by Bree Cariad
“Yeah. It’s filled with a lot of legal stuff, most of it to ensure your safety.”
“I wish it could be quicker.” Aiden’s soft olive skin turned dusky in a blush. “I love it here. But I also can’t wait to live with you.”
With a smile, Brecker reached down and took Aiden’s hand. “I can hardly wait for that as well. But it’s going to take a few months to get the apartment right too.”
“Ooh. I’ve been thinking about that,” Aiden hopped next to him as they walked through some woods. “It’s gonna be great to have my own room and bathroom.” He paused and glanced up again. “Can I have friends over every once in a while?”
“Of course you can. I’ve asked for two bedrooms and a third room that can be multipurpose and I’m interested to see what Casper comes up with. But I figure whatever bed we get you, we’ll get a trundle bed that can go underneath and be pulled out if you have a friend over for the night.”
They walked in silence for a few minutes before Aiden said, very shyly, “Kyle asked me on a date.”
Brecker smiled. To be fifteen again. “When?”
“Tomorrow night. Reverend Jonathon’s going to let us have the game room for a couple hours and so….” He shrugged. “I’ve never been on a date before.”
“I’ve heard it said that the best dates are just friendship with a kiss added in.”
Aiden grinned again and his cheeks turned an even ruddier pink. “I’ve never been kissed before.”
Brecker squeezed his hand. “You don’t have to kiss him. But kissing can be fun.”
“It can?” Aiden looked hopeful.
“Yes. Very much.”
And just like that, Aiden started to chatter. About Kyle, his worries, and some of his dreams. “I don’t know if it will be possible. And Ms. Pren says that I’ll change my focus tons of times over the next decade. But I love to draw. I’d love to get good enough to see my art in an art gallery someday.”
“That would be great. My son the artist.”
He wasn’t sure what he’d said, but Aiden lit up as though he’d been plugged into an outlet. They walked around and he got to know Aiden on a deeper level. The more he learned, the more he loved him. He was wonderfully complex and highly intelligent.
Brecker thought the Marshads were idiots for overlooking what an amazing kid he was. However he was grateful they were that stupid. Or he never would have met Aiden. And that would have been a shame.
They got back as lunch was being served.
“Perfect timing,” Rolf said as they walked in. “Aiden, grab yourself a tray and head in to the dining hall. I’ll go check on Jonathon and then be right back.”
Aiden filled a plate with salad and a few chicken kebabs and turned to Brecker. “Thanks for this morning. It was great.”
“I agree. Once Jonathon’s well enough, I want to set up specific times we can spend together like that on at least a weekly basis.” His son nodded and then spotted Kyle who was waiting for him at the door of the dining room. He instantly darted over to him.
Brecker tried to fight a smile but lost. Thrown over for a boyfriend. Next thing he knew, Aiden would be asking him to stay in the car so he didn’t embarrass him. He chuckled to himself and Rolf came back and cocked a brow. “Something funny?”
“Just life. Is Jonathon awake?”
“Yep. Put a plate together while I get some light food for him.” Rolf put a tray together with toast, some scrambled eggs, a glass of juice and a mug of something that smelled bad and was a putrid yellow. “My granny’s flu fixer,” Rolf explained. “Yeah. It smells bad and tastes worse. But it works.”
Brecker put more of the kebabs on a plate and a few carrot sticks and after getting a glass of lemonade, he followed Rolf through the shelter and into Jonathon’s room. Jonathon was seated against his headboard. His hair was in disarray and had huge circles under his eyes. Skin that was usually pale now looked gray. And yet he looked beautiful.
“Hey,” Jonathon said in a scratchy voice. “Glad you came out.” He took the mug of yellow stuff and took a sip. And then wrinkled his nose. “What is that?”
Rolf chuckled. “You’re getting better already, Jonathon. That’s the same tea you drank earlier.”
“Ugh.” Jonathon took another sip. “I see what you mean.”
Rolf reached over and squeezed his shoulder lightly. “The kids are eating lunch, so I’m going to go check on them. Call out if you need me.” He sent Brecker a glance he had no trouble reading. Don’t mess with my boy.
After he left, leaving the door just slightly ajar, Jonathon patted his bed. “Sit down. Though you should know I’ve got the flu.”
“I’m not worried. I never get it.”
“Lucky you. It’s a yearly affliction with me.”
Brecker slowly ate while Jonathon made his way through his toast, eggs, and the hideous smelling tea. “You’re better than I am. I would have drunk the juice instead.”
Jonathon tried to smile. It looked like it took too much energy. “I want to get well as fast as possible. Rolf’s home remedies usually work. You should taste his chicken noodle soup. It’s the best cure for a cold I’ve ever had.”
Brecker finished his plate and put it over on Jonathon’s tray. He rubbed his slightly sweaty palms on his jeans and took a breath. “There are a couple things I want to talk to you about. But I want you to think about whether you’re ready to hear them. You are ill and if you’d prefer, I can come back next week.”
“No.” Jonathon slowly shook his head, wincing as he did so. “Tell me.”
Knowing it would be easier to talk if he was on his feet, Brecker stood up and slowly paced back and forth in front of Jonathon’s bed. “I’ve been doing research on adoption and I’m glad it’s going to take several months. I’ve been thinking, and if you think he’d be amenable, that I would ask Tanner if I could sit in on some of Aiden’s appointments. We’re starting to talk and get to know one another better. This morning was great. But neither of us knows what it’s like to be in a healthy, loving father-son relationship. And if we got a head start, it would go a long way to help when things go off.”
“That’s a great idea.” Jonathon coughed and grabbed his juice to take a sip. “I would have suggested it, but I love that you’re taking the initiative already. If you don’t mind the thought, you might also want to get a therapist of your own to talk to about the changes you’ll be making. A father waiting for his son to be born has nine months to prepare for that baby to come into the world and another few years before he can walk and talk. You’re taking on a fifteen-year-old whose personality is firming up. He’s had some hard knocks and you’re going to find that being his father, while gratifying and the most amazing relationship you can imagine, will also have pitfalls that are unique to your and his situations. Meeting with Tanner and Aiden is great. But I also think it would help if you had an ear you could turn to that is separate from all of us.”
That hadn’t occurred to him. “Thank you. That’s not a bad idea.” He paused and began to pace again. “I bought the apartment next to mine and by the time my architect is through with it, the two places will be one and it will double the space.”
“That will be a nice apartment,” Jonathon said with a small smile.
“I think so. Aiden’s excited about having his own bedroom.”
Brecker rubbed his hands on his jeans again as he took one more turn before stopping and facing Jonathon. Warm gray eyes watched him and he wondered why he’d been so nervous. “Thank you for giving me the time I needed to get my head together. Over the last week, I’ve come to a few realizations. First. I don’t care what other people say about me. I honestly don’t. Whatever names Crelon and his compatriots label me with, what do I care? Besides, being labeled gay isn’t a bad thing, now is it?” Jonathon’s eyes warmed even more.
“I found out that Casper, the man who did my place and is going to do the other, is married to a man. I thought about that and began to wonder how many
amazing people I know who are gay and I never knew. It doesn’t change my feelings for them either way. Well,” he said as he paused and cocked his head slightly. “Perhaps it does. I actually have more respect for them. They’re like you are, Jonathon. Not ashamed of their sexuality but it doesn’t define who they are. Just like being heterosexual doesn’t define who a person is.”
He stepped around the end of the bed and sat down next to Jonathon and took his hand. “What I’m trying to say is this. I’m not ashamed that I kissed you, Jonathon. It was the best kiss I’ve ever had.” Jonathon’s eyes warmed further. “I want to ask Tanner his thoughts on us dating before we do so as right now, Aiden is my top priority and I want to be sure he’s on an even keel and doing okay before I rock that boat. But once we get that okay, whether it’s tomorrow or six months from now, I want to take you out and yes, I want to be seen in public with you.” Brecker reached out and trailed his fingertips along Jonathon’s lips. “And I dearly want to kiss you again.”
“Brecker,” Jonathon murmured, a tear trickling out of his eye. “Thank you. I hoped, but didn’t know how it would turn out.”
Brecker smiled. “I’d kiss you right now, but even I won’t tempt the flu gods that much.”
Jonathon laughed and started to cough. Brecker handed him the smelly mug and he groaned. “I’d better get well soon,” he said in a husky voice. “This stuff is vile.” He drank the rest of it and leaned back against his pillow. “I hope Aiden is okay with us dating. If he’s not, I’ll wait, Brecker. You’re worth waiting for.”
Unable not to, Brecker leaned in and gently brushed his lips over Jonathon’s cheek. “As were you.” He started to pull away and as he did, his words to Aiden came back to him and butterflies trembled in his stomach as he looked Jonathon in the eye.
Brecker could see forever in those warm gray eyes and looked forward to the day he would ask Jonathon to call him Court.
“Jonathan?”
“Yes, Brecker?” Jonathon’s voice was quiet, breathy, as he seemed to fight going back to sleep.
“Get well soon. This shelter, this town, and I need you.”
Jonathon smiled as his eyes fluttered closed. Brecker grabbed the mug before it fell and put it on the tray before making sure the covers were pulled up to Jonathon’s chin. He picked up the tray and left the room.
When he entered the kitchen, the youth were nowhere in sight, but Rolf was at the stove cooking something. He looked over his shoulder as Brecker put the tray on to the counter. Rolf cocked a brow and a slow smile crossed his face. “Made your decision, did you?”
Startled, Brecker stared at him for a moment before he chuckled. “Do you know everything?”
“No. But when it involves Jonathon, I make it my business. Like I told you before. You brought him back to life and I have the feeling the future is going to be rosy indeed with you in his life.” Rolf smacked him lightly on the back. “You are in his life, right?”
Amused, Brecker nodded. “Yes, I am. Though we’re keeping it on the quiet until we’ve had a chance to talk with Tanner.”
Rolf nodded and turned back to the stove. “I won’t say a thing except this. We may not be biologically related, but we protect one another and love unconditionally. Welcome to the family, Brecker. It’s a great clan to be in.”
It took no reflection at all to feel the warmth in his chest from that statement. He now had a family. It was completely without biological reference but stronger than any relationship he had ever had. Not ready to leave the warmth of his new family, he leaned back against the counter. “Tell me more about the Jonathon you know.”
A serious expression crossed Rolf’s face. “Some of it I won’t talk about because it’s personal and his choice to share, but,” he said and he turned and winked. “Has he ever told you about the time he….”
As Rolf talked about a man they both loved, Brecker enjoyed every moment of it. The warmth in the kitchen sank into his bones and when Aiden came into the kitchen to get a snack and leaned against him, life felt almost completely perfect.
Author’s Note
I hope you have enjoyed Light in the Dark Night, a Love Conquers All novel.
Under the name Bree Cariad, I write Inspirational and Sweet Romance with a twist.
And, as always, feel free to follow me online:
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