Summer passed by rather uneventfully or rather without incident. Of course there was the huge milestone of Charlie saying his first word. Day by day he started learning other words. Alfred and Arthur would point to an object and say the name of it, sounding out the words slowly and carefully so that Charlie could grasp each movement of his lips. He eventually started saying 'Papa' although it took another week or two until he finally gave up the word 'Daddy'. His current favorite word just happened to be 'Awesome' courtesy of Alfred's teachings.
Charlie had yet to take his first steps- which Alfred and Arthur were in no hurry to see. If someone held onto his hands Charlie could stand and take a few clumsy steps, but he couldn't yet support his own weight. When Alfred came home from work he would often spend the afternoon holding onto Charlie's chubby hands and walking with him slowly so the little boy could explore the world from this new perspective. Arthur smiled every time he watched them.
As fall started settling in and September started drawing to an end Charlie was nearing the one year mark. He got to the point where Charlie's birthday was only two weeks away and according to Alfred they simply had to throw a big birthday bash for the little boy. With Alfred it was always the bigger the better. His British husband on the other hand would have preferred a small party only including their close family and friends with a little food on the grill and a cake.
"He only gets to turn a year old once, Artie. Why not celebrate it?" Alfred said the evening it was two weeks before. The couple had been eating dinner with Charlie snug in his highchair as he went off in his long string of new learned words as Arthur fed him spoonful's of 'baby mush' as Alfred called it.
"I'm not saying that we shouldn't celebrate it- it's a very special occasion and should be treated as such- but I just don't think we need to have a gigantic party." Arthur replied, holding up another spoonful of mush for Charlie which the baby slurped up noisily. "Why can't we just invite your parents and brother? Maybe even my own if you think it's necessary. Just a little dinner and dessert with a few pleasant decorations. Isn't that enough?"
Alfred pushed the pile of peas on his plate with his fork, "I guess it is, but… I dunno. You know me; I just like everything bigger and more exciting." He grinned over his husband.
Arthur smiled softly, "Don't worry, love, it will still be a great party. I promise. No son of mine will have his first birthday gone uncelebrated." Arthur said taking his napkin to wipe up Charlie's face.
"Are we gonna invite Mary Jo and Nathan?" Alfred inquired, taking a bite out of his meatloaf.
"Of course, she is the one who brought little Charlie here isn't she?" Arthur said, giving his adorable son's cheek a small stroke.
Charlie grinned broadly, "Daddy!" He shouted proudly as he clapped his tiny hands together. Arthur practically melted into a puddle on the floor. If Arthur had a soft spot for children that weren't his own when it was actually his child he was complete and total sucker.
"That's right my dear, sweet boy." Arthur cooed fondly as he smiled at his son, scooping up another spoonful of mush and offering it to the boy who greedily ate it up.
Alfred smiled; a little something that was half soft and loving and half teasing. "Oh Artie, you're almost as precious as Charlie with the way you melt like an ice pop around him." Alfred grinned that mixed smile broadly.
"Oh belt up," Arthur huffed softly; blushing just the slightest bit at Alfred's comment. "How can I help it if I just love my own son's adorable face?"
"Hmm, Charlie looks an awful lot like me so are you saying I'm adorable too?" Alfred asked teasingly, grinning from ear to ear.
"Hardly," Arthur scoffed teasingly. "I'm afraid you're losing your cuteness factor with your age."
Alfred gaped as he blushed softly, "I-I'm not old! You're older than me so that'd make you super old, like ancient or something!" Alfred protested.
"I'm not old you block head! I'm only two years older than you." Arthur huffed, the blush now dusting the tips of his ears. He always had been sensitive about his age.
"Oh relax, Artie, you know I'm only kidding you. And don't worry; even if you are older than me I still think you're incredibly sexy." Alfred laughed before he grabbed his glass and took a big gulp of his soda, promptly belching rather loudly followed by a grin and a little 'excuse me'.
"… Charming as ever, Alfred." Arthur said with a small shake of his head and a little eye roll as he scraped up the last contents of Charlie's dinner and offered it to the boy who once again noisily slurped up the contents.
"You better believe it, babe." Alfred laughed.
Arthur rolled his eyes once more, "Well I think it's time we get Charlie changed and ready for bed; it's a little too late for you to be staying up, mister." Arthur said, standing from his chair and giving Charlie a quick kiss on the head.
"I'll do it, you just clean everything down here and I'll get Charlie all ready." Alfred offered, also standing from his chair.
"That would be lovely, pet. I'll be up in a tick to say good night to Charlie." Arthur said as he moved to grab the empty dinner plates and bring them to the sink. Alfred hooked his hands under Charlie's chubby arms and lifted the little boy who giggled happily.
"Papa!" He shouted happily, now being able to recognize which one of his father's was which.
"That's right little man! Awesome job!" Alfred grinned at his son broadly as he began carrying him upstairs to be changed into him jammies and snugly tucked into bed.
"Awesome!" Charlie squealed with delight, blue eyes shining. Alfred laughed that boisterous chuckle of his as he disappeared around the corner and up the stairs to Charlie's room.
Arthur smiled to himself as he watched them go; placing the dishes in the sink and turning the faucet on until a nice stream of warm water flowed from the spout. He grabbed a sponge, dousing it with a little soap before he started scrubbing away the remnants of their meals.
Arthur really couldn't believe it had almost been a year since little Charlie had been born into their lives. It felt like it was only yesterday the couple was bringing him home for the first time; hearts full to the brims with pride and Alfred shoving his stupid camera in Arthur's face. It almost seemed like a dream, a glorious yet surreal dream that Arthur reveled in during his every conscious moment. Charlie really was growing quickly and Arthur realized that he would most likely be one of those parents that tried too hard and long to keep holding onto their little ones.
Alfred placed a squirming and babbling Charlie on his changing table as he tried to get him out of his normal clothes and into his jammies, but the little boy kept trying to sit up and stand; occasionally reaching up to give Alfred's dark blonde hair a playful tug. Alfred merely laughed and tried to settle him down enough to be changed.
The young American also had a hard time believing it had been a year since Charlie had been born. It felt like only yesterday when he had entered that hospital room and got his first glimpse at the little piece of perfection that was his and Arthur's son. And he wasn't just saying that because Charlie got his genes. It was such an amazing feeling- being a father Alfred meant- that it was difficult to put into words. It was indescribable and nothing that could be understood than anyone who wasn't a parent themselves. Alfred loved the feeling so much. The way his heart swelled with pride every time he looked at his boy and every time he watched his husband melt over him. This past year had honestly been the best of his young twenty six year old life.
With all the good, loving feelings swirling around in Alfred he couldn't help but wonder. Being a dad was amazingly wonderful and he enjoyed it with every fiber of his being and from what he could tell the feeling was mutual for Arthur. If the couple enjoyed it this much… why not have more children? Charlie was a wonderful sweet little boy and Alfred loved him with all his heart, but wouldn't giving him siblings- someone to play with- be a good idea?
Alfred wasn't entirely sure, but soon he finally managed to get Charlie snapped into his jammies and he placed him down in his crib where he tried to stand, but only fell back among the blankets and looked up at his father with those big blue eyes. Alfred grabbed his pacifier from the shelf and offered it to him with which the little boy knew exactly what to do and opened his little toothless mouth. After a few moments of sucking on his pacifier the little boy blinked his eyes slowly and rubbed at them with a little chubby fist as the events from the day finally caught up to him. Charlie laid down grab, grabbing his stuffed unicorn Winston, and settling down to sleep. Alfred smiled down at him fondly, gently stroking the boy's rosy cheek as his eyes started to flutter close with sleep.
"Is he falling asleep?" Alfred turned his head to see Arthur quietly entering the room as to not rouse Charlie from his imminent slumber.
"He's getting there, put a binky in his mouth and he's out like a light in a few minutes." Alfred laughed softly. Arthur made his way over to the crib, snaking arm around Alfred's waist as he peered in to see little Charlie drifting off to dream land. The smile on his husband's face was priceless. Arthur muttered a sweet goodnight to his little one as did Alfred before the duo each gave him a kiss on the head and headed off to do whatever it was they did once the baby was in bed.
And no it wasn't something dirty. Not tonight anyway.
Alfred and Arthur headed downstairs, arms interlocked around each other's waists while they settled onto the couch for some TV time whilst cuddled in each other's arms. A repeat of house was just starting to come on when Alfred flipped on the TV and the couple settled on watching it even though it was an episode they had already seen. The two watched in comfortable silence that was intermingled with the TV and the steady sound of each other's breathing. Alfred idly traced fingers along the top of Arthur's hand in a small, but loving motion.
He thought about what he had been thinking earlier, about more children. Was it a good idea to be running the idea past Arthur? Alfred had done it once before, passed on the idea of children to Arthur, and look it where it had brought them. To this wonderful place in their lives where every day was like a glorious dream. What could be so bad at just maybe talking about it? "Hey Artie…?" Alfred said softly, resting his chin atop his husband's head.
"Hmm?" Arthur hummed softly in response to let Alfred knew he was listening.
Alfred pressed his lips together a moment, "Y'know… I was thinking…" He started kind softly, still tracing the circles on Arthur's hand. "Do you… do you, y'know, think it'd be a good idea if we had… more kids?" Alfred asked, voice somewhat nervous of Arthur's reaction.
Arthur shifted moving so he could turn his head and look at Alfred, his expression a bit surprised. "I'm sorry, did you say more kids?" Arthur asked curiously. Alfred nervously shook his head in affirmation, a little worried if maybe he had taken a wrong turn. "… What brought that on?" Arthur inquired curiously, not really angry, but more so surprised.
Alfred shrugged his shoulders softly, "I dunno… I was just upstairs with Charlie and I was thinking about how great it felt, y'know, being a dad and all and I was just think that maybe it'd be good if we had more. I'm sure Charlie'd appreciate the playmate." Alfred explained sheepishly.
His husband's green eyed gaze traveled off to the side as he thought, turning his head back and resting against Alfred's chest. He took shrugged his shoulders softly, "I don't know, Alfred," He began. "I mean I love having Charlie, truly I do, but… he can be a bit of handful sometimes. I'd love to have more children, I love being a father very much, but… just not yet. We should enjoy Charlie's first few years with only him without worrying about taking care of another little one." Arthur explained casually. Alfred could understand his logic.
The American hummed softly, once again resting his chin atop Arthur's head, "Yeah, I guess you're right." He mused softly.
"… But I'd definitely love to have more children one day, love." Arthur said turning his head one last time to give Alfred a little peck on the lips. "Just maybe when Charlie is a bit older and more so able to take care of himself so we don't overwork ourselves."
Alfred smiled softly at his darling husband, happy that more little wonders would be appearing sometime in the future even if it didn't mean immediate future. "That's sounds great, babe. It's definitely something to look forward to." Alfred smiled, leaning in again to catch Arthur's lips in a long and lingering kiss filled with too much lover for Alfred to handle. As he pulled away he smiled, "Hey… wanna go do it?" Alfred asked playfully, a smirk curling on his lips."
Arthur hummed softly, "Hmm…. Alright."
"Downstairs guest room?"
"Sounds like a plan, love." Arthur said once again pulling Alfred close to let their lips meld together once more where the two fit together perfectly.
Can someone say foreshadowing?
OMG. I haven't updated this in like centuries. I'm sorry I'm so lame. Now that I've gained some inspiration back for this story I should be updating it a bit more than I was. No promises since I'm trying to alternate different updates to different stories. But I'll try my hardest now that I have some more downtime.
Reviews are always loved! Thanks so much for all the glorious love and support you have all given me so far. It truly inspires me to write when I hear people enjoy reading my work :))
ALJDKHLKJDHLSA;ALDS;F;! OMFG! OVER 200 REVIEWS! You guys are totally awesome! This is by far one of my most popular stories ever and one of my goals has been realized! :love: :love: :love: Thanks so much darlings you are so totally amazing you all get virtual cookies! :D Let's see if we can make it to 300! :D Thansk again so much!