Author's Note: Well, Phoenix, I have to say that I wrote this story awhile ago so the Tobey part was already there but I'm so happy you like that he's there! I'm also a big Tobey fan, as you may have noticed. I have another Jack/Tobey story that I think I'll post soon, even though it's a Christmas story … Anyhow, back to this story! Thanks everyone for the wonderful reviews! Only one more chapter to go after this one …
"These are for painkillers- he needs to take them every six hours; these are anti-inflammatory meds- he needs to take them three times a day, an hour before eating …" the pharmacist handed Jack numerous bottles of pills as he stood at the pharmacy counter. He also had a long list of instructions on Doug's treatments. Doug had to take his meds, stay lying down as much as possible except for his physiotherapy appointments five days a week and his weekly doctor's appointment. Jack had also been advised to take Doug on a short walk every day in the wheelchair Doug would have to spend the next few months in. It would be six months before Doug would be able to walk unaided again.
"Don't worry," Doctor Hillcoat had assured Jack, "everything will be back to normal before you know it."
Right, Jack thought, because people who get shot always get back to normal before they know it.
Amy was fascinated by the wheelchair when Doug got home and spent a great deal of time inspecting every inch of it. Later, Doug lay across the length of the living room couch, Jack perched up on the arm, and the couple watched as their daughter pushed her dolls around in the chair.
"Looks like you're not going anywhere for a bit," Jack murmured to Doug. "Someone's found a new favorite toy."
Doug chuckled softly and Jack smiled at the sound. Maybe things would feel like normal again.
"It's weird," Doug said, "lying here and just not being able to get up. I mean, it was different at the hospital but at my own house … I feel like a stranger here."
Jack stared at Doug, shocked. "Don't ever say that Doug." Jack slid off the couch arm and sat cross-legged on the ground so he was eye-to-eye with Doug. He took the hand of his lover. "You could never be a stranger to me or to our family."
Doug smiled gently. "I know, babe. It's just a lot to get used to."
Jack nodded and squeezed Doug's hand. "Yeah."
They sat in silence a little longer as they watched their happy daughter. Oblivious to the emotional strain the next few months could hold, Amy raced around the living room, content that her two fathers were both home at last.
"Remember how you used to get so annoyed when I called you any cutesy names?"
Doug chuckled again. "Of course. I didn't want us to turn into an old married couple."
The two men just looked at each other a moment and then burst out laughing. Oh God, it felt so good to laugh together again.
"I think it's a little late for that, darling."
Doug grinned rolling his eyes. "I guess so, sweetie-pie." Doug kissed Jack's hand. "But I wouldn't change it for the world."
That night, Jack climbed into bed next to his lover and cuddled up against him, leaning his head against Doug's chest.
"Oh God, it's so amazing to have you in this bed again."
Doug chuckled softly. "No kidding. It's pretty damn amazing to be in this bed again. Especially with you."
Jack sat up and smiled at Doug. They kissed gently for a moment before pulling back slightly. Doug stroked Jack's cheek with his thumb. "I don't think I've thanked you yet."
"For what?"
"For being there. For being at my side every day, for talking to me, for comforting me, for giving me a reason to live-"
"Christ, Doug … that's what I'm here for, right?" Jack smiled gently and leaned his forehead against Doug's. "That's what people who love each other do for each other."
Doug shook his head and pulled back. He looked earnestly into Jack's liquid blue eyes. "No, Jack, I mean it. You always say the right thing and do the right thing and you always make me feel that no matter what, everything will be all right. You're always there, Jack. You're always there, holding my hand."
Tears suddenly sprung to Jack's eyes at these words and he let out an involuntary whimper. "Oh … Doug …"
They moved swiftly together and captured each other's lips within their own. They lay on the bed, kissing and caressing one another as they drifted eventually into the first restful slumber either of them had had in months.
Six months later …When Doug was able to walk again and life appeared to be back to normal in their small family, Jack felt happier than he ever had in his entire life. Not only did he now have all he ever wanted, he also knew now how much that was worth. And yet, even when he thought life could not reach a higher level of perfection, something happened to change his mind.
Amy was away at camp for the weekend and so Jack and Doug had the time to themselves. Jack couldn't even remember the last time this had happened.
On Saturday evening, Doug suggested the two of them take a walk on the beach. The May air was mild and perfect for their leisurely bare-footed walk on the beach. They wandered, hand in hand, speaking occasionally but mostly enjoying the simplicity of the comfortable silence between them. After a short time, however, Jack realized that the silence was not so comfortable. Doug was suddenly becoming fidgety and kept sighing and glancing up at the overcast sky.
"What's wrong?" Jack asked.
Doug looked at him quickly. "Nothing."
"You're acting … weird."
Doug smiled tensely. "No- well, I mean, I just wish it wasn't so cloudy. We won't be able to see the sunset …"
"Oh, well … it doesn't matter. We're here together, right? That's what matters."
"Right …" Doug suddenly became distracted as he dug his free hand into his pocket and groped around for something. "Shit …" he muttered silently.
"Doug what-"
"Ah, fuck!"
Jack stopped walking, forcing Doug to stop as well. Jack looked back at his partner. "What the hell is wrong with you, Doug?"
"Oh, Jack, it's nothing, I just- well, it's not nothing but-" Doug's ramblings were cut short by a sudden downpour, drenching them instantly and soaking the world. "Argh, no!"
Jack laughed, tilting his head up to the heavens. "What? A little rain never hurt anyone!" He laughed and started to pull Doug into a rain dance but Doug was not responding.
"No, Jack- dammit! This is so messed up!"
Jack stopped dancing and stared back at Doug through the curtain of rain. "What? What the hell is going on, Doug?"
"It's nothing, I-" He stopped abruptly and threw his hands in the air. "Ah, screw it!" He grabbed Jack above both is elbows and pulled his lover close. He stared wildly at Jack, who feared that Doug might have lost it.
"What are you doing, Doug?"
"Marry me, Jack!"
"What-?"
"I want to marry you, Jack. I know we've practically been married for years but I wanted to make it official. I want to marry you in front of all of our friends and family and all of Capeside! I want us to exchange vows and rings and make sure that everyone can see our love and what we mean to each other. I just love you so much, Jack- I want everyone to know it. And- and I had this whole romantic plan for tonight to propose to you as the sun was setting, just like the first time we kissed and I had this silver chain for your wrist to give to you but I forgot it at home and so my whole plan is totally screwed but-" he dropped down on one knee "I still want to marry you, so will you? Will you marry me, Jack?"
Because of the rain, Doug could not see the tears streaming down Jack's face but he could hear them in Jack's broken voice. "Yes, you idiot! Yes of- of course I'll bloody marry you!" He laughed and Doug rose to meet him. The two shared a passionate, rain-cool kiss. They hugged, burying their faces in each other's necks. Jack loved the feeling of Doug's strong arms around his body, of Doug's smooth neck against his lips and of Doug's lips against his own neck. The power that this man still had over him after so long thrilled him. He knew that no one else could ever do that for him and knew also how fortunate he was to be pressed up close to this man on that day. He thought of the preceding months and those horrible weeks where he had come close to losing the only one he would ever love and nearly laughed at how wonderful it felt to be there that day, sharing this perfect moment with Doug.