LOGINMy dad greets him with such genuine joy and excitement that it makes my heart swell with joy. They talk for a few minutes about Dominic’s day before dad gives him a little nudge back towards the gate where Kent and I are waiting. Dominic gives dad a kiss before running ahead again. My dad waves to
“Papa!” Dominic shouts, startling me out of my reverie as he drops my hand and darts down the road. I look up, a huge smile breaking out on my face again as I see Kent on the sidewalk just ahead. His back is to us as he speaks companionably with the butcher, a heavy bag of his purchases already hung
As I walk down the street towards the little Italian kindergarten, the whispers start around me, as they always do. I listen to all of them, a big German Shepherd padding quietly at my heels. “Is that her?” “Yes, that’s the one – I heard she was her husband’s mistress before he married her – tha
Both Kent and I laugh, but Don Bianci – across the baptismal font from us – snaps his eyes up, perhaps not liking the joke as much as we do. But I just ignore it, because dad’s right, frankly – and it’s too happy a day to care. After the final blessing everyone applauds Dominic – he likes that, bl
“Well, it didn’t seem to affect your first very badly,” Ivan says with a shrug, peering around Kent to where Daniel is laughing with an arm around Jerome’s shoulders. “So…maybe keep it up.” I smirk, squeezing Ivan’s hand once more before standing and moving to Kent’s side, tucking myself against h
“Hey, gorgeous,” Ivan says, his mouth turned up in a smirk as I cross the churchyard, beaming at him. “Look who’s talking,” I say, laughing and reaching for him when I come close enough. Ivan wraps me in a hug, dropping a kiss to my cheek as I hold Dominic a bit to the side so he doesn’t get squis
“My home,” I correct, walking to the fridge and pulling it open, grabbing a water bottle and then walking past Ivan, heading for the back deck. “Come on,” I say, waving to him. “Fay,” Daniel snaps, making me look over my shoulder at him, but I don’t stop. “Are you actually going to talk to him?” “
“You don’t have to swear to me, F-…” I can hear him press his lips shut as he avoids saying my name. And I take a sharp, deep breath, knowing we’re on shaky ground. “I have no doubts,” he finishes. “Good,” I murmur, and again I laugh just a little bit, because the word is pathetically inept in ter
Daniel sighs and glances at Jerome, willing to explain. “We got a phone call from the prison during cocktails,” he says, pitching his voice low as if he’s still worried about being overheard. Probably the result of growing up in a house filled with secrets, I consider, thinking about the little kidn
“I can’t believe you got me a job,” Daniel grumbles from the passenger seat, his arms crossed over his chest as he stares out the window. “’Bout time,” Jerome murmurs as he drives, smirking as he keeps his eyes on the road. Daniel makes a squeak of protest as he turns to glare at his boyfriend, bu







