by Andrew Grey
“Are you going to be okay? I can call in and….”
Robin stopped. “I’ll be okay. You need to help see this through for me, and there’s nothing anyone can do to make this ordeal any easier. My mother and stepfather are criminals, and I lived with them for years and never knew.” He got a change of clothes for Charlie before leaving the room and marching to the kitchen, where he got a few snacks. “Charlie, pick out a few toys. We’re going to see Alex.”
“Yay!” Charlie dropped what he was doing and raced over. “Now?”
“Yes. Get what you want, and we’ll go with Uncle Dwayne and Mr. Red.” Robin turned to Dwayne. “I don’t think your cruiser has a car seat.”
“We’ll walk you over,” Red said. “Let’s go. Donald should be home, and we need to get back and finish this up.”
“You take the car over to Donald and Carter’s. I’ll walk with Robin and Charlie, and then we can go on to work from there.” Dwayne took the bag and Charlie’s hand as he happily descended the stairs. Once they were outside, Dwayne locked the door, and they started the short walk.
Robin was quiet for a while, except for talking softly to Charlie and reminding him to hold their hands. “What am I going to do now?” Robin asked.
“About what?”
“Mom, and the house, and…. It wasn’t Stan’s house, but my mom and dad’s.”
“I don’t know. At this point my guess is that it would be sold to help pay restitution to some of the victims, along with any money we can recover. But all that is up to the courts. I’ll see if I can arrange with the Mechanicsburg Police for you to go in and get anything that might be yours. Other than that, it’s out of my hands.” Dwayne wished he could do more to help Robin.
“What did I do to deserve this?” Robin asked as they stopped to check for traffic before crossing the street.
“We don’t do anything to deserve whatever our parents do. Your mother made her choices. If it makes you feel better, I believe that she did feel bad for letting Stan throw you out and that she was sincere when she tried to reconnect with you. But her crimes caught up with her, and that had nothing at all to do with you. It was all her, and she made her own decisions and now she has to pay for them.” Dwayne lifted Charlie up and carried him across the street. “Think about it. Your mother is going to pay a high price. She isn’t going to get to see this one grow up.” Dwayne tickled Charlie’s belly, and he laughed loudly, a joyous sound that rang out as clear and bright as anything. “Or see the man you’ve become, strong and sure of yourself.”
Robin looked down. “Me?”
“Yes, you. I was attracted to your face and the way you looked, and as I got to know you, I grew to love the kind and gentle man you are. But seeing the fierceness and determination that lies inside….” Dwayne leaned close to whisper in Robin’s ear. “That’s sexy beyond anything I could imagine.” His heart raced, and damn it all, he’d never been more attracted to Robin than he was right now. “You stood up to Stan, and if you could do that, then there isn’t anything you can’t do if you try.”
Robin smiled.
A few houses away, the door opened and Alex raced out. Dwayne set Charlie down, and he ran to Alex and hugged him. There wasn’t time at the moment to say what he needed to, so Dwayne held his words in his mind and kissed Robin goodbye.
“I’ll see you here as soon as I’m finished.”
Robin nodded, and Dwayne backed away, thanking Donald for his help before getting into the waiting squad car and riding back to the station with Red. He hated having to leave, but duty called.
“We’ll knock out what we need to do so you can get back here as soon as possible.” Red sped away, and Dwayne forced his mind on the tasks ahead and tried not to let Robin take over all his thoughts. But damn, it was hard.
THREE HOURS later Dwayne left the station. He had written more reports, organized witness statements, and met with the district attorney’s office. He’d also sat in on calls with all the other local departments, and they’d agreed to contact the state’s attorney general’s office, since many of the charges crossed jurisdictional lines. All of Stan and Martha’s assets had been frozen since it was assumed that many of them were the fruits of criminal activity, so the money they might have had for bail was inaccessible. They were also deemed a flight risk, so thankfully it looked like both of them would be sitting in jail while they waited for the formal arraignment and trial. That, at least, Dwayne hoped would be welcome news to Robin.
“Is there anything else?” Dwayne asked Aaron before getting ready to go home.
“No. You did a great job today and were a huge help. Our case is excellent, and the state is going to prosecute both of them.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“It is.” Aaron smiled and waved him off. “I’ll see you later. Go on home and make sure your family is all right.”
It took a few seconds for what Aaron had said to sink in. His family. Robin and Charlie were his family, and the thought made him smile. “I will.”
Dwayne smiled all the way to Donald and Carter’s. Charlie greeted him with a running leap, and Dwayne caught him and lifted him high into the air, to peals of laughter. Robin looked up from the sofa, smiling nervously, and Dwayne could tell he’d been worrying his bottom lip with his teeth. It was red and a little swollen.
“Thanks for everything, Donald. Carter should be on his way home too.”
“He just called.” Donald turned to Alex. “Go on upstairs and get ready for bed. You can have a snack with Papa and then go to sleep.”
Dwayne put Charlie down, and he hurried over to hug his friend and then turned back. “Can you say thank you?” Dwayne prompted.
“Thank you, Mr. Donald.” Charlie hugged Donald and then yawned.
“We better get him home,” Robin said, then hugged Donald, saying his own thank-yous.
“Don’t worry about anything. Us cop husbands need to stick together.” Donald flashed a smile, and Dwayne carried Charlie out to the car and got him strapped into his seat for the short ride, which couldn’t happen fast enough.
At home Robin put Charlie to bed, and Dwayne read him a story, as was his new habit on every single night he possibly could. Once Charlie was asleep, Dwayne joined Robin on the sofa, sitting down next to him and taking his hand.
“What has you so worried?” Dwayne rubbed Robin’s tortured lower lip with his thumb.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen now,” Robin answered in barely a whisper.
“What do you want to happen?”
Robin shrugged. “What I want has very little to do with anything.”
“Not with me. What you want is what I want. So you have to tell me. I know your stepfather was a jackass, and he brought your mother along that path with him.”
“But I have no family. I thought I was going to maybe get my mother back, but that isn’t happening.”
Dwayne realized just how deep that hope had gone for Robin. And it was terrible when it was stripped away for good. “I know that you held a lot of hope, but….” He stood, took Robin by the hand, and led him quietly to Charlie’s door. Inside, Charlie was asleep on his side, facing them, his blond head on the pillow, as quiet and peaceful as they could ever want. “He’s your hope now… yours and mine. He’s our family and our future.”
“Ours?”
“Yes. Yours and mine. Together.” Dwayne turned Robin to face him. “A family of our own.”
Robin glanced at Charlie and then looked back to Dwayne. “Do you want me because of Charlie? I know you love him, but is that why you want us?”
Dwayne shook his head. “I want both of you because I love both of you.” He put his arms around Robin’s neck and drew him closer. “I want you here with me, as a family, because I can’t see myself without you both. I tried to when I rushed over here after your message, and I didn’t know what I’d do without either of you.” Dwayne slid the ring of his arms down until they encircled Robin’s waist, and he held him a
s close as he could. Then, inch by inch, he guided him to the bedroom—their bedroom—and only broke his hold to close the door behind them. “Now this is more like it….” Dwayne pressed Robin back against the door.
He wasn’t as gentle as he wanted or as Robin deserved, but nearly losing him and the last two hours thinking of nothing but him had Dwayne’s blood pumping and his mind on one goal. He plundered Robin’s mouth, knowing that lower lip was going to be even more swollen and puffy in the morning, but he couldn’t help teasing and sucking on it.
Dwayne tugged Robin’s shirt out of his pants and only parted their lips for long enough to get it over his head. He dropped it to the floor, but didn’t see or care where it went. All that mattered was that more of Robin’s smooth pale skin was available to him.
It seemed Robin felt the same way. His fingers trembled as he unfastened the buttons on Dwayne’s uniform shirt and slid the fabric over his shoulders. Dwayne stepped away and got the shirt off, then turned Robin around, pressed his chest to Robin’s back, and held him close, stroking Robin’s chest. Robin leaned back against him, head resting on his shoulder, and Dwayne feasted on his neck, inhaling his scent, licking his skin while his hands roamed Robin’s chest and belly.
Dwayne unfastened Robin’s pants, and the moans that had started out soft and gentle grew more urgent. He lowered the zipper, parted the fabric, and ran his hand over Robin’s cotton-cloaked erection.
“Dwayne…,” he whimpered.
“I know.” Dwayne sucked on Robin’s ear and teased his fingers over the elastic waistband. Robin tensed in his arms and moaned softly. “You feel amazing.” He tweaked each of Robin’s nipples, then worried the buds until Robin groaned with each additional touch. Robin quivered in his arms as Dwayne ran his hands down Robin’s chest, muscles trembling beneath his touch. This time he didn’t stop, slipped his hand under the waistband, and closed his fingers around Robin’s perfect cock. He held him still, squeezing but not stroking, and Robin moaned, thrusting his hips forward.
“You’re so damn mean.” Robin turned slightly, and Dwayne kissed him, pushing the fabric downward until his pants fell to the floor.
“I am?” Dwayne smirked, stroking lightly as Robin leaned harder against him. Dwayne slowly stepped them back to the bed and pressed Robin down onto the mattress. He wasted no time in removing the last of Robin’s clothes.
Robin was beautiful as always, all lithe limbs and pale skin against the dark green duvet. The sight made Dwayne ache deeply, and he toed off his shoes and then undid his zipper, knowing Robin was watching each move. He dropped his pants, and Robin’s breath hitched as Dwayne’s cock sprang free.
Naked, Dwayne climbed onto the bed, and Robin slid over to him. Without a word, Robin closed his lips around Dwayne’s cock and stole his ability to think and breathe at the same time.
“You’re so good at that.”
Robin pushed him back against the pillows and took him deep. His mouth was magic, and Dwayne’s head spun almost immediately. He had to stop Robin, or he was going to come way too soon. After all, he had plans for tonight, and they involved Robin writhing under him, pleading and moaning softly. He’d been thinking of that sight and those sounds for hours.
Dwayne guided Robin to the pillows, wanting him comfortable, and then he rolled him over and watched as Robin stretched out on the bed. Dwayne licked his way down Robin’s back, running his hands up his thighs until hands and mouth met. He buried his face between Robin’s cheeks, inhaling his lover’s musk and tasting all of him.
Robin groaned, pushed back against him, and moaned softly as Dwayne thrust his tongue into him, opening him up. “Dwayne….”
“That’s the sound I’ve been dreaming of for hours now.” Dwayne sucked and sucked at the tender skin, feeling his excitement as Robin came unwound.
“I want you now!” Robin slid away and rolled over.
Dwayne reached to the side table and got the lube and a condom. His hand shook as he rolled on the latex, and it took all his willpower to make sure Robin was prepared before entering his body.
The pressure and heat blew him away like they always did, but this time there was something special. Robin was his, and he belonged to Robin. They were a family, and joining with Robin made that seem more real and complete.
“I can feel your heart beating.” Dwayne took Robin’s hand and pressed it over his heart.
“I feel yours too.”
Dwayne leaned forward to kiss Robin deeply. “That’s good, because you have my heart.” He slowly moved his hips while cradling Robin in his arms, holding him in every way he could think of. This was his partner and lover. “I want you always.” Dwayne’s breath mixed with Robin’s as he drew him closer.
“I love you.” Robin sighed and held him tight. “Now make me feel it.”
Dwayne withdrew and thrust forward, snapping his hips.
Robin moaned and held him tighter. “Yeah. That’s what I want. You make me feel alive and wanted… so very wanted.”
That was perfection, and Dwayne made Robin feel as wanted as possible until Robin came to pieces around him, and Dwayne couldn’t hold back any longer and let his passion free.
He had no idea how long he held still, pleasure washing over him. He hoped he hadn’t hurt Robin, but judging by the way Robin clung to him and the smile on his swollen lips, that wasn’t an issue.
“I love you, Dwayne. You make me feel safe.” Robin kissed him. “And yes. I want you to be my family. I want to go to sleep at night next to you and wake up with you hogging the bed.”
“I don’t do that,” Dwayne said, grinning. “Okay, maybe I do a little.” He got out of bed, took care of the condom, and got a cloth from the bathroom to clean them up. He also threw their dirty clothes in the hamper before rejoining Robin in bed. Dwayne settled under the covers and rolled onto his side.
“See? You just hogged the bed.” Robin rolled over to face him. “I’ve got this little bit of room over here, and half the bed is behind you.”
“That’s because you’re right here and I’m drawn to you.” Dwayne tugged Robin to him and held him close. “See.”
“Okay.” Robin settled close and snuggled right in. “I can live with that as long as I have you for a pillow.” He rested his head on Dwayne’s arm and scooched around until he was comfortable. Then Robin sighed and stilled.
“I’ll be your pillow for as long as you want me.”
Robin chuckled and rolled over to face him. “I’m going to hold you to that.” He closed his eyes, and Dwayne kissed Robin good night.
“Me too.” Dwayne let his eyes close as well.
Epilogue
SNOW FELL around them, and Charlie ran all over to try to catch the flakes before they landed.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” Dwayne asked. “We could get an artificial one.”
“No. Stan never allowed a real tree, and my dad had allergies. I want Charlie to have the things I couldn’t.” Robin took Dwayne’s arm, trying to hold down his own excitement. “Let’s go look at the trees,” he said to Charlie, extending his hand. Charlie raced over to take his hand, and they entered the brightly lit lot.
Charlie ran up to each tree, looking it over before going to the next and the next. “This one!” He jumped up and down, pointing.
“I don’t think our living room is tall enough for that one.” Of course he’d picked out the tallest tree on the lot. “We can get this one,” Dwayne offered, and Charlie’s finger went to his lips and then he nodded and bounced to give it his seal of approval. The tree was still tall, but the living room in the house that Dwayne had closed on a month earlier would accommodate it. They both thought it best that, at this stage in their relationship, Dwayne buy the house himself.
They had been initially looking for a larger apartment or a house to rent when a home two doors down from Carter and Donald came on the market. Dwayne and Robin managed to see it and met with the owners, who were friends of Donald and Carter’s, and the
y came to an agreement on price. They had just moved in a week ago, after spending three weeks working on the house. They had removed the old wallpaper, repaired the woodwork, and cleaned and did some minor floor repairs before adding a fresh coat of finish. Robin could hardly believe he and Dwayne had a home together. It was a dream come true.
Dwayne put an arm around his waist, tugged Robin closer to him, and Robin leaned against him, walking slowly as Charlie raced to the register so they could buy his tree.
“Are you sure we want to get something that tall?” Robin asked. “We don’t have much to decorate it with.”
Dwayne leaned closer, chuckling. “You always worry about things. Charlie wants the tree, so we’ll get it, and we can make things to decorate it. I have lights we can put on it, and then we can go from there. I think there are a few boxes of decorations in the things we got from your mother’s.”
“I know. But I don’t want to use them. They hold too many memories, and—”
“If we put them on our tree and make them part of our family’s celebration, then they lose their power. Charlie will love them.”
Robin nodded. “True. I can’t avoid everything that was my mother’s.” He didn’t like to talk about either her or Stan much. Robin had testified against Stan, his mother, and Harvey, and Dwayne said he’d been a powerful witness. Robin had been too nervous to be sure of that, but even the DA had said he’d been amazing. All three of them had been found guilty, and their attorney had argued that this was their first offense as mitigation. The fact that the criminal activity had gone on for years seemed to negate that argument, and all three of them were given the maximum sentence of nearly ten years.
“Don’t try to. They have no hold on you any longer.” Dwayne smiled at him, and Robin knew that was true. He’d been able to move on, and his life with Dwayne and Charlie was bright and full of life and love.