Bret Hart's eyes fluttered open, he blinked a few times, the light was so bright. When he was able to keep them open, he realized he was surrounded by a strange, soft pink mist. He sat up, he was still lying on the gurney in the operating room, but why was there pink mist?
"Sugar...Adam? Hunter? Shawn? What's going on? Where is everyone?" Bret looked around, but all he could see was the mist. It was like he was in the middle of a pink cloud. Bret then saw a bright light in the distance. It was the brightest, purest while light he'd ever seen. Something inside his mind told him that the light would lead him to peace and eternal happiness. Was that where Adam was? Bret cautiously slid off the table, the pink mist swirled with his movements, but his feet seemed to be on a solid surface and there was neither warmth nor cold to the mist.
He began to slowly walk towards the light. The closer he got to the "door" of white light, he could make out the darker shape of a person. He thought he recognized the shape, "Adam?" he called out, but in his head he knew the shadow couldn't be Adam, the shape was too "stocky".
"No, Bret. It's me, Davy Boy," the shadow called out to him. Bret stopped in his tracks. Why was Davy in the operating room? Wait, had the last few months been a dream? If so, it had been the most vivid dream he'd ever dreamed.
Bret stepped closer. The shadow moved into the light, it was his Davy Boy, looking more handsome than ever. The Captain suddenly felt something pulling him back, away from Davy and the comforting light, and the most beautiful music that came from beyond the brightness. It was like being dragged by a rope tied around his waist. As he was pulled, he reached out for Davy, "Help me! Please! Help me! I don't want to leave!" Bret cried out to his lost husband.
Davy raised his hand, and waved it, making a rainbow shape in the pink mist. It was if, at that moment, all time and eternity stood still. Bret felt the tugging sensation vanish. He was now able to walk towards his beloved. When he was face to face with Davy, he smiled. He reached out and tenderly caressed the handsome face.
"Oh my handsome, baby. I thought I'd lost you in that fire. I've had the most vivid dream!" Bret exclaimed as he drank in the presence of his husband. He just couldn't believe it; yet there was something not quite right.
"My handsome, Bret. Do you not yet understand where you are? You haven't been dreaming, you're dying; this is the gateway to Heaven," Davy spoke, his voice was soft and mix of accents, Canadian and British. Bret's hand stopped caressing Davy's face. It now felt like he'd been punched in the gut. He was completely confused, he was dying? The gateway to Heaven? He stood frozen.
"I'll try to explain. Come, let's go sit and talk," Davy said with a voice, that while soft, sounded like ten Davy's were talking at once, each one a millisecond behind the other.
Bret somehow managed to follow his spouse to a bench like shape of a darker pink with light orange highlights. All the colors found in the sky at Davy's favorite time of day; just at sunset. While the "bench" looked like it was made of mist, it was solid. The two men sat down, it was just one more strange sensation for the firefighter to take in.
"I'm dying? What happened? We all managed to get out of the building before it collapsed. We were safe, or so I thought," Bret stated as he looked at Davy. Oh how he had missed this man.
Davy told Bret what had happened to him, "... so now, as we speak, Hunter and Shawn are trying to bring you back to them, and to Adam," Davy spoke Adam's name with love and affection. He smiled his beautiful smile.
"Why am I here? Adam? Oh, he must be..." Bret stopped speaking. He was with Davy, why was he even thinking about Adam?
Davy smiled softly, he took Bret's hand in his, "because of your faith and good deeds on Earth, you have been given a choice. See, it's not really your time to be here, but you're being given a chance, only a few get to have. Staying here, and going into the light, or returning; to have your life on Earth, until it is truly your time to be here," the angel explained. Bret knew now that his Davy was a beautiful angel, who really did sit on a pink cloud.
Bret couldn't comprehend what he was being told. He could choose to stay here with Davy or go back and be with Adam. "So, I can choose... you or Adam? Then, I choose... yo..." Bret was stopped by his lost husband. Davy smiled, but there was a warning flash in his angelic eyes.
"Wait. Before you say it. Once you make your choice, it can't be undone. You must be absolutely positive in what you want. So think; carefully. Think about what you'd be giving up," Davy's voice echoed softly in Bret's mind. They swirled like the pink mist.
Bret looked and felt confused, how could he chose? He'd always thought death was sure and certain, "I don't know what to do. I love you so much, but, I love.." again his words hesitated. He felt so guilty about even thinking about Adam in front of his husband.
"It's alright, honey. You can say Adam's name. I know you love him, probably more than you loved me..." the angel was interrupted or at least Bret tried to speak. Davy placed his finger tips on Bret's lips. "It's alright, Bret. You love Adam. I love him too. He lets me share your heart. There aren't many who are that selfless. Most can't live with the memory of a ghost. My darling, he is your one true soul mate. That doesn't mean our love was wasted. You gave me the happiest ten years of my life. We loved each other, but, it's okay for you to love Adam. Who do you think arranged your falling in love," Davy said with a wink, soft smile and most of all an honest tone.
Bret again looked at Davy, he could tell the man was being honest, after all he'd been intimate with him for over ten years. He knew the man like the back of his own hand, but something else now entered his mind, "Baby, were you given the choice? It wasn't really your time either, was it? It was Owen's time, wasn't it?" his voice filled with emotion, but he had to know.
Davy smiled softly, he'd been expecting those questions, they were only natural. "Yes, it was Owen's time, but I couldn't just stand there and let him be killed, so I pushed him away and took his place. It was my choice to do that, my God-given free will. I knew how much little Oje means to you, I wasn't going to let him be taken from you..." he paused for a moment, he stood and walked a few steps, then turned to face Bret.
The next part would be hard to explain, and hard for Bret to understand, Davy continued, "Yes, honey. I was given the choice. While Adam, Shawn and Hunter worked to save me, I came here. My grandmother was waiting for me, much the same as I was for you," he paused again. He hoped he could make Bret understand what he was about to say.
"You grandmother? I know how much you loved her, is that why you chose to... stay?" Bret asked with a hesitant tone. Why would Davy want to leave him?
Davy turned away, sighed in his echoing voice. He then turned back to Bret. When he did, Bret knew the answer to what people always wondered; angels do cry. "No, not because of her. Grandmother never spoke, until I made my choice. This is so hard to explain, so listen, I mean really listen," Davy asked with a tear filled voice.
Bret smiled, he'd said those very words to Adam once, "I'll listen, I promise."
Davy sat back down next to Bret, he took both of the man's hands in his. To Bret the sensation was warm, but he couldn't really "feel" the skin of the hands that held his, like he once had been able to do. Davy had work rough skin, but his palms were always soft.
"No one told me, but I knew I had a choice to make. I could go to the light, or back to be with you. It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make. I knew if I went back, not only would I be scarred and hideous to look at, I would be useless and crippled beyond repair. I couldn't do that to you. Oh, I know you would have taken care of me, and as much as you will protest what I am about to say, if you honestly search your heart, you will know it's true. You would have come to resent me. Not me personally, but the constant care I would have required. We would never have been able to make love, camped, watched our sunsets arm in arm. I would have hated that..." he paused once again, to wipe the tears from his eyes.
Bret noticed, through his own tears, that the tears of an angel were more like liquid opalescent pearls. He was trying to take in what his beloved Davy was telling him.
Davy sniffed, and continued, "I also knew, that while we loved each other, our souls lacked that certain "click", they were always at odds with each other. That was why I wanted you to remember the promise we made to each other, why I reminded you of that promise on the night I left. I knew your true soul mate was out there, and I was right, wasn't ? Tell me, love, does your soul sing when you and Adam are together?" Davy asked, his dimples deep as he smiled at Bret.
Bret lowered his head, and nodded. It was hard for him to admit, his great love for Adam over Davy. He felt the angels fingers lift his chin. He looked into Davy's eyes; they were like endless pools, full of the wisdom of those who been in the presence of God himself.
"Don't Bret, don't be afraid to speak of your love for Adam. I am happy that you love him, and that he loves you. Bret, go back, go back to Adam, to your life. You will recover from your injury, you will be back to doing the job you love so much. If you chose to stay, yes we would be together, but once again you'd come to resent it and me. Especially if you watch Adam and pined for the life you could have had with him," Davy paused again, as he looked at Bret.
Bret realized they were now standing near the "door" of bright light, when had they gotten up and walked back? He truly was in a mystical place. The Captain knew in his heart of hearts and in his soul everything Davy said was true. He hated to even think, that had Davy lived, he would have come to resent it; but he knew even that was true. But not because of having to care for Davy, but because of the pain his love would have had to endure, every day of his scarred life.
He looked at the "door" of light that offered pure and eternal rest. It was tempting, the music from beyond was so beautiful. Then he turned to look in the other direction. He suddenly saw Adam, weeping beyond despair, clutching the pink teddy bear in his arms. He saw Hunter, Shawn and Jason standing around Adam, unable to give him any consolation. His beautiful boy needed him.
"Baby, I'm... going back; Adam needs me. I love you, but I love him... more," Bret said to his lost husband.
"I know love, I know. What we had was ours, but now... it's Adam's turn Go Bret, with His blessings. Just remember to thank Him for this. Go, with my love," Davy said as he waved his hand in a rainbow curve again. It was just the opposite as before, time had resumed.
"I love you Davy Smith-Hart; always. Thank you!" as he leaned in to kiss Davy's lips softly, he suddenly felt the rope around his waist again. Bret knew if he just closed his eyes and relaxed, the "rope" would pull him back to his life. He wouldn't have missed this chance to talk to Davy for anything, it had been wonderful.
As Bret closed his eyes, the light and Davy faded into a black emptiness...
"Wait! He's back, Doctor Helmsley, he's back! Pressure is up and rising, he's breathing on his own!" Doctor Vicki Guerrero said in a happy, excited tone.
Bret Hart had been clinically dead for three minutes and forty-nine seconds. Hunter had shocked him with the defibrillator three times. The last shock value of six hundred, finally jump started the Captain's heart. Now, the color was returning to his face, he was breathing on his own and his blood pressure was rising with each passing minute. It was like nothing had happened.
"Ninety over sixty and holding, that's good, for the amount of blood loss. His fever is down to one hundred. You're alright to proceed with the operation, just hurry," Vicki said in her normal tone of voice.
"Doctor Helmsley, Adam?" Wade asked in a tired voice. He'd given Bret almost four units of blood, it was affecting him a bit.
"Shawn, halt the transfusion, for now patient Hart is stable. Beth, send someone to tell Doctor Copeland that patient Hart is alive and stable. The operation will continue," Hunter said to Shawn, then to his assistant nurse. His tone too, was much calmer. Hunter announced the time, and began the delicate repair of Bret's artery.
Jason had carried Adam back to his hospital room, in the Orthopedic Department. He laid his unconscious brother on the bed. He pressed the button for the nurse. In a way, he as glad Adam had fainted, in another, he was extremely worried. If Bret was dead, he didn't know how Adam would handle it.
Michelle came into the room. "He fainted. Captain Hart... flat lined," Jason explained in a sad voice. The nurse made a sad "tisking" sound and shook her head.
"I'm sorry. I'll hook his IV up, the Doctor is still in danger of infection. He needs the medicine and the rest. Poor man, of course, there's always a chance you know. It doesn't always mean, death," Michelle said in a hopeful tone. It did happen, people did come out of a flat line, quite often.
"Bret... Bret... Bret..." Adam called out as he began to regain consciousness. He began to stir, his face contorted with pain and sadness.
"It's alright little Addy, Jay Jay is here. Just sleep, little Addy, just sleep," Jason cooed softly as he stroked the top of Adam's head. He felt heartsick for his brother. He was beginning to think maybe what Adam had said was true, he was cursed in relationships.
The door to Adam's room opened. A girl dressed in surgical scrubs came into the room. A wisp of flaming red hair had come loose from her surgical cap. He name tag read: Eva Marie, LPN.
Jason went over to her, he put his finger over his lip to indicate for the nurse to be quiet. He nodded toward the door, Eva Marie nodded in response and followed Jason out into the hall.
"Doctor Helmsley asked me to come tell you, Captain Hart is alive and stable. They are proceeding with the operation," the nurse spoke in a happy tone, with a smile.
Jason's face broke out in a smile, he almost went weak in the knees, "Bret is alive?" he asked in a curious tone, had he really heard Eva Marie correctly?
"Yes, it took some work. He had to be shocked three times. Just as Doctor Helmsley was ready to pronounce the time of death, Captain Hart came back. When I left he was still improving. They still have to do the artery repair, but Doctor and Nurse Helmsley said Doctor Copeland needed to know Captain Hart was alive," Eva Marie repeated her message with a bit more detail.
"Thank you. Thank you so much," Jason gave the nurse an unexpected hug, he was just so happy for not only his brother, but for Bret as well. "I'm going to go tell my brother. Thank you, again," Jason said happily as he went back into his brother's hospital room.
Adam had settled a bit, but he was whimpering softly. Jason knew his brother was dreaming about Bret dying. He went over to the bed and shook Adam gently.
"Addy? Come on bro, wake up..." Jason said directly in Adam's ear, as he gently tapped his brother's cheek with his finger tips. Adam was always a pain in the ass to wake up.
Adam stirred a bit more, and his eyelashes fluttered as they tried to open, "Jay Jay?" Adam asked in a sad whimper.
"Yes, it's me bro. Come on, I have to tell you something and you are really going to want to hear it," Jason replied a little louder as he sat on the side of the bed.
Adam sat up a bit too fast. He banged his injured hand on the railing of the bed. The pain went up his arm like a jolt of lighting, but he ignored it. "What is it Jay? Tell me!" Adam's tone was anxious, was there something else wrong?
"Adam, it's about Bret..." Jason didn't a chance to explain anything before Adam interrupted him.
"He's dead, Jason! You saw it! He left me! My Bear is dead!" Adam began to sob again. He didn't need Jason to tell him what he'd seen with his own eyes.
"Will you let me speak. If you, don't I can't tell you, Bret is alive..." Jason then went on to repeat everything Eva Marie had told him. The more the elder brother said, the more the younger one came to life. "... so, they are now doing the surgery," Jason finally got it all out. Adam's tears of sadness had changed to tears of excited happiness.
"I want to go back to the operating theater," Adam said excitedly as he moved to get out of the bed. He almost forgot about the IV in his right forearm.
"Hey, easy of the tubes! I think you'd better wait here bro. You've had a lot of excitement. Your not a well man either. Nurse Michelle is really worried about you. You're still prone to infection. Please, Adam? Bret wouldn't want you ill, he'll need you strong and healthy," Jason asked his brother earnestly.
Adam frowned at his brother, but he also knew Jason was right, but he had to know if his fiancé was still alive. He wanted to see it with his own eyes. They sat together waiting for what seemed like an eternity, after two hours, Adam finally couldn't stand it any more, he had to know how Bret was.
"Make a deal? Let me go down long enough just to see, then you can bring me back, I promise. I won't be able to rest until I know how he is," Adam asked his brother with his large, hazel green eyes open wide like a begging pup.
Jason sighed, but he knew Adam wouldn't settle unless he knew for sure. With a nod of agreement he pushed the button to call the nurse.
Michelle came in a couple of minutes, she was doing a double shift, due to the storm earlier in the evening. She had heard about Bret recovering. "I'm so pleased for you Doctor Copeland. Now what can I do for you?" she asked politely.
Adam explained what he wanted to do and asked the nurse for a wheel chair. Michelle smiled, "No need. The surgery is finished. Captain Hart will be in recovery. You know you can't visit there. I'm sorry, but I'm sure Doctor Helmsley will be here soon to talk to you," Michelle explained to her patient. Eva Marie had called after the operation had been completed.
"Oh, yes. Thank you for telling me. You've been very kind to me when I was so naughty. I appreciate it," Adam smiled as he spoke, but his tone was sad. He just wanted to see Bret for himself, to know he was alive, hear him breathing.
Michelle nodded, before she left she fluffed Adam's pillow, checked his bandages and IV, then left the two brothers alone again.
Adam sobbed softly. Jason slid onto the bed and wrapped his brother in his arms. Jason had always protected Adam and he would do so forever, married or not. No one mattered more to Jason than his baby brother, and Adam felt the same.
"I just wanted to see him, hear his heart beating, to hear his breathing, to know he's truly alright," Adam hiccuped between sniffing sobs.
Jason kissed the top of the blond head that rested on his shoulder, "I know Addy. Maybe when Hunter gets here you can explain and he'll let you see Bret for a minute. You can ask anyway. Flash your puppy eyes, you know Hunter always falls for that," Jason said with a bit of a laugh. Adam chuckled as well.
Twenty minutes later, Hunter and Shawn walked into the room. They smiled at each other. The Copeland brothers had fallen asleep, Adam secure in Jason's arms.
"Boys? Jay, Adam? Wake up," Shawn said softly as he gently shook Jason's leg. Jason and Adam both snapped awake instantly.
"Bret?" Adam asked worriedly. He looked from Shawn to Hunter to see if anything showed on their faces.
"In recovery. He's going to be fine, Adam. I promise. He was clinically dead for just over three minutes, but he came back to you. The artery is fully repaired and functional. You know, Wade saved his life. Have you decided what you're going to do?" Hunter asked after he informed Adam about Bret's condition.
"With Bret and everything, I haven't thought about it. Hunter, please let me see Bret, I just want to hear him breathing, please?" Adam asked the older man, he did use his puppy eyes. Jason was right, Hunter always fell for it, while Shawn never did. Neither brother had noticed Shawn had left until he came into the room with a wheelchair. He knew Adam wouldn't settle until he'd seen Bret, so he went to get the chair before Adam had even asked.
"We figured you'd ask. One minute, maybe two, and that's it. You can see him all you want after tonight. He will be in here with you, that is if you don't mind sharing the room," Hunter said with a laugh. Shawn had unhooked the IV tube from the entry post.
As Adam moved to the wheelchair he spoke, "Mind? I would have insisted. Thank you, Hunter, for everything, I mean everything. Thank you, too Shawn. He's alive because of you both. I can never thank you enough. Jason, wait for me, then you can go," Adam said to his brother as Shawn pushed him out of the room.
It took five minutes to walk down to the Surgical Department and the recovery room. The room was next to the nurse's station. There were ten beds in the ward. Seven of them filled with victims from the tornado, including Captain Bret Hart. Bret's bed was closest to the door. Shawn wheeled Adam to Bret.
Bret was sleeping soundly. He looked so much better, even in the low light of the ward. His right arm was bandaged. A peaceful expression rested on his face. Adam stood, he bent down and laid his head on Bret's chest. He felt his fiancé's strong, steady heartbeat, he heard his steady breathing. He sighed deeply with relief.
"I love you my mighty, Bear. Thank you for coming back to me. You'll never regret it baby, I promise. I can't wait to be your husband. I love you, Bret Sargent Hart," Adam whispered almost silently to Bret's heart. He then kissed Bret's warm lips. He was content now.
Bret stirred, "love... you... Sugar..." he muttered without waking. He expression changed to a smile of contentment.
It was enough for Adam. He got back into the wheelchair and let Shawn push him back towards his room. "Can I see Wade for a minute? Please?" Adam asked as they continued down the hall. Hunter had stayed with Jason. Shawn agreed. Wade had been put in the last available room, by chance it was right next to Adam's.
"I'll go join Hunt and Jay, don't stay too long. You won't need this," Shawn nodded to the wheelchair. Adam stood and hugged Shawn.
As Shawn left, Adam went into the Englishman's private room. It was smaller than Adam's but just as nice. Wade was watching television and sipping a glass of orange juice. He was stretched out in his bed. Barrett was pleasantly surprised when Adam entered the room.
"Hi, please come in. I was just watching the reports on the storm. It was bad," Wade said tiredly. He nodded to the chair next to the bed. He took another sip of his juice.
Adam sat in the chair, "Yes, it was. I won't stay long. Jason's waiting for me. Listen Wade, I want to thank you. You saved Bret's life. You didn't have to admit to your blood type," Adam spoke in a soft, grateful tone and matching smile.
"Oh, yes I did Adam. After all the terrible things I did to you, and to Captain Hart. I'm glad he didn't die. Hunter and Shawn worked their arses off to revive him," Wade responded in a tone that matched Adam's in softness.
"I'm glad he came back. I'm sure they did, Wade. I don't know what to do, how can I reprimand you now, after what you did for us. As far as I'm concerned the matter is over," Adam said honestly. He just couldn't punish Wade, not after he'd saved Bret's life.
"Well, I would be more than willing to forget the whole thing, but I'm sure Doctor Helmsley won't accept that. I'm so sorry Adam, about everything. I was so bent on destroying you, to make a name for myself. I'm not the nicest person, I never have been, but I've never set out to hurt someone. I'm sorry it was you," Wade spoke, still full of guilt. He sipped at his juice, it had helped, the dizziness slowly ebbed.
"Wade, what's important is that you didn't go through with your plan. Like I said, it took a lot of guts for you to confess. It also took a lot of guts to save Bret. I can never, ever thank you enough for that," Adam said with a smile as he reached over and gently patted Wade's shoulder.
"Adam, I had to tell about my blood type. Above all the crap, I am a physician first. I took the same Hippocratic Oath that you did, remember?" Wade said, his brow raised.
Adam nodded, then in chorus, he and Wade recited the Oath: "I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant: I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow. I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures that are required, avoiding those twin traps of over treatment and therapeutic nihilism. I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug. I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery. I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God. I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick. I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure. I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm. If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help." when they finished, the two doctors chuckled.
"Wow, we both remembered. Did you have a white coat ceremony in England?" Adam asked with a smile.
"Yes, ironically, Regal was the one that helped me into my coat. You?" Wade spoke in a gruff voice as he recalled the day he was given his first white Doctor's coat.
"Hunter gave me mine. Both of us cried like babies afterwards. I'd better go, Jason is waiting and he needs to get home. I'll come see you in the morning. Sleep well Wade, and thank you again, you're still my friend," Adam said honestly as he hugged the Englishman.
Wade hugged Adam back. There was nothing else he could say. He just knew he had a lot to make up for.
Adam went back to his own room next door. Shawn, Hunter and Jason were watching the television. It was showing footage of the tornado and the damage it had caused. They had been lucky compared to all the victims both in the hospital and the morgue.
"... sadly no survivors were found in the South Spring Street Shelter. At least ten bodies were pulled from the debris by the rescue teams of Stations fifty-one and forty. We have late word, that the firefighter who was trapped as the building collapsed, was Captain Bret S. Hart of Station fifty-one. His condition is stable and he is expected to make a full recovery. On the..." the reporter went on with the story.
"I'm back, hook me up please, nurse," Adam said as he climbed into the bed. No one had heard him come back into the room. The three men turned to man lying in bed, looking like he'd been there all night. Shawn laughed and went to Adam's bedside. He quickly hooked the IV back up to the port in Adam's forearm.
"Thanks, Shawn. Jason, I love you, but go home to Heath, but thank you for being here with me. Thank Heath too. When everything is settled, we'll have you to dinner. Jason, you will be my best man won't you? Hunter will you give me away? Shawn will you perform the ceremony?" Adam asked brightly, he was so happy Bret was alive. He wanted to start planning their wedding.
"You know I will. I love you. We'll come back today after we all get some sleep. I'll always be here, you're my baby brother," Jason said with a hug then a kiss to his brother's cheek. Jason hugged and kissed Shawn and Hunter then left.
"We'll talk about wedding things, later. Bret okay?" Hunter asked as he looked at the bandage on Adam's left hand. He also sniffed the dressing, he was smelling for the distinctive, sickly sweet smell of infection; all he could smell was gauze bandage.
"Yes. He told me he loved me, but he was asleep. His face looked so, serene. I can't wait to see him," Adam replied to Hunter. He couldn't forget how peaceful and Bret had looked.
"And Wade?" Shawn questioned as he made some adjustments to the flow of medicine from the IV bag into Adam's body.
"Fine. He's pale and wiped out, but the juice is helping. Hunter, he's been through enough. He's more than made up to me by saving Bret's life. Can we just forget it now?" Adam asked in a hope filled tone. He hoped Hunter would agree with him.
"Okay Adam, it's up to you. However, I agree with you, he's done his repentance. He has to earn back our trust, but he made up for a lot. Make him do a bit of dirty work once in a while. Just as a reminder to him. Okay, we're going home. If this is what work is like when we're on vacation..." Hunter laughed as he gave Adam's hair a playful ruffle.
"Alright, I will. Make him mop up vomit or something. I love you both so much. Thank you both for bringing my Bear back to me," Adam said with a smile to his adoptive parents. Shawn hugged and kissed Adam.
"We love you, son. We'll see you tomorrow or later I mean. I can't keep track of time," Shawn laughed.
Adam waved to the Helmsley's as they left the room. He hugged the pink teddy bear to his chest. Adam said a long, heartfelt prayer of thanks to God. He fell into a deep sleep as visions of wedding cakes filled his dreams.