The following story is gay fiction. If you do not care for the subject matter or are too young, please exit now. The story is owned by the author and may not be reproduced without permission. JETjt@aol.com
EMPIRE
Chapter Thirty-seven
Wednesday, University Medical Center, VIP Waiting Room, 4:50 PM
"Cancer?" Matt gasped.
"I'm sorry Matt," Dr. Hazeltoff said in his most comforting tone.
"How bad is it?" Ron asked, still reeling from the feared news.
"All we've found so far is in his throat," Dr. Franklin replied. "We've complete body scans, but as yet haven't really had time to examine the films adequately. We'll need to check his lymph nodes of course. Cancer seems to spread through the lymphatic system. If the nodes are clear, then my guess is that he'll a fairly good chance to keep it localized."
"How should it be treated?" Matt queried.
"I'd say surgically, and soon," responded the oncologist. "With luck we may be able to save the larynx. There will need to be some reconstructive surgery too at some point in the future. After the initial surgery, there will have to be chemotherapy and/or radiation."
"What do we do next?" Ron asked.
"I'd suggest you get a second opinion," Franklin answered. "And even though I'd be glad to treat your son, I would not be insulted if you chose to take him to a hospital specializing in cancer."
"Like M.D. Anderson?" suggested Ron.
"They're one of the top two or three in the country, in my opinion."
"When can he travel?"
"Tomorrow if you wish," Dr. Franklin replied. "I think you'd better be sure that M.D. Anderson can take him first though."
"They'll take him," Ron stated unequivocally.
"I'm sure they will," Randy Hazeltoff added.
"How can you be so sure?" the specialist asked his peer.
"Have you ever heard of the Emma Thorsruud Therapy?" Randy asked the oncologist.
"Of course. It's the new preferred treatment for leukemia. As I remember, it came out of M.D. Anderson."
"The first successful patient is the adopted son of Ron's brother Tyler."
"Wow! Then who is Emma Thorsruud?"
"The boy's grandmother who died before his treatment was complete," Dr. Hazeltoff responded to his counterpart. "When the experimental therapy was successful, Mr. Turner provided the funds to use it on all of M.D. Anderson's leukemia patients. The success rate was over 80%. It was those experimental cases that opened the door to the acceptance of the treatment world-wide."
"I suspect then that you have an `in' with them then," Franklin surmised.
"You might say that," Matt responded with a smile. "We'll make immediate arrangements."
"I guess that's all for now then," the oncologist concluded.
"We'd like to stay with Douglas, perhaps all night," Ron said. "We don't know how he's going to take the news, but I think he suspects the worse."
"I'll sign the papers for his release in the morning," Franklin offered. "Please see me before you pick him up so I can give you a more thorough report and the necessary files for M.D. Anderson."
"Thank you doctor," Ron said as he and Matt shook his hand. "Thank you too Randy. You're always there when we need you."
The four men said their goodbyes and exited the room with Ron and Matt heading for the elevators that would carry them to Douglas's room. On arrival, the two older men saw that their `son' was still asleep. Looking again at his watch, Ron said, "Babe, would you mind staying with him alone for awhile. I need to make arrangements with M.D. Anderson, and with Jan for transportation. We need to call Tyler too and let him know what's going on."
"I'd be glad to stay," Matt offered. "If he wakes up do you want me to tell him?"
"It's up to you Babe. If he's insistent it's fine with me if you want to. If you'd rather wait or have me do it, that's fine too."
"We need to tell the boys at home as well," Matt said. "He'll also want Eddie to know."
"He might want to tell Eddie himself," considered Ron.
"Hmmm," Matt said as he thought out loud, "We can't go to Houston tomorrow."
"Oh?"
"No. We promised Douglas that we'd adopt him first, then he'll want to spend some time with Eddie too before we go. "
"You're right again," Ron credited his lover. "I guess I was so anxious to have him cared for that I completely forgot about how he would feel. We may have to break our promise though if I can't pull off an adoption in a day or two at most."
"Let's see what miracle you're able to perform before we make a firm plan to leave," Matt suggested. "You'll need to pull some strings with both the Judge and with M.D. Anderson."
"Let me go to work on it. I'll be back as soon as I can."
"What you have to do is more important than you being here by far. I'll call you later. If things take some time, don't worry about us. I'll be here with Douglas."
"Do you think I should bring Eddie over for a visit tonight?" Ron questioned. "They won't have much time together."
"Why don't you ask Dan or Tyler to do it. You have a lot to do, and I don't have a car here."
"I'll get it handled," Ron promised. "I'll call you and let you know what's happening."
"You'd better get going," Matt urged with a kiss. "Call me when you can."
"Right Love," Ron said. "I love you."
"I love you more," Matt responded as Ron disappeared into the hallway.
6:30 PM, UMC
Matt's phone vibrated in his pocket as he sat at Douglas's bedside. He stood up, moving quickly to the door to the hallway as he pushed the `send' button and said softly, so as not to awaken Douglas, "Matt."
Grasping the door handle he moved into the hallway as he heard Ron's voice. "The adoption is set up for tomorrow at 2 PM," Ron announced. "We'll have an early celebration dinner here afterward and fly to Houston tomorrow night. "M.D. Anderson is expecting us at 9:00 AM the next morning."
"Good work Ron," Matt complimented his partner. "Is Eddie going to come to the hospital tonight?"
"Yes, he should be arriving about 8:00. Is Douglas awake yet?"
"No, he's still sleeping."
"I'll come back down now then," Ron said. "We need to break the news to him before Eddie arrives."
"I won't keep you," Matt declared. "I love you."
"I love you too Matt. We'll need each other to face this ordeal."
"For sure," Matt agreed. "Hurry back. I need you now."
"I'm coming. Bye."
"Bye."
20 minutes later.
Douglas stirred, then opened his eyes, seeing Matt at his bedside.
"Hi Matt. What time is it?
"Close to 7 o'clock," Matt replied, hoping the Ron would suddenly appear to help him face the inevitable question.
"Where's Ron?"
"He's on his way back and should be here in a minute. He had some things he had to do."
"Have you talked to the doctor?"
"Yes, we met with him after you went to sleep."
"What did he say?"
Matt hesitated and his eyes filled with tears.
"I've got it, don't I," Douglas asked knowingly.
"Yes son, you do," Matt replied honestly. "Tomorrow night we're taking you to Houston to M.D. Anderson hospital. That's where Jerry was cured of leukemia."
"I don't have leukemia do I?"
"No son, you have a growth in your neck. We're hoping that it can be removed surgically so we have to go there right away before it gets too big."
"What about your promise?" Douglas asked in a pleading voice.
"Your adoption will take place tomorrow at 2 in the afternoon," Matt replied, thankful again for Ron's call.
Douglas smiled.
"Will everyone be there?"
"Ron is making the arrangements, but I'm sure the answer is yes."
"Eddie too?"
"You can ask him tonight. He'll be here in about an hour."
Doug hesitated before beginning with a new subject.
"Thank you for making me your boy," Douglas said with heartfelt sincerity.
"You've been our boy since the first time I laid my eyes on you at the office," Matt responded with a smile.
"You know what mean," Doug chided.
"Yes Pal, I know."
The door opened to the room and Ron entered.
"Hi Dad," Douglas said with a smile.
Ron looked at Matt who nodded in affirmation of the question Ron was asking with his eyes.
"Son, we're going to get you well," Ron asserted.
"I know you'll try," Douglas credited his parent. "But if I can't be cured, I'll die happy. I have a family that has loved me and a boy that is in love with me. It's far more than I ever expected to have."
Ron and Matt were both silent. Douglas had said it all. Each man reached out to their son in their minds, asking God to save the youth's life.
"Hey, I didn't mean to make you sad," Douglas said, trying to break the overcast mood of sadness that permeated the room. "I'm really very happy, no matter what happens later. I hope we're going to have a party after the adoption ceremony."
"You can count on it," Ron responded. "I told Mary to start cooking already. Is there anyone at school you'd like to invite?"
"There are a couple of guys in my homeroom I'd like to be there. One is Frankie Lassiter and the other's name is Tom Webster."
"I'll call the school in the morning," Matt promised.
"Hey, when am I getting out of here?" Douglas asked, "And when do we have to leave for Houston."
"You get out around 9 o'clock in the morning," Ron said, "We're going to Houston tomorrow night."
"That's not much time," the youth observed.
"No, we need to get there as quickly as possible to give you the best chance," Matt said.
"Can Eddie go with us?'
Ron and Matt looked at each other in surprise, but knowing they shouldn't have been.
"We'll see if he can go," Ron promised. "We'll take him if we can."
"Thanks," Douglas said, knowing that his parents would do their best to honor his wishes.
The door again opened and Ron was surprised to see Doctor Franklin enter.
"Hello Doctor," Ron said. "I didn't expect to see you here this late."
"I had a patient I needed to see," the doctor said with a smile. "I thought I'd drop in and see how Douglas is doing."
"Better than can be expected," Matt said. "We're taking him to M.D. Anderson tomorrow night."
"That's good," commented the doctor looking at Douglas's chart. "I see all the test results are back. I'll review them before I go home. Mr. Turner, Mr. Davidson? Could I meet with either or both of you in the morning? I'd like to discuss the findings and give you a copy of his file to take with you to Houston. It should speed up their evaluation."
"Where and when would you like to meet with us?" Ron asked.
"My medical offices are off of the Summerlin Parkway," the doctor replied. I could squeeze you in almost any time."
"That's near where we live," Ron commented. "Our only real obligation in the morning is to spring Douglas out of here."
"In that case," Franklin said, "I'll release him tonight so you don't have to make another trip down here in the morning. He seems to be doing fine."
"We'd appreciate that doctor," Matt accepted. "I'm sure he'd rather spend the night in his own bed."
"Yeah, and Mary's food is better too," Douglas interjected.
The adults all laughed.
Douglas blushed, then said, "Actually the food hasn't been bad, Mary's is just tastier."
"That's settled," the doctor said grinning. "I'll have the file at my office. Why don't you come by around 10 AM?" he suggested. . "10 it is," Ron responded.
"I'll go sign the release papers," Dr. Franklin said. "If one of you would see the head floor nurse in about 10 minutes, everything will be ready for you to sign him out."
"Thank you doctor."
"Yes, thank you," Ron echoed Matt's sentiments.
Ron and Matt's palatial home, an hour later
Tyler, Dan, Ronnie, Jerry, Zack, Nathan, Carl and Eddie Burroughs were all sitting in the family room when Ron and Matt arrived with Douglas.
Seeing the group waiting in anticipation, Ron spoke.
"Guys, I think we'd better have a family meeting."
Ron, Matt, and Douglas pulled up chairs to where the others were gathered.
"I'm afraid we have bad news," Ron began as he put his arm around Doug. "The soreness in Douglas's throat is the result of a growth of a tumor. It's malignant. Matt and I will be taking him to Houston to M.D. Anderson Hospital tomorrow night."
Looks of shock and mutterings of `oh no!' filled the room.
"We all want to go with him too," Jerry said.
Other murmurs and nodding of heads indicated agreement with the request.
"I'd like to say yes, but I can't," Ron replied. "We have no idea what the outcome of their diagnosis will be. It's possible that we might be there for weeks."
"He's our brother," Nathan said. "He'll need his family."
"Once we get the prognosis, we'll consider bringing you all down there," Ron promised.
"Speaking of `brother'," Matt said. "Tomorrow at 2 PM, Ron and I are formally adopting Douglas. You all are excused from school or work to witness the court hearing making it all legal and to participate in our celebration party afterward."
"Hey! Way to go!" and like congratulations for Douglas were shouted with excitement by all those in the room.
Douglas grinned, then winked at Eddie. After the tumult died down, he raised his arm to get their attention and then began to speak.
"Dads, Uncles, and brothers, not to mention cousins, naturally," He began with a wink at Jerry and Zack. "Oh, and I can't forget my Eddie neither," he said with love for his young boyfriend expressed in the look of love they exchanged.
"The past few months have been the happiest in my life," he declared. "I came here broken in mind, body, and spirit. Since then I have learned what family and love really are. You have all been a part of my healing. For the first time in my life I've learned what it is to be loved. I've learned that what's inside is more important than what's outside. I live now where being gay is normal. I've learned here that being gay is nothing to be ashamed about and that it's just a part of the whole me. In this house the important words are Son', Brother,' and `Friend'. Most of us have come from a hard past, a past with no future. Here we have a chance to be more, to chase our dreams."
"As you've just heard, I have cancer. I'm not the first in this house to battle it. I hope I'll be as fortunate as Jerry in licking it, but if not, I just want to say that I'm proud to be a part of this family. I love you all and thank God that I was fortunate enough to find happiness with you."
"Tomorrow Ron and Matt are going to adopt me," he continued with a smile directed toward his new fathers, but speaking to the other boys. "That makes me a legal brother with Ronnie, and legally a son to Ron and Matt. In many ways it fulfills a dream I've always had to find someone who loved me enough to make me their own. When I came here in that search for health I hit the jackpot, for I found love, something I'd never known. No one can compare to the guys that head our families. I can only thank my new dads, Ron and Matt, for the honor they will bestow upon me in making me their son."
"Now I'd like to speak of them. In Ron I found a man of power, wealth, and strength. Those are his lesser qualities. Underneath those obvious attributes, I found a man of compassion, tenderness and love. I discovered a man who knows how to be a wonderful brother, a just and loving father, and a dedicated husband to his lover Matt. Too, he knows how to have fun and be fun. He's an example without equal... unless of course you're talking about Matt, Tyler or Dan," he winked.
"Matt does not wear the armor that his partner wears. He's no limp-wristed pushover though. Matt simply wears his love for Ron and his love for us all on his sleeve. It's visible for all to see. He shares his partner's compassion and love for others; it's just easier to see it on him than on Ron. I will be proud to call both these men my father."
"I can't stop just yet. There are Tyler and Dan, my new uncles. While retaining their own personalities, both men make another perfect couple, like Ron and Matt. The first thing that you recognize in Tyler is that he's a hunk of hunks. Wow! He's all man. If anyone ever had the thought that gay men are wimps, they need only to meet Tyler to find out how really wrong they are. Tyler is intelligent and a great businessman, so Ron says anyway," he continued, poking fun. "He's a caring father, brother and uncle and an all around good guy."
"Uncle Dan, is like Matt," only more. He loves his man and his sons, yet is not afraid to tend to his business. The tenderness in Dan's heart shows. He and Matt are kindred spirits. What more can I say?"
"Then there are you, my brothers. We all share the pain in our pasts, yet united with our dads, we forge ahead to a new and better life. We are all at the early part of our lives. Some of us will live to be old men, while others of us will go ahead to make a place in the afterlife for our eventual re-uniting. I may be the first to go, but if that's the case, I guess I'll take my chances with a God who Ron says loves us all. I have no fear of what lies ahead, only thankfulness for the love and caring I've received from you all."
"Next are our house parents who I know are listening in from the kitchen"
In a moment, the door to the kitchen opened and Parker and Mary appeared with faces that blushed their embarrassment in being caught eavesdropping.
"Parker, Mary. Know that I love you as does everyone in this house. You care for us and see to our daily needs, often at the inconvenience to your own private lives. You epitomize the truth to the saying that love can't be bought. You are like our grandparents. I want you to know how much we all love and appreciate you."
Parker and Mary continued to blush, but now for a different reason. Mary's eyes were filled with tears, thinking of the hardship ahead for Douglas.
"Thank you Douglas," Mary said. "It's easy to love you boys."
Douglas turned his gaze toward Eddie.
"Last, but not least, in my heart anyway," Douglas continued, "is Eddie Burroughs. I confess to you all with pride that Eddie and I are boyfriends. He's the smartest kid I know, and I'm privileged to be his friend and lover. If I don't make it back from Houston and you wish to remember me and honor my memory, you need only to wrap your arms around Eddie. He and I are one. There are private things we still have to say to each other, but I want you all to know how grateful I am to Eddie for letting me into his heart."
Eddie smiled through the tears that flowed down his cheeks. He was not alone in that condition. There was not a dry eye in the room.
"I guess that's all I have to say." Douglas concluded. "I just wanted you all to know how I really feel and how happy I am, no matter the results in Houston. I love you all."
Ron pulled Douglas into a warm hug with his arm that was still encircling Douglas's shoulder.
"Douglas," Ron said with a voice that was choked with emotion, "Of all of us here, you have showed what real courage and love are all about. We love you son and we're so proud of you."
Ron wrapped his other arm around Eddie and held him close. When they finally finished their exchange of hugs, Douglas stood and accepted the hugs of his brothers and the adults in the room, exchanging words of support and encouragement. Then he turned to Eddie and enveloped him in his arms as love and tears intermingled.
Moments later after the expressions of love and sympathy concluded Ron told Doug that he'd be gone a few minutes and asked him to not leave the room. He explained that he needed to telephone Leonard Johnson.
Doug knew that Leonard was the Director of the Thornton Center where Eddie lived, and that Ron was going to ask if Eddie could go with them to Houston. He smiled a knowing smile at his dad and nodded.
The boys all adjourned to the game room where Douglas and Eddie were the center of attention. Matt, Tyler and Dan fixed themselves drinks and moved out onto an outer balcony to wait for Ron's return.
They didn't have to wait too long. Ron reappeared from the hallway leading from his office and headed to the game room. Pulling Douglas and Eddie aside, Ron revealed that Eddie would be allowed to spend the night, miss school the next day and beyond so that he could accompany them on their trip. From outside, Matt saw the exchange through the window and knew from his expression of happiness that Douglas's wish had been granted. He was pleased for their son.
10 PM in the game room.
Though reluctant to break the camaraderie with his brothers who had made both him and Eddie the center of attention, Douglas announced that he and Eddie were going to his room. Understanding their need to be alone together, the brothers agreed, giving the couple warm hugs and words of encouragement before they left the room. Seeing Ron, Matt, Tyler and Dan still out on the balcony, Douglas led his lover outside to say goodnight to the older men.
"Hi Dads and Uncles," Douglas said cheerfully.
"Hi boys," Matt responded. "Will you join us?"
"No thanks," Doug responded. "Eddie and I are going to my room. We have a lot to talk about."
"We understand," Ron replied with a wink. "Have a wonderful night."
Douglas and Eddie blushed, even though they both knew that the older men had no reservations about the sharing of love that would most certainly happen.
"I want to thank you Dad for getting Mr. Johnson to let Eddie go with us," Douglas repeated. "It means more to me that you could know."
"You're welcome son," replied Ron. "We all love you and we love Eddie too."
"Can we have hugs before you guys leave?" Matt said rising.
"Sure," they responded, moving into the waiting arms of the older guys.
When the hugs were done, the boys said goodnight then went back inside where they headed for the stairs leading to Douglas's room.
"I'm so proud of that boy," Ron expressed to the other men still standing outside. "I wish there was some way I could take the burden he's facing away from him."
"We all do," Matt responded. "My heart is breaking for him."
Ron took Matt into his arms and saw that Tyler too was holding Dan. They stood in the silence of their own thoughts as they exchanged the comfort of their lovers' presence, as tears again flowed.
After Douglas and Eddie had entered the sanctity of Douglas's room, Douglas locked the door, and took Eddie into his arms. The struggle to contain their emotions vanished as they held each other, sobbing in empathy for the ordeal their lover would face in the coming days.
"Oh Eddie, I love you so much," Douglas wailed
Eddie throat was so constricted with grief that he could barely reply.
"Oh please God, help him!" Eddy entreated between sobs.
"Eddie my love," Douglas chocked out as he bawled unashamedly, "If I die...I....I....I just don't know if I can bear to leave you. ....I love you most of anything in my life."
Eddie held tightly onto the boy he loved, his eyes spilling his grief onto Douglas's shoulder, soaking his love's shirt.
"Why does it have to happen to him!" Eddie entreated the heavens. "He's fought so hard. It's just not fair!"
"It's okay, my love," Doug said trying to calm the boy he adored. "I'm not giving up. I'm strong enough to wage a good fight. I don't want to leave you."
"I'm sorry, I'm such a baby," Eddie said sniffing, trying to get control of his emotions.
"You're no baby, lover," Douglas said smiling through the tears that were at last subsiding, "You're my man."
"I love you so my Dougie," Eddie replied, using the pet name that only he was allowed to use. "I don't know what I'll do if I lose you."
"You'll write a story of our love," Douglas declared thorough his tears. "You'll write it so that other boys who are lost will find their way to true love. You'll share our love with others. I'm not gone yet though," he asserted. "Let's not give up hope. There's still love to share between us."
"Forgive me for being selfish," Eddie pleaded, "but I want you for myself."
"You have me `E'," responded Doug with a short kiss to his young lover's lips, "for as long as our good Lord allows. We can only hope that it's for years and years. If it's shorter than that, we can only be thankful that we had each other for the little time we've had."
"You're so good and kind," Eddie declared. "I guess I've never taken the time to tell you all that you mean to me."
"I know what you feel in your heart," Ron's son replied. "In many ways we're lucky though. Whether I'm cured or not, we have now. It's not too late. It's not like I dropped dead unexpectedly and we have that to regret. I can tell you, my love, that you're all I every dreamed of."
"And I can tell you that you've filled my heart with a love that will last through eternity," Eddie responded.
"I love your wit, your intelligence, and your talents. I love your body too, though it's just the frosting on the cake of your whole being," revealed Douglas.
"I love your mind and your body too."
"My body isn't much," Douglas declared. "For years I hated my wracked and twisted body. It seemed like God's punishment for being gay."
"I can understand why you felt that way," responded Eddie, "but that's all past. I look at the scars on your body as marks of courage. You're the bravest guy I've ever met. I'm proud of how you look even though you might not think you're perfect and I've proud to say that you're mine."
"Now my body has failed me again," lamented the former cripple.
"And you'll face another challenge bravely," Eddie asserted. "Only this time, you'll have me at your side."
Doug released his firm grasp on Eddie's body and began to rub his hands over his lover's back.
"I love the feel of your body in my hands," Douglas declared softly.
"And I love your body touching mine," answered his young lover.
"I want you so much!" Douglas moaned, his passion rising.
"My body is here for you to love. Take it. I want to feel you in me."
"Are your sure?" Doug asked quietly. "We've never gone that far before."
"I'm sure my love. I want to be one with you."
"I want you in me too," Douglas declared. "I want your seed in my body to seal our love for each other."
"Let's take our clothes off and spend the night making love," Eddie pleaded.
"Yes, my love," Douglas agreed, taking Eddie's hand and moving toward the large queen-size bed.