Title: Here With Me 40/?
Author: Anorien and Sairalinde
Type: RPS
Pairing: Craig/David
Rating: NC-17
Warning: None this chapter.
Beta: Ourselves
Disclaimer: This never happened. This was written in fun that's all.
Feedback: Yes please send to sairalinde @ hornofgondor.com
or thechroniclesofosgiliath @ yahoo.com
Archiving: OEAM, Mirrormere, The Chronicles of Osgiliath, Saira's Library, CxD Archive, other's ask.
Summary: A.U. Two University Professors try to overcome their pasts and find love and healing.
A/N: This is A.U. and it is the world we wish really did exist.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dinner at his parent's house had always been a little bit nerve wracking, but this time it wasn't so bad really. David’s father and Craig were getting along…a little strained at times when they didn't agree 100% on something, but getting along. David's mother hadn't been able to stop smiling, but David still felt nervous. He and Craig had yet to tell his father of their plans, of quitting the University to start the clinic.

David didn't really think he'd disapprove; after all it was a clinic in Jonas’ name…what could be better? He would be doing something his father saw as worthy for once. Yet, he couldn't shake his nerves for some reason. Maybe it would only take time. He and his father had only started somewhat getting along since Christmas.

David squeezed Craig's hand gently beside him and found himself smiling as Craig spoke to his mother.

“I just….I completely lose myself when I read David’s poetry,” Craig continued as he squeezed his lover’s hand back and looked away from David’s mother to smile at his husband. “I mean, even if I weren’t lucky enough to be married to him, I think I’d have fallen in love with him just from reading those beautiful words.” He was trying his best to gently guide the conversation toward the real reason Susan had asked them over. And one very positive side of starting the clinic would be that David would have more time to write once they got the clinic up and running.

David felt his face color slightly as Craig spoke and he looked down at their joined hands. //Now or never, David.// "And...speaking of my poetry...my publisher has asked me to write a few other things...besides poetry. A foreword on a new anthology, and a few other things, plus I'm still working on another book for charity," he said, waiting for the familiar cutting words to come from his father.

John, however, only took a drink of his coffee and listened quietly. He was making an effort with David; he had been for the last few months...ever since he learned about Richard he'd been trying with David and after making a sort of peace with Craig, he tried even more.

Craig’s thumb gently moved over the back of David’s hand, trying his best not to butt in, but wanting him to know that he was with him, no matter what. He watched John closely, and even though he’d made peace with his father-in-law for the most part, he still waited with baited breath to see if John would try and turn this around and make it look like Craig was simply using David. //Be calm. Give him a chance. Maybe he won’t react the way he has in the past. It’s not like you’ve agreed to do something *easy*. Hell, it’ll require more work than the University ever dreamed of being, but at least it’ll be working with David.// When John hadn’t spoken after a few moments, however, Craig gave him a tentative smile. “The new book is incredible. I think it’ll be selling like hotcakes the very day it’s released.”

"David's popularity does seem to be growing, can't deny that. The anthology sounds interesting," John said smiling. He didn't particularly care for poetry - he still found it a dying art and a complete waste of his son’s time, but he couldn't deny that the books *were* selling.

David cleared his throat and nodded at his fathe,r knowing that only saying that much hadn't been easy for the man. //He's trying. God, I hope what I say next doesn't ruin all the progress we've made.// "It is interesting. The problem is...the publisher wants me to write...more often, um...almost full time," David hedged waiting for reaction. He felt Craig give his hand an encouraging squeeze and answered it gently. His father raised an eyebrow.

"Full time? Are you saying you want to cut back your hours next semester or...are you hedging at something else, David?" John asked, setting his coffee on the table beside him.

Craig bit his tongue and moved closer to his husband, resisting the urge to narrow his eyes at David’s father. //Dammit, give him a chance to talk before you start in on him. Can’t you see he’s nervous?// He untangled their hands for a moment, putting his other hand with David’s as his free arm slid around his lover’s waist to gently rub the small of his back. David was already tense, and it was no wonder why, given the way his father was staring at the two of them. //It’s ok, love. He can’t stop us even if he wanted to.//

"Yes, I...well...*we* are leaving at the end of the semester. Not only do I want more time to write, but...well, we want to expand on Jonas' charity. We are going to open a free and/or low cost medical clinic for the community at the hospital. Craig has the credentials to run it, and I'll be working with him some of the time between writing. It...just seems better for us both and...it keeps Jonas' charity going in a much more active way, and...You’ve always said how important things like that are." David said trying to keep his voice from shaking.

“I never had the chance to know Jonas,” Craig intervened, “but from what David’s told me, he would be thrilled with the clinic. And we’re going to *make* it work, Dr. Noble. I’m sure you’re very proud of David for thinking of this – not only does it honor Jonas, but it’s an incredibly generous contribution to the community as well. I can’t tell you how happy I am that I can be a part of this.”

John looked over at his wife, who was beaming at him and nodded slowly as he turned his gaze back to his son. "I don't doubt that it will be welcomed in the community, but...I can't understand why you both have to leave the University. David your classes are some of the more popular ones, and you are head of the English department...you can't just expect me to find someone in a few weeks between terms to replace you...and Craig we just hired you this last fall...finding someone with your expertise isn't going to be easy," John said not quite sure why he didn't want them to leave the University. Six months ago he would have loved the idea, but he was just getting to know his son again.

"We simply wouldn't have time to do both, and neither of us wants to only do something halfway. We'd both be glad to stay until you found someone else, but I was thinking that Professor Mortensen could replace me easily as head of the English department, and he could take on some of my classes. I know he's new, but...I think my students would take to him fairly well. As for Craig's job...one of the doctors at the hospital has expressed interest in the past of leaving the hospital and going into teaching. He works in the ER and I think he's wanting something less stressful now that he's married and got a child on the way," David explained. He *had* given thought to all of it. He and Craig had discussed this for hours, it wasn't like they were just going to quit and walk away tomorrow. "Neither of us want to let you down, Father but...we both feel that this change in our lives is something that we need. I know for me, I really do want to spend more time writing, and more time with Craig. This gives me that opportunity."

Susan smiled and nodded. "I personally think it's wonderful. I'm sure the three of you can work out arrangements for the University," she said smiling.

“And, Dr. Noble, I will always be thankful that you hired me,” Craig said anxiously, “but my heart’s never been in teaching. I’ve always wanted to make a difference in someone’s life, and…I just didn’t feel that I was doing that with my students. With the clinic, however…It’s just that I’ve finally reached the point in my life where I’ve found complete happiness and peace in my personal life, thanks to your incredible son and the life we have together, and I think the clinic will bring both David and I that same fulfillment in our professional lives in a way that teaching never could.”

John leaned forward in his chair, and then levered himself up. "Well it seems you've both got everything quite figured out. You can work out the details with Peggy on your replacements I suppose. I don't suppose..." he paused and shook his head. "Glad you are both happy." He finally stated before picking up his coffee cup and making his excuses saying that he'd like another cup of coffee.

Susan sat watching him walk out of the room and looked at David and Craig sadly. "He...he'll come around. Just...a shock for him," she said getting up and patting both of them on the knee. "Why don't you both go out on the porch for a bit, I'll bring out some cake and we can talk about the new horse Diana wants to get," she said softly before following her husband to the kitchen.

Craig nodded at Susan and stood up as soon as she left the room. Pulling David to his feet, they walked silently out on the porch, hand in hand, and sat on the wooden swing that hung from the rafters. Wrapping both arms around his husband, Craig simply held him close and pressed his lips to David’s temple. “Your mother’s right,” he whispered. “He’ll come around. Don’t let him upset you, sweetheart.”

David had expected a lot of things from his father but he hadn't expected *that*. He thought he'd be happy that David wasn't 'wasting his time' writing poetry but doing something that he found worthwhile. "I...I just. Maybe I just expect too much," David said leaning into Craig's embrace. Sighing softly, he rested his head against Craig's shoulder and closed his eyes for a moment. "I don't know what I expected...I...hate to say it but I think it would have been better if he'd ranted and raved at me."

Interlacing his fingers together around David’s torso, Craig rested his cheek on the top of his lover’s head as he gently began to rock the swing. “You don’t expect too much,” he said, not even hearing as David’s father walked up to the screen door and hesitated as he saw them. From his position, John could easily see and hear Craig and David, but David’s eyes were closed and Craig was completely focused on his lover, so neither of them noticed him standing there. “I think he’s really proud of you,” Craig continued softly. “Maybe he just doesn’t know how to say it yet. Don’t give up on him, love. There’s no way on heaven or earth he could have a son like you and *not* be proud.”

John stood in the doorway feeling like an intruder in his own home. He started to back away but Craig's words stopped him. //Of course I'm proud. Who wouldn't be proud of him? I just...I'm just not ready to lose another son, not when I'm just getting to know him again. That's what it feels like. He'll leave the University, and then the only time Sue and I will ever see him is holidays...and maybe not even then. Last Thanksgiving he spent at home with Craig...his own family, but then again I didn’t give him reason to want to come home did I?// John closed his eyes for a moment but continued to stand there listening to his own internal debate as well as his son and son-in-law speaking on the porch.

David sighed as Craig spoke. "I don't know. It seems like no matter what I do...it's never the *right* thing. He's always said my poetry wasn't 'important' that it didn't make a difference, like what Jonas would have been. He was going to be a surgeon...like you, love. I thought...this clinic would be the one thing he thought I did right. Instead he's treating it like an imposition."

Craig let his hands run lightly over David’s arms as David spoke. “I think….maybe he’s just looking at it from the point of view of being chancellor of the University. When he gets past all that, I bet he’ll realize what a difference you’re making. Just because he hasn’t seen your poetry as ‘important’ in the past doesn’t mean he won’t. He’s a smart man, honey, but sometimes the smartest ones just need time to sort out the non-academic parts of their lives, you know. From what I’ve seen, and from what he’s told me every time I’ve spoken to him alone…he loves you very much. He just sometimes has a hard time letting you see that, I think.”

John couldn't believe that Craig, of all people, was defending him to David. He hung his head and backed away from the doorway. He'd been so hard on David over the years, he'd always been more sensitive of the two children, and he did push him, just wanting him to be stronger, but after Jonas died he just couldn't seem to handle even looking at David. It wasn't his fault, it never was...but he could see Jonas in him. The two boys had definitely looked like brothers and at times he couldn't even look at David without seeing his other son. So he'd push him, expecting more of him, but wouldn't get too close. It wasn't that he didn't think his poetry was important but...it always seemed like an escape that David could use, that John couldn't. Maybe a little bit of jealousy in a way. He *did* think the idea for the clinic was a good one, but it had been a shock.

After a few minutes he pushed against the screen door and cleared his throat trying to make it seem he hadn't been standing there for a while now. "Sue said that she'd be out in a few minutes with the cake," he said smiling slightly. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he looked out at the back lawn that was just starting to show signs of life after the winter. "I want you to know that I do think this idea for the clinic is a fine one. I'm just concerned about filling both your shoes at the University. I'm not against it. I'm sorry if I gave either of you that impression...it...was just a bit of a shock," he said still staring out at the bare trees.

David sat up in Craig's embrace and looked up at his father, watching the way his eyes moved over the trees beyond the porch. He was surprised to hear his father say those words and didn’t know how to react. "Thank you," he said simply, unable to say anything else.

Craig smiled and looked up gratefully at John, catching his eye for just a moment and giving him a slight nod. //Thank you. I can’t stand to see him hurting. He wants your approval so badly.// Sliding his arm around David’s shoulders, he could feel that the previously tensed muscles were now relaxing bit by bit. “I don’t think anyone can truly fill David’s shoes, but we’ll give our replacements all the help we can,” he smiled.

John nodded and turned to look at the couple on the porch swing. He smiled and shook his head. "Neither of you will be easy to replace, Craig. Neither of you..." he said trailing off as he heard Susan calling his name as she neared the door.

"John, honey, you have a phone call," she said holding the phone out to him. John took the phone and stepped back into the house and she smiled at David and Craig. "I'm almost done...and no I'm not baking the thing at this very minute. You know how clumsy I can be...one slice the birds are going to get," she grinned.

David sat up and then stood grabbing Craig's hand. "We'll help, no sense you waiting on us," he said pulling Craig up with him and they followed his mother back into the house. As they passed by the living room, John looked up and David smiled at him and was pleased to see his father return the gesture.

Craig’s shock at his father-in-law’s words about neither of them being easy to replace was quickly replaced by a warm feeling as he watched John smile easily at his son as they passed through to the kitchen. Pulling David to a stop just outside of the kitchen door, Craig leaned in for a quick kiss to his husband’s lips. “Feeling better, love?” he asked softly. “About…everything, I mean? Your father seems to have turned a corner or something tonight.”

David smiled and wrapped his arms around Craig's waist. "Yeah, I am," he whispered. "I don't know what's changed his mind over the months but...I am really happy that things turned out better than I thought they were going to. When he walked out earlier...I didn't know what to think. And...thank you for being there for me...again, love," he said pressing a soft kiss against Craig's lips.

Susan walked back to the doorway of the kitchen to see where the boys had disappeared to and saw them kissing. She smiled and shook her head before going back into the kitchen. "Newlyweds," she whispered to herself, smiling as she poured four cups of coffee.

Closing his eyes, Craig sighed into the kiss, tasting the wine they’d had for dinner mixed with the incredibly sweet and delicious flavor of the man he’d married. After long moments, they pulled away and Craig gazed breathlessly into his lover’s eyes. “I’ll always be here,” he whispered as he nibbled on David’s kiss swollen bottom lip. “Don’t you ever doubt that. A herd of wild horses couldn’t drag me away…a flock of pterodactyls couldn’t budge me…and a stern look from my father in law certainly won’t deter me either. You’re just stuck with me, always.”

David chuckled as Craig spoke and pressed another soft kiss against his lips. "You are stuck with me too, love," David grinned. "We'd better help my mother before she ends up feeding all the birds in the neighborhood," he said drawing back and taking Craig's hand.

As they entered the kitchen, Susan was plating up the second slice of cake. "I'm almost done now, but Craig will you grab that tray on the counter, hon?" she asked. As Craig handed it to her she smiled. "So, tell me more about the clinic...I'm sure you'll be needing some volunteers, the ladies in my book club I'm sure I could get to help out..." Susan began rambling a bit about volunteer work and the ladies from her club as David and Craig leaned against the counter.

David didn't think he'd had a more peaceful dinner at his parent’s house in years. They almost felt like a real family again. With that thought, his arm slid around Craig's waist and he pulled him a little closer. He hoped this was how it would always be.

~~~~~~~~

Later that evening, John followed Susan back into the house after David and Craig had driven away. The evening had been more pleasant than either of them expected, even after their announcement of leaving the University. John had come to accept that, and realize that if he'd just stop alienating his son he wouldn't stay away. They'd even exchanged a brief and somewhat awkward hug before they left. Sitting down in the living room, John looked up at Susan who was smiling at him. "What?"

She laughed softly and sat down on the coffee table in front of him. "I'm proud of you. You didn't once get upset with David tonight," she said still smiling.

"No. I was shocked about the clinic but...it is a good idea. I can't believe you pawned off that gaggle of women from your book club on those poor boys," he said laughing.

"Hush," she said slapping his knee.

John smiled and Susan looked up at him for a moment. "Craig's good for him," she said after a moment.

Sighing John nodded. "Never thought I'd agree, but he is. He loves David...I don't know how I didn't see it at first. He really does love him. After his fight with Richard I began to realize how wrong I was about Craig, and then when he wrote that letter Christmas day...I could just see it. And...I overheard them on the porch tonight. You know Craig was actually defending me to David? I felt like a fool, Sue. How can I be this damn old and that blind?"

Susan laughed and shook her head. "You are assuming age has something to do with maturity, love," she said and then her lips twitched.

"You are a wicked woman," he laughed. "It's still fairly warm out...let's take a walk?" he suggested standing up and taking her hand.

Susan didn't know all of the details of what went on the day Craig fought with David's ex-boyfriend and she didn't want to know all of them. She knew that had changed something in her husband though...and little by little, things had seemed to change. They were finally getting back to a point where they were a family again, and she couldn't be happier.

TBC