Page 17 of Something Like Forever

“Let’s get Chinchillastarted on her stocking,” Ben suggested.

“Oh right! Yeah!” Timexcitedly moved toward the living room, whistling for Chinchilla tofollow.

Once they were far enough away, Benwhispered, “Did you park the car?”

Jason nodded. “Behind the garage, just likeyou said.”

“Perfect.”

“Do you think he knows?”Jason asked.

“He thinks he knows, andthat’s what will make it all the more delicious.”

Jason laughed and nodded toward theinterior. “Better keep him distracted.”

“I will,” Ben said, butconcern had his feet glued down. “Are you doing okay?”

“Yeah!” Jason said, hisupbeat tone sounding false. “Great!” Then his shoulders relaxed andhe seemed more himself. “It’s good to be home.”

“It’s good to have youhere,” Ben said. “Hurry back.”

He went to find Tim, whowas on the floor with Chinchilla, a slew of dog toys and treatssurrounding them. Once again he had gone overboard.

“Did you use Jason’s storediscount?” Ben asked.

“Yes dear,” Tim droned.“Now stop worrying about money and get over here. It’sChristmas!”

His grin was infectious.Ben only paused to stream holiday music from his phone to thestereo system. Then he sat next to his husband. Jason soon joinedthem. They tore through presents, Tim patient through all of this.He received new cologne from Jason, which was a running jokebetween them, ever since the time Tim had refused to share his. Healso got a stocking that Ben had stuffed full of littleknickknacks, but nothing too substantial. That was it. Tim mostlysat and smiled as they opened their presents from him, like a pairof three-hundred dollar sunglasses that Ben had discovered at themall but refused to buy due to the extravagant price. Some of Tim’sother presents were a little odd though, like a rainbow-stripedbeach towel, or an individually wrapped bottle ofsunscreen.

“I’m beginning to detect atheme here,” Ben said.

“Really?” Tim asked,handing over another box.

Ben opened it. Inside was a woodeninstrument.

“A ukulele!” Jason cried,snatching it from him. “So cool!”

“It’s yours,” Ben said. “Ihave a feeling it’s not the real present.”

“I’m taking you toHawaii,” Tim murmured, expression amorous. “You said you wanted togo on a trip with me. I didn’t buy tickets yet so we can plan ittogether, but I’ll take care of everything else.”

“I love it,” Ben said,leaning forward to kiss him. “I love you!”

“Hawaii!” Jason said,sounding excited. “Can I go too?”

“No kids this time,” Timsaid, wagging a finger. “You guys cramp my style.”

The joke about thehoneymoon was just enough of a reference to William for Jason togrow somber.

“Here,” Ben said, reachingfor a thin flat package. “This one is for you.”

Jason opened it, hisexpression a little wounded when he saw the homemade present. Benhad a feeling it was the subject, rather than the quality of thegift, that had him upset. He had wanted to buy a travel guide, butAstoria wasn’t exactly a tourist destination, so Ben had settledfor doing research online and printing out a book of his own. Hewasn’tthatcheapthough. “Look at the bookmark.”

Jason flipped throughfolded and stapled pages until he reached an envelope. Confused, heopened it and examined the contents. “A flight?”

“Just a visit,” Benassured him. “We thought you’d like to go see William, especiallysince he hasn’t managed to visit Austin lately.”

“I don’t know if I can gettime off.”