“Also, I got my appointment with the agency, it’s next week.”
Sienna’s surprised. “Did you want me to go with you?”
“Would you?”
“Of course, I would.”
“I’m nervous. What happens if they can’t help me?” I confess to her.
“Derrick, you’re not the first gay man who's wanted to start a family. What does Charlie think about it?”
“He doesn’t know I have an appointment yet. I’m kind of scared to tell him.”
“But he knows you are doing this?”
“Yes. We talked about it in Hawaii, but still … our relationship is so new and …”
“D, you go to the interview, and you find out everything you want to know. Don’t worry about Charlie. If he loves you, he will be on board. But this is about you, for you, and what you want, no one else,” Sienna reminds me.
She’s right. I’m so thankful for finding Charlie and having him in my life, but having a family is something I’ve always wanted, and I don’t want to put that on hold for a man. As much as I may want forever with him, it’s never guaranteed. Plus, it’sjust a conversation, it’s not like I’m knocking someone up there and then, just researching my options.
“You’re right.” I smile at her.
“I know. So let me know the time and place, and I’ll be there for you.”
“How did your appointment go?” Charlie asks when he picks up the phone. I decided I had to tell him. The man declared his love for me, and keeping this from him didn’t feel right. He was excited when I told him and said he wished I had told me earlier so he could have come with me. I didn’t think he would want to come, but I was wrong. That’s when Charlie, again, reassured me he isn’t going anywhere, but he understood why sometimes I might doubt that.See, totally emotionally advanced compared to me.They explained about adoption, surrogacy, finding an egg donor, all my options, and honestly, it was kind of overwhelming. But the most overwhelming thing was Sienna calling me over to her home with Evan, sitting me down, and saying she would like to donate some eggs to me if that is what I want. Evan’s stipulation was that they were for me, that he could handle Sienna having a baby with me, but no one else, not even my partner. What a gift Sienna offered, but I don’t know if I could take her up on it. The meeting gave me a lot of food for thought, also regarding timelines and how much everything would cost.Think I’m going to have to work a little harder to pay for it all.But I’m hopeful. Charlie is all in on the options. He said he is happy to adopt, but would love to have one of his own, which is exactly my thoughts. We had a deep and meaningful conversation about our wants in a family, and it seems to havebrought the two of us closer together. But I think we have some time to decide.
“You’re here.” I squeal seeing him walk through the doors at work. I launch myself into his arms and kiss the hell out of him. Jackson picked Charlie and Everly up from the airport as I had a fitting. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too.”
“Gag,” Jackson says behind Charlie. I flip him off, which earns me a deep chuckle from him.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” I let my hands roam over him, making sure he isn’t a figment of my imagination.
“I’m here,” he says, cupping my face and kissing me softly.
“Are they always like this?” Jackson asks Everly.
“Yeah, pretty much, but it’s cute,” Everly answers him. And I can hear Jackson’s groan.
“I can’t stay long as Jackson wants to show me around, but I’ll see you tonight after work for dinner,” Charlie says.
“Yes.” I smile as I kiss him again.
Charlie reluctantly pulls away from me. “Tomorrow, I’ll get you to show me around all this.” He grins. I nod and wave him goodbye.
“Was that your man?” Toby, my assistant, asks.
“Yeah,” I answer giddily.
“He’s hot.”
“Hands off,” I warn him with a smirk.
“I would never. He’s too manly and rugged for me. You know I like my men androgynous. But he’s perfect for you.” He winks.
“He is perfect.” I sigh happily. “Come on, let’s get this shit finished so I can get home early to my man.”
