Robert's Pride

Sophomore Year - New Year's Eve

Robert squeezed his husband's hand when the venue came in sight. Peter sighed, probably from a mix of emotions. Not the least of which was trepidation.

He took one last look at himself before exiting the car. He used a light concealer to cover up the wrinkles forming around his eyes and mouth. There was nothing to be done about his hair, he was bald and he made peace with that a long time ago.

Robert breathlessly exited the passenger side of the car. There were even decorations at the valet booth. Rhonda really went all-out for the event.

Peter handed the car keys to the valet. He looked amazing in his suit. It wasn't exactly a designer label, but he made Robert look dumpy by comparison. He had been doing that since they met. Fourteen years later, Robert was still 'most-likely to get caught wearing stretch pants'.

"Did you really have to show me up?"

Peter straightened Robert's bow tie. "Please. You look great, Robbie." Peter kissed him. He was still getting used to that much PDA. Peter always told him it was their right as two people in love, but Robert had never come to feel comfortable with it.

"Do you have your remarks?" Peter asked.

Robert's fingers slid over the cards in his pocket. "Right here."

"Are you ready?"

Robert smiled. "No."

"Perfect." Peter's disarming wit never failed to lift Robert's spirits. "Let's have a nice dinner out."

The dinner was lovely and Robert's speech was fine. He didn't 'wow' the audience like Miles or Stella. And he managed to only made one use of his favorite word.

After dinner, at the party he got to see his kids.

"Mr. Simmons?" Phoebe asked. "Oh! It is you." Her voice could not have been more cheerful. She pulled him into a great big hug.

"Hey Mr. S!" Gerald said, shaking Robert's hand. Gerald was exactly the same only taller. There was something reassuring about that.

"Hi Mister Simmons!" Harold waved from the refreshment table. Robert gave him a wave and a smile.

"Robert! Darling! So glad you could make it!" Rhonda's use of Robert's first name was unsettling.

"I'm ever so happy to see you again, Mr. Simmons." Lila batted her lovely eyelashes at him. That always made his heart melt.

"Simmons... Simmons... Doesn't ring a bell. Nothing's flooding into my brain. That name sure isn't special to me," she said with a smirk. Helga, sardonic as always. "Why, I should make a documentary regarding this mystery!"

"Howdy, Mr. Simmons!" Stinky had great big hands.

"What-ho, old bean!" Curly twirled a cane and removed his top hat. He hadn't lost that whimsy that made him so... unique.

"Simmons! Boy howdy, it's been a long time since sixth grade." But it felt like only yesterday that he had to encourage Sid to face his fears.

"Hello Mr. Simmons. It's nice to see you again," Sheena said. She had so many questions about teaching.

"Hey Mr. Simmons." Arnold, his lone rock in the storm. In all that time, he hadn't lost his reassuring voice.

"I think I might have left one of my beetle collections in my desk. Did you find it?" Robert suspected there was more to Nadine than she was letting on. Though she still had that one-track mind.

"Hi-ya Mr. Simmons!" Eugene was that boy who reminded Robert of himself when he was that age. But he had become something very unlike himself. Change is usually for the better.

They were so different, he couldn't put it into words. For the first time in a long time he felt like a lion. His heart swelled. They were all so grown up. They were all so special.