Growing Season (MxM) Complete

Ch. 32 Experiences

CH. 32

The alarm jolted Gareth from his sound sleep, where he found the spot beside him already empty. Where on earth was Phillip? It was only 6:30 in the morning; there was no way he'd already left for work, because Mel refused to garden before 9 am, and for that Gareth was eternally grateful. Although, he was pretty sure they were getting a late start today because Phillip was going to walk the kids to school. It was Franny's first day of grade one, Gabe was going into two, and Daisy was starting fifth grade. It was shocking how big they were getting, and Phillip wanted to get a photo of them all lined up out front of the house with their back to school outfits and backpacks on. Gareth was thrilled because he'd never had one before. He wanted to get it framed to hang in the hallway and another copy to send to his parents.

When he got out of bed and wiped the sleep from his eyes, he headed towards the kitchen, where there was obvious activity. Phillip was standing with his back to Gareth, at the counter, and he had four lunch bags lined up in front of him. Each one was almost full. There was coffee brewing in the pot, and two mugs, already prepared, at the table.

Gareth stepped up to Phillip and embraced the man from behind, leaning his chest against Phillip's back. "What are you doing?"

Phillip turned his head to the side and kissed Gareth on the cheek. "Making sure all of you have a good start to your day and school year."

"You don't have to do this, you know." Gareth nuzzled Phillip's earlobe.

"I know. I want to. I know this is a stressful day for you." He finished with the lunches and then turned so they could have a proper good morning hug.

Phillip was right. This was a stressful day. He'd been in and out of the school all last week getting his classroom ready for fall, sometimes with the kids and sometimes without. He had new bulletin boards set up, the books in the reading centre got refreshed with some he'd purchased, new whiteboard markers, the desks set into the groupings he wanted, some first day activities photocopied, and a week's worth of lessons planned out as well as reviewing unit plans and long range plans. There were piles of the textbooks they would need for all their subjects sitting on the back counter and some paper and pencils. He was as ready as he could be until he met the new twenty-nine students he'd have in his class.

Both Eden and Linda welcomed him back when he'd seen them, and both had a chuckle with Gareth when they looked over Linda's photos from Abby's wedding. "Phillip is just wonderful!" and "Awwww!" they'd both exclaimed when they saw the picture of the two men dancing with lovestruck looks and a slight blush on their faces, then laughed at the one of Phillip and Bill in a similar embrace but wide laughing smiles. Linda promised she'd email him copies, and Gareth was planning on having them printed out, too.

Eden had taken Gareth aside last week for a brief meeting in her office, too. "I want you to feel free to come to me if you have any problems with staff, parents, or students making comments regarding your sexuality. It has no bearing whatsoever on your ability to teach, and you are an asset to this school," she told him, sitting on her desk while Gareth stood by the door.

"Have you had any complaints?" Gareth was concerned, although he knew it could be an issue after going to the wedding as a couple.

"No, and I don't anticipate any, really, at least not from staff. I think most everyone that knows you is happy that you've found such a wonderful partner. Heaven knows we're thrilled that Leeann won't be screeching on the phone any longer. But some people are ignorant, and I want to nip anything negative in the bud," Eden explained. "I just want you to know you have my full support, besides, the law is behind you, too."

"Thanks so much, Eden. I'm just so eager for this year to start, I have a feeling it will be the best yet." Gareth had a sincere smile on his face when he left the principal's office.