83 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

One month later

 

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

 

"And about damned time," Will muttered, before casting a guilty glance at the minister. Then he kissed Mira.

 

The minister chuckled. "Believe me, Mr. Reynolds. I've heard much worse."

 

When the kiss was finished, Will put his arm around Mira's waist, smiling down at her. "I love you so much, Mrs. Reynolds, but I'll admit I'm glad this part is over."

 

Mira laughed. "I totally agree, Mr. Reynolds. Or should I call you Will?" Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

 

"Given that you're now my Mira, for now and forever…" He hugged her tightly.

 

"And about damned time," she replied, squealing when he smacked her butt. "If you can say it, so can I," she protested happily.

 

"Okay, you two, how about you act your ages," Kevin muttered when he joined them at the front of the small chapel.

 

Since the guest list consisted of only a few people, the couple had decided the chapel would do. Will had even suggested they just go before a Justice of the Peace but Mira, backed by Kevin and Mick, had insisted she wanted a 'real' wedding, no matter how small.

 

"You look lovely, Mom," Kevin said a second later.

 

"Gorgeous," Sue agreed, as she came forward to offer her congratulations, with Brian and Charlie in her wake.

 

Captain Newsome and two officers, who had been friends of Will's from before, added their voices to the congratulations.

 

"I suggest we adjourn to the restaurant," Will said. "Then I can get out of this"—he pulled on the lapel of his tux jacket—"and get comfortable."

 

Mira shook her head in amusement. "Men, honestly. You'd think getting dressed up was a torture from the fourth circle of hell," she said, taking his hand as they walked toward to door from the chapel.

 

"It is," Mick stated, earning him a laugh and a glare from Mira.

 

"But you look so good in your suit," Kevin told him. "Although"—he leaned close enough so no one else would hear—"you'll look better out of it."

 

"Not happening until the happy couple is on their way to their honeymoon suite. Then you and I will have the house to ourselves."

 

"Hey, Mom, let's cancel the wedding supper. Okay?" Kevin called out.

 

She turned to look at him, one eyebrow arched. "Not happening, young man. If Will and I can wait, so can you and Mick."

 

"Damn, she's too smart by half," Kevin muttered, much to the amusement of everyone else present.

 

"But you love her anyway," Will said, releasing Mira's hand so he could put an arm around each of the young men's shoulders.

 

"You bet. I love her—and you," Kevin said with great seriousness, looking at his father. "I'm glad… well, you know."

 

Will smiled. "I know."

 

"What's that quote," Mick said. "Something about ending well."

 

"'All's well that ends well'," Mira replied. "And I, for one, think it's ended very well for all of us."

 

"I agree," Will said, kissing her forehead. "In ways I never dreamed were possible. But enough of this; let's, to quote something else, go eat, drink, and make merry."

 

Kevin shivered slightly, because he knew the rest of the phrase. Then he smiled, taking Mick's hand.

 

"That sounds good to me."

 

The End

82 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

"This would be easier if one of us had a car," Will said, turning away from the Realtor's online site to look at Mira and the others.

 

"I have one," Mira said. "Unfortunately it's halfway across the country at the moment, so we'll have to rent one." She leaned over his shoulder again to look at the house he'd pulled up. "Not bad."

 

"But no swimming pool," Kevin said, looking over Will's other shoulder. He grinned when his mother rolled her eyes.

 

Mick sat on the sofa observing them, not feeling left out because he could have been right there with them. It was more that he liked watching the interaction between them. They're a real family.

 

Mira took control of the mouse to click on the next house, muttered, "No way," and moved to the next one. "Now this one I like," she said, after scrolling through the pictures and the details. "What do you all think?" She looked at the others and apparently realized Mick wasn't standing there too. Turning, she saw him and went over to sit beside him. "Why aren't you over with us?" she asked quietly.

 

He shrugged. "No room?"

 

"Mick," she replied with a smile, "there's always room for you. You're as much a part of this as the rest of us now."

 

"Not really."

 

"Yes, really. You're Will's second son, to hear him tell it. Maybe not biologically, but in every other way. That makes you my second son too, and Kevin's… okay, I don't think I'll go there, all things considered."

 

Mick chuckled. "Yeah, probably shouldn't." He looked at her, head cocked in question. "Do you really feel that way?"

 

"Absolutely!" Standing again, she grabbed his hand, urging him to get up. "So come over and give us your two-cent's worth. But"—she glanced at Kevin who had obviously been listening to them—"no swimming pools."

 

"Well, shoot." Mick grinned, following her back to the desk.

 

Kevin put his arm around Mick's waist, pointing to the screen. "So what do you think?" he asked. Then he whispered very softly, "See, what did I tell you? You're family."

 

"You didn't actually say that," Mick whispered back. "But yeah." He smiled happily, murmuring, "But you are so not my brother."

 

Kevin grinned. "Not even a distant cousin twice-removed."

 

"I got it. I'm a changeling, left on the doorstep in a wicker basket."

 

Will turned to look up at him. "What the hell have you been reading?"

 

Mick smirked. "That fantasy book you found in the dumpster a while back."

 

"Knew I should have left it there," Will muttered, before going back to what they were doing. "Okay, we like that one." He bookmarked it. "Now, what about this one?"

 

After kissing Mick quickly, Kevin looked. "Not as bad as some of the others, but there's still…"

 

"No swimming pool," Mick said the same time Kevin did. Then they broke out laughing.

81 – This Gift, This Curse

 

While Will and Mira were talking to Captain Newsome, Mick was having a conversation of his own with Kevin.

 

"If I move in with you guys, I'm going to want to pull my weight."

 

"And this is a problem why?"

 

"No job, no education."

 

"Once you get your GED, you'll have both."

 

Mick snorted softly. "A piece of paper that claims I'm reasonably competent in areas most high school students spent four years learning. And that's if I even pass the test to get it."

 

"Hey now, why are you suddenly questioning what you can do? You're smart and self-sufficient; you just have to believe in yourself. You'll get it, and then get a decent job. If you want to, you can go to college."

 

"The job, yeah. Now that I've got proof I'm me so I can get a copy of my Social Security card." Mick pointed to the letter from his mother containing his birth certificate, which had come the previous day. "But the other…" He shook his head. "College is great, if you can afford it. And don't go telling me I can get a scholarship. You know that's not happening."

 

"We'll figure something out."

 

Mick smiled wryly. "What if there is no 'we'? What if you get tired of having me around?" He held up one hand to stop Kevin from saying anything quite yet. "Yeah, right now we're close. Real close. But we barely know each other when you stop to think about it. I've spent the last four years just surviving. If it weren't for Will, I'd still be doing it. You? You grew up in a loving environment. You're educated, in school… you've got everything a guy like me could want and can't have."

 

"Okay, enough!" Kevin said sharply. "Yeah, you've had it rough and you know what? It's made you one hell of a person. So stop putting yourself down. As for my getting tired of you, as you put it, isn't that a chance everyone takes when they get involved with someone? You could just as easily get tired of me. Shit happens, as they say. That doesn't mean you give up on everything you've been working for because you're afraid we might not make it as a couple."

 

"I guess," Mick replied. His mouth tightened when his gaze fell on the letter again.

 

Kevin must have seen it because he asked, "Is there more in there than your birth certificate? Is that why you're so down on yourself now?"

 

Instead of answering, Mick picked up the envelope, took out a sheet of paper and handed it to Kevin.

 

Kevin read it, shaking his head. "What a bitch. Sorry. I know she's your mother, but what a bitch."

 

Mick grimaced. "Yeah, I agree, but still… I mean if my own mother thinks I'm worse than useless, how can anyone else see me differently?"

 

"I can think of five people right off the top of my head who do—me, Mom, Dad, Sue, and Charlie. And that's just the beginning. Once you start meeting other people, they'll think the same way we do, that they're damned lucky they know you." Kevin balled up the letter, throwing it into the wastebasket. Then he put his arms around Mick. "Don't let one poor excuse for a human being screw with your head. Okay?"

 

"Okay," Mick whispered. Looking at Kevin he said, "You really do think I can do this. The GED, the job—maybe even college."

 

"I know you can. And for what it's worth, I'm going to push you hard to make sure it happens."

 

Mick chuckled softly. "You are definitely your father's son."

 

"And that's not a bad thing, I don't think."

 

"Nope, it's great."

80 – This Gift, This Curse

 

 

"You realize," Kevin said, "you're going to have to buy a house."

 

Will nodded, taking another bite of his pancakes.

 

"With at least three bedrooms."

 

"Three?" Mira looked at her son. "Why three?"

 

"One for the two of you, one for me, and one for Mick."

 

"Ah, I see." She glanced at Will. "Makes sense to me."

 

"Definitely," Will agreed.

 

Mick appeared shocked as he said, "You're serious?"

 

"Well, if you'd rather not." Mira smiled at him.

 

"I… I…" he stuttered. "I don't know what to say."

 

"'Yes' works," Kevin said, grinning. "Or better yet, hell yes."

 

"Hell yes," Mick echoed.

 

"Good, then it's a done deal." Will patted Mick's shoulder. "Now we just have to hope the captain wants me back. I know he'll love having Mira on the team."

 

"We hope," Mira said. She grinned a bit. "If not, we're going to be racking up frequent flier miles big time."

 

The frequent flier miles became a moot point an hour later. Captain Newsome told Mira enthusiastically that he was more than willing for her to transfer from her police force to his. "In fact, I'll do everything I can to facilitate the move."

 

Will hugged her as he waited for the other shoe to drop.

 

Captain Newsome looked long and hard at him. "You know I want you back, but are you certain you're ready?"

 

"Meaning, can I handle it after being gone for eighteen years."

 

"Yes. A lot's changed in that time—new laws, new rules and regulations. You'd have to get updated training, pass the physical, and be recertified to use your weapon."

 

"And then I'd be back on the street as a beat cop."

 

"Only for as long as it takes me to pull you out of it for undercover work. You're too good at it for me not to use you."

 

"I was. There's nothing to say I still am," Will countered.

 

Newsome nodded. "True, to a point. But—" he smiled slightly, "—technically, you spent the last eighteen years 'undercover', despite various attempts to find you, so I'd say you've still got the knack."

 

Will looked at him in surprise. "You tried to find me?"

 

"Hell yes. We don't like losing a good man, no matter why he walked away."

 

"Well, I'll be damned." Will chuckled. "Maybe I do still have the knack, as you put it."

 

"That's what I'm counting on," Newsome replied seriously. "Are you willing to do everything it will take?"

 

Will looked at Mira before nodding. "Yeah, I am."

 

"Good. Now here's what we have to do."

 

Twenty minutes later Will and Mira left Newsome's office. As she linked her arm with Will's, Mira said with a grin, "You look a bit shell-shocked."

 

"I feel it. Still"—he smiled—"I also feel better about myself than I have in a long time."

 

"You should," she replied seriously. "You're back to the life you were meant to live."

 

"Which includes you." He put his hands on her waist, gazing at her. "You made this happen."

 

"Me?" She shook her head.

 

"Yes, you. I would have walked away once Kevin was safe, but there you were, telling me you cared. Telling me you still loved me. It made me feel like I was worth something, in spite of everything."

 

"I just…"

 

Will stopped her words with a kiss and then said, "Shall we grab the guys and go house hunting?"

 

Mira smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I think that would be a lovely idea." Then she kissed him.

79 – This Gift, This Curse

 

Kevin shot straight up in bed when he heard someone knocking on the apartment door. It took him a second to realize he wasn't alone.

 

Mick grinned up at him. "You going to answer that or should I?"

 

"We both can. We know who it is. But"—he looked at Mick, all of him, since the covers were pushed back—"first, we get dressed."

 

"No kidding," Mick replied. "But not until…" He kissed Kevin quickly. "Now, we can get dressed."

 

They did and then went out to open the door. Will and Mira stood there, smiling.

 

"You have to learn to dress faster," Will said, chuckling. "And jeans would have sufficed."

 

"May we come in?" Mira asked.

 

Kevin and Mick quickly stepped back so they could.

 

"We're going out for breakfast, to celebrate," Will told them, looking quite serious now.

 

"Celebrate what?" Kevin asked.

 

Mira grinned. "We're getting married, finally."

 

"Holy shit," Mick exclaimed. "Damn. Congratulations!"

 

Kevin was a little more restrained, only saying, "It's about time." Then he hugged both his mother and Will enthusiastically.

 

"What do you mean, about time? Just consider it a very long engagement," Will told him.

 

"Uh-huh. Right. So when is this happening?"

 

"That's a good question. First your mother and I have to go have a talk with the captain."

 

"You're getting married on a ship?" Mick asked with a straight face. That earned him chuckles from everyone else, and a whispered, 'That was bad,' from Kevin.

 

"Actually," Mira said thoughtfully, "that could be fun."

 

Mick shook his head. "I get seasick."

 

"And who said you'd be coming along?" Will asked with an arched eyebrow.

 

"Oh, well, yeah," Mick replied, looking crestfallen.

 

"Will, honestly." Mira shook a finger at him before giving Mick a hug. "Of course you'll be at the wedding, no matter where we have it."

 

Mick immediately perked up. "Why are you seeing Captain Newsome, if that's who you meant?"

 

"It is. We're going to see if he needs us."

 

Kevin cocked his head in question. "You're moving out here, Mom?" Then he said, "Well duh, I guess."

 

"Yeah, 'duh'. Like your father said, a long-distance marriage isn't really a good idea. The commuting costs would be prohibitive."

 

"Well, in that case, get moving and go see the captain. Or, wait, breakfast first, so we can celebrate."

 

"Only if the two of you put on shoes and socks," Will pointed out. "It's a bit cold for bare feet. Oh, and Kevin, you might want to put on a turtle-neck if you have one," he added with a grin.

 

Mick looked at Kevin's neck and laughed. "Yeah, you should."

 

Kevin turned bright red as he hurried to the bedroom to change shirts, with Mick trailing behind him, still chuckling.

78 – This Gift, This Curse

  

Mick's mouth descended on Kevin's in a way that was far from gentle. Hungry was how Kevin would have described it if he'd been able to think beyond the first two seconds before he returned the kiss. He opened to Mick, savoring the feel of his tongue as it swept over his teeth and plunged in deeper.

 

It seemed to take forever for the kiss to end. Forever… and too soon. Kevin gasped when they broke apart then dove in for another one. Mick's hands slid down his back. He felt his shirt pull free from his jeans then Mick was caressing his bared skin. Without hesitation, he did the same, never breaking the kiss as he pulled Mick's T-shirt up enough to run his hands slowly up his back to his shoulders. Then he inched them around front, tracing the lines of his ribs.

 

Mick giggled, pulling back. "That tickles." Quickly he pulled his shirt off, and just as quickly unbuttoned Kevin's, sliding it off his shoulders. With an impish grin, he flicked one of Kevin's nipples.

 

From there, nature took its course until they were lying naked in Kevin's narrow bed.

 

"Have you ever…?" Mick looked at Kevin as if trying to find the answer to his unfinished question in his face.

 

Kevin shook his head. "Dreamed about it. Daydreamed about it since meeting you, but…" He shrugged.

 

"I don't suppose you have…" He glanced at the nightstand.

 

Kevin shook his head again. "And we promised Dad…"

 

"Well we didn't exactly promise him, but yeah." Mick grasped Kevin's hardness in one hand, stroking him.

 

Kevin gulped and did the same to Mick's thick erection.

 

"I guess…" Mick managed to get out.

 

"I suppose," Kevin agreed, as he brought his gaze back up to Mick's face. Using his free hand, he cupped the back of Mick's head and kissed him. As the kiss deepened, he hardened even more and felt Mick's trembling increase with each stroke of his hand.

 

Suddenly Mick pulled away and Kevin thought he'd done something wrong until he felt spurts of cum hit his chest and heard Mick shout out his release. Seconds later, Kevin's balls tightened and he was coming as well, gasping as his orgasm roiled through him.

 

"Well, it wasn't perfect," Mick managed to get out when he could actually speak again.

 

"But for a first time, and with no other option, I'd still say it was better than…"

 

"If you say 'the average bear'…" Mick growled.

 

"Nope. Wasn't going to." Kevin grinned happily.

 

Mick cocked an eyebrow in question as he pulled Kevin tightly against his chest.

 

"Ugh, sticky," Kevin muttered.

 

Mick snorted. "You expected otherwise?"

 

"No." Kevin laughed and kissed him soundly.

 

A few minutes later, they disengaged themselves long enough to go clean up.

 

"Next time," Mick said, as they crawled back into bed again.

 

"We make sure we've got protection. I so want to go down on you… among other things."

 

"Put that on your shopping list," Mick replied with a laugh. "That—and lube."

 

"Planning on it." Kevin smiled. "Tomorrow."

77 – This Gift, This Curse

 

Kevin felt incredibly nervous when he and Mick entered his apartment. I'm being stupid. He's been here a million times before.

 

Seeming to sense it, Mick immediately headed to the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, he took out two sodas, coming back to hand one to Kevin.

 

"This has so much caffeine in it I won't sleep for a week," Kevin said after thanking him.

 

"Then why do you have it?" Mick asked, flopping down on the sofa.

 

"For when I know I'll be up all night studying."

 

"Only you." Mick patted the sofa beside him.

 

"Nope, it's a tried and true remedy used by all college students—or so I've been told," Kevin replied as he sat down.

 

Mick looked at the red and green can, popped the tab, and took a drink. "Yuck."

 

Kevin broke out in laughter. "It's not that bad."

 

"It's not that good either." Then Mick grinned. "At least I got you laughing.

 

"You're good at that."

 

"Not always," Mick replied, his look darkening for a moment. Then he smiled again. "So now what? We play Scrabble until you're too tired to think?"

 

Kevin snorted. "Not a game I own." He wondered why Mick had looked upset and almost asked. No, he'd tell me if he wanted me to know. I hope.

 

"Do you own any games?"

 

"Other than the ones on my laptop? Nope."

 

Mick sprang to his feet, much to Kevin's surprise. He went to the desk, coming back with the laptop, Kevin shook his head.

 

"So show me," Mick said, booting up the machine.

 

Kevin leaned against him so he could see, pointing to a file that was labeled 'Games'. After Mick clicked on it, they looked at the list, finally settling on a puzzle game. They switched off, each taking one level while prompting each other when they got stuck.

 

"Ha, beat it," Mick exclaimed when he finished the last level.

 

"Only because I helped," Kevin told him, laughing.

 

"Yeah, and…?" Mick turned to look at him and their gazes locked.

 

Kevin swallowed. He knew what he wanted to do and it was more than just kissing Mick. That they'd done before, several times. Nothing erotic, just shared, gentle kisses. His gaze flicked down to Mick's lips… and lower. The laptop in Mick's lap impeded his view, so impulsively he picked it up, setting it at the end of the sofa. Mick wasn't hard, but there was a definite bulge in his jeans. Kevin quickly looked up at him again.

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.

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.

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.