Album of the Broken Heart [mxm]

.Chapter Twelve

Much to Ian's dismay it was his father on the other line.

"Hey my boy!" His father chirped happily.

"Hey dad, what’s up?" Ian said, cautiously putting the phone up to his ear as Grady made lunch for Brooklyn.

"Your birthday is coming up and I would love it if you and Brooklyn came for a birthday dinner."

"I don't know dad, I kind of already made plans..."

" April already planned to make apple pie and its only a family get together. I know how you are with crowds."

Ian frowned to himself which resulted in a concerned hand on his shoulder as Grady put down a plate with a ham and cheese sandwich and grapes for Brooklyn.

"Do you mind if I bring a plus one?"

"Oh ho! Got yourself a new girl huh?"

Ian chuckled awkwardly, " you could say that. "

With that his father replied with a "hell yes," and hung up.

"So what is it exactly, that i'm being dragged into? " Grady retorted as he leaned over the counter, propping his head up with one hand.

Ian put down his phone and gave Grady the bed puppy eyes a grown man with a beard could muster.

Grady groaned in frustration, "alright, fine I'll go, but you owe me. "

Ian's birthday rolled along that Saturday and Ian was worried sick. He wondered how his father would react to Grady coming to the family dinner, to which it could go two different ways. His father was distant and at least tried to be involved with his life, so that was no problem. The only real problem was his douche of a stepbrother, James.

Ian looked at himself in the mirror one last time before sauntering off to the front door where Grady was helping Brooklyn put on her jacket, the winter air a bit chilly that evening.

They got in the car and made the drive to Mr. Snyder's grand home once more that year.

The driveway was cleared of snow and holiday lights strung from the roof in bright display.

Grady carried Brooklyn as he followed behind Ian towards the front door. Ian knocked three times when a woman slightly younger than his father opened the door with a wide smile.

"Ian! Oh it is so nice to see you. Where's this nice lady you've brought home?" Mr. Snyder asked, looking around as if looking for a hidden woman.

"Hey Ian you left- Hey Mr. Snyder it's good to see you." Grady stopped mid sentence as he placed Brooklyn on the floor so she could go run around for a bit. Awkward silence filled the air for a brief moment.

"Ah, dad you remember Grady." Ian said, breaking the silence.

"Good to see you again sir." Grady replied shaking Mr. Snyder's hand.

Mr. Snyder returned the greeting and ushered the two into the living room where James was watching a football game. The couple sat down next to each other on the love seat and watched Brooklyn play on the floor.

"Ian may I speak with you for a moment?"

"Yeah, sure dad." Ian replied, getting off the love seat and followed him down the hall to the kitchen.

"I thought you said you were bringing a girl home?" Robert said as he uncorked a bottle of wine that was on the counter.

"About that...dad...I'm actually-" Ian was soon cut off by the calling of his stepmother saying dinner was finished. 

Everyone gathered at the table, Ian on one end with Brooklyn on his left and Grady on his right. Unfortunately for Grady, James was covered in Axe.

"So, Grayson,  what do you do for a living? " April asked.

"Right now I'm finishing college and I do gigs at a couple of bars." Grady smiled shyly.

Robert's eyebrows went into a small frown, but asked another question," then how do you see yourself in five years?" 

Grady's smile got wider at the thought, " Well, sir, I hope to be a music teacher...and possibly married, or at least in a serious relationship."

Ian felt himself begin to choke on his sweet tea, but caught himself when his father asked the next question. 

"Got your eye on any women?" he asked, placing a piece of roasted chicken on the plate along side a salad.

"Er..no..but I do have my eye on this chicken-"

"Dad, We're dating!" Ian cried, causing the table to go dead silent.

The sound of forks and knives falling to the table could be heard. The shock on Roberts face caused a small pain in Ian's heart, but screw it. If his dad wasn't going to accept it, then he wasn't needed in his life.

"haha! I knew it, Ian's a homo!" James snorted.

Ian threw himself from his chair, took Brooklyn out of the high chair and grabbed Grady's hand and dragged him to the front door.

April followed in timid pursuit, " I am so sorry about James, he should know better."

Ian turned to her and softened his face, " It's not your fault April."

With that they went home.

 AN: I really want to thank 100cutiepie for motivating me to finish this chapter! It helped so much and I made this chapter a bit longer than normal!