Chapter 11: It's Him.
"This meal was delicious." Amy said as she wiped her mouth. All of Abrahams business partners and the staff had left by now and it was just the family now.
"Thank you Amy. I'll let the staff know next week when they've returned." Janet smiled, taking another bite of her potatoes. The talk during the meal had been lighthearted. Abraham and Janet asked Tyler about his life so they could get to know their sons boyfriend. Tyler happily answered their questions. He edited some of the details of course, but he told them the basics. He made jokes, they laughed. Uncle Ethan asked when his son was going to find a catch like Tyler and the son responded with a sarcastic laugh. Tyler didn't take offense; he knew it was aimed more towards his father's overbearing.
"So," Abraham cleared his throat. "I'm just about done. I don't think I could eat another bite. Time for desert!" He announced, standing up and going to the long table by the wall that held a long string of food. He started cutting a pie as his wife joined him.
"You always cut the pieces too large." Janet chastised. "There's never enough for anyone else." She groaned, taking over. The two lightly bickered while they cut the deserts up, placing them on plates. Everyone got up to get some while Tyler stayed at the table looking at the old married couple and again that glimmering future flashed across his sight.
Clark teaching their kid how to play catch, family board games, dinners. Grounding them for breaking curfew. Clark and Tyler sitting on their front porch growing old and grey while the grandkids ran around the yard on Thanksgiving day. Tylers eyes welled up from the thought.
"You okay?" Clark asked returning to the table and pulling Tyler from his prophecy. "I got you pumpkin, your favorite." He placed it in front of him.
"Thank you, and I'm fine." He wiped away a tear and smiled at his lover. "I'm great. Just couldn't wait for this." He took a bite of the pie, smiling at Clark while he chewed. Clark smiled back.
After everyone ate their desert, Violet offered to show Amy and Tyler the grounds. Going for a walk to burn off their meal. They agreed while Clark stayed behind saying he was far too full to walk anywhere but to his bed for a nap. Once they had left he went to his dad.
"Hey dad," He pulled him to the side. "let's go to your office for a drink. Hmm?" Abraham nodded and the two went. Clark poured them two scotches from his father's private shelf.
"So what's up?" He asked his son, sensing Clark was nervous. "Anything wrong?"
"No actually, quite the opposite." Clark grinned, taking a sip. They sat across from each other in front of the window. Clark looked out and saw Violet showing Tyler and Amy their mothers (or the gardeners rather) garden. "You see him there?" He pointed to Tyler.
"Yes, he's a fine young man. Funny too." Abe took a sip.
"It's him." Clark stated flatly. Not able to think of a word or sentence to explain it other than that. Whatever
it
was. Tyler was it.
"He's what?" Abraham didn't understand his son's statement, at least not at first. After another moment, he noticed the look in his eyes. How his smile was there anytime he looked at him. "Oh." Abraham said.
"Yeah." Clark said, turning to his father. "You approve?" He didn't care either way, but he'd like to know his father supported his decision.
"Does it matter?" Abe took another sip. "You're gonna ask him anyway aren't you?"
"Yes, I am." Clark swallowed the lump that was forming his throat. "I only ask because...I'd like to know if I can use grandpas ring." Clark stated.
"Grandpas ring?"
"Tyler doesn't like diamonds, so Grans is off the table. Plus I'm sure Violet would appreciate it more." Clark chuckled.
"Your grandpa worked extra shifts every day for two years to afford this ring." Abraham said, standing up. He walked to a safe in the wall, hidden behind a picture.
"I know." It wasn't an exactly extravagant ring. It was a simple gold band. When he had proposed to Clarks grandmother, he'd bought two rings, one for her and another for him. He'd had them engraved with an inside joke between them. "It's important. I can buy my own, if you don't-"
"Relax, it's yours. And I more than approve." Abraham took a box out of the safe. "I hated that little- is twink the word? Bryant." He chuckled. "Tyler is an amazing man. I don't know if you deserve him however." He joked at his son, handing him the box.
"Thank you." Clark said, holding the box in his palm. "This means so much." He opened it and picked the ring up.
Clarks grandfather was a twin and his grandmother had, in the beginning of their relationship, been unable to tell the two apart. By the end however, she could tell them apart by simply being around them. Even if she were blindfolded. But before that however an inside joke had formed...
"
The Right Price.
" Clark read the inscription in his grandpas ring. "He will be." Abe said. "If he takes your name that is."
"I hope he does. I want the world to know that Tyler Price is my husband." He smiled at his dad, thanking him again and the two spoke some more about how and when. Clark didn't have an answer yet, but he knew it would be after the tour.
*****
"That hot tub is amazing, you should've joined us." Tyler dried his hair. "And your shower, any chance we can have that moved to your apartment?"
"If you agree to move in with me." Clark negotiated.
"Let me finish out my lease and I'll talk with Amy about her getting her own place." Tyler caved. He didn't hate the idea of moving in with Clark.
"Haha!" Clark fist pumped triumphant. He laid on the bed, shirtless in his sweats. An episode of
Drag Race
on TV. Tyler had gotten him hooked. "Now come on, Sheas' about to lip- sync. She's gonna turn it." He said excited.
"She always does." Tyler said, climbing into bed. He laid his head on Clarks furry chest, tracing his fingers through the hairs as Shea kicked and split.
"Mmm." Clark moaned softly as Tyler circled his nipples. "Careful now." He warned Tyler. "I am." Tyler said, putting on his seduction voice.
"No you're not." Clark argued. Tyler circled then flipped the nipple again. "Okay now." He paused the tv and flipped on top of Tyler. "I'm trying to watch tv." He kissed him softly.
"Sorry daddy, guess I'm just being a bad boy." Tyler made his eyes big and used an innocent
voice.