Silver Bells of Joy and Grace (9/?)
Here's chapter nine, and this is where the drama kicks in, as well as another big cliffhanger at the end. Thanks so much for all your reviews and support of this fic! I'll keep more coming!
Silver Bells of Joy and Grace
By Blossomcup
Rated PG, rating subject to change in later chapters
Pairings: Drew/Greg, Ryan/Colin, Chip/Brad, Jeff/Wayne
Summary: It’s the beginning of the holiday season, and Greg has a surprise for his love. What unfolds is something that will last the test of time…
NOTE: This is wifeless AU. Reviews make my day, so please give me some feedback!
Chapter Nine
Not All Are Touched by the Season, Those You Should Pity Most
“Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” - Calvin Coolidge
Drew was walking down the street, smiling and waving at people and wishing them season’s greetings. He stopped by a coffee cart and asked for a two dollar cup of coffee and paid with a five, leaving the rest as a tip. The man smiled and raised his hat to him; Drew nodded at him with a smile and went off with a bit more bounce in his step.
In his cheerful mood, he didn’t notice that someone was watching him at the coffee cart and was now following him down the street. He took another sip of his coffee as he turned a corner and frowned. “I don’t think this is the right way…” He murmured to himself as he didn’t recognize where he was.
He felt a hand on his back and he quickly turned around, seeing a man who he didn’t recognize. “Can I help you?” He asked politely. He dropped his coffee cup as the man pulled out a knife and pointed it at him menacingly. “Give me your wallet.”
Drew was trembling and his eyes were wide with fear and terror. He quickly pulled his wallet out of his pocket and handed it to the man with a shaking hand. “H-Here, here it is, please don’t hurt me.” The man caught him by the hand. “That’s a pretty ring you’ve got there.”
Drew swallowed. “Men don’t normally wear stones like that.” The man murmured quietly. His gaze flamed a bit more. “You a fag?”
Drew tried to pull away from the man and the knife slashed down upon his wrist. Drew let out a cry of pain, but he was too frightened and shocked to feel the real pain of the cut. “Help!” He yelled out in desperation. “Someone, please, help me!”
The man raised the knife again, there was the sound of two pairs of feet running toward them. The man took off in a dead run and Drew felt his legs go weak, dropping to his knees and clutching his bleeding wrist. His eyes were full of tears and he was still shaking all over. He looked up to see Ryan and Brad running toward him, their faces full of shock. “Drew, Drew, are you alright?”
Drew had never been so happy to see the faces of his two friends, they helped him to his feet and he leaned into Brad, who pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and pressed it to Drew’s wrist. “Drew, what happened?” He said kindly, yet his voice still wavered.
“I-I took a wrong turn…h-he had a knife…h-he r-robbed me and, and he…”
“Hey, hey, it’s okay, just calm down.” Ryan said, placing an arm around his friend. “He’s gone, it’s okay.”
Brad saw the wallet lying on the ground. “He must’ve dropped it.” He looked inside, and his stomach tightened in fear. “Ryan.” He opened it up, Drew’s driver’s license was missing.
Drew stared, and for a moment, realization did not come. Then his mind clicked and he gasped. “Oh, God… he has my license, that has my address, he knows where I live!”
“Drew, don’t worry, you’re gonna be fine-“
“No, no, what if he goes after Greg?” Drew cried, his fear overtaking him again. Ryan took a look at his cut. “Drew, I think this is going to need stitches. We need to get you to a hospital.”
“I’ll call Greg and he’ll meet you there, okay?” Brad offered, pulling out his phone. Drew shakily nodded and the two friends immediately sprang into action.
Colin rushed into the hospital doors with Chip and Jeff hot on his heels. “We just heard, is he okay?” Ryan embraced his lover, seeing his brown eyes enormous with fear. “He needs six stitches, and the doctors say there may be some nerve damage.” Ryan said gently. “But he’s okay. Where’s Greg?”
“Wayne’s bringing him over. Trust me, when he heard, he was in no condition to drive.” Jeff said, giving a large swallow. Chip turned to him. “Thanks for coming down to support him.”
Jeff nodded. “Drew’s a good guy, I consider him a friend.” Chip put a hand on his arm. “We’re glad you’re in the group, Jeff.” Before Jeff could reply, Greg burst in, his eyes bulging behind his glasses and they could all see tears threatening to fall. “Where is he?” He said urgently.
Ryan caught him by the shoulders; Wayne went up to Jeff and held onto him tightly. “He’s okay, Brad’s back there with him, he’s getting stitches.”
Greg saw a nurse exit a room. “Mr. Stiles?” Ryan looked up. “Yes?”
“Is there a Mr. Proops with you?” Greg nodded. “I’m Greg Proops.”
“Mr. Carey is asking for you, sir. He’s right in here.”
Not needing to be told twice, Greg hurried into the room, and everyone else hung back to give them some space. He saw Drew sitting up on the hospital bed, his face white, his left wrist bandaged, his right hand holding Brad’s in a tight grip. “Drew!”
“Greg!” Drew said, tears springing to his eyes, letting go of Brad’s hand and throwing his arms around his fiancé. Brad gently slipped out of the room to give them some privacy, Greg made a mental note to thank him before turning his full attention on Drew. “Oh, Drew, I just heard, are you okay?”
“Greg, it was so scary, I thought I was gonna die!” Drew sobbed into his lover’s shoulder. Greg held him tightly, rubbing his back to comfort him. “Shh, it’s okay, I’m here, he can’t hurt you anymore.”
“No, Greg, he got my license…” Drew whispered. “I don’t want him to come and hurt you…”
Greg upturned Drew’s tearstained face to his. “Listen to me. I’ll be okay, I’m going to keep you safe. I love you.”
“I love you too, Greg.” He kissed him and buried his face in his shoulder again. They stayed like that until Drew finally calmed down, then they exited the room. Everyone approached Drew with faces full of concern, he put on a brave front and gave a tiny smile. “Hi, everybody.”
“Hey, Drew.” Jeff put a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him. “Listen, I’m here if you need anything, okay?”
“Thanks, Jeff.” Drew smiled gratefully at his new friend. Ryan moved forward, his face serious. “Drew, you and Greg go home with Chip and get your things. You’re going to stay with us tonight.”
Drew could see in Ryan’s face that he was not going to take no for an answer. And he didn’t want him and Greg to be alone that night, so he nodded. “Thanks, Ryan.”
Chip drove Drew and Greg back to their loft and walked in with them so they could get their things. They opened the loft door and were shocked at what they saw. The house had already been ransacked, things were spilled and missing. “He was already here…” Drew whispered, Greg quickly held onto him to steady him.
“I’ll call the police.” Chip said, going into the kitchen to get the phone. “Oh, God…Drew.” Chip’s voice was deathly quiet. Drew and Greg shared scared looks and went into the kitchen. They walked in, seeing it to be just as much of a mess as the rest of the house was. Chip’s face was pained as he held up Drew’s mother’s old recipe book. Or rather, what was left of it. The pages were mostly ripped and all was illegible, they had just destroyed whatever was in their path.
Drew’s hand went to his mouth in shock, looking absolutely horrified. Ever since his mother had passed away, that one book was the link that had still kept him with her. It was the one thing that he made sure he got when he left their old house for the last time. Whoever came in here just destroyed the one thing he held the most dear without a second thought.
Greg’s heart broke for his lover as he saw tears silently seep out of his eyes and run down his face. “Oh, Drew…” He said, opening his arms, Drew gratefully buried himself in the embrace. Greg knew that Drew had copied all the old recipes out of there to lend to friends, but this was something he heralded like a priceless artifact, he never lent the actual book out, it was never let out of the kitchen. “Drew, I’m so sorry.”
Chip picked up the phone and dialed the police, detailing the situation. After he hung up, he joined into the hug, being of the old notion that nobody should suffer alone.
The police arrived and all the group met at the loft to give statements of what they saw or witnessed. “We saw Drew on the street with someone attacking him.” Ryan said. “Where was this?” The cop asked. Ryan thought for a moment. “On 12th and Oak, I think. It was the street corner by John’s Lattes, that coffee cart on the sidewalk.”
The officer nodded and wrote that down in the notebook. “Did you get a good look at the man? Can you describe him?”
Ryan’s eyes closed as he tried to recall details. “I was looking at Drew more than him…um…white, I remember he was close to my height, that was unusual…medium build, and he was wearing a brown parka with a black baseball cap, it had the New York Yankees logo on it.” The cop nodded, still scribbling into the notebook.
“I was with Ryan when we found Drew.” Brad told another officer, giving the man the same recollection of the place and the clothes he was wearing to him. “But I did get a glimpse at his face. He had a large scar over his right eye, from his cheek to his forehead.” The cop nodded. “Did you see anything else? Which direction he ran to?”
Brad shook his head. “No, I didn’t.”
Greg and the others gave statements saying that they only met up with the rest of the group at the hospital after they had heard the news. Another officer interviewed Drew once he had calmed down a bit. “Can you tell me what happened?”
Drew took a deep breath. “I was walking down the street and I got a cup of coffee, then I turned a corner and didn’t recognize where I was. I was about to turn back when the man put his hand on my back and held up a knife, he told me to give him my wallet. I did, but then he saw my ring and called me…called me a fag.” He looked to the officer. “I’m engaged to another man, Mr. Proops.”
The officer nodded. “Go on.”
“I tried to run, but he cut my wrist. Then I started calling for help, and the next thing I knew, Brad and Ryan were running toward me. The man let go of me and started to run. He dropped my wallet, but he did get my driver’s license. Then Brad and Ryan took me to the hospital to get stitches, and that’s all that I can remember.”
“Can you describe him?” Drew nodded. “He was white, around 6’6, brown parka, Yankees cap, he had a scar over his right eye, with jet black hair and a mustache. He had really red eyes; I think he might’ve been a drug user.”
The officer looked impressed. “You have an eye for detail.” Drew nodded. “I was in the Marine reserves for six years.” The officer nodded. “I was in there for four years, I know what you mean.” He looked up at him again. “Can you describe him to a sketch artist?” The officer asked. Drew nodded, and he led him away.
“Can you tell me what’s missing from the apartment?” An officer asked Greg. “Two lamps, our television, and our coffee maker, a Senseo.” As Greg said them, he felt like those were very small things compared to the thing that had been lost, or the man who could’ve been lost.
The officer asked him about the model and make of the television and lamps. The crime scene investigators continued on with their work, and the police stated that Greg and Drew couldn’t even get some spare clothes, the scene had to stay as it was. “We’d really prefer that you two stay in a hotel tonight.” An officer told them. “There’s a Four Seasons that works with our department that has plenty of protection, the state will reimburse you for all expenses.”
Drew and Greg nodded, knowing they had no other choice. “When you’re ready, an armed escort will drive you there.”
Colin and the others approached them. “We’ll come with you guys, you still shouldn’t be alone tonight.”
Drew smiled at them gratefully through the tear tracks on his face. “Thanks, you guys.”
The department was as good as their word, they gave them a room for each of them, Drew thought it was the officer’s doing, knowing military service was an automatic unifier. Drew and Greg walked into their room and Drew automatically lay down on the bed, frowning a bit. “I hate hotel beds.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean.” Greg said, joining him. “You’re never fully comfortable unless you’re in your own bed.” Drew nodded. Greg gently took Drew’s hand in his and could still feel it shaking. “Are you okay?” He asked gently.
Drew sighed. “I don’t know. Maybe not now, but I will be.” He tried to smile but it died before it reached his mouth. Greg squeezed his hand and Drew sighed. “I can’t believe they destroyed my Mom’s old recipe book…” He said, barely above a whisper.
“I know, it meant a lot to you.” Greg said back. Drew’s gaze was fixed on the ceiling as he continued. “But I’m glad that he got that rather than you.” He finished.
Greg’s eyes widened a bit, surprised at Drew’s remark. He knew Drew grew up without a father and his mother was all he had, that recipe book was the one thing he got from her house in Cleveland before it fell apart after she died, and here he was saying that it was nothing compared to himself being harmed or killed.
Tears began to form in Greg’s eyes as he was reminded once again of Drew’s love and selflessness, his feeling that Drew was some sort of benign force heightened. “Thank you.” He said quietly, unsure of anything else to say. Drew turned to him and they cuddled close, bringing their lips together in a heartfelt kiss. They didn’t say anything more, just quietly fell asleep.
Ryan got one of the bottles out of the mini-bar, feeling that he needed a drink after all that had happened today. He turned to his lover and saw Colin sitting upright on the bed, his face calm but his eyes wide and his hands shaking. He put the bottle down and sat next to him, wrapping an arm around Colin and letting him lean on him.
“Are you okay?” Ryan asked. Colin nodded slowly. “I can’t believe that this happened. To Drew, of all people. Things like this shouldn’t happen to good people like him. These are the kinds of things that are only supposed to happen to someone else.”
“Unfortunately, Colin, we’re all someone else to someone else.” Ryan replied gently. Colin sighed. “I know. But why Drew? He didn’t deserve something like this to happen, what if something worse had happened?” Colin paused for a moment. “What if it had been you?”
Ryan wrapped long arms around him and Colin laid his head on his shoulder and murmured in his ear. “I don’t know what I’d do if anything ever happened to you.” Colin said, feeling a lump forming in his throat that would soon become tears.
“Colin, I’m here, it’s okay.” Ryan said, trying to reassure him. “I will never willingly leave you, ever. I promise you that.”
Colin snuggled deeper into the embrace. “Thank you, Ryan.”
Brad and Chip were in their room as well. “Wow, what was it like stumbling on your best friend getting mugged?” Chip asked, placing a hand on Brad’s arm. Brad exhaled loudly. “It was really scary. And it was a Hell of a coincidence, finding him in a situation like that.”
“Well, thanks to you, he’s okay.” Chip said, trying to cheer him up. Brad gave a small smile but then it disappeared. “Yes, but he’s gotta be so worn out by all of this. He had to get stitches, his house was robbed, his Mom’s recipe book…” He shook his head sadly. “I hope he doesn’t have any trouble sleeping tonight.”
Chip couldn’t help smiling at his lover’s concern. “Well, maybe I’m just selfish, but I don’t like seeing you hurt either.” Brad kissed the side of his head. “Thanks, Charles.”
Chip rolled his eyes. “You know I prefer Chip.”
“How about if I only call you Charles when we’re alone together?” Chip shrugged, shyly smiling. “That’s fine.”
Brad and Chip fell to the bed, cuddling close, their thoughts still with Drew and Greg. But knowing the love they had for each other, if anyone could get through it, they could.
Wayne and Jeff were in the hotel room also reflecting on what had happened that day. “I’m glad Drew was alright.” Jeff said. Wayne nodded. “It was really nice of you to show up to support him.”
“That’s what I hear friends do.” Jeff shrugged. Wayne smiled. “You heard right. Every one of us likes you, Jeff. Don’t be afraid to be a part of the group.”
Jeff smiled at him. “Does one of them like me in particular?” Wayne smiled back. “Yes, he does.” He reached forward to touch Jeff’s shoulder and Jeff hunched forward in a harsh coughing fit, making Wayne recoil in fear. “Jeff! Jeff, what is it? Are you okay?”
Jeff was shaking all over; he seemed to be going pale. He was wheezing and struggling to breathe. “Wayne, help me.” He said in a choked voice. In a panic, Wayne rushed to the phone on the nightstand and called the front desk, not knowing if it was an emergency big enough for 911. But almost before he knew it, Jeff was on his way to the hospital in an ambulance.
Everyone, even Greg and Drew, met up in the lobby to support Wayne, who looked to be on an outburst of tears. “What’s going on?” He thought helplessly.
-To be Continued…-
Silver Bells of Joy and Grace
By Blossomcup
Rated PG, rating subject to change in later chapters
Pairings: Drew/Greg, Ryan/Colin, Chip/Brad, Jeff/Wayne
Summary: It’s the beginning of the holiday season, and Greg has a surprise for his love. What unfolds is something that will last the test of time…
NOTE: This is wifeless AU. Reviews make my day, so please give me some feedback!
Chapter Nine
Not All Are Touched by the Season, Those You Should Pity Most
“Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” - Calvin Coolidge
Drew was walking down the street, smiling and waving at people and wishing them season’s greetings. He stopped by a coffee cart and asked for a two dollar cup of coffee and paid with a five, leaving the rest as a tip. The man smiled and raised his hat to him; Drew nodded at him with a smile and went off with a bit more bounce in his step.
In his cheerful mood, he didn’t notice that someone was watching him at the coffee cart and was now following him down the street. He took another sip of his coffee as he turned a corner and frowned. “I don’t think this is the right way…” He murmured to himself as he didn’t recognize where he was.
He felt a hand on his back and he quickly turned around, seeing a man who he didn’t recognize. “Can I help you?” He asked politely. He dropped his coffee cup as the man pulled out a knife and pointed it at him menacingly. “Give me your wallet.”
Drew was trembling and his eyes were wide with fear and terror. He quickly pulled his wallet out of his pocket and handed it to the man with a shaking hand. “H-Here, here it is, please don’t hurt me.” The man caught him by the hand. “That’s a pretty ring you’ve got there.”
Drew swallowed. “Men don’t normally wear stones like that.” The man murmured quietly. His gaze flamed a bit more. “You a fag?”
Drew tried to pull away from the man and the knife slashed down upon his wrist. Drew let out a cry of pain, but he was too frightened and shocked to feel the real pain of the cut. “Help!” He yelled out in desperation. “Someone, please, help me!”
The man raised the knife again, there was the sound of two pairs of feet running toward them. The man took off in a dead run and Drew felt his legs go weak, dropping to his knees and clutching his bleeding wrist. His eyes were full of tears and he was still shaking all over. He looked up to see Ryan and Brad running toward him, their faces full of shock. “Drew, Drew, are you alright?”
Drew had never been so happy to see the faces of his two friends, they helped him to his feet and he leaned into Brad, who pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and pressed it to Drew’s wrist. “Drew, what happened?” He said kindly, yet his voice still wavered.
“I-I took a wrong turn…h-he had a knife…h-he r-robbed me and, and he…”
“Hey, hey, it’s okay, just calm down.” Ryan said, placing an arm around his friend. “He’s gone, it’s okay.”
Brad saw the wallet lying on the ground. “He must’ve dropped it.” He looked inside, and his stomach tightened in fear. “Ryan.” He opened it up, Drew’s driver’s license was missing.
Drew stared, and for a moment, realization did not come. Then his mind clicked and he gasped. “Oh, God… he has my license, that has my address, he knows where I live!”
“Drew, don’t worry, you’re gonna be fine-“
“No, no, what if he goes after Greg?” Drew cried, his fear overtaking him again. Ryan took a look at his cut. “Drew, I think this is going to need stitches. We need to get you to a hospital.”
“I’ll call Greg and he’ll meet you there, okay?” Brad offered, pulling out his phone. Drew shakily nodded and the two friends immediately sprang into action.
Colin rushed into the hospital doors with Chip and Jeff hot on his heels. “We just heard, is he okay?” Ryan embraced his lover, seeing his brown eyes enormous with fear. “He needs six stitches, and the doctors say there may be some nerve damage.” Ryan said gently. “But he’s okay. Where’s Greg?”
“Wayne’s bringing him over. Trust me, when he heard, he was in no condition to drive.” Jeff said, giving a large swallow. Chip turned to him. “Thanks for coming down to support him.”
Jeff nodded. “Drew’s a good guy, I consider him a friend.” Chip put a hand on his arm. “We’re glad you’re in the group, Jeff.” Before Jeff could reply, Greg burst in, his eyes bulging behind his glasses and they could all see tears threatening to fall. “Where is he?” He said urgently.
Ryan caught him by the shoulders; Wayne went up to Jeff and held onto him tightly. “He’s okay, Brad’s back there with him, he’s getting stitches.”
Greg saw a nurse exit a room. “Mr. Stiles?” Ryan looked up. “Yes?”
“Is there a Mr. Proops with you?” Greg nodded. “I’m Greg Proops.”
“Mr. Carey is asking for you, sir. He’s right in here.”
Not needing to be told twice, Greg hurried into the room, and everyone else hung back to give them some space. He saw Drew sitting up on the hospital bed, his face white, his left wrist bandaged, his right hand holding Brad’s in a tight grip. “Drew!”
“Greg!” Drew said, tears springing to his eyes, letting go of Brad’s hand and throwing his arms around his fiancé. Brad gently slipped out of the room to give them some privacy, Greg made a mental note to thank him before turning his full attention on Drew. “Oh, Drew, I just heard, are you okay?”
“Greg, it was so scary, I thought I was gonna die!” Drew sobbed into his lover’s shoulder. Greg held him tightly, rubbing his back to comfort him. “Shh, it’s okay, I’m here, he can’t hurt you anymore.”
“No, Greg, he got my license…” Drew whispered. “I don’t want him to come and hurt you…”
Greg upturned Drew’s tearstained face to his. “Listen to me. I’ll be okay, I’m going to keep you safe. I love you.”
“I love you too, Greg.” He kissed him and buried his face in his shoulder again. They stayed like that until Drew finally calmed down, then they exited the room. Everyone approached Drew with faces full of concern, he put on a brave front and gave a tiny smile. “Hi, everybody.”
“Hey, Drew.” Jeff put a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him. “Listen, I’m here if you need anything, okay?”
“Thanks, Jeff.” Drew smiled gratefully at his new friend. Ryan moved forward, his face serious. “Drew, you and Greg go home with Chip and get your things. You’re going to stay with us tonight.”
Drew could see in Ryan’s face that he was not going to take no for an answer. And he didn’t want him and Greg to be alone that night, so he nodded. “Thanks, Ryan.”
Chip drove Drew and Greg back to their loft and walked in with them so they could get their things. They opened the loft door and were shocked at what they saw. The house had already been ransacked, things were spilled and missing. “He was already here…” Drew whispered, Greg quickly held onto him to steady him.
“I’ll call the police.” Chip said, going into the kitchen to get the phone. “Oh, God…Drew.” Chip’s voice was deathly quiet. Drew and Greg shared scared looks and went into the kitchen. They walked in, seeing it to be just as much of a mess as the rest of the house was. Chip’s face was pained as he held up Drew’s mother’s old recipe book. Or rather, what was left of it. The pages were mostly ripped and all was illegible, they had just destroyed whatever was in their path.
Drew’s hand went to his mouth in shock, looking absolutely horrified. Ever since his mother had passed away, that one book was the link that had still kept him with her. It was the one thing that he made sure he got when he left their old house for the last time. Whoever came in here just destroyed the one thing he held the most dear without a second thought.
Greg’s heart broke for his lover as he saw tears silently seep out of his eyes and run down his face. “Oh, Drew…” He said, opening his arms, Drew gratefully buried himself in the embrace. Greg knew that Drew had copied all the old recipes out of there to lend to friends, but this was something he heralded like a priceless artifact, he never lent the actual book out, it was never let out of the kitchen. “Drew, I’m so sorry.”
Chip picked up the phone and dialed the police, detailing the situation. After he hung up, he joined into the hug, being of the old notion that nobody should suffer alone.
The police arrived and all the group met at the loft to give statements of what they saw or witnessed. “We saw Drew on the street with someone attacking him.” Ryan said. “Where was this?” The cop asked. Ryan thought for a moment. “On 12th and Oak, I think. It was the street corner by John’s Lattes, that coffee cart on the sidewalk.”
The officer nodded and wrote that down in the notebook. “Did you get a good look at the man? Can you describe him?”
Ryan’s eyes closed as he tried to recall details. “I was looking at Drew more than him…um…white, I remember he was close to my height, that was unusual…medium build, and he was wearing a brown parka with a black baseball cap, it had the New York Yankees logo on it.” The cop nodded, still scribbling into the notebook.
“I was with Ryan when we found Drew.” Brad told another officer, giving the man the same recollection of the place and the clothes he was wearing to him. “But I did get a glimpse at his face. He had a large scar over his right eye, from his cheek to his forehead.” The cop nodded. “Did you see anything else? Which direction he ran to?”
Brad shook his head. “No, I didn’t.”
Greg and the others gave statements saying that they only met up with the rest of the group at the hospital after they had heard the news. Another officer interviewed Drew once he had calmed down a bit. “Can you tell me what happened?”
Drew took a deep breath. “I was walking down the street and I got a cup of coffee, then I turned a corner and didn’t recognize where I was. I was about to turn back when the man put his hand on my back and held up a knife, he told me to give him my wallet. I did, but then he saw my ring and called me…called me a fag.” He looked to the officer. “I’m engaged to another man, Mr. Proops.”
The officer nodded. “Go on.”
“I tried to run, but he cut my wrist. Then I started calling for help, and the next thing I knew, Brad and Ryan were running toward me. The man let go of me and started to run. He dropped my wallet, but he did get my driver’s license. Then Brad and Ryan took me to the hospital to get stitches, and that’s all that I can remember.”
“Can you describe him?” Drew nodded. “He was white, around 6’6, brown parka, Yankees cap, he had a scar over his right eye, with jet black hair and a mustache. He had really red eyes; I think he might’ve been a drug user.”
The officer looked impressed. “You have an eye for detail.” Drew nodded. “I was in the Marine reserves for six years.” The officer nodded. “I was in there for four years, I know what you mean.” He looked up at him again. “Can you describe him to a sketch artist?” The officer asked. Drew nodded, and he led him away.
“Can you tell me what’s missing from the apartment?” An officer asked Greg. “Two lamps, our television, and our coffee maker, a Senseo.” As Greg said them, he felt like those were very small things compared to the thing that had been lost, or the man who could’ve been lost.
The officer asked him about the model and make of the television and lamps. The crime scene investigators continued on with their work, and the police stated that Greg and Drew couldn’t even get some spare clothes, the scene had to stay as it was. “We’d really prefer that you two stay in a hotel tonight.” An officer told them. “There’s a Four Seasons that works with our department that has plenty of protection, the state will reimburse you for all expenses.”
Drew and Greg nodded, knowing they had no other choice. “When you’re ready, an armed escort will drive you there.”
Colin and the others approached them. “We’ll come with you guys, you still shouldn’t be alone tonight.”
Drew smiled at them gratefully through the tear tracks on his face. “Thanks, you guys.”
The department was as good as their word, they gave them a room for each of them, Drew thought it was the officer’s doing, knowing military service was an automatic unifier. Drew and Greg walked into their room and Drew automatically lay down on the bed, frowning a bit. “I hate hotel beds.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean.” Greg said, joining him. “You’re never fully comfortable unless you’re in your own bed.” Drew nodded. Greg gently took Drew’s hand in his and could still feel it shaking. “Are you okay?” He asked gently.
Drew sighed. “I don’t know. Maybe not now, but I will be.” He tried to smile but it died before it reached his mouth. Greg squeezed his hand and Drew sighed. “I can’t believe they destroyed my Mom’s old recipe book…” He said, barely above a whisper.
“I know, it meant a lot to you.” Greg said back. Drew’s gaze was fixed on the ceiling as he continued. “But I’m glad that he got that rather than you.” He finished.
Greg’s eyes widened a bit, surprised at Drew’s remark. He knew Drew grew up without a father and his mother was all he had, that recipe book was the one thing he got from her house in Cleveland before it fell apart after she died, and here he was saying that it was nothing compared to himself being harmed or killed.
Tears began to form in Greg’s eyes as he was reminded once again of Drew’s love and selflessness, his feeling that Drew was some sort of benign force heightened. “Thank you.” He said quietly, unsure of anything else to say. Drew turned to him and they cuddled close, bringing their lips together in a heartfelt kiss. They didn’t say anything more, just quietly fell asleep.
Ryan got one of the bottles out of the mini-bar, feeling that he needed a drink after all that had happened today. He turned to his lover and saw Colin sitting upright on the bed, his face calm but his eyes wide and his hands shaking. He put the bottle down and sat next to him, wrapping an arm around Colin and letting him lean on him.
“Are you okay?” Ryan asked. Colin nodded slowly. “I can’t believe that this happened. To Drew, of all people. Things like this shouldn’t happen to good people like him. These are the kinds of things that are only supposed to happen to someone else.”
“Unfortunately, Colin, we’re all someone else to someone else.” Ryan replied gently. Colin sighed. “I know. But why Drew? He didn’t deserve something like this to happen, what if something worse had happened?” Colin paused for a moment. “What if it had been you?”
Ryan wrapped long arms around him and Colin laid his head on his shoulder and murmured in his ear. “I don’t know what I’d do if anything ever happened to you.” Colin said, feeling a lump forming in his throat that would soon become tears.
“Colin, I’m here, it’s okay.” Ryan said, trying to reassure him. “I will never willingly leave you, ever. I promise you that.”
Colin snuggled deeper into the embrace. “Thank you, Ryan.”
Brad and Chip were in their room as well. “Wow, what was it like stumbling on your best friend getting mugged?” Chip asked, placing a hand on Brad’s arm. Brad exhaled loudly. “It was really scary. And it was a Hell of a coincidence, finding him in a situation like that.”
“Well, thanks to you, he’s okay.” Chip said, trying to cheer him up. Brad gave a small smile but then it disappeared. “Yes, but he’s gotta be so worn out by all of this. He had to get stitches, his house was robbed, his Mom’s recipe book…” He shook his head sadly. “I hope he doesn’t have any trouble sleeping tonight.”
Chip couldn’t help smiling at his lover’s concern. “Well, maybe I’m just selfish, but I don’t like seeing you hurt either.” Brad kissed the side of his head. “Thanks, Charles.”
Chip rolled his eyes. “You know I prefer Chip.”
“How about if I only call you Charles when we’re alone together?” Chip shrugged, shyly smiling. “That’s fine.”
Brad and Chip fell to the bed, cuddling close, their thoughts still with Drew and Greg. But knowing the love they had for each other, if anyone could get through it, they could.
Wayne and Jeff were in the hotel room also reflecting on what had happened that day. “I’m glad Drew was alright.” Jeff said. Wayne nodded. “It was really nice of you to show up to support him.”
“That’s what I hear friends do.” Jeff shrugged. Wayne smiled. “You heard right. Every one of us likes you, Jeff. Don’t be afraid to be a part of the group.”
Jeff smiled at him. “Does one of them like me in particular?” Wayne smiled back. “Yes, he does.” He reached forward to touch Jeff’s shoulder and Jeff hunched forward in a harsh coughing fit, making Wayne recoil in fear. “Jeff! Jeff, what is it? Are you okay?”
Jeff was shaking all over; he seemed to be going pale. He was wheezing and struggling to breathe. “Wayne, help me.” He said in a choked voice. In a panic, Wayne rushed to the phone on the nightstand and called the front desk, not knowing if it was an emergency big enough for 911. But almost before he knew it, Jeff was on his way to the hospital in an ambulance.
Everyone, even Greg and Drew, met up in the lobby to support Wayne, who looked to be on an outburst of tears. “What’s going on?” He thought helplessly.
-To be Continued…-