Happy New Year    Happy New Year by Iris Gray

 Author's webpage: http://victoria.tc.ca/~wy236/fic.html

  

 <PRE> 

 Happy New Year 

 

 "Wow, Benny, this place is nice!" Ray Vecchio sounded almost surprised as
he looked around the apartment. His lover smiled at him. 

 "What did you expect, Ray?" asked Fraser. 

 "Well, I don't know, maybe something a bit more like your old place," Ray
admitted. 

 "But this is *our* place, Ray. Our home. I did take your needs in to
consideration when I chose it," said Benny. 

 "What made you so sure I'd accept your invitation to move in with you ?"
Ray asked teasingly. Then he added, more seriously, "You didn't know my Ma
was going to throw me out." 

 Fraser frowned slightly. He knew that Ray had been very upset at being
asked to leave his own home. Ray was trying to to cover up how he really
felt. Ben chose his words carefully. "No, I didn't know. But even if you
hadn't been asked to leave your house, I would have wanted us to live
together anyway. And if you didn't want that, you'd been after me for a
long time to move to a better neighborhood. Since you spent so much time
with me even before I asked you to live with me, I wanted to find a place
that would suit you as well as me." 

 Ray kissed his partner. "We need furniture. We need a bed. A *big* bed.
Queen size, maybe." 

 Ben smiled again and his blue eyes twinkled. "And what do you suppose the
salespeople at the furniture store will think of two men buying a
queen-sized bed together?" he asked. 

 "They'll think that I must be an incredibly lucky guy to have this
good-looking Mountie wanting to share a bed with me," was Ray's answer. 

 "I think that I am the lucky one, Ray," replied Fraser. Before Ray could
argue, his mouth was captured in a searing kiss. 

 "Whoa, Benny," gasped Ray. "We don't have a bed yet." 

 "What do we need a bed for?" Benny pushed Ray against a wall and began to
unfasten his silk shirt. He was careful not to tear the fabric, and he
placed it carefully on a hanger rather than tossing it to the floor the
way he often did with Ray's clothes. 

 Benny kissed his way down Ray's chest, stopping to tease each nipple
lovingly with his tongue before moving lower. Then he unfastened Ray's
trousers and pushed them down, followed by his shorts. Then he took his
lover's cock in his mouth and began to lick and suck. 

 "Oh, God, Benny!" cried Ray at the sensation of the hot mouth making love
to him. Fraser took Ray's balls and gently played with them, pulling and
rolling them between his hands. He paused a moment to moisten his fingers
in his mouth, then moved one hand behind the other man and carefully
pressed one finger in to his ass. Ray's hips bucked at the invasion. Benny
added another finger and pressed until he found his lover's sweet spot.
Ray came with a shout and filled Benny's mouth. 

 Fraser swallowed his partner's seed and wiped his mouth. He kissed Ray
softly and whispered, "Turn around and brace yourself against the wall." 

 "You sure about this, Benny?" the Italian asked. "We've never done it
standing up before." 

 "I'm sure," replied the Mountie. "I want you, with or without a bed." He
reached in to the pocket of the jacket hanging in the closet and removed a
tube of lube, with which he prepared his lover. He quickly removed his own
clothes. Then slowly, carefully, he pushed his cock inside of Ray, who
thrust back against him. He began to move in and out, slowly at first,
then with increasing urgency, fondling Ray's renewed erection at the same
time. 

 "Benny," gasped Ray. "I'm gonna come..." 

 "Go on, Ray. Let it go," whispered Fraser, thrusting harder as Ray came
all over his hand. The contractions of Ray's orgasm sent Fraser over the
edge at the same time, and he came inside his lover. The two men sank down
to the floor, Ray with his back against the wall, holding Fraser tightly
in his arms. 

 "I love you, Benny," Ray whispered. 

 "I love you too, Ray," the Mountie replied. "So do you still think we
need furniture?" 

 "I'm not sleeping on the floor, Benny." 

 

 A few days later, the furniture had been chosen and delivered. It had
taken a while for the two men to decide on what they would need. Fraser's
needs were minimal. His only preference was for items that were functional
and sturdy. Ray preferred furniture with a bit more style. But he took his
partner's budget in to account, knowing that Benny was already spending
more money than he was accustomed to on the rent for the new apartment. At
least he hadn't argued with Ray's insistence on paying half. 

 As they worked out the day-to-day details of life together - bills,
groceries, rent, etc., Ben brought up an issue that had not occurred to
his partner. 

 "Ray," he began tentatively, "you know that I already have you named as
my next of kin and the person appointed to make decisions for me if I am
ever incapacitated. I was wondering - if anything were to happen to you, I
assume your family are the ones who would make arrangements? They are not
exactly fond of me at the moment. We both know the risks of our job. If
you were to be injured in any way, your family could keep us apart." 

 Ray thought of all the times either he or Benny had been injured -
shootings, stabbings, explosions, car accidents. Including the time that
Ray had shot Benny himself. He shuddered and put that particular incident
out of his mind. "You're right, Benny," he said at last. "I'll call the
lawyer right now and make the arrangements." 

 Fraser kissed his lover gently. "Thank you, Ray. I love you." 

 "Love you too, Benny," replied his partner as he picked up the phone. 

 It was not that long after their conversation that what Ben feared the
most came to pass. Ray was shot while taking down a suspect. Fraser cursed
himself for not having been with his partner at the time. He should have
been there - wasn't that what partners were for? He berated himself all
the way to the hospital. When he arrived, he was told that Ray was in
critical condition, and he would only be allowed to see him for a few
minutes every hour. Fortunately, the paperwork that Ray had done with the
lawyer meant that at least he could see his lover. Not so long ago, that
might not have been possible. 

 Suddenly a thought occurred to him. Ray's family. Since Ray had not
enjoyed a good relationship with them since he had come out at Christmas,
he hadn't bothered to include them in his arrangements. It would be up to
Benny to call them. This was not a phone call he wanted to make, but he
knew it was what Ray would want. No matter how much his mother's behavior
had hurt him, she was still his mother. Ben headed to a payphone. 

 When Ray's mother answered, Ben said, "Mrs. Vecchio, it's Benton Fraser -
please don't hang up. Ray is in the hospital - he was shot during an
arrest that went wrong. I'm with him now. I think you should be here. He's
in County General, in intensive care." Then he hung up. 

 When he was finally allowed to see Ray, he was shocked at how pale and
lifeless his lover looked. He approached the bed and took Ray's hand. "I'm
here for you, Ray," he said. "They won't let me stay here in your room for
very long, but I will be right outside in the hall. I called your mother -
she should be here soon. I love you, Ray." He kissed the other man on the
forehead and reluctantly left the room. 

 Mrs. Vecchio was waiting out in the hall. She hurriedly approached
Fraser. "Benton, how is Raymondo? Have the doctors told you anything?' 

 Well, at least Ray's mother was speaking to him. "They haven't told me
very much, Mrs. Vecchio. Ray was shot in the chest. He's on a respirator.
His condition is critical. The next 24 hours are crucial, they say." 

 "Do you think they will let me see him?" she asked. "I know that you are
his...spouse, that is what the nurse called you. But I am his mother." 

 "I will speak to the nurse. Why don't you call Francesca and Maria to
come sit with you," Ben suggested. 

 Ben went and spoke to the nurse, who contacted Ray's doctor. Soon the
surgeon, Dr. Corday, arrived to speak to Fraser and Mrs. Vecchio. She said
that Mrs. Vecchio could also visit with Ray, but to leave some time
between her visits and Fraser's. "And don't say or do anything that might
upset him," she added. "He may be unconscious, but unconscious patients
can often hear or sense what is going on around them." 

 After Mrs. Vecchio had visited her son, she approached Ben once more.
"Benton, I am going to call Father Behan," she told him. Fraser wondered
why she was giving him this information. Then it occurred to him, and he
became angry. 

 "You are not going to give Ray last rites," he told her. 

 "Benton, if Raymondo does not make it..." her voice trailed off. "He
needs absolution." 

 "Ray is not going to die," Ben stated flatly. "Remember what the doctor
said - even though he is unconscious, he could well be aware of what is
happening around him. How do you think it would affect his recovery if a
priest was giving him last rites? If his family thought he was going to
die?" 

 Mrs. Vecchio sighed. "Very well, Benton. I will not ask Father Behan to
give Raymondo last rites...not yet. But is his condition gets worse - if
the doctors tell us there is not any hope left..." 

 Fraser found himself putting an arm around her shoulders. "I understand,
Mrs. Vecchio. If the worst should happen, I will not stand in the way. I
know that Ray's faith is important to him." He could have bitten his
tongue after he said that. He expected that Ray's mother would respond,
"Not important enough to keep him away from *you.*" But she didn't. She
patted his cheek and thanked him. 

 After what seemed like an eternity, Fraser was able to visit with Ray
once more. Of course, the detective was still unconscious. Ben sat down
next to the bed and once more gripped Ray's hand in his. 

 "Ray, I've been thinking these last few hours...thinking about us. I
remember when you first told me that you loved me. I assumed at the time
you meant as a friend or a brother, but you said no, that you were in love
with me. I don't know what kind of response you expected, but you looked
to me as if you were preparing to run away. It did take me awhile to
answer you, though, didn't it? I was so surprised. You were giving me
everything I'd ever wanted. I couldn't believe that. I'm so used to not
getting what I want. You remember the story I told at the city council
meeting, about my grandparents giving me books for gifts when I wanted
toys. Sometimes it seems as if my entire life has been like that. But not
anymore. Now that I have you - I have everything I want, everything I
need. 

 "I love you, Ray." Once again, he had to leave. He kissed his lover's
cheek and squeezed his hand. 

 This time it was Francesca who was waiting in the corridor. 

 "Fraser! Are you all right?" she asked. She'd been updated on her
brother's condition, but she hadn't been prepared for how awful Fraser
looked. 

 "I'm fine, Francesca," replied the Mountie. "Your brother is the one you
should be concerned about." 

 "Can't I be concerned for you, too? Someone has to look after you if Ray
can't." She almost laughed at the look Ben gave her. "No, I haven't been
replaced by a pod person, Fraser. I know I wasn't too nice to the two of
you when you came out at Christmas. But Ray is my brother, and I love him.
And you love him. I can see that. Would it be so bad to have me as your
sister-in-law?" 

 "I would be pleased to have you as my sister-in-law, Francesca," said
Benny softly. Frannie gave him a sisterly hug. 

 "My Ma is getting a cup of tea at the cafeteria. Tony's working tonight
so Maria had to stay home with the kids. I'll go home and relieve her in a
few hours so she can come here. Have you had any sleep at all?" Frannie
asked. 

 Fraser shook his head. "I can't. Not until I know that Ray is out of
danger." 

 "Benton, making yourself sick is not going to help my brother. Ma said
they only let you visit him once every hour. I know you're not going to go
home, but I think there's some empty seats in the waiting room down the
hall - why don't you go lie down?" 

 "I can't leave, Francesca. Not even to go down the hall. If anything
happens, I need to be here. As close as possible." 

 Frannie sighed. "You're as stubborn as my brother," she muttered. Then
she got an idea. Making sure that no one was watching, she looked in to
Ray's room. "There's an extra bed in there, Frase," she said to the
Mountie. "Why don't you lie down there? That way you'll be close to him.
I'll keep watch, make sure no one sees you." 

 Fraser was torn. He wanted to stay awake, but his next visit with Ray was
not for another hour, and he was exhausted. 

 "I'll wake you up in an hour, Frase, so you can have your visit. In the
meantime, try to rest, okay?" 

 "Very well, Francesca. And thank you." Benny went into Ray's room, lay
down on the spare bed, and was asleep in an instant. 

 When Mrs. Vecchio went in to Ray's room for her visit, she saw Fraser
sleeping. Without a word she picked up the blanket that was folded at the
foot of the bed and covered him with it. 

 When the doctor arrived to check on Ray, she found Fraser. Before she
could say anything, Mrs. Vecchio grabbed her sleeve. "Don't make him
leave, Doctor," she said. "He and my son live together. They - they sleep
together. Every night. I haven't always - approved of their relationship,
but he loves Raymondo. I can see that. And I think that Raymondo knows
that Benton is near, and that is good for him, isn't it?" 

 Dr. Corday smiled at her patient's mother. "All right," she said. "I will
pretend I haven't seen anything. And Ray's condition *is* improving. I
can't object to anything that helps my patient." Then she added, "You
know, there are a couple of chairs in there that are not being used. You
might want to bring them out here, so that you and your daughter can sit
down." 

 Francesca kept her promise to wake Fraser so that he could have his
hourly visit with Ray. Again, Benny found himself sitting at the side of
his unconscious lover. Dr. Corday returned and told Fraser that Ray was
breathing on his own, and removed the respirator. "Why hasn't he woken up
yet?" Benny asked. 

 "I don't know, Mister Fraser," was Corday's reply. "Right now, it's just
wait and see." 

 "Ray, you have to wake up," Benny said. "Please wake up. If you die ... I
can't live without you, Ray. I don't want to live without you. Don't leave
me, Ray." He lay his head on the bed beside Ray and soon fell asleep. 

 He didn't know how long he had been sleeping when he felt a hand stroking
his hair. He lifted his head. "Ray?" he whispered. His lover smiled
weakly. 

 "Hi, Benny. How long have I been out?" asked Ray. 

 "Several hours, I believe. When I got the call from Lt. Welsh you were in
surgery. " 

 Ray tried to sit up. "Ouch. That hurts." 

 "Don't try to sit up, love. You've been badly hurt. Your mother and
Francesca are here. let me go and get them - they'll be happy to hear
you're awake." 

 "Ma and Frannie are here?" Ray asked. "And you're still in one piece?" 

 "Ray, I may have my differences with your family, but all of us love you.
That's what is most important." 

 "I love you, Benny," Ray said softly. Benny gave him a gentle kiss. 

 "And I love you, Ray. Very much." 

 Benny went out and told Ray's mother that her son was awake. "I'll stay
out here while you go see him," he said to her. 

 Mrs. Vecchio hurried to her son's side. "Raymondo, we were so worried
about you! How are you feeling, caro?" 

 "Like I got hit by a truck," was Ray's reply. 

 "Raymondo, I need to talk to you about Benton." 

 Ray frowned. "Oh, Ma, not now, please. Haven't you said enough already?" 

 "No, figlio mio, this is important. I've been watching Benton since I got
here. He called me to tell me that you had been shot. He has been a
perfect gentleman to me. And I've seen him with you. I can tell that he
loves you. I found the pamphlets that you left at Christmas and I did talk
to someone from that organization - PFLAG." She took a deep breath. "Caro,
I can't pretend that I understand your and Benton's relationship. But I
almost lost you today. It would have been even worse to lose you with this
- situation unresolved between us. I love you, caro. If you will forgive
me for my behavior, I will try to accept you and Benton together. It isn't
easy for me, but then, the important things never are, are they?" 

 Ray smiled and squeezed his mother's hand. "I love you, Ma," he said. 

 Mrs. Vecchio kissed her son. "And I love you, caro. And Benton. I would
like to see your new apartment. Do you think you could invite your mother
for dinner sometime, when you are better?" 

 "I'll have to discuss that with Benny, but I think he would like that
just as much I do." 

 "Speaking of Benton, I think I will tell him to come back now. He hates
to leave you, even for a minute." 

 Benny returned to his lover's side. "Hey, Benny, Ma wants to come over
for dinner sometime. Think you could handle that?" 

 "With you at my side, Ray, I can handle anything," Benny replied. 

 "Benny, I just realized, we were so busy moving earlier this month that I
never wished you a happy new year. Happy New Year, Benny." 

 Benny kissed his lover, a kiss that was innocent but full of promise of
things to come when Ray was better. "Happy New Year, Ray. I love you." 

 "I love you too, Benny." 

 END 

 </PRE>