Alan's POV
I rolled over and looked for Austin. I pouted when I saw that he wasn't in the bed anymore. I took my time and got up, stretching my arms and legs and then walked to the bathroom to take a quick shower. I got out and dried off. I threw Austin's t-shirt back on and grabbed a pair of sweatpants. After getting dressed I went downstairs and looked around for everyone. No one was in the kitchen or living room. I stood there confused before I heard a laugh coming from moms room.

I walked down the hall and opened her door. She was sipping on and drink and looked to me.
"Hey Alan. Nice seeing you this morning." I raised an eyebrow at her. Something was up. I looked around the room and immediately caught on. I saw Coles green pajama bottoms sticking out from behind the recliner. There was a suspicious Mason sized lump at the end of my mom's bed and to beat it all Austin, being the giant he was, was trying to hide behind the curtain. I kept my laughs to myself and took a seat on the recliner.

"I'm really worried Mom. I can't find the boys or Austin." I said with sadness in my voice.
"Well I haven't seen them." She said giving me a knowing smile. I sighed and flopped down on the end of her bed laying on the lump.
"I guess this means I'll have to adopt new brothers. Maybe blondes? What do you think Momma?"
"I think you may be right sweetie, but what about Austin?"
"Ehhh Austin, Austin. There's this really cute new guy we got at work. Pretty sexy if you ask me."

"Hey! There will be no one taking my little ginger from me." Austin said coming out from behind the curtain and wrapping his arms around me pulling me up from the bed.
"Ausitn!" I heard both the twins wine.
"You blew our cover." Cole pouted.
"I'm sorry bud, but what was I supposed to do? He was gonna get another boyfriend." Austin said and moved his hand around while talking causing me and my mom to laugh.
"Ally is not allowed to have another boyfriend besides you." Mason said popping his head out from under the covers.
"Is that so?" I said turning to him.
"Yep." He said popping the 'p', "you have no choice." He shrugged his shoulders. All of us laughed.

"So who's ready for breakfast?" I asked.
"Can we have pancakes?" Cole asked and I nodded my head.
"Momma do you want anything?" She thought about it and nodded her head.
"Yea fix me one. Just one." I beamed when she agreed. She hadn't wanted to eat anything lately. Maybe, just maybe she was getting better.
"No you boys go on, but Austin stay a moment. I want to talk to you." Austin looked at me and I shrugged my shoulders. Following the twins out of her room and into the kitchen to make pancakes.

Austin's POV
"Don't look so scared." Alan's mom said with a laugh as soon as Alan left. "Come on take a seat." I nodded my head and sat down in the recliner right next to her bed. She looked at me a moment before speaking.
"Austin, I just wanted to thank you."
"For what?" I asked confused.
"For everything you've done. You've made Alan's smile come back, the twins are always excited again, and you've just brightened up this whole household." She smiled at me. "I know it may not seem like Alan was the least bit unhappy before he met you but a mother knows. He was so stressed out and was trying to juggle everything and do the absolute best he could. A-and I hate that I'm the one who put him in that situation." A silent tear rolled down her cheek and I grabbed her hand in mine and she smiled at me.

"But I can't take back what happened, it wasn't in my control and I'm so thankful for you. He doesn't seem to stress as much, he's more at ease. He smiles more often and the twins love you to death. Cole ranted for an hour the other day about how he wanted to be like you when he was older." We both laughed. "That's another thing I love. Alan will come in here, and don't tell him I told you, he will talk about you for hours. You mean so much to all of us." She got a sad look in her eye. "And that eases my mind because I know I'm not going to last."

"Hey hey. Don't talk like that." I said and she squeezed my hand.
"It's the truth Austin honey. I'm going to die. I've always wondered how Alan would take it and I know he will be a mess. It won't be pretty. That scares me, but knowing he has you to lean on eases my mind. You can be his anchor. Austin just please take care of my baby." She said and started crying again. I got up from the seat and hugged her.
"I will. I promise." I whispered.
"Good. Now go have fun with the boys."
I smiled and started to walk out the door.
"Thank you Austin." She said as I stepped into the hallway.
"Don't mention it." I said and smiled.

I went into the kitchen and smiled when I saw Alan happily humming and flipping a pancake. I walked over and wrapped my arms around him and kissed his cheek. He giggled and turned towards me hugging me.
"Momma actually wanted something to eat!" He said excitedly. "Maybe she's getting better." His eyes lit up and my heart broke. I realized what his mom was talking about. I knew now more than ever that once she did go Alan would need someone to keep him steady. He was so hopeful. I made a promise to myself. I will be the one here to anchor him and keep him from drowning. God I loved this boy so much, wait I lov- yes I loved him and I couldn't stand to think of him being unhappy. I wouldn't leave his side and I would make sure he didn't have to go through anything alone. I hugged him tighter to me and buried my head in his neck. He laughed and kissed the side of my head.