Flambeau had never regretted anything so much in his entire life.

Sid hadn't shut up since he confirmed he was his Mum.

"….and then Daddy told me- "

"- You must be tired." Flambeau was having horrible flashbacks to those first six months he spent with Sidney, and how often he cried, "If you're good, maybe I'll tell you a bedtime story."

Sidney's eyes lit up with glee, already clambering onto Flambeau's lap before he could argue against it. "Daddy's been telling me about Moses!"

Of course he had.

Flambeau forced a smile onto his face, "Bible stories aren't really my forte… how about something else?"

Was it just him, or did Sidney look far too happy at the thought?

"On the 24th of February, 1815, the look–out at Notre–Dame de la Garde signalled the three–master, the Pharaon from Smyrna, Trieste, and Naples…"

….

He made it halfway into Chapter Two, before Sidney finally fell asleep and Flambeau sighed in relief, gently laying his son next to his Father, before moving to leave.

"You should stay."

Flambeau flinched at the familiar, warm voice, slowly turning to see the Father smiling at him.

"How long were you listening for?"

"Long enough." The Father moved to sit up, only to wince and lie back down, lungs protested the movement as he coughed, "You're really good with him."

"Children are easy to entertain." Flambeau shrugged, "Especially those a little fed up of Bible stories."

Father Brown chuckled, "Ah yes, Mrs McCarthy does insist on those being the best stories." He scanned Flambeau from head to toe, "You look well."

"Hmmm." Flambeau tried not to let the Father know that he was secretly pleased at the words… although he was sure the Alpha figured it out, judging by the slightly smug smile that appeared, "Is he always so difficult to get to sleep?"

Father Brown chuckled fondly, "He has a lot of energy. Just can't seem to sit still."

"Like his Father." Flambeau couldn't help but say, looking away when Father Brown chuckled.

"And his Mother."

"Yes well…" Flambeau cleared his throat, "… does he have any hobbies?"

Clearly pleased with the conversation matter, Father Brown beamed.

"He does enjoy a good swim in the lake. Supervised of course, Mrs McCarthy wouldn't have it any other way."

"A fact he dislikes, I'm sure."

"Oh yes. He'd do anything for a little bit of freedom from her." Father Brown winked, "Which is usually why I try and take him myself."

Flambeau chuckled. He could already see it…. Sidney splashing water as he paddled. Father Brown sitting on a blanket with a book, not even reading as he kept an eye on the child.

"Flambeau?"

Startled out of his thoughts, Flambeau turned back to the Father, who was giving him a warm smile.

"I'm glad you finally came to visit."

And now Flambeau felt like the worst person ever.

"Someone tried to kill you…" He muttered, trying to keep his voice monotone, "… They could have killed both you and Sidney, and they still might."

"So, what's your plan?"

"… I don't know."

The Father frowned, "Do you think they'll try again?" It was hard not to see the way Father Brown tensed up at the thought, making Sidney grumble in his sleep before the Alpha relaxed.

"I know they'll try again… which is why I'll be sticking around."

The Alpha's smile was blinding.

….

"I drew you, and Daddy and me!" Sidney was slightly calmer now that he had a nap, lying on the hospital floor, scribbling on a piece of paper.

"That's… great." Flambeau couldn't help but return the smile, watching as his son beamed at the small praise, tongue sticking out of the corner of his mouth as he struggled to keep his colouring in the lines.

How often had he dreamed this?

How often had he dreamed about being a small family with Sidney like this?

How often had his dreams turned into nightmares when he remembered just who he was.

Sidney would never have been this happy if he'd kept him.

"You seem to be lost in thought."

Startled out of his thoughts, Flambeau cleared his throat. He couldn't tell the Father the truth, he'd be so smug.

"Like I said earlier…" He began, "… I am concerned about who might be targeting you both."

"Any ideas?"

Flambeau thought to himself for a few moments, before a name came to mind.

"Benjamin Smith."

The Father raised an eyebrow, "Benjamin Smith?"

"A… rival in the business." Flambeau explained gently, not wanting to say too much with Sidney in the room, "We were on the same train job together, and I happened to be the better man."

"And let me guess, he wasn't happy about that."

"No." Flambeau winced, "He certainly was not."

"… Is he the type to set fire to houses as revenge?" The Father then frowned, "Wait, how would he even know about Sidney and I?"

"My pregnancy and our rivalry is the worst kept secret in the world… it wouldn't have been hard to put the dots together. For six months I had a baby, and then when I didn't, you mysteriously get one." Flambeau shrugged, "You don't need to be an amazing detective to figure it out."

Father Brown was silent.

"Maybe I should have given him to a childless couple to raise." Flambeau mused, "Life would have been easier."

"God would have brought us together eventually."

"… You sound so sure of that."

"That's because I am." The Father smiled at him, "Aren't you?"

Flambeau stared at him for a moment, before turning his attention back to Sidney.

He ignored the sly smirk on Father Brown's face.