Chapter 14 #2
“I’m not going to get mad at anyone. The kids met Quinton yesterday, as you know, when he came over to the house and the kids went sledding. He stayed for dinner before going to the hospital for his shift.”
“Where he spoke to Ravi—apparently glowing—who might’ve mentioned it to his husband Maddox who came over with Princess Sofia so we could all go for a walk in the snow.”
“Princess Sofia?” My head spun. I hadn’t asked Quinton to keep our afternoon just between us, because Gideon knew.
And I hadn’t—would never—ask the kids not to say anything.
Whether Gideon was able to loop everything back together would’ve been another issue.
But he was smarter than I sometimes gave him credit for—to my own peril.
And shame.
“Maddox’s rescue dog. His nieces named her.
She’s…a handful. Man, the stories Maddox and Ravi can tell about her.
Almost as good as ones about their three-year-old twins.
” He held my gaze. “We’ve got a busy street here, so to speak.
I mean, we’re on a cul-de-sac, so we don’t get much traffic.
But we have four gay couples within a couple of klicks. ”
“Oh?”
“Maddox and Ravi. Dean and Adam. Adam works in customer service and Dean’s a forester.”
“Okay. I met Dean and Adam at Fifties.” And I knew of Ravi at the hospital. Everyone else was a mystery to me.
“Felix and Jacob. Jacob is a contractor and Felix teaches French Immersion at Cedar Street Elementary School. Hopefully he’ll teach Melodie and Trevor.”
Early on, we’d decided that if the kids could first, get into the program and second, manage the tough curriculum, that they should try French Immersion.
Not much call for Canada’s second official language on the west coast, but having that extra skill would always bode well for them.
Better chances of getting a federal government job in the future. And tons of other opportunities.
“That would be great.”
“And…” Again Gideon bit his lip. “Justin and Stanley, with their kids—Opal and Angus.”
“Ah.” Slowly, I nodded. “You recommended Kennedy Dixon. She wasn’t available—but Justin was. He’s a good guy and was upfront about the fact you’re friendly. I told him I didn’t care—and I don’t. I trust his judgment. Wouldn’t be good for his reputation if he went around blabbing all my secrets.”
“He would never.” Gideon’s expression became fierce as his eyes widened. “He’s not built like that.”
“So I assumed. I just realized I needed help.” There. Admitting that wasn’t too hard.
“Because of me.” Said quietly.
“Because of a lot of things. I never dealt with the end of our marriage.” At least here, I could be honest. “I was completely snowed under with my life, and coping meant putting one foot in front of the other and pushing through. I’ve realized that might’ve worked then.
Now I’ve slowed down, however, I can see how wrong I was. ”
“Not wrong.” He offered a small smile. “You were doing what you thought was best—no one can fault you for that. Now, though, you can share the burdens.”
My knee-jerk reaction was to tell him he wasn’t strong enough.
But that had always been my problem. Despite his former physical capacities, I gave more weight to his learning disability.
I saw how it disadvantaged him—and how hard he tried to cope—and it made me want to protect him with a fierceness I could now recognize hadn’t been helpful.
He’d needed my support—not my intervention. “I’m trying, Gideon.”
“I know you are.”
“Isn’t Archer going to get tired of the kids?”
Gideon laughed. “Uh…no. He’s wanted kids forever—despite having to help raise his many siblings. He’s…a natural.”
“Do you think you’ll have more kids?” Jesus, that’s way too personal a question to ask.
Gideon shook his head, though. Instead of admonishing me, he offered a smile. “Archer would’ve loved any child in his life. Blood isn’t the be-all and end-all for him. He was always willing to adopt or foster. Things didn’t work out.”
With his previous marriage. I’d looked into that as well. His ex-wife, Thea, had remarried. Apparently to, if rumors were to be believed, the man she was cheating on Archer with.
Ouch. “But now things have worked out?”
He sighed. “Archer fell in love with me before we secured joint custody. Did he fight extra hard because he wanted me to be happy? Sure. He would’ve taken me as I was.
In his eyes, the kids are just a bonus—more people to love.
His heart—” He swallowed. “Sometimes I forget what unconditional love is. Then Archer reminds me.”
That’s because of me. Because I didn’t give you that unconditional love. I’d tried. And failed. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks. And whether Quinton remains a friend or you become more to each other, that’s okay with me. It’s your life, Leo.” Again with a soft smile. “We met Quinton last weekend, and I have to say he’s a very kind man. Very…affable.” He laughed.
“He was great with the kids.”
“That’s all I can ever ask for.” He held my gaze. “Are you okay?”
I nodded. “Sorry to take your time.”
“You’ll always be part of my life, and if we need to talk—to keep an open line of communication—for the kids’ sake? I’m all for that. And Archer understands.”
“He must if he’s okay with you chatting for half an hour with your ex-husband.”
Gideon laughed. “We missed the kids. He’s making up for lost time.”
This time, I blinked. The idea that my kids had yet another person to love them meant everything.
Neither Gideon’s nor my family had wanted anything to do with us after we announced we were together at age eighteen.
Gideon’s parents were still alive, and knew about their grandchildren, but still wanted no part in our lives. My parents had both passed.
But knowing the kids had another champion? That was okay by me. I rose. “You’re a good man. He’s a good man.” I shoved my hands into my pockets. “And you’re okay watching them next weekend?”
“While you’re on call? Of course.” He moved toward me. “Whatever you need. You need to save lives. We have no complaints about watching the kids.” His smile was a little shy. “I never take a moment with them for granted.”
Again…because of me.
“I’m sorry, Gideon. So damn sorry.”
He held open his arms and, after a hesitation, I stepped into them. He felt both familiar and foreign at the same time. Two years was a damn long time.
“I’ll always love you, Leo. You put our children first. You continue to do that. You’re saving lives. You continue to do that. We just have to find a new way of dealing with each other.” He held me close. “I wish you the best.”
“Me too.” My throat tightened with emotion. For so many years, this man had been my everything. Through all the turbulence of medical school, he’d been my rock. He’d supported us financially and me emotionally. I owed him and, in a way, could never repay him. “I’m here if you need me.”
He gave me an extra-tight squeeze, and then let me go. “Same goes.”
We moved toward the front entryway.
I put my shoes back on. “I suppose I should be wearing boots.”
“You’ve got a garage, right?”
I nodded. “And a wonderful woman who plows the driveway.”
“Taryn?”
Again, I nodded.
“Lovely woman. She helps us out as well. I love being able to find local people to connect with. You have gone to Fifties, right?”
I smiled. “I thought I remembered you telling me about your grandparents taking you. Uh, Quinton and I went one night. To…settle some differences.”
Gideon arched an eyebrow. “Do I want to know?”
“Probably not.”
“That’s fair. None of my business. Say hi to him from us. We truly enjoyed his party.”
“And the surprise engagement?”
He laughed. “Especially the surprise engagement.”
I refrained from asking him about his own plans. He’d tell me in good time. I suspected a wedding would be coming soon—the men were meant to be together and, for someone like Gideon, that meant marriage.
My suspicions were that the same was true for Archer.
“Well, goodbye.”
“Oh, you’re off?” Archer stepped into the foyer. “I was just going to see if you wanted something to drink. A cola or hot chocolate or something.”
I waved. “Thanks. I’ll take my leave.” I opened the front door to a blast of frigid air. Turning back, I met Gideon’s gaze. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” He leaned back against Archer who’d positioned himself behind him.
They looked so damn perfect together that my heart took a knock.
I waved goodbye.
And headed into the darkness.
Back to my empty house.