Page 79 of Peach Tree Family

Chapter 20

Seth had the dinner shift on Sunday so he was free to go with Theo and Ace to the Hayes's for lunch. Before anything was settled, Ace showed no doubt that Seth was going with them, so he figured he better not say no. He put on the green sweater Theo bought him and met up with him and Ace.

He wasn't sure how Theo felt about him going along. He was always guarding his emotions, but Seth was still sure that Theo wasn't happy with him. Sometimes it was like he was mad that Seth left, other times it was like he wanted him to leave. But that didn't mean Seth could stay away.

At the Hayes's, everyone greeted them at the door. The dogs got Seth's attention, but he also told Sam how much he was looking forward to seeing how he made pizza from scratch.

The kids went off inside to watch something, and the guys had a look at the herb and vegetable garden. "We'll be using homemade sauce Sam made from the tomatoes he grew right in this garden," Wyatt bragged, and Seth was amazed at how much pride he always showed in Sam.

Going in, they kept talking about food. Sam mentioned zucchini fritters just as little Riley ran over and he made a tragic face.

"Oh, don't panic. We're making pizza," Sam told him and ruffled his hair.

"Ace is being best friends with DJ. They're watching Ben 10 together," Ry complained.

"You can watch with them too, you know," Sam told him.

"I was watching with them, but now it's a commercial," Riley said.

Both his dads gave him a look, then Wyatt told him, "Better go back before you miss something."

"So little bro is jealous?" Seth said once Riley was gone.

"Boy is he," Wyatt said.

"Were you jealous when your brother played with older kids?" Sam asked him, so Wyatt must have been a younger brother too.

"Oh man, I was such a green eyed little monster. Didn't give him a moment's peace," Wyatt said with a grin.

"I guess you have a possessive streak," Sam said and smiled at him.

"So Riley is feeling excluded?" Theo said. It looked like he was taking it more seriously than Sam and Wyatt did.

"Exclude Ry?" Wyatt thought for a bit. "I doubt that's a thing that can be done."

They all moved into the kitchen as Sam and Wyatt made two pizzas and the rest of them watched, including the kids and the dogs. It didn't take too long since Sam had the dough rising already, but Wyatt made another batch with his help just to show how it was done.

When the pizzas went into the oven, the kids went off to play.

"That was impressive," Theo told Wyatt and Sam.

"Sam taught me everything I know," Wyatt said and put an arm around his husband and pulled him close.

He wasn't shy about showing his love for Sam. They were sure in their love for each other, sure they belonged together no matter how different they were.

"Andiamo ragazzi," Wyatt called out when the pizzas were done.

"He's talking Italian," Ace said as all the kids ran over.

"I teach them a few words now and then," Wyatt said. "I tried German, but it makes Ry crack up. Every time I say something, he ends up rolling on the floor." To show them, Wyatt said a few words in German. Ry started giggling uncontrollably then he rushed at Wyatt and tried to tackle him.

"He's a happy kid," Seth said, smiling at the sight.

"Yeah, I don't know what I was worried about," Theo said.

It turned out that Wyatt knew all those languages because he had lived all over Europe. He told them about it over pizza. "I was happy, but a part of me was lonely too, the part of me that craved family connections and a true, once in a lifetime love." Wyatt smiled at Sam and the boys. Sam returned the smile then leaned over and kissed him.

At that moment, Seth made sure not to look at Theo but he was deeply aware of him.

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