High And Dry

Million Dollar Question

Ian woke up the next morning earlier than he expected. He desperately wanted some coffee, but he was too scared to leave Anthony again. He could’ve run, but that might have triggered his asthma.

Anthony was no longer snuggled up to Ian’s side. He shot up and looked around. Ian felt an insanely large wave of relief washing over him when he found his son attached to David.

David looked over at him, “How did he get over here?”

Ian shrugged, “He moved. He likes you. You know that.”

“Yeah….I’m still trying to believe it.”

“Oh come on.” Ian sat up, “You’re a great guy.”

“Newbie?” Anthony’s eyes opened quickly and he smiled up at David.

“Hey buddy.”

While searching through the bag to make sure he had packed his inhaler, Ian overheard Anthony’s conversation with David.

“You were in my dream last night.” Anthony said.

“Oh yeah?” Ian could practically hear the smirk in David’s voice, “Why?”

Anthony shrugged, “You lived with us and you helped take care of me while Daddy was away.”

Ian froze. Anthony had a dream that pretty much was Ian and David raising Anthony together. For a split second, Ian loved the idea, but he couldn’t quite tell why. Then, it started growing more and he realized that David would be a good father and that he would love to have him help him raise Anthony. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

He was worried about David's reaction. Would David be thinking the same things he is? Would he leave Anthony and Ian right then and there? Would he offer to do that? Did it upset him that Anthony subconsciously wanted David as his other parent, or did he like the idea? Ian's head spun and he dared to check and see.

Turning back around, Ian could see that David was not uncomfortable looking at all. Either he was a great actor or he didn’t mind the fact that Anthony basically dreamed them getting married and raising a kid together. Ian was relieved slightly, but there was still a bigger problem at hand.

What worried Ian the most is that he himself didn’t completely think that idea was bullshit. He actually was okay with the thought of he and David doing something like that, and that is exactly what scared him. He was completely and one hundred percent fine with people being gay, but he didn’t know why this had just come up now in his life.

Ian came up with his own mental set of important questions.

Did he have feelings for David?

Did David have feelings for him?

What would’ve happened if Anthony hadn’t brought the dream up?

The three picked up their things before heading off to find somewhere to eat. Anthony had to practically beg Ian to buy them pizza for breakfast, to which he agreed. To Ian’s surprise, David didn’t fight him to pay.

Ian just figured that David probably didn’t feel the same way about him. The same way? There is no same way. Ian felt nothing for David.

At least, he thought he felt nothing for him.

After breakfast, Anthony wanted to play in a different play area. Ian and David sat on the bench and watched.

“Anthony’s dream didn’t weird you out too much, did it?” David asked.

“No.” Ian shook his head, “I think he’s just trying to show you that he appreciates you for caring about him in a way that none of the other adults he knows do.”

“Except you. You care for him like that.”

“Exactly.”

Anthony came running over, out of breath, looking angry.

“You’re in trouble, Daddy.”

“Why?” Ian frowned.

Anthony did it. He asked the one question Ian had been dreading answering his entire life. He knew that he’d eventually have to get around to answering it, but he just couldn’t yet. It wasn’t the right time. He had it forced upon him now.

Ian couldn’t believe the words that came out of Anthony’s mouth.

“Where’s Mommy?”