Love Begets Love

“Sleep now baby, you needed rest badly.” Charles said as he lay next to Jeremy. He and Jeremy cuddled in bed with their baby. But after some time, he noticed how exhausted Jeremy is. Cleo also informed them that the doctor is on his way. Even how Jeremy protested that he is okay, all three men would not agree unless the doctor checks on him and their baby.

Much to Jeremy’s disappointment, Charles took the sleeping baby to his crib, just beside their bed. “ I promise I will look after Adrien. And I promise I will allow you to spend some time with him. We have all the time in the world, angel. But right now, I need you to rest.”

“Okay. But I don’t want you to leave my side and Adrien. I want him near.” Jeremy pleaded.

“Of course I won’t leave your side. Not that I have found you again. And Adrien is staying right where he is.” Charles promised as he kissed his lover’s forehead. “Sleep now. We have lots of things to talk to after your much needed rest. I love you so much, angel.”

“I love you too. So much.” Jeremy said before closing his eyes. Charles is lying on his back, while Jeremy is lying on his side, his head resting on Charles’ chest, with one arm draped on Charles’ waist, and his one leg entangled on Charles’. He felt so secured.

Charles stayed awake. When he noticed that Jeremy is already sleeping, he studied his angel closely. Jeremy has lost a few pounds, he could tell. And his wrists were bruised. Charles took the arm draped on his waist and kissed the bruised wrist, too careful not to wake his slumbering lover. He then continued kissing his forehead.

After a while, there was a slight knock at the door. Rufus entered silently, and could not help but smile on the scene before him. He had his grandson back. Jeremy is okay. And he also have his great grandson now.

“I-Is he asleep?” Rufus asked Charles and the other nodded.

“Doctor Mckinley is already here. I hate to disturb both of you but I think he needs to be checked.”

Charles could not believe his ears. He never heard Rufus speak this way. So full of concern. No more anger, no more harshness.

“Yes, I agree.” Charles replied.

The doctor entered and Charles started to slowly wake Jeremy up. “Angel, the doctor is here.”

Jeremy slowly opened his eyes and surveyed his surroundings. Then he saw his grandfather standing at the foot of the bed.

“Grandpa, c- can Charles stay with me while the doctor checks on me? Please?” Jeremy asked.

“Of course, of course, Jeremy.” Rufus nodded immediately.

The doctor proceeded with the exam. He confirmed that Jeremy is slightly hydrated, and had prescribed him some vitamins, then advised him to eat a lot. The three men were glad to know that Jeremy and the baby are both okay.

After the examination, they allowed Jeremy and Charles to rest.

It was already afternoon the following day when Charles woke up. Jeremy is still snuggled close to him but their baby is not in his crib. He knew Cleo took Adrien out to the nurse so he need not worry.

Then there is a slight knock on the door again. Rufus entered.

“You’re finally awake.” Rufus said.

“G- good afternoon, sir.” Charles presumed that Rufus had been checking on them for several times now. But he does not want to wake his grandson. Charles could tell that Rufus is really anxious to talk to him. Charles really felt weird. Rufus acts so differently.

“Um…C- can we talk?” Rufus’ voice is short of being a whisper. Certainly, he does not want to wake Jeremy with their conversation. But he is already anxious to talk to Charles. And Jeremy is snuggled next to Charles, with his arm draped over Charles’ waist. Certainly, Jeremy would feel it if Charles ever makes a move to leave their bed.

Is this really Jeremy’s grandfather? Charles wondered. He seemed so... different. He seem gentle. And now he is asking his permission? Weird.

“S- sure, sir.” Charles answered nervously.

“I- I’ve seen how much you mean to my grandson…. And how much he means to you. I may have been blind in the past… b- but I am willing to forgo everything for Jeremy’s sake. I would die if I lose him again.” Rufus started.

Is he really hearing it right? Charles wondered. “S- sir?”

“I… I only wanted to tell you that…. that I am permitting your relationship with him.”

“I… I don’t know what to say. I… I’m overwhelmed. Thank you so much, sir.” Charles said and could not prevent tears from falling in his eyes.

“Please take good care of him and my great grand child.”

“Y-you don’t have to tell me that sir. I will risk my life for my family.” Charles answered. “S-sir….” Charles knew this is the right time.

“Yes?”

“I… This may not be the perfect timing but… I still would want to try… I- I would like to ask his hand in marriage sir.”

Rufus’ brows furrowed. Yes, he can accept their relationship. But is it not a bit early to give away his only grandson?

“S-sir… I… we already have a son… I…”

“Okay.” Rufus knew he can’t say no already.

“Sir?” Charles could not hide his excitement.

“ I said yes. On one condition.” Charles anxiously waited on that one condition.

“Anything sir.”

“Not until he reaches his eighteenth birthday, which is… only two months from now.”

“Of course! Of course sir! I… I don’t have a problem with that….”

“But you better take good care of them or you will be facing my wrath.”

“I swear! I promise! Thank you sir!” Charles was too excited that he could not help but raise his voice a little.

“Ungghh…C- charles?” Jeremy was awaken by his voice.

“Oh, angel… I- I-m so sorry… I’m so sorry I woke you up.”

“G- grandpa?” Jeremy saw his grandfather standing on door. “Hey, w- what’s going on?”

“Angel… I …y- your grandpa just allowed me to marry you.” Charles said excitedly.

Jeremy looked at him and then his grandfather. Is this for real? Or are they just making this up? When he saw his grandfather smile, then he knew that Charles is not kidding at all. “R- really?!” Jeremy suddenly stood up in bed and ran towards his grandfather and hugged him tightly. “Thank you, grandpa! I love you so much!”

Jeremy forgot how firm and strict his grandfather is for a moment. When reality struck on him, he carefully loosened his hold on Hugo.

“I- I’m so sorry grandpa…I didn’t mean….”

“No need to explain your actions, child. It’s perfectly okay. I want you to be happy.”

“Thank you so much grandpa!” Jeremy hugged his grandfather again. This time, with no reservations.

After their conversation, Hugo again left the couple. Instantly, Jeremy asked for Adrien.

“He is with Cleo, Angel. You know he is safe with Cleo, right?” Charles said as he kissed his forehead.

“Yeah….It’s just that…Oh Charles, I thought Gael would try to kill him.” Jeremy told Charles teary-eyed. He is trembling a little as he tried to relive what occurred during his captivity. “They forced me to go into early labor b- because Gael… H- he planned to… he planned to make me pregnant.”

Charles held his trembling lover close to him. His blood is boiling in anger.

“H- he said he does not care if our baby lives, as long as they get rid of our baby. I… I was begging for them not to do it but they still forced me. I was so relieved to learn that Adrien survived early birth. B- but he used Adrien against me. They kept him in another room, and they would not let me see him unless I follow what he instructs me to do.”

“Oh baby…Everything is going to be okay from now on. I swear Gael will pay dearly for what he did.”

“I’m so thankful that Adrien lived. I would not have survived that ordeal if he did not. Our baby gave me the strength to fight.” Jeremy admitted.

“I’m so glad baby. You are so strong. I love you so much. Things will get better from now on. I promise.”

“I love you, Charles.”

“And I love you and Adrien, so much more, Angel. You and Adrien made me the happiest man alive.”


TBC