Arthur, Francis, and Matthew came to Trinity Church to pray every year after Alfred disappeared. If asked why they would come here, they could never answer how they felt pulled. The reasoning stood until the moment that they witnessed FBI agents, treasure hunters, and a child enter the sanctuary. They stayed in the pew, second row in the front and unnoticed as they remained kneeling, and watched as Alfred was placed on the pew in front of them.
Arthur gripped Francis' arm, tears gathering in his eyes as he soaked up the image of his child. Francis placed his hand over Arthur's in silent support as he glanced at Matthew. Matthew looked at his younger brother after glancing at his parents and nodding at his Papa. He knew that they would be taking Alfred with them now. He slipped his long trench coat over the unconscious four year old and carefully picked him up, completely unnoticed by the others in the church. Francis led the way out of the church, Arthur clinging to him in shock and Matthew carefully carrying his baby brother. The silence was broken by Matthew halfway to the car.
"Do you think he'll be okay? Do you think he'll remember us?" He hugged the boy closer as they sped walked to the car they had taken from the hotel.
"We won't know until we wake him up, love." Arthur's voice was filled with sadness for all the time they had lost with the youngest child. He almost groaned when he realized that he would have to call each member of the family to tell them the news.
"Arthur, 'e will be fine, non?" Francis placed a gentle kiss upon Arthur's head, frowning slightly when his husband didn't react. The rest of the walk and the ride to the hotel was quiet except for the sound of the child's uneven breathing. Matthew started trying to wipe a few of the runes and signets off, frowning when they wouldn't fade at all. He lifted his head to ask Arthur about it, meeting the emerald green eyes that had been studying him.
"They most likely used the blood of fallen soldiers. Don't worry, love, we will free him once we get back to our room. Ian, William, and Patrick are going to meet us there. They are telling the rest of the family now." Arthur's voice soothed Matthew's worries. Matthew felt useless as he held Alfred and texted Bill (Australia).
Bill responded with a snapshot of him and Leon (Hong Kong). Thus began a back and forth with pictures of Alfred with different filters that were so cute, only slightly ruined because of Alfred's startling thinness.