DAVID

I can't pass out right before meeting my parents-in-law. Every time I feel light headed I sit down and otherwise I'm walking in circles around the house, making sure everything is in order to receive them. The guest room has new bed sheets, towels and even fresh flowers to welcome them. Kaley should be back soon from picking them up at the airport. I open the fridge once more to check we have enough groceries. For tonight, we will have a simple, homey meal of chicken and potatoes, which Kaley says is her dad's favorite meal.

The noise of a car in the driveway calls my attention and I take a deep breath before walking to the door. Kaley laughs as they come out of the car and I approach them. She gives me a sweet smile, holds my hand and turns to her parents.

"Dad, Mom, this is my boyfriend, David."

I move forward to shake hands, but her mother grabs me into a bone-crushing hug, getting a bunch of fire red curls almost in my mouth. Kaley laughs hard while her father comes between her mother and me and separate us, which is fairly easy seeing he's three times her width.

"Alice, let the guy breathe. You will kill him," he says.

"I'm so happy to meet him," she replies to him with a grin.

"It's nice to meet you too. Sir," I offer my hand to Kaley's father to shake.

"Call me Alex," he says and I realize how much Kaley looks like him.

"Let me help you with your luggage," I get a suitcase out of the trunk and bring it into the house.

"Stop gawking at David!" I hear Kaley whisper behind me.

"He is so good looking!" Her mom giggles and it makes me smile.

Kaley wasn't exaggerating when she told her parents are out of the ordinary, but so far, the impression they give me is that they are caring.

"Welcome to our home," I say once we are all inside the house.

"What a beautiful place!" Alice says. "I loved your apartment, well when you went to live on your own, when you were living with the boys it was..."

"Gross," Kaley laughs. "They've gotten better at it. Most of the things are from David. I only brought my small decorations over. I'm selling my apartment as it's too expensive to keep two places."

"Smart," her father says. "Let me treat you kids to dinner."

"We have different plans. We are cooking for you. What do you say to chicken and potatoes?" Kaley says.

"My favorite," he smiles in a way that's heartwarming.

"Let me get started on it."

"Would anyone like a glass of wine?" I ask.

"Oh yes, thank you," Alice says and Alex gives me an approval nod.

After serving the drinks, we all end up in the kitchen talking about work, the weather, and Zack and Elvam, who they seem to know well. Like Kaley, I've noticed Elvam is acting strange and being quieter than usual. He jumps at every phone notification and throws the device back on his desk when it's not what he's waiting for. Even his appearance has changed and comes to work in wrinkled clothes and unshaven.

When dinner is ready, a happy chaos of gathering plates and flatware starts and it brings me good memories of the time I spent with Peter and Cora. This is how I pictured the rest of my life to be with them, but it was cut short. The meal continues with the same chatter as before, mixed with compliments on the food and small moaning noises as they eat, which I find funny because now I know why Kaley does it.

"I think is going well," I say to my girlfriend as we place the dishes in the dishwasher.

"They really like you," she caresses my cheek.

"Let's hope they like me after what comes next," I open the box of the cake we ordered.

My hands shake some as I bring the dessert to the table.

"Oh, that looks delicious!" Alice says.

Then her eyes focus on what's written on icing on the cake. Her hand moves in front of her mouth, and this is the longest she's gone without talking since she arrived. Alex watches her reaction and then looks at the cake. He stands up and walks to where I'm standing. I close my eyes and expect to feel pain, and I do, but differently when the large man hugs me.

"Alice, we will be grandparents!"

"I- Yes! We are! Wonderful news," she walks to Kaley and hugs her while a few sniffles escape her.

The happiness and pride are evident, and they can't stop grinning as we enjoy the delicious cake.

"How far are you?" Alice looks lovingly at Kaley.

"Twelve weeks. I have a high-risk pregnancy, but the doctor says so far everything is developing as it should. We are getting an ultrasound next Friday and I'm quite puzzled because I'm showing," she lifts her shirt and we can see a small bump.

"My pregnancy with you was also high risk. The doctor wasn't even sure my body could bring it to term," Alice says and Kaley and I exchange knowing looks. "All women experience pregnancy in different ways. Some grow full round bellies and others wear high heels until a few weeks before they are due," she says while serving herself another portion of cake.

"What do your parents think? Are they happy with the news?" Kaley's dad asks me.

The question takes me by surprise and I feel the heat going to my cheeks. Kaley places her hand over mine.

"David never knew his biological parents. He was raised in an institution and moved into this house with his foster parents in his teens. They sadly passed away a few years ago."

"Oh David, please forgive me," Alex looks guilty and upset.

"It's all right. You couldn't have known."

"Well, now you have us! We will be your parents. You are now ours," Alice adds her hand to Kaley and mine.

Her words move me and my eyes fill with tears.

"Excuse me," I say in a mumble and go to our bedroom before I make a fool of myself.

"Did I offend him?" I hear Alice ask Kaley.

"On the contrary. You gave him a lovely gift, and he's feeling overwhelmed. All he wants is to have a family, and you have welcomed him to ours."

"I'll be right back."

"Mom-"

"Let her go alone," Dad says when I stand up. "It will do him good."

What does she have to say to me that she can't do in front of Kaley?

DAVID

I wish my foster parents could have been here to share the amazing news. I would have liked to see Cora's reaction to becoming a grandmother. Peter would have built a crib right away with no doubt. I feel grateful that Kaley's parents like me enough to want me as part of their family.

The door to our bedroom opens and Alice walks inside. I feel embarrassed at the state I'm in. She sits next to me on the bed and I feel her thumb on my cheek clearing a fresh tear.

"I know how you feel. The man and woman Kaley always knew as her grandparents welcomed me into their lives when I was a little girl. I still can't believe my luck, because I saw couple after couple going into that home where I grew up and not picking me. Redheads are not popular in the adoption polls."

"No one wanted me. I'm a heart patient."

"We have each other now. Alex and Kaley are not bad either," she says and makes me chuckle. "You make her happy and we'll make sure you are happy too."

Alice stands up and motions for me to follow. She gives me the warmest and most loving hug I've had in a while, different from when Kaley and I hug, the kind only moms can give.

ZACK

Each time I leave the house to head to Mila, my mom gives me a curious look. I haven't denied to her than I'm seeing a girl and I don't want her to worry when I come home late. After spending hours working, I enjoy the simple evenings talking with Mila while helping her unpack. She always has these funny stories about her students, and I fantasize about how our children would look like. I will miss her when I return, but I've learned something from this. It is possible for me to create meaningful relationships without being intoxicated.

"These are certainly not painting supplies," I laugh at the contents of the box I'm unpacking.

"What did you find?" Mila asks as she places books on a shelf.

"This!" I grab a panty and show it to her. She squeals and takes the box away from me.

I get another as she brings the underwear box to her room and when I open it, what I find inside blows my mind.

"You like this?" I flip through the familiar pages of one of my favorite superhero comics.

"Yeah, I love comics! Been collecting those series for some time."

The feeling is bittersweet. I've just met a girl who enjoys the same things I do, yet it will never become more than a friendship.

"Mila... I wanted to tell you something. I'm going home next week on Wednesday. I need to be at the studio to meet with clients."

"When are you coming back?" Her sad eyes express the way I feel.

"Probably around Christmas."

"That's long..." She whispers.

"I love spending time with you. We can call often and I promise to message you every day," I caress her arms.

She lifts her arms and locks them around my neck, pulling me into a kiss which takes me by surprise since we have done nothing like that since the day we met. After the heavy make-out session, she pulls my t-shirt over my head and I feel hesitant. If this develops into what I think it will, I don't know if I can perform without a chemical aid.

"I will miss you so much," she says against my lips.

"Me too," I whisper.

Her hands move to the button of my jeans, and I hold them to stop her.

"Mila... I don't know if I can go through with this," I feel the heat creeping up my neck.

"What do you mean?"

In my heart, it is clear that Mila is the girl of my dreams, and I rather have her reject me for the truth than live with a lie.

"The reason I'm staying at my parents is to recover from being attacked a month ago at my apartment. I'm- Was... A recreational drugs user, stimulant pills specifically. My attackers knew that I was a frequent buyer and thought I had money. Gave me a beating before stealing whatever I had on me and in my apartment. I've never... Had sex without being under the influence."

The shock in her face breaks my heart and I pick up my t-shirt from the floor.

"Have you used anything since we met?"

"No. This is boring, plain old me."

"I like boring, plain old you. Plus, we all have shit from our past we aren't proud of."

Now is the time for me to feel shocked.

"What do you mean?"

"I grew up in the social services system. I ran away in my teens and dealt to earn money. When I was eighteen, a guy I worked with got killed and that opened my eyes. I signed up for some evening classes and took on a day job as a receptionist to remove myself from my old life."

"It's a risk to both sides, the dealer and the buyer. I made a promise to myself to live my life cleanly from now on. You have school vacation in a month, right?" I suddenly get an idea.

"Yeah, summer vacation. Two months of freedom," she grins.

"If you don't have plans, would you like to stay with me during your vacation? I have a spare room."

"Are you serious?" She grins.

"Yeah. I have to work, but we can spend the evenings and weekends together. It's a big town and there's enough to do when I'm not around."

Mila tackles me and makes us fall on the couch, the perfect place to make out once more. Suddenly, I feel pressure in my jeans that keeps increasing. My eyes widen and I'm sure she also felt it from the way she looks at me. In no time, our clothes lay scattered on the floor. She's a vision without them.

"Do you have protection?" I ask, realizing that besides keys and a phone I have nothing else in my jeans.

"Probably in a box," she bursts laughing loudly.

"We can stop it now or I can pull out."

Mila brings me closer to her and places her legs around my hips. I feel as if I'm in a different world since I've never done this while being clean. I can feel and experience everything in such detail it's almost overwhelming.

"Oh, shit! Sorry, Mila! I'm so sorry. I'm a fucking mess."

I couldn't pull out on time and only made it to a few minutes before coming. This is so embarrassing.