ETHAN HENRY GOLDSTEIN

Watching Ethan hold their son only makes more tears fall down Brett’s cheeks,  gazing back at the two of them with blurred vision. “I don’t care. He’s totally worth it.” He murmurs after composing himself, letting out a quiet breath. Every moment had been worth it because all of the waiting had given them Henry. Their beautiful baby boy. He was perfect in every way and Brett couldn’t stop staring at him. “I can’t believe we get to take him home with us. We’re dads now! We’re responsible for this tiny person.” Their lives had been changed forever since the moment they first found out that they were expecting. But now that Henry was here and in their arms, everything felt a thousand times more real. “He’s perfect though. Our little Henry.” 

Ethan chuckles at the thought of this tiny, little guy wrecking havoc soon. After all he was his son. Theirs. And he was perfect. When he looks up to meet his husband’s gaze, the tears in Brett eyes make him smile simply because he knew them to be happy tears. Ethan reaches to cup his face, wiping the stray tears with his thumb in a soft motion, stealing a kiss as he so carefully held onto their son. “Soon.” They would take Henry home soon and he would be theirs forever to care for and love. “But serious talk... do you think he has my nose?” Ethan tries to lighten the moment, frowning a little as he moves somewhat as if trying to get a better look at Henry. 

It all happens so quickly, but also in slow motion at the same time. Brett can hardly believe that the screaming baby that’s being born right before their very eyes is theirs. Henry Asher Goldstein. He’s perfect. He’s perfect and he’s theirs and Brett can’t keep the tears from falling down his cheeks as he’s handed to him. “Hey, Henry. We’re so happy to finally meet you.” The brunette whispers, bouncing the baby gently in his arms. Looking back at Ethan, Brett grins, knowing that he’s absolutely beaming. “He really is, isn’t he? Do you want to hold him?”

Ethan could swear this really had to be the happiest day of his life. He hated to admit that he fell into that cliché but it was so much more than becoming a parent or seeing his son for the first time. At that moment, he had everything-absolutely everything he ever could’ve dreamed of. Watching Brett hold their son, his husband, his family, part of him could barely believe it all to be true. And Brett looked so happy, the happiest he’s ever seen him. He couldn’t look away. He wanted to remember this moment forever. “I—” Ethan stuttered for a moment, almost as if he was caught off guard, clearing his throat with a nod. “Yes.” He had held so many babies, his many nieces and nephews, others during calls. Holding Henry was different. Ethan tried to pick up every detail, counted every finger and toe, made sure his breathing was right. He was so careful, so worried he’d hurt him or hold him the wrong way. He was so tiny in his arm, and so perfect. Ethan looked at Brett, tears welling up in his eyes. “You know he’s going to turn our hair gray, right?” He teased, leaning into his husband as his eyes turned towards his son. “He’s still a Henry. Right, buddy? We’re in for a wild ride.”

Brett’s already feeling pretty emotional, and he knows that feeling will only grow as soon as they get to meet their son. He’s already teary eyed just thinking about it, his gaze focused on Ethan to keep himself from completely losing it in the waiting room. “For you? Always. Forever.” The brunette finally murmurs, clearing his throat softly. “However he turns out…he’ll be perfect. All that matters is that he’s ours. And I can’t wait to meet him.” Hopefully it wouldn’t be too long now. Brett knew it couldn’t be rushed, but he was anxious and nervous and excited to meet Henry. Thankfully the doctor appears and Brett lets out a sigh of relief, squeezing Ethan’s hand in anticipation. This was it. After nine long months of waiting, they were finally about to meet their son. 

Ethan feels his husband squeeze his hand and finds comfort in the gesture. They were both equally anxious and excited to meet their son, and once the doctor returns with an update, it’s Ethan’s grip that tightens around Brett’s. He listens carefully, memorizing every detail the doctor is sharing almost as if he was on a call, nodding in acknowledgement. “When can we see him?” He asked, his words escaping him and looking at Brett almost immediately as if realizing what he just did. He wasn’t sure how these things went. With his nieces and nephews, the family waited outside by the wait room but usually his sisters’ husbands were with them during labor. They’d bring in the news. They had seen their babies already, held them even. He knew their experience was different and that even if it weren’t, it being their first time would make them feel a little lost and overwhelmed regardless, but he was nervous. He wanted everything to be right. He didn’t want to do or say anything that would have someone take their baby away from them. It was an irrational fear. The doctor still smiled, explaining how the baby was being cleaned and weighed and registered, but a nurse soon followed with a little one bundled up in her arms. Ethan didn’t move. At that point, he completely froze in place though his eyes wouldn’t leave their child. He feels Brett moving, the nurse carefully transferring the baby from her arms to his husband’s and his heart is beating so hard and so fast he swears it’ll explode with a love stronger than any he’d ever felt. He moved closer, just a step behind Brett, his hand softly touching his back as he took a better look at their boy. With all his ten fingers and toes. Pouty, pink lips parting in a small yawn. Henry. “He’s perfect.” He whispers, his voice threatening to catch at his throat, smiling through watery eyes. “He’s perfect.” He repeats, looking at Brett.

“We can call them once we get the update from the doctor. Let’s wait until we have something to tell them.” Brett murmurs, trying to stay at least a little bit on the logical side. He really was buzzing with a mix of adrenaline and excitement, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet. “We’ll know more soon. Let’s just…breathe. Or something. I don’t know.” Chuckling nervously, Brett shakes his head, taking his own advice and taking a deep breath after a moment, letting it out slowly. “Hey, Ethan?” Brett asks, gazing back at Ethan once he’s calmed down, brushing his thumb over his husband’s jaw lightly. “Thanks for making me a dad.” Their journey to fatherhood hadn’t been an easy one, but it was all worth it. Brett was sure of that. “I love you so much.”

Right. Of course. They should wait. Ethan didn’t really know what to do, what to expect. He had a hard time breathing and his emotions were all over the place. Brett was definitely the one keeping them both sane, centered, but there was still that thrill of the moment rushing through their veins, shining through their eyes. “Hm?” Ethan tilts his head towards his husband, still quite unable to follow his advice as he tries to take a deep breath, his features softening at the touch. His first instinct was to dismiss Brett’s words, but he knew better. He knew what they meant to him. To them. His hand moves over Brett’s, threading their fingers together. “Thanks you for waiting for me.” After all, that’s what it all came down to. Brett’s faith in him, in them; his patience. His love. He didn’t give up on them, not even when it didn’t seem like there was a way for them. Ethan didn’t mean to hurt him. He didn’t mean to hurt anyone. Right now, this moment, their life together, their son. It made all the pain, the struggle, worthwhile. “I love you more than I’ll ever be able to say, and our kid, even if he ends up taking after me instead. I’m sorry in advance if that’s the case. You’re stuck with us. For life.”

Even though they had booth been expecting the call any day now, Brett’s heart had still nearly jumped out of his chest when he saw their surrogate’s name pop up on his caller ID. This was it. They were finally going to get to meet their son. He had practically sped over to the hospital, somehow making it there before Ethan. It took him a minute to find the right floor and ward, pacing around the small waiting area while he waited for Ethan to arrive. “Breathe, babe. You’re here.” Brett says reassuringly, giving his husband’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “The doctor’s in there checking how far along she is now.” He explains, having already gotten the information when he had arrived. Their birth plan was clear - they’d be in the room when Henry was being born. Brett couldn’t wait, even though he knew that it could also be a long night. “Everyone’s good though. They’re monitoring them both.” Brett adds, his hand moving to cup Ethan’s cheek instead, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “This is it. He’s finally coming. I can’t wait to meet him.”

It was hard to breathe and not only because he had rushed all the way to that waiting room. Ethan tried to catch his breath at his husband’s request but still shrugged a silent apology when he couldn’t help himself, chest still rising as he nodded at the updates, his eyes trained on the wide doors leading to the maternity wing. He was itching to know, to make sure everything went well during labor, but for now, he couldn’t do anything but wait. His attention is brought back to his husband at the touch, the kiss managing to finally calm him down for a moment, his heart still pounding as he smiles. “This is it.” He echoes, and in an instant, his arms wrap around Brett, holding him in a tight embrace for a moment. This was the last time it would be just the two of them and their pets. From this day forward, they would have a little person who depended solely on them and whom their entire lives would revolve around. It was an overwhelming emotion. He was happier than he could ever imagine being, as he was terrified. “We need to tell our parents.” Ethan says after a moment, still not fully letting go but much more calmed and collected than before. “I brought the bag. Everything should be there. I don’t know how long we’ll have to stay here with him but we should be okay for a few days.”

“Still, we don’t have to talk about our sex life in front of your dad!” Brett laughs, shaking his head. Not that Brett was a prude or anything like that, but still. He didn’t think his father in law wanted to hear about it either. “Yeah, of course. They’ll fly over as soon as they can if he ends up coming early.” Brett knew his parents were excited to meet their grandson. They had even been talking about moving to Nashville officially, which thrilled Brett to no end. Even though he talked to his parents often, it wasn’t the same as having them in the same city. “Ha. We’re ready for it. At least, I hope we are. We’re gonna find out!” Brett chuckles, giving Michael a smile. “I just want him here and healthy. Whoever he turns out like is just an added bonus.” 

Ethan didn’t push it but he still found it cute how respectful Brett was around his parents. “Babe, this is nothing compared to the kinda locker room talk he has to deal with at the station... but I’ll drop it. We can talk about it later just the two of us. Or not talk about it and just do it.” Winking in his husband’s direction at the words meant for only the two of them, he grinned and joined his father outside with Brett following close behind. Everyone was getting ready to meet Henry. Ethan was quietly freaking out, too. The weeks ahead were going to be busy ones with their families over, them getting used to having a baby in the house, missing some good night’s sleep. “This kid can’t be worse than Matt as a baby so I think we’ll be fine. That one made it to his teens now. I’m confident my kid will too.” Ethan adored his nephew but the kid didn’t only look like him, he took after him in personality too. It was a miracle he made it, really. Wrapping an arm casually around his husband’s waist. “He’ll be here soon and healthy. He’s already perfect.” Reassuring Brett, he kissed his cheek softly and smiled. “He’s the most perfect little boy in the entire world. He’s our kid. How can he not be?” 

“Babe! Not in front of your dad.” Brett teases with a chuckle, leaning in to press a kiss to his husband’s lips. Taking Ethan’s hand, he leads him out to the backyard, taking a seat in one of the chairs they have out there. “I know. Crazy, right? My parents are hoping to fly in a week before his due date as long as everything’s still good with the surrogate…that should be enough time, right?” He asks, though he knows babies come whenever they’re good and ready. Due dates were really just an estimation. “It’s exciting though, isn’t it? Our son’s almost here. It feels like we’ve been waiting for him for so long.” 

“We’re having a baby. I think he might know a thing or two about how those come to be.” Ethan grins into the kiss. It was obvious him and Brett didn’t have a child the traditional way but that didn’t stop him from joking about it and all the practice it took to make the perfect baby. As terrifying and stressful as he was with the due date being just around the corner now, Ethan couldn’t wait to meet their son, and he knew their entire family was just as excited. “I think so. If anything changes, we’ll give them a call right away and I’m sure they’ll be here in the next flight from JFK to Nashville.” Brushing his thumb over his husband’s lips before parting ways once they joined his father in the backyard, Ethan smiles. “It feels like a lifetime and we still have 18 years to go—” Ethan was cut off by his father. “And if he’s anything like this one, it’ll feel twice as long, believe me, son.” Michael Henry was talking to Brett mostly, tilting his beer in Ethan’s direction. “Thanks, dad... hence why I’m hoping he takes after Brett. With his smarts and those eyes, my kid will be unstoppable.”

In a few short weeks, they were going to be parents. Brett was equally excited and nervous to bring their son home from the hospital, knowing they still had a lot to do before he arrived. They were lucky to have the help of Ethan’s parents, dividing and conquering tasks. That day his husband and father in law were working on putting together Henry’s crib while he worked on the finishing touches of paint in the nursery, Needing a break from the paint fumes, he exits the room to get drinks for everyone, offering the two men a couple of beers while he sips on his own iced tea, snorting quietly at his husband’s question. “I draw the line at co-sleeping. We need a crib, babe.” Brett says with a shake of his head, eyeing the instructions in Ethan’s hand.  “Why don’t you take a break and come back in a little bit with fresh eyes? Let’s sit in the backyard and enjoy our drinks.” 

The baby’s room was starting to take shape and with it, the anxiety of waiting for his arrival grew. Ethan had to laugh at himself and his dad as they tried to figure out how to put the crib together mostly because he thought such things only happened in the movies. His dad jumped at the offer of a break before he could, shaking his head in amusement as he watched his old man squeeze Brett’s shoulder on his way past him. “If your kid’s anything like this one, you won’t catch a good night’s sleep anytime soon, bud. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.” Ethan waited for his dad to be out of earshot, though, as he approached with husband with a smirk on his face. “If only he knew I still keep you up all night every now and then he would know that warning is useless.” He teased, folding the instruction sheet and leaving it near his tools as he walked after Brett. “We’re almost done now. Once the paint dries we just need to give it a couple of days for the smell to clear and it’s all set. We’re ready to welcome this kid now. I don’t know how I feel about that.”

“Well we’re both CPR certified, so we’ll be ready for anything.” They both had to be for their jobs, not that Brett ever hoped they’d have to use their training on their own child. Henry. Brett can’t believe that they’re really having a baby. “Maybe we should stick to one theme then.” He chuckles, considering their options. A baseball themed nursery could be really cute. He could work with that. “We can start looking at paint and décor and stuff later. We have some time to get things ready for him. The hardest part will be trying to keep Slugger out of the crib!”

Time went by much faster than either of them realized. There were only a few weeks left before the due date and the baby’s room still needed to be put together. Ethan had been working more doubles than usual, trying to gather as much overtime as he could before Henry’s arrival, which didn’t give him a lot spare time to do much around the house. He had recruited his father’s help that weekend to put the crib and other pieces of furniture together. He knew, once everything was said and done, he’d look back at this moment and feel emotional about it. At the moment, though, they were both very focused and tired with the tasks at hand. “Who knew putting a crib together would be this hard?” He half joked, drying the droplets of sweat forming on his forehead with his forearm as his dad picked up the instructions sheet again, cursing quietly before he disregarded them. They could probably do without the instructions, to be honest, but Ethan was trying to make sure they wouldn’t walk into a crying baby with a crib collapsed over him in the middle of the night, so he reached for them again as his husband walked into the room. “Is the crib really that necessary? He can always sleep with us, right?” Ethan joked, looking at Brett. 

“You’ll look pretty sexy putting together a crib though.” Brett teases gently, hoping to lighten Ethan’s mood a bit. He couldn’t believe that this was really happening for them, that they were going to be parents. It was something that Brett had always wanted, a dream come true for him. He only chuckles when Ethan suggests a baseball themed nursery, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Mm, maybe. You might be able to convince me.” Brett says jokingly, nuzzling Ethan’s neck for a moment before he gets up to go back to his own spot at the table, just in time for their pizza to arrive. “God, I hate those things! We have them on all of the cabinets at work. We’ll have to go through the house and babyproof it, but I’m sure we’ll be alright.” 

“Babe, considering that kid is potentially half Henry, trust me, we will need the baby proofing. Everywhere.” Ethan was only half joking. The last thing he wanted was to have to use his emergency training at home because their son decided to climb the fridge and hit his head or breaks a bone, all which, in Ethan’s own experience as a child, were perfectly possible. It made him smile, though, just talking like this with Brett, making plans, concrete plans, real plans. Their baby was not an idea. He was real. They were going to be parents and just that thought made him smile and freak out at the same time. Ethan laughed between bites, their conversation easy now that he let all the feelings out unexpectedly only minutes ago. Nibbling on a crust, the firefighter shrugged. “I mean, if baseball isn’t it, we can definitely decorate the room with a pizza theme too. That’d be cool. And original. It’ll also make me crave pizza in the middle of the night when we have to feed him so, maybe, on second thought, we should definitely stick to baseball.”

Brett’s fingers thread through Ethan’s hair as his husband leans against him, hoping to comfort him even just a little bit. The day had been overwhelming, even if it had been in the best way possible. Their lives were changing now that they knew for sure that they were going to become parents. Brett knew that they were ready, but he also knew that it was scary and nervewracking and a bunch of other things. But what he knew most of all was that they would face it all together, the good and the bad and everything in between. “We can workshop middle names another time.” Brett chuckles, pressing a kiss to the side of Ethan’s head. “We’ll get to meet him soon. We have a few things we need to do first…starting with getting his nursery ready! Lucky for us, I’m excellent at painting rooms.” The brunette says jokingly, already excited about decorating their baby boy’s room. “Also lucky for us is that you should be a pro at installing the car seat, right? Since those are super obnoxious.” 

Ethan slowly recovered from whatever it was that got into him at the pizza shop. He was so unbelievable happy at that moment he couldn’t really explain why he was crying. He knew they were happy tears but he had never been very comfortable crying, much less in public. He still smiled at his husband, Brett’s support and love was something he could never take for granted. This was their happily ever after and it just kept getting better and better each day. “Luckily my sisters and their million kids can help us when it comes to knowing which baby brands are better than others because I have no idea where to start looking for cribs!” The firefighter let out a raspy laugh, clearing his throat as he recovered from the crying. “Is it too early to call a baseball theme for the room?” He teased, grinning as he looked at his husband. “I mean, our first date was at a baseball game, it’s only fair...” He knew how Brett felt about sports, though, so he wasn’t really holding his breath. It just came to him at that moment that he would have his own son to play with now after so many years coaching little leagues. He’d love the kid no matter what his interests were, Ethan was sure of that, but he really, really wanted to be able to share that with his son. “Babe, that kid will be the safest kid in town, trust me. The entire house will be. You might not even be able to lift the toilet seat without having to unlock a thousand child locks.” 

Brett’s on his feet the moment he sees Ethan’s expression change, quickly moving to his husband’s side of the table. Wrapping an arm around the firefighter’s shoulder, Brett sits down beside Ethan, holding him close. “Don’t apologize.” He murmurs, pressing a kiss to the side of Ethan’s head. “It’s okay to be emotional. This is a big moment for us. We’re having a baby. A healthy, beautiful baby boy. Henry freaking Goldstein. I mean, that’s not gonna be his middle name, but we can figure that out later.” Brett chuckles, brushing his thumb over Ethan’s cheek lightly, wiping away a stray tear. “I promise you we’re both gonna cry a lot more times during this pregnancy. And it’s 100% okay to be emotional. Even if it is in the middle of a pizza shop.” 

Ethan hated crying, even more if it was in public. He couldn’t help it, though. He tried, the moment he felt his husband move from his seat beside him to the moment he wrapped his arms around his shoulders. Ethan apologized because he hadn’t meant to cause a scene. Truth is, he was experiencing so many different emotions at once, he didn’t quite know how to hold himself. Brett was doing that for him, holding him, so he allowed himself to lean on his husband, nodding and smiling at his words. “It’d be a freaking cool middle name, though.” He chuckled through a sniff, shaking his head. It felt as though their lives had changed in an instant, which had happened before for them. Their life was comprised of many life-changing instants that brought them together, that made them fall in love and fight for it, a love that now created a life. They were having a son. “I don’t know if it’s okay to get this emotional at a pizza shop but at least we’re in the right place, because we both know if there’s anything that makes everything else right, it’s pizza!” Ethan joked, pressing his forehead lightly against Brett’s for a moment. “I just want to meet him already, but there’s so much to get done first and, well, it’s only a few months and I don’t think that’s long enough to prepare everything but it’s feels like forever before he’s home with us.”

Brett knew they had just found out they were having a son and that he was healthy and growing normally. He knew that they hadn’t even given names a thought at all, but the idea of naming their son Henry had popped into his head and it had come out before he could stop himself. “I know…just think about it.” Brett replies quickly, chewing on the inside of his cheek. It seemed like the perfect choice, really. He wasn’t in a rush to decide though, wanting Ethan to be on board with it as well. “Yeah…of course I mean it, babe.” Brett replies when his husbands asks, nodding back at him. “Henry Goldstein kind of has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”

There was a moment, between Ethan’s asking Brett to repeat what he had said and the thought of it downing on him, where the firefighter went completely quiet, shaking his head as he tried to hide his face from his husband across the table. He wasn’t expecting to discuss names so soon after learning they were having a boy but he was also not expecting Brett’s suggestion making him so emotional. “I’m sorry.” Ethan manages to say between what sounds like both a chuckle and a sob, pressing the back of his hands against his eyes to will the tears from falling. He never felt comfortable crying and, in truth, he didn’t really feel like crying often. “Jesus—” He clears his throat, annoyed with himself for a moment because he doesn’t want to cause a scene, sighing softly as he looks back at his husband half composed. “I don’t know what’s gotten all over me just now. Henry Goldstein sounds perfect, Brett. All of it is.”

“Okay. I’ll text them later, see when they’re free.” Brett replies with a smile, excited to tell his parents the news. “Maybe we can see if we can go to your folks’ place this weekend for dinner or something? We can tell them then. And if you don’t feel ready yet, then it’s just dinner.” The brunette suggests with a shrug, bringing Ethan’s hand to his lips to press a kiss to his knuckles. Finding out they had a healthy son on the way was easily one of the best moments of his life. “Babe, you do know  I run after children for a living, right? I can handle it.” Brett teases, quieting for a few moments. There are so many things going through his mind, but they all seem to quiet as he gazes back at Ethan, so in love with the man sitting across the table from him. “We should name him Henry.” The brunette blurts out, biting his lower lip lightly. They hadn’t exactly discussed baby names or anything, but it seemed perfect. 

Ethan wasn’t worried about them becoming parents. He was confident that they’d make great fathers to their son. He always wondered what it would be like, to be a dad someday, even when he wasn’t so sure it could happen, and he knew Brett wanted it just as much. Their family, it was all he cared about, but he worried about not being able to protect them all the time. His own family had hurt them once because of who they were. Being a same sex couple was already tough, being a same sex couple with a child, well, that was a whole other level. Ethan didn’t want to ruin this day for them with his worries, though, so he tried to keep those to himself as he looked back at his husband, brushing his thumb softly against Brett’s curved lips. “What?” He asked because he genuinely didn’t get it, at first, frowning with a smile as he registered his husband’s suggestion. “Brett, babe, we don’t have to pick a name now.” Ethan shook his head, both hands holding onto his husband’s on the table between them, his eyes searching Brett’s. Ethan didn’t regret taking Brett’s name but it hadn’t been an easy feat either, to give up his own. To hear Brett suggest they used his name for their kid, well, it meant a lot to him. “Do you mean it?”

When Ethan mentions calling his parents later, Brett smiles, leaning forward to give his husband a soft kiss. They knew each other so well so it didn’t surprise Brett that Ethan probably figured that his parents were on his mind. “Are you sure? I am, but I don’t mind waiting, I don’t want them to accidentally spill to your parents or anything. It’s okay if we keep it to ourselves for a little bit longer.” Brett murmurs, reaching across the table to take Ethan’s hands, squeezing them gently. “I am too. We can just take some time to enjoy the news ourselves. That’s totally fine with me. This is big, exciting news. It’s also scary. It’s okay to keep it to ourselves for a little bit longer.” 

“I’m sure.” Ethan nods encouragingly. He wants Brett to call his parents. He wants the Goldstein to be part of this moment. He wants his parents to be part of this moment, too, but he just wanted to wait a bit longer. A day or two. Let it all sink in first. If it went well, they wouldn’t hold it against him. But if it went wrong, then he had a few days of pure joy they couldn’t take away from him. Turning his hand under Brett’s when his husband reached for his, he smiled. The look on his face, he was sure he’d never forget it. The way his eyes beamed, his smile. He loved everything about the man right across from him but this moment, this moment was definitely at the top. It also made him think of the first time they came to this very pizza shop and how far from reality this moment was. Ethan chuckled. “We’ll have a little one pulling the Henry here in a year or two.” He had told Brett about how he would always spill something as a kid whenever his family came here and how the owner and the staff started calling the cleaning that took place right after by his name. He would bring his nephews and nieces whenever he watched after them, his little leagues team. Now he got to bring his kid. Soon. “I really do hope he takes after you or else we’ll have our hands full and you don’t deserve that.”

Brett would’ve been happy with a boy or a girl, if he was being honest. He was just thrilled to hear that their baby was healthy and growing like he should. He was already perfect, even if the ultrasound pictures were a little fuzzy and he didn’t always want to show his face. It didn’t matter to Brett. Seeing their son on the little screen meant more to him than he could ever put into words. “Pizza.” He agrees with a nod, smiling as they start back towards Ethan’s truck. “We’ll have to FaceTime my parents. Your folks we can tell in person…I can get Sadie a mug or something. She’ll be excited, I’m sure.” Brett says, knowing full well his cousin would be thrilled for them. “Do we need to stop at the store on the way home and get you dessert too, babe? We’re celebrating, there’s no rules.” 

Ethan nodded in agreement, about to say something regarding dessert when the doctors returned and they were handed a printed copy of a few stills from the ultrasound. It was hard to believe this was happening to them, this was real, even as he held the proof in his hands. He was still think about this when they reached his truck. “We can call your parents tonight.” Ethan said as they made it to the pizza shop, taking an empty table for the two of them, fidgeting for a moment before finally clasping his hands together to still himself and look at his husband. “I know you miss them and I know you’re excited to tell them. I am too. I just... I need a moment before telling my parents.” Even if his parents had eventually accepted his own sexual orientation, his relationship and his now husband, Ethan still dealt with some sort of PTSD when it came to telling them big things they weren’t used to, like his gay son having a son. It may have been unfounded now, irrational even, and when Ethan turned to look at Brett, he offered an apologetic smile with a shrug. “I’m really happy right now and I just don’t want anything to ruin that for us. I may be freaking out for no reason but, I don’t know, I just want to enjoy this moment with you for a little while longer before we have to worry about other things.”