Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

beach and see what I can find." he teased, looking between Jimmy and Scott.
    Glancing at the clock, Jimmy told him, "You're in luck; volleyball is probably just getting good."
    Rob looked serious for a moment, as if he were considering something important, breaking into a blinding smile after a beat, "Those boys do get thirsty. Might stop on the way and get a few bottled waters. Wouldn't want anyone getting dehydrated." Slapping Jimmy on the shoulder and smiling just for Scott, Rob turned, hopping down the steps and out into the sun.
    As Jimmy reached to close the door behind Rob, he told Scott, "See? Goddamn prince."
    "Since he's so great, should I run after him?" Scott asked, reaching for the doorknob around Jimmy. Strong arms wrapped around Scott, Jimmy turning him and pressing him against the door, grinning as he leaned close.
    "Don't even think about it."
    ****
    Epilogue...
    "What are you doing?"
    Jimmy was searching through the diaper bag, brow furrowed, "Is Bippy Bear in here?"
    Carol laughed, "No, he's in the other bag, we wouldn't forget it again, I swear."
    "Not that I don't believe you," Jimmy picked up the other bag from the backseat, grinning when he pulled the little bear out, Jake clapping as if his father had just performed a magic trick. "But I'm never having another night like that again."
    Feeling a tug at his shirt, Jimmy turned, having extracted Jake from his car seat, one bag slung over his shoulder, the other sitting by the car. Cassy was there, her hands already muddy, Hermione—Persephone's puppy-- squirming in her arms, "Daddy, Scott says I have to take a bath before dinner."
    "It's either that or hose you down in the back yard, princess."
    Rolling her eyes as only a six year old could, Cassandra huffed her frustration, "I can just wash my hands."
    Trying to be stern, Jimmy passed Jake off to Scott, the baby grinning at him and pulling at Scott's hair with pudgy fingers, "Bath, dinner, movie. In that order."
    Dropping her voice to a whisper, Stacy told Scott, "She's been like that for two weeks."
    Nodding, "I don't think I've ever seen her argue with anyone." Scott told her, watching Jimmy try to reason with the little girl.
    "According to her teacher, it's pretty normal for her age, but…"
    "But you're really looking forward to a couple weeks off?"
    Looking over at Carol, her smile bright and her eyes tired, "Let's just say I hope they stocked the bar well on the cruise ship."
    "Go give your mommies a kiss, sweetheart." Jimmy was smiling down at his daughter like she was an angel and Scott knew her new argumentative nature and his urge to give her the world could be a recipe for disaster, but he couldn't help grinning at the man.
    Carol and Stacy hugged the kids, smothering them in kisses and reminding Jimmy of the new alarm code at their house so they could water the plants and feed the fish before they raced each other to get in the car, laughing and looking suddenly fifteen years younger.
    When Jimmy had told them that he wanted to wait until he was done with his residency before considering kids, they had been disappointed, but after several discussions and a lot of thought, the three of them had decided to wait and see if the man was ready then. They knew they could get a donor and go forward without him, but they liked Jimmy and Scott and they liked the idea of sharing family responsibilities with people they trusted. Now their children had four loving parents and two houses to grow up in.
    Setting Hermione down in the grass and reaching up to Jimmy, Cassy said, "Carry me, Daddy." The man complied, as always, beaming as she wrapped her little arms around his neck. "Can we have ice cream?"
    "Not before dinner." he told her, kissing her soft cheek and giving her a little bounce. Scott shifted Jake to his other hip, his free arm wrapping around Jimmy's waist. "But I happen to know Scott's got a pint of your favorite hidden in the back of the freezer."
    Pinching his side, Scott narrowed his eyes, "Traitor."
    ****
    Turning off the lights as he walked through the house, Scott found Jimmy hovering in Cassy's door, the man silhouetted in the moonlight, watching his daughter sleep. Standing up on his toes so he could rest his chin on Jimmy's shoulder, Scott whispered, "You coming to bed or just gonna keep watch all night?"
    Leaning back a little, Jimmy pulled Scott's arm around him, "She's growing up so fast."
    "I know," he agreed, laughing softly, teasing, "And all but about ten minutes of