A Fine Young Man
That week, after Paris everything began to shift. Dean adjusted his life in Notting Hill to accommodate Jamie’s coming in from Primrose Hill. Jamie delicately moved his belongings in like a little bird organising it’s nest. Dean silently shook his head and laughed, he wanted to shake him. Just come in with your chaos and make yourself at home. He hoped Jamie would eventually get it.
Dean was notoriously clean and tidy and set in his ways. However, friends had commented in recent weeks that it was as if Jamie had bewitched him. Expecting him to still put things right, tidy things up, correct things, straighten things. But he didn’t care anymore. His eyes were elsewhere. Always on his wild boy. Everything was a different kind of perfect now.
It was a change friends and family clasped at chests over. Looks observed between them were deep and consuming. They’d have to be brought back into conversation, often breaking away into their own little world. No one tired of it. Their exploding love, showered everyone around them, their people accepted and basked in it. Both told that they’d never seen either of them like this before.
Amongst the move, Jamie eventually committed to his parents to meet Dean at a restaurant in the West End when they came back from Paris. Dean never told Jamie how petrified he was of letting him down and not impressing his parents. He needn’t have worried.
Cote - West End, London
“Hello both, can I introduce you to Dean Archer?” Jamie leaned over the table slightly startling his parents.
“My boy. I want a cuddle first. Come here.” Martha leapt out of her seat and squeezed her baby boy. Dr Martha Arden was a respected heart surgeon by day (shifts allowing) and over the years, compensated for her huge career by getting closer to her children. Jamie welcomed it with open arms. He was grateful for the collective family time sacrifices during his childhood, knowing what it literally and figuratively afforded him and his sister. Dean often found it ironic, Martha spent her life fixing hearts yet her son had the most precious, unblemished, purest one of all. Everything about Jamie was poetry. He was happy to turn every page and devour it all.
Martha had dark brown hair, shoulder length, straight, and a Mediterranean complexion that despite her relentless career, appeared a very young fifty five. Despite the ADHD, Dean looked at Jamie and his mother, the energy regardless, came from her. A zesty, cheerful woman. She gave Jamie his pretty face too.
“We’ve missed you, never not seen you on your birthday in 24 years! And I have this handsome young man to blame for that I suppose?” She reached and pulled Dean in for a hug.
“Good evening, Martha. Yes, guilty as charged. Thank you for letting me steal him away.” Dean could hold is own on the rugby pitch and the most intense of situations in work, around these people, though, the Ardens, he unravelled with nerves and an overwhelming need to make the most important first impression.
This was the other side of love. Wanting everyone in your chosen person’s life to approve of you. It was pressure, but Dean sank happily under its weight.
“Of course. It sounds like you had a wonderful time.” Martha leaned into Dean’s ear. “From what I’ve heard, you’re absolutely wonderful with him, Dean. David and I can never express how thankful we are that he’s found someone who accepts our beautiful boy. He’s our absolute Prince.” She pecked his cheek. Dean’s heart burst.
“Dean, very good to meet you. Christ, good looking chap aren’t you!” David shook Dean’s hand and smacked his back.
Jamie was a perfect blend of the two of them. He got his athletic and agile frame from his father, along with his shock of blonde hair and the nervous blue eyes. David’s were searching, scanning, approving of Dean, he hoped. They weren’t nervous, they were formidable, actually.
David was a neurosurgeon, the intelligence that was carried between the Ardens was quite staggering. When Jamie told Dean about their careers, Dean was speechless. His own family was successful, but they weren’t responsible for rebuilding hearts and heads. He was so impressed to the point he was terrified.
Jamie explained that due to his father’s career, he’d always been fiercely protective of him. Dean grinned defiantly at the news, knowing it was half an off hand piece of ‘for your information’ and half, so don’t cross him. The thought never threatened to pollute Dean’s mind anyway.
“Lovely to meet you David. Jamie’s been meaning to get us together for a while.” Dean leant into David tentatively.
Jamie had disappeared to speak with friends he’d spotted on the other side of the restaurant.
“Oh leave him to it. He’ll be back when he’s ready.” Martha acknowledged everyone’s thoughts.
“Martha, that’s exactly what I say to myself. He’ll be back when he’s ready. Space when he needs it, but stay put, he needs to know where you are.” Dean smiled, he warmed himself in the mutual understanding he now was able to share with Jamie’s mother.
“Dean, that’s wonderful. All these years we’ve racked our brains how to make sure he’s happy and you’ve cracked it.” Martha smiled brightly.
“With all due respect Martha, there’s nothing to crack. Everyone needs to stop working him out, overthinking him. He is who is. He’s intelligent, has the most incredible outlook on life, completely and utterly insecure, something I’m trying to get him to come out of. We’re getting there. Trust me. I love him. I don’t know if he told you that part. But I do. I think he’s been in a storm of sorts for years, but he finally wants someone to weather it with him. I’m so happy he chose me.” Dean’s face dropped to look at the table. He couldn’t look Martha in the eye as she welled up. I know he’s always going to be your little boy but I love him enough that you don’t have to worry. He hoped the sentiment drifted over to her and wrapped itself around her shoulders.
“Mama, why are you tearing up? Pops told you, you can’t have another handbag?” Jamie came crashing back swinging into his seat. That was it, the only place Jamie didn’t instinctively jump on Dean’s lap was in restaurants. Dean was an experience eater - you can’t get between Dean Archer and his food. The only line Jamie knew not to cross.
“No darling. Dean was just telling us about your weekend. It sounded wonderful.” Martha looked away to pat her eyes.
“Oh it was. mum, I felt like I was in a Disney film. It was really special. Dean, you remember?” Jamie looked to him for confirmation.
“Of course I do. That was a special night.” They looked at each other knowing full well what part he was referring too. They laughed. Thankfully, Mr and Mrs Arden did not ask why.
Their dinner arrived and chatter thankfully fell to mundane day to day gossip of friends and family. Dean was thankful of the break. Not that he wasn’t enjoying his company, it was the fact that each sentence he uttered so far was so emotionally charged. He needed a moment to let himself loosen into the evening. Not for long.
“Dean, join me at the bar a moment.” David asked, rather commanded. Dean bolted up right. Jamie grabbed his thigh. “It’s ok. Go with him.”
Dean followed David to the bar, a little sheepishly but he knew he and Jamie were a strong match. No one could deny he’d done everything he could to accommodate all the layers of Jamie that were always threatening to unravel at any moment in the wrong environment.
“What you said back there to my wife. That was what we need to hear. Martha has always encouraged him to go out and live life. I’ve been more cautious, due to my line of work. Always protective, maybe a little too much at times. Martha and him are two peas in a pod. He makes us proud every day. Ali, too. Our daughter. But Jamie is special. He manages to make everyone adore him.” David shot his eyes to his lager, he wasn’t quite ready to be vulnerable in front of Dean. Dean understood.
“Well, it’s the truth. When he told me about his ADHD he looked so defeated. Like he was expecting me to up and leave. It didn’t phase me. I was drawn to him, completely and utterly. It’s part of him for sure but it’s not all of him. In fact it’s a source of incredible entertainment the majority of the time, and then others, it’s just an opportunity for me to support and push him.” Dean was beaming. He’d quickly realised that whenever Jamie was brought up as a topic, he was happy to talk for hours with aching cheeks.
“Thank you. You’re a fine young man, Dean. I will say, he’s had relationships in the past, that we’re aware of, and he’s been so invested, eventually these guys get tired of him. It’s so sad, if people would just give him a chance. He may be 25, have a career, living in London but to us, he’ll always be that little blonde whirlwind on Christmas morning. I just need to know you’ll take care of him? Not break his heart. Will you promise me I can go home this evening knowing my boy is in safe hands?” David seemed to soften. His eyes pleading. Almost emotion.
Dean felt a need to hold David. Steady him. “You can completely count on me. I mean that.”
David looked down. “Well, that’s a pretty good answer. Dean can I shake the hand of the man I trust with our most precious boy?“
They shook. A thought popped into Dean’s head. “David, by the way, if you ever want to sneak out and grab a pint and watch a match or whatever, give me a shout. Offer is there.”
“You’re on. Martha, Ali and Jamie keep me on my toes, it’ll be good to have a wingman finally.”
“Haha. You can count on me, again. Shall we get back to those two?”
They patted each other on the back and returned to the table. Expectations and mutual respect confirmed.
“Are you ok?” Jamie whispered.
“Yeah. Fantastic.” Dean whispered. “Your dad adores you, that’s all. Jamie, I’m never going to let you down. Do you trust me?”
“With my life.” Jamie’s eyes were heavy on Dean but his smile was brilliant.
“Dean, I want to know more about you. Pinning this one down for a conversation is hellishly hard work.” Martha interjected.
“Yeah of course. I’m an IT consultant for a finance firm. We manage banking infrastructure for a number of large global companies. It’s intense but I love my work. Uh, my parents, Audrey and Mark, live not far from you actually. My dad inherited Archer Logistics from my grandfather. He’s a brilliant man, I’m always in awe of him. The same as Jamie is with you both.” Dean rubbed Jamie’s neck. A sigh from Jamie.
“Hold on. Hold on. THE Archer Logistics? You can’t leave your house and join the motorway without seeing one of those trucks. They’re everywhere. My gosh. How brilliant.” David bent into the table, intrigued.
“Yeah, my grandfather started out in Manchester and my dad took it national and now he’s going into Europe. I want him to slow down soon but there’s no telling a brilliant mind what to do.” Dean looked at Jamie and let his palm fall to his shoulder.
Jamie smiled to himself. I love you. Did he just put my mind and his successful father’s in the same sentence?
“Oh we must meet the Archers. Can we arrange something?” Martha clasped her hands together.
“Well, it’s my 30th on New Year’s Eve. My parents are having a party at their home for me. All my friends, family and colleagues are attending.” He leaned into the table. “I’d very much like my extended family to be there too. Would you join us? I understand if you have plans.” Dean’s kind gesture made Jamie burst with pride.
“We’re in! We finally have a new year off, thank you Dean. Very kind.” Martha reached and touched his hand.
“Uh, excuse me? You haven’t asked me?” Jamie flounced dramatically. “We all know I’m the one likely to have plans!”
“I don’t need to. You’re mandatory.” Dean pushed Jamie playfully. They all laughed.
Later
“Archer Logistics Marth? Can you believe it? The company is worth tens of milllions. Jamie forgot to mention that.” David was still processing the Archer family as their Mercedes weaved from the motorway to wide country roads.
“He didn’t forget. He just doesn’t see it. It’s not important. That’s our boy. He sees love, happiness, people, everything else is irrelevant.” Martha looked out the window wrapped in a blissful comfort that Jamie was in good hands, the best.
“But, he has inherited your love of certain labels of course. But you are right. It is the best way to be.” David reached and squeezed Martha’s arm.
“Well I have to bestow my wisdom on him. Ali has never been interested. Thank god for him.”
“Thank god indeed.” David agreed. They both laughed softly.
Notting Hill
“Babe, can I ask you something?” Dean put his keys in the Paris ashtray. Jamie loved the sound they made. He’s home. All is good.
“Of course.” Jamie busied himself with randomly arranging his shoes on the floor. Dean laughed. He never thinks to do this. His mind is unwinding from the evening. Leave him be.
“I told you I had a French great grandmother, I looked at your mum tonight and obviously she’s beautiful, look at the children she produces for a start, but is there any Mediterranean in her side of the family? Might help explain your golden colour all year around. I’m jealous, you just get more tanned. I have to start from scratch.” Dean ran a finger down a Jamie’s back. Reel him in.
“Thank you for being so sweet about her. She’s a goddess. Shit, I never said, on my mum’s side my grandparents are from Italy. Why on earth have I never said that before? That’s nuts. Yeah, they came to the UK years ago and then mum came along. Hence the less Italian name. Sorry I can’t believe I never said.” Jamie shrugged again.
“STOP. I was just curious. Can you leave your fucking shoes alone? I’d like some time in bed with you before you fall asleep on me.” Dean pulled Jamie to him and cupped his behind.
“Of course Archer. Take me to bed in Notting Hill.” He gazed up lazily.
Their evening had been gentle and quiet. Their sex was not. Dean was heavy and hard. Jamie whimpered and demanded he go deeper and harder. Dean did say he would never let Jamie down. He meant it.
