#yandads

"Where is our child?!" August cries. "(Y/n) Zimmerman!"

The nurse at the desk looks between the two, then over to the police officers who guided them through the door. Upon seeing the men nodding in confirmation, she opens something up on her computer. "Room 618," she says. "Elevators are right around the corner."

"Thank you," Cullen quickly responds. He then tugs his husband along before he bursts into tears again.

The elevator ride is painfully long, or at least that's how it felt to August and Cullen.

When the doors open, they race out of them, looking for the sign indicating where your room is. The numbers pass by quicker than they do until they stop right outside Room 618. They're breathing heavy and quick, full of nerves and excitement.

They open the door, too happy to even consider knocking.

Cullen gasps quietly upon seeing you awake, sitting on the bed with blankets over your legs and a tray of food next to you. You look up and watch the two men approach you.

August can barely contain himself, crying loudly as he walks forward. "My sweet baby!" he wails, moving to cup your face, kissing you on the forehead over and over again. It overwhelms you, but he's too emotional to notice. "I missed you so much, never leave us again...!" he cries into your hair.

"Honey," Cullen chuckles lightly, pulling his sobbing husband back by the shoulders. "Give them space." His smile turns towards you, his eyes watering with held back tears. "Do you remember us, baby? We're your dads." His voice breaks on the last few words.

You take a moment to assess your fathers.

The one who was just sobbing all over you a moment ago, has long auburn hair tied up in a loose bun with a couple strands falling from it. He has blue eyes and is slightly taller than the man who had pulled him away.

Speaking of, the other man has mid-length black hair and brown eyes, with a tiny bit of facial hair if you squint. While both seem happy to see you, he seems a bit more composed and calm, even with the tears staining his cheeks.

Hesitantly, you shake your head no, watching as August breaks down further as Cullen rubs his arm to soothe him.

"But—!"

"(Y/n)'s been through enough today," Cullen reminds his partner gently. "We should give them some space."

"But I want my baby!" August continues to sob. "After all these years!"

"I know, hon, me too." Cullen kisses August on the cheek. He then looks at you. "Your papa and I missed you so much. It's going to take a lot of time getting used to everything. But don't worry," Cullen says. "We will be by your side the entire time."

August sits on the edge of the bed and grabs hold of your hand, kissing it several times. "I've missed you so much," he repeats. He holds onto your hand as though he believes you'll be taken away again if he lets go.

Cullen wipes his own tears. "I'm gonna talk to the police and doctors." He gives you an encouraging smile. "Don't worry about anything. Papa and Dad have everything covered."

August nods, not taking his eyes off of you for even a second. As soon as Cullen leaves, he says, "Let me help you eat, alright?" Without waiting for you to respond, he reaches for your spoon. When he sees your eyebrows furrow, he smiles sadly at you. "Please, darling? Let me baby you a little after being away from you for so long."

Something in you just couldn't bring yourself to refuse his plea.

...

Several days pass.

August refuses to let go of you for long periods of time, holding your hand as you both walk through the hospital halls, feeding you when you get sleepy during your meals, and constantly keeping you within his grasp.

Cullen isn't much better. He's more subtle, but still tends to crowd around you. He just tries to be more subtle about it compared to his husband.

When you're finally discharged from the hospital, both parents keep you between them as they lead you to their car. Your arms are hooked in theirs as August gushes over you.

"When we get home, I can cook you any food you want!" he grins. "And—and we ordered you a new bed, since your old one is too small. I think all your new furniture should arrive in a day or two." His voice trembles, giving away how hard he's trying to keep himself together. "But while we wait, you'll sleep between Papa and I! We don't want to let you out of our sights yet."

"Or ever," Cullen mutters.

It causes you to shiver, but you brush it off. After so many years of being captive, why wouldn't your parents be clingy?

Even though they're already starting to feel like captors themselves...

As soon as you step foot inside of the home, August and Cullen lead you around, pointing out where everything is as you go.

"And this," August sings as he opens the door to your bedroom, "is your room!"

Despite never seeing it before, it looks familiar to you. Perhaps from pictures shown to you during your hospital stay.

The walls are painted soft lavender with a white accent wall. The plush rug by the small bed matches the wall color, and has frilled edges. The curtains covering the window next to your bed are white with faint purple polka dots on them.

Everything about this room looked beautiful, but childish. Which makes sense. You were a child since the last time you used this room.

"We kept everything the same," Cullen explains. "Your favorite stuffed animals are still sitting on your dresser, and—here—" he pulls you towards your bookshelf, "—all of your favorite books!" he exclaims. He pulls out a worn copy of he Rainbow Fish and offers it to you.

You can tell it's well loved from just looking at its spine and pages.

"This one was your absolute favorite," August informs you as you carefully take it in your hands. "Whenever we finished reading it to you at bedtime, you would always cry, begging us to read just one more time."

"Not just for that book," Cullen interjects. "For any of the ones in this row," he adds, tapping on a section of books.

"I can't wait to read to you again," August sniffles. He's cried so many times, you're wondering how he can possibly have more tears left to shed.

"Now now, dear," Cullen says softly, pulling him close to kiss his temple. "No more tears. We have our baby back now." He then turns his attention back to you. "Isn't that right, kiddo?" he grins.

You wordlessly nod and hand the book back to him.

"How about some cartoons while Papa and I fix dinner? A movie?"

"I'd rather sleep," you inform them. Both parents visibly deflate at your words, and you feel a little bad. "...or maybe a quiet dinner would be nice."

August's mood brightens a little upon hearing you say such a thing. "Yes, yes," he chants in agreement, nodding. "Dinner with my beautiful family... Nothing could be better right now." He gives Cullen a tender smile.

"That sounds wonderful," Cullen agrees. "Oh, and I'll give you some of my clothes until your new ones arrive, okay?"

Before you can ask what he means, he goes to his and August's bedroom and returns with some pajama pants and a t-shirt for you.

"Thanks..." You look between them and they get the message.

"We'll be downstairs while you change," Cullen answers. "Do you need any help?"

"No, I've got it," you insist, prompting both parents to leave your room.

They shut the door behind them, but you don't hear their footsteps descend the stairs. Did they simply want to give you the illusion of privacy?

Still, you're free to change, you suppose.

After dressing in Cullen's clothing, you open your bedroom door. On the other side stands your parents.

"All ready?" Cullen asks.

August is beaming once more at the sight of you. "Oh, darling, you're absolutely adorable!" he cries. He hugs you tightly, squishing you against him and rocking you both gently. You blush, unsure what to make of his praise. Forcing an awkward smile, you try hugging him back. Immediately, he kisses the top of your head. "My sweet baby, oh, Papa loves you so much!"

Cullen ruffles your hair. "We both love you very much."

The rest of dinner is awkward for you. Even though they let you feed yourself this time, you can see them staring, like they're prepared to witness you choke just so they can come to your aid.

Once the meal is done and over with, they set you up on the couch with plenty of blankets and pillows. It feels so soft against your skin that you're already fighting sleepiness. As you adjust in your spot on the couch, the TV begins to play old cartoons—all nostalgic.

There's no doubt your dads chose those programs on purpose.

Eventually, August and Cullen join you. One sits on either side of you.

Before the first episode of the show ends, you feel August's fingers start to massage your scalp, trying to lull you into slumber.

You subconsciously shift your position, so your head is against Cullen's shoulder.

His body stiffens, and when you turn your head to look up at him, you see unshed tears in his eyes. He wraps an arm around you to pull you closer before you can even question it.

"G'night," you mumble, already half-asleep.