Mrs. Stone [POV]

            When Ben brought Eli home to meet us for the first time, I knew three things about him right away.

The first: he was young. I was a little surprised, for he was certainly younger than Ben; probably closer to Daniel’s age. He looked young—compared to Ben, in any case—with his long, curly dark hair and his bright, nervous eyes. He stood close to Ben, one hand in his pocket, the other scratching his neck one moment, chewing his fingernails the next. When I gave him a little encouraging smile, he tensed and looked to Ben uncertainly, hiccupping.

It was then I noticed the second thing, a little more surprising still: he was very hung-over. Which might have accounted for his nervousness, though I was pretty sure he was simply a very anxious young man. Ben had a comforting hand on his back, and Eli leaned into his side, face drawn and pale, looking from the floor back to Ben and then behind him, as if he was seeking out the bathroom or the nearest flower pot should it become necessary. I wondered why they had been drinking, although Ben didn’t look particularly haggard.

 In fact, he looked rather ridiculously in high spirits. That was when the third thing hit me: this was it for Ben. Eli was the one. I couldn’t help but smile at the way Ben led him into the living room, hand still on the small of his back, the other reaching to tug his hand away from his mouth. The way he snugged the younger man close when Eli looked about ready to simultaneously throw up and flee. The way Ben would constantly bring his gaze back to the man beside him, even when he wasn’t speaking. More than once, I caught him simply staring and when Eli would notice, he’d just blush and laugh softly.

I can’t say I was disappointed in the catch—despite being as nervous as a baby rabbit, Eli was a sweet kid and it was obvious he adored Ben. I might have been a little surprised with the first two realizations, but there was no doubt in my mind when I returned from making tea to find Eli, hands threaded through Ben’s hair, chests pressed together, limbs tangled, Ben’s hands on the younger man’s butt, simply staring each other in the eyes. The open expression of adoration on both their faces made my heart jump.

Yeah, this was the one.