Work Text:
Aaron was in bed with Robert. He could not believe that he was thirty-four years old. He remembered when he was eighteen, and he would rather be dead than live the gay life. Now he has a husband and children, and his sister is all grown up and thriving.
Aaron could hear their children moving around outside the door. Aaron hears a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Aaron said.
Aaron sees Seb, Annie, and Jacob walking into the room. Robert stirs awake as they walk in.
“Happy birthday, Papa,” the children say together.
The children jump up and down and hop on the bed.
“Papa, we made you a card,” Seb said.
Aaron looked at the card and smiled happily. He could see Seb’s handwriting, and Annie and Jacob wrote their names.
“I love it. Come and cuddle papa,” Aaron said and opened his arms.
Seb, Annie, and Jacob went to Aaron’s arms, and they cuddled. Robert joined them.
“Come on, munchkins, let’s go and make Papa a special birthday breakfast. He deserves the world,” Robert said.
Robert kissed Aaron softly and left the room. Seb, Annie, and Jacob follow after him.
Aaron lay back down in the bed, thinking about how lucky he was to have the world’s best husband, who worshipped the ground Aaron walked on, and to have three exceptional children. They also did a fantastic job with Liv, who was thriving with her art career and was married.
Aaron walked downstairs and saw that Liv was there. He went up to her and hugged her.
“My favourite younger sister, don’t tell Eve I said that,” Aaron said.
“Robert and the squirts cooked up a storm for your birthday breakfast,” Liv said.
“Papa, we made you all kinds of toast since toast is your favourite,” Seb said.
“Papa loves toast,” Annie giggled out.
“Annie, do you love toast like Papa?” Aaron asked as he tickled her.
“Hahahaha. S.stop, yes, I love Papa’s toast,” Annie said.
“What about you, Jacob?” Aaron asked as he tickled Jacob.
“Fwench toast,” Jacob said adorably.
“Yes, I love French toast. But nothing beats the classic toast with butter,” Aaron said.
“Papa, come sit, the food is ready,” Seb said as he led Aaron to the dining room table.
Aaron sat down, and the rest of the family followed suit.
“This all looks very delicious,” Aaron said.
“Papa, I put the bread in the eggs,” Annie and Jacob said.
“I put the bread in the toaster,” Seb said excitedly.
“You all did a wonderful job. I can’t wait to taste it,” Aaron said, smiling.
“And your lovely husband did the rest,” Robert said smugly.
“Come here, you,” Aaron said.
Aaron leaned forward and kissed Robert.
“The rest will have to wait for later,” Aaron said.
“Papa and daddy kiss kiss,” Annie giggled.
“Papa likes kissing daddy,” Aaron said.
“Can I have a kiss?” Annie asked.
Aaron kissed Annie’s cheeks and peppered her face with kisses. Annie giggled as he did that. Aaron did the same to Jacob. Aaron knew that Seb was too old now for this, so he only hugged him close. He could not believe that their little boy was already eight.
“Come, let’s eat before it goes cold,” Robert said.
Robert takes Aaron’s plate and places the food on it. He made all of Aaron’s favourites. After knowing him for eleven years and being legally married for seven, he knew Aaron like the back of his hand, and Robert loved that.
“Ta Robert,” Aaron said and kissed Robert’s cheek.
Aaron ate the food and enjoyed his time with his family.
“Papa, it's present time,” Seb said excitedly.
Aaron and Robert were sitting on the sofa when Seb came over with a gift.
“This is from me, Annie, and Jacob,” Seb said proudly.
Aaron unwrapped the gift and saw that it was a fossil they had found on the beach together the past summer. Aaron felt tears in his eyes and was so happy. He loved that he could share his love of fossils with his children.
“Papa sad? Papa don’t like gifts?” Annie asked.
“Happy tears. Papa loves the gift. Come here and hug Papa,” Aaron said.
Annie, Jacob, and Seb ran up to Aaron and cuddled him. Aaron kissed the tops of his children's heads and smiled at their scent. They smelled like home.
“My gift next,” Liv said.
Aaron opened up the gift and was happy at what he saw.
“Invites to your art exhibition that's happening next month. I can’t believe how far you’ve come. You’ve really grown up. I’m so proud of you,” Aaron said.
Aaron hugged Liv to him and held her.
“And the best gift left for last,” Robert said proudly.
Robert held out an envelope for Aaron to take. Aaron opened the envelope and saw what Robert held.
“A week away in Santorini. Wow, we are classy now in our old age,” Aaron said.
“Vic and I will have the children,” Liv said.
“Thanks, I love it, and I love you,” Aaron said and kissed Robert.
“I love you too much, and I want to spoil you for the rest of our lives together,” Robert said.
“You do, Robert. I feel cherished every day in my life, with you, our children, Liv, Mum, Paddy, Eve, Vic, Adam, and Harry. I feel so loved, and all the things that I never thought I could have came true thanks to you,” Aaron said with tears in his eyes.
Robert wiped Aaron’s tears and leaned his forehead against Aaron’s.
“Papa, you get to pick the film we watch today since it is your birthday?” Seb said.
Aaron took the remote and put on a kid-friendly film he loved.
Aaron was cuddled up against Robert, lying on top of Robert on the sofa, watching the film. Aaron could not believe how lucky he was. He had the world’s best husband. Two amazing sisters that he loved. Three exceptional children were the best thing that ever happened to him. Aaron felt fortunate to be alive. If he had not, he would not have been able to experience all of this. Everything he had hoped for but never thought he would get came true in front of him.
Aaron snuggled further into Robert’s side and felt all the love that there was in the room.