“Yeah,” Jon admitted. “When we first talked about it, we didn’t have any specific plans, we just knew it was something that we wanted to do eventually.”
“I’m getting the sense that’s changed now.” Mike didn’t sound happy.
“After spending a week in Hawthorne Bluff, we feel it’s a place where we’d be happy raising Wyatt,” Kyle told them. “So that’s the plan now. To figure out how to make that move as easily as we can.”
“You can’t mean right away, can you?” Ellen sounded almost frantic. “We’ve only just started reconnecting with our grandson. It’s not fair!” Mike put his arm around his wife.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart,” Mike said softly. “Let’s hear what the boys have to say.”
“We feel the logistics of everything that has to be done means that, no, it won’t happen immediately,” Jon explained. “But it is something we want to happen as quickly as we can. We figure it will take about a year. I want to sell my house in Phoenix first. Then we have to sell this place. Most importantly, we need to find a place to live there and get jobs. All of that will take time.”
“And we want you both to know that we expect you to be a big part of Wyatt’s life. Forever,” Kyle jumped in.
“But how can that be when he’s so far away?” Ellen asked.
“It’s only about an hour by plane to either Rhode Island or Boston. And a short ride from either of those airports to Hawthorne Bluff or my dad’s house in Westport,” Kyle continued. “We’ll make it work. Whatever we have to do, we’ll figure it out.”
“I can’t say I’m overly thrilled about this,” Mike admitted. “But I can see your point.” He turned to look at his wife. “If you remember, dear, we chose to live in the suburbs in Virginia, away from the big city to raise our son. We didn’t move to DC until he was in high school, and I think that helped him become the man he was.” Mike paused for a moment as if gathering his thoughts. “Again, this comes as a big surprise to both of us, but I think if we all keep open minds about it, I agree we can make it work. Now concerning employment … Jon, there’s a family-lawpractice in Plymouth that our firm has worked with before. Let me call someone there this week and see what I can find out.”
Kyle sat back and smiled. Yeah, there might be a few bumps in the road along the way, but this was gonna work out.
Chapter 24
Jon
“How are your mom and Bernie?” Kyle asked, trotting down the stairs. He’d just put Wyatt down for a nap.
“They’re okay,” Jon answered. “They both say hello. Did the little guy fuss much when you put him down?”
“Not really. We read a book together,” Kyle explained. “Well, I read, and he just kind of looked at the pictures, but he was really beat. I think he was asleep before his head hit the pillow. Did you get everybody all caught up with our plans?”
“Yeah. They’re both excited for us, and Mom agrees that raising Wyatt outside of DC is a good thing. Oh, and Bernie said that Jeff knows a realtor, so she’s gonna talk to him when he gets home. And they’re more than willing to help with showing the house and everything. Which hopefully means fewer trips to Phoenix for us.”
“Perfect. What’s next on the agenda?”
“The adoption. Your uncle is putting together most of the paperwork for that although he said he may have a few questions for us this week.”
“Does he really think it can all be finalized in a month?” Kyle asked.
“That’s what he said. He doesn’t expect any issues. He thinks he can file the petition with the court in the next week, and it should all be pretty seamless.”
“Have you given any thought to what you want to do with the stuff in the Arizona house?”
“Yeah, I have, actually. I brought all the really important things with me when I moved here. We don’t need any of it and won’t know exactly what we’ll need for the new house until we actually buy something. I think I just want to donate it all. Maybe to an LGBTQ+ organization. Wherever it can do some good.”
“I think that’s a really good idea,” Kyle agreed. “And I think that since our son is napping, we should do the same. I don’t know about you, but I’m beat.”
“That sounds like a really good idea too.” Jon rose from the sofa and put his hand out. Kyle took it, and they headed upstairs. A nap would be a great way to spend the afternoon. Maybe after a little cuddle time.
Life wenton in a busy but fairly normal manner, always juggling work with family time. Before they knew it, the adoption was happening. It actually took slightly longer than Mike had anticipated, but the final court date, where the adoption would be granted, was scheduled for Friday, and Ben, Rob, and Sam were flying to DC for the weekend to celebrate.
“Hey, Kyle,” Ben greeted his son on the phone Thursday evening.
“Hi, Dad. All settled in at the hotel?”
“Yeah. We’re gonna grab a bite to eat and then call it a night. We’ll see you at the courthouse tomorrow morning.”
“Sounds good,” Kyle replied. “Give our love to Rob and Sam, and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
