05 - Palm Springs Family

05 - Palm Springs Family - Busted!

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This is a story of fiction, involving sensitive and controversial topics and sex. If there is any reason you shouldn't read such stories, then please don't read this one.

This is a `Coming of Age' story... It wasn't supposed to include a lot of sex, but the boys seem to have their own ideas. Sorry?

I thought of a `clever' title for this chapter, but then decided I had no idea what it means... I thought that `Days of Future Past' sounds weirdly appropriate, but then I looked it up. Turns out it involves X-MEN and mutants and mutant-killing machines. Not appropriate at all! Oh well.

And, this one IS very appropriate. For better or worse.

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Day 3 Sunday Morning

This morning the boys apparently know the drill. We pull into the parking area and find FOUR boys standing or sitting on the ground, waiting... impatiently. But we agreed on the time and we're on time, even though we had to stop for a quick shopping trip. And they're SMILING. We hope that's a good thing. The first thing they do is hugs all around. Damn I love these boys. And THEY started them.

We had asked the boys yesterday if they want to go out for breakfast. They all said, "YESSSS!!!" It's a little later than they usually eat, but they had chores. So, of course now they're starved. But easily remedied. We had cleared it with Mr. Frank and he already has our signed form... so off we go.

This time it's pancakes and eggs and sausage and pancakes (again) by the plateful. I wonder if I ate that much at their ages. Probably did. The IHOP-like restaurant we go to must be used to dealing with kids, or maybe parents of kids... not sure. We get put in a basically empty back dining room. Good on them. Not that the boys are really loud, but they are FOUR BOYS. FIVE if you count Michael, who has his own moments occasionally... :-)

During breakfast we talk about what they want to do for the day and tell them `you decide'. We need to get them used to that phrase... kinda like Pavlov and his dogs.... NO, NO, NO... I'm a dad now...almost. That's not a good comparison anyway.

Amusement park won out, although it turns out it's actually a carnival... not permanent. This really is a pretty small town. Not a whole lot to do with kids... or adults.

We go. We run - mostly chasing after them. We watch them eat... well... crap! And after a BIG breakfast. I so want to tell them not to eat all that crap, but I need to get it out of my head right now that I can ever win that argument.

We give each another $20 so they don't have to ask us, and tell them that if they see something they want to buy that costs more, to just let us know. We're sure they'll be reluctant to ask us for any money... sadly.

We ride everything... Ferris Wheel, Bumper cars, Tilt-a-whirl thing, everything.

I'm too old for this crud. But it's so much fun! But not something I EVER would think of doing without them. I'm glad we're not any older than we are. Alex is 34, and so am I, 10 months younger and Michael is about 10 years younger, 24.

The best thing about the day was honestly Michael and the boys. They totally bond with each other. That ten years apparently makes a huge difference. Damn it. Just kidding, we are so, so happy to see how happy they and Michael are together. That is a really huge relief.

They're constantly running from one thing to another. They're laughing. They're eating. They're hugging (insert tear). They're trying to tug each other in about 10 different directions at one time. And Alex and I are just trying not to lose them.

But to see all five `boys' enjoying each other's company so much... I know. I'm in public. Can't cry.

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True Confessions

Alex and I finally give up... we send Michael off with the boys and we sit. We tell the `boys' where to find us, and drink. Ok, it was only TWO BEERS over at least an hour, but it helps. We drink very slowly. We aren't sure how long we'll be waiting.

I notice Alex is being very quiet, even for him, "OK, Alex. So you're being pretty quiet today... What's going on in there?" tapping the side of his head gently.

He looks at me for a second, and then gets this big smile, "I don't know how, but I think this may actually work!"

"Excuse me? `May work'?" trying not to get angry at that comment. Sadly, patience is not one of my virtues... if I have any at all.

"Oh come on. You were more freaked out than anybody over how these boys would react. Weren't you?" Alex says with a little laugh.

Now, when cornered, my first instinct is to well... LIE!

"I was not. I knew the ENTIRE TIME this was going to work and be wonderful!"

His only comment was, "Liar!" with a laugh... from me too.

...... insert pause....

I might as well fess up, "Ok, you're right. I admit it. Alex... when this started in the dining hall that first day and I saw the look on their faces when they saw us, and saw how terrified they were... because of us... I wanted to die. I really did. I didn't think there was any way they'd ever be comfortable with us as their dads. I thought they must really hate us. I just wasn't sure why. I assumed it was the `gay thing', but that makes no sense, especially since we already knew Luke and Steve are gay... So, yeah. I was scared shitless. I don't know what changed."

Alex looks puzzled and says, "You don't?"

"No, no idea," I say with tears threatening... again.

"Kevin, I know the `gay thing' was an issue. We all knew it. They probably had never even met a gay couple before, well other than Luke and Steve (chuckles), but certainly not two gay men who want to adopt them... three gay men actually.

"But Kevin, these boys have all lost everything. They lost their parents, in different ways. Steve lost his sister too. They've been shoved around, for some of them, to multiple places. And, don't forget that Luke had a horrible experience when he ran away... after his father..."

I had forgotten, or at least pushed it out of my mind. Or tried.

"Kevin, this place, Green Path Group Home For Boys, is the only home they know. All of the people they know in their lives are HERE. The only friends they have are HERE. They were expecting to have to leave their two best friends... HERE. And then all that changed, thanks to Diego and Daniel, and YOU!

"Kevin, you're the one that insisted that we try to adopt Daniel and Diego. I thought you were even more nuts.

"But Kevin you just gave those boys hope, for the first time since they lost everything they ever had. Just because you wouldn't give up on them. And just because you were willing to show them how much they mean... to you, and to us. YOU are the one that kept them going. And us! I know how much you wanted this, but honestly I thought you were nuts."

"Really!" I say a lot angrier than I had intended. "And you couldn't tell me this earlier? Why? If you thought I was `nuts', you never should have agreed to this."

.... Quietly, "Kevin. Would you have accepted it if I or Michael had refused? Be honest."

Now I was seriously leaking tears...

"No, it would have been a huge problem. I would have been so pissed off if we hadn't even tried. Don't get me wrong. Of course I knew there was a big chance we would never be allowed to adopt, or that they weren't going to be willing to have us as dads... I knew all that, but I had to try. I would rather it be a complete failure than to not try at all. Too many kids need homes just to give up before we even try. We need kids... we really do, Alex. I don't think I could have ever tried again, if this hadn't worked."

"I know... me either. But, look at those FIVE. They love it. Have you ever seen Michael act like this? Ever? Kevin... he's not just having fun with four kids... he's bonding with his four brothers! That's huge," Alex adds with misty eyes.

And more emotionally than I think I've ever seen him, "I think... no, I KNOW, with all my heart that this will turn out to be the best thing ever... for them... and for us. For all of us."

Just as I'm wiping my eyes I look up and see something that must have made my mouth open in surprise, because Alex gives me an odd look... I don't know why, but I immediately reach for my phone, raise it and start taking pictures. Alex looks at me in surprise and then looks in the direction I'm pointing my phone/camera.

He breaks out into a LAUGH... not just a smile, or chuckle... an honest, out loud LAUGH. And he's still laughing.

Coming toward us across the dusty field are five guys who look like they've been together their entire lives. Michael is in the middle, with two boys on each side. His arms are stretched over all four shoulders... as far as they will reach. From what I can see, their arms are wrapped tightly around whoever is next to them, including Michael. They're talking, looking at each other, laughing... wow... just wow.

But, that isn't even the most amazing or surprising thing. It's the way they're all... intermingled. Walking toward us are Diego - Luke - MICHAEL - Steve - Daniel. It's a breakthrough... I never thought those four would split up this soon, and certainly not with Michael in the middle....

I keep snapping pictures on my phone as fast as I can. At least one of these pictures is going on a wall... somewhere... maybe more than one. Hell, maybe all of them are. This is it. This is the moment that I absolutely know that things are going to be ok. That things are going to be great. That we are a real family.

We both sit here staring and smiling and shedding tears, and being happier than we've been since this whole `ordeal' started.

But, you just know, it's never that simple, is it?

They make it to the table laughing and teasing each other. Standing in front of us, Michael looks directly at us, and says, "They know!"

He isn't angry. It isn't a question. He doesn't even look `concerned'. The boys are all just laughing and smiling... and I think a couple are nodding.

"Uhh, what?"

"They know. They know about us!"

Damn. Damn. Damn.

"Uhh... Guys... what is it you think you know?"

No surprise at all, Luke starts, "Dads, we know. I thought it seemed kinda... obvious... the first day we met you. That was only two days ago, wow. Seems longer. Dads, the three of you look at each other just like Steve and I do. People tell us that a lot," looking both directions at Diego and then Daniel... I assume they are the people that tell them that, although I could have sworn he had a little smirk on his lips.

"Well, guys, we've lived together for almost six years. We're very comfortable with each other..." I try to get out...

But Luke is like a dog with a damn bone, "Dads, WE KNOW! We're not only ok with it... we think it's great. Our only question is - do we have three daddies now?" which gets a huge laugh from all of them... especially MICHAEL, who is gonna pay so hard.

And Michael somehow seems to enjoy the thought of these boys asking if he's their `daddy'. Well Damn.

"Guys, it's not what you think... it's just ..."

"Dads, you said you'd never lie to us. So... when were you planning on telling us," Luke smirks.

We knew this is something we were going to have to eventually come clean about, but I'm not exactly happy having to do it here, at a damn Amusement Park, or whatever this is.

"Fine. Ok, we are... uhhh, a little more than just friends. How's that? Happy now? And, as far as when we were going to tell you... some time between now and... NEVER! Satisfied?" I say that as `mock angry' as possible, but I think it didn't mean as much since I'm on the verge of breaking out laughing.

That gets a big cackle out of all of them, including Michael, who at the moment I am NOT happy with... I'm sure he ratted us out. I think I need to smell his breath to make sure he hasn't been off drinking! But no, he doesn't ever do that, just for the record, but it's the only explanation I can come up with at the moment.

Luke must have seen me giving Michael a dirty look, "Dad, please don't blame Michael. He didn't say anything. He tried to deny it, but he couldn't exactly do it without lying, now could he? Like I said, I thought it was kinda obvious the first day, but yesterday, every time we looked at the three of you, you were looking at each other exactly like you look at us. Like you love us. We talked last night... dads... and it doesn't make ANY difference to us. In fact we're glad you have each other. So, Michael won't tell us, but I asked the other guys the first night... do you all sleep together naked?"

Michael has this annoying smirk. Alex is sitting here trying to decide whether he's going to run away, or break down laughing. So, being an occasional smart-ass, he looks at me and says with a perfectly straight face, "YOU wanted kids!"

That gets a huge laugh from everybody, including me, and as the `boys' are all starting to sit down the waitress comes by to see if we want anything more to drink (we're all in a roped off eating area).

I hold up my beer glass, plastic of course, and say, "Yes please, for both of us. A big one! Michael, you're driving (a little `tetchy'), and those five can have anything they want except alcohol. Please."

So. We sit. We talk. We finish our drinks. We laugh. We answer the question about sleeping together, but add that we know that will have to change now.

None of them will have that. They all let us know in no uncertain terms that if they get to sleep with whomever they want, we do too. My final comment is, "Don't EVER tell CPS! EVER!" which gets a great laugh.

But the biggest laugh is because of Luke, "You'd just sneak around anyway!" We all laugh a good long loud time, especially since that was our backup plan actually.

And, you know... there's something about laughter. It has a way of healing and smoothing over lots of unpleasant things. And in this case... laughing turns out to be a great way to bond with four boys that I know we all three already love with all our hearts and souls.

I want to try to be sure they really are ok with this, "Guys... Please tell us if you have any problem with this. We were scared to death of what you would think when we eventually did tell you. So, we really hope you're ok with this. Does it make you want us to NOT be your dads? Please be honest"

"NO!!! Dads and Michael... we're all fine. We love you all... It's just all this is new to us... but we can see how you feel about each other," Luke says loudly, with a lot of `No's and head shaking from the others too.

The rest of the day is a lot of fun... We had broken thru another barrier of some kind. Maybe it's the fact that the boys have `something on us' now.... I don't think that's it. I HOPE that's not it, but it's a new level of being comfortable with each other.

We all eventually tire out and walk back to the car in a tangled mess of arms and laughing and a real sense of family.

We stop at the same restaurant as yesterday. Yep, they have hamburgers again. The boy's excuse is they `almost never' get hamburgers in the dining hall. I'll have to check with Mr. Frank. Not sure I'm believing that one. Just kidding, a few hamburgers aren't the end of the world, especially at this point. Hell, we have hamburgers again too.

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We start back to the group home and the mood in the car changes... noticeably. We had figured it was going to be hard for the boys to leave. Wanting a home is one thing, even when it's on the other side of the country, but they're still leaving the place that has been their home for months. And all of their friends. And school. And, other than the friends they have at school, the only friends they have are here.

Alex is completely right.

"Guys, we know leaving is going to be hard for you. Is there anything we can do to help?"

This time it's Diego who speaks up, "No... dad. We talked about it. We're all SOOO HAPPY right now, all of us. It's just hard leaving Mr. Frank and JoAnne and a few other friends. It's just a little sad. We're so used to losing friends... and parents... and a sister," he says looking at Steve, who has a few tears.

"It's just hard. But we're really happy... dads... and... uhhh... we know it hasn't been long, but we all admitted last night that... uhh... we really love you... all. A lot."

That did me in. Diego has a few tears in his eyes. The further I look, the more tears I see in everybody's eyes... mine too... it was the `we really love you all' that got me. But their sadness too...

Of course none of us escape without our fair share of tears.

I just hug all of them the best I can in the car and tell them, "We know this is hard guys... and we'll get thru it together. But boys... sons... we have all fallen so in love with you too... Thank you so so much for letting us be your dads," which is all it takes to get the waterworks really started. The ones in the front seat aren't doing a lot better.

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We get back and park and try to wipe our eyes and not look like we spent the entire day crying. We get out of the car and after they all hug Michael and Alex, who they couldn't reach earlier, Michael and the boys are again walking with Michael in the middle and arms and shoulders attached everywhere possible, even doing that thing where Michael steps out really big in front of the foot on each side that closest... then that person steps out in front of Michael's foot. I'm not sure why, but it looks like they like that.

Well, actually, I do know why. Michael is tall dark-haired and absolutely gorgeous, and they're all gay. No real mystery, I suppose.

Starting up to the door to the dining hall, we see Mr. Frank and JoAnne coming out the door, with about a half-dozen boys attached.

Before we get close enough to say anything, Mr. Frank, JoAnne and all the boys with them break out laughing, pointing at the `five boys'. I notice JoAnne has a camera and is taking pictures.

Mr. Frank asks us if we can come inside for a minute. My first thought is, `Crap, this can't be good'. So it's back to the `my feet won't move', but we finally make it to the door and go inside, fearing the worst.

What we see inside stops all of us in our tracks. There are balloons and streamers, party hats for some reason and on a big table at the front, a very big cake. And more boys. Mr. Frank and JoAnne lead the way. We all just stop and stare at the cake....

Congratulations on your New Family

Daniel Diego Luke Steve

Alex Kevin Michael

We Love You All

It takes a few moments for anybody to do anything, and then the tears and hugs start... again. Mr. Frank and JoAnne get the first hugs from the boys, seems only fair. We shake their hands, not wanting to freak them out by hugging.

We get about as many hugs from the other boys as `our boys' did... almost all with tears in their eyes... and not just 'theirs'. That was surprising... and heartbreaking.

I'm not sure we set a very good example as gay dads on this trip. It seems like all we did was CRY! Not good, but sometimes it's hard not to.

We're all given cake, ice cream and some kind of drink. We sit and talk... the boys cry, and not just ours. I know it's hard on the boys not being adopted to see `our four' so happy, and wonder when it will happen for them.

I see a brief moment of panic on Alex's face. I'm sure he's thinking, `we can't adopt all of them. Don't even think it!' He's right. I was. I just smile, a very little.

We must have sat there for at least an hour. They delayed dinner a bit, but it's getting to the point they will need to start feeding the boys. And, we need to get busy packing. Tomorrow is NOT going to be fun, especially all the `goodbyes'... again.

Mr. Frank takes us `adults' aside, including Michael, and tells us that he sent our second application to Mr. Kleindienst, the head of the local Child Services, thru his private email and had another longer talk with him. He is of the opinion that all the investigations, home visits, background checks, etc., are sufficient and he doesn't see any problem. He also adds, a little mysteriously, "He's very sympathetic to what you're doing here. He's very much on your side."

I'm not sure what that means, but we now have written permission to take Diego and Daniel with us. Any paperwork or visits needed will be done in Palm Springs.

We hang around and talk until everybody is pretty much talked and cried out. We finally thank all of them... a lot... and leave with the boys so we can get the new suitcases out of the car and go with the boys back to their rooms to start packing.

We bought four extra suitcases for the boys. We start with Daniel and Diego's room. They'd already filled up their one suitcase each. They can easily pack everything in two more. We pack everything except what they'll need for tonight and tomorrow morning. We decide to leave the suitcases until tomorrow morning in case they need anything out of them.

We go over to Steve and Luke's room and do the same thing. They have a little extra, but what wont fit in two extra suitcases fit in a couple taped boxes. Since this is a private plane, we'll just load those in.

The boys took Mr. Frank up on his offer of one final breakfast, us included. But, before we leave, the boys have a quick whispered discussion among themselves. They come forward a little hesitantly, looking afraid to broach the subject.

Finally, and to our surprise it isn't Luke, but Daniel who steps forward and says, "Dads and Michael, we're wondering. We know we said we'd like to have breakfast here one last time, but we think we'd rather not. It's just... it's so... hard... to keep saying goodbye and crying all the time. And, it's not just us. Some of the other boys have told us how much they wish they were going with you, and it makes us feel bad... for them. Can we please just have breakfast somewhere else. We think it'll be easier on everybody."

We kinda look at each other for a second, then Alex takes the lead, "Guys, if that's what you want to do, we completely understand. It is hard to keep saying goodbye. And, we've all said we feel sorry for the boys who aren't being adopted. I think that's a good decision. Do you want me to call Mr. Frank and tell him?"

"No dad, thanks... but it should be us. We want to thank him and explain why it's hard. We're sure he'll understand," Daniel says.

On the verge of tears, Alex hugs Daniel and rubs his back and says, "I'm really proud of you guys for saying that. Thank you. So, we'll be here a little earlier then so we'll have plenty of time to eat. How about 7:30? Is that ok?" Alex asks.

After a brief look at each other Luke volunteers, with a huge smile, "Yep. We'll be ready with our suitcases out front."

Alex with tears and his arm around Luke says, "Sounds like a plan guys. If anything is too heavy for you, just leave it here and we'll grab it for you. And guys, we have a favor to ask of you too. We want to give Mr. Frank and JoAnne a little gift, a check, just to help out around here and as a LITTLE `thank you' for all they've done... for all of you, and us... and the other boys too.

"You guys can decide which one of you wants to give it to Mr. Frank, and what you would all like to say, if anything, to him and JoAnne... And, we have a letter that we've all signed, and we would like all of you to sign it, and please feel free to write a short note if you'd like," he says while taking an envelope out of a pocket.

"How about this - we'll leave the letter and check with you, just stick it in a pocket or something until we've all said goodbye, and then the last thing, you can give him the envelope and say what you'd like to say to them. How's that? "

Alex opens it, puts it down on the desk, all the boys read it, and a little red-eyed, sign the letter, each of them adding a short note. All the boys eyes get big when they look at the check.

Despite a few more tears, and we all agree, it's exhausting to be crying all the damn time, the boys manage to thank us, thru a few sniffles.

Alex says, a little emotionally for him, "Guys, we KNOW this is hard for you... and we're sorry it is. It's always hard leaving what we're used to. Leaving friends... Leaving your home - even if it was only meant to be temporary. Let's all try to think of tomorrow as... well, as a new start in ALL of our lives. Let's make tomorrow morning our first OFFICIAL breakfast together as a family. And let's all look forward to what the future holds... for all of us. How about that? Can we ALL do that?"

That gets a subdued but happy agreement from the boys... right before they all mob us. If we were worried about being too touchy-feely with them, at least at the moment, they don't seem to share that feeling.

By the time it's finished, we're all basket cases. It's hard to tell who's crying more.

Alex recovers enough to barely say, "Ok sons, you have our cellphone numbers if anything changes. If not, we'll see you tomorrow morning at 7:30. And guys, we'll all get thru this... as a family. We promise. And guys, we love you all more than we ever thought we could love anybody," Alex assures them, which results in a lot more tears and hugs.

The boys eventually walk us out to the car, and after about five minutes of hugs, we leave for the hotel. It has been a GREAT day... unexpected, but great. I don't think our lives are ever going to be `simple' again... but, you know what, that's a good thing.

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We didn't bring it up today, but we intend to make this gift an annual thing, on this day, the last day of their stay here, for as long as the boys wish to continue it. I'll send Mr. Frank an email later and ask him to mail us a good copy of the letter and check, so we can maybe frame it and give to the boys.

As amazing as today had been, we're totally exhausted. Our `happy ending' for the evening consisted of kissing and blowjobs, but not much more.

This trip has been exhausting, amazing, terrifying, and about a dozen other emotions all rolled together. I'm glad we got our entire family with this one trip. I don't know if I could ever do this again....

Now, how to sleep with this much excitement and a little dread for tomorrow. The final goodbyes probably won't be any easier.

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Luke and Steve's Room

After seeing our new dads drive off, we all come back to our room. It's been a long, amazing day.

As soon as they walk in, Luke goes to Daniel and Diego and hugs both of them... and with tears running down his face says, "Guys, I'm so, so happy that we're going to be brothers... and together. I've always really liked you guys, but I was so afraid we'd be separated... I was afraid to get to know you any better. But now, maybe we don't have to worry about that. I'm so glad we're going to be together," which makes all of them start tearing up and they all agree whole-heartedly.

Diego manages to say, "We're so happy about that too. I don't know what would have happened to us... without both of you. We were both really trying to be happy for you... and we're sorry, but it was so hard to stay here and watch you both leave. I love our new dads and Michael... and our new family, especially our two new brothers. Thank you so much," which gets hugs all around.

Steve asks however, "Thank us for what? The dads loved you guys the minute they met you... just like me. I know Luke asked them to adopt you... yesterday. But they already had the form filled out with your names on it. They wanted to adopt you."

Diego doesn't disagree but adds with a big smile, "Yeah, but I bet they asked you first didn't they? When we took our trays back."

At first Luke and Steve are embarrassed that they figured it out, but Luke thinks about it and just starts laughing. He finally says, "Yeah... they asked if we were ok with them adopting you. Dad... Kevin said they didn't want to hurt our feelings... because they came to see us. Steve told him they'd NEVER hurt our feelings by wanting to adopt you... and we really want you to be our brothers," which gets more tears and more hugs from everybody.

Steve, wiping his eyes, says, "Yeah... We're both so happy they asked you. Guys... we're really going to be brothers... it's amazing. We were dreading leaving you so much... and now we don't have to. And, I'll just say it... I love our dads... and Michael... and especially our two brothers," and that's all anybody could say.

They sit around and talk a little more. Luke eventually says, "Does it look like... they're kinda afraid... to hug us much? I love it when they do, but it's like they're worried we'll hate it. I've got two really nice hugs, one from dad Kevin and one from Michael. But most of the time... they look... like they're afraid," to which there's some agreement... they had all noticed it, but they just all figure it's because they don't each other that well yet.

Luke hopes they're right, because it's the first time in his life he's ever wanted a parent to hug him... certainly not his `sperm donor' as he refers to his biological father.

But he wants to admit something else too, "Guys, I... don't know how you feel, but I really like them. They've been great to us. And those things they promised us... my sperm donor would never do anything like that," which gets a nervous laugh. They all know that Luke's father was a total asshole... and was even worse when he wasn't drunk, which is a very sad statement in itself.

Steve thinks about it, "Yeah. I agree. I've been thinking about what we can say tomorrow... when we leave with them. It seems like we should say something to Mr. Frank and JoAnne... to thank them. Without them letting... our dads ...know about us... we never would have met them. Any of us. And, you know, it's feels like we've known them... a lot longer than two and a half days," which gets a big agreement from everybody. "It kinda does seem like we've known each other... forever," which gets nods.

Daniel asks nervously, "Uhhh... Steve. Will you or Luke... say something tomorrow. I think I'm going to be so nervous... I'm not sure I can," which gets a few chuckles... and Steve agrees to try to think of something to say... that doesn't totally stink.

They hug each other goodnight... and Luke even dares to kiss Daniel and Diego on the cheek again. Steve sees this, and sees Luke blush more than ever... and thinks it's a great idea. He kisses his new brothers goodnight too. For the second time ever.

Daniel and Diego are very happy, although secretly both have thought about being kissed by them... and kissing them too. But, being embarrassed about it doesn't stop them from kissing them back... on the cheeks.

They separate that night knowing, or at least believing with all their hearts, that not only do they have a new family... they're also brothers.

Damn, who knew?

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Luke & Steve

As soon as the door closes behind Daniel and Diego... Luke and Steve look deeply in each others' eyes. They walk close enough to embrace their boyfriend... their lover... their soulmate. And for the first time in a very long time... know they have a family... two new brothers... or three... and a future.

They don't know much at all about their new dads yet, but they do know they really like them. They've even all admitted, that in less than three days, they love them. And, for one of them, more than he ever loved their `sperm donor'... as Luke says.

It feels so good to have a family again. It's almost too good to believe, but they do. Two men... or three men that they'd never met until three days ago have given them more hope than they ever thought they'd have...

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Daniel & Diego

They both head back to their room, for maybe the last time ever. It all feels great, except they know they're deceiving their new dads... from the very beginning.

Daniel thinks about it and finally says, "Diego, we'll have to tell them. But so far... they seem like they'll be ok with us... at least sleeping together, like dad Kevin said... even naked. But Diego, for the first time in our lives... even when our parents were here... we can have a life... I know our dads and Michael love us. Surely they won't hate us... just for loving each other. And if they do, I'm not giving you up Diego. I never will... no matter what," which gets a lot more tears and a very loving kiss from his twin.

They will have to find a way to tell their dads the truth... and apologize for lying to them. And hope they love them as much as they already love their new dads.

They HOPE their new dads will be fine with them.

But they go to sleep, for what will be their last night in this room, in this place, hoping with all their hearts that their new dads won't hate them.

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Next: 06 - Palm Springs Family - A Sad Chapter Closes