Levi looks to George, with eyes full of hope. "You're serious? You're going to go for it?"

George's brows furrow; granted, he doesn't wish to go through with what he has agreed to, but he knows he must for his family's and friends' sakes. "Yeah. It's no good being like this 'til the end of time, is it?"

"Thank you," Levi says breathlessly. "You don't realise how much better I already feel about everything. We're going to get you right again, my darling. I promise."

"I guess we'll see how things go," George answers.

"You have to promise me that you'll always talk to me about everything," Levi demands gently. "Because if I'm going to be here by your side, I need to know how things are going. You can't leave me in the dark like you have been doing."

"I won't—" He stammers, realising he may not be able to guarantee what he's just said. "—Well, I'll try not to."

"I'll take that." Levi nods, satisfied with the answer that George has given him. "Tell you what — we'll get some sleep for now. And then, we'll talk about things once we're both a bit more alert. I don't know about you, but I'm shattered." He removes any clothing which could hinder his ability to become comfortable in bed, which unconsciously prompts George to follow suit. "I think we could both do with a bit of shut-eye. You especially."

"It would be nice to forget I exist for a few hours," George comments.

"You might feel a bit more human once you've woken up." Levi shuffles down into his side of the bed, placing his half of the blanket over his body. "I know it's not pitch black, because of the fact it's literally mid-morning by now. But I guess we just have to work with what we've got."

"I can think of worse things to happen than sleeping in a room with natural light pouring in," George remarks. "I don't think it'll be much of an issue."

"Fair enough," Levi answers, trying to make light of the pair's situation with light chuckling. "Goodnight, I guess?"

"Sure. Night." George rolls over, facing away from his husband to eliminate all distractions that could prevent him from finally getting some rest. He knows — of course — that with everything that has occurred since last night, he may struggle to fall asleep due to his mind working overtime. He hears the faint sound of Levi's breathing getting heavier to signify he's drifted off; and eventually, after much overthinking, George also manages to slip into a shallow slumber.

• • •

"Oh my god, George."

Levi's voice, combined with gentle nudges to the shoulder, wake George up from his restless sleep. He slowly opens his eyes, raising his hand to rub the residue away from them. George flits his gaze to the digital clock on the bedside table; it reads 3:47PM. With a groan, he finally turns his head to his husband.

"What's going on?" he murmurs.

"I just—I just had a call from the police," Levi explains. "I almost missed it. I left my phone on vibrate while we were asleep, but I felt it ringing and it woke me up."

"What do the police want?" George asks, his curiosity getting the better of him. "What have you told them about last night—?"

"No, nothing." Levi takes a seat on the bed next to his partner, toying with his mobile phone in his hands as he talks. "Um, it's actually about something completely different. They don't know anything about what you did last night."

"So what then?" George presses both hands against the mattress, hoisting his body up so he can sit against the headboard. "What did the police say to you? Is everything okay?"

"I mean, hopefully it's going to be okay," Levi answers. "They—They said to me that Mack—um, he's going to be put on trial for what he did to me."

"Well that's good, isn't it?" George asks, his voice raspy due to having just woken up. "He's going to get sent to prison."

"Well, that's the hope of course." Levi glances down; the thought of having to turn up for a trial seems like a mentally-straining ordeal to have to go through — though, he hopes, it is one that will be worthwhile in the long run. "Provided they find him guilty, that is."

"They can just ask the hotel staff for CCTV footage from the corridors where his room was, surely?" George suggests. "I know it doesn't show the crime being committed, but they must have the knife he threatened you with, too."

"Exactly," Levi agrees. "I'm hoping that will be enough — along with the interview they gave me when we were still in London that weekend. Combined, I'm hoping it'll be enough. Although, they mentioned that I will most-likely have to take the stand and answer questions under oath regarding everything."

"If you have to, then that would only help the case. I guess we'll have to find out whenever they decide to do this trial." George reaches to grab his glass of water from the bedside table; after gulping back a few mouthfuls, he sighs. "I think the alcohol from last night is still affecting me. My head's killing."

"Well, you do realise that hangovers are an inevitable part of heavy drinking?" Levi chuckles, tossing him a packet of paracetamol from his bedside drawer. "Here. Get two of these down you. You'll feel better for it."

"Thanks." George pierces through the silver packaging with his neatly-trimmed nails, proceeding to take two pills from it. He places them both at the back of his tongue, before swallowing them down with his water. "I hope they kick in soon. I could do with a break from feeling like shit."

"I know, love." Levi gives George a sympathetic closed-mouth smile, simultaneously rubbing his arm to comfort him. "So, what about this meeting we've got with the school next week, hey?"

"Don't even get me started," George huffs. "The idea of being trapped in a small office with an entire family of homophobic people doesn't exactly bring me much joy."

"Me either. But if it gets the bullying issue sorted for Kieran, then it'll be worth it," Levi evaluates. "I just hope that he realises that what Esme and her mum are saying about gay couples is wrong. The last thing we want is for him to be repeating the same opinions and starting to believe them."

"I can't see that happening. He's a good lad," George responds. "He's a Panayiotou. Not a bad bone in his body."

"Panayiotou-Jones," Levi corrects playfully. "He's both of us."

"I know. I'm talking biologically," George retorts, not intending to be confrontational in the slightest. "He came from me, is what I'm saying. Of course his other dad is fantastic."

"It does make me wonder about that, too."

Levi's subject change confuses George. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Levi says. "What if the kids want to know their real mothers one day? It's always a very real possibility, isn't it? They'll eventually put two and two together and work out that it's impossible to have two biological fathers."

"That's if Kieran hasn't already figured it out thanks to Esme," George snipes. "What with her incessant blabbing about having a mum and a dad. It must have registered in his mind at some point."

"He's seven years old," Levi reminds him. "He has plenty of time to figure it out. I'm just wondering what will happen when he does."

"Well, we won't stop him from wanting to meet his real mum. Or Gem, for that matter."

"Of course." Levi shuffles in his spot, to try and get more comfortable on the bed. "That goes without saying. It's been a while since we heard from either of them."

"It's not as if we don't give them an ample amount of updates about the kids," George adds. "Though, if I'd carried a child for nine months, only to give them to the dad, I'd perhaps not want the emotional attachment."

"That's also true." Levi exhales through his nostrils, as a substitute for a sigh. "I just hope this meeting next week won't go too badly. Poor Kieran — it's the last thing he needs: having to answer to Esme and her obnoxious mother. From what I've heard about her, she sounds like a right piece of work."

"You didn't have a face-off with her in the middle of the school grounds," George answers. "Trust me — the amount she was effing and blinding in front of her own daughter, she doesn't even seem like a fit mother. I said some questionable things, but I made sure I covered Kieran's ears first, at least."

"That must have been horrible for Kieran too," Levi frowns. "Receiving that abuse from Esme's mum for absolutely no reason. I don't know how that young girl's dad tolerates his missus — if she can shout at a child so easily."

"Well, he's probably just as bad," George acknowledges. "I mean, if he's married to a homophobic woman; and he has a homophobic daughter ... then what hope has he got?"

"You may have a point," Levi evaluates. "So all in all, this meeting next week is just going to be one huge shit show."

"To summarise, yeah." George shrugs, as though he's trying to make light of such a heavy subject in the name of his sanity. He'd rather not dwell on how the meeting is going to turn out; for he knows that it will more-than-likely take a toll on his mental state if he overthinks it too much.

"Anyway ... " Levi glances at the digital clock. "It's just gone 4:00PM. I'm sorry for waking you up with the news about the trial and Mack. I just knew I needed to tell you as soon as possible. You can go back to sleep, if you feel like you need it."

"No ... leave it." George forces his body up out of bed, choosing to sacrifice his comfort in favour of being even remotely productive. "We'll need to get the kids from your mum's house soon. And we'll have to make dinner too. Life doesn't just stop because you have a mental breakdown and decide you want to end it all."

"No, I suppose it doesn't," Levi agrees. "But when there's help out there, it's very wise to take it. Such as the grandmother taking the grandkids for the day so we can catch up on rest. Like having supportive friends and family around you. Like getting the professional help. It's all out there, my darling." Levi teasingly squeezes his lover's check, earning a half-hearted smile from him. "And we won't rest until we've got you better."

"You're persistent, I'll give you that," George remarks. "Let's just take it slow though, yeah? There's no guarantee that therapy would even work for me anyway. It doesn't work for everyone."

"No, that's true," Levi says. "But it's well worth a shot." He heads towards the bedroom door, continuing to talk as his husband follows behind him. "But now, I'm going to go over to Mum's house and grab the kids. You can chill until I get back with them. Then, we'll make dinner together. How does that sound?"

"Sounds fine by me," George responds. "Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me." Levi spins around to face George, before planting a quick, yet gentle kiss upon his lips. "It's what I'm here for."

• • •

"Thank you for having them today." Levi brings his dear mother into his embrace, as a means of showing his appreciation for her kindness. "You don't realise how much the extra few hours has helped us. We actually managed to get a bit of sleep."

"I'm glad," Penny smiles. "That's exactly why I did it. The kids have been good as gold for Daniel and I, anyway." She turns around to see her grandchildren putting their coats on, so she kneels down to Gemma's level to help her fasten her zipper. "There. Are you both ready to go home with Daddy now?"

"I've heard you've both been very well-behaved for Grandma today," Levi praises. "So well done, the pair of you. Let's hope the good behaviour continues when we get home."

"Bye, Grandma," the children bid farewell in turn.

"See you soon, kids," she responds; then, she looks to her son. "So, did you boys get the chance to talk about anything?"

"He said he's finally willing to try therapy," Levi informs her, visibly enthusiastic about this. "So it's a step in the right direction. Oh — and the bloke who threatened me in the hotel in London is being put on trial for what he did."

"So it's a double whammy of good news, then?" Penny beams, clasping her hands together in joy. "That's just what you both need right about now. I'm so glad for you, my baby."

"Thanks, Mum." Levi gives his mother a sincere smile, before resting a hand on her shoulder. "Not just for today, but for all you've done since George's mum died. Scrap that — since the day I told you about him for the first time."

"It's not a problem. You're my boy." Penny moves in to kiss Levi's cheek. "I wouldn't help just anybody. But I know how wonderful George is for you. I still remember the day you told me about him."

"Me too. I can't believe it was three decades ago, almost." Levi raises his brows in surprise at this knowledge, chuckling as he remembers the fateful day when he came out to his mother via his divulgence of his crush on George.

"Almost three decades, absolutely," Penny says. "But from day one, it was clear as anything that he would be special."

With the kind words of his mother, combined with his own overwhelming sense of joy and pride in his husband, Levi cannot help but smile widely. In his heart and mind, he is reassured that from now on, things will slowly begin to get better for his little family.

• • •

Chapter twenty-three! Are things going to start to get better? Hope you enjoyed. xx