It’s Christmas Everywhere But Here (9 page)

“High school locker—” Max went red at his father’s clearing throat.

Emily rolled her eyes at him.

“No.” Russ elbowed Dave. “It was when I realized I wanted to leave ‘now,’ not ‘twenty minutes from now.’”

Even Randall snorted. “Don’t let your mother hear you say that.”

“Papa, are you saying I take a long time to get ready?” Emily had her arms firmly across her chest.

“Only sometimes, Ems.”

“Austin takes longer.”

“Austin needs a countdown. Speaking of which.”

Dave squeezed his thigh and called down the hall, “Austin? Five minutes.” Dave looked back at Russ. “What if your mom….” He let the thought trail off.

Russ pecked a kiss on the thin lips. “Dad, we’ve got to go. We’re already an hour later than intended. And we really do need to get the grocery shopping done when we get home.” Russ returned Dave’s light squeeze with one of his own.

“I’ll go talk to your mother.” Randall, still wearing his Navy windbreaker, hoisted himself out of the chair.

“Ems, if you—” Russ stopped as his daughter threw her arms around Max’s neck, tackling him into a hug.

“I love you, Uncle Max. Thank you for my code book.”

“Uh, you’re welcome, Ems.” Max awkwardly patted her back with one hand, using the other to keep from completely toppling over.

She pecked one last kiss on his cheek before skipping down the hall. Russ bent down to help his brother pick up the cards. “You sure you don’t want some of your own, Max?”

“Naw. I’ll just keep corrupting yours.” Max gave him that wide, easy grin. “They were a lot of fun to be around. And not too difficult to manage.”

“I’m glad you think that.” Russ stood, wiping his hands on his pants. “You can come babysit them for us some time.”

Max started to protest, finger out. He deflated back into the floor. “Walked into that one, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, you did.” Dave grabbed Max’s hand and hauled Max to his feet. They exchanged a one-armed, slapping hug. “It was good to see you again, Max.”

“You too, Dave. Glad you’re home. Maybe this guy won’t be so mopey now.”

Russ grumbled, but Max gave him a firm hug. “Let me know when you guys are settled. I’d love to come visit.”

“That’d be great. And I promise not to set you up with any single friends.” Russ pulled back. “The first day.”

“I am perfectly happy being single.”

Russ patted his brother on the back. He turned to see if Randall or Doris were coming, when he spotted a dinosaur in the hallway.

“Austin?”

“Five minutes.”

“That is what your Dad said. Do you have to use the bathroom?”

“No. Dogs?” Austin’s gaze flicked toward the sliding-glass door.

“They’re both in the kennel, Aus,” Max answered.

“Keys?”

“It’s unlocked.”

Austin turned toward the front door.

“Austin”—Dave bent into Austin’s line of sight—“say good-bye to Uncle Max and Grandpa, okay?”

Austin wavered for a moment but didn’t bolt. He gave Max a brief hug, never looking into his face. The returning Grandpa Randall got a slightly longer hug. And then Austin was done, letting himself out the front door and running to the truck.

Russ glanced back down the hall.

Randall shrugged. “I told her you needed to go.”

Doris appeared before all the hugs finished. To Russ’s eye, she appeared no different than when she’d disappeared into the bedroom twenty minutes prior. Except for the reddened eyes and cheeks. She nearly throttled him with the hug, briefly hugged Dave, and clung to Emily. Russ was willing to set Ems loose in the mall for the patience she showed getting out of that hug.

“Where’s Austin?”

“He’s already in the car, Mom.” Russ grabbed his jacket, made sure he had phone and wallet and keys, and moved out of the front door.

Emily grabbed her backpack and followed. Austin was in his booster seat, buckled in, concentrating on his DS.

“Russ?” Russ paused, looking down at his mom.

“You will—come visit again. Won’t you?”

“That….” He glanced over at Dave. “It’s not off the table, but we’ll need to talk about ground rules beforehand. Yours
and
ours.”

Doris nodded sadly.

Russ bent to hug her and peck a kiss on her cheek. “I love you. I don’t want to cut you out of my life.”

“I don’t want that either.”

“Then after I get Dave and the kids settled, we’ll discuss how we can spend time together, hopefully without hurting each other.” Russ paused. “I can’t be the only one who bends, Mom.”

She nodded.

“Bye, Mom. I’ll call when we get home.”

Russ pecked her cheek again, gave his dad another hug. Max got a friendly swat to the head.

Russ turned his back on them and climbed up into the driver’s seat, since a sprawling Dave took up the passenger seat. Russ didn’t look up until his phone was plugged into the charger, his seat belt clicked into place, and he’d backed up enough he could turn out of the driveway. Then he turned and joined Ems and Dave in waving, hoping his smile didn’t appear as tight as it felt.

He had to unclench his hand from the steering wheel to put the car in drive and ease out onto the road.

“Six more hours.”

“Yes.” Russ reached over to squeeze Dave’s knee.

“Think we can make it in five?” Dave’s voice was low, the sultry one he used when something was for Russ only. It worked in conjunction with the rough fingers tracing Russ’s hand to send shivers down his spine.

“No.”

“No?”

“No. Because I want all of us there in one piece.”

“Fair enough.”

“Damn straight.”

“Papa?”

“Mmm?”

“Will you turn the CD player on?”

“Why don’t you put your headphones on, Ems?”

She made an annoyed noise. “Why?”

“Because your boy toy’s voice sets my teeth on edge, and I’d like to talk to your father.”

“Fine.”

He watched in the rearview as Emily flopped back into her seat.

Yeah. She totally got that from him.

 

 

“H
OW
ARE
we doing on time?”

“Okay, for our late start.” Russ twisted, grunting when his back popped. He shook out, then twisted the other way. The sky was overcast and windy, but the snow that had threatened over the mountain pass was no more than a chill in the air. The rest stop wasn’t too crowded, good for a stroll and a stretch.

Austin ran back over, laughing happily as Dave caught him up in a swinging hug that lifted Austin high in the air.

Emily jogged up after, pushing her hair out of her face.

Dave blew a raspberry on Austin’s exposed belly before setting him back down.

“Keys.” Austin waited only a moment before reaching for Dave’s pockets.

“Hey, your pop has them.” Dave dropped to his knees, hands on Austin’s shoulders. “Do you need to go to the bathroom again?”

“No. Keys.”

“Austin, requests include ‘please.’” Russ palmed the keys anyway.

Austin swallowed, squirming in his father’s light grip. His gaze was on Russ’s shoes. “Keys please.”

“Here you go. Don’t run.”

Austin speed walked back to the SUV. Russ ignored the urge to kiss the furrow in Dave’s brow, immediately hating himself for it. They should be able to show affection in public without fear.

“What?” He touched Dave’s hand instead. His heart relaxed when Dave’s palm twisted and entwined with his.

“The road, Russ.”

“We’re parked on this side; he doesn’t have to cross. I can see he’s wound up enough I shouldn’t let him cross the street on his own.”

“Okay.” Dave sighed. “Sorry.” They walked hand in hand to the truck, Emily skipping along beside, swinging Dave’s other arm.

Russ stopped him when they reached the SUV, holding Dave back while Emily took her seat. “What is it?”

“I just—so much has changed. Austin eats green beans and can walk on his hands. Emily is tall—good God is she tall. And she can do algebra and loves to read….”

Russ gave in, hauling Dave in to kiss his temple. “They still love you. That hasn’t changed.”

“And you?” Dave turned toward him, gripping tightly at Russ’s arms.

“So very, very much.” Russ took a brief, chaste kiss. “Let’s get home so I can show you.”

“’Kay.” Dave didn’t let go until he’d pulled another kiss from Russ’s lips. They both wore broad grins as they got into the truck.

“What time do you think we’ll get home?” Dave clicked his belt shut.

Russ paused to make sure Austin and Ems were buckled in. “Three, three thirty. Another hour, depending on traffic and bathroom stops.”

“So, plenty of time before bed for”—Dave’s eyes flicked to the backseat—“grocery shopping. And any other errands.”

“Yeah, we should have plenty of time. Austin, where are the keys, please?”

“Home?” Austin stared at the screen of his DS.

“Yes, we’re going home. Our home, with your own bed.”

Austin handed over the keys.

Russ fastened his belt, started the truck, and looked over his shoulder to back up.

He stopped, put the car back in park, and sat, staring through the windshield.

“Russ?” The hand on his forearm was warm and heavy.

“Mmm?”

“What are you thinking?”

Russ opened his mouth, closed it with a shake of his head, and reached for the shifter. He stopped before putting the SUV in reverse again, but he did turn to look in the backseat.

Emily squinted at him as if trying to read his mind.

“Ems, Austin, how’d you like to spend the evening at Grandma Caroline’s?”

The look on Emily’s face morphed into a smug smile. It was Russ’s turn to furrow his brow. “So you and Dad can go ‘
grocery shopping
’?”

There was a bark of laughter from the passenger seat. Russ elbowed Dave as hard as the awkward position would allow. “You’re not old enough to be using euphemisms. Stop it.”

“That’s fine.” Emily went back to her book.

“Austin? I know I just said home, but what about going to Grandma Caroline’s for a few hours until dinner? Would that be okay?”

Austin was silent, eyes on his screen.

Russ gave him a moment, exchanging a look with Dave. Springing things on Austin. Not a good idea.

“Hey, bud.” Dave undid his belt, turning to look into the backseat as well. “We’ll go home,
exactly
like Pop promised. Then Russ will drop you off at Caroline and Hank’s, and he and I will come over for dinner, and we’ll go back to our house to sleep. How is that?”

Austin’s mouth scrunched up. “Cards?”

“Yeah. I’m sure Grandpa Hank would love to play cards with you, buddy.”

“Okay.”

“All right.” Russ sat back in his seat, ignoring the first-date flutter behind his sternum. He was far too old for that nonsense, for the excitement spreading out into his limbs, making his heart race and his palms sweat.

“Russ?”

Russ grabbed Dave’s hand, squeezing tight. “I’m okay.”

Dave pulled him close, short soft kisses not quite on his lips. Russ kept turning his head, Dave’s mouth a moving target. “Make the call,” Dave murmured before pulling back.

“Right. Like I can think clearly now.” Russ grabbed his phone, taking two deep breaths before dialing, finger to his lips to indicate they should be silent.

“Hey, Caroline? It’s Russ.” He reached over to take Dave’s hand. “Oh, Christmas was okay. Austin got a little stressed, though. We’re actually on the way home, stopped at a rest area.” There was a squeeze, and Russ looked over to find Dave’s gaze on him, dark and primal. “Well, honestly, I was wondering if you could watch them for a few hours while I ran some errands and did a little laundry? Yeah, we’ll be back in town in an hour or so, and I’ll drop the kids off. Then we’ll all stay for dinner. That work? Great. I’ll see you in about two hours.”

Russ disconnected and dropped the phone back into the console. He pulled Dave’s hand up to kiss the back before letting go to fasten his seat belt.

“You realize you never actually told Mom I was back in the States.”

“Like we would get even a minute to ourselves if she knew that?” Russ put the truck in reverse and twisted to look over his shoulder before backing out.

 

 

“A
LL
RIGHT
,
go-go-go.” Russ pulled the parking brake and unlocked the doors. He tossed Dave the keys and let his husband chase Austin up to the front door. The downstairs bathroom was close enough they’d make it. Probably.

Russ stretched his arms up over his head, hands splayed on the fuzzy roof felt as he arched his back. He finally undid his seat belt and swung out himself. Emily hauled the rest of her travel kit out of the backseat, so Russ went around to the back of the car and surveyed the luggage. He grabbed his bag and Austin’s and followed Emily up to the house.

“Okay, what’s the plan?” Dave stood in the hall, rubbing his hands together. The door to the bathroom was closed, and there were no obvious messes on the hallway floor.

“Emily and Austin change clothes while you and I empty out the truck. Then I really do need to go grocery shopping after I drop the kids off at your parents’. And then….” Russ trailed off into a smile.

“He means sex, Dad.”

Both men looked over at Emily.

“What?” She rolled her eyes. “Fine, I’ll go change clothes.”

Russ chuckled, leaning against Dave’s crossed arms. “And she’s not even a teenager yet.”

Dave grumbled low in his throat. “Do you suppose I can blame that attitude on her being alone with you for two years?”

“Only if you want me to turn it around and blame it on you being gone for two years. And please”—Russ pivoted, gripping Dave’s biceps until they faced each other—“let’s not have that fight.”

“Deal.” The kiss was warm but short. “Empty out the truck?”

“Yes.”

The luggage was simple. It was the Christmas presents that took the most time. Russ eventually took over and instructed that everything be put under the tree for review in the morning. They got Austin into the truck after Dave carried him there with promises that they’d only be apart until six thirty for dinner. Russ left Dave in the laundry room, sorting clothes.

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