by Andria Large
“He’s seven pounds, three ounces, and eighteen inches long,” she said with a smile.
Jayme put his hands on Tripp’s shoulders. He looked back at Jayme, to see that he too got a little teary eyed. He gave his son a kiss on the forehead. He was so beautiful.
“You want a turn?” he asked Jayme after a couple of minutes.
“Of course, I do.”
He carefully transferred Zayne into Jayme’s arms. Jayme whispered sweet little things to Zayne about being his dad, and how he was going to take the best care of him; and how he was going to teach him how to fish and hunt. Tripp had to brush away tears again. His heart was ready to burst with the love he felt for his son, and for his husband.
Jayme peeked under his little hat and smiled. “He’s got strawberry blond hair.”
“Yeah? Let me see.”
Jayme pulled the hat back and showed Tripp the little dusting of strawberry blond hair on Zayne’s head.
He grinned. “He might end up being a redhead like your brother.”
Jayme shrugged. “Maybe. Or he’ll just be blond like you.”
He nodded. “Could be.”
The nurse had to take the baby back so they could fully examine him, and they said once Elianna was back in her original room; then they’d bring the baby in. He hated having to be parted from his little guy, but it was going to be that way for a couple of days. They’d have to leave him here and go home until he was ready to leave the hospital.
A couple of hours later, they were sitting in Elianna’s room; with both of their parents and Brett. Elianna was dozing lightly, as they all talked quietly. She was exhausted, and rightfully so.
There was a knock on the open door, and when they looked over; they saw it was the nurse wheeling in Zayne in a little cart. Tripp jumped up from his seat and went over to her.
“He’s a little fussy, and probably wants to eat. There’s bottles on the shelf down here,” she said, and pointed to the shelf under the cart. “And here’s a little booklet to help you keep track of his feeding times. He’s going to need to eat every two to three hours, and he’ll probably drink about two to four ounces.”
He took the booklet from her and glanced through it. “Okay.”
Jayme came up beside him, just as Zayne started grunting and squirming. He was gearing up to cry.
“You want to feed him?” Jayme asked.
“Do you mind?” he replied.
Jayme gave him a soft smile. “No, you go ahead.”
He popped a kiss on Jayme’s lips. “Thanks, Love.”
He grabbed one of the pre-made bottles from the pack, picked up Zayne; then took him over to the rocking chair in the corner of the room. Zayne had started full out crying by the time Tripp got him settled and put the bottle to his mouth. He immediately latched on and started sucking away. He stared down at his beautiful son. He just couldn’t take his eyes off of him.
“About halfway through, make sure you burp him,” Elianna said.
He nodded. “Okay.”
He did as his sister said, and halfway through the bottle; he sat Zayne up to burp him. He held his little face, while he patted his back. Zayne let out a huge burp that had everyone laughing.
After he was fed, Zayne was passed around to all of the grandparents. Tripp went over to Jayme, who was standing by the end of Elianna’s bed; and wrapped his arm around his waist. Jayme immediately put his arm around his shoulders, and gave him a squeeze.
“Besides marrying you, this is the best day of my life,” he murmured.
“Me too, Babe. Me too,” Jayme said, then gave him a kiss on the temple.
~~~
Jayme
TWENTY-TWO years later....
“Officer Zayne Flanagan,” Jayme announced.
He was now captain of the department, while Tripp was a lieutenant.
Zayne, who was now twenty-two; made his way across the stage. He watched as his boy, who was no longer a boy; walked with his head held high toward him. He could also see the flush that crept up his fair cheeks. Zayne was not one to be the center of attention. Zayne stopped next to him and he shook his hand. They’d have time for hugs later.
“I’m proud of you, Zayne,” he said quietly, not wanting to be heard over the microphone.
Zayne smiled. “Thanks, Dad.”
Zayne then shook hands with a couple of other people, before stopping in front of Tripp; who had his certificate. Tripp shook his hand and handed over his certificate. He saw Tripp say something to Zayne, and he was sure he said the same thing as he had. Hoots and hollers came from the crowd, and he looked out to see his brothers causing a ruckus. His parents, Donna, Elianna, Brett and their kids, Noah and Riley; along with Seamus, Mitch, their daughter, Cheyenne, and Ian and Jana, with their kids, Hunter and Colton. Ian, Seamus, and Mitch were standing as they cheered for Zayne.
Zayne got Jayme’s dark auburn hair and green eyes, but he had Tripp’s face. He was a handsome young man that had girls falling all over him. Zayne was a shy guy though and didn’t date too much. The girls tried, but he was more focused on becoming a Game Warden like his dads; than dealing with relationships and girls.
After the ceremony, the whole family went back to their house to celebrate. Zayne was standing in the kitchen with a beer in his hand talking to his cousin Noah. Jayme found Tripp in the living room, and gave him a nod. Tripp excused himself from the conversation he was having with his mom and went to him.
“Ready?” Tripp asked.
“Ready. I pulled it out of the garage and parked it in the driveway.”
Tripp smiled. “Great. He’s gonna freak.”
He nodded. “Yes, he is.”
They headed into the kitchen. He swung the key ring around his index finger.
“Zayne, Dad and I have a present for you,” Tripp said. “Since you worked really hard and graduated at the top of your class; we decided you deserved a little something.”
“We know your truck is kinda on it’s last leg, so, here, catch,” he tossed him the key.
Zayne caught it, his eyes wide. “No! No way!”
Zayne bolted through the house, and out the front door. They followed, as did the rest of the family. Zayne whooped, then ran to hug the brand-new midnight blue Ford F150 with white racing stripes down the hood.
Zayne opened the door and climbed in, started it up. The engine rumbled to life, and Zayne smoothed his hands over the steering wheel. He and Tripp stood off to the side with their arms around each other, and huge smiles on their faces.
Zayne looked over at them with wide eyes. “I can’t believe this. You really got me a truck?”
“Yep. And you better take good care of it,” he said.
Zayne nodded fervently. “I will. I promise.”
He knew he would. He was a good kid. They never had any major problems with him. Zayne shut the truck off and climbed out, he went right to Jayme and Tripp; and threw his arms around them.
“Thank you so much,” Zayne said.
“You’re welcome, Bud. Glad you like it,” Tripp replied.
“You deserve it,” Jayme added.
“Can we go for a ride?” Hunter asked.
“Not right now. I’ve already had a couple of beers,” Zayne said. “You can sit in it though.”
Zayne and his cousins piled into the truck, and Tripp took pictures with his phone.
“He’s going to make an excellent Game Warden,” he mused, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Yes, he is,” Tripp agreed.
THE END.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading Game Wardens: Jayme & Tripp by Andria Large!
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About the Author
Andria Large is a traditionally published and self-published contemporary romance author. She doesn’t always follow the rules, so you will find both M/F and M/M books mixed into some of her series.
Henry from the Beck Brothers Series was the first book she self-published. Not expecting anything to really come of it, she was shocked to find the book caught wind and readers were asking for more. Writing books was not something she had set out to do. She wrote stories for herself, as a hobby. Now that it has become her career, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Andria grew up in Philadelphia, but now lives in New Jersey with her two daughters and wonderfully supportive husband, who frequently accompanies her at signings. The events that she attends every year are one of her favorite things about being an author. She loves meeting and conversing with her readers, but also enjoys finding new ones.
