(John P.O.V)

I walked home from the bus stop, keys already in my hand, tired from the shit I'd gotten at work.

Oh yeah, I have an office job. You didn't know that, did you? Now you do.

I opened the door and walked in to find Alex sitting on the couch with the kids and doing something on his phone as the two children leaned over to watch.

"Hey babe, what're you doing?" I leaned over the back of my couch after taking off my coat and shoes.

"We're calling James." He smiled at me. "I called him earlier, but I think the kids want to say hi."

"Yes! I want to see Uncle James!" Francy smiled, bouncing a little. (It's weird that I have an Uncle James, I just can't get over it)

"Yeah, it's been a while." Phillip smiled, always calm.

"Welp." He shrugged and hit the call button.

We waited as the ringtone sounded, everyone but Alex seemed really exited. I know ringtones stress him out, (just me or....?) especially when it's his brother he's calling. But, to Alex's visible relief, James picked up pretty soon.

Hey Alex, all good?

"Uncle James! Uncle James!" Frances screeched, hopping up and down happily.

Hey Francy, how's school? Meet any nice people?

"Thea's in my school and she gave me her last Oreo!"

Alex and James paused to hum something before continuing the conversation. (Kindergarten by chloe moriondo, check it out. That's an order.)

And I assume Phillip is present?

"Yeah, right here."

How was your day? You don't seem as overjoyed as your sister, did everything go well?

"Oh, yeah." Phillip replies. "I didn't get any Oreos, much less the last one, so I think I have reason to be somber."

Wow. Got a good vocabulary there kid, d'you get it from Alex?

"How many times do I have to say this? That's not how it works; we adopted them." Alex sighed, but smiled.

Anyways, how's everything over there on the East coast?

"We're all good just saying hi, you?"

Curled up in multiple blankets by a fireplace that won't burn properly.

I noticed Alex's face fall, but didn't ask him why. Instead I questioned James. "Is it that cold in Washington?"

No, they uhhhh... cut off my heat... so yeah...

And that is why my husband looked gloomy, he always wants to help James in any way he can.

"You cold?" Frances asked.

I'll be fine.

"Will hugs help? When I'm cold I get hugs and it helps."

Alex's eyes filled with heavy sorrow at those words. "Wish I could be there to give you hugs..."

I miss h- you too...

I take it this comes from an event that they'd shared? Probably, that makes sense.

"Well, look at the time!" Alex checked his watch. "Off to bed for you Francy. Phillip, got any homework you need to do?"

He shook his head and stood up, Frances following begrudgingly.

"Then you can read while your dad gets Francy to bed. I need to talk with James, ok?" Alex cast me a pointed glance, it was slightly pleading, and I picked Frances up in my arms, heading upstairs.

"Phil, you go read or do whatever you feel like, try not to be too loud though ok? I'll come check on you once your sister's asleep."

He smiled and nodded going into his room without another word.

I laid Frances down in her bed and she curled up with her stuffed turtle. I read her a story and sang to her for a little bit, but she barely needed it, she was shockingly tired.

I got up and went to knock on Phillip's door.

"Dad?"

"Who else would it be?"

"Ok, come in."

I walked in and saw that Phillip was reading over his piano partitions, a notebook open beside them with notes scribbled down on the paper. I know nothing about music myself, but Alex was teaching our son how to play the piano and Phillip seemed very interested in it.

"You can practice your piano tomorrow." I told him. "It's nine, get changed, then you can read in bed for a little before I come by to turn the lights off."

"Okay, love you dad." He smiled, walking over to his wardrobe.

It warms my heart every time he calls me 'dad' it's a lovely thing to hear. I know Phillip probably prefers Alex, who lets him stay up all night and reads history books to him while accompanying them on the piano, but the fact that Phil considers me a dad to him makes my heart melt.

I smiled back at him and closed the dood to his room, heading back to the living room. Alex was pacing there, phone pressed to his ear, voice raised as he shouted into the device. I didn't want to get involved, but my husband looked really distraught and angry.

"James, I can help you!" He cried.

I couldn't hear the response, but it seemed to be at the same level of anger. Those two are insanely alike, yet so different in so many ways.

"Jesus Christ, that's why I want to!"

Pause. He seethed.

"I know that! Get over your pride and either accept my offer or decline it, but have good reason to do so!"

Pause.

"You know what? I'm tired of having this argument, goodbye James." He said the last part sharply, hanging up and sighing, head drooping.

"Alex, baby? What's wrong?" I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my head on his shoulder.

"It's just... it's nothing." He shook his head and I knew I wouldn't get a honest answer until he felt like giving me one.

"I heard yelling." Phillip peeked around the doorframe, eyes wide.

"No it's fine, your goddamn Uncle was being a stupid bastard." My husband spat, anger hardening his usually soft brown eyes.

"Alex, language." I couldn't care less honestly, but Phillip's teachers complained once about him swearing in class and I think he may have gotten that from Alex.

He glared at me, but I didn't take it personal. It wasn't me he was glaring at, it was everything that was pissing him off at the moment, and what I just said was one of those things.

"Phil, go to sleep, I'll come in and say goodnight in a few minutes, ok?"

He nodded and scampered off.

"Alex."

"Mm." He didn't look at me.

"Alex." I insisted, and his eyes met mine. "Love you."

"Love you to Johnny." He grinned and nuzzled against me. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I shouldn't have lashed out" He held his arms wide for a hug and I pulled him into my arms, kissing his face lovingly.