How Severus Spends His Summer Hols

Richard stopped short of the small man and smiled at him. "Doctor Wolffe... I feel we got off on the wrong foot today. I realize that you may have negative ... feelings about my work but I can honestly say that I am not here to write about anyone you may know." He stopped and took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm here just visiting and enjoying the company of some new friends. I'd like it if we could clear the air between us as well since I'll be in the area through the holidays."

Grant kept his eyes on a spot to the left of Richard, chewing on his bottom lip as he listened. Despite what the man was saying, Grant didn't believe a word of it; he was certain the man was there to dig up information. In fact, he was surprised he'd not been in Echo before, what with the male delivery rooms and set up at the hospital.

"I'll open my files to you if you don't go digging into their medical histories. All I want is to be sure Damon's name is never mentioned. Tell one of the waitresses where you are staying and I'll send the files there this afternoon," Grant said, his voice flat and unemotional. "Write what ever you want and I'll answer whatever you ask, but you leave my husband's name out of it, no one needs to know he's married to someone like me."

Richard frowned and looked at Doctor Wolffe, stepping closer to the small man. "I don't understand. What are you talking about? Are you all right?"

Grant didn't budge, letting his eyes cut to the other man for a moment before looking away once more. "You've not studied anyone as old as me with Fleymann's. I know you want to. Just don't drag Damon's name through it and don't poke and prod the boys. You can do what you want with me."

Richard sucked in a breath. "I knew it. You are the one Sorens's is trying to help. But why?" he murmured and narrowed his eyes at Grant. "What do you want and why are you offering me this? What's so important that you'd do something like that?"

Grant was quiet for a moment, an errant tremor running through his limbs as he felt his sedative begin to wear off. "Maybe you can help Harry and Jason, maybe others. Just don't write about them, alright?" he asked, licking his lips and holding up the order slip. "I have to put your order in now, excuse me."

Richard reached out and grabbed Grant's arm. "Wait. We've already re-ordered, so it's all right. I have no intentions of writing about anyone." He stared at Grant, taking in the man's mannerisms and searching his face for a moment. "Are you certain you are all right? Would you like me to get Mister Wolffe or Severus?"

Flinching away from Richard's touch, almost as if it hurt, Grant took a step away from the man, his eyes becoming clearer by the moment, the haunted look returning to them as the sedative's hold slipped away. The small man reached into his sweater and pulled the secreted phial from his shirt pocket.

"I'm alright, thank you," he murmured, clutching the potion in his hand, needing to get away so he could take it with no one asking questions. "I apologize for my earlier behaviour; I fear I wasn't myself Doctor Montgomery."

Richard blinked and nodded, still studying Doctor Wolffe. "Quite all right, happens alot to me," he murmured, stepping back from Grant, trying to catalogue everything he'd heard and seen about the small man. "If you are certain there's nothing I can do for you?" He crooked his head trying to see what Grant had in his palm.

"No, there's nothing anyone can do," Grant said softly and then looked up at the man. "I'll have the files sent to you later today."

Richard looked Doctor Wolffe in the eyes, searching the dark depths for a moment then nodded. "I promise to try and help you, cause there something wrong even though you aren't telling me what it is. I can see it and I'll figure it out eventually."

"Just make sure Jason and Harry will be alright," Grant said softly, turning to go back into the office once more. "Have a nice day Doctor Montgomery."

Pausing outside the office door, Grant quickly unstoppered the phial and swallowed the contents down with a grimace before throwing the empty into the rubbish bin.

Richard watched Grant go and turned around wandered back to the table, everything that had been said running through his mind, the trip to the rest room forgotten. He sat down at the table, sliding his hand across Jason's shoulders absently as he sat down and he leaned in, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

Jason turned his head and smiled at the man. "Hey," he murmured, leaning into Richard and sighing softly, fighting an urge to kick Harry under the table as the other man smirked good naturedly at him. "Did you get lost?"

Richard hummed and shook his head, leaning down again to kiss his cheek once more as he wrapped his arm around Jason and scooted his chair closer to him. "No, I'm fine. You all right?" he asked distractedly as he relaxed in the chair and tried to focus on their group once more.

Severus had seen the doctor speaking with Grant and raised an eyebrow as he looked at him curiously. "Interesting conversation then?" he murmured softly as he ran his fingers along Harry's arm and then placed his hand over his husband's.

Richard looked up at Severus and arched an eyebrow. "Possibly." He leaned forward onto the table some and eyed the Snapes. "Shall we get down to business, Mister Snape? I know you both have questions. What would you like to know about Fleymann's?"

Severus cleared his throat and looked at Richard. "Doctor Montgomery, if you wouldn't mind, perhaps a more private meeting would be better," he said pointedly looking around at the other diners.

Richard nodded. "I'm staying with Gregory and Davy. Here's my cell number if you would like to meet sometime later. I'd be happy to answer any and all your questions if I can." He pulled out a note pad and scribbled down his number, tore off the sheet and held it out to Severus.

Severus accepted the paper, looking at it a moment before tucking it safely into his pocket. "Perhaps we could all meet for supper this weekend?" he suggested, smiling down at Harry next to him. "My husband is becoming a rather accomplished cook."

Richard nodded and smiled at Harry. "That sounds fine with me." He looked up as the waitress arrived with their food. "Perfect timing. I'm starved."

@@@@@

Grant made his way into the office, slumping down on the sofa in an uncoordinated heap as soon as he closed the door behind him. All he wanted was to feel normal again, to feel like he had control of his body once more.

Damon looked up and frowned as he spied Grant. "What's the matter, Pet? You all right?" He stood and carefully made his way over to his husband, sinking down beside him on the sofa. Brushing back the fringe on his forehead, he leaned over and pressed a kiss to his clammy forehead. "You want me to take you home, baby? Tom can handle this."

"I apologized," Grant mumbled, closing his eyes for a moment as he remembered what else he'd said to the other man. "I'm sending him my files as well. I told him he couldn't put your name in anything and he had to stop digging at Harry and Jason."

Damon made as face as he listened to Grant babble. He shifted the small man on the sofa and pulled him into his lap. "Pet, you aren't making sense. What are you talking about?" He gently rubbed Grant's face, frowning as he looked at his colouring.

Grant took a deep breath and sighed. "Montgomery. I apologized to him. I didn't go over to their table, he came to me. You never said I couldn't talk to him if he started the conversation," he said as he picked at his cast. "I'm offering him a chance to study me so he leaves the boys alone, but he has to leave you alone too."

Damon groaned and shook his head, leaning forward to press a kiss to Grant's mouth. "Pet, you didn't have to do that. I'm glad you apologized to him but it was Harry and Severus's decision to go to him." He sighed and looked down at Grant. "Jason... well Jason I think is thinking with the little head."

The small man twitched in Damon's arms, the sedative playing along his nervous system. "I just want them to be safe."

Damon squeezed Grant to him, rocking the small man gently and sighed heavily. "And I want you safe." He stood and paced for a moment trying to decide what to do.

Grant opened his eyes and looked into his husband's blue ones. "What do you need me to do now?" he asked, the words slurring together softly as he leaned his head on Damon's shoulder. "I finished the office work. I can bus the tables if you put me down."

Damon snorted and shook his head as he looked down into Grant's dazed eyes. "Not like that you can't. I've already got a broken Injun. I don't need broken dishes too."

"I'll be careful with your dishes," Grant mumbled, looking around the office. "I could fold napkins or something." He hated feeling useless and with a broken wrist, he felt more worthless than he ever had before.

Damon looked down at Grant and pressed a kiss to his mouth again, feeling sorry for his husband. He looked so pitiful lying there in his arms. He sighed and nodded. "All right. If I set you up at a table, do you think you could roll the silverware in the napkins for the dinner rush?"

"Yes Sir, I can do that," Grant said, nodding, his head feeling like it weighed eighty pounds. "I'll be good, I promise."

Damon eyed him for a moment and set Grant on his feet. "I know you'll be good, Pet. Question is can you make it out the door."

Grant nodded, carefully putting one foot in front of the other as he walked to the office door then turned to look at Damon. "See?" he said with a small smile. He wasn't so sure of being able to do much more, but he'd give it his best shot. "Do you want me where the customers can't see me?"

Damon shook his head, knowing that once Grant sobered up he'd be embarrassed about his actions of today. "How about you just rest on the sofa and I'll have Tom finish out the day? You let me take you home, all right Pet."

Grant stood there for a moment and then walked back to the sofa. "I really messed up," he said in a small voice, closing his eyes and letting his head fall back against the sofa. "I'm so sorry."

Damon sat beside Grant on the sofa and shook his head. "It's all right, Grant. I understand." He ran his hand over Grant's hair and wrapped his arms around him, not knowing what else to do for his little husband.

"I have to send my files over to Montgomery. Do you know where he's staying?" Grant asked, leaning his head against Damon's chest and listening to the strong heartbeat.

"I do and you don't have to send anything you don't want to him, Pet." Damon murmured as he rubbed Grant's back, trying to reassure him. "He won't bother you, baby, I'll make certain of it."

"Maybe it will help Harry and Jason, maybe he can find a way so they don't have to go through this. I don't know what I've done wrong," Grant said softly, a tear trickling down his face as he felt his body start to respond despite the narcotic potion he'd just taken.

Damon shushed him and gathered Grant up into his lap. "It'll be all right, baby. If you want me to, I'll go sign the papers and get him the files for you this afternoon."

"Everything is at home in my office," Grant said quietly, resignation in his voice as he realized what he was about to do. "In the top cabinet drawer."

"All right then," Damon stood and walked to the office door. "Let me take you home, put you to bed and I'll gather up everything to take to him." He opened the door and limped out of his office looking around the bar for Tom.

"Damon," Grant called out as the man walked out the door. "Damon?"

Damon stopped and looked down at Grant, "What is it Pet?" He nodded at Tom then continued toward the back doors.

"Tell the boys dinner is on Sunday, okay?" Grant said, giving his husband a smile. He was determined to not let anything come before their family traditions.

Damon snorted and shook his head, wondering how he was going to cook Sunday dinner by himself. "I'll tell Sev this afternoon."

Grant nodded. "Tell Jason to come too," he added as he tried to get to his feet. "I'll go tell them, I want him to know we want him there."

Damon squeezed Grant to him as Grant struggled in his arms. "I'll make sure Jason knows. Now be still before I drop your ass here in the bar and we both have to go to the emergency room for broken limbs."

Grant stilled instantly, laying his head back on Damon's shoulder. "I need you," he whispered softly in the man's ear.

Damon nodded, looking down into the dark dazed eyes. "As soon as we get home, baby, I promise to take care of you. We have to get there first though." He leaned down and pressed a kiss to Grant's mouth as he stopped to open the back door.

To his credit, Grant was able to wait until he was safely in the truck before he began to rub at himself with his good hand, the burning desire taking control of him despite his best efforts. "Get me home Damon, please before I do something mortifying," he begged, tears running down his cheeks as he realized what he was doing.

Damon nodded and started the truck, backing out of the parking space carefully then reaching over to take Grant's hand as he pulled out on to the highway.

Once home, Grant waited until Damon had stopped the truck before he opened the door to make his way into the house. "I'll get my toys, okay?" he said as his husband came around the front of the truck. "Maybe if we do it hard enough, it'll stop."

Damon frowned and followed Grant into the house. "Grant... no, not this time. You're on a lot of medicine and I don't want to hurt you accidentally because you can't feel something."

"Please," he whispered as he began to shed his clothing. "Damon, I can't take this and it's only just started. I want you to hurt me." Grant looked at his husband, desperation in his eyes as he thought of the next few weeks and the torment he would be going through.

Damon shook his head and grabbed Grant's face, looking him in the eyes. "Pet, you know the rules. I'd love to hurt you and have you hurt for me but not like this. I'll do anything for you but not this, don't ask it of me."

"Yes Sir," Grant whispered as he understood Damon was not going to give him pain to distract him. "I can go lie down if you need to go back to the bar."

Damon sighed as he wrapped his arms around his little husband, holding him to his chest tightly. "Grant, I'm here for you but you have to understand that I'm trying to do what's best and right for you. You aren't in any shape to handle pain right now, Pet. Do you understand that?"

"I understand," Grant murmured, shivering as the air caressed his bare skin. "I'll go take a nap or something, okay?" He looked up at Damon and gave him a little smile.

Damon nodded, running his hands over Grant's back and scooping him up once more into his arms. Grunting softly, he carried Grant back into their bedroom and laid him down on the bed. He pulled back the blankets and removed Grant's shoes and trousers then tucked him in. Walking around the bed he kicked off his own shoes and shed his jeans and shirt, crawling in the other side of the bed and snuggling up to Grant. "We'll rest together, hmm, Pet." He wrapped himself around Grant and pulled the small man close, nuzzling him gently.

Grant nodded as he made himself comfortable in Damon's arms. "Is it okay if I touch while you sleep?" he asked, lifting Damon's hand to his lips and kissing the long fingers. "I'll be quiet."

Damon hummed, kissing on Grant's neck. "I'm here for you now, My Own, so long as you remember I'm not going to hurt you right now." He nibbled gently on Grant's fragrant skin, breathing in his scent and sighing softly and running his other hand down Grant's back to pull him closer. "Always here for you."

"When the potion is out of my system, will you?" Grant asked as he pushed his body into Damon's touch, sighing softly as his body woke up from the sedation. "It's been such a long time since you've done anything hard with me."

Damon nodded. "When it's completely gone, I promise. We can even go down to the basement if you like. Use some of the big toys." He leaned in and kissed Grant, tracing Grant's lips with his tongue then sliding it between them to slowly map his mouth.

Suckling on his husband's tongue, Grant moaned softly at the words the man had spoken and he intended to hold Damon to his promise. Pulling one knee up, he offered himself to the other man, pushing his hips forward wantonly as he let his hands roam over the man's broad chest.

Damon groaned and rubbed against Grant, pulling his leg over his body. "Tell me what you want, My Own. I'm here for you, little one."

"Want you to come in me," Grant murmured, pushing his good hand between their bodies and grasping Damon by the root and stroking him roughly.

Damon grunted and thrust into Grant's hand. "I can do that," he moaned. "Take what you want, Pet." He let go of Grant long enough to push at his boxers, trying to get them off for his husband

Grant pulled his hand away long enough to let Damon get his boxers down before he used his fingertips to spread himself gently so the man could sheath himself without pause. "Don't worry about me, just come Damon. Please," Grant begged, biting his lower lip as he waited for his husband.

Damon kicked away his clothing and nodded, pulling Grant to him. He thrust gently, sliding into Grant and groaned at the heat and tightness. Pulling Grant to him, he nibbled at Grant's mouth.

Grant closed his eyes, letting himself feel what was happening to his body as he kissed Damon back just as fiercely. He couldn't explain why he'd asked for what he had, but somehow that just seemed to be what he needed and he hoped it was going to be enough to allow them both a little peace until the potion was out of his system.

Damon rolled onto his back, bringing Grant with him. He thrust up into his husband and settled back down on the bed. Moving Grant up and down his prick with just his hands, he looked up at Grant. "So beautiful, my Own."

Opening his dark eyes, Grant looked down at Damon, feeling a blush spreading over his dusky skin as he smiled back at him. "I'm glad I still please you to look at after all these years," he teased gently while he squeezed and tightened his inner muscles around Damon.

Damon groaned, bucking up into Grant. "Always pleases me," he moaned softly and closed his eyes, squeezing Grant's hips as he lifted him up again.

Watching Damon, Grant whimpered in pleasure, reaching behind himself to stroke his husband's heavy balls, his fingers rolling and tugging at them as he rocked his hips to bring the man pleasure.

Damon bucked up into Grant, spreading his legs wider underneath the small man and groaning. He dug his fingers into Grant's hips, moving him faster over his prick.

Opening his eyes, he looked up at Grant and nodded at him. "Come here," he panted. "Kiss me."

Grant bent his body down, molding himself to Damon's chest as he covered the man's mouth with his own. "Daddy," he moaned softly, clinging to the other man.

"My Kitten," Damon murmured and sucked Grant's tongue into his mouth as he continued to thrust up into the smaller man. He wrapped his arms around Grant holding him tightly against him.

Hunching his hips, Grant managed to rub himself against Damon's belly, shuddering as he coated their bellies with his emission. Pushing himself back up into a sitting position to rock and bounce on Damon's shaft.

Damon grabbed Grant's hips, lifting him higher and bringing him down harder on his prick, thrusting up at the same time. He gasped and closed his eyes as he came, squeezing his fingers into Grant's hips as he held him in place on his prick.

Grant shuddered as he clamped himself around Damon, trying to get what he felt he needed from the other man for some sort of relief.

Breathing heavily, he fell forward once more and laid on Damon's chest, keeping the man's softening prick inside of him. "Thank you," he whispered against Damon's skin.

Panting, Damon kissed the top of Grant's head and wrapped his arms around him squeezing him gently. He chuckled between breaths and sighed heavily. "Anytime, Pet." He kissed him again, rubbing Grant's back lazily. "Love you, Grant."

"Love you too," Grant said, tipping his face up to give his husband a kiss before rolling off of the man's body and curling up on his side.

Regarding Damon with a thoughtful stare, Grant spoke softly about what he'd said to Richard earlier. "Do you want me to get my file together or do you want to do it? Maybe he can help Harry and Jason so they never have to go through this."

Damon turned on his side and looked at Grant, reaching up to brush a stray hair off his face. He trailed his finger along Grant's cheekbone, searching his face as he thought about his answer. "It's entirely up to you, Pet. I know how you feel about your condition and I know how you feel about Montgomery's practices. You're going to be opening yourself up for a lot of questions. Do you think you're ready for that?"

He leaned in and pressed his lips to Grant's, wondering if his little husband realized just how much information Montgomery would need to help all three men.

Grant shook his head, he wasn't ready to be interrogated, but he felt like it was something he should do for the younger men. "No, I'm not ready, but I wouldn't be able to look at myself in the mirror if there was something to keep them from going through this and I didn't do it," he sighed. He hated talking about Fleymann's and what it had done to his life and the life of his husband. "I asked him to leave you out of everything."

Damon shook his head. "Baby, you should have known better than that. He has to see me because you're mine. We figured that out years ago." He leaned in and kissed Grant's forehead. "I'll be all right, Pet. I can handle Montgomery. If you want to help Harry and Jason then he has to know everything."

Grant sighed heavily; it wasn't what he wanted to hear. "I'll make sure he never uses your name, okay?" He knew Damon was a private man about many things and surely didn't want to take the chance of someone causing trouble at the bar or anywhere else for that matter.

"Is it alright if I stay here and sleep?"

Damon smiled at his little husband and nodded, pulling him closer and wrapping his arms around him. "Sounds like a plan to me. Snuggle up with me?"

@@@@@@@@

Damon jolted awake suddenly and looked at the clock, only a few hours had passed into the afternoon. Rubbing his face and hissing softly, he jerked his hand away and looked down at his husband sprawled across the rest of the bed, shaking his head. It was a wonder, how someone so small could take up so much room.

Easing back the blankets, he gingerly climbed out of bed and padded from the room. Showering and dressing upstairs, Damon grabbed the folder marked medical records from Grant's office and left Grant a note on the kitchen table. He promised to bring home dinner and reminded him not to take any potion unless he needed it if he wanted to play that evening then left the house quietly heading back into town. He needed Severus's salve first before talking with the good doctor.

As luck would have it, Montgomery was waiting outside Sev's shop when he pulled up in the parking lot. He turned off the truck and looked at the tall man for a moment before getting out of the truck and knocking on the man's window.

Somewhat startled, Richard looked up from where he'd been watching Jason through the large front window of the apothecary. Seeing Damon Wolffe's face peering down at him, he fought a moment of unease before he motioned for the man to stand back so he could open the car door.
"Hello Mister Wolffe," Richard said with a nod, waiting warily to see what was going to happen. He was still a bit uncomfortable with the scene that had unfolded earlier that day at lunch.

"Montgomery." Damon nodded and cleared his throat. "I'd like to apologize first off for what happened this afternoon. He held out the folder. "This is from Grant as well."

Richard held his hand out to take the thick file, shaking his head at the sheer weight of the thing. "It's forgotten Mister Wolffe. Your husband seemed to be quite distressed, I'm hoping he's feeling a bit better now."

Damon sighed and knelt down. "He was resting when I left him, so I hope he'll be in better spirits when I return." Looking down at the ground, he dug in the dirty snow for a moment. "What I told you in the barn the other day about nothing helping, well I wasn't lying. It's gotten worse." He looked up at the other man. "So whatever you find in those files to help him, I'd surely like to know."

"Forgive me for asking Mister Wolffe, but are you and your husband sexually active... with one another?" Richard asked as his mind ran through the most obvious reasons that the small man would be so distressed.

Damon flushed but nodded. "Yes, and only with each other, before you ask, for the past twenty-five years." He looked at the other man for a moment "Why?" he demanded softly.

Richard pursed his lips for a moment, deep in thought, not responding to Damon's question. "Is this a secondary relationship for Doctor Wolffe? I mean, was he with someone before?" he asked, thinking that perhaps Damon simply was not compatible with Grant's physiology.

Damon stared at Montgomery for a moment, not used to people not answering his questions. "No. We've been married for fifty years this year but we been together for fifty-four. If you have to know, I was his first and his only."

"You are certain of that?" Richard asked wanting to rule out the possibility that the two simply were not compatible. "Are there children?"

Damon hung his head and swallowed hard. "Yeah I'm certain. He knows better than that. It's me that dallied." He paused for a moment trying to gather his thoughts. "We tried and successfully conceived four times but lost all of them." He looked up at Montgomery, taking a deep breath before speaking. "We later found out that Grant's cervix was weak and that's why we lost the babies. All that information is in there, Doc. We're compatible if that's what you're trying to find out. Grant and I been dealing with this longer than you been alive, I think. So if there's anything else you can ask that'll tell me why my husband seems like he's suddenly gone insane and how I can fix him then I'd be much obliged."

Knowing that he would go over the file with a fine toothed comb that afternoon, Richard tucked it safely under one arm. "Mister Wolffe, I do apologize if my questions seem intrusive, but they need to be asked. When was the last pregnancy?"

Sighing, Damon closed his eyes, thinking back. "Early nineteen sixty-four is when it ended. Nearly lost both of them that time and I decided we wouldn't have no more then." He looked up at Montgomery. "We haven't had any since then and he's steadily got worse since the early eighties I'd say."

One possibility was presenting itself to Richard and he wondered how the older man would take the question. "Have either of you contracted a sexually transmitted disease? Could you have given Doctor Wolffe something?" he asked softly.

Damon shook his head. "We both were tested after a scare. Since then it was decided that we... that I would keep it covered when we played." He looked Montgomery in the eye. "You need to know right now that we're Old Guard, I guess the term would be, that you'd most understand since you are acquainted with Gregory."

Richard shrugged, what the couple did privately didn't matter to him. "That's not an issue I think Mister Wolffe. So you are telling me that you use a condom each time you have intercourse with your husband?"

Again, Damon shook his head, not believing he was having this type of conversation in the parking lot of Sev's shop. "No, with Grant I don't. when and if I play with someone else sexually and mind you, it's been years since I have, then I use a condom. But with Grant I never have."

"No contraceptive at all is used?" Richard quizzed, trying to gentle his tone as he realized how uncomfortable Damon was becoming.

Damon shook his head. "Don't need one. I had a vasectomy in nineteen sixty-eight." He stopped and looked at Montgomery. "I nearly lost him with that last child, Doc. I wasn't taking that chance again. I'd rather have him alive and be childless than have an heir and no mate. He's my all, Montgomery. Everything I do is because of him."

"A vasectomy?" Richard mused softly to himself, somewhere a light was going off as a warning. "He was fine before then? Does he have the fully developed Fleymann's traits?"

Damon flushed again, nodded and cleared his throat. "If you mean the... uh... womanly parts... then yes. You've seen him, he's short of stature like Harry and small everywhere else, if that's what you're asking. I can assume Jason is the same if you are looking for comparison. Those are the only men I've been around continually that have had Fleymann's that I know well and can compare him to."

"Do you have vaginal intercourse with your husband?" Richard asked, making mental note of the information the other man had shared so far.

Damon rubbed his face and blew out a breath, flushing even redder. "Yes, frequently, in answer to your next question. Anally as well too."

Richard looked Damon in the eye. "Mister Wolffe, you do realize that your husband's behaviour is truly abnormal? This is not the norm in anyway for a man with Fleymann's that is in a compatible relationship."

Damon sighed and nodded. "I've wondered for years but it was only recently that I've been able to..." he trailed off and shook his head. "The only reason Grant agreed to give you the file was to make certain this didn't happen to Harry and Jason. If you can help him in anyway that helps them out later in life, I'll pay your fees. I don't care what they are. I just want my husband safe and sane again."

Richard nodded, he wasn't worried about his fees, he liked a good challenge. "Mister Wolffe, has your husband been checked for ovarian or cervical cancers? Been advised of a hysterectomy in the past?"

Damon shrugged. "I don't know. His medical history is something I'm not allowed to know to unless it's life threatening. If he has been it'll be in that file or you can speak with Max Sorens. He's our doctor and has been for the past twelve years."

Richard nodded once more. "Doctor Wolffe offered to allow me to publish, did he inform you of that?" he asked guardedly.

Damon looked down at the ground then back at Montgomery. "He mentioned something about that. I've read your work and know how in-depth you go. All I ask is that you protect him when you do publish. He's still very respected in the medical community and I don't want that jeopardized."

"Mister Wolffe, if you are familiar with my work, then you are also familiar with the fact names are never given," Richard said somewhat indignantly. "I will not publish anything you and your husband have not seen beforehand. If I publish."

Damon chuckled. "I realized that Montgomery, however, there aren't many out there that fit Grant's description and you can't tell me that you didn't know exactly who he was the minute you saw him." He shook his head. "As I said, he's well known in the medical community in his own right, so I wouldn't want anything to damage that. And I'm not a stupid man, Montgomery, Grant's already told me that no one else his age has talked with you and his information could be of great help to you. You'd be a fool not to publish."

Richard was torn. Damon was right, he was champing at the bit to investigate and then publish his findings, but this was also the pseudo-family of the man he was quickly becoming attached to. The last thing he wanted to do was alienate them.
"Mister Wolffe, I know you don't know me and that your husband has a very distasteful opinion of me, but I give you my word that nothing will be published without consent from the two of you," he said, sticking his hand out to the other man.

Damon eyed him for a moment then took his hand, smiling at Montgomery. "I believe you, young man. You've been helping me deal with him longer than you know, but if you tell him that I'll deny it." He shook Montgomery's hand then let go and stood, nodding at him. "I need to get some things from Sev and I'm certain Jason would be glad to see you as well. Why don't you come on inside with me?"

Richard smiled in return. "Let me put this in safe keeping," he said as he popped the trunk of his car, going around to safely tuck the file into his briefcase before locking the lid back down. "I never take chances with people's files."

Damon nodded and waited for him. "I appreciate that." He walked toward the shop and opened the door, holding it back for the other man to enter and nodding at Jason as he followed the doctor into the shop. "Is Sev in the back?"

He reached into his pocket, wrapping his fingers around the jewellery box Grant had given him earlier wondering if Harry had gone home after lunch.

Jason looked up from where he'd been sweeping up when Damon spoke. "Oh hello there Mister Wolffe," he said and smiled to Richard before looking around for Grant. "Yes, the Professor's in the back."

Damon nodded and headed that way then stopped, snapping his fingers as he remembered Grant's insistence on Sunday dinner. "Jason, you'll come out to the house on Sunday for dinner with us, right? Grant wants everybody to get together." He smiled at the young man and waited for his answer.

Jason looked from Damon to Richard, unsure of how to answer. He didn't want to offend the Wolffes, but he didn't want to be away from Richard either.

"Maybe Mister Wolffe. I'm not sure where I'll be," the young man said, deciding to play it safe with an ambiguous answer. "Would you tell Doctor Wolffe thank you for the invitation."

Damon took a deep breath and nodded, knowing his next words would probably sign his death warrant at his own home. "I'll tell him Jason but we'd be happy if you'd come." He cut his eyes at Montgomery. "You're both welcome, I promise they'll be no repeats of what happened in the bar today."

Richard's eyes widened in shock at the offer. "Thank you Mister Wolffe, if you are certain your husband is alright with it, then I shall talk it over with Jason." He wanted a chance to study Doctor Wolffe in his home setting, to watch the man's behaviour for clues.

Jason shrugged, if Richard was game, so was he. "I'll call Doctor Wolffe and see what he'd like me to bring."

Damon chuckled. "No need to bring anything, Jason, he'd be offended if you did.. This is Grant's Sunday dinner. You're just expected to show up and eat."

He looked up at Richard. "I guarantee it will be all right, Doctor. We normally eat around five or so in the afternoon but everyone usually starts arriving around one. Harry and Sev will be there and so will Max Sorens, the Corricans as well most likely."

Richard nodded, making note of the time, thinking that he and Jason would most likely follow Davy and Greg out. "Please Mister Wolffe, I'm Richard or Rich, but never Dick," he said with a chuckle, reaching out a hand to lay it on Jason's arm, rubbing gently.

Damon nodded, watching the two men together. "We'll see you there then and I'm Damon."

Richard nodded, gently grasping Jason's arm and pulling him closer to him, just wanting to have him near.

Jason smiled to himself as he felt the pressure from the man's hand and stepped to him readily. "Do you want me to let the Professor know you're here, or do you know where he is? Harry's back keeping him company."

Damon smiled at Jason, still watching the two men together. He'd have to give Sev the bracelet on Sunday perhaps. "Just tell me if he's in his office or the lab and I'll let you get back to your work. All I need is Grant's potions."

"He's in the lab," Jason said, distracted by Richard's fingers playing around the cuff on the sleeve of his robe. "I don't think it's locked."

Damon nodded and left the two men, limping slowly to the back of the shop. He should have known better than to stay out in the cold so long talking to Montgomery, but it had to be done. Grant needed the help even if the small man wasn't willing to admit it that the doctor was most likely the only man that could help him. He stopped outside Severus's lab door and rubbed on his leg for a moment through his jeans, gritting his teeth against the ache that throbbed through his leg and hip. He knocked on the door and pasted a smile on his face while he waited for someone to answer the door, still rubbing his hips almost unconsciously. He knew better than to walk into Sev's lab after he'd walked into the kitchen once while Sev had been brewing.

Harry opened the lab door, a smile coming to his face as he saw who it was knocking. "Hello Damon," he said warmly, opening the door more to allow the man entry. "Is Grant with you?"

Damon grunted softly as he straightened and shook his head. "Hello Bit." He stepped gingerly into the lab workspace and looked around, shaking his head. "I'm sorry he's not. He was sleeping when I decided to come up here and save you all the trip out to the house." He smiled at Harry and nodded at Severus. "How's that baby doing?"

Severus looked up as Damon entered, nodding in acknowledgement and then nodded down to a small red bottle on his work table.

Harry beamed happily as he rubbed one hand over his swollen belly. "She's fine, been very active this afternoon. I think all the sugar I had for afters at lunch has gotten into her system," he laughed, making his way back over to the chair he'd been sitting in while keeping Severus company. "At least I'm more comfortable than Jason."

Damon frowned as he leaned against a stool, sighing softly as he took the weight off his hip. "Is something wrong with Jason? He looked fine a moment ago when I left him with Montgomery."

Severus pulled another chair over as he watched Damon, not liking the heavy limp the man was trying to hide. "Here Da, sit," he said as he nudged the man's shoulder and then looked expectedly at Harry, he was curious as well.

Mouth agape, Harry realized what he'd said and then grimaced. "Nothing, Jason's fine," he said quickly.

Damon glared at Severus but sat down anyway, wincing as his hips settled in the new position. He looked at Harry. "You've opened you mouth now, son. What do you know?"

Harry looked at both men, hesitating for a moment, not sure if he should say anything. "He's alright, he just got unexpected news last night is all."

Damon eyed Harry suspiciously for a moment then looked up at Severus. "Un huh. Did he go and see Max today? Grant said something about him having an appointment?"

Harry shook his head. "No, something he found out from Doctor Montgomery, but it's nothing bad."

Damon shook his head and heaved himself up out of the chair, grunting and biting his lip as he stood. "We'll just see about that then. Grant's going to pester my ass about that boy all damn night." He took a shaky step toward the door, hand on his hip.

Severus reached out quickly, laying a hand on Damon's shoulder. "I'll get him Da, you sit. No arguments," he said, his voice pitched low enough for only Damon to hear.

Damon glared at him. " 'M fine, Severus. I think I know how to walk about the place on my own."

"I'm certain that you do, but I can also see that you're hip is causing you trouble. You should sit while you can so you won't need a dose of your potion and then depend on someone else to take you home," Severus murmured neutrally, making sure his back was to Harry to guard Damon's privacy.

Damon frowned and grabbed on to Severus's arm and sleeve. "I'm just a bit cold," he muttered and swallowed. "But I'm not certain I can sit back down now," he finished softly. "I need to walk it out."

Severus nodded. "Then let's go together," he suggested, reaching for the door. The last thing he wanted was for the older man to lose face. "I'll fix a half dose of your potion, alright?"

Damon sighed and nodded, stepping forward carefully. "Fucking cold," he muttered. He rubbed his hip, walking easier after the first few steps. "I left Jason out front with talking with Montgomery. He'll get Jason up there to see Max if he knows there's something wrong with Jason and he's not gone to see him. He's fucking determined enough to get Jason moving if we can't."

Harry watched his husband and father-in-law for a moment, he could see Damon was having some trouble and felt like a heel for even mentioning Jason and then not following through. "He's having twins," he blurted out and then clapped a hand over his mouth.

Damon stopped and looked up at Severus. "Turn us around." He looked back over his shoulder at Harry. "Twins? That boy is carrying twins?"

Severus did as instructed, making the movement look effortless on both their parts. "Twins?" he repeated softly. "As in two foetuses?"

Harry bite his lip and nodded.

Damon looked up at Severus then back at Harry, laughing out loud. "Merlin, no wonder he's so fucking big. Grant's gonna have a fucking cow. Ha-ha and I know first for once!"

Severus said nothing, thinking over the information and how it would likely affect the running of his shop; of course the boy couldn't be allowed to continue to work in his condition.

"Thank you for telling us Harry," he said with a small nod, wondering when or if Jason had planned to inform him of this. Severus turned to look at Damon.

"Would you like the dose?" he asked as he took a step back towards the man's chair.

Damon shook his head, "Nah, I'm all right. Just give me Grant's potions and walk me to the door then I'll be out of your hair for the day."

"Alright. Harry, would you please get the small bag there on the work table and set the red phial there in as well. Damon, the dose is two drops orally fifteen minutes prior. It can be taken up to twice a day. Any questions?" Severus asked as he looked at the older man and listened to Harry moving around gathering the things together.

Damon shook his head, reaching into his pocket and handing Severus the box. "Grant gave me this, says they ran into Orion." He whispered softly and quickly while Harry was busy. "Before you go apeshit, I checked it out. It's safe and I think you should let Harry use it. Something like this served me well when we lost Amelia but saved Grant's life. I think you'll know what it is when you see it."

He looked Severus in the eye. "Don't be mad at Harry if he didn't tell you about it. Grant took it away from him immediately so he probably forgot all about it." He squeezed Severus's hands around the box. "If you have any questions call me tonight and I'll talk with you more about it, you hear me. But don't take it out on Harry. Remember, he don't know any better."

Recognizing the jeweller's box, Severus pursed his lips as he took it from Damon, the heavy weight of it both comforting and ominous at the same time. "It's the bracelet my mother wore, I'm sure," he murmured before opening it to peer inside while nodding his head. "I'd wondered where it had been placed after her death."

Damon nodded and patted Severus's hands. "Then I sure you know more about it than I do." He took a deep breath. "I know Grant's always dealt with these things with you, Sev and I don't know everything that's happened but I'm willing to bet on it that there's more to the story than we know. There always is. You come home if you need us tonight. You and Harry are always welcome."

"Thank you Da. I'll speak with Harry and see if he feels well enough to visit. Will Grant be alright?" Severus asked as he plucked the heavy silver chain from the box and let it dangle from his fingers for a moment, as if deciding something.

Damon watched the chain sparkle with the ancient magic and sighed heavily. "He will be eventually, son. I got a lot riding on it."

"I'll be certain to call if we decide to visit, alright?" Severus murmured before turning to look at his husband who was bent back over a baby book he'd been reading.

Damon nodded, reaching over to pluck the bag off the worktable. "You all do that." he smiled at Severus and squeezed his shoulder. "Take care of my son and my grandbaby, and don't forget to be good to yourself Harry."

Harry looked up and smiled at the sound of his name. "Good bye Damon, drive carefully," he said cheerfully as he waved.

Severus held the door for Damon, promising to call him later that day to see how Grant's potions were working and if any adjustments would need to be made. He closed the door after watching the older man leave the shop, turning back to Harry with the bracelet still in one hand.

"Harry," he said softly, walking towards where the younger man sat. "Did Orion give you any trouble?"

Harry bit his lip, thinking and wondering whom Severus was talking about. "I don't think so, Husband. Why?"

"You didn't mention running into him while you were in England," Severus said as he held up the bracelet. "Do you know what this is?"

Harry looked at the bracelet, narrowing his eyes and adjusting his glasses, studying the jewellery. His mouth opened in an "O" and he looked up at Severus, eyes wide. "Your father! Oh Severus, I forgot. Grant and I saw him at Gringott's." He stopped, his brow furrowing. "That was when Grant began to act strangely. He stopped us and gave us that."

Severus nodded, he'd expected that Orion would try to contact Harry while he was there since Percy's death had been written up in the Prophet and Harry was an honorary Weasley. "He wasn't rude to either of you, was he?"

Harry thought for a moment. "No, not rude, my first impression was one of more like he was more uppity I'd say. But he wasn't rude. He was trying to talk to me and Grant wouldn't let him say much. So he just gave me the bracelet and he went about his way."

Severus nodded, thankful Grant had been there. He didn't think Orion would have harmed Harry, but all the same, he didn't want the man near his husband or unborn child.

"My mother wore this," he said as he held up the bracelet to the light. "As did my father's mother and so on. It's charmed to keep the bearer and unborn children safe as well as to compel them to stay with their spouse."

Harry smiled at Severus. "Would you like me to wear it, Husband? I don't need a charm to compel me to stay with you but I'll wear it nonetheless if you'd like me too." He held out his arm to Severus.

Dropping the bracelet unceremoniously back into the jeweller's box, Severus snapped it shut and tossed it onto his work table. "No Harry, I don't want you to wear it. However, I shall have a monitoring amulet made for you to wear," he said as he reached out and stroked Harry's cheek. He had enough horrible memories of his mother sobbing because she couldn't leave Orion Snape because of the compulsion spell upon her.

Harry leaned into Severus's fingers and wrapped his hand around his wrist. "As you wish, Husband." Looking up into his lover's face, he frowned slightly and bit his lip. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, Severus. With everything else going on I forgot." He clung to Severus's arm and blinked back tears he could feel forming hoping Severus wasn't angry with him. He knew how Severus felt about his father and couldn't believe he'd forgotten something so important.

A gentle thumb wiped away the tears forming in Harry's eyes as Severus smiled gently at him. "Shush little one, I'm not angry with you, I only wish I'd been able to prevent him coming in contact with you," he said as he pulled the smaller man into his arms and swayed slowly to quiet him.

Harry wrapped his arms around Severus's waist and breathed in his scent for a moment, sighing as he was comforted. He looked up at Severus and smiled gently; trying to return some of the comfort he'd received. "It's all right, Severus. He wasn't unkind and Grant was with me. I just think he wanted to see if it was true. He seemed sort of disbelieving to me." He shrugged slightly and wrapped his arms around Severus again.

Severus made a noncommittal noise, refusing to allow himself to be bothered by the thought of his natural father so many miles away. "All that is important is that you and Grant were safe and were not threatened," he said as he pressed a kiss to the top of Harry's head. "I suggest that we send Jason on his way and close up for the day, what do you think?"

Harry nodded, rubbing his face against Severus's chest and sighing again. "I'm ready if you are, Husband. Are you hungry? What would you like for supper?"

Severus thought for a moment as he stroked his fingers through Harry's unruly hair. "If the roads have been cleared enough, would you like to dine out this evening? I'm sure you are still tired from travelling Harry," he said as he smiled down at his husband, bending down to press a kiss to the man's lips.

Harry tilted his head back to offer his mouth to Severus. "I'm fine, Severus." He hummed as he pressed his lips to Severus's. "May we begin our Christmas shopping too if the roads are clear?" he asked excitedly as Severus pulled away.

"Christmas shopping?" Severus said with a slight frown on his face. He'd not even begun to consider his shopping and to be quite honest; he normally asked Grant to take care of it for him and then brought the man something from Diagon Alley when he arrived for the winter holiday. "What did you have in mind? Grant normally does the shopping for me."

Harry stared at him. "No, Severus, the decorations. Grant and I did the shopping for the presents while in England. Remember the extra baggage you asked about." He bit his lip then batted his eyes at his husband. "Please? You said we could have a tree and I promised to keep it small."