It wasn’t a date, and yet she was blushing. So Declan and I shared a smile as we waved her off. I then put on my shoes and hesitated at the door. “Guess I’ll see you tomorrow at this time?”
Declan nodded, closing the distance between us. “Give or take.”
We looked at each other silently for a moment, hesitating, until I finally kissed Declan on the cheek. “Okay, see you then.” I flew out the door before I knew it, embarrassed by my romantic gesture. But when I saw Declan watching me dreamily from the front door, at least one thing was for sure: He still welcomed any kisses he could get from me.
Chapter 23
Declan
I had been fighting the remains of the fire for maybe a week before I finally caught a break. My captain noticed how worn out I was, and the fire was nearly contained, so he suggested I take off early.
It was still noon, with kids still at school, so I knew I’d be returning to an empty home. I hesitated in the driver’s seat, not wanting to be alone. My mind was awhirl, perhaps from the long struggle with the fire, but also because I wanted nothing more than for Ivan to stay with us, stay at my home. I really enjoyed having Ivan live with us. He felt like family, but the repairs on Ivan’s home were nearing completion.
My mom had impeccable timing, as always, because she called me just when I was about to pull out from the station.
“Honey, what’s wrong?” she said the moment I hit answer.
“You just can’t let me dwell in peace, can you?” I asked, shaking my head. “But it’s been a long day, so I don’t really want to talk.”
“Here’s what you’re going to do: You’re going to come on over, I’m going to fix you a nice cup of coffee, and you’re going to drink it and tell me what’s the matter.”
“Yeah, yeah, okay. See you there.” I knew there was no point in saying no to her, but at the same time I really could use a sounding board, and my mom’s advice was always spot on.
So I made my way to my parents’ house, seeing that it was just my mom’s car in the driveway. I remembered what day it was then: Golfing day. My dad never missed it, and in a way it was a welcomed relief. I wasn’t ready to talk about Ivan around my dad, considering how uncomfortable my sexuality seemed to make him.
The front door was open, with just a glass door separating the outside heat from the cool air inside. I joined my mom in the living room, seeing that she already had my cup of coffee made. She started the conversation with no time to spare, “Sit, drink, and tell me more about Ivan. It seems things between you two are getting serious since you last talked to me about him. He’s all Katie ever talks about these days, so I know this is the real deal.”
“No hiding anything from you. But did you know he’s been staying with us since his house caught fire?”
She excitedly put her hand on my knee. “Yes, I heard, and I think it’s wonderful! I’ve been wanting this for you for so long.”
“I know you have, because you’ve been asking me when I was going to settle down for the past ten years now.”
Mom winked at me and continued her interrogation. “So, tell me, when are you going to propose? You can’t let this man get away, and you deserve all the happiness in the world. You and Katie both do.”
“Funny you should mention that. I was already thinking about it. I think somehow, in your psychic way, you knew that.”
“Guilty as charged.”
“How did you know?”
“Really, it isn’t anything supernatural. I have been hearing story after story about Ivan and the three of you together from Katie. It isn’t that hard to put two and two together.”
“That makes sense. I guess. So, how do we break the news to Dad?”
“You let me worry about your dad. He will come around. And he will be happy for you.”
“Whether he wants to be or not?”
“If he knows what’s good for him,” Mom said with a feisty glint in her eyes. “I know deep down he wants you to be happy. He’s a good man. He’ll come around. But I don’t want you to worry.”
“All right. I know you have your ways.”
She then reached inside her jacket pocket and took out a small jewelry box. “Here’s the real reason I called you over.” She then handed the box over to me. “I hope it doesn’t seem like I’m pushing you or anything. I just couldn’t hold back a minute longer.”
I stared at the box. “What’s this about?”
“Open it.”
I opened the box and saw her late father’s wedding ring—my grandpa’s wedding ring—resting inside.
It was a simple but beautiful ring, and the family history that came with it was something I couldn’t get at even the finest jewelry store. “Mom. This is…”
“So put this on Ivan’s finger already. Time’s a’wasting. I’m not getting any younger you know.”
I closed the box and put it in my pocket. I smiled and looked her in the eyes. “I will, Mom. Soon. I promise.”
Chapter 24
Ivan
It was hard to pinpoint the exact moment when I noticed how despondent Katie had been feeling. Once I did, however, I knew it was up to me to do something about it with Declan busy fighting the fire.
We had rarely seen him in the last week, the fire wreaking havoc through the forested areas with a speed that no one had anticipated. Some days we didn’t see him at all, while other days we would come home to find him fast asleep on the sofa with his shoes still on.
Today, I had brought Tommy home with Katie after school in an effort to cheer her up. But so far, she looked forlorn and sounded like a drone as she recited her lines without any expression or emotion.
“Cheer up Katie,” Tommy said. “I’m sure Hamlet will come back soon. He won’t be happy to see you all sad.”
Though Katie offered Tommy a shy smile and tried to perk up a little, it didn’t last longer than it took for me to finish chopping up toppings for the pizza I was making.
Katie loved pizza and it was perhaps the universal favorite dish of every one of my students, so it saddened me to see her eat so little an hour later. Tommy had left with his father a few minutes ago with his slices wrapped in aluminum, so I planned an early movie before bedtime for Katie.
But nothing would cheer her up, and nothing would make her talk much either.
I was just as worried when I tucked her in for bed that night and she declined a bedtime story. I got even more anxious when I woke up the next day and found her lying in bed awake even though it was Saturday morning and her favorite cartoons were on.
I kept an eye on Katie during the rest of the morning, urging her to eat breakfast and almost giving up in frustration when she simply picked at her food again. By lunchtime, I couldn’t take it anymore and was determined to speak to Declan about it if things remained unchanged by the end of the day.
“How about some tomato soup and a sandwich?” I suggested as I scanned the contents of the refrigerator around midday.
We had gone to the mall a bit earlier to get started on our Christmas shopping. But not even the cheer of the quickly approaching holiday season and all the decorated stores had been enough to cheer Katie up.
“Sounds all right,” she said dejectedly before glancing out the window to scan the treeline.
I looked over at her and sighed, knowing all too well how she felt.
I missed Hamlet too, and I often worried about him. I didn’t blame Declan in the least for Hamlet’s escape, as I knew the smoke would’ve killed him had he been left in his cage. But even though I knew things could’ve been worse, it was hard not to wonder if Hamlet could fend for himself since, as far as I knew, he had little experience doing so.
Still, I hoped for the best. Hamlet was a resourceful little creature.
“Well, soup and sandwich it is,” I began, trying to sound cheerful. “How about letting me hear you go over your lines again while I get lunch ready?”
“I don’t feel like it,” Katie said, which made me sigh aga
in.
It was apparent that she hadn’t been in the mood for a lot of things these days and that her willingness to speak was quickly dwindling. Even though I had wanted to believe that she would bounce back on her own without Hamlet’s presence, so far it hadn’t happened. I worried that if it didn’t happen soon then it never would.
It was then that I heard it, the soft flutter of wings in the backyard. I hoped against all odds that it wasn’t just another crow or seagull, and when I glanced out the window, there was no mistaking the bright red color in the bird’s tail.
It was Hamlet!
Katie spotted him around the same time that I did, though she was the first to run out through the back door and into the backyard to greet him. I was slower to follow as I wanted to enjoy the moment of relief that I would no longer need to worry about Katie.
“Hamlet?” she whispered as she drew closer.
But to our surprise, Hamlet didn’t respond and instead edged away from Katie as she approached his perch on the railing.
I tried to coax the bird myself, saying softly, “Hamlet, come here.”
Hamlet looked at me for a while but seemed hesitant to come closer. What could have possibly happened to make the bird so standoffish and determined to keep his distance from the two people he adored?
“Hamlet,” the bird croaked.
“Yes, Hamlet. That’s you,” Katie said with a nod.
“Hamlet,” another voice croaked.
We both jerked around, our eyes widening in surprise as another African Grey landed softly on the other railing and looked at us with inquisitive eyes.
I laughed.
“Well, how about that? Only a couple of weeks out on town and he already found himself a girl!”
Katie tilted her head, still processing what she was seeing.
I wondered now if I’d ever be able to coax Hamlet back inside, especially if he had a mate in tow and now knew what it was like to fly free.
Still, for Katie’s sake, I would try.
It wasn’t the ideal solution and it had always bothered me to see such a magnificent creature caged, but I had always managed to convince myself before now that Hamlet couldn’t survive in the wild.
I took another step toward Hamlet only for the bird to croak disapprovingly at me.
“Let him go,” Katie whispered as she tugged at my shirt. “He wants to be free.”
I turned and stared at Katie, surprised that she was okay with letting Hamlet go. “But you’ve been so depressed without him.”
Katie shook her head. “No, I was worried about him and just wanted to know he was okay. And now that I know, it’s all right if he doesn’t live with us. He wants to be free.”
I lovingly put my hand on her head, having not expected such a reasonable reaction from her. “You’re very right, Katie.”
She must have inherited her father’s understanding and compassion, even though they weren’t related by blood. She and Declan shared the same heart—the heart that I loved—and I bent down to hug her as we watched Hamlet and his mate fly off.
Chapter 25
Declan
After waking up from a long night on duty, Katie told me the news: Hamlet had visited that morning. Not only that, but Hamlet had brought a mate along with him. I laughed it off, thinking it was a joke, but a few days later, after I had rested from a fire well-fought, I heard Katie gasp from the other side of the house.
I headed to the back window where she beckoned me to see two of those damned red-tailed birds fluttering around in the yard.
Still, I had trouble believing it. Katie grabbed me by the hand and yanked me outside to meet them.
“Bastard!” the bird yelled from the air as I stepped out.
“Language!” I shouted up at him, only then registering that there was no doubt this bird was Hamlet. The Hamlet. No way. Hamlet, of all birds, had been able to find a mate who accepted his wretched backside?
And it seemed he found a bird of a feather, because his mate joined in the chorus of dirty words Hamlet slung my way.
“Hamlet, you sly dog,” I called out to him. “What’s your lady’s name?”
“Hamlet,” the bird answered.
I laughed. “I’m sure you mean Mrs. Hamlet, right? And are there little Hamlets on the way?”
The bird landed and propped his head to one side to look at me, and for a moment I was convinced that Hamlet understood every word I had said. But after a moment longer, the bird decided to simply ignore me and enjoy the treat of fruits Katie had left out to make sure Hamlet would visit often.
I could only shake my head in bewilderment. To think that even Hamlet could tie the knot… and before I could!
I knew what I wanted, that was the thing. I had always known, but had likewise always been in doubt as to what Ivan felt.
The time for making a final decision was up and in just two more days Ivan’s house would be fully repaired and ready for him to move back in. And then what? I wanted Ivan to stay, and I had to make a grand gesture to prove my commitment to him.
It would take balls, sure, to put myself out there and lay my feelings bare when I was still uncertain as to how Ivan felt. But after observing Hamlet and his mate that afternoon, I had no more excuses to not take the chance. So I waited until dinner that night to see if the miracle would happen.
The three of us sat at the table, digging into the pork chops Ivan had prepared. Once our conversation had died down and our plates were nearly cleared, I decided to go for it.
“Katie darling,” I began. “I forgot to ask, did you pick out your grandparents’ Christmas gifts yet?”
Katie nodded. “Yup, Ivan took me to the mall Saturday.”
“Good girl,” I told her. “I also did some shopping of my own, so if you show me what you bought them, I’ll show you what I bought.”
Katie agreed and ran up to her room to get the presents.
I followed her slowly, ignoring the exasperated look Ivan shot my way for daring to interrupt our dinner routine before we had the dishes put away. It was all for a good cause, I knew, and I hoped that Ivan would think so too, after he realized what was going on.
I grabbed a shopping bag I had hidden under my bed and made my way back to the kitchen table. I wasn’t really surprised to find Katie already there showing off what she had bought. I rolled my eyes when I saw it: matching bright yellow raincoats with the words custom-printed in bold, ‘Katie’s Grandparents ain’t nothing to mess with!’
“Here Dad, have a look. Do you like them?”
I choked back a laugh, wondering if Katie herself even got the reference. Still, the attitude of the words fit my parents well.
“They’re really nice,” I said, trying to sound sincere in my approval. “Raincoats will come in handy when they head down to the Caribbean on their cruise. I hear it rains every day there.”
Katie beamed and inwardly congratulated herself on her good taste. “Yes, they’re gonna love it. And what about you, Dad? What’d you get them?”
The question I had been waiting for. I began removing items from the bag. “This right here is for my father. It’s an inflatable escape raft which should come in handy on their cruise when he and Mom start to bicker as they always do.”
Katie giggled. Ivan laughed and asked, “Are silly gifts a tradition with your parents?”
I nodded then presented the next gift in confirmation.
“This one is for my mother.” I showed them a visor that had printed on it: ‘Don’t talk to me until I’ve had my morning wine!’
Ivan laughed again. “Skipping the coffee and going straight to wine, huh?”
“That’s how it goes when she’s on a cruise. Now you see why my father’s gonna need an escape raft!”
I then paused before digging deeper into the shopping bag. “I’m giving you two your Christmas gifts early, in celebration of the fire finally being extinguished. You ready?”
Katie nodded eagerly, not one to complain about an early gi
ft.
“Okay,” I began, “this one right here is for my darling Katie. I figured that after seeing how responsible you were with taking care of Hamlet, that maybe you’d like a pet of your own. So here is a promissory note saying that we’ll go to the animal shelter soon and pick out a pet for you.”
“Awesome!” Katie gasped as she took the proffered note and spun around the room with it in her hands.
“And this last gift is just a little something I picked up for Katie’s teacher. I know how much you love books, so here’s one for us to personalize together.”
Ivan smiled and took the thick box that I passed over, unwrapping it and staring quizzically as if he weren’t able to figure it out.
It was an empty photo album—at least, it was mostly empty. I waited as Ivan turned one page after the other, until finally he found it: an inscription on the inside of the front cover, along with my grandfather’s wedding ring that had been indented into the page.
I got down on my knee in front of him and said the words, “Will you marry me, Ivan?”
The sentence was a bit choked and came out much raspier than I would have imagined now that the time had come. Still, I gathered the will to continue, saying, “I love you. Even though I have never said it out loud before, I’m saying it now: I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life proving to you that you made the right choice in joining our family. So what do you say?”
Chapter 26
Ivan
Declan was offering me family, and the word rang through the air with such promise and potency that I wondered if the wetness on my cheek was a tear.
I watched the emotions dance across Declan’s face and it was all the proof I needed that he had meant every word he said.
Katie was looking at us too and I wondered briefly if I looked as surprised as she did. I blushed as I looked excitedly at the ring that Declan had removed from the book and was now holding up to me.
I was one lucky bastard.
Never before in my life had I felt as happy as when I said, “Yes,” and watched Declan slip the ring on my finger.
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