Trainwreck - A Very Guilty Pleasure - 10. Trainwreck: Epilogue

Christmas, the following year.

Ben and Frank lay in their bed together, warm in the afterglow of lovemaking. Ben dozed contentedly on Frank’s muscular shoulder, while Frank lay with his eyes closed, his arm holding his lover close.

"Bennie."

"Mmm, yep?" Ben’s hand moved down his man’s chest and abs.

Frank grunted and briefly enjoyed Ben’s silent demand for more. "Okay, just stop that."

"What?"

"That. I need to talk to you." Frank grinned. "Don’t play innocent with me!"

Ben sighed. He left his hand on Frank’s abs. "Okay. So, what do we need to talk about?" He allowed his eyes to close.

"Last year, remember? Our first time together. You asked me a question."

"Okay." Ben opened his eyes, held his breath and removed his hand. Oh god. I remember the question and his answer. He’s been happy, I’m sure of it. Why is he bringing this up?

Frank felt Ben’s body tense. He’s afraid. The bigger man pulled Ben’s slim body closer. "Bennie, I know the answer to that question now."

Ben struggled to pull away. "Please don’t say it.I don’t think I can handle this, Frank."

Shit, he really is afraid. Fuck. "Bennie, stop. Listen to me." Frank didn’t release his partner. "Listen, please."

Giving in to Frank’s strength, Ben lay still in his arms. "Fine. Do it then." Tell me it was great, but … that I am not what you need.

"This past year has been amazing. You … are amazing." Frank raised himself onto his elbow, gently laying Ben flat.

They stared at each other.

Frank smiled and said softly, "Ben, the answer to that question you asked, is yes, you are enough for me. You always will be more than enough for me. So, if I am enough for you … marry me. Please."

Tears of both relief and love welled in Ben’s eyes as he reached for Frank. He whispered, "Yes. Yes, yes."

Frank leaned down and tenderly kissed his man. Tender pecks soon became passionate as the two made love again.

Later, after finally showering and dressing, the pair made their breakfast and coffee in companionable silence. They sat at the breakfast bar, ate and sipped from their steaming mugs. Frank looked down a list, with pencil in hand.

"So, what all do we need to pick up?" Ben asked. He was glad to think of mundane things, but the fact Frank had asked him to be his husband slipped constantly into his thoughts. He smiled.

"Those big shrimp, fresh pizza dough, toppings. Wine, eggnog, and spiced rum." Frank went over their party prep list.

"Everything, then?"

"Yes." Frank snickered. "Hey, but at least the house is cleaned and the spare room made up." Frank crossed those things off the list. "How about we add fresh bagels for the next morning?"

"Yeah, that sounds good."

"Okay then, Bennie. We have our mission. Let’s go get it done!"

While they shopped in Port Joy, Frank impulsively pulled Ben into the local jewelers.

The woman behind the counter smiled at them. "Can I help you?"

Frank walked to the counter. "Yes, I’m looking for something in stock. This is so unplanned."

She smiled. "Okay ..."

"Um, I need two slim gold rings … we just got engaged." Frank held his hand out to Ben, who took it.

"That’s wonderful. Congratulations! Let me show you what we have … "

&&&

The food prep was nearly all done. Frank had gone to rest, and while he napped, Ben showered and then dressed. Every few minutes, he stopped to look at the ring he wore.

It means so much. Ben turned it. They’d picked a ring, each for the other. The saleslady was so kind. She was into it as much as we were.

Ben stood in the kitchen, slicing onions and other toppings for their fresh pizzas. The shrimp had been boiled with lemon, garlic and bay leaves. A spicy horseradish sauce was prepped and a cheese platter sat covered, in the fridge.

Now awake, Frank entered the kitchen. He carried in several bottles of wine and put them into the small wine rack. Then he stood beside his busy partner and kissed his cheek. "You okay, fiancé?"

"I am. Are you?"

"Yep." Frank glanced up at the kitchen clock. "They’ll be here shortly." Gently, he took the knife from Ben’s hand. He pulled his husband-to-be into his arms. "I love you."

Ben leaned against his man, slipping his arms around Frank’s waist. He allowed his eyes to close as he drew in Frank’s scent. "I love you too."

"Those words are what I’ve dreamed of you saying." Frank kissed Ben’s cheek and smiled as they held one another. "Okay, this is nice, but … but what else needs doing while you finish chopping?"

"I keep hoping this isn’t a dream." Ben returned the kiss and chuckled. "Can you unbag the salad? It’s all washed and ready to go."

"It’s no dream, that fresh salad is reality!” The pair laughed.

Frank grinned. “But seriously, when you feel that, remember your ring. It’s a reminder."

Ben sighed happily. “I’ll remember.”

Together, they put out the food and drinks onto the dining room table, buffet style. Ben took Frank’s hand. "Table looks nice. I love the mini tree and lights."

Frank kissed Ben. "I love you."

At that moment, the doorbell rang. They walked to the vestibule, where Ben pulled the door open, and smiled at their guests, Ike and Devin. "Hey, come on in you two."

Hugs were traded, coats hung up. The four men settled in the living room, and Frank offered drinks.

"Okay, two eggnog with that spiced rum for Ben and Dev … Ike? A beer, wine?"

"I shouldn’t, I’m driving."

"No, you’re not. You guys are staying. So, relax and have a drink."

Frank watched Ike glance at his boyfriend. He’s so different with Devin.

"You okay with that, Dev?"

Devin smiled and nodded. "Yeah, let’s just enjoy ourselves, babe."

Grinning broadly, Ike said to Frank, "Beer, please."

"On the way." Frank disappeared into the kitchen. We’d have either fought about that, or one of us would have sulked. Ike and Dev obviously have an understanding of each other. I’m glad I can honestly say, I’m happy for them.

"Okay, Ben." Ike eyed the tall writer. "Who was responsible for that latest scene in the soap? The one with Stella and the baby?"

Before he could answer, Devin exclaimed, "Yes! Oh man, her lording Lupe's baby over him was too much! These cliffhangers at the end of every episode are killing us!"

Ben grinned savagely. "Does that mean you'll watch again on Friday?"

"Yes, you bastards."

"Then we're doing our job!" Ben laughed as Devin shook his head.

Ike settled on the sofa, while Devin joined Ben near the seven-foot tree. "It’s beautiful, your tree." Devin watched the softly twinkling lights.

Ben slipped an arm around his ex-husband. "Thanks. Did you guys decorate?"

Devin leaned against Ben. "Yeah, we did. Ike likes Christmas. We’re going over to his parents this year. They’re really nice." Devin hugged him. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, Dev. I am really, really good. Happy."

"Things ended up okay, didn’t they, Ben?"

"They did. And the best thing is, we’re still together … friends, you and me."

"Yeah." Devin held on a bit tighter. "Yeah, we sure are."

Frank returned with a drink laden tray. "Okay come on. Let’s drink, eat, and be merry!"

As his beer was handed to him, Ike grasped Franks left hand. He’d noticed the ring and looked more closely. He looked from the gold band up to Frank’s eyes. "So, what’s this?"

"Oh, well, we have a bit of an announcement to make." Frank offered drinks to the others. "I asked Ben if he’d agree to marry me and the crazy fool said yes!"

Devin hugged Ben all the harder. "Oh man, that’s wonderful. It really is."

"Yeah, it is. Congrats, both of you." Ike got up and pulled Frank into a hug. "Glad you took my advice."

"When you’re right, you’re right." Frank grinned and stepped away from Ike.

As they were ready to turn away, Devin saw an envelope nestled in among the decorated, green boughs. He reached in to touch it but looked at Ben.

"Take it, Dev. You and Ike should open it."

"Thanks."

Everyone took their seats. Devin sat next to Ike and showed him the envelope addressed to them.

Ike slipped an arm around his boyfriend. "Open it, babe."

"Okay." Dev slipped the flap out, as it wasn’t sealed. They read the card together. Inside the card was another small envelope. Devin handed Ike the open card and opened the second.

Dev took out the folded paper and opened it. His eyes grew large and he nudged Ike, whose eyes widened also.

"Jesus!"

Ben grinned and leaned against Frank.

Devin looked up from the cheque. "This … geez, Ben."

Frank smiled. "Things have been good for us. Ben and I wanted to share that with you guys."

"Yeah, my book sales have been amazing. Things with the show, too, have been good." Ben reached over to take Dev’s hand. "You … you supported me while I promoted the first book. You are a huge part of why that book was successful and why I could write the second. You deserve to share in the success. We want to share that with you both."

Ike squeezed Devin’s shoulders and said, "That is amazing."

"Thank you," whispered Devin. "This is amazing, is right. You have no idea."

Frank glanced from Devin to Ike. "Is everything okay?"

"So, we kinda have news too." Ike held his now silent lover close.

Ben sat straighter. "You guys are engaged?"

Ike grinned and reached for Devin’s hand. "Maybe we should do that too?"

"Maybe. But that’s not the news."

Frank gazed at Ben for a moment and then to his other guests. "No? So what is it?"

"You tell them, Ike."

"Okay, well, I got to meet Devin’s brother, Adam, and his wife Teresa, sometime back. After a lot of talking and more talking. She, um, she agreed to be our surrogate."

Only the Christmas Carols that had been playing softly in the background could be heard for several moments.

Frank politely closed his mouth and then said, "You’re having a baby? You’re going to be Dads?"

The pair of dads-to-be nodded.

"Frank?" Ben gripped his fiance’s knee. "Don’t we have a bottle of champagne?"

"Yep. I put it on ice earlier." Frank got to his feet, but stopped when Devin waved his hand, indicating Frank should stay.

Devin was all smiles. "I’m so excited. But we wanted you guys to be godfathers. Say you will, please?" He looked to Ben and then Frank.

Frank retook his seat. "Wow, thank you. That would be really special." He glanced quickly at Ben, whose eyes were wide open. Frank squeezed his hand. "We’d be honored to be. Thank you."

Ben nodded. "Yeah, thank you. So … how far along?"

Ike grinned. "About four months." He looked at Devin and then to Ben and Frank. "Our best friends are getting married and we will have a little one. Maybe, Dev, we should make it all legal, huh? Get married too? Be a proper family."

Devin threw his arms around Ike. "Do you mean that?"

"Yeah, I mean it. How can I not, Dev? I’ve got everything a man could want. A wonderful partner, a baby on the way, and the best friends I could have hoped for. Our kid deserves the best we can offer." Ike paused and thought for a moment. "And this gift, this money, plus our savings will allow us to buy a house now, rather than next year. That’s huge. Thank you."

Frank slipped out, returned and now passed out glasses of champagne. "I’d like to make a toast." He stayed on his feet and raised his glass. "To old love, and new, to new lives and responsibility. To all of you and to life. Merry Christmas and to the best New Year ever!"

Each of the others raised their glasses. "Merry Christmas. Happy New Year."

As the Houseboat Floats - Episode 72

Final scene: Tom and Gerry’s place.

There is a Christmas tree that flashes very irregularly. Branches are broken and the tree leans against the wall. It appears as if it has been fallen against.

Lupe and Weatherby sit on the loveseat while the two zombies busy themselves in the kitchen.

“Lupe this is a crazy Christmas party. What will we eat and stuff?”

Lupe put his arms around his crackling, sparking boy. “Donts you worry. Lupe brought treats for yous. Then later ... “ Lupe grabs Weatherby’s hand and puts it on his groin. “Laters you be makin’ Lupe a happy man.” The pair kiss.

The two zombies stumble from the kitchen carrying trays of sliced zomfish. As Tom bends to put his tray on the coffee table, Gerry drops his and reaches for Tom. “M … merrrrrry … Merrrryyyyy … Seeeeexxxxxxxxx.”

****

All of us here at SNET thank you for watching and supporting us. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We hope to see you all return next year for more; As the Houseboat Floats.

Theeee ennnnnddddddd

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