When Brian woke a few days later he found the bed not empty but missing one of its previous occupants. Zack had apparently woken earlier on and was not in the bed. Brian slowly stood and stretched; making sure not to disrupt the sleeping boy. Jared had crawled into their bed last night due to a bad dream. Neither man really minded having the boy between them for a few nights; what better way to be cock-blocked than have a kid in the room right? Making his way to the in suite bathroom Brian rubbed his groggy eyes. He did his business and decided to take a quick shower. He scrubbed up and relaxed for a few minutes under the hot spray. When he got out Brian wrapped a towel around his waist; realizing that there was a note taped to the foggy mirror. ‘Brian, when you wake up and notice I am not around I figured you would probably get a bit worried. Well don’t be. I have a busy day for you, I and the boy planned. Before you two can progress to where I am you need to do a few things. Make sure you both get showers. I set out two pairs of clothing on the dresser; make sure you both wear an old pair of shoes. After you are dressed in the old clothes I picked out I want you to take Jared down stairs; there will be a jug on the counter of fruit juice. Next to it will be a Popsicle rack. Do me a favor and make them with him; but not before eating breakfast.’ Brian slowly nodded to himself and then remembered Zack wasn’t around to see it. With a light blush he kept reading the note. ‘When you get ready to leave remember to grab your sweaters; we will be spending lots of time outside today. Meet me at the park in the center of town by eleven. By the way Matt and Val went to visit their in-laws. xoxo Love you – Zack’ Brian took his time dressing and waking up Jared knowing he had more than two hours before they had to meet Zack. Brian smiled to himself when Jared woke up with out a fuss, knowing that the sooner he got up and around the sooner he would get his birthday present. Both boys excitedly went down stairs and were met with plates full of crapes and fruit. After enjoying their sugar filled breakfast Jared went and showered up while Brian cleaned the plates. Once they were both ready Brian and Jared set out for the store. Jared had told Brian a story that was rather sad a few days back and Brian was hoping that this little present would make Zack happy. Jared squealed when they got into the store and they were surrounded by all the cute animals. He immediately went for the hamsters. Brian smirked knowingly to himself. He eventually got his son over to the puppy cages and while he was preoccupied Brian secretly talked to the store clerk. Brian had planned to get Jared a teddy-bear hamster for the past few months but one of Zack’s presents fit right in with that plan. Brian had the woman ring up the pet and all the necessities with it. She gently placed all of the items in a box where the little critter could breathe through the air holes in its own tiny box. The woman let Brian leave the box on the counter while he walked up to Jared. The little boy was being lapped and licked by at least six different puppies. They were barking and nipping too. The littlest one was trying to jump up the boy’s chest not quite making it high enough for a lick. Brian smiled leaning down he picked up the pup. He was by far the runt of the bunch but as soon as Brian looked into his eyes he was sold. Right away Brian knew that this dog was right for Zack. He was a little grey and white pit-bull terrier mix with the cutest deep blue eyes Brian had ever seen. Brian grabbed the little puppy and walked over to the accessories; Jared was right behind him carrying a bigger puppy of the same breed but she was brindle and white with blue eyes. Brian looked back at the boy and sighed. He hadn’t planned on buying two but Jared was dead set on the pup. Brian smiled making his final decision; he grabbed a tan leather leash and collar for the black and white pup and he pointed to the puppy in Jared’s hand. The little boy looked down at it and made his way back to the pen. He set the dog back down. Brian frowned; the boy didn’t understand what he was saying. Brian grabbed a black leather collar and leash as well as three pet bowls. While watching Jared play with the pup he grabbed the food and the rest of the necessities for a puppy; or technically two. Brian smiled to himself and paid for the pets and the things they would need. He called Jared over and the little boy sadly left the pup behind. Brian nodded to the worker and when Jared followed him out. Brian handed the black and white puppy to Jared and the boy carried it. Brian had the bags and the hamster box, he was quite happy the boy didn’t ask what was inside. The worker followed him out carrying a few of the bags and the surprise for Jared. When they got in the car Brian buckled the boy in and set the black and white puppy in his lap. He placed the box in the back of the truck next to Jared and shoved the bags in the floor board. The man that had followed him handed him the little brindle and white pup. Brian thanked him for the help and placed the other puppy in Jared’s lap too. The little boys eyes lit up and he smiled a big smile. He hugged and kissed the puppy while Brian closed the door. The man stepped up to Brian when he was out of the truck; he had a flirtatious look on his face. “Cute kid, would I be in the wrong if I asked for your number?” Brian smiled at the shorter blond haired man. “I don’t think my boyfriend would like that too much. Thank you again for the help.” Brian gave him an award winning smile before hopping in the truck. They made it to the park just after eleven; Brian smiled when he saw Zack sitting at one of the pick nick tables. Kids were surrounding him; playing games and having fun. Brian noticed most of the children were Jared’s classmates. Zack had set all of this up for his son? Brian had wondered why Zack asked him to get the school directory from the secretary; this must have been why. There were balloons and happy birthday banners all over the play area. Brian got out of the truck and quickly let Jared out. The little boy grabbed his puppy and slowly made his way to Zack; showing the man the new addition. Zack smiled when Jared showed him the little dog; listening to how cool he was. Brian stayed back and fastened the tan collar to the pup and grabbed the leash. He placed it in his sweater and carried it gently. He also shoved the black collar and leash in his pocket before heading over to Zack. “What are you hiding?” Zack wondered looking at Brian curiously. “One of your Valentines day gifts.” Brian smiled before unzipping his sweater and handing the dog to Zack. The shorter mans jaw dropped and his eyes became teary. He looked at Brian with a smile. “Thank you.” Brian nodded and brought the younger man in for a gentle kiss; his hands placed on Zack’s hips. Zack pulled away wide eyed and nodded his head to the group of mothers to the left of them. Brian saw what he was looking at and shrugged; placing another kiss on the others lips before handing him the leash. Brian looked down to see Jared fiddling with the brindle puppy; he soon realized that the boy had grabbed the collar and leash from his pocket and had fastened them to the pup. Jared was looking from the pup to the playground as he sat on the dirt. It was like he was debating, the playground with his friends or the puppy. He sighed and sat back with the little creature. Brian noticed this immediately. “Hey little dude why don’t you go play with your friends I will look after the pup.” Jared nodded at his dad and took off to the toys. All the little kids greeted him with smiles and said happy birthday. “So Zee what are you going to name him?” “I don’t know.” Brian held the pup up to his face and touched its nose to his. “What about Phoenix? I can call him Nix for short.” “That’s cute. I hope you like him. I know he will be a lot of work but it seamed like a good idea.” Brian smiled; Zack smiled and nodded. Brian pressed one more kiss to his lips before pulling away fully. He looked to the left to see some of the moms glaring at him and the rest smiling. Brian picked up the brindle pup and carried him over to the woman. They all made small talk for a while; a few were still glaring but Brian ignored them. “I didn’t know you liked men Brian.” One of the moms said. “I don’t have a problem with it; I just never took you for the type. Is this a new addition?” “No I have liked men since I was a teenager.” Brian smirked at the short, brown haired, kind of chubby mom. “Well I never knew but I always wondered why you never had a woman with you at teachers meetings. Or a mother figure to drop him off or anything.” Tara spoke quietly with a blush on her cheeks. “Your boy had been out of school for a while is everything okay?” Roxanne one of the glaring mothers asked. “Yeah; I am in the middle of changing jobs and I needed a break so we went to see my aunt. He was supposed to be gone just the two weeks on home school but Zack got in an accident and I have been taking care of him so Jared has stayed out. He just went back yesterday but I think he hates it. Yeah he likes his friends but the teacher is a douche.” Brian stated; Zack walked up and handed him a cup with juice in it. He smiled and thanked the younger man. “That’s so sweet of you for taking care of him.” Tara spoke with a smile; her hand fiddled with Brian’s arm. Zack noticed this action and gave Brian a smirk. Brian knew what she was doing so he stepped back and put his arm around Zack. “He’s been taking good care of us too.” Brian pressed a kiss to his cheek; the pups in both of their arms squirmed and nipped at each other. Brian set them both on the ground and let them play. “So you said he doesn’t like normal school? One of my sons is home school and he still comes and hangs out during recess so he has his friends.” Ramie softly spoke nodding towards one of the boys. “Some kids it is better for them but others they can’t pull it off. I found out that he focuses on his work more when at home rather than in the class room.” “I noticed that too with Jared. He is too interested in playing with the other kids rather than doing the work.” Brian stated; letting out a laugh when the puppies went rolling across the ground. The day progressed slowly from their; they all had cake and opened presents. Zack handed Brian a bag as well. The older man opened it slowly. Inside was a glass bottle with a cork on the end. There was a note inside. Brian opened it and read it silently. ‘I know you don’t remember but the first time we met was at the beach. The same beach this sand and these shells came from. That exact area we were standing in too. This is special to me and you for two reasons. You said that you never make it to the beach anymore but it is your favorite place to be. This way you can have a piece of that special place always. It is special for me because this is where I fell in love for the first time. You may not know it but I had feelings for you back then too.’ Brian looked down at Zack with a smile and gave him a big hug. “Thank you.” Brian smiled down still holding the man. “For everything today as well Zack. “This isn’t all I have more planned for you two as for the gift you will get the rest when you get home.” Zack smiled; pulling Brian down with the kids so they could make paper Mache balloons. “You will as well.” Brian smirked thinking Zack was planning something dirty. Little did he know that wouldn’t come until much, much later? After all of the excitement Brian and Zack headed home. Jared was excitedly playing with the pups. He decided to name his Blotie. Neither man had ever heard of a dog named Blotie but it was Jared’s puppy to name. When they got home Zack had the boys change; it was nearly dark so they left a light on when they left the pups in the laundry room. Zack had a diner for three waiting for them at a rather nice restaurant. Jared was playing around with an action figure quietly as Brian and Zack chatted to themselves. It had been a sweet gesture and Brian adored him for it. After their family diner Zack dropped Jared off in town with Val and Matt. Brian was confused when they made the trade off but they handed him a basket and took the kid. Brian soon realized what Zack had planned when they drove to the beach. A night time picnic; Brian was confused at first because they had just eaten but when Zack pulled out two plates covered in this delicious looking chocolate dissert he didn’t question the rest. “Thank you Zack.” Brian spoke laying back on the spread out blanket beside his friend. “You’re welcome.” Zack leaned over and kissed his cheek. Brian sat up on his elbow and flipped onto his side. “I had a guy try to give me his number today when we got the pups.” Brian laughed Zack’s eyes widened. “I told him I don’t think my boyfriend would like that much; just so I didn’t hurt his feelings.” They sat in silence for a few; both men looking the other over, studying them. “I wouldn’t mind it being true you know?” “Are you hinting at something?” Zack smiled; joking around with the other man. “Yeah I am. I want to be with you Zack.” Brian leaned down and pressed a kiss to the other mans chest. “Is that the Brian Haner way of asking me out?” Zack played. “Yeah. Will you be with me Zack?” Brian looked down in the other mans eyes. “I want to but what about all of the work crap B?” Zack asked looking up at him/ “We will deal with it when it comes. The lawyer should be getting back to me soon.” Brian stated with a smile. “Then yes; I will be with you Brian.” “Can I finally take you home?” Brian whispered against his lips; Zack knew full and well that Brian didn’t mean getting in the car and going to his house. “Yes.” Was just a whisper but that was more than either man needed to press on.

Notes

Sorry for the long wait everyone.