Title: A Better Idea

Chapter: 55 LJ – 58 FF
Fandom: Brokeback Mountain
Rating: NC-17 for language, explicit sexual content
Genre: a/u
Pairing: Ennis / Jack
Words: 2262
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: The O/S characters belong to Annie Proulx, all the rest are my own creation. No profit or fame being sought from this, my own story
Notes: This story is dedicated to Heath Ledger
Summary: After the "I wish I knew how to quit you" argument at the Trail Head in 1983, Ennis and Jack finally have a better idea
Feedback: Yes, please. I hope my story brings you peace

A/N: My last chapter made a 3 ½ year jump in time, some folks feared they had missed a chapter – they had. There was a chapter in progress that did not get posted.

So to fill in some of the gaps – here it is, reworked and hopefully, it fills in some of what happened during that time we missed. Sorry for any confusion this caused. There will still be gaps in time, while Ennis and Jack live their day to day lives in private. Judy

A Better Idea - 55 LJ - 57 FF

Following Branch's christening, Brian and Beth Robiskie became frequent visitors to the Del Mar / Twist family home in Loveland. It was easy to forget that Brian was a man of the cloth when he was pulling in catfish hand over fist, filleting them, and frying them up all battered and golden brown.

The four of them became fishing buddies, often ending up at one or the other's houses to make dinner and relax, taking a break from their busy weeks.

It was a new and welcome experience for Ennis and Jack to meet and become friends with another young couple.

Ennis kept in touch with both KE and Maggie, mostly by phone. He wasn't much of a letter-writer. There were so many new things to tell about: the move, the house and ranch getting finished, the pups, then the baby. And there was always news about the family. There was never a shortage of things to talk about. They always asked to talk to Jack some too, and enjoyed the tales of their adventures.

When Rose was two and a half years old, Maggie's husband, Joe Cooper, died without ever waking from his coma. Her family held a private ceremony at the house in Casper, following the cremation. Joe's older children came but left without making peace with Maggie. She offered his ashes to them if they wished to keep them or dispose of them in a significant setting, but they declined. He'd been gone from them for nearly five years by this time. They had already done their grieving. They all had.

Maggie felt especially tender towards them, after all, she had raised them with Joe, after their mother died. It made her sad that yet another family had lost both father and mother, just as she, KE and Ennis had done. Joe's and Kathryn's children, though adults, were orphans for real now. She would have wished it to be otherwise. She wished they would look to her for the comfort they would surely need.

Ennis and Jack drove to Casper to assist Maggie and Dolph with anything that needed attending to. At the ceremony, they stood with Maggie and her children. Afterward, Daniel and Rebecca wanted to bring their dad's ashes to a mountain top or a stream, where Joe's earthly remains could be released; where he could be free at last. Maggie thought that was a fitting and respectful tribute to her late husband.

Ennis and Jack ended their visit by packing the family of five up bag and baggage and bringing them to Loveland for a little or a lot. However long they decided to stay they'd be welcome. At first they stayed at Ennis and Jack's house, even though it made for kinda close quarters.

Early on a Monday morning, a few weeks after they'd settled in, an incident occurred. Jack went out to the porch to see if they had anything to throw into a load of whites he was getting ready to wash. Before they knew anyone had stepped out the door, Maggie turned away from Dolph. "Oh pardon me Mr. Henderson, I seem to have overstepped my boundaries."

"Give me a break, Maggie, I don't know what I can do about it!" Dolph replied.

It became apparent to Ennis after Jack related this exchange to him that Maggie and Dolph were putting pressure on themselves and their relationship because they were living together without benefit of marriage. He knew they had never actually lived together in Casper. They had the children and the neighbors to think of. But here in Loveland, the family had put them together in one space, and thought it appropriate. It was causing friction.

He didn't know if he should talk to Reverend Brian first, or to his sister first.

Jack suggested talking to the three of them at the same time, so a plan was put in motion. Brian and Beth came for supper on Friday night. Jack got Beth outside after dinner, suggesting he needed her help to identify some of the planets. They looked through the telescope that was kept on the back porch while Ennis launched his project in the living room.

Everyone was sipping a beer or a cup of coffee. They were all full and quite relaxed when Ennis said in a musing tone, "Brian, if a couple was new to the area, and had no specific church membership, but they wanted very badly to get married, where should they start?"

Dolph sputtered, "How did you . . . ?" Maggie smiled, she had long wanted this discussion to be aired openly. Brian caught on that there might be some issues, he smiled broadly and said, "they should start by coming to see me, I'd be happy to help them set it up."

"But what if one of those people is white, and the other is not, what then?" demanded Dolph.

"In the eyes of God, all of us are created equal, Dolph. But if the couple themselves has issues about the color difference, then that's another story. Let's be clear. Are we talking about you and Maggie?"

"Yes, but I don't think . . ."

"You don't love my sister?" prodded Ennis, for he surely knew the answer.

"You know I do, Ennis. That is not . . . It's those other people; the ones who would shun her, or even harm her or our children. You can't know how I worry about . . . "

"B'lieve me I do. I held out on living my life with Jack for so many years, due to the fear of someone hurting him, or the possible repercussions on our children, or even the folks in the community thinking less of both of us. Does that sound familiar?"

"It does, Ennis."

"But Dolph, you really cannot live your life by what other people might think or do. You can only control what you choose to do. That's it. If you choose to be happy with the woman you love and your children, that's a great start."

"Dolph, Maggie, Ennis makes a good point, but he's only qualified to speak for himself. I will pray for you two that you work out together what is right for the both of you and those you love. If you decide you want to discuss this further, then please call me. My number's on this card."

After handing Maggie his business card, he put an arm around each of them and headed for the kitchen. "I heard a rumor that there was pineapple upside down cake around here somewhere!" The rest of the evening went along with pleasant conversation and great company.

Jack tried to teach Brian to play "42" but not being used to playing or scoring dominoes, he didn't quite get the hang of the strategy. "I think it'll take at least one or two more sessions, if you don't mind Jack. I'm more used to playing cards than dominoes, but I want to learn it."

Jack was relentless. Where he'd lived in Texas, 42 was the most popular game, and he got hooked on it. So when they began living together, he taught Ennis first; then his mama and daddy, then Jenny and Bobby, and on down the line. Ennis liked to say "Don't pause in front of Jack Twist 'lest you wanta be taught how to play 42.

When Jack first mentioned teaching Ennis a game called 42, he chuckled.

"What?"

"Last game I played was Hi Ho Cherry-O or maybe Chutes and Ladders with Junior and Jenny. It was either give in and play a game, or get down on the floor and play Barbies with them."

Jack laughed. Then he remembered all those games of Battleship he and Bobby had played. "You were always a good daddy, Ennis."

"Ha! Sez you. Wanna ask Alma about that one?"

But that was a few years back and Ennis did learn to play 42, and they both know now that Alma always gives Ennis credit for being a good daddy . . . after she got over her anger, that is.

In bed that night, Ennis filled Jack in on what had transpired regarding the Maggie/Dolph marriage idea. He was pleased that at least now there was a discussion.

He asked Jack how his part of the plan had gone. Jack laughed, "Not like I expected, that's for sure."

"Whaddaya mean?"

"Soon as we finished checking out the moon and the North Star, Beth turns to me 'why'd you really ask me to come out here?' she says. I ain't a very good liar, so I told her the truth."

"How'd she react to that?"

"She didn't mind. Many times the minister's wife is not privy to his discussions with parishioners, but usually they are held in his study behind closed doors. Then she said there were a hundred other things I could have chosen to talk to her about instead o'the night sky. I said 'like what?'. She told me she knew I had been a bull-rider in my time, then she proceeded to tell me that she was a rodeo brat. Her daddy was a professional bull-rider and he traveled the circuit. Her mama, Beth and her little brother went with him every step a the way. We coulda talked for two more hours, but I saw that you all were back in the kitchen and I didn't want to miss out on that cake!"

"Y'ever heard a her daddy?"

"Not sure, maybe."

"Y'know what? You should ask your dad. Maybe they run across each other at some point."

"I'll do that. Might make him perk up some. He ain't been feelin good lately. I ain't never said nothing, Cowboy, but I'm worried."

"Know y'are, bud. I am too."

"C'mere."

Ennis thought he would just hold Jack and comfort him, but his own body had a different idea. He began to lick down Jack's neck and back up under his jaw, kissing and sucking at the soft places of his man: at the hollow of his throat, behind his ear and at his temples. If there was anything he could do to cut short Jack's worryin for a few minutes he would sure do it.

He allowed his fingers to glide down Jack's torso till he cupped his ass and pulled him closer, delighting in the familiar texture of skin and hair in perfect complement. Tonight he took time to anticipate the lovemaking, and to prepare Jack; the delay making it all that much more delicious. It was the same for Jack. But in time he was writhing and moaning, he could wait no longer.

Ennis was lubed and ready to please his man in seconds. He lifted Jack's legs up over his own shoulders and slid home. He needed to tell him with his eyes as well as his body that he was here, and he was his, just like this, always. The pleasure was so intense his body began trembling. Ennis stayed still for a time, waiting to regain his composure.

When he was back in control of himself, he made love to Jack with all the fervor they'd become accustomed to over their years together. Without saying the words, he was offering himself, his love and support to Jack for whatever difficulties lay ahead of them. Everyone has worries, they are no different. But they have the love of their lives standing beside them when bad news comes knocking on their door.

&&&&&&&&&&

They were just falling asleep when they heard Branch waking up. He was crying, which was unusual for him. Sounded like he had a bad dream. Jack went down the hall and got him, carried him back to their bed.

"Is he dry?"

Jack stuck his finger down Branch's pajamas and felt his training pants. "Yeah, let me take him to the bathroom." When the boy had peed and got a drink of water, he seemed to be back to normal. They'd started potty training him a couple weeks ago, and he seemed to be ready for it. It sure was nice not to have diapers to wash all the time.

"You ready to go back to bed now, Bran?"

"mulk"

"Jack, stay with him and I'll run down and get his milk. Okay?"

When Ennis came back upstairs he was carrying a small juice glass of milk, and a tiny bib, in case of spills. Branch climbed off of Jack's lap and went to sit on Ennis'. He smiled, "daddy" and reached for the glass.

"Hey now. You sit down on my lap, get settled first." As soon as the boy was seated, Ennis held the glass up to his mouth, letting him get little sips. Branch held the glass too; tiny hands and strong hands, balancing the glass together. When the milk was almost gone, Ennis let go, allowing Branch to hold it all by himself till the milk was finished. "Big boy, you're doin a good job, son."

Ennis handed the empty glass to Jack. Branch hugged both arms around Ennis' neck. His eyes were drooping. "Give daddy a good night kiss, you're goin back to bed now."

So Ennis leaned over where Branch could give and receive his kisses from Jack, and then walked back to the boy's room. "Ya'll right?"

The boy nodded.

"Give daddy a kiss".

As Ennis covered the growing boy, he said "Good night, son. Sleep tight."

Tbc~.