A/N: Happy Holiday Season! I know this is a bit early, but I have been having some internet issues. I wanted to get this chapter out, while I could. If there is ever a delay, please understand, I have no control over the internet. I will NEVER abandon a story... so be patient if a week or two is missed on occasion. Enjoy the chapter, and thank you to all of you who are reading and enjoying. A special thank you to those of you who take a moment to leave a review. Thank you, all the best for a wonderful and blessed day. Lady Dragonsblood
Adam and Chris were in a cab, headed to Harrods, in the Knightsbridge district of London. Chris said it was easier to go by cab, as cab horses were used to the motor cars and trains in the heavy London traffic.
Adam watched out the window. He'd seen a motorcar before, but never so many at one time. "I hope motorcars are just a fad. Horses are so much better, and the don't make all that noise."
Chris chuckled. "I am afraid they are here to stay. I agree with you though, horses are much more efficient. I really enjoyed eating with you and the others last night. Jason is a card!" Chris laughed again. Dinner in the servants hall was full of laughter, it was a nice change from always having to be proper at the table.
"You, Jason and Cody were the life of the party. I am so happy that Cody fits in so well. I have his shoe size by the way. Chris, you know I said I would spend my five pounds on my clothes to help? I was wondering, would you be angry if I said I wanted to buy a wedding present for ma and Mark? Are you angry? I can still use it for my clothes." Adam looked at Chris with anxious eyes.
Chris put an arm around Adam and pulled him in close as their cab waited for some traffic. "Darling, I don't mind at all. If that's how you want to spend your money, do it. Oh, here we are." He nodded as the cab came to a stop.
A man in a green livery fit for service at Buckingham Palace opened the door of the cab. "Welcome to Harrods, Milord." He gave a nod as Chris and Adam stepped out of the cab.
Adam was awestruck. "It's a castle." He took hold of Chris' arm at the elbow and walked with fiance to the door.
The man in the green livery opened the door with a tip of his hat. Adam and Chris both smiled at him in return, then entered the grand store. The store was filled with the hustle and bustle of shoppers and sales clerks.
"Chis… it's… like a… wonderland." Adam held tightly to Chris. His eyes darted around so fast, they began to water.
Chris laughed lightly. "Come, we must check our hats and coats." He led Adam to a counter. A kind young man took their hats and coats. He gave Chris a yellow paper with 107 in bold, black letters. Chris carefully tucked the ticket into the inside pocket of his suit coat.
"Let's get you some new clothes. We can look around later. Is that alright with you?" Chris asked as they headed to the men's clothing section. He liked shopping like this much better, it was easier, than standing for hours for the suit makers. Chris didn't know why his sister still insisted on having a dressmaker, not ready made clothes.
Adam tried to look at everything at once. "Yes, Chris, that's fine. After than we can get shoes and boots for Cody. My goodness, they must have a thousand suits." His eyes went wide as they entered menswear.
An older man of around fifty approached the engaged couple. "Ah, Lord Christopher, good to see you again. How might I help you this fine and lovely day?" He carefully scanned the blond with Lord McMahon. He knew the blond was most common, almost street trash.
Adam tightened his grip on Chris' arm. The sales clerk looked at him like he was dirt, less than dirt. Chris also saw the look and held in a growl.
"Hello. Is James here today?" Chris asked with a pointed look. He was not about to let this man make a commission off Adam.
The older man frowned. He was next in line. James was just a Junior Clerk. "Well, um.. yes he is, Milord. However, I will be glad to assist. A new suit perhaps, or a tuxedo?"
Chris gave the man a smug look. "Yes, several suits. Please call James." He spoke firmly.
The man gave Adam another dirty look then left in a huff to find James. He couldn't afford the anger of Duke Vincent McMahon.
"That… well, I won't say it. You will like James. He has a good sense of fashion." Chris gave Adam a smile.
Adam beamed at Chris with adoration. "Thank you, my love. This is hard enough without some old snob looking down on me."
"You are safe with me, darling. Besides, he was wrong, you look stunning today. Ah, James!" Chris greeted the much younger sales clerk.
James warmly shook Chris' hand with a slight nod. "Good to see you again, Milord. Did the suit fit the young lad?" He slowly walked the couple to the seating area. People could sit and wait in comfort as they waited for family or friends to try on clothes in the dressing rooms.
Chris grinned. "I don't know yet. We haven't given it to him yet. I am sure it will…" He then turned to Adam. "I got a suit for Tommy, when he goes for his scholarship. I wanted to wait to give it to him when the appointment is firm." Chris explained to his fiance. He hadn't counted on James bringing it up. Oh well, it didn't matter.
"Now, this is my fiance, Mister Copeland. I want him to have a full wardrobe." Chris introduced Adam with a smile of pride.
James gave Adam a polite bow, his smile was warm and honest. "Pleased to meet you Mister Copeland, and congratulations to you both! Well now, Mister Copeland, lets get you started. Come." He swiftly led Adam deep int the racks of suits. Chris sat down to wait.
Adam noticed that the quality of the clothing was superior. He also saw that the sleeves of shirts and the trousers weren't hemmed. It meant his mother wouldn't have to let down the cuffs of his trousers. Trouser length was sometimes a problem, Adam had long legs.
James and Adam got along, and easily chatted as James helped Adam into a new dark gray suit. "I will pin, then we can show his Lordship." James managed to speak with a mouthful of pins.
When he was ready, James led Adam out to the seating area. Chris was the only one waiting. James had Adam stand a small raised platform. Three mirrors were behind it, in such a way, that the customer could see themselves fully, at nearly every angle.
"That looks very nice, Adam. Do you like the style and cut?" Chris smiled, Adam looked extremely handsome in the new suit of the latest fashion cut.
Adam turned and looked in the mirrors. He looked like a different person. The suit was of fine cloth, and fit perfectly. His mother had made his non working clothes and did a fine job, but it was hard to beat the ready to wear suits manufactured exclusively for Harrods.
"Yes, I do. It is a comfortable cut as well. Does it look alright?" Adam did a turn on the raised platform.
"You look fantastic, like an angel. Oky, the one he has on in navy, one in brown, one in black and once in the gray pinstripe. Of course, shirts, braces, ties, collars to go with. Then we need to fit him for a tuxedo, with a tail coat and a cutaway, in black and white. I don't like white tail events, but they do happen." Chris gave the order to James for the required suits.
"Chris, that is too much. I just need gray and black." Adam looked at the price tags, and rapidly added up the costs, and that was just the suits, not the accessories.
Chris went to Adam on the podium. James had gone to get his tape measure. He realized he'd forgotten it at the sales counter.
"Love, it is fine. Yes, alright, it is a cost, but it's one time. You don't buy like this every day. Just enjoy it, darling. Let me have today, to spoil you, without you feeling guilty." Chris looked at Adam with a soft smile.
Adam saw the sincerity in his fiance's eyes. Chris truly wanted to do this for him. "Alright, my love. I am going to enjoy you spoiling me. I'll be a good boy, I promise."
Chris laughed lightly. "Good boy." Chris couldn't say any more, James had returned.
Adam stood still as James measured and pinned hems on trousers and cuffs on sleeves on the jackets and shirts. Chris watched with a critical eye and spoke when something didn't look right. By the time they finished, Adam had seven new suits. Two in gray and two in black as they were the most common colors. One in deep navy, another in a rich, dark brown and the last in a gray pinstripe.
Next, they moved to the formal wear section, where the tuxedos were. Adam didn't dare look at the prices, otherwise he wouldn't let Chris buy them.
Adam tried on an inky black tux, with a cutaway style coat. Chris frowned. "No, this doesn't hang right, does it?" He, Adam and James looked at Adam's reflection in the three-way mirror.
"You're right, Milord. It's not a good fit on his shoulders. One moment." James stepped off the podium and went to get another coat.
"Chris, what about my wedding tuxedo? I don't want you to see it until the ceremony. I'd also like ma to help me pick it out… but… how… buy it?" Adam wasn't sure how it would work.
Chris chuckled. "Poppa will come with you and your mother. He will take care of everything. He's already spoken to your mother about it, this morning, when they discussed this weeks menus. So, stop worrying, love." He gave Adam a look of confidence.
Adam had no time to reply. James had returned with another cutaway tuxedo coat. "Here sir, try this one. The cut of the shoulders is better." James helped Adam into the rich fabric cutaway.
"It fits like a glove, Adam. Much better. Well done, James." Chris praised as he admired how well the coat fit his fiance.
Adam turned to look in the mirror. The coat did fit much better. He resisted the urge to look at the cost tag. He decided that if he protested further, it might hurt Chris' feelings. He knew this would be part of his new life, even if he didn't like Chris spending money on him. Adam also knew, he would need the new clothes. He didn't want to shame the family by looking like he lived in a doss house.
"Alright, we will take it in black and white, and the tail coats in black and white as well. Shirts, proper ties, braces, stiff collars and cuff links. You know what we need. Pin him, James." Chris spoke like the Lord he was. He left no room for any doubt. James gave a nod, and Adam stopped himself. If he nodded it would raise too many questions.
Adam stood like a statue as James pinned and took every measurement possible. James' pencil flew over a paper in his notebook. He'd written Mister A. Copeland/Lord Christopher McMahon at the top.
James wrote down the last measurement. "I'm finished, Mister Copeland. You can change. Do you require my assistance?" He looked at Adam with absolute respect.
"I could use a little help, all these pins. Do you mind? I can try by myself." Adam didn't want to hold James up if he had another customer waiting.
James chuckled. "I will be glad to help you, sir. Have a seat Milord, it won't be long." He indicated for Chris to sit.
As Chris sat, he remembered. "Oh James, hats too. We'll try them after." He picked up the London Times newspaper. Chris sighed, the news out of Germany wasn't the best. He prayed his father and the other members of the Houses of Parliament could work it out.
Adam quickly changed, thanks to James' help. Before he left the changing room, Adam spoke. "James, thank you for being so kind. You didn't look down on me like that other clerk. I appreciate it." He shook James' head.
James flushed a bit. "You are most welcome, sir. Firstly, Lord Christopher wouldn't marry someone who wasn't a worthy gentleman. Two, customers are my bread and butter. I treat every as if they were King of England himself. Mister Jenkins… well, he wonders why he doesn't make much on commissions. Um… I didn't say that." James winked at Adam.
"Oh you get paid on what you sell? Well, by all means, let's go look at hats, gloves and accessories. Shall we?" Adam returned James' wink He knew Chris and how he would want to rub in old Mr. Jenkins face.
Ten minutes later, Adam had a new silk top hat for formal occasions, and a smart Bowler hat in black, and a black Homburg for every day. Adam also had white gloves to wear with the tuxedos, for going to places like the opera. A cape and cane completed the look. Chris also got Adam new handkerchiefs in dark colors to put in his coat pockets. Pajamas, slippers and a black silk smoking jacket topped off the shopping.
When they went to the counter to settle, Mr. Jenkins was there. Adam whispered what James had said into Chris' ear. It made Chris laugh.
"Shall I send the bill?" James asked, brow arched.
Chris pulled out a brown leather pocketbook. "No, I will pay. Deliver everything to one, zero, two Eaton Square, Belgravia, London." He spoke firmly.
James wrote down the amount and handed the statement to Chris. Without hesitation, Chris counted out almost ninety pounds. "And this is for all your help, James." Chris added a five pound note.
Adam had to bite back a laugh when Mr. Jenkins huffed off, muttering under his breath, something about Junior staff and upstart young Lords.
"I am sorry, Milord. He is in a bad mood. Big meeting upstairs later today. They want to see him. Thank you, sirs for your custom. The items will be delivered in the morning. It is a lot of alterations." James apologized, but the ladies in alterations were behind because of a big wedding they were working on. The bride was a Duchess.
"That is just fine, James. Thank you for your help. Upstairs will know how well you did. Now, let's get shoes and boots. Then lastly, you need riding togs. I also need some new riding things." Chris stated as he gave James a smile, then led Adam to the shoe department.
Adam held tight to Chris' arm as they walked through the crowded store. "Chris, I had no idea it would cost so much, but thank you. Riding togs too? But… yes, Chris. I do want you to be proud of me when we go out. So, I will say no more, but I do thank you, with all my heart and love." He gave Chris' arm a tight squeeze, and a warm smile.
Chris gave Adam a huge smile. "I am glad you finally understand. By the way, you could wear a feed sack and I would still be proud of you. Ah, here we go. Let's get Cody's shoes first. Then you can relax and shop for your own."
Adam looked at some sturdy black shoes. He picked one of the shoes up and bent it like he would if he walked in it. He frowned and put it back. He picked up another shoe and did the same.
"That is perfect, and it is his size." Adam looked at the paper with Cody's shoe size written on it.
Chris had watched Adam with curiosity. "Love, what was wrong with the first pair? Those you picked up are the same." He took the box from Adam to carry, as a gentleman should.
Adam laughed as the now looked at boots. "The first pair creaked. A servant wouldn't dare wear a shoe that creaks. Sometimes we have to put on a creaky shoe and walk and walk, then oil it, till the creak is gone. Imagine serving and all the guests hear is the creak of shoe leather." He gave a shrug, and picked up a box with the boots he'd chosen.
Chris led Adam to an area with chairs and low stools for putting your foot on. As they sat, Chris spoke. "I had no idea creaky shoes could be such an issue. No wonder I never hear when Mark moves around. We will add these to the delivery.
"Hello, Milord. How may I help you?" A middle aged man asked as he approached the couple.
"My fiance needs new dress shoes, and a pair of good every day shoes. We both need new riding boots, please." Chris spoke formally.
"Yes, Milord and sir. I will bring some choices. Shoes first. Would you like some tea while you wait?" The man gave a nod.
Adam shook his head. Chris smiled. "No tea, but thank you." He gave the clerk a nod. The man vanished behind a curtain, where the expensive shoes were kept.
An hour later, Adam had four new pairs of excellent shoes, handmade from Italy, and a new pair of riding boots. Both Adam and Chris had shiny, knee high riding boots from Spain. Chris had all the shoes billed to his father. Their shoes and boots would all be added to the delivery of Adam's clothes.
As they headed to the Equestrian Department, Adam let out a gasp. They walked through the stationary section, and he saw all the artist supplies.
"Chris, I know! I will paint a portrait of ma and Mark for their wedding gift. Or is that… a silly idea?" Adam asked as he looked at a set of brushes. He wanted to try painting. He had a feeling it would come naturally to him… or at least he hoped so.
"I think it is a wonderful idea, but love, it will cost a bit. Take this, it can be our present." Chris pulled a ten pound note out of his pocketbook.
Adam bit his lip. "Alright, but don't buy another gift. This will be our gift to them. At least I know Jason won't give them same thing…" Adam told a funny story as he picked out the canvas, paints, brushes and other small art supplies.
"… so three years in a row, we both gave her rose water parfum. She still has two left." Adam ended with a laugh as they went to the counter.
Adam paid, and he had figured the cost correctly, and spent exactly fifteen pounds. Some of the tubes of oil paint were more costly. Chris stood back as Adam paid, but stepped up to add it to the growing morning delivery.
"Darling, can we stop for tea before going on? I need to sit for a minute." Adam sounded tired. It had been a big day so far.
Chris saw that Adam looked a bit pale. "Of course, love. Tea room is upstairs, it is quiet there. Come." He led Adam to the moving staircase. They could stand on it, and a belt moved them up. Harrods had been the first to install such a thing in 1898.
Adam hesitated. He watched others go up first. He was a bit frightened. Chris smiled. "Come love, you simply walk on and stand. You will be alright." He held tight to Adam's arm and stepped onto the inclined, moving belt. Adam began to relax.
"This would come in handy at the house. It is hard to carry trays upstairs to the drawing room during a formal party." Adam mused as they went up, up, up.
Chris again held on to Adam as they stepped off on the second floor. "I never thought of that. My goodness, you all work so hard, just… for us. Poppa needs to raise their pay." He was serious as he led Adam to the quiet tea room of Harrods.
A pretty young woman led the couple to a table for two, in a darker corner. Chris ordered tea and a selection of sandwiches, cakes and pastries.
Adam sighed. "This is nice. My head had started to ache a bit. This helps. Now, your poppa pays very well, more than most. We do it because we like it. It is an honor to serve when the Masters of the house care about us. It's hard to explain, but we do it because we want to, not because we have to." He gave a shrug, it was hard to explain.
Chris smiled at his beloved. "I can understand, at least a tiny bit. It's like the feeling I get at the orphanage. I help because I love those children…" He paused when the girl arrived with their tea. She poured two cups, then left the trolley with the plates of food and the tea pot.
Chris continued as he put a small plate of sandwiches in front of Adam. "Eat, it will help. Anyway, helping others does make you feel good."
Adam chewed, sipped his tea, swallowed and spoke. "Yes, it does. Um… Chris… how would you feel… if after we are married… if we…" He was interrupted by Chris.
"Adopted Melanie?" Chris looked at Adam.
Adam's eyes flew open. "Yes! How did you… did your poppa say something?"
Chris chuckled. "No, he didn't. I thought of it myself. I hoped you would feel the same. I would love it. Pru said I could, a while back, but I knew the time wasn't right. I wasn't as settled as I am now. I was actually glad it didn't work out and the family didn't adopt her. I would have anyway, but now, having you too, it would be even more perfect. Did you say something to poppa?" He was curious as he ate a sandwich.
Adam smiled. "I asked him how he and your father would feel if we adopted. He said it wouldn't be a problem. Of course, I still want children of our own, but Melanie will make a wonderful big sister. I just hope Mary, Victoria and Eugenie won't be jealous. We can't adopt them all, but Melanie is so sweet and special. She deserves the life and the love we can give her." He took another bit. The rest, food and tea helped his head feel better.
"I'm glad you spoke to poppa. Of course I would want to speak to everyone about it. I want to make sure Melanie would be treated the same as Beatrice and Reginald." Chris spoke with deep thought.
"I am sure your brothers and sister aren't that way. They accepted me." Adam stated with confidence.
Chris nodded. "I am sure you are right. However, we always talk about things. That is why we stand so strong together. We don't always agree, but we always manage to work things out. You will be part of that now too. You feeling better? You have color back in your cheeks." He reached over and caressed said cheek.
"Jason and I talk a lot too. He was worried about you coming to my room at night. Jason can be extremely protective. He would be a wonderful uncle for Melanie. And yes, I feel much better. My headache is gone. This tea is delicious. I have never tasted anything like it." Adam filled their cups with the last of the tea.
"It is Earl Gray. We can buy some if you want. It is flavored with Bergamot Pears. All we have left to get is riding togs. I need new jodhpurs and coats. I want red and black." Chris finished the last pastry.
Adam laughed a bit. "I see Stephanie isn't the only one who likes to be fashionable. Just one thing more about Melanie. I do want to adopt her, but, not immediately. I want us married first. I didn't put that well." His laugh turned to a frown.
Chris took Adam's hand in his. "I do understand. I was thinking Christmas time. That gives us five months to settle into married life. I will tell Pru, we don't want someone else taking our daughter." Chris put some coins on the table.
The couple stood. "Our daughter. I love the sound of that. Uncle Jason will need to find a pony for her, maybe even a Buckskin. All the dresses the girls and ma can make for her. All the beautiful dolls she and Beatrice can play with." Adam's voice had a dreamlike quality to it.
Chris smiled as he led Adam to the Equestrian section, which also happened to be on the second floor. When they arrived, Adam was in total awe. If a horse needed something, it was there. From blank iron shoes to blankets. There even carriages, carts and wagons on display that could be custom ordered. Saddles, sidesaddles, bridles, halters, ropes, grooming tools and oils for hooves and coats. Jason would go crazy if he saw it.
Chris took Adam to where the riding togs were sold. Adam chuckled. "So that's how they do it." Adam looked at a lady's riding habit. He never knew that the volumes of skirt hid the jodhpurs a lady wore to ride sidesaddle. It protected her legs, but looked like she only wore a skirt.
"Amazing what a lady can hide under a skirt." Chris winked as a young salesman approached.
"Hello, Milord. How may I help you?" The man was polite and gave Adam a nod of respect as well as Chris.
"Four complete riding togs. Two black, two red. One set for myself, one for my fiance. Also hats, gloves and crops." Chris again used his tone of authority.
"Of course, Milord. Right this way, please. You can be seated here." The salesman led the couple to a seating area, much like the clothing department.
"You keep resting, I will go first." Chris smiled at his fiance. He wanted to kiss Adam, but it just was not done in public.
Adam gave Chris a grateful smile. "I want to see you after your changed." He gave Chris a wink.
Chris smiled and returned the wink, as he followed the salesman. Adam picked up the London Times and began to read. He wondered if he could be of help to Duke Vincent at the Houses of Parliament. Adam decided to study more German, it could come in handy.
A few minutes later, Chris stepped on to a raised platform in front of a three-way mirror. Chris had on a more formal black coat. It had short tails and brass buttons. The riding pants fit like a tight glove and ended at his calves. They were whiter than snow. Chris looked so damn handsome.
The salesman brushed Chris' shoulders. He had Chris move his arms as if he were riding. "How does it feel? Too tight under the arm?" The salesman asked as he looked at Chris with a critical eye.
Chris turned, looked, raised his arms, then did a few squats. "Feels great. Perfect fit. What do you think, my dear?" He looked over at Adam, brow arched.
Adam got up to get a closer look. "Perfect. It does fit so well. Now, lets see the red." He went back to sit down to wait.
It took three tries with the red jacket, but when it was right, it was perfect. The red jacket was shorter, made for riding over a hunting course.
Chris and his family didn't ride in hunts, but they did enjoy cross country riding. The red jackets made the riders easier to see. There was nothing more wonderful than watching beautiful horses and red jacketed riders galloping through a meadow, jumping fences and leaping over narrow creeks.
It took two tries for Adam to get the right black jacket. In his hat and snow white pants and brass button black tail coat, Adam looked like the Lord of the manor. He felt like it as well.
"My goodness, you look handsome." Not sure you can wear that around others. It really suits you, my dear." Chris spoke with pride as he admired Adam.
Adam blushed a bit. The salesman smiled, he loved seeing people in love. "Thank you. This one does fit perfectly. Well, let's find a red one now." Adam had begun to like the feeling nice clothes gave him, but he didn't let it get to his head. He just liked the feeling of Chris feeling proud of him.
When Adam came out in the first red jacket, he knew it was right. He knew because of the clouded look of lust in Chris' eyes.
Adam made all the movements he would make if he were riding a swift horse over the jumps. "Right the first time. Thank you." Adam spoke warmly to the clerk. It made the young man smile.
"Perfect. Now gloves and crops." Chris was more than ready to be finished. He wanted to get home to afternoon tea. The sandwiches from earlier were long gone from his system. Chris was hungry.
After they finished in the Equestrian department, Chris led Adam to the last stop. He ordered Earl Gray tea. It along with the riding togs would be added to the morning delivery.
When they got to the front, Chris went to get their hats from the checkroom. By the time they got to the door, a cab waited for them.
"Thank you for your custom, Milord, sir. Have a nice day." The Harrods doorman gave a polite nod as he held the store door open for the couple.
"Thank you." Adam and Chris spoke at the same time.
The cabbie held the cab door open for them. Chris helped Adam in, then gave the cabbie the address to the McMahon house. Chris got into the cab. The driver climbed up to his seat. They were soon headed home.
Adam leaned on Chris. "Thank you so much for spoiling me today. Now you can be proud of me. I will look nice if nothing else." He gave Chris a quick kiss on the cheek.
"It was my pleasure, love. However, I would be proud of you, no matter what you wear. I wanted you to feel good. That is going to be a big delivery in the morning. You'd better warn Mark." Chris wrapped an arm around Adam and held him close.
Adam gave a light laugh. "And you'd better warn your father about the coming bill. Chris, I don't mean anything by this but… does your father give you money? It's not like you get paid for the work at the orphanage. Don't be mad, I just want to learn all about you." He gave Chris a worried look. Had he been too nosy?
Chris guffawed. "I don't mind you asking. Stephanie, Shane and I got an inheritance from our poppa Patrick. He was a Duke in his own right. We get an allowance each month from the interest. We will never be hurting for money. Roman and Dean also get the same from their father, Sika, but not as much. Still, they don't have to work, they just enjoy it. I could work, I am not lazy. I just like doing my work at the orphanage." He gave a shrug.
Adam gripped Chris' arm tighter. "I didn't think you were lazy. You work hard, and give a lot to the orphanage. Chris, your poppa said, because of my ability to speak German, I might be able to help your father and Roman with their work at Parliament. Would you object? Of course I won't work when we have babies." He laid his head on Chris' shoulder.
"Really? That would be good. I wouldn't have any objections to you doing that. You can work with babies, we do have Nanny Renee. That will be up to you. I will never tell you what you can and can not do, ever. One of the reasons I liked you in the first place was I knew you would be an independent person. That is one of the things I love about you." Chris gave Adam a chaste kiss.
Adam smiled. "Well nothing is official yet about helping him. Ma raised us to figure things out for ourselves and stand on our own two feet. Oh we can go to her with our problems, but still, both Jason and I are independent. I won't be a clinging vine type. I trust you." He spoke firmly.
"Good. We will always talk things over. Ah home at last." Chris grinned as the cab came to a stop at the McMahon house.
Chris paid the cabbie, then escorted Adam up the stairs to the front door. Before Chris could touch the knob, Mark opened the door.
"Welcome home, Milord, Adam." Mark greeted the couple with a smile.
Adam and Chris kissed and parted ways. Adam went downstairs to tell everyone about his day. Chris went to the morning room for tea. It had been a wonderful day of shopping.