They had it coming

The feeling of his lover's hands getting warmed up by his skin made him sigh in content, smiling as he closed his eyes, enjoying how things went along at a moderate pace. It wasn't painfully slow, but it was quite clear that both of them were taking the moment to just be there for one another. As he started to actively massage him, he groaned softly from the release of tension, gritting his teeth at some points because it felt extra sore. Eden knew his body. Knew where to press and touch. Sometimes it felt like the vampyre knew more of the lycan's body than himself. "Your hands are heavenly my love," he breathed out, trying to just keep a steady intake of oxygen as the tensions were sorta rough on him. He hadn't been good to take the time to really relax as of late. But he also hadn't felt like he had the time. "I'm sorry if I end up falling asleep," he just warned him. The more his body was untangled from itself, the more drowsy he grew. He kept his eyes closed, groaning and moaning from time to time, though eventually it turned to a light snore. Romeo had been working hard, and he knew that when he woke up he would be sorta disappointed in himself for not being able to stay awake longer. But alas, he couldn't really do anything right now.

When the lycan had slept for a good few hours there was a shy and careful knock at the door. If Eden went to check, Amelia would stand there with Babbit, tears in her eyes as she just reached out, wrapping her arms around Eden. From her blabbering it was clear that she had had a nightmare.

Amelia was lifted and taken to bed, her big eyes still fluid, but it was clear she felt more safe now to be with them. The promise to keep her safe made her nod, drying her eyes and face as she snuggled up between them. Romeo didn't seem to mind, clearly rather tired from the day and he would need his energy tomorrow. She felt the finger against her nose bridge and soon enough she started to get drowsy, pressing Babbit closer as she rested her head on his stomach. She fell asleep like that, seemingly being in contact with both of them to feel fully safe. Eventually Romeo turned around, moving his arm around Amelia and Eden, holding both of them in his sleep.
The next day Romeo was not really wanting to wake up, so Amelia had taken it into her own hands to cook them all some breakfast. Of course she couldn't use the stove, but with Eden's help she managed to use the toaster and spread some butter on the hot bread. She was clearly full of energy that morning, and last night's nightmare was gone for now. Managing to get most of it herself into the bedroom she crawled up on the bed as she started to nudge Romeo, snuggling up to him. The lycan grunted softly, but eventually opened one eye to see a small face extremely close to his face. He chuckled softly, blinking lazily as he was still trying to wake up fully. "Breakfast," she told him, and he leaned up on his arm to see the plate on his night stand. "All that for me?" He asked making the small girl nod with a grin. Romeo smiled, wrapping her arms around her, turning over on his back so she sat on his stomach. "Thank you so much," he told her and she looked so proud, turning her head to look at Eden if he had joined them. Romeo looked to Eden as well, clearly happy that he was now there too. Nothing would beat having this lovely child close and his husband as well. "But shouldn't we eat it out at the table at least? It wouldn't be nice with crumbs in the bed." It made her think before nodding and agreeing to it. Crumbs would definitely not be good for the bed.

The prospect of actually eating in bed made Amelia excited, getting off of Romeo to snuggle under his duvet to get his heat. Lycan kids always sought out heat, even if they were warm themselves. It was about safety for them. Romeo sighed, shaking his head at his husband with a smile on his lips, "alright, I guess the two of you have me at a choke hold," he chuckled, grabbing the plates and patting the bed to invite Eden in as well. He didn't have to, but eating together always seemed to put Amelia more at ease. She placed Babbit between her and Eden, knowing that he would keep him safe and away from any mess she might make.
As they ate, Eden and Romeo discussed some work related rather briefly, mostly about the fact that their trademarks had been approved and they now were one step closer. "We also have to find a babysitter for this one," he pondered, patting her head softly as he took a sip of his coffee. Hopefully the caffeine would kick in soon enough. Amelia looked to Romeo in confusion but he chuckled softly, "me and Eden are going to a grown up party," he said, and the little girl looked down, poking at the piece of crust she had left on her plate. Romeo placed the food items away and laid down in bed, pulling her in as she clearly needed some comfort. "Daddy go?" She asked softly which made Romeo's heart skip a beat, looking to Eden with wide eyes. How was he supposed to react to that?

Babysitter they seemed to agree on. But maybe a nanny would be better in the long run. Wait, whybwas he thinking so far ahead? He wasn't even really aware of it. But being called daddy just made his heart ache. She really trusted them, didn't she? Maybe for once in her life she had somebody close to her that she could trust. She turned to look at Eden as he promised it was only for a night, looking down and toying with Babbit's ears. "Hey, no frowning," Romeo told her, pinching her softly which made her giggle in return. Snuggling up between them she just seemed to think everything through before she seemingly just accepted it as it was. She trusted them, so she had to go by their rules. "But it's not tonight .. however we do have some studying to do, don't we?" He said which made Amelia perk up. She really loved those tutoring sessions with Romeo. He looked to his husband, reaching out to cup his face, "would it be too much trouble for you to look up some good nannies?" He asked, just running his thumb over his cheekbone gently.

Romeo smiled, sending him a soft air kiss, as kissing would have to wait until they were out of the bed. Funny how their bed had become not only a place of intense love of the body but also of the soul. He felt truly good in this moment. Humming softly he saw Amelia nod, pouting a little as she seemed determined to make a good choice. She then smiled up at Eden, wrapping her arms around him, "thank you," she muttered against his shirt, hiding her face away. It was clear she sought comfort in both of them, and that her attachment was growing for each day. Romeo found himself wondering how they were ever going to be parted from her.
Their morning breakfast ended, and Amelia wanted a little time to pick a nice outfit. It seemed she had started to pick up on how both her carers' fashion. Meanwhile Romeo cleaned up before he greeted his husband, wrapping his arms around the vampyre, pulling him in for a loving kiss. They had a moment for themselves, and Romeo had come to appreciate their shared affections more. "I want us to set up a fund for her," he spoke rather seriously, because this girl didn't have to ever worry about living the life she deserved. "And the nanny we pick .. they need to be aware that something might happen to us .. that Amelia will need to be cared for in that case," he said. He didn't want her to hear all of these worries he had. They were going after the twins, and the other times they had almost lost one another. "I guess I have one more thing to fight for," he spoke softly, leaning in to nuzzle their noses together.

Eden soothed his worries as always, leaning into his embrace as he just stood there silent for a while. He was worried, not only for Eden and himself but for Amelia too. Scary how a child like that could just sneak up on you and make you protect them without hesitating. He nodded at the reminder before looking down. He cared about Amelia a lot, and when she had called him daddy, he had felt something within him. Worry, perhaps? "What if I don't live up to that title," he muttered. He was afraid that he was going to mess up, or that he wasn't doing enough. He knew how to be a husband and business partner. But a father? It wasn't like he had had any fatherly figure besides his uncle, and look where that had gotten him in the end. "She deserves so much .. and I'm worried that I'll never be good enough," it was the perfectionist in him spraking. He would be the best or nothing. Sighing he closed his eyes, hugging Eden closer, "I need your council," he pleaded against his shoulder, pressing him closer. He couldn't make this choice alone. He needed Eden to want this too, to want to start their future now and not later.

Romeo once more the comfort of his husband. Feeling him squeeze him closer, embracing everything, every flaw, every little thing about his worries his husband truly took care of in this moment. The way Eden spoke .. it felt almost like he knew which answer this had. Amelia belonged with them, didn't she? "When the whole ordeal with them is over .. I want us to be a family; the three of us; I don't think I'm ever feel ready, but with you I know I can face anything with you by my side," he spoke rather genuinely. They were going to be alright. They could do this, couldn't they? "You're the most amazing man in the world," he whispered, leaning in and kissing him lovingly, moving his kisses down his neck, humming against his skin. "We're going to be amazing fathers, huh?" He mused, clearly liking the thought already.
His hands started to travel, moving down to grip his hips, pulling him in a little closer, if that was even possible at this point. It just felt so good. The day had started out so lovely, and Romeo just knew that if he could, he would start every day like that. The three of them in bed; cuddling; talking; spending the time together with no care in the world. Amelia deserved that stability that they could provide. And the two of them needed her too in a way that the lycan couldn't quite describe. Maybe it was something about his lycan self that made him long for a small pack of his own. Eden gave him the love and comfort, but a child could give him things that his husband couldn't provide. Or at least that was how he saw it. "If you want to take this step with me, then I think I'm ready," he confessed in a soft murmur against his neck, pulling away to look at him rather seriously. "What do you want?" It wasn't just about him. They were a unit, a team, and they needed to agree and work together for this to succeed.

Eden was luckily the more logical one in this situation. Romeo was driven by his emotions still coming down from the full moon, but he was happy to hear that the vampyre was seriously considering it as well. His worries were also quite valid, and the lycan too wanted to know more. But everything they had tried so far had lead to a dead end. "Would you happen to have any contacts that might be able to find said parents?" He asked. Eden had his hands in a lot of things, and not all of them were stockbroker related. "She's not talking about them, so I'm not sure what to think of it all," he sighed, leaning away from his neck, lifting one hand up to cup his cheek. "I just want what's best for her .. and if that happens to be here with us, then I'm not opposed to taking on the responsibility," at least that was stating what he wanted. Sure, in the optimal scenario he could just lay claim to Amelia, have her be their daughter right then and there, but the thought of some family member out there searching for her .. well it wasn't really something he wished for her.
"We should get to working," he mused, smiling as he leaned in to steal a couple more kisses. He had to go do some tutoring to Amelia before he had a few telephone meetings with investors later. "I do have to say I really enjoy us sharing an office right now .. though I fear I don't always get as much work done as I would've hoped," he sighed, but that was both because of Amelia and the vampyre being a little distracting.

Eden hummed at the question of contacts, because he was sure that he knew at least one that could be helpful for them. But he would also have to check and be completely sure. "I'll poke around and see if anyone's any use." he assured his husband. It was true that she didnt speak of her parents, which could lead to the conclusion that they hadnt been good for her. But on the other hand, could it also be that she had been missing for long enough to just not think of them anymore? "I understand." he nodded. He wouldnt mind taking up the responsibility as well if it was what she needed. But if the choice was his, then he wanted to make sure that they wouldnt lose her.
The reminder of work made him hum softly in agreement. "You're right." he muttered before the kisses were stolen. Romeo's fear made the vampyre scoff softly. "I doubt it with your work ethic. It would almost be a task for me to try and distract you." he disagreed wholeheartedly. But he checked his phone, "I'll be leaving in an hour or so. So you'll have the office to yourself. Got a meeting with one of my contacts. And then I'll look for our much needed detective."

Rolling his eyes he looked at Eden at his comment about his work ethic. It was true that once he got started he was a tough one to pry away from it again. Maybe that was because it was how he worked best; diving head first into it all and not stopping before everything was solved and neatly organized. "Well I hope it doesn't mean you'll stop trying," he raised an eyebrow, flashing a bratty smile. Yeah, he still had that brat in him, he just didn't want to show Amelia that part of him. No, that was for Eden's eyes alone. "An hour would be fine; I have a few lessons with her and then I'll put her up with some homework and about an hour or so of some kids show she's been getting a bit obsessed with," he hummed thoughtfully. His plans for the day was rather organized, and having a kid around had meant he had to learn that it was alright to break an order every once in a while. Her needs did come first - at least in his eyes.
"I'm planning on making some chicken soup for dinner .. I know you still do eat with us, but I was thinking of spicing yours up with some blood; any preference?" He asked, slowly letting go of his husband, because they really did have work to do. If Eden had a specific type then Romeo would make a mental note of it. Amelia came into the kitchen, holding her book and looked to the lycan with big eyes. She clearly really loved learning, and perhaps it was because of Romeo. He was very passionate about teaching, as he believed that it was the way to get a good work ethic. He just couldn't see himself as a teacher for a school, but teaching his own kids was probably different - it certainly was with Amelia. "Alright, let's get started," he smiled, giving Eden a final kiss on the cheek before he went over and hoisted Amelia up, making her giggle as the lycan went through their lessons for today.

Despite what Eden said he barely broke a sweat, touching his jaw slowly, "I'm looking forward to it, mio marito," he mused before they truly had to let go. Amelia seemed sad that Eden had to go, but the brief kiss did make her hopeful that he would return soon enough. However things at that point would take a turn for the worse.
As soon as the smell entered the apartment, Amelia froze up, unsure of what to do with herself, running to her room when she had the chance, hiding under her bed. She tried covering her nose, but nothing seemed to work as she just started crying. The reaction that Romeo got was one of a much more experienced lycan. As soon as he caught a wiff of it he was out of his chair, almost pulling the hinge off the door to get to the origin of that smell. Growling he pretty much kicked the door down to the kitchen. He grabbed onto Eden by his neck, sneering at him as his eyes were wild. He growled from deep within him, his eyes glowing his signature garnet color. "Don't .. move .." He had never been more serious than now. Only perhaps overthrown by their wedding vows. His eyes darted around, looking to the vampyre's fingers, traveling up to his sleeves as he kept growling. He probably looked feral. "Were .. is .. it .." Though it was sounding far from a question and more of a demand.

Romeo was burning hot, gritting his teeth as his fingers tightened a bit around his lover's neck. It was completely out of character for him, and yet it was clear he was holding back. A pained expression as Eden explained what was going on. The lycan managed to pry his hands off of the vampyre, grasping onto the kitchen counter, scraping deep cracks into the wood as he tried to contain himself. "Get .. away .." He was practically pleading at this point, but his voice was rough and demanding. He didn't want to hurt Eden, and it was sure that as soon as this was over it would be another thing that Romeo could beat himself up about. "Read the fucking letter then," he growled, focusing on basically tearing the kitchen counter apart instead of his husband. "READ IT!"

Romeo was visibly shaking, his whole body tensing up, but it was a lot of emotions his body was going through. The pheromones were awakening his animalistic side, and the scent of someone else on Eden was infuriating. The letter was clear as day, and the symbols and trinkets he grabbed, grinding those to dust that were additional bad omens and location trackers before he was left with a single symbol. One that he knew nothing about, except for the fact that it was clearly a pack symbol. His hands were still shaking, grabbing the letter he tore it to pieces before he put it down into the garbage disposal and turned it on for good measure, shredding it into nothing but mush. "Go .. shower .." He couldn't even look at Eden right now. It hurt too much. He was too angry to even say anything that made sense.
The pheromones that he had touched would disappear rather fast on his skin because of his own production, and as soon as Eden left the room it seemed as though he could calm down again. That was when he felt a clarity in his mind, heading for Amelia's room. He found her, cradled up under her bed and he pulled her out and into his arms. She sobbed, and he tried to comfort her to the best of his abilities. He was still shaking, his nails broken and fingers bloody from the quote on quote fight with the kitchen counter. How could he describe to her that he was going to protect her? "Papà is here," he whispered to her softly, holding her close until her crying subsided. She had tuckered herself out at that point, sleeping in his arms, her nose pressed against his shirt to drown out all of the bad smells. He was just sitting on the floor on her fluffy rug, cradling the child whom he now knew he could never let go of. She was his daughter now. Nobody could change his mind.