Page 40 of The Attercop

All three burst out laughing.

“Now, I think it’s time to join us grown-ups in the living room,” Gran said.

Charlie found Declan and Ted sitting on the couch, deep in discussion about what seemed to be the impossibility of the Toronto Maple Leaf’s NHL franchise ever winning the Stanley Cup again.

“It’s a fact,” Ted said, “that in Canada, East hates West. The English don’t get the French—and vice versa on both of those. The only thing that unites the country is that everyone hates Toronto. The NHL is rigged so that there is no way they’ll ever be allowed to win!”

Charlie glanced at the bottle of Scotch and saw that a good dent had been put in it since supper.

“Well, as long as the Flames get the cup,” Declan said, with vigour. “To hell with the rest of them!”

“Charlie, come sit with me,” Carrie said, patting the space next to her on the loveseat. “We need to readjust the balance of the masculine energy in the room.”

“What? Don’t forget I used to be a pretty good hockey player myself,” Charlie defended.

“Yes, you did. But you weren’t so loud about it.”

Charlie glanced at Declan, who winked at him.

Gran and Maggie entered the room with presents. There was a hand-knit sweater from his gran, and an engraved pen to use at work, from his parents. Carrie gave him a copy of a popular gay hockey romance novel, and promised to take him out for dinner later. The gifts were simple and he couldn’t have asked for anything more. They were given with love.

After a few more drinks, Charlie glanced at the watch Declan had given him, and said, “We really should be heading out.”

Charlie’s mother and Gran both gave him hugs and kisses as he prepared to leave. His dad held back. Charlie went to him and held out his hand. His dad took it and smiled. “You’re welcomeback anytime. Just drop on by. And that goes for you, too,” he said to Declan.

Declan shook Ted’s hand warmly, and they made their way out to the waiting Uber.

Charlie snuggled into Declan in the back of the car.

“That was the best birthdayever!” Charlie slurred out.

“It was, wasn’t it,” Declan replied.

“Sorry I was a bit of a dick earlier. I was just scared about seeing my dad again.”

“I know.”

“An’ it was so nice to have Carrie there, wasn’t it?”

Declan nodded. “It was.”

“And the presents?Oh, my god, that new sweater Gran knit for me…I better not put on any weight ’til winter or it won’t fit.”

“It’s nice and you’ll be fine,” Declan said.

“Oh, and the way you got along with Dad.It was perfect!”

“It was, wasn’t it?”

“The best birthday present of all,” Charlie said as he snuggled more deeply into Declan.

He stared up at him and said, “I love you.”

Declan kissed him and said, “I love you more.”

Charlie held onto Declan tightly. He never wanted this moment to end.

Chapter Eighteen