Ocean Blue 44

“Do you guys want some food? There is plenty.” Gervais asks.

“Yes please.” Bea and Chris say together and start helping themselves.

“I’m going to take a walk in the garden. I have been indoors too long.” Blue says grabbing Gervais by the hand.

“Spence, Will, Robin can you give me a hand to unpack the van?” Aled asks.

“Eat first. You must be starving.” Will says.

“Are you sure?” Aled asks.

“Sit, eat. You’re welcome here now.” Blue says over his shoulder as he drags Gervais outside.

“You look well. Better than I thought you would.” Gervais says.

“We looked after each other. I missed you a lot though.” Blue says.

“I missed you like crazy.” Gervais says as they sit on the bench at the top of the garden.

“I can be me again now. No more watching out for bad guys.” Blue says.

“I was worried I’d never see you again. Are you really okay with us all hijacking your summer plans? I shut down Spence and Andy trying to muscle in on a vineyard. I think we rushed before and now we have time to relax and enjoy each other. When Aled said you wanted to go home well asking Willow for a cottage just kind of spiralled.” Gervais grins.

“I love it. I love that I get to see you and Ocean and all my friends whenever I want to. I get to fish and cook and relax and do as much or as little work as I want to. Once Chris has his place at school we can work everything out. No rush. We can rent a house together and get him settled in. Then maybe we can travel together, we didn’t get to go to Australia together. I was thinking we can do lots of wine tours here but also go to Chile and Argentina, maybe France and Italy too. Short trips so we don’t leave Chris too long. Am I asking too much? I’m basically asking you to follow me with no set plan.” Blue says suddenly worrying.

“It sounds amazing to me. You, travel, wine, a home. I would love it. I was thinking when Bea and Chris head up to the lake we should go to our old place, pack up properly and drive up to the lake together.” Gervais says.

“Yeah! Road trip. Can we visit Ocean first?” Blue asks.

“For sure. I’m really glad you got through this one and you didn’t kill each other.” Gervais says.

Blue looks at Gervais and smiles. He feels good with G next to him.

“Come closer.” Blue says pulling Gervais into his lap.

“That better?” Gervais asks snuggling into Blue’s neck.

“Much. I missed this, quiet time outdoors, just us. I love my siblings and we are going to be great friends as adults but I need my babe.” Blue says kissing Gervais.

“Shall we get you some food before bed? You can eat out here? We have lots of fruit, as I guess Chris will have polished off the pasta.” Gervais asks after they have cuddled for a while.

“I wish we still had the barn, I don’t want to be cooped up in a room.” Blue says.

“You want to grab Ocean’s tent and sleeping bags? Sleep under the stars for a bit and move into the tent if we need to?” Gervais asks.

“Yeah. I would love that.” Blue grins.

“I think he even has an air mattress. I’ll find everything and grab pillows and things and you go and have something to eat.” Gervais says firmly.

“Thanks Gervais. I love you so much.” Blue says and get up with Gervais in his arms.

He puts Gervais down gently and they head into the house hand in hand.

“I’m asking this in a totally non sexual way, as Larry is my boyfriend. But will one of you share a bed with me tonight?” Chris asks.

“I will. Blue and I shared a bed most of freshman year.” Robin grins.

“I am going to take a bath and take the room down here.” Bea says yawning.

“You can stay at the barn, it’s fine.” Will says to Aled who nods.

“How is Blue coping? He looks better than when I spoke to him after your move.” Robin says as he and Chris snuggle up.

“He is a lot, lot better. We fucked up and dropped the ball around Christmas but he is fine now. These last few weeks have been amazing. Bea is the person she was meant to be, she’s fun and smart and the happiest I’ve seen her.” Chris says.

“But you don’t approve of her choice of husband.” Robin laughs.

“Not at all. Who is he to shout down what she wants for the wedding breakfast? We might not have Blue’s talents but we know food and Blue has made it a central part of celebrations.” Chris says.

“And she wants food that reminds her of you and Blue.” Robin says.

“Exactly she wanted us there in spirit. I can’t get on board with a guy who doesn’t see through to my sister’s true feelings. You did in seconds.” Chris says.

“It might have been long ago but we dated and I got to know Bea pretty well. She has changed in some ways but not others. And I know Blue pretty well and it’s clear even from just today that you three have a core that is the same.” Robin says.

“What is the guy like? I know you’ve been on the outside but I figure you and Bea stayed friends a little.” Chris asks.

“He is not who I would chose for my sisters either. He’s nice and he loves the lake and the way of life up there and maybe stable and nice is enough. But from the outside I think he trades on that nice guy persona and gets away with being pretty controlling. Probably why Clara likes him. While Bea hasn’t had true freedom it probably hasn’t noticed too much. I mean there is so much she still couldn’t do and he could stop her doing things for her own good.” Robin says slowly trying hard to be truthful and unbiased. Knowing how his reputation has been shaped by gossip.

“The wedding meal is the first time she’s gone against him and he isn’t backing down, because he doesn’t back down. But he can’t dress it up in any argument other than what he wants goes, when we all know brides damn well get what they want on their wedding day. Or at least I would want Bea to win, even though it is their day not hers. And there seems to be no compromise like one of them choose appetisers, the other the main and one choose the cake the other dessert.” Chris says.

“Or they have multiple options. It isn’t like their wedding will cost anything other than the dress and catering and even the catering will likely be done by everyone pitching in. Now of course it will be Blue leading it and all of us helping.” Robin grins.

“It would have been. She won’t marry him. Well we’ll give him a shot but if your view is right no doubt he will hate me and Blue being close to her and then it will unravel.” Chris says.

“No doubt. But I could be wrong. Willow has never said anything bad about him. I think now you’re back and Bea has a family again she’ll not be so desperate to make her own.” Robin says.

“I love Larry, I miss him like crazy. He was my only option when we were in hiding and I know I don’t even need to think about anyone else now I have my freedom back. He’s the one for me. Even Andy being single hasn’t swayed my feelings.” Chris says.

“You’re a lot of things but you’re not a cheat and I can’t see you going back to Andy. Me I’m a cheat, I mess everyone around eventually.” Robin says.

“You need to take a dick and stop being a pussy. Stop dating girls and find the man of your dreams.” Chris says.

“Maybe you’re right.” Robin says.

“Really? You’re open to it?” Chris asks, Robin isn’t his type but he’s really hot.

“Yeah of course. I’ve long been comfortable with who I am. I enjoy sex with men but I never found one I wanted to date but I don’t look too hard either.” Robin says.

“You’re hot, you’ve got your head screwed on and you might find someone willing to have an open relationship.” Chris says.

“I don’t know if I want that. I want someone I love so much I’d never cheat.” Robin says.

 

“This is amazing.” Blue says he and Gervais are snuggled together under some blankets on top of the air bed, outside the tent. They are staring up at the stars and snuggled close. Happy.

Blue keeps taking deep breaths. He loves his freedom, real freedom. He’s under the stars with his man and he’s free.

“You are so relaxed. I love feeling you all loose like this.” Gervais says.

“I have everything I need right here. You love me. I love you. We’re together and my belly is full. I don’t need anything else.” Blue says.

“I missed my Blue pillow, you are so comfy.” Gervais says snuggling closer.

“I feel like we should be fucking like crazy but I just want to hold you and look at the stars.” Blue says.

“We have time.” Gervais says.

“No looking over my shoulder.” Blue says and kisses the top of Gervais head.

 

“He’s not going to give up Gervais for you.” Aled says.

“I know. I don’t want him to. I want him to be happy. He deserves to be happy.” Will says.

“So do you.” Aled says.

“I will be. I need to get over you, get over losing the kids and that is what this summer will do. Then I’ll start over.” Will says.

“And there is no hope for me?” Aled asks.

“Fuck no. You broke my heart three times over, you were never who you said you were, you let me believe the kids were mine and you kept me away from Blue. You knew where he was and didn’t tell me. Didn’t accidentally take me for a romantic weekend in his city. You put your happiness ahead of mine.” Will rants.

“I just loved you, I did everything to be with you. My feelings were real, yours weren’t.” Aled complains.

“I fell for a fictional character. He didn’t exist and he disappeared as soon as we got married. I loved the guy you pretended to be. I put everything on the line for that guy and I would have done anything for him.” Will says angrily.

“Maybe you should get to know me.” Aled says.

“Give me space. I need these next few months with my friends, we all have things to heal from and you need to respect that and give me the space to get better.” Will says.

“You’re kidding yourself if you think you going there with them is anything other than trying to win him back.” Aled says.

“You’re kidding yourself if you think me letting you stay here tonight is a sign I ever want to see or speak to you again.” Will says and heads to bed.