Chapter Text
Charlie Spring glanced out of the rain-speckled window of their little terraced house in Kent while stirring his tea. Five years.
Five years since he'd stood beside Nick Nelson in a navy-blue suit, trying not to cry as they promised forever in front of their families and friends.
He failed, of course.
Nick still teased him about it.
"You're smiling again," Nick said, wandering into the kitchen wearing one of Charlie's oversized hoodies. His blond hair was still messy from sleep despite it being nearly ten in the morning.
"I always smile."
"You've got the *thinking* smile."
Charlie laughed. "Is that different?"
"It means you're about to overanalyse something."
"I do not overanalyse."
Nick raised an eyebrow.
"...Okay, maybe a little."
Nick wrapped his arms around Charlie's waist and rested his chin on his shoulder.
"So?"
Charlie took a slow breath.
"Do you think we're ready?"
Nick didn't have to ask what he meant.
They'd been talking about it for almost a year now.
Children.
Not immediately—a baby wasn't something either of them wanted to rush into—but every time they visited Tori, who had become the coolest aunt imaginable to her friends' children, or spent time with Tao and Elle's little daughter, the conversations became a little more serious.
"I think..." Nick said carefully, "...I'm excited."
Charlie turned around.
"You're not scared?"
"I'm terrified."
Charlie laughed.
"There it is."
"But being scared doesn't mean it's wrong." Nick squeezed his hands. "We've built a life together, Char. We've got stable jobs, we've got the house, we've somehow kept that basil plant alive for eight months..."
"You've kept it alive."
"It still counts."
Charlie smiled.
"So..."
Nick reached into the drawer and pulled out a leaflet.
"You already filled out the enquiry form, didn't you?"
"...Maybe."
"You sneaky man."
---
A week later, they stood outside the local adoption centre.
Charlie stared at the brick building.
"I suddenly feel like I'm about to sit an exam."
Nick laced their fingers together.
"We're just having an information meeting."
"I know."
"No one's handing us a baby today."
Charlie blinked.
"...I know."
Nick grinned.
"I'm just checking."
Charlie nudged his shoulder.
"You're impossible."
---
Inside, the reception area felt surprisingly warm.
Children's drawings covered one wall.
There were shelves full of picture books, soft toys, and colourful cushions.
A woman in her forties approached with a welcoming smile.
"You must be Charlie and Nick."
"That's us," Nick replied.
"I'm Sarah. Thank you for coming."
She led them into a comfortable meeting room instead of an office.
Charlie immediately relaxed.
It didn't feel clinical.
It felt... hopeful.
Sarah offered them tea before beginning.
"So, tell me what brought you here."
Nick glanced at Charlie.
Charlie took a breath.
"We've been married five years."
Sarah smiled warmly.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you," Charlie said.
"We've always imagined having children someday. We talked about different paths, and adoption just kept feeling... right."
Nick nodded.
"We know it won't be easy."
Sarah appreciated the honesty.
"You're right—it isn't. Adoption is a journey. There's training, assessments, home visits, background checks, and lots of conversations about what kind of child you'd be able to support."
Charlie nodded.
"We've done a bit of reading."
"Good."
Sarah explained the process step by step.
There would be preparation classes.
Social workers.
References from family and friends.
Medical checks.
Discussions about parenting, attachment, trauma, and helping adopted children feel safe and loved.
Neither Charlie nor Nick looked discouraged.
If anything, they seemed more determined.
---
Later, Sarah asked quietly,
"Why adoption?"
Charlie looked down for a moment before answering.
"I know what it feels like to believe something is wrong with you."
Nick gently squeezed his hand.
Charlie continued.
"I don't ever want a child to wonder whether they were unwanted."
Sarah listened carefully.
Nick spoke next.
"I work with young people every day. Some have had really difficult starts in life."
His voice softened.
"Every child deserves someone who sticks around."
Charlie smiled at him.
Sarah smiled too.
"I think that's a lovely sentiment."
---
At the end of the meeting, Sarah handed them a folder.
"There are still many steps ahead," she said. "Take your time reading everything. Talk to each other. Ask questions."
Nick looked at Charlie.
Charlie looked back.
They didn't need words.
On the walk home, the rain had stopped.
The clouds were beginning to clear.
Nick bumped Charlie's shoulder.
"So..."
"So?"
"We're really doing this."
Charlie looked down at the folder tucked safely under his arm.
It suddenly felt less like paperwork...
...and more like the first page of a brand-new chapter.
He reached for Nick's hand.
"I know we can't promise to be perfect."
Nick smiled.
"But we can promise to love them."
Charlie nodded.
"Unconditionally."
Nick kissed the top of Charlie's head as they walked home together.
For the first time, the future didn't feel uncertain.
It felt full of possibility.