A/N: I want to take a minute to thank the anon who wrote me a beautiful novel, detailing the future of this family. I love it so much. Thank you for that.


It was a long day. A long, very awkward day when they were in the same room as his father. Carlisle was quiet as he drove, holding Edward's hand over the shifter.

There had been one upside to the day. He'd been able to see Dr. Edward Cullen in action again. Since they'd had to go their separate ways professionally when they started dating, he'd only seen his husband in his element a handful of times. It brought back memories of how often he'd watched him, knowing this kid was something special. He hadn't known at the time just how right he was.

"Are you doing okay with all this?" Edward asked as they parked.

Carlisle didn't answer right away. He waited until they were walking toward the elevator hand in hand. "I'm okay," he said, surprised he meant it. "Really, I'm more than okay. It was good to get your perspective. I was afraid I was seeing things wrong." He squeezed Edward's hand as they stepped out on their floor. "And I just had the two conversations I never wanted to have with my father, and not only am I'm still standing, but I think I came out on top."

Edward waggled his eyebrows playfully. "You usually do come on top."

Carlisle shook his head, grinning at his beautiful boy. Edward's mischievous smile fell into a more thoughtful look. "He's…" Edward rubbed his chin with his free hand. "He's a contradiction."

"Is he?"

"I think he's conflicted. He wants to be the man you knew—disapproving and stern. He still thinks you're wrong. But I think part of him, a big part, recognizes that being who he was cost him his family. It cost him you."

Carlisle hummed, not sure what he thought about that. He'd been laboring under the idea his father loved him out of duty. He hadn't kicked him out because it was the wrong thing to do. He let Carlisle do his duty as a son because that was the way the world was supposed to work.

As they got into their room, Carlisle's pocket buzzed. He pulled out his phone and smiled with genuine joy. "It's the monsters." He turned the phone around to show Edward the video-call request from Garrett on his screen.

Edward let his jaw drop wide. "We, a couple of queers, have children? Normal, healthy, semi-well-behaved children?" He put his hands to his head. "And we left them with a deviant bisexual?"

"That was your call." Carlisle shook his head. "Come on," he said, gesturing with his chin toward the bed.

"Answer the phone before your heathens explode. I'll be there in a second."

Carlisle stretched out on the bed and connected the call. He smiled, a great peace and joy soothing the roiling his stomach had been doing since he left his father's hospital room. There was Garrett looking harried as Ethan and Izzy bounced excitedly on either side of him. Kate stood behind the couch, Lucas perched on her hip. He had two fingers in his mouth and tears in his eyes. "Hello, monsters," Carlisle said quietly.

A chorus of "Daddy," rang out, and all three of them started to talk over each other.

"Daddy, daddy. Katie and Gary have a swing inside the house," Izzy said, shouting over her brothers. "I wanna swing in the house!"

On screen, Garrett's eyes went wide. He put his arms around Ethan and Izzy's shoulders and his hands over their mouths. Behind him, Kate did a facepalm, shaking her head. Garrett laughed nervously. "So… I don't know if you noticed, but there are three of them, and they're surprisingly fast for people with short, stubby legs."

Edward dropped onto the bed beside Carlisle, handing him a drink he'd made at the mini-bar. "See what I mean?" he said into Carlisle's ear. "Deviant bisexual. The kids don't have a chance." He sighed with mock gravity and brought his own drink to his lips.

"Locks are your friend, Gary," Carlisle said. "And will you three quiet down. I can't hear you if you all speak at once. Before you can ask, you can have a swing in the house when you're grown up and it's your own house."

"I'm neva eva having my own house, Daddy. I don't not need a swing inside. Outside is okay," Lucas said, nodding.

"Are you okay, Luke?" Edward asked, putting his drink on the nightstand so he could lay with his head on Carlisle's shoulder.

Their son's lower lip trembled. "I don't want to live here," he said almost too quietly for them to hear over the video.

"We don't live here," Ethan said. "We still live at home." But there was a note of uncertainty in his voice. He looked to the camera. "Right Daddies?"

"Of course." Carlisle exchanged confused and concerned looks with his husband.

Kate caressed Lucas's hair. "Lucas was a little spooked by the overnight visit, I think. He's always gone home at the end of the day."

"Oh, honey," Edward said. "No, you don't live with Kate and Garrett. They're only taking care of you because Daddy and I have to be far away for a little while."

"How long?"

"When are you coming home, Daddies?"

They were talking over each other again, but all with the same theme. They wanted their daddies back.

"Settle down," Carlisle said in his 'daddy means business' voice.

They quieted enough that Edward could speak. "I know this is new for you. You know sometimes Daddy or I have to go away for a few days, but we've never been gone together. I know it's hard, but Kate and Garrett are taking good care of you, right?"

Three little heads nodded in unison, and then they were off talking about the adventures they'd had at Katie and Gary's house. Apparently, the park near their house was superior because it had a dog park and maybe, if they couldn't have an indoor swing, a dog would be an acceptable alternative.

"I already asked Gary for one, but he said to talk to you," Ethan said, eyes bright with hope.

"Don't say no, Daddies. Please don't say no," Izzy said, eyes wide.

Carlisle sighed. He had the strong urge to give his children whatever their hearts desired when they used those sweet voices. Plus, he felt guilty. He should have wanted Edward home with them more than he wanted to keep his husband by his side for this. "You know, they don't let you get dogs until you're at least five."

There was a clamoring of aw's. Liam gave him a look. Carlisle had to laugh. The little boy was amazingly perceptive. "Promise. It's a rule at the dog pound," he said, winking. "But Daddy and I are going to bring you all something really nice, okay?"

Izzy pouted her lip all the way out. "Gary told Katie that good girls get tops. Can I have one of those?"

Carlisle choked on air, and Edward coughed into his hand. "Sure," Edward said. "You can have a top. Spins around. Good dexterity skills."

"Good girls get to top?" Carlisle guessed when Katie had corralled the kids and Garrett was alone on the couch looking tired.

Garrett looked sheepish. "Don't take this the wrong way, but your kids are making me rethink saying no to the vasectomy Kate wants me to get."

"Damn. I guess we have to keep them," Edward said dryly.

"Our wicked plan failed. Woe is us," Carlisle said with a dramatic sigh.

Garrett smiled. "They're great kids."

Carlisle and Edward exchanged another look. Edward took his free hand and squeezed. "I think we got a thing or two right."

"Look, I know we got a couple of things wrong off the bat, but we're getting into the swing of things," Garrett said.

"Weren't swings what got you into trouble?" Carlisle said.

Garrett turned pink. He cleared his throat. "Anyway. What I'm saying is, we got this for a few more days if you need."

"And it's still okay for Jacob to come over to your place while you two are at work?" Edward checked, speaking of the kids' nanny. "I don't want them getting confused going back and forth."

"It's fine." Garrett quirked an eyebrow. "I assume he knows how not to open doors he's not supposed to."

They hung up after a few more minutes of conversation, and Carlisle rolled onto his side. He splayed his hand wide over Edward's belly, stroking him, and just looking at him. Edward raised a hand, brushing his fingers over Carlisle's features.

Carlisle sighed. "They're going to release Dad tomorrow."

"Mmhmm." Edward waited, his eyes soft.

Carlisle sighed again and lay down, tucking his face into Edward's shoulder and throwing an arm around him. "He never abandoned me," he said, trying to process the impossible things going through his mind.

"I know." Edward pressed this thumb to the space behind Carlisle's ear, rubbing in slow circles. "You know he forced you to save yourself, right?"

Carlisle ducked his head down further, muttering something nonsensical against Edward's skin.

Edward didn't have to hear the words he was trying to say. "You want to bring him home with us."

"No." Carlisle raised his head. "It's really not what I want, but I can't get around the idea it's the right thing to do. The state of elder care just isn't ideal. Someone needs to take charge of everything, and he doesn't have anyone else.

"I don't think he should live with us. We can bring him to our house only until we find a suitable home nearby, somewhere I can be current with his care."

"That makes sense," Edward said, his eyes roaming Carlisle's face with concern. "I can see your Dad is trying not to be an asshole. But I really hate the effect he has on you." He smiled sadly. "You always have your emotions under such tight control. When something shakes you, I know it goes deep."

Carlisle took a deep breath. "I know. I've thought of that, but I've also thought about the fact there's only one right thing to do. He has power over me. I can't deny that, but I also can't say it's the same kind of power he had when I was in my twenties."

"You mean he can't destroy you."

"No. He doesn't have that power anymore." Carlisle lowered himself down, taking a sweet kiss from Edward's lips. "You have that power, baby. I think you're the only one."

"I'd never use it."

"I know that."

Edward raised up on his elbows, brushing Carlisle's nose with his. "This thing we got here? It's unconditional. They say parents' love should be the unconditional kind of love, but that didn't happen. Not for you, and not for me. I think that's one of the reasons we found each other."

Carlisle closed his eyes, and leaned in to kiss Edward again. It was a slow kiss. A serious kiss. Speaking to his soul.

"I already told you," Edward said, breathless when their kiss broke. "Whatever you need to do, I'm going to be standing right beside you. We'll figure out the logistics."

"Do you know how much I love you?" Carlisle asked.

Edward smirked. "Yeah. Haven't you been listening? Unconditionally. I gave a whole monologue about it."

Carlisle laughed and curved his hand at Edward's hip. "You are a sassy little boy, aren't you?" He leaned in, taking Edward's lips again. He moved, tangling himself up in his husband.

~0~

Carlisle was more calm than he thought he would be. He slipped into the seat beside his father at nearly noon. The old man was asleep.

For minutes, Carlisle just looked at his father. He checked himself time and again, asking one disturbing question over and over to make sure he was clear on the answer.

This man had put him through no small amount of torment. It was the only ethical thing to do—to ask himself if he could do this. If he could be in charge of these kinds of decisions. He had to be able to keep his head clear.

He was proposing to let this man near his children. He'd have to be able to make the best decision about his healthcare minutes after the man said something he didn't like to his impressionable babies. The idea they would be exposed to the kind of judgmental, holier-than-thou garbage he'd grown up with made his blood boil.

William stirred, coming awake with a cough. Carlisle rose and brought a glass of water to his father's lips, helping him guide the straw into his mouth.

"Thank you," William said, his voice raspy. He leaned back against his pillow. "I'm not fond of this hospital. It'll be good to get out."

Carlisle hummed in acknowledgment as he sat back down. He considered his father for a few more seconds before he spoke. "You know you can't live alone anymore, Dad."

William let out a long breath and turned to look out the window. "Yes, well. I'm sure I'll be fine. Nothing left for you to worry about."

"Yes, well. I don't think that's the best option."

"Oh?"

Here went nothing. "I know how you feel about how I turned out despite how you raised me."

"Carlisle—"

"But some things did take." Carlisle took a steadying breath. "God help me, Dad, I never imagined you were alone. I do what I do to help people—total strangers. I try to live with compassion for every man. You taught me that." He hadn't stood by his own words when it came to his son, but that wasn't the point at the current moment.

"Let me take you home. Somewhere you can be near me. I promise, you'll never have to face any of this alone."

William had turned his head to look at Carlisle, his expression unreadable. He swallowed hard. "Can I meet my grandchildren?"

Carlisle bristled, but he stayed calm. "Well. There's a caveat. You can come home with me, and meet my children, but there are conditions."

The old man tilted his head up, obviously bristling. "You mean rules. I'm no child."

"There are things I won't hear in my house, around my kids." Carlisle spoke calmly but clearly, not backing down. "First, whatever you think about two men being together, let alone raising children, they don't need to know."

In a heartbeat, the voice from the pulpit was back. William sat up straighter. "You're afraid if they're shown a different reality, they'll reject your choice."

"It's not exactly hard to find examples of heterosexuality. They've been adequately exposed. We teach acceptance in my house. Whomever my children turn out to be, they know their fathers will accept them and love them. You won't contradict that."

"They should know the righteous path—"

"Which brings me to my next point." Carlisle took a deep breath. This was actually harder to say. Irritating as it was, the little boy in him was terrified to admit this next part. "We don't adhere to any faith. We don't teach any one truth, because we don't believe any religion has the answer. You are, of course, free to practice your faith, but you will never present it to my children as the only way."

William stared at his son, fresh horror on his faith. "You've turned your back on your savior, Carlisle? He who would forgive all your sins?"

"I haven't turned my back on anyone's savior, though I can't say the same of most of them for me. My children will be able to choose what they believe for themselves. It's not something I'm going to force on them."

"Carlisle—"

"It's not that hard, Dad. We teach kindness and compassion. It's not so different than some of your sermons. All you have to do is apply it to everyone. Even if it's me and my husband."

"You're twisting my words, and the Almighty's for that matter."

"I'm asking you to watch your mouth. Don't let my kids know what you think of their fathers or people like us. If you can do that, you get your family back. Your son. My husband—who is a brilliant doctor and will catch things I might miss." He tilted his head to the side, ignoring the tightness in his throat. He reached out, picking up a sheet of paper he'd brought with him. Wordlessly, he set it in his father's hand.

"These are them," Carlisle said when the silence had stretched on for a full minute as William looked over the photos printed on the paper. "These are your grandkids. So, you tell me. I know what it will cost you not to lead, but they aren't your flock. They're mine. That's the bottom line. It's up to you if you want to take it."


A/N: So. There.

Thanks for being patient with updates, loves.