Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 9

now, almost immediately upon her leaving, in a relationship with a man. It was a lot for anyone to take in. Jase's mother was a godsend. She had known Jase was gay for years and had accepted it long before he ever came out to her, so she was happy to help. She stood by them and supported them through the meetings first with Lisa's parents, and then with Sean's. Lisa's parents ended up being pretty supportive. Lisa's brother was gay, so in the end they were surprised, but they were more upset with Lisa for her decision to leave, and more concerned about being a part of Cody's life than anything else. The reception Sean got from his own parents was far worse, but Jase was convinced that they'd come around eventually. They didn't speak to Sean for months after he told them, but they'd managed a few phone calls with Cody, and were still sending their grandson presents, cards and letters, at least. Sean had cried when he picked up the mail and saw the first card they sent, a Halloween card they sent for Cody. Jase was just grateful for the fact that they hadn't tried to have Sean declared an unfit parent.
    Lisa seemed to be doing very well in New York. She and Sean were both in much better places now that they weren't trying to force themselves into a relationship that neither of them felt. She was not thrilled to hear about him and Jase, but she seemed somewhat resigned to the fact. Sean had come out and told her he was bi years ago, but knowledge and experience were two entirely different things. It didn't help that she and Jase still didn't like each other. For a mother, she still seemed relatively unconcerned about Cody. Jase didn't get that. Whether she really didn't care, or she simply trusted Sean to take care of Cody, he wasn't sure, but it didn't make any sense to him.
    All of this went on in the background though. Because steadily and surely over the year, Sean and Jase built a life. They were head over heels in love, and anyone who knew them could see it. They watched Cody grow. He was precocious, and loved his new daycare when he started there in the fall. He'd be three in a few months. Cody at terrible two, hadn't really been all that terrible. He had his moments, but he was a pretty good natured kid overall.
    Sean and Jase's schedules were crazy, and some weeks they barely saw each other outside of the bedroom, but they made it work. They started their own traditions. They carved pumpkins at Halloween, and cooked and hosted a slew of people for Thanksgiving, with some, much needed, help from Jase's mother when it came to the cooking. Jase was working on the cooking thing, but he was still learning.
    For Christmas, they had Santa, but no Jesus, and tons of lights and a huge tree. Jase and his Mom made tons of sugar cookies, and baklava, which they gave out to all their friends and neighbors. They bought piles of gifts for Cody, and Jase surprised Sean with a really nice electric piano. It had weighted keys and pedals like a real piano, and it sounded like a real piano, but Sean could still plug in headphones and practice after Cody went to bed. Sean was ecstatic. The keyboard he'd had in college had died long ago, and he'd been forced to play at the high school during his prep time, or not at all, since as soon as class and band practice were over he had to head home to take care of Cody. Now their house was filled with music at all hours of the day. Jase loved it.
    In fact, as he pulled into the driveway, he could hear strains of Jason Robert Brown's "Hear My Song" coming through the open window. He smiled. He came in quietly. Sean was sitting at the piano with Cody balanced on one knee, playing and singing softly to his son. He was still wearing his shirt and tie that he wore to work, but the sleeves that he kept down at work to cover up his tattoos, were now rolled up exposing his strong forearms. Jase came up behind them and placed one arm around Sean, and his other hand on Cody's soft brown hair, and joined his partner in song.
    THE END
    Author Bio: Penny Wilder is a reviewer and avid reader of romance and erotic novels. She lives near Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband and three cats. Her favorite thing to do at the end of a very long day is to curl up with her nook. She manages a nonprofit by day, and by night moonlights as a blogger, artist, illustrator, and also sometimes as a business manager for a fledgling theater company. She has spent a good deal of her life working in theater; either