twenty five

Michael lifted another heavy box from the bed of his truck. He laid it on the sidewalk outside his complex before picking up the next one.

One of Luke's brothers—Michael couldn't decide which one was which—was bringing the boxes up to Mike's apartment, stacking them in the foyer.

Luke stood in the loft with his mother, having a hushed conversation. "If anything ever goes wrong, you're always welcome home."

"Nothing will go wrong," Luke promised with the roll of his eyes for the fifth time.

"I'm just saying."

Luke sat down on their bed. It wasn't just Michael's anymore, it was their bed. He smiled as he looked around the room. A half unpacked box was sitting in the corner, the sheets were made but still smelled so strong of Michael.

He felt so happy.

"What're you going to do when Michael goes back to work?"

"Haven't decided yet."

Luke's mother paced the room. "You have to think like an adult, Luke."

"I am!"

She stopped at the mirror, her eye catching sight of the photos hung up.

The first one was a phone in Michael's car. Michael and Luke had their hands entwined, resting carefully on Luke's lap. It was such a peaceful, calming photo. It meant so much to Michael for some unknown reason.

The next was Michael's family. His two parents on either side standing proudly next to their son on his college graduation day. His hair was red at the time, he had a huge smile upon his lips.

The third was a grainy black and white photo. Ms. Hemmings didn't realize what it was until she read the messy calligraphy of her son. It Clifford, 6 weeks.

Her hands reached up, grabbing the photo. "Is this It?"

Luke looked over at her, squinting his eyes—he refused to admit he lost his glasses. He nodded, a shy smile quickly following.

"Wow." Her hand wiped over the photo. She knew the next generation would be coming soon, but not this soon.

"Can I see that?" Luke reached out his hands, taking the small photo from his mother. He looked down, not believing that It was actually growing inside of him at that exact very moment.

"You're excited, aren't you?"

"I think so," he responded, "I don't know."

Mike dragged a box up the steps, "This box says 'Nonsense Shit', and I don't know what that is—Oh, hey, you're all here, hi." Michael dropped the box near the metal rails, stretching out his sore back. "How're you all doing?"
"Can I keep this?" Ms. Hemmings asked, holding up the ultrasound.

"Yeah, of course. I have, like, seven copies." Michael sat down on the other side of Luke, it was hard for Mike to keep his hands to himself when Luke was around. He just liked embracing Luke.

"When's the next ultrasound?"

"Beginning of August," Michael answered, "Do you wanna come?"

"Yes," she quickly responded, "I really, really do." Luke's mother wanted to be there for them, she wanted to make herself a part of their lives.

(a/n) fillersssssss i can't wait until u guys see the exciting chapters coming up