I’m part of his life, and he’s part of mine and that balance has been much easier than I would have believed.
“You really are brilliant in this.” Baylor gives me a sweet kiss as we take our seats. “I can’t wait to hear them shower you with praise.”
My stomach flips and I run damp hands on my pants. The initial reviews have been favorable, but this movie means a lot to me. It’s not just my acting, but the story of a brilliant life cut too short. While taking on this project, the importance of doing it well has always been something I’ve kept top of mind, and now is the moment of truth.
I smile at Bee’s words, he knew exactly what I needed to hear, and I slip my still damp hand into his and hold on for dear life.
One standing ovation later, I’m sweaty and keyed-up, relieved too, of course, from the reception everyone had to the film. I need to burn off some steam and enjoy the fuck out of the after party. I lean back in the seat of the car the studio arranged and struggle out of my jacket.
“Let me.” Baylor’s large hands squeeze mine, before moving up to take the jacket from my shoulders.
Adrenaline and the high of my work being rewarded with a standing ovation, not to mention seeing it all come together with our songs — I feel like I am flying.
Baylor’s hands on me, warm through the thin material of my tux, set me on fire and I’m on him in a second.
I push him back on the seat of the limo.
“What’s with you and cars?” Baylor mumbles through kisses.
I laugh, because he’s right. This is the second time I have attacked him in a car. Our kisses slow to something sweeter and lingering.
“Let’s go to this party and then get back home,” Baylor says. “There is a baby missing his favorite uncles.”
“Baby needs a playmate,” I tease, handing a sleeping, one-year-old baby Morrison off to Quinn who looks pained while waiting for his turn. “Hell, your brothers clearly need more babies to hold.”
We initiated the paperwork today, both favoring the thought of adoption over surrogacy. I think about Baylor with one of those baby-wearing things strapped to his chest. Fuck, he would be so hot like that. All big and Baylor-esque with a soft little baby on his chest.
Our baby.
That idea lights me up from one end to the other, and it must show in how my eyes are eating up Baylor, because Perrin snickers in my direction.
“Better turn down those baby lights in your eyes, Cas. Once baby arrives, private time goes to a minimum.”
“You made it work,” I observe. No doubt, Jack and Perrin stay as loved up as possible for two people to be. Maybe even more than before.
Jack laughs, kissing Perrin. “We have a lot of help. I have no idea how just two people manage all this.”
“Does that mean when we babysit, you all are. . .” Matt gives a vague wave of his hand and his nose wrinkles.
Perrin leans back on the couch, pulling Jack close. “Only if we don’t fall asleep first.”
“But,” Jack says, squeezing Perrin’s hand, “tonight we are actually going out. The Gala in Denver is special to us, and we appreciate Baylor and Cas taking over tonight.”
Baylor smiles, and it means something to him to be the first to keep baby Morrison overnight, even before Ellen and Rita have.
“How is it going with your adoption process?” Bishop asks, his hands reaching for Morrison as he starts to wake. “I got him,” he tells Quinn, “since I know you want to make his bottle, forty-two.”
Baylor laughs, but I happen to know he loves the pet name that Bish has for Quinn that comes straight out ofHitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
Quinn nods, passing off the baby once more with a lingering kiss on Bishop’s lips.
Quinn is an expert at formula mixing, and just like the jars of treats for Farrow that live at each house, Morrison’s formula and diapers are stocked in every house of every sibling. I’m sure Mulder’s treats would be included in there too if she ever left Matt and Theo’s luxury cabin in the woods.
“The adoption paperwork got filed today,” Baylor says, sorting through the bag at his feet that Perrin and Jack have left for Morrison.
Bishop walks Morrison to distract him from the fuss he wants to make until Quinn returns. When he does, Bish expertly transfers the squirmy bundle to Quinn’s arms when he sits, and we all smile at the sweet baby sounds of Morrison taking his bottle.
Matt and Theo are the best at engaging Morrison during his time on his stomach, when he gets to strengthen his muscles and explore the world.
