In the Twist of Separation

Don't Mess This Up

Everyone was enjoying the birthday party that Gary had organised for the 9 year old as laughter and kids running around the back garden could be heard from the kitchen

"I know I messed up but at least we got our kids right, right?" Came over Gary's shoulder making him turn round quicker than he expected, locking eyes with his husband the older man was taken aback by the statement as he placed his bottle of juice down on the counter

"Excuse me?"

"Taylor and Oscar, through everything that's going on it feels like the only thing we got right was them..."

"Our love was right robbie, our marriage was right, our late night conversations and laughing at pointless shit was right...the reason I said you could come was because they know no different right now, to them we're still together...can we please just not talk about this" Gary's voice threatened to break as tears were building behind his eyes and he could feel it, it was like a lump in his throat that he couldn't shake. He misses Robbie, so much, but he can't turn a blind eye to how he feels

Nodding in agreement and not knowing what else to say Robbie took a drink from the table and went back outside to join all the other parents who were running round with their kids having a great time, leaving Gary to watch from the kitchen window

Few hours later

"Thanks for coming, Oscar say thank you" Gary gently encouraged his son as he ruffled the tired boys hair while they stood at the door waving off the final guest "thank you" Oscar muttered into Gary's hip as he hugged him around the back of his legs, smiling down at him Gary waved them off one final time before closing the door and crouching down to the little lads height

"Have a good day? Bet you're tired now" he gently smiled softly stroking Oscars cheek who moved into the movement and fell onto Gary's shoulder making him chuckle "...that's a yes then, come on champ" standing back up Gary lifted him up in his arms and began walking towards the stairs and past the front room where he could see Robbie cleaning up from the party "how about if you get into bed in the next 10 minuets dad will come and give you a cuddle? How's that sound" he lovingly whispered down his sons ear who instantly smiled at the proposal of a cuddle from Robbie

Placing Oscar down on the stairs Gary watched him climb up the stairs in record time and smiled to himself as he walked through into the front room where he was met with Robbie now sat on the floor with Taylor in his lap and cuddled up in his arms as he softly played with her hair while he told her a story

From what Gary could make out it was a tour memory that he was telling their daughter from a few months ago and how Robbie managed to meet dolphins, he's told the story over 50 times but there's something about the way he explains it that makes Taylor giggle away into his chest. It made Gary's heart tug as he stood leaning against the door frame just watching the younger man with their daughter for the first time in over a week

Maybe he's been too hard on Rob, but he thought he was protecting the kids. His head can't seem to get round the fact his husband picked up the bottle again, cheating he can get over, just about, but the drinking is something he's seriously struggling with

"Are you laughing at me Misses? I'm telling you, I spoke to the dolphins and they spoke back" robbie tickled her sides making them both laugh as she fought his grip but he calmly and carefully sat her back up into his lap and cradled her face in his hands "I love you Taylor, you know that right?" Robbies voice was full of hope, he wanted her to know how much he did love her

"I love you too Daddy" she cuddled back into his chest, her fingers clung onto his checkered shirt as he placed a kiss on her forehead, picking her up in his arms as he stood up his eyes locked on Gary's who was still stood leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest with a tear stained cheek