Chapter 9

Clark and Grant sat on Clark's couch. They each had their shoes off and wore black socks, with their feet propped up on the coffee table. Clark cradled Alison in his arms while Grant cradled Paulson.

"You and Shayna have such sweet babies," Grant said.

"Thank you," Clark said.

"I want a baby," Grant said.

"Babies are a lot of work," Clark said. "Especially when it's twins."

"I've tried to adopt before," Grant said. "Twice I've shown up to the hospital only to be informed that the birth parents changed their minds."

"Don't give up," Clark said.

"I don't know if I can go through that pain again, Max," Grant said. "Plus, what if I do adopt and my child gets bullied for having a gay parent?"

"You're just borrowing trouble," Clark said. "Stop thinking of the negative. Any child would be lucky to have you as a father."

Anderson walked into the room.

"Uncle Max?" Anderson asked. "Is my dad back from his meeting?"

"Yes," Clark replied. "He's in the study."

"Thank you," Anderson said.

Anderson walked into the study to see David lying down on the couch.

"Hey Son," David said.

"Hi Dad," David said. "How was the meeting?"

"Very long," David replied. "But the meeting scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled. So I was thinking that maybe we can go to the beach tomorrow."

"Okay," Anderson said.

David sat up and patted the couch.

"Come here and sit down," David said.

Anderson walked over and sat down beside his father.

"I am so sorry that I lost my temper yesterday," David said. "It's just, I forget that you're not a little kid anymore."

"It's okay," Anderson said.

David patted his son on the back.

"I really need to tell you something," Anderson said.

"What is it?" David asked.

"Promise you won't get mad," Anderson said.

David could see the worried look on his son's face.

"What happened?" David asked.

"Remember when I told you that I asked out a girl named Taylor at school and she hit me?" Anderson asked.

"Yes," David replied.

"Dad," Anderson said. "Taylor's a guy."

"Oh," David said shocked. "I wasn't expecting that."

"Dad," Anderson said. "I think I'm gay."

"Oh," David said.

Anderson burst into tears.

"Please don't hate me," Anderson cried.

"Hey," David said softly. "I don't hate you. I will never hate you. You're my son and I love you."

David hugged his son tightly.

"It's okay," David said softly. "It's okay."

Grant and Clark stood watching from the doorway. Grant walked into the living room and looked into the cribs where Paulson and Alison laid down fast asleep. Clark walked up to him.

"Hunter?" Clark asked.

"When I came out to my parents, my father struck my face and threw me out of the house," Grant said. "My mother sent me to live with my aunt in California City. It was there that my aunt encouraged me to be myself. I even had my first boyfriend, Bradley. He was the captain of the football team. I was happy with my aunt, but…"

"But what?" Clark asked.

"I haven't seen my parents since I was 15," Grant said. "If I'm lucky, I never will."

"You don't mean that," Clark said.

"I do," Grant said. "Look, I've got to go. Adam and I are going out to dinner."

Grant put his shoes on and quickly left. Clark stood there and looked at the door.

"Stay out of this Max," Clark said aloud to himself. "It's none of your business."

Clark walked over to the cribs and looked at his sleeping babies. He then smiled and sat on the couch.

THE END