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As ironic as it sounded, spring has been Charlie’s favourite time of the year for as long as he can remember. Nevermind that it meant his anniversary and birthday were drawing ever closer - it meant that the days were longer and he could finally feel the sun's warmth on his skin again. The world was finally waking up after its months-long slumber, full of new life like budding green foliage and birdsongs.
And of course, there was the rain.
Charlie adored rainy days. Petrichor was one of his favourite smells, especially in the first few weeks post-winter thaw, after a few heavy downpours that left the air earthy and fresh. He loved cracking his office window open during a storm, listening to the patter of rain on the roof. There was something about the way that the sky darkened that made everything in the house feel cozier.
But however much Charlie loved the rain, it would never compare to how much his son did.
August Nelson-Spring was Charlie’s youngest, just shy of three and a half and made it his personal mission to jump and stomp in every puddle they came across.
Charlie had accounted for this as soon as he’d seen heavy clouds roll over the afternoon sky. The sudden downpour that thankfully let up before they’d needed to leave had drenched the streets. Every dip and divot was left full of pools of water. So, as any prepared parent would, he had helped August into his raincoat and boots, and buckled him into his car seat a full fifteen minutes earlier than needed to make it in time.
Sure enough, every few feet brought another delighted squeal and another flurry of kicks and jumps. Charlie trailed just a little behind, watching his son stomp with uncontainable glee. Each burst of laughter that bubbled from August made the extra time more than worth it.
“Oh, careful, Auggie,” Charlie said fondly. “You don’t want to get Daisy all wet now, do we?”
August froze, mid-hop, his unruly curls bouncing with how fast he’d turned to look at Charlie, like a deer in the headlights.
“No, Dada.” August mumbled, his voice small and earnest. Reaching his tiny hand out, he toddled over to Daisy, patting at her fur with clumsy, careful hands. “Sorry Dais.”
Daisy, ever patient as she was, wagged her tail and let August pat her to his little heart’s content.
Daisy was such a good dog. She’d been a part of their family for so long that the golden fur around her muzzle had long since turned white. But she was patient and gentle with everyone she came across. Especially their children.
“That’s right,” Charlie encouraged, an automatic smile creeping on his face as he crouched down to make sure August was being gentle. He tried to comb August’s hair out of his face with his fingers, but had no luck. “We’re always nice and gentle with Daisy.”
“Nice ‘n gentle.” His son echoed with a solemn nod before catching sight of another puddle. Charlie let August’s tiny hand slip out of his grasp as he took three big steps before hopping into a large puddle.
Water splashed up and around him - making Charlie immensely grateful that August’s raincoat covered all the way down to his knees; he’d only brought one change of clothes with him.
August stood there for a moment, still bent over, as if waiting for the imaginary aftershock to end, before he turned back to look at him with a large smile on his face. Charlie clapped appropriately, his baby giggling excitedly as he kicked and splashed, his chubby cheeks turning pink from excitement.
“Who else likes jumping in puddles?” Charlie asked, nudging August forward gently. Both he and Nick were working hard to encourage August to speak a little more. Around anyone other than his family, August was very reluctant to say more than a few words. They’d been worried that he was falling behind in his speech slightly - the girls had been absolute chatter boxes at this age - but they’d been assured that their son was just shy and needed a bit more encouragement than others.
August hesitated, before his expression brightened. “Peppa!” August chirped. “An’ George!”
“That’s right! Just like Peppa and George!” Charlie said, glancing down at his watch.
Shit. They might actually be late.
With practiced ease, he reached down and scooped August up, peppering his rosy cheeks with kisses, leaving him a squealing mess as he happily patted at Charlie’s cheeks. “Dada!”
“Yes, my littlest love?” He hummed, finally able to lengthen his stride to get them moving. Daisy huffed at the sudden change of pace, but dutifully followed beside them.
August squirmed slightly as he settled in Charlie’s arms, trying to shove his hair out of his face with the palm of his hand. “Goin’ to see Papa?”
Charlie smiled, mentally making a note to ask Sarah - the only person to successfully cut Auggie’s hair without a tear-filled meltdown - if she’d be able to again. “That’s where we’re going, to see Papa, and your sisters. Are you excited to see them?”
“Yes!”
Charlie couldn’t help pressing a few more kisses to August’s cheeks before he started humming a nursery rhyme, bouncing August along the way.
He couldn’t believe how his life had turned out. A wonderful job, a gorgeous home and a beautiful family. Sometimes he had to pinch himself just to prove he wasn’t dreaming because there was no way that he could’ve ended up so lucky.
Nick usually handled school pickup, given that he worked just down the street at the all-boys school August would start attending in the fall. But on the days where Charlie was able to work from home, he gladly took the responsibility. It was a simple routine that they had established years ago, and kept things running smoothly.
The closer they got to their destination the more crowded the streets became. Parents were gathered in clusters outside of the school gates, chatting idly with one another as they waited. The sight of so many people had August hiding his face in Charlie’s shoulder, his tiny arms circling around Charlie’s neck to grip tightly at the fabric of his hood.
Charlie cooed at him, rubbing his back reassuringly as the shyness reemerged. “Almost there, Auggie.”
He reached their usual pick up spot, just outside of the school gate with only a few seconds to spare. It was a Friday, meaning that kids were flooding out of the school in droves, the impending weekend making itself clear by how fast kids were sprinting past him towards their own parents.
But Charlie was looking for one head in particular.
Penelope Nelson-Spring was seven going on seventeen and reminded Charlie so much of his own sister at that age. She emerged from the crowd, carrying the chatter between her friends, who were looking anywhere but each other. Charlie could almost place their names, they were sisters whose parents thought it was trendy to bring back vintage names. Meredith? Agatha? It would come to him later.
Charlie watched with amusement as she spotted him, hesitating for a moment before she said goodbye to her friends and quickly walked over. She was just starting to think that she was too cool to hug her dads at pickup. He’d seen it coming - another Tori trait. His baby girl wasn’t a baby any longer.
But Charlie was certain that Nick still made a big show of picking her up and swinging her around when it was his turn for pickup. It was made all the worse by the fact that a large number of students would stop and watch the scene Mr. Nelson-Spring was making. If he didn’t have his youngest baby already clinging to his chest, he’d follow his husband’s example.
He gave his younger daughter a smile as she approached, reaching out to take her school bag and swing it over his shoulder. “Hi Penny. Good day at school?”
“Penelope, Daddy.” She corrected.
Charlie fondly rolled his eyes at her. This was something that had developed over the Easter holiday where all of a sudden Penny insisted that she be called by her full name.
It had been fun gently teasing her by referring to her as every silly nickname she’d ever been given, until she’d stormed into the kitchen to find Nick, only to come back with a devious look on her face.
The second that her smart mouth had opened and said, “Charles Francis, I don’t appreciate your tone.” His face had screwed up so severely that everyone had burst out laughing and he’d needed to leave the room to collect himself.
“She sounded like a little Jane, for a moment there.” Nick had laughed once Charlie had finally come back to join them. Ever since he’d tried to use her full name, but old habits and whatnot.
“Well, Penelope Sarah, ” he dragged out. “Did you have a good day?”
“It was good,” she said, taking Daisy’s leash from him. “Matilda got in trouble for putting a worm in Genevieve’s desk.”
Matilda and Genevive. That was their names.
At the sound of his sister’s voice, August poked his head out and beamed at his sister. “Pee!”
“Hi Auggie,” Penny said, her voice going soft. August’s inability to say Penelope seemingly made him exempt from the nickname ban.
“That doesn’t seem very nice of her,” Charlie observed, taking her free hand and starting back towards the car. This was apparently still cool enough for her.
“It wasn’t,” Penny nodded. “I don’t like worms. They’re too slimy.”
“I don’t like worms either,” Charlie agreed.
“We’re still going to the match, right?” Penny asked.
“We are. I have a change of clothes for you in the car. Can’t have you getting your new uniform muddy already, can we?”
Penny frowned. “I won’t get muddy. I’m not the one playing.”
Charlie had learned long ago not to trust his children when they made statements like that. It was better to be over-prepared than anything. “No, your sister is. But I think you’d be more comfortable out of your school clothes, honey.”
Penny considered what he said for a moment. “Can I help Papa coach?”
He resisted the urge to sigh. Negotiating was new as well. “You’ll have to ask him when we get there.”
“Fine. But I hope you brought my purple jumper.”
Charlie raised a brow, “what’s wrong with your other ones?”
“Purple is my favourite colour,” Penny said, like it was obvious.
That had the gears in Charlie’s head turning. “Since when? You’ve always liked blue.”
“That was when I was six, Daddy. I’m seven now.” She said matter of fact.
Charlie pursed his lips. This was the first time that he’d heard of this. He tried to remember if she’d mentioned this to him or Nick before and was drawing up a blank. They were both very on top of their kids' likes and interests, and purple was certainly new.
The rest of the walk to the car was filled with Penny giving him updates on her classes and her excitement about her upcoming piano recital. Nick had the date circled on the calendar in their kitchen with bright marker. August had also poked his head up, now that they were once again free from the bustle of other people, and started to get huffy when he realized that Charlie wasn’t going to let him down to splash in anymore puddles.
“I’m sorry, Auggie.” Charlie sighed. “But we’re going to be late. I’m sure there’ll be more puddles for you once we’re there.”
“Puddles with Papa?” August asked hopefully.
“I’m sure Papa would love to find some puddles with you,” Charlie promised.
“Can I join you and Papa in the puddles, Auggie?” Penny asked, switching to Charlie’s other side so she was closer to her brother.
“Yes!” August chirped, getting excited over so many people puddle jumping with him. “Pee and Papa.”
When they reached the car, Charlie was quick to get August buckled into his car seat before opening the passenger door for Daisy. “Alright, Penelope, quick change in the car and then we’re off.”
Penny climbed into her seat with only a minimal amount of grumbling as Charlie dug around their duffle-sized baby bag for her change of clothes. He handed her the bundle and hoped that he’d picked an outfit that she deemed inoffensive enough to wear in public. He mentally compromised that as long as she changed out of her Mary Janes and into her rain boots, he could work with the rest, even if it meant scrubbing mud and grass stains out of her socks and skirt.
Once Penny had changed and Charlie double-checked that his kids were buckled in, he started the car and navigated them towards the rugby pitch, Daisy happily wagging her tail as Charlie idly rubbed between her ears.
“Why do we even have to go?” Penny asked, kicking lightly at the back of his seat when Charlie didn’t answer fast enough. “We know we’re gonna win.”
“Because we’re going to support our family.” Charlie explained, not even phased at her change in attitude. He looked at her in the rearview mirror. “It’s the same reason that we go to your recitals, honey. You’d be sad if we stopped going, wouldn’t you?”
Penny pursed her lips and gave a sharp nod. “I guess.”
“So, we’re going to cheer really loud, right?”
“Not too loud,” Penny said with narrowed eyes. “You’ll embarrass me.”
Charlie barked out a laugh. “Well, August will cheer loudly with me, won’t you, Auggie?”
“Yes Dada!” August chirped, kicking his little boots against his seat.
“See, Pen? Auggie and I are going to cheer so loud that everyone will be able to hear it.” Charlie grinned, glancing into the rearview mirror and trying not to laugh at his daughter’s horrified expression.
The car ride to the rugby pitch thankfully wasn’t very far from the schools, meaning that they arrived with plenty of time before the match began. Charlie was even lucky enough to get a close spot, knowing from experience how hard it was to wrangle so many kids.
WIth practiced efficiency, Charlie got Penny and Daisy out of the car first, trusting her with Daisy’s leash. Then it was getting the collapsible wagon out of the back and loading their things into it. Like they always did, Charlie dug out some old blankets and made a comfortable spot for August to sit so Charlie wouldn’t have to juggle holding his son in his arms, and pulling the full wagon behind him. The wagon had been a gift from Sarah when August was born, and both Nick and Charlie bought her an expensive bottle of wine as a thanks. It made things infinitely easier and they felt a little embarrassed that they’d never thought of it themselves.
Once everything was in the wagon, Charlie unbuckled August and settled him in his spot. He did a quick mental checklist, making sure that they had everything - and everyone - before they started off towards the pitch. He greeted all the usual parents on their way, Penny already intercepting anyone who wanted to coo at August with a loud greeting of her own, knowing that her brother was too shy to handle so many strangers. It would never fail to warm Charlie’s heart with how much his kids cared about each other.
Charlie pulled up to their usual picnic table and helped August out, his son immediately wrapping his tiny arms around his leg, hiding his face in the denim of jeans. He turned his back for a quick second to dig in their baby bag for a hair tie for August, only to hear a tiny little gasp, followed by an excited, “Papa!”
“August, wait-!” He spun around a second too late, the hood of August’s coat just out of reach as his son hurried as fast as his little legs could towards his other father. “Pen-”
“I’ve got him, Daddy!” Penelope called, chasing after her brother, Daisy hot on their heels.
Thankfully, there weren’t that many people around yet, and those that were, already were aware of the rambunctious Nelson-Spring children. So instead of dirty looks, he got knowing chuckles from parents who’d all experienced the same things.
Charlie let out a breath, thankful they were only at their local rugby pitch and not somewhere more crowded. Before he could even start after them, a familiar voice piped up beside him.
“Can’t keep up with us anymore, Dad?”
“Don’t you start,” Charlie sighed, pushing himself up and pocketing the hair ties.
Briar Nelson-Spring was their first-born, having just turned eleven, and was the spitting image of Nick in every way. Right down to the mannerisms that Charlie had seen his husband do for more than half of their lives. Charlie was convinced that she was a mini-Nick.
She grinned Nick’s lopsided smile at him and Charlie pulled her in for a hug. Thankfully, Briar still thought it was cool to hug her dads. He didn’t think he could take it if both his daughters thought they were too cool for him.
“Hi, love. You and Papa got here alright then?” He asked, before scanning over her rugby kit. “You didn’t forget anything this time?”
“Papa made sure we had everything like three times!” She said, rolling her eyes. “I thought we were going to be late. I hate being late.”
Charlie laughed, “Papa would make sure you’re on time. He found out very quickly that I can’t stand being late either.” He smoothed a few flyaways that had fallen out of her ponytail; Briar had recently asked to get bangs and they were still a work in progress figuring out how to maintain them; keeping them out of her face while playing had required Tori’s help.
“Did you have a good day? Apparently they were fighting over worms in Penny’s class.”
“Penelope, Dad,” Briar teased, imitating her sister.
“We’ve called her Penny her entire life,” Charlie sighed. “I’d love to know where this has come from all of a sudden.”
“She’s seven now,” Briar emphasized. “It might make her feel more grown up to be called her full name, I don’t know.”
Charlie’s brow furrowed at the thought. “Can’t say your father and I ever wanted to go by our full names at that age.”
“Did Auntie Tori?”
“Ah,” Charlie thought back to a three month period where young Tori was adamant that she be called Victoria. It had been all fun and good until being called by their first names became associated with being in trouble. After that, everyone was back to calling her Tori.
And despite the fact that Briar Victoria , was named after his sister, Charlie couldn’t deny that Penny was the one with the closest bond to his sister.
“Oh! I’ve also got a form in my bag for a class trip to the museum that I need you and Papa to sign,” Briar suddenly exclaimed.
“Maybe I could be a chaperone!” Charlie offered, always excited to go on trips with his kids, especially because Nick wasn’t able to. “When is it? I might be able to switch my schedule around.”
“It’s not until May, I think?” Briar said with a frown as she thought. “But you would probably give the best tour!”
“Well, I don’t know about that,” Charlie chuckled. “But I could certainly try. Now, c’mon, let’s go find your brother and sister before your game starts.”
“I think you mean save Papa,” Briar teased. She pointed towards the pitch, where a familiar head of auburn hair was bowed slightly under Penny’s weight as she tried to cling to his back. “I think Penny’s going to throw his back out.”
Charlie couldn’t help but laugh as the two of them started in the direction of the rest of their family. Sure, he and Nick weren’t as young as they once were, and Charlie had already found a grey hair or two, but Nick wasn’t even forty yet, so they counted that for something. Even if their children didn’t view it the same way.
“I found them, Papa!” Briar called, causing Nick to stagger around, weighed down by two kids and Daisy’s leash tangled around his legs.
“I think they found us first, love,” Nick sighed fondly, cuddling August in his arms, their son happily patting at Nick’s beard. “I was wondering where you were.”
“Did you think I’d get lost, or something?” Charlie teased, leaning in for a kiss. “I have been here before, many times, actually.”
“Usually you’re with our kids, darling.” Nick pointed out. “It was quite a shock to see our younger two running towards me without their dad.”
That reminded Charlie.
“August Charles,” he said in as stern of a voice as he could muster towards his toddler. “You do not run away from me or Papa when we’re outside, ok? It’s not safe.”
August pouted instantly, his lower lip trembling as he hid his face in Nick’s neck, gripping at the collar of Nick’s work shirt. “Papa,” he mumbled.
“Hey,” Nick said, rubbing August’s back, his voice soft, but still firm. “Daddy’s right, Auggie. You can’t run away like that. You have to stay with one of us, ok?”
“You aren’t in trouble,” Charlie reassured softly, brushing August’s hair out of face as his little body started to shake. “Papa and I just love you so much and want you to be safe, ok?”
August mumbled something unintelligible, sniffing against Nick’s shoulder. Nick tilted his head down to listen and kissed the top of his head. “Thank you for saying sorry. Daddy and I aren’t mad, we promise.”
“Papa’s right, Auggie. We aren’t mad.” Charlie promised. “Can I have a hug?”
August peeked out hesitantly, his big teary eyes flicking up to Charlie. His heart ached at the sight, and he made a soft sound as he held his arms out.
“Dada,” August whimpered, reaching for him.
Nick passed him over easily and Charlie cradled him close, immediately rocking him back and forth. He tried to pet down the cowlicks that refused to flatten at the back of August’s head. “Oh my sweet, darling boy.” He soothed, wordlessly digging in his pocket and passing Nick the hair tie. His husband made quick work of combing as much of August’s curls out of his face as possible and tying it in a little bun on top of his head.
“There you go, Auggie. I bet that feels better,” Nick said softly, running his fingers carefully through the loose ringlets at the nape of August’s neck.
August nodded, but kept firmly hidden in Charlie’s neck. Out of all their kids, August was the one who’d been the easiest, always listening and doing as he was told, but in turn, he was also the most sensitive. Getting told off, even gently, wasn’t something that happened to him very often. Charlie didn’t think August would poke his head out anytime soon.
Before he could say anything else, Penny piped up, still clinging to Nick’s back. Now that August was safely in Charlie’s arms, she must’ve felt incentivized to continue climbing. “Papa? Can I help you coach? Daddy said that you’d say I could.”
“Hang on-” Charlie started, as Nick laughed loudly, trying to reach around to boost Penny up higher so she wasn’t tugging too harshly on his button down.
“Daddy said I’d let you coach with me, did he?” Nick grinned. He helped support Penny until she was perched happily on his shoulders, well used to being a human jungle gym after three children.
“Well,” Penny corrected, seeing the raised look Charlie was giving her. “He said that I should ask if I could help you coach.”
Charlie gave a confirming nod of Penny’s correction when Nick wordlessly glanced over. His husband scratched at his beard, pretending to be conflicted. “Coaching is a big responsibility, Penelope.”
“I can do it, Papa!” She said excitedly, gripping tightly at Nick’s hair.
“I don’t know…” Nick mulled, grinning at Charlie, despite the wince on his face as Penny tugged his hair.
“Penelope, love, can you ease up on Papa’s hair? We aren’t sure how much longer he’s going to have it.” Charlie said, fighting against a grin, as Nick gave him a flat look.
“I’ve still got plenty of hair on my head, thank you very much.” Nick grumbled, reaching up to brush at his temples, the hair there more salt than auburn these days.
“Sorry, Papa.” Penelope said, releasing Nick’s hair and smoothing it down. “Can I please , help you coach?”
“Well, since you asked so nicely.” Nick chuckled, lifting Penny off his shoulders and setting her on the ground. “I’d love for you to give me a hand.”
Penny’s eyes went wide, a smile breaking out over her face, revealing her missing front tooth. “Really?”
“Mhmm,” Nick nodded, setting his hands on his hips. “Now c’mon, it looks like everyone’s here. So, we’ve got to go motivate our girls before the game starts. Let’s go find your sister.”
“Briar!” Penny shouted, apparently forgetting all about not looking cool enough as she darted across the pitch to where her older sister was stretching with her teammates.
At some point, Penny had dropped Daisy’s leash, but the old dog didn’t even seem to notice as Nick bent down with a grunt, a hand going to his lower back as he grasped at the leash. She was far too old and too used to their family antics to bolt away.
Charlie watched Penny go, grateful that he made her change out of her school clothes as she sprinted through the soft ground. He reached out to grasp Nick’s other hand, mindful of August as he pulled his husband in. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re pretty good at this whole father thing?”
Nick laughed, his eyes shining as he wrapped an arm around Charlie, pressing a kiss to August’s head. They glanced towards the pitch, where Penny was directing Briar’s warmup, their oldest following along with a smile on her face. “I’ve had a fair bit of practice over the years, and I couldn’t have done it without my wonderful husband.”
Even after all this time, Charlie couldn’t stop himself from blushing at the intensity and love in Nick’s eyes. He was nearing forty, with a full-time job, a mortgage and three children; but Nick still made him feel the same way that he had for more than two decades now. Like a giddy fourteen year old with a massive crush on his best friend.
In an attempt to recover, Charlie hummed, tilting his head with a smirk. “ Wonderful husband, huh?”
Nick’s grin widened. “Mhm, devastatingly handsome as well. The best father to our children. I have no idea how I managed to get so lucky.”
Charlie rolled his eyes, ducking down to nuzzle August’s curls to hide his deepening blush, his son seemingly very content with all of the affection he was receiving from his dads. “I was fourteen. My standards were non-existent.”
Nick gasped in mock offense, bringing his hand up to cover his mouth, the simple gold band on his third finger glinting in the light. But ever the lover boy, Nick’s face softened into something fonder as he pulled Charlie in closer, pressing a quick kiss to his mouth. “Still worked, though.”
A warm feeling settled deep in Charlie’s chest. He glanced at Nick, his ridiculous husband, and took in the way the late afternoon sun caught in his hair, the creases at the corners of his eyes from years of laughter. Nick had become the very foundation of Charlie’s life, and loving him was as natural as breathing.
“What?” Nick scanned his face and smirked. “Falling for me all over again?”
I fall for you everyday , was what he wanted to say. But Nick already knew that, because he was the same way with Charlie.
He shrugged, trying to play it off, but Nick always made him weak in the knees. “Maybe.”
The breathiness in his voice caused Nick’s eyes to crinkle before leaning in for another, sweet, easy kiss - full of years of love and comfort.
Suddenly, something thudded against Nick’s back, causing his husband to flinch, a curse forming in his mouth before he glanced at August and quickly pressed his lips together and exhaled sharply out of his nose.
Slightly alarmed, Charlie shielded August as best he could, Nick quickly angeling himself to cover them both. Daisy barked at the sudden change in their body language, getting up from where she had been laying at their feet. He peered over Nick’s shoulder as Nick spun around to face the pitch.
Penny was standing a few feet away, her hands on her hips and chin held high. “Briar said to stop being embarrassing.”
They both glanced down to the rugby ball at Nick’s feet, then back to their younger daughter, twin exasperated sighs leaving them.
“Penelope,” Charlie said sternly, more accustomed to being firm with her than Briar and August. “You don’t throw things at people.”
“You could’ve hit your brother or your dad,” Nick finished.
Penny narrowed her eyes. “You and Briar throw rugby balls all the time.”
Nick bent down and scooped up the ball before fixing Penny with a look. “Yes, but that’s when we’re actually playing and the other person is expecting a pass. Not launching a surprise attack.”
She huffed, but Charlie could see her falter, as it became apparent to her that she’d done something wrong. “But, I only hit you in the back.”
“Not the point, Penelope,” Charlie stated. “Can you apologize to Papa?”
Penny shifted her weight from foot to foot. Charlie could see the gears in her head turning as she fought against her pride. “Sorry Papa.”
“Dad! Papa!” Briar hissed, speed walking over, her face beet red in mortification. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think that would happen!”
“It’s alright, Bri,” Nick assured, glancing at their daughters. “No one was hurt, but we’re going to learn from this, and not do it again. Alright?”
Both girls nodded and Nick clapped his hands. “Good. Now, I think we’re about due to start the match, don’t you?”
Nick turned to him, a smile on his face. “My favourite boys will cheer extra loud for our best girls, won’t they?”
“Of course,” Charlie said with a grin, glancing down at August and making a quiet sound when he realized his son had fallen asleep. “Well, maybe not, actually.”
Nick hummed when he saw August was asleep and ran a gentle hand down his back. “Tuckered him out already?”
“He did a lot of puddle-jumping before we got here,” Charlie explained. “But, I’ll see if he’ll lay down in the wagon. You go coach our daughter to another victory, Coach Papa.”
Nick snorted, shaking his head fondly as he passed Charlie the leash and started walking towards where their team was gathering, the girls following beside him. “I’ll do my best.”
“Good luck!” Charlie called to both Nick and Briar, “love you!”
Love you too! Nick mouthed back before the rest of his family jogged onto the pitch to talk to the referees.
“Come on, old girl,” Charlie hummed, Daisy lumbering her way beside him as they carefully made their way back to their picnic table. He adjusted August in his arms as Daisy laid at his feet. Ever so slowly, he fished around in the wagon to grasp at one of the old blankets and covered August with it. He hoped this nap wouldn’t last too long, otherwise bedtime tonight might cause problems. But, he was loath to wake up his baby boy, so he pressed a kiss to August’s curls as he settled in to watch the match.
He’d always known that Nick would be a good father. But even after all these years, seeing it unfold in real time never failed to leave him in awe. Watching Nick coach their daughter, seeing him in his element - encouraging and patient - and how it had transferred down to Briar, never failed to make Charlie feel proud of the life that he’d manage to build.
The whistle blew and the girls all lined up for the start of the match. Charlie watched fondly as Briar rolled her head from side to side, before rubbing her hands together and stomping her cleats into the pitch. It was the same pre-game routine that Nick did and it warmed Charlie’s heart to see so much of his husband in each of their children. It struck him at the oddest times, just how much of Nick was woven into their family. He couldn’t help but grin as he heard Nick’s encouraging voice call out across the pitch, giving instruction and praise as a few girls freed themselves from the scrum with possession of the ball.
Charlie still remembered being fourteen and watching Nick from the sidelines of the pitch, in his reserve bib, unsure if Nick actually had feelings for him or if he was imagining things. Back then, Nick had seemed larger than life, a shiny, new, golden presence in Charlie’s life. Even so young, he’d wanted Nick in a way that he felt was teetering towards impossible. Yet somehow, the impossible had become his everyday for the last twenty-four years. Nick was still golden - still shone, but it wasn’t as blinding and untouchable as before. It had settled into something warmer, something richer.
It was very easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of their life. Three kids to drop off and pick up on time, rugby matches, piano recitals, swimming lessons and all of the moments in between. But right now, watching his husband coach their oldest, with their middle child happily clinging to his hand while he paced the pitch, their old dog at his feet and their son warm and safe in his arms - this was a kind of happiness that he had never dared hope for.
Just before halftime, a soft murmur broke him from his thoughts. August stirred against his chest, letting out a little sigh as he blinked awake, rubbing at his eyes with clumsy fists. “Dada.”
“Hi Auggie,” Charlie hummed, helping shift August until he was sitting against him. “Have a good sleep?”
August hummed sleepily, squinting out at the pitch as if he'd forgotten where they were. “Snack, please?”
Charlie smiled. “Good manners, my love. Give me a second and I’ll grab you something.”
Carefully, he dug around in their bag, mindful not to jostle August from his lap and pulled out two small containers, one with apple slices and the other with carrot sticks. “Apples or carrots?”
“Apples, please.” August replied, trying to tug the container out of Charlie’s hands.
“Let me open it for you, Auggie.” Charlie chuckled, dropping the carrots back into the bag and popping the lid of the apple slices.
With careful hands, August stuck his tiny fist into the container and pulled out two slices, nibbling on one. “Thank, Dada.”
“You’re welcome,” Charlie said, reaching for some napkins to wipe off August’s sticky fingers when he was finished. “Are you thirsty? I have a drink if you want.”
August nodded, his mouth full, so Charlie reached back down for their large water bottle, flipping up the straw and held it for his son.
“Slow down,” Charlie gently reminded as August took gulp after gulp, his small hands curling around the cold metal of the bottle.
A swell of cheers had him looking up, excitement bursting through him as he saw Briar charging up the field, darting between players, fast and focused, the ball curled tightly to her chest as the distance between her and the opposing players grew.
Nick’s voice rang out, calling her name and clapping loudly. Penny hopped excitedly next to him, punching her fists into the air.
“Look Auggie!” Charlie exclaimed, lifting August so he was standing on Charlie’s knees. “Briar’s gonna score a try!”
August giggled loudly, clumsily clapping his hands together as Charlie cheered with him. He almost gasped when Briar dodged a last-minute tackle and still managed to dive over the try-line.
“She did it!” Charlie beamed, bouncing his knees, causing August to shriek out in laughter.
Nick was already jogging towards her, meeting halfway as she barreled into him with a wide smile. Penny was practically vibrating besides them and even from a distance, Charlie could see the way Briar’s face lit up under Nick’s praise.
“Nana said Bee’s like a bunny,” August observed, nestling back against Charlie’s chest.
Charlie laughed, “Nana’s right. She is quick like a bunny. Papa used to be that quick, too.”
August nodded his head, contently gnawing at his other apple slice. He stared out at the pitch for a moment before he tilted his head up to look at Charlie with his large, inquisitive eyes. “Was Dada fast?”
“I could keep up with Papa, no problem,” Charlie grinned.
His son cocked his head as if deciding whether or not Charlie was telling a fib, but before he could say anything else, Penny was running towards them, a large smile on her face.
“Daddy! Daddy, did you see that? Briar scored!”
“We did!” Charlie beamed, reaching an arm out to catch her as she barreled into him, her arms curling around his neck. “I thought cheering too loud was embarrassing?”
The scowl on her face had him pressing his lips together to not laugh, especially when she narrowed her eyes at him.
“I’m just teasing, honey.” He reassured, kissing her temple as she settled next to him on the picnic bench. “Here, have a snack before Auggie eats all the apple slices.”
“You brought snacks?” Penny asked, her scowl vanishing.
“Well, considering I have three children who like to act like we don’t feed them, of course I brought snacks.” He chuckled, handing over the apple container.
Penny shrugged, “one day you might forget. When we go see Auntie Tori, Uncle Michael always forgets to bring snacks if we go out.”
That didn’t surprise Charlie in the slightest. “Well, I’m not Uncle Michael. And I’m sure your aunt doesn’t let him have a moment’s peace over it.”
Penny shook her head, “she makes him get us ice cream instead.”
Charlie snorted. “Well, we have apples and carrots instead.”
“I’d rather have the ice cream, Daddy,” Penny said seriously.
“I bet you would,” Charlie sighed fondly. “You’ve got Papa’s sweet tooth.”
As the match carried on, Charlie made sure that both his kids had eaten their fill, making sure to leave enough for Briar after her match. Penny had wanted to read to August and Charlie had dutifully pulled out one of August’s favourite touch-and-feel books, the spine creaking as Penny opened the well-worn book and started reading to her brother.
The sight had Charlie fighting against tears - he’d gone soft since having children. It reminded him of how he and Tori were when they were younger and seeing that bond in his own kids meant so much to him. He only had to remind Penny to slow down twice so August could poke and scratch at the textured pages, and try a few words of his own, but other than that, he was content to lean back and let his kids have this moment to themselves.
Eventually, the final whistle blew and from their spot, Charlie could see Briar’s team having a celebratory huddle, Nick taking the time to complement each of the girls before they all broke away to head home.
Nick had his arm proudly around Briar’s shoulders as they approached, Briar in turn had her arms tightly around Nick’s waist. Charlie was secretly very thankful she wasn’t as muddy and grass-stained as she usually was after a match. But he’d become an expert at getting mud and grass stains out of clothes over the last few years. There had yet to be a stain that he couldn’t get out.
“You played so well!” He said, when Briar was close enough.
Her face lit up at the praise, her head ducking to hide her ruddy cheeks, still flushed from all the exertion. She leaned a little heavier into Nick’s side. “Thanks, Dad. It was a good match.”
“Good match?” He scoffed. “I think that we have another star player in the Nelson-Spring family.”
Briar huffed, slumping down on Charlie’s other side, letting Nick hand her what was left of the snacks and water. “That last try was so close, I thought for sure she was going to tackle me.”
“But she didn’t,” Nick chimed in, his face incredibly fond and proud. “You were faster, saw the gap in their defense and timed it perfectly.”
“What Coach Papa said,” Charlie beamed. “He’s the expert.”
“You played as well, Char,” Nick reminded, petting at Daisy’s ears when she pushed herself up to sit at Nick’s feet.
Charlie rolled his eyes, “technically, yes. But I spent more time on the sidelines watching you than actually playing myself.”
“Still counts,” Nick grinned, ducking down to give him a kiss.
“Well done,” Charlie said quietly, just for Nick. “Even if you did lose your assistant coach halfway through.”
“She lasted longer than I thought.” Nick laughed, giving him another quick kiss before straightening up. “Alright Nelson-Spring’s, it’s time to pack up and head home.”
“That means pizza!” Penny exclaimed loudly.
“Actually,” Charlie said, winking at Nick to play along. “I thought we could have Grandpa’s roast tonight.”
The reaction was immediate. Briar gave him a skeptical side-eye and Penny gawked at him in outright horror.
“But… It’s pizza night, Daddy,” Penny said slowly, as if he’d somehow forgotten.
“We always have pizza on Friday nights,” Briar added, her voice calmer, but just as suspicious.
“Well,” Nick said, shrugging. “Maybe we’re mixing things up a little bit.”
That comment had Briar narrowing her eyes. “But Dad hates mixing up the routine. I’ve heard you both argue over it before.”
“Papa and I don’t argue-”
“And ,” Briar cut in, holding up a finger. “It's too late to start a roast. We won’t be eating until late, and you also hate eating after seven.”
Penny, evidently getting tired of the back and forth and not hearing that they were going to have pizza turned to Nick. “Papa, can we go to Nana’s tonight instead?”
Nick burst into laughter, grabbing his stomach as he doubled over. He barely managed to get out, “oh my god-” before he dissolved into another fit of giggles.
“Hang on,” Charlie said with a loud huff. “What’s wrong with your Grandpa’s roast?”
“It’s not very good, Daddy,” Penny said matter-of-factly before Briar could reach across him to stop her.
Charlie tutted. “He won’t be very happy to hear that, now will he?”
“Auntie Tori said that he already knows,” Penny said with an air of certainty.
“I’m not sure that you’re going to win this one, darling,” Nick chuckled.
With a defeated sigh that his little joke was over, Charlie relented with a dramatic sigh. “Fine, I suppose we can have pizza tonight.”
He couldn’t even feel annoyed at the victorious grins that Briar and Penny exchanged.
“We have to get home first before we can get pizza,” Nick reminded.
Somehow, while they were packing up all of their things, all three of their kids ended up piled into the wagon, back-to-back-to-back, in a tangle of limbs and laughter, cheering as Nick tugged them along. The wagon’s wheels bumped over the uneven ground, causing August to shriek out with each little bounce of the wagon, both of his sisters joining in on the fun. Charlie didn’t even mind that he was left to carry their bags back to the car and hope that Daisy was still dutifully following behind them.
“Faster, Papa!” They crowed, whooping loudly when Nick worked his way up to a jog.
It was silly and ridiculous, but Charlie wouldn’t have it any other way, especially not when he saw the way that Nick looked back at their kids, seeing the love and pride that he had in their family. Nick was always proud of their kids, from the very first moment that Briar had been settled into his arms, and again with Penelope and the most recent with August, he’d been proud. Both of them had been nervous but so ready to start their family. Nick wore the same look now, that he had that very first day. Seeing that look made it worth Charlie having an aching shoulder tomorrow morning from lugging so much weight.
Since they arrived in different cars, Nick helped him get Penny and August settled in Charlie’s car before offering to take not only Daisy, but the wagon and their bags home with him and Briar.
Charlie smiled at his husband’s thoughtfulness and kissed him in thanks, wishing him a safe trip home before he started his own car.
–
“C’mere, darling,” Nick sighed, sinking back into the couch with his arms out. “Come give me a cuddle.”
Charlie didn’t need to be asked twice. All too happily, he settled in his usual spot against Nick’s side, tucking his head underneath Nick’s chin and letting out a soft hum of contentment. Nick’s arm curled around him, warm and steady, and Charlie melted into the familiar weight.
The living room was quiet, everyone content and sated with their full bellies. The coffee table was littered with plates of pizza crust that had become tomorrow’s problem. The soft glow of the lamp cast shadows against the walls, flickering slightly with the vivid colours from the TV.
He took a quick glance around the room, making sure that everyone was accounted for. Briar was curled up on Nick’s other side, Daisy draped over her lap, Penny was sitting on the beanbag in the corner, playing her Switch, and August was half-asleep in Nick’s lap.
He let out a slow breath, sinking further into Nick. This was always the place where he would feel the most at home, in the safety of Nick’s arms.
Nick pressed a kiss to the top of his head, his fingers tracing absentminded patterns on his arms. “Tired?”
Charlie hummed, tilting his head just enough to see Nick’s soft smile. “A little.”
Nick chuckled and Charlie felt the vibrations of it in Nick’s chest. The room was quiet, save for the soft clicking sounds of Penny’s game and the occasional swell of music from the TV, Our Planet played quietly in the background, David Attenborough’s soothing voice lulling them all into a calm that settled deep in Charlie’s bones.
Briar yawned from Nick’s other side, stretching and accidentally jostling Daisy, who let out a huff before resettling. “I think I’m gonna go to my room and read for a bit.”
“Alright love,” Nick said, grunting a bit as he shifted up, jostling both Charlie and August in the process. “Don’t stay up too late.”
“I won’t,” she promised, patting Daisy so she’d hop down. Briar pushed herself off the couch and leaned in so he and Nick could both kiss her cheeks goodnight. “Night Dad, night Papa.”
“Goodnight,” they both echoed, watching her head upstairs for the night.
“Suppose we should get this one in the tub then?” Nick hummed, gesturing to August, whose head kept bobbing as he tried to stay awake.
Charlie hummed in agreement. “Auggie, you still have to have your tub, sweet boy. D’you want me or Papa for bathtime?”
August blinked up at him slowly before he lolled his head back against Nick’s chest, murmuring out a quiet, “Papa.”
“Alright Auggie,” Nick murmured. “Let’s get you all clean and in bed.”
Carefully, Nick shifted to stand up, August clinging to him sleepily. Regretfully, Charlie stood up as well, stretching before glancing over to Penny, still fully engrossed in her game.
“I’ll get Penny into bed and meet you upstairs,” Charlie said through a yawn, squeezing Nick’s arm as he leaned in to kiss Nick’s temple.
Nick nodded, glancing over his shoulder as he carried August towards the stairs. “Sounds good, Char.”
Charlie watched his husband climb the stairs, talking softly to August, Daisy lumbering behind, no doubt heading to her bed in their room.
He set his hands on his hips and quickly turned off the TV. “Everyone’s getting ready for bed Penelope. Don’t you think you should as well?”
She glanced up at him briefly before her attention was back on her game. “In a minute, Daddy.”
They’d done this dance before. Charlie had as well, when he was her age, begging for just a few more minutes. The results that Penny got were a tad gentler than Charlie himself had received. “Can you finish your race and then head up, please? I don’t mind if you stay up a bit longer because it’s the weekend, but I’d rather you in your room than down here by yourself.”
“Ok, Daddy,” she said distractedly.
“I’m going to get ready for bed, and when I come back down, it’s time to head up, Pen,” he said firmly.
Charlie lingered for a moment, watching as Penny focused on her game. The only sounds in the house were the quiet tap of the joycons and the distant sounds of the tub being filled. When he was satisfied that Penny wouldn’t try and push her luck too far, he headed upstairs, the stairs creaking as he slid his hand along the bannister.
He passed Briar’s room first, the door open just wide enough that Charlie could see the soft glow of her reading lamp. Charlie knocked softly on the door, peeking inside. She was curled up in her bed, her book propped up on her knees.
“Don’t stay up too late, love,” he murmured.
“I won’t, Dad,” she said, her eyes not leaving the page she was reading. “I’m just going to finish this chapter and then go to bed.”
“Alright. Goodnight, Papa and I love you,” he said as he shut the door to her room, leaving a little bit open.
As Charlie continued down the hall, he heard the soft splashing of bathwater and Nick’s gentle voice. Pushing the bathroom door open revealed Nick sitting on the tile floor in front of the tub, with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
“Almost done, Auggie,” Nick said softly. “Just a little more and then we’ll get you to bed.”
August blinked up at Nick, yawning when Nick carefully guided his head back to wash the shampoo out of his hair. Charlie’s heart squeezed at the sight. “D’you need any help?”
Nick glanced over his shoulder, a tired, loving smile on his face. “We’re alright, Char. Almost finished.”
Charlie leaned against the doorframe, content to just watch his husband and son, as Nick gently ran his fingers through August’s dripping hair, making sure all the shampoo was out. “There we go. All clean, Auggie.”
Nick grasped the towel that Charlie handed him and wrapped August up, lifting him into his arms. “Time for bed, I think.”
August nodded sleepily, barely able to keep his head up as Nick gently towelled his hair dry, his eyes fluttering closed.
“Goodnight, my sweet boy,” Charlie murmured, pressing a kiss to August’s cheek. “Love you.”
“Love you, Dada,” August mumbled, half-asleep in Nick’s arms.
Nick beamed at Charlie, his eyes twinkling as he leaned in for a kiss. “You get ready for bed, I’ll get Auggie tucked in and be in soon.”
Charlie gave Nick a soft smile and squeezed Nick’s arm before slipping out of the bathroom and down the hall towards their bedroom. Daisy’s head popped up from her bed under the window as he flicked the lamp on before starting the familiar motions of getting ready for bed. He brushed his teeth, washed his face before pulling on his pajama pants and one of Nick’s threadbare t-shirts.
He padded back down the hallway, hearing Nick’s voice drifting towards him. Charlie poked his head into August’s room. Nick was sitting cross-legged on the floor next to August’s toddler bed, which had taken an entire, stress-filled day to assemble. He was showing August something, pointing to the book that rested across August’s legs.
“What’re you two looking at?” Charlie asked, coming to kneel next to Nick.
“Papa looks silly!” August said, rubbing his eyes.
“Papa usually looks silly,” he said, glancing at what August was looking at. “Oh.”
He recognized it immediately. It was one of their memory albums, the third one that he and Nick had filled together. Charlie couldn’t help the way his heart clenched, glancing briefly up at Nick and sharing a knowing smile with his husband.
The photo in question was taken during one of the Nelson family Menorca trips, the year that Charlie had graduated from his undergrad. Charlie was sat between Nick’s legs, Nick’s arms around his middle and chin hooked over his shoulder. They were both laughing at the camera, Nick severely burnt and Charlie nicely tanned.
But that wasn’t what August found silly about his Papa. It was the ridiculous moustache that Nick had grown in the two years between Charlie’s graduation and their wedding. There had been nothing that he had hated more than that stupid moustache.
Nick had referred to it as a ‘test drive’ before he started properly growing out his beard. It didn’t make Charlie hate it any less.
Their wedding was the last time Charlie saw Nick’s bare, baby face. He missed it sometimes, the softness of Nick’s skin beneath his fingertips when they were teenagers, how his thumb would stroke soothingly across Nick’s smooth cheek or jaw in quiet moments. But so many of the happiest moments of Charlie’s life featured Nick’s beard - the soft prickle against his face during lazy kisses, scratching against his neck when Nick buried his face in his shoulder after a long day at work, and the rasp against the fabric of his shirt when they cuddled.
Every version of Nick meant the world to him, but the one sitting next to him was the Nick who grew into fatherhood by his side. The Nick who’d cried when each one of their kids was placed into his arms, who had allowed them to pat and tug mercilessly at the coarse hair without so much as a wince, and who gave every part of himself to their family. Charlie loved this version of his husband so viscerally and unconditionally that every other version felt like a distant, warm memory.
Charlie couldn’t help himself as he leaned in for a quick kiss, Nick happily reciprocating. “Papa looked very silly with that moustache, didn't he, Auggie?”
August sleepily nodded his head and started to slump forward, both Nick and Charlie reaching out to catch him. “Silly Papa.”
“Silly Papa is right,” Charlie said, winking at his husband. “But you, my littlest love, need to get tucked in and get to bed.”
There was no protest from August, not that there ever was from their son. But before Charlie had even finished speaking, August was already starting to drift off. Charlie quickly grabbed the photo album, setting it on August’s dresser while Nick tucked him in. They both leaned in to kiss his cheeks, telling him that he was loved. Nick made sure to flick on the nightlight, casting a gentle glow over August’s peaceful face as they slid out of the room, leaving the door open a crack.
Charlie pointed over his shoulder towards Penny’s room. Nick gave a knowing nod and pressed a soft kiss to Charlie’s temple before he carefully tiptoed towards their bedroom.
As quietly as he could, Charlie crept down the hall and poked his head into Penny’s room. He could see the outline of her in bed, facing away from the door. But a quick glance to her window sill saw that her Switch’s dock was empty. He only thought about it for a moment, knowing that the console was no doubt under her pillow and she was pretending to sleep, biding her time until he left. Deciding to let her believe she was as sneaky as she thought she was, he made his way over to her bedside and leaned in to kiss her forehead, murmuring that he loved her.
He hadn’t even finished closing her door before he could hear the clicking of the joycons. It wasn’t the end of the world, he remembered being that age and feeling like he’d outsmarted his mum.
When he got back to their bedroom, he didn't even bother to shut their door, knowing that at some point in the early morning hours that one-by-one, three tiny bodies would have wiggled their way into joining them in bed.
Nick was already waiting for him, having changed into his pajamas and sat at the edge of their bed with a lopsided grin on his face. It took Charlie three strides to get to their bedside, slotting easily between Nick’s legs, as strong arms slid around his middle.
“Come to bed, darling,” Nick crooned. “The kids are all in bed, and it’s our turn now.”
Charlie hummed, brushing Nick’s fringe back, before carefully extracting himself from Nick’s hold to flop onto his side of the bed. Nick rolled on top of him before he’d even had a chance to get the covers up. But he was well used to the special kind of clingy that was Nick Nelson-Spring when he was tired. No matter how old Nick got, there was nothing that could come between him and his nightly cuddle with his husband. It was a foundational aspect of their bedtime routine that dated all the way back to when they were only allowed sporadic sleepovers.
Nick’s arm slid across Charlie’s hips, his thumb tucking under the hem of Charlie’s borrowed shirt and swept back and forth as he nuzzled his face into Charlie’s chest. “What a wild Friday night we're having.”
“What exactly would you rather be doing?” Charlie asked with a raised brow.
Nick glanced up at him suggestively and Charlie snorted. “Given that two of our children are still awake, and all of them love to wander into our bed, I think we may need to be a bit more strategic with our planning, sweetheart. I’ve still told myself we have a few more years until we need to have that chat with them.”
Nick sighed, “never thought we’d reach the age where we needed to pencil in a quick shag. But you are right, we don’t need to scar them with our old arses.”
“Your arse still looks incredible for your age,” Charlie hummed.
“Wow, thanks, Char,” Nick said deadpan. “I’ve been getting nothing but love from you today, haven’t I? First you tell Penny that I’m going bald, then Auggie that my moustache looked silly-”
“-it did-”
“-and,” Nick said, trudging on. “Now you’re calling me old.”
“Well,” Charlie drew out, his fingers tracing patterns down Nick’s expanse of Nick’s back. “We’re closer to our fifties than we are to our twenties, sweetheart.”
Nick made a disgusted sound before turning pensive. “We’ll have been together for more than half our lives by then. Together for thirty-four years, married for twenty-four.”
Charlie blinked as the realization settled over him, “That’s a long time. I’ll have been a Nelson for longer than I was just a Spring.”
“And I’ll have been a Spring for longer than I was just a Nelson,” Nick echoed, tilting his head up to press a kiss to Charlie’s jaw. “And I wouldn’t trade a single second of it.”
Charlie smiled softly, bringing his hand up to scratch at the back of Nick’s head, making his husband shudder and let out a low groan before he turned to putty in his hands. “Me neither.”
They laid there quietly for a while, the only sounds in the room where Daisy’s huffed breaths and snorts. The rest of the house had finally fallen quiet and with it came a sense of calm that told Charlie he was exactly where he belonged.
Nick shifted slightly, curling closer to Charlie as their legs tangled together. “Whose turn is it to take Auggie to his swim lesson tomorrow?”
“I can’t remember,” Charlie said with a sigh, bringing a hand up to rub his brow. “I can do it, I’m just not the biggest fan of jumping into the pool so early that they haven’t even got the heaters turned on yet. But there’s no other way to get him in the pool unless one of us is in there with him.”
“That’s why we pay for the private lesson, darling,” Nick said, lightly teasing. There had been far too many teary mornings at the pool before they both realized it would be easier for everyone if they joined the instructor and August in the water. They now both had excellent doggy paddle form and could float on their backs without sinking, not that they were bragging.
“We’ll figure it out in the morning,” Charlie said through a yawn. He reached over and flicked off the lamp, tilting Nick’s chin up for a goodnight kiss before they both settled in, knowing they only had a few precious hours to themselves before their bed would be invaded.
“Goodnight, sweetheart,” Charlie mumbled, gripping Nick a little tighter. “I love you.”
“Goodnight, my darling,” Nick sighed, nuzzling in closer. “I love you too.”
The last thing that Charlie thought before he fell asleep was how perfect his life was; his husband curled around him, and his three children sleeping peacefully down the hall.