by Andrew Grey
Deep sleep engulfed them, but was interrupted by Wes’s phone and Greyson at the same time. Evan pulled on a robe and got Greyson out of the Pack ’n Play, changed and dressed him, and took him downstairs to start a very bleary-eyed breakfast.
“That was Mom,” Wes said as he trudged in. “She wants me to get dressed and go to church with her this morning. She was kind of insistent, and I think I’d better go. Do you want me to get him ready?” Wes checked his phone and groaned. “I’ve got to be there in half an hour.”
“Then leave him here and go. I’ll watch Mr. Happy Pants.” Evan zoomed Greyson around the room, to giggles and laughter.
“If you’re sure.” Wes yawned. “I’m going to get dressed.” He scratched his belly before turning around. “If I’d have known that’s why she was calling, I would have let it go to voicemail,” Wes grumped.
Evan smiled. Wes was not a weekend morning person. “Okay, honey,” he called, and was only thankful he wasn’t going to have to go.
By the time Wes left, with half a bagel in hand, Greyson was in his high chair, having breakfast, and Evan sat near him, helping Greyson find his mouth rather than his hair. After demonstrating for Greyson again, Evan let him eat and ate his own bagel, settling in for a quiet morning, just the two of them.
“Daddy’s still out with Grandma and Grandpa,” Evan told Greyson when he fussed a few hours later. He walked him around the living room, and they played airplane, which made Greyson laugh every single time. Thankfully, the back door opened, and Wes called out that he was home, bringing in two huge bags along with him. “What’s all this?”
“The people at Mom and Dad’s church donated a huge amount of stuff for Greyson. They helped Mom and Dad as well. Mom got wind of it this morning, and that’s why she called.” Wes lifted the bags. “This is the best way I had to carry it. The rest of the car is full of diapers, clothes, and even a crib for him.” He looked about ready to cry. “They were all so nice.”
Evan relieved him of the bundle and carried the supplies into the house and up to Greyson’s room. He returned and brought up the crib and began putting it together while Wes watched Greyson. They had already taken out the bed in preparation for refurnishing, and thankfully it didn’t take forever to assemble the crib and get it made up for Greyson to use that night.
“This is going to be your new bed,” Wes said as he stood in the doorway, holding Greyson in his arms. He squirmed, and Wes set him down.
“Pa…,” Greyson said, toddling over to Evan. “Pa.”
“Are you calling me Pa?” Evan asked, and Greyson said it again, lifting his arms for Evan to pick him up. “Who’s that?” he asked, pointing at Wes.
“Da,” Greyson said, then turned to him. “Pa.”
“Apparently Greyson has decided who we are.” Wes joined him, and Evan slipped an arm around Wes’s waist. “I’m going to be daddy and you are going to be papa.”
“How do you feel about that?” Evan asked. He had been afraid to press things with all the stuff that had been going on the past few weeks. He and Wes had grown closer—Evan had felt it—but there hadn’t been a lot of chance to talk.
“I think it’s perfect, love.” Wes kissed him.
“So do I.” Every time he heard Wes say that word, Evan filled a little more with warmth and joy. He turned to Greyson. “Do you want me to be your papa?”
“Pa,” Greyson said again, patting his cheek. “Da.” He patted Wes’s.
Evan kissed Greyson’s head, and Wes did the same. Blessings came in many forms, and Evan figured he and Wes had just received theirs. Greyson was a blessing—so was Wes—and Evan was grateful for both of them, every minute of the day.
Epilogue
WES PARKED and got out of the car, leaves falling from the trees that lined the street. A cold fall wind with the promise of winter to come blew down the street, fluttering the leaves and creating a small cyclone of color.
“Just getting home from work?” Jordan asked as he and Jeremiah approached down the sidewalk.
“Yes.” Wes felt a little at odd ends. “Evan was going to pick up Greyson and then meet me here, but it doesn’t look like he’s home yet.” He pulled his keys out of his pocket. “Do you want to come in for something to drink?”
“That would be nice,” Jordan said, and the two of them followed Wes to the door. He slipped the key in the lock and pushed open the door. The rooms were dark, and he reached for the light switch to turn them on.
“Surprise!” All their friends jumped out at them, and Greyson ran up to him, grabbing his leg.
Wes lifted him. “What’s this for?” he asked Jordan, who, judging from his smirk, knew exactly what was supposed to happen. His mom and dad stood in front, smiling. They had decided that things needed to change and had wanted to be part of his and Greyson’s lives. Forgiveness worked both ways, it seemed.
“Ask Evan,” Jordan said.
Their friends parted, and Evan walked through the center of them, clothed in his dress uniform. God, he was gorgeous, and without giving it much thought, Wes passed Greyson to Uncle Jordan just before Evan took his hands.
“Why are you dressed this way?”
Evan grinned. “My promotion came through today. I’m the newest lieutenant in the sheriff’s department, and my new duty station is at the courthouse.”
“Is that what we’re celebrating?” Wes asked. “Not that it isn’t enough, but we knew this was coming once you passed the exams and….” Wes’s words failed him as Evan slowly lowered himself to one knee. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Jordan set a squirming Greyson on his feet.
“Pa,” Greyson called, and he ran over and stood next to Evan, who put an arm around him.
“Yes, we can’t forget you.” Evan smiled, then looked up at Wes, his intense gaze making everything and everyone else fade away until there was only Evan and his son. “I wanted to ask you if you’d marry me and be my husband.” He then turned to Greyson. “Do you want me to be your papa, forever?”
“Pa!” Greyson answered.
“Yes,” Wes answered.
Evan lifted Greyson and then stood, bringing Wes into the three-way embrace. Then he kissed him, to hoots and hollers from all the assembled guests, which faded to applause.
Wes couldn’t think of a better way to officially start their family.
More from Andrew Grey
A Carlisle Deputies Novel
Jordan Erichsohn suspects something is rotten about his boss, Judge Crawford. Unfortunately he has nowhere to turn and doubts anyone will believe his claims—least of all the handsome deputy, Pierre Ravelle, who has been assigned to protect the judge after he received threatening letters. The judge has a long reach, and if he finds out Jordan’s turned on him, he might impede Jordan adopting his son, Jeremiah.
When Jordan can no longer stay silent, he gathers his courage and tells Pierre what he knows. To his surprise and relief, Pierre believes him, and Jordan finds an ally… and maybe more. Pierre vows to do what it takes to protect Jordan and Jeremiah and see justice done. He’s willing to fight for the man he’s growing to love and the family he’s starting to think of as his own. But Crawford is a powerful and dangerous enemy, and he’s not above ripping apart everything Jordan and Pierre are trying to build in order to save himself….
A Carlisle Deputies Novel
The heat is growing from the inside, but danger is building on the outside.
Judge Andrew Phillips runs a tight ship in his courtroom. He’s tough, and when he hands down a sentence, he expects to be obeyed. So when a fugitive named Harper escapes and threatens his life, Andrew isn’t keen on twenty-four/seven protection… especially not from Deputy Clay Brown. They have a past, one that could cause problems in their careers.
But with Clay assigned to Andrew and the two of them together every minute, there’s nowhere to hide from their attraction—or from the fact that there’s much more than chemistry blooming between them. As the threat intensifies, Clay knows he’ll do anything it t
akes to protect the people who are taking their places in his heart: Andrew and his young niece and nephew.
A Carlisle Deputies Novel
When Chris Anducci is moved off jail duty and into the sheriff’s office, he doesn’t expect his first assignment to be protecting a witness against a human trafficking ring. Knowing the new sheriff doesn’t abide screwups, Chris reluctantly agrees to work the case.
Pavle Kasun has spent the last four years of his life at the mercy of others. When an opportunity presented itself, he took it, resulting in his rescue. Now the safe houses he’s placed in are being threatened and he needs protection if he is to have any sort of chance at a life.
Chris opens his home to Pavle, but he doesn’t expect Pavle and his story to get under his skin… and stay there. Soon they discover they have more in common than either of them thought. Slowly Pavle comes out of his shell and Chris finds someone who touches his heart. But as the men looking for Pavle close in, they will stop at nothing to get him out of the way. Even if Chris can keep him safe, he might not be able to protect his heart if Pavle moves back home.
A Carlisle Deputies Novel
Can a couple be more opposite than a thief and a cop? Or do they have more in common than they think?
Mattias Dumont stole to survive. He was damn good at it. But there’s no such thing as a victimless crime, and when he saw how his theft hurt people, he resolved to change. Now he works as a consultant, and while helping to investigate a rash of burglaries, he crosses paths with James.
Police Officer James Levinson doesn’t trust thieves, and that includes Mattias. James’s father stole to support himself, and James knows firsthand how that can destroy lives—it inspired him to go into law enforcement. Mattias is no different, from what he can tell… at first.
As they work together, Mattias and James realize there’s something deeper between them than just the physical attraction neither can deny. Given time, they might even grow to trust each other—unless the case they’re working on dredges up pasts both would rather forget.
He doesn’t know that home is where his heart will be….
Firefighter Tyler Banik has seen his share of adventure while working disaster relief with the Red Cross. But now that he’s adopted Abey, he’s ready to leave the danger behind and put down roots. That means returning to his hometown—where the last thing he anticipates is falling for his high school nemesis.
Alan Pettaprin isn’t the boy he used to be. As a business owner and council member, he’s working hard to improve life in Scottville for everyone. Nobody is more surprised than Alan when Tyler returns, but he’s glad. For him, it’s a chance to set things right. Little does he guess he and Tyler will find the missing pieces of themselves in each other. Old rivalries are left in the ashes, passion burns bright, and the possibility for a future together stretches in front of them….
But not everyone in town is glad to see Tyler return….
Readers love the Carlisle Deputies series by Andrew Grey
Fire and Flint
“…my sincere recommendation to anyone looking for a completely fresh story. You’ll not regret picking this one up!”
—Divine Magazine
Fire and Granite
“Adventure, excitement, fascination, hot sexy times, danger and so much more is what you will find in this book. It caught my attention from the start and kept it all the way to the end.”
—MM Good Book Reviews
Fire and Agate
“Andrew Grey did it again with a wonderful plot and complex characters.”
—OptimuMM
Fire and Obsidian
“This was such a great read. There is mystery and suspense. There is action and even some unlikely attraction. This is definitely one of my favorite books in this series so far.”
—Gay Book Reviews
ANDREW GREY is the author of more than one hundred works of Contemporary Gay Romantic fiction. After twenty-seven years in corporate America, he has now settled down in Central Pennsylvania with his husband, Dominic, and his laptop. An interesting ménage. Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He is a recipient of the RWA Centennial Award, has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and now writes full-time. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing). He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.andrewgreybooks.com
By Andrew Grey
Accompanied by a Waltz
All for You
Between Loathing and Love
Borrowed Heart
Buried Passions
Chasing the Dream
Crossing Divides
Dominant Chord
Dutch Treat
Eastern Cowboy
Heartward
In Search of a Story
New Tricks
Noble Intentions
North to the Future
One Good Deed
On Shaky Ground
The Playmaker
Pulling Strings
Rebound
Reunited
Running to You
Saving Faithless Creek
Shared Revelations
Survive and Conquer
Three Fates
To Have, Hold, and Let Go
Turning the Page
Twice Baked
Unfamiliar Waters
Whipped Cream
ART
Legal Artistry • Artistic Appeal
Artistic Pursuits • Legal Tender
BOTTLED UP
The Best Revenge • Bottled Up
Uncorked • An Unexpected Vintage
BRONCO’S BOYS
Inside Out • Upside Down
Backward • Round and Round
Over and Back
THE BULLRIDERS
A Wild Ride • A Daring Ride • A Courageous Ride
BY FIRE
Redemption by Fire • Strengthened by Fire
Burnished by Fire • Heat Under Fire
CARLISLE COPS
Fire and Water • Fire and Ice • Fire and Rain
Fire and Snow • Fire and Hail • Fire and Fog
CARLISLE DEPUTIES
Fire and Flint • Fire and Granite
Fire and Agate • Fire and Obsidian
Fire and Onyx
CHEMISTRY
Organic Chemistry • Biochemistry • Electrochemistry
Chemistry Anthology
DREAMSPUN DESIRES
The Lone Rancher
Poppy’s Secret
The Best Worst Honeymoon Ever
EYES OF LOVE
Eyes Only for Me • Eyes Only for You
FOREVER YOURS
Can’t Live Without You • Never Let You Go
GOOD FIGHT
The Good Fight • The Fight Within
The Fight for Identity • Takoda and Horse
HEARTS ENTWINED
Heart Unseen • Heart Unheard
Heart Untouched • Heart Unbroken
HOLIDAY STORIES
Copping a Sweetest Day Feel • Cruise for Christmas
A Lion in Tails • Mariah the Christmas Moose
A Present in Swaddling Clothes
Simple Gifts • Snowbound in Nowhere
Stardust • Sweet Anticipation
LAS VEGAS ESCORTS
The Price • The Gift
LOVE MEANS…
Love Means… No Shame • Love Means… Courage
Love Means… No Boundaries • Love Means… Freedom
Love Means … No Fear • Love Means… Healing
Love Means… Family �
� Love Means… Renewal
Love Means… No Limits • Love Means… Patience
Love Means… Endurance
LOVE’S CHARTER
Setting the Hook • Ebb and Flow
PLANTING DREAMS
Planting His Dream • Growing His Dream
REKINDLED FLAME
Rekindled Flame • Cleansing Flame
Smoldering Flame
SENSES
Love Comes Silently • Love Comes in Darkness
Love Comes Home • Love Comes Around
Love Comes Unheard • Love Comes to Light
SEVEN DAYS
Seven Days • Unconditional Love
STORIES FROM THE RANGE
A Shared Range • A Troubled Range • An Unsettled Range
A Foreign Range • An Isolated Range
A Volatile Range • A Chaotic Range
STRANDED
Stranded • Taken
TALES FROM KANSAS
Dumped in Oz • Stuck in Oz • Trapped in Oz
TALES FROM ST. GILES
Taming the Beast • Redeeming the Stepbrother
TASTE OF LOVE
A Taste of Love • A Serving of Love
A Helping of Love • A Slice of Love
WITHOUT BORDERS
A Heart Without Borders • A Spirit Without Borders
WORK OUT
Spot Me • Pump Me Up • Core Training
Crunch Time • Positive Resistance
Personal Training • Cardio Conditioning
Work Me Out Anthology