“Oh, fine,” Stephen said with a laugh. “We do have an occasion to celebrate, but we’ll tell you about it later.”
“Intriguing.” Jeremy sauntered into the apartment. He looks great, Stephen thought with a fond little smile. The hitch in his step would never go away and neither would the scar at his temple, but he looked happy and healthy and like life was agreeing with him.
“Hey, Stephen.”
He glanced away to see Evan smiling at him. He looked equally happy. He had really grown into himself. He was still lean but there was a strength—physical and mental—that radiated from him now. His shoulders were back and down, and he met Stephen’s gaze straight on without ducking or flinching. He was becoming a handsome, confident man.
“Hey, Evan.” He gave him a peck on the cheek. “So glad you guys could come tonight.”
He closed the door behind Evan and walked with him into the kitchen to see Jeremy kissing Russ on the cheek. “I saw that!” Stephen called out.
“You were meant to, old man,” Jeremy teased. “I’m grateful for all the help your boy gave me on Valentine’s Day.”
Stephen thought back to everything he and Russ had gotten up to on Valentine’s Day and suppressed a snicker. His boy was very helpful.
“Wow, I don’t want to know what made you look like that,” Jeremy teased. “But okay.”
“I am glad I could help,” Russ said with a smile as he hugged Evan. “You enjoyed your surprise?”
“I did!” Evan lit up. “Fisher is perfect.”
“We enjoyed the few days we had with him.”
“Thinking about getting a dog now?” Jeremy asked.
“No.” Now would be the perfect segue into what their plans were, but Stephen wanted to wait for the rest of their guests to arrive. “We’ll just come over and enjoy yours.”
“Oh sure, let me do all the work,” Jeremy grumbled. “Who knew something that small could make that much poop?”
A knock on their door distracted them, and Stephen greeted Russ’s sister and her boyfriend. As always, Addie’s greeting was enthusiastic.
“Hey!” She flung her arms around Stephen, and he smiled despite the mouthful of long brown hair he had to spit out.
“Hey. It’s good to see you, Addie.” He kissed her cheek, then hugged Joseph and gently herded them both into the apartment. They knew Jeremy and Evan, so in no time, everyone was clustered around the kitchen island chatting and catching up. Unfortunately, Russ’s former roommate Monty had moved to Louisiana to open a bar with his cousin there and his girlfriend Emily had moved with him, so they couldn’t make it.
Stephen retrieved bottles from the refrigerator and cleared his throat.
“We have an announcement to make, so I thought we’d make a toast. We have champagne and a sparkling cider.” They’d chosen the latter in deference to Jeremy, whose medication meant he rarely drank, but Evan didn’t drink alcohol often either, and Stephen wasn’t sure if Addie or Joseph had to work later tonight. “Just tell me which you’d like.”
“Hey, if it’s a big enough occasion to break out the good stuff, I’ll have a glass of Champagne,” Jeremy said dryly. “Besides, I’ve been able to cut down on meds again.”
“That’s great to hear,” Stephen said as he flipped a towel over the bottle and gently wiggled the cork loose with a soft pop. With Jeremy’s doctor’s oversight, he’d been slowly tapering off on the muscle relaxers and pain medication he often had to take because of the lingering effects of his car accident. Chronic pain would always be a part of his life, so he’d never be completely pain-free, but a stronger social network and overall improvement in the quality of his life had helped him immensely. It pleased Stephen so much to see the way he was thriving.
Stephen poured a glass for him.
“I don’t know, the cider’s pretty good actually,” Russ said with a laugh as he passed Jeremy the flute of the Champagne. “But I’m happy to hear you’re doing so well.”
“Thanks, man.” Jeremy’s smile was so genuine, and it filled Stephen’s heart with joy to see his ex and his husband getting along so well. There was real friendship and affection between them, and he loved that.
“I’m on call tonight,” Addie said with a little sigh and pout. “So cider for me.”
“Downside of being a nurse,” Joseph said. “Same for me.”
“How is work going for you both?” Stephen asked as Russ continued to fill glasses.
“Really well!” Addie beamed. “I love the peds floor I’m on so much. I just wanted to pick up some extra shifts. We’re both paying back student loans and the faster we can get them paid off, the better.”
“Ugh, I don’t miss those days,” Russ said.
“The only thing worse than student loans is medical debt.” Jeremy made a face. “I can’t wait until Evan finishes his degree and makes enough I can be a kept man.”
“Hey!” Evan said with a laugh. “I don’t remember that ever being part of the plan.”
Jeremy shrugged, humor lighting up his hazel eyes. They looked particularly green today with the soft lavender shirt he wore. “It sounds pretty good to me.”
“Whatever,” Evan said. “You’d hate being a kept man and you know it. Besides, once I finish my degree, I’ll still only have a bachelor’s in psychology. That’s not going to get us that far.”
“Damn it,” Jeremy grumbled. “Clearly I settled on the wrong guy. Should have stayed with Stephen.” He winked as he slid his arm around Evan to hug him close.
“Excuse me.” Russ cleared his throat. “I have something to say about that, thanks.”
Stephen kissed his cheek. “I should hope so.”
“So what the hell is this big announcement?” Jeremy asked after everyone had a glass of something bubbly. “Come on. I’m dying here.”
Russ laughed. “Impatient much? Give me a minute. I need to call my dad.”
Addie tilted her head and studied her brother with a quizzical glance. “I’m with Jeremy. What is such a big deal that y’all need to have us over and call Dad and everything?”
“You are an impatient bunch,” Stephen said. “Come on, let’s go in the living room.”
“Hey, Dad,” Russ said a few minutes later when Alan’s phone connected. Russ had bought him a new phone for Christmas, hoping to keep in contact more often. It had worked too.
“Hey there.” Alan’s face lit up on the screen and Stephen felt another wash of affection go through him. “Good ta see ya both.”
Russ slowly panned the phone around. “We have a few friends over.”
“Good ta see all of you,” Alan said. “I’m a might confused though. What’s this about?”
Stephen supposed they were acting rather mysterious, so he cleared his throat. “Well, Russ and I have some rather big news.”
“Jesus, if you were straight, I’d say you were about to announce Russ was pregnant,” Jeremy muttered. Addie giggled.
Russ let out a little cough. “I sincerely hope not.”
“It is somewhat along those lines though,” Stephen admitted, his heart beating faster in his chest. “We’ve decided to become foster parents.”
They were met with deafening silence. He glanced around to see everyone with stunned expressions on their faces.
“Oh my gawd!” Addie squealed. Stephen grinned; he’d been waiting for that. “I’m gonna be an aunt?”
“You are,” Russ said, hugging his sister. The phone bobbed around in his hand, probably making Alan seasick with the wobbly camera work, so Stephen took it from him. “How do you feel about that?”
“I’m so excited! I had no idea you were even thinkin’ about it.”
“That’s wonderful, son,” Alan said with a smile when Russ and Stephen were both looking at the screen again. “I am so pleased for you both. You’re going to be fantastic fathers.”
Stephen blinked at the sudden onslaught of tears. Shit, he hadn’t prepared himself for how Alan always made him feel. In the time he’d b
een with Russ, Alan had come to feel more and more like the father Stephen had always wanted.
“Thanks, Alan,” he said roughly. It was a bit of blur after that as they talked to Alan and were peppered with questions and congratulations. Everyone hugged him and it all began to feel a little surreal.
“When did this happen?” Evan asked. “I mean, I am so happy for you, but I thought you didn’t want kids?”
“That hasn’t really changed,” Russ explained. “If you’re talking about adopting a baby or using a surrogate to have our own. We can’t picture ourselves going that route. But we’d never considered the idea of taking in a teenage foster kid.”
“Ooh,” Evan said, nodding as if that made sense to him. “Yeah, I understand that. Seeing the kids at Open Doors really makes you realize how lucky you are and how much need there is.”
“Exactly.” Russ shot him a smile. “And we have so much to give.”
“That’s great.” Evan beamed. “You did so much for me, and I know you’ll be fantastic at this.”
“God, I hope so,” Stephen said. It was as close to a prayer as he’d said in years, but he meant it. If there was any divine guidance out there, he hoped like hell it would help.
“You aren’t doubtin’ yourself, are ya?” Alan asked.
“Not really,” Stephen said. “It’s just a huge mental adjustment.”
“So Russ was the one who brought this up is what you’re saying?” Jeremy asked with a snicker.
“Well, yes. But that doesn’t mean I’m not fully on board. I want this too.”
“Hey, I’m just glad this time I don’t have to talk you into it.”
“You didn’t talk me into marrying Russ,” he protested.
“He kinda did,” Russ teased. “I mean, you went to lunch with Jeremy all unsure about it, and you came home and were a totally different man.”
“Fine, fine,” Stephen admitted. “But I reached this conclusion all on my own. I’ve let go of all of the bullshit about what I deserve to have in my life.”
“It’s about goddamn time,” Jeremy said. “You’re getting too old for that shit.”
“Need I remind you that you were holding onto an awful lot of your past as well before we reconnected.”
“I’m not arguing that.”
Russ slid a hand around Stephen’s waist, and he leaned into him. “Would you two knock it off?” he sounded slightly exasperated. “I’m grateful to Jeremy for helping us get together. And I am thrilled Stephen decided he wanted to explore the idea of being a parent with me.”
“So when do you start the process?” Joseph asked. “I mean, it takes some time, right?”
“It does. We’ve already started it though.” He outlined what they’d done so far and said, “The process got kinda sped up when we decided there was a specific kid we wanted to foster and, potentially, adopt.”
“Whoa,” Jeremy said. “This is isn’t just a short-term thing then, huh?”
“It’s not,” Russ said. “There’s this kid at Open Doors whose foster family is moving out of state. I don’t know what it is about him, but he kinda got under my skin and we’re just waiting to see if we get approved. We’ve been through all of the initial stuff, but there’s still a shitload more paperwork to get processed.”
“You feel ready for this?” Addie asked. “I mean, you guys are going to be awesome parents, but it’s pretty huge, right?”
“We’re getting there,” Stephen said. “We have stacks of books on our nightstands about parenting, and we’ve been going to a ton of the classes they offer through DCFS. But yes, I’m excited.”
Russ squeezed his side. “Me too.”
They talked a while longer, their friends asking questions, but eventually, Alan hung up with another offer of congratulations and sincere warm wishes.
A while later, as they mingled around talking, Jeremy burst out laughing. “Holy shit,” he said. “It just occurred to me that you’re gonna be a daddy after all, huh?”
Stephen glared at him. “Don’t you dare even think about calling me that.”
Russ leaned in and whispered in his ear, “You better not offer him the same deal you offered me.”
Stephen chuckled and felt his face warm at the memory of telling Russ he’d spank him if he promised to never call him Daddy. No, he definitely wouldn’t be offering Jeremy that deal.
“Wow. What the hell did Russ just say to you?” Jeremy teased. “Because the look on your face right now …”
“Yeah. I didn’t know Stephen could blush,” Evan said.
“I don’t think I like any of you very much right now,” Stephen said testily. He walked into the kitchen, his cheeks burning.
“You love us!” Jeremy called after him.
“I do, but you’re still on my shit list!” Stephen retorted without turning back.
Jeremy just snickered.
The cool air from the refrigerator helped take the heat from Stephen’s cheeks and he took a few minutes to top off the platters of food they’d ordered for the party. Just light snacks and appetizers—though there were enough they’d probably send plenty home with their friends—but Stephen was grateful for the excuse to get away for a moment.
“You aren’t actually mad at me, are you?”
Stephen looked up to see Jeremy leaning on the opposite side of the island with a concerned frown on his face.
He chuckled. “No, of course not. It was all in good fun. Slightly embarrassing but no, I’m not mad.”
“Good.” Jeremy straightened. “Although I’ve never understood why you hated being called that so much.”
He shrugged. “I think I was just sensitive about my hair going silver early and touchy about my age. I don’t know. Or maybe it was my own bullshit about what I thought society said about gay men. I know there are plenty of couples who have that dynamic, but it just doesn’t work for me.” He considered the idea. “Or at least that name doesn’t work for me.”
Jeremy held up his hands. “I’m not asking for details on your sex life with Russ. Though considering how happy you two are, I suspect that’s going great for you.”
Stephen smiled, not denying it. “How are you and Evan doing?”
“We’re really good.” Jeremy smiled too. “He’s doing great in school, and I am so fucking proud of him. Seriously, he’s amazing. He works his fucking ass off.”
“Like you don’t?”
“Oh, no, I do. It’s just … he is single-minded when it comes to getting what he wants.”
“Like wanting you?”
“Well, yes,” Jeremy said with a little laugh. “But I’m glad for it.”
They fell silent.
“So, did you just come over to steal the food I put out, or what?” Stephen teased after a while.
A serious expression settled over Jeremy’s face. “Actually, there was something I wanted to talk to you about.”
He stilled, giving Jeremy his full attention. “Sure, what’s that?”
“I was wondering if you’d write me a letter of recommendation.”
“Of course,” Stephen said promptly. “What is it for?”
“I love that you agreed without hesitation. And without having a clue what it’s for.” Jeremy chuckled. “It’s so you.”
“I know you, Jeremy. If you put your mind to something, you’ll make a success of it, whatever it is.”
“Well, damn, Stephen. Now I’m blushing.” Jeremy scratched the back of his neck.
“It’s the truth,” Stephen said simply. “Whatever setbacks you’ve had because of your accident, it doesn’t change who you ultimately are as a person, Jeremy. You’re a smart, determined man who has been through some truly heinous situations and made a success of yourself. That takes a hell of a lot of grit and personal character.”
“Can you be sure to put that in the letter?” Jeremy said, his tone joking.
“Of course I will.” Stephen turned serious. “But I mean it. Don’t dismiss yourself. You have no reaso
n to.”
Jeremy swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. “That means a lot to me, Stephen. I wasn’t fishing for compliments though.” He gave Stephen a rueful smile. “Well, okay, I guess asking for a letter of reference is fishing for compliments. But you know what I mean.”
“I do,” Stephen said. “But that doesn’t make the compliments any less valid.”
“I know.”
Sensing Jeremy was feeling a bit uncomfortable with the turn the conversation had taken, Stephen changed the direction of the conversation. “So, tell me what the letter is for.”
“Oh.” Jeremy’s expression brightened. “It’s for a job application.”
“What’s the job?”
“Um, you know the cycling group I’m involved with?”
“Yes.”
“So, it’s for disabled riders, right? Well, they’re part of a bigger organization that is trying to make sports more accessible to people with disabilities.”
“Like the Special Olympics?” Stephen guessed but Jeremy shook his head.
“No. I mean, that’s a great organization too, but this is more for your average person who wants to stay active on a day to day basis as opposed to people who want to compete.”
“Ahh. Okay.”
“They’re nationwide, but their home base is Atlanta actually. And they’re looking for an assistant grants manager.” Jeremy scratched the back of his neck again. “I wouldn’t really have considered it, but when I was talking to one of the women in the cycling group about looking for a new job, she mentioned it. She said they usually prefer someone with a bachelor’s degree and I never finished mine. But apparently my years of real-life management experience at Johnson’s should be enough for them to waive that. And I have been helping out with some of the grant stuff at Open Doors, so I know a lot of the basics of dealing with grants and all the software they use and … I dunno. Seems like a long shot, but I figured I’d go for it.”
“That’s fantastic.” Stephen clapped him on the shoulder. “Holy shit. I am so proud of you.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself. I haven’t gotten it yet.”
“I’m proud of you for taking the risk and going after what you want.”
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