Alpha/Beta/Omega 'verse; Alpha!Law, Omega!Kid; mild language; established relationship; child raising; toddlers.
The kids are just over a year old (thirteen months).
This is a sequel to innocence, once lost, can never be regained, Absence makes the heart grow fonder, Spontaneous Knotting, Sincerely with Love, and I'll Always Be Yours; prequel to if you can remember me, I will be with you forever.
Kid hummed as he did the dishes, rocking a yawning Caterina on his hip. Gawain chattered at him from the seat attached to the countertop, grey eyes bright and excited as he waved his chubby arms around in enthusiasm. He smiled and nodded whenever the little one paused to take a deep breath, making encouraging noises to keep him going. He had no idea what he was saying, but it was important for the boy to know he was listening and that his words mattered.
Gawain talked the most of the four, but his vocabulary was limited to 'papa', 'dada', 'ye-ah', and endless strings of syllables. His favourite seemed to be 'sabafaja', but he learnt new ones at an alarming rate and it was hard to tell. Mattias had the biggest vocabulary, but he preferred to communicate in demanding gestures and differently pitched grunts. (Law didn't agree this was stereotypical Alpha male behaviour, but Kid grew up with three and knew what he was talking about).
The crew had gone into town, Law taking Daveth and Killer Mattias leaving Kid alone on the ship with Gawain and Caterina in quiet domesticity. The two were calmer than their brothers, and Kid appreciated the break though he did miss his Alpha sons. At four months along it was getting harder to run after the rambunctious duo though he'd never admit it. Law swore he was only having two this time around, but the Omega had his doubts.
Kid tried not to think too much about having four toddlers and two infants. Law was convinced it wouldn't be a problem, but Kid had more experience with children and disagreed. The Alpha was interested and enthusiastic, but all in all pretty clueless. The brothers had shared many laughs at his expense, and Law didn't even mind. He was a quick learner, though; Kid had to give him that. He never made the same mistake twice.
Suddenly he heard a commotion outside, and he threw out his senses to make sure nothing was being fired at the ship. He found nothing, and took a deep, calming breath as he put the pot down.
"Nap time," he announced, and Gawain held his arms out to him with a smile.
Kid picked the boy up, shifting Caterina to accommodate his slight bump as he left the kitchen. Caterina barely stirred as he settled her down in the crib, mumbling something sleepily, and he put a finger to his lips as he lowered Gawain down next to her. The toddler copied him with a tiny giggle, snuggling down against his sister as Kid tucked the blankets around them. Caterina rolled over, throwing an arm over her brother, and Kid smiled as he watched Gawain's eyes droop closed and heard his breathing even out. He adjusted the blankets and checked on the black snail phones before leaving the nursery to see what the fuss was about, hoping his idiotic crew hadn't got into trouble.
They'd better not have put his children in danger.
The black snail phones mentioned are used as baby monitors; every crew member carries one to make sure everyone is aware of the children being awake or needing something.