Page 4 of Escape into the Night

“I'd buy that in a heartbeat,” Matt cheered with a gravelly chuckle.

Despite himself, a smile tugged at the corner of Elias’ mouth. “You're both ridiculous.”

“Listen, I hear what you're saying. If your concern is about doing this alone—stop. Because you won't be fighting this battle by yourself.”

Something in Matt’s tone of voice drew Elias up short. He pivoted and arched a dubious brow in the direction of his very serious friend’s somber expression. “What do you mean by that?”

“If you're in, I'm in. You run, and I'll be your VP.” Matt’s calm, collected words stole the breath right from Elias’ chest.

Caleb broke the intensity of the moment with a dramatic swoon as he collapsed onto the seat Elias had just vacated. “Finally! Someone with some sense around here!”

“Christ, Matt. That's… that’s one hell of an offer. But you're a damn good senator. We need people like you on the floor—”

“And the Senate will survive a few years without me. You and I could be the team this country needs right now. Your pragmatism, my charm.”

“Pssh, your charm? What about my charm?” Caleb sat himself upright with a huff of indignation.

“You aren't on the ticket, Cay.” Elias eyed him with a smirk.

“Yet.” Caleb’s devil may care crooked grin tugged at Elias’ heart yet again.

Elias chuckled, shaking his head. “Insufferable. Both of you.”

“Yes, but you also know we’re right.” Matthew levered himself to stand, closing the distance between himself and Elias before taking his shoulders between both hands. “Listen, this isn't just about stopping the wildfire. This is about showing the people, our people, that hope can prevail. That honesty, integrity, decency can still win. That this country can heal. If I can be a part of that, I'm all in.”

Elias scanned Matt’s face and found only truth and determination there. His words held startling power and intensity. He really would make an excellent Vice President. The admittance was a begrudging but honest one. He was definitely losing steam in his resistance.

“And you'd best believe I'm already all in. Duh.” Caleb rose from his seat to join them, the trio of bodies forming a triangle before the crackling flames of the fireplace. A poignant moment of heavy stillness filled the space between them as Elias took turns scrutinizing both of their earnest expressions. He could already feel the remainder of the fight draining out of him.

“You're both insane.”

“Certifiable, but still fabulous.” Caleb winked as his lips quirked into a lopsided smile. “Now say yes so I can start planning your victory party. I'm envisioning rhinestone banners, and our name in spotlights.”

Elias’ eyes rolled a little as a half of a laugh puffed from his chest. “I'll strongly consider it.”

“And by that, he means he’s already plotting out which ties he will wear for the debates.” Caleb’s hand breached the distance to squeeze Elias’ hip.

“Really consider it, Elias. That's all I ask.” Matthew gave Elias’s shoulders another gentle squeeze before his hands fell back to his sides.

“God help us all.” Elias shook his head again as the weight of it settled in his chest. Caleb was right. Elias had all but made uphis mind already. He simply had to speak the words out loud. After a little more serious debate with himself in a hot shower, of course. He was nothing if not precise and calculated and he did his best scheming under the ruthless spray of his shower head. Despite his reservations, hewasalready plotting debates. He’d leave the decisions about which tie to wear to his far more fashionable spouse, though.

It was late by the time his family made it home. Heavy darkness blanketed their neighborhood, shadows vying for supremacy against the golden glow of porch lights and the harsh illumination of street lamps. The headlights became a guiding beacon through the night as he navigated the familiar roads and enjoyed the cushion of comfortable quiet that filled the BMW. Parker’s sleep-soft breaths from the backseat were a balm for Elias’ overwrought nerves. Caleb’s steady, warm palm on his thigh kept him grounded against the maelstrom of his thoughts.

Entering the home was effortless as they fell into their practiced routine. Elias carried his sleeping son over the threshold as Caleb secured the doors behind them, flicking on lights and settling their belongings in their respective spots with familiarity that still warmed Elias’ chest. Caleb belonged here. Elias had known it from the start, but he still marveled at how blessed he was to have this man in his life every time he caught something simple like the ease with which Caleb moved through the house. Without needing to speak, they parted ways in the foyer as Elias ferried Parker upstairs and into his bedroom.

Groggy and pliant, Parker barely woke long enough to change out of his clothes and into pajamas, albeit with Elias doing most of the work. His head hit the pillow with a soft sigh before Elias could get his glasses settled on the nightstand. That's when the weight of it all really truly sunk its teeth in. A trembling fingertipbrushed a lock of soft hair from Parker's brow as Elias nestled in beside him, seated on the edge of the bed to take a moment with his thoughts. Sure, it sounded good to make claims that he would be doing this for the people, for the country, for the greater good, but all of that felt weak and meaningless in the face of his real intention. Above all else, he was considering running against Adelaide to secure the democratic nomination for exceptionally selfish reasons. He was doing this because a father and husband would do anything to make the world a better place for his family and wielding the power of the presidency would be the easiest way to do so.

“I made your tea. Come to bed with me, baby doll.” Caleb’s whispered words pulled Elias from his weighted mind and drew his gaze from the sleeping face of his son toward the doorway.

“Thank you, Cay.” He hoped his sincerity conveyed his appreciation for all of it, every single thing his husband had done to make his life infinitely better, and not just his gratitude for a cup of tea.

Caleb’s eyes scrunched behind his glasses, and Elias knew that he'd heard the deeper meaning. “Come. We can save the world tomorrow. Tonight, I want to save you from yourself.”

Elias chuckled, soft and breathy, as he eased his weight off the mattress and padded quietly from the room. They both lingered in the hall, their eyes gravitating back to the small body already soundly sleeping without a care in the world. Elias would do anything to keep him carefree and young. He’d move mountains if it meant his son—their son—could continue to rest as peacefully as he did at this moment.

“Is this a mistake?”

“Does it feel like a mistake, El?” Caleb’s arm wound around Elias’ waist, tethering him to reality with the surety of his presence and the weight of his support.

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