7 Years Later
Asher : Hurry home ;)
Cailen smiled down at his phone before slipping it into the pocket of his winter jacket.
He was just getting off his shift at the hospital, having spent the day wrapping up sprained ankles and tending to sore backs from slipping on the icy sidewalks.
He was looking forward to going home and spending the night wrapped up in a blanket by the fire with Asher to snuggle up to. Of course it'll be a fake fire, one of those gas powered heater ones with the fake flames because they lived in a flat and not a house but it'll be just as nice.
Even though they had moved into the flat several years ago, Cailen still found himself smiling at the thought of it being their flat once in a while. He just couldn't believe this was how his life had turned out.
He remembers when he thought he'd be living his life alone and miserable with a not-so-dark secret hanging over his head.
He still shook his head at his younger self. He couldn't believe how stupid he had been but he supposed everyone made mistakes.
"Goodnight, Madeline." Cailen called out as he passed the front desk.
Behind the desk was a kind elderly lady that he had grown quite fond of over the couple years he's been working here. She was very sweet and caring but also had that 'no bullshit' kind of attitude that he loved.
"Goodnight, Cailen, and happy birthday." She replied with a sweet smile.
He smiled back, thanking her as he slipped out into the cold evening air. If the snowy weather and icy streets weren't enough of an indication that it was Christmas Eve, the decorations hung up outside the hospital and along the sidewalks should do it.
Cailen loved this time of the year. He loved it for the lights and decorations, he loved it for the snow and ice skating, the hot chocolate and snacks you know you shouldn't eat but do anyway, and the family parties and smiles on kids.
But most of all, he loved it because it was his birthday.
As a kid, he hated that his birthday was on Christmas Eve because it often got forgotten at the orphanage with the hustle and bustle of Christmas.
But now, he had a family who didn't forget.
Now he had a family that made sure to wish him a happy birthday and get him a gift.
Tonight he didn't really have anything planned, not really.
He and Asher were just going to spend the evening together in their flat. Asher had convinced him that they were getting too old to throw big parties and get drunk, that they had to start acting responsibly and mature, especially with them waiting for the adoption agency to give their approval.
He was okay with that. It’s not like he was really that big on parties.
Cailen tried to hurry home just as Asher wanted him to, but the roads were too icy to even think about hurrying and he knew Asher would rather him get their alive than in a hurry.
He maneuvered his way home, parking in the underground parking beneath their tower block because it was too cold to park on the street and he really didn't fancy making that walk tonight.
He made his way up to their flat, taking the stairs to try and make up for all the extra treats lately, and pushed open the door to their flat where he was greeted by Loki, their little black lab, jumping at his legs and barking to get his attention.
Cailen slipped inside and shut the door, noticing the flat was quite dark and quiet except for the yapping puppy at his ankles. He bent down, slipping his keys into his pocket, and greeted Loki.
This involved getting his face attacked by a cold wet nose and a warm soft tongue.
"Oh, hello Loki, oh yes, I missed you too." Cailen spoke, petting the puppy behind the ears and allowing the wet kisses to his face.
"I'm next." Came a familiar voice from the small hall of their flat.
Cailen grinned, and with one final kiss and pat, he stood and turned to see Asher standing there with a fond smile, waiting for him.
He had yet to see him today because Asher always had to get up a couple hours before Cailen to go to work and Cailen just couldn't bring himself to get up that early.
He was still often surprised when he looked at Asher, especially when he let a bit of stubble grow on his jaw. He's gotten so much bigger over the years. It was sort of expected with his job, and the stubble that he now sported made him look ten years older than he really was.
Cailen also knew Asher hated letting the stubble grow, claiming that it itched too much, but Asher knew Cailen thought it looked sexy so he would let it grow just for him once in a while, especially on occasions like Cailen's birthday.
"Are you sure you want to after he got a go at me?" Cailen teased, allowing himself to be pulled into Asher's arms.
His arms went around Asher's neck as Asher used one hand to slip around his waist and the other to wipe at Cailen's mouth, getting rid of the slobber there.
They both kind of chuckled before Asher did indeed take his turn, placing his lips on Cailen's in a quick peck at first. But like it usually happens between them, it quickly grew into much more.
He was happy to find that Asher did not smell of smoke. He hated coming home to find that Asher had a smudge of soot on his cheek or that he smelled like he just decided to take a walk through a volcano and it worried him.
Of course, Asher would try to cover it up by having a shower before Cailen could get home and dowsing himself in cologne because he knew how worried he got, but it didn't matter how much cologne he used, Cailen could always smell the familiar scent of smoke on him.
It was expected of course, Asher being a firefighter and all, but it still worried him.
However, Cailen was just as supportive because if this was what Asher wanted to do, if it made him happy, then it was what he wanted Asher to do.
He just wished it wasn't so damn dangerous. He knew that Asher knew what he was doing and that he was always being careful but still, accidents can happen.
Cailen was fully aware of Loki jumping at their ankles and the suspicious darkness of the flat, but he couldn't bring himself to care much.
How could he with Asher's lips slowly working against his, with Asher's tongue licking at his bottom lip and his hands making their way up under his shirt?
He couldn't, that was the problem.
The problem being that he couldn't even really register Asher leading him into the living room because this was Asher and he would go anywhere Asher wanted.
He didn't even register the lights coming on or all of the people standing in their living room.
At least not until they all yelled 'Surprise!', startling him away from a now grinning Asher.
Cailen's pounding heart calmed a bit when he turned to see the familiar faces of his friends and family, all grinning from ear to ear at him.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" They all yelled, followed by a round of cheers, all for him.
Cailen was definitely surprised and more than a little confused because he had thought Asher had told him no parties, yet he was certain this was considered a party.
Their living room had been transformed- the couch that usually sat in the middle of the room facing the television on the far wall was now turned and pushed up against the right wall, the coffee table now sitting in the middle of the room with bowls of crisps on it and a variety of drinks surrounding them, all non-alcoholic because there were children here.
There were streamers stretched across the ceiling, drooping slightly, with balloons taped to the walls and a 'Happy Birthday' sign that hung above the television.
Everyone was here- everyone he cared about.
Eden and Dean stood in the middle of the group, Dean's arms holding Eden close by the waist with Stella and her husband David by their side.
Arabella and Charlie stood by them, with their six children spread out beside them.
William stood tall by Dean, grinning at Cailen like he had just won some game.
Beside him was Noah and his girlfriend of one year, Camille
On the end was Matthew and his pregnant wife, Hazel.
It was everyone he loved, all here on his birthday to celebrate with him.