Chapter

His feet propped on the dash was strong evidence of just how much had changed since the first time we’d met. Back then he’d been cautious, distrusting and defensive at every turn. I remembered him huddled in the backseat with Timmy wherever we went.

Uninterested in simple small talk and afraid that at any moment his son would be snatched from his arms. Now, he had no qualms about raiding the refrigerator for a late night snack, leaving his shoes just about everywhere around the house and turning on the TV whenever he felt the drive for some entertainment.

He initiated conversations with me at will and wasn’t afraid to prepare a meal without asking. He’d grown comfortable in my home, I could see that he was happy and even though we had a long ways to go before he completely loosened up. We’d made extraordinary progress.

I smiled at the thought and glanced at him briefly. He was reading another book he’d found on the shelf. This one was a mystery novel I’d bought years before and had never gotten around to reading. Every so often he would glance over to ask me the meaning of a word he didn’t know and like some attention-deprived kid, it brought me a sense of satisfaction every time he did.

I thought of those nights I’d stayed up with him in the family room; me doing paperwork in one couch while he curled up in another reading a novel with a glass of orange juice and a dictionary by his side. His interest in books and his thirst for knowledge was astounding and I thought of what a shame it was that he’d dropped out of school at so young an age.

He could have really made something of his life. In fact, he still could.

I glanced into the rear-view mirror when Timmy laughed and grinned when I saw his amused expression. About an hour before, Jason had set up the portable DVD player and slipped in one of his favorite cartoons. He’d been lost to his own machinations after that.

It hadn’t taken very much for him to adjust to living in a new environment as it had Jason. In fact in a matter of days he’d adapted so well one would have thought he’d spent his whole life in my home. He was a trooper. They both were and I wanted—no I needed it to last.

“What if they left already?” Jason questioned, sticking a finger between the pages to keep his place.

“They haven’t.”

“But we’re a whole hour late. Why would they wait?” 

His eyes were wide with uncertainty as he watched me. “You worry too much.”

“You’re too sure of yourself all the time. One day you’ll be wrong.” He told me with confidence and I could help but grin at his words.

“Maybe, but today won’t be that day.”

He continued to stare as the moments ticked by and I kept my eyes on the road, allowing him his moment. He did this so often, I’d long ago stopped wondering what he was looking for when he did it.

“Maybe you could call them back and make sure.” He continued.

He’d picked up my phone and was twirling it around in his hands. I suppose I could understand his anxiousness. He’d never been on a boat before, and the second I’d told him about this trip his excitement had been obvious.

He was looking forward to it…more than I’d seen him look forward to anything before. It told me just how many experiences he’d missed out on. Big things, simple things… I’d make sure he one day experienced them all. He deserved it.

“Alright, it’s the first number in the call log, just hit call and confirm with them.” I told him and of course he froze.

“Me?”

“Yeah, why not?”

“But…they don’t know me. Why can’t you do it?”

He was shy and it was…cute.

“Because I’m driving.”

From the corner of my eye I could see him biting his lip as he stared down at the screen of my phone. Then he glanced over at me with a sigh. “You’re right…maybe they’re still waiting.” He conceded and when I chuckled he frowned and went back to his book.

We really needed to work on his social skills.

When we pulled up to the parking lot of the pier, the first thing I did upon opening the back door was try to get Timmy into his clothes and with the level of opposition I got from the little devil, you’d think I was forcing him to eat a can of worms. 

“Timmy. Stop it. You got your chance to ride naked all the way here. Now it’s time to get dressed.” And so we fought, until I managed to hold his legs down to force on his underwear and so he kicked and screamed and shouted “No Micha” until Jason stepped in and I thankfully stepped aside.

“Maybe we’ll just have to take him up there like he is. He won’t put them on and they’ve waited long enough.” I suggested to Jason.

“Stand up babe.” He said to Timmy, who straightened up from his position on the seat and stood.

When he attempted to put the shirt over his head though, the kid froze. “No cose daddy.” He whined and I shook my head.

“You have to put it on. Hold still.” He told him and much to my absolute amazement Timmy did as he asked. I watched as he pulled on his son’s clothes without so much as a complaint from the little guy and when he was done, I could only look on in confusion.

I didn’t get it.

“What’s the difference between what you did and what I did?” I asked Jason when we’d unpacked our swim trunks and Timmy’s bags from the car.

When he looked at me he smirked. “The difference is he knows he can get away with shi- stuff when it’s you.”

“So what you’re saying is this is my fault.” I questioned him and he responded with a wiggle of the brow and a wide grin and I could just kiss him.

I glanced down at Timmy at the same time he looked up at me and without pause I grabbed him up and threw him into the air. He landed into my arms with a stream of giggling.

“You taking advantage of me? Huh? Huh?” I tickled him and he wiggled and giggled until Jason reminded me that he’d just eaten breakfast and was likely to throw up if I continued.

I locked up the doors and behind me Jason carried the bags as I walked with Timmy up to the wooden dock to meet up with Kyle and John who were already walking over to greet us. Timmy had since transferred his attention to my hair which he’d developed a habit of playing in recently, which was strange because my hair was as short as I could chop it and still, for whatever reason, it fascinated him.

When I glanced back at Jason I realized he’d slowed down, his gaze fixed on Kyle on John as they approached. I could see the uncertainty in his gaze, something I’d grown accustomed to seeing whenever he had to meet new people.

Timmy was the same way. I could guarantee that when he finally spotted them he’d clam up…just like his father, who, when I glanced back again had his bottom lip trapped between his teeth as he followed me—a nervous habit, I’d learned long ago.

“I can’t believe you’re finally here. It’s been forever!” Kyle exclaimed when he’d reached close enough to hug me and while he did, sandwiched Timmy between us. “You look good Michael.” He offered sincerely.

“You too. You’re looking healthy.”

He beamed. “Johnny’s been taking good care of me.”

I had no doubt. Johnny, or John as the rest of us called him, clapped me on the shoulder when he finally approached.

“Look at you… badass turned family-man overnight. If the guys could see you now.” John chuckled.

“Watch your language Johnny.” Kyle scolded as he tried and failed to get the attention of little Timmy who’d buried his face in my neck.

“Come on Timmy, don’t you want to say hi to John and Kyle?” I asked him but he only mumbled a reply against my skin and tightened his tiny arms around my neck.

“He’s shy.” I explained and Kyle shrugged.

“It’s probably for the best. Kids are usually afraid of me anyway.”  Then he turned his attention to Jason and his face lit up.

“You must be Jason. Wow, you’re even better looking than I pictured. I swear, Michael sucks when it comes to describing people. I love your hair. I used to wish for natural curls when I was a kid. So much so that my dad had to take me to the salon to get it done just to shut me up.” Kyle spoke a mile a minute, then chuckled. “It was a waste of time though. Turns out curls don’t fit me after all.” He finished, then drew Jason in for a hug which surprised him to no end.

“Jesus Kyle, he just got here, give him a break will you?” John addressed his partner, who…as was usually the case, wasn’t fazed one bit by his words.

When Kyle pulled away, that ever present grin still plastered to his face, Jason began hesitantly. “Ah…I…think your hair’s nice the way it is.” He got out and if it were even possible, Kyle’s smile grew.

When Kyle turned to me, his eyes were wide with appreciation. “I like him.” he said and when Jason smiled in return I knew Kyle had won him over.

“I’m John. Nice to meet you.” John offered a hand which Jason shook hesitantly. ““Don’t mind Kyle, he’s just as hyper when he’s eating a bowl of cereal. You’ll get used to it.” He said and Jason nodded, his gaze on Kyle who was once again trying to get Timmy’s attention and failing miserably.

“Let’s head over to the boat…we’ve got breakfast if you’re hungry.” John offered.

“Here, give me your bags.” Kyle offered to Jason who handed them to Kyle, who in turn passed them off to John. Then I watched as he looped his arm through Jason’s and pulled him along with him up the pathway. His chatter was as loud and enthusiastic as it always was and Jason went with him willingly.

Kyle and his personality brought with it a feeling of nostalgia. I forgot just how much I’d enjoyed being in his presence. The ever flamboyant, ever smiling goofball who’d entered our lives quite unexpectedly on an undercover mission from hell.

A mission that had led to him being holed up in a hospital for weeks after being shot. He’d been the glue that had held John together after that. The glue that held us all together really. John, Nate, Riley, Eddie, Simon and the rest of the team. I’d really missed this.

“Come on I’ll fill you in on what you’ve been missing these past few weeks.” John said and I walked with him up the pathway.

………………………………………..

Timmy liked dogs.

No. Timmy loved dogs.

We’d spent the day on the yacht which Kyle had taken us out in earlier in the day. Somewhere in the middle of the ocean with not another boat for miles. The day had turned out to be beautiful. Not a cloud in the sky and a slight breeze on the air. Overall the perfect weather.

We’d eaten breakfast with Kyle and John, Timmy only having a bite or two from our plates since he’d eaten his breakfast in the car. Then, after Kyle had taken us away from the pier, he’d let his two dogs out; puppies really. Those small, furry-looking ones that didn’t really grow very big and Timmy had gone to town.

When he saw them it was love at first sight and we’d all watched in amusement as he ran around with the two fur balls, giggling and playing to his heart’s content. It was only then that he’d started to loosen up around Kyle and John and soon his gibberish could be heard by all.

As the morning had passed and the afternoon blossomed bright and warm, we pulled on our swim trunks, pulled a lifejacket over Timmy’s head and descended into the water on a much smaller boat that had to be inflated before being lowered into the water.

Timmy was fascinated as he sat there, but it was Jason whose face was a mirror of expressions.

He was enthralled, as he leaned over and whirled his hand in the water and even more so when John fired up the motor and we were gliding across the ocean.

I loved seeing him like this; open and excited and when he looked over at me and grinned, I knew that this would be one of those memories that would always stay with me.

When John stopped the motor and we were able to drift peacefully against the waves, Timmy asked to put his hand in and I held him while he leaned over the side of the raft.

“Wader cold Micha.” He told me as he swirled his fingers around and around in the dark blue ocean.

“It’s not really cold though… see.” I splashed it on his forearm.

“He’s literally the most adorable toddler I’ve ever seen.” Kyle commented as he watched him, then he turned to John and by the look on my buddy’s face I could tell just what it was Kyle was about to say to him

Only, the moment he opened his mouth, John reached out and shoved him overboard. I chuckled and Jason watched in surprise as Kyle broke the surface of the water spluttering.

“I can’t believe you just did that!” he shrieked and beside me Timmy giggled.

John shrugged and when Kyle made to swim closer to the raft john started up the engine and steered it away from him.

“Not funny Johnny!” he shouted. His formerly pointed hair was flat against his head and was as dark as I’d ever seen it.

 “Alright come one.” John surrendered with a laugh and when he stood to help him, Kyle pulled him over the edge and John plummeted into the water beside him.

When he broke the surface he was laughing and so the day really began. Moments later I’d climbed over the edge myself and pulled Timmy in with me, who thought of the entire experience as a massive bath time.

Then Jason entered and it was almost sun down before we were making our way back to the yacht.

………………………

“…and this fool ran unarmed up to the guy, and took him down without getting so much as a scratch on him.”

“There’s no way I could’ve let him get away after all we’d gone through to get him. I did what I had to.” I said with a chuckle.

“And if you thought jumping a gun waving maniac was the worst thing he’s done, wait till I tell you about the time we went to Reno.” John continued.

“You’re job’s pretty dangerous huh?” Jason questioned and I glanced at him, noticing for the first time the small frown on his face as he watched me.

I shrugged. “What job isn’t?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yeah well… When you pledge to protect, shit happens.” I told him and it was only when I turned to take a bite out of my steak that he looked away.

It was night time now and we were still on the boat, sitting under the stars as we ate a late dinner. Timmy lay asleep in the sofa with the dogs and we’d brought out the alcohol and the grill. For an hour John and I had regaled the small group with stories from our past missions and as I listened and told my own, the more I itched to be back out there in the field.

“Well maybe it’s a good thing you’re not working there anymore. That way you get to be safe.”

I took a swallow of the warm liquid before glancing his way. “Once I’m nice and healed up I’ll be right back in the middle of it. It’s what I’ve trained for my whole life.”

His expression was one of surprised displeasure. “But you got shot.”

“I’ll heal.” I told him and when he looked away from me I could suddenly feel the tension in the air.

“Oookay. No more talk about work. What about the patio...how’s that going?” Kyle sought to diffuse the situation and when Jason only shrugged I answered.

“Few more weeks and it’ll be done. Jason’s done a pretty good job on it. I’ll invite you over for a barbeque once it’s good and done.”

“We should all hang out before that…maybe go watch a movie or go on a little road trip. Oh and I could take you to my hair stylist Jason…She’s the best…she’ll cut your hair for you like you want.”

“His hair is fine.” I interjected, not wanting to see those midnight curls I’d grown so accustomed to, gone. When I glanced over at Jason he was watching me with an expression I couldn’t decipher and across from us, Kyle shrugged, then glanced at Timmy.

“I think I’ll go get him some blankets, he looks cold.” He announced, then stood, his gaze on Jason. “Come with me.”

I took another sip of the amber liquid and leaned forward to allow him to pass behind me. When they were gone, John looked at me and I knew what was coming next.

“You sure about this?”

I sighed. “Jesus John, not you too.”

He shrugged. “He’s a good guy, there’s no doubt about it. I just hope you’re sure this is what you want. Taking care of a family’s not easy.”

“It’s what I want.” I told him simply and he nodded.

“Have you told Jason it’s what you want?”

Another sip of the drink. “Not in so many words...but he knows.”

“Not every guy’s like Kyle, Michael.” He said. “Don’t assume he knows, just tell him.”

He was right of course, but with Jason it was tricky. I had to take my time. “I will… eventually.”

Another nod. “He’s a good kid.” He said with a glance at the sleeping Timmy and I couldn’t help but smile.

“He’s the best. You better watch out, looks like Kyle’s ready for a family himself.”

He grinned. “Kyle tends to make decisions in the heat of the moment. Few weeks from now he won’t remember that it even entered his mind for a second.”

“What about you? Aren’t you interested in settling down? Starting a family?”

He shook his head. “I’ve already got Kyle. He’s all the family I need.”

“I hear you.”

“I’m glad to see you’re doing better though. The chief was worried there for a while, but you seem…happy.”

“I am.”

“Then I’m rooting for you man.”

………………………………………..

~Jason’s POV~

“I think one blanket will be okay. It’s not that cold out.” I told him, but he picked up a bunch of ‘em anyway and pushed past me.

“You can never be too careful…especially with kids. They’re tricky.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

Kyle was really smart, it was no wonder John was all over him. He was smart and funny and he always had the most interesting things to say.

I wasn’t too sure about him at first. Especially when I’d seem him and John on the pier this morning. Back then he’d just looked like one of those stuck up, pretty, rich people who never gave a damn about people like me, but he turned out to be different.

“Did you mean it when you said we could hang out sometime?” I asked him casually.

I made sure I didn’t sound too eager or nothin’ that way he could say no if he really wanted to instead of pretending he did just so he didn’t hurt my feelings. I hated it when people did that.

When he looked at me he grinned and even though I tried not to, I was grinning back too, because Kyle just made you feel that way. Like you mattered.

“Of course and I know all the best spots in town. We could go get dinner, or go skating and we could take Timmy to the amusement park…there’s so much to do, you wouldn’t even imagine. Just have Michael call me up and we’ll do it.”

“Yeah okay. What days do you work?”

He turned to me and grinned. “The good thing about having a filthy rich dad and a loaded boyfriend, is that you don’t have to work.”

“But...don’t you feel… I don’t know…”

“Uncomfortable taking money from people rather than being independent and making my own?” he asked and when I said nothing he continued with a shrug. “I was sensible enough to save all those years when my dad was throwing cash my way. So I’m using it to invest in this private investigation company Johnny and his friends are starting up. So technically... I will be working right?”

I returned his smile and he gave me some of the blankets.

He stopped and turned to me when we reached the exit of the small room below deck. “You know, we can just go get the hair cut tomorrow. I have an appointment for myself anyway.”

“Ah… I think maybe I’ll just keep it like this.”

He titled his head to the side as his eyebrows rose. “But why? You told me earlier that it’s getting too long.”

“I know…I just think that maybe...”

“Maybe what?”

“I think Michael likes it this way.” I told him and I felt my face go all hot.

He grinned.  “Interesting.”

                                        AUTHOR'S NOTES

ENJOY!

-DoUbLe.A

-unedited.