Love Means_. Freedom - Andrew Grey

working at the stove. He could hear his mother sigh with relief. "We still at your aunt's. It's bad here too."
    Preston felt his own tension slip away. He hated that she'd worried. "I'm glad you're safe. I'll call you tomorrow. Merry Christmas, Mom, and wish everyone there a Merry Christmas for me."

    To his surprise, he heard her sniffle. "What's wrong? We're all safe and we'll be together soon."

    "I know, but you're still my baby and I worry." She did sound better now. "I kept calling and you didn't answer." He glanced at the display: six missed calls.

    "I'm sorry. I left it in my coat and didn't hear it." He talked to her for a few more minutes until his dad came on, and they talked a little before wishing each other a Merry Christmas and hanging up.

    "Are they okay?" Stone set a cup in front of him.

    Preston explained where they were. He felt Stone's hand on his shoulder, helping him get his coat off, and he leaned back against his touch, surprised at how much he craved it. Once his coat was off, Preston reached into his pocket and pulled out the gift, asking Stone to place it under the tree, and he smiled at the delighted look on Stone's face.

    It wasn't long before Joey, Geoff, and Eli came back in from checking on the animals.
    Preston saw Robbie join them as well, and everyone sat around the table as Adelle dished up plates of Heaven and joined them. "Merry Christmas, everyone. You're all welcome, and we're all pleased to be together." Glasses clinked, and Preston felt something he hadn't felt since leaving school
-truly included.
    Preston glanced around as happy, excited conversation swirled around the table, and it hit him in the stomach, in the best way possible. These people, whom he'd only known a few weeks, accepted him. Robbie was blind, and except for gentle guidance, he was treated the same as everyone else. He'd seen it at the party, and he saw it again just now as Joey guided his hand to the glass and explained how his food was situated on his plate. And Robbie had a job at the farm.
    When he'd found out that the person in charge of the therapy program was blind, he'd been blown away, and now he understood where it came from--the support of these people. And that was what he wanted. As Preston watched, Robbie laughed as Joey said something in his ear, and Robbie bumped Joey's shoulder back playfully. His gaze drifted to Stone, smile full, eyes bright, laughing with his... family. That was what he wanted, and he realized he hoped he could have, with Stone.
    Once everyone was stuffed to the gills with Adelle's southern cooking and the dishes were in the sink, they drifted into the living room. Preston looked expectantly at the large television, but was surprised when Joey handed Robbie his violin and he began to play. Oh Holy Night, Silent Night, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, all flowed from its strings.
    Stone began to sing, quietly at first, a clear tenor voice, his ringing tone mixing with Robbie's strings. Preston turned and moved closer, drawn to the sound Stone was making, watching those full lips in rapt fascination as they formed the sounds for the lyrics. The final chord held and died away. Stone's voice was now silent, and Preston leaned against him, placing the gentle touch of his lips on Stone's cheek.
    The spell lasted until Robbie broke into a rousing rendition of Jingle Bells, with everyone singing raucously and swaying together in one expression of joy that seemed to fill the room and burst into the snowy night beyond.
    This was the most Christmas fun he'd had in years, and he tried not to think of the subdued celebrations he had at home. This was loud, raucous at times, and so much fun: singing, cookies, games, and still more food, all happening around the sparkle of the tree decked with rustic ornaments, orchestrated by Robbie's violin. Quite frankly, he didn't want it to end, but he stifled a yawn that caused another.
    "We should head to bed," Geoff said to Eli, who nodded and yawned widely. "Chores have to be done in the morning." Joey and Robbie said their goodnights and headed upstairs together. Preston watched the dog that had been sleeping in one of the corners get up and follow them upstairs, with two cats trailing behind.

    "If you'll bring me some blankets, I can sleep here." Preston didn't want to put anyone out, and he couldn't navigate the stairs.
    "Geoff, could you take him upstairs? He can have my bed and I'll sleep here," Stone offered softly. "He'll be more