Chapter 12

Fred sucked in a quick breath and leaned his head back, closing his eyes. His hand twined into Aaron’s hair as his fiancé bobbed up and down on his hard cock.

“Oh, fuck yes,” he whispered. He’d gotten much better at regulating the volume of his voice in the past months.

Aaron moaned quietly in reply, dragging his teeth roughly up Fred’s cock, causing his hips to buck with the sensation. His mouth dropped open, and his fingers tightened in Aaron’s hair.

“Oh, fuck baby,” he panted. “I’m gonna cum, ah god.”

A sharp knock on their bedroom door made them both jump.

“Uncle Fred! Uncle Aaron! I need a car today,” Ben shouted. He’d been in the shower, with his music blasting over the water what seemed like only a few minutes ago.

Aaron sat up reluctantly taking Fred’s twitching cock out of his mouth. He rolled his eyes at Fred who still panted. Fred scraped his hands down his face quickly.

“We know Ben! You told us last night,” Fred said back his voice tinged with annoyance.

“Yeah, but you didn’t say which one I should take,” Ben said. Fred glanced at the clock. Ben had at least thirty more minutes before he had to be out the door. Aaron sighed and got out of bed.

“Hey, where you going?” Fred asked quietly. Aaron shrugged.

“Sorry Freddie, I should get ready,” Aaron said.

“Come on,” Fred grumbled. Aaron looked regretful but shrugged again pulling some boxers on over his softening cock.

“Which car-” Ben started to ask again.

“I’ll be right out Ben!” Fred shouted.

“Jesus, excuse the fuck outta me,” Ben grumbled. He heard shuffling down the hall and clattering in the kitchen as Ben pulled his breakfast together.

Fred came down the hall a moment later in loose gym shorts and a T-shirt. Ben sat at the dining table eating a bowl of cereal quickly, his eyes scanning over a notebook. He glanced at his Uncle Fred as he grabbed a mug and began to brew himself a cup of coffee.

“Sorry,” Ben said a little quietly. “I didn’t mean to bug you guys. I’ve just got a lot going on today.” Fred sighed.

“It’s alright. I’m sorry I snapped at you. It was ... bad timing,” Fred said. He pulled a brown bag from a drawer and the sandwich he had made the night before from the fridge.

“Sorry,” Ben said again.

“I said it’s fine kid,” Fred said trying to take the edge out of his voice. He continued to throw a lunch together for Ben. “What’s got you so busy today?” Ben sighed and ran a hand down his face quickly.

“I’ve got a huge test coming up in calc and I don’t feel prepared for it. I’ve got a stupid ass group project in English and everyone but me is dragging their feet. Chris has soccer today, which is why I need the car. I have to watch Jeffy since mom has a late shift today, then I have a closing shift tonight. It’s just easier if I have a car. Can’t really take Chris and Jeffy on Finn’s bike,” Ben said already sounding exhausted this early in the morning.

“You have to close tonight? It’s a school night kid,” Fred scrunched his face.

“I know I’m not supposed to close during the week, but apparently my manager forgot, and I didn’t see it until yesterday. I don’t have time to find someone to cover for me,” Ben said tossing his spoon into his empty bowl. He closed his notebook and rubbed the heels of his hands against his eyes.

Fred gazed at his nephew. He had taken on such a huge class load this year, attempting to get ahead on the college track, on top of continuing with his job. Fred sighed and took the mug of coffee he’d brewed for himself and set it in front of Ben.

“Thanks,” Ben said sipping at the dark liquid. It burned his tongue. “Dammit,” he muttered.

“Too soon,” Aaron said appearing from the hall, tightening his necktie around his neck. Ben sucked in a breath trying to cool the sting of the burn. “Freddie if I can catch a ride to work with you Ben can take my car.” Fred shrugged.

“Are you in a rush?” he asked. Aaron glanced at his watch.

“I need to leave in 30,” he said. Fred sighed. He’d hoped they would have time to finish what they’d started this morning after Ben left, but it seemed unlikely. Aaron brewed himself a coffee and grabbed a banana.

“Alright, I’ll go get ready,” Fred grumbled. He held out the bulging brown bag to Ben, who sighed.

“I told you; you don’t have to make me lunch,” Ben said.

“I like to,” Fred said. He shook the bag and Ben sighed again, taking it. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Love you kid,” Fred said. He pressed a quick kiss on top of Ben’s head and went back to the bedroom to get ready for work.

“So,” Aaron said, sipping his coffee and sitting at the table. “I couldn’t help but overhear a little bit about your day today.”

“Yeah,” Ben said, also sipping his coffee now it had cooled a bit.

“Why don’t you bring Jeffy and Chris here after you pick them up? I can watch them while you get your schoolwork done,” Aaron offered. Ben raised his eyebrows.

“I don’t know,” Ben said. “I mean Chris has soccer practice and I don’t want to like ... impose.”

“It’s not an imposition if I offer, Ben,” Aaron said. Ben thought about it for a second. It would be really helpful if his mom was alright with it. He really wanted to help her out, but his day today was so busy. He could use the help.

“I’ll talk to my mom and let you know,” Ben said finally.

“Great!” Aaron said. His interactions with Jennifer had improved, though it was still hit and miss with her sometimes. Fred insisted that was just the way she was, sort of bitchy a lot of the time. Ben glanced at the time on his phone.

“Fuck, I’m going to be late,” Ben said standing quickly. He snatched his lunch and shoved it into the backpack hanging on the back of his chair.

“Drive carefully, OK?” Aaron said as Ben grabbed the car keys from the bowl by the door.

“Thanks Uncle Aaron,” Ben said slipping out the door.

Each time he heard Ben refer to him as ‘Uncle Aaron’ it warmed his heart. The day that he and Fred had told Ben they were engaged he’d asked if he could call him ‘Uncle Aaron’. He smiled at the memory. Even when Ben had said it in anger with that tone he took on sometimes, that dripped with sass and sarcasm, he loved hearing it.

These past months having Ben live with them had been such a roller coaster. Not simply because learning to share space with a kid was something Aaron never thought he’d have to do, but also because of the complicated, toxic people who were desperately trying to remain in his life.

Russell continued to reach out despite restraining orders and the complex court proceedings still in session. Despite Ben telling him to keep his distance, that he didn’t want to see him again. Wanda had disowned Ben much in the same way she had Fred, but still regularly sent him messages begging him to come back to God. She’d given up on Fred long ago.

Getting Ben to go to counseling had been their biggest challenge and point of contention. Aaron had finally had enough and made it non-negotiable, a condition of staying with them. Fred hadn’t wanted to put down that ultimatum. He worried it would strip away some of the safety of their home for Ben. But Aaron saw no other way to get him to start going. Ben hadn’t spoken to him directly for almost a month. He finally admitted that talking to a therapist had been very helpful for him, especially as he navigated his parents’ messy divorce. But it was still a week before Aaron felt their relationship wasn’t strained.

Aaron chose to focus on the positive things though, their mutual love of books and board games. The time Ben and he had spent flipping the spare room from sometimes office to Ben’s bedroom had been fun. They had chosen paint, furniture, and a few décor pieces. Fred and Finn sat back letting them go to town while they played video games on the Xbox in the living room.

Fred came down the hall as Aaron sipped at his coffee. He noticed the contemplative look on his fiancé’s face.

“What’s up baby?” Fred asked.

“Nothing, just thinking about the last few months,” Aaron said. He smiled up at Fred who walked over to him and planted a kiss on his lips.

“It’s been a wild ride,” Fred said sighing, thinking about how much had changed. He rested a hand on Aaron’s shoulder.

“Yeah,” Aaron agreed, squeezing Fred’s hand with his own. “Hey, did you hear back from that venue we contacted last week?” Aaron asked. Fred picked up Ben’s abandoned, half-drunk coffee and sipped at the warm liquid.

“Yeah, they asked what kind of event we were planning and as soon as they got wind of the word wedding the price drastically increased.”

The pair had been trying to plan their wedding for months now. It was a bit short notice, it being late October, and their date set in December, but everywhere they looked was either booked out for months or way too expensive. It wasn’t as if they couldn’t afford the prices, they simply didn’t want to drop tens of thousands of dollars for their wedding. It was important to them for sure, but not $10,000 for one evening important.

“Goddammit,” Aaron muttered. He finished off the coffee in his mug. “I liked that place.” Fred pulled a chair up close to Aaron and sat down.

“Hey, so I had this idea,” Fred started. Aaron raised an eyebrow. “Just hear me out. We got together in Vegas, right? What if we got married in Vegas? Like a full circle kind of thing. I’ve looked at a couple of places in Vegas that do weddings. Baby, we could get married at the hotel we hooked up in.” Aaron raised both eyebrows now and opened his mouth to reply.

“Wait, before you give me your knee jerk reaction, will you please just think about it? It could be fun. We could save some money too. I know it’s not the most important thing, but it would be nice to not have to drop so much cash on one night’s party, right? And this way we can keep the guest list exclusive too. We don’t have to invite every person your parents have ever known.” Aaron huffed out a laugh as Fred held his hands, squeezing them quickly. “Please just take the day and think about it before you say anything.” Aaron studied his face for a second.

“OK, I’ll think about it,” Aaron agreed.

“That’s all I ask,” Fred grinned.

“Oh, I should tell you. I offered to help Ben out with the boys today,” Aaron said. “I’ve noticed he’s really struggling to balance everything he’s got on his plate right now.” Fred’s grin faltered a bit.

“He is,” he said slowly. “I’ve noticed that too. What did Ben say?”

“That he would ask Jennifer,” Aaron said simply.

“You know how she’s been when we’ve offered in the past,” Fred said, his face darkening a bit.

“I think she’s embarrassed,” Aaron said. “She’s your sister, you probably know her better than me, but Fred, she couldn’t get a job on her own. Ben had to help her. You’re paying her rent. I don’t think it has anything to do with us as a couple and everything to do with her pride.” Fred sighed.

“It makes sense. I just ... I can’t let go of how she reacted when we first told her. Even the way she still talks about Ben, like him being gay is a phase he’s going to grow out of...” he pushed a hand through his hair.

“I know Freddie,” Aaron said wincing.

“I do want to help Ben though, he’s been so ... exhausted since school started,” Fred continued. Aaron nodded while Fred thought for a moment.

“Yeah, fine, it’s fine,” Fred finally said. Aaron grimaced again.

“Are you sure? I wish I had mentioned it to you before I offered to help,” Aaron said. “I don’t want to put you in a weird position with her.” Fred shook his head.

“No, it’s really fine. Ben is your responsibility too; I mean you’ll be his ‘official’ uncle soon enough anyway. You saw he was struggling today and stepped up. I should have offered, and I didn’t.” Fred’s face looked pained, and Aaron put a hand to it.

“Things are complicated Freddie. We’re not going to get everything perfect and that’s OK,” Aaron said. He kissed him. Fred glanced at his watch.

“Shit, we gotta go baby,” Fred stood quickly. “You’re going to be late.”

“Goddammit,” Aaron muttered noting the time. The two men quickly gathered their things and made their way down to the garage where Fred’s car was parked.

“Oh hey, you still want to do lunch today?” Aaron asked as he clicked his seat belt.

“Yeah, that would be nice,” Fred said smiling. “If you can make it work with your schedule.”

“I think I can. I’ll shoot you a message if anything changes. Is 1 o’clock OK?” Aaron asked scrolling through his daily schedule noting meetings and calls with clients.

“That should be fine,” Fred said. “I’ll run through my calendar when I get in and let you know if I need to shift it.”

“Perfect,” Aaron said.

Aaron’s phone was ringing, and the caller ID said it was Jennifer. He took a deep breath and prepared himself for the call, bracing for the worst, hoping for the best.

“Hi Jennifer,” Aaron said when he answered the call. “What’s up?”

“I’m sorry to bug you at work,” Jennifer said. “But Ben said you offered to look after Jeffy and Chris today.”

“Yeah, I did,” Aaron confirmed. He still couldn’t tell if she was going to be decent or not.

“I don’t want to impose,” Jennifer said.

“I told Ben, it’s not imposing if I offer. He has this intense calc test coming up and a huge group project he’s working on. I think his group is a little less helpful than he’d like,” he paused wondering if he should tell Jennifer what he’d told Fred this morning.

“Listen, I think ... I think Ben is struggling to balance things. Since school started, he’s been so rushed all the time, trying to get all his schoolwork done, get to his shifts on time and help out with his brothers. He’s so exhausted.”

“I know that, Aaron. You think I hadn’t noticed how tired he is every time I see him?” There was the sass, the sass he heard from Ben occasionally making it clear where he got it from. Aaron closed his eyes at the tone, bracing himself, but her voice shifted as she continued, going softer, as if resigned.

“I wish there was an alternative, but I really can’t leave the boys with Ma. You know she’s been talking to and seeing Russell?” Jennifer’s voice cracked.

Aaron sighed and rubbed a hand across his cheek. Wanda was truly the worst. It was beyond Aaron how that woman could actually spend time talking to Russell, the man who had roughed up her daughter for their entire relationship; the man who had thrown his first-born son against the wall in a drunken rage. Aaron shook his head, bringing himself back to the conversation.

“I’m offering you an alternative, Jennifer,” Aaron said gently. “Did you tell Lloyd about Russell seeing your mother?” Jennifer sighed.

“I just found out,” Jennifer said. “I’ll call him today.”

“Alright, as soon as you can,” Aaron paused. “Do you want me to run down the hall and see if he’s available now?”

“No, please don’t. You’re not his assistant, I shouldn’t treat you like you are,” Jennifer said. “I’ll call him when we hang up.”

“I’m done at 4 today, Jenn,” Aaron said trying out the nickname to see if it landed. “I can watch Jeffy and Chris. When are you off tonight?”

“Not till 8,” Jennifer said. “I’m on my 30-minute lunch now.”

She sounded exhausted and slightly embarrassed. Her job had good pay, offered benefits, retirement, stock options, but the schedule wasn’t as predictable as she wanted. She had wanted a regular 8-4 office job, so she could still be present for the boys, but she couldn’t find a place to hire her. More humiliating for her was the fact that her 17-year-old son had helped her get a job. She felt like such a loser, her life falling apart around her.

“Chris has soccer at 5:30. Are you sure this is OK?” Jennifer asked, her voice shaky as she held back her tears.

“That shouldn’t be a problem. We’re sure Jenn,” Aaron said. “Fred is due to be home about 6 and I know he’d love to see the boys.” Jennifer paused for a long time. Aaron almost asked if she was still there.

“Are you sure Fred is OK with this?” Jennifer asked. Aaron’s mind briefly flashed to the conversation they’d had that morning.

“Yes, he wants to help Jenn,” Aaron said.

“He’s already helping so much,” Jennifer paused. “You both are. Are you sure you’re OK with this? Even with the soccer practice thing?” Jennifer’s voice was thick.

“Yes, I’m sure. Fred’s sure. Let Ben know he can bring Jeffy and Chris over to ours then he can just focus on his schoolwork,” Aaron said.

“Alright, fine. I’ll let him know,” Jennifer paused. “If Jeffy and Chris go, Taylor might be ... jealous. I can’t tell with him right now. 15 has been a weird age for him. Half the time he seems like a little kid, the other half he seems just as old as Ben.”

“15 is weird time. If Taylor wants to come hang out too, he can,” Aaron said.

“Are you...” Jennifer started.

“Jennifer if you ask me if I’m sure one more time, I’m going to lose my mind,” Aaron said quickly. There was a pause and then he heard a nervous chuckle from Jennifer.

“I’m sorry. I just feel like it’s such a big ask,” she said.

“It isn’t a big ask. We’re happy to help the boys and you,” Aaron said. “You should give Lloyd a call before your break’s over. Have you eaten yet?” There was another pause and when Jennifer spoke her voice was quiet and husky.

“I have a salad here, but haven’t had a chance to eat it yet,” she sniffed.

“Take a few minutes and eat, Jenn. Then you can call Lloyd,” Aaron said. Jennifer sniffed again and cleared her throat. The sound was so similar to when Fred was trying to keep himself together that Aaron’s heart clenched.

“Thanks, Aaron,” Jennifer said. “I guess I’ll see you tonight.”

“It’s no problem, talk to you later,” Aaron said.

They hung up and Aaron scraped a hand down his face. He walked down the hall to Lloyd’s office. His paralegal said he’d stepped out for a moment but would be back in a few minutes. Aaron told her Jennifer would be calling soon and went back to his office.

Fred met Aaron in the lobby of his building. The bus ride between the two offices, was a pretty straight shot down one of the main roads downtown. Aaron had timed it just right, so he was at the bus stop just as it pulled up in front of his office building and hopping off at Fred’s right around 1 o’clock.

Fred planted a kiss on his cheek and the couple grabbed some sandwiches, chips, and drinks from the deli in the lobby. They headed back upstairs and ate in Fred’s office.

Aaron gave Fred a quick run-down of his conversation with Jennifer. It seemed to help convince Fred that her hesitation was grounded mostly in her own insecurity and dented dignity. He kept trying to tell her she was doing great, but her self-doubt seemed to drown out all of his encouragements.

“A big part of her problem is she still talks to Ma,” Fred said. Aaron scrunched up his face.

“Really, she’s still talking to her?” Aaron asked.

“I don’t think they talk often, but it’s enough to keep her feeling like the shittiest mom in the world,” Fred said. Aaron snorted. If anyone was a shitty mom ... Aaron dared not say out loud what ran through his brain.

He and Mark had always thought Wanda was the very worst, but Fred wouldn’t let anyone say a bad word about her. Aaron wondered how he dealt with his therapist saying negative things about her. Probably the therapist knew how to phrase things in a better way.

“That must be how she found out about Russell talking to her,” Aaron mused as he opened his bag of chips.

“What do you mean?” Fred asked. He had his iced tea raised halfway to his lips and he let it lower slowly back to the desk.

“Apparently, Russell has been seeing and talking to your mother,” Aaron replied. Fred’s eyes narrowed.

“Are you fucking kidding me? After fucking everything? Ma is talking to that piece of shit?” Fred’s lips pulled into a snarl. “And she’s telling Jennifer she’s a shitty mom, unbelievable.” Fred shook his head, trying to sigh out his anger.

“Considering her situation, Jenn is doing fine,” Aaron said. Fred raised his eyebrows.

“Did you call her that?” Fred asked. Aaron looked up surprised.

“Call her what?” Aaron asked.

“Did you call her Jenn? When you talked to her on the phone?” Fred asked. Aaron blushed a little.

“Yeah, I did,” he admitted.

“She let you? She didn’t shout at you or anything?” Fred asked. Aaron shrugged.

“No,” Aaron replied.

“Interesting,” Fred said. He finally sipped his iced tea.

“What?” Aaron asked. He wrapped up the remaining half of his sandwich and sipped his sparkling water.

“We don’t do nicknames. She only ever lets me call her Jenn. Not even that piece of shit was allowed to call her anything except Jennifer,” Fred said. Aaron rolled his eyes.

“Oh please, I’m sure someone else has called her Jenn before me,” Aaron said. But Fred shook his head.

“No, I’m serious. We don’t do nicknames. They bug us,” Fred said. “You remember how ape shit I would go whenever anyone tried to call me Freddie. Until you.” Aaron blushed again and waved a hand.

“She was at work she probably didn’t want to make a scene,” Aaron said.

“Maybe, or maybe you’re just special Aaron,” Fred said. Aaron huffed out a laugh.

“Sure, I’m special. We’ll go with that.” Aaron lowered his voice. “Honestly though, I think you only let me call you Freddie because you like to hear it when you fuck me,” Aaron said with a devilish grin. Fred returned the wicked smile and glanced to the windows of his office.

He stood slowly, closed the blinds, and clicked the button lock on his door. Then he came around to the front of his desk and leaned against it in front of Aaron.

“That’s true,” he said quietly. “I do like to hear it when I’m pounding you from behind.” Fred ran a finger along Aaron’s jawline. Aaron licked his lips and grinned up at Fred.

“I know you do Freddie,” he agreed. Fred brought his hand to the bulge that had started to strain against the fabric of his pants and rubbed it up and down slowly. Aaron watched him as his own cock began to stiffen in response.

“We were interrupted this morning,” Fred grumbled, rubbing harder at his growing erection. Aaron scooched forward in his chair and ran his hands up Fred’s thighs. “I’ve been thinking about that all morning.”

“Me too,” Aaron confessed. “I almost had to excuse myself in the middle of an especially boring meeting. But standing would have given me away.” Fred groaned and gripped his cock through the tent of his pants. Aaron’s hands ran over the generous bulge and Fred shuddered at his touch.

He opened the button and brought the zipper down. He gave a little tug on the garments and Fred’s erection sprung free. Aaron moaned quietly and rubbed his own hardening cock for a moment before opening his own pants and pulling it free.

Aaron took the purpling tip of Fred’s huge member into his mouth. His lips closed over it, and he sucked eliciting a gasp from Fred. The salty taste of precum landed on his tongue as he ran it up the slit of Fred’s dick. He brought his mouth down the length of Fred, relaxing his throat allowing the tip to slide deep.

“Oh god,” Fred said. He laced one hand into Aaron’s hair at the back of his head and braced the other hand on his desk. Aaron pulled back, dragging his teeth gently along the hard shaft. Fred grunted quietly and his hips bucked.

“Ah fuck baby,” Fred muttered. He stared down at the top of Aaron’s head as he moved up and down slowly. Aaron’s hands gripped Fred’s hips and his cock dripped in his lap. He was so intent on Fred’s delicious dick in his mouth he didn’t notice the mess he was making of his pants.

Fred groaned again, and his breathing became faster. Aaron bobbed his head more quickly now, dragging his teeth a little more aggressively causing Fred to press his teeth together sucking his panting breaths through them. He held Aaron’s head firmly in his grip and began to thrust into his fiancé’s mouth faster. Aaron could feel his cock hardening even more against his tongue and his own dick dripped. He took one hand to his own leaking member and began pumping up and down the length of it. Aaron moaned as Fred’s cock pushed roughly into his mouth.

“Oh fuck, ah god, fuck, baby,” Fred growled out as the vibration of Aaron’s moan rippled down his cock. He panted, and grunted with each thrust, keeping them quiet, but tightening his grip on Aaron’s hair with each one.

“Oh, oh, yes, fuck, fuck yeah, OH!” Fred couldn’t keep the exclamation quiet as he slammed into Aaron’s mouth his cock splattering cum all over the back of his throat.

Fred came so hard and held his fiancé so firmly, that Aaron had to open his mouth a bit to keep from choking. He gulped roughly trying to swallow as much as he could, but a large amount spurted from his mouth dribbling down his chin past the collar of his shirt.

He moaned again at the feeling of Fred’s hot cum trickling down his skin, and Fred’s cock pulsed again sending another wave of cum into his mouth. Aaron swallowed it all this time closing his eyes as he sucked, causing one last pulse of cum to flow down his throat.

Fred panted as Aaron brought his mouth up his cock, licking him clean. Fred looked down at Aaron noting the cum on his chin and neck. He grinned evilly and went to his knees immediately. He leaned forward and unbuttoned Aaron’s shirt finding where the trail of cum had stopped flowing and dragged his tongue up. Aaron gasped in a breath as Fred licked his cum from Aaron’s nipple up his chin and ended planting his mouth on his fiancé’s.

Their tongues twined together, and both could taste Fred’s spunk. Aaron groaned and pumped his hand up and down his cock. Fred pulled away, pecking one more kiss on Aaron’s lips. He brushed Aaron’s hand away and took his twitching cock into his mouth as his fiancé leaned back in the chair with a moaning sigh.

“Oh god Freddie,” Aaron groaned out huskily. Fred took all of Aaron’s length into his mouth, relishing the taste of him. He sucked and pressed his tongue firmly against Aaron’s hard girth.

“I’m not gonna last long,” Aaron moaned as Fred began to bob quickly over the quivering cock. Aaron’s hands laced into Fred’s hair and his hips began to press upward quickly.

“Oh Freddie, fuck, Freddie, ugh, ah,” Aaron moaned. His hips thrust hard slamming to the back of Fred’s throat. Aaron’s hands moved to the back of Fred’s head, holding him firmly.

“Oh, yes, fuck, ugh, AHAH!” Aaron’s cock spattered the back of Fred’s throat. He swallowed as Aaron groaned and thrust hard, his cock sending another wave of cum chasing the first. He held Fred’s head hard against him as one more undulating ripple brought the last burst of cum into his mouth. Aaron panted, trying to even out his breath.

“Oh god,” he moaned. Fred licked up the length and swallowed all remaining evidence of his climax. “Sorry, I was a little loud.” Fred shook his head.

“We both were,” Fred said. He leaned forward and kissed Aaron. “I don’t think too many people are around anyway. Lunch hour and all.” Aaron sighed contentedly and ran his fingers through Fred’s hair trying to fix it. Fred glanced at his watch.

“Do we have time to go again?” he asked. He kissed Aaron’s neck and licked up to his earlobe. Aaron huffed out a laugh.

“I don’t think so Freddie,” Aaron said sadly. “I need to get back to the office.” Fred pouted but shrugged a little.

The couple embraced and kissed again before putting themselves back together again to get on with the rest of their day.

Fred was running late getting home. Traffic was heavy and he kept glancing at his watch as the minutes ticked by. He knew Aaron was at home with the boys and he didn’t want to leave him on his own with all of them for too long. He knew Aaron would be fine, but he had a plan for dinner, and he wanted to have it started before they got home from Chris’ soccer practice.

Finally, he pulled into the garage and made his way upstairs. The house was relatively quiet, so Fred knew Aaron wasn’t home with the younger boys yet. Taylor greeted Fred from the couch where he played Xbox, and he could hear some music playing quietly from Ben’s room. He greeted each boy quickly before stashing his stuff in the bedroom.

Aaron would probably be heading home soon, so he didn’t take the time to change his clothes. He would just have to be careful as he cooked tonight. He pulled an apron over his head and tied it quickly, opening cupboards and pulling things down for the meal.

Chris, Jeffy, and Aaron returned a little while later in a cacophony of sound. Jeffy launched himself into Fred’s arms as was his usual greeting these days. Chris gave him a smelly hug and then Fred pushed them both out of the small kitchen. He pecked Aaron on the lips quickly.

“It smells great Freddie,” Aaron said. “Can I help with anything?” Fred smirked.

“You can try,” Fred joked. Aaron rolled his eyes and poked Fred in the ribs.

“Don’t be mean,” Aaron said, as Fred jerked at the poke.

“You shouldn’t poke a man with a knife,” he said. Aaron chuckled.