Free Loving Bailey by Lee Brazil

fine. They love you, you love
them, and I love you. It's just all of us getting to know each
other as a family and it would be good for you to answer the
door."
    Bailey nodded and headed to the front of the
house. The oven timer went off and he called out over his shoulder
as he opened the door, "Take that out and let it rest on the
counter!"
    "Hi, Dad." He gazed at his father, stalwart
strong, and sober, his arm wrapped around the trim waist of his
young lover, Eden. "Eden, I'm so glad you came." He glanced over
Eden's shoulder. "Where's Shane?"
    "Your dad thought it would be best if it was
just us this time."
    "I have some things I need to say, and …"
Hearing his dad sound so hesitant and uncertain eased a bit of
Bailey's own turmoil. It would be okay. They had a lifetime of
supporting each other, and while this may not be exactly like
taking saxophone lessons when he was ten, it would require the same
adjustments on the part of his family.
    "No need, Dad. I get it. Thanks for coming."
Impulsively he hugged Drew, whose arms tightened around him briefly
then slowly loosened.
    "I want what's best for you, Bailey. I
always have, and sometimes, I forget that what's best for an adult
son is to let him make his own choices and support him in his
decisions whether I believe in them or not."
    Bailey caught Ashton's cynically lifted brow
as his lover hovered in the doorway to the kitchen. He let his own
smile show. "Um…Dad? If that's your idea of being diplomatic, it
falls a little short of goal."
    "You may not believe that your son is making
the right choice in choosing to be with me, Mr. Harris, but I do
believe in him, and in love, and in us."
    "You're taking what he said the wrong way,"
Eden intervened smoothly.
    "I don't think I am, but time will provide
all the proof necessary." Bailey found himself dragged into the
kitchen and the door shut firmly behind them. Ashton kissed him
hard, dragging him tight against his body, shaking slightly.
    It wasn't until he broke free of the kiss
that Bailey realized he wasn't shaking with anger, but with
laughter. "What's so damn funny?" He cleared his throat, trying to
erase the huskiness of sex from his voice.
    "I'm sorry. I didn't intend to start world
war three in the living room, but… Um… Have you roasted a chicken
before?"
    "Not a whole bird, no. Why?" He eyed the
golden crispy bird nestled on a white porcelain platter, surrounded
by baby glazed carrots and orange segments. "It looks good. What's
wrong?" Pushing past Ashton, he approached the bird.
    Ash grabbed his arm and tried to hold him
back, but Bailey shook him off. "Maybe we should go out for sushi
instead. I’m really in the mood for some good California rolls,"
Ashton said.
    "Ash, I spent all afternoon making this
dinner! It looks and smells great. Why the hell would I want to go
eat sushi instead?"
    Ash's bright smile faded and he cast a
cautious glance at the closed door to the living room. Eden and
Drew's voices were an indistinct hum on the other side of the door,
but Bailey knew his dad well enough to know that if he became
impatient, he'd have no qualms about entering the kitchen to see
what the delay was.
    "Okay. I know. You've been trying very hard
to make a perfect meal to show your father you're ready to be on
your own. But… Look." He dragged in a deep breath and began again.
"Can we just chalk this up to me being a jerk and take them out for
dinner?"
    Narrowing his eyes, Bailey glared at his
lover. "No." He prodded the chicken, sniffed it cautiously. Had he
over seasoned it? What was he missing? "Tell me!" He demanded
impatiently.
    A faint touch of white in the sink caught
his eye and he tipped his head, eyes widening in disbelief. The
white plastic bag of guts lay in the sink gently steaming. Oh fuck.
"I forgot to take the bag out."
    "I’m sorry." Ashton caught hold of him
again, pressing a soothing kiss to his cheek as panic rose, choking
him.
    "I…"
    "Does it matter? I wasn't sure if eating