“Ryan!” Katie came running in and enveloped Ryanin a hug. “Daddy said you were gonna take me to see John Cena‘cause he and Momma couldn't handle it. Are you?”
“Yup. Next Saturday right?” Ryan said, huggingthe girl back.
“You rock...Really!” Katie squealed and huggedhim harder. “You'll see. John Cena is like hot...Hotter than mydad.”
“Hey now! He's mine and you make sure thatsteroid freak knows it!” Phillip said, glaring at his daughter andthen grinning. “We'll be right back!” He pulled Ryan into hisbedroom and blinked sheepishly at him.
“Family BBQ? Dude! You set me up!” Ryanbitched.
“I did but I had to do something. Everyone wasstarting to think you were a figment of my imagination. Well,except Sandy, but she was swearing she never saw you either. So Ihad to do something!” Phillip laughed when Ryan scowled at him.“I'll make it up to you...like tonight...after everyone goeshome.”
Ryan pretended to think about it and then slowlygrinned. “Oh, you'll make it up to me alright.” He leaned up andkissed Phillip. They didn't waste any time in tasting each other'smouths. They were clawing at clothes when they heard a loud bang onthe door.
“None of that stuff, you two. Not until we areall gone!” came Sherri’s voice.
Ryan blushed yet again, causing Phillip tolaugh.
“Oh baby, they are gonna love you.” Phillipmoved out of the way before Ryan could hit him.
***
Surprisingly Ryan did enjoy himself. He hadalready been accepted into the Grabowski family without having evermet them. Sherri demanded he call her ‘Momma Sherri’. She made hisplate and would have cut up his meat if he hadn't stopped her.
Meg had decided that they were gonna be greatfriends. He felt the urge to remind her that he was gay, that hewas not a girl. But thankfully Phillip did that duty.
Jeff decided they could like him even given hisbad taste in football teams, mainly because Ryan was the only onehe knew who could put up with his brother without wanting to killsomeone. Ryan argued that point strongly because sometimes beingwith Phillip did make Ryan want to kill someone. But only those whointerrupted them, a truth which Sandy pointed out to the wholefamily.
Gerry laughed his ass off while Phillip toldthem all basic training stories. Ryan just shrugged them off. Hewasn't that kid anymore and hell, he had to admit a lot of themwere funny as hell.
Sherri happened to be a picture taker. She alsoseemed to think that Ryan deserved a spot in every family pictureshe took, plus several pictures of just Phillip and him. Shepromised to email him all of the pictures. He promised to write herand the family while he was in Iraq.
Before they left Sherri cornered him in thekitchen.
“You know, PHIL doesn't talk about the men he'sdated before. You're the first one he's talked about.” She smiled.“I knew you were special. Sandy said he introduced you to Katie andthat’s how we all knew you were the one.”
Ryan blinked. He hadn't thought about it. Hedidn't think Phillip's feelings were up for discussing, and well,they might be gay but they still were male enough that they didn'ttalk about their feelings. He knew his feelings for the man. He wasfalling for Phillip Grabowski and being around the man's familywasn't stopping those feelings from getting stronger.
“I just wanted you to know that you're familynow, Ryan. You ever need anything or need someone to whip that sonof mine into shape, you call.” She grinned at him and surprised himby giving him their home number and cell phone number. She huggedhim tightly. “Welcome to the family.”
***
After they left Ryan sat on Phillip's couch.“Your family is great,” he whispered.
“My mother thinks you're the ‘cat's meow’. Shetold me that if we break up they may keep you instead.”
Ryan laughed. “I think I'll keep them...and you,if you don't mind.”
“I was so hoping you would say that.” Phillipgrinned and slid down beside him. “So I owe you.”
Ryan blinked and looked up at Phillip almostshyly. “I think maybe I owe you.”
They both lost their grins and talking becameuseless. Their mouths had other things to do besides talk.
***
The weeks flew by. Brendon had called just aboutevery day, talking for hours to all of them. They all knew it wascoming. Deployment was never easy. It was nearly August and theywere all sitting in the ‘FUBAR’ before it opened to the public forthe day.
Ryan was thankful that Phillip would be goingwith him. He hated that Patrick would be somewhere else, but heknew the smaller man's unit. He felt good about them.
