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Worst Case of Summer Blues

Genre: Fan Fiction (The Last Kingdom)

Pairing: Finan/OFC

Warnings: Deadbeat Dad (sort of). Cheating. Emotional Abuse, Emotional Manipulation (sort of). Really pissed off kids.

Rating: M

Length: Multi

Disclaimer: a strict work of fiction, I own nothing except the original characters and the plot line. In no way am I affiliated to any of it.

A/N: The muse was not happy with one shots, apparently. I promise, it isn't all doom and gloom...

Catch Up Here

“I can't have them here, right now, Finan.” Her tone bitter and her words biting.

“What do ya want me to do, Lina? You've turned them against me for how long?” Rubbing his hand across his face, Finan sat at the table in the dimly lit kitchen. Making his usual rounds, before bed, he had been interrupted when the phone had began to vibrate in his pocket.

Upstairs, he could see the light creeping down the hall from the bedroom. Carys, his fiancee, no doubt had left her lamp on while she was reading. Whether she was still awake or had left the light on for Finan, he wasn't sure. Not wanting to wake her, he kept his voice low.

“Take them!” the woman on the other end hissed at him. “They're your children!”

“Our.” Finan replied with a slight huff. “Our children. Children that you seem to have forgotten are mine, until it's convenient for ya.”

“I do not have time for your shite.” His ex-wife grumbled at him. “They're menaces and I can't have them here for the whole summer.”

“Why not? Hmm? Why now?” Finan softened his shoulders as his jaw clenched. “Any other time I've asked for them, you've told me no.”

“Finan, I need you to step up and be a man. Take your damn sons for a few months.”

“Oh, I am happy to take them. More than bloody happy, but I will need to discuss it first.” Thinking of the woman upstairs, in bed, waiting for him. This wasn't fair for him to decide on his own.

“Oh, I see how it is. Ya need to consult the keeper of your balls? Right, well then, I hope she knows that you're a cheating prick.”

“She knows about the affair.” Finan groaned, clenching his fist at his side. “She knows about the boys and you, too. I'm not the useless monster that ya make me out to be.”

“Deadbeat is what ya are.”

“Wait a minute, that is unfair. When I decided to move, you agreed that I would get the boys every second holiday and three weeks in the summer. When have ya ever stuck to it, Lina?”

“Well, I am sending them to you now! Enjoy.”

“Lina, why are ya being this way? They're your kids, too. Have ya asked them why they're acting out? Huh? Could it be that all of a sudden ya shove a new husband and a baby on them within a year? They're kids, they're going to be upset about this shit.” Feeling his blood pressure rising, Finan wanted to shout. It would get him no where. “Let me talk to Carys, I'll call ya in the morning.”

Before his ex-wife could say another word, Finan ended the call. Phone off, he rested his head on the table. Face down, he groaned, fighting the urge to scream.

With all of his heart, he loved his boys.

Even if it didn't seem that way.

Not a day passed that he didn't think of them. Wondering how they were doing in school, or how much they had grown.

Sitting with his head down on the table for a few more minutes, he picked himself up, and slowly climbed the stairs. Each step making his feet feel as though they weight a thousand stones. For years he had been arguing with his ex-wife to send the boys over for the summer. Hell, more than once, Finan had even offered to spend the summer in Ireland with them. Each offer refused.

Body feeling as though he was carrying a mass of regret – maybe he was? Finan walked down the hall to the bedroom, the lamp lighting up the woman sitting up in bed, a book to her nose. Finan couldn't help but smile as she sat, glasses perched on her nose, lost in the world on the pages.

“You okay?” Carys didn't bother to look up from her page.

“Ah, yeah.” Finan nodded, kicking off his slippers and pulling his tshirt over his head. Dark hair stuck up in various directions, he ran his hand over his beard and gnawed on his bottom lip. The conversation with his ex playing on him.

“Okay. I'll be done in a sec.” She replied turning the page.

“I don't want to bother ya, but can we have a chat, my love?” Finan asked pushing the blankets back on the bed.

“Of course, what's going on?” Carys asked stretching her arms out, closing the book that she'd been reading. Downstairs, she had somewhat overheard his phone call, when he'd raised his voice a few times. Whatever was on his mind was about to come out.

“My ex called, about the boys.” Finan shifted from one foot to the other.

On their third date, he had opened up about how he had been married in his early twenties, divorcing shortly after he'd turned thirty – his fault. Foolishly, he had decided that having an affair was acceptable. Despite knowing there would be repercussions and that it was the worst thing he could have done to his young family.

Never, ever, in this life time or the next would he try that move again. Promising those days were behind him, Carys had somehow decided to trust him. So far, Finan hadn't let her down.

“What about them?”

Rarely, did Finan see his two sons.

The last time he had spoken with them, face to face, had been seven years ago. Although he sent cards, gifts, and letters – sometimes it felt as though the boys preferred if he didn't exist.

“It seems that they're having a bit of trouble at their mother's.” Finan sighed and ran his hands through his hair.

Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, he shrugged and turned to face Carys.

“They're being a bit of a handful and she doesn't want to deal with them. I guess having a new baby in the house is a bit much for everyone, which is why she asked if I'd take them for the summer?”

“Hm. What did you say?”

“I told her that I'd discuss it with ya, because we had to agree.” Finan gave her a slight smile, his thick beard hiding the gesture a tiny bit. “If ya don't want them, then I will figure something out.”

“Finan, of course I want them here. But, do they want to be here?”

“I don't know. I don't even know if Lina told them or asked them. Oh god, I hope she isn't just sticking them on a plane and expecting them to like it.”

“Things we can ask, when you call her back in the morning.” Carys encouraged with a bright smile. “Finan, sweetheart, if the boys need to stay here for the summer that could be a good thing. You'd have them without interruption and you could really get to know them, again.”

“Maybe. What if they don't want to come? What if they get here and they hate me? I did abandon them, twice.”

“Things we can explain, when it comes up. To be fair, the second time, you did leave for a better job opportunity. I understand, money isn't the same as having your dad there, but at least it's given them a chance at a better life.”

“Yeah, except their new father co-owns two rugby teams and his family are disgustingly wealthy.”

“Okay, minor details.” Carys shrugged. “Baby, I want you to think of this as a good thing. How old are they, again?”

“Uh,” Finan quickly did the math, trying to remember which birthday card he'd sent last. “Simon turned fourteen in May. Ollie will be eleven, in July.”

“Awesome! They're the perfect age to spend a summer here, we can do so much. I really hope you tell Lina that we're taking them.”

“Y-ya want them? Seriously?”

“You were honest from the beginning, about the boys, and the affair, your marriage. Yes, I want to meet them. We've been together four years, I would like to know them and see them beyond photos that you show me.”

Finan was fantastic at keeping up with photos that his ex-wife and in-laws shared of the boys on social media. He would often brag to Carys about them, along with how proud of them he was. Even from afar.

Shifting around to get in bed, Finan sighed and reached for the remote to the fan that stood on his side of the bed. Turning it on, the cool breeze floated through the room meeting his bare skin, and causing him to lightly shiver. The noise helped him sleep and Carys liked the air, as she claimed, Finan ran too hot when he slept.

“I want them here, but I don't know. How would we even make this work?”

“We would make it work, trust me.” Carys gave her fiance a firm nod.

“I feel like such a stranger, would they even want to be here? Would they bother to listen? Are we wasting their time and ours?” Finan's worries were all valid.

No doubt there would be protest. No child wanted to be shipped away from their home or their friends for an entire summer.

“They're your children, we're not wasting anybody's time. Although we should probably lay down some rules or something.” brushing her finger tips across his arm, Carys gave him a tiny smile.

“Of course we're going to be united.” Finan determined. “Maybe if we stick to similar rules that they already have, it might be best? And then we can go from there?”

“I like that.” Already Finan was starting to work through the shock of the conversation. “And, you need to understand if they don't like me, then we're not going to force it. I don't want you to pick me over them, Finan.”

“My love, I am sure that they will adore you. They will probably like ya far more than they will ever like me.” Encouraging, Finan raised his brow. Carys had an itty bitty inkling that he was right, but how could she break his heart? “But I still don't know.”

“Sleep on it, Finan.” Carys placed a kiss on his shoulder. “Tomorrow, I think that you'll see it's a good idea.”

Awake, Finan laid flat on his back gazing at the dark ceiling. Beside him, Carys was rolled on her side, sleeping peacefully, her soft breath and snores giving her away. Finan couldn't even bring himself to smirk, as he usually did, knowing that come morning he could tease her about her claims of not snoring.

Adjusting his arm under his pillow Finan sighed and closed his eyes, little good it did. Still, he was wide awake, but now he couldn't see the soft pillars of moonlight dancing in through the blind. When Lina rang, he should have known that she'd wanted something. The woman never called him, unless it was to bitch and tell him she needed more money, ironic. Last year she had re-married, Finan didn't know too much about the man, simply what the internet told him.

Whatever.

Wealthy, well educated, and seemed to be liked by most people.

Shifting around to get comfortable, Finan scratched his chest, and wrinkled his nose. Mind racing at the speed of light, he felt his heart start to follow. Laying there, shroud in his own guilt and shame, Finan opened his eyes and stared back at the ceiling.

To this day, he had no excuse for his affair. Had it been the excitement? The thrill of sneaking around? Had he realised then that Lina was over him? She'd hardly spoken to him, putting all of her time into work and their young sons. What he wanted was affection. A woman who could love him, not that the other woman had ever loved him, either.

Finan had done everything right, as a husband and more importantly as a father, at the beginning.

Every prenatal class and every appointment – he was there.

Countless hours of diapers and middle of the night feeds – he was on it.

Making sure his children were loved and cared for – he did that, too.

Somewhere between having Simon and creating Ollie, he and Lina had drifted apart. Lina had once told him, after the divorce, if she hadn't gotten pregnant the second time then she would have left him sooner. Seeing another baby as a possible sign of hope, she'd stayed, foolishly wanting to try and make their marriage work.

Ollie like Simon, had been a night of drunken moments and a fleeting thought that maybe, just maybe, they loved or could love one another. Never wanting to admit it out loud, Finan had asked her to marry him, because Lina was pregnant. They should have known they were never meant to last as husband and wife.

It didn't take away from the love he held for his sons.

Despite what they may think or how things looked, there were few moments in Finan's life that he was proud of. Very few moments stood out as much as the days his sons were born.

Simon had been the most precious thing that Finan had ever had. The tiny baby in his arms, for the first time, had some how managed to change the Irish man. Suddenly he was responsible, this tiny human relied on him, and Finan had to be serious about his future and his life.

Ollie came into the world screaming up a storm, full of energy and life. A trait he still held. Cradling his second son in his arms, Finan would never forget the fear and excitement that came with having two children. Suddenly he had double the responsibility and double the love to give. All of his love from that point on had gone to his sons, leaving Lina a bit neglected.

No wonder she hated him.

Finan huffed and grunted.

If he were Lina, he'd hate him too!

And then there was Carys. She was different, in many ways. Joyful and soft, she was the bit of light that Finan had been missing from his life. A spark that ignited something and caused him to really come alive. He'd never felt that way with Lina or his affair. Carys left him yearning to be a better person, to be somebody that she was proud of. So far, he was making the grade.

Previously, Carys had been hesitant about men with children. For a long time, she'd been on the fence about wanting her own, or whether she wanted to have step-children. Finan's love for his boys, despite the circumstances was enough for her to throw caution to the wind and go for it. Although she had, more than once, informed him that since he had two sons, maybe they could skip having their own?

Being a parent was complex, Finan was willing to grant her wish, if it wasn't something she wanted to do. Even now, if she wanted to back out on this summer, then he'd find a way to make it work for all of them. Finan had been a bit relieved when her reaction had been positive.

In a way, it was the energy that he needed to be excited as well.

Rolling over to face the back of Carys' head, Finan smiled and slung his arm around her, head resting against the back of her shoulder he sighed and closed his eyes. Maybe it was about time for him to fall asleep?

As the alarm rang, Finan rubbed his eyes and quickly silenced it. Giving Carys a kiss on the cheek as she mumbled a garbled version of “good morning.” He rose from bed and immediately grabbed his gym wear. Today was a good morning for a run, perfect to clear his mind and get the body moving before work.

Finan had been a physiotherapist for the last sixteen years, he knew the importance of body movement. Grabbing his phone and headphones, he snuck out of the bedroom and down the stairs. The sun hadn't even thought of kissing the horizon as he opened the front door and stepped into the world.

By the time he arrived back, it was still early, perhaps too early to call his ex-wife? Nah.

Picking up his phone, Finan opened his calls to the last call he'd had. Dialling Lina's number, he waited as the phone rang. Adding coffee to the coffee maker, he smirked when she answered sounding annoyed.

“We will take them.” was all he said. Placing the coffee and filter into the machine, he pressed the brew button. Carys would have fresh coffee when she came down, a bonus point for Finan. When he'd came in, he could hear the shower running, she was out of bed.

“Shocking.”

“Don't be a bitch.” Finan grunted. “Do they even know they're coming? Do they want to come?”

“Does it matter?”

“Ollie will be.”

“Yes, it matters.” Finan scoffed. “At least tell me they're somewhat okay with this?”

Finan pinched the bridge of his nose and inhaled. “Okay, whatever. They'll have to be on their own for a bit, during the week, if that is okay?”

“They are left home alone here, they'll be fine.”

“I'm going to try and get a run of days off, while they're here. Maybe four or five.”

“Finan, I don't care so long as you take them.” in the background he could hear a baby wailing. Lina was busy and didn't have time to entertain Finan and his issues. “I'll get Tom to book their flight, before he leaves for work. I'll text ya the details. Is that fine?”

“That is fine. Tell them that I can't wait for them to ge-” He rolled his eyes as she ended the call. “Get here and I love them.”

Upstairs the shower had stopped, Finan could hear Carys walking through the hallway. Preparing breakfast, since he went in later than her today, he opened the fridge and stared into the abyss for a moment. Reminding himself to find out what sort of meals the boys liked. It would be easier if he knew things like their favourite foods, whether they'd developed any allergies – from what he remembered both boys were fairly okay there.

Carys would eat once she got to work, which is why Finan had put together a container of fruit, cheese, and crackers. First thing in the morning, Carys often complained about feeling ill if she ate too soon after waking up. Not wanting to add to her stress, Finan wouldn't bother to ask her if she'd eat with him. Coffee made in her favourite orange thermal mug, along side the breakfast, Finan sat them both on the end for Carys to grab on her way out.

Standing beside the stove, a small piece of salmon in a pan, Finan huffed and cracked an egg to scramble. Back to, Carys steadied herself as she approached him. Dressed and ready for work, she called out a semi-cheerful good morning. Attempting to test the waters of where Finan's mood and heart were this morning. For a long while after she'd gone to sleep, she could still feel him tossing and turning.

“When are you going to call Lina?” Ripping that bandage of first thing.

“I already have. She will text me when Tom gets the flight booked.” Informing his fiancee, Finan gave her a kiss.

“Wow, you've been busy.” Praising him, Carys' smile grew, bright blonde curls framing her face.

“Why am I doing this?” Finan groaned, rubbing his hand across the back of his neck, grunting. “Are we even going to see them, with work? Are they going to be here bored all summer?”

“Because they are your children and you love them?” Carys shrugged, wrapping her arms around Finan's waist. Pressing her cheek to his chest, she closed her eyes. “I'll ask if I can work opposite days or something, then we aren't gone, too long at the same time?”

“But then I will never get to see you, my love.” Finan pouted. This was the right solution, the only solution, to have Simon and Ollie come stay. Although, it wasn't without it's kinks.

“We could see if, maybe, we could get the same days off at least? It won't hurt to ask, besides, I know that Eadith wants more hours, right now. She could take some from me.”

“I suppose, I guess we should talk with Aldhelm.”

Aldhelm was a reasonable man. The office manager, a dry yet fast witted man, who ran the place with a tight rule was fair and sometimes flexible. One of the reasons that Finan had given up being a physiotherapist in public health was the hours. On call and rarely time to yourself, he had been feeling burnt out when he'd heard about a new private practice who was looking to build their team.

It just so happened that the first employee they'd taken on was Carys, her official role was to be the office assistant, yet she had found herself doing nearly any and every job that needed to be taken care of, in order to make things run smoother for the physiotherapists and clients. Rarely did she or Finan ask for a change in schedule or multiple days off. Currently they were booked for three weeks off next Spring, because of their wedding and honeymoon – the only time either had asked for extended days.

Aldhelm had rolled his eyes and laughed, when they had put in the request to be off during the same time. They were getting married, what kind of man did they think he was? How could he say yes to the bride and not the groom? Some people. Happy to grant their request, he knew that given the circumstances, nobody else would ask for extended days during that time frame.

“Even if you can get a week off, I don't mind working. The boys will want to see you, not me.” Carys tried to put a positive spin on Finan's worries, as she often did.

“I doubt that.” Mumbling he grunted and hung his head, arms loosely around her waist. Kissing her forehead, he shrugged. “All we can do is ask Aldhelm.”

“What time are you in today?” Softly rubbing her hands up and down Finan's back. Standing in the kitchen, he still had on his tshirt from his run, evidently not ready or rushing to change into his scrubs for work.

“I am in from ten until five.” Finan glanced at his watch. Another two hours before he had to head to work.

“Well, I will see you then? I need to get going. I'm opening.” She kissed his cheek and grabbed the coffee that he'd made her to go. “I'm done at four thirty. Want me to wait?”

“Nah, ya may as well come home and relax. I have some paperwork to finish up after, who knows how long that will take me.” Handing her the container of breakfast, with a smile, Finan waved as she gathered her bag and rushed towards the front door.

“I'll make dinner when I get home.” She called over her shoulder, sliding her shoes on at the front door. “If you want something specific, get it out before you leave. I love you!”

“I love you more, my love.” Finan chuckled, leave it to Carys to be shouting orders as she's running out the door for work.

At precisely 9:40am, Finan walked into work. He'd spent time rehearsing what to say and how, the entire drive to work.

Looking at Finan as he walked through the door, Aldhelm narrowed his gaze, nodding to the Englishman Finan forced a tight smile. Whatever was going in inside of his manager's head, Finan wasn't sure he wanted to know. The look was one of curiosity and partial judgment?

“Aldhelm, morning.” Finan greeted him, walking around Carys' desk to retreat to his office. “Hi.” He gave his fiancee a quick nod, seeing that she was on the phone. Smiling Carys winked. “Can we talk?”

“We are talking right now.” Aldhelm smirked. It was Finan's turn to roll his eyes.

Snickering, Aldhelm nodded and took a step aside, allowing Finan to lead the way to the manager's office. Walking through the open door at the end of the hall, Finan took a seat across from Aldhelm as the sleek black desk dropping his bag next to the chair. Neatly kept, each item, even the pens had a place – by colour.

Leaning back in his chair, Aldhelm gestured to Finan. “What is it that we needed to so urgently discuss?”

“Uh, Carys didn't talk to ya?” Finan questioned, his brow furrowed.

“She talked to me, it's what people do when they work together, Finan.” Aldhelm was clearly puzzled. “Is there something wrong? Something that I need to know?”

“Nothing is wrong.” Reassuring, Finan held his thumb between his teeth. Sitting up straighter, he folded his hands across his midsection and leaned toward the desk. “Ya know that I've got two boys, back in Ireland?”

Finan smiled and nodded.

“I do.” Aldhelm nodded. At least once a week Finan found a reason to discuss his sons. Aldelm knew that things had been tense between Finan and his ex-wife, but he never asked because it wasn't his business. What he did know, Finan had provided freely. “Ollie and Simon, right?”

“What about them?”

“Well, my ex seems to be having some issues with them. They're not fond of having a newborn, it seems. Anyway, I hate to ask, but would I be able to change around some hours and possibly take a week off? It seems they're coming to live with Carys and I for the summer.” Finan explained, shifting nervously in his chair.

Aldhelm hummed and nodded, pursing his lips, with a subtle sigh. “It's hard, I understand.” He offered a gentle smile. His own experience as a father and step-father had been a little rocky in places. “Aelfwynn was not fond of Arthur, when we had him.”

“Mm, but she was five. Not that is makes it any less valid, but most little kids tend to bounce back.” Finan stopped shuffling in his seat. “I don't mean to sound like an arseling.”

“You make a good point, I do suppose it's harder when you're a teenager and suddenly there's a new baby.” Aldhelm frowned. Tapping his fingers to the desk top, he raised his brow and sat forward. “Give me the dates, before the end of today. I'll work something out.”

“Thank ya, Alds. Seriously.”

“I suppose Carys is coming in next?” Aldhelm's tone was in jest.

“I think she is going to try and work something out with Eadith, but she may ask for a few days off.” Finan shrugged.

“I don't mind sparing her for a few days.”

“I'll tell her to come talk to ya.”

“Finan, good luck with the boys. I know that you're probably excited to have them.”

“Terrified, more like it. If ya have any advice, sent it via email?” Laughing nervously, he stood as Aldhelm stood. Giving the other man a firm handshake over the desk, Finan blew out a breath. Collecting his bag, he left to finish getting ready for his day of clients.

Turning around the corner on the way to his office, Finan smiled seeing Carys leaning on the door, waiting for him. A quick kiss, followed by Aldhelm playfully shouting out the reminder that this was a work place, Finan gently bumped her with his elbow to unlock the door.

“You look more relaxed.” Carys watched Finan open the door, leaning on the door frame with her arms crossed. “How'd it go?”

“He's going to see what can be done, he also wants to talk to ya.” Looking up from placing his brown leather bag on his desk chair, Finan smiled at Carys. “I told him a bit about what's going on and he seems sympathetic.”

“Alds is always sympathetic, unless you're Mr. Haesten.” Carys snorted with a giggle. “I'll go talk with him and see what we can work out, I called Eadith on my way to work. She's happy to pick up the extra time.”

“Good.” Finan smiled across the room. “I guess this is really happening, then?”

“It is very much happening.” Nodding, Carys gave him an encouraging smile. “Now, I have to go talk to Aldhelm, you have a good day. Your first client is here in twenty, it's the little girl who fell from her pony.”

“Ah yes, nothing like starting the day with a bit of broken shoulder rehab.”

“At least she's not demanding or rude.” Carys joked, blowing Finan a kiss and disappearing to go find Aldhelm.

Finan shuffled around the papers on his desk, which sat in the corner of the room. Work he would deal with after work. Right now, he needed to focus on getting himself prepared, nobody benefited if he was distracted. At least his first client was easy going, for only ten years old, the kid took her physio better than most adults that Finan saw. There was something to be said about taking on kids as clients, they were mostly laid back and happy to do whatever it took to get them back in working order.

Molly was the first of seven clients in Finan's day, a bit of a slow day, which seemed odd. Not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, Finan took his lighter load with grace. Tomorrow he had ten clients and no room to even think about breathing, fun. All in all he enjoyed his job. It paid an okay salary, he had some flexibility, and most of all he liked to help people. Seeing someone come in with an injury and leave miles ahead of where they had began was rather rewarding.

As with any job, there were challenges. A handful of assholes that he dealt with, and the odd time Finan felt like locking his door and crying into a container of ice cream during the middle of his day. The best part was weekends off and nobody seemed to care that he was marrying the office assistant or that they had met at work. Aldhelm didn't condone nor did he encourage relationships in the work place, but who was he to tell somebody who they could or couldn't love?

A highlight of Finan's day was getting to inform Molly that in another month or two, he didn't see why she couldn't be back to riding Jellybean. The little girl nearly cried with joy, hearing his words. If that were Finan, he would have sold Jellybean and never went near another pony so long as he lived. Kids were tough and apparently brave.

Finishing up, Carys had poked her head into his office as the door was open. Finan had been setting up for his next client, waiting for them to arrive. A quick kiss, a shout from Aldhelm, and a snorting laugh from Brida – another one of the physiotherapists at the clinic, Carys bid Finan farewell, informing him that she'd have dinner ready when he got home.

“Don't be doing that shit for him.” Brida laughed as she passed by the open office. “He can make his own dinner. Hell, he should make you dinner.”

“He usually does.” Carys laughed, blowing Finan a kiss and falling in step with the feisty Brida. As they moved further from Finan's office, Carys sighed and lowered her voice. “He's had a tough day. I'll explain more, later, but he just needs some extra love right now.”

Nodding, Brida gave Cary's arm a gente squeeze. “Understood. Whatever it is, if you need to talk my door is right there.” she gestured to her open office.

“Thanks.” Carys knew the offer was genuine. “See you tomorrow?”

“No, I am off tomorrow. Dentist appointments for the kids.” Brida explained. “Wish me luck.”

Brida and her husband, Ragnar, had three children. Two boys and a girl. Carys often admired how easily they seemed to manage their family, between Brida working constantly and Ragnar's career in the navy. Carys felt as though she was a fairly independent woman, although if she had to endure months of Finan being gone with absolutely no knowledge of where he was, it would drive her crazy. There was something to be said about Brida and her strength.

By the time Carys had arrived home, she'd received four texts from her friend Gisela, who happened to be Brida's sister-in-law. Asking if Carys and Finan wanted to join her and her husband, Uhtred, for drinks. Declining, Carys informed Gisela that Finan was still at work, but he'd likely talk to Uhtred later. They had been best friends since before Carys had met Finan.

Finan, eventually, would tell Uhtred everything. They always did. Sometimes telling one another things before they told their partners.

Gisela and Uhtred were well aware of Finan's ex-wife and sons. Carys would allow Finan to break the news himself, this was his story to tell. If she happened to mention it, he would never care, although she felt it right to give him the chance to break it.

Finding a note on the table, Carys laughed at Finan's attempt to draw a shrimp. The man despised shrimp, yet he insisted – in his note – that tonight that was the main ingredient in dinner. Carys adored seafood and Finan wanted to make a nice gesture.

Dinner on the stove, Carys hummed along to the music in the background. Finan walked in to be met with the pungent smell of the foul little pink creatures that he had agreed to eat for dinner. One night, just one, he could do shrimp and soggy rice for the woman he adored. Kicking off his shoes and dropping his work bag, he ran his hand over his face and bee lined for the kitchen, If Carys was cooking, there would be wine.

“My love, I see you found my note?” Finan reached for the bottle of wine that she had out.

“Since when did you decide to like shrimp and mushroom risotto?” Taking a sip from her wine glass, Carys smirked at Finan, watching him pour his own glass of wine.

“Ah, well, I don't.” with a chuckle, Finan took a sip of wine, relaxing his shoulders. “However, I know how much you like it. You're being a damn saint over this whole thing with my boys. I wanted to say thank you. I'm only sorry that ya had to be the one cooking your own thank ya meal.”

“I didn't need anything special, Finan. Sweetheart, I don't mind cooking dinner when you work late. Or any time for that matter.” Carys leaned into him, as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “As for having Simon and Ollie, I'm pretty excited.”

“Ya are?”

“Yeah! I've heard so much about them, but now I get to meet them and that is exciting. They're your boys. A part of you and that makes them special, to me.” Running her fingers through the back of his hair, she kissed Finan on the cheek. “I honestly wondered, if I'd ever meet them. I know that we are inviting them to the wedding, but it was still such a gamble.”

“Can I say that I am terrified, of what this summer is going to bring? But I am thrilled that you are the woman by my side.”

Tags (going on my usual TLK tags): @lord-aldhelm @persephones-journey @alexagirlie @stardustrider @gemini-mama @kingslionheart @masked-lost-girl @narilwrites @thelettersfromnoone @prithee-make-way @thenameswinter99 @adsagsona @geekandbooknerd @gearhead66 @grlwtskulltattoo @fuckoffbard @deandoesthingstome @lauvesbookshelves @roseszirnheld

#🥳🥳🥳#the last kingdom #finan

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