"I'm so glad you were able to come tonight," Paton said as she sat beside Allura and Darcy on the outdoor sofa.
"Me too! I love your house," gushed the queen. "And the deck turned out great. I always knew Hunk was good, but the two of you together are just incredible."
"Our retirement plan is to start our own construction business."
"And if you teamed up with your brother, you guys would be unstoppable," Darcy added.
"I just love your brother," Allura told Paton. "We're setting up a meeting to talk about how he can help us. I'm thinking he might be just the person to design the new museum I've been thinking about."
"That's wonderful! He would be so honored and he would do an amazing job," Paton assured her.
"I wanted to tell you how much I loved your dress, where did you get it?"
"It was my birthday present from Zed."
"Really? He knows his stuff."
"Well, he should, he teaches fashion and design."
"Hm, well, maybe if we can convince him and your brother to take the plunge and move to Arus he can teach at the university." Allura said, thoughtfully.
"He'd be honored if you asked, but if they make the move I think he's planning on opening his own boutique. He's always wanted to make his living as a designer."
"If that dress is any indication of his style, he'll develop a huge following," Darcy said.
Allura nodded. "I would love to have a talented fashion designer based on Arus, it could only help our growth."
"Well, they've been discussing it. Latrial never really felt like home, you know? It always felt like we were just there temporarily." Paton unconsciously shifted her gaze to where Hunk was manning the grill, beer in hand, talking to Pidge. "But Arus definitely feels like home."
"So, how are things going with you and Hunk?" Allura asked.
"Fine."
The other two women shared a look.
"Just fine?" Darcy prompted.
"Well, no, I mean everything is great, I just…" Paton trailed off.
"What happened?" Allura asked.
Paton hesitated, but she knew that if anyone would understand what it was like, it would be Allura and Darcy. She told them about her and Hunk having their picture taken and the article on the website and then what had happened earlier today.
"It sucks," Darcy agreed. "But for the most part the media is friendly and will back off, there are just a couple of gossip sites that make it hard."
"No media is allowed on castle grounds without an invitation," Allura told her. "And the only time they're ever inside is if we're having an event and they're invited. So, please, feel free to come up to the castle any time to get away from it."
"Do you ever get used to it?" Paton asked.
Darcy shrugged. "I guess so. I mean, it's just human nature to be curious about famous people. Once the novelty wears off it'll be easier to get some peace."
"That's what Hunk said."
"But it's worth it," Darcy assured her, looking over to where Lance was talking with his friends. "I hate the fact that any time he and I want to get off castle grounds and spend time together there is a chance our picture will show up on some website with a bogus story, but I wouldn't give up one second with him. And he and I know the truth about our relationship and that's what's important."
"I guess we can't help who we fall in love with and we have to take the good with the bad," Paton sighed.
As the party started to wind down, Hunk wandered over to where Cam was standing alone against the railing, looking up at the side of the house.
"I was thinking," Cam said as he approached. "We could probably put a roof over the deck, keep it shaded from the sun and protected from the rain. You could use it pretty much any time then."
"We'll see what Paton thinks." Hunk turned so he was leaning against the railing as well. Paton was over by the table with Zed and a handful of her officers who still lingered, laughing, drinking and talking. "I think you were going to tell me something earlier, before we were interrupted."
"What do you mean?"
"About Paton's ex."
Cam took a long drink from his beer. "Look, Hunk, I don't think it's up to me to tell you all that."
"I have a feeling it isn't good news and I doubt I would get the whole story from Paton, would I?"
"Probably not."
"I love her, Cam, I plan on spending the rest of my life with her. Please tell me what I need to know."
Cam threw his head back to look at the night sky, letting out a long breath. "Okay. Paton was pretty shy when she was younger, she had a bit of a weight problem when she was real young. She was self-conscious, she was the tallest girl in her class and up until junior year she was taller than most of the boys. And you know how kids can be cruel. It wasn't that she couldn't find a date, she just didn't believe anyone wanted to date her. Her first serious relationship started the summer after she graduated, before she joined the police academy. They met at an initiation meeting about a month before the academy term began." He turned to look at Hunk.
"You have to understand what being a cop means to Pat, she's wanted it since she was a little kid. She started preparing when she was thirteen. We come from a long line of big people, tall and big boned, if we aren't careful, we can put on weight easily, it's something she's always been worried about. She began running when she was thirteen, practicing martial arts, doing whatever she could to stay in shape, but she was always healthy. Our mother was determined that we eat healthily. Pat would run obstacle courses my dad would set up, she would take turns tackling me or Ifans to the ground. Our dad would play observation games with her, like, if we went out to dinner, after we left he would quiz her on things like how many men were in the restaurant, were there any children under the age of four, was anyone wearing a hat, what color was the hat. Those kinds of things. And she loved it. Being a cop is who she is and she's damn good at it.
"This guy seemed perfect for her. He wanted all the same things, they entered the academy together, took classes together, they even liked the same music. But there was something about him I didn't trust, right from the beginning. He seemed to have everyone else fooled, my parents loved him, but he seemed kind of smarmy to me.
"They were together probably eight months or so when I first noticed something was really wrong."
"What was it?" Hunk asked in a low voice.
"She just wasn't being herself. She was more quiet and a bit withdrawn, depressed, she stopped hanging out with her girlfriends. Then we all noticed she started to lose weight. My mother was worried she was sick, like really sick, with something serious. But no, Pat just said she was feeling stressed. Everything about her seemed to change and I didn't buy her excuse about being stressed. She was so excited about being in the academy, she was top in her class. I was the first to suspect he had something to do with it. I found out that while Pat was succeeding, he wasn't. I went to see her once at the academy and I overheard some of the things he said to her. It was bad, Hunk, real bad. I always thought Pat could take care of herself and physically she could. Not only was she strong, but at this point she had over five years of martial arts training. What I hadn't figured was what emotional abuse would do to her." Cam stopped to take a drink. "He couldn't control her physically, but he could control her emotionally."
Hunk felt anger grow so strong that his vision started to waver.
"Pat is almost six feet tall," Cam continued. "She got down to less than 120 pounds."
"She was anorexic?" Hunk glanced over at Paton, she was so healthy and beautiful now.
Cam nodded. "He made her feel so awful, she starved herself trying to appease him. He really messed with her head."
"What happened?"
"She ended up in the hospital. The doctor told us she was only getting between 200 and 300 calories a day while trying to keep up with her training. We staged an intervention, our parents, Ifans, and I showed up with the academy commissioner. She was going to get kicked out of the academy if she didn't shape up and they didn't want to lose her, they saw her potential."
"What happened to her boyfriend?"
"He actually failed out, neither physically nor intellectually was he cut out to be a police officer. We convinced Pat she was better off without him and when she saw that she stood to lose everything she ever wanted because of this guy, she agreed. She dropped out of the academy and went into a rehab program. They helped her deal with the deeper issues that had led to the anorexia and she worked with a nutritionist to get back her strength. She also met with a psychiatrist, five times a week for three months, three times a week for three months and then once a week for six more months. She was able to reenroll in the academy, once she passed the full psychological and physical exams. This time around, she succeeded and graduated at the top of her class."
"What's his name?"
Cam shook his head. "Don't worry about it, he hasn't been in her life in almost six years, he's just some loser, I don't even know where he is now."
"Give me his name and I'll find him."
"No, Hunk, Pat has moved on. She's a totally different person, the worst thing you could do would be to drag him into this. I meant it when I said I haven't seen her this happy in years. We didn't want her to go to Arus alone, but when it was announced they were starting a police department, she knew she wanted to come back here and have a fresh start. When she was made chief, we were all thrilled. I have no doubt she will be an amazing chief, she's the best officer I know. She loves her job and she loves you. You've been good for her."
Hunk watched as Paton walked a few of her men to their cars and said good night. As he thought of what she had been through and how far she had come, he felt his chest swell with pride. She really was an amazing woman. "This guy had jealousy issues, didn't he?"
"Yeah."
Hunk swore. "And my behavior this afternoon didn't help."
"I think the jealousy put her off, but you are a completely different man, anyone can see that."
"I won't hurt her, ever."
"I know you won't. We just met, but I can tell, just the way you look at her, what she means to you."
"She means everything."
"Just…just accept her for who she is."
"She's perfect."
Cam laughed. "Oh, man, I love my sister as much as any brother can love his sister, but I'll be the first to say she isn't perfect. None of us are."
"She's perfect for me." Hunk looked at him. "She is the most incredible woman I've ever known. All I want from her is a life together, a family."
Cam smiled at him. "I get the feeling she wants that too."
"Who wants what?" Zed asked, coming up beside his boyfriend.
"We were just talking about how sickeningly happy Hunk makes Paton."
"Oh, Hunk, she was gushing at lunch today, positively gushing over you. She is head over heels."
"So am I," Hunk told him.
Zed sighed. "I'm picturing a spring wedding."
"Here on the deck," Hunk added.
"What a fantastic night!" Paton announced as she threw her arms around Hunk's waist and hugged him tightly.
"It was pretty awesome," he agreed, wrapping his arm around her and kissing her forehead.
She tipped her head back to look at him. "Everything all right?"
"Just fine."
"Is everyone gone?" Cam asked.
Paton leaned against Hunk, her head on his shoulder. "Yup, but I don't want to think about cleaning up right now."
"It's your birthday," Hunk said. "Go, put your feet up. We'll clean up."
"I can do that." Paton walked over to the table, grabbed her glass of wine and settled into one of the Adirondack chairs facing the sofa. "Get to work, slaves."
The three men carried plates, cups, and bottles into the kitchen. Hunk started loading the dishwasher while Zed went about sorting the trash. When Cam went back out to the porch to see if there was anything left to clean up, he didn't come back.
Hunk looked out the window and saw the brother and sister in what appeared to be a rather heated conversation. Paton stood up and glared at her brother, talking fast and gesturing with her hands. Cam took a step toward her and seemed to be just as angry with his response.
"I'll be right back," he told Zed.
Both Paton and Cam stopped talking as soon as the door opened. When Paton saw it was Hunk, she spun on her heel and went to stand by the railing looking out over the side yard, her back to the two men. Cam sighed and shook his head at Hunk before wordlessly walking back into the house.
"Paton?"
She shook her head.
He walked over to stand beside her. "Are you okay?"
She cleared her throat, twice. "I hear my brother couldn't keep his mouth shut."
"I'm glad he told me."
"Why?"
"Because I wanted to know and I think he wanted me to know."
"What about what I want?" She glared up at him with wide, wet eyes. "Did either of you stop to think about what I wanted you to know?"
"Were you ever going to tell me?"
"Eventually. It's hard to work it into most conversations. Hey, Hunk, want to hear about the year I spent with an abusive asshole that almost cost me my dreams?" Her voice cracked and she turned to look out at the woods.
"Paton," he said gently, going to lay his hand on her shoulder, but she tensed and he dropped his hand. "I'm sorry if you feel we betrayed your trust or that we didn't take your feelings into consideration. I just had a feeling that what happened had been bad, and I was right, and I was worried you would sugarcoat it and not tell me everything."
"Why do you even need to know about it?" She whispered.
"It's part of who you are, Paton, and I want to know everything about you. I understand that it was a very difficult time for you and that you were hurt, deeply, but I don't understand why you're so upset that I know about it."
She sniffed and didn't answer.
Hunk grabbed a napkin off the table and handed it to her. His heart broke a little as he watched her dab her eyes.
"I don't want you to change how you look at me," she admitted, her voice trembling.
"What do you mean?"
"When people hear about what I went through, they pity me, they feel sorry for me. I don't ever want you to pity me, I don't want you to look at me and feel sorry for me. One of the reasons I left Latrial was that too many people knew, too many people felt sorry for me. I can't deal with that."
"Pity?" Hunk laid his hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him. "Pity never crossed my mind. What I felt was pride. I am so proud of you, honey, so proud of all you've accomplished and how far you've come. Anyone who knows you would never pity you. You are the strongest, bravest woman I know."
She dabbed at the corner of her left eye. "I don't know about that."
He pulled her close to him and wrapped his arms around her. "I am proud of you. Proud that you walked away from that scumbag, proud that you got your life together, proud that you graduated top of your class, and proud of the fact that you are quite possibly the youngest police chief in history. You are amazing, Paton, truly amazing."
She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him hard, pressing her face to his neck.
For several long moments they stood in the quiet solitude, holding onto each other.
"Thank you," she whispered against his neck.
"I love you," he whispered back. "Nothing will ever change that. I love you for the amazing woman you are. I wouldn't change a thing about you."
She lifted her head to look at him. "I am so lucky to have you in my life. What I have with you is nothing like what I had with Vic."
Hunk scowled. "His name was Vic? That is such a douchebag name."
She smiled. "He did everything he could to try and tear me down, to control me. With you, I feel amazing and strong and invincible."
"Because you are."
"I wasn't trying to hide anything from you, I just didn't know how to broach the subject."
"I know. Promise me something."
"Anything."
He cupped her cheek with his hand. "If I ever say anything that upsets you, tell me. I will never knowingly hurt you."
"I know you won't, but I don't want you to feel you have to censor yourself around me. I want you to tease me, flirt with me, and make me laugh."
"I can do that." Hunk slid his hands down to her waist. "I'll start with the flirting."
"I was hoping you would."
He captured her lips in a lingering kiss. "I just love," he said as he moved his lips to the curve where her throat met her shoulder. "Every square inch," he moved his mouth across her shoulder, "of your body."
"Every square inch, huh?" She asked, tilting her head back. "Even my wide hips?"
He slid his hands down to her hips. "Just the right width," he murmured against her throat as he kissed his way up to her jaw.
"And my big butt?"
He moved his hands around to cup her backside in his hands, gently squeezing. "Not big at all, perfect handfuls."
Paton laughed. "You have big hands."
Hunk lifted his head to grin down at her. "No, you were just made for me."
She ran her hands up and down his biceps, stopping to squeeze his muscles. "I think you're right. And you were made for me."
"Are there any other parts of your anatomy you want me to size up for you?"
"Are you asking permission to cop a feel?"
"I'm asking permission to have crazy monkey sex with you."
Paton opened her mouth to respond, but whatever she was going to say was lost in a burst of laughter. She dropped her forehead to his shoulder. "I give you full permission any time you want it."
"Thank you."
She lifted her head in surprise when she felt a sharp tug on the back of her dress and the bodice loosened. "Hunk! What are you doing?"
"The ribbon on the back of your dress has been driving me crazy all night."
"Really?"
"Yup. From the moment you twirled in front of me, I have wondered what it would be like to pull on that ribbon." He nudged the strap down her right shoulder. "And I have to admit, I'm enjoying the outcome."
"Hunk we are outside!"
"We're alone." He paused. "Paton?"
"What?"
"Are you wearing a bra?"
"Uh, no. This dress came with built in support, the way it's made there was really no way to wear a bra without it being seen." She looked up and saw his eyes darken as he looked at her. "Is that a problem?"
"If I had known, the party would have ended a lot sooner."
"We could move the party upstairs."
"I like the way you think."
Paton slipped her shoulder strap back in place. "Hunk?"
"Hm?"
"Thank you…for being you."
"Paton." He hugged her tightly to him. "You are beautiful, you are wanted, and you are loved."
"Oh, honey, I can't believe you remembered that."
"Remember it?" He asked, releasing her and taking her hand so they could head inside. "That's the first thing that pops into my mind every time I see you."
"Oh, stop."
"It's true. Well, to be honest, the want part is usually the first thing I think when I see you."
12 Years Later
Hunk lit the grill and closed the lid. Their friends would be arriving soon for the monthly barbeque, they all took turns hosting during the spring and summer, and this month was the Landers' turn.
"Casey! Mykel!" He called to the two boys running around the yard. "Come here!"
The boys, Casey at seven years old was already a carbon copy of Hunk while five year old Mykel was all Lacko, looking just like his Uncle Cam at that age, ran up onto the deck.
"Go inside and see if Mom needs help."
"Oh no," Paton said as she walked out carrying paper plates and a basket filled with plastic utensils in one hand while holding eleven month old Natalia on her hip with her other hand. "I just got them out from under foot, they're your problem now."
"Nope, I'm on baby duty," Hunk said, holding out his hands to his little girl. With a squeal of delight, she threw herself at her father.
While Casey and Mykel were energetic bundles of noise and dirt, Natalia had taken after her father with her easy going personality. With both Paton and Hunk working long hours in high pressure jobs, they had planned on stopping after two kids, but then Paton felt sick two Christmases ago and they were surprised with their little girl the following summer.
"Dad, play ball with us!" Mykel demanded.
Hunk looked at him, an eyebrow raised in question.
"Please," the boy added.
He held out his hand for the football. "Go long."
Casey and Mykel took off, running toward the backyard. Hunk stood on the deck and let loose with a perfect spiral. Casey was faster, but Mykel could jump higher and he caught the ball before his brother.
Paton clapped her hands. "Good catch, Mykie!"
Hunk reached out with his free hand and pulled his wife to him, nuzzling her neck. "Hi, beautiful."
"I don't have time for this, everyone will be here soon," she half-heartedly protested.
"There is always time for this," he replied.
A car pulled up in front of the cottage and the horn was cheerfully honked.
"It's Uncle Cam and Uncle Zed!" Casey yelled.
"Uncle Cam! Come play ball with us!" Mykel shouted as their uncles got out of their car.
Paton dropped her head to Hunk's shoulder. "Where is their volume control? Why do they have to shout everything?"
"That comes from your side of the family, we Landers are a quiet bunch."
"Ha! Whatever."
As if on cue, Cam ran across the yard to his nephews, matching them shout for shout.
"Is that my little princess?" Zed asked, climbing the steps to the deck. He set a covered dish on the table and held out his hands for his niece. "Oh, you have gotten cuter just since the last time I saw you. We have to convince your parents to let you model for me."
Natalia placed a chubby hand on both of Zed's cheeks and pursed her lips for a kiss, which he gladly gave her.
"And you are such a little flirt!"
"That's what happens when I let her hang around you," Hunk said. "You want a drink?"
"I'd love a beer."
"Declan and Gideon are here!" Casey yelled as he and his brother ran past the porch.
A van pulled up in front of the house. Keith and Allura climbed out with their brood, twelve year old Cady, ten year old twins Declan and Gideon, six year old Tess, and two year old Charlotte, as well as Nanny. The next car pulled up with Pidge and Becca and their two year old son, Luke, and they were followed by Lance, Darcy, and eleven year old Sky.
Within seconds the backyard was filled with laughter and loud shouts as the kids ran around and the adults gathered on the deck.
Hunk manned the grill, dishing out hot dogs, hamburgers, and grilled chicken. Paton made the rounds, making sure everyone had what they needed. It was a loud whirlwind of conversation, laughter, and all-around smartassedness. These barbeques were everyone's favorite day of the month.
"Hey, handsome," Paton said as she joined Hunk at the railing, looking out over the yard where the kids were being split into teams with Lance and Pidge to play kickball. The small playpen area they had set up beside the deck for the youngest members of the family was being watched over by Keith, Allura, and Becca.
Hunk reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. "Hey, beautiful."
"It looks like everyone is full; we can let the kids work up more of an appetite before we start the fire for the s'mores."
"Sounds good to me." He looked at her. "I've been thinking."
"What about?"
"This deck gets rather crowded any more, I think we should talk to Cam about adding on to it."
Paton caught her brother's eye and waved him over.
"What's up?" Cam asked.
"We're thinking about adding on to the deck, making it bigger. What do you think?" Paton asked.
"The deck?" Cam repeated.
Paton nodded.
"Every since you told us you were expecting Nat I thought you were going to ask about adding on to the house."
"The house?" Hunk asked.
"The house is perfect," Paton said.
"But the boys are sharing a room."
Hunk shrugged. "It builds character. What do you think about the deck? Can we add more space but not take away too much of the yard."
Cam looked around for a moment. "Well, if we remove the railing on this side, we can build out and along the sides, probably add another 100 square feet and still have plenty of room for your little hellions to run wild in the yard. We'd have to move the grill, but we can make it work."
Hunk looked down at his wife. "Looks like we have a new project."
"We can make it a family project. We already know the boys build amazing birdhouses." Paton pointed to the birdhouse the boys had built with their father and painted neon blue with an orange roof.
"The boys can handle hammers and we can put Nat on the table saw."
"Yeah, she's almost a year old, it's about time she started pulling her weight." Paton turned to her brother. "When can you have plans made up?"
He rolled his eyes. "Really? I do have a job you know."
"So, what? A week?"
"Give me a month, I'll see what I can do. Are you sure about the house? I might already have something mocked up."
"No, the house is fine, stop trying to rebuild it."
"What if you have more kids?"
Hunk shook his head. "If we have more kids we'll be moving into the loony bin."
"All right, I'll see what I can come up with. Maybe a playhouse attached."
"Let's not go overboard," Paton said.
Cam grinned at her. "I have to retain my title of 'Favorite Uncle'."
"Dad!" Casey ran up onto the deck to his parents. "Can we start the fire soon?"
"Yeah, get your brother, you guys go inside and get the stuff to make the s'mores." Hunk told him.
"I'll help," Cam told his nephew. "I think Zed brought peanut butter cups, you haven't had a s'more until you've had one made with peanut butter cups."
"Oh man, that sounds amazing," Hunk whispered as Cam and Casey went to find Mykel.
Paton laughed. "They know the way to your heart."
Hunk wrapped both arms around her. "Nah, you're the only one that knows the way to my heart. Well, you and anyone with peanut butter cups."
"I thought building a deck was the way to your heart."
"I love the idea of the kids helping add on to the deck."
"In a few years we'll have to add on more so Nat can help."
Hunk shook his head. "We'll take a picture of her holding the drill and tell her she helped, she just doesn't remember."
Laughing, Paton took his face in her hands. "Not even a year old and you're messing with her."
"It's a parent's job to mess with their kids."
She gave him a quick kiss. "I love you."
"I love you, too," he said, dipping his head for a deeper, lingering kiss.
"Oh, come on!"
They broke apart at their son's cry.
"You said you'd start the fire!" Casey said. "Not kiss Mom."
"Yeah," Cam added. "It's so gross."
"Totally gross!" Mykel said.
"Yeah!" Lance called from across the yard. "You're grossing us all out!"
Hunk sighed. "I'm so glad you're all enjoying yourselves, at my home, eating my food, harassing me and my wife."
"That's all right," Lance said. "Next month you'll all be at my house, eating my food, and harassing me and my wife. So quit complaining, let's get to s'mores making!"