The Acquittal - 24. Chapter 23

After the feast was finished eating and the dirty dishes were put in the washer to be cleaned, everyone in the house slowly started to break up into smaller groups. David, Sam, Troy and Liz cleaned up the dining room table and removed the leaf so they could sit and play pinochle while the kids along with Nate, Andy and Brian lounged in the living room watching the second football game of the day. Kyle was going to join them until Jacob stopped him, tapping him on the shoulder and muttering in his ear, “I think it’s time we had a talk with Stephanie.”

Kyle met his eyes with a slight smile before nodding and replying, “go ahead and have a seat in the study and I’ll go find her.” Jacob nodded and headed towards the back of the house as Kyle found Steph who was just coming down the stairs from the bathroom to join the others. “Hey, Steph,” he said in a subdued voice. “You got a minute?”

She looked at him with a curious smirk. “Sounds serious,” she said as she walked up to him.

“Kind of,” he said, his face betraying no clues as to what he wanted. “Let’s go talk in private.” He lead her to the back of the house and into the study where Jacob was already settled into a spot on the leather sofa, leaned forward with his ponytail draped over his shoulder.

When Kyle closed the door behind them, Steph’s lips curled into an coy grin. “This smells like a setup to me.”

“Sort of,” Kyle said as he moved past her and sat down next to Jacob. He motioned to a chair, indicating for her to sit down which she did so in a cautious manner. Kyle sighed, giving himself a moment to figure out how to address this sensitive topic. “You know Jacob and I are getting married in July next year...”

“Oh, gee,” she said with a hint of sarcasm, “I think I heard a rumor about it somewhere.” She giggled and smiled brightly. “Congratulations to you both. Now, obviously, there’s something you want to talk about with me specifically and I doubt it has anything to do with your wedding.”

“Not exactly, no,” Kyle admitted. “Jacob and I have been talking and we want to have another baby after we’re married.”

A delicate eyebrow lifted a fraction as she kept her eyes trained on Kyle. “I see.”

Kyle knew he was entering uncomfortable territory so he decided to just barrel through. “We were wondering if you would help us with that.”

“Kyle, remember the last time we did this?” Her attitude was one of candor but not adverse. “It wasn’t very fun for either of us. It drained our resources, took a lot of time and I ended up living with you for nearly a year because you were so strapped financially. Not to mention breastfeeding for six months and everything else that went with it.”

“Well,” he began with a small smile, “resources aren’t going to be an issue since I have Jacob with me this time, not to mention Dad, Troy and everyone else to support us.”

“So, how do you plan all of this to go down, exactly,” she asked, sounding only a little less unconvinced.

“Well, first we get you pregnant,” he said jokingly in an attempt to lighten the mood.

“And which one of you would be doing the honors,” she looked from Kyle to Jacob.

“I would,” Jacob spoke up. “This… is mostly my idea actually. I asked Kyle to have you be our surrogate. I told him I wanted our children to at least have the same mother. Plus, I’ll be honest, I know I wouldn’t have to worry about a big legal fight if you had the baby and suddenly decided you wanted to keep it.”

She shrugged. “Ok. Fair reason why. But, if I’m right, once you two are married, you’ll both be living here and I… won’t.”

“Well,” Jacob looked to Kyle before continuing. “We thought about that and we felt what would probably be best is if in your eighth month, you go on maternity leave and spend the next six months here with us. Then you’ll have a gaggle of people to take care of you. And, when you’re ready, you can go back home and go back to work.”

Steph’s eyes went from Jacob to Kyle. “You two seem to have thought ahead. When did you have in mind?”

“After our honeymoon,” Kyle said with a small smile as he unconsciously put his hand over Jacob’s.

She looked at them for a moment, debating the idea. Finally she sighed in resignation but her lips held a ghost of a smirk as she said, “how about we consider it your wedding present.”

Kyle relaxed, surprised to find how nervous he was that she might say no. “Thanks Steph.”

“You’re welcome,” she said as she stood up, “well, until you start to regret the constant diaper changes and being woken up in the middle of the night for feedings. Because I won’t be doing those. That’s why God made breast pumps.”

“We’ll manage,” Jacob said with a small smile.

“You will handle it fine. Kyle, I’m not so sure,” she chuckled as she saw their reactions before she left the room.

“Well, that was easier than I expected it to be,” Jacob said sounding as relieved as Kyle felt. Kyle moved a little closer to him only to have Jacob pull him close until he was leaning back against his strong chest. He leaned down and kissed Kyle’s cheek before whispering, “we’re gonna have a baby.”

“Yeah…” Kyle’s eyes twinkled as a content smile lifted his spirits. “Now, I just need to get a conviction, resign and move.”

“See? Simple.” Jacob chuckled silently and held the love of his life close.

****

“Sixty,” Sam said gruffly as he stared across the table at Troy who also was his partner in their card game.

David gave Sam a dubious look before bidding, “sixty-five.”

Troy smirked slightly. “Ninety.”

Liz made an exasperated noise, “you do that every time! You probably don’t even have anything.”

“Does that mean you’re passing, honey?”

“Pass…” she glared playfully at her husband and then back at her cards.

Sam looked over at a frowning David and said, “all yours, son, if you want it.”

David nodded and Troy smiled, having won the bid. “Trump is diamonds.”

All four laid down their melds to count up their points. “Not nice to do that to pregnant women, son. Especially one you’re married to.”

Troy snickered. “I like to win when we play this, Dad. She wins just as much as I do anyway.”

“Only because I’m better at this than you,” she quipped with a smirk as she wrote down the scores. “Well, you guys only need five points to make your bid so you’re probably clear.”

“How are you feeling,” Troy asked as he started playing out the hand.

She shrugged, “I’m fine. No more cramps I just hate getting up every twenty minutes to pee thanks to someone sitting on my bladder.”

Sam laughed lightly, “Troy’s mom complained about him doing the same thing.”

“Kyle’s mom just complained,” David muttered as he threw down a card before Troy took the trick. “Any excuse would do.”

Sam grinned as he started the next trick. “You guys fixed up a good meal again this year.”

“We do what we can,” David said modestly. “Winter’s set in. Jacob pretty much told me he’s going back with Kyle on Sunday.”

“He say when he’ll be back,” Troy asked as they continued to play.

“Probably not until Spring. They’ll be here for Christmas at least.” David couldn’t stop a slight undertone of sadness color his voice.

“That sucks.” Troy looked up towards David, a little concern in his voice. “Are you gonna be okay with that?”

David’s chest shook in silent laughter. “I’m gonna have to be. It’s not my choice. They’re in love, going to get married. Kyle has a job he needs to finish and Jacob really doesn’t have much to do around here in the winter. I think it’s about time they get to spend their time together. They deserve it.”

“Well, you know if you need anything, you just need to call,” Liz said with a small smile.

“I’ll be fine,” he assured them. “They’ll be home for Christmas and then it’ll just be a quiet winter at home until spring and then Jacob will be back to start working on the house and before we know it, the two of them will be married and that’ll be that.”

“You gonna keep working this place or turn everything over to the boys,” Sam asked as he played his last card.

David blinked, not having expected the question. “Well… I’m sure there’s still plenty for me to do in life. Won’t take long for Kyle and Jacob to really run the place without me.” He frowned slightly to himself. “There’ll be babies to tend to. I hadn’t thought much past tomorrow. I guess whatever happens will happen.”

Troy frowned slightly at his dad in disapproval. “You’re always going to be needed for something, David. Don’t worry about it.” Liz picked up the final trick and after the count was made, David and Liz were the winners. “Good job you two,” he smiled over at his wife.

Liz smiled as she slowly stood up. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take my victory to the bathroom. Maybe sometime tonight someone will decide to move her ass.” The last part directed down at her unborn child.

Troy and the other two men stood up. “Do you need any help, hun?”

“No, no,” she said reassuringly. “I still know how to pee.” She slowly made her way out of the room with Troy following slowly behind her.

“Think it’s time to see if anyone wants some pie,” David remarked to Sam as he headed into the living room. He took a look around and noticed his sons were missing. “Where’s Kyle and Jacob?”

Stephanie turned to look up at him from her seat next to Nate. “They’re in the study. Probably… talking…”

“Is that what they’re calling it these days,” Brian asked with a impish smirk.

“Well, I got apple pies and pumpkin if anyone wants them before they head home,” he said before going back to the kitchen, a group of boys excitedly following behind him. The adults in the room slowly followed suit.

****

It was just after two in the morning when Kyle’s senses woke him. He had fallen asleep hours ago enjoying the warmth of the blankets and Jacob’s body next to his until a sound triggered his paternal instinct that woke him up. Bleary eyed, he looked over at his phone laying on the nightstand next to his bed, casting a glow in the dark room and vibrating as it rang. He took half a moment to see Troy’s name on the caller ID before be answered it. “Yeah,” he said as he forced himself to full consciousness.

“I need your help,” Troy sounded animated and slightly panicked over the phone as he spoke quickly. “Liz just went into labor and I need someone to come over here and get the boys.”

Without really thinking about what he was doing, Kyle was out of bed, searching for clothes in the dark. “How’s she doing?”

“She’s a little stressed,” he said with a tingle of anxiety. “We’re early and this hasn’t happened before. Can you come get the boys and take them back home with you?”

“No problem. I’m gonna wake Jacob up and I’ll be there as soon as possible.” He ended the call and quickly moved to turn the light on. “Jacob, wake up,” he said with an urgency in his voice as he grabbed for jeans and a sweatshirt.

Jacob stirred slowly, waking more from the cold of Kyle’s absence than his urgant tone. He opened one eye, seeing Kyle scrambling to get dressed. “What’s going on,” he asked as a yawn came out.

“Liz is in labor,” he replied now fully awake, “and we need to get Chase and Carter. Get up.”

The words pierced the fog in his brain and he rolled out of bed. Kyle tossed him some pants to pull on before grabbing socks. Together the two of them were out of the bedroom and heading out to climb into Jacob’s truck and taking off. As Jacob drove, Kyle was on his phone, calling his dad to wake him up and let him know what was going on. It took a few tries but by the time Jacob pulled up outside of Troy’s house, he answered and was awake enough to understand what Kyle was telling him.

The moment Jacob walked into Troy’s house, he could tell things weren’t very good. Liz was breathing heavily and sweating while Troy was running from the kitchen to the front room with a glass of water for her. Once Jacob caught his eye, he relaxed slightly. “Oh, thank God. Can you guys just get the boys so I can get her to the hospital?”

“You have to fucking ask? Go!” Jacob practically shouted, pointing out the door. “Are they asleep?”

“Yeah,” he said as he helped Liz up.

“Liz, are you okay,” Kyle asked as he stepped inside

She groaned. “This fucking hurts. Get me to the hospital and an epidural.”

“She’s okay,” Troy said with a ghost of a smile. “Thanks for your help guys.” He got Liz slowly out the door and down to his car.

“Okay, let’s go wake up the boys and get them some clothes,” Jacob said with a sigh as he headed up the small flight of stairs with Kyle right behind him. Kyle was glad he brought Jacob with him. He may have known Troy’s address but didn’t want to have to go from room to room looking for two sleeping children. Following Jacob, they stepped quietly into one of the bedrooms off of the hallway, from behind Jacob’s shoulder he could see Chase’s sleeping form. Jacob knelt down and gently shook the small boy. “Chase. Chase. It’s your uncle Jacob. I need you to get up. Come on. Get up.”

Chase slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes. His voice had a soft whine to it, “Jacob? What’re you doing here?”

Jacob kept his voice calm, knowing showing any worry could scare him. “Your dad had to take mom to the hospital. Your uncle Kyle and I are here to get you and Carter and take you back home with us.” The boys eyes showed him slowly registering what he was being told. Concern colored his face for a moment. “Can you go downstairs and get your snowsuits while I wake up Carter?”

The boy nodded slowly and got up to slowly stumble his way out of the room. With an unspoken agreement, Kyle followed after him to make sure he didn’t hurt himself in his half-awake state. While Kyle did that and helped a fumbling Chase get his snowsuit on over his pajamas, Jacob went to Carter’s room and expertly woke the boy up before picking him up and bringing him downstairs to join Kyle and Chase. “Give him to me and I’ll get him dressed,” Kyle said softly. “Run back up and grab a change of clothes for them for us to take. Don’t forget socks and underwear.”

Jacob nodded and ran upstairs, appearing a few minutes later with a plastic grocery bag with some clothes in it. “Don’t forget their shoes, hun,” he said as he picked up Chase in his arms. Kyle grabbed the first two different size sets of shoes he saw and scooped up Carter. They did a quick double-check before deciding they had what they needed and headed out the front door, locking it behind them. It was a few confusing moments for the boys who seemingly forgot what Jacob and Kyle had told them about their parents going to the hospital. Kyle talked to them quietly as Jacob drove back to the house, surprised to see the porch light on in the back as they pulled up.

When they got inside, they were surprised to find David sitting at the table sipping some fresh coffee, looking at them expectantly. When he saw the boys, he put down his mug and held his arms out to them. “There’s my big brave boys,” he said quietly as the two still half-asleep boys walked into his embrace. “Let’s get you out of your suits and we’ll lay you down in the living room. I got your blankets and pillows all set. The boys nodded mechanically and followed him out of the kitchen as if they were both on auto-pilot. Kyle and Jacob looked at each other. It was only two in the morning and their dad had already made coffee?

“May as well,” Jacob muttered as he moved to grab a mug. “No telling when the baby will arrive.”

Kyle snorted with a smirk and took the mug Jacob passed to him. “Steph took forever with Matt. All day waiting and waiting.”

“Where you there with her?” He poured the coffee for both of them then moved to sit down at the table.

“Oh yeah,” he said with a grin. “She wouldn’t have it any other way. After all, it was my fault.” He added some sugar from the bowl on the table and stirred as he remembered. “It was kind amazing in some respects. We already knew it was a boy and I… heh, I hadn’t figured a name for him yet and I was spending hours going over all my options and my thoughts.”

“What made you decide,” Jacob’s voice was low with one corner of his mouth tilted up as he watched his lover remember.

He sighed and sat back. “I just went with my heart, I guess. Jacob almost became his first name but…” he chuckled, remembering. “Strange as it may sound, I felt like that was just stealing it outright. As a middle name it made more sense.”

David walked quietly into the room, picking up his mug and sitting down between the two men. “So, do you want a girl or a boy the next time around,” he asked as he took a drink and went back to the pot to warm it up.

“Well, it’s not really my call,” Kyle said with a meaningful look at Jacob.

“I really don’t care one way or the other,” Jacob said. “Healthy with ten fingers and ten toes is all I care about and even that is negotiable.”

“I prayed for a boy,” David said with a grin. “Got my prayer answered too.” The three of them laughed softly, not wanting to wake up the whole house. “The boys are asleep in the front room. I got the lights off in the hall so be careful if you two go upstairs at least until morning.”

“Are you staying up,” Jacob asked him.

He nodded. “I called Sam not long after Kyle called me. He’ll let me know what’s going on.”

The three of them wordlessly agreed to stay up for the time being, talking quietly and sharing memories. The hours crept by effortlessly for them as they shared their thoughts and feelings. They talked about swim meets, classes at school they liked and hated. They talked about plans for the coming year and their wedding while pondering when Andy and Brian would have theirs. They shared their opinions on the topics in the news and shared laughs about the joys of youth. Without being fully aware of it, the final scars of the past healed between the three of them, leaving only the good memories the three of them shared. A love between father and son, lovers and friends. Forgiveness was no longer a word they needed to say to each other or even feel. In their hearts, the bonds they once shared, that fear and uncertainty had frayed, were made whole again between them.

As light began to slowly ebb into the room Jacob decided to start making breakfast. It wasn’t long before the bacon started to sizzle in the skillet that a sleepy Matt wandered into the kitchen in his new red and blue pajamas, past Kyle and up to Jacob, resting his soft blonde head against his thigh. “There’s our baby boy,” he said tenderly as he reached down to scoop up the child on one arm. “Oh. You’re a lot heavier now that you’re four. Not sure how much longer I can cook and hold you at the same time.” The boy seemed unphased as he laid his head on Jacob’s shoulder and closed his eyes. Kyle watched the two of them with a growing smile.

“Told you it was love at first sight,” David said to his son.

“He has that way with people,” Kyle said simply. The two of them smiled and fell into a quiet back and forth together.

“Jacob,” the boy whispered softly in his arms, “are you really going to be my daddy too?”

Jacob turned his head to gently kiss his forehead. “Nothing would make me happier. But I guess it depends if you want me to be or not.”

“Yeah,” Matt said in a half-sleepy voice, “I’d like that.”

“Well, then,” Jacob felt sudden unexpected emotions filling up his throat. “I guess I’m a very lucky guy that I get to be your daddy.”

“Need any help over there,” David asked with a smile playing across his face.

“Nope,” Jacob said as he flipped the eggs in the skillet. “I have everything I need.”

David stifled a chuckle and stood up, walking over to him. “Let me take over the cooking duties and you spend some quality time with your boy.” Without waiting for a response, David gently but firmly moved Jacob away from the stove. Jacob wasn’t inclined to object so he went back to sit at the table, keeping Matt in his arms. Jacob looked over at Kyle with an apologetic look only to see the look in Kyle’s eyes informing him that he had nothing to apologize for.

Kyle finished his coffee and leaned over to kiss Jacob. “I’m gonna make some more coffee while you two cuddle.” Jacob smiled and held the boy close, whispering to him to coax him awake. As he emptied the coffee grounds, Kyle’s eyes kept going back to the kitchen table watching them interact. A peculiar sense of relief came to him as he watched Matt smile at something Jacob had said. In his heart, he always knew he had this family, even if his head didn’t want to admit it. But it was something entirely different to actually see it with his own eyes and know that this was his heart’s desire. Right here, in this room was his family. He finally came to understand what that word meant now. Family wasn’t just genetic or who gave birth to who. Each of them held a piece of him inside them just as pieces of them were all in him. That was the bond. His love for his father and his son and his soon-to-be husband. For Troy, Andy, Brian and all of their children.

His thoughts turned to Troy, wondering how things were going. He had an urge to text him to ask but he knew it would just be a distraction Troy didn’t need right then. Better to wait for the news, good or bad. They could be more helpful to Troy and Liz by keeping their boys for now while they focused on bringing their new child into the world.

They occupied the next few hours getting Troy’s sons up and fed. Stephanie awoke last, remarking how well she slept in the house. When Kyle informed her of Troy and Liz being at the hospital she chuckled and patted his shoulder. “Remember the rules. If you make it, you have to suffer through it.” Kyle grinned before breaking out in a small laugh as Steph gave him a meaningful smile.

Jacob caught their unspoken exchanged and asked, “what’s that about?”

Kyle’s cheeks reddened slightly as Steph giggled before she explained, “I made him stay in the delivery room while I was giving birth. Pretty sure he cried more than I did. Well, after it was done at least.” Kyle shot her a reproachful glance before he looked away and blushed.

“You cried?” Jacob looked at him with a playful smirk.

He shrugged helplessly. “I wasn’t prepared for what it felt like seeing Matt for the first time ever. Wait until you get to experience it.” A yawn suddenly erupted from him. He’d been awake for hours now and still no word.

Jacob gave him a peck on the cheek. “I’m looking forward to it. As long as you’re there with me.”

David regarded the two of them and said with a casual smile. “Hey, you two, you’ve been up for hours now. Go lay down and take a nap. I’ll wake you when I hear anything.”

“What about you,” Kyle asked. “You’ve been up as long as we have.”

“Don’t argue,” he admonished. “I’ll lay down after they call.”

The two younger men looked at each other and shrugged. “Steph,” Kyle said casually, “make sure my dad doesn’t push himself too hard.”

“Whatever, baby-daddy,” she replied sarcastically. “He’s as strong as an ox. Get some sleep like the man says.”

Jacob took him by the hand and lead him upstairs to their room. They didn’t say anything when they undressed and got into bed. They lay on their sides together and it wasn’t long before the fatigue of the early morning set in for them both. As Kyle’s body relaxed, his mind drifted down, thinking about new babies and new challenges that lay before him. Jacob’s arm lay over him in an almost protective manner. Feeling his steady breathing and his body next to him gave him an inner calm. Sleep came so suddenly he hadn’t realized it until he heard his father’s voice in his ear, urging him to wake up. As his eyes opened and slowly focused on his dad’s face. He looked tired but his smile was unmistakable beneath his graying beard. Kyle struggled to sit up, gently pushing Jacob’s arm aside. “The baby,” he asked as he looked into his father’s eyes which were near copies of his own.

“A baby girl,” his father said him with a pleased tone. “Born two hours ago. She was stubborn at first, so I was told, but they managed to coax her out. Everyone is doing fine.”

Kyle’s face lifted in relief at the news. “What’s her name?”

“Emily Grace,” his dad replied. “Troy’s up at the hospital now. Liz and the baby are staying there for a night just for observation but everything seems okay, even if she did make an early appearance. He’ll be by later to come get the boys.”

“What time is it,” he asked before a yawn made its way out of him.

“It’s just after one. If you wanna get up, you can.” He stood up from his crouched position next to the bed and yawned himself. “If you wanna sleep you can sleep. Stephanie’s downstairs with the boys. I’m gonna go lay down for a bit.” He stepped back out of the bedroom, closing the door behind him.

Just as Kyle settled back in under the blankets, he felt Jacob stir next to him. His larger body moved closer as the arm wrapped around him and squeezed him tighter as if to make sure he was still there. Jacob’s face nuzzled next to him, his eyes still closed as he asked in a sleepy voice, “everything ok?”

“Troy has a new little girl,” he responded before turning his head to kiss him. Jacob gave him a little moan in response to the kiss before giving him one of his own. “Dad says everyone is doing fine. No need to worry.”

“Think we should go up there and visit,” he asked quietly as he kissed Kyle’s cheek and then just under his ear.

Kyle barely contained a moan as he felt Jacob’s lips on him. “Yeah… we probably should.”

“Only thing is,” Jacob said in a deeper voice as the hand on Kyle’s waist went from just holding him to caressing his side, “I really don’t feel like getting out of bed just yet.”

Kyle rolled on top of Jacob, getting a small grunt of surprise for his efforts. His lips brushed against Jacob’s. “Maybe we just need some time to ourselves first,” he suggested as Jacob’s hands were pushing Kyle’s boxers off his hips. “Have I mentioned lately how much I love you and glad we’re getting married?”

“How about you show me instead of tell me.” Their lips met in a passionate kiss and together they reminded each other of just how far their love for each other went.

****

Troy was sitting in the hospital’s small nursery, wearing a set of clean scrubs. Cradled in his arms was the only thing that existed in his world. The newest member of his family. This tiny little creature that appeared in their lives suddenly this morning. As he looked down at his daughter his memories pooled together of the moments he first held Chase and Carter. The thrill of meeting for that first time was still strong and bittersweet at the same time, knowing this would be the last time he could enjoy this small moment with his child.

“She’s beautiful,” Sam said with a smile as he sat near his son. The morning had been rough for all three of them. Liz most of all. She was still resting now, hours after giving birth. Doctors assured Troy that she was fine and just needed rest. She had told him much the same before she literally fell asleep mid sentence.

“That she is,” he whispered with a smile as he gazed down at her as she slept. “You called David?”

“Yup,” he replied with a nod, still smiling looking at his new granddaughter. “He said he’d let Kyle and Jacob know. They should’ve been here by now.”

“They’ll show up,” Troy said with complete assurance. “God, this has been a crazy day. We weren’t prepared at all.”

Sam chuckled softly. “We should’ve seen it coming. She’d been having it harder getting around last night. Glad I went to bed early so I was somewhat ready when David called.”

“Thanks, dad,” Troy said, looking over at his dad finally. “I kind of panicked.”

Sam grinned and shook his head slightly. “Don’t feel bad. Should’ve seen me when you were on your way. I barely managed to get clothes on before I was helping your mom to the car.” They shared a soft chuckle that was interrupted by the tiny baby in Troy’s arms suddenly shifting and making a small noise as she stretched her arms. Her eyes remained closed but the simple movement captivated the two men. Sam stifled a laugh as he said in a whisper, “she’s got the world wrapped around her finger already.” He stood and stepped up to his son and put a hand on his shoulder. “I’m happy for you son. I’m sure she’ll have a great life ahead of her.”

Troy’s eyes went back down to gaze adoringly at his new baby. He was about to say something when he was interrupted by a soft knock on the door to the room. As he and his dad turned towards it, the door opened as Kyle and Jacob walked into the room. Their faces lit up as they moved quietly to the other two men. Kyle looked down at the tiny baby in his friend’s arms. “Look what you did,” he said in a excited whisper. “She’s so cute.”

“Thanks,” Troy grinned widely as he stood up to give them both better views of the baby. “How’re the boys?”

“Oh, they’re fine,” Jacob said as he leaned in closer to get a better look. “They were playing with Matt and Steph when we left. They were a little worried this morning but once we told them all of you were fine, they just shrugged it all off. I texted Andy and Brian on our way here.”

“I can’t thank you enough for coming out so late to get them,” Troy said. “So, this is Emily. Our newest family member.”

“Not the last though,” Kyle said with a smirk. “Got a few more babies to be had before we’re all done.”

“Huh?” Troy looked at the two of them with a little confusion.

“We officially decided to have a baby of our own,” Jacob said simply. “We talked to Steph and she agreed to help us out with that.”

“Well, good luck to the two of you then,” Troy said. His smile seemed permanently attached to his face. “You two get any sleep.”

“Oh, yeah,” Kyle said casually. “Dad’s asleep right now. He was up with the kids while we napped. Then we got up and came over. We don’t want to keep you long though. We just wanted to stop by and see how everyone was doing.”

“And,” Jacob added, “don’t forget I got that crib ready to go for you whenever you want me to bring it over.”

“Can you bring it over tomorrow morning,” Troy asked. “They said Emily and Liz can go home then as long as there’s nothing wrong.”

He shrugged. “Sure, no problem.”

“Good thing too,” Kyle said remembering. “We’re leaving Sunday morning you know.”

“Oh, that’s right,” Troy said. “Spending the winter together in Harrisburg. Dad’s gonna be stir crazy.”

“He should find someone to keep him company,” Sam said gruffly but with a small smirk on his face. “About damn time he finds someone.”

“Dad....” Troy chided. “Let him do what he wants.”

Sam mumbled something under his breath. “Kyle, before you leave, tell your dad to go get laid while you two are gone.”

Kyle’s stunned laugh caught in his throat before he snickered. “Yeah. I’ll get right on that, Sam.”

“Ok, ok,” Troy said to stop any possible argument. “I need to get her back and then I need to get the boys and get some sleep.”

“Troy,” Jacob said with an exasperated sigh, “just let the boys stay with us tonight. You need the rest without the kids and besides, it’ll be a month before we’re back in town after tomorrow. Let the boys play and you get one solid day off before you’re doing the late night feedings and sleeping for only two hours at a time.”

Troy looked like he was about to protest with his dad cut in. “That’s some good thinking, son. Kyle’s pretty lucky to have the smart one in the group to marry.” The twinkle in his eyes as he looked at his son was unmistakable.

Troy’s eyes narrowed slightly even as he smiled a little wider and gave in. “Yeah, yeah, ok. Thanks, Jacob. I really appreciate it. Both of you. Thanks for helping me out.”

“Just to make sure he stays put,” Sam added. “I think I’ll drive you home myself. That way you won’t be able to leave without me.”

“Dad,” Troy replied with a mix of surprise and shock. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I know I don’t have to,” Sam said with a more casual tone, “I want to. You’re my son after all.”

Troy looked at his dad like he was looking at him for the first time. For the past twenty years, their relationship had been strained at the best of times and outright combative in others. They buried most of their animosity shortly after Troy married but there had always been that lingering distance between them. That his dad was offering to go out of his way for him to such an extent wasn’t unnoticed. “Well, okay then. Let me get Emily settled and go check on Liz before I head out.”

Sam nodded. “I’ll meet you in her room then.” Troy nodded and said goodbye to his friends before leaving the room with his daughter still tucked securely in his arms.

Kyle turned to regard Sam. He was impressed by his actions. “You’re a good man, Mr. Adams.”

Sam gave him a mock glare. “Mr. Adams? Oh, please. You never worked for me. Jacob did,” he looked over at the dark haired young man with a bit of pride in his eyes. “You’ve done a great job so far, kid. I’m betting we haven’t seen you at your best yet, though.”

Jacob blushed slightly and smiled. “Thanks, Sam.”

“Don’t mention it. Just trying to help out.” He looked around the room and finally said. “Well, you two get back home. I’ll see to Troy and make sure he gets a nap and then something to eat before bed. It’ll be the last full night he’ll sleep for the next couple months. Good thing I’m only semi-retired.” He gave the two men a wink and a nod before he turned and headed out the door.

“He’s so weird sometimes,” Kyle remarked.

“He’s awesome,” Jacob said. “You never got to know him like I did. He’s about as nice as Dad is. More so in some ways. He just likes to act all gruff and hardassed. I keep telling Troy that. Did you know he paid for all my classes at the junior college?”

Kyle gave him a surprised look. “Does anyone else know that?”

“Only Dad knows. Sam didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. He said I had good potential and it needed a direction.” Jacob couldn’t hide how important that moment had been for him.

Kyle chuckled as they headed out the door and back to the truck. “Wow. I never thought he was that kind of person. Dad never said a bad thing about Sam over the years.” A few minutes later, they were out the door of the hospital. Kyle heard Jacob sigh and glanced over at him. “You ok? I didn’t wear you out earlier, did I?”

Jacob’s lips curled up in a sneer. “Oh, like that’ll ever happen. I’m fine. Just not wild about being in there. At least it’s for a good reason this time.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” Kyle hadn’t thought about Jacob’s reaction to being back to the place where he had probably been the lowest in his life. They quietly got into the truck and Jacob drove them back towards the house. Kyle contemplated their future as they drove in amiable silence, listening to the radio. He was wondering just how much better his life was going to improve once he moved back permanently. Most people want to move out of their parents’ home and here he was wanting to move back in when he didn’t even need to. But it was a house that had been handed down over the generations, he figured. In some ways it was inevitable. He smiled, remembering how cute the baby looked and wondered how cute their new baby would look once he or she was born. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted it. The more he had this instinctive craving to have a baby. As much as he loved Matt, he knew they would all benefit from the addition to the family. Besides, little Emily would need someone her age to play with.

Just as that thought brought a smile to his face he noticed Jacob wasn’t slowing down and instead drove past the drive to the house. “What’re you doing?”

“We need to talk,” Jacob said firmly, “alone.” He drove to the end of the small deserted road and turned to go around the apple farm to the visitor side entrance where they used to park years ago when Kyle was still in college.

A new, playful smile came to his lips when he remembered all the things they did out there alone when they were younger. He looked over at Jacob’s face and noted his rigid, determined look on his face. For a moment, he wondered what had gotten into him but he refused to guess what the worse case could be. “Everything is okay, isn’t it?”

“Better than okay,” Jacob said as he pulled into the parking lot and parked the truck, keeping the engine on. He turned in his seat to look at Kyle. “I had a sudden thought while we were talking to Troy. About the baby.” Kyle realized Jacob wasn’t angry or upset. He was excited but nervous as well.

“What about the baby?” He released his seatbelt to turn towards him.

“Not Emily,” he answered. “Ours.”

“Oh,” Kyle couldn’t understand what he was trying to say and then he had a sudden insight. “You want to have the baby…”

“...Now,” he finished with a nod of his head. “I know this sounds silly, but… I love Matt with all my heart. Did you know he asked me about being his new daddy this morning?”

Kyle broke out into a grin and chuckled as he responded, “is that what the two of you were discussing?”

“I told him, I wanted to be his dad but it was up to him.” He was remembering the swirl of emotions that came to him earlier that morning as he held the boy in his arms. “I’m not gonna lie; I felt like I could’ve died happy right on the spot when he said he’d like that. I just don’t want to feel like I’m stepping on your toes or taking your place.”

“Don’t be silly,” Kyle couldn’t have loved Jacob more now if he tried. “It’s only natural and I don’t feel threatened or anything. You’re going to be as big of an influence in his life as I will be. In every way that matters, you will be his father just as much as I will be.”

“I knew you would say that,” he smiled slightly. “I guess I just needed to hear it. Then we’re there looking at how cute Emily is and I realized I’d never held a baby that was less than a day old. And, I missed Matt’s birth.” He paused as he searched for the right words to express himself. “And I just… have this… need. I want this more than nearly anything else except you. I would like us to get started on it as soon as possible and not wait until after we’re married.”

Kyle pondered it for a moment, thinking out loud. “It would take at least a month to six weeks just to get things started. And then there’s no guarantee she would get pregnant on the first try. It took us about three months after we got started before we got Matt.” The more he thought about it, the more his own urge kicked in again. “At best it could be the end of January before it worked. Steph would still be pregnant when we get married anyway.”

“That would work out great,” Jacob’s eyes were shining as his smile widened in excitement.

“We wouldn’t get much of a honeymoon though,” Kyle pointed out.

“Do we need one? I mean, really, we’re not doing things in the traditional sense of a marriage. Why not just toss out the honeymoon idea?”

Kyle started warming to the idea. “It’s not like we couldn’t spend the money better on a baby…”

“By the time the apples are dropping, we could have him in our arms.” Jacob reached over impulsively and grabbed Kyle’s hand.

“Steph would probably be eager to get it done and over with too.” Kyle squeezed his hand. “And, you’ll be there in town with us over the winter. She could spend the summer with us into the end of the year if she wanted.”

“So, you wanna do this?” Jacob leaned closer to him.

“Yes. With you, yes.” Kyle leaned over and kissed him softly. When they lips parted, he looked into Jacob’s bright blue eyes and said with a grin, “we’re gonna have a baby.”

****

Andy grunted as he set his side of the new couch down onto the floor of their new living room. “This better be where you want it or you’re moving it yourself,” he said giving Brian a threatening look.

Brian waved his hand dismissively. “Oh, it’s fine right here. Goes with everything else and the TV in the corner.” He gave the room one more long look going from side to side before he smiled and nodded. “This should work perfectly. I think we’re done here.”

“Thank God.” Andy layed down on the couch he had just finished moving. He felt tired but good at the same time. They had just finished moving in after getting all new furniture for the entire house. Brian had objected to buying new furniture for every room but Andy was adamant. He didn’t want any memories of that old house in this one. This was a new beginning in his life along with his best friend and lover. The last thing he wanted was years from now seeing some small memory of probably the worst six years of his life.

The two of them had spent the last two days getting clothes put in place, buying new pots and pans for the kitchen and anything else either of them thought would look nice in their new home. Today was their first official day in their new house. Only small personal items from the old house and clothes were the only things they needed to move in. The boys had all new beds and linens for their rooms along with anything else Andy could think of. He knew eventually he’d find something he forgot and have to replace it. But, he figured he could manage.

Brian plopped down on top of him with a small grunt and laid his head on Andy’s chest. “So, we’re all done now, huh?”

“Yup,” Andy said in his casual drawl. “Looks like it. The boys are upstairs putting their stuff away.”

“You weren’t paying attention,” Brian giggled. “They’re in the basement playing.”

“Think they like their new home,” he asked with a small grin.

“More like love,” Brian quipped. “But, they’re just kids. They don’t know how great this house is like you and I do.”

Andy sighed, feeling a knot of stress release inside him. He hadn’t realized it was there until he got Brian’s approval. “It’ll be a good home for us all.”

“Oh,” Brian said, “I just remembered. Dad called this morning. Wanted to know if we wanted to come over for dinner tomorrow. I told him I’d ask you first. Just in case you’re… you know… old and tired.”

Andy broke out in a wide grin and gave Brian a mock glare. “Who’s old? I’m only four months older than you.”

Brian looked up at him adoringly from his place on his chest and didn’t say anything for a long moment before he said casually, “I think I see a gray hair there near your ear.”

Andy laughed and went to grab him but Brian was already out of reach and running out of the room, laughing mockingly. Andy gave chase and caught him as he was turning to hide in the closet on the lower floor. Andy pulled him down to the ground and pinned him under his larger frame as they both laughed like little kids. As the laughter slowly drifted off, Andy stared down into those blue eyes and said in a calm voice, “marines do not get old.”

“Maybe not,” Brian conceded. “But, time will tell on that.” Andy leaned down and gave him a soft kiss. “So, what should I tell Dad about dinner tomorrow night?”

Andy huffed and smiled. “He’s missing Jacob and Kyle bad. Haven’t even been gone for two weeks and they’ll be back for Christmas. He’s desperate for company if he’s inviting us over.”

“I’ll take that as a yes and tell him to expect us.” Brian leaned up and gave him a peck on the cheek. “So, are you gonna let me up or throw me in the brig or whatever it is you marines do?”

Andy grinned and got up, leaning down to offer him a hand just as the doorbell rang upstairs. They exchanged curious looks as they headed up the small flight of stairs. “Probably neighbors complaining about our noise,” Brian said with a smirk.

“If they think that’s bad wait until we break in the new bed,” he said as he followed behind Brian.

Brian glanced back at him giggling as he reached to open the door. When he looked back as the door swung open, he saw the last person in the world he ever expected to see. The smile and color drained from his face and his entire body went slightly rigid. His warm and bubbly personality dissipated to a more cold and formal voice. “Father.”

Brian’s father, Harry stood there, his blue eyes that matched his son’s lighting up slightly in hope as he attempted a smile he wasn’t sure he felt would cover his concern. “Brian. It’s good to see you again.”

“Really,” Brian countered. “Last I heard I wasn’t part of your family anymore.”

Harry sighed as his face fell. “I know. And I understand how much that hurt.”

Andy watched the exchange a few feet behind Brian and frowned. He felt his chest tighten as he moved forward to stand beside his lover, glaring balefully at this intruder. His impulse was to push Brian aside to stand between them. He managed to contain his anger and his desire to beat this man senseless but the hatred showed through in his voice. “What do you want?”

Brian heard the underlying hatred in Andy’s voice and shifted his focus to his fiance. He wasn’t exactly sure what was going through his mind but he knew whatever it was, it wasn’t good. He had to diffuse the situation before it got out of hand. “Darling,” he said, laying a hand on the bicep that felt harder and strained than it did a few minutes ago, “it’s ok. I can handle this. Why don’t you go downstairs and play with the boys.” Andy’s face softened only slightly as he looked at Brian, nodded and then cast one more hateful stare at Harry before walking away. Brian sighed slightly and then turned his attention back to his father who looked both confused and uneasy.

“I… ah... “ Harry searched for the right words to say.

Brian frowned and finally cut in, “Father, step inside. It’s cold out and if you’re going to babble, you may as well not freeze to death in the process.”

Harry stepped inside cautiously and waited for Brian to close the door before being shown to a seat on the couch. Once he was settled, he took a moment to look around the room. “This is a lovely house you have here, son.”

Brian frowned, sitting on the loveseat nearby. “I thought I wasn’t your son anymore.”

“You’ll always be my son,” he said in a soft, sad voice. “What happened years ago was a tragic mistake made at a time when I listened to the wrong people and let my ignorance override my judgement.”

Brian’s eyebrow arched but his face remained placid and his tone formal. “That almost sounded something like an apology. Is that what you came here to do? Apologize?”

Harry nodded his head as he finally lifted his eyes to look at his son. “Brian, I can apologize from now until Judgement Day and it won’t make much of a difference because I can’t go back and change what happened. I failed you as a father.”

“I want to know why it happened to begin with,” Brian’s voice rose slightly in irritation. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m fully aware of the fact that a local preacher having a gay son would have been quite the scandal for you and mother to bear. I’m trying to understand though why you were perfectly fine with casting out your only son without showing even a tiny bit of remorse until today, of all days.”

Harry sighed. “Brian, I shouldn’t have listened to your mother. That’s about all the excuse I can make for my actions. I want to hope we can at some point reach a level of forgiveness and understanding.”

“And what would you forgive me for exactly,” he asked stoically.

“Nothing. It is I who should be begging forgiveness from you.” He watched Brian’s eyes look away and pressed on. “You have always been my son and I have always been proud of you. I’m not going to let your mother’s choices ruin my relationship with you.”

“I’m sure she would be thrilled to know you’re here,” he said sarcastically. “She was the perfect mother up until I told her I was gay. Next thing I knew she thought I was a demon.”

“She was wrong,” Harry said to him. “And what she thinks doesn’t matter anymore.” Brian gave his father a perplexed look. He only nodded and said, “I packed up and left her a few weeks ago. We had a… sudden revelation thanks to visiting David Howard.”

“You went to see Kyle’s dad?!” Brian’s lips twisted into a pained smile. “Well... looks like we’ll have something to discuss over dinner tomorrow night after all.”

“Your mother and I visited him.” He frowned slightly. “Things didn’t go so well. Barbara became combative and judgemental. Before I knew what was happening, David was showing us out.”

There was a moment of silence between them before Brian said simply, “Go on.”

Harry sighed and lowered his head slightly. “It would seem that your mother wasn’t as righteous as she would have had me or anyone else believe. After we left, she was angry at David about something. I suspected but only half-heard whatever it was he said to her. Eventually, after some time I got her to confess her sins. I can’t tell you how hurtful it was to hear that. She and I went a number of rounds until she finally told me the whole sordid truth.”

Brian controlled his shock to remain outwardly calm but inside he was reeling from the news. His anger didn’t make it so that he couldn’t see how his father was reacting. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“I’m not,” he said with uncharacteristic bitterness in his voice. “It was all her idea, Brian. How if people knew our son was gay that we would lose our standing among our peers. That we’d be outcasts and labeled failed parents. That we… we let our youngest child go astray.” He sighed and shook his head. “It took me a very long time to come to grips with what I had done. Every instinct inside me screamed that what I had done was wrong. By the time I had fully realized my error, you were gone.”

Brian cursed himself inwardly as he saw the grief on his father’s face and knew it all to be true. No one would say that he had held on to the anger and pain he had dealt with when his family disowned him but it had hurt deeply. He was just better than most at covering it up. “So, what is it you want, exactly?”

“I guess, what I’m asking is if there is a chance we could be a family again.” He looked genuinely hopeful as he looked as his son.

“You don’t care that I’m gay?” Brian asked simply. “You realize, it’s not a phase I’m growing out of any time soon.”

“No, I don’t care,” he said sincerely. There was another awkward silence between them before Harry’s voice took on a bit more casualness to it. “I would care… If you were just having sex for the sake of having sex. As long as you love who you are with, then it’s not my place to say that it’s wrong. What about you and Andrew?”

“You mean that we are in love with each other,” he asked with a small smile. “Yes, you heard that right.”

“So, how serious are the two of you?”

Brian held up his left hand, showing off the ring on his finger. “I’d say about this serious.”

“You’re going to marry him!?” Harry’s mouth dropped open slightly in surprise despite himself.

“It’s legal, Father,” he frowned. “And I don’t need to ask anyone’s permission to do it when I’m thirty-one.”

Harry chuckled, disarming Brian as he said, “no, no. That’s not what I meant. I hadn’t heard about this so I just… Do you love him that much, son? That you would commit the rest of your life to share it with him? To think of him before yourself at all times and to always love him no matter what?”

Brian blushed slightly and a small smirk broke through his cold exterior. “He’s my best friend in the whole world,” he said in a small voice. “He’s been through hell and he’s only just now found happiness again with me and I can’t stand to think of living a day without him with me.”

Harry looked at his son carefully as a bright smile not unlike his son’s came to his lips. “Then God has blessed you and it is meant to be.”

“I thought God frowned on gays.”

Harry sighed and rolled his eyes. “Brian… God doesn’t hate anyone. Being gay isn’t a sin. I had some long talks with a few pastors and couple rabbis around the country the last couple years discussing this. The laws of Leviticus are no longer binding since Christ sacrificed himself to fulfill the laws of Moses. People often forget that part. And, besides, there are a slew of other laws that restrict behavior and on sacrifices and purification rituals and mandatory treks to the Holy Land. Again, everyone forgets all that. They just focus on the things other people do instead of themselves.” Being in his element again, he became more comfortable as he spoke. “And as for loving another man, God himself gave David and Jonathan his seal of approval. First Samuel chapter eighteen and on to the end of chapter twenty left nothing to the imagination as to how much the two of them loved each other.”

Brian began to laugh, despite himself. “You’re giving me another sermon, Dad?”

Harry laughed softly. “It’s what I do, son. If you love him as you say and if he loves you as much… Then let no man sunder that which God has ordained. So, when is the big day?”

Brian smirked slightly in embarrassment. “We haven’t set a date just yet. We’re still getting moved in here, I just left my teaching job at the university. Tanner is determined to skip a grade and Blake is so precocious it’s hard to tell him no sometimes.”

Harry gave his son an dubious look with a half-smirk. “Sounds like you got a full life ahead of you.”

“Yeah, I guess I do,” he said, feeling slightly chagrined. “I never thought about having a family before. It’s a weird feeling.”

“How come you left your job,” Harry asked.

Brian’s face turned serious. “Andy… He’s got some issues. From his time away.”

Harry nodded in understanding. “Son, I’m not looking for an instant fix between us. I want to put in the effort and show you that I mean what I say about us. You’re my son. I love you. And I want to be part of your life again.”

“Thank you,” he replied, looking at him seeing the seriousness in his eyes. “I’m willing to try.”

Harry’s lips twitched up slightly as a sudden thought occurred to him. “You said the two of you are getting married. I would be honored if you would allow me to perform the ceremony for you.”

Brian wasn't prepared for such a sudden offer. “I’ll, ah… talk to Andy about it.”

Harry nodded and rose to his feet. “You do that. You know how to reach me if you need me.”

Brian stood and replied. “Maybe we can have lunch together later this week.”

Harry looked at his son, feeling hope return in his heart. “Nothing would make me happier.” Brian walked him to the door. When he opened it, he turned to say something to Harry but couldn’t find the words. Seeing his son’s uncertainty, Harry moved closer to him and wrapped him in a warm embrace. Brian stood there for a moment before his hands found their way around his dad’s back. “Remember, son,” Harry whispered in his ear, “God made you perfect just the way you are. I’m sorry I forgot that.”

Brian's feelings were moving in all directions so much he didn't know what to say. It was going to take him some time to process all of this. Eventually he found the strength to say quietly, “thank you, Dad.”

Harry let him go, looking at his son’s handsome face. His lips rose in a smile. “That’s my boy. Go. Be with your… your family. We’ll talk more later.” Brian could only nod as he watched his dad step outside the house and down the walkway. He stood there for a long moment after closing the door to collect himself before heading downstairs to spend time with his family.