16.

I had told Wren to give his dad a hug. I had told him they both needed it.

I did not think he was just going to agree like that but seeing Wren and his dad hug had to be the most wholesome thing I have ever seen in my twenty something years on earth. This was going to be a conversation that needed privacy so I discreetly lifted my phone and typed a message to Desmond.

To Des My Fren: Can you turn the sign over to close and send everyone out in a nice way? This might take time and I think we might go home afterwards.

From Des My Fren: Already turned the sign to close. I'll send the last of the people away. The key is in the employee's room and I will let myself out. Give me an update though.

I smiled down at my phone as I read his text. Honestly, Desmond was the best friend ever and I will always sing this song. Wren and his dad were still holding on to each other tightly and I just kept watching them.

When they pulled apart, it somehow got stiff. . . would stiff be the right word to use? Like it got a little tense between them both and it made me want to shake my head. They had a lot of things to say, they had a lot of feelings to let out. August, had kept saying the last time he talked to Wren. He never said the last time he saw Wren.

Wren lets his father take a seat before we do the same thing. Ugh, he was so respectful. Once we were seated, Wren immediately put his hand on my thigh as he stared at his father. I really wanted to break the ice because I could feel the silence.

I scrolled through the settings on my phone and turned on the text to speech option, pulled open my notes and began typing. "No one is going to speak, really?"

This time August looks at me, his lips quirking up in a smile. Now that I was paying attention, he does kind of look like Wren. It was really cute. Fuck, why is everything cute to me nowadays? Were there no other adjectives in my head?

"Dad, this is my husband, Bailey." Wren said and I turned to look at him, my cheeks hurting from how hard I was smiling at him. It was the first time I was hearing him use that word in my presence! I wondered when I went from being his boyfriend to his husband. We do not do things the natural way but it does seem like we are soulmates.

"Baby, this is my dad, August Alston, CEO of Walst." Wren said and I blinked. I knew all about Walst. They are a powerhouse that has been in existence for twenty five or so years. They had started with a baby clothing brand, then moved to adult wear, then jewelry, then lingerie. It was a big, big company. Oh my god! And that's the company that August wants Wren to run. He wanted Wren to take over from him. That was huge. It was like a baby Gucci or Dior or Balenciaga. Designer through and through with amazing designs and styles.

I have seen Wren's work with his own brand, Alston's and he is exceptional at that. His work is fantastic and I get why they are very expensive. He had handled his business and grown it to where it is today, separate from the family business. He would be a brilliant CEO of Walst. But he says he does not want to do it, and I will stand with him by his decision.

"It's really nice to meet you, August." I typed, listening on as my phone read the text out loud.

"You too, Bailey." the man responded, staring at me with interest. He probably has questions to ask but I acted like everything was normal and the same.

"When was the last time you met your dad, face to face?" I signed to Wren and he raised three fingers. Three years.

"The last time you saw Wren was three years ago?" I typed out on my phone, staring at August's face as my phone read the words out loud. That explains why he was standing in front of Alston's and staring so longingly at it. That also explains him seeking me out as well. He might have really wanted to apologize to me, yes. But a part of him must have hoped to see Wren here today.

He must have really missed Wren. He must have really missed his son.

"My son, I know that I am not the best father. Not in the past, not now and I apologize for that. A business I had started right after you were born, a business I had started for you, a business I had started because I wanted to make you such cute, adorable clothes and dress baby you up when you were just days old, took me away from you, Wren. I should never have but the company before you. I should have stayed with you, played with you, watched you grow up, rather than focusing on the wrong thing and for that I am sorry. You are my child. You are my son and I failed you. I failed from protecting you against your greedy and spiteful siblings, I failed in showering you with the parental love you deserve. I failed in being there for you."

I could hear August's words, could feel the sincerity in them, like I do when Wren is talking. I placed my hand on top of Wren's, squeezing it a little. I turned to look up at him and he had on that mask of indifference that I know, the mask of indifference I used to see when he first started riding the train with me. The mask of indifference that he hides behind. His face was stoic but his hand. . . his hands were shaking.

"You don't have to worry about the company, you don't have to listen to anything I say but I miss you a lot, kid and I want to spend more time with you. You are important to me and I am so sorry I am saying this to you so late."

There was a twitch in Wren's brow, so I curled my fingers around his hand and held on, trying to give him the strength he needed.

"You are my son, my kid and I love you. You grew up so well. You grew up strong and steadfast. You found love and I am so proud of you."

That. . .

Well. . . that was it. The stoic expression crumbled and a tear slid down his face and I watched, holding on to his hand. Feeling scared and warm. I reached for him, rubbing my hand down his chest in what I hoped was a soothing manner. It was terrifying seeing my husband break down like this but he finally heard what he wanted to hear from the one person he wanted to hear it from.

I looked over at August, who was also crying. I waved him over, gently extracting myself from Wren. August takes my seat and pulls Wren in for a hug. I silently slipped between the shelves and went into the employee's room, giving them privacy. They needed to have a long talk and I have a copy of The Time's Traveler's Wife that I wanted to read.

I made myself comfortable and started reading.

I don't know how long I stayed there until there was a sound and the door was being pushed open. There was Wren, standing there and looking so soft. His eyes were a soft red color and he looked so relaxed and I dropped the book, holding my hands out to him.

Wren rushed to me, into my arms. He tucked his face into my neck and curled his body into mine in the tiny couch we had in the employee's lounge. I softly rubbed my hand on his back. Wren does not cry anymore but he does just hold onto me.

"Has your dad gone?" I asked .

"Yeah, he has."

"How do you feel?" I asked as I ran my fingers through his hair.

"A lot better."

"That's good."  I replied. "I am so happy for you. I am so proud of you."  I said, pressing a kiss to his head. Wren holds on to me a little more and I let him. He has gone through a lot today and if he wants me near him then that's what he would get.

"Want to go on a date?"

I chuckled. "Really?" I asked. "You have the strength for that? I was thinking we could pick up dinner and go home, cuddle on the couch and a little kissy here and a little kissy there." I said and Wren laughed. I could feel him laugh against my body.

"A little kissy?" Wren asked, still laughing as he pulled himself off me.

"You know what I mean."

He holds his hand out to me and I slip mine into his. He gently pulls me up, still staring at me like he does not want to let me go and frankly, I could hold on to his hand forever. I could hold onto him forever.

"When next are you going to see your dad?" I asked as we walked towards the doors, turning off the lights on our way out. We put on the security system before finally locking the door. Wren held my hand as we walked towards his SUV that was parked a little way away from the bookstore.

"Tomorrow. We have lunch plans. You're welcome to join us."

"No. . .  but you two have fun. Maybe drink a mimosa or two for me." I said and he chuckled.

"It would be fun to have you with me tomorrow."

"How about I join you on your third brunch date with your dad? I'll even treat you both." I said, turning to look at Wren, smiling widely at him. Wren pulls me in and presses a quick kiss to my lips. It was so sweet and it made me feel even more giddy. It was like I was feeding off his happiness. Like I could feel how happy and light he was and it was also making me feel the same way.

"I love you so much." Wren said and I grinned at him. "I am so glad I met you. I am so glad to have you in my life."

I rest my hand on his chest, going on the tip of toes and pressing my lips against his in another soft kiss. "I love you so much, Wrennie. Always."  I said and he smiled at me.

We ended up kissing a little bit more and then we made our way to the car. On our way, we pick up Chinese food from our favourite spot and even a couple of Ben and Jerry's Netflix and Chill flavour. We ended up eating on the couch in front of the tv, watching a new episode of Uncle Roger on Youtube.

I could not stop staring at Wren. My husband. He was laughing so openly and he was having fun. It was my favourite look on him. I loved seeing him like this. It made me so fucking happy. After cleaning up and dumping the empty food carton in the bin, Wren and I end up back on the couch. My husband was stretched out on the couch and I was lying on top of him. His hand was on my waist and my head on his shoulder. The conversations between us came out as a whisper, like we were trading secrets and I loved it so much. I loved him so much.

I was so comfortable that my eyes began to droop. I began to drift off. But just before I went off to the deep end, I felt Wren press a kiss to my hair and whisper. "I love you. Thank you for teaching me how to be a better man. Thank you for making me a better man."

-

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