About three weeks later….

It was about midnight and Alexander and John were curled up on the couch watching something once more. This time they were re-watching season one of Stranger Things.

When the episode they were watching ended the ringtone of John's phone echoed through the apartment. He reached over Alexander to grab the device which had been perched lazily on a end table. "Yello?" He muttered as Alexander sat up to meet his boyfriend's eyes. "Sure, we were just gonna binge today anyway." He paused as whoever was on the other line spoke. "Alex hasn't left the house in days and he's only been doing work anyway."

That piqued Alexander's attention. "Who's on the phone?" He asked when John had stopped speaking to whoever it was.

John mouthed 'Herc' and went back to the conversation. "Yeah, she should bring Philip. The kid's awesome." Alexander smiled as his son was mentioned, he'd only known the kid for three weeks but, he already loved him. "Sure Aaron can come, Herc I don't even know why you're asking this?" He paused once more. "Okay, stop I'll see you in ten. Bye Herc."

He slid his phone into his pocket and met Alexander's eyes. "We're going to the ice cream parlour, and you have no say whether we go or not." Alexander threw a pillow at John, the other man shrugged and pulled Alexander off the couch.

Their destination wasn't too far from their apartment and it was a pretty nice day to walk. As they made their way down the crowded streets Alexander thought about how they still hadn't made a decision about Philip. Every time they'd met up with Eliza since that day had consisted of her asking if they'd figured it out yet, eventually she'd just stop asking.

The walk to the ice cream parlour wasn't long but, it was silent. When they arrived they located Hercules, Lafayette, Eliza, Aaron, Philip and the Theodosia's quickly. Maria, however was nowhere in sight.

"Where's Ria?" He said, voicing his thoughts. Eliza, who hadn't noticed him because she'd been speaking to Theodosia. She turned to face them both and smiled.

"She's out of town, for business she'll be back in about two weeks. She's visiting family as well." Alexander noticed how her eyes lit up when she spoke about her fiance.

Then something crossed his mind, didn't Eliza have two siblings? "Wait, what about your family?" He asked curiously, Eliza did in fact have two sisters. The older one, Angelica was pissed when she found out what he'd done. Peggy, the youngest was no better.

If Eliza's eyes were bright when she talked about Maria, they just got much brighter. "Peggy is pregnant and Angie's doing great last I spoke with her."

The pair continued talking for a while, only Eliza, Aaron and Lafayette had purchased ice cream Alexander and John just slipped into conversations. Eventually Aaron and Theodosia joined the conversation.

"So Alexander, I hear you just found out about Philip?" Theodosia smiled warmly at Alexander. "Must be exciting, I remember when Aaron found out I was pregnant. He locked himself in the bathroom for a good two hours before I lured him out with cookies." Alexander had always liked Aaron's wife, she was a very kind woman that somehow put up with Aaron.

"It was very surprising, I just froze, ask John or Eliza." He said, shaking his head at the memory. "Although I'm glad to have-" Alexander poked Eliza's shoulder. "-this dork back in my life.

She shrugged and glanced over her shoulder to see Philip and Theo interacting. Alexander followed suit, alongside with Aaron and Theodosia. Eventually his gaze turned from Philip to Hercules, Lafayette and John. He found his smile growing just a little larger.

Then Eliza's phone began to ring. She slid it out of her pocket and pressed it to her ear. "Hello?" She paused. "Yes I'll be right over Pegs…. You're certain…. It's an hour away…. Of course." She hung up and slid her phone into her pocket.

"Peg just went into labour and her husband is out of town." Eliza looked up and met Alexander's eyes. "Look, can you watch Philip? I need to be with my sister until Stephen is back in town."

In a spur of the moment decision Alexander nodded. Eliza thanked him, gave Philip a quick kiss and ran out of the ice cream parlour. Alexander just watched her leave, then he felt someone tugging on his jacket.

Alexander turned to see Philip standing there worriedly. "Where's Mom going?" He asked, there wasn't a hint of nervousness in his voice, just curiosity.

"Your aunt is going to be having her kid, you get to stay with me and John for a while. Okay?" Philip nodded, and ran back over to Theo.

It was funny how life worked, just a few weeks ago he'd known nothing of the kids existence. Now? He was looking after this kid for at least three days, probably more.

He couldn't complain, maybe this would help him with his decision. Alexander watched Philip interact with Theo, he was so like his mother and he could even see bits of himself.

Then his vision turned back to John. John… he'd just agreed to watch this kid without running it by him. He knew that the pair got along but, this was a spur of the moment decision. He'd probably be okay with it but, there was no true telling.


Sorry this is so late, I don't have much of an excuse.