More to This

by Tess Keeler

  Henley observed from the back as they continued to talk, like they had known each other more deeply than they did. It was a genuine connection, and he admired Everly’s ability to be herself with anyone. He was a little more cautious—quiet unless hunting.

  After many stops downtown, lunch, and a beach trip to Alki, Aiden was taking them to River and Aiden’s apartment for dinner. And their decision. River must have beat them there. As they stepped inside, Henley’s stomach growled at the delicious aroma. He couldn’t place the smell, but it was causing his mouth to water.

  “Oh my,” Everly whispered beside him, and he couldn’t tell if it was the food or the amazing view from the windows. Both were breathtaking.

  “Please, make yourself at home,” River said as he approached them from the kitchen lining the wall opposite of the door. “Dinner is almost ready. I hope you’re hungry.”

  River’s smile was large and almost too pretty. “I’m so hungry,” Henley said, holding his stomach like Everly held their baby.

  Everly turned around and laughed, “He’s always hungry.” She offered him a beaming grin, and his heart skipped around in his chest. He still wasn’t used to the way she made him feel.

  “Good,” River said before sneaking over to Aiden’s side, who was unloading his pockets. Henley looked away as they kissed. Their moments always seemed intense, and it always felt like he was intruding on them—just like it had in New York when they met for the first time.

  Henley walked over to Everly, who was gazing out toward the water. They could see it through the trees. He wrapped his arms around her, his hands meeting at her belly. His lips brushed over her ear as he whispered, “Are you okay?”

  She nodded, her fingers lacing through his. Her grip was tighter than his, and he knew she was still feeling unsure of the outcome. The baby’s future depended on River and Aiden’s decision.

  Before dinner was served, Aiden gave them a tour, showing off Aiden’s art and River’s awards. Everly’s eyes were sparkling, and Henley couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. She was the most beautiful creature to exist. She asked questions about each item, and Aiden would laugh, smirk, or turn red as he blushed.

  When they made their way back to the living room, River had everything plated, and they were given their meal once they were seated. The aroma was stronger as it filled his nostrils, and Henley tried not to inhale it once they were started eating. The TV was on for background noise, very faintly, but they participated in conversation as well. River and Everly were like long lost BFFs when they were together: enthusiastic and full of smiles.

  As the conversation faded, Henley said, “I really love your place.” He sat his plate down on the solid wood table between all of their seating arrangements. His blue plate was empty, and he was happily stuffed.

  He did adore the apartment and all of its ambiance. It was full of great energy and natural light. It was what he wanted out of an apartment, when the couple could move out of her parents’ place. Staying in her parents’ home was only a stepping stone to their future. He wished for a future similar to the couple hosting them for the night—he could only hope to provide a life like theirs for Everly. It was still so terrifying how quickly his thoughts had escalated into that direction.

  “So, about the uh…” River began, the slight tink of his dish being set down penetrating the now anxious silence.

  Aiden followed his lead, his plate placed on top of his husband’s. Henley looked to Everly, who was enjoying her food slowly, or had been before the leading statement. She currently sat with her brown eyes wide and watching, her hands steadying the plate.

  “Adoption.” Aiden finished for him.

  Henley wasn’t looking at them yet, only acknowledged Everly’s throat bobbing. He offered to take her plate without words, and placed it safely on the coffee table with the rest of them and reached for her hand. The grip of her fingers was tight, but he was sure he was returning an equally painful grip. Their trip was purposed around the answer they were about to receive. Every plan in their foreseeable future was focused on this one answer.

  “Aiden and I have agreed that we are interested in adopting your baby.” River’s smile spread out over his face nervously and more slowly than before.

  Before anyone could react to their decision, Aiden was cutting in, his voice more stern, “There are some conditions we would like to negotiate, before all of the legal and official stuff. Because of the circumstances, we would like to keep it an open adoption. However, if either of you want to contact the baby, as their biological parent, we would like to be who you speak to first, no matter how old.”

  Henley was feeling overwhelmed as the information continued to flood in. River was talking now, and he was speaking about their lack of knowledge of proper ways to explain the hows and whys of two dads and giving children up. Although he was listening, his eyes had drifted over to Everly’s face, where tears had already stained her perfect porcelain skin.

  “We also want to figure out the financial details and how we will arrange bringing him or her home. We want every update possible, so we can prepare for anything life may throw at us,” River added.

  Henley witnessed them comforting each other the same way Henley was comforting Everly: fingers intertwined.

  One of the men asked if they were okay with the conditions. Everly and Henley stared at each other for a moment, trying to communicate non-verbally. They weren’t nearly as skilled at it as he hoped, but he knew that she was sure about them. That’s what mattered.

  “Yes,” Henley answered, turning back make eye contact with both of them.

  Where relief had began to settle in his stomach, there was also a blossom of regret. Their baby was no longer theirs, and because Everly knew them (they both did now), they would be watching him or her grow up as if it wasn’t their child at all. A stabbing pain pierced through the forming flower, and he expelled his breath shakily.

  “Thank you,” Everly said, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees. “Thank you for giving our baby a chance to have a wonderful life.”

  The sound of her voice eased the pain he felt, because the emphasis on her words were honest. She believed that River and Aiden could give the child a better life. She knew adoption was the safest and smartest option for them and the baby. Their worries were over.

  Aiden and River both gave them a smile, River seeming to speak from his heart when he said, “Thank you making our dreams of a family come true.”

  1

  More to This

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Everly

  Everly felt like she was detached from her body since they had gotten back from Seattle. It wasn’t as much of a relief as she had hoped. While she was relieved, the thought of giving up their baby was getting more and more difficult to bear. Was Henley’s mom right? Were they avoiding the consequences to their mistake? Regardless, it was too late to change her mind either way. Aiden was adamant about them being sure, to not hurt them by deciding last minute to keep it. She sighed, her thoughts lost as the professor continued their lecture. Her eyes drifted to her subconsciously placed hand, and she tried to stop the thoughts threatening to ruin their plan.

  They were doing what was best for everyone— that’s what she had to remind herself.

  Maybe these thoughts were triggered by the combination of their emotional few days in Seattle and the impending ultrasound that would confirm the sex of the baby.

  Henley was waiting for her when she walked out of class, and the sight of him made her instantly smile. He was waiting for her with a single red rose in his hand, and she felt her emotions bubble up to the surface. Henley brought out so much vulnerability in her, and it was something she was still adjusting to. She had to be strong all the time, for everyone. Her parents, Mace— now she wanted to be strong for Henley. In that moment, she felt like she couldn’t fight off the tears quite as easily as normal.

  “H…” She trailed off, taking the rose from his gentle hands
.

  “Ev,” Henley began, his right hand cupping her face. “Are you okay? Is it the baby?”

  Everly shook her head, a small laugh forcing through her lips. “You’re just so sweet, and I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too, beautiful,” he whispered before placing a soft kiss on her forehead. She sighed, relishing his touch.

  Even though her class had poured out past them, she felt like they were in their own world. She snapped out of it, wiping the tears off her face. “Want to get out of here?” She whispered, chewing her lip as she admired him while she waited for his response.

  Henley tangled their fingers together, lifting them once joined to kiss the top of her hand a few times. “Absolutely.”

  ————

  Everly sat in front of her laptop, waiting for River to call via FaceTime. They had gotten the results from the ultrasound, and wanted to show River and Aiden the sonogram. Henley was rubbing her shoulders, trying to rub any anxiety away before it could cluster. They hadn’t talked much since the appointment, both trying to process the reality of their situation. All of her thoughts from earlier were harder to push away, and the more silence there was between them made it even more difficult.

  The all familiar FaceTime call tone filled the quiet, and Henley moved to sit next to her so he could fit into the frame. Their fingers tangled together, Everly answered the call.

  Aiden and River greeted them with smiles, and she offered the best one she could muster to them.

  “Everly, how are you doing?” River asked, and she felt Henley squeeze her fingers slightly.

  She nodded, tucking hair behind her ear as she cleared her throat. “Good, had an appointment today. The little one is healthy as can be.” Her hand drifted to her stomach, and she forced herself to go on. “That’s why I asked if you could call. We found out the sex today.”

  Her eyes drifted to Henley’s face, and he was still and quiet. A smile was pulled at his lips, but he didn’t seem to be as present as he normally was. He was in his head.

  “Do you want to be surprised?” River was asking Aiden when she turned her attention back to the fathers of her unborn baby. Her heart was throbbing heavily in her chest as she waited for them to decide.

  “I want to know.” Aiden was confident in his answer, and River let out a deep exhale through his thin lips.

  He nodded, and both of them looked back to her. “We want to know,” River answered, and Everly’s leg bounced as she took a second to maintain her composure.

  “It’s a boy.”

  River’s eyes began to water, enough for her to see it through the screen, and Aiden’s smile was big and happy. They hugged each other, saying things that were muffled on Henley and Everly’s end. She looked over at Henley, offering him a smile as their eyes met.

  They were happy.

  Henley and Everly should be, too.

  ————

  Everly had invited Mason and Pierson over for dinner after telling River and Aiden that they were having a bouncing baby boy. Henley was exceptionally quiet, even with Pierson and Mason trying to get him to talk. The boys had started to play Call of Duty, drinks and smoke going around. Henley didn’t partake as much as the other two, but Everly was perfectly okay with him enjoying it as long as he was safe. Tonight, she knew it was much needed.

  “So, do they have any names in mind?” Mason asked, taking a hit off the joint in his fingers while they waited for their next round.

  She cleared her throat, “They’re thinking Elijah.” There her hand was, as always, resting against her belly. Over the baby. River and Aiden’s baby.

  Pierson nodded, “That’s cute.” The joint was in his possession now, and Everly looked to Henley. It was hard to think about giving up a baby. Maybe if they had gotten pregnant before developing real feelings, it would’ve been easier. But, they were in love. They were good, too. Everly knew Henley was it for her, so how could she justify giving up their child to her heart?

  “It’s okay,” Everly mumbled, causing Henley’s eyes to lift and look at her. “I mean, its adorable. Elijah Jacobs. Don’t get me wrong, I just..” She trailed off, shrugging as she did so.

  “Did you two discuss names before, ya know?” Mason fumbled, and Everly knew he didn’t really mean to ask. It was the mind freeing agents flowing through his system.

  Everly shook her head. “We didn’t. We didn’t want to do that before we knew what was going to happen.” She paused, watching Henley’s head bounce in agreement. She continued, “But, I always thought Riley Sage Moore had a nice ring to it— male or female.”

  Henley’s expression was sad, and she watched him tilt the bottle back and take a long swig. He licked his lips, and found her eyes again. “I couldn’t have came up with a better name for him.”

  After a long, silent moment between them, it was interrupted by the game starting. It was the last thing anyone said about the baby for the rest of the night.

  ————

  The bubbles in her garden tub encased them, her body resting between his leg as her back pressed into his abdomen. His hands were pushing the bubbles closer to her, and she enjoyed the lukewarm bath with their skin connected. He spoiled her, and even though their situation was difficult, she was grateful to have him. Did she tell him enough?

  “H,” She began, her voice low as his hands caressed her skin beneath the water.

  “Hmm?” He murmured against her neck, kissing gently as his hands explored.

  She sucked in a shaky breath— he always knew how to get to her. “I appreciate you so much. You take such good care of me, and I want you to know I don’t and won’t ever take it for granted.”

  “You have changed me, Everly. I’ve never been a better version of myself. So thank you for taking care of me.” His eyes were soft, his expression serious. Her heart swelled.

  Smiling up at him, she shook her head. “I don’t think anyone ever gave you the chance to be you. This has always been in your heart, baby. I just lucked out that you were meant for me.”

  “I’m so glad you didn’t give up on me.” He kissed her forehead, and she closed her eyes as his arms wrapped around her.

  She rested there a while, enjoying listening to the beat of his heart.

  “I really like the sound of Riley Sage.” His voice pulled her from the silence, and she smiled against him.

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  She adjusted slightly, turning enough to place a soft kiss on his waiting lips. “We can use it, someday.”

  He smiled at her, his fingertips drifting over the section of skin it was closest to.

  “Someday.”

  1

  More to This

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Henley

  Henley had never known anyone with as much Christmas spirit as Everly. The twinkling white lights had been strung up all over the house, instead of in a few purposeful areas. She had arranged for the tree to be up and dressed on December 1st, which was apparently late for her. Up until Christmas Eve, there were too many gifts under the tree. He didn’t even know how she had came up with the money to spoil not only him, but Mason and Pierson as well. Her parents were flying in on Christmas day, so she had invited the boys over for a Christmas Eve celebration involving just the four of them.

  The presents were already torn to shreds and the paper was scattered about the living room. Everly had her favorite Christmas movie on: The Nightmare Before Christmas. She really didn’t like anything but horror movies, so he was impressed she could find one worthy of her taste. Mason was spiking the eggnog for everyone but Everly, his grin as goofy as ever. Since officially announcing their relationship, Mason and Pierson had been nearly as inseparable as Henley and Everly. It was different, though. Pierce was reserved around them, no matter how handsy Mason would get.

  The dark rum was getting stronger with each drink, and he was feeling a little lightheaded as he wrapped his arms around Everly from her left side an
d pulled her close. Her baby bump pushed into him, like it had many times before. Instead of the usual sadness, the infectious spirit brought a grin to his face. The stack of books they had all purchased for him was visible out of the corner of his eye, his face closing in on the side of her face as five months of thoughts and feelings bubbled to the surface.

  He whispered against her ear, the words not stopping to be filtered or held back. “I want to keep him,” he said softly, his hands squeezing a little tighter on her right hip. He pulled back, the grin unfaltering, as he stared with hope at his lover. Elijah could be theirs.

  It took him a moment to realize how scared or shocked she looked, her brown eyes wide. She stammered on a few words, or was that all in his head? Maybe he had drank too much.

  “What?” she whispered, stepping to loosen his grip a little. She looked down at their connected bodies before meeting his gaze again, her head shaking. “Henley, we can’t.”

  The smile was still there, but it had fallen some. He flashed her more teeth before adding, cheekily “We can. He’s right here.” He placed his hand on her stomach and rubbed it tenderly. “You’re raising him.”

  Everly’s hand laid on top of his, and she gave him a look that was almost sobering, “Henley, we agreed to all of the stipulations, and changing our mind was one of the terms.”

  Henley felt his heart thud in his chest, skipping a beat or two as the image of their future was crushed before his eyes. He pursed his lips and averted his gaze away from his girlfriend’s. “I don’t want someone else to have him. We made him. He’s our baby.”

  Her words were gentle, their hands still covering the being they spoke of, “Why didn’t you say something sooner, Henley?”

  “I don’t—“ Henley started before he dragged his free hand down over his mouth, leaving it to fall to his side. He groaned. “I’m not worthy of being a father, but it doesn’t stop the desire to try anyways. Raising a baby with you…” He paused and stepped back awkwardly. “Raising a baby with you would be the best thing that ever happened to me.”