Love Comes in Darkness (25 page)

Gordy drove him higher, and Howard moaned steadily. Howard reached between them and began stroking himself to Gordy’s rhythm. It didn’t take long for the pressure to build. “Gordy,” he whimpered, trying to hold off his release. Gordy moved faster, driving into him. The bed rocked, and Howard waited until Gordy’s rhythm became ragged and then he could take no more. With a muffled cry against Gordy’s skin, Howard came hard, his mouth hanging open. Gordy’s release followed right after.

They both lay still. Howard tried to catch his breath, wanting the floating feeling to last. Eventually Gordy moved and their bodies separated. Howard gasped, and then Gordy settled on the mattress next to him. “Let me get you something to clean up,” Gordy whispered and got out of bed. Howard heard water run, and then Gordy returned.

Gordy wiped his skin gently and dried him off with a soft towel before returning both to the bathroom. Then he climbed into bed and pulled Howard to him. “I love you so much,” Gordy whispered.

“I love you too,” Howard said, shifting closer. “I’d always hoped I’d have someone in my life who loved me for me. Who would understand helping and supporting without dominating. I was beginning to give up on finding someone.” Howard rolled over and buried his face against Gordy’s skin as his emotions threatened to overwhelm him. “There were many times when I thought I’d be alone forever.”

“Honey,” Gordy crooned.

“I did, and I was prepared for it, but I’m glad I have you. Living with a blind person isn’t easy, and one with a child, no less. I hope you know that.”

Gordy held him tighter and then rolled them on the bed. “I know exactly what I’m getting myself in for: a lifetime of love. That’s all I need; the rest isn’t important.”

Gordy kissed him hard enough to send a zing all the way to his toes. He had everything: someone to love, someone who loved him, and Sophia, his sister’s child. He’d gone from largely alone and independent to an embarrassment of riches in a matter of a few months. Howard knew he would do whatever it took to preserve the family he’d been blessed to have built.

“Are you crying?” Gordy asked, and Howard tried to stop but couldn’t. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Howard answered, swallowing hard. “It’s just that I have a family of my own. I never expected that. I mean, I always had Sophia. She’s my niece, and I love her to pieces, I always have. But now I have you and her.” Howard stilled as he fully thought through what he’d just said. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound presumptuous.”

Gordy hummed softly as he wiped his thumbs over Howard’s cheeks. “You weren’t. It’s going to take a whole lot to get rid of me. Remember, my own family wasn’t the greatest, and now I have you and Sophia too.” Token doggie-yawned from his bed in the corner. Now that they were quiet, he’d come in to bed. “And you too,” Gordy told the dog, which made Howard smile. “A family of my own, our own.” Gordy kissed him again. “I love all of you more than I ever thought possible.”

Howard felt sleep coming over him and he sighed softly. They had plenty to talk about and a long way to go, but he was happy, truly happy, and he could deal with whatever tomorrow brought as long as he had his family around him.

A
LMOST
six months later

“Is it Christmas yet?” Sophia asked when she came running toward where he and Gordy were sitting at the table, her muffled footsteps scampering across the floor.

“Not yet. You have five more days,” Howard explained to her. “Uncle Bruce and Aunt Paula are going to be here tomorrow so they can have an early Christmas with you.” He just had to get through today.

“Yay! Presents,” she exclaimed at the top of her lungs.

“Inside voice, please,” Howard reminded her.

“I got Token a present,” Sophia admitted.

“You did?” Howard asked.

“Yup.” She hurried away, then returned quickly, pressing a box into his hand.

“Shouldn’t we wait until Christmas to give it to him?” Howard asked.

“No,” Gordy said. “I think this one we should open early.” Howard detected a hint of mirth in Gordy’s voice. “I helped, but Sophia picked it out.” Howard felt the package and slowly began to remove the paper. Then he opened the box and reached inside, feeling the contents.

“Token, come see what they got for you,” Howard said and lowered the box. Then he took out what was inside. “It feels like a harness.”

“It is, but it’s a special harness,” Sophia said with a burst of giggles.

“It feels different,” Howard said. He’d heard the two of them whispering something. “It feels pink.” Sophia giggled louder and Howard knew he was right.

“How did you know?” Sophia asked, still giggling.

“It just feels pink,” Howard said and then gathered Sophia to him, hugging tightly. “It’s a very nice gift. Thank you.” He lightly kissed her hair. She returned his hug and then moved away.

“Can I go out and play in the snow?” she asked, holding the arm of his chair and jumping up and down.

“Not right now,” Howard said, pressing the button on his watch to check the time. “You need to go into your room and put on the dress Uncle Gordy laid out for you.” They agreed a while ago that the name “Uncle Gordy” was better for her to use. “We have to be downtown in an hour, and you have to look your best.” So did he, for that matter. Thankfully, Gordy had laid out his clothes as well, so there would be no chance of him wearing one blue and one red sock like he had when Mrs. Carter had first visited all those months ago. Or the time he’d obliviously worn a plaid shirt and plaid pants when he’d walked Sophia to school. He was told later by Gordy that he looked like a demented golfer. Since then, he’d let Gordy lay out his clothes. It turned out Gordy was an excellent judge of people, and he’d been right about Mrs. Carter. She’d become a big help once they both got past the incident with the first phone call.

“Why?” Sophia whined.

“Because we have to go to court,” Howard told her. “Once it’s over, you can play outside all you want, I promise.”

“Okay,” she said unhappily and stomped off to her room.

The dishes clinked as Gordy cleared them from the table. “You know there’s nothing to be nervous about,” he told Howard gently.

“Tell my stomach that,” Howard said, getting up. “I can help you.”

“No. Go on and get dressed. I’m almost done here, and I can check that Sophia is all set.”

Howard moved closer to him, slid his arms around Gordy’s waist and rested his head between his shoulder blades.

“Do you know what today is?” Gordy asked.

“The day my stomach eats itself from nervousness?” Howard answered sarcastically.

“No. It’s officially our three-month anniversary. Three months since I moved in here with you and Sophia.” Gordy stilled, and then he turned around and hugged him. “Think about that instead of all the court stuff.” Gordy kissed him so sweetly it made Howard’s heart skip a beat.

“I’d better get dressed,” Howard said once the kiss broke. He turned and walked the familiar path to the bedroom, touching his tingling lip as he went.

He changed his clothes, and after passing inspection, he got his winter coat, gloves, and hat, as well as Sophia’s. He also got Token into his new pink harness. By the time he was done and got Sophia dressed to go outside, they were ready to go. Gordy went out to start the car; they’d decided to keep Lizzy’s Mustang. Between Sophia and Token, he made it to the car just fine, and once they were inside, Gordy drove them toward the courthouse. Sophia’s custody hearings had been shifted to her new home jurisdiction, much to Howard’s relief.

The ride seemed to take forever and Howard kept checking the time. Eventually, they parked and made their way inside. Of course they had to go through metal detectors, which was always a bit of a chore, but finally they were headed toward the hearing room.

They were all seated around a table: the three of them, Howard’s lawyer, and Mrs. Carter. There also seemed to be a clerk and other people moving around, but he didn’t know who they were. The judge came in and immediately asked everyone to remain seated.

“Mr. Justinian,” the judge said quietly. “There are just a few things I must ask you before I assign final and permanent custody of Sophia.”

“Yes, Your Honor,” Howard said.

“Are you really sure this is what you want? I don’t believe in mincing words where children are concerned. Raising children is hard. I have three myself, but doing it without being able to see adds even further difficulty.”

“Yes,” Howard said curtly. “May I be equally frank?” He heard a snicker but didn’t know where it came from. “Did you know that the carpet right over there is loose?” Howard pointed in the direction he meant. “Two people have stumbled just in the time I’ve been here. The door we came through needs to be oiled, and you should have your chair fixed. It’s most likely going to break if the grinding when you sat down is any indication.” He heard the judge clear her throat nervously.

“I see your point,” the judge said.

“I doubt it. You live in a visual world. I live in one of textures, sound, and scent. But none of that is material to the love I have for Sophia.” Howard reached to where she sat and took her hand. “She and Gordy are family, my family, and that’s all that matters.”

“I can’t argue with that. And we’re having the carpet replaced next week,” she added before clearing her throat again. “I have the report from Mrs. Carter, who has nothing but glowing things to say about your home. I understand Mr. Jarrett has moved in with you.”

“Yes. We’ve made our relationship permanent,” Howard said, and Gordy took his other hand. The room was silent except for the scratch of pen on paper.

“I see,” she said. “Is there anything else?”

“Can we go home now? Daddy Howie said I could play in the snow,” Sophia said. The others in the room snickered, as did the judge, but Howard was speechless. This was the first time Sophia had called him that, and he’d never dreamed it could feel so amazingly wonderful.

“In just a few minutes, young lady,” the judge said brightly. More writing followed, and then papers were passed. Then Howard heard the same squeak from the judge’s chair he’d heard when she sat down. “Mr. Justinian,” she said quietly from behind him and lightly touched his shoulder. “Congratulations, I hope you and your daughter have a very Merry Christmas.”

He was nearly speechless and managed to croak out a thank-you. After shaking the judge’s hand, he stood up and lifted Sophia into his arms. “Let’s go home and play in the snow.”

They made their way out of the hearing room, and after thanking everyone who’d helped through the process, his family made its way to the car. They rode home with Sophia describing the snowman she wanted to make and Howard as happy as he could remember.

They arrived home and Howard got out of the car. “Someone else is here,” Howard observed out loud, and then he was engulfed in a hug. “Patrick.”

“It’s us. Gordy called and said you were on your way home,” Ken said from behind him.

“Is this some sort of surprise thing?” Howard asked.

“Yes,” Ken said. Patrick released him, and Howard made his way to the house.

“Sophia, you need to change your clothes before playing in the snow,” he said.

“I know,” she said, already on the porch, she and Hanna talking a blue streak. Gordy must have unlocked the house, because Howard heard the door open and the girls rush inside. He carefully navigated the walk and was relieved to get into the house. He got his cold weather gear off and hung up.

“Sit down, I have this,” Gordy said, and Howard sat on the sofa. He took off Token’s harness and set it aside, letting his canine helper know he was off duty. The others sat down as well.

“Patrick and I have something for the two of you,” Ken said once they were all seated. “I meant it to be a Christmas present, but I think today is more appropriate.” Ken took Howard’s hands and placed them on the edges of a small board.

“What is it?”

“A family picture,” Ken said.

“That’s very nice, thank you,” Howard said and moved to hand it to Gordy.

“No, it’s for you. I experimented with all kinds of materials until I could get the exact effect I wanted. Feel it.”

Howard ran his hand over the surface and his hand began to shake. “You made it bumpy,” Howard said. “No, you… I can feel it.” The entire surface was covered in varying textures, smooth for skin, rough softness for hair. He could feel Gordy’s nose and eyes, his stubbly cheeks, Sophia’s long hair and button nose, round cheeks and… smiling? Lips. He could even feel his own face. “It’s wonderful,” Howard breathed in complete wonder.

“I wanted you to have a family portrait that you could see, so to speak, so I experimented for months to get the textures just right. I really hope you like it.”

“I love it,” Howard said, rendered nearly speechless.

“Daddy Howie, can we go out to play now?”

“Yes,” Howard answered, and almost immediately, he heard the front door open and the girls hurry out. Token gave a happy yip as he joined them.

Gordy got up, saying he was going to make hot chocolate.

The girls played outside for hours, until the grown-ups were all afraid they’d freeze. Ken and Patrick left after dinner, and Howard and Gordy went through the routine of putting Sophia to bed, with Howard telling her a Christmas story about a helpful elf who just happened to be named Sophia. Once he’d turned out her light and said good night, he returned to the living room and sat next to Gordy.