Overboard (20 page)

S
ebastian returned
to work after a quick bite for lunch. He still felt like he was in the way most of the time he helped on their construction sites, but he really didn’t have much else to do during the early stages of a project.

Under normal circumstances, they wouldn’t start actively looking for their next project for a couple of weeks. They liked having time off between projects to take vacations. But this time they had already had a big project lined up right after the current one.

Sebastian had just won the bid for construction of a high-end condo complex downtown. That was the second one of the year for them. Business was really booming.

He still preferred the days when he got to do some actual labor. It still felt more real than schmoozing with people over business lunches.

He picked up a sheet of drywall and set it into position against the wall.

He had forgotten to take off his wedding ring. He knew he should leave it at home on construction days, but he hated leaving it off for longer than necessary. He normally left it in the glovebox, but had forgotten to do so today. After shoving the ring into his pocket, he made sure he had drywall screws in the pouch tied to his waist.

What a crazy day that wedding it had been.

Sebastian had gotten shy and nervous and had forgotten his lines. Duncan, holding Sebastian’s hands in his own, had shaken his husband-to-be’s hands to get his attention and then whispered the words to him.

They had both cried during half of the ceremony and had twice made each other laugh.

Edith and Emil had danced on a table at one point. Sebastian and Duncan had ended up in a hot tub in their suits before the night was over.

What had they been thinking getting married that soon?

But after all these years, they still found new ways to love each other almost every day.

“Uncle Sebastian!”

Sebastian set down the drywall just in time for the small girl to jump into his arms.

“What’s up, small fry?”

“Lily. My name is Lily. Momma said to ask you when the house is going to be done because Momma says when she asks, you only tell her lies.”

Sebastian laughed. “Does she now? Well, you tell her what I always tell her. Two weeks. Hey, let’s go see what’s new in your bedroom.”

Lily grabbed Sebastian’s hand and let him lead her through the chaos of her new house.

It was a busy day. Several subcontractors were busy all over the house. Duncan roamed from room to room barking orders at everyone. Duncan always pushed the crew to stay on schedule, but he had seemed even more commanding on this project for his sister.

Sebastian always ended up hot and bothered when he watched Duncan take control. The man was sexy when he knew all the details of everything happening around him. Sebastian had no idea how he juggled so many things at once.

Sebastian was lucky to have such an amazing man.

Duncan gave him a quick peck on the cheek as he hurried past to remind someone of a task they had forgotten.

Sebastian savored the little peck. No matter how busy Duncan got, he still made time for Sebastian.

“That’s all?” Lily asked when they got to her room.

“Yeah, small fry. The big change is when they put the drywall up. That should be tomorrow in this room, I think. We’ll have to ask Uncle Duncan.”

“Okay. I’ll tell Momma we have to come back tomorrow.”

“If you get here in time, I’ll let you do some of the screws. Then you’ll be able to tell people that you built your own room.”

Lily’s eyes got wide. “For real?”

“Absolutely. How much do you charge for that kind of work?”

“One candy bar.”

Sebastian heard Katey’s high heels coming down the hall.

“Deal. But we’ll make Uncle Duncan buy the candy bar. He always buys the biggest ones. I’m too afraid of your mom to get you those.”

“What are you two scheming?” she asked, running her hands through Lilly’s tangled hair.

“Can we come back tomorrow? I’m going to do work and earn a candy bar,” Lily said, all in one breath.

“Is Uncle Sebastian going to be showing you?”

“Uh huh.”

“Since when did he start doing real work?” a man said, walking up behind Katey and wrapping her in his arms.

Sebastian loved Martin. He was such a great husband and father. And he made the best homemade beer.

“Guilty as charged.”

“I’m just kidding, man. Duncan was just showing me what you did in the other room. You’re getting as good as any of those other guys.”

Martin patted Sebastian on the shoulder. It felt great to have a husband who liked to brag about him. It made him blush, but it felt great.

“Hon, we’ve got a problem,” Martin told Katey. “The babysitter cancelled. I think we’re going to miss the concert.”

Duncan walked into the room, stretched his back, and kissed Sebastian.

“Duncan and I would love to have her,” Sebastian said, “Saturday, right?”

Martin looked at his wife. “We couldn’t impose on such short notice.”

Sebastian started to say it wouldn’t be a problem before Duncan interrupted, “You know how he is with Lily. He’s just going to keep at it until you say yes, so just get it over with. We’d love to have her over again.”

“Yay!” Lily screamed. She started running circles around everyone.

Katey rolled her eyes. “I guess that’s our cue to head home before she breaks something.”

“We’re ready, too, actually,” Duncan said. “There’s just a little cleanup left for tonight. Marcus is going to lock up afterward.”

Standing next to her car, Katey said, “You guys really are a great team. It’s so cool that I’m going to be able to live in a house that you guys built.”

Duncan and Sebastian piled into Duncan’s pickup. He still drove his old beater despite Sebastian’s pleas for something newer. They could easily afford it now, and with their own money. Sebastian had cut up his dad’s credit cards right after the cruise. It had been hard for a year while they got themselves and the business organized, but it had been worth it.

Now they were totally self-reliant. Well, reliant on each other. They even had a decent nest egg in the bank. Everything Sebastian and Duncan had, they had earned without anyone else’s help.

Duncan had refused to get rid of the truck until it died, though. He said it reminded him of how rough things had been when he was alone and how great things were now that he had Sebastian.

How could Sebastian push too hard to get rid of the truck after hearing that?

Exhausted, the two men climbed into bed after dinner and a quick shower. Sebastian cuddled against Duncan, playing with his chest hair.

He was starting to doze off when he heard Duncan say, “I’ve been thinking.”

“Hmm. Something about the house?”

“No. Lily.”

“Are you mad that I invited her over without asking?”

Duncan shook his head. “No. Of course not. I love Lily, and Katey and Martin deserve a night off from time to time. I love watching you with her. She’s bonded with you so tightly.”

Sebastian glowed at the words.

Until meeting Duncan he had hated children, but had never really bothered spending time around them.

When Lily was born, it had been love at first sight.

“You’re great with her, too. But I don’t understand. You were thinking about something? You thinking of taking her somewhere fun for the day?”

“Sure. Whatever. I’m not talking about Lily. I’m talking about us.”

“You’re not making any sense, honey. You’re working too hard. We should take a break before the next...”

“Let’s adopt a baby,” Duncan blurted out. “There. Finally said it. We should have our own kid.”

Sebastian sat up.

They had talked about having kids in the past. They both agreed that they wanted a couple of kids someday. But unlike the swiftness of their decision to get married, they both seemed hesitant this time to pick a date.

“Are you sure? What about work? When will we have the time?”

But the hook had been set. Sebastian wanted their baby as soon as possible.

“I’m sure. We’ll scale back at work. The business is doing so well. We can outsource more of our responsibilities. Like Marcus. He’s been doing great. He’s ready for the next step. Let’s do this. We’ll make it work. What do you think?”

“Yes. Why are we still talking about this? We’ll start wading through all the—”

“Well, I already found a place. It’ll still be a process and take several months at the best, but I’ve done a bunch of research. I wanted to make sure I was ready before bringing it up.”

Duncan was unbelievable. He had taken care of a lot of the research and initial paperwork that Sebastian would have fretted over for months.

Sebastian kissed his perfect man.

“I’m so excited we’ll be doing this together. You and me.”

“And our new baby,” Duncan replied.

Sebastian lay down again, but there was no way sleep would be coming any time soon.

After a few minutes, he said, “So, I’m pretty wired.”

“Mmhmm,” Duncan moaned, half asleep.

“I was doing some thinking of my own.”

“Oh yeah.”

“What do you say we make love to mark the occasion of deciding to start our family?”

Duncan rolled onto Sebastian.

“I love the way you think, Sebastian Walker.”

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