The Nature of Things

Chapter 37

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Maya spent a month in the NICU before Brian and Justin were allowed to take her home. Molly pumped breast milk for her once the doctors gave the okay and Maya seemed to thrive.

Brian and Justin held their breath as the doctors gave them instructions for her care at home before discharging her from the hospital. Everyone was amazed at how well she'd been doing the last few weeks.

Maya had been off the oxygen and heart monitor for a week and she'd had no problems. Two days before discharge they'd taken her to the regular nursery for her first bath. Justin held her while Brian dribbled water over her pale blonde head.

Maya cried loudly until she opened her eyes and saw her father holding her. The little girl had gotten very attached to both Brian and Justin over the last month.

Brian was almost teary eyed watching the man he loved holding their child. Maya was a true combination of Brian and Justin. She had the blonde hair and liquid blue eyes of Justin and Brian's lips and nose along with his mysterious good looks.

The nurses insisted that Justin sit in the wheelchair to take Maya out to the car. He held their daughter as if she were the most precious package in the world. To Brian and Justin she was.

Justin said a bittersweet farewell to the nurses as Brian buckled Maya into her carseat. He too said goodbye before they headed home for the first time as a family.

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Molly was pacing the floor watching for Brian and Justin to get home with Maya. Jennifer and Cynthia had given up on trying to get her to sit down, knowing that she was nervous about being so close to the baby.

She was still experiencing pangs of guilt for giving her daughter away, but she knew that this was the best life for her little girl. She also knew that she'd have the choice of being a part of Maya's life in any capacity she felt comfortable with.

She finally sat down when she saw the car pull into the drive. Jennifer opened the door and watched her son take his daughter out of her seat and hand her to his partner. Her smile widened when Brian lightly kissed Maya's head.

Molly watched closely as they came in the door and was shocked when Brian brought Maya to her.

"Meet your daughter, Molly."

Molly held out her arms and took Maya to her chest and held her tightly. "Thank you," she whispered to Brian with tears flowing silently down her cheeks.

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Later that evening Brian was getting ready for a shower when Justin lightly rapped on the door. He came in without waiting for an answer. He crossed the room silently and found himself in Brian's embrace without realizing how he'd gotten there.

Brian bent and kissed Justin deeply. Neither man was sure how it had happened but it seemed that they were destined to spend their lives together, in love.

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