Patience - Icemav
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The bedroom is perfect. Maverick can’t help but smile as he puts the finishing touches on the bed. The bedspread is a dark purple with pink and blue flowers and leaves and little orange foxes all over it. The sheets are soft purple, one pillow case matches them while the other matches the comforter. He places a stuffed fox and a stuffed brown dog at the head of the bed.
Several months ago they even repainted the walls(a pale peachy color) to give them more character, and bought a rug for the floor, one of those super fuzzy ones that’s neon green. They had strung fairy lights up across the ceiling and had filled a three shelf bookcase with picture books and easy readers.
They’re preparing for the little girl they’re fostering and hoping to adopt. She’s four. Her parents both died in a car accident and no other family has been found yet.
“It looks perfect, baby.” Mav turns to see Ice standing in the doorway, smiling.
“You think so?” Mav glances around and Ice can sense his anxiety. He steps into the room and wraps his arms around Mav’s waist.
“She’s going to love it.” Ice tells him, tightening his grip and pressing a kiss to Mav’s temple. Mav turns so he can wrap his arms around Ice.
They’d become foster parents roughly two years ago(they were also on several adoption agencies’ lists), but had yet to be given a placement. Until yesterday when they’d finally received the call. There was a little girl named Josie in need of a home and could they take her in? There was no hesitation in their reply. Absolutely.
And now she was going to be there within the hour.
“Have you figured out what to make for dinner yet?” Mav asked, words muffled as he spoke into Ice’s chest.
“Alfredo with broccoli and chicken. And bread.” Mav nodded and Ice rubbed his back. “Speaking off, I should go get started on it.” He pressed another kiss to Mav’s temple before letting him go. Ice heads for the door, stopping when he notices Mav still standing in the middle of the room. “Come on. No more fiddling. It’s perfect.” He grabs Mav’s hand and pulls him out of the room.
In the kitchen Ice starts to prep dinner while Mav sits on the counter, kicking his legs and tapping on the counter.
Ice’s phone rings. He wipes his hands on the dish towel over his shoulder before pulling it out of his pocket. He contemplates the number for a moment before answering it.
“Hello? Speaking.” He’s quiet and Mav watches intently. “Oh. No, no, of course. That’s wonderful.” Ice frowns, a serious contrast to his words and turns so his back is to Mav, “no, no, we completely understand. Yes. Of course. We’re always willing.” He ends the call and lets his arm fall limp. He throws his phone on the counter and grabs the edge of the counter with both hands.
“Ice?” Nothing. “Tom?” Mav is getting concerned now. He slides off the counter and steps up beside Ice. “Tom, what’s going on?”
“They found her grandparents.” Ice says, voice just above a whisper. “She’s not coming.” Mav feels his heart sink to his stomach. A lump forms in his throat.
“Oh.” Is all he manages to say. “Well, well that’s good.” He forces the words out. Hating how much he doesn’t want to say them. Because it is good they found her real family, but he’d been so ready to take care of her and love her like his own.
“Pete-” Ice turns, but Mav has already left the kitchen.
Unsurprisingly Ice finds Mav in Josie’s bedroom. He’s sitting in the bed, the stuffed dog in his lap, he’s rubbing its ear between his thumb and forefinger.
“Pete. . .” Ice says as he enters the room. “You’re allowed to be upset she isn’t coming.” He tells Mav, kneeling on the floor between his knees.
“I’m a horrible person.” Mav says softly, refusing to look at Ice. “I know it’s a good thing they found her real family to take her in, but I can’t help being upset she’s not coming.”
“You’re not a horrible person. You have every right to have been excited she was coming and be upset that she’s not.” Ice rests his hand on Mav’s knee and rubs gently with his thumb.
“Maybe it just won’t happen for us.” Mav says, voice cracking.
“We still have time.” Ice assures him. “It’ll happen. We just have to be patient.” He continues rubbing Mav’s knee. “And in the meantime we have Bradley.” Well, they kind of have Bradley. He’s not a speaking terms with Mav at the moment, but he’s still talking to Ice.
“It’s taken us twenty one years of being together to even be allowed to hold hands in public.” Mav protests, grip tightening on the stuffed dog. “I don’t want to wait anymore to start our family.”
“I know patience isn’t your strong suit, but I promise, baby, this will happen for us.” Ice brings his other hand up to rest on Mav’s cheek. “We’re on all the lists. There will be another call.” Mav closes his eyes and lets the first tears fall.
“I was so ready to take care of her.” He murmurs.
“I know, baby.” Ice brushes the tears off his cheek. “I know.” He stands and pulls Mav against his chest. Mav wraps his arms around Ice’s middle and fists the fabric of his shirt and both hands. Ice feels tears prick his own eyes and holds Mav tighter.
And even though they both know there will be another call, no doubt more than one, that doesn’t make their current pain go away.
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