The Curse Of Reality

The Second Gift

Chuck was impressed with the progress Manny was making. He was pushing himself but it was working. Every time he walked outside, he lasted one minute longer. Every day was a step forward but this was all Manny's idea.

Jett called the house three days later. "Hey, Manny?"

Manny was sitting outside on a swing for two. "Yes?" He smiled and held onto Chuck. He was still shaky.

"What was the other present that you are getting?" Jett had to know and it was never mentioned. "You said you got two gifts? The wedding ceremony and....?"

Manny put him on speaker. "It's Jett. Chuck's beside me. Hi!"

Jett nodded. "Hi! Hello, Chuck!"

"Hi, Jett and Simon?" Chuck was guessing Simon was there also.

"Hi!" Simon was there.

Manny laughed. "So the other gift is a baby! We found a surrogate! I want Chuck to donate and if it's a boy I want to name him Angus after Chuck's dad!"

Jett was stunned and Simon gasped. "But you are scared of babies!"

Chuck laughed. "I am scared of babies. Manny is still one!" He got an elbow and a glare. "And we have Sabrina!"

"But she was three when we got her!" Manny reminded everyone.

Jett laughed. "A newborn baby...?"

Simon laughed. "You have to record every second of this! I want to witness it!"

Manny laughed as Chuck smiled. "Shut up!"

Simon sighed. "Manny, you are really growing."

"I am! I'm very proud of me!" Manny sounded so young sometimes.

Jett agreed. "Okay! We're going. Night, Guys!"

"Kisses!" Manny smiled at the phone. "Oh, guess where I am right this minute!"

Simon watched the phone. "Where?"

"Outside! On the swing!" Manny sighed. "For almost one hour and eighteen minutes!"

Simon was stunned. "Manny, that is fabulous!"

Jett gushed. "Abso-fucking-lutely! Right on and keep working! I want to see you walk down that aisle!"

Manny giggled. "Okay!"

Chuck was proud of his husband. Manny made it outside for one hour and twenty-five minutes. That was huge and they celebrated very privately.

Manny wasn't satisfied with his progress because he still wasn't comfortable outside. Sure, he could hang out and be outside but everything in his body was upset and was forcing him back inside.

The moment he got inside, he relaxed. He wanted to be relaxed out there.

He laid on the couch and watched a movie as Chuck played with his fish in the basement. Manny spent the day researching surrogates and how this would work and he started the paperwork. Chuck seemed ready for a baby though and that surprised Manny.

Sabrina rushed through the door and smiled. "Pappa! Guess what happened at school!" She was so cute.

Manny smiled as he gathered her in his arms. "What happened?"

Sabrina rambled on about lunch and they were having an animal trainer coming into the school later in the week. She was already excited. She loved animals.

"So, do I get a little brother yet? I can't wait and I can teach him all kinds of things too!" Sabrina was a very kind person. "And we have to keep Fruit Loops stocked, Pappa, because I love them and if he does too.... We will need a lot!"

Manny chuckled. "Fruit Loops and coffee!" He smiled at her as she nodded. "What shall we have for dinner?"

Sabrina smiled. "Chicken nuggets and fries?"

Manny nodded. "Okay!"

"Outside?" Sabrina was trying to help too. "Maybe?"

Manny nodded. "You're so sweet, Baby! Outside with nuggets and fries! I think we can do it. I stayed outside for one hour and twenty-eight minutes today!"

Sabrina's face flashed the sweetest smile. "Pappa, that is amazing! I'm so proud and I know that Daddy is too! I can't wait to go to your wedding!" She gasped. "Can I wear a pretty dress! One with lace and stuff! Like a princess!"

Manny chuckled. "I want nothing more than that! We need to shop for our fancy clothes too." He sighed. Chuck would have to do it. "I'm sorry that I..."

Sabrina smiled. "Pappa, I love you and I'm proud of who you are! Daddy can take me and we can have Daddy time! I can come home and walk with you around the yard and have Pappa time! No big deal! I learned that we all have problems, Pappa. This one kid in class.... Riley... His mother drinks a lot!" Her eyes got big. "Like a lot! All the time!"

Manny chuckled. "Oh! That's... Thanks!"

Sabrina nodded. "I talked about you in class and the kids all are supporting you too."

Manny sighed. "You are sweet, Cupcake." He kissed her forehead.

"Is Daddy downstairs?" Sabrina was full of energy.

Manny nodded as she was already rushing downstairs. He sighed as he walked into the kitchen to turn on the oven. Chicken nuggets and fries. Sure. No gourmet shrimp and steak or wine. He would probably have some wine though. He chuckled.

Sabrina smiled as she watched Chuck, who was feeding his fish. "Daddy?"

Chuck turned to her and smiled as he put the lid back on the tank. "Hey, cupcake! How was your day?"

She nodded. "Good. I already told Pappa. How was your day?"

"Good. We walked and I sold that house on Knolls Drive!" Chuck smiled at his little girl. "Homework?"

Sabrina nodded. "Reading but can I after dinner?" She gasped as Chuck nodded. "Pappa said we can try to eat outside!"

Chuck gasped. "We better check on him! Kitchen?"

Sabrina nodded. "Probably!" She rushed up the stairs as Manny was talking. "Cupcake, take your bag to your room. Homework after dinner."

Chuck smiled. "She just told me that!" He kissed Manny and sighed. "How are you?"

Manny nodded. "Good. We are eating outside."

"Are you ready for that?" Chuck looked concerned.

Manny turned to face Chuck. "You have put up with me for the last sixteen years. I'm moving forward, Chuck. Okay? We are going to dance under the full moon, on our wedding night and I hope we can fuck under it too!" He smiled.

Chuck moaned and pulled Manny closer. "I'm excited for that part, Manny." Their lips touched as Sabrina walked in.

"Okay break it up! There is a lady present!" Sabrina smiled then screamed in delight as Chuck turned and picked her up. He spun her around. "Daddy! Pappa! Help!" She was giggling.

Chuck stopped spinning and smiled. "Baby, you are just like your pappa! I swear!" He kissed her cheek. "Can you set the table outside? Let's do the paper plates tonight."

Sabrina nodded as Chuck placed her back on the floor. "Kay!" She rushed to get plates.