by D. M. Cupp
“Trent!” Roger Randolph greeted when he walked into the room.
Trent was taken aback by the informality of Roger’s greeting because Trent had never had any real interaction with Roger Randolph with the exception of junior and senior executive meetings held once a quarter. “Mr. Randolph, good morning, I hope you had a great weekend.” Trent said trying to keep his voice steady and free of nerves.
“Please call me Roger.”
“Okay?” Trent agreed questioningly.
Roger gestured for Trent to have a seat in the chair across from his desk, “I understand why you are hesitant to address me so informally because of our little interaction, but I have been keeping an eye on you and the projects that you have supervised, and I have to admit that I am very impressed by your dedication to the firm.”
“Thank you sir,” Trent said impressed that Roger had noticed his work and his dedication.
“I also understand that you and your family have dealt with some tragedy this year and that you were granted custody of your eight year old niece. I applaud you on your ability to adjust to fatherhood and balancing your responsibilities with the firm.”
“It wasn’t easy, but I’m a firm believer that anyone can do anything when one puts their mind to it.” Trent reaffirmed.
“Well you might be wondering why I asked to meet with you.”
“Well the question did cross my mind.” Trent laughed.
“Well I’ve been watching you over the past few months and your work his very impressive like I’ve said. I’m expanding Randolph Advertising and opening a branch in Seattle, and I want you to be a part of this expansion.”
“Thank you sir and honored that you would consider me to assist during the expansion. So you want me to assist with new junior executives or training?” Trent asked.
“I don’t want you to assist with training. I want you to head the Seattle office. I’m promoting you to senior vice president of Randolph Advertising. I want you to head the Seattle office.”
**
“I must say I’m quite impressed.”
Jake sat in the office of Amanda Treadwell the editor-in-chief of Texas, a photojournalism magazine. He had completely forgotten that he had applied for the position months ago, and was surprised when he received a voicemail Saturday. He had missed the call because he had spent the day with Trent and Madeline. “Well thank you. I try to let my work speak for itself.”
“Well it certainly does. Your portfolio is amazing and the photographs ties in the stories of the articles. I’m prepared to make you a job offer. It would allow you to travel across the state working with different writers. The magazine has a history of featuring articles on human interest stories and different viewpoints of the citizens of this state.”
“Well thank you very much.” Jake said appreciative that after the holiday season he would no longer have to wear tights and take pictures of scared and crying children.
Amanda Treadwell handed Jake a sealed envelope, “This is the package the magazine is prepared to offer. The package includes salary, health benefits, and other benefits. We will need your offer no later than New Year’s Eve.” Amanda informed matter-of-factly.
“Thank you again for the offer and I will give it its due consideration.” Jake stood and shook Mrs. Treadwell’s hand and turned to leave with the envelope in hand. Jake was torn with emotion. He was excited with the prospect of a new job and torn because he was unsure about the amount of travel that the job would require and the effect it would have on Trent and his relationship.
**
Trent was speechless. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind. He had met an amazing guy and now he was gaining a promotion that would cause him to move him and Madeline from the man that he was falling for and that Maddie was bonding with.
Trent parked outside Jake’s apartment Monday evening. The conversation with Roger was still playing in his mind, but he didn’t know how to bring this conversation up with Jake. He didn’t want to think about this great relationship ending so abruptly. Roger had given Trent a few weeks to accept the offer because the announcement of the new Seattle office wouldn’t be opening until after the first of the year.
Trent pushed the day’s events out of his mind and decided he wanted to just enjoy his time with Jake.
Jake walked next to Trent down a gravel path that ran through one of the city’s parks. Jake could tell that there was something on Trent’s mind but all he could tell it had to deal with a bad day at the office. Jake was also torn with wondering when would be the perfect time to mention his job offer.
“So Maddie wondered why you didn’t join us for breakfast.” Trent said holding Jake’s hand looking at the Christmas lights that the city decorated.
“I thought she was asleep!” Jake said embarrassed.
“Well she wasn’t and said that we don’t need to hide you staying overnight.” Trent said stopping and pulling Jake close to him and leaning him in for kiss.
Jake pulled away, “So that means I can stay more often?”
“I would like it if you stayed more often.”
“Maybe I can stay again tonight?” Jake asked with a sexy grin.
“I would like that, but what I would love is that you spend Christmas with Maddie and I. I know it’s a day you probably spend with Cassidy, but –”
Jake kissed Trent cutting off the conversation, “I’d love to spend Christmas with you and Maddie.” With the kiss Jake forgot about the job offer and focused solely on this moment with the man he was falling in love with so quickly.
Nine
Jake woke up in Trent’s arms on Christmas morning. The two had been up late preparing for Christmas morning and assembling the new pink bicycle Trent had purchased for Maddie. This was an entirely new experience for Jake. He had grown up always wanting a big family, able to show his children how grow up accepting others of their differences, allowing them to be comfortable with whom they are, but Jake lost those dreams when he accepted his own sexuality and admitted to himself that he was gay. He knew that he would never be able to biologically have children and he doubted that the state or any agency would allow him to adopt a child.
Those thoughts and dreams returned when he met Trent and Maddie. Last night he was laughing and joking with Trent as they assembled Maddie’s new pink bicycle. It was everything that Jake dreamed that it would be like. Jake looked up at the clock displaying six o’clock and he was more excited to see Maddie’s reaction. He knew that Maddie wasn’t his daughter, but he knew that he wanted it. He knew that he could be a father, but most importantly he wanted to be a father with Trent Brooks and a father to Madeline.
“HE WAS HERE! SANTA WAS HERE!” Maddie screamed excitedly rushing into the room and jumping up and bouncing on the bed. Trent and Jake had expected that she would burst in on this morning instead of knocking first so the two had opted to wear the pajamas pants she had insisted they buy with Santa and reindeers pattern.
Trent and Jake were laughing at her excitement, “Okay we’re up.” Trent conceded realizing that the two weren’t going to get anymore sleep now that Maddie had realized that Santa had made his stop.
“Give your uncle and me a minute and we’ll be right there.” Jake reassured.
Maddie stopped jumping on the bed and looked at them both and grinned, “One minute.” She said pointing her little finger at them both and jumped off the bed and ran out of the room. “Don’t forget to brush your teeth,” she said poking her head back in and then disappearing for a second time.
Trent rolled over and looked at his boyfriend, “Sorry for the early morning wakeup call.” He said pulling Jake in for a kiss.
“I would put up with the early morning wakeup call if it meant getting to wake up next to you every morning.” Jake said leaning in for his second kiss of the morning.
“We better get up. I think we’re down to forty-five seconds.” Trent said smiling and getting out of the bed.
**
Maddie h
ad loved her Christmas and Trent was glad that she was able to enjoy it. She was always a strong person and realized that this first Christmas without her parents would be hard. After everyone had opened their presents the three of them made breakfast together laughing and spending time together like a normal family.
“So are you excited to spend time with your friend Jessica?” Jake asked.
“Yes, Jessica is so funny. I really enjoyed hanging out with her at your graduation party.” Maddie answered after swallowing a mouthful of pancakes.
“What time are Peggy and Cassidy expecting us?” Trent asked looking up at Jake.
“I told her that we would arrive around noon.” Jake answered.
“So are there any more traditions that the Franklins have that I should be aware of?” Trent asked looking over at Jake with a grin.
“What you didn’t enjoy our mistletoe tradition?” He asked not going into detail.
“You can say kiss.” Maddie said with a giggle. “Jessica and I saw you when we were going upstairs.”
“Oh really, so we have a spy among us?” Trent smiled.
Maddie looked up over the pancakes on her fork and smiled, “Maybe. I’m glad you spent Christmas morning with us Jake.” She said turning her attention towards Jake.
“Well I’m glad that your uncle invited me.”
“Me too, it felt like we were a family.” Maddie assured.
Jake looked over at Trent and he could see that he was fighting back emotions. Maddie didn’t see a man that loved her uncle, but that this was a family.
**
“Everything looks delicious, Peggy.” Trent said as Peggy joined the family around the dinner table.
“It sure does,” everyone agreed in unison.
“Thank you everyone and Cassidy helped.”
“What did she make so I know what to avoid,” Jake teased nudging her with his shoulder in a brother-like fashion.
“Very funny,” Cassidy said returning the nudge.
“So Jake,” Peggy started turning her attention towards Jake, “so what’s your plans now that your job at Santa’s Workshop is over?”
“Actually I have some exciting news. I got a job offer from a photojournalism magazine, Texas, have y’all heard of it?”
“That’s great honey. I’ve picked it up a few times at the grocery store. It has some great stories. Trent did you know?”
“No, he didn’t know I just had this offer the other day, and I haven’t gotten a chance to tell him.” Jake interjected.
“That’s exciting news,” Trent said reaching over and placing his hand on Jake’s knee.
“They gave me a week to consider the offer, but I’m really excited about getting to do what I love and travel around the state from time to time.”
“Of course you are honey. It sounds like a great offer.” Peggy assured.
Trent felt guilty. He was happy for Jake that he landed a job in the field that he studied in, but at the same time he knew this wasn’t the time or place to add about his job offer. His offer required him to leave the state. He needed to find a better time to tell him.
**
Trent and Jake sat on the back patio in front of the outdoor fireplace, and watched the fire blaze and consume the wood. Trent loved the smell of burning wood and the sound of the crackling of the wood splitting. The night wasn’t freezing but just cool enough that the two could sit outside cuddled under a fleece blanket.
“So I have some news.” Trent said bluntly staring at the burning wood.
“Oh yeah,” Jake said turning towards Trent on the bench. He was amazed how comfortable the two had gotten with each other so quickly.
“Roger is opening a new branch of the office in Seattle and he asked me to help.”
“That’s great news babe!” Jake said genuinely excited for him. “So what does he want you to do? Assist with training the marketing team?”
“Funny, that was the same question I asked Roger the other day when he told me he wanted my help. He wants me to head the Seattle office, and he’s asking me to accept the position as senior vice president.”
Jake sat in silence and turned toward the fire, “So you would be moving to Seattle?”
“If I accepted the position then yes, but I don’t have to give my answer until after the first of the year.”
“Well I won’t say the timing doesn’t suck,” Jake laughed quietly to himself. “This is an awesome opportunity for you and Maddie. You would be crazy not to take it.” Jake said standing from the bench.
“Where are you going?” Trent asked.
“I need to go.”
“No you don’t I want to talk to you about this.”
“Trent I can’t talk to you about this because my advice to you would be misinterpreted.”
“What do you mean?” Trent said leaning forward on the bench and staring up at Jake.
“I won’t say that I’m not happy for you because I know that you’ve worked hard for this type of promotion, but I can’t say that I want you to take the position because then you would think that I don’t care for you as much as I truly do, and I can’t say for you to stay and not accept the position because then I would fear that you would resent me for holding you back somewhere down the line.”
“I would never do or think that.” Trent pleaded.
“I’m sorry but I really just need to go. I can’t stay here tonight.”
Trent watched as the man that he loved turned and walked out of his house. He knew that Jake made some valid points, but then grew upset because he wouldn’t stay and talk his concerns out, but then he tried and put himself in Jake’s position. Would he be able to stay the night with a man that might be moving a thousand miles away? Would his heart be able to take that heartache? Those were the questions that he wasn’t able to answer himself so his frustration melted away and now he was faced with the daunting task of deciding to accept the job or not.
Ten
“It’s almost been a week.” Cassidy stated staring at Jake, “you had been sitting on the couch for the past few days.”
Jake didn’t respond and continued to stare at the wall. He had left Trent’s house Christmas night and had every intentions of calling him the next day, but when morning had come it just didn’t seem like the right time, and now so much time had passed it just seemed pointless. Trent had called and texted but Jake was too scared to answer or respond.
He was afraid that the calls would be to inform him that he had taken the job in Seattle and that the man that he had fallen in love with was moving and taking the little girl he was thinking of as their little family thousands of miles away. The text messages gave no inclination as to what the calls were concerning. Most stated that ‘We needed to talk. Please answer. I love you.’ It was the last text that hurt the most because he did continue to love Trent, but was scared that his love was in vain and that he would still leave after the first of the year; which was now only forty-eight hours away.
“Jake you need to give Trent a call. It’s not fair to him or you that you aren’t even going to hear him out.”
“What if he leaves?” Jake asked barely above a whisper.
Cassidy crossed the living room and joined her best friend on the couch, “And what if he stays?”
**
Trent wanted to lie in bed all day but he had to continue to think of Maddie more than himself. He wanted to mope and be heartbroken that Jake wasn’t returning his call but it wasn’t fair to Maddie.
The door to his bedroom cracked open and Maddie poked in her head, “Uncle Trent, are you awake?”
“Hey princess, yeah I’m awake.”
She walked over to the bed and climbed up and lay next to her uncle, “Are you sad?”
“A little,” he answered truthfully. The two had always been able to speak candidly and at times he forgot that he was speaking with his eight year old niece.
“He’ll come around. I think right now he’s really scared and sad himself.”
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Trent turned onto his side and faced his niece, “You think?”
“Yes, I mean you two just met and were getting really close, and then we might be moving and I know he loves you.”
“How do you know that?” He asked with a smile.
“Because he looks at you the way mommy looked at daddy.”
Trent had to fight back the tears. Madeline rarely spoke of her mother or father, and when she did it took him by surprise.
Trent simply smiled, “I guess he did look at me like that occasionally.”
“Can I hang out with Jessica for New Year’s Eve?” She asked switching the subject.
Trent laughed at her subtleness, “I think that would be okay. I’ll call Peggy later and make sure it’s okay.”
**
Trent stood in the Franklin’s backyard watching Jessica and Maddie play with sparkler fireworks. Jessica and Maddie were singing and dancing to the radio as they drew designs in the night sky.
“Can I offer some motherly advice?” Peggy asked sitting down next to Trent on the steps.
“Sure.”
“Don’t give up. Anything worthwhile is worth fighting for. I’ve known Jake for years and he is stubborn, but he is also the most passionate person I’ve met. I think it all stems from being isolated from his family. It wasn’t a lost due to death, but a lost due to ideological differences and that sometimes is the hardest. I’ve never seen him open up the way he has with you or spoken about someone with such passion, and I think when he found out you might leave that got to close to another loss than he wanted to deal with.”
“Thanks Peggy.”
“Anytime, Sugar,” she said patting his leg.
Peggy and Trent turned when they heard the sliding door opening and saw Jake stepping through behind Cassidy.
“Trent, what a pleasant surprise I didn’t know you were going to be here.” Cassidy greeted.
Trent looked at her questioningly and seeing Jake’s puzzled look knew the two had been sat up.
“Jake!” Maddie screamed running up to him and giving him a hug. We’ve missed you.” She said sincerely.