"I do not. What are you hiding?" Kane said, finally finishing his Windsor knot, before his eyes were back on Avery's.
"You think you know me so well?" Avery fidgeted with his cuff links.
Avery was definitely hiding something. Kane's heart dropped a little. He'd enjoyed the night, loved their bathroom time. Did Avery have a purpose in all this? Kane matched Avery's stance, crossing his arms over his chest and asked one more time. "Avery. What is it?" "Baby…" Avery stepped closer to Kane and embraced him. When Kane didn't immediately wrap his arms around his husband, Avery made a show of uncrossing Kane's arms and draping them around his waist. Kane guessed Avery was getting the hint he wasn't backing down and tried for a joke. "At least pretend like you love me." "Just tell me," Kane said.
"They want me to run again." Avery stopped playing the game and said what he needed to say. Except Kane didn't really understand what those words meant. He paused for a moment, unsure of what he'd heard. After a minute, he had no choice but to ask.
"What do you mean?" Kane furrowed his brow.
"For senate. They approached me earlier today," Avery said.
"What? You didn't tell me?" Kane pushed out of Avery's arms, putting as much distance between them as the small bathroom would allow. Avery followed, moving with him, and he had to put out a hand, stopping Avery from getting any closer.
"I was going to, I just knew you had big plans for tonight, and I didn't want to mess that up. How did you pull this off?" Avery asked, pushing against Kane's extended arm as he stepped forward. He didn't touch Kane, but most definitely invaded his personal space.
"No. There's no changing the subject. What did you tell them?" Kane searched Avery's face. He crossed his arms over his chest again in an effort to hold his pounding heart inside.
"That I needed to talk to you."
"And what else?" Avery grinned at his question and gathered him, crossed arms and all, back in the circle of those strong arms. He ignored the irritation and concern radiating from Kane and kissed him sweetly on the lips. Kane didn't kiss back.
"It's good you know me so well. It's always been that way between us. It's one of the reasons I love you so much. I told them I was interested, it was you that would need convincing."
"We're so public in this community, Avery. They won't be able to hide us," Kane worried out loud. How had he gone from feeling a million miles high, to being buried with doubt? Now the desperation was creeping in, he heard it in his own voice. He hated the feeling of no control, hated feeling like he needed to hide what they'd built. Kane loved his family and didn't want to hide any of part of who they were, but the hate they would face would be a huge obstacle.
"We're a package deal. There's no hiding us. We're a family, a unit, and I would run with us intact," Avery said. This time when Kane pulled free, Avery let him. He had to process this fear racing through him.
"Avery…" Kane began with only the slightest shake of his head. This wasn't good. People outside of their small, secluded world didn't accept them. Autumn and Robert had been taught from the time they were babies to ignore the hateful verbal slaps hurled their way whenever they left Minnesota.
"No, honey, listen! Stop squaring your shoulders and putting up all those walls. Talk to me. The demographics in the area largely support us. The incumbent isn't running. All the polls have been done. They're certain I can win." Avery grew serious, and he refused to let Kane walk away from him.
"Even with us?" Kane questioned, doubt edging his words.
"Yes! That's what I just said," Avery assured him. Kane was quiet, watching Avery closely. "We don't have to decide right now. I want you to come in and listen to what they have to say. If you don't want us to, then I won't. End of story." Avery gave a small shrug, blowing the whole thing off.
"But you would run if it was just up to you?" Kane shot back.
"I would've already run, but I chose something far better, I chose you. Of course you know all that. Baby, you know how I feel about this." For Avery, the conversation appeared to be over and there was no need to say anything more on the subject. He picked up his suit coat and slid it onto his shoulders, straightening his dress shirt. For Kane, this was so far from over, they had only just begun.
"What about the restaurant expansion?" Kane asked, refusing to take his jacket from Avery's outstretched hand.
"Nothing changes for us. Come on. I shouldn't have brought it up tonight," Avery said, wiggling the jacket until Kane gave in and took it.
"No, you shouldn't keep secrets from me. It's just you haven't ever said another word about running for office. I didn't know you were still interested." Kane tried to read Avery's face as he slid his arms in his jacket.
"It's in my blood, you know that. I just never thought it would be an option after I came out. Now it seems to be an option. Fix your collar." Avery smiled, stepping up to straighten Kane's collar himself. Avery also adjusted his tie and dusted off his tux jacket sleeve before they locked eyes. "You are gorgeous."
"Stop saying that. We can talk to them. Set up a meeting. And we need to talk to the kids' school counselor. I want the children safe. If it's too much for them, I don't want to do it. Our responsibility is to them. We have to shield them as best as we can." Kane looked Avery over before he opened the office door.
"You and the children are always first." Avery walked past the open door, briefly stopping to kiss Kane lightly on the lips. "Thank you."
"Avery, you don't have to thank me. What you want is what I want. You just caught me off guard, that's all," Kane said, following along behind him. Avery reached back and wrapped an arm around Kane.
"That's enough serious talk for tonight. Someone's going to notice we're gone and you'll get flustered. I'll think it's sweet that after all this time you still get embarrassed over sneaking away, and then I'll have to work you back in here to have my way with you again, thereby proving I am still a young man in this old man's body!"
"Come on, birthday boy. You're clearly in a mood tonight." Kane chuckled, hoping to hide the apprehension about Avery's political future still lurking in his thoughts.
Chapter 21
Avery sat, kicked back in his home office desk recliner, his gaze focused on a birdfeeder Kane had placed in a tree right outside his window. He had to admit, he'd spent hours in this chair, staring out at the birds, contemplating whatever case he currently worked. He'd found solace here in this spot. Today, there wasn't a bird to be seen. Something about the dead of winter and inches of newly fallen snow had a way of keeping the birds at bay.
His office door, which was also his bedroom door, stood open— as it generally did. He listened to the activity going on in his house. He craved the noise, loving the sounds of his family. If he took a guess now, he would say Robert was teasing Autumn about something in just the manner she was growing to greatly dislike. Her voice was rising, and Robert laughed. An argument was certain to break out soon. As expected, Kane's voice intervened, trying to stop the impending brawl before it took root.
The almost silent beep of his direct telephone line caught his attention. He'd been waiting for this call. She was late, but traveling the world had a way of messing with your time. He picked up the phone as he started to rise from his chair.
"Mother, hang on a moment." Avery crossed the bedroom and shoved the door closed. "I'm back."
"Hello, my darling son. Before you tell me to hang on again, please remember this is costing us a fortune," Kennedy scolded, amusement in her voice.
"What's costing us a fortune? Your trip to Greece?" Avery teased.
"No, this phone call. I'm assuming the children and Kane are fine. If there was an emergency, I'm certain the call wouldn't have been scheduled. How are you, my son?" Kennedy's voice turned warm and loving. She usually reserved that tone of voice for Kane and the children, only on occasion was he on the receiving end.
"I've been approached," Avery said, not beating around the bush.
"I wondered when they would pull t
heir heads out of their self-righteous asses and do the right thing," Kennedy said.
"You saw this coming? I didn't. I truly believed I'd lost my chance," Avery's eyes gravitated back to the brightly-colored bird feeder.
"You regularly underestimate yourself," she said.
"So you think I should go for it? I'm nervous for Kane and the kids." Avery lowered his voice several octaves. He didn't want Kane to hear his concern. He never let Kane know he worried about their situation.
"Son, you hold the power to make it a non-issue. You run on your own merit. Your personal life is never to be discussed. It's truly as simple as that," Kennedy said, with her usual air of confidence.
"Is it worth upsetting the balance of my life?" Avery asked.
"Only you can decide that, but I've seen the change in you. Kane's helped settle you. You're a force and I believe in you and I will support you with whatever path you choose. If you decide your answer is yes, you should speak to Sophia. Even with you not discussing your life, she will be approached," Kennedy said.
"Thomas is going to talk to her this weekend. We'll all get on the same page before any announcement's made," Avery assured her.
"Then let me know what you decide."
"Of course I will. Mother, at the time, I think I took this for granted, but you were always so accepting of me. After knowing Kane and being a father myself, I can only imagine the concern you had for my life," Avery said, his voice going even lower.
"I've always believed in you. Since I first held you in my arms, I knew you were destined to do great things. You make me proud, Avery. I love you, Son," Kennedy stated.
"Thanks, Mom," Avery began and stopped mid-sentence when he realized he was talking to dead air. She'd disconnected the call which was something his mom would totally do. She had said what she needed to, so the call was done. As he laid the phone back in the cradle, he heard the doorbell ring downstairs.
Kane knew right from the beginning that he had very little chance of resisting when their home was overrun by the team known as the Democratic Party. They brought out the masses, even the big names, all there to talk Kane into letting Avery run in this year's senate race. Standing flow charts littered the living room. Men and women, all dressed in severely tailored business suits, stood ready to jump in and throw numbers at Kane whenever a point needed validation. They'd clearly left nothing to chance and were quite skilled in the power of persuasion.
Kane's only defense didn't seem to matter. He was a staunch Republican with no plans to change. But they beat him down in that area too. Kane slipped up when he said he'd vote for Avery no matter what platform he ran on. That sealed the deal. They wanted Avery, wanted him badly, and were prepared to do whatever it took to get Kane to agree.
They were back to the future, back to where they began. The whole reason Avery had even moved to Minnesota in the first place. Avery had inadvertently done everything required to get him in the running, and Kane wondered if perhaps those steps might have been done in meticulous order. La Bella Luna was still the place to be seen. Avery was a regular there, so regular he had built a significant social foundation. When you looked for Avery Adams, it was a sure bet you'd find him in the restaurant. Avery had also designed his law firm to specialize in two major areas: helping the indigent and going after big business that took advantage of the ever-increasing labor laws. Union leaders throughout the district were already hinting they would back Avery in a possible run, as Avery had backed them time and time again.
Avery scoffed at Kane's concern over the legality of their marriage. When he wouldn't let it go, Avery grew intense, determined, and refused to hear another word, saying they were bound together by God. The campaign team lining the living room ate that up, loving Avery's stance.
As uncertain as Kane stayed, Avery's resolve grew stronger. After three hours of meetings, Kane was no closer to wanting the run, but Avery's enthusiasm kept him quiet, until he finally relented. Dread filled his heart, but he hid it. Avery had stood by him through all his quirky attitudes; he'd do the same for Avery and pray things would work out for the best.
As the day wore on, Autumn and Robert became the only concern Kane wouldn't give on. Personal decisions between Avery and Kane would have to be made as to how involved the family unit would be in this run. For Kane, he wanted to plan the best ways to protect them from the backlash. The children had been taught from the beginning that families came in all different shapes and sizes. They'd been questioned about their fathers since they were old enough to communicate, but they were sheltered. They had never been exposed to the brutality and hate aimed at the homosexual community. Kane and Avery were also very hands-on parents. Avery would be on the road, Kane would be left to hold down the fort until he returned. How could he keep the restaurant going and the children in their normal routine?
After several long meetings and watching Avery's energy and excitement grow, Kane slowly relented, deciding to leave the decision to their children. If they thought they could handle the possible backlash, then Kane would agree to give the run a try. The campaign team departed within six hours of their arrival, and Avery didn't miss a minute before he called the kids downstairs.
"Family meeting!" Avery called from the bottom of the stairs up toward Autumn's and Robert's bedrooms. Autumn was first out her door. At almost ten years old, she was the image of Avery—tall, slender, naturally graceful with beautiful long blonde hair flowing as she bounded down the stairs. Robert easily overtook her as he ran full throttle. This year, he'd hit a growth spurt, reaching five foot three, and could easily navigate the stairs two at a time.
"Beat you," Robert said as Autumn stepped off the last step. His voiced echoed as he said the words and pushed the forever aggravating piece of thick blond hair off his forehead just as he spotted Kane already in the living room. "What's going on?"
"Nothing, we just wanted to talk to you two." Kane tried to appear relaxed. His children were smart, well-adjusted, and incredibly perceptive. They would pick up any discord he might be feeling.
Kane watched both their expressions change as they took in the scene around them. He quickly looked up at Avery, but he was already off to the bar, pouring himself a drink. He rarely drank in front to the children, but with his back turned, he hadn't noticed the change in them. Kane patted the sofa next to him. The natural choice would have Robert sitting by him and Autumn by Avery, but tonight they both came to sit by him. So he clearly looked worried enough to spark their concern.
"Why are you both home? Daddy, you said Granddaddy Paulie needed your help to run the restaurant," Autumn started, but Kane quickly interrupted her.
"There's no need to look so concerned. This is not the end of the world. Get those looks off your faces." Avery came and sat directly across from them on the coffee table.
"Babe, you ask them," Avery said, watching them intently with elbows on his knees, the glass resting between the palms of his hands.
"Your dad's been approached by the Democratic Party to run for the United States Senate. We haven't made a decision yet, we wanted to talk to you two first and see how you feel about it," Kane said, sliding an arm around each child.
"But you're a Republican, Daddy. Are you going to vote for Dad?" Autumn asked Kane. That made him smile, and he looked over at Avery who actually laughed. It had been years and years of heated arguments about their difference in political views that caused the worry from his daughter.
"If we agree to do this, I'll vote for your dad," Kane promised reassuringly.
"So you're gonna change your vote?" Robert asked, clearly not believing it for even a minute.
"I will for him, honey, but that's not the issue. This is gonna affect each of us, and we all need to be a part of the decision whether he moves forward with this or not." Kane pulled in both arms he had around their shoulders, drawing them in for a hug. He was so proud. "But you never vote Democrat." Autumn's upturned face looked so confused. She participated in the hug, but she hesitate
d, her eyes were squarely focused on his, waiting for his answer.
"Autumn, this decision isn't about who I vote for, honey. It's about whether your dad runs. If he makes it, we'll have to move to Washington with him," Kane explained and that changed everything.
"We have to move?" Robert exclaimed, sitting up, somewhat alarmed.
"That's jumping way far ahead, but yes, if I win, we'll spend time in Washington DC. It would mean you guys would have to attend school there. There's a great private—" Avery began, but Robert cut him off.
"So we have to change schools?" These weren't the issues Kane thought they would talk about right now.
"Yes, but there are great schools in Washington DC. My old alma mater is there—"
"Daddy, I don't know if it's a good idea to switch schools in the middle of the year. I wanted to try out for cheerleader next year," Autumn announced, and Kane quickly stopped them, tried to focus them in on the more important issue.
"Wait, you two. Listen to me. This is a much bigger step for all of us. It's not just moving and how to vote, we have bigger things to think about. You know we're a different family. If we enter into this, we could be targeted pretty badly. Worse than anything you've seen before. This could potentially be hard on all of us," Kane said, looking between Autumn and Robert. Avery's concern showed, too, as he reached out and placed his hands over the children's legs. As protective as Kane was, Avery was tenfold.
"We don't care about that. Right, Autumn?" Robert said, cocking his head forward to peer around Kane so he could look at his sister.
"It'll be different than anything you've experienced before," Avery said.
"It's okay, Dad. We're different, but not wrong, no matter what anyone says. Right, Daddy?" Autumn asked.
Robert didn't wait for Kane to answer before he continued, "So, if you win, when would we have to change schools? I want to play school basketball next year." Kane glanced between the two and then looked up at Avery who had a sly smile on his face. It sure seemed he'd be running for office. Neither Autumn nor Robert cared one lick about anything other than their school activities. They seemed a little self-absorbed to Kane, but he also reconciled that to mean they must be raising normal, well-balanced kids and that filled his heart with pride.
Always (With Bonus Material) (Always & Forever Book 1) Page 20