"Luke," the voice was low and measured. "Wake up baby."
Thomas Teller never knew his true name. He'd only been two years old when Jax and Tara entered the Witness Protection Program; he'd never known Thomas Teller. He'd always been Luke Morgan. As his eyes opened to the sound of his name, he rolled to his back and squinted against the brilliant South Carolina sun. Before him, the object of his affection smiled brilliantly, and Thomas, unable to help himself, deeply kissed his love. When the kiss was returned with an almost savage desire, Thomas shuddered and wondered how he got so lucky.
"Good morning to you too," Thomas teasingly whispered. "You ready for today?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." The words were tinged with nervous energy. Thomas sat up.
"William Charles Latrie, I have never known you to be afraid of anything," Thomas' voice was tinged with a hint of laughter and a hint of surprise. He brushed a gentle hand across William's face, and William leaned into the sweet, intimate touch. A rush of love came over Thomas as her stared into his lover's dark eyes.
"Oh, all three names," William smiled. "I must be in trouble now." Thomas rolled his eyes and laughed.
"Seriously," William stated. "Today is a pretty big deal. You're graduating…I'm meeting your parents…"
"And they'll know how absolutely happy you make me," Thomas finished. His pale blue eyes stared deeply into William's ebony ones, and he reached out and gripped William's hand.
"You're not scared?" William asked. He watched the man he loved sit up and stare at nothing at all. Specks of ground quartz glimmered within the red brick walls of William's loft. Sunlight streamed through the sheer, gauzy white curtains. The room had warmed considerably, and a fine sheen of perspiration covered William's caramel skin. He didn't know if it was heat or fear that made him sweat.
Thomas stared ahead, unsure of the answer. Of course I'm scared, he thought. In fact, I am terrified. He thought of his parents. He knew them as Eric and Elizabeth Morgan, body shop owners and well-loved members of their tiny North Carolina community. He was born and raised into what he always thought was the perfect family.
Two boys, two girls. Thomas remembered feeling so different growing up. His older brother was the all-star, the stereotypical captain of the football team. Abel Teller was six feet, three inches of wholesome, all-American, blonde hair, blue eyed beauty, and Thomas had always felt a lesser man compared to his brother. His love for art and for certain aesthetics, as well as his lack of interest in anything athletic, always made him a target for Abel's teasing. It was his deep, abiding love for his brother that kept Thomas immune to the good-hearted barbs.
He doesn't even know, Thomas thought to himself. Adam has no idea. He closed his eyes for a moment, completely unaware of how complicated his life truly was. If he'd known Adam was really Abel, the secret of his sexuality, a secret he'd kept from his entire family, would have paled in comparison.
"I am scared," Thomas said quietly. He still stared ahead, and he didn't meet William's eyes as he spoke. "But it doesn't matter. My fear, my questions-they've all lived within me for too long. They deserve the truth. I deserve the truth. You, my love, you deserve the truth." With his last words, Thomas looked at his boyfriend. That word was so strange—boyfriend. It sounded juvenile and strange. The man next to him was so much more than that. The only word that made sense was partner, and that is how the two men referred to one another.
"I deserve nothing," William replied. He looked down at the white sheets that covered them both. They were so pristine and clean and pure. He loved the feeling of white linen. The love started when he was a young boy. Growing up in the heat and humidity of southern Louisiana, true, clean white was hard to come by. The dust and grime of New Orleans lingered on everything; it didn't matter. Clothes, rugs, floors, cars—even souls-never came truly clean in the midst of all that filth.
Raised by his ancient grandmother in the wealth of the Garden District, William Charles Latrie was a lover of music, of art, of dance. His Grandmere Bette loved it all too, and he was grateful he had her for as long as he did. Orphaned as a baby, she was the only parent he'd ever known. He had her beautiful caramel skin and dark hair, but his ebony eyes were all his father's. Both his grandmere and his mother had sage green eyes that were a beautiful, vivid contrast to their coloring.
Oh Grandmere, he thought as he twisted the sheets in his hands. I wish you were here. You would love Luke. It was true. Grandmere Bette always knew William's truth. She never looked at him differently because he was gay, and he adored her for it. With her, William felt like he belonged. Everything made sense with her.
"You deserve everything," Thomas whispered. Slowly, he reached over and placed a finger beneath William's chin. He lifted William's face and met his eyes. The love that glimmered within Thomas was palpable, and William couldn't help but grin in response. "You are just pure magic, Will. I love you like crazy."
Without a word, William leaned over and gently kissed Thomas' lips. It was a sweet kiss, a chaste kiss, and Thomas reveled in the jolts of electricity that raced up his spine. When they broke apart, William stood, and Thomas eyed the long line of his lover's frame. Tall and lean, bordering on sinewy, William's stomach rippled above the low slung waist of his flannel pajama pants. His black hair was closely cropped and stood in stark contrast to his warm brown skin. He was the most beautiful thing Thomas had ever seen, and he didn't want to hide his love for him anymore.
"Where do you think you're going?" Thomas mockingly asked. His blue eyes twinkled dangerously from the bed. William stared at his partner, awestruck. With ivory skin and crystal blue eyes, his blonde hair shone with golden lights, William thought his man was true perfection.
"This old man has to cook breakfast for the graduate," William teased. Thomas laughed. Old man, he thought as he giggled. "You're thirty-two, Will, not ninety."
"Still, you need breakfast, kid," he said lovingly. Thomas beamed. "You get the first shower, love. Bacon and eggs?"
"You know it," Thomas responded. "Thank you babe."
"You're welcome," William's voice trailed behind him as he walked out of the room. Thomas sat for a moment, completely amazed at his good fortune. He stood slowly and worked the kinks out of his bones as he stretched. He caught a glimpse of himself in the full length mirror, and he was shocked. Gone was the boy that moved into William's apartment a year ago. That person was long gone. He was a kid then—and now, in the place of that kid was a strong, self-assured man. He'd gained a couple of pounds, but his body was hard and strong. His shoulders and chest had broadened and filled out, and Thomas was a little surprised when he saw traces of his older brother.
Adam. The thought of older brother made his stomach nervous. He was glad his mother and father were coming to this affair alone. The twins were off to Myrtle Beach celebrating their high school graduation, and Adam Morgan was in the final days of bachelorhood. The entire family would come together for the wedding in a little over a week, and Thomas had every intention of bringing Will to the occasion. He took a deep breath.
I just pray Mom and Dad understand, he thought as he walked into the bathroom. Stripping down to nothing, he turned the shower on, and steam instantaneously filled the small space. He jumped in the shower and began scrubbing. Will they get it? Will they hate me? Questions loomed in his mind. Deep within his soul, he had a feeling his mother already knew the secret, but he was sure his father had no clue.
The shower ended quickly. Thomas dried off and threw on a fresh pair of pajama bottoms. He rushed downstairs and joined Will for breakfast. He gobbled down the eggs and bacon with a voracious appetite. He watched as Will drifted off upstairs for his own shower, and he followed so he could get dressed.
The sound of Will's stunning tenor soared above the sounds of the shower, and as Thomas pulled his dark slacks on, he smiled. Will was as extraordinarily talented as he was handsome. Thomas loved the sound of his voice. Carefully, he pulled a wifebeater over his muscled frame. The shower turned off, and he heard Will singing still. Thomas pulled a white button-up on. He had just finished buttoning it and began tying a beautiful burgundy tie around his neck when Will emerged.
Clad in fitted black slacks and shirt matching Thomas' tie, Will emerged. Thomas sucked in an amazed breath, and Will blushed.
"It never ceases to amaze me how quickly—and how well—you dress," Thomas laughed, and Will's heart tightened. Images of an impeccably dressed Grandmere Bette infiltrated his brain. All the style he had, he'd learned from her. "Help me with this." Thomas was struggling helplessly with a Windsor knot. Will took immediately took over and straightened it. They both turned and looked in the mirror.
"We are quite the beautiful couple," Thomas whispered admiringly.
"Indeed," Will returned.
Within minutes, the shoes were on, the cap and gown were in Thomas' hands, and they were off.
"Here's to telling the truth," Thomas whispered low.
"May it set us free," Will finished. Thomas blinked. He didn't think Will had heard him, but he smiled, elated that he was heard.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"I hate fucking suits," Jax grumbled uncomfortably. Tara turned her hazel eyes in his direction, unsure of whether she wanted to laugh at her husband or kill him. She chose a low chuckle of laughter. Jax grumbled some more, but he turned his eyes to his beautiful wife. Dressed in a soft lavender confection, Tara looked considerably younger than her fifty years. Her long dark hair was loose and fell in pretty waves about her shoulders. They'd already seen a beaming Thomas walk across the stage. Now, the Dean stood proudly handing out the last of the degrees.
"Shh," she whispered low. The last graduate crossed the stage, and the Dean walked over to the podium. Waiting for the last person to find their seat again, he smiled broadly as he announced into the microphone.
"To quote Nelson Mandela," he stated excitedly, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. To my students, please keep making this world a better place!" He paused dramatically and smiled. He waited a moment. The students grew antsy and began to whoop and holler. The dean spoke once more, a broad smile plastered across his face. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the University of South Carolina's Graduating Class!"
The crowd erupted in applause, and the students stood and cheered. An onslaught of caps were tossed in the air as the parents and onlookers stood, and both crowds dissipated as families tried to find their beloved graduates.
"Mom! Dad!" the familiar sound of their son's voice filled Jax and Tara's ears. Tara had been searching the crowd for Thomas' golden hair while Jax, content to have her lead, followed. He hated crowds like these. No matter how much he'd changed over the last eighteen years, he was still Jax Teller. He still always watched his back. He still constantly protected his family from danger. In a place like this, there was no protection, and Jax felt odd, like the proverbial sitting duck.
"Baby!" Tara squealed. She rushed over to Thomas, who hugged her tight, lifting her off the ground as he did so. "Oh my God! Put me down!" Tara's laughter rang out over the din of everyone around them. Jax stopped and stared at them, overcome with emotion. Just days before, they'd watched Opie and Lala walk in their high school graduation. It was a beautifully painful moment. His girls were pretty much grown, and now his Thomas was a college graduate. The picture he and Tara painted was one that caused tears to mist over his eyes.
"They grow so fast, Jackie Boy," Chibs' voice reverberated in his ears. Just days before the girls' graduation, they sat on the cabin's front porch, talking about their kids. After informing Jax of his secret son with Althea Jarry, Jax couldn't help but wonder about Kerrianne.
"She's shacked up wi some English blowhard," Chibs laughed. "But he's good to her. They're getting married soon, I think—and after that, grandbabies are sure to folla, right?"
Chibs' words resonated within Jax and struck a chord in his soul. As he walked towards Thomas and Tara, the thought of grandkids made him both a little excited and a little nervous. Hell, Jax reasoned, I could be a Grandpa at any moment. Abel will be married next week—and Thomas will probably settle down—
"Dad!" Thomas proudly smiled as Jax neared. The two men embraced tightly.
"I'm so proud of you, son," Jax murmured in Thomas' ear, and as they broke apart, he saw tears in Thomas' eyes.
"Thank you, Dad," Thomas choked out.
"Luke!" the sound of Will's voice filled the air. He stood just few feet away. He walked towards them, a beautiful smile stretched across his face. Thomas motioned for the man to come closer. When he joined the group, Jax's face immediately turned to stone. Tara was much more hospitable. She smiled as he neared and stood next to Thomas.
"Mom, Dad," Thomas exhaled giddily. He nodded towards the young man.
Tara smiled prettily and extended her hand. Will took it and shook it firmly. Tara noted that his palm was cool and clammy, which was strange, considering the heat of the day. Jax shook his hand as well, his eyes boring holes into Will's soul. Will felt a chill rush through him—no one had ever made him feel so exposed. The young man's heart hammered in his chest. Terror sank into his fingers and toes.
"Hi," he said quietly. Tara barely heard him above the chaos, but his look was unmistakable. She'd seen it on many of Delylah's potential suitors. He's nervous, she thought. She watched as Thomas moved closer to him. Oh sweet Jesus, my Thomas is—
"Mom and Dad," Thomas interrupted her thoughts. "I wanted you to meet Will. He's a very special person in my life."
"Yeah, he's real special," Jax whispered in Tara's ear. She elbowed him in the ribs. Shut the fuck up, Jax, her eyes warned, and Jax stopped. He turned his eyes towards both Thomas and Will, and he was shocked to see them holding hands. Thomas was visibly shaking, as was poor Will, and Tara's heart went out to them. She could tell they were petrified.
"Is Will—your-" Tara stammered. "Is he your boyfriend, Luke?" Once again, Thomas' WitSec name was not what she wanted to call him. Right now, standing before them, so raw, so exposed, she just wanted to cradle her Tommy and tell him she loved and accepted him and his beloved—no matter what.
Jax, on the other hand, was a different issue altogether. Tara looked at her husband, and she could tell he was a mix of shock, of fear, of confusion. She reached for his hand and laced her finger through his, just like Will did to Thomas. They stood in the midst of thousands, but this moment was as private as it was surreal.
"Is it true, son?" Jax whispered. "Is Will your—"
"Yeah, Dad," Thomas replied. Tara saw the agitation rise in her younger son. "He is. William Latrie is my boyfriend. My man. My partner. And I love him."
Tara held her breath as she stared at Jax. She could see Jax struggle as every possible emotion –anger, sadness, loss, love, pain—crossed his face. Her heart thudded in her throat. She was unsure of what to expect from him. The silence spoke volumes, and Thomas was visibly hurt.
"I'm gay, Dad," Thomas whispered brokenly. "And there isn't anything you can do about it." Jax watched as Will, his eyes teary as well, draped a protective and loving arm over his son's shoulders. Images of Tig and Venus played over and over in his head at first, but as Will pulled Thomas closer into his embrace, Jax realized that love didn't care about gender or race or any of that. Love only cared about love, and the love Thomas and Will shared looked just as precious as his love for Tara did. He walked through fire for his wife, and judging by the look Will and Thomas shared, it looked as though they'd travel through fire and brimstone for one another.
"I don't want to do anything about it, son," Jax returned. Tara's eyes closed. She was preparing herself for her husband's verbal tirade. "I am as proud of you today as I have ever been. I don't care who you love. I just want you to love. I want you to love like your mother and I do."
"So you accept this?" Will spoke up. "You accept us?" Jax's lips tightened. Tara could tell he was struggling, but she could also see he was trying. His love for Thomas far outweighed any potential issues the kid's lifestyle brought for his old-fashioned old man.
"As long as you love him like crazy and never waiver in your devotion, I will accept you," Jax said. He was astounded by his words, as was Tara. But they were true. In a few short minutes, Jax Teller had let go of any strangeness he felt in favor of the love he and Tara shared. It'd conquered so much already, and he wanted nothing more than to have his children have the same.
"I don't think that won't be an issue at all," Thomas smiled. He leaned into Will, content with his choice. Jax grabbed Tara's hand. He meant every word he said, but he was terrified. This uncharted territory was one they'd navigate together. We got this babe, she said without saying a word. We'll make this work. His eyes met hers, and he was grateful for her. It was a beautiful thing to be understood without saying a word, and as he watched Thomas kiss Will's forehead, he was comforted to see that his son was on his way to having the same thing.