Hearts entwined, forbidden love ( Book 5 of Floyrince)

2

When morning came , they were all present at the dining table. Trent and Adrian sat across from Amelia, her kids and Kennedy and Kim. After a long night of deliberation, Adrian rubbed his temples, exhaustion evident, but a sense of acceptance lingered between  him and his husband.

"Don't you have practice every morning," Adrian said looking at Kim.

"I do, told coach I wasn't feeling well, he said to come with a doctor's note tomorrow, good thing I have two doctors and I didn't want to miss this" Kim said.

"Why am I brothers with you, let your husband write the note,and why can't you mind your own business" Adrian asked.

"Your business is my business, and I like drama and all that. I'm here for the tea, so what did you guys decide" Kim asked as he ate his waffles.

Trent exhaled, looking at Adrian before turning to Amelia. "Okay, we'll do it. We’ll take the kids," he said.

Amelia’s face broke into a mix of relief and gratitude, tears welling in her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you both so much."

Kim, , smirked and leaned back against the dining chair. "I told you. One of these days, you’d end up with kids, and I’ll be the first to congratulate you. So, congratulations!" He pulled out his phone, grinning mischievously. "I’m texting the family group—"

"Don’t," Adrian interrupted quickly. "Just let us be the ones to tell them, alright?"

Kim chuckled but nodded. "Okay, okay, I’ll let you have that one. But you know, when I said you’d have kids one day, I didn’t think it would be only a few months after I made the prediction."

Adrian sighed, a hint of amusement crossing his face. "Yeah, well, nobody expected you to fall in love and get married after three months of dating either, but here you are with my best friend, brother. And nobody expected Chris to get over Marina in a month and fall so deeply in love with Kyle. I guess a lot of things have been unexpected this year." He leaned back, rubbing his hands over his face as if trying to absorb it all.

"Fair point" Kim said.

"I’ll call my lawyer," Trent said, breaking the momentary silence. "We can finalize everything today."

Amelia’s relief was palpable. "Thank you," she whispered again, her eyes red with the weight of her gratitude. She turned toward her children, her heart aching but hopeful as she looked at them, knowing they were in safe hands now.

Adrian cleared his throat awkwardly, unsure of how to begin addressing the kids. "Okay, so...hi, kids. I’m Adrian, and this is Trent. We’ll be your dads."

The boys sat quietly, their faces guarded. They didn’t know what to make of this sudden shift in their lives, still processing everything that had happened in the last few days.

Adrian looked around, uncomfortable in the silence. "Okay, I tried," he muttered under his breath, feeling out of his depth.

Kennedy, scoffed. "You’re going to suck as a dad. Geez."

"I’m Ethan, the oldest. He’s Levi," he said, nodding toward his brother, "and he’s Samuel, but we call him Sam or Sammy."

Adrian nodded, trying to think of something meaningful to say, but his mind went blank. "Okay, umm..." He glanced at Trent, who raised an eyebrow at his floundering. Adrian sighed and let out a defeated chuckle. "Shit, I don’t know what to say, Cupcake," he said, looking at Trent for backup.

Ethan snorted, his lips quirking into a half-smile. "Cupcake?" he repeated, trying to stifle a laugh. "He looks like ‘sour face’ would suit him better."

"Ethan!" Amelia scolded softly, her maternal instincts kicking in despite the situation.

"Sorry, ma," Ethan mumbled, though he didn’t sound all that sorry.

Adrian, Kim and Kennedy laughed, the sound breaking some of the tension in the room.

"I like him," he said with a grin. "I think we’re going to be okay." Adrian said.

But Amelia’s expression shifted slightly, and she hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "There’s something you should know... Levi, he... he has selective mutism. Ever since his dad died, he stopped talking."

Adrian and Trent exchanged glances, concerned but not alarmed. "Selective mutism?" Trent asked, his brow furrowing as he looked at Amelia.

Kim chimed in from his spot. "What’s that?"

Before Amelia could explain, Kennedy spoke up. "Selective mutism is when someone, usually a child, is unable to speak in certain situations or to specific people, even though they can speak normally in other settings. It's usually triggered by anxiety or trauma."

Amelia nodded, grateful for the explanation. "It started after his dad passed. Levi used to be such a talkative kid, but now... he only talks to his brothers, and even then, it’s rare. I just wanted you to know, so you’re prepared."

Adrian's face softened as he looked at Levi, who was standing quietly, his eyes downcast. "We’ll do whatever we need to help him, Amelia," he said gently. "He’ll be safe with us, all of them will."

Trent squeezed Adrian’s hand, offering silent support. "We’ll make sure they’re okay."

Yeah, they'll get him help, even though they didn't want to be parents and you thrusted it onto them, they are good people, they'll look after your kids, Kim said.

Yes, don't worry, and I'll help enroll them in schools around here, Kennedy said.

What do we call you, Ethan asked.

I'm uncle Ken, he's uncle Kim.

And I call, dibbs on the word dad, Adrian said.

Then what will they call me, Trent asked.

Sour face is okay, Adrian said as they all laughed, except Sam and Levi, who were watching something on a tab, Kennedy gave them.

That's not becoming a thing, Trent said groaning.

Daddy, Sam said looking up at Trent.

Trent smiled genuinely.

That works too buddy, Trent said.

I'm way too old to be going around saying daddy, I'll call you father, is it a bit formal yes but I'm not going to call you daddy, Ethan said.

I like him, you and I are going to be best friends, Trent said smiling.

Keep talking like that, Trent needs someone like Ad, Kennedy said.

Don't encourage him to talk to me like that and kids, you can call us however you feel comfortable with, you don't have to call us dad or father, we will understand, heck I'm trying to understand how I'm becoming a dad already, I'm getting old, Trent said.

You are thirty, oh my god, you are my age, don't jinx us, Kim said.

I'm grateful for all of you, you are so accepting Amelia said smiling through her tears.

Welkies Adrian said.

You realize I'm going to give them my surname right, Trent said.

That would be okay, Amelia said.