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The Sweet Life	By : jai Category: Individual Celebrities > Athlete/Sports Misc Views: 8241 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. I do not know the people written about in this fanfiction. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 43
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April 17, 2013 Philadelphia, PA

Michael unpacked another box of toys onto the bookcase and reached for the next box only to realize that there were no more. Finally! Breaking down the boxes only took a few minutes and he wasn’t surprised to run into Ian in the ‘box room’ A.K.A. the foyer.

“How’s it going in the kitchen?”

“I’m all done, how about you?”

“The playroom is also done. What’s next?”

“I think we’re done with this load.”

Michael heaved a sigh of relief and leaned against the wall. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. Now we just have to actually move in and just in time since the crew will start at our house shortly.”

Michael took Ian’s hand and pulled him into the living room and down onto the couch. “Let’s spend a couple of minutes enjoying the feeling here before we head back up the hill.”

“All right.”

Michael scooted over, put his head in Ian’s lap and stretched his legs out. “Will you play with my hair for a while?”

“Of course.” Ian said and proceeded to do so. “You look tired and you haven’t been sleeping well.”

“I know.”

“Is it the house?”

“No. It took longer than we expected but I’m happy with the plans and we really didn’t get too much trouble from the neighbors or the zoning people. It’s going to be really nice when it’s done.”

“That it will be. Is it work?”

“No, that’s actually been going well. Oh, I’m not going to make you go through the whole list. You know what’s bothering me. I want to know if we’re pregnant or not.”

Ian ran his hand soothingly over Michael’s furrowed brow. “It’s only been a couple of weeks. They won’t call until the pregnancy is confirmed by a doctor.”

“I know but the waiting is frustrating. I want to call them every day but I don’t want to be a pest.”

“I don’t think Kim and Paul would mind. Have you already called them this week?”

“I called on Monday so I’m trying to wait until tomorrow to space things out a bit. They may be having a baby for us but they have their own lives.”

“That’s true.”

Michael cracked an eye open and peered up at Ian. “Aren’t you anxious too?”

“Yes. I’ve been tempted to pick up the phone myself but I haven’t for the same reasons you haven’t. You know we’ll probably hear something next week.”

“I know but this is worse then waiting to hear about Chris. I felt more comfortable bugging her.”

Ian chuckled softly. “I’m going to tell her you said that.”

“She already knows since I still bug her all the time.” Michael said then yawned hugely. “I guess the lack of sleep is catching up to me.”

“Then why don’t you take a little nap? We’ve got an hour or so before we should head home.”

“Okay but wake me up in an hour.” Michael said as he grabbed a pillow and moved down a little. “There, now you’re not trapped.”

“Thank you. Close your eyes, love.”

Ian continued stroking Michael’s hair and was pleased when Michael drifted off into sleep a few minutes later. The past few months had been hectic but adding sleepless nights on top of them had really taken a toll on Michael.

They’d made the final decisions on the remodel with their architect, decided on a contractor, gone through the picky procedure of getting planning approval, purchased the Inn, taken a two week trip to Sydney, packed up their entire household and then there was the whole surrogacy adventure on top of the boys’ adjustment to twice-a-week daycare, Chloe’s schooling and swim meets and Michael starting his job.

Ian felt tired just thinking about it but now that they were on their way to having a new house and a new baby, he felt more relaxed. The same couldn’t be said about Michael, he was only getting more wound up as time went by. Ian could understand that since it was Michael’s sperm involved this time.

That added a whole new level of anxiety and although Ian knew that this wasn’t their only shot, so to speak, and that they could afford to try as many times as they needed, Michael really wanted it to work this time since their first attempt in December hadn’t been successful.

In the end, they’d decided to go through the surrogacy agency for their next child. After a lot of thought, surrogacy for sperm was just not something Ian was comfortable with at this time and then there was all the legal and medical stuff to deal with all on their own since the reputable agencies wouldn’t touch the situation.

Kim, their contracted surrogate from the agency, was already a mother of two and the stepmother of two more. Michael and Ian liked her, her husband Paul and their children and Kim wasn’t even put off by the fact that Michael and Ian already had five children or that they were a gay couple.

The first implant, done right after Christmas, hadn’t been successful so they’d gone back in March. Now it was just a matter of time to see if Kim was pregnant and the suspense was nerve wracking.

Michael snoozed on so Ian carefully got up and went to get some water in the main kitchen. He returned to the living room to find that Michael had turned over and sprawled out; since the house was a bit chilly, Ian picked up the blanket they always kept on the couch and spread it over him. Now that Michael was resting, he had no intention of waking him up.

He left the room again and called the house with his cell phone.

“Hello?”

“Hi Dad. Can you do me a favor?”

“Sure son.”

“Michael’s sacked out on the couch and he needs his rest. Can you and Mum come on down and I’ll come up and get the kids and Gail?”

“Of course. We were just waiting for you to come back. Give us five minutes.”

“Thanks Dad.”

Forty minutes later, Ian helped Robbie and Jamey up the stairs and into the house, holding the door for Chloe, Harry, Liam and Gail. The boys were excited to see their play room and settled in happily while Chloe immediately disappeared into her new room with her lap top to continue working her French homework.

He returned to the minibus to get the final boxes and bags and left them in the foyer to be disbursed later. Michael slept on so Ian gave his mum a hand with dinner, looked over part of Chloe’s French translation and kicked around with the boys and his dad for a while.

At five, he went into the living room, sat back down next to Michael and ran a hand through Michael’s hair. Michael blinked up at him a few minutes later.

“Hey.”

“Hi. How are you feeling?”

“Better. How long did you let me sleep?”

“Four hours but you needed it. Everyone’s here and dinner will be ready in thirty minutes if you want to go freshen up.”

“Yeah that would be great.” Michael said, swinging his leg around and sitting up. He placed a quick kiss on Ian’s cheek as he stood up. “Thanks for letting me take a nap.”

“All part of the Ian Thorpe Signature Service.”

&&

April 20, 2013 Philadelphia, PA

Michael pulled the SUV into Pieter and Grant’s driveway and was about to press the horn when the side door opened and their friends dashed out and got into the backseat.

“Hello Ian, hello Michael!” Pieter said cheerfully. “Isn’t it a wonderful day?”

Michael and Ian looked at the rain splattering the windshield and exchanged a look.

“What have you been smoking?” Ian asked.

“Ian! I do not and have never done drugs! The very idea. Can’t I just be in a good mood?”

Michael caught Grant’s eye roll in the rear view mirror and grinned. “Does this mean someone got laid last night?”

“Laid, what is this laid you are talking about? I am not an egg. Grant and I make mad passionate love; we do not lay down on the job.” Pieter said in a mock huffy voice.

“Uh huh. Are we going grocery shopping or not?”

“We’re going, Michael.” Grant said.

Michael pulled out onto the road and down to the stop sign. “So why are you in such a good mood, Pieter?”

“I just am.” Pieter said after exchanging a look with Grant. The two men were practically buzzing and it didn’t take a genius to see something was up but Michael decided to let them have their privacy.

The same could not be said of Ian. He spent their entire shopping trip trying to tease the information out of them. He wasn’t being obnoxious about it but Ian was definitely on the hunt. Once they got back to the Inn (Michael could not bring himself to call it ‘home’), Grant and Pieter continued standing firm and divulged nothing but clearly, they thought Ian’s shenanigans were amusing.

The six cooks gathered in the Inn’s kitchen – which was definitely big enough for all of them and looked over their meal assignments for the week. It was Michael’s turn for fish, Gail and Grant got vegetarian, Pieter and Margaret’s assignments were chicken and Ian drew the meat dish.

They had previously turned in their projected recipes to Ian the week before so he could collate their ingredients for the grocery list and they had the collective preparation down pat. They sorted out the various duties and got down to work but that didn’t mean they did it silently. They caught up on each others’ weeks, discussed the current events or local gossip and generally picked on each other.

Ian discreetly kept up his campaign of nosiness until Margaret told him to mind his own business and stop being a pest. Grant’s smirk at Margaret’s slap down earned him a motherly reminder about manners and after that, they were all on their best behavior until Pieter ‘accidentally’ lobbed a slice of carrot at Michael and almost set off a food fight.

Margaret sighed in fond exasperation and shook her head. “You boys will never change.”

“You wouldn’t want us to, Mum.” Ian said, giving her his best ‘choirboy’ smile.

They all paused when one of the boys started crying down the hall so Michael put his knife down and wiped his hands off.

“I’ll go.”

A minute later he reappeared with a teary Liam in his arms.

“What’s wrong?” Ian asked with concern as he washed his hands.

“He bonked his head on the Lego table.”

Liam nodded and pointed to his head.

“Aw. Let me see the boo-boo.”

“Pa, me owie.” Liam said as Ian examined his noggin.

“I heard. Oh, that’s an owie all right. Do you want me to kiss it and make it better?”

Liam leaned forward so Ian could bestow a healing kiss and then had to get kisses from everyone else just to make sure he would heal properly.

“Da me go Har?” Liam asked, all better.

“You want to go finish drawing with Harry?”

“Yep.”

“Okay.”

Michael returned Liam to the playroom and came back to the kitchen. “That was a big injury, it took eleven kisses.”

“I didn’t feel a bump.”

“Ken said he didn’t hit it hard and the table only weighs a couple of pounds. I think having the Lego pieces fall on him was a bit scary.”

“That it explains it. What are he and Harry drawing?”

“It looks like a reinterpretation of ‘Venus Rising’.” Michael said and then grinned at the looks he got. “They’re eighteen months old and its lots of little scribbles on the chalkboard table. Chloe’s trying to teach them the alphabet in French and she may be having some success but it’s hard to tell since they don’t even know the English alphabet yet.”

“They are a rather hard sell in that department. Mum, your chicken stock is boiling.”

“Thanks dear. Grant, you needed parsley?”

“Yes, a fourth of a cup.”

Their traditional Saturday lunch was easy to make – sandwiches of different varieties. The older folk had deli meats and cheeses and the boys and Chloe had peanut butter and jelly. They ate in the dining room and the discussion turned to the upcoming wedding.

“I think we’re all set. The bus will pick everyone up at ten thirty, the civil service is at eleven fifteen and then we will return to the hotel for a small luncheon party at twelve thirty. In between the civil ceremony and luncheon, we will be stopping off at a special location for the wedding. Unless it is raining and then we’ll do the wedding part at the hotel.” Pieter said as he reached over and stroked Grant’s arm. “We aren’t having a religious blessing so we can be flexible.”

“The hotel is in Eindhoven?” Ian asked.

“Yes, the Mandarin Park. We reserved adjoining rooms for you and they will provide the cribs. Ken and Margaret will be across the hall and Chloe and Gail are on the other side of the boys.”

“And where will you be, Grant?”

“Pieter and I are staying at the apartment in Geldrop. Robert and Sabine are clearing out while we’re there and staying at the hotel.”

“What, you’re not having the traditional night apart?”

Pieter snorted. “Hardly. First off, we don’t need to go out for one last hurrah and secondly, I wouldn’t put it past you to try something funny that night.”

“Pieter, I would never do anything to ruin your wedding!”

“My wedding, no. Grant’s wedding? In a heart beat.”

Ken started laughing. “I think he’s got your number, Ian.”

Ian tossed his napkin aside and put on a look of outrage. “Dad, you’re supposed to defend me.”

“It’s very hard to defend you when we all know you probably would have done something.”

“That’s true. Didn’t you once threaten to put itching powder in my Speedo on my wedding day?” Grant asked.

“I was much younger and very immature in those days and why would you be wearing your Speedo at your wedding? It was a hollow threat.”

“In those days?” Pieter questioned.

“Michael, are you just going to let them pick on me like this?” Ian asked.

The phone rang before Michael could answer and he quickly stood up. “I’ll get it!”

“And Michael is saved by the bell.” Grant quipped.

A moment later, Ian could hear Michael saying something with an excited note in his voice and Ian rose from the table. “I’ll be right back.”

He arrived in the kitchen just as Michael called for him. “I’m right here.”

“That was Kim on the phone.” Michael said with a big grin.

Ian noticing that Michael still had the phone in his hand, grinned back. “And?”

Michael bounced a couple of times and probably would have danced if Ian wasn’t standing right in front of him. “We’re having a baby.”

“That’s fantastic!” Ian enveloped Michael in a big hug and they both bounced around for a minute. He only stopped when he heard something coming from the telephone receiver that was smushed up against his neck. “Michael, is Kim still on the phone?”

“Huh? Oh heck!” Michael moved his arm from around Ian’s shoulder and put the handset up to his ear. “Kim? I’m sorry! What? Yes, he’s very excited too. What did the doctor say? Okay. Sure. All right. Yes, we’ll talk to you on Tuesday. Bye.” Michael hung up the phone and turned to Ian. “She did the stick test on Tuesday and it was positive so she went in to the doctor yesterday. Dr. Phillips called her ten minutes ago. Definitely pregnant!”

Ian bounced around with Michael again before he brought them to a halt. “So she’s due in December?”

“Yep, December eighteenth. Allison and Kristen were both early though so Dr. Phillips said it might be the first or second week of December.”

Michael wrapped his arms around Ian again and leaned in for a kiss. The kiss turned a little steamy and the only thing that stopped Ian from dragging Michael to their bedroom was the thought that everyone else was still in the dining room. He pulled his lips away from Michael’s and buried his face in Michael’s tantalizing neck.

“Michael love. We can’t do this now.”

Michael sighed and ran his hands along Ian’s waist. “I know but I’m feeling bad that I haven’t been in the mood the last couple of weeks.”

“Because of the waiting?”

“That and the fact that it took two times. I thought there might be something wrong with me; we were so lucky with the boys and Chloe – well, that was one time too. Logically I know it could have been a lot of factors but emotionally, it was kind of rough.”

Ian took a deep breath and slid his hands up to cup Michael’s face. “I figured it was something like that.”

With a soft smile on his face, Michael stole a kiss and looked into Ian’s eyes. “Because you always understand me. I know we’re not out of the woods yet. Things could happen in the next eight months or after the baby is born. It’s a risky thing but I guess I’m being a typical guy here because I feel better knowing I can do my part.”

“I never had any doubt you could, love. So here’s the question: are we telling anyone yet?”

“I don’t know. We didn’t really have to tell anyone about the boys since everyone knew what we were doing. What do you think?”

“I say we wait until after the wedding but we should definitely tell Chloe and our parents first followed by Gail, Pieter and Grant then everyone else.”

“Okay.” Michael took them on a little bouncy dance around the room. “Now that I’ve got that out of my system, let’s go back and act normal.”

Ian followed Michael into the dining room and noticed how Michael’s whole body seemed to bubble along. Then he spotted his parents and Grant and Pieter sharing looks once they caught sight of Michael. Oh yes, it was going to be so easy for them to act normally.

&&&

May 8, 2013 Philadelphia Airport

Ian ushered the herd of toddlers into the lounge and saw from the winces of the business people in the area that many of them were hoping that the Thorpe-Phelps children were not on their flight.

As the boys had flown very well to Sydney, Ian wasn’t worried, ignored the looks with aplomb and kept the boys following Ken, Margaret and Chloe and the hostess. One advantage to flying British Airways in business class was the pre-flight meal service and Ian fully intended to partake – feeding the boys now would be much easier than feeding them later.

While he and Gail took care of getting the boys situated in the high chairs the airline provided for them, the hostess took their drink orders and left. Just as their drinks arrived, Michael, Pieter and Grant showed up with their carryon luggage and took the extra seats.

“How was the baggage check in?” Ken asked.

“It was fast considering we aren’t dragging so much stuff along this time. I guess our trip to Sydney was a learning experience.”

“What? That you didn’t need to take the whole house with you? My back is still aching from taking you to the airport.” Pieter said.

“That’s odd as I don’t remember you even getting out of the bus.” Ian retorted.

“That’s because I spent an hour loading it.”

Michael rolled his eyes at their antics and turned to Chloe who was writing in a notebook. “What are you working on, sweetie?”

“Mr. Vance said I needed to turn in a report about our trip. I already looked up some information about Eindhoven on the internet so I’m taking notes on what to look for.”

“That’s enterprising of you.”

“Well it’s a silly report. Almost all the things he wanted were on the internet so it’s not like I really have to wait to do it.” She looked up at Michael’s frown and added, “But I won’t write it until we’re back. It’s not due until next Friday and I do need to verify things.”

“Okay.”

Their pre-ordered meal arrived and after the boys ate, their fathers took them into the bathroom to wash up and change into their pajamas. They still had over forty minutes before their flight started boarding and much to the distress of their fellow travelers, the boys ran a little wild.

However, once they were on board and put into their special toddler cots they settled right down and even had to be carried off the plane at Heathrow because they weren’t quite awake. Neither was Ian so they came by that naturally.

They had almost two hours before the connecting flight to Amsterdam in the British Airways Lounge. Ian felt much better after some coffee and then noticed that the boys were also waking up. He also noticed that Michael was standing up and gathering their carry on bags.

“Where are you going?”

“We are going to the spa. You and I are going for a therapy showers along with Gail and Chloe, uh all in separate stalls of course. Margaret, Ken, Grant and Pieter will go for their treatments when we get back but you guys will have to decide who gets what.”

“Michael, when you arrange this?” Margaret asked.

“I called once we had our reservations and made the appointments. Do you guys mind watching the boys for a half hour?”

“Of course not. Is that all it will take?” Pieter asked.

“So they said.”

Ian didn’t need to be invited twice and twenty minutes later, stepped out of a refreshing eucalyptus shower and after drying off on the lush towels, dressed in the fresh clothing that Michael had so thoughtfully packed. The man was still spoiling him and Ian had to admit that he loved the way it made him feel.

He walked out to the reception area to find Michael waiting for him. “Where are Gail and Chloe?”

“They went back to the lounge. How did it feel?”

“Wonderful.” Ian said, giving Michael a little kiss. “You always have the greatest ideas.”

“Yeah well I’ve been a little short of surprises lately. Shall we get back?”

“Okay but for the record, I’m surprised every time I look over at you and realize how lucky I am that we’re together.”

“Aw Ian. I love you too.”

&&

Their second flight, from London to Amsterdam, was not as peaceful since the boys were wide awake and wanted a little more activity. Although Ian didn’t like it, he finally bowed to the inevitable and let the boys pile into two seats and turned on the video screen. There was a child appropriate cartoon playing and it instantly fascinated them.

“Ian, an hour of a cartoon isn’t going to ruin them forever.” Michael said as he sat down on the other side of the boys.

“Says the man who still watches cartoons every Saturday.”

“And I’m perfect so there you go. Oh, I haven’t seen this episode.”

Ian couldn’t help smiling ruefully as Michael happily squeezed in with the boys. He reached into his bag and pulled out the juice boxes, making sure Michael got one too.

&&

May 9, 2013 Eindhoven, the Netherlands

Michael collapsed on their hotel room bed and then had to sit up to help the boys get on it. He was exhausted from traveling for the last day and a half and all he wanted was a nap.

“Da, where Pa?”

“Pa’s getting our luggage Harry. Are you guys ready for your naps?”

Robbie climbed over his legs. “No nap!”

His brothers agreed but Michael could tell they were running out of steam. Well he hoped so anyway.

“Da, play wif wes.” Liam said, tugging on his shirt.

“You want me to play with you?”

“Yep.”

“What do you want to play?”

Liam looked over at the TV sitting in the corner. “Toons?”

“Oh no. Pa would have my bu- how about a story?”

When Ian and Grant entered the room twenty minutes later he found his husband and sons sprawled out across the bed, all lightly snoring in different keys.

Grant gave Ian a soft bop on arm and helped Ian unload the luggage cart as quietly as possible. “They’re all so cute like that, even the big one.”

“I believe you have your own big one in the lobby. Thanks for helping with the bags.”

“Well I couldn’t let you do it all alone. We’ll see you around five for dinner.”

Ian returned the arm bop and closed the door behind Grant, locking it carefully. He’d already made sure his parents, Chloe and Gail were settled in and the yawn that sprang from his lips gave him a reason to join his boys on the bed.

**
May 11, 2013 Eindhoven, the Netherlands

The weather on morning of the Hackett-van den Hoogenband nuptials was slightly overcast and a little humid. Rain was in the forecast for later that day but Pieter and Grant didn’t seem worried as they hung around Michael and Ian’s suite.

The grooms and their best men were wearing navy suit trousers and white shirts – their coats and various ties hanging in closet while they got the boys dressed in their little navy jackets, white button down shirts and khaki pants. Ian had given up on the idea of putting ties on them – Jamey had torn his off the second Ian turned his back – and he decided he’d be happy if they were all wearing shoes at this point.

Finally the boys were done and Ian took a moment to straighten his clothes up before catching Michael’s eye across the room. Michael nodded and went over to one of their bags and pulled out two long flat boxes.

“Grant, Pieter. I know you two said you didn’t want gifts but Michael and I wanted to get you something for the wedding.”

Michael handed each of them a box and brushed aside their protests. “You don’t have to wear these today but we thought they’d be a nice touch for your first day as a married couple.”

Grant opened his box and stared down at the tie that was revealed. It was a beautiful tie with a navy background with what looked like hand painted red and white scribbles. He looked over at Pieter who looked just as befuddled at his identical tie.

“Guys, follow the red squiggles and then follow the white ones.” Ian said with a laugh as he buttoned Harry’s shirt again.

Pieter was the first one to get it. “They’re lower case ‘g’s and ‘p’s. Ian, Michael these are wonderful and of course we’ll wear them.”

Pieter stood up and hugged Ian as Grant hugged Michael then they switched off before Grant went over to the mirror and tried his tie on.

“Nice. Thank you guys.”

“Very nice.” Pieter said in appreciation as he tried to edge in around Grant to put his own tie on.

There was a knock on the door and Michael went over to open it, stopping to admire Chloe in her navy knee length dress with white trim. She was also wearing her first pair of real nylons and quarter inch heels.

“You look great, Chloe.” Michael said as he kissed her cheek.

“Thanks Daddy. I have everyone’s flower and can Papa do my braid?” Chloe asked as she handed over the florist’s boxes.

“Come on in, we’re all decent.”

“Speak for yourself, Michael.” Grant said with a grin. “Chloe, that dress is perfect on you.”

“Thanks Uncle Grant.” Chloe sat down on the edge of the bed and held up the brush to Ian who was just staring at her. “Papa, are you okay?”

Ian shook his head as if to clear it and finally took the brush, “Chloe, you look so grown up. How shall we do your hair?”

“Pull back the top in a French braid?” Chloe replied, looking pleased at the compliments.

“That will look good.”

Ian quickly brushed out her hair and got to work as Grant pinned their boutonnières onto their coats and Michael and Pieter got the boys’ hair brushed.

&&

At the reception later that day, Ian watched as Grant and Pieter took their first dance as a married couple and couldn’t help reaching over and putting his hand in Michael’s. Michael responded with a smile and inched his chair over a little, careful not to wake up Harry.

“They look so happy.” Michael said.

“Because they are. And I’m happy for them.”

“So am I. I hope their marriage is just as wonderful as ours is although since neither one of them is married to you, I find it hard to believe it will be.”

“Ooh. You smooth talker. Want to push a couple of chairs together for the tots and hit the dance floor.”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

&&

June 20, 2013 Philadelphia, PA

Michael pulled in front of Amanda’s house and got out of the car to knock on the door but stopped halfway up the driveway when Chloe, Patricia and Meghan seemed to erupt from the house with their bags in tow, giggling their butts off.

“Hey girls. What’s going on?”

The girls exchanged looks and said at the same time, “Nothing!”

Rolling his eyes, Michael reversed direction and got into the car as the girls clambered into the back. School had been out for a week and last night had been the first sleepover of the summer. Obviously, they’d been up to something and he made a mental note to call Amanda’s mom and make sure it wasn’t anything damaging. Once he’d dropped the other girls off, he asked Chloe if she wanted to go out for an early dinner.

“Why?”

“Because we have some stuff to talk about but nothing bad. So, do you want to go?”

Chloe gave him an uneasy look but nodded her head. “Where are we going?”

“How about the new taco place in Manayunk?”

“Okay.”

&&

Michael waited until after they ordered before opening the conversation. His daughter had been very quiet over the last forty minutes and he didn’t want to make her wait any longer.

“Papa and I were down in Maryland today.”

“Are the grandfolks okay?”

“Yes. See here’s the thing. You know how much Papa and I love you and the boys and well, we’re going to have another baby. Uh, two actually.”

Chloe set her drink down and stared at him. “Did you get Aunt Hilary or Aunt Whitney pregnant?”

The people sitting behind Chloe jumped and the woman actually turned around to stare at them. Michael smiled politely and gave her a look that plainly told her to mind her own business; it must have been a hell of a look because she whipped right back around.

“No sweetie. We found a really nice lady who wanted to help us expand our family.”

“Oh. So why didn’t you ask the aunts like you asked Aunt Chris?”

“Because they’re having kids of their own right now and we didn’t ask Aunt Chris; she offered. Anyway, Papa and I are pretty excited about the twins. Do you want to see a picture?”

“Uh huh. Wait, twins? Two more babies? Dad, aren’t four babies enough? You can tell me, you and Papa are addicted to diapers aren’t you?” Chloe said with mock concern before breaking out in giggles.

“Ha ha, very funny. So do you want to see the picture or not?” Michael asked, holding out the copy.

“Okay.” Chloe took it and looked at it for a moment before screwing up her face and turning it around. “What am I supposed to see?”

Michael put the picture on the table and using his finger, pointed out the particulars. “See that’s Baby A’s head and that’s Baby B’s head. Those are their arms and their legs are down here.”

“I see. Are they boys or girls?”

“We don’t know yet. We think this one here is a boy but it’s hard to tell for sure at this point.”

“Can you tell if they’re identical like the boys?”

“Not yet.”

“Do you know the lady who is having them?”

“Her name’s Kim. She lives down near Washington.”

“Will I get to meet her?”

“Sure you can. She’s going to come to our cookout next month with her husband and kids.”

“She has kids?”

“Yep. Four of them. Two boys and two girls; her daughter Allison is about your age.”

“Where did you meet her?”

“Through the surrogacy agency.”

“When are the babies coming?”

“Between Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

“Have you told Nana and Granda yet?”

“Nope, you’re the first person we’ve told. We’re going down to visit your grandparents in Maryland tomorrow and we’re going to tell everyone else then. So you’re okay about this?”

“Sure. You and Papa said you wanted more babies.” Chloe said with a shrug then grinned. “Now I know why you and Papa wanted to make the house bigger. Uncle Grant said you were just being crazy.”

“Uncle Grant might be right.”

&&
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The Sweet Life