Work Text:
Henry's pov
It's 3 am and someone appears to be knocking on Henry's door like their life depends on it.
He opens the door slightly and immediately his boyfriend storms in.
Henry closes the door behind him, surprised, yet happy to see him.
"Hi, love, I didn't know we had any plans tonight, don't you have court tomorrow morning at 8? That's in a couple of hours, love", he says mildly concerned.
"She's pregnant. She's fucking pregnant", Alex yells out as he throws himself onto Henry's couch.
Henry closes the door.
"Whose pregnant, love? June? She's almost 30, darling. I'd hardly think it's such a crime. It certainly doesn't explain why you knocked on my door 37 times like a madman at arse o'clock in the morning."
"Not June, Aisha", Alex groans.
Henry looks at him confused. "Who is that, love? And why does it bother you so much? Also, don't take this the wrong way, but you don't look so good, dear."
Alex groans into one of Henry's pillows. "No kidding. I think I ran 3 red lights on my way to your place. I drove so fast my ears hurt since I had the window down in case I had to throw up.'
Henry frowns as he goes to pour them two glasses of water. 'That isn't something you should share with people who care about you, my love.'
Alex shrugs. "Sorry, but I'm fine. I didn't drive into a tree or hit someone.'
Henry sighs. "That doesn't excuse reckless driving, dear. Please promise me you're not going to do it again. Or I'll steal your carkeys."
Alex sighs. "Yeah, okay, I won't, sorry. I just- I just needed to see you.'
Henry frowns. "You could have called me love, I'd have preferred it if you called me and asked me to come over rather than that you drove in this state. You know I'd have come if you called.'
Alex nods. "Okay, I'll do that next time, sorry.'
Henry nods too as he hands Alex his glass of water. "Good, now are you going to tell me why this Aisha woman being pregnant made you drive to my home like a reckless moran without a driver's license? At an ungodly hour?"
Alex sighs. "Right, yes. So I was hungry and a little dizzy from studying for seven thousand hours with no break. I mean I ate dinner but that was like 6 hours ago. So I went to the 24/7 grocery store to grab a protein bar because I had nothing at home because I was too busy to study... And I ran into Aisha who was there to grab a late-night pregnancy snack. You don't even want to know what weird ass food combination she was craving. So anyway, I was like. "hey Aisha, congratulations on the baby , because she was very much showing, who is the lucky guy?" And she looks me dead in the eye and goes "you" . So I-'
Henry drops his glass of water abruptly as his whole world comes crashing down. "You- You're the father of her baby?" He asks in disbelief.
As he feels the glass slip he can only think of one thing;
Alex is messing with him, right?
That's got to be it, kind of a rude prank, but he'll forgive him because it's Alex.
Alex chuckles and nods. "Exactly my reaction, baby.'
Henry stares at him bewildered. "Baby? Sod off with your baby!" , he hisses.
This can't be happening, Alex was supposed to be different of all the blokes that broke his heart before.
Alex frowns. "What are you talking about Hen?"
Henry scoffs. "You're not being serious?' He asks holding on to tiny bit of hope that this is all just a stupid joke.
Alex sighs. "I am, but I get it I was shocked too."
"That's a bloody understatement', Henry hisses.
Alex nods as he sips his water, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Henry is mad at him rather than simply processing the information.
Why the hell did he expect Henry to be calm about this?
Alex sighs. "I know, tell me about it. Oh be careful there, babe. We should probably clean up the glass before you step in it.'
Henry groans. "So what you came here at arse o'clock to tell me you've got a kid on the way?' He hisses disgusted.
Alex nods slowly. "I know this is a lot but, Yes, pretty much. So I asked Aisha what she was planning on doing with the pregnancy, I am obviously all for pro-choice, Kind of hard not to be pro-choice when you were raised in a household with strong independent woman but she can no longer-'
Henry sighs. "Is she having an abortion?'"
He doesn't know why he's asking, it's not like he'd stay with a cheater regardless of whether there'd be a kid around as proof of the infidelity.
He's always known he wouldn't, always promised himself he had too much respect for himself to do that.
But it's Alex.
Even though they've only been together for half a year Henry had been so sure his future would have Alex in it, that he reshaped all his fantasies around this beautiful man who cannonballed into his life and changed it for the better.
And now he's watching it all fall apart right in front of his eyes.
Some part of him still doesn't believe it.
He knows Alex, knows they have the same morals and boundaries, and knows how much Alex loves and respects him, none of that fits into what's happening here.
Or rather what Alex claims happened.
There has got to be another explanation for what's going on.
Maybe Henry is dreaming.
That could be it, maybe this is a nightmare.
Maybe he never woke up at 3 am to Alex banging his door down to tell him the woman he'd cheated on Henry with is pregnant.
A nightmare, That's got to be what's going on.
As if on cue Alex shakes his head. "No, it's way too late for an abortion, they can't abort a pregnancy at this stage. But she never wanted an abortion in the first place. I gotta say I am happy about that, not in an I am against woman's rights to get an abortion way but in an I kind of want to meet the babies that I've known about for 4 whole seconds way. 'So that brings me back to asking Aisha what she's going to do with the pregnancy. Like... if she was going to raise the kids by herself and If she'd be interested in co-parenting and stuff. Which is fucking crazy, If you told me yesterday that I was going to suggest co-parenting with a woman I had a one-night stand with... or honestly even think about kids at age 24, now that I am just starting my law career and you're just finally getting where you want to be in your writing career I'd have told you you were insane. But here we are. So anyway-'
Henry glares at him. "You honestly expect me to raise this baby with you?"
Alex frowns. "I don't expect you to do anything, babe. I just wanted to talk about our options and what this means for us going forward. Aisha just started her surgical residency so she's not interested in raising a baby right now and she never wanted to be a mom in the first place. So she's placing her or I guess our babies up for adoption. Unless I want full custody rights. Yes, she actually offered them to me, just like that. Which is a fucking insane conversation to have in a grocery store at 2;30 in the morning. But hey, my life ain't never been normal."
"Are you going to take her offer to get full custody?' Henry asks, he doesn't understand why he'd ask.
It shouldn't matter to him.
Not anymore.
Not after finding out his entire relationship with Alex had been a lie, and certainly not if this is all just a dream, but he finds himself caring regardless.
Alex bites his lip. "I would never make such a big life-changing decision without discussing it with my life partner first, babe. That's why I came here right away, but I am thinking about it, yes. I mean I know we want kids one day, but I certainly never planned to have kids this young and this early on in my career. And I know you didn't either. Not to mention that we only have a tiny time frame to make this huge decision, because Aisha wants the babies to be adopted by birth. But I am thinking about it yes. I don't think I'd feel good about the fact that there are kids of mine out there who might end up in bad foster homes or might get adopted into a racist home or whatever. Although I assume racist people aren't going to adopt kids that are half Mexican-American and half Nigerian. My point is I'd feel guilty if I let strangers adopt my kids just to become a father in a few years. If I knew I didn't want kids like Aisha does, it'd be a different conversation. But I know I want kids, that we want kids, so it feels wrong to give the kids up just to start a family in a few years from now. And honestly, I am excited to meet these mini versions of me if I am honest. You've been super quiet, baby. I know this is a lot and I don't expect you to be on board or anything. But can I ask what your thoughts are on all this?"
Alex's pov
It's only now that Henry finally makes eye contact with him that Alex realizes Henry looks angry, disgusted maybe even.
Alex frowns. "Why do you look mad, baby? You're not going to lecture me about safe sex, are you? Because we used a condom, sometimes these things just happen.'
"Why are you mad he asks as if he doesn't know and I fucking told you to stop calling me baby', Henry hisses at him.
Alex frowns. "Why? You love that pet name.'
Henry scoffs. "Well, I don't right now, not when I just found out that everything it represented was a bloody lie.'
Alex looks up at him confused. "What are you talking about? What was a lie? Literally, what did I lie about?"
He'd never lie to Henry, what is he talking about?
Henry scoffs again. "I can not believe how wrong I was about you. In fact, I am so shocked I am half expecting to find a video camera in my apartment, and for you to scream "gotcha it's a prank, baby". Because you're always going on about wanting to start a couple prank war channel. And The other part of me is expecting to wake up from this nightmare, because I have a hard time believing you'd actually do this to me. And I'd like to think you'd at the very least feel guilty about it if you'd really done this to me.'
Alex frowns. "What do you mean with Done this to you? What do I have to feel guilty for? Why are you acting like I did something unforgivable? I didn't do anything wrong! Oh.. Are you referring to me Waking you up at 3 am? I am sorry about that, I just wanted to talk to you right away. You were the first person I wanted to tell. You'll always be the first person I want to talk to when something huge happens to me whether it's good or bad. Now are you going to tell me what I lied about according to you? and why you're telling me I can't call you baby? And why you're mad at me?"
"Bloody Hell, Alex. Stop being cute and Stop avoiding the elephant in the room!" Henry screams.
Alex tilts his head confused. "Why are you yelling at me? I thought you and I didn't do that. And why are you accusing me again? What am I avoiding? I told you I hadn't made a decision yet, not without talking to you first. If I wanted to get the full custody rights it would not just affect my future but also our future-'
"What gave you the bloody delusional idea that I'd be okay with all of this or any of this for that matter", Henry hisses.
Alex frowns again. "What is that supposed to mean? I told you I didn't practice unsafe sex and it was ofcourse consensual, so I don't understand why you're putting the blame on me, what do you have to be okay with- oh.. oh fuck...I know my loving boyfriend, who I just all but asked to start a family with me, didn't just make a biphobic comment to me. You know I am bisexual. So I don't know what the fuck you're talking about", Alex hisses back.
Henry's pov
Henry scoffs. "Yes, Alex, that's the part I can't handle. The you being bisexual and knocking up a girl part of this story is the part that upsets me, not the fact that you fucked someone else behind my back, and don't even seem to feel guilty about it, but the fact that the person who you cheated on me with was a woman instead of a man", he deadpans.
And to think he wanted to spent the rest of his life with this man.
Alex stands up abruptly and his face changes completely.
Henry realizes instantly that Alex is angry.
Really angry.
Good. That makes two of them.
"What the hell did you just say to me?" Alex spits out.
Henry frowns, how did the situation do a 180 and turn into Alex being the one who gets to feel betrayed, hurt, and angry?
Alex has never yelled at him before and look... Henry gets that he doesn't like to be accused of cheating, if Alex accused him of cheating he'd also be offended and hurt.
And it's not like he would have ever expected Alex would do something so cruel...but it's not like the timelines leave him with another concussion to draw.
After all, you can't get someone else pregnant without cheating, and if the baby hasn't been born yet and they only just found out about the pregnancy.. and Henry and Alex have been together for 6 months..well you do the math.
"How dare you look me in the eye and accuse me of cheating on you?" Alex snaps when Henry stays quiet.
Henry goes to say something but Alex interrupts him.
"The fucking audacity, what do you see me as? I literally fucking love you and when I heard I was becoming a dad my first thought was "omg, I can start a family with Hen. I should start looking at engagement rings." Despite us having only been together for 6 months. And this whole time you thought I woke you up at 3 am to tell you that not only I cheated on you? Which ew...But that I also wanted to raise the babies my infidelity resulted in with you? Without as much as an apology or even an acknowledgment that I cheated on you? Jesus, Henry, how much of a fucking horrible human being do you think I am? You honestly believed I woke you up and stormed in in here to tell you I had sex with someone else, a few weeks ago and then asked you to raise that secret love child with me?"
Henry frowns. "What else was I supposed to think? We've been together for 6 months."
Alex rolls his eyes at him. "Someone needs to go back to biology class then, Jesus. Unless a baby is born premature, pregnancy typically lasts 9 months, Henry, which I hope you knew already."
Henry sighs. "Yes, obviously that isn't new information to me, but you said she just found out she's pregnant tonight. That usually means she's somewhere in the first few weeks of her pregnancy."
Alex gives him a dirty look.
"Wow, you clearly didn't listen to a word I said. Don't twist my words like that. I didn't say she just found out she's pregnant, I said I just found out she's pregnant. Those are two very different things. I mean I know some people find out a little later in their pregnancy but I assume she's known for a while given she's very much showing and you know almost 8 and a half months pregnant."
Henry bites his lip. "Oh."
8 and a half months...
Alex and him have only been dating for 6.
So he did unfairly accuse Alex of infidelity then.
Well, that makes sense he didn't think Alex was the cheating type, he does feel guilty now though.
Alex rolls his eyes at him again. "Oh", he mocks. "It's so surprising that Alex didn't cheat on me. Guess he's not so terrible after all, what a fucking plot twist", he deadpans in an awful British accent.
Henry stares at the ground as the weight of his accusation hits him.
Oh god, what did he just do?
What if he just permanently ruined Alex's trust?
Infidelity is one hell of an offensive accusation.
How is he going to come back from this?
He bites his lip. "I am sorry, I should have given you the benefit of the doubt. It's not like I don't trust you, I just assumed she'd have told you as soon as she found out about the pregnancy. That's on me for assuming."
Alex sighs. "Well, she didn't tell me when she found out, she couldn't really, she didn't have my phone number, she didn't even know my last name. She left my place, after the hookup, before I woke up. And I told you it was too late for an abortion so I don't know why you thought that meant she was 4 weeks pregnant or something. And don't even get me started on why the fuck or rather how the fuck you thought I could ever hurt, betray, dismiss, and disrespect you like that".
Guilt flashes through Henry.
"I am so sorry for assuming, I am. I know this doesn't excuse it, but I honestly don't know the timeline for how long someone can have an abortion. I am all for pro-choice but I never looked into the details of abortion protocol. I thought maybe the deadline was.. like that you could have an abortion until 2 months after the pregnancy started? That would have still given you a time frame to- never mind that, I am really sorry for ever even going there in my mind. But...by the way, if she knew where you lived she could have come over to tell you she was pregnant earlier", Henry points out.
Alex sighs. "She probably did, babe. She said she went over like 4 times but I was never home. Which I believe, because I am practically always at your place when I am not at work."
Henry bites his lip. "Right."
Alex sighs and joins him on the couch. "I am sorry that went the way it did. We both said some things we shouldn't have. I don't like that you accused me of that, but I should have been more clear from the get-go. Can I hug you, baby?"
Henry nods.
Alex sighs and draws him closer. "I am so sorry for not being more clear. I probably should have started the conversation with the fact that she's 8 months pregnant not 8 weeks. I feel like a dick although you did hurt my feelings as well.'
"Just a tiny detail", Henry teases softly before nuzzling closer into his arms, Thank Christ he didn't lose this tonight.
Alex chuckles softly. "I am sorry, I was in the wrong. I should have started the conversation by being clear about the fact that the one-night stand happened back when I was still single. I just assumed you'd know I'd never cheat on you, so it didn't even cross my mind that I needed to clarify that. Now looking back at it I feel like a fucking idiot for not immediately telling you she is 8 months pregnant. Not 6 weeks. I am sorry. It was just a lot you know. I was- still am incredibly overwhelmed. We only have about 2 weeks to make a decision because she wants the adoption to happen immediately after she's given birth. So I was stressed and maybe also a little excited. And overwhelmed. My mind is racing you know? I just needed to tell you, immediately. You were the first person I told. Telling you was the only thing on my mind because this affects both of us you know? Because I am so fucking serious about you and me. I just- I didn't want to get my hopes up until I talked to you so that's what was on my mind. I was already planning ten different things. I wasn't even completely present as I talked to you. My mind is all over the place. It's not every day you find out you've got kids on the way. But I should have led the conversation with the fact that I knocked a girl up two months before we met and instantly fell in love. I am sorry, baby, forever making you doubt my love and commitment for you. And for cannonballing into a difficult conversation without providing you with the most important facts."
Henry sighs hugging him back. "Thank you and I am sorry for accusing you of cheating.'
Alex shakes his head. "No, I get it, I should have been more clear from the get-go. I can't believe you listened to my entire rant before you snapped. You were pretty fucking patient for someone who thought they just found out their partner cheated on them and didn't even seem to regret it."
Henry sighs. "I should have known you'd never do that to me. It never made sense in my mind, I just didn't stop to think she may have gotten pregnant before we started dating and simply not told you earlier. And then there is also the fact that our relationship doesn't feel new. So it's an odd thing to think we haven't been together long enough for there to not be a scenario where you got someone pregnant but didn't cheat on me. But again I should have known you'd never do that to me and I should have realized that meant she's more than 6 months pregnant.'
Alex nods. "Yeah, you should have. But I still should have handled the situation differently. And I would have if I'd had some time to process. But I came here right after I found out, I didn't even go back home first. I ate the protein bar in the car while allowing myself 2 minutes of mental breakdown and then I drove here to tell you what just happened. If I'd had more time I'd have known what to say and how I wanted to say it hut I just wanted to talk to you.'
"Can I ask something?" Henry asks nervously.
Alex nods. "Anything, baby, always.'
"You said you'd hooked up with her 8 months ago right?' Henry starts.
Alex groans. "Hen, I didn't fucking cheat on you, I would never.'
"No, I know that, I believe you, that's not what I am asking. I am just wondering- are we certain you're the father?" Henry asks carefully.
Alex shrugs. "I mean it'd be a weird thing to lie about but I've only slept with her once, a little over 8 months ago. So I don't know that much about her. She told me she was really busy with her surgeon residency so she didn't have time to go out/hook up after that. All she did was work/study/sleep until 6 weeks after our hookup she took a pregnancy test after missing her period. So I didn't ask her if she'd been sexually active after that. Didn't feel like it was my place to do so. But she said she'd had her period right before we hooked up and that she didn't have sex with anyone else before she took the pregnancy test. So I am assuming so. But she could obviously be lying to me. I just don't understand why she'd do that if she doesn't want any child support from me or anything like that. But no I am not 100% certain. But if I were to believe her story I'd say yes.'
Henry nods.
"I am sorry to bring this all on you. You don't have to feel obligated to deal with my mess. You were just the only person on my mind when I found out", Alex tells him softly.
"I love how serious you are about us, and I love you, I am sorry for the nasty things I said", Henry says softly.
"Me too. Fucking love you, babe", Alex says as he leans in for a kiss.
Henry interlaced their hands. "So you want us to discuss having her sign the full custody rights Over to you and then having me adopt the baby as well?'
Alex gives him a shy smile. "Well, yes, but I don't want to force anything on you nor do I want to guilttrip you into making decisions you're not ready for.''
Henry smiles back. "Love, It's you. I know you wouldn't do that. And I am a grown adult, I can make my own decisions. It's certainly unexpected, but now that I know the baby wasn't a result of you cheating on me I have to say I don't hate the idea of raising a tiny Alex with you.'
Alex rolls his eyes at him. "I am going to ignore that one part of the sentence because the rest of what you just said was really cute. I don't know if we're ready for that though. I mean if we'd found out earlier, we'd have had some time to make up our minds. But Aisha is already a little over 8 months pregnant we don't have that much time to make to make a decision. And it certainly wasn't part of my 5-year plan. But I'd be lying if I said the image of you holding a tiny baby doesn't excite me. I just don't know if we're ready for that. I mean I feel forever for you, without a fucking doubt, but we've only been together for 6 months.'
Henry hums. "The situation isn't ideal. But if we really want this I think we could get ready. And I do agree with what you said earlier, we've already discussed we want kids in our future, so letting your baby get adopted by someone else just to start a family a few years later.. that kind of feels like we're abandoning a kid that was meant to be ours."
Alex nods. "Yeah, that's what it feels like for me too. Plus the American foster system is pretty fucked up, that's why Aisha wants to do private adoption. She wants to make sure the babies go to a loving, safe home. And I know that could be us. But that doesn't change the fact that we'd become parents after only 6 months of dating."
Henry assumes Alex meant baby and doesn't bother correcting him, he heard him slip up a few times tonight.
But he figures that makes sense, Alex's entire life just got up-rooted, then he got accused of cheating and he also hasn't slept yet despite it being nearly 4 am.
He's allowed to misspeak.
'It's not the timeline we'd ideally have chosen, but I assume this is a thing that happens to people in straight presenting relationships quite often', Henry says.
Alex nods. "I mean that's true. And at the end of the day, when you know you know, right? We know we feel forever about each other so the fact that we haven't been together for too long is just a tiny factor. In a few years from now, it will not even cross our minds anymore that we'd just started dating when we found out about the pregnancy."
"So are we doing this?' Henry asks with a nervous smile.
Alex grins. "I love that we're both secretly excited about this. I do think this requires more than one conversation. And preferably one that didn't start with our worst and stupidest fight yet and a huge case of misunderstanding. And maybe also one that doesn't take place at 3;30 in the morning.'
Henry nods. "That's certainly true.'
"How about I ask Aisha to meet us for lunch tomorrow? or I guess today? We can talk about it with her some more then. She gave me her number at the store', Alex tells him.
Henry nods. "I'd like that.'
Alex shifts in his arms. "Is it bad if I'm getting excited and am already thinking about baby names and about their possible gender?'
Henry smiles. "That's not bad or weird at all, I am getting rather excited myself.'
'I wish I'd been clear from the get-go so we could have had a normal conversation', Alex sighs.
Henry shakes his head. "It's not entirely your fault, love. You were freaking out, rightfully so, one doesn't find out they're becoming a dad every night. I should have immediately asked you how far along Aisha was to prevent the miscommunication. It didn't even cross your mind that I might expect you to have cheated because you wouldn't. in your head the girl you slept with two months before you ever even met me just told you she was pregnant with your baby. I get why you didn't even think about clarifying she is 8 months pregnant. I love that you immediately thought of our future instead of just yours. I was the one in whose mind the cheating question crossed so I should have immediately spoken up, that would have saved us a lot of drama.'
Alex sighs. "I still think it was my fault for not being clear from the get-to-go. But in my defense, I told you she was very much showing, that it was too late to abort, and that we'd only have a very small time frame to make our decision all things that indicated she'd been pregnant for longer than you and I have been dating. Which Duh."
Henry nods. "That is true. I hardly think either of us were thinking reasonably at 3 am after receiving such life-changing news.'
Alex hums. "You do know I am not forcing you to raise this baby with me right? I'd never do that to you. It's okay if you're not ready. I'd never have considered myself ready to be a father. But I do think I'd have chosen to adopt the babies even if I was single right now. Even though I obviously much prefer for the babies to have two parents.'
Henry nods. "You'd never force me to raise a baby I am not ready for, I know that. But I'd also never force you to put your child up for adoption if you have every intention to raise it. but the thing is, I really do like the idea of taking this opportunity with you. We're by no means prepared to become parents but if we want this I am sure we could get ready. We both got good jobs so we're financially stable enough to raise a kid, we have a healthy relationship, and we're both mature adults. I can see this happening and if I am completely honest with you... I love the idea of raising a tiny Alex. A little kid with curls that will ask us a million questions a minute? Sign me up', Henry teases.
Alex laughs and kisses him sweetly. "You're so cute, I love you.'
'I love you too, darling. Plus this is our only chance to have a mini Alex. I think we should take it,' Henry says softly.
Alex smiles. "Well it's not our only chance, of course, I'd never cheat on you so I am never going to have sex with someone with a uterus ever again. But technically we could have used a surrogate and my sperm, and then we'd have a tiny Alex too. So it's not our only chance, but It is an unique chance for sure. Even though we'd obviously love any kid we'd adopt regardless of if we were related to them in some way or not. DNA doesn't automatically make a family and I do still want to adopt a kid out of foster care later in life."
"That is true, we could have kids we're related to through surrogacy, but we both talked about how we'd rather adopt a kid that is in need of a loving home than bring yet another kid into the world when there are so many kids that are already born and in need of parents', Henry reminds him.
Alex nods. "Exactly, I still stand by that.'
Henry hums. "Me too and I think we'd make great parents, even if we haven't been together for that long.'
Alex grins. "Me too, babe. And Aisha is going to be thrilled about it. She's been so fucking stressed about finding an adoptive family that feels right.'
"I can't wait to meet her tomorrow', Henry tells him excitedly.
"I'll text her right now, baby', Alex says happily.
"If we do this, we'll have to talk about moving in together soon, because the baby would arrive within a month right?" Henry asks him.
"That's right, babe and we'd probably have to move some were completely different, because neither of our apartments are big enough to fit the four of us, I think.' Alex hums.
"Are you going to ask her for a DNA test? It sounds a little rude, right? We want this baby but only if it's Alex's if you're lying we're not interested ', Henry mocks.
Alex shrugs. "I don't think it sounds rude. We have a right to know, right? That we'd adopt a kid regardless of whether it's biological family of one of us is a fact. But it's also a fact that we'd have waited a few years longer to become parents if the circumstances were different. But I do understand what you're saying. We're not going to love these kids more than the other kids we might adopt in the future just because I am related to these babies. But it's always the ideal situation for a baby to be raised by a biological parent and that would be me. Although you'll of course be just as much their father as I'll be, if we do this. And I do feel a certain responsibility toward these babies, because I helped create them if that makes sense?"
Henry nods. "I agree with that, we can give the baby a good life and we should. We kinda owe it to him or her, right?"
"We're going to be fucking parents, baby', Alex sing-songs.
Henry chuckles. "Not so fast, love. We don't even know if Aisha is going to think we're a right fit."
'I think she will, she told me she preferred for the baby to stay in one of our two families. Plus what's not to love about us? We're going to give the kids a fucking amazing life', Alex says excitedly.
Henry squeezes his hand. 'I know that, love, and I am so very glad for you that you didn't have to deal with much queerphobia growing up because you came out later in life and your family is very supportive. But the truth is that a lot of people still believe a kid needs a mom and a dad.'
Alex nods. "You're right about that, H, but do You really think I'd fuck a bigot? Trust me, Aisha knows I am bi and I also told her I have a boyfriend who I discussed adoption with. She knows and she seemed more than okay with it. A kid needs loving parents their gender and sexuality shouldn't matter and it doesn't and Aisha knows that. She actually told me she considered a lesbian couple for a while but the adoption fell through because they weren't willing to adopt two kids at once.'
Henry blinks. "Two? You were not misspeaking when you said, babies and kids?"
Alex gasps. "Fuck, did I not tell you it's twins? I feel like I mentioned Aisha is pregnant with twins."
Henry gapes at him. "No, I think I'd have remembered that, darling.'
Alex cringes. 'Fuck, I really am not completely there mentally, sorry, babe. Fuck I can't believe I keep forgetting to tell you extremely important details.'
Henry sighs. "Well in your defense, it is almost 4 in the morning, you haven't slept, you just found out you knocked someone up 8 months ago and about 30 minutes later you got accused of cheating by your partner of 6 months. I think you're allowed a pass."
Alex shrugs. "Not nec- hey wait, fuck yes, I knew I wasn't stupid.'
Henry frowns. "I never said or implied that you were, I wouldn't do that and it would be weird if I did considering it couldn't be further from the truth."
Alex shakes his head. "No, I know. But I just realized I did tell you it was twins, kind of at least. I mean I said something along the lines of we'd probably have to move though because neither of our apartments are big enough to fit the four of us."
Henry bites his lip. "You did say that, but I just assumed you were talking about us, the baby and David.'
Alex snorts. "Babe, you know I love David, but how much space could a dog possibly need? Even one as spoiled as ours.''
Henry sighs. "You've got a point there and you also talked about baby names instead in plural, but I just assumed you wanted us to have multiple options. And you said I wonder what gender they are going to be, but I just assumed you used gender-neutral pronouns rather than that you were talking about two babies. And you kept saying kids or babies but I just assumed you misspoke.'
Alex nods slowly. "The fact that there are two of them, is that a dealbreaker for you? Because I am not splitting up twins, that's a fucking terrible thing to do."
Henry shrugs. "It's not necessarily a dealbreaker for me, what about you?'
Alex shakes his head. 'No, it's not, but I've known there are two babies this whole time. I mean not this whole time as in as long as Aisha has known but since you and I started talking about adopting the babies I've known there were two of them. You didn't, it's okay if your opinion changed because of that. I'd understand. The lesbian couple didn't want to raise two babies at once either."
Henry smiles softly. "I mean it will certainly be a challenge, but if we're going to become young parents we might as well go all out."
Alex snorts. "Go big or go home".
Henry kisses him sweetly. "Darling?' he asks afterward.
"Yes, baby'?' Alex asks.
"Do you know the genders of the babies?' Henry asks curiously
'Why? Do you have a preference, babe?' Alex teases.
"No, not at all. I'm just curious,' Henry admits.
Alex shakes his head. "I don't know the gender or genders of the babies. Aisha does though. She offered to tell me, but I wanted to talk to you first. I figured if we were going to do this I shouldn't find out the gender or genders of our babies alone. That sounds like a moment we should share together. Of course, we'd love them regardless of what gender they're born as and of how they'll identify later in life. But I'd love to do a gender reveal with you before the babies are born, if we choose to adopt the babies. Not one of those environmental-ruining ones that sometimes go viral on TikTok. I don't hate the environment, obviously. Just something innocent like cutting a cake and having the inside be filled with the color or colors that will tell us if we're having two boys or two girls or a girl and a boy. If we choose to adopt that is."
"I am getting really excited', Henry admits.
Alex smiles. "Me too, babe. Me too.'
"So we're doing this?" Henry asks softly.
Alex grins. "If Aisha agrees and you promise you're not just saying yes to please me? Then hell yes I am in.'
Henry kisses him then. "Me too.'
Alex beams. "I'll text Aisha we've made up our minds. This is crazy, right?'
"A little bit, but I have a feeling it's going to be worth it', Henry says sweetly.
Alex holds him closer. "Me fucking too, babe. I wouldn't want to do this with anyone else.'
"Me neither', Henry agrees easily.
'Babe, can I just say one more thing?' Alex asks softly.
Henry hums. "Of course, love, always.'
"I want to apologize for snapping at you like that. I feel bad for yelling "what the hell did you just say to me?", I was just really hurt by the accusation, that broke my fucking heart that you ever even for a second thought I could ever do that to you", Alex admits quietly.
Henry sighed. "I didn't though, that was the thing, that was why I was so hurt but also why I stayed quiet until I snapped. I just couldn't wrap my mind around you so openly talking about the pregnancy like you didn't supposedly break the first boundary we ever set in our relationship. Because I know you and I couldn't imagine you wouldn't feel guilty but then again I couldn't imagine you'd ever do that to me in the first place. I promise I know you wouldn't and won't do that. I just assumed she told you as soon as she found out she was pregnant and then you told me immediately. It never occurred to me it may have happened so long ago and you just found out. I am sorry for making it seem like I don't trust you with my whole heart, I do and I won't jump to conclussions ever again. And I get why you snapped. I am sorry for yelling at you too. I know you never want us to become your parents, but I promise it's okay for us to have one fight, it doesn't mean our relationship is doomed, although I do hope we learned from this and we won't make the same mistakes again. But I do trust you and I am sorry for yelling too", he says softly.
Alex hugs him closer. "You're forgiven, but don't ever accuse me of something like that again."
"Never, love", Henry promises.