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 71

Zac suggested, "So if you're planning to ride with me, we can stop to see Harvey before going as he may leave before we leave the ranch. But shopping, we can do after."

Jim gave Zac a kiss, and responded, "That works for me."

"Get a room," Patrick teased. Jake laughed.

Jim mussed the boy's hair. "How about your room?"

Patrick shot back, "As long as you clean up after and I don't have to see it, that's up to you."

Jim gave Patrick a hug. He wanted to kiss the boy on the cheek, but worried that it would creep him out. "Have I told you yet that I love you, today?"

"You told Miss Childress in front of me that you did. And before that, you said that you want me to know you love me like your dad loved you," Patrick admitted.

"Not the same thing. I don't want to go a day without telling either of you that I love you." Jim knelt down and Jake gave Jim a hug and kissed his cheek.

Patrick returned Jim's hug and whispered in his ear, "And we love you, Dad." Then he kissed Jim's cheek. Patrick walked over to Zac, and hugged him, "I can't leave you out, Pop, I love you as well."

"Yeah, Papa, we love you," Jake agreed.

"You don't know what it means to me, to us actually, to hear you say that. Has anyone told you when your parents' viewing and funeral will be?" Zac was in tears as he hugged Patrick.

"No, I haven't heard anything," Patrick just realized and started weeping.

"Perhaps Harvey Cox can tell us, you should be the first person informed," Zac was a little agitated.

They went to the middle school and found the office. "May I help you young men," the receptionist asked.

Zac looked at her, hoping they didn't get as much grief from her as when they registered Jake. "Patrick's parents were recently in a fatal accident and we have the paperwork showing that we are his legal guardians. Patrick wants to be sure he is registered to come here so he doesn't miss any classes."

The receptionist looked at Patrick, "I'm sorry to hear about your parents and I commend you on taking responsibility for your education. What name should you be registered under and I will check for you." Patrick gave her his name and she looked it up. "Yes, you are registered. We will be giving the schedules out tomorrow, but since you are here, I can print that for you today. We look forward to you coming here. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"No, but thank you for asking," Patrick answered as she handed him his printed schedule.

Sounding a little less chipper than when the boys entered, the receptionist offered, "Then I hope you have a nice day, and again, I am sorry for your loss."

Walking out to the truck, Patrick commented, "She seemed nice."

Jim and Zac laughed, "You should have seen the receptionist we had for registering Jake. The principal fired her. This receptionist was way nice compared to her."

Zac drove to the law firm and parked. Walking in, the receptionist gave them a funny look, "Isn't your mom on her honeymoon, or do you need Mr. Cox again?"

Jim gave her a smile, "Yes, Mom is on her honeymoon, and we would like to see Mr. Cox, we have a question for him."

"Hold on one second," the receptionist said. "Mr. Cox, Jim and Zac Bolt would like to see you." There was a pause before the receptionist continued, "Yes, they do have a young man fitting that description with them." After she hung up the phone, she looked at Jim, "Mr. Cox said that he needs to see, Patrick is it, right away." And then she buzzed them in.

Jake stopped at her desk, "Can Patrick have a carton of chocolate milk, please?"

"I will get him one and bring it to Mr. Cox's office. Would you like one as well?" the receptionist offered.

"Yes please," Jake answered, "and a Coke for Daddy and Papa."

She asked, "Would you each like a Coke?"

Before they could answer, Jake did, "Uh huh."

Jim laughed, "I didn't know I was thirsty but I guess I would like one."

As they entered Harvey's office, he stood and greeted them. "I had just spoken to Miss Childress to discover Patrick was with you. I was about to call you when the receptionist told me you were here."

"I'm glad we saved you the phone call, to what do we owe the pleasure?" Jim asked.

Harvey turned solemn, "The funeral home would like for Patrick to pick out what clothes he would like his parents buried in. I suggested that it might be too much for him at this time, but said I would ask."

Patrick looked down, "I know exactly what clothes they should be buried in. Mom has this beautiful red gown that Dad just loved. Red was always Dad's favorite color, too. And Dad looked nice in his black suit and purple shirt."

Harvey looked at Patrick, "I also understand that you weren't allowed to gather anything except clothes from your house. I technically shouldn't tell you this, but once I read you the will after the funeral, everything in that house is yours, so feel free to gather anything you want or need. There will be enough funds to cover the taxes until after you turn eighteen, so you have three options, we can leave the house empty until you are ready to move in, we can put everything in storage and rent it out with the funds covering the storage as well as the taxes and anything else would go into a trust fund. Choose either of those and you can change your mind at any time. The third option will be to simply sell the house. I don't need an answer until you're ready to give it. And once you have the clothes you would like, take them to the Ballard Funeral Home on 19th Street. I wish you didn't have to do this, but I am glad that CPS were smart enough to give custody to Jim and Zac. Have you met Heather yet, or was she already on her honeymoon?"

Patrick looked like he was ready to cry and Jim motioned for him to come sit on his lap. "She was already away," Jim stated. "Does he need to do this today; can it wait until tomorrow?"

Harvey looked at Jim and then Zac, he was beginning to speak when the receptionist knocked on the door. "I have drinks for your guests, Mr. Cox."

"Thank you," Harvey told her. Turning back to look at Patrick, "I know this is hard for you, and if you want, I can gather what you wish them to wear. I'll just check with you to be sure before I take it to the funeral home, but they need it by tomorrow so they can prepare for the viewing on Wednesday and funeral on Thursday. And then you can go in any time to get what you wish to keep with you. Do you still have a key, don't you?"

Between tears, Patrick stated, "Yes, I have a key. And Mom only had one red dress, so hers should be easy. Dad has a few black suits, but only one really nice purple shirt."

Harvey smiled as best you can when you feel for someone hurting, "OK, with your permission, I will get them for the funeral home so the next time you see your parents, they will look beautiful for you. Just take your time and get anything you want? Is there anything you would like for me to grab for you and bring to you?"

Patrick requested, "There is a picture of my mom and dad beside my bed. It was taken last week. I would like to have it."

"OK, I will get it for you and bring it over," Harvey offered. Turning to Zac, since Patrick blocked his view of Jim, "Have you moved into Sheriff Archer's old house yet?"

Zac swallowed hard, as he was on the verge of crying for Patrick. He didn't realize how hard this would be on him, let alone Patrick, "Yes, we finished the move right before coming here. We're going to the ranch when we leave here and then shopping for school supplies for Patrick, Jake and Jim. I couldn't tell you when we'll be home."

"What if I stop by around seven? If you're not home yet, I'll wait," Harvey suggested.

Zac agreed, "Even if we don't get the shopping done, we'll be home by seven, I'll make sure of it. School doesn't start until the twenty-fifth, so we have time."

Harvey shook Jim and Zac's hands, and told Patrick to hang in there. Jake fell asleep, so Zac carried him out to the truck. Jim thought about carrying Patrick but decided an eleven-year-old was too big to carry. Instead, he just walked with the boy pressed against his side and his arm holding the boy there. "I'm sorry for being such a baby," Patrick cried.

Jim stopped walking, squatted so Patrick could see his face, "You are not being a baby, you are hurting probably more than you're letting on and I'm crying with you, bud. I remember the pain I felt losing my dad, so I have an idea how much you are feeling and if you didn't cry, then I would worry. If you are being a baby, then so am I. And did you hear Pop when he talked, I could tell he was fighting tears himself. We are feeling pain for you."

Patrick wrapped his arms around Jim and just started crying the hardest he has since he was told of his parents' death. Jim just held him tight and told him to let it all out. Zac strapped Jake into his car seat, and walked over to them. He rubbed Patrick's back, not saying a word.

It seemed longer, but after a minute of hard crying, Patrick got into the truck and Zac headed for the ranch. Jackson greeted them as they got out of the truck. He looked at Patrick and felt heartbroken, he didn't know why Patrick looked so sad or why he had been crying, but the look on the boy's face was enough.

"What's up, Partner?" Jackson asked, "You remind me of a young cowboy that came to this ranch almost two years ago."

"Who was that?" Patrick asked.

Jackson spoke solemnly, "Well, the boy had lost his dad, had to put his dog down, and thought he would never see his horse again when he arrived. I was in the process of unloading a horse which ended up being his horse. I would bet he didn't even know I saw that sad look in his eye before he realized I had his horse. That stallion recognized him and ran right to him. Fate brought them back together. I'm guessing that you lost someone real close to you."

Patrick started crying again, "I lost my mother and father and fate won't bring them back. Were you talking about my dad?"

Jackson didn't know how to answer so Jim knelt down, "Yes, he was talking about me. He's right, I didn't know he even noticed me until I was hugging Gold, my horse."

"Were you a mess like me?" Patrick asked.

Jim didn't want to seem like he was downgrading Patrick's sorrow, so he chose his words carefully, "I was shutting down, not wanting to talk to anyone, even my mom got short answers from me barely wanting to talk. I was definitely a mess and while I don't want to compare our sorrows, I think you're braver about yours than I was. It wasn't until I felt the love from Zac that I truly cried."

Jackson pulled Zac out of earshot, "So what's the scoop? I hope I didn't upset him with what I said."

Zac explained what happened to Patrick's parents and how Aunt Sallie thought Jim could relate to him and brought him by. He told him about how close they've gotten and the fact the he and Jim were already talking about adopting him and how the boy has grown attached to them, as well. "He was putting up a front, trying to act like the pain was lessened by our love, but then when talking to Harvey Cox about the funeral, I think it was too much for that dam he built and all that pain came flooding."

"Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn," Jackson swore, "I could sense something was bothering him. I wished that I had talked to you prior."

Zac assured Jackson that he didn't do anything wrong, "He needs to cry and grieve, He thought he was being a baby for crying but Jim told him that there was nothing wrong with him crying over his loss. Jim encouraged him to cry."

Jackson walked back over to where Jim and Patrick were, "Hey kiddo, I shouldn't have said anything, I'm sorry if I caused you to hurt any."

Jim was still hugging Patrick, "No apology necessary, Jackson. You could sense he was hurting and you only asked why. Hopefully Patrick realizes you only asked because you have a caring heart." Patrick just nodded into Jim's shoulder.

Zac finally woke Jake up and once he was out of the truck he ran over to Patrick. "Are you alright, Patrick?" the little boy asked.

Patrick raised his head and Jake saw the tears flowing, "I will be thanks to this family, but right now, my heart hurts."

Jake gave Patrick a hug as best he could with Jim still hugging him, "Then my heart hurts, too." That caused a chuckle from everyone, including Patrick.

Zac spoke with a raspy voice as he was about to cry, "Patrick, you and I can talk later, but right now, Dad seems to be taking good care of you and I need to help take care of moving the horses back to the barn so we can get home for when Harvey stops by."

"I wanna go see the horses," Patrick stated. "I've never seen a horse up close before."

Jim looked a little surprised, "You haven't? You live in horse country and never seen a horse up close?"

Patrick looked down, "No, I've seen them running as we passed ranches and stuff, but I was never close enough to really see them."

"Then you need to go see them," Jim started getting excited.

Jake grabbed Patrick's hand, "Wait until you meet Horsey Gold. He's Daddy's horse and Papa has Silver, and I own Platnum."

As they started walking towards the Rodeo area, a cab pulled alongside the house. Jackson was surprised to see Ryan getting out. "Why did you take a cab? If I knew you were coming home, I would have picked you up," Jackson stated.

Ryan smiled, "I wanted to surprise you. The outside of the new house looks good. How soon until the inside is complete?"

"Two weeks, tops," Gerry Ryder stated as he came out of the house. "That includes all of the necessary inspections."

Jim walked over to Ryan with Patrick and Jake in tow. "Patrick, this is Jackson's husband, Judge Ryan Sprayberry. If he doesn't leave us before then, he may be the judge who signs your adoption papers."

"Adoption papers? Are you..." Jackson cut Ryan off.

Jackson suggested, "Why don't you boys head over to the horses, I haven't seen my husband in a month, so I'll be there in a few." After the boys were away, Jackson shared with Ryan what Zac had told him.

They approached the barn and Patrick got his first real look at a horse, "Whoa, they are more beautiful up close? Can I learn to ride one?"

"It just so happens that part of my job here is training people to ride," Jim chuckled.

"Look at these colts, they are so cute!" Patrick seemed to forget his pain for the moment. Jim smiled as the boy was acting like a kid in a candy store.

Jake walked over to one of the colts, "This colt is my horsey Platnum. He was born on Daddy and Papa's wedding day."

Patrick hugged the colt, "He almost looks like platinum, so that's a good name. So when did you two get married, how old is he?"

"Platinum will be two months old in a few days. I have a feeling you'll be wanting a horse, then?" Jim responded.

Patrick was ecstatic, "OH yes, oh wow, I liked horses before, but seeing them up close, I love them!"

"Too bad you don't know anyone with a ranch," Jackson joked after rejoining the boys.

Then Patrick saw Gold, "Oooooooo, you are beautiful, is this Gold?" Gold nodded his head up and down. "Did you just say yes to me? Do you understand what I am saying? Can I hug you?"

Gold opened his stall door and walked over to Patrick. He put his head behind Patrick and pulled him closer. Patrick stretched his arms around the big animal as best as he could. Jake ran over to hug the horse as well. He whispered to Patrick, "Horsey Gold likes you."

"Can I ride him?" Patrick asked.

Zac was quick to answer, "Dad's the only one Gold normally allows to ride him alone, perhaps you can ride with Dad sometime."

Jim walked over to Gold, "This is my son, Patrick. You've let Jake on your back with me leading you, can Patrick sit on your back as we take the horses back to the new barn?"

Gold pushed Patrick to his side and took a step forward so the boy was ready to climb up. "There's no saddle!" Patrick exclaimed.

"I'll help you up," Jim offered, "Gold is going to let you ride him bareback."

Jake asked, "Can I ride with Patrick?"

"Are you seriously going to put him on a horse that has only let you ride him? Well, except for the time he got me when you were injured," Zac thought Jim had lost his mind.

Jim nodded, "Gold agreed and can you think of a better horse for a boy who has never ridden? And besides, I'll be right here. He did let Jake."

Zac thought for a second, "Well, if Gold agreed, but I am amazed that Gold will allow anyone besides you."

"I think part of it is their age and Gold knows they are our sons, and therefore an extension of me," Jim replied. Then nodding towards Patrick, he added, "And Gold senses things and is trying to help."

"I can't argue with your logic," Zac conceded. After Patrick was on, Jim sat Jake in front of him and Patrick held on to Jake to make sure the smaller boy didn't fall off.

Jim walked to the left side of Gold, "Gold won't go too fast with no saddle, so you should be able to maintain your balance, but if you do feel like you're falling, try coming my way, our say something," Jim advised Patrick.

Patrick acknowledged the instruction, "I will, Dad."

As they got to the new barn with the horses, Patrick was happy that he was able to stay on the whole way. Jim pulled Jake off the horse and then helped Patrick down. As he took Gold into the barn, he noticed several crates in the first stall. "You haven't opened these yet? What's in them, if I may ask?"

Jackson replied, "They just arrived this morning, and I was hoping to have help opening them."

"Can I help?" Patrick asked.

Jackson was surprised, "You may not be big enough but you can try."

Jim and Zac were busy putting the horses in their designated stall while Jackson went to grab a crowbar. He placed it to open the first crate and told Patrick to give it all he had. The lid popped off easier than expected causing Patrick to stumble backwards a little, right into Jackson's arms. "It's a saddle and on one side it says Colt, and on the other, Midnight Star," Patrick declared upon looking in the crate.

Jackson smiled, "This one would be my son's saddle. The insurance covered replacing all the tack, so I have a saddle and reins for every horse in this barn. I also had all of the saddles come with saddle plates with the owner's and horse's name."

"I wish we had time to open all of them tonight," Zac stated, "but I promised Harvey that we would be home by seven and we need to stop and eat as well."

Jackson hugged Zac, "Well, thank you for coming to help with the horses. We can open the crates tomorrow."

Patrick asked, "Can I come back to help, I really like the horses, especially Gold."

Jim smiled and gave Patrick a hug, "After we open the crates, I can start training you on riding." Patrick grinned and hugged Jim back.

As they were pulling onto the road, Zac looked in the mirror. Eyeballing the boys, he asked, "Do we want to eat at home or stop at McDonald's?"

"McDONALD'S!!!" both boys screamed, causing Zac and Jim to chuckle.

"I think I heard them say to go home," Jim teased.

Patrick was quick, "No way, José. We said McDonald's."

"OK, so home it is," Zac played along.

"No, please Pop, we want to go to McDonald's," Patrick begged, "and it wouldn't be very nice to ask us and not take us. And you two are the nicest guys I know." Zac just laughed as Patrick continued rambling and didn't even notice they were at McDonald's.

Zac pulled into a parking space and shut off the truck. "We're here," he announced.

"This isn't home, so are we..." Patrick looked around.

Jake saw the golden arches first, "Yay, we are at McDonald's. I love you Papa and Daddy."

Zac looked at Jake and asked teasingly, "Daddy? What did he do?"

Jake gave a serious answer, "He's my daddy and you're my papa. I can't love one of you and not the other."

Zac picked Jake up in a hug, "No, you can't and we love you, both of you."

"There's only one of me," Jake quipped.

"Papa knows, but he was referring to you and Patrick." Jim clarified. "We love both you and Patrick."

Patrick put his arm around Jim since Zac had Jake, "We love both of you, Dad and Papa. Can I call you Papa instead of Pop? I think it sounds more loving, especially hearing Jake say it."

"That is entirely up to you," Zac stated, wishing he had another set of arms to hug Patrick.

Jim gave Patrick a little squeeze for Zac, "I agree, Papa does sound more endearing."

Patrick looked at Jim and smiled, "Just don't think I'm going to call you Daddy like Jake does. Up until about a year ago, that was what I called my dad. And I think when I refer to him, that will be how I distinguish between the two of you."

Jim had a tear running down his cheek, "Dad works for me, or I said you can call me Jim."

Patrick shook his head, "No, Daddy said I should call you Dad, so I am honoring him by doing so. You said it was up to me."

"I did, and if you feel it honors your daddy, then I won't argue," Jim avowed.

Patrick hugged Jim really quick before they entered McDonald's. Zac went to get their food while Jim took the boys to a booth. Zac ordered a Happy Meal for Jake, an Angus Bacon and Cheese for Patrick and two Angus Chipotle Barbeque Bacon for him and Jim.

Zac looked at Patrick and said, "I thought you might be too old for a Happy Meal, I hope it doesn't upset you."

"No, but Jake didn't get any bacon with his Happy Meal," Patrick stated and proceeded to take half of his bacon and put it on Jake's sandwich.

"Thank you, Patrick," Jake sweetly offered.

"No problem," Patrick announced, "I have to watch out for my brother."

Both Jim and Zac shed a tear watching the two of them interact. Knowing the pain Patrick is feeling and yet he cares enough about Jake to share his bacon, Jim and Zac each took a slice of their bacon and gave one to each boy. "You didn't have to do that, Dad and Papa," Patrick said, "but thank you."

Jim declared, "You didn't have to share your bacon with Jake, either. We thought you deserved it."

"Yes I did," Patrick insisted, "he's my brother and I know how much he loves bacon."

Zac looked at Patrick, "Next time, I'll ask if they can put bacon on it for him. You are such a sweet young man."

They were pulling into their driveway just a few minutes before seven. Harvey Cox pulled in behind them. He got out of his car and walked up to Zac's truck as the boys were getting out. "You said there was only one red gown for your mom, and this was the only one I found. And I picked the best looking black suit in your dad's closet." He showed Patrick the garments he grabbed.

"Yes, those are what I think they would want to be buried in, thank you," Patrick started tearing up.

"And here is the picture that was beside your bed." Patrick looked at it and then clutched it to his chest while thanking the man.

"Can I see it," Jim asked. Patrick showed him the picture. "They were a very good-looking couple. You have your dad's nose and your mom's eyes."

"Everyone says that I have Mom's smile, too," Patrick informed him.

Jim suggested, "Why don't you put your picture beside your bed and then you and Jake can play for a couple hours before getting your baths and going to bed." Jim handed Patrick his house key.

Patrick looked up at Jim, "Can we play a game so you and Papa can join us?"

"Sure, we would like that," Jim replied. "We have Sorry!', Uno', and `Chutes and Ladders.'"

"I can play Chutes and Ladders' with Jake when it's just the two of us playing, but can we play Sorry!' tonight?" Patrick asked.

"I love you, bud," Jim gave as his reply.

Jake went in the house with Patrick. Harvey inquired of how he was holding up. "He broke down and really cried when we left your office. I'm hoping the funeral isn't too much for him, but at the same time, I know he needs to be there. Just make sure there are seats for Zac, Jake and I with him."

"I totally agree," Harvey said. When Harvey left, Zac and Jim found the boys setting up the "Sorry!" game.

"How do you normally choose colors? We usually pick the colors out of a hat," Patrick asked.

Jim laughed, "No one might get their favorite color that way, but it is fair. Or we can go favorite colors. Yours is red, Jake's is green and purple, but we have no purple pieces. Papa's is also green, but knowing him, he'll play yellow so Jake can have green, and mine is blue."

"Papa can play green if he wants," Jake offered.

Zac averred, "No, like Daddy said, I'll play yellow."

Patrick smiled, "Works for me, drawing out of a hat, I rarely got red."

"When it's the four of us playing, you can always play red," Jim insisted.

Patrick spoke to Jake, "Let's work together and beat these two, show them some PUPPY POWER!!!" Jake got down from his chair and started towards the doggy bed with the puppies.

"He didn't mean actual puppy power, he meant because you two are the young ones," Jim explained.

Jake simply said, "OH!" and got back on his chair.

"Youngest goes first?" Patrick asked.

Zac replied, "Yes and then we go clockwise."

Jake started the game since he is the youngest, and then Patrick. Jim had just taken his turn when his cell phone rang. He saw that it was Dusty. "Hey Dude, sorry I couldn't make practice tonight. We moved into Nick's house, went to see Harvey Cox and then went out to the ranch to help Jackson get the horses moved back into the new barn."

"Wait a minute," Dusty said, "Harvey Cox? No one should be able to even try taking Jake away from you."

Jim asked, "Where are you at? You should stop by; I have someone I would like for you to meet."

"I was on my way to your Mom's house, but I'm on Mustang, now," Dusty informed him.

"Then, I'll see you in a few," Jim said before hanging up his phone.

Patrick looked at Jim's phone and then him with curiosity, "Who was that?"

Jim didn't answer, he just walked to the door and opened it for Dusty. They walked to the dining room. "Patrick, this is my best friend Dusty. Dusty, this is Patrick."

"Hey Patrick, what's up? How long..." Dusty started before Jim interrupted him.

"We need something to munch on while we play. Dusty, come to the kitchen and help me look, would you?"

Patrick had a feeling why Jim was really taking Dusty to the kitchen, "Dad, if you want to tell him why I'm here, you don't have to take him out of the room."

Jim hugged Patrick, "It's not like I wanted to tell him secretly, I know you are hurting and I didn't want to stir up any more pain for you. I'm sorry."

Patrick's sad eyes looked at Jim, and Dusty saw the pain in his eyes. "OH MAN! Was that your parents in the Tahoe on the news? I am so sorry,"

Patrick was surprised, "How did you guess that?"

Dusty stated softly, "You have the same look Jim had in his eyes when I first met him. He tried pushing everyone away, not wanting any friends and shutting down. I refused to let him shut down and made some progress, but it wasn't until he met Zac that he really began to heal."

Patrick responded, "Dad told me that he was a mess and didn't really cry until he felt the love of Papa."

Jim added, "Dusty and his girlfriend are the one who took me to get Colby and Kuno. Speaking of which, Kuno had puppies yesterday."

"Cool, do I get one?" Dusty asked. Dusty did a quick look at Patrick, it just clicked what Patrick said twice, "Did he just call you..."

Jim grinned, cutting his friend off again, "He did. For now, he's technically our foster son, but Zac and I are planning to adopt him as soon as CPS agrees that we can take care of him. We're not waiting on them for us to be a family. As for the puppies, you'll be fourth in line."

"Fourth? I thought I was your best friend," Dusty teased.

Jim explained, "I promised Joe first choice since I took Colby away from him. Patrick wants the only black male, and then Jake gets to choose a puppy."

Dusty agreed, "Well, in that case, I can settle for fourth. Does Joe or Jake want the black female?"

"I know Joe wants a yellow male. I'm not sure which one Jake wants."

"Can I have a black male, too?" Jake asked.

Jim's heart hurt having to tell Jake there is only one black male. He was getting ready to say something, but Patrick started talking, "There's only one black male, but we can share and maybe get a yellow male so we can take turns playing with them."

"Thank you, Patrick," Jake responded.

"Yes," Jim said, "Thank you so much."

Patrick's willingness to share with Jake didn't go unnoticed by Dusty, "You really like Jake, don't you?"

"He's my brother," Patrick replied, as if it were a given.

"My dad is a psychiatrist and I am good at listening, ask your dad or Chris. If you ever want to talk, just ask your dad to call me.," Dusty offered Patrick. Looking at Jim, he asked, "Will I see you in class on Monday?"

"School doesn't start until Tuesday, and I thought I was eager to get to class," Patrick giggled.

"He meant martial art class. I normally go on Mondays," Jim informed the boy.

Patrick lit up, "Cool, can I start taking classes, too?"

"I go to karate class with Daddy," Jake announced.

Jim smiled, "It's not really karate, it's a mixture of several different types of martial arts. If you want to learn, I have no problem with it. I believe you would only use it for defensive purposes."

"Like how you protected Joe?" Zac asked Jim.

Jim replied, "He's my brother, I couldn't let his dad hurt him."

"I know hon, I was using that as an example of when using martial arts would be acceptable," Zac decreed.

"Oh right," Jim concurred, "Yes, if someone were to try hurting Jake and you protected him, you would definitely get a hug from me."

"Well, I'll protect him anyway," Patrick chuckled. Jim gave him a funny look, acting hurt.

"He's definitely with the right family," Dusty laughed.

Dusty helped Jake play "Sorry!" before heading home. Patrick barely beat Jim, and thought maybe they let him. "You shuffled the cards, so if anyone stacked the deck it would have been you," Jim reminded him. "It was a good close game and you won. That's all there is to it. Now go get your bath, and I'll be up in a few."

Patrick told Jake that he would race him upstairs and gave the boy a head start. When he heard Jake starting up the stairs, he took off. Zac just laughed shaking his head. "In a few, you want to look in on Jake while I look in on Patrick? I want to have a chat with Patrick," Jim inquired.

Zac questioned, "Can we both check on both boys, or is what you want to talk about with Patrick personal?"

Jim laughed, "Do I have anything too personal for the handsome, adorable man that I married? I don't think there is anything that I know and you don't."

"I could say the same thing," Zac averred before giving Jim a kiss.

Jim looked at Dusty as he was heading towards the door, "You and Cheyenne should stop by the ranch and check out the new barns. I'll start training Patrick on riding tomorrow. And I'm really hoping he'll want to talk with you. He's hurting like I was, probably more and you were a big help to me."

"All I really did was be your friend," Dusty insisted, "Zac's the one who really did the magic."

"And he has a nice wand, too," Jim giggled.

"TMI, dude," Dusty stated, going out the door, "TMI."

Zac and Jim went upstairs and checked on Jake, first. The boy was crawling into bed as they knocked. Jake showed concern for Patrick, "Daddy, Papa, how long is Patrick going to hurt so much? He didn't play with the bubbles tonight, just wanted to wash and go to his room."

Jim was near tears, "He might hurt for a long time, buddy. When you lose someone you were close to, that pain never really goes away. All we can do is help make it bearable for him by being his friend and showing we care."

"I do care," Jake replied.

Jim kissed Jake on the cheek, "I know you do and more importantly, Patrick knows you do. Just keep being yourself and you will help Patrick in a big way."

"Good night, buddy," Zac said, turning out the light as he and Jim headed for Patrick's room.

Jim knocked on the door and Patrick told them to come in. Jim thought he heard crying before he knocked, "Hey bud, I just wanted to see if you would like to talk with Dusty or his dad. They both really helped me deal with loss and I hope it would be good therapy for you as well."

"Will it make this pain go away?" Patrick asked.

Jim sat on the bed, "I won't lie to you, you've seen me looking really sad with talking about my dad. The pain is still there, but so are the good memories. Those and the love of my family make the pain bearable. Jake's worried about you. We all are. I know the next few days will really be the roughest, with the viewing and funeral. Don't be ashamed if you cry, I know I will."

Patrick spoke softly, "I know you all care, that's what is helping me cope. As for the crying, you don't think I'm just being a baby?"

"What did Dad tell you in the parking lot?" Zac asked, "Crying will actually help ease the pain, you need to cry. And I bet Dad and I cry at the funeral. For me, it will be because I am sad for you, but Dad... I'm actually surprised he's not crying more than he has. He's sad for you, but this is probably stirring up his thoughts from when his dad was killed."

Patrick crawled unto Jim's lap, hugged him and kissed his cheek. "I wish you didn't hurt anymore too, Dad," the boy spoke quietly.

Jim pulled the boy in tight and just broke down. Zac was right about it bringing his pain to the surface again, but he was trying to be strong for Patrick. When Patrick wished his pain would go away, his own dam gave way.

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