Chapter Text
It was a warm sunny day. The golden rays chasing the three boys running in the garden. Gwen was sat on the porch swing watching her kids play. At the sound of the lock on the side gate she turns her head with a knowing smile. Blake walked through the gate and up to Gwen with a fruit smoothie. He had barely past it to her when he felt two big lumps hit the back of his legs.
"Blake!' They shout.
"Hey Zuma, King" he says reach around and pulling them over his shoulders in a fireman hold. "I swear there were 3 of you" Blake said as he span around looking for Apollo.
With the boys still giggling he put them on the floor and saw Apollo wobbling up the steps of the porch. Blake held his hand out for support but the toddler just looked at his mom with a pout.
"Well mini man I'm offended" Blake laughed as he watched Gwen scoop him up before sitting back on the swing. Offering Apollo some of her smoothie.
"He's in a weird mood today. He wouldn't go near my dad this morning when we went for breakfast and just wanted to sit on my lap. The only break I had was when he was running with his brothers" Gwen explained.
"I mean I understand not wanting to let you go." Blake said looking at Gwen while crouching down to look at Apollo who hid his face in his mom's chest. "Thought we were buddies?"
Gwen chuckles at the effort Blake puts in with Apollo even though it's already a losing battle.
It's not long before Blake is being beckoned to play with the older boys. He won't complain about not been able to spend time with Gwen because coming to look for bugs is what he came round for. Gwen had let the boys facetime him and ask if he wanted to come exploring because their mom didn't like touching the insects. Of course he had agreed and told them he'd meet them at noon. And bang on noon it was. He gave Gwen a shy smile before standing up and walking over to where the kids were ferreting in the bushes. Every so often Blake would send Zuma and King over to their mom with a worm or a spider or a ladybird knowing her reaction would be priceless.
An hour and flew past and Gwen had made sandwiches for everyone. They were sat at the table outside, Apollo on her lap still; Blake was in between the two older boys as they talked about their next adventure.
Gwen stiffly stood up with Apollo in her arms.
"Baby are you going to sit in a chair like your brothers or do you want to sit with Blake while momma goes to the toilet?" Gwen asked the infant.
Apollo only clung onto Gwen tighter. Blake watched as Gwen released a sigh before heading to sit back down.
"Hey 'Pollo do you want to sit with me for a couple of minutes?" Blake watched Apollo shake his head "You can wear my hat."
As soon as those words left Blake mouth Apollo was like a dog with a bone trying to get into Blake's arms. Gwen laughed at the site before handing Apollo over to Blake and quickly running into the house.
They boys had finished dinner, so Blake took them down the yard to play a game of piggy in the middle. Before he left he crouched in front of Apollo who was back on Gwen' lap with Blake's hat still on his head.
"Hey 'Pollo can you make sure your momma eats her sandwich please?"
Apollo didn't reply just picked the half eaten sandwich up and pushed it Gwen's mouth. Gwen rolled her eyes and took a bite of the sandwich. Blake chuckled as he walked over to King and Zuma. Not long after finishing her sandwich did Gwen walk down to her boys taking Apollo with her. She held him while Zuma and King took turns throwing the ball to Apollo who was in Gwen's arms. Gwen's arms were starting to ache after holding Apollo for so long so she sat him on the floor still playing with Zuma and King.
'Apollo, guess what?' King said looking down at him 'Blake said we can go to his ranch one day and we can go exploring there and ride horses and be like cowboys'
Apollo clapped his hands and fell over laughing. Gwen looked at Blake.
'Did he now?' She asked.
Blake stood behind Gwen and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Something like that may have come out of my mouth but it was all in the promise that momma agreed and that she could have a nice relaxing day. So maybe when 'Pollo is more comfortable with me around"
Blake suddenly felt something around his leg. Looking down he saw Apollo sat on his foot with his arms wrapped around his leg. Blake slowly lifted his leg in the air listening to the joyous sound of Apollo's laughter. It didn't take long for Blake to have Zuma and King hanging of him like monkeys in a tree.
"Boys be careful. Don't hurt your brother... I can't get another" Gwen called as Blake started to wobble around.
"Feeling the love honey” Blake shouted back.
“It’s there somewhere” Blake giggled.
After rolling around on the grass and getting god knows how many grass stains, the accident finally happened. Zuma fell on Blake who had Apollo on his chest. The blissful laughter was overruled by the loud crying of Apollo. Gwen picked Apollo up and cradled him and when he was still crying and rubbing his eyes Gwen knew he was tired.
“Blake, can you watch the boys while I put Apollo down for a nap? He didn’t have a good night last night.”
“Sure thing, I think Zuma wanted to go on the trampoline anyway.” Blake said looking a smiling Zuma and King.
Gwen walked into the house and took Apollo to her room. She sat him in the middle of her queen sized bed while she filled the basin in her en suit up with some warm water. She took Apollo into the en suit and started to clean him up. He was still being fussy and ended up getting his top drenched in water.
When Gwen was finished she changed his nappy and lay down on her bed with him. She was still in her jeans and vest top but Apollo was happy having nappy time. Gwen was running her fingers through Apollo’s hair when she felt her eyes start to get heavy. Apollo was already away with the fairies. Gwen’s eyes slowly shut following in suit of her son.
Blake looked at his watch; Gwen had been gone for over an hour. Zuma and King were getting tired and starting to lose their energy. As the sun faded away.
“Hey guys, how about we get cleaned up and watch a movie?” Blake said gathering the plates off the table.
“Really?! You’re gonna stay for a movie?!” King asked suddenly getting his energy back.
“Only if you want me to” Blake said not wanting to over stay his welcome.
“Yes!” Both boys yelled in unison.
“Okay then. Go get cleaned up and choose a movie. I’m just going to wash these pots for your Mama”
Blake watched the kids run into the house. He cleaned the pots and put them away best he could. When the boys were sat on the floor with their blankets ready to start the movie, Blake decided it was time to look for Gwen.
“I’ll be back in a minute I’m just going to go find your Momma.”
The boys nodded and continued talking to each other about the movie they were going to watch.
Blake started his hunt by going into Apollo’s room; he loved how Gwen had decorated with his favourite things, from astronauts to monkeys to cowboys. When he finished taking in the room he decided to check Gwen’s room. Gwen and Apollo was the first sight he saw when he opened the door. Gwen had her head resting on her arms and her legs curled up with Apollo lying next to her. His eyes were open and he was whispering incoherent things to himself. Blake couldn’t help himself taking a picture of the woman who gave her all to her kids.
Blake couldn’t bring himself to wake her, instead he picked Apollo up, happy that he didn’t make a fuss and went to Apollo’s room after shutting Gwen’s door. He putt on some Scooby-doo pyjamas and took him downstairs to watch the movie.
Blake had managed to get the movie going and because of the help of King they even had popcorn. They were watching Lillo and Stitch and Blake laughed his deep belly laugh at Zuma shouting out ‘I’m cute and fluffy’ while Apollo kept saying ‘fluffy’ while getting closer and closer to Blake.
They were half way through the movie when Gwen finally descended the stairs. Her mascara was slightly smudged and her fair was a little fuzzy but her eyes lit up at the sight of her boys all watching a movie. Gwen went up behind the couch and wrapped her arms around Blake while the kids were engrossed in the film she placed a big kiss on his cheek making him blush. Apollo’s small giggle caught her attention and she realized that the boys were all looking at her.
“Mommy” Zuma said followed by King.
She gave the all kisses and even blew raspberries on Apollo’s stomach. Gwen loved that her house was full of laughter even when new people like Blake were introduced. Gwen checked the time and realised she’d been asleep for two hours.
“Why didn’t you wake me up? You didn’t have to stay I know you probably had plans.” Gwen said looking at Blake with her giant chocolate orbs.
“My only plan for today was to spend the day with your boys and stare at the pretty lady who’s their mom” Blake said smirking.
Gwen playfully slapped his shoulder before dragging him into the kitchen. Blake was leant against the kitchen island and watched as Gwen started filling pans with water and bringing them to a boil.
“Do you like bubbled eggs?” Gwen asked.
“Bubbled what?” Blake questioned raising his eyebrows.
“Boiled eggs with soldiers also known as bread”
“Yes who doesn’t? I haven’t had boiled eggs in years.” Blake replied licking his lips at the thought.
“Okay you’re on butter duty. Apollo only likes buttered bread whereas Zuma has toast and butter and King has half and half. What about you?”
“Bread all the way.”
While Blake was buttering the bread toast Gwen set the table and put the egg holders on the plates. Zuma had ninja turtles on his egg holders while King had power rangers on his and Apollo had Winnie the Pooh. Gwen had plane white holders and Blake had matching Black ones. He shook his head at how organised Gwen was and how unique the boys were.
Soon enough dinner was ready and everyone was sat at the table. The boys automatically linked hands, when Gwen and Blake linked hands they felt a shot of electricity between them causing a nervous giggle from Gwen. Blake took hold of Apollo’s hand and listened to Zuma say grace.
During dinner Apollo kept reaching over to Blake with bread in his hands. Blake took it and said thank you no matter how squished it was. It was worth it see that loved up smile on Gwen’s face paired with the sparkle in her eyes.
When dinner was over Zuma and King went upstairs and had showers and got changed into their pyjamas while Gwen cleaned up and Blake was sat having a discussion with Apollo who just kept saying random things when Blake stopped talking. Gwen joined Blake on the couch tickling Apollo’s belly.
“Thank you for today.” Gwen whispered to Blake as she leaned into his side.
“I think this is my new favourite day” Blake whispered back.
Gwen smiled and leant towards Blake pushing their lips together in a sweet and tender kiss. Gwen pulled away at the sound of tiny feet running down the stairs. Both Gwen and Blake’s cheeks were flushed.
“Momma, do we have to go to bed?” King asked.
“Yes King, baby you have school tomorrow and so do you Zuma.” Gwen said her voice sterner than usual.
“But Blake gets to stay up” Zuma cut in.
“I’m going to head home kiddos.” Blake said standing up and handing a sleepy Apollo to Gwen.
“Bwake no Bwake” Apollo started saying squirming on Gwen’s lap.
“To say he wouldn’t go near me this morning I sure have made an impression.” Gwen chuckled at that thought.
“Say night to Blake boys” Gwen said standing up as well.
“Can’t we keep him Momma, like we kept toby?” Zuma asked.
“Who’s Toby? You have a fourth kid?” Blake joked.
“No he’s our pet frog he lives in the backyard” King answered.
“No you can’t keep Blake like you kept Toby. For one Blake needs more looking after than Toby. If you’re good you might see him next week”
“Awh but mom that’s like a whole week away” King whined.
“How about this… You be good listen to your Momma and go to bed and I’ll come and see you on the weekend?” Blake compromised.
“Will you stop over?” Zuma asked.
Blake looked at Gwen wide eyed. She nodded, showing it was up to him.
“Yes I’ll stop over but you have to be good for your Momma” Blake said.
“Deal. Night Blake” King shouted before hugging him and running off to bed. Zuma following.
“Thanks for that” Gwen said walking Blake to the door.
“No problem. I love spending time with those boys. Especially when you give me that googly eyed smile and I see that sparkle in your eyes. Plus I may be able to persuade you to make breakfast.” Blake smirked as Gwen rolled her eyes.
“Night Blake” Gwen said as she stood on her tip toes and planted her lips against his in a deep kiss.
Their moment was interrupted by Apollo who shouted “Bwake kiss”
The couple pulled away and laughed at each other. Blake placed a kiss on Apollo’s head before disappearing down the drive.