Seth Rollins-Reigns laughed when Adam dropped his pen for the tenth time in ten minutes. "What is with you, buddy? You're a nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs." He handed Adam the dropped pen.
Adam flushed. "I don't know why, Seth. I am not really that nervous about my first real date with Dean tonight. The kids are safe with Randy. But, for some reason, I am… uneasy, more than nervous." He gave a shrug. Maybe it was just first date nerves.
Seth frowned. "Your Spidy senses kicking in? I know you, Adam. You are not the nervous type." He honestly didn't know what to say. He did feel something bothered Adam, but he wasn't going to push.
Adam sighed. "You remember that Alberto guy I told you about? Well, he was at the coffee shop this morning when I stopped for our coffee and donuts. I've never seen him before in my life, and now I have run into him three times in three days. It just… bugs me." He wasn't going to tell about his encounter with Alberto that morning, but maybe Seth should know.
Seth frowned again "Do you think he is stalking you? Like has a crush on you or something?"
Adam shrugged. "Maybe. The thing is, he was already at the coffee shop. It's not like he followed me there. Maybe it was just a coincidence. He said hello, asked about the kids, then left. Maybe I am reading more into it than is there. Yeah, I am just being silly. He probably moved to the neighborhood and that explains it. Okay, I am alright now. I am going to concentrate on having a good time with Dean." Adam pulled himself together.
Seth smiled, Adam did look much better. "That's my, Adam. Did you get caramel ice cream topping?" Seth asked as he finished his work on his charts.
Adam flushed. He too wrote on his charts. "Two bottles. Do you know if Dean minds candles? Some people love them others don't." Adam knew Seth knew Dean much better than he did.
"Considering he burns vanilla candles all the time, I would say he likes them. You're going to find that Dean the homebody is very much different from Doctor Ambrose." Seth gave Adam a wink.
At three in the afternoon, Adam and Seth signed out of work. They walked together to the parking lot.
"Wish me luck." Adam gave his best friend a hug and kiss.
Seth returned Adam's affection. "You will be fine. Sure you don't want me to come help you get ready? I really don't mind. Roman is off playing golf with Shawn and Hunter. Well, Hunter, Shawn only drives the cart." He gave a little laugh.
Adam nodded. "He can't play golf because of his back, but he loves watching Hunter. Come on then, I could use the company. Follow me." He was glad to have Seth come home with him. The house was huge and lonely without the kids and Ida.
Thirty minutes later, Seth stood in Adam's huge closet and looked over his friend's wardrobe. Adam soaked in his favorite bubble bath. Seth picked out a few things and laid them out on the bed for Adam to chose from. He then went to sit in the bathroom with Adam.
"I will miss a hot soak once I reach my last trimester. I put some clothes on your bed. Oh, a bit of advice, Dean isn't too fond of guy-liner. Drake wore it, a lot." Seth pointed to the kohl stick Adam had put out to use later.
Adam looked at Seth. "Thanks for telling me. I wore some on the night of the fundraiser."
Seth laughed. "That he doesn't mind, for fancy occasions. I mean don't wear it on a casual at home date. Anything you want me to do in the kitchen? Or in the den?" He wanted to help Adam as much as possible.
Adam twisted his lips as he thought. "Nothing I can think of. I will light the candles just before six. I am not cooking, well, serving anything, except dessert. I can dish up ice cream. Oh, warm the caramel or cold?" He looked at his friend as Seth sorted through his hair products.
"Warm. Does this work?" Seth held up a jar that promised no frizz from blow drying.
Adam laughed. "Don't know, never used it. Take it if you want. It's some sample Randy gave me a couple of weeks ago. He gets more samples than anyone could ever use, so he gives me a lot. Perk of owning a pharmaceutical company I guess."
"Thanks. It's for Ro to try. He gets bad frizz from a blow dryer, but he can't wear wet head at the office. I'll let you finish in private. I'll do your hair. Can I watch your TV and sit on your bed?" Seth asked as he held onto the sample jar.
Adam laughed. "You don't have to ask. I will call when I'm ready. I want a braid."
Seth stood. "Good, braid looks nice. Especially now that your hair is longer." He left the bathroom to watch television till Adam called him.
Adam finished his bath with a body hair removal. Both he and Randy hated sweaty body hair So they removed it. It was a habit Adam had kept from his marriage. Adam also carefully trimmed his pubic hairs. Not that sex was on the cards, but, it too was a normal routine. The last bit of trimming Adam did was to his beard. Adam could grow a beard to shame a mountain man, but, he never ever let go that far. He kept his beard close, almost a stubble, but a bit longer. Adam made sure his mustache was just as light and even.
Adam put on his favorite blue silk robe. It had been a gift from his children last Christmas, and he loved it. He sat on his vanity chair.
"Okay Sethie, I'm ready." Adam called out as he began to brush his long, wet hair.
Seth came into the bathroom. He picked up Adam's hair dryer and set to work. When he finished, Adam's long hair was pulled into a flat braid.
Adam looked at Seth's work. "That is perfect, honey. Thank you. I can do the girls hair, but I can't make my own flat. Okay, lets pick my clothes." Adam hugged Seth and they went to the main room.
Adam chuckled. "I guess Dean likes purple?" Seth had laid out six different shirts in shades of purple.
"Nooo, what ever gave you an idea like that? One thing, Drake hated purple. Oh my mouth. Look, I just… no, you are not Drake. Sorry, my protective side is out again. Ignore me. Pregnancy hormones." Seth shut himself up.
"It's alright, Sethie. I do understand. I promise, even if Dean and I decide not to date, I will not hurt him. I am not this Drake guy. Now, what about this one?" Adam held up a dark purple Polo shirt. He wanted to look nice, but was it too casual?
Seth looked at Adam, then the other shirts. "I think it's perfect. A button down is too dressy, but a regular tee shirt is too casual. With your blue black skinny jeans, you will be a sexy beast. Also, your socks are fine, who wears shoes at home. Here, these match the shirt." He'd opened Adam's sock drawer and pulled out a nice pair.
"Is it bad that you know which drawer is my sock drawer?" Adam wriggled into his skinny jeans.
Seth chuckled. "And mine is?"
"Third drawer on the left, in your oak dresser." Adam replied without even thinking. They both laughed. After more discussion, it was decided that wearing the shirt untucked was better.
Seth was halted by a text alert. He pulled out his pone and read the message. "Oh that's easy…" He quickly typed a reply. Adam was in his closet to hang up the shirts not chosen.
"What's easy?" Adam asked as he closed the closet door.
Seth bit his lip. "Maybe I shouldn't say. Oh well, it was from Ro. Wanted to know your favorite flowers. Wild with daisies mixed in. So, um… be surprised. Wonder how many times Dean has either talked to or texted Roman?" He put his phone away with a laugh.
Adam laughed as well, as he turned so Seth could do a last look check "Glad to know I am not the only slightly nervous one So, do I pass?"
Seth made the "okay" sign with his fingers. "You are so hot, you're sizzling. Okay, I'd better scoot. Let you breathe, light your candles. Relax, if nothing else, Adam; Dean Ambrose is a true gentleman. Have fun, honey." Seth gave Adam a hug and a kiss.
"Thanks, buddy. I do appreciate you coming to help me. Be careful driving home. You behave in there Baby Reigns." Adam gave Seth's belly a rub. He walked Seth downstairs and waved as his best friend drove away. Adam went back inside.
The grandfather clock told him it was five thirty. Adam went to the adult den. He'd decided it was the coziest room. It was also one of two rooms where the kids were not allowed, unless Adam was with them.
It was a dark paneled room, with a pale silver plush, lush carpet. The west wall was all dark walnut shelves. It was an entertainment center on a grand scale. The flat screen hung on the wall, and had a surround sound speaker system. Books and small knick-knacks filled the rest of the shelves.
On the south wall, was Adam's treasure. When Randy made his first million, he invested in two pieces of artwork. A Rembrandt and a Degas. Randy took the Rembrandt and let Adam keep the Degas. It was not one of Degas' dancer paintings. It was one called Jockeys in the Rain, and had been painted in 1886. It was a painting of jockeys on elegant race horses, waiting for the race to start, during a rain shower. Adam loved the graceful, elegant way the horses were painted. Rand had bargained a good price at an estate sale in England.
A light in the ceiling put the painting in the perfect glow. Adam turned on the soft light. He didn't want to brag about the painting, it just made the beautiful room even nicer.
A long, leather couch was against the east wall. Walnut end tables at either end completed the look. Each table had a small Tiffany lamp, that had been sold with the house. There was a large painting of six white horses running in the waves of the ocean over the couch. It was just a print, but Adam loved it too.
The north wall was really a huge window., that fit the rounded "tower" of the house. It was leaded glass and also had a wide, curved window seat. The cushion was of a dark, royal blue and went well with the dark walnut of the rest of the room.
The last bit of furniture was the walnut and glass topped coffee table. It was nearly as long as the eight foot couch. Adam had put three, three wick candles on the table on silver candle plates. He lit the nine wicks. Luckily, the candles were vanilla scented. Adam was glad they were Dean's favorite.
Adam pulled the blue velvet drapes of the window. Now the room was softly lit, and smelled like a vanilla paradise. Just as he gave the room a final glance, the clock chimed six and the doorbell rang. Dean was nothing if but on time.
Adam gave himself a quick look in the bathroom mirror across the hall, then hurried off to answer the door.
Adam took a deep breath then opened the front door. Dean stood on the step with a huge pizza box and a big bouquet of wild flowers with a dozen white daises mixed in. Dean's face held his trademark boyish, impish grin.
"How lovely. Please, come in Dean." Adam stood back and waved his arm to welcome Dean into his home.
Dean stepped into the house and kissed Adam's cheek after Adam closed and locked the front door. Adam took the flowers Dean held out to him.
"They are beautiful, Dean. Come on, we can dish up in the kitchen. You look handsome." Adam flushed a bit as he carried the flowers into the kitchen.
Dean wore a medium purple Burberry shirt, with stonewashed jeans and black cowboy boots. He had also managed to tame his auburn hair a bit, but not so much that he lost that boyish charm.
"You look absolutely stunning. The flowers are pale in comparison. Are we eating in here?" Dean asked as Adam arranged the flowers in a silver Tiffany vase, also sold with the house.
"No, in the den, so we can watch a movie if you want. We can take the plates and napkins with us. Follow me." Adam grabbed two plates and a stack of napkins, as well as the vase of flowers. He led Dean down the hall to the "adult" den.
Dean was stunned. "Wow, just wow. This is beautiful, Adam. He put the pizza box down on the coffee table next to the plates Adam had set down.
Adam put the vase of flowers on a low, walnut table under the Degas painting. It was just the right touch to the area, as the flowers picked up the light from the ceiling.
"It's why the kids are not allowed in here alone. It is my… adult space. What would you like to drink?" Adam nearly forgot they needed a beverage with their pizza.
"Iced tea? Wait, is that a real Degas?" Dean stepped over and took a closer look at the master artwork.
Adam ducked his head. "Yes, it is. See..." He went on to explain about how and why he had the valuable artwork. "… so, Randy took the Rembrandt and gave me this. I really love the elegant horses." Adam excused himself to get their iced tea.
Dean looked at some of the books Adam had. He smiled when he noticed they had a lot of the same books. He sat down on the large leather couch. It was like being on a cloud. He stood again when Adam returned with two very large glasses of iced tea.
Adam put the glasses down on the table on some cork coasters. Adam sat on the couch. Dean sat close, but not touching close.
"That smells wonderful. Well, can we eat? I am starving. I missed lunch today at work." Adam eyed the delicious smelling pizza box.
Dean laughed. "Me too, only I was at the gym. Please, do help yourself." He leaned up and opened the pizza box. He indicated for Adam to take the first slice.
Adam took a slice and slid it onto his plate. "Still piping hot!" He licked his fingers.
"Yes, they put a thermal plate in their boxes. Small family joint not far from my place. The sauce and mozzarella are handmade on site. Oh, and it has garlic, but we're both eating it so it won't matter." Dean gave Adam an extra impish grin as he took a slice.
Adam bit into his slice of pizza. All manners went out of the window, as he spoke before he swallowed. "Oh my God, this isn't pizza, it's Heaven on pizza crust." He swallowed and took another bite.
Dean nodded with an "Um hum" sound. He was too busy eating his pizza to talk at the moment.
Both men downed two slices each, then they took a third, but Adam spoke before he ate.
"Dean, seriously, this is the best pizza I've ever eaten. The sauce is so fresh and so is the mozzarella. I don't think I've ever eaten fresh, homemade mozzarella. Tell me where this place is. Do they deliver?" Adam bit into his third slice.
Dean chuckled. "I'll tell Tony about you. No, they don't deliver. He says it would be too costly. It really is just a very small place. Tony does it out of love, not for money. The neighborhood keeps him in business. He is a widower and his four sons help him in rotation. He'd really make a fuss over the little lions. How are they?" He continued to enjoy his food.
Adam swallowed, took a sip of tea, then responded. "Fine. I love how much they enjoy their weekends with Randy. I'm okay on Friday, and Saturday, especially when I work, but I am miserable by Sunday. Still, it's good for me, and them. It seems like just yesterday I was up to my neck in diapers and bottles. Now, they are in the second grade. I will blink and they will be in college." Adam sighed, then ate more pizza.
"I can't imagine how fast it must go. I remember as a kid, Christmas was so slow in coming. Now, it's whoosh, here and gone. Do you have a Christmas tradition with the kids?" Dean asked between bites and sips.
Adam smiled softly. "A few. I told you about our family red sweater Christmas picture. On Christmas Eve, they bake cookies with Ida. Gives me time to wrap packages. The Helmsley's come over for a bit and either Shawn or Hunter reads Twas the Night Before Christmas. Then after baths, they put out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. Then they climb into my bed, and I read Rudolph. They then go to their beds. That's when I put their gifts under the tree. Wrapped ones are from people and the unwrapped ones are from Santa. We're doing bikes this year for their big gift. Then on Christmas morning, Randy comes for the day. Randy takes them home. On the twenty sixth, they go to Saint Louis for the day and have Christmas with grandma and grandpa Orton. Oh, and during December, they make decorations for the house and tree. Also, this year, I am taking them to the Angel Tree at the hospital. The are going to pick two names and spend their own money. That was Jordan's idea. The girls want to pick a boy and the boys want a girl. Sorry, I talk too much about the kids." Adam flushed a bit.
Dean finished his last bite of pizza. "No, you don't. You have great traditions. They will remember them for the rest of their lives. Maybe I could come over sometime and read them a short version of A Christmas Carol or something. You can have the last slice. Don't waste it, Tony hates leftovers. Can I turn on the TV?" Dean looked at Adam with a nod to the last slice.
"Sure, remote is on the table. Split it with me? I can't eat another whole slice. Oh, and yeah, you can come read to them around Christmas." Adam nodded to the remote. He then ripped the slice of pizza in half, down the middle.
Dean turned on the TV and flipped the channel to the soft classical music station. He put the volume on low. It was nice in the background.
"Thanks, sweetie." Dean took the half slice with a bit of flirtation in his eyes and in his voice.
Adam gave Dean a sly wink. They "clinked" their slices then ate them. Adam laid back against the couch and let out a sigh.
"I feel like I just stuffed my four kids back into my belly. Thank you, Dean. That was the best pizza I have eaten." Adam rubbed his belly.
Dean laughed. "Well, you don't look stuffed. Sorry, but I bet you were beautiful when you were pregnant. Wish I could have seen your baby belly." He gave Adam's belly a quick pat.
"Well..." Adam sat up. He opened the drawer of the coffee table. He pulled out a small photo album. He handed it to Dean.
Dean opened the photo album There was a picture of Adam. He was heavily pregnant and stark naked, save a navy blue cloth that covered his privates. Adam's hands rested on his huge belly.
Dean stared at the picture. "More beautiful than I ever imagined..." He closed the album and put it back. "Thank you for sharing that with me." He gave Adam a very soft smile.
Adam gave Dean a warm pat on the knee. "Thank you. It was a special time in my life, and you understand that. Maybe I shouldn't talk about this, but, it took Randy a long time to convince me I was beautiful. He had me sit for a very professional photographer. That was the result. When I saw the picture, I realized a life or lives was a beautiful thing, and I was blessed to be chosen to give birth to four angels. So, that photo is very special to me."
Dean took Adam's hand in his. "Thank you again for sharing it with me. Listen, don't be afraid to talk about Randy with me. He was your husband, you loved him and still do to a point, as the father of the children. Randy is part of your life and always will be, because of the children. It wouldn't ever want that to change, nor should it. Can we talk? I mean really talk?" Dean turned serious, the boyish, impish look was gone. A serious man looked at Adam.
Adam sensed the change in Dean. He turned more toward Dean to look directly at him. "Yes, Dean. Of course we can really talk. You have my full attention."
Dean gently took Adam's hands in his. "Adam, I really like you and have for a while now. I wish I'd been more confident in approaching you sooner. Roman finally told me to just pull myself together and just do it. He was right. So, here it goes. I would like to pursue a serious relationship with you. I hate the labels society applies to things, but, I don't know how else to say it. I would like to be your boyfriend. To be even more high school, I would like us to go steady. Be totally exclusive to each other. I know you probably can't answer me right now, and that is alright. I know you have to consider the little lions. I don't want to even try to replace Randy in any way. I just want them to look on me as someone who loves them and will keep them safe. Be someone the can depend on, like an good friend… be a true uncle. I find you to be one of the most beautiful men I have ever met. I don't mean just physically handsome, but beautiful on the inside. You are truly one of the best pediatric nurses I have ever worked with. You care more about others than yourself. I want to be the one to take care of you. Make you laugh, hold you when you cry. I want to be the one you turn to when you need a shoulder. I want you to be the one I can turn to when I need a shoulder. And since I am laying my heart on the line, I want to be the one to make love to you, make you cry out in ecstasy. I want...laugh with you, cry with you, wipe away the tears of the children when they need someone to be there. I know we don't know each other that well, but, as we learn about one another, it puts a brick into the foundation of a strong and steady relationship. As we spend time together, getting to know each other, it also helps to build a friendship, one that will last forever. Would… you… even be wiling to think about going stead with me?" Dean gave Adam's hands a squeeze to seal his words.
Adam could feel the emotion in Dean's words and knew without a doubt, the man meant every damn word he said. The honesty made his eyes fill with tears, but he didn't let them fall...yet. Adam held fast to Dean's hands.
"Dean, you do have a way with words… what you said… so beautiful. I believe everything you said. It's been so long since anybody said anything like that to me, and never with such an open heart. I do have to consider my children, but, I think if I said the wrong thing here, they would kill me. I know how they feel about you, especially Jade. It's not just because someone new is around them. They have an understanding of people. If there was something about you they didn't like, you would be the first one to know it. You won Jade, and she is the hardest one to get to. I do know you would be there for them, no matter what was between us. I guess the couple of guys I did date made me more wary of bringing someone into our lives on a regular basis. You're different. I have to say, you are a wonderful doctor, and the way you are with the children on the ward is… magical. Dean, I don't need time to consider it , because it would be time wasted. Time that could have been spent getting to know you. I want all the things you talked about. I miss being part of a relationship. I've missed having someone to share my laughter and tears with. And maybe I shouldn't say this, but I miss having someone in my bed. Someone not only to make love with but hold me when I have a nightmare or holding someone when they have a bad dream. Someone to just hold me and not let me go. I even miss having someone to argue with. I guess if you're willing to take a chance on an aging daddy to quadruplets, I'm willing to take a chance on an impish doctor. So, yes, Dean, I would like to start to build a foundation with you. Yes, I will be your steady, exclusive boyfriend." Adam squeezed Dean's hands, to seal his words.
Dean smiled. "You really will? You will be mine? And I can be yours? Don't tell me yes now, in the moment, then change your mind tomorrow, my heart couldn't take it. I am rather… fragile in that department. So, I want you to be absolutely sure." He held tight to Adam's hands, eyes filled with hope.
Adam felt the tremble in Dean's hands. "I am sure, Dean. I promise, I am so stupid about a lot of things, but this isn't one of those things. My heart is screaming that I would be so stupid if I don't say yes to you. You give me a feeling I haven't had since Randy left. You make me feel safe. Don't get me wrong, I don't… oh, I am lousy at saying things… I don't want this just for safety. I also find you dead sexy. I want to share my life with someone. I want you to be that someone, Dean Ambrose. My heart is just as fragile. I have a failed marriage, I can't do that again. I think we can build a strong foundation; together. Did any of that make sense, or am I a stupid, blithering idiot?" Adam looked directly into Dean's eyes.
Dean smiled again. "You're not a blithering idiot, nor are you stupid. You make me feel just as safe. So I understand what you mean, I really do. I am sure, like all couples, we will have moments, but we can work through them. I know it won't be easy, but nothing worth having is ever easy. So, you are mine and I am yours. Now, may I kiss you? I mean really kiss you?" He arched his brow.
Adam flushed. "You'd better. I mean if you can't kiss, the deal is off." He gave Dean his own impish smirk.
"Oh Adam, if it's one thing I can do, it's kiss." Dean pulled Adam in. As Dean pressed his lips against Adam's, his hands slid around the blond.
Adam wrapped his arms around Dean. His fingers slid up into the short hairs on Dean's neck. He complied when Dean's tongue swept over his lips.
Adam parted his lips and his tongue met Dean's for the first time. Dean pulled Adam in even closer and deepened the kiss. Adam tasted better than he could have ever imagined. Dean let out a soft moan as Adam's finger brushed against his ear. Their tongues tangled together as the kiss continued.
As much as he hated to, Dean broke the kiss. When he pulled back, Adam's eyes were closed, a flush on his cheeks, his lips plumped from the kiss. In short, Adam looked even more breathtaking than ever.
Dean rubbed his cheek against Adam's. He whispered softly in Adam's ear. "So, do I pass the kiss inspection?"
Adam leaned into Dean, his arms still around the physician. "Oh yeah, you passed. If you don't kiss me again, right now, you won't get any caramel sauce on your ice cream later."
Dean didn't even try to speak. He couldn't kiss Adam fast enough. This time the kiss was filled with even more heated lust and desire as their tongues danced together again. Adam melted into Dean's arms. Hunter was just a hazy memory in the depths of Adam's brain. Not even Randy kissed like Dean.
When the second kiss broke, they stared into each others eyes, with their foreheads pressed together. The new couple smiled softly at each other. Both let out sighs of contentment.
Dean smirked. "So, do I get caramel sauce now?" The impish smirk on his lips was back. Adam chuckled softly.
"You can have both bottles and I'll go buy a whole damn gallon.. or no… I'll buy you a caramel sauce factory." Adam gave Dean a soft peck on the lips.
Dean laughed. "No, just a normal serving, please. Want some help?" Dean asked his new boyfriend.
Adam stood. "No, but you can keep me company." He held his hand out to Dean. Dean took his hand and stood. Hand in hand, they went to the kitchen.
Adam pulled out a small pan. "Maybe you'd better warm it up. I tend to burn water. I hope you weren't hoping I am a master chef, because I'm not. My kids get a lot of pasta if Ida can't cook a meal." He laughed and handed Dean a bottle of the caramel sauce he'd bought.
Dean took the sauce and squeezed the contents into the pot. He took a wooden spoon and stirred as the sauce warmed. "Guess it's a good thing I can cook then. Not like Miss Ida, but I can feed the lions and their daddy. So, Seth has been telling my secrets. What else has he told you?" He arched his brow at Adam as he stirred the sauce.
Adam pulled the tub of vanilla ice cream out of the freezer. "Well, I asked him if there was something you really liked and he told me. I wonder how you knew what kind of flowers I liked… Seth maybe?" He gave Dean a smirk.
Dean bowed to Adam. "Touché. You know it will be fun to hang with Ro and Seth as a couple. They include me, but sometimes I feel like a third wheel. Now, it will be a complete set of tires." He gave the sauce another stir.
Adam scooped ice cream into the two bowls he'd set out. "You have the funniest way of putting things. Now, I am a tire. You are going to be a very entertaining partner. Enough or more?" Adam tilted a bowl to show Dean the amount of ice cream in it.
Dean looked. "That's plenty, thanks. This is ready." He carried the pan of warm caramel over to the bowls of ice cream
Adam laughed when Dean poured half the pan into each bowl. "I will have to start going to the gym again. I actually miss a good workout. It's hard with the kids. I am too busy making sure they don't get hurt in a gym." He sighed. He and Randy used to be gym rats, but the quads made it hard.
The two men carried their bowls back to the den. This time when they sat, their legs touched. The clinked their spoons and dug into their dessert.
"You know, you could come to our gym. They have a kids center. They can go there so you can concentrate on your workout. The guys and girls who run the kids center are very good. They have games and child workouts. I think the little lions would love it. I could bring you as a guest, then you could check it out. It's not that far from here." Dean spoke in a thought filled voice with a bite of ice cream.
Adam's eyes lit up. "That sounds good. I would like that. If you trust them, I'd trust them. I would really like to get to the gym once in a while again. Thank you." He leaned over and kissed Dean's cheek.
They both gave a start when Dean's phone rang. Dean quickly answered. "Doctor Dean Ambrose… oh… well… yes, of course… five minutes, I am at Adam's… yes, we will both come, right away… glad to." Dean ended the call. "Blow out the candles. That was Shawn, Megan is having an insulin incident. Let's go." He was in full Doctor Ambrose mode. Impish boyfriend Dean was gone.
"Yes, Doctor." Adam replied in full nurse mode as he blew out the candles and Dean clicked the remote to turn off the television. They dashed out the front door as Adam grabbed his keys and set the alarm.
It was a three minute drive in Dean's Mustang. Hunter paced on the front porch and puffed on a cigar like steam train going uphill. He tossed away the cigar and opened the front door of his house.
"Up in Meg's room." Hunter led the doctor and nurse up the grand staircase, down a long all to Megan's bedroom.
Nancy spoke. "We've given her orange juice, but it's not working. We called immediately."
Dean had his bag. He went to Megan who sat on her bed, held in Shawn's arms. Megan tremble, shook and could only make incoherent sounds.
"Too much insulin. Adam, load up the glucose infusion, STAT." Dean spoke sharply as he tried to listen to Megan's heart in his stethoscope. The insulin incidents were hard on her already weakened heart.
Adam quickly, deftly and accurately loaded the required medication into a syringe. Hunter was pensive as he watched from the doorway. Adam quickly handed Dean the syringe, then raised Megan's shirt and swiped a spot on her stomach with an alcohol wipe.
Megan's subconscious mind saw the needle headed for her stomach. Her shaking grew worse. Adam leaned in to speak in Megan's ear.
"I know, baby. Just hang on. Doctor A is so good, you won't feel it Come on, Meggie Pops, breathe, just breathe. In, out… in, out… that's our girl. See, all done, it's all done." Adam had spoken so calm and soft, Megan never even noticed when Dean had given her the shot.
"Good girl. Now, try to relax. Let the medicine work." Dean spoke as calm and soft as Adam had. He could now listen to her heart better.
"Well?" Shawn asked as he held his daughter. His face was a mask of total worry.
Adam put a hand on Shawn's shoulder. "Give it a few minutes. Dean needs to monitor her heart." He gave Shawn's shoulder a squeeze.
Shawn nodded. "Sorry. It was so fast this time." He watched Dean and Megan. Dean talked softly to the teenager about a funny puppy he'd seen. Megan's trembles had stopped and she breathed much easier.
"… so his ears were so long, he tripped over them whenever he ran..." Dean finished his story and much to her parents and Nancy's surprise, Megan laughed.
"I… feel… better… daddy." Megan spoke slowly, but her words were coherent.
"She is going to be fine. Her heart has settled nicely. I want to stay for an hour or so. If she is going to reject, it will be in the next hour. Best thing now is sleep." Dean spoke directly to Shawn with a confident look.
"I'll sit with her, Shawn. Go rest, please?" Nancy looked at Shawn. She was speaking as a friend, not an employee.
Shawn and Hunter tucked Megan into her bed. Dean and Adam picked up the bits of trash from the supplies they had used.
"Come on, I'll make some coffee. I… thank you, so much for coming so fast." Shawn led Dean and Adam downstairs. Hunter followed. He noticed, Dean held Adam's hand.
"Not a problem, Shawn. Dean was at the house anyway." Adam stated as they sat down at the kitchen table.
Dean nodded. "Call me any time, Mister Helmsley. I am also glad to take Megan as a full time patient. Look, I may as well speak frankly. These incidents are proof she would benefit from the pump. It can self adjust to her levels. It will pull back the amount of the insulin dose if she doesn't need as much. It will also give her more if she needs it. The technology in the pumps now is so much more advanced than what Doctor Wilson dealt with in the past. Not pulling him down, but, he is old fashioned in his ways. Megan needs and deserves the best possible care." Dean ended with a serious look to Shawn and Hunter.
Hunter spoke up. "Shawn, he is right. We have to do this for Meg. We can't let Doctor Wilson keep your fear of the pump going..." He turned to Adam. "Adam, if it was one of your children, would you have the pump?" Hunter knew Adam would never lie to him, especially about Megan.
"Without any hesitation. There are risks in everything. Look at tonight, it was her normal dose. The pump reduces those risks by ninety percent. I would also trust Dean to do the surgery." Adam looked Hunter directly in the eyes.
"Alright, Doctor Ambrose. I will bring her on Wednesday. It's time. I know these incidents are so hard on her heart. And please, at least here, it's Shawn and Hunter." Shawn smiled at Dean.
"And I am Dean. It is for the best, Shawn. I will show you the actual pump and answer all your questions on Wednesday." Dean gave a nod of thanks as Shawn filled his coffee cup.
Adam knew he was about to say something that would hurt someone he loved and cared about. However, it had to be said.
"Shawn, Hunter, there is something you need to know..." Adam began.