A/N: Warning, mature content. Also, there are NO vampires, werewolves, or guys who sparkle in this chapter. ;)

CH 24

As much as he missed them while they were gone, it took a few days for Phillip to adjust to the bustle of having the family home again, even though it sounded amazing to say they were home. As part of his attempt to be more for Gareth, because he still didn't fully believe Mel's assertion that Gareth loved him (or at least liked him a great deal) the way he was, Phillip was trying to be there for the children even more. Besides, he really did care greatly for the children, too.

As a result, later in the week Phillip sat with the girls at bedtime while Daisy read Franny a story. Gareth had 'guy time' with Gabe, and Phillip was taking a turn at tucking in the girls. It was a lovely book that Franny had picked out at the library about two sisters who were fighting over their room. Franny giggled at the appropriate spots and Daisy read with emphasis and funny voices to make it that much more silly. All three of them sat back, leaning against the headboard, with Franny in the middle.

Phillip's thoughts drifted off while looking around the room. When staying in the house was just a stop gap for them, perhaps the old lady decor was fine, but he really wanted the Lewises to live here. He wanted them, no needed them, to be here. For good. Maybe it was selfish, but it was the truth and he learned his lesson while they were away. And he wanted the girls to make this room theirs. The only thing in the room that wasn't really dated was that terrible spider plant, which the girls took very good care of, much to his chagrin. It even had a few trailers coming off, looking to propagate.

A small hand found it's way into his, and Phillip looked down to where they were laced together. Franny squeezed lightly. "Phillip, thank you for sitting with us," she said with a yawn. Franny took her hand from Phillip's then gave him a hug. He kissed her on the forehead.

Phillip stood and walked around to the other side of the bed, where Daisy's novel was resting on the night table. As he leaned down to give her a hug, she sighed.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's light out. I just wish I could read a little later, but I know I can't keep Franny up."

They said their goodnights, but an idea began to blossom in Phillip's mind.

.......................................................

"Are you bothered we sleep in a pink floral room?" Phillip asked Gareth over tea. The two men were lounging together on the sofa with a cooking show playing on the television for background noise. Gareth nestled against Phillip's t-shirt clad chest, lying between the man's legs.

Gareth tilted his head up to look at Phillip's face. "I haven't really thought about it since we first moved in." But then he chuckled lightly. "When we first pulled up, I did think that perhaps an older gentleman lived here, someone recently widowed, maybe."

Phillip mulled over his thoughts for a bit, nibbling on his lips in a way that Gareth thought was most endearing. A few times he opened his mouth to speak before he finally said, "I think we should redecorate the girls' room."

Gareth was unclear as to how Phillip made that jump, but he didn't disagree. "Yeah, I suppose it is a fairly dated, but that's something that can wait for a little while at least. The girls' birthdays are both in September, maybe we could redo the room as a birthday present? At least neither of them mind it being pink."

Phillip thought for a little longer before nodding. "Daisy needs space to do homework, read, and a bookshelf, and Franny needs somewhere for her stuff, too." He chewed on his lip again before adding, "Maybe a bunkbed, separate dressers, paint, and a new carpet."

"Where did all this come from?" Gareth inquired, a little confused, but pleased Phillip was thinking of ways to make the house more homey.

"I don't know, redecorating isn't a bad thing. The children should be comfortable in their home," Phillip said awkwardly. "Gabe has his own space, so..." Phillip trailed off.

Gareth gave Phillip a loving smile and gently brought his lips to Phillip's. Gareth couldn't believe just how considerate his boyfriend was. Everyday he found himself falling just a little bit more for the quiet gardener. He deepened the kiss and the two men quickly carried their passion back to their bedroom, pink floral decor be damned.

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A week after the Lewises returned, and only three weeks since his arrest, Phillip received a phone call from Bill. Brian's lawyer realized not only was there no case against Phillip for theft from the greenhouse, but that Phillip's firing was completely unethical. There were indisputable grounds for a wrongful dismissal case, additionally Brian made extremely derogatory and ignorant comments that were very definitely homophobic and prejudiced, and were extremely inappropriate for a person in a supervisory position, hate speech, in fact. In the end, Brian was completely in the wrong and was worried that if the case made it to court, he would lose miserably.

"Brian's lawyer has made a generous settlement offer, Phillip. I won't even get to go to court." Strangely, Bill sounded a bit disappointed, although Phillip supposed Bill's regular workload of real estate law probably wasn't too thrilling. Could quibbling over property lines and checking for mortgage liens ever be all that exciting? "Anyway, Abby thought we'd invite you, Gareth, and the kids over for a barbecue tonight while we go over the offer. We could make a counter offer!" The last bit seemed to perk Bill up a little.

Phillip looked out from the kitchen to the living room. It was a slow day for work, the kids were currently attending daycamp, and Gareth was lounging about on the sofa reading a novel, still in his pyjama pants and a fitted t-shirt. Phillip loved watching Gareth's eyes move back and forth along the page and the expressions that played across his face depending on what he was reading. Phillip almost loathed to interrupt the man when he was so enthralled. But when he did, Gareth agreed immediately to the barbecue, eager to see Abby again.

"I'm going to work on the yard a little before we need to get the kids," Phillip announced. He had some thinking to do. Gareth nodded and went back to his novel.

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Gareth's book was actually rather interesting. He'd gotten it from the library, having gone along a week ago when Phillip took the kids. It was fascinating, really, how much the library had changed since the last time he'd been there with time to look anywhere other than the children's section. Computers and study rooms, video games and movie rentals, and even a large LGBTQ section. When he'd grown up, there were maybe four or five books written about the relationships he craved, but now there was so much more available; he'd taken a few out and found them really enjoyable. The one he was currently reading was actually quite bawdy, and Gareth found himself more than a little aroused.

Looking at the clock, he realized there was still a bit of time before they had to pick up the kids from camp. Enough time, in fact, for a little bit of naughtiness. Plus he had a surprise for Phillip. Grabbing the lube from the bedside table, and a piece of paper from his jeans pocket, he made his way out to the yard. Phillip was tending to a vine along the back fence, and didn't notice as Gareth came up behind him.

Putting his hands on Phillip's curved ass, Gareth leaned close and licked up Phillip's damp neck. Tasting and smelling his sweat, Gareth groaned into Phillip's ear, "Want to give me a look at the potting shed?"

Phillip placed the clippers into his gardening belt, making sure to fasten them closed before turning around. Catching the lustful look in his boyfriend's eyes made his heartbeat quicken. "Sure. What do you want to see?"

"Your tool. Maybe how you take care of it? Maybe where you put it away?" Gareth reached down and palmed Phillip's growing cock. Phillip wanted to laugh at the cheesiness of the line, but he really didn't want to turn Gareth down. Making the most of time for sex without the kids around was a great idea. Phillip was disappointed he didn't think of it.

Phillip pushed by Gareth and walked towards the potting shed, undoing the cowhide belt as he moved. Gareth followed behind, watching Phillip's muscles tense and flex in his thin, damp t-shirt as they got closer to their destination. Entering the shed, Gareth pulled the door closed behind him as Phillip turned on a light.

"You wanted to look around?" Phillip unzipped his shorts, his erection apparent.

"I'm pretty sure I see what I want. But look at this while I examine your tool." Gareth shoved a piece of paper into Phillip's hand while kneeling then enveloping the mushroom head of boyfriend's cock between his lips and slowly sucking him in. Gareth swirled his tongue on the sensitive underside while Phillip tried to read.

"Are these test results?" Phillip's head wasn't working right because beyond the paper, he could see exactly where his cock was going and just how hot the view was.

"Nugh huh," Gareth nodded and agreed, but didn't remove the delicious treat in his mouth. Gareth had gone to the doctor's earlier in the week to have testing done. He didn't want anything to come between he and Phillip, and even though he was sure he was clean, he wanted to prove it to Phillip so there wasn't any hesitation for what he suggested next. He sucked for a little longer, enjoying the taste and smell of Phillip's groin before pulling his head back.

Resting his boyfriend's hard, wet member against his cheek, he lustily spoke in low tones, "Phillip, I want to feel your seed leaking out of me. I want you to take me, right here, against this table and fuck me bare. I want to feel your hard cock and just your cock. Nothing between us, flesh on flesh." He removed the tube of lube from his pocket and slapped it down on the table.

Phillip sucked in a deep breath. This was so hot, hotter than any of the videos he'd ever watched because this was he and Gareth, and the idea of a rough, bare fuck against the work table was so fucking dirty, just thinking about it made him want to come. "Fuck, Gareth," he groaned in reply. 

Gareth got back to his feet and pulled down his flannel bottoms, hard erection springing free, and he pumped it wantonly a few times for Phillip's benefit. Phillip dropped his shorts and boxers down to his workboots and spun Gareth around, bending him against the workbench, exposing his lightly hairy ass and tender pucker. Not able to resist the scene in front of him, Phillip leaned down and took a few licks, working his tongue into his lover.

Gareth panted and tightened his grip on the rough wooden table. "Oh god, so good." His eyes were rolling back and he was desperate to be filled. "Please, Phil, please."

Phillip popped the top on the lube and smeared some on his bare, erect member and on Gareth's asshole, working his finger in a little, twisting a bit and curling inside. He added a second finger as he stroked his own cock, getting it ready for Gareth's tight heat. He pulled his fingers out of his lover, then rubbed his fleshy helmet up and down Gareth's crease, finding the clasping entrance and pushed in slowly.

"No. Hard. Do it hard," Gareth begged with a growl.

Phillip replied with a strong thrust, dizzy at how much he felt. The squeezing, the warmth, the sensation running along his whole shaft. Gareth groaned in reply and pushed back onto Phillip's groin firmly, pounding their flesh together, his erection swinging wildly in the open air.

Phillip set a punishing pace, which was just what Gareth asked for. The firm smacking of hips to ass resounded throughout the small space, as well as the grunts of the two men.

"So good, Phil...so fucking good." Gareth removed one hand from the table and gripped at his leaky, dripping member, stroking in time to their rutting.

"Is. This. What. You. Wanted." Phillip punctuated every word with a heavy thrust. Gareth clenched his ass in response, so close to reaching his orgasm.

Please, give it to me. Fill me," Gareth moaned as his erection stiffened just that little bit more, balls pulled in tight, signalling his release. As he shot across the floor and the wall, Phillip shot his load deep into Gareth's channel, the feeling of finishing overwhelming them both.

Phillip slowly lowered from his tippy toes back to being flat footed, and his spent dick slipped from Gareth's slick hole. He watched as the loosened, abused pucker closed with a little bit of his seed, creamy white on pink, dripped out. He took his thumb and pushed it back inside, groaning at how incredibly arousing it was, as beads of sweat dripped down the side of his face.

Gareth stood back up and wiped his sticky hand on his pants as he pulled them up. "God, I can feel you in me. It's so fucking hot."

"Yes, you are," Phillip replied, kissing Gareth deeply and pulling him into a tight embrace. "I think we need a shower."

"I know we do." Gareth grinned at his sexy, disheveled, and oh so dirty boyfriend.

"What brought this on? I know it wasn't a desperate need to see my potting shed."

"You should see the kind of books they have at the library." Gareth pulled at the collar of his shirt. "Steamy!" and he fanned himself with his hand.

"So it wasn't me?" Phillip asked, feigning disappointment. There was no way he was disappointed with what they just did.

"Phillip, it's always you," Gareth laughed and pulled him in for a kiss as they went back to the house, one walking a little more carefully than the other, and headed to the shower. 

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"You see, he's actually offering quite a hefty package, really. Since he can't afford to give you everything in cash, he's willing to give you a fair bit in store credit to help you get your business off the ground," Bill explained to Phillip.

"Doesn't it seem odd that he was accusing you of stealing, and now he's just handing over what he thought you took?" Abby sipped at her margarita as the two couples sat underneath the gazebo next to the pool where the kids were splashing around.

Phillip was trying to pay attention to the conversation, after all it was something that directly affected him, but he was too busy taking in the landscaping around Bill and Abby's yard.

"Phillip?" Gareth prompted.

He knew Gareth had asked him some sort of question, but he was sidetracked. "You know, for your wedding present, I'm going to redo that bed over there." Phillip pointed out the flower bed over by the fence that he'd been studying. "It's got too many full sun plants, while it should really be partial to full shade. I can transplant some to a better location and replace them with ones more suited."

Abby and Bill chuckled. They had been prepared for Phillip's lack of social graces before inviting the couple over. Abby was pretty certain that Phillip's last speech was his attempt at socialization, so she just nodded and agreed, trying to bring him back to the task at hand. "You don't have to do that, but if you settle with Brian, at least you can get some free plants to put in."

"Well, the severance package, which is what Brian's lawyer insists on calling the monetary aspect," Bill rolled his eyes sarcastically, "is decent because it is based on years' service and an additional amount for pain and suffering, basically hush money. It works out to just around thirty-thousand dollars. Not bad considering you were never actually a salaried employee and the past few months you've had very few shifts. Add the five thousand in plants that they're putting in there, and it's a great offer."

Gareth's eyes went as wide as saucers when he heard the amount offered, after doing some research he didn't think Phillip would be offered more than ten thousand total, while Phillip shrugged.

Abby, on the other hand raged a little, her fiance had kept the agreement confidential until explaining it to Phillip. "That's crazy, Bill. If they're willing to offer that much without going to court, it shows they know they could be on the hook for a lot more!"

"Maybe, Abby, but honestly, if this went to court it would probably take over a year to get there. And the standard settlement is a week's pay for every year of service. This is far better, so Phillip might be better just to get what he can now."

"With the way Brian is running Bentman's, the business might not be there in a year," Phillip rightly pointed out. "Mostly I'd just be happy with an apology."

"Apologies are nice, but they don't pay the bills," Bill stated. "Although, in this case you aren't really paying the Bill, anyway." He pointed to himself, chuckling at his terrible joke.

Abby and Gareth groaned, and Phillip actually chortled a little, happy that he picked up on the humour.

The adults' discussion was interrupted for a minute while Gareth was implored to "Watch me, Daddy," by his children. But when it resumed, Phillip had agreed to the deal and Bill was already considering what kind of plants he'd like in the area that Phillip planned on repairing in their garden.

"Hmm, just for the principle of the matter, I'm going to try to get an apology for you, too, Phillip. Obviously you're a man of great taste if you can appreciate my humour," Bill concluded.

"Well, now that everything's settled..." Gareth paused with a smile and took a healthy swallow of his margarita, coughing at the cold, tangy, and strong beverage.

The kids, tired and hungry from the pool, devoured their burgers, then relaxed in front of the couple's very large television while the adults continued talking into the evening. Gareth and Abby ended up talking a lot of shop, gossiping a little about the other teachers at their school while Phillip and Bill were content to listen while finishing the entire pitcher of margaritas.

"Well, you know Linda kind of runs the place, anyway," Abby said.

"She has a really nice house, but an ant problem," Phillip piped up, happy to add to the conversation. Probably the five margaritas he'd consumed helped, too.

"Really? You know Linda?" Abby questioned.

"Sure, I did some landscaping for her a few weeks ago," Phillip replied. "Built her a trellis and everything."

Abby turned to Gareth open-mouthed. "Well you know everyone at school will know about you and Phillip, then."

"That's okay, Abby. We don't have anything to hide," Gareth said. "Besides, Phillip and I are going to your wedding together as a couple. I think people might realize."

"Especially when I kiss him on the dance floor," Phillip gave an odd sort of giggle, then leaned over and kissed Gareth sloppily on the mouth, hitting some cheek, too.

"Aww, that's so sweet," Bill chuckled drunkenly. "I think he's soused," he added in a stage whisper.

Abby laughed along with him, and Gareth decided that maybe it was a good idea to get his boyfriend and kids home while Phillip was still able to walk of his own volition. He helped Abby and Bill carry the dishes in, expecting Phillip to follow. Instead, a few minutes later, Gareth found him lying on the damp grass next to the flowerbed he was fretting over earlier.

"Phillip, what on earth are you doing?"

"Get down here with me for a minute?" Phillip asked, his voice oddly soft, lightly carrying over the slight murmur of noises coming from the rustle of tree leaves and the nearby houses.

Gareth complied, laying down, fingertips grazing Phillip's and grass blades tickling his neck. "What?"

"Close your eyes and smell." Phillip waited until he could hear Gareth take a deep sniff. "That smell, the sweet tea-roses and the damp, woody smell of the fresh mulch? That's the smell of my mother."

Phillip paused and took another sniff himself before continuing. "When I first started gardening with her, when I was thirteen, she wanted me to help so we could grieve over my father. The garden was so large and they always worked on it together. It was too much for her on her own. That was what she smelled like in the summer, tea roses and rich mulch. From the time I was thirteen until the summer before she got sick--when I learned about my love of plants, learned how to deal with stress, realized where I fit--this was her. I know it sounds silly, and I know I'm kind of drunk, but I just wanted to share her with you. I wanted you to meet her."

Tears were welling up in Gareth's eyes. He knew Phillip was vulnerable, he knew he was awkward and had a difficult time expressing himself. Gareth knew this was more than something special Phillip was telling him, opening up to him. Gareth looped his fingers around Phillip's and squeezed gently. "Thank you."

"I am scared of meeting your parents, Gareth. I wanted to go with you so much last month, but I was very scared. I didn't relate to my father ever, and my mother, well, she and I only worked well in the garden. I know I'm not normal, don't have friends. What if your parents don't like me? What if Brian was right, and I'm just a freak? I've never done a meet the parents, and this is the closest you'll ever get to meeting mine."

"Phillip, the kids and I adore you. For that reason alone, my parents will love you. You shouldn't take a single thing that idiot Brian said to heart, he's a total ass. But really, you're just amazing. So you're an introvert who doesn't like to say much; what you do say speaks volumes. You still put others ahead of yourself when you don't have to, and you care, deeply. I'm so lucky to have even met a man like you, let alone be with a man like you."

Phillip wasn't sure how to respond, so he rolled on his side and gave his boyfriend a gentle kiss. "This was fun, the barbecue, we should get one." Then he giggled uncharacteristically and let out a low belch.

"Come on, party boy. Time to go." Gareth stood and offered a hand to his very obviously tipsy gardener. 

"Maybe you could pound some sense into me when we get home? I really liked doing it to you this afternoon." As Gareth pulled him up from the ground, Phillip made a grab at Gareth's package.

"Um hm." Gareth was pretty sure Phillip was going to be passed out when they got home, but if he wasn't, Gareth would totally consider it. One interesting thing Gareth noted from this whole experience was how freely Phillip spoke when drinking.

A/N: See, no supernatural beings, and even with the absence of the latex sheath, no mpreg! ;) Phillip's going to be flush with cash shortly, and just how does he intend on using it? I hope you all enjoyed the chapter today, even the naughty bit.

Thanks for all the support, everyone! Read, vote, and comment, and I'll try to get back to them all. Next update will be Sunday. :)

<3 JJ