Chapter 10: Best if….Much if…

Alan stood gapping at the door as Charlie took off. He slowly sat down, trying to process everything that had just taken place. He looked over at his eldest son.

"Donnie! How long?"

Don looked at his father, then to Amita and back. "About three months." He stated walking over to Alan.

"How come….that long Charlie has kept this secret?" Alan looked at Don, who sat down next to him.

"Well, we didn't know how to tell you, Dad. Dad listen we know you want grand kids but maybe…."

Alan put his hand up to stop Don. "I know I say that a lot but that doesn't mean I want you two to be unhappy." He said looking from Don to the woman he considered a daughter. "So do I know this guy? Where did your brother meet him? How long…"

"Whoa, Dad!" Don said, as he put his hand on Alan's shoulder to stop his rambling. He looked over and smiled lovingly at his girlfriend. "It's not my…our place to tell you that."

Alan sighed knowing his son was right. He wasn't going to get much more out of his eldest son. He saw his son giving him a concern look. "I'm fine, Donnie. This is unexpected to say the least, but I'm fine." Alan said putting his hand over his son's and nodding. With that he got up and walked into the kitchen. He sighed when he entered the kitchen. Even with everything that had happen there were still chores that needed to be done.

"Well, we missed the movie." Amita stated as Don walked over to her.

"Hey, why go to the movies when we can stay here and watch a DVD." Don said as he draped his arm around her and tapped her nose with his finger. Amita crinkled her nose at his touch and giggled.

Several minutes later, the eldest Eppes came out of the kitchen and smiled at the sight in front of him. There on the couch sat Don with Amita curled up in his arms, watching TV. He had to admit they did looked really good together and seemed to click more than when she was with Charlie. Even though he didn't want to recognize it out loud he knew he pushed Charlie and Amita together. Now he just needed to find out who his youngest son was dating.

Alan sat in his bedroom in the morning, remembering how Charlie had been so assertive with him. He had never talked to him like that before. That could only mean one thing. Alan was brought out his train of thoughts by the door bell ringing. He got up and went downstairs. "Coming!" He yelled reaching the first flight of stairs. Alan reached the door and opened it. "Colby!"

Colby looked up at Alan. "Ummm….Hi, Mr. Eppes." He said looking everywhere but at his lover's father.

"Is everything okay? Did anything happen to Don….Charlie?"

"No, Mr. Eppes they're fine."

Alan knitted his eyes in confusion. "Uh…okay. Come in." He moved over to the side as Colby walked in.

"Actually Mr. Eppes..," Colby said turning back around to face Alan.

"Come on Colby, call me Alan." He said with a smile, walking into the living room and sitting down on the couch. As Alan passed Colby, he could tell that the agent was nervous. "Is everything okay?" he asked again as he looked at Colby.

"Well," Colby said toying with his hands. "I'm worried about Charlie." He looked up at Alan.

"But I thought you said he was fine." Alan said concern growing in his voice.

"He's fine physically, it's just that…," Colby couldn't bring himself to finish. He knew Charlie wasn't going to be happy with him if he found out he was here. Colby just hated seeing Charlie hurt. Even though Charlie said he was fine, Colby knew he wasn't. His father's opinion always mattered.

Alan stayed silent, watching the usually cool and collected agent toy with his hands and seeing his eyes becoming good friends with the floor.

"It's just that he told me about your fight last night, and the fact is…Mr. Eppes, I'm him…he's me." Colby lifted his eyes and saw Alan was smiling.

"I can't say I'm surprised."

"Sorry?" Colby asked in confusion. "Charlie told me that you couldn't…,"

"I am aware that what occurred last night wasn't the best way to handle the situation…"

"Listen Alan," Colby cut in. "Charlie says he doesn't but I know that you long for grandchildren, and if you think it best, Mr. Eppes, I'll…"

"Colby! Son!" He yelled interrupting Colby's rambling. Colby looked at him, unsure. "As I was saying, I know I didn't handle things correctly last night. It's just that Charlie caught me off guard with what he said…" He put his hand up as Colby was about to say something. "Let me finish. Even though I do want grandchildren…I would never want that if my sons were unhappy. I wouldn't be much of a father if I jeopardized my sons' happiness for my own wants. You want to know what I think is best Colby?" He said as he met Colby's eyes. "You continue to make my son happy." Alan finished with a smile.

Colby smiled and let go of the breath he had been holding. "Thank you, Mr. Epp…I mean Alan." He corrected himself as he saw Alan about to protest. "How did you know it was…"

Alan smiled. "The way Charlie was so assertive with me and defensive, it came to me. I'm glad you're the one he's with. You've been there for him when he needed someone and you've helped him so much." He chuckled as small blush appeared on Colby's cheeks. "By the way, does my son know you're here?"

Colby shook his head.

"Well then I think I should call him to talk.."

Before Alan could finish, the door opened and Charlie walked in. He turned and saw his father and lover. "Colby what are you…" He started as Colby stood up. "You didn't I've told you…"

"Charlie! Son!" Alan exclaimed as he looked from his youngest son to the green-eyed agent. "Colby and I were just talking."

"Dad I told you last night, I love him and…,"

Alan looked over at Colby and gave him a see-what-I-mean look. "Charlie I know. I'm fine with you two."

"Nothing's going…" Charlie suddenly stopped as he dad's words sank in. "Wait! Did you say you were okay with… but you said?"

Alan walked over to his youngest son and placed his hands on his shoulders. "I know my reaction wasn't the best but you sort of caught me off guard. Charlie." Charlie looked up at his father. "You're my son. All I want is you to be happy.' He pulled him into a hug.

Charlie wrapped his arms around his father as tears began to fall. Colby felt a little out of place, watching his lover and the eldest Eppes in this intimate moment. He was slightly taken aback when Alan reached out and pulled him into the hug.