Happily Ever After Isn't Easy

by Jake C. Wallace

  “Yes, I’m saying she was wrong. We’re the ones who need to decide what’s best. You and me.”

  Randy looked to the paper held out before him. He reached up and grasped that paper with his forefinger and thumb, his eyes on Gabe as if he wasn’t sure he’d truly release the document.

  Gabe allowed the paper to slip from his fingers. His muscles relaxed, his gut settled, and his jaw unclenched. He didn’t realize how wound up he’d been over that decision, that responsibility. Randy studied the paper intently, his jaw tensing and relaxing, his brows twitching almost imperceptibly. He had to decide if he wanted to be a single father of twins. Gabe actually found himself rooting for him, hoping he’d take the challenge.

  Randy looked to Gabe. “I can do some of the things they need, like get them meals and give baths and even braid Maddy’s hair. But they need to know so much… and what if they get sick and I don’t know it? What if I mess them up and they start to hate me?”

  Gabe chuckled. “You know what you sound like?”

  Randy furrowed his brow. “What?”

  “Someone about to become a father.”

  Randy’s confusion morphed into an expression of comprehension. “So you’re saying every parent has those fears?”

  Gabe snorted. “Yeah, even me, and I don’t have kids.” That was a monumental moment for Gabe. He didn’t have kids, and that was okay. He still had time, still could adopt, hopefully still be involved in the twins’ life, still be Unca Gabe.

  Eyes on the paper, Randy’s face vacillated between determination and doubt. One deep breath and he ripped the only thing standing between him and his children.

  Gabe smiled wanly, feeling a touch of sorrow. He’d done the right thing. If he hadn’t, that truth would have eaten at him for the rest of his life.

  He patted Randy on the shoulder. “Since you’ve been drinking, I won’t bring the kids over tonight. But tomorrow they’ll be glad to get home.”

  Gabe grabbed the bottle of Jack with the intention of putting the liquor away. On his way through the foyer, Randy said his name. Gabe stopped and turned.

  Randy had stood, and his gaze was anywhere but on Gabe. He shifted from foot to foot. “Um… I’m… I’m gonna need help… with Maddy and Mikey.”

  “What about your mom or other family? Or you could hire someone.” Gabe wondered how far to go and hoped he wouldn’t get shot down. “Or I could help.”

  Randy’s eyes met Gabe’s, and he gave a sharp nod. “I wouldn’t turn down help, but my momma drives me a little nuts. And my family isn’t too close. There’s not really anyone who can come here.” More shifting and unease.

  “And you don’t trust me or like me.” Part of Gabe understood, and part of him was pissed that Randy wasn’t accepting his generous offer. Randy looked down. “How about this? You think about it. We can talk tomorrow when I bring the kids home.” What Gabe really wanted to say was he’d come calling as soon as there were two toddlers terrorizing the house. His lips curled slightly at that vision. He wasn’t as altruistic as he’d like to be.

  Randy nodded but was silent.

  “I’m heading home and getting some sleep. I suggest you do the same. Tomorrow your kids come home.”

  Gabe continued to the kitchen, not bothering to drop the bottle of Jack on his way out. He might need it sooner or later.

  BY THE time he arrived home, it was after ten and the house was dark. He thought everyone was asleep until he saw the light on in the bedroom. He found Brandt reclining in bed, laptop on his legs. Gabe took a moment to take in his gorgeous man. He’d come tearing into Gabe’s life, flipped it upside down. Gabe had been captivated by his good looks and love of kids. But there was so much more to Brandt Sawyer. The warmth in Gabe’s once cold heart, the hope that had filled that dark pit where he had none left, was amazing. Gabe had failed at love, at relationships, and he couldn’t say that he didn’t fear losing this one.

  Brandt raised his brow as he looked at the screen. “Planning on lurking outside the door all night?”

  Gabe huffed, entered the room, and climbed onto the bed. Brandt set the laptop on the floor. Gabe caught a glimpse of the web page he’d been looking at.

  “What were you doing online?”

  Gabe settled in next to Brandt on top of the covers, reclining against the headboard.

  “I contacted my old case manager at Walter Reed to schedule an appointment to see the pulmonary specialist who treated me after I returned stateside.”

  Gabe turned toward Brandt. “Are you okay? You aren’t getting worse, are you?” Had the stress of the last few days harmed him?

  Brandt raised his hand. “Slow down. I’m fine. I’m healing. Breathing easier. Getting more stamina. Ready to take on the world. Well, as long as the world doesn’t have any stairs and isn’t farther away than the kitchen.” Brandt snorted and then exhaled, gaze shifting downward. “When they told me that I might need a lung transplant someday, I had decided that I wouldn’t take that option. I had an uncle who had a heart transplant about twenty years ago when he was in his forties.” Brandt shook his head. “The toll the surgery took on him and the side effects of the antirejection meds… I wondered why he’d even bothered, you know?”

  Gabe chewed on his lip. “Did you ever ask him why?”

  Brandt chuckled. “Yeah, yesterday when I called him.”

  Gabe propped himself up on his elbow. “He’s still alive?”

  “He is. I asked him, why go through all that when he’d suffered so much. He said, ‘I just watched my granddaughter graduate from high school.’ Twenty extra years or more, and he says the issues and problems were less important than his family. When I made that decision, I hadn’t seen much in my future. No family, no one I wanted to stay around for.”

  “And that’s changed?”

  “You tell me.”

  Gabe lifted one side of his mouth. “You’ve got me. I know a month isn’t a long time but—”

  Brandt cocked his head. “My dad proposed to my mom after three weeks.”

  “Whoa, let’s not jump the gun. I mean, what I meant to say…. I don’t think that….”

  “I didn’t say I was going to propose, ya jackass.” Brandt laughed when Gabe frowned heavily. “You’re too cute.”

  Gabe grunted and crossed his arms.

  Brandt puckered his lips and made kissy noises. “Come on. You know you want one.”

  Gabe looked askance, trying not to laugh at Brandt’s ridiculous expression. Just to get him to stop, Gabe kissed him quickly.

  “Told ya.”

  “You did.” Gabe’s smile faded. Being able to laugh and joke were good. Helped with the whole entire tragedy and loss.

  “How’d it go with Randy?” Brandt took Gabe’s hand and ran his thumb over his.

  Gabe blew out a breath. “I gave him a choice. Accept my letter and we move into the house with the twins or tear the letter up, stay in the house, and be their dad.” The part of him that was about want and self-satisfaction still questioned the sanity of that decision.

  “And?” Brandt’s voice was so tender and gentle. Gabe moved closer and rested his head on his shoulder.

  “Tomorrow the twins go back to live with their real father. I’m not sure if we’ll be a part of their lives or not.” That was the heartbreaking reality he’d have to live with if Randy decided he didn’t need help. Guilt that Gabe hadn’t taken them and run was there, but taking the twins away from their father would have been a heavier weight to bear.

  “I’m sorry. I know how much they mean to you.” Brandt stroked Gabe’s hair, the action comforting and relaxing.

  “Thanks for not saying I did the right thing.”

  “You already know you did. Doesn’t bear repeating.” Brandt kissed his head and snuggled closer. Gabe could what-if in the future. Right then he was happy right where he was.

  Chapter 27

  BETSY SHOWED up bright and early with donuts, all wide-eyed and cheery. The twins had woken Gabe and Br
andt at the crack of dawn. When Gabe told them they were going home, their excitement was immense. They hadn’t stopped since. Brandt was currently on his back on the floor, legs straight up, giving them each airplane rides. Gabe sat on the couch, practically curled around his cup of coffee, extra hazelnut cream because he deserved it. Betsy sat in the chair, smiling as Maddy tried to make an airplane noise.

  “Attention, Plane Maddy, this is the tower. You are cleared for landing.” Brandt bounced her around as she laughed hysterically. “Turbulence! Watch out for the turbulence!” A few more shakes and he lowered her to the ground.

  Gabe shook his head. “Make sure you don’t get too winded.”

  Brandt waved a hand at him and cleared Mikey for takeoff.

  Betsy looked to Gabe, giving him a thumbs-up, then pointing to Brandt as she mouthed, “Good catch.”

  Gabe snorted and took a drink of his coffee. As if he didn’t know that.

  “What time are you dropping the kids off?” Betsy swirled her coffee. Gabe thought that was an annoying habit.

  Gabe looked at the clock. It was only nine. “Not until after eleven. Last night, Randy was—” Gabe looked to the kids and, when they weren’t looking, mimicked the tipping of a bottle to his mouth. “Giving him time to sleep.”

  “That poor guy. I can’t imagine what he’s going through. Do you think he’ll be all right with the kids?”

  Gabe shrugged. “He will, or he’ll have to ask for help. But I know he won’t let anything happen to the twins. He really loves them.”

  Brandt let Mikey down and begged the kids to stop, even though they asked for more.

  Gabe stood. “Let’s all go and eat. I made you guys’ favorite. Scrambled egg and cheese cups.”

  The kids raced into the kitchen and sat at the table.

  “Need some help, big guy?”

  Brandt looked up at Gabe slyly and nodded. Gabe held out a hand and was almost pulled over by an amused Brandt before he was off the floor.

  “You did that on purpose.”

  Brandt shrugged and went into the kitchen. Betsy looked overly amused and followed Brandt. Gabe followed and went to the stove. He pulled out the muffin tins and plated the food while Brandt and Julia set the table. Gabe set the plate in the middle. They were all seated, and the kids dug in. Mikey grabbed his and took a big bite.

  “Damn. These are really good.” Brandt ate one in two bites.

  “Yeah, I came on the right day,” Betsy said.

  Before Gabe could take a bite, there was a knock at the front door. He sighed heavily. Brandt raised his brow, but Gabe shook his head. He went into the living room and opened the door.

  “Randy? Oh. Good morning. I thought you might sleep in today.” He looked awake and ready to face twins in their terrible twos.

  He dug his hands into his jean pockets. “Nah. I’ve been up for hours. Cleaned up the house and got some food.”

  “All before 9:00 a.m.?” Was he trying for the title of super dad?

  “I’m used to getting up early.”

  “Come in. We’re just eating breakfast.”

  Randy stepped inside and glanced around the room. “Nice craftsman cottage. You own this?”

  “I rent. Not sure where I want to land just yet.”

  Randy nodded as his gaze darted about the room, and he rocked on his heels. “I wanted to ask you and your… um….” He pointed to the kitchen. “Your partner….”

  “Brandt.”

  “Yeah, Brandt, if you wanted to come to dinner tonight. I got some steaks and beer. I thought we could work out a schedule, you know, with the kids. I have some nights I have to work late, and… I mean, if your offer to help still stands.”

  Gabe’s mouth gaped, and for a moment, he was speechless. Not what he’d expected. “Yeah. Sure. I can help at night or after school. Anytime. I usually work from nine to four. I can even help in the mornings.”

  For the first time since Gabe met him, Randy gave a slight smile “I’d appreciate that. It’s going to be hard on them, coming home and Karen not being there.” His voice sounded tight and forced. “I think having you around will help them.”

  “Thank you.”

  Randy snorted. “Don’t thank me yet. Someday you might wish you hadn’t offered.”

  Gabe knew the answer to that one already. “Never.”

  Randy looked longingly toward the doorway to the kitchen, where the sounds of chatter from Mikey and Maddy could be heard. “If you need more time, I can come back. I don’t want to take the kids away from breakfast.”

  “Randy, let me pay you back the favor of dinner early. Come eat with the kids.”

  He appeared hesitant, then said, “Okay.”

  “Head on in. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  Seconds after Randy disappeared into the kitchen, Gabe heard squeals and shouts of delight from the twins. “Daddy!”

  Gabe’s legs felt weak. His heart pounded in his chest. He sat on a chair. His biggest fear had been Randy saying no and shutting him out of the twins’ lives. Until that moment, he hadn’t realized how much of that fear he’d suppressed.

  Brandt squatted next to him. “You okay?”

  Gabe took his hand, so strong and reassuring, so right. Brandt gazed at him with those hazel eyes that had snagged Gabe at first sight. “I am.” He ran his fingertips over Brandt’s cheek and was rewarded with a coy smile. “Do you know how much I love you?” The immensity of that adoration, that love, was hardly contained within him.

  Smiling gently, Brandt pulled Gabe to his feet and wrapped his arms around him, their bodies touching from chests to thighs. “You may have mentioned something, but remind me.”

  “More than anything.” And that was an understatement.

  Brandt cocked his head and took on a look of suspicion. “Are you trying to butter me up because we’re going to be part caretakers of two children whose untapped energy supply could power an entire army?” Brandt ran his hand down Gabe’s back, sending a shudder through him.

  “You’re begging for the job, and you know it.”

  “I will need some reimbursement for my services.” Brandt waggled his eyebrows and rubbed their groins together suggestively.

  Gabe snorted and smacked him on the shoulder. Brandt grabbed his hand and slowly brought Gabe’s fingers to his lips, his gaze unwavering.

  He lightly kissed Gabe’s fingertips, sending waves of tingles through him. “I love you too, Mr. Reynolds.”

  Gabe grinned as Brandt brought their lips together. That touch still sent shots of electricity through Gabe’s lips and down his spine. After a moment’s hesitation, Gabe fell into the kiss, ready for a lifetime of kisses with Brandt. Happily ever after might not be easy, and there were no guarantees, but Gabe would take what he had over that any day.

  More from Jake C. Wallace

  As prince of the Anzuni demon clan, Jerricho’s entire life has been planned for him. At twenty-five, he will become the crown prince of the Anzuni, marry a man chosen by his parents, and bear his husband’s children all without choice. If that wasn’t enough, he must remain a virgin until his wedding night. To do otherwise would spark an unimaginable scandal.

  With only ten months until his twenty-fifth birthday, the walls close in on Jerry, and the realization that he will lose his small apartment, his job at the library, and his freedom hits hard. But that’s nothing compared to losing the man he loves. Rex is a smart and sexy construction foreman with a keen interest in demon “mythology.” When Jerry and Rex give in to spending one night together, their indiscretion can’t be kept secret for long. But that’s only the beginning of their problems.

  Someone wants to harness the power of Jerry’s bloodline and his ability to conceive—someone with designs on horrifying experiments, sex slavery, and murder. Jerry and Rex are at the mercy of power-hungry sadists. With no one left to trust, they must fight for each other, their freedom—and their unborn child.

  Nineteen-year-old college student Levi Reed has spe
nt his life with hollow emotions and a darkness so deep that he’s convinced he’s losing his mind. He’d give anything to feel something, anything, real.

  When a mysterious stranger appears, Levi is convinced the man is trying to kill him. When he’s near, Levi experiences head-crushing pain and something surprising—real emotions for the first time. Jeb Monroe is arrogant, self-assured, closed-off, and handsome, but he isn’t the harbinger of doom Levi assumed. Jeb’s mission: help Levi find his missing soul.

  Levi is pulled into the secret world of Seers and Keepers, those born with the innate ability to manipulate souls and tasked with balancing the negative energy they can produce. Levi learns he possesses a rare gift, and he’s in danger. As Jeb and Levi grow closer, they discover a group of zealots who want to harness Levi’s power to cleanse the world of damaged souls. Everyone Levi cares for is threatened unless he agrees to become their tool of death. But agreeing could spell the destruction of humankind. With no one to trust and nothing as it appears, it’s up to Levi to save them all.

  New Vampire Justice: Book One

  With pain and loss in their pasts and evil threatening their futures, two vampires will find a love that lasts forever… if they dare.

  Carson Locke is dangerous, even by vampire standards. A rare Tabula Rasa vampire, he can wipe the mind of those he bites—human or vampire. Because of this, he’s lived his entire life in isolation. When his family is murdered, Carson runs from those who want him dead. Injured, starving, and about to be executed, he meets Commander Lincoln Samuels, an officer in the New Vampire Justice police force.

  Lincoln, a Sanatore vampire, possesses the gift of healing. The moment he encounters Carson, broken and terrified, trying to steal blood to survive, he is compelled to help the other man—despite the risk to himself. Their bond creates something the world has never seen, but others have plans for Carson and his destiny was written long before he was born. He’ll either become a tool to control the vampire world or, with Lincoln by his side, find the courage to fight and become its savior.