Hide Your Heart

Surprise Discovery

Paul had just finished wrapping the last present of tommy's when Hannah woke up hungry. Picking her up, he took her to the kitchen where a warm bottle was waiting. Paul sat down and began to feed her, humming softly. 

"Little princess, your mom's not feeling too good right now. I hope everything turns out okay." 

Hannah drank her bottle slowly as she watched Paul. He had just finished bathing and changing her when  he heard Taylor start fussing. Putting a pink sleeper on Hannah and laying her in the crib, he headed downstairs to get Taylor. Going through the same routine, he dressed her in green and laid her beside her sister. Aurora was the last one to wake up.

She didn't respond to Paul's voice at all. Snapping his fingers on either side of her head, he realized she was deaf. "Well, I guess we'll be getting her tested."

Aurora was dressed in purple and carried back downstairs. Paul sat with her in the kitchen watching the snowfall. Tommy came in a few minutes later, rubbing sleep from his eyes. Paul handed him cookies and a glass of milk as he broke the news.

"S-s-she's d-d-deaf?  "Completely?" he asked quietly. "Are you sure?"

"No." He could see tears forming in Tommy's eyes. "Hey, don't cry." "She's still perfect."

"It's my fault! If I hadn't gotten wasted and slept with my ex, she'd be okay!"

"Stop!" "It's not your fault. It's genetic." "Anyway, Hannah and Tay are asleep upstairs so let's have some time together." Paul took Aurora upstairs to join her sisters.

Tommy was pulled into Paul's lap when he came back down. "Come on, just relax." "I miss you."

Tommy felt Paul's hands in his hair and leaned into him. "How do you still love me? I'm a mess and I can't be perfect and-"

"Tommy, shut up." whispered Paul. "Sh."

Tommy did what Paul asked him to do. He felt his husband rubbing his back and kissing his neck. "You're so tense Tom. Relax."

Picking Tommy up, Paul carried him upstairs. "I'm going to run you a warm bath so stay here."

Tommy played with his ring while he waited.