If not I would have seen it." Charlie distractedly nods his head, he has confidence in Jeff's abilities but there's always doubt when it comes to his families safety. "We're almost there." Jeff says into his phone. He listens for a moment before turning to Charlie, "P'Alan says there's no cars in the driveway and the front door is locked."
Charlie nods but doesn't feel comforted. If someone was trying to break into the house they would be dumb to park out front. Charlies leg shakes anxiously, hand on the door handle to exit as soon as they turn into the driveway.
Alan is standing at the front door, back to Charlie, shakily shoving the key into the lock. As soon as the door swings open Charlie sprints past Alan. When Charlie left that morning Babe and Nong were still soundly asleep in the master bedroom. He takes the stairs three at a time.
"P'Babe?" He yells into the empty bedroom. The crib Nong usually sleeps in is empty, the sheets on their bed, askew. Charlie yells again, "P'Babe?" He checks the en-suite bathroom, it looks the same as it did when he left. He jogs the few steps to the closet door and tugs at the handle. The door doesn't move. Charlie presses his ear against the door listening for anything to tell him his family was inside.
"Mama?" Charlie calls, gently knocking on the door. "Mama? It's me. Can you let me in?" He's met with silence on the other side. "That's okay Mama I'm going to unlock the door and come in okay?" Charlie swipes his fingers over the top of the doorway and grabs the hidden key. The doorknob twists under his grip and the door slowly creeps open.
"Mama?" The floor of the walk-in closet is bare, most of the clothes were in their designated spot, though there were more empty hangers than there were a few hours ago. It's not until Charlie turned on the light and crouched down that he could see a pile of clothes in the back corner of the closet hidden behind the lower rack of shirts. "It's Papa, Mama." Charlie says softly, "You can come out now, it's safe."
Mumbling comes from the pile of clothes as it moves slightly. Charlie slowly walks over and crouches down beside them. He pulls the black sweater and shirts off of Babes head. The sight underneath makes him suck in a breath.
Babe is rocking back and forth, soothing the already sleeping bundle in his arms. His face is flushed when he looks back at Charlie, and his forehead is glistening with sweat. Babe shutters out a breath when he sees Charlie and immediately grips his shirt to pull him closer. "Hey Mama." Charlie says gently, tucking Babes hair behind his ear.
Babes eyes are dilated, wide while he stares at Charlie, mouth turned down in a frown like he does when he's going to cry. Charlie calls for Jeff, hushing Babes whine before petting his hair in slow repetitive motions. "You're okay. Nongs okay. I'm okay." Charlie feels Jeff standing in the doorway, but he keeps his attention on his husband. "P'Babe, you're alright, Nong is alright. You did so good." Babe whines at Charlie's words and grips the baby tighter. "I'm so proud of you. Can I hold him for a moment?" Babe hesitates, breathing faster at the idea of letting him go.
It's Charlie's gentle reassuring back rubs that gets Babe to release his grip. Charlie gently takes Nong from his arms and holds him to his chest. "See Mama? He's safe he's still sleeping." Babe is shaking when he stares at Nongs snoozing body in Charlie's arms.
Babe hums quietly, hands shaking and pulled to his chest. Charlie rubs Babes bicep and motions for Jeff to come forward. "Jeff is going to put Nong back in his crib okay?" Babe opens his mouth to object but is interrupted by Charlie. "We trust Jeff. Alan is here too. Alan will protect them both." Babe looks past Jeff's shoulders and sees Alan standing in the doorway.
Alan nods and clears his throat. "With my life Babe." Babe seems satisfied with his answer, relaxing a bit. Charlie hands off baby Nong to Jeff who slowly leaves the closet rocking back and forth.
With Nong out of the picture, Charlie gives Babe his full attention. "Let's get out of the closet, it's getting warm in here." Babe numbly allows himself to be pulled out into the cool air of the bedroom and into the bathroom. Charlie lifts him so he's sitting on the cold counter.
"Someone was here." Babe mumbles as Charlie swipes a cool wash cloth down his face. "There was this loud noise and someone broke in and you weren't here." Babe sucks in a breath before stuttering, "I grabbed Nong and I hid. I-I grabbed him and I hid. I grabbed Nong an-and I hid in the corner.” Tears are falling down Babes face now, as he falls back into the panic he felt before. Charlie gently grabs his manic hands, pulling them to his chest.
He stands in between Babes legs and pulls his head to his chest. "You did so well Mama. I'm so proud of you. You kept you and Nong safe."
"Someone's in the house Charlie." Babe moans pulling back from Charlie's chest.
Charlie shakes his head as he rubs circles into Babes hips. "Alan checked the whole house. No one is here." Babe whines at his words and shakes his head. "Come, we will check it out together and then we can get you feeling better.”
Charlie leads babe from the bathroom through the bedroom and down the stairs. Babe stops and check the closets and doors as he sees fit, and Charlie waits patiently. When they finally make it to the kitchen Alan is sweeping up glass from one of the back windows. "The storm caused a tree to fall in through the window." Babe stares numbly at the scene before him. The hurricane inside his chest eases to a small storm.
“I can clean that up Alan.” Charlie says, hand supporting Babes swaying body.
“You’re taking care of our boy.” Alan says before scrunching his nose playfully. “Besides Jeff is being a baby hog so I have nothing to do.” Charlie snickers and nods.
“Thank you, Uncle.” Babe mutters. Alan looks at the man for a second before putting the broom down and pulling Babe into an embrace.
Babe breaks down crying again as soon as his face rests on Alan’s shoulder. “I-Im such a fucking mess n-now after everything.” He hiccups. “And especially after ha-having N-nong, I just can’t ha-handle it anymore.”
Alan holds Babe tight for a few moments. He wants Babe to find the comfort he needs in his Pack Alpha. Alan pulls back just enough to hold Babes head between his hands. “You’re not a mess. You’re sick Babe. You have a fever and everything is heightened right now.” He says looking Babe in the eye. “Your body made and carried a baby, it understandable if things feel different now. Jeff says Charlies been acting the same way. It’s normal. You hear me?” Babe nods and tucks himself into Alan’s chest this time.
Charlie leaves medicine, water and a snack on the table next to them, and goes to check on Jeff and Nong. When Babe finally pulls away, Alan sits him down on the bar stool and makes him eat. “Finish that and drink some water so we can give you some meds.”