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Bobby had just gotten into bed when his phone chimed.
Grumbling, he rolled onto his side and found his reading glasses on his bedside table. He picked up his phone, peering at the text. His lungs froze.
He sat up and dialed the number that had just texted him. “Alex?”
“Hi, Bobby,” Alex said from the other end of the phone. “So, Ray’s sick, and we don’t know if he needs to go to the hospital?”
The ice in Bobby's lungs went straight to his heart. “Is he breathing?”
“Um, yeah?” Alex said with gratifying immediacy. “But he’s coughing a lot and he’s really hot.” Bobby could picture Alex gripping the cell phone in both hands as he held it up to his ear; the uncertainly in his expression. “We’ve given him Advil, but he won’t take anything else, and he won’t let Julie use her Gift. What do we do now?”
Bobby had stood and gone into his walk-in closet while Alex was talking. Ray was such a stubborn asshole sometimes. “You don’t do anything except wait for me to get there. I’m going to pack a bag and then head over. I should be there—“
Reggie appeared in a flash of golden light.
Bobby shrieked and dropped the phone. “For fuck’s sakes!”
“Are you packed?” Reggie’s eyes were wide with fear. “Because we need to go—”
“Jesus, Reg, it’s only been thirty seconds! I’m not even dressed!” Bobby pointed to his bare chest and pajama shorts. “Give a guy a minute, huh?” He scooped up the phone and keyed it off. Alex probably knew what happened.
“Yeah, right. Sorry.” Reggie ran a shaking hand through his hair.
How bad was Ray? The obvious fear in the kids was freaking him out. “Go down to the kitchen and get yourself a snack,” he ordered Reggie.
“I’m fine—”
“Go!” Bobby barked at him. “You’re going to teleport me back, and I do not want to go out of phase!”
Reggie nodded and fled out of the room. Bobby sighed, not happy he’d yelled at Reggie, but the kid’s nerves were getting to him. Quickly he threw on some clothes and packed his bag for a couple nights stay. He made sure to add at least two of his warmest hoodies in deference to the cooler December weather. He grimaced as he packed, wondering yet again why he hadn’t left any clothing at Ray’s place, even though they’d been going out since February. Sure, it was nice having his own place, but it was also nice being a couple. He didn’t know what kept stopping him.
He had just finished pulling on his sneakers when Reggie came back into the bedroom. “Did you eat?”
Reggie nodded. “An apple and a granola bar I found in the cupboard.”
“Good lad,” Bobby said. He slung his weekender bag over one shoulder. “Let’s go.”
Reggie took his hand and there was another golden flash. They reappeared in Ray’s bedroom.
“I told you not to bother him,” Ray wheezed.
“Kids these days, huh? Never listen.” Bobby put his bag down on the floor and went and sat on the edge of Ray’s bed. Julie, Luke, Alex, Willie and Carlos were all hovering, concern etched into every line of their young faces. He stroked his boyfriend’s forehead and frowned. “You’re hot, Ray.”
“And you’re cute,” Ray grinned. He struggled into a sitting position. “Seriously.” He coughed. “I don’t know why the kids are making such a fuss. I’m fine.” He coughed again.
Bobby’s frown deepened. “You can barely get a sentence out without coughing.”
“It’s just a little cold,” Ray coughed. His voice sounded hoarse, like he’d been smoking.
“Doesn’t sound like it.” Bobby turned to Alex, figuring he’d been the mom in the scenario. “How long ago did he have the Advil?”
“About an hour?” Alex’s face was creased with worry. “He shouldn’t be that hot after an hour, should he?”
Julie wrung her hands. “Please, papi. Can’t I try my Gift?”
“No,” Ray said. “You were sick a week ago. Save your strength.”
“You need a doctor, daddy.” Carlos was clutching Luke’s hand.
“We could call an ambulance,” Willie said.
“Or maybe Reggie should teleport you to hospital?” Luke asked.
“I’m fine!” Ray snapped, then coughed heavily. “Seriously,” he gasped. “None of you need to worry.”
And then Bobby got it. He looked at all the kids. “Why don’t you guys go… do something else?”
“But Ray needs us,” Reggie said.
“Yes. He needs you not to be in his bedroom, sucking up all the air,” Bobby said. “Now scoot. Go brush your teeth and go to bed.”
“But—” Julie started.
“Look, guys, I get you’re concerned about your dad, but let me be the adult here, okay?” Bobby said gently. “I’ll take care of him. I promise.”
Alex nodded unhappily. “Okay. We can go.” He took Willie’s hand and let him out of the room.
Reggie stopped by the doorway, “Are you sure we can’t help?”
“I’m sure,” Bobby said.
Julie was the most reluctant to leave. “We’ll just be down the hall. If you need anything.”
“I’ll be fine, mija,” Ray said. His harsh coughing didn’t sound fine, but Bobby let it go.
“I’ll take care of him,” Bobby promised. Julie nodded, not looking any happier. She left.
“I didn’t want the kids to bug you,” Ray said as soon as Julie had left and shut the door. “Fuck. I feel like shit.”
Bobby’s mouth thinned. “I got that. What meds do you have besides the Advil Alex gave you?”
“Whatever we have is in the kitchen—”
“—second drawer from the fridge,” Bobby finished for him. “I’ll go look.”
Ray grimaced. “Don’t bother. I don’t need medication.”
Bobby actually laughed. “Are you kidding me, sweetheart? You sound like shit!”
“I took Advil already. I’m fine.”
Bobby sighed inwardly. “I’m still going to look for what you have.”
Ray nodded, but Bobby had no illusions it meant Ray wouldn’t fight him on it. He took Bobby’s hand. Even his fingers felt warm. “I’m sorry the kids dragged you here. You weren’t meant to come over until Christmas Eve.”
“What’s one extra night?” Bobby smiled gently. “I don’t mind being early. Besides, Carrie’s skiing in France with Nick and his family until after New Years.”
“I can’t say I’m sorry you’re here, cariño.” Ray smiled. His blue eyes were bright with fever. He coughed, thick and wet.
Bobby grimaced and stood. “Let me find some meds.” He left the room and went downstairs to the kitchen. The living room was only lit by the bright lights of the Christmas tree, already festooned with presents. It made the area feel cozy and warm and Bobby had a fleeting wish that he and Ray were sitting in front of it, instead of Ray sick in bed.
Then Bobby remembered he’d left the presents he’d gotten for Ray and the kids at his house. Maybe he could ask Reggie to teleport him home later so he could get them. As long as Ray didn’t go to hospital, that was.
He couldn’t help but be worried about Ray’s illness. Julie had barely recovered from a hash pneumonia she’d gotten in New York. It made an awful kind of sense that Ray would’ve caught it, too. Julie had needed a course of antibiotics to get better, and Bobby was pretty sure Ray would need the same unless he’d let his daughter help. Getting his boyfriend to accept any help at all though, that was going to be all kinds of difficult.
Ray was nothing if not a stubborn bastard.
Sighing, Bobby searched the kitchen cabinets. There was a half-finished bottle of cough medicine and a box of cold and flu tablets. Bobby pulled them both out and made sure neither would react badly with the Advil. He grabbed a glass of water and a spoon and took them upstairs.
He could hear Ray coughing before he even reached the top.
Reggie was standing in the hallway, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth. “I think he needs a hospital.”
“Maybe,” Bobby said honestly. He hated worrying the kids, but he wouldn’t lie to them. “I’m going to give him some meds and see how it goes.”
Reggie nodded seriously. “I’ll teleport him. If you want.”
Bobby felt a surge of affection for the boy. He remembered keenly how caring Reggie had been when they’d all been young together, before Reggie and the others had "died" and his life had changed so completely. He was so happy Reggie was still the same person, even after all this time. “I may take you up on that,” Bobby said. “Hey, can you send Julie to Ray’s room in a couple of minutes?”
“You going to get her to use her Gift?”
“Imma see if I can talk Ray into it,” Bobby said. “It can’t hurt, right?”
“And Julie says she’s fine,” Reggie agreed.
“Perfect.” Bobby grinned at him. He went back inside Ray’s bedroom. “Hey big guy. I got some meds.”
“Thanks,” Ray mumbled. He was still sitting up against the headboard, but he’d pulled the blanket up to his chin and he looked cold and miserable.
Bobby sat beside him and held up the spoon and liquid medicine along with the box of pills. “Which one do you prefer?”
“They’re both gross,” Ray said, like he was younger than Carlos. “I hate pills. And the medicine tastes awful.”
Bobby raised his eyebrows. “And coughing until your throat bleeds is better?”
“My throat isn’t bleeding.” Ray scowled, then coughed.
“Just take the meds,” Bobby said on a sigh. “You know they’ll help.”
“I’m fine,” Ray said. “Bobby, seriously. You don’t need to take care of me.”
“Says the man who just said he was glad I was here.” He held up the box and the bottle again. “Choose.”
“I don’t want them.”
Bobby was instantly out of patience. “For fuck sakes! Take the fucking meds or I will have Reggie teleport you to hospital!”
Ray narrowed his eyes at him. “He’s just a kid.”
“He’s eighteen and his Gift is plenty strong enough to do it,” Bobby shot back. “I will call him in right now. So help me.”
Ray glared at him. “Fine. Pills.”
“Good choice.”
Bobby popped two out of the blister pack and gave them to Ray, who dutifully put them into his mouth. He swallowed them down with half a glass of water, then grimaced like he’d swallowed poison. ”Fucking disgusting.”
Bobby patted his shoulder. “Thanks.”
“I only took them to stop you from making Reggie teleport me.” Ray’s rough voice was tinged with anger. “They’re kids, Bobby! They shouldn’t be made to help an adult—!”
Julie came in. “Hey, papi,” she said softy. “Reggie said you were going to let me use my Gift?”
The look Ray gave Bobby was venomous. “I didn’t say that!” he spat, then coughed violently, nearly doubling over.
Bobby held him, feeling the heat radiating from his back and the way the muscles spasmed under his hand. “You’re really sick, Ray.”
“Julie was sicker!” Ray gasped. “She’s only been off antibiotics for a week! She shouldn’t—” He coughed again, shoulders heaving.
Julie’s face hardened and she climbed on the bed to go to her father, her body already beginning to glow. “Sorry, papi,” she said, then zapped him.
The room was infused with a brilliant white light. Bobby had never felt Julie’s Gift before. It was like drinking something hot on a cold day, but throughout his whole body. No wonder the boys had raved about how good it felt.
Ray’s coughing immediately eased. He sat up, eyes wide with concern. “Mija! ¿Estás bien?”
“Estoy bien, daddy. I swear,” Julie said. “How do you feel?”
Ray took a deep breath. It sounded way less congested and he only coughed a little. “Better. Thank you.”
Julie hugged him. “You should’ve let me do it before.”
“You were sick,” Ray said yet again. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“You could never hurt me, papi.” She rubbed his head. “Do you think you can sleep now?”
“Who’s the parent here, hm?” Ray chuffed out a laugh with almost no wheeze, but Bobby could see the troubled look in his eyes.
“Hey, Julie. You did a great job with your Gift. Could I get you to please tell the boys Ray’s doing better? And then go get a snack? I’ve got it from here.”
Julie kissed her dad on his head and then gave Bobby a quick hug. “Good night!” She went to the door.
“And don’t you guys stay up too late!” Bobby called as she disappeared. Her giggling was his only answer.
Ray’s expression was stony when Bobby turned back to look at him. “You should never have let her do that!”
“Do what? Use her Gift to help keep her father out of hospital? I think it’s a pretty good thing,” Bobby said mildly, pretending he didn’t notice the anger burning in Ray’s eyes. He tucked the blanket back around Ray’s shoulders.
“She was sick!” Ray growled. “Her body’s not totally healed! And her Gift takes a lot out of her. You know that!”
“She said she was fine,” Bobby said, keeping the same mild tone. “And she’s a smart girl. She’ll eat something.”
“But what if her pneumonia comes back now? Huh? What if she gets sick again because she was taking care of me? I’m her father! It’s my job—” He broke off coughing.
Bobby went to rub his back, but Ray flinched away. Bobby lowered his hand. “Look,” he said, “I get it. I’m a dad, too. I get how you want to take care of your kids, and it feels bad when they take care of us. But it’s okay to be cared for, sometimes. Even by our kids.”
“Don’t you get it? Julie was sick!” Ray said again. “And the boys… The boys have no one! They’ve had to fend for themselves their whole lives! It’s my job to care for them now. To protect them! They shouldn’t be taking care of me!”
“I get that,” Bobby said again. “I know the boys had no one. Ray, I was there when they were growing up. I know they had nobody. But it still doesn’t mean they can’t care about you. Caring is a form of love. You know that.”
Bobby saw Ray blink, and he knew his words had hit their mark. “You weren’t there for Willie,” he said petulantly.
“Nope,” Ray agreed. “But I am now. I’m the band uncle, right? Willie’s part of that.” He smiled.
Suddenly all the anger left Ray; his shoulders deflated. “I just feel so weak,” he said softly. “So useless. I need to be strong for them. And I’m not. I feel like I’m letting them down.”
“How? By showing them men can be vulnerable and accept help?”
Ray’s mouth thinned. “Like the way you let yourself be vulnerable?”
Bobby’s head bobbed back. “How’d this suddenly end up about me?”
“We’ve been dating for almost a year, Bobby, and there’s not a single item of yours in my house,” Ray spat. “You keep acting like we’re going to break up any minute. How can I believe you’re going to be there for the kids when you’re not even here for our relationship?”
“I am here!” Bobby said, but even as it came out of his mouth, he knew it wasn’t totally true. “I want to be here,” he amended.
“But you’re not. Not fully,” Ray sighed. “God. We’re quite the pair, aren’t we?”
“I think we’re both used to being really strong… and really alone,” Bobby said. “It’s kind of hard to imagine leaning on someone else.”
Ray took his hand. “But you’re not alone anymore. I love you, Bobby. That’s not going to change.”
“I know.” Bobby smiled at Ray’s sincerity. “But, it’s hard for me, yeah? I lost… I lost so much when I was a kid. It’s hard to open up.”
“I remember,” Ray said sadly. “I remember those days. I was so fucking afraid you really were going to go off the pier. I was afraid to lose you, even then.”
“And you’re afraid to lose me now?” Bobby asked. He hated the idea he’d been causing Ray pain and hadn’t even known it.
“No?” Ray said, then shook his head. “Well, yes, but only because I love you so damn much. And the only other person I’ve loved like this was Rose.”
Bobby’s laugh was tinged with bitterness. “God, we really are a pair. So afraid to be vulnerable because we both know how much it hurts.”
“I don’t want to live through anything like that again,” Ray said. “And I don’t want the kids to live through it again. All of them have suffered such unimaginable grief. I just want to protect them. And myself, I guess.”
“Me, too,” Bobby agreed. “But… I gotta admit, I was thinking about how much it sucks that I haven’t left any of my shit at your place when I was packing to come here.”
Ray’s incredible blue eyes widened. “You were?”
Bobby nodded. “Maybe… maybe I’m just tired, y’know? Tired of being afraid. I mean, if something happens to you, it’s not like it’s going to hurt less because I held back. It’ll probably hurt more because I didn’t love you as much as I could’ve.”
Ray swallowed at Bobby’s words. “I think… I think I’ve been holding back, too.”
“That makes two of us.” Bobby smiled. “But I wanna do this right, Ray. And it’d sure as fuck make it easier if you leaned on me every once in a while.”
Ray chuffed out a short laugh. “It’s just hard, you know? Asking for help.”
Bobby stroked Ray’s face, feeling the pattern of stubble beneath his fingers. His skin wasn’t hot anymore, his eyes less fever-bright. Julie’s Gift was incredible. “That’s so funny. Because you’re the guy who taught me that. That it was okay to ask for help, sometimes.”
Ray tilted his head. “I did?”
“Well, it was mostly Rose. But yeah.”
Ray smiled, but then it dimmed. “They’re just kids, Bobby. They deserve a dad that’s always going to be there for them.”
“And you are,” Bobby said gently. “But shit happens and people get sick. And these kids probably understand that better than anybody.”
Ray nodded, but Bobby could see something was still troubling him. “You’re really upset about being sick, aren’t you?”
“What if I die?” Ray’s voice was tight. “This is only a chest cold, but… what if it wasn’t? What if it was cancer? Who’s going to take care of them?”
“I will,” Bobby said immediately. “Julie, Carlos, the boys. Even Flynn. All of ‘em. Ray, you’re not doing this alone anymore. You got me.”
Ray blinked, like he hadn’t quite understood what he’d said. “You’d take care of them?”
“I’ve been kind of doing it for the last year, in case you haven’t noticed.” Bobby grinned at him. “They’re my kids too, Ray. You’re my partner and they’re my kids. Just like you’d take care of Carrie if something happened to me.”
“Of course I would,” Ray said. “I love Carrie like my own.”
“I know. And that’s how I love your kids, too,” Bobby said. But I understand why you wouldn’t know that. Because I’ve been holding back. But I meant what I said. I don’t want to do that anymore.”
“I don’t want to do that anymore, either,” Ray said. “I want to be all-in.”
“Then you’re going to have to let us help you,” Bobby said.
“And you’re going to have to open up,” Ray retorted. “Leave your clothes here?”
“Ray, I’m going to leave my fucking toothbrush.”
Ray laughed, but then his eyes went suspiciously shiny. “I love you,” he said.
“Right back atcha.” Bobby smiled into Ray’s eyes. “Now, even though your daughter did a bang-up job with her Gift, I think it’s time for you to go to sleep. Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve, and you’ll want to be healthy for that.”
“I should sleep,” Ray agreed. He lay down and Bobby helped him settle against the pillows. He took Bobby’s hand. “Stay?”
“Of course. I even brushed my teeth already.” He’d just thrown his pants over his pajama shorts, so it took nothing for him to strip down. He crawled into bed beside Ray, throwing his arm over Ray’s torso. “This okay?”
“You’re warm.” Ray pressed back against Bobby’s chest. “Glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.” Bobby kissed the back of his head. “Now go sleep.”
“Love you,” Ray mumbled.
“Love you, too,” Bobby said. He closed his eyes.
Ray was feeling almost human by the next morning.
He was still achy, and his chest was sore from all the coughing he’d done, but compared to how sick and feverish he’d been the night before, it was nothing. The fact he was wearing one of Bobby’s hoodies was helping, too. He hadn’t realized how comfortable they were. No wonder they were such a staple in Alex’s wardrobe.
But he couldn’t get the discussion he’d had with Bobby out of his head. You’re not doing this alone anymore. You got me. There’d been a big change in their relationship last night, something had shifted, and definitely for the better. It made him want to do something equally big to celebrate.
It took him surprisingly little time to figure out what he wanted to do. “Mija,” he pulled Julie aside after breakfast, making sure Bobby wasn’t anywhere near where he could overhear. “I need you to do me a favour.”
When he'd told her his plan, Julie had squealed in delight and then grabbed her boyfriend and left the house. Ray had settled back on the couch in the living room, excited about the day ahead.
Bobby had insisted he take it easy, which meant Ray had done nothing all day but sit on his ass while his boyfriend and the six kids waited on him hand and foot.
By the evening he was a little sick of it, even though he knew it was probably helping him get better. The illness wasn’t nearly as bad, but it was still there, sapping his strength. But it was really hard not being a competent parent and needing to rely on everyone else.
It’s okay to ask for help, Bobby had said, and Ray knew it was true. But damn, it was hard to put into practice.
“Guys,” Ray said, trying not to sound too exasperated as Willie pressed yet another cup of his special Korean tea into his hands. “You really don’t need to do this. I’m okay.”
“But we like doing things for you,” Willie said, then went and sat down in one of the overstuffed chairs. Alex was already sitting on the floor. He moved to lean up against Willie’s legs
“Yeah,” Luke agreed. He was cuddling with Julie on the couch. “You’re always doing stuff for us. It’s kind of nice to be able to give something back, you know?”
It was hard to argue against that. He glanced at Bobby, who gave him a smug grin, like Luke and Willie had just proven Bobby’s point. Which they kind of had. “Thank you,” he said to the boys, and then: “I love you, too.” Luke and Willie beamed at him, and Ray felt better, knowing he wasn’t letting them down by accepting their love.
“And it was fun, making Christmas Eve dinner!” Reggie said. He was sitting with Flynn on the floor in front of the couch even though there were plenty of chairs. “We never did much cooking at home.”
Ray couldn’t help his small wince at Reggie’s words. For sure there was a world of hurt buried in that simple statement. “Well, you guys did a great job. It tasted excellent.”
“Thanks!” Willie beamed at him. “I’m glad you guys liked it.” Willie had made them all Galbi Jjim, which was a traditional Korean meal his mother used to make for Christmas Eve.
“Thanks for sharing it with us,” Bobby said. He was sitting beside Ray on the loveseat, sipping his own cup of Willie’s concoction. “That’s the best part of Christmas, y’know? Getting to share traditions.” His free hand was in Ray’s, a small connection that warmed Ray to his bones.
“What traditions do you have?” Carlos asked. He was sitting by the tree, trying to be subtle as he checked out all the presents already piled there. Ray grinned to himself, thinking of the gifts waiting in his closet for the kids to go to bed. Santa was definitely coming tonight.
Bobby hummed. “I used to try to get the guys to stay over every year for Christmas Eve.”
“Yeah?” Carlos looked over at Luke, who was his favourite of the four. “That sounds like fun!”
“It was pretty good.” Alex said. “Especially when it got me out of church.”
“My parents were happy for me not to be there. I used to spend the whole break at Luke or Bobby’s place!” Reggie smiled broadly, clearly enjoying the memory. Flynn hugged him. “What?” Reggie asked.
“Your childhood sucked,” Flynn said.
“Only when I was home. Being with the guys was great!” Reggie grinned.
“We did have a lot of fun,” Luke said. “But I kind of like it here better.”
“Did you have any Christmas traditions?” Carlos asked Luke. “Like, did you sing?”
Luke laughed. “My parents were not into me singing. But we watched a lot of Christmas movies. You know, like It’s a Wonderful Life, or The Bells of Saint Mary’s.” His face fell, probably remembering the last Christmas when he’d had to run away. It hurt, how many bad memories the boys had around things that should be so good.
“Like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer?” Carlos asked Luke, not noticing his change in mood. “I love that one!”
“We saw that one, too!” Reggie enthused. “It was on TV every year. We watched it at Bobby’s house. And Frosty the Snowman.”
“How about you, Alex?” Carlos asked. Ray watched Alex’s face to see if the memories were bad, but Alex just looked wistful.
“My parents used to hang a special pickle ornament, called a Weihnachtsgurke on Christmas Eve, after we went to bed,” Alex said.
“A pickle?” Flynn wrinkled her nose with a laugh. “Why?”
“It’s a German tradition,” Alex explained. “The child who finds it first in the morning gets to open the first present. It was pretty fun when we were little.”
“We should do that next year,” Ray said. He’d love to give Alex back some joy from his bereft childhood. “It sounds like fun.” Alex smiled, clearly liking the idea.
“Flynn and her mom make gingerbread houses,” Reggie said proudly.
“Yup,” Flynn said. “A whole freaking village. And then we spend the next week eating them.”
“What about you, Ray?” Willie asked. “Is there anything special you grew up with?”
It was the perfect opening for what he had planned. “Actually, yes,” Ray said. “We always gave one gift on Christmas Eve, before Santa comes.”
“You get a gift? Before Christmas?” Reggie said, sounding both scandalized and delighted. “Are we going to do that?”
“We didn’t do it last year?” Alex tilted his head.
“It wasn’t Rose’s tradition,” Ray explained. “But I don’t think she’d mind if we did it tonight.”
“New traditions can be a good thing,” Julie said softly. She looked at Luke and he gave her a gentle kiss.
“I want this one!” Carlos pulled one of the bigger presents for him from under the tree.
Bobby laughed. “Nice try, C, but I think your dad means one of the smaller ones.”
“Fine.” Carlos put the large present back. He pouted for a whole second before finding a smaller one with his name on it.
“Alex, you’re closest. Can you get a gift for everyone?” Bobby asked before Ray could. Alex moved from where he was sitting to lying on his stomach, as he searched under the tree.
It was nice, Ray realized, to have Bobby help like this. It was a little thing, but it meant a lot that he didn’t have to be the only one parenting the kids. Bobby wasn’t just the band uncle, he really was like a second dad. Why had it taken him getting ill for Ray to notice?
“One for Willie,” Alex said, putting a small package into his boyfriend’s lap. “One for Flynn.” He reached back without looking and Flynn took it out of his hand. “One for Luke.” This one he tossed over his shoulder also without looking, his Gift making the throw both graceful and accurate. Luke yelped but managed to grab it out of the air. “One for Reggie.” He did the same toss, only Julie intercepted it passed it to Reggie.
“No more throwing!” Bobby stopped him. “Some of this stuff is breakable!”
Ray knew he hadn’t bought anything fragile for four teenage boys, but he appreciated Bobby’s interference. Alex found a present for Julie and actually sat up to give it to her. “Alex, can you please grab Bobby the small one to your left?”
Alex found it, then tossed it to Bobby. Bobby caught it with a scowl, making Alex laugh.
“Can we open them?” Reggie said gleefully. He was cradling his present in his hands like it was infinitely precious. “Like, do we have to open them in order…?”
“You can open them,” Ray said. His heart was pounding with what he was about to do, but it was with excitement, not fear. “But I want Bobby to open his first.”
Carlos had already started tearing into his present. He audibly groaned, but stopped to watch Bobby.
“What’re you doing, Ray?” Bobby said with a short laugh as he tore off the wrapping of his small gift. “I hope you’re not proposing—is this a key?”
“Yeah,” Ray said. “It’s your key. For this house. I want us to move in together, Bobby. And I’m hoping you’ll want to move in here. At least some of the time?”
“Holy shit.” Bobby held up the silver key, letting it reflect the lights from the Christmas tree. “You really mean this, Ray? You really want to do this?”
“I love you, Bobby,” Ray said. “And I love having you around. And… and I can rely on you. And the kids can rely on you. I can’t think of anything I’d want more.”
“Yeah.” Bobby was still looking at the key, like he couldn’t believe it was real. “Yeah. I’d like that. A lot.”
“Yay!” Julie cheered, and then Flynn and all the boys were whooping and hollering like this was the best news ever.
“The band uncle has come home!” Luke crowed.
“Bobby’s in the ‘hood!” Reggie said gleefully.
Alex was grinning ear-to-ear. “It’ll be good to have you around.”
“It probably won’t be until September, when Carrie goes off to university,” Bobby warned. “And I’ll keep the place in Bel Air for her. But moving in here? Yeah. Let’s do it.”
Ray kissed him then, so excited he'd said yes. He could hardly wait for Bobby to move in. To wake up with him every morning and go to sleep with him every night. His partner in all senses of the word.
“Get a room!” Luke bellowed, and then cracked up laughing when Ray and Bobby pulled apart.
“Be quiet, Luke,” Ray said, then coughed. He clearly wasn’t one-hundred percent.
“Can we open our presents now?” Carlos almost whined.
“Yes, you can open your presents,” Ray said with a laugh, and there was an explosion of the sound of tearing and wrapping paper flying into the air.
He leaned into Bobby, listening to their kids’ happy cries as they saw their presents. Their kids, he thought. His and Bobby’s. It had a really good ring to it. “I’m glad you’re here,” he murmured.
“Glad I’m here, too,” Bobby murmured back. “And giving me your key? Damn, Ray. I fucking love it. I love you. Swear to God I’m the luckiest man alive.”
Ray laughed. “Merry Christmas, Mi amor.” He coughed again, then grimaced.
Bobby scowled at the sound. “You need more meds, Ray. Or Julie needs to zap you again. Take your pick.”
Julie turned at the sound of her name. She got up from the couch and went to the love seat, putting her hands gently on his shoulder. “Let me help you, papi.”
Ray took a deep breath, ready to say no. But then he saw all the boys were looking, worried about him. They just wanted him to get better. And they needed to know it was okay to accept help, like Bobby had said.
Ray looked up at his daughter and smiled. “Thank you, Julie. I’d like that a lot.”
END