Priest reached for it, and as he unfolded it, his pulse sped up. He knew who it was from.
Okay, here goes, the only confession I will ever give to a priest.
This belongs to you. I hope you don’t mind, but I took a little, for payment due.
I think I deserve that for looking after half your heart. But then again, we both know I’d do anything to keep it safe. Tell Julien and bright eyes I said hi…or don’t.
Either way, I won’t be offended.
Until next time, I’ll take care of the Aston Martin.
~ H
Priest stared at the words on the paper, and he must’ve read them ten times over before they sank in, and when they finally did, the weight he’d been carrying around his entire life lifted from his shoulders.
The cut had been clean, the head of the snake now buried, and he could finally breathe.
“Joel?” Julien said.
Priest turned around and saw Robbie and Julien standing in the doorway. He straightened to his full height as they looked at the bags beside him, their eyes full of questions.
“Is that—” Robbie said.
“Yes,” Priest said, and nodded as he walked to them, ready to tell them everything they wanted to know. “It is.”
Julien and Robbie looked at one another, and as some kind of silent message passed between them, Priest said, “What?”
When Robbie turned back to him, he shook his head, and that beautiful smile that reminded Priest of sunshine and happiness appeared on his face. “Nothing.” But his eyes told Priest there was more going on than they were telling him.
“Let’s go to bed,” Julien suggested, and took Priest’s hand.
As they all climbed under the covers, Priest reached for the remote, about to turn on the television to help keep their minds occupied. But as he did, Robbie reached across and snatched it from him.
Priest arched an eyebrow, as the rascal stuffed it under his pillow, and Julien chuckled.
“No television,” Robbie said with a grin. “I’ve decided that’s my rule from now on while in bed. You don’t like cell phones. I don’t like TVs.”
“Since when?” Priest said, and shifted down until he was on his side.
“Since…since today. Right here. Right now.”
“I agree,” Julien said. “Plus, I don’t want to think about anything other than the two of you. Let’s leave the rest of the world, and everything that’s too difficult right now, out there for a while. There’s tomorrow to deal with all of that.”
Priest stroked his fingers along Julien’s cheek, and then leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his mouth. “I love you. Both of you,” he said, and then he leaned over and took Robbie’s lips in an identical expression of love. “I will never let anything happen to either one of you, not ever again.”
The three of them settled into one another, arms, legs, and bodies tangled, and as each heart beat alongside the other, Priest shut his eyes.
For the first time in three decades, he slept the peaceful sleep of one who knew his loved ones were safe, and so was he.