Wren

Part 18

Wren sat on the balcony of their room, at the glass table.  He had a stack of colorful paper in front of him but was distracted for a moment. He stared at the spot where he'd been chained in the thunderstorm two years ago. 

That night had been terrible. He remembered how scared and heartbroken he'd been; how the rain pelted mercilessly against his battered body. He'd cried out all his tears that night.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts, returning to the half-finished crane in his hand. He folded the paper with delicate care, making a beautiful pink bird. Then he made a blue one.

He stared at the pair, once again longing for something that he was nervous to ask for.

He shuffled his papers into a neat stack and stood, carrying them and the two cranes into the bedroom. He looked around for Matteo, but he wasn't there. He placed the cranes on his nightstand, and slipped on a pair of sneakers. He decided to go find him.

He finger-combed his shaggy black hair as he walked down the halls, headed towards Matteo's study. That was the first place Wren checked, but he wasn't there. Maybe with Vincenzo? So he walked to his study, and found the pair deep in conversation. He quietly slinked inside, not wanting to interrupt.

"If they cheated us out of the deal, why haven't we gone after them?" Matteo asked.

"They won't close with us no matter what. They don't want to get involved with our line of business." 

"I just don't understand why they changed their minds halfway through. They knew what they were getting into when they agreed, but the minute they need to actually sign something, they back out?"

Wren came up behind his husband and started massaging his tense shoulders. "Is it a bad time?" 

"No, puppy." Matteo said as he turned and smiled at him. Vincenzo also beamed, completely wrapped around his son-in-law's finger.

"Do you need anything?" Vincenzo asked.

"No, Sir. I was just lonely up in that room by myself. I was wondering if Matteo had some free time. . ?"

Vincenzo nodded and shooed them with his hands. "Of course. How rude of me to keep your husband all to myself!"

They all laughed as the two left. Matteo twined his large hand around Wren's smaller, soft one. They walked around, chatting, until they'd circled back to their room. As they pushed open the door, Wren had worked up the courage to bring up the topic he'd been wanting to ask about for a while. 

"Matteo," he started slowly.

"Yes, puppy?"

"Do you ever think about having kids?"

Matteo froze where he was, looking at Wren in surprise. Wren stopped beside him, his hand stuck in Matteo's. He waited.

"Why do you ask?"

"I've just been thinking lately. . . I've always wanted kids. . . and I'm so lonely when you're not here. . . I really want a baby." He finished, tears pricking his eyes. He'd be really sad if he said no.

Matteo's features softened. He smiled at Wren, stroking his thumb over his hand. "It's okay. I've always wanted kids, too. But don't you think it's a little too soon? Our first anniversary is in three weeks. Do you think you could wait until then? We can talk more about it in the meantime, but if you're absolutely sure, we could look into it then. Okay?"

Wren's heart practically exploded with happiness. "Yes! Yes! Thank you!" He kissed Matteo on the cheek and ran to the bed, flopping on it and letting his imagination run wild.

Matteo sat beside him, listening to him rant about babies, a boy or a girl, clothes, things they'd do, how they'd raise the kid. . . until he fell asleep in his arms. He leaned down and kissed him before he went across the room to take a shower. 

Under the hot water, Matteo's own thoughts took over him. Was he ready to be a father? Did Wren truly want to start a family with him, after everything? He still felt horribly guilty, but Wren would always comfort him. What if he got frustrated and was mean to Wren or their child? What if--

Arms wrapped around Matteo's waist. Wren had undressed and gotten in with him, but Matteo hadn't noticed because of his worries. 

"Don't beat yourself up," Wren whispered as he planted a kiss on Matteo's shoulder, the water running over them. "I know what you're thinking. Everything is going to be okay." He rested his head against Matteo's back.

The warm water and Wren's touch washed away his fears.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Wren was on all fours, hovering over his husband, examining his face. "Aren't you excited?"

"Of course. In one month we'll have a baby. But you know what else I'm excited for?"

Wren nodded happily. "It's our anniversary!" He shouted, falling back onto the bed. His pajamas were rumpled, and his belly poked out. He screamed and giggled when Matteo tickled the open spot.

Matteo had some work to do until about 3:00 PM, and then they were going out. Matteo was taking him to dinner. 

Wren was so excited, but he didn't know how to spend the time until he was supposed to start getting ready. 

They'd put in an application with the adoption agency, who'd immediately responded that they had a young mother who wouldn't be able to keep the baby she was about to have. They met with her a few times, and done all the necessary paperwork, and now it was only about a month until the baby would be born. Wren couldn't contain his excitement, and Matteo was happy too.

He walked around their room, running his hands over the crib that stood in the corner where he'd once been chained. They'd been preparing for the baby for a few weeks now, and Wren kept going over their lists to make sure they had everything.

They wouldn't know the gender of the baby until it was born, so they'd bought neutral colored things, but they hadn't been able to buy clothes yet. That was something Wren was excited to do with Matteo.

He got ready when it was time, dressing up nicely and fixing his hair. Matteo came and showered and changed clothes.

They went to a beautiful outdoor restaurant, where they spent time talking about the past and the future. 

As they were getting into their pajamas later, Matteo came up and slid his hands around Wren's waist. "I have one more thing for you," he said as he stopped Wren from putting on his shirt. He pushed him down into the bed, and that was the start of a very long night.

                    Part Nineteen Coming Soon