Taking Stock

Hello again dear readers! * * My sincerest apologies for the long delay in bringing you the conclusion of "Taking Stock." Truthfully, between brain lock and being an overly picky author the delay was inevitable! LOL Thank you for your patience and the many kind emails you have sent since this journey began. It's been my pleasure to entertain you over the last year. * * Mark Corlis * * * * * * * * This is a copyrighted work. No reproductions of any kind are permitted without the express written consent of the author. If the laws in your area make this work illegal or you have moral problems with true love between two men, then leave this site now.

Taking Stock

Chapter 11

By Mark Corlis

Copyright 2010

All Rights Reserved

"What's the matter, Petey?" Jordan asked worriedly. Taylor joined him in being concerned about their younger family member.

"Not now, Jordan," he said slightly annoyed. "Mom's home and she might hear me."

"Well, how about tomorrow? We could send someone to pick you up and bring you by the penthouse," Jordan offered.

"Okay, but you can't pick me up here and the penthouse won't work. Meet me at the football field around noon. Is that alright?"

"Fine," Jordan assured him. "Care to give me a preview of what I'm getting into here?"

"Please, Jordan," Petey begged, "let it go till tomorrow. I promise I'm not dying or anything, but if mom hears us talking, that could change quickly."

Jordan's curiosity was definitely piqued now. "If I must, but tomorrow you'll tell me for sure. I love you, Petey, and I worry about you!"

"I love you too, Jordan, and I swear I'll tell you everything tomorrow. For now, though, I gotta go before mom gets suspicious."

"Alright, bro," Jordan said. "See ya then."

The line went dead and Jordan closed his phone, becoming pensive about the interaction with his brother. Taylor sensed the change in his lover and put an arm tightly around the quiet man.

"Trouble in paradise?" he asked his life partner.

"Not quite sure, truthfully," Jordan confessed, "but something's up and it doesn't sound pretty."

Taylor took Jordan by the chin and pulled his face upward. Leaning in, he joined their mouths in a tender, loving kiss, something he knew his man was desperately in need of. "Let's put this aside for tonight and have a good time. No use fretting over it until we know the details."

Jordan nodded, his eyes ablaze with the love and admiration he felt for his soul mate. He'd have followed him into the fires of Hell at that point if asked to. Snuggling into Taylor's muscular chest, he closed his eyes and reveled in the feeling of safety the enviable position gave him. The remainder of the ride was silent because their non-verbal communication skills had become far more powerful. All too soon for Jordan, however, the limousine pulled up to the gatehouse of the Tolliver estate.

The guards performed their usual pre-admission checks efficiently and waved the limo through the ornate gate. It followed a winding driveway and soon got in line before a house that could only be described as magnificent. The house once belonged to a southern cotton lord who'd built the place as a getaway for him and his family. True to their roots, he'd designed the place in authentic Georgian style. Large, stately columns graced the front and helped support a sizable second floor veranda. The entryway began with two tall, sturdy doors that had intricate stained glass panels in the middle. They stood open tonight, beckoning the arriving guests into the home's interior. Taylor and Jordan departed their chariot and paused for a moment to absorb their surroundings. Remembering that Denton had mentioned a recent renovation, they were in awe of the painstaking effort it must have required to adhere to the house's original style.

Moving through a cadre of uniformed waiters bearing trays of filled champagne flutes, the men each took one and followed the flow of people before them. Bantering with people that wished them congratulations on their recent successes, the couple made their way into a large ballroom. It held eight tables set up for six people each, all of them replete with lovely flower arrangements at their center. Beyond the table was a spacious dance floor and a band currently setting up for later in the evening. As Jordan leaned over the seating chart poster, he felt a hard pinch on his ass and a familiar voice in his ear.

"If I was any other kind of man, I'd fuck you to death right now," it said.

With a huge smile, Jordan replied. "If you think you're man enough, take me here bitch!"

Vin laughed uproariously and hugged him tightly from behind. "Apparently, you have this bottom mixed up with someone who actually could fuck you!" he kidded.

When Jordan turned to face him, the sight only increased his good mood. Vin was clad in a lavender (yes lavender) double-breasted suit that barely hid an artsy t-shirt beneath it. His head was covered by a fedora with a peacock feather sticking out of it and the ever present Converse sneakers adorned his feet.

"Damn it's good to see you dressed like yourself again!" Jordan exclaimed while Vin did a twirl. "I was sure you were gonna become a Mormon the day I saw you in that suit!"

"Not much chance of that!" Vin scoffed. "I doubt they'd understand a free spirit like me."

They both laughed and clicked their flutes together. "To BEST friends," Jordan offered. "No, to the BEST friends ever!"

Before they could become emotional, their properly dressed partners arrived to join them. Thad looked tasty in his pleated trousers and tan sport coat.

"Hey, Jordan," he said with a firm hug. "Nice to finally see you in a truly social setting."

"I'll drink to that!" Taylor agreed.

For the next hour, the foursome mingled with the guests as if they'd been coming to Denton's house for years. The people there were warm and inviting, paying not the slightest attention to thhe men's obvious affection for one another. Their movements brought them into contact with their host as the evening wore on.

"Gentlmen!" Denton said happily to the four of them. They greeted him back with equal warmth.

"Is everyone enjoying their evening?"

"Not bad for a party without Madonna playing," Vin remarked. Everyone cracked up at his wacky sense of humor.

"You'll have to excuse the love of my life, Denton. He gets cranky when his dance music levels get too low." Again, the group laughed together.

"Taylor," Denton began, "might I borrow your partner for a little while? There's some special people I'd like him to meet."

"Fine by me, but I suggest you ask him first. I've learned that it can be hazardous to speak for him," Taylor said with a wink.

"Well, Jordan, care to meet some very important people in my life?" Denton asked.

Jordan nodded and took his arm, but not before giving Taylor a quick kiss. "Lead on, sir," he said once that was finished.

Denton smiled and led them through the throng of dinner guests. Coming to a set of large double doors, he pushed them open and invited Jordan through. Inside, sitting in front of a roaring fire, were two men. It was obvious they were together as they were sitting practically on top of one another.

"Sam, Jess, I'd like you to meet Jordan Maxwell," Denton said.

The couple rose and shook Jordan's hand. "Is this the Jordan you've been telling us about, dad?" Sam asked his father.

"The one and only," he confirmed.

"Well, young man, it seems we have much to talk about," Jess said while leading him to the couch.

"You're in good hands, Jordan. We'll see you all later for dinner," Denton said before closing the doors and leaving the younger men alone to talk.

"Now that he's out of our hair, I'm Sam Tolliver and this is my partner, Jess Anderson. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"No," Jordan said. "The pleasure's all mine. I've been anxious to meet both of you since your father told me so much about the good things you do."

"We don't do good things," Jess responded. "We give our kids a loving, supportive environment and they do the rest. If anyone does good things, it's them."

"I don't understand," Jordan said with curiosity.

"Maybe I can explain," Sam said. "What Jess means is we offer the place, the environment, and the resources to make their lives better. We can't force anyone to take advantage of them, though. That's on their shoulders, so they do all the work. It's not easy, but we stand by them and offer guidance every step of the way."

Jordan thought for a few moments. "Still, if it wasn't for your efforts, they'd have nobody. I'm sure you've helped hundreds. That's what I want to do."

Sam and Jess cast a knowing look at one another. "That's admirable, Jordan, but unrealistic. If we've learned anything through the years, it's that you can't save all of them."

"Why not?" Jordan asked in all seriousness. "From what I've read, these kids are lost and need a place that will let them be who they are without expectations."

"That's true," Jess said, "but you'll find out that not all of them want your help. I suggest that you create a narrower vision of what you intend to do, and work toward that. If you help more than you planned, that's great. If not, then you concentrate on the ones you can make the most difference for."

Jordan nodded and carefully considered the advice. This was a new world he was entering and he was thankful for any advice he got from experienced folks.

"We're not trying to burst your bubble," Sam added. "We wanna see your vision become reality. I'm here to tell you that every success you have will empower you to move forward. It's thrilling to see someone thrive and know you had something to do with it."

Jordan smiled. "I can't wait. It's all that's been on my mind for months."

"Which brings us to the point of our meeting," Jess said. He picked up a folder and handed it to Sam.

"What I'm about to offer you is totally optional," Sam said. "Dad's letting us present it to you so that you won't feel pressured to accept."

He withdrew several eight by ten glossy photographs and handed them to Jordan. The pictures were of a large house and several outbuildings that looked like barns.

"This is the Angels Ranch about twenty miles from here. It was originally built in the early nineteen hundreds by members of my family. Dad inherited the property about twenty years ago, but, truthfully, he has no use for it. He's so social that I doubt he's ever set foot on the land. The beach is much more his style."

"Anyway, it's sitting vacant collecting dust and falling into disrepair. Dad's offering to exchange two million of your settlement in exchange for the house and the one hundred acres it sits on." Sam paused for effect. "It would give you a place to start your dream."

As Jordan flipped through the photos, a smile broke out across his face. It needed work, that much was certain, but it was a start...the start of fulfilling his destiny.

"I'll take it," he said without hesitation.

"Maybe you should think about it a bit," Jess suggested.

"No," Jordan quickly answered. "It's perfect, isolated enough to be safe yet close enough to the resources I'm going to need."

The couple began smiling as well. "We figured you say that," Sam said. "I'll let dad know your decision, and we'll get the transfer completed as soon as possible."

They rose and exchanged handshakes that evolved into hugs.

"You seem like a good man, Jordan," Sam said. "If you need help going forward, don't hesitate to call us. We'll be here in a flash."

"I can't thank you both enough," he replied, still in shock that his desire was so close to becoming reality.

"We merely laid the foundation," Jess said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "It's up to you and your people to make the difference."

Sam and Jess left the room, leaving Jordan to plop down on the couch and stare at the pictures. The time was near, and he could barely contain his excitement. His mind whirled with thoughts of what had to be done, focusing on that so much that he didn't realize he was no longer alone.

"Penny for your thoughts," his favorite voice said.

Jordan looked up to find the love of his life standing beside him. "Hey, sweetheart," he said with a huge smile.

"Everything alright?" Taylor asked.

Jordan let out a breath. "Better than alright, actually." He handed Taylor the pictures and watched as he rifled through them.

"What's all this?" he asked with curiosity.

"My dream in wood and concrete," Jordan replied cryptically, drawing a confused look from Taylor.

"I traded two million of the settlement for this," he explained. "It'll become the place I've been dreaming about."

The light bulb went off over Taylor's head and he sat down next his lover, taking Jordan's hand in his. "Wow," was all he could think to say.

"You're not angry at me for deciding this without consulting you, are you?" Jordan asked nervously.

Taylor sat up and gave him a look. "Jordan Maxwell, do you think I have that little faith in your abilities? Of course I'm not angry. Surprised would be more accurate, pleasantly surprised. I'm proud of you for accepting what they offered."

Jordan kissed his lips and hugged him tightly. "Thank you," he whispered in Taylor's ear.

"For what?" Taylor asked.

Jordan sat back and stared into his beautiful eyes. "For making me believe in myself. Until I met you, I thought I was nothing, not capable of accomplishing anything important. However, with you, I know that's not true. With you, anything's possible."

Taylor moved in and joined their mouths in a passionate kiss. It was a different union this time, connecting them on a higher level than either thought possible. When they parted, nothing was said for some time.

"I love you, Jordan. You know that," Taylor began, "but you're the one who learned to believe in himself. Hell, you stood up to injustice in ways I couldn't begin to fathom. So, while I'm touched by what you said, I've done nothing but come to need you worse than I've ever needed anyone."

Tears threatened to fall from Jordan's eyes, but he fought them back. "That's what I mean, honey. You needing me gives me the strength to reach outside my comfort zone. It makes me feel warm and safe, almost to the point that I'm unstoppable. Without you, none of this would be possible. Promise me you'll need me forever."

"I promise," Taylor said, and then engaged his lover in another passionate smooch.

"Have you seen your mother?" Jordan asked when they finished.

"Yeah, I have. Denton's got her connected to his arm. They know most of the people here, so she's in her glory."

"Hmm," Jordan said. "Maybe I should help things along a bit."

Taylor laughed. "Go play with fire, love. I'm gonna enjoy watching you go up in flames!"

Jordan scoffed at his mockery. "We'll see who gets burned here, Taylor Bryant!"

He kissed his man a final time before rejoining the guests in the main salon. As he moved through the crowd, several people stopped him to talk, but he managed to break free and continue pursuing his quarry. Thankfully, it didn't take much longer to locate her.

Lila was, like always, the picture of poise and grace. She wore a maroon dress that hung to her calf, and a necklace with stones that matched the color perfectly. Unlike the dinner he'd escorted her to, though, the necklace and a simple wristwatch were the extent of the jewelry she wore. Her eyes sparkled tonight, causing Jordan to wonder if Denton didn't affect her more than she'd be willing to admit. With a deep breath, he moved to approach and began to taunt his prey.

"Good evening, Lila," he said in an overly formally tone, taking her hand and kissing it.

"Well, good evening, young Mr. Maxwell," she replied, playing along with his game.

"Aren't you the personification of loveliness tonight," he gushed, employing every charming skill he possessed. Unfortunately, it went over the top.

"Cut the crap," Lila said with her graceful smile still shining. "I know you well enough to know that you want something."

Jordan started to protest, but resigned in defeat. He wasn't giving up, just changing his battle plan a bit. "You know me too well. Enjoying yourself?"

"Very much," she said skeptically. "There're people I haven't seen in years here tonight, so it's been nice."

"That's great!" Jordan exclaimed. "Denton appears to be enjoying your company."

"Ah," Lila said, "so that's what you're up to!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Jordan said, feigning innocence. "It was just an observation."

Lila gave him one of her patented 'Don't bullshit me looks,' but there was an unmistakable twinkle in her eyes. As much as she would have liked it to, it didn't go unnoticed.

"Jordan," she said, taking a hold of his hands, "I've come to view you as necessary for me to enjoy a happy life. Your innocence and vitality sustain me, but I can't allow you to poke your nose in here."

"Why not?" he asked. "Don't you deserve to experience a love as intense as the one your son gives me?"

"Child, I'm an old lady, and I've already had the love of my life. Taylor's father was everything I ever needed in that category, and I don't believe that lightning strikes twice. Please understand that."

"It could if you let it," he said. "You're just too stubborn to let it in."

"Maybe so, but it's not up for discussion. I'm having a great evening, so don't spoil it for me," she said, pinching his cheek and moving back into the throng of guests.

Jordan sighed and plopped down on a nearby bench. His resolve might be weakened, but it certainly wasn't dead. Lila was a wily woman, but there had to be a way to outflank her. While he pondered his next move, a body sat down beside him.

"Need some burn cream?" Taylor asked with a chuckle.

Jordan stared at him. "It's not the battle I'm interested in winning, it's the war. Don't count me out just yet."

"Well, Admiral," he jested, "wanna blow this place and make a party on our own?"

Jordan's stance softened. "Sounds interesting. What ya got in mind?"

"Oh, nothing much. Just you, me, and a little something I put together," he said with an evil grin.

"Why Mr. Bryant, are you trying to seduce me?" Jordan said, hanging his arms around Taylor's neck.

"If you're lucky," he said with a wink.

They stood together and spent the next fifteen minutes making excuses for why they had to leave. Jordan's most primal needs increased as he waited for Taylor to finish his duties. Finally, they stood waiting for the limousine to retrieve them.

"Could you have moved any more slowly?" Jordan asked when Taylor grabbed him from behind.

"Tsk, tsk, always in such a hurry," Taylor said while nuzzling his neck. It drove Jordan mad with lust.

"Be careful," he warned. "You keep that up and I'm gonna leave a DNA sample right here on Denton's front doorstep."

"No worries, babe. He can scoop it up to show guests and say he knew you when."

Before Jordan could hit back, the limo came into the drive and stopped before them. Instead of the driver getting out, Taylor stepped forward and opened the rear door, inviting Jordan inside. He got in and scooted over so Taylor could join him, which he did shortly. The Mercedes moved forward and they were soon on their way. Since the screen to the front was closed, Jordan figured the driver must already know where they were going. He took advantage of their privacy to snuggle in tightly against his lover and set the mood properly.

"Hey," he said seductively, running his fingers against Taylor's broad chest.

"Hey yourself," he replied, moving his face so that another passionate docking could begin.

Even though they'd kissed hundreds of times, it seemed to improve with each new pairing. Whenever their tongues met, it was as if they were touching for the first time. Fireworks went off and orchestras made beautiful music as the wetness of their mouths flowed freely between them. It was a sensation that neither tired of.

Jordan turned and moved to straddle Taylor's lap, bringing his body fully into contact with that of his lover. The heat from their bodies ratcheted up a notch as the intensity of kiss increased in tandem. Small beads of sweat formed on Taylor's back and began to slide lazily downward as his mouth was pillaged by Jordan's roving tongue. They were empowered yet left helpless by the sheer strength of the moment, fully dependent on one another to take their coupling to new levels. Before things passed to the point of no return and the world around them became a distant memory, Taylor pulled back, much to Jordan's chagrin.

"I've got a surprise for you," he said cheekily.

Jordan's face lit up like a little kid. "What?"

"I'm not sure you've been good enough to get it, though," Taylor said softly.

The man in his lap grinned and leaned toward the tempting neck. Jordan started with a few small kisses, barely allowing the surface of his ample lips to graze the excited skin. Light moans of satisfaction involuntarily escaped Taylor's mouth as chills ran up and down his spine. The episode continued with playful touches from his warm tongue, running from behind the ear and over to the pronounced Adam's apple. Not a spot between the two was left untouched, and the return trip followed an identical path. Taylor's body stiffened as the erotic torture began affecting his nether regions, one region in particular pressing insistently at Jordan's inner thigh. When he reached the ear lobe, he engulfed it in his mouth, rolling it around, sucking hard and lightly nibbling at it.

"How bout now?" he whispered in Taylor's ear with a sultry tone.

"G...g...getting closer," Taylor stuttered out.

Without a word, Jordan returned to his previous spot and began again.

Taylor fought hard to concentrate as the familiar feelings of love and desire for his man began bubbling over. He wanted nothing more than to continue the moment until it became an explosion of the extreme love they had for each other, but he had a plan. Kicking off one of his loafers, he looked over Jordan's shoulder until his toe found the switch he'd been seeking. Carefully, he pushed it, allowing the privacy screen to lower. A voice from the front wasted no time commenting on their current position.

"Can't we take you two anywhere?" it asked.

Jordan was startled at first, but smiled wide when he realized whom the voice belonged to. Turning around, he found a Cheshire cat grinning Leonard staring back at him. Carl occupied his usual spot in the driver's seat.

"Oh my God!" he yelled excitedly before thrusting his body through the small opening between them. "I can't believe you're here!"

"In the flesh," Leonard said, hugging Jordan as best he could.

"When did you guys get back?" Jordan asked in confusion.

"Why don't you ask your partner about that," he replied.

Jordan cast Taylor a "spill the beans' look and waited for an answer.

"The trip to Hawaii was a ruse. First, they flat out refused to go that far away while we were in trouble. I tried to convince them, but you know how they are. Micah holed them up in Lila's house on Hilton Head until this storm blew over. I had them flown home earlier today. It took everything I had to keep them from blowing the surprise."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Jordan asked, the hurt evident on his face.

"Please don't be upset, baby," Taylor begged. "You had a ton on your plate already and Micah was convinced that they'd go after Carl and Leonard to get to us. He made the decision that their whereabouts would remain a secret. The only reason he told me was to get the keys for mom's house. Not even she knew they were there."

Jordan considered what Taylor said. His first instinct was to be angry, to lash out at the keeping of secrets. As he thought, though, he knew this was a part of their new world order. Things had to happen for the safety of the family, things that might not be liked, but were necessary. The initial annoyance faded, replaced by happiness that their family was together again.

"I don't like it," he began, "but I understand. I guess it's the way things have to be sometimes. I'm just glad you're safe and we're back together. That's what really matters."

Taylor breathed an inward sigh of relief, glad to have skirted a bullet that threatened to become painful to the relationship that meant so much to him. He put a hand on Leonard's shoulder and smiled at him fondly.

"He's right. It's good to have you back, dad, and I mean both of you."

The conversation became light and happy as the limo continued moving toward its secret destination. Jordan was so wrapped up in talking that he wasn't aware the car had slowed until it came to a stop before a large wrought iron gate.

"Where are we?" he asked with curiosity.

"Welcome to Wonderland, Alice," Carl said cheekily.

Taylor stepped out and pressed a few buttons on a pole mounted control panel. The gate creaked and whined as it swung open, beckoning the group inside. Once everyone was situated, Carl pulled forward and through the imposing barrier.

Jordan noted the driveway didn't look all that different from some of the stately homes Taylor had taken him to over the preceding months. Large, old trees lined either side of it, creating a tunnel of branches for them to move through. It felt protected, and you could hear the history the stately oaks had witnessed as their limbs swayed in the wind. The tunnel cleared, revealing a wide expanse of well manicured grass. Despite the darkness, its rich green color and healthy appearance was evident. Surrounding this area were lush gardens of varying types and sizes, full of blooming flowers that were colorless in the night.

The vehicle came upon the first building and stopped. Carl and Leonard exited to open the rear doors, barely able to contain the budding excitement within them. They jerked Jordan out and embraced him snugly.

"We missed you so much," Carl told him.

"Not compared to how much I missed you," Jordan told them. "It's silly, but I've kinda become dependent on you two."

The honest words affected Leonard greatly. "You're not the only one, son. We couldn't imagine our life without you in it either."

Taylor clearing his throat broke their moment. "Uh, guys, I hate to break this up, but we did come here to complete a mission."

"And what might that be?" Jordan asked.

Taylor offered his arm, which he took gladly. Any chance to touch him was never taken lightly. "Walk with me, my love, and find out."

Together, they entered the large building before them. Though it resembled a barn, that use must've been discarded years before. The inside was now empty, devoid of anything but four walls and a roof. Jordan looked around, becoming more confused than ever.

"This is nice," he said sarcastically. "Homey, too."

Taylor patted his arm. "Look at it with a vision of the future, babe. It could be anything you want it to be...a school, a library, even a dormitory."

Jordan gave him a stunned look. "Wait...Is this...."

"It is," Taylor interrupted. "This is your own small slice of the future, Jordan."

"But...how?" he asked emotionally.

"I have my ways," Taylor answered, "but that's not important. What's key is that your dream is real now, and you're standing inside a minute portion of it."

Jordan had so many things he wanted to say, but the words seemed to catch in his throat. The lifeless building took on new significance as he looked around. The vision Taylor encouraged him to see became clearer by the second.

"This would be a fucking wicked studio," an animated voice said from behind him. Jordan saw Taylor grin wider before he turned to find that Vin and Thad had joined their little party.

"Yeah, right," Jordan scoffed. "Like I'd dedicate this much space to something as silly as art. I'm sure there's a closet around here somewhere that'll work just fine." As Vin was a rabid fundraiser for foundations supporting art and music education, Jordan knew he'd touched on a nerve.

"Bitch," Vin said with a smile, refusing to take the bait dangled before him. The play tension diffused when Jordan hugged him tightly.

"Let's get to work," Vin whispered in his ear as they held one another.

"Definitely," Jordan answered. "What now guide boy?"

Taylor chuckled and took his arm again. "Why don't we find out."

For the next hour, they toured the remaining out buildings, finding them in the same shape as the first. While Vin was full of energy and ideas, Jordan became quieter and more reserved as they went on. Thad noticed his hesitation and took the first available opportunity to ask him about it.

"You okay?" he asked as the rest of the group moved off.

"I'm fine," Jordan insisted, but his face said differently.

"Jordan, being a lawyer makes me not only good at bullshitting, but reading bullshit too. You laid a major one on me just now."

He sighed and sat down on a ledge along the building's blank wall. After a few moments of silence he said, "Can I do this?"

"What do you mean?" Thad asked.

"This," he said, waving his arms around the place. "Can I pull this off without fucking it all up?"

"Feeling overwhelmed about now?"

"And how!" Jordan replied. "Don't get me wrong, the place is perfect. Am I the one who should be doing this, though? I don't know shit about running a place like this. What was I thinking when I came up with this idea? I'm an analyst, for Christ's sake, and not qualified to save anyone."

Thad laughed at Jordan's lack of confidence. "What's so damn funny?" he asked.

"You," Thad replied. "For months, getting started on this was all you've been able to talk about, and now that it's here, you wanna wimp out. That's not the Jordan Maxwell I've come to know."

"You must know a different one from the one I know," he lamented.

Thad sat beside him and threw an arm over his shoulder. "I know it's scary, but you'll learn as you go. Sure, you'll make mistakes, but even the most seasoned executive does that. Why should you be any different?"

"I can't afford mistakes, Thad. Other lives will be impacted by my decisions!" he replied, becoming more frantic.

"Jesus, Jordan, they're kids, ones who'll see any shred of affection as perfect. And what better way to relate to them than finding your way together," Thad said.

Jordan took in the advice as Taylor joined the two of them. "Everything okay?"

"Just a case of the willies," Thad answered. "Give him time and he'll be fine."

Taylor sat down on the other side and added his arm to Jordan's shoulders. "Talk to me, baby. Tell me what you're thinking."

"I'm scared, Taylor," he said after a few moments. "I'm not sure I'm ready to handle all of this."

"So hire someone to handle the day to day operations and do what you wanted to do in the first place...help kids."

Jordan looked up in amazement, and then laid a huge kiss on Taylor's lips. "You're a fucking genius!"

Taylor blushed at the compliment. "That's what they tell me!" he joked, receiving a playful slap in the arm for his efforts.

Jordan's elation faded quickly, though. "Who?" he asked.

Taylor looked across the room and smiled as an idea came to him. "How would you feel about a pair of capable men?"

Jordan's face lit up again. "I love it! They'd be perfect, if they'd accept the offer."

"Talk to them about it, but not tonight. Give some thought about what you want to say and then go for it."

Jordan nodded and hugged his two companions tightly. "Thanks, guys. I'd never be able to do all this without you." They smiled and kissed his cheeks before rejoining the others.

The rest of the tour found pretty much the same thing...large buildings in need of a good rehab to become useful for their purpose. Overall, though, the compound was ideal. It had the space, more than enough really, to allow residents to spread their wings or find a place for solitude without getting lost. All hesitation evaporated as the vision became less cloudy, yet it drove home the amount of work required before they could even get to square one.

"What do ya think?" Vin asked as they left the main house.

"It'll do," Jordan answered with a cheeky smile.

"Do? Jesus Christ, I'd say it's fucking perfect!" the artist gushed. "We could accomplish a helluva lot more than we set out to here."

"We?" Jordan asked.

"Yeah, Jordan, WE. Didn't think you were going it alone, did ya?"

"Come on, Vin. You can't drop your life to join me full time. I won't allow it!"

"Bitch," Vin spat, "who said you had a choice in the matter?"

Thad took a couple of steps backward and gave Jordan a look. "Have you ever seen me say no to this man?" he asked.

"Can't say I have," Jordan admitted after thinking about it.

"Christ, it was a miracle I convinced him to wear a suit! There's a good reason I rarely deny him, one you're dangerously close to discovering!"

"Fine!" Jordan yelled with a smile. "Welcome aboard, sister."

The group chatted idly for a few moments before going to their separate cars. Carl and Leonard were, of course, perched in the front of the Mercedes as usual.

"Where to, gentlemen?" Carl asked.

Taylor looked to Jordan, who smiled warmly. "Home, Carl."

The night was a wonderful one, filled with passion and love that continued to rise even though their lives were settling into some semblance of normal. Jordan awoke before Taylor, his body covered in the crusty remnants of their coupling. He'd fallen asleep on the warm chest he'd come to know so well, a chest belonging to the man he'd willingly made the center of his world. For a time, he stared, reliving memories stirred by every curve, every line. It warmed his heart, his soul, and brought a sense of balance to his being. The calm, though, became a memory as he remembered that today was the day he'd find out what had his kid brother so upset.

With great care, he unwound himself from his lover's body, pausing to put a kiss on his forehead before donning a pair of board shorts and making his way to the beach.

As he navigated past the area where the bomb had torn a temporary hole in their lives, he took in the reconstruction effort currently underway. The rubble was gone, and a frame that would become walls and windows stood proudly. It was a testament to the rebirth the house was undergoing, a refusal to give in. Jordan found a safe opening to traverse barefoot through and followed the familiar path to the peaceful place he was seeking.

Once on the sand, he sat down and dug his toes into the soft ground, his knees tucked to his chest. He tried to conjure up ideas of what Petey was so upset about. Visions of horror rolled through his mind, increasing his worry to nearly frenetic levels. Was Petey in legal trouble? Was he sick? Why was it so important that mom not hear what he was facing? All of the questions and more pummeled Jordan's brain as he watched the wind whipped water crash into the shore in front of him. Burying his face in his knees, he lost himself in the hypnotizing sounds the water made.

"Jordan?" Carl asked, breaking the spell he was under and making him jump. "Sorry, son, didn't mean to scare you."

"It's fine," he reassured. "Lost in thought, I guess."

Carl sat down next to him and buried his toes in the sand as well. "Now what could have young Jordan so completely consumed?" The small smile on his face was very comforting, exuding an aura of trust.

"I'm being stupid," Jordan began. "Something's up with my little brother and I'm letting my mind run away with me. In a few hours, I'm meeting him and we'll find out what's what."

"Any clue what's happening?"

"Not a thing, other than what my overactive imagination is dredging up."

Carl gave him a fatherly look. "Is that helping anything?"

Jordan snickered. "Obviously not, but it's how I am and probably how I'll always be."

"That's not a bad thing, you know," he comforted, "unless you let it take over. One of the things I've always admired was your concern for those around you. I don't think I've ever met anyone as selfless as you, Jordan, and I hope that never changes."

Jordan laid his head on Carl's arm in appreciation of his sincere words. "It's how I am, Carl. Don't think I could if I tried."

They sat in silence for a few moments, watching the gulls soar in the breeze before diving into the water in search of food.

"You know you're not alone in things anymore, right?" Carl said. "You've got a ton of people who care about you, and if this situation turns out to be bad, we'll be there to catch you if you fall."

As obvious as the statement was, it slammed Jordan. Throughout his life, he'd pretty much been unable to share his struggles with anyone. In the past, life dictated that he be strong for his mother and brother. Now, though, he had a support system, a network of people that loved and cared for him. Could it be very hard to let them in? Unfortunately, it had and would continue to be very difficult.

"I know, Carl, but it's not easy to accept."

"I understand," he said. "Just remember that we're there when you need us."

Jordan nodded and stood up, brushing the sand from his body. "I guess we better get Taylor up and moving."

Carl let loose with an uproarious laugh. "I've been doing that for years, young man and it's never pleasant. He rarely sleeps in, but when he does...watch out! I think I'll leave that task to you this morning."

"Thanks!" Jordan said sarcastically as they made their way back to the main house.

Luckily for Jordan, Taylor was already up and talking on the phone when he reached their bedroom. His serious tone, though, worried his lover as he took a seat next to him on the bed. He didn't have to wait long to find out what the worried look on his husband's face was all about.

"We might have a problem," Taylor said.

"Another one?" Jordan said with exasperation.

"I'm afraid so. Rollins posted bail, then sometime last night, disappeared."

"What? How?"

"A condition of his release was confinement to his home and unannounced visits from officers as needed. When they arrived to check on him late last night, he was gone. Mrs. Rollins had no idea he'd left the property, and the police are inclined to believe her. Micah's people traced a large transfer of funds from that Panamanian account, but its destination is still a mystery."

"What do we do now?" Jordan asked.

Taylor wrapped his arms around his man and kissed the top of his head. "We do nothing. Micah has this under control and doesn't see us as a target. He thinks Ed's probably out of the country by now."

The idea made sense, but it did little to ease Jordan's apprehension. "I guess we have no choice but to trust him. I'd feel better if they beefed up security around all of us for a while, though."

"Not to worry, my love," Taylor said with a chuckle. "Micah's ten steps ahead of us as usual."

Hiram Gibson knelt before a small crucifix on the wall of his office, his hands clasped tightly together.

"Oh Lord, have mercy on my soul and forgive me for the abominable sins I have committed. I am but a humble servant that has gone astray, and beg for your guidance in returning to the path of righteousness."

Over the time of his arrest, incarceration and pretrial hearings, the sheer depravity of his actions had taken a major toll on his psyche. In hopes of beginning his atonement, he'd told the authorities everything he knew, including details of his involvement in the San Francisco bombing. They were impressed with his candidness, and promised to tell the presiding judge that he was instrumental in aiding their cause. Leniency was entirely possible because of his willing cooperation. It didn't do much to allay the overwhelming guilt he now felt.

Rising from his knees, he poured himself two fingers of scotch and sat down in the chair behind his desk, his eyes never leaving the image of Jesus Christ on the wall. Imbibing a good mouthful, he swished it around in his mouth before swallowing, relishing the pain it caused on the way down.

'What have I done?' he thought while taking another swig.

'You should be ashamed of yourself,' his inner voice said back.

It was all he needed to hear. The path to redemption was clear, clearer than it had ever been. Drinking down the last of his scotch, he pulled a laminated card containing 'The Lord's Prayer' on it from his drawer. The card had been given to him as a gift from his mentor in divinity school, and he treasured its significance. Examining the words, he began to recite them.

"Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name..."

While speaking aloud, he withdrew another important object from the drawer and held it firmly.

"...for Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, Amen. Forgive me, oh Lord."

Hiram held the gun he'd taken out of the drawer to his head and pulled the trigger, sending a mix of bones and gray matter over the desk. His lifeless body flew from the chair and crumpled into a heap on the worn carpet below him.

The day was bright and sunny as the limo made its way toward the football field where Jordan had agreed to meet his kid brother. Fond memories (and some not so fond ones) found their way into his mind as they traversed the familiar streets. The destination itself held many remembrances, some dealt with, others remaining like an itch that was begging to be scratched. Today, however, those skeletons would have to rest while he dealt with whatever teenage crisis his brother was facing.

"I'm surprised you wanted me with you...pleasantly, of course," Taylor said.

"Would you stop?" Jordan requested. "We've been over this a million times. We're a team, and whatever it is, we'll deal with it together."

Carl's talk had a profound effect on Jordan, one that was confusing Taylor greatly. He'd never know[W1]file:///C:/Users/Mark/Desktop/Taking%20Stock/Taking%20Stock%2011.doc#_msocom_1

his lover to share in the [W2]file:///C:/Users/Mark/Desktop/Taking%20Stock/Taking%20Stock%2011.doc#_msocom_2

life's ups and downs, but it was comforting to think maybe things were changing. He'd been careful for many months to see that Jordan was fully aware of everything going on his life, so he was glad to finally be getting some of the same in return.

"How ya holding up?" he asked the far off man seated next to him.

"Okay, I guess," Jordan said without feeling. "I just wanna know what the hell is going on and, as selfish as it might sound, how it's going to affect our lives."

"That's not selfish, baby," Taylor said, lacing their fingers together. "After all we've lived through, it's realistic."

No one could respond as Carl had come to a stop outside the football field.

"Here goes nothing," Jordan muttered to himself as he exited.

It was always surreal to see the stands and field without spectators. Memories of high school assailed him as he walked onto the turf, memories that took a great amount of strength to fight down. He looked around, finding his brother sitting alone on the bleachers, looking pale and haggard.

"Just listen without judging," Taylor advised. "Whatever it is isn't the end of the world and we'll get through it together."

Jordan nodded and began walking toward his sibling, his heart growing heavier as he got closer. It was obvious Pete had been crying, his eyes not only red rimmed, but totally red. He wanted to reach out and take the boy in his arms, whisper comforts in his ear until all was well. The way his body slumped and his eyes withered let him know that no amount of comfort would solve this one. Getting to where Pete was, he took a seat next to him and put his arm on the tense boy's shoulder.

"Hey," he said softly, his eyes wide with worry.

"Thanks for coming," Pete said.

"We're brothers, Petey. I'm glad you trust me enough to help you. Now why don't you tell me what's going on," Jordan said in his most motherly tone.

"Ashley's pregnant," he admitted without looking up.

Jordan's eyes went wide and his voice caught in his throat. Of all the scenarios he'd considered, this one had never entered his mind. For some reason, his normally calm demeanor stiffened, giving way to an anger that nobody would have thought him capable of.

"You stupid bastard!" Jordan screamed at Pete. "How could you?"

"It was an accident, I swear!" he replied with tears rolling down his cheeks.

"C'mon, Petey. You don't actually expect me to believe you weren't playing with fire, do ya?"

Pete dropped his head and began to sob woefully. All of the pent up frustration and emotion he'd held onto was now pouring out. "She was on the pill, Jordan. Don't believe me if you don't wanna, but it's the truth."

"Yeah right!" he screamed back, yelling loud enough to bring Taylor toward them. "You were just being irresponsible and got caught. The great Peter Maxwell's record of perfection was finally shattered."

"Fuck you, asshole!" Pete raged. "She got a cold and they put her on antibiotics. We didn't know that it made the pill ineffective."

Jordan wanted to do nothing more than to slap his brother silly, but the hand he drew back was caught before it ever made contact.

"Easy, killer," Taylor cautioned. "Sit down and take a breath, babe."

Much to Pete's relief, Jordan did just that, never breaking his glare of disgust toward his brother.

"Hi, Pete," Taylor said with an extended hand once he was sure his lover was under control.

"Hey," Pete replied, taking the hand but never making eye contact.

Taylor sat down between them, looking at the fright in Pete's eyes and the rage in Jordan's. He understood the high schooler's look, but was confused by what he saw with his older, and, supposedly, more mature brother.

"So what's up?" Taylor asked, intending the question to be ridiculous.

"Fuck head knocked his girlfriend up," Jordan spat. "Didn't realize that anyone in my gene pool could be that stupid."

The effect of the insult was immediate, causing tears to course from Pete's eyes. Taylor figured he knew what was wrong with Jordan, but decided to focus on his kid brother for the moment.

"Walk with me," he said to Pete and got up, pleased that the boy followed without question. They walked across the field, taking a seat on the visiting team's bench.

"I'm sorry Jordan reacted like that," Taylor began. "I know we don't know each other well, but no one deserves that kind of rage over a mistake."

Pete's face softened, allowing a small smile to escape. "It's alright. I fucked up and he's got every right to be pissed at me."

"That may be the case, but he should have gathered the facts before exploding."

"Why did he freak like that?" Pete asked.

"I'm not totally sure, but I think it's got to do with the fact that he and I can't have children of our own," Taylor said.

Pete took in the statement, becoming confused. "Why not?"

"Uh...Pete...two men...missing parts...get it?" Taylor stammered.

The obvious statement drew an annoyed response. "Well DUH! There's other ways, ya know. How about a surrogate or adoption?"

Taylor guffawed at the idea. "Me? A father? Get serious, Pete. Your brother's parent material, not me."

Pete stopped, turned toward Taylor and looked him directly in the eye. "Why not?"

Taylor struggled for words, thinking he'd nix the idea in one stroke. Nothing his mind threw forth helped his cause, though, bringing chaos to the order he felt on the subject. "I don't know," was his final response.

Pete nodded, becoming fonder of Taylor with each passing second. He saw through the macho playboy exterior, finding a huge heart and glowing soul beneath it. He and Taylor talked for a few more minutes, and then made their way to a sulking Jordan.

"Here's what's gonna happen," Taylor explained authoritatively. "First, we're gonna go with Pete while he tells your mom. She's not gonna be happy, but we'll be there to help keep the peace. Then, we're gonna take him to break the news to Ashley's parents and spirit him away if things get out of hand. Got it?"

Jordan nodded without saying a word, secretly turned on by the in charge Taylor Bryant. While still disappointed with his brother, the all male display going on before him was breathtaking. He loved how Taylor took over hard situations and calmly worked through them, something he needed to learn how to do quickly if his dreams were to become the reality.

Things went better than expected with Glenda. There was no doubt she was shocked, but she kept her cool and agreed to do whatever needed to be done to support her youngest son. Jordan pulled away from his relieved companions once their talk was complete, taking a spot on the rickety back porch of the home he'd grown up in.

"You've been awfully quiet," his mother said, sitting down next to him.

"I've been an ass, mom, and I've been trying to think of a way to apologize for it."

Glenda chuckled. "You were never one that did well in emotional situations, Jordan. Frankly, I'm impressed you reacted the way you did."

"How can you say that?" he asked in shock. "I berated him, made him feel like a low life. Brothers aren't supposed to do that to one another."

"I suppose not, but you saved Pete in a way."

"How do you figure that?" he asked.

"You spared me the discomfort of being the bad parent, and I'm sure my outburst would have been ten times as severe as yours," she said.

Jordan snickered. "I guess that's true. When he called me to set up our meeting, the poor kid's greatest fear was that you would overhear him talking about it."

"I imagine it was," she said, her face turning more serious. "You know you've been his father nearly his whole life and you've done a spectacular job raising him. You'll be a great father to your own kids one day, sweetie."

Jordan gave her a crazed look. "C'mon, mom, you know that's not possible."

"Only in your mind, son" she said as she got up and went into the house.

Jordan sat on the porch going over the day in his head. The reaction he'd given his brother was far from customary, and he'd been searching for answers about why he'd reacted the way he did. The conclusion was always the same. Children were something he desired in a major way, and he resented that society had chosen to deny him this possibility. What angered him further was that his brother's poor judgment resulted in the creation of a life, an event so precious it made Jordan's heart hurt. The joyousness of the event was lost, however, gone in a fog of fear and uncertainty.

Taylor silently studied his brooding mate through a misty window. It had started raining a while ago, a freak storm that would blow in hard and leave just as quickly. They were common for this time of year, and served as an appropriate metaphor for their life together at this point. He knew Jordan well enough to know what was banging around in that overactive brain of his, well enough to know that he was sad to his core. Although he could join him and offer words of comfort, the attempt would be hollow and seen through. Their relationship was at a critical juncture, one of those fight or flight moments that would influence the rest of their time together. These thoughts echoed in his mind as Pete and Glenda discussed the rapidly approaching showdown with Ashley's parents.

"Have you heard a word I've said?" Pete asked.

'Huh" Taylor asked without breaking his stare on Jordan's back.

"I asked what you thought about Ashley's feelings."

Taylor shook off the fog in his brain. "Sorry, man. Guess I was zoned out. Tell me what she thinks."

"She wants to have the baby and give it up for adoption, but she's convinced her parents will require an abortion. I was curious how you thought I should handle things," Pete said.

Taylor sighed and broke off his analysis of Jordan's form, pulling a chair next to Pete. "Do you love her...I mean really love her?"

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I'm not sure I know what love is, but when I'm around her, I have this desire to hold her and protect her from everything bad. It may not be love, but I know that I get weak in her presence and I can't let her down, not now, not ever."

Taylor studied Pete. It amazed him that the parallels between what he felt for his man and what Pete felt for Ashley were so close. It was a memorable moment in his life, one he would act on with a determination he'd yet to reveal. The act in itself would seal their love and bind their souls for eternity.

"Be there for her then, Pete. No matter what happens, hold her hand, comfort her, but, above all else, love her," he said, never breaking his stare from the man he loved.

The house was nondescript, tucked in a neighborhood of homes that were equally plain. It was to be expected, as this was the working class side of town, home to the blue-collar hordes that kept the city's economy flowing. Taylor listened intently as Pete talked of Ashley's parents, her dad a factory shift supervisor and her mom a worker in the cafeteria of the school they attended. They liked him well enough, not treating him like a son but always respectful and gracious. It was obvious he feared that their opinion of him would be sullied after tonight, a fear that was probably warranted.

Taylor knocked on the door, flanked by a nervous Pete and a still quiet Jordan. Thankfully, there'd been no fireworks between them on the ride over, only silence.

"Pete!" a tall young girl screamed, wrapping him up in her arms.

Both men watched as the two young lovers came together, feeling the bond between them. Later, they would agree that Ashley was far from what they expected. She was no bombshell, not the bubbly cheerleader they expected to encounter. She was tall and very sleek, her legs appearing to occupy most of her body. Her hair was long and chestnut brown, currently up in a ponytail held by a pink elastic band. She wore a nerdy pair of glasses that shielded her genuine brown eyes. The only thing that gave away her love of feminine things were a delicate gold anklet and perfectly painted nails.

"Ash, this is my brother Jordan and his partner Taylor. They're here to see if they can help us with our situation," Pete said.

"It's nice to finally meet both of you. I wish the circumstances were better," she said regretfully.

Jordan, awakened by an inner feeling, stepped forward and took her hand in his. "The circumstances are irrelevant when it comes to meeting good people. I'm honored to meet you."

"I agree," said Taylor, thankful that his lover seemed to be coming around. "We're here to help, so would it be possible to talk for a few minutes?"

"Sure," she answered. "Come this way."

They entered a living room that had a definite lived in feel. The off-white walls were covered in pictures of a happy family, and they piqued Jordan's curiosity right away. He studied them carefully, able to trace Ashley's transformation from infant to grade school student to adolescent. In his opinion, she'd grown into a beautiful woman.

"That one's my sister Pam," she said when she caught him looking at a particular photograph. "She's three years older than me and will graduate from college next year."

The mention of higher education got Jordan thinking. "Do you have plans to go to college?"

Ashley sighed and sat next to Pete on a well used couch. "I did, but now I'm not sure. Getting pregnant kinda put my plans in limbo."

Taylor sensed the opportunity to delve into that subject and wasted no time taking it. "Since your pregnancy is why we're here, I have a question for you, Ashley. What do you want to do about it?"

"I've thought about it a lot and an abortion is out of the question. I don't have anything against it, but it's not a choice I could make for myself."

"So you wanna raise the child yourself?" Jordan asked.

"No!" she answered quickly. "Pete and I are far too young to be parents, plus we have our whole lives ahead of us." She took his hand in hers as she spoke. "I, well we, think that giving the baby up for adoption is the best course."

"Won't that be hard on you?" Taylor asked with concern.

"I imagine it will, but raising a child as a welfare mom would be worse," she stated emphatically. "We made a mistake, a big one, and our child shouldn't have to pay for that."

Taylor and Jordan looked at each other with large smiles. The mature outlook impressed both of them, endearing the lovely girl to them more and more. No further discussion was possible, though, as two adults came through the front door, carrying armloads of grocery bags.

They looked like nice people, but showed the toll hard work could take on a person's body. Ashley's mom was short and plump, her hair a flowing silver. Her dad, though, was tall and appeared fit as a fiddle. His arms were well developed and accented by several tattoos. They both looked surprised to find unknown guests in their living room.

"I didn't realize we had company," her mother, Barbara, said. "Let me put these down and we'll introduce ourselves properly. Gimme a quick hand, Ashley."

As she complied with her mother's request, the three men eyed each other warily. While their earlier talk with her was easy and productive, the unknown variables they faced now made them all very uneasy, especially Pete. Within minutes, Ashley and her parents returned and began introductions.

"Mom, this is Pete's brother Jordan and his partner, Taylor Bryant," she said casually. Jordan held his breath as he awaited her reaction to the announcement he had a male partner.

"Pete," Barbara scolded, "how come you didn't tell me that your brother and his husband were so good looking?" Nervous laughter, laced with relief, filled the room as her father stepped forward to formally introduce himself.

"Hi guys. I'm Bernie. It's a pleasure to meet both of you," he said while firmly shaking their hands. His size made Jordan nervous, yet Taylor seemed unfazed. He never broke eye contact with the man until Barbara brought two chairs from the dining room and everyone took their seats. Ashley sat on the arm of the chair Pete was in, idly drawing circles in the carpet with her toe while everyone got situated.

"To what do we owe the pleasure of your company?" Barbara asked with a genuine smile. The question brought on a series of bewildered looks and discomfort that Ashley saved them from.

"We need to talk," she said to her parents. "You won't like what I have to say, but it needs to be discussed." She took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of courage she had. "I'm pregnant."

The room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The stunned look on her parents' faces gave way to something else. Barbara looked concerned, while Bernie began to look angry.

"Are you absolutely sure?" her mother asked. Ashley nodded, unable to utter a word.

"Who's the father?" Bernie spat angrily.

"I am, sir," Pete said, barely above a whisper. He'd always been afraid of Bernie, and his fear had grown to epic proportions now.

"And why are you here?" he asked Jordan and Taylor.

"Merely for support," Taylor replied, "and to see if we could help with a workable solution."

"Oh, there's no need for that," Bernie said. "We'll make arrangements for an abortion in the next few days."

"Maybe it would be a good idea if you asked your daughter about that," Taylor suggested gently. It was the straw that broke the camel's back.

"My daughter is a child and will go along with what her mother and I say. I'll thank you kindly to keep your nose out of our family's business."

"I'm not a child, dad," Ashley protested. "I'm eighteen and that gives me the right to make my own choices about this."

"You will not defy me, young lady," Bernie yelled. "You're too young to be a parent and I'll not have you waste your future. An abortion is the only alternative and that's that!"

"You're wrong, dad!" she yelled back. "I've had time to think this out, and I've decided to give the baby up for adoption."

"Oh really?" he said in disgust. "And how do you propose to find someone willing to take your bastard child?"

The brash statement made Taylor cringe. He knew the defining moment he'd dealt with earlier was upon him. 'It's now or never,' he thought.

"She doesn't have to worry about that," he stated confidently. Jordan gave him a bewildered look once he'd finished.

"How do you figure that?" Bernie asked smugly.

"I figure that because Jordan and I will take the child!"

The room was stunned into silence once again. Taylor felt horrible for not discussing the possibility with Jordan earlier, but was surprised how happy his partner looked. He locked their fingers together in a show of solidarity, and prepared for Bernie's reply.

"Well, that's great," he said sarcastically. "Two faggots are gonna play house and have a kid to make it official. The only way that's gonna happen is over my dead body!"

"Stop it, Bernie!" Barbara yelled. "Ashley's our daughter and needs our support. Whatever she decides, we need to stand behind her."

"Woman, don't argue with me on this!" Bernie spat. "I'll not have this family's name sullied because our immature daughter couldn't keep her legs closed! If this is the way she chooses to go, then we're done with her."

"You can't mean that!" Barbara cried.

"I can and I do," he replied. "If she declines the abortion, then she's out!"

Jordan reached his breaking point with Bernie's snide remark. "That's enough!" he screamed. "You should be ashamed of yourself! Your daughter, your flesh and blood, made a mistake, but she was mature enough to develop a plan she could live with. How dare you spit in her face at a time like this!"

Taylor and Pete grinned inwardly, amazed at the confidence Jordan was displaying.

"Pete, help Ashley pack some things and we'll be off. She's welcome to stay with us!" he railed.

"That'll never happen!" Bernie said while getting in Jordan's face. "My daughter would never disrespect her parents by choosing a couple of filthy fags over us. Isn't that right, Ashley?"

Instead of answering his question, she pulled Pete to his feet and led him toward the rear of the house, presumably to gather her things. Bernie went pale once he realized his defeat, yet never offered a word of regret. He chose to storm off, leaving Taylor, Jordan and Barbara to face each other in awkward silence.

"I'm sorry about all this ma'am," Jordan offered. "I shouldn't have let my emotions run away with me."

"Nonsense, Jordan," she replied. "You had ever right to say what you said. Frankly, I'm not sure who that man was, but he certainly wasn't the devoted husband and father I love so dearly."

"We can try and help you work this out," Taylor said. "If you want her to stay with you, we completely understand."

"No," she said emphatically. "Take her away from here for a while so I can try and get her father to come around. Just promise me you'll be good to her."

Jordan knelt down, placing his hands atop hers. "You have my word, ma'am. Feel free to visit or stay with her anytime you'd like. We'll try on our end to assist in reconciling things, plus see to her prenatal care. She'll never want for anything."

"Thank you, both of you," she said with tears beginning to fall down her cheeks. She was truly grateful for their kindness in taking in someone they barely knew.

"I've also decided something else," Jordan continued. "I'm going to establish two funds so that both Ashley and Pete's college educations are paid for. They'll never have to worry that their opportunities for a bright future are compromised in any way."

Barbara cried more, feeling lucky to have met these two men. Their sexuality was a non-issue to her, but the goodness of their hearts was paramount. Her mother's instinct told her that her daughter was in wonderful hands.

"Thank you so much," she said, ensnaring both in a group hug. "I can't tell you how much this means to me. Take my daughter out of here and I'll contact her in a few days."

The men nodded as Ashley and Pete returned to the living room with a large suitcase in tow. Its sheer size and weight let on to how much of a teenage girl Ashley was. She moved to her mom for a tearful farewell.

"I'm so sorry, mom," she cried. "I didn't expect things to turn out this way."

"Don't worry yourself, dear," Barbara comforted. "Everything's gonna be okay. Go with these men and I'll smooth things over. You're gonna be just fine."

Ashley nodded and moved away before either of them broke down further. It was almost too much to be leaving her house under these circumstances, but she knew it was necessary for right now. Her mind was temporarily relieved when she saw the Mercedes limousine parked in front of her house.

"Is that theirs?" she asked Pete excitedly.

"I guess I forgot to tell ya," Pete admitted. "Taylor and Jordan are loaded, but don't let that scare you. They're probably the most down to earth men you'll ever meet."

"If you say so," she said hesitantly. Money had always intimidated her, yet she found herself strangely excited by her new living situation. Whatever the outcome, it promised to be a wild ride. Pete helped her stow her bag in the trunk and then held her close while waiting for the others to join them.

Jordan and Taylor hung back while the young lovers moved outside. "You have an open invite to our home anytime, Barbara. Please don't forget that."

"I won't," she promised. "Now get outta here so I can deal with that husband of mine."

They smiled at each other before walking toward the waiting limo. Carl stood perched to open the door for them as they approached.

"Seems you've had an interesting day," he chuckled, motioning to the two teenage lovebirds.

"You don't know the half of it," Jordan commented. "We'll fill you in later. For now, let's get these two home and figure out where we go from here."

The ride was quiet, except for Taylor making a few phone calls. Pete held Ashley close, trying to make good on his vow to protect her from adversity. Jordan had never been more proud of him, and he regretted treating him as badly as he had that day. He promised himself that he'd make time to apologize to his brother.

The rest of his thoughts centered on the coming whirlwind their life was about to encounter. He, surprisingly, wasn't the least bit nervous. He was terribly excited, though. There was no question he had every right to be vastly pissed off at Taylor, but he wasn't. In fact, he'd never loved him more than he did right then. Sure there'd be changes, some very unpleasant. Having kids, though, was a logical evolution in their relationship. It would tighten the bond between them, allowing them to share their unconditional love with another. The prospect made him giddy as hell.

His thoughts shifted, though, as Carl turned the limo through the gates of the estate. No matter how many times he passed beyond them, the sight of the lush gardens awed him. It was even more fun when someone else was seeing it for the first time, as both Pete and Ashley were doing now. The look of wonder on their faces was priceless as the array of colors splashed before their eyes, filling Jordan with a warm satisfaction. Even though he didn't own a shred of the property, he still took pride in the home he'd helped create there.

His wonder passed as he saw another limo and a BMW parked a few feet passed the portico. "Did you invite everyone?" Jordan asked.

"Only those that matter to us," Taylor replied casually. "Besides, they need to meet the kids since they'll be around for a while." Jordan couldn't argue with the logic, so he instead worried about their guests' reaction to their unconventional family. Truly, he needn't have given it a second thought.

Before the car had fully stopped, the front doors burst open and the usual cast of characters came spilling out. Pete and Ashley stiffened at the sight, eliciting an uproarious laugh from Taylor.

"Don't worry guys, they don't bite. They're always this welcoming with new folks. Ask Jordan."

He nodded his agreement. "Lila, Taylor's mother, is the best. She's gonna love you, Ashley, and you're gonna be begging for her to quit showering you with attention before it's over."

Lila wasted no time in proving Jordan correct. "What a beautiful young woman you are," she gushed. "Let me look at you child." The scene was reminiscent of Jordan's first visit to her ranch, stirring up some fond memories.

Jordan leaned into Taylor as they watched Lila fawn over the teens. "Told her the news, huh?"

"Yeah, I did," Taylor said sheepishly. "I wanted to make sure she made both of them feel overly welcome. You know no one's up to the task like she is."

"Good Lord, no," Jordan agreed with a chuckle.

As she led them into the house, Taylor held Jordan back so they could talk a moment. "I think things are under control in there, or will be once Vin gets in the picture. Walk with me?"

"Of course," Jordan said shyly, always eager for tender moments alone with the love of his life.

They trekked down the path toward the ocean, stopping in the trees shortly before the sand. Taylor began undressing, stripping to his boxers while Jordan looked on.

"Don't just stand there, baby. Strip!" he ordered. With an accepting grin, Jordan was down to his boxers in no time flat. The underwear clad couple joined hands and started a leisurely stroll down the beach, enjoying the warm water cascading over their feet as they walked.

"You can yell at me anytime now," Taylor said after a few minutes of silence. "I know I deserve it."

Jordan took a deep breath, and then placed his arms around Taylor's neck. "There's nothing to yell about. I'm not upset with you in the least."

"You're not?" a shocked Taylor asked.

Jordan shook his head. "Nope, not angry at all."

"But...but," Taylor stumbled, "I made a major decision about our lives without consulting you. I think that deserves some form of punishment."

Jordan's smile only got brighter. "I want kids too, and you've known that since we first got together. I'm happy you did what you did."

"Really?"

"Yes, Taylor, really," Jordan assured. "As I see it, we've learned to love and trust each other without question. How could it be a bad thing to share that closeness with another, especially a child?"

Instead of giving Taylor time to respond, he leaned forward and joined their mouths together. All sense of time faded as their rough tongues crashed into each other, battling once again to achieve dominance. Unlike most times, Taylor was content to let Jordan take the lead, still replaying his surprise at their talk in his mind. When they broke, an almost shy smile came to his face.

"I love you, Jordan, and I can't wait to share our lives with someone who deserves to experience what we have."

The heavy kiss had awakened some very primal needs, but the moment was too special to ruin with thoughts of bodily pleasures. "I love you too, Taylor. You're gonna be a fantastic daddy!"

Taylor choked. "That remains to be seen, baby, but I'll give it my all. You have my word on that." Something else popped into his mind as he thought about becoming a parent. "I guess I need to start pushing the contractors to get the house finished up. And we need to get a nursery set up."

The excited look on his lover's face tickled Jordan greatly. "In time, baby. We have around 30 weeks to get ready. In that time, we've also gotta get the ranch going and talk to the guys about taking over the day to day operations of it."

"No time like the present," Taylor said, dragging Jordan back up the beach. Once back on the path, they dressed, taking the time for a few innocent pecks, and moved to rejoin the group. They bantered easily as they traversed the tree lined walk.

"Think Ashley's escaped your mother's clutches yet?" Jordan asked.

"Not a chance!" Taylor scoffed. "I remember when you two got close. She wouldn't let you out of her sight for days after we came back together."

"No need to remind me. I barely got to shower in privacy."

"I don't know if I ever told you this, but when you were hurt, it was like holding back a pack of charging elephants trying to keep her away from you for the night. In the morning, even though she agreed to meet me downstairs, I got off the elevator as she was waiting for one to take her upstairs. The woman is very fond of you, even if she is a tad overprotective."

Jordan smiled appreciatively and took Taylor's arm. "Those weren't some of our better times." His words brought on a quizzical look from his partner.

"No they weren't," he agreed, "but they were necessary. We've not only grown closer from them, we've also learned a lot. We learned to talk out our differences, we learned to be up front with each other, and, most of all, we learned what we needed to do in order to make our love last forever."

"Wow," Jordan uttered. "I've gone over those days in my mind thousands of times and never come up with that. You know what, though? You're right, and that's why I wasn't mad about what you decided today. I'm not alone and I can't think of two people better suited to take this step. I WANT to take this and all my other steps with you, Taylor."

They slowed their pace, ending up in another blissful lip lock. The sincere words made this a special one, worthy of remembering forever. They knew they'd been a team for some time now, yet it never seemed clearer than right then. For better or worse, they were in this together.

"I love you, Jordan, more than I've ever loved anyone. As much as I could stay here all day, we should probably check on the gang and see how they're faring," Taylor said breathlessly.

Jordan gave him a sad look, but nodded his consent. "Only if you promise that you're mine tonight."

"Baby," Taylor began, "I'm always yours and always will be. Now get your cute ass up those stairs."

"Yes sir!" Jordan said with a facetious salute. Before they entered the house, though, he pulled Taylor back and into one more mighty kiss. "I really do love you, and I can't begin to tell you how excited I am!"

"Hang on, baby," Taylor said with a wink, "because the ride's just starting to get good."

After pushing through the plastic covered opening in the living room wall, they walked around until they found everyone set up in a sitting room off what was once Taylor's office. Smiles erupted all around as the soon to be parents came in. Before they could say a word, a flute filled with chilled bubbly was shoved in each of their hands and the adults stood while raising their glasses.

"To the new parents," Lila offered.

"To the new parents," everyone seconded and clinked their glasses together.

The conversation centered on the couple's upcoming new role, but soon wound around to the changes it was going to bring. Eager for other changes to occur simultaneously, Jordan took the opportunity to discuss plans for the ranch.

"Well, we've got thirty weeks left to prepare for the baby's arrival, so I suggest we focus on something else until that time, like the ranch and what we should do with it."

"That's an excellent idea," Taylor agreed. "Who'd like to fire the first suggestion?"

"I would," Jordan said confidently. "I've been thinking a lot about this, and have come to the conclusion that the day in day out running of the place is beyond my abilities. To that end, I'd like to find someone to take that over for me."

"I can appreciate that," Lila said. "Do you have anyone in mind, child?"

"Actually, I do, but it's two people who I think would be perfect for the job, as it might be too much for one person to handle."

"Who?" Thad asked eagerly.

"Well," he said looking Leonard and Carl directly in the eye, "I'd like you guys to do it."

"Us?" Carl said in confusion.

"Yes," Jordan replied, never breaking his intense gaze.

"Whoa, son," Leonard said. "We know you love us, but what makes you think we're qualified to do this?"

"You're perfect for it," Jordan said. "You're loving, organized, have vast experience running a large household, and you're a wonderful role model for these kids. I won't be offended if you say no, but I can't imagine anyone else I'd trust with this responsibility."

"Jordan, we're flattered, but what about this house? Who's gonna do what needs to be done around here?" Carl asked.

"Leave that to me, guys," Taylor said. "You two have stuck around here for years taking care of me when you've been capable of so much more. You're ready for something bigger, and I encourage you to accept the challenge."

"I don't know, son," Leonard began. "I think..."

"Don't think," Lila interrupted, "just say yes."

The pair looked at each other, shrugged, and smiled widely. "Yes," they said in unison. Jordan jumped up and grabbed them into a group hug.

"I know this is scary, but we'll figure it out together," he assured them.

Touched by the heartfelt scene yet confused by its origins, Ashley asked, "Uh, I hate to seem stupid, but what's the ranch?"

Vin moved in to handle the answer. "The ranch is a property Jordan came into about twenty minutes from here. He's decided to turn it into a place where gay teens can be safe, have fun, get counseling, and even live if they have nowhere else to turn. It's a dream we've all bought into and will help make it a reality."

"May I help too?" she asked hopefully. "Alternative schooling only lasts for three hours a day and I won't become uncomfortable for some time yet."

"I don't know, Ashley," Taylor said hesitantly. "Most of what needs to be done will be physical, and I'm not sure that's safe right now."

She wanted to argue, but sought compromise. "If my doctor tells you what is and isn't okay, would you be alright with it then?"

Jordan shot Taylor a pleading look, eager to get to know the biological mother of their child better. Still, he thought for a few moments before responding. "I suppose so, but you'll have to ease into it. Promise me you won't over exert yourself."

"I would never do that!" Ashley exclaimed. "I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow, so you'll have to make plans to attend. She's a close family friend and I know she'll have no issue with our arrangement. In fact, I can say for certain she'll encourage you both to attend all of my appointments."

"Deal!" Taylor said with a wink. "I'll probably be totally overprotective through all this, so I'll apologize now. If Jordan's kicking my ass doesn't keep me under control, feel free to take over yourself."

Ashley nodded then settled back into Pete's chest, giggling wildly. She felt totally at ease with her decision about Jordan and Taylor, even though she knew how hard it was gonna be to give up her child. Seeing the two of them and their extended family together, though, she had no doubt the child would be loved like no other.

The following morning, after helping Ashley with a bout of morning sickness, the trio made it to the office of Dr. Sharon Emerson, the obstetrician that would deliver their child. It was unusual to see two men and a teenage girl sitting together in the waiting room, but they did their best to appear fine with it. The nervousness between them was palpable, however, as the guys couldn't believe they were sitting in the office of a physician dedicated to female health. It made Jordan snicker.

"What's so funny?" Taylor asked him.

Jordan leaned in and whispered, "Who'd have thought you and I would ever be sitting in a gynecologist's office."

Taylor chuckled in agreement, staring at a model of a woman's reproductive system. "This is more pussy than I've ever seen in my life!"

Their discrete laughs turned into boisterous guffaws, drawing a fast response from Ashley. "Now, children, don't make me send you back to the car."

"C'mon, Ash," Jordan started. "You gotta admit the irony here. We've spent our lives avoiding all this, and now we're surrounded by it."

Ashley couldn't help but laugh as well. "Get used to it, boys. You'll be in the delivery room and see more of it than you ever expected."

Jordan beamed as he thought about assisting in the birthing experience, but Taylor went pale and began to sweat. The sudden change in his demeanor was overly noticeable, even to the other waiting patients.

"First time parent?" a man sitting with an extremely pregnant woman asked.

"Is it that obvious?" Jordan replied.

The man snickered. "Well, by the look on his face, I'd say the way babies entered the world just slammed him pretty hard. Don't worry, man. Once it starts, you'll only be anxious to meet the new arrival. All the blood and fluids will become unimportant."

"Blood?" Taylor said after gulping, turning slightly green.

The man caught on to his apprehension and moved to allay it. "This one will be our fourth child," he said while patting his wife's swollen belly. "I've been at her side through each one, and, now that's it's over, I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I know you don't think you can do it right now, but in the end, you'll treasure the memory. Besides, if you can't handle being there, then you don't have to be."

Taylor nodded and began to relax when the exam area door opened and a nurse called Ashley's name. The three of them rose and moved toward the door, but were stopped before entering.

"What's all this?" she asked sternly.

"They're coming with me," Ashley replied. "I've already cleared it with Dr. Emerson, and made her aware of our situation."

"Young lady," the older woman began, "this is a medical office, not a sex education center. You may come back, but these gentlemen will have to wait here."

Ashley's hormonal ire began to rise up. "If they aren't allowed in, then I'll remain with them until you've verified what I've said with the doctor. I'd be nice to them, though, as they're the ones paying your fees."

The nurse huffed, then turned away and went back into the exam area. Ashley led a dazed Jordan and Taylor back to their seats.

"Ash, you didn't have to do that," Jordan said. "We would have waited here for you with no problem."

"No way!" she said with feeling. "We're in this together, and you deserve to hear everything Dr. Emerson has to say about your baby."

Before Jordan could argue with her, the silver haired nurse reappeared and approached them. "If you and your friends will kindly follow me, the doctor will see you now."

Ashley smiled with satisfaction, leading the men into inner office by the hand. They were taken into a room with an exam table, an area to store needed instruments, and several chairs. The posters on these walls were far more graphic than those in the waiting room were, and contained actual photos of a baby moving out of a woman's vagina.

Even though the sight intimidated him, Taylor couldn't help but be curious. Holding Jordan's hand tightly, he examined every picture in detail, becoming enthralled with how a brand new life came into this world. His nervousness eased as he moved through the stages, replaced by a sense of careful excitement. This was a wondrous time in their lives, one that wouldn't be repeated, so he was determined to relax and enjoy it.

Dr. Emerson entered a few minutes later and introduced herself to the guys. She was a short, stout woman in her fifties who wore red glasses and had a very disarming smile.

"Let me be the first to apologize for Hilda's abruptness. I assure you it won't happen again," she said.

"It's really not a problem, doctor," Taylor replied. "Anytime we need to wait outside, we'll do it without question."

"Our biggest concern is the health of Ashley and baby. Us observing the experience is nice, but not always required," Jordan added.

Sharon set the chart in her arms down and took a seat on a stool with wheels. "Guys, you're not outsiders in all this. You're the baby's parents and you deserve to be right where you are. I expect you to be here at every appointment and question everything we talk about. Are we clear on that?"

Taylor and Jordan nodded, deciding that Ashley couldn't be under better care. Sharon was a breath of fresh air and diffused the tension they felt handily.

"Now, why don't we listen to your baby's heartbeat," she announced.

The boys got an excited look on their faces as she retrieved a listening device from a nearby drawer. Attaching headphones to her ears, she placed a wand on Ashley's torso and began searching for the sound. As it moved from one point to another, her face grew more serious, filling the room with nervous tension. After several minutes, she lifted the wand and took off the headphones.

"Ashley, if you've got the time, I'd like to an ultrasound right now."

"Is something wrong?" she asked apprehensively.

"No, nothing bad, but I've heard something I'd like to check. Is that okay?" Dr. Emerson asked.

Ashley nodded and the doctor quickly left the room. Tears fell down her cheeks as she awaited Sharon's return. "I'm scared guys," she admitted.

"Hey now," Jordan comforted. "She already said nothing was wrong, so you just lie back and relax. Everything's gonna be just fine."

Despite his outward confidence, he was dying inside. He feared that something awful was wrong, something so bad that it might derail the bliss he'd been feeling about all of it. Instead of allowing the angst to consume him, he stayed strong for Ashley, running his fingers through her hair and whispering kind words until the doctor returned with the ultrasound unit. She got her patient in place and dimmed the lights before beginning the procedure.

The screen on the machine lit up and displayed fuzzy images as she moved to various points. Her face remained calm as she observed the images, never giving a clue to what she was searching for. Once what she was looking for came into view, she held the device still and addressed everyone.

"I want all of you to look at the screen and tell me what you see," she said with a smile.

They moved in and studied the image carefully. It didn't take a genius to see what she was referring to.

"Is that...?" Jordan asked.

"Sure is," Sharon answered.

"Twins?" Taylor said, looking at the image of two beating hearts on the screen.

"Fraternal twins from what I can see," she added. "They're very healthy and have strong hearts."

"Twins!" Jordan said with a giggle. He threw his arms around Taylor and hugged him excitedly.

"Well." Taylor began, "this ride just got a hell of a lot more interesting!"

And what a ride it was!

The next 4 months were a whirlwind of activity for Taylor and Jordan. Lila gladly took over all duties related to preparing for the babies' arrival. She and Ashley spent a great deal of time and money ensuring that the children would enter this world having anything and everything they needed. The boys visited the nursery nightly, looking at the ever increasing array of merchandise and wondering what a good portion of it was.

Ashley and Pete became a staple in their harried lives. Jordan and she became particularly close, so much so that he was able to anticipate what her cravings for the evening would be. It wasn't hard, usually double fudge brownie ice cream with a side of French fries or Pizza Hut Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza. She enjoyed her time at the ranch immensely, finding Jordan's overprotective attitude toward her invariably adorable.

Perhaps the largest change was Taylor's conspicuous absence a good portion of every week. He'd taken on his new position with gusto, traveling constantly to reassure clients that the new Stephenson was the firm to fill their needs. His efforts were working, but he hated being away from home as much as he was. A nightly phone call to Jordan, one that usually lasted several hours, was all that kept him going. Fridays were his favorite day, for that was the day he'd return home and make up for the lost private time he'd been craving with his lover. The time squeeze added an urgency that made their bedroom antics hotter than ever, filled with more love and adoration than either of them thought possible.

Things at the ranch proceeded slowly. Jordan had no idea that so much renovation work would be needed as the project commenced. He'd grow angry as each swing of a sledge hammer would reveal additional problems, only to have his temper silenced by the mitigating presence of Leonard and Carl. If it weren't for their cool heads, one or more of the contractors would certainly have staggered away bloody.

The two men fell into their new roles with ease, learning how to work the charity circuits from Lila. She took them under her wing, introducing them to all the right people, those sure to keep their operations well funded. They scored an early coup, one large enough that the current renovations were completely paid for. A secret pact with Lila kept them forging ahead on the money. It was decided that they'd concentrate their energies there to keep Jordan from burying any more of his personal funds in the project. They'd also taken an unusual tack, soliciting complimentary services in addition to cash donations. The program was a resounding success, bringing onboard the necessary architects and construction personnel to make sure the job was done right.

The other area they focused on was awareness. They made sure to use the press and any other agency necessary to make sure that the ranch's existence was well known. While it would be a little while before it was operational, the child services departments of several states contacted them requesting additional information. Also contacted were the many runaway shelters located across a several state area. All were receptive to the idea and promised to keep in touch.

With the renovations nearing completion, the day found Jordan and Vin standing in a newly completed classroom. Several just like it had been constructed so that new arrivals could be taught there until they were ready to enter the local public school system. The room was bright and cheery, painted in a soft green hue, a color much more engaging than the standard flat white. Desks were replaced with long tables, each student spot capable of supporting a laptop computer. The hookups were a last minute addition when Carl was able to wrangle the donation of fifty computers from a large retailer. The two men looked around, taking in the sights with pride.

"Not bad for a couple of fags, eh?" Jordan said while spinning a large globe.

"Not bad at all," Vin agreed. "Looks like we're about ready for lift off."

"It's not too late to back out, ya know," Jordan reminded him. "You're giving up an awful lot for this." Vin had decided to shut down his studio and give up his permanent teaching post. The classes he taught outside of school were to be moved to the ranch.

"Shut the hell up, bitch!" he scolded. "For the ten millionth time, I wanna do this. Thad's being kept busy with all the work Denton's thrown his way, and we both know I have more money than I could spend in a lifetime. I think it's time I gave something back, and it's a bonus that I get to do it with you."

Jordan put his arm around Vin and pulled him close. "We've kinda been left behind by our guys and their duties. I'm glad you're here with me."

"Someone's gotta make sure you don't freak out. Might as well be me," Vin replied casually. "I hear they finished our rooms today. How bout we go have a look see?"

Jordan nodded and followed his friend toward the main house. They'd decided to remain on the property during the week, as much to keep each other company as anything else. Two bedrooms had been created on the home's top floor to house them, complete with a connecting door in case help with the twins was needed.

As they broke into the afternoon sun, they found a sight that confused them both. A very pregnant Ashley was planting flowers in a nearby bed, but she wasn't alone as expected. A boy in his teens was on his knees helping her place the colorful flowers strategically around a large bed. His presence intrigued Jordan and Vin enough to investigate more.

"Hey, Ashley," Jordan called out as he came closer. The boy jumped at the sound of his voice, and his body stiffened. He watched as Ashley put her hand on the teen's, a silent reassurance that everything was fine.

"Hi, Jordan," she replied, never taking her eyes off the scared boy.

Kneeling down beside her, he said, "These flowers are gorgeous. You certainly have a knack for placing them well."

Ashley smiled at her companion, glad to have the in she'd been hoping for. "Actually I can't take credit for that," she began. "My new friend Jonathan deserves the credit there."

Jordan looked the boy in the eyes for the first time. What he saw there was unnerving...fear, hurt, distrust, and, above all else, unparalleled anguish. The reason for his appearance was suddenly lucid, and made Jordan nervous to his core. With tremendous effort, he reined in his worries and attempted to put the kid at ease.

"Well, Jonathan, I am now in your debt," he said with a kind smile. "Perhaps you'd consider eating with us so we could discuss anymore ideas you've got for brightening this place up." He held his breath as he awaited the answer.

"You don't have to do that," Jonathan replied. "I can come back tomorrow."

Desperate to keep the boy with them, but scared to touch him, Jordan thought quickly before speaking. "You're right, I don't have to. I want to, though. So how bout it?"

Jon stared at a spot on the ground intently before answering. "I guess that'd be okay." With that said, he rose to his feet and brushed the soil from his tattered jeans. It also gave Jordan and Vin a good look at their new visitor. He stood about five feet six inches tall and weighed no more than one hundred ten pounds soaking wet. His eyes, his most prominent feature, were a dazzling green and trumpeted whatever emotion he was feeling. Currently, they revealed that he was uncomfortable with the situation at hand. The brown hair atop his head hung passed his ears, nearly touching the tops of his shoulders. It was badly knotted and as filthy as the rest of his body. The boy's clothes were threadbare and badly stained, betraying a life that had been led on the streets for months.

As Ashley leaned to stretch her aching back, she struggled to bring her swollen body upright. Before either Vin or Jordan could assist, Jonathan was there, taking great pains to carefully help her to her feet. The men watched with wonder at the compassion and caring he showed her, knowing full well that she was the key to keeping him around. "Thanks, sweetie," she said to him when she was up, eliciting a huge smile from the scared boy.

"Well, how bout we see what's in the kitchen. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm starving!" Vin announced.

They began moving toward the main house, Jonathan glued to Ashley's side. Jordan noticed that the boy checked Vin out discretely as they walked on. He seemed piqued by the artist, maybe because it wasn't everyday that you met someone in yellow skinny pants and a hideously bright green shirt. What Jordan didn't catch was the boy's overt glances at him. Ashley did, though, smiling thoughtfully each time she caught her new friend doing it. He smiled back, catching her silent message that it was safe to trust these two. The journey to the house was a short one, and soon they stood in the recently finished kitchen. It was modeled after the one on the estate, complete with top of the line appliances and granite counter tops. The only problem found was the new refrigerator had yet to be stocked, which presented a slight problem when it came to feeding the boy.

"Shit!" Jordan said to no one in particular, which drew a childlike laugh from Jon. In a moment of epiphany, he knew that the use of scattered profanity might come in handy when dealing with the kid in the future.

"Slight issue," he told the group. "Seems the provisions we ordered haven't arrived yet, so the fridge is empty. Everyone okay sending out for pizza?" The group nodded back, prompting Jordan to grab a pad and paper off the front of the steel refrigerator. Pen in hand, he asked for orders from everyone.

"Hawaiian veggie for me," Vin called out. Jordan nodded and took it down.

"Pepperoni, mushroom and pickles for me with a side of Pepperoncini Peppers for me," Ashley said matter of factly, even though Jordan already knew what to get.

"Pickles? On Pizza?" Jon asked in amazement.

"Yeah," she replied. "It's awesome. You should try it sometime."

Jonathan's face cringed in disgust. "I think I'll pass and stick to cheese."

Laughing in agreement, Jordan said, "It's amazing what kind of crap a woman eating for three will ingest. This is tame compared to some of the shit she's come up with."

Jon laughed at the expletive before realizing what Jordan said. "Three?"

Ashley smiled and rubbed her distended belly. "Yep, twins."

The boy seemed perplexed by the situation. "How will you care for two babies?"

Sensing another in, Jordan answered. "She won't have to. My partner Taylor and I are adopting the babies as soon as they're born. Ashley's gonna be their aunt, but she'll still be going to college as planned."

Jon stared at the ground, wanting to talk but afraid to do so. He struggled with some deep seeded demon, finally suppressing it enough to begin speaking. "I was hoping it was true."

"Hoping what was true?" Vin asked gently.

"That you guys were gay," he said shyly. "Lots of guys on the street have been talking about you and this place. I had to come see for myself. Lots of stuff you hear out there is bullshit."

"No doubt about it," Vin said animatedly. "We're confirmed cocksuckers!"

The brash statement broke the ice, bringing on uproarious laughter and a more at ease atmosphere. Jon's genuine smile warmed Jordan's heart, making him even more determined to find out what made this boy tick. A shaky idea popped into his head, one that was weak but decent enough to follow through on.

"Jon, why don't you show me what you can do with the other flower beds out back. I think they could use your special touches."

The boy's face went pale as he tried to think of a way out. Most male adults who asked for alone time with him wanted one thing and one thing only. It was a life he was desperate to abandon, a life he'd been living for too long. Jordan caught his distress and moved to diffuse it.

"Besides, Ashley needs to exercise more and shouldn't do it alone. Will you help me keep her company and we'll talk about the flowers as we walk?"

The relief he felt was huge, so he readily agreed. Jordan handed Vin the pizza orders and motioned for the others to follow him out the back door. They walked silently for a few minutes until they came to an area with several large beds that Ashley had workers dig out for her. The exposed dirt was surrounded by a huge variety of potted flowers, all awaiting placement in the empty space. The planting time was therapeutic for her, wasting the hours Pete was gone for school or football practice and keeping her mind off the fact that her father hadn't come around an iota in the previous months. She pushed those thoughts aside for the moment, focusing her attention on Jonathan.

When they arrived at the first bed, Jordan decided that proper introductions were in order. "Since you've already met my good friend Ashley, I think it's high time I introduced myself. I'm Jordan Maxwell, and it's wonderful to meet you," he said with an extended hand.

Jon looked at it for a moment, knowing that his acceptance of it would change the nature of their relationship. Secretly, he liked Jordan already, and was eager to find a male he could trust. Taking a deep breath, he slowly grabbed the proffered hand. "Likewise, sir."

The display of manners deeply impressed Jordan, yet added another piece to the already intricate puzzle. It could be pieced together in time, though, after he won the boy's trust.

Turning to the variety of flowers, he said, "As you can see, Jonathan, we still have a lot of work to do. Ashley's good, but there's no way she could do all this by herself, especially not in her condition. Think you might be interested in helping her out?"

Jon's face lit up before his head nodded excitedly. He already trusted Ashley, and loved the idea that he'd be able to get to know her better. For the first time in a very long time, he felt that his life was moving in a new and better direction.

"Then it's decided," Jordan said with a warm smile. "Why don't we place some of these around so I can get an idea of what it'll look like in the end. My brain has a hard time taking in abstract crap."

Jon smiled and went to work, randomly placing pots here and there before going back and repositioning them. While he worked diligently, Jordan and Ashley talked quietly.

"Did Jon just come wandering up?" he asked.

"Pretty much. He came outta nowhere and then, without a word, plopped down and started helping me plant. He even corrected me when I did a few things wrong. We worked for almost an hour before he told me his name, and from there I learned the few things I know about him."

"Like what?"

"Well, he learned how to plant flowers from his mother. She was, apparently, an avid gardener and taught him a lot. When I asked where she was, he changed the subject quickly. He's even less forthcoming about his father."

"What else?" Jordan asked.

"He's fifteen, he's gay, and he's been on the streets for some time. Before you guys came up, I told him all about you and what you're trying to do here," she told him.

"How did he react to it?"

"He didn't say much, but his body language spoke volumes. It's like he was relieved to be at the end of long, hard journey," Ashley whispered.

"We've got a problem, though," Jordan lamented. "None of the bedrooms other than mine and Vin's are ready to be occupied. We can't leave him here alone. He might disappear during the night, and I'm not willing to take that chance."

"Bring him home with us then," she said as if it was easy.

"Yeah, like he'll be happy to go with a couple of strangers," Jordan said sarcastically.

"You leave that to me, Doubting Thomas," she said before joining Jonathan in placing flowers.

Jordan was skeptical, but had little choice but to put complete faith in Ashley's fledgling abilities. He watched in amusement as the boy vetoed nearly every placement she made, always quick to follow up with an explanation of why. There was something about him that intrigued Jordan greatly, a mystery there that had to be solved.

"He seems like a good kid," Vin said from behind, breaking Jordan's thoughts.

"That he does," Jordan agreed. "There's something about him, though, that I can't quite figure out. It's obvious that he's wildly intelligent, and that's a large part of what's confusing me. A few moments ago, he called me sir, so he's been taught manners and respect. How does a good kid like that end up on the streets?"

Vin placed an arm on Jordan's shoulder. "If anyone can find out, it's you. He trusts you. I can tell."

Jordan laughed. "You can't be serious. He trusts her, not me."

"That's true," Vin agreed, "but you haven't been watching closely. He's been eying you since the moment we walked up, like he's been searching for something and he's found it in you. Watch the way he glances at you while he works. He's been doing it the whole time I've been observing."

Indeed, Jon looked at him every few seconds before returning to his task. Jordan could swear he saw a slight grin on his face after he'd do it. "I'll be damned. You're right, but what do I do with it?"

"Be yourself, Jordan. The kid sees something he needs in you, so my advice is to go with flow but don't push. If you do that, he'll shut down and vanish quicker than you know. In time, you'll gain his trust and he'll tell you all you need to know to help him."

Jordan nodded as he watched the teen work with fervor. By this time, Ashley had stepped back, allowing the young painter to adorn his blank canvas. The kid knew a lot and had an eye for detail, often rearranging his own work several times before becoming satisfied with the results. The end product was spectacular, and came just as the pizza was delivered. The group took leave of the bed and went to the kitchen for some well deserved chow.

Everyone watched as Jon devoured his food with vigor, eating like a condemned man. It hadn't occurred to any of them, until now, that he may not have eaten in days. The way he scarfed the pizza seemed to confirm that.

Equally interesting was watching Ashley consume her unique idea of pizza. Her eyes rolled in delight as she savored the assault of different tastes. The others looked at themselves in horror as she put a healthy stack of hot peppers on the piece she was consuming, and then took a huge bite. It was then that she noticed their amused stares.

"What?" she asked through a full mouth.

"It is unbelievable the garbage you shove down your throat," Vin teased. "Those babies are gonna have some fucked up taste buds when they come out."

Ashley shot him a bird and smiled sarcastically as she sucked a pickle into her mouth. "Look at it this way, sister. All food groups are well represented, so they're getting exactly what they need."

Vin liked Ashley's spunk, and was prepared to return her volley until Jordan came between them.

"Well, guys, it looks like we're pretty much done for the day. Why don't we call it a day and head on home."

Jon's face dropped as he watched the men clean up and dispose of the empty boxes. Jordan expected the look, and was prepared for it well.

"Can we drop you anywhere, Jon?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"Nah, I can walk," the boy said dejectedly, starting to shuffle out the door.

"How long?" Jordan asked pointedly.

Jonathan turned, knowing what the man was asking. "Two years, give or take a few months. My old man tossed me out when he found out I was gay. I did what I had to do to survive since that day."

The group was stunned silent by the frank response, but Jordan knew he had the boy right where he wanted him. Walking toward him, he went down on one knee so they were truly at eye level. "Let's you and me make a deal. You don't bullshit me from now on and I promise not to get pushy about questions. Agreed?"

Jon nodded. "Agreed, but on one condition."

"Which is?"

"You let me talk. I'm ready...I've been ready, but I never had the right person. I don't know why, I just know you're the right one," Jon said softly.

Jordan took a calculated risk, and slowly pulled the boy into an embrace. Vin's words from earlier were confirmed when the hug was tentatively returned at first, then grew into a full fledged crushing. Jordan said nothing, only tightening his arms further to say all that needed saying. Jon, with his head on the man's shoulder, felt something he hadn't in a while...safety. The others watched with tears in their eyes as the union eventually broke.

"Where were you planning on going tonight?" Jordan asked gently.

Jon blushed furiously and looked down at his feet. "I've gotta work tonight. I'm outta money and it'll be a busy night. Might make enough to last the week."

Jordan wanted to be horrified, but he wasn't. Instead, he felt a consuming sadness that the system would let an innocent child sell his body on the streets to survive. Choosing his words carefully, he offered an alternative.

"I've got another idea, one you're under no pressure to accept. How bout you come home with Ashley and me tonight, then you can decide what you wanna do long term tomorrow. We'll get you washed up, give you some clean clothes, and a soft bed for the night. What do ya say?"

Jonathan said nothing, choosing to wrap Jordan back up in his arms.

"I'll take that as a yes," Jordan said with a chuckle.

The four of them went out the door, then locked the main house up. While making their way toward the cars, Jordan offered Vin the opportunity to join them at the house.

"No way, bitch," Vin said. "Thad's gonna be home tonight and my protein level is majorly deprived. Might have to squeeze some extra out of him to make up for his long absences."

Jon was the first to crack up, reading right through Vin's poor attempt at speaking code. It made the others break down as well, adding to their already light mood.

"See ya tomorrow, slut," Jordan said while hugging his best friend.

"Count on it, whore," he replied in what had become their standard way.

The trio stood as Vin's purple VW Cabriolet fired up and drove off. As usual, the top went down and Britney Spears boomed from the speakers as he moved from sight.

Jordan giggled, and hit the remote to unlock the doors of his Lexus RX350. The horn from the navy blue vehicle beeped as the locks disengaged and the interior lights illuminated. One of the many things he'd gotten used to since Carl and Leonard began their new job was driving himself to and from work each day. Though the limo was nice, he found that the time in the car was useful for thinking. Ashley took the back seat, hoping to goad Jon into taking the front. He paused at the door for some time, not moving in the least.

"What's wrong?" Jordan asked him.

"Um, this is a really nice car and I'm, um, all nasty and stuff. I don't wanna mess anything up," he said with embarrassment.

Jordan walked around the car, putting his arm around the boy. "Let me worry about that. Cars are made to get dirty, so don't give it a second thought."

Jon smiled nervously, but complied. He knew his body wreaked, and felt a wave of relief when Jordan opened the sunroof and dropped the windows. With the stereo pumping out the music of the Black Eyed Peas, they drove off toward the estate and what would prove to be a rewarding night.

Taylor made it back to his suite at the Hay Adams Hotel earlier than normal. His new position, while challenging and enjoyable, was often exhausting. The day had been a productive one, allowing his new division to renew a large contract for managing a sizable retirement fund. Pouring himself a glass of good whiskey, he washed it around his mouth before swallowing, feeling the familiar burn as it careened down his throat. Noting the early hour, he changed into a pair of shorts and tank top, ready to give his a body a hard, stress relieving workout.

The hotel's gym was first rate, boasting the finest equipment as well as an impressive array of free weights. Sitting on a nearby mat, Taylor began his stretch routine in preparation for the main event.

As he crunched his abdomen tightly, his thoughts wandered to Jordan, whom he missed in a huge way. He saw the vibrant azure eyes, the silky blondish hair, and the succulent red lips. The bed was always cold and lifeless without his mate, and Taylor longed to hold him in his arms. Their life together, while trying at times, was fulfilling, and the arrival of the twins should solidify their bonds further.

With the crunches done, he sat on a machine's bench, cranking out repetitions designed to work his biceps. Jordan's face occupied his mind again, the smile that captivated his heart daily upon it. Stopping the strenuous workout, Taylor knew what had to be done. With a towel around his shoulders, he made his way back to the suite, pausing long enough to grab his cell phone and activate a pre-programmed number. Moments later, the voice answered.

"Maria, it's Taylor," he said.

"Hi, Taylor," Maria said in a friendly tone. "How'd things go today?"

"Better than expected," Taylor told her. "Not only did we retain the retirement business, but they agreed to meet with investment banking next week."

"That's wonderful news, but I suspect it's not the reason for your call."

Taylor could see why Maria was the CEO of the new Stephenson. She could read people like a book. "Right as always," he confessed. "I've been on the road for months, Maria, and it's time I came home. I miss my family and they need me there about now. I'm sure we've got plenty of people on the payroll who'd love this lifestyle, but I'm not one of them."

Maria thought carefully about Taylor's statements. "You're a golden asset to this organization, and your performance has been nothing short of stellar. If you'll agree to a bit of hand holding with our larger clients occasionally, then we'll find someone to do the away from home work."

Taylor's excitement level was through the roof. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate this, Maria. I promise the division's performance will continue to exceed goals as it is now."

"Of that, I have no doubt," she said. "Go home, Taylor. I'll see you in the office in a few days."

"Bye, Maria and thanks again," Taylor said before the line went dead.

It was 3 PM, probably not early enough to get a charter, but he had to try. The possibility of getting home that same day was overwhelming, and there had to be a way to pull it off. Taylor was quite surprised to find a Net Jets plane available in DC about two hours from then. Charging it against his membership time, he called the lobby and arranged for a limousine to get him to the plane. After a quick pack and a nice hot shower, Taylor checked out of the hotel and climbed into the waiting limo, anxious to get back into the arms of his lover.

Jordan whipped the Lexus through the gate, barely able to keep himself grounded at the boy's coming reaction. When the dizzying array of flowers came into view, Jonathan's reaction was one of awe and wonder. Jordan gave Ashley a knowing look, remembering her face as she encountered it the first time not all that long ago. As opposed to driving underneath the portico, he pulled over at a wider spot in the driveway, chuckling to himself as he saw estate security running his way. Jon, however, was not amused and his body stiffened in fear as the large man approached.

"Everything alright, sir?" the guard asked.

"Fine, Chris. This is Jonathan, a new friend who'll be with us a while. Jon, this is Chris, the estate's senior security agent."

The boy visibly relaxed, fearfully accepting the man's outstretched hand.

"Nice to meet you, Jonathan," he said brightly.

Jon nodded his head in return, his voice temporarily failing him. Chris' imposing size was something he didn't know if he'd ever get used to.

"Chris, would you drive Ashley back to the house and make sure she makes it safely to the kitchen? She hasn't eaten in an hour, so I'm sure it's time," Jordan kidded.

Chris grinned and nodded. "Right away, sir."

He climbed in and did what was asked as Jordan motioned for Jon to follow him. Pushing through some of the colorful foliage, he led them into a clearing where the Japanese garden he'd spent so much time in was noticeable. The boy smiled when he saw it, practically sprinting to reach it. Once there, he looked upon it with same wonder he had at the entrance.

"This is one of my favorite spots on the estate," Jordan said. "I come here a lot when I need a quiet place to think."

Jon gave him a perplexed look. "What do you think about?"

"Mostly about how lucky I am to have the life I have, and about Taylor," he said with raised eyebrows.

"Tell me about him," Jon requested.

"Tall, tan, muscular, dashing, pretty much a perfect ten," Jordan replied with a fanciful stare. "That's just the outside, though. I've never met a man with a more genuine heart than him. He's ridiculously intelligent, and generous to a fault. What more can I say? I love him more than I've ever loved anyone, and I could never live happily without him."

A single tear fell down Jonathan's cheek as he fell onto the bench by the meditation pond. This was the ideal situation to talk with Jordan about his life, no matter how emotional he became.

Jordan sat down beside him, pulling the boy into a tight hug. "Whatever it is, Jon, you're safe now and that's never gonna change."

The kind words made him cry harder and clutch Jordan tighter. They sat like that for a time, letting the anguish Jon felt come out.

"Feel like talking about it?" Jordan asked once Jonathan had regained control of his emotions.

"I was thirteen when I realized I was gay. It wasn't some huge event, it just was. Girls had never done it for me, and I knew it. Guys, on the other hand, got me excited and pretty worked up. It was easy for me to accept it, and I never lost a single friend over my sexuality."

"My mom died when I was ten, so it was just my dad and me. He worked very hard to make sure I had what I needed, always making sure he spent as much time with me as possible. It worked out well, until I met Tommy. The boy was bad news, no better way to describe him. He had a record, he did drugs and alcohol, but he was openly gay and I found him irresistible. I caught his eye one day, and soon after, he took my virginity. He was so confident and self-assured, never afraid to show me affection in public. I felt on top of the world when I was with him, until my dad saw us kissing on the street one day."

"Things changed forever that night. When I got home, he confronted me, and, of course, I tried to lie my way out of it. That was the wrong move, and I paid dearly. My father beat me bloody and threw me in my room. The next morning, he explained that I could abandon my sexuality permanently or he'd make sure I got what I deserved. I didn't say a word, hoping that he'd be calmer when he got home that night. Tommy tried to console me, but I was too scared to listen. He got me severely wasted, which eased my pain, and created a whole new set of problems. When my dad got home that night, I was still very buzzed. I realized too late that my mouth acted before my brain thought when I was high, so you can imagine how much he liked that. I stood up to him, refusing to bury a part of who I was."

"He became enraged, and struck me repeatedly. He told me that I wasn't welcome in his house anymore, but he'd give me something to always remember him by. He pinned me to the floor, then lit a cigar. I'll never forget the smell; it still sickens me today. With the cherry nice and red, he burned a word into my back. When it was happening, I didn't realize what he was doing, didn't realize what he was doing. All I cared about was the terrible pain being over. Soon enough, he was done, and threw me into the street with nothing more than a pair of jeans on."

With tears in his eyes, Jordan asked, "What did it say?"

Jonathan rose, and turned his back to Jordan. Lifting his shirt, he heard a sharp intake of breath that denoted the horror he felt. From one shoulder to the other, a symmetrical grouping of scars spelled out the word 'faggot.'

Dropping his shirt back in place, Jon continued. "I didn't know where to go, so I ran barefoot and shirtless through the streets until I reached Tommy's house. He and two friends had been partying hard, so it took one of em a while to answer the door. When Tommy saw me practically naked, his hormones took over, I guess. They had their way with me for hours, then threw me out too. I'd never been so scared, felt so exposed. I started walking, not knowing what else to do. I was so naïve, and still shirtless and barefoot. I was in a daze and I knew it."

"The cops picked me up on suspicion of prostitution that night, and after listening to my dad deny that he had a son, turned me over to social services. The group home was okay, if you like getting the shit beat out of you on a regular basis. Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore and ran away. I've been on the streets doing what needed to be done since, and I'm sure you know what that means."

Jordan took a minute to compose himself. The whole story was a shock to his system, and required time to be processed. "I'm sorry, Jon. The agencies that were supposed to help and protect you failed. No one should have to endure what you have, and as long as I'm breathing, you'll never have to worry about that again. That is, if you'll let me."

Jonathan thought for a while, excited by possibility yet worried about putting his hands in the life of a stranger. "What about Taylor? Won't he mind?"

Jordan laughed, thinking back to when Taylor decided they needed to adopt Ashley's baby. "Trust me, he won't say a word. He'll love you just as much as I do, if not more."

Deciding that life couldn't be any worse than it had been, he reluctantly agreed.

The G-5 rolled out and made a turn to line up for landing. Taylor's excitement level rose as he heard the gear go down and the flaps extend. The plane's engines throttled up as the familiar feeling of altitude loss settled in on its occupants. In mere moments, the tires hit terra firma with a resounding thud and the engines reversed hard. Taylor smiled as he felt the craft turn and head for the hangar.

Jordan and Jon met Ashley in the kitchen, where she was making quick work of a half gallon of ice cream. She smiled warmly as they entered, tickled by the look of amazement on their young friend's face.

"Pretty incredible place, huh?" she asked the shocked boy.

"And how! I never thought I'd ever be standing somewhere like this," Jon replied truthfully.

"You get used to it pretty quickly, I promise," she said with a smile.

Jon looked around, a grin coming to his face. "I guess so, but it's different than I expected. Pictures I've seen of huge mansions seem so cold, and lifeless. It's not that way here. You can feel the warmth in the air."

Ashley nodded in agreement. "It's people that make a place, and the people here are something else. Give em a chance, Jon. You'll be glad you did."

He couldn't help but smile widely when given the advice. His own mind had been thinking the same thing from the moment he'd wandered onto the ranch, but now that desire was a rampant need, a need to have caring people behind him.

Taylor sighed in relief when he saw Micah waiting in front of the Mercedes limousine. He trotted down the stairs with his bag, tossing it in before anxiously taking a seat himself. Moments later, the car was driving toward its final destination.

"Have a good trip?" Micah asked after moments of silence.

"Yeah, I did, but not because we landed more business. I talked Maria into letting me work in town from now on. My place is with my family, and no job's worth losing that."

Clearly impressed, Micah said, "Welcome home then. We're glad to have you back."

"Anything new I should know about?"

"Not much, really," Micah said. "No news on the Rollins front, which leads me to believe he's left the country. There is one thing, but I'll defer to Jordan on that one."

"Is something wrong?" Taylor asked worriedly.

Micah chuckled. "Not a thing. We'll be home soon and you'll see."

The ride ended a few minutes later, and Taylor's curiosity was definitely piqued. The ornate portico was a welcome sight, more so now than usual. His heart raced as anticipation built toward the moment he'd been waiting for. Seconds after the vehicle rolled to a stop, he bounded out and rushed through the front doors of the estate. Taking some time to get his bearings, he noted that all the rooms in view appeared to empty. Mustering all the stealth necessary, he silently crept forward in search of his target. Coming around the edge of a wall, three figures came into view. Two he recognized immediately as Jordan and Ashley, but the third was unknown. Putting that aside for now, he was pleased to find Jordan's back facing him, ensuring that a careful effort would result in the surprise he was after. Half way to his quarry, Ashley detected his presence. Putting a finger to his lips, she caught the unspoken message and kept up the casual conversation.

Ever so slowly, Taylor crept forward, thankful that their unknown guest had yet to detect him. Once within reach of his lover, his hands flew out and covered the man's eyes completely.

"What the fuck?" Jordan said in shock as he felt the hands around his face. "Who the hell is this?"

Instead of answering, Taylor tilted Jordan's head back far enough to join their mouths together. His tongue darted out, gaining entry without hesitation and began tousling with its counterpart. Jordan happily lost himself in the familiar sensations, bringing his hands around to hold the invader's head. Taylor let their exchange sink in before breaking the kiss and releasing his lover's eyes.

"Hey there," Jordan said seductively when Taylor's face came into focus. "Not that I'm not glad to see you, but what are you doing here? I didn't think you'd be home until the weekend."

"Well, let's just say that home is where the heart is, and my heart's always been right here."

Jordan wanted to ravage Taylor right there, but noticed him staring across the island to where Jonathan was sitting.

"Uh...guess I should introduce our guest. Taylor, this is Jonathan. Jon, this is my partner Taylor."

"Hi, Jon. It's a pleasure to meet you," Taylor said in his most innocent tone.

"Mine too, sir," Jon replied while shaking his hand.

Jordan sensed the confusion, knowing he had to move fast to counter it. "Ya know, it's been a terribly long day for all of us. Ashley, would you get Jonathan settled so we can all get a good night's sleep?"

She noticed the message right away. "Sure. He and I might stay up and gab a while, but you two can head off."

Jordan smiled and grabbed Taylor by the arm, pulling him upstairs to their bedroom. Once safely behind the door, he breathed a sigh of relief before coming under his lover's patent glare.

"Seems our little family grew a bit while I was away," he said calmly.

"Uh, yeah, I suppose it did," Jordan answered nervously. Deciding the truth was the only option, he let Taylor in on Jon's whole story and how he ended up in their home.

"Wow," was his initial response. "Kid's been through the mill and back."

"Yeah, he has," Jordan agreed, sensing something else in Taylor's statement. "That's not all that's bothering you, though. Just spit it out."

Taylor took a deep breath, knowing he was venturing into sensitive territory. "I'm not the least bit upset with you bringing the boy here. It makes me wonder, though. What happens next time another Jon wanders into the ranch? Can you remain aloof enough to help them there or will all of them end up coming home with you?"

Jordan let out a resigned sigh. "I had a feeling you were gonna say that, but he just wandered up and began trusting me. He's been badly abused and living on the streets for 2 years, so what was I supposed to do?"

Taylor thought long and hard for several minutes, trying in vain to keep the smile off his face. "Looks like we're gonna have three kids, huh?"

Jordan closed the distance between them rapidly, bringing them crashing down onto the pillow top mattress. With wanton abandon, he attacked Taylor's mouth, driving his seeking tongue hard against his man's, establishing dominance over it mere moments. They broke long enough to take in air, frantically clawing at the others clothes in the process until their sweat slick bodies were able to glide against one another.

Taylor took control, rolling them over so Jordan was flat on his back, his body pinned beneath his lover's greater mass. Playfully, he licked at Jordan's lips, working light nibbles in as well. Moving to the dimpled chin, Taylor began flicking it, steadily moving down the pronounced neck. He stopped only long enough to consume Jordan's Adam's Apple, lavishing with a full on oral assault. Taylor felt fingers other than his dig deeply into his flesh, heightening the erotic tension between them by bringing on a tinge of pain. He remained on course, though, licking, nibbling, and sucking every piece of skin in his path. Moans of glory flew from Jordan's mouth as each sensitive spot on his upper body was delightfully assaulted.

"Oh God, baby. You're making me crazy," he gasped, brought on by the oral attention being paid to his overly sensitive nipples. The teeth raking over them sent blasts of electricity throughout his body, centered on his rapidly tightening scrotum.

The marauder continued lower, allowing a few giggles from ticklishness to come forth, adding the hype already being wrought in Jordan's body. By the time his steel hard cock came into view, the head was swollen and angry, topped by a rivulet of pre cum that rolled languidly down the shaft, only to replaced by another. Taylor grasped its hardness, thrilled to hear his man's sharp intake of breath. For a few agonizing seconds, he gripped it firmly, beating back all of Jordan's attempts to thrust into the warm hand. Ever so slowly, Taylor allowed his hand to rise, feeling the taut flesh pulse under his manipulation. Reaching the peak, he used his thumb to spread the leaking fluid around, then descend at an equally slow pace. He grinned wickedly as the man beneath writhed in frustration.

"I think somebody likes that," he said in his sexiest voice.

"Mmm...Aaaaah," were the only sounds Jordan could muster.

Adding fuel to the fire, Taylor rolled Jordan's nut sac carefully in his fingers, forcing another round of Neanderthal sounds to fill the air. Knowing his man was nearly to the point of no return, his mouth moved down, capturing the spongy head in its lips. Savoring its flavor like a fine candy, he sucked on it hard, his lips moving up and down on its quivering surface.

"Holy shit! How do you do that?" Jordan exclaimed breathlessly. "God, that feels so damn good!"

Taylor, smiling a bit with a mouth full of furiously leaking head, allowed his mouth to drop, working his tongue over the protruding vein until his nose rested in Jordan's sparse pubes. His throat muscles clutched at the hardness, milking it, encouraging it to spill its innermost reward. He began humming, growing hungry for his man's essence. The vibrations set off a chain reaction, breaking down all barriers of restraint.

With an ear piercing scream, Jordan burst, thrusting his cock forward and blasting several hot thick ropes of cum down Taylor's eager throat. Luckily, his head pulled back before the last volley was fired, enabling him to savor the fruit of his labor. Releasing the vacuum on Jordan's softening member, he crawled forward, locking their mouths in a deep kiss, sharing the succulent testicle honey between them.

Breathing raggedly, Jordan said, "That was un-fucking-believable!"

"You make it easy for me, baby, always have."

Jordan pulled him tight, letting his hand search for its target, only to be denied forcefully.

"Not tonight, babe. This was your night. We've got a lifetime to have 'our' night."

Snuggling together, the pair fell into a heavy slumber.

The ever annoying body clock had Taylor up at dawn again. So many times, he wanted to roll over and sleep another hour, but years of the same routine made that impossible. Instead of fretting about it, he rose quietly, intending to enjoy the morning peace and a cup of hot coffee on the newly finished veranda. Making his way downstairs with a voracious yawn, a dilemma presented itself upon his arrival in the kitchen.

"Dammit!" Taylor cursed aloud.

It was at that moment he remembered Leonard and Carl were gone on ranch business, so nobody had programmed the coffee maker the night before. He had a weak knowledge of how to use it, but Vin's teachings hadn't been put to the test in months. This coffee maker wasn't simple like the one in Orlando, and, worse yet, it was brand new. Staring at the controls intently, deciding whether he had the fortitude to give it a whirl, Taylor didn't hear another person enter the kitchen.

"I can do that for you if you like," the timid voice said.

Giving Jonathan an appraising look, he moved out of the way and let the kid take over. "Thanks," he said with a tinge of embarrassment.

"You looked like you could use some help," Jon said with a giggle.

"You could say that I suppose," was the cheeky reply. "Kitchen's have a way of conspiring against me."

With an experienced hand, Jon got the grounds measured out, the water poured and the machine running. An unexpected silence came over them as they watched the strong brew perk.

"Sleep well?" Taylor asked after some time.

"Not too bad, I guess. Sleep's never been my strong suit."

"Kinda like kitchens aren't mine," Taylor joked.

The humor thawed the chill between them, both becoming more at ease with one another. Jon poured them each a cup of java, seemingly pleased that they drank it the same way. Every chance he got, he stole a look at Taylor's eyes, finding the same kindness in them he'd found in Jordan's. This man was different though, definitely someone who held his emotions in check. 'Must be one hell of a poker player' Jon thought.

"I could fix you something to eat if you're hungry," he said so the silence was broken.

Taylor studied him carefully before replying, "There's usually some pastries in the fridge. Why don't we grab some and watch the sunrise from the veranda."

Nodding excitedly, Jon located the needed items and refilled their drinks before following Taylor outside. The morning was cool, made more so by the breeze blowing in off the ocean. For a time, the two ate, giving each other quick looks, like two fighters sizing each other up. All too soon, though, the pastry was gone and couldn't be used as an excuse for not talking.

"Tell me something about yourself," Taylor said.

Jon thought for a moment, trying to come up with something interesting. After some time, he began giggling. "Jordan and I have the same taste in men. He said you were tall and handsome, and boy was he right!" The boy blushed furiously after finishing.

Taylor sat opened mouthed, unsure of how to respond. He was flattered, to say the least, but he hardly knew this boy and had yet to connect him on any meaningful level. As opposed to speaking, he laughed which made Jon laugh and sent them into fits complete with tears before it was over. Eventually, their composure returned.

"It's your turn now...tell me something no one knows," Jon stated.

For Taylor, it was easy. "I never wanted to be an investment banker, but that's how it ended up. I'm good at it, but I'd have much rather been a pilot or something equally glamorous."

"You're an investment banker?" Jon asked.

"As lame as that is, yes I am."

"It's not lame at all. My dad was a broker and, after my mom died, it was all we had to talk about," Jon lamented.

"Did all that interest you?" Taylor asked with an idea developing in his mind.

"Yeah. Some of it was confusing, but I learned a lot. I was happy to have at least that connection to my father."

"Then come with me, young man. Allow me to make your day!" Taylor exclaimed.

With his arm around Jonathan, Taylor brought them back into the house, winding through a maze of rooms that ended in his office. Even though he had a corner suite in a downtown skyscraper, he left this one up and operational, secretly hoping to return to it for good one day. He put the boy behind the large desk, making sure the lights were dim, and then began throwing switches on a control panel. Gadgets lit up along the walls, bringing an instant sparkle to Jon's eyes. As the various tickers and financial news wires clicked off the latest international market information, the boy looked on with wonder. Taylor smiled that they'd found some sort of common ground between them. The perplexed look Jon was giving one of the screens caught his attention quickly.

"What?" Taylor asked.

"Hong Kong's down big time. That won't be good for US markets when they open."

Taylor verified the situation, both impressed by the kid's observation and distressed by the negative effect it could have on his clients' accounts. He immediately set about making calls to ensure moves were taken to ensure their customers' well being. Jonathan continued punching up symbols Taylor mentioned to ensure the task went smoothly. After an hour of strategizing, he had the trading set and ready long before New York opened and felt confident about the direction his team would follow.

"Can't say I'm not impressed," Taylor admitted. "You saved me a major headache, kiddo!"

Jonathan blushed at the fond term. "It was nothing. I really do find all of this interesting. It reminds me of much happier times in my life."

Taylor's chest tightened upon hearing Jon's sad sentiment. For some reason, he decided from that moment on, the kid would never suffer again. Job number one was getting his mind off his problems, and Taylor chose a particularly evil method for accomplishing that. Moving toward the boy like lightning, he dug his fingers into the sensitive ribs, causing a howl of laughter to rush from the teen's lips. Never being one to sit idly by and be attacked, Jon fought back, and the two soon began to wrestle around on the floor. Both laughed loudly the entire time.

Jordan woke with a start just after 8 A.M. After clearing the fog from his brain and concluding he was alone, he rose from the bed's comforts to see to his morning ablutions. It became obvious that it was far earlier than he normally rose, but he hated a cold lonely bed. Strapping a robe to his otherwise naked body, Jordan exited the room and made his way downstairs in search of coffee. An unexpected sound hit his ears about halfway down. It was playful yelling and uproarious laughter. The closer he got to the ground, the louder the commotion became. With an abundance of curiosity and an equivalent amount of nervousness, he sought out the source of the ruckus, easily locating it due to the excessive volume level. The sight he found was both surprising and heartwarming.

Taylor and Jonathan both lay on the floor breathless, their faces both red from an obvious wrestling match. Both grinned widely when the noticed the smirking figure leaning in the doorway.

"Hey baby," Taylor said before rising to give his beloved a morning kiss.

"Hey yourself," he replied cheekily. "Seems you've had a busy morning!"

Taylor and Jon gave each other knowing looks and burst out laughing. Without saying a word, they silently communicated a new objective to each other. Their looks went from light to evil in a flash, both reacting with lightning speed to acquire their target.

Before he knew what hit him, Jordan was on the ground with four set of fingers digging mercilessly into his sensitive sides. He laughed and screamed so hard that tears rolled freely down his cheeks. Despite all of his best efforts, he was unable to repel the onslaught and became resigned to his fate. Soon enough, his besiegers wore themselves out and retreated. The three of them adjourned to the kitchen and began consuming generous cups of steaming coffee.

"You were up early," Jordan said to Jonathan. "Did you sleep okay?"

"Better than I have in a while actually, but sleep never comes easily."

Jordan gave him a thoughtful look, making a mental note to visit the subject later. For now, he was happy that Taylor and their newest friend seemed to be getting along. He smiled at the beaming child and the man he loved more than life itself, reflecting on the differences in their lives from just a few short months ago. There was work to be done, however, and someone had to get things back on course.

"I hate to break up our little love fest, but we need to get dressed and head out to the ranch," Jordan announced. As expected, he received groans in return.

"What's your hurry, babe?" Taylor began. "The work's not going anywhere and I'd hoped to spend a little time together before things got hectic again."

Jordan's loins stirred slightly at the thought, but his resolve never wavered. "I'll make you a deal, my love. If we get enough done today, we'll all take tomorrow off and gather the family together for a day of sun and fun. Is that agreeable?"

Taylor snickered, but acceded to Jordan's wishes. "That sounds like a plan! No more lazing around here, boys. Let's get this show on the road!"

The trio smiled and moved off to do just that.

~~~~~~

When they arrived at the ranch, they were surprised not only to find Vin already there, but Thad as well. Taylor and Jordan ran to greet the friend they hadn't seen for a while, while Jonathan guardedly stayed behind.

"Howdy, stranger," Taylor greeted, embracing Thad heartily.

"It's good to see you my friend," he replied. "It's been far too long."

"He's gonna remedy that situation, though," Vin assured everyone. "I understand he's gotta work, but this has been over the top!"

Thad blushed, and gave his lover an evil look. "Snookie, I thought we agreed that was a discussion for another time."

"This is another time!" Vin shot back. "Our family's here now, so there's no better moment to hash it out."

"Denton's been keeping you busy, I suppose," Jordan said.

Before Thad could respond, though, Vin answered for him. "It's much more than that. Superman here keeps volunteering himself for everything he comes across. Not only is it killing him, it's killing me!"

Looking at their attorney friend, it was obvious a toll was being taken on his body. His normally bright eyes were ringed with dark circles and appeared to be bloodshot. He'd yawned several times since they'd gathered, further cementing his exhaustion. His friends became concerned as well.

"Why are you doing this to yourself, Thad?" Taylor asked.

"I don't mean to, I swear, but he's into so many wonderful things that I can't help myself. What I do for him makes me feel like I'm part of something important, so I dive in head first."

Jordan frowned. "Are we less important to you now? It's obvious you can't keep this up, but I know what it's like to crave being part of something worthwhile."

"I know you do, and I'm happy to have at least one person in my corner."

"No way, mister, am I agreeing that you should continue like this. Something's gotta give, Thad!" Jordan chided.

Vin moved to his lover's side, putting his arms around the man's midsection. "I'm not trying to be a bitch, Thad, but you're burning yourself out. I couldn't live with myself if something happened because you were too stubborn to slow down. If you won't do it for yourself, then do it for us."

Thad watched helplessly as a single tear escaped his lover's right eye. He brushed it away with his thumb, and kissed Vin's forehead. "Okay, Snookie, I'll try."

Vin pushed Thad off, clearly annoyed. "Try is the best you can do? I can't stand this anymore, Thad. When our relationship means more to you, let me know." He stormed off angrily, leaving a stunned group in his wake.

Jordan, ever the comforter, moved to Thad's side. "It'll be alright. Give him some time to cool off and try talking about it again."

Before Thad could respond, a small voice spoke up.

"It won't be okay! You'll take on more and more until the people you love don't know you anymore. It's selfish and cruel, whether you wanna admit or not. Your partner is dying without you and you're too self absorbed to see it," Jonathan exclaimed.

"Jonathan, ease up!" Taylor commanded, only to be brushed off.

"Not this time, dammit! I did that once before and it ruined my life. I'll die before I let someone else do it!" he cried. The emotional outburst sent Jonathan scurrying after Vin, further shocking the other three.

"Oh God, what have I done?" Thad asked aloud.

"Jordan, take Thad inside and get started. I'll be along in a few," Taylor commanded. His suggestion was followed without hesitation.

He moved away from the buildings and punched in a number on his phone. A few rings later, a polite female voice answered.

"Hi, Sheila, is he available?" Taylor asked.

"One moment, sweetie," she said. "He's always got time for you."

True to her word, Denton Tolliver came on the line moments later. "Taylor, so good to hear from you. To what do I owe the honor of your call?"

"I wish it was a good one, but it's not so I'm gonna get right to it. Thad needs a break, regardless of what he says. The man's been burning the candle at both ends and it's taking its toll. Vin's about to burst a blood vessel in his head worrying about the whole thing."

Denton chuckled at that mental picture. "Why didn't he say something, Taylor? I had no clue we were overloading him like that. He's by far the best attorney I've got, and I'd hate to see him burn out before his time."

"He's a prideful SOB, but he loves doing your work. I think he's bitten off more than he can chew, though."

"Tell me what we need to do to fix things then," Denton said.

"He needs to take a break. I know he won't consider it unless he hears it directly from you. Anything I can do to convince you to help?"

"Where are you now?"

"We're all at the ranch," Taylor replied.

"See you in thirty minutes," Denton said before abruptly terminating the call.

Taylor closed his phone fraught with worry. He knew he had Thad's best interests at heart, but his friend might not see it that way. Gathering his resolve, he moved into the main house to join the others.

He found half of them in the kitchen unpacking recently arrived dishes and glasses. Jonathan and Vin were still conspicuously missing.

"Hey," Taylor said to Jordan quietly, wrapping his arms around him from behind.

"There you are," Jordan said before kissing Taylor's cheek. "I was about to send a search party."

"Where's the other two?" Taylor asked.

"Commiserating," was Thad's hushed response.

Taylor put a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. "It's all gonna work out, Thad. You're stressed, he's stressed and a mole hill's now a mountain. Somewhere along the way, the lines of communication broke down between you two."

Thad sighed. "I know you're right, but the work excited me. I haven't felt that way since I tried my first case in college. For the first time in years, I'm doing important work and I can't get enough of the way it makes me feel. I was ignorant to think it came without a price, though. I feel like shit about that part."

"Vin's not mad," Jordan assure. "He's scared. I can read that man like a book, and his eyes are filled with fear. I think he's petrified of losing you, Thad."

"That's ridiculous, Jordan!" the frustrated attorney retorted. "He knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that I love him more than anyone and would never, ever leave him for any reason."

"He knows that too," Jordan retorted. "It's not that kind of loss he's concerned about. He's tying himself in knots worrying about a more permanent kind of loss."

Thad was clearly confused, so Taylor tried to make things clearer. "How ya been feeling lately, Thad?"

"Not great," he admitted. "I feel drawn out and haven't been sleeping so well."

Taylor eased to Thad's side and put an arm over his shoulder. "No offense, bud, but you look terrible. I can see exactly why Vin's so worried."

"C'mon, Taylor, you know I've got a handle on this. Just gimme a break."

"No can do, mon ami. You're not doing right by yourself or your partner, and I can't stand by watching you do it. It's time to make a change."

Deep inside, Thad knew his friends were right. He held his hands up in surrender. "Alright, alright, I'll finish what I have left and then I swear I'll slow down."

"That's not good enough," Denton Tolliver boomed from behind Thad.

"Denton, what're you doing here?" Thad asked.

"Showing concern for my obviously overworked attorney is what I'm doing," he said. "I'm disappointed in you, Thad. I know you enjoy the work you do for me, but at what cost? Listen to your friends. They know what they're talking about."

"So what do you think I should do? Should I stop doing what I enjoy?" Thad snapped.

"Under no circumstances should you stop, but the work's not going anywhere. It's time to take a breather."

"Jesus Christ, Denton, I already agreed to that!" Thad said in exasperation.

"No, you said you would when all your current work was completed. I can't accept that. As of now, I'm suspending our business relationship for a while. Take some time off, Thad, and get your batteries recharged."

"Denton, I can handle this. Please don't take extreme measures."

The elder executive ran his hands through his hair. "I'm sorry, but this is for your own good. It's not permanent, but until I'm satisfied that you're gonna be okay, I'm not changing my mind. Get some rest, Thad."

"Fine," Thad spat before storming from the room.

Taylor moved to Denton and extended his hand. "Thanks for doing that. I know it wasn't easy."

Denton shook Taylor's hand in return. "Neither is what I'm about to do. Thad's not the only unhappy and overworked soul in my midst. Maria filled me in on your desire to stop traveling and the reasons behind it. When I offered you this position, I didn't figure you'd last a month. It's not easy to go from being your own boss to being an employee."

Taylor and Jordan looked on in confusion as Denton continued. "Taylor, life is too short to spend it doing anything you hate. Times change, and so do life aspirations. Working for me is not right for you. I know you haven't said anything, but inside you're just as frazzled as your friend out there. Therefore, as of now, I'm relieving you of your duties. This isn't a punishment, it's a liberation. Do what you need to do to be happy and know you'll always have my friendship."

There were no words for several seconds. Taylor wanted to be shocked and dismayed, but he wasn't. The only emotions coursing through him were relief and elation. A broad smile overtook his face.

"Thank you for understanding, Denton. You've done me a huge favor and I can't begin to express what that means to me."

Taking a hand from Jordan and Taylor, Denton placed them together. "Love each other, be happy and live your dreams."

The couple nodded and watched as Denton Tolliver left their presence. They took a few moments to let recent events sink in.

"You aren't happy?" Jordan asked hesitantly.

Taylor turned and took the younger man into his arms. "With you, I couldn't be happier. The job sucked. Watching you bring your dreams into reality made me realize that I wanted something different, and Denton advanced the timetable."

"What are you gonna do now?"

"Right now," Taylor began, "I'm gonna find Thad and share something I've been thinking about. While I'm doing that, you're gonna find Vin so we can help our family heal its wounds. Okay?"

Jordan nodded and went off to find his friend. Taylor took a deep breath and headed outside to look for Thad. He found him sitting amongst a group of potted flowers waiting to be planted.

"Hey," Taylor said quietly while taking a seat next to his comrade. "How ya doing?"

"That's a stupid fucking question, Taylor!" Thad railed. "Why doesn't anyone understand that it feels good to have a life that makes a difference?"

"We understand that more than you know, but none of us are willing to let it become an obsession big enough to cause harm. It's time we changed all that, my friend."

"If I know you like I think I do, you came out here with an idea. Care to share it?"

Taylor grinned. "First, it seems you aren't the only one that doesn't work for Denton Tolliver anymore. He did me the greatest favor and let me go after you left."

"Oh shit, Taylor, that sucks!" Thad said with alarm.

"Trust me, dude, it's a wonderful thing. I'm free to do what I've been thinking about now, and I think it's something you might be interested in."

"Get to the point, Taylor!"

"What about coming onboard here fulltime? There's gonna be a sea of legal issues to deal with, and I can take over fundraising along with endowment management. At the same time, we could be here making a difference in the life of a child who needs it badly."

Thad looked off into the distance, considering what Taylor proposed. He drew up a quick list of pros and cons in his mind, feeling excitement begin to build within him. His friend was right. Everything he felt he needed was right here, especially the people he cared about most. The decision was a no-brainer.

"Ya know, for a simple stock jockey, you can be pretty smart sometimes," he said with a grin. The two of them joined in a tight hug to cement the deal.

"I think this is gonna be tremendous fun, Thad Barber. We've discussed working together before, and now it's a reality. Before we get too excited, though, there's some people inside that are hurting and need to be soothed."

"You're telling me," Thad said glumly. "I'm not sure if I can get forgiveness this time. I've pretty much ignored Vin the last few months and I know he's not happy."

"Have faith in your love, Thad. Everything's gonna be just fine."

Thad nodded and rose from the ground. With a look of deep regret, he made his way into the house. He found Vin, Jordan and Jonathan gathered in the kitchen. It was obvious his lover had been crying.

When he saw Thad come in, Jordan led Jonathan away so his friends could discuss their issues in private. The silence between the couple was deafening.

"What have I done wrong, Thad? Is there something I could do differently that would make you wanna come home?" Vin asked sadly after some time.

"It's not you, baby. You're as perfect as ever, and I love you more every day."

"Then what is it? What happened to bring us to this point?"

Thad took Vin's hand and led him to a nearby couch. "It was me, Snookie. I let myself get in a rut, and the stuff I did for Denton made me feel useful again. I'm sorry I got carried away with it, and I'm most sorry I shut you out. That's an error it's gonna take me a long time to get over."

"I'm angry and hurt, Thad. We've shared everything up to now, and I can't believe you shut me out. Tell me what I did wrong and I swear it'll never happen again." Tears began to fall from Vin's eyes, causing Thad's stomach to tighten.

He pulled Vin into him and kissed him passionately. "Vincent Channing, I love you. I always have and I always will. If you'll let me, I'll spend my life showing you how much. I've been a complete fool, and I promise things are gonna be better from now on."

The lovers shared another lip lock and felt some of the tension drain from between them. Things weren't perfect, but they were on their way back.

"I think Taylor's come up with a way to keep us all happy," Thad announced.

"This ought to be interesting," Vin said with a chuckle.

"Taylor and I want to take over the legal and financial issues of the ranch fulltime. It may be stressful at times, but we'll have you and Jordan nearby to keep our feet on the ground."

Vin's face lit up with glee. "I think it's an amazing idea. This project grows bigger and more unruly every day. It'll be a joy to have another pair of cool heads to help us tame it."

Thad took on a serious look and stared into Vin's eyes. "I couldn't imagine my life without you in it, and I promise that nothing like this will ever come between us again. If this becomes too much, we walk away. I'll never take the chance of losing you again."

The lovers kissed deeply until they heard a commotion outside. Moments later, a very excited Jordan stormed into the room with Taylor and Jonathan in tow.

"We need a group hug now!" he announced firmly.

Nobody argued. The ragtag family came together and felt unstoppable.

The ranch came together quickly after Taylor and Thad joined the effort. Out of a useless group of buildings came a place where displaced gay teens could live, learn and feel safe. The sense of accomplishment was deeply felt by everyone involved as the official opening date edged ever closer.

Ashley grew larger and more irritable as well. Pete tried everything in his power to keep her happy, but the babies made it impossible for her to be comfortable. Her spirits fell as the due date got nearer, but her pseudo family banded together and kept her mostly occupied. Jonathan was the greatest help here. He spent countless hours playing cards, giving massages and taking walks along the beach with Ashley. The two became friends of the first order, and found solace in their closeness.

Ashley wasn't the only person Jonathan took a shine to. Everyone was quite surprised that he and Thad grew tight. Their relationship grew to the point that Thad and Vin became like parents to the boy, even taking him into their home permanently. Eventually, the men adopted him as their son and became proud as he blossomed into a sensitive, caring adolescent. His uncles were equally proud to have him as a permanent part of their lives.

All the manual labor finally ended. The Hope Ranch was fully renovated and ready to accept its first residents. Working with state agencies, twelve boys, all gay, were selected to take up residence there in three weeks. Four teachers, a cook, and several volunteers were brought onboard to aid in creating a stable environment for them. Leonard and Carl did a fabulous job finding the right mix of caring people that would ensure the kids would flourish.

They joined the rest of the family, Ashley and Pete included, in doing a final inspection of everything they'd worked hard to build. The results were amazing.

"I can't believe it's real," Jordan said as he looked around the classroom facilities. "We really pulled it off!"

"Not too shabby for a bunch of fags," Vin added.

"I second that," Carl agreed.

"Be proud of yourself, boys. This place is one of a kind, and it's gonna set the standard for others like it. You've truly created something special here, and those who come through its gates will be forever changed," Lila said.

"I want everyone to know," Jordan began, "that none of this would have happened without you. I..."

The speech was interrupted by a loud yell of "JORDAN" from Pete outside the door. Everyone rushed out to find Ashley standing above a puddle of liquid and the front of her maternity dress wet.

"My water broke," she said timidly.

Pandemonium ensued as everyone hurriedly barked orders in all directions. Jordan whistled loudly to calm things down.

"Calm the hell down, everyone! Taylor, get Ashley and Pete to the Lexus. Carl, drive Leonard and Lila home to get Ashely's bag and meet us at the hospital. Thad, you, Vin and Jonathan follow behind us and keep your car there in case we need you to run out."

Heads nodded and the family members proceeded to their assigned stations. They got Ashley in the car just as the first heavy contraction set in. Jordan held her hand through it, and breathed a sigh of relief when it subsided. Taylor got the engine running and drove quickly toward the hospital.

Upon arriving, it was decided that Ashley's mother and Pete would stay by her side as labor became more intense. More than once everyone could hear Ashley telling poor Pete that he was never touching her again. Jordan and Taylor made sure ice chips were available at all times and stood ready to fetch a nurse on a moment's notice.

After eighteen long arduous hours, the babies were finally ready to meet their anxious family. With a firm grip on Jordan's hand, Ashley pushed with all her might, becoming exhausted in the process. Jordan kept up the words of encouragement, even becoming stern when required. Taylor stood behind the doctor, nervously watching as the top of the first head slowly came into view.

"Okay, Ashley, one more good push and the first head will be out," Sharon announced.

Gathering her fading resolve, Ashley screamed and gave a hearty push. The first baby's head came into the air, as the doctor quickly suctioned its nose and mouth. Another fierce push and Emily Carla Bryant came into the world. Taylor cut the cord and she was quickly handed off to a waiting nurse.

The contractions began hard and another head slowly came out. Sharon cleared the airways and encouraged Ashley to give one more hard burst. The worn out teen bore down, pushing Jacob Leland Bryant into his parents' view. A shrill cry erupted from the guest of honor as tears came to Jordan and Taylor's eyes. They couldn't stop looking at each other in wonder as the two new lives were cleaned and swaddled in blankets.

"Would you like to hold your children?" a nurse asked the stunned men. They nodded as their voices temporarily failed them. Two small bundles, one blue and one pink, were placed in their arms. They looked down at their children with wet eyes and wallowed in the newfound love that they felt.

Sharon attended to Ashley then ordered everyone from the room so she could rest. A nurse led Taylor and Jordan to the nursery, where they were seated in rocking chairs and given bottles of formula. As the babies ate, Jordan and Taylor stared at each other happily. They knew in their hearts that nothing felt as right as it did just then.

The babies fell asleep in their daddies' arms, and the proud parents enjoyed every moment.

Taylor Christian Bryant took stock of his life to date. He had a loving partner, two beautiful children, a mother and two dads that were the best, a pair of amazing friends, and a nephew that was growing into a fine man.

There was no question...he really did have it all!