Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

another round?"
    "Javier, what are you talking about?"
    Esteban was shocked. Javier gave him his cutest smile ever, curled up against his body, and explained. "Esteban, you have no idea what you got yourself into."
    EPILOGUE
    From the auditorium, Esteban watched as Javier, with tightly closed eyes, listened for the right moment to join the orchestra as the concertmaster. There was a deep intimate emotion in seeing Javier performing in public, not only because he was so talented and today had achieved his dream of performing as a concertmaster with the New York Philharmonic, but also it meant Javier continued his life after Mauricio's passing.
    Esteban now knew that getting them together had been his friend's legacy. Even if Mauricio never expressed it directly, he knew deeply in his soul it was the truth, and he hoped that wherever his beloved friend was, he learned that the two men he loved the most were happy together, and forever would remember him with affection.
    Javier had reconciled with his estranged family, who were all in attendance. Next to Esteban, Diego briefly held his hand, a proud smile illuminating his face, and Esteban stroked his hand back without missing the look Raul sent their way. Inwardly, Esteban grinned, because his brother was unaware that he knew about his strange liaison with Diego.
    After that Esteban had only eyes for Javier, whose face marked his concentration as he zoned into a place that nobody else could touch. Although only Esteban knew that some of those small gestures of nearly pleasuring pain, were the same Javier would do while making love.
    Javier played his interpretation of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto solo smoothly, and when the orchestra joined him again, Esteban felt every cell in his body come alive, his senses reacted to the music while his skin throbbed at the magnificence of the melody.
    Javier had moved in with him discreetly. Most people thought he still lived with Diego and company, but what mattered was that they slept together every night.
    Javier's health continued to be strong, and they both hoped it would remain as such for many years to come.
    After the concerto, Javier asked his father, "What do you think Dad?"
    "For once, you've made the right choice, a little sacrilegious, but the right one, none the less."
    For a few seconds, Javier wondered if his father was referring to his music, but the way his old man looked at Esteban while he talked with Javier's mother, explained it all.
    Today was extra special, because the Lozano family would be meeting the Hidalgo one for the first time. Even Raul agreed to behave, and not to make sarcastic comments, or fight with Diego. Yes, they continued fighting in front of others, and everybody waited to see how the birth of the baby would affect their conflict. Carly had become nicer as her belly expanded, and Javier concluded that the girl simply needed more food. Now, that she forgot about her weight for a few months, she smiled more often. Who would have thought? She wasn't unfriendly, she was hungry.
    Diego had explained to Javier that the Hidalgo family had a policy of don't show and we don't care. In others words, as long as Esteban and Javier didn't kiss in public, or talk about their lives together, nobody cared. Javier wondered if that was why Raul and Diego continued to have their quickies in the kitchen thinking nobody knew. Well, Raul didn't know Javier and Esteban knew— blissful unawareness.
    Javier decided to ignore the fact that he was back in the closet, because the only thing he cared was that Esteban shared his life with him. Esteban's voice startled him.
    "Everything all right?"
    "Yes, it's perfect."
    "I'm so proud of you, beyond words."
    "Please hug me."
    Esteban looked around, the members of the families were talking among themselves.
    "Here?"
    "Yeah, it's only a hug. If they kick us out, we can go home and comfort one another."
    "I think I know why I love you."
    "Because there aren't any unknown places between our bodies?"
    "Javier!"
    Esteban looked around to see who might be within earshot, and Javier chuckled. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. When you put on that face I know you're about to go all poetic and I usually end up crying."
    "Okay, then I will keep it to myself."
    "Please don't, I'll make an effort to behave."
    "Forget it."
    "Please, what were you about to say?"
    Esteban thought for a second before saying, "That only with looking at your face I found purpose in my life, and every dream