[ZEUS]

"Zeus?" I heard Julian whimper from the bed. I smiled, turning to meet his confused figure feeling around for me. It's been a week since I'd been let off the hook, and Julian has been my rock, a pretty one at that. I smiled at the sight of him feeling around for me.

I left the study table heading, abandoning the work I was catching up to. It was about five in the morning and the sun was just peeping out from the clouds.

"Good morning sunshine," I said, kneeling by the side of the bed and taking his hand in mine. He mumbled something, pulling my hand to himself. I smiled, letting him hold on to it for a while. At least I could admire him in the process.

I reached out my other hand, touching his blonde hair. It seemed to get wavy as it got longer — I liked it. It really suited him.

I took my captive hand away slowing, making sure he didn't wake up and returned to my work. A few hours later he eventually got up, he watched me from the bed as I silently worked.

"Can I help?" he suddenly asked, making me turn to face him. He yawned, rubbing his eyes before giving me an expectant look.

"Well?" he asked, adjusting the pillow behind him. His bare chest heaved silently as his baby blue eyes watched me, his cheek still rosy from last night. I turned away at the feeling of my stomach flip in want.

"You can help by not looking like dessert," I muttered, trying to unlock my laptop but hopelessly mistyping the password each time. I heard Julian chuckle behind me as I finally got the passcode right.

"I look like candy? really?" Julian asked still giggling. "Hmm, if I look like candy you look like spicy Mexican food."

I turned rising a brow at him. Really, Mexican food?!

"We're meant to leave in a few hours," Julian said, looking over at the clock hanging over the door. It was eight in the morning now and we were meant to be at the hospital by twelve.

"What do you think she'll look like now? She was such a frail tiny thing when we last visited," Julian said, turning to me. My heart pounded at the way he spoke about my child like it was also his own.

We'd gone to the hospital a few days ago to give a blood sample. It had come out positive and I'd agreed to keep her. I couldn't still get my mind of how Julian had looked at her like she was his very own. I'd almost grown jealous because Julian couldn't keep his mouth shut about her since we left the hospital last week. We were going back today to finalize papers and bring her home.

"It's just been a few days, I'm sure a lot hasn't changed," I said, jealousy clear in my voice. Julian smiled at me before looking down at his hands.

"I know it's just..." Julian trailed before smiling suddenly. I could tell he was excited about having her here with us. He didn't really have to tell me. We've been spending the last few days ordering baby clothes, toys, utensils, and furniture. Julian even cornered me into fixing up the study room for her and moving my stuff to our room instead of just placing her cot at the side of the sitting room like I had intended. I didn't mind. If it made Julian happy it made me happy.

"I know what you mean," I said, completely still dazed at the knowledge I was going to be a father for real.

Julian smiled, looking away before turning his attention to the window. "I should really get up and get ready."

"You should also get ready too," Julian said, scrambling out of bed before walking into the bathroom. I continued working, smiling at the sound of the shower coming on.

The shower went off eventually, followed by a Julian and in a towel as he dried his hair.

"Your turn," He said, walking towards the wardrobes. I shut down my laptop and tidied up the desk before heading out for a shower myself, and by the time I came out Julian was already fully dressed and speaking to the nurse on the phone.

I smiled when he saw me. He moved aside giving me access to the wardrobe. The place had become a lot tighter since Julian got his stuff from his place and I had packed in for real. But I didn't have it in my heart to suggest moving, this spare house I had used to avoid any questions concerning my wealth had truly become home.

We left the house around ten to make sure we had enough time to pick up some things from a shop we purchased stuff for Clover. Clover was what Julian insisted I name her, and I couldn't agree more. She was a little luck charm that I hoped would bring me closer to Jules.

"We're here," I said as I drove into the hospital's parking lot. I parked in an area we couldn't get blocked and got out of the car.

"Are you sure this is the right color, will she like green?" Julian said, peeking through the window of the booth seat at the baby playpen we'd bought.

"Jules..." I said, putting my hand on his shoulder.

"It doesn't matter, and I'm sure she'll love it. Now, stop acting like a bickering mother," I said, making Julian gasp in part embarrassment and shock.

"I am not—" 

"If I said I believed you, would you follow me into the hospital?" I asked, making him pout.

We eventually went into the hospital, stopping at the receptionist's table to inform the nurse of our arrival. We stayed in the reception for a while before the redhead nurse from our last visit came to get us.

"Glad you came on time, follow me," she said, leading us out of the reception and into the hallway. She stopped at an offices door before urging me in.

"Sorry, you'll have to stay behind," she said, blocking Julian's path. He nodded in understanding. It wasn't his child so he really wasn't allowed the right to help issue the birth certificate.

"See you soon, I'll be with Clover," Jules said, leaning over the nurse to peck me. I could see her checks visibly redden before leading Jules to the newborn's room.

I sorted out the papers with the officer at the room I left to meet Julian. I smiled at the scene as I got closer to my baby's crib. Julian was holding Clover to his chest cooing and babbling softly as he dangled his finger over her face. Clover was giving a toothless grin as she tried to capture his finger.

"You're stealing my baby," I said, pledging hurt as I drew a seat to sit next to him. He stuck out his tongue before turning back to the baby. I smiled running two fingers through her curls.

"She has your hair," Julian muttered, smiling. I nodded in agreement. She did have my thick curls. But her skin wasn't thetan shade I had.

"She has your eyes," I said, making Julian roll his eyes.

"Please, most babies have blue eyes at birth it'll change later," Julian insisted rubbing his thumb over her cheek. I looked down at her knowing that she'd limit my physical interaction with Julian for a while, but I'm sure I can handle two months of limited body contact.

"What are you thinking about?" Julian asked, making me blink.

"I err...We should get going," I said, changing the topic. Julian nodded before shouting out across the room to the nurse that we were leaving.

We signed out at the reception. Julian was carrying Clover in a pale green comforter. I wrapped a hand around his waist as we left the hospital doors, walking slowly to the car.

We got into it checking of anything we may have forgotten to do in the hospital.

"So what's her full name?" Julian asked, looking for a way to pull the safety belt over him and clover.

"Clover, cause she's lucky. Althaia a Greek name meaning healing. And Darcanius, because she's my daughter," I said, turning to look at Julian.

"You kept the name?" Julian asked as I pulled the gear to drive mode.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

"I mean Darcanius. I'm just realizing you kept the name," he said, finally getting the seat belt over the both of them. I mumbled a small 'oh' in understanding before turning to face the road.

"Why?" Julian asked, with his gaze on Clover.

I bite my lip not knowing how to answer. I sighed answering him the best way I could "The truth is Lambert's been more of a parent than my own parent's, that's why I'm keeping his last name."

Julian nodded not asking any more questions. I could see there was something on his mind from the way he kept furrowing his brows.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, giving him a glance from the side of my eyes. Julian sighed, nodding slowly.

"What is it?" I asked, trying to get him to talk.

He sighed again, looking towards the window "I've never said anything about my parents, have I?" Julian said, making me think about it. He actually hadn't.

"Well, I cut all contact with them when I married Linda. Sure she was part of the reason I did so, but the most part was me," he said, pausing in his speech.

He turned towards Clover who was now wiggling in his lap and offered her his finger to keep her calm.

"You know when I was still in school I didn't really understand dating but I did it anyway, but throughout that time period, my parents had always hinted to me about settling down with a nice 'guy'. I thought it was just a family joke, but I realized they were being serious the night when Linda had announced we were getting married when she was over at my place for dinner. My mother had cried, my older sister had insisted that I was joking and my father had just given me a very confused look. I was surprised too, considering I'd never heard of the decision to get married until then.

Linda had stormed out of the kitchen mad at the reaction. I stayed back at the table, giving my pasta a weird look until my mum pulled me aside for a chat. She told me that I didn't have to hide it, that they'll stand by me; that I didn't need to marry Linda to hide anything.

I'd been confused wondering what on earth she'd been talking about until she said, "We know you're gay, I'm not going to let you walk into something you're going to regret." I'd lashed at her saying otherwise. I'd felt like they were cornering me to be what they wanted, it hurt cause I felt like they were trying to force a sexuality on me. That's why I married Linda, to prove them wrong..." Julian trailed chuckling lightly as he freed his finger form Clover's grip.

"Look how that turned out. I'm divorced and helplessly in love with another man," He muttered, sighing to himself.

"You're what?" I asked, feeling my heart beat so fast it hurt. Maybe I wasn't hearing right, I mean people do tend to hear what they want.

"In Love with you, isn't that obvious?" Julian confirmed, making me drive of the lane in shock. Clover yelled, making Julian yell, making me divert back to the right lane before we could get hit.

Clover was still crying frantically, and Julian was trying his best to calm her down.

"What in the world was that for?" Julian scolded as I continued home, my heart beating frantically, but not from the near accident.

"Sorry, but why didn't you say it sooner?" I asked, looking over at Clover to make sure she was okay.

"Zeus, some things don't need to be said. Stop at the drive-in supermarket we need diapers," Julian said plainly. I turned away a little upset by his blunt comment, but I didn't say anything, I already seemed childish enough after that accident.

As we drove through the supermarket and ordered for the diapers and some groceries I turned to Julian with happiness.

"Say it again," I said, brushing his shoulder with my hand. He blushed, turning away sharply. I laughed moving my hand to his lower back.

"There's a baby here!"

"Oh come on, just say it." I teased as Julian continually refused.

"Your groceries, sir," the cashier said, making me look towards my window. He was giving us an odd look like he couldn't comprehend us.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked, taking the groceries and giving him the pay. He blushed, shaking his head furiously.

"Good," I said, driving away from the supermarket. I looked over at Julian realizing he still had that look from before.

"Do you miss them, I mean your family?" I asked. Julian nodded looking out the window again.

"Then why don't you just meet them?" I asked, pulling up at our driveway. Julian shifted in his seat a little as I put the gear on park.

"I just can't do that, It's been so long. I—I don't know," Julian stammered, covering his face with one of his hands. Clover was babbling and gripping at Julian's shirt. It was almost as if she could sense his conflicted thoughts. I turned away from him, opening the car.

"I'm sure they'll want to see you, but take your time and think over it," I said, giving him the best advice I could.

"You think so? You really think they'll still want to see me after all these years?" Julian asked as I stepped out of the car.

"Of course they will," I said shrugging. "Who wouldn't want to see you?" I said, making Julian laugh.

"Zeus," Julian called making me look into the car at him.

"I love you," he said, giving me a sweet smile. I felt my heart slam with the same intensity as before. Note to self, inform Julian not to say that when I'm doing anything remotely dangerous.