Jamie Lawrence

Jamie Lawrence - Chapter Thirty Two

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Jamie Lawrence - Chapter Thirty Two

Darren sat in the passenger seat of Kyle's bright orange Punto and watched the sweet little man shiver in fear as he tried desperately to concentrate on the road. "But Dazzle," he whimpered sweetly. "I haven't even met your Dad yet, and now you want to tell him we're engaged?!"

"Hey! I've just been and asked your Dad for permission to marry you. The least you can do is be there when I tell my parents it's happening."

"But your Dad might not like it!" wailed Kyle, clearly scared of Michael's opinion. "He might not like ME any more!" he said in a small voice.

Darren chuckled. "There isn't a person on Earth who wouldn't like you, Angel."

Kyle took his eyes off the road and stared at Darren with love in his eyes. "I love it when you call me that."

Darren smiled. "I love calling you that. Now get back in the right lane."

Kyle, startled by Darren's words, turned his attention urgently to the road and swerved back onto the left side of the road. He giggled. "See, I love you so much I can't concentrate on keeping us alive."

"And that's why my Dad won't mind us getting married. Though he might mind you driving to the wedding."

Several minutes later, Kyle pulled up outside Darren's parent's home, killed the engine and froze.

"Kyle?" asked Darren, watching his lover carefully. Kyle just shook his head. "Come on, Angel. You already know my Mum likes you. And Dad just wants me to be happy. That's something you two will agree on."

Kyle shook his head again, turning slightly green.

Darren chuckled and climbed out of the car. He headed round to the driver's side and opened the door. Kyle was clinging hard to the steering wheel, staring straight ahead. Darren sighed and leaned in to undo Kyle's seatbelt. His slid his arms under the smaller man's body and lifted him out of the car. "You're not getting out of this," he said jokingly. He kicked the car door closed and headed for his parents' front door, kissing Kyle's cheek a few times as he went.

At the door, he carefully set Kyle on his feet and gave him a firm hug, trying to communicate through it that it was all going to be okay. They made their way into the house hand in hand and headed straight for the kitchen; Tanya's usual haunt.

"Hey Mum," said Darren. Kyle was clutching firmly to Darren's side and shaking ever so slightly. Darren didn't mind the closeness- in fact, if Kyle had moved away, he doubtless would have pulled him back.

"Hi son," said Tanya, not looking up from the smoked salmon she was preparing for breakfast bagels.

Darren rolled his eyes. "Kyle's here too," he said pointedly. He was sure his mother wasn't being ignorant on purpose. She was just distracted.

"Kyle?" she asked distractedly. "Oh! Kyle!" She dropped her knife and spun around. She beamed, eyeing Kyle's clothes and, Darren was sure, approving. "It's good to see you again, darling."

Darren kissed his mother's cheek. "He's still scared of Dad." Kyle trembled again.

"Oh, Kyle," bellowed Tanya. "Michael loves you, I'm sure."

Kyle smiled a little wanly as the sound of Michael's footfalls down the stairs announced his arrival.

As Michael entered the room, Kyle clutched even tighter to Darren's arm. This was not like Kyle. Normally he was so incredibly confident that it made Darren feel even more sure of himself. Now, Darren felt like he needed to protect him. Michael held up two ties and looked uncertainly at his wife. "Which one?" he asked, sounding tense.

"It depends. What are they for?"

"For round his neck," quipped Darren.

"Shut up, you," admonished Michael. "I'm meeting with the people from Avienta International." He looked pleadingly at Tanya. "If I land this deal, I get a percentage of the company." He waved the ties a little. One was black and one blue, and both were plain and boring.

Sensing an opportunity for Kyle to ingratiate himself, Darren very gently pushed Kyle forward towards his father with a quick, reassuring peck on the cheek. Kyle stepped forward and clapped his hands together in a businesslike manner.

The moment his hands met, Darren saw a change in the little blond man. It was like he had stepped into another person; the real him. His gorgeous smile lit up the room before he announced "Now, Mickey, deary. That black suit is a misstep! With those baby blue eyes, darling, you should be going for a navy suit to accentuate them! And those ties are far too dull." He wagged his finger reprovingly at Michael and seized the two ties. "Yellow is your colour, with your skin; Trust me. Now, come on!" he offered his hand to Michael.

Michael cocked his eyebrows at his wife and took Kyle's hand and allowed the little man to lead him back up the stairs. He laughed as he followed the young man up the stairs.

As Kyle had described, Michael came down the stairs twenty minutes later in a navy suit and a yellow tie. Kyle hollered "Ta-daa!" and waved his arms over Michael's body. "Doesn't he look gorgeous?!"

Darren hadn't expected that Kyle's efforts would have made a difference, but he had to admit that his Dad actually looked hot. Michael did the shy version of a catwalk and then immediately retreated to his wife's side. Darren saw the look of uncertainty in his eyes, but also a willingness to give it a go.

Kyle had had his heart in his throat for more hours than he cared to remember. Tanya had served him and Darren breakfast and lunch, and the conversation had been light. Still, he felt like he was being judged. For the most part he wished that Darren would just tell his parents that they were engaged to be married, but he was petrified of what they would say.

Darren was younger. Darren hadn't known he was gay for all that long. Darren was their little boy, and Kyle felt like he was the evil pervert running in and stealing their perfect little man.

The guilt that Kyle had felt for being with such a young man had never felt so poignant as when he sat waiting for the judgement of the father. He had always felt bad about Darren's age, but he couldn't help himself; he loved the boy so much.

Running Michael up to his bedroom and searching out the best way to make him look sexy had felt like a good way to get more familiar with Michael, but they hadn't talked in a genuinely friendly fashion. It had felt like Kyle was there in a professional capacity. Michael had left without expressing any genuine thanks to Kyle. He had, in fact, looked incredibly uncertain.

As far as Kyle was concerned, as long as the day ended with Darren being happy, it would be a success. This desire became irrelevant at about six o'clock when Michael hurried in the door looking staggeringly happy.

"Kyle! You little genius!" he announced, hurrying up to Kyle and lifting him off the ground. "Ha! They sent two men and a woman, and the moment I walked into the meeting, I saw her eyeing me up."

"Oh really?" asked Tanya, her eyebrows arched.

"Oh, relax honey. She was harmless. Anyway! The two blokes thought that our 'little company' couldn't handle the marketing on such a big account, but this woman asks if she can have a minute with her colleagues. Two minutes later, she hurries out to fetch me, shakes my hand and says 'Congratulations'! And it was all you, Kyle!"

"It was nothing, really," said Kyle modestly, blushing slightly.

"You don't understand, Kyle. I've been trying to get that account for three years! Every time they've turned me down, and now this! The best part is, I'm on the board of directors now!"

Michael was almost bouncing with excitement. His smile stretched from ear to ear. Kyle giggled slightly. "Glad I could help."

"So," said Michael. "Are you boys staying the night?" he asked lightly.

Darren dropped himself down onto the settee next to Kyle and handed him his cup of tea. Kyle thanked him with a peck on the lips and then nestled himself into the crook of Darren's arm. Darren rested his cheek against Kyle's soft, blond hair and turned his attention to the television.

Michael was sitting in his armchair, dozing. His head would droop lower and lower before it would dart back up, his eyes wide. When the seven o'clock news came on, Tanya sidled into the room and perched herself on the arm of Michael's chair and rested her hand around the back of his neck.

Darren thought back a couple of months and remembered how alone he had felt; how bad things had really gotten for him. He remembered the times that his own death had seemed like the only course of action. All the times that he had gotten high, just to forget how much he hated himself.

When Tanya stood up and said "Right boys, dinner in five," Darren saw his life for what it was now. His parents loved him, and he actually felt like he deserved it. He had a group of incredible friends, all of whom respected him, and whom he respected.

Most importantly, he had Kyle. Nothing in Darren's life had ever been a certainty before Kyle. Kyle had been the turning point. The very moment they met was the moment Darren's life started to change for the better.

A smile broke Darren's face as he remembered the day he had met Kyle. Kyle had been incessantly annoying, but in an endearing way. In hindsight, Darren realised that he had liked Kyle even then. Their first kiss had come later, but when Kyle had taken Darren's hand on that first day, he had already found his way into Darren's heart.

Sighing happily, Darren gave Kyle a little squeeze and kissed his temple. He put his lips to Kyle's ear and whispered softly "If this is what the rest of my life is, I'm the luckiest man alive."

Kyle giggled slightly. "Well guess what, lucky man; this is the rest of your life." Kyle turned his body, slinging his legs over Darren's, and pressed his head to Darren's chest. As he did so, his tea poured into Darren's lap. It wasn't too hot, but it was warm enough to feel weird as it slid around his crotch.

Barking out a laugh, Darren jumped to his feet. "Careful, babe!" he chuckled. He plucked the crotch of his trousers away from his skin, feeling the liquid trickle down his legs.

Kyle jumped up and grabbed Darren's hand, giggling bashfully. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up." He grabbed Darren's hand away from his crotch and dragged him up the stairs. For a moment, Darren thought he saw a knowing smile on his father's face, but he disregarded it.

Upstairs in his old bedroom, Darren pulled off his trousers and dumped them unceremoniously on the floor. "Oh, damn it. My boxers are soaked too."

Kyle giggled again. "Sorry babz. I'll find you a new pair." Kyle grabbed a towel and, still on his knees, made his way over to Darren. "Okay, lose 'em."

"Huh?"

"Your boxers. Ditch them."

Rolling his eyes, Darren shucked his boxer shorts. "You know, I'm not an invalid. I can clean myself."

Kyle started to towel his legs, cock and balls dry somewhat detachedly. "Hey; I'm your fiancé now."

Darren chuckled as his cock started to respond to Kyle's gentle ministrations. "Are those going to be our vows? In sickness and health; in wetness and dryness?"

Kyle giggled. "For softer, and harder." He grabbed Darren's stiffening cock pointedly.

"Trust me, babe; it's never soft when it comes to you."

Kyle peeled Darren's foreskin back casually and said "I can see that."

"Kyle, my parents are down- uh..." Darren's objection halted in his throat as Kyle swallowed his cock to the hilt. He allowed his head to fall backwards and his eyes to close. He laced his fingers into Kyle's hair, caressing the smaller man's head as his talented tongue sent jolts of pleasure though Darren's body.

Kyle relinquished Darren's dick for just long enough to cover his right index finger with his own saliva. He immediately returned his lips to the head of Darren's dick while his slippery finger slid between the globes of his butt and pressed its way into Darren's arse.

Darren gasped slightly as Kyle pressed his finger to his prostate, involuntarily rising onto his tiptoes and gripping Kyle's hair a little tighter. Seeming to take his cue from Darren's reaction, Kyle sucked harder and faster. Darren was breathing very deeply, small sounds escaping his lips. He was lost in the euphoria of it all when he finally felt his tipping point arrive and he erupted powerfully into Kyle's waiting mouth.

Kyle's lips slid to the head of Darren's dick and clamped down, ensuring every last morsel found its way to his tongue. When Darren's dick gave its final pulse, Kyle slid his lips slowly over the head to clean it of the last few traces of cum. Darren stood on weak legs, still gently running his fingers through Kyle's soft, golden hair. He waited, dazed, while Kyle rose to his feet and pulled his head down for a wet, salty kiss. As they kissed, Kyle slid his hands over Darren soft arse cheeks, his own, smaller, erection pressing into Darren's thigh through his jeans.

Kyle's stepped back, clearly reluctant. "Best get you dressed, or your parents'll wonder."

Michael sat himself at the dinner table and watched his wife potter around, humming gently to herself. He had a sneaking suspicion that she was humming in an attempt to drown out the noises coming from upstairs, though he didn't understand why. They had been intimate on more than a few occasions and she had never shown herself to be in any way prudish.

"D'you need a hand, honey?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine," she said before returning to her humming.

Michael barked out a short laugh. "Well, at least we know the boys are happy together, judging by what we can hear right now."

"Can we please not discuss our son's sex life?" asked Tanya gently, smiling embarrassedly.

"Are you going all innocent on me all of a sudden?" Michael teased.

"No," giggled Tanya. "It's just, he's my little boy. I bathed him when he was little...when ALL of him was little. I don't really want to think about what it may look like now."

Michael chuckled and slipped his arms around his wife's waist. "Well, there's no real need to wonder. I found a box of condoms in his room a while back. They weren't exactly small."

"Michael!" exclaimed Tanya, gently slapping his hand at her stomach. "Behave yourself or you won't get any afters."

"Mmm, I guess I'll just have to satisfy my sweet tooth another way," he said slyly. He swept Tanya off her feet and into his arms. "Now gimme some sugar, hot stuff."

Tanya was laughing heartily. "You're incorrigible." She planted her lips on her husband's and he settled her back onto the ground. "Now, if the boys are finished practising for the brass section, can you call them down for dinner.

Back downstairs, in fresh clothing and still feeling a little giddy from the afternoon's entertainment, Darren settled himself at the dinner table. His father caught his eye and winked, a smirk evident on his face. Apparently, Kyle and he hadn't been very discreet.

Tanya served a dinner of sirloin steak, sautéed potatoes and peppercorn sauce. She seemed more oblivious than her husband with regards to Darren and Kyle's brief liaison. Perhaps she was just a good actress. She put out the four dinners, settled herself into the seat next to Michael and cleared her throat delicately.

"So, have you boys decided if you're staying the night?"

Darren swallowed a mouthful of potatoes. "Well, Kiki is with Mr and Mrs Summers tonight, so there's no reason we shouldn't."

"Good. I'll pull some fresh sheets and set up the bed for you."

"I'll do that," offered Michael.

The conversation lagged at that and Darren steeled himself. He stood up and cleared his throat. "There's something I want to tell the two of you, and I'm really not sure how you're gonna take it."

"You're making me nervous, sweetie," said Tanya.

"Don't worry," said Darren. "It's nothing bad. In fact, it's really, really brilliant." He looked down at Kyle and smiled. "Me and Kyle are engaged!" he beamed.

Michael looked like he was about to say something and then his eyebrows shot into his hair. "You're...you're getting married?"

Kyle raised his hand like he was asking a question in a classroom. "Technically it'd be a civil partnership, but yes."

"But you're only sixteen!"

"Oh, we're not doing it until I'm eighteen. It's not legal till then. In fact, we might not do it until I'm done with college. And, Dad," said Darren, stepping around the table to his father. "I was wondering if you would;" He hesitated, his voice getting smaller. "I wanted you to be my best man."

Michael looked even more shocked. "Why wouldn't you ask one of your friends?"

Darren smiled at the man who had taken him as his own and loved him regardless of the lack of a biological connection. "Because you and Kyle are the two most incredible men I know."

Michael, teary-eyed, rose and grasped his son in a great bear hug. "My boy!" he exclaimed, his voice thick with emotion. "My boys!" he said, relinquishing Darren and moving round the table to seize Kyle up in the same bear hug he had just shared with Darren.

Darren looked to his mother who hadn't said anything since he had revealed Kyle and his engagement. "Mum?" he asked.

She just shook her head.

"Mum," said Darren, his voice thick. "I thought you were okay with us being together."

Tanya put her hand to her mouth and shook her head again before hurrying to the sink and being violently and noisily sick.

Darren was staggered into silence. He watched, close to heartbreak while his mother hunched over the stainless steel sink and brought back everything she had just eaten.

Michael slid a hand over his son's shoulder. "Don't take it personally son. We have some news of our own." Michael was almost beaming.

After what seemed like an eternity, Tanya righted herself and wiped at her mouth with the back of her hand. "Well," she chuckled. "That wasn't the way I had planned on announcing this."

"Announcing what?" asked Darren, dumbfounded.

After a few silent seconds of staring at his beaming parents, he turned his attention to Kyle who had gone wide eyed and let out a quiet "Oh!"

"What?!" demanded Darren, somewhat petulantly.

"You're going be a big brother!" enthused Kyle.

Darren's eyes went as wide as Kyle's had been a moment before. "Really?" he asked, turning back to his parents. They slowly nodded, both grinning from ear to ear. "Well it's about bleeding time," he shouted, walking over and seizing his parents in either arm.

"Jamie," said Shane, a mocking smile on his face. "I know you fancy yourself a spy, but you can't lie to save your life. I know there's a surprise party." Jamie had not been convincing at all when he had tried to pretend he'd forgotten Shane's birthday that morning.

"No there's not!" asserted Jamie. "I actually forgot your birthday was coming up," he said nonchalantly.

Shane chuckled. "Jamie, you've never forgotten anything. You know when our first kiss was down to the minute."

"No I don't."

"Oh really? So why do you do a countdown every Friday so we can kiss at the exact same time?"

"Okay, so maybe I do know that, but I swear there's no pa..."

He froze as his mother bustled into the room and grabbed the television remote out of Jamie's hand. She switched to channel 80 and a newscaster greeted them from the screen.

'Our top story; the body of Doctor Gavin Barker has been recovered from the Manchester Shipping canal. The body was found early this morning by two cleaners for the Manchester City Council. It appears to have been in the water for some time, though the police have yet to make any official comment.

Doctor Barker, 34 of Altrincham, was last seen on the 20th of last month by a colleague.' The newscaster put her finger to her earpiece and nodded slightly. 'We now have the comment from the Greater Manchester Police.'

The screen switched to the image of a middle-aged man in Police uniform. 'The body pulled from the Manchester Shipping Canal early this morning has been confirmed as that of Doctor Gavin Barker, 34 of Altrincham. The manner of death appears to be a single blunt force trauma to the back of the head, though the condition of the body makes it difficult to determine if this was in fact what killed him. Still, we are ruling this a homicide.'

The various reporters gathered around him all started shouting at once, waving cameras and notepads in his face. He held up one hand and silenced them all. 'There is one very brief image of the suspect on a CCTV camera from a nearby car park. The suspect appears to be a male of approximately 30 to 45 years of age. Six feet tall and weighing around 15 stone. If anybody has any information pertaining to the night of the 20th October 2012, or if anyone has any information they feel will help, please...'

Beth shut the television off and collapsed, her face blank. "Mum, isn't that the guy who you..." started Jamie.

At that, Beth started crying, a note of desperation in her wails. Jamie rose to his feet to rush his mother's side but needn't have worried. His father dashed to her and she buried her face in his chest.

Jamie grabbed Shane's hand and pulled him from the room. Outside he said quietly "She doesn't like people watching her cry."

Shane suspected there was something else behind letting the two be alone at that moment, but he dared not speak it aloud. "Listen," said Shane. "If you don't feel up to my surprise party..."

"What surprise party?" demanded Jamie, unconvincingly. He sighed and gave up the fight. "No, we're not missing your party. I didn't know Doctor Barker, and my mum'll be fine. She just needs time to grieve."

"Well," said Shane. "If you're sure."

"I'm sure, but..." Jamie sighed. "I was supposed to get rid of you and go help your Mum finish up."

"Oh." Shane thought for a moment and suddenly realised something quite alarming. He had nothing to do besides be with Jamie. He had let go of all of his former friendships, with the exception of Darren, and Darren was in a relationship too. It had never bothered him until now, but his social life had come down to one simple fact; Jamie was always there. Shane hedged slightly. "Any idea what I could do?"

"Well," chirped Jamie. "I was going to call Kyle and see if he wanted to come and help so I guess you and Darren could hang out. Remember, nobody knows that you know about the party."

Jamie and Kyle hurried through the front door of the Carter home, their arms full to tipping with various party decorations. They made their way into the kitchen and found Diane standing over eight pots, a hot oven, two deep fat fryers, a vegetable steamer and a huge wok. The microwave could be heard whirring in the corner and the sink was piled high with dirty pots.

"Thank God you boys are here!" she almost cried. "Jamie, sweetness. Could you wash those pots? And your friend, uh..."

"Kyle," supplied the cute blonde.

"Kyle, deary. Could you please watch these pots while I get organised?"

Jamie giggled at Diane's desperation. "I'll just get these decorations to Gerry." He hefted his decorations and moved into Gerry's study. He found the man hunched over his desk, staring sadly at a sheet of paper in his hand.

Jamie made his way into the room and dumped the decorations into the chair opposite Gerry.

"Are you alright, Gerry?" asked Jamie.

Gerry appeared to have only just noticed Jamie's presence. "Yeah. I'm fine." He sniffed and dropped the paper onto his desk. He rubbed at his teary eyes.

"Gerry, what's the matter?" asked Jamie, genuinely concerned for the man whom he had only ever seen as strong and domineering. Seeing this pained side of him was new and scary.

Without a word, Gerry pushed the page towards Jamie. Jamie picked it up. There were only five words on the page.

Don't write me again.

Tom.

"My brother doesn't want to know me any more," whispered Gerry. "And I can't say I blame him."

Jamie flashed back to the day Diane had been taken into hospital. Shane had told him that Gerry had beaten his brother, Tom, within an inch of his life for being gay.

"Maybe he just needs time?" offered Jamie.

"It's been three years. If he still needs more time, I don't hold out any hope."

Jamie moved round Gerry's desk and stood behind him. He leaned down, slung his arms around the man's shoulders and hugged him. After a moment, he moved to sit on Gerry's desk, facing him. "Listen. You've got a wife and a son who love you. You've got a nephew who respects you. You've got me!" Jamie gave him a goofy smile and Gerry laughed. "I know we're no substitute for a brother, but maybe we can all tide you over until Tom is ready to speak to you again."

Gerry laughed slightly. "Is this how you won Shane over? By being annoyingly happy all the time?"

"Actually, Shane pursued me. And who can blame him? I'm so incredibly pursuable!"

"SURPRISE!" bellowed thirty people as the Shane slipped into the front door. He put on the performance of his life, acting like he was genuinely surprised by the greeting. From the foot of the stairs, Jamie nodded his approval.

Shane spent the next ten minutes being hugged and greeted by all those present. Jamie apologised for his parents' absence, but took him into the dining room so he could see Aggie who had once again been temporarily released from the nursing home.

"Like I was going to miss a handsome young man's birthday!" cackled Aggie. "I'm just waiting for you turning eighteen so I can have a bit of a snog!" She cackled again as Shane's face blanched.

Back in the kitchen, Shane pulled Jamie in for a hug. "Your Nanna's really...um..."

"She a filthy old bird," offered Jamie. "But she's my Nanna, and I wouldn't change her. I hope you don't mind but I'm going to spend most of the night near her, until my Dad comes to take her to mine."

"Sure, sure." What that actually meant was that they were BOTH going to spend most of the evening near Aggie, and Shane didn't mind one bit.

After a little while, Kyle and Darren turned up. He hurried in and planted his lips firmly on Shane's. "Happy B'day chicken!" He handed Shane box wrapped pristinely in fuchsia paper with a candy-stripe bow. He leaned into Shane's ear and whispered "I wouldn't open it where your parents can see."

Aggie finished cleaning her glasses and slid them onto her nose. She looked at Kyle and bellowed "Cutie Pie!"

"Hi Aggie!" cooed Kyle. He leaned down and kissed each of her wrinkled cheeks. Shane slipped Kyle's present to Jamie and asked him to hide it. Knowing Kyle it was probably edible underwear or something just as difficult to explain to a parent.

The drinks were flowing easily throughout the night. None of the adults seemed to mind that sixteen and seventeen year olds were drinking, especially since Gerry had unequivocally explained that any child over the age of five can drink on private premises with parental consent.

Shane and Jamie were behaving themselves, however, as they wanted to stay in Gerry's good books. Callum and Darius had had a couple of cans of lager and were a little hyper, though they weren't tonguing each other which was a relief. Sean had invited his boyfriend; the one his father had caught him with and the pair were sitting quietly in the corner, not disturbing anyone. Shane kept insisting that they enjoy themselves, but Sean's nerves weren't up to it.

After perhaps one too many whiskies, Gerry stood in the kitchen and tapped the side of the glass with a teaspoon.

"Can I have everyone's attention please?" The room went silent. "I wanted to talk to you about my son, Shane." Everyone cheered. Gerry chuckled at the reaction and continued. "Sometimes I am staggered that I was given such an incredible son. He may not be Stephen Hawking, or Picasso, but he is something much, much better. He is good, honest, loving, and makes me want to be a better man, just by knowing him.

I don't tell him this enough, but he makes me proud every single day." Gerry winked at Shane. "And I don't care that he's seventeen. I don't care that next year he'll be eighteen. He's always going to be my little boy!"

While those assembled 'aww'ed, Gerry stepped over to Shane and Jamie and hugged the pair. "For those of you who don't know," he continued. "This here," he squeezed Jamie. "Is Jamie; My Shane's boyfriend. I have never seen two people so well suited to each other, and I'm so happy to have them both in my life."

Shane's heart was in his throat. His father had not simply outwardly acknowledged his and Jamie's relationship, but had effectively given it his blessing. He had said he was proud of Shane. Shane could feel tears stinging at his eyes, and to hide them, he buried his face in his father's shoulder. "Thanks Dad," he muttered, his voice heavy with emotion. "I love you."

After all the guests had gone, Jamie placed Shane firmly on the couch and told him to continue enjoying himself. Gerry was snoring softly on the opposite couch. Jamie brought Shane another slice of birthday cake and returned to the kitchen to help Diane clean up.

Neither of them had had a lot to drink, but Jamie had stashed a bottle of wine upstairs for them to enjoy while they were alone. While they cleaned, Jamie and Diane chatted.

"That was some speech Gerry gave tonight."

Diane smiled serenely. "I thought it was perfect."

"I don't think Shane will admit it but..." He paused, thinking back to Shane's face during the speech. "What Gerry said really meant a lot to Shane. He was so scared for such a long time, and Gerry just made it all okay." Even Jamie was tearing up a little. "We really owe a lot to you, Diane."

Diane smiled and hugged Jamie. "I did what needed to be done."

"No, really. You put your marriage at risk just to help us. We could have just been a fling, and you took a gamble on us. Thank you so much. I don't think we'd have made it this far without you."

They hugged again, this time more urgently. "You're welcome, love." She kissed the top of Jamie's head. "And hey! My gamble paid off. Gerry and I are closer than ever. You and Shane are so close, and I've been reunited with my best friend; your mother."

Jamie giggled. "I guess we did a lot of good in just a few months." Jamie finished drying the last pot. "I guess I'd better get Shane into his pyjamas."

Diane laughed warmly. "Like either of you wears pyjamas when you're together." She kissed Jamie's cheek and let him go.

Jamie found Shane drowsing on the settee. He grabbed both his hands and led him carefully up to his bedroom. Inside, he slipped Shane's chair under the handle before slipping his t-shirt over his head. When he turned arounnd, Shane was tearing into the present Kyle had brought them.

"What is it?" asked Jamie.

"It's a video tape," said Shane looking confused. "'Hospital Security Tape. 23rd August 2012.' And underneath, Kyle's written 'Starring Jamie Lawrence and Shane Carter."

"Hmm. Anyway, did you enjoy your birthday?" Jamie asked taking the video and putting it in the wardrobe.

"Second best day of my life."

"Second best?" asked Jamie. "What was the first?"

Shane slid his hands around Jamie's waist and lifted him off the ground. "The first time we did this." He pressed his lips to Jamie's. Each of them moaned slightly before Jamie pulled away.

"I'm so happy for you. Your Dad was amazing tonight."

Shane smiled. "He really was. I never thought we'd get here."

"Oh, ye of little faith!"

"Faith or no, we did it. We've made it through." Shane actually seemed to be tearing up. "There were times I was scared we were going to fail, but you were always there to remind me what I was fighting for; you. I love you so much, Jamie."

"I love you too, Shane."

"And there's something I want to ask you."

Jamie cocked his head to one side, confused by the turn the conversation was taking. "Okay...?"

Shane put Jamie down. He reached into his desk drawer and hid something behind his back. Then he dropped down onto one knee. "Jamie..."

"No!" shouted Jamie. He smacked Shane on the back of the head. "Don't you fucking dare propose to me!"

Shane looked stunned. "What?"

"Shane, we're seventeen; and you're only just that!" Jamie sat on Shane's bed. "I do want to marry you one day, but think about this. If we get engaged as seventeen year olds, nobody will take it seriously. They'll all be waiting for it to fail because we did it too early."

"So we can prove them wrong!"

"I don't want our relationship to be about proving something. I want it to be about us. Can you understand that?"

"I can," said Shane, a smirk evident on his face. "Which is why you're in luck. This isn't an engagement ring." He held the little blue box out to Jamie. "It's a promise ring. I suppose you could call it a 'pre-engagement ring'."

Jamie arched his eyebrows. "What's the difference?"

"Well, an engagement ring says that you're going to marry someone. A promise ring just says that you swear I'm the only one for you."

Jamie blushed slightly. "Well, you ARE the only one for me," he said muttered, his voice high. He took the box from Shane and flicked it open. It was a simple white gold band with a single, small diamond in the centre. Engraved inside the band was 'For Jamie'. "And it is a rather lovely ring."

"So what do you say?" asked Shane. "Will you wear this little token of our love?" he asked, his tone only slightly cocky. He slipped the ring out of the box and took Jamie's left hand.

Jamie nodded. "I will."

Shane slid the ring onto Jamie's ring finger. "It doesn't really change anything. We'll go on like before. It's just now, there's something that actually says you're mine."

Jamie flexed his fingers a few times, getting used to the feel of the ring before planting his lips on Shane's. "Come here, my love."

Picking up on Jamie's tone, Shane rose and stripped naked in a flash. He lay on his bed while Jamie hurried to the bedside table and pulled out the KY jelly and a single, strawberry scented candle. He lit the candle and killed the lights.

He slipped onto the bed, straddling Shane's bare pelvis. Shane, already hard, ran his hands over the thighs of Jamie's jeans as Jamie gently caressed Shane's chest.

"Would you like to be top, or shall I?" asked Jamie.

Shane seemed to ponder a moment before he pulled Jamie down for a kiss. "I want to feel you inside me again," he muttered after their kiss ended.

Jamie nodded. He rose and peeled off his jeans and underwear. He lay on top of Shane, pressing their throbbing cocks together and started to writhe against his lover.

They shared their tongues for several minutes until Jamie felt the first trickle of pre-cum leave his dick. He slid his hand down, over and past Shane's cock until he found the warm hole between his cheeks. He slid the finger slowly into Shane's body eliciting only a small grunt from Shane. He added a second finger and was rewarded with a slight moan. He grabbed one of Shane's nipples and gave it a light squeeze. "Are you ready?" he asked while he continued to slide his fingers in and out of Shane.

Shane nodded, his eyes shut tight in anticipation.

Watching Shane's face carefully, Jamie guided his cock blindly to its intended destination. When he found the warm, wrinkled hole, he kissed Shane's cheek. "Here we go."

Jamie pressed into Shane and felt his dick breach his lover's sphincter and enter the hot, close cavern within. Shane gasped slightly but let out a soft "Yeah."

Jamie pressed on further and was soon hearing the moans that told him he had found Shane's prostate. Shane looked as though he were trying to recall a piece of art, his face was so serene. Jamie buried his face in Shane's neck and focused on the feeling of Shane's body devouring his cock. Shane slung his legs around Jamie's back and his arms around his neck, holding him to himself as closely as he could.

Jamie could feel Shane's body squeezing his dick, readying itself for an explosive orgasm. Shane was grunting more and more frequently, his fingers, now laced into Jamie's hair, were gripping tighter and tighter.

"Oh God, Jamie, I'm gonna cum." There was genuine emotion in Shane's voice. "God, Jamie! Ah! Oh God, Jamie!" Shane's back arched, his head forcing its way deeper into the pillow. Jamie's cock was pounded by the voluminous orgasm racking Shane's body and he found himself thrusting harder and harder into that new pressure.

Shane's dick erupted between them, squirting copious amounts of hot, creamy cum across both boys' chests. Before long, Jamie dug his nails into Shane's buttocks and his face into Shane's chest. He let out a quiet scream as he felt his entire body tense, bracing itself for an incredible orgasm. Jamie filled Shane's arse with shot after shot of cum before collapsing on top of him.

Both were breathless and exhausted. "That was incredible," said Shane, clutching Jamie to his chest, still sticky with his own cum.

"Just think," said Jamie, his heart going a mile a minute. "We've got a lifetime of sex like that."

Sorry it's taking me so long to get chapters up guys. I'll try to get the next one up within a week.

I hope you enjoyed this. Any comments, questions, or even suggestions are welcome. Please feel free to email me at thebobbyfish@gmail.com. Your emails are all very welcome, and I will try to answer ever single one of them!

Keep an eye out for the next chapter!