Maude lingered outside her son Ezra's door, her gaze scanning for any prying eyes. With practiced finesse, she manipulated her lock picks, the door yielding to her skill. The sleek silhouette of Ezra's Jag in the driveway confirmed his presence at home, and despite knowing his aversion to unsolicited entries, Maude pressed on. After all, it was her unspoken duty as his mother to keep her baby boy sharp and on his toes.
As she quietly slipped into Ezra's condo, her steps were muffled by the plush carpet, she was the one who received the surprise. As she rounded the corner into the living room, she caught sight of something she never expected to see: her son and his boss, Chris Larabee, nestled on the couch together. Their position and actions left no doubt as to what their relationship was.
Ezra leaned back against Chris's chest, his head resting comfortably resting on Chris's shoulder. Chris's arm draped protectively around Ezra's waist, drawing him close, while their hands were entwined. Chris absently ran his fingers through her son's hair, leaving a trail of gentle caresses before dropping butterfly kisses on his head. Ezra let out a contented sigh, snuggling tighter into Chris's embrace.
They were engrossed in whatever played on the TV, their expressions serene and content, the tension of their demanding lives momentarily forgotten in each other's embrace.
At Maude's sharply indrawn breath, both Chris and Ezra's heads whipped around. Ezra leapt to his feet at the sight of his mother. "M-m-mother," he stammered.
Maude hid her pleasure at know she'd caught Ezra off guard. Her gaze shifted over her son, taking in his appearance. His usually impeccable attire was replaced by baggy sweatpants and an oversized, long-sleeved Navy Seals t-shirt that she suspected wasn't his. It was a stark departure from his usual polished appearance. His bare feet shuffled nervously on the carpet, and his usually well-groomed hair was tousled. His normally fair complexion was paler than usual, and his cheeks were flushed.
In comparison, Chris was dressed casually in jeans and a snug, dark t-shirt. Unlike Ezra's bare feet, he wore boots. His hair was neatly combed, contrasting sharply with Ezra's tousled look. He'd taken a half step in front of Ezra, the protective stance clear for anyone to see.
Ezra's eyes darted nervously between his mother and Chris, his usual eloquence failing him as he struggled to find the right words. "I can…uh…explain…Mother...um…Mr. Larabee," he began, his voice hoarse and faltering as he searched for an explanation.
Chris, sensing Ezra's discomfort, interjected gently, coming to his partner's aid. "Ezra invited me over to watch a game," he offered, his tone calm and reassuring. "We were just enjoying some downtime together."
Maude chuckled at the sight before her, a knowing twinkle in her eye. "That's certainly an interesting way to watch the game," she said, her tone tinged with amusement. "You don't have to explain yourselves to me. I think I have a pretty good idea of what's going on here."
Ezra's eyes widened in surprise, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment, while Chris simply smiled, a hint of relief evident in his expression.
"Mother..." Ezra started, his voice trailing off as he struggled to find the right words.
"Hush, Darlin'. There's nothing to explain," Maude assured him, her smile widening. "I'm just glad you've finally found someone to make you happy. It took you long enough."
Ezra's mouth opened and closed much like a fish on dry land. Chris finally took pity on him and stepped in smoothly, saving Ezra from more awkwardness. "How about I make some coffee?" he suggested, his voice calm and reassuring. "I'm sure we could all use a cup."
"That sounds lovely, dear," Maude replied, her tone light and teasing. "I'll just make myself comfortable while you two play host." With a knowing glance at her son and his partner, she settled back into the couch, content to observe the dynamics between them.
As Chris rose to his feet, a gentle smile graced his lips as he turned to Ezra, his voice soft but firm. "You stay put, Ez," he said, his tone carrying a hint of affectionate command. He brushed his hand over Ezra's cheek. "I'll take care of the coffee."
Ezra's eyes met Chris's with a mixture of gratitude and adoration, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken reassurance in his partner's words. He turned his face into Ezra's hand, kissing his palm, then with a nod, he settled back into the couch. Chris leaned down to press a tender kiss to the top of his head before making his way to the kitchen.
As Maude observed the exchange, she couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in dynamics between the two men. Chris, typically known for his stoic demeanor and no-nonsense attitude, seemed to exude a sense of solicitousness and care that caught Maude off guard. His gestures were tender and attentive, a stark departure from the tough exterior he usually presented to the world.
Ezra, on the other hand, seemed to welcome Chris's doting behavior with surprising openness, leaning into his touch and responding to his gestures with a soft smile. It was a side of her son that Maude hadn't often seen.
As she watched them interact, a sense of warmth filled Maude's heart, mingled with a hint of surprise. She hadn't expected Chris to be so openly affectionate, nor had she anticipated Ezra's willingness to not only accept it but to openly welcome it. In that moment, as she witnessed the genuine care and love exchanged between them, Maude couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the unexpected gift of seeing her son so deeply loved and cherished.
As Chris headed to the kitchen, Ezra shifted uneasily on the couch, his cheeks still tinged with embarrassment. He tried to speak, but his words came out in a jumble, his usual eloquence eluding him in the face of his mother's knowing gaze. "I, uh, well, you see, Mother..." he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Maude watched him with a gentle understanding, her expression softening with empathy. "It's alright, Darlin'," she reassured him, her tone gentle and reassuring. "I've suspected for some time now. I've always wanted you to feel comfortable enough to tell me in your own time. Like I said, I'm just glad you've found someone who makes you happy." She looked toward where Chris had disappeared into the kitchen. "He does make you happy, doesn't he?"
Ezra shyly nodded. "He does, Mother." He looked up, meeting his mother's gaze. "Took me by surprise." Ezra coughed lightly, then continued, "I... I didn't know how to tell you," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Maude reached out to him, her hand resting gently on his knee in a gesture of comfort. "There's no need to explain, son," she said, her voice filled with maternal warmth. "I'm just glad you're happy."
"I am, Mama," Ezra earnestly assured her. "I really am."
"Good," Maude said with a quick nod of her head. "Now, I want to hear all about how you and Mr. Larabee got together...and don't you dare leave anything out."
Ezra chuckled softly, then began to regale his mother with the events leading up to him and Chris deciding to take a chance on getting together. He was careful to leave out anything that hinted at the issues he'd gone through or the prejudices he'd faced from colleagues, although he did make sure to tell her how their teammates had supported them from the start. As he spoke, occasional coughs kept interrupting him.
As Chris returned from the kitchen with a tray of mugs, his usual calm demeanor belied the concern in his eyes. Handing Ezra a mug, he offered a reassuring smile. "Here you go, Babe. I made you some tea with honey," he said gently, though his eyes flickered with worry as he glanced at Ezra.
Over his shoulder, Chris addressed Maude, his tone matter-of-fact. "Ezra's been feeling a bit under the weather the last few days," he informed her, a subtle nod towards his partner's condition.
Ezra waved off the concern with a weak smile, attempting to downplay his illness. "It's nothing, Mother," he insisted, though a sudden coughing fit interrupted his words, leaving him breathless and struggling for air.
Chris quickly moved to rescue the tea from spilling, setting it and the tray down with a clatter as he rushed to Ezra's side. Sitting beside him, he rubbed his back soothingly, his touch gentle yet firm as he sought to ease Ezra's discomfort.
As Ezra's coughing subsided, Chris leaned in to press a tender kiss to his forehead, his lips lingering against too warm skin. "Your fever's going up again," he remarked softly, concern etched into his voice as he gently brushed a strand of hair from Ezra's forehead.
Ezra sighed impatiently. "I'm ok, Chris. It was just a cough."
"It's not just a cough," Chris insisted. "You know the doc said you shouldn't fool around with this flu, or it could just turn into something worse. You need to be resting."
"You should listen to him, son," Maude agreed. She'd known something was off since she'd lain eyes or her son. "Let Mr. Larabee take care of you. There'll be plenty of time for us to talk later."
Ezra huffed out another impatient sigh, but let Chris help him up from the couch and lead him back to the bedroom. Truthfully, he was starting to feel a little rougher than he had been all day. It would feel good to lie down.
It didn't take long for Chris to get Ezra settled. The continuing infection left him fatigued easily with his body craving sleep.
He sat on the side of the bed watching Ezra sleep while marveling that he'd become such an important part of his life in such a short time. He never would have expected that Ezra's drunken confession four months ago would lead to where they were now. In his wildest dreams, he'd never thought he'd find anyone else who could fill the hollow, hurt place Sara's and Adam's deaths had cause. But here he was falling more in love every day.
When he was sure Ezra was deeply asleep, he kissed his cheek lightly and got up from the bed. "I best go see you mother," he whispered to the sleeping man.
As Chris emerged from the bedroom, Maude's piercing blue gaze bore into him. "What are your intentions toward my son, Mr. Larabee?" she demanded, her tone sharp and direct as she quickly got to the heart of the matter.
Chris blinked in surprise, taken aback by the sudden shift in Maude's demeanor. He opened his mouth to respond, but found himself at a loss for words, unsure of how to articulate the depth of his feelings for Ezra in a way that would satisfy Maude's concerns.
With a steadying breath, he met Maude's gaze head-on, his voice calm but resolute. "I care deeply for Ezra," he began, his words measured but sincere. "I would never do anything to hurt him. My intentions toward your son are nothing but honorable."
"Do you love him?" Maude pressed. "Do you plan to make an honest man of him?"
Chris's brows rose to his hairline he was so surprised by the question. "Do I plan to make an honest man of him?" he parroted back. The sudden shift in focus caught him off guard, his mind reeling as he tried to process Maude's words. Marriage was a serious commitment, one he hadn't even begun to consider in relation to his relationship with Ezra.
"We…we haven't thought that far ahead," Chris admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Ezra and I, we're still figuring things out."
Maude studied Chris for a moment, her gaze searching his face for any sign of deception. Finding none, she let out a sigh. Maternal instincts she wasn't aware she had came to the forefront leaving her with a desire to do nothing other than to protect her son. "I understand, Mr. Larabee," she said softly, her tone gentler now as she processed Chris's response. "Just know that Ezra means the world to me, and I only want what's best for him."
Chris couldn't hide the skepticism from his face. Although Ezra rarely spoke about his relationship with his mother and even less about his childhood, from what little Chris had gleaned, he wouldn't have expected Maude to say those words. His feelings must have shown on his face.
"If it makes you feel any better, Mr. Larabee," Maude continued chagrined. "I'm frankly a little surprised to hear myself say that." She sat on the couch and picked up one of the mugs of coffee remembering a discussion she'd had with Ezra not too long ago. "My son once told me that I didn't raise him as well as a stray cat raises a litter." Her face hardened for just the briefest moment as she recalled their argument before it suddenly softened. "I was angry when he said that, but I suppose he was right. I did leave him with everyone and anyone." Her eyes flashed as he voice took on hardness once again. "I was doing the best I could for him."
"That may be so," Chris agreed as he sat on the armchair by the couch. "But it hurt him. Hurt him a lot. Between that and the problems he had in Atlanta…" he trailed off shaking his head. The two were silent for a few moments before Chris continued. "He hides himself away behind walls and I know it's because he doesn't want to be hurt again. Trust doesn't come easy for him. I don't know how or why, but somehow, he let me in. And if that means I have to spend every day of the rest of my life making sure no one gets a chance to hurt him again, that's what I'm going to do." He left it unspoken that he included her when he said he'd never let Ezra be hurt again.
"Then my son is truly fortunate," Maude whispered. She pulled in a deep breath to collect herself before gracefully rising from the couch. "I only had a short time to drop by to see Ezra. I'm involved in a…business dealing. Unfortunately, I'll have to be leaving now. You will let Ezra know, won't you."
Chris nodded. A small smiling letting her know that he knew exactly what her business dealing was about. "I'll be sure he knows." He got up to walk Maude to the door.
Once at the door, Maude turned to Chris, taking his hand in hers, her demeanor intent. "Take care of my boy, Chris. Even if...even if...," she pulled in a breath and let it out slowly. "Take care of him." Before Chris could say anything or react, she was out the door.
Chris stood in the doorway, watching her hurry down the walk to her rental car. Once she was in the driver's seat and had looked back to him, he raised his hand in farewell.
As Chris closed the door behind him, he couldn't shake the weight of Maude's words. They lingered in the air, heavy with meaning and expectation. Turning back to the quiet condo, he found himself enveloped in a sense of responsibility unlike any he had felt before. The realization settled over him like a comforting blanket, grounding him in his commitment to Ezra.
With a determined resolve, Chris made his way back to the bedroom, where Ezra lay sleeping peacefully. Gazing down at his partner, he felt a surge of tenderness wash over him, reaffirming his unwavering devotion.
As he settled onto the edge of the bed, Chris brushed a stray lock of hair from Ezra's forehead, his touch gentle and reassuring. Leaning down, he pressed a soft kiss to Ezra's temple, whispering words of love and protection into the quiet darkness of the room.
In that moment, as he watched over the man he cherished more than life itself, Chris knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, he would always be there to stand by Ezra's side, to love and protect him as no one had ever done before.