“I don’t mind it for short amounts of time with a reward forthcoming.”
“I’ll still use it on him,” I volunteer.
Finally, a hint of a smile from Declan.
“This whole weekend was intense,” George says. “Thank you.” He looks up at Declan again. “And thankyou, for putting up with me.”
Declan kisses him again. “Iwanthard play sometimes. But I like cuddling, too. Now you see I can take the hard play.”
“Yeah.”
We finally drag ourselves off the floor and head upstairs to my bathroom for a long soak in my tub.
I let George pull me into his arms. “You know, I can read all the damn books I want about this, but nothing prepared me for it. I thought I knew what I was going to feel. It was like something inside me let loose and I was…overwhelmed.” He hooks a hand around Declan’s head and pulls him in for another kiss. “I’ll never take what you give me for granted.”
Declan snuggles close. “Thank you, Sir.”
* * * *
Monday marks a return to normalcy for us. We spent the night at George’s last night, and I’ve agreed to spend weekends with them, but they have to work with me on weeknights. I need my morning routine, and until we get to a point where I’m with them full-time, I will still need to have my space.
But that I will start working toward spending more nights there.
I do sense a subtle shift in George, though. Definitely calmer, maybe even more thoughtful.
What settles my mind, though, and makes me realize I need to complete my other unfinished business, is how much happier Declan and George both are now.
I want that peace.
I want to be with them.
But I’m no welch. I made a promise I plan to keep.
After that…I guess then we’ll see if I’m even going to be around for George and Declan.
If not?
At least now I know for sure they’ll have each other.
