While the kids slept deeply to prepare for the walk to Bram's sister's, Bram and Bijou decided they would take turns sleeping lightly until they woke up. Bram insisted that Bijou sleep first to sleep off whatever drug he'd been given. Bijou in turn insisted that Bram sit in bed with him while he slept.

"You sat up all night once," Bijou said. "You're not going to do it again."

Not wanting to argue with Bijou, Bram sat down on the bed and got comfortable. Bijou smiled at him and nodded before taking off his boots and lying down. While Bijou slept, Bram watched him and his children.

Once again he'd been left to watch over them as they slept. However, he felt much better about it this time. This felt almost normal. It was almost normal. An alpha watching over his omega and their children.

Bram frowned.

No. He couldn't go down that road. Bijou was not his. He was the son of The Madame and she would have his jewels in a jar if she found out he'd done anything. He was going to keep his hands to himself. But as he thought this, Bijou's hand snaked out and touched his.

"Relax," Bijou said, almost in his sleep. "We're safe here, Bram."

"Mhm," Bram said, holding Bijou's hand lightly. "Go to sleep."

Bijou seemed to melt into sleep after that and was still holding onto Bram's hand for the time he slept. Bram stared into space, too afraid to drift off, too afraid to move.

A few hours later Bijou stirred, squeezing Bram's hand in his. Bram looked at him with a smile.

"How do you feel?" Bram asked.

"Better," Bijou answered with a yawn. "So, um, how long have you been up?"

"I… don't know," Bram answered honestly.

"You need sleep," Bijou murmured, then reached for Bram. He wrapped his arms around Bram's shoulders and pulled his head to his chest.

Surprised at first, Bram was pulled down easily, but as he realized what was happening, he tried to pull away only to find himself pulled down anyway.

Bram shifted so his arm was at a less awkward angle and found himself lying on his side with his head on Bijou's chest.

"Sir, I…"

"Stop calling me sir," Bijou chastised. "Go to sleep."

"Let me up?"

"No."

Bram waited for a few seconds to see if this was a joke or if Bijou was teasing, but when seconds passed and Bijou made no move to release him, Bram relaxed his body and closed his eyes. He did need sleep. The road ahead wouldn't be easy.

Besides, he was so comfortable. Bijou was running his fingers through his hair, making him all the more sleepy. Before he knew it, he was under.