Fire and Onyx

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: andrewgrey@comcast.net

  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