“As good as it could have,” Jimmy replied honestly, standing up and curling his arms around Cold’s waist. He sighed deeply, mumbling, “Lots of tears, lots of laughs, then more tears. It was really hard, but I’m glad I got to be there.”
“So am I,” Cold said, hugging Jimmy close and kissing his brow.
“How did your gangster business go?” Jimmy asked, aiming to add some levity to the somber chat.
Cold snorted and cracked a small smile. “My gangster business went just fine, thank you.” He tilted his head curiously down at Jimmy. “You do realize that I am not ever going to tell you the details of my work?”
“I know that,” Jimmy huffed. “I was just... I don’t know. Trying to make a joke.”
Cold cradled the back of Jimmy’s head, saying firmly, “I don’t want you to forget who and what I am, Jimmy.”
“What are you talking about? Look, I get it! You do bad things!” Jimmy made a face. “What’s the big freakin’ deal?”
“I don’t want to wake up one morning and find my bed empty because you’ve decided you can’t stand to be with a monster,” Cold said quietly.
“Oh, Rod,” Jimmy murmured, surprised by the vulnerability he could hear in Cold’s words. He shook his head and pressed a tender kiss to his lips. “I know that you think you’re a monster—”
Cold scowled.
“—but,” Jimmy quickly continued, “I love you. Just as you are. That’s enough for me. I’ll never ask about the things you do because I don’t want to know, and I wouldn’t want you to lie to me.”
Cold seemed to accept that, kissing Jimmy’s cheek as he said, “Thank you. And I won’t. That I can promise you. Now. Mmm, are you hungry?”
“Starving!” Jimmy exclaimed. “Is Dad awake yet? I think he was taking a nap, too.”
“Already downstairs waiting.” Cold offered his arm to escort Jimmy to the dining table.
Jerry had made filet mignon this time with heaping helpings of buttered potatoes and broccoli, bringing out the plates as soon as Jimmy and Cold were seated. David was smiling, eagerly leading the conversation with more happy memories about Eliza. He made sure to throw in some embarrassing childhood stories about Jimmy, including a few times he had decided to take Eliza’s high heels for a spin.
Everything was going great, and Jimmy’s spirits were completely uplifted. When they were done eating, David suggested they all go finish watching the movie they had started yesterday. Jimmy, thrilled and tipsy from a bit too much wine at dinner, clumsily plopped back on the couch in the living room.
Cold joined him in his usual spot with Jimmy’s head in his lap, while David elected to sit down in one of the recliners to stretch out his legs.
It was an odd Polaroid of domestic mafia bliss; all of them enjoying the movie while armed guards patrolled the grounds outside. Jerry came in to check on them and bring them fresh drinks, and David raised his glass for another toast.
“Here’s to a lifetime of happy memories,” David said, “and to a bright future making even more.”
“Cheers to that,” Cold agreed, tipping his drink back with a little smile.
“To the future,” Jimmy said, his chest overflowing with love and warmth that he was able to share this moment with his boyfriend and his father, something he never thought he would be able to have.
“And you know, speaking of the future,” David said innocently, “I do expect some grandkids at some point, you know.”
Jimmy squeaked without meaning to, glancing up at Cold and flushing all over. They hadn’t talked much about such things, and he was immediately concerned that Cold’s mood might sour. He was surprised to see his lover still smiling softly.
“Only time will tell,” Cold teased, stroking Jimmy’s hair adoringly.
Jimmy smiled at that, his eyes heavy from the wine. The idea of having a family with Cold made him happier than he could even say. He never saw the end of the movie, passing out long before the credits rolled. He distantly felt Cold lifting him up into his arms and starting to carry him upstairs.
There was a pause, a warm kiss on his forehead, and his father’s voice murmuring, “Love you, slugger.”
Jimmy smiled sleepily, vaguely aware of Cold tucking him into bed. For the first time, he allowed himself a real and honest sense of pride.
He was no longer the failure he had always worried about becoming. He had finally done the impossible and gotten his father out of prison.
His father was free, he was in love with a gorgeous gangster, and life was good.
No, better than good; life was pretty damn fantastic.
