Date: Sat, 10 May 2003 00:22:09 +1000 From: J Raen Subject: Only When I Sleep Chapter 7 Gay Male Beginnings CHAPTER SEVEN "Good morning viewers, it is a beautiful day, 27 C and the sun is shining." The announcer babbled. Josh stood in his kitchen for the news. He could still hear Patrick in the shower singing along, he didn't have a bad voice either. Josh sighed and inhaled deeply. "This is it.I'm here." He thought to himself. Josh heard the water stop. He focused back on the television. "Our top stories at the moment, a heat wave has engulfed Europe, causing searing temperatures across the EU. Chairman Van Der Bien will make a statement later today, at 5:00pm Eastern Daylight Time. The Legislative Assembly is due to vote upon the most controversial act in 15 years. The Assembly will decide later today if it can approve the creation of the clone bank for human body parts. The major five political parties are all split 50/50 according to polls, but both sides will have the opportunity to vote later today." "Morning Joshie." Patrick said, emerging from the bathroom in a towel. Patrick came up behind Josh and kissed him on the neck, wrapping his huge arms around him. "Good morning." Josh replied, smiling. "Hey, about Christmas, I can't go with you to your parents thing. As much as I'd like to protect my.boyfriend from his family, I've been rostered on at the hospital and I can't get out of it." Patrick said softly, still hugging Josh from behind. "Huh.Ok.But really, how many people have injuries on Christmas that aren't related to overeating in some way, shape or form?" Josh countered semi-seriously. "Quite a few." "That's ok. I understand." The obnoxiously loud phone interrupted Josh. Patrick grabbed it off the table; Josh sighed when the hug finished. "Hello?" Patrick said as he answered. "Yes? Who is this?" a female voice asked. "Dr Patrick Raffe. Can I help you?" "Yes I'm looking for Joshua. Has their been an accident or something? I'm his mother." The lady replied curtly. "No he's fine. In fact, he's right here, I'll just put him on." Patrick handed Josh the phone and went back into the Kitchen to make some breakfast. "Hi Mum. What's up?" Josh asked casually into the phone "Hello. Don't you 'what's up' me young man. Who was that.young man that answered the phone?" His mother enquired. "Oh Patrick? Um.well he's my.um.doctor." Josh then coughed non-convincingly into the phone. He could practically see his mother purse her lips disapprovingly through the cable of the phone. Patrick scurried off to the bedroom to change into something that wasn't a bathrobe. "Mum, I can't stay.What's the reason for your call?" Josh asked quickly. "I wanted to know if you would grace us with your presence on Christmas Day at Auntie Georgina's. Patrick snuck back in wearing some of Josh's clothes. He resumed his hugging position and started stroking Josh's back softly with his hand. Josh leaned back into Patrick's embrace, getting so distracted that his mother heard silence for 10 seconds. "Yeah. Right. To tell you the truth I don't really want to go all that much really so." He was interrupted by his mother's droning "Well frankly I think that is unacceptable. We haven't seen you for three months and now you are attempting to avoid us at Christmas? I don't think so." "Look, I gotta go buy milk.I'll talk to you later! Bye!" Josh said and hung up before she could reply. "Bloody hell, that woman is horrible sometimes," Josh said softly to Patrick, who was still hugging him. "You wanna talk about it?" Patrick asked softly. "Maybe later. Right now we have to discuss Christmas as in presents, which leads to my favourite part of the holidays.Shopping!" Josh said, turning around and looking at Patrick's blue eyes. "Well, all I want for Christmas.Is you." Patrick said with a small smile on his face. Patrick continued, "What would you like?" "I don't know. Clothes. A Holiday. Quiet time for relaxation and fixing your terrible terrible garden." Josh said with a smirk on his face. "Well some are do-able." Patrick replied "I've always wanted a little puppy or kitten, but I can't afford one at the moment." "Well I actually want to buy a new house." Patrick replied looking Josh in the eyes seriously. "Really? Why? What's wrong with your apartment?" Josh asked, puzzled. "Well, I know its big, but I feel like we are going to need some space, you know for future additions." Patrick said seriously. "God. Are you sure? I mean, it's a pretty big step." Josh replied "Joshie, I've only been certain of two things in my life. Firstly, that I wanted to be a doctor. Secondly, that I love you with all my heart. I don't know what's ahead or around the corner. But I do know that I love you." "I love you too." Josh replied as he looked into Patrick's magnificent eyes. "Are you sure?" Josh asked nervously "Without a doubt." Patrick answered with a small smile. Josh leant over and brought him into a brief kiss, savouring the feelings of Patrick's tongue and lips over his own. "I can tell Joshie, this is going to be the start of something big." "You promise?" Josh asked "Count on it." Patrick said as he got up, took Josh's hand and walked into the bedroom. Constructive Criticism is most welcome. Flames will be ignored J Thankyou to all of the people who send messages of encouragement. Thankyou very much for everything, Chapter Eight should be posted soon, if all goes well. This is my first post in almost a year.let's hope I've still got it. My e-mail address is as always, raen_j@hotmail.com Thanks, J. Copyright 2002-2003