Chapter 133 Chapter 133

Chapter 133 Chapter 133
The moment Logan and Chase stepped into the house, the sound of warm laughter drifted from the living room.

Logan instinctively slowed down.

Chase noticed the slight tension in his shoulders and quietly moved closer. Leaning in, he whispered into Logan's ear.

"We've got this."

Logan turned to him. The nervousness in his eyes was impossible to hide, but Chase's reassuring smile eased the tightness in his chest.

He gave a small nod.

Together, they walked into the living room.

"Mom." Logan called.

The laughter stopped immediately.

Both of his parents turned toward the entrance, and the moment they saw him, their faces lit up with joy.

"Logan!" Mrs. Vivienne exclaimed.

She hurried over without another thought and wrapped her son in a tight embrace.

"Oh, sweetheart. We've missed you so much."

Logan smiled, hugging her back just as tightly.

"I missed you too, Mom."

A second later, Mr. Clinton walked over with a proud smile on his face before pulling Logan into another hug.

"It's good to have you home, son."

"It's good to be home, Dad."

Standing a short distance away, Chase watched the reunion with a small smile on his lips. The warmth between Logan and his parents was obvious, and seeing it made him genuinely happy.

Only after the hugs ended did Mrs. Vivienne finally notice that someone else was standing nearby.

"Oh my goodness." She laughed awkwardly, placing a hand over her chest. "I didn't even realize you brought a friend. Please pardon my manners, dear."

"It's alright, ma'am." Chase replied politely with a gentle smile.

Mrs. Vivienne smiled warmly. "Such a gentleman."

Her gaze shifted back to Logan, amusement dancing in her eyes.

"And how come I've never seen him before? It's always Scott and Ethan. I honestly didn't think you had room for another friend since you three are practically joined at the hip."

Logan couldn't help rolling his eyes.

"It's... a long story, Mom." He smiled before looking at Chase. "This is Chase."

Chase stepped forward politely. "It's nice to meet you, Sir. Ma'am."

"It's lovely to meet you too, Chase." Mrs. Vivienne replied warmly. "I hope you don't mind staying for breakfast with us."

"It would be my pleasure."

"Wonderful." She clapped her hands happily. "I've prepared all of Logan's favorite dishes. I've been looking forward to spoiling him ever since we got home." She laughed. "Come on, let's head to the dining room before everything gets cold."

She had barely taken two steps when Logan called out.

"Mom."

She stopped and turned around. "Yes, honey?"

Logan drew in a slow, steady breath.

"Can we sit down for a minute first?" He asked quietly. "There's... something important I need to tell you and Dad."

The smile on Mrs. Vivienne's face slowly faded, replaced by concern.

She walked back to him, gently cupping his face with both hands.

"Is everything alright, sweetheart?" She asked softly. "You're starting to worry me."

Logan placed his hand over hers and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"Everything's okay, Mom. I'm not in any trouble." He forced a small smile. "I just... really need to talk to both of you first. It's important."

Mr. Clinton exchanged a brief glance with his wife before clearing his throat.

"Let's hear what our son has to say."

He gently took his wife's hand and guided her back to the sofa.

The two of them sat down side by side.

Across from them, Logan slowly lowered himself onto the opposite couch. Chase quietly took the seat beside him.

Without thinking, their hands found each other.

Logan intertwined their fingers, holding on tightly as he tried to gather the courage for the conversation that was about to change everything.

For a moment, a heavy silence settled over the living room.

Logan's heart pounded so loudly he could hear it in his ears. He had rehearsed this conversation countless times in his head, but now that the moment had finally come, every word seemed to disappear.

Chase gently squeezed his hand. A silent reminder that he was still there.

Logan took a slow breath.

Mrs. Vivienne exchanged a worried glance with her husband before looking back at her son.

"Logan." She called softly. "You're starting to scare us. Whatever it is, you can tell us."

Mr. Clinton nodded in agreement.

"Son, we've always told you this. Whatever the problem is, we'll face it together."

Logan swallowed hard. His throat felt painfully dry.

"I..." His voice caught, forcing him to stop.

He closed his eyes briefly, gathering the courage he desperately needed.

"When you and Dad left for your trip..." He began quietly. "A lot of things happened."

His parents listened without interrupting.

"I've been hiding something from both of you."

Mrs. Vivienne frowned slightly. "Hiding something?"

Logan nodded.

"For a very long time."

He looked up at them, his eyes already beginning to glisten.

"I never wanted to lie to you. I hated keeping this from you, but... I was scared."

"Scared of what?" His father asked gently.

Logan's grip on Chase's hand tightened.

"I was scared you'd look at me differently."

His mother's expression softened immediately.

"I was scared you'd be disappointed in me."

A lump formed in his throat.

"I was scared that if I told you the truth..." His voice trembled. "...I'd lose the two people I love most."

Mrs. Vivienne's eyes filled with concern. "Oh, sweetheart..."

Logan inhaled shakily.

"I've tried pretending for years."

He let out a weak laugh that held no happiness.

"I kept telling myself it would go away... that one day I'd like girls the way everyone expected me to."

He slowly shook his head, and bowed his head down.

"But it never happened."

Another long silence filled the room.

Finally, Logan lifted his head and looked directly at his parents.

His voice was barely above a whisper.

"Mom... Dad..."

He squeezed Chase's hand one last time before saying the words he'd hidden for so many years.

"I'm gay."

The room fell completely silent.

Neither of his parents spoke.

They simply stared at him, absorbing everything he had just confessed.

Logan's heartbeat quickened.

His palms became damp.

Every second that passed felt like an eternity.

He lowered his head, unable to bear the silence any longer.

"I'm sorry." He whispered, tears beginning to gather in his eyes. "I'm so sorry I couldn't be the son you wanted."

The words had barely left his mouth when Mrs. Vivienne's eyes widened.

"What?" She said softly, almost in disbelief.

Before Logan could react, she stood up and walked straight toward him.

When she got to him, she took his hands and helped him stand, her eyes shimmering with tears as she cupped his face with both hands.

"Look at me, sweetheart."

Logan slowly lifted his head, tears already rolling down his cheeks.

His mother gently wiped one away with her thumb.

"Why are you apologizing?"

Logan blinked. "W...What?"

She shook her head, a tear slipping down her cheek.

"Why would you ever apologize for being yourself?"

Logan could only stare at her, unable to find his voice.

Mrs. Vivienne let out a shaky laugh before pulling him into a tight embrace.

"Oh, my baby..."

She held him close, gently rubbing his back as though trying to comfort the frightened little boy who had carried this burden alone for years.

"You've been carrying this all by yourself, haven't you?"

Logan finally broke.

A sob escaped his lips as he hugged her back just as tightly.

"I'm sorry..." He cried. "I was so scared."

"I know." She stroked his hair lovingly. "I know, sweetheart."

"You were afraid we'd stop loving you."

Logan nodded against her shoulder.

"I didn't want to disappoint you or Dad."

Mrs. Vivienne pulled back just enough to look into his tear filled eyes.

"Listen to me very carefully."

She smiled through her own tears.

"There is absolutely nothing you could ever do that would stop me from loving you."

"Nothing."

"You are my son before anything else. You were my son yesterday. You are my son today. And you'll still be my son tomorrow, and for the rest of my life."

Her voice trembled with emotion.

"The only thing that breaks my heart is knowing you've been suffering alone because you thought we'd reject you."

Logan's tears flowed even harder. "I'm sorry..."

"No." She shook her head firmly.

"You don't apologize for this."

She kissed his forehead.

"If anyone should be apologizing, it's us."

Logan looked at her in confusion.

"We're your parents." She smiled sadly. "Somehow, we made you believe that our love had conditions."

"It doesn't. It never will."

Mr. Clinton, who had remained quiet until now, finally stood and walked over.

He rested a comforting hand on Logan's shoulder.

"Son."

Logan turned to look at his father, his heart pounding once again.

Mr. Clinton smiled warmly. "I'll admit..." He chuckled softly. "I was surprised."

A nervous look crossed Logan's face.

"But disappointed?" He immediately shook his head. "Not even for a second."

Logan felt another wave of tears threaten to spill.

Mr. Clinton sighed.

"You know..." He smiled at his wife before looking back at Logan. "Your mother and I have actually talked about this before."

Logan's eyes widened. "You have?"

Mrs. Vivienne laughed softly. "Oh, yes."

She wiped the tears from her face.

"I started wondering years ago."

''You never showed that much interest in girls and you've never brought anyone home to us either.''

"I kept asking your father, 'Do you think Logan might be gay?'"

Mr. Clinton rubbed the back of his neck with an embarrassed laugh. "And I kept telling her she was overthinking."

Mrs. Vivienne playfully nudged his arm.

"I told you mothers notice these things."

They both laughed quietly.

Seeing them laugh, Logan couldn't help letting out a tearful laugh himself.

"So..." Mr. Clinton said, looking at his son with nothing but warmth in his eyes.

"You being gay doesn't change who you are. You're still the kind, respectful, caring young man we raised. And we're still incredibly proud to call you our son."

Logan completely broke down again.

This time, both of his parents wrapped him in a warm embrace.

From where he was still seated, Chase watched the beautiful moment unfold, his own eyes glistening.

His chest tightened with relief.

He had prayed for this.

Not because he wanted acceptance for himself...

But because the person he loved more than anything deserved to know that he would never lose his family simply for being who he was.

Logan remained in his parents embrace for a long moment, allowing himself to cry freely. It felt as though years of fear, guilt and loneliness were finally melting away.

When they eventually pulled apart, Mrs. Vivienne gently wiped away the remaining tears on his cheeks.

"There." She said with a warm smile. "That's much better. I prefer seeing my handsome boy smile."

A small laugh escaped Logan.

"There... there's something else."

His parents looked at him attentively.

Logan glanced down at Chase, who gave him an encouraging nod.

"The reason I moved out..." Logan began, "...was because I moved in with someone."

Mrs. Vivienne blinked. "You moved in with someone?"

Logan nodded.

He slowly reached for Chase's hand once again, and helped him up, then he intertwined their fingers in plain sight.

His parents eyes naturally followed the movement.

"This..." Logan said softly, looking between his parents and Chase, "...isn't just my friend."

He smiled lovingly at Chase before looking back at them.

"He's my boyfriend."

Silence settled over the room once again.

Then, to Logan's surprise, Mrs. Vivienne's face slowly broke into the biggest smile.

"Oh..."

She looked from Logan to Chase, then back again.

"So that's why you were so nervous."

Mr. Clinton chuckled softly. "I had a feeling there was more."

Mrs. Vivienne simply stared at Chase for what felt like eternity to him.

Chase stood frozen, unsure of what to do.

Then, without warning, she wrapped him in a warm hug.

"Thank you."

Chase's eyes widened. "T-Thank you?"

She nodded, smiling through tears.

"For loving our son."

Chase slowly hugged her back, emotion swelling in his chest.

"It's my honor, Ma... Ma'am."

Mrs. Vivienne immediately pulled back and lightly tapped his arm.

"None of that."

Chase looked at her in confusion.

"If you're dating my son, then you can stop calling me 'Ma'am.'" She smiled warmly. "You can call me Mom."

Chase's throat tightened.

He hadn't expected that.

His eyes became slightly watery.

"...Mom."

Mrs. Vivienne beamed.

"That sounds much better."

Mr. Clinton cleared his throat, then he offered a hand to Chase.

Chase quickly shook it.

"Take good care of our son." He said with a smile.

"I will, Sir."

Mr. Clinton laughed. "And you can stop calling me 'sir' too."

Chase blinked.

"If my wife is already making you call her Mom, then I suppose it's only fair that you call me Dad."

Chase felt his heart skip a beat.

He never imagined things would go this smoothly.

He smiled sincerely.

"...Thank you, Dad."

Mr. Clinton nodded in satisfaction before pulling Chase into a brief but firm hug.

"We're happy to have you."

When they pulled away, Mrs. Vivienne looked between the two boys before giggling.

"So..." She said mischievously. "Tell me something." She turned to Chase once more. "How are you coping with this stubborn boy of ours?"

Logan's eyes widened. "Mom!"

"What?" She laughed. "You know exactly what I'm talking about."

She looked back at Chase.

"He can be unbelievably stubborn when he thinks he's right."

"And don't even get me started on how messy his room used to be, or how he whines like a baby whenever he gets sick."

"Mom..." Logan groaned in embarrassment, and his parents laughed, even Chase couldn't help laughing along with them.

"I honestly don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh?" Mrs. Vivienne raised an eyebrow.

"No." Logan replied firmly.

"I think Logan is the most wonderful person I've ever met." Chase said.

Logan looked at him, his cheeks instantly turning pink.

"He's kind. He's thoughtful. He always puts everyone else before himself."

"And..." Chase held his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. 

"He's the person I want to spend the rest of my life with."

The room fell quiet again.

Chase looked directly at Logan's parents.

"I know you've only just met me today, but I want to make you a promise."

His voice was calm but sincere.

"I'll love Logan with everything I have."

"I'll stand by him through every happy moment and every difficult one."

"I'll protect him, support him, respect him and never take him for granted."

He smiled gently.

"I promise I'll spend every day trying to be someone worthy of your son's love."

"And I promise I'll never give either of you a reason to regret accepting me."

Mrs. Vivienne's eyes became misty again.

"Oh, sweetheart..."

She pulled Chase into another hug.

"I think you're going to fit into this family just fine."

Mr. Clinton smiled proudly. "I agree."

He looked at Logan.

"You chose well, son."

Logan's eyes watered once more. "Thank you..."

"You two have no idea how happy I am right now, but still...." She paused and looked between them. "There's something I must say."

She looked at Logan, her eyes filled with love.

"Son, you must never be ashamed of who you are."

Chase and Logan stared at her, paying close attention to every word she had to say.

"The world may have all kinds of opinions, and not everyone you meet will understand you. Some people may judge you before they even know your heart." She smiled sadly. "But don't ever let that make you believe there's something wrong with you."

She placed her hand over his heart.

"There is nothing wrong with you. You are not broken. You are not a disappointment. And you never have to earn our love by pretending to be someone you're not."

Logan's vision blurred with fresh tears.

Mrs. Vivienne smiled warmly.

"You deserve to be loved exactly as you are."

Mr. Clinton nodded in agreement.

"The greatest gift a parent can give their child isn't perfection... it's a home where they never have to hide."

She looked at Chase before looking back at Logan.

"As long as you respect each other, protect each other and make each other happy, that's all we'll ever ask of you."

She reached for both Logan's and Chase's hands, placing them together.

"Life won't always be easy. There will be people who don't understand your relationship. There may even be people who try to make you feel like your love isn't real."

She smiled through the tears gathering in her eyes.

"Don't let anyone else decide your worth. If the two of you continue loving each other with honesty, kindness and respect, then hold onto each other."

"Because real love is something worth protecting."

Chase squeezed Logan's hand. "I will always be with him, Mom."

"So will I." Logan whispered.

Mrs. Vivienne smiled proudly. "That's all this mother could ever ask."

She then pulled them into a brief hug, and Mr. Clinton even joined.

After they broke the hug, Mrs. Vivienne wiped the tears from her face, laughing softly. "I'm such a mess, and all that food must be freezing cold by now." 

Logan laughed. "I'd still eat it."

"So would I." Chase quickly added with a smile.

Mrs. Vivienne looked at them in surprise. "Really?"

"Of course." Logan replied. "You made it with love."

"And anything made by Mom is worth eating." Chase added, making Mrs. Vivienne's heart melt.

"Oh, aren't you just the sweetest thing?"

Without hesitation, she linked her arm through Chase's.

"Come on, dear. You can help me warm everything up."

As she led him toward the dining room, she was already chatting excitedly.

"Want to know something fun?"

"Of course." Chase replied eagerly.

"I still have all of Logan's baby pictures."

Chase's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Oh yes!" Mrs. Vivienne laughed. "After breakfast I'll show you every single one."

"Mom!" Logan called in horror. "You wouldn't dare."

"I absolutely would."

Their laughter echoed through the house.

Logan could only shake his head.

Seeing his mother chatting happily with Chase as if he'd always been part of the family made his heart full with so much joy.

Only hours ago, he'd imagined losing everything.

Instead...

His family had only grown bigger.

He glanced at Chase, whose laughter blended so naturally with his mother's, and a warm feeling settled in his chest.

He couldn't have asked for a better outcome.

Mr. Clinton who was walking beside him gently patted his shoulder, and Logan smiled to himself.

He had been terrified of this day for years.

Now, looking at the people he loved most walking ahead together, he realized he had never needed to be afraid in the first place.