Chapter 251 - The Right Way

"Where are we going"? Ashton asked Caleb who just happened to drag him from the middle of his work.

"Trust me, it's important," Caleb smirked. 

"This better be, I just joined work, I can't afford to be slacking off" Ashton mumbled. 

The simple car ride turned out to be a long ride of more than an hour. By the end of it they were even out of the town. "Don't tell me you dragged me here to a surprise trip" Ashton remarked, a bit disappointed but secretly enthusiastic about this whole trip.

"Of course not"! Caleb scoffed. "Aren't you a bit over romantic" he rolled his eyes. 

"I'm not the one who pulled my fiancée from work and drove him cross country" Ashton argued.

"For work. Trust me, it's really important" Caleb declared once more. After another 15 minutes, Caleb and Ashton drove into a parking lot near a courthouse. 

"Are we here… to register our marriage"? Ashton asked reluctantly. 

Caleb shot him a glare, "No! The other thing. We were adopting, remember"! Scoffed Caleb.

"Right" Ashton nodded. "Wait, can we do that without the girls here"? He asked.

"It's not a one day process dude. I am here to get a copy of the legal documents of Connor's adoption. Also, while we're at it let's get you added as his official parent" Caleb proposed.

"Wait, really?" Ashton's eyes widened, both with excitement and bewilderment.

"Uh-huh". Caleb nodded. 

[A/N: Okay, so I dunno how adoption process works, so whatever rubbish rules and process I put next, please consider that it's exclusive to this omegaverse]

According to Caleb this was supposed to be a quick process. Just go and get the documents. Who knew that there would be such a huge line and they'll still be stuck in this line even after an hour. "Caleb, I know I'm supposed to be durable, but I can't keep standing anymore" Groaned Ashton. 

"I wish there was an alternative. Even I hate this" Huffed Caleb. 

"Aren't you like… the Mayor's son or something"? Ashton asked. 

"I'm also the sheriff of my town, thanks for remembering that" Caleb offered him a sarcastic smile. "But even so, I forgot my batch and I don't have any way to prove how I am related to the Mayor". Caleb shrugged. 

"You have his Last name" Ashton pointed out.

"Anyone can have Wrisberg as his Last name. It ultimately proves nothing" Caleb sighed. "Wanna get out of here" Caleb asked.

"And do what"? Ashton snorted. "I don't want my past one hour to be a waste."

"We won't lose this line" Caleb leaned forward on his toes and searched ahead. "We still have like an hour before it's our turn. We could grab lunch"? Caleb suggested. "I know I am hungry".

Ashton looked around, considering for a moment before he nodded. "Alright then. Let's go". And he disappeared. 

Finding a cafe nearby, they found a spot to eat. Unfortunately, the food there was way too poor to let it reach their stomach. Not to mention, the menu was really really foreign to them and almost every food was way too spicy for them. How can people eat such spicy food? Exactly what kind of cuisine was this?!

They ended up having simply sparkling water and some ice cream before they left, "You know, I'm starting to get why this place was so empty" Ashton scoffed. 

"I know right? How the hell are they still in business?" Caleb wondered at the same time. On their way back to the courthouse they started to chat, discussing about this and that which led them to an important discussion.

"So many hurdles, feels like today all the bad luck us upon us" Mused Ashton. 

"Can I ask you something? I'm not forcing you to do this right? I mean I know we talked about this but I kinda wonder if you're doing this for me and not because you actually want to" Caleb asked hesitantly. 

"Adoption"? Ashton asked. Caleb nodded, affirming the statement. "Well at first I did agree because of you… but now that I think about it, I'm quite excited about it". Smiled Ashton. 

"Really "? An involuntary smile crept Caleb's face.

"Yeah. I guess I freaked because I don't know how to do this. Parenting, I mean" Ashton snorted. 

"Well if it freaked you out you're definitely on the right path" Caleb chuckled. 

"What"? Ashton tilted his head, amused by Caleb's postulate.

"Yeah, it just means you're careful. I remember when I got Connor. It was so sudden and I was barely an adult myself, and then suddenly I had a son" Caleb recalled. "I know I like to lead my pack, but that's nothing compared to being a parent". 

"So, what did you do then? How did you figure out… how to take care of him, the right way?" Ashton asked. 

"I…" Caleb trailed off, thinking for an apt response. "I didn't, I guess. I struggled a lot. These girls are older, but Connor… he was a baby. The constant crying, feeding, changing of diapers and god knows what else I did." Sighed Caleb.

"My point is, it was horrible." Caleb chuckled. "But it was hugely rewarding. I guess somewhere along the way I got the hang of it" Caleb smiled. "Of course I had help. My family, your mum… even the twins… they really helped". Caleb smiled.

"Now I am even more sorry that I missed all that" Ashton declared. "Sounds like a hell lot of journey" 

"It was, and as much as I would have preferred to do it with you, I am glad that I get to do this again" Caleb smiled and intertwined his fingers with Ashton's. "This time I have you".

"Yeah, but the girls are older. Like you said its a different experience" Ashton reminded. A sudden feeling on Caleb's lips distracted him from the ongoing conversation until Ashton pulled away. "After we get married, let's get some more".

"More? Can we even afford it"? Caleb asked. 

"I'll get a better job, besides I thought you were loaded" Ashton teased.

"Yesterday you were reluctant and suddenly you want way more kids"? Caleb scoffed. 

"What can I say, there is just something about the way you say things that touches my heart" pulling Caleb's hand through their intertwined hold, Ashton kissed the hand of his mate. Caleb smiled before putting his lips on Ashton as well.