Love Speaks

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

“Rise and shine, sleepy head!” Stephan’s voice drew him from the depths of slumber. “It’s time to get up.”

Ian may have grumbled with protest, trying to snuggle into his pillow only to become acutely aware that he wasn’t in bed. That was enough to bring him fully awake, a yawn cracking his jaw as he stretched. Early morning light spilled through the window, or at least so he thought. It was coming from the lamp.

“What time is it?” He half expected to be told it was midnight or something, with Stephan rousting him to come to bed. Then he noticed his lover’s outfit was not only different from the day before, but he also wasn’t sporting pajamas.

Stephan checked his watch. “A wee bit after eight in the morning.”

“After eight?” He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, thinking about a nice cup of coffee with a donut or maybe a Danish, if there were any left. Then all the unwanted forgotten pieces fell into place. “Crap!”

It was Thanksgiving.

Ian jumped out of the chair, accidentally disturbing Mushu, who let out a startled yowl, before scampering out of the room.

“How could you let me oversleep? I should have been at the airport by now.” His heart raced as he made a beeline for the door. He didn’t get very far before Stephan snagged him by the wrist and stopped him in his tracks. “Hey,” popped out of Ian’s mouth.

“Sweetheart, I hate to break it to you,” Stephan started, then seemed to have another idea. Gently he thrust Ian toward the window. “Just have a look for yourself.”

Frowning at his fiancé, Ian crossed the room to have a peek. And instantly his heart sank. The landscape had been bathed in a fresh layer of white. Where the yard ended and the road began he couldn’t tell, it was seamless, untouched, and from his vantage point, at least a foot deep. It would take forever to shovel out the driveway to get the car out and unless a plow went by, the street would remain impassable.

Much like the day before Stephan came to stand at his side, taking hold of Ian’s hand. “I’m sorry, love. The storm dropped a lot more than they expected. Many roads are buried and the airport has cancelled all flights until the runways can be cleared.”

“I…I can’t go home?”

Stephan shook his head.

“But…What am I supposed to do? I don’t want to have Thanksgiving by myself. We don’t even have a turkey.” He felt the familiar pinprick of unshed tears welling in his eyes.

Stephan squeezed his hand. “You won’t be having it alone. I promise.”

Eyebrow c****d, Ian asked. “What do you mean?”