Chapter 1: Parental Distress
Chapter Text
When Bobby Nash was 17, he found out he was going to be a father for the first time. He was scared when his girlfriend who was only 16 herself at the time, Layla showed him the ultrasound but he was going to be there for his son no matter what.
Too bad his parents didn't have the same sentiments. Upon hearing the news they immediately moved their family to Minnesota forcing Bobby to leave Layla and his son on their own.
28 years later and Bobby has not a clue what happened to Layla or his son. All he knows is that she went through with the pregnancy and that his son's name was Evan due to a postcard sent to Bobby a year after he moved by Layla's parents. No idea at all where they could be. Both his parents and Layla's parents tried to keep them apart. Both sets of parents wanting nothing to do with a teenage pregnancy. He'd learned that Layla's family moved as well after she had the baby from an old friend who he managed to contact. The further away the better or something like that. His unknown son was something that weighed on his mind constantly after losing his other two kids but he definitely wasn't in the right mental state to find his first born he decided.
The 118 were heading to a woman in labour call. When they got there they were welcomed by two people yelling at a teenager. A teenager with a screaming baby in her arms having obviously just given birth.
It immediately made him think of his son. Pushing those thoughts aside he intervened ushering the parents out of the bedroom so that Hen and Chimney could attend to the mother and child.
"How could she do this?" whispered the woman who he presumed was the girl's mother.
"I don't know but she is NOT keeping that baby. She's only 16! She's still a child herself." The girl's father argued.
Those words sent Bobby back to when he told his parents. They had said that there was no way he was going to be apart of that child's life if she decided to keep it. That he had so much potential and a child would ruin that. Hell they were even willing to give him money for her to have a secret abortion.
Both mother and child were deemed okay and stable enough to transport to the hospital and soon enough they were on their way. Bobby's mind was going a mile a minute. He just couldn't shake the thoughts of his son. His team knew something was up with him just by the far away look on his face.
"You good Cap?" Chimney inquired. Bobby nodded his head absentmindedly still deep in thought.
Maybe it was finally time to tell Athena and ask her to help him find him. He had no idea how she'd react but he hoped she'd understand.
After his shift Bobby took his time driving home. He was scared to tell Athena but he knew he had to if he wanted to find his son and maybe build a relationship with him. God he hoped his son wanted a relationship with him.
Now don't get him wrong. Bobby loved May and Harry like his own but he longed for his son Evan.
Evan.
Named after Bobby's favorite uncle who passed away when he was a just kid. He remembered talking about the future with Layla saying that if he ever had a son he wanted to name him after his uncle to honor him. Bobby couldn't believe that she had honored his wish after what he did. He couldn't imagine how hurt she was that he had left.
With teary eyes Bobby parked his car and entered the house immediately seeking out his wife.
"Thena?"
"In here!" She called out from the bedroom he assumed. Dropping his keys on the kitchen counter, he rushed to the source of her voice.
Rushing into the bedroom, Bobby stood at the foot of the bed and blurted out "I have another son."
Athena could not believe the words that left his mouth. She immediately wondered if he was drunk but immediately threw away that thought because she knew he would never compromise his sobriety.
"You have a what?" Athena was genuinely confused at this point.
Bobby sat on the bed and took a deep breath, "I have another son. His name is Evan and he was the result of a teenage pregnancy."
Athena looked at him incredulously. She had thought she knew everything about her husband but apparently not.
"I know this is a lot but I didn't want to talk about him because of the pain it brought but we had this call today with a teenage mom and when we got there her parents were screaming at her and it just brought back so much memories of when I told my parents my girlfriend was pregnant." He explained looking into her eyes.
"Well lucky for you your wife is a good listener." She grabbed his hand and began to rub it soothingly.
And so Bobby began to tell her the story. How his parents packed them up the next week and made them move. How Layla's parents helped keep them apart. About the postcard and his name. By the time he was done he was sobbing.
Athena was at a loss. She couldn't understand how a parent could make their soon to be parent son abandon his child. In that moment she vowed to help her husband find his son.
Athena could only hope that he was willing to meet his father because she knew it wouldn't end well for Bobby if Evan wanted nothing to do with him.
"What about the team? Are you going to tell them? You know they'd want to know. I'm sure they'll support you and help in any way they can." Athena said steering her mind away from the possible fall out if Bobby's son didn't want to meet him.
"I want to tell them. I think I just need to get it out there and it'll definitely be nice to have as much help as possible."
Athena nodded in agreement. Releasing her hand from Bobby's she cradled his face and looked him in the eye,
"Whatever happens, I'm here. The team will be here. May and Harry will be here. Hell even Michael will be here because we're your family okay?"
Bobby nodded and hugged her. As much as he appreciated her words the thought of Evan not wanting anything to do with him stung but he wasn't going to allow himself to think like that.
Soon exhaustion after his long shift and all those emotions kicked in and Bobby tucked his wife into his arms. That night he dreamt of a baby boy with ocean blue eyes. His Evan.
