3.26 Sometimes A Little Rain Must Fall

Heath woke up alerted to a noise on the baby monitor. He tossed the covers aside and swung his feet over the edge of the bed. He turned to see Don groaning as he sat up rubbing his eyes. "Go back to bed. I've got this." Without a word Don nodded and closed his eyes, snuggling into the blankets.
Padding barefoot to he twins room Heath found Noah fussing in his crib while Madeline was screaming like someone was killing her. Upon seeing his Daddy Noah raised his arms to him expecting to be picked up. Heath bent and kissed the top of his head  "sorry bud but I have to see what's wrong your sister first."

"How's Daddy's little girl" Heath asked the dark haired girl with light gray eyes that she shared with her brother.

"Tummy hurt" she informed him snuggling into his shoulder.

"No sooner had  he picked her up he heard gagging sounds from Noah's crib. After throwing up Noah began to howl.

Heath looked up when the door burst open and Don came into the room. "What's going on in here?" he asked taking in the putrid smell of vomit hanging in the air, the screaming toddlers and his mouth twitched as he observed his husband covered head to toe in vomit.

"It's not funny," Heath scowled at him in no mood to be laughed at after being puked on and surrounded by sick screaming toddlers. "I think the flue bug has officially landed in our house."

"I can see that," Don said lifting Noah from his crib "let's get you cleaned up."

An hour later they had the vomit cleaned up, the kids asleep and they were back in their own bed. Heath cuddled next to Don resting his head on his chest "no. My answer is no."

Running his fingers through Heath's blue hair Don smiled "that's ok after that I don't even want to think about having more kids."

Closing his eyes Heath smiled "four kids is more than enough."

Don pressed his lips on Heath's forehead "I know," he said softly trying to hide his disappointment. "I love you," he murmured as he listened to Heath's even breathing and knew his husband had fallen asleep.

***

Heath crawled out from under Don's arm careful not to wake him. He had to get up and get the girls off to school. Breakfast had to be made and homework gathered. "Kimberly. Lillianna. Time to get up," Heath said coming into their room.

Moaning Kimberly opened her eyes blinking "morning" she said stretching.

Lillianna barely moved. "Come on sweet heart. Time to get up." Heath repeated tugging on her blanket.

"I don't feel good," she complained pulling on the blanket.

Sitting on the edge of the bed Heath felt her forehead. "How's your tummy?" he asked.

"It hurts," she whined covering her mouth suddenly. She made it halfway to the bathroom before throwing up.

"Eew gross," Kimberly cried from behind them.

Heath  nodded agreeing with her "Kimberly can you go get your Dad for me?"

"Sure Daddy" she said tip toeing carefully around them careful not get any of the yuck on her. She knocked on the door before entering he room. "Dad" she called as she approached the bed "Dad" she repeated a little louder.

"Mmm" he muttered not quite awake.

"Dad get up" she demanded "Daddy needs you." Those words got the desired reaction she wanted.

Don sat up "what's wrong?" he asked tossing the covers aside.

"Lillianna is throwing up all over the place and the twins are screaming," Kimberly informed hm. Tugging on his hand she tried to hurrying him out of the room.

"Alright I'm up," Don told his ten year old daughter. He got up to check on the twins who had once again vomited all over themselves and their cribs. Groaning Don went through the slow process of cleaning everything and everyone up. He tried to get the babies to eat something but each time they refused opting instead to throw the bowl and it's contents on the floor.

"Bye Dad," Kimberly called as she went out the door glad to get away from the mess and chaos even if it was school. At least there she wouldn't be surrounded by screaming, whining, vomit producing siblings and stressed out parents. "love you Daddy" she called in her head knowing that Heath would want to know she was leaving.

"Love you to sweet heart," he thought back "have a good day at school."

"I will Daddy" she replied as she got on the bus.

After helping Lillianna clean herself up and she was sleeping soundly again Heath went out into kitchen. He watched Don try unsuccessfully to feed the twins. Taking pity on him Heath said "they won't eat if the think they'll throw up again," he said "what they need are pedialytes to keep them from becoming dehydrated." He went to the freezer and produced a couple of freezer pops. The twins took them eagerly much to Don's surprise.

"But their Popsicle" he protested.

"Made especially to keep sick kids from becoming dehydrated" Heath told him. "See what you miss when you leave me home alone with the kids all the time?"

"I'm beginning to see why you say you have your hands full," Don conceded knowing he couldn't stay home and patiently take care of babies. Glancing at the clock Don got up and ran to their room to get dressed. When he emerged he found Heath in the twins room putting them in their cribs. Kissing him quickly he said "sorry babe but I've got to go to work."

"I know" Heath nodded stifling his irritation of being the one left behind to care for all the kids. Someone had to do it. Just wished it wasn't always him.

Deciding he needed a shower if he hoped to get the scent of vomit from his nostrils he went into the bathroom groaning when he saw the pile of dirty sheet that don had thrown there. Retracing his steps he tossed them into the washer. He stuck his head into the twins room and then into Lillianna's room to make sure they were all sleeping alright.

Sighing in relief that they were still sound asleep he went and took his shower making sure he brought the baby monitors into the bathroom with him. After his shower he attempted to work on his painting. He made quite a bit of revenue with is paintings and they were in great demand at the local gallery. He wondered if he should do a showing like the gallery manager suggested. He wondered if he was really good enough or was it just he had no real competition in Dragon Valley. He'll have to discuss it with Don eventually as it would require some adjustments.

***

Don came home early to a quiet house. Checking on the kids finding them resting in bed. Coming into his room he expected to find Heath at his easel painting. "Heath I'm..." his voice drifted as he found Heath curled up on the bed moaning. Coming closer he reached out a  hand "Heath honey are you alright?"

Heath opened his eyes blinking trying to bring Don into focus. "You're home early" he mumbled sitting up.

Don put a hand on Heath's forehead "you feel warm..."

"I'm freezing" he contradicted shivering.

"You have the flue" Don said pushing back onto the bed "lie down and get some rest."

"I can't be sick" Heath protested despite allowing Don push him onto the bed "the kids need me to take are of them and Kimberly needs help with her homework...."

"I can handle it," Don soothed "just close your eyes and sleep." He watched as Heath's eyes closed before he walked towards the door. He stopped briefly to admire Heath's latest painting. He wished that Heath would take the gallery manager's offer to do a show. He wondered if he should suggest it. He really was good.

A noise behind him caused him to turn a Heath made a hasty beeline towards the bathroom, hand over his mouth. A few seconds later he heard the unmistakable sounds of retching. It was a only a matter of time before the flue made it's way through his entire house.

***

A week later everyone was back to healthy. The flue had run it's course. Don was sitting in front of his computer staring at a blank screen. He had an editorial to write for the paper and he couldn't think of what to write about. He glanced up at Heath who was painting another beautiful picture. "Have you considered the art galleries offer for a show."

Heath's smooth strokes faltered "how did you know about that?"

"Mr Huntington mentioned it in passing" Don shrugged "he's really impressed with your skill and ability."

Taking several deep breaths Heath tried to control the tremors he felt at the idea of putting his art out for display where everyone could see, criticize...."What if no one likes it?" His voice full of doubt and misgivings.

Standing Don approached him "you have nothing to fear. I'll be right there with you."

"Do you really think I can?" Heath asked turning to face Don "your not just saying that to save my feelings?"

Chuckling softly Don put his hands on either side of Heath's face  "babe I wouldn't do that. Not because I don't want to spare your feelings but you don't need me too. Your paintings speak for themselves. All you need is to believe in yourself."

Heath looked into his partners light blue eyes. The same eyes that had never failed to comfort him in the last eight years they've been together. "You'll be there? On opening night?"

"And every night there after," Don told him pulling him close "You know I love you right?"

Heath started to reply when Don's lips pressed down on his. It never failed to fill him with wonder that he had been lucky enough to have Don in his life. He never wanted to take him for granted or the live they had built together. "I love you too" he said when Don released him. He looked up maintaining eye contact "with you I can do anything."

"I hope one day you'll see that you don't need me to be a success," Don held his face with his hands "I want you to know that your enough in your own right. You don't need me or anyone else to validate who you are."

"Thank you," Heath murmured giving his husband a hug "I needed to hear that." He kissed Don's cheek before turning to his half finished painting "now you need to get back to work and I have a painting to finish."

Don nodded releasing him "I think I'll go a for a walk. I need some fresh air before I sit back down and stare at my blank screen."

Heath's brow furrowed "writers block?"

"Yeah I just can't think of a good idea," Don shrugged "maybe some exercise will awaken my muse."

"If not," Heath gave him a suggestive smile "we can always try what helps me."

"Hmm" Don purred wrapping his arms around his husband pressing his body tight against his. 

Heath's face turned towards him as Don devoured his mouth in a passionate kiss. "As tempting as this is I really need to take the kids out so you can call the manager."

"Rain check," Heath said hopefully while his pulse quickened as it always did when Don touched him.

"Definitely" Don groaned as he released him.

***

"Nervous," Don asked coming up behind Heath as he attempted tie his bow tie. "Here let me do that."

"I hate dressing up" Heath groaned turning towards Don allowing him to straighten out he mess he had made.

"Perfect" Don said smiling at him "this reminds me..."

"Of our wedding day" Heath finished for him "can you believe it's been five years?"

"It feels like a lifetime," Don squeezed him tight "I love you more now then I did then if that's possible."

"I feel the same about you," Heath sighed turning in Don's arms "are you ready?"

Laughing "I've been ready...."

"I didn't take that long," Heath protested.

"Rolling his eyes Don shook his head "you spent most of your time on that bow tie...and your hair..."

Blushing Heath looked at the floor "I wanted to look my best...."

"And you do," Don said "I'm sorry if I make you think otherwise" his tone apologetic.

"You'll have to do better than that to make it up to me," Heath pretended to pout.

"Lets see," Don said as he kissed Heath's forehead, his eyelids, the tip of his nose. He peppered 

Heath's face with sweet butterfly kisses "how's that?"

"It's a start," Heath smiled "but you'll have to do better to make up for all the mental anguish..." His words were cut off as Don pressed his lips to his giving him a firm but gentle kiss on the mouth.

"Better?"

"Oh yeah," Heath nodded breathlessly.

"We better go before the guest of honor is late" Don said laughing at Heath's obvious frustration.

***

Walking into the gallery Don held Heath's hand squeezing it firmly. Hoping to reassure him that despite everything this was a good thing. Leaning close he whispered "you ok?"

Heath nodded vaguely as he stopped staring at the busy exhibition room "there's no many people."

The manager stepped forward upon seeing them "Mr Van Winkle such a delight that you finally allowed us to display your work. As you can see it's causing quite the stir in the art community." Mr Huntington took Heath's arm and escorted him around the room. He stopped beside a well dressed man around the same age as himself early to mid forties. "I want you to meet someone," he explained as the man in question finished his conversation with a voluptuous older woman in her late fifties early sixties. "Gerald I would like you to meet the young and talented artist responsible for tonight's show."

The man turned and smiled "finally" he said taking Heath's arm and leading him away. Before Don could protest or follow Mr Huntington grabbed him directing him towards another exhibit. "Gerald has some things to discuss with our young artist." Don turned to see Heath trying to break free from the older man. His face clearly displaying his unease at the situation. Don gave him a slight nod and a wave saying above the crowd "I'll meet you at our table in the dining room."

Heath nodded clamping down on his anxiety. He knew he had come to rely on Don a little too much over the years and knew he needed to branch out and become more independent. He hoped this show was a step in that direction but it did little to settle is misgivings as Gerald led him away to a secluded area. Once they were beyond the main exhibit Heath asked "where are we going?"

"Some place private where we can talk." Gerald opened a door into a dark office. Turning the lights on Gerald motioned towards the couch "have a seat."

Hesitantly Heath walked past the older man and sat down assuming Gerald would sit behind the desk. Standing by the window Gerald let the silence in the room lengthen before saying "it's a beautiful night, don't  you think?"

"Err yes," Heath agreed uncomfortable being alone with the man. He tried to still his racing thoughts so as not to alert Kimberly that he was experiencing a large amount of anxiety and alert Don. He had to be overreacting to the situation.

The man nodded turning from the window. Gerald went and sat next to Heath on the couch. "It doesn't compare with the beauty of my company..." he laid a hand on Heath's thigh squeezing slightly.

"I uh should be going," Heath stammered leaping to his feet almost running to the door.

"I'm sorry," Gerald said "I promise that won't happen again." He held his hands up and moved to sit on the nearby desk. "I really brought you in here to discuss your future." He smiled watching Heath hesitate by the door "I promise I'll be on my best behavior. I apologize for my lack of manners."

Heath frowned turning from the door "what about my future?" he asked remaining by the door poised to take flight at a moments provocation.

"I would like you to come to Bridgeport with me. I know your paintings would sell well in that venue. Many people here tonight are from Bridgeport. Just think your name would be a household name among art collectors and art aficionados." He went on to describe what he could do to promote Heaths and his work at some length. "So what do you say? Do we have a deal?" To his disappointment and expectations Heath shook his head. 

"It sounds too good to be true," Heath moved towards the door "I'll have to discuss this with my husband."

Gerald came and stood behind him "I hope this refusal of my offer isn't due to my deplorable behavior earlier this evening."

"Ah no sir," Heath shook his head "I just have... other responsibilities to consider. Like I said I'll have to discuss this with my husband and let you know."

"Very well," Gerald smiled handing him a card "call me at that number and I'll set everything up."

"You're pretty sure that I'll say yes," Heath mumbled taking the card.

Gerald gave him a suave self-assured smiled that sent tingles down his spine. "I always get what I want. At the moment what I want is you."

Swallowing Heath backed out of the room. Once again he felt things sliding out of his control.