Chapter 24
Allen went in everyday to Komui for a checkup as Lavi watched the kids, every time it was worse. "Allen," Komui said, "We need to check you into the infirmary."
"I can't stay in my quarters with my children?" Allen asked, not wanting to.
"No. I want to keep a close eye on you."
"But it's almost Christmas."
"I know, just hang in there. We are trying to do everything we can to help you."
"I know." Allen sighed.
"Go and get your things, the side infirmary room will be all yours. I thought you would prefer the peace and quiet."
Allen nodded and stood.
"Allen…"
"Yes?" Allen asked, turning to look at Komui.
"I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault. My innocence set my time limit on this Earth even before I was born. I was stupid and wasted it. It's my own fault. I am sorry Komui, when I die I want my children to remain in the Order."
"Of course."
"But I never want them to become exorcists."
"Allen, I can't guarantee that, they all have innocence."
"Do you really blame me for asking that my children don't fight?"
"I don't Allen. You made a wonderful father."
"Thank you."
"You raised three beautiful children."
"Thank you Komui." Allen wiped his eyes before he could cry. "I am going to get my things." Allen walked outside where Lavi was helping the three build a snow man. Allen walked out to join them.
"Daddy's here!" Alice yelled and ran over, glomping Allen's hip.
Allen chuckled and held her hand.
Lavi walked over and took his scarf off and wrapped it around Allen's neck and gave him a hat to cover his ears. "You're probably freezing."
"Thanks."
"Hey guys! Let's go inside and get some hot chocolate."
"Yeah!" The kids cheered and finished their snowman.
Allen smiled. "You've become a very good parent."
"Thanks."
"Komui insists that I move into the infirmary."
"What? Why?"
"I am getting worse."
"But, couldn't it wait until after Christmas?"
Allen shook his head. "I am going to go pack. Just tell my kids that I'm staying the night in a special room because I'm still sick."
Lavi nodded. "We will stop by before bedtime."
"Thanks, Lavi."
"No problems, Allen."
Allen walked to his room and grabbed his suitcase, filling it with clothes, he closed his bag and looked at his room, stopping as he looked at a picture of him holding his children. Allen picked up the picture and walked to the infirmary.
As he walked, Allen accidently walked into Kanda as he walked into the infirmary. "Stupid Moyashi, watch where you're going."
Allen glared. "Listen, Kanda, stay away from my family. I don't want my boys to get your bad attitude."
Kanda rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
Allen pushed his way past Kanda and walked into his infirmary room. He set his belongings in a drawer and put on the white hospital clothes that Komui left him, Allen got in bed and looked out the window, seeing his kids outside, he smiled softly.
Komui came in. "I recommend rest Allen."
Allen sighed. "I know. I'm just not tired."
Komui looked out the window to see what Allen was looking at. "They are beautiful children Allen."
"I know."
"You did a good job."
Allen nodded. "Thank you."
Komui gently closed the curtain, "But you must rest."
Allen sighed and nestled down into his bed. He just wanted to see his family. He closed his eyes to get some sleep.
####
Allen woke when pressure settled on his chest. Allen opened his eyes to see Alice grinning. "Alice, what are you doing here?"
"Lavi brought us!" She giggled.
Allen sat up with her in his lap and looked at the boys. Lavi held a small Christmas tree.
"We got a tree!" Rin announced and jumped up on the bed with his father and sister.
Allen laughed and motioned for Aaron to join them. Allen hugged them. "It's perfect guys."
"I want to decorate it!" Alice called as Lavi set it up in a corner.
Allen laughed softly. "Alright. Let's decorate the tree."
The three cheered.
Allen got out of bed and helped Lavi string lights as the kids made ornaments for the tree. Allen laid down on his bed when he got tired. Alice and Aaron laid in Allen's arms as Rin sat in Lavi's lap. Allen smiled as his little angels fell asleep. Allen kissed each of them on their foreheads.
"Merry Christmas," Lavi whispered as the clock chimed midnight.
"Merry Christmas Lavi."
Lavi smiled. "Get some sleep."
"No, I need to get their gifts from Santa out."
"What?"
"They still believe in Santa."
"Really?"
"Yes, their stuff is in my bag."
Lavi held Rin and dug in Allen's bag and pulled out five presents from Allen and himself, along with three boxes of candy from 'Santa'. Lavi set the gifts under the tree and smiled. "What did you get them?"
Allen held a finger to his lips. "You will see in the morning." He whispered and nestled down with his kids and fell asleep.
####
"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! Wake up!"
Allen felt someone shaking his shoulder and another jumping on the bed. Allen opened his eyes, Alice was calling for her father as she attempted to rouse him awake as Rin jumped at the foot of the bed. Aaron sat on the floor waiting.
Allen smiled and sat up, yawning. "What did Santa bring?"
The three grabbed their own box of candy, each in their own favorite flavor; Aaron had green apple, Rin had blue raspberry, and Alice had watermelon.
"That looks good. Now, who wants to open their gift first.
Rin shot his hand up, while Aaron gently raised his hand.
"You can open your gift first this year Aaron." Allen said softly.
Aaron picked up his present and opened it up, it was a bouncy ball. Aaron smiled, happy, he had been wanting one since they have moved.
Rin opened his first gift and it was a set of twin daggers, each containing a part of his innocence.
"You can't play with those, Lavi will hold onto them until you are old enough, okay?"
Aaron nodded, smiling and looking the daggers over.
Alice giggled and opened her gift, she pulled out a small locket from a box. "Daddy! Daddy!"
Allen chuckled. "Come here, let me put it on you."
She climbed up into her Daddy's lap.
Allen smiled and gently clasped the small clasp. "There you go. It's beautiful, just like you."
She giggled and hopped down.
Rin opened his second, and final, gift. It was his own bouncy ball.
Alice opened her final gift to reveal a doll she had been wanting.
Aaron looked around for his present, there were no other gifts. Aaron sighed, he was left out of getting a second gift.
"Aaron, come here." Allen said.
Aaron climbed onto the bed. "Yes Dad?"
"I didn't forget about you. Your gift is in my room, it was too big for me to carry here in my bag. Lavi will get it for you, okay?"
Aaron nodded, excited.
"Don't play with it. Lavi will hold onto it until you are older, like Rin."
Aaron nodded. "It is my innocence?"
"Yes, you take after a certain exorcist I know, your sword will be a little big for you now, but you will grow into it."
Aaron grinned.
"Alright guys. Let's go play with your new toys." Lavi said, quickly confiscating Rin's daggers. "Say good night to your Daddy."
Alice kissed Allen. "Sleep well Daddy."
Rin and Aaron hugged their Dad and ran out, playing.
"Sleep well Allen." Lavi said and turned out the light.
