* * * * *

Amir tells me he has to go back to London.

"I have to thank you, Gray, for everything. For letting me stay with you for so long, for introducing me to Owen, who has been a lifeline. But the house has sold, and I've had my interior designer working on my new apartment in the city, ready for a fresh start. I need to get back to work, back to my patients."

I have mixed feelings about his announcement. I'm happy for him, that he's experienced a degree of recovery while he's been here. But I think he's going to ask Owen to go back with him and that makes me inexplicably empty.

I organize a party to say goodbye, deciding to hold it at the house rather than the club, even though almost all the guests will be friends from there. But I don't know how comfortable Mrs Miggins would be there, and I know she's enjoyed having Amir around, as he's always charming. Plus, Gabriel hasn't been to the club again since that night, although he's not staying with me anymore.

After what Amir had suggested, I'd asked Frankie and Ellis to take him in for a while, which they did happily. I check on him often, but it's worked out better all round, not least because of my relationship with Chase.

I go round now to invite them to the party, and find them in the living room, watching some true-life drama show on Netflix. Chase is there, so I invite them all and they happily accept. Chase and Gabriel are seated on one couch and I watch them surreptitiously from my armchair. They aren't touching, but there's an easy familiarity between them which I'm heartened to see.

I know that Chase comes round several times a week and he and Gabriel watch television or go out to the movies or for dinner. I like to see Chase becoming friends with him before taking it further, although I don't doubt it will be going further. The friendship is doing wonders for Gabriel's confidence, and smiles come easy to him now.

Plus, Frankie's housekeeper is almost as fond of Gabriel as Mrs M is, and makes sure he gets healthy food and exercise, so, physically, he's almost back to his original toned musculature.

* * * * *

On the night of the party the caterer that Frankie uses at the club has taken over my kitchen, much to Mrs M's chagrin, though I send her off to get ready for the party as a guest. I hired one of the bartenders from the club to sort drinks, and the bar is set up in the den, which opens through double doors to the living room at the back of the house. It's a warm evening so the French doors to the garden are flung wide, allowing the scent of carefully planted flowers to enter the large open living and kitchen space.

It's an informal party so I dress casually in black pants and a white shirt, open at the neck. Chase is the first to arrive, and I know it's because he wants to be there when Gabriel arrives. I hug him to me.

"How have you been, Chase? How are things going with Gabriel?"

"Amazing. He's really amazing. Listen, Gray. I want to apologize. I projected my feelings onto you and I was unfair. You've always been nothing but good to me- "

"Chase, stop. You have nothing to apologize for. I looked at the situation objectively and your concern was understandable. The important thing is that Gabriel is safe now, and that he is happy. And it's obvious you're a big reason why he's so happy."

Chase grins like a lovesick puppy and heads into the den to get a drink.

When Frankie, Ellis and Gabriel arrive I take Gabriel's violin and place it in my study, before herding them into the den so Chase can order drinks for them.

"I hope it's okay that I invited Noah?" Christian asks me quietly when he arrives with him and Xander, who's brought his sister, who is visiting from out of state.

"Of course, it's nice to see you again Noah."

"Thank you, Sir," he smiles.

"This is Ariadne," Xander introduces his sister, who seems aptly named, long dark hair wound in a braid on her finely shaped head, a straight Grecian nose and full red lips.

I hope she's as strong as her look suggests, as this party will be largely filled with Doms and subs, and I doubt there's much intention to rein that in this evening. Though at least it isn't in the club, which would be far more eye-opening.

"Does your sister know you're a Dom?" I ask Xander quietly.

"Yes, though she's never seen me in action. She's a teacher though and she has told me very little can shock her."

I chuckle at his words and head to the door as it goes again, though I would have liked to see Ariadne's first reaction to the submissive waiters making their way around the room in tiny PVC booty shorts and white fabric collars with black bow ties.

Finally, everyone is here. Mrs M scowls at the servers moving around the space with the serving platters of hors d'oeuvres but I just laugh and pass her a mojito.

"You look ravishing, Mrs M."

"And you are a charmer, Sir."

I smile as Gabriel comes over to give her a hug and speak to her. He's never forgotten how warm she was toward him, and I love that he's so relaxed with her, even though he can still be jumpy around people.

There is light classical music playing and Ellis bounces over, clutching my arm.

"Is it time?"

I look around at our friends in happy conversation and spot Amir chatting to Frankie, Owen demure by his side.

"Yes, get Gabriel."

I go and get Gabriel's violin and surreptitiously pass it to him before calling for everyone's attention.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, if you would like to ensure you have a drink and gather around I would like to say a few words about Amir," everyone gathers, seated on the couches pushed to the sides of the room or standing. "Amir has been a wonderful friend to me for many years, guiding me both in my career and in my chosen lifestyle. In fact, if it wasn't for him I'm not the only person in the room who would be a lost lamb right now."

Frankie chuckles, "Hear, hear."

"Amir has always been there for me, and I know I'm not the only person who is blown away by his kindness and compassion. In this period of time when Amir has suffered a great loss, I am thankful that we could be here for him and hope that we have offered him some measure of comfort. A toast: to Amir."

Everyone takes a drink and Amir steps forward, taking me into his arms for a suffocating hug.

"Thank you, Gray, for those kind and eloquent words. Thank you to everyone in this room for being a friend and a source of comfort in this time, but there are three people I must give special mention to. Mrs Miggins, you are the best cook a man can have, and far more than Gray deserves," there are chuckles throughout the room, "if you ever require a change of pace, contact me, there will always be a kitchen in London waiting for you. This is a very small token of my appreciation."

He takes a long black velvet box from one of the servers who had been waiting on the sideline, which Mrs Miggins opens to reveal a stunning diamond bracelet, sparkling in the low lights of the room.

"Sir! I can't accept this, it's far too generous."

"My dear lady, you can and you will. A mere bracelet can truly do no justice to the regard I hold you in for your talents, I can assure you."

"Thank you, Sir, I will treasure it."

He kisses her cheek, brushing a tear from it before pulling her into a hug.

"Now, what can I say of Gray, who was the first person I thought of when I decided a change of scenery was necessary for my well-being? What a good friend he's always been? What a kind heart he has, offering to let me stay with him for weeks and months at a time without hesitation? What a source of sanity he's been with his down to earth attitude and humor? You all know of this already. All I will say, Gray, is that I love you and I have always been grateful to have you in my life, and always will be."

Amir gestures to another server, who brings forward a large object covered with a cloth. Amir removes the cloth to reveal a striking contemporary artwork, bright squares of color merging into each other.

"I would like to point out that I took a risk on having this artwork commissioned from an artist I have used before in London, relying on the fact that you and I have similar tastes, but that it is a contemporary rendition of my family's country estate, hence all the green. I would also say I will not be offended if it ends up adorning the wall of your smallest and least used bedroom."

I laugh, hugging him tightly.

"That will not happen, dear friend, it is wonderful, I love it and it will be hanging in this room."

"Phew," he whispers, laughing.

"Finally, Owen."

Owen comes forward, a light flush on his cheeks.

"One final thing I have to thank Gray for is introducing me to Owen, who has been a light of brightness in what was a dark time in my life. I didn't think there was any person who could make me feel happy again after Gavin died, but with Owen I discovered that contentment was again possible."

I feel a little nauseated. I know he's going to announce that they're going to London together. And I'll be happy for them, or at least pretend I am, but I can't help the feeling of what might have been.

"Owen, come here."

Owen stands before Amir, his eyes cast down, his hands behind his back. Amir takes another velvet box from a server, a large square one. Dammit, I bet that's a collar. I have to take deep breaths.

Owen accepts the box, "Thank you, Daddy," he murmurs quietly.

When he opens it I'm surprised to see only a small car key nestled inside. The one for Amir's own almost brand-new Mercedes if I'm not mistaken.

"Really, Sir?" Owen looks stunned.

"Really, Owen. You've been an incredible submissive for me these last months, and while I know you are ready to move onto something that's more than simply a D/s relationship, I am sad that you won't be joining me in London. I wish you all the luck in the world."

"Thank you, Sir, for being such a good Master to me and for helping me learn more about myself and about what I want. I'll miss you."

Amir pulls Owen into a hug, and I'm standing with my mouth open, until I see Chase watching me with a broad grin on his face. There's a round of applause, and Gabriel and Ellis launch into Schubert's Fantasy for piano and violin, which is Amir's favorite piece of classical music.

Chase saunters over to me as I listen to the beautiful strains.

"What are you looking so cocky about?" I growl.

"Well, I figure it's crunch time for you."

"How so?"

"I know I've mocked you a lot about how you feel about Owen. But you have your chance now. Have you worked out whether the feelings you had were only because he was unavailable? Or is there something more there?"

"It's irrelevant. Nothing's changed about why we aren't suited. The exact same things apply."

"Maybe, but have you thought that maybe what he wants could have changed? In all this time I've never seen Owen go crazy for the Daddy thing. He says it only occasionally, and he was more exuberant and boy-like when he was with you than with Amir. So, are you even so sure you can't offer the level of that he wants?"

"You worry about your own love life," I sulk and walk to the bar.

Xander and Ariadne join me and we sip our drinks whilst watching the boys play.

"How are you finding it, Ariadne?"

"Um, fairly like a normal party, even down to the servers. I've been to a lot of bachelorette parties recently. Although, did Amir really give Owen a Mercedes for being his submissive for a few months?"

"Yes. It's not always like that in the lifestyle, but there's a lot of money in this room, I guess."

"Well, maybe I should have become a submissive instead of a teacher."

"Nothing stopping you from doing both, little sis, although I have no idea where you'd find the straight versions of us in Missouri," Xander chuckles and his sister punches his arm playfully.

"What about you, Xander? Found anyone lately you want to give a car to? Or a collar?" I ask.

Xander's the one that's always surprised me with his attitude to collaring submissives. If anything, he does it rather quickly, but they never seem to work out for more than a few months. I don't think it's because of him, he's a really great guy, but I do think he's pretty bad at choosing submissives that meet his needs, which may be a little more intense than some. He never pushes them beyond what they can cope with, but his need for control leads to him having a certain level of frustration when they fail.

"Well, I won't pretend I didn't find it a shame when you trained Mateo up for River. That boy was a delight."

"He could cope with your..." I'm conscious his sister is right there, "level of requirements?"

"Maybe not quite yet, but his responses were exquisite and I'm sure I could have trained him up."

"I'm not so sure. When will you learn, Xander, you need to find someone who's already at that level, not try to drag someone who isn't up?"

* * * * *

A/N: not to beg or anything, but I have no idea if this is working - if you like it feel free to drop a vote or, even better, drop a comment saying what you like. And if you don't like it please also say why - I'm not totally fragile, but try to keep it constructive :-)