chapter 37

                                    

                                          
Chapter 37:
                          
“The father is…” The doctor said his name, and I felt a small shock run through me. Why? It wasn’t exactly a big surprise. It was one of them; I just doubted I had the guts to tell Jack and Alex the news. 
                          
“Do you want me to tell them?” The doctor smiled, standing up from the chair. “No! No… I’d rather tell them myself. Can you send them in please?” I sighed, tears in my eyes again.
                          
She nodded and left the room. It was less than 30 seconds before Alex scrambled through the door, Jack running after him. “So?” Alex asked. I looked from Alex to Jack, and they shared the same expression; eagerness. “Jack…” I murmured, and he shoved Alex out of the way. Alex backed away in the corner, his eyes glimmering with tears. “Yes Hanley!?” He looked at me, slightly impatient. 
                          
“I- I’m so sorry. Alex is the father.” I saw his face drop, and I glanced at Alex. He’d started edging closer, and he had a large grin on his face. Jack followed my gaze and turned to look at him, too. “Oh… Okay. I won’t ruin your moment… I’ll get going. Congratulations.” He turned to Alex, who’d been trying to keep a straight face. Jack continued to look at the floor as he approached the door.
                          
I could tell how disappointed he was, he’d put so much effort into taking care of the baby and me just to have it taken away from him. ”Jack, wait!” I shouted as he began to open the door. “Yeah?” he looked up, and there were a few tears streaming down his cheeks. I could feel the tension in the atmosphere, as Alex continued standing there, awkwardly. “N- nothing.” I didn’t want to make him stay here any longer, it hurt him too much. I still loved Jack, but I couldn’t bear to put him through any more pain.
                          
He walked out the door, without any noise except a small whimper. As soon as he’d gone, Alex ran over to me, and collapsed on the chair next to me. “Hanley, you have no idea how happy I am right now.” He beamed. He kissed my lips again, and I saw his smile. I knew he meant those words. 
                          
At that moment, I saw the nurse come in, holding our baby boy in her arms. “Hello Hanley. And this is Alex, hm?” She smiled. He nodded, and bit his lip. “Well, I thought you’d like to see your baby.” I let go of Alex’s hand as she handed him to me, and I felt myself smiling, for the first time in a long time. 
                          
“Have you thought of any names yet?” She smiled at us again, and I felt Alex stroke my hair. “Actually, no not yet. Will you give us a few minutes?” She nodded and left the room. I turned to Alex, and he was sat in the chair, frozen. “Alex, do you want a hold?” I asked, and he nodded. 
                          
He took the baby in his arms, and a few tears fell. “Alex?” I asked, lightly tapping his shoulder. “Sorry, I just… didn’t think I’d actually be the father.” He sniffed, his smiled staying on his face. “Aw, why not?” 
                          
“Because, when you asked me and Jack to leave, I thought that even if I was the biological father, you’d tell Jack it was his. We haven’t spoken in 5 months, remember? The last time we did, I punched you in the face.” He said, sounding hurt. “How could I do that, Alex? He has your eyes.” I laughed, trying to add humour to the situation. 
                          
“He smiled even more when he heard that. “You think so?” He looked at me, tears of happiness sparkling in his eyes. “Definitely.” I laughed. “Anyway, what shall we name him?” Alex looked back down at the baby boy he held in his arms.
                          
It was ten minutes before the nurse came back into the room, and she smiled at us again. “Thought of anything? Or do you need more time?” Alex handed the baby back to me, and put his arm around us. “His name is Max. Max Nathan Gaskarth.” He smiled back at he nurse. “What a lovely name choice. I’ll just sort his certificate, and you’re free to go Hanley!” She hurried out the door again, and I felt myself sink into Alex arms.
                          
We were now a family, just me, Alex, and baby Max.
                          
(5 days later)
                          
Waking up, I turned over to see that Alex was already out of bed. I sat up, and heard him muttering downstairs. I pulled my jacket over my shoulders, and got out of bed. Whilst washing my face, I couldn’t help but think of Jack. I decided, that Max and I would go and visit Jack, whether Alex liked it or not.
                          
I headed downstairs, and stood in the kitchen doorway. I watched as Alex held Max, feeding him a bottle from the fridge. He was one of the most loving fathers I’d ever known, and it made me happy. For the past 5 days, he’d had a large smile on his face, and it seemed to be ever since he’d seen baby Max.
                          
I walked past them, and Alex looked up, smiling at me. “Oh, hey! I didn’t want to wake you, so I took Maxie myself.” He laughed, putting down the bottle, and kissing my nose. “Oh right, okay.” I laughed, yawning. “I’m going to take Max to see Jack today.” I started making cereal for myself, when I saw that Alex’s smile had gone. 
                          
“What!? Why?” He exclaimed, fastening Max into his baby bouncer. “Oh come on Alex. You already know for sure that you’re Max’s dad. Can’t Jack be a family friend?” I sighed, looking up at him. “No! Hanley, I don’t trust him.” “Why not? Oh for fucks sake, I shouldn’t have to stand for this.” I growled, walking past him into the living room. 
                          
“Hanley, I’m not having my son near him.” He hissed, following me into the room. “You forgot that Jack was the one who rung you about Maxie’s birth.” I snapped, and he sighed, admitting defeat. “Fine. But if he gets too close, he’s not coming anywhere near you or Max.” He left the room, leaving me to eat my cereal in peace.
                          
I came down the stairs after getting dressed, and strapped Max into the pram. Alex came to the door, and wrapped his arms around me. “Sorry, I’m so protective over you. But I love you so much, I don’t want anything to happen to either of you.” He smiled, and I kissed his lips. “Don’t worry, we’ll be fine. Jack’s been my friend for years, I’m not loosing him this easy.” I laughed, and he bent down to see Max in the pram.
                          
“I love you, baby Gaskarth.” He laughed, and tapped him lightly on the nose. After one last kiss goodbye, I began walking down the road to Jack’s.