Chapter Text
He never thought he would be a dad, let alone a dad to three children. It came with its own challenges, things that needed to be sorted out. Squabbles between siblings, what to eat for meals that weren't toaster waffles, who got to honk the horn in the car. Stuff like that.
But being a dad was… more. It was frustrating at times, sure, but it gave him…meaning. He meant something to these kids. They looked at him with admiration and affection. In him, they found comfort and safety. It made him proud of himself in a way. Especially since he and his own parents were not that close anyway.
And with everyday came something new. After the adoption was finalized by the judge they went out for dinner and when they came home with the signed certificate, he and the boys hung it up on the wall, in the living room. They were grinning ear to ear getting ready for bed that night. Warmth blooms in his chest with the thought.
Sometimes his kids came to him with things they needed help on. Homework, advice on sports, opinions on art pieces or scientific research. Usually he guided them to make their own conclusions about what they needed. Of all the topics they brought to him, he usually had an answer, except this time.
Hair styling. He could feel his brain stutter in thought as he looked at his son blankly. He had no idea how to do hair. For the most part the boys took care of their own hair or Mrs. Miller down the street helped them. She was an older black woman with long dark locs, in her mid to late fifties. He opened his mouth and then proceeded to close it.
“One moment, Theo. I need to make a call.” Then he turned around and nearly ran to the phone in panic. Why didn’t he ask Mrs. Miller to do his hair? Surely she could do his hair at some point. Or maybe he just wanted Dave to do it. But why? And maybe that was the answer, the man thought.
Dave was… Dave. He was their dad, the one they came to when they wanted anything. The phone loosened in his grip. It was his job to meet their needs and right now Theodore wanted his hair braided, so that meant that he would have to learn. He could ask Mrs. Miller for some tips… but she was out on a vacation with the girls so what would be the point of calling her? She was busy right now.
So, he would have to do some research by himself if he was going to try and do this. He was determined. Maybe there was a class available? He didn’t want to let his son down, so he would put in all the effort for him.
The office was busy. Fellow colleagues typing on their computers as the sun filtered in through the big windows behind his desk. Others worked in groups or individually with coffee in their hands and clicking pens. Some workers were doing other various tasks like carrying paperwork, doing tours for the interns, and having meetings. But Dave’s laptop went untouched, the screen black and the scattered paperwork unwritten. Instead he had a book open and sticky notes in hand.
He went to the local library to find books related to what he needed. They didn’t have it so he went to the central library in the city. He flipped through the pages, reading various techniques and styles, what combs and brushes to use, how to moisturize, and wash.
Wide Tooth Comb, Coconut Oil, Rat Tail Comb, Blue Magic, Blowout. Cornrows. Bantu Knots. Invisible words to him until now.
He was so engaged in his reading that he didn’t notice someone stopped by his desk, watching him. A voice cleared their throat, getting his attention. In front of him was a bespectacled woman maybe about his age. She was beautiful. She wore blue scrubs, like the ones you see in a hospital, with her thick coiled hair tied back, her brown skin glowing in the sunlight. On her scrubs was a nametag: V. Brown. She looked at him with an apologetic smile as if she was regretting getting his attention. He stood up with a smile, book in hand.
“Hi, what can I do for you, Ma’am?” He said politely.
“Oh, hi, um I was just looking at your book.” She said awkwardly, pointing at it.
“Oh, this? I was just doing some research.” He replied as he held it up. She shifted and cocked her head to the side, slightly confused.
“Research? Do you run a beauty salon or something?” She asked curiously. He shook his head with a smile and stepped aside so she could see his desk. He pointed to a picture on his desk of his sons. Her face lit up in half shock and understanding.
He scanned her face for any sign of disgust. They got that sometimes from people. People who didn’t understand, who feared and sometimes hated the fact that he made the choice to adopt his beloved children. White parents and Black parents alike. But there was no contempt in this woman’s eyes, just open curiosity.
He shrugged with a little smile at the picture. “Yep, those are my boys. They’re triplets y’know, one of them came and asked me if I could do his hair. And well, now I’m trying to figure out how to do that.” Dave said. She nodded, still looking at the photo, thinking.
“Well…” she started. “I’m glad you’re trying to learn, most white fo-” she cut herself off, with a slightly embarrassed expression. She adjusted her glasses and cleared her throat again. She looked down at the floor then at him smiling softly.
“Yknow a good friend of mine does run a beauty salon on the side, maybe you can bring your sons and get some tips from her.” She suggested. He chuckled and agreed. He paused, meeting her eyes before glancing at her badge.
“So… what’s a doctor doing here in an office, is somebody sick?” Dave asked. Her eyes widened slightly, her eyes darted to her badge then back to him, smiling sheepishly. She chuckled.
“Oh, I’m no doctor, I’m a pediatric nurse. I take care of the kids, checking their vitals and all that. It flatters that you think I’m one though. Anyway, I was just stopping by to drop off something for a friend of mine here.” She explained.
Dave nodded as she pointed out her friend sitting at a table typing away. Beatrice Williams, her name was, he recognized her from a meeting. She had a pixie cut and a sharp opulent white suit that contrasted with her skin.
Mrs. Williams looked up from her computer and waved at Nurse Brown who waved back. Mrs. Williams then stood up and strided over to the both of them, smirking.
“Hey Vinny, Hello David, pleased to see you both today.” Mrs. Williams said kindly.
So, Vinny was her name then, Dave kept that in mind as Mrs. Williams was now talking about the company, and what needed to be done and how it needed to be handled. She then softly touched Nurse Brown’s shoulder and asked her why she was still at the office. Her eyes glanced towards Dave’s hand and the picture of Alvin, Simon and Theodore on his desk, quickly putting the pieces together.
“So David, when did you adopt your kids?” Mrs. Willams asked casually. Dave perked up not expecting such a question. Most people in the office kept to themselves, at least in his department, and refrained from asking questions to him. If they did know about his children they either intentionally ignored it or judged him silently.
It didn’t help that his kids were public figures. Singers at that. Some were open but not everyone. It was a whole other experience being their father. It came with a certain harsh criticism that he wasn’t aware of earlier. He gripped the book tighter, trying to find the words.
“Pretty recently actually, a few weeks ago, they were so happy.” Dave said, chuckling. The two women laughed, finding it sweet. Williams spoke up again.
“I didn’t know you two knew each other, though.” Mrs. Williams said kindly.
“Actually we just met here, I saw his book and asked him about it.” Vinny said. Williams nodded. Nurse Brown smiled looking at Mrs Williams, gesturing towards Dave.
“He’s been learning how to do his son's hair, doing research, I told him about Danielle’s Salon, told him he could stop by and check it out, get some… experience.” The nurse said. Their gazes met and it seemed they were having a whole conversation with their eyes, it felt like a secret he wasn’t in on.
Dave wanted to ask who Danielle was, but decided against it. The two women said slowed their conversation as Nurse Brown looked down at her watch, a silent gasp leaving her. Williams looked at her, realizing that she had to go. The two women hugged and Nurse Brown turned to him, holding out her hand for him to shake. He took her hand and shook it, grinning.
“Pleasure to meet you Dave.”
“You too, Nurse Brown.” She waved goodbye at him and Mrs. Williams before walking towards the exit of the building. The two of them watched her go silently. Mrs. Williams turned to him now.
“I guess I’ll be seeing you at the Salon then?” She asked.
“Yes ma’am. I’ll bring my boys.” She stared at him hard, as if she was examining his soul. She didn’t say much, not a time or a date, just a confirmation that he’d be there with his children.
“David.” She gave a firm nod.
“Mrs. Williams.” He nodded back just as firmly, feeling like this was some sort of test. Her expression lessened as she gave one final nod before she turned on her heel and walked back to her desk. He blinked, still holding the hair care book in hand, wondering what the hell just happened and what had crossed her mind. He shook it off, sitting down continuing his reading. Theo was counting on him.
It was late when he stepped inside. He put his key in the door, umbrella hooked in his elbow, dinner in the other hand. The contrast between the house's heat and the soggy weather made him shiver. The house was quiet, except for the TV that played SpongeBob in the background.
He heard footsteps hurry towards him, arms wrapping around him as he set the bag of food down on the counter. He bent down cradling his children.
“Dad! You’re back!” Theodore cried.
“Hey dad.” Simon said softly.
“‘Sup dad.” Alvin smirked.
He smiled at them tiredly and then stood up taking off his jacket and shoes. He hung his jacket on the coat rack, stifling a yawn.
“Hey guys I got some food for you. If you want some, come and get it. It’s your favorite too.” Dave said with a small smile coming across his face. The boys ran towards the dinner table, ready to eat. Dave chuckled, amused by their eagerness. He shook his head and pointed towards the kitchen sink, looking at them pointedly. They got the hint and went to wash their hands. Dave grabbed some plates and silverware from the cabinet and set it out on the table along with the silverware. He opened the bag and put the food on their plates as they sat down.
They grabbed their forks and started eating, telling him what they did at school in between bites. Simon finished a chemistry test with high scores. Alvin scored a touchdown in football practice. Theo’s sculpture piece got put in the display case.
He was proud. He was always proud of them. Then they asked what he did that day. He paused momentarily, trying to summarize how the day went. Usually his day was the same, the same cycle he knew by heart. But today was different. He recalled the conversation he had with the nurse.
Nurse Brown. Vinny.
“I met a woman today, she was a nurse.” He said.
“I told her about you, she walked up to me while I was working.” He continued. Theo didn’t have much of a reaction to that nor Simon. Alvin piped up.
“Why was there a nurse at your job?” He asked.
“She was there because she dropped off something for a friend there and then suggested that I visit her friend’s salon with you guys. Y'know to get some… help.” He finished. They nodded in understanding.
“So… Do you guys want to go? Theo?” Dave asked. Simon adjusted his glasses. Theo shifted in his seat. Alvin just stared, slightly confused and critical. Dave brow furrowed, looking at each of them, feeling confused and nervous. Had he said something wrong?
“Dad? What kind of hair place is this?” Alvin asked hesitantly. He looked uncomfortable, like he was biting his tongue. His fork was on his plate, his food cooling. In fact they’d all stopped eating and were definitely staring at him. He raised an eyebrow.
“It’s… a salon.” Dave said, not fully understanding what he meant. Alvin cringed, hands covering his face while sighing heavily. Simon sighed and gave Alvin an exasperated look. Theodore was staring at the table as if it was the most interesting thing in the world, quietly whispering his question into existence.
“Wh—what did the nurse look like?” He asked. Dave was beyond confused. What was wrong? What did that have to do with anything? He looked at his youngest son, concerned. They wanted to say something, he was sure of it. They were skirting around it. If they told him, he could help. They’ve, him included, had to get better at that.
“Guys what’s wrong? What did I say wrong? Tell me, I need to know.” He could feel the tension growing in the room. Still, they looked at him and cringed, as if he’d be offended by what they had to say. Would he? He waited for a moment.
“Well… what Alvin’s saying is…it matters ‘cause…um” Simon struggled. Finally he took a deep breath and gave a dry chuckle. He asked him another question. One that made him have more questions.
“Was Nurse Brown a white or black woman?” He was dead serious. Dave blinked. It was a look of intensity that matched Mrs. Williams earlier. This mattered, he realized. Alvin and Theo looked at Simon as if he’d asked something forbidden.
“She was a Black Woman.” He said simply. The reaction was immediate. They all sunk down in their chairs, beyond relieved at that fact. Once again he wondered what crossed his children’s minds. Alvin sat back up, a short nervous chuckle leaving him, hesitating again. He opened his mouth then proceeded to close it. He took a deep breath. That’s the second one tonight, he counted.
“We… it’s just that… in the past…” The words were wobbly, unspoken and unconfident. Dave nodded, giving encouragement. Alvin’s gaze flicked to him then back at the table, to Simon. They communicated with their eyes. Years of being together they knew each other like they were one another. That bond Dave knew would never break. Simon and Alvin looked at Theodore, waiting for confirmation. He didn’t say anything, just nodded.
Another deep breath. “We were in a group home. Before we met you.” He said. Dave paused, that.. made sense he supposed. Dave nodded.
“And… there was this… woman, a health inspector or something. She was there to check the kids and the building.” His voice shuddered. Dave didn’t like that.
“Lice infestation. Ordered all the kids' hair to be cut off… whether we wanted to or not.” Dave didn’t know what to say to that. Or feel. The boys didn’t tell him much about their life before they met him. Little things they said and did, he chalked up to their personalities, he never pushed for answers. He’d always let them come to him in their own time. This was one of those times, so he listened. He nodded.
“She didn’t like me. She said I was a wild, and rebellious thug.” His voice was detached now, like he was telling him about the weather. He felt his pulse quicken, heat rising to his cheeks, jaw set. He knew his son. Alvin was confident, a trendsetter. Maybe a little irresponsible, but he was no felon. He was a kid who usually had good intentions but had terrible executions. Dave believed he would learn in time how to think through his actions before doing them.
“Anyway… basically said we were wild and rude children, never said that about the other kids.” He muttered the last part with irritation and Dave knew what he meant by that.
The thought of a younger Alvin being strapped into a chair and getting his hair cut off forcefully, made his stomach twist in a violent manner. Dave sat with that fact. It was uncomfortable and uncaring. He always had a suspicion that his sons had been through something before they met him, before Ian. Now he knew, there was a lot more.
“So that’s why we do our own hair and don’t go to other places.” The boy shrugged, faking apathy, nobody commented on it.
“Thank you for telling me.” Dave whispered. The table was silent, the food cold and his chest felt heavy. Like there were stones in his heart.
“And it’s perfectly fine if you guys don’t want to go to a salon to get your hair done.” Dave said. They nodded. Theo spoke up.
“It’s not that we don’t wanna go… we’re just not used to others…” Dave’s gaze shot up as the phone rang. He went and answered it. Simon piped up, looking at his brothers.
“So what do you wanna do Theo?” He asked.
“We don’t know this lady, Si.” Alvin said heatedly.
“It’s up to Theo, Alvin. He’s the one getting his hair done.”
“What do you want to do Theo?” Simon asked.
“Well, Dave’s always has our best interests at heart, he didn’t know that Vogel was evil. I think we should give it a shot. And I really want dad to do my hair.” Theodore said. Alvin looked at Simon and shrugged, still slightly irritated but respecting his brother’s choice.
Simon nodded. “So you wanna do this?” He asked.
Theo nodded. He glanced at Alvin who sat with his arms crossed. Alvin met his gaze with a groan.
“Fine. We can check it out. You're not even getting your hair done there anyway.” Alvin said. Theo snickered and Dave came back to the table, smiling. The boys looked at him curiously.
“That was Mrs. Miller on the phone. She called to check on you three. She and the girls are having a good time!” Dave said cheerily. The boys smiled and Theo spoke up once more.
“Dad, I wanna check out that salon you mentioned.” Theodore said. Dave raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?” Theo nodded.
“Yeah.”
“Okay, cool, yeah we can go there, see what’s going on and if you guys aren’t interested then we bail. Sounds good?” Dave asked. And they nodded in agreement. Dave glanced at the clock, then looked at his sons without saying a word, they already knew. And the boys all groaned in unison as they trudged upstairs to bed. Tomorrow was Friday. Then Saturday, hair day.