Page 86 of Let Leaves Lay Where They Fall

He unfolds the note he wrote in the early morning hours, while Jamie snored against his shoulder.

Mabel,

I’m going to miss you like crazy. I hope you finally get to meet Bertie; she’s going to Love you. Almost as much as I do. Thank you for the years you were by my side. I’ll watch for you visiting my dreams.

Love Always,

Nathan

He rolls the paper into the shape of a funnel. Unsnapping the zip locks of the plastic baggy. He sets the bottle in the sand between his feet and pours a small amount of her ashes in. He reaches in his coat pocket again. Pulling out one of her bone shaped treats. Crumbling it in his fist. He adds the cookie dust on top of the ash, pushing the note all the way in. He plugs the bottle with its small cork. Pressing it tight. Standing up, he looks back over his shoulder to Jamie. Reaching a hand back, fingers spread, inviting him to join the ceremony.

Jamie hurries three long strides forward. Grabbing Nathan’s hand and squeezing.

Nathan tosses the bottle into the water. His glossy eyes watch it float out on the foamy waves. He turns to Jamie. Pulling his face into a tender kiss. He whimpers, holding back the rush of emotion tightening his chest. Hand in hand, he leads them back to the jeep and they drive home.

***

Jamie carries one box up the stairwell, with Nathan trailing behind grunting with two boxes stacked on his arms and a plastic shopping bag carrying Mabel’s wooden box looped over his elbow.

“I told you one at a time.” Jamie giggles.

“I don’t do multiple trips.” Nathan sneers.

Jamie braces the box against the door frame with his knee, while he fumbles for his key. He unlocks the door, pushing through.

The apartment is quiet with Andrew gone. Jamie’s excited to share the space with his boyfriend. No, they haven’t had that discussion yet. But confessing love for each other is like skipping ahead, isn’t it?

Jamie sets his box on the island and Nathan drops his stack on the floor next to the door. Setting Mabel gently on the side table next to the sofa.

“We need to get her a proper urn.” Jamie hooks his arms around Nathan’s neck and pecks his lips.

“I ordered one this morning. I couldn't sleep through your snoring.” He smirks.

“I do NOT snore.” Jamie leans back.

“Oh, you DEFINITELY snore.” He pulls the cutie’s waist in and presses their lips together.

They laugh. Jamie and Andrew’s apartment doesn’t feel heavy like the little studio does now. Nathan hopes the ritual at the beach has given her the send-off she deserves. “I’m hungry. What are we doing for lunch?”

“You’re always hungry.” Jamie opens the fridge. “I'm going to be fat again at the rate we’re going.” He chucks.

Nathan pinches his asscheek. “As long as you're fat AND happy. We’re all good.” He kisses the back of Jamie’s neck. Wrapping arms around his waist and pressing his belly against his back.

“It feels like you’re hungry in more ways than one?” Jamie reaches behind, between their bodies, groping the solid budge in Nathan’s pants.

He growls in Jamie’s ear, pinching the lobe in his lips.

Jamie turns around in his arms, pushing him back against the island with both hands on his chest. He squats. Lifting Nathan’s shirt and trailing kisses down his hairy belly. He looks back up into those hungry hazel eyes. “Me too.” The button pops open on his jeans and Nathan’s rock-hard cock falls out. Tapping Jamie’s nose.

He slips the tip of his tongue out between pouting pink lips and tastes the sticky sweet tip.

“Fuck Jamie. I love you.” Nathan rakes fingers through blonde hair as his cock enters that silky wet mouth.

Jamie’s head glides back and forth.

Nathan can’t hold long. It’s been days. The come flows over Jamie’s tongue.

He stands. Swallowing and licking his lips. “Delicious appetizer.” Dimples bracket his lopsided grin. “Now we can order lunch.” He winks.

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