Sunday, March 17, 2024

76 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

There was a bit of a pause when the waitress came over to take Kevin's and Mick's orders. Then Sue asked, "How's Will doing?"

 

"Fine it seems. He's home and in bed," Mick told her, smirking.

 

"Thank goodness." Then she obviously caught on to why he was smirking. "Not alone?"

 

"Nope. With Kevin's mom—or so we're presuming."

 

Kevin muttered, "It had better be her."

 

Mick hugged Kevin. "We both know it is, even if we didn't actually see her."

 

"So are they…?" Sue looked questioningly at Kevin.

 

"Honestly, I don't know. They're speaking to each other…"

 

"And doing other things with each other," Mick pointed out.

 

"Yeah, that too, so maybe… yeah."

 

Sue smiled at him. "I hope so. Will is good people and now that he has you, and her too, he'll have a family."

 

"He deserves one," Mick said softly.

 

"Everyone does," Sue said adamantly.

 

Mick nodded. And everyone has one, but me.

 

He knew his thought must have shown on his face, at least to Kevin, when Kevin turned to him and said very quietly, "You have us. You know that."

 

"I do." Mick smiled, albeit a bit sadly.

 

"Hey you two, no secrets," Sue said, breaking into their brief conversation.

 

"Nope, no secrets," Mick replied, forcing a grin. "He was just reminding me that we have some place to go as soon as we've eaten."

 

"Oh? Do tell. Where?"

 

"That, my dear sister, is none of your business," Charlie put in.

 

"But I'm nosy."

 

Brian snorted. "Boy is she. I knew that even before I asked her out the first time. She knows more about me than my folks do, I think."

 

"Yeah, well, I mean, come on. If I'm going to date you…" Her voice petered out and she shook her head. "That wasn't fair to you."

 

"Of course it was, because that way you know I'm not Archer."

 

"You better not be anything like him or you'll have me to deal with," Charlie muttered.

 

"Us," Kevin added.

 

Brian laughed. "Okay, okay, I get the picture. Remember, I'm the good guy here."

 

"Yeah, we know. We were just teasing," Charlie told him. "Mostly."

 

"Got it. Now, since I think our food is arriving, shall we eat?"

 

"That's why we ordered it," Sue replied, giving him a fast hug. "So, let's eat and talk about… anything that doesn't have to do with the bastard… or school."

 

* * * *

 

"Brian's good people, I think," Mick said, as he and Kevin walked back to the apartment building.

 

"He seems to be, but then I'm sure Archer came across as a nice guy at first."

 

"Cynic," Mick told him.

 

"Realist," Kevin replied.

 

"Well, realistically she's got Charlie vetting Brian and after what happened…"

 

"Can we not talk about that, please," Kevin broke in. "I've had it up to here"—he touched his forehead—"with… with everything."

 

"Hey, what brought that on," Mick asked softly, a worried frown on his face.

 

"I'm just over it." There was a slight tremor in Kevin's voice.

 

Mick nodded, taking his hand. "Then it's past history, as far as I'm concerned."

 

"Thank you." Kevin gripped Mick's hand tightly as they continued walking.

 

A moment later, Mick stopped, looking compassionately at Kevin.

 

"Flashbacks?"

 

Kevin nodded, shuddering. "Mostly at night, when I'm trying to get to sleep. I feel him grabbing me, hitting me. I see him attacking Dad… Will."

 

"I knew who you meant," Mick said with a smile.

 

"Yeah, figured you did." Kevin gave him a small smile in return.

 

"I'm no expert," Mick told him, "but I think that's pretty normal."

 

Doesn't make it any less scary."

 

"Of course not." Mick eased his hand free from Kevin's grip, so he could hug him tightly. "It will pass, though."

 

"I know but still." Kevin took a deep breath. "Could you… stay with me tonight? Maybe then it won't happen."

 

"If that's what it takes, I'm more than willing," Mick replied seriously. But he couldn't help feeling elated. He just needs company. Still… maybe. No, this is not the time to take advantage of the situation. With that thought in mind, he pulled away, taking Kevin's hand as they started walking again.

Friday, March 15, 2024

75 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

Mick walked into the apartment with Kevin right behind him, turned quickly and pushed Kevin back into the hallway, closing the door behind them.

 

"What are you doing?" Kevin asked in surprise.

 

"I think, I may be wrong, but from the sound of it, your father has company."

 

"It better be Mom," Kevin muttered.

 

"Who else?" Mick replied. "As far as I know—and I've been hanging around with him for quite a while—she's the only woman he knows...well, besides the woman at the bank and that sure wasn't anything."

 

"So now what? We go out and grab some dinner?"

 

"Sure." It really wasn't what Mick wanted to do, but he also wasn't about to put Kevin in the position of moving on to the next level in their relationship until Kevin was ready. And it seemed he still wasn't, since he'd suggested going out instead of heading to his apartment so they could be alone together, with no possibility of being disturbed by inquisitive parents.

 

They debated where to go as they rode back down in the elevator, finally deciding on a place just off campus.

 

When they walked in, someone called out, "Hey, you two." Sue was sitting at a table a few yards away, waving at them.

 

"There's no escape," Mick muttered, when they joined her and Charlie—and a young man he didn't recognize.

 

Kevin did, however, saying as he sat down, "Mick, this is Brian. He's in the same history class as the rest of us."

 

Mick nodded, pulling up a chair from the next table and squeezing in between Kevin and Charlie.

 

Brian put his arm over the back of Sue's chair in a somewhat proprietary way, so Mick did the same, only his arm went around Kevin's shoulders.

 

Charlie laughed. "You don't have to worry about them, Brian. They're, umm"—he looked at Kevin—"a couple?"

 

"More or less, yeah."

 

"More or less?" Sue chuckled. "I'd say a lot more than less."

 

"I get the picture," Brian said. "Sorry I reacted that way but after all Sue went through with that Archer bastard… well, I'm feeling just a bit protective."

 

Kevin cocked an eyebrow. "How long have you and Sue been more than just friends?"

 

Brian looked at Sue. "A day?"

 

"One day, three hours, and twenty"—she looked at her watch—"six minutes. Give or take."

 

Mick burst out laughing. "So this is your second date?"

 

"Yep, and if we could convince Charlie he didn't have to tag along…" She shot a look at her twin.

 

Charlie held up his hands. "You did invite me, for the eating portion. After that, you're on your own."

 

"Thank God," she said dramatically.

 

Brian shook his head, looking at Kevin. "You know them better than me. Are they always like this?"

 

"Yeah, pretty much, but you'll get used to it. And weekends will be better because Mr. Lothario there always has a hot date."

 

"Whew," Brian replied, wiping his forehead in mock relief.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

74 – This Gift, This Curse

 


Three days later, Will was back in the apartment he and Mick were sharing—and chafing at the bit.

 

"If you don't stop hovering," he growled.

 

Mira rolled her eyes. "I'm not hovering. I'm just making certain you're all right."

 

"I'm fine, damn it! Go… fix supper or something."

 

She grinned and saluted. "Steak or fish?"

 

"Both?" he asked hopefully.

 

"Glutton. But then you always were."

 

"I beg to differ. I was very… ungluttonish, if that's a word. At least when it came to eating." He held out his hands to her and when she took them he pulled her into his lap. "When it came to you, however, I could never get enough."

 

She snuggled against him, smiling. "I remember. We were so in love then. Nothing mattered but the two of us."

 

"And now?"

 

"Well," she stroked his cheek. "We're a bit older, a bit wiser…"

 

"A bit more shopworn, in my case."

 

"Not shopworn, just"—she looked at him, seeing the new lines in his face, the thinness that accented his cheekbones—"experienced in ways I'll never be and probably can never really understand. But you're the same man I fell in love with all those years ago." She brushed a kiss over his lips.

 

He returned it, deepening it, pouring all the emotions he thought he'd buried long ago into the kiss.

 

"I do love you," he murmured when they broke apart.

 

"Are you certain?"

 

"More than you could ever believe."

 

Her face lit up with happiness and a bit of mischief as well. "In that case, Mr. William Reynolds, will you do the honorable thing, which somehow we didn't do, lo those many years ago, and make an honest woman out of me?"

 

Will stared at her, his mouth dropping open. She put a finger under his chin to close it, waiting for his reply.

 

"If you're certain."

 

She nodded. "I was certain when you asked me, way back when. I'm just as certain now. Marry me?"

 

"On one condition."

 

"Uh-oh."

 

"You move back here. I don't think a long-distance marriage is such a good idea. Besides which, Kevin's going to be in school for four more years, give or take, and, well…"

 

Mira grinned. "I think your Captain Newsome is going to have two new cops on his force. That is, if he wants me."

 

"I'll tell him it's a package deal—both of us or neither of us."

 

"Good." She nodded her head sharply. "So, if you're up to it, we'll go talk to him tomorrow?"

 

"Yes. But tonight, I'm going to show you what else I'm up to." Sliding his arms under her, he stood, smiling when she wrapped her arms around his neck. "And maybe, if we're lucky, Kevin might have a new brother or sister soon."

 

"Bite your tongue, mister."

 

"How about I bite your lip instead," he murmured, nipping it. Then he kissed her deeply while carrying her to his bedroom.


Monday, March 11, 2024

73 – This Gift, This Curse

 


Half an hour later, Kevin was saying adamantly, "You are not going back to living the way you were."

 

"Oh really?" Will replied, cocking an eyebrow.

 

"Yeah, really."

 

Will chuckled. "You are definitely your mother's son."

 

"And yours," Kevin stated.

 

"He's got a point," Mick put in. He was standing behind Kevin, since there was only one chair, with his hands on Kevin's shoulders.

 

"Did I ask you?" Will said, smiling slightly.

 

"Nope, but I'm telling you anyway. You want me off the streets? Well it's time to put your money where your mouth is, or whatever that saying is. I get off, you get off."

 

"Exactly," Kevin agreed, looking up at Mick.

 

"Well…" Will let the word hang there.

 

"I mean it," Kevin said. "I want a father I can find when I need him, without having to troll the city's alleys looking for him."

 

"You really do mean that, don't you?"

 

"Yes," Kevin replied. "I've lived eighteen years thinking you were either dead, like Mom said, or had deserted us. Now I know you're alive. I want you in my life. Is that so surprising?"

 

"To me? Yes, it is. I'm not what you think I am. I'm not father material."

 

"Bull," Mick spat out, before Kevin could reply.

 

"That seems to be the word of the day," Will said with a small laugh. "First Mira, then you. Care to try for a trifecta, Kevin?"

 

Kevin chuckled. "I'll pass, but he's right. Look how you took care of him." He smiled wryly. "I think maybe I'm jealous?"

 

"I would have done the same for you, if I'd known you existed," Will replied quietly. "Or I hope I would have."

 

"Well now you do." Kevin clasped Will's hand tightly. "Please, for me, stop living on the streets. You're worth much more than that. I know it."

 

"I'd have to find a job," Will replied pensively.

 

"Talk to that captain. Umm, Newsome?" Mick said.

 

Will nodded slowly. "Perhaps. I guess it's worth a try. He did say…" He shook his head.

 

"That he wanted you back?" Kevin asked hopefully.

 

"He implied that, yes. Or at least that it was time for me to do something with my life again."

 

"See! So we're not the only ones who think that."

 

"Nope." Will smiled at him. "You, Mick, the captain, your mother. It looks like I'm outnumbered."

 

"Well, if Mom thinks you should then you've got no choice in the matter."

 

"No, Kevin. If you think I should, that's what will make the difference. And I get that you do, so… when I get out of here, I think maybe I'll go pay a visit to the captain."

 

"Yes!" Kevin pumped his fist in the air.

 

Will laughed. "No guarantees he'll go for it."

 

"He'd better," Mick growled.

 

Will looked at him, then at Kevin. "One question. As the father of record, have you two done anything more than… well, you know." He suddenly felt embarrassed about asking but wanted to find out exactly how far things had progressed between them.

 

Kevin actually blushed, stuttering out, "Umm… Not yet."

 

"When have we had the chance?" Mick added, squeezing Kevin's shoulder. "The only times we've been alone together he was either studying for that exam, or so tense and worried about what had happened to you that, well…" He spread his hands. "You get the picture."

 

"But you're planning on it at some point?"

 

Kevin looked up at Mick for a long moment before replying. "Maybe. Probably."

 

"Then I want you to understand one thing. You use protection."

 

Mick burst out laughing. "Now that was a true 'father' statement."

 

"I'm serious," Will grumbled.

 

Kevin smiled. "I know… Dad."

 

Will felt his world settle into place with that one word.

Saturday, March 9, 2024

72 – This Gift, This Curse

 


Will knew what she meant and replied, "You did what you thought was best. And maybe… no, definitely it was. There's no way you could have explained that his father was a drunken sot who ran away from his problems instead of facing them."

 

"But you're not like that," she protested vehemently.

 

"I was, at the end." He took her hand, glad when she didn't resist. "I know the beat cops saw me. I'm pretty damned sure they told you. So as far as you knew, before you packed up and moved away, that's exactly what I was."

 

She shook her head. "I should have had more faith in you. I should have tried harder to find you—to tell you I was sorry."

 

"You can't find someone who doesn't want to be found. You should know that." He chuckled softly. "Given that I was an undercover detective, I was an expert at hiding when I had to. Drunk or sober, that was ingrained in me."

 

Mira nodded slowly. "I suppose it was. But why…?" She paused, frowning. "Why, when you sobered up, did you continue to live on the streets?"

 

Will shrugged. "Why not? My life… the life I'd led before, was over, as far as I was concerned. As I once told Mick, the street life isn't a bad life and there's a certain freedom to it, to not having to be responsible to anyone but yourself."

 

"Yet you made yourself responsible for him."

 

"More like he kept tagging along until I decided it was easier to let him hang out with me than otherwise."

 

"Uh-huh. And make him study and go for his GED, so he could get off the streets. Will, if he can do that, so can you. You've got a son who needs his father."

 

"He's got a wonderful mother. He doesn't really need me."

 

"Yes," she said very softly, "he does. We both do."

 

He looked at her in disbelief. "You're saying, after all that happened, you actually want me around?"

 

She nodded. "There hasn't been a day since you disappeared that I haven't thought about you. I loved you, you know that." She took a deep breath. "I still do."

 

"Then you need to get your head examined." He almost smiled, adding, "Mine already has been, so now it's your turn." He sobered quickly, trying to take in what she was saying. "Look at me, Mira. I'm nothing. A bum. Sure, for a few days I became someone else, to keep Kevin safe, but now…" He shrugged.

 

"Excuse my French, but bullshit. You're the man you always were. A man who cares about people. So for a while you've been… out of the loop, so to speak, but even so, you were still you. You helped Mick. He says you've helped other people; especially the ones who you saw were going to be harmed if you didn't step in. It's time for you to come out of your self-imposed hiding and take responsibly for who you really are—a good cop, a good man, a father, and the man I happen to still love."

 

"Maybe," he said softly.

 

"No damned 'maybe' about it. You're going to do it. Got that?"

 

He laughed, unbelievable happiness filling him. "You always were bossy."

 

"Yep. That's why I became a cop," she replied with a grin. Then she moved close enough to kiss him. "So… deal with it."

 

He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her back. I will. Not that I've got much choice I suspect, knowing her. And damn it, this feels right. So right.