Back in the States [Gray]

Grayson had always had a very different relationship with Sam than he did with his mother, he loved her, there was no doubt about it, and he excused many of the things she'd done and caused in his life even though really he should hate her guts for them. But Sam was a lifeline, Sam was someone who had always made him feel like he really could do anything he wanted, he trusted his father with words and confessions that even now he'd never told his mother. There had been many times where he half wished he could stay out travelling the world with him, instead of returning to the monotony and fear of Mexico, but inevitably he had to go back, and then came the period of hearing very little from Sam, wondering if he even ever would see him again.

When his dad contacted him about coming to visit him in Vegas, Grayson had not hesitated to tell him that he wanted that. He was excited, excited to see his father for the first time in what felt like far too many years, and eager to show and tell him about everything he'd worked so hard to achieve. He was eager for Sam to meet Skylar, and Wolfe, and everyone who had helped him get to where he was now. But most of all, he was just eager to be able to hug him, to hold onto him and hopefully not let go for a long time. He really did miss his dad.

He was lounging on the couch when he heard the knock on the door, and he was up in a flash to answer it, a wide grin coming to his face, "Dad holy shit!" He pulled the man into a tight hug, laughing, "jesus christ you look old!" He grinned and pulled back, "but good...Like damn good!" He stepped back, "come in! Want something to drink? You hungry at all?" He didn't know how long Sam had been traveling to get here, so he was eager to subtly take care of the man, and to hear about his adventures.

A wide grin split his features as Gray opened the door and pulled him into a tight hug. Sam returned it, giving him a couple claps on the back for good measure. It was so good to see him again, to talk to him, to hug him. He'd missed his son like crazy, but then again he always had, every day they were apart, from the first day he'd known of Gray's existence.

As they pulled back, Sam gave him a bit of a stern look, but then laughed. "Yeah, good save. Open the door and the first thing out of your mouth is how old I look...goddamn..." He shook his head in a disappointed manner that would have been more convincing if he hadn't still smiling so widely.

He followed him into the house, dropping his bag by the door and looking around the house as he went with Gray towards what he assumed would be the kitchen...he'd lived in fully contained spaces smaller than the first room or so of this house.

"Yeah, I could eat if you've got something on hand...don't go makin' nothing special for me though." He waved a hand dismissively, not wanting to be particularly fussed over.

"Flew into Seattle a couple days ago, took care of some things, got a car...last two days have pretty much just been driving my ass down here...tell you what, I'm glad to be outta that damn truck for a while." He shook his head, still smiling though. He didn't think he could stop even if he'd wanted to, just glad to finally be here with his son.

Grayson let out a loud laugh at the expression on the man's face, giving him a cheeky grin and sticking his tongue out at him, "whaaaat what save? I have no clue what you're talkin' 'bout!" He chuckled, leading him to the kitchen, "so yeah! This is our place!" He turned to him with a grin, "nice right? I split the bill with my partner and housemates!" He was immensely proud on this place, of the work he'd done to get here, of all the things that having a house this nice symbolized for himself and the people he called family who lived here, "gotta fuckin' pool and hot tub and everything!"

He chuckled as he pulled a plate from the cabinet, "well luckily for YOU! Me'n Skylar cooked up a bomb ass lasagna last night, still plenty of leftovers from that!" He nodded to the fridge, "got beer'n soda'n shit in the fridge to! Help yourself!" He kept his attention divided to Sam as he shoveled him out a healthy helping of lasagna, covering it before popping it in the microwave.

While that was going, he turned his attention fully to his dad with a bright grin, "serious? You thinkin' about stickin' around here?" He sounded almost hopeful as he said that, not wanting to have to say goodbye to his dad for who knows how long again, "'cause like...There's a lot of really sick apartments around the area that are surprisingly dirt cheap!" He shuffled a little, "it's...God...It's really fucking great to see you, Dad..." He couldn't help his voice cracking a little as he said this, the emotions hitting him now full force.

"It's a nice place." Sam agreed, still looking around. He was proud of his son, proud of him for deciding on something wholesome he wanted for himself, for working for it, for fighting for it, despite every obstacle thrown in his path, some of which would make even the best and bravest admit defeat after having gone through. He was proud of him for getting himself out of the life he was born into, and now finding himself here, his own business, friends and loved ones, a house like this. Sam just smiled fondly over at him, not trying to fight down the sudden swell of emotions.

"You've done really well for yourself...I'm proud of you."

He helped himself to a drink out of the fridge before coming back to lean on the counter as he waited for food to reheat, offering one to Gray as well - nonalcoholic, as he was well aware that was something Gray shouldn't be having.

"I don't really know yet." He admitted when he was asked if he was going t stay around for a while. "Honestly hadn't really decided where I was going to go next...but...think I might stick around at least for a while." He was tired of living a transitory life, a life where he never stayed, where he never settled...suddenly the thought of a small apartment near his son, finding some kind of work he liked...he'd done alright putting away money for himself so he didn't strictly need to work to survive, but he wasn't the sort to ever fully retire anyway...so maybe something part time...the thought of all this was suddenly very appealing to him.

"It's been too long...I wanna spend some time catching up." He admitted. Deep down, he also knew he wasn't getting any younger, he was ready to just be in one place, and spent all the time he could with the people important to him.

Grayson looked over at Sam with a misty eyed smile of his own, chuckling softly and dabbing at his eyes, "yeah well...I wouldn't *be* here without you, Dad." He took the offered drink and nodded, still dabbing at his eyes, "because...Like you always told me I could do anything...You always made me feel like I didn't have to just be a thug..." He popped the top off the soda and glanced over when the microwave started beeping, taking the plate out before setting it in front of Sam with a fork, "I am who I am largely because of you. You may not have been able to be around all the time, but you made a difference...I just wanted you to know that." He gave the man a fond smile before taking a long drink from the soda he'd passed him.

His expression softened as Sam spoke and he nodded, unable and unwilling to hide the cracking in his voice, "I'd like that a lot, Dad. I want you around...Emails and Phone calls just...I still miss you." He wiped at his eyes, "sorry...I'm such a soppy mess..." His face lit up again when he had a thought, "you gotta come see where me and Sky work!" He gestured with his hands, "bigger than this house, I have employees, Dad, it's so crazy!" He chuckled, "I get commissioned for cakes by some big fuckin' names!" He closed his eyes, "but there's also a walk in bakery at the front of the place where people can come get fresh shit on the spot, I do most of the decorating work, but I get my hands in just about every step of the process!" He pointed to the fridge, "got a cheesecake in there, strawberry, made it today so it's fresh! If you wanna try some!"

His voice took on a sentimental hush and he laughed softly, "I never thought I would ever get there, y'know?" He shook his head, "I was...Man I was content just working at some five star place...But like...Now I've got my own brand...People know my name...I never dreamed I'd get here..." He let out a breath and chuckled, "and like...I fuckin' deserve it. I'm starting to have an easier time seeing that...I deserve all the good shit I've worked for." He used to struggle to see that, but it was getting easier.