How Severus Spends His Summer Hols

AN: Hi everyone, we apologize for the long wait for the chapter. RL has been, and continues to be, extremely busy for Kel and I. Posting will continue to be sporadic for sometime as we try and adjust to the craziness.

Please enjoy this chapter and know that we are NOT abandoning the fic nor will we ever leave it hanging. As always you can check the Yahoo mailing list (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stirsofecho/) or Stirs_of_echo on Livejournal (http://community.livejournal.com/stirs_of_echo/) or Insanejournal (http://asylums.insanejournal.com/stirs_of_echo/) for updates about the fic and side stories.

Angel and Kel

Harry stretched his arm up, hanging the last of the twinkling lights into the large window of the front of the shop then brushed his hands together. He carefully climbed down from the step stool and admired his handy work, grinning widely at the display from inside. Padding back behind the counter, he grabbed his cloak from Severus's office and slipped it on; flipped the "Closed" sign to "Open" then walked out and looked at the window from the outside.

The sparkling lights flashed on and off and the small tree he'd placed in one of Severus's dented cauldrons was a simple and elegant display. Up and down the still snow-covered street, many of the businesses were decorated for the upcoming holiday. He raised a hand to Max on top of the roof as he hung the lights on the outside of the Practice's building and looked around for Jason.

Jason rounded the corner of the building and stopped in his tracks as he took in the sight of the shop all decorated. Walking slowly, he joined Harry in the street and looked at the front window.

"What the hell happened?" Jason asked with a shake of his head. The Professor was about the last person he ever pictured allowing anything like this happen to his business.

Harry chuckled. "It's Christmas time, Jason. Can't you tell?" He gestured up at Max on the roof then down the street. "Severus said to keep it simple, and I did, but everyone else apparently goes all out for this. Look around you."

Jason looked around, following the direction that Harry had pointed and shrugged. He really hadn't planned to celebrate that year. It was the first year by himself and he wasn't feeling particularly cheerful.

"I guess you can call me the Grinch then," Jason muttered, stuffing his hands deep in his coat pockets.

Harry frowned slightly. "Well, that's no fun. Severus is usually like that but this year he's not, so, I'll not have it from you." He eyed Jason for a moment. "You're going to celebrate with us this year like at Thanksgiving, yeah? You and Richard both?" he shivered slightly and pulled his cloak around him. "Come inside where it's warm. I hate the cold and I've not had my drop into insanity today and I really don't feel like triggering one." He pulled on the door and held it open for Jason.

Entering the heated building, Jason shrugged out of his jacket and went to hang it in the back room. "I don't know, Harry. Christmas is for family, you know? Real family, not just some guy that works for you," he said with a shake of his head as he lifted his shop apron around his neck and turned for Harry to tie it behind him.

Harry arched an eyebrow as he loosely tied Jason's apron strings. "So does this mean you are taking Richard home to meet your mum and dad?"

"Not a chance in hell, Harry. I'm not going home this year," Jason said firmly, not wishing to discuss his family or the rift between him and his father. "I imagine Rich is going to spend it with Greg and Davy."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry," Harry said softly. "You are invited to spend it with us though because despite what you said you'd be welcome. I know Damon and Grant would love to see you."

"You weren't prying, Harry," Jason said as he picked up the first of the boxes of stock he needed to shelve that morning. "I thought you all would be going back to England."

Harry shook his head as he picked up the next box and followed Jason. "This is our home now." He grinned. "I had a nice visit but I was never so glad to get back here and see Severus and our house. We've decorated there as well and it's simply beautiful. Nothing as elaborate as Damon and Grant's place but loverly all the same."

Jason snorted at the mention of the older couple's home, when he'd seen it, it had looked like a roomful of fairies had puked on it.

"Do you know if the Professor is planning to close for Christmas Day only?" he asked as he set his box down on the floor and knelt down awkwardly to start working.

Harry opened his box and looked inside then moved to the next aisle to begin shelving the bottles. "I don't know, to be honest with you. We could ask him."

Jason shrugged. "It's alright, he'll let me know," he said, almost hoping for an extra day or two off from work in the coming weeks. He had a lot to do if he wanted to be back under his own roof.

Harry nodded then moved around to the end of the aisle to look at Jason. "So, you'll think about joining us for Christmas then? It'll be fun, I promise. I'm not cooking this time." he smiled at the other man.

"There was nothing wrong with your food at Thanksgiving, Harry. I'll think about it, okay? I'm not going to promise because I don't know if I'll be back home or still in town then," Jason said as he shelved the last bottle and began to get to his feet. "We still haven't got up there to see about my place yet."

Harry's face fell. "You're going back up on the mountain? Why?" He looked in his box and found it empty then walked around to help Jason to his feet. "Did something happen with Richard?"

Waving Harry's hand away, Jason made it red-faced and grunting to his feet. "No. Why would something have to have happened? That's my home, Harry, you can't expect them to let me mooch forever, you know."

Harry pulled a face. "I understand that, Jason, but is it safe for you to be alone up there? We're getting closer and closer to our due date and Max just told me I shouldn't be doing anything too strenuous by myself. I'd wager that would go double for you, eh?"

Jason made a disgusted sound and ran one hand over his grossly swollen belly. "Who knows, maybe all the walking will convince the little boogers to come out sooner. I don't know how much more my ankles can take, you know?"

Secretly he hoped Richard would stay with him up on the mountain, but he knew reality would reign and the doctor would stay put in civilization.

"Besides, I'm not all that alone now. You know Doctor Wolffe and Mister Wolffe live right behind me."

Harry crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Jason. "That's a load of codswallop, Jason. Severus told me that they had to take the bloody tractor to come and get you out the last time. There's no way you can walk that now, especially if you are complaining about your feet. Davy and Gregory only live two streets over."

Jason levelled a look at his employer and took a deep breath. "I can't continue to sponge off of them, Harry, and I can't afford to pay them rent," he said softly, enunciating each word carefully and slowly.

Harry's face fell and he felt his cheeks heat in embarrassment. He'd known that about Jason and yet, he'd kept pushing. He swallowed hard and thought for a moment before replying. He'd talk with Severus later about this and hope his husband wouldn't be too upset with him. "Right, yeah. I... I'm sorry, Jason. I'll drop it if you promise me one thing. Call me in the mornings and I'll have Severus stop and pick you up at the end of your road. It's no trouble for us since we drive past there on our way to and from the shop. That way you still get your exercise but you aren't walking too far."

Jason sighed, shaking his head as he thought about it for a moment. He knew Harry was right, he didn't need to be walking so far now and the ride would be more than welcomed.

"Alright, Harry, I'll call in the mornings," Jason promised, reaching out to lightly push against the other man's shoulder. "Now stop worrying, you're worse than my Grannie."

Harry snorted and shoved Jason in return, trying not to recall the days spent in the cold with Morgan. "Hey, just wait because you might not be thanking me after you've seen Sev a few times until his morning coffee has had time to jump start his system."

Jason smirked back. "Well, you haven't seen me without my coffee either, it definitely isn't a pretty thing," he laughed.

"Now move, so I can get my work done. Unlike some people around here, I have to work for a living," he teased as he nodded towards the workroom door where they could hear Severus muttering curses. "Wonder what didn't die cooperatively for him to grind up into something."

Harry laughed as a particularly colourful curse came through the door loud and clear. He cringed slightly and looked around the store, thankful no one had come in just yet. "Ah, that's standard for when he's experimenting or working on something time consuming. Although... I think it's time to have him renew the Muffling Charms on the door. Can't have the patrons hearing that."

Jason chuckled, softly laughing as the air was filled with the Professor's honeyed voice. "Yeah, that would probably be a good idea. Hey, do you think he'd mind if I left maybe ten minutes early today for lunch?"

Harry shrugged as he moved behind the counter and sat down on the stool for a moment, his hand running in circles over his stomach. "I don't think so, why? Is everything all right?"

"Nothing's wrong, I just wanted to run upstairs and see if Doctor Sorens would look at my vitamins and see if I needed any more," Jason answered with a shrug, he supposed he could call just as easily.

Harry nodded. "Yeah, go ahead. He'll understand about an appointment with Max." He eyed Jason's stomach for a moment then looked back up at the other man. "Make certain you bring him your scripts if you do need more potions, he'll get right on them."

Jason thought about arguing for a moment, but remembered what Richard had told him about the proper nutrition and nodded. "I will, Harry. Rich thinks I'll probably have to take a few more, but isn't sure what since he's not my healer."

Getting back to work, he was quiet until he heard the Professor call for Harry. "Looks like you're being summoned. I'll watch the register for you," Jason said as he moved behind the counter and eyed the few customers that were shopping.

"Harry, I need you back here for a moment please," Severus called out once more.

Harry slid off the stool and waddled back to Severus's work room, knocking on the door before entering. He smiled at his husband then walked closer to the work table, looking up at Severus. "Yes, Husband?"

Laying his stirring rod on the work table, Severus looked down at Harry and smirked. "Come here, you," he growled.

Harry grinned and debated on running from Severus just for a split second. However, there were several cauldrons going at once and he had no idea what was in them, so he flung himself into Severus's arms instead. Inhaling the scent of potions and Severus's own smell, Harry sighed contentedly as he rubbed his face against Severus's chest. "Yes, Husband?" he asked again softly.

"Nothing, Harry, I simply wished to hold you," Severus murmured, stroking his hand along the younger man's spine and along the curve of his bottom. "Everything going as it should be?"

Harry hummed and pressed himself against Severus, nodding. "Yes, Sir. I made up the front window then Jason and I stocked the shelves. Helped out a few patrons." He rubbed his cheek along Severus's work robes then frowned slightly and looked up at Severus. "We chatted for a bit and I told him he could leave ten minutes early for lunch cause he's going up to see Max about his vitamins. That was all right, wasn't it?"

Severus nodded. "Of course. Tell him that if he needs the afternoon, to take it. We're slow enough that it should be alright. Are you resting as you need to?" he asked, trying to make sure the younger man wasn't overtaxing himself.

"I'm fine, Severus." Harry bit his lip and looked down at the floor. "I don't think he'll be taking the afternoon off," he whispered softly. He looked back up at Severus. "Jason's thinking about going back out to his trailer soon because he can't afford to stay with Davy and Gregory any longer."

"I wasn't aware that he was compensating them for his stay," Severus said with a frown. "I'll speak with Gregory about it and see to it that they are fair."

Harry shook his head. "No! I don't think they are, Husband." He sighed, wondering how to tell Severus what Jason said without just blurting it out. "I think he feels like he's imposing on them."

"I see. Why are you so worried about this, Harry? Jason is a grown man and seems reasonably capable of caring for himself," Severus said with a frown, not understanding why the smaller man seemed so agitated.

Harry swallowed and looked up at Severus, his fingers wrapping tightly in Severus's robes. "I'm not quite certain but..." He sighed then took a deep breath and started over again.

"Severus, I could have easily been in Jason's position if we'd have stayed in Britain. I know we don't know much about Jason but it's the little things that he says and does that sometimes remind me of myself. I honestly don't think he's really and truly prepared for what's about to happen nor will he let someone know that he's scared to death either. He's too proud to." He stopped and ran a hand over his face. "I don't know if it's these bloody hormones or what, but I can't help it. He's my friend and he needs help, whether he wants it or not."

Letting out his breath slowly, Severus led Harry over to his chair and pushed him into it gently. "Calm yourself Harry, don't make me dose you with a calming potion. It's commendable that you wish to help Jason and I will speak to him and ascertain what he needs," he said as he removed a bottle of water from the small refrigerator, opening it before giving it to his husband.

Harry looked down at the bottle of water then nodded. He took a long drink from the bottle and sighed, looking back at his husband for a moment. "He's very stubborn, Severus, and determined to do it his way. I invited him to join us for Christmas but he said it was a time for family. Don't be too harsh with him, please, Husband."

"I wasn't intending to be harsh at all Harry," Severus frowned, blowing his breath out irritably. "I'll see to it that he joins us."

With that, Severus strode out of the back room and to the door of the shop, quickly flipping the sign from "Open" to "Closed" before turning back to eye Jason.

"Mister Summers, a word if you please."

Jason tensed and eyed his employer. He nodded curtly and followed the Professor. "Yes, Professor?"

Nodding to the stool behind the counter, Severus waved his hand. "Please sit, Mister Summers."

Jason swallowed and steeled himself before heaving his bulk up on Harry's stool. He eyed the Professor and folded his hands over his stomach, waiting for the axe to fall.

Steepling his long fingers in front of his chest, much as he'd done while teaching, Severus peered down at the younger man for a long moment. "Harry seems to be worried about you and that, in turn, becomes my concern. You are returning to your mountain home, then?"

Jason groaned and crossed his arms over his chest. He glared up at the Professor and nodded. "Yes, I am. What is it with you people and my trailer? First Davy, then Harry and now you? It's my home. The only one I got and I'd like to go back to it, not that that's anyone's business but my own."

"Personally, I don't care a whit as to whether you return to your home or remain in town, Jason, but what I do care about is the fact something has upset Harry. Now, can you please explain to me what has him upset?" Severus said coolly, raising a brow as he looked down at his employee.

"I don't know why he's upset," Jason muttered and returned the Professor's look. "He's not the one having to worry about juggling money to make certain his bills get paid and get care for his children." He stopped suddenly and bit his lip, closing his eyes and groaned softly as he realized he'd spoken aloud.

Severus narrowed his eyes at the mention of money. "Was that a veiled request for an increase in wages, Mister Summers?"

Jason sighed and opened his eyes. "No, it wasn't. I didn't mean to say it at all, Professor. I'm very grateful to have this job in the first place."

Severus frowned as he thought of what he knew of hourly wages in the States and hated to admit that it was woefully little. "From your remarks and Harry's, I assume that what we offer is inadequate for your needs. Is that correct?"

Jason squirmed on the stool, not looking at the man. "I'm very thankful to be in your employ, Professor," he said softly.

Frowning harder, Severus snorted in irritation. "There is no question as to your continued employment, Jason, but I do need to know if we are compensating you adequately for your time. You are a fine employee whom I wish to keep."

Jason blew out a breath. "Thanks, Professor," he murmured quietly. He licked his lips and still not looking at the man answered, "It is hard to make things last the entire two weeks from pay check to pay check sometimes."

Severus nodded, thinking about what he paid the young man and then realized that he really didn't know what one paid for simple things. For him, a bill was simply sent at the end of each month and he paid it without scrutinizing over each item.

"Are you doing without?" he asked softly not wanting to damage the young man's pride.

Jason narrowed his eyes. "Without what?"

"Things that you require for your health or things that you desire. Potions, food, clothing, electricity, things of that nature," Severus said, thinking back and recalling more than one occurrence that Jason would have a simple bowl of noodles or claim to not be hungry during the noon hour.

Jason pursed his lips. "I make do with what I have, Professor. I don't need anyone's charity."

"Stubborn brat," Severus muttered. "Don't move, I shall return."

Stalking into the workroom, Severus motioned for Harry to rejoin Jason as he picked up the telephone to make a quick call to Damon.

@@@@@@@@

Damon glared at the phone receiver Grant had laid on the bed before he'd left to go into town when it rang shrilly. He'd been given strict instructions by his bossy little husband not to leave the bed except to take a piss and threatened with several kinds of husbandly injustices from the smaller man if he disobeyed. He rolled his eyes, as if, he'd taught Grant some of those threats.

He snarled at the phone as it rang again and flipped the channels on the television. Once he felt better, and his balls weren't frozen to his thighs, he'd remind the little Injun just who was king in this castle.

Jerking up the phone, he didn't even bother to look at the Caller ID to see who was calling. Damon pressed the talk button, answering in a slightly bored tone. "Wolffe Morgue, you kill 'em, we chill 'em."

"At what cost?" Severus shot back, trying not to crack a smile at Damon's greeting. "Do you offer any specials on volume?"

"That depends. What kind of volume are we talking about? It's free, if there is a little Injun involved." Damon smirked. "What can I do you for, Sev?"

Severus chuckled and leaned back in his desk chair, resting his head against the back of it for a moment. "What would be a living wage here?"

Damon made a face. "That depends on how you define living, Sev. More than minimum wage though. Can't nobody live well on that paltry amount. Why?"

Severus groaned, closing his eyes as he cursed himself silently. "I think I've made a grave error that needs to be corrected, Damon," he said and after a few more minutes of conversation, he ended the call.

"Jason," he called out as he pulled the check ledger from its drawer. "Please join me for a moment."

Jason waddled into the office, pulling on his lip with his teeth. He eyed the Professor for a moment then pressed one hand to his back. "Yes, Professor."

Waving one hand at the chair on the opposite side of the desk, Severus flipped the book open and reached for a quill. "Sit, Jason. I fear I've done you a great injustice and I apologize for that."

Jason levered himself down into the chair and shook his head. "I don't see how, Professor, since you hired me on the spot when no one else in this town would," he said quietly.

"Then they were unaware that you are a good worker," Severus said softly as he began to write. "You should have brought it to my attention earlier that your wages were lacking, Jason. This should take care of what is owed to you and you've my assurances that you will be compensated properly from this day forward."

Signing his name to the check, Severus tore it out and slid it across the desk to the younger man.

Jason swallowed hard and leaned forward, glancing at the check. His eyes widened and he shook his head. "I can't... I can't take that!"

"Yes, you can, Jason. I was unaware of what you should have been paid and you never said anything. This is payment of wages you've earned and not been compensated for yet," Severus said as he nudged the check closer to the young man.

Jason's eyes burned as he stared at the check and he ran a hand over his face. Gods, he hated being pregnant! "But it's so much all at once," he whispered softly.

Politely looking away, Severus cleared his throat. "Jason, you are a valuable asset to the shop and I should hate to think of what would happen if we were to lose you. I only wish I'd known earlier so that I could have remedied the situation," he said as he glanced back at the other man and then took a carton of milk from the refrigerator and passed it to him. "There are other things that we should discuss at some point as well."

Jason cleared his throat and swiped at his face again, taking the milk. Looking up at the Professor, he saw that it would be useless to argue. He picked up the check and folded it then tucked it into his pocket. He mumbled his thanks and held on to the carton of milk a moment then looked up at the man again curiously.

His mind raced ninety to nothing trying to figure out what else he'd done or said that would draw the Professor's attention. "What other things would those be, Professor?"

"How long it will be before you need to take a leave of absence as well as health benefits that will be needed for you and the children," Severus said as he tried to remember everything he and Damon had spoken of during their short conversation.

Jason stared at him. "I... I have health benefits?"

"You will as of this afternoon, Jason. Please forgive me, but this is the first time that I've acted in the manner of an employer and I fear that I have missed a few very important details," Severus said, leaning forward, placing his elbows on the desk. "Health, dental, vision, whatever it is that is the norm."

Jason swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat. He really didn't know what to say to the Professor. He stared down at his stomach and ran his hands over the swell slowly trying to calm himself. He wasn't quite certain what all was going on but he'd been raised right. "Thank you," he said softly.

@@@@@@

Grant was rubbing a towel over his long hair as he walked from the bathroom to the bedroom, his body still dripping a little here and there from his shower. Squinting, he looked over to where Damon was still resting and smiled. He was proud of the fact his husband had actually listened and stayed put while he'd run into town for a few things.

"How are you feeling babe?"

Damon glared up at Grant for a moment then looked back at the television. "My balls are cold." He frowned and nodded at his glass. "And I ran out of soda." He looked up at Grant again and arched an eyebrow. "You go by the bar and tell Tom I'd be there Friday?"

"I did go by the bar and I'm closing Friday night," Grant said as he let the towel drop to the end of the bed and bent over to rummage through his drawer for clothes. "I'll get you a soda in a minute. Why didn't you just use your wand?"
Damon crossed his arms over his chest. "Cause the last time I did, you had to get up and change the sheets, or do you not remember that?" He grinned at Grant. "As much as I enjoyed that sponge bath from Nurse Gracie, I'd like to be able to finish it properly.

Grant rolled his eyes and straightened back up. "What kind would you like?" he asked, letting the underclothes drop back into the drawer. He idly scratched his hip while he waited for Damon's reply. "I don't know, I might want to give you a sponge bath."

Damon waggled his eyebrows at Grant, running his eyes over Grant's naked and still slightly damp frame. "Well, it has been three days, Pet, I could shower." He held out his arms to his husband, crooked his fingers and beckoned him to come closer.

Moving to the side of the bed, Grant looked down at Damon. "Are you really feeling that much better?" he asked as he reached out to run his fingers through the man's short hair. "You've been taking your potions, right?"

Damon nodded and wrapped his arms around Grant, pulling him on top his lap. "I'm not saying I'm ready for marathon sex just yet but a little lovin' wouldn't be amiss." He nuzzled Grant's neck. "We can do that, right?"

Nearly purring, Grant smiled down at Damon and nodded. "I think we can. Tell me what you'd like me to do."

Damon grinned. "Whatever I can do safely, Pet. I don't want to screw up anything."

"I don't want that either," Grant said softly, breathing quicker as he pulled at the buttons on Damon's pyjama top. Licking his lips, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to the man's Adam's apple. "Love you."

"Ditto, Pet." Damon groaned and growled softly. "How long did Montgomery say we had to wait?"

"A week for you to penetrate me," Grant murmured, "but he didn't say anything about any other activity other than stop if it hurts."

Damon closed his eyes and hummed. "I believe there was some mention about an Injun kissing and making it all better."

Grant nodded and smirked. "Of course. I'll be happy to kiss it for you," he murmured as he slid down Damon's body and pulled the man's sleep pants down over his groin. Letting his breath ghost over Damon's cock, Grant leaned forward to press a kiss to the sleeping monster. "Oh… you are cold."

Damon shivered and leaned back against the headboard. His breathing hitched and he reached down to pet Grant's hair. "Yeah, told you so." He licked his lips and swallowed, then grinned. "Make it all better for Daddy, baby."

"Yes Daddy," Grant murmured, moving the ice pack and eyeing the incision sites for a moment before beginning to lap at the head of Damon's cock.

Damon groaned low in his throat, fisting Grant's long, wet hair in his hands. "Oh fuck..." he hissed softly and bit his lip trying not to move too much as Grant's tongue ran over his prick, the warmth from Grant's mouth heating his skin and tingling across his senses.

Humming low, Grant took the soft flesh into his mouth, sucking gently as he looked up at Damon, his hands on the man's chest and belly. Pulling off for a moment, he nibbled gently on the skin of Damon's inner thigh. "Daddy likes?"

Damon nodded and opened his eyes to look at Grant. "Oh yeah, my Kitten. Daddy likes a lot." He gave Grant a crooked grin and tugged lightly on his hair. "Don't stop, baby, feels good."

Fingers digging into Damon's sides, Grant swallowed the man down once more; head bobbing slowly as he was rewarded with the sensation of Damon's cock growing in his mouth.

"Oh, hell yes," Damon closed his eyes, growling softly as Grant sucked on him. He combed his fingers in and out of Grant's hair, tugging occasionally. "Oh, fuck, Injun! I missed your sweet, sinful, little mouth."

Emboldened by Damon's urging, Grant began to suck more vigorously, his eyes rolling as his hair was tugged harder. His own little cock was pushing against the sheets, his groans vibrating against Damon's shaft.

Damon moaned, canting his hips forward into Grant's mouth. "Oh, gods yes, Grant. Fuck!" He bit his lip and tugged on Grant's hair, tightening his fingers around the dark strands. "Gonna come, Pet," he panted softly. "Still want to swallow your medicine?" he joked and chuckled then hissed as his balls began to draw up. He sucked in a breath, held back his release, opening his eyes and looking down at Grant.

Dark eyes looked up at Damon and Grant nodded, the man's shaft firmly held between his lips. He wanted all Damon could give him.

Damon met Grant's gaze and licked his lips. "Suck hard then, Pet." He slid one hand out of Grant's hair and caressed his cheek with the back of his hand then trailed his fingers next to Grant's lips and up over the bridge of his nose. He drove his fingers back into Grant's hair and pulled on the dark tresses tightly then grinned at him. "Love you, My Grant."

Fingers clenching Damon's hips, Grant swallowed the man to the root and groaned. Closing his eyes, Grant pushed himself against the bed and shuddered while he swallowed convulsively around Damon's cock.

Damon moaned, sinking into the sensation of the suction of Grant's mouth. He wrapped his legs around Grant's body and pressed him against the mattress. Placing his feet on Grant's ass and thrusting forward into Grant's mouth, he rubbed Grant along the bed as well just as he felt his orgasm welling up. "Come for me, Grant!"

Eyes rolling back as his air was cut off for a moment, Grant greyed out as he orgasmed and simultaneously swallowed down Damon's seed. Pulling back as he felt Damon stop twitching, Grant choked a moment and then laid his head on the man's hip. "Are you alright?" he whispered as he closed his eyes.

Damon bit his lip, trying not to moan at the discomfort radiating through his groin. He clenched his fists at his sides and panted softly then nodded his head. "Yeah... 'm fine, pet," he finally managed to breathe out softly.

"No, you aren't," Grant said softly, carefully getting to his knees and peering down at Damon. "I'm going to call Montgomery; do you want your pain potion?"

Damon blew out a breath and opened his eyes, glaring at Grant. "You don't need to do that, I said I was fine." He licked his lips. "A pain potion wouldn't be amiss though," he murmured softly and reached out to touch Grant's cheek. He caught a stray tendril of hair, twirling it around his finger and looking into Grant's eyes. "All I want to know is, did it work?"

"I think so," Grant murmured, reaching up to take Damon's hand and kissing his fingers gently. "Let me get your potion and I'm still going to call. I don't know if you need to be checked or something. Did it feel like anything pulled?"

Damon sighed and leaned back against the headboard, crossing his arms over his chest and frowning. "Fine, you go on and call him. At least bring me my damned shorts before he comes in here and prods my ass with a needle or something else cold."

Grant slid off the bed and looked down at his husband. "You want to change out of your pyjama bottoms?" he asked as he picked up the potion bottle from the dresser top. Pouring out a dose into a small cup, Grant handed it to Damon.

Damon snatched the cup from Grant and swallowed down the potion. He nodded and eased himself out of bed, cupping his hand over himself as he straightened up. "Think I've got time to shower before you call in the witchdoctor?"

Grant pushed Damon back with a hand to the man's shoulder. "I'll clean you, I don't think you need to be on your feet just now," he said sternly. "That's as a doctor and not your husband."

Damon stumbled slightly, placed a hand on the wall to steady himself and narrowed his eyes. "Now look here, Injun, just cause my dick's in a sling don't mean I can't bathe myself. It's been three days and he said I could after that."

"You can't even stand upright, Damon, I don't think it's safe for you to be in the shower," Grant retorted, drawing himself up to his full height and putting on his doctor's face. "You don't need to be Superman right now, Damon, it's alright."

Damon eyed Grant and straightened up, still cupping his sac. "I don't wear tights." He sniffed slightly and padded into the bathroom. "Come run me a tub, Injun! I want to take a bath."

"Dammit, Damon, seriously, you shouldn't be getting all wet there. At least let me look at you first," Grant exclaimed as he followed along behind the man, shaking his head in exasperation.

"You just had a bird's eye view of my prick; it didn't grow anything new in the last five seconds, Grant! And it's a bit late for it not to get wet since I just had it shoved down your throat!" Damon snarled and turned around to face Grant as he came in the door. "Now I want a shower or a bath, one of the two, dammit. And to shave standing up, with my own two hands, not like some damn invalid that has to be waited on. It's one thing when I request it; it's another thing entirely when it's forced upon me."

Grant recoiled and dropped his gaze to the floor. "Yes Sir," he said softly as he squeezed past Damon in the doorway to turn on the shower tap. He was simply worried that Damon had done too much too soon and had inadvertently hurt himself. "I'll lay your clothes out for you."

Damon watched Grant for a moment then heaved out a breath. He grabbed Grant's arm, pulled him upright and into his arms. "Hey, you will join me cause you're a filthy little Injun too." He ran his hands down Grant's back and nuzzled his neck gently, then pulled back and tapped Grant's cast. "Should be me taking care of you, not the other way around."

Grant leaned into his husband for a moment, showing the man that he was alright. "I don't mind," he murmured softly as he pulled away to lay out their towels. He didn't particularly care to shower with a cast, but Max had told him that he was healing quickly and would probably have it off by the end of the week. "This will be gone soon enough."

Damon arched an eyebrow at Grant then grunted. "I do. I always take care of you and I don't like not being able to do so, especially this time of year." He reached down and gingerly cupped himself as he climbed into the tub and pulled the door closed behind him.

Eyeing Grant through the glass, he adjusted the spray, still guarding his groin from full onslaught of the water. "You going to join me or not?"

Grant nodded and stepped into the shower, standing back to keep his hair from the water. "I'll just rinse off, my hair's fine," he said as he picked up the soap and a cloth to begin washing Damon. "How are you feeling?"

Damon closed his eyes as Grant ran the cloth over his back. "I'm fine. I took my potion, remember," he murmured softly. "You? It worked, right?"

"Yeah, I think so. Max said that Montgomery wants to test me in a few days to see how I'm doing, so I really don't know yet," Grant said, washing the man's broad shoulders.

"You aren't swelling, are you?" Grant asked as he began on Damon's arms.

Damon hummed in response and opened his eyes, looking down at himself. Everything looked fine to him, even though it still throbbed something fierce. "No, I think you cured it of that."

Snorting softly in amusement, Grant moved forward to press his body against Damon's back, reaching around him to wash his chest. "Glad I was able to help," he chuckled as he came to the man's waist and then held the cloth out for Damon. "There you are, Sir."

Damon grinned and ran his fingers over Grant's hands, squeezing gently. He took a deep breath and leaned back against Grant some. "Go on and finish. You said you wanted to look at it. Unless you're still gonna call Montgomery."

"Maybe you should have someone that knows something look," Grant said as he began to blindly wash the man's groin, careful with each motion. "I'll call when you're finished."

Damon closed his eyes and hummed, biting his lips slightly as Grant carefully manipulated his skin. It didn't exactly cause pain so much as it made his head swim with dizziness. Maybe he shouldn't have gotten up. He leaned one hand against the wall and waited for Grant to finish. "I guess, you sure were hell bent on examining my ass a minute ago though."

Hearing the breathiness of Damon's voice, Grant moved his hands away and ducked his head around to look up at the man's face.

"Damon, are you alright?" he asked as he shut the water off and hung onto Damon's arm. "Let's get you out of the shower."

Grant opened the shower door and gently guided Damon out, still clinging to the man's arm. "Sit down here, okay?" he said as he nudged the man to the closed lid of the toilet.

Damon sat down with a sigh and opened his eyes, looking blearily up at Grant. "I done tol' you, I was fine." He licked his lips and shook his head as the potion began to flood his system. He grinned stupidly at Grant. "My dick's not cold no more though."

Grant looked down in to the man's flushed face and shook his head. "Yeah, I can see how fine you are. Let's get you dried off and back into bed before you decide to take a nap on the floor." Grant well knew how pain potions affected Damon; it wouldn't take long before the man would be a gibbering idiot with the coordination of a drunk.

Damon chuckled, and stood carefully, reaching out to steady himself. He patted the top of Grant's head then wrapped the towel he'd been sitting on around his waist. "'S 'alright, baby. I'll make it. The floor's cold and I done had enuff that shit."

As soon as Grant had Damon back in bed safely and some clothes on his own body, he picked up the phone to call Max, still worried that Damon had overdone it.

@@@@@@@@

Max scrawled his name across a chart then stacked it on top of another one. He reached out and picked up one of the sandwiches Allie had made for him and took a big bite. He hummed his appreciation and opened the next chart, reading over his notes and making others in the margin when the phone rang.

He swallowed down the bit of sandwich with some tea and answered his private line. "Sorens, how can I help you?"

"Max, it's Grant. Are you busy?" Grant asked as he quietly shut the bedroom door and made his way to the kitchen. He hated the fact he was calling, hated the fact that he felt like he'd been bad and was about to be punished.

Max leaned back in his chair and tossed his pen on the desk. "Hey Grant, just doing some charting but I can most certainly use the interruption." He laughed. "How're you doing? How's Damon?"

"I'm alright, but I'm worried that Damon may have hurt himself inadvertently. Would there be any way you could swing by and take a look at him, I think maybe a doctor should see him," Grant said, pouring himself a glass of tea and sitting down heavily in one of the kitchen chairs.

Max frowned and sat up, reaching for his appointment book. He flipped through the pages. "Yeah, I'll be right out there. I don't have another patient until later this afternoon. What'd he do?"

"Wekindahadsex," Grant muttered, feeling his face heat up as he spoke. "Thanks Max."

Max was quiet for a moment then chuckled. "Damn, Grant." He shook his head. "He didn't tear anything, did he?"

"I don't know. I know he's sore, but he didn't want me to look. There wasn't penetration, Max, we were just fooling around," Grant said with a groan. "I didn't break him, did I?"

"I won't know until I get out there." Max pursed his lips and sighed. "How many times have I told you; you got to baby him, Grant? He's an old man and if you want to make him last, you can't abuse him," he teased Grant gently.

Closing his eyes, Grant set his glass down and leaned forward to rest his forehead on the table. "I should've left him alone, Max. Can you fix whatever it is that I messed up?" he asked softly, vowing to himself to sleep on the sofa until Damon was completely healed.

Max packed up his lunch and stood. "Calm down, Grant. I'm only teasing you. Damon's got a healthy constitution and I'm sure he's fine. I'll be out there shortly to check you both over. Sound good?"

"Thanks again, Max," Grant said as he ended the call and began to poke around the kitchen to kill time and to keep him from going in and staring at Damon while he slept.

Max hung up the phone and shook his head as he shoved his cell and pager into his pocket and pulled on his jacket. He grabbed his medical bag and stopped by the desk to let Jennifer know where he was going before taking the elevator down to his truck.

Stepping out into the snow covered parking lot, he watched Montgomery pulling into a space. He lifted a hand to the other man, calling out to him and hoping Grant wouldn't mind if he brought the other doctor along just in case his two recalcitrant patients had done something serious. "Hey, Montgomery!"

Richard looked up at the shout, smiling as he recognized the doctor. "Hello there, Max. Having a good day?" he called back as he turned to look at Jason through the window of the shop, nodding as he noted the small man was sitting behind the counter and seemingly taking things easy.

Max made his way over to Richard, smiling at him. "Can't complain and yourself?" He stuck out his hand to the other man and looked into Sev's shop, grinning at Jason. "Thought you were going to try and get that man in to see me?"

"He said he'd made an appointment for tomorrow morning when I talked to him earlier," Richard replied, taking Max's hand briefly before leaning up against his car. "So what's going on? Making house calls?" He eyed the bag in the man's hand.

"Good, it's about time." Max looked away from Jason and back at Richard then nodded. "You want to come along? I'd appreciate a second opinion. It's Damon."

"Wolffe? What's going on?" Richard asked as he ran possibilities through his mind. "Infection?"

Max smirked and shook his head. "I don't think it's anything that serious to be honest. The thing about Damon is... well... he doesn't follow directions all that well."

"Somehow that revelation isn't too surprising," Richard said with a shake of his head as he followed the larger man to his truck. "Been up too much, hasn't he?"

Max unlocked the doors and slid inside starting the truck. He turned on the heat and chuckled. "No, it wasn't that. It sounds like to me that he might have pulled a stitch or strained something." He looked over at Montgomery as he backed the truck out of the lot. "They were having sex."

"Sex? You're kidding, right? His husband is a doctor and should know better," Richard exclaimed as he got in the truck and fumbled a moment with his seat belt. "What the hell were they thinking? It's not like they're teenagers."

Max laughed. "Grant said there wasn't any penetration and I believe him." He pulled out on to the highway and eyed Montgomery. "I'm not making any excuses for the two of them but this is their cycle time and you've read Grant's file. Damon is a virile and powerful wizard and it wouldn't surprise me one bit for us to go in there to find him damn near, if not completely, healed. I've learned to not to put stock in the norm with those two."

"I had wondered how quickly he would heal, but still, they should have known better. Doctor Wolffe is receiving the samples and shouldn't be too out of control now. Have you checked his levels yet?" Richard asked as he watched the passing scenery, idly wondering what it would be like to live there in the mountains.

"I was going to do that this afternoon. He just seems calmer already and his arm is almost mended as well. I think the cast can come off this weekend. That's a few weeks early even." Max chuckled again. "Damon and Grant are a law unto themselves to be honest with you. I've never seen anything like the two of them and that includes Harry and Sev."

"You get that with the older couples sometimes, the ones that are truly compatible and not simply putting up with one another," Richard said with a chuckle. His own parents were that close, he'd always teased them saying that when one of them stubbed a toe, the other one would holler.

Max nodded as he turned off the highway and onto the gravel drive. "Well, I'll warn you now, I know Grant's upset that he may have done something to Damon and Damon is liable to be just as ornery." He continued up the gravel road and smiled at Richard. "We're in for a fun time."

"I'm used to difficult patients, they shouldn't be any different," Richard said with a chuckle as the house came into sight, silently wondering if the small doctor would let him in the house.

Max nodded. "Well, if Damon's really hurting then he'll let you help him even if he does snarl a bit and he'll keep Grant in line. Let's go see what they did to one another."

Grant stood and looked out the window at the sound of Max's truck in the drive. He was fairly certain Damon was still asleep, but he shouldn't be too hard to wake up for Max.

Opening the back door, Grant waved to the man and then stopped as he spotted Montgomery getting out of the passenger side.

"Apparently my arrival has been noted," Richard said dryly as the kitchen door was shut and the curtain pulled close.

Max frowned and shook his head, starting toward the house. "Come on. He can just get his head out of his ass. I came out here on his call and since you assisted with the surgery, he doesn't have a reason to bitch."

Richard took a deep breath and followed Max.

Grant looked up as the door opened. "Max... Damon's in the bedroom," he said as he turned back to the magazine he was rifling through.

Max held the door open for Richard. He stared at Grant for a moment then narrowed his eyes as he shrugged his jacket off. "Thanks. I hope you don't mind, but I brought Doctor Montgomery with me just in case yours and Damon's actions had some unforeseen consequences."

"He said there wasn't any swelling when he took a shower," Grant said, closing the magazine and looking back up at Max.

Max rolled his eyes and looked at Richard.

Richard shrugged and crossed his arms over his chest, just listening to the conversation.

Max sighed, shook his head and then looked back at Grant. "What exactly were you two doing and what happened?"

"He was receiving oral," Grant mumbled, turning away from both men.

Max bit his lip, trying not to laugh. "Ah, all right. He wasn't having any problems then. Did... uh... everything work and end well?"

"To hell with you, Max, yes, everything came out well," Grant snapped as he pushed his chair back and got to his feet. "I know we shouldn't have, but we did, so you need to fix him."

Max's eyes went wide as he stared at Grant. "Hey, calm down, Grant, I apologize for laughing and you're right, you should have known better. However, it's a valid question. Since he got an erection then blood flow to the area is good. It also lets me know that there's not a blockage and the connection between the vas deference is working again."

He glanced at Richard and arched an eyebrow before looking back at Grant once more. "Are you all right?"

Grant nodded and then shook his head. "I'm irritable as hell," he muttered crossly as he rubbed the back of his neck and then glared down at the cast on his other arm. "This damned thing itches."

Max sighed. "We'll check your levels next, all right? Unless you would like Doctor Montgomery to do so while I see to Damon? We'll take X-rays on Friday to see if the cast can come off." He looked at Montgomery and arched an eyebrow.

Grant licked his lips and looked back down to the floor. "He can look at me if he wants to," he mumbled reluctantly. He still didn't care much for the man, but he did have to admit that the man seemed to have been spot on with what the problem had been.

Max nodded. "All right, then I'll leave you to it while I check on Damon then." He gently squeezed Grant's shoulder and walked out of the kitchen.

Richard eyed Doctor Wolffe for a moment then cleared his throat. "Thank you for allowing me the chance to see to you, Doctor Wolffe. I hope you are doing better than you were."

Grant nodded to the table and sat back down at his spot. "I am... thank you," he said softly. "What do you need me to do?"

Richard nodded and smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. A simple blood test will tell us whether or not your levels are straightening out. We'll compare it to the last one Doctor Sorens took." He pulled out a chair. "May I?"

"Go ahead," Grant said with a sigh and a wave of his hand. "It's nice not to feel like I'm going crazy anymore."

Richard nodded as he sat. "That sentiment right there tells me a lot. Let's hope we've not overloaded your system in the opposite direction this time."

"What do you mean?" Grant asked curiously as he watched the other man. "I don't understand."

Richard leaned back in his chair. "Well, it would be the same as you've just come out of, wouldn't it, more or less. In trying to balance you we inadvertently overload you with testosterone." He met Grant's eyes. "I'm glad I came with Doctor Sorens and you allowed me to converse with you. The irritability you mentioned is usually one of the first signs displayed when people begin taking testosterone replacements."

"How do we stop it, then?" Grant asked with a sigh of disgust. "I swear I'm tired of being a science experiment for Nature."

Richard smiled at him. "You aren't an experiment, Doctor Wolffe. You've just had a very rough time. We boosted your intake because you were so low and now, because you are displaying these signs, we can taper off. We'll test your blood, check it against the normal levels and decided if a new dosing schedule is necessary. Hopefully, Mister Wolffe will be able to provide it naturally within the next week if all goes well."

Grant nodded as he listened. "I'd very much like it if he didn't have to be poked with a needle any more. I think I was able to get it from him earlier... naturally," he said with a chuckle, pushing his hair back from his face and smiling.

Richard frowned slightly. "I can't believe the two of you went against doctor's orders. There's no telling what damage you might have done. As a physician you should have known better." He looked at Grant once more, shook his head and grinned. "Now, personally, I hope I am as virile at your age but professionally, you did not hear me say that."

Grant shrugged, at a loss for words; he knew Richard was right. They should have waited. "I'm not worried about me, just about Damon," he said softly, squirming slightly in his seat as he felt a need to be near his husband.

Richard nodded as he thought about what Max had told him in the truck. "Would you like to go in and check on him? I'm certain Doctor Sorens wouldn't mind. If he's finished checking on your husband then he can go ahead and draw your blood."

"I thought you were doing that," Grant said, getting to his feet, not really caring as long as he was next to his husband. "The bedroom is back here."

Richard stood. "Seeing as I came with Doctor Sorens and he took the supplies with him, I had no way to do so. Besides you'd be more comfortable with him doing so." He gestured for Grant to go ahead of him.

Leading the way, Grant knocked lightly on the bedroom door. "Can we come in?"

Max looked up then covered Damon. He patted the older man on the leg and shook his head. "Come on in, Grant."

"How is he?" Grant asked softly as he opened the door, eyes darting from Max to Damon. "He's alright, right?" Stepping into the room, he stood just inside the door and stared at Damon.

Max nodded and grinned as he looked at Damon's face then at Grant.

Damon crossed his arms over his chest and huffed out a breath.

Max chuckled and beckoned Grant further into the room. "Now, you." He bent and dug out a syringe from his bag.

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, Grant scooted back to where he was against Damon before giving a small sigh of relief. "Here," he said, sticking one skinny arm out to be poked. "Try not to make too many holes, okay?"

Damon spread his legs, wrapped one arm around Grant's chest and kissed the back of his neck. "Leave off the man and let him do his job, Injun."

Max shook his head as he pulled out an alcohol prep pad and ran it over Grant's arm. He looked up at Richard then back to Grant. "Did you speak with Doctor Montgomery?"

Grant nodded and looked away as Max prepared his arm. "Said that I might be getting too much now."

"Too much what?" Damon demanded to know, looking around at the three doctors.

Max nodded as he snapped the tourniquet around Grant's bicep then began to explain to Damon what he was certain Montgomery had told Grant. "Testosterone. We doubled Grant's doses to catch up. I'll check his levels today against the norms and he might be able to do without. We ca try to see if it's going to regulate on its on or we can try a lesser schedule. Whatever Doctor Montgomery thinks is best. Testosterone can produce strange reactions in different people." He looked up at them and smiled as he readied to draw the sample of Grant's blood. "Either that or the stuff Damon's producing is super potent."

Grant smirked and quickly bit off the remark that had almost left his lips; he'd always said Damon was Superman.

Richard stepped up to look over Max's shoulder and noticed the look on Grant's face. "Kind of reminds me of the cat that ate the canary, you know?" he said with a chuckle and a nod to Damon.

Damon shook his head and sighed, squeezing Grant to his chest. "Don't encourage him. It's hard enough to control him as is." He pressed a kiss to the back of Grant's head and tugged on his hair.

"Pffft, I'm an angel and you know it," Grant shot back, wincing as the needle broke his skin.

Richard watched the calmness in the small man and nodded to himself; the reversal had obviously worked well. "I agree, Max, I think we can back Doctor Wolffe down on his doses, perhaps let him acquire it naturally."

Max nodded, drawing two tubes of blood then removing the tourniquet and needle. He touched his wand to the injection site and healed it then sealed up the tubes then looked at Montgomery. "Sounds good to me. The magi-scans on Damon were clear. I think the discomfort he felt was just from lack of use and the reintroduction. The connections are good and clear, no blockages and no leakages. The incision site is completely healed."

He looked back at Damon and Grant. "This doesn't mean you have free rein. Be careful. Use a condom and the Contraception spells from now on because Damon's no longer shooting blanks. Grant is not in menopause either. Both of you are fertile."

Max paused to let the implications sink in. "I'm not saying it can happen but let's not take any chances, you hear me. You guys just went through hell and we nearly lost you both. I'd like to not do that again, please."

Grant licked his lips and nodded, somewhere in the back of his mind, the thought of a little baby of their own was there. Damon had said no though and he'd abide by his husband's decision.

"Can I get anything for you two?" Grant asked as he crooked his elbow out of habit and then looked down at his cast. "When does this come off?"

Richard shook his head. "I should get back into town and see to these tests. I also promised Jason I'd meet him for lunch as well. Thank you anyway, Doctor Wolffe, I appreciate it."

Max gathered up his supplies and shook his head as well. He shut his bag and stood. "Thanks, Grant, but no. Come see me Friday morning and we'll see if it can't come off then. The test results from today will go a long way towards telling me how well you are healing too."

Damon just sat on the bed, stunned, staring up at the two men as they got ready to leave.

Grant looked at his husband and frowned. "Damon, what is it? Are you in pain?" he asked in concern as he laid a hand on the man's arm.

Damon blinked and looked at Grant. He shook his head and patted Grant's cheek gently. "Nothing, Pet. I'm fine." Looking up at Max and Richard, he nodded. "Thanks, Max, Doctor Montgomery."

Curious, Max looked to Richard and then nodded to the door. "Grant would you mind seeing Doctor Montgomery out, I forgot to check Damon's blood pressure."

Shrugging, Grant rose from the bed and went to the door. "Doctor Montgomery, follow me and I'll fix you a coffee to take with you and something for Jason to snack on."

As soon as the two men had left the bedroom, Max put his hands on his hips and looked at Damon. "What's up?"

Damon shook his head slightly and crossed his arms over his chest. "I'd forgotten about the possibility of him getting pregnant," he said softly. "He's been through too much for his hopes to get raised again only for them to be shattered once more."

Max took a deep breath before speaking, choosing his words carefully, "As I told you several years ago, I'm fairly certain we can get him through a pregnancy if you choose to try. There are a myriad of options now that can help him that simply weren't available to him before."

Damon looked up at Max. "And do any of those options let him do it naturally like he was supposed to? No, you told me that all involved some sort of surgery and he's been through enough here in the past few months with Amelia and now this shit. Granted, I did this to us but I won't have him put under a damned microscope anymore. His privacy has already been invaded enough. No more. I told him I would protect him and I'm going to."

Breathing out a snort of exasperation, Max sat down on the edge of the bed and looked Damon in the eye. "Were you even listening to what I said when I talked about the surgical aspect, Damon? Or did you simply hear surgery and block it all out?"

Damon shifted uncomfortably in the bed. "I remember some of it. But that don't matter, Max, because you don't understand the entire picture." He stopped and swallowed hard. "You've got your children. They came into this world whole and healthy. Your wife is still young and strong. You may have your problems but you've never had to sit there and hold your lover while they lay bleeding, screaming, and there wasn't a damned thing you could do about it. You don't know what it's like to feel the life slowly drain from that person all because they can't give into the fact that the child is gone." He stopped again and closed his eyes. "I can't put him through that again."

Feeling very small for having even suggested the option to Damon, Max nodded and got to his feet. "It's your call, Damon, and I understand. He doesn't need to go through that at his age," Max said softly. "I'll have a contraceptive called in for him this afternoon."

Damon nodded, not opening his eyes. "Thank you," he said quietly and scooted down in the bed. "Turn out the lights when you go."

Doing as he was asked, Max left quietly and entered the kitchen to find Grant boxing up what looked like a meal for four and putting it in grocery bags. "Richard, is he trying to fatten you up?"

Richard chuckled and held out his hands in supplication. "I'm not certain. I've been instructed that this is for everyone at the shop."

Grant looked up at the red head and grinned. "I was baking yesterday and Merlin knows that I don't need anymore food and Damon doesn't care much for oatmeal cookies, so you all just eat them up for me," he said as he set another plastic container in the bag. "And eat the other food too. For some reason I've been cooking for an army."

Richard shook his head. "The increased activity is due to your cycle and your body telling you it needs more fuel. You are rather underweight, Doctor Wolffe, and I would suggest that you listen to it. With the testosterone balanced out, you will have more energy and there is a distinct possibility that you could see an increase in your magical abilities. I'd be careful casting spells once you have your cast removed if that is your dominant hand."

Max laughed. "I've been after you for years to gain a little bit of weight, Grant. Maybe you'll listen to the expert, huh?"

Grant paused for only a moment in his motions and thought about the new wand that was lying unused in his desk drawer. "I'm not much of a wizard, Doctor Montgomery, so I don't think we need to worry about me casting powerful spells," he said with a small smile. "There you go, now go and feed Sev and the others."

Richard eyed Grant as he took the bags. "I will but I still think you should reconsider my advice, Doctor Wolffe. Your husband is a powerful wizard and as strong as the bond is between the two of you, I find it very hard to believe that his partner is not one of compatibility." He smiled at Grant. "Thank you again for lunch, Doctor Wolffe, and I am very glad to see you have improved so much in such a short amount of time. That right there speaks of your abilities alone."

Refusing to speak any more on it to a stranger, Grant only smiled and wiped his hands on a dish towel. "Please say hello to the others for me and tell Harry to give me a call later today if he has the time," he said, going to the door to open it for the men. He simply wanted to be left in peace with Damon for a time.

Max eyed the smaller man and then smiled. "Come on, I think we're being tossed out," he said as he took his coat and Richard's, handing it to the man as he took the bags from him.

Richard nodded and shrugged on his jacket, he could take a hint as well and only hoped he'd planted the suggestion in the man's mind at least. "I will give them your message. Good day, Doctor Wolffe." He took the bags back from Max to allow the man to put on his coat and say his goodbyes then walked out the door.

Grant waited until Max's truck was pulling out of the drive before he went back in the bedroom to check on Damon. "Baby, are you asleep?"

Damon rolled over and looked at Grant, "No, Pet, just lying here resting." He scooted up in the bed and leaned back against the headboard, beckoning Grant to him. "What'cha need?"

"What did Max want?" he asked as he gracefully slid onto the bed and lay at Damon's side.

Damon pulled Grant closer and wrapped his arms around him, nuzzling him and breathing in the scent of the other man. "Just checking some last minute things, Pet." he bit his lip and rubbed Grant's back. "I had him go ahead and order a Contraception Potion for you as well."

Grant closed his eyes and hummed softly. "I hope it isn't nasty," he murmured, laying his head on Damon's chest, content in the closeness. "So we didn't break anything?"

Damon chuckled and pressed a kiss to Grant's hair. "No, baby. It'll take a lot more than some sucking to break me."

"Good, Max said I needed to baby you," Grant said with a laugh.

Damon rolled his eyes then thought about how the pain had felt this morning and hummed. "Well, maybe for a few more days I might let you."

"I know better than that, but it's alright, I like being the one to be pampered. I think I've got used to it by now."

Damon laughed again and shook his head. "We'll try to take care of each other then. And I'd like to go with you on Friday to see Max." He ran his hands up and down Grant's back, cuddling him close then yawned. "In the meantime, why don't you lay down here with me and be my teddy bear?"

"Sounds like a plan to me," Grant murmured as he pulled the blankets up over himself and burrowed in to get comfortable next to Damon. "I'm sorry I was so pushy earlier."

Damon tucked Grant up under his chin as he scooted them down in the bed. "Mmm, I'll beat you later for it. Too tired to now."

@@@@@@

At the shop, Harry was busy putting the finishing touches on the small tree Severus had brought in for him to decorate. Standing back from it to take it in, he cocked his head and turned to Jason. "What do you think? Do you think it needs more lights?"

Jason eyed the little tree and shook his head. "It's only three feet tall, Harry, four strands are enough, I think. It lights up the entire shop." He grinned and ran a hand over his stomach, trying not to wince as one of the babies decided to do a jig on his bladder. "Hang on; I've got to go again."

Harry shrugged and then grimaced as Reganne made her presence known as well with a well placed jab under his ribs. "Severus is going to have to put another bathroom in," he laughed as he watched Jason disappear into the back of the store.

Turning back to the tree, Harry considered for a moment and then began to hang one last strand of lights, still dismayed at the fact they couldn't use real fairy lights at the shop. Severus had informed him that the tiny creatures were not only endangered in their area, but would be into anything they could as well.

Jason finished in the bathroom and exited, drying his hands on a paper towel then nodded to Harry. "It's all yours and I think you're right. The Professor just might have to add another restroom." He laughed and went behind the counter to sit down for a moment on the stool.

Harry grinned at him and shrugged. "Well, if you and Richard plan to have more, and I stay pregnant like I think Sev would like me to, he's going to have to do something," he laughed as he waddled his way to the bathroom, pausing to smile at Severus on his way.

Jason shook his head as he watched Harry go. As much as he'd like to think about having more children with Richard, he didn't even dare dream it. He couldn't afford to get anymore attached to the tall Texan. He'd done that with Todd and look where that had gotten him.

Heaving himself off the stool, Jason grabbed the bottle of cleaner and a towel. He wiped off the counter and front shelves then moved to do the door and front windows, trying not to think anymore on what had happened between him and the Professor. He didn't want to dream about that money and the little things he could do for himself and his children because he knew it wouldn't last long. However, the raise and the insurance was going to help immensely. He swallowed hard and shook his head, going back to work to make certain the Professor didn't regret his decisions.

Richard watched Jason working through the shop window and smiled to himself as he climbed out of the truck and picked up the bags of food. He had to admit to himself just how much he'd missed the younger man that day.

"Hey there Jason, hungry?" Richard asked as he entered the shop and closed the door behind himself.

Jason turned and sucked in a breath as he spotted Richard. "Hey, Rich." He tucked the towel into his apron and hung the cleaner bottle through one of the loops, brushing his hands on the front. He grinned and nodded. "Starving actually," and he realized suddenly that he was.

"Good. Doctor Wolffe loaded me up with food and said to tell you hello," Richard said, holding up one of the bags and grinning, "but first, I think I need a kiss."

Jason flushed and looked around the shop. He stepped closer to Richard and tipped his face back. "I think that can be arranged, but I'm on the clock so only a quick one."

"I suppose I'll settle for that," Richard said and bent down to press a gentle kiss to the younger man's lips. "I don't think that took up too much of the shop's time, did it?"

Jason sighed as he return Richard's kiss. "No, but..." he trailed off and shook his head. He couldn't tell Richard about what had happened and have the man understand. "Come on back, and I'll see if the Professor and Harry are ready for lunch as well, especially since Doctor Wolffe sent it. How are they doing?"

"They seem to be fairing well," Richard replied, frowning at whatever it had been that Jason had left unsaid. "Would you rather I leave the food with you and then see you later afterwards? Is it a problem that I stopped in?"

Jason shook his head and reached out to take Richard's hand. "No, please stay," he said softly. He squeezed Richard's hand and then let go, stepping forward to knock on the Professor's workroom door. "Professor?"

Severus looked up from the computer screen at Jason. "Yes?" he asked as he pinched the bridge of his nose between thumb and forefinger. "Did you need something, Jason?"

Jason nodded. "Just to let you know that lunch is here." He smiled. "Doctor Wolffe apparently sent something in with Richard." He looked up at Richard then back at the Professor then frowned. "I'm sorry. Did I interrupt something?"

"Only placing an order with one of our suppliers," Severus said as he saved what he was doing and closed the site out. "Grant sent food, you said?"

Richard held up a bag. "Enough for everyone. Once I mentioned coming up here to see Jason, he proceeded to weight me down. I didn't mean to interrupt your day though."

"It's a pleasant interruption, Doctor. Jason, why don't you go put the closed for lunch sign in the window and then come back and make yourself comfortable," Severus said as he got to his feet and began to clear his desk and the small table next to it so that they would have a place to eat.

Jason nodded and smiled at Richard as he waddled out of the office.

Richard stepped forward, holding on to the bags and waiting while Severus cleared a spot. "Well, then I'm happy to oblige, Mister Snape. I didn't see Harry around anywhere I do hope he's well."

"I do believe he's heeding the call of nature yet again," Severus said with a chuckle as he heard the building's old plumbing rumble once more. "He's well, thank you for asking. I didn't realize though that you made house calls."

"I don't normally work while I'm on vacation but this was a special case." Richard set the bag down on the table and began removing the containers. "I'm glad to hear Harry's doing well. I'm afraid he'll just have to get used to answering Nature's frequent calls. Comes with the territory."

Motioning to the table, Severus opened one of the drawers of his desk and withdrew several disposable plates as well as cutlery. "The food smells wonderful, it's a wonder that Damon isn't grossly overweight."

"Most Fleymann's couples usually aren't." Richard looked up at Severus, thinking about the man's comment on the food and eyed him for a moment. "You aren't having a problem with Harry eating, are you?" He held up a hand and shook his head. "My apologies, that's none of my business."

Severus regarded Richard for a moment. "Harry has a few issues with eating at times, but does well normally. I wanted to thank you again for seeing to the Wolffes," he said as he took several bottles of water from the small refrigerator along with two bottles of milk. "Please, have a seat."

Richard nodded and sat. He licked his lips, deciding how to word his next phrase. "Seeing to the Wolffes was a pleasure. I hate to see anyone suffer, regardless of how they feel about me. As for Harry, I shouldn't have intruded on Doctor Sorens' care. So many people with Fleymann's often neglect themselves because of society's pressures, so it's nice to see some like Jason and Harry that do have healthy appetites." He shrugged. "Again, I apologize for intruding, it is second nature and I didn't mean anything against you by it."

"You aren't intruding and we are hoping that we can learn more about Harry's condition while you're visiting. I do have a question in regards to the two of them if you wouldn't mind," Severus said, checking to make sure neither pregnant wizard was near the door.

Richard smiled and nodded. "Certainly, I'd be happy to explain anything to the both of you that I can, if you like.

Severus shook his head, he didn't want either Jason or Harry involved, at least not yet. "I was curious how much longer you thought that it would be safe for either of them to work."

Richard took a deep breath and steepled his hands together on the table. "Without reading their individual case histories, I can't give you a definite answer. A healthy pregnant Fleymann's carrier can work up to the middle or the end of the eighth month. Fleymann's carriers are notorious for dropping and going into labour early, especially ones pregnant with multiples. However, that doesn't mean they need to be bed ridden, just have someone with them that can ferry them to the hospital if necessary."

Severus listened, nodding as he worked things out in his mind. Harry would be coming with him to the shop daily or staying with Grant and Damon until he delivered, but he wasn't certain about Jason. "With twins, I assume Jason would be better if he weren't on his feet?"

Richard shrugged. "It's possible but actually getting him to do that is another story. As long as neither one of them is straining to lift anything over five to seven pounds and resting every three to four hours, I'd say they are fine. Jason's not been very forthcoming with information about his pregnancy with me."

Severus pursed his lips and thought about the young man's daily job list at the shop; he was going to need to hire a second person to take the place of Jason. "Thank you, I'll need to adjust Jason's schedule and work," he said as he opened one of the bottles of milk as Harry walked in with Jason close behind.

Jason arched an eyebrow as he walked around Harry and sat down next to Richard. He looked up at the Professor. "Why are you adjusting my workload? I get along just fine, thank you very much."

Severus looked at Jason, the decision already made to lighten Jason's load. "Jason, the ultimate goal is for you to be safe and by lessening your workload, I can make sure that you are not doing yourself or your children harm," he said calmly as he held Harry's milk out to him. "There will be no discussion, I've made my decision."

Jason crossed his arms over his chest and looked at Richard. "What did you
tell him? I can work just fine."

Richard held up his hands in protest. "I didn't tell him anything, Jason. Just that neither of you should be lifting over a certain weight nor spending extended time on your feet now. Doctor Sorens would agree with me and you know it," he said as he picked up the other bottle of milk to offer to Jason. "Now, please, come and eat."

Jason eyed him suspiciously then took the milk. "Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I'm a girl and can't work. He's paying me for a reason and I intend to do my job," he groused then took a drink of the milk. "Thank you," he muttered softly.
Richard raised a brow and looked at Jason and then to Harry. "Is he this crabby when he's not pregnant?"

Harry snorted and shrugged. "I don't know." He eyed Jason then smiled at Richard. "We've only been friends for a few months. Maybe you need to stick around and soften him up a bit." He grinned at Jason and took another drink of his milk.

Severus cleared his throat, ready for a clash between the men in the room, and started to speak as the telephone rang. Answering it, he held up one hand and listened for a moment before placing the receiver against his chest and looking at Jason quizzically.

"Jason, there is a Maurice Winthrop of Merriweather Art Gallery wishing to speak with you. Do you wish to speak with him?"

Jason paled and pushed the chair back from the desk as he stared at the Professor. "W-who... did you say it was?"

"Maurice Winthrop. Jason, I'll tell him not to bother you again," Severus said, concerned at the man's reaction. He brought the receiver back to his ear and began to speak.

"Mister Winthrop..."

"No, wait, please!" Jason held up a hand then ran it over his face then took a deep breath. "How did he find me?" He shook his head and held out his hand. "I-I'll talk to him."

"Here he is, Mister Winthrop," Severus said as he handed the telephone over and motioned to Harry and Richard to leave the room to give Jason some privacy.

Jason watched them go then took another breath, steeling himself for the upcoming conversation. He'd not thought to ever hear from the gallery in Washington D.C. since he'd left almost seven months ago. "This is Jason Summers. May I help you?"

"Mister Summers, you are a very hard man to find," the owner of the D.C. art gallery said with a small chuckle. "We seem to have some of your property that needs to be picked up. In person."

Jason frowned. "I don't know how you found me, Mister Winthrop, but you may keep my art or throw it in the trash for all I care, however, I'm not coming back to D.C. anytime soon." He paused for a moment. "Did Edward Summers put you up to this?"
"No, Mister Summers, no one by that name has contacted us. I am not referring to your pieces, but rather to the rather sizable amount the gallery owes you for their sale."

Jason sat stunned for a moment. "You sold my art?"

"Yes, Mister Summers, the last piece was sold nearly two months ago. We've been trying to reach you for some time, but until we were contacted earlier this week, we'd had no luck."

Heart racing in his chest, Jason closed his eyes. He swallowed hard and took another deep breath, then gripped the table in front of him, trying to stop the room from spinning. "I see. I can't travel at this time. Is there any way you can tell me who contacted you about me?"

"Mister Summers, we are discussing a rather large sum of money, I would say it would be worth the effort of making the trip," Winthrop said with some amusement. "A Frank Corrican contacted me expressing interest in possibly purchasing another piece to accompany the Summers he'd bought earlier."

Jason opened his eyes and sucked in a breath. Corrican, and really how many of them could there be in this world? He narrowed his eyes as he thought about what he was going to say to the Doc when he got off from work. "Honestly, Mister Winthrop, my health isn't the best at this time. Isn't there any possible way you could just send me a cashier's check for the amount minus the gallery's fees?"

"I'm sorry Mister Summers, but with an amount like this, I'd really feel much more comfortable dealing with a person. I can come to you if you are unwell."

Jason closed his eyes again and shook his head. There was no way the man would understand seeing him in this condition. "Just how much money are we talking about, Mister Winthrop?"

Winthrop took a breath and smiled. He knew that the young man he was dealing with had little self esteem in his abilities but was, in fact, a find for his gallery. "Mister Summers, you placed twelve pieces with the gallery and all sold for over fifteen thousand dollars apiece. Several for quite a bit more. In fact, we would be very interested in brokering other works for you."

Behind the counter, Severus looked up at the sound of a loud thunk from the workroom.