by D. M. Cupp
**
Trent walked downstairs Wednesday night after tucking Maddie into bed. He was slipping into this nightly ritual of ensuring she took a bath, brushed her teeth, into bed by nine o’clock, and then he would go downstairs unwind from the day and the television on in the background. He always wanted to find a guy that would be a partner with him and one day the two would make the decision to adopt or have a kid. Unfortunately he had inherited this role of a single father and it was difficult adjusting. There were some individuals who told him to let someone else raise Madeline because a gay man couldn’t handle the responsibility or that it would be too difficult.
Trent had accepted this role without hesitation and dove in the deep end. The two had worked through their grief and found a routine that worked for both of them. Trent had given up his apartment and moved across town to rent a house so Madeline could still attend her school. He was determined to prove to the naysayers that he was competent and could raise his niece into a lady that his sister and brother-in-law would have been proud of.
Trent mindlessly flipped through channels after the news had ended. He looked over at the clock on the wall and saw that it was only ten forty-five and it was too early for him to go to bed, but he was exhausted. He had to take Maddie to dance rehearsal after school for a three hour practice for her recital Saturday night, and to top off the evening she had her holiday party tomorrow afternoon so he had to bake four dozen treats to bring when he arrived back at the house.
Ring. Ring.
Trent looked over at the coffee table where his cell phone was and considered letting it go to voicemail so he wouldn’t have to move from the couch. After the second ring he sat up and reached for his phone and saw Jake’s name on the screen. He hadn’t heard from Jake since he had dropped him off and had thought that the guy had decided to not pursue anything with the news that he had Maddie. It wouldn’t have been the first time a relationship was halted with the news that he was more than just an uncle.
“Hello?” Trent said answering the phone.
“Hey, I’m sorry to be calling so late. Did I wake you?”
“You must think that I’m ancient if you think I’m in bed before eleven o’clock.” Trent said fighting back a yawn.
Jake let a small laugh escape, “No I just didn’t know if you had to get up early for work.”
“Yeah I have work in the morning, but it’s a half day for me I have Maddie’s class holiday party tomorrow afternoon.” Trent said. He normally didn’t speak of his different roles he had with other guys. Not because he was ashamed or embarrassed, but because most guys politely bowed out of the scene. To be honest Trent was lonely for the companionship, but he wasn’t going to let his loneliness affect the type of guy that he brought around Maddie.
“Well that sounds like fun.”
“You don’t have to pretend Jake.”
“Pretend?” Jake asked. “I’m not pretending. What could be more fun than twenty-five plus eight year olds playing games and talking louder than inside voices?” Jake pointed out.
“Thanks for reminding me…take headache medicine tomorrow before the party.”
“That sounds like a good plan.” Jake added. “I really wasn’t pretending earlier. I’ll be honest…when you told me about Maddie I got nervous because I didn’t know what that would mean for us.”
“Us,” Trent asked. “Jake we went out on a date. I wasn’t asking you to be my baby’s daddy.” Trent laughed quietly not to wake Maddie.
“I know. Don’t get me wrong I love children and one day I hope to have a huge family with my partner, but I thought that was something that my partner and I would do together. It scared me when you told me because my mind went straight to how would this work with the three of us. Then I realized I was jumping at least ten steps and psyching myself out and not giving you a fair chance.” Jake said finishing.
“I know what you mean, and yes you were jumping at least ten steps, but you aren’t crazy. Call me a hopeless romantic but whenever I’ve gone on dates I like to picture the future I would have with someone. Now I have to do that more seriously because I do have Maddie.”
“What kind of future did you picture with me?” Jake asked flirtatiously but at the same time curious.
“Oh no, I’m not sharing that. Not now at least,” Trent said smiling.
“Okay. But I want to hear it one day, and maybe I’ll share mine.”
“Maybe…” Trent responded. “So what are you doing?”
“Just driving home from work and I wanted to call you.”
“Well you have me on the phone now.”
“Yes I do.” Jake said quietly.
“Is everything okay?”
“You make me nervous.” Jake confessed.
“Well that makes two of us.”
Jake took a deep breath and exhaled, “I know this might be short notice, but my graduation is Friday, and Friday night Cassidy is putting together a holiday and graduation party, and I wanted to know if you would come.”
“I’ll try.”
“If you want you can bring Madeline if that’s your hesitation. Cassidy has three younger siblings and her younger sister is Madeline’s age and she’ll be there. It’s a family affair.” Jake blurted out shocking himself by the extended invitation.
“Thanks Jake. I’ll think about it.” Trent said smiling at the sweet gesture.
“I hope you can, and I’ll go ahead and text you the address.” Jake said hoping he wasn’t being too forward.
Trent was falling for Jake and he had simply made a simple gesture to invite Maddie to a holiday party. “Well I have to go to bed. I’ve got to work in the morning.”
“You are a tease.” Jake said flirting.
“How am I a tease? I said I was going to bed.” Trent objected.
“I don’t know. Now I have to go to bed with the image of you sleeping in your pajama pants.”
“I don’t wear pajama pants.” Trent said with a grin.
“Now you are being a tease. Naughty daddy,” Jake added with a grin.
“That time I was teasing.” Trent confessed.
“Well I’ll let you go to bed, but just so you know it’s in protest.”
“Protest,” Trent asked.
“Yes, I want to talk to you longer.”
“I want to talk to you longer too.” Trent said smiling at Jake’s comment.
“Well I hope to see you Friday.”
“I hope to see you too.” Trent added.
Trent hung up the phone and headed up to bed. He undressed and slipped under the covers and was getting aroused from the innocent conversation he had with Jake. It was something about his voice that continued to turn him on. He knew that he would figure a way to see him on Friday he wanted his fantasy he pictured on their first date to become reality, but for now he fell asleep with Jake on his mind and into his dreams.
Six
Trent and Maddie stood on Cassidy Franklin’s parent’s porch Friday night. The sun had set only an hour earlier but the absence of the sun had put a chill in the air and the wind didn’t help the two stay any warmer on the porch.
“Hey come on in!” Cassidy greeted opening the door and stepping aside so the two could pass by.
“Hey Cassidy, this is my niece Madeline.” Trent introduced.
“Hi Madeline, that is a beautiful name.”
“Everyone calls me Maddie.” She corrected.
Jake walked into the foyer greeting Trent with a hug and a stolen kiss on the cheek, “Hey, I’m glad you could make it. You must be Maddie!” Jake said turning his attention to the young lady at Trent’s side.
“Pleasure to meet you Mr. Langston,” Maddie said extending her hand.
“Well, aren’t you a polite young lady. You may call me Jake.”
“Okay Jake.”
“Well Maddie it is then. My sister, Jessica, is your age. Would you like to meet her?” Cassidy asked.
“Sure.” Maddie said without nervousness le
aving her uncle and taking Cassidy’s hand and being led into the house.
Trent wished for some of his niece’s courage. He was stuck at the foyer his heart racing. He didn’t know what it was about Jake, but he was always nervous around him. He could sit in board meetings with any executive in his advertising agency or a high profile client with a calm ease, but put him near Jake Langston and he was a nervous wreck.
Trent and Jake began to walk into the living room and stopped in the wide French doorway, “Before I forget. Maddie and I got this for your graduation.” Trent said handing Jake a card-shaped envelope.
Jake opened the envelope it was the typical graduation congratulations, but Trent had handwritten a note on the side: Jake, I know we just met and I didn’t know you during the journey that you’ve just finished. It is a huge milestone in your life and I hope to be a part of many more of your milestones. Trent.
Jake was moved by the note and the thought that Trent had hopes to be in his life for a while, and all honesty he was feeling the same way. How could something form so quickly when the two had just met a week earlier? “Thank you.” Jake said looking up at Trent.
“You’re welcome, and we also got you this.”
“Trent you didn’t have to get me anything.” Jake protested.
“You can’t come to a holiday slash graduation party empty handed.” Trent smiled.
Jake opened the rectangle shaped box and saw a gift certificate for a photography supply shop.
“You said your passion was photography and I thought you could use this to buy anything you would need to turn your passion into something more.”
“Trent this is amazing and you really shouldn’t have spent so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” Jake said hugging Trent.
Peggy Franklin, Cassidy’s mother, walked into the living room to witness the hug, “You must be Trent.” She said walking up to the two men.
“Everyone knows me and I know no one.” Trent said looking at Jake with a grin.
“I have to admit you’ve been the topic of conversation around this house.” Mrs. Franklin confirmed.
“Mom,” Jake pleaded.
“Well he has Jake.” Peggy said looking at Jake. Turning her attention back to Trent, “We believe in traditions in this house Trent, and you two are standing under the mistletoe.” She said pointing at the doorframe above the two men.
Trent turned towards Jake, “You really don’t have to.” Jake said.
“You never mess with tradition.” Trent said leaning in and kissing Jake.
The kiss was slow at first and grew into a deep passion-filled kiss. It was more than the one on their first date in the carriage. Jake felt the crowd of people around him disappear and it was just Trent and him in the house.
Trent pulled back from the kiss and Jake leaned against Trent for support as he regained the strength to stand by himself.
“Now that was a Christmas kiss,” Peggy affirmed.
**
The party was in full swing. The graduation gifts had been open, and the party was switching into the holiday portion when the attention could be removed from Jake; which was just fine with him. He was never one to like all the attention.
Trent walked back in the room checking on Maddie; who was having a fantastic time with Jessica. She had never asked to have friends come over, and she had been fine staying in with Trent. He knew that it was probably still her adjusting, but he hoped that this was a sign that she was changing and making new friends outside of school and dance that she could hang out with.
“Do you want to go outside and talk?” Jake asked when Trent joined him again.
“Sure, let me go get our coats.” Trent said standing.
“You won’t need it we have the outside fireplace burning.” Peggy said looking at the men.
“Okay, let’s go.” Trent said helping Jake to his feet.
Jake intertwined his fingers with Trent’s and led him to the back porch. Jake and Trent walked to the stone hearth that surrounded the double-sided fireplace that admitted a warm glow that Trent was surprised he didn’t need his jacket.
“I just had to get you alone.” Jake admitted leaning into Trent.
“It’s okay. You have an amazing family.”
Jake looked back towards the house, “Yeah I do.” He agreed.
“Why’d you called Peggy mom earlier?”
“Cassidy’s family pretty much took me in when my family disowned me when I came out freshman year of college. She’s been more of a mother than mine ever was, and so I just started calling her ‘mom.’ She never asked me to and has never told me to stop.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, but have you spoken to your family at all?”
“I received an email from my sister a year or so ago to inform me that my father had passed away. I went back home to see them. To see if things might have changed and to pay my respects, but they had moved. I have no idea where they live now and now my family is the Franklins.”
Trent wrapped his arm around Jake and pulled him closer. Trent didn’t know what to say so all he did was hold him and gently rubbed his shoulder.
“It’s okay. It’s their loss. The Franklins love me for who I am and pass no judgment. You saw how it was when you got here. They upheld their holiday traditions and demanded that kiss under the mistletoe.” Jake laughed.
“You are really lucky.”
“So what about you,” Jake asked.
“What about me?” Trent inquired.
“You don’t have to answer, but I really want to get to know you. What were you like growing up, who you were before having custody of Maddie, and how everything came together with you and Maddie now?”
“Well that’s a long story so I guess I’ll give you the edited version.” Trent smiled.
Jake reached over and took Trent’s hand. He knew that he was asking Trent to hash some deep wounds, but at the same time wanted him to know that he was there for him.
“I was focused. I was focused on my job. After college I accepted an advertising position at Brinks and Anderson and worked hard to be successful; which called for a lot of hours. I never really had time for relationships and the few times I would date it never really developed into anything because I never would have time, but I always made time for family. I was always big on family and Maddie would stay with me at least once a week so her parents could go out alone.
Maddie and I always had a special connection since I held her at the hospital. Well six months ago Maddie came to spend the night with me so her parents could go out. About one o’clock in the morning my cell phone rang and it was the hospital telling me that my sister and brother-in-law had been in an accident and that I needed to come down. By the time I made it I learned that they hadn’t made it.
After the services the family lawyer called everyone down and I learned that they had left guardianship of Maddie to me. So I gave up my apartment and moved across town so Maddie could continue to go to her school, and I cut back to a normal forty hour work week and learned to balance my work and a single-father life. Now I attend PTA meetings, dance recitals, soccer matches, and car pool once a week.”
Jake just stared at Trent. He had always said that he was the perfect man, but hearing his dedication to Maddie’s wellbeing had only proved what a great man he was, and Cassidy had been right. He was lucky to have found him.
“Why are you smiling?” Trent asked.
Jake didn’t realize he had been, “I told you that you were perfect.” Jake said leaning in and kissing Trent again. He could get use to kissing him daily. He definitely wanted to get to know more of this man that he was falling for.
“Trent!” Madeline called pushing open the door.
Trent and Jake broke their kiss and looked toward the porch door and saw Madeline and Jessica walking toward the two men.
“Hey sweetie,” Trent said.
“Jessica asked if I could spend the night and her mom said it was okay if you said it was okay. So ca
n I stay?” She asked in one long breath.
“Well you have your recital tomorrow night.” Trent reminded.
“I know, but we won’t stay up super late. Please?” She begged.
Trent knew that she had never asked for much, “Let me speak with Mrs. Franklin.”
“Yes!” the two girls said in unison and ran back into the house.
Jake looked over at Trent, “She’s such a sweet girl.”
“Yeah she is.” Trent agreed. “If she stays I’ll have the entire house to myself.”
“Yes you would.” Jake said smiling.
“Should I ask Peggy if you can spend the night too?” Trent said with a grin.
“I would like to spend the night.” Jake said resuming the interrupted kiss with Trent.
**
Jake was pushed against the wall as Trent unlocked the front door. Trent had begun kissing him and fumbling with the lock. Trent closed the door with his leg. Trent’s hand traveled over the course of Jake’s body.
“Take me to bed.” Jake panted his breath short.
Trent led him upstairs the two men stripping off their shirts as they rushed to the room. Jake walked into the room behind a shirtless Trent and admired the man’s back muscles. Jake reached for Trent and kissed him again.
Jake felt Trent’s hands reach for his belt buckle and unlatched it and his fingers work the buttons on his jeans loose. Within minutes Jake felt his jeans falling slowly around his tall legs by the pull of gravity. He used his feet to free him from the material and guided Trent to the bed and Trent sat. Jake knelt and began to kiss Trent’s neck and worked his way down his chest that was lightly covered with brown hair. He made his way down to his happy trail and forced Trent to lie on his back. He worked his pants button and zipper and pulled off his dark jeans.
After removing his jeans he looked up and saw Trent wearing designer underwear that was well filled with a bulge. Jake looked up at Trent and saw the want in Trent’s eyes. Jake reached at the waistband of Trent’s underwear and lifting it off the package and down his legs.
Jake sat there a second and admired Trent’s package standing semi-erect and took his sex into his mouth. He heard Trent release a soft moan. Minutes passed and Trent pulled Jake off and up towards him. Trent kissed Jake and his hand slipped under the waistband of Jake’s boxer briefs.