Ring in Mine #3: Nephi and Jerome: Chapter 61
I thought I had posted this a week ago. My employer and I parted ways. In the confusion a few things fell through the crack.
I would appreciate some ideas for a title for this and Ring in Mine #1
I find Nifty a very distracting web site. I find it distracts my attention from my everyday grind. That is why I donate toward the operation of the archive. http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html
Chapter 61
Kurt left his wallet in his locker. Before returning to the canteen, he stopped to see if Jerome's security guard wanted anything from downstairs.
The tech beat a hasty retreat through the shared restroom leaving the pillow in its fatal position.
Kurt's first reaction was to chase after the nefarious med-tech, but Jerome's feeble heartbeat and low oxygen levels won out. Kurt tossed the pillow onto the foot of the bed touching only the corner trying not to destroy any more evidence than necessary. With pure oxygen filling Jerome's lungs his readings improved.
Kurt called for hospital security and the doctor on call, then checked the unconscious guard. There was a splash of coffee as if the guard had dropped his cup. Kurt had watched enough police shows to recognize the possible significance of the coffee. Kurt wore gloves to pick up the cup. He thought it odd that there was no trace of coffee in the cup. Rather than have team members walking through the coffee Kurt used sterile gauze sponges to absorb as much of the liquid as he could and placed them into a plastic bag.
The other nurse followed hospital security into Jerome's room. "I'm glad you're here. Someone pulled four patient's oxygen lines from the wall. I can't find the new tech on the floor. Kurt shared his story. Hospital security called the police. Kurt called Marshall at the compound.
Jerome's rapid recovery pleased the doctor. The guard's lack of improvement worried him. His breathing was shallow; and his heartbeat was irregular.
By the time Marshall and Adam reached the hospital, the police had arrived. Juan lay in the next room on oxygen and IV drip. The doctor did what he could until the tests were back on Juan's blood and the coffee sample.
When Adam arrived, he found Jerome pacing like a caged animal. Jerome's need to escape overrode his fear of Adam's touch. He grabbed Adam's hand. "Take me away from here, please."
Jerome's sobs of terror created a question for Adam with only one answer. "I need a pair of scrubs, I am taking Jerome somewhere safe."
The doctor disagreed. Marshall disagreed. Kurt helped Jerome change in the restroom. He agreed with Adam, if it was his man, he would do the same thing.
Adam picked up the phone, in moments, had arranged transportation and supplies without revealing their destination. As Grace often said, `Live simply, but when you need the power of wealth use it.' Kurt provided two large bags Adam would need to take care of Jerome.
Wearing Adam's winter coat, Jerome rode in the wheelchair toward the elevator.
"If you are doing this, I am sending someone with you." Marshall insisted.
"It was no one's fault, but we are going alone." Adam informed everyone. "Someone may accompany us to our transportation."
Marshall led the way to the first floor. He turned toward patient pickup. Adam turned toward the Emergency Entrance. A helicopter with the Tellerson logo waited on the hospital's helicopter pad.
The pilot met them with warmer coats. Marshall noted two suitcases behind the seats.
"Julio taught me well. Jerome and I have suitcases squirreled anyplace we might need them."
"Mr. Tellerson, an air-med chopper is five minutes away, we need to take off."
Adam shook Marshall's hand. "I am sorry to leave you with this mess. Please bring the lawyers up to speed."
As the helicopter disappeared into the dark, Marshall nodded. If no one knew where they were, everyone could say they didn't know.
The helicopter flew first over the city and up the main canyon. The sky was clear, and the moon was full.
"Do you have the frequency and codes?" Adam asked. The pilot nodded. As they neared the destination a flurry of radio signals flew from the helicopter to the mountain cabin. An avalanche had blocked the narrow pass that led to its pocket valley. The only access would be from the air.
Solar power and batteries were enough to keep the cabin's core systems running. The generator kicked on. The open flat area in front of the cabin was visible under the glare of hidden halogen lighting. Grace's architects had planned well. The pilot and co-pilot carried the supplies into the cabin. Jerome had only flinched for a moment before relaxing enough for Adam to carry him.
Adam settled Jerome on the couch under a plush blanket by the cold wood stove. Before bringing the perishables in Adam started a fire. Jerome watched the flames in silence as Adam put the food away. The cabin warmed. By the time Adam had finished Jerome had fallen asleep.
He carried his man to a turned down bed hoping Jerome wouldn't wake. Adam slept alone in the other bed.
The sun hadn't yet turned the sky to gray when Jerome called out in his sleep.
"Nephi, where are you? It hurts so bad."
Adam knelt next to the bed and rubbed Jerome's sweaty hand. "I'm here. No one can hurt you now." He repeated the phrase until Jerome settled. He covered Jerome and stood to return to his own bed.
"Don't leave me alone, they'll hurt me again." Hearing Jerome's tearful plea, Adam lay on top of the covers and near his man. When Jerome flinched, Adam gave him a little more space, not touching but close enough, Jerome could hear Adam's breathing and settled back into slumber.
Kurt was glad Adam had removed Jerome from the chaos of the third floor. Agent Moore showed up to take over the investigation. He wanted not only the equipment in Jerome's empty room fingerprinted, but anything else the suspect may have touched. Marshall reminded Agent Moore of his earlier phone call. "How will the director feel about a phone call disturbing his sleep? My employers still could press charges."
Agent Moore took over a consultation room and interviewed the staff on the floor who had similar answers. "I don't know everyone that works at the hospital. He had official credentials around his neck and seemed competent. He must have experience in a hospital setting."
The suspect knew where the CCTV cameras were. There was only one clear shot of his face. Jerome had been right. He wasn't from the college kidnap attempt.
About the time Jerome was crying out in his sleep, Juan stirred. Agent Moore moved in with his questions. There wasn't a lot to tell. "I seem to remember someone saying, `We can't have you remembering, can we? But I may have dreamed it."
Agent Moore was irate Jerome was out of reach. He tried throwing his weight around Tellerson demanding to speak to the helicopter pilot only to learn the pilot and copilot started an extended vacation that morning at an unknown location.
Adam woke to find himself wrapped around a pillow instead of Jerome. The toilet flushed. "Jerome, how are you feeling this morning?"
"Where are my pain meds?" Adam found the bottle along with the other meds for anxiety, sleep, and an antibiotic. Adam wondered why Kurt had packed the odd collection he found in the bag.
"Why do people keep trying to kill my family, first Nephi and now me? I'm glad you are safe." Adam tried to hug Jerome, but he pulled away.
Jerome sat on the couch and patted the space next to him. Adam sat in the suggested space. "Move farther away." Adam moved an inch or two. "A little farther."
With each suggested move Adam felt a little sadder. When Adam was about as far from Jerome as the couch would allow Jerome shifted positions and lay his head on Adam's lap. Adam placed his hand on Jerome's chest and pulled it back. Jerome reached up and left Adam's hand resting on Jerome's head. Adam's heart soared when Jerome said, `thank you' and snuggled back against Adam's stomach.
They watched the flames in the stove until Adam's stomach rumbled. "Someone's hungry."
I need to shower first, then I'll make breakfast. Adam came out of the bathroom drying his hair. Seeing Adam's naked body triggered something in Jerome. Pain shot through his body. He fell writhing on the floor.
Adam rushed to Jerome's side. "Don't touch me. Please get dressed!"
Adam dressed and with great effort Jerome let Adam help him up. With breakfast forgotten Adam held Jerome like a child and rocked his sobbing man. Jerome closed his eyes. Adam placed his burden on the bed and covered him with a blanket. What terrors had Jerome lived through?
Adam wolfed down a toaster waffle. Sitting at the table Adam drew out ideas about potential changes for the cabin. He looked up as Jerome made his way to the restroom.
"Feeling better now?" Adam asked.
"I'll never feel better." Jerome closed the door behind him. Jerome's brief cry drew Adam to the door.
Adam tried the knob finding it locked. "Jerome, open the door!"
Adam heard the lock click, and the door opened just enough for Jerome's hand. In the palm of his hand was his wedding ring. "I won't hold you to your promise to love me forever."
Adam took the ring and tried to slide it back into place on Jerome's finger. "Nothing would make me take back my promise."
Jerome opened the door. "Before you give it back, we need to talk. I've taken all my meds and need to do this before I chicken out. I cannot remember everything that happened, but I remember seeing naked men and terrible pain."
"Help me take my bandages off." Adam unwrapped the gauze from Jerome's arms. On the police force Adam had seen some gruesome things. Adam struggled to control his urge to throw up.
"They had to keep the crazy lady on a tight leash. They told me my dad didn't care if I came back damaged. While the other guys got to sleep, they handed her a soldering iron." Jerome struggled to squeeze the words out between the sobs.
Adam's skin crawled. He knew one reason Jerome didn't want to be touched. The crazy bitch had covered Jerome in scorched graffiti. She had burned `Death to Fags!' onto his chest. When she had run out of derogatory things to write she made random marks. There were even games of tic-tac-toe. Adam didn't know what to say.
"I know I'm disgusting. I won't hold you to your promise, but I need your help getting all this cleaned and bandaged before you call the helicopter back."
Adam spread the contents of the bags on the table until he found a set of care instructions in Kurt's far from neat handwriting. Jerome stood in the shower stall as Adam, wearing gloves, washed Jerome's wounds and applied the antibiotic provided. Rather than trying to bandage all the damage the doctor had settled on soft loose-fitting cotton pajamas changed twice a day. Kurt had sent a few pairs. Adam would still need to do laundry.
Jerome, dressed and as comfortable as possible in the big overstuffed recliner, watched as Adam knelt on one knee and took the hand given him by the mysterious Qayin. Adam repeated his wedding vows and slid Jerome's ring back where it belonged.
"You stood by Nephi, why would I not stand by you?" Adam kissed Jerome's fingers. Adam asked a question that had bothered him while he cared for Jerome's injuries. "Why did they leave your left hand unmarked?"
"She didn't, look at it." Adam noticed a network of healed scars. Life was growing curiouser every day.
High on the hill behind the cabin a single hidden mast held the antenna for the radio and tv reception. At first Jerome wasn't pleased about the television, but it helped pass the long hours. Jerome relented and allowed Agent Moore a conversation over the radio. Jerome shared his limited memories.
"Agent Moore have they found my dad yet?"
"His death has nothing to do with this case. Let's go over the abduction again."
"Jerome's tired, over and out." Adam broke the connection.
"I guess my dad is dead. Why doesn't it bother me more?"
"It's all the meds that are getting you through the day." Adam answered. Adam could see something about his dad's death was bothering Jerome, but Adam wouldn't bring up a subject that could upset Jerome's precarious hold on normalcy. During Jerome's next nap, Adam radioed the compound.
"Hi dad, I miss you. How is Jerome doing?" Hugo asked.
"He's getting better every day. I'm not sure when we are coming home." Adam paused, he wasn't sure he wanted to ask Hugo about Jerome's father.
"I hope you haven't let Jerome watch the news. They found his dad in a burned-out truck on the salt flats. It's gruesome. It was Yancy's old gang."
"Why do they think it's the gang and not the guys that tortured Jerome?"
Hugo told what he had learned on the news.
On an undisturbed section of salt, the police found a single symbol in spray paint that told the whole story. The tagger's mark identified a collector for the gang. The police had been trying to identify the person for years and were still no closer. A news helicopter was the first to find the car while it was still burning. They flew low enough to get good footage of the burning car and the graffiti. The wire services picked up the story.
Adam waited for Jerome to ask before he shared the news.
"He may have been a bastard, but he didn't deserve to die. Is mom safe?" Adam didn't have the heart to tell his man of Mary's involvement.
Each time Adam washed Jerome's many burns, it became easier for Jerome to let Adam touch him, especially his genitals. The last morning, they spent at the cabin Jerome even made a feeble attempt at humor.
"If I will always have scars on my dick, I wish she could have done something artistic."
A week had passed, and Sandra insisted on checking on Jerome's progress. Adam radioed for the helicopter. Adam cleaning, filling a garbage bag with dirty clothes.
"Adam forget this. Have someone clean the cabin for us. It's not like we can't afford it."
As their ride landed in the field in front of the cabin, Adam flipped the main switch placed high by the front door. The generator shut down, and the cabin was once again running essential systems on solar and battery power.
"What happens it the batteries run out of power?" Jerome asked.
"The generator will power on, get them back to full charge and turn back off. It only happens if the days are dark for a week or more."
"Why can't they come into the hospital like everyone else." Sandra grumbled as she packed for any contingency. Molly tried to convince her they didn't have to take the complete trauma center.
"If there are complications, they can come to the hospital. They are good people. I feel bad about how I treated them. I can't condemn their lifestyle anymore." Molly interrupted Sandra's packing with a kiss. Molly ran her hands over Sandra's womanly curves, ending in a hug. Neither of them had the slim girlish frames of their youth, but it didn't matter. It was being together that was important.
Adam's non-sexual twice-a-day washing of Jerome's burns had turned from a stressful experience to a tolerated one. Jerome had skipped his anxiety pill the last day at the cabin, but the knowledge that a woman would examine him had him wound up. Adam handed Jerome a small white pill.
"I don't need it!"
"Jerome, take the pill. If it will help, I will stay with you."
Jerome had relaxed by the time Sandra and Molly arrived, but he held onto Adam's hand like a toddler's security blanket. Jerome refused to be naked for the doctor. Sandra examined Jerome's torso first. With his top back on, he dropped his bottoms.
"You've done a great job taking care of the burns. They are scabbing over nicely. Keep using the ointment, it will keep them from becoming infected and minimize scarring. I wish I could say it would eliminate scarring altogether but that won't happen. This extensive, I don't know if plastic surgery would be an option, I will have one look at your face though."
Jerome squeezed Adam's hand. Without thinking he leaned in and kissed the healing burn on Jerome's cheek. Sandra watched for Molly's reaction, she had heard stories in the hospital staff room.
Molly leaned in and mirrored the kiss on Sandra's cheek. "I am sorry about how I've treated not only you, but other gay patients and their families. Sandra has helped me recognize my jealousy."
Together the two women shared their story as Sandra finished up the exam.
"Everything looks good." Sandra announced.
Jerome looked at Adam. "I hear a but in that statement."
"The doctors that first treated you removed the dead testicle, a gift from your tormentors. They removed part of the other hoping it would heal. With testosterone therapy you can still have an active sex life, but the right one needs to come out soon. We'll schedule a time at the hospital."
Jerome became silent and held onto Adam. His breathing became quick and shallow. Dr. Sandra reached out for Jerome who pulled away from Adam and the doctor. In a moment Jerome was gone. The women started after him when a faint chime rang through the house.
"There is a no use looking for him. You heard the chime. He's in the secure room in the basement. It would take jackhammers hours to get through the walls." Adam picked up the radio. "Is anyone with Jerome?"
"This is Lucky Boy. I'm with the brother of Jared. I've got a stack of books to read to him. Over."
"Is Jerome all right?"
"Dad! You didn't say over."
"Is Jerome all right. Over." There was a long pause.
"The Brother of Jared says," There was a pause while Jerry got his answer right. "He'll follow through on Grandma's threat before he steps in that hospital again. Now, I have my dad to myself and I am not sharing with anybody. Out."
Adam tried to reach Jerry again, but the radio stayed silent.
"Jerry has been trying to have time with his dad since we arrived home. I don't think they will surface for a while. They could stay in there a week and not run out of supplies."
Sandra was in the dark about Grandma's threat. Molly explained that she had gotten on the wrong side of Grace only to find between her and her friends, they owned a controlling interest in the company.
The radio came to life. "Dad says he'll get Clarke to do it. Out." That statement opened another can of worms that required explanation.
"He can't be serious." Sandra replied.
Hugo stepped into the room to tell dad lunch was ready and heard her response. "When you own the place, you can make the decisions." Hugo picked up the radio. "If Clarke can do it in the field, he can do it here. I have a big super ball you can use."
Hugo released the talk button and held his finger to his lips. "I don't need one that big."
"Dad still has the radio on."
Hugo invited the ladies for lunch. It surprised them the family knew of the radio conversations.
"When you talk on the radio there are no secrets, anyone can hear it." Clarke explained. He picked up the radio sitting by his place setting. "I wouldn't want to do it. We could get the vet in. The one that does it with his teeth."
The other radios at the table echoed Clarke's statement. Zeke picked up his radio. Sariah shook her head. He put the radio on the table only to have Rafe pick it up.
"The doctor could wear black leather and tie him over a sawhorse in the barn." Sariah gave Rebecca an evil look. Rebecca shrugged her shoulders.
"Dad wants to know what's for lunch. I offered to cook him macaroni and cheese."
Soon, Jerome was sitting at the head of the table with Jerry at his side. Zeke started the conversation about how big the prosthetic should be. He was for replacing both balls with implants the size of tennis balls. Rafe countered they shouldn't be bigger than you could fit in your mouth. Zeke squirmed at the thought.
"May we be excused?"
"Sex can wait until you have finished the dishes." Sariah announced.
Rafe speared a meatball from Zeke's plate and took his time licking the spaghetti sauce off the meatball. Zeke's hormones were on overdrive. Rafe sucked the meatball into his mouth and retrieved it intact.
The younger kids thought it was funny. Soon all the boys at the table were licking their meatballs.
"After you get them good and wet, there is only one thing to do." Rafe put the meatball between his teeth and bit it in half. Zeke's face turned white.
Zeke looked at his plate as he finished his spaghetti without making eye contact with anyone. He avoided the meatballs on his plate.
Rafe reached over with his fork spearing another meatball from Zeke's plate. "Here I'll eat your balls for you." He bit another in half. Rather than continue the torture, Zeke made short work of the meatballs on his plate.
As Zeke and Rafe returned from the kitchen for a second load of dishes, Rafe apologized and gave his partner a kiss on the cheek. The younger family members had carried their dishes to the kitchen and were working with their new temporary teacher. Sariah apologized to their guests for her son's explicit behavior.
"Sariah, two weeks ago it would have bothered me seeing two men kissing, but I remember what my parents took out of my life." Molly reached over and gave Sandra a kiss similar to the peck Rafe had given Zeke.
"Is that how women kiss? Let us show you how men kiss."
"Zeke you will not in front of our guests." Sariah was too late. Rafe and Zeke were sharing their lips, tongues, and most anything they could touch.
"We will be back to do the dishes." The pair ran from the room.
Molly found her womanhood had grown moist. Sandra was also uncomfortable. They had been back together for a week and had held hands and cuddled. The passion before them had lit their fires.
"You look tired. An after-lunch nap is just the thing for a more productive afternoon. Suite 6 is available." Sariah handed Sandra the key. "She took Clarke's hand. I think an afternoon nap is just what the doctor ordered."
Soon all the adult couples had retired to their rooms leaving Adam, Jerome, Sandra and Molly at the table.
"Go, make love, this is one place no one will judge you." Adam suggested.
"I think I need a shower." Jerome stood and headed for their room. Adam had a load of dishes in his hand. Standing in the doorway Jerome turned. "I can't do this on my own."
Adam set the dishes on the table. He stopped to pick up a pair of latex gloves. Jerome's hand reached out and took the gloves from Adam's hands, setting them on the dresser.
Under the hot water Adam stood behind Jerome being careful not to damage any of the new scabs. Jerome turned and looked straight ahead as Adam washed his front. As always Adam let Jerome wash his own stuff.
"Will you wash my hair?" Jerome had always insisted that having first Nephi and now Adam wash his hair was almost as good as sex. At the cabin Jerome hadn't let Adam do anything more than rinse his hair.
Adam opened the glass door and reached for the shower stool that had been Nephi's toward the end. With Jerome sitting Adam could wash Jerome's hair without the fear of Jerome falling. The simple pleasure of having Adam massage his head and temples had brought Jerome his first erection while he was awake since the kidnapping.
Adam rinsed out the first round of lather and began again. As Adam pumped conditioner in his hand Jerome held his hand out for some. Adam delivered his conditioner to Jerome's head. Jerome's slick hand moved to his manhood. After only five painful strokes Jerome shot his load. The running water removed any evidence as it went down the drain.
Jerome insisted Adam take his place on the stool. Jerome took great pleasure in running his hands through Adam's hair. After rinsing and repeating just as the bottle's directions instructed, Adam's hard manhood had found its way through the fly of his boxers. Jerome dispensed conditioner first in Adam's hand and then his. Jerome concentrated on Adam's hair as Adam made it to ten strokes before shooting his load.
Adam stood and refrained from pulling Jerome into his arms. He knew Jerome had to set the pace. Jerome had managed all he could push himself to do for the day. They rinsed away the soap. Adam dried himself first as Jerome looked away. With a towel around Adam's waist he began the careful process of drying Jerome without damaging the scabs. Jerome took his man's hand and led him to the bed. Adam stopped long enough to pull on new boxers. For the first time in two weeks they lay skin to skin, with Jerome's head on Adam's chest. Adam was sure he couldn't fall asleep, but Jerome's steady breathing lulled him into slumber.
Adam woke to find a hand cupped around his balls. He felt it would be safer to allow Jerome to wake up on his own. Adam convinced himself Jerome's warm hand had no bearing on this decision.
When Sariah and Molly had emerged from their borrowed suite Sariah invited them to supper with the assurance Zeke and Rafe had promised to be on their best behavior.
As Jerome entered the room, the family stood. Molly wasn't sure why, but she followed suit.
"I apologize for my absence. It's good to be back with my family, I love all of you."
Molly looked at the wide range of individuals standing around the table Jerome called `family'. Her source of information about Samaria had been the inflammatory reports on television.
"Our elder brother once said, `Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.' Christ has promised that if we include him in our lives, he will be there when we need him."
Jerome scanned the table catching the eye of each member. "We are all children of a loving Father. He depends upon us to do His work. Samaritans, go forth and do good. Kenton would you bless the food."
Sandra on one side and Molly on the other found family members extending their hands including them in their circle. Molly had lost her true love in the name of her parent's god. She preferred the God of Samaria who loved all his varied children. She had always cared about her patients. Maybe she should show it more.
Halfway through the prayer, Sandra squeezed Molly's hand. Molly squeezed back.
"Someone looks a lot more relaxed."
"Zeke, you promised to be on your best behavior with our guests." Sariah scowled at her son.
Zeke looked at the ladies. "They look more relaxed too, but I was talking about Jerome."
Adam looked at Jerome. Zeke was right. Jerome looked more at ease. He wondered how long it would last.
"Dad, Uncle Benny's guys got the gas lanterns hooked up in the village. You have time for a quiet walk. Take the ladies with you." Either Hugo was becoming a hopeless romantic or someone put him up to it. Neither Myles nor Garrick would look Adam in the eye. Jerome wanted to visit the sanctuary. Maybe the ladies would enjoy seeing more of Samaria.
Juan and Hope ferried the two couples to the event area. Adam chatted with Juan on the short drive, glad to see he had recovered from his brush with the attempted murderer.
Juan explained the pilot lights were still lit. He accessed a set of controls hidden in what appeared to be an old English letter-box. With a turn of a valve and a flip of a switch, the security lights turned off and the gas lamps lit the curved path around the lake and through the trees. The two couples walked the quiet path, each holding the hand of their partner. As they passed planned construction sites, Jerome would describe the future building and how it would fit into the village.
Jerome stopped at the break in the trees that led to the sanctuary. "Let's give him a head start." Jerome smiled and slipped between the trees as Adam introduced them to the small alcove they were about to visit.
Jerome's clear voice filled the silence as he sang Nephi's song. The simple expression of true love touched the women's hearts. They looked not at Adam or the entrance to Jerome's special place, but into each other's eyes. The holding hands became an impassioned hug. As Jerome sang the final phrase. Their lips met, not in urgent passion, but an intense surge of joy being together again.
They broke their kiss. Jerome appeared and held his fingers to his lips. "We have guests. Come."
As they broke through the trees the simple beauty of the grove impressed them. The flickering of the new gas lamps seemed to bring the statue to life. Molly's tears glistened in the soft glow. She looked at Sandra and found matching tears.
"Sandra, I think I have always loved you. It wasn't until you returned, I realized what was missing in my life was you." Molly took Sandra's hand and pressed her fingers to her lips. She remembered a scripture memorized in her youth. She knelt before Sandra and held Sandra's hands in hers.
"Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee:
for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge:
thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."
Sandra knelt facing the love of her life, still holding hands.
Called from the darkness by thy dulcet tones
Lifted from the depths by thy slender hand
Held in the safety of thy arms' caress
Warmed by the glow of loving eyes
Banish me not again to that outer realm
But let us live; one heart, and one soul
A voice disturbed their tender moment. "Do you bind yourselves willingly, to put the needs of your partner ahead of your own, to stand side by side throughout life's joys and challenges?"
Unsure of the situation, but confident of their love, they answered, "Yes," as they looked into each other's eyes. Their mysterious visitor wound around their clasped hands a length of yellow gold and the one of white.
A second voice asked, "With the sharing of rings do you promise to hold all your wealth, possessions, talents, and emotions as one soul bound by love." He removed that which bound them together and held it in his closed fist. He turned his hand to reveal two bands of intertwined gold and silver lying on his palm. The women knew what to do.
A third took their clasped hands in his. "What I bind here today, let no man, angel or demon break."
Molly leaned forward and kissed Sandra. Before the last man stepped between the trees Molly asked. "Why us?"
The first man turned for only a moment. "As long as my brothers have wandered the earth, there are two who have served the lord since the beginning. It was at their behest and at the request of a child." He stepped between the trees.
During the ceremony, Jerome had remembered an old song he had always liked sung by Nat King Cole. "When I fall in love...". His voice filled the hidden space and their hearts.
"When you are ready, meet us at the tavern." Adam requested.
Adam and Jerome stopped first at the church. Jerome proceeded to the padded rail before the altar to pray. Adam stopped to use the phone hidden behind an inset panel. Jerome only made out the phrase, "The penthouse will be fine."
Kneeling at the altar Adam removed both of their rings. Adam repeated his wedding vows to Jerome and replaced the ring on Jerome's finger. Jerome completed the simple reaffirmation of their love. They stood and turned to find the ladies listening to their vows. "That was beautiful." Sandra responded.
Adam had left the lights in candle mode; filling the room with soft shadows. The organ's faux golden pipes reflected the flickering glow. Adam offered to turn the lights on bright, but the women suggested they return another time to see the chapel in the light of day.
Hope and Juan met them at the tavern with hot chocolate and fresh baked cookies, courtesy of the wonders of frozen cookie dough. That was when Adam noticed the matching rings on Hope's and Juan's fingers.
Hope explained that after the hospital scare, they tied the knot, since Donny would have a sibling in September.
The three couples continued around the path. When they made it back to the beginning a limo waited by the golf cart. A tall good-looking man opened the doors for the surprised ladies.
"The penthouse was for them, thank you," Jerome kissed his man on the cheek.
After the kid's prayers, a near naked Jerome lay again on Adam's chest. It wasn't sex, but for now it was enough.