For Anthony and Hunter, it was as if the years of separation had melted away. As blue eyes stared into brown, the bond they'd formed from childhood was strengthened. The longer they embraced, the more both men could feel their hearts and souls becoming whole. Moving in sync, they looked like mirror images as they gently wiped the tears from each other's faces. "You've never left my heart," they said in unison before softly chuckling.

Hunter pulled the younger man back just far enough to fully digest his long-lost love's body. "I'm so proud of you, Antboy," he said. He pulled Anthony's body against his and lightly nuzzled his nose against the shorter man's soft neck.

"Hey, thahat tihihicklhehes," Anthony said. His body squirmed, and he giggled as his neck scrunched. He buried his face in Hunter's hard muscular chest.

Hunter chuckled and kissed the top of Anthony's head. "Glad to see my Antboy's still ticklish," he paused and gently rubbed the brunet's shoulders and back. "You're still the most beautiful boy I've ever met, Anthony." With their bodies so close together, he could feel his hard-on pressing against Anthony's

The thirty-five-year-old male's body melted at the older man's touch. His senses were alive and burning with a desire and aching need he hadn't felt for another man since he was eighteen when he and Hunter spent their last night together before they went to different colleges. He reached up, lightly stroked Hunter's warm cheeks with his left hand, and listened to the strong heartbeat. Anthony lifted his head, stared into the love-filled eyes looking down at him, and his heart told him this was the person made for him.

Hunter could feel and hear everything going through his mate's mind and body. He nervously swallowed the lump in his throat. In a raspy voice, he asked, "Ant, did our Moms and Auntie really scheme to bring us back together?"

Anthony giggled, lifted his head, and kissed Hunter's chin, which caused the taller man's giggles. "Yes, babe, they did," he responded.

A bright smile formed on the raven-haired man's face, and his eyes sparkled with excitement when he heard Anthony call him babe. "I gotta be honest, I don't want to let you go, like ever," he whispered in the brunet's ear.

Anthony smirked and said. "If we have to use the bathroom, you might have to let go. Unless you've gotten into scat." He threw his head back and cackled.

Hunter opened his mouth to respond but shook his head and laughed as he lightly smacked the younger man's tight, bubble-butt ass. "I..." he paused and took a deep breath. "I love you, Anthony. You've always had my heart, and I'm hoping you're ready and able to claim it."

"I love you too, Hunter, and it's the same for me," he responded. Anthony stared into his mate's eyes and took hold of his hands. Hunter smiled as he gazed into the intense brown eyes.

"I don't want to rush anything. I've got Elliot and his boyfriend, Julian, to think about and their feelings about a blended family," Hunter confessed.

"I've got the same concern, my love. However, if we sit the three boys down and explain everything, I think they'll be excited about the situation. I also believe you and Elliot living beside me and Xander will help ease any tension or awkward feelings that may show themselves."

"Just so I'm correct in my understanding," Hunter started.

"If you're up to it, then I'm yours, and you're mine, just like we were always meant to be." Anthony finished.

Hearing the words his mate spoke made Hunter jump for joy. He bent his legs, wrapped his arms around the brunet's thirty-two-inch waist, lifted him in the air, and spun him in a circle. Anthony giggled and squealed as he put his arms around Hunter's neck and his legs around the other man's waist.

Inside the house, Stella and Dottie talked with Elaine over the computer. The three motherly women were ecstatic over their boys' reaction to seeing each other after so many years of missed opportunities.

"Oh, Lainey," Dottie said, "I wish you were here to witness this beautiful moment." The Bryant matriarch pulled a handkerchief from her purse and dabbed at her eyes.

"Girl, pull yourself together, you keep lettin' those tears escape, and you'll have a flood of mascara goin' down your face." Stella playfully taunted. "Here, hand me that thing," she said. She took the square cloth from her friend's hand and dabbed at her own eyes.

"Why, hello there, black kettle," Dottie said with a hint of snarky sarcasm before she and Elaine burst out laughing.

"I'm a professional. I only use the mascara that doesn't run," Stella retorted before her cackling laughter joined in.

Elaine ran her slender fingers through her curly shoulder-length light brown hair with its grey streaks. "Oh, I've got to tell you two about how selfless my grandson, Xander, is. When he arrived, Xander befriended a boy around his age who was on vacation with his family. He brought the boy and his parents to the suite to meet all of us. Over the past week, the boys have become inseparable. Yesterday, he saw Brian, the other boy looking extremely depressed. He ran over and asked what was wrong. That's when Brian told him the house they lived in burned down due to a lightning strike."

Dottie's and Stella's hands flew to their hearts, and they gasped. "Was anyone in the house," they asked in unison.

"The family lost their pets and all their material possessions," Elaine said before drying her tears.

"That poor family," Stella exclaimed.

"Xander brought Brian and his family up to the suite. He sat them down and told them to wait a moment. Then came, got me, and told me everything. Then, he ran to his room, gathered his extra clothing and his new puppy, Gizmo, and gave them to Brian." Elaine had to pause and cry to release some of the overwhelming love that flowed through her.

"Xander is definitely, Anthony's offspring. He's got his dad's big heart and an endless well of love." Dottie said.

"Brian and his parents tried to reject the gifts, but Xander stood firm. He told them they'd be doing him a favor by accepting everything because it put into practice the ideals we raised him with. The knowledge and belief that love can overcome any tragedy. He also acknowledged that Gizmo would never replace Garfield, their deceased dog, and Odie, their cat, but that he could give them something positive to focus on while they rebuild their lives. I'm so proud of that boy," Elaine said.

"No doubt you also threw something in for the family," Stella commented.

"I'm not confirming nor denying that statement without your providing hard, undeniable proof of your claim, dear Stell," Elaine cackled along with the other two women over the response.

"Remind me never to be involved in a lawsuit against you," Dottie stated. Stella nodded in agreement. "Even though you've retired, you're still a fuckin' shark of a lawyer and don't give an inch.”

Elaine's eyes widened, then she shook her head and gasped. "Dottie Bryant, such language is unbecoming of a grandmother, and I'm shocked to fuckin' hell over your verbal outburst." Despite her best efforts, the graying-haired woman could go no further without laughing her ass off. 

"What's so funny in here?" Anthony asked as he and Hunter entered the kitchen.

"Yeah, you three aren't conspiring anything else, are ya," Hunter grinned as he kissed Stella's and Dottie's cheeks. He looked into the laptop's monitor and excitedly waved. "Hi, Mama Elaine, I'm in love with your son, so I hope you still approve," he stated with a boyish giggle.

Elaine's head flew back as she laughed and said. "Yes, Hunter, my sweet boy, I still approve and am grateful that you and Anthony are back in each other's lives."

"We love and cherish all of you," Anthony said as he kissed Stella and Dottie, then greeted his Mom. "We've pledged ourselves to one another and are committed to blending our families."

"We've always belonged to each other," Hunter said as he wrapped his arms around Anthony's chest and laid his head on the shorter man's left shoulder. "Life just didn't take that path until the three of you combined your magic and made our paths collide."

"Did he just call us witches?" Stella asked.

"I hope not, 'cause I'd hate to have to tan his hide when I get back," Elaine said with a chuckle.

"There's nothing wrong with being witches as long as we use our powers for good," Dottie offered.

Anthony and Hunter giggled and shook their heads. "We'll be back in time for lunch," they said in unison.

"You've got about twenty minutes, boys," Stella said.

"We're going down to the beach to enjoy the sand and sun," Anthony said as he and Hunter kissed the elders.

"We love ya, Mama's and Auntie," the young men said as they left.

To be continued...

Posted: 06/30/2023