HOPE

9.

Kennedy.

I watch Milo taking photos and smiling to himself with the flowers I got for him. That was a little ego boost on my part because I was scared shitless that he wouldn't like them.

"Why are you standing there staring like a pervert." Mia asks from behind me and I pale, my jaw drops but nothing comes out so I just shut up like a fish out of water.

She just laughs at me."I know, he's mighty fine and I know you like him, just make your move man it's not that hard." She spoke and pats my back.

"Easy for you to say, he's a freaking model who is successful and has the perfect life, I'm a nobody compared to that beauty." I tell her making sure I'm as serious as she needs to take me.

"Listen Ken, I know you're afraid of him not liking you, he's a bit intimidating with all his achievements, he evens intimidates me at times despite that he is the biggest sweetheart I know and terrifying too. What I'm saying is don't miss out on a great opportunity to be with someone you might love." She walks to the kitchen where Milo is.

I walk out to the backyard to find Emmy and Amir making out. That was fast. I felt Milo behind me and froze, he smelled like strawberry and vanilla, I wanted  him under me, tasting and ravishing him.

I hear little feet coming down the stairs and my daydream gets cut off, when I have a semi hard on.

Without considering what I was about to say,
"Okay that's enough we don't want to be scarred by seeing you two making out in Milo's back yard, plus my boys are two innocent for that don't scar them!" I yell as Amir and Emmy untangle from each other.

Suddenly I realize what I said and look to my side to see Milo with a smile and Mia chuckling. "Okay  guys can you start the grill now, meat needs to be roasted" Mia says snapping me and Milo out of little moment.

I  smirk and wink at Milo. I turn to walk toward Emmy. "You work fast." I tease him a and he only chuckles."Well I got my chance and took it, unlike you with Milo and before you ask I know." I was speechless because I didn't know how he knew.

We light the grill, smoke covered the backyard but in no time it was gone. "And don't worry man you're good in my books, make sure you make him happy like he is right now and I won't shoot you." I was a warning I took seriously.

"I wouldn't hurt him" I reply and he chuckles. "I know, I haven't seen him smile at a guy like that before, so that says something." I felt a little better knowing I had Emmy's approval to make a move on Milo. I needed their approval to date him they were his family despite the lack of blood relation.

I had Emmy, Mia, Amir and of course the twins, the last person was coming later Caleb, I hope he's not hard to convince.

Milo came out from the house holding three salad bowls and I rush to his side. "I got you." I take two of the bowls and set them on the table. "Hey what about me?" Amir whines holding two trays.

"One you're not Milo and two, your brown dramatic ass got Emmy to do your bidding." Mia pipes up and everyone laughs as the two walk back into the house bickering.

I stay by the table to help Milo put things in order, as he is setting the tray with juice boxes we make contact and I look down to my side facing him, his eyes were filled with wonder and love I could drown in them.

"Ahem." We both instantly turn to face a smirking Caleb and a blushing Mia by his side, though trying to hide it she was failing, "Oh my poor baby, he is finally here and she's more red than a tomato." Milo whispers in my ear and we burst out laughing and everyone just stares at us in amusement.

"So are you two finally doing the dirty and are you miss bossy pants getting rid of that boner he is always sporting when you're around." Amir pipes in and Emmy covers his mouth before he could say anything else, by now Mia was a deep shade of crimson if that was possible.

"That's none of your business but if you must know yes we're finally together, Milo gave his approval after threatened to cut my balls off though." Caleb answers but his last statement had me scared for my groin.

I step away a bit from Milo and Emmy just covers his, the rest just burst out laughing again, Mia began laughing aswell.

After everyone calms down we get to grilling, the Amir and his posse were preparing the plates, so it's just me and the boys by the grill. "Have you asked him yet?" Caleb asks. "Nope he's being a chicken about it." Emmy replies him.

"You do know he literally talks about you all day at work right? it's getting annoying." Caleb spoke up shocking me again.

"He talks about me?" I ask him. "Yeah and Amir tells me you do the same and don't deny it." I knew I had to man up now. "I wanted to ask you guys first, you've known him longer than me, I don't know, wanted some kind of approval." I replied not looking at them.

"You didn't need to do that, but hell we're glad you did consider us and of course why wouldn't I approve, Milo hasn't been with anyone for almost four years, he only focused on the boys, when you came into the picture, he changed and he likes you so better treat him good man, he is precious." He responds with a smile.

"Thanks man I appreciate it " I bro hug him, "All in a days work." He adds.

After talking with the guys, I felt ready to ask Milo out, everyone approved. The evening rolled in and I was playing tag with the twins. I now understood why Milo said they had endless energy.

"Haden and Haven come here." Mia calls from the table as Milo walks to me, I sat down on the lawn which was well kept and perfectly trimmed. "They tired you out huh?" I nod as he sat down.

He sat there silent, I grew a pair and decided to go for it. "Milo." I say unable to form the words. "Yeah." He responds.

"Will you go on a date with me?" There was silence as he just stares at me. "I totally understand if you don't want to, I know I'm not worth it you've got everything and I'm just the guy you're working with, just forget I said anything." I say getting up.

Before I could get up he hugs me pull me on top of him. "Hell yeah, I was thinking that I'm the one that was going to ask you." He replied making ms smile.

"And don't you dare think of yourself so lowly again or my foot will have a meet and greet with your balls." I wince. "Anything for you Mr. LaNoir." I say with a smirk and kiss him on the forehead.

"Let's get you fed." I get up from my position, I liked it very much, we walked back to the table and I pull out Milo's seat."Seems chicken little finally grew a pair." Mia says looking at me sitting next to Caleb.

"Were you having an orgasm out by the lawn, it must have been good to scream like that." Amir says and Milo facepalms "Language!!" I yell and Emmy pulls him to his lap.

The night went on with laughs and giggles from the boys. Life was good and I wanted it to be like this always, I had to work hard to get my company in perfection again.

I also had to work hard, be the guy Milo and the twins deserve because I plan on sticking around for a very long time.

+++

LMJ