Chapter Text
Good morning, Louis signed, his motions only a little bit awkward with Harry all gathered in his arms.
"Good morning," Harry returned, yawning.
For the next few minutes, the couple reveled in their post-coital bliss. The sun was streaming through the gaps in their curtains; it was going to be a beautiful day in London Town. Louis and the other Up All Night lads had just officially begun their break yesterday. Louis was excited by the prospect of relaxing and spending time with Harry as well as the idea of doing some projects he'd been dying to delve into.
There was one particular project he wanted to start on, and he gently eased Harry out of his arms so they could talk properly. Harry moaned and groaned just a little at being jostled and moved, but after a moment, he settled into a cross-legged position opposite his husband, pulling the sheet up around his waist.
"There's something I've been wanting to talk about with you," Louis opened, organising his half of the sheet over his lap when he was done signing.
"Oh?" Harry raised his eyebrows in question.
Louis took a few seconds to compose his thoughts so they'd come out properly. He cleared his throat and explained, "I know we've only been married for three months, but I wanted to talk about the idea of kids."
Harry frowned. Whose kids?
Louis smiled widely. "Ours. Yours and mine."
Harry appeared completely surprised. He fish-mouthed just a little, clearly at a loss for what to say.
"I know we probably should have discussed this before," Louis hurriedly ploughed ahead. "If you're really opposed to the idea, I can live with that, but I've always imagined myself with kids one day. Have you?"
Harry didn't answer straight away, making Louis instantly nervous. "It's too soon, isn't it?" he backpedaled. "I should have waited."
"No," Harry assured him, shaking his head. You just took me by surprise.
Sorry.
It's okay. He shrugged. I guess I've always assumed I'd have kids one day. I love kids. Harry had the most adorable nephew called Archie that he was amazing with, so Louis knew he was telling the truth.
"Whew!" Louis said, miming wiping his brow in relief.
What brought this to mind now? Harry wondered. Other than realising we haven't actually ever discussed this?
Louis shrugged. "I was just thinking about how much fun it would be to have a kid and how much I'd love to have a kid with you. No matter how we go about it, it could take a while, so I figured I'd go ahead and bring it up now."
Harry grinned wickedly. It's nice to see you thinking ahead for once.
Louis reached over and lightly backhanded Harry's thigh. "Cheeky!"
Well, you're not well-known for planning too much in advance, Harry pointed out.
Louis couldn't actually argue with that. There were definitely circles--most notably his Up All Night circle--in which he was known as "Mr. Spontaneity." "Though I hate to admit it, you're not wrong."
Harry's grin grew smug for a fleeting moment, then he became serious. So, how soon were you thinking we would be getting these kids? And how?
"Well…. We have two choices, as I see it," Louis stated. "We could adopt or we could hire a surrogate."
Harry nodded. And the when?
"Whenever we think we're ready," Louis replied. "I've got a year's break, maybe longer. We have plenty of time to decide."
Okay. That sounds good, Harry agreed.
"You know what also sounds good?" Louis inquired, waggling his eyebrows.
Harry grinned once more. What?
"A fry-up!"
Harry laughed out loud. That was not what I expected you to say.
"What did you think I was going to say?" Louis wanted to know.
A blow job, maybe a hand job.
Louis matched Harry's grin. "Well, those sound good, too. What do you say you pick one of those, then we do the fry-up?"
That seems like a lot of work on my part, Harry remarked, though his smirk revealed that he couldn't possibly be very serious.
"I'm on a break!" Louis protested.
Harry narrowed his eyes. I'll let you get away with that today, but don't think it's going to get you out of anything for very long.
"As long as it gets me a blow job and a fry-up today, that's fine," Louis assured him.
Harry said nothing more. Instead, he reached out a hand for Louis' cock.
This was going to be a very good break indeed.
* * *
By mid-summer, Louis had settled into his break nicely. He had songwriting dates with a wide variety of folks, and he was able to donate a fair portion of time to some charities he supported. The summer also had the advantage of being a slow time for Harry. Football was in pre-season, so Harry wasn't quite as busy as he would be once the season officially started. Louis worked hard to take full advantage of Harry's free time.
One gorgeous day in early July, Louis and Harry voluntarily rose before dawn to go to Box Hill in South London. They climbed the hill just in time to spread out a small blanket and watch the sun rise while eating croissants they'd picked up at a bakery they loved on their way.
Harry sipped at his Starbucks coffee, trying to wake up just a little bit more. Of the two of them, Harry was definitely more of a morning person, but it wasn't by much. He put his cup down on a flat patch of grass to say, That was very pretty, but we don't have to get up to see it that often, do we?
Louis chuckled. "If we have kids, I'm afraid we'll be seeing many sunrises, and none of them quite this peaceful."
True. Harry smiled softly. So, should we go ahead and discuss this now? Kids?
"Sure. Seems as good a time as any," Louis agreed.
I've been thinking about this a lot since the first time you mentioned it, Harry confessed.
With a grin, Louis said, "Colour me surprised." He loved teasing Harry about his tendency to overthink.
Harry reached over to gently slap Louis' upper arm. Don't be rude!
After rubbing his hand over where Harry had slapped him--even though Harry knew it didn't actually hurt, Louis noted, "Well, you did have a plan in mind, right?"
"Kind of," Harry confirmed with a smile.
Louis returned Harry's smile, though his own was tinged with triumph. "So, what have you been thinking?"
Well, just like you said back when your break first started, we have two choices. We can adopt or we can get a surrogate. Unless a baby just happens to drop down into our backyard, Harry added.
"That seems unlikely." Louis went on, "Are you leaning more toward adopting or getting a surrogate?"
There are certainly plenty of children that need homes, Harry pointed out. But the adoption process is long, and we have at least one issue working against us, maybe two.
Louis raised his eyebrows quizzically.
Harry gestured toward his ears. For starters, I don't know willing they're going to be to adopt a child out to someone who's deaf.
"You really think that would be an issue?" Louis' face scrunched up with scepticism.
Harry nodded. I do. At the very least, I think it would take a lot longer to get approved.
"I'm really not sure your being deaf is going to be as big a deal as you think it will be," Louis argued.
It's not just me, Harry continued to share his thought process. You being famous could work for us or against us. You have money, which helps, but a rock star life isn't exactly what most adoption agencies are looking for when they're trying to place a baby.
Louis sighed. "Yeah, I can see that going either way."
So I think we should try for a surrogate, Harry told him. It will take less time. There will be much less red tape, and we can definitely afford to do it. And we could have a baby that's genetically yours.
Mine? Louis appeared genuinely surprised this time. "Why mine? Your genes might give us a baby lucky enough to have your gorgeous curls and beautiful eyes."
And my genes might give us a baby who can't hear, Harry stated.
Louis shrugged. So?
Harry shrugged, too, struggling to come up with a way to explain his reasoning to his husband. It just…. He stopped to consider his words carefully, then tried again. It wasn't easy growing up deaf. I don't think it's fair to purposely set a kid up for that by using my genes.
Louis was slow to answer, clearly wanting to choose just the right words. What he decided on was, "I want us to do whatever you're comfortable with, but just for the record, I would be absolutely, positively okay with having a deaf kid. I would love him or her just as much as I love you."
The blush which sped into Harry's face made his cheeks warm. I love you, too. Thanks for being understanding.
"You don't have to thank me for that. I think it comes with the job of husband, yeah?"
Harry grinned and nodded. Yes. I think I saw that in the literature.
"So, a surrogate, then?" Louis concluded.
"Yes."
"I'll call my lawyer tomorrow and find out what we need to do," Louis said, adding, "I'm so excited we have a plan!"
Me, too, Harry concurred. You know what I need now, though?
"What?"
"A nap."
Louis laughed. "I'm with you on that idea, too."
* * *
Louis' lawyer worked fast. Two days after their Box Hill sunrise found Louis and Harry sitting in the office of a lawyer who specialised in surrogacy, a man called Charles Hix. After requesting that Harry and Louis call him Charlie, he walked them through what the process would involve and they were able to specify what they imagined in terms of a surrogate. While Charlie began to put out feelers and find some women who fit Louis and Harry's specifications, Louis and Harry were sent to a practice whose doctors would perform all the tests necessary for Louis to be certified as the sperm donor.
Having connections and money meant that they only had to wait a week for an appointment with the obstetrician who would oversee the surrogacy, a woman called Nicole Snow. (Louis decided if she shared the same name with Game of Thrones' Jon Snow, she must be okay. Unless, of course, she knew nothing.)
Before they began any testing, they met with Dr. Snow in her office to go over what Louis and Harry could expect from this process. Given the importance of this meeting, Louis called Kate James--his sign language tutor--to come interpret for Harry so he wouldn't miss a single detail.
Kate sat in a chair across from Harry to interpret as Dr. Snow began, "Congratulations to you both on beginning this process. It's a big commitment, but a very rewarding one."
Harry and Louis both nodded, so she went on, "We'll start by doing some tests to determine which of you would be best suited to provide the sperm once you find your surrogate."
That will be Louis, Harry interjected, Kate voicing for him.
The doctor raised her eyes in surprise. "With gay couples, we usually test both men to see which is better suited, so every possibility can be considered. Some couples even choose to use sperm from each of them to have it be random which sperm sparks conception."
Louis looked over at Harry and instantly recognised the signs of panic in Harry's furrowed brow and reddening cheeks. He reached over to place a hand on Harry's forearm, and Harry turned his face toward Louis. Now he had Harry's attention, Louis removed his hand from Harry's arm to say, Why don't we both get tested? The plan can still be for me to be the donor, but it can't hurt for you to be tested, too. Cover all our bases, as the Yanks say.
Harry thought about Louis' suggestion for a long moment before hesitantly nodding. Okay.
Louis smiled softly at Harry before turning back to Dr. Snow to fill her in on the silent conversation he and Harry had just had. "We're good with both of us being tested, but our plan had been for me to be the donor."
"Any particular reason?" the doctor asked, both her eyes and her tone kind.
Louis looked over to Harry and raised his eyebrows, checking if it was okay for Louis to share Harry's worries with Dr. Snow. Harry nodded his permission.
"Harry's deafness is genetic, and he's concerned that if he's the donor, he'll pass that on to the baby," Louis explained. When he was done, he glanced back over at Harry to make sure Harry was comfortable with how Louis had explained things. Harry offered him a small smile which assured Louis he'd done well.
The doctor nodded. "I understand. Well, we'll test both of you, just to be thorough, but I'll make a note that the plan is for Mr. Tomlinson to be the donor."
"Great," Louis said brightly, working hard to lighten the proceedings. This was, after all, a happy event: Step one in bringing home a baby of their own.
"Once we've confirmed that Mr. Tomlinson--"
"Louis," he interrupted the doctor with a correction.
Dr. Snow smiled. "Of course." She started over. "Once we've confirmed that Louis is a good donor candidate and you've chosen your surrogate, we'll start her on the proper treatment to facilitate conception, then we'll get things underway with the artificial insemination. With any luck, she'll get pregnant quickly, and you two will have your baby."
"That sounds fantastic," Louis enthused.
Does it often happen really quickly? Harry wanted to know.
"Sometimes it does. Sometimes it takes a few tries," Dr. Snow explained. "I usually tell parents-to-be to try to be patient, but that we'll make every effort to try to be successful as quickly as we can be."
Harry nodded his understanding.
"I will do my level best to make every step of this procedure as clear as possible," the doctor continued.
"Super," Louis said. "When do we start?"
"We can start today, with a quick physical and a semen specimen from each of you," Dr. Snow told them.
"Sounds great," Louis responded. He turned to Harry. "Okay?"
Okay, Harry agreed readily, appearing a little more relaxed now it was clear that the plan they made was still in motion.
"So, who's first, then?" the doctor asked.
Louis went first, then stayed in the room for Harry's exam, since Harry said he'd rather Louis interpret for that part than Kate. They went into separate rooms to produce a sperm sample for testing, not wanting to get too amorous in the middle of a doctor's office. It was enough for each of them to know the other was nearby. It didn't take either of them long to be done.
When they had both given what felt like their blood, sweat, and tears to be tested, Dr. Snow walked them back to the reception area. Kate was waiting there to interpret the last part of their meeting.
"It won't take long to get the results of your tests back," the doctor assured them. "You two concentrate on finding the best surrogate, then once she's been tested and cleared, we can get down to business."
Louis and Harry both reached out to shake her hand.
"Thanks," Louis said. "This means a lot to us."
Dr. Snow grinned. "I can tell. We'll do everything we can to get a little one into your arms."
Thanks, Harry echoed Louis' sentiment.
They thanked Kate for her help, too, then all made their way out of the building, stopping at the exit to say goodbye.
"You guys ready for this?" Kate inquired with a knowing gleam in her eyes.
Harry and Louis looked at each other and smiled.
Louis' smile grew even bigger as he looked back at Kate. "Hell, yes, we are. Bring it."
* * *
Charlie called Louis the day after their appointment with Dr. Snow to let him and Harry know that he'd put together a short list of candidates to be their surrogate. Louis arranged for a courier to bring them the files straight away, and they ordered in Chinese so they could spend the evening poring over them.
"This one looks interesting," Louis said before passing the first file he'd perused over to Harry.
Harry read through the young woman's profile. She doesn't have any children already, though, Harry pointed out. What if she can't bear to part with it?
"Fair point." Louis took the file back from Harry and began a pile of No folders.
Harry handed the file he'd been looking through to Louis. This one has two kids, but she's older, nearly thirty. Everything I've read says it's easier to get pregnant when you're younger.
"Well, my mum had Doris and Ernie when she was in her forties," Louis reminded him, "so I think that rule doesn't apply to everyone, but I see your point. Should we start a Maybe pile?"
Harry nodded and Louis started a new pile.
There were ten files in all, and the first nine were pretty equally divided into the No and Maybe piles. The tenth one, however, struck Louis as special the moment he began to read.
This particular surrogate--coded 7693A in the file--was a nursery teacher. She was in her late twenties, and she was married with two children, ages five and three. In her essay on why she wanted to be a surrogate, she explained that she loved children and that she and her wife had as many children as they wanted, but she had loved being pregnant and loved the idea of helping another couple get to love a baby of their own.
Louis got Harry's attention and waved the file in his hand meaningfully. Harry put the file he was reading into the Maybe pile, and took the one Louis held.
"I think this may be the one," Louis said. "Read it."
Louis watched Harry intently as Harry perused the file. Harry was smiling when he closed the file and made a new pile with it.
"What do you think?" Louis asked.
I think she may the one. I like that her partner is a woman, making her way more likely to not be worried about being a surrogate for a gay couple, Harry told him. I like that they already have the kids they want, so it doesn't seem likely she won't want to give it up.
"I liked those things, too," Louis agreed. "So, do you want to make her our Yes or keep looking at files?"
I think we should keep her in this pile by herself. Harry tapped the file folder with his index finger. But I think we should read the rest, just in case. There aren't that many.
Louis nodded. Okay.
In between bites of fried rice and orange chicken, Harry and Louis read through the remaining files. None of them, however, struck a chord with either of them the way the file labeled 7693A had.
After Louis set the final file in his hand in the No pile, Harry did the same.
Louis touched a finger to the lone file in their Yes pile. "So, this one is it?"
Yes.
"I'll call Dr. Snow's office tomorrow and let her know we've made a choice," Louis stated. "Hopefully our test results will be back soon and we can get this party started."
Do you really think this is going to happen? Harry wondered. Do you think by this time next year we could be parents?
Louis grinned widely. "I think we could be. I think this is a great start."
Harry returned Louis' grin. So, how should we celebrate?
"Well, I don't know about you, but I think this clean-up could wait until tomorrow," Louis said, raising his eyebrows up suggestively.
Harry's smile grew bigger. Maybe just this once.
Louis stood before Harry could change his mind and decide they needed to clean up dinner before they did anything else. He reached for Harry's hand and pulled him up.
They were in bed in no time, celebrating the best way they knew how.
* * *
It took a couple weeks for Charlie to set up a meeting between Louis, Harry, and their potential surrogate. Just as they'd had time to look over her file and learn about her and her reasons for applying to be a surrogate, she was allowed time to read Harry and Louis' file and decide if she liked the sound of them. Their file was, as hers had been, anonymous, though the fact that Harry was deaf was included. The real hurdle would be the fact that Louis was famous. That information wasn't in the file because they didn't want her to agree to carry their baby just because Louis was in a popular boy band. With any luck, Louis' fame wouldn't scare her away.
Despite the rainy London day, Louis and Harry arrived early for their appointment with Charlie and the surrogate. They were excited to meet her and hoped they could come to an agreement without a lot of fuss. Kate would be meeting them to interpret for the meeting, just to make sure Harry didn't miss anything vital, but she hadn't gotten there yet.
They were guided to a small conference room and served with tea to sip while they waited. Charlie's assistant assured them that she would send Kate back when she arrived, and Charlie would bring the surrogate back as soon as she got there.
What do you think she'll be like? Harry asked, hands shaking slightly with nerves.
"I'm sure she'll be lovely," Louis replied, hands equally shaky. This was all very daunting.
Do you think she'll care that I'm deaf?
Louis shook his head decisively. "It was in the file, and she still agreed to meet us. I am confident she doesn't care. And if for some reason she does, then she's not the right one after all."
Harry visibly relaxed at Louis' assertion.
"I am more worried that she may not like that I'm in a band," Louis went on.
As long as we promise to protect her anonymity, I don't think she'll mind, Harry told him. And, like you said, if it's a problem for her, we'll just find someone else. He reached over and squeezed Louis' hand, causing Louis to smile.
As they were each taking anxious sips of their tea, Kate came in, and they had a few moments to catch up on the last couple weeks before Charlie finally knocked on the conference door and entered with the woman who might just be the key to their future.
Louis and Harry both stood to shake her hand after she reached the table. She was on the short side, maybe 5'3" or 5'4", with dark, curly hair that reached her shoulders, and deep brown eyes. It was clear to Louis that she was just as nervous and he and Harry were, but she smiled as she took each of their hands, then introduced herself as Alyth Winslow.
When Louis introduced first Harry, then himself, her eyebrows raised just a little at his name. "Louis Tomlinson from Up All Night?"
Barely fighting down a sigh, Louis nodded. "The same."
Alyth smiled sweetly. "I like your music. Particularly the last couple albums."
"Thank you." Louis was pleased she seemed to be a fan, but not a fan. "By the way, this is Kate. She's here to interpret for Harry."
Alyth shook Kate's hand, but didn't question Kate's presence. She had definitely read through their file very carefully.
"Why don't we all take a seat?" Charlie suggested.
Alyth and Kate situated themselves across from Louis and Harry, while Charlie took a seat at the head of the table. Charlie's assistant appeared with tea for Charlie, Alyth and Kate, then they were left to their meeting.
"At this point, we usually take just a little time to get to know each other," Charlie explained, Kate slipping right into interpreter mode. "Who wants to go first?"
There was a moment of silence before Louis said, "We can go first."
Charlie smiled. "Go for it."
Louis turned to look Alyth straight in the eye. "First of all, thanks so much for agreeing to meet with us."
"Thank you for liking what you read about me enough to meet with me," Alyth returned.
"I don't remember exactly what we said that you'd have read about, but I can tell you how Harry and I got here," Louis told her.
Alyth nodded. "I've certainly read some stuff about you in the papers, but that stuff's not always the most accurate…."
Louis did sigh this time. "That's definitely true.
"Anyway, Harry and I met almost exactly two years ago, and we've been married since last December. Best two years of my life," he added, turning his head to smile over at Harry.
Harry grinned back. Mine, too. Kate dutifully interpreted for him.
Alyth's face registered slight surprise at Harry's words coming from the woman sitting beside her--as if she'd forgotten Kate was there--but she recovered quickly and asked, "How did you two meet?"
Harry took this one. Louis was doing a book signing at the store I worked at during university. We kind of…connected. He asked me out for coffee, and I very nearly said no.
"Thank God you didn't," Louis interjected.
He was very persistent, Harry went on. There were times I didn't think it would work, but he never gave up.
"And I never will," Louis added for good measure. "Since we're in this for the long haul, we definitely want to have a family. That brings us here."
Alyth smiled once more. "That's so great."
Inwardly, Louis allowed himself a little cheer that everything was going well so far. He quickly refocused on the conversation as Alyth spoke again.
"So, obviously, Louis is a singer. And, if I remember correctly, you're a physiotherapist, Harry. Is that right?" Alyth asked.
Harry nodded. For the Brentford football club.
"That sounds fun," she commented.
It is. I like it a lot. I've been there since last summer.
"I don't pay a lot of attention to football, but I'm sure the team is better off with you keeping them healthy," Alyth said.
"They definitely are," Louis assured her, grinning. He changed the topic then. "Why don't you tell us a little about you?"
"Sure," Alyth agreed readily. "My partner's name is Megan, and we met at university ten years ago, and we've been together ever since. We have two kids. Our daughter Jasmine is five, and our son Justin is three."
"And you're a teacher?" Louis confirmed.
"Yes. I work with four-year-olds at a nursery school not too far from home," she elaborated on what had been in her file. "I've been there ever since graduating from uni."
You must really love kids to be with them all day and then go home to two other kids at night, Harry said, eyes filled with admiration.
"I do," Alyth told him. "I love the kids I work with all day and, if I do say so myself, my own kids are fantastic."
Louis paused for a moment before continuing. "If this is too personal a question to ask, please let me know, but did you give birth to both of your kids?"
Alyth did not seem put off by the question. "No, just my daughter. We both wanted to experience being pregnant. I went first, then Megan had Justin."
"And you're happy with just two kids?" Louis followed up his query with another.
She nodded firmly. "We decided at the start that we only wanted two. That's just about all we can handle. Megan and I just potty trained Justin, so we kind of feel like our days with nappies are over."
Everyone around the table laughed at that.
I have a question, Harry stated when the laughter died down.
Alyth turned her gaze to Harry. Louis gave her props for knowing to look at Harry, not Kate.
Do you have any problems with the fact that I can't hear?
Louis was very proud of Harry for asking about his foremost concern as soon as he did.
Alyth shook her head. "Not at all. I can't see how that would keep you from being an awesome father."
Harry sighed with relief.
Louis took Harry's lead and went ahead and posed his own question. "While we're on the topic of issues, how do you feel about my being in a band?"
This time, Alyth shrugged. "I don't think it will be a problem, if that's what you're asking."
It was Louis' turn to sigh with relief. "We'll do our level best to keep you anonymous and out of the spotlight, though there are no absolute guarantees."
Some of his fans would do well to apply to MI-6 when they get older, Harry reported, no doubt remembering how quickly Louis' fans figured out who he was, where he worked, and where he went to school.
"Got it," Alyth said easily.
"I know you wrote about this in your essay," Louis began another query, "but what made you decide you wanted to be a surrogate?"
Alyth nodded, as if this was the question she'd been waiting for. She cleared her throat before speaking. "Well, I know I don't have to tell you what certain people have to say about gay people having kids."
Both Louis and Harry shook their heads. Things were getting better, and more people accepted the idea of gay people being parents, but there was still a fair way to go.
Alyth continued, "From the beginning of our relationship, Megan and I talked about having kids. We faced a lot of prejudice along the way, including a doctor who refused to help us because we were gay. But we finally did it, and now we have Jas and Justin, and we could not be happier.
"I had a pretty easy pregnancy, and my job was pretty easy to manage even when I was pregnant. Megan and I discussed it and agreed that if we could help another gay couple have a family, that's what we wanted to do," she concluded with a shy smile.
That's amazing, Harry told her. Not to mention very generous.
"I know you said you and Megan are happy with two kids, but have you really thought about what it would be like to give up the baby after carrying it for nine months?" Louis wondered aloud.
Alyth nodded. "I'm sure it won't be easy, but Megan and I really are settled on two kids. It's working for us. This baby wouldn't be mine; I'd just be giving it a place to grow."
Louis turned to Harry, "Any other questions?"
Harry shook his head.
Louis regarded Alyth again. "I think we've got all the information we need. Do you have any more questions, Alyth?"
"None that I can think of," she responded.
Louis shifted his gaze to Charlie. "Could Harry and I have a minute?"
"Of course," Charlie said, already standing. "Alyth, why don't we step into my office?"
Alyth stood, as did Kate, and the two women followed Charlie out of the room, leaving Louis and Harry with some privacy.
So, what do you think? Louis asked as soon as they were alone.
Harry grinned. I like her. I think she's the one. What about you?
Louis' grin matched Harry's. "I like her, too. I don't think we're going to do much better than her. She seems to get it, you know?"
She does, Harry agreed.
"So should we go with her, or do you think we should look more?"
Harry took a moment to think, then answered, I think we should go with her.
Louis leaned forward a little to capture Harry's lips with his own, keeping in mind that they were in a law office conference room. "We're going to be dads."
Louis wasted no time, then, in going to summon Charlie, Alyth, and Kate back to give them the good news.
As soon as Charlie, Alyth, and Kate reclaimed their seats, Louis gave them the good news. "Harry and I would love to work with you, Alyth, to get our family started."
A huge, relieved grin took over Alyth's face. "I'm so glad. I was really hoping you'd decide this could work."
Hugs were exchanged all around, and Charlie promised to get started on the paperwork right away. Project Baby Tomlinson-Styles was a go.