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Henry’s been anticipating this moment ever since it was confirmed that June was pregnant. David is usually nervous around new people, so he’s terrified to see how he will react to his new baby brother.
He looks over to Alex, who has Arthur's carseat in one hand and Henry's own hand in his other. “Everything is gonna go fine, sweetheart,” Alex promises, and squeezes his hand softly. “Do you wanna hold Artie or keep him in his carseat to meet Davey?” He asks, clearly wanting Henry to be completely comfortable with his new baby meeting his oldest one .
Henry takes in a deep breath, running through the different ideas Alex presents to him. “Keep him in the carseat,” He confirms with a soft nod. “I’ve been going over this meeting in my head several times a day ever since June showed us that pregnancy test,” He admits with a nervous laugh. “I’m sure it’s going to be fine but I’m just– I’m still a little panicked? I couldn’t handle it if David doesn’t like the idea of a baby in the house. O-or Arthur not liking David… I– Christ, I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of David if they don’t along, Alex, but that would–”
“Baby, hey, look at me,” Alex lets go of his hand to bring it up to Henry's face, cupping his cheek softly. “It’s all going to be okay, I promise you. David is a giant teddy bear, he’s going to love having a baby brother.” He reaches to kiss Henry’s nose softly. “And Artie? I’ll admit he could be a little scared of David at first but he’s only small right now so I honestly think Arthur is going to love David.” He places a brief kiss to Henry’s lips and gives him an encouraging smile. “Okay?”
Henry lets Alex’s words wash over him. Of course David is going to love Arthur. David is the biggest softie going, Henry doesn’t doubt that David will guard Arthur with everything he has in him. He knows it. And yet…
He lets out a slow breath and nods, looking up at Alex, a weak smile making its way onto his face. “Okay. Let’s bring our boy home.” He reaches for Alex’s hand to hold it again as he uses his free one to unlock the door.
As soon as the door opens, they’re greeted by the gentle pitter patter of David’s paws clattering against the flooring in his haste to welcome them home. He skids to a stop in front of Alex and Henry, plopping down and looking up at them, clearly expecting some love and attention after they left him alone.
Henry allows Alex to pull him inside and closes the door behind them before turning to David and dropping to his knees, grinning as the dog bounds over to him enthusiastically. “Hello boy,” he whispers, scratching at David’s ears softly. “Terribly sorry we were gone for so long, but we’ve brought home someone special to meet you. You have to be exceedingly careful.” He presses a kiss to his head softly before glancing up to Alex. “Would you go into the living room and set his carseat on the floor? I’ll have David wait here while I come in, then you can come out and say hello to him, too, before bringing him in to meet Artie?” He keeps his voice gentle, still giving David gentle pats so he doesn’t try sniffing around Alex and their son just yet.
Alex smiles, reaching down to squeeze Henry’s shoulder softly. “Sure thing, baby.” He steps around Henry and David as he disappears down the hall, making his way into the living room and setting the carseat down, crouching beside it.
Henry listens as he faintly hears Alex’s mumbling to Arthur, a soft smile on his face. He’s quick to turn his attention back to David, pressing another kiss to his head. “Were you good for Bea while we were gone?” He waits, as if David could answer him. “Of course you were, Davey, you’re such a good boy, aren’t you?” He coos softly.
“Hey! That term is reserved for me, Fox!”
Henry laughs brightly at Alex’s words and shakes his head fondly. He turns his attention back to David. “Ignore your dad.” He stands up slowly. “I’m going to need you to stay here for a moment, David. Okay? David, stay.” He gives the beagle one final pet before making his way into the living room.
He smiles fondly at the sight of Alex talking quietly to Arthur while the baby grips his finger in his fist before clearing his throat softly.
Alex looks up with a grin before glancing back to Arthur. “Right, Artie, your daddy is gonna swap places with me now but I’ll be right back and we’ll all be together again. And you’ll get to meet your big brother!” He cheers quietly, shaking Arhur’s little fist that’s still wrapped around his finger. “I’m gonna need that back, mijo.” Alex gently pulls his finger from Arthur’s grip, shooting Henry another smile when his finger was quickly replaced with Henry’s own. He presses soft kisses to both of their foreheads before he gets up and makes his way out to David.
Henry laughs softly as he hears Alex’s enthusiastic greetings to David. He rolls his eyes fondly and leans down to kiss Arthur’s nose softly. “Your papa, hmm? God knows where he gets all of his energy from, poppet.” He uses his free hand to brush over Arthur’s head softly. “I’m sincerely hoping you and David get along, Artie. He’s been daddy’s baby for an incredibly long time now. He’s helped daddy so much.” He lets out a soft breath.
He straightens up as he hears Alex and David slowly making their way into the living room. Here goes nothing…
Alex walks over to crouch on the other side of Arthur’s carseat as David slows his movements down, clearly noticing the object in the middle of the room.
“David,” Henry calls softly, “Come here, boy. Come and meet your little brother.” He keeps his tone gentle so he doesn’t spook David. He nods encouragingly when David looks at him, almost as though he’s looking for reassurance that it’s okay to inspect the new family member.
“You’ve gotta be very careful Davey. He’s only little.” Alex explains as David finally reaches the carseat.
Both Alex and Henry watch with bated breath as David sniffs around the carseat before ever so gently poking his nose against Arthur’s little tummy under the blanket. David sniffs at Arthur again before he starts tapping his paws against the ground excitedly. Henry feels his heart melting at the sight.
“That’s right, David. This is Arthur, your brother.” Alex reaches over to scratch behind David’s ear lightly. David shakes his head a little to get Alex’s hand off as he spins in a circle a couple of times before shuffling back up to Arthur and sniffling at his head carefully.
Everything goes well for around five seconds before Arthur lets out a pitiful whine, his little face scrunching up. Before Alex and Henry can even react and make sure Arthur is okay, David is whining quietly and nudging his nose into Arthur’s cheek ever so softly. He licks at it a little and the baby’s cries quiet down within seconds. David, now content that Arthur has calmed down, rests his head on his tiny body gently and closes his eyes.
Henry looks up at Alex, his mouth agape. He’s not surprised to find that Alex is already looking back at him, a wide smile on his face.
“They’re gonna be so much trouble, baby. I hope you’re prepared to deal with Artie and Davey teaming up against us, because that is absolutely going to be happening as soon as Artie is old enough to be sitting up alone. Maybe even earlier.” He lets out a little laugh as he pulls out his phone, taking a photo of David and Arthur now sleeping soundly together.
“Oh, Christ. We’re fucked, aren’t we?” Henry groans, dropping his head back.
All he gets in response is Alex’s answering cackle. He lifts his head back up to take in the scene in front of him and comes to the decision that he doesn’t mind the trouble if it’s caused by his loves.