She presses her hand over her mouth, sniffling a sob. “No.” She takes a breath. “I’ll see you in a few days. I’ll text.” She turns and walks out of the shop.
I’m left staring at Aidan. My head is spinning. “What just happened?”
Rory rubs my shoulders. “Are you okay?”
I nod and then shake my head. “Honestly? I don’t know.” I look at the door. “I thought—”
“I know. Give her a bit more time.”
“At least she said she’d ask for help.” I bow my forehead to Aidan’s and close my eyes. “What if she’s never ready to take Aidan back?”
“If that happens, we’ll deal with it.”
I turn my face to look at him. “We?”
“Aye. You and me.”
“You—you’d want a ready-made family?”
He squeezes my shoulder. “I want you, Cal. That means I want Aidan too. Whether that’s as full-time dads or having him at the weekend.”
Tears prickle my eyes. “You’re amazing.” I lean over and kiss him. It feels like the most natural thing in the world. I kiss him again and again. I guess that means I’m out to the world. Almost.
* * *
When we get home, we go to my room and settle on the bed with Aidan between us. Rory waves the hippo rattle above Aidan, who watches it with wide eyes. He gurgles happily and sometimes swipes for the rattle, but his hands and eyes are completely uncoordinated, so he never manages to touch it.
“How are you feeling?” Rory asks.
“About which bit?”
“All of it.”
“I feel better knowing Niamh is going to ask for some help.” I grimace. “Unless she was just saying what I wanted to hear. God knows I pulled that stunt more than once.”
Rory rubs my arm. “She seemed genuine.”
“Aye, she did.” I stare into the middle distance. “She wouldn’t hold Aidan.”
“I know.”
“I can’t imagine how alone she’s feeling right now. I wish there was more I could do.”
“You’re doing everything you can by supporting her and looking after Aidan.”
I stroke Aidan’s hair. “I outed myself.”
“You did.” Rory smiles. “How do you feel about that?”
“Okay. It was easier than I thought it would be. Not that—” Heat rises to my cheeks.
Rory chuckles. “You’re getting flustered. It’s sweet.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t apologise. You didn’t have to tell Niamh today, but I’m glad you did.”
“I want to be with you, Rory. I can’t do that if I lie about what you mean to me.”
