Ted and Blake arrived at the Novotny-Bruckner residence at about 6:30pm as scheduled, Blake with a box of freshly made cookies in his hand.
Upon knocking on the door, they were greeted by Ben, who looked as if he'd been cooking for ages. Tiny beats of sweat had collected on his forehead and the skin on his hands had been discoloured by whatever culinary creations he was busy whipping up.
"Hey!" He addressed them warmly.
"Hi!" Ted and Blake's voices were nearly in unison.
"Come in, come in. Sorry, I'm a mess" he said, lifting his hands in the air as he headed to the sink to wash them.
"Been cooking up a storm I see" Blake said, stepping into the apartment alongside Ted.
"I have, I have" Ben said with a smile.
"This is for you – well, you and Michael" Ted said, pointing to the box in Blake's left hand.
"We made cookies." Blake said, lifting the box in the air. "Chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin - wasn't sure which you'd prefer."
"You guys made these?" Ben asked with a smile as he took the box from Blake's hand.
"Ted made them really. I…supervised", Blake told him.
"Well, Michael's going to be happy. He's got quite a sweet tooth" Ben told them. "Have a seat. So, since you two don't drink – what can I get you – I've got water, some kind of juice, I think. Um…milk, coffee, tea, soda…?"
"Water's fine for me" Blake replied.
"And me" Ted quickly followed.
'Water it is" Ben said, as he headed to the kitchen to fulfill their request
"Where is Michael?" Ted called out to the kitchen.
"He's picking up Jenny-Rebecca. The girls asked us to take her for the weekend. Bit of a last minute thing. I hope that's alright. He should be home in ten or fifteen minutes." Ben handed them each their drinks and took a seat alongside them at the table.
"Now I understand the highchair" Blake said, gesturing towards the tall plastic apparatus sitting beside the table. "It'll be great to meet her."
"Oh, that's right! You've never met her", Ben exclaimed. "Well, I hope you don't mind fussy two year olds."
"Not at all" Blake said earnestly.
"Oh and Deb's going to be joining us too. That was also a last minute thing, but once she heard about Jenny-Rebecca, there was no stopping her."
"I can imagine" Ted said with a laugh.
"So, how are you two?" Ben asked.
Ted and Blake looked at each other, then back at Ben. "Good, good. I think we're both happy to get out of our apartment for a while" Ted said, placing a supportive hand on Blake's knee under the table.
Blake smiled just slightly at his partner's hidden gesture of support. "Your place is looking amazing."
It wasn't exactly his taste, but it was beautiful. The colour palate was orangey and sandy, seemingly Spanish inspired. There were unique pieces of art adorning nearly every wall, no doubt collected by Ben over his many years of travels, and a few of Michael's comic books had worked their way on to the two large shelving units in the living room. The place felt eclectic, like a sophisticated yet lively mix of the two men who called it home.
"It's a work in progress" Ben said modestly. "We've still a bit of painting to do the bathroom and some furniture to move, but we're getting there."
"Oh, I've been meaning to ask you - how's the new rehab program coming along? You gave the presentation and everything?"
"Yep. Yep. That's all done", Blake said. "I have no idea how it went, really, but we'll see."
"Any idea when you'll hear back?" Ben asked.
"Probably not until this coming Friday, but I wouldn't be surprised if they take longer", Blake replied.
"Well, I think it's a very admirable thing you're doing", Ben said sincerely.
"Thanks" Blake said with a genuine, slightly bashful closed-mouthed smile. "What about you? How are your classes going? Any more books on the go?"
"Classes are going well. We're heading into exams, so the tension's building." A mock scared expression came across Ben's face. "As for books, nothing's in the works right now, but soon, hopefully."
"What about you, Ted?" Ben asked. "How are things at Kinnetik?"
"Good, good. It's….busy. We're getting new accounts every week, so Brian's happy" Ted replied.
"And you are too, I hope?" Ben asked.
"Sure. Yeah, of course. If Brian's happy, it makes my life easier" Ted laughed.
"Well, sounds like you're both going to need a vacation soon" Ben added.
"That's what this is" Blake joked, though a large part of him was serious. He was enjoying being out of their usual space. He loved Ted's apartment and he loved living there, but sometimes he felt he needed to escape it. Its walls were filled with memories both good and bad, and after last night, the bad ones were becoming more and more difficult to forget.
"Hardly" Ben furrowed his brow. "I mean a real vacation. You know - sandy beaches, sunshine, relaxation…"
Suddenly the gang were interrupted by a thundering knock at the door - the sort of knock that could only come from one person.
"Oh, that must be Debbie" Ben said, getting up from the table.
"Sure sounds like it" Ted quipped.
Ted and Blake looked at each other and braced themselves for the hurricane of energy that was about to enter the once zen apartment.
"Right on time! Come in, come in." Ben said, opening the door and outstretching his arms.
Debbie hugged him tight. "Hi honey!" It was clear she'd just finished a shift at the diner. He red wig was firmly in place, her torso was covered in a hilariously vulgar t-shirt, and her badge-covered vest completed the ensemble.
Soon, she spotted Ted out the corner of her eye. "Teddy!"
"Hi Deb" Ted said, getting up to greet her. He gave her a big hug and headed back to the table to keep the entryway clear.
"And you! Hi, sweetie" she said, putting her right hand on Blake's cheek. "Right, now turn around. I never forget a butt."
"You've seen him and his butt dozens of times", Ted bellowed from the dinner table.
"Yeah, but now that Sunshine's in New York, I miss that bubble butt", she admitted. "And honey, you got one!"
Ted smirked and rolled his eyes, laughing loud enough for Debbie to hear.
"Oh c'mon, it's not like you don't know what I'm talking about", she yelled to Ted across the room.
"Right. Now why don't you let him and his bubble butt take a seat" Ted playfully shot back as his face broke into a coy smile. He did know exactly what Debbie was talking about.
"It's okay. I'll gladly take the compliment" Blake interjected, laughing as his face turned slightly red. "And I'll take this" he said, taking a small box from her hand and bringing it to Ben in the kitchen.
Debbie had taken a real liking to the young blond over the past year. She still knew very little about the details of his past, but she always remembered the way he had stepped in to help her brother, providing the funds to bail him out of jail when it looked like all hope was lost. In her eyes, that in itself was enough of a reason to adore him. And his Sunshine-like bubble butt and cheery smile didn't hurt one bit.
Ben took Debbie's box from Blake hands. "Oh, let me guess… lemon bars?", he called out from the kitchen.
"Christ! Look at you! Would you sit down?" Debbie yelped, seeing the bit of sweat that had collected on Ben's brow.
"I will" Ben said with a laugh. "Just putting on the finishing touches."
"So, where are my babies?" Debbie asked, peering around the apartment as if they might simply be hiding behind the bookshelf or the television set.
"They'll be home any minute. Can I get you anything to drink?" Ben asked.
"You know me honey - wine – any colour", Debbie replied.
Ben fetched her request as she took a seat at the table across from Ted and Blake. "So, how are you two lovebirds? Gettin' hitched any time soon?", she asked, with her characteristic bluntness.
The two men lowered their heads and smiled. "You're the second person to ask me that today!" Ted told her, chuckling as he remembered Mable and her incessant prodding earlier that morning.
"I'm not surprised" Debbie said matter-of-factly. "You two should jump on the bandwagon! Join the happily married homos - Mel and Linds, my baby and the master chef here, Brian and Justin – well, almost…"
"I promise you, when we do, you'll have a front row seat." Ted said, touching Debbie's hand from across the table.
At that moment, a key slid in the lock and everyone snapped their heads toward the door. "Oh, there they are!" Ben declared with equal parts relief and excitement.
"Hi baby!" Debbie exclaimed, rising to her fear as her son and granddaughter entered the apartment.
She immediately focused every ounce of her attention on little Jenny-Rebecca.
"Hi to you too, ma" Michael quipped, rolling his eyes and smiling as his mother proceeded to ignore him.
Within an instant Debbie had Jenny-Rebecca in her arms. "Look at you", she cooed in high pitched voice as Jenny to grinned from ear to ear.
By this time, everyone had encircled the youngster. Ben kissed her on the top of the head. "Jenny, you remember grandma and Teddy. And this is Blake. Can you say 'Hi Blake'?"
"Hi…Bwake" Jenny -Rebecca said, pausing as she struggled to pronounce the unfamiliar name.
"It's Blake, sweetie" Michael corrected. "Bllllake", but his daughter simply looked puzzled.
"It's okay. 'Bwake' is good. We'll stick with Bwake" the blond interjected we a laugh. He was quick to notice the young girl's jet black hair, full lips, and dark eyes. A virtual Michael clone. "She looks just like you" he added.
"Yeah, here's hoping that's a good thing" Michael said sheepishly.
"It's a very good thing" Ben assured him, kissing the side of his head.
Just then the oven timer began to beep. Ben headed to the kitchen and gave the official call: "Okay, dinner's ready everyone. Have a seat."
"Yes, Bwake…C'mon, let's have a seat" Ted teased, taking his partner's hand. Blake smirked at him, the corner of the right side of his mouth turning just slightly upward. He followed Ted and took a seat to his left.
Minutes later, Ben served the meal, placing everything in centre of the table while Michael put Jenny-Rebecca in her high chair, situated between him and his mother.
"Sorry, it's nothing to fancy, but Michael warned me not to go too crazy" Ben told the gang. "So, we've got pineapple stuffed chicken breast, mushroom risotto and steamed rapini with a garlic and lemon sauce."
"Christ!" Debbie exclaimed.
"Ma!" Michael yelped, gesturing toward the two year old seated between them.
"Sorry, honey" she said, covering Jenny-Rebecca's ears. "Steamed what did you say?"
"Rapini" Ben repeated. "It's a vegetable - sort of like a mix between broccoli and spinach."
"Wow!" Blake exclaimed, looking at the plates full of food in wonderment.
"And that's toned down" Michael joked.
"Okay, dig in everyone." Ben said, gesturing toward the heaps of food.
"Looks amazing" Ted said as he lifted a chicken breast onto his plate.
"Thanks" Ben said with an appreciative smile.
Everyone dove in and exchanged various expressions of deliciousness. "Mmm's and Ohh's filled the room to the point that it was beginning to sound like the backroom at Babylon.
By the time they had all finished eating, Jenny-Rebecca was getting restless in her high chair. "What is it, sweetie?" Michael asked his daughter.
"She pointed to the television in the distance. "Street! Street!"
"Street?" Ted asked, looking at Michael and Ben with a confused expression.
"She means Sesame Street", Ben told him. "It's her favourite."
Michael looked down at his daughter's tiny plastic plate. To his surprise, it was nearly empty. "Okay", he said. "Since you ate your food like a good girl."
Michael lifted her from the highchair. "Excuse me for a minute."
A few seconds later he called out to Ben. "Ben, where'd you put the baby bag?"
"In our bedroom" Ben said.
"Got it!" Michael called back. He proceeded to put on a Sesame Street DVD and placed his daughter on the sofa. Soon, he returned to the table and the conversation continued. The gang talked about everything from Hunter, who was away at college, to Michael's comic store, to Babylon, to Kinnetik.
But Blake had grown silent as time went on - a fact which hadn't been lost on his ever-watchful partner. Although he was well into his adult years, these sorts of dinners were still new to Blake – everyone sitting around a table, laughing and chatting, appreciating a great meal as well as each other. There was a tranquility about it, despite the many clamouring voices travelling back and forth across the table. It felt warm. There was no anger or hostility, no rushing around or scarfing down forkfuls of food. Just togetherness. The stark contrast between this family and his own was nearly as disheartening as it was comforting. But there was one similarity between this family and his that had immediately captured his attention.
When a suitable break in the conversation presented itself, Blake finally chimed in. "I don't mean to be rude, but would you all mind if I- "
"Oh, the bathroom's down the hall on the right" Ben said, thinking he was answering Blake's question.
"Oh, no. I know", Blake said. "I mean, do you mind if I…have a seat on the sofa."
Ted leaned over and whispered in Blake's ear. "If you're tired, we don't have to stay."
"It's okay" Blake whispered back, turning instead toward Michael's daughter and the television set. For a moment, everyone at the table looked puzzled, until they realized just what it was that Blake had been trying to ask. This wasn't about a bathroom break, or the comfy sofa, or the allure of Sesame Street, this was about the little girl named Jenny-Rebecca.
"Oh…" Michael said, slightly shocked. "Sure!"
"Be our guest", Ben added. "As long as you don't mind Sesame Street."
"Sesame Street's fine by me." Blake said, as he got up to join Jenny-Rebecca on the sofa, quietly taking a seat to the little girl's left.
Ben and Michael looked at each other simultaneously and shrugged their shoulders. They had no idea what prompted Blake's sudden interest in the young toddler, but they were happy to have an extra pair of eyes looking out for her while the rest of them chatted.
Ted remained at the table as the conversation once again picked up, but his gaze grew increasingly fixed on his partner and the little girl sitting by his side. He had known Blake for over six years, on and off of course, but never once had he seen him interact with a child. There was something serene about it. It was as if, in that moment, Blake was exactly where he was supposed to be. He was at home.
Ted continued to gaze at the two periodically, while doing his best to remain engaged in the conversation at the table.
"Oh, I almost forgot…the desserts!" Ben said suddenly, hurrying over to the kitchen to collect the two boxes he'd been given. He placed them both at the centre of the table and opened them. "Okay, so, on the left are Debbie's famous lemon bars and on the right are Ted and Blake's homemade cookies. Chocolate chip and…"
"Oatmeal raisin" Ted told the gang.
Michael's eyes widened and he quickly grabbed two cookies, one of each kind, along with one of his mother's signature lemon bars.
"See? What'd I tell you" Ben laughed, gesturing towards his partner. "He and his sweet tooth are in heaven."
Michael smirked back, his mouth full of cookie.
Ben steered clear of the sweet treats, remaining his typical health conscious self, but Debbie couldn't resist anything with chocolate.
"Wow! These are good" Debbie said as she chewed a bite of the chocolate chip creation. "What's your secret?"
"Blake says it's all about the baking soda and baking powder combo. That's right, right?" Ted said, turning to his partner who was still seated on the sofa.
"Yup." Blake confirmed, turning from the television to face them. "Most recipes only call for one or the other, but I've found that both works best."
Suddenly little Jenny Rebecca turned too and outstretched her arm toward the dinner table. "Daddy! Cookie!" she called out.
"Okay, but what do you say?" Michael asked her.
"Pweease!" his daughter pleaded.
Michael gave his remaining uneaten cookie to his daughter. Then he realised Blake hadn't been offered one of his own delicious creations. "Sorry, Blake did you want one?"
Blake paused for a moment. "I wasn't going to, but I guess I'll give in."
Michael grabbed the box of cookies from the table and brought it to him, but just as Blake reached in to grab one, Jenny-Rebecca stuck her hand in too. "Ah, ah!" Michael corrected. "You already had one, sweetie. That's enough for you. Blake hasn't had any yet."
Disappointed, the little girl slumped back in her seat while Blake grabbed himself a cookie. Michael smirked a bit at his daughter's grumpy expression as he headed back to the table.
Very quickly, Blake took notice of the little girl's disappointment. He couldn't very well enjoy his cookie while she sat there empty-handed. So, when no one was looking, he tore it in half and handed her one of the two pieces. "Shhh…" he whispered, putting his finger to his lips. The little girl's eyes lit up and she smiled broadly. She took the cookie from Blake's hand and gobbled it up as quickly and as quietly as possible.
Back at the dinner table, the conversation continued to roar. Michael busied himself eating yet another cookie as he and Ted ranted and rambled about Brian's latest antics, while Ben and Debbie discussed Justin's latest accomplishments at a recent art show in New York.
Moments later tough, the conversation was once again halted, this time by a boisterous laugh coming from Jenny-Rebecca's mouth. No one knew what exactly had made the little girl laugh so hard, but Ted was quick to notice a broad smile gleaming across his partner's face. It was the sort of smile he'd been longing to see earlier that morning.
"Aw, would you listen to that?" Debbie said, closing her eyes to the sound of her granddaughter's laughter. "That right there is the best sound in the whole world. No ifs, ands, or bubble butts about it."
"Seriously, I don't think I've ever heard her laugh like that", Michael agreed. "And she's seen that DVD like…twenty times."
"You're a real natural with her", Ben added, with a somewhat shocked expression.
"Oh…thanks." Blake smiled, a little caught of guard as he looked back at them from the sofa. I was the oldest of seven, so I guess I ought to be."
"Your poor mother!" Debbie had an almost horrified expression on her face. "I only had one and it nearly killed me."
"Thanks, ma." Michael shot a playful, disapproving glance at his mother.
"Sweetheart, you know I love you", she assured him.
"Seven. Wow!" Ben exclaimed.
"Yeah." Blake smiled awkwardly and cleared his throat, unsure of how much he should reveal. "Actually…when I lived at home, my youngest sister about her age", he told them. "Oh and my oldest sister was named Jenny. Just Jenny though – no Rebecca."
"I had no idea" Ben admitted. "That must have been quite a lively household."
"Never a dull moment" Blake declared.
"I can't even imagine" Michael said in disbelief.
"You're not alone", Blake assured him. "Most people can't."
Ted looked on, somewhat shocked that his partner had chosen to reveal anything about his family.
But the blond was quick to change the subject before they could dig any deeper into past. "I hate to tell you, but this little one's falling asleep." Jenny-Rebecca's head was now resting against his arm. Her eyes were barely open as she stared at the television.
Ben looked at his watch. "Ah, almost nine. She should be getting to bed now anyway."
"We should probably get out of your hair too" Ted said, as he began helping Debbie clear the table.
Ben lifted Jenny-Rebecca from the couch and took her to the door, where the guests were beginning to gather.
Ted and Blake each gave Michael and Debbie a hug, then they focused their attention on the chef of the evening.
"Thank you for dinner" Ted said, placing a hand on Ben's shoulder.
"It was fantastic. More than fantastic, really" Blake said earnestly.
"Only next time, tone it down a bit would ya?" Ted added jokingly.
"Will do." Ben smiled and laughed. "You two are welcome any time."
Ted waved shyly to Jenny-Rebecca who was still hoisted in Ben's arms and turned towards the door.
But Blake wasn't about to forget the little girl with whom he'd shared his cookie. He took her tiny hand in his own and whispered, "Bye, sweetheart."
She was half asleep against Ben's chest, but she offered him a sweet, softly-spoken farewell. "Bye, Bwake."