6 Chapter Six

As the gurgle of water swirling down the drain fills the bathroom, a small boy giggles and grins, trying to dodge the blue towel his dad holds in his hands.

"Papa! No! Like my hair like this!" Shane squeals, just managing to duck underneath his father's outstretched arms and scrambling to the other side of the tiny bathroom. This wasn't particularly strenuous for his father, as the man was putting in minimal effort. He relishes chasing Shane around just as much as Shane loves running about. However, he has to at least act like he cares, if not solely for the sake of watching his son squeal with the exhilaration of evading the inevitable doom of drying off.

"Gargh, we've got to get you all dry, so you don't get sick!" he declares, leaning forward to scoop up the boy. Shane wriggles out of his grasp, squealing and clambering around to the other side of him as he giggles happily.

"Papa! No!" he shrieks in his laughter as Connor inches closer. Before Shane can squirm away again, his father pulls an unexpected move. Connor smirks and tosses the towel at Shane, covering his head and torso with the big towel like a gladiator net in the Roman Coliseum. The little boy doesn't react fast enough, and suddenly he is entangled in the cloth, his plans foiled!

"I've got you now!" Connor trumpets with over-the-top pride, though the loving tenderness in his voice is always evident. He scoops up Shane, making sure the towel is still pinned well over the boy's head, before toting him off to the bedroom. Shane giggles in his arms, squirming around and attempting to wriggle away, but he knows the jig is up.

"Papa, want the pirate jammies," Shane proclaims through the towel, ultimately coming to a halt in his father's arms. Connor hums in acknowledgment and deposits Shane on the edge of the mattress. He thoroughly dries of the little boy with a soft smile on his thin lips.

"Were you good enough today to get the pirate jammies?" he queries lightly, teasing Shane.

"What? Yes! I did good today!" Shane exclaims in outrage before squealing and squirming about as his father makes a monster sound and gives him a tummy raspberry. His blue eyes twinkle with affection as he finally yanks the towel off with a flourish. Shane giggles breathlessly, hugging his arms around himself and shivering. He hates to admit it, but Papa is right- it's cold when he's a wee bit wet.

"Get your undies on Shane," Connor hums, tossing a pair of kid's underwear over to Shane before digging through the dresser for the infamous pirate jammies. The boy executes the order as told before standing, jumping about on the bed in anticipation of his favorite jammies. Connor rises with a flourish, brandishing the beloved night-time clothing item, and Shane hollers with excitement, giving his best pirate imitation. Connor helps make sure Shane gets dressed properly, giving his hair another glance over, guiding him through brushing his teeth, and then finally settling the boy in for the night. The tiny twin bed isn't large by any means, but Connor manages to squeeze on to sit on the side of it, softly smiling down at his son.

"No bedtime story?" Shane asks, his brows furrowing in confusion over his blue eyes. They seem stormy at the moment, a flurry of misunderstanding and disappointment.

"Well, Mama got a new job working right now, so she won't be around to read your bedtime story anymore. Since she's not around, I've got to keep an eye on all three of you buggers, Alli, Simon, and you," Connor says, tapping the tip of Shane's nose lovingly.

"But bedtime story," Shane replies, gazing up at his father with big, blank, expectant eyes.

"I can't read to you right now, Shane. I still have to get Simon all set and ready for bed, and you know he's still a lot of work. It's Simon's bath day, so it's even more work. I'll try to read to you tomorrow, alright?" Connor replies with a soft smile to his son, but he can't hide how his blue eyes seem to turn more stormy with sadness, just like his son's. He wishes so profoundly that he could have the wonderful bonding time reading gives them.

"Pinky promise?" Shane asks, holding up a pinky. Connor chuckles a bit and leans forward, pressing a kiss to the little boy's forehead as his hand gently puts Shane's down.

"I won't make a guarantee, but I can promise that I will try my best to make time to read you a story. Though it might come out of bathtime with Pirate Ducky," he warns, carding a hand through his son's hair.

"Not Pirate Ducky!" Shane exclaims, a mortified expression on his small features.

"We'll just have to see, hm?" Connor hums, carefully ensuring the blankets were all tucked up to Shane's liking. The man leans over, snatching something from the floor and then offering it out to Shane. The little boy gasps in shock as he stretches forward, seizing his favorite plushy. The red fur is perfectly fine, and those big eyes are still intact.

"He was on the ground?!" he almost shrieks.

"Hush Shane, relax, it's bedtime, so we use our night-time, inside voices," Connor gently reprimands before adding, "He fell off when you were bouncing around in your jammies. But don't worry, he's still in tip-top shape," his father reassures. Shane nods, and his blue eyes scan over the Elmo plush. Nothing seems out of place, just the usual loose threads at the seams.

"Thank you, Papa," he murmurs, hugging the plushy tight and tucking Elmo to his chest beneath his chin protectively.

"Of course, kiddo. Have a good night," his dad replies softly, smiling lovingly, albeit tiredly at his eldest son.

"G'night Papa," Shane yawns, slanting into his blankets as he relaxes. His father leans over, pressing another gentle kiss to his forehead, patting the boy's shoulder, and standing. He turns and walks to the door, checking on Shane one last time before reaching out and turning off the lights.

Click.