Chapter Text
There were many situations Isak had never imagined himself in. He never imagined his dad would abandon him and his at the time undiagnosed mother, leaving Isak to try to take care of her on his own at only 16. Or ending up almost blackout drunk and underage in a gay club with a stranger hitting on him until the roommate of one of his schoolmates came to his aid. Having to beg his father every month for rent because he couldn’t bear to return home after his mother’s latest episode that left his with a scar on his right cheek when the broken picture frame containing his parents wedding picture came flying at his face because she thought he was his father. Hiding himself from his friends and trying to get drunk enough at every party to be able to bear making out with someone he felt nothing towards.
But he also never imagined meeting the love of his life in only his second year at Nissen. Finally being at peace with loving a boy, moving in together with that boy and building a life together. Having someone loving to come home to, someone to hold him and someone to hold when things were good and when they got tough. Their engagement, their marriage, their successes and failures; together. Holding their precious daughter and beautiful son for the first time.
His life had turned out beyond his wildest dreams. It was amazing, and when it got bad from time to time, that was still fine, it was still worth it, because the bad times were just a glimpse in their epic story and the good times were just so good, so pure, so abundant, that he knew they would make it through every struggle. Together.
Which is why Isak never imagined his current situation: Filing an application for separation.
Application for Separation
The Elder Spouse: Even Næsheim Valtersen
The Younger Spouse: Isak Næsheim Valtersen
It was only the day after New Year’s, but Isak couldn’t resist; it had to be fate. It wasn’t too early he told himself, they had been together for four years now and they were strong together. They weathered the worst for each other and made it out on the other end that much stronger for it. He had everything planned out, even what he was going to say. He just had to remember the words when he looked at Even.
Over four years and he still took his breath away, Even was the best thing to happen to him his whole life and it needed to be just right. Shoot, maybe he should have booked a restaurant instead of doing it at home. Would that have been more romantic? Even deserved all the romance in the world and Isak wanted to be the one to provide it for him. He wanted to provide Even with everything for the rest of their lives.
No, their apartment was perfect. They had lived there for the past four years now, their first place together, the only one that mattered. This is where they built their lives together, fought, made up, and made love. Today was a sign, 02.01.21. That was their day. That was their sign that they would be forever. He was on his way home from the grocery store where he had picked up all the ingredients to make pannekaken. Sure, maybe they were not the most appropriate dish for a romantic dinner, or proposal even, but they were Even’s favorite, well Even’s favorite dish that Isak could make perfectly. He was the master of making pannekaken in their home, which was not disputable.
Climbing up the four flights of stairs, he checked his phone and saw he still had a couple of hours before Even was supposed to be home from the university film studio where he was working on his latest short film. He made his way inside remembering he still had to take down a few of the New Year’s decorations. Isak was so lost in his own head, he didn’t notice Even’s shoes already there by the entry way.
But there he was, Even, in the middle of their apartment in a stunning black suit surrounded by a variety of vibrant yellow flowers. Next to him on the kitchen table were a bunch of cheese sandwiches next to a jar of cardamom. Looking at the smile on Even’s face that shone brighter than the sun, he knew that his beautiful boyfriend had had the same idea.
“Halla.” Even’s voice deeper than usual, his stare more intense.
“Halla.” His own smile was starting to match Even’s
“Do you want to put the grocery bags down?”
“I was going to make dinner, but I see you’ve already taken care of that.” Isak was starting to sound breathless, his heart beating faster.
“Mhm, and what were you going to make?” Even moved away from the table and towards where Isak still stood frozen.
“Pannekaken.” He barely got out. Why was he so nervous? He knew what Even was about to do and he was going to do the same thing himself.
“You’re the master at making those.”
“I keep telling you.” Isak smiled shakily
Even was removing the grocery bags from Isak’s hands himself, setting them down on the counter. He took both Isak’s hands into his own and pulled him towards the flowers, the intensity of his stare never wavering.
They were gazing into each other’s eyes for a few minutes now, or hours, who knows. Time always moved differently when it was just the two of them. Their own little universe.
Isak was snapped out of it by Even’s shaky inhale.
“Isak?”
“Yes.” He immediately responded, his heart racing. Shit, he was supposed to stay cool.
“Yes?” Even’s eyes shone, but his face didn’t change.
“Yes.” He wasn’t staying cool, all he could think of was his future with this beautiful man in front of him.
“Seriously??” Even’s eyebrows rose. “You’ll actually go with me?”
Wait a minute. “Huh? Go where?” This didn’t sound right.
“Gabrielle. I got us tickets to the concert.”
“What?”
“Yeah, didn’t you know she was performing next month? It wasn’t easy to get the tickets.”
Was he messing with Isak? The flowers, the suit? That didn’t make sense. For fucking Gabrielle? But Even’s face betrayed nothing. His eyes still shining with happiness.
Isak was struggling forming words, his face scrunched in confusion and looking slightly put out when Even handed him an envelope.
“Here, I actually managed to get third row.”
Yup, there they were two tickets…and a folded piece of paper within the envelope. Unfolding the paper he saw one of Even’s drawings. Except this time it was the same universe at two different times. The first was the two of them sitting on the floor in Even’s old childhood bedroom eating cheese sandwiches with cardamom. The other was titled “Later in that same universe” and it’s of them at an altar facing each other holding hands. The text above Even reads “Will you marry me?” and above Isak is just a line “____”
“You couldn’t even propose without trying to mess with me or without bringing Gabrielle into this?!”
They were lying in their bed together, Isak’s groceries left out, the meal Even had prepared still untouched, but the bottle of champagne half empty. Both tired, so in love, and very much still naked except for the sheet that Isak had pulled over them halfheartedly.
“What about merging our last names, Nætersen or no wait Valtersheim.”
“Those both sound terrible.” Isak mumbled trying to move even closer on top of Even’s chest where he lay his head. The hand running down his back, the beating of the most precious heart by his ear, and the warm breath gently tousling his hair were making his eyes droop and Isak let himself surrender and relax completely.
“Hmm you’re right, neither of those sound right. Maybe we need to ask Magnus for his input.”
“Please don’t.” Isak groaned. His boyfriend had to be joking about this right? No, not boyfriend, fiancé. His fiancé. “He just chilled with the Evak stuff, let’s not encourage him.”
“Okay, okay we won’t” Even chuckled hugging Isak tighter taking a deep breath. “Can you imagine? You’ll officially be the man of my life, for all time. In all universes?” He heard Even’s astounded whisper and the smile in his voice.
“Mhm, always.” Isak mumbled, a smile on his own lips now. “Why do we need to mash them together anyway, why not keep both?”
“Oh yeah? Isak and Even Valtersen Næsheim?”
“Nah, how about Even and Isak Næsheim Valtersen.”
“We’re going alphabetical?”
“Sure, but also because yours is the first name I want to see next to mine.” Isak grinned up at him through sleepy eyes.
All of a sudden Isak was being flipped on his back with Even hovering just above him, noses grazing slightly.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve every single day I’ve had you in my life.”
“We deserve each other.” He whispered raising his chin asking for a kiss and Even happily closed the distance with his lips. He would never tire of this, the taste of Even’s lips against his and tongue invading his own mouth. The weight of Even on top of him, those loving hands holding and caressing him. Making him feel loved and safe. For all time in all universes, Even was his and he was Even’s.
He was significantly less sleepy once lazy kisses turned heated and Even’s hands started to travel downwards once more.
Where was the marriage contracted? Oslo, Norway Date of marriage: 02.01.25
Isak and Even had been planning this day for a year. Well, for four years if counting all the late night conversations they would have in bed imagining what their wedding would look like. Although they would eventually get distracted and find themselves lost in each other, wedding plans falling to the wayside.
They had decided to hold off while Isak finished his master’s degree and pursued his doctorate degree. Even had also gone back to complete his postgrad in film studies. His thesis project “In This Universe and In Every Universe” going on to win a Kanon award. It wasn’t an easy road by all means, there were times they both really struggled. Between school and work and working on a thesis, they would go days without seeing each other at some points. But then there were the times that reminded them that they were in this minute for minute, together.
*
“I think we should skip the God and Julius Caesar costumes” Isak would roll his eyes lying in bed, This time Even resting his head on Isak’s chest.
“But baby, come on the costumes and mini burgers were the original plan” Even joked.
“Hmm the mini burgers can stay” Isak said pulling Even down for a loving kiss.
“Okay” Even whispered when they pulled apart “yes to the mini burgers, no to the costumes. What about just going nude?”
“Even!”
“Fine, fine, we’ll just have to spend our honeymoon naked.”
*
“What about this one?” Even asked.
“Yeah it’s good.” Isak answered shrugging.
“Isak, you’ve said that about the last four cakes we tasted.” Even said impatiently
“I don’t know, I’ve never been a big fan of cake. They all taste fine. Maybe we should have brought along the girls to decide for us.”
“Baby, no. We’re supposed to be making these decisions together. They should be a reflection of our relationship.” Even said exasperated.
“Can it reflect my indifference on cake?” Isak asked grinning.
Even sighed taking a bite of the next one, ending up with a bit of cream on the side of his mouth.
“You’re going to start making me stress eat”
Isak smiled at him taking a step closer before he laced his arms around Even’s neck bringing his face closer to him and licking the corner of Even’s mouth pulling a surprised gasp from Even.
“This one” Isak said looking into Even’s eyes “this is definitely the one.”
*
“Shit, we’re up to 40 people now” Isak said, the binder of containing all their wedding plans including the list of guests, lying on top of his biochem notes.
“40? How did we get to 40? Do we even know that many people?” Even asked looking up from his laptop.
“Between our friends, some of their parents, their partners, my parents, and your family, yeah, apparently we do.” Isak sighed “you sure we can’t run away and elope?”
“You know our friends would never forgive us if we did, nevermind the guilt my mother will rain down on us if we do.” Even kissed his cheek.
“We said we wanted small, close and intimate” Isak whined.
“40 people can still be close and intimate” Even said rubbing his back.
“Well we can’t use your parents’ house now because we’ve got too many people. There’s no way we can fit them all.” Isak stressed before closing the binder and putting it to the side.
Even stroked Isak’s hair back, pulling him closer “it’ll work out, don’t worry.”
“Maybe we should move it to the summer, it’ll be easier to accommodate everyone instead of having it in the middle of fucking winter.”
“Isak, if there is one thing we are not compromising on, it’s the date. Everything else can fall to bits, but I am going to make you my husband on January 2nd.” Even soothes “what about my grandparents’ cabin?” he proposed “It’s pretty big and can easily fit that many people. Plus it’s not too long of a drive out of town and the roads there are well taken care of.”
“You sure they wouldn’t mind?” Isak asked.
“Are you kidding me? They’ve been dying to make a contribution to our wedding. They’d be over the moon to let us use it.”
“You know what I’m over the moon for?” Isak asked grinning as he put away the binder and his research.
“Hmm?” Even asked before looking back at his laptop screen.
“You” Isak said carefully taking the laptop and placing it on their bedside table before climbing into Even’s lap himself.
*
“Nervous?” Jonas asked lightheartedly while helping straighten his tie because Isak’s hands were slightly shaking and he couldn’t seem to focus long enough to do it himself.
“Ugh I don’t why, we’ve been together for 8 years now and engaged for 4 because that romantic fuck couldn’t resist.”
“You both couldn’t resist, you’re both ridiculous and perfect for each other. I’m happy for you, man. There are no two people more deserving than the two of you.”
“You guys ready?” Magnus asked poking his head in the door before letting out a low whistle.
“Holy, if you hadn’t snubbed me back at Nissen, calling me desperate, I’d totally call you bangable right now.” he said.
“Magnus, what the hell? Don’t call him bangable on his wedding day. And it’s been 8 years. Get over it.” Jonas said incredulous.
“What? It’s a compliment and I bet Even would appreciate me calling him bangable.” Magnus sniffed
“Do not call my about-to-be husband bangable, and stop saying bangable” Isak rolled his eyes.
“Fine, but everyone else is ready. So as soon as you’re good to go.” Magnus shrugs.
“Thank you Mags, we’ll be right out” Isak smiled.
He was about to meet his other half at the altar and make their love official, announce it to the world. Not that the world needed to be notified, one look at them even after all these years and it was clear to all that these two were in love.
He’s seen Even in a suit many times and each time it took Isak’s breath away. This time, however, it felt different. This time he was floored looking at Even with his perfectly styled hair, not a single strand out of place except the one lock that liked to hang down.
There stood the man with whom he was about to proclaim their love in front of all of their friends and family. It made Isak’s heart soar. Sure everyone already knew
*
“Now that we’re married, are you ready for the rest of our lives together?” Even had whispered as they shared that first dance together.
“Even, we’ve been married for years. This was just a formality.” Isak laughed
“Hmm true” Even placed a kiss on his jaw “but are you ready?”
“There’s not a single day I want to spend away from you. For the rest of our lives.” Isak said under half closed lids.
The smile on Even’s face was enough to light up the room. He’d never get tired of that sight, Isak thought. Even leaned in for a kiss right then and there and from the cheers from their friends and family it must have been a bit more intense than was appropriate for the public setting. But Isak didn’t care, he was with the man of his dreams and he wanted the whole world to know.
Children of the marriage under 16 years of age
Name: Julianne Næsheim Valtersen Date of Birth: 09.12.27
“Congratulations, you’re going to be parents in just under nine months” was the first thing their surrogate mother, Lisa Gordon told them when Isak and Even answered her video call.
“No way?!” Isak exclaimed looking at Even who already had tears forming in his eyes. He took Evens hand into his own and kissed his knuckles.
It had taken them almost a year to find the right surrogate mother candidate to bring their child into the world. They lucked out with Lisa, a 30 year old mother of three who lived in London. This was going to be her second surrogate pregnancy and it sounded all around promising. It almost sounded too good to be true. With Eva and Noora living in London, there was even the possibility of having their friends with them when their child was born. It almost sounded too good to be true.
And when the pregnancy didn’t take month after month, Isak and Even thought maybe it was. Isak knew Even had started to give up hope in the last couple of weeks so this news was the best news they could have possibly gotten.
“Thank you Lisa” Even says through his tears “thank you so much.”
*
Even hadn’t even taken his shoes off when Isak came running at him “a girl! Even, we’re having a baby girl!” he all but shouted in Even’s face through his excitement. It took Even a moment to catch up with what he’d heard.
“You’re sure?” he asks in awe.
“Yes look, Lisa sent it a moment ago, it’s a sonogram our our little girl growing. And see here’s her head. I think anyway. But look even, our baby.”
Even reached out to wipe the tears from Isak’s face. “We’re having a baby girl” Even laughs. With each update it became more and more real. With each baby book Isak, true to his researcher nature, brought, it became more and more real.
“I mean baby clothes are cute in general, but baby girl clothes? We’re going to dress her like a princess every day. No, wait she’ll have a different outfit for each and every day. And they’ll all be different styles. Let’s not try to push her into being just one thing. But she’ll still be a princess. Our princess.” Isak rambled on until finally Even leaned down to kiss him deeply.
When they finally broke apart, Even ran a hand through Isak’s hair, looking into his eyes “we’re really having a baby girl. We’re going to be dads” he grins.
Isak nodded excitedly “yes we are. Shit, Even, we’re going to shower this kid in so much love she won’t know what to do with it.”
“No she won’t” Even agreed “our home will always be filled with love.”
*
“Isak we need to start picking out baby names” Even called from the bedroom. It was Isak’s turn to cook breakfast and they were both happy to report that each time was an improvement on the last.
“You know, lately every time we’ve said we’re going to pick out a name, it’s turned into code for let’s have sex.” Isak said bringing a tray of bread, butter, smoked salmon, cheese, and some fruit along with a french press and two cups into the bedroom. So maybe it wasn’t cooking necessarily, but it would do. They were intent on keeping with their lazy Sunday makeout tradition while they still could.
“Well this time there won’t be any sex until we’ve chosen.”
Isak whined setting the tray down on the bedside table before sitting down next to Even “but every time we discuss names, I’m reminded that we’re having a baby, which reminds me how much I love you, which then leads me to thinking how fucking hot you are” his words were getting quieter and breathier as he leaned closer to Even “and you know where that leads?”
“Where?” Even whispered not being able to help himself.
“To how much I want you. All. The. Time.” Isak kissed him deeply, half sitting on Even’s lap.
“No” Even finally broke them apart “no” he said again in mock seriousness and sat a pouting Isak back down next to him “we have to pick a name first. Come on,our girl is due in three months. We have to get this done today, baby.”
Isak rolled his eyes accepting the sandwich and coffee Even made him.
“Fine” he says as he took a bite.
After a bunch of rejected names Isak sighed, at this point they were never going to get to their makeout session.
“How about Juliette?” Isak suddenly asked.
Even raised an eyebrow “wow you really are romantic” before he leaned in rewarding Isak with a light kiss on the lips.
“I was thinking Marianne, in memory of your mother.” Even quietly said.
Isak gave him a wet smile “Hmm” he contemplated “what about Julianne?”
“I think that sounds perfect.” Even ran a hand through Isak’s hair, grabbing onto the back of his neck.
“Yeah?” Isak smiled
“Yeah” Even kissed him long and hard. The remainder of their breakfast forgotten as they moved onto the most important part of their Sunday.
*
“Even we need to finalize the theme of the nursery. Julianne will be here in a month and a half, and she could always be early too.”
“Well knowing her dad, she’ll probably be late” Even laughed
“That is not funny, Even.” Isak whined
“Okay, okay baby, how about an animal print theme?”
“No, I’m not sold on that. I want something calmer.”
“A calmer theme?” Even raised a brow.
“Yes, a calmer theme.” Isak repeated like it was so obvious what he meant.
“What about an ocean theme?”
“I don’t want the nursery filled with pictures of fish that could eat her whole, Even!”
Even laughed because he just couldn’t help it. He knew this was just Isak being nervous, as was he, but they were both just handling it a bit differently.
“You’re not taking this seriously” Isak said turning around to leave the room that was still a blank canvas.
Even walked up behind Isak and wrapped his arms around him. “How about the planets and the stars?” he whispers chin resting on Isak’s shoulder, heads leaning against one another. “So that she can look up at the sky and never feel alone.”
“That’s perfect” Isak said turning in his arms “you’re perfect” Isak added before pulling Even down for a kiss.
*
“What’s taking so long, it can’t be this long to deliver a child that’s already on its way out. Evolution has taken care of it. If there are no complications, it shouldn’t be so difficult.”
He knew he was rambling and probably not making sense, but Isak was also scared. There were any one of a million devastating things that could go wrong during childbirth that it really was a miracle so many babies were delivered alive and healthy each day.
Eva chuckled “Oh boy are you lucky you’re not in the room saying those things or there would have been a few objects flying at your head already.”
“And a handful of curses.” Noora added helpfully.
Isak and Even were at the Royal London Hospital waiting for their baby girl to be born. They had been staying with Eva and Noora for the past week and it had been a tense atmosphere in the apartment because they were ready to head to the hospital at any moment. Every time a phone rang everyone would immediately stop what they were doing.
They had been sitting there for the last four hours and if they had to be honest, the atmosphere hadn’t relaxed any.
After a lot of pacing and nervous twitching, their baby girl finally arrived at 20:24.
“Isak and Even?” A nurse asked stepping outside of the room.
“Yes?” Both answered simultaneously jumping to their feet with both anticipation and excitement.
“Come in here and meet your daughter.” Evan and Noora stayed behind while they made their way over holding each other’s hands just a little bit too tight.
Isak had insisted that Even be the first to hold their little blue eyed angel. And there in the delivery room with Julianne in Even’s arms and Isak’s arms around the both of them, their family became complete.
“Thank you” Isak said to Lisa through the tears.
Name: Eirik Næsheim Valtersen Date of Birth: 02.05.25
Once Julianne turned 2, Isak went back to his research position full time. Every year Isak would volunteer with a few of his coworkers with the local children's homes. Playing games, doing crafts, and helping them with their science assignments.
This time around it was a little bit different for Isak.
“His mother is no longer able to take care of him and his father is long gone. There’s no one else in the family that can take over his care. He’ll be put into a family home, they will care for him.” The program leader told him when Isak asked about the little boy who sat on his own away from everyone, refusing to talk to anyone.
Of course they would, Isak thought. But he couldn’t get the boy out of his head. The grumpy little boy, so angry at the world, who looked so lost gazing out from under that messy mop of blonde hair. That boy tugged at Isak’s heart.
Their Julianne was surrounded by so much love, that it broke Isak’s heart all over again thinking of the little boy left without any family. Screw it, he was just going to bring it up at least and see where that left him.
“Baby?” Isak asked as he came into their bedroom after Julianne had already been put to bed.
“Hmm?” Even was so engrossed that he didn’t look up from his laptop, but held his arm out over Isak’s side of the bed so he could rest his head on Even’s chest with Even’s arm wrapped around him.
Tucked away safely against his husband he finally asked.
“Are you happy with our family right now?”
Even stopped his reading to gaze down at Isak his eyebrows raised. “I am beyond happy, I am surrounded by two of the most important people in this world to me and more love than I even know what to do with.” Incredulous at the question.
“What do you think about growing our family and sharing that love?”
Even chuckled. “You know that if you want it, we can have 12 kids. Is this because we were packing up Julianne’s baby clothes earlier this week?”
“Sort of, well maybe, not really. But what if we don’t need to do the whole sleepless nights and fussy baby thing again. Once feels like enough.”
“So what were you thinking?” Even ran his hand through Isak’s hair.
“What about adoption?” Isak proposed “these are kids that are already in the world and they all deserve to be loved. We shower Julianne in so much love, I think we have more than enough to go around for another person, don’t you?”
Even smiled, the lightest of wrinkles forming around his eyes “you’re so beautiful, do you know that?” He pulls Isak closer “you have such a big heart and I would love nothing more than to bring another child into our home.”
The process for adopting a specific child turned out to be another challenge they had to overcome since they weren’t being put on a waitlist like as in the regular adoption process. As trying as it was for Isak and Even, it was all worth it the day they got to take 4 year old Eirik home.
There was an adjustment period, having to go from looking after one child to two. That first week Eirik barely said three words, leaving Isak worried they were doing something wrong.
“What if we mess this up?” Isak asked Even near tears one night.
“Baby, my love, look at me” Even said pulling Isak into his arms “you’re the best thing that could happen to anyone. It’ll just take a bit of time to adjust, but it will work out, you’ll see.”
Luckily Julianne and Eirik immediately bonded, although Julianne was only 2, she immediately took a liking towards her new big brother and Eirik would run any toy she could possibly desire to her.
Eirik seemed to warm to Even pretty quickly too, but that was no surprise, no one was immune to Even’s charm. It wasn’t until one day Isak noticed that Eirik spent a lot of time looking at the walls of Julianne’s room that he saw a potential for them to bond.
“Do you like looking at the stars and planets?” Isak asked quietly next to him since Julianne was still down for her nap.
Eirik only shrugged “I guess” he said “they’re kinda pretty.”
“What do you say we go to the planetarium some time this week?” Isak offered “that way you can see some larger models of the planets.”
Eirik smiled slightly “yeah? You’d take me?”
“Of course I will” Isak reassured the boy brows furrowed. Had he not been doing enough to show the boy he’s cared for?
That night Isak was sitting at the kitchen table revising the notes for his next lecture, when he heard the pitter patter of small bare feet on the kitchen tile. He put his glasses down and looked over surprised
“Eirik is everything alright?” checking the clock he saw it was already 22.00, not so late for himself, but late for the 4 year old.
“I couldn’t sleep” he mumbled
“Do you want to come sit here with me for a bit? And then we can try tucking you in again.” Isak offered.
He nodded climbing up on the chair while Isak held the back of it steady.
“Woah that looks cool” Eirik said pointing at the front of Isak’s biochemistry textbook.
“That’s a leaf” Isak tells him
“What? That’s not what a leaf look like at all.”
Isak smiled “not when you and I look at it with our eyes, but if you look at it with a microscope which gets really close and can look at super tiny things, then this is what you see.”
Eirik furrowed his brows "I have really good eyes though" taking the book and putting it right against his face squishing his nose. “I don’t see it” he said nasally.
Isak chuckled “how about after we go to the planetarium we’ll also stop by the science museum and I can show you, it’ll be easier to explain.”
Eirik nodded enthusiastically before yawning.
“Do you wanna go to bed yet?”
“Nah” Eirik shook his head before placing his head on his hands which lay on the table. The next time Isak looked up from his notes he saw that Eirik had fallen fast asleep. Quietly he stood up and lifted the boy into his arms, tucking him safely into his bed and placing a kiss on his forehead before leaving the room.
“See?” Even whispered from the hallway “just a matter of time, no one is able to resist you” He smiled.
And slowly with time and a lot of love, that grumpy little boy became one of the happiest and loved children.
Now
The kids had gone to bed an hour ago and Isak is left sitting at the kitchen counter on his own, his hand shaking as he finishes filling out the document, telling himself that he is doing the right thing even as his heart is breaking to pieces. He keeps having to wipe away the tears so that he can actually see what he is writing and to keep the ink from getting smudged.
Finally signing and ticking off the last boxes, he eyes the papers on his counter, then the bottle of gin that stands in their living room shelf. They never drank very much, only on special occasions or when the day was just too much to handle. Which was never so often with Even by his side, they could take on anything. Minute for minute, they could do it all together. Together. But Even isn't by his side right now.
How can Isak do it on his own minute for minute when Even permeated every minute in his mind. His half is missing. Well not missing, but very much absent in his life despite the constant pictures in online tabloids and interviews about his latest movies. Isak picks up his phone and dials.
“Sana, I need you to help with the kids in the morning. Please. I don’t want the kids to see me like this tomorrow. Yes, I filled them out. Thank you.”
He picks up the bottle next, pouring himself a generous glass. The next minute he has to get through on his own.
