Happy Holidays to everyone. Thanks for all the reviews.

No Place Like Home

Sean stood at the back door watching his father at the grill. He looked the same as he had every time Sean had seen him in the past few years. Dark brown hair faded and tinged with gray, laugh lines now permanent creases but shoulders still broad and straight. Frank Jackson might be getting older but time couldn't make him any less proud and dignified. Sean had a good relationship with his father; they had gone on camping trips and played ball in the yard. Sure when Sean was a teen he had rebelled but never enough to truly strain they relationship. Now for the first time in his life Sean was truly afraid to see Frank Jackson. Steeling his nerves he opened the door and stepped out on to the back deck. His dad looked over at him and put down the brush he was using to add BBQ sauce to the sizzling steaks. He closed the lid and turned around to face Sean. Sean swallowed thickly.

"Hey dad."

"Sean" his dad said nodding.

He took a step closer shutting the door behind him and shoving his hands into his jeans.

"Sean, do you love football?"

Sean was surprised by the question; it hadn't been what he was expecting at all. Slowly he nodded because he really did love the sport.

"Do you love your mom and me?"

Again not the question he was expecting. Was his father going to tell him that if he loves the sport and them he couldn't be gay? Still he nodded, words failing him.

"Then as far as I can see you're the same boy you've always been, Sean."

"Dad?" Sean said softly, not fully understanding.

"We love you, Sean. That doesn't depend on who you love. I'm only sorry that you thought you had to hide it for so long."

Sean felt a crushing wave of love for his parents and he wrapped his arms around his dad in a fierce hug. Emotion threatened to overwhelm him and he hid his face in his dad's neck for a moment before stepping back.

"Now go grab a plate for these, will you and tell your mom she can stop hiding inside with that man of yours."

Sean laughed and made his way back inside. He took a moment to breathe and come to terms with the easy acceptance of his parents. He had built up years of worries about this moment and it was cathartic to finally have it over.

"Mom! Dad says to stop hiding Holden." He called into the house.

From upstairs he heard his mom laugh and he hoped she wasn't overwhelming Holden as only moms could do. He went back outside and handed his dad the plate along with a beer. He took a swig of his own beer as his dad started piling the steaks onto the plate. He was just turning the grill off when Holden appeared with Sean's mom right behind him. Holden was slightly hesitant so Sean smiled warmly and held his arm out for him. Like at the airport Holden moved easily into his embrace. Sean pressed a quick kiss to his cheek before turning to his father.

"Dad this is my boyfriend Holden. Holden, my dad Frank." Sean watched as the two most important men in his life shook hands, even if Holden had rolled his eyes at the term boyfriend.

"Well I'm sure we'll have lots to talk about but that can be done over dinner."

The four of them headed inside where his mom had the table set up. Sean grabbed another beer from the fridge for Holden before sitting down across from him. As soon as everyone's plates were filled the questions started.

"How long have you two been seeing each other?" Sean's mom asked.

This was the question that Sean was dreading the most; the one that would show just how long he'd been lying to her. Keeping something so important from her for so long was bound to hurt.

"About three years now." Sean answered quietly.

"Oh" his mom said eyes sad.

Sean reached out and squeezed her hand.

"I'm really sorry that I didn't tell you. That I didn't allow myself to trust you."

"It's ok, Sean. I guess that explains why you never would go out with those nice ladies I introduced you to." She answered with forced lightness.

Sean felt her sadness like a knife in his heart and he squeezed tighter trying to convey just how much he regretted it.

"Alright LeighAnn, the boy's sorry let's not waste more time regretting the past." Frank Jackson said firmly. "Holden, I understand you work in real estate?"

"Yes, sir. I acquire properties for clients. My company goes out and finds the properties that suit the client and bring the options back. We then aid in finalizing the transaction. We deal with a higher clientele than the average agency and aren't limited to the one area, we work worldwide."

"I guess that means a lot of travel." LeighAnn commented.

"A fair bit but as I am one of the senior agents I have a bit of freedom in choosing which cases to work on."

"Have you ever worked with celebrities?" she continued her tone taking on the slightly whispered awe of gossip.

Sean chewed his steak as he watched Holden laugh before answering. The other man's face lit up when he talked about work, about the different houses and styles and finding the right fir for the client.

"There was this one athlete I had to find a place for a few years ago. Some hotshot who did everything through his manager. This included demands for a beach front condo three of which were turned down because they didn't feel right. Of course I didn't know who this athlete was so finding a match was hard. In fact I only ever discovered this athlete's identity by accident a year later."

Sean's mom was leaning towards Holden her steak all but forgotten. Even his dad was riveted by the tale only Sean wasn't dying to know who the mysterious athlete was.

"How'd you find out?" Sean's dad asked.

"Who was it?" Sean's mom asked at the same time.

Sean had the uncomfortable idea that he knew the answer to both questions.

"Well this publicist often used my company and a year later I was at her office and ran into this athlete. He asked me out and we've been dating ever since." Holden finished with a flourish turning to smile at Sean.

His parents burst into a fit of laughter and Sean just mock scowled at Holden.

"Traitor." He grumbled.

"It's not my fault you make for an interesting story." Holden answered cheekily.

"Glad to see you've gotten over your nerves at meeting my folks."

Holden just flashed him a charming smile; the one that had ladies pulling out their cheque books to purchase whatever house Holden was offering. Sean might not be one of those women but he wasn't immune to its charm and he found himself smiling back. After all he'd rather be the butt of a joke or two than have Holden feel uncomfortable and out of place.

That evening after saying goodnight to the elder Jacksons Sean and Holden were lying in bed talking softly.

"How was the talk with your dad?" Holden asked lifting his head off Sean's chest slightly.

"It was terrifying at first but he said I was the same person still and they loved me."

"Your parents are amazing, Sean. So open-hearted and accepting. It's a shame more people aren't like them."

"By more people do you mean your parents?"

"No, well... maybe, I mean I've accepted that the Wilsons are not accepting people."

"It's their loss, Holden. They are missing out on knowing an incredible, brave and intelligent man."

"I guess..."

Holden trailed off and Sean could tell he was thinking of the past, of damages done before they'd even met.

Holden barely spoke all dinner, not that Wilson family dinners were usually boisterous affairs. He had gotten home that afternoon; home from college for Thanksgiving weekend. He pushed at the food on his plate as he thought of his self-imposed deadline.

"Holden, are you alright honey?" his mom asked, fork paused mid-air.

Now was his chance, his sister and the other relatives would be arriving tomorrow and he wanted – needed – to do this before then. Taking a deep breath he put his fork down. He had known he was gay since his sophomore year at high school but kept it a secret. It wasn't until he was away at college that he had felt comfortable being who he was. Holden had started seeing someone this year and it was this relationship that had prompted him to set this deadline for telling for telling his parents. When his mom asked if he was seeing anyone he wanted to be able to say yes and tell her all about Nathan instead of lying.

"I'm ok, but there's something I need to tell you and dad."

"Have you gotten a girl pregnant, Holden?" his father asked sternly.

"No, it's got nothing to do with a girl."

"What is it Holden? You're making me anxious," his mom said reaching for her drink.

"It's something I probably should've told you sooner but I was scared so I didn't. Mom, dad, I'm gay."

His announcement was met with silence and for a moment Holden thought that they hadn't heard him but then the hysterics began. His mom burst into tears and Holden immediately reached forward to comfort her but she jerked away from his touch and picked up her drink. She drained her martini in one long swallow and threw the empty glass across the room. Holden flinched as it broke against the wall.

"Meredith, calm down." Holden's father spoke with disdain but it only increased the hysterics. "Holden, go to your room."

Holden nodded meekly and went upstairs closing his door and sitting on his bed. Even with the door closed he could hear the fight that was starting. His mom's hysterical shrieks as she blamed all this on her husband. Holden noticed that she couldn't bring herself to say the word 'gay' and instead kept insisting that he was sick. There was silence and Holden thought that maybe that was worse than the screaming. He was staring at his hands when he heard the footsteps; heavy but sure. His dad was coming up; he stood but stayed by his bed. When the door opened he noticed that his dad was wearing his jacket and for a moment he feared his mom had suffered a heart attack. She hadn't she was at the bottom of the stairs a fresh martini in hand.

"Get your bag."

Three words spoken in a command and then he was out of the room again. Nothing was quite registering with him and he grabbed his duffel bag in a haze. He hadn't even unpacked yet. His parents were at the bottom of the stairs speaking quietly and he stopped in front of them.

"Go to the car."

Another order just as cold as the first. Holden turned to his mom trying to find some compassion, some love in her expression but she was blank.

"Mom..." he please moving closer.

The slap came out of nowhere, Holden hadn't even registered that she had moved her hand before it came across his face. He stumbled back raising a hand to his now stinging cheek.

"Get out of my house."

Her words were icy cold as they washed over him; no trace of love. He turned and headed to the car and it wasn't long before his dad joined him. The ride back to his dorm was silent. No music, no conversation, certainly nothing to be thankful for. His dad didn't even bother to turn the car off just stopped and waited. Holden climbed out of the car and before he could even say goodbye his dad was gone. That was the last he had spoken to either of his parents the only other communication being a note suggesting he stay at school for Christmas. When Holden graduated the following year he convinced himself that he didn't care that his family wasn't there and moved out West.

"Hey, still with me babe?" Sean said softly.

"Yeah, sorry just memories." Holden answered.

"I know it's not the same but you have a family now. You've got yourself a mom whether you want it or not. I think she might even like you more than me."

Holden smiled before leaning up to kiss Sean softly. Sean was right he did have a family now and tonight it felt like he had finally come home.