"Hi everyone! Welcome; come in."

George warmly greets a handful of close family as they arrive at his home; Stephanie gives them excited smiles, allowing them to remove their jackets and shoes before heading into the living room. The pair are throwing a baby shower — a suggestion from Stephanie's parents in their enthusiastic-grandparent state of mind. It's now June 1st, and George has yet to reveal the truth to Stephanie or his parents; each opportunity that arises, he somehow finds a way to avoid doing so. In reality, he is still petrified of the repercussions.

The group take seats in various places in the living room, mingling quietly among each other while they wait for the final guests to arrive. George offers around drinks; this is to take his mind away from the anticipation of the arrival of one particular person. A few moments pass, before another knock on the door can be heard. He sets down the glasses in his hands, before sheepishly making a beeline for the hallway; when he answers the door, he finds that it is exactly who he was waiting for.

"Hi, Levi," George greets, swallowing harshly to rid the lump that has formed in the back of his throat. "You're a touch early. We still have some others coming."

"Well, I'd hate to keep you waiting," Levi responds, using this comment as a subtle dig towards George's secret-keeping. "So how have you been?"

"I've been doing great," George smiles. "We're so close to Alex arriving now, so it's hard not to be excited. How have you been?"

"I've been good. Just relieved that there's only three weeks left until things finally change," he answers.

"We'll talk about it later." George dismisses the subject speedily, leading his lover into the living room where everyone else is waiting; with some of Stephanie's family and friends being present, he introduces Levi in the most innocent way he can. "Guys, this is my friend Levi."

Some of Stephanie's girlfriends greet the young man; it's clear that one or two of them find him attractive, so they attempt to flirt with him once he's begun to mingle with them. George chuckles to himself, at the knowledge that Levi will find no attraction nor interest in any one of them. It is moments such as these, however, that remind George of why he's so lucky to have Levi. He's aware of how much attention Levi could garner if he wished to; and yet he chooses to devote himself to George, and George alone — for now, at least. Before too long, the final guests arrive — including Andrew and his new little family — so the shower begins. George and Stephanie are given what seems to be endless numbers of bags, boxes and envelopes to open; and they are so appreciative of every single one.

"Oh my god, George!" Stephanie squeals, as she takes a closer look at one of the gifts they've received; this one is a sweet hanging mobile with cute baby animals for the baby to play with. "Look how adorable this is!"

"I love it," George compliments sincerely, turning his attention to the friend of Stephanie's who gifted it to them. "Thank you so much, Stacey."

"You're welcome," Stacey replies, grinning widely for her friend. "I can't believe how soon it is!"

"Tell me about it," George agrees softly; with the ecstasy, there is — of course — the acknowledgment that by the time his son is born, Stephanie will have to find out the truth about him.

Stephanie continues to open the various baby-related gifts, giving similar reactions to each one such with her joy. George sits by her side, observing each item with undivided attention; the appearance of George being so happy with Stephanie admittedly causes Levi to feel some hurt, despite knowing the love isn't there. He watches the 'happy' couple unwrap paper; pull ribbon off of boxes; and coo over each new thing they lay eyes on — and it does sting to poor young man to witness it, regardless of it being a charade.

"Last one!" George announces with a laugh. "I want to have a go. You've opened all of them." He hijacks the final gift from Stephanie, causing her to chuckle as she surrenders to his request. "Who's this one from?" He checks the tag on the side. "Ah — thank you Levi."

"Not a problem," Levi responds. "I hope you'll both like it. I tried to think of the parents, as well as the baby."

George begins to tear away the paper, until he reveals a small stack of three shirts. When he unfolds them, he spots that one says "Baby", one says "Mummy", and one says "Daddy". All three of them also have "Est. 1987" written on them; to signify the year that this life-changing event is occurring in.

"Oh George!" Stephanie gushes. "We can wear them all at the same time when he's born! We can match!" She grins at Levi, to show her appreciation for what they've received. "Thank you so much, Levi."

"It's a pleasure," he answers. "To be able to contribute to your little journey."

George glances across to his secret love, having picked up on the double-meaning of everything he's saying; Levi only returns the eye contact for a moment, but in that moment, he chooses to flash a playful smirk in George's direction. The interaction lasts but a second, so no other person in the room is able to catch it but them.

• • •

"Okay, everybody give me your answers. I'll go around the room," Stephanie encourages; the guests are playing a game — guessing the date that the baby will be born. "Okay, first, Andrew?"

"I think the twenty-seventh of June," he answers, gently rocking Rosa in his arms to keep her as calm as he can. "Rosa thinks the same."

"Alright," Stephanie chuckles. "Nancy?"

"I think it'll be a little later. July the thirteenth."

"Interesting," Stephanie adds. "Stacey?"

"I'm going with July the fifth."

Stephanie continues to go around every guest, receiving guesses which vary from 25th June, up until as far as 15th July. Finally, her eyes fall on Levi. "What's your guess, Levi?"

Levi smiles, as he takes a moment to think of his answer; deep down, he already knows exactly what he's going for, but he wants to build his part up just a little. "I think ... I'm going to say ... " He finally voices his opinion, "I think your lives will change forever on the twenty-first of June."

In immediate reaction, George widens his eyes at his response; however, he tries to hide this when he realises that he's next to take a guess at the date. Before he can do this, some of the other guests talk among themselves at how early Levi's guess seems to be. One jeering individual even shouts out their jokey disagreement with the guess, which causes everyone — including Levi — to laugh.

"So, George?" Stephanie brings her attention to him at last. "What are you going for?"

"Everybody seems to be in the same zone," George analyses briefly. "So I think I'll have to go for somewhere in that zone. I'll say ... the seventh of July."

"Alright — I'm going to guess the third of July," Stephanie concludes, having noted down everyone's guesses on paper. "I suppose we'll keep hold of this, and see who was the closest once little man is finally here."

"It'll be interesting to see who's correct," Levi comments, aiming it at no particular individual. "I know my guess is a little iffy, but who knows? I could be absolutely spot on."

"Levi, mate," George calls quietly to him, slowly approaching the man. "Could I please borrow you a moment?"

"Yeah, of course," Levi accepts politely, following George into the next room. "What's up?"

"Why are you making digs about everything, in every word you say?" George asks, a look of apprehension resting on his chiselled features. "You gave me the deadline for a reason. You don't need to keep reminding me of the terms and conditions surrounding it."

"I'm sorry," Levi apologises authentically, letting his guard down. "It's just been weird, being here today. It's been strange having to act like a friend around everyone because some of them don't know. I'm just looking forward to when they do know. Everything will be so much better for us."

"I know, my darling." George touches a hand against Levi's cheek, caressing gently to ensure that he's understanding. "It won't be long, now. The deadline is less than three weeks away. And who knows? Perhaps I'll find the courage to confess before the deadline. It just depends on how things go in the coming days, really."

"I know. I'm not worried," Levi explains. "Because I think you'll do it for me. For us. You know I feel guilty every day for giving you this deadline. But, it's not as if I'm forcing you out. If you don't feel comfortable telling Stephanie you're gay, then just leaving her is enough. I'd never force you out."

"But I'd like to do that," George asserts, quickly checking behind him to make sure nobody from the shower has suddenly entered the vicinity. "I'd like to do it for you. But not only you ... for myself, too. I just need to grow a pair, really."

"Regardless of when you tell her, you'll be brave for doing it. You'll never need to "grow a pair" over it. It's a big deal." Levi offers George a sincere, yet mellow smile. "Never think that the credit isn't due for everything you've faced so far."

"Thanks. I mean ... maybe I could tell her tonight." George weighs up the idea in his head before elaborating. "Steph's in a really good mood today, because of the baby shower. I know it would ruin the day, but perhaps the joy she's feeling from the party today will boost her mood when I start asking about seeing Alex."

"A mother's hormones are always going to be iffy," Levi reminds him. "But if you want to tell her once everyone's gone home, you could. And it means that you could start moving into my home tonight or tomorrow."

"I don't want you to be disappointed in me if it doesn't happen, though," George pleads. "Because you know what I'm like. I get anxious at the last second and I end up changing the subject."

"Well, just do your best," Levi encourages him, unsure of what other support to give. "Do it, or don't. If you don't do it today, there's still nineteen other days that you can do it on."

"That's true ... " George sighs, a little saddened still by his own hesitation in taking the next step. "But I—"

"Ah, there you are!" Stephanie bursts through the door, satisfied that she's found her boyfriend again. "Everything alright?"

Levi is the first to answer. "Y-Yeah. Just talking about how exciting this is," he stammers, clearing his throat to compose his voice. "Really not long now, is it?"

"I know," Stephanie beams. "We're about to start the food, guys. Are you in?"

"Always," George replies, with a chuckle.

• • •

Later on in the evening, once all of the close family and friends have gone home, only a handful of guests remain — Andrew, Nancy and Rosa; as well as Levi. The baby shower has headed in a slightly different direction than intended; the group are now sat on the sofa together, enjoying a few drinks (other than Stephanie, of course, as she isn't allowed). It is easy to observe that George has crossed the line between self-aware tipsiness and the start of becoming drunk; he is in a giggly mood, continuously talking about how much he's looking forward to Alex's arrival. The piece of pantomime is incredibly amusing to the people around him — they all know that George is a happy drunk, rather than an aggressive one; so they let him get on with it with no hesitation.

"I'm gonna be the best dad ever," George slurs, coiling an arm around Andrew's neck to bring his pal closer. "I'm gonna take the kid on adventures, and we'll go around the world and see all the cool shit."

"Is that so?" Levi laughs, his way of encouraging George's high-on-life state. "What else are you going to do?"

"I'm gonna fuckin' teach him how to ride a bike, and how to swim; and how to climb a tree," George answers, giggling for no apparent reason. "And I'm gonna be a good dad. I'm gonna teach him—" A hiccup pauses his speech for a second, "—Maths and all the important stuff."

"Anything else?" Levi challenges, enthusiastic to listen to drunken George's future plans with his child.

George glances over at Levi, appearing to examine his every facial detail. "You're pretty cute, aren't you?" he asks rhetorically, as if this is the first time he's ever seen Levi's face. "You should be my boyfriend."

"Brilliant. A boyfriend when you're with another woman and having a baby with her," Stephanie cackles, oblivious to the fact that George's words are true. "Now I think you've really had a bit too much, George."

"Nah," George dismisses, albeit in a playful way. "He's gorgeous, ain't he? I mean, I would."

"I think it's time we went home now," Andrew chimes in. "I think George has gone a bit delusional. He needs to go to bed."

"Andrew, don't ruin my fun mate," George scolds, unable to maintain a serious demeanour due to how light his head feels. "Let a guy have a laugh and enjoy himself."

"Maybe you've enjoyed yourself a bit too much," Levi suggests, starting to rise from his seat next to George on the sofa; however, when George holds Levi's arm to keep him in place, he expels a nervous chuckle. "George, you need to get some sleep, mate."

"Ah, none of you guys are any fun!" George protests, his tone over-the-top. "I'm just letting my hair down before the dad life starts, innit?"

In his drunken state — and being out of his right mind — George abruptly grabs a hold of Levi's face; shocking everybody in the room, including Levi himself, when he firmly presses his lips to his lover's in a spontaneous, messy kiss. Levi makes quick work of pushing the Greek away, his eyes widened at the fact that Stephanie has just witnessed this unplanned event unfold.

• • •

Were we expecting that? What will happen next? How will Stephanie react? Can't believe there's only ten chapters left after this one! xx