Chapter Text
“Charles!” Max called from the comfort of his nest, his face grimacing while he looked at the bundle in his arms.
The Omega had been put under strict nest and bed rest for the next few weeks. He was on regular pain management and iron tablets following the surgery, his Alpha would change his dressing once a day and was also under strict instructions of not to breast feed the pups if it felt too much. The last they needed was Max to strain himself by being too eager.
This meant that all changes, whether that be nappy or outfits, bottle feeds, burping, settling, cooking, cleaning was done by Charles.
“Yes Mon Coeur?” The alpha asked popping his head around the nest room door with what Max assumed was Julia from the pink knitted blanket around the pup.
“Someone needs changing.”
Charles raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips as he stepped fully into the room, catching sight of the bundle Max was cradling. “Let me guess, it’s not you,” he teased light heartedly, rounding the nest to see a slightly distressed Jules, his little face scrunched up in discomfort.
“I’m afraid that would be a hard, no,” Max replied easily, shifting in his nest of pillows and blankets to better reveal the tiny pup. “I think he’s made a rather impressive mess in his diaper.”
“Alright, alright. I’ve got it,” Charles chuckled, carefully taking Jules from Max’s arms. He cradled him close, whispering soothing words as he walked over to the changing table set up nearby. “You just focus on resting, Mon Coeur. I’ll handle our little troublemakers.”
Max watched his Alpha deftly lay Jules down on the changing table, his movements nurturing and gentle. There was a natural grace to Charles as he tackled the task, despite the whiffs of unpleasantness that wafted toward him.
“Why do I feel like I’m in a three-ring circus?” Max asked, rolling his eyes playfully. “And here I am, the ringmaster, watching from my comfy throne.”
Charles laughed, tossing a glance back over his shoulder. “If you’re the ringmaster, then I’ll be the fearless lion tamer—handling the wild beasts,” he said, trying to keep a serious face opening up the diaper, only for a plume of fresh baby powder to cloud his vision.
Max couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight, the humour of the situation lifting his spirits. “You’re doing a fantastic job, lion tamer. Just don’t let him bite!”
Charles rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress a grin, expertly cleaning and replacing his diaper with swift efficiency. “This is nothing compared to what I’ve dealt with during my racing career.”
“At least there’s no Ferrari strategy involved.” Max shot back, his voice light despite the twinge of pain he still experienced.
“The pain is back, no?” Charles said, his tone laced with concern, carefully lifting Jules back into his arms and giving him a gentle bounce.
Max sighed happily, pleased to see Jules’ bright eyes looking back at him, his fussiness replaced with calmness. “A little bit, thank you!”
“Okay Amour lets sort these two out and then we’ll get you some food so you can have some medicine,” Charles stated, keeping his voice calm as he laid out a soft onesie.
Max chuckled, nodding in agreement leaning back in his nest with Julia, glancing between his mate and the little one. “This is definitely a production worth watching, that’s for sure.”
Taking a moment to appreciate the scene, Max felt a swell of gratitude. Yes, he was confined to his nest for now, but in return, he was surrounded by the love that enveloped him like a warm, soft blanket.
“Okay, sweet boy,” Charles said, his tone shifting to one of gentleness as he dressed the pup. “Let’s get you into this adorable outfit that your Papa picked out, shall we?”
“Papa’s got an eye for style!” Max piped up, pride lacing his voice as he recalled the cute clothes they had bought together during their nesting phase before the birth. “Apart from jeans, don’t let him dress you in jeans.”
With deft hands, Charles managed to get Jules into his outfit, a pastel blue onesie adorned with little bunnies. Max could see Jules’ little feet kicking with life, as if he loved being dressed as much as the attention from her two doting parents.
“There we go! All dressed up and ready for his close-up,” Charles said triumphantly, holding him out with exaggerated flourish.
Max smiled and glanced at the clock on the wall. “What about their bottles and the pump? I think it’s almost feeding time.”
“Already on it!” Charles replied, handing his Omega the basket of nursing supplies, “I’ll go and get some formula ready with Jules, just in case.”
Max nodded appreciatively, his heart swelling with gratitude for how seamlessly Charles took charge of their little family, even amid the chaos of parenting. “Thank you, love,” he said, reaching for the familiar basket filled with bottles, warm blankets, and their trusty breast pump.
Watching him prep the bottle with the formula, Max couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Charles bouncing Jules gently. The huge, soft baby blanket that Charles had lovingly draped over his shoulder made them both look incredibly cozy. Max savoured this moment - watching Charles be so natural as a father made his heart flutter.
When the bottle was ready, Max felt a rush of excitement. He felt more than ready to breastfeed Julia but remained mindful of the doctor’s advice about not overexerting himself.
Max took a moment to enjoy the peace before the next wave of fussiness would inevitably hit. Lifting Julia gently from her soft pile of pillows, he gazed down at her cherubic face. “Hey there, sweet girl. Ready for your milk?” he whispered, feeling a rush of affection.
Julia blinked up at him, her big eyes sparkling with innocence. Clutching the tiny, soft-feeling figure of his daughter in his arms made all the pain of recovery dissolve, if only for a moment.
With determination, he placed the bottle into Julia’s mouth, and she latched on eagerly. The sensation gave Max a swell of warmth. “There we go, sweetie,” he murmured, watching Julia devour the milk with a ferocity that made him chuckle. “You’re hungry, aren’t you?”
“Just like her Papa,” Charles teased, settling back against the nest's plushness and reaching for Max’s free hand. Their fingers intertwined naturally, an instinctual gesture of support and unity.
As Julia contentedly suckled, Max rested his head against Charles’s shoulder, allowing himself to relax as the world outside grew distant. “You’re really doing an amazing job,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I couldn’t do this without you.”
A few minutes later, Julia pulled off his nipple whining and refused to go back on either breast no matter what the couple tried. “Max, you’re bleeding” Charles pointed out carefully, realising and noticing the cracked skin.
Max looked down sighing, “Pass me the bottle, you better go and get another one” Max murmured, the disappointment clear in his souring scent.
Charles carefully retrieved another bottle from the basket, his heart aching at the sight of Max’s distress. The last thing he wanted was for his Omega to experience further pain, especially not while nursing their precious pups. Unscrewing the cap of the new bottle, he shot a reassuring look at Max. “Don’t worry, love. We’ll figure this out together.”
“I just want to be normal…”
Charles paused at Max's words, his heart clenching at the vulnerability in his Omega's voice. He approached Max, placing the newly opened bottle down on the nearby table before kneeling beside him. “Max,” he said gently, his hands resting on Max’s knees, “there’s no such thing as ‘normal’ in parenting. Every family finds their rhythm, and it might take some time for us to find ours.”
Max’s brow furrowed, the frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. “But this isn’t how I envisioned it. I wanted to be able to care for them both. I don’t want you to feel like you’re doing everything… My body just doesn’t work properly.”
Charles softened at the raw honesty in Max’s eyes. “You are doing so much already, my love. These things take time to adjust to. You went through fertility therapy and carried our beautiful twins. You endured a major surgery. And now, the fact that you’re here, trying your best—it means everything. Just because you have to take a step back doesn’t mean you’re any less of a parent.”
Max sighed deeply, feeling the weight of both his pain and the love that surrounded him. “I just wish I could be more useful, like a proper Omega,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I want to bond with them fully. I want the same experiences you’re having.”
Charles took a moment to absorb Max’s feelings. “And you will. This is just a temporary phase while you’re healing. We’ll work it out together, I promise.” He leaned in closer, his warmth radiating towards Max, trying to infuse him with comfort.
Max felt an ember of hope stir within him, melting away some of the frustration. “I just didn’t think it would be this hard…”
“And that’s okay,” Charles reassured him. “Parenting can feel overwhelming, especially in the beginning. Remember how chaotic the first few laps in a race can be? This is just another kind of race, but we’re in it together. You don’t have to carry this alone.”
Looking down at Julia, who had now settled, her tiny fingers grasping Max’s open shirt, he felt the familiar swell of love stir again. “They are worth every ounce of pain I feel,” he murmured, his heart softening with tenderness.
“See? That connection is there,” Charles said, squeezing Max’s knee affectionately. “How about you bottle feed them both, I’ll burp them and lay them down in the crib. Then we’ll sort your dressings and get you something to eat.”
Max contemplated Charles’s suggestion. He could do that. He wanted to be present in every little way he could, even if it meant doing things differently for now. With renewed determination, he nodded, picking up the warm bottle of formula from the side table.
“Okay, little one,” Max said softly, adjusting her in his embrace. “Let’s try this again.”
Charles beamed at Max, scooting back slightly with Jules to collect the supplies needed for the dressing change. “That’s the spirit!” he encouraged. “I’ll be right here. Just focus on our girl.”
Max positioned the bottle to Julia’s mouth; he felt an overwhelming sense of pride and warmth wash over him. Julia latched on this time, her small features reflecting satisfaction as she began to suckle. “There we go,” he whispered, watching Charles from the corner of his eye.
Charles worked meticulously to prepare the other bottle for Jules while keeping a close watch on Max and Julia. He felt a sense of pride swelling in his chest as he caught glimpses of Max’s gentle nurturing.
“See? You’ve got this,” Charles said with quiet encouragement, turning his back briefly to focus on warming a fresh bottle for Jules. He moved quickly, his heart lightening at the sight of Max so intently focused on their daughter.
Max glanced down at Julia, who continued to suckle eagerly. “I feel like I’m finally doing something right,” he admitted, a small smile gracing his lips. “This feels good, being needed by her.”
“And you are needed,” Charles replied, returning with the warmed bottle and handing it to Max. “Not just by her, but by both of them and me. You’re their Papa—we wouldn’t be here without you.”
With a burst of new energy, Max carefully shifted Julia in his arms, dodging her tiny feet as he adjusted her latch. “Let’s see how you do with the bottle, big guy,” he said affectionately passing Julia to Charles and swapping for Jules with the new bottle. The tiny pup’s eyes widening in anticipation, and he instinctively turned toward the bottle's nipple.
Jules latched on with enthusiasm, causing Max's heart to swell with affection. “Look at you go, little man!” he cheered softly, delighting in watching his son nurse. “You’re a natural.”
Charles settled onto the plush ground next to them, readying their burping cloths, his hand resting comfortingly on Max’s thigh. “I think they’ll be competing for who gets the most milk,” he teased.
Max chuckled as he watched Julia begin to wiggle playfully in Charles’ arms. “Well, they might have to learn how to wait their turn,” he joked, the joy blooming in his chest momentarily pushing aside the discomfort he still felt from surgery.
After a few moments of content silence filled with the sounds of suckling, the atmosphere shifted. Jules finished his bottle, letting out a delightful burp, and Max could feel the vibrations of pride from his mate.
“Looks like he’s done,” Charles announced gleefully, lifting Jules up gently for another quick burp. “You are such a big boy!”
Max beamed, his heart feeling light. “What a champ,” he said, as he snuggled Julia closer again, feeling the warmth radiate between them. “You ready for your turn?” he asked, whispering to his daughter, who had just finished her bottle as well, her little eyebrows crinkling as she blinked up at him.
“You two are going to be trouble, you know that?” Max mused, glancing at Charles with a playful grin.
“Only the best kind of trouble,” Charles replied nosing with Jules, his love for both Max and their pups evident in his gaze. “The kind that makes life beautiful.”
After Jules had been burped and settled back down, he lay comfortably in Charles’s arms, his little cheeks rosy and eyes blinking lazily. “Perfect timing,” Charles remarked, sneaking a quick kiss atop Jules’s head.
Max watched the tender moment unfold, feeling warmth blossom deep within him. “I love watching you with them,” he breathed, his voice filled with awe. “You’re such a great father.”
Charles’s expression softened as he focused on Max. “And you’re an amazing mum too, even if you don’t feel like it right now,” he said gently. “This is all part of the journey. You’re doing more than you realize.”
With both Jules and Julia content in their arms, the couple finally settled into a comfortable rhythm. As Charles took over the burping and settling of Jules, Max focused on Julia’s gentle coos and murmurs, losing himself in their magic.
“Alright, little star,” Max murmured softly to Julia. “Let’s get you settled before your brother starts trying to take over the whole crib.” He banded her in his arms, the contentment flooding through him.
“Just wait until they both start crawling,” Charles said with a chuckle. “We might need to invest in a toddler leash.”
Max laughed, the sound bubbling up at the thought. “Or maybe just Leo’s one,” he paused, “Actually no I don’t trust him on the lead never mind off it” he added, nudging his shoulder against Charles's.
Pressing a kiss against both of the pups’ heads, he handed Julia over to Charles to get her settled with her twin in the crib across the room. Max watched with fondness of the moment.
Suddenly, he felt a pang, an emotion that crept up from somewhere deep. “I just want them to know how much they’re loved,” Max said softly, vulnerability peeking through.
“They will,” Charles reassured him from the crib, his voice steady and soothing. “Every moment, every cuddle, and every hesitant first step will be filled with love. They have us—it’s all they need.”
Walking back over to the nest, Charles asked, “Now then, now that their settled, what takeout shall we have? I’ll order and then I’ll change your bandages Amour”
Max smiled, settling back into the comfort of his nest as he watched Charles interact with their twins. The warmth in the room enveloped him, and he felt grateful for the little family they had created.
“Let’s go with that Italian place! Their lasagna has been on my mind,” Max suggested, feeling the rumble of his stomach when he spoke.
Charles nodded, pulling out his phone to place the order. “Lasagna it is. Should we add some garlic bread? I know how much you love it.”
“Only if it comes with extra cheese!” Max replied playfully, “You know I can’t resist that.”
Chuckling, Charles added to the order, “It’ll be here in about thirty minutes. I’m looking forward to that garlic bread,” he admitted, leaning in to steal a quick kiss.
Max leaned into the kiss, savouring the moment before pulling back. “Now, how about we take care of my bandages now? I don’t want to keep you from your ‘lion tamer’ duties,” he said with a grin.
“Of course,” Charles replied with a soft smile. He grabbed the supplies from the changing table, laying out fresh bandages and antiseptic cream on the side table. “Let’s get you comfortable first.”
Max unwrapped himself from the blankets to allow Charles better access. He felt a twinge of vulnerability as the fabric fell away, exposing the healing wounds on his abdomen, but Charles approached the situation with such tenderness that Max felt the anxiety fade.
“I won’t hurt you, I promise,” Charles murmured, his voice filled with affection. He gently cleaned the area around Max’s bandages, careful not to add to the pain.
Max winced slightly but quickly steadied his breathing, focusing on Charles’ calm presence. “You make this a lot easier,” he said, squeezing Charles’s hand, appreciating the connection they shared in this vulnerable moment.
Charles met Max’s gaze, his eyes filled with warmth. “It’s just me taking care of you like you take care of the pups. You’re doing an amazing job, even if you don’t feel it right now.”
“Can’t argue with you there,” Max chuckled softly, feeling the sting of antiseptic but comforted by the touch of Charles.
“Only the best for my Omega,” Charles replied, finishing up with the new bandages, ensuring everything was properly in place. “All done!” He leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on Max’s forehead. “You’re all patched up.”
“Thank you, love,” Max sighed with a mixture of relief and appreciation. “Now let’s get some food in our stomachs before the next wave of chaos hits.”
With a chuckle, Charles nodded. “Absolutely. I’ll put in some extra napkins just in case.” He stood and moved to the kitchen to set the table, while Max pulled the blankets back around him, settling back into the nest.
Once everything was ready and the food arrived, the enticing aroma filled the room. Charles grabbed a plate and served them both, parking himself next to Max in the nest, their legs intertwined.
“Garlic bread and lasagna, coming right up,” he said with a dramatic flair, placing the dishes in front of them.
“Looks amazing,” Max said, beaming at their meal. “You’ve outdone yourself.” Max winked at the Alpha.
As they dug into their dinner, laughter and playful banter filled the room. Charles teased Max once about how he had to be careful about not getting sauce on his shirt.
“Are you saying I’m messy?” Max replied, feigning offense.
“Never! Just reminding you that you have a tendency to be a little… shall we say, enthusiastic?” Charles smirked.
Max laughed, the lightness of the moment soothing some of the lingering tension in his body. “Guilty as charged. But in my defense, this garlic bread is worth the risk.”
Before long, the plates were empty, and Max sat back, patting his stomach contentedly. “I think I might have overindulged.”
Charles laughed heartily. “You’re supposed to enjoy it after all you’ve been through. Plus, you need to keep your strength up to care for our little whirlwinds.”
Max smiled, feeling a wave of love and gratitude wash over him. “I couldn’t ask for a better partner for this adventure.”
“Oh, this is just the beginning,” Charles replied, slipping his arm around Max. “We have a lifetime of adventures ahead of us.”
Max leaned into Charles, feeling safe and loved. His heart was full as he thought about their family and everything they had been through together. “You know, I think we might just pull this off after all.”
“Together, always,” Charles affirmed, kissing the top of Max’s head. “Now, how about we cuddle and watch a show before the pups get fussy again?”
Max nodded, settling into the warmth of Charles’ embrace, knowing that whatever challenges came their way, they would face them together — as a family.