Caleb Federico

Wesley raised a brow, crossing his arms across his chest and leaning agsint the wall, “what?” he questions, “you just woke up one day and decided to be all bambi eyed and come over here to talk after almost a year? Are you having some sort of mid life crisis?”

“Truthfully?” Victor responded “that would have been a hell of a lot easier, but it wouldn’t have meant anything, not really. Only said to make me feel better or less guilty and I couldn’t...you deserve, everyone deserves, better then that” He felt his nerves spiking up “I needed to get my head clear...go to therapy...real therapy and it’s been a hard year, but it’s been worth it...at least I think” He looked up at Wesley “I hurt you, more than I could ever make up for or apologize to you enough, but I can’t keep running from it and I don’t want to so I’m here to be honest. About the drugs...about why I ended an engagement I never wanted to, not really. If you could just hear me out and I promise afterwards whatever you want our relationship to be I’ll accept”

“Milk, nice.” he laughed as he took it and placed it inside his fridge, “well you’re here now and we’re talking so I don’t think you need permission to keep talking. I can’t promise I won’t kick you out before you’re done, but you’re welcome to give it a try.”

Victor felt a little relief at Wesley laughing at his gift, feeling it break the tension a little. “Okay, so...ummm I wanted to ask first, how are you doing?” he asked “I should have been here as soon as I could, but I had to work on a lot of things about myself, but I never stopped thinking about you and that’s why I wanted to come here Wesley. I have a lot to explain to you. About me...about us”

Wesley had been busy watching an in-depth step by step recipe walk through for a creme brulee. He was just placing the last little mint leaf on top before he heard the door. “one second.” he said before he took a picture and sent his sons proof of his accomplishments. 

“Hey,” Wesley looked up from his phone to find Victor–not exactly who he expected. “sure.” He said stepping aside, “are the kids ok?”

Victor was still going over what he wanted to say when Wesley invited him in. Stepping inside he held up the gallon of milk “Brought you a housewarming gift” he started “figured I’d give the cows a day off” He laughed softly “And yeah, they’re good...I mean I haven’t heard anything was wrong” 

“I’m sorry I just popped up like this, I should have called, but I was scared you would say no and I wanted to talk...if that’s okay?”

Victor jogged up the stairs of Wesley’s front door. Stopping just short he took a deep breathe as he did his best to gather his nerves. With hands shaking he held the gift on one hand and rang the doorbell with the other.

The first time seeing the man since they both nearly died he closed his eyes and took several more deep breaths as he waited for Wesley to answer. Smiling softly when the door open and he was face to face with him.

Dimitri let go of Kevin’s hand, “well then no hand-holding. This is casual and not cheesy. Gay is not classy.” he joked as they entered, “So remind me why we’re going on a double date with these two on valentine’s day again?”

Kevin took Dimitri’s hand back “It’s 2023, being homophobic is not cool, Get woke” he said as they walked inside and handed their coats to the attending “Rhys and Jed have been so tied up with his police stuff and the wedding I think they just needed an excuse to get out. That, and Rhys needs to size you up. Make sure you’re good enough for his favorite uncle and all that” Smiling once he saw Rhys and Jed he lead Dimitri over “Sorry we’re late” he told them “traffic so busy you’d think it was a holiday or something”

Seth looked at the message on his phone and felt the blood drain out of his face. 

He was burned.

Just like that he was left with nothing but the clothes on his back and the money he had on him. He couldn’t believe it, and a part of him wanted to call his superior to ask why? He was one of the best in the CIA and now they just wiped their hands of him?

Looking around he had no idea where to even start. Grabbing his phone he looked through his contacts and saw three names. Bobby, Bear, and Nicholas.

The only people  he knew and his only lifeline.

Bobby had a family and was still in the life so he knew that was a no-go, Nicholas was too much of a wild card to know how he would react so he went with his best shot,

“I did.” Franklin said with a smile, “But that’s okay, I’m happy to bring it out anytime to show people what they missed out on.” he added, “so, to what do we owe this great pleasure?” 

“Well, we’re here to take over the city. Since Caleb is so domesticated now.”

“Please don’t encourage him” Caleb said and Abe laughed “I’m here because I wasn’t about to be overseas by myself and I heard we got some additions to the fam I had to check out”

Caleb rolled his eyes “Just because I have a husband and kids now doesn’t mean I’m giving up the throne that easily, besides, I’m pretty sure Dad and Drew won’t be too far behind now that you two are back. The tracker Drew put in your necks as babies is still active I assume?”

“Oh sorry, I thought you were a movie star.” He said as he approached his husband and wrapped an arm around him before leaning in to kiss him. “And who are these very bad looking kids?” 

“Stop it” Caleb laughed and then gestured to the twins “My brother and sister, the twins, but don’t call them that. They hate it” Abe smiled and walked up to Franklin “I mean I can make an exception for family. Sorry we couldn’t make it to your wedding. I bet you looked amazing in a suit”

“Rein it in” Caleb said.

“I’m sure that won’t last, you know unlce Martin. I feel like this family got way too boring. Eveyone is married with babies, nobody is cheating anymore…so dull!”

Caleb took a sip of his drink and looked at Anne “Trust me when I say this family has had more then enough drama to last a few lifetimes. I’m sure Dad filled you in on the important parts” Abe walked in between the two “Yeah, I heard Vic and Romeo got divorced and he’s been MIA for months”

Looking at Abe Caleb was about to say something before he saw Franklin and he gave a sigh of relief “Baby, over here!”

Anne took in the sight, she had seen pictures but, “you;ve change the place huh? I mean it’s nice. Could use a woman’s touch but definitely not too bad.” she added, “how’s the rest of the family? still bonkers?”

“I’ll have you know I’ve got the best right hand woman in the business” Caleb said “you two will have to meet. Either you’ll be best friends or mortal enemies” After Abram and Anne ordered their drinks Caleb got a pressed juice for himself “Isn’t that always the case? Short version is yes, but it’s still family so you have to roll with it” Abram turned his attention from his phone to Caleb “What about Uncle Martin’s surprise kids? What’s their deal?”

“I’m older by a minute, relax.” She spit back, “So true, important for us to stick together. You’re way too white passing, it’s not great for the cause.” she teased, anyway, I don’t have to pay for that smoothie, right?”

`

“A minute is still 60 long seconds” he said and then rolled his eyes and laughed “I don’t know, that white passing comment felt like it at least deserves the cost of a smoothie, but I guess I’ll let it slide” And looking at Abram he shrugged “That’s something you’ll have to run by Franklin. He’s in charge of the kids’ social media presence, but I’m sure if you tag him or something he’d agree” Walking into the café he stepped aside so the twins could order.

“ugh you’re so right, specially with the food here in new york. I always have to carry tums with me.” She said as he leaned back, “I always forget you’e such an old man. How’s Franklin? Is he coming to greet us too?”

“You always were the smartest of us” Caleb chuckled and scoffed “Don’t forget you’re both older than I am s the only one allowed to make elderly jokes is me, but yeah, he’s looking forward to meeting both of you. Something about wanting to see other real black folks besides the twins” Laughing, Abram nodded “Speaking of, any chance I can get a few picks with the little ones for Insta? I know my followers would love it”

“Keke!” Anne said as she rushed over to hug her brother, “would love that juice though. You have any antioxidants? Wait, did you lose weight?”

Caleb cringed “I thought we talked about that nickname when I was 15″ he said and hugged her back “Of course, probiotics too. Gut health is important you know” He patted Abram on the shoulder “Good to see you both, it’s been way too long” As he lead them to the cafe he looked at Anne “No, but running a hotel and also running after two toddlers is probably the best workout ever”

Anne rolled her eyes as she watched her brother, “I think they’ve seen enough. How about you put that down and join us back here in the real world?” she said as she saw the staff begin to carry in heaps of luggage, “ugh I’m staving. Could go for one of dad’s green juices right now.”

“This is the real world” Abe said as he signed off and told his followers he’d keep them updated “just because you refuse to join us in the 21st century doesn’t mean we all have to suffer” he teased. Now that his sister mentioned it he was feeling hungry “No, his bacon cheeseburger” Abe corrected “I’d kill for one of those right now”

“Our restaurant makes pretty good burgers and juices” Caleb said as he walked up to the two “You finally made it, dad was getting worried”

welcome back xoxo

Anne set down her purse, the only piece of luggage she was carrying. Not because she couldn’t, she knew she probably lifted heavier weights than the male bellhops here, but fuck the patriarchy. “This is nice I guess. The pictures looked a little nicer though…”

Abe, with the phone held up smiled into the screen “Well, here we are people” he said to his Instagram live followers “Finally here in NYC and you boy looking to run this city soon enough” As the bellhops took his bag he looked at his sister “Don’t let Caleb hear that, you know how he takes everything the wrong way” Remembering that he was streaming he winked at the camera “That’s just between us people”

Jed shook his head, “I still haven’t agreed to doing the dance. I actually feel more confident about not doing it now.” 

Rhys cupped Jed’s face “You’re so adorable baby” he smiled “but we both know the minute you told me about this I was making you doing it” he kissed him “After I teach you these dance moves we have to buy you a nice suit and Sam a nice dress”