Gideon's steps echoed softly as he approached Tanner's house, the porch creaking slightly under his weight as he joined Tanner sitting there. He regarded Tanner with a calm, understanding look. "How are you holding up?" he asked, his voice steady and reassuring.Tanner exhaled slowly, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "I'm nervous as hell, Gideon," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper."Just remember to breathe, Tanner. Everything's going to work out. And if you feel overwhelmed when the social worker is here, it's okay to stay back here until she leaves," he advised, his tone gentle yet firm.Their conversation paused as they both spotted the car approaching in the distance. Gideon stood up, patting Tanner's back encouragingly. "Come when you're ready," he said with a smile, before striding confidently towards the main house.Tanner remained seated, his heart pounding as the car drew near. The sight of the social worker helping a small figure out of the car sent a jolt through

The hallway outside Avery's room became a silent vigil, with Gideon and Tanner seated on the floor, a guardianship in the dim light. Gideon, sensing Tanner's restlessness, tried to offer words of comfort. "It'll get easier every day. The first few days are always the hardest," he assured.Tanner laughed, but there was a hint of skepticism in his voice. "Yeah, I'm not so sure about that," he replied, his eyes fixed on the closed door.Gideon reflected for a moment before speaking. "As much as I want to draw parallels between this and my experience with Avla, it's different. I didn't see Avla again for years. My feelings had evolved into a protective obsession by the time I did. But she was unaware of my watchful presence, of the ways I tried to ensure her well-being."The door creaked open, revealing Avery peeking out. Avla, with a gentle tone, reassured her, "See? Tanner's right there, just like he promised. Now, let's get back to our story." She left the door cracked open, allowing A

As Avla and Gideon descended to the kitchen, the morning light streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. They moved in tandem, starting breakfast, their movements a well-rehearsed dance of domesticity. "So," Avla began, breaking the silence as she cracked eggs into a bowl, "Tanner really was panicking over nothing, wasn't he?" Gideon, flipping pancakes on the griddle, nodded. "Yes, but it's good he's taking it seriously. Shows he understands the gravity of the situation." He paused, flipping another pancake. "But Avery... it might be a while before she's comfortable being away from him." "Yeah, what does that remind you of..." Avla trailed off, whisking the eggs. Gideon chuckled, "You, when you stayed with me those four days. You know, Avery sleeping on Tanner's chest like that? You did the same thing. Clung to me every night. During the day, when you napped. Pretty much all the time, honestly." Avla stopped whisking, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Really?

The packed house buzzed with excitement and nervous energy on the morning of the adoption court date. It was a significant day, marking a new beginning for everyone in the household. Avery, Tanner, Marcus, Ethan, and Liam were all set to officially become part of Gideon and Avla's family. In one corner of the house, the boys were neatly dressed in slacks and ties, looking more formal than they ever had. The air was thick with the scent of cologne and the sounds of laughter and light-hearted banter. They fidgeted with their ties, adjusting collars and cuffs, ensuring they looked their absolute best for this momentous occasion. Meanwhile, Avla was in a gentle battle with Avery over her dress. With her strong-willed nature, Avery was giving Avla a hard time about wearing the pink dress that had been bought for the court appearance. Despite Avla's patient coaxing, Avery remained stubborn, her recent dislike for pink making her balk at the idea of wearing the dress. Standing in front of

As the weeks unfolded, the pack house was wrapped in the warmth of anticipation, with Avla’s pregnancy at its heart. Each day, her belly grew a bit more, rounding out as the new life inside her flourished. This physical transformation became a daily topic of conversation, a shared joy for everyone in the pack.Avla moved with a newfound sense of purpose, each step slower but filled with the gravity of her maternal role. There was an elegance to her movements, a serene grace that seemed to emanate from the life she carried. Her eyes, always bright, now held a depth of emotion that spoke volumes. A reflection of the journey she was on.But it wasn’t just physical changes that marked this special time. Avla’s mindset shifted as well. She would often be found in quiet contemplation, gazing out the window with her hand resting on her belly. In these moments, her thoughts wandered to the future, the kind of mother she would be, the lessons she would impart, and the adventures that awaited h