When Arthur woke up from his mini nap he wasn't entirely sure what the noise that aroused him from his slumber was. It sounded distant yet loud at the same time and it was high pitched and whiny. Arthur blinked the sleep out of his eyes and furrowed his thick brows as he tried to figure out what and lord's name the noise was. It certainly wasn't Alfred who was still completely passed out on his respective side of the bed because loud snores were still ripping their way out of his throat. Arthur turned over onto his side and looked at the alarm clock that sat on the night stand. 2:45 PM blinked the little red numbers. Wasn't there something he had to do at 3:30…? So if the alarm wasn't going off and it wasn't Alfred making the noise what was it…? Arthur's bleary eyed gaze traveled over the night stand before they finally came to a stop on a small electronic device. It was white and blue with a few small buttons and a speaker. It was almost like a walkie-talkie just in much more cute color instead of military green.
Arthur stared at it for a good long time before his sleep deprived brain finally registered that the noise was coming from the speaker of the object and that this object was indeed a baby monitor and the noise was the sound of Charlie crying from the room down the hall. That was right; it wasn't just Alfred and Arthur in the house anymore with an empty nursery that was eagerly waiting to be occupied by a tiny new born. There was indeed a baby now lying in the crib in that room. A baby that was now crying out for love and attention for one of its parents.
The sound woke Arthur up pretty quickly because suddenly he found himself hurrying down the hallway to Charlie's room to see what was making his precious son sound so upset. As Arthur entered the nursery he found the small infant still in his crib; his found face contorted and scrunched up while fat tears rolled down his rosy cheeks. Arthur felt his heart break in chest as he saw his son's face so upset, but the Briton was determined to cheer his little boy up.
Arthur reached into the crib; gently his arms around Charlie and scooping the baby up. The Briton rested the baby against his chest so that his round head rested on his father's shoulder. Arthur placed one hand under the baby's rump to hold him up while he used his other hand to rub soothing circles on his small back. "Oh, what's wrong love? Why the tears?" Arthur cooed as he began to walk about the room with a bounce in his step; attempting to calm his crying child. It seemed to have no effect for little Charlie continued to sob until little hiccups began to echo out from his chest. Arthur gently shushed his crying child and cooed comforting words, but it was all to no avail.
Arthur's heart was breaking and his nerves were becoming frazzled as Charlie continued to sob. "What's the matter Charlie? How can I make it better?"Arthur pleaded, but there was no way the infant could actually answer him. Arthur thought what things normally make a baby cry? The Briton scanned through the mental list in his mind. "Do you need to be changed?" Arthur mused aloud. The Briton gently laid the baby down on the changing table; unsnapping the buttons on his Onesie as he did so. When he undone the stick straps of the diaper and checked Arthur was somewhat disappointed to find the diaper was as clean as when the Briton had changed him back at the hospital. So the problem was still a mystery…. "A fresh one couldn't hurt…" Arthur suggested as he took a diaper off a nearby stack and changed little Charlie in hopes that it might calm him down if only a little.
Unfortunately it didn't seem to help at all. Charlie was crying just as loudly as he had been before Arthur changed him. The Briton sighed in disappointment. "Not doing it for you, is it pet?" He cooed soothingly as he carried on with Charlie in the same manner as before; rubbing his tiny back and pacing around the room with a spring in his step. What else could possibly be bothering him…? Arthur thought again, "Hmm… maybe you're hungry." Arthur felt the light bulb go off. Charlie hadn't eaten since just before they had left the hospital. The poor boy must've been starving. A simple bottle would sooth the baby's cries. "Oh my precious boy; daddy's so sorry pet." Arthur cooed as he stroked the baby's head and gently kissed his smooth skin. How could Arthur be so stupid? Of course babies ate just about every few hours and Charlie's next feeding was overdue.
Now came the next matter; getting the bottle while dealing with a still sobbing Charlie. … How in the hell was he going to manage this? Suddenly Arthur remembered something. He looked over to the table next to Charlie's crib where a small radio like device sat; the little antenna sending frequencies down the hall and to the bed room. That was right. Arthur had a loving husband who would help him take care of their off spring. The Briton leaned down next to the baby monitor so his voice reached it, "Alfred… Alfred come on love. Wake up and help me will you." Arthur waited a few moments; waiting to see if he could hear Alfred's footsteps down the hallway, but he heard nothing at all. Arthur tired again, "Alfred. Come on wake up already, you've slept long enough." The Briton waited again, but still there were no signs of his darling husband. Arthur huffed and frowned; his thick brows furrowing. "I swear to god that man can sleep through an earthquake…" Arthur scoffed. He'd try once more, "Sorry love, this might be a little loud," Arthur warned the baby in his arms even though he wouldn't be able to understand him. The Briton sucked in a breath, "Alfred F. Kirkland- Jones! Wake up this instant, it's an emergency!" There were only two ways in this world to wake up Alfred. The first was waving a bag of Mc Donald's in front of his face and the other was sending out a distress call (he said it made his hero senses awaken; whatever the hell that meant).
The telltale sign of the American falling out of bed came from down the hallway followed by the loud thump of his footsteps on the hard wood floor. "What? What's wrong? Is Charlie okay? Are you okay? Did someone break in? Should I get the gun?" Alfred skidded to a halt in front of the door; hair a mess and glasses hanging askew off the end of his nose.
"Oh come off it," Arthur scoffed. "It's not that kind of emergency."
Alfred looked like he was going to come back at him with some kind of snappy comment, but he quickly bit his tongue when he saw poor Charlie sobbing his little blue eyes out. Alfred's identical blue gaze softened as he came over and kneeled down by his son's head. "Hey, what's up little buddy? Why the water works?" He cooed as he pat the baby's round head.
"He's hungry and I need to go warm him up a bottle. Will you just watch him and keep him distracted while I go do that?"
Alfred looked a bit less than eager, "Aw but Artie… it breaks my heart to hear him cry…" Al admitted sadly.
"I know it does pet, but babies do cry. The faster I get the bottle to him the faster he'll stop being so upset." Arthur offered his unique brand of comfort. After a bit of hesitation Alfred finally accepted and took Charlie into his arms. "Mind his head Alfred, and be careful not to hold him too tightly, oh and also don't try and play with him he's still too young for that, one more thing-!"
Alfred cut him off, "Arthur I'm dense, not an idiot. I know how to take care of a baby." Arthur breathed a small sigh from his nose before he gave a brisk nod and headed down stairs to fetch Charlie's lunch. The baby in Alfred's arms looked up at him curiously; tiny hiccups still sounded from his lungs and fat tears continued to roll down his cheeks but his wails decreased a little bit on volume. Alfred smiled down at the baby; a large beaming grin. Alfred held the little baby up in front of his face so he could get a good look at him. "Wha'sa madda Chawie? You hungwy?" Alfred cooed in baby talk.
Charlie's cries died down to a small whimper as he hiccupped a few more times and eyed his papa curiously. Al smiled at him again, "D'as it Chawie; no more tears." He beamed. The young American brought the baby into his arms again before he began to gently spin and dance about the room singing a song he just created for the cause. As Alfred danced and sang (even if it was off key) the little boy's tears began to dry up and his sobs were replaced with happy burbling. "Charlie don't cry, Charlie don't cry. Papa's the hero here to make you smile. Daddy's a little spazy but he still loves you. Ace and Bromsley, cute kitties to be your friends. So Charlie don't cry. Papa's hero here to make you smile." Okay… so it wasn't the best song in the world, but it kept Alfred satisfied long enough until Arthur called from down stairs to bring the boy for his lunch.
When Alfred brought the newborn downstairs Arthur was already waiting and ready; sitting on the couch with a newly warm bottle (Breast milk courtesy of Mary Jo) and a spit cloth over his shoulder. The Briton held his arms up as he waited for Alfred to hand him Charlie. "Come on now love, I bet your starving." Arthur cooed as Alfred came over and handed the infant off to his husband. As soon as Charlie's little mouth wrapped around the nipple of the bottle the little boy instantly began to greedily suck down the milk as if it was the most delicious thing he had ever tasted. "Cor blimey… I just pray to god he doesn't have your bottomless appetite." Arthur laughed lightly as Alfred came and down next to him on the couch.
"Well by the way he's suckin' down that bottle I'd say your prayers haven't been answered." Al laughed as well as he observed the infant continued to greedily suck down the contents of the plastic container.
"Oh lord, just imagine what it will be like once he can eat solid food. Our grocery bill will be through the roof with the both of you." Arthur said as he ran his thumb over Charlie's fat rosy cheek.
"Pft, you better believe it. I cannot freakin' wait till this kid can eat a hamburger." Al grinned before he leaned down by Charlie's head. The infant only shot him a look saying 'Excuse me; I'm trying to eat here.' "You think this is good," The American said gesturing to the bottle in Arthur's hands. "Just wait till you try a good old Mc Donald's hamburger."
"Oh please Alfred, I will not have our son exposed to such greasy artery clogging food." Arthur scoffed lightly.
"He's my kid- it'll happen one day Artie." Alfred replied. Arthur only rolled his eyes and shook his head before he turned his gaze back down to Charlie who had already gone through half the bottle in a matter of a few minutes.
A few second later there were a series of loud brash knocks from the front door; a series of knocks only a certain group of rambunctious men would do. "Oh lord here they come…" Arthur sighed.
"The party animals." Al grinned as he hauled himself off the couch and headed for the front door to let the terrible trio in.
Like the loud obnoxious group of lummoxes they were Angus, Mael, and Carney rushed into the foyer like a whirl wind; all excited shouts, over enthusiastic greetings, and hard smacks to the back. Angus came into Arthur's view first; the Scot setting his gray eyes on the Briton at his perch on the sofa with Charlie still snug in his arms. The red head looked on the scene with a dopey smile spread across his strong square face. "Aw would ya look a' that?" He said. "Our dear little sister's gone and grown up. I think I'm gonna cry…" The big man wiped away a few fake tears while Mael and Carney appeared in view both laughing.
"Nice one Angus." Mael praised as he punched the older man in the arm.
"Oh shut up," Arthur scoffed. "I didn't invite the lot of you here just so you could get a good laugh." The Briton said.
"We won't make any promises." Carney grinned as he shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans and rocked back on his heels.
"Well you better or I'm kicking you out on the streets." Arthur shot back.
"Now hold up everybody, let's put aside our differences for at least the next five minutes. We go' a new bit o' flesh and blood in the family." Angus announced like the leader of the pack he was.
"Then hurry up and see him already before the treaty wears out." Arthur prompted just before the three older men flocked to where he was sitting on the couch; all trying to get a look at the newborn in his arms.
"Would ya look at that; what a wee little thing he his." Carney practically giggled.
"You were all that size when Ma brought you home." Angus commented. Seeing as he was the oldest of the four he would know.
"Oh thank god he doesn't look like Artie…" Mael joked with a sigh as he wiped fake sweat from his brow.
"Imagine a wee baby with those eye brows," Carney commented and suddenly the three of them burst into laughter again.
Arthur was of course less than amused and a frown curved its way down on his lips as he stared over at Alfred. "They said five minutes it lasted five seconds…" The Briton then turned his gaze back down to the baby in his arms. Little Charlie had already finished his bottle and was still sucking on the nipple on the bottle as if he thought he could get out the last few droplets of the creamy liquid. When the infant realized his efforts were futile he let go of the bottle and began to squirm in his father's arms. "Now, now pet, give me a moment." Arthur soothed as he pulled away the empty bottle and placed it on the coffee table in front of him. The Briton shifted the baby in his arms so he would rest against his chest; babies always needed to be burped after feeding.
"Oi Artie, don't be a baby hog. Le' me hold the little guy." Angus prompted as he sat down on the couch next to his younger brother.
"No, you might crush him you lummox. Besides I have to burp him." Arthur scoffed.
"If anyone knows how to take care of a little one it's me Artie. I was helping Ma take care of Mael and Carney before you were even born." The scot seemed rather proud of himself as he spoke; square chin held high.
Arthur was more than hesitant; he downright paused for a few good minutes before he reluctantly handed off his son to his older brother. "I swear to god if you so much as hold him the wrong way I'm taking him back and kicking you out." The Briton threatened as he surrendered the spit rag on his shoulder to Angus; draping it over the older man's much broader shoulder.
"Don' you worry your little head Artie; Charlie's in good hands." Angus said as he rested the infant against his chest and began to gently pat him on the back; rubbing soothing circles as well as he prompted the little one to burp. As Arthur observed his older brother work the Briton saw something he had never before seen in the Scot's grey-blue eyes. Something warm and almost well… paternal. The Angus Arthur knew- the one he had known from his very first memory to that current point in time- had almost always been a big brute. Arthur remembered how Angus and his friends used to play bobbies and thieves around the alley ways near their house. Arthur always begged his big brother to let him play, but never once did the older boy let him. Now that Arthur thought about it… there was always a look in his eyes when Angus walked away from his disappointed sibling. Almost like… regret? Guilt?
Well Arthur wasn't sure.
But still seeing the way Angus was now holding his new born nephew allowed Arthur to see him in a new light. It was as if the Briton was seeing his brother in a way he had never seen him before.
Soon Charlie gave out a little hiccough before finally letting out a small burp deeming Angus' mission successful. "Tha's it little laddie." Angus grinned as he brought the baby down from his chest and held the little boy up in front of his face.
"Well c'mon then Angus, don't you hog him either." Mael protested.
"Yeah, tha's just the pot calling the kettle black." Carney agreed.
"Alright ya little brats; don't get you knickers in a twist." Angus sighed as he surrendered the baby over to Mael next. Arthur and Alfred watched fondly as the three new uncles fawned over their newborn nephew. Maybe today wouldn't be so bad….
*Dreamy sigh* for some reason I really loved the ending scene of this chapter. *Another dreamy sigh* Well in any case I know I said the party would be this chapter, but then the beginning scene went on much longer than I initially planned so now I'm doing the party next chapter. (But with the Kirkland brother's in this chapter it's kinda like a pre-party *shot*)
On a side note so people don't get confused, in a scene not written, Arthur and Al decided that Charlie would refer to Artie as "Dad", "Daddy", or "Father" while Al would be referred to as "Papa", "Pops", or "Pa". Just thought I'd clear that up for ya.
Well in any case WE'VE REACHED 100 REVIEWS PEOPLE! *squee* Thanks so much for all the love and support over the course of the story! This is my most loved fics ever so thanks everyone!
Still keep on reviewing, it's greatly appreciated! Let see if we can get to 200! :D
Thanks lovies!