Love Life & Circumstance (25 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

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Christ, his chest felt tight, and it had nothing to do with the barely there weight of his daughter resting on his chest, or the slight crush from Seth’s warm loving lips as they caressed his own. Elijah couldn’t breathe. The lump in his throat at hearing his little girl was ready to come home, threatened to send him right over the edge. Tears blighted his vision. He was glad of the chance to close his eyes and fall into Seth’s kiss. The flood gates on his emotions were about to crash open, and while Eli had no problem with crying like a girl in from of Seth or Rhett, it’d be a cold day in hell before the likes of Kris would see that side of him. Taking the chance to compose himself, Elijah sank into the sensual warmth of Seth’s kiss and refused to reply to the sarcastic banter from Rhett and Kris, offering them instead a flipped middle finger behind Seth’s back.

Elijah was unwilling to break the kiss, but the soft mewl from Hope dissolved any issue he felt toward Kris. Grinding his jaw to stop himself from wincing from the pain in his ribs, Elijah cradled his daughter in the palm of his hand and tried to focus on those huge, beautiful, baby blue eyes. His vision swam, and the fear of dropping Hope panicked him. Elijah tried to control himself, but his body belied the façade of his health. He shook uncontrollably and a fine layer of sweat broke out on his brow.

“Seth,” Elijah struggled to even speak. He was going to be sick again, and the last thing he wanted or needed was to hurl over his little girl with an audience looking on. Seth quickly took Hope while Rhett placed a strong arm under Eli’s arms to gently lift him up.  Pain tore through his ribs as he violently vomited into the bowl being held in front of him and brought tears to his eyes. Bright flashes of blinding light made Elijah grimace as pain pulsed in his head.

It was only supposed to be a concussion. Nothing he hadn’t gone through before, but this time, the injuries sustained from falling off the roof combined with his inability to control his body’s reactions to Hope, Seth, and the news of her homecoming proved too much and Elijah slipped reluctantly into the realm of unconsciousness. Seth’s panicked voice yelling his name was the last thing he heard.

Warm, sweet air tickled his face and roused Elijah’s mind from the depths of oblivion. Vivid dreams faded from his memory as the recognition of his surrounding began to filter through. Elijah inhaled the familiar sweet scent of Seth’s skin; the subtle aroma of the shampoo he used and relaxed at the accustomed feel of warmth that radiated between them. Hesitantly, Elijah cracked open his eyes. His head felt as though someone had used it as a punching bag, and his ribs ached worse than morning wood. But, for Elijah, it all paled into insignificance compared to the elation of waking up and finding Seth lying flush against his side. He slept with one leg gently placed over Eli’s thigh and snored softly in the dimly lit room.

Elijah didn’t want to wake Seth. He looked so peaceful where he lay with his head sharing Elijah’s pillow, and the fall of his hair obscuring the perfection of his delicately featured face. God, he was everything Eli wanted, and just the thought of how easily he could have lost it all by falling off that damned roof scared the ever living shit out of him. The fear of the unknown, of what lay lurking just around the corner waiting to take away everything you loved in life in the space of a heartbeat was a scenario in their lives Elijah didn’t want repeated.

He loved Seth, his soul mate. They connected in such a way that any time spent apart from each other seemed to cause him actual pain. Whether it was real or a figment of Eli’s imagination, he just wasn’t sure. But, as he lay there in the silent darkness of his hospital room, Elijah was sure of one thing. His feelings toward Seth grew deeper every day. He feared facing the inevitable if Seth refused to move north. Christ, the thought of all that distance between them was enough to make him curse.

“Hey, you’re awake. Are you ok?” Seth’s sleepy, soft drawl whispered across Eli’s face, and he turned to look at Seth.  His gaze collided with huge worried brown eyes.

“I think I’m awake. Why don’t you kiss me again so I know for sure?” Elijah murmured.

“I don’t know if I should. The last time I did that you passed out. I knew I was good but…fuck, Elijah, you scared the hell out of me. You went so pale and your eyes…I didn’t…” Seth’s words cut short as Elijah grabbed at Seth’s shirt and pulled the compliant male closer toward him.

“Get over here before I bust a lung. You wouldn’t deny me seems as I’m all broken up now would ya?” Elijah laid on the charm and bit back a wince of pain when he strained a little too hard in his want of a kiss. The fear in Seth’s eyes lightened somewhat and though his voice shook just a bit, he teased Eli.

“Easy there, big fella, or do you want that nurse to call in the doc and have them remove me?” Seth lips trembled as he forced a saucy smirk. Elijah nuzzled Seth’s neck with his nose, drawing in the delicious aroma of his warm skin before he nipped the small fleshy lobe of his ear.

“I’m okay baby. Relax,” he whispered before licking the shell of Seth’s ear and drawing a shiver from the other man. “I think the only thing that should be removed right now is your pants; way too many clothes for my liking. And, I am the patient. You’re supposed to be looking after ALL my needs.” Elijah growled against Seth’s neck. He took the man’s hand and rubbed it against the aching rod of his swollen cock. “I’m having a really hard time keeping this thing in check when you’re around. So, how about you kiss me somewhere else and relive me of at least one of my aches huh?” Elijah lifted his hips slightly and pressed the prominent swell of his sex hard against Seth’s soft palm. His breath hitched and his eyes fluttered shut as Seth took over and stroked down over the thickly ridged flesh. He moaned.

“Fuck Elijah, don’t you ever scare me like that again. If I lost you…” Seth’s expression still held fear and worry, and he ducked his head. Elijah hated that his own stupidity had caused Seth more grief. He tipped Seth’s face up to meet his and tenderly brushed away the strands of hair covering his eyes before leaning in to kiss him. Just a brush of his lips at first, in feather soft sweeps across the slightly parted swell of Seth’s inviting mouth.

“Hey, you ain’t ever gunna lose me, How could you when you own my heart? I love you, Seth Jacobs. Now, let’s see if your kisses are as good as I remember.” Eli’s challenge turned into a soft moan as Seth’s tongue sought entry. Elijah suckled on the sweet morsel of flesh. The kiss left him panting with need as Seth’s hand resumed its tentative infliction of long slow strokes on his engorged dick.

With one hand grasping the metal frame of his hospital bed, Elijah strained, convulsed and writhed beneath Seth’s touch. The feel of his hand fisting the girth of Eli’s cock and gliding up the wall of vital flesh sent fissures of pleasure mixed with pain screaming through Elijah’s brain. His hips bucked, and he pleaded with Seth in hot whispered pants of gasping need.

“Harder, faster…ohhhh. God. Seth!” His balls tightened and the addictive heat that foretold his release seared up through the tip of his weeping sex, spraying the sheet covering his bandaged ribs and coating Seth’s hand in a stream of thick, creamy hot seed. He sagged back into the bed, the euphoric buzz helping to ease the shockwaves of pain in his back and ribs to a dull roar. Exhausted, Elijah failed to protest when Seth disappeared into the bathroom and came back with a bowl of hot soapy water and progressed to clean him up. The soothing glide of Seth’s hands washing his cock and balls felt more than good. He closed his eyes for what felt like only a few seconds, content after Seth’s blissful ministrations.

Elijah felt as though his whole body had gone limp. The sensation of Seth sliding in beside him and the warmth of his skin pressed against Eli’s was like slipping in between freshly laundered sheets after a long day’s work. The comfort and ease of their love toward each other was like the familiar scent of coming home. Elijah smiled lazily as Seth kissed him and again draped his leg across Eli’s thigh.  As sleep finally took him and pulled him into the clutches of a dream, Elijah knew he’d found his one true soul mate. Seth was home and family and comfort and warmth. And, even if it took forever and a day, Elijah would win his heart and marry him in Maine.

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As the elevator doors swooshed open, Seth grasped the handles of the wheelchair and eased it gently over the threshold into the main lobby of the hospital. Behind him, Kris and Rhett brought up the rear with the diaper bag, formula and other baby paraphernalia issued to them by the nursery.  Through the sliding glass doors, his truck waited. The nurse at his side strode through first, and he followed with his precious cargo. His family.

Seated in the wheelchair, Elijah cradled Hope’s tiny form against his broad chest. When he glanced down, a grin split Seth’s face. “Bet this is a first for the hospital, new daddy in the wheelchair instead of mommy.” Elijah’s handsome face tilted up and elation shone in those gorgeous blue eyes.

“I’m surprised Ding and Dong back there didn’t call the newspaper, seems something they’d do.” He chuckled, and then winced as pain flitted across his face.

“Easy does it, Eli. Getting you into the truck’s going to be hard enough, let’s not strain yourself beforehand.” Seth used his weight to stop the forward momentum of the chair, and hit the brake on both tires. While Susan secured the car seat in the backseat of the Range Rover, Seth stowed the diaper bag and other items Rhett and Kris carried on the passenger side of the front seat. They’d decided last night that Eli would ride in the back seat to keep an eye on Hope. Neither of them liked the thought of her back there alone.

After Susan took Hope and placed her in the seat, Seth popped the brakes and rolled Elijah around to the other side. Several groans of pain and a few curses later, he settled Elijah next to Hope. Together, they watched carefully as Susan strapped Hope into the baby carrier and ensured all fastenings were secure.

Satisfied the little girl was strapped in correctly, Susan reached across and handed Elijah an envelope. “I printed copies of all of the pictures we took. We all wish you the best of luck, and we hope you enjoy the photos.” She sniffed and wiped at her eyes before moving back from the truck. “Okay guys, she’s all yours. Congratulations.” With a final watery smile and wave, she turned and headed back inside the hospital.

“Congrats, you two. Get that baby girl home.” Rhett stepped forward and one arm hugged Eli already seated in the truck and stuck a hand out to Seth. “Take care of them.” Seth nodded and shook the outstretched hand as Kris stepped forward. Seth’s eyebrows shot up when his best friend slid a possessive arm around Rhett’s waist.

“Never thought I’d see the day you settled down with a hubby and a baby, but damn that grin looks good on you,” he said, also offering Seth his hand. Seth grasped it and stepped forward to slap a hand against Kris’s shoulder in a man hug.

“I’m glad you guys were here for this, and as much as Eli and I love you, we gotta go.” When Eli chimed in his agreement, both men laughed.

“We’ll give ya a day or two before we barge in, but we’re coming to visit soon.” Kris promised as he shoved Seth’s door shut.  In the rearview mirror, Seth watched the two men exchange a quick kiss before splitting to go to their cars. His eyes shifted and met Elijah’s gaze.

“Looks like our best buds have something going on,” Elijah spoke first.

“Yeah, looks like it. Kris is a great guy for all the smart mouth he throws around. He must really like Rhett. He usually can’t stand to be away from Hot’Lanta this long. Things are too slow this far south.” Seth turned his attention to the road as he rounded the Circle.

“Good match then. Rhett’s always had big city dreams, but Daddy keeps him close to home. It’s gunna break the old man’s heart when Rhett finally tells him he doesn’t want to carry on the family business.” Elijah broad shoulders did the quick up down shrug. “Rhett’s refused to get his mortuary degree or his license so his father must suspect.”

“Does he know about Rhett? His sexual preference?” Seth asked.

“Who knows? My father apparently knew about me, and never said a word.” Elijah responded, voice low.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to bring up sad memories. We’re supposed to be celebrating. We’ve got our girl, and we’re going home.” Seth deliberately infused lightness into his voice.  The pained expression on Eli’s face tore at his heart.

“S’ok, Seth. No use walking on eggshells. We’ve got each other, we’ll be fine. Just get us home.”

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Several hours later, a mewling cry called Seth out of a deep sleep. All of the experts advised new parents to sleep when the baby slept, and he and Eli took that advice to heart. He sat up frowning when he didn’t find Elijah at his side, and then glanced toward the bassinet at the foot of the bed.  A webcam baby monitor perched on the edge.

“I’ve got her, Eli. We’ll be right out.” He spoke, knowing his voice would carry to Elijah through the monitor.  “Hey, precious girl, time for a bottle is it?” Seth cooed to the little one while checking her diaper. Dry. He scooped her up and headed for the kitchen. An empty kitchen.

The pre-made bottle went into the bottle warmer, and he waited, bouncing Hope against his chest. Through the kitchen window, he spied Elijah neck deep in the hot tub. Leaving the bottle to warm, he hurried back to Eli’s bedroom, lay Hope on the bed and slid of his jeans, socks and t-shirt. Clad in only his boxers, he scooped Hope back into his arms and wound his way back to the kitchen.  After he snagged the bottle, he stepped through the back door onto the screened back porch. Dusk was settling around them, and the soft glow of the porch lamp bathed Eli’s face.

“Mind if we join you?” he asked.

“Not at all,” Eli answered sliding up so his chest emerged from the steamy water. “But, it may be too hot for Hope.”

“You relax. I’ll sit on the edge and feed her. I’m sure the heat feels good to those sore ribs.” When Eli nodded and sank back beneath the water with a sigh, Seth eased himself into the tub. Strong hands caught his hips and directed his ass across Elijah’s lap. “Best seat in the house,” he joked leaning in to steal a kiss while being careful to keep Hope high on his chest. An agitated wail broke them apart.