Unexpected Honeymoon

Part One – Max

 

“Good morning, Mr. Wellington.” Elanor brought me out of my haze. I had been staring at the computer in front of me, not paying attention to the time passing by. My assistant stood at the door holding a stack of folders that I knew I needed to complete by the end of the weekend, but had no care in the world to finish.

What my head and heart were focused on was the woman sitting a few doors down in her office. Alexa. I wanted to do something special for her, for us. When we got married six months ago, she didn’t want a honeymoon. She said that what we had wasn’t like what anyone else had. She said that every day for us was like a honeymoon, but I wanted to prove her wrong. I wanted to show her that some time away and just being us, with no work involved, could be worth it. What I had planned would be worth it.

“Morning Elanor” My answer was curt. It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate Elanor and what she did for me, but at this moment in time, while I was finalizing this trip for Alexa and me, I wanted no distractions. “Please pass along all paperwork to Greg and Chase. They are aware of my leave of absence this weekend.”

“No problem, sir.” She turned to leave the office and immediately it was filled again with Greg standing in my doorway. I didn’t pay him any mind as I clicked through each step to book our flight and then moved on to the hotel.

“You tell her anything yet?” I briefly looked up to where Greg had made himself at home in front of my desk. He was leaned back in one of the leather chairs, with his feet kicked up on the desk. I moved forward to shove his feet off. Him and his wife, Lilly, always sat like that in his office, but I didn’t tolerate it in mine.

“No.” I shook my head. “I want it to be a surprise.”

“You know she hates surprises.” I bit the inside of my cheek to not say anything because even though I knew Greg’s comment was true, I didn’t care. This was one surprise I wanted her to like. I needed her to love it, because it was going to be something that changed our lives.

“Just…” I clenched my fists and then released, trying to take in a deep breath. “Just let me have this.”

I was trying to reason with a man who loved surprises and could get away with things like this. But me, I had a completely different kind of woman than Greg had. If Alexa even caught a whiff that I was surprising her with something, she would know all the details within ten minutes. Not because she was that good at detective work, but if she batted her eyelashes at me and rubbed her body against mine, she knew I would break to temptation. Always had. Always will.

Just not this time. I clicked through a few more pages and the hotel was booked. I checked my email to see all confirmations and that’s when the dread set in. What if this wasn’t the right way to do this. I should be including her in on all of this, but damn it, I wanted this to be special for her.

“You and Lilly have the same concentration face.” Greg barked out a laugh. “You get these wrinkles between your eyes. On her it’s cute. On you. Well, let’s just say you don’t look that cute.”

I picked up a pen and tossed it Greg’s way. It hit his shoulder and then rolled to the floor. He laughed it off and exited the room. From where I could see Elanor’s desk, he grabbed the stack of papers she’d had earlier and took them with him. I had told all of my counterparts that I would be gone for the weekend and that time started right now as I made my way out of my office and to Alexa’s.

I already had bags packed and in my driver’s car downstairs, ready for us to take off on this trip. I have everything planned out. Walk into her office, pretend to take her to lunch, go to the airport instead, fly to New York, have dinner with my parents tonight, tomorrow take her on an adventure, show her all my favorite places, and then tomorrow night take her to Gramercy Park. After that, the plan kind of fell off because after we went to the park tomorrow night, the rest of that evening would all depend on her.

I didn’t bother knocking on Alexa’s office door. I pushed my way in to see her sitting at her computer, engrossed in a new book I knew she was writing. We hadn’t told anyone else in the company yet, but out newest romance author to be published was Alexa. She had decided to do it under a pen name in order for the editing staff not to play favorites. They loved it and it was a rave around the office, so now she was working on book two, while also editing and promoting all the other projects she was working on. I stood there, leaning against the doorjamb, watching her type away, mesmerized by the way her fingers grazed the keys so fast. It felt like she was touching me instead and then I looked to her cheeks to see the pink coming through and knew she could tell I was watching.

“Let’s do lunch.” I spoke up.

She finished typing out what she was working on and then looked at the clock on her computer and then back up to me.

“I already did lunch an hour ago, babe.” Her response wasn’t exasperate like I was annoying her, but her smile said that she could smell something was up.

“I didn’t and I want company.” I walked over to her computer, taking over the mouse and clicking save, and then turning everything off.

“If we’re doing lunch, then why shut off my computer?” She questioned me and stood up to grab her purse. I looked over to where Alexa stood in her black pumps and baby pink dress. She bought it a few weeks ago and though I didn’t like it on the hanger, the way it fit her tightly and framed her hips made me want to get to New York that much faster.

“To save energy.” I answered her and then led her out of the office. I had tried to make sure not to say anything more until we reached the car. But I made the mistake of looking down at her when we were in the elevator and the pout on her lips almost broke me. She knew something was up. I couldn’t give in. I wasn’t going to ruin this. “Stop looking at me like that.”

“What do you mean, Max?” The way she said my name and then moved her hand along my arm had me standing stark still. Don’t. Give. In.

“Let’s go.” The elevator opened to the main lobby and I ushered her with a hand to her back out the front door to where Rick, my driver, was waiting for us. “In.”

She listened to my command and I followed her in, watching as she shook her ass in my face before planting herself into the seat next to me.

“You going to tell me what’s up?” Alexa had moved in her seat to face me. Her breasts were pushed up and she tossed her hair around. “You know I don’t like secrets.”

“This isn’t a secret, just a surprise.” I said just as curt as I had to Elanor. “Don’t push it, Alexa.”

“Push what?” She was next to me, legs brushing against mine, her hand running up and down my chest, trying to make me give in. My cock throbbed in my slacks with each brush. I stared straight ahead.

“Alexa.” I warned her again.

“You’re no fun.” She laughed at me and then moved her hand lower. I grabbed it right before she landed on my cock. If she touched me now, we wouldn’t be going to New York. We would be going back home so I could fuck her till she knew just how important this was to me, but no. I needed to get her on that damn plane.

“If I tell you where we’re going, will that suffice?” I propositioned her with all that I could give.

“Yes!” She excitedly answered me.

With her hand still in my grip, I brought it up to my lips and kissed the palm and answered only with two words.

“New York.”

 

———-

 

“Babe, time to wake up.” I nudged a sleeping Alexa off my shoulder, trying to get her to wake up so we could exit the plane. Our flight had been delayed by a few hours, but my parents at least knew that we were going to be at their house as soon as we could. I texted my mother, letting her know that we had landed and that it shouldn’t be more than an hour.

“Mmmm, I’m up. I’m here. Where’s my bag? Where’s my phone?” I was now standing in the aisle with her purse in hand while she tried to look around for the things I had already packed up for her. I held out the purse to her and those rosy cheeks started to peak in again. “What would I do without you?”

“I don’t want to find out.” I pulled her up and grabbed for the two carry-on bags above our head and followed her out of the plane. We weren’t staying long, so we didn’t need much. The most I had packed was a few jackets, because even though I didn’t think it was that cold for spring, I knew that Alexa would be dying for a jacket.

In fact, when we made it out to the car service it was the first thing she asked for.

“Why is it so cold?” She asked as I draped her with her favorite black peacoat.

“Because we’re up north, babe.” I kissed her forehead and waved over to where Jon was parked. I came up to New York frequently for work and to see my parents on occasion. I had opted to have a private line set up for if me or my partners ever came up, so no one would need to rent a car. It came in handy when I didn’t want to worry about driving in this crazy traffic and could have Alexa in my arms as we drove around town.

“I know that. But it’s spring. It shouldn’t be this cold.” She scoffed and I ushered her to where Jon parked the car. He got out to grab out bags and I opened the door for Alexa to get in. The car was already warmed up and ready for her so she was already shrugging out of her coat. “Now, that’s better.”

“To my parents.” I gave instructions to Jon on where we needed to go once he got back into the car.

“Wait.” Alexa grabbed ahold of my arm with a look of sheer terror on her face. “We’re going to your parents?!” She screeched the question to me.

“It will be ok.” I laughed and brushed her lip with my thumb. I leaned in to give her a soft kiss to try to ease the uncertainty, but she pushed me away.

“Max.”

“They love you, stop freaking out.”

“They haven’t seen me since the wedding and we never talk!” She had ahold of my shirt now and wasn’t looking directly at me, but at the center of my chest. Her conversation was no longer between us, but to herself. “I didn’t even do my makeup today, and oh my god, this is so not an appropriate see the in-laws dress. My hair is probably a mess.”

I shut her up with a kiss, and when she tried to push me away, I only deepened it. Alexa relaxed into my arms as Jon drove us closer to our destination. I pulled away, but didn’t let her have her space.

“They love you. You know this, I know this. Stop it with that head of yours.”

“But I’ve never been to their place Max, it’s totally different.”

“You’ll have me.” I looked into her eyes and the smile that spread across her face reached into my heart.

“Max.” She leaned in closer to me. “I love you.”

“I love you more.”

“I love you most.”

“We’re here.” Jon’s words rang out in the small car and I had almost forgotten that he was there. I had been so caught up in our moment that when I looked up I saw my parent’s building.

“Come on.” I grabbed for Alexa’s hand and pulled her out of the car. I looked back at Jon through the passenger side window he had rolled down. “Take the luggage to the hotel, Jon. I’ll text you when we are ready to leave.”

“Will do, sir.”

“Max.” Alexa tugged on my arm, bringing my attention back to us and the building.

“I’ve got you.” I took her hand in mine and led her in the building and to the elevator, off to the right hand side. I pulled out the penthouse card I had in my wallet to take us to the top floor. My parents had never wanted a big house, but instead spent their money on traveling to see me and my half sister Melanie. On occasion they sponsored gala’s for charity. They didn’t like throwing their money around but they didn’t like it just sitting there either.

“Gosh. I feel like it’s the first time I went to your apartment.” Alexa laughed into the elevator as it ascended towards my parents floor.

“What, running away from your husband and me coming to the rescue?” I tossed a wink in her direction.

“Not what I meant.” She slapped my shoulder. “I mean nervous. Unsure of the outcome. I don’t do parents, Max.”

“Alexa,” I turned her towards me and wrapped an arm around her waist, hoisting her up and against my chest. “I told you. I’ve got you.”

 

—————————————————————————————–

 

Part Two – Max

 

I planted a kiss on Alexa’s lips as the elevator bell rang out, signaling that we were at my parent’s floor. I sat Alexa down on the floor and grabbed for her hand, steadying not just her, but myself too. My parent’s loved Alexa, that I knew, but this felt different. We weren’t in our town, in our home. This was my parents element and it felt like I was walking into a trap, even though I was the one who asked if we could come for dinner.

“Mom.” I called out before I let Alexa and I get too far into the apartment.

“In the kitchen!” She yelled back at me. I pulled Alexa along behind me as she admired the countless painting adorning the walls and the giant fireplace against the far wall of the living room. What really caught her attention was the side wall that was filled with books. If there was anything from my parents that I treasured the most, it was their love for books and passing it on to me.

“Son!” My dad popped out of the kitchen to greet us and I saw my mother behind him tossing salad like it wasn’t a big deal that we were here. My father wrapped me tight in his arms and then reached for Alexa taking her in for a bear hug. “Come, come, let’s eat!”

“Don’t rush them! They just got in!” My mother admonished my dad and I couldn’t help but smile. I loved their interactions and how animated they were. I looked down to Alexa and kissed her forehead before leading her into the dining room behind my parents.

Alexa let out a giggle as she watched my parents and sat herself down next to my mother. I took the last seat at the small wooden table. My mother had laid out a platter of meats and cheeses with bread to the side. I loved make your own sandwich nights. They allowed for casual conversation and no one bickered about who wanted to eat what.

I reached to make my sandwich first and Alexa followed behind. We fell into an easy conversation about how work had been going and just life in general.

“Have you talked to Melanie this week?” My mother asked me.

“We talked last night.” I answered back. Melanie called me about twice a week and we typically kept up during the other days through texts. If she wasn’t talking to me though, she was texting Alexa to make sure I wasn’t ignoring her.

“Well.” She swallowed the bite she had just took. “I talked to her this morning.”

I sat there waiting for what she was trying to say because I knew she was holding something over me. I pulled out the phone in my pocket to see if I missed any messages from Melanie, but nothing. That wasn’t like her to tell our mother something and not me.

“Out with it, mother.” I demanded the answer. Alexa had placed a hand on my thigh, but I ignored it. I didn’t like to be out of the loop on family business.

“She’s pregnant!” She shouted into the room. Alexa’s had gripped my thigh and my eyes shot over to my mother who had a grin plastered across her face. I reached down to grab Alexa’s hand in mine. This was not a part of the plan this weekend, but I wasn’t going to let it ruin anything. “I’m surprised she didn’t tell you.”

I wasn’t, but I wasn’t going to tell my mother that right now. Melanie knew that Alexa wasn’t able to have children, but we hadn’t told me parents. Alexa didn’t want to until we finalized an adoption and that was taking a little longer than expected.

“Yea,” I answered my mother. It wasn’t a real answer, but I didn’t want her to think I was ignoring her. I looked down to Alexa who had stopped eating and was sitting in silence beside me. Her hand laid limply in mine. I leaned forward and gave her temple a kiss, trying to sooth the ache that I knew she felt in her heart because it was the same one I felt in mine. This was supposed to be the perfect getaway and I wasn’t going to let my mother ruin it even though she hadn’t meant to.

“Don’t look so glum!” My mother reached over to Alexa and grabbed her free hand. “You both can work on giving me a grandchild this weekend!”

“Lynn,” My father finally spoke up to laugh at his wife. “Don’t pester them about sex. Maybe they want to wait.”

“I’m not getting any younger Luke.”

“Mom, I think we’re going to head to the hotel. It’s getting late.” I hadn’t looked at the time, but I knew if we stayed here any longer the conversation would turn to one that I didn’t want to have tonight.

“But you just got here!” She whined. I pulled Alexa up and pushed her ahead of me. She didn’t argue that it was time to leave, but lead the way to the front door.

“I’ll make sure to call you before we leave to see if we can stop by. We have a busy day tomorrow and I want us to get some rest.” I made the excuses for us and then made our way out of the apartment without another word to my parents. I didn’t need to say more because this wasn’t their issue. It was ours and we were trying to do everything in our power to get my parents their grandkids.

I text Jon that we were making our way outside and by the time we hit the curb he was there waiting for us. Alexa was still frozen in her state of silence and I didn’t blame her. I let her sulk and lean into me with a tear stained face as we drove to the hotel. She needed this time to grieve and I was going to give it to her, because this would be the only time this weekend I would let her cry tears of sadness.

When we reached the hotel, I kept ahold of her hand as we made our way aimlessly to the front desk and then to our room where our bags had already been delivered. I made sure not to let her hand go from mine as we entered the room, and when Alexa just stood there and didn’t move further, I picked her up and moved us to the bed. I sat down and placed her on my lap, holding her to my chest. My lips landed on the top on her head and I let us sit there, reveling in the moment of just us.

“I know that’s not what either of us was expecting tonight.” I finally spoke up. I knew what was running through her mind because it was the same thing that went through mine after the last two home visits we had. Twice we had gone through the process of meeting a child and twice another family was chosen. I held Alexa closer to my chest. Over a year ago we had filled out all of the paperwork we needed for the adoption process. We weren’t picky about who we would be adopting, but conversations of a son always passed our lips and every time it was brought up I loved the light I saw shine in Alexa’s eyes. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but we had never expected it to be this hard.

I kissed the top of her head again.

“Are we ever going to be chosen?” She let out an exasperated sigh.

“One day, babe.” I used my hand to tilt her head up to me. “One day.”

I leaned down and kissed her lips, tasting the salt from her tears. Her hands moved to grip my dress shirt and pull me closer. I picked her up and replaced her on me so that her legs were straddling my lap. I pushed her dress up to her hips and traced the lace thong she had on. We needed this and it didn’t need to be thought out. It just needed to happen right now.

Alexa frantically made work on the buttons of my shirt, only popping open the top four, just enough space for her to get her hands in to roam over my chest. I deepened the kiss and the little moan that escaped her mouth became devoured in mine.

My arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer to me. I took my free hand and brought it to her clit, rubbing in small circles.

“That’s it babe.” Alexa began moving her hips in small thrusts against my hand and when I moved it she was rubbing on my cock that was still covered by my pants. It needed to get to her.

“Max,” She moaned my name. “I need you.”

“Then take what you needed.” I countered her begging. She removed her hands from my chest and then lowered them to my pants. She unbuttoned them and pulled down the zipper. When her hand grazed my cock it leapt at the touch. She wasn’t the only one in need right now.

“I love you.” Alexa’s words rang in my ears and I took that chance to take her lips once again. My arm tightened around her waist when she pulled my cock out of my boxers. It stood between us as she massaged it up and down, starting at the base and then working her way to the tip. She lifted her self high and moved to where she was positioned over me. I pulled away and looked down to where she was about to join us, ready to thrust up and fill her. But I didn’t. I knew from the way she held me there and was staring me down that she needed some type on control right now and I was more than willing to give it to her.

She lowered herself onto my cock in a slow meticulous fashion that had me biting my lip in anticipation of being consumer by her. When she hit my base I grabbed ahold of her hips, lifted her once, then slammed her down onto me again. I just needed a little something more to regain control of myself before I just took her.

She giggled into my neck as she bent forward and nipped at my shoulder. I held my arm around her waist, holding onto her as she moved up and down on my cock. I moved a hand to her breast and freed it from the confines of her dress. I grabbed for her nipple, popping it in little pinches with two fingers. With each release a little moan escaped her that drove me onto more.

“Max,” Alexa barely spoke out. “I need you.”

“You have me.” I rasped out, trying to focus on her words, not the dying need to cum inside of her.

Alexa stopped her movements, sitting up and grabbing ahold of my face in both of her hands.

“Make me forget.” The pain that splayed across her face broke my heart, but I knew what she meant. I tightened my grasp on her waist and hoisted her up again and then back down onto my cock. I was going to fuck the night out of her system until she passed out. With each thrust her need grew and I moved my hand that had been playing with her nipple down to her clit.

“Yes!” She moaned out to me and I knew she was close. It wasn’t just from the way her pussy was contracting around me, but the way her body was shaking in my arms. It was about to hit her hard and I was going to follow right after. I used my thumb to circle her clit a few more times. “Hurry.”

I followed her command and focused everything I had to getting her to her pleasure. I used both of my hands to grab ahold of her waist and used her to jack off my cock, making sure that her clit was finding the friction it needed at the same time. Her hands went to my chest and her head tilted back as a scream escaped her and my cum filled her full. I didn’t stop, but kept her moving up and down until we were both spent and she was collapsed in my arms.

“Mmmm.” She hummed into my chest were she was plastered against. I rubbing a hand up and down her back.

“Why don’t we get into a bath?”

“Mmmm.” She responded with and I let out a chuckle.

“Or are you too tired?”

“Nooooo.” She tried to draw out her answer through a yawn she was trying to hide from me.

“We’ll make it quick.” I picked her up in my arms and headed towards the bathroom to start the bath.

“Max,” I looked down at Alexa in my arms who was staring up at me with bright eyes. “Forever.”

“Always.”

 

—————————————————————————————–

 

Part Three – Alexa

 

I rolled over in the hotel bed, reaching for Max, but only found a cold pillow beside me. I heard a clink come from the other room and rolled onto my back, keeping my eyes closed. If I didn’t open them then I wouldn’t have to think about dinner with Max’s parents last night. I knew what I had felt in my gut before we got there would come true. Melanie may not have told Max about her pregnancy, but she had told me. She wasn’t sure how he would react to it, but I appreciated her coming to me. The last year had been been hard on both Max and me, but it was nice to have some of the pressure of having a child lifted, or so I thought.

When Lynn asked Max about us bringing grandchildren into the world, I knew it was way past due to tell his parents, but I had no idea how to tell them and I knew Max didn’t either. I think both of us were just waiting till we were successful with the adoption process until we really told anyone.

Twice we hadn’t been chosen, and twice I felt like we failed somewhere in the process. I thought back to both our home visits and how much we had prepared for everything, but nothing could have prepared me for the phone calls that said another family was chosen. Someone who was a better fit for the child than us. I picked up the cold pillow and smothered my face with it, trying to drown out the thoughts that had been filling my brain for months.

“If you want food, I suggest you move that pillow.” Max’s voice rang out and somehow made it through the barrier of the pillow and to my ears.

“Leave it on the bed and back away.” I muffled into the pillow.

“What?” He laughed at me.

“I said,” I removed the pillow, sitting up, still naked, in the bed. “Leave it on the bed and back away.”

Max smirked at me and did as I said. I ate away in the bed while he started to get ready for the day. I had no idea what the plans were today and as much as I wanted to ask I really wanted to give this to Max. I always spoiled every surprise he tried to do for me and this one, this one seemed pretty important and I guess I could let him have it, just this once though.

I rushed to get dressed after finishing my food, putting on some jeans with a long sleeve top and a large jacket that Max had packed for me.

“Where are we headed to?” I shouted to Max who was waiting for me in the kitchen, most likely nursing a cup of coffee. It was a new habit he had picked up, but I still stuck to my tea.

“Finished getting dressed and I’ll show you.” He yelled back to me. I finished putting on my shoes and made my way to where Max was standing. I took the cup the was cradled in his hands and then pulled him towards me.

“Show me.” I lifted up to reach his lips and planted a soft kiss on them before he whisked us away.

Max showed me around New York in the best possible ways. Taking us through a walk in Central Park, going to his favorite pizza joint, and then walking us to the steps of The Met for us to eat. I felt so taken in by the atmosphere around me, that it wasn’t until the street lights around us started to turn on that I realized how late it was and just how far we had walked. I had no idea where we were, but Max looked like he was on a mission.

“Should we head back to the hotel?” I asked Max as I wrapped the jacket I had on around me. He pulled me to his side, trying to warm me with his body heat.

“I think a little bit further and then I’ll call Jon to pick us up.” I let Max lead us to wherever he had in mind. Today was about him and whatever he wanted us to do. We rounded a corner and came across a block of trees and in the instant my eyes glanced over them, they brightened by little lights shining down the whole block. I stopped walking and stared up at the tears and reveled in the familiar feelings they brought.

“Want to go in?” Max asked me as he positioned himself behind me and wrapped me in his arms.

“Can we?” I looked down the road to where a gate was and could barely make out the image as a lock. It was with my question that Max pulled a key out of his pocket.

“A former client lives on this block and I asked for a favor.” He answered my unspoken question as we made out way to the gate. Max let us in and made sure to close everything behind us as we made our way through the park. It felt like home almost.

“What is this place?” I asked Max as we reached the center of the park where a statue was placed with lights shining all around it.

“Gramercy Park.” He said it with confidence as if it was supposed to mean something more to me. I looked to where he was standing behind me with his hands in his pocket like the first time I met him.

“This makes me think of the gardens at home.” I spoke up again and the knowing smirk that I loved crossed Max’s face.

“It’s supposed to.” He took a step towards me and engulfed me in his arms, lifting me off the ground so that I had no choice but to stay there with him. I placed my hands on his chest and looked up to him, our foreheads meeting and my heart sped up. Something was off.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Nothing.” Max stated after a second of silence. He pulled back and placed his lips on mine, but I wouldn’t let him try to hind behind a kiss when I knew something was off.

“Don’t lie to me.” I admonished him. I didn’t like when we hid things from each other. It just wasn’t who we were, so why now?

“What if I said the agency called again?” I looked back up to Max with seriousness in his eyes. I pushed at his chest and Max let me go easily, setting me on the ground in front of him, but not letting his arm drop from my waist.

“Max,” The word barely came out of my mouth. I couldn’t do this again. I couldn’t bare the heartbreak again, not when the last time was only three months ago. “I can’t go through that kind of pain again, not right now.”

I leaned forward and placed my head on his chest, trying to even my breaths, but Max’s erratic heartbeat didn’t sooth me.

“What if I said there wouldn’t be anymore heartbreak?” I pulled away at his question, confused on why he would say something like that.

“You can’t promise that. We don’t have any control over this.” Tears were brimming in my eyes at the thought that Max didn’t think this was a serious conversation we were having.

“Alexa,” He used his free hand to wipe away a stray tear that trickled down and tilted my chin up so that I was looking him in the eyes. “What if I went through the heartbreak for the two of us? What if I told you we are going to be adopting a baby boy?”

“What?” I whispered. Unable to get anything else out of me. What was Max saying right now?

“I couldn’t see that kind of heartbreak in your eyes again. You are my light, Alexa, and I needed to keep it that way.” Max leaned down to kiss me on the lips. “His name is Apollo and he’s three.”

“Excuse me?” I pulled back my eyes searching Max’s for something more than what he was saying.

“We pick him up on Wednesday.”

“What?” I asked again, still not processing everything that Max was telling me. He pulled away, pulling out a piece of paper from his pocket.

“Give me that.” I snatched it out of his hands, trying to read fast enough to catch up to what my heart already knew. There it was. All the information about Apollo. Our son.

“I made sure the home visits were done while you were at lunch with the girls at work. I haven’t met him yet, I wanted us to do that together, but I set everything up because I know how much you said over and over how much you wanted a son and when I saw Apollo’s photo, I knew he was it.” Max pulled out a photo from his wallet and showed it to me.

Apollo. Three years old. Staring back at me from a photo with gorgeous black hair and deep blue eyes with porcelain skin that would easily burn in the Georgia sun. Sunscreen. We needed sunscreen. I looked back up to Max who was standing there with tears streaming down his face and when he wiped a few from my cheek, I knew I was crying just as much.

“You’re going to be a mother.” He said and my heart skipped a beat. This was real.

“And you’re going to be a father.”

I brought the photo to my chest as Max brought me into his arms.

This was our life now.

Mother, father, son.