"Oh, well, I'm out now." Lazlo laughed a little as he moved to take the seat Amulius offered. He looked over at Bambi. "Haven't you seen enough of me yet?" He teased her before reaching out to grab the wine bottle to unceremoniously take a swig. "What are we talking about? Hopefully not me."
Bambi playfully rolled her eyes.
"Me and Amulius actually talk about a lot more than just you, believe it or not." She said.
"I don't believe it." Lazlo shrugged. _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
“You’re such a narcissist.” Amulius declared playfully (mostly), before reaching to grab the wine from his hands. “We’re talking about our oldest actually.”
“Stupidity, as we both seemingly made the same questionable choice.” Amulius retorted before setting back in his chair “In light of...Buck’s new understanding, Bambi has suggested Buck moving in here full time. Majority custody.” Amulius began.
Lazlo blinked and looked to Bambi in surprise. They had decided very early on in their separation that they didn’t want to fight for custody by any means, simply opting to share custody 50/50. This arrangement had worked well for them over the years, which is why it was so surprising for him that she would so easily suggest they alter it.
“Bam, are you sure? I mean, I’d never say no, but...are you sure?” Lazlo asked.
“It wasn’t an easy choice, but I think...it’s for the best.” Bambi gave a little shrug. _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
It had been about thirteen blissful years since Amulius and Lazlo adopted Norah. She was Amulius’s absolute pet, she followed him everywhere and when she wasn’t following him, she was trailing after Buck or Lazlo, sometimes even Bambi. Now with age, Norah had found her independence. As a young teenager she still loved her family and they were still close, but she wasn’t a little gosling toddling after everyone anymore. Norah was aloof and relaxed, self assured and a bit scrappy. Riddled with field hockey battle scars, she was a scabbed up teenage girl; glued to her best friends side. While she had found her pack with Nic, the affections between her and her family hadn’t diminished. Amulius still adored Norah all the same, though his heart ached a little thinking about her as a baby; braiding her hair and coordinating outfits. He missed having a baby to take care of and follow him around.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect to be missing a baby.
At The Society’s main building at the center of the city, Nina Laughlin was leaning back in her chair; idly swaying in it at her desk. After coming back from France, there were some household concerns about her behavior. In spite of studying abroad and doing well at school, she was a bit of a wild child. At Roxanne’s suggestion, Nina had been set up part time at The Society; nothing crazy, just filing an answering phones. There was a vacancy in the family services at The Society, which Roxanne thought might soften Nina a bit. She sat there at her desk, bust barely contained by her long sleeved button down, and her thighs threatening to free themselves from the pink plaid pencil skirt she wore.
Her workload often was minimal, leaving her most of the shift to scroll through TikTok, talk to boys and mostly serve as a distraction. But today, a Society officer entered the room with a bundle of wailing blankets in his arms.
“Uh hi, we have some babies that were recovered from a situation. Are you able to call in a foster?” He asked, avoiding tiny pale fists that reached and shook at him.
Nina wasn’t startled, she merely nodded and put her cell phone down before pulling up the database for available families. The first name that came up was actually a couple of independent contractors with The Society, it was a little before her time so the names didn’t mean anything to her. Blowing a bubble with her gum, she was quick to dial the first number listed, a mobile number for a Lazlo Maniac.
“What a weird name.” Nina uttered under her breath as she smacked her gum and listened to the dial tone.
Parenting, by far, was the greatest joy Lazlo ever experienced in his life. Even at the young age of fourteen when he first held Buck in his arms, still wet and rooting for a breast after just being born, he felt no greater happiness or pride. He felt that same feeling again when he brought little Norah home and he and Amulius decided that she was all theirs, and it was a feeling that had not gone away in the years since.
There were definitely highs and lows over the years, his kids trying and pushing boundaries with himself, his husband, as well as each other, but Lazlo would hardly trade them for anything. He would take the occasional spat here and there if it meant he got to share his happiness with them for even a moment.
That being said, he'd certainly be lying if he ever said he didn't relish slow afternoons like this where both his kids were out, Norah probably harassing Nic's brothers with him and Buck probably loafing about somewhere with Ezra and Teddy, and his husband working a job, leaving him to catch up on some housework.
He was emptying the dryer, dumping freshly dried linens for his kids' beds into a basket, when he heard the landline ringing, causing him to pause. He headed over to the phone in the hallway, wondering if his quiet afternoon would be interrupted with work, as it often was when the phone was ringing.
"Hello?" He answered. _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
“Hello, I’m calling with The Society Family and Children Services, can I speak with Lazarus Maniac, please?” Nina rattled out like an automated message, admiring her nails in front of her while the officer sat by with the toddlers in his lap.
"Uh...yes? This is him. What's this about?" Lazlo asked, a brow quirked in confusion as he folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the nearby wall, phone sandwiched between his ear and shoulder. Why would the Family Services department be calling him? Sure, he took out plenty of jobs with the Society in general, but none really on behalf of that particular department. In fact, he had nearly forgotten that such a department existed after having finalized Norah's adoption all those years ago. _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
“This call is regarding foster availability. You’re in our system as a potential caregiver. We just had two-“ Nina began before looking to the officer who mouthed ‘twins.’ “We just had twins come in and were reaching out if you’d be able to foster?”
Though Norah certainly couldn't see it, Lazlo' expression and whole demeanor went from confused and on guard to pleasantly surprised, albeit a bit confused. He didn't recall asking to be put in the system as a potential caregiver, but he had to admit that he wasn't upset about it.
"Uh, I mean, it's a bit sudden, but um-" Lazlo took a little pause. Amulius HAD been talking to him about how much he missed having a little around the house. Maybe this was just chance smiling down on them? Surely Amulius would want to take this chance, right? "I'd have to speak with my husband, but I don't see why not." He said. _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
“Well, there isn't any info on them at this time, family history or medical. Please take that into consideration, can you call me back with your answer within the hour?” She asked.
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