Generation 4: Chapter 17

 

I decided not to go with the plan my uncle had told me to go with in telling Isaiah that Jody had died during the birth of my son.. There had been fliers up around town with her picture on them stating she was missing, so I told Isaiah that after she gave birth to my son, she left him for me to take care of and skipped town. Before I had brought my son home, Detective Winchester paid Isaiah and I a visit to ask a few more questions, but we didn't, and couldn't, give her anything she needed as far as leads.. Isaiah had never even met Jody before, or even knew that she looked like, so he was no help to the detective, though since I had been involved with Jody, she asked me a few things that she didn't bother asking Isaiah. But, I stuck with what I had originally told her, that Jody and I hadn't seen one another in a while, and even after her brother had attacked Isaiah, I still hadn't heard from her, nor did I take any measures as far as to contact her. I told the detective that perhaps the death of her brother hit her harder than any of us could imagine and she skipped town.. Thankfully, the detective had already thought that, too, before I had even mentioned it, and she never did find Jody, nor did she come back to ask Isaiah and I any more questions after that.. I still wonder to this day what Ezra and my Uncle Gareth did with her body..

It's been two years since then.. Isaiah never questioned what I had told him, he just felt a little sorry for my son since he'd grow up without his mother. But, I told him we were all the parents he needed, and I think he was too distracted to care anymore about Jody since he knew I hated her, I knew he hated her, too, for knowing what she had done to me, but most importantly, I think he just really loved that we had a baby in our place now, since he was always a huge fan on having kids. Isaiah and I picked out a name for him together, August Bryce Dubois, and it was great seeing how quickly Isaiah warmed up to him when I brought him home.. It was rather instant, actually.. He even sometimes spent more time with August than I did, but it wasn't because I didn't want to spend time with him, I just had less time to than Isaiah did with my new job.

Instead of going into my Residency like I had planned to my whole college career, I decided to go into something more personal and less invasive since I still couldn't handle blood too well.. Just the thought of it after what I had done to Jody made it worse, if anything.. In the end, I had helped Isaiah to the best of my ability in him healing from his broken ribs and he seems to be even better than he was before he broke them.. Spiritual-wise more so than physically, I guess, with how supportive and patient I was through his recovery. I enjoyed helping him so much that when he suggested I go into Physical Therapy instead of becoming a doctor, I thought it was a really great idea. I loved helping people, and although I never became the doctor I had wanted to be, being a physical therapist was a much better outlet for me, and I enjoyed doing it immensely. 

"Oliver, you awake up there?" Isaiah called out from downstairs as I got dressed in our bedroom.

"Yeah."

"Come down here, I wanna show you something!"

"All right, I'll be right down!" I called back, "Are you ready to go already?" I questioned.

"Yeah, we're just waiting on you!" He answered and I rolled my eyes with a smirk.

I spoke under my breath so he couldn't hear me, "Well, if you had woken me up sooner, I wouldn't be making us late," I said with an accompanied soft chuckle. I had no idea where he was taking August and I today, I guess it was a surprise, but I was pretty excited for whatever it was. Isaiah said it was an all day event that he had planned and I really loved that he always tried to put so much effort in us spending time together despite our busy schedules. 

Just a few months ago, Isaiah and I finally got married. With all of the stress of my new job, especially with Isaiah thinking about expanding and trying to buy another bar somewhere else to open, as well as raising August on our tight schedules, we never really found time to plan a big wedding. It wouldn't have been a big wedding anyways, even if we did find the time to plan one, but we didn't bother finding a church, since neither one of us are very religious, and we chose to just do something small and simple in the end. We got married at the courthouse in town on a random Saturday afternoon and Isaiah closed down his bar so we could have a private reception. Camilla came home from France, my uncle and aunt came, as well as James and Kat, and a handful of James and I's friends from school. No one from Isaiah's family came, but then again, he was never close to his parents, especially after he had come out.. He only invited his waitresses, his manager Gavin, and a few regular bar-buddies that he had grown a decent friendship with over the few years he had been living here. For our honeymoon, we went to Japan for a week, something I had always wanted to do ever since I met Isaiah and we had a rather unforgettable time there together.. I always knew Isaiah could speak Japanese, but he never spoke it around me, and hearing it for myself in Tokyo and seeing how well he knew everywhere we went was still surprising and impressive.. Also, quite the turn on.. I hoped to go back with him some day again soon.

After I got ready and came downstairs, I saw Isaiah sitting at the computer with August and I took him from sitting on Isaiah's lap, "There's my big guy," I said with a joyful smile and he seemed happy the moment I picked him up. I then looked over towards Isaiah, "You shouldn't let him sit so close to the computer like that, he'll need glasses by the time he's three," I worried.

"And what's so bad about wearing glasses?" He asked with a smug grin on his lips and I smirked.

"Nothing, but you know what I meant," I pointed out and he chuckled, leaning down to kiss him briefly.

"So, what did you want to show me before we go?" I asked after pulling away from our kiss and he sat up more excitedly.

"Oh, yeah! Here, look at her," he pointed out, bringing up a profile on the computer and I looked at a rather attractive woman with dark blue eyes and black hair.

"What about her?" I asked and he sighed.

"Don't play dumb, you know what this is for."

"I don't want to talk about it in front of Augie, he'll think we're replacing him or something," I replied as I went to the couch and set down August, then walked around the living room, picking up his toys.

"Oliver, he has absolutely no clue what we're talking about, not for at least another year or two. You said you were ready for us to have a child together but you turn down every surrogate that I show you.. This one seems perfect, though. She's already had two kids so she knows what pregnancy is like, she's open to any type of couple looking for a baby, she's Spanish, so that even gives the kids a chance to learn a new language and that's never a bad thing. She's been a nanny since she was thirteen so she could probably even help us out if we're ever in a tight situation and need someone to watch them.. She has a lot of experience with kids and this type of thing, not to mention she's completely gorgeous, and how is that not a plus?" He argued a good point.

"I know I agreed to it, but I can't just look at someone's profile and say yes or no.. It's not that easy," I argued back.

"I'm glad you think that, because I set up a meet with her later today," he replied and I stopped myself, turning around to look at him.

"You did what?" I asked in a slightly demanding manner and he stood from the computer chair to come over towards me.

"Oliver, I know you're picky and I am, too, but you're being a little too picky when it comes to this. I set up the meeting because it's exactly like you said, we can't say yes or no just by looking at a profile, but you've still been saying no a lot.. We have to meet them in person, right? So, what's so bad about meeting this one? If you don't like her, we can keep looking, but please, just meet at least one of them.. If you don't, how are we ever going to make a decision?" He asked and I dropped my gaze for a moment. I knew he was right, but what I didn't know was that after I had said yes to looking for a surrogate, I started to hate the idea of dealing with another woman pregnant with my baby.. But, it wasn't only just mine now, it was both Isaiah's and mine, which made me that much more nervous and hesitant, even a little protective in an odd way.

"Hey, look at me," he instructed and my eyes met his, "I know what you went through, but this isn't going to be like that. This woman wants to give a baby to a couple that wants it, she wants to help people just like you do with your job, it's just in a different way and for different reasons. The moment she signs the paperwork and the moment she's pregnant, that baby is ours and she can't do anything about it. I'm not saying she will, but I'm saying you have nothing to worry about. Look at August, look at where he is now and look how happy he is. Don't you want more of that? Don't you want him to have siblings? Not everyone is going to be like Her, Oliver.. You're not going to go the rest of your life not having another child because you don't think you can trust another woman who's carrying your baby, right? Our baby?" He asked and I shook my head.

"No, I won't.. I'm sorry, it's just.. It's taking me longer than I expected to get used to the idea, that's all.. I'm just really nervous about it," I explained and he smiled softly.

"I know, but you're never going to get over that fear if you don't meet the woman that could be perfect for this.. For us.. Just meet this one and if you don't like her, we'll find someone else. It's as simple as that," he reassured me and I nodded in agreement.

"Okay.."

"Thank you," he continued, watching him lean in and he kissed me for a long moment before pulling away.

"Besides, she lives around the area I'm taking you two, today," he continued after our kiss and I grew more suspicious, even though he had just calmed my mind a little.

"..What is that supposed to mean?" I asked and he smiled.

"Nothing, just-" He stopped for a moment, putting his hands to my arms and rubbing them comfortingly, "Just be open-minded today, okay? Promise me?" He asked and now I knew this wasn't just a family outing, but he had something planned to show me and to convince me on.

"I hate surprises.. I thought today was going to be a family day or something, but now I know you probably want to talk me into something that you know I'll say no to," I replied and I could tell from his expression that he didn't mean for me to figure it out right away.

"Did I mention how much I love you? And how much I love your new haircut and how sexy you look? And how perfect you are?" He tried to butter me up and although I felt my cheeks getting a little warm from his flattery, I still held my reluctant expression, "Please, Oliver?" He questioned and I sighed heavily, now not excited at all about today like I had been so much before, but I still tried to be open-minded, like he had asked.

"Fine.." I reluctantly agreed and he only smiled more, kissing me briefly with excitement, then going to August sitting on the couch and picking him up, ready to leave and I followed Isaiah out of the condo.

We no longer took cabs everywhere and we finally bought a car together, mostly out of convenience. Ever since I took up my physical therapy, I've been needing to do a lot of driving, seeing as I sometimes had many appointments within one day, one appointment having the potential of being across town from the next, and a car for me just made more sense rather than spending all of our money on cab fair. I usually would have an appointment in the early morning, get back to the condo to spend some time with August and Isaiah before Isaiah went to work at three, where I would then drop him off, then drop off August at a small day-care, go to another appointment until around six at night, pick up August afterwards, take him to the old townhouse for Kat and James to spend time with him, go to another appointment around seven until nine or ten, then pick up August, then Isaiah, and come home.. I was so busy those days, which were almost every weekend and sometimes weekends, if need be, and we really just needed a car for me to get around.

Isaiah drove the entire way to wherever the hell we were going, which I had noticed from our trip from home, southern Oregon, led into the northern part of California and we followed the coast the entire way, palm trees lining the roads as well as the glorious, blue, clear Pacific ocean to our right.

"Isaiah.. Where are we going?" I eventually asked, still suspicious of him.

"Just wait, we're almost there," he replied, looking over to me with a smile that I knew told me he was excited for whatever he had planned, and although I wanted to ask more questions, I knew they'd be as vague as the answer he had just given me.

After another half an hour of driving, Isaiah eventually pulled into a driveway of a rather stunning home. I assumed, as well as hoped, we were going to a nice park for August to play at, or some sort of beach or somewhere for a nice, relaxing lunch, but I was wrong.. I got out of the car and I took August out from the backseat, holding him as I looked at a rather refined neighborhood and when Isaiah had gotten out of the car, as well, I looked to him with a rather confused expression..

"What are we doing? Who lives here?" I asked.

"No one, but we could," he implied, pointing towards the 'for sale' sign in the front lawn that I hadn't noticed and I then looked at him as if to ask, 'are you serious'? But Isaiah didn't like my expression, "Don't give me that look, you promised to be open-minded, remember?" He teased with a grin and I was still reluctant.. What the hell was this? A new house? Why? I liked where we lived, I liked where things were in our relationship and our little family we had, so why did we need a new place to live?

I walked to the front of the car and looked at the house with scrutiny, which Isaiah seemed to notice, "Don't look at it like that.. You know I've been wanting to expand a little and my kind of bar in this area is a really perfect location," he expressed and I held August close to my shoulder as he grew tired and comfortable in my arms.

"Isaiah.. I don't want two homes, I thought we were done with traveling without one another and being apart for long periods of time.. It's not good for us or for August," I replied.

"We won't be apart. Even though my first bar is back in Oregon, the new one here can become my main concern. Gavin has really proved himself, especially after he took over handling the bar while I recovered from my injury and I want to promote him to taking care of that bar while I take care of the one I want here.. It only took us a little over an hour to get here, so even if I had to go to the one up north, even for a little bit, I can be back in an hour if you ever need me for anything. You know I want to expand, so why not in Cali? Right on the coast, at that?" He tried to convince, "This place is big, it has four bedrooms, three baths.. And, it has a pool," he said with a rather sensual, coaxing tone, knowing that I loved swimming and I started to like the idea a little more, but I still wasn't convinced.. Why so many rooms?

"How many kids do you want, Isaiah?" I asked with a rather baffled tone, but before he could answer me, a car pulled into the driveway behind us and soon a woman approached us.

"Gentlemen! So glad to meet you!" She exclaimed, "You must be Isaiah," she went to him first and I knew then that he had spoken to her before, at least more than once, to get this kind of showing for a house of this magnitude, "And you must be Oliver, so nice to meet you," she said next and I finally brought my worried eyes away from Isaiah to look at her and shake her hand, "Well, now that we're here, let me convince you to buy this house," she said with humor, an uppity attitude that I didn't much care for given the mood I was already in, but when I looked back to Isaiah, he seemed extremely happy and I followed a few feet behind them as we all walked towards the house.

Isaiah took August from me when we had entered the house, assuming he wanted me to connect with it all on my own with no distractions and we first saw the kitchen straight ahead of us when we walked in. I didn't much care for it at all, but I guess it was something we could change if we were to move in.. The dining room was to the right of us as well as a small hallway, then we went down the hallway to the large master bedroom on the first floor with an incredible bathroom. 

After seeing the first floor and me constantly trailing behind Isaiah, August and the Realtor a good few feet, I saw the other three rooms upstairs that were very spacious, something that I liked.. I really loved large, separate rooms, seeing as Camilla and I shared a room ever since she was born.. When my Aunt Nina had taken Kat into her custody and I only saw her on the weekends growing up, I had taken my Dad's old room upstairs at the dock house where there was no door, just a staircase and an open room, and I hated being woken up late at night by hearing my uncle bring home random girls, usually completely drunk.. I could even sometimes hear what they were doing in his room and with me being a light sleeper, it was always difficult to get a good nights sleep.. I liked my privacy, but never got the chance at having any, so I thought it might be okay for August, as well, and if Isaiah and I ever decided on a surrogate we liked enough to have more kids, they'd really love their own space.. The feel of the entire house, too, was so welcoming and warm, so 'beach' like.. It really made me like it, even though I never gave it away in my demeanor in every room we visited when Isaiah would look at me and try to decipher for himself if I was liking what I was seeing.

However, when the Realtor finally took us to the backyard, I fell in love with the pool, as well as the ability to get to the beach easily with an open fence.. There was also a guest house to the right of the lot that would work perfectly for August when he would get older, obviously needing space as he grew from his other siblings, if Isaiah and I were to have any more kids.. But, then again, I don't know why I questioned so much that Isaiah and I would have more children.. I knew he wanted his own child with me, I knew he wanted a big family, so this big of a house seemed rather perfect, but again, how many kids did he really want to the point where we needed a four bedroom house, plus a guest house? It just seemed like so much room.. Too much room.

The Realtor finished her showing and she left Isaiah and I alone for a while, letting us decide on the house and talk about it together, "So, what do you think?" Isaiah asked with a large smile on his lips as I held a rather blank look on my face.

"I.. I don't know.. It seems really big, doesn't it?" I asked, looking over at Isaiah, "How much is it?" I wondered, watching him set down August in the soft grass to play with one of his toys and he then walked back over towards me.

"Don't focus on the price, just focus on the space and the convenience.. Only a few blocks further down the coast is a perfect location for my new bar, there's more of a populous in California for you as far as your physical therapy, it's only a little over an hour away from my original bar and our condo, which we could either keep or sell.. If we keep it and if worse comes to worse and I need to stay for a few days, I can stay at the condo. I know you're worried about money and distance and everything in between, but it just seems like a perfect fit to me.. Plus, the surrogate I told you about earlier lives no more than fifteen minutes from here," he replied.

"And what makes you so sold on the surrogate?" I challenged.

"I don't know, she just sells me, I can't describe it. Oliver, you've said 'no' to so many that I've showed you, but I think that during that time, too, you've showed me what you like and don't like, and I've found a woman that seems the most acceptable to you, plus with her background and everything, it just seems like a good fit. I just think you'll like her out of everyone that I've showed you, since she's the first one I've showed you that you haven't said no to immediately.. You seem to like very gorgeous, dark haired women with brown or blue eyes.. I don't know.. It's just based on everything you've said no to, she seems like the one you'd say yes to," he answered and I hadn't realized I had been giving him clues to what I had liked the most in a woman when it came to looks.. Even I didn't know what I liked specifically, so it just seemed like a coincidence to me.. I didn't want him to get the wrong idea about any of this..

"I'm sorry.."

"For what..?"

"I mean.. I don't want you to think I need to be attracted to them in order to decide on a surrogate, it must just be a coincidence.. That's not what my intention was and it isn't, still," I replied and I could tell from his face that he never even thought that, which made me feel pretty stupid.

"Oliver, that's not it.. I'm just thinking it's what you want when it comes to our children. I'm not jealous, if that's what you're thinking, and I'm not worried that you'll like her more than me. I know you love me," he answered as he wrapped his arms around me.

"..Are you sure?"

"Yeah.. Know how? Because I'm the only one that can touch you the way you like it," he implied and my face flushed red.

"Shut up.." I said with a smirk and I heard him chuckle.

"Don't worry about that right now, because I'm sure as hell not.. Just worry about the family we want to start. I look at it more as you wanting our children to be gorgeous, because this surrogate is, not to mention so are you," he implied again and I smirked as he held me, "Just think about what we're going to do here.. When we're home, we can play in the pool or take them to the beach, the neighborhood is really nice and safe and there's parks everywhere, the school is amazing and we can go to the city as much as we want since it's not too far from here.. Just thinking about it makes me so, so happy. I want so many kids with you that we're up to our necks in them," he continued and I laughed softly again, "Come on.. We can't live in that tiny condo forever, especially if we want more than one child.. A four bedroom house is perfect, plus a guest house, huh? Not to mention a pool?" He implied slightly, holding me tighter and I could feel his breath on the back of my neck, "We can make so many memories in the pool," he expressed flirtatiously and the hair on the back of my neck stood on end from his words.

I turned around in his arms, facing him and he still held a smile that I loved, "I'll try to get used to it, to a big family, but I'm still not sold on the surrogate until we meet her.. Which, actually, brings me back to the question I asked before.. How many kids do you want, exactly?" I asked and I watched as he thought for a moment, still a big smile on his face.

"I don't know.. Five?" He answered and my expression went blank.

"Including August, or not..?"

"..Not..?" He more so asked, testing the water with me, but I knew that's exactly what he wanted.

"Jesus, Isaiah.."

"Don't do that! Don't hate the idea now that I told you a number!" He asked desperately with a laugh and I smirked.

"That's just.. A lot. I don't know any other way to say it.."

"How about.. Comfortingly plentiful? Or-"

"Restlessly abundant?" I added and he sighed softly.

"You said you'd be open-minded today," he reminded and I lost my smirk, feeling a little bad about how I was acting so negatively towards everything, "Just think about it, okay?" He asked and I eventually nodded in agreement, "I love you, Oliver. I love August, this house, this neighborhood, this life.. I don't want to waste anymore time getting what we want and getting to where we want to be together. Everything that you're worried about, we can get through it. Do you believe me?" He asked and my smirk returned to my lips.

"I believe you," I replied and the expression he held was so calmed and adoring, I couldn't help but lean in and kiss him.

Isaiah was so confident and adamant about all of this.. He had such a big heart and so much love to give, just not enough outlets, and I admit that I wanted to give that to him.. He deserved it, he deserved everything that he wanted and if I trust his logic and his judgement, which I highly did, I knew everything would work out and we could get passed any obstacle in our way. I loved the house, it turned from being a rather big shock to a pleasant surprise in the end.. Now, all I had to get through was meeting the surrogate.

After seeing the house, Isaiah, August and I got back into the car and it was off to a cafe to meet the surrogate, "Are you nervous?" Isaiah wondered as he drove.

"A little.."

"Well, don't be. Just think of it as we're the ones interviewing her, not the other way around. Ask as many questions as you'd like, even personal ones.. I'm sure she'd understand and want to provide us with answers," he replied, "If there's a single thing that you don't like, then we can just move on to the next surrogate, it's not a big deal."

"I don't even know what to ask her.. Maybe I'll just let you do all the talking, you do this stuff all the time with new servers at your bar.. I don't even know where to start.."

"Well, you're self-employed, too, Oliver.. What do your patients ask you before deciding on whether or not they want you to do their physical therapy?"

"Nothing, really.. I ask them for their medical information so I can understand what they had surgery on or what they want to achieve as far as their mobility. I then try to cater to their needs to the best of my ability and if they like what I do and if it shows progress, then we stick with making more appointments. It mostly goes off first impressions and a follow-up meeting, then we start the therapy.."

"They don't just hire you right off the bat with how sexy you are?" He joked rhetorically and I felt my cheeks blush, Isaiah then laughing softly, "It's the exact same thing in this case, though. You can ask her about her medical history, how sexually active she is, how many partners she's had-"

"No way, that's too personal.."

"Not at all! We want to know that. We don't want her to be getting plowed every weekend by a different person if she's carrying our baby, or even before she does.. She needs to be clean, too, Oliver."

"You don't need to say it so grotesquely.. And I know, but.. I'll just leave those questions to you.." I answered and I heard him chuckle.

"You're too cute when you're shy and embarrassed," he replied and I rolled my eyes.

"Just drive.."

We arrived at the cafe, about ten minutes from the house for sale, and we waited at our table outside for the surrogate to show up, bouncing August on my knee, "What's her name?" I asked.

"Cybal Flores," he replied, "Pretty name, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess," I answered simply.

"Hmm.. I told her to meet us around two, she's a little late," he said with worry.

"She's already losing points," I teased and he glared at me and how my optimism was wearing out, "What? Being on time to a meeting as important as this, I think, is pretty substantial.."

"She has two kids, Oliver, there's plenty of reasons for her to be late," he advised and I chose to not answer him, taking that time to look away and pay attention to August again.

After about ten more minutes of waiting, I heard the sound of heels clacking on the sidewalk quickly and it sounded like they were headed in our direction, looking up from August and I saw the woman that Isaiah had showed me a picture of earlier approaching us, "Oh, perdóname! I'm so late!" She exclaimed with a strong Spanish accent, walking straight up to Isaiah who stood immediately from his chair to greet her.

"Don't worry about it, we weren't here long. It's great to finally meet you. I'm Isaiah, and this is my husband, Oliver, and our son, August," he replied, introducing the two of us, as well, but I didn't bother to stand and greet her like Isaiah had done.

"Nice to meet you," I added as we shook hands over the table.

"And you, too!" She replied as she set down her bag, then looked to August and her eyes lit up, "Guau! Look at this little one! He is so beautiful," she exclaimed towards him and stepped over towards us, bending down and shaking his tiny hand, "Encantada de conocert, August," she spoke with kindness. Her picture didn't do her beauty justice, either.. Seeing her in person, she really was quite beautiful and I started to feel my cheeks get a little warm from her being so close, especially when her sapphire eyes came up to meet mine. I wasn't attracted to her in the sense that Isaiah might get jealous for, but I just felt a little uncomfortable when someone I didn't know was within my shy bubble. Pretty or not, if you entered it without my permission, it just made me shy and flustered, but mostly just uncomfortable.

"Why don't you, uhm.. Take a seat and we can get started," I offered and she smiled and nodded in agreement after acknowledging August, standing from her bent down position and taking a seat across the table from Isaiah and I.

"Finally, we meet," Isaiah began and it led me to believe that they had talked already, perhaps even a few times before they set up the meeting.

"Sí, finally," she agreed with a warm smile.

"Well, we can start by you telling us a bit about yourself?" Isaiah offered and she obliged.

"I was born in España, I lived there until I was about seventeen, then I came here with my mother and father and I love California. I'm twenty five, I had my first child at twenty and my second at twenty two, so they're still young. August is about two years old, sí?" She asked and I was a little impressed by her guess.

"Yeah, he is.. Good eye," Isaiah answered, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but are you married or have a boyfriend?"

"No, neither.. After I had my children, my late-boyfriend passed from an accident.. The whole situation left me and my children pretty exhausted, so I don't believe I'll go looking for love anytime soon.. That isn't exactly a priority," she said with a weak smile.

I frowned from her story, "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," I expressed in sorrow for her.

"Yeah, that's awful," Isaiah added.

"It's okay.. I have my children and my life, so I am a lucky woman. I wanted to have so many more children, I've always known that, but it doesn't feel right without him.. However, if I can't have any more with him, I figured it would be lovely to give that to another family who wants it," she replied and I smirked to her response, looking over to Isaiah and I knew just from his happy expression that he already loved her to death.

"If this is too strong of a question, then perdóname, but is August from a surrogate, as well?" She asked and I lost the smirk I had just gained.

"Oh, uh.. No," Isaiah put his hand on my leg for a brief moment and took initiative in replying, knowing I'd be uncomfortable answering and I didn't even know what to tell her, "Oliver had August with a woman he knew, but she left him in Oliver's care. Their relationship was, uhm-" He tried his hardest to tread lightly on the subject, "-Not working out," he explained, not wanting to go into too much detail in front of August, even if he wouldn't understand, but I thought he had handled that better than I thought I could. I wanted it to be vague.

"Lo siento, I didn't mean to ask something that brought up bad memories, I was only curious," she apologized with obvious concern and I smirked, nodding softly to her apology and forgiving her, "He does have those beautiful blue eyes of yours, though," she complimented and I smiled as I looked to August on my lap, mostly trying to hide the flattery that was written all over my face, as well as adoring Augie's glorious blue eyes, myself.. I wish I didn't blush like such an idiot every time I got a compliment from someone..

"Lo siento, again, but.. You two are.. Well.. Sorry if this is straight forward, but, you two are so, so guapo," she expressed and I knew it had to have meant something nice, looking to Isaiah with a smile on his lips and he noticed how I didn't know what she meant.

"Handsome," he translated for me and I felt my cheeks warm in flattery once more with a smirk on my lips, "We all could make some very beautiful children," Isaiah joked back at the compliment.

"You both seem like such nice, caring people, I would very much love to provide you both with what you are looking for," she continued.

"Well, I don't want to speak for the both of us right now, since Oliver is a little more difficult to convince, but.. I, myself, couldn't agree more," Isaiah said with a pleased smile.

"Oh! Actually, I know you requested my medical forms and here they are.. They almost slipped my mind," she provided, pulling a thin binder out from her purse, "I'm clean, have no STD's, I'm healthy, my cervix and my womb are actually really healthy, too," she expressed with a slightly embarrassed giggle, as if she was bragging, in a way, though she was still completely open enough to be honest with us.. I really enjoyed her personality, "Sorry, I'm just.. I know it's not exactly good manners to talk about something like that, but, under the circumstances, you know-" she implied and Isaiah laughed softly at her joke to make her feel less awkward, "I'm very ready to give you both children," she continued confidently.

Isaiah only took a moment to look over the paperwork, but he handed them to me soon after scanning over them, knowing I'd be able to read them a little better given my background and I looked at it a little more closely than he did. I took all the time I needed, making complete sure that she really was a healthy woman and making sure not to look over anything that may stick out or be important. The table was silent as I looked over her history and Isaiah broke the ice, probably noticing that my seriousness when it came to her medical chart was making Cybal nervous..

"Oliver was studying to be a doctor in college, but he chose to go into Physical Therapy, instead.. I don't really know how to read those charts and such, so he's the one I trust to let me know if you're as healthy as you say you are.. Don't be nervous, he's just being thorough," he comforted and she chuckled softly.

"Gracias.. It actually was making me a little nervous.. He looks very focused," she replied and I looked up from the chart, seeing her expression a little anxious, but I smiled.

"She's good, very healthy," I confirmed and they both seemed pleased by my verdict.

"So, you really do think you can provide us with children?" I asked rather blatantly.

"Sí, I can give you and Isaiah a child, I would love nothing more," she confirmed.

"But, what I mean is, can you truly give what Isaiah and I want? We have a big family in mind and I don't want to keep looking for a new surrogate every time we want a child, so I guess what I'm asking is, if we want more than one baby, more than three, even, would you be open into sticking with us?" I asked and I could tell by the look on Isaiah's face that he liked my question, as well as my contribution to the conversation since I hadn't been talking all that much.

"Ambos son lo más importante.. 'You both are what's most important'," she translated, "Isaiah has already told me that you two plan on having a large family and I know how stressful it can be to look for a surrogate, but if you like me after this and we have good chemistry, which I believe we already have, I would love to provide you two with what you want. I'm in it for the long run, so it doesn't matter how many kids you want, as long as I can provide it for you two, I am happy," she explained and I loved her answer, though I'm sure that the money she would make from it convinced her the most.. But, she seemed very genuine and although I've been fooled before by a pretty face and nice words, I felt that she was different and I felt that I could trust her.. For now.

"Well, do you have any questions for us?" Isaiah wondered.

"Yes, uhm.. Where do you live now?"

"We live about an hour away up in southern Oregon, but we looked at a house today about ten minutes from here and are thinking about moving," Isaiah replied, looking to me with a smile and I smirked in return, "So, we'll be close by very soon."

"Maravilloso! It is very important to me that you are close by.. Should anything happen to me or the baby, it is good to know that you can be there quickly should I ever need either of you," she answered, "I was also wondering how much you two were willing to go as far as all of the medical bills, I am able to pay some, but-"

"No, you're not going to spend a dime. We'll pay for everything," Isaiah insisted, "It's our baby and we're going to get the best treatment possible to ensure that the baby and you do well through it all.. It's the least we could do for you since you're so willing to help us start a family," he continued and she smiled.

"Gracias, that's very generous and thoughtful of you," she replied, picking up her bag on her arm, "If there are no more questions, then I'm sorry to rush off like this, but I need to go pick up my children from their abuelos," she began, standing from her seat.

"Oh, of course, don't let us keep you," Isaiah answered, standing from his chair and I followed his lead in standing, as well, picking up August into my arms, "It was so nice to finally meet you, we'll definitely be in touch," he continued and I nodded in agreement.

"Bueno, I look forward to all of this, and thank you for meeting with me," she expressed.

"Likewise," Isaiah answered and we watched as she walked off quickly to go pick up her kids.

"Sooo?" He asked my opinion, "What'd you think?"

"I, uh.. I thought she was really nice and I liked her personality, she seemed very genuine.. I like that she's willing to stick with us, too, if we want more than one kid.. That's a pretty big deal," I replied.

"I agree. What else did you like?" He asked, almost trying to imply something.

"Uhm.. I don't know, her accent was kinda neat, I like the idea more now of our kids being able to possibly pick up another language, if we choose to keep her around them. She was very healthy, too, which is obviously a plus," I continued.

"Is that it?"

"What else do you want?"

"Well, maybe the fact that she's drop-dead gorgeous?" He expressed.

"Well, yeah.. That, too, I guess," I admitted.

"I think we got really lucky with her. It's okay to call her pretty, Oliver, I won't get jealous," he replied and I smirked. I noticed he had said 'I won't get jealous' a few times now today and the more he said it, the less I believed it, but I ignored it for now..

"I kind of like when you get a little jealous," I teased and he grinned, joining me as I walked back to the car with August.

After leaving the cafe, Isaiah drove me around the area for a little while, showing me things around the neighborhood for us to do as a family, as well as plenty of places for Isaiah and I to go if we ever needed a date night or some time alone and I liked everything that he had showed me, but I still wasn't a hundred percent convinced.. It would take me a couple days to decide on everything and fully commit to all of this, unless Isaiah would use his gift of persuasion and I didn't doubt he'd be able to convince me tonight, if he wanted to. 

We went home to eat dinner, putting August down for a nap on the couch as Isaiah and I ate together and talked more about Cybal and how much we enjoyed her. After our dinner and cleaning up, however, Isaiah seemed to be a little.. Different. It seemed like the more we talked good about Cybal, which is something I thought he'd like to hear coming from me since I've been difficult in choosing a surrogate, the more he seemed to give me fake smiles and empty words. What changed, all of a sudden?

"You okay?" I asked, watching him wash the dishes and he looked at me with a smile and a nod, but I didn't believe him, "What's wrong..?"

"Nothing, I'm fine," he answered simply.

"I know when you're lying to me," I stated with a smirk and I watched him finishing the dishes and turning the water off.

"Oh you do, do you? I didn't know you were a physical therapist by day, polygraph machine by night," he joked as he dried his hands.

"You got quieter as dinner went on, not to mention you've had this gloomy look on your face the entire time you cleaned the dishes," I pointed out.

"It's really nothing, Oliver, it's just-" He began, but stopped, "It's nothing.. Do you want any dessert? I think there's still some pie in the fridge," he tried to change the subject, but I stopped him from opening it by standing in front of it.

"Please, tell me what it is.."

"I'm just being stupid, don't worry about it.." He tried to reassure me, but it didn't work.

"It's not stupid if it's something you feel and something that's bothering you.. I don't want to have to ask again," I spoke sternly, knowing just from the look in his eyes that he knew there was no use trying to hide it anymore.

"Can I ask you something?" He wondered and I nodded, "How attracted to Jody were you? What made you like her at first?" He asked and that was the last question I ever thought would come from his mouth.

"Uhm.. I-I don't know.. She was just.. A short, blonde haired, blue-eyed girl that wanted my attention, like how most of the girls around here look and act. She was just cute at first and I liked her because she showed genuine interest in me, but her showing me her true colors eventually is what made her hideous.. I would literally get sick to my stomach around her. It might be one of the reasons, too, why I'm okay with moving.. Every girl here looks like her and I'm reminded of her a lot," I replied and he nodded.

"What about Cybal?"

"What about her..?"

"You think she's attractive, right?" He asked and I grew confused.

"You said so many times earlier that you weren't thinking things like this.. Why do you keep asking that? ..Are you really that jealous or something? What are you jealous of, even?"

"No.. Well, I don't know.. You seemed to be getting really flustered around her, that's all.. You blushed practically the entire time.."

"Sorry, I just kind of get a little nervous around people I don't know, especially if they're in my personal space and compliment me.. Even you still make me nervous, too, though.. I'm just.. Shy, I guess, and it's hard for me to take a compliment.. Don't look into it that hard," I tried to ease his worry.

"See? It's stupid, I'm being stupid.. It's nothing, so let's just drop it," he answered and I could tell that he was worried about something, but I couldn't tell exactly what it was, or why he was even jealous.

"Isaiah, what's really on your mind?" I asked, noticing him shut down a little and I grew worried, this wasn't like him at all.

I watched as he stepped over towards the counter, leaning back against it, "Well, don't you miss it?"

"Miss what..?"

"You know.." He implied, "Being with a woman?" He continued and I felt my cheeks get warm. There was a big difference in being inside of someone and being inside of.

"To be honest, I don't really think about it.."

"Really?"

"Yeah.."

"Not even with me?" He implied and my cheeks grew warmer.. I felt like such a prude.. Anything sexual or just a simple compliment about my appearance turned my cheeks pink and it was impossible to hide, no matter who the compliment came from.. But, it was different with him, I just didn't know how to explain it.. Also, this conversation was making me a little uncomfortable.

"I-I mean.. It's not like I've never thought about it, it's just.. Not really that important to me-"

"-I'd let you, if you wanted to," he blurt out and I cleared my throat a little roughly.. I wasn't expecting this kind of conversation.

"It.. It's not about that.. This is really what's bothering you? Because if you're worried about that, then that is really stupid and you should just stop," I advised and Isaiah sighed softly.

"So, you'd tell me if you ever wanted to, right?"

"Of course, Isaiah.. Listen.. I look at an attractive woman like I look at a painting, I feel what I feel, anyone would, but I don't look at them and immediately think, 'man, I really want to fuck her'.. I only think that when I look at you.. It's more about the connection than the appearance."

"I'm not a her.." He said with a sour face, as if not even hearing a word I said and just focusing on one part.. He's done this before, back at the hospital after Thomas had beaten him up, forcing me to talk about children and marriage and I hated it.. I hated that fight.. He was being unfair.. How could he not see he was doing it again?

"You know what I mean, so stop deliberately trying to make this a fight," I replied with a little warning in my tone, "And what about you? Just because I happen to like both women and men doesn't mean I have a preference of one over the other.. I'm bisexual, Isaiah, and I'm not 50% attracted to men and 50% attracted to woman.. That's not how it works, and I don't think you understand.." I explained, watching him cross his arms as I continued, "You've said it a lot today that you don't feel jealousy, but, it is jealously, a self-conscious fear, and I'm trying to get it through your head that that's not how I look at things.. It's how you look at things," I continued and he gave me a concerned expression, reaching forward to grab my hand.

"I only want you-.."

"-And it's the same for me, so why is this bothering you?" I asked with frustration.

"Because.. I only like men, but you like both.. To me, it's like having twice the competition, therefore twice the worry," he continued and I thought he was acting ridiculous.

"Why the hell are you worried in the first place? I married you.. You don't have to compete with anyone because I'm already yours.. If I ever wanted to do, well.. That.. Then I'd want to with you, no one else, and with no one else but you in mind, understand?" I stressed and I watched him smirk sheepishly.

"Let's do it now, then," he implied and I felt my face grow hot immediately.

"W-What? Why? No.. August is going to wake up from his nap any time now and I'm not in the mood," I replied bashfully, yet also with annoyance in my tone.

"Since when are you not in the mood? And we can wait until later, after we put him down in his crib. Let's just do it, and-"

"-No, I don't want to," I replied, pulling away from him and going to leave the kitchen, but he stopped me by grabbing my wrist.

"Oliver, wait! Why? Why can't you do that with me?"

"Because I don't, that should be reason enough!" I replied harshly, pulling my wrist from his grip and facing him and I knew he felt horrible just by the look on his face.. He was pressuring me, something he told me he would never do and I wasn't going to stand for it.. I was done being this fragile flower that everyone looked at me as and took advantage of.. My uncle, Jody, James, Katalina.. Now, Isaiah? No.. I'm not going to let anyone control me anymore or put words in my mouth, or let my intentions get miscommunicated.. 

"You're just being insecure and I feel like this is just your way of telling me that if there's ever a girl I want to have sex with, I can just do it with you while I think of her or something, that's what it sounds like, but I don't want to think of anyone else when I'm doing that with you.. I'm not going to use you as my own person fuck-doll or whatever while I think about someone else!" I explained harshly and I watched as he noticed my view went down his body and then back up to meet his eyes again, "Seeing you like this is really a turn-off, actually, because you're so worried of me thinking of women instead of you when it's not even like that at all, and it never has been!" I expressed and he seemed surprised by my words.. I never saw remorse like this before in him and I knew he wanted to apologize, but I couldn't stop when I was on a roll. I wasn't done, and I wasn't going to let him distract me away from how stupid this was.

"-Yeah, Cybal is pretty, I'll say it again to your face like you practically forced me to do earlier, too, more than once.. Even though I was flustered because I was uncomfortable.. When I finally admitted she was cute, when you pretty much pushed me to admit it, that's when you got uncomfortable, right? ..You want to make me happy, but you won't listen to me when I say that I don't want to have sex with her, or anyone else, and I don't want to fuck you just because you think I'm getting all hot and bothered by every compliment given to me by a stranger.. I don't give a shit about that.." I then lowered my voice so August couldn't hear if he was awake, "I obviously like what we do together in bed and I'm perfectly fine with sticking with it.. You're the only person I ever want to do that with, you're the only one that got me to like what we do so much in the first place and to help me see this side of me, that I like men, so why does that have to be a bad thing? Why does it have to change now, just because it's an inconvenience for your jealousy?" I asked, seeing Isaiah's expression full of guilt and hearing August beginning to make a fuss for attention in the living room made me then feel guilty, most likely waking up from me raising my voice, "You're being completely ridiculous.. Just drop it, all right?" I finished, leaving the kitchen angry and going to get August.

I picked up August from the couch, holding him close and calming him as I brought him upstairs to his bedroom. After changing him into his pajamas, I thought playing something with him would help me relax a little, "Wanna play something? Hmm? How about we play with your blocks, would you like that?" I asked, bringing him over towards them and setting him down, then sitting across from him on the other side, "Which one goes into here?" I asked, pointing to the square hole and waiting for him to pick the right block, watching him pick up a triangle and hitting it against the wood.

"No, no, no, try this one," I corrected, pointing to the square and he picked that one up instead, putting it to the hole and it fell in with ease, "Good job, Augie!" I expressed happily and he giggled with joy, clapping his tiny hands. August always cheered me up, even if I was still thinking about what Isaiah had said and dwelling on it, spending time with August helped me calm down a lot so whenever I'd eventually face Isaiah again, I'd be able to with a calmed demeanor. 

Eventually, after a while of spending time with August and Isaiah never coming upstairs to spend time with us, it reached his bedtime and I noticed his eyelids getting heavier, picking him up within my arms and I bounced and rocked him gently so he would fall asleep easier. As I stood there, staring at him for a long moment, I couldn't stop thinking about how lucky I was to have all that I did, and especially knowing I was going to have so much more in the near future. Just the idea of having more children was beginning to sound more and more tempting and I daydreamed a little about the house Isaiah had showed me today.

After putting August down in his crib and shutting off the lights in his room, making sure to leave on a nightlight, I walked down the hallway and noticed that it was dark downstairs, knowing then that Isaiah was in our room and most likely either in bed or on the patio and I was a little nervous to face him after what we had discussed.. I hated fighting with him.. I knew he had felt bad from how he had acted earlier and even I felt bad for what I had said to him, but it was the truth and I really wished he wouldn't be so worried about my preferences just because I was bisexual.. I never thought it was an issue until now, especially after hearing him tell me all day today that he wasn't jealous, but in the end, that's exactly what he was.. Worried, and jealous. I didn't stay in the kitchen earlier to discuss it further because I wanted him to stew a little bit, but now I was starting to feel guilty, and although I was still mad, I wanted to make up with him.

When I entered the room, I noticed that Isaiah wasn't in bed, nor was he in the bathroom, but when I noticed his wedding ring sitting on the dresser in the spot we always left them in so we wouldn't lose them while we slept, I knew he was up here and he hadn't left the condo. When I looked towards the patio, the door was open a little and although I couldn't see out onto the dark patio, I knew he was out there. I contemplated going to bed and leaving him alone, feeling that he needed to apologize to me instead of the other way around, but I hated going to bed feeling like this, like we weren't okay.. So, after changing out of my clothes into something to sleep in and after removing my wedding ring, too, to place next to his for safe keeping, I made my way towards the patio and stepped outside.

____________________

. . . ISAIAH'S POV . . .

____________________

Man, did I feel like such an asshole as I watched Oliver leave the kitchen, wanting to stop him and talk to him more, but I knew he needed to tend to August, and by his tone of voice, I knew he didn't want to talk to me anymore. I knew I'd only make him more angry, too, so I didn't stop him and kept my mouth shut. I made a complete fool of myself.. He probably thinks I'm such an idiot, and he's not wrong, either. I didn't understand his logic, really, and he told me he wasn't attracted to Cybal, but he was blushing so much whenever she talked to him or complimented him.. I couldn't help but think he liked her, and it was bothering me so much now since I knew he liked men and women.

After I had watched him leave the kitchen, the frog in my throat as well as my shame keeping me from stopping him, I peaked out into the living room and watched him leave to go upstairs with August. After I had then heard August's bedroom door close, I went to the wine rack, removing a glass as well as my favorite bottle of wine and I poured myself a drink, knowing that whenever these little arguments of ours started, they'd last about an hour or two until we'd talk things out, so I took that time to enjoy, or try to enjoy, a glass of wine in hoping it would make me feel a little better while I gave Oliver the 'alone' time I knew he needed. I didn't do much at all for a long while, mostly just standing by myself in the kitchen, listening to the television in the other room that was still on the kids channel as I sipped my wine and I kept repeating over and over in my head how stupid I was being.. How paranoid and difficult I was being.. He doesn't hate me for this, does he?

When about an hour had passed of me dwelling on what Oliver and I had argued about, I finished my small glass of wine, washing out the glass I had used and putting the bottle back into the rack, then shutting off all the lights and went upstairs. I walked down the hallway towards August's room, putting my ear against the door and I could hear Oliver reading to our little man, knowing he was trying to get him ready for bed, or at least tire him out, and instead of coming inside to wish August goodnight, I left them alone, walking to our bedroom to get ready for bed. 

I first took off my wedding ring, setting it safely on the dresser where we always kept our rings and I changed into comfortable sweatpants, removing my jacket and button up shirt, as well, to get ready for bed, but I still wasn't tired yet.. How could I sleep after what happened? I stepped out onto the balcony, leaving the door open a little and I stepped up to the ledge, looking down at the empty courtyard below me and I sighed heavily, hating that this entire time Oliver and I had been in a bad position and I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep until we fixed this. I knew I needed to apologize, I knew I needed to admit defeat because I was in the wrong, I knew I was, but I still didn't really understand why. I felt that when I had offered for him to have sex with me in a fashion that he had never partaken in before brought up something in him that made him more uncomfortable.. Maybe it was because I pressured him, maybe it was because he was just nervous, but maybe it was because I really was jealous and he didn't like how desperate I was being. I didn't even recognize who I was looking back on our argument now.. 

I eventually made my way over towards the hanging chairs and I sat there for about another half hour before I had heard any sign of life from Oliver. From the patio door being open, I heard him come into our bedroom and I peeked over my shoulder through the window to see him looking for something, most likely for me, which made me feel only a tiny bit better, but I couldn't help but think, too, that he was just looking for me so he could figure out how to avoid me. I watched through the window as he changed out of his clothes into more comfortable ones, but I felt a little like a pervert as I watched him without him knowing, even though he was my husband, so I looked away before he finished changing.. I guess I more so felt like I didn't deserve to look at him, that I didn't deserve someone so perfect, especially after how I had treated him.. I was so disappointed in myself, he didn't deserve any of this, and I didn't deserve him. 

When I had noticed he was done changing out of my peripherals, he had looked over towards the windows and the patio, I quickly looked away from him so he didn't feel as if I had been watching him, a few seconds later hearing him open the patio door more and I raised my gaze from the floor up towards him, but then straight back down to the ground immediately in shame. I wasn't ready to face him yet, I still hated myself and how I had handled things earlier, so I was ultimately just completely embarrassed by how I had acted and I didn't even know where to start by apologizing.

I watched him from the corner of my eye, seeing him step up to the ledge and knowing he had his back to me, I looked up more, my eyes traveling up and down him, trying to decipher from his body language if he was still angry, as well as just admiring him in general. I had noticed he had lost quite a bit of weight, or at least some of his muscle definition, since he hadn't kept up with his swimming during the past year or so and he looked so much smaller than I was used to.. I hadn't really noticed all that much until now.. His frame still had some muscle to it, but he was so much skinnier than I remembered, his body curved in ways I had never taken the time to bask in before and I couldn't help but admire how different it was. He looked healthier like this. I loved the curves of his shoulder blades, the small dimples on either side of his spine near his tailbone, his slender neck, his-

"I think August would've liked to have had his father tell him goodnight before he went to bed," he pointed out, blindsiding me from my thoughts.

"He did," I replied, but after I had answered, I knew that was a stupid thing to say.

"Hmph.." Is all he responded with and I was already off to a bad start.

"I'm sorry.. I just didn't want to come into his room and possibly wake him up more when you were trying to get him to sleep," I corrected myself and Oliver didn't respond, "Is he asleep now?"

"Yup.." He answered blandly.

"Did he give you any trouble?"

"Nope.." He answered again just as blandly, knowing he was keeping his answers short and I knew then that he was still angry with me. I knew, too, that I needed to apologize as soon as possible, or else these bland words from the love of my life would eventually kill me inside.

Just from his tone, I knew he was pissed, but I had never seen him like this before.. So serious.. When he looked over his shoulder towards me after a long moment of silence, his brow was furrowed and just his eyes alone, even in this dim lighting, they told me that he was displeased, but more importantly, he looked disappointed.. I couldn't stand the thought of him being disappointed in me and my stomach was in knots.

"I'm.. I'm sorry, Oliver," I spoke quietly and I knew I reeked of defeat, the air hanging thick around us, but I hoped he could tell just from my voice how desperate I was to get him back on my side, "I guess.. I just.. I don't fully understand, but, I have no explanation for you on why I acted the way I did today.." I admitted, "I truly am sorry.."

"Do you remember back when we first met? ..Thanksgiving?" He asked, ignoring my apology for the time being and I smirked slightly.. I guess I'll let him torture me for a little while and not forgive me right away.. I deserved it.

"I'll never forget it," I answered and his expression went less angry, turning rather calm within a few seconds as I waited for him to continue.

"Then you remember the look I gave you when you gave me your number on that piece of paper, pretending you wanted a tour guide?" He asked next and I chuckled pathetically at myself and at his blatant call-out..

"..Yes, Oliver, I do remember pretending to want a tour guide," I replied with my smirk turning into a smile, "I could see you blushing, and I knew it wasn't just from the four whiskey's you drank in twenty minutes," I explained and he snickered quietly.

"Exactly, but not blushing for the way you think.. A stranger, you, was hitting on me, someone who's only had a romantic and physical relationship with a total of two people in his entire life.. I didn't know the first thing about relationships or intimacy, or anything really, and one of my two experiences was horrible.." He stopped for a moment and I lost my smile, somewhat knowing where he was going with this and he then continued, "I get.. I get uncomfortable, is what it is.. I blush, a lot.. It's not me finding anyone attractive, it's me literally being squeamish when someone compliments me.. I don't trust easily and I get flustered easily.. Jody ruined a large part of my self-confidence and my ability to trust people.. I'm surprised you haven't figured out by now that when anyone, especially a stranger, compliments me, whether it's with intentions to flirt with me or not, I turn into a fucking tomato," he pointed out and I couldn't deny that I have noticed that, letting out a quick chuckle at his way of adding a little joke onto the end of his personal confession..

I don't know why it bothered me so much today, in particular, and I felt horrible now..

"Yeah, I mean, I can understand that, but.. How are you not used to that by now? I hit on you all the time.. You're so hot.." I continued with a slightly whiney tone and a tiny smirk, trying to use his tactic with puppy-dog eyes and I heard him chuckle, something that peaked my curiosity, "What's funny?"

"You, is what's funny.. You don't realize that when you say a million times how something isn't bothering you, it's a dead giveaway you actually are super bothered?" He pointed out and I smiled again at being found out.

"You know what? I never realized that until you pointed it out, actually.." I replied and he smirked a little, knowing he was still mad at me, but I liked seeing him smile, "I.. I also want to apologize for pressuring you.. I remember, too, saying that I would never do that.. It was when we saw one another for the second time.. When we officially started dating," I pointed out in return and I noticed his expression become softer and I could tell he liked that I had apologized for that specifically.. 

"Thank you," he replied appreciatively, but I shook my head 'no' for a second.

"You don't need to thank me, I should've known better.. I don't know what came over me today.. I'm sorry, again.. I didn't realize how you responded like that to everyone, I just noticed when you did it to me 'cause I hit on you constantly and you always blush.. I guess I just thought it was special towards me, so when I noticed you do it a lot today, I got jealous.. I didn't realize it was you being 'uncomfortable'.. I'm sorry, Oliver," I added and I noticed he'd become a lot more relaxed now than when he had first came out onto the balcony.

"You know that whenever I blush from what you say to me, though, that there is a difference, right..? Everyone else makes me uncomfortable, but you make me feel special.. It makes me feel good, and it makes me feel good about myself and who I am.. It matters when you say things," he explained and I completely understood now.. I could cry at how genuine and innocent he was, just as wonderful still as the day I met him.. My sweet Oliver.

I stood from the hanging chair, walking over towards him and I reached to touch his face, I needed to, "You're beautiful, baby," I began and even on the dimly lit balcony, I could see his face turn red and I adored it, "I love everything about you, inside and out," I expressed and he turned his attention away from looking at me, but towards my hand that still touched his cheek.. I now knew the difference just from that simple gesture.. Before, he blushed and asked Cybal to sit down, to get away from him, but now.. Now, he was bashful, but turned his attention into my hand.. Towards me..

"Don't call me that.." He replied in embarrassment with a gentle smile he tried to hide in my palm.

"Call you what?" I wondered with a grin, knowing what made him bashful but I wanted him to say it. I wanted him to say it out loud so I could be that person to convince him that he really was. I wanted to build up the confidence I knew he thought he lacked. I wanted to help him see how amazing he really was.

"..Beautiful.." He replied and I pulled his gaze back towards me, his eyes meeting mine.

"Why not? You are beautiful, and I love you so much.. I'm so sorry again for earlier.. I'm actually glad we talked about it, though, because I never would've known any of this and I'd still be sulking if I didn't know exactly how you felt.. Thank you for helping me understand," I continued and he smiled softly.

"I love you, too, and I forgive you, so stop saying sorry," he replied, taking something from my book that I often said to him and I was happy to hear him taking my advice and using it for me, too, "After talking about this, too, I don't need any more time to decide.." He added and I raised a brow in curiosity, "I'm ready for all of this, for all of you.. You make me want it even more now.. Moving, a new neighborhood, kids.. Everything.. As long as it's with you," he continued, a wide smile stretching across my lips.

"Really?" I asked happily and he nodded.

"Yeah.. We should get that house, but sell the condo, so that way you're forced to come back home to me if you ever have to come up here to deal with anything," he made known with his cheeks blushing a little, happy to hear how he wasn't okay at all with me being away for longer than needed and giving me no choice but to always come back home to him.

"Anything you want, Oliver," I happily agreed.

"And.." He continued and I waited patiently for him to express himself, watching him reaching to fiddle with the front collar of my top in his adorably cute manner when he was shy but wanted to speak his mind; he always had to hold onto something of mine whenever he wanted to be serious with me, "We should tell Cybal that we choose her, and you should buy that lot for your new bar.. I thought about it, and think I'm really ready for all of this.. I don't want to wait anymore," he added and his words made me the happiest I had ever been, unable to keep myself from him and instantly pulling him into my lips.

Our kiss grew deeper, though it didn't seem to go any further than that for a long while, simply enjoying each other's lips for the longest time and I felt like this is exactly what we needed. Every single time that I thought we couldn't get any better, each day proved that there was so much more to us than the day before and everything just seemed to click and fall into place as our lives went on. I wasn't sure if I believed in fate or in destiny, but my love for this place when I was a kid brought me back to it when I was older and I was lucky enough to open my bar just before the holidays to meet him on Thanksgiving.. I was lucky that Oliver chose my bar to come to and sulk about his unfortunate encounter with his uncle, I was lucky that he 'lost' my number and came back to get it again, I was lucky that he came back to me after I had scared him away by kissing him only the second time we met.. Maybe fate, maybe destiny, I don't know, maybe things just happened for a reason, but whatever it was, I was seriously the luckiest man in the entire world.

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Original chapter written and posted on May 7, 2015