I Am Not Your Master; I Am Your Partner: A (Neko) Dan and (Human) Phil Series

Choices Matter

The young woman was hoping to learn the gender of her unborn baby. She never expected for her ultrasound to reveal this.

She would have the child, but she was adamant about placing him. Her family would not accept this.

It would be unfair to subject the child to the torment and scorn of their ways. She was not in a position to make her own way, not at sixteen.

Hearts United arranged a meeting between the girl and the headmistress. Everyone wanted the same outcome, and that was peace - peace for the mother and peace for the child.

The headmistress sat in the commons with her back to the fire.  She sipped her tea and smiled. This was what she had been waiting for; everything was about to come full circle.

                       * * *

"Dan? Do you think it's too subtle?" Phil took a step backward and narrowed his eyes. He twisted his lips in concentration.

"No. It's good...it looks incredible actually." Dan's eyes widened. The white ceiling and crown molding looked so crisp next to the freshly-painted walls. The goal was for the child to feel as though he could reach out and touch the mist over the sea, to taste the saltiness on his tongue. The entire room was centered around Dan's jar of shells.

"Honestly, I can't believe that we're actually doing this. It feels so...real." Phil said as he descended the ladder carefully. He wrapped an arm around Dan's waist.

"I know." Dan giggled and looked at his husband. Phil was a right mess despite his efforts to stay as clean as possible. His shorts and t-shirt were covered in splatters of blue-gray paint. He even had some in his hair, and Dan noticed that it matched his eyes.

Phil surprised Dan with the news that their application for adoption had been approved by both the agency and the county. He wanted to make it special, so he took Dan shopping.

"Where are we going?" Dan asked for the third time.

"We're celebrating Darling. It's a surprise." Phil kissed him on the temple. "Be patient Love."

"What?" Dan rolled his eyes and bounced excitedly. "Phil!"

"Shhhh Dan." Phil laughed. His baby could be so adorable.

"Okay, I would have you close your eyes, but that could be dangerous in London." Phil giggled. "So just take my arm and walk with me, yeah?"

Dan nodded and took his husband's arm. They walked several blocks, though Dan was too distracted by the cold to notice their surroundings. They stopped directly under an awning for The Oxford Paint Company.

"Paint Phil? I don't get it." Dan pouted.

"You will. Just think about it Dan." Phil bit his lip and raised his eyebrows.

"No way." Dan's face changed. "What exactly are you telling me Phil?"

"I am telling you that our application has been approved by the county and the agency. Dan, we are going to be parents."

They stood together on the pavement, wrapped up in their winter coats, holding each other in front of the paint shop. Passersby walked around them, for it was obvious that they were sharing a special moment.

"Oh my God Phil." Dan whispered. He held Phil's face between his gloved hands and kissed him on the lips, their breath visible between them.

Phil kissed him back, pulling him as close as possible. He rubbed Dan's nose with his own. "I know! Isn't it wonderful? I just found out this morning. I know that you were nervous about our being approved, and I just had to tell you." Phil shifted his weight between his feet excitedly.
"I mean, I have no other news just yet."