Archive of Our Own ^beta

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He drove his car to Elmdale. He knew Patrick didn’t like it when he took the old thing, especially when there was a chance of snow. But David liked to take it when he could. He didn’t want it to sit and not be used.

Plus, he felt just a little closer to his family when he drove their old family vehicle.

He was excited for the day.

Though he’d kept it a secret from Patrick, he knew his husband was no fool. With Patrick’s birthday fast approaching, he likely understood that David was doing something to plan for his special day.

But Patrick wasn’t so wise to know exactly what was going on, and David liked that he didn’t push to figure it out. He liked that Patrick allowed for an air of mystery.

Before David left the store that day, Patrick simply said, “If you’re going to Elmdale and you’re taking the beast” (the name Patrick gave the old Rose family vehicle once it became their responsibility and was parked in their garage) “Why don’t you stop and pick up the inventory from Carol and Tom? Save me the trip tomorrow.”

David had stood by the door of the store, rolled his eyes and sighed. He bent his knees and held his finger into the air as he made his point, “Because I don’t have time in my schedule to do that. Besides our alpaca farming friends like you better and they’ll want to show you the animals and the barn and… frankly?… I don’t want to do that – today or any day.”

Patrick had grinned, knowingly. “OK,” he drawled slowly as he took in his husband’s theatrics.

David, hand on the doorknob, softened his voice and tilted his head, “I’m going to be all afternoon, but I’ll be home by dinner.” It wasn’t lost on him that Patrick was going to have to deal with customers and closing the store by himself so David could go, and his husband/business partner didn’t complain at all about it.

“Are you bringing something home or are we making dinner?” Patrick asked as he rounded the counter. One hand in his front pocket.

David’s eyes raked over him. He was, as always, enamored with Patrick. The casual way he moved. Never assuming that his every move turned David on; even though his every move did.

“What would you prefer?” David’s eyes zeroed in on that bulge in the front of Patrick’s pants. The bulge that was ever present in that snug, mid-range denim cage.

“David,” Patrick rapped his knuckles on the counter top; then with two fingers pointed at his own eyes. “Up here.”

He was being playful, and David liked when Patrick was playful.

“But there’s so much to look at,” David said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Patrick chuckled. Blushed a little in that charming way of his.

David liked that even after marriage, his husband blushed with embarrassment.

“I can bring dinner home, if you want,” David offered.

“Whatever you want,” Patrick told him. “Just let me know. I like to have a plan.”

He knew that Patrick liked to have a plan. He liked that about him, also.

David stepped aside from the door when it opened as two women came in, cutting their conversation short.

“Be careful,” Patrick told him. His way of telling David it was fine with him if he left. To take his time. To have a good day. And that he loved him.

He said all of that in those two simple words… be careful.

“Always,” David waved his hand before stepping out of the store.

And as he drove to Elmdale, he did so with his husband on his mind.

++++++

The month prior, at The AIDS Center’s board meeting, David talked with Cody. He told his friend that he was struggling to figure out what to do for Patrick’s birthday. With the day coming shortly after Christmas, he felt like he’d already exhausted the great ideas he had for gifts on their first Christmas as husbands.

Cody was taking a photography class at Elmdale College and had an assignment to take some portraits. He offered to take some pictures of David. “That way I have my assignment and you have a gift for Patrick.”

David liked the idea. He knew his husband well enough to know that sentimental gifts were special to him and this gift idea seemed like something that Patrick would like. He trusted Cody and felt like it was worth a try. They scheduled the session for two weeks before Patrick’s birthday; and David figured if the photos didn’t work out, he’d have time to get something else.

If all else failed, David figured his “Plan B” would be to buy him a new shirt or something.

He had scoured the internet for just the right outfit and had it delivered to the motel so that he wouldn’t have to explain anything to Patrick.

That morning, he’d packed the things he thought he’d need… and then some.

He wanted everything to be perfect, and he was a more than a little worried that there would be problems.

He’d scheduled a reiki session before he was to meet with Cody. He wanted any and all negative energy to be pulled away from him for it.

David had memories of past photo sessions going awry – from his high school senior portrait session where the day before he was suddenly faced with a black eye because he was smacked in the face with a tennis ball when he was watching Alexis and her tennis pro/boyfriend mess around on the grounds of their home – to his engagement photo fiasco where Patrick was given the wrong shade of spray tan, leaving him an unfortunate shade of orangish brown.

He wanted none of that negativity to follow him into the photo session with Cody and he wanted his nerves to be at peace.

Not long after they were married, they were at a community fair where he and Patrick had signed up for a booth where they featured some of the lesser-known products from the Apothecary. The idea was for them to either find a new customer base, or to show current customers something new that they didn’t necessarily look for when they came into the store.

There, at the fair, David took the time to walk around and scope out the people and businesses that might be their competition. Patrick had encouraged him to take a second walk around and reframe his perspective. Patrick urged him to consider as he looked at the other booths if there might be a business that could partner with them.

It was then that David spotted a booth that interested him.

At the booth sat a person who read cards, did reiki healing and chakra balancing, and they also sold products that interested him: sage smudge sticks, crystals, essential oils. He immediately struck up a conversation and… just like that… they were not only new vendors at Rose Apothecary, they also were part of the guest-series for when they held special nights at the store each month. One month, they held private readings in the room upstairs for customers who scheduled one. Another month, they had a class that focused on the use of crystals and oils to help with healing emotional turmoil.

At the time, David had found himself in a funk. It was a few weeks after his family moved away from Schitt’s Creek and he was simply out of sorts.

He’d called their new vendor to ask them if he could schedule a reiki session.

He was afraid at the time that Patrick would find it silly and tease him mercilessly about it.

Instead, when he’d informed Patrick of his plans, his husband held him and told him, “David, you’re going through a real loss. You need to do anything you can that will help you feel better.”

Of course, Patrick did that. Patrick was always supportive and loving and generous and…

David was beginning to think that a framed photo of himself wasn’t enough. Patrick deserved more. He deserved so much more.

“David? Are you ready?” the voice of his friend broke through the noise in his brain.

“Yes. Yes, I am.” He was. He was ready and he was in need. He needed to clear his mind and his body of the negativity and stress before the photo session so that it would go smoothly.

As he moved to sit on the table, he ran a hand through his hair.

His fingers finding the short hair was still a surprise; he was reminded of his decision to cut it just two weeks prior. Reminded of Patrick’s response.

It had been something he’d thought about for a few weeks. Not a spur-of-the-moment thing, for sure. It was, after all, his hair.

He’d thought about making the change and understood it was another of those things he dealt with in those months after his family moved from town. An adjustment period for David that came with the bouts of depression followed by moments of a desire for change.

When he came home from Elmdale that day with cropped hair, he was afraid of what Patrick would say.

Patrick had been in the barn and David scooted into the house without stopping to talk with him. Suddenly, fearful. He didn’t have it in him to deal with any teasing or negative response.

When Patrick came into the house and found David in bed with a pillow over his head he sat on the side of the bed with his hand on David’s hip.

“You OK?” Patrick asked him.

Without speaking, David sat up. Tossed the pillow to the other side of the bed.

Sat there. Criss-cross-applesauce. Hands in his lap.

And he looked at his husband with a silent plea in his eyes.

Patrick’s eyes immediately moved to David’s hair. Then he met David’s eyes. “You got your hair cut,” he said simply.

David’s hand moved to the top of his head. His fingers pulled on it. Made sure it was in place, in that messy/intentional way. “What do you think?”

Without hesitating, Patrick said, “It looks nice. Do you like it?”

“It’s different,” David said.

“Different can be good,” Patrick said. “If you like it.”

Patrick reached again to touch it. David held still. His eyes closed as he felt his husband’s gentle touch. Felt his fingers rake through it.

Patrick winked at him, “Still long enough for me to do this.” He tugged on it, playfully.

David opened his eyes and was met with the soft love in Patrick’s.

“David, if you’re ready can you lie down?” Again, pulled from his thoughts, his friend encouraged him to prepare for his session.

“Sure,” David shook his head. “I’m sorry. Just distracted.”

“That’s why you’re here,” his understanding friend said.

He lay there, fully clothed with his hands at his sides, and they began the session.

As his friend’s hands moved – about four inches over him. As his friend spoke softly about where David’s body was holding his struggles. They worked over his solar plexus chakra for his anxiety. They worked through the normally difficult area around the crown chakra; where his depression and negative thoughts tended to bog him down. And as they’d done since his family left, they paid extra attention to his heart chakra. Clearing the blockages in his life-force energy.    

Once they had worked on some of the clearing, they gently placed the crystals on him. Black Tourmaline to help remove negative mindset. Rose Quarts to help him treat himself well. Lepidolite to help stabilize his emotions. Amazonite to help him release his perfectionist tendencies. Larimar to help keep him from feeling overwhelmed. And, finally, Citrine, to pierce the darkest times with its bright light and spark positivity.

While they worked, he began to feel that wash of peace over his body. He loved when he felt it. He began to feel clearer. Stronger.

As his mind released the stress and his body released the negative energy, his heartrate slowed. The ache behind his eyes dissipated.

He breathed in the fragrance of the citrus and thyme essential oil.

He relaxed as he felt the weight of the negativity lift.

He felt at peace.

He felt hopeful.

He felt good.

After paying them for an amazing session. After receiving well wishes and a hug, he headed out to meet Cody.

The photo session was scheduled at the art studio in Elmdale College. He was happy to see Cody in the parking lot. Having not been to the college often, it was one less stressor if he didn’t have to wander the halls by himself.

Cody had reserved the space, so they were the only ones in the room. David liked that there were various options for back drops and though he had some specific thoughts about what he wanted, he realized when he saw the studio that it was best if he kept his thoughts to himself.

He knew that Cody would figure out what he wanted. David knew him to be someone who understood the importance of proper aesthetics. And, he reminded himself, it was an assignment for Cody – so he likely had put some thought into it.

Also, it wasn’t like he was in Ray’s living room and deciding upon a volcano or state fair back drop for a gift that would be printed on a mousepad.

In the dressing room, David changed clothes and then pulled out his toiletry bag. Sparingly and carefully, he used makeup to even out his skin tone; knowing that part of Cody’s assignment was to take care of any imperfections in the editing process. His makeup wasn’t about the end product for him in that moment. Applying it was a process that helped him build his confidence. He wanted to look good before Cody worked any magic.

With a bit of pomade in his palm, he rubbed his hands together before swiping his fingers through his hair. Finding the look he wanted.

When he was satisfied, he stepped back into the studio.

“Ready when you are,” he told Cody.

“I think we go with this simple background over here, David,” Cody said, looking up from his camera. “That way the backdrop highlights you. It won’t upstage you.”

There were options, of course. As any college photo studio would have.

One side of the room had things like plants and old windows. Another part of the room had various pieces of furniture. There was a portable stand that held multiple backdrops rolled like window shades.

Where Cody had his things set up was a simple grey tarp. And David liked that.

David waited patiently until Cody pointed to where he wanted David to stand. “Come on over. There. Yeah. Good.”

When Cody picked up his camera and looked at David he paused and raised his eyebrows. “You look hot, David.”

David smiled and tilted his head, “Thanks.” He appreciated the praise.

“Do you want full body shots or just…” Cody held his hand up to his shoulder and tapped his shoulder and chest.

David shook his head, “Whatever you think.”

With a hand on David’s shoulder, Cody nudged him – encouraging him to take a few steps back.

“Just going to take a couple of test shots. No need to pose or anything. Let me just mess around with the lights for a minute,” Cody said. Adjusting the camera and looking from his camera to the lights to David.

This was not David’s first photo shoot. He knew to stand still and not move while Cody tested the angles and lighting.

As he stood there, he recalled his days as a model when he was a tween. He recalled some photo shoots he and his friends did in high school.

Of course, when one looked back on those photos, all of them were absolutely ridiculous. The clothes. The poses. The hair styles. He wanted to roll his eyes and chuckle at the thought of them.

But, because of them he understood the mechanics of what Cody was doing.

Flashes going off from this or that light. Cody moved the umbrellas this way or that way.

David stood there. Unmoving. His hand on his chest. Half in his shirt. His fingers touching the warm skin of his chest as he felt his heartbeat.  

His head lowered as he thought about Patrick. His husband. And how he’d been understanding and kind. Supportive and encouraging. Passionate and adventurous.

Patrick had been so great during those first months of their marriage. Completely understanding when, on a moment’s notice, David would mention how he missed Alexis and wanted to fly up to see her for a weekend. Or when he took to their bed for a full day, in funk of missing his parents took, just to shut the world out.

He’d appreciated that Patrick invited his parents down for Thanksgiving so that they would have company, and how Marcy and Clint had filled the house with fun activities. How the four of them decorated for Christmas. How Marcy and he had baked and decorated cookies. How they all sat together to watch holiday movies.

He loved how Patrick helped him get each of their guest rooms ready for Christmas when they hosted a reunion of the Rose and Brewer families. How they had what would be the first of many Christmases when they all would come together at David and Patrick’s home.

As he stood there. Flashes going off around him while Cody worked, David thought about his husband and all he did to help David through the emotional months. And how things were feeling better. He was thankful that his depression was not like it was in those early months after his family moved. He thought about how Patrick comforted him until the stress and worry about his family being without him dissipated. And he was thankful that he had more good days than bad.

He credited Patrick. His patience. His understanding. His devotion. His love.

And then his mind drifted to the sex.

God… how the sex, post marriage, had topped anything David ever expected. He’d always heard stories about how once you married it happened less often. But he’d found that a married Patrick was an invigorated Patrick.

He grinned as he thought about the previous night when Patrick had come in from working in the barn and found David heating up soup at the stove. How, without even taking his coat off, Patrick had dropped to his knees and fellated David. Right there in the kitchen.

“David…I don’t know, Man. I think I may have the shots I want. But I’m happy to take more if you want to pose or something,” Cody told him.

“Oh. I… Uhhh…” David wasn’t sure what to say. He had poses that he’d practiced. He had thoughts on looks he wanted.

Reading David’s hesitancy, Cody said, “It’s cool, Man. Let’s do some shots that you want to do, then we’ll look them over.”

So, for the next 10 minutes or so, David posed. He sat on a stool. He stood. He crossed one leg over the other. He looked into the camera and away from it.

And he felt good. He felt better than he had in a long time.

He felt attractive. Sexy, even. He liked feeling that way.

When David felt like he’d give all the looks he had to give, he told Cody, “I think that’s enough.”

Cody set his camera up at the computer and David sat beside him. They looked through the poses and David said, “I think you were right. Those… are… I like those best,” David pointed at the earlier shots. The shots Cody took as the practice shots while he set up the lighting.

When David wasn’t posing but was instead just standing there thinking of Patrick.

“OK, let me work with them and I’ll email you a few to choose from,” Cody told him.

And with that, the photo shoot was over.

++++++

David worked at the store and insisted Patrick take the day off for his birthday. (A plan that David implemented knowing that he, too, would enjoy a day off when his birthday rolled around.)

Patrick went on one of his hikey-running things. No doubt going up to his special spot.

David liked the idea of Patrick going up there. He knew in his heart that if Patrick was there, he was looking out over the beautiful scenery and spending his time thinking of David. Their engagement. Their marriage. And, no doubt, their future.

The store was just busy enough to keep him from being bored, but not so busy he felt over-run. He had time to check in with Alexis via text. He had time to double check that their reservation at the Elmdale Inn was set. He had time to wrap the gifts he’d brought in earlier in the week and hidden in that space upstairs.

When Patrick swung by the store at the end of the day, David had already closed up the register.

“Ready?” Patrick asked him. His eyes not missing the fact that David held a stack of three gifts in his hands when he left the office and reached to turn out the lights.

“I am,” David grinned; his eyes not missing the fact that Patrick was wearing those sweats that perfectly accentuated what god gave him.

While they drove to the house, they chatted.

David asked Patrick who he’d heard from and Patrick listed off the people – family, friends, townspeople – who had texted him to wish him a happy day.

Of course, their morning started off early, with the annual call at 6:48 am from Marcy; she called to sing to Patrick.

As they ate their meal at the Elmdale Inn, David told him about his day. What they’d made in sales – both online and in person.  

Patrick told David about running in to Ray at the quick shop where he stopped to get a bottle of water. He told David that Ray had someone with him and when Ray and Patrick were alone, Ray told him that they were dating.

David reminded Patrick about the upcoming fundraiser for the AIDS Center and that Patrick had agreed to play the piano for the event. And that, yes, he needed to wear a suit and, yes, he could wear the suit he wore for the wedding. And, no, it wouldn’t be disrespectful to their vows if he did so.

Patrick reminded David that they needed to book the tickets for their upcoming trip to California. (David’s mom had invited them to the launch party for the Sunrise Bay reboot.). And that, yes, they had room on the credit card and that, yes, he agreed with David that they would need to plan carefully to pay it off quickly before they were clobbered with fees.  

David was happy. He was happy that Patrick was happy and it felt good to be dressed up and enjoying a nice meal. To be drinking a fairly-decent glass of wine. To be seeing his husband’s smile across the table as he sipped on his whiskey.

“How was your hike?” David asked him, leaning forward. An arm stretched across the table, fingers brushing the back of his husband’s hand.

Husband. He liked the word as it rolled around his head.

Patrick told him, “It’s always good to be up there. But it’s so much better on a week day when everyone is at work. It was so quiet, David. I didn’t see a soul.”

The thought made David’s stomach clench. The thought of Patrick being out there, outside of phone range, with nobody else on the trail. That if something happened to him while he was out there, nobody would know for hours. But then, David remembered to breathe deeply and reframe his thoughts. He reminded himself how happy Patrick was being out there. How Patrick found it to be rejuvenating.

When they were back at home, Patrick built a fire in the fireplace while David brewed some tea.

They sat in the living room. Music playing, they settled onto the new couch. An L-shaped sectional that fit the room nicely. The living room being the second room they’d worked on (after they finished the kitchen). David loved it the space. It was roomy and comfortable.

Shoes kicked off, David was curled into the corner of the couch. Tea mug in hand. Watching Patrick, amused, as he FaceTimed with his parents. A brief call that was a required moment on Patrick’s birthday.

Patrick listened as his parents sang him happy birthday, even though his mom woke them up far too early to sing to him on the moment that marked his birth.

He turned his phone, putting David in the camera’s shot so that Marcy could speak to him as well. David waved at her and told her that, yes, they had a magnificent dinner.

With the phone off and sitting between them on the couch, David waited.

Patrick, feet on the floor and hands in his lap finally said, “So… are there gifts?”

David chuckled. “Yes. There are gifts. You know your mom sent some.”

He knew that was not what Patrick was talking about, and he enjoyed teasing him. He knew early on in their relationship that Patrick loved giving gifts. But he’d also learned that Patrick very much enjoyed receiving them; especially when they were gifts from David.

David left the room and returned from the kitchen where he’d put the wrapped presents. He went back to the kitchen where he retrieved the box Marcy had sent, along with the cards that Patrick had kept on the counter.

“I don’t understand why you don’t open the birthday cards as they arrive,” David told him (not for the first time) as he set the loot on the coffee table.

Patrick sat forward on the couch and reached for the cards, “Because there’s more fun in holding on to all of them and opening them at once.”

Settling back into the corner of the couch, David rolled his eyes. He would never, could never, have enough patience and self-control to not open a greeting card the moment he found it in the mail box.

Patrick smiled as a $20 bill dropped out of one of the cards. “Grandpa McGee,” Patrick told David as he took the extra time it took to decipher the hard-to-read handwriting of his aging maternal grandfather.

And it went on. Each card he opened, Patrick would declare who it was from, read it carefully, and hand it to David as though David wanted to read it. Which he would do, because it was part of the process and it made Patrick happy.

David was relieved when he saw the day before that his parents sent a card; no doubt, his father was the one who arranged it. The card contained a nice check that would easily cover the cost of the plane tickets. His parents’ way of paying for things without saying they were paying for them. David appreciated it and he could see that Patrick was first shocked, then delighted to see the check.

David was quiet but raised an eyebrow when Patrick held up a card and said, “From Rachel… and Zach. They must be together again.”

And he smiled when Patrick declared, “Awww. This is from Jenny and the kids. Look at this,” he handed the card over so that David could see that Oliver had written, “Say hi to Uncle David.”

In the package his parents sent, there was a container of homemade cookies, a new sweatshirt with the mascot of Patrick’s alma mater on it, a package of socks, a generous gift card to the big home improvement store in Elm Glenn. Also, in the box was a carefully packaged vinyl album: Jim Croce. You Don’t Mess Around with Jim. There was a note with it. His dad’s writing: “Here’s a classic to add to your collection.”

At Christmas, David gave Patrick a restored vintage record player that came in a small wooden stand. He also gave him a few albums to start a collection. Patrick had been thrilled and David noted that Clint was nearly as excited. David imagined Clint combing through record stores to find something special for Patrick and that he would likely do that for all future gift giving opportunities. And David liked that idea.

Patrick held up each gift as he pulled them out of the box. David took photos and sent them to Marcy.

“Oh, I like those socks,” David noted. And he did. Patrick had great socks and David had learned some time ago that they were purchases by Marcy.

When he’d finished with the gifts from his parents, Patrick looked at the 3 gifts that David had for him.

They were wrapped in the brown wrap with black ribbon from the store, much like most of the gifts David gave him.

David, still curled into the corner of the couch, smiled at him.

“Which do I open first?” Patrick asked him.

“Your choice,” David took a sip of his tea.

He loved how much Patrick was enjoying the moment. How Patrick bit down on the right half of his bottom lip and considered his options, eyeing the three gifts as though they held treasures untold.

He chose the smaller box on top first. A set of wireless earbuds. He was always grumbling that when he went on hikes the pair he had would die halfway through the hike. This way, he would have a back up pair; that is, if he had room in his pockets to hold them.

“Oh, Babe, thanks,” Patrick leaned closer to David who lowered his mug so he could give Patrick a little kiss. “These will be great.”

“Good,” David enjoyed the fact that Patrick paused. Took the plastic wrap off the box. Opened the box and scanned the instructions as though he didn’t have a pair exactly like them. Took the earbuds out of the box and looked them over.

Patrick always took time with presents that were given to him. And David liked that he was never dismissive.

When Patrick was ready, he lifted the two remaining gifts. Both were similar in size, though one was heavier than the other.

Grinning at David, he raised his eyebrows.

“Your choice,” David told him.

He chose the lighter one, David noticed. And he was happy about that because it meant he would open the one David was most excited about last.

As with all his gifts he was careful. Sliding his finger between the seam and carefully lifting the tape that held the wrapping together. Methodically folding the paper and setting it aside, as though they would be saving the wrapping paper… (note: they would not be saving the wrapping paper).

“This is niiiiiice,” Patrick declared as he ran his hands over the sweater in the box.

And it was. A steel gray cashmere sweater that David knew would look nice on him. Slowly. David was slowly introducing other colors to Patrick’s wardrobe. Not that he would ever replace the blue. Not that he would want to replace the blue. But he knew that Patrick looked good in a variety of colors and David was determined to see him in them.

He grinned as Patrick held the sweater up to his chest. Brushed his fingers over it. “It’s so soft,” Patrick said quietly. “I’m not sure I know how to take care of it.”

“I’ll show you,” David said. Enamored that Patrick would be thinking about garment care in that moment.

“It’s a really nice sweater, thank you so much,” Patrick leaned again. Another kiss.

David set his mug on the coffee table in anticipation. He wanted his attention to be focused on Patrick’s reaction when he opened the last gift.

He was nervous as he realized that Patrick’s response to the gift was important to him.

After he’d carefully removed the wrapping and lifted the lid of the box, he could see what it was; Patrick’s eyes widened. His mouth moved as a fleeting smile crossed his lips. His eyes flew to meet David’s as he exhaled, “Oh, my god, David.”

The gentleness with which he lifted the frame from the box would rival that of someone lifting the most precious of gifts.

“This is…” Patrick held the gift in both hands. Gently so as to not get finger prints over the glass or the frame.

David realized he was holding his breath. Waiting.

“I love this, David. This is…,” Patrick looked from the picture to David. “You’re really fuckin’ pretty, David Rose.”

David was pleased and, eyes still locked on Patrick, he grinned that grin. You know the one. Where his lips pull slightly to the left.

“Thank you, David. This is perfect. I love it.” Frame still in hand, he leaned toward David, “I love you.”

They kissed. Another gentle, quick kiss.

“Where did you…?” Patrick looked back at the picture. As though he couldn’t help himself, he ran a finger over it. Touched it as though he were touching David’s face. He looked at David and said lightly with a chuckle in his voice, “I know Ray didn’t take this one.”

David lifted his chin as he nodded in acknowledgement, “Cody… actually.”

“Cody?”

“He’s taking a photography class at the college and offered to do it. He received credit on an assignment and I… we… have this,” David nodded toward the picture that Patrick continued to hold in his hand.

“He did a great job capturing…” Patrick paused as he seemed to get lost in the picture, again. “You are so beautiful, David.”

“Thank you,” David whispered.

Setting the frame on the coffee table, Patrick looked at David, “I’ve seen this look on your face before.”

He moved closer to David.

David lifted one shoulder in a sort-of shrug, “I was thinking about you when he took that.”

As Patrick was moving over him, David leaned back into the pillows in the corner of the couch; readying himself to feel his husband settle on top of him.

“I like that you get that look on your face when you’re thinking of me,” Patrick kissed him. Long and slow. A sign of what was to come. “What, exactly, were you thinking about?”

Patrick’s kisses moved to David’s neck.

David loved when Patrick started there. His lips brushing along the curve of David’s neck and working their way down to his clavicle and then back up… slowly… toward his jawline.

“That you’ve been remarkably supportive and loving,” David exhaled as Patrick maneuvered himself, one knee between David’s legs. “And that you have been very inspired by the sex scenes in your books, which means we’ve creatively christened nearly every room of the house.”

“Mmm,” when Patrick made the sound near David’s ear, his body reacted by lifting one leg up and around Patrick, while the foot of his other leg rested on the floor.

Patrick pressed against him. Pressing him back into the soft pillows around him.

This was exactly why David wanted the couch. They’d searched diligently through furniture stores in the area until they’d found exactly what he wanted. Patrick had balked (half-heartedly) at the size of it, saying that there would only be a few times a year that they’d have enough people over to warrant that size of a sectional.

But David had insisted and this was why.

He knew that they could comfortably spread out on it. To watch television. To nap. And to make out.

It was a luxury that David hadn’t experienced in years. Laying on a couch where his whole body could stretch out with Patrick on top of him… or beside him… with plenty of room.

His fingers ran through Patrick’s hair. He liked that in the months since the wedding, Patrick had grown it out a bit. Nothing long and wild. Just long by Patrick’s standards. Still short and faded on the sides and back, but a little extra length on the top so that those curls teased David. Drew him in.

While one of his fingers circled in Patrick’s hair, forming curls as it went, his other hand slid down Patrick’s back. Up under the sweater he wore. The pads of his fingers massaging Patrick’s through the t-shirt that was tucked into his jeans. He tugged at the t-shirt until it was free from the jeans so that he could feel the skin of Patrick’s lower back.

Though Patrick was holding up the bulk of his weight with one hand, his other was busy working its way under David’s sweater. Doing that thing that Patrick liked to do – fingers brushing over David’s chest hair.

He was surprised when, without warning, Patrick lifted his head and looked at him, “Are there other pictures?”

“What?” David shook his head. Now? Now was when Patrick chose to ask the question?

“Are there other poses? Other pictures?” Patrick lifted up a bit further from him so he could look into his eyes.

His head still pressed back into the pillows, David nodded, “Yes. In my phone.” And then he groaned in disappointment as Patrick moved to sit beside him.

“Show me.”

He knew that once his husband had something in his mind, he would not continue with the handsy make-out session. He would have to show him the pictures in order to get Patrick on top of him again.

David opened the photos app on his phone and scrolled until he found them. Touched the first of the photos to call it up, made it fill the phone’s display.

“David,” Patrick exhaled as he took the phone from him. He moved his finger across the phone to bring up the next photo. “These are so…”

He said nothing else. He used his pointer finger and thumb to zoom in on one photo and then another.

And then David felt guilty for having been annoyed that Patrick wanted to stop.

Because who, in their right mind, would not want see their spouse look at photos of them with such reverence and love… and lust… in their eyes?

His husband loved him. Of that he was always certain.

And though he never doubted it, it was nice to see it in that moment.

Patrick looked at David, “Do you mind if I send these to my phone?”

More. He fell more in love with Patrick by the day. He did that thing that David did. He shook his head, but meant the affirmative. “If you want,” he said. And David wondered, momentarily, if he was blushing. It felt like he was blushing. His face was warm.

“Can I…” Patrick turned David’s phone so David could see the display, “Can I get this in a wallet size?”

David rolled his eyes and laughed, “Now you’re just getting silly.”

++++++

Though it wasn’t often that Patrick asked David to top him, David was always game for the change up.

A new position that Patrick must have learned in one of his books, David figured as he smoothed his hand over the curve of Patrick’s right ass cheek. A position that caused David to wonder if Patrick had worked some yoga stretches into his regular exercise routine.

Patrick lay on the bed, near the end. His knees pulled up and to his sides, his abdomen flat on the bed. His ass offered up for David; his cheeks spread allowing David a clear view of his target.

While David fucked him, he watched Patrick’s hands grasp the bedsheet. Listened as Patrick’s soft grunts were muffled by the mattress.

Enjoyed the occasional, “God, yes,” as he smacked Patrick’s perfect ass cheek.

And just as he always did after David topped him, when they were finished, Patrick curled up against David. His head resting on David’s shoulder. His hand resting on David’s chest, as he drifted to sleep.

“Happy Birthday, Mr. Brewer,” David whispered.

“Thank you for making it a good one,” Patrick moved his hand. Tucked it under David’s shirt. His fingers brushing over the hair on David’s lower abdomen.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” David told him.

“Independence Day,” Patrick said quietly in a voice that was heavy with exhaustion.

“Mm,” David made the sound of understanding. Knowing what he meant.

David knew the story. Patrick had told him before.

Patrick’s birthday was also was the anniversary of Patrick leaving his relationships with Rachel.

On his birthday two years prior. They were engaged and she, as anyone might do in the same situation, raised the question of how many children they would have. The thought of children with her was the final straw for him. Knowing that they broke up and reunited on a regular basis was one thing; doing that with children was something that Patrick knew would not be good for any child. As he told David, “I knew in that moment it was over; so, I told her in that moment.”

And within two weeks, Patrick was driving to Schitt’s Creek for his new job.

While he slept there, curled up against David; David thought about it.

And he was thankful. So thankful that in that moment, Patrick had chosen to leave and that he found his way to Schitt’s Creek.

++++++

David rolled onto his back and stretched his arms up over his head. The afternoon nap had been a good one. As he reached for Patrick’s pillow to pull close and breathe in as he often did when he was waking without him, he looked at the bedside table. He noticed the framed photograph was gone.

He scooted over in the bed and looked over the edge at the floor, wondering if had been knocked off its perch there by the bed where it always sat.

But, no. It wasn’t there.

David sat on the edge of the bed and opened the top drawer. There was the most recent romance novel that Patrick was reading. Under that was a box with the lube selections. Behind that box was their box with a butt plug and the leather strap. To the side he saw Patrick’s mouth guard. Both sets of his earbuds.

But no framed photograph.

It wasn’t on his dresser, either.

He was curious about what happened, and assumed it had broken. Why else would Patrick move it? After all, it had been there when they settled in for their Sunday afternoon rest. Patrick reading and David sleeping.

He left the bedroom on a hunt for Patrick, and walked quickly down the hallway toward the kitchen. As he passed the closed office door, he heard music playing.

David stopped and turned to knock on the closed office door.

“Yeah,” Patrick called.

David opened the door a few inches and poked his head into the room. “Whatcha doing? Are you busy?”

“Paying bills,” Patrick sat at his desk. Forearms resting on the desktop.

“And listening to your new album,” David pointed at the record player as he opened the door further and walked in. The album Patrick’s dad gave him for his birthday played softly in the room.

Patrick leaned back in his chair. His hands in his lap, “It’s a good album.”

As his eyes scanned the desk, he realized he was also seeing the back of the framed photo. “What are you doing with that?” David pointed at the framed picture.

“That?” Patrick asked with a hint of a smile on his lips. “That’s just my handsome husband keeping me company while I pay the bills.”

David sat in the chair near the record player. One of two chairs in his office that had once flanked the fireplace in Patrick’s old apartment.

One leg crossed over the other and his eyes closed as he listened to the music. As he thought about the fact that his husband liked the photo so much that he took it with him from the bedroom so he could look at it while he took care of them by making sure the bills were paid.

The familiar notes of an old song began to play and he heard Patrick’s chair move. When he opened his eyes, he realized that Patrick was moving to stand in front of him, holding out a hand.

Patrick’s silent request for them to dance.

And together, they moved. David’s arms draped over those shoulders that he loved. Shoulders he trusted. As he felt Patrick’s hands press against his back. Holding him. Keeping him safe.  

He smiled as he felt Patrick’s lips press against his neck. Then he tilted his head so that he could rest against Patrick’s cheek.

And he listened to the words float around them.

If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I'd like to do
Is to save every day
'Til eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you

If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I'd save every day like a treasure and then
Again, I would spend them with you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I've looked around enough to know
That you're the one I want to go
Through time with

If I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the memory
Of how they were answered by you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I've looked around enough to know
That you're the one I want to go
Through time with

++++++

He had been sound asleep. Deep in his REM cycle when he felt it.

That glorious feeling that David would say is the only acceptable way to wake him if it wasn’t a natural waking.

The suction that pulled on him. The suction that caused his body to respond.

Then, as the suction stopped, he heard him. Down there under the covers.

“Happy birthday to you…”

Lick.

“Happy birthday to youuuu…”

Lick.

“Happy birthday, beautiful huuuusbanddddddd…”

Full mouth over David’s cock. A long and strong suction.

“Haaaaappy birrrrthdayyyy… to youuuuuuu…”

And then his mouth was on David again.

No more singing. Just his tongue licking up the length of him before he enveloped his cock with his mouth and with a hand at the base of his erection, Patrick began to pleasure him until he came.

David closed his eyes. One arm up over his head, gripping the rung on the headboard. The other arm dropped to his side, his hand stroking Patrick’s arm.

God, it felt good. Though he never loved waking up in the morning, he did love it when Patrick woke him up that way. And, of course, Patrick would wake David that way on his birthday.

After he came and Patrick slid up from under the covers, his hand swiping over his mouth, David asked, “Do I smell bacon?”

Patrick chuckled and rolled away from David. Still in his pajamas he walked to his dresser where a tray sat.

“Made you breakfast in bed,” Patrick said.

David sat up, pulling his pants up as he adjusted himself. His eyes raking over the assorted breakfast items on the tray.

Pancakes. Eggs. Bacon. Home fries. Fruit. Orange juice. Coffee.

“There’s so much here,” David grinned.

“Well, I thought I’d share,” Patrick chuckled.

“This looks delicious,” David said reaching for a piece of bacon and taking a bite.

“Wanted to start your day off right,” Patrick told him.

They sat on the bed and David ate. He offered Patrick bites of his food, but he also knew that Patrick likely fixed himself an egg and toast while he was putting the breakfast together.

He loved that Patrick knew what he liked. Appreciated that Patrick knew how to start his day of on the right foot. Recognized that Patrick understood that David was going to be missing his family, especially on that day; even though David knew that if his family was there, they would likely have forgotten it was his birthday.

While Patrick dressed for work, David sat in the bed and flipped through his phone. The first of the birthday messages starting to show up.

“What are your plans for this morning?” Patrick asked him.

“I think I’ll maybe sleep a little longer,” David told him. “Then maybe go for a walk.”

As was the plan, Patrick would take care of the store while David had a day to himself.

“I have a little something…” Patrick handed David an envelope. Sat down beside him, his hand resting on David’s knee.

David shimmied his shoulders and grinned one of those toothy grins as he accepted the first of his birthday gifts from Patrick. (His third, if you counted the fellatio and the breakfast.)

In the envelope was gift certificate for a massage.

David looked from the certificate to Patrick who said, “I made an appointment for you for 2:00 today at the place in Elmdale. I hope that’s OK.”

“Of course it’s OK. Thank you,” David leaned forward and Patrick met him for a kiss.

Then, Patrick added with a grin, “I made sure that it was only the massage.”  Then he pulled his wallet from his back pocket and took several bills out. Set them on David’s bedside table. “Here’s money for the tip. I didn’t put the tip on the bill because I didn’t want any confusion about what the extra money was for.”

“Mmm,” David’s lips pressed together, amused, as he nodded. Eyeing Patrick.

“I’m not saying you can’t… [Patrick waved his hand between them]… throw some more of your own money in there to get… you know…,” Patrick winked at him. “I’m just saying that I’m not paying for that, even if it is your birthday.”

“MmmHmm,” David nodded. “Soo… you starting my day the way you did…? Knowing that my refractory period isn’t what it could be… that had nothing to do with the fact that you knew you were giving me this gift today?”

Patrick stood. Hands in his pockets as he looked down at David, grinning, “I can neither confirm, nor deny.”

David, looking at the blush covering Patrick’s cheeks, chuckled, “Thank you. This is a lovely gift.”

“Now, I’ve got to go,” he leaned down and gave David a soft and probing kiss. Taking his time, he ran his fingers through David’s hair.

Then, as he walked across the bedroom to leave, he said, “Don’t forget we have a date tonight at the very special Twyla’s Café Tropical. Mozzarella sticks.”

++++++

David took his time.

He rested a little after Patrick left. Napping and then scrolling through his phone. Birthday wishes from friends. Nothing, yet, from his family. He wondered if he’d hear from them.

A long, hot bubble bath later, he was dressed and ready to head out for his day.

Beside the coffee pot, he found a note from Patrick and a set of keys.

D –

I took the beast today.

Have a good day. I love you.

– P

David grinned. He wasn’t sure why Patrick didn’t trust the old Rose family vehicle. It failed them less often than Patrick’s car did. But he appreciated that his husband worried about him.

He pocketed the keys to Patrick’s car and headed out for his day.

++++++

He wasn’t sure why he still did it.

It was a ritual. He wasn’t sure he’d ever let go of it. It was what he always did on or around his birthday.

As he waited, he paced the room and pulled his sweater over his head. Folded it and set it on the chair beside where he settled. His feet together, his toes tapped a little. Anxious and ready to get on with his day.

“Hey, David,” Cody said as he came into the small room.

David inhaled quickly. A deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Hi, Cody.”

Cody washed his hands at the sink. Dried them. Reached for a pair of gloves and then moved the tray of things he’d need closer to David.

“I’m going to ask you a series of questions…” Cody began in the familiar way.

“I know the drill,” David said. He pulled the sleeve of the t-shirt he wore so it would be out of the way as Cody tied the band around his upper arm.

He knew Cody likely wouldn’t call him silly for being tested.

But, then, Cody didn’t know whether or not David and Patrick were monogamous. Whether or not they had an open marriage.

For the record, they did not have an open marriage. Other than that one time with Jake and that one incident on their wedding day, it had just been the two of them. At least that far into their marriage. Nearly 10 months.

He turned his head as he always did when Cody stuck the needle into his arm.

They chatted as Cody worked. The upcoming board meeting. The Center’s entry in the Pride Parade.

Then, when he’d finished, Cody sat on the rolling stool and pulled off his gloves. “You know what I’m going to tell you, David.”

David nodded.

“We’re happy to keep testing you,” Cody’s eyes were on the vials of blood as he put the labels with David’s name on them.

“But my answer to your questions indicate I’m a low risk and don’t need to be tested,” David said quietly.

“Of course, if you’re ever worried that your partner…”

David cut him off, “I’m never worried about my husband cheating.”

“He’s a good man,” Cody said. “We should all be so lucky to have a Patrick...”

“It’s habit, Cody. I think I will always test on my birthday,” David told him.

Cody tapped his hand on David’s knee and then stood, “There are worse habits. Now, go get your white wine spritzer with your lunch and have a good day.”

Pulling his sweater on, he paused as he heard what Cody said. Forgetting that he had told his friend about his past. His reasoning for testing regularly, even when he really didn’t need to anymore.

He left the AIDS Center and drove down the street to the little bar and grill where he went on testing day. He ordered a chicken salad sandwich and a white wine spritzer.

When his drink arrived, he sat and looked at it for a moment. His eyes focused on the tiny bubbles that fizzled up in the glass.

He picked up the glass and closed his eyes. Whispered quietly, “Here’s to you, Trixie.” Then he took a drink in honor of her. She would have adored Patrick. She would have called him a country bumpkin and she would have been madly in love with him. And she would have told David that he was fucking lucky to have him. And she would have been correct.

He checked his phone as he ate lunch. More messages from friends.

Still nothing from his family.

++++++

The massage was heavenly.

And just that. A massage.

He knew he could ask for more. Pay for more. He had the extra cash in his wallet. But he didn’t.

It was relaxing and restorative.

In the past, when he would get a massage, his mind roamed all over the place. Sometimes he would perseverate on things that stressed him out. Sometimes, if he was lucky, he could clear his mind of all of his racing thoughts and find that happy Zen-like state of bliss.

In more recent years it was different. He recognized it was in the years since Patrick had been in his life. Since he was partnered with Patrick, when he received a massage, he would easily let his mind go to positive places. Happy memories. Hopeful future plans.

On that day, his mind was on the upstairs of their house. They’d talked about working on the rooms up there. They’d put beds in each of the rooms for their family members who stayed with them over the holidays.  

But David and Patrick wanted to decorate the rooms and make them special. Patrick’s nephews wanted to spend a week with them that coming summer. And David wanted space for Stevie to stay when she was too drunk to drive home; he didn’t want her getting used to sleeping on the couch. And, of course, when his or Patrick’s parents visited, he wanted them to be comfortable.

So as he relaxed into the massage, he thought about paint colors and fabric options for curtains. He thought about bedding and throw pillows. And it all made him happy. He absolutely loved that they were taking their time working on the house and making it their home. And he loved making plans for it all.

He loved their home.

He loved their life.

++++++

He sat in the parking lot of the Dairy Barn, enjoying his ice cream cone. A free cone on your birthday is not a bad marketing plan.

He thought about whether or not they could do something similar at the store. Something special for people on their birthdays. He could think of nothing they sold that had such little overhead as an ice cream cone was to the owners of the Dairy Barn so he abandoned that idea.

As he licked his cone, he thought about the store. How they’d done well. Very well, in fact.

Shortly after the wedding, they signed the contract with Rosebud Group, the company his dad, Stevie, and Roland created. And the decision to do so was a good idea; the profits were more than they could have hoped for. Providing the personal care items for the expanding company was a boost to the Apothecary’s bottom line, sure. But it also gave David a new project that had been invigorating.

A text coming through caused his phone to vibrate, drawing his attention.

Stevie (3:35 pm):

Happy Birthday.

You (3:35 pm):

Thank you.

Stevie (3:35 pm):

Did he give you your gift yet?

You (3:35 pm):

Yes.

Stevie (3:36 pm):

Good. So let’s make our plans.

David’s eyes narrowed in confusion as he looked at the text she sent.

You (3:36 pm):

Plans?

Stevie (3:36 pm):

For the weekend.

You (3:36 pm):

Are you here this weekend?

He didn’t know what she meant and assumed she meant that they would spend time together when she was home in Schitt’s Creek.

Stevie (3:36 pm):

OK, so he didn’t give you your gift yet.

He was sure of only one thing in that moment. It was too hard to text with an ice cream cone in his hand. He set his phone on his leg and with one finger scrolled for her name and dialed her.

Her voice came over the speakers in the car. “What.” Her voice was flat and dry.

“What are you talking about,” David said.

“If you don’t know what I’m talking about, then he hasn’t given you your gift yet,” Stevie said.

“He gave me a certificate for a massage. I just came from there,” he told her. More information than he would want to give someone else, but it if helped clarify the conversation…

“Then call me after he gives you the rest of your presents,” Stevie said. Then, for good measure she added an, “I’m busy right now anyway.”

“What about this weekend?” David asked her.

“I’m not going to spoil the surprise,” Stevie told him.

David pressed her, “You might as well. He’s giving me something that has to do with you and it’s about this weekend.”

“Fine,” she sighed. “He’s sending you here this weekend.”

“What!?” David sat up in his seat. The ice cream cone virtually forgotten in his hand.

“Your flight is an early departure on Friday morning. I’ve got tickets to that show you’ve wanted to see for Friday night,” Stevie said.

“What show?” David’s body shook with excitement. “Twelve Angry Women?” He asked hopefully. “Are we seeing Twelve Angry Women!?”

“That’s the one,” Stevie said. “You, me, Alexis, and Ruth.”

“Ohmygod,” David was excited. Then he paused, “Wait. Patrick’s not coming?”

“It’s a Rose thing, I think,” Stevie said. “Your parents are flying in.”

David was overwhelmed and he was suddenly very frustrated with himself for pressing Stevie to tell him. He knew how much Patrick liked to give him gifts to make him happy. He knew that Patrick would feel cheated by not knowing David’s original response.

As ice cream dripped down his cone, he licked at it to get it under control.

“David?”

“Hmm?” he said as he continued to lick around the base of the cone.

“Just act surprised,” Stevie said. “He hates it when I ruin his surprises.”

David rolled his eyes, “I think he’s used to it by now.”

++++++

When he was back at the house, he curled up on the couch and listened to music. Eventually, falling to sleep and napping.

It was shortly after 5 when Patrick woke him by running his fingers through David’s hair. The pads of his fingers scratching David’s scalp.

“Hey, Birthday Boy,” Patrick’s voice was soft. “How was your day?”

David rolled onto his back and stretched his arms over his head. He moaned softly and opened his eyes. Happy to see his husband.

“It was good,” David told him. He closed his eyes as Patrick’s lips met his. A soft kiss. He liked how Patrick’s hand rubbed over his chest and snuck a squeeze of his crotch.

“How was Cody?” Patrick asked him.

David rolled to his side and sat up, “He’s good. Told me I didn’t need to be tested, but tested me anyway.”

Without saying anything, Patrick reached his hand toward David, who took it. Just Patrick’s quiet way of being present.

“You ready to head to dinner?” Patrick asked.

“When did we start eating as though we lived in a retirement home?” David stood. Straightened his clothes. Teasing Patrick about the early meal time.

“It’s just for tonight. We have to get back here later for something,” Patrick told him.

He knew Patrick had something planned, and he knew not to question it.

When the walked into the café, David saw the booth. A red-and-white-checked table cloth. A candle. A bottle of wine that was already breathing. He stopped and looked over his shoulder at Patrick who was walking a half step behind him.

“What did you do?” he asked.

Patrick pulled his head back slightly, lips pressed together in a smile and he shook his head, “I just asked Twyla to make it special.”

David knew. He knew that although, yes, this was his birthday; it wasn’t the only thing the two were celebrating.

His husband loved honoring the anniversary of special dates. And although it was David’s birthday, it was also the anniversary of their first date. The anniversary of their first kiss. The anniversary of the start of their relationship – and of Patrick telling someone for the first time that he wasn’t straight.

And even though it wasn’t all about him, David was fine with it. He was completely fine with the fact that his birthday would forever be linked to the start of his relationship with his husband. It was a good thing to celebrate it all on the same night.

After they ate, Patrick pulled an envelope from the inside pocket of his jacket. “I know we’re doing gifts at home, but I need to give this one to you before we go home.”

He slid the envelope across the table and watched David closely.

David eyed it and a hesitant grin crossed his face as he reached for it.

It was a larger sized envelope with a plain sheet of cardstock in it.

There in Patrick’s writing was an itinerary. It listed everything.

From the time a car would pick him up at the house to Patrick picking him up at the airport on Monday evening.

The Friday night play with Alexis, Stevie, and Ruth.

The Saturday spa day with his mom.

The Saturday night activities with Alexis and “Friends.”

The Sunday morning Rose Family brunch.

And the Monday morning sleep-in, followed by the early afternoon lunch with his dad before spending the afternoon at Rosebud Group headquarters.

David’s read through it all. He tilted his head as he looked at his husband. He could see Patrick’s eyes taking in his expression.

“Thank you,” David said.

Patrick pressed his lips together, eyebrows furrowed, “Stevie told you.”

David’s voice was soft and he shook his head, “She did, and I was very moved when I learned about it. Thank you so much.”

Nodding, Patrick said, “Well… it was a group effort. I’m only responsible for the airplane tickets and the rides to and from the airport. Your family is organizing and paying for the rest of it.”

“You don’t want to go?” David asked softly. He was torn. Someday he would love to take his husband to the city and show him all that it had to offer; but he was wise enough to know that the moment David was in the orbit of the Rose family, Patrick got a little lost in it all.

“You’ll have a great time with them,” Patrick told him. “I’m fine staying home.”

David’s foot moved under the table and pressed against Patrick’s leg. “Take me home, Mr. Brewer.”

++++++

Patrick set his laptop on the kitchen island, and that was where David had his first video chat of the night.

His parents and Alexis joined him on the zoom call. Each of them from different locations. Still early in California, his mom was in her trailer on set of the first days of shooting for the second season of her show. His dad, working late, was in his office in New York. And Alexis was at home.

David was delighted to see them all in one space. It wasn’t a normal thing for his family to gather on a video chat the way Patrick’s family did, and he knew it took a lot of coordination by Patrick to get it to happen.

Once it was up and they had all greeted each other, Patrick stepped away to give David privacy.

His mom talked about the rehearsals, the script rewrites, the shooting schedule. She took the time to have an impromptu meeting with Alexis about the upcoming three-city tour of Women’s Fairs where she would be signing autographs and posing for pictures. David and his dad waited patiently while Alexis organized their mom’s schedule for meeting up.

David asked his dad about what he had been working on, and enjoyed seeing his dad light up as he shared what he, Stevie, and Roland were up to. Though David knew much of it from his regular conversations with his friend, it was good to hear it from his dad. He was happy that his dad was invigorated and that his business was thriving.

They spoke for nearly a half hour. Of course, some of the conversation veered off track and he had to listen to Alexis or his mom go off on a tangent. And when his dad spoke, he was slow and thought about every word before he said it.

But David was reminded how much he missed them and he was very excited about seeing them over the coming weekend. It had been months since they’d all been in one room.

After he shut the computer, he put water in the kettle and stood in the kitchen while it heated.

He sat back. Snuggled in the corner of the couch – his favorite spot in the whole house. Sipped on his hot tea.

That was where Patrick found him.

“Good chat?” Patrick asked him.

“Mmm,” David nodded. “Thank you for arranging it. It was surprisingly wonderful.”

“You got one more in you?” Patrick asked.

David grinned and closed his eyes as he nodded, knowing the next chat would be with his in-laws. “Of course.”

He ended up opening his gift from the Brewers while they were on their video chat. He knew that Marcy would enjoy seeing him open the box of presents and he was always so touched by their generosity.

He held up each item after he unwrapped them and showed her. Thanked her. Thanked them both – but he knew, deep down, each gift was selected by his mother-in-law.

A tin of homemade fudge.

A package of socks – the kind she always bought Patrick. He’d told her, once, that he “borrowed” Patrick’s socks because he loved them so much. He now had six pairs of his own.

A generous gift card to the home improvement store.

And a cook book of recipes to make in the air fryer she gave them for Christmas.

By the time the video chats were over and they were alone, it was after 9. They sat together; David curled against him. His head resting on Patrick’s shoulder. The room quiet.

David wondered if the day was over or…

“I have two more things,” Patrick said.

Without lifting his head from Patrick’s shoulder, David – relaxed with his eyes closed – grinned. “Oh?”

“A gift and a song. Which do you want first?”

“You decide. You’ve planned a perfect day for me and I see no reason for me to get in the way of what you think should happen next,” David told him.

Patrick moved, “OK.”

Disliking that he was no longer snuggled up to his husband, David moaned a sound of disappointment as Patrick left the room.

When he returned, he had a gift bag.

Not the same one that they passed back and forth each time they gave each other a present that first year they dated. That bag had long since been torn and was no longer being used. But the gift bag he used was the same color as that original bag: darker blue bag with a light blue tissue paper. Another bag that they had been passing back and forth for a while.

David pulled the gift from the bag.

He loved it. He really did.

“This is beautiful,” David told him. His face softened as he took in the framed photo of his husband. One of his most favorite pictures of him.

Marcy had taken it when they were there visiting over Thanksgiving.

Patrick and Clint had spent the day out in the barn, working on mending the back wall and the fence that connected to the back of the barn.

David had been inside resting. Marcy took some hot tea out to them and as Clint and Patrick talked, Marcy took the picture.  

Patrick. In a stocking cap. Looking off to the side. David learned he was looking at his dad. Smiling.

Marcy had changed the settings to black and white, and David thought it was a perfect choice.

David remembered when Marcy took the picture and showed it to him. David had told her at the time that he thought it was the perfect picture to encapsulate his husband.

What he didn’t tell her was that when he saw the picture, it captured the purely masculine and protective person David knew Patrick to be.  

At the time, David had asked Marcy to send him the picture. She had sent it to both of them. And Patrick knew it was one of David’s favorites.

“Now we will each have a picture by the bed,” Patrick told him.

David, lifting his eyes from the smiling framed face, looked at Patrick and shook his head, “You are so handsome, Patrick.”

David found it endearing that, on occasion, his husband would still blush. He liked that his reaction to the picture elicited that reaction in Patrick.

“I’m glad you like it,” Patrick said.

David eyed him. His eyes moving down to Patrick’s hands and then back to his face. Then over to the piano. Waiting for a song.

“You want your song now?” Patrick asked.

David set the frame on the coffee table and stood. Moved to the chair that sat near the piano. The wedding gift from Patrick’s parents that was played nearly every day.

As Patrick began to sing, David softly exhaled and settled into the chair.

He would always, always feel that sense of calm wash over his body as his husband sang to him.

And he closed his eyes as he listened to the words. Listened to Patrick’s soft voice sing the words of love for him on his birthday. For them on the anniversary of the start of their relationship.

Just another love song from a simple man
I been searching for some chords underneath these hands
So I can try to tell you I love you

You know I need you
Like your oxygen
Be my atmosphere
Let me breath you in
So I can try to tell you I love you

I been lost, I been found
But I know I am now, I am yours

I am yours
Now and always
Wouldn't dream to be anything more
You take my breath away every night
Still can't believe it when you say your mine and
I am yours, I am yours, I am yours

I was free falling through the open sky
'Til you smiled at me and you saved my life and I
Knew I was put here to love you

You got the universe swimming in your eyes
Im an open book when you look in mine
You'll find that I was put here to love you

I been lost, I been found
But I know I am now, I am yours

I am yours
Now and always
Wouldn't dream to be anything more
You take my breath away every night
Still can't believe it when you say your mine and
I am yours, I am yours, I am yours

I been lost, I been found
But I know I am now, I am yours

I am yours
Now and always
Wouldn't dream to be anything more
You take my breath away every night
Still can't believe it when you say your mine and
I am yours, I am yours, I am yours

I am yours, I am yours, I am yours
I am yours, I am yours, I am yours

As Patrick’s hands played the last note, he turned his head and looked at David.

“Again,” David said.

And without missing a beat, Patrick started the song again.

++++++

David turned out the bathroom lights as he walked toward the bed. His husband settling in on his own side of the bed. He paused beside the bed and, his hand resting on the frame, he turned it slightly so that when he rolled to his left side, he could look at the picture.

Patrick, rolled onto his left side. His arm and elbow resting on the mattress. His head in his hand as he watched David.

“I love it,” David said for maybe the fifth time. He settled under the covers.

“Did you have a good day?” Patrick asked him; he rolled on to his back as David curled up against him.

David rested his head on Patrick’s shoulder. “It was wonderful. And that was a very nice ending, thankyouverymuch.”

They’d just had a very active, very satisfying romp before he showered and got ready for bed.

Patrick reached and turned off the lamp that sat on his bedside table.

David rolled to his left side and closed his eyes as he felt Patrick scoot up behind him.

He looked, again, at the picture of Patrick sitting there beside the bed. The small amount of light from the moon outside cast a glow across it.

He reached for Patrick’s hand that pressed to his chest. Patrick moved so that their palms would press together. So that their fingers laced together.

The two of them fell to sleep, as they would countless times in their married life.

David on his left side. Patrick pressed against his back, spooning him.

There in their home.

In their bedroom.

With the framed photos on the bedside tables.

Photos that would remain for decades.

Long after the two of them had hair that turned grey.

As long as they lived, their bed was flanked by the photographs of them from the first year of their marriage.

Young.

Beautiful.

David and Patrick. 

Immortal.

+++

End

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Notes about the Photos

Like many of you, I was moved when the photos of Dan for the Behind the Blinds photo shoot were released. When I saw this particular photo, I saw "David." 

Photo shoot for @behindtheblinds (Behind the Blinds Magazine)

Photo by @aarondanielkirk (Aaron Kirk)

In choosing the photo of "Patrick" I went back and forth and I settled on a photo of Noah that is my favorite. 

Photo by: Dane Clark - Instagram @dane.does.portraits)
Posted by: @olreid - Noah Reid - Instagram

The photo I originally planned to use was a screen shot from a video that Noah was in. It is a photo that every time I see it, I think of Patrick and "You Are My Sunshine." In the end, I felt like the photo that would compliment the "David" photo was the one above. 

The one I was going to use was the one below. I reached out to friend, Linny, who is excellent at screen grabs and she was kind to share this one. 

For the record, I very much believe that David would like this picture, too. And I guarantee Marcy has it framed and it sits in a place of honor in the Brewer home. 

Noah in video: “Schitt’s Creek Cast and Comics Surprise Eugene Levy During his Lifetime Achievement Award” – Variety Youtube.

Screen shot shared by Linny - Instagram - @linny1213

(Thanks, Friend. *Winking face emoji*)

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