Epilogue

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As I drove up to the adoption center, I was nervous, to say the least.

Not only was I adopting as a gay man, but I would be doing it without my husband George, since he had a last minute teacher meeting to discuss kids committing blatant vandalism and how to stop it. "I'm the tech teacher," he said, "so I guess I need to protect the computers? Ridiculous, if you ask me."

"I'll be alright on my own," I sighed. "At least you'll be home to greet us."

Unfortunately, his absence made the final paper signing more difficult. While I didn't have to get anything legally signed by George since we had done all that in weeks prior, I was showing my marriage certificate because apparently gay people can't exist.

Soon enough, though, I was leaving with the little guy tucked in the back seat of the car and a big smile on my face. And as we pulled up to our house, I saw George waiting at the front door. Smiling even wider, I hastily scooped up the cat from the back of the car and brought him up the walkway.

"Delivery," I joked as George opened the door. He was still wearing his button up and tie, which was his go-to teacher getup.

I heard him close the door behind me as I made my way towards the integration room we had set aside for the cat, that being the "2nd living room," although it was more a second guest room or general entertainment room. Now, though, it was basically a cat nursery dialed down a little because the new guy only has one eye.

We had gone through a lot of names for him, but eventually went with Odin. He was technically a rescue, but the only scar was that on his eye, and his fur was very soft and white. Nick scrambled to grab a glance as I placed the cat in his room and let him free.

He was only a little spooked, but quickly relaxed and even came up to me standing nearby. I crouched down and offered my hand slowly, to which he rubbed his face on.

"Either this is a very compliant cat or I'm some sort of mysterious cat whisperer," I joked as George stepped beside me. "What do you think?"

George also reached out slowly, but Odin didn't immediately take to him as he did with me. We still had to give him a few days.

In the meantime, we went to go spend time with our other cats for the stretch before dinner. My husband's cat pressed himself between us as we took a seat on the couch together. Meanwhile, Patches was curled up beside me as I rested my hand on her body.

"Was that the new cat coming home?" Cassie called, rushing down the stairs.

"Yeah," I responded. "He's in the spare room right now."

"Can I see him?"

"Go ahead."

She walked by us as George grabbed the remote for the TV. We cuddled up close together while Cassie baby-talked to the new cat.

George got comfy with his head on my lap (the cats had long since left) as we ran through the random marathon of Mythbusters that was on TV. Our position brought me back to the old days of cuddling on George's bed and watching YouTube. It's been a long ways since then, and I'm much more versatile when it comes to cuddling position. Back then, I would always make him hold me rather than the other way around.

Soon enough, it was time for dinner, and as the closest thing to an authority figure there was, I called out, "When's the last time we ordered out?"

"Tuesday," Cassie responded upstairs.

"You guys wanna order pizza?"

"Yes," she yelled.

"Sure," Nick agreed.

George had been the one who suggested it, so he just adjusted his position on my lap and hummed. I had to use my phone to order as to not get up and disturb him, but I still ordered from the website.

A few minutes later, George looked ready to fall asleep right there, so I shook my leg a little to make sure he got to eat before he did.

"Mmm," he grumbled. "M'comfy. Lemme sleep."

"You need to eat first." I poked him in the center of the chest, grinning.

"Is the food here?"

"Soon."

He opened his eyes just to roll them before closing them and burrowing deep into my lap again. I stroked his hair tenderly, admiring him.

The pizza soon arrived, and the four of us all ate in front of the TV. Leaving our mess for tomorrow, all of us but George went to say good night to Odin.

To our surprise, he was eager to see us, rubbing up against our legs and begging for pets. Once all his food and litter was set, the three of us all gave him some more pets before closing the door for the night.

"He's gonna be a nice addition," Cassie said, smiling.

"He's my son," I reminded her.

She scoffed. "We all live together. He's our son."

"Nope. You can be the aunt and the uncle though."

"Can the kids of gay dads have gay uncles?" Nick wondered aloud. "Is that allowed?"

"Sure it is," I said, bumping his shoulder. Nick had gotten much more secure about himself and his boyfriend, if the bi flag hanging prominently in his room was anything to go off.

I went back to find George sleeping like a rock on the couch. I wasn't going to sleep alone and I certainly couldn't fit both of us on that couch, so I gently shook him awake.

He whined again. "Lemme sleep."

"Just go upstairs and we will."

He made a show of holding tightly onto my hand but did eventually make it to our room. And as we collapsed on the bed after stripping down, I couldn't help but say, "I must be the luckiest man in the world."

"So am I," he said tiredly. "You're so amazing."

"Pfft. Let's get to sleep now." I kissed him on the forehead. "Love you."

"Love you too."

And with that, we fell asleep in each other's arms.

1047 Words

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