Connor Walsh

Oliver couldn’t hide how excited he got from the fact that the kids were excited to see him almost as much as they were to see Connor. “Well, I’m excited to see them too. It’s been too long since we’ve visited. I think we’ll have to figure out how to see you all more often. I know Connor misses you,” he started to say, but shut himself up before he could potentially ramble into spoiling the surprise reason as to why they visited in the first place.

“Yes, she is, but I told her you two were coming an hour or two later than expected. I figured I’d give you both time to decompress from the trip before being bombarded with stories from her and her boyfriend’s recent trip to Cabo,” she responded. “As for the hubby, yes, he’s at work. Should be home around the same time as mom.”

Oliver caught the Capri Sun tossed at him and shook his head as he gazed at his partner. He was glad he had Connor in his life. He would never do anything whimsical like pick up a juice pouch just because he could.

“Is mom staying for dinner?” Because that would be the perfect time to make the announcement. Gemma knew Connor had been planning on proposing but he didn’t know he’d already proposed with a twisty tie. 

“Yeah. And since we didn’t do family thanksgiving, we’re having a thanksgiving menu.” Connor had made up an excuse to stay back in Philly. There had been too much going on and his family would probably know something was up.

Connor grinned at the mention of the dinner menu. Gemma was an amazing cook. When their father left, Connor became the man of the house and Gemma took on the role of housewife since their mom was way too depressed to do much for a while. The two raised each other, which explains how and why they’re so close.

“But yeah, two hours. That means you have two hours to settle in and freshen up.”

It was about one thirty in the afternoon which meant everyone would be at the house around three thirty or four and they’d make small talk before dinner. Gemma really thought this through.

“Guest room?” Asks Connor. 

Gemma nods, “Same one as always.”

Oliver followed Connor inside Gemma’s home, smiling a bit more as he looked around the entrance of the house. Despite how rarely he had been there, it had a homey feel to him. Maybe because it was Connor’s family and they treated him as if he were already a part of it.

He grinned and shook his head as he heard his future sister-in-law speak to him. “No, he didn’t. That’s reserved for when he needs a little extra help on a case or is just feeling needy in general,” he teased and lightly nudged his side.

“Oh, I’ve got the bags. Thank you, though,” he stated as he moved to hug her and give her a hello kiss on the cheek. “How have you been doing? How are the kids?”

“The kids are fine. Excited to have their uncle and his boyfriend visit.” Gemma knew early on that she wasn’t going to hide Connor’s sexuality from her kids. If they were exposed it from a young age, they wouldn’t find it strange later on and that’s exactly how it played out. The kids were still in elementary school but they were very vocal about how they viewed homosexuality. Connor was thankful for that. That was one of the many things that made Gemma great. 

“Is mom in town?” Their mother had a new boyfriend and was often traveling. Oliver hadn’t met her yet. “Where’s your husband, by the way? Work?” Probably. The guy was a surgeon and was gone most of the time. How Gemma handled raising two kids, keeping the house spotless and juggling her job was beyond Connor’s comprehension. His sister was his role model.

Oliver laughed awkwardly as he noticed his fiance’s expression, scratching the back of his head nervously. “Uh, yeah, definitely of you. And now I’m thinking of you naked and suddenly I’m perfectly fine again,” he chuckled before he got out of the car.

He walked back to help get the bags, grinning lovingly at Connor. Despite all of his nerves, he was excited to be spending the weekend with Connor and his family. He knew they at the very least liked him. Whether they approved or not was a different story, but he knew things would be okay.

He followed Connor on his way to the house, grinning affectionately as he watched Connor greet his sister. He stayed silent so they could have their moment.

“We’re so happy to get out of Pennsylvania.” Says Connor, stepping inside once his sister moves out of the way. The weather was crazier in Michigan than it was in Pennsylvania but the people were less crazy. There was no drama here, no lies, no murder. It was quiet and Connor needed that more than anyone following Wes’s death.

“Where are the kids?” Connor asked his sister but she was busy greeting Oliver. 

“Did he drive you crazy the whole way here?” Gemma asked Oliver, offering to help him with his bags. “He drives me crazy.” At least once a week Gemma got a call from her brother. “What did you say Connor?”