Embracing the Unexpected (18 page)

“Nothing’s wrong.” Parker gently kissed his lips. “Something
came up at the office yesterday and I wanted to discuss it with you.”

“Is everything okay with your practice? I’ve been so busy
lately, we haven’t had much time to discuss your work. I’m sorry.”

“My practice is fine, and you don’t need to apologize. I
know how important your work is to you.”

“Yours is equally important. I hope you know I don’t think
any differently.”

“I know you don’t, and that’s why you’re so perfect.” Parker
smiled. “It’s just that, well…” He suddenly felt nervous. They hadn’t discussed
this subject in a while and now the opportunity sort of fell into his lap, but
he wasn’t sure how Jace would feel about it.

“You’re making me edgy,” Jace said. “What’s wrong?”

“Donna came into my office yesterday and told me her
sixteen-year-old niece is pregnant.”

“Oh, well that’s unfortunate,” Jace said. “Does she need
time off? I’m sure you could find another assistant for the time being. Your HR
department can look into a temp for you.”

“No, that’s not why she was telling me.” Parker fidgeted.
“I’ve told her about our desire to start a family someday and she wanted to
know if we’d be considering that anytime soon.”

“A family?”

“She wanted to know if we’d be interested in adoption.”
Parker looked down. “Her niece wants her baby to have a good family.”

“She wants us to adopt the baby?”

“She wants us to think about it,” Parker said. “I know it’s
a big adjustment and a huge thing to even consider, but we did talk about
eventually having kids.”

“I see.” Jace ran his palm over his jaw, indicating he was
deep in thought. Parker recognized that look. It meant Jace was pondering and
analyzing. He was in ‘shrink’ mode.

“We’re probably not ready, but I had to mention it to you. I
can just tell Donna it’s not the right time for us. I’m sure I could help her
with the legal stuff if they wanted.”

“Why isn’t it?” Jace propped himself up on his elbow. “I
mean the right time for us?”

Parker’s eyes shot back up to Jace’s. “You think we’re
ready?”

“I know we’re ready, but we both have to be sure. We also
have to think about everything that goes along with being parents in a same sex
relationship. It won’t always be perfect. It’ll be a struggle.”

“We’ve discussed all of this.” Parker didn’t care about the
obstacles that went along with two gay men raising a child. He knew they could
get through it together. They loved one another, and it didn’t matter how hard
it would be. People would eventually adjust, just like they did when they found
out they were a couple or legally married. The world was changing, and Parker
was optimistic enough to believe it was moving in the right direction when it
came to homosexual couples. Jace taught him how to accept who he was and he
finally had, so why couldn’t they have a child together?

“We have to make sure this girl is absolutely sure adoption
is what she wants. Can we talk with her and her family?”

“You want this now?” Parker had hoped Jace would entertain
this idea, but he wasn’t sure he’d be ready.

“I’ve wanted this with you for a long time,” Jace said. “Is
it what you want?”

“I do.” He smiled. “Ever since Donna told me, I can’t stop
thinking about it. I wanted to tell you yesterday, but you’ve been so crazy
with work.”

“It’ll be a long road, Parker,” Jace said. “This one might
not work out. A young girl can change her mind. There are a lot of factors that
go into this.”

“I know, but Donna is very certain she wants to give her
baby a good life and she told her about us and what we could offer a child.”

“Set it up,” Jace said. “I want to meet this girl. I want to
assure her we could give her baby the best life she could hope for.”

Parker smiled because he knew not only could they provide
for a child but they would also ensure any child would be loved and cared for
in their home.

“You’re adorable when you’re happy.” Jace brushed his lips
against Parker’s.

“I’m always happy when I’m with you.” Parker slowly kissed
him. “A baby?”

“It’ll change our lives.”

“For the better, and think how pleased our mothers will be.”

“I forgot about them.” Jace laughed.

“How could you? They hint about it every chance they get.”

“Now they’ll get their wish,” Jace said. “A grandchild to
spoil.”

“I can’t believe this is where we ended up. When I walked
into that classroom, I never would have dreamed we’d spend the rest of our
lives together. It was all so unexpected.”

“I knew you were the one,” Jace said as he gently kissed his
lips. “I knew you had to be mine.”

“I was a little slow on the uptake, wasn’t I?”

“I don’t care, babe. You figured it out, and that’s all that
matters to me.”

“Thanks for helping me get it.”

“I love you.” Jace pulled him closer to his body. “Forever.”

“Always.”

Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember.
As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her, and now as an adult, the
laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head,
but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered
the eBook industry. She began penning books at a rapid pace and now she can’t
be stopped.

Ella resides in New Jersey with her husband and two young
boys. When she’s not chasing after her kids, she’s busy writing, kickboxing,
and scrapbooking.

She also loves making new friends and would love to connect
with you.

Ella’s Website:

http://ellajadeauthor.blogspot.com

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