It had been three months since Victor had moved in with Samuel. The first two months were hard; hard for them both, but mainly for Victor. He and Pamela met later the week he'd left her. Her shock was gone and anger bared to him. She was more verbal about his deception toward her and she threatened all kinds of legal suits. In the end after several more meetings between not only him and her, but her parents as well - his a long forgotten part of his past - they finally agreed that he was still a good man and a good father.
Victor had just come back from what he hoped was the final meeting between their divorce lawyers. In his hand was the schedule Pamela had given him, with the times and dates for the upcoming months therapy sessions. That was the one thing they had agreed on right away. Therapy. . . Not to save their marriage that was obviously over, but instead to help their children accept the tornado that was disrupting their lives. The youngest was five and the twins just turned eight a few months after his and Pamela's anniversary. He placed the schedule on the fridge and headed to the shower. Samuel would be home soon and then they were taking the kids to the movies. It was the first outing that the kids would get to take with him and Samuel.
They had seen pictures of him, met him once during dinner with Pamela. Victor also spoke with the girls at length, hoping they would in time come to understand that not all families had to have a mom and a dad. His young son was adjusting also, easier than the girls, but he too showed signs of confusion. As Victor showered he wondered what age kids started to become so wise and what age they suddenly felt the need to shelter and hide themselves. The hot water fell over his lean form and he tried to ease the day's tension away with the steamy air and soapy suds.
Samuel arrived fifteen minutes after Victor climbed into the shower. He could hear the water running and remembered that his lover had planned on the two of them and the three kids to take in a movie that night. He headed to the bedroom to change. Once there he felt the familiar feeling generate around him whenever he walked in. It was a feeling of peace. Victor's things were lying about the room and every time Samuel picked up a stray article of clothing he grinned. Having Victor with him was something he had long thought would never happen. His relationship with the man had started fast and furiously, but now was everything he could have hoped for. Victor had finally admitted to his wife Pamela about his life as well as his love for Samuel and Samuel finally had his soul-mate with him.
He pulled off his clothes and headed to the bathroom to let Victor know he was home. It came as no surprise to either gentleman when the draft from Samuel pulling away the curtain and joining Victor brought a chill to Victor's warm skin. "Hey love," Samuel said. He wrapped his arms around Vic's waist.
"Hello," Vic returned the greeting. He placed the soap on the shelf and turned around in his lover's arms. "How was work?" The water cascaded over Victor's back. Trails of the hot liquid slid down his body, while it worked as a shield to block the watery spray from Samuel's face.
"Good. Missed you though," Sam said. He leaned in and kissed Victor. Their tongues danced for a few moments before they pulled apart. "I'll be happy when you come back. I miss our lunches, turn around and I'll wash your back."
Victor complied and closed his eyes as the water sprinkled over him. Sam's strong fingers worked out knots and worked in bubbles. "Well this is the last week of my leave so we'll be taking lunch together before long," Victor replied.
The last three months he'd taken a leave of absence from work, okayed by his boss, which lucky enough was Samuel. He still found himself amazed at how all that came to be, but he no longer questioned it. He felt that his place was where he was and he wasn't going to question or deny it any longer.
"I'm looking forward to it. Your turn," Samuel said. He passed the soap to Vic and turned around. Soon he too was lathered and washed. When the quick shower was finished both men started moving about the room, getting ready to pick up the three kids.
"I hope it goes well tonight," Samuel admitted, once they were sitting in Vic's car and heading to Pamela's. He was nervous about the evening. These three people would have the biggest impact on his relationship with Victor.
Victor took Samuel's hand in his. "We both have discussed this night...Pam and I. She thinks they are ready and so do I. One step at a time... what else can we do?" He squeezed his love's hand and continued driving. Once they arrived at the house, both men exited the car and made their way up the walk.
Memories assailed Victor and he found himself no longer hurting or dreading the path that led to the house. He wouldn't be staying. He wouldn't be lying. He would get the kids, watch a movie, bring them back, and then he would go home. This new life was one that he knew would have ups and downs, but he also knew he'd not return to the lie he led for so long.
"Mommy! Mommy! Daddy's home," the older twin yelled from the door. She was the mirror image of her sister, born only three minutes ahead, and still the fastest redhead on two feet.
"Hello Abby," Victor said, lifting her up and kissing her soundly on the lips.
"Ewww... boy germs!" she said, then threw her arms around her father's neck and hugged him tight. "Missed you," she whispered in his ear. Her eyes latched onto those of Samuel and she waved a fraction of an inch in greeting. "Hey," she added quietly.
"Hello," Sam returned the greeting. He had watched the exchange between Father and Daughter and was touched. He had never had children in his life before. He found it awkward, but was looking forward to it. After all, these kids were a part of Victor and Victor was a part of him.
The other children were soon clamoring for Victor's attention and Pamela followed up behind them. She gave a polite, yet reserved greeting to Samuel. She had agreed with both men that bitterness and anger were not something any of them wanted to display around the children. Samuel found this impressive and wished other parents felt the same way. The youngest child, Michael insisted on bringing his police car with him, and so it was with great chagrin that the other little one Alice helped Abby search for the much needed toy.
Once it was found, Pamela gave kisses to her little ones and waved goodbye, shutting the door behind them. She took a moment to reflect on the past three months and how it was slowly becoming more and more a reality. A sigh escaped her and she decided that for the next three hours she was Pamela, single woman with no children. She shut off all the lights, grabbed her candles and headed to the bathroom, to soak in a nice hot tub of bubbles.
As Pam indulged in what no mother ever gets enough of, Samuel and Victor were enjoying what many fathers don't get enough of either. Popcorn was being devoured, while sodas were slurped. Fifteen minutes into the movie Abby nudged her father in the side and told him she had to use the restroom. Sam offered to take her, but Abby shook her head no, so Victor left the other kids with Samuel.
"Do you like him a lot Dad?" she asked, once they were out in the hall.
"Yes Abby, I do. I love him," he answered her back.
Abby sighed, "I know. He seems nice." She squeezed his hand and used the ladies room while Vic waited outside. When she was finished she took his hand again. "I'm not happy though," she admitted.
"I know... but you may like him later."
"I know," she answered. "That's what mom says. She says since you like him, he can't be all that bad."
