Trent Abroad and Sebastian's Child
With all of the formal introductions finished, the reception at Winfield House moved on to the next stage; it was time for the buffet, and for the guests to mingle freely. Jeff headed for Kate as soon as he saw that she was free, and brought her over to meet a still mortified Rory and the two Irish women properly. Rory did not feel quite so tense about this meeting; he did however pale a little as his nana chatted to her as if she was a woman that she had just met in the main street of Clane, but the Duchess seemed to be quite enjoying it. She had been warned by Jeff that Agnes was a 'rough diamond' and so the familiarity did not phase her at all. When Agnes made one particular comment about her husband, words which made Rory blanch, the Duchess just laughed out loud. Sister Mary-Agnes made to apologise, but Kate said that there was no need; she was fairly down to earth herself…
About ten minutes later, as Prince Harry guffawed loudly at a joke that Agnes had just told him, Rory could stand it no more, and bright red, he walked away, and almost knocked over the First Lady, which made it even worse. She however was not phased at all. "You need to stop worrying, Rory; I was just with Her Majesty, and she was delighted to see him laughing so heartily. In fact, she wanted to know what the joke was."
"It was more than a little off colour, so it might be better that she doesn't hear it," Rory replied.
"I still think that you need to stop worrying; in fact, come with me, and allow me to introduce you to Prince Charles and his wife." Before he could object, Rory found himself spirited away…
When he managed to get back, it was to find Her Majesty sat on a sofa in deep conversation with Sister Mary-Agnes and his nana. His eyes nearly popped out of his head in horror, but before he could run over, Trent grabbed him. "Don't worry; I have been listening in and they are talking about faith, family and death… I think that as the Duke ages, the Queen is worrying about what will happen when he does leave this world behind. Sometimes when we are worried, an informal chat with virtual strangers is exactly what we need in the circumstances. As for her Majesty, don't worry; I am sure she can handle anything that your nana might say…"
When the reception finally came to an end and all of the invited guests had departed, more or less, the President told Trent to take the remainder of the day off, and would hear no arguments. "The speeches that you have already written for my arrival in Dublin tomorrow are perfect, and should there need to be any tweeks, we can make them as we travel there. I am taking you away from your family when we go to Dublin, and then on to Paris and Berlin; you will not see them for well over a week, and I feel guilty about that."
"It is all part of my role sir, and both Rory and I are aware of that. It does help that I will be able to take him to the airport tomorrow; Carole will be at Dulles to meet him to assist with Cormac so that is no worry either. In any case, both of us are extremely grateful to you for giving us the opportunity to meet royalty. You decision to allow Rory's grandmother to be here as well was above and beyond."
"She is certainly a special lady… Prince Harry told me the joke that she told him that made him laugh like that - it was not one for being repeated, even in the Oval Office, but it was hilarious none the less. By the way, my mother is delighted that I am now having tea at a convent whilst I am in Dublin; there may be a family connection to the Mother Superior there through cousins way back. You will be joining us I hope?"
"Of course sir, if you think that my presence could be useful."
"Good man. Now go and spend time with your family and friends - and that is an order."
Trent nodded, and went over to join his husband, who was talking to Nick, and was explaining as he got there that they could not join them for tea in Kensington. "Actually, the President has just told me to take the rest of the day off, so there is no real reason why we couldn't. Your nana will get to see a little more of us and Cormac as a result, and we get the chance for a good chat with Nick and Jeff, not to mention surprise little Wes."
"Well if you are sure, and there really isn't anything for you to do, then I can't see any objection," replied Rory. They had requested a cab to take Niff and the two ladies away, but that was cancelled by order, and one of the limos pulled out instead, as it would accommodate them all with less crowding. That was another coup for Agnes, who announced to them all that she felt like a film star. Nick gave the address of their house in Thurloe Square, but asked if they could go via the kindergarten, so that either he or Jeff could collect little Wes. The driver agreed, but insisted on waiting for them to come out.
Thus little Wes was also given the treat of a limo ride, his face filled with awe as he saw it. He was so overawed that he almost failed to notice that his Uncles Trent and Rory were also in the car, but when he did he pulled both of them into hugs, a big smile on his face. Then he caught sight of Agnes and the good Sister, and he was given cause to pause. "This is my grandmother Wes, and a good friend of ours," said Rory in explanation. "They came to London to meet the President and the Queen, and now they are coming for tea." Wes nodded, still a little uncertain of the two ladies, but if his fathers and uncles said they were okay…
Tea turned into a riotous affair that day. Nick had of course baked in advance, and produced two large cakes and a treacle tart, but he still headed to the kitchen as soon as he had changed out of his suit to put the oven on to bake a batch of scones to serve warm with butter and jam. Meanwhile Wes was formally introduced to the two ladies and soon he was chatting away with them, telling them all about what he had done in the kindergarten that day. Jeff had feared that he might ask questions that were a little embarrassing about nuns, or Rory's mum and dad, but they never came.
Nick soon arrived to tell them all that tea was ready, and they all gathered around the kitchen table. Nick had also decided to make toast, recalling something that Rory had said once in a reminiscence about taking tea at his nana's, and the fact that it was available earned him Agnes' approval. It was a happy little reunion for them all, but one that could not last for too long. When the time came to take their leave, Trent hugged both Nick and Jeff for a long time. He missed them both more than he cared to admit. Even though his work kept him in Washington, whilst they were in New York, they didn't feel far away; now the distance between them felt so wrong…
On arriving at the hotel, Rory realised that Cormac needed a change, and he was escorted upstairs by Sister Mary-Agnes. Trent had made to follow, but Agnes announced that he would wait downstairs in the lounge with her, and there was something in her tone that made him agree without argument. As soon as the elevator doors closed, she took him into a little nook off the main lounge, which contained two armchairs and a table.
"I just wanted to thank you personally for today; it was quite the opportunity for an ordinary woman from Clane, let me tell you. I always felt that the Queen would be cold and distant, but she was so kind and lovely. However, when we three were sat alone together and chatting, I might have said something about how she had a sadness in her eyes that she was trying to hide, and she admitted that she did. Her husband, the Duke, he isn't well at all. She is not looking forward to the inevitable day with any sense of joy, and from what she was saying, that day will be soon… I just thought that you might like to know, so that you can warn the President…"
Trent nodded, and thanked her, not that she had told him anything he did not already know. They headed back to the main lounge, and were ready to greet Rory when he returned. Hugs were exchanged, a few tears shed, and then the young couple took their leave, and jumped in a taxi back to Winfield House. They had packing to do before they headed their separate ways tomorrow. Both had enjoyed their time in London, but they were also ready to head back home to normality.
Trent would not be doing so at once of course, and Rory would miss him a lot over the next week whilst they were apart. Of course, he heard everything that was going on from his husband in their nightly Skype call. He thus knew all about the tea party at the convent in Dublin, where the Mother Superior became so starstruck in the presence of the President that she was left unable to speak, which meant that Sister Mary-Agnes had to step up and do much of the talking…
He was not told however about the walkabout that was done the following day, where as Trent followed the President along the street as part of his security team, he spotted a face that he had seen only once before in the crowd up ahead; she was standing beside a man that he had never met, but who bore an uncanny likeness to his brother-in-law…
He could see that his technical mother-in-law was very keen to be one of those that had the opportunity to shake the President's hand, so in a moment of wickedness, Trent headed to one of the security guards, and whispered in his ear that the woman ahead was a potential threat. The President was immediately steered away from her. As he walked past, Trent was sure that Rory's mother had now spotted him, but he didn't care; she had no part to play in his family's life through her own choice. He did not even spare her a glance. He and Rory had already decided that they would inform Cormac of her existence once he was an adult, and would be left to make his own choice as to whether he sought her out or not.
Trent also did not mention a moment at the State Dinner, where he was introduced to a politician whose name sounded familiar to Trent, but at first he was unable to place him. Then it came back to him; he was the man that Rory had worked for before he left for the United States almost a decade ago. A man that had treated his husband like dirt… He smiled at him politely, then said quietly, "You don't know me, but my husband used to work for you - Rory Flanagan… Hopefully you now treat your assistants with more respect than you ever gave to him."
The man looked at him with anger, and Trent could tell he was about to explode with rage. At that point, one of the President's team rushed over and told him that he was required urgently by Kennedy. "Well that is a pity. I would love to have talked to you some more about those days; about how the man you barely paid is now the trusted right hand man of the leader of the Democrats in Congress, but my boss needs me. I would however like to thank you for giving him no reason to wish to remain here…"
Trent would tell Rory all about that moment once he was back home; in the meantime, they were heading on to Europe, not that there was time for him to sight see. The Vice President had been in touch, giving him intel on things that the President would need to address on his return to Washington, and so he had speeches to prepare for that. He did manage to meet up with François briefly for lunch at an apartment that had not changed since he had stayed there for those few days. There was also a visit to Notre Dame, which was now starting to look from the outside at least exactly like it had done back then… Berlin had not changed at all as far as he could see, although he did laugh when he found himself allocated the room at the Adlon Hotel that he and Rory had stayed in back then. It also made him realise how much he missed him…
His husband meanwhile was spending the week with Carole, who loved Cormac as much as a blood relation. Rory enjoyed her company too, as she was like a mother to him now. Her presence meant that he could get on with writing his speeches for Burt. He still recalled how he had told the President that he would only take on the job of House Leader for a few months whilst he found someone better qualified; he was of course still in the job, and had come to relish it. He had the power to put so much forward that was changing the law of the land for the better, making it a great place for all of its peoples. He sought out discrimination and inequality, and tired to fix it, not that it was an easy task…
That he got so much done was a testament to Sue Sylvester too; technically on the other side of the political divide, but in the eyes of most quite a moderate Republican, who was looking to abandon the failed policy of the past and heal division. As she said to interviewers on political shows, how else could the Republican Party ever get back into power? They had to listen to the people and hear what they wanted, regardless of their status in society. The days of just pandering to the whims of the rich and the special interest groups were gone. All in all, work and Cormac got Rory through the separation from his husband, but he still embraced him tightly when he returned home from his trip…
As February began, so it was that one of Broadway's stars was finishing up his run before taking a well earned sabbatical. Sebastian was now more than ready to leave the Prince of Denmark behind, given what else was about to happen in his life. He had met up with the surrogate at the end of January, and it was clear the moment that he saw her that the child she was carrying for him would be due soon. He was invited to feel the baby kicking, and he had to jest that it would be joining a chorus line one day, given all of the high kicks it was making. He had decided that he did not wish to know the sex of his child right from the start, but he was secretly holding out for a boy; a son would complete their little family perfectly. His cellphone was constantly on now in his dressing room, although he had already told everyone that he would not be making a dash through the city streets as Cooper had. This was for two reasons; one, his child would be born in New Jersey, and two, there was no way he was running down Broadway in doublet and hose.
He would be glad to take his final bows for a while, even if the Broadway community was lamenting it. There were plenty of other young men that could take his place for a while, new graduates from NYADA for a start. He had no worries about losing his spotlight, as he had already booked a show to return in…
Sebastian performed the role of Hamlet for the final time on Sunday 12th February 2023; Laurie Metcalfe and his 'aunt' Bette were there in the stalls, and at the end, the audience gave him the longest standing ovation he had ever received. As he stood there, enjoying the adulation, he realised just how ready he was for the break; he had barely been off the stage since he had taken the part of Elder Price on full time, just a few days after he had graduated from NYADA back in 2018. It was that moment of clarity that brought it all home for him. He had of course then to give a speech, the audience calling for it, with his 'aunt' leading them. He had come prepared, and he reeled one off, thanking of course all of the casts and crews that he had worked with, and all of the friends that had helped him get to this point. Then he thanked Dave for putting up with him, and told them all that he was now looking forward to some family time. Then, unable to resist, he told them all that he would be back, playing Frankensteen, not Frankenstein, by this time next year, all being well.
With that, he took one last bow, and headed off stage, to the comfort of his dressing room. It would be a room that would belong to his understudy, who had earned good notices whilst he had been in London, would own from Tuesday. He headed home then from Manhattan to Maplewood, his rail season ticket expiring that day, given that his trips over the Hudson would be a lot less frequent for a while. He was looking forward to a week of relaxation before his surrogate's due date of 20th February; they had a little final prep to do on the nursery for the new occupant, but he wanted to spend quality time with Elise and Dave too. After all, all too soon his life would be dominated by feeding times and diaper changes all over again…
Of course, real life never adheres to the carefully made plans of mere humans. At 2am on Tuesday morning, Sebastian's phone began to buzz, and it woke him up eventually. He answered groggily, hoping that it wasn't the west coast theatrical agent from Seattle that had called him at 11pm local time once before, or indeed François, who sometimes forgot what 8am in Paris meant in New Jersey. In less than a minute he was wide awake and shaking Dave; their new arrival had decided that it did not wish to be fair of face; it wanted to be full of grace. Elise was gently lifted still sleeping from her bed and driven the short distance to her Uncle Julian's home; said man was waiting at the door, and took her into his arms, before wishing them all the best.
They made it to the hospital in just under 30 minutes, to discover that things had gone much more quickly this time, and that they already had a second child - a son. The look of joy on Sebastian's face as the nurse told him that was matched by the look on his husband's own face, both of them secretly delighted to have a boy this time. They were escorted through to a small room next to the birthing suite, the nursing staff on duty all knowing that they were the fathers from earlier meetings as her pregnancy had progressed. It did seem like an age for them though as they waited for the doors from the other room to open, and a nurse to walk through carrying a precious bundle in her arms….
Dave let Sebastian hold his arms out to take his son, and it was immediately obvious whose son he was as he stared back up at them with emerald green eyes. The moment that he was in his arms, Sebastian felt his heart swell, his emotions all rising up to the surface; he was a dad, this time to a child that he would raise himself. "Hello there," he whispered, "I am your father, and the man next to me is your papa. We can only promise at this point to love you, protect you, and do our best for you for the rest of our lives, no matter what. We love you so much already, Francis Paul Karofsky-Smythe…
One of the nurses obliged them and took a photo, which the two proud fathers posted on Facebook at 3.18am: 'Introducing our son, Francis Paul, to the world' read the text below the picture. Sebastian could only laugh as he had a like and a message of congratulations from Jeff in less than a minute, followed by the statement, 'A perfect gift for Valentine's Day.'
"Do you know, in all of the rush and the preparation for this, I had quite forgotten what today was," said Dave to his husband, who was in full on doting dad mode.
"So had I, but if anyone at all suggests that we should have called our boy Valentine or even Val because of it, I will block them immediately, no matter who they are!" Dave smiled at that, loving just how protective Sebastian was of their son already. A ping on his phone at that moment indicated the arrival of a message from Nick, followed by a whisker by one from Mason, who added a private message that he and Jane had also resolved to try for one of their own now too.
Then to their surprise, Sebastian's phone actually began to ring. Dave picked it up, and recognised the dial code on the number displayed on the screen. "It's Paris," was all he said. Sebastian nodded, and let Dave answer the call as he held the phone up to his face so he could talk.
"Guillaume! Qu'as-tu fait? Francis est la version anglaise de François, n'est-ce pas? Je ne sais pas comment exprimer mes sentiments pour le fait que tu l'as nommé après moi…"
(Guillaume! What did you do? Francis is the English version of François, isn't it? I do not know how to express my feelings for the fact that you named him after me…)
The moment that François had finished speaking, the oldest of Sebastian's friends let out a sob. Sebastian blinked back a tear of his own, and said, "François, who else could I name my son after than the man who, as a boy, gave me so much to remember with happiness every day?"
"Still, it is such an honour," came his reply, this time in English. "I will need to come over very soon to meet my namesake properly. You have done me a great honour, and I am so very happy…"
Everyone else was asleep at that point of course, and both of the fathers realised that one of them probably should be too. Dave knew that there was no point in even suggesting to Sebastian that it should be him, so with his husband's blessing, he headed home to get a few hours rest. Alone then with his son, Sebastian was content to just sit and quietly stare at him, feeling the grip his boy had on his little finger. "My boy," he thought, a sense of pride coursing through his veins. Growing up, the idea of being a parent one day was something that he never even contemplated; he was gay, and in Ohio in those days, that meant no family. How the world had moved on in such a short space of time was amazing to him even now.
He had two children of course, not that his daughter knew his true identity, nor would she ever know that she had a half sibling, or at least, not for many years. His son would know that he had a half sister in Elise; a shared mother that the two of them might never even meet, if their surrogate stuck to her resolve to have no contact or involvement with her children. He pondered for a moment how Elise might react the first time she met her brother; hopefully not like her Uncle Julian did when he first saw his own little brother all those years ago…
When the nurses arrived to do their checks, it was a very reluctant Sebastian that relinquished his son to them, but he smiled broadly when the nurse said that he definitely had his daddy's eyes. The Smythe genes were definitely on show there, just as they were in Julian and Peter. Those genes were a blessing and a curse of course. The promiscuous nature of their father had passed down to Julian and himself, but they had it under control now, thanks to a growing maturity and the love of two good people. As far as he knew, his nephew was not afflicted by those urges yet. Thad would have been sure to tell him if Peter was engaging in that sort of behaviour at Dalton…
As it happened, Thad would be the first person to see Sebastian's post the next morning. He had been woken earlier than usual by a stomach ache, an affliction that seemed more than a little common for him these days, but one which was easily cured with antacids. He knew that trying to get back to sleep would be more or less impossible, so he had climbed out of bed just after 5am, got himself a glass of cranberry juice, and had then checked his phone quickly, intending to do some marking. The essays on the Civil War were forgotten though when he saw the post from Sebastian. There was no mistaking whose son Francis was, and the fact that he had named him after his friend from Paris, if a little odd, was understandable. The middle name was of course for Dave's father, but it was also quite a common one in France. He smiled as he recalled what Sebastian's father was called, and why Cedric was not somewhere in the name…
He typed out a quick message of congratulations to the first of the Warblers of his generation to have had two children. He then closed his eyes and thought about his own efforts in that direction. He had not been called on again since Christmas, and he did wonder why; he had been fully expecting to need to oblige in January. Okay, so the weather had not been the best four weeks after Christmas, but he had expected some word at least; indeed, it was now almost 8 weeks since the holiday, and still nothing. He resolved to send his brother a message later, asking him if he and Michelle were okay, and if he needed to head to New York for some random reason in the next few days. It sounded weird, but he did need to know what was going on…
As the next few hours passed, more people woke up and sent their congratulations to the new fathers. They came to Sebastian from everyone that knew him. His maman had been the first to call that morning, and like François, had spoken to him in French, telling him that she would be flying down from Montreal just as soon as she could to meet her new grandchild. His father called not long after, and after telling him how proud he was off him, and that he had set up an account already for the little boy, as he had done for Elise, and would be placing a not insubstantial amount of cash in it for the future needs of Francis. He was also much more concrete about when he would arrive, stating that he would be in New Jersey the following day, and hoped that it would be okay for him to visit. Sebastian replied at once in the affirmative, something that not so long ago he would not have done; it was amazing the changes that could be wrought by time…
A message from Jenny had made him smile; his former colleague from Book of Mormon was convinced that he was destined to follow in his father's footsteps. They still had a good friendship, in spite of the distance between them. She was currently living in Chicago, performing in a show there, and in love with a man that he had met and thoroughly approved of…
He had just sent her a reply when the door opened and Dave reappeared. "I hope you don't mind, but we have a few visitors," he said, and then held the door open to reveal Julian, holding Elise, Dave and Sebastian's long term nanny, and to Sebastian's surprise given the time, Isabelle.
"As the editor, I am allowed to go in late," she said, knowing what he was thinking. "I have Gideon to hold the fort for the basics - he really does get more like Kurt every day. In any case, this could technically be called work, given that a Broadway star having a son is a story…"
Sebastian looked at Dave, and he nodded. He turned to Isabelle, and replied, "I guess that you could have the exclusive, but on the proviso that there are no photos until I am better dressed - and it is a family shot."
