Porterville

This story is purely a work of fiction. Any resemblance to person's living or dead, or to events that may have occurred, is purely coincidental.

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Mark Stevens

CHAPTER 29

Devon and Alice walked inside the Porterville Police Department followed by Britt and Glenn. They spoke to the officer behind the counter.

"Brian Poteet asked that we come in," Devon explained.

"Hey, guys, thanks for dropping by." Poteet walked up to the counter and unlocked the gate. "Come on back," he invited.

They followed the man past several desks where people appeared to be busy working. He ushered the four visitors inside an office and closed the door.

"What's this all about?" Devon asked.

The officer indicated the chairs around the desk and asked them to take a seat. Walking around the desk, he also took a seat.

"Some interesting things have turned up, guys," he began. Brian looked directly at Alice and said, "Miss Cooper, I must apologize to you about something."

Poteet pulled a drawer out and reached inside. He brought something out and placed it on the desk before him.

Startled, Alice exclaimed, "My mother's journal!"

Poteet handed the book to Alice.

"I'm so relieved you found this," Alice said.

"Where did you find it?" Britt asked.

Brian Poteet looked at each of them. "I actually found it the day of your mother's death, Devon." The officer paused for a moment. "It was in her possession."

Brian continued, "When Elaine McKenzie was removed from the chair, we discovered the journal on one side of her. It was wedged in between the chair and the cushion. I'm sorry, Alice, but I had to keep quiet for the time being."

"I always knew Elaine McKenzie had something to do with the missing journal," Britt declared. "I just didn't know how to prove it."

Poteet said, "I know who broke into your home and stole it. I'll explain everything in just a moment."

The officer turned to Devon and said, "I asked for a search warrant so I could search your house."

"Why did you do that, Brian?" Britt asked. "After all a crime had taken place there." He didn't say "murder" intentionally. "I would think there would be no need for one."

"In truth, yes, we had to. You see, it wasn't Elaine McKenzie's space we wanted to check out. I was interested in seeing what might be in the apartment where Carol Taylor lived."

"The assistant my mother employed?"

"That's correct."

"Did you find anything interesting?" Glenn asked.

"We certainly did. Did any of you know that George Carson and Miss Taylor had a thing for each other at one time?"

Britt asked, "A romantic thing?"

"That's right. Evidently the two of them had been involved in a relationship for several years. George was a good friend of your mother's, Devon, and he used that friendship to get Miss Taylor a job."

Britt was confused. "Didn't she tell us that George was a regular visitor of Elaine's?"

"She did. And he was," Poteet added. He leaned over the desk and said, "When we searched Miss Taylor's apartment we found something very interesting."

Brian reached into the desk drawer once more and retrieved a second item. He placed a tape on the desk. "Black mailing a person almost always ends up deadly," he said. "You see, Mr. Carson wanted to end things with Taylor. It seems his interest had turned to your mother, Devon. When he told Carol, she refused to comply with his request. She begged and pleaded with him, but he told her it was over between the two of them. Evidentially Miss Taylor videotaped each time George visited her bed after she moved in and began working for Elaine McKenzie. She had a feeling he might want to put a halt to their relationship, especially after your father died, Devon."

"I take it that's a sex tape in front of you?" Britt asked.

Brian's face turned an instant red, and he nodded. "Exactly," he answered.

"How do you know the man was interested in my mother?" Devon asked.

"For two reasons," Brian explained. "One, this movie begins after your father died. And two, Taylor has admitted everything. When Carson refused to remain with her, she produced the tape, hoping it would convince the man to stay with her. When he told her to forget it, they were finished, she said she was going to show her boss the tape."

"And just how does Margaret Cooper's journal play in all of this?" Britt wanted to know.

"From what I can determine, the only involvement George Carson played was obtaining that journal. Elaine McKenzie, for whatever reason, believed the book existed. She had lived in fear for years that it might turn up to haunt her. She visited Margaret that day to offer her money for her journal. The older woman refused, there was a struggle, and well, we all know what happened after that."

"She pushed Margaret off the deck and lost the diamond out of her ring during the struggle," Britt finished.

"That's right," Brian agreed.

"And you know this how?" Glenn asked.

"We arrested Carol Taylor this morning. She's a real piece," Brian added. "I talked with the District Attorney, and he offered her a deal. She took it and has admitted to everything I have told you.

"Elaine asked George Carson to help her search for Margaret's journal," Brian continued. "George turned to Taylor for assistance. At that time, Carol was willing to help the man, as well as her boss. She had no idea George was planning on ending their relationship."

"What about the death of Carson and Elaine McKenzie?" Britt asked.

"Are you okay hearing all of this, Devon?" the officer asked.

Devon assured the man he wanted to hear everything he had to say.

"Carson was planning to tell Elaine everything. Remember, Taylor told us she discovered the bodies when she came into the drawing room that morning? Well, that was the truth, except they were very much alive then. Carol tried another black mail attempt and this time she threatened Elaine as well. Mrs. McKenzie told her she no longer needed an assistant and explained that a termination packet had been prepared for her."

Brian pulled a third item from the drawer. "We also found this in Taylor's apartment." He placed it on the desk beside the tape. "Seeing she couldn't convince Elaine and George any differently, Carol pulled a hand gunout. By her own admission, she shot George first, and then aimed the gun at Elaine. After killing them both, she placed the gun in George's hand," he ended.

"I have a question," a voice said quietly.

All eyes turned on Devon, and he asked, "May I see the woman?"

"Is that a good idea?" Britt asked, his eyes locking with Devon's.

"Is it possible?" Devon pursued.

Brian was silent for a short time. Finally he said, "It is possible. However, not probable for the moment," he added. "She is still working some things out, and even this woman, cold as she is, has rights."

"Will you give me a call when I can see her?"

"Of course, Devon," the officer assured the man. "If that's what you really want," he added.

"It is," Devon assured him.

Changing the subject, Brian Poteet said, "From what I'm hearing, I take it you are in the process of learning about a new family, Devon. And Alice," he added giving them both a warm smile.

Devon nodded and reached for his sister's hand. "I've always wanted a sister, and now I have one."

Britt leaned forward in his chair. "What about Devon's story, Brian? Will we never know for certain what transpired with that? How those babies were switched?"

The officer shrugged his shoulders. "I wish I had an answer for you, Britt. However, all we really have to go on is what Margaret wrote in her journal. My suggestion to you would be this: study those journal pages very carefully. If you've already read them, read them again. There may be something you're over looking. I wish I had a better answer for you, Alice and Devon. I wish like hell I did," he ended.

Devon reached across the desk and shook the officer's hand. "I appreciate all you've done, Brian. I'm sure we both do," he added giving Alice a smile.

"Yes, Brian, thank you," Alice chimed in.

"Unless Taylor changes her story, there won't be a trial. Just a sentencing," Brian said. "I have no idea when that will be, but when I find out, I will let all of you know. If there is anything I can do...for any of you, please, let me know." The officer stood to his feet. "You guys are free to go; that is, unless you have any more questions."

"I'm good," Britt said standing to his feet. "Is everyone else?"

The others stood to their feet, thanked Brian for his help, and left his office. They followed Britt out of the building.

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Devon pulled off the main highway and drove slowly along the winding road that led to the cabin belonging to the McKenzie family. He brought his car to a stop in front of the dwelling and looked across the seat at Britt.

"I am so ready to spend some time with you," he said.

"What did Alice say when you told her we were coming up here for a few days?"

"She was happy for us," Devon answered.

Britt turned to stare at the McKenzie Cabin. The structure definitely did not fit the description of cabin, he thought.

"What's with you?" Devon asked swinging the car door open.

"Just taking all this in," Britt answered.

"It's not like you've never been here before," Devon reminded. "If memory serves me correctly, we've had some really hot sex here. Two different times," he added.

"I remember." Britt couldn't keep the grin off his face.

"This is my cabin now. Ours," he corrected.

"I know it belongs to you. Remember, I was there when Robert Hollis read your mother's will. Speaking of which, were you surprised at the generosity shown to the others?"

"Not in the least," Devon said. "As for the staff, they have been with the family for years. And after Hollis said she hadn't changed anything, I knew pretty much how it would all work out."

"She appeared to be a little more generous with a couple of them."

Devon nodded. "That didn't surprise me either. The cook has been with us for as long as I can remember. So has Wallace," he added.

"The butler?"

"That's right. In fact, he came before I was born."

Britt got out of the car. It was a typical hot day in Oklahoma and Britt mentioned the fact to Devon.

"It should be cool inside," Devon said. He reached in the back of the car for their bags. "I asked Wallace to make a trip up here. He's turned the cooling on, as well as stocked the place with food."

"You think of everything," Britt said as they walked up to the door.

Devon took a key from his pocket and inserted it into the lock. Suddenly the two men were standing inside, met by cool air.

"Thank goodness for Wallace," Britt declared.

"He did exactly as I asked. I knew we could depend on him," Devon said.

Devon led the way up the stairs and into the room the two of them planned on sharing during their stay at the cabin. They quickly unpacked their bags, changed into something comfortable, and returned downstairs.

"Wallace stocked the frig with beer," Devon said. "Would you like one?"

Britt assured him he would, and he followed the man out into the kitchen.

"I love this room," Britt said. "It has such a homey feel to it," he added.

"It's probably my favorite room up here," Devon admitted.

Devon opened the door of the frig and brought out two bottles. He handed one to Britt.

There was a bar at one end of the counter. Britt hopped onto a stool and watched Devon return with a bottle opener. He joined Britt at the bar and opened their drinks.

"To you," Devon said lifting his bottle.

Britt touched his beer against Devon's bottle and echoed the man's words.

Half a bottle later Britt looked around the room and asked, "Are you planning on keeping all of this? The mansion as well?" he added.

"For now I am," Devon answered. "I don't plan on changing a thing. Well, maybe one," he corrected.

"Such as?"

"I would like to add something; rather, someone, to the household. I'd like to add you," he said giving Britt a smile.

"Your mother would love that," Britt declared.

Devon shrugged his shoulders but didn't give him an answer. Instead, he slid off the barstool. Leaning over, he planted a kiss on Britt's mouth. "For now I'd much rather focus on us."

"I'd like that."

Britt followed him out of the kitchen. As he headed for the stairs, he felt himself being pulled another direction.

Devon had a huge grin on his face as he led Britt into the living room.

"I've always wanted to have sex in here," he told Britt.

"Are we going to be rebellious?"

"Fuck, yeah, we are," Devon laughed.

One moment they were holding each other, kissing, and the next, naked and on the floor, enjoying the touch of the other. Britt lay on his back, the carpet providing protection to his body, and Devon straddled his chest, his hairy ass riding it like a saddle.

Britt was hungry for his lover's cock and told the man to feed it to him. "I want to taste every inch of you," he said.

Devon supported his body with his knees, giving him the height he needed. He rubbed the tip of his dick against Britt's lips. He felt his lover's tongue lick the underneath side of his thick cock head. The wet touch caused his body to shiver.

Britt continued licking him as if the dick between Devon's legs was an ice cream cone. He ran his tongue along the shaft until he reached the thick blond curls that grew wide spread around the base. He continued licking until the hair was damp and clinging to Devon's skin.

When Devon's dick was glistening with saliva, Britt began stroking it. At first his movement was very slow, hardly noticeable. Then he picked up speed and began working his fist faster.

"Oh, God," Devon groaned. His eyes were closed. He was enjoying Britt's touch.

Suddenly Britt stopped jacking Devon. He placed his mouth at the tip and slowly worked each inch of Devon's hard shaft inside his mouth. He kept swallowing until his nose was pressed against the man's pubes.

The warm feeling Devon's cock felt from being buried inside his lover's mouth was such he couldn't keep still any longer. He began fucking Britt's mouth. Each time he bottomed out, he heard Britt take a deep breath, his nose buried in cock hair.

"Yeah, sniff my hair," Devon groaned.

As Britt was getting his mouth fucked, he reached down and gave one of Devon's hairy nuts a gentle tug. Blond hair covered the man's sac, and while Devon continued fucking his wet mouth, Britt twisted and played with that hair.

"Yeah, play with my hairy nuts, Babe," Devon groaned.

Devon slammed his lover's face, and Britt loved it. He loved feeling the man's bush press into his nose, and each time his hairy balls slammed into his chin, Britt thought he was going to shoot his load without touching himself.

Britt suddenly felt the cock inside his mouth shudder.

"I'm going to shoot," Devon warned. "Fuck!" he cried.

Britt felt the first rope of cum hit the back of his throat, and he swallowed it greedily, as well as the four others that quickly followed.

Devon scooted down Britt's naked body so he could kiss his lover. The shared kiss let him taste the cum he had just shot. He rose up and spit the spunk in his hand. Although it wasn't much, it was enough to use as lube. He quickly spread it along Britt's thick shaft and lowered his ass until he was resting against the man's thick pubes.

"Fuck," Britt moaned. "I'm not going to last long," he warned.

"It's okay, Britt. Fill my ass with your spunk."

As Britt lay with his dick up Devon, he felt the man wiggle his ass. He grated his butt cheeks against Britt, grinding the thick brown hair that covered his groin.

"I warned you!" Britt cried.

"Yeah, give me your cream, Babe," Devon begged. "Fill my hole," he said.

Britt's cock began erupting cream and didn't stop until the walls of his lover's ass were coated with his hot spunk. He felt Devon's ass muscles clamp down on his hairy root, squeezing the last of fresh cum from the head.

Britt managed to get in a half sitting position, and with his cock still buried, he pulled Devon to him. He kissed the man on the mouth.

"I love you, Babe," he whispered.

"I love you, Britt. So much," he added softly.

It took a while for Britt to go soft. He remained inside Devon, the man resting comfortably, straddling him as if he were a horse.

Becoming silent, Britt laid there, his eyes fixed on Devon.

"What's on your mind?" Devon asked.

"I was thinking about us."

Devon looked surprised. He said, "Us?"

Britt nodded. "I'm not sure why you would fall for someone like me."

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that," Devon replied. Then he said, "No, I'm going to respond to that remark. Why would you even think that?"

Britt shrugged his shoulders. He said, "It doesn't matter now, because things seem different. More definite," he added.

"If you're referring to me, I can assure you, I'm not going anywhere. Unless you ask me to leave," he finished and gave the man he loved a big grin.

"Not going to happen," Britt assured him. "I'm definitely not going to do that."

Devon stood to his feet. Britt's cock slid out of him and fell against his body. His cum-covered shaft snaked its way through his matted pubes, losing itself in thick brown hair.

"Let's hit the shower," Devon said. "Wallace left steaks in the frig, and I'm starving. I'm going to fix you a meal you won't soon forget."

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It was evening and dark was settling in. Devon had kept his promise and cooked Britt a meal that even he had to admit he wouldn't forget very soon. The steak had been cooked just right, and the salad Devon had fixed had made the meal perfect.

The day had begun to cool off, and the two men had taken their beer outside. They were sitting on the deck, enjoying the silence as well as the cool breeze that was bringing the summer temperature down.

"It's so nice out here," Britt remarked.

"Definitely cooler than being in town," Devon agreed. He took a swig from his bottle. "I'd like to bring something up."

"I'm listening," Britt told the man.

"Do you remember my comment about adding you to my household?"

"I do."

"So would you be interested in doing that?"

Britt took another swig of beer. "Are you asking me to marry you?"

"The thought has crossed my mind several times."

"You do remember we live in Oklahoma, right?"

"We can go to another state and get married."

"And then move back to a state that refuses to recognize us as a couple?"

"For now, perhaps," Devon said. "Things may change some day," he added.

"It may," Britt agreed.

"It's getting where most companies, such as insurance, are recognizing gay couples."

"We're a long ways from being accepted," Britt reminded. "Perhaps one day we can be married. When that day arrives, I promise, you won't get any objection from me. I couldn't love you any more, married or not."

They two men remained out on the deck for quite some time. Finally Devon suggested going to bed.

"Are you tired?" Britt asked.

"I suggested going upstairs to bed," Devon reminded. "I didn't say a word about going to sleep," he added.

Britt assisted the man in securing the cabin for the night. Then the two climbed the stairs, leaving everything below in darkness.

When Britt came out of the bathroom later, he discovered Devon between the sheets. He gave the man a smile.

"I see it didn't take you long to get ready for bed."

Devon threw the sheet back and exposed his naked body. "Didn't have much to do," he answered. "Just jumped out of my clothes and into bed," he added. "We took our shower this afternoon," he reminded.

Britt had entered the room wearing boxers. He gave them a tug and dropped them to the floor. He crawled into the bed, his body as naked as his lover's. He reached over and hugged Devon to him.

"I love holding you this way," Devon moaned.

"Bare skin is nice," Britt agreed.

"Just being able to be with you anytime we want is nice," Devon said.

The two of them cuddled for a time, enjoying the feel of naked flesh between them. Then cuddling turned to kissing, followed by hands travelling everywhere possible, touching all of the right places, giving them both tremendous pleasure.

Britt ran his tongue along his lover's body, enjoying the feel of Devon's body hair against his tongue. He began at the man's neck and worked his way downward, leaving a wet trail through chest hair all the way down to his pubes. When he reached Devon's hairy nut sac, he worked one fuzzy ball inside his mouth. He gently sucked on it, giving his lover much pleasure. Next he went for the other and gave it the same treatment.

Then leaving the furry nuts, Britt spread his lover's legs farther apart and tongued his way along the hairy trail that led to the man's hole. He teased Devon's opening for a time, and finally, he leaned in and pressed his nose against the man as far as possible. He worked his tongue inside Devon and slowly began to fuck him with it. Each thrust of the tongue left his lover's ass wetter and wanting more. Finally he pulled his head away.

"Get on your knees," he ordered.

Devon did as he was asked. He placed a couple of thick pillows under him and leaned into them. It left his ass pointing out, inviting to be fucked.

Britt leaned in one last time and placed a good amount of saliva inside Devon's chute. Using his finger, Britt worked the spit inside the man, leaving the hole wet and more than ready to be entered.

He placed the head of his cock against the opening and gave a gentle push. It slipped inside, forcing the hairy opening to expand, allowing him access. He paused a second and then pushed forward. One quick movement allowed him to be buried balls deep in his lover's ass.

"God, I've needed you inside me," Devon moaned.

Britt placed his hands on Devon's ass and slowly began to fuck the man. He was gentle at first, enjoying the warmth that surrounded his dick, created by the walls of Devon's chute. They were sucking Britt in further with each thrust he made. He picked up speed and began fucking Devon harder. His lover was giving him so much pleasure he wished he could keep fucking the entire night. However, it wasn't long before he felt the familiar tingling in his groin. Britt realized he was about to shoot inside his lover's ass.

"I'm almost there," he groaned.

Devon pushed back against him, meeting each thrust Britt made with his own. He drove Britt deeper inside him, pushing the man over the edge. Britt could no longer keep the cum from shooting out of his dick.

"Fuck!" Britt felt his cock shudder. "Going to fill your ass," he moaned.

Britt's orgasm was such he saw stars shoot off in his head the same time his dick shot inside Devon's ass, filling the chute with his cream. His load was big, and he felt some of it begin to leak out and run down to his hairy balls.

"God," he whispered.

Beginning to come down from his orgasmic high, Britt's body rested against Devon. He wrapped his arms around the man and gently kissed the back of his neck. He remained that way for a moment or two and then pulled out of the man.

Startled, Devon said, "Leaving so soon?"

"I need to be fucked," Britt told the man. "Have to get you ready," he added.

Telling Devon to remain where he was, Britt leaned over and placed his lips against the man's cum-filled hole. He began to gently suck cum from his lover's hole, and when he had a mouth full, he pulled away. He motioned for Devon to turn around.

Britt removed the cum from his mouth and placed it in the palm of his hand. Next he reached for Devon's cock and began coating it with spunk.

"I want you to fuck me with my own cum, Babe," he said.

"Sucking your cum from my ass is so fucking hot," Devon whispered.

Britt took what was left and rubbed it into his hole, using his finger to get it inside him. "You're going to fuck me with it and mix your cream with mine," he said.

Britt traded places with the man and leaned over the stack of pillows. He felt his lover's dick press against him, and he was suddenly overtaken by shivers.

"Push it in," he begged.

The cum he placed on Devon's cock allowed the man easy entrance. The distance between two breaths was time enough to let him feel Devon's bush press tightly against his flesh. The man was buried as far as possible, his dick pressed hard against the prostate.

"Fuck," Devon whispered. "Your ass always makes my dick feel good," he said.

Britt felt the man place his hands on each of his cheeks and pull him to his lover. When Devon sped up, driving his dick harder into him, Britt felt the man's hairy nut sac slam his body. He loved feeling the cum-filled balls slapping at him. It made his flesh tingle.

"Yeah, fuck me, Babe," Britt groaned. "I want to feel your cock shoot inside me."

Devon slammed him harder, and between thrusts, he said, "I'm going to shoot. I'm going to put so much fuck juice up there you won't be able to hold it all."

Suddenly Britt felt the cock inside him swell up. His ass felt it shudder. It caused his body to shiver. He knew he was about to be flooded with his lover's juice. He cried out.

"Give me your cream, Dev!"

"I'm shooting," Devon cried.

Britt felt each rope of cum that blasted inside him. By the time Devon's cock had stopped erupting, Britt realized his lover had been right. There was indeed more cum than his ass could hold. He felt the root of Devon's dick become wet and sticky, caused by his leaking hole.

It wasn't long before Devon pulled out of him. The two lay next to each other on the bed, their naked flesh touching.

Britt looked at the man next to him and said, "I love you so much, Devon McKenzie."

"Sometimes I wonder how you can, knowing just how crazy my family is."

"Makes for a very interesting life," Britt told him.

Silence began to settle on them as they lay together. At first Britt was comfortable with it. When Devon remained quiet, Britt turned and looked at the man.

"Can I ask you something, Dev?"

"Of course," the man answered.

"Just now when I said knowing you made for an interesting life, did that offend you in any way?"

"Of course not," Devon answered. "Why should it?"

"What if I decide to write my book on Porterville? How would you feel about that?"

"Are you referring to my life and the way it's been fucked up for such a long time?"

Britt nodded. "I would love to write a story surrounded by the mystery of switched out children. If I changed all of the names, including the town's name, would you be okay with it?"

"Do you honestly think a story like mine would make a good book? One that would sell copies?" Devon asked.

"I do," Britt answered. "In fact, I have already discussed the possibility with Carl. He's excited about it."

"Who is Carl?"

"Carl Turner, my publisher."

Devon appeared lost in thought for a moment. Finally he said, "I'm okay with you doing the story."

"Are you certain?"

"I am."

Britt pulled the man close to him. Wrapping his arms around Devon, he said, "We don't have to decide anything now. Just think it over. I want you to be very sure. Because once the wheels have been put into motion, there won't be any stopping them."

Devon pushed himself up and leaned with his back against the massive headboard of the bed. There was a look on his face Britt couldn't read.

"Is something wrong, Babe?" he asked the man.

"I'm really not sure. I don't think so," Devon said.

"You don't think so? Who would know, if not you?"

Devon gave a sigh. "There's been so much shit going on, and I think I'm finally getting time to process it."

"Anything you care to talk about?"

Devon didn't answer at first. Finally he said, "You know, she wasn't always that way."

Britt was lost. "Who wasn't always that way?" he asked.

"My mother," Devon said. "Funny isn't it?"

"What is?"

"I still think of the woman as my mother, when in fact, she never was."

Britt wasn't sure how to answer the man. He carefully weighed each word that came out of his mouth. He loved Devon McKenzie, and he never wanted to cause the man any pain.

"Devon, it's no use now to dwell on the past. Whether or not Elaine wronged you in any way is not the issue. Not any longer," Britt added. "Unfortunately you will never be given the chance to know your birth mother. That is a shame, but is it something you can live with?"

"I hardly knew Margaret Cooper."

Britt could hear the sadness that Devon felt. He couldn't explain it, but he felt his lover's loss almost as much as Devon did. He wished he could take it away from the man, but he couldn't.

"You do realize that Elaine loved you as much as any mother could love a child?"

"Do you really think so?"

"Of course she did. Why do you think she tried to shield you so? She knew that if I kept digging I was bound to discover her secret."

"Was she trying to protect me? Maybe she wanted to protect her own ass," Devon pointed out.

"You could be partly right about that," Britt agreed. "Fear makes us do crazy things sometimes. All the same, I have no doubt she loved you."

"Are you defending her?"

"Of course not," Britt hastened to assure him. "No matter how much grief a person feels, no one has the right to do what your mother did. It was a selfish act, and no one would think differently. In a way, she played God, and no one has the right to do that."

"Are you referring to `Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a Tooth,' and in my mother's case, a son for a son?"

"Perhaps I am. Your mother's grief not only affected her, but several others as well. Still, if you can look past all that, maybe it'll help you now."

Britt took a breath and continued, saying, "Look, Babe, I'm not defending your mother. Hell, I'm not trying to justify to you her actions. Because truth be told, there is no justification. All I want is to try and help you find some peace. Will you let me do that?"

Devon scooted back down and hugged Britt to him. "I've heard the minister at the church say that people usually come into your life for a reason. That's definitely true in your case," he said.

Britt gave the man a gentle kiss on the mouth. "Another way of looking at this situation could be this: think about everything that's happened. In spite of it all, nearly all of the wrong has been corrected. You have a sweet, loving and very remarkable sister in your life. There are even a couple of aunts. I've met the ladies, and they are real cards. They're going to like you very much."

Devon reached over and turned the lamp beside the bed off. The room was suddenly filled with darkness. He reached out and pulled Britt to him. He gave the man a kiss and told him good night.

"I love you so much, Britt Williams," he whispered.

Britt turned with his back toward Devon. He snuggled against the man enjoying the feel of Devon's chest hair next to his body.

"I love you, Devon. Trust me, everything is going to be all right. I'm here to make sure of that. Night, Babe."

"Night, Britt."