Two Good Mothers

This is a sequel to One Good Lover and follows it directly. It stands more or less alone, but makes more sense if you've read OGL first.

This story is rated NC-17.

I owe my listsibs on Serge yet another great big thank you kindly for all their support (and patience)! And a special thank you to one of my best friends, Sylvie, who made sure I never gave up and who gave me the great puffin face line.

I'd appreciate receiving comments about my story. You can send them to raven_free@hotmail.com. You can find all my stories at www.geocities.com/raven_free.

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, but Alliance obviously doesn't want them any more.

Two Good Mothers

by: Raven

The Monday after Fraser and Ray had first made love came far too quickly. And with it came reality. The pair had spent all of Sunday making frantic, beautiful love in an attempt to keep the real world at bay. Ray took his turn being on the bottom, experiencing a oneness with the man he loved that he had never thought could be possible. All went to say that while both men were sated come Monday morning, they were more than just a little stiff.

"So, what now?" Ray asked, pulling on the same clothes he'd worn Saturday. He hadn't wanted to waste any time with Fraser by going to his apartment.

Fraser swallowed as he knotted his tie. "I don't know."

"Do we tell them or let 'em figure it out for themselves?"

"We tell our superior officers. They should know, just in case."

Ray nodded. "Okay. You'll tell Thatcher and I'll tell Welsh and we'll meet for lunch and compare notes, okay?"

Fraser smiled. "Okay." He took the liberty of reaching over and pulling Ray into a deep kiss.

A few minutes later, Ray dropped Fraser off at the Consulate. The Mountie took a deep breath before entering and going upstairs. "Is the Inspector in?" he asked Ovitz.

"Yes, Sir, she is." Fraser headed for Thatcher's office and knocked firmly.

"Come in," prim voice answered. Fraser stepped into the tastefully decorated office. "What is it, Constable?"

"I need to make a change in my file, Sir."

"Oh?"

"Yes, I need to change my next of kin."

"You can do that with Ovitz, you know that." Thatcher was using her best 'you're bothering me without good reason and I'm annoyed with you, Constable' voice.

"I thought you should be made aware of the nature of my relationship with the man I've chosen as my new next of kin, Sir."

Thatcher furrowed her brow. "Constable, you're not making any sense."

Fraser decided to just blurt it out. "Sir, I have a boyfriend, Detective Ray Kowalski. As our relationship is intimate I thought you should be advised of the matter should anything happen to me. Thank you kindly for your time." Fraser didn't wait for Thatcher to answer. Instead, he fled to the relative safety of his office.

Meanwhile, at the twenty-seventh precinct, Ray knocked on the door to Welsh's office, stepping inside once the gruff man's voice had given him permission to. Ray cut straight to the chase. "Fraser and I are in a relationship and figured our superior officers should know in case anything happened to either one of us." To Welsh's credit, no trace of emotion flickered on the expression he managed to keep neutral.

"I see," he said calmly. "I take it this is a recent development?"

"Very recent. We'll keep it professional."

Welsh nodded. "Can I make a personal comment?"

"Sure."

"I think you'll be very happy together."

Lunch couldn't have come quickly enough. They'd agreed to meet at Fraser's apartment for a quickie and maybe a bite to eat. No sooner had they stepped inside than their hands were all over the other.

Fraser yanked Ray's pants down, taking his cock into his mouth, licking it like the finest ice cream available, waiting for the sweet cream that would... there. A quick swallow and a lick of the lips before Ray took his turn.

His red lips sucked and bit and just to draw it out a little longer, licked a tad. Until Ray had a Mountie bucking into his mouth, all sense of propriety lost as he screamed his loved one's name over and over again. Ray, too, swallowed, enjoying the tangy taste of his boyfriend as Fraser came not once, but twice.

They collapsed on the bed and made love with their hands, more slowly this time, each man squeezing the other and drawing it out until release was unavoidable and they came together in a shining burst of colour.

Lying there, on the narrow slab that Fraser called a bed, as their ardour cooled and their breathing levelled, both men were content to just hold each other for just a little longer.

Finally, reality began to encroach. They only had an hour, after all. Reluctantly, as though by some silent cue, both men sat up at the same time, speaking in the same breath, "So how'd it go?" Ray motioned for Fraser to go first.

"I chickened out," the Mountie said. "I told her and got out before she could answer!" Ray laughed as he shook his head fondly. "And Welsh?"

"He said we're gonna be happy together." Fraser bit his lower lip, his eyes flooding with tears.

Concerned, Ray took him into his arms, stroking his Canadian's back softly. "Ssh... What's wrong?"

"I'm already happy!"

Ray kissed the tears away as he answered, "So am I, baby, so am I... So very happy..."

Fraser looked up, eyes shining. "Did you call me 'baby'?"

Ray gave a soft laugh. "Yes, you're my baby." Smiling, Fraser snuggled against Ray.

Who cared if they decided to take the afternoon off? Not them.

The rest of the week was much of the same. Passionate, love-filled, nights and lunch breaks interrupted only by work. They were both surprised they'd barely been reprimanded for playing hooky Monday afternoon. Maybe their stern, duty driven bosses actually had not only a heart, but also a place in it for romance. Even when it was happening to someone else. All in all, life was pretty damn close to perfect, even though both Fraser and Ray took extreme caution not to make the nature of their relationship public. They knew they couldn't put it off for ever. They were just waiting for the right opportunity. They couldn't just call the squad room to attention and blurt out their confession, could they?

In the end, Francesca Vecchio did it for them.

Fraser was having a hellish day. Contrary to most people, he hated Fridays. So many things had to be settled before the weekend that the Consulate was beyond busy on the last day of the work week. Five minutes before quitting time, the phone rang. He wondered who it could be. Ovitz always announced official callers. Perhaps it was Ray.

"Constable Fraser," he said into the receiver.

"Benito, caro, this Rosa Vecchio." Without any conscience effort on Fraser's part, a wide grin spread its way across his face.

"Mrs. Vecchio! It's so good to hear from you!"

"And you, mio sconosciuto!" Fraser didn't recognize the word, but knew it was meant as an endearment as Mrs. Vecchio had not preceded the possessive pronoun by an article.

"Your what?" he asked politely.

"My stranger," she said fondly. "I have not seen you enough these last weeks, Benito. This is still your home--and your family--you know." Fraser tried to swallow past a golf ball sized lump in his throat. Just what a gay guy needed. A Catholic family. This thought shocked him just as he accepted its truth. Mrs. Vecchio was so devout. There was no way she could accept the 'truth' about her 'son'. But there was also no way to push her away without telling her the truth. She had to know and make her own decision.

"Mrs. Vecchio, there is something I need to tell you."

"You can tell me over dinner tomorrow, caro. And bring that scrawny friend of yours, so that I can put a bit of meat on his bones!"

"You know about Ray?"

"Si, caro, I keep tabs on all my children. If Raimondo is your friend, then he is my son also."

"What I have to say to you, Mrs. Vecchio, is very hard. You... you might not want me at your dinner table." A pregnant pause.

"What is wrong, caro?"

"Nothing is wrong, really. Please meet Ray and myself for lunch tomorrow? Say at the park at the end of your street? The weather should be mild and I'll bring food."

"I'll be there, caro." Mrs. Vecchio's voice sounded worried as she hung up.

"Baby? What's wrong?" Ray asked as he wrapped his arms more tightly around his lover that night as they lay in bed in Ray's apartment. Fraser waited a moment before answering.

"Mrs. Vecchio called today." Ray didn't comment, waiting for his lover to continue. "She wants us to come for dinner tomorrow. She's already adopted you."

"But she doesn't know and will mind," Ray finished, reading Fraser's mind.

"Yeah. I told her we'd meet her for a picnic lunch tomorrow, so we could tell her and she could make up her mind. Please tell me you'll come." Ray kissed the top of Fraser's head.

"Of course I will, baby."

Mrs. Vecchio looked a little older than she'd seemed before her son had been violently taken from her. But she still walked tall, her gait sure. For Fraser, only one word came to mind as he saw her, dignified. He and Ray had brought a good lunch, chicken with rolls and salad, but he wanted to talk first. There could be no lies between him and Rosa Vecchio. He owed her too much.

She greeted both men with a hug and kiss which were reciprocated, then the trio sat at the table. Looking at both men expectantly, Rosa chose to remain silent until one spoke.

"What I am going to tell you, Mrs. Vecchio, goes against your beliefs," Fraser said finally.

"And how to you claim to know my beliefs, Benito?" Mrs. Vecchio asked sensibly.

"I know what your church advocates."

"I am more concerned with what my God advocates, caro." This made the next step easier.

"What does your God say about love?" Mrs. Vecchio had had enough.

"Benito, what is this about?"

"I'm in love with Ray, Mrs. Vecchio," Fraser blurted out. "We're in a romantic relationship."

Mrs. Vecchio's only reaction was to look from one man to the other. Fraser was relieved when no disgust made its way onto her matronly features. Suddenly, she burst out laughing. "Is this what you were so scared of telling me, caro?" she made out. "That you have finally found someone to love?" Fraser nodded miserably, not quite sure of her reaction yet. She turned to Ray.

"Raimondo, do you love Benito?"

"With all my heart," he said, his voice betraying a smidgen of fear.

"Will you ever hurt him?" Ray shook his head.

"No, ma'am." Mrs. Vecchio turned her attention back to Fraser.

"And you, Benito, will you ever hurt Raimondo?"

"Never."

"Love, miei bambini, is so hard to find... You are truly blessed to have found one another and I wish you a long, and happy life together." Knowing that he had Mrs. Vecchio's blessing, Fraser found tears sliding down his cheeks. "There is one thing, however." Fraser looked up at her expectantly. "There are to be no secrets in our house. You will come to dinner tonight and when the children are in bed, you will tell Tony and Maria and Francesca, si?"

Fraser nodded. "Si, Mrs. Vecchio."

She shook her head. "I am your, Ma, Benito, and yours, too, Raimondo." This was too much for both cops who found themselves crying tears of relief and joy. 'Ma' gave them a moment to compose themselves. "So, what about lunch?" she asked a moment later.

Fraser and Ray walked Mrs. Vecchio home an hour later, promising to return a few hours later for dinner. As Ray drove himself and Fraser to Fraser's apartment to spend the afternoon, he finally let out a relieved sigh. "No wonder you love her," he said.

Fraser smiled. "Yes. But... I could never have imagined it would be like this. Never. She is so traditional. Ray?" he said suddenly.

"Yeah, baby?"

"Don't you have parents?"

"They're in Arizona somewhere. Dad and I haven't spoken since I became a cop, so I don't think he'd take this too well, either. I don't want to talk about 'em, okay?"

"Okay."

"You're not okay with it."

"You're so lucky to have parents," Fraser said wistfully as he dropped the subject.

"Is it always like this?" Ray asked his lover, leaning in close so that Fraser could hear the whispered question. He couldn't believe the chaos around him. Everyone was yelling and participating in at least two, if not more, conversations.

"It's okay," Fraser whispered back. "They only attack the ones they love."

"Great." To reassure Ray, Fraser very casually laid a hand on Ray's thigh.

After dinner, the children wandered off, but Mrs. Vecchio told the adults to convene in the living room. As he followed his 'family', Fraser finally realised that there was a grain of truth in the saying that had something to do with fear causing people to defecate in their clothing. Fraser found his stomach churning and he began to wonder if he'd be able to keep his dinner in.

"What's going on?" Francesca asked. "I have a date tonight." She looked pointedly at Fraser, as though to me make him jealous.

"Benito, Raimondo, and I had a chat today where they told me something important, something they want to share with you all." Fraser saw realisation dawn in Maria's eyes. Taking a deep breath, Fraser took Ray's hand and squeezed it gently.

"Ray's not just my unofficial work partner. He's also my boyfriend."

Maria nodded approvingly, Tony just sat stunned, Ma gave her boys a fond look, and Frannie took a moment before screaming.

"You're a queer? How could you do that to me, you faggot!" She continued to rattle off obscenities as everyone in the room sat too stunned by her reaction to stop her. Finally, Fraser did one of two things that could be done with an hysterical person.

He grabbed Francesca's arms a firmly. Maybe a little more firmly than was warranted, but he'd had enough of her childish antics.

She stopped her tirade mid-insult, starring at Fraser with stunned brown eyes.

"Now, you listen to me," Fraser said, his voice low and steady. "I should have said this to you two years ago. I've tried the subtle route, but that has not worked, so I'll now tell you. I don't want you. I'll never want you. Keep your hands off me and stay away from boyfriend and me."

It had been so long that Fraser had wanted to say these things to Francesca, and finally he had an opportunity which he latched onto with relish. It was time to put Ms. Vecchio in her place.

"You're never going to get anyone that way," he pursued, his voice more gentle than Francesca deserved. "No one will ever respect you until you start to respect yourself. What Ray has to offer me cannot even begin to compare itself to what you have been flaunting. So, am I making myself clear enough here?" Francesca had bowed her head at the fury of Fraser's polite onslaught.

"Yes," she said in a small voice.

"I didn't hear you."

"Yes," she repeated a little more loudly.

"Good. I trust we won't have to discuss this again."

"Hell, no," Francesca retorted. "Ain't no way I'm coming near a fag. You're sick, Fraser."

Fraser's reaction was not the one Francesca had expected. If looks could have killed, Francesca Vecchio would have been a dead woman a hundred times over. "I might be sick," he said. "But you're pathetic," he continued softly. Gathering her pride together, Francesca didn't even look at the other occupants of the room as she fled it for the relative security of a date with some loser she'd never see again.

The atmosphere settled after a moment or two. Fraser drew himself back to the present and he looked at his family. He knew an old adage was about to be put to the test. Was blood truly thicker than water? "I'm sorry for my daughter," Ma said finally, looking from Fraser to Ray. "She does not make the rules in this house. I do. You will continue to come whenever you like. If she has a problem with that, then she can find herself a new home."

"Thank you, Ma," Fraser and Ray said in the same breath. She held out her arms and her boys allowed themselves to find refuge in them for a moment.

Monday morning, Fraser, who had the later shift that day, offered to go to the precinct to help Ray catch up on his paperwork. Both men felt that something wasn't right in the air as they walked into the twenty-seventh's brick building. People regarded them strangely as the detective and his Canadian made their way up to the Bullpen. With his stomach turning into a sickening mess of knots as he realised what had happened, Ray turned to his lover for confirmation. Fraser nodded. "Francesca," he said with conviction.

Neither man was surprised when Welsh called them into his office.

"What's this about?" Ray asked innocently.

"Fraser," the Lieutenant answered succinctly. Fraser frowned Ray was startled to notice. It wasn't often that his lover assumed the worst would happen.

"Yes?" the Mountie asked.

"Francesca Vecchio has pressed charges against you for assault," Welsh said. Ray's jaw dropped. He saw the nerve in Fraser's twitch.

"Sir?" Fraser asked.

"I decided to 'misplace' the paperwork until I had a chance to speak with you. How do you explain the bruises on her arms?" Welsh handed Fraser a file folder. Inside, Fraser found photographs of what were obviously a woman's arms. Midway up the humerus an angry set of fingerprints stood out in start relief against the pale skin. Dear God, he hadn't meant to hold her that tightly! "She's such a small woman, Constable. If she goes through with this, I have no doubt the DA will have a case. We all know how fond St. Laurent is of you." Fraser swallowed. "Now, this would be your first case for assault, you'd be let off with a slap on the wrist. But I don't want this to go any further because I know this isn't you. So, are you willing to tell me what happened?"

Fraser nodded. "Ms. Vecchio was less than... pleased when she was informed of my relationship with Detective Kowalski. She began to scream obscenities and this degenerated into hysteria."

Ray cut in then. "She knows the only way we can fight this charge is to come out. She's forcing us to come out. Ben, I'm ready." Fraser turned to his lover, his eyes reflecting his love for the Chicago flatfoot with experimental hair.

"So am I, Ray." Welsh sat back, a pleased expression working its way onto his gruff features.

"Yes, that just might work. You'll show that you have nothing to hide. Ms. Vecchio won't be able to deny the reasons why you reacted as you did, Constable. I will support the two of you as best as I can. I trust that your coworkers will, for the most part, be accepting of your situation."

"Thank you, leftenant," Fraser murmured. "Just one question. How does one go about coming out of the closet?" To his surprise, Welsh and Ray burst out into side splitting laughter. This was when Fraser knew everything was going to be all right. He had two allies. Three if you counted Inspector Thatcher whose reaction had been utterly unexpected. There had been no jealousy expressed on her part, just a quiet encouragement. Fraser's faith in humanity which had been badly shaken with Ray Vecchio's murder was finally being reaffirmed. With a final snort, Welsh regained his composure.

"Do what feels right, okay? While you two do that, I'm going to call St. Laurent." Fraser took Ray's hand for comfort as Welsh picked up the phone. Looking to his respective lover for strength, Fraser and Ray walked out into the Bullpen hand in hand.

It was as though the entire precinct had been waiting for something to happen. The minute Fraser and Ray walked out of Welsh's office, the place went completely and utterly silent.

"We would rather have done this privately," Fraser began, looking at Elaine who knew with earth shattering clarity exactly what was about to be revealed. "But that option was stolen from us. The Inuit have a saying--"

"We're gay and dating," Ray cut in. Fraser threw his lover an irritated, but grateful look. There were a few gasps, some stunned yet silent looks, but no outward hostility until Gardino put his foot in his mouth.

"You guys are sick--" was all he had time to say before Huey decked him. Ray and Fraser didn't know whether to be horrified or amused that Huey was defending them. Louis lay there for a moment, trying to gather his senses before attempting to speak. "Can't a guy finish his sentence?!" he moaned, clutching a jaw he knew would be very bruised.

"Finish it quickly," Huey threatened. He'd been inordinately protective of the Mountie since Vecchio had met his maker. Fraser wasn't quite sure how to explain it, but he was grateful for the show of friendship.

"Okay, sick wasn't the best word," Gardino confessed. "Call me a moron. All I meant is that in this dark place where violence and hate is more common than light, love as flourished, and you guys can't even kiss after telling us you're in love!"

"That... that was very poetic, Louis," Fraser said in evident admiration. The wariness in Huey and Ray's eyes dissipated slowly. It wasn't every day Gardino surprised them like this. There had been the poker game, yes, but besides that Gardino was usually such a clown.

"So," Ray said. "I take it no one would mind if I grabbed my baby right here and kissed him senseless?" Not waiting for an answer, Ray did just that.

It really was rather funny, almost everyone had to concede as they watched the proper, straight- laced Mountie getting thoroughly kissed by his scruffy partner and making no attempt to disengage himself. The pair was also surprisingly restrained, as all knew how Kowalski could get. The kiss did involve some discreet tongue wrestling but no groping or lasciviousness. Gardino had put it so well. It was true, they all worked in an environment where there was little room for the better side of life, the side where romance and love and passion grew and flourished. No one wanted to admit it to him or herself, but they all found themselves rather jealous of the love between Fraser and Ray that had managed to plant itself and grow and even thrive under the most incredible odds.

Elaine wasn't even hurt, she was surprised to realise. Yes, she had let the Mountie a long time before. She knew she still loved him--loved him enough to let him go and wish him happiness with the only person she knew could make him laugh. That's what cinched it for her. Laughter, in her world, equalled happiness. If being with Ray was what made Fraser happy, she would support them. That, she knew, was what love was all about.

The three homophobes in the group, after seeing what happened to Gardino, stayed quiet. Luckily for Fraser and Ray, they were not the violent sort and they made plans to transfer to another precinct as quickly as possible.

The kiss broke finally. It was a simple matter of biology. Even a Mountie with excess lung capacity who could share this gift with his lover had to eventually come up for air. So did the lover with normal lung capacity, for that matter. When the two had come back to their senses and Fraser had smoothed down his clothing, Huey snickered.

"Fraser, you're Ray's baby?" he teased. Fraser turned the colour of his uniform. With a look to Ray, he planned his revenge.

"Of course Ben's my baby," Ray said proudly, answering Huey's question and ignoring the look Fraser gave him. Huey just grinned

"So, Fraser--" was all he managed to say before Welsh interrupted.

"Fraser! Kowalski! My office!" he bellowed without bothering to open his door. Fraser raised his eyebrows as Ray shrugged in response.

"I just finished talking to St. Laurent," Welsh continued when the two men entered his office. "I explained the situation to her. No charges will be laid against you, Constable." Fraser let out a breath he hadn't been aware he was holding.

"Thank you, Sir. I'll show greater... restraint next time I speak with Ms. Vecchio." Welsh gave a small snort.

"I think you showed admirable restraint, Constable, as agrees Ms. St. Laurent. We both would have slapped her back to her senses." Fraser gave a small smile. "How is the rest of her family?"

"Very accepting, Sir."

"Good, good. Listen, men, I want to set the line right now. This is the first time I've had a 'couple' under my command. I'm willing to overlook the odd hand holding and peck." Ray and Fraser gave a small laugh.

"Understood," they both said at the same time.

"Now, on to different matters. Kowalski, we need to finalise your transfer papers."

"Isn't that done?" Fraser asked, confused.

"Unofficially yes," Welsh answered. "But you know what paperwork's like."

Fraser nodded. "I'll wait outside if that's okay."

"Sure," Ray answered. "I'll be with you soon."

Fraser exited Welsh's office, closing the door behind him. "Quick!" he called to those still present in the Bullpen, including Huey, Elaine, and Gardino.

"What's up?" Gardino asked.

"I need help coming up with an embarrassing name for Ray!" Elaine giggled. She grabbed a piece of paper off her desk.

"Everyone, write down two suggestions and then we'll narrow it down!"

Two minutes later, Fraser was laughing as he read the suggestions. Elaine's were romantic: angel and light of my heart. Gardino's were silly: schnookums and honeywumps. Huey's were a combination: Ray-bear and Stanny-poo. Other suggestions included lichen-tart, precious, snookums, pookie, and my little love turtle. Fraser knew it wouldn't be easy picking just one. Then he saw it. A name so silly and endearing it wasn't something he could imagine saying to anyone other than Ray. He voiced his choice and his companions murmured their agreement.

Ray finally came out of Welsh's office, and, right on cue, Huey continued where he'd been cut off. "So, Fraser, if you're Ray's 'baby', what's Ray to you?"

"My cuddlekins of course." Ray gave a strangled gasp.

"What?!" the detective exclaimed.

Fraser just smiled at him. "I love you too, cuddlekins."

"Cuddlekins?" Fraser asked Ray that night in Ray's apartment as Ray engulfed his penis.

"Mph?" Ray answered, trying not to laugh as he started to suck the smooth flesh filling his mouth.

"There's something we need to discuss." Ray's answer was unintelligible to anyone but Fraser who translated it as 'is this the right time to discuss anything other than the blowjob I'm giving you?' "You're right," Fraser answered, just as Ray's sucking reached his peak. In a beautifully orchestrated move synchronized in a few weeks practise, Fraser came, shooting his load down Ray's throat just as the detective swallowed. Perfect. Not a drop spilled. "Oh, God, it just gets better every time," Fraser sighed happily as he melted into Ray's arms.

Three blowjobs later, each lover taking his turn, Ray finally brought the discussion back to what Fraser had tried to bring up before his first orgasm of the night.

"What were you trying to ask me before I sucked you off, baby?"

"Oh, I love it when you're crude, cuddlekins," Fraser said, his penis bobbing up at attention. Ray shook his head.

"Can't you get your mind off sex for two seconds???"

Fraser laughed, snuggling against his Ray. "Yes, I can. Long enough to ask you if you'd like to share an apartment with me." Ray was so shocked by Fraser's proposal he pulled away.

"You wanna move in together?!" A flicker of hurt passed in Fraser's eyes.

"Why not? We spend all our time together and everyone who matters knows we're together. Never mind, it was a stupid idea." A grin slowly spread across Ray's features.

"Are you kidding?! It's a great idea, baby!" Reassured, Fraser allowed himself a small smile.

"You wouldn't mind?"

"Hell, no! Oh, I love the idea! We could get a nice place. Maybe with a whirlpool. You ever made love in a whirlpool?"

"Nope. But I can't wait to try," Fraser teased. "Of course, it would need a fireplace, too."

"Access to a backyard for Dief."

"Definitely."

"Could it be a house?"

"A house?" Fraser repeated.

"Yeah, why not? A small one. Maybe in Lincoln Park? Prices are decent there, or so I hear. Ben, we've made a promise to spend our lives together. I dunno, a house'll kinda seal our agreement. It sounds so permanent."

"A house would be great, Ray. I'd like a workshop where I could do woodwork and maybe repair furniture."

"I want a music room with lots of place to dance." Both men stopped suddenly and looked at each other almost shyly.

"Something's changed, hasn't it?" Ray asked. Fraser nodded.

"Yes. We just made a place in our lives for the future. We were living day to day for so long."

"Not just that, baby. I think we've started to live in the real world."

"It's not so bad is it, cuddlekins?"

"No, it isn't. And, for a change of subject, how long am I gonna be your cuddlekins?"

"Forever!" Fraser cried picking up a pillow.

Half an hour later, lying in a mess of feathers, both men had to concede that one could never get too old for a pillow fight.

The phone rang early the next morning, forcing Fraser out of sleep. He reached out blindly over Ray for the phone that sat on the bedside table.

"'Lo?" he managed to make out semi-coherently.

"Benito?" Fraser sat up suddenly. Something in Mrs. Vecchio's tone woke him right up.

"Ma?"

"I am so glad I found you! It's Francesca!"

"What about Francesca, Ma?"

"She eloped last night! With that vile Arronzo boy! Benito, it's terrible! It's said in the neighbourhood that he's into all kinds of bad things, drugs, even prostitution! Please, Benito, help me find her before it's too late!"

"Ma, please, calm down. Can you tell me where she is?" Mrs. Vecchio gave him Arronzo's address. "Ray and I are on our way," Fraser promised. Ray stirred at the sound of his name. He opened his eyes just in time to see his Ben hang up the phone.

"Ben?" he asked sleepily.

"Francesca's just done something stupid," Fraser answered. "Get dressed, I promised Ma we'd settle it."

Ten minutes later, the pair pulled up in front of a dilapidated building just off Harlem. "I'll just be a second, Ray," Fraser told his lover.

"Shouldn't I come up?" Fraser shook his head.

"Just give me ten minutes. If I'm not out, come up."

"Okay."

Fraser ran into the building, racing up to the fifth floor. He didn't even bother to knock on the door to apartment 4B. Finding it locked, he kicked the flimsy plywood in and headed in direction of the surprised sounds he'd heard.

Francesca and Dimitrio 'Mimi' Arronzo were lying in a messy sprawl of blankets in their bedroom. Francesca didn't even bother to hide her nakedness as Fraser stormed in.

"What the hell?" Arronzo yelled, grabbing his clothes.

"Stay out of this," Fraser warned him in a voice low enough to frighten even the most hardened criminal. He grabbed some clothes off a chair and threw the bundle at Francesca. "Get dressed," he ordered her.

"Get the hell out of here!" she yelled. "I live here! I'm gonna call the cops!" Taking in a deep breath, Fraser took the few steps which separated him from the bed. He grabbed a slender arm just below the fading bruises, making sure not to squeeze too hard.

"I promised Ma I'd bring you home. Am I going to have to drag you there kicking and screaming?"

"Don't bring Ma into this!"

"And why not?" Fraser's voice had risen just a notch. "This is between you and me. Leave her out of this. Ma was frantic when she called me this morning. If you want to hurt me, fine, but, dammit, Ma deserves better than that!" Fraser had stunned himself when the expletive came out.

"You're not my brother!" Francesca blurted out suddenly. "You can't replace my brother!"

Fraser's mouth slacked open just a bit. "Is this what that's about? Is that it? I'm not trying to replace Ray! Where did you get such a silly idea?" Francesca hung her head, mechanically pulling on the shirt Fraser had handed her. "We're going to have a talk, you and I, without him." Fraser gave Arronzo a glance and was slightly amused to see the goon cowering. Francesca finally got out of bed, throwing a fearful glance at Arronzo. "And you," Fraser said to Francesca's soon to be ex-husband. "Don't come near my family again."

Francesca and Fraser didn't speak as they made their way down to the car. "Ray's going to drive us home," Fraser said finally. Then, "Don't you think I miss him too?"

"You killed him," Francesca answered. "You could have saved him, but you didn't." Fraser whirled around, hand raised to strike her before he realised what he was doing. Ashamed, he lowered it.

"Do you want to know what happened that night? Do you?" Francesca shook her head, her tear filled eyes showing regret. "Well, you're going to! I've had enough of this, Francesca! This is my time for happiness! And you know what? I deserve it!" Pulling her down to sit on the stairs leading to the main floor, Fraser finally spoke about what happened in the final minutes before Ray Vecchio was turned to ash.

"Vecchio, I left my coat in your front seat," Gardino said.

"I'll go get it for you. The Riv's in a no parking zone. Knowing my luck, it'll get towed so I'm gonna move it. Someone order me a hamburger, okay?"

"Sure," Huey answered. He prepared to follow Gardino into the restaurant.

"Jack," Fraser said, eyeing Ray who was heading for his car. Something felt strange. He was having another one of Ray's hunches. "Will you order me a burger, too?"

"Yeah, sure." Fraser jogged off in Ray's direction as Huey turned to Gardino.

"Those two are inseparable," he said to his partner who shrugged.

"Ray!" Fraser called across the street. Something about the bundled up figure whom he had seen running from where the Riv was parked struck a cold spark of fear in Fraser. "Ray!" he called again. It was as though Ray could not hear him. His hand was on the door handle. "Ray!"

The Mountie had barely time to register the wall of heat coming towards him before it threw him to the ground. His next conscious thought was of Gardino and Huey practically sitting on him as they tried to restrain him, keeping him away from the flaming wreckage.

"I did what I could, Frannie," Fraser said gently, tears streaming down his cheeks. "God just decided that it was his time."

"Oh, Fraser..." Frannie whispered. She'd had no idea. No idea at all of what it had been like for Fraser to see her brother die. Everything she'd done since then seemed so petty. So childish. Fraser hadn't deserved an ounce of it. Not even when he came out. He can't help what he is, she had to concede.

"Frannie, I don't want us to be enemies. I have enemies enough. I'd like another sister besides Maria. Do you think we could do that?" Frannie wiped her own tears away, leaning towards Fraser, arms outstretched. He didn't refuse the hug but rather returned it, holding the youngest Vecchio woman tightly in his arms.

"I'm sorry," she sniffled, her words muffled by Fraser's shoulder. "I'm so sorry."

"Ssh... It's okay," he soothed, rubbing her back in gentle circles. "Let's go home, okay? Ma's worried."

Francesca gave a small nod, pulling herself away. "Thanks... Ben."

"You're quite welcome. Now, we'd better be headed out. I promised Ray we wouldn't be more than ten minutes."

"Hi, Ray," Francesca murmured as she slid into the back seat of Ray's car moments later. Ray looked questioningly at Fraser who gave him what Ray recognized as the 'thumbs up smile'.

"Hi, Francesca."

"You can call me Frannie. My family calls me Frannie." Ray got the message.

"Okay, Frannie. Let's get you home to Ma."

Mrs. Vecchio ran out of the house as soon as she heard Ray's car turn into the driveway.

"Francesca!" she cried, tears streaming down her face as she saw that her daughter seemed fine.

"I'm sorry, mama!" Francesca exclaimed, tears cascading down her face. "I'm so sorry!" Mother and daughter enveloped the other in a tight hug.

"Let's let them talk," Fraser said to Ray quietly. Ray nodded his agreement. The pair stepped inside, heading to the kitchen where they knew coffee awaited them.

"So," Ray said a moment later as he prepared their coffees. "Is it between you and Frannie or can you share?" Fraser took his mug.

"Let's just say that I learned that when someone does something bad to you, it's usually about them and their insecurities, and not about you."

Ray nodded wisely. "And about Vecchio, right?"

Stunned, Fraser almost dropped his mug. "How did you guess?"

"Your haunted look is gone, Ben. There's always been a hint of shadows in that beautiful gaze of yours. And it's gone."

"That's very perceptive of you, Ray." Ray gave his lover a sweet smile. He reached out to stroke Ben's hand. Just then, Mrs. Vecchio came in.

"Oh, good, you found the coffee," she greeted them. Taking a cup for herself, she sat down.

"Thank you so much for bringing Francesca home safely. She hasn't been herself since Raimondo died..."

"I think things will get better now, Ma," Fraser reassured her. "We had a good talk." Mrs. Vecchio looked down into her mug for a moment.

"I miss him," she said softly. "I am so grateful to have you two boys, but..."

"It isn't the same as having your own flesh and blood," Ray finished. "It's okay. We know and we understand." Mrs. Vecchio smiled.

"You boys are so good to me..."

"Just returning the favour," Ray said with a smile.

"Does anyone else know?" she asked. Fraser nodded.

"Yes. Frannie outed us."

"Outed? Oh."

"It's okay, Ma," Fraser reassured her. "We're sort of glad it happened. We can live in the real world now." Mrs. Vecchio nodded thoughtfully.

"What now, then, boys?"

"We've decided to look into getting a house together," Ray volunteered. Mrs. Vecchio grinned.

"My, I could help you boys decorate it, if you wish! Maybe we could..." With a gentle smile at his lover, Fraser allowed Mrs. Vecchio to drone on.

They ended up staying the day, helping Ma with various household chores, and were rewarded with a superb Italian dinner. It was during the meal that the pair realised that Maria and Tony had talked to their children about Uncle Ben and Ray's relationship. "How do two men in love have babies?" their youngest, Elena, asked in all innocence.

How indeed?

In Ray's bed later that night, Fraser shifted as Ray tossed and turned. "Cuddlekins?" he said finally.

"Mmm?"

"I'm sorry, but I have to work tomorrow. Either you tell me what's wrong or I'm going to have to move to the couch."

Ray sat up quickly. "Okay, let's talk. But not here. Let's go to the kitchen and have some tea."

"Tea?"

"You're a good influence on me, okay?" Fraser laughed.

"It's what Elena said that's bothering you, isn't it?" Fraser asked over mugs of chamomile tea a few minutes later.

"Yeah." You know why me and Stella broke up, right?"

"Yes. She didn't want to have children. I do."

"You do?" The way Ray asked his question, Fraser felt that his lover had never imagined the Mountie as wanting to be a parent.

"You sound so surprised."

"You've never mentioned it."

"Because I was afraid of hurting you. Because I know that I can't give you any..."

"Ben?" Ray asked, ignoring his lover's pitiful admission.

"Yeah?"

"I know we haven't been together that long. But we've already made a lifetime commitment. Can we look into adoption?"

Fraser smiled. "Yes!" Ray's eyes filled up with tears at Fraser's acceptance of his idea.

"You mean that?"

"Of course!"

"God, I love you," Ray sighed.

Ray was driving everyone at work batty. He was just in too much of a good mood. Even more so than he'd been since he and Fraser had hooked up. Fraser's proposal the night before that they look into adoption had made Ray's heart soar. Maybe, just maybe, he'd be a father someday. He knew it wouldn't be easy for a gay couple to adopt. Maybe impossible. But knowing that Fraser wanted kids as badly as Ray had made Ray's own longing a little less painful.

Elaine came to drop off some reports, smiling at the detective as she placed the files on his desk. "Someone's cheerful today!" she teased.

"Ben and me are gonna look into adopting a kid!" Ray said gleefully, but not so loudly as to permit everyone present to overhear him. Elaine's expression brightened

"That's great! What are your chances? Have you looked into that yet?"

Ray shook his head. "No. Listen, Elaine, we have no illusions. This is gonna be hard, maybe impossible. It's knowing that Ben wants this as badly as I do that's making me so happy."

"There's another thing you guys could consider."

"What?"

"A surrogate mother. You pay someone to have the child."

"Yeah, and then she sues for custody. I think we'd be more likely to get a kid through adoption."

"You're so cynical!"

"Nah. Just realistic." The idea was so preposterous, Ray dropped it immediately. Elaine, however, began to think of just how many ways one could make a family.

An hour later, Ray was called away from the morgue. 'Whoever it is,' he thought. 'Thank you!' "Hello?" he said, picking up the phone.

"Ray?"

"Ben? What's up? You sound excited!" Ray didn't know what it was about Fraser that made his spirits soar, but he was grateful for the joy his partner brought into his life.

"I found a house I want you to look at!"

"What?!"

"Just a stone's throw from the Consulate. I've passed it a few times but never really noticed it until I saw the 'for sale' sign this morning!"

"Have you been inside?"

"No, I'm waiting for you. Do you think you could get off early?"

"I don't think so, Ben, my paperwork--"

"Please, cuddlekins?" Fraser pleaded. That did Ray in.

"I'll meet you at the Consulate as soon as I can."

"Thanks! I love you!"

"I love you too, baby." With a happy sigh, Ray hung up. God he loved his Mountie! vHe was at the Consulate twenty minutes later. Thatcher had been so good these last weeks that he didn't want to risk pissing her off. So, instead of honking, Ray got out of the car and walked up to the Consulate. Inside, he greeted Ovitz and headed up to Fraser's office just as Thatcher came out of hers.

"Good afternoon, Detective," she greeted him with a small smile.

"Good afternoon, Inspector."

"Going house hunting, I hear?"

"Yes, ma'am." Thatcher's smile widened.

"Good luck."

"Thanks," Ray said, surprised. Fraser came out then, greeting his lover with a chaste kiss.

"Hey, baby," Ray said softly. "Got here as fast as I could."

Fraser smiled. "Come on, let's go!" Shaking his head, Ray thanked God once again that the Mountie had come out of his shell.

The house was perfect. Large backyard, perfect plumbing to install a whirlpool, plenty of rooms--and also several hundred thousand dollars American more than Fraser and Ray could afford. It was with a heavy heart that Ray followed his lover out of the house, thanking the realtor for his time.

"That was the perfect house, Ben."

"Yes, it was," Fraser agreed.

Ray was in the shower that night when his phone rang and Fraser was engaged in a battle with the hollandaise sauce, so the machine picked up the message. After a bit of stirring and coaxing, the Mountie finally gave up the fight. If the sauce wanted to curdle, fine. They'd do without.

"How's dinner coming?" Ray asked as he came into the kitchen towelling his hair and wearing only bright red jockey shorts.

"I think we should order pizza and have a service for the sauce," Fraser said morosely.

"Oh, baby!" Ray cried, wrapping his skinny arms around his lover. "It's just a sauce."

"I wanted to make a nice dinner. It didn't look that complicated in the book." Ray nibbled his Canadian's ear.

"There's only one recipe that's as easy as it looks in the book."

"Which one?"

"The number of the pizza place!" At that, Fraser burst out laughing.

"Thank you, cuddlekins, I needed that."

After dinner, they cuddled on the couch and pretended to watch the evening news. Fraser suddenly noticed the blinking red light on the answering machine. He stopped mid-nibble of Ray's ear.

"There's a message on the machine."

"So?"

"It might be important."

"It can wait."

"I want to be sure, I'll be right back."

"Ah, Ben!" Ray sighed, leaning back into the couch. Fraser pressed the play button on the machine.

"Hi guys, it's Elaine. Listen, call me back tonight or I'm going to lose my nerve. Bye."

Fraser looked quizzically at his lover. "Lose her nerve?" he asked.

"Call her," Ray said, jumping up from the couch.

Fraser quickly dialled the number Elaine had left. She picked up after four rings.

"It's Fraser," Ben said when Elaine had picked up.

"Oh, hi, um, yeah. Listen, can I come over?" Fraser furrowed his brow.

"Yes, of course. Is everything all right?"

"Um, yeah. Are you at Ray's?"

"Yes."

"I'll be there within half an hour. Is that okay?"

"Yes, that's fine. We'll see you soon." Elaine hung up quickly, leaving Fraser starring at the receiver. He turned to his lover with a puzzled expression on his face.

"Elaine's on her way. And don't ask. I have no idea what's going on either."

Elaine arrived precisely twenty-two minutes later. Ray let her in and told her to make herself comfortable on the couch, then offered her something to drink, which she refused. Finally, Fraser and Ray made themselves comfortable in the easy chairs across from her.

"Fraser..." she said after taking a deep breath. "Ray told me this morning about how you two want to adopt a child."

"Yes?"

"Remember what the other option is, Ray?" Fraser turned to his lover.

"Yeah, a surrogate mother," Ray answered.

"I've always wanted to be a mother. But not full time. I know that sounds crazy. It's just that I've got my job and I'm on the waiting list for the academy... But I always knew if I could find a guy willing to be a full-time father, I'd have my baby with him." Realisation began to dawn in Ray and Fraser's minds; they looked at one another wide eyed. "What I'm offering, guys, is to have your child. You could raise it as you see fit. All I ask are two things. Number one, that I be given a small part in the child's life. That the child know I gave birth to it. I don't have to be 'Mom', but I do want the child to know me. Maybe spend the odd weekend or a couple of weeks a year with me, plus see me off and on in between."

"You've been thinking about this, haven't you?"

"All day," Elaine answered. "I don't expect you guys to decide tonight. I just wanted to offer before I lost my nerve.

"What's the second condition?" Fraser asked.

"I don't want the child to be made in a doctor's clinic. I want it to be made the traditional way."

"You want one of us to sleep with you," Ray said flatly.

"Yes," Elaine admitted bluntly. "The choice is yours, of course, on who becomes the father. To be honest, I thought it'd be you, Ray. I don't see you fully happy until you have a child of your own. So," she concluded. "That's my offer. Think about it for a while, and let me know, okay?" Not waiting for an answer, Elaine bolted for the door.

Fraser and Ray sat in stunned silence for a full minute before looking at one another with a shocked expression reflecting their inner bewilderment.

"I just dreamed that, didn't I?" Fraser asked. Ray shook his head.

"If you did, then so did I, Ben."

"My God..."

"My thoughts exactly, Ben."

So?"

"So?"

Both men knew they wouldn't be getting much sleep that night.

Indeed, rather than go to bed, Fraser and Ray sat around the kitchen table with mugs of tea.

"This is gonna be a Serious conversation, ain't it?" Ray asked.

"Yeah," Fraser agreed.

"I want to take her up on this," both said suddenly. They looked at one another and smiled.

"Well, one problem solved," Fraser said. "We'd just need to iron out the details."

"Wait a second, what did I just say?!" Ray exclaimed.

"What do you mean, Ray?"

"If we take her up on her offer, one of us has to sleep with her."

"This is Elaine we're talking about, Ray, she'll be a lady. I think it's a small price to pay. I'm sure you'll feel more 'connected' with the child if you make it in the traditional manner."

"You mean you want me to sleep with someone else?" Ray's voice had risen a notch in his anger.

"No, of course not! But I want you to be happy and I know this would make you happy! Dammit, Ray! One night with Elaine and we'll have a baby of our own for the rest of our lives!"

Ray's eyes had grown very wide at Ben's tirade. "You just said 'dammit'."

"Yes, I did. I tried it out on Francesca and rather liked it. Now, don't change the subject. This isn't about sleeping with Elaine. This is about her offer. Her generous, selfless offer. What other odds do we have, Ray? Who else is going to make us such an offer? Who else can we trust to have our child and not sue us for custody after? I can think of no one. And, Ray, the fact that she suggested that you be the father speaks volumes about her intentions." Fraser didn't have to say why.

"Okay, let's say we go through with this. What's your part?"

"I'll be the 'mother'."

"The mother. You, Benton Fraser, a mother?" A giggle escaped the detective's lips.

"I could take shorter shifts at the Consulate, spend most of my time at home, be there when the child comes home from school in later years. I could learn to cook and be domestic. You've got a job you can't give up. But I don't. I'm perfect mother material, I think."

At that, Ray burst out laughing. "That's the last thing I ever expected to hear you say, baby!" Fraser grinned.

"So?" the Mountie asked.

"Okay. Good," Ray answered. "Let's invite Elaine to dinner Friday night and let her know what we've decided." Fraser nodded. Dinner Friday night was a very good idea. He could spring his surprise on Ray then. With a discrete smile, the Canadian suggested that they retire for the night.

Friday night came too quickly for Fraser who barely managed to finalise his plans. He hoped against hope that they would be well received. This was the most important thing he'd ever done in his life, the most... permanent. Elaine had thrown in a twist, but he thought he'd managed to incorporate her well into the plan.

For dinner, Elaine had picked a quiet restaurant which served authentic Thai cuisine. She arrived dressed in a simple black dress. Fraser realised then that he had never seen her in anything before other than her work uniform or her casual leggings and sweater. This thought was followed by a realisation that Elaine was in fact a very beautiful woman. Fraser wore the navy suit he'd acquired during the time he'd worked on the security detail of an important trade summit. He'd even coaxed Ray into a suit and tie, but didn't try to flatten the hair. Besides, Fraser thought that his lover's experimental hair was his sexiest feature.

They chose to wait until they'd ordered before getting to the subject at hand. Fraser felt that they were all strangers all of a sudden, what with the formality which sat heavily around them.

"So?" Elaine said when the waiter had finally taken their orders. "Have you been able to make a decision?"

"We have, Elaine," Fraser answered, reaching under the table for Ray's hand. "Thank you for your offer. If it still stands, we'd like to take you up on it."

"You would?" Elaine asked, a little surprised.

"It was serious, wasn't it?" Fraser asked, his tone a little worried.

"Of course!" she answered. "Of course. I just didn't know what to expect. Well, I guess we just have to finalise the details. When we're going to do it, your roles during my pregnancy, my role after the pregnancy, money... I think this is going to be more complicated than I thought."

"It doesn't have to be," Fraser answered. "It only needs to be as complicated as we make it. Why don't we start at the beginning? Decide when the child will be conceived?"

"That's a good idea," Ray said. "I don't think I want to give this more than one shot."

Elaine nodded thoughtfully. "So, it'll be you then, Ray?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. Well, we'll have to do it while I'm ovulating, obviously, to increase our chances. I'm hoping that it will work in one try. But if it doesn't, I'm willing to try again, clinically."

"Good," Ray said, relieved.

"That part's bothering you, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Ray admitted. "Ben, I know you're cool with it, but it's still adultery in my book."

"But not in mine, Ray. Oh, this is going to sound disgusting, but I have to say it. You sleep with Elaine and make a baby, and then you sleep with me. It'll be like I've had a part in it because you've slept with both of us. Can you see what I'm trying to say?" Ray nodded.

"Okay, if you want to look at it that way..." Elaine chose not to respond.

"I want you two to get away for a weekend. Get to know one another so that when it happens, it works. Don't treat it like just sex. You're making a baby. What you'll be doing is the most beautiful thing that can happen between two people."

"Oh, Fraser..." Elaine whispered. "That was beautiful."

"You have my blessing, both of you," Fraser continued. "Don't think about me. Just make our baby, okay?"

"Okay," Ray and Elaine answered.

"Now, for the rest," Fraser went on after a moment of silence. "Ray, we haven't discussed this, but if I thought you'd be against it, I wouldn't propose it."

"Uh?" Ray asked.

"Let me finish, please. Elaine, would you want to live close to your child?"

"Of course!"

"In the same house?"

"Fraser, are you..."

"Let me finish. Ray and I looked at a wonderful house this week. Much too big for the two of us and a baby, big enough to make you your own quarters--your own entrance and kitchen and living room and everything. Basically your own apartment, but we'd link it to our part of the house through the nursery. You'd have your space where you could entertain and have your own family, if you wanted, but you could still be close to the baby."

"Ben, we can't afford that house!" Ray exclaimed.

"Not only can we afford it, we can pay for it in cash. Ray, I make about thirty-three thousand American dollars a year. I spend about six thousand of that on rent and utilities and a little more for clothing and necessities. The rest, I've invested. I've been investing my paychecks for fifteen years. I'm not a millionaire, by far, but I am very, very well off. Sufficiently well off to purchase the house and make the renovations necessary to make it possible for the three of us to live in it without actually living together. Elaine is giving us a child, Ray. And, Elaine, I'm offering you a place to live, rent free, for as long as you want, where you could be near the child."

Elaine was speechless for a moment. "Can I... can I think about it?"

"Of course," Fraser answered. He turned to Ray whom he found grinning.

"Are we getting the house no matter what?" the detective asked.

"No matter what. I signed the deed this morning."

"You what?!" Ray shrieked loudly enough to cause people to turn and stare at him. "You what?" he repeated a little more softly.

"I bought us the house, Ray. It's my promise gift to you. My pledge that I'm not going anywhere, for the rest of our lives. I love you."

"I love you too, Ben. Thank you." A sniffle from Elaine made them look up. Tears were streaming down her face.

"There are many ways to make a family," she stated. "So many ways... Some traditional, some not traditional. And then there's us. We're going to give our child a good family," she said affirmatively, her decision already made.

The rest of the evening was filled with an air of celebration as the worst of the anxiety finally wore off. Elaine promised to do the math when she got home and inform Fraser and Ray of when would be a good time to take a weekend--or a few days off--in order to make the baby. She and Ray made a decision to speak with Lieutenant Welsh and give him the bare minimum of details so that he could approve their time off. Ray joked that he could already hear the rumours flying.

The next night, Fraser and Ray were invited to the Vecchios for dinner. They couldn't wait to tell their adopted family about their plans, although both men had unvoiced concerns regarding Francesca.

At dinner, they told the family they had important news, but that they would have to wait for dinner. Fraser was amused by how quickly the Vecchio clan shovelled in the food. He'd never seen dinner reach its end so quickly.

Finally, it was time. "Ray and I received a generous offer this week," Fraser began. "A mutual acquaintance--a friend--has offered to conceive a child for us to raise." Mrs. Vecchio gasped.

"You're having a baby?!" Fraser smiled fondly at his Ma.

"Not yet. The conception will take place soon. But there's more. I've just purchased a large house for Ray, the child, and myself, which will also have a separate apartment for the mother, Elaine Besbriss. She's the civilian aid at the twenty-seventh." Francesca gasped at this revelation, but otherwise remained silent. "The baby will be Ray's and mine, I'll be like the mother half of the relationship, but we wanted Elaine to have an active role in the child's life, too, without her being 'Mom'. So that's the news."

"So, if I may recap," Francesca said without venom. "Ray will be the biological father?"

"That's right!" Ray said proudly.

"Cool. Can I be an aunt?"

Dessert continued as each member of the Vecchio clan decided what sort of role they would play in the child's life. Fraser finally leaned in to Ray. "I would never have thought my child would have grand-parents and uncles and aunts and cousins... Thank you for this happiness, cuddlekins." Thinking that attention was diverted from them, Fraser pressed his lips gently against Ray's, until a 'whooping' sound from Tony's end of the table made the lovers look up as they turned the colour of Fraser's uniform.

"God bless the love that has flowered this dark spring of our lives," Mrs. Vecchio murmured, hands clasped, as she look up to God.

The next morning, Fraser and Ray headed for their new house to get the keys and to start thinking about renovations. "This place is huge," Ray marvelled, his words echoing through the cavernous rooms of the empty house."

"I love you!" Fraser called and the words actually echoed. "Love you... Love you..."

Ray giggled. "I love you, too! You, too... You, too..." Fraser laughed.

"How are we going to decorate it?"

"I think we should worry about renovating it first. We can probably get Ma and Frannie to decorate."

"Right," Fraser said, a smile spreading on his face. "So long as we don't have flowers everywhere, we couldn't care less what the place looks like. But they will. So, might as well leave it to them."

"You're learning fast, baby," Ray teased him. "God, I can't wait to move in." He wrapped his arms around his lover. "Thank you. Thank you so much..."

Dinner that night was leftovers from Saturday's dinner at the Vecchios'. "Can't believe we have to go back to work tomorrow," Ray sighed, rubbing a full belly.

"You say that every Sunday," Fraser answered, finishing up his garlic bread.

"Five whole days without you..."

"Ray, what did you do before you met me?" Ray shrugged.

"I just sat around feeling sorry for myself." Fraser didn't laugh.

"I know what you mean. Ray, I'm letting my apartment go. I'll stay with you till we move into the house. You'll have me every night..." Ray smiled happily.

"How soon can we get you out of that rat trap?"

"Soon as we do the dishes." Ray groaned.

"Let's leave them."

"Let's not. I'll wash them. You can put them away after, okay?"

"'Kay. I'm going to check out the tv guide in the meantime."

"I'm up for an erotic movie if there's one playing," Fraser suggested, gathering plates together. When Ray didn't answer, the Mountie looked up. Ray was starring at him with an expression Fraser had never seen on anyone before.

"Did I say something strange?"

"I have got to start taping what you say, baby. The things that come out of your mouth, sometimes..." Fraser laughed.

"What's wrong with being up for an erotic film? I'm feeling... amorous tonight."

"Good! Let's skip the dishes!"

"Consider them foreplay," Fraser teased.

"You're impossible!" Ray yelled in a laughing tone.

"I know! I won't be long. There isn't much to wash." Shaking his head, Ray headed for the living room as Fraser turned on the tap.

For a few minutes, there was only the sound of dishes clattering. Then, Fraser let out a whelp.

"Ben?!" Ray cried, racing into the kitchen just in time to see Fraser lift a bloody hand out of the dishwater.

"There was a broken glass..." the Mountie made out, his voice portraying shock. He was obviously in a lot of pain. Ray grabbed a dish towel, wrapping it around his lover's hand snugly. Blood stained it immediately. "It hurts," Fraser whimpered.

"We're going to the hospital, baby, they'll make it better," Ray said more calmly than he felt. If Fraser was showing pain, he knew it had to be bad. With a hand around his lover, he led him down to the car.

There were advantages to being a cop. Such as being able to race at nearly twice the speed limit to the hospital. There, a flash of his badge and his Mastercard brought a doctor at top speed. Fraser was whisked into an examination room while Ray was made to wait outside and fill out some forms.

A full three hours later, a doctor came out. Ray was worried sick out of his mind and wouldn't stop pestering the nurses who swore they didn't have any information. "Detective Kowalski?" Ray bounded to his feet.

"How is he?!" The doctor sighed.

"This was a freak accident, detective. Your partner reached down at an awkward angle and came in contact with a very sharp piece of glass which severed a tendon and some nerves. Now, I believe I was able to repair the damage and that there won't be any lasting effect. But he will have to wear a cast for two weeks and avoid using his hand at all." Ray sighed.

"But he's gonna be okay, right?" The doctor nodded.

"I believe so, yes."

"Where is he?"

"Recovering from the local anaesthetic. I gave him a strong pain killer, so he's pretty much out of it."

"Can I take him home, please? He doesn't like hospitals."

"Yes, but you have to promise to take very good care of him. Bring him back in for a follow up at the end of the week, okay?"

"Okay, thanks." The doctor handed him a slip of paper.

"This is a prescription for pain pills. Make sure he takes them."

"I will, thanks, doc."

Ray entered the examination room to find an orderly helping Fraser into a wheelchair. The Mountie looked relaxed, but positively groggy. A thick white cast covered his right hand. 'Oh, Ben...' Ray thought. 'My beautiful Ben...' "Ben?" The Mountie raised his head.

"Ray?" he managed to make out.

"Yeah, it's me, baby. I'm taking you home, now."

"'Kay."

It was easy to take Fraser out of the hospital with the wheelchair, but getting him inside the apartment was another matter. The Mountie was out cold on his feet and Ray had no choice but to carry his lover up in a fireman's lift. Inside, he tucked his Ben into bed, putting a glass of water and the pills which he'd gotten before leaving the hospital on the bedside table. Kissing the Mountie's brow, Ray tiptoed out of the bedroom to go deal with the mess in the kitchen.

The next morning found a very tired detective and a much confused Mountie. "Ray, what happened?" Fraser asked, his words interspersed with low moans.

"You sliced your hand open doing the dishes," Ray explained, slipping a pill between Fraser's lips. "Here, take one of these. It'll help with the pain." Fraser obediently swallowed the pill and the water Ray offered. "I have to go to work, now, but I'll call Thatcher and tell her you're not coming in. I'll be back at lunch, okay?"

"Hmm," Fraser answered, the pain pills already working their spell.

Ray managed to arrive on time, barely, and he raced into the squad room in the same clothes he'd worn the day before and spent the night in. He looked like hell and everyone noticed.

"Looks like someone had a busy weekend," Huey teased. Ray sighed, rubbing his temples.

"Yeah, it was good. Till last night. Spent half of it at the emergency room. Ben sliced his hand open real good. Dumb accident, but he's handicapped for at least two weeks."

"That's horrible!" Elaine exclaimed from her desk. "How bad is it?"

"Nerve and tendon damage. The doctor even put a cast on it."

"Listen," Huey proposed sympathetically. "Why don't you split? I'll cover for you." Ray looked up, his expression grateful.

"Thanks, Jack. Elaine and I'll go talk to Welsh first. I really appreciate this."

"No problem. I know you'd do the same for me.

Ray got up and headed for Welsh's office, Elaine trailing behind him. "Kowalski, you look like hell," Welsh greeted him. Ray related the reason and informed his superior officer that Huey would be covering for him for the day. Welsh did not reproach him.

"Now, Elaine and I have to ask you something, Sir."

"One question?"

"Yes," Elaine answered. "It concerns the two of us. We'd like to take a few days off next week- -Wednesday and Thursday--for a personal reason." Ray didn't give Welsh a chance to answer.

"Wednesday and Thursday of next week?!" he exclaimed. Elaine turned to him with a small smile.

"Best time, Ray."

"Uh, yeah, I guessed. I just didn't think it'd be so soon. But, okay, I'm good." Welsh shook his head.

"Is that resolved?"

"Uh, yeah," Ray answered. "Can we have the time off?" Welsh nodded.

"I'll clear it," he promised.

Ray made it home in record time, slipping quietly into the apartment. He found Fraser curled up on his side of the bed, features relaxed. He stirred when Ray stepped into the room. "Ray?" he made out groggily.

"Yeah, baby, it's me. I got the day off." Ray went so sit by his lover, raising a hand to stroke the Canadian's brow. "How you feeling?"

"Hurts."

"Yeah, I can imagine. How 'bout I go make you some breakfast and then you can take a painkiller?"

"'Kay."

"Mushroom omelette okay?"

"Mmm." With a small smile, Ray reached down and kissed Fraser's cheek.

"I won't be long," he promised.

Fraser was slightly more awake when Ray came back into the bedroom fifteen minutes later with the omelette, some toast, and a glass of orange juice. Ray put the tray at the foot of the bed and helped his lover sit up. "All this from doing the dishes," Fraser groaned. "Note to self. They aren't a good form of foreplay." Ray gave a small laugh as he crawled into bed beside his lover, bringing the tray with him. Snuggling against his Mountie, he handed him the juice and a small white pill. Fraser obediently took the painkiller with a sip of orange juice. "Mmm... The food smells good. I'm hungry!"

"Hope it's edible. I once made an omelette I coulda played Frisbee with."

Fraser laughed. "There's a magic ingredient in the best omelettes. Love."

"Then mine'll have to be the best one you've ever eaten in your life 'cause I love you so much."

"I know, Ray. I love you too." Ray dished up some of the eggs onto the fork.

"Here, open wide before they get cold." With a small smile, Fraser allowed his lover to feed him. After, Ray put the tray down on the floor. He yawned. "A nap sounds good." Fraser's answer was a gentle snore. Smiling, Ray curled up against his Canadian.

Fraser's bladder woke him up the next morning. He took a moment to assess the pain in his right hand. The member still throbbed, but not nearly as badly as it had the day before. He decided to down size his pain medication to two aspirins from the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. Ray was up and at 'em by the time Fraser came out of the bathroom. He emerged to the smell of coffee.

"Morning, cuddlekins!" he called through the apartment.

"Morning, baby! You sound better!"

Fraser came into the kitchen. "I feel better!" The Mountie wrapped his arms around his lover and kissed him deeply. "Do you have to go into work today." Ray nodded.

"Yeah, I can't get out of it. But it's only five thirty, so we'll have a few hours together."

"Five thirty? We're up at five thirty?" Ray laughed.

"Well, considering we slept all of yesterday, I'm not surprised." Fraser grinned.

"All this time before work and I'm handicapped." Ray snorted.

"I'm sure we can 'play' in a few days. Speaking of which, we really need to talk." Ray poured himself a cup of coffee. "Did you take any medication this morning?"

"Just two aspirin."

"Okay, you can have some coffee then." Fraser gratefully accepted the cup his lover handed him.

"So, what do we need to talk about?" he asked, following Ray to the sofa.

"Elaine and I are going away next week. Wednesday and Thursday. Welsh gave us the time."

"Does he know?"

"We didn't tell him, so I don't think so. Ben... I haven't made love to a woman in years, what if I've forgotten how?"

"Elaine will tell you what to do, Ray."

"What if I can't perform?"

"Don't stress yourself out over that. Make the sex part of the two days the least important of your time together. Go for walks, watch movies, cuddle, whatever, and the erection will come."

"Sounds like my baby is talking from experience." Fraser made a face.

"I don't care what anyone pretends. The first time isn't perfect." Ray laughed.

"What was her name? How old were you?"

"Gelly. I was fourteen."

"Fourteen???"

Fraser shrugged. "My hormones were out of wack. Gelly was a couple of years older than me. Not a virgin. Anyway, nothing serious happened. It was my first attempt. I didn't actually lose my virginity until a few years later."

"I hope it was with someone special." Fraser nodded thoughtfully.

"Was Stella your first?"

"Yeah. We were seventeen."

"My first was just as special. My best friend Innussiq's sister, Joon. She was fifteen, I was eighteen. You know, Ray, we both knew we weren't in love even though we loved one another. Does that make sense?"

"Yeah, it does, baby."

"Neither one of us knew if we'd ever go away from the village, meet other people, have a chance to give our virginity to The right person. We wanted to give it to someone we knew cared about us. Someone we could meet in, say, twenty years, and have no regrets. No regrets, Ray. Joon and I had that one night. I didn't have sex again until Victoria. Sixteen years of celibacy. No wonder I turned into a virtual animal--a nice one!--in bed with her! How could I have lived so long without sex, Ray? You and I, we don't make love every night, but now that I have intercourse on a regular basis, I know I could never again lead the life of a monk. You set me free in more ways than one, cuddlekins." Ray smiled fondly at his lover, leaning cautiously against him. "Getting back on topic here, Ray, about you and Elaine, it'll be okay. And it'll be beautiful. She is a good woman, Ray, and what you will do together will be a work of art. It'll be the kind of intercourse I had with Joon. The kind that is all about an intellectual connection rather than a cerebral one. Not better or worse. Just different. This isn't infidelity, Ray, not when the three of us consent to it. And, Ray, I know what is scaring you the most."

"Do you?"

"Yes. You're scared that you'll enjoy it so much you won't be happy making love with a man again." Ray pulled away, stunned.

"Ben, you're scaring me. No one, not even Stella, can read my mind like you do."

"We share the same fears, Ray. I won't pretend I'm not scared of what will happen between you and Elaine. That you'll find a love for one another, have that baby together, become a family, and cast me aside--" Ray tried to interrupt, but Fraser pushed on. "But I have faith, Ray, faith in the two of us and in our love. And I trust you both. These are two feelings I don't easily hand out, but I am not fearful of placing my faith and my trust in both your hands. Things won't be the same after, I won't pretend that they will be, but I trust enough to know that what you and Elaine are going to do will be the beginning of something beautiful. Not the end."

Ray sat silent for a moment. "And you know what I know now?"

"What, Ray?"

"Exactly what it is that made me fall in love with you."

"And I with you." Fraser took a deep breath. "It's almost six-thirty. I'll go call Inspector Thatcher."

"'Kay."

"Canadian Consulate, Inspector Thatcher speaking."

"Good morning, Sir," Fraser greeted her.

"Fraser! Are you feeling better?"

"Ah, yes and no, Sir. Let's just say I only have one hand for the next fortnight." Thatcher gave a small laugh.

"You have some vacation time and sick leave accumulated, Constable. Come back when you regain use of your hand."

"Thank you kindly, Sir."

When Fraser hung up with Thatcher, Ray emerged fully dressed and shaved from the bathroom.

"What'd she say?" he asked.

"I can take the next two weeks off. I'm going to go stir crazy!" Ray laughed.

"Well, you'll be spending some of it with Ma. There's no way I'm leaving you alone for the two days Elaine and I are away."

"I think I have to agree with you, Ray. It's going to be a long two weeks."

"You're going to become very well acquainted with day time tv," Ray teased. Fraser faked a swoon.

"No, enough!" They giggled. "Think you could stop off at the library on your way home?"

"Yeah, sure. What would you like?"

"Um... anything by Pierre Berton and a few Smurfs comics." Ray laughed.

"Smurf comics? I learn something new about your every day!" Fraser shrugged. "We've got lots of food in the fridge for once, and some leftovers you can nuke. Don't do anything--"

"Stupid. You know I won't. I'm kind of attached to this hand." Ray snorted.

"Very nice pun, baby. Really..." He shook his head.

"Okay, you're going to be late!" Fraser exclaimed after glancing at the clock. The two men came forward in a tender embrace.

"I won't be home too late," Ray promised.

Surprisingly, Fraser found that the rest of the week passed rather quickly. He was really enjoying the books Ray had picked up for him at the library, especially Pierre Berton's 'Northwest Passage'. The weekend passed with quiet domesticity, Ray deciding they should stay home, make gentle love all weekend, and fill in the gaps watching movies on tv. Fraser had no objections, of course. Monday morning brought a visit to the doctor's who found that his hand was healing nicely. Fraser was assured that the cast could come off the next week, although he was not to do anything yet with the hand, not even use a pencil.

Ray and Elaine had decided to drive up to an inn an hour from Chicago on Tuesday night, after their shift, so they could have two full days together. Before work Tuesday morning, Ray dropped his lover off at their Ma's.

"Now, Ma, make sure he doesn't do anything with his hand," Ray told her as Fraser rolled his eyes. "He's been real good at home, but he doesn't mind me helping him. You'll have to cut his meat for him, too."

"Ray!" Fraser exclaimed. Ray turned to his Mountie.

"What?"

"Ma has raised four children and several grand-children. I'm sure she'll know exactly how to take care of me for two days."

"Your boy-friend's right, Raimondo, caro. You have other things to worry about," Mrs. Vecchio added.

"Yeah."

"Now, we'll take good care of Benton. You, on the other hand, go take good care of Elaine, si?"

"Si, Ma," Ray promised.

"I'll give you two boys a moment alone," Mrs. Vecchio finished with a sly grin.

When their Ma had stepped out of the room, Fraser took a deep breath. "You'd better go. You don't want to be late for work."

"No."

"It'll be okay."

"Thanks, Ben. You'll be home when I get back, right?" Fraser nodded. Ray had decided that he'd prefer going straight home after, rather than stop to pick up Fraser. There was a symbolic meaning to that, he knew, as though home with Fraser would no longer be home with Fraser unless Fraser was home before him.

"I love you," Fraser reminded him.

"I love you, too."

"Have a good time, okay?"

"Thanks, Ben." When Ray did not lean over to kiss him, Fraser wasn't nearly as hurt as he'd thought he'd be. He'd been expecting this distance. The time to bridge the gap would be after, not now.

The sun was setting when Ray and Elaine pulled up in front of the quaint bed and breakfast sitting by the shore of lake Michigan.

"Nice place," Ray commented, the first words he'd said since leaving Chicago.

"It is," Elaine agreed. "Let's go drop our stuff inside and come back out after, okay? I'd like to see the sun set on the lake."

"Okay."

"Reservation for Kowalski," Ray said at the reception desk. The clerk punched some information into her computer.

"Ah, yes," she said. "The honeymoon suite. All ready for the two of you. Hope you'll enjoy your time here, Mr. and Mrs. Kowalski."

"Thank you," Elaine answered.

"Wow, nice room," Ray said a moment later, dropping his bags onto the plush carpeting.

Elaine followed suit. "Really nice." They took a quick tour of the spacious bedroom and the luxurious bathroom. Ray finished by sitting on the bed and bouncing up and down a few times.

"Mattress is good," he said finally.

"That's great. A soft mattress is not the best."

"Ever done it in a waterbed?" Elaine giggled.

"No!"

"Stell and I tried it. Didn't get too far." Elaine gave a full bellied laugh.

"Come outside and tell me more!"

Minutes later, they sat on the edge of the dock side by side, knees drawn to their chins.

"Real pretty here," Ray said. "Ben would love it."

"You should take him here sometime." Ray shook his head, taking her hand.

"No. This'll be our place. You know, you have soft hands." Elaine gave him a sweet smile.

"Elaine, I'm not gay, I'm bi, like Ben. Neither one of us has denied finding you incredibly beautiful and desirable. But I am so committed to Ben I don't know if I'll be able to make it through to the end."

"We'll let it come, Ray."

"That's what Ben said we should do. Elaine... when was the last time you did this?"

"A few nights ago. I'm... I'm seeing someone, Ray," she said gently, so as to not startle him. "He knows, too. He's a good man, Ray, as good as you and Ben combined. We don't know yet if we have a future together, but he knows you and Ben do. We started to see one another after I made the proposition. When he asked me to make love with him this weekend, I told him what I was doing with you this week. He didn't even protest, and that's when I knew I might love him one day. Love him enough to make my own child after I've made yours and Ben's."

"I'll be damned..." Ray said, knowing exactly who Elaine was seeing. "Huey had better treat you right or I'll sic Dief on him!"

Elaine gave a gentle laugh. "He's a prince, Ray. I... I never meant to involve him in all of this. It just sort of happened the way you and Ben sort of happened. We want to keep it quiet until after the baby is born, to prevent tongues from wagging too much, although I can already sense that won't be possible. I'm glad I've told you, Ray, so that I can now give you my assurance. This baby we're going to make will be yours and Ben's. I'll never fight you for it. It wouldn't be right for the baby and it wouldn't be fair for the two of you. But I do want to live near it, see it grow up, as Ben offered. Just let me know if I ever intrude."

Ray shook his head. "You won't."

"And what about you?"

"What about me what?"

"When was the last time you made love to a woman?"

"Less recently than Ben. Much less recently than Ben. Almost two years ago."

"If you fumble, I'll guide you," she said sweetly.

Ray smiled. "That's what Ben said you'd do."

Elaine shivered. "It's getting cold. How about we head inside?"

"Sure."

Safely ensconced in their room, each took their turn in the bathroom, Elaine suggesting Ray go first because she wanted to soak in the tub for a bit. She emerged three quarters of an hour later, dressed in a tasteful cream coloured slip with a lace bodice. Ray was lying on the bed, wearing fresh boxers and a tee-shirt, surfing channels with the remote control. He looked up when she came out, turning off the tv.

"You look... beautiful." Elaine gave him a shy smile.

"Thank you. Ray... Let's just hold one another tonight, okay?"

"I think that'd be a good idea." Swallowing, Elaine slowly slipped into bed beside Ray. Cautiously, they moved towards one another, Ray snaking an arm around her waist. Elaine layed down, her head pillowed against Ray's chest.

"Comfortable?" she asked as Ray settled himself.

"I'm good," he answered.

"Good night, Ray."

"Good night, Elaine."

Morning dawned crisp and cool, the air holding a promise of warmth. Elaine woke first, a little confused. Then she realised whose arms she was lying in and she was able to relax until Ray stirred.

"Hey," Ray greeted her huskily.

"Hey yourself. How'd you sleep?"

"Better than I would have thought. It was a pleasant change to sleep with someone who doesn't talk in her sleep!"

Elaine giggled. "I would never have imagined Fraser talking in his sleep."

"He does. Whole conversations. But he mumbles and mutters so I barely catch any of it at all. And he hogs the blanket. Then again," he reflected. "I toss and turn and kick him, so I guess fair's fair." Elaine laughed as she stretched.

"I'm ready for breakfast. How about we have it on the porch then take a picnic for the day? I thought we could rent a boat and go out to the island in the middle of the lake."

"Great idea!" Ray agreed.

An hour and a half later, Ray helped Elaine into the rowboat they'd rented. The weather had definitely warmed, but they knew it would be cool on the water so they'd brought warm sweaters. The kitchen staff at the inn had provided them with a lovely picnic basket and had pointedly informed the pair that no one else would be going to the island that day. It took only a quarter of an hour for Ray to row them onto the island's sandy beach. "It's so pretty here..." Elaine murmured, gazing around her. Shore--and civilization--felt very far away. "I want to make the baby here," she said suddenly. "Ben's baby should be made in the woods."

Ray swallowed the lump in his throat. "Yeah, I think so too." He pulled a blanket out of the boat, walking a few feet to spread it out on a grassy knoll hidden from shore by a few bushes. "Will this be okay?"

"It's fine, Ray," Elaine assured him as she removed her sweater to reveal a light summer dress held up by thin straps. Without warning, she slid the straps down her shoulders, letting the dress make its way slowly down her body. Ray was met with the sight of a perfect cocoa coloured body dressed only in scraps of dark blue silk and lace. He took a deep breath as he pulled his sweat shirt and tee-shirt over his head, then dropped his pants. He kicked them off as soon as he'd wrestled with his shoes.

Elaine took in the lean figure before her, noting the creamy skin and smiling appreciatively when she reached the white silk boxer shorts. She took Ray's hand, leading him to the blanket and pulling him down with her. "Anything you don't want me to do?" she asked.

"Fellatio," Ray answered, before reaching down to kiss her neck.

"Okay, she agreed, returning the kiss before nibbling on his earlobe.

Slowly, the soon to be lovers, divested one another of their remaining garments. Ray reached down to touch the warm, wet space between Elaine's thighs, finding it almost... foreign. So were the breasts he cradled in his hands. But she did taste good. So very good. He was pleased to find himself erect very quickly.

"Elaine?" he whispered. She stopped kneading his ass while she kissed her way down his chest.

"Mmm?"

"I can't believe this, but I'm ready." Elaine made her way back up to kiss Ray softly on the lips. She rolled over, pulling him on top of her. Ray, unused to being the bigger partner, had to remind himself to brace his weight his arms. Elaine spread her legs, coaxing Ray in, until he'd inserted just the tip of his cock. She was so loose and warm and wet... So unlike Ben. Almost as though she was reading his thoughts, Elaine spoke up.

"You can pretend I'm Ben," she said to him, resisting an urge to drive Ray deep inside her.

"You can pretend I'm Ben," too, he answered, feeling almost ready to thrust his seed deep inside Elaine.

"Then it'd be kind of like we're masturbating," Elaine mused. Ray's concentration broke.

"Now, that's something I won't be telling Ben!" he exclaimed. Elaine laughed, her resolve breaking. She wrapped her legs around Ray's torso, leading him inside her, urging him to thrust. Nervousness led them to come very quickly, and each lover felt themselves exploding as a rainbow of colour overcame them.

Elaine kept her legs wrapped around Ray for a moment before lowering them and guiding him out of her. Ray looked at her, a mixture of shock and pleasure visible in his features. "Will you hold me a minute?" he asked her, dropping down beside her. Elaine's answer was her soft embrace as she wrapped herself around him. With his free arm, Ray grabbed an edge of the blanket and pulled it over them. Exhausted, the hopeful parents slept.

It was high noon when they awoke at the same time, looking at each other with an expression that would never again be shy. "How're you doing?" Ray asked kindly.

Elaine gave him a broad smile. "I'm all right, Ray. How about you?"

"Better than I would have thought. I hope it worked."

"Yeah, me too," she answered as she reached over and began to pull some clothes on. Ray followed her example.

"How 'bout lunch?" he asked.

"Sounds good," she replied.

They made their way back to shore later that afternoon, speaking very little. Back in their suite, they took a long, hot shower together, washing the other with gestures entirely innocent. They slept in each other's arms again, Ray's head nestled against the belly he hoped would soon bear the fruit of his seed.

Ray dropped Elaine off at her apartment early the next afternoon, then he proceeded home, hoping that Fraser had arrived before him. Indeed, no sooner had Ray put the key in the lock than the odour of Ma's cooking reached his nostrils. He was glad Ben had come home with leftovers.

"Ray?" Fraser called from the livingroom.

"It's me, cuddlekins," Ray reassured him. They met halfway down the hall. Ray was the first to give his lover a tentative smile. "We think it worked." Fraser returned the smile.

"I'm glad." Ray took the step that separated him from his Canadian, pulling him into his arms.

"I missed you," he sighed, kissing Fraser deeply. Fraser didn't answer as he returned the greeting.

The Mountie knew a lot had gone on between Elaine and Ray the last two days and that they would forever share an intimate bond, even if no child came from their act. He also knew he'd never know just what the two had talked about during their long hours together. All he had to appreciate was that the incident had treated his lover well and that things were still right between them.

And if things were truly right in the world, he'd be a 'mother' in nine months' time, late February, just as winter would begin to fade.

"Ray, I love you," Fraser said as the kiss was broken.

"Oh, god, Ben, me too!" Ray answered. "Me, too. Always. So, uh, you wanna talk about names, get an early start?"

Fraser laughed. "Let's just start off with two names I refuse to name my kid: Roger or Antoinette."

Ray giggled. "This is starting off pretty well. I hate..."

Ray headed to work early the next morning, as he knew Huey would too. They met in the squad room and decided to head down to the coffee shop nearby to talk. "Just wanted to let you know I treated Elaine well," Ray began, once they'd sat down with coffee and doughnuts.

"I knew you would."

"You better treat her well, too. She's one hell of a special lady."

"Yeah, I know, Ray. I'll treat her the same way you treat Fraser. They both deserve that." Ray nodded thoughtfully. "It's not making you too uncomfortable, I hope." Ray shook his head.

"I'm beyond feeling 'uncomfortable' about anything." Huey gave a small laugh.

"I, uh, I want to Elaine to marry me after the baby's born. She told me you guys'll have a place for her in your house. How's that gonna be set up?"

"It'll be a separate apartment. You can come, too, if you want. The point was we wanted Elaine to have her own place, free of charge, if she wanted to be near the baby. Ben and I have talked about how we're going to divide up the house. It's huge and there'll be more than enough room for two families."

Huey nodded thoughtfully. "Fraser's full of surprises, isn't he?" Ray smiled fondly as he thought about his lover.

"Yeah, he is."

"What kind of support are you and him giving Elaine during the pregnancy, if everything worked, of course?"

"We're going to prepare to be there during the birth, give her a couple of ears to talk to, some shoulders to cry on, you know, basic and all encompassing support."

"Good. She couldn't do this alone."

"No, she couldn't," Ray agreed. "It wouldn't be fair to her."

"When will we know?"

"She's going for a test in four weeks. It'll be more reliable then."

"Excited?"

"Nervous!" Huey laughed.

"I can't wait for the two of us to have one of our own."

"So, you and Elaine have discussed the future too?"

"Yeah. I don't know how it happened between Elaine and me, I never saw her like that before, but now, I can't imagine not being with her."

"When're you guys gonna tell everyone?"

"We thought after the baby's born, but that sounds so far away... I don't really care if tongues start to wag. People have been real good about you and Fraser..."

"Yeah, we've been damn lucky." Ray snuck a glance at his watch. "And we're about to be late. I'm glad we had this chat, Jack."

"Yeah, me, too." The men began to gather up there things, laying money on the table. "How's Fraser doing?"

"Okay. Not much pain left and he's getting the cast off Monday. He's gonna have to have a bit of therapy on it."

"Talk about a dumb accident."

"Yeah, you're telling me."

To Ray's surprise, the day actually flew by. He was looking forward to going home and making love with his Mountie. He arrived at home with a large bouquet of flowers. He'd never felt any inclination to treat his Ben to flowers, but somehow the bouquet sold by a street vendor had had the Canadian's name on it.

Fraser looked up from his book when Ray came in. His face brightened when he saw the present Ray had for him.

"Flowers? You bought me flowers?" Ray grinned.

"No, they're for the landlady. Of course I bought you flowers!"

Fraser's answer caught in his throat as he held his good hand out for the bouquet. He brought it up to his nose and inhaled deeply. When he looked up at Ray, his eyes were very bright. "No one has ever bought me flowers before, except when I was sick." Ray gave him a kiss.

"I'm glad you like 'em, baby."

"Nobody's ever loved me enough to buy me flowers," Fraser murmured as he headed to the kitchen to find a vase. Ray's heart twisted at that sad comment. He wanted to kick in the head everyone who had ever hurt his Mountie. Anyone who had layed a brick to build that wall Ray had barely breached. Oh, he was inside all right, but he knew the slightest hint of betrayal would cast him out forever. The responsibility almost blew him away. He knew he could never take it for granted that Fraser knew he loved him. Making a mental note to buy his lovers flowers more often, Ray went to help him when Fraser's rummaging became louder.

"So, you got anything planned tonight?" Ray teased as he helped Fraser fill a simple vase with water. Fraser nodded. "Ooh! What do you have in mind?"

"Dinner with Francesca." Ray's chin dropped. Literally. This was not what he had had in mind at all!"

"Dinner with Frannie???" Fraser laughed.

"She called and said she had a surprise for us. She'll be here about seven with food and promised not to stay too late."

"Oh, okay, then. Any hint?" Fraser shook his head.

"No idea. I must admit I'm still a little... wary of her."

"Yeah, me, too." Then realisation hit. "Frannie's coming here??? The place is a mess!"

Fraser laughed. "She told us not to tidy."

"Are you kidding??? Those are your boxers on that lampshade over there!"

Fraser turned in the direction Ray had pointed and blushed. "Oh, I thought they were yours."

Ray rolled his eyes. "You know, you aren't the neat freak people make you out to be."

Fraser held up his bandaged hand. "Not particularly conducive to keeping things neat. I have no problem with things lying around so long as the environment is clean. I mean, I was always leaving dishes in the draining board in the apartment and I rarely put the ironing board away."

"And you left stuff on your trunk," Ray added. "Point taken. You're a cleanness freak, not a neat freak." It was Fraser's turn to roll his eyes. "But let's put the underwear away!"

Frannie showed up right on time carrying a large box from which delicious aromas wafted. "Hi, guys," she said, once Ray had let her in. She took a look around. "You guys are slobs." Then, without missing a beat, "I've got a lasagne and a salad. The lasagne is still warm, but we should nuke it for a minute." Ray came to help her, popping the pasta dish in the microwave. "Do you have any clean dishes?" she asked.

"Yes, Frannie, we do," Ray said with a smile in his voice. Together, they set the table while Fraser pretended to be busy. Minutes later, they sat at the dining room table together. "Great food, Frannie, you make it?" Ray asked after he'd swallowed a taste of his food.

"Yup. I sort of expanded Ma's recipe by adding that cheese sauce between the layers."

"Really good!" Fraser commented, wolfing down another bite.

"So, what's the surprise?" Ray asked. Frannie shook her head smiling.

"Can't stand to wait, uh?" Ray shook his head.

"Come on, me and Ben here are dying to know."

"You're getting married," Frannie stated matter of fact, causing Fraser to spray his lasagne across the table right onto Ray's tee-shirt.

"We're what?!" the Mountie exclaimed.

"Uh..." Frannie answered a little less confidently. "Ma didn't want her grand-kid to be born out of wedlock, so we've been planning you guys a kind of commitment ceremony. You guys vow to stay together forever and be good to the kid. Everyone who shows up promises to stand by the three of you. It's all planned, right down to the rsvp'ing, all we need to know is if we have the grooms." Fraser looked to Ray. They were so close they could communicate without talking. Both were pleased with the idea. "Look, I was going to suggest the idea to you guys before I really got into the planning part, but Ma thought it'd be better if we got all the details ironed out before we mentioned it to you. I wouldn't have even thought of this if you guys hadn't been talking about commitments and spending your lives together. You can tell me this is a stupid idea and--" Fraser interrupted by jumping to his feet, running around the table, and planting a firm kiss on her cheek. Frannie was stunned into silence.

"Thank you, Frannie," Fraser said, his voice shaking with emotion. "I speak for both of us when I say this is one of the most generous offer we have ever received.

"Ray?" Frannie asked for confirmation.

"Thank God for the Catholic guilt thing. Frannie, Ben said it so well. This is beyond great. Thank you!"

Fraser sat back down. "So, what are the details?"

"You guys pick a date on a weekend and let us know two weeks in advance. The rest is a secret."

"Okay," Fraser agreed. "That's fair. Thank you..." he repeated. Frannie gave him a genuine smile.

"I like this new me better."

"Yeah, so do we," Ray agreed. Francesca got up and began to collect her things.

"There's dessert, too, but I'll leave that for the two of you. I know you want an evening together. Don't go pretending you don't."

"Thanks, Frannie," Ray said. Gathering her box in her arms, she turned to the detective and the Mountie.

"My pleasure, brothers." She blew them a kiss and let herself out.

"We're getting married," Ray said, as though he was trying to get used to the idea. "Married. I had a lot of ideas about what her surprise would be but this? Go figure."

"It was indeed very kind of Francesca, and of Ma."

"I take it there's no way we can get out of this family now?" Fraser shook his head.

"Nope."

"I'm glad."

"Me, too, Ray, me too."

"So," Ray asked coyly. "You wanna move to the bedroom?"

"Thought I'd do the dishes first," Fraser teased.

"Not funny."

"I know. Race you!" He raced down the hall, Ray in hot pursuit. In the bedroom, they tumbled onto the bed, always mindful of Fraser's hand.

"I want to make love to you tonight," Fraser said, struggling with his clothes and only too happy to have Ray help him.

"I want you to make love to me too," Ray answered, finally divesting his lover of the offending garments.

"And I want to try a new position," Fraser said, latching onto Ray's earlobe and taking a nibble.

"Whatd'ya have in mind?" Ray asked as he moaned in appreciation of Fraser's ministrations. Fraser didn't answer as he started to tug on his lover's clothes. It was only when they could lie bare skin to bare skin than did Fraser answer.

"With you on your back." Ray sat up with a shock.

"Hey, I think that's a position for people who are advanced at this sort of thing!"

"We'll take it slow," Fraser coaxed, his tongue swirling one of Ray's nipples. "Please, cuddlekins? I want to see your face when I come..."

"Oh, god, stop talking dirty! I can't resist you when you talk dirty!" Ray pretended to complain as Fraser made his way down his chest.

"Is that a yes, then?" Fraser asked, reaching his lover's silky cock and licking it experimentally.

"Mmph!" Ray exclaimed.

"That wasn't much of an answer," Fraser teased, licking the warm shaft again.

"Mmph! I mean, yes! I mean, oh god, do that again!"

"What, this?" Fraser asked, knowing full well what Ray wanted as his tongue explored the detective's slit, probing it gently.

"Benton!" Ray shrieked. That got Fraser's attention very quickly, causing the Mountie to look up.

"Yes, Ray?"

"Will you get in me already?! We haven't made love in god knows how long and I won't last!"

"Ray, foreplay." Fraser giggled at his rhyme.

"I've had enough foreplay!"

"Why is making love with you always a humourous affair, Ray?" Fraser asked pensively, ceasing his careful preparation of his lover's body.

"Who cares??? Lube's in the drawer."

"Ray..."

"Benton!" Finally, Ray had Fraser's fully focussed attention.

"Is there something wrong, Ray?"

"Yes! Every time I wanna make love to you, you wanna talk!"

"I hadn't noticed."

"Lube, Ben," Ray said pointedly.

"Right you are."

Fraser reached over the side of the bed to the table there, extracting the lube and condoms from the top drawer. As he coated a finger with the slick gel, Ray settled himself against the pillows.

"How're we gonna do this, baby?" Ray asked.

"Just lie there and get used to my fingers. Then, I figure you'll need to raise your hips, maybe put your legs on my shoulders or something."

"You think we'll ever get good enough at gay sex to make it spontaneous?"

Fraser giggled. "I hope so!"

"Will ya stop talking dirty all ready, I won't last!" Ray teased, causing Fraser to laugh some more. With a deep breath, he guided his index finger to Ray's ass, stroking the cleft gently. Ray shuddered at the touch. "Oh, yeah, that's good."

"Are you relaxed?"

"I'm relaxed." Fraser's finger explored the warm, musky space between Ray's ass cheeks, wandering its length before coming to rest at the puckered opening to Ray's anus. He prodded it experimentally and the hole opened, allowing him in. Fraser burrowed his finger in the warmth of his lover's body, reaching to the special place deep inside his Ray. "Oh, god!" Ray exclaimed as Fraser found it. "Hurry!"

Rather than hurry, Fraser took his sweet time, teasing a second, then a third, well lubed digit into his lover. He could barely wait to take him. He'd felt so... distant from Ray these last weeks.

Finally, he was satisfied that Ray was ready for him. He quickly rolled a condom onto his swollen shaft, and then coated it with lube. He positioned himself between his lover's thighs, helping Ray raise his legs. His lover's ass gaped at him, begging to envelop Fraser's throbbing cock.

Gently, the Mountie pressed his way into his Ray, finding the way open to him. Tears slid down Fraser's face at this total trust his partner had in him.

"Baby?" Ray asked, his face a grimace of concentration.

"Are you okay?"

"Oh, god, yeah. You?"

"Can I thrust?"

"If you don't, I will." In unison, Fraser moved into his partner just as Ray raised his hips, burrowing the Mountie deep within him.

The connection was almost... cerebral. There was a fusion of two souls.

It was almost too much. Too many wonderful sensations coursing through them. Fraser gave a half sob as he came, Ray echoing him a moment later.

Fraser collapsed onto his lover's chest, barely aware that Ray had lowered his legs.

"Oh, Ray," he panted. "My Ray..." Ray was breathing deeply.

"I love you, too. God, that was good! One thing..."

"Anything..."

"I can't breathe." If he'd had the energy, Fraser would have giggled. Instead, he lethargically rolled over, pulling his Ray close to him.

"All right, Constable," the doctor said Monday morning. "Just because the cast is off doesn't mean you can start using the hand again. I want you to do some strengthening exercises and come back for a follow up in a few weeks."

"Yes, sir," Fraser answered, experimentally flexing his fingers. His hand looked almost foreign. It was white and skinny from lack of use. An angry, puffy red scar ran across the wrist. He looked at it with distaste. "Will the scar always be this bad? It looks like I tried to commit suicide."

The doctor nodded. "I'm afraid so. I'll admit we were more worried about saving your hand than cosmetic surgery, Constable."

"I understand. Thank you kindly, doctor." Grabbing his list of exercises, Fraser headed back out to the waiting room.

"How're you?" Ray asked, seeing the strained look in his lover's face. Fraser held up the hand, causing Ray to wince. "Yeah, I see what you mean, baby. Nice scar. It'll fade, I'm sure..."

"I hope so. I don't want to have to explain it during my next psych review."

Ray grinned. "Glad your sense of humour is still working. Does it still hurt?"

Fraser shook his head. "No. Give me your hand, please." Ray obliged and Fraser wrapped his bony digits around it. The Mountie gave a happy sigh. "It's been so long since I've touched you... I still have to be careful, though."

"I know, baby. I'm still here to help."

"I love you." Ray understood his lover's need to say this often. It was a plea for reassurance.

"I love you too, baby."

Coming out of the hospital, it was a little later than the two had planned and Ray was late for work. He suggested that Fraser drop him off at the precinct and take the car for the day. They could meet up after his shift. "You actually trust me with your car?" Fraser teased as he slid into the driver's side. Ray didn't answer as he rummaged through the glove box.

"I had to update my registration on it this week. Ah, ha!" he handed Fraser the piece of paper he'd been looking for. Fraser took one look at it before turning a very stunned gaze to his lover.

"This says your car is in our names."

"No. It says our car is in our names. She's yours as much as mine, now, baby."

"Why..."

"'Cause, whenever you crash her, it'll make things easier with the insurance company," Ray teased.

Fraser laughed, reaching over to kiss his lover lightly. "Thank you, Ray. That was a beautiful surprise. I haven't owned a car in ages."

It was Ray's turn to be surprised. "You've owned a car?"

"Well, transportation in remote outposts leaves something to be desired, Ray. I owned an all terrain type truck for a few years while I was stationed at Cambridge Bay. But that was a lifetime ago. My first posting, actually."

"Cool. Who'd have guessed you owned a car."

"There are many things about me you don't know yet, Ray. And you have a whole lifetime to learn them." This got a grin out of Ray.

Heading home from the twenty-seventh sometime later, Fraser decided to stop at the supermarket for a few things. They were starting to run dangerously low on milk and bread. He thought he might pick up a cake, too, to celebrate his nearly completed recovery.

He was comparing pork chop prices when a familiar feminine voice spoke to him. "Fraser?" Surprised, he turned to face a woman with long dark hair.

"Hello, Irene. I must say this is quite a surprise." Irene Zuko smiled.

"It is for me, too. Do you live in this neighbourhood?"

"As a matter of fact I do. I'm just a few blocks east of here."

"I'm living two doors down with the children."

"So..."

"I finally put my brother out of my life. Ray gave me the strength."

Fraser swallowed. "I'm glad to see you're doing all right."

"And you? Are you doing all right?"

Fraser gave her a full smile. "Yes, I am. I'm very happy, actually. I have a boyfriend and we're getting married in a few weeks. We're having a baby in February." Irene did not show any astonishment at this revelation.

"I'm very happy for you. I haven't found anyone... It might be a while until I do. I'm glad I had a chance to see you again, under more normal circumstances."

"Yes, so am I. You know, Ma, I mean Mrs. Vecchio--" Irene shook her head, interrupting the Mountie.

"I've turned my back on that whole part of my life."

Fraser nodded. "Okay. Well, it was a pleasure seeing you."

"You, too. Good luck with your boyfriend and the baby."

"Thank you."

Ray whistled as he entered the apartment.

"Hi, honey, I'm home!" he called.

"Ray, I'm right here," Fraser answered from the kitchen, two steps from the front door. Ray laughed as he came in. "Good day, I take it?"

"Yup. Just solved a ten year old murder case!" Fraser grinned, sweeping his lover into his arms.

"That's wonderful!"

"Just gotta talk to the assistant D.A. tomorrow, then Welsh is giving me the rest of the week off. You're not going back to work till next Monday, right?" Fraser nodded. "Good. We can work on the house!"

"I'd like that very much. I must warn you about the D.A., though."

Ray furrowed his brow. "You've met Stella?"

"Stella?"

"My ex-wife?"

"No, I meant Louise St. Laurent."

"Oh, she and Stella changed districts."

"Really? Well, I hope Stella is more reasonable than St. Laurent. My god, Ray, I never met a woman more determined to see me behind bars." Fraser shook his head at the memories causing Ray to smile.

"First time I'll get to see Stella and not wish we were still married. Hell, first time I'll get to see Stella and thank god we're not married!"

Fraser laughed. "Thank you, cuddlekins. So, getting back to my dinner preparations..."

The next morning, Ray waited patiently in interview two for Stella to arrive. She was prompt, as always, dressed in a blue silk suit.

"Hey, Stella," Ray greeted her.

"Hello, Ray," she answered cautiously, sitting down in front of him.

"I gotta tell you something personal before we start."

"Ray--"

"Hear me out, please." Stella let out an exasperated sigh.

"What is it now?"

"I'm getting married, Stella. To a guy. And we're having a baby." To Stella's credit, her expression barely registered any surprise at all. Ray, however, knew her better than anyone, even Fraser, and he could see that she was shocked. "It's a really new development, Stell. Nothing was going on during our marriage. I met him when I was working on the Vecchio case a few months ago."

Stella allowed herself a smile finally. "I'm happy for you, Ray."

"Thanks, Stell."

"Could I... Could I come to the wedding, maybe? Just because we're divorced, it doesn't mean I don't still care about you."

"I'd like that. I'll have to talk it over with Ben first, though."

"Ben, that his name?"

"Yeah. Benton Fraser. He's a Mountie."

Stella's chin dropped. "I know who he is! By reputation of course. He must have broken a lot of hearts."

Ray shrugged. "People have been real good about it, Stell. Thanks for not flipping out."

Stella gave her ex- husband a sly grin. "Hey, it means I'm a free woman now! About the case..."

Later that day, Elaine came over to Ray just as he was finishing up his last report.

"Just thought you should know my period's late," she whispered. "It's never late." Ray looked up, grinning from ear to ear.

"Really?"

"Yup. I'm making the appointment for next Saturday afternoon."

"Ben and I'll be there," Ray promised. "Just tell us when and where."

"I will. What are you guys doing with your week off?"

"Working on the house. It'd be good if you could stop off after work for a few nights and give us some input as to what you want in your section."

"I'd like that very much. Just one thing... Jack proposed to me last night." Her smile betrayed her answer to Huey's question.

Ray grinned. "Tell him to come with."

Ray came home to find Fraser cursing. He didn't know whether to be shocked, amused, or both.

"Ben?" he asked cautiously, going over to the desk where his lover sat hunched over. Fraser jumped.

"Oh, Ray! You startled me!"

"Sorry, baby. Bad day?" Fraser sighed, lifting up his damaged hand.

"I can't even hold a pencil, yet. I'm trying to get the fingers to curl around it and they won't! It's not like the hand is paralysed! I can move the fingers!" Fraser flexed them for good measure.

Ray rubbed his shoulder. "Baby, you just had a really bad accident. Give them time."

"But I am sick and tired of being a lefty. My handwriting is bad enough as a righty!" Ray had to laugh. His lover had a beautiful penmanship. Not crisp and precise as most people would expect from the Mountie, but rather full of passionate, maybe even angry, stabbing lines.

"What can I do to make it better?"

"Tell me you had a good day and have the rest of the week off?"

"Excellent day and I don't have to be back at work till Monday."

Fraser grinned. "Good!"

Ray reached for the other chair, pulling it up along side Fraser's. "Can I ask you a question?" he said seriously. Fraser furrowed his brow.

"Of course."

"You know I talked to Stella today."

"Yes..."

"It went really well. She was wondering if she could come to the weddin'. I told her I'd check with you first."

"That well, uh? Yes, of course, if she wants to come. You can have Francesca contact her if you want."

"You don't mind, then?"

"Ray," Fraser said gently. "You were married to her for almost fifteen years. But that's over. I know you love me now. But that doesn't mean you can't still have feelings for her, and even still love her. If by asking me if I mind you're asking me if I'm jealous, all I can say is of course not. We're getting married, Ray. That alone says exactly what my place in your life is."

"Ben?"

"Hmm?"

"Can you memorise that for the times when I'll act like a doofus?"

Fraser gave a small laugh. "Yes, I can. Ready for dinner?"

"You kidding? Whad'ya have planned?"

"The Chinese food should be arriving just about--" The doorbell rang. "Now," he concluded with a grin. "Perfect timing."

"You know, the house won't need that much work... The third floor's already a separate apartment. It's huge, bright, and airy. I'm sure Elaine and Huey'll love it. We can have the staircase altered to give them access to part of the second floor, too, where the nursery will be, with an entrance leading to the backyard. We could even section off the backyard to give them some privacy."

Fraser nodded his agreement. "Perfect plans, I think, Ray. Really, all the house needs are some new plumbing fixtures and some paint. Cosmetic changes. The past owners kept it up beautifully. It's one of the reasons I fell in love with it."

Ray finally realised something important. "Ben, that means you'll be staying in Chicago..."

"Of course. There's nothing stopping us from visiting the Yukon a few weeks a year, of course, but the people I love and need and care for are here. I could think of nowhere else I'd want us to raise our child, Ray."

"Speaking of which, Elaine's period was late and she's never late. I told her we'd go to the doc's with her next Saturday."

Fraser grinned. "Does she think..?"

"She's as hopeful as us."

The day of Elaine's appointment finally rolled around. The days before had been filled with preparing the house with everyone, including Huey who had fallen in love with the house, putting in his or her input.

A few days before the appointment, Elaine had dropped off a sample of urine with the doctor and answered a few questions. It hadn't been an extensive meeting at all, and one too private to share with Ray and Fraser, even if she was carrying their baby.

The three sat on comfortable chairs in a blandly decorated office, waiting for the doctor to emerge with the results of Elaine's pregnancy test. He came out of a back room carrying a manilla folder. "Elaine, I have some good news for you," he said.

Elaine gasped. "You mean..."

"You're about a month pregnant," the doctor answered with a smile. "Congratulations."

Elaine turned to the two men who would parent the baby. To her surprise, she found them crying silently, tears running down their cheeks.

"Thank you..." she managed to make out. "What do we need to do now?"

The next half hour was spent planning check ups and getting information on where to attend birthing classes.

As they came out of the office building, Fraser and Ray couldn't take their hands off Elaine-- clutching her hand, rubbing her shouldering, even stroking her belly. Finally, Fraser couldn't stop himself and gave her a kiss which caused Elaine to blush. "I'm happy, guys," she said.

"So are we," Fraser answered, eyes shining.

"I've got to call Jack." Ray pulled out his phone and handed it to her. He and Fraser stepped aside to give her some privacy. As Elaine spoke with her fiancé, Fraser and Ray held their own conversation.

"So, this is really gonna happen!" Ray exclaimed, resisting an urge to hug his lover. Fraser let out an unMountie-like giggle. "Man, we gotta start thinkin' about names and--wait a minute. What the hell is the kid gonna call us? I just don't see you as being a 'mommy'."

Fraser guffawed. "You can be dad and I can be pop or pa or daddy or papa or something like that."

Ray snickered. "Yeah, I see you as a pop, all right. I think I should be dad and you should be daddy. Then again, when the kid grows up it might not want to use daddy..."

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there, Ray." Fraser turned in direction of Elaine who had called their name. She came over to them.

"Jack wants to meet us at the Berghof for lunch. His treat."

"Mmm!" Ray exclaimed. "German food, I'm in!" Fraser didn't need any persuading either.

At the restaurant, Huey greeted Elaine with a soft kiss and Fraser and Ray with a handshake.

"Congratulations."

"Thanks, Jack," Fraser said for all three of them. "We're so excited."

"Yeah, I'll bet. You know, we're going to have to tell people something. I think we'd be better off with the truth, but that's up to you."

Ray shrugged. "I agree, so that we can avoid rumours. Not like we're doing anything shameful. They all know Ben and me are lovers."

"I agree," Fraser said.

"Yeah," Elaine added. "I'm not ashamed of what we're doing."

Ray shook his head. "Man, that's a lot of announcements in the space of a few months. Ben and me are lovers. We're getting married. Elaine's having our baby and marrying Huey." Huey laughed.

"Uh," he started. "That brings me to ask you two something." Ray turned to Fraser and smiled at him. They had reached the point in their lives where they could communicate without words.

"You're thinking double wedding, aren't you?" he asked. Huey leaned back in his chair, a little stunned.

"Yeah."

"We think it's a splendid idea," Fraser answered.

The next day, the quartet gathered in the Bullpen to announce the good news. "Could we have your attention, please?" Fraser called, grinding all work in the room to a halt. "Elaine, Ray, Jack, and myself have some important news." He turned to his friends who motioned for him to go on. "As most of you know, Ray and I are in a committed, romantic relationship. Elaine has agreed to carry a child for us to raise. She is currently one month pregnant." Gasps.

"And," Jack added, taking Elaine's hand, "Elaine and I are getting married."

"Congratulations," a gruff voice boomed.

"Thank you, leftenant."

"While we're in a good mood, I thought I could share some happy news of my own. I'm getting married, too." His announcement was met with raised eyebrows. "To Inspector Meg Thatcher, RCMP." Welsh grinned at Fraser's gaping mouth reaction. "Hey, you had your chance, Constable!"

"Congratulations, Sir!"

"Thank you. Okay, I'm calling a fifteen minute break to get some celebratory doughnuts." This suggestion was met with much enthusiasm.

When some of the excitement had died down, Fraser went to Welsh's office and knocked quietly. He was invited to come in.

"Ah, Constable!"

"So, you are the reason for the Inspector's unnaturally good humour these last months?"

Welsh grinned. "Shall I tell Meg that?"

"I'd rather not, Sir. I'm truly happy for you. I hope your life with the Inspector will be as rich as my life with Ray. I just had a thought."

"What?"

"Mrs. Vecchio has arranged a wedding for Ray and myself. Elaine and Jack will have their ceremony at the same time."

Welsh could see what Fraser was getting at. "A triple wedding might not be such a bad idea."

"Vecchio residence."

"Hi, Ma! It's Ben! How are you?"

"Benito, caro! I am well, and you?"

"Wonderful!"

"I'm looking forward to a wedding," she said pointedly.

"That's what I'm calling about. I was wondering if you could change a few plans?"

"Such as?"

"Elaine Besbriss, mother of our child, and Jack Huey, one of Ray's colleagues are also engaged.

"Oh, a double wedding! Superb idea!"

"There's more, Ma. My superior officer as well as Ray's, are also engaged to be married.

"A triple wedding!" Mrs. Vecchio exclaimed with glee.

"It's not too much work, then?"

"Of course not! I'll just need a little more time."

"How about a month from this Saturday?"

"Perfect! Oh, and caro?"

"Yes, Ma?"

"Wear a tuxedo."

Fraser laughed. "I will."

At work later that afternoon, Fraser gathered his resolved and went to knock on Thatcher's office door.

"Come in," she called... cheerfully? "Ah, Fraser, what can I do for you?"

"I wanted to congratulate you, Sir. Leftenant Welsh told us the good news today."

Thatcher grinned. "I'm glad you think the news is good. I look forward to marrying Harding. I just don't look forward to planning the wedding."

"Already taken care of, Sir. Ray and I are getting married in a ceremony organised by our mother. Elaine and Detective Huey are joining us." Thatcher could see where this was going.

"And you want Harding and I... No, we couldn't! It'd be too much work!"

"Ma is thrilled," Fraser assured her. "We set a date for one month from Saturday." Rather than show panic, Thatcher's face lit up.

"Thank you, Fraser."

"All you need to do is show up on time with a dress of your choice." He gave her Mrs. Vecchio's number so that Thatcher would confirm the details.

When Fraser got home that night, he was greeted with the smell of something wonderful cooking.

"Baby, that you?" Ray called from the kitchen.

"I hope I'm the only person who walks in here without knocking," Fraser teased. He rounded the corner so he could present his lover with the small bouquet of ox-eyed susans he'd picked up for him. "I brought you these." Ray stopped stirring whatever he was making.

"Oh, baby, they're beautiful!" He wrapped his arms around his Mountie and gave him a kiss.

"What's for dinner? I'm hungry!"

"Chicken cacciatore with snow peas and rotini."

"I am so glad I'm marrying a man who can cook," Fraser said with a happy sigh.

"Oh, yes!" Fraser exclaimed later that night. "Right--oh!--there! Oh... oh... oh!" He continued to moan in ecstasy as Ray pounded into him. He finally screamed "Ray!"

They came at the same time, Ray's seed spilling deep within his lover. He collapsed, spent, on Fraser's chest, Fraser wrapping his arms around him.

"Ray?" Fraser said after a moment.

"Uh?"

"Much as I loved that, I don't think I'd have the energy to do it too often." Ray laughed, the sound muffled against Fraser's broad chest. "I love you, Ray."

That prompted Ray to lift his head for a moment so he could say clearly, "I love you, too, Ben."

"Hmm... I think I prefer the blue one," Fraser said.

"I dunno, Ben. The black one's a little fussy, but it's really nice and this is a special occasion." Ray turned around so as to get a view of himself in the blue tuxedo from all angles.

"I like how the blue one hugs your ass," Fraser volunteered helpfully.

"Okay, that does it! The blue one it is!" After sharing a light kiss, the men stepped out of the dressing room.

"And?" the salesman asked.

"The blue one," Fraser and Ray said in unison.

"Very good. Let me alter them for you."

"They'll be ready on time, right? The wedding's this weekend." Ray said.

"Certainly, detective. I'll have them ready by Wednesday."

Four days to the wedding, Ben and Ray's phone ran very early. An arm snaked out from the tangled sheets and groped for the phone. Once he had a good grip on it, Fraser brought the receiver in the general direction of his ear. "'Lo?" he mumbled.

"Fraser, it's Jack. Sorry to wake you up so early, but I need your help."

"Couldn't it wait?" Fraser had never been much of a morning person, contrary to popular belief, especially not when it was his day off.

"No. Elaine made me call you. She's got a really bad case of morning sickness and wants to know if you can think of a natural remedy to help. Something that won't hurt the baby."

"Mint tea," Fraser mumbled.

"Okay, thanks, Fraser!" Fraser managed to get the phone back in the cradle.

"Who was that?" Ray muttered.

"Jack. Elaine's got morning sickness and wanted a remedy."

"Good thing Jack's there."

"Mmm. Ray?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I go back to sleep now?

The night before the wedding, the men, including Louis Gardino, gathered at Welsh's place for beer, pizza, and poker while the women, including Maria and Francesca Vecchio, gathered at Thatcher's for a lingerie party.

"Technically, one of us should be at Meg's," Fraser said, dealing out a hand. "Meaning you, Ray. I've had quite enough of lingerie." Ray chortled. "Actually, I am going over there after. We can't spend the night before our wedding together."

"Since when did you decide that?"

"Two days ago. I figured we'd just argue over it and go into the whole 'who's the bride and who's the groom' debate. You're not upset, are you?"

"No. I... I had no idea how romantic and traditional you are, Ray."

Huey gagged. "Oh, please."

The morning of the wedding dawned clear and bright, with just a hint of coolness in the air. A perfect early summer day.

At Welsh's apartment, there was a flurry of flying tuxedo parts as the men dressed, using Louis as their errand boy.

At Thatcher's, the situation was no less chaotic. Ma Vecchio had come to take Ray under her wing and help him dress. She settled the bride/groom question once and for all.

"Consider it an age thing, caro. Benito, Harding, and Jack are older than you, Meg, and Elaine. They will wait as their younger spouse to be walks down the aisle."

Ray grinned. "Thanks, Ma, you just solved one of my biggest problems."

"Do your parents know, caro?"

"Yeah. I called them a few nights ago. Dad didn't react real well. He didn't yell or nuthin', but I could feel how disappointed he was with me. I didn't even talk to Mom."

"I'm sorry I brought the subject up, caro, it is making you sad on what should be a happy day."

"It's okay, Ma. How do I look?"

Ma Vecchio grinned. "Our Benito is a very lucky man."

"Fraser, how can you be so calm?"

"Who says I'm calm, Leftenant?"

"Harding."

"Harding. I'm shaking in my shoes!"

"You and me both," Jack muttered, resisting an urge to tug at his collar. Huey and Welsh were dressed in black with Fraser in the middle in blue. Any observer could see that none of them was calm at all.

The guest list was very small, barely filling up the Vecchio backyard--the Vecchios and Huey and Elaine's parents, as well as Gardino and a few of Elaine's girlfriends. Then Mrs. Vecchio burst from the house leading two people. "Who are they?" Jack asked.

"I... I think they're my future in laws," Fraser answered.

Damien Kowalski was a hard, but not heartless, man. His son's news had surprised him, and he'd reacted badly. If there was ever any hope of a relationship with his son, he'd have to mend this bridge himself. He and his wife decided that a surprise trip from Arizona might be enough to show their son just where they stood. If they showed up in time to bless the wedding, even better. Ray had greeted them with surprise and open arms. Now, the day would be truly perfect. "Is he a good man, son?" his dad had asked.

"As good a man as you, Dad."

The hired piano player began the music. Ray, Elaine, and Meg showed up at the head of the makeshift aisle. Ray was in navy blue, Elaine in pale pink, and Thatcher in ivory. They all looked as radiant and scared as their soon to be spouses.

The ceremony was a brief, but meaningful, exchange of personal vows.

"Meg, you've made this tired old Lieutenant young again. Marrying you today has made me whole."

"Harding, you have made a weary Inspector feel vibrant and feminine again. Becoming your wife has filled a hole in me I never new existed and which I cannot now imagine how I lived with."

"Elaine, you have made my world bright and happy again. Thank you for agreeing to share my life."

"Jack, you have taught me about unconditional love and I thank you for the gift."

"Ray, you have made a lonely man happy and I hope I can return in kind for the rest of your life the joy you have brought into mine."

"Ben, you have given an insecure man more confidence than he could ever imagine finding. Thank you for sharing my life."

"You may now kiss your... spouse," Father Behan declared. The said spouses didn't need to be told twice. They then reached for their life partner's hand and ran down the aisle as their friends and family showered them with rice.

In the house, Mrs. Vecchio got the champagne flowing and started to pass the food around. Ray took Fraser's hand and led him to his parents. "Uh, Mom? Dad? This is my husband, Ben."

Barbara gathered Fraser to her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ben."

"Likewise, ma'am."

"Oh, you can call me Mom!"

"Mom," Fraser said as he grinned. He turned to Damian who held out his hand. Fraser took it.

"Welcome to the family, Ben," Damian said gruffly.

"Toast! Toast!" Francesca called.

"To love and a lifetime with loved ones!" Fraser proposed, lifting his glass of champagne. Then, setting aside all modesty, he took his Ray and kissed him thoroughly. Jack and Welsh followed his example with their wives.

Francesca started the music and the three couples took to the dance floor. It had been difficult to come up with a wedding song which suited all of them and they had finally settled on 'Stand by Me'.

Fraser held Ray close, taking in his lov--his husband's sweet scent. Suddenly, tears spilled down his cheeks. "Ben?" Ray asked in alarm.

"I love you," Fraser said and that was explanation enough.

The doorbell rang a little while later as the music wound down. "I'll get it!" Maria volunteered. Moments later, she hustled a shy looking blond woman into the room.

"Hey, Stella," Ray greeted her. "Glad you could make it."

She smiled. "Hi. I won't be staying. I just wanted to wish you and Fraser a happy life together." She turned to Fraser. "You hurt him and I'll break both your legs."

Fraser grinned. "I'll be a good husband to Ray, I promise."

"I brought you two a little something." She handed them a small square envelope. Ray opened it to find a gift certificate for an all inclusive weekend at a local bed and breakfast. "I knew you two had a honeymoon planned, so this is for one of those weekends down the line after a hellish week when you'll need a moment away from your problems to remember why you married one another."

"Thank you, Stella," Ray said, his voiced choked up.

"Yes, thank you," Fraser echoed.

"May I ask where you're going on your honeymoon?" Stella asked.

"Quebec City," Ray answered. "Ben wanted to go to Canada, and I wanted to go to Europe. That was the best compromise we could come up with. It's Canada, but they speak French there, and the city is walled, like a medieval town. It looks really nice. We're staying at the best hotel there."

Stella smiled. "I wish you a lot of fun. I have to be going. Just wanted to let you know I'm happy for the two of you."

"Thanks, Stell."

"Woah, nice digs," Ray whistled as the cab driver pulled up in front of the Ch'teau Frontenac-- Quebec City's most luxurious hotel.

Fraser had to laugh. "Well, only the best for the man I love. I thought you'd like it."

"I still can't believe we're not staying in some sleazy motel, what with your definition of 'luxury'."

"Ray..."

"I know, I know. Come on, let's get inside, I've got a surprise!" Fraser grinned. Ray reached into his pocket for some Canadian bills for the cabbie. "How much?" he asked.

"Trente piastres," the man answered.

"Uh?"

"Thirty, Ray."

"Oh, okay." Ray handed the cabdriver a purple and a green bill, with a blue one for a tip. Ten, twenty, and five dollars respectively. He'd never tell Fraser, but he found Canadian money a lot more attractive than American money.

The cab driver paid, Ray and Fraser grabbed their bags and headed inside to check in. "Really nice," Ray whispered.

"Ray, this isn't a church. You can talk normally," Fraser whispered back. Ray gave him one of his patented looks.

There were no problems checking in and soon the pair was whisked up to a luxury room by a porter who had taken over their bags. He unlocked the door for the pair and didn't even blink when Fraser picked Ray up and carried him over the threshold. He waited patiently to be tipped, after which time he left the couple alone.

Once the door was closed behind the porter, Ray burst out laughing. "I can't believe you did that!"

"One of us had to, and I'm heavier than you! Let's unpack and go exploring, okay?" Fraser said because this was expected of him, not because he felt like unpacking and exploring.

"Nope. That can wait till tomorrow. I have plans for tonight!"

"Such as?"

"Why don't you take off some of your clothes while I step into the bathroom?" Ray picked up one of his suitcases--a bag he'd refused to explain to his husband.

"May I know what's going on, please?"

"Nope. I won't be long."

Perplexed, Fraser watched as Ray scooted into the bathroom. Shrugging, the Mountie quickly divested himself of all his clothing save his boxer shorts and settled himself on the king size bed. He was already a little hard. Whatever Ray had planned, he hoped it was sexual.

The bathroom door open and Ray stepped out wearing...

"Is that silk?" Fraser asked in amazement as he starred at the white boxers Ray was wearing.

Ray grinned. "Yup. You like them?"

"Yes!" Fraser gasped. He especially liked how they were just a little tight at the ass. Blood rushed to his cock.

"I'm glad! Be right back!" Before Fraser could question Ray's actions, his husband was gone. He returned moments later clad in black bikini briefs. Fraser finally understood. He was laughing so hard, he could barely make out a coherent sentence.

"Meg's lingerie party, uh?" Ray nodded enthusiastically.

"Yup. You like?"

"Yes, very much so. You don't by any chance have a thong or 'g-string' in there, do you?" Fraser figured he was pushing his luck, but his erection was straining painfully against his shorts and he needed released soon, so he thought he'd try.

"Your wish is my command!" He ran back into the bathroom, leaving Fraser very surprised.

Fraser let out an un-Mountie like giggle when Ray came back out of the bathroom. His husband was wearing only a string with a very small piece of red fabric shaped in the form of a heart which didn't even begin to cover his nether regions. Ray raised his eyebrows. "You don't like?"

"Oh, no, I like very much!" He raised his hips so he could slide his boxers off to show Ray just how much he liked it. "Are there any more?"

"Maybe," Ray teased.

"I wish I could have thought of something like that. I'm afraid cotton boxers aren't very exciting."

"And silk ones aren't exactly your style. You know what I'd like?"

"What, Ray?"

"To see you, you know, play with yourself."

"Play with--oh."

"I mean, if it makes you--" Fraser already had a hand on his cock.

"Uncomfortable?" he teased, sliding his hand up and down. He was already so close the feather soft contact made him whimper. He clutched his organ more tightly, thrusting into his fist until Ray ordered him to stop.

Fraser sighed. "Why?" Ray did not answer. He jumped onto the bed, g-string cast aside, opening his legs wide for the man he loved. His own cock was already throbbing impatiently.

Fraser slid home without any difficulty, Ray fully ready for him. They thrust in unison until Fraser came deep within Ray, crying his name more loudly than he had ever had before. "Oh, God," he whimpered as he rolled onto his side, drawing Ray to him. "Tell me this is what married sex is always like."

"Amen to that. And, Ben?"

"Hmm?"

"We just mastered sex."

"We did?"

"Remember that time? I wondered if we could ever do this spontaneously?" Amazed, Fraser propped himself up on one elbow so he could look Ray straight in the eye.

"No, we didn't master sex. We mastered trusting each other," he said in awe. "I love you so much." Ray's answer was a gentle kiss.

Ray and Fraser enjoyed seven wonderful days in Quebec City, exploring all of its historical attractions. They returned to Chicago the same day as their friends returned from their honeymoons. They met at the Welshes new apartment to compare vacations.

"I love what you've done with this place, Meg," Elaine gushed as she walked around the spacious loft style apartment. "I can't wait to get to mine."

"When's moving day?"

"Next Saturday," Fraser answered.

Welsh looked over at Thatcher who grinned. "We'll be there to help."

"Ray! Ray! Ray!" Fraser gasped.

"What?!" Ray wheezed.

"Slow down! I'm going to drop it!"

"Oh, sorry, baby." Fraser shifted his grip on the armchair. They made it safely into the house; dropping the chair in the living room. "That's the last one. Home sweet home!" Ray looked around the almost bare room. "Can you believe that's all the furniture we have between the two of us?"

Fraser smiled. "We'll fill it up, you'll see, what with the baby and all. Let's go check on the neighbours."

Elaine and Huey came down the outside staircase leading up to their apartment just as Fraser and Ray started up it. "All done?" Huey asked.

"Yep," Fraser answered. "Whew!"

"I'm grateful for being pregnant," Elaine said with a teasing smile. She had barely been allowed to lift a finger.

Welsh called out from the front of the house that the pizza had arrived. Elaine, Huey, Fraser, and Ray headed inside to Ray and Fraser's kitchen.

"Geeze, are we that loud?"

"They're like a bunch of rabbits!"

"Hand me a pillow, I'm going to put it over my head."

"You'll suffocate."

"Better than knowing every detail of Elaine and Jack's sex lives!"

Suddenly Fraser bolted up in bed. "Ray, I just had a thought."

"What?"

"If we hear them making love, doesn't that mean that they hear us?"

Ray paled. "Let's look into sound proofing tomorrow!"

Three months of marital bliss passed by very quickly. Elaine was now nearly six months pregnant and definitely showing her condition.

"Breathe!" Ray urged her at birthing class one night.

"I'm breathing, dammit!"

It hadn't been difficult to choose who would accompany Elaine to her birthing classes and be there for her during the delivery. Ray was loving every minute of Elaine's pregnancy. And he couldn't wait to hold a child of his own soon.

"I like bears."

"I think turtles are cuter."

"I like green."

"I think yellow is nicer."

"Ray?"

"Yeah?"

"Are we going to agree on anything?"

"Sure. It's not like what we want isn't compatible. We can have a green and yellow nursery with a turtles and bears. It'll work. You'll see."

"I sure hope so."

"Ben, sounds like something's bugging you, baby."

"M--Inspector Thatcher and I have a meeting tomorrow. I don't know what it's about, but it sounds important."

"And, I was going to tell you, I have a meeting with Welsh tomorrow morning."

"Cuddlekins?"

"Ben, they're our friends now, as much as our superiors. Let's not worry, okay?"

"Thanks for coming, Ben. I have some good news for you. I've been struggling with the RCMP for months to clear this and I just got the green light. Whenever your child is born, you can take six months maternity leave. Harding has managed to arrange for three months paternity leave for Ray.

Fraser grinned in surprise. "Thank you!"

"You're quite welcome. Think of this paid time off as a wedding gift from Harding and myself."

Elaine was two weeks to term when Huey came pounding at Ray and Fraser's door in the middle of the night. "I'm coming, I'm coming," Fraser grumbled as he pulled the door open. "Jack?"

"Elaine's water broke!" That woke Fraser right up. He had Ray up and everyone settled in the car in less than ten minutes.

At the hospital, Elaine was whisked away; Ray was promised he could join her in a moment. The nurse on duty was new and did not about the special arrangement between the two couples. "May I ask how the two of you fit into this arrangement?" she asked Jack and Fraser once Ray had set off for the birthing room. The two men had been left with forms to fill out.

Fraser took it upon himself to explain. "I'm the mother, the man in there is the father, and this is Elaine's husband." The nurse was sorry she asked.

Elaine's labour lasted an agonizing thirteen hours. Ray emerged from the birthing room periodically to update his friend and his husband. Fraser and Huey paced outside the room the whole time, hearing Elaine's screams followed by Ray's as she crushed his hand. A particularly violent scream was soon followed by... crying. Ray burst out moments later, throwing himself into Fraser's arms. "It's a girl!" He let go of Fraser and hugged Huey. "Eight pounds, six ounces, with all her fingers and toes!"

Fraser found himself crying. "A girl?"

"Yeah, baby. We have a beautiful little girl."

It wasn't very much more time before Fraser was allowed into the room to see his daughter. Huey came in to give Elaine emotional support.

Fraser tiptoed to the bed where Elaine was resting, holding the baby to her chest. "Elaine?" he whispered. Her eyes flew open.

"Hi."

He kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you."

Elaine smiled. "Here's your daughter." She handed Fraser the pink wrapped bundle. Fraser took his little girl as like she was a porcelain doll.

"Hello, little one, I'm your daddy. You know, you're as beautiful as your mother." Indeed, the baby was. She had skin the colour of very pale coffee, just a shade lighter than Elaine. What little hair she had was dark and curly. Ray came over and wrapped his arms around Fraser. Huey took the liberty of taking the happy family's first picture.

The men stepped out of the room a short while later. "So, what are you going to call her?" Huey asked. "Elaine wouldn't let the cat out of the bag."

"We let her choose the first name," Ray answered. "She picked her names from her favourite movie--"

"Disney's 'Sleeping Beauty'?"

"Yup. Philip for a boy, Aurora for a girl."

"'Aurora because she'll fill each day of our lives with sunshine"," Fraser quoted.

Huey smiled approvingly. "Whose last name does she get?"

"Neither. Her last name is Beker," Ray answered.

"Beker?"

"'B-e' for Besbriss, 'e-r' for Fraser, and 'k' for Kowalski, because I'm what brought Elaine and Ben together." Ray explained. Huey was stunned speechless.

Fraser said his daughter's full name aloud for the first time. "Aurora Beker. Hello, this is our daughter, Aurora Beker. It sounds right, Ray."

"Yeah, it does," Ray smiled.

"Oh, we have to call Meg and Welsh!" Fraser exclaimed.

"Why don't you do the honours, baby?" Ray offered.

Ray, Fraser, and Huey were allowed to bring Elaine and Aurora home three days later. While Elaine would supply breast milk until Aurora could be weaned, her active role in Aurora's life was over.

It hadn't been easy to give her up. Elaine couldn't pretend that it had been. But the smile on Ray and Fraser's faces made the pain bearable. Aurora was going to be one happy little girl. In time, Elaine and Huey would have a child of their own.

Aurora's cries filled the night. "I'll go," Fraser yawned.

"You went last time."

"I'm more awake. You need sleep."

"So do you. Let's go together."

Two AM feedings were anything but pleasant, but Ray and Fraser took everything in stride. It wouldn't do to complain about their little miracle. Besides that, they'd be getting help soon. The Kowalskis were on their way in from Arizona to visit their grand-daughter.

Fraser and Ray were lying in bed one night rocking Aurora back to sleep with Fraser softly singing her a lullaby. "If this were a story," Ray said once Aurora had succumbed to the lure of dreamland. "I'd be in a tizzy that Mom and Dad are coming down. But I'm just happy. Grand- parents are supposed to help. It's written in their contracts."

"Yes, it is," Fraser agreed.

"Oh, baby..."

"It's okay, cuddlekins. I cannot wait for Mom to arrive. I can't imagine she'll be even more excited than Ma is."

Ray guffawed. "Ma means well."

"Yes, she does."

A few nights later, Francesca showed up at Fraser and Ray's place with food. "You look like hell, Benton," she greeted her 'brother'.

"Why, thank you kindly, Francesca."

"When was the last time you slept? Or shaved? Or did your laundry? I think that's vomit on your shoulder there."

"The day before my daughter was born. And, yes, that is vomit. I haven't had a chance to launder this shirt yet."

"Two AM feedings are hell, aren't they?"

"Hell yes!" Fraser exclaimed, eliciting a laugh from Francesca. "You should try being a mother for a week! If I have to do the damn puffin face one more time I'm going to scream!"

"Puffin face?"

"Gootchy, gootchy, coo," Mrs. Kowalski cooed over Aurora's cradle. "Isn't she beautiful, Damien?"

"Yeah, she is," Mr. Kowalski agreed. He turned to his son. "You've done well for yourself Raymond."

"Thanks, Dad."

"And that goes for you, too, son," he said to Fraser who knew to take his cue.

"Thank you... Dad."

As Fraser observed his in laws interacting with the child he and his life partner were raising, a child he loved as though she were his own flesh and blood, Fraser thought back to something Elaine had said to him and Ray a long time ago. "There are many ways to make a family."

There most certainly were.

When I was writing this story, I asked the Serge list for endearing names Fraser could call Ray. You can find this list on my site.