Always (Always & Forever 1)

"Yes," Kane replied instantly, his eyes back on Avery's.

"Then ask God to give you peace, because I totally have it in this deal. I have no doubt we're going to raise happy, well-adjusted children. Or as well-adjusted as they can be in today's world," Avery said. Kane didn't have time to reply as a compact Paulie came busting through the main doors like a bull in a china shop. Avery grinned like he always did when he saw Paulie. He never got over how much attention the small built man commanded.

"You never called! I couldn't stand the waiting. What do you know?" Paulie asked, ripping the well-worn cap off his head.

"Nothing. We're still waiting," Kane said, letting go of Avery's hand as he started to rise.

"Nah, don't get up. How much longer?" Paulie asked, taking the seat directly across from them.

"Your guess is as good as mine," Avery said, lifting up, sitting straighter as Kane sat back down beside him.

"Damn doctors always make you wait!" Paulie grumbled, sitting fully back in his seat, clearly there for the long haul. That was all they said, although Paulie gave several grunts, and eye rolls with each passing minute. They waited the next hour and a half until the doctor, dressed in light green scrubs, stepped inside the waiting room.

"Everything went well. Took a little longer than expected, but there were no complications, Sophia's doing good. We have her in recovery, she's awake, alert, and just a real trooper." Avery stood first, Paulie a close second, and Kane was slower to get to his feet.

"Is her husband here?" Kane asked. Avery looked back and noticed his honey's coloring had drained from his face as he stood nervously tucking his hands in his slacks pockets. He couldn't help but want to comfort him so he reached out and wrapped an arm around him, anchoring Kane against his side.

"He's with her now. She gave me two thumbs up to send out here to you two," Dr. Palmer said.

"Now, we have to wait about a month to know for sure?" Paulie's gruff voice piped in.

"Yes. Now it's in God's hands. A prayer wouldn't hurt," the doctor said. Avery chuckled, drawing all eyes to him as Kane gave an overstated nod, agreeing with the physician. That was something Kane had down. There would be no shortage of prayers over the next month.

"Let Sophia know if there is anything she needs, we'll get it taken care of," Avery reassured.

"I will. Get some rest, this is the first of many steps," Dr. Palmer said, letting that be his goodbye as he retreated back through the waiting room door. That left the three of them alone again. Avery was so much lighter now that they had made it through the procedure.

"Thank you for coming. We need to celebrate!" Avery said, shaking Paulie's hand, who surprised him by reaching up and embracing him in a solid, back-whacking hug instead. Kane still didn't look good. "Honey, you okay? Are you hungry?"

"I'm gonna throw up," Kane said. Avery narrowed his eyes and looked closer to see if Kane was joking or serious. He was much paler than before and maybe had a little greener tint to his skin. He untangled himself from Paulie's hold and they both went to Kane who landed back in the seat with a thump. His head dropped down between his knees. After a moment, Avery decided Kane probably wasn't going to pass out and helped him up, pulling him back against his side.

"You think this is bad. You just wait until that baby comes home the first night. You're gonna be a nervous wreck!" Paulie announced, completely not helping.

"Come on, babe. You'll be all right. Have you already started the prayers?" Avery asked, motioning Paulie ahead of them as they left the waiting room. Kane bumped up against him as they slowly made their way down the corridor.

"You know the answer to that," Kane replied, taking a deep breath.

"Good, then everything will be fine." Avery pushed the button for the elevator and held the door for Kane and Paulie when it arrived. After the doors closed, Kane turned toward him, laying his head on Avery's shoulder.

"This is all so emotional. I hope you're right."

"I know I'm right," Avery stated, kissing Kane's forehead.

"I love you," Kane professed, lifting his lips for a kiss.

"I love you, too," Avery declared as he looked deeply into Kane's eyes.

"Good God, does it ever stop with you two? It's way too sweet in here! You're making my teeth hurt. Come on, I'll fix you something special at the restaurant. You know it wouldn't kill you to go ahead and work tonight. You'd think you were having this baby yourself…" Paulie started as he exited the elevator, leaving them in his dust. Avery listened halfheartedly as he kept Kane close and headed toward their car. He'd have to manage his own excitement, play it cool for Kane, but he found himself praying too—for this procedure to take, for them to have their baby.

* * * *

September, 1979 ~ Minneapolis, Minnesota

Avery anxiously paced, wearing a path in the brown shag carpet in the back of the physician's office. They had become intimately familiar with these four walls. Dr. Palmer kept a tidy, neat desk with a large stack of magazines at their disposal. Kane had kept a steady tempo, flipping through most of them in the hour or so that they had been waiting. Avery's steps never faltered in the steady route he followed. The rustling of his clothing filled the silent room as he restlessly marched back and forth. It was the only noise they'd made since they'd arrived.

Today was their one month exam to see if any of the fertilized eggs had taken.

Kane had emotionally prepared himself for a no. His brain told him to expect a negative response, but his heart seemed to have a mind of its own. No matter how hard he had scolded himself, he couldn't quite work the hope out of his system. Now, as he sat waiting, he pulled deeper inside himself with each passing minute. Good Lord, how he wanted Sophia to be pregnant.