Hey, hey, my Lovelies! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thank you for all the reviews, guys! And especially to Tendarts, who spent time reading and reviewing EVERY CHAPTER in about two days! Thank you!
May I just say that I've never been to Woodland Park Zoo so I'm sorry if some details are incorrect! I have done a little research, but without going myself, I'm not going to get everything right! This is, after all, a work of fiction!
Beta: None. All mistakes are mine! Apologies in advance!
Word Count: 6,486
Disclaimer: I don't own. I only play!
Without further ado … Enjoy!
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Chapter Eleven
Wild Day
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13:45/01:45pm
March 12th
2022
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The entrance to Woodland Park Zoo was overflowing with families and cuddling couples Children of all ages were shouting, laughing and there was even an occasional crier, but they were typically leaving the zoo, rather than entering it.
The line was long, but Monkey waited patiently on top of Seth's shoulders, hand over his forehead so he could peer all around him at passersby. He kept shouting for the older man to look at things or giggling when Seth bounced up and down playfully.
Some people were talking rapidly to each other, possibly aggravated by the slowness of the queue. It was for this reason that Seth felt slightly guilty for pushing all the way to the front and being granted instant access.
He tried not to look at all the glares and hostile looks from surrounding Zoo-goers but soon forgot about them as Demetri started to babble excitedly about what animals he wanted to see first only to change his mind seconds later.
Seth knew there were at least three animals he had to see, no argument about it. One was the tiger exhibit. He'd been in love with those beautiful felines for as long as he could remember. Second was the wolf exhibit. His mother would skin him alive if she found out about the trip and he never got her any pictures of his tribe's ancestral animal.
Finally, he wanted to see some monkeys, other than the one currently dragging him towards the penguin enclosure just to their right since they came in through the west entrance. Seth stood back as he snapped picture after picture of the penguins, giggling every time one swam up to the glass. Demetri enjoyed that especially, jumping up and down as he clapped his hands and giggled. His joy was Seth's joy.
After fifteen minutes at the penguin enclosure, they made their way around the Rainforest Loop, giggling and staring in fascination at the gorillas, colobus monkeys and lemurs.
Their stint at the gorillas was especially fascinating as they were just in time to watch as show of dominance of the Silverback towards one of his subordinate males. Seth felt extremely lucky to capture most of it on film.
The colobus monkeys made Monkey giggle incessantly. Their playful nature was akin to Demetri's, something he could relate to and enjoy even if he wasn't part of it. They spent a good ten minutes simply watching them lounge and use the tree branches as trampolines to get about. Demetri giggled every time they did so, bouncing up and down in Seth's arms as if to copy them.
Demetri hung close to Seth's neck as they passed the latter as their eyes completely freaked the little boy out. Seth briefly wondered whether the freaky little things ever actually blinked at all, or whether they just spent all day staring at everyone as if they wanted to stab them in their sleep.
Though, Seth had to say he didn't blame him. Though Seth had to admit that the baby lemur that was clung to its mother's back was just too adorable for words. He snapped many a picture.
They made their way northbound, passed the entrance they used to get in, towards the North Meadow.
It was there, on the Trail of Adaptations, that Seth saw his most beloved animal - the Tiger. He and Monkey stood there in complete awe as the Zoo Ranger stood up close and personal to this massive Malayan Tiger, hands and paws on the thin steel mesh separating them. The tiger seemed completely harmless, but Seth was still terrified for the woman.
He took no end of pictures of the beautiful creature as well as the new cubs that had been born recently. The best part was when they themselves got up close and personal, but through a thick glass sheet that was framed by decorative oak tree trunks. Seth had gotten a shot of one of the tiger cubs pawing at Demetri's hand that was pressed against the glass. He was getting that one printed.
Demetri got to hold a baby lion cub, due to Jacob's connection with the site owner. Seth's heart was in his mouth the entire time but the tiny cub seemed to be harmless, or at least, he was assured by a park ranger that she was. He cried up a storm when it was time for them to part, pleading the older man to let him take her home with them. Oh yeah, that would have been real popular with the airport security and customs. Thankfully, Seth managed to distract him with the promise to see some more monkeys.
Seth bought him and Monkey an ice cream cone and they spent some time simply walking around while they ate. They listened to park rangers as they told people about the animals and their exhibits, though disaster struck at the giraffe enclosure when one swooped down and slurped up the remaining ice cream from Demetri's cone.
Seth quickly handed over his to avoid a complete meltdown. He'd had enough anyway.
Demetri, much to Seth's utter dismay, dragged the older man into the snake exhibit but both of them came out the other end shivering with disgust, vowing never to return. The little boy loved the insects though. What little boy wouldn't? Old men though, those like Seth, found them especially ... icky.
God, he felt like such a chick.
The one last stop they needed to make before leaving was to the wolf enclosure. A shocking amount of tribal pride coursed through him as he gazed upon his ancestral animals. They held themselves with their own pride and had each others' backs, just like his tribe did. females cared for the young, be it their own or a sister's. The males, despite their being no danger at all, watched over their pack with intensity and astute concentration.
As they circled back around towards the main entrance around four-thirty, Seth rode on the historic carousel with Demetri on his lap for a few turns, revelling in the small child's giggles and excitement while he peered out at the few animals he could see from their stead. After that, they stopped off at the gift shop for some souvenirs.
"What should we get, Monkey?" Seth asked the little boy as they entered hand in hand.
"Monkey!" he shouted back, pointing towards a few monkey souvenirs.
"Alright," Seth chuckled.
Demetri ended up pulling down a monkey plush toy for himself. Seth picked up a couple of educational books about the animals, including a fun facts one that he knew Benny would completely love. He also got several of his photos printed out and put in special frames for Jacob's house, making a mental note for himself to upload some onto his digital frame for his desk at work.
For Bella, Seth picked up a keychain that had a picture of a snow leopard. She was in love with the furry animals as much as he was with tigers. He also got her a vintage tee, which she collected, a snow leopard plush and a box of her favourite fudge candies.
Eric was gaga about meerkats, so Seth got him a plush toy, keychain and a gorgeous crystal bowl with meerkats etched into its surface.
He got much of the same for his other friends, all centred around their favourite animals. Splurging on himself just a little, he grabbed a tiger plush, mug and a beautiful framed picture taken by the zoo photographer.
They left the zoo around five, laden with bags upon bags from the gift shop.
Seth could tell that Demetri would be asleep before they reached La Push, which would probably be a good thing once Sue knew about the tiny toddler. She would be all over him if he was awake, and Seth didn't want to subject him to the whirlwind that was his mother after the day they'd just had.
They were on the road towards La Push by five-fifteen. Demetri sang along with his show tunes for an hour or so before he gradually dropped off. Seth suspected he'd be out until the next morning. He turned the radio on and turned it down, bouncing his head along with the beat and tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. All the while, he kept glancing at the little boy in the back seat.
He had his bluetooth headset so he dialled up Jacob's number, smiling when the older man picked up after two rings.
"Hey, Love. Good day?" Jacob asked.
"Wild day. It'd been amazing. I got you some stuff, and the others. I got to see some tigers and wolves. God, it was awesome, baby. Thanks for suggesting we go there."
"You're welcome, as long as you and Demetri enjoyed yourselves. Is he still awake?"
"No actually, he's out cold in the back," Seth chuckled with a smile into the rear-view. "Today wiped him out completely and we're not even at mom's yet."
"You're on your way now?"
"Yeah, just got on the road. Should be three or so hours before we get there," Seth explained. "How's my boy? Asleep?"
"No, cuddled up into my side, watching Spongebob. Hey Benny, Seth's on the phone. Do you want to speak to him?"
Seth smiled as he heard the small child's 'okay' and waited for the phone to be handed over before he said, "Hey, Benny. How you doing?"
"I'm okay, Seth. Just a little shaky still. My arm really hurt earlier but Daddy gave me some yucky pills to stop it. Grandma's fine though. She only got a few scrapes and has a nasty bruise on her arm and leg. I have a bright orange cast on my arm! Did Daddy tell you?" he asked, sounding way too excited.
"Yeah, he did. I bet he loved that," he chuckled. "You better save me some space for me to write you a message. Don't let your friends fill it all up, okay?"
"Okay, I promise ... Hey Seth?" he called, voice now low and sad.
Seth frowned, his heart tugging painfully. "Yeah, buddy?"
"I-I miss you. I was really scared today and I really missed you. Come home soon?"
Seth took a deep breath, fighting back the tears in his eyes. "I miss you too, buddy. You and Daddy. But you got each other until Monkey and I get back, don't you?"
"Yeah ... but I still miss you," he whispered back. "Today, at the hospital, I asked for you, but Daddy came instead. I wanted Daddy too, but I wanted you as well."
"I'm sorry I wasn't there, baby, really. When I get home, we'll snuggle up or do whatever you want, okay?"
"Can we just watch Spongebob, like Daddy and me are doing now?"
"Of course we can, Buddy. As soon as I get home. You gotta be a good boy for Daddy this weekend though first, okay?"
"Okay, I promise. So did you have fun at the Zoo? I wish I could have gone," he grumbled, making Seth chuckle through the lump he had in his throat.
"Next time I come and see my mom and dad, you and Daddy can come too and all four of us will come back to the Zoo, okay? How's that?"
"Daddy, Seth said we can go to the Zoo again when we all go see his mom and dad," Benjamin announced excitedly.
"Did he, now?" he heard Jacob rumble playfully. "We'll have to see."
"Are you gonna tell you mom and dad about me, Seth?" Benjamin asked curiously.
"Of course. She'll have questions about you, Monkey and Daddy when she meets your brother. I'll tell her all about you," Seth replied with a smile.
"What will you say?"
"Well, how about Daddy's my new boyfriend and he has two of the most adorable, mischievous little boys she'll ever meet?"
Benjamin giggled. "That's silly. But I like it," he approved, making Seth chuckle. "Hey Seth?"
"Yeah, Buddy?"
"I'm tired now, so I'm going to get in bed. Here's Daddy ... but wait! Seth?"
"Yeah, Buddy?" he asked in amusement.
There was a beat of silence before Benjamin whispered quickly, "I love you. Goodnight," and then passed the phone back to his daddy in a flash.
Seth's mouth dropped open in shock, feeling his heart swelling to extreme sizes as the little boy's words registered in his head. He'd heard Jacob profess his love on many occasions, but to hear those three words from one of his sons made Seth realise that this relationship was getting more and more serious as the days mounted up. The realisation didn't make Seth as terrified as he would have thought.
It was scary, yes, but for the right reasons - he never wanted to hurt or disappoint that little boy. He wished above everything else that he was there with them now in New York so that he could hug the life out of the child.
"Seth, Love?" Jacob called, bringing the younger man back to the present.
He cleared his throat but his voice still cracked slightly as he replied, "Yeah, baby?"
"Oh Seth ... That was the first time he said it, wasn't it?" he asked quietly.
Seth began to nod until he realised Jacob couldn't see him. He cleared his throat again. "Uh, yeah, yeah it is."
"I suspected, since I've never heard him, but I wasn't sure. He does though, really love you, I mean. All day today, he asked me to call you like every five minutes. He's asked me half a dozen times what time you're coming home on Monday."
"God ..." Seth breathed, feeling the lump in his throat thicken.
"I think both of us have underestimated how close those boys are getting to you, not that I mind at all. I want them to love you as much as I do, as much as I hope you love us."
"God, I love you more than anything," he croaked. "I really fucking wish I was there right now."
"We're okay. Miss you, but okay. Just ... don't dawdle on Monday, okay? Come home fast."
"I will. I promise. I love you. And we should talk more about this closeness between the boys and I. Maybe things need to change for the better. I don't know. We'll talk."
"You're okay with all this, aren't you? Things aren't moving too fast for you, are they?" Jacob asked worriedly.
"No! No, of course not! I'm not going to lie and say I'm not shit scared, baby, because I am. I'm scared I'm going to fuck up and destroy those two boys ... and you ... but I want this. I want us. The thought of us as a family ... God, Jacob, it makes my heart clench in longing or something. I feel like such a damn chick."
"I was just asking because it's only been almost four months."
"I know, but it seems so much longer, baby. I want more."
"Me too," Jacob whispered with a soft smile. "We'll talk when you get home. You both stay safe, and stop if you get too tired, I mean it."
"I will. I promise," he assured the older man. "I'm good, I swear."
"Okay. I love you."
"I love you both. Give him a good night kiss from me, okay?"
"Only if you do the same."
"Deal. Bye, baby."
"Bye."
Seth hung up for the third time that day with a heavy heart. He felt like he was being split up, pulled in two different directions - one towards New York and the other towards the coast of Washington, to La Push and his parents. All he could hope was that this weekend would go off without a hitch and pass in no time so that he could get home to the other two guys in his life.
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20:25/08:25pm
March 12th
2022
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"Hey, Mom?" Seth greeted as said woman picked up the phone on her end. He smiled at her gasp of surprise.
"Seth, baby boy, you're calling late! Oh, you're not cancelling, are you?!" she gasped again with concern.
"He better not be!" he heard Leah call in the background, making him chuckle.
"No, I'm not calling to cancel, but there has been a change in the plans," he admitted, biting his lip.
"Talk to me. Do you need to come later than planned? Did something come up?" she asked.
He could see her silhouette moving behind the kitchen curtains, since he was parked outside his family home in La Push after a three hour drive. She shifted in the way she always did whenever she was worried and was biting the fingernails on her left hand. Always the left hand.
"Mom, could you do me a favour?" he requested.
She sighed impatiently. "Yes, of course."
"Stop biting your nails," he replied, smirking as he knew she wouldn't catch on for a bit.
"Oh, you know it's a bad habit of mine. I can't help it. Stop keeping me in suspense and tell me what these plan changes are!" she commanded firmly.
"Well, I'm not going to be able to get on my flight from New York tomorrow morning," he told her, not a complete lie. If he wasn't in New York, it was a physical impossibility.
"Nonsense. Why not?" she huffed. "You are still coming, Seth Xavier Clearwater, even if I have to come up to New York just to drag you here."
Seth beamed at the threat he knew beyond all doubt she'd follow through with.
"Mom, I can't because I'm not in New York. something did come up. I'm sorry."
"Oh, Seth!" she whined. "I've been waiting since Christmas for you to come. You can't cancel!"
"Give me that phone, Mother!" he heard Leah demand but Mom refused her.
"Back off, Lee. I've got a bone to pick with your brother," she snapped back. "Seth Xavier-"
"Mom, no one said anything about cancelling. Plans have just changed is all," he repeated.
"Plans you still haven't shared with your sweet, youthful mother. Now bear your damn soul to me before I have to tan the information out of you!"
Sweet indeed, Seth thought dryly.
"Mom, I'm-"
"Hang on a damn minute!" she shouted suddenly, and Seth knew that she'd caught on to his earlier request.
He grinned and waited.
"Seth Xavier Clearwater, how did you know I was biting my nails?" she asked in that scarily calm voice all mothers seemed to break out when their kid was being especially mischievous.
"No reason, Mom. Just know you so well," he lied, smirking.
"I call bullshit on that one. Seth, where are you?" she asked, a smile now in her voice.
"Look outside, Mom," he prompted, opening his car door before simply standing there in sight of the kitchen window.
Now a second later, the curtains were savagely yanked apart and two silhouettes, his mother and sister, came into view.
"Oh God!" Sue screamed, dropping the phone where she stood before hightailing it towards the front door. Leah continued to grin through the window at her little brother.
Seth grimaced and pulled the phone from his ear due to the loud clang on the other end before hanging up. He tossed the phone into the car and shut the door so that the warmth wouldn't escape. He stood still and grinned widely as the front door was thrown open and his mother charged towards him. He opened his arms just in time to catch her flying form.
"My baby boy's here! Oh, you're home!" she shouted joyously. "What an awful trick to play on your mother, young man. You should be ashamed!"
Seth just chuckled and pulled his mother tighter to him. God, he'd missed these embraces.
"Oh, but what a nice surprise! I get even longer with you now!" she sobbed, overwhelmed by their reunion. "Come in out of this cold! We gotta catch up on everything!"
Sue tried to drag her son towards the front door, despite him being twice her size, but Seth resisted and smiled at the older woman as she turned with a confused frown.
"Seth?"
"Actually ... I'm not alone," he announced, gently letting go of her hand to go to the back seat.
He carefully unbuckled the sleeping toddler and lifted him into his chest, making sure to keep the harsh wind out of his face by snuggling him close. The sharp gasp from his mother told Seth that she'd seen a glimpse.
"Seth Xavier ... You got some 'splainin' to do!" she whisper/yelled, staring in wonder at the beautiful slumbering little boy in her baby boy's arms. "Come inside, now. Get him out the cold!"
Seth nodded and hurried after his mother towards the house. He'd get their baggage later. Leah was now stood by the front door, eyes wide as she gazed at her brother and this mysterious child. She opened the door wider so the three could get in, shutting it quietly after them. Seth ventured straight into the living room, lowering the small toddler down onto the couch and covering him with the afghan off the back of it.
"Kitchen. Now," Sue demanded without any hostility, only wonder and curiosity.
Seth nodded and followed after his family, glancing back briefly at the little boy before he disappeared from view. Suddenly nervous, he steadied himself to face his mother and sister, both of whom would be annoyed he never mentioned the little boy ... or the brother and father who went with him.
God, he was in so much shit!
"Seth Xavier Clearwater, you explain this instant. Who is that little boy? Who does he belong to? You're gay, for God's sake, he can't be yours!"
Seth forced himself not to bristle at that comment. He knew his mother wouldn't mean anything she said like that.
"God, baby boy, I didn't mean it like that," she rushed on almost immediately to right the comment. "I just meant, I mean-"
"It's not like you got a girl pregnant," Leah cut in. "So, unless you adopted a kid without telling any of us, not that you'd have to I suppose, but anyway, it's either that or ... there's a man in the picture that kid right in there calls Daddy."
Seth remained silent, knowing his sister wasn't finished.
"And if that's the case, that means he trusts you implicitly to let you take his toddler son across the entire country, and if he trusts you that much, that means he's been in the picture a while and you've never told us," she summarised.
"Gee, Sis, just blow my whole announcement up in one breath, why don't you," he grumbled playfully.
Sue's eyes widened at both of her children's statements. "Whoa, back up! Seth, there's a guy in the picture? He has a son? How long has this been going on?!"
"Okay, if we sit down, maybe get some tea, I'll explain everything from the beginning, okay?" he suggested, trying to diffuse the situation before it was blown out of proportion.
Sue took a deep, calming breath before she nodded and turned to start the tea. Seth and Leah took a seat at the table, the former peering around curiously.
"So ... where's Dad? He'd have been down here already after all that commotion," Seth pointed out.
"He's out at Quil's. They've been fishing all day," Leah replied with a shrug. "He'd certainly have been here if he knew you were coming."
"Yeah. He wouldn't pass up any chance to get me to stay home for good," he replied dryly.
"Oh, he'll come around, baby boy. I'm working on him," Sue jumped in, reassuringly.
"Ha, right, Mom. I've been in college for the last four years, almost. I'm graduating in just two months. If he hasn't come around yet, he won't," he pointed out, forcing the older woman to sigh in resignation.
"He has his heart set on you coming home after graduation, you know," Leah informed him softly.
"Well, if things keep going how they are with ... my life, then I won't be coming home, Mom, Leah. Just a warning," he told them both.
Sue sighed, smiling sadly. "A part of me always knew there'd be a possibility you wouldn't come home, not after building a life for yourself over in New York. There's grad school too."
"Right," Seth confirmed.
"Still, a part of me hoped," she added with a soft smile.
"I really am sorry to disappoint, Mom," he replied softly, resting his hand on top of hers.
"It's okay, baby boy. I'm just glad you're making something of yourself," she assured him, making him smile. "But it's not just grad school and your friends keeping you over there. Tell us about this new man of yours, and this little boy."
"Actually, I'm hoping you'll forgive me for not coming home after you hear this story," he admitted with a chuckle.
"Oh, it must be good then. The only thing that would make me forgive you completely would be grandchildren."
"Well ..."
"Seth Xavier, you're not saying ..."
"Jacob, that's his name, Jacob Black. He has two sons. The one sleeping in there is Demetri, only two. He has an older son, six years, and he's called Benjamin. We call him Benny. I call Demetri 'Monkey' all the time," he explained with a soft smile.
Sue had her hands over her heart as it leapt at the news. Two little boys she could potentially call grandchild in the near future, if her son and this man were as serious as she'd hoped. Leah was just smiling at the way her little brother's face lit up every time he spoke about one fo them.
"Jacob's a lawyer, funnily enough. One of the best in the US. We met on New Year's Eve, at a party."
Sue tutted. "Not very romantic," she huffed. "Next, you'll be saying it was a just a one nighter."
Seth blushed guilty.
"Oh, for Christ's sake," Leah laughed, shaking her head.
"It was a one night stand, Mom. I admit that," he told her. "But I left my wallet at his place and I went to go get it back after I realised after a week or so."
"You lasted a week without your wallet?" Leah asked in surprise.
"Yeah. Surprisingly. But, I went back to his place, and things led to another ... It wasn't until about three weeks after that tryst that we actually started to explore whatever we were at the time. I spent the night at his and then after that, things just steam rolled from there."
"So it's been about four months? Just under?"
"Yeah, Mom. I never said anything because I didn't want to jinx us, you know?" he replied sheepishly.
"So what changed?" Leah asked, ever the observant one.
"Everything changed. We've been getting more and more serious to the point where he trusts me enough to take his baby son across the country, through airports and hotels."
"Hotels?" Sue asked, cocking an eyebrow. "Why would you need a hotel?"
Seth blushed. "Ah ... actually, we flew in Friday night. We spent the day today just Demetri and I, for bonding or whatever," he admitted, hoping his mother wouldn't be mad.
She smiled though and nodded, signalling her son to carry on with the story. She could be mad at him, not when she was already getting more time with him as it is. He wasn't due to fly in until tomorrow. She gets an extra night this way.
"I'm not living with him or anything like that. I haven't even met his parents yet, nor has he met mine, obviously. But we love each other, and his boys love me, and I love them. I'm always over at theirs, cooking and watching Monkey when Jacob works. Bella's his official babysitter, but she likes my company and I don't mind."
"Oh ... my baby boy's in love," Sue crooned, tears springing to her eyes as she got up and embraced Seth's head to her chest tightly.
His cheek was squished up against her boob and he was turning beet red. Leah thought it was a perfect opportunity for a picture. He glared at her the best he could in his position. She just smirked.
"Another picture to go in the 'Show to Jacob when he visits' pile," she teased.
"I hate you," he mumbled, voice muffled by his mother. "Mom, please, get a grip?"
She slapped the side of his head, making him grunt in surprise. "Don't tell your mother to get a grip! Her little boy is in love and now he'll start a family and get married and adopt more beautiful children to make grandchildren for me. And he's going to grow old with this mysterious man and meet his own grandbabies!" she sobbed into the top of his head.
Seth's eyes widened at the whole speech, staring pleadingly at his sister, who surprisingly took pity on her little brother.
"Mom, seriously, aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself? They haven't even moved in together yet. Stop planning their whole life out for them," Leah laughed, rolling her eyes.
"I can't help it. He just looks so happy when he's talking about them!" she sniffled. "My baby boy's in love!"
"Yeah, Mom, we heard you the first three times," Leah replied wryly.
"Oh, you two, let me have my moment. It's not every day I get to witness my baby boy in love," she grumbled, retaking her seat between her children.
"Thanks for your enthusiasm, Mom," Seth chuckled, somewhat endeared by the fact that he had her support.
"Tell me more about that adorable little boy, and this Benjamin as well," she ordered, excitedly taking his hands in hers across the table.
Seth grinned and started talking all about the boys, from their small habits to everything they were into. Mom seemed exceptionally impressed by Benny's work ethic and smiled when he mentioned the times tables hint he'd shown Benny. He, of course, learnt that from Sue.
"Benny was in an accident today," Seth whispered, frowning as he looked down at the table.
Sue and Leah gasped as the former's hands tightened around her son's.
"Oh Sweetie, is he okay? What accident?"
"Car accident. He was with his grandmother, Jacob's mom, driving someplace and the car smashed into Benny's side. He got a mild concussion and a broken arm," he informed them. "I've never wanted to be in one particular place more in my entire life than I did today."
"Oh, I'm sorry, baby," Sue breathed, tears in her eyes.
"He asked for me. In the hospital. He asked for me and I wasn't there."
"Oh baby, you weren't to know," Sue soothed.
"I know, and I don't feel as bad, but I just wanted to be there for him earlier. Made me feel pretty shit," he sighed.
"Er, language, young man," Sue abdomished. "But it wasn't like you weren't being helpful. You were taking care of Jacob's youngest son, making sure he wasn't something to worry about. Jacob could concentrate 100% on Benjamin today. Would he have been able to do that otherwise?"
"No. He'd probably have Bella watching him, sure, but he'd still worry ... and he wouldn't have let Monkey come if he didn't trust me to keep him safe," Seth mused.
"That's right. So don't you go thinking you weren't helping today. You were helping more than you know," she reassured him, causing a smile to pull at his lips.
"Thanks, Mom," he murmured.
"Sef?" a child-like whimper sounded from the living room, prompting Seth to his feet instantly.
Sue and Leah followed after him, lingering in the doorway as Seth approached the little boy sat up on the couch, adorably rubbing his eyes sleepily. Seth scooped the little boy up and set him down in his lap, holding him close as Demetri buried his face into his neck and yawned widely.
"Hey Monkey, did you have a nice sleep?" he whispered to the little boy, rubbing his back soothingly.
Demetri sniffled. "Me tired, Sef. Me go bedtime?" he requested sleepily, his voice barely audible.
Seth only held him closer, and Demetri wrapped his small legs around Seth's waist as best he could as the older man got to his feet. He turned to his Mom and sister, smiling softly.
"He can just sleep with me tonight. He did at the hotel," he told them as he approached.
"That's fine. I'll get some more blankets," Sue replied quietly.
Still, the soft voice reached the little boy's ears and out of curiosity, he turned his head so that one eye peeked out from Seth's neck to regard the two women standing close to him and Seth. Seeing how pretty they were, he hid himself again. Seth smiled, feeling the small toddler's blush against his skin.
"Come on, Monkey, you're not shy," Seth coaxed in amusement.
"I am," he murmured back, face still hidden.
"It's just my Mom, Sue, and my sister, Leah," he told the little boy with a small bounce of his hip.
Cautiously, Demetri uncovered his face again to look at the two women.
"Hello," he whispered shyly. "Me 'Metri."
"'Demetri' is still a bit of a mouthful for him," Seth explained at Leah's questioning look. "He has no problem saying Monkey though."
"Monkey," Demetri repeated for emphasis, smiling as the two women crooned at him.
Sue stepped forward. "How about you come here to Grams so that Seth can get your jammies from the car?" she suggested with a bright, open smile.
Demetri hesitated, looking up at Seth in question.
Seth smiled. "Grammy Sue likes snuggles as much as you do, Monkey. Maybe she'll even get you some warm milk before bed," he mused, glancing over at his mother.
"Of course we can get some milk. Come have some snuggles with Grammy Sue, Demetri," she crooned, opening her arms.
The little boy smiled gently and cautiously leaned over to the older woman, who promptly took him from Seth and snuggled him close. Seeing that Monkey was somewhat content for now, Seth made a quick trip to the car for their bags, taking them up to his old bedroom before opening Demetri's duffel bag for the pyjamas.
He went ahead and changed for bed as well, just so he wouldn't have to later, and made his way back down stairs to his family. Pausing in the living room doorway, he smiled at the sight before him.
His mother was sat in the rocking chair in the corner, the one that had been there since Leah was a baby, with Monkey sat on her lap. He was drinking from a sippy cup, one he didn't even know they had, while listening to Sue read him a story. Demetri looked up and held a hand out towards Seth, beckoning him forward.
As Seth approached, Sue got up and moved towards the couch so that all three of them could sit together for the story. Demetri sat on Sue's knee, head on her chest while Seth wrapped his arm around his small waist and pressed up against his back. Demetri held Seth's hand in place on his chest with his own, snuggling against it as he listened.
It was somewhat reminiscent to hear his mother recite a story she'd read him when he was a boy to the boy he was quickly regarding as his own son. He could also tell that she was loving it as well, and if the awe in Demetri's eyes was anything to go by, he enjoyed it too.
He was knocked out within the first fifteen minutes, tiny lips parted as he maintained his strong grip on Seth's hand. He smiled at Sue.
"I'll take him up," he whispered, manoeuvring the tiny toddler against his chest before cradling him in his arms.
"He's precious, Seth. Absolutely precious," she whispered as he stroked a few strands of hair back from his sweet face.
Seth smiled. "I know, Mom. I know."
"Goodnight, baby boy. I'll see the two of you in the morning," she whispered, kissing her son's cheek and then Demetri's before leaving the two alone.
"Come on, Monkey, let's go to bed," Seth whispered into the toddler's ear as they approached the stairs.
The front door opened just after he and Monkey disappeared upstairs, and Seth couldn't help but feel relieved that he'd saved himself from an earful of hassle from his father. He heard Harry ask about the rental car, and then Sue tell him that he was there but was not to be disturbed. He sighed in relief when she made no mention of Monkey.
He made sure to lock his bedroom door after he shut it behind them, carefully carrying Monkey over to his bed and laying him down. It was a double, but they wouldn't really need that much room as Demetri was a snuggler, just like his father.
He put his phone on charge, set his alarm and then climbed into bed with the toddler, pulling his tiny frame into his chest. Demetri wrapped his arms around Seth's neck as the older man closed his eyes and fell into sleep.
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Thanks for reading, guys! I know they didn't spend that much of the chapter at Woodland Park, but I really wanted them in La Push!
Please leave me some love for motivation and to have your say!
Love MrsWolfPack x
