by C. W. Gray
It was late when they finally rented the car and got on the road. Their three pets were situated in their carriers in the back of the jeep with the baggage, and the kids snuggled together in the backseat. It was time for their weekly videocall with their mother.
“Hey guys.” Gina’s voice came through the tablet. “How’s it going?”
“Hi Mom,” Ryder said. “We’re in Maine! We flew here, and Mo, Chunky, and Daisy are okay. We’re going to the inn now.”
“It’s called Hobson Hills Inn, Mom,” Harry added. “They have Wi-Fi and cable and they let pets stay for free.”
“That sounds nice,” Gina said, vaguely. “I have to go now, guys. Work needs me. Have a good time.”
Well, that was a short call, Sawyer thought. It seemed like they got shorter and shorter, but he shouldn’t be surprised. Gina had never been one to spend time with the kids in person. Now that it was more complicated, she put in even less effort. Sawyer also noticed that Sadie hadn’t said a damn thing during the call. His eldest wasn’t adjusting well like the other two. She had already resented her mom’s obsession with work. After the divorce and Gina’s move to France, it was much worse.
“Dad, there’s so much snow,” Ryder said. “Do you think we’ll be able to sled?”
“I want to make a snowman,” Harry said. “Why didn’t we get to have snow back at our old house?”
“Because California doesn’t get snow,” Sadie said. “This is really pretty, though, isn’t it? Even at night. You’ll love it here, Harry.”
Three hours later, they stopped for gas. They were only about thirty minutes from the inn and the boys were out cold, so Sadie moved up front. “Dad, I think you should buy a ring for Uncle David. You need to let him know you’re serious, that you’re committed to making it work.”
“Why are you so worried about this, baby girl? You know your Uncle David will be happy to see you. He may not want to be with me, but he always loved you kids.”
“I want you to be happy. The boys don’t remember it, but you were so… I don’t know, light and happy, when Uncle David was around. When he left, you changed, got quieter. It never affected us, so the boys didn’t notice.”
“I hope he wants me too, Sadie, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
“You want to marry him, right?”
He wanted David anyway he could get him. “It’s been five years. It may be slow going.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
He gritted his teeth. He hated being so vulnerable in front of anyone, little less his daughter. “Yes, I would love to marry him.” Even after five years of no contact. Even without knowing a damn thing about his new life. His dream was to have David beside him, not as a best friend, but as his husband, his partner. “Are you sure you’ll be okay if we move here? You won’t be able to go to the academy anymore.”
“Trust me,” she said. “That’ll make me the happiest person in the world. I hate only seeing you guys on the weekends and holidays. That was Mom’s idea anyway. We’ll get a house here soon, right?”
“We’ll know more in the morning, after I talk with him.”
“I think Ryder, Harry, and I should stay at the inn while you talk. I know Ryder’s excited to see him, but you need time to woo him.”
“What’s with all the wooing?”
“I may have been reading romance novels back to back. I think it’s soaking into my brain.”
Sawyer laughed. God, he loved his kids. They pulled into the inn and a man ran out to help them with their luggage. The tall man smiled and held his hand out. “I’m Ray. We’ve talked on the phone.”
“Yes,” Sawyer said, happy to see the man who had given him the best Christmas present in the world. “You didn’t have to meet us this late.”
“Mr. Green goes to bed early, so I knew no one would be able to help with your bags. I got your keys already. Come on.” He picked up three of the suitcases and headed for the building.
“Is that Ray?” Harry grabbed his Star Wars BB-8 backpack and ran after him. Sawyer shook his head. Harry had taken a liking to the private detective, stealing the phone to talk to him almost every time he called. Sadie opened Mo’s crate and the Border Collie clumsily hoped down. His medicine packed a punch. Sawyer handed Chunky and Daisy’s carrier to Ryder and the boy rolled the sleepy cats into the inn. He grabbed the remaining bags and locked up the jeep.
He met the rest of them in front of three doors on the ground floor. “I only reserved one room,” he said, frowning.
“Oh, Mr. Green made it three rooms since you’ll be here just for tonight and tomorrow morning.”
“What? We’re here for two weeks.”
“You’ll either be staying with David or you’ll be staying at this nice little rental house Gramps found. He didn’t like the idea of you all crammed into a room for two weeks. Mr. Green already refunded the money for the other days.”
“Gramps? Is that your grandpa, Ray?” Harry stared up at the man adoringly.
“He’s kind of like my adopted grandpa. He’s the head of the Wilson family. They’re all over the place here. They’re also the reason I hunted down your dad.”
“I like them, then,” Harry said, nodding. It was done. He’d like the Wilson family forever now.
“You boys go in here,” Ray said, pointing to the middle room. Ryder and Harry rolled the cats in with them. “Ms. Sadie, you have this room. It has a nice view of the woods behind the inn.” Sadie smiled and carried her bags inside, Mo at her heels. “Sawyer, this is your room. Come on, let’s talk.”
“Is there something wrong?”
“I’ve heard some things since the last time we talked.”
“Okay?” They entered the large room and Sawyer promptly plopped in one of the chairs, exhausted. The last few days had been crazy.
“You love David, right?”
“More than anything. I wish I would have realized it before he left.”
“You know he’s always wanted kids.”
“Yeah. He loves my three, and he’ll be a good dad.”
“He’s having a baby.”
“What?” Sawyer sat up straight. “David is in a relationship? I thought you said he was single and that his friend, Grey, would keep it that way.”
“He is single. He hired a surrogate,” Ray said, watching him carefully.
Sawyer breathed a sigh of relief, slumping in his chair. “Fuck, man. You scared me.”
“Did you hear me? He’s having a baby. Are you alright with that?”
“Of course.” David had wanted kids so much. “If things go the way I want them to, we’ll raise the baby together, right alongside my three.”
Ray grinned. “Glad to hear it. Now I won’t have to chase you out of town.” He stood. “I’ll let you get some sleep. You’ll go and see him in the morning. He’s supposed to go with me to a New Year’s Eve party, but, assuming you don’t screw it up, that date is all yours.” He headed toward the door but turned back. “Oh, yeah. There’s a bakery right across the street. Zoe Wilson owns it and insists you send the kids over there for breakfast in the morning while you talk with David. She’s good people.”
“Thanks, Ray.” The man left, and Sawyer looked around his room, the quiet eerie. He closed his eyes, thinking about his life. He’d spent sixteen years with a woman that he didn’t especially like. He had three great kids, yes, but sixteen years with a workaholic who cared about her job more than her family was hard. He’d been free of her for two years now but hadn’t found what he’d been looking for until Ray called him Christmas morning. In the modern age, it shouldn’t have taken this long to find one man.
***
After a restless night of sleep, Sawyer wrangled the kids and fed the pets. “You’re sure you three will be okay at the bakery?” All three nodded. “You know not to talk to strangers, and Sadie is in charge.”
“Why does she always get to be in charge?” Ryder wrinkled his nose, tr
ying to look displeased, but only looking adorable.
“Because she’s fifteen and you’re twelve. You have my number and I’ll be back as soon as I can. Hopefully with David.”
A young blond in an apron popped up behind him, scaring the shit out of him. “Hi! You must be Sawyer Gregor. I’m Zoe Wilson.”
“Hi,” Harry said, waving. “Ray told us you were really nice. Are you going to have breakfast with us while Dad goes and woos Uncle David?”
“I sure am,” she said, walking them to a table right next to the front counter. Three plates of bacon, eggs, and sourdough toast sat on the table. Ray sat eating his own plate of food. Zoe bounced from foot to foot. “Here’s your breakfast kids. I hope you like scrambled eggs. Can they have sweets, Sawyer?”
“They can, but in moderation,” he answered, blown away by her consideration.
“Perfect! I got this. Go get your man,” she said, pointing to the door and handing him a carrier with two steaming cups of coffee.
“Good luck,” Ray said, smiling when Harry sat beside him and started rambling.
Sawyer marched out the door and walked the two blocks to David’s house. The town of Hobson Hills was in lovely, but it was in transition. Christmas was over and with it all the magic and wonder. Decorations were in the slow process of disappearing now that the New Year was about to begin, and the windows and doors looked bare. Sawyer could sympathize. He was in transition himself.
David’s house was a huge, pale blue Victorian with white gingerbread trim. He noted the small balcony over the attached gazebo, the bow windows on the second floor, and the spacious wraparound porch. The front yard was small, but he could see a white vinyl fence, hiding a backyard. It was a house meant for a family. His family. He took a deep breath and walked up the steps. For a few moments, he stared at the wooden door. The glass panels revealed a blurred, warm look inside. He closed his eyes and knocked.
Chapter Three
David looked at the ultrasound picture, tears streaming down his face. “Do you mind, Mr. Bartley,” Susanna asked. His surrogate was a nice, no nonsense woman, so hearing the worry in her voice snapped him out of his daze.
“Of course not,” he said, voice rough with tears. “Twins. I’m having twins.”
“The doctor said everything looks great and that I’m perfectly healthy. I sent the report with the pictures. He does want me to come in more often for check-ups than I normally would. Is that alright?”
“Absolutely,” he answered. “Thank you, Susanna. This is just so overwhelmingly perfect.”
“I’ll keep you updated, Mr. Bartley.” She hung up and David stared into space. He was having twins. Oh, fuck a duck. He was having twins.
He dialed Carter. “Hi, David. How’s it going?”
“I’m having twins.”
“Yes,” Carter yelled. “Elijah, David is having twins too.”
“Too? Elijah’s having twins? Is there something in the water?”
“We found out this morning at his first big check-up. Oh, he wants the phone,” Carter said.
“David,” Elijah squealed. “I told you our kids were going to be besties. Now, with Rue, they’ll be a group of five. They could be a band. We need to think of band names. What about the Apple Dumplings?”
David laughed, feeling his panic lesson. He might not be alone in this after all. “Weren’t they a gang or something? You and your apples.”
“I can’t help it if they’re the best fruit in the world,” he said. “Oh, by the way, has anyone been by to see you this morning?”
“No. Why?” David looked down. He wasn’t ready for company. He wore a moisturizing oatmeal mask and his silk pajamas. He pulled on his long, silk kimono robe dotted with roses and butterflies. There. Now he was presentable.
“Nothing,” Elijah said too quickly. “Oh no, look at the time. I have to go.” He hung up and David stared at the phone. That boy was a strange one.
David checked on Cadbury, slipping the little bunny into the chest pocket of his pajama top. The rabbit poked his head out, looking around, content with life. David quickly watered his house plants and washed up his breakfast dishes, whispering to Cadbury all through his normal routine. He sipped his coffee and finally settled into his most comfortable chair to read the newest Roxanne Baxter novel. Just as he opened the book, there was a knock at his door.
“Figures,” he mumbled, setting his book down. He stomped to the front door and pulled it open, staring in shock at the tall, broad shouldered beta on his doorstep. His light brown hair was a little longer and there were a few more lines on his face, but those damn green eyes were the same. Sawyer Gregor stood on his doorstep.
“David?” Sawyer took a step forward, eyes imploring.
“You can’t be here,” David said. “No. I can’t see you, Sawyer.” He tried to shut the door.
“I get it,” Sawyer said. “I didn’t understand when you left, but I do now, David.” He held the door from closing. “Please let me in. Just give me five minutes.” David wavered. “Please. I have coffee.”
He opened the door, letting his dream man in. His married dream man. He grabbed one of the cups and led Sawyer to the living room. He curled up in his comfy chair, knees under his chin. Sawyer sat on his ottoman, facing David. “What do you want, Sawyer? Is it the kids? Are they okay?”
“The kids are fine. They’re at Zoe’s bakery right now.”
“They’re with you? Why didn’t you bring them by?” He missed them so much, especially Sadie and Ryder. Harry was so young when he left. He wondered if they’d remember him. He sipped the coffee, trying not to think of the past.
Sawyer smiled. “I knew you’d want to see them. I thought we could talk first.” He looked puzzled for a minute. “Do you have a rabbit in your pocket?”
“Yes,” David nodded. “This is Cadbury.” He petted the bunny’s head. “What’s going on, Sawyer?”
“You loved me,” he said, shocking David to his core. “That’s why you left. I was married, and we were just friends. You left so you could move on.”
David was mortified and felt tears well in his eyes. “If you know that then why are you here? To mock me?”
“No,” Sawyer said, shaking his head. He wiped at David’s tears, coming away with oatmeal. “I didn’t realize it at the time. I just knew my heart was broken. My best friend left me with no explanation, no goodbye.”
“I’m sorry, but I had to. I watched you with your family for three years, Sawyer. I can’t do that. I need someone of my own.”
“I know that now,” Sawyer said. “Right after you left, I started to realize what I’d lost. Gina and I had been having problems almost from the start of our marriage, but I never strayed. I never felt anything for someone else. Then you came into our lives and I felt so damn much, David. I didn’t know how to deal with it.”
“I thought you and Gina were happy,” David said in a small voice.
“Appearances aren’t always reality,” Sawyer said. “Remember how much you hated having to appear a certain way for the Airline you worked for?”
“Blah,” David said, wrinkling his nose. “I hated them.” He shook himself. “Let me go wash my mask off and get dressed. We can finish talking then.”
“Thank you,” Sawyer said, looking relieved. “Can I hold Cadbury?”
David smiled shyly and handed the rabbit over. “His cage is in the corner if you get tired of him.”
“As if I could get tired of this little fluff ball.” Sawyer held him up, looking the rabbit over.
David slipped upstairs, breaths coming fast. Sawyer Gregor was in his home. Here. Right now. He looked in his bathroom mirror and cringed. His hair was held back with a thick, hot pink cotton headband and his face was covered in mush. He cleaned up and applied light make-up, then ran into the room, throwing on some skinny jeans and a big, comfy sweater. It fell down one shoulder, revealing smooth skin and sinewy muscle. Perfect. He grabbed some soc
ks and his boots, then focused on his hair. Lord it was a mess. Thirty minutes later, he opened his bedroom door, coming face to face with Sawyer.
“Your house is beautiful, David. I can’t believe there’s so much space. You even have a full attic.” His eyes were hot, running up and down David’s body. Cadbury sat in his sweater pocket, eyes moving between the two.
“Thanks,” he said, nibbling his lip. “Did you see the nursery?”
“It’s adorable. Ray told me you hired a surrogate. Is everything going well? Do you know the gender yet?”
“Ray told you?” David propped his hand on his hip and arched a brow. “What’s going on here?”
Sawyer looked sheepish. “Well, Gina and I divorced a little over two years ago. We separated right after you left. I looked but couldn’t find you. I even hired two private investigators, but nothing. Ray says they likely just took my money and didn’t try. Anyway, Christmas night, Ray called me. He asked me some very pointed questions.”
“What did he ask?” David led Sawyer to the seating nook at the end of the hall.
“After explaining that he knew where you were, he made me answer some questions before he handed over your information. He already knew a shitload about me. He knew I was an accountant, had sole custody of three kids, and was divorced. First, he asked why I’d gotten divorced. Then he asked if I was in a relationship. Then he asked if I loved you.”
“What did you say?” David watched Sawyer, heart hoping despite his mental reminders to not reach too high.
“I told him the divorce was amicable. We just didn’t want to be together anymore. Then I told him I wasn’t in a relationship because I was in love with you and had tried to find you for five fucking years.”
“You love me? It’s been five fucking years,” David repeated, eyes wide, heart beating fast.
“It could have been fifty years, David, and I’d still love you. When you left, you took a part of me with you. I had the kids, and lord knows I love them, but I will never be happy without you. I just wish I would have realized it sooner.”
“Sawyer,” David said, completely overwhelmed. “I don’t know what to say. I’ve wanted you for so long and you’re suddenly here.”
