"If you'll excuse us I need to check in at the Barque, I look forward to seeing you later, the table's booked for eight," Theo said standing up.
"Why Adrien?"
"Initially because he looked like a man who needed a friend, then I got to know him, you have an exceptional son Dorothy."
"Yes, we know, we've always been proud of him," Edward replied for both of them.
"I'll change at The Barque mum, save time."
"I'll arrange for a taxi to collect you and bring you home."
"He's sort of used to being in charge," Adrien chortled.
"I merely meant that if no-one's driving we can all enjoy a drink, you did tell me Jonah's has a fair wine list."
"We'll see you there then," Dorothy told them.
Theo drove to the hotel, having not returned the keys to Adrien; the only voice in the car for some time was that of the sat-nav.
"Adrien are you alright?"
"I don't know, I mean I've told my parents but what next, what do I tell people at work, do I tell them
anything
?"
"Go with the 'if they don't ask you don't tell' routine for now, until you decide."
"We're here, up on the left, the car-park's at the back but there's a space or two at the front for use until you've checked in."
The Barque was a fairly small family-run hotel and the locals would say the best in the area.
"Good afternoon, I have a reservation, it should be under the name of Callow Securities," Theo smiled at the pretty blonde receptionist.
She returned Theo's grin,
"I took the booking myself sir, if you'll give me a moment I'll call someone to help with your luggage if you'll sign here please," she turned the visitor book to face him.
"Thank-you Sally," Theo read from her name-tag, "would it be possible to have a bottle of champagne sent up, my partner and I have something to celebrate."
"There's a wine-list in the room sir, our cellar's my father's area of expertise he'll be happy to help."
"Are these your bags sir?" a young man asked as he approached.
"Most of them yes, there's a couple left in the car."
"Let me show you to your room then I'll bring them in and park the car if you'd like."
Adrien had spoken not one word since they'd arrived, he'd still been re-running their time with his parents in his head when he and Theo had walked into the hotel; he'd been about to mention that he'd left his luggage in the car when Theo had referred to Adrien being his partner and it had shocked him further into silence.
"She's thinking
business
partner, the room's in a company name," his logical brain told him.
"Why say it at all?" the part of him which had been hiding until recently asked.
"Which car am I looking for Mister," the young man began to ask as he opened their room door then stopped realising he hadn't been given either man's name.
"Richardson, it's the dark green Mercedes Maybach."
"I'll be as quick as I can sir, the wine-list's on the table by the veranda windows, press zero on the phone Sally will put you through to my father."
"Thank-you Will, you'll need these," Theo passed him the car-keys Adrien noted they were partially wrapped in a ten pound note.
Adrien waited for several heartbeats before he spoke after Will left before he spoke.
"Theo, downstairs you called me your partner, I know Sally will probably take it to mean business partner but you could've warned me when we were in the car that you were going to say it."
"I didn't know I would, when I did I too presumed Sally would opt for the business connection," Theo was clearly amused by Adrien's reaction.
"I was flabbergasted."
"Merely shocked flabbergasted or upset flabbergasted?"
The question made Adrien stop to think,
"Merely shocked, I think."
"So you don't find the idea objectionable?" Theo had come to stand close to Adrien.
"Obviously not."
"If you don't object to the idea does that mean you don't object to the long-term actuality?"
"Not in the least," Adrien spoke as if in a daze.
"Can I take it from that you'd have no objection to us being partners according to the rest of the world, eventually?"
"Er, you're not about to take out a half-page ad in The Sunday Times are you?"
"Actually that may not be such a bad idea, I can see it now, Mister Theo Jepson, businessman and, now that's something I don't know are you a Doctor or a Mister?"
"Professor," Adrien replied automatically.
"So it's Mister Theo Jepson, businessman, and Professor Adrien Leadbeater, cardiac surgeon, are pleased to announce that they are now a couple. All those with objections can keep it to themselves."
"You're crackers, do you know that?" Adrien was barely able to speak for laughing.
"What I do know is that I need to order our champagne, book a taxi for your parents
and
find time to run the bathwater."
"Hint taken, bathwater about to be run."
When Adrien returned to the main room, having undressed and donned a bathrobe, it was obvious that Will had delivered the last of their luggage.
"Champers is on its way, taxi is booked think that's everything."
"No, it's not," Adrien smirked as he crossed the room, when he was only inches away from Theo he carried on, "I think I'd like to actually be
asked
if I want to be your partner and after that there's something else I want."
"Which is?"
"Ah, no, not until I've been asked."
"Are you trying to get all bossy boots on me?"
"Not as such, I simply have certain expectations."
"You're flirting with me again."
"Maybe I am but unless I'm asked you won't know what's behind it."
"Professor Leadbeater, would you care to become my partner, my toy-boy and my lover?" Theo was smiling broadly.
"You know Mister Jepson I rather think I would."
"So what is it you want?"
"Just this," Adrien closed the gap between them and pressed his lips to Theo's, "oh and I wouldn't object to us fucking like rabbits before we go to dinner."
