*~Speak~*
Staring at Kyle with tear-filled eyes, Oliver nodded. "I won't forget," he said as he took Kyle's hand. "Thank you for being here for me. And Sierra Rose. It means so much to me that you tried to speak to my parents. I'm sorry they refused to listen to you."
"It's not your fault, Oliver," Kyle said as he gave him a hug. "Your parents are close-minded. Maybe they'll come around..."
"I wouldn't count on it," Oliver said as Sierra Rose started to fuss in her high chair. No doubt his baby girl was hungry considering the argument with his parents had interrupted their dinner.
"Let's feed Sierra, then we can go for a walk," Kyle suggested. "The fresh air will do us all some good."
Oliver walked over and fixed Sierra a plate of food. A smile came to her face as her daddy helped her hold her spoon. At almost two years old, Sierra Rose was learning to use minature silverware. Usually she managed to eat fairly well with very few spills.
Oliver handed Sierra a sippy cup of milk and sat down at the table. "A walk is a nice idea," Oliver agreed as Kyle sat down across from him. "After our little 'chat' with my parents, I've completely lost my appetite."
"That's understandable. I know I'd feel exactly the same way if my parents had reacted to the news that I am gay as yours just did," Kyle spoke.
"How did yours react?"
"Well, they were a little upset at first... or maybe they were just surprised, I'm not sure... but then Mom hugged me and she said, 'It doesn't matter who you love, Son. Your family loves you no matter what.' Then we all shared hugs- me, my mom, my dad, and my sister."
"I'm glad you have a family that can love and accept you."
"You have that too, Oliver. Sierra and I are your family now," Kyle stated.
"Do you really mean that?" Oliver asked hopefully.
"Yeah... I want us to be a family now- you, me, and your little girl," Kyle replied.
A slow grin came to Oliver's face. "I like the sound of that," he said happily.