#dinacaliente

In the biggest house in Willow Creek live the next iteration of the Goth family. Alexander and James took in Alexander’s youngest brother Milton after Bella’s disappearance and Mortimer’s death. It was especially hard on Milton who was so young and devoted to his mum. Left with a lingering sense of unease Milton has been sleeping in the same room as Alexander and James. It was the best decision with the nightmares the boy had. While the family still wonder where Bella is Milton is slowly growing and developing his resilience.

The happiest household members are cats Gertrude and her kitten Hamlet who spend their days wandering around the mansion and sporting whatever outfit cat loving James can get them into. James. He loves Alexander. And Alexander loves him. Sure he was first attracted to the older man’s money but he loves him now. So much so that he’s fighting his black widow aspiration and trying to enjoy the time he can have with James.

It may be the middle of autumn but with indoor heating the household remains as toasty in the dining room as they were in their bedroom.

Milton: Yes, leftovers for breakfast

Alexander: I’ll make something proper later. Did you sleep okay

Milton: I guess

James: Any nightmares

Milton: No

Alexander: That’s wonderful news, come here

Milton gets up and Alexander sweeps him in to a hug.

Alexander: I love you little brother

Milton: I love you to

Milton: And I love you Uncle James

(Yes James is technically his brother in law but Milton likes to call him Uncle)

James: *sniffles* I… I have something in my eye

Alexander: You big softie, you’ve always been a terrible liar

James: I think my ex-wife would disagree with you about that

Milton: How long were you married

James: *sighs* Far too long, luckily I ran into your brother

Alexander: Lucky for me

Milton: *pulls face* You’re not going to talk kissy stuff now are you

Alexander: Not at all *winks at James*

Alexander: Milton, James and I have been talking and we’d like to give you more space

Milton: What do you mean

James: You best explain love

Alexander: Well, you are my brother, and you’ll always be my brother, but it’s important for married couples to have their own space

As soon as he's said it Alexander can see Milton has misunderstood as his face falls.

Milton: So… you need me to leave and go back to Dina?

James: Not at all! We love you here don’t we Gertrude

Gertrude: *purrs* more human servants is acceptable

Alexander: We would just like to give you somewhere you can make your own rather than you sleeping on that airbed. You’re staying here so we may as well move you in properly

Alexander: We’re thinking we could move you into the suite of rooms that James and I shared before we got married. What do you think about that

Milton: *hesitantly* I don’t know

Alexander: You can think about a while if you like

Milton: I mean my own rooms would be cool but…

Alexander: I’m listening

Milton: It’s so posh there

Alexander: *laughs* Don’t worry, we can redecorate

Milton: We can?

James: Why have money if you don’t spend it

Alexander: We’ll swing by the shops on the way out and it should be set up when we get back

Milton: Back from where

Alexander: I need to go see Dina. You don’t have to come if you don’t want to

Milton: No! I… It was our house, I don’t want to be afraid of it

Most of Milton's nightmares take place there but he hasn't told Alexander that.

Alexander: If you’re sure

Milton: Are you talking to her about money

Alexander: Not today. I’m hoping she’ll let me collect some of mum’s things

Milton: Mummy… I miss mummy

Alexander: Yeah. I miss her to

It’s cloudy when they arrive at the place they both called home once. The house had been in the Goth family for generations. Now the only Goth blood inside were the toddler twins Dina conceived with Mortimer before his untimely death.

Milton: Do I need to talk to Dina and Nina? Or Mortimer and Eve

Alexander: No I can talk to Dina, Nina will probably be polishing the silver or something. Don’t worry about the toddlers, I imagine they’re swamped with expensive toys

They enter the hallway and Alexander goes to find Dina. Milton decides to check out his nursery. He’s pleased to see it hasn’t been torn to shreds yet, and the toys he called friends are still there, not ruined by his younger siblings. Maybe if Alexander didn’t get Dina too angry he could ask to take them home, they can’t be worth that much to her.

Alexander: Hello Dina

Dina: What are you doing in my house

Alexander: Newsflash, you left the door unlocked. Not a great idea with toddlers around

Dina: *scoffs* don’t pretend that you suddenly care about my children, you’ve been ignoring them

Alexander: Actually Dina I’ve been busy with Milton and-

Dina: I know. Getting married to money and stealing my son away must take up so much daylight

Alexander: Milton is my mother’s son, not yours

Dina: Mortimer wanted me to look after him. The legal papers say so

Alexander: Then Dina, you should have looked after him! Instead you completely missed him running away for hours. What kept you from noticing? Counting the simoleons in the vault or was the latest reality show too captivating to turn off?

Dina: You spiteful- Get the hell out of my house

Alexander: *sighs* I’m sorry, I got carried away

Dina: Entitled orphan brat, you’re no different than me, you went after a wealthy married man

Alexander: I love James

Dina: And I loved your father

Alexander: You knew him for how long? Mum wasn't even gone when you slept with him

Dina: That is not relevant! And for your information your parents had problems before I came along

Alexander: Look Dina, I know that. Believe it or not I didn’t come here just to argue

Dina: Doesn’t look that way to me

Dina: You’re a jealous hypocrite

Alexander: Look, I’m not here for the money

Dina: Good, because it’s not yours anymore

Alexander: I’m here for Milton. He’s been having trouble adjusting to the loss still so I wanted to get mum’s journals

Dina: Her what

Alexander: Her journals. She kept them since she was young. I think it will help him be closer to her to read them

Dina: I haven’t seen them

Alexander: You don't need to. They’re in the bookshelf upstairs. Just give me five minutes to grab them

Dina: Fine. You may as well take his ratty toys while you’re at it

Even though it curls his stomach, Alexander manages a thank you to the blonde before heading to collect the journals. He's doing it for Milton, he's doing it for Milton.