"Louis is washed up and put to bed." Alan announced as walked onto the deck. He had two beers, one of which he promptly handed to Walden before leaning against the railing.
"Awesome, I thought he was never gonna calm down."
"Well, sometimes kids are rambunctious. At least he's not like a certain gassy kid who one day cost his parents $500 dollars' worth of damage in a Target after he ate three whole boxes of Hostess cupcakes and drank half of his mom's expresso."
"Dare I ask who that kid was?"
"He's fighting for our country as we speak."
Walden gave a sarcastic salute before talk a swig of his beer.
"I never thought I'd be doing this again." Alan whispered.
"What?"
"Fatherhood. Now mind you, I thought it was just gonna an never ending job because, you know, it's Jake we're talking about. Instead I just got a different kid.
"Husband included."
"Well, turns out you guys are a package deal." Alan said as he sauntered over to the younger man, raised an inquiring eyebrow and waved a hand silently asking if he could join. Walden took his beer from him to sit it on the table and patted his thigh.
Alan gingerly sat down, mindful of his weight. After a little maneuvering he was lying on top Walden in way that mirrored that legendary morning where they woke up naked and blitzed. Walden pressed him closer in a warm embrace and Alan nestled into his chest.
"Do you regret it?"
"Of course not," Alan responded, sound almost offended. "Mind you, I could have done without the near heart attack of potentially getting arrested for fraud or confusing feelings turning into pining. But, hey, it turned out well in the end."
"Sorry I kept you waiting…Alley Cat."
Alan gave a chuckle before pulling the other man's face down for a kiss. For a couple of minutes they lie together in silence, just enjoying each other's company.
"Walden?" they heard from upstairs. "Alan?"
They both groaned in unison.
Duty calls.