Page 14 of A Sugary Life

Phoenix moved to share the good news. Something about their serious expressions brought him up short.

Yaro focused on Shay. “Zander would like to speak with you downstairs.” His gaze moved to Phoenix. “Both of you. We’ll take the kids to see the waterfall and climbing rocks.”

The boys each picked a leg and held on, refusing to let Shay and Phoenix go. Tobie furiously sucked his thumb. Graham had his chest puffed out even as he clung to Shay.

Phoenix and Shay dropped to their knees and got down to eye level with the boys.

“We promise you’ll be totally safe with Pytor and Yaro.”

Phoenix nodded at Shay’s vow and added his comfort to the mix. “Yaro and Pytor were very much like fathers to us when we were little. They’ll take good care of you, and we’ll come for you as soon as we finish with our meeting, okay?”

Graham’s chin took on a certain edge. He tried to look brave. “We’ll be okay. I’ll keep Tobie safe.”

Shay ruffled his hair. “I know. You’re my tough guy.”

Graham swatted his hand away, but he stood taller.

Phoenix and Shay pushed to their feet and held hands, reaching for each other at the same time. They made their way down the stairs with Yaro leading the way and the boys right behind them. Shay and Phoenix brought up the rear so they could make sure the boys got down the stairs safely. On the first floor, they went their separate ways. Phoenix and Shay shared a look before heading inside Zander’s office.

As he tended to be, Zander relaxed on the plush leather couch in his office. When he spotted them, he motioned for them to sit on the loveseat across from him. “Come. Sit with me.”

They did as bade.

Zander’s icy blue stare moved between them. His neutral expression made it hard for Phoenix to guess at his thoughts. He smiled. “You’re wearing the ring. I take it you said yes.”

There was no stopping the smile that exploded across his face. He held his left hand out for Zander to see. “Yes. I’m so happy.” He sounded like a psycho as he said the words. If anyone knew how much Phoenix loved Shay, it was the people who lived under this roof.

Zander sat forward and looked it over. “He showed it to me earlier today, but it looks twice as gorgeous on you. You two deserve this.”

Phoenix hugged Shay’s arm. “Thank you.”

Zander’s shoulders squared. “Now, all this calls for some rearranging. Nearly all the rooms on the third floor are a little more family-sized.” He picked up a file from his side table and opened it on the coffee table between them. He plucked the pen from his front pocket and clicked it. “This is a basic drawing of that floor. Your kitchen is here.” He drew on X on the kitchen. Then he drew a line to a hallway and continued down the hall to the end. Then he made three arrows. One straight ahead to a large suite and the other two pointed toward the right and left to two smaller suites. “The bigger of the three in the center has the space you two will need to have a place that doesn’t feel quite so much like you’re living in a dorm.” He drew a circle around that X. Then he pointed to the two rooms on either side. “I’ve hired a guy to push through the walls of these two rooms, adding a door to both. They should be the perfect size for the boys.”

Phoenix’s chin shot up. “For the boys?”

Zander eyed him for a moment before responding. “I was given to understand you two were adopting them. Did I misunderstand?”

Phoenix teared up without warning. He sniffed. “No. You’re not wrong. I just worried you’d think we’re too young or that the boys wouldn’t want us as their dads.”

Zander’s expression shifted. His jaw softened. He looked relieved and understanding. “Those boys already love you two. You can see it in their eyes. I’m pretty sure it would break their hearts if you said they weren’t yours. As for your age, I might agree if you weren’t part of this family. They’ll be in school right next door, and there’ll always be someone who can help while you work or have date nights. You’re not on your own. No one could understand them the way you two do. It only takes one look at the four of you together to see how much you two already love these kids. A loving home is an amazing home, no matter anyone’s age. You’ll let them be young. Give them normalcy. You know how desperately they need that right alongside the intensive therapy they’ll get. I’d be honored for you two to adopt them.”

Shay and Phoenix exchanged looks. They wanted this. Shay answered on their behalf. “We’d love to take them and call them ours.”

Zander turned businesslike. “Okay. I’m assuming you’d like all four of you to have matching surnames. What name have you decided to go with?”

Phoenix didn’t even hesitate. It had to be Shay’s last name. “Armstrong.”

Zander nodded and made notes. “I’ll get started on new IDs and passports. The boys need social security cards. I have the adoption papers here. You’ll need to sign them all proper like just in case you ever need proof they are your children. In this digital world, it’s getting more and more important for everything we do to look legal. No one will ever question the legitimacy of any of this. You two know the drill. This is all legal-ish. While I don’t get these things done the legal way, everything I set up is genuine documentation.”

Phoenix’s head spun with how fast everything moved. “Got it.”

Zander pushed paperwork their way. “Go ahead and sign this marriage license so I can get you everything you need in a new name. The adoption papers are under that. I’ve marked each spot you need to sign.”

Shay and Phoenix didn’t hesitate to sign the marriage license.

Zander signed below their names. “Congrats. You’re now married, but I fully expect you to let me throw you two an actual wedding. That’s my price.”

Phoenix nodded along. He barely kept up. Apparently, he was already married. Wow. He would take it.