It's quite short - there was nothing else to say - but I think it's better than nothing (after the forever long lack of updates).

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OLIVER's POV

The rest of the day was like a nightmare. After Victor left the shop, Matthias was too energetic to my liking, and was basically unstoppable. He kept on running around the tables, speaking about our planned meeting, and how much he was looking forward to seeing his father, and I was at my wits end. I was exhausted just by hearing about it. Knowing the meeting was actually happening was something I refused to acknowledge for as long as possible. And I was sure I would keep this attitude until the very night before the actual event. And then, I would break down. A pattern I'd experienced so many times before I was almost one hundred percent sure it would be exactly like that. I knew myself too well.

When we finally wrapped everything up in the shop and I got back home with already drowsy Matt in my arms, I was ready to go to bed. I was feeling a dull pressure in my head signaling I was about to get a headache, and my churning stomach, not sure if hungry or sick, wasn't making the situation any better. I hadn't felt so stressed in a long time, and all the pressure made me feel ten years older. A feeling I didn't like one bit.

Opening the door, a delicious spicy smell hit my nose, and I couldn't help but smile despite all the negativity. My stomach growled a bit louder, this time definitely hungry, and I hurried inside in expectations of delicious food. Josh never disappointed when it came to cooking. A wife every men wished for. I chuckled, shaking my head at my absurd thoughts. I really needed a good rest.

Laying Matty down in one of the chairs we had in the hall, I put away my jacket and keys, waking the big boy up so he could take his sweatshirt off too. He was a bit cranky, but that made him look like a sleepy grouchy teddy bear, and I had to suppress a need to take a photo of him. I seriously didn't want to become one of those parents who took photos of their children every other minute and put all of them on social media. It was ridiculous and dangerous, and even though I had an urge to show my boy off, I managed to keep these needs on tight leash.

"We are home, honey. Take of your sweatshirt and shoes. Josh cooked us something delicious." I smiled, waiting for him to finish and taking him back in my arms. I was spoiling him too much, but he was my first child and too cute to leave him alone. There was no way I could restrain myself in this area.

Slowly walking towards the kitchen, I saw Josh moving around the table, laying out dishes, his apron still on. It was a plain green apron, noting special or overly sexy, but he still looked hot in it. What men didn't look hot while cooking for their family?

He was humming, smiling like an idiot, and I was overcame by a sudden warmth spreading inside of my whole being. It were times like these I felt an overwhelming love for Joshua it almost hurt. Sometimes, I wondered why it was that love hurt so much from time to time even though we were happy. Was it a tax to pay in exchange for feeling contented? Or was it more of a side effect similar to when our bellies hurt after laughing too much?

I stood there, watching him for several more second before Matt wiggled in my hands and brought me back from my daydreaming. Shaking the feeling off, I continued on our way in. My chest ached, my body unable to wait any longer to touch my man.

Upon entering the kitchen, Joshua's head snapped in our direction, a wide smile spreading on his lips. His whole face lit up, and if it wasn't for Matt in my arms, I would be jumping in his. I seriously needed a Josh-night right about now.

"Welcome home. How are you?" he asked, putting the apron away immediately and coming right up to us, ruffling Matt's hair and pecking my lips in a welcoming kiss.

We talked a bit over the phone after Victor left, but it wasn't enough at all. We couldn't really discuss the matter over the phone. That was too impersonal, and I needed to see his face when talking to him about such an important issue. That way, I could see what he was feeling. His emotions would portray on his face, and I could react appropriately. That was simply impossible over the phone, and he knew it too. That was why our conversation lasted only a bit over two minutes and we talked about this specific topic only superficially.

"A mess," I chuckled humorlessly, returning the kiss. He smiled, caressing my cheek.

His fingers smelled of butter. What was it again he cooked?

"And that's why I made your favorite roasted chicken with baked potatoes. And of course, Matt will get a mild version without all the spicy stuff." He looked at my son and gently tapped him on a nose, earning a tired grin.

"Let me down, daddy," he said right after, wiggling around in my arms, trying to make it happen faster.

Putting him down (almost dropping him because of all the movements), I watched Matthias run towards the bathroom and back, his hands still a bit wet from washing it. He sat down on one of the chairs, looking expectantly at Josh, waiting for him to serve him the food. I couldn't stop the laugher bubbling out of my mouth and with a shaking head, followed in his steps. If there was anything clear by his behavior, it was the fact my fiancé was an excellent cook.

***

Later that evening, when Matty was safely tucked in his bed, already in a deep slumber, I was finally able to find some comfort in Joshua's arms. We were just lazily lying in a couch, watching some sappy romance that made no sense, and I wanted to stay like that forever. It was such a carefree moment, all stress gone, and all that was left was only a complete and undeniable peace. We were only in our bathing robes as we took a long hot shower after Matthias fell asleep, and I couldn't help but inhale Joshua's smell. It was fresh and calming, a soft fragrance of shower gel mixed together with it. My muscles were relaxed, comfortably painful at certain places, a small smile appearing on my lips when I remembered just how sensual the shower was. If I wasn't so tired, I would end up attacking him again right there and then.

Closing my eyes, I snuggled closer to Josh, enjoying our here and there naked skin touching. His arm tightened around me, his hot breath falling on the top of my head in a slow regular breaths.

The only thing that was missing to make the scene perfect, as a scene from a movie, was a soft crackling of burning wood. The living room could seriously use some renovations. A fireplace was definitely needed there.

But it wasn't that important at the moment.

"I want to stay like this forever. This is perfect," I whispered, feeling a soft vibration in Joshua's chest when he chuckled.

"Yeah?" he asked, chuckling again. "And what about Matt? He won't stay asleep forever, Ollie. He is no sleeping beauty." He continued laughing quietly, entwining his fingers in my hair. If I were a cat, I would be purring by now. I loved when he did that. It was pleasantly relaxing, and I found myself getting sleepy every time he decided to give my hair a thorough care.

Blinking rapidly, I tried my hardest to keep my eyes opened.

"Stop it or I'll fall asleep on you." Turning my head so I could look into his face, I was surprised by a sudden kiss he planted on my forehead.

"Just relax and sleep if that is what you need the most at the moment. I know we agreed to talk, but you are in no condition to do that. And to be honest, I'm not that wide awake either. Can feel the sleepiness crawling up on me." His fingers continued making their way through my still a bit wet hair, and I realized he was probably right. There was no way we could have a serious conversation right now.

Breathing out slowly and trying to find a more comfortable position on his chest, he suddenly sat up, taking me up with him.

"You know what, we should probably go to bed. I'm not sure our bodies would be grateful if we fell asleep on a couch." He reached for the remote control and turned the TV off, grabbing his glass of water from the table and drinking the rest in one go.

"Let's go, Ollie. You look half asleep anyway, and I'm quite tired from all the traveling as well. We can cuddle in bed too." He smiled and winked at me, standing up and waiting until I followed in his steps.

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So, what do you think?

After reading so far, who do you think is going to end up as Ollie's partner?

Let me know what you think!

~°~

So, I just finished Stephen King's Pet Sematary (spoilers!) and am a bit depressed. I mean, I expected there wouldn't be a happy ending, it's the King after all, but I still feel bad. I love his writing style and his books, and I loved this one as well, but I always need some time to get over it afterwards (and start reading another of his books again - it's gonna be The Shining this time - yep, I still haven't read it). Now, you can bet I'm not gonna go to a forest for some time now. I'm usually not afraid of written horror, but there was this one scene in this specific book that gave me the creeps, a real creeps. It's the scene when Louis is walking towards the Micmac burying ground, with Gage's body, and hears something coming. I could see myself in that situation, and I was ready to piss myself! Can you imagine walking through the woods at night, carrying your son's dead body right after getting him out of his grave, and something huge starts to make its way towards you?

Ha, no thanks, honey! Imma out of here!

Anyways, can we just take a moment and appreciate his writing skills, please?

I know there are people who dislike his books and say he can't write, but I don't agree with them. His writing style is perfect (for me, at least). I love reading, but King is the only author who can make me actually see the story as a movie in my head. When I'm reading other books, I just enjoy it as a story. King is different. And the characters and atmosphere he creates! I just love it!