Work Text:
Alejandro blinked once then twice as he looked at the child. A toddler whom couldn’t have been more than a year old. Said toddler had waddled in and so many questions swirled in the man’s head. Only for him to promptly blue screen when the small quiet voice piped up. “Madre” his tiny hand indicated the man on the bed right now.
Rudy.. his SIC and ex husband who’d been on furlough for the last year or so. Just enough time for an entire pregnancy then a half a year of this kid’s life. Alejandro outstretched his arms putting on his best pseudo parent charm. “Es esta tu mamá” he asked indicating Rudy and the child nodded.
“No te preocupes pequeña, mamá estará bien.” He soothed had so many questions like why is Rudy’s kid here? Where is his sitter/nanny? And more importantly who’s the father?
Kept his eyes trained on the door with a baby sensory video going on his phone. Because Alejandro knew damn well that any minute now. One of his merry idiots would rush by in a tizzy looking for said child. And he was right because not five minutes later. He heard Laswell giving someone a tongue lashing.
Then she walked to the doorway “Alejandro.. I can explain but first.” She took the baby from his arms who cooed and smiled. Only compounding Alejandro’s mood because it meant only one thing. She came in a minute later no baby in her arms but pulled up a chair. “Look.. I know you have a lot of questions and you’ve got a right to be angry. But I was under the impression that up until earlier you’d known.”
That didn’t help things as he sighed trying to find the patience. “Who’s the father Kate?” She looked at Rudy’s unconscious form seemed to war with herself. Then finally nodded her head towards Alejandro himself. Whose eyes widened “what? I’m? How?! Why didn’t anymore tell me?” She sighed looking apologetic “Rudy said you’d known he was pregnant but swore me to secrecy. On you being the father said he didn’t want to distract you. He felt like it would lock you in whether you wanted to stay or not.”
Alejandro looked over at Rudy then back at Kate “there was no furlough was there?” She nodded her head in confirmation “went to stay at base 141 until he gave birth. John is a surprisingly good granddad. Anyway I better go feed the little one it’s getting late.” She got up leaving him to his thoughts which are quickly spiraling into a crash out.
It was a half hour later before he heard the soft groan followed by some pained swears. “Ay, joder, eso realmente duele.” Rudy’s eyes opened as he stirred and regretted each movement. Alejandro’s strong hand found its way to his stomach calming him. “Easy Rudy.. you took a helluva hit been out for nearly a full day.” Then Rudy got a good look at him and his brows furrowed. “What is it? What’s wrong?” The man sighed his hand never moved though the other raked over his own face.
“I know about our kid Rudy.. for whatever reason he’s here. Perfectly fine.. calm down momma but here nonetheless.” Rudy’s eyes widened “I..” he started to fumble and Alejandro instantly went into protective mode. He sat by him “it’s ok Rudy.. you don’t have to explain yourself to me.” It didn’t seem to do much to calm Rudy’s panic “Pero señor..yo.” Alejandro felt a headache coming on “Rudy you’re the mother of my kid and my ex husband. I’m not ‘sir’ to you I’m Alejandro and Alejandro only to you. There’s no rank between us you know that.” That however did the trick and Rudy was able to take a few calming breaths.
“Well let’s start with the basics.. his name is Arlo. He’s a month past one year old and he loves Grandad Price. As well as Uncle Soap who often babysits.” Alejandro nodded “he’s learning both English and Spanish. And sometimes picks up the odd phrase in Gaelic when Soapy boy switches to it.” Alejandro chuckled some at that.. he can only imagine what phrases those are.
“Now for the bigger question Rudy.. are you gonna let me be there for our kid?” He knew it was a loaded question but at the same time. Rudy nodded almost reluctantly then dropped the equivalent of a tactical nuke. “I haven’t been with anyone since you Alejandro. I knew when you found out that it would be a death sentence. For the poor fucker that would’ve been a place holder.”
Alejandro blue screened at that “Rudy.. you had very good reasons for leaving me. I don’t want you to feel obligated because of our.” But Rudy’s feistiness that only Alejandro ever saw made an appearance. “Your damn right I did but I’m telling you now.. because if we’re going to be co parenting. You deserve to know.”
The colonel’s brain was still struggling to compute. Of course he’d wanted Rudy back.. he’s dreamed of it since their separation. But even so “Rudy just stop for a minute.. you went to 141 to have our child. And were gone for an entire year of his life where is all of this urgency to be with me now coming from?” Rudy’s hand put Alejandro’s back on his stomach. “Just wait for it alpha” his eyes widened as he sensed it.
They’d fooled around a month ago when he’d first came back but Alejandro never imagined. “I’m with child Colonel.. you’re going to be a dad twice over.” Cue blue screen part two electric bugaloo. “I’m… holy mother of god” Rudy was the first to notice their son. Who’d crawled in doing a sort of booty scoot type deal. He went to get up but Alejandro shook his head. Getting up to scoop his toddler into his arms.
His toddler.. his child.. with another on the way. The concept seemed so fucking foreign but no.. it’s just his life now. Walking him back over to his mother “¿ves? te dije que tu mamá estaría bien.” Arlo cooed and Rudy’s eyes almost instantly lit up. Slipping into mom mode, Arlo’s dark eyes looked up at him. Then over to his mother and after Rudy confirmed that it’s ok transferred him to Rudy’s arms.
All he could think to say was what he’d remembered Kate saying earlier. “Kate.. um.. Kate said she’d fed him an hour ago.” He stood there awkwardly unsure of what to do with himself right now. Another reason why his marriage the first time around failed.
But him infront of gangs and cartel members and he knows what to do. Put him with his vaqueros and he knows how to make sure they’re squared away. But he’s historically struggled with relationships and a family setting. Finally Rudy’s free hand extended towards him a calm smile on his face.
“Alejandro.. come here and bond with your son.” He’d nearly sent the alpha crashing into him. And no sooner did he park himself beside the omega. With their son between them he noticed a soft groan. As Rudy closed his eyes and fought against light headedness.
“Rudy.. what can I do? What’s wrong? How can I help?” Rudy took a deep breath trying not to let their kid know. That anything is wrong then spoke up “I’m fine Alejandro.. it’s nothing to worry about.” Still the arm tightened its grip around Rudy’s waist. “You know I don’t like when you try to power through injuries Rudy. I didn’t like it when I had to pull you out of that house. With Hassan and I don’t like it now.” He made sure only the omega could hear him.
“If you want this with me Omega.. it comes with actually taking care of yourself.” Rudy nodded but when he started to struggle again. Alejandro made a decision for his mate and their son. He called for the doctor to make sure his omega is ok.