Page 31 of His Curvy Castaway Obsession - A Man Who Knows What He Wants

“Yep… One of two things…” He continues. “Either a boy or a girl, but we haven’t run a test for that.” He says, his eyes shining with delight as he breaks the news.

We both stare at him, dumbstruck, I feel my jaw dropping.

“You mean…?” Michael finally asks, and Doc Johnson stands ups, seeming to only come up to Michael’s waist.

“Yes sir! You’re going to be a daddy! And Zoe here… well… she has to be the mommy. That’s usually how these things work Mr. Parker.”

“I’m gonna be a daddy.” Michael says absently, staring into space, grinning.

“And I’m gonna throw up,” is all I can manage barely getting to the waste paper basket just in time.

Extended Epilogue

Later That Decade

Zoe

“Mommy! Mommy! Look at what we caught!”

Eight years ago, I would’ve cringed. I would’ve worried. But a lot has changed over the years and when I see the two men in my life. Michael and our son Zak, come in through the back door, all muddy from the beach and stinking of dead fish and the sea, my heart melts.

“What happened to catch and release?” I ask Michael, who shrugs, “He really wanted this one, wanted to bring us home dinner.” He says, stroking Zak’s hair with pride, pulling him a little closer as he leans down to reach the boy.

Our boy.

The house on the island, the whole island actually, that was Michael’s wedding present to me, along with a pink form fitting swimsuit that without Michael I never would have found the courage to wear. And when little Zak arrived, that was like a gift from something else, something too special.

Priceless.

We used to come out here every weekend, just the two of us. I’d stress over term papers due and Michael would tell me not to stress, helping me where he could, but I made it.

I got my degree and then even with little Zak on my hip, I finished two more.

I’m an associate professor now, but I gave up teaching after Michael put his foot down. Wanted me at home or at work, where he could keep an eye on me, and I’m glad he did.

I can’t live a day without the pair of them.

Michael and Zak, my hero and my beautiful baby boy.

“Well, go get cleaned up, the pair of you. Isn’t Grandpa coming for dinner too? I hope this will be enough,” I exclaim, also wondering how the hell to filet the ‘whatever it is’ kind of fish I’m holding.

“I’ll give you a hand honey, right after we freshen up,” Michael assures me, pecking my cheek and squeezing my left butt cheek, making me jump.

“C’mon tiger, let’s hit the showers, get all cleaned up ready for dinner,” he says and scoops Zak up, who squeals with delight, up onto his huge shoulders as he makes a sandy, muddy detour through the place, up to the bathroom.

I feel queasy handling the fish and decide to let Michael do it, I’ll tackle the floor mess he’s just made instead.

I haven’t felt this sick since… No. It couldn’t be…

I make a mental note to go see Doc Johnson again. With the intimate schedule Michael and I have though, it’s long overdue. But for tonight, a fish from the beach and dad coming over is exciting enough.

That’s about as stressful as things are now, which is no stress. Just how we all like it.

Dad’s moved up, managing a community hedge fund, making sure that retirees funds are where they should be, and a hundred percent transparent.

Who knew. But being honest with money, with other people’s money is what Michael tried to do all along, but he just had to weed out some of the bad fruit so the tree could bloom.

Us? We’re the richest folks I know. Not for the zeroes on the end of an account with our names on it, but for the beautiful boy named Zak, and the even more beautiful man I can’t wait to curl up to every night.

I leave all the finances to dad now, checking in at a weekly meeting online and reading reports.

My real job, the thing that gets me out of bed every day, and right back into it at the end of it, is Michael.

He’s my rock. He’s my best friend and he’s definitely my love.

My hero, father to our child. My only and my man.

Daddy. Michael. Mr. Parker.

Either way I say it, I still feel the same way I did the first day we met, and he reminds me of the same feeling too, every time we kiss, which is every chance we get.

My love. My life.

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