Possibilities (cont)
Paul looked over at the man sleeping next to him. It had been almost 8 months now that he and Derrick had been an official couple. Everyone in their lives, including his mom and grandfather and Derrick's parents and siblings, were all very happy for them both...now. At the beginning his mom and grandfather were not too thrilled to learn what Derrick had done in connection with Sonny finding out about Paul and Will. In fact, it took a lot of talking on both Paul's and Derrick's parts before they would even consider having Paul's back in this relationship. Now they thought that Derrick was the right man for Paul, as long as he didn't mess things up and hurt Paul. Paul was and always would be their top priority and if Derrick ever hurt him...well you can guess on that one.
Paul sighed then stretched , but continued to watch Derrick as he slept. He just couldn't get enough of watching his man.
"If you keep looking at me that way, we'll never get out of this bed." Derrick said, eyes still closed.
"You faker! How long have you been awake?" asked Paul, rolling over to tickle Derrick..the man was exteremly ticklish!
Laughing and trying to scoot away from Paul's fingers, Derrick said "Long enough to know you were..stop it! I can't talk when you..PAUL! I can't breath!"
They were both laughing so hard that they had tears running down their faces.
Paul finally relented and pulled Derrick back into his arms, with him up against Derricks back, the way they ususally slept.
"Now what were you trying to say?"
"You mean while you were torturing me?" asked Derrick, snuggling further back into Paul's embrace and grabbing his arms and tightening them further around him.
"Yeah, then." Chuckled Paul, thoroughly enjoying the way Derrick always seemed to burrow into him. Whether it be back to front or Derrick putting his face as far into Paul's neck as he could get it, then sighing and relaxing, boneless until sleep took him over.
"Ok what I was TRYING to say ,before I was attacked," at this Derrick looked over his shoulder and mock glared at Paul, Paul just grinned and tugged him closer, if that was possible."was that you looked like you were in deep thought and I didn't want to interrupt you. Everything is ok ...right?"
"Yes, everything is fine, Der. I was just thinking back to all that we have had to go through for you to get on good terms with my family. I am so sorry you had to go through all that."
"Paul, I have told you over and over, it's ok..I understood and I do! They were just protecting you as they should. They didn't know the whole story, and until they did , how were they to know what an amazingly wonderful person I am?" Chuckling Derrick tried to get out of Paul's hold because he knew what was coming..but..he was too late. *twack" to the back of his head. Not hard but a *love tap* as Paul liked to call it. "Man you have got to stop hanging around Gibbs when he comes to visit Will and Sonny. You're almost as bad as he is." Still chuckling but settling back to where he was, Derrick waits for Paul's reply, he knows it's coming so he just waits for it. One...two..three.
"Hey now I don't not do it as much as Gibbs and I am a much lighter touch. That man can smack hard!" and there it was. Derrick loved teasing Paul. To see him open up, laugh, tease and just all around enjoy life openly and honestly made Derrick's heart have all kinds of feels. OMG Did he just think feels? I mean he has read people saying that and thought there was no way he'd ever...well he just proved himself wrong. Shaking his head he looked at Paul and they both chuckled.
"Anyway, so I was thinking how great it was how my family and yours all got along. How well Will and Sonny, their cutie daughter Ari, and all of our friends that we have made since we got here and made amends for the stuff we pulled, get along and have each others backs. When I was in the pros, I was a loner, never really had anyone who,other than my family, truly cared about me once I lost Sonny. I am so glad we were able to work things out and get to such a great place with everyone."
"I am happy about that too. Know what I love the most though Paul? Aside from you that is" Derrick winked at Paul and continued. "I love how well recieved your coming out was. Not only from your former team mates and fans but all those kids who have contacted you through Twitter and Face Book, and are telling their friends and families about their truth. I wish though that they all had the reaction from their family that you did. But we are helping them through the hot line and support group "Paul's Haven", to find shelters and eventually homes so these kids don't have to live on the streeets. I am very proud of you babe." Derrick turns in Paul's arms and snakes his arms around his neck, pulling Paul down for a kiss and tight hug. He knows how upset Paul has been when he hears of kids being abused and thrown out of their homes simply because they are gay. Sonny and Will have been helping a great deal with it as well, as has Derrick.
As Derrick pulls away from Paul and looks him in the eye, he put both hands on the sides of Paul's face, and said. "You have done so much good since you came out and I am tremendously proud of all you have accomplished." He leaned in and once again gave Paul a soft, sweet kiss, which brought a tear to both their eyes.
"Thanks Hun, I couldn't have done it without you by my side."
Suddenly Paul pulls away and jumps out of bed, startling Derrick.
"Paul what's the matter?"
"Oops sorry," Paul chuckles, blushes then says "I just remembered we had a picnic planned remember? We were going to go the the park, lay on a blanket and soak up some sun today since it is finally warm enough after the brutal winter we had."
Derrick's eyes get wide, he spins around to look at the clock, then jumps out of bed and dashes to the bathroom, all the while talking, "OMG Paul we have like 2 hours before we have to meet Will ,Sonny and Ari ! How did the time get away from us so fast?' he spins around, squints his eyes and points a finger at Paul. "It was YOU! This is all your fault ! If you hadn't distracted me from my sleep so many times last night I would have heard the alarm!"
Paul watches as Derrick runs into the bathroom, but doesn't shut the door. he hears the water start up . Then, "Are you coming or not?" Chuckling Paul heads toward the bathroom, only to stop in his tracks. A huge , beautiful smile, if he is to believe Derrick, spreads across his face. After a moment he starts walking again towards the bathroom with a look on his face that says, he has just had a brilliant idea. The door closes behind him. You can hear a squeal, yes Derrick does squeal when Paul picks him up and puts him in the shower, then laughter. A few "oh I am so gonna get you for this" from Derrick to Paul and then silence. It takes them another 45 minutes before they emerge from the shower. Tired but happy and VERY, VERY pruny from all that water.
As Derrick dries his hair, Paul has already dried off, gotten dressed and is on the phone in the livingroom of his apartment. Through the door he hears Derrick singing. The dryer stops, as does the singing. then Paul hears "I do not take forever to get ready Mr. Norita! So stop thinking it!" Paul still on the phone, but on hold just grins and shakes his head, while mouthing the words "Oh yes you do " towards the bedroom door. "I heard that!" yells Derrick. Knowing exactly what Paul is doing. Well, he doesn't know EVERYTHING Paul is doing . That's good though, because he wants this to be a surprise.
Will and Sonny are already at the park playing with Ari on the swing set. They know that Paul and Derrick will be late, they ALWAYS are. So are Will and Sonny but they , at least, have the excuse of trying to get a child out the door and on time. Paul and Derrick have no such excuse. But, they cut them some slack because even when they don't have Ari, they too get distracted. They grin at each other as they see Derrick and Paul running across the park with Paul carrying a heavily loaded basket and Derrick carrying a huge blanket and yet another gift for Ari. At this rate they'll need to buy a storge building for all her toys.
"You guys are late and you are spoiling Ari!" This is a very true comment and one that cannot be denied.
As is the reply from Paul. "yeah..yeah..yeah..save it Horton, We have heard this many times. We all know it's going to happen so I don't know why you insist on saying it EVERY time."
"Because he enjoys saying it , that's why." Chuckles Sonny , as he pushes Ari "higher" like she has asked her Daddy Sonny to do.
Derrick just smiles at the back and forth that happens every time they get together. He is so happy that he is included in this. His life has been so much happier since he and Paul started dating. Having close friends like Will and Sonny are a blessing and he knows it.
"OK people stop arguing ! Will, come help me set this stuff up."
After he salutes Derrick and Derrick discreeetly flips him the bird, Will walks over and grabs the opposite end of the blanket, they hoist it up, then down, then up, much to the delight of 2 year old Ari. Then they lay it down and start unloading the basket as Sonny and Paul bring Ari over and set her down.
After they eat, Ari and let's face it, the boys as well, take light naps. Then they load up the basket and Will, Sonny and Ari head home, after hugs and kisses from a half asleep Ari for Paul and Derrick.
Waving goodbye the other three, Derrick and Paul head out of the park. They decide to stop in Horton Square and get coffee . Paul tells Derrick he'll get them and a grateful and tired Derrick, does not argue. He plunks down on a chair at one of the tables and closes his eyes.
Paul, coming back with the coffee and something extra, stops and watches Derrick for a while before he walks up to him, bends down and lightly kisses him on the lips. "Ahh Colin I told you I have a boyfriend." Derrick says. Startled Paul stands up and gives Derrick a look. Opening his eyes into a squint, Derrick says "Oh I 'm sorry, I thought you were Colin Farrell. That man is very persistant!"
Paul chuckles and asks "Colin Farrell huh? Wow you go big don't you?"
"Yes I do mister and I will have you know that I happen to be in love with THE Mr. Paul Norita so he had better back off because he is VERY muscular and very strong and jealous!"
Winking at Paul , Derrick spots his coffee, drags it over , then smiles at Paul, mouths the words "I so love you for this" , then takes a long drink, closing his eyes and sighing.
Paul amused , sits and watches Derrick enjoy his drug of choice, coffee with 2 almond creamers. Shaking his head Paul enjoys his coffee. Watching both Derrick and the people around him . Paul is thinking about what he was planning later tonight , when they get back to the apartment.
Walking into the apartment, Paul sets down the basket with the blanket on top next to the table in the he closes and locks the door. Derrick has dragged himself over to the couch and plopped down and is now laying face down. Paul, walking over to Derrick, slowly turns him over and picks him up. Carrying him into the bedroom. undressing Derrick, then tucking him in takes the rest of Paul's energy. What he wanted to do tonight will wait til tomorrow. Taking his own clothes off, he crawls under the blankets, pulls Derrick to him, wraps himself around the man and drifts off to sleep.
The next morning Paul is awoken by the sound of Derrick singing in the shower. The man CANNOT sing...he just SHOULD NOT . He knows this but still can't help but singing along to the radio.
Paul stretches and listens for a bit, then he gets up, walks to the pants he had on last night, grabs what he put in there yesterday when he went to get the coffees, then walks into the bathroom. There he sees Derrick, who is now dancing AND singing in the shower. He stops to admire his man, then opens up the door and gets in. Derrick, having heard the door slide open, turns without opening his eyes and begins to slide his soapy self all over Paul.
"Derrick, as much as I am enjoying this, and you KNOW that I am, I need to talk to you. So can we hurry this shower up so we can get some coffee from the kitchen and snuggle on the couch?"
Derrick is now looking at Paul through soap suds. He can tell that Paul is in a serious mood. So he nods, rinses then let's Paul use the bodywash. " I'll go get dressed and get the coffee started." He smiles at Paul, who smiles back, then heads out of the room.
Ten minutes later Paul walks into the kitchen , up to Derrick who is watching the coffee perk. He wraps his arms around him, kisses him on the neck and says "Smells good hun. Thanks for making the coffee." Derrick smiles and nods. Then pours two huge mugs and grabs the creamer. They both head into the livingroom where Derrick sets the mugs on the coffee table while Paul gets comfy on the couch with a blanket. Pauld lifts the blanket up and Derrick slides underneath and right up to Paul, under his arm. Sitting and siping their coffee, Derrick wonders what exactly Paul wants to talk about. Not worried really because they are in a good place in their relationship.
Paul leans forward and puts his coffee mug down on the table, then takes Derrick's from him. He slowly turns Derrick so they are facing each other. Paul takes Derrick's hand and looks into his eyes for a few minutes. Derrick is starting to fidget and says "Ok Paul what is wrong? Are your mom and grandfather ok?"
"Yes they are fine Derrick . Everyone is fine. I wanted to talk to you about something and quite frankly I am a little nervous. Actually more than a little so I am just going to say it...get it done quickly so, hopefully you can put me out of my misery, so to speak."
"Ok, what is it?"
"Derrick, you know I love you. I have tried to show you in every imaginable way. I asked you to move in with me and you are next week." They both smile because they are very excited about that. "So I was wondering, have been for quite a while actually, if...maybe..Will you marry me?" At that moment he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a silver ring and holds it up to Derrick. Derrick is sitting there, stunned. He did not expect this..he hoped for it, dreamed about it, but didn't think it would happen this soon. Looking straight into Paul's eyes, Derrick grabs the hand without the rings and says "Paul I would LOVE to marry you!"
Paul lets out a sigh of relief, places the ring on Derrick's ring finger and slowly and thoroughly kisses his finace'.
They pull apart 20 minutes later, a person does have to breathe. They just look at each other and huge smiles appear on both of their faces.
****The next day at Club TBD*
"Sonny, do you have any idea why Paul and Derrick want to meet us here? I mean we JUST had lunch with them yesterday."
Just when Sonny is about to answer, in walk Derrick and Paul, hand in hand and smiling.
They walk over to Sonny and Will, who themselves are sitting very close together, holding hands, and they stop and just grin like the goofballs they are. Will and Sonny turn towards each other. Will says. "Sonny if I am not mistaken you owe me 20 dollars...hand it over. " Will makes the gimme getsure.
"Hold on a second Will, we don't know if you're right about this or not. Let's wait and see."
They both turn back to Derrick and Paul. Sonny looks at Derricks right hand, sighs, reaches back, pulls out his wallet and gives his husband a 20 dollar bill. Will grins, snatches it from Sonny's hand, then stuffs it into his front pocket. He leans into Sonny, kisses his cheek and says "You should have learned by now not to bet against me."
Derrick and Paul, watching this exchange, look at each other then shake their heads. There will be NO living with Will and Sonny, now more than before. If people thought they were cocky before when they said they knew Derrick and Paul would get together. There will be no end to their cockiness about knowing about the engagement before it happened. What can a guy do but smile at his friends. So that is what Paul and Derridk did. They got hugs from Will and Sonny and thanked them again for pushing them together. Then they asked the most important questions. "Can we have Ari as a flower girl? Oh yeah, and if you two aren't doing anything can you maybe stand up for us?" Smirking at the last part, Paul and Derrick waitied for their answer.
Will and Sonny looked at each other then Paul and Derrick. Smiled and said "Of course! Congratulations guys. I think you should find out from T when he and Sarah are getting married because the Horton-Kiriakis family are in high demand for weddings, so you need to work it out with them. Since they asked us first..." Sonny left off there. Derrick and Paul nodded. They remembered hearing that. They were ok with waiting til after T and Sarah got married. They had a lot of plans to make so it would be a while.
"Thanks guys, this means the world to us."
They all smiled then sat down. Derrick and Paul needed to pick their brains about how to plan a wedding. They were clueless.
The End...for now.