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Jeremy glanced up at Evan and his mom, who were talking to Addie, Emily, and Joseph. Thankfully, Monty was off talking to Russ and seemed like he was trying to behave. Jeremy found Monty hilarious, but he had a feeling Lavinia Harris wouldn’t feel the same. Jeremy had been fighting the urge to tell the woman off, kick her out the door, and bundle Evan into bed for some quality cuddling since Russ and Stephen arrived, but he knew how much reconnecting with his mom meant to Evan. At the moment, Lavinia looked more relaxed than she had all evening, and Evan was starting to relax too, so he was just going to have to deal with it. He turned his attention back to Stephen once he was sure Evan was okay.
“So what’s new with you other than buying the new place?”
Stephen chuckled. “That pretty much covers it. It’s more time-consuming than I hoped. Plus, early December is always busy for me at work. Russ has been handling most of the issues with the contractors.”
“You two seem good,” Jeremy commented.
Stephen’s smile was broad. “He’s what I spent my whole life looking for.”
Jeremy considered that for a moment. “I don’t know that I’d say that about Evan because I wasn’t looking for him, but he’s certainly everything I never knew I needed.”
“He’s an extraordinary young man.”
Jeremy agreed.
***
Half an hour later, as food and drinks were consumed and their guests split off into quiet groups to talk, Jeremy went on the hunt for cookies. There was a table full of them, and he hadn’t managed to snag one yet. He’d been a little hesitant about the whole Christmas party thing, but it seemed to be going pretty well. And really, anything was better than what he’d done last year, which was sit his pathetic ass on the couch, eating pizza, smoking pot, and feeling sorry for himself.
As he passed by Alan and Lavinia, who were seated at the kitchen table, he overheard her speak. “You’re really okay with this? With your son being—being married to a man?”
Alan chuckled, and Jeremy smiled to himself as he lingered by the cookies and eavesdropped. This should be good. He’d heard Alan’s rant about unsupportive parents at Russ and Stephen’s rehearsal dinner, and if anyone could convince Lavinia to come around, it was probably Russ’ dad. Hell, if Jeremy thought it would help, he’d turn Alan loose on his own parents. They’d deserve the tongue-lashing they were sure to get.
Alan sounded baffled. “Why wouldn’t I be happy? He’s a happily married, successful man.”
“But wouldn’t it be better if he were married to a woman?” Lavinia said earnestly.
“Don’t see why.” Alan took a drink of punch. “It’s who he is. Deep down inside. Why would I want my boy to be anything but that?”
“But, what if he wasn’t gay?”
Alan shrugged. “Then I’d love his wife. I don’t see why there’s so much fuss about it, honestly.”
“But you don’t wish he were straight?”
With a sigh, Alan put down his glass. “Lavinia, I think you’re makin’ this far too complicated. It don’t matter what I want, what you want, or what anyone else wants. Russ is gay, and so is Evan. Our only job is to love them and be decent parents. I’ve made my share of mistakes too, but Russ was a big enough man to forgive me. Evan’ll do the same if you’ll just open your eyes and see what he’s got.” Alan glanced up at Jeremy, a faint smile crossing his lips as he looked back at Lavinia. “Jeremy’s a solid, dependable guy. I met him three months ago at Russ and Stephen’s wedding when he and Evan were still workin’ things out. Your son looks happier and more sure of himself than he was then. Can’t you see that?”
“I suppose,” she said doubtfully. “He does seem happy.”
“Then why not let ’em be happy? You don’t have to love everything about their relationship. And I know the Bible makes things real confusing. But I simply cannot believe that the Jesus who fed the poor and told us to love our neighbors could hate our sons for who they are. For being kind, upstanding men who just want to be in love and be left alone.”
“I guess I never thought of it that way,” Lavinia said although Jeremy could still hear the edge of doubt in her voice. “My husband—well, he’s my ex now—he thought it was wrong. And the preacher always said Evan would burn in hell for it.”
“I don’t know much, but I get the feelin’ that your ex-husband wasn’t too nice to either you or Evan.”
Lavinia nodded.
“And I have yet to meet a preacher who has a direct line to Heaven. So I think you better decide for yourself how you feel about it. And you better decide if you’re gonna worry about the relationship you have with your son here on earth or worry about the hereafter.” Alan leveled her with a serious look, but there was something kind in his expression as he stood and patted her on the shoulder. “You think on that while I go get some cookies and eggnog.”
“Thank you,” Jeremy whispered to Alan as he approached. Alan shrugged and piled sugar cookies on his plate as if he hadn’t just delivered one of the most passionate arguments in support of gay rights since the Supreme Court’s marriage ruling. A little less eloquently perhaps, but it was no less convincing.
Alan pitched his voice equally low. “Nothin’ but a bit of common sense.”
Lavinia sat at the kitchen table where Alan had left her and seemed to be lost in thought. Jeremy could only hope Alan’s words were sinking in and doing some good.
“Yeah,” Jeremy said slowly, “but other than Russ and Stephen, I’m not sure Evan or I have ever had someone stick up for us that way.”
“Well that’s a damned shame,” Alan said, biting the head off a frosted reindeer.
Jeremy nodded. He was about to comment when he saw Lavinia stirring, and he beat a hasty retreat before she could turn around and see he’d been eavesdropping.
A short while later, as Addie and Joseph were making their rounds of goodbyes—they both had to work that evening—Jeremy was surprised to receive a hug from her. “You have a Merry Christmas,” she said with a bright smile. “Thanks for having us.”
“Uh, you’re welcome.” Jeremy wondered when the last time he’d gotten a hug from a woman was and figured it was well before his accident. Weird. He’d never really had many female friends, but Russ’ sister did seem nice, and he liked her boyfriend a lot. Too bad he wasn’t gay. Not that Jeremy needed anyone but Evan, but a guy could look, right? And straight or not, it wouldn’t kill Jeremy to make a few more friends.
Joseph gave him a firm handshake, and Jeremy said, “Um, I know you guys are new to Atlanta, so if you ever have any questions or just want to hang out or something, let me know. The four of us could get together sometime.” Jesus, now he sounded like Evan had when they first met, all awkward or stammering. He was pretty damn rusty at making friends these days.
“Oh, that would be great,” Joseph said with a blinding smile. “I’ve been trying to find some guys to get together with. Something active, you know?”
Jeremy nodded. “Uh, well, I just joined a cycling club. I’d suggest you check that out, but it’s for disabled riders.”
“Are non-disabled riders allowed?” Joseph asked.
“I don’t see why not,” Jeremy said, slightly taken aback. “I could double-check if you’d like.”
“That’d be great, man.”
“It’ll probably be a little slower than one for able-bodied people,” Jeremy pointed out.
Joseph shrugged. “I’m in it for the social aspect. Besides, I’ve been slacking on fitness in the last few years while I was in nursing school. You’ll probably all kick my ass.”
Jeremy chuckled, pleased with Joseph’s easy acceptance. “It’s been challenging for me because most people have been cycling for a while, but it’s not been bad on my leg. I have an old injury I still have to be careful of.”
“Great. I look forward to hanging out some time, and I have to admit, the nurse in me is dying of curiosity to hear about your injury, if you ever want to talk about it.” Jeremy managed a faint smile, not offended by Joseph’s statement, but taken aback by his nonchalance. Joseph continued, “Let me give you my number then.” After they exchanged numbers, Jeremy walked them to the door. When he closed it behind them, he came face-to-face with Evan.
“You got Joseph’s number, huh?” Evan said, scowling. “Tired of me already? I can’t believe you’d do that at our own party!”
Jeremy’s eyes widened, and he hastily spoke. “No, God, no, Evan. I was just talking to him about cycling, and he wanted to ...” His words trailed off as he saw the smirk on Evan’s face.
“I was kidding,” Evan said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Even if I hadn’t overheard your conversation, I wouldn’t have worried about it, Jeremy.”
“You little shit!” Jeremy said, poking Evan in this side. “You scared me at first.”
Evan laughed. “I couldn’t resist.”
Jeremy grabbed him by the hips and pulled him close, pressing his nose against Evan’s. “What am I going to do with you, kid?”
“Love me.”
“I can do that.” He leaned in to kiss Evan’s mouth, then remembered at the last minute Evan’s mom was still there, so he brushed his lips across Evan’s cheek instead. He let Evan go with a final squeeze, and as he turned, he caught a glimpse of Lavinia hastily averting her eyes and Stephen looking at them with a fond smile. Well, hopefully he hadn’t crossed the line and offended Lavinia more. He really had been on his best behavior tonight.
Evan wandered off to talk to Emily, and Jeremy was contemplating another go at the desserts when Lavinia crossed his path. She stopped in front of him and looked up at him with eyes eerily like her son’s. “Could we talk?”
“Uhh, sure?” Jeremy cleared his throat and tried to paste on a smile. Shit. He had messed up. “What can I do for you?”
“I—I want to thank you.”
Jeremy raised an eyebrow. “Thank me for what?”
“For taking care of Evan when I didn’t.”
A surprised laugh escaped Jeremy’s lips before he could stop it. “I didn’t do anything. Russ and Stephen got him on his feet when he moved here, but I didn’t meet him until last summer. Evan already had it together by the time we crossed paths. He’s very capable on his own. He doesn’t need anyone to take care of him. I’m here to love him, that’s all.”
A small furrow appeared between her pale eyebrows. “I think maybe that’s all Evan’s ever wanted.”
With a nod, Jeremy agreed. “I think that’s true. And I have no problem living up to that, but I know that’s not enough. Or at least it isn’t all Evan needs. He needs you to love him too. Not love him in spite of being gay, but love him because he’s a good kid. He wants your approval so badly.”
She nodded. “I know.”
“So tell him,” Jeremy prompted. He’d bend over backward to be nice to her, but he wasn’t going to pussyfoot around.
“Tell who what?” Evan asked behind him.
“Um,” he hesitated and gave Lavinia an apologetic glance as he turned to face Evan. He hadn’t meant to force her hand. The small smile she gave him was the most genuine one he’d seen all night though.
“I was thanking Jeremy for taking care of you, but he told me I was wrong. That you were stronger than I give you credit for.”
Jeremy moved to leave, but Evan caught the sleeve of his shirt and he stilled. “Jeremy has been really supportive of me.”
Lavinia nodded. “I can see that. And I can see how much all of these people care about you, Evan. You have a nice life here in Atlanta.”
“I do,” Evan said simply.
“I—I’d like to be a part of that, if I can,” Lavinia said pleadingly.
“Of course, Mom,” Evan said, and he slipped his fingers between Jeremy’s as Lavinia turned her gaze on him.
“And I want you to know I think you’re really good for Evan, Jeremy.” He blinked in surprise and scrambled to put together a response, but she spoke before he could. “I won’t pretend like I understand all of this, but I’m gonna try, okay? I’m gonna try to be a good mother, Evan. I don’t want to lose you again, and all of your friends have told me how wonderful you are. I’d like to get to know you and your boyfriend. I really mean it.”
The tight grip on Jeremy’s hand loosened. “I’d like that, Mom.”
“And you need to know something. I’m proud of you, Evan. And—and I love you.” Tears spilled down her cheeks, and even Jeremy’s eyes watered at the surprised little gasp from Evan.
“Oh, Mom.” Evan’s hand slipped out from Jeremy’s as he stepped close and pulled his mom into a hug. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to hear that.”