Chapter Two-Hundred and Twenty-Nine

John laid back on his bed, combing his fingers through her hair and drinking in the sight of her as he bared his soul to her. "I… think that when those guys… raped me, that something flipped in my brain." He paused for a second, letting her fingers slid over his side as she tried to calm him. "I'm not gay or anything. But… it's like my body won't let me…" He huffed, frustrated that he couldn't make the words sound right. "I can't get hard." He stated, ripping the bandage off.

She nodded, cupping his cheek in her hand. "You just need time." She smiled, tracing a finger over his chest and abs. "That's all." She combed her hand through his hair, smoothing her thumb over his eyebrow.

He kissed her nose, tracing circles on her back. "I love you." He smiled, pushing himself off of the bed and taking the empty plastic cup from his nightstand. "I'm gonna have Ryan take blood."

She gave a small smirk, sitting up to watch him leave. "John?" She waited for him to turn. "Thank you for telling me."

He nodded, winking at her before he left.

Ryan jumped as a plastic cup hit him in the shoulder, picking it up to see that it was empty. "Where's the sample?" He asked, looking up at John as he pulled his shirtsleeve up.

"I couldn't get it." He growled, picking up a needle that was still in its wrapper and handing it to Ryan. "Just take blood." He balled his fist as he felt Ryan line the needle up, opening his eyes as Phoebe touched his face. "I'm okay…" He breathed, wincing as the steel was pushed into his vein.

Jade pushed the door to the Breakfast Clubhouse open, bolting to the living room where everyone was bound to be watching a movie or playing a game. "Guys!" She bounced beside Dominic taking his hand as she moved to show them the ring. "Dom proposed!" She announced, grinning as Claire and the other women in the house rushed to see the ring.

John chuckled, clapping a hand on Dominic's back. "Welcome to the engaged life."

"Am I supposed to feel like I'm heading for a waterfall?" He asked, his stomach knotting in fear with the thought of his life starting over completely.

John nodded, motioning to the ring on Claire's finger. "Yup. I've felt that way since I gave her that damn thing."

Thomas laughed, patting the boys on the shoulders. "That never stops." He smiled, looking up to the other members of the family and raising his arms. "How about we go out to dinner?"

"YEAH!" They cheered, rushing for their coats and keys.