“He’s being realistic,” said Jack, clunking bags of shopping down on the kitchen counter, then ripping off his reusable mask and stuffing it into his pocket.
“Thank you, Jack. Finally someone who lives on the same planet,” said Tommy, standing back from the table. “So. D’you think Ade will approve?”
Leonard took another look at the table. As soon as he walked in the door, Adrian would know something was up. For starters, he would smell the food cooking, but when he saw the dining room table, he would ask about the occasion. Leonard had said nothing that morning but had wondered if Adrian remembered. Not that it mattered. Leonard had everything he could ever want in his life. Meeting Adrian had been like a door opening, and he cherished every day they spent together. Now, with Tommy around, the world had ramped up a couple of notches.
“Ade will love it, Tommy,” said Jack, washing his hands at the sink. “Now, any chance of a beer before I roll up my sleeves and start creating magic?”
“You don’t want to freshen up first?” asked Leonard. “You’re in the front bedroom, as usual, by the way.”
“No, we’re good,” said Jack. “Only going to get more sweaty with all the cooking. But a beer would certainly help loosen things up.”
“I’ll get them,” said Toni, heading to the fridge. “What about you, Len?”
“Bit early for me,” said Leonard. “But then it is Friday night.”
“Count me in, too,” said Tommy, a mischievous grin on his face. “As it’s a special occasion.”
“He’ll have a cream soda,” said Leonard to Toni, who had opened the fridge door. “Don’t push your luck. If I’m still feeling magnanimous later, and only if you’re good and if Adrian agrees, we might let you sample a glass of the Dom Perignon champagne we’ve got chilling in the fridge.”
“Seriously?” asked Tommy, his smile widening. “Cream soda’s fine, then. Ice and a slice, please.”
Toni opened the fridge door and tossed a can to Tommy.
“Yeah. That’s not going to happen. Asahi okay, chaps?”
Leonard loved having people over. Before Adrian had moved in, he’d never entertained. Now they cooked indoors all the time and, whenever restrictions lightened up, they even invited people over. Adrian had become the master of the barbecue and, because of him, Leonard had finally gotten to know his neighbours.
By the time the front door opened, announcing Adrian’s arrival, the house was full of food odours and chatter and laughter. After tossing his mask and washing his hands, Adrian went over to Tommy first and gave him a hug and a kiss on the top of the head, then stood appraising the table. Leonard’s gaze sought out Adrian’s gold wedding ring, which sat in pride of place on his left hand. Just seeing the band gave him a sense of joy, of belonging—filling a void that had been missing for too long. Adrian always lavished his attention on their foster kid first of all, something Leonard fully supported. Tommy loved having Adrian’s approval. Leonard seemed to have adopted the role of the grown up in their relationship, while Ade’s bond with Tommy resembled that of an older brother. A much older brother.
Leonard could tell Adrian must have expected something because he grinned and winked at Leonard and, after a quick hug hello for Jack and Toni, walked into Leonard’s waiting arms.
“You knew, didn’t you?” whispered Leonard into his right ear.
“I’d planned to book a table at the steak place you like. Around the corner. Just the three of us. I asked our wayward child to do the booking and was advised, in no uncertain terms, to back off.”
They both looked around to see Tommy looking nervously at them, biting on the cuticle of his forefinger.
“I never told him anything,” said Tommy, the guilt written on his face. “Honest. Not about all this, anyway.”
“Come here, young man,” said Leonard, with mock seriousness. Poor Tommy appeared genuinely nervous until Leonard pulled him into their family hug. He managed to stay there for all of ten seconds before pulling away.
“Ugh, Ade! You smell of tarmac and brick dust and roadkill. You better not have splodged my new shirt.”
“Don’t worry, Prince Charming,” said Adrian, tousling his hair. “You and your ruffles still look fabulous. Now I’m going up to shower and change. See you in a bit.”
* * * *
After the meal, they sat in the living room sharing the bottle of champagne and cupcakes while Tommy put on some of his favouritejams—music. As promised, he also got his first taste of the expensive wine, and Leonard watched him savour every bubble. After that Adrian sorted out coffees using a new coffee machine that still eluded Leonard, to make drinks for Toni and Jack.
“Before anyone says anything,” said Toni, sitting up and raising her glass, “I want to just say again what a great couple you make and, although this is not your official anniversary, now that you’re married—”
“Shortest ceremony in the history of weddings…” said Jack.
Instead of heading to Scotland for a holiday two Christmases ago—at the invite of Kennedy—Leonard and Adrian had decided to get married. The registry office ceremony had been short and simple, only a few friends, including Toni and Jack, in attendance. For them both the important thing had been to be an official couple when they welcomed Tommy into their lives. The following Christmas they had wanted to spend time together with Tommy in Wales. By way of recompense, they had agreed to throw a big party in celebration during the summer months—until the events that rocked the rest of the world had put paid to that.
“We’re glad to have been with you for most of the journey. Happy anniversary. And here’s to many more.”
Still sitting, they all toasted together. Tommy had taken his usual spot on the sofa, cross-legged in between Adrian and Leonard. Ever since he had been with them, he had always wanted them to sit together, as though he didn’t want to let them out of his sight. But this time, as they finished toasting and everyone put their glass down, Tommy jumped up from the sofa and they heard his footsteps thumping up the stairs.
