Chapter 245: Celebrating

Alex closed the distance between them in two long strides.

The moment he reached Lucas, he pulled him into his arms with such force that Lucas almost lost his balance.

"Oh..."

Lucas laughed through the tears already forming in his eyes.

"Alex..."

Alex buried his face in Lucas's neck, unable to speak. His shoulders trembled. For several seconds, all he could do was hold him tighter. As though he was afraid the moment would disappear if he let go.

Finally, he whispered in a broken voice, "Please tell me I'm not dreaming."

Lucas smiled against his shoulder.

"I don't think either of us is."

Alex slowly pulled back, cupping Lucas's face with both hands.

His eyes searched Lucas's, looking for reassurance.

"You heard him?" Lucas nodded, tears spilling freely now.

"I heard him." Alex let out a shaky laugh before pressing his forehead against Lucas's.

"We're... we're going to have a baby."

Lucas's lips quivered into the brightest smile anyone in the room had ever seen.

"Our baby."

Unable to contain himself, Alex kissed him over and over—his forehead, his cheeks, the tip of his nose—before finally capturing his lips in a brief, tender kiss.

"I love you. So, so much."

Lucas laughed, crying at the same time.

"I love you too."

Behind them, Sally had both hands over her mouth. She had been trying to stay composed, but she failed.

"Oh, my goodness, a baby?" She burst into tears.

Caleb quickly wrapped an arm around his wife. "Easy, Sally."

But even his own voice had grown thick with emotion.

Sally wiped her tears, smiling through them. "I'm going to be a grandmother."

She laughed. "I'm actually going to be a grandmother."

Emily squealed before throwing herself at Lucas.

"Congratulations!" She hugged him carefully. "I can't believe it!"

Then she looked at Alex. "I told you!"

Annie folded her arms dramatically.

"I knew Emily's hunch wasn't completely crazy."

She pointed triumphantly at Alex.

"And you refused to believe us."

Alex chuckled sheepishly. "I wasn't refusing to believe. I was protecting my heart."

Jason burst into laughter. "No, brother. You were protecting your sanity."

Everyone laughed, including Lucas.

“Let me get this straight. Is Lucas a hermaphrodite? Caleb asked.

“Exactly what I wanted to ask.” The doctor put in.

“Yes he is,” Alex responded.

“Conhratulations to you guys.”

Caleb shook his head in amusement. "I've never seen my son this emotional. God this is the greatest news. The best way to start my day."

Alex didn't even try to deny it. He kept one arm securely around Lucas's waist.

"Yes, the best news ever." He looked at Lucas with eyes full of wonder. "I thought I would wait for years to hear news like this."

Lucas rested his head against Alex's shoulder.

"So do I."

The family doctor cleared his throat gently, drawing everyone's attention.

"I'm very happy for all of you..."

"...but I still recommend repeating the blood test."

The room immediately became quiet.

"It isn't because I doubt the result."

He smiled reassuringly. "It's simply good medical practice whenever we receive an unexpected finding."

Lucas sighed dramatically. “Oh come on Doctor, I really hate needles."

The doctor laughed. "I know, Lucas, It'll only take a moment."

Alex squeezed Lucas's hand.

"You can do this."

Lucas looked pitifully at him.

"Will you hold my hand?"

Alex smiled warmly. "I'll hold both if you want."

That earned another round of laughter.

Lucas rolled his eyes playfully. "Everyone's laughing at me."

"Because you're so adorable dear," Sally replied. “And because you're about to make us the happiest family in the world."

Lucas smiled shyly burying his face in Alex’s chest.

The doctor prepared the syringe while Alex stood directly beside him.

Lucas immediately kept his face against Alex's chest.

"I can't watch."

"You don't have to." Alex wrapped an arm around him and stroked his hair gently.

"Just look at me."

Lucas obeyed. Their eyes remained locked on each other.

The doctor quickly drew the small blood sample.

"Done."

Lucas blinked. "That's it?"

The doctor smiled. “Yes, that's it."

Lucas looked relieved. "I worried for nothing."

Alex kissed his forehead proudly.

"You were very brave."

"I deserve a reward then."

"You do."

"And what's my reward?"

Alex smiled mischievously. "Anything you want."

Lucas pretended to think.Then he smiled as everyone watched. "I want pancakes."

The room erupted with laughter.

Jason wiped his eyes. "I thought he was going to ask for diamonds."

Emily laughed. "No. That's definitely Lucas."

Alex chuckled and kissed his forehead. "You'll get pancakes, baby. As many as you want."

Lucas grinned. "And..."

He gently took Alex's hand and placed it over his abdomen. "If the doctor confirms it..." He whispered softly, "...this little one will be the greatest gift we've ever received."

Alex's eyes filled once more. His hand remained where Lucas had placed it. A smile, brighter than any he'd ever worn, spread across his face.

"Come what may..." He whispered,

"...our little miracle already has a family waiting to love them."

Laughter continued to fill the Benson living room. Even after the family doctor had left with Lucas's blood sample for a second confirmation, the excitement hadn't faded.

Sally was already discussing baby names with Annie.

Emily insisted they shouldn't buy anything until the result was confirmed.

Jason, however, was already teasing Alex. "I hope you're ready for sleepless nights, big brother."

Alex didn't even look at him.

He was too busy gazing at Lucas with a smile that refused to leave his face.

Lucas caught him staring and laughed. "What?"

Alex shook his head. "I still can't believe you're here."

Lucas smiled softly. "And I still can't believe you're looking at me like that."

"Like what?"

"As if I'll disappear if you blink."

Alex's expression immediately turned serious. "I almost lost you twice."

His fingers instinctively found Lucas's hand. "So forgive me if I want to keep looking."

Lucas's smile softened into something more tender. He squeezed Alex's hand. "I'm not going anywhere."

Alex leaned over and kissed his forehead. "You'd better not."

Just then Alex’s phone buzzed on the coffee table. He barely paid attention. Jason picked it up and tossed it toward him.

"I think your phone is jealous."

Alex caught it absentmindedly.

The smile on his face slowly faded as he read the notification.

Mr. Benson, this is a reminder to stop by the prison today regarding the audio recording. It concerns James and Larissa's conversation.

Alex blinked.

"Oh dear..." He rubbed a hand over his face.

The room quieted.

Lucas looked at him curiously.

"What happened?"

Alex slipped the phone into his pocket. "I promised the prison warder I'd come today."

He sighed.

"They've finished preparing the recording of the conversation between James and Larissa."

His expression became thoughtful.

"I need to hear it for myself. I have to know whether Larissa had anything to do with your kidnappings."

Caleb nodded approvingly. "That's important."

Alex looked toward his father. "I'll only be gone for a while."

Caleb frowned slightly. "Do you really have to go today?"

Alex nodded. "I do. If there's something we're missing..."q

"I'd rather find out now than regret it later."