Part 5 of Becoming Our Own - in TBoPE 'verse
Title: Becoming Our Own, Part 5
Author: Caera1996
Rating for this Part: NC-17
W/C: 5,248
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Timeline Notes: A third anchor story (novel-length) in TBoPE/LAWG verse. Set five years after the end of Learning As We Go.
This Part: Jim and Bones spend an afternoon and evening reconnecting with each other, and Jim is reminded of Bones’ commitment to him, and their family, even when overwhelmed with work. Sam and Janie introduce Jo to a new movie, while Sam waits for Aurelan’s call.
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Once the girls were packed into Sam’s car and were headed back home, Leonard led Jim to a little outside café to enjoy a couple of cool drinks and a shared desert, since they’d decided to forgo the ice cream. Once they’d placed their order, Jim turned to Leonard with a slightly apprehensive expression.
“How worried are you about the asthma?” Jim asked.
Leonard weighed his response before answering. “Well, things like that can develop in kids pretty quickly, and can go from no big deal to life threatening just as fast. But, I’m not a pediatric doctor, and I’m not Janie’s doctor. I think as long as they go back to the doctor on Monday, and watch her between now and then, everything will be fine. If I didn’t think so, Jim, I would’ve told Sam.”
Jim nodded and took that to heart. Bones would never not say something about the health of any of the children in the family.
“Okay,” he said. “I’ll try to stop worrying.”
“Good,” Leonard replied. He cupped the back of Jim’s neck and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “Cause I want your full attention today.”
Jim smiled, his eyes a striking blue in the bright sun, and he looked so happy, Leonard couldn’t help but smile in return.
“You got it,” Jim said. “What do you want to do after this?”
“Well, I was thinking we could go home, take showers - ”
“Or, maybe, just share one. Water conservation, and all,” Jim interjected.
Leonard chuckled and rolled his eyes, and continued, “- and then drive by some of the houses Estelle has been sending to us…see if we want to ask her to make appointments for any of them.”
Jim nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, let’s definitely do that!” he exclaimed. “Some of them are in neighborhoods I’m completely unfamiliar with, and I’d like to see what’s around, and what kind of neighborhood it is, and where exactly it is in relationship to the hospital and university and the school board building…we can put everything into the Garmin.”
Leonard took a sip of his iced tea and nodded, happy that Jim was as enthusiastic about house hunting as ever. They did still need to take the final steps in securing their finances, and although Leonard had been completely bogged down in work this week, he had faxed Estelle all the information Jim had asked him to in an email he’d sent earlier that week.
“You did?” Jim asked, surprised to hear that. He’d figured that Bones had been so busy that none of that stuff had been taken care of, and was just put on hold. To realize that it wasn’t - that Bones had made time to request bank and employment records, and follow all the way through with it - was really eye-opening for Jim.
“Of course I did,” Leonard replied, equally surprised. “Jim, don’t doubt for a second that I want to do this with you more than anything. Work won’t stop me from making it happen. Nothing will stop me from making this happen with you. This week sucked, and yes, it was a pretty devastating week that isn’t over yet. I still don’t know for sure what’s going to happen. And, there will probably be other weeks like it, for both of us, over the years. But in the end, it’s just work. You and Jo, and the rest of our family…yours and mine…you all are what matter the most.”
Leonard took Jim’s hand and ran his fingers over the silver bracelet thoughtfully. It was hard for Leonard to remember this, but although their relationship was a few years old already, Jim was new to this. He’d never been in a completely committed relationship before Leonard. In the beginning, that had been a concern; he worried that Jim hadn’t realized what he was giving up, or what he was in for. Jim, though, he’d been adamant, and he’d definitely proven himself over the last few years.
They belonged to each other, as completely as if they’d been married in every legal and religious way possible. And this was the first time Jim had experienced something like that. It was understandable that he was surprised to hear that Leonard had kept up with what was going on around this important step in their lives, even if only marginally.
“Don’t ever doubt that Jim,” Leonard said quietly. “No matter what, you and Jo are the most important parts of my life.”
Jim nodded, biting his lip as he turned his hand and curled his fingers around Leonard’s. It wasn’t that he doubted. He never doubted. It was just that sometimes he didn’t realize how it was possible for people to love like that. It wasn’t something he’d ever experienced before Leonard had come into his life.
“Hey Bones?” he said, raising his eyes to Bones’.
“Yeah, Darlin’?”
“I think we should get going.”
“Sounds like a good idea to me,” he replied with a smile.
Jim settled the check while Leonard went to get the car, driving it around to meet him at the corner.
“Have you heard from the mechanic?” Leonard asked as Jim settled in the car. “Maybe we can pick your car up on the way home.”
“No, not yet. Let me give them a call.”
A short while later, Jim and Bones were pulling up to their apartment in two separate cars. They spent a few minutes unloading everything they’d brought with them, depositing the remains from the cooler in the kitchen, then Jim turned to Bones with a smile on his face.
“So…how ‘bout that shower?” he asked.
Leonard stepped into Jim’s space so they stood inches from each other and let his hands settle on his slim waist. They looked into each other’s eyes for a moment, until Leonard leaned forward and brought their lips together in a gentle kiss. Jim drew his hands up Leonard’s arms and gently cupped his face as the kiss deepened.
“Sounds good, Darlin’,” Leonard said. Jim grinned and they kissed again, staying in place despite the agreement. Jim held Bones to him, loving the feel of the strong body under his hands, and he felt arousal in every part of him. Every night this week had been nothing but two people falling into bed too exhausted to do anything other than kiss each other goodnight. But now, they had time for each other.
Leonard felt the desire in Jim’s body, and he hummed in approval, feeling it himself. Reluctantly breaking the kiss, he grasped Jim’s wrist and gave him a playful tug, tipping his head in the direction of their bedroom. “Let’s go,” he said. “I don’t want to wait another second.”
They made their way through the apartment, removing their shirts and dropping them to the floor. By the time they made it to their room, Jim was tripping out of his bathing suit and Leonard chuckled as he reached out to steady him.
“A little eager there, Jim?” he asked with a smile. Jim flushed slightly, but laughed at himself and easily admitted it.
“You bet I am. So come here.” He pulled Bones to himself and kissed him with all the desire he was feeling. Jim moaned into the kiss as Bones’ hands moved down and clutched his ass, pulling Jim to him even more tightly. They panted as they parted for air, and Jim tipped his head to the side, exposing his neck. Leonard kissed and sucked gently, knowing how sensitive he was there. Jim gasped and rubbed his bare flesh against Leonard’s hardness, still clothed in the bathing suit he wore.
“Bones…” Jim moaned. He clutched Bones’ shoulders and slid his hands around his back, holding him tightly.
Thoughts of a shower leaving him as they moved against each other, kissing and gasping and holding each other tightly, Leonard walked them towards the bed. Jim huffed in surprise when his legs hit the mattress and he suddenly found himself sitting, but he rallied quickly. He moved back on the bed, breathing hard and watching Bones heatedly as he followed him. Jim lay back as Bones supported himself over him on his knees, one hand planted by Jim’s shoulder while he trailed the other up Jim’s bare body, smiling against his lips as they kissed when Jim squirmed in ticklishness, pausing to gently pinch one nipple, than the other.
“You’re wearing too many clothes,” Jim said, a little breathless. He hooked his fingers in the waistband of the suit Bones still wore. Leonard quirked an eyebrow and pressed his hips down, dragging the fabric of his suit over Jim, making him arch into the feel of it as he squeezed his eyes closed and bit his lip.
Leonard let his gaze travel all over Jim’s face, taking in every nuance of the pleasure that showed in his expression, and pressed gentle kisses to his closed lids, then his mouth, urging him to let his lip go. Jim opened his eyes and wrapped his arms and legs around Bones, pulling him down to rest against his body. Jim slid his hands into Bones’ hair as they moved their hips against each other, catching their moans and whispered pleas between their kisses.
“Oh…god,” Jim gasped out, the friction of them moving against each other like that making him feel frantic for more. Jim curled his hands around Bones’ shoulders and arched under him, trying to keep his body in contact with Bones for more pressure, more friction. His legs trembled as they tightened around Bones’ waist and he finally couldn’t take it anymore, trying to reach between their bodies to take himself in hand.
“Uh-uh,” Leonard said, reaching down to grasp Jim’s wrist. He caught his other hand as well and held both of Jim’s hands against the mattress on either side of his head. Jim’s grip on him tightened as they moved together, breaths becoming gasps as sweat dampened his hair.
Leonard moved down his body, dropping sucking kisses on his neck and chest, tasting the sweat and salt of the beach on Jim’s skin, all of his senses engaged as he heard and responded to Jim’s breathy moans. Leonard paused to suck and tongue first one sensitive nipple, then the other. Jim turned his head restlessly, arching his hips as much as he could under Leonard, the sensations going straight from his chest to his cock.
Leonard let go of Jim’s hands so he could move further down his body, pressing sucking, tickling kisses to his stomach. He chuckled as Jim squirmed, hands flying down to his shoulders, trying to push him off as his groans turned to breathless laughs.
“S-stop, Bones, stop! It tickles!”
Leonard laughed and nuzzled the sensitive skin, feeling his muscles jump and bunch as he twisted under the ticklish onslaught. And then Jim gasped, caught by surprise at the feel of Leonard closing a large hand around his hardness.
“Oh…f-fuck, Bones…god…” Jim shuddered hard as Leonard stroked him lightly, once, from base to tip. Leonard knelt back over Jim, kissed him deeply and nibbled gently on his bottom lip, his fingers teasing the exquisitely sensitive ridge with just the wetness that Jim produced to ease the slide.
“You’re so gorgeous like this, Jim…I can’t wait anymore. Do you want to fuck me? Come inside me?” Leonard whispered, his lips right by Jim’s ear.
“Oh, god, yes,” Jim groaned, hips shuddering under Leonard as he continued to touch him so perfectly. Jim swallowed hard and looked up into Bones’ intense eyes. “But I don’t think I’ll last for even a minute.” He spread his legs in invitation and raised his head off the pillow to kiss him. “I want you inside me,” he said. “Now, Bones…please, god, please.”
“Hold your horses, there Jim…don’t want to hurt you. Where’s the lube?”
“Oh, god….you’re gonna kill me,” Jim moaned as Leonard let him go and stretched to reach the bottle they kept in the bedside table.
Leonard smirked down at him. “Not likely, Darlin’.”
He took a second to finally remove his bathing suit, dropping it over the side of the bed, and Jim raised his knees, drawing his feet towards his body, to give Leonard room. With the lube to ease the way, Leonard sank one finger deeply into Jim without any resistance, and Jim jumped and arched his back as he unerringly found that perfect spot inside of him.
“Nnngghh,” Jim groaned. Leonard deflected his hands as he tried to touch himself, and leaned down to drag his tongue around Jim’s balls and up his shaft. Jim whined and bucked when Leonard circled the tip and sucked it into his mouth, at the same time introducing a second finger and spreading them carefully.
“Gonna come…Bones…gonna…ohhhh, fuck, please…I need you in me,” Jim begged, clutching the blankets in a white knuckled grip that only marginally relaxed when Leonard released him from his hot, wet mouth.
“Yeah, Darlin’…god, you look so beautiful like this, open and waiting for me…” Leonard spread lube over himself and both men groaned as he pressed inside Jim, the heat and tightness testing Leonard’s control. Jim lifted his legs and settled them on Bones’ shoulders, making it easier for him to move. Leonard stared down into Jim’s eyes, and Jim reached up to card his hands through his dark hair.
Shaking, flushed, both desperate to give in to the tension twisting through them, Leonard pulled out and pushed in slowly, forcing himself to not rush this, wanting to savor every expression on Jim’s face, every plea and whimper, physically showing him the truth behind his words about how much he loved him.
“Bones…” Jim said, breathing hard, he bit his lip and arched under him again and again, teetering on the edge of orgasm. “Love you so much. Please, uh…oohhh…need you to make me come.”
Leonard pushed inside him again, and went still, his orgasm rushing over him with a suddenness and ferocity that took his breath and left him shaking helplessly as Jim pulled him closer and tighter against him with his strong legs, desperate for his own release. Gasping, Bones reached a hand between them, grasped him and stroked firmly, once, twice…and then Jim was coming, spurting between them as his whole body quaked under Bones. The relief was so overwhelming Jim was helpless to contain himself, a sound like a sob forcing its way out of him. Tenderly, Leonard brushed Jim’s hair back from his forehead and kissed him, watching as the tension slowly left his features.
Coming back to himself, Jim wrapped his arms around Bones and pulled him down, lowering his legs back to the bed, and urging Bones to relax on him. Sweaty and sated, Bones let himself relax, and they both took a couple of seconds to catch their breath.
“’M I too heavy for you?” Leonard murmured, head resting comfortably on Jim’s shoulder.
“Mmm…no…you’re perfect,” Jim said quietly back. “Stay just like this.”
They lay quietly, eyes closed, muscles lax, breaths syncing, warm in each other’s arms despite the fan that moved the air around them. Drifting…nearly sleeping.
“Now I really need a shower,” Leonard said, nearly talking in his sleep, and he smiled against Jim’s warm skin as he laughed quietly.
They lay there, drifting comfortably between asleep and awake, for some indeterminable time. After a while, Leonard started to rouse, brought slowly back to full consciousness by the need to use the bathroom, and also a slight chill as the afternoon darkened to night and the temperature dropped. He shifted slightly, wincing as he pulled away from Jim, the consequences of not cleaning up a little pulling at hair and skin stickily. Jim’s brow furrowed as the cool air hit him, causing a wave of goosebumps to rise on his skin.
“Shh, sorry Darlin’. I have to use the bathroom,” Leonard whispered. He leaned down to kiss Jim, gently stroking the hair at his temple. Not wanting to leave him cold, Leonard picked up the soft throw blanket they kept on the chair in their room and unfolded it, placing it over him and kissing him again. Jim smiled, waking more as he heard Leonard leave him and go into the bathroom.
Jim lay there for another moment then stretched his limbs and back, feeling achy in all the best ways. He sighed deeply and craned his neck to see what time it was, and then was surprised at how late it had gotten. Deciding there was no reason to care, he pulled the throw blanket up over himself further, turned on his side and let himself drift off.
A few minutes later, clean and refreshed, Leonard rejoined Jim, sitting beside him at the edge of the bed. Jim smiled and blinked up at him, the light from the bathroom enough to see by in the dark room.
“So much for house-hunting, huh?” Leonard said.
Jim chuckled and moved to curl his body around Bones, to put his head in his lap. “But this was so much better. Hey…you took a shower.”
“Had to. I was a mess.”
“I thought we were going to shower together,” Jim said, pretending to pout.
“Well, that would’ve been fine with me, Darlin’, but you were snoring out here when I came to ask,” Leonard replied drily, and Jim narrowed his eyes at him.
“I do not snore,” he said.
“Then Jack is in here somewhere, purring loud enough to be mistaken as a human snoring,” Leonard replied without hesitation, and Jim rolled his eyes with a smile. Leonard watched with unabashed admiration as Jim stretched and yawned, pulling the blanket away as he did. Jim’s smile turned lascivious as he watched Leonard watching him with obvious interest.
“Like what you see?” Jim asked.
Bones quirked an eyebrow and a smile pulled at his lips. “You know I do.”
Jim winked at him, and was about to suggest going for a second round when his stomach loudly announced that it’d been hours since he’d eaten, and he’d burned a lot of calories in the interim.
Leonard laughed and Jim chuckled good naturedly.
“Ugh, I guess I should get up and get a shower too. And then we gotta see about some food, obviously.”
“Obviously,” Leonard agreed. “Maybe go out? Try a new place? We haven’t done that for a while.”
“Sounds good to me,” Jim agreed. “Let me up…”
Leonard stood and Jim pushed himself up, scratching idly at his belly. He stood with Leonard and pressed a kiss to his lips as he headed towards the bathroom.
“I’ll just be a few minutes,” Jim said.
“Take your time,” Leonard said. “I’m going to clean up a bit.”
Moments later, Jim was singing loudly - and not all that badly - in the shower as Leonard stripped the bed and cleaned up after their earlier activities. He walked through the apartment, picking up the shirts they’d dropped along the way, moving the shoes they’d left in the middle of the rooms on their way to the bedroom. He threw in a wash and gave Sam a call, just to make sure that everything was going okay before they went out.
He was just saying goodbye to Jo when Jim came into the kitchen, looking freshly scrubbed and comfortable in a long-sleeved shirt and jeans, hair still a little damp from the shower.
“Everything good? Janie okay?” Jim asked when Leonard hung up.
“Yup. The girls are having pizza, cupcakes are in the oven, and a shortlist of movies is ready to go,” Leonard reported.
Jim smiled. “Good. So…where do you want to go?”
They debated their choices for a few minutes, then settled on a Thai restaurant they hadn’t tried yet.
“Bring the printouts of the house listings Estelle sent,” Leonard suggested. “Let’s see which ones we think are worth taking a look at tomorrow, since we were…uh, otherwise occupied…today.”
Jim chuckled at Leonard’s choice of words and headed to the spare room to collect the listings, where they sat in the printer. Coming back into the kitchen, Jim saw that Bones had the laptop open and was typing quickly. He looked up at Jim and gave him a guilty smile.
“Sorry, just checking my email,” he said.
“No problem, Bones. If you need, we can…”
“Nope, I’m done,” Leonard said, closing the laptop. A few moments later, they were on their way out.
Jim drove while Leonard paged through the listings. “These are all nice,” Leonard said, “though not what I originally had in mind.”
“I know,” Jim said. “We might have to compromise a bit on some of the details.”
“Well, there’s still some here I think we should see. I’ll show you when we get to the restaurant,” Leonard replied. They drove in comfortable silence for a minute, and then Jim reached over and took Leonard’s hand.
“I know you must have a million things you could be doing for work, and you’re taking this time out for us…for me. I just…” he paused, looking over at Bones briefly. “Thank you.”
“Jim…there’s nothing to thank me for. I want to spend as much time with you as I can. I love you. I miss you when we’re apart. I’m just sorry I all but disappeared during the week. And I am so grateful for everything you did over the week, especially taking care of Jo.”
Jim squeezed Bones’ hand, and looked over at him with a smile. “Now that’s something you never have to thank me for, Bones. Jo is…it still amazes me how much I love her. As if she were…” he trailed off, but Bones knew exactly what he was going to say.
“Jim, she’s yours in every way that matters the most. You’ve been in her life for almost as long as she’s been alive without you.” He looked over at Jim with a smile. “You’re her oide.”
Jim grinned at that. “Yeah, wow. And how the heck did that happen so fast?”
“You’re telling me,” Leonard replied. “But, Darlin’, I can’t tell you how grateful I am for each day it’s been.”
“Me too, Bones.”
The restaurant was a popular place, and they had a little wait before they were shown to the table. The restaurant sported a nice combination of outdoor water and plant gardens surrounding it, and they strolled along the walking paths, enjoying the temperate night.
“Wanna sit?” Jim asked, gesturing to a bench set back from the walkway.
“Sure.”
They settled down together, and Leonard pressed close to Jim’s side, putting an arm over his shoulders and pulling him close as Jim gave him a kiss as he ran his fingers through the short hair at the base of his neck. Leonard didn’t generally care for overt public displays of affection - partly because he was concerned about other peoples’ reactions when his daughter was with them, but mostly because he was just a private person - but they had a bit of privacy where they were seated, and he smiled and kissed Jim back, then chuckled when Jim’s stomach rumbled loudly.
“Ugh, I’m starving,” Jim said, settling back on the bench.
“How long did they say it’d be?"
“Twenty minutes or so,” Jim replied. “I think I can make it.”
“Glad to hear it, Darlin’. Can’t have you keeling over. I’ve been meaning to ask you, Jim… whatever happened with that kid you were worried about a couple of weeks ago?”
“Ryan?” Jim asked, surprised that he’d remembered.
“Yeah…did you ever manage to meet with him?”
“As a matter of fact, yes. And I’m going to meet with him again. Poor kid’s in a really tough situation."
They sat and talked, and before they knew it their pager buzzed, summoning them to the front of the restaurant to be seated. It was a good night, and it was exactly what they both needed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Did you guys decide what you want to watch?” Sam asked. He handed Jo a bowl of popcorn and headed back to the kitchen to get the drinks.
“No, not yet,” Janie said, using the remote to page through the movies available on Netflix. “I want something scary, and I think Jo wants something from Disney.”
“Well, decide kiddos. Maybe something in the middle? How about Gremlins? Scary puppets,” Sam suggested. He walked carefully through the blankets and pillows the girls had brought downstairs and made it to the couch, his own snack in hand.
“That’s a good idea, Dad,” Janie replied. “I haven’t seen that movie in forever. Have you seen it Jo?”
Still somewhat reticent around Sam, even after all these years, Jo simply shook her head.
“Well, Jo…there are three things to know about Mogwais…don’t get them wet, don’t feed them after midnight, and no bright light,” Sam said, counting on his fingers as he spoke.
Jo listened with a puzzled look on her face. “I have no idea what that means,” she said.
“Dad, you’re such a dork,” Janie laughed, rolling her eyes at her father. Sam smiled, shrugging.
“You know what that makes you?” he asked his daughter, gently nudging her back with a sock-clad foot.
“Unfortunate?” Janie suggested, and Jo smiled, amused at the banter between them.
“Nope…a dork by parental association.”
“Whatever…I’m awesome,” Janie replied, turning her attention back to the tv. “Is everyone ready? I’m gonna start the movie. Dad, can you turn off that light?”
“Ready,” Jo said, making herself comfortable in the blanket with her back to the couch.
“Go for it,” Sam said, reaching to snap off the light near the couch and pull his laptop from the side table to him. He looked down fondly at the blonde and brunette heads sitting close to each other as they shared the popcorn. Jo was such an integral part of their family, when she was here it was like he had another child. And he knew Jim and Leonard felt the same way about his children. And as the movie started, his mind drifted to the third child he was soon to have - his little boy.
Aurelan was out of town at an interior decorator’s convention, and he was waiting for her nightly call. He hadn’t wanted her to go, concerned about her being on her feet and dealing with all the extra stress that came with being involved as a vendor at one of those things. Most of the time, it was no big deal. But she was six months pregnant, and ten years older than she was the last time she’d had a baby. The doctor had confirmed that although the pregnancy was a surprise, and not something they’d been planning for, or taking proper care of, Aurelan and the baby were doing fine. But she’d also been very clear about the risks - to both mom and baby - a pregnancy at Aurelan’s age carried. All he wanted was for his wife and his baby to be healthy. Aurelan had promised that she’d take it easy - not push herself too hard and rest when she was tired - and call every day. So far, so good.
Sam smiled as the girls giggled at something in the movie, glancing up from the laptop. Janie had been very good about keeping herself quiet and calm, and there hadn’t been any other incidents for the rest of the day. He sincerely hoped they could make it through Sunday, until they could get her back to the doctor. There was nothing scarier than seeing one of his children in distress and not being able to do anything about it. Thankfully, they’d been blessed with healthy children. Kimmie’s head injury a few years ago, and now this possible asthma situation with Janie were really the only things ever wrong - outside the normal sniffles and occasional upset stomach.
Sam checked the time and considering calling Aurelan to see how she was doing, concerned that it was getting a little later than she said she’d call, but just then the cellphone rang in his hand.
Smiling, he answered before the first ring even finished. “Hey, Babe. How’re you doing?”
“Daddy, shh!” Janie admonished him.
“One second hon,” he said to Aurelan. He stood, and bent to gently tug on a lock of Janie’s hair. “Watch it, miss.”
“Sorry,” she said, glancing up at him.
”Everything okay?” Aurelan asked, hearing the exchange.
“Oh yeah…just Janie forgetting herself a little. So how was your day?” Sam asked, settling in the quiet and mostly dark den, a separate room that used to be the girls’ playroom when they were younger. Leaning back on the couch, the soundtrack to the movie playing in the background, he closed his eyes and listened while his wife described her day.
”How are things there? Did you go to the beach today?” Aurelan asked when she was done describing how the day in the convention hall had gone.
“Yes, we did. Jim, Leonard and Janie too. The girls had fun.” He told her about their day, and they spent a few minutes discussing the situation with Janie, the issue she had today, and Leonard’s advice.
”Oh, my poor girl,” Aurelan said. ”I hate the thought of something like this hanging over her, stopping her from all her activities.”
“Let’s not borrow trouble,” Sam said soothingly. “Hopefully, if it is actually asthma, it’ll be easy to control and won’t really affect her at all.”
”I hope so. I know it’ll just be the answering service until Monday, but can you call…”
“Already done,” Sam said, having anticipated what Aurelan would want. “I left a message for the doctor and let them know we were bringing her in first thing Monday morning, so to clear a a time for us.”
In her hotel room, Aurelan smiled. She eased back on the large, soft bed, a hand on her expanding midsection. “You’re the absolute best. I love you.”
“I love you too,” Sam replied. “So, what are you doing now?”
”Now I’m going to call room service and get something to eat, take a hot shower, and get to sleep.” Aurelan said, leaving out how much her feet and back ached from running around all day.
“Sounds good. Wish I were there with you,” Sam said.
”Mm…me too,” Aurelan said, closing her eyes as she lay there, relishing the stretch of her spine. “You think we can get your brother and Leo to take our two for a long weekend?”
“Oh, I bet we could,” Sam replied. “I’m sure they’d be happy to do it.”
They talked a few more minutes, then said their goodbyes. “Make sure you get enough sleep, honey. Don’t push yourself too hard. When do you think you’ll be home?”
”I’ll be on the road by two, so I should be home by, what? Five or six? Depending on traffic.”
Sam sighed, bringing a hand to his eyes. “And you’re driving with Susan, right?” he asked, really not liking the idea of Aurelan driving that far by herself.
”Right,” she said. ”Although, I am perfectly capable of driving myself.”
“I know you are, hon. It’s just…” Sam trailed off, as Aurelan laughed softly on the other end of the line.
“I love you, Samuel Kirk, you know that? I love how much you worry about me. But there’s no need,” Aurelan said. ”And I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Sam smiled softly, picturing the teasing smile on his wife’s face. “Love you too. See you tomorrow.”
.
Author: Caera1996
Rating for this Part: NC-17
W/C: 5,248
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Timeline Notes: A third anchor story (novel-length) in TBoPE/LAWG verse. Set five years after the end of Learning As We Go.
This Part: Jim and Bones spend an afternoon and evening reconnecting with each other, and Jim is reminded of Bones’ commitment to him, and their family, even when overwhelmed with work. Sam and Janie introduce Jo to a new movie, while Sam waits for Aurelan’s call.
.
Once the girls were packed into Sam’s car and were headed back home, Leonard led Jim to a little outside café to enjoy a couple of cool drinks and a shared desert, since they’d decided to forgo the ice cream. Once they’d placed their order, Jim turned to Leonard with a slightly apprehensive expression.
“How worried are you about the asthma?” Jim asked.
Leonard weighed his response before answering. “Well, things like that can develop in kids pretty quickly, and can go from no big deal to life threatening just as fast. But, I’m not a pediatric doctor, and I’m not Janie’s doctor. I think as long as they go back to the doctor on Monday, and watch her between now and then, everything will be fine. If I didn’t think so, Jim, I would’ve told Sam.”
Jim nodded and took that to heart. Bones would never not say something about the health of any of the children in the family.
“Okay,” he said. “I’ll try to stop worrying.”
“Good,” Leonard replied. He cupped the back of Jim’s neck and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “Cause I want your full attention today.”
Jim smiled, his eyes a striking blue in the bright sun, and he looked so happy, Leonard couldn’t help but smile in return.
“You got it,” Jim said. “What do you want to do after this?”
“Well, I was thinking we could go home, take showers - ”
“Or, maybe, just share one. Water conservation, and all,” Jim interjected.
Leonard chuckled and rolled his eyes, and continued, “- and then drive by some of the houses Estelle has been sending to us…see if we want to ask her to make appointments for any of them.”
Jim nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, let’s definitely do that!” he exclaimed. “Some of them are in neighborhoods I’m completely unfamiliar with, and I’d like to see what’s around, and what kind of neighborhood it is, and where exactly it is in relationship to the hospital and university and the school board building…we can put everything into the Garmin.”
Leonard took a sip of his iced tea and nodded, happy that Jim was as enthusiastic about house hunting as ever. They did still need to take the final steps in securing their finances, and although Leonard had been completely bogged down in work this week, he had faxed Estelle all the information Jim had asked him to in an email he’d sent earlier that week.
“You did?” Jim asked, surprised to hear that. He’d figured that Bones had been so busy that none of that stuff had been taken care of, and was just put on hold. To realize that it wasn’t - that Bones had made time to request bank and employment records, and follow all the way through with it - was really eye-opening for Jim.
“Of course I did,” Leonard replied, equally surprised. “Jim, don’t doubt for a second that I want to do this with you more than anything. Work won’t stop me from making it happen. Nothing will stop me from making this happen with you. This week sucked, and yes, it was a pretty devastating week that isn’t over yet. I still don’t know for sure what’s going to happen. And, there will probably be other weeks like it, for both of us, over the years. But in the end, it’s just work. You and Jo, and the rest of our family…yours and mine…you all are what matter the most.”
Leonard took Jim’s hand and ran his fingers over the silver bracelet thoughtfully. It was hard for Leonard to remember this, but although their relationship was a few years old already, Jim was new to this. He’d never been in a completely committed relationship before Leonard. In the beginning, that had been a concern; he worried that Jim hadn’t realized what he was giving up, or what he was in for. Jim, though, he’d been adamant, and he’d definitely proven himself over the last few years.
They belonged to each other, as completely as if they’d been married in every legal and religious way possible. And this was the first time Jim had experienced something like that. It was understandable that he was surprised to hear that Leonard had kept up with what was going on around this important step in their lives, even if only marginally.
“Don’t ever doubt that Jim,” Leonard said quietly. “No matter what, you and Jo are the most important parts of my life.”
Jim nodded, biting his lip as he turned his hand and curled his fingers around Leonard’s. It wasn’t that he doubted. He never doubted. It was just that sometimes he didn’t realize how it was possible for people to love like that. It wasn’t something he’d ever experienced before Leonard had come into his life.
“Hey Bones?” he said, raising his eyes to Bones’.
“Yeah, Darlin’?”
“I think we should get going.”
“Sounds like a good idea to me,” he replied with a smile.
Jim settled the check while Leonard went to get the car, driving it around to meet him at the corner.
“Have you heard from the mechanic?” Leonard asked as Jim settled in the car. “Maybe we can pick your car up on the way home.”
“No, not yet. Let me give them a call.”
A short while later, Jim and Bones were pulling up to their apartment in two separate cars. They spent a few minutes unloading everything they’d brought with them, depositing the remains from the cooler in the kitchen, then Jim turned to Bones with a smile on his face.
“So…how ‘bout that shower?” he asked.
Leonard stepped into Jim’s space so they stood inches from each other and let his hands settle on his slim waist. They looked into each other’s eyes for a moment, until Leonard leaned forward and brought their lips together in a gentle kiss. Jim drew his hands up Leonard’s arms and gently cupped his face as the kiss deepened.
“Sounds good, Darlin’,” Leonard said. Jim grinned and they kissed again, staying in place despite the agreement. Jim held Bones to him, loving the feel of the strong body under his hands, and he felt arousal in every part of him. Every night this week had been nothing but two people falling into bed too exhausted to do anything other than kiss each other goodnight. But now, they had time for each other.
Leonard felt the desire in Jim’s body, and he hummed in approval, feeling it himself. Reluctantly breaking the kiss, he grasped Jim’s wrist and gave him a playful tug, tipping his head in the direction of their bedroom. “Let’s go,” he said. “I don’t want to wait another second.”
They made their way through the apartment, removing their shirts and dropping them to the floor. By the time they made it to their room, Jim was tripping out of his bathing suit and Leonard chuckled as he reached out to steady him.
“A little eager there, Jim?” he asked with a smile. Jim flushed slightly, but laughed at himself and easily admitted it.
“You bet I am. So come here.” He pulled Bones to himself and kissed him with all the desire he was feeling. Jim moaned into the kiss as Bones’ hands moved down and clutched his ass, pulling Jim to him even more tightly. They panted as they parted for air, and Jim tipped his head to the side, exposing his neck. Leonard kissed and sucked gently, knowing how sensitive he was there. Jim gasped and rubbed his bare flesh against Leonard’s hardness, still clothed in the bathing suit he wore.
“Bones…” Jim moaned. He clutched Bones’ shoulders and slid his hands around his back, holding him tightly.
Thoughts of a shower leaving him as they moved against each other, kissing and gasping and holding each other tightly, Leonard walked them towards the bed. Jim huffed in surprise when his legs hit the mattress and he suddenly found himself sitting, but he rallied quickly. He moved back on the bed, breathing hard and watching Bones heatedly as he followed him. Jim lay back as Bones supported himself over him on his knees, one hand planted by Jim’s shoulder while he trailed the other up Jim’s bare body, smiling against his lips as they kissed when Jim squirmed in ticklishness, pausing to gently pinch one nipple, than the other.
“You’re wearing too many clothes,” Jim said, a little breathless. He hooked his fingers in the waistband of the suit Bones still wore. Leonard quirked an eyebrow and pressed his hips down, dragging the fabric of his suit over Jim, making him arch into the feel of it as he squeezed his eyes closed and bit his lip.
Leonard let his gaze travel all over Jim’s face, taking in every nuance of the pleasure that showed in his expression, and pressed gentle kisses to his closed lids, then his mouth, urging him to let his lip go. Jim opened his eyes and wrapped his arms and legs around Bones, pulling him down to rest against his body. Jim slid his hands into Bones’ hair as they moved their hips against each other, catching their moans and whispered pleas between their kisses.
“Oh…god,” Jim gasped out, the friction of them moving against each other like that making him feel frantic for more. Jim curled his hands around Bones’ shoulders and arched under him, trying to keep his body in contact with Bones for more pressure, more friction. His legs trembled as they tightened around Bones’ waist and he finally couldn’t take it anymore, trying to reach between their bodies to take himself in hand.
“Uh-uh,” Leonard said, reaching down to grasp Jim’s wrist. He caught his other hand as well and held both of Jim’s hands against the mattress on either side of his head. Jim’s grip on him tightened as they moved together, breaths becoming gasps as sweat dampened his hair.
Leonard moved down his body, dropping sucking kisses on his neck and chest, tasting the sweat and salt of the beach on Jim’s skin, all of his senses engaged as he heard and responded to Jim’s breathy moans. Leonard paused to suck and tongue first one sensitive nipple, then the other. Jim turned his head restlessly, arching his hips as much as he could under Leonard, the sensations going straight from his chest to his cock.
Leonard let go of Jim’s hands so he could move further down his body, pressing sucking, tickling kisses to his stomach. He chuckled as Jim squirmed, hands flying down to his shoulders, trying to push him off as his groans turned to breathless laughs.
“S-stop, Bones, stop! It tickles!”
Leonard laughed and nuzzled the sensitive skin, feeling his muscles jump and bunch as he twisted under the ticklish onslaught. And then Jim gasped, caught by surprise at the feel of Leonard closing a large hand around his hardness.
“Oh…f-fuck, Bones…god…” Jim shuddered hard as Leonard stroked him lightly, once, from base to tip. Leonard knelt back over Jim, kissed him deeply and nibbled gently on his bottom lip, his fingers teasing the exquisitely sensitive ridge with just the wetness that Jim produced to ease the slide.
“You’re so gorgeous like this, Jim…I can’t wait anymore. Do you want to fuck me? Come inside me?” Leonard whispered, his lips right by Jim’s ear.
“Oh, god, yes,” Jim groaned, hips shuddering under Leonard as he continued to touch him so perfectly. Jim swallowed hard and looked up into Bones’ intense eyes. “But I don’t think I’ll last for even a minute.” He spread his legs in invitation and raised his head off the pillow to kiss him. “I want you inside me,” he said. “Now, Bones…please, god, please.”
“Hold your horses, there Jim…don’t want to hurt you. Where’s the lube?”
“Oh, god….you’re gonna kill me,” Jim moaned as Leonard let him go and stretched to reach the bottle they kept in the bedside table.
Leonard smirked down at him. “Not likely, Darlin’.”
He took a second to finally remove his bathing suit, dropping it over the side of the bed, and Jim raised his knees, drawing his feet towards his body, to give Leonard room. With the lube to ease the way, Leonard sank one finger deeply into Jim without any resistance, and Jim jumped and arched his back as he unerringly found that perfect spot inside of him.
“Nnngghh,” Jim groaned. Leonard deflected his hands as he tried to touch himself, and leaned down to drag his tongue around Jim’s balls and up his shaft. Jim whined and bucked when Leonard circled the tip and sucked it into his mouth, at the same time introducing a second finger and spreading them carefully.
“Gonna come…Bones…gonna…ohhhh, fuck, please…I need you in me,” Jim begged, clutching the blankets in a white knuckled grip that only marginally relaxed when Leonard released him from his hot, wet mouth.
“Yeah, Darlin’…god, you look so beautiful like this, open and waiting for me…” Leonard spread lube over himself and both men groaned as he pressed inside Jim, the heat and tightness testing Leonard’s control. Jim lifted his legs and settled them on Bones’ shoulders, making it easier for him to move. Leonard stared down into Jim’s eyes, and Jim reached up to card his hands through his dark hair.
Shaking, flushed, both desperate to give in to the tension twisting through them, Leonard pulled out and pushed in slowly, forcing himself to not rush this, wanting to savor every expression on Jim’s face, every plea and whimper, physically showing him the truth behind his words about how much he loved him.
“Bones…” Jim said, breathing hard, he bit his lip and arched under him again and again, teetering on the edge of orgasm. “Love you so much. Please, uh…oohhh…need you to make me come.”
Leonard pushed inside him again, and went still, his orgasm rushing over him with a suddenness and ferocity that took his breath and left him shaking helplessly as Jim pulled him closer and tighter against him with his strong legs, desperate for his own release. Gasping, Bones reached a hand between them, grasped him and stroked firmly, once, twice…and then Jim was coming, spurting between them as his whole body quaked under Bones. The relief was so overwhelming Jim was helpless to contain himself, a sound like a sob forcing its way out of him. Tenderly, Leonard brushed Jim’s hair back from his forehead and kissed him, watching as the tension slowly left his features.
Coming back to himself, Jim wrapped his arms around Bones and pulled him down, lowering his legs back to the bed, and urging Bones to relax on him. Sweaty and sated, Bones let himself relax, and they both took a couple of seconds to catch their breath.
“’M I too heavy for you?” Leonard murmured, head resting comfortably on Jim’s shoulder.
“Mmm…no…you’re perfect,” Jim said quietly back. “Stay just like this.”
They lay quietly, eyes closed, muscles lax, breaths syncing, warm in each other’s arms despite the fan that moved the air around them. Drifting…nearly sleeping.
“Now I really need a shower,” Leonard said, nearly talking in his sleep, and he smiled against Jim’s warm skin as he laughed quietly.
They lay there, drifting comfortably between asleep and awake, for some indeterminable time. After a while, Leonard started to rouse, brought slowly back to full consciousness by the need to use the bathroom, and also a slight chill as the afternoon darkened to night and the temperature dropped. He shifted slightly, wincing as he pulled away from Jim, the consequences of not cleaning up a little pulling at hair and skin stickily. Jim’s brow furrowed as the cool air hit him, causing a wave of goosebumps to rise on his skin.
“Shh, sorry Darlin’. I have to use the bathroom,” Leonard whispered. He leaned down to kiss Jim, gently stroking the hair at his temple. Not wanting to leave him cold, Leonard picked up the soft throw blanket they kept on the chair in their room and unfolded it, placing it over him and kissing him again. Jim smiled, waking more as he heard Leonard leave him and go into the bathroom.
Jim lay there for another moment then stretched his limbs and back, feeling achy in all the best ways. He sighed deeply and craned his neck to see what time it was, and then was surprised at how late it had gotten. Deciding there was no reason to care, he pulled the throw blanket up over himself further, turned on his side and let himself drift off.
A few minutes later, clean and refreshed, Leonard rejoined Jim, sitting beside him at the edge of the bed. Jim smiled and blinked up at him, the light from the bathroom enough to see by in the dark room.
“So much for house-hunting, huh?” Leonard said.
Jim chuckled and moved to curl his body around Bones, to put his head in his lap. “But this was so much better. Hey…you took a shower.”
“Had to. I was a mess.”
“I thought we were going to shower together,” Jim said, pretending to pout.
“Well, that would’ve been fine with me, Darlin’, but you were snoring out here when I came to ask,” Leonard replied drily, and Jim narrowed his eyes at him.
“I do not snore,” he said.
“Then Jack is in here somewhere, purring loud enough to be mistaken as a human snoring,” Leonard replied without hesitation, and Jim rolled his eyes with a smile. Leonard watched with unabashed admiration as Jim stretched and yawned, pulling the blanket away as he did. Jim’s smile turned lascivious as he watched Leonard watching him with obvious interest.
“Like what you see?” Jim asked.
Bones quirked an eyebrow and a smile pulled at his lips. “You know I do.”
Jim winked at him, and was about to suggest going for a second round when his stomach loudly announced that it’d been hours since he’d eaten, and he’d burned a lot of calories in the interim.
Leonard laughed and Jim chuckled good naturedly.
“Ugh, I guess I should get up and get a shower too. And then we gotta see about some food, obviously.”
“Obviously,” Leonard agreed. “Maybe go out? Try a new place? We haven’t done that for a while.”
“Sounds good to me,” Jim agreed. “Let me up…”
Leonard stood and Jim pushed himself up, scratching idly at his belly. He stood with Leonard and pressed a kiss to his lips as he headed towards the bathroom.
“I’ll just be a few minutes,” Jim said.
“Take your time,” Leonard said. “I’m going to clean up a bit.”
Moments later, Jim was singing loudly - and not all that badly - in the shower as Leonard stripped the bed and cleaned up after their earlier activities. He walked through the apartment, picking up the shirts they’d dropped along the way, moving the shoes they’d left in the middle of the rooms on their way to the bedroom. He threw in a wash and gave Sam a call, just to make sure that everything was going okay before they went out.
He was just saying goodbye to Jo when Jim came into the kitchen, looking freshly scrubbed and comfortable in a long-sleeved shirt and jeans, hair still a little damp from the shower.
“Everything good? Janie okay?” Jim asked when Leonard hung up.
“Yup. The girls are having pizza, cupcakes are in the oven, and a shortlist of movies is ready to go,” Leonard reported.
Jim smiled. “Good. So…where do you want to go?”
They debated their choices for a few minutes, then settled on a Thai restaurant they hadn’t tried yet.
“Bring the printouts of the house listings Estelle sent,” Leonard suggested. “Let’s see which ones we think are worth taking a look at tomorrow, since we were…uh, otherwise occupied…today.”
Jim chuckled at Leonard’s choice of words and headed to the spare room to collect the listings, where they sat in the printer. Coming back into the kitchen, Jim saw that Bones had the laptop open and was typing quickly. He looked up at Jim and gave him a guilty smile.
“Sorry, just checking my email,” he said.
“No problem, Bones. If you need, we can…”
“Nope, I’m done,” Leonard said, closing the laptop. A few moments later, they were on their way out.
Jim drove while Leonard paged through the listings. “These are all nice,” Leonard said, “though not what I originally had in mind.”
“I know,” Jim said. “We might have to compromise a bit on some of the details.”
“Well, there’s still some here I think we should see. I’ll show you when we get to the restaurant,” Leonard replied. They drove in comfortable silence for a minute, and then Jim reached over and took Leonard’s hand.
“I know you must have a million things you could be doing for work, and you’re taking this time out for us…for me. I just…” he paused, looking over at Bones briefly. “Thank you.”
“Jim…there’s nothing to thank me for. I want to spend as much time with you as I can. I love you. I miss you when we’re apart. I’m just sorry I all but disappeared during the week. And I am so grateful for everything you did over the week, especially taking care of Jo.”
Jim squeezed Bones’ hand, and looked over at him with a smile. “Now that’s something you never have to thank me for, Bones. Jo is…it still amazes me how much I love her. As if she were…” he trailed off, but Bones knew exactly what he was going to say.
“Jim, she’s yours in every way that matters the most. You’ve been in her life for almost as long as she’s been alive without you.” He looked over at Jim with a smile. “You’re her oide.”
Jim grinned at that. “Yeah, wow. And how the heck did that happen so fast?”
“You’re telling me,” Leonard replied. “But, Darlin’, I can’t tell you how grateful I am for each day it’s been.”
“Me too, Bones.”
The restaurant was a popular place, and they had a little wait before they were shown to the table. The restaurant sported a nice combination of outdoor water and plant gardens surrounding it, and they strolled along the walking paths, enjoying the temperate night.
“Wanna sit?” Jim asked, gesturing to a bench set back from the walkway.
“Sure.”
They settled down together, and Leonard pressed close to Jim’s side, putting an arm over his shoulders and pulling him close as Jim gave him a kiss as he ran his fingers through the short hair at the base of his neck. Leonard didn’t generally care for overt public displays of affection - partly because he was concerned about other peoples’ reactions when his daughter was with them, but mostly because he was just a private person - but they had a bit of privacy where they were seated, and he smiled and kissed Jim back, then chuckled when Jim’s stomach rumbled loudly.
“Ugh, I’m starving,” Jim said, settling back on the bench.
“How long did they say it’d be?"
“Twenty minutes or so,” Jim replied. “I think I can make it.”
“Glad to hear it, Darlin’. Can’t have you keeling over. I’ve been meaning to ask you, Jim… whatever happened with that kid you were worried about a couple of weeks ago?”
“Ryan?” Jim asked, surprised that he’d remembered.
“Yeah…did you ever manage to meet with him?”
“As a matter of fact, yes. And I’m going to meet with him again. Poor kid’s in a really tough situation."
They sat and talked, and before they knew it their pager buzzed, summoning them to the front of the restaurant to be seated. It was a good night, and it was exactly what they both needed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Did you guys decide what you want to watch?” Sam asked. He handed Jo a bowl of popcorn and headed back to the kitchen to get the drinks.
“No, not yet,” Janie said, using the remote to page through the movies available on Netflix. “I want something scary, and I think Jo wants something from Disney.”
“Well, decide kiddos. Maybe something in the middle? How about Gremlins? Scary puppets,” Sam suggested. He walked carefully through the blankets and pillows the girls had brought downstairs and made it to the couch, his own snack in hand.
“That’s a good idea, Dad,” Janie replied. “I haven’t seen that movie in forever. Have you seen it Jo?”
Still somewhat reticent around Sam, even after all these years, Jo simply shook her head.
“Well, Jo…there are three things to know about Mogwais…don’t get them wet, don’t feed them after midnight, and no bright light,” Sam said, counting on his fingers as he spoke.
Jo listened with a puzzled look on her face. “I have no idea what that means,” she said.
“Dad, you’re such a dork,” Janie laughed, rolling her eyes at her father. Sam smiled, shrugging.
“You know what that makes you?” he asked his daughter, gently nudging her back with a sock-clad foot.
“Unfortunate?” Janie suggested, and Jo smiled, amused at the banter between them.
“Nope…a dork by parental association.”
“Whatever…I’m awesome,” Janie replied, turning her attention back to the tv. “Is everyone ready? I’m gonna start the movie. Dad, can you turn off that light?”
“Ready,” Jo said, making herself comfortable in the blanket with her back to the couch.
“Go for it,” Sam said, reaching to snap off the light near the couch and pull his laptop from the side table to him. He looked down fondly at the blonde and brunette heads sitting close to each other as they shared the popcorn. Jo was such an integral part of their family, when she was here it was like he had another child. And he knew Jim and Leonard felt the same way about his children. And as the movie started, his mind drifted to the third child he was soon to have - his little boy.
Aurelan was out of town at an interior decorator’s convention, and he was waiting for her nightly call. He hadn’t wanted her to go, concerned about her being on her feet and dealing with all the extra stress that came with being involved as a vendor at one of those things. Most of the time, it was no big deal. But she was six months pregnant, and ten years older than she was the last time she’d had a baby. The doctor had confirmed that although the pregnancy was a surprise, and not something they’d been planning for, or taking proper care of, Aurelan and the baby were doing fine. But she’d also been very clear about the risks - to both mom and baby - a pregnancy at Aurelan’s age carried. All he wanted was for his wife and his baby to be healthy. Aurelan had promised that she’d take it easy - not push herself too hard and rest when she was tired - and call every day. So far, so good.
Sam smiled as the girls giggled at something in the movie, glancing up from the laptop. Janie had been very good about keeping herself quiet and calm, and there hadn’t been any other incidents for the rest of the day. He sincerely hoped they could make it through Sunday, until they could get her back to the doctor. There was nothing scarier than seeing one of his children in distress and not being able to do anything about it. Thankfully, they’d been blessed with healthy children. Kimmie’s head injury a few years ago, and now this possible asthma situation with Janie were really the only things ever wrong - outside the normal sniffles and occasional upset stomach.
Sam checked the time and considering calling Aurelan to see how she was doing, concerned that it was getting a little later than she said she’d call, but just then the cellphone rang in his hand.
Smiling, he answered before the first ring even finished. “Hey, Babe. How’re you doing?”
“Daddy, shh!” Janie admonished him.
“One second hon,” he said to Aurelan. He stood, and bent to gently tug on a lock of Janie’s hair. “Watch it, miss.”
“Sorry,” she said, glancing up at him.
”Everything okay?” Aurelan asked, hearing the exchange.
“Oh yeah…just Janie forgetting herself a little. So how was your day?” Sam asked, settling in the quiet and mostly dark den, a separate room that used to be the girls’ playroom when they were younger. Leaning back on the couch, the soundtrack to the movie playing in the background, he closed his eyes and listened while his wife described her day.
”How are things there? Did you go to the beach today?” Aurelan asked when she was done describing how the day in the convention hall had gone.
“Yes, we did. Jim, Leonard and Janie too. The girls had fun.” He told her about their day, and they spent a few minutes discussing the situation with Janie, the issue she had today, and Leonard’s advice.
”Oh, my poor girl,” Aurelan said. ”I hate the thought of something like this hanging over her, stopping her from all her activities.”
“Let’s not borrow trouble,” Sam said soothingly. “Hopefully, if it is actually asthma, it’ll be easy to control and won’t really affect her at all.”
”I hope so. I know it’ll just be the answering service until Monday, but can you call…”
“Already done,” Sam said, having anticipated what Aurelan would want. “I left a message for the doctor and let them know we were bringing her in first thing Monday morning, so to clear a a time for us.”
In her hotel room, Aurelan smiled. She eased back on the large, soft bed, a hand on her expanding midsection. “You’re the absolute best. I love you.”
“I love you too,” Sam replied. “So, what are you doing now?”
”Now I’m going to call room service and get something to eat, take a hot shower, and get to sleep.” Aurelan said, leaving out how much her feet and back ached from running around all day.
“Sounds good. Wish I were there with you,” Sam said.
”Mm…me too,” Aurelan said, closing her eyes as she lay there, relishing the stretch of her spine. “You think we can get your brother and Leo to take our two for a long weekend?”
“Oh, I bet we could,” Sam replied. “I’m sure they’d be happy to do it.”
They talked a few more minutes, then said their goodbyes. “Make sure you get enough sleep, honey. Don’t push yourself too hard. When do you think you’ll be home?”
”I’ll be on the road by two, so I should be home by, what? Five or six? Depending on traffic.”
Sam sighed, bringing a hand to his eyes. “And you’re driving with Susan, right?” he asked, really not liking the idea of Aurelan driving that far by herself.
”Right,” she said. ”Although, I am perfectly capable of driving myself.”
“I know you are, hon. It’s just…” Sam trailed off, as Aurelan laughed softly on the other end of the line.
“I love you, Samuel Kirk, you know that? I love how much you worry about me. But there’s no need,” Aurelan said. ”And I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Sam smiled softly, picturing the teasing smile on his wife’s face. “Love you too. See you tomorrow.”
.