"Are you guys picking out clothes for Henry?" the sales associate asked.

The four men nodded. "Yes, he's our son."

The sales associate's eyebrows shot up. Men? Four of them? A son?

Could it be two gay couples who adopted Henry and are now raising him together? Who's the mom? Who's the dad?

A story began to take shape in the sales associate's mind.

"Let's pick a size for my son, and we'll try it on."

"Sir, it's not convenient for children to try on clothes here. Do you know what size he usually wears?"

The men exchanged puzzled looks. "Why can't we try them on? Are you afraid we'll try and not buy? Just pick a size, and we'll buy it after trying."

The sales associate replied, "Actually, if you could just tell me the size, we can get the clothes for you."

Teddy shrugged. "We don't know the size."

Oh, looks like a recent adoption, thought the sales associate, noting Henry's nice clothes. "I can check the size now."

So, under the "torture" of his four godfathers, Henry's clothes were removed, revealing his chubby little body, and he burst into tears.

His crying drew attention from nearby customers. The four big men cuddled, coaxed, and entertained him, almost losing their minds.

If it had been anyone else being so stubborn, not listening to sweet talk, the four of them would have turned hostile and dealt with that person already. But today, they were holding their "son" in their arms!

Not long after, when it was time to change clothes, another ordeal began. The four of them cuddled, coaxed, and doted on him, eventually getting help from the sales associate to dress Henry in his new clothes. Having gone through the experience once, the men firmly decided not to let Henry try on clothes anymore.

In the toy store, whatever Henry took a liking to, "Buy!"

Whatever his little hand touched, "Buy!"

other kids driving toy cars, Teddy pointed at a toy car. "Pack

pick up, ensuring Henry's shopping spree filled the car's trunk to the brim. Everything was eventually shipped to Maplewood Estates. Leaving

was still nestled in their arms,

tissue. "Don't use your hand, it's full of

still rub our son's skin raw. We

for wiping

"Did

"I

vaguely nodded. "Seems like

later called Andre. "What should we use

Andre: "..."

heated debate, Andre suggested, "Why don't you guys just

the fully air-conditioned mall, one Henry and four men were

where other kids were playing on slides, the four men holding Henry were told, "Gentlemen, the child is too young. He's not suitable for slides and trampolines."

for words at

the habitually assertive Conner directly asked, "Call your manager out. Ask where we can buy this equipment. If our son

under the scorching sun, Henry kept crying, unable to be soothed no matter what. Just a while ago, he would still act adorably for a bit, but then he started gnawing on Teddy's face. Mars excitedly

Henry would

delighted, but Conner felt something was off. "Why

"Hasn't he been crying since this

felt something was amiss. "No, this isn't right. When Henry kisses Andre, he's smiling.

men looked at

by with their milk bottles, suddenly realized and

all four

to

so they decided to stand outside in the sun with the canvas bag Mia had given them. On the hood of the car,

men fumbled around. "How much formula do we

we add water first or formula? Mars, quickly look

a tearfully exhausted Henry in his arms, cuddled

scald our son. Asher, go to the supermarket and

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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