Fate Wins Out

Part 11

Brian and Justin staggered in the door, thrilled to be home. They had been traveling for what seemed like days, running into layovers and delays at every turn. All they wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep forever. Unfortunately, Stacy had other plans.

“Oh, you’re finally home. I missed you so much!” She exclaimed, hugging them both as if they had been gone for years instead of a week.

“Hi, sweetheart. How are you feeling?” Justin asked, as he hugged her back. He had missed her, too, while they were gone.

“Well… I was at the doctor’s yesterday, and before you say anything, we are just fine. I had a little scare, but the doctor assured me that everything was right where it should be. I have seven more weeks until I can see my feet again.” She joked, trying to make Justin loose the scowl on his face.

“A little scare? What do you mean, a little scare? What happened? Why didn’t you call me?” Justin started pacing in the foyer, trying to calm his rapidly beating heart.

“I just had a little spotting. It was no big deal. I called Dr. Daniels and he had me go in for an ultrasound. He said everything was fine and there was nothing to worry about. I didn’t call you because I didn’t want to worry you for nothing. Oh, by the way, he could tell the sex of the baby.” She said, walking into the kitchen without saying anything more.

Justin stood there, looking at her retreating form while the words set in. Then he grabbed Brian by the hand and raced in after her.

“You know what it is? Whether we are having a son or daughter?” Justin asked with a huge smile on his face.

“No, I have no idea. I told him that I didn’t want to know if you weren’t there.” She replied, trying to hide her smirk.

“Oh. I just thought that since we agreed to find out at the first ultrasound and they couldn’t tell, that you would find out from this one. I guess it doesn’t matter. We’ll find out in seven weeks, anyway, right?” Justin’s disappointment was evident in his voice.

“Yeah, or we could just read this.” She said, holding up a small piece of paper with a smile.

“What’s that?” Justin asked, confused.

“Well, since Dr. Daniels knew that we wanted to know the sex of the baby, he wrote it down so when you got home we could find out together.” She explained, watching his face light up.

“You mean that the baby’s sex is on that little piece of paper? What are we waiting for? Read it!” Justin exclaimed, his excitement showing.

“Maybe I should just leave you two alone for this. I don’t want to intrude.” Brian suggested from the corner. He had been silent the whole time giving the couple a chance to talk. He didn’t want to interfere.

“Oh, no you don’t, Brian! You are part of this family, a part of our lives. You should be here too.” Stacy insisted.

“Are you sure, Stacy? I don’t want to be in the way.” Brian explained.

“You are not in the way. This is Justin’s baby, too. That makes you a very big part of this. Aside from that, you are my family and I love you. I want you to be here for both of us. I know the situation is a little confusing right now, for all of us. We just need to take it day by day and do what feels right.” Stacy looked at Justin, waiting for him to confirm what she had just said.

“Yeah, Brian. Stacy is right. You are a big part of my life now. I want you here with me for this. Come here,” Justin demanded, taking Brian’s hand and pulling him towards him for support.

Brian replied by kissing Justin softly and standing by his side. He was surprised at the emotions he was feeling. It really touched him that Justin and Stacy would want him to be a part of their baby experience. It erased any guilt he was feeling over their situation. He was finally able to accept the fact that Stacy was okay with his relationship with Justin. He felt like he was on top of the world and he never wanted to come down.

“Well? What are we having?” Justin asked, anxious to find out whether he was going to have a son or daughter.

Stacy took a deep breath and looked down at the paper in here hand, her eyes misting up at what she saw. “It’s a girl!” She exclaimed as she threw herself into Justin’s arms.

Justin hugged Stacy tight, thrilled that he was having a daughter. The most important thing was that the baby was healthy, but deep down he wanted a girl. He pulled back and looked into Stacy’s eyes and noticed tears there.

“I guess we have a little girl.” She choked with emotion.

“I guess we do.” Justin replied, kissing her softly. Then he turned to Brian, who was standing next to him with a silly grin on his face.

“I hope this world is ready for a little Stacy running around.” Brian said with a chuckle as he took Justin in his arms. “Congratulations, Dad.” He whispered in his ear.

Justin held Brian tight, unable to stop the emotions that were running through him. He couldn’t remember a time in his life when he had been as happy as he was at that moment. His life with Stacy had been good and he was happy, but there was always something missing. Now that he had Brian, a daughter on the way, and Stacy standing beside him, he felt like he was complete. He felt as if life couldn’t get any better, with the exception of actually having his daughter at home with them. Feeling Brian pull back, Justin wiped the stray tears that he hadn’t been able to keep back.

“What’s the matter, Justin? Are you okay?” Brian asked, seeing the tears he was trying to hide.

“I’m great, Brian. Everything is just great.” Justin replied, smiling up at the man he loved.

The weeks flew by after that. Justin went back to work after extending his vacation a few weeks, while Brian stayed at home with Stacy, who decided to take it easy after her scare. Justin had moved into the guest room with Brian and they all adjusted to their new living arrangements. Brian and Stacy were rebuilding their relationship, both of them thrilled to have the time to get to know each other again. Justin hated having to go to work everyday while his wife and his boyfriend were home lounging around all day and they teased him endlessly. Brian had told Justin he could quit his job since he had more than enough money to support all of them, but Justin wouldn’t even discuss that option. There was no way Justin was going to stand by and let someone else support his family.

Justin was sitting at his desk, watching the clock, when his secretary buzzed him that he had a phone call on line one.

“Justin Taylor.” He answered.

“Justin? I think it’s time!” Brian exclaimed, excitement filling his voice.

“Time for what?” Justin asked, confused as to what Brian was talking about.

“Uh…time for your daughter to be born!” Brian replied, teasingly.

“Oh, my God! Are you sure? How’s Stacy? Is she okay? Where is she?” Justin was already grabbing his briefcase and shutting down his computer, ready to bolt out the door.

“Slow down, Justin. Stacy is fine. She’s upstairs getting dressed. She’s excited, but a little scared now that it’s time. Her water broke about ten minutes ago, and let me tell you that is not a pretty sight. Why don’t you meet us at the hospital? There’s no reason for you to drive all the way out here to turn around and drive back. I promise to drive carefully.” Brian assured him, knowing that he was going to worry.

“Are you sure? Maybe I should just come home. It’s not that far away and traffic shouldn’t be too bad in the middle of the day.” Justin reasoned.

“Justin, stop worrying. I am perfectly capable of driving my cousin to the hospital. Now take a couple of deep breaths and drive carefully. I’ll see you soon, okay?” Brian asked, trying not to laugh out loud at the man’s reaction.

“Okay, okay. I’ll be fine. I’ll see you there.” Justin conceded.

“Oh, and Justin?” Brian asked quickly.

“Yeah?” he replied.

“I love you.” Brian said softly.

“I love you, too, Brian” Justin replied, before hanging up the phone.

He made his way out of his office and told his secretary that he was leaving for the day. His father and father-in-law were both out of town till the next day so Justin left without telling anyone what was happening. As he was driving to the hospital he couldn’t help but think about his life. At that very moment, his boyfriend was driving his wife to the hospital to have his daughter. If anyone would have told him a year ago that this would be his life, he would have laughed in their face. Now it felt like the most natural thing in the world, and he couldn’t be happier.

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