I Am Me (Book Two): Fate Is Wrong

Chapter 11: Meet the Deacons

A/N: I really should remember to put my authors notes abbreviated in the beginning of them rather than simply type. A little heads up here: Though I don't know how the relationship may play out between these three in the sequel, this won't be a bxbxb. I know, I'm evil. :P

Eduardo's POV

I see the farmhouse in the distance and smile when I hear both men gasp. It is quite an exquisite sight to behold to the average visitor. Except for one thing, these aren't your average visitors. These will be the master and his partners house. After going through all the construction, I'm pleased to witness the sight that stands before the three of us as we drive up to it. Being rather wealthy after the ever growing family business took off, not only had me and the folks gone through quality of life improvements so that I can have this moment. I've not told either ma and pa about my plan on what wish to do with our prized farm, but I've never been more sure about anything. This will be his. I am already his. 

The house looks secluded from the farm, the trees giving an illusion of sanctuary, especially for us wolves. But in the back, there is a small through the trees that  leads to the clearing where our farm is located. Well...it's kind of an orchard as well, but we don't really have many trees that bear fruit to call it an orchard. Still, amongst the crops we sell, we have what you'd expect of a farm. Horses, cows, chickens, all the goods. And we don't really have to worry for wolves taking over our territory. With our scent radiating the farm from just being here, is enough to ward off any hungry wolves that are smart enough to realize what's off-limits. The house itself is a nice blue with a grayish stone roof. The trim of the windows and porch are white with flower beds in front of the porch to give it a little more color. Yard has a stone path leading to the front door and  a low stone wall with foliage growing over it . Our home. We're home. 

I see ma on the porch, ready to give us the warm welcome after I called ahead. I didn't give specifics, but I let her know that he and his mate are here to stay for a bit after falling on hard times. Though she was sympathetic, I could hear the worry in her voice regarding my decision in bringing him home. I understood why, but I have never been more certain that those was the right call. The very motivation of all this was for him and I intend on following through once the farm is mine.

"Hey ma. These are the two guests I've spoken to ya about. Nathanial and Valeruis", I say, gesturing to my love and his mate.

"It's a pleasure to meet you....both. Ahem, pardon me. I just remembered something I had to do later, but that will be taken care of in its own time. Come inside, come inside. I made some fresh lemonade for you and your mate." The pause was clear to me that it wasn't about something she  forgot, but something she recognized. My scent is all over the man, with perhaps a mix of his mate and his own. I can't imagine what is going through her head at the moment.

"Thank you, ma'am. We are much obliged that you are letting us stay here", Val says with a charming smile as Nathan still watches the house in amazement.

"Mrs. Deacon, this house is beautiful. The flowers, colors, freshly cut grass.....it feels like I am about to walk into a real life storybook house and am about to witness magic take place." My mother gives him an amused smile. Most can't help but smile at his child-like wonder and it was one of the many things about him that I missed. How I ever thought I could ever be over him is beyond me.

"I'm glad you love it dear, go on in. I have some chores I need to give my little Eddie here before he can relax with the lot of you. I'll be in though in just sec to show you your room.."

"Yes, Mrs. Deacon, we really do appreciate this", Nathan earnestly says to her.

"Oh, hush. It is my pleasure. It's been too long since I've had guests that didn't want to start any business contracts with either me or my mate. Or 'husband' as the humans call it, though the small wedding was nice."

"A wedding..." Hmmm, it seems I may have more to give to him than I thought, but to whom he wants to give himself to, I couldn't be sure for the moment, and it kills me not to know. The two walk inside and me and ma start walking around the side to the back. I'm no fool. She wanted a minute alone and will probably give me some jobs that could easily be done by the helping hands we hired.

"Get the egg basket. I want to talk to ya about somethin'." There it is. Here we go. 

"Sure, ma. What's up?"

"So, this is the famous Nathanial Dillon I've heard so much about. I can see why the boy would catch your attention, but he, other than having  yours and his 'mates' scent permeating him, he seems unattached. What's going on there?"

"It's...complicates. It's more his story to tell, but I can promise you he isn't intending on getting involved with our affairs. He now knows how I truly feel about him and why I brought him here, but this all happened within a short span of time. Until recently, he had no idea of the farms looks and even less about the renovations going on. If I'm to guess, he probably expected small farmhouse."

"I don't believe he has malicious intent. In fact, I see a very tired boy in need of some TLC from your mama here. I can always tell when someone needs a mama's love and he just has so much of that vibe of someone lost."

"His own mother died recently, so I think that is a good thing for you to do."

"Oh my, the poor dear. Well, now I know my instincts aren't broke. You just leave the guests to ma for the moment while you finish collecting me some eggs."

"Yes, ma'am", I say and give her a kiss on the cheek before she does what she says she was gonna do. As I have said, the task wasn't hard and took no time for me to finish before anyone could miss me. Before I headed up, look around my barnyard, taking in the beauty of it all briefly, remembering all the places I'd hide and Dommy would try to seek.

When I enter the house, I could here chatter coming from the main living room. Four voices I distinctly recognize. The slightly deep but kind voice of my best friend, the gruff voice of his mate, the rough around the edges voice of my pa, and the firm but lovingly sweet voice of my ma. 

"Is that so? Well, I do have some fixtures that could use a good lookin' at and my usual electrician is an old fart. Doesn't know that sometimes things can't be salvaged so that he can get more money out of this old coot", he says with a pointed finger to himself.

"I'll be sure to have a look, sir. You have a lovely place here by the way."

With a chuckle, he replies, "M' afraid I can't take credit for this. I'd say this is the work of my boy over there and his mumsy right here." He gives her a kiss in adoration. Even after all these years, you could see the sparks that just runs the through the two of them. I look to Nathan to find a sad look that quickly disappears with a neutral one in its place.

"Oh you ol' sweet thing. You're gonna make me bashful in front of our guess of you keep showering me with all this praise. And-oh, Eddie! Come sit down dear. We were just getting to know you're friends a bit."

"Oh no. What's the damage?", I ask Nathan, changing his entire demeanor.

With a mischievous look, he begins, "Well, we have a shred of respect lost on you and your cooking pancakes."

"ONE TIME, MA!!" She holds up her hands in surrender and I can barely contain my laughter from the memory.

"There were some baby nude pics passed about and some proud parents currently. So, I'd say with minimal damage, you come out relatively okay", Nathan explains, the most light shining through him that I haven't seen in such a long time. "But wait 'til I give away your escapades away from home in exchange."

"Uh, uh, hey ma, have you shown them their rooms? They are real comfy", I say slightly flustered.  I don't much care for what people think, but it applies to rando's. People like Nathan or my parents are the ones who actually care whether I do well or not, so they fittingly also are the ones with most firepower to hold against me.

"You're right, sweetheart. We will show them right now. And while we are at it, he can tell me all about the things you've gotten up to in the years that I've missed from your childhood. Its what's owed to me as your mother." I don't like that evil glint in her eye. She is looking for something, ammo to hold over me when I don't do my chores or something along the lines of not obeying. 

Still, I couldn't happier that Nathan had met my parents. There is the matter of Valerius to worry about though, so we aren't entirely out of the woods yet. I hope we can come to a solution amicably, but I'm not giving up without a fight. Not this time.