Thread by @OurFlagMnsSteph

#noangstnov
Day 13: Apple picking
"It's fall, bitches. I want to do all the things. Pumpkin spice. Apple picking. Haunted houses. Corn mazes. Cider mills. Et cetera. We're going all out this year."

Lucius was obviously in high spirits. And maybe had pre-gamed before meeting up with the rest of the crew at Jackie's.
"I'm not doing any of that." Jim said with a sneer.
"But you already told me all about that extreme haunted house you wanted to..."
Jim stared daggers at Olu.

"Of course you'd want to do one of the scariest fuckin' ones where you have to sign a waiver first." Izzy grinned like a hyena. "I'll go if Boodhari is too scared."
"Cheers, thanks Iz. I definitely am."

"Apple picking sounds like a fun time! I'm game to go this weekend. I'll have the kids and they'll love it."
"Wasn't thinking it'd be a family friendly outing, but fine." Lucius added with a shrug.
"Who's all in?"
-----------------

Saturday arrived and Stede loaded the kids into the minivan. They picked up Ed, Lucius and Pete and headed off to meet the rest at the farm they'd chosen.
Ed had given Stede a kiss on the cheek in greeting when he hopped into the passenger seat.

He turned around to say hi to the kids and Stede gazed at his profile feeling so ridiculously happy.
"We're gonna have so much fun. I'm gonna pick at least 100 apples! How many are you two gonna get?"
"A thousand!"
"A million!"

"Oh boy, we should have brought a bigger car!"
The kids laughed along with Ed.
Ed turned back around and reached out to hold Stede's hand as he drove.

The outing had been great. The weather was perfect, with that crisp fall chill in the air. The kids had fun, the crew taking turns to lift them up and grab the highest, most perfect apples on the trees. They drank cider and got warm fresh donuts.

They picked three bushels of apples between them and Roach promised everyone their own pie. Lucius and Pete had snuck away at one point and came back with leaves stuck to their clothes. They lost Swede for a little while, and Frenchie tried to Marco polo him back to them.

Turned out Swede didn't know how to play, but singing Ace of Base's "All That She Wants" had him running back to them to join in. Stede and Ed kept holding hands as they walked along enjoying being together with their friends and the kids.

"We'll ride home with others!" Lucius yelled as he pulled Pete with him to Roach's car. "We're going drinking" he added in a faux whisper. Stede chuckled and turned to Ed asking tentatively, "Would you like to come over for dinner tonight?"

"I'd love to, mate!" They loaded up the kids and their massive amount of apples and set off for home.
The kids promptly fell asleep, the running around catching up to them. Stede pulled Ed's hand to his lips and kissed his knuckles.

"You're really good with them. I'm so thankful you enjoy spending time with them."
Ed smiled at him. "It's easy, they're good kids. And they're yours. Course I love 'em."
"Would you like to spend more time with them?"

"Sure, but how do you mean? Like you want me to babysit?"
It was probably too early, he knew, but it also felt so right.
"Move in with me. I love you. The kids love you...I want you around all the time. I want my time with the kids to be our time with them."

Stede risked a glance over and found Ed's eyes shining.
"You sure?" Ed asked tentatively.
"Absolutely. I'll need to let Mary know, but she'll just be excited for us I'm sure."
"You're already part of my family, Ed. And you're part of theirs, too."

Ed sniffed a bit and grinned.
"Yeah, I want to live with you. I want to a lot."
Stede felt ecstatic. What a perfect day.

End