So so sorry about the lack of updates, hadn't realised it had been so long, will hopefully be able to get this fic wrapped up quickly. Enjoy.

Chapter 24

Brendan's pov

I can't believe we're back from Dublin already. The weekend seemed to have flew in and before I knew it we were in a taxi back to the village, that's when I realise we're back to reality, no longer will I be able to stay in our bubble.

"How about ye come to mine? Chez will be glad to see ye." I whisper into Stevens ear before kissing him at the pulse point on his neck. I know I'm using it as an excuse to keep in with me for a little longer. He lets out a laugh that sounds.. Well, cute, I still can't believe I use that as a word to describe anyone.

"Yeah but I gotta check on the deli soon."

"Im sure Douglas can cope for another few hours." It's the least he can do I think to myself, while I open the taxi door to get out.

We head up to the flat and as soon as we're in the door Cheryl is all over us, pulling both Steven and myself into a tight hug, "Oh I missed you guys!" She shrieks, before pulling away to look at us from arms length, "Wow yous look so happy! What went on?"

"What happens in Dublin stays in Dublin I'm afraid sis." I say before sending a wink in Steven's direction.

She lets out a giggle, "Don't worry Bren, I'm sure Ste will fill me in later." She nudges Steven and nods at him as if they've got some secret agreement.

"Yeah I'm sure he will." Steven's head shoots towards me as if to check if I'm being serious and I grin at him,

"Right I really gotta get to the deli." He says while puffing out a breath, he hasn't even been in here for ten minutes.

"I'll come with ye." I say jumping at the chance,

"Bren, you've had him all to yourself the full weekend, I'm sure yous can part for a few hours." Cheryl interrupts before Steven gets the chance to say anything back, "Deccy's coming soon anyway."

"Great well I can go to the deli with Steven and get some lunch then check on the club before he comes." I say while walking towards the door, she looks at me like she's about to protest but shakes her head obviously thinking better of it. Steven is following closely behind me, a confused look on his face.

"What were that all about?" He asks when we get outside.

"What ye talking about?" I ask pretending to be clueless, okay yeah I don't want to leave Steven and Douglas alone. Not because I think they'll get back together, Steven wouldn't do that. The insecurity is there though, but I want to make the most of my time with Steven before Declan gets here.

He frowns but doesn't say anything back. Just looks down at the ground as we walk down the stairs at the flat. The deli is quiet when we get inside, Douglas is behind the counter reading a newspaper. He smiles at first, until I fall into his eye line and he

sheepishly looks away. Avoiding further eye contact. I wonder if he knows I seen his text, Steven's probably told him.

"Hey!" Douglas says with a little too much enthusiasm, "How was your break away?" He directs it at Steven, completely shutting me out of the conversation.

"Yeah it was great! We had such a good time!" Steven replies back, looking at me as if for input.

Douglas quickly jumps in before I can even decide if I want to say anything or not, "The accountant needs a word with you, I didn't want to disturb you while you were away."

I snigger at that, can't help myself, as if. Douglas's face goes red, and Steven shoots me daggers before walking through to the kitchen.

I think about leaving, but instead I pace before sitting on the couch beside the window.

I stare outside for a while, watching people go by, some faces I recognise, some I've never seen in my life. Douglas clears his throat and its only when I turn to face him I realise he's moved to the seat across from me, not making eye contact,

"I don't want this to be anymore awkward than you do." He says, before hesitating to carry on.

"How can it not be?! There's a chance ye gave him in there, this thing." I hiss, trying to control my anger, for Steven's sake.

"And I'm sorry about that, what are you even worrying about, he hasn't got it." I automatically think Steven's found out his results and told him before me, "I'm clean, so that must mean someone else gave it to John-Paul."

It's only then that I see how he looks, the only word that could describe it would be distraught, like he's not slept in days. I actually need to try not to feel guilty for him. "I'm getting married in less than two weeks, and I've just found out that my fiancée has been cheating on me and didn't even have the guts to tell me." He starts crying, balling his eyes out, I'm useless with these sort of situations, I tap him on the shoulder, lightly. Definitely awkward,

"What ye gonna do?" I ask after a few minutes silence, he seems to have calmed down.

He frowns at me, "I'm still going to marry him obviously, that's what you do when you love someone. He needs to be honest with me I've already told him that but.." His jaw clenches, "I'll forgive him."

"Is it really a good idea to marry him after you've found this out, shouldn't ye postpone?" I realise I should be pushing Douglas into marrying JohnPaul not trying to talk him out of it, "Ye know what they say about bad blood."

He looks thoughtful for a minute, "There's no decision for me, he makes me happy. I don't know how I would live without him." Even now, feeling the way I do about Steven I feel like laughing at how pathetic Douglas is acting, who's making him act like this.

Steven comes out puffing out a breath before I stand up, "Everything okay?" I ask him, the last thing he needs is aggro off his accountant.

"Yeah fine, he just wanted to check in and see how we were doing." He smiles,

"Good." I tell him before closing the distance between us and giving him a soft kiss, I almost forget Douglas is even here. Steven must though because he pulls away, looking up at me through his eyelashes.

"Well I better get to the club, Deccy will be here soon if he isn't already." I hate dropping the bomb because I know Steven still thinks I'm ashamed of him but its more myself I'm ashamed of, that I'm not brave enough to introduce my own son to Steven. Maybe I'll be able to explain it later.

He shrugs as if to say its no big deal, "On you go then, give me a text or something." I can see the slight slump of his shoulders and the disappointment laced across his face, I brush my lips against his temple and press a light kiss against the skin there before I pull away completely from him.

"See ya." I say giving him a half hearted smile before nodding to Douglas and making my way over to the club.

It's dead at the club, a few of the regular punters but that's about it, it isn't five o'clock yet so we should probably pick up after that, people coming straight from work, most likely men before the students start to fill the room.

Declan's nowhere to be seen, Rhys is behind the bar,

"Chez about?" I ask him then, and he gives me his attention.

"She's in the office I'm sure." He says before getting back into whatever dull conversation he's having with a brunette across the bar.

I knock before going in, only to alert my sister that someone's about to barge into the office,

"Hey Bren." She gives me a grin while she looks away from whatever is on the paper infront of her.

I shut the door behind me properly, don't want a repeat of last week. "Chez I need to ask ye something."

She sits up straighter, all ears, "Ye've got my attention now don't keep me waiting."

"It's about Steven, well with Delcan coming over. I don't really know how to play this." Douglas's words have been going round in my head 'that's what you do when you love someone'.

"You really want to know what I think?" She raises her eyebrow, "You should be honest with Declan, obviously have your father-son time but maybe you should at least tell him about Ste."

"I've never.." I can't even finish the sentence,

"I know Brendan but you've never had a reason to, if you weren't planning on having Ste stick around then you wouldn't even consider introducing them." She gives me that look that says sister knows best,

"How exactly do I do that Chez? Hey declan meet my gay lover Steven, ye can call him dad number two if ye want" I say in a sarcastic tone, don't mean to be snappy.

"You know that's not what I mean but Declan isn't a child anymore, he's eighteen." Her saying it out loud brings it home, he's grown up he can handle this. "It might even help."

"How can this help? It might just confuse him." I know I would be confused if it was my dad, but then I remember that I really am like a saint compared to my dad.

"You can't shield him from this love, he already knows your gay." She rolls her eyes, "He's already told me he worries about you Brendan, we all do."

"What's there to worry about?"

"It's no secret that your.. Well a lone wolf sort of thing, we're your family we've always been your priority, Declan and Padraig have always been your priority, weather you were with Eileen or not." She's saying this as if I don't already know, "You've always looked out for all of us especially they boys, who was going to look out for you? They're going to grow up and move on and find they're own way but well.. Declan didn't think you would, he didn't think you'd settle down."

Is that what Steven is to me? My priority? I don't think I could ever put anyone before the boys, is that what I'm doing with Steven, settling down?

I don't get anymore time to ponder over my thoughts when Declan comes into the office, grin plastered across his face,

"Nobody ever teach ye how to knock?" I smirk before bringing him into a hug,

"I blame the parents." He makes a witty comeback before turning his attention to Cheryl,

"Oh come here will you?" She shrieks, always gets like this with her nephews, "I swear your getting more handsome every time I see you." She holds him out at arms length before pulling him into a tight grip and planting a kiss on his cheek, he has a small blush when he pulls away. She always did like to make a fuss over him.

"Plane and everything alright over then?" I ask him, "I would've picked ye up but I was.. Busy."

"Yeah was fine dad, it isn't the first time I've flew myself."

I nod back at him, "I know I'm just checking."

"Anyway how about you boys get back to the flat Bren you can get declan settled in."

"Ye be okay here?" I double check before skiving off again, not even back a day and I'll be leaving early,

"Yeah on you go love, Jackie and Sinead are in at five so ill be home soon after that. Just make sure you've got me a chippy by the time I'm in."

"Okay thanks Chez." I give her a quick peck on the cheek before we both head out the office, "so what do ye think of the club then?" I ask Declan,

"Yeah it's great!" He exclaims, "maybe I could come here one night before I'm back home."

"Yeah maybe." I quickly glance over at the deli but can't get a visual of Steven,

"This place seems alright." He says from beside me,

"Huh?" I grunt back, at first I think he could be talking about Steven,

"The village I mean." He elaborates, "You've got everything here, a club, a pub, a shop even a deli."

"Yeah it's alright I guess." I shrug, it is what it is nothing special about it,

The rest of the way to the flat is filled with Declan rabbiting on about his plans to go to college after the holidays finish, "I was thinking about maybe moving here for college, there's a lot more courses here rather than back home."

"Yeah?" I say, the thought of him being closer warms my heart,

"Would mean I could maybe get a few shifts at the club to pay for my student life aswell, not many jobs going back home either."

"If ye need anything ye know ye can come to me." I've already told him numerous times before,

"Yeah I know, it's just well I want to stand in my own to feet don't I? Lets be honest by the time you were my age you had me and a job aswell as mam."

"How is your ma? And Padraig?"

"Yeah they're good, mam and Michael are finally setting a date for the wedding, Paddy's excited about starting high school." I can't believe that's my youngest going to high school now, time sure does fly.

"Good good." I nod again, we get into the flat and he gets himself settled in the spare room, I phone the local chippy to place an order to be picked up and quickly phone Chez to see if she'll pick it up for us. She doesn't mind anyway.

Declan picks a couple of movies and shoves one of them on, it's twenty minutes in when Cheryl comes in,

"Hey guys, what we watching?" She asks strolling by us to put the chippy on the table.

"Load of crap, Declan picked." I say at the same time Declan says,

"We are the millers, it's a comedy, Jennifer Aniston is in it, she's hot." I smirk at him while he shoots daggers. "What took you so long anyway? Dad said you were just leaving the club when he phoned you?"

"Oh I just met a friend." She shrugs, laughing it off,

"A boyfriend? Come on don't be secretive aunt Chez, your rubbish at it."

"No he's not my boyfriend." She shoots a look at me and I already know who she's met, "It was just Ste, he runs the deli across from the club."

"Are you blushing?" Declan smirks, "Is talking about Ste getting you all flustered?"

I'm about to intervene when Cheryl beats me to it, "Don't be silly love, Ste's a sweetheart but I don't think I'm his type."

Declan laughs, "Don't be daft, I'm sure he feels the same as you do." He sounds as if he's the voice of reason spreading his wisdom but he is so barking up the wrong tree.

"No really, I'm not." She laughs, cackles even, "Your getting this all wrong, Ste's gay."

The room is silent for about ten seconds but it feels like a lifetime to me, I can feel Declan's attention turn to me and I'm praying he hasn't worked it out but then would it be so bad if he did? It would save me the hassle of telling him.

"Well looks like your not the only gay in the village dad." He laughs hysterically at his own joke and I let out a slightly nervous laugh of my own while Cheryl joins in widening her eyes at me as if to say, 'now is the perfect time, do it.'

I don't though, all that comes out my mouth is an empty laugh, and before I know it the chance had passed and Cheryl's saved me yet again,

"Love you'd be surprised the place is full of them." And the conversation flows from then on, Cheryl and Declan's chatting away and I put my input in every now and then, we tuck in to our chippy sitting at the couches watching the rest of the crappy movie, I take the time to text Steven,

I think of a few different things to write but instead I settle for,

'Wish ye were here, bed will be too big without ye, B x'

I sound like a soppy teen, texting my crush but I shake the feeling off when I get a reply almost instantly,

'Me too, it's been a long day Ste xx'

'It's been a long four hours without ye. B'

' lol u keepin track? Ste xx'

'Maybe, B x'

I don't get a text back and I see Declan looking at me, a confused look on his face before he turns back to the tv. That's when I know I've got to tell him, what harm could it do? He'll find out one way or another,

'Im going to tell declan tonight B x'

I send the message before I have time to think, know there's a possibility I could back out of it,

'Dont b daft, u don't need to do that. Ste xx'

The fact that he's understanding tells me everything I need to know, he had kids too knows what it's like, that we'll need to spend time apart when Declan's here the same as we do when his kids are over.

'I do really. He ain't a kid anymore sometimes I forget, B x'

'I don't want u to hate me for it tho, u don't have to tell him becos of me Ste xx'

And there's Douglas's voice again,

'I love ye steven and I love my kids, I'm doing it for us all. B x'

I'm doing this for us, for me.

'I love u too Ste xxx.'

That's all the answer I get back, but it's all I need to know, I need to step up. Cheryl excuses herself to go for a shower and I know she's giving me another opportunity to tell him so I need to take it. I pause the movie, and that gets his full attention he turns to me with a frown etched on his face.

"Dec.. We need to talk." I force myself to say,

He looks eager, giddy almost "Sure what's up?"

"Well.. It's just.." I don't know how to start this, have never really had to have an awkward conversation with either of my boys before, there was the birds and the bees then giving Deccy into trouble for skipping school to go hang out in a house with a girl but this was different.

Probably because I'm not preparing or lecturing Declan about anything. I'm about to mix my two separate lives together but they've already became so tangled that I can't think of any other way around this. If Declan was here for a week then yeah I could probably work Steven and him around so I can see them both but what about the next holiday or if Declan does move here, I won't be able to avoid it forever.

"Dad is everything alright?" I'm pulled out of my thoughts and see the worried look on his face,

"Yeah.. Just give me a minute." I take a deep breath, how do you tell your kid your seeing someone? Shit how do you tell them it's serious? "Well ye know that I'm gay?" I start by stating the obvious, His face lifts and I think he might know where I'm going with this, "I've sort of met someone."

"You've met someone?" He repeats, and I register the shock on his face, "When? Who?"

"We've been seeing each other for a few months." I answer the first question,

"A few..? And you couldn't have told me this sooner?" I finally look at him, scared that he's mad but he's grinning, "What's he like then?" He sits back now that I've told him,

"His names Steven.. Ste." I don't know what else to say, what can I really tell him?

"Will I?" He starts to ask a question before thinking better of it, I know what he was going to say though,

"Ye wanting to meet him?" I ask, somewhat unsure,

"Am I allowed?" He sounds just as unsure, "Does he even know about me?" He adds even quieter.

"Of course he knows about ye, I've told him all about both my boys." I don't know why I'm surprised that he asked that, he does know how private I am.

"But will he want to meet me?"

"Yeah, course. I kinda told him to keep his distance because at first I thought it would be best not to tell ye." Now it's my turn to look away, "I'll ask him when he'll be free to meet ye."

"Yeah cool, you got a picture so I can put a face to this 'Ste' ?" He asks,

I huff and roll my eyes before pulling my phone out and quickly scrolling through my pictures before I find a suitable one, its recent from our trip to Dublin. We're in a restaurant, the waitress had offered to take a picture of us and Steven only too eagerly accepted,

We're both smiling and I can remember Steven squeezing my thigh making me grin just before the camera snapped. He looks gorgeous as always, I pass the phone to Declan,

He examines the screen before passing me it back, "He's, well I don't really know what he is but he obviously makes you happy. I could tell there was something different about you but I didn't know what exactly."

I tilt my head to the side trying to gauge if he's pretending to be happy for me or not,

"He looks cool, not what I expected." He takes the remote and turns the movie back on almost as if nothing really happened, I don't know what he did expect, somebody older maybe?

The next morning I wake up at nine, stretching out and grabbing the sheets beside me, expecting a warm body beside me but then I remember Steven and I frown while I wonder when I got used to waking up to him.

Declan's already dressed and eating toast when I get downstairs, "Got something to do today son?" I ask him, thinking he probably made plans with some lads he knows over this way,

"Yeah I'm meeting your boyfriend." He grins before biting into his toast,

Cheryl giggles and winks at me, "Ye can take the day off Bren, but I've got a date with Nate tonight."

"Yeah aunt Chez said he would probably be in the deli anyway so we could go there." Declan intervenes and Cheryl shrugs,

When I get a moment alone with Cheryl the silence doesn't last long, "I'm proud of ye Bren you know that?" She gives my shoulder a squeeze, "From that night in the bar I had known there was something between you and Ste, that's why me and Theresa left." She admits,

I had been so caught up with me and Steven I had never really thought about it, "Funnily enough I'm glad ye did." Although I still think we would've got to this point one way or another.

"Declan ye ready?!" I shout up the stairs once I'm finally showered and suited, my hands tapping impatiently against the banister of the stairs. He scurries down the stairs and I'm surprised he doesn't trip over his own feet out of excitement.

I don't know who's more nervous me or him, I haven't let steven know were going to be coming in for a visit I thought about it but didn't know what to say.

"Ye alright dad?" Declan asks me unsure, "We don't need to do this."

"Yeah I'm fine just isn't something I ever planned on doing."

We walk the short distance to the deli, Declan's struggling to keep up to my pace. I look in the window and see that it's quiet inside, Steven and Douglas are the only ones in.

I register the surprise on Steven's face as soon as he looks in our direction. He shuffles around the counter, looking awkward the last he heard from me was last night and I told him I was going to tell Declan about us, I didn't get around to letting him know about our conversation.

I feel a nudge against my arm as Steven speaks,

"Hiya, what yous havin?" He has a wobbly smile on his face and I know he's trying to gauge if Declan knows who he is.

"Steven." I finally speak, "This is Declan, Declan this is Steven."

I register the shock on Stevens face,

Declan grins before pulling him into a hug and both me and Steven are surprised with how familiar he's being with Steven. "Alright?" Steven returns the smile when Declan releases him,

"So your my dads boyfriend then?" He asks bluntly with a grin,

I hear Douglas chocking on his coffee before excusing himself, "I'm just gonna." He thumbs towards the kitchen, must feel out of place.

"Well.. Yeah I guess." Steven shuffles his feet on the one spot,

"It's nice to meet you!" Declan shrieks, "You must be pretty great to get my dad to talk about you."

I cringe at the way he puts it out, as if I talk about Steven all the time,

He blushes before raising an eyebrow at me, "You's wanting anything to eat or that?" He wrings his knotted fingers,

"I'll have my usual." I grunt before turning my attention to declan,

"Can I have a cheese and ham toastie please Ste." Declan asks, dragging out the 'e' he must have realised I'm the only person that calls him Steven.

"Yeah no bother." He says and busies himself making our food, "So yous up to much today?" I know he's trying to make this as normal as he can, can probably tell I'm on edge what with me having two out of the four most important people in my life in the one room.

"We're just heading over to the club after this, Deccy got a wee look about yesterday."

"I was thinking maybe we could go for something to eat? I saw that pub yesterday how's that for food?" I can see what Declan's trying to do and it warms my heart,

"Yeah it's alright." I tell him,

"Well the three of us and Cheryl could go for something to eat?"

Steven looks at me must be checking its okay with me before he nods at Declan,

"Will need to be a late lunch, early dinner. Chez is out with Nate tonight so I don't think she'll come and I need to work." I tell Declan,

"Cool so say half four?" He grins,

"I'm alright with that." Steven says in a calm voice sounding completely opposite to how I feel, am I ready for this? Dinner with my son and my.. boyfriend?

"Yeah we'll see you then." I tell him while he passes over my sandwich and Declan's toastie, I lean over the counter and give him a quick chaste kiss,

I don't know who's more shocked out the three of us, "See ye." I say while I wink at him,

"Bye Ste!" Declan grins and waves enthusiastically, "Nice to meet you see you later."

Steven gives a sheepish smile that turns into a grin when I shake my head at my eldest sons behaviour.

Looks like this will be easier than I thought.

Thanks to anyone that's taken the time to read this, hope you enjoyed x