by Carol Lynne
“So what’s it like?” Rio asked.
“What?” Sonny responded between raspberries.
“Having a baby around? I’d love one, but Ryan said we have Nate.” Rio grinned. “Although Ryan’s got a point, Nate fusses when I try to carry him around.”
“You’d be a good father,” Sonny said. “I think Ryan just doesn’t want to share you with another person.”
“Damn right,” Ryan replied.
Rachel pulled her hand away from Sonny’s mouth before grabbing his ears. “Dumbo!”
Sonny rolled his eyes. According to Ryker, Dumbo was Rachel’s favorite cartoon at the moment.
“Okay, but then I need to get back to cooking.” Sonny lifted Rachel over his head to twirl her like he’d seen Ryker do a hundred times, but he barely had time to pass her to Rio before he collapsed.
* * * *
“Food’s ready!” Sonny yelled from the kitchen.
After suffering another seizure while in the kitchen with Rawley and Nate, Sonny had been forced to lie down for about thirty minutes, which had affected Garron’s timeframe. Once Sonny was up and feeling better, Garron had ordered Sonny to stay in the kitchen with Ryker and Rio while he set up his Christmas present in the living room. Thankfully, Jeb had helped tremendously by coming up with a quick design plan and gathering all the stuff. Who knew his brother would be so good at this sort of thing?
Garron was overwhelmed by the space they had created in such a short time. “That is unbelievable,” he told Jeb, gesturing to the arch made of bare willow branches and white Christmas lights.
“Thank Rawley—he made it.” Jeb crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t think we could’ve crammed another swag or string of lights in this room.”
“It’s perfect.” Garron patted his back pocket. The three pieces of paper were still safely tucked away. “Ya think we’re ready?”
Jeb nodded. “Give me two minutes to grab my camera.”
“Okay, I’ll go get Sonny.” Garron wiped his hands on his jeans before entering the kitchen. “Sure smells good in here.”
“Yeah, well, it’s all going to be cold if we don’t eat,” Sonny grumbled.
Garron realized he’d totally screwed up on his plan. He figured they’d do a quick ceremony and take some pictures before sitting down to Christmas lunch. With the food ready, he needed to quickly decide if he should wait on the ceremony. He definitely wasn’t a party planner. “Give me two seconds.”
Ducking out of the kitchen, Garron grabbed Rawley and Ryan. “We’re gonna have to eat first.”
“Okay,” Rawley said.
Garron pointed toward the open archway that led to the dining room. “Which means we need to cover that up with something.”
“Oooh, yeah, you’re right. Sonny won’t like it, but we can hang a couple of sheets from the doorframe,” Rawley suggested.
Sonny would hate it, but what choice did Garron have? “Do it. I’ll find some thumb tacks.”
Entering the kitchen again, Garron went to the junk drawer. “We’re gonna have to put off your present, so Rawley and Ryan are going to block the dining room off from the living room,” he told Sonny.
“Are you kidding?” Sonny planted his hands on his hips.
“Trust me,” Garron begged, finding the tacks.
* * * *
Sonny spooned gravy onto his mashed potatoes before passing the bowl to Ranger. Every time he glanced toward the right side of the table, all he could focus on were the bed sheets. He didn’t know what kind of surprise Garron was hiding in the living room, but it had better be a damn good one.
Once everyone had filled their plates, Sonny tapped his glass with a fork. “I’d just like to thank everyone for being here. I know that you all have already been through a lot with me, so I appreciate you caring enough to go through it again.”
Sonny had thought about what he’d say to his family and friends all morning, and wasn’t able to come up with a way to prepare people for the worst without putting a heavy cloud over their meal. “I’ve often wondered why I was saved the day of the shooting, and I’ve come to realize that God wanted me to tie up a few loose ends. This is my way of doing that. So, I want you all to know how much you mean to me, and if this is to be my last Christmas, I can’t imagine a more loving group of people to share it with.” There, he’d done it.
From the opposite end of the table, Garron’s eyes narrowed, but it was Nate who spoke next. “If we’re going to be perfectly honest, I think God saved you from the shooting so you could share the love that you found with Garron with the rest of us. I know I never would’ve met Ryan and Rio if I hadn’t been hired to come here, and for that, I will be eternally grateful.”
“And I wouldn’t have had the guts to be with Jeb if you’d have died,” Rawley announced, surprising Sonny.
“Same with us,” Ranger said. “I probably would’ve left town completely.”
Garron cleared his throat, and Sonny held his breath. “I’d be sitting in a prison cell, charged with Lionel’s murder.”
The statement knocked the air out of Sonny’s lungs. He tried to breathe, but the effort came out sounding ragged. “Is that what you really think?” he finally asked.
“I don’t think it. I know it. Because without you, I’d have had no life. The only thing that kept me from hunting him down at the time was knowing you needed me,” Garron explained.
His cooling food forgotten, Sonny pushed his chair out and stood. He went to stand beside the man he loved and shook his head. “That goes against everything I ever believed.”
Garron made room and pulled Sonny onto his lap. “I know. You think I’d have been better off if you’d died, but nothing could be further from the truth.”
“But…”
Garron covered Sonny’s mouth with his palm. “There are no buts.” He replaced his hand with his mouth, kissing Sonny like the two of them were completely alone in the room. When he pulled back, he brushed a soft kiss to Sonny’s damaged forehead before looking around the room. “It doesn’t look like anyone’s eating.”
“Yeah, I think I killed everyone’s appetite with my big mouth.”
“It’s a mouth I’d marry every single day if I could.” Garron kissed Sonny again. “Speaking of, I’d be honored if you’d agree to marry me again.”
Sonny glanced at Rawley, sure that his brother had spilled his secret. “When I get out of the hospital…”
Garron shook his head. “Nope. Now.”
Ryker stood and pulled the sheet down that separated the living room and dining room.
Sonny gasped at the transformation. “Is that what you’ve been doing in there all this time?”
“Yeah.” Garron lifted Sonny off his lap before getting to his feet. Holding Sonny’s hand, Garron led him into the living room. He dug into his back pocket and pulled out three pieces of paper. “I found the vows we spoke to each other the first time we did this. I thought you might want to repeat them since you don’t remember.”
Sonny shook his head. “You’re right, I don’t remember them, but I’m not the same person who wrote those.”
“You’re right. The first time we said our vows, I loved you, but I was incredibly naive, because I had no idea how much more I’d grow to love you.” Garron took both of Sonny’s hands in his. “I wrote some stuff down, but if you’re winging it, so will I.”
It was Sonny’s turn to stop Garron. “You don’t need to say anything else.”
“Yes, I do,” Garron argued.
“No, you don’t.” Sonny looked around at his family and friends before returning his attention to the man he loved. “The fact that you’d do all this for me, despite the way I’ve behaved lately, says everything. You love me—I get it now.”
“Finally,” Garron said, a broad smile on his handsome face.
While the rest of the people in the room chuckled, Sonny couldn’t concentrate on anyone but Garron. “You’re my hero. You always have been. I may not feel I de
serve you, but I’m grateful you haven’t let me run you off.” He took a step closer, pressing himself against Garron. “I hope I wake up from the surgery and still remember this day.”
“If for some reason you don’t, we’ll do this again and again until you do,” Garron offered.
Sonny slipped his arms around Garron’s waist. “I, Rutger Good, take you, Garron Greeley, to be my hero for life.”
“Rutger?” Sonny heard Nate murmur.
Sonny glanced over his shoulder, remembering that Nate wasn’t around for the first wedding. “Not my fault.”
Garron cupped Sonny’s face in his hands. “I, Garron Greeley, take you, Rutger Good, to be the sunshine that fills my soul even in our darkest hours.”
The deep kiss that followed drew catcalls, but Sonny refused to pull back until he’d thoroughly explored every inch of Garron’s mouth with his tongue. Needing oxygen, they eventually broke apart.
Sonny glanced at Jeb, who had been taking pictures the entire time. “You get that one?”
Jeb laughed. “More than one. If I’d have brought a video camera, I could upload it onto one of those online porn sites.”
Sonny smiled. “Cool. That means we did it right.”
Garron gave Sonny another quick kiss. “Should we start microwaving everyone’s lunch?”
“Uhhh…guys?”
Everyone in the room looked at Lilly.
Biting her lip, Lilly winced. “I think my water just broke.”
* * * *
While Ryker and Ranger rushed Lilly to the hospital, Garron helped Nate heat up everyone’s plates. Ryan came into the kitchen and transferred Ryker’s and Ranger’s food to plastic containers. “You can take these to the hospital when you go,” Ryan suggested.
“Good idea.” Garron handed a plate to Nate and stuck the next one in the microwave. “Nate, would you mind finishing up here while I run into the bedroom and throw a couple of changes of clothes in a bag?”
“Not at all,” Nate said.
Sonny was busy digging through his dresser when Garron came into the room. “I can only find two pajama bottoms,” Sonny complained.
“I’ll pick a few more up when we’re in Lincoln.” Garron found a small suitcase in the back of the closet and set it on the bed.
“What’re you doing?”
“Packing.” Garron tossed two pairs of jeans into the suitcase along with several T-shirts.
“Why?”
“Why? Because Omaha’s two hours from here, and there’s no way I’m going to be that far away from you. I’ll either stay at the hospital or find a cheap motel room somewhere.” As far as Garron was concerned, it wasn’t up for discussion. He went to the bathroom to gather his dopp kit.
“Okay,” Sonny said when Garron returned.
“Just like that? You’re not going to argue with me?” Garron settled his dopp kit in the suitcase.
“Nope. I’d do the same thing if our roles were reversed.” Sonny zipped his bag.
“You’re learning,” Garron said with a wink.
“Don’t push it,” Sonny warned, giving Garron’s ass a smack. “Come on, let’s go eat, so we can stop by the hospital and check on Lilly before we have to head on to Omaha.”
* * * *
By the time they had eaten, cleaned the kitchen and had driven to Lincoln, they only had a few minutes to check on Lilly.
Sonny came out of the private hospital room bathroom dressed in pajama pants and a T-shirt. “Promise you’ll tell me the minute I’m an uncle again.”
“As long as the nurses let me in here, you’ll be the first person I tell.” Garron sat on the end of Sonny’s bed so Nate, Ryan and Rio could sit in the provided chairs once they arrived. They were out scouting the area for a hotel that lived up to Nate’s standards while being cheap enough for Garron’s sensibilities. Garron had told them not to worry about staying in the same place, but the threesome wouldn’t hear of leaving him alone without support down the hall.
“I remember the sound of Lilly’s screams when she had Rachel. With her delivering early this time, I’m even more worried.” Sonny climbed on the bed and lay on top of the covers with his feet in Garron’s lap.
When Sonny started to wiggle his toes, Garron took the hint and rubbed his partner’s feet. “It’s early, but at least she’s in a hospital this time.”
“I hope I get to see them.” Sonny’s eyes went wide and he slapped his hand over his mouth.
Garron picked up on what Sonny had let slip. “She’s having twins?”
“Yes, but I’m not telling you what kind.”
Chuckling, Garron squeezed Sonny’s big toe. “What kind they are?”
“You know what I mean.” Sonny pressed his heel against Garron’s cock. “Do we have time for a quickie?”
“Sorry, cowboy, but I don’t think so.” Garron moved his massage up to Sonny’s calves. He knew Sonny was bouncing from subject to subject because he was nervous, so Garron continued to indulge him.
“What about sucking my dick?” Sonny tried again.
Garron ran his hand up Sonny’s leg to the buttoned fly of his pajama bottoms. He threaded two fingers through the gap in the fabric and was unsurprised to find Sonny without underwear. He flicked the head of Sonny’s cock several times.
“Is that a yes?” Sonny asked, reaching for the button.
The door opened and Garron quickly pulled his hand back. “That’s a maybe,” he said as a nurse came into the room.
* * * *
Sonny held up a container of lime Jell-O. “Anyone want this?”
Rio glanced up from the magazine he was reading. “You’re not going to eat it?”
Known as the human garbage can, Rio would eat anything put in front of him. God, Sonny was glad to have them around. “No, all yours if you want it.”
Rio held up his hands and Sonny tossed it across the room. Before he could unwrap the plastic spoon, Rio had torn the top off the Jell-O and sucked it into his mouth.
“Damn.” Sonny smiled at Ryan and Nate. “Lucky guys.”
“You know it,” Ryan agreed, getting to his feet. “It’s after nine. I’m surprised they haven’t kicked us out yet.” He stretched his arms over his head. “You kids about ready?”
Rio stood and set the empty container on Sonny’s tray. “That way they’ll think you ate it.”
“Thanks, buddy.” Sonny reached for Rio’s hand and shook it. “See ya on the other side.”
Instead of releasing Sonny’s hand, Rio pulled him into a hug. “We’ll be here first thing in the morning.”
Sonny accepted the hug and buried his face against Rio’s neck. “Take care of Garron, and make sure he eats.”
“Will do.” Rio pulled back and was quickly replaced by Nate then Ryan.
“We’ll be downstairs,” Ryan told Garron as he left the room.
“You’d better go, too. No sense in pissin’ off the nurses before we have to,” Sonny said.
Garron moved the tray and sat beside Sonny. “I know they say no cell phones, but yours is in the drawer. If you get scared or lonely, just call me.”
“I’m a big boy. I can handle a night on my own.” He tilted his chin up for a kiss. “You think those babies will come before I wake up?”
“I’m sure of it.” Garron squeezed Sonny tighter and kissed him with gusto, pushing his tongue in deep. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
“I’ll be back before they take you down in the morning.”
Despite what he’d said, Sonny hated to see Garron leave, but he doubted Garron would get much sleep over the next few days. “If you talk to Ranger, tell him I’m still voting for a niece named Rangina.”
Garron laughed. “I’ll remind him.” He stood and stared down at Sonny. “When you get out of here, we’ll go on a proper honeymoon.”
“Yeah? Where will you take me?”
“I don’t know. Why don’t you think about it while you’re doing nothing but laying around?”
Sonny nodded. “You, too. Don’t let those Cattle Valley wild boys keep you out too late.”
“Not gonna happen.” Garron smiled once more before turning and walking out of the door.
Sonny prayed they would indeed get to enjoy a honeymoon.
Chapter Seven
To take a break from staring at the ceiling, Garron glanced at the clock. It was seven minutes later than the last time he’d looked—five hours and thirty-two minutes until he could see Sonny again. He checked once more to make sure that the alarm was set correctly. What if the damn thing was broken and the front desk failed to give him his wake-up call? The motel was nice, but it was one of those Mom and Pop places, so he didn’t know how reliable their service would be. He had the alarm set on his cell phone, but that didn’t ease his mind, either, because he’d slept through it before.
Garron went back to staring at the ceiling. The red light on the smoke alarm was mesmerizing and he found himself counting the blinks. If Sonny were lying beside him he’d make Garron get up and put an elastic bandage over the damn thing.
He chuckled before rolling to his side to check the time yet again. Turning the bedside lamp on, Garron picked up the clock and inspected the cord, looking for any imperfections that might cause the alarm to malfunction.
Finding everything satisfactory, he put it on the table and picked up his cell phone. He checked his messages in case Sonny had texted or called while he’d been under the spell of the blinking red light.
Nothing. Although that didn’t mean that Sonny wasn’t as wide awake as he was. “Shit,” he said, throwing the covers off.
Within minutes, he was dressed and out of the door, pillow and blanket in hand. He may not be able to get into the hospital, but no one could stop him from sleeping in his truck in the hospital parking lot.
He parked far enough back in the lot to get a clear view of Sonny’s room, something he’d purposely scoped out earlier in the evening. Garron put a pillow between his head and the driver’s window and covered himself with a blanket.
