It was almost two weeks before Adam and Bret had their next days off together. They were miserable being apart, but they knew it was part of their relationship. It would eventually even out and get better. In the mean time, their phone lines blew up whenever, they could take a few minutes.
This was the day they had looked forward to. Bret was off from Saturday till Tuesday morning and Adam was off from Saturday till Monday night. It was nine in the morning and with a bag packed for the weekend, Adam was on his way to Bret's. Adam had been honest with Shawn, to a point. He'd told the nurse he was spending the weekend with the firefighter to get to know him better. It was the truth, just not the whole truth and he did feel bad about it.
Sunday, the Helmsley's were having a barbecue party for Jason and Heath. After the party, Bret and Adam were going to tell Shawn and Hunter about their budding relationship. Probably the newlywed's too if they were still around.
Adam stopped at his favorite mom and pop bakery. Mrs. Wilson baked the best pastries and donuts in the city. He got a few glazed donuts and blueberry Danish. They were still warm and filled the Mustang with a heavenly scent. As he drove on towards Bret's, Adam thought about Wade. So far things at work had been alright. However, Adam noticed that Wade never had lunch at the same time and was pushing harder to get the work done on his office. Wade had also gone back to being snobbish, at least towards the staff. He made notes of the smallest rule infractions and said he was doing what Adam should have done.
Barrett, however, acted differently when Shawn or Hunter were on duty with him. They saw the "new and improved" Wade. His plan to destroy Adam was slow, but he had to do it that way to keep suspicions down. He wasn't worried, the file, locked away in his desk at home was growing thicker and thicker. Wade hadn't managed to get any more forms or reports, but he wrote down every single infraction he saw. He started with the night Adam had worn jeans to work. For every infraction, he cited the rule it broke. They might be small, but enough would add up. Revenge was a dish best served cold.
Adam pulled into Bret's driveway. Bret smiled and jumped up as soon as he heard the Mustang in the drive way. He remembered he was forty-five, not twenty, he refrained from running to the door, but he walked quickly. The door opened as Adam started to ring the bell. For a moment, the couple just looked at each other.
"Hi. Sugar. You look so good. Come on in," Bret said warmly as he took the box of pastry from Adam.
"Hi, Bear. So do you, oh so do you. Kiss me, for fuck sake, kiss me," Adam said as he set his bag down on the floor. Bret pulled the doctor into his arms. He kissed Adam with passion. Their tongues tangled together, and hands caressed. It felt wonderful.
The kiss broke, Adam stood there, his head on Bret's shoulder, his arms around the Captain's waist. Bret too stood holding the blond tightly in his arms. The feeling of peace and contentment washed over them like a gentle spring rain.
"I've missed you. Holding you, kissing you," Bret whispered softly. His breath caused Adam's hair to ruffle a bit.
"Mmmm me too. I could stay like this forever, but, the donuts are getting cold. Oh, who cares," Adam said with a sigh. He snuggled in closer to Bret. He could spend the rest of his life just being held and cuddled.
Bret laughed softly and with Adam still attached, he began walking towards the kitchen. He picked up the pastry box he'd laid on the entry way table. Adam laughed and went along for the ride.
After another deep kiss, they settled in at the kitchen table. Bret had brewed a pot of coffee and Adam had put the sweet treats on a serving platter.
"So how is work? Barrett giving you any hassles?" Bret asked as he bit into one of the blueberry Danish.
Adam sighed, "He's treating me alright, but I feel like he's watching me, making mental notes. I dunno, maybe I'm being paranoid. He's being chummy with Doctor Heyman. Work itself is good though. Delivered a set of twins yesterday!" Adam said with a bright smile as he thought of those sweet babies.
"Paul Heyman? The little weasel? Oh, he's alright I guess, in general. Just remember, if Barrett hassles you, tell Hunter. Sugar, there is just something about him I don't like or trust. Twins? Boys? Girls?" Bret asked with a bit of a sneer, he knew Heyman from University.
"Doctor Heyman is okay. He can be... oily. It is hard to run the hospital and not be. He has a huge job, I wouldn't want it. I will, Bear, but I can handle Wade. Girl and boy, so precious," Adam answered Bret's questions, then took a bite of donut.
"I agree, running and funding a hospital does take a bit of "oiliness" What do you want to do after breakfast?" Bret asked as he sipped his coffee. He gave Adam a leering smirk.
Adam pretended not to notice the heated look Bret was giving him. He wanted the man just as badly, but he was in a teasing mood, to a point. "Oh I dunno. Such a nice day out. How about driving around and going to some yard sales?" Adam asked as he looked at the newspaper. He turned to the classified section where yard sales were listed.
Bret's mouth fell open that was the last thing he wanted to. But if that's what his boy really wanted to do, he'd do it. "Oh, well, um okay. If that's what you want to do, we can do it. You um, sure you wouldn't rather, um, get some rest?" Bret sounded almost like a pouty little boy as he answered.
Adam smirked, "that's sweet of you, Bear. I till you what I'd really like to do. I'd like to go into the bedroom, take off my clothes; I want you. I want to make love with you. I want to enjoy sex with you, I want you to fuck me, use me as your toy. But then again, I do love going to yard sales," he kept looking at the paper as he spoke. He was teasing Bret and having a wonderful time doing it.
"You are a naughty little boy, teasing me like that. I have a good mind to put you in the car and take you to every fucking yard sale in Denver, maybe the entire State of Colorado," Bret teased back. It had been a long time since he'd had a sexual sparring partner like Adam. He loved it.
Not even Davy could tease like Adam. In the past two weeks, during their phone calls, is when Bret discovered Adam's naughty side. More than once he had to jerk off in the shower after one of their calls. The guys at the station probably thought he'd developed some new, neurotic cleanliness disorder.
"Oh really? Tell me something, Captain Hart, are you sure you wouldn't rather take me into the bedroom and fuck me? Right now?" Adam teased again. He stood up, he gave his body a long, languid stretch. The doctor slowly unbuttoned his shirt and revealed his tight, lightly bronzed upper body.
It was all Bret could do to refrain from bending Adam over the table and taking right then and there. The only thing that stopped him was the fact he wanted to lay Adam out and spend hours between his legs being lazy.
Bret had to lick his lips and swallow before he could speak, his mouth was thick with desire, "You are a very nasty little boy. Get in the bedroom, now!" He growled out his words. The firefighter moved towards Adam like a wolf, stalking his prey. His dark eyes flashed almost dangerously.
Adam swallowed hard, maybe he'd gone to far. For a brief flash, Randy's face replaced Bret's. He shook himself, it wasn't Randy, it was Bret, he trusted the man; without question. He saw something behind the fiery brown eyes, something he never saw in the blue, viperine eyes of Randal Orton; he saw love and caring. He flashed Bret a coy wink. Bret watched as Adam's face flashed with different emotions, he was about to question his lover when Adam winked at him. He watched as the physician turned and walked towards the bedroom. He couldn't wait to get his hands on that beautiful body.
Three climaxes and four hours later, Adam lay content in Bret's arms. They were drenched in both sweat and cum. Blond hair tangled with brown, fingers gently caressed and toes mingled together. Bret's fingers gently ran down Adam's arm, "you are incredible. God, I'm too old for a young cub like you," the Captain said with a bit of a laugh.
Adam chuckled, "you're the incredible one and I was just about to ask you to show me your ID again. I think your twenty-five, not forty-five. Bear, you make me feel so... wonderful.
Hart laughed again, "are you sure you're okay with me being so much older? After all seventeen years is a lot, I could be your father!"
Adam turned in Bret's arms, he wanted to look his lover directly in the eye, "you're not teasing me are you? Baby, age doesn't matter to me. You just keep wearing my ass out and you'll get no complaints. No, okay, I'm not teasing now. Honestly Bret, I don't really care about a difference in our ages. You're not going to change your mind, about us?" Adam's tone went from lighthearted to really worried. He didn't want to lose Bret, not over something so trivial.
Bret saw real fear and worry in his young lover's eyes, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. I just thought; I was being stupid. I just wondered how an old bear like me got to be so lucky, to win your heart over a handsome, rich doctor from England."
"Because of this; the way you make me feel, Bret Hart. I chose you because you're far more handsome, but more than that, I chose you for your heart. You care about me, about how I feel. You're a decent man and I truly admire you and I'm proud to belong to you," Adam's words were heartfelt and honest. Tears of emotion filled his eye.
Bret saw the honesty, it poured from Adam like cooling waters, "you know, I'm growing to love you. I do love you, Adam. I'm not going anywhere. You are a very special man and I'm proud to belong to you," Bret sealed his words with a deep kiss.
Adam melted into the kiss, he felt so loved, maybe he truly loved for the first time. When the kiss broke, he spoke, " I love you, Bret. I finally know what those words mean. I can't wait to tell everyone tomorrow."
"Me either. I want the world to know. Adam, earlier, when we were teasing each other, I saw something in your eyes. Want to talk about it?" Bret asked softly as he wrapped his arms tightly around his boy.
Adam sighed and buried himself in Bret's strong embrace, "For a moment, and only a moment, the look in your eye reminded me of the way Randy looked just before; well... before. Then I realized it wasn't Randy, it was you. I knew I could trust you and I knew you cared about me; loved me. That was the difference. It's good to know that we can play like that and I don't have to be afraid. I love you for that." he too sealed his gratefulness with a kiss.
Bret looked at Adam, a bit of pride flashed across his face. He was so proud of Adam, "I am so proud of you. It's a great thing to make a breakthrough like that," he kissed Adam soundly, again he was so proud.
"Only because of you, Bret. I guess I'd better tell you everything; about Randy. But let's shower first, okay?" he didn't want to talk about Randal Orton while covered in sweat and cum.
Bret agreed. The two men each took their own shower, then Adam preened as Bret dried his long hair. The soft touches and warm air from the dryer nearly lulled the doctor to sleep. It made Bret chuckle, he knew now why Jericho had called Adam; Kitten. The man actually purred, too bad that Chris had spoiled the nickname for ever.
They went back to the bed. The couple changed the sheets and still naked, curled up together. Adam knew he owed Bret the truth, no matter how difficult it was to tell; and hear.
Adam started with how they met Randy at University. "He was the quarterback and headed for a major football career. We met at a pep rally for Homecoming. It was instant love, or so I guess what was my college idea of love. We were inseparable. Then, during practice one day, Randy blew out his knee, in five minutes his future was over. At first, after surgery and rehab, he decided to go for teaching; become a coach. He got depressed, the drinking started, not much at first. It didn't take long though and he was a violent drunk. I became his punching bag. At first I stayed because I was ashamed, then because I was scared. I still stayed at the top of my grades and did my internship. One day he just went; crazy. He beat me, raped me and tossed me into the corner. Jay found me; took me to the hospital. Shawn and Hunter were livid. Later that day, we heard about the bus accident, that thank God was also the end of me and Randy," Adam finished his story. He felt free, not even Chris had known the whole story.
"I worked that accident. One of the little girls died in my arms. My God, Sugar, you're lucky he didn't kill you. I'm so glad you know you can trust me. As I said, we will fight and argue, but I'll never hurt you, physically or mentally. I do love you, and I hope with all that I am, that it grows deeper with time," Bret spoke in a whisper, he remembered that day. He was even more honored to have Adam's trust. He pulled Adam in even closer.
Adam needed to feel, thoughts of Randy burned from his brain. "Make love to me, please, Bret? I need it," Adam asked as he nipped at Bret's neck gently. Bret had a fair idea why Adam was asking and he was happy to do anything to make his lover feel better. The good thing was that Adam was still well-stretched from earlier.
The older man gently laid Adam on his back. Adam parted his legs and Bret lay between them, their hips cradled together like the pieces of a puzzle. Bret then slid down the younger man's body and sucked Adam's semi hard cock into his mouth, at the same time he slipped two fingers into the doctors puckered hole. He curled his fingers and pressed. He knew he'd found Adam's prostate when the cock in his mouth hardened and Adam cried out in sexual pleasure. Adam's graceful fingers ran through Bret's damp curls, he felt so loved and cared for.
Bret's mouth slid up and down, his tongue traced the thick vein on the underside, he sucked with hollowed cheeks, all while he massaged the tender sexual gland, making Adam writhe and moan wantonly.
"Need you in me, Bear. I need to feel you in me, please," Adam whimpered softly. As much as he loved Bret's mouth and fingers he wanted more.
"What my Sugar wants, my Sugar gets," Bret whispered softly. He slid up Adam's body. He lifted Adam's left leg and rested it on his shoulder, making access to Adam's hole easier. He lubed up his cock and slid home. Even though he was stretched open, Bret's length and girth still burned. That was what Adam wanted, to feel the hot pain it was enough to burn Randal Keith Orton from his thoughts. Their kisses were deep and passionate as they rocked in tempo. Adam reached between their bodies and wrapped his hand around his cock and stroked himself as they made love.
Earlier, they had gone at it hard and heavy, like animals. This time, they were slow and tender. They rocked together in an almost lazy tempo. Adam's hand slid up and down his shaft while Bret's mouth feasted on his neck, both men let out murmurs of pleasure as they sealed their love.
"I'm close Bret, so close," Adam whined as he stroked himself a little faster and tightened his grip.
"Give me that cum, Sugar. Make yourself all dirty for me," Bret growled deeply into Adam's ear. Bret's filthy words were all it took. Adam's cock spurted cum all over his hand, it dripped all over the doctor's abdomen and splashed up on Bret's well toned abdomen.
Bret pulled the coated hand to his mouth and licked the creamy essence from the delicate fingers, as he did, Adam's ass muscles clenched down on Bret's cock. The action milked Bret, with great pleasure to the older man. Once again they were left dirty, sweaty and panting for breath, they held each other tightly.
"Thank you, Bear. I needed that. I do love you," Adam whispered in hot, panting breaths. He felt fresh and clean, despite the sweat and sticky mess. It was a fantastic feeling.
"Any thing for my boy. Do you feel clean now?" Bret asked as he gently caressed Adam's face. He bent down and gave his lover a sloppy, messy wet kiss.
Adam hummed softly as he tasted himself on Bret's tongue. As he broke the kiss to speak, a long thread of spit connected their lips. "You knew? Bear, you're scary, wonderful, but scary," Adam whispered in astonishment.
"Let's just say with age comes wisdom. Now, shower and food, and old man needs energy, for tonight. Better do some laundry too, at this rate, I'll need to buy more sheets," Bret said with a swat to Adam's butt. It made the doctor laugh.
Adam was in Bret's kitchen, putting the last touches on the salad he'd made for Shawn's barbecue. Bret was next to him shredding some cheddar cheese for the salad.
"Adam, what would you think about moving in with me?" Bret asked seriously. He'd been thinking about it for a while. He just wasn't sure if Adam was ready.
The physician sprinkled some chopped, hard-boiled egg over the salad, then the cheese Bret had prepared. "I don't know, Bret. Do you think we've been together long enough? It's a huge step and commitment," Adam replied as he bit his lip. He just wasn't sure if he was ready for something so drastic.
"Yes, it is. Think about it and take your time. You could have your own room. You could use that little room in the attic as an art studio. Anyway, no rush to decide and if you say no, I won't be mad, I promise," Bret said softly as he stood behind his lover, his chin on Adam's shoulder. His arms around the lithe, trim waist.
"Thanks, Bear. I promise, I'll think about it, seriously. I appreciate your understanding. It's just, at Shawn and Hunter's well, it's my haven. I feel safe there. Oh, not that I wouldn't feel safe here. Damn, I can't explain it very well," Adam stammered as he leaned back against the firefighter.
"I understand. It's where, when you want to hide from the world you can. We all need a place like that. When your ready, you'll know and the offer is always open," Bret said in a reassuring tone. He truly did understand.
An hour later, Bret and Adam arrived at Shawn and Hunter's. Jason, Heath, Kofi, Mike and Alex were there along with Wade, Dolph, AJ, Eva, Maria and the Bella twins. It was a nice mix of people, Shawn had a great knack for mixing groups.
When the couple got to the back yard, there was a heated game of badminton between the rock stars and medical staff while the Helmsley's and Wade were playing croquet.
"Hi guys!" Adam called out as he put the salad on the picnic table when the rest of the food.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and greeted the doctor and fire Captain. Wade sneered as he saw Adam with Bret. It was clear Adam had spent the night at Hart's, it was if he could almost smell the sex on them. However, he didn't let his disdain show. He had to keep Adam from being suspicious.
"Hi, Buddy, Adam. A little late aren't you?" Shawn asked as he hugged his friends. After a hug from Jason as well, the manager and the others went back to their game.
Bret wandered off to take Shawn's place in the croquet match, much to Wade's chagrin. Shawn and Adam went into the kitchen.
"Yeah, um sorry about that. Um... salad took longer than I thought," Adam said with a bit of a blush. He didn't say that after they talked about moving in, they had a quickie on the couch.
"Yes, all that chopping can be, time-consuming. So I take it you and Bret are um... getting closer?" Shawn asked with a knowing wink. He took the platter of steaks out of the fridge.
"You could say that. Steaks? This is a party. Ooh and one of your lemon cakes? They will love that!" Adam said as he admired the three layer "wedding" cake. Shawn had decorated the cake with pale yellow icing and deep yellow flowers. Two little ceramic grooms stood on top, kissing.
"I hope so, I haven't baked in ages. So how are things? Happy?" Shawn asked as he seasoned the steaks.
Adam smiled, "Very happy. Things are really good. I know I made the right choice. Bret is wonderful. You know Shawn, I think, no, I know, for the first time, I understand how you and Hunter feel about each other. I know what love is," he admitted to the father like person in his life.
Shawn smiled softly, "I'm happy for you; both of you. I knew Bret was the one for you. Just go slow, Adam. Sometimes you tend to go head long, but I have to be honest, with Bret, you're safe. So I take it we don't know about his yet?"
Adam laughed, "What is it with you and Bret and the mind reading. We're going to tell you later, act surprised. We'll talk about it all later. We'd better get these out to the grill master," Adam gave Shawn a hug and helped him carry the two platters of meat out to be grilled.
By the time they got back outside, everyone was gathered around the fire pit. Heath and Kofi were playing their guitars, while Alex and Mike sang one The Lionhearts new songs, they were very good.
Hunter and Bret started grilling the steaks. When the song ended, everyone clapped. Jay beamed proudly at his new husband.
"Thank you. We need Chris though, he's the real singer. Adam, he will be able to sing with us again, won't he?" Heath asked his new brother-in-law, his tone hopeful, but mixed with worry.
"Don't worry Heath. You'll have your singer back. But, he'll need time, a lot of it. Evan will need a bit of rehab too. What about your contract?" Adam spoke using his doctor's tone.
"Was going to tell you. The record company signed The Lionhearts to a six million dollar contract over six years. They felt bad about the crash. They are giving Chris a year to recover. In the mean time, they are going to produce the CD and release it in six months. Then they will push the guys. They even deleted our payment of investment. The deal cost us zilch. That hardly ever happens. All we have to do now is wait," Jason said proudly. He'd worked hard to broker the deal. A threat of a law suit over the crash didn't hurt either.
"That's fantastic! I'm so proud of you all! I'm sure that will give Chris the incentive to get better faster. You all need to help him, encourage him and Evan. Chris will be out of ICU next week. I'll let you know when," Adam said proudly and excitedly. He was truly happy for the band and his brother.
"I'm not sure that is a good idea. Too much excitement won't be good for Mister Jericho," Wade said in a cautionary tone, contradicting Adam openly.
Before Adam could respond, Hunter stepped over to where the others were talking. "No, Wade. Adam is right. I'm not saying they should all jump on Jericho at once, but that is just the type of thing he needs, Evan as well. Adam will let you know when he's ready," the elder doctor said firmly. He liked Wade, but sometimes his approach was a little too stoic.
Wade turned to Adam, his eyes flashed at his fellow doctor. Luckily, Adam never noticed, he was too busy talking to his brother. Bret didn't notice either as he was busy at the grill. If they had noticed, Adam would have been terrified and Bret would have been furious. Wade decided it was time to up his game, to take Adam down and destroy him at work.
"So Buddy, how are things? I've been worried about you. We need to go fishing soon," Shawn said to his best friend. He and Bret were watching the grill while Hunter was in the kitchen. The only time Shawn allowed it was so his husband could make his special, secret steak marinade.
"Things are good Heartbreaker. Yes, it's been a while, the trout will be running in the river soon. You know, how about a camping trip? You and Hunter, weekend in the great outdoors?" Bret suggested with a hopeful new gleam in his eyes. He knew Adam would love it, even though he didn't say so.
"I would love that, Hunt would too. Adam would really enjoy it also," Shawn said with a wink.
"Okay, so you know. What is it Heartbreaker? You psychic connection I mean?" Bret said with a laugh. The two friends hugged and turned back to what they had been doing. Hunter was back and tending the grill.
Soon everyone was sitting either at the picnic table or on lounge chairs around the fire pit. Adam and Bret sat at the table across from Jay and Heath. Shawn and Hunter sat at the head, while Wade was at the foot. The nurses and band members were around the fire pit.
"Well, it's confirmed, our building has been sold. We got the letter today. We either have to buy the apartment or move. The price is sixty-five thousand. We can't afford that and if we could, I'd rather put that down on a house. Only problem is we have to be out by the end of the month," Jason said with a bit of a worried tone.
"That's a lot for a one room studio. Well, you were afraid it was going to happen," Adam said to his brother. The apartment building Jay and Heath lived in had been sold to a rental company. They turned their buildings into condos. Their policy was either buy at their price or vacate. It was a fine how do you do to the newlyweds.
"I still say move in with us until you find a new place. We have plenty of room, you know that," Shawn said in a sincere tone. He and Hunter had made the offer when Jason had first heard the rumors about the building's sale.
"No, Shawn. We appreciate it, we really do. But, well... we're night owls and well you know, we just don't want to disturb you. We'll find a place, I'm sure. It's just a shame Heath gave up his place, we could have gone there, but hindsight is twenty-twenty," Jason said with hopeful confidence.
"I don't know Jay, students are starting to do their rentals for the second summer session, then the fall renters will come in. It took you six months to find that place," Adam said in a concerned tone. He was worried about his brother's predicament.
They chatted more as they finished their meal. Heath and Alex helped clear up the dishes. Some of the nurses washed and Shawn started a pot of coffee to have with the cake. Hunter and Wade had a cigar and brandy in his study.
Adam went up to his apartment, he wanted to get the book he'd been reading and forgot to take. Bret had been talking to Jason. He followed after Adam, he had a thought and he wanted to speak to his lover about it. Jason watched the older man with interest. He wondered if there was more than friendship between the Captain and his brother.
"Sugar? Hey Sugar?" Bret called out as he opened the door to Adam's carriage house. He found his boy looking wistfully out of the living room window.
"I love this view, I can just see the mountains. This has been my haven for a long time. Were you serious about me moving in with you?" Adam asked in an emotional tone.
Bret moved to his lover, he wrapped his arms around Adam's waist, "Very serious. Going to give this place to your brother and Heath?" Bret asked as he kissed Adam softly on the lips.
Adam smiled softly, "Again, you read my mind. Yes, if you're sure about your offer."
"Actually, I came up here to mention the idea. I was serious. You can have your own room like I said, so it's up to you. Come back down soon, Shawn is getting the coffee and cake ready," Bret said with another kiss to Adam's lips. He then left the doctor alone to think. The Captain knew it was a hard decision for Adam, and he wasn't going to push. He only wanted Adam to know he'd been serious with his offer.
Adam looked around. He'd been happy here and sad here. It was his safe place when Randy used to beat him. It had been where he and Chris had made love. Where Bret had first kissed him. His harbor in the seas of turmoil. It was time; time to move on. Time for Jason to have the place they once shared. He sighed and left to go join the others.
Adam went in and helped Shawn carry out the wedding cake. They set it down on the picnic table. Everyone gathered around the newly married couple. Shawn cleared his throat and began to speak. "To Jason and Heath. May your marriage be blessed with much happiness. This is the same cake knife Hunter and I used at our wedding. I hope it brings you as much luck as it did for us. Jason, you and Adam are like sons to us, now that includes you, Heath. Welcome to the family! Congratulations Jay and Heath." Shawn's tone was filled with heartfelt emotion. Hunter's arm firmly around his husband's waist.
"To the newlyweds" everyone said at once. Heath picked up the knife, Jay placed his hand over Heath's and together they cut their beautiful wedding cake. Much to everyone's surprise, no cake was smashed on faces as the couple fed each other a bite of cake. Heath cut enough for everyone to have a piece and Jay served them. Everyone complimented Shawn on his delicious venture.
Everyone hung around for another hour or so then left. The only ones that remained were the newlyweds, Wade Barrett, Bret and Adam. They all sat around the fire pit relaxing. Adam wished Wade would leave, but it didn't look like he was getting up soon, so he decided to just get on with it.
"I guess you all should know. Bret and I are seeing each other, as in a serious relationship. I care deeply for him and he for me. More importantly, for the first time, I fully understand what Shawn and Hunter feel for each other. I hope you will all support our decision and our relationship," Adam announced to his family and friends. He was smiling brightly.
"I want to add to what Adam said. I care deeply for him. I promise each of you, I will take care of him, love him and protect him with all that I am. I hope our love will grow. With Hunter and Shawn and now Jason and Heath setting the examples, I'm sure it will," Bret's words were soft yet firm as he held Adam's hand.
For a few minutes, everyone congratulated the new couple. Even Wade played his part with a forced smile. "Well Captain, I guess the better man won. I wish you both all the happiness possible. Adam, I look forward to being your good friend and colleague at work," Barrett's words appeared to be honest. Inside he was seething with rage.
"Thanks, Wade. You are a good, understanding friend," Adam said with a smile. He reached over and gave Wade's shoulder a pat. Bret shook hands with the Englishman, even if reluctantly.
"Now, that brings me to what I want to say next. I'm going to move in with Bret. Than means, you two can move into the carriage house, if the landlord's approve," Adam said with a wink to the Helmsley's.
"I think that would be fine with us. I wouldn't seem right not to have a Copeland in the carriage house. Even if he's a Reso now," Hunter said with a deep laugh. He hated the idea of having to rent to strangers. This was the perfect solution.
"Addy are you sure? I know how much you love the carriage house. Don't do something you're not sure about just for us," Jason said in a truly worried tone. He wanted to be sure his brother was making the right decision.
Adam smiled at his brother, "Yes, Jay-Jay, I'm sure. I was praying for guidance and when you said all that about the apartment, I had my answer. I'm ready to take the next step in my life. With Bret there beside me, I'll be alright," Adam said with confidence, as he held Bret's hand.
"Okay then. Thanks Adam. I know what the place means to you. We'll take care of it, I promise. Now Captain Hart, my brother has been through enough in his life. You'd better take good care of him, or you'll have to answer to me. Hunter is tame compared to me, when it concerns my baby brother. The only reason Chris is alive is because he's part of the group I manage. Otherwise... well just take care of him," Jason's tone to Adam was warm and brotherly. When he spoke to Bret, he was firm and very stern.
Adam flushed a bit, but he was grateful for his older brother's concern. Bret smiled at Jason, "Jason, if I ever do anything to hurt Adam, you can do whatever you want to me. I promise, I will take care of him. He's a great treasure, and should be treated like one," Bret said directly as he spoke to Jason.
Wade was just about sick from all the "sunshine and roses" talk. He vowed to double his efforts. Adam would be with him, not that old man. He'd make Adam sorry he chose Bret over him. Oh would he make Adam sorry.