Another Chance

Disclaimer: This story is fictional. Some of the things that happened or will happen with Jim are inspired by bits and pieces of my life. Parts of the character are fictional as well. All other characters were made up and any similarities are just coincidental. This is gay romance between teenage boys, there may be sex, but for the most part, it's about their true love of each other so if that offends you, please discontinue reading. Also, if it is illegal for you to read such material, you have been warned. Continual reading could cause a knock at your door.

I hope you're enjoying it so far and that the story draws you in wanting more. This story was "inspired" by another story, a great story, here on Nifty, "Riding Lessons" by Andrew Todd. Some people have compared my writing style to that of Mr. Todd's and for that, I am flattered. While Another Chance does pay tribute to "Riding Lessons", it is a story of its own and has its own plot and agenda. If you have any suggestions or concerns, don't hesitate to email me at zarek@roadrunner.com mailto:zarek@roadrunner.com . Thoughts and suggestion are always welcomed and may or may not be implemented. Concerns will be considered and addressed as much as possible.

AND, if you enjoy the stories on Nifty.org, please give a donation to help cover their expenses. While the site is currently free, only donations from loyal fans can help keep it that way. Any amount will help.

Another Chance

Chapter 55

Jim woke up feeling something, or rather someone crawling over him. He opened his eyes and just caught Jakey running into the bathroom. Feeling the bed, Jakey's spot was dry and Jim smiled. Looking at the time, it was only one in the morning. It wasn't long until Jim felt Jakey trying to climb back onto the bed. "Need some help?" Jim offered.

"Sawwie if I woke you but I had to go potty," Jakey explained.

"That's fine, I would rather you wake me than have another accident. I'm proud of you," Jim complimented him. Jakey smiled, hearing Jim say it, and he got back between Zac and Jim, snuggling close to Jim. Jim put his arm around Jakey and kissed the back of his head before going back to sleep.

After some much needed shut-eye, Jim woke again, he looked at the clock and it was six o'clock. He got up and went to the shower. Zac came in, "I'd like to join you, but don't think it would be a good idea."

"Sorry about that. I guess I should have talked to you before asking to take him," Jim said apologetically. He gave Zac a kiss before getting in the shower.

"Even if you did talk to me, I would have said yes, so no need to apologize. As soon as you hugged him that first time, I wanted to take him home," Zac said, speaking a little louder so Jim could hear him over the water. "Can you imagine how he feels about you to start calling you daddy already?"

"I know that we planned to wait until after all of our schooling is done, but I wish that I could marry you today so that we can adopt him. I want him so badly," Jim stated.

"I know, I've not spent the time with him that you have yet, and I want him. You going today to fill out the paperwork to be his `brother'?" Zac asked.

"I figure that we'd do that after breakfast, when we are done, we'll come back here and then make some chicken-bacon ranch bombs for lunch. And we'll go to the ranch after lunch," Jim clarified as he finished his shower.

A little voice came from the door, "Daddy, I gotta go potty."

"You can come in, your other daddy is in the shower, but I'll step out so you can go," Zac offered. "You did a really good job, other than the one accident. I'm proud of you."

"Thank you, Daddy. I wuv you and Daddy," Jakey said as Zac left him to go potty.

"You want bacon or sausage for breakfast?" Jim called from the shower, after he turned off the water and Jakey was done peeing.

"BACON!!!" Jakey shouted.

Jim grabbed a towel, dried himself off and wrapped the towel around his waist before getting out of the shower. Jakey had the toilet lid down and was sitting there. "What's up, Bud?"

"Just waiting on you, Daddy. When we gonna go wide horsey Gold?" Jakey asked.

"After lunch, you looking forward to it?" Jim asked.

"Uh huh, I like horsey Gold," Jakey smiled.

"Let's go fix breakfast, then we need to go to the home so I can fill out some papers."

"No, pwease don't take me back to the home, I wanna stay wif you," Jakey begged.

"We're just going so I can fill out papers so I can have you on the weekends. I promise, you'll leave with me," Jim said.

"I guess that's okay," Jakey said looking sad. They got dressed and went downstairs.

As they went downstairs, Jim noticed that the dining room was full. Nick and Chris were sitting there eating. Marilyn and Vince came over, they were sipping coffee. And then Heather, Joe and Zac were there. Two plates were sitting with no one at them. Both plates had bacon and scrambled eggs on them. "Looks like someone fixed breakfast for us," Jim said tickling Jakey's belly. Jakey just laughed. "So, why is everyone here?" Jim questioned as he put Jakey in a chair.

"We've been talking," Heather started.

"About?" Jim asked.

"You and Jakey. You've only had him one night but as much as you have bounded in that time, you have a clue how hard it's going to be for you to turn him back over to them?" Marilyn inquired.

"Very hard, Jakey has already said that he doesn't want me to take him back, and I've grown so attached to him in the short time, I want to keep him," Jim was about to cry just thinking of when the week is over.

"Mind you, we think you and Zac are still too young to get married, but in reality, what would it change? If the two of you want to get married so you can adopt Jakey, you have our approval with a few stipulations," Heather announced.

"I'm listening," Jim said, looking very attentive and smiling.

"First, you don't move out until both of you have graduated from high school," Heather began.

"We can do that, like you said, it'll not really be any different than now," Jim smiled.

"Second, while you boys are in school or working, I get to take care of Jakey," Marilyn offered.

"What about your baby, Mom? And you're working, usually the same hours that we are," Zac asked.

"What if I would have had him when you were five? It's no different," Marilyn stated. "Plus, Jakey will be starting kindergarten. As for my work, I usually work from home as is. Vinnie and I think that once the baby is born, I should go to part time for a while. I can set my hours while he's in classes."

"Any other stipulations?" Zac asked.

"We get to help plan the wedding," Marilyn said, moving her finger between her and Heather.

"So, when can we get married? I have to take Jakey back on Sunday," Jim looked sad as he made that comment.

"Unfortunately, it won't be before then, we were thinking maybe a June wedding. Dusty should be completely healed and Matt might be home from his honeymoon. We figure that they will be your best men," Heather answered.

"Can Jakey be the ring bearer?" Jim asked.

"I couldn't think of anyone cuter," Marilyn grinned.

"I not a bear, I'm a boy," Jakey averred.

"No honey, he said bearer as in you will carry the pillow with the rings," Heather told him.

"OH, I can do that," Jakey grinned.

"So what about from now until we get married?" Zac asked. "We want to keep Jakey."

"You bof want me?" Jakey questioned.

"We sure do," Zac grinned. Jakey grinned back.

"I don't think they would let Heather take him in since she doesn't have any spare bedrooms, Vinnie and I are thinking about seeing if we can take him in, foster him until the two of you can adopt. We're just not sure what they'll say about me being pregnant and only having the spare room."

"Moms, would it be acceptable if I moved in here, then Jakey could have my bedroom? I'm here ninety percent of the time, anyway," Zac asked.

"Vince, Heather, what do you think? He will be eighteen in four months and it's not like he's moving across town or further. And he is here more than home like he said."

"I have no problem with it as long as he comes to visit once in a while," Vince agreed.

"I'll stop in every day just to talk, help you work on your car or whatever. You are my dad and I love my mom," Zac assured him. "I promise, you'll see just as much of me, I'll just sleep here every night."

"And we love you," Vince stated.

"You will have the same rules as Jim and Joe, even once you are eighteen and married to my son," Heather averred.

"So again, nothing really changes," Zac laughed.

"Except maybe your mailing address will change. If you leave it across the street, they may say that you still live there and they'll have no room for Jake," Heather advised.

"I do want to propose an idea for after Heather and I get married," Nick began. "Chris and I will be moving in here leaving our house vacant. As you know, we plan to have the house moved. What if we wait to move the house until after Jim graduates and you two can live there, giving you some privacy, yet be close enough that we can still be here for you," Nick suggested.

"What do you think, Mom? Can we do that once you and Nick get married?" Jim asked.

"I'll give it some serious thought, but it does sound like it might be a good idea. It would help keep this house from getting too crowded. And Jake wouldn't have to share a bedroom with anyone. We have time before that happens to decide," Heather replied.

"Thanks, Mom," Jim responded with a smile.

"I do have one question for you, Mom," Zac started. "When Jim and I get married, I want to take Jim's last name. He's proud of his father and rightly so, your last name is now Abrams, but when Dad adopted me, my last name didn't change. I have no desire to carry my biological father's last name. Would that upset you?"

"I suppose we should have talked when I adopted you. I didn't know if you would have wanted my last name, I knew that you planned on marrying Jim and didn't know if you would change to his last name, and with this being your last year of high school, I figured it would be easier to wait," Vince explained.

"I'm not surprised that you don't want to carry his last name. As long as you and Jim agree, I have no problem with whatever name you go by. My main concern is, I want to see you happy," Marilyn responded. "Vince and I will go as soon as their office opens to file to be Jakey's foster parents. It may take a week or two to get approved, but we will get it started right away."

Jakey finished his bacon and asked if there was any more. Jim gave his bacon to the boy. "Thank you, Daddy," he cooed. Jim was kind of disappointed because he was looking forward to that bacon, but it was a sacrifice he was willing to make for Jakey.

After he was finished eating, Jim helped Jakey put on a light jacket and carried him out to his car. Zac followed them out, "I have a favor to ask, can I ride with you?"

"That's a silly question, you know that you can," Jim replied.

"You coming wif us, Daddy?" Jakey asked as Jim strapped him in.

"You don't mind, do you?" Zac asked.

"I glad you coming," Jakey said. Jim had a dirty thought and just smiled, keeping it to himself. Zac saw Jim's smile and smacked him, especially when Jim licked his lips.

At the home, Jim was greeted by Aunt Sallie. First thing she asked was how the first night went. "Other than he had an accident in bed, we had fun," Jim declared.

"An accident?" Aunt Sallie asked.

"Yeah, I don't know if it was nerves, or maybe too much water before bed, but he was worried that I would spank him. He said that when he stayed elsewhere they did," Jim informed her.

"No one said anything about that to me. You're the first person to tell me that he wet the bed. Jakey, did they spank you when you stayed at other houses?" Aunt Sallie asked.

"Uh huh, but Daddy just told me it was an accident and hugged me," Jakey replied.

"Daddy?" Aunt Sallie looked at Jim.

"He started that right after you left and I didn't discourage him. Zac and I plan to get married and would love to adopt him," Jim said defensively.

"You seem to be the first person to whom he's attached himself. I can't make any promises, but I believe when the time comes, we can make that happen. Both of you fill this out. Jim, I have a copy of your background check from when your mother filed for foster care, so you are good to go. Zac, if you want to be a part of Jakey's life, I will need to run a background check on you. Since you're not eighteen yet, I will need consent from your mother or father."

"I believe they are at the CPS office filing for foster care of Jakey," Zac responded.

Aunt Sallie picked up the phone and dialed quickly. After a brief conversation with whoever was on the other end, she hung up the phone. "Yes, they were there and will include you in their background check. Once it's complete, I will get a copy," Aunt Sallie informed them.

Another social worker at the home came over. "Jakey, would you like to come with me so that we can talk?" she asked.

"I wanna stay with my daddies," Jakey cried.

"It's OK, Jakey. I will stay right here until you come back. I think she wants to see what you thought about your visit so far without us being around so you can answer honestly," Jim told him.

"You promise?" Jakey asked.

"Give me a hug and then go talk with the nice lady. I won't move from this chair until you return."

"And I'll stay here, as well," Zac added.

"K, I be back," Jakey said and he walked with the lady, but kept looking back to see if they moved.

The lady talked with Jakey, asking pertinent question about what they did and Jim's conduct. While she was doing that Aunt Sallie was talking to Jim and Zac. "I've never seen him drawn to anyone like he has you. What's your secret?" Aunt Sallie asked.

"He gets the sense that I care about him. I think it started when I offered him a hug to show him that he wasn't at fault for my accident. I know his hug drew me in," Jim explained.

"For me, I just let him know that I want him as part of my life. When he hugged Jim, he melted into my heart. And our parents have agreed to let us get married in June so we can file for adoption," Zac added.

"If you want to file now, I can start the paperwork, but it can't be finalized until one of you is eighteen or you are married," Aunt Sallie explained.

"Yes, by all means. Would this prevent him from being adopted by anyone else?" Zac was almost begging. Jakey was returning and heard them talking.

"Yes, with a pending adoption, he may be placed in a foster home, but unless there is a problem where you can't adopt, Jakey will eventually be your son," Aunt Sallie smiled.

"You still here like you promised and you going to adopt me. I wuv you two," Jakey started to cry as he jumped onto Jim's lap and hugged him. Then he went over to Zac and hugged him.

"I will never purposely lie to you, Jakey," Jim vowed.

Jim watched Aunt Sallie look at the other lady, who gave a slight nod and smile. "I'm sure you know why she took Jakey aside. I'm happy to say that you passed," Sallie told them.

"Yes, and I totally understand your reasoning. I'm glad that you are looking out for your boys," Jim smiled.

"What did you pass, Daddy?" Jakey asked.

"It means that you were truthful, squirt. And I love you so much,"

"I should have asked you yesterday, but I was surprised by the two of you interacting. Do you have a booster seat for Jakey?"

"Yes, I stopped at Walmart and picked one up. I also got some new clothes for him. I know that you said we could pick up some of his clothes today, but I thought he would want pajamas for last night."

"That's fine, just do me a favor and keep his new clothes at your house so the other boys don't get jealous," Sallie asked.

"We need to go home and eat lunch so we can ride horsey Gold, Daddy," Jakey urged, grabbing Jim's face.

"Anything else before we leave?" Jim asked. "I think someone is anxious to see my horse again."

"No, I think everything is good, thank you for stopping by, I'll see you in five days," Sallie said as she walked them to the door.

"Bye-bye Aunt Salwie," Jakey said as Jim picked him up to carry him to the car.

After everyone was seated, Jim drove to Jake's General Store. They walked in and Jake greeted them as friendly as usual. "And who's this little guy?" he asked.

Jim laughed, "You should have no trouble remembering his name. This is Jakey B."

"Well hi, Jakey B. my name is Jake."

"My name Jakey. You Jakey, too?" Jakey asked.

"Yes, but no one has called me Jakey since I was eleven," Jake smiled. "What can I do for you today?"

"Jakey needs some western wear. Cowboy boots, hat, Levi's and a shirt," Jim replied. Jake disappeared for a few minutes and came back with a black western shirt with a royal blue yoke. He asked Jakey what he thought of it.

"For me? I like it," Jakey announced.

"You have that in my size?" Jim asked.

"And mine," Zac added.

"As a matter of fact, I do. I'm guessing, you want boots for him that match yours," Jake inquired.

"Yes, please," Jim said.

Jake got everything that Jim and Zac had asked for and Jim was getting ready to pay until Zac stopped him. "I'm paying for this," he stated.

"What if we split it?" Jim asked.

"You spent more than this last night, please let me just pay for this," Zac pled.

"Only if you at least let me give you a kiss," Jim smiled.

"OK, I guess we can make that compromise," Zac chuckled.

"Ewww, Daddy's gonna kiss Daddy," Jakey laughed.

"Daddy?" Jake questioned.

"Will be after we get married and adopt him," Jim explained.

Zac paid for everything and Jim kissed Jakey on his left cheek. Zac laughed as Jakey rubbed his cheek. "Did you just wipe my kiss off?" Jim asked.

"No, I wubbed it in," Jakey giggled.

"In that case, I'll give you another one."

"You s'pose to kiss Daddy," Jakey reminded him.

"Can't I kiss you, too?" Jim asked. Jakey just smiled and nodded his head as he giggled. Zac grabbed their purchases and kissed Jim, then they headed out to Jim's car to head home.

Zac helped Jim make chicken-bacon ranch bombs and they let Jakey put the pieces of chicken in each one. While the bombs were cooking, Jim washed Jakey's hands and Zac set the table. When the timer went off, Jim asked Jakey to stand back while he pulled lunch out of the oven.

Jakey ate six of the bombs while Jim and Zac ate five each. Jakey seemed to really love the bombs and Jim enjoyed watching Jakey be happy eating them.

After they were done eating, they dressed Jakey in his new shirt, black Levi's, boots and hat. Jim and Zac changed to their new shirt as well so all three matched. They moved the booster seat to Zac's truck and Zac drove to the ranch. Jackson smiled seeing the three of them dressed alike. He asked them to pose and he snapped a picture with his phone.

Jim carried Jake to Gold's stall and opened the gate. "C'mon horsey Gold. Daddy wants put a saddle on so we can wide you."

Gold rubbed his head against Jake's belly causing Jake to giggle. And then he headed for the cross ties. "Are you trying to steal my horse?" Jim teased Jake and tickled his belly.

Jakey laughed and said that he just wanted to "wide" horsey with his daddy, not steal horsey. After Jim had his saddle properly fastened, he put Jake in it. Then he mounted and sat behind Jake. Jim rode to where the people were starting to gather for trail rides.

"I want to ride with the little boy, he looks so cute with his brother," someone said.

"Hey Jim, who's the little guy, he looks cute," Jim heard a familiar voice ask.

"Hey Matt, Gina. This is Jakey. Zac and I plan to make him our son after we get married. Jakey, this is Matt and Gina. Matt is your other daddy's best friend," Jim stated.

"Speaking of which, Zac said that he wanted to speak with me later. Any idea why?" Matt questioned.

"I know exactly what he wants to talk to you about, but he should be the one to talk to you," Jim answered.

"You gonna be his best man?" Jakey asked. Jim couldn't believe that Jakey asked him like that.

"We've talked about it, he's going to be mine and I am going to be his. He's just waiting to get some schooling done," Matt replied.

"No, Gwandma and Gwandma planning wedding this summer," Jakey announced.

"For real?" Matt was surprised. "Is that what he wants to talk to me about?"

"I may have to tickle Jakey for being a blabber mouth," Jim smiled.

"I sorry," Jakey apologized.

"No, you don't need to be, no one told you not to say anything. I'm just funning you, but still might tickle you," Jim joked, then he wrapped his arms around Jakey and hugged him.

Dusty walked over using crutches. He looked at Jim and Jakey and gave a puzzled look. "After you crashed yesterday, did you gain a cute boy? He could almost be your and Zac's son, he looks so much like a cross between the two of you."

"Funny you should say so. Zac and I are wanting to adopt him. He's already calling me Daddy," Jim responded.

"Are you Dusty?" Jakey asked.

"Yes I am, how'd you know? Your daddy talk about me?" Dusty questioned.

"Gwandma said something about when you heal, so I guessed," Jakey smiled.

"What about when I am healed? Which, by the way, tomorrow is eleven weeks and I should be done with physical therapy and get to throw away these crutches," Dusty announced.

"FANTASTIC!" Jim shouted. "You want to tell Dusty what you shared with Matt?" he asked Jakey.

"I don't wanna be a blabber mouf," Jakey said.

"You're not being one if you're given permission. I know he won't turn YOU down," Jim assured Jakey.

"You be best man for Daddy?" Jakey asked Dusty.

"Since you asked, how can I say no?" Dusty played along. "When is the wedding?"

"I don't know, Grandma said June," Jakey replied.

"This June? Dude, you're not even out of high school. What are you thinking?" Dusty asked.

"What difference will there be between us once we marry. Our moms have approved and will sign the consent form so long as we stay at my house until I graduate. Mainly, we are rushing this because we know we will eventually get married and the sooner we do, the sooner we can adopt Jakey. So, are you still in?" Jim pleaded.

"I already said I would. I still think you should wait, but yet understand you're not wanting to wait," Dusty agreed.

"Yea!!!" Jakey shouted.

Dusty picked out a horse and a ranch hand helped him get the saddle on. Once Dusty was on the horse, the hand tied the crutches as if they were rifles, to make it easier on Dusty. Then he joined Jim, Matt and Gina. "Is Cheyenne going to join us?" Jim questioned.

"No, poor girl has a doctor visit and dental visit today. I offered to join her, but she thought the doctor visit might embarrass me. It's one of those doctors," Dusty explained.

"Teeth cleaning?" Matt asked.

"That is part of her dental visit. I don't know how she does it, but she has yet to have a cavity. I've had a couple and I brush four times a day," Dusty lamented.

"Had my first cavity on my last visit," Jim commented. "But enough about that, shall we ride?"

"Yeah, go horsey Gold," Jakey said and Gold started walking.

When the day was done, Jakey was falling asleep and complaining that his butt was getting sore. Jim commented that he did have a long day, especially for first time riding a horse and told him that he did a good job. After Gold was put away, they went home. Zac thought Jakey looked so cute sleeping in the back seat of the truck.

Jim counted the tips that he made and while he didn't take any more groups than he did yesterday before the barrel racing incident, he made more than twice the money. Matt had tipped him as usual but then handed him more saying that it was for Jakey. Jim put that money in a different pocket so he could keep it separate. Then he took half his tips and added that to Jakey's tip from Matt.

Jakey rode with Jim all week and Jim made a killing in tips. As he did with the first day, Jim split the tips with Jakey, but never handed the money to the boy. Instead, he bought a bank and they put the money in it. He decided that when Jakey is with him, he would split the tips evenly, but when he rode alone, Jake would get ten percent of his tips.

The week was up and Jim was going to school on Monday, so he took Jakey back to the home that Sunday. "I don't want to go back," Jakey cried. "I wanna stay wif you."

"I know, buddy. I don't want to take you back either. If I don't, they may take you away from me and never let me see you again. I love you so much, this hurts me, too," Jim wept. Jakey wiped the tears from Jim's face.

"When do I get to be wif you again?" Jakey asked.

"I promise, I will come here right after school on Friday," Jim told him, hugging Jakey as tight as he could. He hurried to take Jakey inside to relieve the pain.

Aunt Sallie met them at the door. She saw the look on Jim's face and almost didn't want to take Jakey away from him. "I have good news, Zac passed the background check and was approved. As soon as you two are married, you will be able to sign for adoption of Jakey."

"You hear that, buddy, I will be your daddy. I wish I could just keep you now," Jim started to cry again.

"I love you, Daddy" Jakey sadly said as Aunt Sallie took him from Jim's arms. The drive home, Jim felt the loneliest he had ever felt. He wished that he had a time machine so he could jump to Friday.

Dusty noticed how sad Jim looked at school and tried all week to cheer him up. Jim still maintained the highest grades in class along with Dusty, but even the teachers could tell that Jim was hurting all week. When Jim went to the ranch that Monday, Jackson gave him a copy of the picture that he took, but that just made Jim miss the little guy even more.

The week dragged on slowly. The construction workers had just finished the bedroom for Chris on that Thursday. Jackson gave Jim a stuffed Palomino that he had made to give to Jakey.

Finally, Friday came and Jim was a little more cheery, knowing that he would be picking Jakey up after school. The day seemed to really drag for him and it seemed like his forty-five minute classes were taking three hours each to complete. Finally he was in study hall, his last class, and it seemed to take longer than any of the other classes. Jim had all his assignments completed so he wouldn't need to do any this weekend. Joe tried comforting him, reminding him that he was just minutes away from getting his boy.

After his last class finally let out, Jim drove straight to the home to pick up Jakey. He was greeted by a young lady as he walked in. "Can I help you?" she asked.

"I'm here to pick up Jakey B. Aunt Sallie is aware that I was coming, I thought she would have him ready," Jim responded.

"Didn't anyone tell you? Jake went to live with his new foster family earlier today," the lady informed him.

"What? Was it the Abrams family? Please tell me that they came and got him," Jim asked, hoping.

"I'm sorry, I don't even know who that is," the young lady replied.

"Is Aunt Sallie around, I'd like to speak to her," Jim asked.

"She's currently in a meeting right now, but it's already lasted ten minutes longer than usual if you would like to wait," the young lady offered,

Jim had just sat down when Aunt Sallie came out of the office with Mr. Radcliffe. Jim overheard him tell Aunt Sallie to expect a donation by the end of the week. Aunt Sallie saw Jim and walked over to him. "I'm so sorry. We found the perfect foster home for Jake," she apologized.

"Can you tell me who has him, and maybe I can visit?" Jim begged.

"That would be against policy, but I can call them and ask if they would call you if you give me permission," Aunt Sallie offered.

"Yes, please. I really want to spend time with Jakey," Jim was heartbroken. Sallie picked up the phone as Jim headed out to his car. He overheard her say that he was just in to pick up Jake and was wondering if they would give him a call.

Jim walked out to his car feeling as though someone had punched him in the stomach. Starting to drive home, he only made it halfway. He pulled over, hit his steering wheel with his hand several times and began to cry.

A local police officer, seeing him pulled over, pulled up behind him. He got out of his car and walked up to Jim's door, "Son, is everything alright?"

"No, I just had my heart ripped out of my chest. I pulled over because I don't think I should be driving right now," Jim sobbed.

"Would you like for me to call someone so they can come get you?" the officer asked. Jim just handed him his phone.

"Call Zac," Jim said. The phone automatically called Zac and the officer spoke to him. He told Zac what he could and stated that Jim needed someone to drive him home.

It wasn't long before Jackson's truck pulled up in front of Jim's car and Zac got out of the passenger side. He walked back to where the officer was and they spoke for a few minutes, then Zac went to Jim's door and opened it. Jim got out of his car and hugged Zac. "He's gone. Some foster family came to get Jakey and now I don't know where he is," Jim cried into Zac's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, I just found out that Mom and Dad were denied permission to foster him. They said that Dad being a security officer was too high risk. But remember, once we get married, they did say that we would be able to adopt him. We just have to be patient," Zac offered.

"I don't want to wait that long. What if he forgets about us? What if he's mad at me because I didn't pick him up like I promised? Will you drive me home? I think I'm too emotional right now," Jim asked.

"Jakey won't forget about us, and it's not your fault, you went to get him. As for driving you home, you already know the answer to that. Jackson's going to follow us so he can take me back to the ranch and my truck," Zac kissed Jim on the lips before climbing in the driver's seat.

As Jim walked around to the other side, the police officer handed him a slip of paper. "After all of this, you're ticketing me? For what? Can my day get any worse?" Jim asked.

"No, just read it, it's not a ticket," the officer smiled.

Jim looked at the paper and while it looked like a ticket, it was in fact acknowledgement and a thank you for pulling off the road when he felt he was no longer capable of driving safely. It was good for a free cup of coffee and a donut at the restaurants listed. Jim smiled a little and thanked the officer, and then got in the passenger side of his car. The officer walked back to his car and waited for Zac to pull out before turning off his flashing lights.

Zac pulled into Jim's drive and parked the car. He got into Jackson's truck, after promising Jim that he'd be home soon. Jackson looked like he was hurting for Jim. As they pulled away, Jim grabbed the stuffed Palomino and headed inside.

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