The next morning, Leo woke up, watching Sam sleep as he carefully slipped out of bed. He made his way quietly down the hallway to check on Jackson. He gently looked in, seeing Sam had left the door open with the bathroom light on. Jackson was awake, lying in bed. When he saw him, he backed up further. Leo didn't move,
"It's okay, I'm Sam's partner, Leo remember?"
Jackson stared at him for a minute then relaxed.
"Where's Sam?"
Leo stepped a little closer, his voice soft and soothing.
"He's still asleep. I didn't want to wake him just yet. But if you want, you can."
Jackson moved to the side of the bed, letting his feet dangle for a second before getting up.
"How about you go see him, and I'll make breakfast?"
"Pancakes?" Jackson asked, hopeful.
"Of course." Leo smiled.
Jackson lit up like a Christmas tree, before making his way past him, still keeping a cautious distance but clearly starting to trust him a little. He slipped out of the room and quietly padded down the hallway toward the other bedroom. He peeked in seeing Sam asleep. He walked over to the edge of the bed, getting in and snuggling up to Sam. Sam woke up when he felt the bed dip; opening an eye, he smiled as he opened his arms, and Jackson cuddled right up with him, asleep in seconds. After Leo got the batter fixed, he wondered where Sam and Jackson were. He went back to the bedroom.
"Sam wha…" He stopped when he realized Sam and Jackson were asleep.
Leo smiled at the two of them, then went and put the batter in the refrigerator.
A while later, Sam woke up to Jackson's head pressed against his chest. He smiled as he kissed his head, then got up. He walked downstairs looking for Leo. As he came into the kitchen, Leo was sitting with his back to him at the counter, eating toast. Sam sneaked up on him, wrapping an arm around him and resting his head on Leo's shoulder.
"Why do I smell the faint smell of pancake batter, if you're not eating them?" Sam asked, kissing his neck.
"Well Jackson wanted pancakes, so I came down and started making some. Then I went and checked on the two of you and you were sound asleep."
"I didn't even hear you get up. I woke up a bit when Jackson got in and snuggled up to me, but then I must've dozed off again," Sam admitted, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
Suddenly, there was a commotion, followed by hurried footsteps. Before either of them could react, Jackson appeared in the doorway to the kitchen, his face a mix of confusion and concern.
"Hey, buddy," Sam called gently, kneeling down to his level.
"I'm right here."
Jackson hesitated, glancing around as if trying to make sense of it all.
"You weren't in bed. I thought you left me."
Sam's heart sank.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
"I don't like waking up alone."
Sam stood, walking over, and picked him up. Jackson wrapped his arms and legs around him, and Sam carried him over to where Leo got up from the counter. Leo rubbed his back.
"I started making pancakes, do you want to finish making them with Sam, buddy?"
Jackson nodded, hiding his face in his neck.
"Go wash your hands and your face."
Jackson went and did as he was told. Sam sighed as he stood looking at Leo.
"Have you heard from Mikey and Fiona?"
"They were going back to the warehouse they found you two in."
Sam looked at him, puzzled.
"Why? There was only one guy there beside Jackson and I, and Fi shot him," Sam said.
"But there had to be more. Sam. He kidnapped both of you at the same time by himself?" Leo asked.
Sam didn't say anything, just sat down.
"Sam, let them handle it. We can take Jackson shopping, get him what he needs, clothes, shoes, stuff to make him comfortable." Leo stood, walking over to him.
Sam nodded, looking defeated. Leo leant his forehead against his, and Sam leant forward slightly, catching him in a sweet kiss. Sam broke the kiss, leaning back smirking.
"Alright let's focus. Jackson needs things to make him comfortable," Leo said.
Jackson came back into the kitchen a moment later, seeing both of them smiling.
"What else besides pancakes?"
"What do you want?" Sam asked, getting up and looking in the refrigerator for the batter.
He got out the batter, gesturing to Jackson.
"Eggs? Fruit?"
"Coming right up. You want to help?"
Jackson nodded excitedly, and Sam showed him how to do it.
Meanwhile, Michael and Fi went back to the warehouse, opening the door; the police had already come and left. They searched the building hoping to find something the police missed. Michael was on one end, Fi on the other, when Fi called him.
"Yeah, Fi?"
"Found something, but can't get it out."
"Be right there."
Michael found Fi struggling to open a box, and finally money spilled out. Michael and Fi looked at each other.
"What should we do with all this?" Michael asked.
"Put some of it in a fund for Jackson, and the rest in Sam's account," Fi said.
Michael agreed, picking it up with Fi's help and they carried it out to the Charger. After taking it to a bank and opening up Jackson an account, and the rest in Sam's account took the rest with them so there wouldn't be that many questions. As they walked out of the bank, Michael could tell Fi was worrying about Sam. When they got back in the car Michael asked,
"How long has it been since they did date night with the two of them? A couples date?"
Fi thought about it,
"A while…."
"How about we meet up with Leo, Sam and Jackson and have lunch at Carlitos, then they could have a night out? I took some of the money, just enough so they could get a fancy hotel room, and we could watch Jackson."
Fi kissed him, and Michael smiled as he kissed her back. Fi broke the kiss, texting Leo Michael's plan to meet them at Carlitos. They left the bank, getting there after Leo, Sam and Jackson did. Jackson was so engrossed in coloring that he didn't notice them walking up until Michael sat beside him. He looked up at him, not realizing who it was, and he leaned closer to Sam. The waiter came over, Leo and Sam ordering a beer and Jackson a Sprite, while Fi and Michael ordered food.
"Sam, Leo, Jackson, are you three not hungry?" Fi asked.
"We had a lot of pancakes," Jackson smiled.
"So did you find anything?" Sam asked, softly.
"A box of money," Michael whispered.
"How much?"
"Enough to start a college fund for Jackson and put most of it in Sam's bank account," Fi said.
"Anything else?" Leo asked.
Michael and Fi shook their heads, as they finished eating. All three noticed both Sam and Jackson were quiet. Leo moved his seat closer to Sam; Sam noticed him, smiling as he rested his head against his shoulder. He turned his head, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek, but he was still a million miles away in his thoughts.
"Can we go out tonight? Michael and Fi said they would watch Jackson."
Sam sighed softly. Before he could answer, Jackson made his way over and climbed up into Sam's lap, Snuggling close, Jackson looked up at Sam with his big, curious eyes.
"Leo, I'd love to, but..." Sam began, glancing down at Jackson, hesitant.
Jackson blinked up at him, a spark of interest in his eyes.
"But what, Daddy?"
Hearing Jackson call him "Daddy" for the first time hit Sam harder than he expected. The word echoed in his mind, making his heart clench. He hadn't realized how much he needed to hear it.
"It's just… I'm not sure if now's the right time."
Jackson shifted, leaning back against Sam's chest, and after a beat, he confidently added,
"If you and Leo have things to do, I can be good for Fi and Michael. I don't mind… as long as I can keep coloring in or watch TV…You will be back soon won't you?" he asked, suddenly uncertain.
Leo smiled, resting his head on top of Sam's shoulder, his brows furrowing slightly as he added,
"Just for a little while, Sam. It could be good for all of us."
Sam stared down at Jackson, feeling a mixture of warmth and uncertainty. He ran a hand gently through Jackson's hair, meeting his gaze.
"You really want to spend more time with aunt Fi and uncle Michael?" Sam asked softly.
Jackson nodded, his little hands fiddling with Sam's shirt.
"Yeah. I like him. And he and Fi rescued us. I just want to… know them better."
Sam exchanged a look with Fi and Michael, feeling the weight of the moment.
"Okay," he murmured, his voice gentle as he pulled Jackson closer.
He looked up at Fi and Michael, both smiling at the three of them.
"Okay Mikey, Fi you're on babysitting duty."
"Alright, We got Jackson tonight. We'll have some fun, won't we, little man?"
Jackson hugged Sam, and Sam kissed his head and he got down, running over to Leo to give him a hug before running over to Michael and climbing up onto his lap. Sam and Leo took that as their cue to leave, Sam getting up and coming around behind Michael. He set a hand on his shoulder, whispering,
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Bye, buddy, love you." Sam crouched down to Jackson, ruffling his hair.
"Bye, Daddy."
Sam looked at Leo, then went to the car. Leo followed, after leaning down to kiss Jackson's forehead softly.
"Be good for Michael and Fi, okay?"
Jackson giggled, already comfortable in Michael's lap.
"I will!"
Leo took a step back, looking at both Michael and Fi and giving them a grateful smile.
"Thanks a lot, guys, I doubt Sam will want to be away too long so we won't be too late."
"Take your time, we'll be fine," Fi said.
Leo went to Sam's car, seeing him waiting by the passenger door. He opened the door, but Leo went around, getting in the driver's seat. Sam smiled as he shook his head, getting in.
"Assuming you're driving, I'm guessing you already got us a room?" Sam asked, softly.
"You know me too well. I've got one at your favorite hotel in Miami."
Leo pulled out heading to the hotel. About an hour later, Leo gently poked Sam to wake him up. He smiled when he opened his eyes.
"We're here," Leo whispered.
Sam got out, coming around the car and opening his door. They walked up the beach next to the hotel to a restaurant. As they enjoyed their meal, laughter and conversation flowed easily between them. They finished their last bites as the sun began to set, casting a warm glow across the water. Sam leaned back, taking in the scene.
"This is amazing," he said, his gaze drifting to the horizon.
"It really is," Leo whispered, looking at him and smiling.
Leo reached for his hand, intertwining their fingers. Sam faced him, smiling as he did, and they headed to the hotel. To Sam's surprise, somehow (he suspected Leo) two bags of luggage were in the trunk. Leo checked them in, and they made their way up to their room. Leo let him in first and Sam was shocked at how beautiful the view was. Leo sat the bags beside the bed and watched as he opened the door that led out to the balcony. He walked to the door frame, leaning against it. Sam looked behind him, smirking as Leo pushed himself off the door frame, walking over to him and wrapping his arms around him. He rested his chin on his shoulder, tucking his face into his neck. Sam leaned into him, as he kissed his neck. Leo looked over, and seeing a lounge chair, he grabbed his hand, pulling him over to it. Sam realized what he was doing, watching him sit down, sprawled back onto the chair as Sam laid against his chest, back to front. Leo tightened his hold around Sam, resting his chin on the top of Sam's head as he gazed out at the waves. The question seemed to hang in the air, bringing a warmth and weight to the moment. After a quiet pause, Leo's voice was soft, his words thoughtful.
"Sam," he began softly, tracing circles on his arm.
"Hmm?" he murmured, his voice low and relaxed, the sound vibrating gently against his back. The warm sun enveloped them, and the rhythmic sound of waves crashing provided a soothing backdrop.
"I know it's a big thing to think about," he said, his hand still tracing gentle circles on Sam's arm.
"But… I've started to imagine being with you, and Jackson coming into our lives and how you interact with him… It made me wonder what it would be like to have a family together. A real one, just the three of us."
Sam tilted his head slightly to look up at Leo, his eyes filled with a mix of hope and hesitation.
"You really mean that?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
They had talked about kids when they first got together, Sam had always wanted kids but Leo didn't want to think about kids so early on in the relationship.
"I never thought about it, especially when I was married and how I grew up…Then I came out… I didn't think…. growing up, I never saw examples of families that looked like what I thought mine could be. And then, when I came out, I just… shut that door in my mind. I thought it wasn't possible…. At least until Jackson came into our life and watching you with him…." Leo trailed off, thinking.
Sam turned slightly to meet his gaze, his curiosity piqued.
"What about Jackson?" he pressed gently.
Leo sighed, the weight of his thoughts evident.
"He's changed everything for me. Watching you with him… it made me realize how much joy a child can bring. But it's also made me think about what I want in my own life."
"Which is?" Sam whispered.
"We got the big house, and there's just the three of us. I want the whole big house deal…. 2 or 3 kids…. Marriage.. A life with you," Leo whispered.
Sam smiled as he sat up, and kissed him as he moved his hands underneath him and picked him up, sitting him on his lap, his legs wrapped around him.
"I want that too, marriage and a life with you. Also the 2 to 3 kids. I just didn't realize how much until meeting Jackson."
"Why do you think I wanted to come up here, besides taking your mind off everything. I've seen you with Jackson, you're a natural," Leo said softly; his eyes sparkling with warmth, he kissed him slow and deep. He broke the kiss, resting his forehead against his.
"I want to see this side of you more," Sam whispered, looking into his eyes.
Leo felt a rush of warmth flood his cheeks. He chuckled nervously, glancing away for a moment before meeting his gaze again.
"I didn't think you noticed," he admitted, a shy smile creeping onto his face. "It's just… Jackson makes it easy. I guess I was just worried about living up to it. What if I'm not enough?"
"You already are," Sam replied, his tone loving.
"You're Jackson's whole world, what if we screw this up?"
"We won't because we both know what it takes to screw up a relationship," Sam said as he kissed him.
Leo leaned into the kiss. After a moment, Sam broke away, smiling as he stood up and pulling Leo with him. Leo followed his lead, back into the room. Sam tugged him to the edge of bed, turning him toward him, his thumb at the hem of his shirt, pulling it off. Then his hands were working, unbuttoning Leo's pants, and Leo returned the favor. Leo moved up the bed, and settled himself on his back, his head on a pillow near the headboard. His breathing was getting heavier and heavier. Leo realized what Sam was doing, as he sat beside him with the lube in his hand. Sam leaned over and kissed him passionately. His erection was arching through his underwear, wanting to be touched.
"Just say if I do something you don't like."
Leo just smiled and nodded, blushing again...an odd thing 'We have done this before,' he thought to himself. Leo leaned up, kissing him hard, devouring his mouth and sucking on his tongue, causing Sam to drop the lube for a moment. Sam's hand then went down to stroke Leo through the thin cloth of his underwear, before Sam quickly rolled them down and threw them to the floor, Leo doing the same thing to Sam's. Sam leant over him, whispering,
"Is everything okay?"
"It is for me, Sam. Are you sure you're okay with this? I mean after what happened."
"I'm sure, Leo. Don't worry," he said, as he stroked the inside of Leo's left thigh.
"Oh, my god," Leo said as he put his hand between Sam's legs to find his substantial bulge growing harder and harder in his hand.
Sam squeezed some lube onto his fingers and started rubbing Leo's entrance, eliciting some moans and sighs from him. Then he lay down next to him and started spreading it inside of him with a finger, then added another finger to stretch him well. Leo was moaning, and grabbing at Sam and the two men were kissing, nipping at each other, playful as Leo made sure Sam was comfortable.
"I'm ready, Sam, stop stalling."
Sam sighed as he removed his fingers and slowly settled himself between Leo's legs; as he hooked them over his hips,
"If I wasn't ready, we wouldn't be doing any of this, I promise." He kissed him as he took his cock in his hand, and he bent down and kissed Leo sweetly then bit his lower lip and said,
"One thing I realized is how much I love you."
Sam slowly pushed into him and pulled out, and slowly pushed back in, starting a rhythm.
"Love you too, so much," Leo whispered.
Sweat started to form on his body as he grabbed Sam's ass, pushing him further inside him. Sam pulled out almost completely, and then pushed back in while rolling his hips. Sam did this a couple more times, his moans increasing.
"Sam, I'm not going to last much longer..." Leo was breathing heavier, and heavier, as Sam was thrusting harder and harder.
"Me neither," Sam repeated in the same tone, pulling him in for a kiss, not breaking the rhythm the two had found.
Sam pulled back and pushed in again, and a different sound of pleasure escaped from Leo as Sam hit his prostate, again and again. The third time he hit it, Leo came all over himself and Sam, as he called out Sam's name over and over. Soon after, Sam said,
"Fuck! I'm coming! I'm coming!"
Leo pulled Sam tighter and further into him so he could get the greatest pleasure. Sam cried out his name and when he finished coming inside of him, Leo pulled Sam to him and kissed his sweat-soaked face, pushing the hair out of his eyes. Sam was smiling, panting still, but then kissed his lips softly, then pushed his lips apart snaking his tongue around his lover's. He rolled over next to Leo, both of them still breathing hard. Sam pulled the covers up over the two of them, and Leo moved closer to him, laying his head on Sam's shoulder. They both lay there until they fell asleep. The next morning Sam woke up, moaning as Leo rode him, opening his eyes looking at him. Leo had his eyes closed, but opened them when he felt his hand on him. Leo leant down, kissing him, and Sam moved his hands down to his hips holding him and flipping them. Sam took him in his mouth as Leo watched him, feeling his very skillful tongue on him, then inside him, hearing him moaning as he tasted him.
"I'm so close, it's not your tongue I want," Leo whispered.
He watched him as he removed his tongue, looking him in the eye he replaced his tongue with one finger, then two, moving them in and out of him, fucking him, then pulled out his fingers, looking at him, his blue pupils blown. Sam took Leo back into his mouth, sucking and licking until he came down Sam's throat, and Sam swallowed his load, then immediately made his way back up to him, kissing him, Leo moaned at the taste of himself on his tongue. Sam broke the kiss, falling onto his back beside him, pulling him close to him, covering them both with a sheet. They lay there, Sam running his fingers through his hair, breathing in his scent.
"I love you," Sam whispered.
"I love you, too."
Leo finally got up, going to the shower, and Sam lay there, listening to him humming. He got up about the time the shower turned off. He walked into the bathroom, seeing him getting ready, then he jumped into the shower, rinsing off. After both of them were ready. Leo asked,
"Where to?"
"The same place as last night?" he asked, as he grabbed his hand.