Love Comes Silently(Senses 1) (21 page)

“Yes, he did,” Julianne stage-whispered from beside him, and Patrick threw her a quick annoyed look, but Ken knew she was telling the truth.

Never in Ken’s memory had anyone been as selfless and caring as Patrick. Ken took another step forward, cupping Patrick’s cheeks in his hands before bringing their lips together in a kiss Ken felt from his lips to the tips of his toes. “I love you too,” Ken whispered softly, making sure those words were for Patrick only. Ken had suddenly realized that all of this, and everything that Patrick had done, was a reflection of Patrick’s feelings for him and for Hanna.

Patrick smiled, and the touch of anxiety Ken had seen in Patrick’s eyes shifted to pure, outright joy. Before he knew what was happening, Ken had been pulled in to a hug that nearly took his breath away. When he shifted his head so he could peer into Patrick’s eyes, he was once again kissed within an inch of his life.

“Um, you’re putting on a bit of a show,” Julianne stagewhispered from behind him, and Ken smiled against Patrick’s lips as their kiss gentled and ended. Ken grinned and stepped away, but not too far, as Patrick wound his arm around Ken’s waist. “So,” Julianne announced, “this is a party, and there are Christmas cookies on the porch, along with eggnog and punch. We also have plenty of munchies, and if I’m not mistaken, I understand that Santa Claus has been asked if he would come down from the North Pole for a little while.” Julianne looked at the group of kids, and a cry of excitement filled the evening, with some of the younger ones jumping up and down, Hanna among them.

Christmas music began to play, and people talked as the party commenced. For the next hour, people ate, talked, and laughed. The kids played on the front lawn, with some of them peering up and down the street every few minutes, looking for Santa.

“I’m Wanda, and this is my husband Greg,” an older woman whom Ken had seen walking her dogs through the neighborhood told him. “We live on the corner, and if you need anything, please let us know. Our son had cancer when he was young. We were lucky, though, just like you will be with your Hanna.”

Wanda nodded understandingly. “Yes. It was like that for us too. But it looks like you aren’t alone,” she added with a smile to Patrick, “and that’s what counts.” A cry of delight went up from the children, and Ken looked around, wondering what was going to happen next. “They thought of everything,” Wanda said as Julianne came through the group carrying a box.

“Santa can’t come unless we get the tree decorated,” she called out as she set down the box near the tree, and all the kids gathered around. Julianne opened it and began pulling out candy canes, lollipops, and all kinds of wrapped candy ornaments. Ken had no idea where she’d gotten them, but she began handing them out, and the kids started placing them on the tree.

Ken watched as Hanna took her turn, and as she approached the tree, Ken lifted her off her feet and she placed her candy cane high on the tree. Julianne handed her another, and she had a ball placing ornament after ornament. Other parents did the same, and soon the tree was covered in candy that had every child’s eyes boggling.

“There’s something coming down the street,” one of the parents called, and everyone turned to watch a red convertible park in front of the house, with Santa behind the wheel.

“Merry Christmas,” he called, and the kids went nuts. Santa opened his door and got out of the car, lifting a bag from the backseat before hefting it over his shoulder. He stepped partway up the walk and looked around. Ken had no idea who was in the suit, but to Hanna, along with every other kid there, this was Santa Claus. “So I understand you’ve all been good boys and girls,” Santa said, and every youngster said “yes” almost in unison. Julianne brought one of the chairs out onto the lawn, and Santa took a seat while the kids all lined up for their chance to see Santa.

“I know exactly what I want from Santa,” Ken said as he turned to Patrick. “And I don’t think it’s in that bag.” Ken smiled, and he saw Patrick leer back and then felt Patrick tighten the hold around his waist. They wandered out onto the lawn, and Ken leaned against Patrick as Hanna slowly climbed onto Santa’s lap. He saw them talking softly, and then Santa reached into his bag and rummaged before coming out with a wrapped present that he handed to Hanna. She took it tentatively, and Santa helped her to her feet. Ken saw her walk toward them. “What have you got?” Ken asked, and Hanna sat on the grass and carefully began to unwrap what looked like a shoebox. Once the paper was gone, Hanna carefully opened the box and lifted out a wooden doll cradle.

Ken knew instantly who’d made it, and as he watched all the children open their boxes, Ken realized that Patrick had made each of the gifts. There were wooden airplanes and trucks, marionettes, and for Todd, a rocking horse. The toys were beautiful, and Ken knew each of them had been made with love. As he stood with Patrick on his lawn, Ken could feel that love all around him, and for the first time in quite a while, he was able to let go of his worries and fear and relax just a bit.

The guests talked and the children played on the lawn in the glow of all the Christmas lights. Eventually, people began to drift away, saying good night, waving, and wishing each other a Merry Christmas. Santa had left after giving out the gifts, waving from his convertible. With the party quieting, Ken took Hanna inside and put her to bed, but not until she’d placed one of her dolls in her cradle.

“Thank you,” Ken said to Julianne when he rejoined the small party still talking on the porch. “I can’t believe all of you did this.”

“It was all Patrick’s idea,” Julianne explained as she wrapped up the last of the food. One by one, the lights on the various houses had blinked out, and now just a few homes were still lit. She bumped Patrick’s arm as she lifted a box to carry it to her car. There was another one, and Ken picked it up and followed her out. “That’s the last of it,” she said after Ken placed the box in her trunk, and she shut the lid. Patrick wandered down and gave her a hug.

“Good night and thank you again,” Ken said as he and then Patrick were each hugged. Julianne then retrieved an already sleeping Todd from the love seat on the porch and got him into the car. With a good-bye and a wave, she drove away.

Ken and Patrick wandered back up to the porch. The chairs were back where they belonged. The candy had been picked clean off the tree by the kids, so there was very little cleanup. Even all the wrapping paper was in trash bags, sitting by the curb. Ken sat in one of the chairs, and Patrick motioned for him to wait there before rushing down the stairs. Ken watched as Patrick hurried to his house, and he saw the lights blink out.

In the darkness, Ken saw Patrick walk back across the yards until he climbed onto the porch and stood directly in front of him. “I can’t believe you did all this,” Ken began, motioning around him, “and I can’t believe you never said how you felt.”

“I know,” Ken paused, “I didn’t say anything either and I probably should have. But you’re not exactly the most forthcoming person, you know.” Patrick leaned closer. “I think we need to learn to communicate with each other better.” Patrick moved even closer, and Ken held still, his gaze meeting Patrick’s. “Maybe if I’d had all the facts, I could have—”

Patrick’s lips met his, and Ken forgot all about talking. Wrapping his arms around Patrick’s neck, Ken held him close as their lips and tongues dueled and sparred in the glow of the Christmas lights. Ken moaned softly from deep in his chest, and Patrick deepened the kiss, his firm lips taking Ken to heaven. Patrick’s heady, male flavor ripped through Ken as he returned each kiss. Patrick’s teeth lightly scraped his bottom lip, and Ken growled, tightening the griparound Patrick’s neck in case he dared try to pull away.

“I do love you,” Ken said softly when the kiss ended, leaving them both breathless. He kept his arms around Patrick’s neck and saw Patrick smile, his expressive eyes with the crinkle just around the edges telling Ken everything he needed to know. He’d seen that look many times over the past few months, mostly when Patrick didn’t know he was looking, but what Ken wanted to know was why he understood it so fully now. Maybe he was looking for it—and hoping for it—now. Or maybe he’d been too self-absorbed and had almost let his single-minded focus on Hanna get in the way of love.

Patrick must have seen the confusion in Ken’s eyes, because he shook his head. Searching around him, Patrick found a napkin and pulled a pen from his pocket. “
You had to take care of Hanna, and at the time that was what was important. I didn’t let you see how I felt because that would have interfered with what was more important
.” Patrick grabbed another red napkin, after handing Ken the first. “
Hanna was what was important, not you and not me
.”

“
Everything
,” Patrick wrote. “
I think I sort of realized that we were all important and that if I wanted to be a part of both your life and Hanna’s life, then I better say something. And I do. More than anything
.”

Ken added the napkin to the others. Then he stood up and tugged Patrick to him for another kiss. “Sometimes I think Hanna’s the smart one. She’s known you’ve been a member of our family for months now. There isn’t a day goes by that she doesn’t ask when Uncle Patrick is going to come see her. In the hospital, the highlight of her day—both our days,” Ken corrected, “was when you came to visit.”

“Yes,” Ken said, answering the unspoken question. Patrick reached for another napkin, and Ken touched his hand to stop him. “You don’t ever have to write the three important words.” Patrick tilted his head to the side, and Ken read the expression with ease. “I knew because you have that look again. You don’t have to write it because you’ve already said it in so many ways.” Ken stood up and took Patrick’s hand. “I think it’s time we both expressed what we’re feeling.” Ken moved close enough that he could feel Patrick’s body heat. “There are times when words are definitely overrated, and I think this is going to turn into one of those times.” Patrick nodded slowly and then stepped away. At the corner of Ken’s porch, he picked up a cord and pulled the plug, plunging them into darkness as the tiny colored lights went out. Then Patrick took Ken’s hand and led him inside.

The front door closed behind them, and Patrick continued leading them through the nearly dark house. The stairs loomed in front ofthem, and Patrick slowly began to climb, the risers creaking slightly beneath their footsteps. At the top of the stairs, Ken heard a sound from Hanna’s room. Pushing open the door, he peered inside. She’d tugged off her hat and it rested on the floor. Ken came closer and saw that she’d shifted. He lightly touched her forehead, but she seemed cool and was soft to the touch. After repositioning the covers over her, Ken looked at her once again before leaving the room.

Patrick had waited in the hallway, and h e took Ken’s hand once again, leading him to the bedroom. Inside, Patrick quietly closed the door, and Ken stripped off his shirt, shoes, and socks, watching in the dimness as Patrick did the same. He knew the man in front of him, and Ken closed his eyes, placing his hands on Patrick’s chest. He knew him and he knew his heart. Ken could feel it beating quickly in Patrick’s chest, and he moved still closer, his hands sliding along Patrick’s skin and around to his back. Their lips met again, and Ken held Patrick close, tilting his head into Patrick slightly.

As they kissed, Ken felt Patrick work open his belt, and moments later, his pants slid down his legs. Ken stepped out of them and felt Patrick step out of his. Then he was moving backward, Patrick’s lips propelling him back toward the bed. The back of his legs hit the side of the mattress, and Ken was guided down into the bed. Ken felt Patrick climb on the bed, and his head began to spin as Patrick’s naked flesh met his, chest to chest, the coarse hair on Patrick’s legs tickling Ken’s as their legs entwined. The roughness felt incredible, as did the way Patrick’s hips fit with Ken’s. They both slowed their pace, drawing out the kisses and deepening them at the same time. Ken grasped at Patrick’s back, stroking his warm, sexy skin as he tightened his grip. He had no intention of letting Patrick go.

Ken shuddered as Patrick shifted above him, lips and tongue working the base of his neck. Patrick found that special spot, and Ken moaned softly, vibrating on the mattress as Patrick worked his skin. “I love you, Patrick,” Ken whispered, and Patrick kissed any remaining words away before slithering down his body. Ken arched his back, hissing softly as Patrick sucked his nipples, lightly scraping the skin. Ken loved it, and he carded his fingers through Patrick’s hair, pressing his face to his skin to increase the sensation. Patrick was addictive, and Ken needed to get as much of him as possible. “God,” Ken groaned, and he felt Patrick smile against his skin.

Patrick s lid further down his body, kissing and licking his skin. Patrick lightly tickled him with a fingertip, and it took Ken a second before he realized that Patrick was writing on his skin. Ken concentrated on what Patrick was doing, and he realized Patrick was slowly writing “I love you” on his chest. When he’d first met Patrick, Ken had wondered how he could effectively communicate, but he had quickly learned that Patrick was incredibly expressive and that he usually managed to get his point across. This was another amazing example. Ken took Patrick’s hand in his, bringing it to his lips before kissing Patrick’s fingers. “I love you too, and I’ll feel that for a long time. You wrote your feelings on my heart, and I’ll carry them there always.”

Patrick nodded, and Ken saw the smile threaten to burst on Patrick’s lips. After releasing Patrick’s hand, Ken cupped Patrick’s cheeks and brought their lips together. Ken knew they had all night, and he intended to make advantage of it. If neither of them slept a wink, that was fine with him. He was loved. Patrick loved him, and that was all that mattered at the moment.