Lunch had gone well. They had decided that since the sun was shining down they would eat in the back garden. Tom was pleased to see that Danny had pushed himself and made an effort to join in the conversations his family made. He'd been shy at the start, just pushing his food around his plate and staring at it and not talking. But once Tom had encouraged him and gently pushed him into the conversations he was fine. Tom stood from the table and collected the plates. He only had to glance at his Mum and she too stood and grabbed the other dishes and followed Tom inside. They didn't say anything until they had gone into the living room and sat down.
"Danny seems like a nice guy," Debbie said. "He's getting along well with us...Especially Carrie,"
"Yeah," Tom nodded.
"So, who else knows about Danny?" Debbie asked.
"Harry and Dougie," Tom replied. "But Dougie doesn't like Danny,"
"I'm sure he just needs time to warm up to the idea of you having Danny around, after all you two are pretty close," Debbie pointed out. Tom just nodded. "What's wrong Tom?"
"I'm scared," Tom admitted.
"Of what, honey?" Debbie asked.
"I don't know...I just feel scared...Maybe it's because I'm seeing Danny so relaxed around other people and I just don't want to see something happen and he goes back to stage one, where he's terrified of others...Of me..." Tom feared.
"That won't happen," Debbie said. "And you said that Danny had been abused?"
"Yes," Tom mumbled.
"You remember my friend Liz, right? The counsellor...I'll give you her number and maybe you could talk to Danny and get him to make an appointment," Debbie said.
"Thanks Mum," Tom smiled. "Oh...Umm...How am I supposed to tell Dad and Carrie that Danny and I are together?"
"That's up to you Tom," Debbie said as she stood up.
"But Mum..." Tom was cut off.
"I know you think they may react differently to how I did, and they might, I don't know...But I know they love you, so you shouldn't worry," Debbie said and then she walked away. Tom sat for a little longer. He wondered about how he would actually tell his Dad and sister. He also wondered how Danny would react. After a while he stood up, telling himself it was better done sooner rather than later. He walked out of the living room, down the hallway and to the back door. He stopped and looked out into the sunshine. He let a smile grow on his lips as he watched the scene in front of him. Danny and Carrie were sitting on the grass, their legs crossed, and smiles on their faces as they talked and laughed. Tom felt his heart swell at the wonderful sight. He looked over to his parents who were sitting at the table. They were talking quietly to each other, occasionally looking over to Danny and Carrie. Tom walked over to his parents, knelt down beside his Dad.
"Dad...I need to tell you something..." Tom said. "But before I do...I'm sorry if I upset you in anyway..."
"What do you mean?" Bob asked.
"Dad...I'm...Me and..." Tom stopped, rubbed his hand over his face a groaned. "Ahh, shit! Ok...Dad...MeandDannyaredating-"
"You are?" Bob said.
"You understood that?" Tom asked.
"Yeah, I did," Bob laughed.
"I'm sorry," Tom sighed.
"Why?" Bob asked, putting his hand on Tom's shoulder. "Because you're dating another man?"
"I guess so...I just don't want you to be disappointed..." Tom whispered.
"Son, I could never be disappointed by you...Never," Bob said.
"Thanks Dad," Tom smiled. He stood up and gave his Dad a hug before walking over to Danny and Carrie. He sat down and noted Carrie had a massive grin on her face.
"I know," Carrie smiled.
"You know what?" Tom asked hesitantly.
"About you two," Carrie grinned. "It's so sweet!"
"Right!" Tom smiled back. Then he turned to Danny. "And it seems like your fitting in well,"
"Yeah...Yeah, I really like your family..." Danny said. Then the smile on his face was gone. "Except...I...I think I like Carrie more than you, Tom,"
Tom's face went blank. The colour began to drain from his face. His whole body felt like it was about to shut down. Danny face was blank as well, no expression what so ever. Tom felt those blue eyes stare right through him.
"Oh God!" Carrie began to laugh hysterically. "Tom! Oh Tom! Your face! It's bloody priceless!"
"He doesn't know what to say," Danny laughed. Still laughing Danny leant over and gave Tom a nudge. "It's a joke..."
"I don't even know what to say..." Tom said. Then he began to laugh because it was a funny, after the initial shock. But he also laughed because Danny was laughing, and the happiness that was inside of him came bursting through. This was how he wanted to see Danny every single day, happy, smiling and laughing.
Just a little update to keep you all going for a little while until I can get some more written. So busy! I feel like I'm gonna explode! I just want to sit down and write this story! I feel so bad that I keep leaving you all without updates. =( But I hope you enjoy this little bit. xxxxxxxxxxxx