Red, Blue or Green: Happy Birthday, Uncle Benny     Red, Blue or Green:
Happy Birthday, Uncle Benny

 by Innusiq

  

 Author's Website: http://tuktoyaktuk.net/innusiq/

 Disclaimer: 

 Author's Notes: 

 Story Notes: This is a sequal to "Sweethearts" from the series "The World
According to Rosanna."

 

 

 The World According to Rosanna (series breakdown to date) 1) Sweethearts
 2) Red, Blue or Green: Happy Birthday, Uncle Benny 3) At the Last Minute
aka Thank You Kindly, Ray Vecchio 4) The Old Apartment
 5) Hayride
 6) My Most Perfect Valentine 

 This is the most recent installment of my series entitled: The World
According to Rosanna. There are more to come and none of them will be
written in order but the breakdown above is in story chronological order.
Enjoy! 

 Red, Blue or Green: Happy Birthday, Uncle Benny by: Jenny Hill 

 It was his day off and of all the places in the world to be spending that
day off, the mall was the last place Ray wanted to be. In bed would have
been a much better place, a cozier place. In bed, yes, with the covers
pulled up and over his head, ignoring the new day, that was where he would
rather be. An even better place than that would be in a bed smaller than
his own a few miles across town from his own home, with the arms of his
lover wrapped around him. That would have been heaven but a promise to a
person he could never say no to brought him out into the world of retail. 

 The only saving grace of the day was that it was Wednesday, a weekday,
and the normal crowds of the weekend were downed by two thirds. There were
no teenagers, or hoodlums as Ray seemed to deem them, running around
causing havoc. The only other people in the local mall were stay at home
moms with their one, two, three or so children in tow, senior citizens
getting out of the house for the day and the "mall" walkers. An occasional
person here or there looked like him, out of place on their own day off
but for the most part, the mall seemed a bit deserted and Ray liked it
that way. 

 Even though the man was a member of the Chicago PD, Ray couldn't help but
feel a little safer in the less crowded shopping center. It wasn't his own
safety he worried over but more the safety of his charge, a wide-eyed,
innocent who meant the world to him. The hand he held was a comforting
reassurance. Ray gave that hand a gentle squeeze and in natural habit, it
squeezed back. The two approached the customer service station, manned by
an older woman, with gray hair whose smile would remind anyone of their
own grandmother's. Her nametag stated her name, Hazel. 

 Ray offered the woman a smile of his own. "We need one of those," he said
pointing behind her. 

 Hazel nodded, knowingly. "Of course, Deary." 

 Ray completed the transaction required then they walked back to their
options. "Okay, pick which ever one you want." 

 The choices available weren't vast, just your basic red, blue or green
but Ray was fairly certain he knew the color that would be chosen. Ray
watched the innocent, child-like eyes rove over the choices present. There
was a look bewilderment and indecision at first but when the color of
choice became apparent, the look changed to determination. 

 "I want that one." 

 Ray looked to where the hand he wasn't holding was pointing and he was
shocked. It wasn't the red color he assumed it would be. "Are you sure,
honey?" 

 The wide eyes turned towards Ray. A simple statement of, "Yes," was also
accompanied by a nod. 

 Ray looked at the chosen item and then turned back. "Are you sure, I
thought you would have picked out the red one." 

 There was a negative shake of the head. "No . . . I was gonna but I want
the green one . . . it's just like yours Uncle Ray," Rosanna stated as she
turned her gaze back to the green car stroller she had picked out. 

 A feeling of pride spread through Ray's chest and he smiled. "You've got
good tastes there, kiddo." 

 Ray tugged at the hand of his niece's that he held, leading her to her
stroller of choice. "Come on, let's get you in and get going." 

 Ray helped Rosanna into the stroller and her face lit up brighter than
the sun. "You ready?" 

 Rosanna nodded her head as her small hands grasped the tiny steering
wheel. 

 "Okay, let's go," Ray stated. 

 Ray pushed the stroller out of the corral and the two of them began their
shopping excursion he had promised to his youngest niece, to find a
birthday present for that one special person in both their lives, Fraser. 


 The day had started out as normal as any other day in Chicago. He woke
before the sun fully rose to greet the day and an hour before he even
attempted to wake his wolf anymore. Some days it just didn't pay to fight
over an hour and Fraser was beginning to understand that that fact was
acceptable. Diefenbaker may technically be an arctic wolf but he lived in
the city now and it seemed that he and Diefenbaker were destined to be
living there for the rest of their lives. 

 Before Chicago, that was a fact Fraser had a hard time accepting. Being
exiled from the country where he had lived his entire life and now
defended with said life was unfathomable. Such a change in life was not on
the agenda Fraser had plotted out. Not that Fraser actually had a game
plan in life but this definitely was not part of that life plan. Fraser
quickly learned there was something beautiful to be said about the
unexpected. 

 Back in the Territories, the home he had never dreamed of leaving, Fraser
had no family or friends. Well, he had a father but he might as well not
have with the distance that separated them (physically and emotionally).
Fraser's only companions were a deaf wolf and the isolation of the tundra.
He lived his life for duty and duty alone and he believed his life was
complete. There was nothing more he needed and there was nothing he was
lacking. He had air to breath, food to eat and a place to lay his head at
night. He yearned for nothing. 

 It was ignorance that convinced Fraser of this belief. It was ignorance
that hid the longing in his heart. 

 Fraser's move to Chicago, his exile to a city larger than he had ever
been posted to before, brought about enlightenment. It wasn't the move
itself but a man who in one meeting, during the investigation of one case
explained to Fraser what he had been missing all those years in his
isolation. Before Chicago, before Ray, Fraser never realized his life had
been lacking anything. Ray Vecchio turned his life up side down and in
side out and even though that had left Fraser floundering, grasping for
control, it was a change that was for the better. With Ray, Fraser slowly
became human. 

 It wasn't that Fraser wasn't human, that would be a silly statement
because he was. Fraser physically was a human being but when it came to
emotions, matters of the heart, he lacked the human quality of life.
Isolation does that to a person, no one to answer to for days or weeks and
even then it would only be superior officers whom kept an even greater
distance between themselves and their subordinates, it could desensitize a
person quickly and Fraser seemed to prefer it that way. The less contact
the better. The less contact, the less chance there was for one to get
hurt. It was a hard philosophy to maintain in daily life and once he
relocated to Chicago there wasn't a chance in the world for that old
philosophy to be retained. 

 Fraser had needed that philosophy to protect him from the hurt he had
experienced when he fell in love with the wrong person. At least he
thought it was love, it seemed like love at the time but now he knew
better. Fraser didn't need to be protected anymore. 

 There were days now, days like this very day, when Fraser couldn't even
remember what life was like without Ray and the fact that he couldn't
remember something from nearly two years ago didn't bother him in the
slightest. Before, such a slip of the mind would have unnerved him and had
him second-guessing his own sanity but now, Fraser would rather not
remember those days anymore. Just thinking about Ray made Fraser's heart
skip a beat. His heart rate was running rampant now. 

 "Hey Benny, come on, let's go," Ray said as he approached Fraser who was
standing sentry duty, yet again, for the third time that week. 

 No reaction was forthcoming from the Mountie. 

 "Oh come on Fraser. I highly doubt your little corner of Canada is gonna
collapse just because you stepped off duty early." Ray knew better then to
argue with the statue of his lover. 

 And all Fraser could think was that after nearly two years of friendship,
Ray should know better by now but then Fraser just assumed it was Ray
trying to make him more like an American. Fraser loved Chicago, true
enough and he loved this vivacious American but Benton Fraser would never
be an American. 

 "Fine, have it your way," Ray said, giving up trying to entice Fraser but
he continued standing next to him, smiling and nodding towards all the
passersby. 

 When the coast was clear, Ray leaned closer to Fraser's ear and
whispered, "I can't help but wonder . . . every time we go through this .
. . you being stubborn and me being even more stubborn . . . if I were to
kiss you out here in public, would I get a reaction out of you then?" 

 As always, there was still no response but Ray hadn't really expected one
either. 

 Ray shrugged his shoulders and straightened back up. "Probably not." 

 Ray turned back towards Diefenbaker who was relaxing in a shaded area
behind Fraser. "Hey Dief, you wanna go for a walk?" 

 Diefenbaker barked his acceptance of the offered walk as he stood up and
pranced over to Ray. The submission of his wolf was something Fraser
resented since Diefenbaker only moaned and groaned when it was he whom was
the one taking the wolf on his walks. 

 Ray turned back to Fraser. "Hey Benny, I think I'll take Dief here for a
walk. When we get back I will assume your shift will be over and we can
get going then, yes?" The question was asked but Ray didn't expect an
answer. 

 Ray shook his head. "Come Dief, let's leave 'Birthday Boy' here to his
duty and get this over with." 

 Wolf and best friend turned and headed down the street carrying on in
pleasant banter back and forth as the Mountie continued staring straight
ahead, seeming oblivious to his two friends but being more aware of their
presence than his duty allowed him to let on. His heart was pounding in
his chest.  

 Fraser breathed his first breath, voiced his first cry, captivated the
heart of a mother and attained the pride of a father all within the first
few moments of his life. Fraser's life began 35 years ago to this day and
although that was when his life began, he truly didn't start living that
life until a green eyed resident of the Greater Chicago area had
captivated his own heart. Before Ray had entered his life, Fraser didn't
know how to live for himself because in the past, he had always lived for
others. 

 Since that first day after arriving in the bustling city of Chicago,
Fraser began relearning how to live his life daily but nearly three months
ago, Ray was responsible for opening a door to possibilities that he never
thought would ever be tangible. Ray had offered his heart just as he had
offered his family and his friendship a year and a half ago, with no
strings attached. Ray offered his whole world and Fraser had no other
choice but to accept this generous gift because it was a gift that he had
wanted all along but was afraid to ask for. 

 The gift that was offered was a sense of belonging. Fraser now had a
place to call home. After years of searching, he finally felt at home and
it was ironic that this discovery should happen when he had given up on
the search for that long lost and forgotten place. Ray was home, whether
they were in Chicago or Florida or even up in the "armpit of the frozen
North." Wherever Ray was would be home for the Mountie because Ray alone
held the key to Fraser's heart. 

 Absorbed in his thoughts and oblivious to his surroundings, a sharp turn
brought Fraser's attention back to the present but he didn't comment on
his lover's driving abilities. Fraser had been a passenger in Ray's car
long enough that he had come to accept and trust Ray when it came to
driving, the one ability Fraser was willing to admit Ray was definitely
better at. 

 Fraser knew how to drive, there was no denying that fact and on occasions
he actually enjoyed it but when it came to driving on the busy streets of
Chicago, the simple act of driving was pushed to a different level, a
hostile level. Unless you had some sort of scholastic degree in offensive
driving, you shouldn't even attempt to be out on the road. Driving in
Chicago was a nightmare and he was grateful that Ray preferred to do the
driving, one of the reasons Fraser never attempted to purchase a means of
transportation for himself. He (and as Ray would say, the entire city of
Chicago) was safer that way. 

 Instead of complaining about the turn taken a bit more sharply than
completely necessary, Fraser simply turned to look at Ray and smiled,
knowing he and his wolf were in good hands. 

 As if sensing the bridging connection, Ray turned his attention away from
the road, his eyes locking with Fraser's for a split second, and smiled
back before returning his concentration to the road. They were definitely
in good hands. 

 "Whatcha thinking about there, Benny?" Ray asked as he maneuvered the Riv
around another corner, expertly. 

 "I wasn't thinking about anything, Ray," Fraser stated, not wanting to
explain his thoughts or more, not knowing how. 

 "Oh come on now, Benny. I know you better. You are always thinking about
something." 

 "It was nothing Ray, I assure you." 

 "Ah-ha, but it was something though. If there was an 'it,' there was a
'something,'" Ray insisted, knowing Fraser better than anyone else in his
life, including himself. He knew Fraser was holding back and even if it
was a minute thought, it was important to Ray that he share it. 

 "Ray . . . " 

 "Come on Benny, just spill it already. What were you thinking about?" 

 Fraser remained quiet, not refusing to tell Ray but trying to figure out
how to tell him without revealing too much. What would be too much
information between them anymore, anyway? They were best friends, partners
and most importantly, lovers. They shared everything and yet Fraser still
had a need to hold a reserve like a security blanket, just in case. It was
a buffer to protect him, to keep him safe and an automatic, uncontrollable
self-defense tactic that he had no control over to stop. 

 But he didn't need protecting from Ray. 

 "Listen, you don't have to tell me if you don't want . . ." Ray began,
withdrawing his demand to know. 

 "No . . . ah . . . no, I don't mind," Fraser said, interrupting Ray's
thoughts. "I have no secrets from you Ray." 

 "I didn't say you did Benny but I can understand that sometimes I don't
need to know everything. What can I say, I come from a long line of prying
Italians. It's in my nature to want to know but that doesn't give me the
right to know, ya know?" 

 "Oddly, I do follow you, yes." 

 "Good." 

 The two men returned to their silence, Ray concentrating on the road
again and Fraser still balancing on the see saw of what to do. It was
Fraser who finally broke the silence. 

 "I'm happy." 

 "What?" Ray asked, questioning the out of the blue statement. 

 "I said, I'm happy, Ray." 

 "You're happy." 

 "Yes." 

 "You know Benny, for a person who knows how to talk with the best of
them, you sure aren't elaborating much here. Do you think you could
explain?" 

 "It's very simple Ray. For the first time in what I can honestly say
seems like forever, I am happy. I feel like my life is complete." 

 "And this is a good thing?" Ray questioned for reassurance. 

 "Oh most definitely." 

 "Oh . . . well good. You know Benny, people are generally suppose to feel
happy in life at times. Are you just realizing this?" 

 "No!" It wasn't a shout but an adamant denial. "I've been happy for quite
a while now but I think I've just . . . I don't know . . . it's a fact
that finally dawned upon me, that is all. You've made me very happy and
there are no words that I can think of to describe that." 

 "Well, you know what they say, Benny. Actions speak louder than words." 

 The comment made Fraser blush and the blushing made Ray laugh. He didn't
need Fraser to tell him he was happy, Ray saw that in his face everyday
and he only could assume Fraser could see that same happiness reflected
back. 

 "Well, Benny, if we are being all honest and open here, I have to admit
that you make me very happy too." 

 "You 'have' to admit?" Fraser squeaked out. 

 "No, I don't 'have' to admit, what I mean is the feeling is mutual. You
make me happy." 

 "Oh." 

 "Yeah, oh." 

 The two men fell back into their silence as Ray rounded the final corner
that led the way to his family home. Unbeknownst to Fraser, the brood that
lived in the house with Ray had been planning this day for months. It took
everyone's strength and will power to keep their mouths shut about the
surprise and that was a hard feat to accomplish, especially with the
little ones wise to the surprise. 

 Fraser had been in the city for a year and a half now and had never had
the pleasure of experiencing a proper birthday celebration. Fraser being
the person he was, quiet and reserved, let his last birthday blow by
before anyone had gotten wind of it. It wasn't until Ray had to fill out
some medical forms for his friend that he found out the momentous day had
passed without even a simple "Happy Birthday" ever being wished. Ray swore
from that day on to never let such negligence happen again. 

 "Ray, there isn't going to be a big . . . " 

 "A big what, Benny?" 

 "What I mean is that it is only my birthday . . . they won't be . . .
What I am trying to say is . . ." 

 "You wanna know if they are gonna be throwing a big, huge, embarrassing
party in your honor that you have no choice but to smile and act like you
are enjoying the attention?" 

 Fraser turned to look at Ray, giving in an eyeing look that if he had an
"evil eye" that would be "the" eye. 

 Pulling the car up to the house, Ray turned to look at Fraser. "What?" 

 "That is not what I was referring to." 

 Ray laughed. "Benny, I believe I hit the nail on the head so just admit
it." 

 Ray put the Riv in park and turned off the ignition. "You ready?" 

 Fraser turned his sights towards the house and swallowed hard. "Ah . . ."


 The wolf in the back whom had been quiet for the entire ride, mainly
because he was napping, popped his head up front between his pack mates
and grumbled his thoughts. 

 "Well it seems Dief here is ready." Ray laughed as he began exiting the
car. 

 Fraser turned to the wolf and muttered, "Traitor." 

 Ignoring Fraser, Diefenbaker jumped up front between the two seats and
exited out of Ray's open door, leading the way to the front entrance of
the Vecchio home. He knew there were treats waiting for him on the other
side of the door. 

 "Come on Benny, it won't be so bad. We are really a behaved bunch,
contrary to some beliefs." The joke landed flat and Ray tried another
tactic, enticement. "You know, the sooner you get in there, the sooner I
can take you home and the sooner I can get you home . . . " 

 "I'm not afraid." 

 "I never said you were, Benny." 

 "I can handle anything . . . I am a Mountie." 

 "Yes you are, now come on. The family is waiting for you." 

 Reluctantly, Fraser opened his door and exited the sanctuary of the Riv.
He had eaten dinner in this home more times than he could remember and yet
there still were days when it felt like the first time all over again. 

 Ray followed Fraser, coming up beside him and they climbed the steps to
the front porch in unison. When they reached the landing of the porch, Ray
stopped Fraser before he had his hand on the door. 

 "Ray?" Fraser questioned, turning towards his lover. 

 Ray pulled Fraser into a bear hug and whispered into his ear. "Happy
Birthday Benny." 

 Fraser wrapped his arms around Ray, returning the hug as platonically as
possible and placed a visually, unnoticeable kiss to Ray's ear. The two
men pulled apart, smiling over their shared secret. 

 "Come on, Ma's probably frantic at how late we are," Ray said as he
reached for the doorknob. 

 Diefebaker was allowed in first, followed by the Mountie and Ray brought
up the rear, closing the door securely behind him.  

 Fraser knew something was up with the Vecchio family or he at least knew
they were planning something. It wasn't that he had received any hints
from the various members. They had all done a wonderful job at hiding the
fact that there were plans in the works. Fraser just knew when Ray had
found out when his birthday actually was that there would be a plan to
celebrate it. It wasn't in a Vecchio's nature to forget to celebrate a
birthday. The only question in his mind was how exactly would this day be
celebrated? 

 The answer to that question wasn't what Fraser had expected. He had
attended numerous birthday parties in honor of the various members of the
Vecchio family. The total number of these parties reached near the two
dozen mark with the vast members of this tight and loving family in the
last year and a half. Every party was an event in itself. Streamers,
balloons and dozens of people gathered to celebrate the once a year event.
The gatherings could be quite overwhelming and they were for Fraser but
today, his birthday celebration was different. 

 Upon entering the home, the house was quiet and subdued, the polar
opposite of what Fraser had expected, compared to what he had come to know
as the Vecchio birthday party atmosphere. There were no decorations or
large crowds of people. It was as if this day was just any other day. Last
year had passed just like any other day just as his birthday had passed
for the last decade it seemed but this year, Fraser had hoped for
something different. Fraser wasn't sure if he should laugh or cry at his
luck. 

 Quiet noises could be heard coming from the kitchen where the meal Fraser
could smell the minute the door was opened was being prepared for serving.
In the living room, the children of the family were being entertained by a
video in the VCR. All eyes were glued to the set and even Tony, the
children's father, seemed intrigued by the cartoon playing before them.
All were oblivious to Fraser's arrival. 

 Fraser followed Ray towards the dinning room where they found Ray's
sisters busy with setting the table for dinner as it was their routine.
Both women turned to their brother and his best friend and each smiled for
entirely different reasons. 

 "It's about time you showed up," Maria stated when she walked by Ray,
handing him a stack of plates. It may have been their routine but setting
the table for one shy of ten people could be tiring for even the two of
them. They could use all the help they could get. 

 "Yeah, yeah, I love you too, Sis," Ray responded as he took the stack of
plates and began following Maria around the table joining her in the
age-old chore of setting the dinner table. 

 "I can't help that I needed to go after the guest of honor here. It's not
like I wasn't doing anything . . . now if you want to talk about someone
who isn't doing anything . . ." Ray trailed off his words when Maria
flashed him a look, warning him to stop while he was ahead. 

 "What?" Ray flashed an innocent look but it was a look only Fraser could
get away with. 

 Ray loved his family; his entire family, which included his
brother-in-law Tony but there was no denying, the man was lazy. If he
could figure a way of getting out of working, he would and usually did.
But, Maria loved the man, in her own special way she loved him and he
loved her. They were a perfect match, arguments and all. It was a match
Ray only hoped to emulate in his own relationship, minus the lazy part. 

 "So Benton, how old will you be today . . . 28 . . . 29?" Francesca asked
as she sauntered past the object of her and every other woman in Chicago's
desires. 

 Fraser cleared his throat and pulled at the collar of his shirt. "Ah, no
Francesca. Actually I will be turning 35 at exactly 9:33 and 23 seconds,
tonight." 

 Francesca's eyes grew wide. "Really . . . I never would have guessed."
She was flirting mercilessly and it was making Ray sick, physically. 

 "Come on Frannie, give the guy some breathing room," Ray said stepping in
between his sister and Fraser. 

 "What? I was only giving the man a compliment. You know, compliment . . .
oh, I'm sorry you wouldn't know, would you." 

 Ray glared at his baby sister before saying "Just leave the guy alone for
a change, will ya. It's his birthday, he should at least be able to enjoy
it without having to fend you off." 

 Francesca fought the urge to retort her brother's words, turning to
Fraser and saying, "You see what I have to put up with. He just doesn't
understand us, does he Fraser?" 

 "Frannie . . ." But before Ray could scold her anymore, a more
authoritative voice took charge of the situation. 

 "Francesca, leave the boy alone," Mrs. Vecchio said when she entered the
dinning room carrying a covered dish. "He is here to relax and enjoy a
nice dinner with this family and Benton can't do that with you . . .
hovering . . . over him now can he Dear?" 

 Francesca frowned but agreed with her mother. "Yes Ma." 

 Turning away from Fraser, she made one last chance at "meaningful" eye
contact with the man of her dreams but no connection was made as Fraser
quickly averted his eyes towards the ceiling, then the floor and then out
the window across the room. 

 Someday, Fraser would come around and when he did, she would be ready.
Smiling on the inside, thinking of "that" day, Francesca left the dinning
room and entered the kitchen to assist her mother with bring out the rest
of the food for dinner. Maybe if he saw how domesticated she could be he
would get a clue of some sort. A girl could dream, couldn't she? 

 Maria also left the dinning room for the kitchen, rolling her eyes to
heaven over the spectacle her sister made of herself. 

 Ray breathed a sigh of relief knowing Francesca was giving up, for now. 

 "Sorry about that Benny," Ray apologized for what wasn't his fault. 

 "It was quite all right, Ray. I have to admit to feeling a bit
uncomfortable around Francesca at times but I have come to . . . expect
and . . . accept your sister's . . . advances . . . as they are." 

 "You 'accept' her advances?" 

 "No, I don't 'accept' them Ray . . . I usually ignore them but what I
mean is that I understand that, that is just your sister. She has a . .
.'thing' for me as you would say and since she doesn't 'know' . . . you
know . . . I will have to learn to expect them. It's as simple as that
really." 

 "Wow, you've been thinking about this, haven't you?" Ray asked. 

 "Her actions use to scare the daylights out of me Ray. I had to think of
a way to get past that fear since she is a part of our lives and always
will be." Fraser cocked his head to the side before asking, "What are you
thinking?" 

 Ray smiled and said, "I'm thinking if we weren't here . . . if we were
somewhere else I would be kissing you senselessly, that is what I am
thinking." 

 Ray watched the change in Fraser, the quickened breath, the sparkle in
his eyes and the smile quirking at the corners of his kissable mouth. 

 "What are you thinking?" Ray asked, turning the tables. 

 The smile widened when Fraser responded, "I am thinking the exact same
thing." 

 The two men laughed together and both had to force themselves to return
to setting the table. Dinner smelled delicious and it would be an insult
if they had to eat that wonderful meal off the table instead of plates as
all civilized human beings do.	

 There was no need to worry about where his wolf was for Fraser knew
exactly where to find him if the need would arise. The minute they had
entered the Vecchio home, Diefenbaker departed from the company of his
pack mates and headed straight for the kitchen where he knew there would
be a treat waiting for him. Ray may be the one to indulge Diefenbaker in
manners that were most unbecoming in an arctic wolf but Mrs. Vecchio
spoiled said wolf rotten. So Fraser knew exactly where to find his
slothful wolf. 

 Diefenbaker could be found lounging under the kitchen table, enjoying the
feeling of a full stomach after being fed by the Matriarch of the
household, things Fraser didn't even want to know about. Some things were
better left unsaid and what Fraser didn't know, wouldn't hurt him or his
wolf. Fraser could turn a blind eye to Diefenbaker's one weakness on the
days they were expected to eat at the house on North Octavia. He would
just make Diefenbaker work a little harder in his daily exercises. 

 The kitchen was where Diefenbaker would remain for the rest of the
evening. The wolf knew that every time a female member of the family would
enter the kitchen, they would take pity on him as if he was a starving man
and they would sneak him another morsel of food that the wolf really
didn't need. At least Fraser didn't have to worry about Diefenabker
begging for food at the dinner table, which would have been even more
embarrassing. 

 The meal was as delicious as it had smelled but there was no doubt in
Fraser's mind that it wouldn't have been. Every meal served by the doting
mother was wonderful. Everyone who came to her table hungry was fed and
never left until a button or two needed to be released for comfort. And
even when he couldn't eat anymore, Fraser always found himself doing just
that, eating a second helping or a piece of that special desert he just
couldn't say no to. To say no would mean insulting the woman he loved as
he had loved his own mother and that was something Fraser couldn't bring
himself to do. 

 Fraser had come to accept this family as his own, in the short time he
had known them and now that he and Ray were lovers, they were his family,
even if they themselves didn't see him as such. He knew they cared about
him, out of pity possibly but they cared. The children saw him as an uncle
and they didn't question why even though he wasn't technically related to
them. Maria treated Fraser like a brother. It wasn't in the same manner
that she treated Ray but then again, Fraser wasn't Ray. And Francesca,
well she was another issue all in its own but had she not had a crush on
him, Fraser was certain she would treat him like a brother as well. 

 He had a family again. A loud, giving, loving, understanding family and
he would never trade them for the world. 

 "Uncle Benny," Rosanna piped up, trying to get her adopted uncle's
attention. 

 Fraser immediately turned his attention the younger Vecchio sitting next
to him. "Yes Rosanna?" 

 "How old are you?" Her question, the same as her aunt's from earlier in
the evening was innocent as any child's would be. 

 Fraser smiled with his response. "I turn 35 today." 

 Rosanna's eyes grew wide with the number stated. "Thirty-five?" 

 Ray leaned over, wrapping an arm around Fraser's shoulders and said,
"Yeah Rosie, Uncle Benny here is turning 35 today. He's getting to be an
old man now, isn't he?" 

 Rosanna nodded her head, agreeing with her uncle. 

 "Ray, I hardly think 35 is old," Fraser interjecting, thinking Ray was
being serious. 

 "I don't know Benny, 35 is just shy of forty and after forty is fifty.
Before you know it, you will be on the downward slope heading to eighty." 

 "Ray, I am 35 today, not eighty. I believe you are exaggerating a bit,
don't you." 

 "Probably, but it's fun pulling your leg." 

 Fraser blushed at Ray's teasing. "Of course you do realize Ray that if
I'm on that downward slope, you are following right behind." 

 Ray nodded his head. "You are probably right Benny, but where else would
I be?" 

 Ray straightened up in his seat when he saw his mother re-enter the
dinning room with the most decorative cake to date in hand. When she
placed the cake in front of the birthday boy, Mrs. Vecchio kissed Fraser's
forehead and led her family in the traditional "Happy Birthday" song. The
attention had Fraser turning a color closer to the red of his serge. 

 What followed were the presents, all of which Fraser didn't believe he
deserved but he thanked everyone graciously for each and every item he
received. 

 Maria and Tony gave Fraser and afghan that Maria had crocheted herself.
The stitch used gave the throw a rippled design and the colors of choice
were a variety of blues. "The color," commented Maria, "I thought would
bring out your eyes more." 

 Fraser smiled, nodding his agreement and wondered who, other than Ray,
would be able to see this. It touched him to know Maria had worked on the
blanket with her own two hands. He was very fond of making gifts for
people himself and knowing that this wasn't an easy gift to put together
made Fraser cherish it even more. To be truthful, he couldn't wait to get
it and Ray back to the apartment to try it out. 

 Francesca, Ray rolled his eyes at the sight of it, gave Fraser a
bathrobe. He could only imagine the ideas going through his kid sister's
head and the motive behind the gift. Ray was certain Francesca wanted to
see Fraser in it and more than just seeing him in it, she wanted to see
him get out of it. An evil grin was concealed with the confidence and
knowledge that Ray would be the only person to see Fraser in and out of
that bathrobe. Eat your heart out, Sis. 

 Mrs. Vecchio, the dear soul, seemed to think he lacked the necessities in
life. She gifted him with a new set of sheets, a package of undershirts
and a sweater. She claimed the cream colored one he wore frequently was
looking ratty and needed to be replaced. Ray knew without even asking that
Fraser would never pitch the worn garment but would make it a point to
wear the new one rather than his old stand by when he was going to be in
Ray's mother's presence. It was the only polite and courteous thing for a
Mountie to do. 

 Ray, as always, spoiled Fraser with gifts Fraser didn't even know he
needed or wanted. The list was long and, in Fraser's opinion, expensive
once added up to a total sum. The first present Fraser opened was a set of
dishes. Ray was tired of eating off of tin plates that didn't even match.
Next, a set of silverware for the same obvious reason he had for the
dishes. To make the package complete, Fraser also received a set of
matching glasses. As if that wasn't enough, he also gave Fraser a new lock
for his door. It wasn't just any lock either. It was the best, top brand
model Ray's money could buy and he was going to install the mechanism
himself to ensure that Fraser wouldn't give it away like he had done so
with the previous lock purchased. 

 Just when he thought he had opened all the present there were to be
opened, Fraser felt a tug on his jeans' leg. 

 Rosanna was smiling up at Fraser with a box in her hand. She offered it
to him, saying, "This is for you, Uncle Benny." 

 "Thank you Rosanna," Fraser said as he reached for the brightly wrapped
box. 

 Rosanna immediately relinquished her hold on the box and moved to Ray's
side acting as if she was shy. Fraser knew she wasn't. She was the boldest
of the Vecchio grandchildren and he could only assume her shyness was only
because she wasn't sure how he would receive the gift. 

 As Fraser began opening the present, Rosanna slowly inched her way closer
as if trying to get a look at what she was giving him. 

 Once he had the gift open, Fraser looked over the present in awe. It was
beautiful and quite a surprising choice of gift coming from a
five-year-old. Fraser knew Ray had a little input into the gift but he
gave all the credit to Rosanna. 

 "I love it Rosanna," Fraser said, looking up at his adopted niece. 

 Rosanna smiled big. "It's a picture frame," she piped in, telling Fraser
what he and everyone else could already see. 

 "Yes it is, and a very nice one at that. Thank you very much." It was a
wooden frame stained in the color of green. Fraser could see the fine
craftsmanship that was put into making the frame and that it wasn't cheap
either. 

 Rosanna smiled even bigger. "You can put a picture of Uncle Ray in it,"
she suggested. 

 "What?" The question squeaked out of both Fraser and Ray at the same time
and both prayed no one else noticed the awkward moment. No one knew and
there was no way a child could have known what was actually between Fraser
and Ray. The suggestion clearly took them by surprise and left the two of
them speechless. 

 "Yeah, that way when you are alone at home, you won't feel so alone.
You'll have Uncle Ray with you," Rosanna explained, proud of her gift. 

 Fraser nodded understanding the sentiment. Rosanna had no way of knowing
that even when they were apart, he and Ray was still together. Not a
moment went by that Fraser didn't think of Ray and he knew the feeling was
mutual on Ray's part. They were soul mates and nothing could separate
them. Their hearts beat as one. When one heart ached, so did the other. It
was becoming harder and harder for them to separate at night and when they
did, the mornings couldn't come soon enough. 

 After clearing his throat, Fraser finally spoke up. "That is a wonderful
idea Rosanna. Thank you." 

 Rosanna beamed knowing her Uncle Benny liked her gift and idea. 

 Fraser turned to Ray who had a sickly look on his face. It was a close
call but no one had picked up on anything that could have looked apparent
because nothing looked apparent or obvious. He and Ray were such close
friends that no one questioned Ray's actions towards Fraser or Fraser's
own actions towards Ray. They had the perfect cover without actually
having a cover. 

 And as to Rosanna's comment, she was a child and children can say the
damnedest things. Although Francesca couldn't keep her mouth shut to
correct her niece and no one expected her to. 

 "Rosie, honey, I think Benton can get a much better picture to put in
that frame to make him feel not so alone. I can think of one that would
keep him warm at night just thinking about it." Francesca flashed Fraser a
smile and a wink, knowing what she would give him for the next gift-giving
holiday. 

 "I'm certain I can find a photograph that will fit perfectly in the frame
on my own Francesca but thank you kindly for the suggestion." 

 Fraser handled the advance quite well and Ray couldn't hide the grin of
pleasure he received when he saw his sister pout at Fraser's refusal of
the picture Ray could only assume would be one he never wanted to see. 

 "Thank you all for the wonderful and thoughtful gifts. It truly wasn't
necessary . . ." 

 Mrs. Vecchio interrupted his thoughts saying, "Benton, it is your
birthday and here, in this family, this is how we celebrate a member's
birthday." 

 All the adult children in the room turned to look at their mother and
their eyes all said the same thing. 

 "Alright, I admit the parties are usually more . . . festive . . ." 

 "How about a lot more festive, Ma," Ray corrected. 

 "Yes, a lot more festive but this was a celebration for your birthday and
I thought this would be more your style. You always seem so overwhelmed at
some of our gatherings and I wanted you to feel at home today," Mrs.
Vecchio explained hoping Fraser wasn't hurt by the differences in how her
blood related family's birthdays were celebrated and his own. He was part
of this family whether he liked it or not but she was fairly certain he
liked it. She could see the pleasure of being with her family it in his
eyes. 

 "Thank you Mrs. Vecchio. I did feel very much at home and that . . . that
is a feeling I haven't felt in a long time." 

 Fraser always felt at home in the Vecchio home. He loved being in the
company on Ray and his family but tonight was the first night that he felt
that he belonged there. Fraser prayed he would never lose that.  

 Fraser led the way into his small apartment, followed by Ray and then,
finally, Diefenbaker who was moving slower than his normal gait. Ray
closed the door behind the wolf, laughing internally, knowing what was
coming next. 

 Diefenbaker took up his spot underneath the window and let out a sigh of
discomfort. When he didn't receive a sympathetic response from Fraser, he
turned his eyes towards Ray who just shrugged his shoulders, knowing
better than to get in the middle of this age old argument between man and
wolf. 

 Fraser placed the bundle of presents he was carrying down on the kitchen
table then moved to hang his leather coat in the closet. When Fraser came
back into the kitchen area, he finally set eyes on Diefenbaker who was
still looking up at him with miserable eyes. 

 "You have no one to blame but yourself," Fraser reprimanded. He quickly
turned away from Diefenbaker, moving towards the stove to boil some water.
"Would you like some coffee before you leave for the night, Ray?" 

 "Sure Benny," Ray replied as he took off his overcoat. "You know it's not
really his fault." 

 Fraser turned to eye his lover. "And how, pray tell, have you come to
this conclusion?" 

 Ray shrugged. "He's just like you Benny. He doesn't have the heart to say
no." 

 Fraser was leaning up against the counter next to the stove with his arms
crossed against his chest. When Ray made the association between himself
and the wolf, Fraser couldn't help but relent in his stand. 

 Ray could see the slight softening in Fraser's stance and knew he had
gotten through the rigid Mountie exterior and was now speaking to Benny.
"The girls and Ma . . . they just take pity on him for no reason what so
ever, just as they think you need the pampering. They think you two are
alone in the world and need a little mothering. You can't blame them
really. They love you both and so what if he puts on a few pounds. It's
just more for them to love." 

 Fraser turned his sights towards Diefenbaker who still looked as
miserable as when they entered the apartment. "I'm sorry for not
understanding." But the apology didn't mean Fraser wouldn't make
Diefenbaker worked a little extra in his tracking runs. Someone had to
look after the wolf. 

 Diefenbaker barked in acceptance of the apology and placed his head on
his front paws for some much-needed sleep after such an exuberant day. 

 The day was ending as quickly as it began. It was just like any other day
and yet it wasn't. Fraser was waiting for his teakettle to whistle and Ray
stood just outside the kitchen waiting as well. 

 "Will you be going home soon after?" Fraser asked, the disappointment not
being hidden at all. 

 Ray smirked at the tone Fraser used. He joined Fraser in the kitchen,
wrapping his arms around him. "I don't have to leave right away but you
know I can't stay the night." 

 Fraser nodded his head, understanding their need to be discreet. "How
long can you stay?" 

 Ray traced his right thumb over Fraser's cheek, contemplating the
question. "As long as it takes for me to wish you a proper Happy Birthday,
if that's okay with you." 

 Fraser smiled as he cupped Ray's face in his hands and kissed him
properly, lovingly and thoroughly on the lips. It was his way of saying,
"Most definitely that is okay with me." Maybe not in those exact words but
Ray got the gist the meaning behind Fraser's body language, and tongue
language. 

 Ray pulled away reluctantly, breathing rather quickly. "Hold it there,
Birthday Boy. There is still something that needs to be done before we get
to our little celebration," he stated as he pulled out of Fraser's
personal space and moved to the kitchen table. 

 Fraser followed Ray, coming up behind him and embracing him, placing a
kiss on the nape of Ray's neck. 

 Nuzzling his ear, Fraser asked, "What would that be?" 

 Ray picked up one of the gifts he had given Fraser. "This." 

 Fraser scrunched up his eyebrows in evident confusion. "This?" 

 "Yeah, this." 

 "What are we going to do with a door lock?" 

 "Well Benny, we aren't gonna do anything. You are gonna finish making our
drinks and I am going to install this lock." 

 "Ray, I think installing the lock can wait until tomorrow." 

 "Oh no, I am installing this tonight because when I get home and Ma asks
me why it took me so long to come back home, I won't be lying to her when
I say I wanted to install the lock for you tonight and that we ran into
some complications," Ray explained. 

 "Ah." 

 "Yeah, ah," Ray said as he turned around in the embrace. "Now go, make
the coffee and tea and I'll get to the door." 

 Fraser smiled his acceptance of his chore at hand and then placed a
chaste kiss on Ray's lips. "I'll have our drinks done in no time." 

 Fraser released Ray and headed to the cupboard to retrieve two coffee
mugs. 

 "Don't be in too much of a hurry there Benny," Ray stated as he headed
towards the apartment door. "I'm not guaranteeing anything here with the
lock but I'm gonna give it my best shot." 

 "I'm sure your best will be good enough," Fraser said over his shoulder.
"And if you run into any complications we will just have to work together
until the chore is completed." 

 Ray turned back to look at Fraser and said, "We do work well together,
don't we." 

 Fraser turned to look at Ray as well. "I would think that was obvious by
now Ray but yes, we do work well together." 

 "God I love you Benny." 

 Fraser blushed and responded, "And I love you Ray." 

 Both men returned to their chores, Fraser to make the coffee and tea for
each of them and Ray began accessing the door and what needed to be done
to install the lock. 

 The wolf stayed out of their way for the rest of the evening for
Diefenbaker had fallen asleep long before with visions of lasagna and
birthday cake dancing in his head. 

 End 

 Comments are always welcomed and encouraged. Thank you kindly! 

End