Wow, I thought you'd all be sick of me placing the two as father and son, but it turns out that everyone wanted a fresh story like this. Well, okay, here you go. There will be some grammer issues later on in the chapter, but it's supposed to be there so don't correct me.
---
Days passed, then months. It had already been two months since Atem had brought Yugi to St. John's Mercy. Each day, the young man would visit the tiny baby who never moved in the incubator, for a few hours and then would head back home to work. It became a routine for him to come in at nine o'clock am and stay until noon. The nurses started to call him 'Atem' instead of 'Mr. Darkling'. The tiny infant was so still, that Atem would have thought Yugi dead had he not been hooked to a heart monitor. He was so concerned, that it was starting to affect his work. His boss told him to take some time off before he had a psychotic episode. Atem fully agreed. On the day Yugi turned two months, Atem stayed in the hospital all day with the little one. He even bought the child a panda bear stuffed animal. Of course Yugi couldn't respond, but he put the bear in the corner of the incubator so Yugi would have something to cuddle with, even though he didn't move at all. As two more weeks passed, and still no change was made from the baby, Atem started to lose his hope; but not all. He would read books to the baby, hoping that he could hear the voice of the one who saved him. Another week passed, and still no change. That is until …
By the end of the second month, the doctor had called Atem in and said that they had some news to tell him. Atem rushed to St. John's Mercy Intensive Care Unit quickly. The doctor was filling out something on a clip board when Atem came running through the double doors, almost knocking over a nurse that was carrying an assortment of needles. "I'm terribly sorry, Ma'am." The doctor couldn't help but snicker.
"Well, I never!" After helping the nurse, Atem walked over to the doctor who was looking at the clip board and smiling.
"Have a nice trip, Atem?" The game illustrator rolled his eyes.
"How's Yugi, you said you had something to tell me."
"Yes, and I'm sure you'll be glad to hear it. We took him off the respirator last night, and he made it through the night without a problem; so he's not using the respirator right now." Atem smiled.
"That's wonderful!"
"Wait, I've got a bigger surprise for you."
"What is it?" The doctor waved his hand.
"Come with me." With that, Atem walked after the doctor.
---
Both men walked down the long, white hallways. "Yugi's health is rapidly getting better. He's breathing on his own, he's starting to move around, and he's beginning to make sounds. You haven't been here in a few days, Atem; so thought you'd want to know that we're moving Yugi into the regular nursery to see how he does with that for a while." Atem smiled as they continued to walk.
"That's terrific; but what is the surprise?"
"Patience, Atem; Patience." The doctor led Atem into the nursery and over to one of the cribs. Atem couldn't stop the smile from forming on his face. Inside the crib was a tiny baby Yugi, making cooing noises and moving his arms and legs every now and then. The one thing that Atem didn't like was the fact that the child still had his eyes closed.
"Why are his eyes closed?"
"He hasn't opened them yet at all," Atem was about to ask if there was something wrong with Yugi's eyes, but the doctor gave his answer before Atem could speak, "there's really nothing wrong, but preemies have a tendency not to open their eyes for a couple of weeks."
"But it's been almost three months." The doctor sighed.
"Which is what concerns me. Every test that is done on his eyes reports that nothing is wrong … eyesight is good, all systems are healthy, but for some reason, he just doesn't want to open his eyes."
"Maybe he's just shy."
"Perhaps. We can tell that his eyes are in perfect health by the way he moves his eyeballs under his eyelids, see?" Atem watched at the baby turned his head to the side and sure enough, he did see the little movement under the eyelids. Suddenly, Yugi scrunched up his face and screamed so loudly that the other babies around him started to cry as well.
"Is he alright?" The doctor smirked.
"Yes, he just wants to be held, but every time someone holds him, he still isn't satisfied." The doctor reached into the crib and picked up the baby, wrapping him in the snowflake and penguin decorated fleece blanket that Atem had given him. As Yugi lay in the doctor's arms, he screamed even louder then before. "See what I mean? We were hoping you could calm him down."
"Me?" The doctor nodded and slowly handed the baby over to the young man next to him. Yugi still wouldn't stop crying. "Maybe he's hungry." The doctor shook his head.
"He was just fed and changed." Atem rocked the child back and forth, trying to sooth him.
"There, there, Little One … I'm here now; there's no reason to be upset." Atem gently rubbed his finger over Yugi's soft cheek. Instantly, the child's crying stopped, leaving only a few cuddling coos behind. Atem chuckled a bit, seeing the child become so comfortable. He looked at the doctor with a confused look. "How did you know that he would stop crying if I held him?" The doctor smiled.
"Because he knows who you are the most. Even in the womb, babies learn to identify voices. Since you're the one who's been around Yugi the most, he knows you by voice; and now, he knows you by touch." Atem looked down at Yugi. The infant snuggled his tiny, chubby face into the man's chest with the blanket still around him. Atem adjusted Yugi so that he held him a little higher in his arms; he bent down and gave Yugi a kiss on the forehead, earning a smile and a soft coo from him.
"It's like he's so empathic."
"He's very intelligent." Atem took a seat in a chair and looked at the doctor.
"I thought you said he had a little brain damage.
"Yes, but wasn't sever; Yugi's brainwaves are developing at a slower rate then usual. It's easy to tell that he will have some learning disabilities; he may have Attention Deficit, and Dyslexia." Atem had heard of Attention Deficit because his brothers both had it, but he'd never heard of Dyslexia before.
"What is Dyslexia?"
"Dyslexia is learning disability where children have trouble seeing things the way they're supposed to be. He may write a few of his letters backwards." Atem looked down at the child again. He moved Yugi so that his entire body was lying against his chest. Yugi didn't seem to have any objections. He was just comfortable being in the presence of someone familiar.
"Anything else?"
"Yes … the damage that was done due to the beating while he was in his mother's womb may have caused some difficulties with his memory. From time to time, he may forget things like what he was doing, where he was going, or even who he was talking to. When these memory spells start to occur, it's best to remind him like you would any other person." Atem rested his lips on Yugi's forehead, taking in that newborn scent. Sounded like Yugi was going to have a tough time growing up … but wait … he just remembered … Yugi wasn't his child. He was just paying to have the kid brought back to health and that was it. Of course, Atem never thought he'd fall in love with the child … A thought came to him; ever since he was an adolescent of the age of eighteen, all he'd ever wanted to be was a father. One night, he made a drunken mistake, and when the woman he slept with mentioned that she was pregnant, he knew he wanted to be a father more than anything. Sadly though, that baby ended up being a miscarriage. Atem was devastated at the time, but now he thought it was for the best. He was young and knew nothing of being a father. Now, he was twenty – five. He was older, and even knew a few things about kids. Atem stroked Yugi's cheek who smiled and clenched Atem's shirt in his tiny fingers.
"What's going to happen to him?"
"Well, we'll put him in a children's home while Social Services is on the lookout to find him a home … I just hope he ends up with loving and patient parents." Atem gave Yugi another kiss on the forehead. He just couldn't give this child up. In all the time he spent at the hospital by the baby boy's side, he had fallen in love with him. Not just because Yugi was starting to coincidently look like him, but because he and Yugi had bonded spiritually. Whenever Atem would caress Yugi's tiny hand with his finger, the baby would smile, even though he wouldn't move anything else. It tore Atem's heart from the inside out to think of someone else raising this child … and what if Yugi was stuck with someone who wouldn't be able to fulfill all the needs that he … well, needed? Or worse … what if he went with someone who abused him even more? Atem pulled the child closer to him; he'd promised Yugi that he'd never let him be hurt ever again. Yugi cooed and rubbed his cheek against Atem's shirt. That was it … Atem's mind was made up.
" … Well," The doctor looked at Atem when he spoke. The young man seemed to be having a hard time forming his sentence. "W – What if … what if I … adopted him …?" The doctor raised his eyebrows at the request. When no answer came from the doctor, Atem shrugged his shoulders.
" … You're kidding … you really wanna adopt him?" Atem nodded.
"Yes, I think I could take care of him." The doctor put his clip board down and took a seat right next to Yugi's plastic crib.
"Atem, do you even know how to raise a baby … more like a premature baby? They need constant care!" Atem shrugged.
"So, I did that with my brothers all the time." The doctor sighed.
"It's a little different from that." Atem looked at Yugi who was chewing on his shirt now and cooing, telling Atem that he was now awake.
"Well, he has to stay here for a little while longer, right? I'm on vacation time now, so why don't I come in and learn from one of the nurses?" The doctor held his hand to his chin, making a 'hmm' sound.
"Well … I don't know …"
"Please, Doctor … I can't stand the thought of someone else raising him. No one understands him like I do … I've been here with him through every step of the way, and now I want to be there for him for the rest of his life." The doctor clicked his tongue and stood up.
"Let me get a hold of Social Services …" Without even finishing his sentence, the doctor left Atem with Yugi in his arms. He shifted Yugi so that the baby was lying across his arms again. Yugi made cooing noises and moved his arms and legs every now and then. Atem stood up while talking to him softly and started to sway back and forth softly so Yugi could fall back to sleep.
"Everything's going to be alright, Little One; no matter what I have to do, I will make sure you come home with me." With a tiny yawn, something extraordinary happened. Yugi's eyelids twitched for a second before they slowly opened all together, showing the most beautiful color of amethyst Atem had ever seen. "You opened your eyes for me!" Yugi's adorable big eyes blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the light. "I don't think you can see me just yet, can you? This is the first time you've opened your eyes, isn't it?" Yugi smiled, revealing his two bare gums and chubby round cheeks. Atem gave Yugi one more kiss before the doctor came back in.
"Okay, I've talked to Social Services, and --- what?" Atem looked up, smiling at the doctor.
"Look, he opened his eyes!"
"Really?" The doctor walked over to the baby and saw the most adorable eyes he'd ever seen as well. Yugi kept blinking every few milliseconds and looking around, making cute little baby noises.
"This is unbelievable; I didn't think he'd open his eyes at all by the way he was acting!" Atem chuckled.
"I guess he really was just shy." The doctor smiled and looked at Atem.
"Atem, it's apparent to me that you clearly hold this child's best interest at heart and that you'd do anything for him, am I correct?"
"Yes."
"If it were up to me, I'd sign the papers right now and hand him over to you; however, it's not up to me. Social Services require a few interviews with people who want to adopt children. It's a long process; it contains many frequent and random visits and inspections, and a lot of interviews."
"I'm used to random visits all the time since my brothers always come over unexpectedly."
"Well, they're also going to take more precaution because you're still single and can't provide Yugi with a mother."
"I can be both … you know what I mean …"
"Yes well, what I mean is that they would like to see if your house is child safe and that you can provide a positive environment for him to grow up in." Atem nodded.
"I live in a two story house by myself; and my brothers come over all the time, so believe me, it's child safe." The doctor chuckled.
"Well, I'm going to give you their number so that you can call them and have them explain everything to you." Atem nodded and out of reluctance, put Yugi back in his crib, who started to cry as soon as he left the warmth of being held. Atem gave the doctor a worried glance, but he assured the young man that they would be fine once Yugi was asleep.
---
Later that night, Atem did call Social Services. They faxed him a few papers that he needed to fill out and assigned him a social worker who would be handling his case. Atem did everything he was told. He really wanted Yugi to legally be his son. He spent all night going over the paperwork, probably consuming all the coffee he had in his house. As tired as he was, he wouldn't stop until Yugi was officially 'Yugi Darkling'. Suddenly, the front door slammed open, bringing in two very annoying voices. "Oh no …" Atem thought.
"I thought I told you not to make faces at the kids in the park anymore; you know how much they scream and I get yelled at every time you do that, Marik!" An annoyingly low yet high voice said.
"Oh, shut your trap, 'Kura! You're a lawyer, if you're ever sued, you can get yourself outta it!" The other, lower voice that belonged to Marik added. Both men walked into Atem's kitchen / dinning room, still arguing with each other.
"I spend all my money buying your food, puttin' a roof over your head, and bailin' you outta jail!"
"And for that, I'm grateful, Baby Brother, but I" ---
"WILL YOU TWO SHUT UP!" Atem yelled. Both Bakura and Marik looked at their middle brother like he had just exploded.
"Gee, who got their chocolate in your peanut butter, 'Tem?" Marik asked. Atem groaned and went back to focus on his paperwork. As much as Atem loved his brother, this was one of the times where he really wished they weren't as close as they were. Marik and Bakura came over to Atem's house about everyday just to hang out. When Atem first moved into his house, the other two used to call him and tell him that they were coming over; they also used to knock as well. Now, they come over unexpected and just barge in. Atem really didn't care if he wasn't working, but right now he was busy. Just because they were triplets, didn't mean that they needed to be together twenty – four / seven. Yes, they were triplets. Marik was the oldest by one minute, followed by Atem, and then finally, Bakura. Each was a minute apart. I know what you're thinking: oh, their poor mother! But luckily, Atem was mature for his age. Bakura tried, but still, he wasn't very responsible. And as for Marik, well, he can't even heat up a can of beans without calling his friends down at the fire department, metaphorically speaking. Marik relied on both his brothers to help him through life. He lived with Bakura in his apartment. Anyway, this was something Atem knew his brothers wouldn't understand even if they tried.
After getting a beer from Atem's refrigerator and letting out a loud belch, Marik bent over Atem's shoulder to see what he was working on. "Adoption? You're gonna adopt something?" The middle triplet let out a sigh.
"No, Marik; not something, someone; I want to adopt a child."
"Why, so Marik can make faces at 'im, then you try an' sue me just like those jackasses at the park?" Atem and Bakura both had to snicker at that.
"Hey, hey, hey! I wouldn't do that ta ma niece … or nephew … which one're ya getting'?"
"A boy, Marik; that baby I told you about … the one I found in the ally and saved. I want to adopt him." Silence passed through the three brothers before Bakura decided to speak.
"But you don't even got a wife!"
"I'm aware of that, Bakura; but that's not gonna stop me from trying to adopt him." Marik pulled out one of the chairs from the table and sat in it backwards.
"What do you need to do?" Atem sighed and ran both of his hands through his hair, setting his glasses down on the table.
"Well, first they're going to interview me, then they're gonna come inspect the house." Bakura moved to sit on the other side of Atem and looked over the papers. "Then they'll decide"
"What's to inspect in the house?"
"Well, they're just going to do the basics such as sharp objects are put up high, toxic chemicals are stored away, and that there are safe places for the baby to play and safe things for him to play with." As Atem and Bakura talked, Marik was doing his own thing.
"Hehe hey Fellas, check it out; I'm gonna break ma record for holdin' a spoon on th' nose!" Atem and Bakura both started at Marik for a few seconds before speaking again.
" … Well, that shouldn't be too much of a problem for you, 'Tem; ya had to make this place safe just to let Marrie in here."
"Hey, hey, hey! You promised Mom you'd never use that word again!" Marik yelled, pointing a finger at Bakura who smirked.
"Ladies, please, can we get back to the task at hand?" He looked over at Bakura. "Bakura, do you think you could help me out with all this legal stuff?" Bakura looked over the papers.
"Well, I think so; I got a buddy that works down in the Services, so that should rule in our favor." Atem smiled.
"Thank you; oh, and by the way, don't tell Mom and Dad about this just yet." Marik started leaning back in the chair.
"Why not? Ya know Mom's always wanted ta be a gramma."
"Yes, and that's why I don't want her to know. If I can't get custody of Yugi, then I don't want her ever finding out about my applying to adopt a child and crush her hopes of ever becoming a grandmother." Bakura held up two fingers.
"Scout's Honor; secret's safe with me … and I'll make sure Marrie doesn't blab either; ya know how his mouth just run and run without a way of stoppin' it."
"'Kura, you better watch it. Because next time you take a bath, it's gonna be 'rubba dub dub, I dropped the blender in the tub'!" Bakura rolled his eyes.
"Don't worry, 'Tem. I'll get this all straightened out. C'mon, Marrie; let's get back to the crib b'fore I decide ta throw ya outta 'Tem's attic from three stories up!" As his brothers left, Atem smiled with new hope. Thanks to his younger brother, he may be able to win custody of Yugi after all. He couldn't wait. He loved holding that child earlier today. The warm feeling he got when Yugi opened his eyes for the first time just to see Atem … and that look of innocence without a care in the world and all the trust one could offer. Atem wanted so much to hold that baby right now, but it was almost midnight and visiting hours were way over. Tomorrow, Atem would stay at the hospital for the whole day and watch the nurses take care of Yugi so that he could learn. With that thought in mind, along with the thought of holding Yugi again, he went to sleep.
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End of Chapter
