A Year Gone By

Co-authors: Jo and Carol.

Characters: Jack, Jason and Billy

Jay was getting a little worried; his and Jack's first anniversary was in a few weeks, and he had not yet found the perfect gift to give his lover on their special day. Jack didn't need anything, and, if he did, he could afford to just go out and buy it for himself. Also, Jack only wore a certain cologne and the last time Jay looked, Jack had plenty of it. Besides, even working two part time jobs, Jay couldn’t afford them either.

He wasn't paying much mind to what he was doing, until the wrench slipped and he slammed his knuckles down onto the garage floor. "Dammit!" Jay yelled, sliding the wrench across the floor. Then he brought his hand to his mouth, sucking on his fingers for a few minutes, until he saw his boss and friend giving him a goofy smile. "Sorry," he told Billy, as he gave his hand a good shake, and going over to get the wrench from under the work bench.

"You've been chewing on something all afternoon," Billy said. "I can hear your muttering all the way over here. What's up? 'Fess up, before another tool pays the price."

Jay gave his friend a crooked smile. "Just trying to figure out what to get Jack for our first year anniversary; it's in a couple weeks, and I have not a clue what to get him," Jay told him, as he sat the wrench and other tools on the top of the tool box. "Any idea on what to get a man who has everything?" he asked, while rolling his neck around to get the kinks out.

Billy got a dreamy look in his eyes. "Make a voucher book," he suggested. "I've got one of various sex positions, and Mason and I use them regularly. I've had some really mind blowing sex with those vouchers."

Jay let out a laugh. "Nah, we got that book already. I was trying to think of something more personal," he said, rolling a screwdriver back and forth. "And since I set the kitchen on fire, Champagne is out of the question." Jay gave Billy a sly grin. "This just totally fucking sucks man!" Jay let out a frustrated breath.

"Can't help you, man," Billy said. "Our wedding anniversary is coming up, and I have the same problem. If I didn't think Mason would blow sky high, I might get a tattoo dedicated to him."

"You're a big help," Jay laughed, giving Billy a light push toward his truck. "I'll think of something, I hope," he said, shaking his head to get the memory of his own tats out. Jay was surprised that Billy didn't ask about the fire, since he's a fireman's brat, and he's just plain nosey.

********

Jack was thinking just as hard as his Brat was. He wanted to make a big deal out of the anniversary, but he just wasn't sure what to do. He'd done the jewelery thing enough times now. He twirled the ring Jay had given him at Christmas, andlooked at it. He smiled slowly, and thought to himself, "Champagne is, hopefully, going to be needed."

********

Jay helped Billy close up the shop. "See you Saturday," he yelled out, as he grabbed his mountain bike and headed home to his lover. When he got home he saw his "prize" standing by the work table. As he slipped in behind him, he placed his hands over Jack's eyes and rubbed his crotch again his man. "Guess who, handsome," he whispered, in a seductive, almost feminine voice.

Jack laughed. "Let me see," he said. He pretended to think for a moment, and then said, "I guess it's Jay, my beloved Brat."

Jay gently bit Jack's neck, and then sucked the spot for a moment. He placed his chin on Jack's shoulder, and looked at the work station. "What are you working on?" he asked, giving Jack another kiss to his neck.

"Just designing a bracelet for an old customer," he replied, stretching, and turning his head enough to kiss Jay. He thoroughly explored Jay's mouth. "Like it?" he asked, coming up for air.

"Yeah, it's cool," Jay told him, licking his lips. Jack's design signature gave Jay an idea. "So how was your day?" he asked, letting Jack go, and headed into the kitchen to raid the fridge for a snack before dinner. Finding something ofinterest, he shoved it into his mouth. "When are we supposed to get the stove?" he asked, around a mouth full of chicken salad.

"It's being delivered and installed tomorrow," Jack replied. "That's why there's ham, tomatoes, and potato salad for dinner. I'll christen it with roast beef," he grinned at Jay; just like out first dinner together."

Jay smiled; he remembered that night like it was just the other day. "Can you believe it's been a year, already?" Jay said, grabbing a small cupcake, as he shut the door. "So, my love, what do you want for that special day," he asked, turning around to see the man he loved.

"Well, I do have an idea," Jack replied, "but you need to be sitting down for it." Jack watched his lover sit down on the sofa, and swallowed nervously. He walked over and went down on one knee in front of Jay. "I love you, and I wanteverybody to know it," he said, as he watched Jay's eyes widen. "Jason Copeland, will you marry me?"

Jay's eyes almost popped out of their sockets Whhhhhhat!" he stuttered. This came out of nowhere; he loved Jack more than life. If he said 'yes,' would it work out, or would it fall apart, like the rest of the Copelands. If he said 'no,' would he lose Jack for the rest of his life? Tears fell fast, as Jay stood to his feet. "I can't; I'm sorry," he said, as he bolted from the building. Jay ran as fast as he could; he didn't stop until he reached the house of his friend, Billy, and began banging on the door. "Billy, open up! Please open the door," Jay yelled, as he banged on the closed door.

Jack was slightly stunned. He cursed himself as he remembered Jay's experience with marriages. "Damn," he muttered. He stopped; his first impulse was to run after his Brat. "He'll be back, and then we can talk together."

Billy opened the door. "Where's the fire?" he asked, a cheeky grin on his face. He turned serious when he saw Jay's face. "Come in," he said. "Sit down; I'll go get you a drink. Mountain Dew, right?"

Jay looked around the room; letting out a breath, he didn't see Mason anywhere; he sat where Billy indicated "He wants to marry me," Jay blurted out, as Billy went to get the drink. When Billy returned, Jay's face was buried in his hands, and his body shook with sobs.

"Why are you crying?" Billy asked, confused. "I love being married to Mason. It was the best day of my life, so far."

Jay looked up at him and blinked. Taking the drink that was offered to him, he downed half of it in one swallow. "Because I am scared," he said in a whisper.

"Why? You love Jack; he loves you. It's not a trick question, you know," Billy said, calmly.

"You don't know how much I love Jack," Jay said with a smile. From the first time I saw him, I knew he'd be mine." He flopped back against the sofa. "Every time a Copeland man gets married, his marriage falls apart in a few years. That's why Shane and Sara never got married; they've been together since '95. Also, all my uncles that got married got divorced. My uncle who lives with his partner…they've been together for a long time. I don't want it to end; I amhappy with the way things are going. I don't want it to end. I can't bear to lose him."

Billy just looked at him. "Why do you think you will lose him? It's obvious he's crazy in love with you, too. He wouldn't have asked you to marry him if he didn't. Tell me; are his parents divorced?"

Jay just looked up at him, and blinked. "No," he said, as he took a handful of tissues to wipe his eyes. "What's that got to do with it; it's the Copeland name that's jinxed; not McCullum," he said, as Billy was wondering what was really on Jay's mind.

"So when you marry him, you lose the Copeland name?" Billy replied. "He believes marriage is for life, because that's what his parents have taught him. You just have to believe and trust him."

"I do trust him," Jay said. He had to trust him in this type of relationship. "I didn't think of it like that. I forgot mine would be the one to change, not his," he said, standing up. "Thanks. You've helped more then you know." He reached out and his friend into a hug. When he let go, he looked down at something rubbing against his leg. "Is that the kitten we saved?" he asked, looking at it.

Billy winced slightly. "Yes, her name is Biscuit, short for Ginger Biscuit," he said. "She's really sweet." Thomas sauntered in, and started to weave between Billy's legs. "I guess it's dinner time," he said. "I'd better make sure I eatso I can answer Mason truthfully when he asks if I've eaten." He gave Jay a shy smile. "He's not an ogre, but when I get involved with things, I forget to eat, and he says he likes his husband to have some meat on his bones."

"OK, well, I've got to get back home. Thanks." Jay let himself out, and shivered slightly as his bare feet touched the ground, `Jack is not going to be happy' he thought, as he headed home.

The walk was not that long, but long enough for him to get his thoughts together. As he walked up to the building, he saw his lover standing in the window. Letting out a breath he climbed the stairs, hoping this would not end badly.

"Hi, there," Jack said, as Jay entered the loft. His eyes raised a bit when he realized Jay had no shoes or socks on, but bit his tongue. There were more important things to be discussed. "Do you want to talk about what happened?" he asked Jay. "I have to admit I forgot about your experience with weddings."

Jay was in his arms in a second. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to freak out like that. I would love to marry you, but…," Jay bit his lower lip to keep it from quivering. He took a deep breath, hoping his world would not come crashing down around him. "I just can't right now," he told him, laying his forehead on his lover's chest.

"That's fine, love," Jack replied gently, "It changes nothing. I still love you, and nothing will ever change that. Whether we're married or not, it doesn't matter. I just thought it might make you feel more secure, but obviously I misjudged."

"Why would I not feel secure with our relationship?" Jay asked.

"You keep getting nervous that if you have your own opinion about things, I'm going to turn on you," Jack replied gently. "I see you tense up, and it hurts me a little. I will never turn you away for having a different opinion or view.This is a partnership, sweetheart, not a dictatorship."

"I do not." Jay thought for a minute. "Do I?" he asked, seeing Jack's eyebrows go up a little. "I do?" He muttered. As he laid his head on Jack's shoulder,

"I know, sweetheart," Jack replied softly. "Just believe I will never leave you. I love you and nothing will change that."

"Good, `cause I don't want it to change; I like it just the way it is." Jay told him, giving Jack a soft kiss to his lips."May I ask you something?" he asked.

"Ask away," Jack replied.

"Since nothing has changed, am I still your little slut?" Jay asked, giving his lover a smile, as he trailed a finger up Jack's chest, remembering what Jack called him the first time they made love.

Jack grinned evilly, "Always," he growled. "My slut, my lover, my brat." He pulled Jay's t-shirt up and off, and began to torment the nipples he uncovered.

Jay's hands went for Jack's pants. As he undid Jack's pants, he moved him toward the closest thing, the sofa. He could not help it; as Jack tormented his nipples, he grew hard in his pants.

"Jack, bed or sofa?" he asked, as he and Jack stripped out of their clothes.

"Sofa's nearer," Jack replied, as he took off his pants, displaying his hard cock. Lube was all over the apartment, so he grabbed a bottle from the table. He bent a nearly naked Jay over the end of the sofa, and gently began to prepare him.

"Oh, wow!" Jay moaned into the sofa cushion. Jay knew Jack would take his time, so he would not hurt him. With his own cock throbbing and dripping, Jay gently stroked himself. "I want you in me now!" he hollered, when he felt Jack'sfingers touch his sweet spot.

"Hands off," Jack instructed, capturing Jay's hand. "Only I get to play with that." Jack gently began to play with Jay's cock, smiling when he heard Jay's moans. "Hold on," he breathed into Jay's ear, as he slowly entered his lover.

His breath came out in hard pants when Jack entered him. He could feel his cock throb, and he pushed back. When Jack's cock touched his prostate, he spread his legs a little, giving Jack better access. "Jaaaaaack, please, now, oh, please!" he begged. He needed the orders from his lover, his top. No, Jack was more than that; he was his self-claimed husband.

"Patience is a virtue, my love," Jack whispered into Jay's ear. He rested, still deep in Jay. "Just close your eyes, and feel me slowly move in and out." He set a slow pace, and heard Jay keening as with each slow thrust he hit Jay's sweet spot. He began to increase his pace, and felt himself tighten. "Come now, baby," he ordered, and as Jay began to shoot, he followed.

Jay's knees went weak. "Oh, wow! That was just awesome!" Jay said, as he got his breath back. He slowly turned around, so he would not fall. When he was eye to chin with Jack, he wrapped his arms around Jack's neck, and looked up into his flushed face. "I want your mark," Jay told him. "You design it; we'll get it tattooed on my ass, arm, or anywhere you want it," he said, giving Jack a kiss so hard they both knew it would probably bruise.

"How about we both get it tattooed on our arm?" Jack suggested; his mind was already visualizing a design. "How does a double J sound?"

Jay smiled. "Old English ok with you?" he asked with a smile.

It was a couple of weeks later when the two got the tattoo Jack had designed. "Happy Anniversary, baby," he said, as the two snuggled up together.

"Thank you," Jay told him. "Oh, hey! I forgot to give you your gift. Jay jumped to his feet, and found what he was looking for. He handed Jack a box that looked like it could be a tie. He had to laugh when he saw the funny expression cross Jack's handsome face. He rocked back and forth on the heels of his feet trying not to get to excited, and just rip the paper off himself.

Jack's mouth dropped open when he saw the tickets to the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics to be held in Vancouver in 2010. "It's perfect," he breathed, "I would never buy this for myself." He leaned over and kissed Jay soundly on the lips.

As he sat back, Jay licked his lips,."That's not all. There are also accommodations for four days at the hotel, and a day at an all-male spa, only for you, my love," Jay told him, giving him a hug.

`Thank you Mamma McCullum for giving me the idea,' Jay thought, feeling the warmth of Jack's body against his.

The End