Adam turned toward the voice. He hated being called "kid", but he couldn't be mad at Captain Hart, not after the nights events. "Yes, Captain Hart?" the young physician's voice was sharper than he meant it to be, but he was upset and exhausted.
Bret sighed, he deserved both the tone and the look. He stepped closer and placed his hand on Adam's drooped shoulder. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you, but I was in shock. I know you're not a kid. I know you did all you could, sadly you were the target at that moment. I'm sure you are a wonderful doctor or you wouldn't be in Hunter's department or living in their house. Again, I'm sorry. Friends?" Hart's words were honest. He was truly sorry. He often spoke before he thought, it was his main flaw in life.
Adam scrutinized the older man's eyes. He was always a good judge of character, usually. "It's okay. I know what grief and stress can do. Apology graciously accepted. I am terribly sorry about your husband. I don't know what I would do if I lost Chris. I'd like to be friends. If you ever want to talk, I'm here, I mean that." his words were just as sincere. He loved helping people any way he could.
Both men turned as a black Jaguar pulled in behind Adam's Mustang. A tawny blond man stepped out. He was dressed like a rock star, a glittery, sleeveless vest, skin-tight jeans and a plaid scarf around his neck. His eyes were covered with dark sunglasses.
Something inside Bret made him want to growl. He took an instant dislike to the man. He sighed when he saw the bright smile that now crossed Adam's lips. This must be the Chris the doctor had spoken about.
The new arrival strutted up to the two men by the staircase. He pulled off his sunglasses and hooked them in the "V" of his vest. His blue eyes looked tired and bloodshot. The rock star had the look of a man who had been up all night. The man pulled Adam in for a noisy, tongue tangling kiss. When they parted, Adam blushed furiously as he glanced over at the firefighter.
"Hey baby Kitty. I've needed that all night," his lips quirked into a leering, sex filled smirk. His intentions were clear, Adam was in for a good fuck.
The doctor's flush grew even deeper, "Hi, my Lion. Chris, this is Captain Bret Hart of the Denver Fire Department. Captain, this is Chris Jericho, my fiancé," Adam made the semi-formal introduction.
Chris gave a real smile and stuck out his hand. He knew what had happened, Adam had called him, nearly in tears, after he'd lost the patient. "Honor to meet you, Sir. Sorry about your husband. It's a sad day for the department," for all his rock star behavior, his words were honest and sincere.
Bret was a little stunned. He could see the honesty in the haughty man's eyes. "Thank you for that Mister Jericho. You should be proud, your fiancé is a wonderful doctor."
"He is and I am. Come on Kitty, your Lion will make your favorite, French toast. Then a long, hot shower and..." Chris let his words fade, he couldn't finish his thought in front of a stranger.
"Yes. I won't keep you. Doctor, thank you and nice to meet you Jericho," Bret shook both their hands and left the couple to themselves. Bret walked into Shawn's back door. He took a deep breath, he could smell bacon, eggs, hash browns, biscuits and coffee. Shawn was just setting the kitchen table as Bret walked in.
"That kid is a good doctor. You guys must like him a lot," Bret said wearily as he sat down at the table. He was going through the motions of being "normal". If he acted like nothing was wrong, maybe he would wake up from this fuzzy nightmare.
Shawn recognized the human defense mechanism, he knew Bret would "crash" again and he would be there for his long time friend.
"Adam and his older brother, Jason are like sons to us. Judy, their mother was my mom's best friend. We met after Judy and the boys moved to Denver from Toronto. Hunter and I got to know them, then Judy was killed by a drunk driver. Adam and Jay were both at University. We took them under our wing, and let them live in the carriage house. Jay lives a couple of blocks down the street now. Hunter sponsored Adam through med school and hired him at the hospital. Jay finished his business degree and now manages The Lionhearts, Chris Jericho's band. They really are very good, they will be big someday," Shawn had finished cooking and dished up Bret's breakfast as he told the tale of the Copeland brothers.
Before Bret could say anything, the back door slammed open. Hunter stomped in, he was growling and muttering under his breath. He put his brief case down on the table under the window, still muttering he kissed Shawn on the cheek and sat down to breakfast.
"That damn Jericho; ran over the paper again. I wish Adam would wake up to that arrogant little snot wad. He's not nearly good enough for our boy!" Hunter growled, then sipped his coffee. He looked sheepish when he saw Bret. He'd forgotten their friend would be there. The nights tragic events slammed back into his head.
"Now, Hunt. Adam isn't our son, you know that. Chris is okay, he just... going through a phase. The band is getting known, he's trying to deal with that. Adam will center him. They love each other; just give them space. Adam is a smart boy, he won't marry him if it isn't right," Shawn said calmly as he took a bite of food. Hunter was always grumpy after a night shift rotation. Thankfully it didn't happen that often.
"Yes, dear. Sorry, dear. Buddy? You hanging in there? We'll all get some sleep soon. I'll give you something to help you rest," Hunter said, the angry growl replaced by warm caring.
Bret secretly agreed with Hunter's thoughts about Jericho, but he wasn't going to comment. "Hasn't sunk in yet. I'm not a fan of sleeping meds, but yeah, I'll take them," Bret's voice was tired and weary sounding, he was exhausted. The trio finished their breakfast. Hunter cleaned up while Shawn showed Bret to his room. He told Bret to make himself at home.
The nurse gave the firefighter a shot, Hunter said it would be faster than a pill. By the time Bret finished a quick shower, he was feeling the effect of the mild sleeping drug. He snuggled under the covers, he only wore his briefs. Captain Hart fell into a deep sleep before his thoughts reached his brain and kept him awake. It was like his mind and body knew this would be the last good sleep they would get for a while.
Shawn pulled the heavy black drapes over their windows. He only used them when they worked the night shift and needed to sleep in the daylight hours. He slipped naked into the bed to wait for Hunt to finish his shower. Hunter walked naked from the bathroom to the huge king sized bed he shared with his nurse husband. After settling in, he pulled Shawn to him, the couple kissed deeply. Both were thankful they weren't going through what their friend was dealing with. As they fell asleep in each others arms, they vowed to be there for Bret, no matter what.
Doctor Adam Copeland was pressed up against the back wall of the shower, hot water rained over him as Chris thrust his hips, driving his cock deep into the tight heat of his fiance's puckered hole. The doctor's hand was wrapped around his own cock as he stroked in tempo with his lover's movements. Kittenish mews passed over Adam's lips, showing how he got the name from Chris. The growls that rumbled in Jericho's chest made him sound like the Lion he and his band were named for. With another rumbling growl, he nipped Adam's neck as he again snapped his hips.
"Yeah Kitty, pull that cock, make yourself cum for me. You're so fucking tight, my dick is gonna tear you up," Chris growled in Adam's ear before he sucked the fleshy lobe between his teeth.
"Oh fuck... so... good my Lion. Fuck me, fuck me hard!" Adam cried out. He always enjoyed sex, but at times like this, after a hard time at work, it was like cleansing therapy.
"Yeah baby Kitten, beg for it, beg like a dirty slut," the Lion growled again with a hard snap of his hips.
Adam's hand flew up and down his shaft, he was the verge of eruption, "Fuck me, damn it. Rip me open, please!" the words fell from his mouth as the water sprayed against the wall aided by his hot breath.
With a few more hip snaps and twisting pulls, both men came with tremendous force. Chris collapsed against Adam, further pinning the physician against the warm tiles of the shower stall. As they worked to remember how to breathe, the water cleansed away the milky ribbons of their jizz.
Half an hour later, Adam and Chris were curled up in the queen sized bed. The mid morning sun was blocked by the same type of heavy black material in the master bedroom of the main house. Adam often worked the night shift, but it worked well with Chris' show schedule. Usually Chris came to sleep with him for a few hours, then they would eat dinner and go their respective jobs. They relished it when they both had a couple of days off at the same time.
The doctor's head rested on the rock star's bare chest, his fingers gently traced the lines of Chris' defined abdominal muscles, he sighed deeply. "Chrissy, what do you think of June fourteenth? It's a Saturday. If we decide now, Hunter can work the schedule," Adam's tone was full of hope. They had been engaged for six months. Adam was wanting to set a date for the wedding, but Chris just wouldn't be pinned down.
"Maybe. We don't have to rush the wedding. It's not like Hunter is holding a shot-gun to my back," Chris replied with a sigh. He loved Adam, but he just wasn't ready to settle down. He'd put the sapphire and diamond ring on Adam to lay his claim. Now that Adam was his, why "haste to the wedding" as his grandma used to say.
"I know my Lion. I just love you so much. I can't wait to marry you, build our lives together..." Adam paused, sat up and looked deeply into Chris' blue eyes, then continued, "you do want to marry me don't you? You love me, right?"
Chris had to fight to keep from rolling his eyes, the question was starting to get old. "Yes, I do love you. Yes, I want to marry you, just... not now. Really Adam, this is getting tiring. Look Kitten, we have both had long, hard nights, can we please just get some sleep?" he tried to keep the annoyance out of his tone, but not by much.
"Fine. I'll stop bothering you. Good night, Christopher," Adam said in a hurt, angry voice. He just couldn't figure out why Chris didn't want to set a date for the wedding.
"I'm sorry, Kitten, really I am. It's just that I'm tired. The rehearsal was bad, your brother was yelling, Evan was crying. I should leave work at the door. Forgive me?" Chris asked as he softly kissed Adam's bare shoulder. The blond had turned on his side, facing away from him.
Adam rolled to his back, his green eyes were wet with tears, "Yes. I'm sorry too. I know I push. It just... when Captain Hart's husband died, it scared me. I thought, what if I lost you?" the tears finally fell from his beautiful eyes.
"Oh baby Kitten, I should have... I'm a real dick sometimes. I'm lucky you love me. Tell you what, in a couple of weeks, when we are both free from work, we'll sit down and seriously talk about setting a date. You won't lose me, I promise," Chris said softly as he pulled his crying fiancé to him.
Adam curled up in Chris' arms and relaxed. They were both soon fast asleep. They always slept better in each others arms.
Bret Hart woke with a start, where was he? This wasn't his bed, nor his house. There was no familiar smell and where was... it all fell on him like a brick wall. He was at Shawn and Hunter's, and oh God, Davy was dead. His baby was gone. He'd never kiss him, make love to him, or fight with him ever again.
He rolled out of the bed and went to the window, he raised the blind and looked out. He could make out the mountains in the distance. He and Davy loved to camp in the vast mountain wilderness. He smiled, at first Davy had been almost "girly" about it. They had to stay in a cabin with electricity and running water.
After a while though, they were soon using tents and sleeping bags, on the banks of some mountain stream. Davy could only cook over a campfire, boy could that man fry fish and potatoes. Bret's mouth watered and he could almost smell it. His smile faded, one more thing he would never have again.
He looked at the bedside table, his cell phone was ringing, he recognized Owen's ring tone. He walked over and answered it, anyone else he would have ignored. They agreed to meet in an hour, Owen would come to the Helmsley house.
Bret took another quick shower to wake himself up. He realized the only clothes he had were the uniform he'd had on when he got the call to go to the hospital. He pulled on the black dress pants, then his long-sleeved white shirt, with all his rank, badge and bar ribbons he'd earned over time. He didn't put on the black tie, there was no need for that. He tied the black dress shoes, he gave them a swipe with a towel out of habit.
Captain Hart crept quietly down the stairs, he didn't want to wake his sleeping hosts. He glanced at his watch, it was nearly three-thirty in the afternoon. He went to the kitchen. Hart helped himself to a glass of orange juice.
He drank the juice and rinsed the glass. He went outside to wait for his brother. It was early spring, but for Denver it was unusually warm. As he strolled to the front yard, he heard the door to the carriage house open, followed by muffled foot falls on the steps.
Hart stepped behind a bush, something just made him want to hide, he was across the driveway from Jericho's car. He saw the rock star, he was carrying his shoes in one hand, his cell phone in the other.
The way Jericho was acting just looked suspicious. Something about the situation made the hairs on his neck stand out. It looked clear to Bret, Jericho was sneaking away, probably to go be with whoever was on the phone. Was the rock star two timing the doctor? Bret shook his thoughts, he was probably misjudging the event because of what Hunter said and his own dislike for the rocker. He watched as Jericho pocketed his phone, slipped into his shoes and after starting his car, pulled out of the driveway.
Three minutes later, Owen's white pickup truck pulled into the driveway. Bret stepped out and went to his brother. Owen got out, shut his door and hugged his older brother. Bret led Owen to the back of the grand old house. There was an outdoor seating area around the fire pit. He knew their voices wouldn't disturb his hosts as their bedroom was on the front side of the house.
"Did you sleep?" Owen asked as he settled on the curved seating area. He pushed his sunglasses on the top of his blond head.
"A bit. I let Shawn give me a shot. God, Oje; Davy... he's gone..." Bret eyes were wet, but he held the tears in.
"I'm so sorry, Buddy. It should have been me, would have been if he hadn't..." Owen bit back his own emotions. He felt so guilty.
"No, Oje don't. Davy wouldn't want you to feel guilty. You would have done the same thing. It's the job, Oje. We know the risks, you just don't expect them to visit you like this. Davy was a hero, don't take that from him by feeling guilty," Bret said with a slight smile and pat to his brother's knee.
"I am thankful Bret. You know what guilt does. I, Margret, the kids..." Owen spoke with hesitation. He had to tell his brother something, he just didn't know how.
Bret sighed, he could read his brother's look, like a well read, favorite book. "You're quitting the department, right?"
Owen fiddled with a loose thread on his hoodie, his head was nodding, "Yeah. Margret and I have talked about it. This just settled it. The kids want it too. You might as well know all of it. We're going home, to Calgary. Bruce needs help at the new store. You understand? There's a job for you too, if you want it," the youngest Hart Brother explained.
Bret and Owen were two of twelve children. Their father had owned a small sporting goods store. Over the years, Hart's Sporting Goods had become the largest chain of sports stores in western Canada. All the other Hart brothers and sisters worked for the chain.
Bret had never had the desire to work for the family business. He loved his family, but he wanted something more exciting in his life. Being a fireman was always his dream. He'd come to the States to attend the University of Colorado. He took courses that would help him gain ranks in the department. Business management, communications, accounting and the like. After graduating, he went to the Fire Academy in Denver. There he stayed. Owen had followed him two years later.
Bret smiled softly, "Yes Oje, I understand. No, I know it's hard now, but I'm... I love what I do. Ten more years, then I can retire. Maybe then I'll go home. I owe it to Davy too, brother. The job... it was his and is my life. When are you going?" the older brother asked. He did understand, he really did. He just hated to see his brother leave. They had always been close, hell Bret was the one who had changed Owen's diapers as a baby.
"After David... funeral. I quit this morning. I had to forfeit some of my pension, but I expected that. Margret is already packing, this scared her. She wants to see you, but I told her to give you some time. You know she means well, but she can over smother mother. I figured you'd rather; you know..." Owen said with a bit of a laugh. He loved his wife more than anything, but she tended to over mother everyone. She meant it with love and Owen understood it, it only made him love her more.
Bret let out a small laugh as well, "I love Margret, but yeah, thanks. I'll see her and the kids tomorrow. So soon Oje? I'll miss you. Oh shit, I haven't called anyone yet. So much; he's gone Oje, my Davy boy is gone. How can I live without him..." he barely managed to get out the last few words before the racking sobs over took the firefighter.
Owen pulled his other brother into his arms, he let his own tears fall. It broke his heart to see his brother in so much pain and could do nothing about it. He knew it was partly because of him, but as Bret said, he would have done the same.
Adam woke up with a smile, he reached out for his fiancé. The smile turned into a frown, not only was Chris' side of the bed empty, it was cold. Apparently he'd been gone for a while. The doctor sighed, rubbed his eyes and sat up. He looked at the clock on the bedside table, he saw a folded piece of paper with his name on it. He picked it up, unfolded it and began to read...
"Kitten, Sorry I had to run out on you. Major problems at the studio. I'll make it up to you. Let's go down to the Springs on your days off. We'll seriously talk about a wedding date. Have a good night at work. I'll call in the morning. I love you, pretty Kitty. Love, Your Lion"
Adam smiled, well how many times had he been called to the hospital on an emergency. He knew the band was working hard on their first, truly professional CD release. It could make or break The Lionhearts. He was not only proud of Chris, but his brother, Jason as well. How Jason managed the band could also make or break his career in the entertainment industry.
Adam and Jason had grown up near Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Their mother, Judy had raised them as a single parent. Jason had been two when Adam was born. While Judy was in the hospital, in the middle of labor, Judy's husband up and left. He left a note saying two kids were two too many. When Judy got the note, she changed all their names back to her maiden name of Copeland and erased the man who'd left them from their lives. Jason sometimes had a memory of a blond man, while Adam only ever remembered their mother.
Neither of the boys cared a flip about their "father". They never asked about him and Judy never told. Who needed him. Judy did the job of mother and father perfectly. It had devastated the brothers when she was so senselessly killed by a drunk driver. They were taken in by the Helmsley's and regarded the couple as second parents.
Jason changed his last name to Reso, he just thought it sounded better for show business. Down in his heart, he was a Copeland, nothing could ever change that. Besides, Reso was still a family name, it was their grandmother's maiden name.
Adam let out an airy breath, "Well, no reason to get up so soon. Now I can sleep till nine," he said to himself as he reset the alarm for nine, then turned over and went back to sleep. He had to be back at the hospital at ten. His shift would start at eleven. Being Saturday night it would probably be busy. He needed all the sleep he could get.
Bret sighed as he watched his brother pull out of the driveway. He looked down and saw the morning paper Jericho's Jag had crushed along with the evening paper that had been thrown sometime during Owen's visit.
Hart picked up both papers. He sauntered down to the mail box, he opened it, looked in and took out the mail. It gave him something to do and saved Shawn a small chore.
There were several envelopes of different sizes, shapes and colors along with a bunch of magazines, several of them were duplicates. There were two AMA Journals, two New England Journals of Medicine, and other duplicates, all medical related. Curiously he noticed one was for Hunter the others for Adam. There were also a couple of nursing journals, addressed to Shawn. There were also copies of Outdoor Life, Canadian Ice Hockey, The Hockey News, Dog Fancy, Bark, Modern Dog along with Colorado Homes and Lifestyle, Southern Living and Architectural Digest; all addressed to Adam.
Bret let out a small chuckle as he walked back up the driveway. "That kid must think the more you order, the greater your chance at winning the Clearing House Sweepstakes."
He took all the mail into the house. He wasn't sure how they sorted the mail, so he just piled it all on the kitchen counter. Hart felt enough at home that he put on a pot of coffee. Bret turned on the small television that sat on the bar, he made sure the volume was low. The news chattered in the background as he toasted a bagel to go along with the coffee. When his small meal was ready, Bret sat down on one of the bar stools, he looked at the television, all the breath suddenly left his lungs, he paled. There on the screen was his and Davy's wedding picture.
"...Mister David Smith-Hart, thirty-two, died of his injuries. He leaves behind his husband, Captain Bret S. Hart, several brothers and sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews. We pass along the thoughts and prayers to the family of this Colorado hero..." the news anchor finished the report, tears in her eyes.
As the news about the fire continued, the picture was reduced to a small icon in the upper corner. Bret and Davy were dressed in their formal firefighter uniforms of a deep navy blue with brass buttons on the jackets. The roses pinned to their lapels were the only thing out-of-place, their faces were frozen in happy smiles.
Bret remained still as the images of the fire kept filling the screen, unaware of the tears running down his high-boned cheeks. He never heard the key turn in the lock of the kitchen door. Adam Copeland walked into the kitchen of the Helmsley house. He'd been unable to go back to sleep, so he'd gotten up to get his mail. When he found the box was empty he figured someone had taken it into the house.
The young doctor's face fell when he saw the grieving firefighter. He paused briefly, the television was talking about the fire, again saying how one Denver firefighter was killed while saving the life of another. Adam knew it wasn't good for Bret to watch the television. He went to the older man, he reached over and flipped to the sports channel, there happened to be a hockey match being replayed.
Bret shook himself, he felt moisture on his face, a large hand with long, graceful fingers held a tissue out to him. He took the tissue and looked to the owner of the hand. "Thanks. Sorry, I should have known it would be on the news. I guess, I'm still... numb. I can hardly comprehend what's happened. It hits me; off and on," Bret said in a mixed tone. He wiped his eyes. He watched as Adam poured out his cold coffee, poured him a fresh cup, then one for himself. Adam put the cups down and sat next to the firefighter.
They were silent as the hockey game played on in the background. Adam saw the stack of mail and sorted through it, he laughed softly. "I should really cancel most of these. I hardly have time to read them," the physician said as he stacked his pile of mail and magazines neatly.
Bret smiled, "you do have a lot of magazines. You like dogs and camping?"
"Yeah. I hope to have a dog someday. I want my own practice eventually, but right now, I love the hospital, busy as it gets sometimes. I like being outdoors, not much time for camping, it's not really Chris' thing. Well, one of the nurse's kids was selling magazines, my order helped him win some contest," the blond said rather sheepishly.
Hart laughed, "I know that one! My brother's two kids. We are over run with Girl Guide cookies from my nieces and soccer team popcorn from my nephews. How can you refuse though, charity right?"
Adam nodded, "I would love to have a big family, or at least nieces and nephews. It's just me and my older brother. We're both gay, and as the saying goes, boys can't have babies," he finished with a bit of a chuckle.
Bret gave another little laugh, "I have eleven brothers and sisters. So I have tons of nieces and nephews. All but my brother Owen, live in or near Calgary. Owen is taking his family there, after..." his voice trailed off. He hated the idea of being without Owen, especially now.
"I'm sorry, maybe you can go visit. Calgary? We were raised in Orangeville, just northwest of Toronto. Neither Jay or I have been back since ma was killed," Adam's voice tailed of this time, he hated thinking about his ma's death.
"I'm sorry too, really. So, do you like being a doctor? Say, are you the one that stitched up a little boy, named David last night?" Bret asked thoughtfully. The little boy had been a great comfort to him.
"I love it. It's hectic at times, but I love helping people. Um, I shouldn't say, doctor-patient confidentiality, but yes, I did take care of a little boy. You know, Shawn told me someone... wait! It was you wasn't it? You paid his bill?" Adam asked, his brow raised. Shawn had told him a stranger had paid the bill for the boy's treatment.
Bret blushed just a bit, "Yeah, I did or will anyway. She just looked like; I held him while his mother filled out the papers. Little David, it was nice; a comfort," the firefighter explained.
Adam smiled brightly, "That was nice of you. You are a kind man. Just so you know, he will be fine, only a few tiny stitches, won't even scar. Well, Captain Hart, I'd better go get ready for work. I was nice talking to you," Adam held out his hand to the older man.
Bret shook the offered hand, he felt a strong firm handshake, "Please, it's Bret. Could I ride with you to the hospital? I left my car there. I would appreciate it," he asked in a friendly tone. He really liked the kid.
"Be glad to, um... Bret. Are you up to it? I could ask my brother to bring your car here, he's never even had a parking ticket. I just..." Adam bit his lip. He didn't mean to be nosy, but he worried about the grieving man driving.
Hart smiled, "He can't, city owned vehicle. I'll be fine, I promise. Thanks for being so worried."
Adam nodded. He told Bret to be ready at nine. They shook hands again. The young doctor scooped up his mail and left. Shawn appeared as soon as Adam left. He and Bret talked about Owen, then Adam.
Shawn was worried about Bret as well. He hated that he and Hunter had to work. Bret promised he would be alright and took the spare key Shawn gave him. Bret was honestly glad to stay with his friends, just for a while.
Owen promised to meet Bret at his house. Bret didn't want to be there alone, but he needed to get some clothes, papers and other things from the house. Bret would put off making calls till tomorrow, people would know now anyway because of the news. He'd turned his cell phone to vibrate, he already had fifty-seven calls. Bret just didn't want to deal with them now.
At nine, he was standing by Adam's Mustang. Adam came down the stairs, his briefcase in one hand his cell phone in the other. He smiled at Hart and indicated for him to get in the car. Bret tried not to listen, but it seemed Chris and Adam were having a slight spat. Adam ended the call and started the drive to the hospital.
"He can be so pig-headed sometimes, but, I love him. I'm sorry. You don't want to hear my problems," Adam said with a sad sigh.
"Love is like that. Davy and I had some barn burners. I slept on the couch for a month once. I like talking about him so don't guard your words. I'm sure you and Chris will work it out. Marriage would be boring without fights. Shawn and Hunter can be down right vicious to each other, then so sweet it makes me ill. You can talk to me any time, I'll be at Hunter's for a while," Bret spoke in a reassuring tone. Something about talking to Adam just seemed so right and natural. Maybe because Adam reminded him of Owen.
By midnight, Bret was back at the Helmsley house. Thanks to Owen he managed to quickly gather what he needed and pack. Hart put up a wall around himself as he moved through the house he'd shared with Davy. He decided he would sell, he couldn't live there, alone. Davy had picked out the house and decorated it. The tough, muscular firefighter, Davy Hart, had a delicate, soft side that only Bret got to see. Oh how he would miss his husband.
Bret fell into a fitful sleep, dreams of Davy danced in his head. He knew the hard part was yet to come. He prayed for the strength to get through it and to face life without his lover.
A/N: Thanks to those of you who have reviewed and are following the story. I do hope you are enjoying it. I just wanted to add, I know Owen's widow's name is really Martha, but for this story I just felt like changing it. I got the nicknames of Buddy, for Bret and Oje for Owen directly from Bret's book. Again, thank you for reading, reviewing and following! LDB.