Page 17 of The Homecoming: The Island

Fabian gently smiled and patted his younger brother on the shoulder. “I don’t think Cochise needs anything, he is happy that his sons are all right, at least physically.”

Sebastian nodded. “Indeed, this is what matters the most. How was it to work with those people? Daniel told us the day before you left that Brennan wasn’t thrilled about the two rescue teams working together.”

“They were a little tense at first, which is understandable. As I already said, Cochise’s two sons were there; for Clint, the other leader of their team, the situation was even more dramatic, as his fiancé, brother-in-law, and best friend were among the missing ones.” Pain crept in Fabian’s eyes, mixing with compassion as he talked about the gangsters.

“Is it only me or you got thinner during these last few days? Now, that everything is over, you have to start eating properly.” Willa examined her older brother with a critical eye, shaking her head.

“A certain Lance, who brags at every street corner that he’s the greatest cook of the clan, should take his duty of feeding his husband very seriously.” Vincent, who didn’t say a word until then, showed all his teeth in a wide grin.

“One day, Grant,” Lance inhaled sharply, “I will be the only winner of a family cooking contest, and I’ll own your old, fat ass. Just wait and see.”

Hands folded under his head, listening to his husband’s even breath, Fabian smiled in the dark, remembering the reunion with his siblings, the next day after he and the rescue team came back from the island. Everything felt so good, so natural, the past didn’t cast its long, ugly shadows between them anymore. They were free to enjoy one another’s presence, to laugh, joke, talk and do all the things loving siblings did together.

Above all, Fabian was happy that his brothers, sister, and in-laws took Lance into their lives, the group building a relationship based on mutual respect and affection. Like every time, the lighthearted banter between his husband and Vincent, Sebastian’s life partner, made him laugh until his abdominal muscles hurt.

The boys and Willa will be more than happy to help us with organizing the Valentine’s Day party for the kids, Fabian smiled to himself. He was sure his younger sister would be excited like a little girl and smiled at the image of the woman clapping her hands like a child. I also have to talk to Christine, that one would never forgive me if I wouldn’t involve her. The man made a mental note to call his daughter-in-law the next day.

Lance shifted, turning his back to Fabian, who, unable to sleep, left the bed and stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him. The man intended to read for a while; getting lost between the pages of one of his favorite books always helped him relax and soothed his tense nerves. Careful not to wake up the boys camped in the guest bedrooms; Fabian went downstairs to the library.

He abruptly halted in the doorway, letting out a small gasp of awe at the scene in front of him. Ira sat on the wide windowsill, Julien’s favorite reading spot, hugging Tarrin’s fragile form from behind. Back pressed against the older teen’s chest, eyes half closed, a dreamy expression on his face, Ardan’s son listened to whatever Ira was whispering in his ear.

As they sat there, wrapped in the moon’s silver light, the boys looked like two angels descended from heaven.And angels they are, sent to brighten my life and fill my heart with joy,Fabian thought, his heart filled with gratitude to the Fates, who brought so many wonderful people in his life and gave him a second chance to happiness.

CHAPTER 13

“So, guys, I was never good at starting a conversation; I guess it runs in the family.” Martin-Cornelius looked at Ardan, Daniel, and Dunstan, gathered in the living-room of his villa. “I will get straight to the point.” He gave the three a tense smile. “Back on the island, how did my father behave? Did something happen to him?”

Daniel and Ardan exchanged a quick look, then The Base’s boss discreetly cleared his throat. “Why do you ask? You were the jet’s pilot, saw Pater yourself when he climbed into the plane, there was nothing wrong with him.”

“I was only the pilot, saw very little of him, but you guys were there with my father all the time, something must have happened,” Martin-Cornelius insisted, looking between Ardan and Daniel. The man sighed. “He became secretive again, doesn’t answer my questions, averts his gaze, won’t look me in the eyes…”

“When was the last time you talked to Pater? For me, it was this morning, and he seemed perfectly fine.” Ardan made great efforts to hide his concern, but some of it transpired in his voice. He let out a long sigh. “There was an incident, but I don’t know…”

“If you are talking about that giant Egyptian, Cochise, saving my father-in-law’s life, he already told us about it,” a woman’s pleasant voice cut Ardan short. The four men raised their heads, smiling when they saw Christine, Martin-Cornelius’s wife, walking into the living- room. “Sorry, gentlemen, this meeting was my idea. And don’t worry, my father-in-law is fine.”

“Man, don’t worry, I don’t blame you at all for this little trick.” Dunstan grinned. “Had Ava asked me to do the same, I couldn’t have said no to her. I mean, show me a married man who would want to spend the rest of his days in abstinence.”

“Amen to that, cousin. Not even I am brave enough to say no to Spitfire, I wouldn’t get any for the next thousand years, not to mention all the pouting. Although, my husband is cute when he pouts.” Ardan spoke with an amused tone, his eyes shining brightly.

“Whenever he wants me to do something, Tarquin looks at me with those sky-blue, doe-like eyes of his, and I’m lost. And the sweet voice he uses when he asks me for a favor is a siren’s song, can’t fight that.” Daniel shook his head, feigning defeat.

“Thank you guys for understanding.” Martin-Cornelius sighed relieved, the guilt that washed over him at the thought of worrying his cousin and friends vanishing. “I’ll leave you now in the company of my lovely wife, I’m needed,” he added in a warm voice, as the sound of children coming from the hallway announced Liam-Fabian, Sylvia, and Bernard’s presence.

“So, gentlemen,” Christine started after her husband left the room, giving the three men a friendly smile. “Now, that are only us left, let’s see what kind of fathers you are to your sons. I’m talking about those in the Crazy Bunch,” she added, seeing the confused expression on her guests’ faces.

“Sure, ask me anything.” Daniel was the first who spoke, his sapphire eyes shining with paternal affection. “Jeroen and the triplets keep no secrets from me and Tarquin, they are open books.”

“Great.” Christine’s smile became wider and brighter. “This means it won’t be a problem for any of you to give me the names of your sons’ boyfriends.”

“Run, this is a trap.” Ardan grinned, turning to Dunstan and Daniel, who gasped loudly, staring at the woman in front of them. “Why do you need to know this?” he asked her, the expression on his face becoming serious.

“I’m sorry, I should have used a different approach.” Christine sighed, smiling apologetically. “With everything that happened on that island, your paranoia is completely justified.” She took a long inhale. “My father-in-law and his husband came up with the idea of throwing a Valentine’s day party for the Crazy Bunch. Among other things, they want to decorate the living-room with heart-shaped balloons written with the names of the boys and their boyfriends.”

“Uncle Fabian is the sweetest, most loving soul out there.” Daniel radiantly smiled; his voice affectionate. “He and Uncle Lance are a match made in heaven, both of them so generous, supportive and caring. Only they could come up with such a heartwarming idea. In my case, it’s easy,” the man continued after a short pause. “Emery and Julien have no boyfriends, for now. Lochlin is in a long-term relationship with Lazarus, and Jeroen…”

“Apparently, Jeroen and Gavin are a thing, how the younger generation like to say,” Dunstan cut Daniel short, showing all his teeth in a wide grin. “They still send a ton of messages to each other on a daily basis, plus all the time they spend together.”

“Gavin getting himself a boyfriend, now that’s what I call breaking news.” Ardan shook his head in disbelief. “And the said boyfriend being Whitey, of all people,” he continued, using Daniel’s son’s nickname. “Back to your question.” He turned to Christine. “Lorcan is in a relationship with Thorvald, who I think is perfect for him, and Cian is single.”

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