Tul scurried around the cabin making sure everything was in place. Candles, flowers on the table, dinner ready to go - check! He was excited and nervous.

A year had passed for the four of them. Their first winter on the mountain had been a steep learning curve but together they had done it. Just keeping Max and Miri busy had been a monumental feat.

Tul grinned to himself. Miri had begun her schooling. He and Max had combed the town finding everything their daughter would need to have an amazing education. Books, a microscope, a telescope along with a load of just supplies were all gathered. They had split up the subjects into their own areas. Max had reading and writing. Tul had math and science. Saint had solemnly declared he wanted recess and finger painting.

It had taken them a bit to realize they weren't preparing her for Oxford but they'd gotten the hang of it in time. It wasn't long before she had her alphabet down and was reading small words.

Tul had even found a book with science experiments for young children and had a great time making messes with her. They found bits of the volcano's 'lava' for two months.

Today was special. Miri and Uncle Saint were going camping for the night. Max had personally set up the tent after seriously checking the area for hazards.

"Feel better knowing the orchard is safe and sound?" Tul had grinned at him.

"Can't be too careful." Max had grouched back.

While Miri and Saint were exploring the wilds of the orchard, Tul had plans for the night. A good meal, romantic setting and a long planned moment... the evening had possibilities.

"Not bad!" Tul smiled at himself in the mirror. The tux looked good. He had put one in the bathroom while Max was bathing. There were perks to wearing the same size clothes.

"Really?" Max yelled from the bathroom.

"Yep!" Tul yelled back with a grin. Max could be heard through the door grumbling to himself and Tul couldn't help but laugh. "You're gonna look great!"

Max did indeed look great. He refused to tie the bow tie but it looked hot hanging down the front of his shirt The three undone buttons giving just a bit of smooth flesh for Tul to ogle.

Max was surprised at the soft lighting of candles, the romantic music playing on Tul's phone.

"What's all this? You are up to something." Max pulled Tul closer for a kiss and Tul was more than happy to oblige. But he didn't answer the question.

"Wine?" He pulled what was once an expensive bottle of wine from behind his back.

"Of course. Thank you." A sip or two of wine. A slow dance. Soft kissing.

"Ready for dinner?" Tul smiled.

"Definitely. It smells wonderful!" Max smiled back.

Over dinner they discussed the past year. Miri's 5th birthday was celebrated on the day Tul had found her. They had given her a bike complete with a bell and a basket for Unicorn. Miri loved it and rode with Uncle Saint as often as she could talk him in to it.

Slowly, Tul turned the conversation to them. Laughing at their adventures. Smiling about their first date. How much fun and hard work had gone into their television series and fan shows.

"We've been so lucky." Max whispered. They were dancing on the deck. "Yes, we have." Tul whispered back.

"I love you. I know the world is different now but - " Tul gently left Max's arms and kneeled. In his hand was a black velvet box opened to reveal a matching set of wedding bands. Wide platinum bands with a diamond inset smoothly into each. "Together, we have everything, Max. Will you marry me?" Both had tears in their eyes.

"What would I ever do without you?" Max pulled Tul up into a tight hug. "Of course, yes."

They just held each other, smiling. "Do you want a big wedding?" Tul gave his lopsided grin.

Max laughed. "We should be the talk of the social season!"

They grinned and kissed. "Midsummer's day is coming. Shall we do it then? We can share a best man and flower girl." Tul said. "We'll save the rings until then?"

"We should save the rings and maybe the tuxes..." Max breathed in his ear. "We should probably get these off as soon as possible. So they won't wrinkle of course." He continued to Tul's neck.

"We don't want wrinkles." Tul replied undoing more of Max's buttons and running his fingers down his chest.

It wasn't long before neither of them cared about the wrinkles.

~~~

It had been a busy two weeks. Talking Saint into a tux had taken a week by itself. Tul had turned the town upside down to find the perfect outfits for Miri to choose from. She'd picked a white dress with a rainbow colored petticoat. When asked which shoes, she had ignored all the dressy slippers Tul had laid out. Running off for a moment, she'd returned with her orange high tops.

"These, Daddy Tul." A huge grin as she put them next to her dress. Tul wiped at his eyes and sniffed. The high tops were still stained with his blood.

"Perfect!" He scooped her up and swung her around as Miri giggled. "Now what should we make for Daddy Max to eat that day?"

"Wolls!" had been the immediate answer. Tul had learned how to bake over the winter. He had even constructed an outdoor oven to bake during the summer.
"Daddy Max likes wolls."

After Saint joined them, she seemed to need to lay claim to Max and he was given the title of Daddy Max. Max had teared up the first time. She had climbed into Max's lap and made it quite clear he was hers. Just like Tul.

Progress had been slow but steady with Miri speaking. Tul thought she'd always be a quiet kid but she was using sentences sometimes now.

"Rolls, huh? We can do rolls the day before... will you help me?" Miri nodded vigorously making her little ponytails bounce around.

Max and Tul were serious about Miri learning how to survive in this new world. Baking, gardening, sewing, preserving food - she needed to know it all. She baked with Daddy Tul. She gardened with Daddy Max. It was the old way of learning but it worked well when mixed with so much love.

~~~~~

The day had finally arrived. There had been a lot of bathing and shaving in the morning. They had decided to have the ceremony at noon, take some pictures with their phones and then change to go play in the river and have a picnic.

Saint had scouted and announced he'd found the perfect place. He was grinning awfully big causing Max and Tul to wonder what he was up to.

With everyone finally ready, they had stood on the deck in the bright warmth of Midsummer's Day and recited simple vows.

"To love, honor, cherish..."

"In sickness and in health..."

"Til death- " Tul had slipped his fingers over Max's mouth.

"Forever." Max smiled and kissed Tul's fingers. "Forever."

With Miri and Saint clapping, they kissed. In that moment, everything they were and would be was placed in to a kiss. A gift to each other.

~~~~~

After pictures and amidst a lot of smiles, they had changed clothes. Gathering baskets and blankets for the picnic, they started walking toward the river.

Saint was almost dancing as he lead the way. Max and Tul looked quizzically at each other. The spot was a bit further than they usually went when fishing but that was okay. Then they saw it.

Saint had found a place that was dug into the bank creating a wide shallow pool. He had used rope and saplings from deeper in the forest where the trees grew thin and tall trying to reach the light and had woven a basket-like structure. He placed it as a barricade across the mouth of the pool so sudden swirls couldn't push anyone into the river. Plenty of water in and no people out.

"It's my wedding present to you both." Saint said with a huge grin. "It's only about three feet deep so deep enough to play but safe for Miri." He was rocking back and forth on his feet unable to contain himself.

And how did Max and Tul thank him? They tried to throw him in. Saint grabbed Max's arm and pulled him in too. Tul was laughing on the shore and blowing up water wings for Miri as she watched wide-eyed at the water fight going on between Daddy Max and Uncle Saint.

"Okay? Daddy Max okay?" she had asked. Miri had been fishing but being in the water meant taking a bath in her experience. A full out water fight with splashing and wrestling was new and a little concerning.

"What does his face say, Princess?" Tul asked between puffs. He was working on a beach ball now.

Smiles. Laughing.

"Happy?"

"Yep, he's happy. Good job!" Tul smiled and pulled her sneakers off then put her water wings on her. Unicorn was set carefully on a basket so he could see too. "Ready?"

Miri looked a little nervous so Tul scooped her up and waded in. It wasn't long before she was having as much fun as everyone else.

Wet and tired, they had lazed on the blankets and eaten a smoked pheasant, fresh rolls and the first berries of summer. It was delicious. Miri and Max had napped while Saint and Tul had played cribbage. It was a perfect day.

Tul kept watching his husband and daughter curled up together. Husband. The word alone put a smile on his face. It was indeed a perfect day.

~~~~~

Late afternoon, they had packed everything away and headed home. Miri was piggy backed home by Uncle Saint who kept talking about eating jelly on rolls. It gave Max and Tul a few moments as they walked behind hand in hand.

"Happy?" Max asked.

"Yes. Very." Tul's smile left no doubt. "And you?"

"Yes. Very." Max answered and kissed Tul soundly. "Come on. There's one more surprise, babe."

Tul grinned. "Hmm... what kind of surprise could you be talking about?" He winked and laughed making Max laugh as well.

"Not what you're thinking!" Max snickered. Tul raised an eyebrow which just made Max laugh more. "Come on!"

Back at the cabin, there was Tul's duffel and a cooler sitting on the deck. Tul looked at Max.

"Go change. There's clothes laid out for you on the bed. I'll change out here." A kiss. A catch in Max's breath. "Don't dawdle."

As Tul headed through the living room, he could see Miri and Saint in the kitchen putting blackberry jam on rolls and making yummy noises as they started eating. Tul just smiled and headed up the stairs.

Ten minutes later he was back. Wiped off, changed and good to go. As he walked out on to the deck, he was surprised to see the duffle and cooler loaded on his motorcycle. Max was sitting on it with a gleam in his eye.

"Let's go, husband!"

"Go where?" Tul asked.

"Honeymoon, silly man!" Max grinned.

"What honeymoon?" Tul was rather stunned.

"Get on the bike, Tul. We'll be back in two days. Saint and Miri can hold down the fort here. I've gotten everything ready." Max held his hand out to Tul.

Tul took it and got on the motorcycle behind Max.

"Bed time at a reasonable hour, you two. And don't eat too much jelly. It'll make your belly hurt. And don't forget two books at bed ti- " Tul gasped and held on to Max as Max gunned the bike and took off.

"Love you!" floated behind them to Saint and Miri who looked at each other smiling.

"Daddies are silly." Miri announced which totally cracked up Saint.

~~~~~

Now Tul was curious. They had planned to spend the night in the tent in the orchard but that was only a five minute walk from the cabin. So if not the orchard, where were they going?

Max was headed further up the mountain. Both were just enjoying the ride. It was already late afternoon and the light had turned the golden before dusk when Max turned into a dirt road.

"Wait here. I'll be back as fast as I can." Tul nodded. A kiss that promised tonight would be a night to remember and Max was walking down the road.

Tul just listened. His time on the mountain had taught him silence wasn't really silence. The mountain spoke all the time. Wind in the leaves. The gurgle of the streams and rivers. The birds, startled by the motorcycle, resumed their conversations and the insects and small animals continued on with their errands. He smiled.

Today was a day for smiling.

True to his word, Max came back quickly with a $20 grin on his face. "Now close your eyes." Tul obliged him. The bike roared to life again but this time, Max was slowly riding forward.

A gentle stop. "Open your eyes."

The week before the wedding, Max had been noticeably absent. He did his chores and disappeared. When Tul asked what he was up to, Max had simply replied, "Busy." with a grin and kissed Tul. Tul had let him have his secrets.

Now he knew why. Before him was a tiny cabin. The surroundings were newly cleared. Two rockers were on the porch. An oil lamp burned in the window.

Max swooped Tul up in his arms. "I wanted you all to myself for a few days. Don't worry, we're close to home. It's about a half mile across the fields and Saint knows where we are if they need us."

Tul just kissed Max as they crossed the threshold. Inside it was cozy. A tiny kitchen, a wood burning stove and a bed with fresh linen.

"You spent this week cleaning it up, didn't you?" Tul was delighted.

Max kissed him. "I figured since you found us rings, I could provide the honeymoon. How did you find them in the right sizes anyway?"

Tul laughed. "I didn't find them, Max. I bought them a year before Covid hit."

Max was stunned. "What?"

"Give me your ring for a moment." Tul was already pulling his off. Max handed him the ring. He looked at them intensely close to the oil lamp. "Here! Look!" he said pointing.

Max looked closer. There was engraving inside the rings. His had T♡M and Tul's had M♡T.

"I said I had my most precious possessions in my backpack. I had pictures of my family and our rings."

Max gently placed Tul's ring back on his finger and kissed it. Tul returned Max's ring to his finger and kissed it. For awhile they just held each other.

The kisses began small, soft. Fingers tracing Tul's jawline. A hand tightening on Max's bicep. Kisses down Tul's chest. A bite on Max's shoulder.

Clothing tossed to the side until they were skin-to-skin. Soft moans. Achingly hard. There was no hurry. They had all the time in the world.

Lying in each other's arms, they were home.

~♡~♡~♡~

I hope you enjoyed Going Home! I can't Thank You enough for the Reads, Votes and Comments!! Y'all are the best! ❤

I'm planning on writing a story about Saint next as a sequel to Going Home. I hope to see you there!

Much Love, Huge Hugs and Stay Safe!!!

❤🍫🫖❤