Caleb stood up and finished his beer.
“Mojo, as soon as you find someone to replace me, I’ll need to quit. I’m going to be focusing on my painting and my mates,” Caleb said, smiling at Bran.
“No worries. I have someone who came in here yesterday looking for a job. Paint me something for the bar and there won’t be any hard feelings. Maybe one of those fifties-style pin-up girls you have been doodling on bar napkins.” Mojo winked.
Bran’s eyebrows went up and Caleb blushed.
“I didn’t think you saw those,” he admitted and Mojo gave a great booming laugh.
“They were all over the place, pretty blonde women. Ironic, thinking back, they looked a lot like Kate,” Mojo said.
Caleb’s eyes widened. “They did, didn’t they?” he said, smiling.
“Fate knows what she’s doing, kiddo. Don’t fuck up again,” Mojo said.
Bran and Caleb turned to leave the bar. Bran grabbed Caleb’s arm.
“You have got to paint Kate as a fifties pin-up girl for my office,” he said, a dreamy look on his face.
“Sure, if you spot me the money to get that imported chocolate and my apology gift.” Caleb laughed.
“Deal! I can’t wait to get my painting,” Bran said, rubbing his hands together.
* * * *
“Okay, Uncle Rian is going to introduce you to the best things in life, boys. Candy and coffee. Can you say coffee?” Rian said, bouncing Landon.
“Rian, should they have sugar and caffeine?” Damian asked, worried.
“If it’s tiny amounts, yes, they’ll be fine. Besides it’s fun to watch them get excited and it makes me the best uncle ever,” Rian said as they walked into Bobbles and Things, the local candy and toy store.
“What do you think, Damian, a little cotton candy? It should dissolve so they won’t choke and they can have just a little bit.” Rian eyed the blue, fluffy candy.
“That should be okay, as long as it’s a tiny bit,” Damian said, bouncing Lucas.
“They probably had more sugar eating some of the cereals they have nowadays, relax Damian.” Rian smiled down at Landon.
“So the fags are back,” a cranky voice said from behind the counter.
Rian rolled his eyes. “Hello and a good afternoon to you too, Mr. Gilberton. It’s a fine day today, isn’t it?” Rian said sweetly. The old man harrumphed and went back to his books.
“Can we get these for them?” Damian asked, holding up a pair of stuffed toy lions. Rian hurried over and gushed over the small toys. The boys squealed and tried to take the toys from them.
“I think they want them,” Damian said, smiling.
“Then they get them,” Rian said simply.
They were on the way to the counter when they saw Caleb and Bran walk in, holding the distinct burgundy bag from their local jewelry store. He dragged Damian into the back of the store. He prayed that the overwhelming smells of the different candies masked their scents. He overheard Bran ask about the Belgium chocolate that Kate loved. Damian nudged his side and pointed excitedly to Caleb. He had heard it too. Poor Caleb looked as though he had been kicked in the nuts and anxious. Bran paid for the chocolates and turned to Caleb, saying that Kate should still be at the library.
“Here take him real quick, he said, handing Landon off to Damian, who juggled both boys.
He took out his cell phone and quickly sent a text to Kate. He was so glad that the three newly mated ménage members seemed to heading in the right direction. He zipped off one last text as Bran and Caleb left the shop before he put the phone away and took Landon back from Damian.
“Let’s get out of here and head to The Grind. I am dying for one of Nic’s frappes,” Rian said.
They went to the counter and paid for their candy and the toy lions. Mr. Gilberton was rude as usual. They walked down to The Grind and stepped in. Both men stopped and breathed in deeply.
“Heaven must smell like this,” Rian said. Damian nodded. They heard a laugh and saw Nicholas behind the counter looking at them. Rian and Damian carried the boys over and sat at the bar.
“Who do we have here?” Nic asked, smiling at the twins, who beamed back.
“I need caffeine, Nic, or I’m going to die,” Rian whined.
“He needs caffeine, Nic, or I’m going to kill him,” Damian said, rolling his eyes.
“Your usual extra-large, quad-shot, raspberry white chocolate mocha with whip?” Nic asked.
“Stop talking dirty to me in front of the babies,” Rian said, making a shooing motion at Nic with his hand.
“Coming right up. Damian, anything for you?” Nic asked, laughing.
“Can I get a medium caramel frappe with extra coffee and drizzle?” Damian asked.