AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Oops! Day late. In my defense, I did have to work yesterday when I was supposed to have it off.
Happy New Year!
A little birdy tells me that we may get another chapter of Errors & Omissions very soon, possibly even later today! Keep an eye out!
James' story is nearly done. An original about Tony and Dane is also nearly done. And if anyone would be interested in Milan and his fellow hunky waiters as they encounter a pair of thirsty zombies, that short is finished and available now on Amazon ~dot~ com. Search for Spunk Craving Zombies, or for me, John T. Liz has also included a link on her blog.
Huge New Year hug to my brilliant little twin sister.
Big hugs as always to my girls, Maureen, Rebecca, Kate and Miss Pauline. I hope the holiday were good to all of you.
The FF witch hunt appears to be over. I will continue to post here and move to AO3 as and when I have to. When/if I am forced to complete the relocation you can find me at - archiveofourown ~dot~ org. Then just do a search for Jtrue.
Anyone who has not read the incredible Equal & Opposite, or is not now reading the brilliance that is Errors & Omissions, or Enticements & Obstructions, all by OhJasperMyJasper, should go do so right now. Here is how you find them since the FF witch hunt removed Liz from this site - ohjaspermyjasper ~dot~ blogspot ~dot~ com.
WARNING:
This story is intended for an adult audience! There is crude speech, hate speech and adult sexual subject matter of a homosexual nature. If you are under 18 stop reading now!
AU/AH/OC
All character names from Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer. The similarities end there.
Chapter 53: Freedom
Nasir rose and stood for the count again, as was required every morning. He wasn't a person who liked to sleep in like Seth, but this five thirty in the morning thing was getting old fast. He made Wudu with the other Muslims and prayed the pre dawn Fajr. Then the highlight of his day was without doubt, choking down the lumpy, cardboard flavored oatmeal they were all served for breakfast.
After breakfast, Nasir noticed that Uday did not head into the showers, but rather toward the phone room. He had calls to make evidently and Nasir thought that was a good idea. He was certainly not going to venture into the showers alone. Nasir made his way to the phone room as well, took a seat at one of the phones and paused to consider. It was still terribly early in Seattle. None of his loved ones would be up. And they couldn't possibly know anything at this hour. Perhaps the judges would make their decision today.
Nasir walked back out into the Day Room and sat on a sofa by himself. He was bored out of his mind and briefly considered the jail's offer of some kind of job. Nafie, Jamal, Mustafa and Pubudu were already on their jobs and Nasir envied them in that at least they had something to do. He wasn't qualified to do anything in jail, but none of the jail jobs appeared to need any qualifications. They all seemed pretty menial. Of course, he would then miss the visits from Edward and Jasper. The visits that kept him sane.
"Nasir al Qasimi, report to the Control Room," the command boomed throughout the unit a few minutes before eight, right on time. Nasir presented himself and was escorted through the multiple checkpoints to the front of the jail. He no longer needed to be told where and when to assume the position for his groping pat down. It was only another couple of minutes before he and the other detainees were allowed to enter the visiting room. Nasir knew who was here and where in the room he would be.
Edward wore an expensive looking, lean and fitted gray houndstooth sport shirt, untucked, with the cuffs rolled up, and snug black jeans. He rose from the usual hideous orange vinyl sofa with a big smile when Nasir strode toward him. "Nasir!" he grabbed Nasir in a tight hug. "We did it, Buddy! You're free!"
"What?" Nasir pulled back to look into Edward's eyes.
"Em said I would be the one to get to tell you," Edward let Nasir go.
"Allah!" Nasir sat down with Edward. "Edward, this is such good news! Why am I still in here? When does this happen? How did it happen?"
"The paperwork takes time, I guess. You won your appeal," Edward informed. "The judges released the order at about seven o'clock last night, our time. I'm told it was faxed to the immigration office here, but Duane will be there when they open with his own copy to make sure they get on it right away."
"Ah, good," Nasir nodded. "I am so relieved!"
"And Em, Seth and Garrett's plane should be landing right now," Edward added the most important detail.
The little 737-800 glided to a smooth landing at John F Kennedy among the many other, much larger aircraft. It needed less than half of the very long runway and turned off at a fairly good clip to head for the far end of the airport where Terminal 8 was located.
Within, Emmett tapped the wide armrest between his seat and Seth's. He had remained with Seth all night while Garrett pretended to work in the seat behind him. Garrett even had his laptop out and open all night, though he never bothered to even turn it on. Emmett managed to sleep some and Seth slept beside him holding his hand.
At six forty five eastern time they were awakened and offered breakfast. Hot, moist towels were passed out first so that the passengers might refresh themselves. Then the coffee was surprisingly good and met the high standards of people from Seattle. Emmett had the Denver omelette while Garrett and Seth both opted for the bacon, egg and cheese quesadilla. Seth also ordered a mimosa and insisted Emmett join him. He knew it would calm his best friend's nerves.
They still had half an hour of flying to do after the breakfast service was concluded. Another two mimosas and they began final descent into New York, followed shortly by a smooth landing at JFK.
"Gentlemen," Candi came by with Seth and Garrett's suit jackets during the long drive through the airport.
Emmett all but jumped out of his seat when the aircraft came to a stop at their gate. He opened the overheads and handed down Seth's bag and Garrett's briefcase. It took only an extra second to slip the strap of his own messenger bag over his head. And they had plenty of time to spare at the moment. It always seemed to Emmett to take forever for the jetbridge to be extended to the plane.
"Garrett, get in front of me," Emmett directed. He didn't want either of them to get separated from him, or each other, as they deplaned and it would be easier to keep an eye on them if they were both in front of him.
The door of the aircraft finally opened and passengers began to exit. Seth slipped out into the aisle first.
"Mr. Thompson," Candi stopped Garrett in the hatchway just long enough to hand him back his garment bag.
"Thank you so much," Garrett smiled and took the strap over his shoulder.
"Enjoy your day," Candi bid.
"Oh, we will," Emmett assured as he ducked to follow Garrett out the hatch. "You too!"
They were fortunate once again to have arrived at a gate in the concourse attached to the terminal. It was an easy walk in and an escalator ride down into Baggage Claim. As they had no bags to claim, they headed for the exit and the line of people standing with signs.
Chaiyo was easy to recognize in his professional looking uniform of black suit and cap, not to mention the sign he held with Emmett's last name. An identically dressed coworker stood beside him bearing a sign with Garrett's last name.
"Hey, Chaiyo," Emmett gave a wave.
"Mr. McCarty, welcome home, Sir," Chaiyo shook the bigger man's hand.
"Thanks. These are our closest friends, Seth Clearwater and Garrett Thompson," Emmett introduced.
"Nice to meet you guys," Chaiyo smiled. "This is Luis. He's here for you, Mr. Thompson."
"Sir," the Puerto Rican gave Garrett a gleaming smile. He was an exceptionally attractive man with scruff on the tip of his chin and only a hint of a mustache. Seth narrowed his eyes at Luis. This young man's smile was just a little too friendly.
"Luis," Garrett greeted.
"Cars are right outside if everyone is ready to go," Chaiyo gestured.
"Let's," Emmett was anxious.
"I'll take that for you, Mr. Clearwater," Chaiyo relieved Seth of his bag.
"Thank you," Seth let him have it.
"Mr. Thompson, may I?" Luis took Garrett's garment bag right off his shoulder.
"I'll keep my briefcase, thank you," Garrett rejected the offer to take everything.
Outside and down the row of cars a black Town Car was parked behind a stretch black Town Car limousine.
"I'll lay this down in the trunk, Sir," Luis popped the trunk of the sedan.
"You are going out to Orange County, Mr. McCarty?" Chaiyo asked as he unlocked and opened the rear passenger door of the limousine.
"Seth and I are, yes," Emmett answered.
"You are going into the city, Mr. Thompson?" Luis opened the rear door of the Town Car.
"Yes," Garrett confirmed as Luis took his briefcase from him and placed it inside the rear of the car. "Thank you."
"Garrett, here's my keys if you want to stop for a shower or anything before you go to work," Emmett handed them over.
"Thank you, Emmett," Garrett took them. "Are you two going to be alright?"
"You've done so much already," Emmett took Garrett in his arms.
"You are armed with orders from a court outranked only by the Supreme Court itself, but keep a level head," Garrett advised. "Don't let yourself get overly frustrated with the inevitable bureaucracy."
"I won't," Emmett assured. "And I've got Seth to keep me under control."
Garrett leaned up to give Emmett a kiss on his lips and then let him go. "Sweetness," he moved to his little husband, "if you boys need anything at all, call me."
"We will, Honey," Seth hugged his husband tightly.
"Okay, get going," Garrett gave Seth a soft kiss on his lips.
"See you tonight," Seth gave Garrett another quick, tight squeeze and turned to join Emmett. Emmett let Seth get into the back of the limo first and then joined him.
"Eight seventy five Park Avenue, please, Luis," Garrett instructed as he seated himself in the back of the Town Car.
"With pleasure, Sir," Luis shut him in and walked around the front of the car to take the wheel.
Inside the limousine, Seth turned and stood on the seat on his knees to look out the back window.
"What?" Emmett asked.
"I don't trust that driver," Seth stated. "If you didn't need me right now..."
"What did he do?" Emmett turned to look out the back window as they pulled away from the curb.
"Did you see that smile?" Seth demanded.
"He's friendly," Emmett gave a shrug.
"He's way more than friendly. Did you see him take Gar's bag and briefcase?" Seth asked.
"He's just doing his job," Emmett stated.
"He's fawning. There's a difference. I can't believe you didn't see it," Seth turned and sat down.
"Okay, I saw it a little," Emmett admitted.
"Look at Gar's bag and briefcase. Hell, just look at Gar. He's a gold digger's wet dream. He has 'mark' written all over him," Seth complained.
"Sweetie, he doesn't stand a chance. No man does. You know that," Emmett pointed out.
"I do know that, but it doesn't make me want to take out my claws any less," Seth stated.
"You guys talking about Luis?" Chaiyo couldn't help but overhear and couldn't hold his tongue. "He's a meat eater, but he won't behave unprofessionally."
"That bitch just better keep his meat eating lips to himself," Seth stressed. Chaiyo slipped his cell out of his pocket to send a quick text to his friend and coworker in the car behind them. It was not only against company policy to text while driving, it was also illegal in New York. But this was important. He knew Luis was always on the lookout for handsome rich guys and needed him to know this one was very off limits.
They drove in tandem out of the airport and north on the Van Wyck Expressway. Luis stayed on Chaiyo's tail as they took the ramp for Grand Central Parkway. Only when they reached the Queens Midtown Expressway did they separate. Chaiyo continued on Grand Central up into East Elmhurst and past LaGuardia Airport. Grand Central turned west past LaGuardia and headed toward upper Manhattan. They took the Robert F Kennedy Bridge across the East River and merged onto Interstate 87.
Luis drove Garrett through Queens and the Midtown Tunnel under the East River. They emerged in Manhattan on 37th Street. The drive up Park Avenue was somewhat less than easy at this time of the morning. It was after nine when Luis pulled up at the foot of Nasir and Emmett's building.
"Here we are, Sir," Luis leapt out of the car to get Garrett's door. He popped the trunk to retrieve the garment bag and slung it over his own shoulder.
"I'll take that," Garrett extended his hand.
"I would be happy to bring it up for you, Sir. I could even help you unpack, or anything else you like," Luis offered with his most inviting smile.
"I'm quite sure I can manage," Garrett stated.
"Certainly, Sir," Luis transferred the garment bag from his shoulder to Garrett's.
"I might be twenty minutes if you'll wait right here," Garrett turned to the building where the big Russian in his gray suit uniform and cap held open the big bronze and glass door. "Good morning. Vlad, I believe."
"Yes, Sir. Good morning, Sir. Here to visit someone?" Vlad followed Garrett into the lobby.
"I came with Emmett to free Nasir al Qasimi. I'm Garrett Thompson. My name should be on their list," Garrett informed.
"Oh, yes, Mr. Thompson. I remember you come that first day," Vlad smiled. Then he grew serious and shook his head. "Is most terrible thing. They take Mr. al Qasimi right here at door!" he pointed.
"He will be home today, Vlad, for good," Garrett assured. "May I go up? I have his key."
"Of course, Mr. Thompson," Vlad rushed ahead to touch the elevator call button. "I right here in lobby if you need anything."
"Thank you," Garrett smiled as he stepped aboard the elevator. He touched the button for the top floor and ascended to the penthouse. He left his shoes outside the door and let himself in. Garrett walked directly across the entry hall and down the curving stairs to the bedroom level. He went to the end of the Z shaped hallway to the second master bedroom and laid his garment bag on the bed. Garrett took a moment to unpack and hang up the few things he and Seth brought. This master bedroom had only one walk in closet, but it was twenty feet long as it went the length of the back wall. He then stripped and headed into the ensuite bath.
This bathroom was not the grand Moroccan tiled affair of the true master bath. It was tiled entirely in gleaming white subway tiles with a black granite vanity that had his and his undermount sinks. The bath was modest in size with room only for the double vanity, a toilet and a shower stall that was less than a quarter of the size of the one in the Moroccan bath, but could still comfortably accommodate two. Garrett was pleased to find he would not have to hunt up shampoo, soap or towels and turned on the water in the shower. After sleeping for a few not very comfortable hours on a plane, in his clothes and without his husband in his arms, the shower both soothed and refreshed. Garrett made it quick as he wanted to be able to put in a full day here in the Manhattan branch, or at least, as close to it as possible.
It was twenty minutes exactly when Garrett returned to street level. He had blown his hair dry, lest he show up for work with very wet hair. Garrett wore a three piece Brioni suit and looked even more the wealthy Upper East Sider he did when he arrived. Luis waited on the curb beside the Town Car and opened the rear door as Garrett emerged from the building.
"Seven fifteen Fifth Avenue, please," Garrett was deliberately not overly friendly with the flirtatious driver as he seated himself in the backseat.
"Yes, Sir," Luis remained extra polite. He took the wheel and made a U turn in the intersection of Park and 78th. They remained on Park all the way down to 57th Street and turned right the two blocks to 5th Avenue. Luis turned left onto the one way avenue and another two blocks down pulled to the left curb almost in the intersection of 55th. The over a century old eleven story building with it's perfectly maintained, magnificent Greek Revival architecture sat on the corner across 55th from the St. Regis Hotel. The Fifth Third branch occupied the first floor, corner retail space, with the Private Client Group in offices above.
Luis hopped out and opened the rear driver's side door for Garrett. "Business at the bank, Sir? Shall I wait for you?"
"This is my office. You're dismissed," Garrett tipped Luis a fifty dollar bill and didn't look back. He hoped Seth hadn't noticed how flirty his driver was. The last thing he needed was Seth being stressed about this. And just as quickly Garrett realized how absurd that thought was. This was Seth he was thinking about and Seth noticed everything.
"Have we passed two airports now?!" Seth exclaimed. The signs on the interstate for the White Plains Westchester Airport could not be missed.
"I know," Emmett sighed as they rode on and on and on.
"Why didn't we fly into one of them?" Seth asked.
"I looked at that. We would have had to connect someplace into either of those airports. We'd still be flying," Emmett explained.
Rather than take I-287 to the airport, they remained on I-87 as it turned due west. Two miles further they found themselves on the Tappan Zee Bridge crossing the Hudson River.
"Wow," Seth leaned forward and looked out the window as they crossed onto land on the other side. "Oh, look. I think we just passed your brother's house."
"Shit. I forgot to wave," Emmett went along with the joke.
"We'll stop in on the way back," Seth settled back into the seat.
"I hope he's safe and out when we get there, Seth," Emmett expressed. "I am gonna hug him so fucking hard."
"I hope so too, Emmy," Seth took Emmett's hand and held it on the seat between them.
When Edward noticed it was ten thirty, he began to wonder if his visit would time out before any action was taken to get Nasir released.
"Are you and Jasper available for dinner tonight?" Nasir asked.
"Absolutely," Edward assured. "We can celebrate your freedom."
"If I ever get out of here," Nasir looked around at the other detainees and their families. "Is there a nice restaurant in your hotel?"
"There is," Edward confirmed with a nod. "And I'm about sick of it," he confessed.
"Of course, you prefer to cook!" Nasir knew him well. "Why are you in a hotel then? Why are you not staying with me?"
"Oh! Well," Edward considered. "You weren't in town when we decided to move to the hotel, and as soon as you came to town, you got yourself arrested."
"Qasimi!" a guard barked as he walked into the visiting room.
"Yes?" Nasir stood.
"Visit's over. You're being released. Come with me," the guard commanded. "You'll have to leave now, Sir. He won't be back in here," the guard instructed Edward.
"Allah!" Nasir exclaimed in his relief and reached for Edward.
"At last!" Edward embraced Nasir and held him tightly.
"Okay," the guard was impatient. "You can be with your boyfriend when we put you out the door."
Nasir and Edward just laughed as they let each other go. It wasn't worth bothering to correct the man. Nasir followed obediently after the guard while Edward headed for his locker to retrieve his coat, wallet and cell.
Nasir was somewhat puzzled when he was led back through the jail, to his housing unit, and inside to his dorm and very bunk.
"Gather all your personal things and your bedding," the guard commanded.
"Do you know where Nafie is right now?" Nasir asked as he opened his locker. "Nafie Ali Nafie? I would very much like to say goodbye to him."
"Don't know. Don't care," the guard made no attempt to hide his disinterest, boredom or impatience. "Get your stuff."
In the control room Nasir exchanged his locker key and bedding for a receipt and was then escorted out, back toward the processing unit at the front of the jail.
"Cows! Can you fucking believe that?" Seth watched out his window as they drove down the two lane country road outside Goshen to the jail. "I flew to New York City and I'm looking at cows," he shook his head incredulously.
"We left New York far behind us. Nasi said it was in the middle of no place," Emmett agreed.
"Not quite, but we can probably see the middle of No Place on a clear day from the top of the hill," Seth made his usual joke. "If those were buffalo I might think I was back on the rez. Except the roads are in better condition here."
They turned into the main drive of the jail and drove up to the front entrance. Emmett didn't wait and threw his door open even as the car was still coming to a stop. Seth was right on his heels. Emmett went inside and charged straight up to the desk.
"Hi," Emmett forced himself to sound and appear calm. "I have a court order here," he pulled his messenger bag around to produce it, "from a Federal Circuit Court, to release Nasir al Qasimi. I would like that seen to immediately, please. Do you need his alien number?"
"Em!" Edward had taken a seat in the general waiting area and saw his friends at the front desk.
"Eddie!" Emmett left the order on the desk and moved to grab Edward by his arms.
"He's being released right now," Edward informed.
"Oh, thank God!" Emmett pulled Edward into his arms.
"We'll take that, thank you," Seth pulled their copy of the court orders off the desk where the two deputies just stared at them.
"Eddie, oh my God, thank you so much for being here for him," Emmett fought hard to keep himself from crying again.
"Hey, of course," Edward assured.
"I know this has taken your time away from Jasper," Emmett felt guilty when he needn't have.
"Jasper's at work, Em. I'm unemployed," Edward oversimplified. "Hey, Seth."
"Edward," Seth paused a moment to admire how Edward was dressed. "Married life is certainly treating you very well. You look very nice."
"What, no lumberjack clothes?" Edward snarked.
"And good riddance," Seth moved forward finally for a hug.
"So where is he?" Emmett asked.
"They just took him a little bit ago. I have no idea how long it takes," Edward admitted.
The control officer in the processing unit verified Nasir's identity through his color coded bracelet that was then finally removed, his picture on his special meal card that matched the picture in the file, and finally by matching his signature with the one when he was processed in. Satisfied at last that Nasir was in fact himself, his property was sent for. A process that seemed to take entirely too long. Nasir began to wonder if his things had all been stolen by the time they finally appeared. There was only one thing that really meant anything to him. And that one thing, meant everything. Nasir opened the zippered compartment within his briefcase and there it was. He took his wedding ring out of the little plastic bag and and slipped it onto the ring finger of his right hand. It almost felt as good as when Emmett put it on him on the happiest day of his life.
Nasir was then told to change into his own clothes and didn't care one bit that his expensive suit was terribly wrinkled. He was shown to the same room as when he arrived to change, but was not allowed to shower. A shower would have been very nice, but he did not wish to delay his departure. For all he knew Emmett, Seth and Garrett were already here. It took only a few more minutes to inventory and surrender his jail issued clothes.
And then he was handcuffed to a bolted down chair in a corridor and left there.
And left there. It was after noon when he questioned a passing guard.
"Excuse me. I am to be released, but I do not much feel released," Nasir pulled on his handcuff.
And this made the guard chuckle. "Have to wait for FBI clearance. Don't want to let you go only to have to rearrest you."
"I am, or, was a detainee. I have never been arrested!" Nasir protested.
"Just the same," the guard walked on.
"Allah!" Nasir slumped in his chair. And he was found like that by his control officer.
"Okay. All clear," she bent to remove Nasir's handcuffs. "Just a few papers to sign and you're free to go."
"Thank you so much," Nasir followed her back to her desk.
"Do you need to make a phone call to arrange for someone to pick you up?" the officer asked.
"They are all already here," Nasir stated as he signed the forms placed in front of him.
"Okay. These are your copies," she handed them over. "Just go right out through that door," she pointed.
"That is it? I am free to go?" Nasir could hardly believe it.
"Free to go," the officer smiled. Nasir stuck the papers she had given him into his briefcase and walked out through the door she had indicated.
The locking door clicked shut behind him and Nasir found himself in the outer general waiting room.
"Sir, we've been here for two hours now!" Emmett was at the front desk, increasingly in danger of being arrested himself. "How long could this take?! I have a court order and this jail needs to comply with it. Do I need to get my attorney to come down here? Do we need to call the judge? Tell me now."
"Look, Pal, like I told you the last two times...," the irritated deputy at the desk began.
"There he is!" Seth saw Nasir first.
"Nasi!" Emmett flew from the desk and grabbed his husband in a bone crushing embrace. "Oh, my baby!"
"Ana b'hebbak, il habibi zawji," Nasir clung as tightly to Emmett.
"I love you, Nasi, so much," Emmett returned. A profound sense of relief and deliverance flooded both men body and soul.
Seth picked up the Louis Vuitton briefcase that had fallen without a care to the floor and handed it to Edward.
"What am I, a pack mule?" Edward quipped.
"Be quiet now," Seth gave him a dismissive wave. "Okay, we're in Hicksville. Time to go," he prompted and rubbed Emmett and Nasir's backs.
"Yeah, let's get out of here," Emmett fully agreed. He pulled back, but took Nasir's hand to lead him out of the jail.
"Wait," Nasir stood his ground. "Edward, how do you put money on an inmate's account?"
"Cash and Property window," Edward pointed. "Right over there."
"How much cash do we have?" Nasir pulled out his wallet. "I have several good people I want to do something for."
"Who?" Emmett asked.
"Men who were very kind and looked out for me," Nasir informed.
"I have cash," Seth pulled out his wallet.
"So do I," Edward did the same.
"What do you need, Babe?" Emmett pulled out his wallet as well as they all walked up to the window. Once Nasir maxed out Nafie, Uday, Mustafa, Jamal and Pubudu's accounts, he was finally, and extremely, ready to go.
"Now, please take me from this place," Nasir slipped his hand into Emmett's again. Emmett was only too ready to lead him out the doors. Seth and Edward followed closely. Chaiyo had been waiting all this time and parked where he could watch the main entrance. He put the car in gear and quickly pulled the limo back up when he saw them.
"Sethy, come here," Nasir pulled the smaller man into his arms as Emmett opened the back door of the long car.
"Why are you always getting yourself into trouble?" Seth held Nasir tightly. "You have to stop scaring us like this."
"I know, Sethy," Nasir pulled back enough to lean down and give Seth a kiss on his lips.
Edward, briefcase in hand, got into the limo first, followed by Seth and Nasir. Emmett joined his husband on the rear seat facing Seth and Edward.
"Home please, Chaiyo," Emmett called.
"Yes, Sir," Chaiyo stepped on the gas and headed out of the jail. Nasir only now really began to relax. He took a deep breath and sank into the plush leather seat.
"Are you okay, Nasi?" Emmett held his husband's hand tightly.
"No he's not okay," Seth answered for him. "Just look what they've done to his suit!"
"I am a little wrinkled," Nasir ran his free hand down his jacket.
"I don't care about your suit," Emmett stated.
"Where is Garrett?" Nasir noted his missing best friend.
"He went to work," Seth answered as he pulled out his cell to send his husband a text.
we have him
"Oh, I am glad that he could do that," Nasir felt better that it wasn't a complete waste of a trip for all of them. "I must go in as well."
"Do you have to?" Emmett protested.
"I am sorry, Habibi, but I must," Nasir squeezed his husband's hand. "I want nothing more than to be with you, but I have missed days of work over this mess. And I must thank my bosses for what they tried to do to help."
"Hey, you wanna see it?" Emmett pulled the orders out of his messenger bag.
"This is it? It says I have asylum?" Nasir flipped through the pages, not really seeing any of them.
"It says you're mine forever," Emmett stated.
"I already was," Nasir smiled and leaned over to give his husband a loving kiss on his lips. "And words cannot express how much I am looking forward to spending the night in your arms."
"You and me both, Babe," Emmett lifted Nasir's hand to his face and kissed it. "I'm just so relieved you're safe."
Seth's phone chirped and he held it up to read his text.
hug him hard
"I will!" Seth dropped his phone and moved to the rear seat. "Gar says to hug you hard," he slipped onto Nasir's lap and wrapped his arms around Nasir's neck.
"Ah," Nasir held Seth tightly. "Thank you, Sethy. Does Garrett know we are going out to dinner? And where would we like to go?"
"We're not going out, actually," Emmett corrected. "We're staying in. Eddie, Seth and I are cooking for our men."
"Are you sure? I do not want any of you to have to cook," Nasir didn't want them to feel obligated.
"It's not a matter of having to, it's a matter of wanting to," Edward stated.
"What are we gonna make?" Seth asked quite comfortable still in Nasir's lap.
"Something comforting," Emmett nodded to himself as he considered.
"So, who were those men we left the money for?" Seth enquired.
"Good men," Nasir assured. "The other Muslims in my unit. They watched out for me. Especially an older Sudanese man named Nafie."
"Nafie?" Seth repeated.
"Nafie Ali Nafie," Nasir gave the man's whole name.
"His first name and last name are the same?" Seth asked.
"That is not uncommon where he is from," Nasir explained. "Especially from his generation. He could easily be our father. I would like to help him as much as possible. Perhaps we can hire the immigration attorney the company hired for me."
"If you think we should, Babe, I'm all for it," Emmett was easy.
"I should let Duane know that I am free. Will you get my cell out of my briefcase, Edward?" Nasir requested. "Oh, and I would like to invite them for dinner as well."
"Yeah, I'd like that too," Emmett agreed.
"I'd like that three. I need to meet these two," Seth nodded.
"Can I have my husband back now?" Emmett asked.
"Oh, fine," Seth acted put out as he returned to the rear facing seat with Edward.
Chaiyo retraced their path down State Road 17, back to I-87, and toward Manhattan. They passed back over the Hudson, through White Plains, Yonkers and the Bronx. The other part of the Robert F Kennedy Bridge took them into Manhattan and Chaiyo smoothly exited onto FDR Drive. They followed the East River all the way down to 79th Street and turned in. Chaiyo took this to Park Avenue, turned left and then right on 78th to drop them on the corner of their building.
Emmett didn't wait for the driver to get out and opened the rear door himself. Chaiyo popped the trunk to retrieve Seth's bag.
"Here you are, Sir," Chaiyo handed Seth's bag to him. "Try not to get arrested this time, Mr. al Qasimi."
"No!" Nasir never wanted to go down that road again.
"What happened, if you don't mind me asking?" Chaiyo felt he knew his favorite passengers well enough to ask.
"He blew a limo driver," Seth was quick.
"Um, that's not a crime," Chaiyo made a face.
"Then the driver claimed rape," Seth continued to spin his yarn.
"Oh, I would never have done that," Chaiyo shook his head.
"Are you saying you would let him blow you?" Seth pounced.
"No, no, no," Chaiyo held up his hands and laughed. "But I'm still hurt that it wasn't me."
"You're right, Emmy. He is fun," Seth concluded.
"Thanks, Chaiyo," Emmett slipped two fifties into the younger man's hand. "And sorry about that."
"It's all good, Mr. McCarty. And thank you very much," Chaiyo gave a warm smile.
'Chaiyo, if you would just wait for twenty minutes or so, I need to go to the office," Nasir stated.
"Certainly, Sir," Chaiyo agreed.
"Mr. al Qasimi!" Vlad's greeting was especially warm. He cared very much about his residents and it showed. "Welcome home, Sir!"
"Thank you, Vlad," Nasir shook the offered hand and Vlad clasped his hand with both hands in his enthusiasm.
"Vlad, you know Edward Cullen and this is Seth Clearwater. They're both on the list," Emmett introduced.
"Hello," Seth greeted. "Nice to meet you, Vlad."
"And you, Sirs," Vlad rushed ahead to press the elevator call button for them. They all boarded and ascended to the 17th floor. Nasir fished his keys from his briefcase while they all kicked off their shoes, and let them in.
"Oh, nice," Seth looked around as he walked in to the entry hall. "Much nicer in person. Is this the majlis?" he could plainly see that it was as he walked into the living room. "Show me everything!"
"I am going to take a quick shower," Nasir announced. "I did not get to do so this morning."
"You're gonna hafta look around on your own, Sweetie," Emmett called as he followed his husband down the stairs.
"Well!" Seth returned to the entry hall and put his hands on his hips.
"I'm pretty familiar," Edward set Nasir's briefcase on the big, round table set into the curve of the stairs and beneath the big chandelier. "Would you like me to give you the tour?"
"Lead on, Cullen," Seth gestured.
"Majlis," Edward pointed.
"Saw that," Seth gave a wave.
"Come through here," Edward led the way into the dining room.
Downstairs, Emmett followed Nasir into their master bedroom. Nasir immediately began to strip and dropped his clothes on the floor.
"Just leave everything, Babe. I'll pick up and get your suit to the cleaners," Emmett called as he headed into the master bath. He turned on the shower to get it warmed up and shed his own clothes while it did. Nasir was pleasantly surprised to find his husband naked when he walked into the bathroom.
"C'mon," Emmett knew his husband was in a hurry. He took Nasir's hand and led him into the clear glass shower enclosure, and into the water. Beneath the raining shower, Emmett took Nasir in his arms again. Nasir closed his eyes and laid his head on Emmett's broad shoulder, safe at last in his husband's strong arms.
"I was so scared, Nasi," Emmett confessed.
"I was afraid too," Nasir admitted.
"How could you not be?" Emmett held him tighter.
"No as much for myself, but not knowing what would happen, when I would ever see you again," Nasir elaborated.
"It's all over now, Babe. It's all finally over," Emmett was certain. "You have asylum. No one can ever tell you that you don't belong here. You belong to me."
"For always, my habibi zawji," Nasir traced small patterns on Emmett's broad back with his fingers.
"Okay, let me wash your hair," Emmett released his husband to reach for the Alterna Caviar. He poured a generous amount into his hand, rubbed his hands together and applied them to Nasir's thick, rich, black hair.
Nasir closed his eyes and gave a sigh as Emmett massaged his scalp and washed his hair. "This is so nice, you have no idea."
"Oh, yes I do," Emmett worked the lather through his husband's hair thoroughly. "Okay, rinse now," he instructed. Nasir moved under the water as Emmett squeezed a dollop of conditioner into his hand. He rubbed his hands together again and as soon as Nasir stepped back out of the water, he ran his fingers through Nasir's dark, loosely curly hair.
"Okay, let me wash you now," Emmett reached for the shower gel.
"You are so good to me," Nasir ran his hands over Emmett's shoulders.
"Here we go," Emmett ran his soapy hands over his husband's hairy chest. "Arms up," he instructed. Nasir put his hands on the back of his head and closed his eyes as Emmett's soapy fingers washed his armpits. Emmett poured more gel and washed his husband's arms, taking care to massage his hands and fingers before moving to his back.
"Oh, I love this bathroom!" Seth walked into the room on his tour of the apartment. "This shower stall is huge! We could all fit!"
"Seth, they're taking a shower," Edward stated the obvious as he hung back in the doorway. "Let's give 'em some privacy."
"They don't need privacy from us," Seth gave a dismissive wave. "His and his vessel sinks!" he walked over to them and ran his hands around the rim of one of them. "Pictures don't do this tile work justice."
"Did you check out the new bedroom?" Emmett asked as he squatted down to wash his husband's legs and feet.
"Oh that's right," Seth walked out the other door to go through to the master bedroom.
Nasir braced himself on the rear tiled wall as his husband's gentle, loving and soapy hands caressed every inch of his body. A process which caused both snakes in the shower to wake. As Emmett stood they each grabbed the other's erection.
"Mmm," Emmett gave his husband a soapy stroke and enjoyed the same done to him. "Okay, rinse off now."
"I want to wash you," Nasir refused to relinquish the hardness in his hand.
"I'll wash myself," Emmett took hold of his husband's shoulders and maneuvered him into the water. "I know you're in a hurry. I'll be right here when you get home. We'll have all night together."
"I love you very much," Nasir expressed as he rinsed himself.
"I love you very much," Emmett took his husband's face in his hands and gave him a soft and loving kiss on his lips. He then poured himself some shampoo and began to wash his own hair as Nasir stepped out and grabbed his towel.
By the time Emmett had showered, dried himself and cinched his towel about his waist, Nasir was dressed in a fresh suit, dress shirt and tie.
"I am going, Habibi," Nasir rushed into the bathroom.
"Okay, Babe. Dinner will be ready by the time you get home," Emmett smiled. Nasir paused long enough to give Emmett a kiss on each pert nipple and his lips, and then dashed for the stairs. Then Seth walked into the bathroom, trailed by Edward.
"I love the place, Emmy," Seth endorsed. He had removed his feather and left it on the bedside table on his side of the bed.
"I knew you would," Emmett gave a nod.
"I love the artwork. I mean, I'm in it," Seth expected everyone to be impressed. "And I especially love my suite. Know why?"
"Why?" Emmett bit.
"My husband's jeans are laying on the bed," Seth revealed.
"So, what's the plan for dinner, Em?" Edward enquired.
"I've actually been thinking about that. I want to make something comforting," Emmett stated.
"What does that look like?" Edward asked.
"That's the thing," Emmett shared his thoughts. "First I thought I would try to make all his favorite Arabic dishes, but then I thought that I don't really know how to make most of them. We don't have that ever, obviously, though I think we should."
"German," Seth stated with certainty.
"Make something German?" Emmett asked. "Yeah, I thought that too."
"Making Arabic dishes would be thoughtful and delicious, but, it would only serve to remind him of how different he is," Seth reasoned. "What we should ask ourselves is, what gives him the most comfort? The answer is, you do. His German husband and his German family. And us, obviously. We could grill something like steaks or swordfish and scallops, but I couldn't help but notice on my tour, the absence of a grill, so make something German, definitely."
"A traditional German meal then," Emmett gave a nod.
"Just tell us what to do," Edward was game.
"We're gonna have to divide and conquer," Emmett formulated a plan.
"No problem," Edward was ready.
"Can you two grab a cab and hit the butcher and the wine shop? I'll run down the street and grab everything else," Emmett suggested.
"Done," Edward assured.
"Okay, let me just put my clothes back on," Emmett pulled his towel from his waist and hung it up. He then gathered his discarded clothes from the floor and first pulled his skin tight tank top back on, followed by his jeans and lastly the denim shirt he left unbuttoned and untucked. "I'm gonna drop off Nasi's suit at the cleaners too. See if they can revive it," Emmett retrieved the pieces from the bedroom floor and they all headed upstairs.
"Oh, shit," Emmett realized as he reached the entry hall. "Nasi and Garrett have all the keys."
"How long will we be?" Edward asked. "It's a secure building and you're the only one on this floor."
"Yeah, we'll just have to chance it," Emmett decided. "And get some damn keys made tomorrow!" he led the way out the door. Seth pushed the call button while they all stepped into their shoes. The elevator arrived and it was a quick ride down to the lobby.
"Going out also?" Vlad came out from behind his desk.
"And the guys took the keys, so no one goes up, okay? We won't be long," Emmett spoke.
"Of course," Vlad held the door for them.
"And we need a taxi," Emmett added.
"I get for you," Vlad produced a whistle from his jacket pocket and stepped out, off the curb. He held up his arm while he blew his whistle and like magic, a taxi pulled up to the curb. Vlad smiled and opened the back door of the yellow vehicle.
"Where are we going?" Edward asked as Seth slid into the backseat.
Emmett leaned into the taxi to speak with the driver. "Ottomanelli butcher shop, you know it?"
"Who doesn't?" the man answered.
"And McCabe's Wine and Spirits?" Emmett asked further.
"Absolutely," he assured.
"Okay, Seth, we need beef loin steak, sliced an eighth of an inch thick. Get thirty two of them," Emmett instructed.
"Loin steak, eighth of an inch by thirty two, got it," Seth parroted.
"Eddie, get me a case of dornfelder and a case of kabinett," Emmett directed.
"And I have no idea what that is," Edward admitted.
"The merchant will know, or call or text me while you're there. Let me give you some money," Emmett pulled out his wallet.
"Don't you dare try to give me money. We'll see you back here," Edward slipped into the cab beside Seth and shut the door. "Let's go," he told the driver.
Emmett stuck his wallet back in his pocket as they drove away and quickly made his way to, and around the corner.
It was an easy walk down the long block to Lexington where Butterfield Market occupied the corner. Emmett turned right on Lexington, walked past the market and down to Carlton Cleaners & Tailors, where he was assured Nasir's suit would be made good as new. Everything else they needed for dinner could be obtained from Butterfield and Emmett ducked in there next. The shopping didn't take long as he knew exactly what he needed. He had seen these dishes made all of his life and had made them many times himself. Emmett left Butterfield laden with bags and hoofed it back up 78th to Park Avenue.
A taxi pulled up just as Emmett rounded the corner and Emmett discovered it was the same one when Seth hopped out of it. Edward paused only long enough to pay and tip the driver and then both went to the trunk.
"Do you want me to try to take one of those?" Seth appeared at the side of the trunk.
"I got it, Seth," Edward placed one case of wine on top of the other and picked them both up.
Vlad held open the door of the building for all of them. "May I help you with that, Sir?" he asked.
"I got it," Edward repeated. Vlad ran to the elevators and touched the call button lest any of them should have to free a finger to do so themselves. Edward walked in first and set the cases down in the corner while Seth touched the button for their floor.
"You really are a big, strong, hot top," Seth realized aloud. "You're even turning me on a little big right now. Want a turn with the legend?" he asked as they began to ascend.
"No!" Edward laughed.
"Just as well 'cause you can't have one," Seth sighed. "Good thing I didn't notice way back when. I would have ruined all other bottoms for you forever."
"All other bottoms are ruined for me forever, but it's not because of you," Edward stated.
"We missed out, Seth," Emmett grinned.
"He missed out," Seth cocked a thumb at Edward. The elevators doors parted and Edward reached forward to pinch Seth's ass.
"Get your hot little bottom in the house," Edward teased.
"Hey!" Seth all but jumped out of the elevator. "That's not yours so you can't play with it!" he kicked off his shoes and opened the door for Emmett and Edward. He then followed them through the dining room, butler's pantry and breakfast room to the big, granite kitchen.
"This goes in the fridge?" Edward asked as he set down the cases.
"The wine cooler over there, actually," Emmett pointed across the kitchen. "Though, lets cycle like four bottles of each through the freezer for half an hour or so to get them started," he directed as he unpacked his bags.
"Okay," Edward did so. The massive fridge and side by side freezer were concealed behind matching cabinet panels. Edward soon discovered a wine cooler as big as a normal refrigerator behind another panel beside the built in ovens.
"This is a really nice kitchen," Seth commented as he shed his suede suit jacket and laid it in a chair in the breakfast room. "But why don't you have a grill? I'm a little surprised by that, I have to say, knowing how much you like to grill."
"I haven't had a chance to get one," Emmett confessed as he began to stash things in the fridge. "Though, I might have another plan."
"What do you mean?" Seth enquired.
"Well, we have so much great outdoor space," Emmett walked into the breakfast room. This room protruded onto the terrace on three sides and had much natural light.
"And?" Seth asked as he and Edward followed Emmett to the windows.
"See all this space here?" Emmett pointed out the windows to the south, away from the dining room. "What I'd really like is to build a whole outdoor kitchen. I'd replace this window with a door. I'd cover this section and put in a double sink, stainless steel fridge, nice counter tops, the works. A nice big built in grill and burners, and even an oven or two, so if we need an oven for something, we don't have to come in and heat up the house."
"That's a great idea, Em," Edward endorsed.
"It's like you think you can design kitchens or something," Seth quipped.
"We'd have to have it weatherproofed for the winter months, but how great would that be in the spring, summer and fall?" Emmett mused. "I've always wanted this kind of outdoor space."
"I totally think you should do it," Edward nodded.
"We'll have transcontinental terrace parties!" Seth enthused. "And I can't wait to plan them!"
"Maybe we should start with something smaller, like this dinner," Edward suggested. "What do we do first, Em?"
"First thing we need to do is peel the potatoes," Emmett headed back into the kitchen. Edward rolled up his sleeves as he followed.
By the time the potatoes were peeled and put to soak in cold salted water, the house phone rang.
"That's strange," Emmett walked to where the wall phone was and picked it up. "Hello?"
"Mr. McCarty, is flower delivery. Shall I send up?" Vlad asked.
"Flower delivery?" Emmett was taken off guard. Edward smirked as Seth took the phone from Emmett.
"Send them right up, please. Thank you," Seth instructed and hung up.
"Um," Emmett watched Seth walk out of the kitchen. "Are we expecting a delivery?"
"Seth wouldn't let the cab drive past Lenox Hill Florist on 79th," Edward relayed. "He said he knew just what your place needed, but he wouldn't say what."
"Flowers?" Emmett headed out of the kitchen and Edward walked with him.
"Thank you," Seth was just closing the door when Emmett and Edward joined him. A massive flower arrangement stood in the center of the large round table set into the curve of the staircase.
"Wow," Emmett admired.
"Isn't that nice?" Seth asked. "And just smell the stargazers."
"Really nice," Emmett agreed. "Thanks, Sweetie," he rubbed Seth's back.
"You're welcome. Now are we cooking or what?" Seth demanded.
"Let's cook," Emmett led the way back to the kitchen.
"And what all are we having?" Seth asked.
"Rouladen, which I'm sure you guessed from what you picked up at the butcher," Emmett informed.
"I was supposed to guess that?" Seth hadn't.
"I know my mom made this for us," Emmett stated. "I have too."
"Okay what else?" Seth pressed.
"Spätzle," Emmett moved the box to set it on the counter in front of Seth.
"In a box!" Seth picked it up and shook it. "I'm quite sure I remember your mother making this from scratch."
"I cheat. These are just as good," Emmett patted the box. "Boil them for twelve minutes, drain, leave 'em for five, add butter and you're done. But don't tell my mom."
"You know I will," Seth promised.
"We're gonna make the knödle from scratch," Emmett stressed. "I've just never found a box or ready made that was as good."
"What's a knödle?" Edward felt lost.
"Potato dumpling," Seth gave the answer. "They're sooo good! And Emmy's are just as good as his mother makes."
"They should be. She taught me how to make them," Emmett informed.
"What's the red cabbage for?" Edward pointed.
"Rotkohl," Emmett answered. "Which is to say, red cabbage in English."
"Give me something to do," Edward requested.
"Chop some onions for us. And here, take the dill pickles. We need these sliced into strips lengthwise," Emmett instructed.
"Okay," Edward obtained a knife from the Henckels block. "You have a chopping board?"
"I do," Emmett produced it from a lower cabinet. "And when you're done with that, core the cabbage and slice it into real thin strips."
"What do you want me to do?" Seth asked. "Open the wine?"
"Not yet. You get the fun job. Put out some sheets of foil and take all the loin steak slices and lay them out. Then spread mustard on one side," Emmett pulled out several large pots and took a frying pan from the hanging rack. Seth did not complain and pulled out two long sheets of aluminum foil which he placed on the breakfast bar before retrieving his butcher parcel from the fridge.
"Shall I season them?" Seth asked as he began to lay out the long slices.
"Oh, yeah," Emmett brought Seth the stainless steel salt grinder and the pepper mill. "Good thinking," he went to the island stove and poured a small amount of light olive oil into the frying pan and lit the burner. "Just throw the onions in here, Eddie. Oh, I need some parsley chopped up fine too."
"You want the parsley now?" Edward asked as he dumped the onions into the frying pan.
"Please," Emmett confirmed.
The house phone rang again and as Seth was closest, he picked it up.
"Chello?" Seth answered comically.
"Hello, is Vlad your doorman," Vlad told the voice he knew was not Emmett. "Mr. Whitlock is on his way up."
"Thank you," Seth said sweetly and hung up. Then he returned to his task of spreading mustard. Emmett and Edward just stared at him from across the kitchen and Seth couldn't keep the smirk off his face as he ignored them.
"Something you wanna share, Sweetie?" Emmett asked.
"You'll see in another few seconds," Seth smiled.
"It's probably Jas," Edward glanced at the time.
"Hello? Edward? Guys?" Jasper called.
Emmett walked to the archway between the breakfast room and the butler's pantry. "We're in the kitchen, Sugar," he called back and returned to the stove.
"Honey, I'm home," Jasper teased as he joined them.
"Hey, Jas," Edward smiled at his partner as he transferred the finely chopped parsley to Emmett's frying pan.
"Wow, what's for dinner?" Jasper asked.
"Mustard tartar," Seth finished the last piece. "And whalla, dinner's ready!"
"Mustard tartar," Jasper nodded. "And it looks just delicious, Seth," he rubbed Seth's back. "Edward, our hotel serves room service all night, right?" Jasper bent to give Seth a kiss, walked around to lean up to do the same to Emmett, and then moved to his partner.
The kiss Jasper shared with Edward was the same, yet entirely different. Jasper drew physically close to Edward with his whole body. He gave Edward the special smile a man only gives the one who holds his heart, and saw it fully returned. "Saved the best for last," Jasper closed the few remaining inches between them and gave his lover a soft and lingering kiss on his lips. He ran the back of his fingers down Edward's strong jaw as Edward's hand just naturally came to rest on Jasper's butt.
"Now can we open the wine?" Seth complained.
"Wine?" Jasper couldn't resist. "Fuck that. I'm gonna sit over here, have a beer, watch you cook for me and scratch my nuts!"
"Ha!" Emmett's booming laugh filled the kitchen.
"Oh, shit," Seth shook his head. "He went straight."
"Jas, pull a bottle of Kabinett out of the freezer," Emmett pointed.
"Oh, thank you, Em. I'd love a glass of wine," Jasper opened the freezer and retrieved a bottle.
"I'll do that, Jas," Edward came forward.
"You're cooking," Jasper protested. "The least I can do is open a bottle of wine or two," Jasper knew where the corkscrew was kept and set about opening the bottle.
"Glasses?" Seth asked. In answer, Emmett produced four from an upper cabinet and Jasper poured them all a glass.
"Here's to my friend and your husband, the ex con," Jasper raised a toast.
"Fuck," Emmett swore and took a sip with the rest of them. "Oh this is good, Eddie. Nice choice," Emmett turned the bottle to read the label.
"Thank the girl at the wine shop," Edward deflected the compliment. "I said, 'I need a good riesling Kabinett' and she said, 'here it is.'"
"Good job anyway. So, Jas, how's married life treating you?" Emmett gave his dimpled grin.
"You know," Jasper considered. "I've lived in this city for a long time and I love everything about it, but now, it's like there was never light here before. Coming home to Edward every day is just so, God, I don't even have the words. And we're only in a hotel. I can only imagine how wonderful it will be when it's our home I'm actually coming home to."
"I can't wait for that too," Edward smiled. "Oh, I talked to Barney earlier. He has another place for me to see tomorrow."
"Good," Jasper nodded.
"And Nasir asked us to move in here with him in the meantime," Edward revealed.
"Oh, that's right," Emmett remembered Edward saying that during their interminably long wait for Nasir to be released. "I think that's a great idea!"
"Two tops for the price of one! How can I go wrong?" Jasper laughed.
"Well, our room is occupied until very early on Monday," Seth stated. "We can actually help you move in on Sunday, if you want."
"We don't have much right now," Jasper pointed out. "Though we did upgrade ourselves to a suite. We have a lovely park view."
"I can offer you a view of Park Avenue," Emmett gestured. He had softened the onions to his liking and carried the frying pan to the breakfast bar. Emmett used a spoon to transfer a little of the onion and parsley mixture onto each mustard slathered piece of loin. "Eddie, I need the pickles now."
"Pickles," Edward brought his board.
"Put a few slices on each one," Emmett directed. "Sweetie, open that box of toothpicks for me," he returned his empty frying pan to the range. "Okay, boys, now we roll them up," Emmett demonstrated by folding in the sides and rolling the long slices of loin up like a burrito. "Toothpick," he held it together and Seth skewered it. He and Seth did this repeatedly until they finished all of them.
"Okay, now I have to brown them," Emmett put more oil to his frying pan, added butter and reignited the burner. "Eddie, rough chop me some carrots, onions and celery, please," he squatted down to retrieve the largest pot from the cabinet under the range. Emmett seared the rouladen on each side using tongs to turn them. He did this in batches until the they were all transferred to the large pot.
"Do you need water in there?" Seth asked.
"Yeah," Emmett answered. "Eddie, there's a pitcher up in that cabinet," he pointed.
"What, just 'cause I'm short, I can't reach it?" Seth demanded with fists on his hips.
"Yeah, 'cause you're short, you can't reach it," Emmett confirmed while Edward filled the pitcher in the sink.
"Just for that, I'm gonna throw this foil away," Seth began to wad up the sheets of foil on the breakfast bar.
"Yes, please," Emmett gave a grin. "Hey, open me some of the Maggi bouillon cubes. Yeah, pour that in, Eddie."
"How many?" Seth began to open the bouillon.
"Three should be good," Emmett lit the burner under the rouladen pot. "Throw all the carrots, onions and celery in, Eddie," he directed as he ground salt and pepper into the pot. "Then we'll cover this and let it go for about an hour and a half. We can put the potatoes to boil now," Emmett lit that burner as well. "Now we need to start on the rotkohl. Sweetie, peel these apples for me. Eddie, the cabbage."
"Just about done," Edward stated.
"I'm gonna grate some onion into this pan," Emmett took a large sauté pan down from the rack and placed the frying pan he had been using in the sink.
"What are you gonna use to sauté those onions?" Seth asked as he peeled the three cooking apples.
"Butter," Emmett answered.
"I want to think I remember your mom using bacon grease," Seth recalled the wonderful smell in Emmett's mother's kitchen that Christmas.
"There will be no bacon grease in this house," Emmett stated. "I've made it this way before. You know it's just as good."
"I want to do more than chop, Em," Edward brought his board with all the chopped cabbage to the island.
"Okay, throw in a whole stick of butter," Emmett lit the burner and let Edward take over. "And once that get's going add a heaping tablespoon of sugar."
Edward was very pleased to do some actual cooking. He added the sugar and the began to brown the onions.
"Now the apples," Emmett used his hands to transfer the apples Seth had peeled and sliced thinly into Edward's pan. Edward coated and softened them and Emmett cut a lemon in two while Edward did so.
"Now we can throw in all the cabbage," Emmett directed. Edward used his hands to transfer the finely sliced cabbage and used the tongs to combine everything.
"Then pour in some of the red wine vinegar," Emmett coached. Edward grabbed the bottle and sprinkled carefully to coat.
"Can I wash this pan and stuff?" Jasper asked as he rolled up his sleeves and moved to the sink.
"I'll do it, Jas," Edward didn't want his partner to have to do anything.
"I can do more than open a bottle of wine," Jasper stated.
"Do what I'm doing," Seth flipped his hair over his shoulder. "Be pretty."
"In that case, he's already got you beat," Edward snickered.
"Hey!" Seth protested.
"Salt, cloves, bay leaves and red wine," Emmett remained focused. Edward added all the remaining ingredients and Emmett squeezed the lemons over the pot.
"Okay, now cover it and we'll let that steam for forty five minutes or more," Emmett gave an approving nod.
"I made rotkohl," Edward declared proudly as he placed the lid.
"Technically speaking, you just made rotkohl mit apfeln," Emmett clarified.
"What he said," Edward didn't want to try to repeat the German words.
"There's Gar," Seth dashed from the kitchen. Jasper just looked at Edward and Emmett. None of them had heard the door.
"I don't know how he does it," Edward admitted.
"Evening, boys," Garrett arrived in the kitchen, Seth's hand in one hand and his briefcase still in the other. "My, doesn't it smell good in here already."
"Let me get you a glass of wine, Honey," Seth took Garrett's briefcase from him and set it down out of the way in the breakfast room.
"How was work, Garrett?" Emmett asked.
"You know, enlightening," Garrett revealed. "Thank you, Sweetness," he accepted his glass from Seth. "Any other time I've been here it was to attend meetings. There is much to learn from just watching the office operate. Jasper, Edward," Garrett had a kiss for them both. "Shall I conclude that Nasir went to work?"
"Oh, yeah, by the way, Honey...," Seth laughed.
"I expected he would," Garrett nodded.
"Somebody stab the potatoes, see if they're done," Emmett prompted and Edward did so.
"Yeah, I'll drain them," Edward picked up the pot and took it to the sink.
"Sweetie, you wanna snap the green beans?" Emmett asked.
"Can I help?" Garrett asked.
"You can take your jacket off and sit down and relax, Mr. bank executive," Seth directed.
"Am I mashing these, Em?" Edward asked as he returned to the island.
"Ricing," Emmett produced the ricer from a drawer. "And let me get you a big bowl," this he retrieved from a lower cabinet. "Then we need flour, eggs and salt."
"I feel like I'm watching a master craftsman and his protégés making art," Garrett did finally shed his suit jacket and took a seat at the breakfast room table.
"I know, right?" Jasper agreed, wine glass in hand.
"What's next, Maestro?" Seth asked as he finished the beans at the breakfast bar.
"Beat this egg," Emmett presented him with a small bowl and whisk.
"Sheesh, so bossy," Seth complained playfully as he set about doing so.
Emmett showed Edward how to mix and knead the potato dough, and then form them into mandarin sized balls with his hands. Edward lined them up on a tray and Emmett covered them with plastic wrap and a cool, wet towel to wait until they were ready for the final cooking process. Emmett gave the steaming red cabbage a quick toss with the tongs and tasted a piece which made him add more of both the red wine and the red wine vinegar. He then used a spoon to taste the the broth in the rouladen pot and added a bit more water, some of the red wine and more bouillon.
"Okay, guys, I think we're in good shape right now," Emmett assessed. "Everything needs to go a bit longer," he looked at the clock. "Nasi, I hope, will be home soon. Should we set the table?"
"Are we eating in here?" Seth asked.
"This table won't sit eight comfortably," Emmett pointed out. "I think we'll use the dining room for the first time," he walked out through the butler's pantry and the other's followed.
"This table seats twelve," Jasper observed. The massive table had no less than three very heaving looking pedestal supports.
"It'll be hard to sit and talk around this table," Seth shared his thoughts. "Can we take out some leaves or something?"
"I'm not even sure," Emmett pulled two chairs away and squatted down to look underneath the table.
"What if we took away the chairs at the end and just sat four on each side," Garrett suggested. "We wouldn't have to do anything to the table."
"That's a great idea, Garrett," Emmett nodded.
"You wouldn't want to sit at the opposite end of the table from Nasir anyway," Seth added.
"You're right, I wouldn't," Emmett agreed. He, Garrett, Edward and Jasper pulled the extra chairs away to the corners of the room and placed the remainder evenly. Seth went to the built in cabinets on either side of the fireplace to pull out china that was white, cobalt blue and had ornate gold filigree.
"Wow, these are fancy," Seth commented as he brought them to the table.
"They should be," Emmett chuckled. "They're from the Titanic. First Class service for twelve."
"From the actual ship?" Garrett picked up a dinner plate to examine the underside. "Replicas surely."
"I have no idea," Emmett shook his head. "Probably."
"Hard to imagine this much china survived," Edward mused. "Much less harvested from the ocean floor. You've got four sets of salt and pepper shakers, cream and sugar sets, two different teapots, platters, gravy boats."
"Check out the other side," Emmett pointed to the other built in. "The set with the red flag on it is the breakfast and lunch service from the First Class dining room, so I'm told."
"You have two first class service for twelve from the Titanic?" Jasper walked over to look at it.
"Wasn't it sweet of your in-laws to get you such nice china for your New York place?" Seth smiled.
"Yeah, they're such nice people," Emmett agreed facetiously.
"Do we want placemats, chargers?" Edward asked as he pulled open a drawer in the buffet and found them right where he thought they would be.
"I don't think we need to be that fancy. In fact, let's use the daytime china," Emmett decided. "When we have something really formal, we can use this and pull out all the stops. Sugar, can we get your friends to not just cater, but serve and everything?"
"That's what they do," Jasper confirmed.
"Can they serve dates and strong coffee in the living room when guests arrive?" Emmett asked, well imaging his husband receiving their guests in his majlis.
"They can do anything you want," Jasper stated.
"Will they wear uniforms? White tux shirts, black ties?" Seth asked.
"Or black tux shirts and white ties. I've seen them in just about everything," Jasper informed.
"Well, how about...," Seth began.
"No," Garrett stated.
"How do you know what I was going to say?" Seth demanded.
"You were about to request boys in thongs," Garrett knew his husband well.
"Okay, yeah I was," Seth admitted.
"We've never had Carla's crew in thongs, we won't be starting that out here," Garrett was firm.
"I know they have done that," Jasper revealed.
"See, Honey?" Seth was encouraged. "Greek boys in thongs. Greek boys," he stressed.
"I see that this pattern is called Wisteria. It's lovely," Garrett set dinner plates on the placemats on one side of the table. Jasper snickered as he set the other side.
"What about wine glasses?" Edward asked.
"Those will be in the butler's pantry," Emmett gestured. "The Waterford set. Those we had to get ourselves. My gay hating in-laws don't drink it seems."
"Just one more thing that's their loss," Seth sighed.
"Salad or bread plates?" Jasper asked.
"No, we won't need those," Emmett answered.
"Cups and saucers?" Seth enquired.
"I guess I don't know," Emmett asked. "Might people want coffee after dinner?"
"All I'm gonna want is another drink," Seth stated.
"We're well stocked on that kinda thing. There's port and sherry, honey bourbon, Irish Mist, Baileys, beerenauslese and good scotch, of course," Emmett listed. "And we have a beer drawer just like you have a beer drawer which is stocked with all of our favorites, so all of you guys feel free anytime you want one."
"Not tonight," Seth shook his head. "I'll stick with wine."
"Yeah, me too," Jasper agreed. "I'm loving the Kabinett."
"Open another bottle," Emmett bid.
"I will!" Jasper declared.
"Flatware?" Garrett asked.
"Top drawer there," Emmett gestured.
Garrett counted out the pieces and all of them joined together to make quick work of finishing the table.
