How Severus Spends His Summer Hols

A/N: Sorry this chapter has been a long while coming. It took us several tries to get what felt to be the right responses. Thank you to Draco’s Dirty Secret for beta’ing.



Grant walked into the farmhouse, setting his arm load of files on the kitchen table as he pulled out one of the chairs and sat down heavily. How in the hell was he going to tell Damon that the new doctor they'd hired from resume and phone interviews only was Gregory? And to make it even better, Gregory was bringing his husband, Davy.

Grant closed his eyes and shook his head. He'd be lucky if Damon didn't hex him on the spot, but really, it wasn't his fault, the man had used the name Nathaniel. He opened his eyes once more and looked to the clock over the sink, it was nearly five and Damon would be home any time.

Pushing himself to his feet, Grant went to the living room and looked around, deciding that since Damon had the day off tomorrow they'd decorate the house for the holidays.

May as well really ensure the man would kill him, Grant chuckled darkly to himself, and began to gather up magazines and papers to put away or trash. At least he could look forward to Chinese for his last meal.

Damon gathered up the bags of take away food and slid out of the truck. Juggling the food, his keys, and the Pensieve from his office, Damon kicked at the door. He was tired, upset about the goings on with Max and Allie; it had not been a pleasant conversation with Max and Sev, and he just wanted a nice, quiet evening. Alone... with Grant. No psycho pregnant women, no patients calling, no bar business. To eat dinner, possibly watch a movie and snuggle with his husband. That last item was most definitely on his list of things to do.

"Pet! Got my hands full up, open the door."

Grant hurried into the kitchen, dust cloth in one hand, to open the door for his husband. "Get in here, baby, it's freezing outside," he chided gently as he took one of the bags from Damon and set it on the kitchen table. Turning back to the man, he took the rest to deposit next to the other bag.

"Get your coat off, Damon, and let me get you a plate fixed, alright?" Grant said, as he started to unbutton the man's outer clothes. "The food smells wonderful. Why do you have your Pensieve?"

Damon sighed and wrapped his arms around the man trying to undress him, holding him tightly for a moment before standing back and letting Grant finish. "I had a talk with Sev today about Allie. Then, Max came storming into the office, nearly vibrating with rage and almost drew his wand on Sev and I, all because of Allie's lies."

He shrugged out of his jacket and hung it on the back of one of the kitchen chairs, before leaning down to plant a kiss on Grant's head. He moved to the cabinet and got out their plates and silverware, then began to unwrap the food, setting out the various dishes he'd gotten for Grant to pick and choose from.

"Needless to say we got him straightened out, sans any bruising, and he went back to the office."

Damon snorted and looked at his husband with a spoon poised to dip into a container of fried rice. "So how was the rest of your day? Rice?"

"Yes, I'd like some rice please," Grant said as he watched his husband. Well, now it made sense why Max had been in such a crappy mood when he'd seen him. "Max was still cranky this afternoon while I was at the practice."

He eyed the takeout dishes and licked his lips. "Oh you remembered the garlic chicken, thank you, baby."

Damon dished up the rice and the chicken, then opened another container. "Got you the egg fu young with gravy as well." He added that to a plate then eyed Grant again, smiling softly at him. "I can imagine. I talked to Sev before I left, and he was in the middle of brewing Allie's potions. So maybe Max will be in a better mood after he drugs the bitch's ass." He blinked innocently and turned back to the food. "What else would you like, Pet?"

"This is good to start. Do you want to eat in here or in the living room?" he asked. "I've got to tell you something, and I think you should be sitting down."

Damon looked at Grant, eyeing the little man for a clue as to what might have been wrong. "Alright. Wherever is fine, my Own." He finished dishing out the beef and broccoli on his plate then picked both up. "Is there tea?"

Nodding, Grant went to pour two glasses and followed Damon into the living room, setting the drinks down to set up two TV tables for their plates. "I met with the new doctor today."

Damon settled on the couch and waited on Grant to sit then forked up a piece of chicken for him. He blew gently on it and offered it to his husband. "That's good, I expect you invited him to Sunday dinner like always? Did you want me to grill that day so you could talk business with him and Max?"

Grant leaned forward, taking the bite and using the excuse of chewing to think about how to answer. "I wanted to talk to you before I invited him for dinner. We know him... and his husband."

Damon held the glass of tea for Grant to drink and nodded slowly. "We do?" He looked at Grant. "It's a gay couple... that we know... moving here from where, Chicago you said?" He took a sip of his own tea trying to ponder out whom it could be. "Did we meet them at one of your conventions?" He stabbed a broccoli tree and blew on it before shoving it in his mouth.

"No, we know them both from Sturgis," Grant said as he sipped the tea and picked up his fork to eat. "It's Gregory."

Damon choked on the broccoli and reached for his glass of tea. He took a deep breath once he could and looked at his husband. "Damn, Grant, are ya trying to kill me? I thought I heard you say Gregory."

Grant grimaced and nodded. "I did. He and Davy are moving here this week. I didn't know until today it was him." He took another bite and waited.

Damon began to laugh. "Oh now, you are just fucking with me. That was good, Pet. Davy and Gregory. As if we don't have enough problems with those two showing up."

He watched his husband eat and stopped laughing when Grant said nothing. He dropped his fork into the plate of food and stared at Grant. "Fucking hell, Grant, have you gone and turned sadist on me? Cause that's just wrong." He shook his head trying to digest what he had been told.

Grant sighed, setting his fork down. "I didn't know when I hired him. His name is Nathaniel Gregory. We just never knew his first name. I don't know what to do, Damon. From everything I've seen, and the people I've spoken with, he's an excellent doctor."

Damon rubbed his face and sighed. "And what did you think of him when you met him again?"

He let Grant do all the hiring and firing of the doctors at the practice. He wanted nothing to do with the headshrinkers and the other docs that had gone into the medical field, lucrative as it was. That was Grant's baby, and it had thrived over the years under the man's careful and sharp skills. He was the behind the scenes man and the heavy when Grant needed him.

"Set aside the personal issues for a moment and concentrate on your practice. Go with your business and medical skills, Pet. Is he a good business investment, worth the hassles? Is he going to make you money when it comes down to it?"

Grant nodded, he'd been going over all of this in his head since he'd left the building in town. "He's got a great personality, the kids and parents will love him. I think we'd be shooting ourselves in the foot if we retracted the offer. I'm thinking about letting Davy use office space as he needs it as well," he said as he picked up his fork again, bringing some rice to his mouth to chew thoughtfully. "I just really hope this doesn't start a huge battle for Max and Severus."

Damon thought about it for a moment, sighing as he picked up his tea again. "What does Davy need the office space there for? I thought he was a chef." He looked at Grant. "Might not be a good idea to put the spouses that close together. Most people need that time away from each other."

He thought about Max and Sev. "Them boys of ours got families and lives of their own, although I will admit to being more worried about Max than Severus. He's still in the newlywed stage with Bit. Max on the other hand..." he trailed off and stabbed a piece of beef. "That’s some bad business going down. I'm glad Severus is brewing the meds for her, she needs something before Max kills them both."

"Davy is the new Nut at Blue Ridge and he'll be seeing patients as well, so I thought to offer him the use of office space as he needs it. He won't be there constantly, most of his time will be spent at the hospital," Grant replied. Damon was right about Max, though, and he really hoped having Gregory there wasn't going to be an issue. "I don't know if Sev knows yet, but we both know how much he loves Harry." He picked up an egg roll, nibbling on the end.

"Allie will be alright, she's just uncomfortable right now," Grant said, wanting to excuse the young woman's behaviour. "They'll be alright."

"New Nut huh?" Damon snorted and shook his head. "They are all nuts if you ask me, Pet, Allie especially." He stabbed a boneless barbequed rib and dipped it into the soy sauce. "They are grown men, let's hope they can act like it. I really don't feel like replacing that building in town with another."

He laid a hand on Grant's knee and squeezed it gently. "That was the worst of it right? Davy and Gregory? I think I can handle that. Go on ahead and call them and issue the invitation. My offer still stands if you want me to cook. Sunday dinner will be interesting to say the least."

Grant squeezed Damon's hand back. "I'll call after we eat. If I pick one up, would you do a brisket?" he asked and then dropped the next bomb on his loving husband. "Do you have plans for tomorrow?" He smiled sweetly at the other man.

Damon nodded. "Yes and I suppose you want all the fixings with it as well? Potato salad, coleslaw, beans. You want ribs too?" He eyed the little man, fear clenching his heart when he saw the gleam in his husband's eyes. Oh hell, Grant wanted him to go shopping. "I might. Why?"

"I'll do the sides the day before, baby," Grant said reassuringly. "I'd like to decorate tomorrow while I've got you home to help me."

Damon closed his eyes and groaned. "Oh hell, it's that time of year again already?" He looked at his husband's big brown eyes and gave up, nodding as he sighed. "Alright, but we get to sleep late. Later than eight in the morning I might add, and if you wake me up at eight ’o one, I will beat you."

Grant grinned. "Do you promise? And will you use your belt?" he teased as he leaned over to kiss his husband's cheek.

Damon growled and turned to capture Grant's mouth. "Oh, I promise I'll beat you and no, it won't be with my belt. I can guarantee you won't enjoy it." He chuckled and stole another kiss, lingering on the food spiced lips slightly before pulling away.

Grant laughed as he looked at his husband adoringly. "Alright, I'll let you sleep until nine, how's that?" he asked as he held a bite of food to his man's lips and smiled at him. "Thank you."

Damon hummed and opened his mouth for the chicken. "I suppose, that will have to do. The sooner we get started, the sooner it's over." He licked the sauce of his lips and reached for his tea again. "Any more bombs you'd like to drop on me tonight?"

Grant thought for a moment, and remembered the phone call he'd gotten from Harry that morning. "Harry wants to cook the turkey for Thanksgiving."

Damon laughed. "Alright. The boy did good with the meal he made the other day, why not." He looked over at Grant. "We having Turkey Day out at their place?"

"I don't know yet. I don't know how many people will be here. Grandmother said she should be here next week sometime," Grant said as he finished his meal and took a sip from his glass.

Damon nodded. "Good. I've the contractor on notice. What do you think about that first building to the left of the barn? Won't take nothing to build a path for her to the kitchen door if she wants."

He settled back on the couch, pulling Grant close to him and unraveling the braid, playing his fingers in and through the dark strands. "I was thinking bedroom, bath, kitchenette and sitting room for her." He looked down at the smaller man. "I called about her big screen TV, too, and the satellite company says they'll come out and set her up when we are ready. How’s that sound?"

"I think she'll be spoiled rotten. What else did you want to do tonight?"

He sighed and pressed a kiss to the top of Grant's head, breathing in the scent of his husband. "This is all I need for right now, baby."

"Thank you," Grant murmured as he leaned against Damon and closed his eyes. The small man turned and stretched out on the sofa, putting his head in Damon's lap.

Damon took the opportunity to drive his fingers fully into Grant's hair. "Weren't nothing, Pet. I'm glad she'll be happier out here."

"I'm sorry about the Gregory thing. I honestly didn't know it was him when I offered the position."

He massaged Grant's scalp, bending down to plant a soft kiss on the full lips. "They'll deal. If it's a sound business investment, then it ain't nobodies business but yours and Gregory's. They know where the door is if they don't like it. Hope it doesn't hit them where God split them on the way out."

@@@@@@@@

Sunday morning came, and Harry woke up to the sunlight shining through an icy window pane. Rolling to his side, he looked into the face of his sleeping husband. With a smile, he leaned forward to kiss Sev’s cheek before the baby shoved a foot into his bladder. Groaning, Harry rolled out of the bed and padded softly into the bathroom before coming back and sliding under the blankets once more, this time placing his socked feet against Severus' legs to warm them up more.

Severus groaned and rolled over in the bed, wrapping his arms around Harry and Reganne. "Why are you awake?" he asked sleepily. He spread his knees for Harry to place his ice blocks between his legs, curling the other man even closer to him. Sev rubbed his face on Harry's chest and sighed as he pressed a kiss to the younger man’s heart, which was beating steadily under his night shirt.

"It's morning, that's why," Harry said with a little smile. He was feeling better than he had been in awhile.

He'd had his first session with a therapist on Friday, and after an hour of talking, he'd realized it was alright to be angry at what had happened to him. He had spent Friday evening locked away, crying at what he'd been through, only to emerge late Friday night to reassure Severus that he was alright.

"It's a beautiful day outside, and Damon is making a brisket."

Severus opened his eyes and looked at his little husband, searching his face. "Well, I am glad you are in a good mood." He was worried about his husband, had been really since he had came back down from upstairs and slammed the door to his office. He and Jason had looked at each other and both cringed when they heard crashing glass.

Severus had charmed the office muffled after that, and let Harry put paid to the objects in there. He'd let his husband get out whatever it was before seeing to him. Harry had emerged asking to go home, and Severus had let him. He remembered his first session as well, and knew Harry had to deal with it on his own.

"I take it you are hungry already? Did you want to make something to take over and share?"

"I thought we could try to make a dessert to take over. Maybe an apple pie? Allie gave me a recipe for one her grandmother used to make. She says it's really good. Are you alright with cereal this morning?" Harry asked as he twined his fingers in Sev's hair and sighed.

"That'll do, since I know there'll be more than enough later on. If we've some fruit, then add that to your bowl." Severus pressed a kiss to the side of Harry's face. "Nothing more American than barbeque and apple pie. It sounds just fine, my Harry."

He rubbed Harry's tummy and leaned closer to it. "Good morning, little Reganne. A stór mo chroí." He pressed a kiss to the distended stomach and smiled when he was answered with a kick.

Harry smiled gently as Severus leaned over his belly, dropping his hand down to stroke his husband's ebony hair. "Did you get the message Max left yesterday?" he asked as he remembered the big redhead calling.

Severus chuckled and smiled. "Yes, Harry, I did, and I want to warn you Damon and Grant have a vicious animal at the house now."

Harry looked at the other man curiously. "Did Grant take in another cat or something?" he asked, thinking about the half dozen strays that lived there on the Wolffe place.

"No, they have a dog now." Severus sat up in the bed and summoned Harry's vitamin, and the lotion to rub on his stomach to help with the stretch marks. He handed Harry the glass of water from the nightstand, and gave him his vitamin before tilting the man onto his back. Pouring the lotion out into his hand, he warmed it and massaged it into Harry's tummy. "Max says she's a right terror. Tried to eat him." He couldn't keep the smile of his face as he also remembered Max's description of the thing as half a dog.

Harry grimaced from the taste of the vitamin as he relaxed against the pillows. "I think you are definitely hired for the post of spoiling me absolutely rotten," he murmured with a smile.

Severus smiled at Harry. "It's a rotten job but someone has to do it." he pressed a kiss to Harry's forehead.

"It's a big dog? Is it going to knock little Sarah over?"

"No, it's not a big one. Sarah should be just fine with her. It seems Baby has taken a shine to Grant, though, so watch yourself around him. I don't want you getting bitten. Shall we get some breakfast now, little one?"

Harry swung his legs over the side of the bed, tugging his nightshirt back down over his belly. "He named it Baby?" he asked, shaking his head. "Speaking of dogs, would you let Bez and 'Del out in the yard please?"

The younger wizard waddled out to the kitchen, stopping at the counter to pull down bowls and the two boxes of cereals they both liked. Harry set everything on the table along with the milk and juice, then sat down to wait for Severus to join him.

Severus got out of bed and pulled on a pair of sweatpants, then padded out to the door, Asphodel and Bezoar hot on his trail. He opened the door and they ran outside, barking and nipping at each other. Severus shook his head and made his way to the kitchen, sitting down at the table with Harry.

"Yeah, Baby. Apparently the name just stuck after Grant rescued it. Damon took one look at it and told him, ‘Here's your new baby.’" He shook his head and filled Harry's bowl with the Frosted Mini Wheats cereal.

Reaching for a banana to slice into his bowl, Harry nodded. At least the little dog would give Grant something to do. "Do you think Allie will be there today?" he asked as he poured milk into his bowl and into a glass, taking a long swallow before wiping his mouth on the back of his hand.

"No, Max said it will be just him and Sarah. Also Davy and Gregory are going to be there." Severus eyed Harry carefully as he tipped his cereal into his bowl.

Harry carefully set his glass down. "Oh."

Severus took a deep breath. "Damon and Grant always have the new doctors over for Sunday dinner. From what I understand, both men will be having offices upstairs." He eyed his husband for a moment. "You may speak freely, Harry."

"I am going to go into this with an open mind, Severus, and do my best to not be a jealous husband, but if he so much as looks at you the wrong way, I will hex him into next week," the younger man said as he spooned up his meal.

Severus nodded. He had expected as much. "I doubt Davy will do, or say, anything, Harry, but I will not be having you act like Allison. From what I understand, he is happily married to Gregory."

He looked at Harry, waiting for the emerald eyes to met his own. "Davy wears a welded collar for Gregory. Would you like to wear yours today as well?" He'd even offer to lead Harry by his leash if it would make the other man feel better about meeting his former submissive.

Harry wrinkled his nose at the other man. "I am not going to act like that. If I feel I need to say something, I'll tell you and then I'll take it away from everyone else," he said softly as he considered the collar. "I wouldn't mind wearing the silver chain."

He looked at Severus and smiled. "I promise to not act like a homicidal maniac today," Harry grinned and popped a piece of banana into his mouth.

Severus nodded and finished his breakfast, gathering their dishes as Harry handed him the recipe Allie had given him. He read over it, drawing down the ingredients from the cabinets to help Harry make the pie. Together, the two men made the dessert, and then cleaned up the kitchen.

They watched TV and played with the dogs while the pie baked. When the timer buzzed, Severus removed the pie from the oven and set it on the counter to cool. He corralled the dogs in the laundry room and lead Harry back to their room to get ready to leave for the Wolffes.

Harry frowned as he looked at the selection of clothes. "I don't know if I feel like wearing sweatpants or a robe," he sighed as he looked at dark burgundy robe. He knew he didn't want to look like a badly dressed beached whale in front of this Davy person. He knew there was nothing he could do about the beached whale aspect, but he could dress well. "Is it very windy out?"

Severus peeked out the window. "It looks chilly. It is November, Pet." He looked at Harry, and backed away from the window. "Dress warmly, Harry. You can always take something off if you get too warm."

"Alright," Harry said as he made his decision. He picked up a soft ivory coloured underrobe and slipped it over his head, doing up the buttons as he smiled at how it felt on his skin. "I love this one, it's so soft and warm."

The burgundy robe went on next, and he left the first buttons open to show some of the other robe as well as for comfort. This way, he could take the darker robe off and still look stylish.

Harry looked at himself in the mirror, frowning as he brushed at his hair. "You know, it behaved better when it was long, maybe I should grow it out. What do you think?" He turned to look at Severus, grinning lasciviously as he saw the man doing up the button fly on a pair of dark jeans.

Severus looked up at Harry and smiled. "If you wish to grow it out, I wouldn't mind." He gathered Harry into his arms and held him for a moment, rubbing his hands over the younger man's back. "I love you either way, my Harry."

Harry looked this way and that at his reflection once more, pulling a face. "I'll think about it," he said as he slipped his still stockinged feet into a pair of leather clogs. "Do you think he'll like me?"

"Don't make that face, Harry. You are beautiful." Severus raised an eyebrow. "Who, my own?"

"Your Davy," Harry replied with a sad smile on his face.

Severus startled. "Harry, he's not my Davy. He never was, not really." He pulled Harry to him once again and cupped the younger man's face. "You are Mine, Harry. Have no doubts." He bent and pressed a gentle kiss to Harry's mouth.

Harry sighed as the kiss was broken. He was more than a little nervous about meeting these two men, and hoped for the best. "Are you nearly ready?"

Severus nodded and sat down on the bed to pull on his boots. "Just about, My Own. All I have left is your collar. Did you still want to wear the chain one?" He looked up at his husband and smiled.

Harry turned, going to his husband, and carefully getting down on his knees. "Whichever one you choose, I'll be proud to wear, alright?" he said with a smile, as he picked up the man's other boot and held it for him to slide his foot in.

Severus pushed his foot into the boot and nodded. Standing he opened his dresser drawer, pulling out a slim box with Harry's collar in it. He needed to get a jewelry chest like Damon had. They were able to be free here in the States, the need to hide was no longer necessary. He set the box on top over the dresser, and removed the slim braided chain from the velvet lined box. He ran the polishing cloth over the chain, revitalizing the shine to the collar.

Sev turned around, looked at Harry, and held out the chain to his husband. "For you, my Own. What does this symbolize between us?"

Harry's eyes settled on the length of silver, and he wet his lips with his tongue. "It means that I trust you with me, and that you will always be there to take care of me. It means that we love each other and that will never change. It means my life is yours as yours is mine," he said softly and clearly before he leaned forward with his head bowed.

Severus lifted the chain to his mouth and pressed a kiss to each end of it. He wrapped the chain around Harry's neck, then reached back and clipped the two ends together, locking them with a small delicate looking padlock. "Your palm, Harry." He held out the key on a simple sliver necklace, to be placed around his own neck.

Harry held out one hand and smiled as the thin silver rope pooled in his palm. As Severus lifted him to his feet, Harry waited for the other man to drop his head enough to be able to slip the chain over his head. "There, Severus, you have the key to our hearts," he said, pressing a kiss to the older man's thin lips.

"I shall guard it with my life, my Own." Severus captured Harry's lips once more in a tender, slow kiss. Breaking away, he took Harry's hand and smiled. "Let's get the pie and go, my Own. I can almost smell the hickory from Damon's grill."

@@@@@@@@

Davy looked up from where he was sitting in their room at the bed and breakfast on the outskirts of Echo, waiting for Gregory to get off the phone with his mother. He wasn't entirely certain this dinner at the Wolffe's was a good idea and needed some reassurance.

"Mother, we are closer now than before and you can visit anytime. Honestly, we don't have to spend Thanksgiving together. If you want to go on the Caribbean cruise then go. You and Frank enjoy yourselves, Davy and I will make do here." Gregory listened to his mother and rolled his eyes, smiling at his husband. "Yes, Mother. I've got to go. We’re going to be late. Yes, yes I promise. Love you too."

He hung up the phone and looked at his husband. "Come here, Davy. I need to hold you."

Davy gave the blond a lopsided grin as he stood and went to the man. "Your mom driving you nuts again?" he asked as he wrapped his arms around Gregory, pulling the man's head down to rest against his shoulder. "She's still upset by our move, isn't she?"

Gregory breathed in the scent of his husband and smiled. "No, she's happier that we are closer, but she would rather us be in Boston. She also didn't want to leave us alone on the holidays. Frank gifted her with a trip, and she's never been, so I want her to go."

He nibbled on Davy's neck and pressed a kiss to his shoulder before wrapping his arms around the other man. "Are you ready My David?" He pulled back to look at his husband and straightened his slim circlet collar, pressing another kiss to the weld.

"I hope she has a good time and no, I'm not ready to go. I don't know about seeing Severus again... it's just too weird," he said as he pulled Gregory to him again. He knew he didn't have any foundation to not trust the British Dom, but he just didn't know about seeing him again.

Gregory led Davy to the bed and sat down, gathering the other man onto his lap. Wrapping his arms around him, he rocked Davy gently, as he pressed a kiss to his unruly dark hair. "He's married, Davy, and so are we. You have nothing to fear. I'll be with you the entire time."

Davy smiled at the other man and beeped his nose with one finger. "I'm too big to sit on your lap, you know," he chuckled. "I know I'm not being reasonable, I'm just nervous. I wish we had a kitchen or something. I'd feel better if we were bringing something, you know?"

He got up from Gregory's lap and straightened his shirt, wondering if he should put on a tie for this. "This is casual, right?" he asked as he went to his open suitcase.

Gregory grinned. "I don't care if you are too big. I'll hold you like that if I want to." He walked over to Davy and turned him away from the suitcase. "Yes, casual, and Grant said not to bring anything." He held Davy's hands in his own. "I understand that you are nervous, but you have nothing to worry about. I love you and nothing is going to happen."

Davy squeezed the hand that held his and laughed nervously. "I still can't believe we're moving to the same town that they all live in. It's just too damned surreal, like something on one of those awful reality shows you watch."

He picked up his husband's coat and smiled as he held it for him. Gregory slipped his arms into the butter-soft, lined leather jacket. He let Davy zip him up before holding out the man's own jacket for him.

"Are you telling me we should be looking for hidden cameras somewhere? If so we've already given them quite a show." He chuckled and smiled at his husband, holding out his hand to him. "Come along we are going to be late."

Davy snorted at that comment and shook his head. "It's a freaking wonder we weren't thrown out of here this morning," he laughed, referring to what they'd done the night before and the state of the bedding when they had gone down to breakfast. "You have the directions to where we're going, right? I don't want to get lost, this place reminds me too much of that Deliverance movie." He began to do some sort of odd twangy noise that was supposed to be reminiscent of a banjo.

Gregory slugged Davy even as he let out a loud laugh. "Stop that. I want to be able to look my boss and our friends in the eyes when we get there." He shook his head. "I heard no complaints, even though Mrs. Farnsworth did look a little red around the face when we settled in for breakfast." He shuddered. "You are right; we need a kitchen. The sooner we get settled the better. I don't know how much more of her cooking or take out I can stand."

Davy laughed and pulled up his coat to check the little pump on his belt. "My sugars are up from all the crap we've been eating, so I loaded a bigger dose than normal for today. Just thought I'd let you know," he said as he poked one of the small buttons and waited for it to beep at him. When it did, he pulled his coat back down and looked at Gregory. "I'm ready, let's do this."

Gregory nodded. "Alright, get your emergency kit to take with us just in case." He pulled Davy to him and kissed him, smiling as he pulled away.

Davy pulled a small leather-zipped case from one of his bags and handed it to Gregory. "Here." He shut the door behind them as they left the room and headed out to where the rental car was parked. Davy looked around at the snowy vista and smiled.

"It's really pretty here, you know? I think this would be a really good place to raise kids."

Gregory smiled as he unlocked the door and held it open for his husband. "I am glad you think so and I am certain when we are ready, we will."

Gregory closed the door and hurried back around to start the car, pulling his wand to cast a warming charm until the engine came up to temperature. He pulled down a slip of paper from the visor with Grant's scrawl on it. "Follow the main road out of Echo. After passing the city limits sign, go another five miles and turn on the first gravel drive to the left. Follow that gravel road back seven miles. The 'Den' is the last house on the road. Two story white home with a wrap around porch."

Passing the directions to Davy, he backed out of the drive. "Here we go."

Davy looked down at the directions and shook his head. "We're going to be so lost," he teased as the other man drove. He looked at the houses, small businesses, the school, and churches as they passed. "Geez, this is like going back in time, you know. Do you think we'll miss the city?"

Davy pointed at the city limits sign ahead and laughed as he read it. "Oh Merlin, Gregory, there's not even five thousand people here. It's like that Children of the Corn movie or something like that."

"You mean the sirens, the shoot-outs, traffic jams and smog. That city?" Gregory chuckled. "I think it might be kinda nice to get away from it all." He shook his head. "You watch too much TV. No more for you if you are going to give me the creeps."

"I know, Greg, I just hope we are making the right decision with this. There's our turn off I think," Davy said as he nodded to a gravel road ahead on the left. "I can't believe we are driving on gravel... just odd for me. You know I've been a city kid all my life."

Gregory smiled. "Oh, the horrors." He flipped on the blinker and turned onto the road, slowing down as the car bumped along the uneven gravel drive. He sighed. "I think this will be good for us. I don't know why, but I just know it." He laid a hand over his heart. "Feel it right here." He cut his eyes over at his husband. "And, no, it's not indigestion."

"Are you sure? We did eat Mrs. Farnsworth's meatloaf last night," Davy quipped and shuddered as he recalled the greasy, revolting mass. "I really hope there is something I can eat here. It's not a meat day for me." He sighed and wished he'd remembered to bring some sort of vegan mix with him to eat.

Gregory crossed his eyes and stuck his tongue out. "No kidding. I'm certain Grant will have taken care of it. I bet he has this thing planned six ways from Sunday."

A white, two story farmhouse came into view, and Davy sucked in a breath as he looked at it. "Oh my gods, Gregory. Look, they've decorated for Christmas. Can we do that?" he exclaimed as he looked at all of the balls and snowflakes hanging from the trees, the snowmen, the large wooden 'card' with holiday greetings, and the other things the Wolffes had done to decorate. "This is amazing. I can't imagine having a yard and no one coming to steal your stuff."

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Gregory smiled as his eyes ran over the lawn with all the trimmings. He could see light strings on the house, in the trees, and what looked like the barn and out buildings. "Yes, Davy we can. Anything your heart desires. Shall we go ahead and look for a place to buy instead of just renting, so you can shop and have your yard to decorate for Christmas?"

He pulled the little Volvo next to a great big black dually truck and stared at the classic Mustang and old Chevy truck also parked outside. "Look at that. Aren't they gorgeous?"

Davy's eyes opened wider as he saw the antique vehicles and grinned. "Those are awesome." He opened his car door and slowly got out, wondering in the back of his mind if some huge dog was going to come and attack him as soon as he stepped away from the safety of the car.

"I think we should rent first and find the right place this spring... if that's alright with you," he said, turning to look at Gregory and smiling as he realized his husband was right there beside him.

Gregory took Davy's hand and nodded. "Sounds like a plan to me. Grant said to come in the kitchen door, so come on, let’s get out of the cold." He pulled the other man along the path that led up to the back part of the porch and knocked on the door.

Davy looked at the smoke that was rising from a covered smoker and licked his lips as he smelled the tantalizing aroma of hickory and beef. "Man that smells amazing," he murmured before turning his attention back to waiting on someone to answer the door. He could hear what sounded like a small dog's shrill barking from the other side of it.

"They know we are coming, right?" he asked nervously when no one had answered the door after a few minutes.

Gregory nodded. The barking was getting louder and he thought he could hear footsteps as someone approached the door.

"Baby, that's enough," a voice bellowed, and the barking stopped as the door was pulled open by Damon. He had a small dog in his hand and he stared at the two men for a moment.

"Holy shit," he muttered softly, and stepped back out of the way as a grin curled on his face. "Come on in boys, get out of the cold. Baby won't bite... but Grant might."

Davy licked his lips nervously as he took in Damon's reaction, looking back to his husband, and wondering if this was a bad, bad idea. "Hello, Damon, it's nice to see you," he said as he held his hand out. He could hear people in the other room, and wondered if Severus and his new husband were there yet.

Damon took the young man's hand and tried not to stare at him, then smiled. "Come on in. Didn't mean to leave you standing out there."

The swinging kitchen door burst open, and Harry entered carrying a small jacket and a leash. "Damon, Grant said I could take Baby out." He stopped and stared at the men in the doorway. "Merlin..."

Davy stared open mouthed at the newcomer. He couldn't believe his eyes, it was like looking into a mirror... if he were pregnant. "Oh my gods... Gregory... look," was all he could say as he stared at the shorter man.

Grant came into the kitchen after Harry and dropped the tray of glasses he'd been carrying. "Oh Damon... they look alike," he said softly as he just stood and stared at Davy and Harry.

"No shit," Gregory and Damon answered at the same time, then stared at each other before looking at Harry and Davy again.

Severus burst into the kitchen. "What happened..." He trailed off and stared at Harry and then cut his eyes over to Davy and Gregory. "Bloody Hell," he murmured.

Max came into the kitchen with Sarah in his arms. "Nonnie made a mess," the little girl said excitedly then looked over at Grant. "What you do that for Nonnie?"