A Better Idea
A/N: Thank you! There was such a wonderful response from all of you. The baby names you sent in were fabulous, and it was very difficult to choose. But I have picked the name sent in by IFYOUCANTFIXIT (Janice). I hope you are happy with the name I have chosen.
Chapter 52.2 (FF Chapter 55)
2 a.m. and he's awake again. He is squirming and snuffling around in his box. As Ennis pulls his weary body out of bed, Jack reaches over and takes hold of his arm. "Want me to get him?"
Ennis leans over and brushes his lips lightly across Jack's mouth; whispers, "No, you took the 10 o'clock feeding. I'll get him." It's chilly in the room, so he pulls on last night's levi's and shirt, and steps into his moccasin style house slippers Jack gave him this past Christmas. He walks to the corner of their room to get the baby boy. As he gets closer, he smells a strong acrid odor, so he knows he has a full diaper to deal with. "Hey, little fella, you been a busy boy!"
Lifting the child gently, he puts no pressure on the little bottom. "Let's get you cleaned up, then you can have your bottle, okay?" Ennis wraps a warm blanket around the baby and nuzzles his sweet neck before they go downstairs. It's easier to clean him down stairs; and he doesn't want to turn on lights and disturb Jack's sleep, if he can avoid it.
Even though it's been many years since Ennis has cared for his daughters like this, it's not something he has to think about. His life has been in caring for others; whether animal or human, he feels a sense of satisfaction in doing it; a continuation of life. He talks to the baby all the while he is bathing him. He was dirty clear up his back and had to have a bath and a complete clean set of undershirt and footed pajamas in addition to the diaper.
As was his habit, he had taken the bottle out of the refrigerator when they first came downstairs, and sat it on the counter to get to room temperature. He put a small saucepan of water on to heat. When he had the boy clean and wrapped in a towel, he turned off the fire. He set the bottle into a bowl kept for that purpose, and poured the boiling water over the bottle. By the time he had him oiled, powdered and dressed, the milk was warm. "You smell like a brand new boy, yes you do." As Ennis cradled the child he murmured and whispered to him constantly. All the while, the boy seemed fascinated that he was getting so much attention. He had not cried, as his needs were being met, seemingly even before he asked for anything.
As he began to snap the sleeper back on the baby, Ennis put his face down on the boy's belly and blew raspberries against his skin, then said "ba, ba, ba." Was that a smile? Ennis couldn't be sure, but he told himself it was. He remembered folks saying that babies this young didn't smile, that they were "experiencing gas" but he didn't like to believe that. Sitting back in his armchair, Ennis lay the child down on his left arm, and held the bottle to his mouth with the right hand.
He had been christened last Sunday; he was three months old now. Ennis couldn't believe how the time had flown, but it felt as if he had always been theirs. He was up to 6 ounces of milk now. When they first got him, he only took 2 ounces at each feeding. Tonight though, he couldn't finish it all. He took 5 ounces, and fell fast asleep in Ennis' arms. Ennis had nodded off too.
He roused himself long enough to burp the baby, kiss him on his soft little baby cheek, and then carry him quietly up the stairs and put him back in his bed. With any luck, he would sleep through till six or seven o'clock.
Ennis dropped his Levi's and shirt back on the floor and kicked off his slippers. He crawled in and spooned up behind Jack; it was so nice and warm in the bed. Slumber was forgotten as Ennis' mouth came up against Jack's neck. As he began to kiss and nuzzle, a magical thing happened. His cock stiffened and poked Jack right between his ass cheeks. It seemed to be pointing toward its desired destination. Ennis smiled, 'not my fault he's so damn sexy' he thought.
He reached around Jack and took hold of his dick, beginning to stroke and fondle all he could reach, all the while pushing up against his ass. Jack got the message, and sent one of his own. He pushed his butt back sharply into Ennis. "Go for it, big boy; but don't be startin somethin ya cain't finish."
Ennis took hold of Jack's shoulders and turned him on his back. "If the day ever comes, I can't finish what I start, you can turn me in for two 30 year olds; or maybe two 50 year olds, by that time." He grinned at his own joke.
Jack smiled into his cowboy's eyes and lifted his legs. Ennis scooted closer, slathered some lube on himself and on Jack and entered his man surely and swiftly. "Ah, been needin this real bad."
"Don't be sweet talkin me."
"No?"
"No."
"What you want then?"
"Fuck me, Ennis. Hard. Fuck me like a rented mule."
"Whaaat?"
"You know what I mean, Cowboy. Gimme a ride that'll have me walkin funny till Wednesday."
Their moans and pounding did not worry the baby. He was used to noises of all kinds; he did not awaken.
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Ennis felt the bed dip. He peeped out of one eye, and saw a rumpled Jack Twist bring the baby over and sit on their bed with him. He had hoped to get an hours sleep, but he'd only been back in bed for twenty minutes after feeding the animals. He was happy though, to forego more sleep for time like this. It was rare they had this.
Jack was sitting indian style, the baby in front of him. He had a clean diaper thrown over his shoulder. As he unsnapped the boy's footed pajamas, Jack's hair was sticking up in every direction. He had never looked more delicious, nor more loveable. Ennis yawned a big, wide yawn and stretched.
"Looks like your daddy's awake, Branch. Let's give him a good morning kiss."
Jack interrupted his diaper changing to run his hands on Ennis' back and shoulders. He leaned in for a strong kiss, and a nuzzle.
"Mornin fellas." Ennis kissed Jack thoroughly, and then smootched on Branch's neck, and blew little bubbles against his skin.
Jack said, "Now don't get him all riled up. I ain't put his dry didey on yet."
"Look, he don't care. He's glad to see us this mornin." The baby lay on his back looking up at both men and kicked his feet in the air.
Ennis was feelin kinda ornery this mornin. "Wouldja rather I got YOU all riled up?"
"Believe you already took care a that after the two o'clock feeding."
"Oh yeah? Don't r'member that. I'd better try again."
Instead, they each removed one diaper pin. Leaving the cloth on to cover the boy's penis, Jack slid the dry diaper under him. Only when they had him covered with the new diaper, did they remove the wet one. Jack powdered him lightly, then pinned each side of the diaper, Ennis snapped his pj's back together.
They lay down; all stretched out on their bed, the baby between them. "We gotta take him to mom's this morning?"
"No, his gran is coming here. She will give him a bath. While he's sleeping she will wash didey's and his little sleepers and undershirts and bibs, and all the baby stuff that seems to get dirty every day."
"I know. I used to keep up with our laundry, but with this one little guy, it seems to have doubled. I'm glad mom wants to do the baby stuff for us."
"For us? No, I think she wants to do it for her favorite new boy." While they spoke about him, they each touched him and made eye contact with him.
He was laying between their two pillows. Ennis noticed something.
"Jack, look how he's lookin at me, watching every move I make. Now you say somethin."
"Okay, what should I . . . oh, I see what you're getting at. He looks from one to the other of us when we talk. I don't remember Bobby doing that."
"I don't remember the girls doing it either. Don't remember having snuggle time in bed together like this, and jus' talkin. We must have, but I don't recall it. Guess I don't remember talkin to Alma much. I feel sorry about that. But it was different back then."
"Yeah, for me too. Reeny and I talked, but not in bed in a family group like this."
"I promise that this family group will have more of my attention, more . . ."
"Ya ain't gotta say that, Cowboy. Know how ya feel. I feel the same."
"I surely wasted too much time, drinkin my sorrows away, missin you and just plain not understandin why I felt so empty alla the time."
Ennis reached between them and picked up the baby, cradling him on his chest. Once he had him settled there, he said "C'mere". Jack moved closer and they kissed awhile; their hands sometimes joining, sometimes caressing the baby or each other's face.
When the baby began to squirm, they knew it was time to get up, feed him, and start their day.
"Welp, let's get after it. Branch'n me'll run down, start the coffee, and get him a bottle while you shower. 'Kay?"
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Over coffee, bacon and eggs, they discussed the stock show coming up and how much their feelings had changed since they first made the plan to go. They'd been excited to go. Wanted to have a week or more checking out the new stock, seeing the sights and enjoying some of the night life in Denver. Now that the baby was here, there was some reluctance to be away so long.
"I ain't sure I wanna leave him at all. I'll miss him."
"Mama and daddy'll take good care a him."
"That ain't the point."
"Well, what the fuck IS the point, Ennis?"
"Already said. I'll miss him. They grow so fast at this age, Jack; don't wanna miss anythin. What if he cuts his first tooth while we're gone. What then?"
"That ain't likely for a couple months yet, Ennis. 'Sides, there'll be lots more teeth. Dontcha think you're goin a bit overboard?"
"Well, maybe. I don't know."
"It's gonna be alright; and he'll be happy to see us when we get back home."
"What if we packed up and took him with us, your mama and daddy too? That way, we'd still see him every night."
"C'mere, babe." Ennis walked over and sat on Jack's lap at the kitchen table. He put his arm around his man's shoulder. He needed the contact and the comfort just then.
Wearing a hang-dog expression in his brown eyes, he asked Jack, "whut?
"Think about how much easier it will be on mama to take care a Branch here, where all his stuff is, and hers too. Hotels don't make it easy to feed or bathe a baby, even the Brown Palace don't, I bet. And it's not that easy to rest in a hotel, when you're away from your own bed, 'n such. This is for the best, Ennis. We're lucky mama and daddy are able to do this for us, give us a break."
"I know, it's just this'll be the first time . . away from him, I mean."
The discussion was settled, and preparations continued for the couple to get on the road to the stock show. They'd previewed the offerings, and knew pretty well what more they needed to fill in the herd. Hadn't expected to get the Branchard's stock, so that gave'em a nice start.
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Denver was all they remembered and more. The lights, the traffic, the noise; they decided they wouldn't like a steady diet of that for any reason. But once in awhile it was fun to do something different. And right now, it was necessary.
For the sake of convenience, they stayed in town at a small place, The Wrangler Hotel, down near the stockyards. The hotel's bar downstairs was handy alright, but they thought their drinks were made of liquid gold, or their prices were bumped up for the huge crowds expected for the big stock sale in town.
Instead, Ennis and Jack decided they wanted to stretch their legs; they walked the eight blocks down to the river. Turning south along the Platte, they saw several pleasant looking bars and restaurants. People wandered along on the sidewalks, music spilled out of the doorways; everyone seemed to be in a holiday mood.
They liked the looks of a little tavern called Casey's, and went in for a beer. They took stools at the bar where Casey waited on them himself, wiping off the bar with a clean white rag while he asked what he could get for them. Jack ordered a Schoenling on draft, and Ennis got his usual Budweiser long neck. Casey moved a metal bucket of peanuts within their reach; they automatically began shelling them and popping nuts into their mouths while they drank their beers and talked. Ennis noticed peanut shells all over the floor, so he followed suit, and they both began to drop their empty shells. At first they felt awkward about it, but soon forgot that it was unusual.
When Casey saw that their beers were getting low he raised his eyebrows in their direction; Jack nodded. He drew Jack's draft into a clean, frosted mug, then reached into the cooler for Ennis' Bud, swiftly pulling off the cap with a bottle opener attached to the cabinet. Wiping down the bar where he'd just put the dripping drinks, he asked "What brings you boys to town?"
"Stock show."
"Where ya from?"
"Loveland."
"Both a ya?"
"Yep."
"You boys feelin lucky; we got a game goin in the back room."
"Not tonight."
"Can I get ya anything else?"
"Thank ya, no. Think we'll wander on down the way. You got a idear where we could get us a good steak 'round here?"
They paid up, while Casey sang the praises of his two favorite eating places. They waved good-bye as they walked out the door.
Ennis was shaking his head, "Ya know, they just give ya those buckets a peanuts so you'll eat'em and get thirstier and keep on buying more drinks."
"Yep. Good plan if ya ask me!" Jack was enjoying the night air, and the exhilaration of walking around town among all these strangers with a relaxed Ennis Del Mar at his side.
"I guess not too many women come to the stock shows, eh?"
"Why ya say that?" asked Jack.
"Well, just look around ya. Men in two's and three's or more. Lots of'em look like fathers and sons, but there's hardly any ladies at all."
"Ennis, this ain't your first stock show."
"No, it ain't. But it's the first one I get to enjoy with you, Jack." He looked up from under his hat brim and smiled an affectionate smile at his husband.
Jack grinned from ear to ear. "That's a fact. How you like it so far?"
"Lots better'n I thought I would. Thought we'd stick out like a sore thumb and I'd be nervous and antsy. But we don't look no different than any a these other guys out here."
"I'd sure like to kiss you right about now."
"Uh, then we might look different than the rest a these guys. Guess you should hold that thought till we get back to our room, bud."
"You can count on that. But just so you know, Nothin's gonna spoil the way I feel tonight, walkin 'round town with my man beside me."
"Know what ya mean, Jack." Ennis smiled warmly, and kept on walking leisurely down toward the larger crowds gathered near the more popular bars and restaurants.
They found the Longhorn Steak House that Casey had recommended, and the fifteen minute wait for a table was acceptable. They ordered beers and then Ennis' swiveled on his bar stool, looking around.
"What's up, ba . . Cowboy?"
"Lookin for a pay phone. Wanta call and check on the baby. Got any change?"
Jack caught the eye of the blond behind the bar. She told them there was a phone down the hall near the restrooms, but the booth outside might be quieter. She winked at Ennis after passing along this bit of info, and he blushed bright red. Jack got so tickled at him, he dumped his whole pocketful of change in Ennis' hand and shoved him toward the door. "Go call home, loverboy."
The woman came back after waiting on three men down at the end a the bar.
She asked Jack, "he callin his wife?"
"Not exactly."
"What's that mean?"
"If you must know, he's calling his mother-in-law to check on the baby."
"So, he's attached?" It was said more like a statement.
Jack grinned from ear to ear. "Oh, he's definitely attached!"
Their table was ready.
Between bites of succulent steak and fluffy baked potatoes Ennis told Jack all about the call home. He said he only talked to dad because mom had just fed Branch and was upstairs putting him to bed. He said they were having a good time, and not to worry.
"Wonder if he misses us?"
"Ennnnisss."
"Whut?"
"Don't do this."
"Don't do what?"
"Don't mess up our trip by worryin on Branch and how much we miss him."
"So! You miss him too."
"Course I do, dumbass."
"Good. Somehow that makes me feel better."
They declined dessert, and walked briskly back to their hotel. They had a busy day ahead of them tomorrow.
They showered quickly and got in bed where they made sweet love, taking all the time in the world over each other. Tenderly kissing faces, necks, nipples and ribs led to passionate joining and thrusting. They shared their joy and their bodies with each other, not missing an inch anywhere.
The sheer force of their climax was enhanced by all they'd seen and heard today; and the waiting. The waiting to be alone had been excruciating at times, but worth it now.
They were wrapped together intimately, letting their breathing settle back to normal. They nuzzled a bit, still sleepily kissing. Their eyes were closed.
"We gotta move him."
"What you talkin 'bout, Cowboy?"
"The boy. He's getting older, need to move him out of our room soon."
"I suppose. But I hate to think of him, off in another room."
"Me too. Shit."
"Jack Twist, I love you so much. When I need to have a go at you, like we just did, well . . . that's private. That's just for us. Ya know?"
"You're right, Ennis. We need our own room back. It hasn't held me back yet, him bein there, but like you said, our love life is private. . . and he's gettin older."
"Okay. No rush, but soon after we get home, we should do it."
"Okay. We'll give him his own room."
"G'night lil darlin."
"Night baby."
"Ya almost slipped and called me that tonight at that bar. I liked it that you slipped."
"Y'did?"
"Uh hunh."
Jack's face changed, Ennis could feel it against his arm. He opened one eye to peep at a grinning Jack. "Whut?"
"Boy, that little gal was hot on your trail."
"Whut li'l gal?"
"That blond bartender."
"I didn't notice."
Jack got up on his elbow and looked down at Ennis. "You liar! You blushed from head to toe when she winked at you!"
"Well, yeah. But all I could think about was callin Branch, so I never gave it 'nother thought."
"She came back two, three times askin questions 'bout you. I finally had to tell her you was attached."
"Well, true. I was "attached" a few minutes ago. If you don't quiet down and go to sleep, I might just get "attached" again."
"Good night, Ennis."
"Good night, Jack."
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End of chapter 52.2 (FF ch 55)