Love Means_. Freedom - Andrew Grey

before climbing on Preston's lap for a spin around the house. It was wonderful being the source of fun again, even if it was because of the damned chair.
    After all the youngsters had had a turn, Preston glided into the living room, settling to a stop next to the sofa, listening to bits of conversation. He knew all too well that the chair made a lot of people uncomfortable, and he wasn't surprised that the conversation swirled around him but didn't tend to include him.
"Are you having a good time?" Preston turned and saw Robbie sitting on the sofa next to him. A hand with long slender fingers felt for his arm. "I always have trouble at parties. Too many voices and moving objects," he stage whispered, to Preston's amusement. Joey sat next to his partner and handed him a plate, and Preston listened as Joey explained where everything was.
    Preston sighed and craned his neck, looking around the room. He couldn't see Stone, but he saw Geoff and Eli standing together, with Geoff's arm around Eli's waist, talking to Len and Chris, the two of them holding hands, and of course, Joey and Robbie sitting on the sofa, like Siamese twins joined at the hip. "You okay?" Stone's voice startled him.
    "Sure." What was he going to say? That he was feeling lonely, wishing he had someone the way everyone else seemed to? Like that was going to happen as long as he was in the chair. Sure, Stone had gone out with him and invited him to the party, but he still couldn't see anyone wanting to be with a cripple.
    Stone pulled up a chair, setting it next to his. "Would you like something to eat? I'll get you a plate if you like."
"No, thank you." He wasn't particularly hungry.
    "Are you sure? I know it's hard with all the people around." Stone's concern seemed so genuine and caring, his eyes so big and earnest, that Preston relented and smiled as Stone bounded off his chair and made off toward the food.
    Preston watched Stone move, those pants he was wearing hugging that tight little butt.
"Enjoying yourself?" He'd been so engrossed watching Stone, he hadn't noticed Geoff approach.
    "Very much. Thank you for having me." He smiled and Geoff smiled back, but neither of them seemed to know what to say. Geoff stood, shifting his weight from leg to leg, and Preston looked around the room trying to figure out a way to ask what he wanted to ask. "Stone had to leave his horse behind."
    "I know he's been worried about him."

    "I was wondering--after the holiday, could you help me get Buster for him? I can't really drive, and he needs his horse. I know he worries about him a lot."
    Geoff looked at him like he had three heads. And then his expression softened as he followed Preston's gaze back to Stone. "I see." "Huh?"
    "Nothing, sorry." Geoff fumbled for a second. "Actually, that's a good idea. Let me check to see who actually owns Buster. If he's not legally Stone's, then there might be a problem. But, yeah, I think that's just what Stone needs."

    "What is it I need?" Stone sounded defensive, handing Preston his plate before folding his hands over his chest. Preston reached out to him, but Geoff put an arm around his shoulder first.

    "Preston was just asking me if after the holidays we could get Buster for you," Geoff replied, and Stone's face lit in a huge smile, his arms slipping to his sides.
    "For real?" He could barely contain his excitement.
"Uh-huh. But we need to know who really owns Buster."
    Almost before Geoff had finished his thought, Stone was gone, his footsteps tromping up the stairs, and a few minutes later he raced back down the stairs, carrying a yellow piece of paper. "I had it with my papers and grabbed it with my stuff." He handed it to Geoff. "It's the bill of sale for Buster."
    Geoff looked at the document and grinned. "Perfect, it's in your name, so he can't legally stop you. As soon as we have good weather, we'll head north to get your horse."
    Stone alternated his gaze between both men, looking like he'd just gotten the greatest Christmas present ever. As Geoff drifted off to visit with his other guests, Stone sat in the chair next to Preston, and they ate and talked until the tree began to sparkle brighter and the light through the windows began to fade.
    "Good night," Len and Chris said to both of them, each shaking his hand and giving Stone a hug. "Merry Christmas." Their exit began the exodus, and everyone said their good-nights, exchanging hugs and promising to get together later.

    "I should take you home," Stone said as