Bonfire/cookout parties!
Fairy lights strung on the fence and the tree branches in their backyard, plenty of folding chairs ready to be set up around the ready to be lit pit.
- Grilling Equipment: Check
- Beverages: Check
- Condiments: Check
- Sauces: Check
- Meats: Check
- Veggies: Check
- Sides: Check
- Desserts: Check
- Safety: Check
- A Crapton of Firewood: Check
Jonny and Orlando were hosting their yearly bonfire party. This being said, it also meant that it was Vincent's first bonfire party and although he was excited about the idea that he could play with other littles his age, he was a little nervous. Fire was scary.
All of their friends from the bar were coming, even Boss, though Vincent always cried when the man in question tried to hold him. Of course, this meant Vincent's friends too.
- Justin Bailey and his Mama Alina Oxenstierna were bringing a yummy taco salad. Vincent heard Justin's Mama was a seasonal ballerina who worked for the New York Times as a hobby.
- Archie Wallace and his Pops Todd were bringing extra wood and some nice beer from what Vincent heard from his Dada, though he knew he wasn't allowed to drink beer. Beer was gross.
- Daniel and his Mama Anna were bringing a truly decadent treat, cookie butter cheesecake. Daniel and Anna did live a more fancy life than their friends, but with Daniel being Anna's pride and joy, she was always willing to spend lots of money to make him happy.
- They also invited a few others, Lindsay and Martha Uspenski being the most notable. After all, they were the kooky old ladies of the bar, but they were incredibly kind to Vincent.
Vincent was very excited that he was getting his aunty Rin and Catherine for a night, since it had been a little bit since they last hung out and he had missed them.
Cars started pulling up to their house around 12:30PM. Started off by Erica and Toby, who were on baby watch while Orlando and Jonny struggled with setting up the battery operated lights so when it was starting to get dark and they hadn't got the fire started, the lights would keep the little ones from freaking out because of the darkness.
Vincent gave a hug to them, happily sitting on Erica's lap as they watched his Dada and Papa suffer.
After Erica and Toby, the next to arrive was Daniel and his Mama at a crisp 1PM. They played a few games in the sandcastle and took a nap together. It was incredibly cute and Anna took plenty of pictures for Daniel's instagram, which she ran.
They were woken up by Archie's arrival, who was always adamant that girls were yucky, at 3:30.
Boss arrived at 5 o'clock, at Lindsay and Martha's mercy, who were adamant that he shouldn't be so harsh on gay couples for living as he did.
"All love is beautiful."
"All love is kind."
"And you sir, are in denial."
Jonny and Orlando stanned.
After Boss apologized for a tasteless remark, Catherine and Rin came out of Rin's apartment complex.
"Rin's so sheltered, so I had to take the poor boy shopping, my good ladies and men and nonbinary friends." Catherine said with a cat-like grin.
"Cathy! Good to see you, beautiful. How was work, you had those major deadlines, right?" Orlando greeted as Vincent wiggled out of his grasp to go hug her.
"Oh! Hello pretty boy. But yeah. Some idiot messed up the models I worked hard on to make them 'innocent' when the point is that most men who play the game will probably lewd their waifu. The client even asked that we have such things in the damned game. Ugh." Catherine sighed, "But that's not the point. I brought some cookies from Walmart, they're the soft-baked ones so they won't hurt the little guys' teeth."
"Thanks Cathy." Orlando nodded, "We're just about to light the fire, why don't you sit with Vincent and the kids?"
"Sure, sure. Did they eat?"
"We were waiting until everyone arrived, it seemed unfair that some wouldn't get a chance to eat some of Nonna's pumpkin pie. It's got gingersnap cookies as the base."
"Oooh. Vin and I should definitely try some, right buddy?"
"Yeah." Vincent nodded.
Rin walked up, "Sorry, I was trying to fix my skirt. So we're going to sit with the little ones?"
"Mhm. It's a good thing that food is coming, because Vincent looks so delicious I wanna nom him all up." Catherine smiled, teasing Vincent, causing him to whine.
"Aunty Cathy noooo."
"Aunty Cathy yes, you're too cute for this world, I swear." She smiled.
The final one to arrive was Morgan, who brought some burger buns, brats and hot dogs.
Dinner was made, dinner was had and conversations were afoot. The four children sat underneath a table while the fire was being lit, sharing treats they snagged from the dessert table.
“Aren’tcha gonna eat it Vinny?” Justin asked, looking at the brunette’s prolifered chocolate.
“Nuh-uh. ‘M giving in to Dada. Mr. Lupin says chocolate helps.” Vincent shook his head.
“But isn’t Mr. Lupin in Harry Potter?” Archie pointed out, “Maybe your Dada doesn’t need the choc’late.”
“There’s the pups.” Todd flipped up the table cloth, “Come on out, we’re about to make some s’mores up in the biatch.”
“Pops!” Archie raised his arms and Todd picked him up.
“Careful not too close to the fire, kiddos. Hair burns quicker than skin and you don’t wanna give yourselves a shitty look.” Todd warned as Justin and Daniel went to their Mamas, as Jonny picked up Vincent.
“There’s my little lambchop. Have you ever had a s'more before?”
“Nuh-uh.”
Spoiler-alert: It was delicious, and he liked them a lot.