Leonardo di Caprio is a Vampire (14 page)

"You're wrong, Fisher," she protested, "I always wanted you, don't you know that?"

"On your terms. You wanted me to be something I wasn't. You never saw who I really am, and I let you get away with it. But no more. I've learned a few things in the last day or so, about me and Hunter. It's made me realize how much I've always loved him, and wanted to have him love me back. I found out that he does love me. So now I have that chance that I always dreamed of, and I'm going to take it, Mom." His eyes glittered with tears, as he addressed her earnestly. "Can't you be happy for us, please? We're going to have a future together, a good one. We're going to make it happen."

"I love your son," Hunter interjected, "more than you can imagine. I'd do anything for him. Anything. Please don't push him away. He's still your son. He's quite a remarkable man and a very talented writer, if you'd only just see him as he is."

"Are you going to find another job?" she asked, directing her attention to Fisher, as if Hunter hadn't spoken. "I'm sure you can get on at some other magazine. They aren't the only one, after all. And you do have a journalism degree."

"A degree that you wanted, not me," Fisher interjected. "No, I don't want to. I'm tired of pretending that I like to write articles, when what I really want to do is write novels. Maybe short stories. I don't know. But I'm going to find out. Hunter's going to give me that chance. He kept my book, when you told me to get rid of it. He saved it for me, 'cause he believes in me. He loves me, Mom, can't you please accept that?" His voice was on the verge of cracking, the tears far too close to the surface for comfort.

"Mrs Roberts, please," Hunter said softly.

Fisher felt him squeeze his hand, as he fought back the panic attack he was sure was coming. Not now, not now, he prayed beneath his breath, attempting to hold on.

"I can go," Hunter offered, "if you'd like to talk to Fisher alone." He made as if to rise, but Fisher clung, refusing to let him up.

"No!" he said, in a firm voice. "If she has something to say, let her say it to both of us. Together. That's the way it's going to be from now on, Mom. Get used to it."

"Fisher… "

He saw with some surprise that her eyes seemed to be wet. He didn't remember ever seeing his mother cry before. "Fisher, I do love you. I always have. Everything I've ever done has been for you, surely you realize that?"

He couldn't help but nod, hearing the sincerity in her voice. But he wasn't going to budge on this. He heard her sigh softly.

"I just want you to be happy, Fisher. That's all."

"I am happy, Mom, happier than I've ever been in my whole life. Incredibly happy. Hunter makes me happy. He always has, but I've been too scared to accept my feelings for him, for what they are. I'm not scared anymore, Mom. I love him. Please accept us for who we are. Please." He knew he probably sounded like he was begging, and maybe he was, but he did love his mother and he didn't want to lose her any more than she wanted to lose him. At the same time, he also wasn't willing to compromise on this. It was far too important to him.

His mother sat in silence. He could hear the seconds ticking away between them, maddeningly, before she finally drew a deep breath and sighed. "Fisher, I'm not perfect, I know. But I do what I can, and I try. And I've always tried to give you everything I could, to raise you as well as I could by myself. Maybe some of the choices I made weren't always the best ones, but they were done with the best of intentions." She turned her gaze on Hunter. "I knew he loved you, even before he told me. I do know my son, contrary to popular opinion. I guess I hoped he would outgrow you, Hunter. Get married, have kids, like normal boys do."

Fisher glared at his mother, and she held up one hand in apology.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I spoke without thinking. But in my own defense, it's how I was raised. It's not easy to change how you think about something. Or someone. But no, that doesn't make it right, I know. I haven't thought highly of you before, Hunter, I admit it. I thought you were the worst thing that ever happened to my son, even though I considered your mother a friend, and still do. I hated when you bought this house together. I even hated how you went to the prom together, even if you didn't call it that. But I knew. I could see it when the two of you turned up in the same damn suit, looking so pleased with yourselves. And then when you stayed out all night. The funny thing was that I wasn't even really worried, because I knew you were together. Even if I didn't like that you were together, I just knew Hunter wouldn't let anything happen to you, Fisher. I could see he was good for that much." She sighed again, pushed her glasses a little higher up the bridge of her nose, swiping at the tears which were falling.

"Mom…" Fisher's own tears overflowed his eyes, running down his cheeks.

"I'll try," she said, "that's all I can do. But I do promise to try. Just don't cut me out of your life, please, Fisher. I couldn't bear it if I lost you. You're all I have." Her voice quavered uncertainly, a note Fisher had never heard before.

"You have me too," Hunter said softly. "You haven't lost a son, you've gained a daughter," he quipped. That produced a slight smile. "Okay, a second son, then," he amended, with a smile.

"Thank you," she said. Rising from her seat, she moved toward her son, who also rose, and they met in the middle of the room in a heartfelt embrace. Nothing was said as they held one another. Fisher removed one arm, held it toward his lover, and Hunter joined them in what was now a group hug. Mrs Roberts was the first to break free. Sniffling, she reached for her purse, which sat next to the chair.

"You know, Hunter, if I were a few years younger, I might give my son a run for his money," she teased them unexpectedly.

"Mom!" Fisher's mouth dropped open in surprise. Hunter just laughed.

"Fisher, I may be your mother, but I'm not dead," she said, winking at him. "I can see how handsome he is. Almost as handsome as you," and she kissed her son on the cheek, smiling when he blushed.

"All right, gentlemen, I'm going to go. I didn't mean to disrupt your evening. I was just concerned about you, Fisher." She moved toward the door, and they followed her.

"I was going to call you, Mom, honest, I just… "

"I know, I really do understand." She managed a small smile, standing in the open doorway. She took Fisher's face between her hands, looking deep into his eyes. "I can see it," she said, "I can really see it. It's in there. Your happiness. I am happy for you." She released him with a kiss upon his cheek, before she turned to Hunter. "Thank you for that," she said, "for that look in my son's eyes." And she surprised them both by kissing Hunter's cheek, before she took her leave of them.

Once Fisher's mother was back in her car and on her way, Holly approached them where they still stood, in the doorway, together. She looked from one to another.

"Was that as bad as I think it was?"

Fisher shook his head. "No, not really. Could have been worse, don't you think?" He looked toward Hunter for corroboration.

"Much worse," Hunter agreed. He slid his arm about Fisher's waist. Fisher leaned in to him. Holly sighed at the sight.

"You two are too much… I think I'll go home and read a romance novel before I go to bed. Suddenly I'm in the mood for love." She winked at them. "Or maybe I'll just write one. And let you two star in it." She laughed, ducking quickly before Fisher's well-aimed punch even began to connect with her shoulder.

"Okay, I'm outta here," she laughed. "I'll talk to you tomorrow and you can tell me about everything else then." She pretended to yawn, fooling no one. "I'm too tired to listen now." She gave each of them a peck on the cheek, before removing herself to her car, waving through the window until she was out of sight.

Hunter's arms were so warm and comfortable, Fisher didn't want to move, but he knew they had to. It was getting late, and besides, standing here wouldn't be comfortable all that long. Not like sitting on the couch. Or lying in their bed. Fisher blushed at his own thoughts.

"We should clean up the yard for the night, I think," he suggested. Hunter readily agreed, and they broke apart, temporarily, in order to do so. They carried in the candy that was left in the cauldron, and the TV tray, the cooler with the remaining soda, which Hunter was quick to put into the refrigerator so it wouldn't get warm. They folded up the lawn chairs, brought Lady Madeline into the house and fed her, before returning to the yard once more. The cemetery and all the Halloween decorations would stay where they were for least another week or so. All that remained to be done was to blow out the luminaries, and the jack-o'-lantern. They would remain where they were too. No one would bother them.

Fisher took one side of the walk, Hunter the other; together they blew out the tea lights in the glowing luminaries, one by one. They came to the end, where the jack-o'-lantern sat in solitary splendor. A quick breath put an end to his nightly reign.

"Hunter?"

"Hmmmmm?"

"Next year, will you show me how to make one of those?"

"Sure, baby." Hunter smiled, drawing his lover to him for a kiss. They stood together, lost in the moment, until the sound of a car engine in the distance brought them back to reality.

"Ready for bed?" Fisher asked, as he stretched and feigned a yawn.

Hunter shook his head and chuckled. "I know what you really want, and it isn't sleep."

"It's not, Mister Know-it-all?" Fisher pretended indignation.

"No, it isn't, Mister Know-nothing." He laughed and moved beyond Fisher's reach, as Fisher pretended to lunge at him, laughing. That lasted all of a minute, before he put his arm about Fisher, and they began to walk toward the house.

"Tell me what it is I really want, if you're so wise," Fisher riposted, trying not to smile.

"Me, of course."

"Because you're so irresistible?"

"Yes, and incredibly sexy, too."

Fisher laughed, unable to keep up the charade. "And just a bit full of yourself, don't you think?"

"Maybe," Hunter hedged, "and maybe I'd rather be full of you?"

Fisher blushed, but didn't deny the attraction in that idea. "What about dinner?"

"Dinner? Dinner?" Hunter scoffed. "Who needs stinkin' dinner? Besides, I've been watching you eat candy all night. I think you need to burn off some excess energy."

"Oh you do, do you? How do you propose I do that?" Fisher asked, with a knowing smirk.

"I think you'll find a way." They walked into the house, closing the door firmly behind them, turning off the outside light.

Then they raced to the bedroom, laughing all the way.

THE END

 ***

About the Author

Julie Lynn Hayes has lived in St Louis for most of her life. She currently resides with her twenty year old daughter, and two felines, who are under the mistaken impression that the house belongs to them. Writing is her passion and she is happy to share it with her readers. Besides writing fiction, she is on the staff of two local conventions—BishieCon and KawaKon—and in 2012, EctoCon.

Julie Lynn Hayes is a dreamer of dreams, a lover of life; a believer in justice for all. A lifelong resident of the St. Louis area, she lives with her youngest daughter Sarah and two cats, writing and reviewing and working to see that gay marriage becomes a reality in her lifetime. She would love to hear from her readers, and welcomes all comments.

She has a website which is an ongoing WIP, as well as a blog. She would love to hear from anyone who cares to write her.

Webpage:

www.julielynnhayes.com

Blog:

www.julielynnhayes.blogspot.com

Email:

[email protected]

Also by Julie Lynn Hayes

Available at Silver Publishing:

A Special Christmas

Leonardo di Caprio is a Vampire

TO THE MAX

For Love of Max
(June 4)

Writing with S.L. Danielson

My Fair Vampire (coming in October)

Available at All Romance Ebooks:

Lawn Boy

Sex on the Beach

TO THE MAX

To the Max

Available at Dreamspinner Press:

The Prince Wore Pink Stilettos

Sweet Dreams, My Love

TO THE MAX

To the Max

Available at Wicked Nights:

CAPTIVATIONS (monthly serial)

Captivations

All That Jazz

To Err is Human

Sins of the Past

Defender of the Faith

End of Night

FORBIDDEN (monthly serial)

Sanctum (coming May 27)

Other Titles by Julie Lynn Hayes

Sex on the Beach Christmas Style

Writing as Reinette

DARK LOVE

Dark Love