Mitch and Noah

Noah~ Amelia's

Noah had called Amelia through speaker phone on the way to her house, and she had showered them with her assurances of their welcome, as well as the promise of tiny sandwiches upon arrival. Obviously, their love of her fancy luncheons hadn't gone unnoticed.

Upon arriving and promptly being greeted and led through one of the many front doors of the immense house, he marveled at the regality of it all as they were led to one wing of many that Noah had not yet seen.

The sudden rain outside had no doubt deterred them from another outdoor luncheon, which was a slight disappointment, as Noah couldn't think of a more serene place than the lush back acreage on Amelia's property.

Especially considering he planned to share more with Mitch about Lulu and the things she might resort to to get him back in her clutches. Somehow the thought of telling him outside in a field, away from the world, had seemed easier. Not that the subject was going to be in any way, shape, or form easy for him to breach.

After meeting Grace and Mitch and experiencing genuinely kind people who truly seemed to care for him with no ask in return, it cemented the fact in his mind that Lulu had only seen him more as an object than a person. A young, shiny toy that belonged to her that should never be seen or shared by anyone else without permission.

Mitch's hand on his back broke him from his cold sweat and torturous memories, and he looked at him thankfully. It was amazing how much of his mask he could let down around him, and it was an addicting feeling to be sure.

Being led through two tall, white doors, Noah followed Mitch a few steps behind just to be able to get another good look at his new dream boyfriend.

The word sounded so strange, yet so right, and his heart welled with love.

"Mr. Mitch and Mr. Noah, Maam."

"Ahhh, Mitch! Noah! Welcome! I'm so happy to see you boys, considering I wasn't sure what was-Oh! And who is this!?"

Amelia's face looked pleased to see Rowan in Mitch's arms as she turned from inspecting the trays of sandwiches that had obviously just been placed on the at least 7-foot-long white table adorning the left side of the massive regal dining room.

Rowan had not made a sound upon entering the large house, had only stared with his wide, blue eyes as he took it all in.

A world that was probably so foreign to his brain that he didn't know what to think about it all.

"Little Rowan. My new kiddo...Even to ME that sounds...odd."

Amelia clapped in delight.

"Well, well. Just as I'd hoped would be the outcome! You'll be such an amazing father. Aww...look at you!"

She walked over to reach out her hand to Rowan, and Noah had to stop himself from letting out a giggle at how similar Amelia looked to someone meeting a dog for the first time.

Rowan reaching for her hand and touching it with one finger before looking upwards for reassurance from Mitch, was probably another of the top cutest things Noah had ever seen since being in the little one's presence, and Noah felt his heart blip again with love.

It was incredible how fast love could bloom, especially as not even a few months before, Noah had accepted that he wouldn't be able to ever experience such things.

"That's Aunt Amelia, Rowan. She's Dad's client for work, and one of his closest friends."

Amelia looked touched as she patted Rowan on the head and turned back to her waiting staff for continued sandwich inspection.

"Don't get me tearing up now, I just put on my face for the day. So, everything went smoothly for your trip then?"

Noah felt Mitch tense, and he knew instantly that he was thinking of Rose.