Title: A Better Idea
Fandom: Brokeback Mountain
Rating: NC-17 for language, explicit sexual content
Genre: a/u
Pairing: Ennis / Jack
Words: 2752
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 Once again this is backfill, in the time before Jenny and Bobby got married. I like this time period, so who can blame me for staying awhile?

ABI 56 – FF 59

Claire invited Dolph to come stay with her and John as long as he wanted. It was the perfect solution, seeing as he still hadn't reconciled himself to living under the same roof as Maggie, without the benefit of Holy Matrimony.

He could sleep better over there too. Lord only knows, it was impossible to fall sleep with the woman he loved in the bed right along side him. It made him crazy with desire, and he ended every night by making sweet love to her.

That was great, but then he regretted it every morning. He felt like a cheater. Maggie was free to marry, and so was he, but he still hadn't gotten past the worry part . . . the part that thought everyone was looking at them and wondering; the part that saw the hatred on the faces; the part that feared for his woman's safety and that of their children.

Dolph liked being with John and Claire, and he found he could be useful. The truth was, he was about 12 years or so younger than John, and was able to give him a hand with stuff, lifting and such. Their conversations were different than the younger folks over at Ennis' and Jack's house too. And there was less ruckus.

There was time to think, time to sit on the porch swing and reflect on what he should do. He missed being in Maggie's bed, that was a given. He had just about decided on what he thought they should do. . . and when they should do it. He asked Claire what was the best place to buy a wedding ring.

At the end of the month Claire, John and Dolph drove into Loveland to see John's doctor, and to go to the jewelry store. They told Jack they were going shopping and left it at that. Some things were secret till they needed to be otherwise.

Might as well not stir up trouble before one was sure about their facts. Actually, John had perked up quite a bit since Dolph joined them, but every day Claire could see that it took more and more out of John to do the little chores he kept for himself. He was slowing down. The only reason they had a doctor appointment was because she insisted!

While the Twists were at Doc Morgan's, Dolph went over to Gaines Jewelry Barn, and looked around. Oh, what had he gotten himself into? He was totally lost amidst the glitter and the finery. Dolph didn't have a clue as to whether Maggie liked yellow gold or white; platinum or silver . . and then he realized that the diamond could be cut in many different shapes . . and the sizes were completely baffling. Carats? What's that mean? He checked out some prices though before he left the store, and had a pretty good idea what he could afford to buy if his beautiful intended bride said 'yes'.

The doctor's receptionist told Dolph to have a seat in the waiting room, but when he faced all those 'lady magazines' he declined to stay. He said "Tell Mr. and Mrs. Twist they can find me at the hardware store when they are through here." Off he went to look at the tools and gadgets.

The nurse took the little suction cups off John's chest and back. He'd had a few tests, including this EKG. The doctor was now ready to share the results with them. "John, these tell the story of why you are feeling listless and lethargic. Your heart is slowing down, and is not pumping as strongly as it used to. Your cells aren't getting the oxygen that you need."

"I can take it, doc, am I gonna die?" Claire gasped out loud when he said that word.

"No, John, not for a while anyway. We're gonna try some medication, see if that gets your motor running better." As he spoke, he wrote out a couple prescriptions and handed them to Claire. "Take these as prescribed, for two weeks and then give me a call. I'll want a status report. Take them for another two weeks and then come to see me in a month. We'll decide at that time how to proceed. If these are doing the job, we'll keep you on'em."

As Doc Morgan ushered them out, he called "Billie Jo, John needs to see me a month from today, give him a mid-morning slot." When she'd made the appointment, she told them their friend was at the hardware store.

Dolph was just coming out of Blumenthal's Hardware when Claire spied him, they were walking over to the pharmacy. She waved, and he caught up with them as they entered the drug store. "How'd you make out at the jewelry store, Dolph?" He was carrying a small bag, but it had Blumenthal's on it.

"Don't even ask! How'd you make out at the doctor's?"

"As you said, don't EVEN ask!" He looked at her strangely, and decided to wait until they volunteered the information. Privately, he'd been concerned about John's condition, so he hoped it was better news.

*

Dolph felt silly about it, but he was nervous. He found Ennis out in the barn shaking feed down into the trough. "Uh, Ennis, talk to you a minute?"

Ennis turned, seeing Dolph standing there with his hat in his hand, he asked "What's up?". Seemed something was wrong, Ennis didn't like it.

"Well, you know what's goin on. How it's been 'round here."

"You tellin me you're takin off, leavin us, Dolph?

"What? No! No, Ennis, I'm here to ask for your sister's hand in marriage."

Ennis threw down the hay rake and clapped his arms around Dolph, pounding him on the back. "Good man, good man!"

Dolph flushed from head to toe, then swiped his shirtsleeve across his forehead to dry it. He smiled bashfully at Ennis. "Then you think it'd be okay?"

"Maggie's a grown woman, and seems to me you are the love a her life . . so it's up to the two a you, all the way." Ennis couldn't stop smiling. "Let me know when it's time to celebrate!"

Dolph walked out of the barn, a little steadier than he'd walked in.

*

That night, Maggie and Dolph called all the children together. Daniel, Becca and Rose were in the bedroom, Dolph walked over and closed the door. "Oh, oh", each one thought, "what have I done wrong now?"

Maggie and Dolph reached over and took each other's hands. "Children, Dolph has something very serious to ask each of us."

With a humble voice, he said, "Tonight I asked your mama to marry me, but she said I had to ask you all first." He pulled Maggie's hand to his lips and kissed it, waiting for the children to find their voice.

Daniel said, "Mama, is this what you want? You ain't just doin it cause he's been takin care a us kids and the land and all, ever since daddy got sick? Or cause he's the finest man we know?"

Maggie shook her head No, at Daniel.

"Only if you love him, mama. We love Dolph so much, but don't marry him 'lest you do too." Said Becca.

Rose looked from one person to another, she saw the mood lighten up a bit and she started jumping up and down. Raising her arms to Dolph she cried, "Daddy, pick Rosie up!"

He picked up his baby girl, now nearly four, and hoisted her on one arm.

With the other arm, he circled Maggie's shoulders. "Soundin like a Yes to me, Maggie? What do you say girl? Will you be my wife?"

She put both her arms around his waist and raised her face to his. "Only for a million years, my darling, only for forever." She put her face into his chest and snuggled into his shirt collar, her tears wetting his shirt, but nobody minded. The kids circled the happy couple and joined in the gladness and had a big group hug.

"Let's go out and tell the family, what say?"

Ennis knew what was going on upstairs, so when eight feet came tromping down the steps, (Dolph was still carrying Rose) he looked up expectantly, a big smile on his face.

He'd told Jack about the conversation in the barn, but hadn't gotten to the part about asking the children yet, but it was pretty evident there was a celebration going on!

Branch took Rose's hand and they began to jump and dance. He had no idea what they were happy about, but he knew they were all so happy. Bailey, Barley and Bobo got into the act, jumping and barking excitedly till Jack decided they could celebrate better elsewhere. "Outside now, come on!"

When it was a little quieter in the house, Becca said "We're getting married!"

And Rose echoed, "Yeth, we're getting mar-weed." Still jumping, Branch said "mar-weed!" and he giggled.

Jack and Ennis shook Dolph's hand and hugged and kissed Maggie while congratulating both. Dolph asked if he could call John and Claire over for the announcement. While he did that, Ennis went to the refrigerator and got some beers. When he handed them out, the kids were all just standing there looking at him. "Oh,yeah. Sorry!"

He called out "Apple juice, orange or grape?" Rose and Branch got their juice, but were now required to stay in the kitchen as long as they had liquid.

Becca didn't want a drink bad enough to stay away from the adults.

Daniel looked especially down hearted, so Maggie shared a small juice glass of beer from her bottle. "I forget you'll be 18 next birthday, Daniel. But this is just this once - for this special celebration. Keep a sip for the toast!"

When Claire and John walked in, Jack handed both a beer for the Toast. But John surprised everyone by declining. "Got any coffee?"

He walked over and put the beer back into the fridge, then poured a cup of lukewarm coffee. "Let me heat that up for you, dad." Jack said. "Nah, it's alright like it is. What're we celebrating anyway?" he was grinning slyly, so it was apparent Claire had told him about Dolph's foray into the jewelry store.

After everyone had toasted the happy couple, Dolph cleared his throat. He said "Thanks for everyone's good wishes for our happy life together. Maggie and I sure do appreciate everything you've done for us here in Loveland. We'd like to settle here permanently, 'cause we've come to love and depend on every one of you in this extended family."

He got lots of murmurs of good feelings right back. "And now, I have a request to make."

Everyone looked at Dolph with surprise.

"I'd like to ask you John, will you be my Best Man?"

John stammered and hem-hawed, and then he nodded. "Well, if you're sure. Yeah!" Dolph reached out and shook John's hand. "Thanks, man."

"Well, that does call for a drink!" said Jack. He pulled the Ancient Age out of the cupboard, and several shot glasses. "Who wants to be next after Dolph and dad?"

As everyone stood around the table, John spoke up. "None for me, son."

"What? Never heard you turn down . . ."

"Can't. It won't mix with my medicine."

That stopped everyone in their tracks.

"What's goin on?" asked Jack.

Ennis had stepped to Jack's side, to be there, no matter what. They'd both been expecting something, but you're never ready when it comes. Never.

"Well, this old ticker is slowin down, and Doc Morgan gave me some pills to get'er right as rain again. Just can't drink alcohol when I'm takin the stuff."

"He's telling the truth, and I've seen some improvement already. So don't you worry none, Jack. I'm takin good care a him." Said his mama.

*

That night in bed, Ennis held Jack extra close and extra tight. They'd made love then talked about Maggie and Dolph finally getting their chance at happiness. Waited long 'nuff, just like us. They agreed.

"Guess KE was the only Del Mar to get it right on the first try."

"S'pect so." Said Jack. "But hey! I was your first try, wasn't I?"

"Yes, baby. First, last and always."

*

They were married a month later in the church, following the last Sunday Worship Service. Reverend Brian Robisky performed the nuptials, his wife Beth was a Witness. Anyone in the congregation was invited to stay if they so desired. About half did, particularly those from the choir. Maggie and Dolph had been singing in the choir so they were becoming well known to the other parishioners.

The others went home to their Sunday dinners.

Maggie asked Ennis to give her away, since KE and Barbie could not come this distance. Her older brother would have been the traditional choice, but Maggie was thrilled to have Ennis be the one . . . they were closer than they'd ever been.

After escorting his sister to her new husband's side at the altar, he turned and entered the pew occupied by his handsome husband, Jack Twist and their son, Branch. Maggie's oldest and youngest children were in that same pew. Becca was standing up with her mother, as the maiden of honor.

Claire sat in the same pew, but across the aisle. She was on the Groom's side of the church. Soon her husband would hand the rings to the groom and then take his place by her side. She was pleased to see the energy in his step, it boded well for their future.

The rings . . ah yes. Maggie had explained to Dolph that she didn't need jewelry, all she wanted was "him"; Legally and Forever! So together they picked out matching wedding bands of plain gold, with a tiny etched vine twining around it. Inside, they each had something private inscribed for the other. Turned out, they both chose this line from their favorite song, "My one and only Love." Couldn't have been better if they'd planned it.

They took a couple days and went to Denver. The children stayed with Ennis and Jack, with Claire and John as back up. When they returned, driving up into the yard, they saw the kids out in the field with Ennis and Jack, playing baseball. The dogs were chasing the balls too, fetching and returning them. There was no tellin' who was on whose team.

*

That night in bed, Ennis tossed and turned. They had kissed good night, and closed their eyes. He might have even fallen asleep for a bit, but soon he was awake again.

"Jack? You awake?"

There was no answer.

Ennis nibbled a bit on the back of Jack's neck . . . "You awake, baby?"

"nah."

"Okay, you go back to sleep. We'll talk about it in the morning."

"Fuck Ennis! Talk about what?!"

"It's okay. You're sleeping."

"Ain't nobody can sleep through that shit! What is it?"

"Jack, we need anoth . . . . "

"Don't you fuckin say we need another baby!"

"Why Jack? Ain't you gonna miss havin them all here after . . "

"Ennis, I was tryna sleep!"

"Branch is getting so grown up. What do you think about . . ."

"Did you ever think about this? We could actually TALK in the fuckin daytime! Why do you always turn it on as soon as I get to sleep?"

"Oh, so you ain't mad about the baby. You're mad about my timin?"

Ennis started grinning from ear to ear. He kissed Jack on the tip of his nose, and on his ear lobe, both ticklish places on Jack Twist.

Jack reached over and got a headlock on his man, then he rubbed his knuckles on the top of the blond curls.

"Stop it! I ain't ten years old!"

"Couldn't prove it by me!" he said with glee.

"If I was ten, would I do this?" and at that, he slid down in the bed and tongued Jack's relaxed penis, feeling it fill as he pulled it all the way into his mouth. "Would I, huh?"

"Shut up and suck."

*

The next morning, the guys agreed to fix Ennis' empty nest syndrome by getting a kitten or two. They named them Willy and Waylon!

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