Chapter Twenty-Five
“Okay, it’s official,” Micah said as he aimed the remote at the DVD player. “Alex can come whenever he wants. Especially if he brings movies like this one. That was great!” Greg, Naomi and Simon nodded in agreement.
“Hey, don’t I get a say in this?” Joshua exclaimed indignantly, while Alex snickered. He fired a hard stare in Alex’s direction. “And you can just hush, Disney Princess.”
Alex let out a dramatic gasp. “Wounded.”
Naomi snorted. “Disney Princess. I like that.” She hoisted herself up off the floor cushion where she’d been sitting at Simon’s feet. “Tea, anyone?” She peered at Alex. “Unless you have to go home right this second?”
He smiled. “There’s always time for tea.” Alex was in a blissful, content state, fueled by beef casserole and dumplings, warm, buttery popcorn, and a lot of laughter. In other words, the perfect end to a perfect day.
“So you weren’t kidnapped by an alien spacecraft. Damn.” Micah’s eyes twinkled.
“It was pretty impressive,” Alex admitted. “But the best part was just being in the outdoors.” He could still picture the cloudless sky, still hear the birds’ cries carried on the warm breeze. “It’s been a while since I did anything like that.”
Beside him, Joshua nodded. “We got to reminiscing about childhood vacations.” He grinned. “Guess what I learned today? Alex likes fishing.”
Micah’s face lit up. “Really? Man, I can’t remember the last time I got to do that.”
“You like fishing?” Greg asked with an expression of mild surprise.
“Okay, this is where we need clarification,” Joshua interrupted. “Micah loves fishing—he just never caught anything.”
“Aw, don’t tease him. He was a little kid, right?” Alex gazed fondly at Micah, who gave Alex a grateful smile.
“Exactly. But I’d love to try my hand at it now.”
Greg huffed. “Yeah, sure. When, exactly? I swear, you’re painting every minute of daylight you get. You want to go fishing? Then you need to think about taking something. You might have heard of it. All the rage, I hear. It’s called a V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N.”
Micah sighed. “Yeah.”
Alex’s sigh echoed his. “I’m right there with you. I haven’t taken a vacation in years. Just today, I was seriously thinking about blocking some time from my schedule to go fishing with your dad.” And the more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that this was just what he needed.
Simon put his hands behind his head. “You know what you all need? A family vacation.”
Micah sat upright, his eyes shining. “Hey, that’s not a bad idea.”
“What’s not a bad idea?” Naomi asked as she walked into the living room, carrying a tray loaded with a large, fat teapot, cups, and a sugar bowl.
“A family vacation. Where we can go fishing, and swimming, and hiking, and eat outside, and sit around a fire, and—”
“Whoa there.” Naomi gaped at Micah. “And what about those of us who aren’t into such healthy pursuits?” She grimaced. “Naming no names, of course.”
Micah grinned. “Oh, we could make sure there are spots where you could lay out in the sun and get a tan.”
Joshua laughed. “And who’s gonna organize this ‘family vacation’?”
“Me,” Micah said promptly. “Well, me and Naomi. We can look at the calendar, find dates that work for all of us…” He glanced at Simon. “You said you’re coming back here sometime in August, right? Well, what’s to stop you coming along? Two weeks of rest and relaxation?”
“You want me to come?” Simon regarded them with wide eyes.
“Well, sure.” Greg smiled. “You’re family, aren’t you?”
Naomi sat back at his feet and squeezed his knee. “Like you didn’t know,” she said softly.
Alex thought it sounded wonderful. If anything, he was jealous. Two weeks. Sounds like heaven.
“Okay, I hate to pour cold water on these plans of yours,” Joshua said quietly, “but it looks like I get to be the practical one around here. One - how are you going to pay for this? You’re saving every dollar and cent you earn from your paintings.
Naomi hasn’t worked this summer, because she’s had other…
distractions. Two - we’re already in July.
Chances are, you’re not gonna find anything suitable that’s available.
You need to book these places way in advance.
And three - you’re spending every minute you get, making sure you have enough canvases for this show in September.
You can’t afford to take off for two weeks.
” His face fell. “And for the record? I hated having to be the one to say all this, but someone had to, before y’all got carried away with the idea. ”
Alex’s heart went out to him. He knew, deep down, that Joshua would love a family vacation.
“Can I say something?” Greg’s clear voice rang out, and everyone turned to look at him.
He gave a quick cough. “Your dad’s right, Micah, but there are a few things to take into consideration.
Cancellations, for one thing. Someone always has to cancel a vacation for one reason or another, so it’s always worth looking, just in case.
Okay. Canvases. I think you’ve got enough.
And if you do book somewhere, you’ve got time to get some more done.
It’s only the Fourth, right? Which leads me to Joshua’s first point.
” He drew in a deep breath. “I want to pay for it.” Several sharp intakes of breath sounded from around the room, but Greg waved his hand.
“Hear me out. It’s not like I don’t have money, right?
My dad left me that policy, and I’ve hardly touched it.
I haven’t needed to.” His cheeks were flushed.
“You’ve fed me, given me a home… Well, this is a way I can say Thank You.
Personally, I can’t think of a better way of doing that, than taking my family for a vacation.
A much-needed vacation. Because we need this. ”
Tears pricked the corners of Alex’s eyes. There was so much love in Greg’s voice.
Joshua stared at him, his mouth open. Then he swallowed. “How about a compromise? You pay for the rent, I pay for the food?”
Greg laughed. “I think you’d end up with the worse deal. Six adults with healthy appetites—this could cost you a fortune.” He grinned. “Deal.”
Joshua frowned. “Six…”
Greg’s gaze met Alex’s. “Well, you’re coming too.”
Alex blinked. “Excuse me?”
Greg nodded slowly. “You said it yourself. You haven’t taken a vacation in years. You were going to put aside some time to go fishing anyway.” His eyes gleamed. “Or don’t County Prosecutors get vacations?” Then that grin was back. “Plus, you know you want to.”
God, he fucking loved the idea. Still…
“Micah nailed it when he said a family vacation. I’m not—”
“You teach Dad to cook,” Micah counted off. “You get him out of our hair—”
“Hey!”
Micah ignored Joshua’s indignant exclamation.
“You’re fighting for Greg, to make sure everyone knows what they did.
For God’s sake, it’s the Fourth of July, and where are you?
Having dinner and watching a movie with us.
That makes you family, Alex.” He set his jaw.
There were murmurs of agreement from Naomi and Greg.
Before Alex could respond, Naomi handed him a cup of tea. “Besides, this is all just speculation, right? We might not be able to find a place. All we’re saying is, if we do… we’ll be looking for one that sleeps six, okay? Because you’re coming.” She locked gazes with him.
Alex was dumbfounded. “I… don’t know what to say.”
Joshua leaned into him. “Say yes,” he suggested quietly. “It’s easier in the long run.”
Alex snickered. “Yeah. I’m only realizing now that there’s a stubborn streak running right through this family.”
Joshua beamed. “Now you’re getting it.”
“Leave everything to me, Micah and Greg,” Naomi said confidently.
“We’ll start tomorrow morning and see what’s out there.
We’ll let you know if we find something.
In the meantime, you need to check your calendar.
” She grinned. “Just make sure your office knows you’ll be unavailable for two weeks this August.”
“And there’s something else you’ll need to do,” Joshua added.
“Which is?”
He smiled. “Go shopping for new fishing equipment. Because whatever happens, you and I are going fishing.”
Micah rubbed his hands together. “Do we have to wait until morning? I want to start looking now.”
Greg rolled his eyes. “Well, come on, then.” He poured out two cups of tea, then glanced at Naomi. “You coming too?”
She nodded vigorously, scrambling to her feet and grabbing Simon’s hand. In less than a minute, the living room had emptied, leaving Alex and Joshua.
Alex laughed. “Well, this was not how I saw my day ending.” He sipped his tea.
Joshua poured himself a cup. “Yeah, me neither, but you know what?” He let out a happy sigh. “I really like the idea.”
“Greg’s right, you know,” Alex mused. “You need this. The last few years have been difficult for all of you, and this is a great opportunity to reconnect and enjoy each other’s company.” He shrugged. “I just don’t want to make anyone feel obligated for inviting me.”
Joshua laid his hand on Alex’s thigh. “You heard them. Did it sound like they were being polite?”
Alex chuckled. “Okay.” Joshua didn’t remove his hand, and he liked that. In fact, he could have stayed like that all night, until they were kicking him out the door.
Except there was still Friday to endure.
“Come for dinner this weekend,” Joshua suggested. “I’ll cook.”
“I’d like that. But I was going to ask… Saturday afternoon… want to come with me when I go shopping for a new fishing rod? Among other things, of course.”
Joshua gave an enthusiastic nod. “Sure. That gives me time to check what’s in the garage and write a list of my own.” He licked his lips. “Lord, I can almost taste it. Freshly caught trout.”
Alex laughed. “Rein in that imagination of yours.” He put down his cup and got to his feet. “I’d better go. Thank you for a fantastic day.”
Joshua hauled himself to his feet. “And thank you for saying yes.” Before Alex could respond, Joshua seized him in a firm hug that was over all too soon. He walked Alex to the door, and stood there, the light framing him, as Alex backed out of the driveway and headed for the highway.
Alex’s lasting thought as he drove home was that being held by Joshua had felt really good.
~ 0 ~
July 6
Something was definitely in the air. Alex had felt it as soon as he’d arrived, a current of something that prickled his scalp and gave him goosebumps. When he walked into the kitchen area and was met by the sight of Micah, Greg and Naomi seated around the table, all beaming at him, Alex knew.
“You’ve found somewhere.”
Micah nodded gleefully. “We’ve booked a cabin. August 18th.”
Alex pulled out a chair and sat. “Really?”
“What did I say about cancellations?” Greg said, his eyes shining. “We found a couple of places that were perfect, but they were all booked up. Then this place suddenly became available.”
Joshua placed a mug of coffee in front of him. “Thermopolis. Ever heard of it?”
Alex shook his head. “Have you got pictures? What’s it like?” Their excitement was infectious.
“No pictures,” Micah said firmly.
“Well, there are photos,” Greg added, “but you don’t get to see them. Joshua neither.”
“They want it to be a big surprise,” Joshua said with an eye roll. It was obvious he was as excited as the kids, however. “The only thing they’ll tell me is that it’s on the Big Horn River, so it looks like you and I will get some fishing in after all.”
“There’s plenty of space for all of us,” Naomi said. “We’ll have to take two vehicles. It’s about four hours from here.”
“And we’ll be home in time for Labor Day,” Joshua concluded.
“We’ll meet up before we go, to put a list together of stuff we’ll need. We kinda assumed everyone will share the cooking,” Micah said with a smile.
Alex nodded. “What about amenities nearby?”
“Thermopolis isn’t all that big, but it’s got stores. Plus, down the river from the cabin, there’s the hot springs state park.” Naomi let out a happy sigh. “Now that sounds like my kinda place.”
Alex had to laugh. “Wow. Sounds like this place is perfect. What about sleeping arrangements?”
Micah smiled. “It sleeps eight, so don’t worry. Lots of permutations available.”
“So all you have to do is book yourself some vacation time.” Joshua leaned back in his chair. “Is it August yet?”
Alex knew exactly how he felt. He was overcome with nostalgia, like it was the end of term, and the summer vacation beckoned, two weeks of adventure just waiting for him, hidden out of sight, but right around the next bend.
Only, this was way better. He knew he’d be spending time with the whole family, but what filled his thoughts was something more… adult.
Two weeks with Joshua.
I need this. We need this.
He couldn’t wait.