Part 23
Steve
I
place the napkins on the table and do one last check. Everything looks good.
There are napkins, paper plates, plastic silverware and places to place the
food Joey is making inside. There are folding chairs and brightly colored
tablecloths on the picnic table. I can’t help but smile as I see the balloons
Joey places on the table as a centerpiece.
Today
is Aiden’s first birthday. It’s still amazing to me that it’s been a whole year
since he entered our life. He’s just made our home so much better. He’s growing
up so fast, though. There is a part of me that wants to freeze time so he can
stay this size forever. But then when I think that, I see him do something new
and I want him to grow up faster so I can see what he does next. Parenthood is
confusing.
“Steve,
I think your parents are here.”
I
smile as I hear Joey’s voice filtering outside from the kitchen. With one last
glance around, I walk into the kitchen. Joey is busy dishing potato salad into
a large bowl.
“I
heard a car pull into the driveway and since Lucas is always late…”
“Yeah,
I get it,” I say, kissing Joey on the cheek.
“Wanna
go say hi to your grandparents,” I ask Aiden, whose sitting in his high chair,
munching on some Cheerios.
Aiden
looks up at me and gives me a smile. I smile back before lifting him into my
arms and walking to the front of the house.
I
open the door just as my parents come up the walk. We all exchange hellos as my
Mom takes Aiden out of my arms, cooing him all the while. Aiden smiles back and
clumsily claps his hands. He always loves attention.
I
lead my parents to the kitchen where they hello to Joey. I admit that the
relationship between them and Joey was strained when I first started dating,
but they have really warmed up to him. Of course, Aiden has helped in that
regard.
The
four of us are just starting to catch up when the doorbell rings again.
Excusing myself, I go to get the door.
“Hey
Lucas,” I say as I open the door. We really don’t have too many people that we
were close enough too to invite to Aiden’s first birthday party. So I knew it
was going to be him.
What
I don’t expect is the guy standing next to him. He’s not the hottest guy in the
world, but even I have to admit there is a cuteness about him. He’s really
skinny with blonde hair and thick glasses. And he is fairly average height.
Actually, that kind of describes the rest of him. Average. But was makes me
stops and stare is the arm Lucas has wrapped tightly around him.
“Hey,
Steve. This is Hal. I hope you don’t mind I brought him.”
“Of
course not,” I say, trying not to let my shock show too much. “It’s nice to
meet you.”
“You
too. I’m sorry to crash your son’s party. He made me come,” Hal says, looking
at the ground.
“Hey,
it’s no problem. I’m certainly always interested in meeting Lucas’s boyfriends.
And Aiden’s only one so I don’t think he cares.”
Hal
gives me a shy smile as I stand aside and motion them inside. Lucas guides Hal
into the kitchen where I can hear the introductions being made. I can’t help
but stay behind and shake my head. Lucas with a boyfriend. That he took to meet
me and Joey. On Aiden’s first birthday. This guy must be pretty serious. I
never thought I’d see the day.
As
the afternoon went on, things started to get even more interesting. We go out
in the backyard and have a great meal. And on the surface, it is quite normal.
The odd thing is every time I look over at Lucas he has his hand or his arm on
Hal. It isn’t sexual, just comforting and sweet. Now don’t get me wrong. I love
Lucas like a brother and he is one of the sweetest guys I know. But not with
his boyfriends. Actually it wasn’t even boyfriends. It was more like friends
with benefits. But this is different. And I am dying to know more.
Finally,
I get the chance when Joey asks me to go get the cake, having his hands full
with Aiden. Taking my chance, I ask Lucas for help. He shoots a look at Hal
that makes me wonder if he is going to come, but he gets up and follows me into
the house.
“So
what’s up with you,” I blurt out as soon as we are inside.
“What
do you mean,” Lucas asks, grabbing the dessert plates.
“Hal.
I’ve never seen you care about a guy like that before.”
Lucas
sighs. “He’s different, Steve. I think…he may be the one.”
I
turn around from the cake and look at my best friend. He has a small blush and
a smile on his face. Walking over, I wrap him in a hug.
“I’m
happy for you. You deserve it.”
“Thanks.
I’m happy. I’ve envied what you and Joey have had for years. But until I met
Hal, I didn’t think it was possible.”
“And
now?”
“Well,
we’ll have to see. But I’m hopeful.”
I
pull back and smile at Lucas. “I’m glad. Now let’s get the cake before Joey
sends a search party.”
Together,
we gather up the cake, plates, matches and the candle formed in the shape of a
one and walk them outside.
Setting
them on the table, I light the candle and we sing happy birthday. Aiden is
confused by it all and Joey has to help him blow out the candle, but he loves
the cake, smashing it in his face as soon as he gets a piece.
We
all sit around the table, laughing and eating the delicious cake. But through
it all, I can’t help but sneaking glances at Lucas and Hal. The soft touches
and smiles say all I need to know about the love between them.
Love
is certainly growing around here. And it’s a beautiful thing.
And there's Part 23! What does everyone think of Hal and Lucas? They were first featured in a free short story that can be found here. (Although, that part is set a little farther down the road.) I was thinking that maybe I should write their story when Steve and Joey's is done. What does everyone think? Let me know and check back next week for more of Steve, Joey and Aiden!!!
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