Sitting down next to her to wait for her name to be called, he stiffened when she leaned over awkwardly and whispered, “You better have a plan, Jacky. After we’re done here we can go pick out the ring. Soon our lives can get back to normal.”
The nurse calling out Sherry’s name interrupted Jack’s retort. He stood and angrily followed Sherry into the examining room. Shortly he found himself back in the waiting room as Sherry had kicked up a fuss, not wanting him in the room. Apologetically, his friend Keven said for privacy reasons if Sherry didn’t want him in there he couldn’t be there. The doctor suggested Jack stay in the waiting room and when the exam was over they could all meet in his office and go over everything.
High-pitched screaming and nasty swear words interrupted his brooding thoughts. There was a loud bang of a door hitting a wall and then Sherry raced awkwardly past him right out the door. Kevin grabbed his arm and said, “Jack, you need to catch her. Medically speaking, she needs to be in a hospital.”
“What the hell is going on?” Jack demanded.
Looking Jack straight in the eye, the doctor said, “Patient confidentiality, Jack. I can’t say anything. But you need to get her to the hospital as soon as possible for the babies’ sake.”
The look on Keven’s face and the word “babies” had Jack’s feet moving out the door and jumping in his truck as Sherry’s car passed him, tires squealing. He had just paused at the entrance of the parking lot when he saw Sherry’s car lose control, bounce off a parked car, and slam into a tree at the end of the block.
What followed was utter chaos as he got out of his truck, ran to the smashed vehicle, and pried open the door. The air bag was deployed and Sherry was unconscious with blood running down her face. Finding a weak pulse but no breathing had Jack pulling her from the vehicle and laying her on the ground. He proceeded to administer mouth to mouth resuscitation, trying to keep his babies alive. Pausing, he felt for a pulse and found nothing. Changing to administer chest compressions in between breaths, Jack could hear sirens in the background.
A manual breathing bag was placed onto Sherry’s mouth and nose. Instructions were issued that on three he was to stop compressions and she would be lifted onto a stretcher. A paramedic would be taking over compressions once she was on the stretcher. Jack watched as they continued to work on her while she was being rolled away to the ambulance and taken to the hospital.
* * * *
Brian’s phone rang, making him jump. Anxiously he answered it, hoping it was Jack. But it wasn’t the confident, easygoing Jack he was used to. It sounded like Jack was crying as he said, “Baby, can you come to the emergency room? There’s been an accident and I need you.”
“Just hold on, Jack, I’ll be right there. I love you.” Brian never stopped moving as he put on his shoes, grabbed his keys, and called Bret. When he answered his cell, Brian told him, “You and Cade need to get to the emergency room. Something has happened with Jack.” Brian couldn’t start the car and talk so he just hung up on Bret and raced to the hospital.
Brian walked into the hospital emergency lobby to find a dejected-looking Jack slumped in a corner chair. Walking up to him, Jack raised his head to reveal haunted eyes reddened by tears running down his cheeks. Leaning down, Brain ignored the blood stains, put his arms around his Jack, and held him tight. Jack pulled him down into the chair next to him and just held onto him.
The automatic emergency entrance door opened, bringing Cade and Bret into the lobby. It immediately opened again to reveal the rest of the team coming through the door. On each side and in front of Jack’s corner chair, everyone pulled their own chairs around and sat giving him their support. Jack, never letting go of the tight hold he had on Brian, started talking. “Sherry is pregnant with twins. I met her at her doctor’s appointment this morning. She wouldn’t let me come into the examination room with her and something happened because she ran out of the office very upset. I followed her and she crashed her car, hitting a tree. When I got to her she wasn’t breathing and then she didn’t have a pulse. I gave her CPR until the ambulance came. They’re working on her now, but nobody will tell me anything.”
The automatic doors again opened and Sam, Sherry’s brother, in full police uniform, hurried in. He went straight to the reception deck and started speaking with the person behind it. After several moments Sam came over to the group and got up into Jack’s face, demanding to know what happened.
Brian sat back trying to comprehend all that was happening around him. Jack had let him go as a policeman stormed over to them. They weren’t screaming or actually fighting, but it was safe to say they were having a very heated discussion.
Cade was on the phone having what sounded like an urgent conversation with a lawyer. The rest of the team was leaning forward in their seats, ready to jump in between Jack and the cop. Bret sat next to him with wide eyes, squeezing his hand, watching the circus around them. And then the nurse walked into the room, stood in front of the group, and everything stopped.
Looking at Sam she said, “Please come with me. The doctor would like to speak with you.” Sam was then led into a little room off to the side and the door closed behind them.
Jack watched as Sam went into the little room with the nurse. From his angle he had seen that the room had another door out the other side. He supposed the doctor would enter from there. After a few minutes a low, hoarse wailing sound came from that room. It faded and there was utter silence. Jack didn’t know how much time had passed but he couldn’t move or take his eyes off that door. Then it opened and an ashen face Sam came out. Jack jumped up and went over to the dejected man.
“Sam, what happened?”
“She’s gone.”
Jack’s heart dropped to his feet. He may not have liked Sherry’s actions, but he never wanted her dead. Still he had to know. “What happened to the babies?”
Sam’s face turned to granite. “They’re alive. Small, but alive. She’s gone, but the doctors managed to save them. The doctor said it may take some time for them to grow enough to leave the hospital, but eventually they think they will be normal healthy babies. I’ve got to go.” Sam turned and walked out of the hospital.
Brian watched the man disappear out the door. He knew Sam needed to have a little time to come to terms with Sherry’s death. Turning to Jack, he stepped into the man’s arms and held on tight.
The day was not over yet, time did not stop. Minutes later Cade’s lawyer, now Jack’s, stepped into the lobby with a court order for a paternity test to immediately be performed. Jack followed a nurse into the lab to provide his part of the test. Through it all he never let go of Brian’s hand. Then the seven men, as the family they were, went up to the third floor and over to the nursery viewing window, trying to get a glimpse of the new babies.
Jack scanned the nursery, his eyes passing over the row of tiny blanket-wrapped beings, some crying or sleeping. In the back corner of the room there was a larger glass incubator. Inside were two very tiny babies in pink hats. From what he could see, tubes and wires were attached to various parts of their very fragile bodies. Tiny eye masks covered their eyes. The nurses attending to the newborns kept giving the seven sympathetic glances. They knew until the tests revealed who was or wasn’t these children’s father, they couldn’t let them near the babies or give out any information. Then Jack realized what he was seeing. Pink hats. Both babies were girls.
Over the next few days, the stress and tension built until Jack was ready to explode waiting for the test results. Thank goodness he had a big house because for all intents and purposes, the whole team had moved in. Every morning and evening they all piled into their trucks and went to see the babies. It was exciting to see every hurtle they achieved in their struggle to grow and heartbreaking because he couldn’t hold them or call them his own.
This morning they were going to the small memorial service for Sherry. Sherry’s parents had passed away some time ago and all that was left were a few friends and Sam. After a very
quiet breakfast, the whole team climbed into their trucks and headed to the funeral home. Brian was at his side where he belonged. There had been some discussion about whether he should attend or not. Mainly it consisted of Brian saying it wasn’t appropriate and the rest shutting him down, saying he was part of their team and therefore would be there with them. As far as Jack was concerned, they could discuss it as much as they wanted. The facts were Brian was at his side and that was where he was staying.
Arriving at the funeral home, they made their way to the front where a picture of Sherry sat on the closed casket. There were flowers covering it and in stands around the room, including one from Jack and the team. Sam stood near, greeting the few friends that had come to pay their respects.
Each of their group shook Sam’s hand and said their words of sympathy and then it was Jack’s turn. Shaking Sam’s hand, Jack could only offer the man his regret and say, “I’m sorry this all happened, Sam. I never would have believed things could turn out this way.”
Sam didn’t let go of Jack’s hand. His sad, drawn face held his own regret. “I loved my sister, but we both know she always had to have everything her own way. When something didn’t go the way she thought it should, there was hell to pay. Now we have to deal with the consequences of her actions. Jack, I don’t know what to do. I have been ordered to leave town and go undercover for at least a year. I’m supposed to leave at the end of the week. If you aren’t those babies’ father, I don’t know who is. I will be their only living relative until I can figure that out. I’m leaving and this is a total mess.”
Jack didn’t have any answers, but he had to try to help the poor man. “The results of the tests should be in at any time. When they come in, we’ll deal with what they say. One way or another we will find out who is the father of those children. Either way, I won’t abandon them or you, Sam.”
“Thank you, Jack.” Sam squeezed his hand and put his other arm around him, giving him a grateful hug.
Brian watched the scene play out in front of him. He was grateful when the hug ended and Jack led him by the hand back to the rest of the team. Sitting next to Jack during the following service, Brian tried not to think ill of the dead or the remaining brother. Brian was the type of person that tried to see the good in everyone. But it seemed like Sam shared his sister’s tendencies, not thinking of anyone else’s feelings and unwilling to take on unwanted responsibilities.
Brian would never in a million years leave two tiny, defenseless baby girls and take off out of town for a year, job or no job. He could only hope the test results would show Jack as the father. They had discussed it and the papers were already drawn up. If he was the father, Brian was going to adopt the girls, also.
Later that afternoon, everyone was back at Jack’s house sitting around glad that that ordeal was over. Bret as usual was sitting on Cade’s lap. Brian was also snuggled down in Jack’s arms. Jack had just explained his conversation with Sam when his cell phone rang. Everyone was expressing their opinions on what should be done as Jack answered the call.
Brian as usual was quietly listening to everyone and turned his attention to Jack, watching his expression turn from a guarded look to his face breaking into a huge smile. Ending the call, Jack looked down at him and said, “We have two daughters.”
Chapter Eight
Jack and Brian immediately raced to the hospital to hold the newborns. Each of them carefully put their hands through the openings of the incubator, touching their daughters for the first time. Isabella at three pounds four ounces fit perfectly in one of Jack’s hands. The monitors attached to Christina all seemed to calm every time Brian touched the three pound six ounce baby. Both men talked to their children, telling them about their upcoming lives, hopes, and dreams. Then Brian started to softly sing a lullaby in his sweet tenor voice. Jack joined in, adding his baritone to the harmony. The nurses would later tell the tale how all the babies in the nursery seemed to quiet down and listen to the beautiful song.
Later that night, a very happy Jack soaped and rinsed every inch of Brian’s skin in the shower. It was so nice to have the whole house to themselves again. The team had all left, going back to their own homes. They would be back during the coming days and weeks, bringing food and showing any support needed while Jack and Brian spent most of their time at the hospital. No doubt they would all help ready the house for the newborn’s arrival when they were able to come home. Jack was sure the house would be full again with the team helping them care for the two babies in the early days.
Brian enjoyed Jack’s hands running over his chest around down his back. He knew as the touches became more intense and the sucking kisses around his neck and shoulders became more heated that this was going to get wild and rough. He wasn’t surprised when Jack lifted his leg to rest his foot on the built-in shower corner seat and a slippery probing finger entered him. One finger became two, pumping in and out, opening him quickly. Jack started sucking up bruises along his shoulder and added another finger, making him arch his back, writhing under the intense feelings his lover was bringing out.
Brian cried out in dismay when Jack lifted his head, pulled his fingers out, and then shut off the water. Opening the shower door, he grabbed a towel and proceeded to dry them both off. He made up a little ground in Brian’s favor when he started using the soft towel to dry Brian’s straining cock off with sure swift strokes. Before it could become too intense, Jack stopped and picked Brian up and headed towards the bed.
Again Jack surprised him when he didn’t lay him on the bed but draped him face down with his hips and legs hanging off the side. The height of the bed made it so Jack’s cock was pointing directly at his hole. Jack wasted no time and shoved his dick in, making Brian scream in pleasure-pain. Thank goodness he stopped and waited for Brian to adjust. When Brian pushed back to let him know he was ready, Jack went right into a pounding, punishing rhythm. Many times in the last few months, their love making ended quickly with them both coming at the same time. This time was very different. Jack changed his angle to hit that bundle of nerve endings that made Brian scream over and over. Then he changed his angle again and just powered in and out. He did this so many times Brian lost count. Then Jack stiffened and Brian felt the hot gushing of his cum fill him until it was dripping down the side of his leg. That set off Brian’s own orgasm, making him scream until he was hoarse. Brian came to his senses much later to find Jack gently cleaning him with a washcloth.
“Am I alive, Jack?” Brian looked over his shoulder to find a very satisfied look on Jack’s face.
“We both are, sweets. I thought I just proved it to you.” Jack chuckled.
“I love you, Jack.”
Jack flipped him over and slid him up to the head of the bed. Climbing up and boxing him in with his arms and body, Jack rubbed his nose against Brian’s. Jack then dropped kisses on the corner of Brian’s mouth, the side of his nose and over each eyelid. Soon their lips met and sweet turned to deep, soul searching kisses. Jack had many times kissed Brian for what seemed like hours, just exploring, invading, and connecting.
This time Brian lifted his leg, bringing it up to his chest, opening himself for Jack’s invasion. Jack reached down and guided his shaft into the still loose opening. Their movements were slow and easy, their kisses wet and sloppy. It wasn’t until sweat was dripping off their bodies that Jack reached down and began to stroke Brian’s cock from base to tip. It didn’t take long for Brian to arch up and cry out in ecstasy. Cum erupted from his prick, coating Jack’s fingers. Jack pulled his dick out of Brian’s hole. Using Brian’s cum as lubricant, he stroked his cock until cum was painting Brian’s chest and belly, crudely marking him as his.
More kisses followed and then Jack lifted his head. “Come on, sweets. I think we need another shower.”
As was their relationship, Jack cleaned Brian up and then himself. After drying them both, he carried him back to bed. They fell asleep in each other’s arms on the first night they officially became par
ents.
The weeks passed with them spending most of their time at the hospital. They both were learning how to bath, feed, and monitor the tiny girls. Brian was more comfortable handling them as his hands were smaller and he had been working with children for years. Jack, ever the caregiver, never shied away from any aspect of care for the babies. Their tiny Bella was a feisty little girl and let them know when she was unhappy, while Tina was happy to be held while watching everything around her. Slowly but surely, they gained the weight they needed so they could go home. When they were almost to the five pound goal, their pediatrician informed the men, barring any complications, the girls would have their much anticipated release in a few days.
* * * *
Brian and Jack sat slumped on the sofa utterly exhausted. It had been three days since the girls had come home and even with all the guys helping, neither of them could believe how much work two premature babies could be. Somehow, just five minutes ago, for the first time, they managed to get both girls down for a nap at the same time.
Brian couldn’t believe how the two tiny beings seemed to tag team each other. First one cried, and then the other was hungry. They would settle the first one down only for the second one to start crying because of a dirty diaper. The crying would wake the first one up and they would have to start all over again. The worst was bath time. Both girls had decided baths were something they did not want to have. The men had endured nonstop crying throughout what one would think would be a soothing, warm, relaxing time. Oh no, not their girls. By the time they were clean and redressed, Brian was crying with them.
Poor Jack hadn’t known who to hug first. Finally he ushered them all onto the big sleigh bed, cooing, singing, and loving on them all until they all calmed down. Just as Brian’s eyes closed in sleep, he saw Bret and Cade come into the room and take the wide awake babies out of the room. Then Jack pulled him close and the exhausted parents had let sleep overtake them.
Jack's Sweets [Rescue for Hire 2] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) Page 6