by Trina Solet
Alec walked to the kitchen bleary eyed. When he saw his mom standing by the coffee maker, grinning at him, he knew he was up too early.
"Is the shotgun under the counter?" Alec asked her.
"What are you so afraid of?" she asked, pouring him a cup of coffee.
"You and a shotgun," he told her.
"You're afraid of what you want most, you funny kid. And you used to be so fearless," she said.
"I didn't have as much to lose. And you should be telling me to slow down," Alec told her.
"It's not up to me. You named Teddy and now you're teaching him to paint just like your dad taught you. You going to tell me you don't love that kid? That you don't love Cory?"
"Love isn't the same as turning your life upside down," Alec said with a sigh.
"Yes, it is!" she contradicted him "That's exactly what it is."
Not having a lot of experience with love, Alec still knew she was right. His own feelings for Cory told him that love turns you world upside down, turns you inside out, and leaves you helpless. And just as everyone was ganging up on him too. Cory was telling him he loved him, melting his heart, making him want him even more. Now his mom was demanding unconditional surrender.
"Think about how much you can give Teddy and how much he needs you. And think of how much it will mean to Cory to know that you want to spend your life with him, that you and him and Teddy would be a family. Doesn't the thought of them being your family make you happy? I know it makes me happy," she said.
"It does," Alec had to admit. The idea had put a smile on his face and given him a bright, joyous feeling. He could give Cory everything, fulfill all his dreams.
Chapter 24
As Teddy was having his lesson with Alec, Cory watched them through the kitchen window. Teddy raised his eyes from the page to Alec, and gave him a funny look. Alec must have said something weird. Cory had taken the day off to go with Miriam to talk to a lawyer she hired for him. Mr. Reynolds was very optimistic that Cory would be given at least temporary custody of Teddy. It helped to have Miriam on his side. She got them to place Teddy here, but Cory worried that she might not be able to help him get custody.
"I will pull out all the stops, honey. But don't worry about being separated from Teddy. You are both here. You're together. One way or the other, I'll make sure you stay together," she promised him.
Cory knew that he might have to settle for staying with Teddy but not having custody of him. As Miriam said, the most important thing was for them not to be separated.
"You have a good chance. Teddy is talking because of you. Janice, Arthur and Monica. all agree that you've been great for Teddy. Latisha is talking you up to everybody," Miriam said.
Cory was confused by all the names. Except for Monica, Cory didn't know who she was talking about. Then he realized she meant Teddy's case worker, Mrs. Martinez, Dr. Wheeler, and his old case worker, Mrs. Fitzgerald. It was just like Miriam to get on a first name basis with everyone, even a woman Cory had known all of his life as Mrs. Fitzgerald.
"Latisha can't say enough good things about you, how good you were, how you never gave anybody any trouble. She's getting all your foster parents to write letters on your behalf."
"I guess being good is finally paying off," Cory said. It might get him the family he always wanted.
Talking to Mr. Reynolds, Cory had gotten the same answer. He couldn't expect permanent custody yet, but it would happen eventually. No record could be found of Teddy's birth. That was just like in Cory's case. It was likely that neither one of them was born in a hospital. The courts just wanted to give it more time even if it was unlikely any other relatives could be found. Mr. Reynolds told him temporary custody was a sure thing. Everything was in his favor, most of all the progress Teddy had made since he was abandoned. Everyone gave Cory the credit. Cory knew that Alec and Miriam were the first to reach Teddy and make him open up. It was all of them together, giving him a family and a home, that had helped him blossom.
Seeing how patiently Alec taught Teddy confirmed it. Sitting at the table outside, Teddy was concentrating hard, sounding out unfamiliar words then looking at Alec to see if he got it right. As Cory watched them, Alec made Teddy laugh. The sight of it filled Cory's heart with love for both of them.
*
Alec noticed that Cory was distracted all day after his meeting with the lawyer. At dinner, he picked at his food absently until Teddy told him to eat. That did it. Cory ate everything and showed him his clean plate. Teddy nodded with approval.
Looking at them, Alec knew nothing could separate them. But as the date for the custody hearing approached, Alec could see how it weighed on Cory. He did his best to take his mind off it, with sex of course. Then one day he decided to pull out all the stops and popped the question.
"I think we should get married. Say yes," Alec said just as Cory was drying his hands after doing the dishes.
"Are you crazy?"
"That's not a yes. Think about it. Soon you'll have custody of Teddy. You'll be married to me. You'll have everything you want. My mother would love to give me away," Alec said with a wry look on his face.
"I bet she would," Cory said.
"She would be happy to hold the shotgun too."
"So this would be a shotgun wedding?" Cory said just to be difficult.
"You know this is the right place for you and for Teddy. He loves it here. It's ideal for that dog you'll be getting him. You're managing the hell out of Mom's store. And you'll have access to this 24/7." Alec pointed to himself.
"So would this be a marriage of convenience?"
"What? No! I was trying to talk you into it by pointing out the advantages. I'm terrified you'll say no," Alec said desperately. Why wasn't this working?
"I would expect you to be terrified that I'll say yes," Cory said.
"That too," Alec said honestly.
"Ask me when you're sure which answer you are more afraid of," Cory told him.
"I am sure I want to marry you," Alec insisted. "That doesn't mean I'm not scared to death. But I know it's what I want. I've figured it out. This is the life I'm supposed to live. You're the one I've been looking for."
"So you would be happy if I said yes?" Cory said, still doubting him.
"Say it, and you'll find out," Alec said, but Cory didn't take up the challenge. Alec tried a different approach. "Coming here, I was trying to take a step back in time, or maybe even stop time for a while until I figured things out. But time doesn't stop or move backward, it only moves forward. That's not a bad thing if it brings us together. That's what I couldn't figure out at first."
"First you are slow on the uptake. Now you're trying to move too fast. I know you love Teddy and you want us to stay here. I know you want to give him a home just like I do, but..."
Alec had to interrupt him. "So you know that I love Teddy, but you don't know that I love you so much that I want to marry you?"
"Teddy is easy to love."
"So are you."
"I'm not questioning your feelings just your speed. Slow down."
"I'm a high performance vehicle. Don't put me in the slow lane," Alec protested as Cory kissed him then walked away.
Alec hung his head and groaned. Knowing that wasn't Cory's final answer, Alec didn't feel too crushed. It made sense for Cory to doubt him. Even if he believed Alec loved him with all his heart, marriage was a big deal. The one man you love always in your bed. The thought made Alec smile. That's how he knew he was ready despite the fear.
He had to wonder if there was more than his doubts about Alec that made Cory hesitate. Had anyone ever shown Cory this kind of love and devotion? Whether Cory ever got it or not, he certainly had it in him to give. He could already see that Teddy was going to grow up to be a happy boy with his big brother watching out for him. And Cory had loved Alec before he knew his love was returned. How painful that must have been. Alec kicked himself for being an asshole. Cory deserved to be happy and to have every proof of love Alec coul
d give him. Now he just had to convince Cory that he and his proposal were for real.
On the day of the custody hearing, even Alec was nervous. Standing in front of the judge in his new suit, Cory stood very straight and looked very serious and mature. He showed no signs of nervousness that Alec had seen in him every time he dealt with anyone with even a little bit of power over his and Teddy's lives. It was as if Cory had willed himself to be the perfect image of a strong, responsible, upstanding big brother. All the testimonials didn't hurt. Everyone was singing his praises.
Cory was given temporary custody of Teddy, and that was now officially his name. It would stay that way unless someone dug up a birth certificate, which hadn't happened yet. The lawyer said once they were sure that no one else had a stronger claim, Cory would be given permanent custody. Alec had no doubt it would happen. No one could have a stronger claim on Teddy. They were brothers at heart, not just because they shared some DNA.
Outside the courtroom, Teddy ran into Cory's arms. Cory lifted him high then hugged him tightly and didn't cry. That crazy willpower of his. Alec had to wipe away a few tears, and Mom was bawling her eyes out. It was a happy day.
Cory only started shaking when Alec finally took him in his arms at the end of the day. They were home. Teddy was in bed, and Cory was exhausted.
"I was such a mess inside," Cory said.
"It didn't show. You were amazing," Alec said, squeezing him tightly.
"I want permanent custody."
"Slow down," Alec told him.
"That's what I told you."
"And I obeyed. But I still want to marry you," Alec reaffirmed.
"That's not obeying."
"Maybe I don't know how to obey."
Cory pulled away and looked at him. "Are you any different than when you came here?"
Alec thought about it.
"Not really. I guess I wasn't looking for a transformation. I was just looking for you. Since I never ran into you in any bar or club, or passed out in my lap at some party, I had to come here."
Cory gave him a disbelieving look and Alec grinned.
*
It was a cool evening. The sky to the west was filled with wispy clouds that caught the ruddy colors of the sunset. It was still light out, and the wind was soft, carrying the fresh scent of the wildflowers. Alec and Cory were sitting in the wicker chairs on the back porch. Looking over at Alec's long legs in ripped jeans and his perfect chest in a paint-splattered t-shirt, Cory smiled. That man with the amazing body was his. Cory would climb into his bed tonight, and they would love each other and wake up together. Cory had never before looked forward to the coming of nighttime like this. The nights had a sweetness and joy that Cory had never known. Never before had good things come in a flood like this. They were always carefully rationed. Cory couldn't believe how full his life was.
As Cory turned his eyes to Teddy, he saw him peer at a big, green grasshopper that had landed on top of the porch railing. Delight and curiosity mixed in his eyes.
In the next instant, Cory's view was blocked as Alec swooped in for a kiss. Cory looked over at Teddy to see if he saw that, but he wasn't paying any attention to them. He was at his table, completely absorbed in trying to draw the grasshopper. Alec sighed seeing him like that. He then pushed his luck and kissed Cory again.
"Why are you kissing?" Teddy asked.
"I got this," Alec said before Cory could answer. "Cory and I love each other, and we want to be together forever."
"Me too," Teddy said, and Cory remembered that those were the first words he ever heard him say.
"OK. Then all three of us will be together forever," Alec said.
"Alec is my boyfriend," Cory told Teddy to make things clearer.
"Alec?" Teddy tilted his head and looked at Alec critically.
"Alec is the only one for me," Cory explained, making Alec smile. But Cory wasn't done. "He's the only guy around here who likes guys so he's the only one who can be my boyfriend."
"What are you doing to me?" Alec asked.
"Serves you right. You dragged your feet too long," Cory told him.
Alec folded his arms and slumped in the chair as Teddy went back to drawing.
"Are you sulking?" Cory asked him.
"Only one," Alec grumbled.
"Come on. You're the perfect guy. How could I not love you?" Cory said.
"But I have this shitty personality," Alec protested.
"No, you don't. You're wonderful. You were just too stupid to realize we were meant to be together."
"You didn't know either."
"I knew in my heart," Cory claimed.
"Then I knew in my heart too. So are you going to marry me or do you want to keep making me suffer?"
"Both," Cory said with a wicked grin.
"Couldn't you run into my arms and shout, 'Yes, yes, yes'?"
"Couldn't you get on one knee? And maybe change your shirt?" Cory pointed to his paint smudged t-shirt.
"Fine. Wait here."
Alec went into the house and came back twenty minutes later looking even worse than when he went in. He was disheveled and his sleeve was ripped. Passing up Cory, he went over to Teddy.
"What if Cory and I got married? Would that be OK?" Alec asked.
Teddy tilted his head and thought hard.
"What are you doing now?" Cory asked Alec.
"Talking to the man in charge," Alec said then he turned back to Teddy. "Then you would be my little brother-in-law."
"Brother-in-law?" Teddy said, going wide-eyed.
"Alec would be in our family and Miriam too," Cory told him.
"We would have a big family? Like the people at the reunion?" Teddy said.
"Yes. Exactly," Alec said, before Cory could say something more reasonable. He was desperate for Teddy's approval. "So can I marry Cory?"
"Is it forever?" Teddy asked.
"It's forever," Cory and Alec told him in unison.
After a thoughtful pause, Teddy said, "OK."
"Here goes," Alec said and got on one knee in front of Cory. He took two plain silver rings out of his pocket and held them out to Cory.
"I got these from a yard sale when I was in high school. They were cheap, tarnished, and I kind of forgot all about them. I had to turn the whole house upside down to find them. Ripped my sleeve on a nail in the basement. I did polish them up. I hope they fit," Alec said.
Cory waited for the rest, but Alec just kneeled there, offering him the rings.
"Long story short, you forgot the proposal," Cory said and sighed.
Alec leaned closer. He spoke in a hushed, reverent tone.
"You're my destiny. You're my life, and I want to be with you forever. I love you. I want to marry you more than anything. Please say yes."
Cory fell into his arms.
"Yes," he whispered in his ear, his throat tight, tears in his eyes. "Now give me one of those rings."
He took the ring and slipped it on Alec's finger. Looking into his eyes, he felt Alec take his hand and put the other ring on his finger. Alec looked so happy. Cory laughed and rushed to kiss him. He wanted to taste the happiness in his kiss. They kissed passionately, only breaking off because Teddy was there, waiting expectantly.
"Are you married now?" he asked.
They laughed.
"Almost," Alec said and pulled Teddy over to them for a hug.
"We're engaged," Cory told him. "When we get married, Alec's mom will be there and a bunch of other people too, and there will be a big cake."
He and Alec were still kneeling on the porch, and Teddy looked at them curiously.
"Are you waiting for something?" he asked them.
"Why?" Cory wondered.
"Get Mayor Miriam and the other people so you can get married and eat cake," Teddy told them impatiently.
"He can't wait either," Alec said and pulled Cory into an embrace. "Some things are worth waiting for." He kissed Cory not letting go of him until Teddy got bored, huffed and went back to
his drawing.
Alec and Cory cuddled on the porch steps, waiting for night to fall so they could make love for the first time as an engaged couple.
*
Alec couldn't wait for everyone else to go to bed, and he wasn't the only one. Once they were alone, Cory practically ripped his clothes off.
"Save some for the rest of our lives," Alec told him as he stripped Cory with more dignity.
Cory grinned at him, less fierce now that he was reminded of all the time they had together. His kisses were gentle, his caress maddeningly feathery over Alec's hot skin. The light touch tickled Alec until Cory pounced on him. He laid him flat on the bed and pinned him down. That aggressive look was in his eyes again. With an animal hunger, he kissed Alec's mouth. Then Cory's tongue traced every bulge and valley of his body as his hands traveled over the rest, wanting to cover all of him.
He was so ravenous, Alec didn't know if he could ever satisfy him. Good thing he had a lifetime to try. For now he let him go wild trying to express how he felt with every fiber of his being. Alec did the same, saying "I love you" with every thrust.
That night Cory whispered Alec's name a thousand times until Alec collapsed, bones melted, muscles overworked. He dropped on top of Cory to kiss him.
"Never forget that you are mine," Cory said to him.
"How could I forget? You took my body, my heart, and my soul," Alec said, running his hands over him and kissing him.
"I'm never giving them back," Cory said and held Alec even tighter as they kissed.
This was it. This was what Alec had been searching for. Some part of him knew that there was a feeling, a man, and a life waiting for him. Cory embodied all of it. Alec was holding his whole life in his arms.
"I can't believe I almost lost you," Alec said. He couldn't believe he had ever fought against this.
"You were never going to lose me. I love you too much," Cory said. His eyes blazed then turned soft.
"I'm going to make you so happy," Alec vowed.
"You are going to drive me crazy," Cory corrected him. "I'm already happy. All I want is to be with you."