So, I've had a crap month guys. honestly I don't even know how I got this done XD I don't wanna go into it really, but this is the next chapter! not many left either. Thank you for the comments and support and for being patient with me!
The list was longer than he expected. Looking over it the next morning was a daunting prospect.. the employee list hadn't even been separated into orientation… not recognizably anyway, so he was looking at a list of dozens, possible a few hundred names of Beta's and Alpha's. To make it worst, he was horrified to realize he wasn't entirely sure what his last name had been...
He had only begun to scan the first page when Marie came to the room "Master Alfred, your father is on the phone for you" she said quietly and Matthew's fragile interest in the list disappeared all together. Georgia his first thought.
"Alright I'm coming" Alfred sighed standing from the chair he'd taken up after dropping Matthew's list off. The Omega was confused at the apparent exhaustion at the phone call… wasn't Alfred excited? This could mean getting the baby back!
Maybe… maybe he thought Arthur would say no? It was a scary prospect..
Either way, the list was left, and he stood to trot after Alfred like a duckling. Alfred smiled back at him and took his hand instead, giving a small smile. "It'll be fine Mattie, just relax!" He said cheerfully. Matthew doubted the smile and tone, but he gave a smile what was just as fake.
They arrived at the office where the call was waiting and Alfred pulled him towards the chair, sitting down and pulling Matthew into his lap. The Omega blushed, but said nothing as the other picked up the phone "Hey there dad, What's up?"
Despite his closeness, Matthew couldn't quiet make out the other side of the conversation, but he understood when Alfred put a finger to his lips and said "No no. We're alone.- Yup, he's napping. Been so tired- It is." He nodded, and Matthew sort of pieced together the conversation as best he could. "So did you come to a- Oh you did?-" Alfred looked annoyed "Well why couldn't you tell us then?" He rolled his eyes "Okay, so it's a yes than?" He smiled " Thanks dad, and yeah I will, don't worry.- see ya when you get back" The phone hung up and Matthew was staring with hope and baited breath,
"What did he say?" He asked hanging onto the front of Alfred's shirt, shaking just a little with worry,
"He said we can go pick up Peaches tomorrow." He said with a smile, then a laugh as Matthew threw arms around him. He got his baby back. He could wait one more day!
"Can we go see her today?" He asked excitedly, wanting to hold her and tell her she was coming home.
"Not today," Matthew frowned in disappointment, so Alfred continued, explaining,"The nurses need to prepare her and everything, but tomorrow I'll go get her okay? Besides…" He offered an apologetic smile "You need to rest up. Ya know… make sure everything… sticks" He said somewhat uncomfortably.
Matthew looked down at his stomach and frowned. Oh yeah… Alfred hadn't exactly wanted this had he? Not that Matthew did so soon… but Matthew had forced the issue and he couldn't see his anxieties over it going away just because it happened...With this in mind, he nodded "Okay, I can wait one more day"
Matthew was in his room an hour later, on the bed, being held there by Alfred as he told Beta's and lesser Alpha's where to put what for Georgia in his room. There was a crib, toys on the floor, blankets, a swing. Alfred watched them all closely, keeping Matthew from helping, but also letting off a bit of possession. It was a little irritating… but it's not like he could say much about it.
"Where do you want this one sir?" Asked a female voice from the door. The same girl with big tails was carrying a change table with a tall red haired man. Matthew was again hit with a sense of knowing her. Familial affection shooting. He pushed it down. She just looked the same! Nothing more. Michelle was too young to be working here!
" Just over there please" He said quietly, pointing towards the wall and leaning back against Alfred. He suddenly wanted out of all this bustling… a sadness taking over. " I'm getting tired Alfred" He said shifting so he could curl into the Alpha.
"Alright Mattie" Alfred said gently, kissing his hair. He looked to the busy room "Alright, we're done for now" He said louder with an air of authority that made Matthew remember Arthur was his father, and they started filing out.
"Thank you.." Matthew said weakly. Probably much too quietly to be heard. He held tight as Alfred predictably laid them both down, surrounding the Omega with strong arms. He nuzzled in there and fell asleep to thoughts of his early childhood.
"Don't be scared okay?" He said soothingly to his little sister "I'm your big brother, and I'll be right here okay?" The nervous little girl in pigtails with pretty red bows nodded
"Okay…" she murmured, clinging to her brother, squeaking as the bus hit a bump. He hugged her close to comfort her. It was her first day of kindergarten and Matthew was in second.
"He's not your brother!" A third grade girl said, turned in her seat "You don't look the same at all!" she argued.
"He is too!" She said, a narrowed eyed glare. "Our mommy just decided to love me, yours got stuck with you" She said with a huff. Matthew watching wide eyed as his little sister surprised him, turning back to cuddle into him, playing with her pig tails.
It wasn't a week before Michelle had proven herself to be a tough little Alpha when faced with bullies. Though she still came home after school with Matthew everyday and curled up on his lap, making herself small in his arms, "Thank you for being the bestest big brother ever Matt"
"What a pair I have" Papa would say, coming into the living room with a snack… but Matthew frowned deeply, Everything was so vivid and real feeling.. Except, he was unable to quite remember their faces…
Matthew was woken by a gentle shaking, "huh?" He said, breath catching in his throat as he sat bolt up. "W-What?"
Alfred sat up as well, concerned "Are you okay Mattie?" He asked raising a hand and hesitating
"I.. I'm" He sniffed then noticed the wet feeling. He wiped his cheeks on the back of his hand "I'm f-fine… just a dream. W-What time is it?"
Alfred gave him a look, then sighed, turning to look at the clock and grab Matthew his glasses. "It's dinner" He said handing the black frames over.
"Oh g-good. I'm hungry" He said with an unconvincing chuckle. He swallowed hard and scrambled out of bed, "Let's go Alfie"
Alfred still looked worried, but nodded and got up "Let's feed ya then" He said with a small smile, putting an arm around Matthew's shoulders, pulling him close as they walked.
Matthew thought as they made their way to the kitchen, continuing to think as he was sat in his usual spot on the counter to watch Alfred cook. He wondered what his family was doing now. How did Papa handle it? Were they still living in the same town? Was Michelle looking at a mate? How strong was her Alpha tier?
Did they ever miss him?
By the time food was done, he wasn't even trying to hide the frown.
"Mattie, what's up?" Alfred asked, frowning deeply. "You've been off since you woke up."
Matthew forced a small smile and shrugged "Hormones?" He suggested. Which, honestly it could be… Why else would he be prompted to think about his past. He knew it was dangerous ground, and yet he was doing it actively.
"Alright" Alfred sighed, buying the excuse though Matthew couldn't see he didn't really believe that was all.
The next morning Alfred had breakfast with him, Matthew still quiet and not feeling himself. He'd gone to the front door to say goodbye as his mate took off to get Georgia,
"Cheer up Mattie, okay? Me and peaches will be back in no time" He smiled, and Matthew smiled and nodded,
"Alright Alfie." he paused "I love you" He said before standing on his toes, kissing the Alpha sweetly, the reaction was a gentle hum and a returned kiss, arms looping around his middle, settling on his lower back. He let himself go in it for a minute before Alfred pulled away,
"Love you too~" He cooed. Matthew smiled genuinely and chuckled,
"Just go so you can come back" He said rolling his eyes.
"Yes Ma'am!" He said with a smile, bouncing back, saluting and turning to run down the steps to his car.
Matthew shook his head, chuckling more and headed back in and down to his room. There would be a guard outside of it soon, and he'd rather be inside before they got there… Alfred had done it so he could still wander the house and be safe, but Matthew had other plans.
He sat in his room, on the bed with a book in front of him. He took a deep breath. Was this a good idea? He'd already tormented himself enough hadn't he? Still, he opened the book. It wasn't like Alfred gave him much time alone… and with the mood the other had been in lately, he didn't think looking at these would help.
He pulled out the journal entries, running careful fingers over the words he hadn't read in months. He sighed, paging through each entry. It seemed like so much had happened, like it had been a decade between then and now even though it hadn't been.
He read them over and over, frowning sadly. He missed Gilbert… though he had to admit as he thought back, It had been childish hadn't it? It didn't mean he'd loved Gilbert less… but it hadn't been a very solid relationship, and he'd been very selfish. In the end, maybe Gilbert was a little selfish too. It wasn't their fault really. They were raised in selfish ways. Told from the time they knew what they were that they were special, raised not to lift a finger for anyone, that everything would be done for them. It wasn't really a way to raise someone was it? Kind of setting them up to fail if care ever wasn't there..
Matthew sighed deeply, maybe they deserved to be a little selfish. He looked around his room the memory of coming here and seeing it for what it was, a cage, sobering him. It shouldn't effect him now though, he considered, he didn't even really remember what it was like not to be caged. A not unfamiliar bitterness grew again in his chest. Like today, Alfred gets to go get their daughter while Matthew has to sit her for the baby. He was convinced it was there now thanks to how emotional he felt.
He closed the book with a loud, dry snap, curling in on himself and sobbing, not holding back. He couldn't. He needed to cry about everything… There was a soft knock on his door a female voice carrying "Are you alright Matthew?" It carried
"I'm fine!" He snapped, angry at having a guard, He shoved the book under his bed and curled up on his bed, face in a pillow as he just let himself have a little time to fall apart before his daughter came home.
