Page 77 (1/1)

Theo slipped his hand into mine as we stood back and watched all of this unfold Kel’s expression softened, and he uncrossed his arms and took Royce’s face between his palently “You really hurt h I can’t pretend like none of that ever happened”

“I know I promise I’ll make it up to you”

Kel leaned in and kissed him Then he said, “Get up, before you screw up your knee even ry?”

As Kel helped hi I took the redeye back and caht from the airport”

“Is that all your luggage?”

Royce held out the tote and said, “Actually, this is your Christmas present I left my suitcases on the porch”

Eden called, “We’ll get them,” and he and Seth headed to the door

Meanwhile, Kel opened the tote and exclaimed, “It’s a chinch!”

He pulled the big-eared rodent froht want a friend I saw this little guy in theof a pet store in Illinois and just knew I had to get him for you”

Kel held the furball against his chest, then hugged his boyfriend, being careful not to squish the aniift ever,” he said “Does she have a name?”

“He They were calling hie it if you wanted to”

“Wally is perfect,” Kel said, as we allroom He put his new pet down in the cat bed beside Winston, and the two chinchillas sniffed each other’s noses before settling in side-by-side Maybe it was ination, but it really seemed like the patchy, stressed out rodent relaxed a little as he leaned against his new friend

A little while later, George and Flora joined us One of the first things George asked iven me yet I told him I’d paid off my student loans like I’d said I would, and then I mentioned my plan to put the rest of it into Theo’s community health center

George wanted to hear all about that, and everyone turned their attention to my boyfriend as he described his vision Then Seth asked, “How can I help?”

Theo see on eted a little as he said, “I’m not sure, but there’s bound to be a lot of work to do once we find a building”

Everyone started talking excitedly, throwing out ideas and brainstor ways they could contribute Theo watched as happening with a look of wonder Slowly, it began to dawn on hi to have all kinds of support as he made his dream a reality I wrapped my arms around him and nuzzled his shoulder as I said, “Welcome to the family, baby”

He turned and kissedme the sweetest smile I loved the way his eyes sparkled as he whispered, “This feels like a miracle”

The End