"Ladies, we need a few minutes. Would you take the babies back to the ranch?" Chris asked, eyes fixed on JD. After they left, he bent down and kissed JD's forehead. "I promise, JD, we all promise – your babies will get the best care, but as you know, Kid, it ain't the same as the love of a father. It's something you've wanted all your life – no matter how much your mother loved you – or even how much your big brothers love you."
The other five leaned in, nodding and placing a hand on JD; Vin and Nathan murmuring the same kind of words as Chris while Josiah prayed and Ezra, lump in his throat, prayed the best way he could – bartering good behavior if only JD would wake.
Tears rolled from Buck's cheek splashing down on JD's pale face, when through a haze, Buck caught his breath. "He wrinkled his nose."
The others focused on JD's face, hardly daring to breath. Could Buck be right?
Once before, through murky water, a ten-year-old boy struggled with confusion and sense of direction until a small light above lit the way to the surface of the lake. His starving lungs caused a gasp for air as the light above him broke through clouds and the sunlight appeared.
A small smile appeared on the pale face and JD slowly opened his hazel eyes to the teary faces of his brothers. He could feel the love as it warmed him as surely as his mother would heat his favorite blanket in the dryer to warm him as he came out of the cold and snuggled him close.
"JD," Buck rasped. Buck Wilmington had lived for this moment and thought how he would holler and jump, but he could only hold onto JD's hand and smile.
"Glad to have you back, son," Nathan said earnestly and then went to alert the staff.
Never had the smiles been wider on the others and JD did not question anything.
He yawned and said, "Tired."
"You've been sleeping forever, Rip Van Winkle," Vin teased, "but if you're tired . . ."
"Fought hard . . . to come back. Mom and Casey . . . said to."
"You belong here, little brother. They'll wait."
Mary, Raine, and Inez returned to the room, transfixed. Nathan had caught them before they left but it was hard to believe until they could see for their own eyes.
JD saw, too, and his eyes widened. "Babies?"
"Adam, Casey and John." Chris said. "You're a father now."
"Yes," said Dr. Lawrence. "Three beautiful babies. Happy Father's Day, JD."
"Father . . ." JD breathed.
"You made us six the proudest uncles anywhere, JD," Chris choked.
Just then all three babies began to babble and the sound of the excited chatter was like music to everyone's ears.
Josiah moved to the window to thank God, and for a moment his tear-dimmed eyes saw faraway shapes as Rose, Casey, Sarah and Adam seemed to wave and then fade away.