The Whisper in the Wind - pt 2

Christmas gifts had all been exchanged. Laughter stilled filled the home, the smell of the Christmas dinner still drifted in the air. The birthday cake sat on the kitchen counter, no one able to eat more than a small slice after David's simply wonderful cooking. The family had settled in the lounge, no one paying attention to the television that played in the background, everyone too busy sharing conversation. A second set of presents had appeared, this time to celebrate a birthday of one of the family rather than the birth of Christ. Tears had been shed - his father couldn't have asked for a birthday or Christmas.

Bailee and Jenny had then set off out, visiting friends from school who lived nearby - Jenny especially wanting to see her old friends Jason and Olivia, to be able to see their little baby boy. Reuben had decided on going to visit some friends too, leaving David and Alastar with the whole house to themselves.

There was the sign of snow in the air, and Reuben snuggled down in his winter coat, burying his face into the warmth of his scarf. He could see his breath in the air as he headed for the apartment building. When he was old enough to go to high school, an old student of his father's was interning there, and he and Roo had become good friends. Whenever he was in New York, Reuben came over to visit him and his boyfriend. He had called ahead to make sure it was okay for him to come over, and now all he had to do to get there without freezing to death.

It didn't take long for him to reach the building, glad to be inside the warmth. Wandering along the hallway, hands stuffed into the pockets of his coat to keep them warm, blue eyes glanced to and fro, looking for the door to the apartment. When he was about four feet away from the door, the one opposite flew open, and a toddler in nothing more than a large t-shirt and a Santa hat came running out, giggling like mad. He wasted no time in racing off down the hall. Shortly after came a young girl, chasing after the little boy. "Anthony! Come back here!" she called out.

Stopped in his tracks, watching everything unfold before him, Reuben had no clue what was going on. About to knock on the door opposite the chaotic home, an adult finally made their appearance at the door, pausing to flash a grin at Roo, before banging on the door Reuben was about to knock on, calling out "We have an escapee!" He turned and looked at Roo again, ruffling his hair affectionately. "Hey Roo. Which way did they go?"

"Ah...Uhm...Down the hall..." he replied, pointing to where the blond girl and the little boy had ran off to. "Having trouble with the kids?"

"Nah, he just doesn't want to go to bed. You know how it is; Christmas and all," the thirty five year old replied, looking back to the door. "Nath, hurry up and catch your nephew!"

The door opened, an almost identical looking male appearing. "Bedtime again?" he asked his twin, slipping past him, following the direction he been pointed to, heading after the two children.

There was laughter in the apartment Nat had come from. Appearing at the door way to see what was going on, the male smiled at the two standing in the hallway. Leaning casually against the door frame, arms folded at his chest, he grinned up at Theodore. "You should try locking your door,"

Theo scoffed at the smaller man. "And miss out on the fun at bedtime? You know that Nath enjoys it too."

"So this happens everyday?" Roo asked.

Evander nodded. "Yeah, near enough, unless you can catch Anthony before he makes it to the door."

"Lila doesn't want to throw her arm at him yet incase of traumatizing him," Theo replied, running his hand over his strawberry blond hair. "Belle was a little slow off the bat this time."

Reuben arched a brow at the father. "I hope Jenny's kid doesn't end up like that."

"Jenny is having a baby? Oh, that's so wonderful!" Evander exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "David must be so proud! When you see them, tell them Nat and I send our congratulations."

Roo smiled, wondering what kind of uncle he'd be. "They're visiting Jason and Olivia. Do you guys still see them?"

Brown eyes were rolled at him. "How can we not go and visit our Livvie?" Theodore asked, scoffing slightly. "I like to think of myself as being the reason those two are still together," he added, puffing out his chest, at which Evander chuckled at and then shook his head.

"Since you came over, do you want to come in, Roo?" the brunet asked, jutting his thumb over his shoulder into his apartment. "Nat will catch Anthony soon, and we can catch up on things." blue eyes focused on his brother-in-law. "You should go and help your brother."

Theo flashed him a grin, then saluted before turning and heading after his two children and twin brother. Ben watched the man go, then turned and followed Evander inside. The apartment was warm, and there was the faint smell of cinnamon in the air. Blue eyes fell on the large fish tank, watching the mutlicoloured fishes swim about. "So how come Nat has to go catch Anthony?" Roo asked, leaning forwards to observe the fishes, tapping lightly on the glass.

"He loves his uncle," Evander replied. "When he started walking, he walked straight up to Nat and demanded he pick him up. Nat's been the only person who's been able to settle the little boy for bed."

"You'd think a kid wouldn't notice, what with Nat looking so much like his dad," Roo commented.

A small smile curled at Evander's lips, one that spoke a thousand words. "Oh, there's a big difference," he purred, lifting his mug of herbal tea to his lips and blowing softly over the hot liquid.

Roo chuckled lightly, leaving the fish and joining the older male on the couch. "I figured you'd say something like that."

"When you love someone, you can spot them in a crowd of people," he said softly, sipping at his tea. "Do you have anyone like that?"

Blue eyes lifted to the ceiling of the apartment. "I'd like to think that I do."

"What are they like?"

"Blue eyes, nice smile. The softest brown hair to run your fingers through. Your whole world seems just that much brighter whenever she's around. I just want to hold her, and make everything alright."

"She sounds wonderful," he commented, patting Roo lightly on the leg.

A soft sigh spilled forth over his lips. "Yeah, but I don't know how much she likes me. I mean, we're like brother and sister."

A curious look was thrown at the younger male. "Oh? Is she anyone we would know?"

Reuben nodded. "You guys know them really well. Infact, you've eve babysat her."

Bright blue eyes widened as the name hit home. Almost chocking on his drink, Evander leaned forwards, placing the mug down on the coffee table. "Isobel!?"

"What about Izzy?" asked Nat at the doorway. Closing the door behind himself, he hopped over the back of the couch to sit beside his lover, resting his head on the man's shoulder. "Aaaahhh...He's getting faster." An arm curled around his waist, pulling him closer. Lids slipped over his eyes as he nestled against Evander's warm body.

The trio sat and talked for some time about love, life and everything else. Just as Roo was getting ready to leave, the door opened, the young girl slipping inside, her blonde hair set into two braids. She smiled up at Reuben, then hopped over to her uncle. Nat leaned down, scooping the thirteen year old into a hug and placing a kiss on her cheek. Once she was released, Belle went to Evander, the male giving her a hug and a goodnight kiss. She turned to leave, looking curiously up at Roo with bright blue eyes.

Smiling down at her, the younger male lowered to her level, giving her a hug and a kiss to her forehead. "Sleep well, Little Lady," he said as he rose, following her out. She paused at the door to her own home, waving goodbye. Nat and Evander were at their door, waving too. "See you!" he called before preparing to head out into the cold night air.

Home, and unlocking the door, he could hear his father's Enya music playing. Tossing his keys onto the table near the door, he shrugged off his coat while heading for the lounge. What he saw there shocked and amazed him. "Shit Dad!" Turning his head away from the scene of his father and David in a very heated situation, a hand rose to cover his eyes. "What the fuck?!"

"Ben...We...Err...Uhm..."

Reuben scrunched up his face, turning his back completely on the scene. "You know what, I'll come back later," throwing up a hand, he waved over his shoulder at the two men, then went to leave. "I'll be over at Madder's. Call my cell when I can come home," and with that he left.

Once outside, he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed Isobel's number. "Hey, Izzy, can I come over?"