A biting chill rushed through the door before Victor was able to shut it. His feet were covered in snow; his hair, moist from the falling flakes, clung to his forehead. He dropped his keys on the small table by the door and headed to the kitchen. The darkness was a bit annoying so he flicked on the light and was suddenly surrounded with shouts of "Surprise" and "Happy Birthday" as well as confetti that had been tossed at him. His eyes sought out those of his partner and he smiled.
"You are in big trouble."
Samuel laughed and moved over to his best friend and lover. He hugged him, kissed his cheek, and then captured his lips. "Happy Birthday, babe," he said after taking a quick taste of Victor.
"Thanks," he looked around and spied Samuel and his friends.
"Pam called and said to let you know her and the kids will be around tomorrow night," Samuel told him.
Victor nodded his head, not surprised in the least. He and Pamela would never be close again, but she was more civil with him and Samuel. He would never expect her to embrace his lifestyle by attending a birthday party that was full of the reasons he'd left her in the first place. She was happy too. A friend of theirs introduced her to a widow; he had a couple of boys a few years older than Abby and Alice. It was quite the thing to see the group together, but when he did see them, it was usually amid a pile of smiles and laughter.
The party moved from the kitchen to the furnished and fully functional basement. Several groups corrugated together. Samuel headed over to the basement kitchen and began to work on steaks, burgers, and brats; the aroma made several mouths salivate. Victor was handed a beer and enclosed in hugs from several friends. His eyes caught the features of a couple that were engrossed in a conversation at the edge of the room. His face grew in a smile and he made his way to them.
"Jake. Baker," Victor said, extending his hand and then pulling the first gentleman into a hug. He kissed his cheek and was rewarded with a kiss on his by Baker.
"Vic, nice seeing you again," Jake said. He clinked his bottle of beer against Victor's and wished him a happy birthday.
"Thanks. This is a surprise. Hell it's only been what, a couple of months since Sam and I were in Miami and we were meeting? I sure am surprised to see you guys here."
A hand ran up Victor's spine and he leaned back against the familiar touch. "I told them about your birthday and they said they'd be here," Samuel said letting his hand rest on Victor's back. "The food's almost ready, if you want to change out of the suit, I'll finish up a steak for you."
"All right," Victor replied.
Samuel watched him leave and smirked over to Jake and Baker. "You know I love throwing him a party, but seeing him standing here with you two, brought back some memories and now I wish everyone would leave."
The two men laughed as did Sam. Eventually they headed to the food and Samuel joined them. When Victor returned, he grabbed his food and made his way over to a young married couple that had been working with Samuel's company long before Victor joined. "Hey, Deb, Brian."
"Vic," Brian nodded. "Enjoying your night?"
"Yes, this was a surprise."
"Well Samuel told us a couple of weeks ago he was planning it and we couldn't turn down an invitation for free food. How are things?" Deb asked.
"Not bad. Pam's seeing someone. The councilor gave us a clean bill of health and we had our last session a couple of weeks ago. The kids are enjoying their new friends, Pam's boyfriend's kids," Victor told them.
"That's good. I know it didn't go over well with my kids when I divorced and brought a new man into their lives," Deb told him.
"No, it was hard, but it has almost been a year and I really think we've come a long way. The girls and Michael have spent several weekends over here now, where in the beginning Pamela was adamant it would never happen. We're even looking into getting a bigger home, out in the country, so when Summer rolls around the kids can spend the summer with us and they'll be plenty of room for them to play."
"Sounds like you and Samuel are set then?" Brian asked.
"I believe we are. We just take it one day at a time."
A shout filled the room and the group of friends moved over to the center bar and surrounded a birthday cake shaped like a farm. In the center there was a "silo" and at the top a set of keys had been placed in the icing. "Looks like you got that home in the country," Deb whispered and pinched Victor's ribs.
His gaze flew to Samuel's and his smile grew wide. "When?" he asked.
"Closed just this morning. I've been working my ass off to keep secrets from you. Glad I don't have to any more."
"How though? I never signed anything," Victor replied.