AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Greetings from the, not very warm right now, Mojave Desert. That was one hell of a long drive.
Miss Liz, thank you for all your time and effort, especially when your time is so short. Miss Maureen, we need to catch up soon. I think about you all the time, but I sure do a shitty job of letting you know that. Giant hugs to you both.
Anyone who has not read the incredible Equal & Opposite, or is not now reading the brilliance that is Errors & Omissions should go do so right now. Links to both stories are in my profile.
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 characters from Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer. I just take them out and play with them.
Chapter 6: Melding
Seth had the wheel of his Mercedes Benz C300. He drove them south out of downtown Seattle on State Road 99. They would take this to State Road 509, down into the White Center neighborhood of Seattle. Seth wore black denim shorts with silver leather sneakers and a collared, white, button, short sleeved shirt, unique in that the side panels were silver metal mesh. Garrett sat beside him in snug, pale blue jeans and a tight dark blue V necked tee shirt. Emmett occupied the backseat and leaned forward with his forearms on the two front seats. He wore snug jeans and a thin, white V neck tee shirt that stretched across his huge chest and clearly displayed his nipples. Emmett and Seth's Emirati gold adorned their wrist and neck. Garrett's jade pendant on his gold chain lay on his chest outside his shirt. Garrett sat with Seth's laptop balanced on his legs. Seth wanted to show Garrett his article about the Eagle's bullshit legal trouble with the Washington State Liquor Control Bureau. For his part, Garrett wanted to read it. He was always interested in his husband's work.
But he couldn't get past the accompanying photos.
"I'm sorry," Garrett held up a hand. "You two went where, dressed like this?"
"The Eagle," Seth answered.
"The Eagle," Garrett repeated. "Dressed like this," he pointed at the screen.
"Don't we look hot?" Seth smiled.
"Yes, you do, very, and that's the problem," Garrett was quite clearly not amused.
"It wasn't a problem, Honey," Seth shook his head.
"Seth, I don't want you going out alone dressed like that!" Garrett was firm.
"I wouldn't do that, Honey. And I wasn't alone. That's why I took Emmy," Seth stated.
"I mean, I don't want you going out dressed like that without me. And I'm quite sure I know Nasir's mind on the matter. Both of you should have known better," Garrett chastised.
"No one put their hands on Seth, Garrett. I made sure of that," Emmett assured.
"Plenty of people wanted to though, I have no doubt. A man who looks like you," Garrett spoke to Seth, "in just a jock, a leather jock, in a place like that... If Emmett hadn't been with you, you probably would have ended up on the pool table with a line out the door."
Seth snickered at that statement. And that was the exact wrong thing to do.
"Why is that funny?" Garrett demanded. It was the sharpest tone Emmett had ever heard him use.
"That's exactly why I told Emmy he needed to go with me," Seth answered.
"How do you think that makes me feel? You are the most precious thing in the world to me, Seth. I can't stand the thought of other men pawing at you. It makes me think of that time out in Telluride, and knowing that this time I wasn't even there, I just want to loose my mind!" Garrett expressed.
"I'm sorry, Honey," Seth was sincere. "I didn't think about it like that. I just wanted to contribute to the cause and get my interview."
"Next time, Sweetness, please conduct your interview fully clothed," Garrett's tone softened to his normal self. He had gotten his point across.
"That was the dress code for that event. Nothing happened," Seth assured.
"I know nothing happened. I trust you, Seth. I do not, however, trust other men to keep their paws off my stunning little husband," Garrett made the distinction.
"I didn't mean to upset you, Gar. Next time I wear anything like that, it will be with you. I promise," Seth offered.
"That's all I want," Garrett accepted.
"Do you still love me?" Seth asked.
"You know perfectly well the answer to that question. Of course I do, with every fiber of my being," Garrett took Seth's hand. "And you back there, thank you for seeing Seth safely in, and out, of the Eagle. And I doubt Nasir will be any the happier thinking about you out in just a jock, than I was. A jock with a lace up pouch that was laced almost closed, by the look of it, no less."
Emmett was duly chastised. He slumped back in the backseat, as best a man of his size in this car could. "Where do you think I got that jock? I'm like the kid that doesn't mean to be bad, but his best friend gets him into trouble every time."
"Hee," Seth giggled. "Every smart kid needs a big, goofy sidekick."
"Nice," Emmett nodded behind Seth.
Roberto Diaz made his home in the predominantly Hispanic south Seattle neighborhood of White Center. It was only a mile from where he grew up in the equally Hispanic neighborhood of Highland Park. His house was a tri-level three bedroom, two and a half bath, single family home on an average lot. The mid level was at ground level in the front. The eat in kitchen on this level overlooked and opened onto a back deck that descended to a lower patio in the back of the sloping property, which was accessable from the opened the downstairs family room. The house was decorated in a manner typical of a single straight man. While the walls were painted, they were otherwise bare. Each piece of furniture had been selected with optimal function and comfort in mind, without a thought to style, theme, complimentary materials or fabrics.
The Pacific Northwest weather had co-operated this fine fall day and it was sunny and warm for Roberto's backyard barbecue. The host wore a black, very form fitting tank top and denim shorts that had once been pants. They were cut off modestly at his knee and frayed at the bottom. The guests so far gathered with him represented his side of the two groups he hoped to integrate today. His partner, Detective Sergeant Al Heinz, a man in his mid forties and not quite as tall as Roberto, wore his graying hair in a short, conservative cut well off his ears and collar. He was dressed in a loose Tommy Bahama shirt and matching linen pants. His wife, Grace, was anorexically thin. She wore dark blue pants and a matching button front shirt that tied around her slender neck and at the base of her spine, leaving her arms and the rest of her back bare. Her black stilettos made her thin frame seem all the taller. She had her maroon colored hair up, and giant, bejewelled sunglasses obscured her face.
Roberto's little sister, Carmen, who ran the reception desk and managed insurance billing for the same dentist's office where Leah worked, was an attractive woman who typically wore her jet black hair up in a bun. She had the same dark features as her very handsome older brother. Carmen wore a sleeveless white blouse and jeans, both of which were painted on her. Her husband Jorge wore a tight white tank top and fleece sweat pants that had been cut into shorts above his knee. His excuse was that his left leg was encased in a thick cast from just below his knee down. He was a tough looking barrio boy with very close cropped black hair just on the top of his head. The sides and back were shaved. Tattoos were visible on both his bare arms and he had just a hint of a mustache and hair on the tip of his chin. They all sat in lawn chairs on the patio enjoying the early afternoon sun. Everyone had a beer, save Grace, who nursed a manhattan, as she preferred something stronger to go with her xanax. Jorge casually smoked a Marlboro Red.
"You know those things will kill you, don't you, Son?" Al gave Jorge a hard time.
"Chale! Fuckin' Iraqis didn't get me," Jorge patted his cast. "I'll be damned if I'm gonna be afraid of this pequeña," he flicked his ash and took another drag.
Roberto emerged from his house onto the deck and quickly came down the six steps to the patio, fresh beer in hand. "Okay, guys, before Leah and her family and friends get here, I just want to say a couple of things. These people who are coming over today are important to Leah, and you all know how important Leah is to me. She's real close to her little brother, and he's gay. I mean, he's real gay," Roberto stressed.
"You did tell me that, Rob," Al reminded. "Think I don't know why you always volunteer us for the sexual minority cases? Never heard me complain, have you? To each their own, I say. And nobody, but nobody, deserves to be battered. I don't care who they are."
"Thanks, Al," Roberto gave a nod.
"We got your back, big brother," Carmen assured.
"Jorge?" Roberto pressed. This was the man he was most worried about.
"I don't give a shit," Jorge was casual. "My cousin Juan is gay. I wouldn't let nobody fuck with him. I'm down with the maricóns."
"Okay, but please don't call them that," Roberto stressed.
"Chill, Jefe. We cool," Jorge blew smoke and crushed out his cigarette.
"His husband is coming with him and his best friend. I've gotten to know them all and they're good, fun guys. I think you'll like them," Roberto added.
"Of course we will, Robbie. Don't worry," Grace soothed.
"Where is your querida?" Jorge asked using the word for cherished lover. Roberto could not help but smile. He liked to think of Leah like that. He fully realized that she had become even more than that to him. Roberto turned and all their eyes directed upward when the screen door from the kitchen onto the deck slid open. As if Jorge has summoned a spirit, Leah emerged from the house and Roberto's smile only grew. His significant other wore jeans that conformed to her curves just the way Roberto liked it. She also wore a tight, white, twist front bra-like tank top that contrasted with her dark skin beautifully.
"Hi, Chula," Roberto stepped up to meet her on the steps as she came down to them.
"Hi, Guapo," Leah put her hands on his pecs even as his hands slipped around her waist. They shared a warm, loving kiss. Leah could not suppress her own smile. Being around him and just being able to touch him made her feel good.
"C'mon," Roberto took her hand and led her down the last two steps. "You know most everyone."
"Hi, Al, Grace," Leah gave a wave.
"Leah," Al rose and gave her a warm kiss on her cheek. He did appreciate a beautiful woman.
"Hello, Dear," Grace smiled and reached out to take Leah's hand for a brief moment.
"Hey, girl," Carmen rose and greeted her friend and co-worker with a quick hug and kiss on the cheek.
"Hey, girl," Leah kissed her back.
"This is my soldier," Carmen gestured to her husband.
"Hi, Jorge," Leah held out her hand. "I recognize you from the pictures Carmen keeps at the front desk."
"Does she?" Jorge smiled. He rose and balanced on his one good foot to shake her hand. "Nice to meet you, Leah."
"You want a Blue Moon, Chula?" Roberto asked.
"I would love one," Leah confirmed.
"I'll be right back," Roberto dashed up the stairs to fetch one from the coolers that sat on the deck.
"So, how long does she get to keep you?" Leah asked as she sat with them.
"Till this fucking thing comes off," Jorge made a fist and rapped on his cast. "A couple more weeks. Then I go back."
"I get to take care of my soldier until then," Carmen rubbed her husband's leg.
"Yeah, Nena," Jorge smiled at his wife and brought one hand to his crotch while he ran the other one up Carmen's arm.
"Here you go, Momi," Roberto handed Leah her ice cold beer.
"Thank you, Papi," Leah gratefully accepted it and took a swig. Roberto stood by her side and was not even aware that he puffed up his chest as he took a drink from his own bottle. He loved when Leah called him that.
Justin had the wheel of his dark blue Toyota 4Runner as he turned onto SW 106th Street. It was an easy drive and just a few miles from their neighborhood in Seahurst up into White Center. Justin wore a white tank top and denim shorts. His wife sat beside him in a very girly pink tank top and tan capri pants.
"Oh, I think this is it here, Honey," Justin slowed down. He didn't need to watch for the address. Leah's Lexus IS 350C was parked behind Roberto's Ford Mustang GT and his city issued, unmarked Dodge Charger, all three in black and lined up on one side of Roberto's, thankfully, long driveway. On the other side were two cars that neither Justin nor Melinda recognized.
"Sure looks like it," Melinda agreed as her husband pulled in and parked behind a silver Cadillac CTS Coupe, which was parked behind a small and clearly custom red Chevy pickup tuck. It had been stripped of every bit of it's suspension and had tiny little ten inch rims. Justin and Melinda got out and Justin locked his SUV with the remote as they walked up to the house. Only the screen door was closed to bar their entry.
"Hello," Justin called. "Roberto?"
"Leah?" Melinda tried.
Met with no reply, Justin pulled open the door. "Anybody home?" he called as he stepped inside the house.
"Everyone must be out back," Melinda surmised. They walked through the living room and into the kitchen, where they could see coolers lined up along the railing of the back porch. Justin slid the screen door of the doorwall aside and his wife followed him out onto the deck. They found the group gathered on the patio below. Roberto and Leah rose and climbed the steps to greet them.
"Roberto, my man," Justin reached for their host.
"S'up, Justin," Roberto clasped Justin's hand and pulled him into a very macho hug, where their clasped hands were between them. They leaned into each other at the shoulder and gave the other a quick clap on the back with their free hands. "Thanks for coming, man."
"Oh, we wouldn't miss it," Justin assured.
"Hi, Leah," Melinda gave the woman who had become a dear friend a hug.
"Hi, Melinda. I'm so glad you're here," Leah was happy to embrace the lady that, through her little brother, had become like family.
"Hey, Leah," Justin had a much warmer and softer embrace for her than he shared with her man.
"Hi, Justin," Leah didn't mind hugging him one bit.
"Coors, am I right?" Roberto pointed at Justin.
"Right on, brother," Justin confirmed.
"That cooler right there," Roberto pointed. "Melinda, what can we get for you?"
"Did you put a bottle of chardonnay in the ice?" Leah asked. She knew what her friend would want to drink.
"Oh, crap. It's in the fridge," Roberto answered.
"That's no big deal. Let's go in and get it open," Leah slid the screen aside and walked into the kitchen. Roberto and Melinda followed.
"I'm gonna go say hello to everyone," Justin excused himself and headed down the stairs to where Al, Grace, Carmen and Jorge watched and waited. "Hey, everyone, I'm Justin. I'm Leah's brother's husband's brother," he informed. Blank stares were the response as they tried to piece that together.
Justin chuckled. "It'll make sense when they get here. I'm gonna guess this pretty lady is Roberto's sister."
"Hi, I'm Carmen," she smiled as she shook his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Carmen," Justin smiled warmly at the pretty Latina.
"This is my husband, Jorge," Carmen put a hand on her man's bare shoulder.
"Hi, Jorge," Justin offered the man his hand. "Looks like you've seen better days, Bud."
"Oh, this ain't nothin'," Jorge gave a shrug as he shook Justin's hand.
"And you must be Roberto's partner Albert?" Justin moved next to the last remaining man.
"We could make a detective of you. Put that together all by yourself?" Al smiled as they shook. "And call me Al."
"Okay, Al. You look less like Roberto's sister than Carmen does. After that the rest just sort of worked itself out," Justin played.
"Justin, this is my lovely wife Grace," Al introduced.
"Hi, Grace," Justin had the same gentle handshake for her that he gave Carmen.
"Nice to meet you, Justin," Grace smiled from behind her enormous glasses.
"So, guys," Justin pulled up a lawn chair between Al and Jorge. He sat down with his beer as his wife, wine glass in hand, emerged with Roberto and Leah from the house. Roberto paused on the deck just long enough to jam the wine bottle into the ice of one of the coolers.
"Honey, come meet everyone," Justin called. "This is my lovely wife, Melinda. Mel, Roberto's sister Carmen, her husband Jorge," he gestured to each individual. "Roberto's partner Al and his wife Grace."
"Carmen, Jorge," Melinda greeted. Again Jorge rose and stood on his good foot to greet the lady. He had a much broader smile for Justin's wife than he had for Justin.
"Al, I've certainly heard a great deal about you," Melinda offered her hand to the senior cop.
"Don't you believe a word of it," Al stood to just hold her hand a brief moment.
"Huh, just the bad parts," Roberto teased. "Oh wait, that would be every word of it."
"That's fine," Al sat back down. "Hope you don't mind our Rob getting home very late, Leah. He's gonna be doing all the paperwork from now on."
"You wouldn't do that," Roberto was wide eyed.
"You'll just have to wait and see now, won't you," Al was casual.
"You gonna come to my house and drink my beer and say that?" Roberto tried to lay a guilt trip.
"C'mon, Rob, how well do you know me? I'm gonna eat your food too," Al took a swig.
"And Grace was it?" Melinda reached for her.
"It is. Nice to meet you, Melinda," Grace shook her hand. "A word to the wise? You'll want something stronger than that."
"Oh, dear. They're that bad?" Melinda asked with a smile. Grace's only answer was a gulp of her manhattan.
"So, guys," Justin started again. "You catch the Seahawks' pre-season game against the Rams?"
"Man, how could we fucking lose to the goats?" Jorge lamented.
"Hasselbeck should just give the ball to Marshawn Lynch," Roberto quarterbacked.
"That Running Back can power his way through anything," Al added and took a swig of his beer.
"No doubt," Justin agreed. "You guys see the playoff game last year?"
"Ten of the eleven guys on that field must have grabbed him at one point or another and he still made it to the end zone," Roberto remembered it well.
"Pete Carroll knows exactly what he's doing and he has one hell of a player in that young man," Al stated.
Leah and Melinda both pulled up chairs beside Grace.
"You notice how guys can bond and become great friends while talking about absolutely nothing?" Melinda observed. Leah and Grace both nodded.
"Okay, you guys. Superbowl party's at my house this year," Justin raised his hand.
"Naw, it should be here," Roberto countered.
"Why should it be here?" Justin demanded.
"Cause my house is in the middle of everyone," Roberto stated.
"No, no, no," Justin shook his head.
"Here they go," Leah gestured.
"I don't care where they have it. I want nothing to do with it," Melinda waved a hand.
"Sounds like a great day for a shopping trip with a long lunch downtown, girls," Grace commented.
"It's a date, sister," Melinda gave a nod.
Like Justin, Seth recognized the majority of the cars in the driveway to know which house was their destination. He pulled in and parked close behind his sister's car. There was just enough room for his little C Class to get it's butt off the street. Also like Justin and Melinda before them, they found no answer at the door.
"Well, there's no question this is the right place," Seth pulled open the screen door. "C'mon, guys."
"There is also no question that a straight guy lives here," Garrett commented as they walked through the living room.
"Black leather furniture and nothing on the walls. I'd say a single straight guy," Emmett added.
"My sister will put all that right in due time," Seth dismissed. "Looks like everyone is outside," he led them through to the kitchen and slid open the screen door to the deck.
"Oh, they're here," Leah rose from her chair and headed up the steps. Roberto was right behind her.
"Hi, little brother," Leah opened her arms and Seth happily stepped into them.
"Hi, big sister," Seth tucked his face into her breasts as he hugged his sister. Neither of them thought anything of it as he had been doing that all his life.
"Thanks for coming," Leah rubbed her brother's back.
"Like I would be anywhere else today," Seth gave her a final squeeze and let her go.
"Garrett," Leah moved to her brother-in-law.
"Leah," Garrett smiled and gave her a kiss on her cheek.
"Big little brother," Leah moved to Emmett and put her arms up around his neck.
"Hi, Sis," Emmett took her in his strong arms and lifted her right off her feet with his hug. Leah didn't mind that at all from him. She had been getting hugs filled with such warmth and feeling from him for many years.
"Hi, Roberto," Seth moved toward their host, but paused to look him over.
"What are you looking at?" Roberto could not help but notice that his girl's gay little brother was scrutinizing his crotch.
"I didn't get a chance to hug you the last time I saw you, because my sister made you hard the second you walked in the door," Seth closed the small remaining distance and embraced the straight man.
"And thank you so much for remembering that," Roberto patted Seth on the back.
"I certainly do," Leah smiled to herself.
"Roberto, thank you for having us," Garrett offered his hand when his husband let the man go.
"Thank you guys for coming," Roberto shook Garrett's hand and did the same with Emmett. "Okay, beers. In this cooler I have Heineken and Sam Adams and I couldn't find Spaten, Emmett, I hope Beck's is okay."
"Are you kidding? Beck's is great! Thanks," Emmett was thrilled that Roberto went to the trouble of getting them each what they especially liked to drink. Roberto pulled the bottles from the cooler, opened them and handed them out. The Samuel Adams was Boston Lager rather than Garrett's preferred Imperial White, but none of them were about to point that out. It was the thought that counted.
"Say, Roberto, I like you in a tank top," Seth put his left hand on the straight man's right pec and splayed his fingers out to feel Roberto's chest.
"Thanks, Seth," Roberto smiled.
"Okay, stop feeling him up. That's my job," Leah chastised.
"Whatever," Seth rolled his eyes and gave a sigh.
Below, all eyes were on the deck.
"This must be the gay contingent," Al observed.
"That's them," Justin confirmed.
"They make me think of Russian nesting dolls," Grace wore an amused smile. "Small, medium and large."
"Oh!" Melinda laughed. "I never thought of that. I guess they do."
"The medium sized one, I deduce, is your brother," Al said to Justin.
"Yep," Justin confirmed.
"I see the family resemblance. And clearly the little one is Leah's brother," Al continued.
"They're all gay? Even the big guy?" Jorge asked.
"Completely, extremely gay," Justin confirmed.
"Shit. We got guys that look like him in my unit," Jorge was given pause.
Above, Roberto put his hand on Seth's shoulder. "Come meet everyone," he led the way down the stairs to the patio. Justin and Melinda rose to greet their family.
"Hi, Seth," Melinda had a warm hug for the little Native man.
"Hi, Malynn," Seth called her by his pet name for her as they embraced.
"Hey, Gar," Justin gave his little brother a one armed hug.
"Justin," Garrett was only too happy to receive his big brother's affection. Justin had been a source of strength and reassurance all of Garrett's life.
"C'mere, Seth," Justin reached for his little brother-in-law when he and his wife switched.
"Oh, Justin, I like you in a tank top too!" Seth stuck his hand up under the straight man's tank to rub his furry abdomen. Justin just chuckled and pulled Seth's hand out of his shirt.
"Garrett, Emmett," Melinda greeted. She had a kiss on the lips for Garrett, and the cheek for Emmett.
"Guys, I want you to meet my sister, Carmen, and her husband, Jorge. This is Seth and Garrett and Emmett," Roberto introduced.
"Hi, Carmen," Seth stepped forward and offered his hand.
"Nice to meet you," Carmen smiled as they shook.
"Nice to meet you," Seth gave a nod. "And Jorge. I'm gonna guess that's not from a skateboarding accident."
"Rocket propelled grenade," Jorge informed as he shook Seth's hand.
"Well, you don't hear that every day," Seth commented.
"No," Emmett agreed with raised eyebrows.
"My partner, Al, and his wife, Grace," Roberto finished.
"By partner I assume you mean police partner. Hi, Al," Seth reached for the man's hand.
"He doesn't mean domestic partner," Al smiled. "Nice to meet you, Seth, Garrett, Emmett," he shook each of their hand's in turn.
"Hi, Grace," Seth shook her hand as well.
"Boys," Grace smiled.
Justin looked around at the group and realization struck him. "Oh my God."
"What?" Seth bit.
"I'm not the minority for once, you are!" Justin found that very amusing.
"I'm Two Spirit Lakota Sioux. I'm a minority everywhere," Seth stressed.
"What did he say?" Jorge asked of his wife.
"Sorry, I mean I'm a gay Native American," Seth put it in terms everyone would understand.
"I just meant that for once the straight guys outnumber the gay guys," Justin stated. "Oh, wow," he looked around again. "And all but one of the straight guys are the ones in the tank tops. I almost thought I was in some alternate universe there for a second, until I looked down and saw your little silver shoes, Seth."
"Ha! Glad I could keep you grounded," Seth laughed.
"Come sit down, guys," Roberto pulled up more lawn chairs.
"You men are all friends of Edward Cullen?" Al asked when Seth, Garrett and Emmett had taken seats.
"We are," Emmett confirmed. "For many years."
"Good man, your friend Edward. Rainbow Beginnings does a lot of good work for some unfortunate members of your community," Al stated.
"It's an issue close to Edward's heart," Emmett would go into no more detail than that.
"Hey, you guys think Edward would be available for a ride along Friday night?" Roberto asked.
"A ride along?" Seth furrowed his brow.
"As my partner is abandoning me, sometimes we take a VST citizen volunteer along, and I thought Edward might like to be my substitute partner Friday night," Roberto explained.
"I'm not abandoning you. It's my sainted mother-in-law's seventieth birthday, so we're flying down to Santa Fe for the weekend," Al explained. "Believe me, given the choice..."
"Al," Grace warned.
"Looking forward to it, Darling," Al gave an enormous fake smile.
"What does VST stand for?" Seth asked.
"Victim Support Team," Al answered.
"VST volunteers are trained and certified to respond, after a domestic violence scene has been secured, to provide additional crisis intervention and emergency resource referrals to victims of domestic violence," Roberto informed. "Edward is particularly good at it. Anyone can see he speaks with genuine compassion from his heart. So is Rusty Greene. They've both rolled with us a few times."
"We have some great ladies from New Beginnings too," Al commented.
"How did we not know Edward did that?" Seth mused.
"Does he usually do that on a Friday night?" Garrett wondered. "He has to be at the park on weekends."
"Oh, now you say that, it might not have been on a Friday. I don't remember for sure," Roberto admitted.
"He is a really good guy, our Edward," Emmett spoke with love and pride.
"He is, but he's still gonna get shit for not telling me about this," Seth stated.
"Edward was a huge help not so long ago, when the latest victim of a habitual piece of shit landed in the ER," Roberto shared.
"Trial date's been set. Caius Volturi is finally going to go to prison," Al was clearly very pleased by that prospect.
"Volturi?" Emmett looked to Garrett. "That's Nasi's immigration lawyer's name."
"Aro Volturi?" Al asked for clarification.
"Yeah," Emmett confirmed.
"This monster's cousin," Al revealed.
"Then he has a good attorney," Emmett warned.
"No he don't," Roberto shook his head with a big smile.
"Aro wants nothing to do with his dear cousin," Al added. "Not only won't he represent Caius, but won't even take the bastard's calls, from what I'm told."
"Well, good," Emmett was glad to hear that.
"One of the happiest days I've ever had on the job was the day we arrested Volturi," Al shared.
"Amen to that," Roberto agreed.
"I do hope I didn't have those cuffs too tight," Al shook his head with faux concern.
"I know somebody else who needs the Roberto and Al treatment," Seth thought out loud. Emmett said nothing, but put a hand on Seth's shoulder in silent agreement.
"Jorge," Seth slid his chair closer to the wounded soldier. "Tell us more about rocket propelled grenades."
"They're a bitch. What more you needa know?" Jorge took a swig of his beer.
"I gather. Where did it come from?" Seth asked further.
"A terrorist insurgent," Jorge answered.
"And he shot you with a grenade?" Seth could not picture that.
"He shot the Humvee with the grenade. I got out lucky," Jorge informed.
"Jesus," Emmett could not imagine experiencing such a thing. "I think all you guys over there are heroes. Every one of you."
"Thanks, Emmett," Jorge smiled.
"Even if I don't think any of you should be there," Emmett amended.
"Gotta protect democracy, man," Jorge gave the line he had been fed.
"But is that what you are doing?" Emmett asked.
"I just do what I'm told, man. I know you guys don't support the troops. Thanks for what you said about us being heroes though," Jorge gave a nod.
"I think it's a common misconception that gay people and democrats in general, don't support the troops," Garrett stated calmly.
"Supporting the troops and supporting the war are not at all the same thing," Emmett added.
"I call giving a shit that you guys are dying by the thousands, for no good reason that I can discern, and wanting you to come home, supporting my troops," Seth finished.
"I guess I get that," Jorge agreed.
"What do you do, Jorge?" Seth asked.
"Simple answer? I blow shit up," Jorge stated.
"What shit?" Seth asked.
"Whatever my Lieutenant tells me to," Jorge gave a shrug. "I'm good at it too. Lieutenant gives me all the green guys to train up."
"What does the more complicated answer sound like?" Garrett could not help but wonder.
"I'm an 81 mortar infantry platoon squad leader, Weapons Company, Third Battalion, Third Marines," Jorge gave the more informative answer.
"And you're in Iraq?" Emmett asked.
"Helmand Province, Afganistan," Jorge corrected. "I'd love to go back to Iraq. Iraq was a picnic compared to this shitty place," he pulled a Marlboro from his pack and lit it. "The one cool thing about it is that this is actually a NATO op, so we get to work alongside of troops from other nations."
"So, Jorge," Seth began. Anyone who knew Seth at all, knew a tough question always followed that lead-in. "Don't ask and don't tell. Thoughts?"
"That's actually where I was going with that. Nobody really gives a shit," Jorge gave a shrug. "We serve alongside British and Canadian and German troops. They have gay guys. Even the Danish troops do. We probably do too, but, just, no one knows it."
"You can count on that," Seth nodded.
"Like I said, most guys just don't give a shit. Some guys think that if we have gay guys in the squad, they'll pair up and only protect each other when we all need to be able to count on each other," Jorge explained.
"That's ridiculous," Emmett shook his head.
"Put two gays together and they don't automatically pair up. Emmy and I lived together for years and we never did," Seth pointed out.
"I know that, you guys. I never thought that. I figure, it's like if we had a woman in our squad, would I just automatically pair up with her? If I were single, I mean," Jorge took his wife's hand to reassure her. "Though every woman here right now sure is fine, I'm not attracted to every female I see."
"That's well reasoned, Jorge," Garrett judged.
"What would you do if someone in your squad, or platoon, or whatever it is, came out to you?" Seth asked as he took a swig of his beer.
"Thank him for being honest and trusting me," Jorge answered. "And I would have his back. I ain't gonna let the guys I serve with take no shit, off nobody, for no reason. I've always looked out for my cousin Juan the same way."
"We know a gay Juan. Juan Garcia, works for a catering company that we use all the time. Sweet guy," Seth offered.
"That's him. My last name is Garcia too. Our dads are brothers," Jorge revealed.
"Oh, how about that?" Garrett smiled.
"We know Juan real well. He's been to our house dozens of times," Seth stated.
"To serve snacks or to be the snack?" Jorge joked.
"Well, now," Seth put a hand to his chin as he answered carefully. "I guess that depends on who you ask."
"What?" Justin never imagined there was anything going on behind closed doors at his brother's parties.
"And where is your man today, Emmett?" Al asked. "I see a ring on your finger," the detective's eye was ever observant.
"My partner works in New York now," Emmett tried to sound happy about that, but did not quite make it.
"He'll be home soon, Emmy," Seth reached to put a hand on Emmett's forearm. Emmett moved his arm to hold Seth's hand.
"A long distance relationship can be hard on you both," Grace felt sorry for him.
"Boy, I sure know how you feel," Carmen knew better than anyone what it felt like to long for a missing spouse.
"You miss me when I'm gone, Nena?" Jorge asked and pulled her hand to him.
"Sometimes. Till you come home and talk," Carmen teased.
"Mamadas," Jorge shook his head. "You like when I bring home my pájaro," he gave his wife a leer. She turned away, clearly embarrassed by what he said. Only her brother understood. Leah looked to her man with raised eyebrows.
"It means erect," Roberto finished his explanation with a thumbs up gesture in his lap.
"I'm not at all sure what you mean," Seth leaned toward Jorge. "Would you care to demonstrate?"
"You know exactly what he means, Seth," Justin laughed.
"I'd still like him to demonstrate," Seth smiled at Jorge.
"I would, but you're kind of a little guy. I don't want to scare you," Jorge gave a sigh. Seth's eyes went wide and everyone who knew Seth, knew what was coming.
"Little brother, if you make any kind of comment about having a big dick right now, I will kill you," Leah warned.
"Fine. 'Cause now," Seth took a swig of his beer. "I don't have to," he was most pleased by his sister's scowl and his husband's smile, and the hushed giggle that went round the group. "So, who's cuter than these two?" Seth gestured to where Leah and Roberto sat close beside each other, arms pressed together shoulder to wrist and holding hands.
"What, you mean besides you?" Justin quipped. He knew his little brother-in-law well.
"Right, obviously," Seth rolled his eyes.
"They are very cute, that's for sure," Melinda smiled warmly.
"I don't know if cute is the word I'm looking for," Al mused. "Right, is what they look to me."
"I think they do too," Carmen beamed at her brother.
"So, Carmen," Seth started again. "A little birdy tells me we have you to thank for this cute and right couple."
"Damn straight! Oh, I mean, damn right," Carmen corrected herself.
No one laughed louder at that, than Emmett. "The word straight doesn't offend us, Carmen."
"We'll still be gay," Seth added. "So, I'd love to hear your version of what happened. I have my sister's altered state of events. Tell us the truth."
"I told you the truth!" Leah exclaimed.
"We'll see," Seth played dubious.
"Yeah, we will!" Carmen joined in teasing her close friend. "So here goes. Okay, your sister can be so stubborn!"
"Ha! Tell me something I don't know," Seth laughed.
"My brother picked me up from work one day. This one was home, but couldn't pick me up 'cause the truck was taken apart, taking the springs off," Carmen wapped her husband on his chest, which only caused him to snicker.
"I said, who's that pretty lady?" Roberto added with a smile.
"He pestered me for weeks to set him up with her," Carmen continued. "I even showed her pictures of him. I said, isn't my brother handsome?"
"I said, he's beyond handsome, he's damn hot!" Leah picked up.
"We can all see he's damn hot. Let Carmen tell it," Seth directed.
"She told me that she didn't go on dates, and that if she wanted to hook up with him, she would, but then things would be awkward between us, so she wasn't gonna do that," Carmen relayed. "Like I said, so stubborn."
"That's not a family trait or anything," Justin teased. Seth looked at his brother-in-law and narrowed his eyes.
"Oh, now you've gone and done it, Justin. You made him squint at you," Emmett shook his head. "Even I can't protect you now."
"No ganging up on Seth, gentlemen," Garrett instructed in an even voice.
"They're both gonna need protection, Honey," Seth advised and took a swig of his beer.
"So, what happened?" Grace wondered aloud.
"So, I took matters into my own hands," Carmen picked back up. "There's an advantage to running the front desk at Dr. Kaiser's downtown office. I booked my brother with Leah for a cleaning, that he probably needed anyway."
"He did," Leah was quick to add with a smirk.
"But he has a different last name than me, so she didn't know it until he was in her chair," Carmen continued.
"I didn't even realize it then!" Leah laughed. "Not at first anyway. Not until he started talking to me. I mean, flirting with me," she smiled at Roberto and he smiled right back at her. "Once I met him, I couldn't resist. He's kind and genuine and loving. He's a keeper, this one."
"Which I told you from the beginning!" Carmen slapped her hand down on her own thigh.
"I know you did," Leah admitted. "I didn't believe it until I met him."
"How can anyone resist this charm?" Roberto asked with a shrug.
"Okay, you're not all that!" Carmen shot her brother down. As his sister, she was completely immune to his smile and charms.
"So, Leah," Seth started. "He's a keeper, huh?"
"I'll keep the stud. I've already checked his teeth," Leah made light to deflect the Grand Inquisitor. Or at least, she tried to.
"Well, I mean, you said he's a keeper, so I think we all wanna know just what you mean by that," Seth pressed.
"Take it easy, Torquemada," Leah warned.
"Rob, brother, when are we gonna put on those steaks?" Al asked as he rubbed his stomach. He wanted to give the pressured couple an out.
"Steaks?" Emmett's ears perked right up.
"How about a T-bone, Emmett, my man?" Roberto smiled.
"Why, yes, thank you. I believe I will," Emmett gave a wide grin.
"I hear you're quite the grill guy too. How about you lite and man the grill, and I'll go get out my meat," Roberto chose his words carefully. He should have known he stepped into a minefield.
"Ha! Now that I'd like to see! Need any help?" Seth asked.
"Sure, Seth. Come help me with my meat," Roberto rose and headed for the steps.
"I thought you'd never ask," Seth enthused and followed their host up the stairs.
"I need another beer," Justin announced. "Anybody else? Another glass of wine, Honey?"
"Please," Melinda handed her glass to her thoughtful husband.
"I need a beer, man. Thanks," Jorge was grateful for the offer. The prospect of climbing the steps with his crutches to fetch one did not sound like fun.
Justin and Garrett set about the task of refreshing everyone's drinks while Emmett got the grill going. Seth ended up helping in the kitchen. He brought a big platter of T-bone steaks out to Emmett and set it down on the side shelf of the big gas grill.
"This so not what I had in mind," Seth grumbled and headed back into the kitchen to see to the next task Roberto had given him. Emmett found that very amusing and displayed his dimples as he tried not to laugh.
"Young man, Emmett, isn't it?" Grace asked as she stepped up beside him on the deck.
"Yes, ma'am," Emmett confirmed.
"Something has been bothering me. I noticed that you said your partner works in New York, now. It's the 'now' that gave me pause. Did something happen? Did you break up, or have a fight?" Grace held her glass with the glistening, but bare and thirsty ice cubes, tucked under her chin.
"Oh, no, Grace. Quite the opposite actually. It was to keep us from breaking up. I love him with all my heart," Emmett explained to the kind woman. "Nasir is his name and he's not a US citizen, not yet anyway. He had a job that brought him here and, once we fell in love, he stayed here. Long story short, it caused problems with his family and he lost his job, all because of me. Or not me, specifically, I suppose, but because he's gay. Anyway, our government threatened to deport him. So he found a job in New York that will sponsor his green card."
"He did all of that for you?" Grace was impressed.
"He did, yeah," Emmett smiled.
"He must love you very much," Grace concluded.
"Yes, ma'am, he does," Emmett was never more sure of anything in his life.
"But you miss him don't you? I can see on your face that you do," Grace answered her own question. "He must miss you terribly too. He's all alone in New York, I imagine."
"I sure do want him to come home," Emmett confessed with a small nod what she could clearly see.
"Emmett, beer," Justin did not so much ask as announce as he thrust a fresh, cold bottle into Emmett's hand.
"Why, yes it is, Justin. And thank you!" Emmett took a gulp.
"You just grill those steaks up, Baby. You need anything at all, I'm your man," Justin tapped himself on the chest. He walked right into it.
"Well, right now, what I need more than anything, is a long, hot session with the man I'm gonna marry," Emmett slipped his arm around Justin's shoulders and pulled him close. "Care to stand in while he's out of town?" Emmett simply could not resist. Grace gave a lilting laugh.
Justin made a face and pretended to consider for a moment. "Well, you're the catcher, right?"
"We gotta do sports references? Yes, Justin, I am the catcher. Like to pitch me a game?" Emmett continued to tease.
"Oh, you think you could handle this?" Justin got all cocky and gestured to himself.
"You think you could handle this?" Emmett countered and mimicked Justin's gesture.
"I think I'll just go sit down there next to my beautiful wife," Justin slipped out from under Emmett's arm and patted him on his broad shoulder. "You're on your own, Buddy."
"You do delight in teasing them, don't you?" Grace asked.
"Justin is great fun," Emmett confirmed. "I'm not sure Roberto is used to it yet, but he soon will be."
"He and Leah make a cute couple, don't they?" Grace mused.
"The way they look at each other speaks volumes, I think. It's the look in their eyes. They're a great match," Emmett observed.
"Al and I think so too," Grace nodded.
"Miss Grace," Seth walked out of the house. "It looks like your ice cubes soaked up all your Canadian whiskey. Would you like me to fix that for you?"
"You're a dear for asking, but I'll see to it," Grace patted Seth on his shoulder. "Thank you anyway," she turned and headed into the house.
"I saw the look on Justin's face. Did you zing him?" Seth enquired of his big best friend.
"He told me that if I need anything at all, he's my man," Emmett grinned.
"And, of course, what you need is," Seth stopped in mid sentence as something dawned on him that he was shocked he had not seen right away. "Hey!" he pointed at Emmett's bottle of Beck's in his hand.
"What?" Emmett asked as he looked at his own bottle.
"I can't help but notice that your label is intact," Seth observed.
"I've had this bottle like a whole minute," Emmett countered.
"I can't help but also notice that the label on your last bottle made it out alive, without so much as a scratch, in fact," Seth recalled perfectly. "And I know why," he poked Emmett in the stomach with his index finger.
"Seth," Emmett tried to shush his little best friend.
"You and Nasir took matters into your own hands over the phone," Seth divined.
"I would be happy to tell you all about it, but this is not the time or place," Emmett tried again.
"What's to tell? I know exactly what happens when you have phone sex," Seth took a swig of his beer.
"Are you having phone sex with your man, big little brother?" Leah walked up behind them and put an arm around them both.
"He sure is!" Seth confirmed.
"Leah," Emmett began to protest.
"Tell your older and wiser sister all about it," Leah bid.
Seth made a masturbatory gesture with his free hand. "What more do you need to know?"
"I think I got that part," Leah assured.
"It was late last night, very late for him, and we were both in bed. We were naked and I started telling him what I wanted to do to him when he got home, and one thing led to another," Emmett gave a shrug.
"And it got big and hard and you tugged on it," Seth picked up.
"Shut up. Let him tell it," Leah urged.
"There's nothing more to tell, really. It just felt too good to stop and we both just got outta control, I guess," Emmett admitted.
"Did you clean off the headboard?" Seth teased.
"Seth," Leah chastised. Then she noticed that Emmett just took another swig of his beer and looked away across Roberto's back yard at nothing. "Oh, my God. Tell me you hit your headboard."
"I hit my headboard," Emmett confessed with a sigh. "What? I miss him. A lot."
"Please now also tell me that you did this on webcam and recorded it," Leah added. "Or better yet, if you would like someone to help you record it, look no further."
"You have your own man. Go watch him jack off," Seth nudged is sister with his hip.
"You think I let him jack off?" Leah asked. "You think you are the only Clearwater who appreciates a fine cock on a fine man?"
"Ha! Tell me every single thing! Leave out no detail!" Seth urged.
"Fuck no. That's my business," Leah took a swig of her beer.
"I'll tell you all about Garrett," Seth offered.
"What are you going to tell me that I don't already know? I've seen your husband," Leah reminded.
"Not hard!" Seth countered.
"Uh, oh. You three together scare me a little," Roberto walked out of the house behind them. "Do I want to know what you're talking about?"
"You jacking off," Seth was quick.
"I'll be in the house, Chula," Roberto gave his girl a kiss on her temple and headed back inside.
"Oh, no you don't! Come back here, Roberto," Seth gave pursuit.
Below, Justin sat between his wife and his brother. From the patio they could not hear what was being said up at the grill, but they saw Seth chase their host into his house with a look of glee on his face.
"Looks like Seth is causing trouble," Justin observed with amusement.
"My husband does like to tease you straight boys," Garrett was casual.
"Only this time it's not me," Justin pointed out. "I might be a little jealous," he added and made both his wife and brother laugh.
As the afternoon wore on and they ate their expertly grilled steaks and the carefully prepared salads that went with them, everyone talked and joked and laughed together in easy camaraderie. Roberto took Leah's hand and they looked into each other's eyes as they shared a warm and happy smile. The two groups had become one.