How Severus Spends His Summer Hols

AN: Damon gets his anniversary gift from his husband for their 50th wedding anniversary and shocks his husband as well. The period of mourning is now over for Grant.


For You I Will


The alarm went off and Harry quickly reached out an arm, slapping at it until it went silent. Lying back on the pillows, he looked up at the ceiling and yawned. He still thought the alarm should be on Severus’ side of the bed.

“Husband, it’s time for you to get up,” he said quietly and nudged the softly snoring man lying next to him. “Come on Sev, you said you had to be at the shop early today for that shipment from Longfellow’s.” He ran his fingers through his husband’s closely cropped raven black locks; short now after mourning the lost Wolffe children.

Severus groaned and rolled over, hooking Harry about the waist and snuggling close to him once more. He buried his face in the other man’s side and yawned against the soft skin. “No,” he grumbled and he kissed Harry’s side softly.

Harry smiled as he continued to stroke his man’s hair. “Come on Sev, you need to be there by eight, that’s what you told me. Would you rather I go down and meet the delivery man instead? I can ask Damon to drive me,” he offered as the other man’s hand was now rubbing over his pregnant belly and the child within stirring gently.

Severus shook his head and looked up at the younger man. “No I’m awake. I’ll get up in a few.” He rose up and laid a soft kiss to Harry’s navel. “Good Morning, Reganne,” he said softly as he continued to rub the tautly stretched skin.

He turned his head and looked up at Harry and grinned at the slight growth of stubble on his chin. It wasn’t often that Harry had to shave but once every two weeks or so small black hairs grew just on his chin and sometimes he had a small sad excuse for a moustache. It took even longer now that the female hormones were working over time with Reganne but the testosterone still managed to show through occasionally. “You need to shave, Pet. Would you like to come with me to the shop this morning?”

Harry raised a slim hand to his chin and pulled a face when he felt the little bristles scrape his fingertips. “I hate shaving,” he muttered. “After she’s born, I want that charm done on me permanently, alright?” He liked the feel of Severus’ morning growth scraping over his skin sometimes, but he couldn’t stand his own. He thought Grant was lucky in that respect, the other man had never shaved in his life.

“And which charm is that, My Harry?” Severus smirked at the younger man. “The one that removed all your facial hair?” Last time Harry had attempted the Shaving Charm he had been a bit over zealous and his eyebrows had paid the price. He reached up and stroked Harry’s chin, grinning at the scratchiness of the sound. “I don’t know I am not certain I would like you so smooth all the time. I could see you with a soul patch maybe.”

Harry considered the option for a moment and shrugged. “Maybe, but it would take me a year to grow the bloody thing,” he chuckled, “and I just can’t be arsed with it while I’m taking care of a baby. You’d look good with one though.” He stroked one finger down the ridge of Severus’ aquiline nose and tapped the tip as he smiled. “You’d look dead sexy, you know.”

Severus chuckled and leaned up to kiss Harry. “I’ll think about it, My Harry. I was just giving you the choice. Just because you have the ability to give me a child doesn’t mean that you aren’t a man.”

Harry smiled slightly, that had been something weighing heavily on his mind. He loved the fact he could give his husband children, but he didn’t want to lose the fact he was a man in a gay marriage. He didn’t know if he could ever go through what Grant had in order to be with his husband and prayed that he never had to find out.

“What do you want for breakfast? Cereal or doughnuts?” Harry asked as he shifted his weight, the baby lying on his bladder. “I hope Grant still wants to teach me to cook, I’m sick of pre-made packaged rubbish.”

Severus chuckled. “You are doing fine, Harry. In fact you can practice right now on some rashers for me while I shower. I am certain Damon is already up and has coffee made. If you like I’ll take both of you to the shop today; Damon can unload and you can scribe.” He grinned at Harry as he sat up and moved from the bed.

“Alright Sev, would you like eggs as well? I can do scrambles for you,” he said as he sat up and swung his legs over the side. “I need in the loo first though.”

After coming out of the small bathroom in a pair of sweat pants and one of Sev’s tee shirts, he kissed the taller man’s cheek while he was bent over getting something from a dresser drawer. “Damon said he wanted to teach me how to check the fluids on the truck before we picked up the Jeep tonight.”

Severus nodded. Damon had done the same thing to him when he had taught Severus how to drive Damon’s old truck. “I’ll call Longfellow’s and have the plants I ordered delivered this evening and I’ll stay to help with your … lesson.” These he had to see. He and Damon had gone round and round when Severus had first learned to change the oil on the POS. Grant had hidden the keys to his little car after he had almost put transmission fluid in where the oil was supposed to go.

Harry shook his head as he walked out of the bedroom and into the kitchen, finding his father-in-law sitting at the table with a cup of coffee in his hands. “Is that the first cup?” he asked, remembering that Grant had asked him to watch Damon’s intake of caffeine, he said it made the older man irritable.

Damon growled at Harry. “Maybe, but it isn’t none of your business, Harry.” He sipped the dark brew then smirked at the younger man. “It’s decaf.” He didn’t bother telling Harry he had already drank the entire pot of caffenated. “You ready to get under the hood today?”

Nodding in reply, Harry put the kettle on the hob for tea before he pulled out a skillet and set it on the flame as well. “Yes Damon, but I want to eat first. Would you like rashers and eggs this morning?” he asked as he took what he needed from the refrigerator. He could hear the shower running and smiled. “Sev said he’d stay home to watch.”

“Shit.” Damon muttered. “Harry, if rashers are bacon then yes, I’ll take a few slices. You go ahead and eat first, that other stuff can wait a bit.” He shook his head and snorted. “I supposed that isn’t all bad because he might need a refresher course. Damn fool nearly blew up Grant’s Mustang when he first learned to drive it after we had an accident on the motorcycle.”

Harry laid the strips of pork in the pan, nodding as he listened. “What accident?” he asked as Severus entered the kitchen with bare feet and wet hair. “Was anyone hurt?”

Severus swallowed as he heard Harry’s question. “Damon and Grant were run off the road by a drunk driver the fall of ’99.” He looked over at Damon and sat down at the table and began to tell Harry the tale of one of the worst few weeks in his life.

*************

Magpie sat next to Grant while he drove into downtown Echo if you could call the little town that. She eyed him and watched him closely. It had only been the day before when Damon had shown up at the house and made such a racket that their mother had ranted and raved for hours after. Grant had smiled the whole time and it had done nothing but make the older woman even angrier while Grandmother just cackled at them as she turned up the television to drown out Rachel.

Needless to say they hadn't gone into town and this morning Grandmother had been too tired. So it was up to her to get the things the old woman asked for. Grant drove past a rusting hulk of a truck in an empty lot and she squealed, "Look Grant!"

Grant touched his brakes and slowed there next to the empty lot. "Damn Mags, what?" he demanded. Merlin, the woman nearly gave him a heart attack screeching like that, she knew better. He'd already had more coffee than normal and was a tetchy as a cat in a roomful of rocking chairs. The small man looked around and saw what she was pointing at. "It's an old truck Mags, you see them all the time."

Magpie raised her eyebrows at him. "Well, who pissed in your porridge this morning? You were in a good mood when we started out." She shook off his sour mood and pointed at the truck again then looked back at her older brother. "Doesn't it look familiar though?" She smirked at him. "Think back... oh say some fifty years ago."

Grant squinted and looked at the truck, a blush rising to his cheeks as he realized it was the same type of truck Damon had driven while courting him. "Merlin," he whispered, "we wore the bed out on that old thing between the four of us, remember?" He pulled into a parking space and turned the car off, getting out, taking a closer look. "Oh my, it's the same year and model."

Magpie grinned and followed him out of the little car. "I remember him parking it at that grove of trees and then sneaking onto the res to come and get you."

Grant bit his lower lip and giggled with his sister like it was yesteryear. "I don't know how many times Mom almost caught him," he said laughing. He circled the old truck and stopped in his tracks. "It's for sale, Mags."

Magpie stared at him. "Ohh Grant, get it." She went over to stand by him and took his hand. "I know your anniversary was while you all have been separated but get it for him." She nudged him gently. "And get rid of that eyesore next to the barn. Either that or take the tires off it and plant flowers in the bed."

Grant took his cell phone from his pocket and on the third try of dialling the scrawled number; he finally got an answer. He spoke briefly to a man who lived outside of town that owned the lot and recently cleared out everything but the old truck. Grant could have it for next to nothing to save the man a tow bill to the junkyard; he just needed to move it immediately.

Grant hung up the phone and looked at the truck once more and then his sister. "I need my head examined, I just bought that thing."

Magpie grinned again and shook her head. "I think it's sweet. Now it has to be restored. Make it just like the one he had, Grant. Please," she sighed. "He was so handsome. I always was envious of you when he would come and get you. He only had eyes just for you and he never treated me any different, just like I was his little sister."

Grant smirked and swatted Magpie's shoulder. "You were like his little sister. I didn't know you had designs on my man," he chuckled and raised a brow to look at her. "David War Lance never stopped sitting outside the door hoping to talk to you." He paused for a moment and thought about his late brother-in-law. David had been a good man and treated Mags and their two children wonderfully, it was a horrible shame that he'd died so young and for such a stupid reason. The other man had been killed by a drunk driver while he was walking home from work. Just one more reason Grant hated drinking, drunk driving killed people he loved.

Before Damon had shipped out to Korea, he'd sold his truck to David for the price of making sure Grant was taken to Vermillion to the state college and was moved into a small apartment. "Whatever happened to that old truck, anyhow?" he asked. He couldn't believe he didn't know what had happened to the truck Damon had pitched woo in.

Magpie swallowed and closed her eyes. "I had it sent away after David was killed. I couldn't stand to look at it anymore. It was my fault he didn't take it because I wanted to drive it that day to take the children to see Grandmother." She had mourned her husband properly back then but the guilt still lived with her daily. She'd meet him again once she got to the Homelands but for now she carried on.

Grant nodded silently and stepped forward to embrace his sister, reminded that he had not been there for his sister and her children because of the riff with his family. "I understand Mags, I really do," he said softly and kissed her forehead. "I'm still sorry I wasn't there for you."

He walked back to the car holding her hand, shutting the door after she got in. He turned and looked once more at the rusting hulk and wondered where he should take it to first. Maybe Severus... or Harry could do something with it. Smiling to himself, Grant got back in the car and looked at Magpie. "Do you have any pictures of the old truck?"

"Thank you, Grant. I know and I am sorry I wasn't able to be there for you as well." Maggie shook her head and snorted. "I do and would you believe me if told you that it was a snapshot of Damon and me?"

She reached back into the back seat and pulled her voluminous handbag into her lap. Digging down to the bottom she pulled out a small thin photo album. Flipping through it she stopped at the photo and turned it towards Grant.

The snapshot was of the side of the truck. Damon and Magpie were standing just at the middle of the truck, smiling at the photographer. The Marine was standing behind Magpie, had his arms wrapped around the young woman and had his chin resting on the top of her head. Both of them had grins a mile wide on their faces.

"David took it the day before he shipped out after they made the trade. Damon charmed it so the colour wouldn't fade. Look at us, Grant. We were so young then."

Grant took the album in his hand and gazed down at the image, with one finger, he gently stroked his then boyfriend's cheek and then his sister's. "You were always so beautiful, just like Mom," he said softly and wiped at his eyes. "Look at my Damon, look how cocky he seems, so ready to tackle the world. So different from how he came home to us." Reluctantly, he handed the slim tome back to her. "Do you think I might be able to get a copy of that before you go? We never really had any pictures taken while I was still on the res, you know?"

"That time changed us all." Magpie said sadly then snorted again. "He is just as cocky as he ever was, Grant. Is there a place in town that you would trust to handle the photograph?"

He nodded and started the Mustang up, looking over his shoulder before he pulled onto the street. "Wright's does a good job, I've used them before," Grant said and headed in that direction, he still needed to go to the bank and see if he could get the money he needed. Damon's name was the only one on the banking account and he wasn't sure if he had anymore of the pre-signed checks his husband always made sure to leave him. Reaching down at his feet, he snagged the strap of his fanny pack and handed it to Magpie.

"Would you look in there and see if I have a check from Damon?" he asked, not wanting to take his eyes off the road.

Magpie unzipped the large pocket of the pack and found a checkbook. There was not one check left in the register but she did find a small envelope with a credit card in it and a yellow sticky note. She pulled it from the little paper slip and held it out. Grant's name was embossed on the front of the Visa card. "There are no checks but there is this credit card and a note from Damon. Would you like me to read it to you?"

"Do you mind?" he asked as he braked for a slower car and concentrated on what he was doing. He was also wondering why there was a credit card in his fanny pack; he never carried one.

Magpie dug in her purse and placed her glasses on her nose then read the spidery scrawl. She snorted and shook her head.

"Injun,
I had your signature added to the account when I realized we were out of checks. This is a Visa Check card. It works just like a check to our account except there is less paper involved. You can use it any time you need money or would like to make a purchase. Just remember to write it down in the ledger like you would a check. It's already authorized and waiting for you to spend our money any time you need it; you don’t have to ask. I set the pin number to your birthday, 0935. To change it all you have to do is go to the bank and do so. Ask for Marilyn and she'll help you.

Have fun spending our money,
Damon"

She looked up at her brother. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Grant was dumbstruck for a moment, at loss for words; he didn't quite know how he felt about this. He liked the fact Damon took care of the account, liked the fact he felt taken care of in that respect. He didn't know jack about a check card and he didn't want it. Grant hadn't handled money that wasn't his so called allowance or the house account in nearly the entire time they'd been married.

"Damon normally just signs checks for me in case I need to do something and he's not with me," Grant mumbled as he swung his little car into the bank parking lot and shut it down.

Magpie looked at the card and then at her brother, confused. "This is the same thing. I have one of these for my account. It's really easy all you have to do is give it to the cashier and they'll run it through the machine and your account is automatically debited." She eyed him again. "This is safer in the long run because if someone were to, Merlin forbid, mug you then they can not access your account. All he did was make it easier for you to get the funds you needed if he wasn't with you." She showed him the card. "Look it's got your picture on it and everything." She pointed to the grainy photo of Grant on the upper left corner and his loopy signature right underneath that.

Grant peered at what she was showing him and chewed worriedly on his lower lip, he still didn't know if he liked it or not. "Well, I'll go and see if they'll give me some money then," he said and took the card gingerly between his fingertips. Giving his sister a smile, he got out of the car going around the front to reach the bank doors. Pausing for a moment, Grant turned and sat on the edge of the hood, pulling his cell phone out of his pocket. He had to make sure.

Grant dialled the Overlook's number and waited for someone to answer.

*********

Severus jogged into the house to answer the phone. They had all been outside where Damon was giving Harry a course in how to maintain your auto when the pealing ring echoed in the air. He grabbed it just before the answering machine picked it up. "Hallo?" He panted breathlessly.

"Severus, it's Grant, would Damon be there?" he asked as he wiggled his foot impatiently.

"Mmhmm." Severus huffed out a breath. He wedged the phone between his ear and his shoulder and poured himself a glass of tea. He took a long swallow before elaborating the hum. "Hey Grant. He's outside with Harry under the truck. Can I help you or do you want me to go get him?"

"I'm sorry Sev, but I need him, okay?" he asked softly, he could hear how out of breath his son was.

"Sure thing. Let me put you down for a mo then he'll be right with you." He set the phone down and yelled out the back door. "Damon! Phone!" He watched his father scoot out from under the truck then pull a squirming Harry out by his feet as well. He chuckled and shook his head as he picked up the phone again. "He's coming, Grant. Everything alright?"

Grant nodded and then spoke. "Yes, I just need to talk to him about something. Everything is alright with you and Bit?" he asked and turned to smile at his sister through the windshield, not surprised to find her reading.

"Yes everything's fine, Damon and I went and looked at a car for Bit and they are going to start driving lessons after Harry gets the basic mechanics down. I told Damon that we had Triple A but he won't let Harry get behind the wheel until he can check all the fluids and change a tire by himself."

He looked up at Damon and then held up one finger and mouthed Grant's name. Damon nodded and waited for Severus to finish his conversation with his husband.

Grant laughed. "He did the same thing with me, but I've yet to change a tire. That is why they have Triple A, but he won't listen."

Severus chuckled, "I know. It's a good thing though. He needs to know just in case something was to happen. Here he is. Take care, Grant."

He passed the phone to Damon and poured another glass of tea for himself, Damon, and Harry then steered the smaller man into the living room to give Damon some privacy.

Damon grinned his thanks and sat down at the table, sipping from the glass. "Hey Injun, how are you?"

"I'm alright Damon. I'm at the bank," he said and swallowed, not sure why he felt nervous. "I need some money please."

Damon frowned. "What's wrong, baby? Did the card I gave you not work? All you have to do is use it at the store just like a check."

"I need cash and I don't have a check for the bank," it all came out in a rush and Grant took a deep breath waiting for Damon to laugh at him.

Damon snorted. "Calm down Pet, you have all the cash you need with that little card. Go into the bank and go to the ATM machine and I'll talk you through it alright."

"But... okay, I just had to know it was alright from you," he said as he walked to the ATM on the outer wall of the bank and waited in line.

"That's okay, Grant. I was trying to make it easier on you and me. This way you don't have to carry around a checkbook anymore. All you need is that card. At the ATM, you can get up to three hundred dollars at a time. If you need more then all you have to do is go to the counter and fill out a withdrawal slip." Damon sipped from his glass and sighed. "Is everything else alright?"

"Yes," Grant said nodding, “I just found something and was surprised when this card was there. I didn't know the checks were getting to be a problem Damon," he said as he stepped up to the ATM and quickly scanned over the instructions. Seemed easy enough. He pushed the buttons as he was prompted and took his cash and the receipt when it was spit out. "Do you want me to just save the slips?"

He looked down at the balance and swallowed. He'd really had no idea what was in their accounts; he didn't touch them by mutual agreement. "Damon... is this balance right?" he whispered as he looked around nervously.

"They weren't a problem Grant but the last time I was in the bank one of the tellers talked me into getting the cards when I added you to the account." Damon finished his tea and then looked around the kitchen. "Said they were easier to manage and as long as I kept track of the receipts then it was less paperwork. So yes, Pet, keep all of your ATM slips.

The former Marine chuckled. "It should be about five figures, my Grant. Why? Have you gone on a shopping spree?"

"No... no Damon, I just didn't know," he said as he looked down at the amount again and shook his head. He knew Damon had several accounts set up, one for the house, and one strictly for them as well as savings and who knew what. "I took out one hundred and fifty dollars... is that alright?" He walked back to the car slowly as he put the money in his fanny pack.

"That's fine, my Own. If you need more then go back and get you some. That card accesses all of our accounts." Damon grinned as Harry and Severus came back through the door to the kitchen. The younger man had the Driver's handbook and Severus had a bottle of potion that appeared to be a Calming Draft. It appeared the Brit was going to join them after all. "Alright, my Own is there anything else you need? We are going to get Bit's car it seems and Sev is going with us for his first lesson."

"No sir, I'm alright, just out with Maggie. Good luck with the driving lesson, take care of Harry, okay? Tell him I'll call him later this afternoon, I may need his help with something," Grant said as he opened his car door and slid in behind the wheel. "Be careful Damon, I love you."

Damon laughed. "I love you too, My Own and we will. Have fun with Maggie May and give her a kiss from me." He winked at Harry and the boy smiled at him. "I will tell him."

Grant hung up the phone and started the car; he still had a couple of errands to do before he could concentrate on the old truck. "You know it's going to have to be done with magic, Mags," he said as he backed out of his spot and pulled out onto the street to get the copy made of the picture. "I can't do it, and I don't know if Harry can, his magic's a little odd right now. Maybe Max." He talked more to himself than his sister and she simply nodded and let him chatter on, happy that he was showing enthusiasm for life now.

After they left the photo shop, Grant pulled his phone out again as he drove back to where the rusting hulk was parked. He quickly dialled Max at the office and waited for him to pick up his private line, it was Tuesday afternoon and he knew the healer kept it open for paperwork.

Max scribbled his signature across the notes on a chart and then shut it. He hated going over the patient's charts with a passion. However with Allie's pregnancy mood swings swaying like a branch in a tornado, he was willing to stay away for a bit. He loved his wife; he really did but sometimes he wondered if the testosterone from the baby was making her cranky. He shook his head and sighed as the phone rang. He grinned, as it was is private line and picked up the receiver; it was most likely Sev or maybe Damon.

"County Morgue. You kill 'em, we chill 'em."

"Ohhhh so professional you big ape," Grant laughed. He himself used to answer his private line as the Echo Nut House. "How are things going?" He walked around the old truck and tested the strength of the front bumper with his foot before he turned and sat down on it.

Max grinned. "Hey Grant. There's more from where that came from and it's my private line so fuck it." He chuckled. "It's going… just charting." He sighed, going into Healer mode. "How are you doing?"

"I'm doing alright Max, thank you for asking. If I were you, I'd expect Damon to drag me the first of next week though," he said with a rueful chuckle and looked down at the grass between his feet. "There was a reason I was calling though, if you have a moment."

"For you sir, anything." Max frowned. He didn't know much about the mourning customs of the Indians but he had heard some awful things and some good ones as well. If Damon was going to be dragging the other man in, he hoped there wasn't too serious a reason. "Something you need to be telling me, Grant?"

Grant chuckled into the small telephone. "I bought Damon a truck a couple of hours ago, Max and I need some help."

Max laughed. "You are shitting me! What did you get?" He sobered. "Oh and Happy Fiftieth by the way. I am sorry I didn't get to tell you on the grand occasion."

“Thank you Max, I can’t wait until I am dancing at your fiftieth anniversary with Allie,” he said with a smile. Grant took a deep breath before he disclosed the information to Max. "You know the clock shop on Maynard Street? It's parked in the lot next to it... a '42 Chevy," he said and waited for the man to make the connection.

Max thought for a moment, choosing not to comment on the mention of his own anniversary that far into the future. He’d always assumed he’d live hard and die young. "There's no car lot next to the clock shop." He hummed. "A '42 Chevy pick-up, eh? Bet you paid a pretty penny for that little jewel. Wurlitzer style front grill? What kind of condition is it in?" He loved old cars and trucks. They didn't make vehicles like they used to. Nowadays they were all plastic and meant to be replaced every few years.

Grant shook his head and waved lazily at a late season bumblebee that was looking him over. "No, there's not a car lot Max and no, I only paid seventy-five dollars for it. It's in bad shape, but I want to make it like new for Damon... I have a picture of a truck like it he used to have, do you think you could help me get it right?" he asked. Normally he would have sent it out to be redone, but as Max had said, their fiftieth anniversary had been a couple of days ago and he wanted to surprise Damon with it.

Max's jaw dropped. "Holy shit Grant! You paid seventy-five bucks for a classic car?!? Hold on a sec." Placing the phone on the desk, he rubbed his face, shrugged out of his lab coat and picked the phone back up. "Damn Grant you don't ask for much, do you?” He stood. "You said it's by the clock shop? Where are you? I can be there in about five minutes. I won't know how much I can do for you until I see it."

Fighting the urge to laugh, Grant leaned back against the dull chrome grill and smiled. "I'm sitting on the front bumper actually, Max. I didn't pay too much, did I?" he asked with a laugh. "I'll be right here waiting for you, Mags walked over to the bookstore." He didn't think it would be a problem if he saw Max, since technically, Max was his physician.

"Entirely too much." Max deadpanned and then laughed. "I can't believe it. Man, seventy-five bucks. Damon is a lucky s.o.b." He shook his head and grabbed his gloves. "Alright I am heading out the door. See you in a bit."

Grant hung his phone up and slipped it back into his fanny pack before he leaned back against the grill and closed his eyes. In his memories, he could remember how dashingly handsome Damon had been behind the wheel of that old black Chevy when he'd come tear assing around the curve where the cottonwood grove was. How Grant’s face would light up in a huge smile, as he would climb up into the cab to have a few stolen hours with the man he loved. His first driving lessons had been in that old truck and that same truck was the one he'd helped to replace the clutch when he'd burned it up on the washboard gravel roads.

Damon still talked about that truck with a look of longing and sadness on his face, and he hoped that his gift would be one his husband would cherish.

Max swung his leg over his cycle and took off down the street not bothering with a helmet. It wouldn't be too much longer and then he would be back in his own truck. He took advantage of the freedom the Harley provided and sighed as he rounded the corner and saw the rusted truck. He parked beside the classic mustang and shut off his cycle and stared at the truck and the man sitting on the bumper.

He wasn't certain, which he was in more shock about; Grant's appearance or the truck itself. "Merlin, Grant what the fuck happened to you?" He jumped off the bike and jogged towards the small man.

Grant's eyes snapped open, pulling him from his wander down memory lane when Max called out to him. Self consciously, he pulled his jacket closer around his frame and reached up to smooth his drastically shorter hair. He realized too late that he hadn't bothered to look in a mirror yet today and judging from Max's reaction, it wasn't any surprise he'd been stared at while in town.

"This is the truck Max," he said softly as he got to his feet and turned to look at the busted out windshield glittering in the afternoon sunlight. "Do you think there's hope for it?"

Max stared at the little man and shook his head. "Grant, I asked about your health. You look like a scarecrow. The truck can wait. We are going back to the office now so I can check you over. Don't make me put you back in the hospital, sir." He tacked on the respect to show the other man he actually cared and it wasn't just an idle threat.

Grant shook his head. "I can't leave Maggie, Max. I'm alright, I know I've lost a little bit of weight and I've not been sleeping well, but I'm alright," he said and gave the large man a sad smile. "I miss Damon is all, okay?" He reached out and gave the healer's hand a gentle squeeze with cold, thin fingers. "Help me with this, please?"

Max pulled the older man into a loose embrace and shook his head. "Fuck it all, Grant. I thought you were going to take care of yourself." He sighed and stroked the chopped hair. "Damon's going to have a cow and I am going to have to sedate his ass." He chuckled and pulled back from the other man. "This is a bribe, isn't it? You know your ass is grass." He smiled and shook his head again then looked at the heap and sighed heavily. He turned back and met the dark eyes. "I'll help you. But you had better do everything I say when it comes to your check up next week. No bitching, sir."

Once again, a small hand stole up to smooth over the crude haircut. "Damon is going to kill my mother, me or both of us, I think," he said softly and then looked up at Max. "I'm eating better Max, half a roll of cookie dough last night while I was reading and breakfast this morning."

He stepped forward and ran his fingers over the rusted, dented hood. "Damon used to have a truck like this one when we first met. We had a lot of wonderful times in that truck and when Maggie pointed it out to me, I knew Damon had to have it."

Max rubbed his face. Half a roll of cookie dough? He snorted and shook his head. He wondered once again why he bothered. "I may just help him, sir." He chuckled and pulled Grant back into a hug once more, confirming that the other man was still alive and breathing just for his own sake. The last time was still too clear in his memories. He kissed the top of Grant's head and nodded. "When do you want it ready? I could most likely have it almost done by Christmas. Depends on how long it takes me to find the parts."

"Thursday afternoon..."

"Thursday... afternoon? As in this Thursday afternoon? Three days from now?" Max asked incredulously.

Grant bit his lower lip and smiled sheepishly at Max. He knew he was asking for miracles, but if anyone had a prayer of putting that truck to rights in that time frame, it was Max Sorens. The man was a classic car aficionado and had rebuilt several in the years they'd known him. "Can't you magic it?" he asked and took a copy of Magpie's picture out of his fanny pack to show the younger man.

"I know it's 'cheating', but is it possible?" he asked hopefully, right now he thought it might be the only thing that would keep Damon from exploding on the front porch of Sev and Harry's house when he picked him up.

Max took a deep breath and plucked the picture from Grant's hand. He grinned at the figures, sighing and laughing once again. "It is cheating but I can do the body work that way. It running is what I am most worried about. It isn't going to be easy finding the engine parts especially if you want it do to original specs. More maybe if you want upgrades." He looked down at the other man. "I have a contact in California that might help us but it will cost an arm and a leg most likely to get it done in that time frame."

Grant nodded and sucked on his lower lip for a moment before pulling his mobile phone out once more and punching in Damon's number.

Damon's cell rang and he jumped, knocking his head on the roof of the hood of the Jeep Cherokee, he was looking at for Harry. He pulled the cell from his belt clip and answered it rubbing his head and glaring at Harry and Sev as they snickered. "Yeah?"

"Hey Damon, it's me again," Grant said and walked a little ways off from the truck. "Everything okay?"

"My Grant." Damon smiled. "Yes, Pet. Just nearly knocked myself out and Sev and Bit think it's funny." He flipped the younger couple off and they dissolved into laughter. He rolled his eyes. "I think we found a land tank for Harry though."

Grant winced. "I hope you are okay and I'm glad Harry's found a car. I have a question for you, Sir," he said and waited to see if Damon would catch the sir. He leaned against the building's outer wall and looked up into the sky.

Damon cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow, not that Grant could see it but still. "What's wrong, my Own?" He waved back at the two giggle monsters and they quieted.

Looking to find Max poking around under the hood of the old truck, he licked his lips and opened his mouth. "Master, how much money may I spend?"

Damon frowned. "Pet, most of that money is yours. If you wanted to pull everything out of the account then I wouldn't stop you. That's why I put your name on our accounts. I didn't think you would have accepted it years ago but I think now, finally, you are ready for a bit of freedom where your wages are concerned." He bit his lip curious as to why Grant needed the money but he didn't want to ask in case the younger man couldn't tell him. "You have the right to spend it how you wish, Pet. I invested it and that balance you were so concerned about is just the interest we've been living on."

Grant turned around to face the brick wall, picking at the crumbling mortar with his ragged nails. "So if I spent half of it, you wouldn't be angry with me?" He leaned his head forward and let his forehead rest against the rough brick.

Damon snorted. "No Pet, I wouldn't." He took a deep breath. "It's not something to do with your health is it?" He asked quietly.

"No Sir, it's not," he answered quickly to reassure him. "I'm alright. I just... found something."

Damon nodded. "Alright then, Pet. Be careful and have fun. But don't bring home any more animals," he chuckled lightly. "I am glad to see you wanting to spend money, Grant."

"Thank you Damon. I'll let you get back to Harry and Sev," he said as he turned back around, letting the sun play over his face. "Be ready Thursday afternoon, alright?"

Damon grinned. "Thursday? I can come home then?" He frowned, remembering Magpie's implied threat. "Is Mourning Dove staying?"

"Yes, I'm coming to get you Thursday," he smiled and then sighed. "I don't know Damon. It's up to you."

Damon sighed. "Magpie said something about her wanting to stay." He swallowed. "Did you want her to stay?"

"I'm worried about her, Damon. You've been in her apartment, you know how crappy that government hulk is," he said, getting angry as he thought of the mould ridden, ill insulated apartment his grandmother lived in.

Damon sighed again. "If you want she can stay. However if Rachel stays you have to put her in the barn."

Grant heard the frustration in his husband's voice and shook his head. "No Damon, I'm sure she was teasing me. You know how she is, always claiming to want to be spoiled. I'll let you get back to Severus and Bit, okay?"

Damon snorted. "No, Grant. If you want her there, she can stay. I was joking about making Rachel stay in the barn. If you like, call the contractor and get an estimate to remodel one of the outbuildings for Mourning Dove. Have him give me a couple of plans for a one room studio house or what have you." He took a deep breath. "She can have her own bit of our back forty if you like. I promise to make her comfortable, you know that."

"Thank you Damon," he said softly. "I'll talk to her this evening and see if she was serious." He knew Damon wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea. He didn't want to have to curtail their activities because of someone being around and Grant agreed. "I have to wonder if she just wouldn't be happier out there with somewhere else to live."

"Grant, you know I love Mourning Dove and I know she's not in the best of health. If you feel that she would be better out here then I'll make it happen for you. The offer extends to Magpie as well, you know that. They have never treated us any different." Damon left Rachel out of the equation all together.

"It's about time you asked for something if you wanted it for your family and I know you'll make the right decision, whatever you choose." He closed his eyes and waited on his husband's answer. No, he didn't want to have to curtail their lifestyle but if Grant wanted his family around him then he would make it happen for the younger man.

"Okay Damon. I'll talk to her and see where she'd be the happiest," he said softly. "Now get back to them before they buy a Gremlin or a Pinto." He laughed and walked back over to where Max was looking at the interior of the cab. "I'll call you tonight, okay? Love you."

"Love you too, Injun." Damon laughed loudly. "You honestly think I would let them by a dangerous heap like that?" He shook his head and grinned then nodded to Sev. Harry jumped up and down and wrapped his arms around Severus squeezing him then proceeded to run towards Damon. "I'll be waiting for your... oof... call, Pet." He ran a hand over Harry's head and squeezed him return.

"Say hello to them both for me, okay?" Grant said and then hung the phone up and turned to Max. "Okay, I have the money to do what's needed. What do we do first?"

Max climbed out of the interior of the truck and smiled at Grant, dust and cobwebs sticking to his wind tossed hair. "I can fix the seats, interior, chassis, body, paint job and details with my wand. Shouldn't be a problem." He wiped the dust from his hands. "But in order for it to run properly the engine and electrical work will have to be done manually. James should know where I can get the things I need if not have some of them on already on hand. I'll need to pick up a Chilton's manual too."

Grant nodded. "I understand Max. Do you really think we could have it ready?" he asked excitedly. He could see it all shiny and new in his mind's eye and wanted to give it to Damon.

"We'll damn sure give it our best shot, Grant. I can clear my schedule if you like; it's not that heavily appointed and I can reschedule the meeting with the new incoming pediatrician at Blue Ridge for later as well." The big healer promised. "Can you and Magpie have lunch with me? I'll call James and see what he has for us."

"Sure Max, she's over at the bookstore. We can eat down at Nancy's, alright?" Grant smiled and wrapped his arms around the large man. "Thank you so much Max, you have no idea what this means." He was determined that the other man see that he was indeed eating now and on the road to recovery while they were at lunch.

"Anywhere you wish, Grant." Max hugged the smaller man to him and nodded. "I know, sir. It will be my pleasure." He pulled back and nodded at the truck. "Going to have it towed to my place or do you want me to work on it at the farm? The gentleman that Damon brought back... " He snapped his fingers a few times, trying to remember the quick introduction Severus had given him. "Lee? Would he help? We could use the extra hands."

Grant laughed, he'd forgotten about Lee. "I'm sure he would and to make it better, he's a mechanic. By the way Max, Lee is my little brother," he said and shrugged. "The farm would be better then, right?" Together they walked across the street to the small bookstore and found Maggie lost in the shelves of cook books.

"Excellent. I'll remember that. So the farm it is. I'll have the towing company take it there after lunch." Max grinned widely. "Why are you hiding these things from me? You have to list our assets, man and that is a major asset." The big healer smiled at the ultimately more female form of Grant. "Ms. Magpie..." He held out an arm to her. "If you would like to accompany me to a late afternoon lunch then we can see about setting that hunk of metal your brother bought back to rights." He winked at her.

Magpie took the healer's arm and then looped her other arm through Grant's offered arm and set off down the street between the two men.

**********

Thursday morning, Grant got everyone into the mini van he'd rented and took them to the airport in Wheeling for their return flight home. The discussion with his family about Mourning Dove moving to Echo had gone well and she'd gone home to make what arrangements she would need to in order to move into their guest room for now. As Grant returned to the farm, he found Max putting the finishing touches on the old truck.

"Max, I can't believe how wonderful it looks. Thank you so much," he said as he wiped at his eyes. He couldn't wait until Damon saw it. The truck was gorgeous, painted a shiny black with stained oak side rails on the bed, a modified engine installed as well. All in all, it was sweet and he could now do something with the POS.

Max grinned and finished wiping down the grill. "You'll have to thank Lee for this." He reached in and started the truck. The engine rumbled to life and the healer grinned again. "That man has magic fingers when it comes to engines." He turned back to Grant. "I have a room all set up for you at the clinic and I'll be waiting on you when Damon drags you in there." He took a deep breath. "We are going to have to do a complete work up on you again, you understand me?"

Grant nodded. "I know. I'm not happy about it, but I know and I promise no arguing. I don't look that bad, do I?" he asked. He'd gotten used to his appearance by now and didn't think anything of it when he cleaned up after working on the truck. He opened the door and slid in behind the wheel. "I think I'll pick him up in this, what do you think?"

"You look at ease somewhat, Grant but physically you've lost a lot of weight that you couldn't afford to. While you were slender before you are almost skeletal now and that's not good for you either." Max shook his head; he didn't want to get in a battle with the smaller man, not with Damon's reaction still coming. "Can you drive this monster?"

Grant grinned at him. "I'm not seventeen anymore Max, I think the clutch is safe, don't you?" Over the past few days, he'd told Max and Lee the stories of when he and Damon first met and how he learned to drive, keeping the men laughing for hours. "I think I'll find a cap for my hair though." He shut the motor off and got out of the truck, walking with Max to the house so he could get one of Damon's old ball caps.

Max nodded. "I think the hair is the least of your worries but Damon is a crotchety ass when it comes to you, Grant so you might be better off." He pulled the smaller man into a hug and grinned down at him. "Be careful. Lee took it for a test ride last night after dark and everything runs great." He stepped back and sighed the moved over to his cycle. "I'll be waiting on you and Damon. You better expect him to stay the whole time through your check up and I'll not deny him that right."

Sighing, he nodded, he knew Damon was not going to be a happy man. "I’ll call you as soon as we get back if Damon doesn't beat me to it," he said as he stepped into the house and grabbed an old Rangers cap from the laundry room, pulling it on and tucking the loose strands of hair behind his ears. "I'll follow you down the drive, Max." He trotted back to the truck and climbed in, starting the motor and putting it in gear.

Max nodded and mounted his bike. He led the way down the drive and turned towards town, giving the older man a wave as he sped off.

Grant turned on the new stereo system he'd helped to install, listening to Pink Floyd as he turned onto Copperhead Road and carefully navigated the narrow lane to the Overlook. He pulled up behind a strange Jeep and wondered if that wasn't Harry's new car.

Taking a deep breath, he got out and made his way to the front door, knocking and waiting on the front porch instead of going around to the kitchen door as he usually did. When no one answered the door immediately, Grant turned his back to the house and looked out over the front yard and back towards the truck, not hearing when the front door opened noiselessly.

Damon opened the front door slowly, his wand drawn and hidden behind the door Harry behind him with his wand. Sev was at the shop and they were home alone, watching the newest horror DVD Harry had picked out. It had both men spooked but neither would admit to it. No one they knew came to the front door. He frowned. It looked like Grant but he wasn't certain. His Injun would never wear a ball cap nor was he that skinny. It looked like a scarecrow standing on the porch.

"Well, who is it?" Harry demanded and looked around the former Marine. "Merlin! Grant, is that you?!?"

Damon shook his head and looked down at Harry. "Subtle, aren't you?"

Harry had the grace to look sheepish and shrugged then grinned. He pushed back the door and put his wand away.

Damon shook his head again. "Injun?"

Grant jumped and then turned around slowly. "Hey Damon. Yeah, it's me," he said softly and hunched his shoulders up against the chill breeze that had begun to blow. He looked past his husband and smiled to Harry. "Hey Bit, how are you feeling?" He stepped forward and offered his husband a kiss.

Damon jerked Grant to him and wrapped him in his arms, breathing in the scent of his husband. He choked back a sob and scooped the other man up to his face, breathing deeply, trying not to break down in front of Harry. "My Grant, I missed you so much."

Harry blushed and pulled Damon and Grant into the house then closed the door behind them. He went into the kitchen to give the older couple some privacy.

Damon raised his head, pressed a kiss to the other man's brow and sighed. He met the dark eyes and frowned. "Tell me why you look like this."

Grant raised his hands and spread his fingers in a gesture that said he didn't have an explanation for his appearance; it was simply what it was. "I'm sorry," he said softly and smiled sadly.

Damon raised his eyebrows. "Sorry? That doesn’t explain anything. I gave you to her to make you better not worse." He sighed. "I am so glad to see you but we are going to Max right now. No fighting, no arguing and no bitching because I am staying this time. I will be there for every poke and prod." He turned towards the kitchen. "Harry! Come out here." He cradled Grant closer to him and adjusted the slight man in his arms.

Grant sighed softly, he'd expected it. "I know Damon, you won't get any argument from me," he said and relaxed into his husband's embrace.

Harry came out of the kitchen, a half eaten ham sandwich in one hand and a bottle of soda in his other. "What is it?"

Damon raised the other eyebrow at his husband's quiet acquiescence. He shook his head and looked at the small pregnant man. "Harry, I need to take Grant in to see Max. Do you want me to take you into the shop to be with Sev?"

He made to nuzzle the top of Grant's head and wrinkled his nose at the ball cap. He pulled it off with his teeth and gasped, Harry forgotten in his shock. "Your hair! What happened to your hair?" The dark locks had been chopped short, almost as short as his own hair. He frowned, anger and understanding waging a war just beneath the surface. "I'm sorry, I understand, but Merlin why didn't you go get it fixed, Pet?"

Harry dropped his soda and stared open mouthed at Grant. He looked so old, so used up. "Oh Merlin, he looks like he came out of a concentration camp or something," he gasped as he got a really good look at his 'mother-in-law'.

Grant broke from the embrace and backed away from Damon, one hand coming up to try to smooth his hair down at the nape of his neck. Allie had been right when she told him he looked awful, he'd not paid much attention to the little witch then, but now the hurtful words were replaying in his mind. He backed into the door and fumbled behind him with one hand searching for the door knob.

Damon had tried to keep Grant in his arms but when the little man struggled he let him go. "Come here, Grant. It's alright. I'm sorry. I just wasn't expecting it." He walked slowly towards his husband. "I'm not angry, baby. Come here." He held his arms open trying to calm his man.

Grant looked at him, one hand still at the back of his neck. "I know I look awful Damon, I was mourning," he said softly and took a step towards his husband. "I'll have it fixed soon, I promise."

Harry just shook his head, speechless as he looked at the man that had replaced Grant. Hollow cheeks and eyes, dark purple bruise-like smudges under his eyes, his once beautiful hair now straw-like and destroyed, and his clothes hung on him. He looked pathetically old.

"I don't understand it." Damon pulled him back into his arms and sighed. "But I'll take care of you baby, we'll get you healthy again." He swallowed and rocked Grant in his arms. "My Own, my Grant." He kissed the top of the younger man's head and scooped him up into his arms again, nuzzling the shorn hair and then soft skin at Grant's neck.

Grant sighed softly and then turned his head so he could kiss his husband softly. "Are you ready to go?" he asked, remembering the truck. He couldn't wait to see the man's reaction.

Damon pressed his mouth to Grant's and hummed. He walked towards the door softly laying gentle pecks to his husband's lips. He stopped and felt for the doorknob without moving his face from Grant's. Then he remembered Harry. "You comin' with, Bit?"

Harry bent down and picked up his soda bottle, thankful it had been capped. "Yes, let me get my shoes and the dogs in, okay?" he said as he straightened back up slowly and took another bite of his sandwich. He eyed Grant again and looked at Damon. "Do you want to make him a sandwich?"

"Alright." Damon said softly. He looked at Grant and ran his eyes over the man's face searching for an answer. "Are you hungry, Pet? Do you want me to feed you?"

Grant sighed, he knew he should eat something to make Damon happy, but his stomach was full, he'd eaten on the way back from Wheeling. "Damon, I'm not hungry. I had a sandwich on the way back from taking them to the airport. I'm afraid if I try to eat anymore, I'll be ill," he said and cocked his head. "But I would take a soda please."

Damon nodded and turned then headed into the kitchen, still carrying Grant. He set the younger man on the counter and reached into the fridge to retrieve a soda for his husband. He popped the top and handed the can to Grant then picked up the Indian again and carted him back to the front door. He pressed a kiss to Grant's mouth and then yelled for Harry. "Come on, Bit."

Grant laughed at his husband and leaned his head against his chest. "You know I can walk, baby."

Harry came out of the bedroom with a puppy under one arm and the other at his heels, heading for the laundry room where he shut them in to keep them out of mischief. "Yes Damon, I've got everything I need."

The younger man joined the older couple in the living room, smiling as he watched the two together. Already Damon seemed more content and at ease.

Grant tried to stifle a smile. "I'm parked behind the Jeep."

Damon grinned. "I know you can walk but I'll carry you all the same." He watched the smile blossom across his husband's mouth and grinned wickedly as Grant caught it. "Shall I put you down and carry Harry around?" He walked around the Jeep and looked up for the Mustang then stopped dead in his tracks.

He nearly dropped Grant as Harry crashed into the back of him. "Mother of Merlin." He whistled softly and looked down at Grant. "Is this the something you found, baby?" He took a step forward and laid a hand on the shiny hood. "Damn Pet. Where did you find it? This is an awesome restoration job."

He ran his hand down the warm metal and sighed. "1942 Chevrolet Pick-up Art Deco styling, Wurlitzer grill front, half-ton, 90 HP and 174 torque without an increase on cubic inches, 115 inch wheel base, oak side boards..." He grinned at his husband. "Big enough bed to wear out all over again." Damon hugged the younger man to his chest. "Happy Fiftieth, My Grant." He captured the full mouth gently.

Grant laughed. "Do you like it?" he asked softly and watched his husband after the kiss was broken.

Harry looked at the truck and whistled low in appreciation. "That is absolutely beautiful. And yes happy anniversary you two.” He knew the day had past, but Severus was planning a party down at Cutty's for the weekend and he couldn't wait.

"I love it." Damon nodded. "My Grant, it's perfect. Thank you so very much. I have something for you as well." He walked around to the back of the truck, pulled down the tailgate and set the smaller man on it. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a ring box then knelt in the dirt and looked up at his husband.

"Fifty years you have been mine and I, yours. We've shared good times and bad, wealth and poverty, sickness and health. I would do it all over again if I could do it with you." He opened the box and held it out to Grant; inside lay two glittering golden rings. The first one, for himself, a plain band and the second was the original diamond he had bought for Gracie retooled into a thick band of gold. "Marry me again, my Grant."

Harry choked on his soda as he watched Damon go to his knees and pull the out the ring box. He stared at Grant and fought the urge to wipe at his eyes as he watched the older man's chin tremble. Merlin knew how much Harry hated pregnancy hormones and this just wasn't helping.

Grant reached one hand out hesitantly, closing his fingers around Damon's strong hand. "Oh yes," he whispered, tears coursing down his thin face, "yes, Damon, thank you for letting me into your life."

Damon smiled at his husband and slipped the band with the diamond on his slim finger. He kiss Grant's palm and stood then swept the younger man into a tight hug. He buried his face in short dark hair and sighed. "My Injun, thank you for never giving up on me, even when I was most stubborn."

Damon’s mobile rang then, the shrill chirping breaking the bittersweet moment and causing everyone to chuckle as Damon stood back up to answer. He took a deep breath and grinned when he realized it was Sev. “What do you want? We’re really busy here.”

Severus raised an eyebrow as Damon’s voice came over the line and he heard the words. “Busy eh? Well get off the sofa and bring me my husband, I have some things here for him to do, alright?”

“How do you know we weren’t terrorizing the countryside?” Damon grinned at Harry and Grant. “Hey, Sev… I’m getting married.”

“I know you aren’t terrorizing anyone because no one has called me for bail yet. So Grant said yes, eh? That man needs his head examined,” he smirked and gave the customer he was ringing up, her change and a smile. “Now get Harry down here so I can get some work done in the back.”

Damon shook his head. “Don’t get your knickers in a knot. We are on the way there, anyway. I have to take Grant up to see Max.” He motioned for the two men to get into the truck then slid in himself. “I have something else to show you when we get there. Keep your shirt on we’ll be there in a few. Goodbye, Sev.”