Chapter 42 – Life Goes on – Finale

“Penny for your thoughts,” Braylin whispered into Trebor’s ear as they stood watching the waves break against the shore.

“What?” Trebor murmured as if he’d been a million miles away. “Sorry,” he gave Braylin a lopsided smile “I was thinking about Blake and hoping my parents are able to handle him for the night.”

“I can’t believe he’ll be five years old tomorrow,” Bray shook his head as if he could slow time down. Taking Trebor’s hand in his, he gave it a squeeze before turning to stroll along the beach. “Does he know I’m home?”

Trebor shook his head, chuckling a little “not unless my parents can’t keep a secret.” He couldn’t imagine his parents telling Blake and ruining the surprise. “I imagine if they told him we wouldn’t have a moment’s peace until he got to see you. You’re part of his surprise tomorrow.”

“I can’t wait to see him,” Bray stopped to gaze out over the water, he wrapped an arm around Trebor, pulling him close. “He must be getting so big now.”

Leaning his head on Bray’s shoulder Trebor could hear the wistful almost yearning note in Bray’s voice. “We don’t have to wait until tomorrow. We could give him an early birthday present.”

“And ruin his surprise,” Bray shook his head. “It’s alright. I can wait.”

“It isn’t fair to you though,” Trebor pulled away enough to lift a hand up to caress Bray’s cheek. “I didn’t realize how difficult it would be for you to wait. You’ve been away so long. I shouldn’t have asked you to wait to see your son just because I thought it’d be a great birthday present.”

“Hey,” Bray tilted his forehead down making contact with Trebor’s, his arms slid around his husband’s waist. “I can wait,” he soothed, not wanting Trebor to worry or feel like he was being unfair to him. “It’s a wonderful idea. I for one can’t wait to see his surprise. It’d be even better if you’d let me jump out of the cake.”

“You sure?” he asked searching Bray’s face and eyes for any sign that he was just saying this to protect his feelings.

“Positive,” he kissed across Trebor’s face as if rediscovering long forgotten territory. His mouth hovered a fraction over Trebor’s lips “tonight is our time. There are things I want to do to you that I’ve been dreaming of doing to you for months.”

Bray’s words sent something like an electrical shock through Trebor’s body. “In that case I can hardly wait to get home.” 

“Why wait?” Bray asked, closing the miniscule gap between their lips.

Pulse racing, breathing hard Trebor could feel the synergy between them awakening the lust he’d always had for this man, his husband. No one else had ever awakened these desires in him. Breaking the kiss even though he craved to feel Bray’s hands all over his body, “Bray no, we can’t.”

“Why not?” he asked in a sultry voice, “it’s not like we haven’t done it before.”

“Yes I know but…” even as the words slipped from his lips Trebor found himself scanning the beach. 

“You know you want to,” Bray nuzzled his nose behind Trebor’s ear inhaling the spicy ocean fresh scent he’d missed so much. The scent he missed in the sheets he slept on in that lonely little apartment so many miles from the man he missed more than hockey. Taking a tiny step back, taking Trebor’s hands in his, lifting them to his lips, kissing the fingertips as he gazed intently into Trebor’s eyes. “We can wait until we get home. It’s alright.”

Seeing the desire, the lust making Bray’s eyes sparkle Trebor almost found himself nodding but there was something else there too. Something deeper than instant gratification it was like two halves that belonged together, it was an almost irresistible pull drawing them together. A tiny smile tugged at his lips “what if I don’t want to wait?”

Squeezing Trebor’s hands Braylin smirked “I knew the moment you suggested a walk along the beach this is what you wanted.”

Shaking his head Trebor wanted to deny the thought had ever crossed his mind but it would have been a pointless lie. He knew the thought had been in the back of his mind. He knew exactly where they were. Taking Bray’s hand in his he led him to the spot he secretly considered their special spot along the beach not far from his grandparents house. It was a spot they’d been before, stopping he turned towards Bray “what can I say? You know me all too well.”

“I do,” Braylin agreed. He brought his hands up, holding Trebor’s face gently between his palms savoring the look of adoration shining back at him. The love he knew he couldn’t live without “I’ve missed you so much.” He brought his mouth to Trebor’s in a kiss that seemed to be saying thank you for loving me and it held a promise that they’d go on loving each other.

Panting as they broke the kiss long enough for Bray to pull Trebor’s shirt off. “I’m so glad you’re home to stay,” Trebor murmured, melting into Bray’s touch and giving himself fully into the moment.

***

“Daddy! Daddy!” Blake cried running to greet Bray with his arms open wide.

Hugging his son close, “you’ve gotten so big,” Bray blinked a few times in quick succession 

“I’m a big boy now,” Blake asserted squirming from his dad’s arms. “I’m in school now.”

“Not so fast,” Trebor shook his head “you’re not in school for another few months.”

“But I’m five,” Blake raised his hand up, fingers spread wide.

“Yes you are,” Garrett winked down at his grandson. “But you need to be patient for the next school year to start.”

“But I…” he crossed his arms in front of his chest. Stomping his foot “I want to go now.”

Garret shook his head staring down at the little boy. “Don’t you want to spend time with your daddy? You won’t be able to if you went to school now.”

A deep frown burrowed between Blakes eyes as he thought over his grandpa’s words. “I guess school can wait,” he grudgingly agreed, “but,” he held up a finger before anyone interrupted him, “only for a few months.” He beamed around at the gathered adults before nodding as if congratulating himself for getting the upper hand he ran over to join his cousin Marcy and her little brother Ben.

“What was that all about?” Bray demanded watching his son walk away.

Trebor wrapped his arms around his husband from behind, “that’s our little boy growing up and no longer needing us.”

Bray wasn’t sure he liked the sound of that. Pressing his lips to Trebor’s cheek “if it makes you feel any better, I still need you.”

Looking up with a soft but sad smile Trebor said “that’s good but it’s not the same.”

“Well you can always have another,” Toby suggested, joining the group.

“Dad,” Bray cried, surprised that his parents had made the trip to the island. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

“Surprise,” Trebor chuckled, glad he had thought to invite Bray’s parents. 

“Our grandson said he couldn’t turn five without us,” Bray’s other dad said.

“Since going to school is so important to him we couldn’t be the ones to keep him from turning five,” Toby added with a grin. 

“So here we are,” his husband added, waving his arms as if to say ta da at the end of a magic act.

“I knew it,” Bray chuckled, giving his parents a hug each, savoring the feel of the arms around him knowing there had been a time when he hadn’t been this close to his parents and he had missed them. “You love the little rascal more than me.”

“Every parent thinks their grandchildren are perfect,” Verity announced as she joined them carrying the birthday boy’s cake out and setting it on a table.

“Is that how it works,” Trebor asked, moving over to help her.

“Of course,” she gave him a quick peck on the cheek murmuring thank you. “We know all too well our own children aren’t perfect. Perfection skips a generation.”

Raising an eyebrow “that implies you were perfect.”

“Of course,” she pinched his cheek, making him squirm away from her. “Let’s get this birthday party started.”

***

Trebor looked when he heard Braylin come home. “How did it go?” he asked worry flickering across his face when Bray silently slipped into a chair like he weighed more than his legs could carry. “You did get the job, didn’t you?” he asked moving from the couch where he had been aimlessly flipping through channels waiting for Bray to come home. 

Kneeling in front of Bray he reached up gently caressing Bray’s cheek. “It’s just one interview. You’ll get the next one.” His chest felt heavy as his heart ached for Bray. He knew how much Bray had wanted this assistant coaching position.

Unable to meet Trebor’s gaze, Bray lowered his head into his hands. “Someone else beat me to it.”

“Who,” Trebor wanted to know. “Whoever it was can’t be as qualified as you are. Who else could they have found who is a pro athlete?”

Bray’s lips twitched at the resentful tone in Trebor’s words. “Maybe you should let them know what a big mistake they made.”

“I should,” he agreed with half a mind to do exactly that. Setting a hand on Bray’s knee he asked “what are you going to do now?”

“There’s only one thing I can do,” Bray lifted his chin up, his eyes full of mischief.

Raising an eyebrow Trebor asked “what did you do? Tell me you didn’t TP the principal’s house or something equally juvenile.”

Bray chuckled a little “would I do that?” 

“Yes,” Trebor cried, squelching the urge to headslap the bowed head. “What did you do?” he demanded, wondering what the gossip mongers would be saying the next time he went shopping. “You know I’m going to find out eventually.”

“I didn’t do anything dreadful,” Bray chuckled, joining Trebor on the floor. “Unless you call accepting a job as dreadful.”

Trebor’s mouth flopped open a moment before being snapped shut. “But you said…” frowning heavily at his husband “you said you didn’t get the coaching job.”

“I didn’t,” he agreed, grinning at Trebor, eyes sparkling, enjoying his little joke.

Trebor let out an irritated growl “you’re not making sense. Did you or did you not get the job?”

Shaking his head, Bray couldn’t answer the question for laughing so hard. Once he caught his breath he explained “I was offered a different position. A better one.”

Trebor gave Bray a puzzled look “I don’t understand.”

“The assistant coaching position was already filled,” Bray explained, “so they offered me the position of head coach instead.”

“Really?” Trebor asked suspicion heavy in his tone, half suspecting he was the brunt of another joke.

“Yep,” Bray confirmed, nodding “guess who the assistant coach is?”

Shaking his head still trying to absorb the news “I haven’t a clue.”

“John,” Bray said as if he were about to burst if he didn’t get it out. “He and Wally moved to the island and the school saw their chance to have not one pro athlete but two. So we’ll be working together again.”

“That’s great,” Trebor was happy that Bray would have his friend so close. “We’ll have them to supper once they’re settled in their new home.”

“And guess what else?”

“I don’t think I can take too many more surprises,” Trebor said leaning into Bray knowing that he had one surprise to add to all the ones Bray had given him.

“John’s pregnant. He had the male pregnancy procedure and it worked.” Bray couldn’t be happier for his friend.

“How far along is he?” Trebor asked.

Bray gave him a look that showed he suspected there was something more than curiosity behind the question. “I don’t know. Eight weeks or so. You’ll have to ask him to know for sure.”

A smile spread across Trebor’s face. “Then we’ll be due about the same time.”

“Due?” Bray asked, his face scrunched in confusion.

“I’m about eight weeks along,” Trebor said “I told you I had a surprise for you when you got home.”

Bray stared at him “but we’ve been so careful except…” his mind went back in time to when he first came home. The walk along the beach that ended in their spot, “oh,” he said softly looking over at Trebor.

Nodding Trebor chuckled “I guess we weren’t so careful that time.”

Placing a hand on Trebor’s stomach “are you okay with this?” They had discussed having more kids but they had both agreed they were content with Blake. “I know you wanted to focus more on your career now that I was home.”

Placing his hand over Bray’s, he nodded “I’m more than ok with it. This is a good thing.”

“We need to celebrate,” Bray declared with a mischievous glint in his eyes. He knew that Trebor knew what he meant when he wrapped his arms around his neck allowing Bray to lift him in the air. “It’s a good thing Blake is with his cousins for the weekend.”

“Aren’t you glad I suggested it?” Trebor asked as he was carried up the stairs to their bedroom.

“Mmmhmm,” Bray purred. “I married myself a very smart man.

Chapter 38 – Visits From Daddy

A few months later Braylin walked into the kitchen to find Trebor staring out the window, a mixing spool in his hand. “Something interesting going out there?”

“What?” Trebor swung around splattering the wall and floor with batter.

Walking across the room Braylin put an arm around Trebor’s waist. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Grasping Bray’s hand Trebor closed his eyes forcing himself to breathe normally. Leaning into his husband he said “you’d think I’d get getter better now that I’m home and she’s gone forever.”

Turning Trebor around Bray cupped his face between his hands. “You were terrorized by that woman since you were a baby. Those feelings and memories aren’t going to magically go away just because she’s no longer around to hurt you anymore. I wish they could because i want you to have peace of mind and be able to feel secure.”

“I do feel secure…” his voice faded. They both knew he was a nervous mess when Bray wasn’t there with him. His anxiety was at an all time high since Braylin had started training with the team and staying in the city now.

“It’s only for a few more months until the end of the season. Then I’ll be home for good.” Bray assured him, giving him a soft peck on the cheek. 

Nodding Trebor leaned into him as if he were trying to draw strength from him. “I know it’s only a few months even if it feels like forever.” He looked up, a slight smile on his face “I want you to enjoy your last season. You don’t have to worry about me. I promise.” He knew that Bray worried and he wished there was something he could do to prove that he didn’t need to. Biting his bottom lip, thinking a moment before adding “Dad and I have started going to a support group for trauma victims. It helps to talk. It helps knowing that what I’m feeling is normal and that I’m not alone.”

“That’s good,” Braylin sighed a little. He’d been worried that Trebor would find it overwhelming and cause his anxiety to escalate past the point he was able to handle. It came as a relief to find that it was helping him. He was still worried and hoped that it wouldn’t dig up too many memories from the past while he was gone and wouldn’t be able to help him. Glancing at the floor and the mess he inadvertently caused. “Want some help cleaning up?” he offered.

Trebor hesitated a fraction of a moment as he contemplated Bray’s offer. He hated sharing his kitchen space with anyone but it was an opportunity to have more time with Bray before he left in the morning. “Sure,” he resolutely turned his back on the congealing mess and left the warmth of Bray’s embrace to turn the stove on. “You can clean up the mess you made while I get the pancakes started. He knew he would mop the floor later and wipe down the walls once Bray left. 

“Well…I don’t know,” Bray sighed, lips twitching, “manual labor isn’t exactly in my job description.”

Snorting “mopping the floor isn’t manual labor.” The forgotten mixing spoon waving in the air sent batter onto the counter. Groaning a little “look what you made me do now.”

Shaking his head Bray said “me? I didn’t make you do anything.”

Groaning Trebor reached for some paper towels. “At this rate I’m going to have to make a whole new batch of batter by now most of it is either on the floor or the walls.” His half irritated expression melted upon seeing Bray’s twinkling eyes and knew he was trying not to laugh. “Maybe I’ll just make eggs and toast instead.”

Taking his hands Bray took the mixing spoon and set it down “or we can go out for breakfast.”

“But the mess…” Trebor wouldn’t feel right leaving the house even briefly like this.

“Get dressed and by the time you’re ready I’ll have the kitchen cleaned up,” Bray told him “then you can come back and clean it again.”

Trebor opened his mouth to protest but he snapped it shut just as quickly. They both knew he would so why pretend he wouldn’t? “Fine,” he said, “but it better be spotless.”

***

“I want Daddy,” Blake wailed, throwing one of his toys across the room.

Trebor jerked his head up from a medical journal he was reading. His heart leaped into his throat at the sudden unexpected sound. “Blakey Daddy went bye bye.”

“No,” he whined, eyes swimming with tears “want Daddy.”

“Daddy’s going to call us as soon as his flight lands,” Trebor explained. “You like talking to Daddy on the phone.”

“Not the same,” Blake sniffed, rubbing his eyes.

“No it’s not,” Trebor got up and sat beside his son on the floor. “Once Daddy is finished playing for the season he’s coming home for good. Then we’ll see him every day.” Even as the words came out Trebor knew it would make little difference to Blake. It felt like forever even to him. 

He watched his son wondering how he could make it easier on him. A four year old’s concept of time was very different to his. Simply telling him Daddy would be home for a visit in two weeks would make little sense to him when he wanted his daddy now. 

“Want Daddy home now,” Blake sobbed, confirming Trebor’s thoughts.

“He’ll come home,” Trebor assured him. He hated how distraught Blake was every time Braylin had to leave. It seemed to get worse every time they had to say goodbye. Not for the first time he wondered if it would be better if Braylin just stayed in the city instead of coming home for infrequent visits. Shaking his head he knew he simply couldn’t go for months without seeing Braylin and he didn’t want to deprive Bray of seeing his son. He just had to find a way to make it better.

“It’ll get better,” he murmured his mind working on how he could make it better for both of them.

Sobbing louder “want Daddy home.”

Listening to his son’s cries was almost enough to break his own resolve not to break down. Taking a deep breath he took his son’s hand and stood up. “Daddy is coming home in two weeks.” Getting on his knees in front of his son “do you know how long that is?”

Sniffing Blake shook his head “is that longer than tomorrow?”

Nodding Trebor scooped him up “I’m afraid so Bud.” He carried Blake over to one of the wall calendars. Pointing he said “this is today.” He moved his finger on the calendar “this is when we’ll see Daddy again.”

Blake frowned at the calendar, shaking his head “no want to wait. Daddy come home now.”

“I don’t want to wait either,” Trebor agreed with him. Taking a nearby pen he drew an ‘X’ inside the box “when all the boxes have an ‘X’ that’s when Daddy comes home to visit.”

“Too long,” Blake whined, snuggling into Trebor, sucking on his thumb.

“I know but it’s only for a little while.” Smiling down at his son he added “then we’ll have Daddy all the time. Would you like that?”

“Yes,” he nodded, sucking on his thumb in earnest now a habit he’d gotten into since Braylin had started training.

“Me too,” Trebor sighed, watching him for a moment. “Let’s go visit Grammy and Grampa. That’ll be fun.”

Blakes eyes lit up with interest. “Cookies?” he asked hopefully.

“I’m sure Grammy will have cookies for you,” he booped his son’s nose “but only if you ask nicely.”

“Me always say pweas,” he said grinning as the tears dried on his cheeks. 

“Good. Let’s go see Grammy,” Trebor grinned, chuckling a little at his son, thankful he was able to find something for his son to be happy about.

Chapter 35 – A Little Family Time

“Where ever body go?” Blake asked, rubbing his eyes, yawning wide as he looked around him. 

“They went home,” Braylin explained, lifting his son up into his arms. “Remember before you went to bed you hugged them goodbye?”

“This home. No bye.” Blake’s voice rose “they stay here. Here home.”

“This is our home,” Braylin paused, hugging the little boy in his arms. “They’ll come visit again,” deciding that an explanation wasn’t needed, just the promise that he’d see them again. 

“Oh,” Blake blinked up at him, satisfied for the moment with the answer. “Down. Down,” he demanded, squirming In Bray’s arms.

Smiling Braylin knew the bundle of energy that was his son wouldn’t allow for an extended amount of time for cuddles. “Hold your horses,” he mumbled, setting his son down on the floor and watching him toddle towards his toy box. He knew within seconds the tidy room would look as if a tornado had hit it. Whoever said terrible twos had not met his three year old son. He’d gladly take his two’s over his constant motion and curious nature. 

Shaking his head he turned to the door, stopping long enough to check the baby monitor before leaving to find Trebor. He had a hunch that Trebor would be missing his family and would need a little TLC. Going down the stairs he found Trebor in the living room, “hey babe,” he announced his presence so that he didn’t startle him and spark a full on panic attack which had been known to happen.

Turning at the sound of Bray’s voice, Trebor smiled “is the twirling derby awake?”

“He’s awake and already missing all his extra playmates,” he regretted his word choice as soon as he saw the sadness cloud Trebor’s eyes. “Are you okay? Do you need me to stay home tomorrow?”

Giving his head a little shaking, sniffing “no I’ll be alright. Thanks for offering though.”

“You know I don’t mind,” he pulled Trebor close, burying his nose into Trebor’s soft, messy hair.

“Hey,” he cried “you’re going to mess up my hair,” Trebor complained although he did nothing to prevent it.

“How can you tell?” Bray chuckled at the wounded look Trebor gave him. “I thought you had the night off anyway.”

“I do but I…” he bit his bottom lip as if he were unsure how Braylin would take his next sentence. “The Director of Medicine called wanting me to see him tonight.”

Frowning, Braylin put a finger beneath Trebor’s chin and gently lifted his bowed head. “Is anything wrong?”

“I don’t think so,” it sounded like a question like he wasn’t sure if there was or wasn’t something wrong. “It could be a performance review. I missed the last one because Blake had the flu.”

“I suppose he didn’t give you an idea why he needed to see you,” Bray asked, watching Trebor closely for the slightest signs of stress.

“No,” he pushed away from Braylin to take a couple steps away. “He just asked if I could come in around eight.”

“It must not be anything too urgent then,” Braylin surmised, glancing at his watch. “We still have time to go to the park.”

“Yeah we do,” Trebor grinned, relieved that their plans weren’t completely destroyed by the unexpected meeting. “I have everything ready.”

“I guess that leaves me to get the tornado ready,” he moved towards the stairs refusing to give in to the need to tell Trebor to relax. He knew from experience that would often trigger anxiety which was the opposite of what he wanted to have happen.

***

Thirty minutes later they were the picture perfect family strolling through the park. “Swing,” Blake pointed, squirming to get down.

“Hold your horses,” Trebor chuckled. “We’re going to eat first.”

“Swings,” Blake cried, flailing his arms and legs as they walked past his favorite thing to do at the park. 

“Ow,” Trebor put a hand up inspecting his nose that felt as if he’d been smacked in the face by a baseball. 

“That’s enough young man,” Braylin set the picnic basket down so that he could take Blake from Trebor’s arms. “You can play after we eat or not at all.”

Blake’s bottom lip came out in a pout but he knew better than to argue when Braylin used the tone most parents acquired when they’ve had enough and their word was final. 

Picking up the picnic basket, Trebor suggested “why don’t you take him to the swings while I get things ready for us to eat.” 

Shaking his head, Braylin followed Trebor to their favorite picnic site. “I think he’ll have plenty of time to play later. He needs to learn to listen to you as well as to me.”

Nodding Trebor let out a small sigh. He was much too soft and Blake had already figured out which of his parents was the easiest one to get what he wanted. “You’re right. I need to be firmer with the little rascal.” He gave his son a fond smile “it’s just so difficult when he gives me those big sad puppy dog eyes.”

“You mean the ones you use on me?” Bray teased leaning down and planting a kiss on Trebor’s cheek. 

“I do not,” he huffed, giving a pretense to being offended as he set the basked down and began to unpack their lunch. Even though the sun was shining brightly there was a definite chill in the air and the leaves were showing the first tinge of red.”Blakes jacket is in that bag. Do you mind putting it on him?”

At the sight of the red jacket Blake began to whine. “No want,” he cried running from Bray.

“Blake come back here,” Trebor called after him. “Don’t run away from us.” His voice cracked as his hands clenched the sandwich he was holding, smashing it between his fingers. 

“Don’t worry,” Bray assured him “he won’t get far.” Braylin hated leaving Trebor alone with the first signs of an anxiety attack coming on but he had no choice. It’d be worse if Blake became lost or someone, god forbid, took him. The part was full of strangers and perverts. He knew Trebor well enough that he’d rather struggle alone than to run that risk.

By the time Braylin caught up with the runaway Blake was happily slung over one of the swings with his feet moving it back and forth. For a moment Bray watched him, admiring his tenacity. “He gets that from Trebor,” he murmured to himself. 

Hearing Bray’s voice Blake looked up with a dazzling smile as bright as any diamond glistening in the sun. “Swinging,” he announced, pleased with himself.

“I can see that,” Braylin shook his head glaring down at the boy. “It’s time to eat.” he gently bent to pick up the little boy knowing he wasn’t going to part from the swing easily.

“No. I swing,” Blake’s little hands grabbed for the chains, refusing to let go.

“I know you want to swing but do you deserve to swing,” he asked, watching the puzzled expression grow on his son’s face.

“Yes,” Blake nodded, “want swing.”

“Deserving and wanting something are two different things.” Braylin said grunting as the boy’s hold on the coveted swing loosened enough for him to pull him loose. “You were told you had to eat first. Then you ran away from us. I don’t think you deserve to swing.”

“But I want…” Blake’s bottom lip quivered “I like swing.”

“Yes I know but you have to learn to listen and be a good boy…”

“I good boy,” he mumbled as large tears rolled down his cheeks.

“Most of the time, do good boys run away when they know they are supposed to stay close to their parents in the park?”

Blake considered his answer before finally shaking his head “no,”

“Only good boys get to swing,” Braylin said. He watched as understanding filtered into Blake’s awareness. 

“I listen now,” he said “I eat then swing.”

“It doesn’t work like that,” Bray let out a little sigh “you need to listen all the time. Now because you didn’t you don’t get to swing.”

“I’m sorry,” Blake said certain that he would get what he wanted.

“I know you are but are you sorry because you made daddy scared or because you don’t get to swing?”

“I fine,” he pointed at his chest. “I not get lost. I big boy.”

“You’re not that big,” Braylin watched as the enormity of his plight sunk in and large tears rolled down his cheeks. 

Trebor took Blake from Bray’s arms as soon as they joined him at the table. He squeezed his son in his arms “don’t ever run away like that again. You could have been hurt.”

“I sorry,” Blake kissed him back.

***

It took some work but Trebor convinced Braylin to let Blake enjoy a little swing time after lunch. “He did apologize,” he inserted when he felt Bray was about to put his toes in and refuse.

“He did but has he learned his lesson?” He wondered aloud “or will he do it again? It’s not going to hurt him not to be able to play on the swings.”

“I know…”

“Oh no,” Bray shook his head “don’t give me that look. It’s bad enough Blake gives it to me.”

The delighted squeals from his son broke through his thoughts. It was worth it just to hear how happy it made him. Trebor knew he needed to be more strict with him but it was so difficult when he knew how close they had come to not having him. If it weren’t for Wally risking his own life to save both him and their son neither of them would be here to enjoy this day. Sighing a little he wished he had the chance to thank him….

“Boy am I tired,” Braylin announced as he plopped himself down beside Trebor “you might need to carry me home.”

“Oh no I’m not,” he chuckled, shaking his head “the only person I’m carrying home is our son. He’s already half asleep now.” They both looked over to where Blake’s head was lolling to the side, his eyes half shut, held in place by the swing made specifically for toddlers. Standing Trebor chuckled “we better head home before he falls asleep.”

Groaning a little as he followed, Braylin reached Blake first “I’ll take him. That way when we get home you can get ready for your meeting without worrying about him clinging to you if he wakes up.” They both knew that Blake liked to cuddle when he woke up and often refused to let go of whoever was holding him until he was ready to be set down. 

“Oh…” he gasped. He had tried to not think about his pending job performance review all day. 

“Worried?” Bray asked, putting an arm around his shoulders. “You’re going to do just fine.”

“I hope so,” he couldn’t hide the worry and doubt he felt. It hadn’t been easy the last few years with everything that had happened but the hospital had worked with him to help him continue his residency. Leaning into Bray he sighed a little “you’re amazing you know that? Always worrying about me. One day you’re going to get tired of me.”

“Never,” Braylin shook his head as they began to walk home.

“Oh sure, you say that now but everyone has their limit…” his next words were muffled by Braylin’s mouth over his.

Pulling back Bray grinned “you’re not even close,” he squeezed Trebor’s hand that he was holding. “We need each other. I can’t imagine nor do I want to imagine that ever changing.”

“Neither do I,” he leaned in close, planting a kiss on Bray’s cheek.

Knights of Hope – Chapter 26 – Undercover

Arriving at the hospital, Braylin ran inside the emergency room. Groaning loudly at the sight of the long line in front of the lone nurse at the reception desk. Tapping his toes as he barely restrained his frustration as the couple in front of him aired their grievances at having to wait to see a doctor. It struck him as odd when it was his turn and it wasn’t Lana greeting him. “Can you tell if Trebor Bennett has checked in yet?”

Checking something on her computer in front of her she shook her head “are they a patient?”

“An ambulance was supposed to bring him in. He’s in labor,” the words tumbled from his lips. “He should be here already…”

“Not necessarily,” the woman gave him a sympathetic if harried smile “why don’t you have a seat and I’ll let you know when he has been admitted.”

Bray’s protest died on his lips as the man behind him pushed him aside anxious for attention. Taking a seat in the crowded waiting room Bray kept a silent vigil on the emergency room door. Several accident victims had been reeled in but not one pregnant person. Not one had Trebor’s distinctive red hair. 

An hour slowly ticked by. Bray couldn’t overcome the feeling that something terrible had happened. Dragging his eyes from the emergency room doors when someone called his name. The tone sounded irritated like they had been calling his name for some time. He looked towards the receptionist, his heart leaping in hope that she was going to tell him Trebor was here. That he was fine. Standing his chest painfully tight as he saw the grim pinched look on the woman’s face.

Approaching the desk Bray didn’t notice the uniformed officers until the nurse motioned towards them “these officers want to talk to you.”

Gulping the sour taste in his mouth “was there an accident?” He grabbed the nearby desk needing it’s support as the room spun around him. Had the ambulance been in an accident? Was Trebor hurt? 

“Is there somewhere a bit more private where we could talk?” the older officer asked.

“Well…there’s a room over there that’s used for meetings,” she pointed with her pen. 

One of the officers gently took Bray by the elbow, directing him towards the room.  

Once inside Bray sat down staring absently at the steaming cup of coffee one of the officers put in front of him. 

The older officer cleared his throat making sure he had Bray’s attention. “The ambulance dispatched to pick up Mr Bennett was stolen. The EMTs were found unconscious in the basement…” The man’s eyes narrowed watching Bray’s reaction to the information.

Blinking slowly Bray’s hand that had been wrapped around the coffee cup squeezed the paper cups squeezing the hot coffee out and over his hand and table top. “Where’s Trebor? Why would someone want to pretend to be paramedics?” His voice rising as he staggered to his feet “I have to go find him.”

“Sit down Mr McGavin,” the officer ordered, leaning against the door, arms crossed. 

Bristling at the man’s tone, Bray ignored him as he stomped towards the door. “No, I can’t just sit here doing nothing. Trebor could be hurt. He’s pregnant. He needs help.”

“We’re doing all we can to find him,” the other officer said, putting a hand on Bray’s shoulder, squeezing it firmly. “Have you or Mr Bennett had any threats made towards you? Strange phone calls?”

“No,” he shook his head frowning. “Well there are two new guys on the team that are always handing out Purist pamphlets and getting up in my face about how it’s unnatural for two men to have a baby. Trebor mentioned that the Purist movement was making coming into work difficult because of their protests.” He fell silent staring at his hand that was red and blistering from the spilled coffee. “You don’t think they had anything to do with this do you?”

The officers exchanged glances “we’re not at liberty to say.”

“But we’re looking into all angles,” the younger officer added, making his older partner frown with disapproval.

***

Braylin ran a shaky hand through his thick pink hair causing it to stand on end. “Where’s my husband?” The word slipped from his lips unconsciously. “I mean my boyfriend…I’m going to ask him…I was waiting for the right time.” The words tumbled from his lips in a torrent of regret and guilt. Why hadn’t he asked before? The question haunted him. 

The door to the meeting room opened and a pudgy faced man stuck his head inside, motioning for the officers to follow him. Without a word the officers got up and left Bray alone with only his troubled thoughts for company. 

Sitting as if frozen, Braylin barely moved when the door opened and the young officer from before entered clearing his throat to get Bray’s attention. When Bray finally looked up the young  officer said “Mr McGavin please come with me.”

Hope had Bray springing to his feet. A single thought racing through his mind, had they found Trebor? Was he hurt? What if they never find him? A small sound like a whimpering groan came out of his lips as he followed the officer towards a group of people who seemed to be focused on something. 

Getting closer Bray could see that everyone was looking at something small wrapped in a blanket. A tiny fist waved in the air as a nurse turned, smiling at Bray “meet your son.”

“My…my son?” he stammered, his eyes fell on the tiny baby in the nurses’ arms. He could feel his face twisting in a kaleidoscope of emotions “he’s alright? You found him?” Surely if they found his son then Trebor was nearby. His eyes scanned the area but all he saw was a sea of blue uniforms and unfamiliar faces.

“You can hold him,” the nurse offered “a doctor will be along in a moment to check him over but he seems to be perfectly healthy.”

Gently the nurse helped position his hands to support the baby’s head. His son. He was holding his son. Somehow he never realized the surge of love that seemed to thrum between him and this tiny baby. If anyone had told him the night of the benefit dinner that he was about to meet the man who would change his life forever he’d never have believed them. How could one night of fun have altered his life so much?

All too soon the nurse was reaching for his son to take him. “I’m sorry I have to take him now.”

“Can’t I just hold him a little longer?” He asked, holding the baby against his chest, “Just a little longer, please.” It was like she was taking his last link to Trebor away from him.

“I’m sorry but we need to check him over,” she explained. “You can come hold him again later.”

Reluctantly he let her take him from his arms. He let out a shaky breath, wiping his eyes on the back of his hands. “Where’s Trebor?” his eyes searched the faces trying to find one who could give him the answers he needed. “He isn’t here is he?” he whispered seeing the answer in their eyes.

***

Movement at the corner of his eye drew Bray’s attention. The older officer he’d met before was talking to someone who looked vaguely familiar, from where Bray stood it looked like the officer was trying to get him to leave. It had been the urgent hand waving that had drawn attention to them and a moment later Bray was charging across the room “what the hell are you doing here? What did you do to him?

Wrapping his hands around Bray’s wrists Wally tried to pry them loose from his shirt that held him pinned against the wall. “How should I know? Get your filthy hands off me.”

Bray growled banging Wally’s head against the wall “tell me what you did to him. I know you did something.”

Wally sagged against the wall staring into the wild half crazed eyes of the man pinning him against the wall. “You’re going to blow my cover then no one will find him.”

Bray heard the words but they didn’t make sense. “What?” he asked, blinking as if he found the entire situation beyond his grasp at the moment.

His momentary disorientation was enough for Wally to break loose from his hold and to grab Bray by the upper arm and drag him into the nearby empty meeting room. “Sit,” Wally pointed toward a chair across the room.

“Don’t do it,” The older officer said, following them into the room.

“It’s too late for that,” Wally ran a hand through his hair. “We’re on the same team. If he tells anyone and it gets back to Ben that I brought the baby here instead of dumping it in a dumpster somewhere I’m a dead man. The Purist leader is one crazy bitch.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Braylin demanded frowning at Wally.

Sitting across the table Wally sighed. Sometimes he hated his job. The things he had to do. The lies he had to tell. Sometimes he wondered if it was worth it. It had taken him six months to get as deep into the Purist movement. He couldn’t simply walk away now. He knew too much. Seen too much. “You have no reason to trust me but I’m asking you to listen.”

Bray grunted, scowling at him. “Why don’t you just tell me what’s going on and let me decide if I trust you or not.”

Glancing over his shoulder Wally jerked his chin at the officer “get out.”

“No way,” he protested leaning against the wall, arms crossed. “For all we know he could be a part of all this…”

“The hell I am,” Bray jumped to his feet, sending the chair toppling over.

“Sit down,” Wally urged without turning from the officer. The older officer was tense, his muscles bunching his shoulders as if he expected to be attacked. “I bet you’d like that…give you an excuse to hit him.”

“I don’t need an excuse to hit scum like that,” he snarled, his face a mask of disgust and contempt. Abruptly he turned and left the room banging the door shut behind him.

A moment later Wally opened the door, motioning towards someone and the older officer’s partner nodded and quickly went in pursuit. Stepping back into the room Wally closed the door behind him. “Sit down Bray no one thinks you’re involved. I know you’re not. I’ve been undercover for months. I’ve gotten close to the leader and she has a personal vendetta against Trebor.”

“She what?” Bray blinked that didn’t make sense. “Who would want to hurt Trebor that they’d kidnap him and use him as a front for the Purist movement?”

“Has he ever mentioned a woman by the name of Karia?” Wally asked.

“Oh no,” he closed his eyes, groaning. “That’s his Aunt. She kidnapped him when he was two….She threw him away in a trashcan.” His eyes lifted meeting Wally’s, swallowing hard “he still has nightmares.”

Nodding Wally sighed “she’s an evil bitch.” If it was the last thing he did he was going to stop her, this movement and bring Trebor home. 

“Trebor’s never done anything to her. Why is she doing this to her?” Bray asked, swallowing over the helplessness he felt.

“It doesn’t matter. Sometimes all it takes is being in the wrong place and wrong time. For Trebor he had the misfortune to be born and be the object of her obsession and hatred.” He’d read the files and knew she was a powder keg of unpredictability. 

“Did you see him? Trebor I mean. Is he alright?” 

“I saw him,” Wally reached across the table, giving Bray’s hand a firm squeeze. “He’s alive. Scared but alive.” He snapped his mouth shut to keep from telling him more. How Trebor had begged for the baby’s life when Karia had told him to dispose of it. That he thought Trebor was shattered and broken. 

“Does he know our son’s alive?” Bray asked “if he knew it’d give him the strength to get through all this.”

Shaking his head Wally “he thinks the baby’s dead.”

‘Then you can tell him. Give him hope…” He knew Trebor would be able to survive this if he knew. Had some hope.

“I can’t,” she shook his head “if he knew he wouldn’t react the way Karia expects him. It could put him in even more danger than he already is.”

“I hadn’t thought of that,” he admitted, “what can I do to help?”

“For now I need to play the part of the grieving father…”

“What?” he gasped, not comprehending.

“The baby’s supposed to be dead. The news is going to say an infant was found in a garbage bag thrown in a dumpster. We need you to play your part. Trebor’s life could depend on it.”

“I’ll do what needs to be done to bring Trebor home,” he said even though he dreaded having to lie to his family and Trebor’s and say their son was gone.