Robert paused in clinking his glass with Landon’s. “That’s not a proper toast.”
“The hell it isn’t! Best retirement trip ever.”
Robert agreed with that being closer to a toast and clanked their glasses together. The problem was that Landon’s sly side was coming out. He’d repeatedly given some variation on that same toast, maybe even every night since they had arrived in Italy, and it always resulted in a free round of drinks.
“You’re a mess,” Robert whispered against Landon’s lips.
A retort was coming when Landon’s phone rang loudly. They both looked down at his cell phone on the table. Landon instantly grew serious.
“It’s a Minnesota number.” That had Robert pulling his cell phone from his pocket as Landon answered. “Hello?” Their gazes locked, and Landon’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. “Can you give us a minute? It’s loud in here. We need to step outside.”
“It’s Sophia. She’s been trying to call you. Hurry and pay.” Landon shot out of his seat like a bullet discharged from its chamber. He was zigzagging through the narrow walkways between the tables before Robert ever fully got to his feet. He quickly called over the waiter, asking for the tab. He followed the guy to the back where he laid cash on the bar.
As Robert started for the door, Landon pushed it open from the outside, making him jump back or take a hit in the face. Landon’s irritation with him was clear on his face when he said, “Babe, what the hell?”
“What’d she say?” he asked, pushing past Landon in the small space between the doorframe and his big body.
“I don’t know. I’m waiting for you. I’m nervous, Robert.” Landon let the door shut behind them. He held the phone in his hand, hanging at his side. His breath came in short pants, like he was about to hyperventilate. Robert instantly prioritized.
“Give me the phone,” he said, reaching for the cell, surprised at the anxiety spiking as he took the phone and put the call on speaker mode.
“Sophia?” he asked a little breathlessly, hoping she was still there. His gaze locked on Landon’s, trying to determine where he was in the passing out process.
“Yes. Hi, is this Robert?” she asked. Her singsong happy voice showed she’d heard everything they’d said. “Are you having a good time?”
“Yeah, real good. Landon’s here with me. You’re on speaker.” Robert reached out, taking Landon’s hand in his. Landon squeezed Robert’s tightly. The butterflies in his stomach stretched their wings a little more excitedly. His heartbeat picked up as he waited for her reply.
“Good. I don’t want to bother you on your trip. I just want you to know— Wait, let me say it like this for Landon. We have a pregnancy. Congratulations.”
Landon’s eyes grew even bigger before he let out a full-lung whoop and reached forward lifting Robert off his feet. He readily wrapped his arms around Landon, hugging him tight as his feet dangled in the air. “We’re gonna have a baby.”
“Celebrate after this first trimester,” Sophia encouraged.
“It’s gonna last. I feel it,” Landon whispered, kissing his neck, moving to his jaw to kiss him there before reaching for his lips and kissing him there as he put him back on his feet.
Robert lifted his eyes to the heavens, sending a quick prayer of thanks as Landon took the phone out of his hand. “Sophia, how’s Scarlett? Is she doing okay?”
“I spoke with her tonight. She’s doing great. She sends her love,” Sophia said.
“Thank you, Sophia,” Robert called out. He still couldn’t believe it. Happiness filling every cell of his body. They were going to be fathers. The goodbyes were given as Landon wrapped one of those strong arms around his waist and tugged him closer.
“It happened so fast. I didn’t think we would find out anything until we got home,” Landon said with all the wonderment of new beginnings in his eyes. “She said pregnancy, so that means just one, right?”
“We’ll know more after the first ultrasound,” he explained, pulling Landon to him again. Robert had never let himself lose hope. Even on the dark crushing days of missing Landon so badly it hurt, he’d held on to the hopes and dreams of this moment. On the trip of their lives, standing in an alley in Rome, finding out they were in fact going to be fathers… Robert’s heart was so full he couldn’t contain it any longer and tightened his embrace.
“Do we call our families now?” Landon asked. Robert replied by taking Landon’s lips with his, kissing him passionately.
The bells of a nearby church rang loudly as if announcing their news to the whole city of Rome. He slowly pulled back from the kiss. He hated the loss of Landon’s sweet lips, but they needed to make their calls before time got away from them. “I need to call Autumn.”
“I’ll call my mom and dad.”
He dialed Autumn and watched Landon as he put the phone to his ear. They smiled at one another, joy bubbling as he waited for Autumn to answer. When she did, he heard Avery’s loud cry in the background before Autumn said hello.
“Robert, how early is too early for cutting teeth?” Autumn asked by way of a greeting.
“I’m not a pediatrician,” he said for about the millionth time since Avery had come into the world. Her husband would know the answer before he would. “Call me later. I’ve got news.”
“No, hang on. Cam! Take Avery. Robert’s on the phone.” He heard a rustling, something about Motrin and then silence. As it grew quieter on Autumn’s end, he could hear Landon’s excitement as he told his parents the news.
“Okay, what’s up?” she asked. He didn’t try to pretend he’d
