CHAPTER 14 HOME SWEET HOME

The soft morning light seeped through the curtains, gently waking Henry from his slumber. He stretched and yawned, feeling the warmth of the new day. The enticing smell of pancakes and freshly squeezed juice beckoned him to the dining room.

As Henry entered, he was greeted by the cheerful sight of Doctor Zach, Sean's family, and the twins, Rachel and Henry, gathered around the table. Their faces lit up with smiles as they saw him.

"Good morning!" they all greeted in unison.

"Good morning, everyone," Henry replied, his heart swelling with warmth.

Sean stood up and handed Henry a plate piled high with fluffy pancakes, topped with a generous helping of fresh fruit and a drizzle of syrup. "Here you go. Pancakes and juice"

"Thanks, Sean" Henry said, taking a seat next to him. The twins giggled and whispered to each other, their excitement palpable.

After they finished breakfast, Doctor Zach turned to Henry with a kind smile. "Henry, it's time, are you ready for your pregnancy check-up. Shall we head to the examination room?"

Henry nodded, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. "Of course, Doctor Zach."

As they stood up, Sean ruffled the twins' hair. "Alright, you two, time to get ready for school. I'll be taking you today."

"Yay! School time!" Rachel cheered, grabbing their backpacks and heading towards the door.

Henry followed Doctor Zach to the examination room, where the doctor began setting up his equipment. "How are you feeling right know, Henry?" Zach asked, his voice calm and reassuring.

"A bit tired, but overall, I'm doing well, thanks to your hospitality of your family" Henry replied, lying down on the examination table.

"That's good to hear. Let's take a look and make sure everything is progressing smoothly," Doctor Zach said, beginning the check-up.

Henry lay comfortably on the examination bed as Doctor Zach prepared the equipment. The doctor glanced at Henry with a warm smile. "How did you sleep last night, Henry? I hope the twins didn't disturb you."

Henry chuckled softly. "Not at all, Doctor. In fact, I was happy and comfortable. The twins were very excited about the babies in my belly. It was really sweet."

Doctor Zach nodded, pleased to hear that. "That's wonderful to hear. They're such delightful kids."

Just as Doctor Zach was about to start the examination, Henry's cellphone rang. He glanced at the screen and saw it was Alex, his husband. He quickly answered the call. "Hey, Alex!"

"Hey, Henry! How are you?" Alex's voice came through, filled with warmth and concern.

"I'm good, just about to start my check-up with Doctor Zach. How's your father doing?" Henry asked, his voice tinged with worry.

"He's getting better. The doctors say he might be able to go home in the next few days," Alex reported, relief evident in his tone.

Henry sighed with relief. "That's great news, Alex. I'm so glad to hear that."

"What are you up to again?" Alex inquired.

"I'm having an examination with Doctor Zach," Henry replied.

"Oh My God! I completely forgot about that. I'm so sorry," Alex apologized.

"It's okay, Alex. I understand," Henry said, switching his phone to FaceTime. "Here, you can join us and see the examination."

Doctor Zach waved at the screen. "Hello, Alex!"

"Hi, Doctor Zach! Thanks for taking care of Henry," Alex responded gratefully.

"Of course, it's my pleasure," Doctor Zach said, beginning the examination. He performed an ultrasound and other checks, ensuring everything was progressing smoothly. "Everything looks perfect. The baby is growing beautifully."

Henry and Alex both smiled, their hearts swelling with joy. Doctor Zach then asked, "Are you sure you don't want to know the gender of the baby? I can confirm it now if you'd like."

Henry and Alex exchanged a glance through the screen. "No, we want to wait for the surprise," Henry said, grinning.

"Alright, we'll keep it a secret then," Doctor Zach agreed with a smile.

As the examination concluded, Henry felt a deep sense of contentment. Despite the distance, he felt connected to Alex and grateful for the support of Doctor Zach and Sean's family. It was moments like these that made him appreciate the love and joy that surrounded him.

A few days later, Alex arrived home in the middle of the night. He quietly entered the house, careful not to make any noise. As he tiptoed into the bedroom, he saw Henry fast asleep, his face peaceful and serene. Alex smiled, his heart swelling with love, but he couldn't bring himself to wake Henry. Instead, he decided to surprise him in the morning.

Gently, he placed the tray on the bedside table and leaned over to hug Henry from behind. "Good morning, your highness," he whispered softly.

Henry stirred, slowly opening his eyes. He turned his head and was met with Alex's warm smile. "Alex! You're home!" he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with surprise and joy.

"Yes, I am," Alex replied, wrapping his arms around Henry. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too," Henry said, hugging Alex tightly. "I'm so glad you're back."

Alex leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Henry's stomach. "And hello to you too, little one," he said, his voice filled with affection.

Henry smiled, feeling a wave of happiness wash over him. "The baby missed you too."

As they settled back into bed, Henry looked at Alex with concern. "How's your dad doing? Is he feeling better?"

Alex nodded, his expression softening. "He's doing much better. And he already get home."

Henry sighed with relief. "That's such good news, Alex. I'm so glad to hear that."

They spent the morning catching up, sharing stories and laughter. Alex's presence filled the house with warmth and love, making Henry feel complete once again. As they enjoyed breakfast together, Henry couldn't help but feel grateful for the beautiful family they were building.

As the morning sun continued to rise, casting a golden hue across the room, Henry and Alex enjoyed their breakfast together. The breakfast were delicious, and the fresh fruit added a burst of flavor that made the meal even more enjoyable.

After finishing their breakfast, Henry and Alex decided to take a leisurely walk in the garden. The air was crisp and refreshing, and the flowers were in full bloom, adding vibrant colors to the scenery.

"How was your doing there, Alex?" Henry asked, holding Alex's hand as they strolled through the garden.

"It was exhausting, but knowing that my dad is getting better made it all worth it," Alex replied, squeezing Henry's hand gently. "I missed you so much, though. It feels so good to be back home."

Henry smiled, leaning his head on Alex's shoulder. "I missed you too. The house feels complete now that you're back."

They continued their walk, enjoying the peacefulness of the garden and each other's company. As they reached a bench, they sat down, and Alex placed his hand on Henry's stomach.

"How's our little one doing?" Alex asked, his eyes filled with love and curiosity.

"Growing perfectly," Henry replied, placing his hand over Alex's. "Doctor Zach said everything is progressing smoothly."

Alex smiled, feeling a sense of pride and excitement. "I can't wait to meet our baby."

"Me neither," Henry said, his eyes shining with anticipation. "It's going to be such a wonderful journey."

As the evening settled in, Henry and Alex relaxed on the couch, enjoying the peacefulness of being together again. The soft glow of the lamps created a cozy atmosphere, perfect for catching up.

Alex turned to Henry, curiosity in his eyes. "So, what have you been up to while I was away? I'm sorry i don't have much time to check you out anytime"

Henry smiled, leaning back against the cushions. "It's okay Alex, i fully understand the situation. And also I've been keeping busy. I'm really glad that Doctor Zach and Sean live nearby. They've been such great company, and the twins are always so excited about our baby."

Alex nodded, a smile spreading across his face. "That's wonderful to hear. I'm glad you had them around to keep you company."

"Yeah, it's been really nice. Doctor Zach checks on me regularly, and Sean and the twins often come over to spend time with me. The twins are so curious about the baby. They keep asking questions and talking to my belly," Henry said with a chuckle.

Alex laughed softly. "I can imagine. They're such sweet kids. It's great that you have such a supportive community around you."

Henry nodded, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. "It really is. It makes everything so much easier, knowing that we're surrounded by people who care about us."

Alex wrapped his arm around Henry, pulling him close. "And now I'm back, so you won't have to miss me anymore."

Henry smiled, resting his head on Alex's shoulder. "I'm so glad you're home now"

Alex said, kissing the top of his head. "And I can't wait to be here for every moment as we get ready to welcome our baby."

Henry felt a gentle kick from the baby. He grabbed Alex's hand and placed it on his stomach. "Did you feel that?"

Alex's eyes widened with amazement as he felt the tiny movement. "I did! Our baby want have conversation too."

They both laughed, their hearts overflowing with happiness. It was moments like these that made them realize how blessed they were to have each other and the beautiful family they were creating.

- To Be Continued -