Disclaimer - I do not own DGM

Chapter Three - Bonding

Once Lyssa had passed sentence on her husband and son she turned and left the parlor. She was still a little angry over the entire incident and hoped that both of her boys had learned their lesson. Because she didn't want a repeat of this situation ever.

Nicholas, not having been given a time out, quickly got to his feet and followed along behind her. Leaving his little boy sitting forlornly on the sofa.

"Lyssa," the Noah said, reaching out and grasping his wife by the arm. He gently spun her around so that he could look her in the eyes as he spoke. He realized that his actions had upset her and he was very much regretting them at the present moment. "I'm sorry okay. I realize that my look encouraged him to do that. But that was not my intention."

"But you laughed," Lyssa said, keeping her voice calm as she gazed at her husband. She didn't want Allen to realize that she and his father were fighting because that would further upset the child. "Your son kicked someone not once, not twice but three times and you thought it was funny."

"Well in my defense the Exorcist is an ass," Nicholas said, keeping his voice low enough to keep their son from hearing his words.

"Nicholas Walker," Lyssa said, narrowing her brown eyes. "I swear if our son learns any of those colorful words that you've grown fond of you will regret it."

Sensing that he was not making his situation any better Nicholas held up his hands. "I promise that I won't swear around Allen."

"You'd better not," Lyssa said, turning away from her husband and signaling an end to the conversation. "And you're still sleeping on the sofa tonight."

Nicholas' face fell as he realized that his apology hadn't improved his situation any. He had hoped that it would make Lyssa forgive him however it was looking as though that forgiveness was going to be a little harder to achieve.

"Note to self," the Noah silently mused as he watched Lyssa walk away. "Never do anything like that again."

"I can't believe this," Nicholas muttered as he shifted his position on the sofa. It wasn't exactly the most comfortable place that he'd ever slept but that wasn't really the part that annoyed him. "Treated like a child twice in one day."

And, as though that weren't insult enough, now he was sleeping on the sofa in the parlor. He could have just returned to the Ark but being in the same house as his family was better than being away from them. Even if his wife was angry with him.

And Lyssa was definitely angry with him.

"That really was a stupid move," the Noah thought to himself, finally managing to get semi-comfortable on the sofa. With a sigh Nicholas closed his eyes and attempted to sleep.

This was short lived however as he suddenly heard the sound of someone entering the room. Thinking that perhaps Lyssa had decided to take pity on him Nicholas opened his eyes and gazed toward the door.

The room was slightly illuminated by the moonlight that was shining in through the window and Nicholas saw that his visitor wasn't Lyssa. It was, in fact, Allen.

"What in the world…" Nicholas thought to himself as he watched the little boy slowly walking across the room. Allen had been put to bed several hours earlier and shouldn't be up wandering around the house at this time of night.

Which made Nicholas think that perhaps something was wrong with the little boy.

Allen walked over to the sofa where his father was lying and crawled up beside him. Lying on his side the little boy snuggled close to Nicholas, completely shocking his father. Since he wasn't around all that much Allen had never been overly affectionate toward him. And Nicholas couldn't keep a smile from spreading across his face as he listened to the child's breathing even out.

Allen had fallen asleep.

Nicholas briefly debated whether or not he should take Allen back to his own bed. But in the end he decided against that course of action. "If he wants to sleep here then I suppose that's fine with me."

"Maybe I shouldn't have been so hard on my boys," Lyssa thought to herself as she got to her feet. It seemed strange to know that Nicholas was in the house and yet awake to an empty bed.

Pulling on her robe Lyssa decided to go and check on her husband.

Lyssa made her way down the hallway to the parlor and, as she stepped inside the room, she couldn't keep a smile from spreading across her face. Nicholas was lying on the sofa, seemingly sound asleep, and Allen was curled up against his chest. Lyssa had no idea when the child had decided to join his father but the scene was absolutely adorable. Nicholas had one arm wrapped around the boy in a protective manner.

"That's the cutest thing I've ever seen," Lyssa whispered to herself, her brown eyes locked onto her boys.

At the sound of his wife's whispered comment Nicholas opened one gray eye. He hadn't really been asleep but had merely been waiting to find out what his wife's reaction would be. Because if Lyssa was still angry with him then he had decided to continue to feign sleep for as long as possible.

"Faker," Lyssa said, her voice still quiet. She didn't want to speak too loudly for fear of waking her son. It was obvious that Allen was still asleep because, had he been awake then he would have been bouncing around.

The child had difficulty remaining still for any length of time.

Gazing over at his wife Nicholas offered her a roguish smile. Which she quickly dismissed. "I'm still angry with you."

"Oh come on," Nicholas said, opening his other eye and gazing plaintively over at his wife. He couldn't believe that she was still angry with him even after making him spend the night on the sofa. "Haven't I suffered enough?"

"That remains to be seen Nicholas," Lyssa said, placing her hands on her hips and glaring at her husband. Fire snapped in her brown eyes as she focused a reproachful gaze on the father of her child. "Do you think you've learned your lesson?"

"Yes," Nicholas replied without hesitation.

"Not sure I believe you," Lyssa said, taking in not only his single word reply but also the tone of his voice. "But we'll see."

The Noah opened his mouth to say something further to his wife but paused as he felt the small body that was nestled beside him begin to stir. Gazing down at the child, Nicholas watched as Allen's eyes slowly opened and he offered the little boy a smile. "Good morning."

"Morning!" Allen exclaimed, sitting up quickly and throwing his small arms around his father's neck.

Lyssa couldn't help but laugh at the startled expression that had appeared in Nicholas' eyes. He was completely shocked by Allen's attack and she found it absolutely hilarious.

"Is he always this happy first thing in the morning?" Nicholas asked as he pried the small arms from around his neck. Pulling himself to a sitting position Nicholas stretched his arms up over his head.

"Always," Lyssa said with a nod. She was enjoying the sight of her husband and son together and decided that the two of them needed to spend a little time bonding together. After all, Allen didn't get to see his father nearly enough. "Tell you what, why don't you entertain your son for awhile and I'll make breakfast?"

"Alright," Nicholas said at the same time that Allen exclaimed, "Breakfast!"

Still smiling softly to herself Lyssa left the parlor and made her way into the kitchen, leaving her boys alone.

"Looks like he's recovered from yesterday," Nicholas thought to himself as he continued to gaze down at his son. He'd expected for Allen to be a little more subdued after having gotten in trouble yesterday but it seemed as though the child had completely forgotten about it. "If only Lyssa had forgotten about it…." the Noah mused silently to himself.

"Father…"

Emerging from his thoughts Nicholas saw that Allen was holding up a book. Reaching out he took the book from the child, noticing as he did so that there was a bright picture of a dog on the front cover of the book. "You want me to read to you?" he asked the little boy.

"Yep!" Allen exclaimed with a bright smile, climbing up and settling himself on his father's lap.

"Alright then," Nicholas said, opening the book and holding it so that Allen could see the pictures. Clearing his throat slightly the young man began to read. It seemed odd to the Noah to be sitting around reading some silly little story to his three year old son but he found that he enjoyed the feeling. Odd though it may be. A small smile spread across his face as Allen snuggled against his chest, listening raptly as he read.

Placing the last of the plates on the table Lyssa took off her apron and tossed it aside. It felt wonderful to actually be making breakfast for her entire family since it was usually just her and Allen. "Guess I should get my boys…"

With this thought in mind Lyssa left the kitchen and made her way back to the parlor. Stepping inside Lyssa felt a smile once again spread across her face as her searching gaze fell upon her husband and son. Nicholas and Allen were nestled together on the sofa and Nicholas was reading a story to the child.

Nicholas gazed up as his wife entered the room and he saw the smile on her face. "You're beautiful when you smile like that," he said as he closed the book.

"And you're not going to get back on my good side like that," Lyssa retorted, the smile still firmly in place. In truth the comment had served to relieve some of her anger but she wasn't about to let him know that. "Come on boys, time for breakfast."

"Breakfast!" Allen immediately jumped from his father's lap and dashed out of the room.

"Come on Nicholas," Lyssa said, shaking her head and chuckling softly. "If we want breakfast then we should probably hurry. Or else your son will eat everything before we get there."

Placing the book that he had been reading to his son on the sofa Nicholas got to his feet. A roguish smile appeared on his face as he walked over to Lyssa and offered her his arm. "Shall we?"

Unable to resist Lyssa linked her arm in his. "We shall… but I'm still angry with you."

Nicholas' smile faltered somewhat but he recovered quickly. "Well then I suppose I'll have to work on that."

Nicholas and Lyssa made their way down the hallway to the kitchen, where they found their three year old son already sitting at the table. The child turned his gaze toward his parents as they entered the room, a broad smile on his face.

"Looks like someone's ready for breakfast," Lyssa commented as she sat down in the chair that was located beside her son.

"Oh really?" Nicholas said, taking the chair on Allen's other side. "And who might that be?"

"Me!" Allen exclaimed.

After breakfast Lyssa left Allen with his father so that she could travel to a nearby town for some supplies. Of course the Noah argued that he should be the one to go and get the supplies but Lyssa shot that idea down very quickly.

Standing outside the small home where Lyssa lived with their son, Nicholas gazed at his wife intently. "I really think that I should be the one to go on this little errand."

"You can't do it because if one of your 'siblings' sees you then they're going to wonder what you're doing." Lyssa placed her hands on her hips, wondering why her husband was being so difficult.

"But…" Nicholas began.

"Nicholas." Lyssa gazed at her husband and saw something in his eyes that she had never seen before. Fear. "What is wrong with you?"

Nicholas' gaze shifted briefly to the child who was playing a few feet away from them. "You've never left me alone with him before… I don't know what to do."

"I'm sure you'll figure it out," Lyssa said with a smile. Then, without so much as another word, Lyssa turned and began walking away.

"Mother!"

Lyssa turned and watched as her son ran toward her. Leaning forward she scooped the little boy up into her arms and gave him a hug. "I have to go and get some supplies Allen… you're eating us out of house and home."

"Wanna go," the little boy said.

"Sorry sweety." Lyssa gave her son another squeeze before she placed him back on his own two feet. "You're going to stay here with your father. I'm sure the two of you will have fun together."

Allen turned to glance at his father and then, without warning, ran toward the man. The small boy wrapped his arms around Nicholas' legs, which effectively prevented his father from moving.

"Good job Allen," Lyssa said with a smile. "Now you make sure that your father behaves himself alright?"

"'Kay!" Allen exclaimed brightly.

"You've got to be kidding me?!" Nicholas exclaimed as he watched his wife make her way down the path that led away from the house. "Lyssa…"

"Have fun Nicholas!" Lyssa waved over her shoulder, chuckling softly to herself as she imagined the expression that must be on Nicholas' face right now. It was true that she had never left the two of them alone for any great length of time but Lyssa was certain that it would be okay. "I'm sure that Allen can keep his father out of trouble… and hopefully Nicholas can do the same for his son."

Nicholas watched as his wife walked away and then his gaze shifted back down to the child who was clinging to his legs. "Alright Allen, you can let go now."

"No!" the child chirped without missing a beat.

"Allen…" A slight note of warning had appeared in the Noah's voice.

"No!"

"Okay, that's it!" Allen's eyes widened slightly as he heard these words and he gazed up at his father nervously. Leaning forward Nicholas scooped the child up into his arms and, before Allen could do anything about the situation, he began to tickle the little boy's side.

"Stop!" Allen called out in between giggles. "Not funny…"

"Oh really?" Nicholas said, a grin spreading across his face as he continued his tickle torture. "You're laughing awfully hard over something that's not funny."

"Not funny… Not funny…" And yet the child couldn't manage to bring his uncontrolled laughter to a halt.

"Shall we call a truce then?" Nicholas asked, gazing into the gray eyes of the child. Eyes that were an exact match for his own.

Allen nodded his head.

"Okay truce," Nicholas said, placing the child back on the ground. "So what shall we do now that your mother has left us to our own designs?"

"Play a game!" Allen exclaimed, his gray eyes bright as he gazed up at his father. "Hide and seek!"

"Oh no," Nicholas said, shaking his head. He could vividly picture having to explain to his wife the fact that he had managed to lose their son. This caused him to visibly shudder. Her reaction to that would be beyond anger and wasn't something that he wished to experience. "There's absolutely no way that I'm going to play hide and seek."

A slight pout appeared on Allen's face and he gazed up at his father pitifully.

"That's not going to work," Nicholas said. "But I tell you what, how about you and I find some other game to play?"

The smile quickly returned to the little boy's face. "'Kay!"

Nicholas sighed, having successfully defused that situation. "Maybe I really can do this," he thought to himself.

"Nicholas!"

The Noah's attention shifted from his child and settled upon his brother. Mana was walking down the path that led to the house, flanked on either side by a child. Chelsea was walking along on her father's right side while Trace was walking on the left.

"Uncle Mana!" Allen's face brightened even more as his gaze fell upon their group of visitors. It wasn't often that anyone came to visit, owing to a magical barrier that Nicholas had erected around the house where his family lived.

Of course Mana knew how to breech the barrier. Nicholas vaguely wondered what had brought his brother to this remote location, not to mention why he had felt the need to bring the two children.

"What's up?" he asked as his brother and the two children came to a stop a few feet from the spot where he and Allen were standing. There was a questioning look in his gray eyes as he gazed at Mana, beyond curious at this point.

"I need a favor and I don't have much time to discuss it," Mana said quickly, his gaze focused squarely on his younger brother. "I need you to watch the kids."

"What?" Nicholas couldn't believe the words that had just escaped his brother's mouth. He had been nervous about being left alone with his own child and was fairly certain that he couldn't handle three of them.

"Please Nicholas," Mana said. "I have an important errand to run and I can't take them with me."

"So where's everyone else?" Nicholas demanded.

"Calli and Maria are gone for the day," Mana replied, referring to his wife and Trace's mother. "And Cross had something that he had to do for the Order. You're my last resort."

"But I…"

"I'll be back for them later," Mana said, not waiting around to hear any more of his brother's protests. "Chelsea, Trace, you guys behave yourself."

And, without so much as another word, Mana turned and quickly retreated. Leaving his brother alone with three children and absolutely no idea what to do.

"Why?" Nicholas thought to himself as he watched his older brother disappear from sight. "Why do I let myself get involved in things like this?"

"Father…"

Nicholas was brought back to reality by the voice of his son and a slight tug on his tuxedo jacket. Gazing down he saw that Allen was gazing up at him intently. "What is it Allen?"

"Play a game!"

It seemed that Allen hadn't forgotten about his father's promise to play a game. And now the child had two accomplices. Three sets of eyes were gazing at Nicholas expectantly.

Even Trace had decided to join in, which was somewhat of a surprise to the Noah. With a sigh Nicholas ran a hand through his hair. "So what game do you guys want to play? And before you even say it hide and seek is not an option."

Each child had a glint in their eyes that Nicholas would have noticed had he been truly paying attention. But alas he wasn't. Which he would later come to regret.

A/N - Here's the end of chapter three and Nicholas has now been left alone with the children. How many of you think that will turn out well? Hope that you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a review and tell me what you thought.