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Nate bounced his daughter on his knee, smiling while Sarah giggled wildly. It was just so surreal, in a few short weeks the little girl on his knee will be one. It has been over a year since he had come to this crazy city, boy what a year it had been, and he still wouldn’t change a thing. He entertained the toddler as he waited for his darling to finish up her errands and join them for a day at the park. They were just resting at a cafe, he was sipping on some tea while his daughter had been munching away on some puffs and enjoying a juice before she decided she wanted to play.
So now Nate’s knee was a ‘horsey’, Sarah was madly babbling as only toddlers could, and he was just enjoying the time with his daughter.
So now Nate’s knee was a ‘horsey’, Sarah was madly babbling as only toddlers could, and he was just enjoying the time with his daughter.
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Cass was out running errands and Lucian was told he was hungry so he stop in a cafe intent on getting him and his sons something to eat. He stood at the counter waiting to order, with Alistair holding onto his pant leg not inclined to venture away from his dad, but Cass had a firm grasp on Lucian who was more energetic and outgoing, fully geared to run off as soon as he could.
Cass let go for a moment to grab his wallet and pay for his food and Lu was off like a rocket.
“Lucian get back over here this instant,” he called out quickly, paying, grabbing his table marker, scooping up Al and going to grab his son.
“Sarah,” he heard his son’s ecstatic voice yell and Cass looked to see him hugging a familiar looking baby. He racked his brain, Sarah … Sarah… oh yes Xander’s granddaughter. Of course Lu would know her, Xander gave all the kids swim lesson every Saturday. He knew Nolan was going to be on a swim team for kids in the summer.
“Hi, sorry,” he said, scooping up his son.
Cass let go for a moment to grab his wallet and pay for his food and Lu was off like a rocket.
“Lucian get back over here this instant,” he called out quickly, paying, grabbing his table marker, scooping up Al and going to grab his son.
“Sarah,” he heard his son’s ecstatic voice yell and Cass looked to see him hugging a familiar looking baby. He racked his brain, Sarah … Sarah… oh yes Xander’s granddaughter. Of course Lu would know her, Xander gave all the kids swim lesson every Saturday. He knew Nolan was going to be on a swim team for kids in the summer.
“Hi, sorry,” he said, scooping up his son.
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“OOOOOOOOO!” Sarah squealed as she made grabby hand motions at the young boy who ran up to them. Nate scrambled to steady the baby as the two little ones happily hugged each other. He recognized the boy, it just took him a moment to actually place the ‘name’. Lu… Lucian. One of the myriad of extended family that was part of Dessie’s side of things.
Nate glanced up expecting to spot Mercy but instead saw Cass, neither of them were people that he could say he ‘knew’ knew but he at least didn’t feel too awkward when the other male snagged his son. “No worries,” he replied even as he shrugged. Sarah did not appreciate her friend being removed however and started to fuss.
“Darling, Lu is right here! He didn’t go anywhere.” Nate cuddled the toddler close and pointed out the little boy in his fathers arms, Sarah of course did not care. She wanted ‘Oo’ in front of her. She sniffed and big fat tears started to form in her eyes as she tried to grab at the air in Lu’s direction. “Oo! Ooooo!”
“It seems like now I owe you an apology,” Nate chuckled as he tried to distract his pouting little girl. “Come on Love, you will hurt Alistar’s feelings since you didn’t even say hello.” He felt a bit bad about using the slightly older boy that way but it worked since Sarah sniffed and asked “Ister?”
Nate glanced up expecting to spot Mercy but instead saw Cass, neither of them were people that he could say he ‘knew’ knew but he at least didn’t feel too awkward when the other male snagged his son. “No worries,” he replied even as he shrugged. Sarah did not appreciate her friend being removed however and started to fuss.
“Darling, Lu is right here! He didn’t go anywhere.” Nate cuddled the toddler close and pointed out the little boy in his fathers arms, Sarah of course did not care. She wanted ‘Oo’ in front of her. She sniffed and big fat tears started to form in her eyes as she tried to grab at the air in Lu’s direction. “Oo! Ooooo!”
“It seems like now I owe you an apology,” Nate chuckled as he tried to distract his pouting little girl. “Come on Love, you will hurt Alistar’s feelings since you didn’t even say hello.” He felt a bit bad about using the slightly older boy that way but it worked since Sarah sniffed and asked “Ister?”
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“Mind if we sit here,” asked Cass though it obvious Sarah was none to keen on them going anywhere so he put Lu in a chair and let Al down to greet Sarah. Al was much more cautious giving the baby a much gentler hug and petting her hair.
“Daddy,” Al spouted turning to look at Cass, “tan we swims today?”
Cass shook his head watching Lu slip down from his chair and try to go pick up Sarah. “We’ll swim on sunday, same as … Lu you are too little to try and carry Sarah.”
He grabbed his son up again and put him back in the chair before scooping up Lu and putting him in a chair as well. He gave his oldest a look, that clearly meant don’t move before looking to Nate. “Could you watch them for a second, Im just going to grab a booster.”
He walked to do that, not seeing Lu stand in his chair and lean on the table trying to tell Sarah all about his day.
“Daddy,” Al spouted turning to look at Cass, “tan we swims today?”
Cass shook his head watching Lu slip down from his chair and try to go pick up Sarah. “We’ll swim on sunday, same as … Lu you are too little to try and carry Sarah.”
He grabbed his son up again and put him back in the chair before scooping up Lu and putting him in a chair as well. He gave his oldest a look, that clearly meant don’t move before looking to Nate. “Could you watch them for a second, Im just going to grab a booster.”
He walked to do that, not seeing Lu stand in his chair and lean on the table trying to tell Sarah all about his day.
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“Please,” Nate chuckled at the antics of the littles, finding it massively adorable at just how different the two boys were with his little girl. One just wanted to play with her, the other actually understood just how little Sarah was. Sarah in the meantime treated them both the same, she made a ‘muah’ kissy sound and waved her hands around almost like she was imitating Nate when he blew her kisses before going back to just random babbling. It was ungodly cute.
He nodded when Cass asked him to watch the boys for a moment, happy to do so. “Chairs aren't for standing on, right Sarah?” Nate asked his daughter all the while keeping an eye on the younger of the two. Of course the little girl had no clue what he said but she still giggled and chattered as only an infant could. “Let's all sit. Sit, sit, sit. Sit on your bottom.” He made it a little jingle even as he bounced slightly in his chair causing Sarah to chirp happily. He really wanted to use the word ‘bum’ but he didn’t know if Cass would appreciate him teaching that word to his boys. To each their own and all that.
He nodded when Cass asked him to watch the boys for a moment, happy to do so. “Chairs aren't for standing on, right Sarah?” Nate asked his daughter all the while keeping an eye on the younger of the two. Of course the little girl had no clue what he said but she still giggled and chattered as only an infant could. “Let's all sit. Sit, sit, sit. Sit on your bottom.” He made it a little jingle even as he bounced slightly in his chair causing Sarah to chirp happily. He really wanted to use the word ‘bum’ but he didn’t know if Cass would appreciate him teaching that word to his boys. To each their own and all that.
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Lu frowned at Nate and like the toddler he was ignored him, though the singing had the opposite effect and now Lu and Al were standing in their chairs clapping along. That was until Cass walked up and gave them a look which both boy sitting down.
“Sorry, they are a bit antsy, probably because their hungry and Lu just dropped naps so hes just a ball of energy until bed.”
He picked up his sons one at at time putting their booster in their chairs and then putting them down. He was very grateful when the server came over gave them their food.
Sitting down her turned to Nate, “so what up? I don't think we've ever really talked before, which is crazy because the group spends a lot of time at Xanders. Adjusting to the states okay? I had a time, but I was also a child and didn't speak much english.”
“Sorry, they are a bit antsy, probably because their hungry and Lu just dropped naps so hes just a ball of energy until bed.”
He picked up his sons one at at time putting their booster in their chairs and then putting them down. He was very grateful when the server came over gave them their food.
Sitting down her turned to Nate, “so what up? I don't think we've ever really talked before, which is crazy because the group spends a lot of time at Xanders. Adjusting to the states okay? I had a time, but I was also a child and didn't speak much english.”
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“Can’t say as I look forward to that for Sarah,” Nate looked down at his little girl and handed her one of the puffs she had been munching on earlier. She adored her naps and the idea that she would be a ball of energy like Lucian made him concerned. It was bad enough keeping an eye on her and she barely toddled around now! Oh dear… well all kids needed to grow up. His little angel wasn’t any different.
Nate just smiled and picked up his cup of tea, taking a sip of it before answering Cass. “Not much really. Just waiting for Dessie to get done with her meeting before going out, just the three of us. It's taken a bit but I think I’ve adjusted pretty well and the Jacob’s have been a massive help in the whole green card thing. I mean I am still on my work visa but I didn’t realize just how much paperwork is involved in that.” If he didn’t have his in-laws to help him out he suspected things would be so much worse for him. “How about you all? What brings you out today with the two littles?”
Nate just smiled and picked up his cup of tea, taking a sip of it before answering Cass. “Not much really. Just waiting for Dessie to get done with her meeting before going out, just the three of us. It's taken a bit but I think I’ve adjusted pretty well and the Jacob’s have been a massive help in the whole green card thing. I mean I am still on my work visa but I didn’t realize just how much paperwork is involved in that.” If he didn’t have his in-laws to help him out he suspected things would be so much worse for him. “How about you all? What brings you out today with the two littles?”
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“I bet it will be easier for you having a girl and also not having two. Al is at the 50/50 stage as to whether he'll need a nap or not, but its important as Lu will start kindergarten next year so, it's best for him to be prepared for those day.”
Cass took a bit of his sandwich, “that stage is fun though just before they learn to run real good and before they really learn how to use N-O.”
He munched on his sandwich some more nodding at Nate saying he was waiting on Dessie. “Oh just some errands, giving Mercy a break.”
Cass chuckled, “we've got two more on the way. Twins, man I'm in for a whirlwind. How goes the job hunt, did you get something? Or am I misremembering?”
Cass took a bit of his sandwich, “that stage is fun though just before they learn to run real good and before they really learn how to use N-O.”
He munched on his sandwich some more nodding at Nate saying he was waiting on Dessie. “Oh just some errands, giving Mercy a break.”
Cass chuckled, “we've got two more on the way. Twins, man I'm in for a whirlwind. How goes the job hunt, did you get something? Or am I misremembering?”
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“If Sarah is anything like her mom she will be a glorious handful. I can’t wait.” Nate beamed, feeding his daughter more puffs then helping her with her juice when she made grabby motions for it. He adored both of ‘his girls’. “It's hard to imagine them getting older, it really does feel like just yesterday that she was born and soon she will be one. I bet its the same with your two… soon to be four.” He chuckled and gave a slight shake of his head, “I have no clue how you guys juggle it all but you're both great at it.”
Nate shrugged slightly, nibbling on his own muffin before explaining about his whole job situation. “So yes and no. I’ve got a pretty steady gig but they really only pay the bills so I’m still trying to get into a wider range of either freelance stuff or a bigger job in general. I’m making ends meet but it's not exactly leaving much for savings.” Alot of his ‘excess’ cash went towards things for Sarah and small surprises for Dessie. He would love a better job or at least more freelance work just to be able to provide for them but, overall he couldn’t complain. He was able to make a living.
Nate shrugged slightly, nibbling on his own muffin before explaining about his whole job situation. “So yes and no. I’ve got a pretty steady gig but they really only pay the bills so I’m still trying to get into a wider range of either freelance stuff or a bigger job in general. I’m making ends meet but it's not exactly leaving much for savings.” Alot of his ‘excess’ cash went towards things for Sarah and small surprises for Dessie. He would love a better job or at least more freelance work just to be able to provide for them but, overall he couldn’t complain. He was able to make a living.
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Cass chuckled, “it's good you're ready to embrace the mess and disasters. It can be a lot, but it also a lot of fun. Lu actually turned 4 in October and Al is 3, he won't be 4 until much later this year.”
Cass shook his head, “we've just learned to work as a team and we've got a village. Same village as you. When we need a break off to the aunties, uncles and grandparents they go. And we do the same for them. Remember that if you ever need a break.”
“Oh, what is it exactly that you do? Maybe I can help.”
He turned wiping Al's face and hand when the boy patted his arm and then fished you a coloring book.
Cass shook his head, “we've just learned to work as a team and we've got a village. Same village as you. When we need a break off to the aunties, uncles and grandparents they go. And we do the same for them. Remember that if you ever need a break.”
“Oh, what is it exactly that you do? Maybe I can help.”
He turned wiping Al's face and hand when the boy patted his arm and then fished you a coloring book.
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“I definitely appreciate the village, that's for sure.” The whole collection of people and family that would be more than happy to watch Sarah for an evening or even just for a few hours ment that Nate was able to not only train with Dessie, he was able to patrol with her too. He could also use that time to try to woo her too but she always seemed a bit more preoccupied with making sure he wouldn’t end up dead one night. “I’m a Graphic Designer. Graduated with a degree from Chelsea in London.”
Nate paused and looked over at Cass, “I am honestly not sure just how much Dessie shared with you all. Obviously how we went to school together, and that well… we had a relationship.” The child on his knee, that was now yawning quite widely, is very large proof of that. “But I don’t know if she ever explained that I ended up getting a job overseas. I was working there for only a few weeks when I found out that she was pregnant and came to find her. So I don’t have much in my portfolio outside of my school work and the stuff I’ve done here in the states.”
Nate paused and looked over at Cass, “I am honestly not sure just how much Dessie shared with you all. Obviously how we went to school together, and that well… we had a relationship.” The child on his knee, that was now yawning quite widely, is very large proof of that. “But I don’t know if she ever explained that I ended up getting a job overseas. I was working there for only a few weeks when I found out that she was pregnant and came to find her. So I don’t have much in my portfolio outside of my school work and the stuff I’ve done here in the states.”
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“Oh graphic design that's awesome, very in demand with the amount of new companies popping up.” He said trying to keep Lu from bothering Al and cleaning up his hands and face.
“Dang it's a shame you lost the job, but I'm sure it was worth it,” he said with a wink, giving Lu his animal book. He immediately started pressing the buttons but Cass tuned it out.
“You should talk to Dmitry. He's the one with the twins and little boy, Ryan's husband. His father's company might be needing a new or another graphic designer or even talk to Rose. She and Lily run a boutique that might could use some help. I think they are thinking of expanding again. The village is very handy.”
His phone started ringing and he pulled it out. “It's Mercy. Gonna take this real quick.”
“Dang it's a shame you lost the job, but I'm sure it was worth it,” he said with a wink, giving Lu his animal book. He immediately started pressing the buttons but Cass tuned it out.
“You should talk to Dmitry. He's the one with the twins and little boy, Ryan's husband. His father's company might be needing a new or another graphic designer or even talk to Rose. She and Lily run a boutique that might could use some help. I think they are thinking of expanding again. The village is very handy.”
His phone started ringing and he pulled it out. “It's Mercy. Gonna take this real quick.”
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Nate just smiled and picked up his little one, her eyes were getting heavy and the yawns were fairly frequent. He settled Sarah onto his shoulder where she promptly dozed off. It was definitely worth it. Dessie alone was worth it. His little girl was worth so much more. Both together? Priceless.
As for demands for graphic design… yeah it was there. But Nate had noticed that quite a few of those ‘new companies’ don’t really see the time and work needed and either try to pay minimum wage type hours or stiff on the bill completely. So far he had only interacted with the former and not the latter but there are plenty of such stories on Reddit and other communities for freelancers. “I’ll have to do that, if only to see if they need any help. It's always great to assist the family if it's needed.” He also wouldn’t turn down the work as well. They say it's best not to work with and for family but at this point he wasn’t going to be picky. Work was work.
“Sure, no worries.” He just rubbed Sarah’s back as she snoozed on his shoulder, watching as the little boys played with their books. It really was hard to think it had been over a year already. The young man looked up when the cafe’s door opened and the bell jangled softly, the content smile that had been on his face widened to a much brighter smile as Dessie walked in. He raised his hand and waved slightly before returning it back to Sarah’s back when Dessie nodded before heading their way.
As for demands for graphic design… yeah it was there. But Nate had noticed that quite a few of those ‘new companies’ don’t really see the time and work needed and either try to pay minimum wage type hours or stiff on the bill completely. So far he had only interacted with the former and not the latter but there are plenty of such stories on Reddit and other communities for freelancers. “I’ll have to do that, if only to see if they need any help. It's always great to assist the family if it's needed.” He also wouldn’t turn down the work as well. They say it's best not to work with and for family but at this point he wasn’t going to be picky. Work was work.
“Sure, no worries.” He just rubbed Sarah’s back as she snoozed on his shoulder, watching as the little boys played with their books. It really was hard to think it had been over a year already. The young man looked up when the cafe’s door opened and the bell jangled softly, the content smile that had been on his face widened to a much brighter smile as Dessie walked in. He raised his hand and waved slightly before returning it back to Sarah’s back when Dessie nodded before heading their way.
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Cass stood and walked off to answer his phone knowing if his boys heard their mom, they’d be fighting to try to talk to her and probably wouldn't even hear what she said. He turned to see excited shouts of Dessie and De-De, from his boys and he put a finger to his lips to let them know to quiet down.
Lu slipped down out of his booster and ran over to Dessie and Al excited stood in his booster, arms out for a hug.
Cass sighed, “Be careful Al … its nothing Merc, I’ll be home in 30 … yup coldstone, got it babe.”
He headed back over to the group, “quick hugs boys, we’ve got to get going Mama wants ice cream.”
That words was enough to redirect any child and both boys were excitedly dancing for ice cream. “It was nice chatting with you Nate. Seriously, talk to Dmitry. See you guys at swim lessons.”
Lu slipped down out of his booster and ran over to Dessie and Al excited stood in his booster, arms out for a hug.
Cass sighed, “Be careful Al … its nothing Merc, I’ll be home in 30 … yup coldstone, got it babe.”
He headed back over to the group, “quick hugs boys, we’ve got to get going Mama wants ice cream.”
That words was enough to redirect any child and both boys were excitedly dancing for ice cream. “It was nice chatting with you Nate. Seriously, talk to Dmitry. See you guys at swim lessons.”
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Dessie happily gave each boy a hug before Cass came over and redirected them with the talk of ice cream. She helped Cass get himself situated while Nate slid the napping infant into her carrier. The young woman gave each boy a blown kiss before going to check on her own child who was fussing a bit in her sleep.
“Nice chatting with you too Cass. Will do. See you for swimming and enjoy your treat boys,” Nate replied to Cass as both groups got ready to head out. With Dessie there now it was time for them to leave and apparently Cass received a quest as well so while their conversation was relatively brief it was still quite helpful. “Give Mercy our love,” the comment was made as Nate swung the baby bag on his shoulder as Dessie locked the carrier into the stroller.
One final wave and general goodbyes were given before Dessie and Nate headed out, Nate holding the door for not only Dessie but also the trio of Cass, Al, and Lu. Although, unlike for his girls the two little boys got faces made at them. With a smile and a nod they headed for the park. Sarah was likely to sleep through it all but that was fine since he got to spend the afternoon with both of the loves of his life.
“Nice chatting with you too Cass. Will do. See you for swimming and enjoy your treat boys,” Nate replied to Cass as both groups got ready to head out. With Dessie there now it was time for them to leave and apparently Cass received a quest as well so while their conversation was relatively brief it was still quite helpful. “Give Mercy our love,” the comment was made as Nate swung the baby bag on his shoulder as Dessie locked the carrier into the stroller.
One final wave and general goodbyes were given before Dessie and Nate headed out, Nate holding the door for not only Dessie but also the trio of Cass, Al, and Lu. Although, unlike for his girls the two little boys got faces made at them. With a smile and a nod they headed for the park. Sarah was likely to sleep through it all but that was fine since he got to spend the afternoon with both of the loves of his life.
