There they were. Alone for the first time. With a brand-new baby. Of their own. They had no idea where to begin. Never mind the fact that they had helped to raise Michael and Nikita’s twins for the past two years. This was different. It was happening to them.

Birkoff was the first one to find his voice. "Do you think she needs to be changed?"

Declan looked up with startled grey eyes. "I...I dunno. I guess we should check."

But his hands didn’t move to open the blankets further. They just held onto the precious bundle in his arms.

"Or maybe she needs to be fed?"

"Yeah, maybe..." Declan replied, almost absently.

"We’ll need to work out a schedule," Birkoff offered.

"You’re so organized, acushla." Declan sounded in awe of his partner’s ability to think right now.

Birkoff raised frightened eyes to Declan’s face. "Are you half as scared as I am, Dec?"

"More," Declan whispered back.

"What’ll we do?"

They were concentrating so fiercely on each other, they never heard anyone else enter the room.

"Just love each other and love the baby," said Nikita.

"And you’ll be fine," added her husband, never very far from his wife’s side these days.

By way of explanation for their unexpected intrusion, Nikita said, "We came to congratulate you, we won’t stay."

Declan and Birkoff turned sharply at the same time. "No, no, that’s okay. Stay as long as you want," Declan said.

Nikita smiled knowingly. "Trust me, you’re both going to make wonderful parents."

Birkoff nodded, encouraged by Michael and Nikita’s show of support.

Michael leaned on his wife, whispering into her ear, "Should we warn them about how rough the first six months can get?" Nikita cupped his chin and kissed him softly. "They’ll find out soon enough, love."

Declan noted the whispering. His storm-grey eyes flickered anxiously from Michael to Nikita and back again. He nudged Birkoff with his elbow. "Whispering isn’t always bad, is it, Sey?"

Birkoff laughed gently, starting to feel relaxed for the first time since they had agreed to undertake this major upheaval of their lives. "No, Dec, sometimes whispering is very, very good," he said with a hush in his voice. "Acushla," he added, as his finger tweaked Declan’s mouth playfully.

Nikita smiled at the baby Declan held. "She’s lovely, Declan. She has your coloring."

"She looks just like my Ma," Declan said proudly.

"What’s her name?" asked Michael.

This time Birkoff answered, just as proudly, "Emerant Mairead Birkoff-McLaren."

Nikita’s eyes flashed for a second. "Birkoff-McLaren...hmm..." she said thoughtfully, "sounds like you guys have decided to make things permanent, after all, eh?"

Declan burst out laughing. "I should bloody well think so!"

Birkoff grinned. "She’s just teasing, aren’t you, Nikita?"

Nikita nodded, her blue eyes gleaming mischievously. Michael wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist, though her middle was increasingly difficult to encircle. He rubbed her abdomen affectionately, as if he and Nikita were quite alone, realizing suddenly just how much he let his guard down in front of Birkoff and Declan.

Birkoff cast a playful eye at Michael, but before he could come up with the inevitable snappy retort, Michael cut him off. "I’m bonding," he said, a twinkle in his bright green eyes, just before he kissed his wife’s ear.

Nikita responded by nuzzling her husband’s mouth briefly before breaking away to say, "Honey, not in front of the kids."

Birkoff laughed. "Hey, we’re not that much younger than you guys."

Nikita winked at the young man she considered her younger brother, quipping saucily, "Maybe not me, but my old man here..."

Michael pretended to be outraged at first, but he soon wrapped both arms around Nikita’s neck, pulling her close for a longer, deeper kiss. "That’s not age, it’s experience."

"And on that note, I think we should take Emmy to our room and get her settled," stated Declan firmly, his head suddenly filled with what needed to be done.

Nikita reached out and touched Declan’s wrist. "If you need anything, and you will, please ask. I’ve got tons of baby clothes Faith has outgrown."

"But what if your next little one is a girl, Nikita? Won’t you need them for her?"

"We’ve got more than enough to go around, Declan. Trust me." She looked at her husband. "Do you think we should build a nursery, Michael?"

Michael stared at her until the tiniest of smiles curved his mouth. "I’m afraid to encourage you. You might try to fill it. All by yourself."

Nikita chuckled. "Well, not all by myself, Michael. You are my willing accomplice."

Michael actually blushed.

When they arrived at their room, Declan suddenly realized that they had no place for the baby to sleep. "Sey, where are we going to put Emmy?" The thought of putting her to bed in between them and one of them rolling over on the infant horrified him.

He opened the door, and there, before his stunned but grateful eyes, was the most beautiful sight that ever greeted him in the past week. It was a wooden cradle, not unlike the ones that Walter carved for the twins.

There was a space for the name blocked out, but if he looked really closely, he could see faint pencil markings that spelled out Emerant. Clapping a hand over his mouth, he called to Sey. "Sey! Come look! Who would do this? And how?"

Walter walked into the room, coming to a stop just behind the couple. "That’d be me," he said matter-of-factly.

Declan spun around. "You? But how? How did you know? How could it be done so quickly?"

Walter smiled, his weathered face creasing into a multitude of cracks and crinkles, especially around his eyes. Those twinkling blue eyes still held a vibrancy that belied his years.

"It was almost finished when Neil and Maddy told me the news. I started on it the minute I knew Sugar was pregnant again. Then, when I heard about your new baby, I knew Sugar wouldn’t mind. I mean, where else would you find something for a baby that small to sleep in? On such short notice?"

As usual, Walter managed to sound modest, playing down the generosity of his gesture, even as he took credit for thinking of something very much needed that no one else had remembered.

"And with such craftsmanship, Walter. This is just plain amazing," said Birkoff, near tears that his best friend had demonstrated such love and support for, and belief in, his relationship with Declan. It was a validation on a level he didn’t necessarily expect at this point in his life. But it felt good. No, it felt better than good. It felt wonderful.

Declan cradled the baby in his arms, close enough this time to give her a kiss on the cheek. "Emmy, y’see that darlin’ man over there? The one old enough to be your Granddad?" he said tearfully, indicating Walter.

"Maybe if we ask him real nice...he’ll stand in for your real Granddad. What d’you say, Em?"

Walter was completely surprised by Declan’s request. "I-I don’t know what to say--"

"Say yes, then." Declan forced back the emotion that even now was cresting over him like a wave, but it was there in his eyes, for all of them to see.

"It’s not like I have anyone back home anymore, and--" Declan stopped, finally unable to go on.

Birkoff rubbed Declan’s shoulder, struggling to hold back his own tears. "And we’d really like you to be part of our family, too."

"You’re sure?" Walter asked, a hint of something suspiciously wet in his eyes. He sniffed carelessly, as if he entertained offers like these all the time.

Birkoff hugged Walter as tightly as he could. That was all the answer any of them needed.

Declan shifted the baby to his other arm, glancing at Birkoff expectantly. "Sey?" Holding Emerant out to his partner, Declan waited impatiently until Birkoff released his grip on the former Section munitions expert.

Birkoff accepted the baby from Declan, only too happy to have another chance to hold her. "Hi, honey," he whispered.

Meanwhile, Declan embraced Walter with a ferocity that took both of them aback. "You’re worth ten of my Da, Walter," Declan murmured, another unexpected admission.

Walter held onto Declan for long moments, somehow sensing that he needed physical contact with someone he considered to be family right now. "Ah, you’re still my favorite potato-head, but don’t let it spoil you," he said gruffly.

After Walter took his leave of the couple, they found themselves alone with Emerant once more. But this time, it didn’t feel frightening at all. It felt like the beginning of an exhilarating journey.

"Dec," Birkoff said, an enigmatic expression on his boyish face.

"Yeah?"

"Emmy does need to be changed." Birkoff wiped at the damp spot on his arm, his mouth forming a moue of distaste. Declan’s silvery-grey eyes, so like his new daughter’s, danced merrily at his lover’s predicament.

"Neil must have diapers. I’ll just run over and see what he’s got for us."

Birkoff rocked the tiny russet-haired baby side to side, savoring the scent of her, as if it were the most exclusive fragrance available. "Why do babies always smell so good?"

Declan rolled his eyes. "You just said she needs to be changed. She couldn’t possibly smell so good."

Birkoff broke into a wide smile. "But she does, Declan." He held her still for Declan’s inspection, and Declan dutifully sniffed at the latest addition to the family.

Using that task as an excuse to steal a kiss from his lover, Declan chuckled when Birkoff appeared startled. Declan kissed his cheek, rubbing his unshaven face against Birkoff’s, the two rough surfaces abrading each other with the resounding noise of sandpaper.

"Sey, I can’t believe we’re a family now." The awe in Declan’s voice was real.

Emerant gurgled contentedly as she slept in Birkoff’s arms. "Dec, we were always a family. We just found the most important member, that’s all."

Declan stroked Birkoff’s hair with the back of his fingers, reveling in the silken feel of it, before moving on to caress his cheek. "You’re the most important member of this family, Sey. Without you, none of this would’ve happened."

Birkoff unconsciously pressed his face against the palm of Declan’s hand. "This is the most beautiful moment of my life."

His dark eyes greedily memorizing every plane of Declan’s face, Birkoff’s voice thickened as he continued. "No, wait, the most beautiful moment was the first time you told me you loved me."

"Sey...."

"Or maybe it was the first time you kissed me."

Declan kissed him, their brand-new daughter seemingly cooing her approval.

"Then there was the first time you made love to me," Birkoff said softly, wishing there were some way to convey to Declan just how many good memories he had bestowed upon him. So rare, such gifts. Especially to someone with Birkoff’s talent for recalling the past, in all its troubling detail.

"What about when I asked you to marry me, Sey?" Declan nuzzled Birkoff’s neck, feasting on his sweetness.

Birkoff smiled shyly at his lover. "Did you? I don’t remember that one, Dec. How did it go?"

"Come marry me, love, and be my wife," Declan murmured against his mouth before he kissed him again.

Birkoff sighed, feeling Emerant protest the constriction of the embrace that held her. "I did...I am...I do love you, Declan."

"Ta gra agam duit."

When Declan returned, Neil’s care package in tow, he couldn’t believe his eyes. There lay Birkoff, sprawled across their bed. An inviting picture, to be sure. Especially since his shirt was off. But wait....there was something wrong with that picture.

Ensconced upon Birkoff’s chest, Emerant gurgled incoherently, her tiny fists waving in the air intermittently. Naked except for a makeshift diaper Birkoff somehow made out of one of Walter’s old bandanas.

"Now that’s a sight, mavourneen."

Birkoff looked startled, then smiled. "I cleaned her up, and I used one of the older bandanas Walter gave me as a diaper. I didn’t think he’d mind. It’s all in a good cause."

"Just the same, I wouldn’t go telling him unless he asks," Declan said dryly.

"She looks so comfortable." As if in answer, the baby yawned and went back to sleep.

"I would be, too, if you let me drape across you that way. I have to say, the little one has awfully good taste."

"You don’t mind?" Birkoff asked, strangely unsure of himself now that he was back in uncharted territory. Birkoff looked so worried, but his concerns were completely unfounded. Declan loved the way his new daughter took to Birkoff. "How could I mind?" he asked. "You’re her Mom, aren’t you, love?"

Birkoff smiled, his dark eyes glinting warmly. "I think she likes me," he said softly.

Declan put down the package he was carrying and sat down on the bed. "And why not?"

He lay down next to them, his hands forming a pillow for his head, his magnificent hair spilling across the bed linens. "I should go warm up some formula..."

"Should we come with you?"

"We...I like the sound of that, but no, don’t disturb Emmy. She looks so sweet."

"Did you take off your shirt so she couldn’t spit up on you?" Declan asked Birkoff.

"No...I read about how it’s real important for the baby to have skin to skin contact as early as possible. You know, for bonding." Birkoff sounded so dear, his face at once so serious and so intent. Declan just wanted to kiss the life out of him.

Declan nestled against Birkoff’s body, lying on his stomach, his chin on Birkoff’s wrist. "Can I have a turn then, seeing as how I’m her Da?"

He sat up to remove his shirt and casually tossed it onto the floor. No sooner had Declan resumed his position at Birkoff’s side, but Birkoff kissed him.

"What’s that for?" Declan asked, a grin on his lips.

"For thinking of having Emmy call me Daddy," Birkoff said in a choked voice that might have been a whisper at some point.

Declan sobered at once. "Ah, Sey, you have such goodness in you, you deserve at least a little bit of it back, don’t you think?" With that, Declan bent his head and claimed his lover’s mouth possessively.

He sighed and nuzzled Birkoff’s neck. "Dun do bheal, do bheilin meala," he muttered, his lips lightly brushing his partner’s.

"Ummm....what’s all that mean?"

Declan chuckled low in his throat, the vibration racing through Birkoff’s body like curious electricity. "Shut your mouth, your honey-mouth," he whispered. "And before you ask, yes, your honey-mouth belongs to me. Just like all the rest of you."

He nudged his lover’s lips apart with his tongue and gently sipped at him, a feat that earned him further entrance.

Emerant made a polite sound that might have been a gurgle, but certainly wasn’t a judgment. She was too young to have an opinion on true love, but she definitely felt surrounded by an aura of tenderness and devotion, the likes of which she had never seen before.

Birkoff’s ear caught the noise, his eyes automatically drawn to where the baby lay. But Declan pulled him delicately back to him, his long, slender fingers splaying across Birkoff’s face. "I love you, Sey. I just wanted you to know that having a baby hasn’t changed how I feel about you."

Birkoff picked up the sleeping baby and tenderly lay her across Declan’s chest. He couldn’t resist touching her one last time, however, something that did not go unnoticed by his partner.

Declan agreed with him. Her skin was satiny-smooth, to the touch of his roughened fingertips. He would have kissed her, but he knew his beard had grown beyond a five o’clock shadow. Still, he stroked her little back as she slept on top of him.

"Should we wake her to feed her?"

Declan shook his head. "She’ll let us know when she’s damn good and ready to eat."

"She’s so small, but so precious," Birkoff said, admiring the way father and daughter fit together.

Declan gazed back at him lovingly. "Just goes to show you what wonderful things come in small packages."

Declan shook himself with an effort to stay awake. He didn’t want to fall asleep with the baby. Frowning, he wondered what had caught his attention. A noise. Almost a whimper.

Glancing at Birkoff, who was snuggled tightly against his side, he said, "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?" Birkoff asked sleepily.

There it was again. A plaintive sound. Almost like a sniffle.

Suddenly a bright head appeared at the end of the bed. Faith. Birkoff sat up with a cry. "Fee! How did you get in here?"

Faith shrieked and ran to the door, crying, but Birkoff leaped out of bed and tackled the toddler before she could leave. "Were you in the secret passages again, Fee? You know that’s off limits!"

Faith pushed her fist into her mouth and chewed on it anxiously, her big green eyes drenched with tears. Birkoff’s heart broke. "Ah, sweetie, it’s okay. I’m not that angry with you. I just don’t want to see you get hurt."

"Unca Sey still love Fee?" she asked tentatively.

"Of course, I still love you, Fee! What--ohhh...." He traded concerned looks with Declan.

"Come here, sweetie."

He held his arms out invitingly, but Faith refused to budge, eyeing him with a glare that would have taken down a lesser man. "No!"

"Fee...."

"No!"

She shook her head furiously, her mouth set mutinously. "No, no, no!"

She scrambled to the edge of the bed next to Birkoff, her eyes growing wide at the sight of the new baby. "You gots baby, too?" she said with a strangled sound.

Birkoff grabbed Faith and swung her up into his arms. Flailing her arms and legs, she was all set to have a temper tantrum, but he managed to evade most of her blows, wrapping his arms around her tightly. She gave Birkoff one last, by now feeble punch with her fist, hitting him in the shoulder.

"Sweetie, what are you so angry about?"

"Mom-mom gots baby in her tummy."

Birkoff nodded. "And Mommy explained that to you, Fee. Right?"

Faith sniffled, tears coursing down her cheeks. "She no love Fee no more. She gots new baby."

"Fee, your Mommy still loves you. The new baby isn’t going to replace you."

"Maybe me bad. She want new baby."

Birkoff sighed. "Oh, Fee...no, honey. Mommy loves you just the way you are, even when you’re bad."

Her green eyes flickered back and forth, just like her father’s, considering. "She no make Fee go away?"

The look of absolute terror in her eyes resonated within Birkoff. He knew where he’d seen that look before. In his own eyes. As a child. When he felt abandoned. But unlike him, Faith had no reason to feel that way. Surrounded by loving parents, doting uncles, dotty grandparents, and the odd assortment of friends that peopled their family, Faith had every reason to feel secure and well-loved.

The problem was, she was spoiled as well as headstrong. But since her will was one of the things he admired most in the little girl, Birkoff wasn’t about to try and change her personality.

"No, sweetie, no one is going to make you go away."

"Maybe she like new baby better."

"Fee, it doesn’t work that way, honey. Babies are so special to their mommies and daddies, they stay with them all the time, until they grow up."

"F’ver and f’ver?" she asked, a quiver in her voice.

"Well, until they grow up. And that won’t be for a really, really long time."

"When me big girl?"

"Yes, sweetie, when you’re a big girl." He brushed her hair back affectionately.

Still not completely convinced there was nothing to worry about from Emerant, however, Faith looked over Birkoff’s shoulder. "She nice?"

Birkoff kissed Faith’s cheek. "Yes, Fee, she’s very nice."

She touched her face where Birkoff kissed her. "Me nice?"

Birkoff nodded solemnly. "Yes, Fee."

Faith pursed her lips, her cheeks still bearing the traces of her tears, but drying slowly. "You gonna be wif her alla time? No play wif Fee?"

"She’s so little, she’s going to need me a lot more than you do right now. But I will always make time for you, Fee, and I will always love you."

Faith didn’t like sharing. It was her most un-favorite thing. But she hated being separated from the people she loved even more. That was bad. Icky bad. She was getting to be a big girl soon. Mommy said.

"Mommy said...she be my mommy...f’ver. You be Unca Sey f’ver too?"

"Forever and ever, Fee."

Declan watched in complete wonderment at how skillfully Birkoff handled Faith’s concerns. He managed to support her without giving her false reassurance. He only hoped to do half as well with Emerant.

"And Daddy be my Daddy? F’ver?"

"Absolutely."

"Can she talk?"

"Not yet. She’s just a tiny baby."

Faith struggled to get out of Birkoff’s embrace, and he put her down on the floor. She ran around the side of the bed, trying to get a closer look at the new baby. Attempting not to dislodge Emmy from her perch atop him, Declan held the baby to his chest as he sat up.

He stroked the baby’s back gently with a couple of fingers. "Fee, would you like to see the baby?"

Faith pretended a disinterest she didn’t feel, but gradually, her natural curiosity overcame her desire to remain aloof. Hooking one finger in the side of her mouth, Faith studied the infant. "Can she walk?"

"Nope, she’s too little."

Suddenly Faith beamed. "Me can do bof!"

Birkoff said, "That’s cause you’re almost a big girl, Fee. Would you like to help out Uncle Dec and me?"

"Wif what?" Faith said, suspiciousness back in her eyes, her tone guarded.

"Stuff only big girls can do. Could you bring me a diaper from that bag over there?"

Obediently scuttling across the floor to the tote Neil packed for the baby, Faith opened it, pulling out a disposable diaper. "Dis?"

Birkoff nodded. Taking the diaper from Faith, he added, "Fee, we could use some help with the baby. She’s so little, she doesn’t know how to do anything. Do you think you could be like a big sister?"

She hopped restlessly from foot to foot, her bright head flashing under the room light. "What dat?"

Birkoff’s dark chocolate eyes gleamed mischievously. "It means that the big girl gets to tell the little girl what to do. Like you do with Chris."

Faith stopped hopping immediately. "Me tell her what to do?"

Birkoff nodded. "But you can never ever do anything to hurt her. Do you understand?"

Faith regarded her uncle with something akin to incredulity. "Me no hurt no one! Me good girl!"

"Okay, Fee. It’s time for you to go on back to bed." Squinting at his watch, Birkoff could barely make out the time to be around 11 PM.

Faith automatically headed for the carefully hidden entrance to the secret passage, but Birkoff forestalled her. "Not so fast, princess. Let’s go out the door this time."

Faith cast a mysterious look at her uncle. Grown-ups were so funny. Didn’t they know rules were made to be broken?

Declan was just putting Emerant into her new cradle when Birkoff returned. He glanced over his shoulder at his partner. "Did you tell Nikita what Faith said?"

Birkoff’s expression was cryptic. "Umm...."

Declan laughed as he shook his head, his long red curls falling into sensual disarray. "You didn’t! You snuck the little munchkin back into bed without saying a word, didn’t you?"

"I’ll tell her, Dec." Pause. "Over breakfast." Birkoff gave his lover a sheepish grin. "What can I say, I’m a sucker for a pretty face?"

Declan looked thoughtful, his eyelids sliding slowly down to cover his darkening grey eyes for a moment. He didn’t say a word. But Birkoff knew what he was thinking. He drew one finger down Declan’s unshaven cheek, hearing the soft rasp of his whiskers against his nail. "You need a shave," Birkoff said significantly.

"Or what? I’m not pretty enough for you?" Declan said almost defiantly.

Birkoff’s dark eyes flashed in response. "You’re too pretty as it is."

"That’s a helluva thing to say to me." Yet he seemed more excited than angered.

"It’s true, though." Birkoff’s gaze dropped to Declan’s mouth. Declan swallowed in anticipation.

Birkoff felt a curious flutter just beneath his shoulder blades, and he supposed that his heart was literally reacting to the idea of making love to Declan. He traced a finger across his lover’s mouth, almost tugging at Declan’s lower lip. "I need to shave, too."

Declan gracefully extended both index fingers, drawing them against Birkoff’s normally smooth skin. Birkoff closed his eyes briefly, savoring the feel of Declan’s fingertips on him. "Aye, you’re right," he conceded, sounding almost disappointed.

"We’re both almost out on our feet, Dec."

"I know." Still, he stroked Birkoff’s cheeks with both hands. Slowly.

Birkoff chuckled. "If you want me, you can have me. But I might not be awake for the finale."

"You wouldn’t dare fall asleep in my arms," Declan said. "Well, not before the good parts, anyway," he added, his eyes suddenly sparkling like the palest of champagne.

"Mmm...and you always make sure there are good parts," Birkoff sighed. "But I need to shower, too. By the time I get out, you’ll be long gone."

"How the hell long can a freaking shower take, for God’s sake?" Declan ground out in frustration.

Birkoff shrugged. Declan stepped into Birkoff’s space, his knee gently working its way between his partner’s legs. Still bare-chested, Declan pulled both of Birkoff’s hands down his body to the top of his jeans. He unsnapped the top, guiding Birkoff inside the jeans until the zipper slowly slid apart under the weight of their combined hands.

Declan placed one of his lover’s hands on his arousal. "Just thought I’d give you something to think about. Maybe it’ll speed up your shower," he said flirtatiously.

They were both almost painfully aware of each other. It had been a long, emotionally draining day. At times endless, nevertheless, it came to a close with a resolution that filled both their hearts with joy. In a way, despite his very real state of near-exhaustion, Declan needed to bury himself inside Birkoff and celebrate life.

"I won’t be long," Birkoff whispered, as if reading Declan’s mind. Which was entirely possible. Birkoff’s intuition was growing sharper by the day, and at times, he could be almost cannily accurate.

"But if I’m not out in ten, you have my permission to drag me out, kicking and screaming." Birkoff grinned saucily, his mouth suddenly too dry to be comfortable.

"You can count on it," Declan declared.

Birkoff trailed a hand over Declan’s bare chest as he moved past him. Declan grabbed his wrist, his grip so tight, it almost hurt. He stared at Birkoff for the briefest moment, then seized his mouth, biting at it until it was quite swollen.

As a result, they both ached. But it was not an unpleasant feeling. Yet.

Birkoff walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. For a moment, he considered abandoning all finesse and just throwing himself upon the raging fire that was Declan. But taking things more slowly to their logical conclusion could be infinitely more arousing.

After he started the shower, he disrobed quickly. Taking the shaving cream into the shower, he soaped his face and neck before applying the disposable razor to both. Although he was not into the more perverse ways people had devised of torturing each other, sometimes quite literally, with quite painful results, Birkoff admitted he enjoyed the sensual feel of the razor dragging against his whiskered skin.

Putting the razor into the wastebasket, he stepped into the shower spray, feeling its hard sting scrub the lather from his now-smooth face. Birkoff stepped closer to the spray, his eyes shut, encountering an unexpected obstacle. His hand fell to his side, suddenly useless.

It was Declan. Unable to wait another moment for his lover, Declan joined him in the shower. Birkoff opened his eyes. The sight that greeted him was a veritable feast for his hungry gaze. "Dec..."

Naked, Declan stood directly under the shower head, the water coursing down his body, drenching every inch of him. He shook his head, and his now-wet hair, thick and sodden, clung to his shoulders and chest. Rubbing his eyes with his hands, he leaned back into the spray, savoring the feel of the water, at once hard and soft. Like him.

Birkoff stared at him in awe. The way the water caressed Declan’s body, sculpting his curves and angles in a greedy, almost rapacious manner, was arousing. He was so beautiful. And he belonged to him. No one else.

Birkoff uttered only one word, "Wait," before leaving the shower for a moment. Returning seconds later with another razor, he carefully lathered shaving cream upon Declan’s face and neck. "Let me," he begged.

Declan’s eyes fairly glittered as they took in the hot, wanton look on his lover’s face. "Go ahead," he breathed.

Birkoff’s hands moved quickly and familiarly over Declan’s skin. In mere minutes, the heavy layer of dark red stubble that covered Declan’s face was removed. Birkoff applied himself with equal vigor to the growth on Declan’s neck and was done.

When he drew the razor across Declan’s silken skin for the very last time, he stopped and admired his handiwork. "God, you are so beautiful."

In response, Declan removed the razor from Birkoff’s hand and threw it, where it landed with a clatter in the sink. Moving in on Birkoff like a predatory animal, Declan reversed their positions, pushing Birkoff under the hot, stinging spray of the shower. Giving a yip, Birkoff strove mightily to shove the thick, wet hair out of his face, his eyes temporarily blinded.

Raking both hands through his hair, Birkoff finally stood there, his chest half-lathered with soap. Declan’s mouth curved in a faint smile as his eyes darkened with passion. "I want us always to remember this night, y chree."

"Then make it so we can never forget, Dec," Birkoff whispered.

In a blur of arms and legs, Declan possessed his lover. Driving him back against the wall of the shower, Declan pushed his way through the water, its wet, slippery feel making contact between them even more arousing. Panting in his lover’s ear, Declan growled, "You want me?"

Birkoff flung his head back, exposing the tender flesh of his throat and neck. His arms braced against Declan’s chest for support, Birkoff cried out, above the sound of the water, "Yes!"

Declan placed a hand on either side of his partner’s head, his mouth seeking and searching for buried treasures of unspeakable longing. "Give me your honey-mouth, Sey."

Unbearably aroused, Birkoff whimpered, "Please."

Declan bit at the word and the entreaty encaptured within, his mouth claiming what was rightfully his. Moving against his lover with increasing speed and fervor, he struggled to hold back, but could not. Completion burst over them like a fire breaking through a firewall. Declan’s hands tightened on Birkoff’s neck, then fell away.

Still breathing hard, Declan buried his face against his lover’s in much the same way he had sheathed his body within him. Declan could feel Birkoff’s mouth against his eyelids, kissing him, caressing him. He raised his head to look at him, then sighed as he rubbed his cheek against his. They were still joined. But it was not an uncomfortable feeling.

"I love you, Sey. Sometimes I wish...."

"What? What do you wish, Dec?" Birkoff said lovingly.

"That there were other words. Better words. It doesn’t feel like enough." Declan kissed him, his lips tenderly grazing Birkoff’s.

"It’s never enough. That’s why it’s never over. It can never be over until we’ve discovered all the words."

Declan smiled. "And used every bloody one of them, too."

Birkoff sighed contentedly as the water sluiced the evidence of their lovemaking away. "Guess we’d better go to bed before all the hot water’s gone."

"Now who would be taking a shower at this hour? Except us?" Declan chuckled as he nuzzled Birkoff’s neck.

"I don’t know, but trust me....there’s always someone."

Truer words were never spoken. When Neil couldn’t sleep, he decided to try a nice, relaxing shower. Cold water is seldom relaxing. Especially in the dead of winter.

They could hear him cursing all the way down the hall. Giggling like Faith and Chris, Declan and Birkoff dried each other off as quickly as possible, racing to get under the covers in bed. Declan pulled the covers up to Birkoff’s chin and kissed him. "Now hurry up and sleep fast, love."

"Why?" Birkoff said, certain he already knew the answer.

"Cause the quicker that morning comes, the quicker we can go out and buy Emmy everything her little heart desires."

Birkoff giggled. "You’re going to be worse than me when it comes to spoiling her." He emphasized the next word. "Da."

Declan laughed, the sound carefree and buoyant, as if half the things that normally riddled Declan’s soul with guilt were gone. Then on a more serious note, Declan said, "As much as I love her already...you are the love of my life, Sey."

Birkoff snuggled closer, laying his head in its accustomed place, over Declan’s heart. "And you’re mine, Dec. Always and forever."