"Mom! We are home!"
"We?"
"Tom is here."
Trisha gave a nod towards the boys and continued to work on the papers before her. She seemed slightly out of it, but it wasn't Tom's place to question that.
"Hey, mom?"
"Yes dear?"
"Can Tom stay the night?"
"Is Laila okay with that?"
"If she is can he?"
"Sure, why not."
Tord's face brightened into a larger smile and he held Tom's hand even tighter. Tom's gut clenched in joy from the feeling. He felt at home here. And he hoped he always would. However, he needed to retract from Tord to make the call to his Grammy. He slowly pulled his hand away and grasped his phone.
"Hey, Grammy?"
"Yes, dearie?"
"Can I stay at Tord's?"
"Do you boys ever spend time alone."
"Not by choice."
Tom heard a soft laugh on the other side of the line, and then her softly saying yes. Tom nodded to Tord and said goodnight to his guardian. As soon as Tom put the phone back in his pocket he found himself being dragged up the stairs by an eager Tord. Everything about this moment seemed too perfect.
They entered Tord's familiar room and Tom collapsed on the bed. He tried to discreetly breathe in the scent of the love of his life. Tord noticed, but smiled rather than laughing at him. Tom opened his arms wide, letting Tord plop into them.