Sean and Emma were together on the couch when Drew came back downstairs. He was holding his copy of Lord of the Flies.

Emma asked, "Hey, kiddo. What chapter are you up to?"

"I'm almost done with chapter 11. I figure I can finish the book tonight."

Sean asked, "Do you like it?"

Drew shrugged and said, "It's okay, I guess."

Emma smiled, "I'm glad you're catching up on your work."

Drew sat on the loveseat and looked at his parents, "You don't have to worry, mom. I will do my work, and I'll behave. You know I want to go back to work with dad."

Sean smiled and said, "You just want to come in when Drake's car is there."

Drew smiled, "Maybe."

Emma turned to Sean and asked, "When is that happening?"

"Later this week. I'm pretty excited. I can't wait to get back to work."

"You should be excited. This is huge. Drake is like the most popular person on Earth right now."

Sean chuckled, "That's a good point."

"Are you nervous about meeting him?"

"Nah, he's just a customer to me."

Emma laughed and said, "Yeah, sure."

Sean smiled and said, "Okay, I'm a little nervous. I don't want to screw anything up."

Drew said, "You won't. Your shop is the best, dad."

"Thank you, kiddo."

Emma said, "I wonder how the newly engaged couple is doing."

Sean said, "I'm sure they're having a lot of fun right now."

Drew asked, "How old were you guys when you lost your virginity?"

Emma looked at Drew and said, "We were a lot older than you are right now."

"Really?"

Sean nodded, "Yep."

"Were you each other's first time?"

Emma smiled and nodded, "We were."

Sean laced his fingers with hers and asked Drew, "Are any of your friends having sex yet?"

Drew shook his head, "No. At least not that I know of. Most of them haven't kissed anyone yet."

Emma asked, "Have you kissed anyone?"

Drew blushed and said, "Once. On a dare."

Sean raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Oh yeah?"

He shrugged, "It was weird. I'd rather kiss someone I like."

Emma smiled and said, "It is pretty nice when you kiss someone you like and who likes you back."

"Was dad your first kiss too?"

Emma nodded, "Yep. We kissed at grandma and grandpa's wedding."

Sean added, "During a slow dance."

Drew nodded. "I'm kind of jealous."

Emma asked, "Why, sweetie?"

"Because you had each other back then."

Sean said, "And then we lost each other and had each other again and lost each other again." Emma laughed, and Sean continued, "Don't rush it, buddy. It'll happen for you, and when it does, it'll be great. I promise."

Drew smiled at his dad and said, "Thanks."

Emma sat up and said, "So, are we ready for dinner?"

Drew nodded.

"Great, let's figure out what we're eating, and I'll call."

20 minutes later, Emma grabbed her keys, "Okay, I'm going to pick up dinner." She walked toward the front door, then turned to Drew and Sean and asked, "Can you think of anything else we may need?"

Drew said, "Can you get me a Sprite?"

"Sure." She looked at Sean, "And you?"

Sean shook his head, 'Nothing for me."

"I'll be back soon!" She walked out and closed the door.

Drew looked at his dad then looked away.

"You okay, kiddo?"

Drew shrugged.

"It looks like you want to say something, but you're afraid."

Drew nodded.

"You can tell me anything, you know that, right?"

"Anything?"

"Of course." Sean looked at his son and asked, "What's going on?"

Drew took a deep breath, "I don't think…" He couldn't finish.

"Drew?"

He shook his head and said, "Forget it."

Sean got up and sat next to Drew on the loveseat, "Drew, it's obvious you are struggling with something."

Drew nodded, "I am."

"You can tell me. I won't judge you, I promise."

"Okay." Drew looked down at his hands and said, "I don't like girls."

Sean looked at Drew and asked, "Okay. When did you realize this?"

"Last year."

Sean nodded and asked, "Do you like someone?"

Drew nodded.

"Is it Oliver?"

Drew looked at Sean and nodded again. "He doesn't know, and I don't think he likes me in that way."

Sean smiled at Drew and asked, "Do you realize how brave you are?"

"I am?"

"Yes. I know that wasn't easy for you."

"Do you still love me?"

Sean scoffed and said, "Of course I do! Come here." Sean hugged his son and smiled, "I will never stop loving you, kiddo."

Drew rested his forehead on Sean's shoulder and began to cry.

"It's okay." Sean rubbed Drew's back as he cried, and he comforted his son. "You're okay." After a few minutes, Drew pulled away and wiped his face. Sean asked, "Do you feel better?"

Drew nodded, "Yeah."

"Is there a reason you haven't told your mother about this?"

Drew shrugged, "I don't know. I felt like it would be easier to talk to you about it."

"Because you know your mom would be fine with this."

Drew nodded, "Yeah."

Sean smiled and said, "I'm honored that you felt comfortable enough to tell me this."

"Well, I heard what you said in the hospital and saw how accepting you were when mom told you about Braden's dads."

"So, are you going to tell your mom?"

Drew nodded, "Yes. You'll be there when I do it, right?"

"Of course."

"Okay." Drew exhaled and smiled, "I do feel a lot better."

"Good!" Sean stood up, "Now, let's set the table before your mother gets home."

Drew joined him, and they set the table.

When Emma came home, she smiled at Drew and Sean, "Look at how nice you set the table!"

Sean joked and said, "Well, I figured we could do something while you were out."

Emma walked up to Sean and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you." She also kissed Drew on the cheek and set the bag of food on the kitchen island. She walked over to the sink and washed her hands, and as she walked back toward the table, she noticed Drew's eyes were red. "Sweetie, were you crying?"

He nodded.

"Are you okay?"

He nodded again.

She looked at Sean, "Is he okay?"

Sean nodded, "Yes."

"Um, mom. I need to tell you something." Drew looked at Sean, and Sean nodded at him. Drew said, "Let's sit down." Emma sat at the table, and Drew sat next to her.

Sean sat across from them, and Emma looked at him, "You know what he's about to tell me."

Drew answered and said, "I told him just before you got home."

Emma grabbed Drew's hands and said, "Sweetie, you can tell me anything."

Drew nodded, "I know."

"Okay."

Drew looked at his mom and said, "So you know how we were just talking about first kisses and being with people."

"Yes."

Drew took a deep breath, and Emma smiled at him. "Why are you smiling at me?"

"You like someone, don't you?"

"Yes, but—"

Emma looked at Sean, then looked at Drew and said, "And you're worried because it's not a girl."

Drew nodded.

"Oh, sweetie, you have nothing to worry about!" Emma hugged him, "Love is love. And if you like boys and you don't like girls, that's perfectly okay! Or if you like both of them, that's also okay."

Drew sighed in relief and smiled.

When they pulled away from the hug, she asked, "Is the person you like Oliver?"

Drew scrunched his face and asked, "Is it that obvious?"

"No! Not at all. You're okay." She held his hand and asked, "Do you feel better now?"

Drew nodded, "I do. I feel a lot better now."

"Good." Emma looked at Sean, then looked at Drew and said, "Your dad and I love you no matter what. And we'll support you no matter what."

"Thank you."

Emma smiled, hugged him again, quickly kissed his cheek, and said, "Now let's eat before the food gets cold."

Drew stood up and said, "I'll be right back."

"Okay."

He walked over to the stairs and looked at his parents. "I love you guys."

Sean smiled and said, "We love you too, kiddo."

Drew walked up the stairs, and Emma looked at Sean, "I had a feeling."

"You did?"

Emma nodded. "I did. Are you okay with it?"

Sean smiled and said, "I am perfectly okay with it."

"Good." She stood up and grabbed the food. "I just hope Oliver doesn't break his heart."

"Yeah, I'm a little worried about that too." Sean added, "But if it does happen, we'll make sure Drew's okay."

Emma smiled and said, "I don't think I loved you more than I do at this moment."

Sean smiled and said, "The feeling is mutual."

During dinner, Sean looked at Emma and Drew and said, "This has been a good day."

Emma winked at him.

Sean said, "So, tomorrow."

Drew said, 'Yes?"

"Pizza and cake?"

Drew nodded.

"And Oliver is coming over?"

Drew nodded again. "You guys aren't going to embarrass me and make it obvious, are you?"

Emma and Sean both answered, "Of course not!" in unison, then laughed.

Drew shook his head and couldn't help but laugh at his parents.

Sean said, "But if you want to invite more friends, you can."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

Emma nodded, "Invite a few more people, sweetie. The more, the merrier."

"Okay. I'll text some people."

"Great!" Emma looked at Sean and smiled.

Sean said, "We'll get a couple of pizzas and," He looked at Emma, "Do you have the ingredients for the cake?"

"I was going to head out tomorrow morning and get everything."

Sean smiled at Drew, "It'll be another good day."

Drew exhaled and said, "I hope so."

"And if you kids want privacy, you can always hang out downstairs."

"Cool! Thanks, mom."

"You're welcome."

After dinner, Drew went up to his room, and Sean helped Emma clean up.

"I got you a frame for Drew's jersey."

Sean smiled and said, "Thanks."

"Maybe we can do that tonight and present it to him tomorrow."

"Perfect."

"So you're really okay with everything?"

"Em, when he told me, I was proud of him for being so brave. And then I felt proud that he trusted me enough to tell me."

Emma caressed his face, "He really loves you a lot."

"I really love him a lot. He's a great kid, and you did a great job with him."

She nodded.

"You really did."

"Thank you. I'm just glad you're here with us now."

"Me too." He kissed her and smiled, "So, would you like to cuddle on the couch and watch crappy TV?"

Emma nodded, "Yes, I would."

"How's this look?" Sean held up the framed jersey and showed it to Emma.

"It looks perfect! He'll love it."

"Good." Sean put it behind the couch. "I'll just give it to him like this. We don't need to wrap it."

"That's fine." Emma looked toward the stairs, "Maybe he fell asleep?"

"It's possible. It's been a long and emotional day."

"It certainly has been." Emma stood up and stretched, "I'm going to check on him." She walked over to the stairs and said, "And if he's asleep, I'm dragging you downstairs."

Sean laughed.

Emma climbed the stairs and slowly opened Drew's door to find him passed out on his bed. She walked over to him and placed his blanket over him. He stirred, pulled the blanket up to his chin, and said, "Thanks, mom."

"You're welcome, sweetie. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

She walked to his door, smiled at her son, shut off his light, and walked out. Emma quietly closed the door and walked back downstairs. She walked over to Sean, smiled down at him and held out her hand.

"He's asleep?"

She nodded. Sean stood up, and Emma walked him to the basement stairs. When she walked him into the bedroom in the basement, she said, "It feels like we haven't done this in months."

Sean looked at her and asked, "Wait, are you able to do this?"

Emma nodded, "I'm a little late this month."

Sean raised his eyebrow and said, "Oh?"

"It's probably stress, don't worry."

Sean smiled, "I'm not worried."

"Good." She lifted his t-shirt, and Sean lifted his arms. She pulled his shirt up over his head, and she asked, "Did that hurt?"

Sean shook his head, "Nope."

"Okay, good." She untied his lounge pants and smiled at him.

"I love when you're aggressive like this. It's hot."

Emma pulled his pants down and said, "Oh yeah?"

Sean nodded, "Mmm-hmm."

"Well, it's because I'm insanely attracted to you. And I'm in love with you."

Sean reached down and unbuttoned and unzipped Emma's jeans. "Hey, I'm insanely attracted to you, and I'm in love with you too."

"Aren't I a lucky girl?"

Sean tugged at her shirt and pulled it up over her head. He turned her around, so she was up against the bed, and he pulled down her jeans. When they were left in their underwear, Emma climbed back onto the bed, and Sean climbed on top of her.

She asked, "Are you sure you're okay?"

Sean nodded, "Yes."

Emma raised her head, and they kissed.

"That was nice."

Sean smiled and kissed Emma's hair, "Yes, it was."

She looked up at him and said, "I'm glad we didn't wait until Wednesday."

Sean laughed and said, "Me too." He kissed her, pulled away, and said, "I wouldn't have been able to wait that long."

"Me either." She sat up and leaned against the headboard. "I'm so glad you're here and that you're safe."

She caressed his face, and he turned his face to kiss her hand. He smiled and said, "So am I." Emma yawned, and Sean laughed. "Did I tire you out?"

"Maybe."

"I'm just kidding. It's been a long day." Emma nodded and he asked, "Should we sleep down here?"

Emma nodded again, "We'll just make sure we're up early."

"Okay."

Emma looked around, "Ugh, my phone is upstairs."

"So is mine."

She got out of the bed, grabbed a blanket off the foot of the bed, and wrapped it around her. "I'll be right back."

Sean smiled and said, "Okay."

Emma walked through the basement, up the stairs, and looked around for her phone. After a few minutes, she finally found it on the coffee table in the living room. When she returned to the basement, Sean was holding the blanket open so she could come back into bed. "Thank you." She set her alarm, placed the phone on the nightstand, shut the light, and turned toward Sean. "I love you."

"I love you."

She kissed him softly and snuggled into his chest. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Em."

Sean woke up before Emma's alarm went off. He watched her sleep for a little while and caressed her face. She stirred and smiled, "Good morning."

"Good morning, beautiful. How did you sleep?"

"I slept great knowing you were here, and you were okay."

Sean smiled, "I'm sorry I woke you up before your alarm went off."

She stretched and reached for her phone, "It's okay." She canceled the alarm and turned back toward Sean, "We have some time before our child wakes up."

"Oh yeah?" Sean traced his fingertips up and down Emma's left arm.

She nodded and smiled, "Yeah."

"What would you like to do?"

"I would like to make love to you if that's okay."

Sean nodded, "It's more than okay."

"Good."

Sean and Emma made love, showered, and got dressed before Drew even woke up.

"I miss being a teenager and being able to sleep 10 hours."

Emma laughed, "Yeah, me too." She opened the cabinet and looked at what they had and said, "I'm going to make chocolate chip pancakes."

Sean smiled and said, "That'll be a nice belated birthday breakfast for the boy."

"I know. And for us."

"Heh, yeah." Sean sat at the island and watched Emma cook.

Emma was almost done with her first set of pancakes when Drew walked down the stairs, "Good morning, kiddo. I am making chocolate chip pancakes for you."

Drew smiled and said, "Nice." He sat down at the island next to Sean and said, "Good morning, dad."

"Good morning, buddy. How did you sleep?"

"Like a log." He asked Emma, "Did you turn off my light last night?"

"I turned off your light and tucked you in."

"Wow, I don't even remember that."

Sean rubbed Drew's back, "You had a long day."

"A good, long day."

Sean smiled and nodded.

Emma placed the first set of pancakes in front of Drew, "Here you go."

"Thanks, mom."

"What would you like to drink?"

"Milk, please."

"You got it." Emma opened the fridge, got the milk out, grabbed a glass, and placed them in front of Drew, "You can pour it yourself." She winked at him.

Sean asked, "So who is coming over today?"

"I invited three other people besides Oliver. My friends Ethan, Josh, Jake, and Madison."

"Honey, is Maddie going to be uncomfortable being the only girl?"

"Nah, you know how Maddie is. She doesn't care."

Sean asked, "Do your other friends know about what happened to me?"

Drew nodded, "Yeah. Don't worry. They'll probably see the bruises and think you're a badass."

Sean laughed.

Emma served Sean his pancakes and said, "After I finish breakfast, I'm going to head out to the market to get the ingredients for the cake."

"Mom, are you actually going to eat chocolate chip pancakes?"

"Don't act so shocked!"

Drew shrugged and said, "I just figured you'd eat that awful, tasteless cereal."

"Very funny." She messed up his hair, "Today is a celebration!"

Drew blushed, "It's not that big a deal."

Sean looked at him and said, "Sure it is. This is the first birthday I get to spend with you."

Drew smiled and said, "That's true."

"Just think, a month ago, I didn't know you existed."

"And now?"

"And now, I couldn't imagine my life without you in it." Sean wrapped his arm around Drew and Drew smiled.

Emma wiped a tear off her face and smiled. Her phone buzzed and she looked at it, "Oh, Manny and Jay are alive."

Sean laughed.

"They want to know what time the festivities are starting."

"I told everyone to come by at 1. Is that okay?"

Emma smiled and said, "It's perfect."