Pair of Kings, Ace High

Chapter 2-1

Chapter 2

The rest of the shoot went fine. Felix was careful to open himself up to the camera, so they didn’t have to do many takes. They all got out half an hour early, which was a relief to everyone.

On the way home, Blake received a text from his cousin, Travis. You guys free to chat soon?

Blake was driving, so he had Felix text back, We’re heading home right now. Call you in twenty?

Sometimes Travis and his wife Julie called to check in, or because they were bored and wanted someone to talk to, or if they had some form of news. Considering the fact that they had called casually about a week ago, Blake suspected there was news. He and Felix talked about what that might be.

“Maybe she’s joining a band?” Felix suggested. He had played drums in a band with her in college, and while he had continued his musical career for a time, Julie had moved on to a different calling.

“I don’t think she would, though maybe one of them did get another job? Or maybe they’re moving somewhere?”

“Maybe she’s pregnant.”

Blake scoffed. “You know Travis. He wouldn’t agree to kids unless he was one-hundred percent certain he wouldn’t mess them up.”

Felix shrugged. “Still a possibility.”

Whatever it was, Blake’s curiosity was definitely piqued. They called Travis and Julie the moment they settled down at home. Blake and Felix snuggled up on the couch so they both fit on Blake’s laptop’s webcam.

The image of Travis and Julie swung into view as Travis adjusted his smartphone. “Hi guys!” he said, all smiles.

“Hey, Trav,” Blake said. “What’s up?”

“Oh, y’know, wanted to say hi. What’s up with you guys?”

Blake was already suspicious. “We’re good. Just got home from a day of shooting. What time is it there? Eleven? Midnight?”

“Almost midnight, yeah.”

“You wanted us to call you at midnight so you could say hi?”

Travis and Julie exchanged a look. “Well…actually…”

Felix gripped Blake’s hand. “Don’t tell me,” he said with an expectant grin.

Julie beamed from ear to ear. “We’re pregnant!”

“Oh my God!” Blake covered his mouth with his free hand. “Really? Wow!” He didn’t know what else to say other than, “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” That seemed too rude, so he kept it to himself.

Julie nodded. “Ten weeks, according to my doctor.”

Felix bounced with excitement. “I’m so happy for you guys!”

Travis hugged Julie. “Yeah, I was nervous at first, but…I think I’m ready.”

“I’m sure you’ll be a great father,” Blake said. Travis’s dad had been a jerk who walked out on the family when Travis was little, so he knew Travis would do everything he could to be the opposite of that.

“There’s one more thing,” Travis said.

Felix’s jaw dropped. “If you say it’s twins I’m shutting off this computer right now.”

Travis laughed. “No, so far it’s only one. But um, we did have a serious question to ask…”

Julie rested her head on Travis’s shoulder and smiled. “Blake? We’d like you to be the godfather.”

That left Blake speechless. He sat there, staring at his cousin, agape and silent. Felix squealed with delight. He turned to Blake with an exuberant expression, yet Blake still didn’t know how to answer.

“I—I—” Blake swallowed then took a deep breath. “I’m honored, but…am I the right choice?”

“Of course you are,” Julie said.

“You’re practically my brother,” Travis added.

“Yeah, but…I’m not—wouldn’t you rather pick Amy and Paul to be the godparents? Or what about Frank?”

Travis tossed his head dismissively. “Pfft, Amy and Paul have been dating a year and they don’t act like a serious couple at all, and Frank…well, you know Frank. You are in a stable long-term relationship and you know when to take your head out of your ass.” Blake opened his mouth to argue more, but Travis interrupted with, “Look, Blake, we sat down and talked about this as soon as we found out. Gotta start planning for the kid’s future early as we can. Of all the people we know, you are the one we trust the most and whom we know would love and support this kid as much as we will.”

“Plus, it’s not like we’re asking you to adopt her—him—the baby,” Julie said. “Yeah, you’ll be Uncle Blake and we’ll invite you to every birthday party and school play or whatever, but we’re planning on staying alive until we meet our grandkids, or at least until our child is out of the house. However, if something ever happened to us, we know you’re the best choice to take care of them.”

“Can…I think about it and get back to you guys?” Blake felt bad about not accepting right away, but as much as he wasn’t expecting Travis to be ready for kids, he knew he personally wasn’t. He had talked to asexual people who had biological or adopted children through chatrooms when he first came out, and they all seemed happy. However, that simply wasn’t the lifestyle he had imagined for himself at this point.

The four of them talked a while longer about preparations Travis and Julie were making, what names they were considering, who else knew, as well as some basic catching up. The last part didn’t take long since they had spoken so recently. Blake counted the seconds until the call ended nonetheless. He needed time to think where he didn’t have to smile and act calmly. He heaved a sigh of relief once he closed the chat app.

Felix lightly smacked him on the arm. “Why didn’t you agree to be the godfather?” he demanded.

Blake pouted. “I didn’t reject them either. I have to consider it first.”

“What’s there to consider? You’d be a terrific godfather!”

“Would I? Come on, Felix. We work in the porn industry. That’s not the best role model for a kid.”

Felix wrinkled his nose. “We wouldn’t bring the kid on set, and we don’t have to tell them what we do for a living until they’re old enough to know.”

“Still…I just…don’t think I’m cut out for it. I’m not exactly a normal guy. I can’t be the one that kid looks to when they don’t have Travis or Julie.”

“What makes you think they won’t? Travis and Julie aren’t going anywhere for a long time. They already said they don’t expect you to help raise their kid; you’d just be Uncle Blake, and if some tragedy happened then you would take care of them until they’re old enough to be on their own.” Felix put his hand on Blake’s shoulder. “Our job isn’t kid-friendly, that doesn’t mean our household has to be as well.”

Blake sighed. “But what if the kid finds out what we do, tells all their friends, and some child protection lawyer tells Travis and Julie I’m not allowed to be the godfather? You of all people should know. One of the rights s*x workers want is the right to raise their own kids without people trying to take them away.”

“Which is exactly why I back that cause. Well, and for a myriad of other reasons, but don’t try to derail me from this rant. Most s*x workers are great parents. My only concern with us trying to help raise a kid is we have long work hours that have the potential to get longer if something doesn’t go right. Also, notice the fact that you keep saying, ‘I wouldn’t be a good godparent,’ or ‘I have too strange of a lifestyle.’ Meanwhile, I’m over here saying, ‘We can do this,’ and ‘We would handle it.’ You’re not alone in this. Sure, we’re not married, but we’ve been together for over two years and I don’t intend to leave any time soon. I can totally see us being the old gay couple that dotes on our god-grandchildren.”

That image made Blake smile. “You do realize Travis would make me give them the s*x talk?”

Felix laughed. “Oh, I can picture it. ‘Now, Travvy Junior, remember, when you’re going down on a woman, make sure to angle your head so the camera can see your face and what you’re doing.’”

Blake snorted then burst into laughter. “I meant more along the lines of, ‘s*x isn’t a big deal. You don’t need to have it. In case you want to, here’s how to do it and here’s a list of films you can watch to get some ideas without bothering your dad.’”

“See? You’d be a great influence! And whoever snatches up that boy first is going to be glad you were his teacher. Or her.”

Blake smiled, yet he still had his doubts. “Give me time to think about it, okay? I could do all those things as Uncle Blake. I don’t have to be the godfather, but…maybe. Julie’s brother might turn out to be a good option, too, then it won’t have to be me.”

Felix hugged him. “Whatever your decision, I’ll support you, but keep in mind that you’re the only one voting no on this so far.”

“Yeah, well, we’ll see.”