Nixie
Disclaimer: The Numb3rs characters are unfortunately not in my possession…so so sad.
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Chapter Eleven: Clocks (Coldplay)
Charlie dozed lightly at the kitchen table, his head resting in the crook of his arm, un-graded tests, books and other miscellaneous papers strewn about the table with almost more than half on the floor from the slumbering professor's outstretched arm. He woke abruptly at the faint clicking sound of a key in the lock at the front door, and he groggily wiped the sleep from his eyes.
Charlie frowned as he glanced at the ticking clock hanging on the kitchen wall—12:30—his still foggy mind tried to work out who could be at the door this late until he realized that it was a key in the door he heard and the only person who had a key, coming home at this late hour…
Don! The half-asleep professor rose from his chair nearly falling over as he heard the front door open quietly. He made his way out to the living room just in time to see his older brother awkwardly managing his luggage, the door, and a small sleeping child—her arms wrapped around her father's neck as he held her with one arm. Charlie stood for a moment, watching his brother, marveling at the fact that a child in Don's arms didn't even appear to be strange or out of the ordinary—it was like the little girl belonged there—
Charlie snapped from his thoughts, why am I just standing here? As he realized his brother had yet to notice him.
"Hey…" the mathematician spoke softly as he headed over to his startled older brother, "Let me help you with that…" Charlie took the bags from Don and met his brother's surprised, yet even gaze.
"Hey Charlie" Don quietly murmured, "You get my message?" he had left another late night message on Charlie's phone that he would be returning to the house first, crashing for the night and then after talking with them in the morning, going back to his apartment.
"Yeah…" Charlie replied, still whispering.
"Is dad asleep?"
"Yeah…" They both stopped a minute, and just stood there—Charlie holding his older brother's luggage and Don holding his daughter cradled in his arms.
"Dad cleared out the back room," the professor spoke suddenly, pointing behind him with a thumb, "He says that if you're going to raise a kid that you'll need some help to begin with—wants you to stay and live here—at least for a while…" Charlie rambled a bit and Don's eyes softened and he opened his mouth to respond when a voice interrupted whatever it was he was about to say.
"I thought I heard talking down here." Alan moved quietly down the last remaining stairs before walking to where both of his sons were standing. "Hey Donnie," he spoke as he looked his eldest in the eyes.
"Hey dad…" Alan stepped closer to Don and the sleeping child in his arms, and he, ever so gently, pulled the hair from her face so he could get a good look at her.
"Donnie, she looks just like you!" the older man quietly exclaimed and Don let out the breath he hadn't realized his was holding as he smiled. The three men shared a silent moment, a moment of reassurance that yes, they still were and always would be a family and yes this new addition was welcomed with open arms, regardless of whatever history followed her. "Go Donnie, go put her in the back room—your arms must be getting tired." The weary FBI agent smiled and nodded as his father shooed him down the hallway. He walked slowly as to not jostle the slumbering girl, and in doing so also revealed just how much he was used to doing this exact thing.
Charlie stood silently with his father as they both listened to the faint sound of Don murmuring to the child and the distinctly higher pitched and sleepy responses that she gave. A moment later, Don reappeared in the hall. Charlie saw that his brother was prepared to launch into some explanation when Alan silently shushed him.
"Not now Donnie—it doesn't matter right now-go to bed and get some sleep, you look like you're about ready to drop. We'll talk a little in the morning ok?"
"Ok dad…and thanks…" Don shrugged with half smile, trying to convey his relieved emotions without knowing the words to say. His father merely shook his head and surprised his eldest by pulling him into a firm bear hug that his son reciprocated with no small amount of relief, things obviously going smoother than he'd anticipated. When the older man pulled out of the hug, he patted his eldest on the shoulder and gave a wordless nod of approval. Don turned to take his bags from Charlie when, unable to restrain himself, the young professor gave a huge grin and opened his arms wide. Don chuckled softly and gave his brother a hug as well.
He took his bags after the hug and stood for a moment between his brother and father.
"Thanks…. just thanks…" They nodded, smiling reassuringly and Don headed up the stairs, weariness spread over his countenance, leaving Charlie and Alan below with their thoughts and satisfaction that the missing piece to their home had now finally returned, including a new addition to their family.
Don and Phoenix were home.
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A/N: Ok when I started this, I thought it was going to be longer but I left out a couple parts that were in my head earlier and couldn't go back and put them in as it would make for an awkward segment. So-o I wound up with this—there will be more to the quasi-reunion in the next chapter—please R&R—I was struggling with how I thought the Eppes men would act in a situation like this (if I'm way off base I could always try to re-write the chapter)—all constructive criticism is appreciated and welcome.