Chapter 4
C hapter F our
Michael hated that Thor seemed down. He wanted to help, but there was little he could do. "You'll figure something out. And in the meantime, I take it Angie has a very fussy baby on her hands."
"Brian is away," Thor supplied, and soon enough, a car pulled up outside. Michael got up and opened the door as Angie got out of the car and got out the baby from in back. August sniffled and then began crying as she carried him up the walk.
"Hey, buddy." He reached out. "Come to Uncle Michael." He took him, and August screamed louder as soon as Angie let him go. She grabbed the diaper bag and followed Michael into the house.
"He's been like this ever since Brian left. When he's home, Auggie wants me, but as soon as Brian goes away, he's daddy's boy, and Mommy isn't good enough."
"I think that's enough," Thor said firmly, taking Auggie from Michael's arms. Auggie's eyes widened, and he quieted immediately. "Now that's more like it. Acting like that isn't going to get you anywhere, little man." Thor sat back down on the sofa, Auggie on his lap, meeting his nephew's gaze, and danged if he didn't stay quiet. Thor lightly bounced him as he looked around, getting ready for another good scream. "Don't even think about it."
Auggie stared at Thor, who lifted him to his shoulder and slowly patted his back. Auggie let out a long soft sigh and settled.
"Thank God," Angie said, collapsing into a chair.
"Coffee?" Michael asked.
"God, yes. Anything to make me feel like an adult again."
"Then wine instead?" Michael said, pouring both of them a glass. He knew what she liked, and Angie sighed as she took that first sip.
"He's been crying for two days. I was at my wits' end. He hasn't had a nap either day and refuses to go to sleep." She looked as haggard as she sounded.
Thor put his feet up, stretching out on the sofa, Auggie in his arms, and sure as hell, within five minutes, they were both asleep. Michael wished he could do that. "I guess he has the touch."
"He was always good with kids," Angie said, taking another sip of her wine and finally relaxing. "How was the camping?"
"Good. A bear went through our camp, but didn't really bother us. Other than that, it was pretty uneventful." Michael finished his wine, and Angie did the same. "Thor is going to grill burgers in a little while. If you want, you could use the guest room upstairs and lie down." Michael was smart enough to know that sleeping when the baby did was the best course of action.
"If you don't mind," she said, heading up as he took the dishes to the sink. Then Michael went outside to finish a few projects in the yard while everyone else napped.
Michael ended up making the burgers as Thor continued holding Auggie. Thor had woken an hour before, but Auggie slept on, and no one wanted to wake him. He needed his rest, and Angie needed a break. Once Michael had dinner almost ready, he sent a message to Angie, and Thor carefully got out of the sofa, holding Auggie in his arms as he slowly made his way to the table,
"Man, he was tired," Thor said as Michael brought food to the table, and Angie took a seat across from him.
"Yes. But we need to wake him or else he isn't going to sleep at all tonight." She gently took her son, bouncing him a little until he opened his eyes. She had a bottle ready and fed him while they had dinner.
"How can you eat and feed him at the same time?" Thor asked.
"It's simple. You either manage things like that or you eat nothing but cold food," she told him flatly. "And this is so good. I'm tired of my own cooking. Sometimes, I wish I could just drink one of Auggie's bottles and go to bed."
Thor ate quickly and took Auggie, who settled right into his arms. Angie sat back and was able to enjoy her dinner.
"You like Uncle Thor, don't you?"
Auggie looked up at him with huge blue eyes.
Thor's phone vibrated on the table next to the sofa he'd been resting on, and Michael got it for him, handing the phone to Thor. Auggie immediately reached for it.
"Just have your dinner," Thor said as he checked his messages. "Miller found a boat and said that they can have it fitted out for our needs." He set the phone aside and returned his attention to his nephew. Michael couldn't help watching him. There was something about Thor holding a baby that touched his heart.
"Do you want kids?" Michael asked as he sat back down.
For the first time since he'd known him, Thor seemed completely unsure. "I never really considered it much. I guess I figured I was gay, and kids were never in the cards, so it was something I never thought about."
"You're really good with him," Angie said. "I always thought you'd be a good father."
"You did?" Thor asked, one again looking kind of shocked. "After Dad, I guess I always figured I was better off without them." His eyes grew soft as he lowered his gaze to Auggie. "What if I turn out like him?"
Angie clicked her teeth. "You won't. I was nervous about getting pregnant, wondering the kind of mother I'd be, and I found out that I can be any kind of mother I want. Brian and I are raising him the way we want to. He and I sat down and discussed how we wanted to raise Auggie and any other kids we have. I stopped working for a while but will go back in a year or so. We have a daycare all picked out, and we decided to send him to a Catholic school in the area. One of us will go to all of his concerts or games. Depending on what he decides to do." She smiled. "Our job is to love and support him no matter what."
"I see, and you have all that figured out? What if it doesn't go to plan?" Thor asked.
Angie shrugged. "Then we'll change it. But the love and support part will never change. That will stay the same no matter where we are or how many kids we have. Brian has told me he wants to try for a girl. I suspect that means we'll be having at least one other." Auggie began to fuss, and she lifted him into her arms. Auggie settled right away this time, and Angie sat down, holding him, the perfect picture of mother and child, at least until Auggie grunted and then the worst stink on earth drifted through the room. Angie took him to the bathroom to change him, leaving him and Thor alone.
"You know you'll act nothing like your father did, because you want something different than he does. Just like I won't act like my dad." Michael took his hand. "Not that I'm saying we have to have kids."
Thor smiled. "I get that. But I still worry. I think, for right now, I'm going to enjoy being Uncle Thor and getting to hold Auggie, and maybe taking him camping and stuff when he gets older." He lifted his intense dark eyes. "I just don't want to fuck it up."
Wow, seeing Thor unsure of himself was strange to say the least. He was always confident and made quick but sound decisions. Michael hadn't seen him this worked up over anything… other than his father. There were times when Michael wanted to shake that old man, just for making Thor so unsure. "You won't. You aren't your father." He leaned closer. "I could never love that old goat." He gave Thor a smile and got one in return. "Now, we don't have to keep talking about this, because I can tell your head is going to explode any second. Talking about feelings and worries is not your thing. But I appreciate you opening up to me." It wasn't really his thing either, for that matter. He and Thor didn't sit around talking about what they felt. But Thor was demonstrative, and that was enough.
"Thanks," Thor said softly as Angie returned. Auggie took one look at Thor and had his arms out, stretching to get to him. Thor held him, and Angie gave him a toy. Auggie held the stuffed rabbit and rested against Thor. Michael was tempted to grab his camera for a picture, but Angie beat him to it, snapping some images before texting them to Michael.
"He sure likes you," Angie said to Thor.
"Yeah. Maybe I remind him of Brian."
Angie shook her head. "Nope, this is a boy who knows his daddy. That's for sure. He also knows you, and he knows he'll be safe when he's with you."
"All of us are safe when we're with you," Michael added softly before figuring a change of subject would be a good idea. "I have chocolate and strawberry ice cream."
"Chocolate," Angie said, and Michael got up to make dishes. He already knew the flavor Thor wanted. Strawberry was his favorite, which was why Michael always kept it in the house. He got chocolate for himself and carried the bowls back to the table.
Auggie was instantly interested, and Thor used his spoon to give Auggie a tiny bit of his. Needless to say, it was a huge hit, and soon Auggie was sharing his uncle's treat.
Thor's phone chimed again, and Michael stifled a groan. There were times when the constant phone calls and texts got to him. He reached for the phone before Thor. "It's Miller." He set the phone on the table next to him and took his dish to the sink. "Sometimes I really think she needs to find herself a man… or a woman, because she definitely needs something to do other than work."
Thor chuckled. "I know. She wants to talk to me tomorrow. Arrangements have been made and maps will be sent." He sighed. "It looks like tomorrow will be a full day."
"Monday," Michael told him. "Tomorrow you and I have plans."
"Oh… stay-in-bed kind of plans? Maybe watch-your-nephew-for-a-few-hours kind of plans so your sister can get some rest… plans?"
Michael waited until Thor nodded. "Bring him after lunch and we'll watch him for the afternoon. You can rest for a while, and this little one can run his uncle Thor out." Michael stifled a yawn as Angie started getting things together. Once everything was back in the diaper bag, she lifted a fussing Auggie out of Thor's arms, and after saying goodbye, she left, telling them she'd bring Auggie by one the following day.
Once they saw her out, Thor helped him with the dishes and cleanup before turning out the lights as night fell around them. Michael stood at the large windows, gazing up at the tall redwoods that lined the yard. Thor slipped his arm around Michael's waist.
"I will never get tired of this view."
"I know," Thor said softly. "But the owners are going to be back in a few months."
Michael was well aware of it and hated the feeling that something was coming to an end. He knew it was dumb to tie how he felt about Thor to a place, but they had been so happy here. Maybe it was time for them to move on, but he wished he knew what that looked like, what their lives looked like. "Then we'll need to find a new place to live." He knew this was temporary, but he was going to hate to leave.
"We'll figure it out," Thor said flatly.
Michael nodded, then turned to Thor. "I guess the real question isn't so much where we'll live, but if you'll even be here." He locked his gaze onto Thor. "I know that Miller is not going to keep you here if you can't figure out where the meth is coming from. She'll put you somewhere else, and…." The thought made his throat gravel-dry in an instant.
"I know. But I'll get to the bottom of this," Thor said confidently.
"And what happens then if you do? They aren't going to need you here any longer." It seemed either way, Michael lost his home and the man he loved. That seemed to be the same thing now. And as much as Thor might tell him differently, Michael knew it was true. At the moment, there was nothing he could do about it.
Michael went up to bed an hour later. Thor was on his computer, most likely looking over the images that Miller had sent. He undressed and climbed under the covers, the open windows letting in the cool night air. He burrowed beneath the warm blankets and closed his eyes, trying not to let his worries run though his head. After all, he had no control over anything to do with Thor's job.
More than once, he had hoped that Thor might find something else. He was talented, and there had to be plenty that he could do, but Thor never talked about moving on. Rather, he continued working to figure out the source of the drugs flowing out of the area. Whoever was doing this had an operation that they'd been able to keep secret for quite a while.
Michael did his best to let it all go and try to get some sleep. But he was still awake when Thor joined him, tugging Michael to his bare skin. He hummed softly and kept his eyes closed, falling to sleep quickly now that Thor was with him. Maybe he really didn't need to worry so much.
"Thor," Michael groaned as he woke to Thor under the covers, his lips sliding down his cock. He stretched and moaned softly as Thor took him deep. This was one hell of a way to wake up, and Michael came alive in seconds. "This is so much better than caffeine."
"Tastier too," Thor said, before taking him deeply once more, wet heat surrounding him, sending Michael into overdrive.
Michael closed his eyes as overwhelming sensation raced through him. "You're damned good at that." All he got in response was a hum and increased pressure that nearly sent Michael over the edge. He stiffened, and Thor paused in his amazingness, poking his head out of the covers. "Don't stop."
"I don't want it to be over yet," Thor retorted with that wicked grin of his, the one that always managed to take the wind out of Michael's sails. "We have hours, and it's just the two of us. My phone is quiet, and it better stay that way." He kissed him, pulling up the covers before wrapping Michael in his arms.
Their kisses began gentle, but quickly ramped up to frantic as Thor pressed him into the mattress, his cock sliding alongside Michael's, their bodies moving together. This was the time Michael longed for, just them, when he had Thor's undivided attention, and the world consisted of only them. Those times were too few in Michael's opinion, but he was determined to make the very most of them. Not that Thor was distant or away, just that he had a lot to take up his mind, so when he truly let go, it was an incredible feeling and helped Michael know he was special to him.
"What is it you want?" Michael whispered.
"Just you," Thor said softly, before kissing the breath out of him.
Michael held Thor tightly, the two of them rocking together, every second one of wonder and tenderness. Michael closed his eyes, reveling in the time with his lover. He ran his hands down Thor's strong back and down to his firm ass, cupping it tightly. Fuck, he was amazing, and Michael wanted all of him. Hell, he wanted everything all at once, his mind flooded with passion.
"Don't stop," Michael groaned, and Thor met his gaze.
"I have no intention of stopping… for a very long time," Thor told him, and Michael held on tighter as tension climbed up from deep inside him. He didn't want this to end, but his body had its own ideas. Ecstasy built quickly, and within seconds, he was unable to hold back any longer, coming hard between them, with Thor cupping his cheeks, following Michael into his release.
"God…," Thor breathed, and Michael held him, both of them wiped out.
Michael managed to get a cloth from the drawer next to the bed, and after a quick cleanup, they settled back, Michael's eyes drifting closed as he held Thor. "You wore me out."
"I think we did that to each other," Thor whispered as his eyes drifted closed. "Rest for a while, and we'll see what we can do about a repeat performance."
Michael liked the sound of that and closed his eyes, drifting into a light sleep with dreams that made him smile, while Thor snored softly next to him. And just as his dream got good, a ringing pulled at him. He opened his eyes and got his phone, seeing his brother's number.