I swallow past the lump in my throat, touched by their unwavering support. “Thanks, guys. I hope so.”
Georgia leans back, a smile on her face. “Trust me, I know these things. I’ve seen you with my nieces and nephews. The way you light up around them, the patience you have…”
“Those kids are cute and a lot of fun. It’s hard not to like the little munchkins.”
Georgia nods. “And they adore you right back. Remember last Christmas, when Angela insisted on sitting on your lap the entire night? Wouldn’t let anyone else near you?”
I chuckle at the memory, warmth blooming in my chest. “She’s a sweetheart.”
“And then there was the time you saved the day with Caleb’s birthday party,” Felix says, mentioning the son of a friend of ours. “When their house flooded, so you offered to host the party here, and worked into the early hours of the morning to get everything set up?”
I grin, shaking my head. “I thought I’d blocked that out. Pretty sure I scarred a few kids for life with my attempts at decorating that football cake.”
Felix barks a laugh. “Are you kidding? They loved it! You were the hero of the hour.”
I can still visualize the horrendous iced chocolate cake that looked like a pile of—well, the kids’ imaginations sure went to town—they were delighted and in hysterical laugher at the mess. Emotion washes over me. “I just… I can’t wait to have those moments with our own kid, you know? To be there for all the big things and the little things. To watch him or her grow and learn and become this incredible person.”
Georgia’s eyes soften. “I may only be an aunty, but it’s the best feeling in the world, Cam. Watching them discover the world,seeing it through their eyes. It changes you in the most amazing way.”
I nod, blink back the prickle behind my eyes. “I want that. More than anything.”
Felix reaches over, clapping me on the shoulder. “And you’ll have it, buddy. You and Greg… You’re going to be amazing dads. That kid will be so loved, by all of us. You know you’ve got a couple of babysitters already lined up, right?”
I chuckle. “Thanks, guys. For everything. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Georgia winks, her grin playful. “Probably still be pining after Greg from afar, if we’re being honest.”
I laugh, shaking my head, remembering the pep talk from Georgia to make a move on the cute golden-haired boy I had a crush on. I’m not sure I would have got up the courage to make the first move if she hadn’t told me she’d seen the way Greg looked at me. “Probably.”
Felix leans back in his chair, his expression turning thoughtful. “You know, Cam, you and Greg have been through so much together, and you’ve come out stronger every time. I’m sure this surrogacy thing will be something you’ll face head on.”
“It’s been tough,” I admit, my fingers tracing the rim of my coffee mug. “There were times when I thought we might not make it. But Greg… He’s my rock. He’s always been there, even when life tried to get in the way.”
Georgia reaches over, squeezing my hand. “That’s what love is, honey. It’s not about the easy times. It’s about weathering the storms together. The good times and the bad.”
“I know. And I’m so grateful for him. For everything we have. I just… I want to give him the family he deserves. The family we both want so badly. I know it won’t be easy, but we’re ready. We’re ready to fight for our family, no matter what it takes.”
“We’re here for you, buddy,” Felix says. “Just say the word and whatever it is, you’ve got it.”
Georgia smiles. “Yeah, what he said. And just think, in a few years, we’ll be sitting right here, watching you chase after a little mini-Cam or mini-Greg.”
I laugh, the image warming me from the inside out. “I can’t wait.”
Chapter Four
Greg
God, I hate thispart—the prep required before we can get stuck in and tackle the kitchen update. I’d rather just dive right in and start ripping off cabinet doors and countertops and preparing the walls for painting. I stand with a stack of flattened cardboard boxes in my arms, surveying the cupboards before me, and groan, knowing how much stuff is behind those doors. Pots, pans, plastic containers… There’s already a stack of plates and a pile of bowls on the counter. Now it’s time to clear this all out and make way for the hard work to come.
“Hey, babe,” I call out to Cam. “Can you bring me the packing tape from the drawer in the office desk? And I could use your help boxing up all this stuff. It’s got to be done today so I can get started tomorrow.”
I unfold one of the cardboard boxes, bending the edges to make it stand up.
A short while later, Cam approaches. “Here’s the tape,” he says, as he passes it to me. “Wow, I didn’t realize we had accumulated so much stuff. This is going to take ages.”
“No kidding.” I chuckle, taping up the bottom of the box. “But it’ll be so worth it once the kitchen is done. I can’t wait to cook in here and I’m envisioning lots of lazy weekend brunches, and even a dinner party or two.”
Cam grins at me, a smile that makes my heart flutter. “Sounds perfect. Let’s get to work then.”
