(This almost always leads to a throwing of flour and eating raw cookie dough, but hey the cookies get made regardless)
2) Making hot chocolate to drink while opening presents
(This is often occupied by eating the leftover cookies before breakfast)
3) Spend the rest of the day hanging out in pajamas all day to play with gifts while watching Christmas movies
But it seemed this year Dee had accidentally added onto the tradition.
The boys had been chattering about playing, while The Grinch played in the background. Dee wasn’t sure what exactly it about the scene, maybe it was Patton trying to teach Virgil how to say Santa, Remus and Roman firing nerf guns across the room at each other, or Logan smiling as he worked diligently to put together his mini telescope, but something about it just made him so happy.
“Daddy?”
Dee looked to Patton who was watching him with big worried eyes, “Hm?”
“Why are you crying? You can’t cry on Christmas.”
Dee blinked in confusion before he became aware of the tears on his face. He wiped them away, “I’m alright, Patt. Just thinking about how much I love all of you.”
“Dada lub!” Virgil declared and God... as if Dee wasn’t crying already. He moved forward to give his youngest a kiss on the forehead. But as he did, he felt multiple pairs of small arms encircle him. He smiled and turned to pull all of his boys in a tight hug.
So much had happened is such a short amount of time.
But despite it all his boys were happy, so he was happy.
So happy he couldn’t help but cry as he pulled them tighter.
Virgil’s Guide to Avoid Accidentally Falling In Love With Your Boss’ Boss: Step Two
Virgil’s just trying to fake his way through life, but when he finds it hard to shake his hot boss’ boss’s attention- on account of their adopted sons being twins- things get complicated.
~~~~
“Why do we have to have homework on the first day?”
“Because that’s how school works,” Dante Ekans chuckled. “Here, why don’t you do work on your story? Mr. Hart said you can write about anything you did this summer right?”
“I don’t want to though, I want to play with Roman.”
“Roman is writing his story too... So can you write for me while I talk to Roman’s daddy?”
Virgil must have stepped into a parallel world.
Gone was the boss who glared at him and clearly thought he was a waste of time,space, breath and more, and here was some soft man trying to encourage his kid do homework.
“Can I go to the bathroom?” his other son asked from his other side.
Dante Ekans nodded and looked around the small cafe before pointing out where it was. His other son- Logan apparently- rose from his seat and walked over as his father watched him the entire time.
“Sorry, what was I saying?” Dante Ekans asked.
Virgil gave a shrug, to be honest he was confused by the majority of this conversation- or well he had been confused since the moment he had arrived to pick Roman up from school. First a sudden twin, and then crying children, and then an angry boss, and then his boss inviting them to get coffee.
None of it made sense.
“I can’t remember,” he frowned drumming his fingers on his coffee cup. “Regardless, it’s clear that two are going to be attached to the hip now.”
Virgil nodded in agreement as he looked at Roman. His son was busy writing his story, but he kept glancing up at Remus as if worried the boy would disappear while he was distracted.
“I should get your number, we can properly schedule a playdate that way.”
Virgil nodded in agreement and tried his best not to think about the fact that the hot boss’ number would soon be his. “That sounds good, but particularly I’m more worried about leaving afterwards.”
“We’re staying together,” Roman interrupted to further Virgil’s point.
Dante Ekans gave a chuckle, “We’ll have to figure it out.”
“You did well by the way,” Dante Ekans commented as he held his crying son in his arms.
Virgil looked up from where he was attempting to hold Roman back, “What?”
“Your presentation,” he said casually. “You did well. You seem to know what you’re doing and do it well. You could use some confidence though.”
Virgil did his best not to blush, “Uh thank you... thank you sir.”
“Dee,” he corrected. “I go by Dee.”
Virgil nodded quickly, “Thank you... Dee. I- ow! Roman! Kicking me will only end in you not getting dessert tonight.”
“They’re stupid,” Logan commented adjusting his glasses.
“We don’t use that word,” Dante chided. “Come on you two.”
“I hate you,” Roman declared as they left.
Virgil sighed and took his son by the hand, “You’ll see him tomorrow.”
~~~~
“Storm?”
Virgil looked away from his computer as his boss poked her head in his cubicle. The woman gave him a sorrowful look, “Ekans wants you in his office.”
Virgil’s heart skipped a beat as he forced himself to nod. It had been about a week since the two had and their children had parted from the cafe. They had texted a few times purely so Roman and Remus could keep in contact, but they hadn’t really spoken themselves. And now he was being called to the hot boss’ office.
Dante Ekans was on the phone when Virgil entered the room.
The office was large and mostly empty aside from the sitting area and the desk. Dante Ekans himself sat at his desk on the phone, but as Virgil entered he hurriedly hung up.
“You can close the door,” he announced.
Virgil did so and tried not to flinch at the echoing sound it made as it clicked shut. “Did you need something Mr. Ekans?”
He leaned forward and leaned his elbows on his desk and fixed Virgil with an expression that wasn’t able to deciphered, “Dee.”
“...Dee.”
“How is Roman doing?”
“He’s- he’s good. Being attached to Remus is certainly helping him adjust to a new school.”
“Good, good. I- you don’t need to stand in the doorway, I don’t bite.” He stood. “Here, why don’t we sit on the couches?”
They sat on opposite couches, a coffee table between them. Dee looked casual- as he should in his own office- as he sat with his laptop on his lap typing away. “Sorry, someone just emailed me... But I called you here to talk about the boys. I had my people look into the adoption records. It just confirms the obvious, the two are twins. After their mother’s death they were put in the system and then two were seperated due to overcrowding.”
“Agreed,” Dee closed his laptop and set it beside him with a tired sigh. “Shit, I didn’t even ask how you were. Let me pretend I have manners. How are you doing today?”
Virgil couldn’t stop himself from smiling slightly, “I’m fine. You?”
“Tired as hell, but I guess that’s what I get for running this place at my age, and raising two kids.”
“Do you want me to go so you can nap or something?”
Dee shook his head, “Nah, you being here is a break. So you’re fine.” He paused, “That shirt is a nice color on you.”
Virgil blinked and looked down at his shirt- purple- before he nodded, “Um, thanks.”
Dee said nothing for a moment his eyes running over Virgil in a way Virgil found himself unable to interpret.
“So um,” Virgil said awkwardly looking away. “Out of curiosity, how long ago did you adopt Remus? Roman said it was a while ago, but I don't remember.”
“He was two,” Dee recalled. “You adopted Roman a few years ago right?”
Virgil nodded with a slight smile at the memory, “Something in me was crazy and decided I wanted a kid. It's been crazy, but I love Roman.”
“I understand that,” he nodded. “My boys are my everything.”
“How old is Logan?”
“Nine going on twenty,” Dee chuckled. “He’s serious as hell, but I can’t tell if its nature or nurture... Oh, I meant to ask you what your weekend plans are?”
Virgil blinked, “Um, nothing?
“Perfect. I was thinking you and Roman could come by my place and the two boys can hang out like they so desperately have been craving.”
“Sounds good,” Virgil nodded. “Which day is better for-” Virgil was cut off as the door opened and Dee’s secretary entered.
Dee frowned at her, “Did you need something?”
“He called again,” she said awkwardly. “Another new number.”
Dee sighed and ran a hand through his hair, “I’ll text you Storm, I need to deal with something.”
Virgil nodded and stood, “It’s... it’s Virgil.”
His boss’ lip quirked in a slight smile, “I’ll text you, Virgil.”
~~~~
“This place is huge!” Roman marveled as they pulled up. Virgil was inclined to agree.
The house was huge, nice looking from the outside, and probably cost an amount that Virgil could only dream of. He climbed out of his small beat up car and grabbed the bag he had brought before setting off for the front door.
Roman hurried ahead of him and run the doorbell. It was adorable to see him bounce on the balls of his feet with barely contained excitement, and it was something Virgil would savor while he could.
A moment later the door opened and Virgil nearly dropped everything his holding at the sight of Dee- shirtless Dee- shirtless and toned Dee- shirtless, toned, and hot Dee... (Just to be specific).
“Welcome!” He smiled casually.
“Where’s Remus?” Roman asked him.
Virgil couldn’t even force words to work in time to chide his son for not greeting Dee properly. Thankfully Dee only laughed as they stepped in the house, “He and Logan are in the pool. Come on.” He led the way through the house and Virgil pulled his eyes from his boss long enough to admire the place.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Thanks,” Dee nodded. “What’s in the bag?”
Virgil paused before he remembered the bag he was carrying, “I know you said I didn’t need to bring anything, but I figured who could turn down homemade cookies?”
“What kind?”
“The best kind, extra mixed chocolate chip!” Roman answered for him. “Dad and I made them last night! It uses different kinds of chocolate chips and we put a ton in.”
Virgil chuckled, “He’s my baker in training.”
“Dad said our next project is lemonade cupcakes.”
“Oh?” Dee asked as he led the way out into the back by the pool. “Well if you ever need someone to try any sweets I will happily oblige... And I guess the boys would too.”
“Roman!” Remus cheered from where he hung out in the pool, but beside him Logan rolled his eyes.
“We brought cookies!” Roman cheered taking off his shoes.
“For after lunch,” Dee tossed in.
“Are you gonna swim at all?” Dee asked swimming over to him a while later.
Virgil shook his head, “I don’t own a swimsuit right now. I swore I had one before we moved but it vanished, and I’ve never gotten around to getting a new one.”
“Moving makes somethings vanish and others reappear,” Dee shrugged.
“You can swim with the boys without me,” Virgil told him kicking his legs lazily in the water. “I’m fine, just here sitting on the edge.”
The other man paused before he moved to the edge and hoisted himself out of the pool (giving Virgil a decent view) before sitting beside Virgil. “I’ll join you for a bit. Have a conversation that’s above a sixth grade level... I hope you’re above the six grade level.”
“Well I’m 80% sure I passed sixth grade.”
“Why are you missing 20%?”
“Well if I said 100 it would be too suspicious no?”
“Touche.”
“Can- can I ask you something?” Virgil asked after a bit of hesitation.
“Sure.”
“Well um, there’s so many rumors around you at work. But you seem like an entirely different person than what they say? I guess that’s not question... or proper grammar.”
“It’s that last 20% kicking in, but as for your not question. I turn work me on and off. Right know I’m Dee Ekans, a dad hanging out having a good time. At work I’m Dante Ekans, and I need order and things done when I say.”
“Doesn’t that get... tiring?”
“Not so much as trying to stick to work mode. I’ve tried to stop bringing work home with me, and it’s made things a million times easier on me- on all of us.”
“Dad can we get lunch now?” Logan asked swimming over.
Dee nodded and stood, “Sounds good.”
“Do you need help with anything?” Virgil offered.
“Um, why don’t you help Logan carry everything out here? I’ll take the twins?”
Dee had managed to get the two seated at a table, by the time Virgil and Logan returned from their horribly silent trip to the kitchen.
“-That’s what my other dad said,” Remus was telling Roman.
“Other Dad?” Roman echoed.
Remus nodded, “I have two dads.”
“Really w-”
“Alright boys, what do you want to eat?” Dee interrupted. “I’ve got corn, hot dogs, and chicken, and more. Take your pick. Oh, and of course we have the cookies afterwards.”
Of course there was another parent.
A house this large? Super demanding day job? Two kids? Dee has to have someone else to help him out. That was logical. So why did Virgil feel a tad, disappointed?
He chose to ignore the feeling and on top of that he would need to stop gawking over a taken man.
But with the sound of the man’s laughing ringing beautifully in his ear? It would be easier said than done.
Virgil’s Guide to Avoid Accidentally Falling In Love With Your Boss’ Boss: Step Three
Virgil’s just trying to fake his way through life, but when he finds it hard to shake his hot boss’ boss’s attention- on account of their adopted sons being twins- things get complicated.
~~~~
Step Three: Do Not Let Him Know Your Car Broke Down
The silence which echoed around the office gave Dee away before Virgil could see him. So when Virgil got to his cubicle, and was horribly unsurprised to find the man sitting at his desk.
“You don’t have enough decorations in here,” he commented.
Virgil raised an eyebrow amused, “Your office is pretty bare.”
“We have different roles, and I’m surprised drawings aren’t covering this whole thing.”
“I used to hang up Roman’s stuff, but then he claimed only the best ones were allowed to be in my office. And given that his opinion on his best drawing changes daily it turned into a lot of putting up and taking down. So I leave them at home.”
“That’s adorable.”
“Did you need something?” Virgil asked him.
He looked at Virgil like he was stupid, “You promised me cupcakes, so I am here to collect.”
Virgil rolled his eyes and moved towards his desk and reached into the bottom drawer before pulling out a container. “There you go.”
“You are wonderful human Virgil.”
“And you’re crazy.”
If Dee heard him, he paid the words no mind as he stood and exited the cubicle examining the cupcakes through the plastic as he did.
“Those are for your sons too. Not just you,” Virgil called as he did.
“Same thing.”
“Goodbye Dee!”
When he was gone Virgil sunk into chair and clicked on his computer to resume his work when suddenly peering eyes appeared over his cubicle.
“Yes?”
“You call the boss by a nickname?” Sharie asked in surprise.
Virgil nodded, “He asked me to.”
“And you bake for him?” John asked.
Another nod, “I had a lot.”
“You didn’t offer us any sweets,” Liam threw in.
“You never asked. Would you like some next time?”
“Definitely.”
“Can I go back to what I was doing now? Or...?”
There was a pause before the eyes met one another before each of them sunk back behind a cubicle wall.
~~~~
It had taken a while- a long while- but after all that time Virgil was finally feeling not freaked out and amazed by everything Dee did (now it was only most things and that was an improvement). But still there were things about Dee which came as a complete surprise.
“No no no! Come on baby, come back to me... You can’t give up on me now.”
“Does talking to the car make it start?” Roman chimed in.
Virgil gave a groan and kicked his tire, “Let me call someone and see if someone can drop you at school. I’ll have to take the bus to work. For now let’s go back in the house.”
Virgil was in the midst of calling his third person to ask to drive Roman, when his doorbell rang.
“Hold on Sarah,” he told her going to answer it. And he froze in surprise at Dee and the boys standing outside his door.
He gave a slight wave, “Ready to go?”
“What?” Virgil asked in surprise.
“Roman texted me saying you guys needed rides.”
Virgil’s eyebrows knit as he tried to process, “Nevermind Sarah... uh thanks anyway.”
With that Virgil stepped inside and after a moment, the family followed.
“You guys came!” Roman cheered.
“Of course!” Remus responded. “We get to go together!”
Virgil gave a sigh, “Roman, the emergency phone is for emergencies.”
“It was an emergency.”
Virgil turned to Dee to thank him, and found the man’s eyes scanning his home. He tried to ignore the embarrassment he felt as the man looked at Virgil’s “modest” home. It was clearly small, with a small kitchen and living room connected. Down the hall was the two bedrooms, the bathroom and that was it.
It was nothing in comparison to Dee’s.
“Thank you,” Virgil forced out.
Dee nodded, “We’re going to the same place and this isn’t really out of shall way, I just had to switch my bigger car. But shall we get going?”
“Please.”
“I can drive you back too,” Dee told Virgil later as they stood in the elevator. “Picking up the kids is included in that.”
“I appreciate it, but I’d feel bad.”
“Don’t. Consider it me repaying you for all the cooking and baking I get out of you.”
Virgil chuckled as the elevator reached his floor, “Alright, text me when you’re heading out.”
“Will do.”
~~~~
“Hey Virgil? Can I ask you something?”
Virgil paused at the elevator as Jeff called for his attention, quite frankly he was surprised the man even knew his name. “Something wrong?”
He shook his head and moved closer, “Just a question.”
“Okay...”
“You and Mr. Ekans... are pretty close right?”
“I guess?”
“It’s just kind of surprising. He doesn’t usually talk to any of us. Or seem to even notice any of us.”
“Oh. Well, I know he gets very serious about work things.”
“Still... I mean you’ve been here a few months and you’re already cozied up. It’s just... a lot of us have been really vying for that promotion and well it wouldn’t exactly be fair if the needy-new guy got it.”
Virgil nodded and gave a swallow as understanding of the situation sunk in, “I don’t want-”
He was cut off as the elevator dinged open to reveal Dee, “Perfect timing, I was just coming to get you. Let’s go.”
Virgil nodded and gave Jeff a look before stepping into the elevator.
“Was I interrupting something?” Dee asked as they descended. “He looked serious, he hit on you or something?”
Virgil shook his head quickly, “No no no. Just- just asking me about my piece of my project... And I’m pretty sure he’s straight and married... And also not my type.”
“Oh? What is your type?”
You. “Does it matter?”
“I’m curious.”
“Well what’s yours?”
His boss gave him a smirk, “Get me drunk then ask again.”
Virgil shook off all possible meanings of the statement as they’re exited the elevator. “...I’m just gonna assume that it’s whatever your partner looks like.”
Dee raised an eyebrow, his scar stretching as he did, “Partner? I’m single.”
Virgil blinked surprised, “But- but Remus mentioned two dads before?”
Dee nodded, “I’m divorced.”
“Oh...”
“My ex and I... we saw the world very uh- differently and we didn’t end on good terms, so I have the boys.”
“Oh... sorry.”
He shrugged it off, but Virgil could tell there was lingering emotion. “You didn’t know. Now let’s get the kids.”
~~~~
“How was school?”
The boys climbed in the car one by one and Virgil noticed as Remus and Roman immediately began talking excitedly about their days, but he couldn’t help but notice as Logan said nothing staring out the window.
“How was your day Logan?” He asked when the twins had paused for air.
The boy’s eyes left the window momentarily to look at Virgil, before he looked back out. “Fine.”
“Anything fun happen?” Dee asked him.
Logan shook his head, “It was just school.”
“There has to be something interesting?”
“Remus ate a bug!” Roman tossed in. “That’s interesting!”
“That’s disgusting,” Dee disagreed.
Virgil went to comment himself when a text came through from Sharie.
You’re going for the promotion????
Virgil grimaced and hurriedly replied: I’m not
Oh
I heard you were
I’m not
Then why are you trying to get so close to Ekans?
I’m not, it’s just because of our kids
Hmmm I guess
She didn’t seem to believe him.
And as Virgil learned from the coming week, no one else seemed to either. He was well aware of their disapproving glances as he would pass, and he was very aware that those in his group were suddenly forcing more work upon him.
But all his words fell on deaf ears, because Dee had made a new habit of coming to bother Virgil at least twice a day. But Virgil appreciated the distraction from his coworkers even if it meant that he had to listen to Dee drone on about the horrors of something business related that he had no clue what it meant.
“Your work is flawless as usual,” Dee commented handing Virgil back his notes. “I think you’re all set for next week’s presentation.”
Virgil let out a sigh of relief, “Thank you for letting me practice on you. I just needed to say it out loud to someone... Are you sure you won’t be there the day of? You’re pretty calming.”
“I will be gone,” Dee chuckled. “But this reminds me of something.”
“Which is?”
“Can you watch the boys stay for the week? You’re allowed to say no.”
Virgil paused in surprise. “Um, yeah. I can.”
Dee let out a sigh of relief, “You’re a lifesaver. They were supposed to be with someone else, but sickness is floating 'round her house so it’s probably not good to have them stay there. Logan gets sick easily.”
“Um... yeah I can do it.”
“Great! I’ll owe you big time.”
“You’re leaving the day after next right?”
“Correct. And I’ll be gone for five days.”
“Five days,” Virgil echoed.
Five days.
It was going to be a long five days.
~~~~
Virgil frowned at Roman’s bedroom, it was small on its own but it fit Roman well. But now he had two other kids to worry about.
One option was the two slept on the floor- or Logan did while Remus and Roman shared the small bed. Another was that Virgil gave up his own bed and slept on the couch.
Neither seemed ideal for two boys used to having their own large rooms to themselves.
“Where would prefer to sleep Logan?” He sighed finally.
The child gave him a glare, “At home.”
Virgil nodded once, Logan could take the floor.
They had made it through the first day. Or well most of the first day. He had gotten through it, he had managed to drive Dee’s too nice of a car to shuttle the boys to school, head to work, and get them back to his house. All that was left was dinner, baths, and bed.
He could do this.
He could do this.
“I’m allergic to tomatoes.”
He couldn’t do this.
Virgil froze as he stared over the pasta sauce he was cooking before he looked down at Logan beside him. The child bore a serious expression as he crossed his arms and waited.
Virgil wasn’t sure how to respond. He had questioned Dee for thirty minutes about his boys, health concerns, allergies, likes, dislikes, and not once had tomatoes been mentioned.
“Um... do you like something else on your pasta?” Virgil asked awkwardly. “I don’t have any other sauce... but I um... I think I have rice?”
The nine year old gave him a slight glare, “I don’t want rice.”
“Oh, what- what do you want?” Virgil regretted the question as soon as he asked. What if he didn’t have something that Logan liked?
Logan opened his mouth to respond, but he was cut off as Virgil’s phone rang. Virgil reached for it and hurriedly answered when he saw Dee’s name.
“Why didn’t you tell me Logan has an allergy?” He asked hurriedly as he turned back to the stove to stop the now bubbling sauce.
“Uh... because he doesn’t?” Came Dee’s voice.
“He just said he’s allergic tomatoes.”
“What? Are you sure he wasn’t just joking?”
“I’m in the middle of making pasta and he comes up and says he’s allergic with a serious expression. So I didn’t think he was...”
He heard as the man gave a sigh, “Put him on.”
Virgil turned, but Logan was gone.
The boys had talked to Dee before dinner, and with that Logan ate all his pasta without complaint, (he actually seemed to enjoy it slightly before he decided to frown for the rest of dinner).
Following dinner, baths were taken while Virgil did the dishes, and then it was time for a board game to wind down. Or well that was the intentions before the twins started arguing over who’s turn it was and Logan had walked out of the room.
“Alright! If you guys aren’t going to share then you can go straight into Roman’s room.”
“But we want to play this,” Remus whined.
Virgil shook his head and began to gather the game pieces. “You can play quietly in Roman’s room for a half hour and then it’s bedtime. Better yet how about a book? I know you both have reading you're supposed to do for school... If you don’t have a book I can pick one?”
The threat of picking a book seemed to be enough to cause them to retreat, but that still left Logan. He found the child in his bedroom sitting on his bed.
“That’s not where you’re sleeping.”
Logan rolled his eyes, “Your house is so small there’s nowhere else to go.”
Virgil pretended it didn’t sting as much as it did, “Those two are unwinding in Roman’s room. If you want we can go back out in the living room and you and I can finish the game?”
“No. I’ll go to bed.”
“Oh, uh okay... goodnight.”
~~~~
“Were you driving the bosses car this morning?”
Virgil looked up as his coworkers sat down across from him at the cafeteria. “Uh yeah... his sons are with me, and even if my car wasn’t at the shop waiting on a part that will never come, Dee’s car is large enough for two car seats and a booster seat. So he gave me the keys while he’s gone.”
“Wow, you both got close fast then.”
“I-I guess...”
“Has he said anything about the promotion?”
“No? I haven’t asked... we mainly talk about the boys...”
They didn’t look convinced.
But it’s not like he expected them to be.
~~~~
The rest of the days seemed to mimic the first, the twins being the twins, and Logan picking and choosing when to be cooperative. But it was alright regardless, and while he enjoyed the company of the extra children he was silently looking forward to having his small home clean for more than an hour at a time, and a tad more quiet.
“Ready to pick up your dad you two?” Virgil asked as they all climbed in the car.
The two boys nodded eagerly, “I’m glad this trip was short,” Remus commented. “Oh what souvenirs do you think he got, Logan?”
“I want another snow globe,” Logan put in.
“Does he go on trips often then?” Virgil asked.
Remus nodded, “He goes lots of times. Sometimes we can even go with him!”
“That’s only in the summers,” Logan clarified. “Our other Dad would take us to the beach while Dad was in meetings.”
“Then we’d stay longer and have vacations! My favorite was Hawaii.”
“Italy was better,” Logan disagreed. “Or maybe Paris.”
“I wanna go somewhere cool,” Roman complained. “Dad, can we go somewhere cool?”
Virgil grimaced, “One day Ro.”
“Have you not gone any trips?” Logan asked. It was an innocent child’s question, so Virgil wasn’t sure why he could hear a smugness to the boys voice.
“Dad and I only go to amusement parks,” Roman replied albeit sheepishly.
“You would like Paris,” Remus told him. “It was super cool! Oh and in London there were a ton of castles and stuff!”
“You like princes right?” Logan asked him. “Then I say London.”
Roman nodded mutely in response, and Virgil gave a sigh.
Virgil was more than thankful when Dee walked out of the airport doors and hurriedly pulled his sons in hugs. He climbed into the driver's seat, and Virgil moved to the passenger before they pulled off.
“In the bag I gave you are souvenirs,” he commented with a smile.
Virgil glanced back to watch as Remus dove for the bag and bag hurrying through it eagerly.
“They didn’t drive you insane?” Dee asked redirecting Virgil’s attention.
Virgil chuckled and looked at his boss’ defined face, he seemed a bit more tanned than when he had left. “Still just as sane.”
“Good-”
“Thanks for the snowglobe!” Logan called.
“Thanks for the shirt and bear,” Remus put in there was the sound of him digging around. “And mini cup?”
“Oh those are for Virgil and Roman,” Dee explained. “I got Roman the bear, the shirt is yours.”
“Me too?” Roman asked surprised taking the toy.
“You didn’t need to get me anything,” Virgil told him quickly.
Dee shrugged, “It’s just-”
“I wanted a magnet,” Remus complained.
Dee shook his head, “I’m not going to the hospital for you trying to eat one again.”
Virgil had many questions and opened his mouth to ask, but Dee continued.
“It’s just a shot glass,” he started again. “...I always buy one on trips. I have no one to give it to, so as they smallest of thank you for watching my kids? A shot glass. Let me know when you think of a way I can really repay you.”
Virgil could tell there was more to it, but he smiled and thanked the man regardless. “You let me use your car for days, and you’ve been driving me around. I think that’s thanks enough.”
“Did you get any update on your car?” He asked.
“The part was supposed to come today, so hopefully only a week more.”
~~~~
“You’ve been pretty quiet,” Virgil observed as he and Roman sat down for dinner. “Missing Remus and Logan already?”
Roman shook his head and poked a bit at his chicken.
“Everything okay?” Virgil asked hesitantly.
“I'm fine Virgil.”
Any possible words died in Virgil’s throat. It had been months, possibly an entire year, since Roman had called him by his name. It was something he had grown out of as he had become more comfortable with Virgil. Mr. Storm had become Mr. Virgil, which became Virgil, which had turned into Dad.
Virgil still clearly remembered the day, Roman had come to him looking nervous and scared and had asked him to call him Dad. He had pulled the boy into a tight hug and held him as he had cried tears of joy (he had been so shocked and happy that he had forgotten he was cooking and had terribly burned their dinner).
Roman now only called him Virgil as a joke, in those moments when he recalled that day.
Or when he was truly upset.
Truly upset with Virgil himself.
Virgil decided to give him a bit of a time and space. They ate their dinner in silence and only exchanged a few words as he got Roman ready for bed. But he chose to say something before Roman went to sleep.
The two had discovered early on that reading a book before bed wasn’t what worked best for them. Instead Roman would climb into his bed and the two would either take turns to make up a story or simply talk about their days. The past few nights with the other two sleeping over he had left the boys alone and they all had seemed grateful, but tonight was back to the not-routine.
“Should we do a story? Or do you wanna talk?” Virgil asked carefully as Roman sat down on his bed.
“I dunno.”
“Would you mind telling me what’s wrong, Ro?” Virgil tried. “Did... did I do something wrong?”
“You didn’t do anything wrong!” Roman shouted suddenly surprising Virgil.
“Then... what's up?” Roman sat silently and Virgil gave him a small smile, “Why don't we do a story instead?”
“It’s just not fair,” Roman said quietly.
“What isn't?”
Small tears came to Roman’s eyes, but he hurriedly wipes them away. “Remus... Remus and Mr. Dee.”
“What about them?”
“It’s not fair!” Roman shouted. “Remus was adopted when he was two! He was two and he gets a rich dad! I had to stay with different people! He left the country while I was stuck with people who hated me!”
Virgil tried not to let his heart break with each word, with each tear his son shed.
He tried.
And he failed.
“I’m sorry,” he replied softly.
Roman shook his head and moved closer to wrap his arms around Virgil’s torso and pulled him into a hug. “It’s just not fair,” he cried. “It’s not fair that they separated us!”
Virgil hugged Roman back and pressed a kiss into his hair, “I know... and you’re right, It’s not fair.”
“I’m sorry,” Roman said after a short silence as he wiped at his eyes. “I love you Dad... It’s just not fair.”
Virgil nodded and held Roman close as the boy cried, trying not to let the words hurt as much as they did. He knew what had happened to the two wasn’t fair. Remus has grown up with a loving family getting anything he could possibly want, and Roman had nothing.
He had Virgil.
But that was only official for two years of his life.
Dee entered his bedroom and smiled softly to himself as he noticed the sizable lump in his bed. “Wow, did I mess up in making the bed?” He mused aloud. “Or is something wrong with my mattress.”
He gave a loud “Hmmm” as he approached and he couldn’t help but smile at the giggle he earned. “Maybe I should push it?”
He paused before he began to push down on the lump, “No that didn’t work.”
The sound of footsteps drew his ear and he looked up to see as Logan entered, “Hey Lo, do you have any ideas on how to get lumps out of mattresses?”
The preteen considered him for a moment before he crossed his arms, “Even you should know this Dad.”
“I should?”
“You just need to lay on top of it.”
Dee nodded and did so, “Like this?”
“Exactly, the giggles are how you know it’s working. But might I suggest rolling on it? Or who knows even tickling could work.”
“Truly brilliant Logan.”
It didn’t take long until Patton emerged from under the blanket glasses askew and giggling loudly.
“Patton! What are you doing? Are you gonna help me get out the lum- oh it’s gone.”
“I was the lump Daddy!” Patton proclaimed.
Dee gave him a surprised look, “You’re not a lump, you’re a Patton!”
“I’m both!”
Dee could only hug and smile at his son in response.
“Is there a reason you’ve been staring at that card Dad?”
Dee blinked and set the card down before he looked toward Roman who had spoken. “Um, your Nana invited us to Thanksgiving... it’s weird...”
“Why? We go every year.”
Dee nodded, “That’s true.” It was true, it was a fact, but it that was before he had divorced the woman’s son.
Damien,
I know things are a bit strange with you and my son at the moment. But despite your relationship with him, I still want to be close to my grandchildren. It’s been way too long since I held that baby of yours.
I understand if it’s too awkward for you to come, but all of us would love it if you do (I can lock my son in his room don’t worry).
Also if you do come it would be wonderful if you made those famous brownies of yours.
No pressure,
T
It should feel nice to still be wanted by Tina and that family. But it would be more than awkward. So awkward.
But it’s not like he had other options for the holiday. He had no family other than the boys, and he didn’t want to impose on his friends. He had been putting off the thought of it as long as possible. But if Tina was inviting them... wouldn’t it be rude to not go?
~~~~
“He’s not here,” was the greeting his ex sister in -law gave when she opened the door.
Dee let out a sigh of relief he didn’t know he was holding as she hugged her nephews who had rushed forward.
“Is he coming at all?”
“I’m not sure. And no, he doesn’t know you’re here.”
Inside the rest of the family had gathered and each gave him a smile and a hug and thanked him for coming despite everything. It was nice. It was uplifting.
And it reminded him that in terms of his relationship, he had one hundred percent been in the right.
“Damien!”
Dee looked up from where he had been admiring a plate of appetizers as Tina rounded the corner.
“You brought the babies and brownies!” She cheered as she plucked Virgil out of Logan’s arms.
“It’s good to see you, Tina,” he chuckled.
“T!” She corrected quickly. “I’m T.”
“Tina,” he insisted. “If you’re calling me Damien then I’m calling you Tina.”
She pursed her lips, “I’ll win one day. But for now... I need my group hug!”
~~~~
“Where the fuck do you get off going to my mom’s?”
Dee grimaced as he maneuvered himself outside onto the porch. “I thought you were calling to say hi to the boys.”
“Don’t avoid the question. What the fuck are you doing at my mom’s? My cousin texted me asking why you’re there and I’m not.”
“Tina invited me,” Dee said simply. “She wanted to see the boys.”
“They are my family, not yours. You should’ve said no. You shouldn't have gone!”
Dee took a deep breath to steel himself, “They’re the boy’s family.”
“Jesus Christ... I should’ve picked up the boys and brought them myself...”
“We can talk about this when you get here, like adults.”
He gave a scoff, “You think I’d fucking come after you dare show up there?”
“The boys want to-”
“You just fucking ruin everything you know that? I was going to introduce everyone to him tonight...”
“To your boyfriend?” Dee asked slowly the words hurting more than they should.
“Who else?” He snapped. “Why can’t you just keep your ugly ass out of everything?”
“That’s uncalled for,” Dee stated quietly, but his words were ignored.
“Your family already threw you out so don’t go latching onto mine.”
“I just wanted to have a nice holiday with the boys. Please just come and give them a bit of happiness? We don’t have to talk. Just for the boys?”
“Or you can leave them there and head home and sit by yourself and I’ll take them.”
“Can you just be reasonable for once in your life?”
“You piece-”
“Damien?” Tina’s voice asked softly jerking Dee from the conversation. He turned and stared at the woman in surprise listening to the screaming in his ear. The pitiful look on her face caused him to swallow and hang up the phone.
“He’s not coming,” He told her softly.
“He’s not worth crying over,” Tina told him quietly stepping out to join him on the porch. She gave him a slight smile and wiped away tears he didn’t know were forming. “You remember what I told you on your wedding day?”
“Don’t let him drink himself under a table?” Dee chuckled.
“I guess I did say that, but I what I remember saying is that you were my son now. And an asshole and some paperwork aren’t going to change that. If he’s petty enough that he’s going to miss out on so much? Then he’s not worth crying over.”
Dee smiled as she pulled him into a hug, “Thank you Tina.”
“T, and of course Damien... And I’m sorry, I don’t know where I went wrong with that one. The others are fine... I think.”
Dee chuckled, “I don’t think you did anything wrong.”
She pulled back from the hug to give him a smile. “Then I didn’t make a mistake inviting you. Now, come back inside with me. I need more baby time. I’m trying to get a Nana out of him by the end of the night.”
“I wish you luck.”
“He’s got Dada right? Nana shouldn’t be too much harder.”
“Nana can you come play sometime?” Patton asked as they got ready to leave.
Tina glanced at Dee before she smiled, “Of course! Your Dad here is going to teach me how to bake like that.”
“I am?”
“Glad you agree.”
Dee gave the woman a hug. “Thanks again, T... For everything.”
“Of course Damien,” she smiled.
“Oh come on, if I make an effort you need to.”
“I got my Nana from Virgil, I don’t need anything else.”
Dee gave a laugh as they headed outside. Feeling oh so much better than when he had arrived.
Logan looked up from his iPad to see Roman and Remus standing in front of their father. The twins stood there with identical smiles on their faces and knit beanies on their heads.
Dad turned from where he was doing the dishes and paused considering the both of them, “You both know you don’t need to wear winter hats in August right?”
“Guess!” They urged in unison.
He pointed to the twin on the left, “Roman.” He pointed to the right, “Remus.”
“How’d you know?”
“We covered our hair!”
“Tell us!”
Logan rolled his eyes and went back to what he was doing.
~~~~
“Guess!”
Logan held back an eye roll as the twins returned. “I’m talking to Dad.”
“Guess!”
Dad only smiled as he looked at them both and Logan watched as his eyes went to the small hole which a tuft of Remus’ white hair stuck out. Dad’s eyes didn’t linger long enough for either eight year old to notice. “Remus. Roman.”
“Come on!”
“How?”
~~~~
“Guess!”
“Roman’s on the left.”
“Guess!”
“Remus is on the right.”
“Guess!”
“You’re Roman.”
“Guess!”
“Remus.”
“Gues-”
“Roman you’re closer to the napkins can you hand me one?”
~~~~
“How does he always know?” Remus groaned climbing up the ladder to invade Roman’s bed. Roman didn’t protest rather he moved over.
Logan ignored the two of them as he went back to his book, but it wasn’t long before he could feel two pairs of eyes on him. He gave a sigh and looked over, “What?”
“How does he tell?” Remus asked him.
Logan rolled his eyes, “One of those hats has a hole, he can see your hair.”
“Really?”
“That’s cheating,” Roman frowned.
Logan shrugged, “Find some different hats.”
~~~~
“Guess!”
Dad sighed, “Can we just have dinner?”
“Guess!”
Logan watched as Dad’s eyes scanned the two- taking note of different hats they wore- before he spoke. “Roman is closer to me.”
“We changed our hats!” Remus protested. “How did you know?”
Dad shrugged, “I’ve always been able to tell you two apart.”
“It’s a fifty fifty guess,” Logan put in.
“I’m not guessing,” Dad insisted. “I have always been able to tell you apart since the day I first met you two. The hair makes it easier, yes. But you’re both different. You both walk and talk differently. Just like you both are different from Patton, Logan, and Virgil, you’re different from each other. It’s not just looks that makes a person different, after all. Make sense?”
The twins nodded and pulled the hats off their heads, mumbling words but Logan rolled his eyes.
The little thing just knows when his Dad or brothers are upset and exactly what to do.
Patton is the easiest to get smiling again. Crawling over with a toy is enough to suffice.
Dad is harder than Patton, but Virgil has found by simply plopping himself in the man’s vicinity it’s enough distraction. Also since he had learned “Dada” it was very hard for Dad to ignore. The day he learned Dad’s name, he’d be truly unstoppable.
The Twins took a bit more effort. Simply because it takes time. But sooner or later they would give in and Virgil would become a part of whatever game they decided to play. But it was important to note that Remus was always easier to cheer up than Roman.
Logan was always the hardest. He never turned Virgil away (the good big brother he was) but he wouldn’t give Virgil all his attention either. But sooner or later Virgil might find himself in his brothers arms or lap with Logan’s gentle fingers running through his hair, and then he’d know he had won.
Dee had forgotten the time of year, and what it meant. No- he hadn’t forgotten, but with Logan trying so hard to pretend things were okay he had almost believed his son.
He had let Logan be, giving him space and time to process on his own. But then again, processing was a difficult thing.
Dee could still remember the first time Logan had crawled into his bed his eyes red from crying. He and his husband had held the boy tightly ensuring him that they weren’t going anywhere, but the small boy never truly seemed to believe the words.
“That’s what mommy and daddy used to say,” was his defense. And it wasn’t one Dee could ever dispute.
No one planned a car crash after all.
He wasn’t sure when Logan had stopped coming to him when he had nightmares, but he never thought much of it as Patton soon began waking him in his older brother’s place.
~~~~
Dee opened his eyes as he felt weight shift next to him in his bed. He blinked tiredly, “You’re not Patton.”
“I’m not,” Logan’s voice replied softly. And Dee could hear the way he tried not to let it waver.
Dee gave a yawn and reached out to pull his son closer to him, despite Logan protest. But he won the small battle and hugged his eldest as he moved to make them both comfortable. He heard as Logan gave in with a content sigh and Dee found himself closing his eyes with a slight victory smile he was glad couldn’t be seen in the dark. “You don’t have to say anything.”
He heard as Logan gave a sniffle, “I wasn’t going to.”
“Okay.”
“...I’m sorry.”
Dee opened his eyes to watch his son in the dark, “Why would you be?”
“I’m too old for nightmares, and too old to climb in your bed.”
“You’re twelve Logan.”
“Exactly.”
Dee ran a hand through Logan’s hair thinking before he spoke, “Do you think that I don’t have nightmares?”
“You deal with them by yourself. You don’t go running to other people.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yes.”
“Then you’re wrong my little astronaut.”
“I told you I’m too old for that name.”
“Do you know what I do when I have nightmares?” Dee questioned. “I go to you boys. I go and check on you all and make sure you’re okay. And once I see that all of you are safe and sound I feel so much better. But even still I sometimes I find myself sitting and watching in that rocking chair in Virgil and Patton’s room until I fall asleep. Or other times I find myself sitting there all night wide awake in fear... either way, I run to a safe place too.”
“And what if you didn’t have us?”
“Well before you came along, your Papa helped me. And when he wasn’t around I would call... and that’s okay.”
Logan made a noncommittal noise but didn’t say anything more.
“I don’t care how old you get,” Dee continued. “You can be in your twenties if fifties. If you need me, feel free to call me even at three in the morning. Because I’m always right here for you, okay?”
There was a pause before arms finally hugged him back, “Okay.”
“I love you Logan.”
“I love you too. Good night.”
“Good night.”
“...And thank you.”
Dee closed his eyes and gave a small nod, “Anything for you my little astronaut.”
