He stand under the shower, letting the the water rain over him. He had stayed up all night, keeping Gabe calm so he could calm Nathaniel. Eventually the terrified boy, for that's what he still was, fell into an exhausted sleep, allowing Jason to send Gabriel to the bedroom with him. Shortly after, Leela had shown up to pick up Tom, Nate left right after her.
He quickly dries off and walks into the bedroom, stops. Gabriel, with Nathaniel wrapped around him like a frightened child, Vivian and Zane, asleep. Four kitties cuddled in bed, their bed, with no room for a puppy.
He smiles sadly and walks through the house, checking on the others. Cherry and the twins, curled up in the second bedroom. Lil, Jubilee and Scud on the fold out in the living room.
He feeds Corona and Crown, smiling at the 'These are NOT food, they are PETS' sign that Lil put on their cage. Picks up a blanket off the couch, wrapping it around himself. He steps out the patio, watching the sun rise over the lake.
He needs Gabe so badly, he's in tears. Needs to prove to himself with more than just his eyes that Gabriel is okay, but they need him more. Need him to heal. Wiping the tears from his face, he curls up on a deck chair and falls into a fitful sleep.
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