Sunshine, Tequila & Sea Monkeys

by S. Allen

  5. Home and Family

  Christmas

  “Are you sure there wasn’t more I could bring?” Ro asked as he loaded the floral centerpiece into the backseat.

  “No. You are a guest and there will be more than enough food. The arrangement Jim made is beautiful and will be greatly appreciated. Trust me.” Julian grabbed Ro’s hand and kissed him. “Everyone is super excited to meet you and I’m excited to show you off. I’m glad you didn’t trim your beard too short. It looks good on you.”

  He tugged on the bottom of Ro’s vest. He was well dressed in dark jeans, a white button down and festival green and red patterned vest. Julian was proud to show up at Ryland and Finn’s with this man on his arm. He had chosen to dress a little more relaxed in jeans and a bright red sweater covered in dinosaurs wearing Santa hats. It made him laugh. He was done with drab and boring and everyone seemed to be approving of his more playful style.

  Finn lived in Greenlake and it took them a few minutes to find a parking spot. They carefully walked up the drive, Ro carrying the arrangement and Julian balancing a basket of rolls and gifts for Ryland’s daughter and Finn’s niece. Before they could ring the bell the front door swung open.

  “Hey, Ryland,” Julian greeted the taller man.

  “Cute sweater. The girls would have loved it. They took a field trip to the natural history museum a couple of weeks ago and the dinosaur exhibit was their favorite. And who did you bring with you?”

  “Ryland, meet Ro, my boyfriend.”

  “Nice to finally meet you, please come in.” Ryland took the centerpiece from Ro’s hands. “This is beautiful, thank you.”

  “Not a problem. Jim, one of my employees, did a class at the nursery and this was the example. I’d love to take credit and say I made it, but this is his lovely design.” Ro followed Ryland into the house where he placed it on the main dining table. Finn wandered in from the kitchen carrying a platter of assorted meats and cheeses. He set them on the table and wrapped his arms around his husband’s waist while glancing at the centerpiece.

  “Those are beautiful.”

  “Ro’s employee made it,” Ryland explained. “Ro as in Julian’s boyfriend.”

  “Excuse me, I was so distracted by the flowers. Thank you.” Finn stepped forward to shake Ro’s hand. “It is very nice to meet you. Julian, did you bring the girls gifts? You know that wasn’t necessary.”

  “I know. It’s just a little something.”

  “Thank you. Unfortunately, they’re not here. Olivia is with her parents, as the uncle I got to celebrate Christmas Eve with them like the rest of the family and Mackenzie is with her mother, Melissa.” Finn explained.

  “Yeah, apparently, Melissa is getting serious with her beau and took Mackenzie to spend the day with his family. I’m really happy for her. He seems like a nice kid.”

  “Ryland, really? I know for a fact she hates it when you refer to him as a kid.” Finn chided.

  “Kid is better than boy toy. I upgraded his nickname once they got serious.” Ryland laughed.

  “I’m almost done setting up the food. Grab yourselves a drink and head into the main room.” Finn handed Julian the meat and cheese platter to take with him.

  “Do you need any help?” Ro offered.

  “No, thank you. Besides everyone is dying to meet you.” Finn shooed them away.

  Julian quickly explained Melissa was Ryland’s ex-wife and they had a daughter, Mackenzie. And she was best friends with Olivia who was Finn’s niece and that Finn was their main sitter since he worked from home. Finn and Ryland actually met when Melissa asked Finn to babysit Mackenzie and the rest is history. He poured them each a glass of wine and wondered who was already there.

  “Took you two long enough to get in here,” Brad bellowed as they stepped into the main room.

  “Where’s Megan and the baby?” Julian asked.

  “They’re home napping. We did our little Christmas this morning and tonight is Megan’s family’s. We did my family last night,” Brad explained before turning on Ro. “So you’re the boyfriend? He won’t even tell us your name.”

  “Yes, everyone, this is Ro, my boyfriend.” Julian quickly pointed everyone out. “Brad is the jackass in front of you. Ollie and Christopher are on the couch and you met Ryland and Finn already.”

  “Nice to meet you all.” Ro tipped his head.

  “He’s so polite. How the hell did he end up with you?” Brad teased.

  Ro quickly stepped up to Julian, putting his arm around his waist. “Do you want me to tell them about your huge cock, snookums?”

  It took Julian a quick minute to realize Ro was teasing his friends. He smiled in delight, loving Ro’s humor. So, he captured Ro’s lips in a deep kiss that only ended after several rounds of catcalls.

  “Seriously, Ro, did you do a voodoo thing on him or what?” Ollie asked. “I like it, but we haven’t seen a Julian this relaxed and whatever ever.”

  “Stop it you guys. Leave him alone. It’s nice they found each other.” Christopher placed his hand on Ollie’s thigh. “So, I heard seven-layer coconut bars are your favorite.”

  “Actually, I love éclairs or a good Boston cream.” Ro eyed Julian. “But Julian here, sure does like them.”

  “What? I couldn’t resist. I knew you’d never make them just for me and when Ollie offered to bribe Ro with one of your amazing creations I couldn’t help myself. Sorry, love. I owe you dessert.” Julian turned towards Ro.

  “After that kiss I’m sure you’ll be giving him plenty of home made cream, if you know what I mean.” Brad winked exaggeratedly.

  “Seriously, who invited this guy?” Ollie threw a wadded up napkin at Brad.

  Finn called everyone into the dining room for dinner. As they filed out Christopher stopped Julian.

  “Ollie gave me the picture you took of us at the coffee shop. It was perfect. I just wanted to say thank you and thank you for talking to him last year too.” Christopher dropped his head and then looked back at Julian. “He’s my world, he’s the comfort to my prickliness…”

  “I understand. That’s Ro for me. Like I’m a groundhog unwilling to come out of my burrow and he’s my sunshine.” Julian shook his head not wanting to explain anymore. Christopher nodded and walked into the dining room. Julian quickly followed.

  Ro was talking with Finn while Ryland filled wine glasses. “Thanks for coming over, guys. Dig in!” Ryland said as he gestured towards the massive spread before them.

  “Hey, Row, Row, Row-your-boat, can you pass the potatoes?” Brad asked seriously and then immediately tried to smother a giggle.

  “Oh, Bradley, I forgot to tell you 1980 called and they want their name back.” Ro answered as he handed the potatoes over. The entire table broke out in laughter.

  “What is Ro short for?” Christopher, never just Chris, asked.

  “Who said it’s short for anything?” Ro shifted his eyes to Julian.

  “Because your boyfriend is dying to know and won’t stop complaining about it.” Ollie huffed.

  “Only the courts and loved ones know.” Ro winked.

  “Speaking of courts, I heard you had some trouble with an ex-employee?” Ryland asked.

  “You could say that. She accused me of sexual harassment, battery and the attempted murder of her unborn child, which she claimed I fathered.”

  “Wow. Julian didn’t go into much detail about the situation. How do things stand now?”

  “It’s over and actually quite sad. She’s in jail now, since no one would put up bail, awaiting sentencing and I was cleared of all charges. She poisoned herself and lost the baby and she already has a young child at home. I just hope the little guy can outgrow the terrible shadow his mother left him in.”

  They ate and drank the afternoon away, sharing stories and laughter. Ro got along with everyone fabulously. Julian was only surprised that it happened so quickly. He thought it’d take a few meetings before they reached the comfort level they were at by the end of the da
y. Ro hugged everyone bye and had been invited to their next poker night.

  “Did you have fun?” Julian asked once they were back at Ro’s.

  “Yes. Thank you for inviting me. I felt like I already knew everyone by all the stories you’ve told me. I hope I didn’t embarrass you. I know I can be overly affectionate and should have consulted with you first since we were going to be around your friends.”

  “Never be sorry for who you are. I love that you show how much you want to be with me. I’ll never be ashamed to call you my partner.” Julian kissed the back of Ro’s hand. Everything he said was true.

  “I told Christopher that you’re the sunshine to my groundhog.”

  “What?”

  “I’m like a groundhog borrowed deep underground and I was too afraid to even pop my head out to see if we’d get an early spring. I was hiding until you shined light into my darkness and drew me out. I was living like a shadow; there but not. You changed that.”

  “No, you changed that. You decided,” Ro started before Julian stopped him with a quick kiss.

  “What I’m trying to say is that I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” Ro voice was soft with emotion.

  “And you heard what I said at the table, right? Only loved ones and the courts know my first name.”

  “As much as I want to throw my fist in the air and chant ‘tell me, tell me,’ I can wait until you’re ready. I meant it, I love you and it’s not contingent on your name.”

  “That’s sweet and I’m very happy that I’ll be able to tell you ‘I love you’ whenever I want without worrying about freaking you out. I actually enjoyed playing our guessing game, no one has ever been persistent about it. I usually get asked and when I say ‘nothing’ or ‘none of your business’ people stop asking or caring. But I’m ready to share with you, my name is Darrow.”

  “Hello, Darrow.” Julian tested out his full name liking how it rolled out of his mouth. He watched Ro’s eyes soften a bit at hearing it and wondered when the last time someone referred to him by his birth name. Did his mother use before her life taken or was he always simply ‘Ro?’ “I love you, Darrow.”

  “I can’t remember anyone ever saying that to me.” A tear slid down his cheek.

  “It will be just for us. Darrow, my love and Ro to the world.” Julian covered his face with soft kisses. This man with the gentle heart deserved to be loved and Julian was just the man for the job. He pulled off Ro’s shirt and then his own. He gently pushed Ro back against the bed and worshipped him with his mouth; kiss after drugging kiss and until they were breathless and naked.

  Julian rubbed his cheek against Ro’s beard as he began working him open; one slick finger at a time. He licked each scar and tongued his nipple until he was prepared enough to take him. Julian held Ro’s gaze as his pushed in and Ro’s body accepted him. Whispers of love between heavy kisses where exchanged as their bodies moved together. Every move slow and deliberate as they made love. Their orgasms built and unexpectedly erupted as their passion burned.

  Still lodged inside Ro Julian panted, “That was amazing.”

  “Yes. I guess now I truly know what it feels like to make love, to love with your body and heart.”

  “I never want to leave your body.” Julian could feel himself slipping out.

  “Well, we still have a few months before spring.”

  “Are we naming my dick Mr. Groundhog?” Julian chuckled. “So, what, I’m supposed to stand naked outside to see if it sees its shadow in order for spring to come early?”

  “I think it’ll be too cold. Mr. Groundhog will probably have a case of severe shrinkage.”

  “In that case I’ll just need you to warm him up.” Julian pumped hips. He moaned as his cum served as lube. It was thick and slick causing him to harden completely again. “I’m never going to get over how good if feels to be bare. I’m so glad we took that step together.”

  “Yeah, shut and fuck me.” Ro bucked his hips against Julian’s. Julian propped himself up on one hand and grabbed Ro’s thigh with the other and began to pound into him. It was primal, the need he felt to mark his man again, to own him.

  Ro had his hand on his cock and came on a shout as Julian pumped into him a few more times before finding his release. This time he fell in an exhausted heap on top of his lover. “I can’t believe I came again.”

  “You’re a maniac.” Ro grabbed at Julian’s sweaty back not wanting to give up the closeness quiet yet. “Move in with me, completely. I know you already have some stuff here and we basically spend every night together. But make this your home, our home.”

  “Yes, absolutely. I’m tired of paying rent on a place I don’t want to be without you.”

  “Great! I’ll even let you put up your movie posters.”

  “Let me? Just wait and see what my colorful personality will do to your house.” Julian teased.

  “Yes, your color will be amazing in our home.” Ro reached down and pinched Julian’s butt. “And I’m sure Claire will love watching the sea monkeys float around in their tank.”

  “I can’t just gift them to the next tenant to rent out my apartment?”

  “I know you secrety like them. We’ll set up a shelf for their tank, the one remaining bamboo stick, your treasure trolls and maybe I’ll get you a chia pet to round out the collection.” Ro laughed and kissed Julian playfully. Ro knew him, truly knew him and loved him. And Julian knew he’d have no problem adding his stuff to Ro’s house and making it their home.

  Author Autobiography: Hi

  I may have failed all of my college English classes, but that doesn’t mean I can’t tell a good story. I am in love with romance and want everyone to have the happy ending they deserve.

  Email: sallen.romance@teamstames.com

  Follow me on the Goodreads website: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7083065.S_Allen/blog

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