A/N: Thank you for being patient with me. There were some real life things that popped up and I wasn't able to publish for a while. Everything is back on track now, so you can expect regular updates...there are only three chapters after this one... but have no fear... a new story is being written. Thank you once again for your patience, and for ALL the wonderful reviews! And thank you to ALL who are reading! All the best, LDB.
Wade Barret sat proudly in the first row of seats for spectators as he watched the "graduation" ceremony for the Techniques of Emergency Surgery class. He was seated between Adam and Shawn, Bret was on Adam's left. He was smiling brightly. Hunter was at the podium, and had just finished a brief explanation of what the class had been about and how the students could apply what they had learned.
He still had one more thing to do. "While all the students did very well, there was one that excelled above the others. I am proud to announce the Valedictorian of this year's class is, Doctor Adam Rose, of South Africa. Doctor Rose?" Hunter indicated for the prize student to come up the podium and accept the award Hunter had for him. With a bit of a blush, Adam Rose stood up and went to the center of the stage. Hunter shook the students hand and gave him a rolled up piece of parchment with long ribbons of black and gold, the school's colors, around it. Hunter moved and nodded for Rose to speak.
Doctor Rose's long wavy hair was pulled back into a neat pony tail, his white coat was crisp and spotless. He wore a dark blue dress shirt, with black slacks, he smiled softly. He laid the parchment on the podium and pulled a few small cards out of his pocket, he cleared his throat. "My esteemed Physicians, fellow students, ladies and gentlemen, thank you. Words can not express how grateful I am..." he went on to briefly speak about the opportunity and how the class should apply what they had learned. He was interrupted by applause a couple of times.
"... lastly I would like to thank a few special friends, without whose help, I would not be here. Thank you to, Doctor Hunter Helmsley and his husband Nurse Helmsley, Doctor Adam Copeland and Captain Bret Hart, Doctor Paul Heyman and finally, my fiancé Doctor Wade Alexander Barrett. These six people saved my life, in more ways than one. In conclusion, my fellow students, take the advice I was given by Captain Hart. He said to always do your duty with the excellence of execution; thank you," Doctor Rose finished with a wink to Wade.
Wade started the loud applause and led the standing ovation as Hunter, in his U of C professor's robes, indicated for the rest of the class to stand. As he kept clapping, Barrett thought back to the events that led to this moment.
After Bret had called Hunter, the three of them, Wade, Bret and Adam, drove to the hospital. After much pleading and prodding, Wade finally told Hunter and Shawn about William Regal and what he had done to him back in London and what he was currently doing to Adam Rose. He even told about his love for the twenty-four year old, and that while Adam Rose felt the same, he told Wade for the sake and safety of his younger sisters, it a relationship couldn't happen between them.
Many times, Adam Copeland had said, he'd never seen Shawn so mad, this time it was true. The nurse turned and put his fist through the wall of Hunter's office. It was like the time the patient had aggravated him so much. He very nearly broke his hand, luckily only the skin on his knuckles was broken and his hand swelled for a few days.
Hunter said they were going right that minute to Heyman's office, he also called the Dean of the Medical School, a wiry fellow named, Doctor Robert Backlund. Heyman knew if Backlund was involved, the matter was extremely serious. The hospital was part of the University Medical School, so while Heyman ran the hospital, Backlund controlled it. His word was absolute law, over Heyman.
Once again, in front of Heyman and Backlund, Wade told the story from beginning to end. Even in the third telling it was still hard and embarrassing. At the end, Wade was physically and mentally exhausted, it didn't help that he and Adam Copeland had worked all night. Heyman told Wade to go home and they would get back to him. There was a lot of talking to be done. Hunter assured Wade that now it was out, Regal would be dealt with and Adam and the Rose family would be safe.
Bret made a suggestion as he, his fiancé and Wade walked back to the SUV in the parking lot. He asked Wade to stay with him and Adam in one of the guest rooms. Wade appreciated the offer and accepted it. He was too tired to drive home and mentally, he just didn't want to be alone.
It took a few days, but finally, Wade, Adam Copeland, Hunter and Shawn were called into Heyman's office. Wade was happily surprised to see Adam Rose sitting on the couch, sipping a cup of tea and looking very happy.
Paul informed them that Regal had been promptly sent back to London, and his supervisors there had been informed of his past and present behavior. Doctor Heyman assured Rose that he was safe and his future job in London was secure. He also told the young man that his family would be safe. Adam could carry on as planned and move his family to England and make a better life for themselves. His parents would get the health care they needed and his sisters would be able to go to school.
Heyman then made another proposal. If they so chose to do so, Wade could be released from his exchange program contract and have a permanent job at the University of Colorado Hospital. Adam Rose could also remain and finish his schooling and residency at the University, then come to work in the Surgical Department. Heyman had spent many hours on the phone with Wade's colleagues back in London, and they agreed to abide by what ever Doctor's Barrett and Rose decided, with their blessings.
He also gave them the option to return to London, it was up to them to decide. Paul told them to think about it carefully, but to let him know before Doctor Rose's class was over, so arrangements for his enrollment in the fall could be made if they chose to stay.
Wade took his Rosebud away for the weekend. They went up to Georgetown, an old mining community, turned touristy, up in the mountains a couple of hours from Denver. They stayed in a wonderful old Inn. They realized that indeed their feelings for each other were very real and ran very deep; they were true soul mates. When they made love for the first time, it was magical, and the deepest sexual experience either of them had ever had.
The new couple talked seriously about the opportunity they had been presented with. Wade also called his parents and talked to them about things. They also spoke to Adam. Wade's mother and Adam spoke for nearly an hour, they were instant friends. The Barrett's told their son to follow his heart and do what he wanted. They assured him what ever the choice, it would not affect his future inheritance in any way.
Before they left Georgetown, Wade and his Rosebud had made two life altering decisions. One, to stay in Denver and two, Adam had a half carat, round diamond engagement ring in rose gold, on his left hand. Yes, their romance and the proposal had come quickly, but when you know, you know, so why put it off?
Adam moved into Wade's apartment and worked hard in Hunter's class. Wade worked on all the government papers for working visas, with the help of Paul Heyman. Hunter and Shawn were named as the official sponsors...
So, as the applause died down, Wade Barrett was permanently on the staff of the Emergency Department of the University of Colorado Hospital, and Doctor Adam Rose was a resident in the Surgical Department. Everyone was thrilled. Wade didn't even mind that Adam Copeland was his boss.
Wade smiled when his Rosebud came up to him, they kissed softly. "I am so proud of you. You didn't tell me you were the Valedictorian. Now, you can concentrate on your residency," Wade said as he wrapped his Adam in his arms.
"Yeah, how well I remember my residency. Up to seventy hours a week with work and classes," Adam Copeland said with a rueful laugh. Oh how well he remembered. He did all those hours of medical work, plus dealt with Randal Orton.
"Yes, it is bad, but we don't work quite as many hours. We have to be alert for surgery duties. I just want to thank you all again for making all this possible, thank you," Adam Rose spoke from his heart, he was truly grateful to them all.
"How are the arrangements for your family going? I know the apartment will be small, but it will give them a place until you can find something bigger," Shawn spoke to the surgical resident as they walked to the parking lot of the University Student Center where the ceremony had taken place.
Adam Rose was in the process of moving his parents and sisters to Denver. They were going to move into the apartment Regal had used and had served as Wade's first home. It was a long process with all the government paper work, but he hoped to have them there and settled by Christmas.
"Slow, but okay. Having the apartment helps. Compared to where they live now, it will be a mansion. They are so happy to be coming to America instead of England. My sisters can't wait to see their first snowfall," Rose spoke with excitement. He couldn't wait to see them, he hadn't been back to visit in over a year.
"Anything more we can do to help, just ask. But now, it's time to focus on these two. The wedding is in eight weeks! So much to do!" Shawn said in a tone of near panic. With all the Wade and Adam Rose business the wedding had been on the back burner for a while, but neither Bret nor Adam minded.
"Thanksgiving too, don't forget. We may be celebrating it on the Tuesday before, but still. Also someone has a birthday in a few days," Bret said as he looked at the calendar app on his cell phone.
"I'm looking forward to my first American Thanksgiving. Are you sure all we need to bring is a salad?" Wade asked as they got to where their cars were all parked.
"Yes a big salad is all you need to bring. Shawn, Heath and I are doing the rest, but that's over a month from now. Bear, there is no birthday coming up! I refuse to have anymore. I'm going to stay twenty-eight. When you say you're twenty-nine, and you are twenty-nine, no one believes you!" Adam Copeland said with a dry laugh. He didn't have time for a birthday, and Thanksgiving with the wedding on their heels.
"Well, we'll see about that. Cracker Barrel did we say?" Bret opened the SUV's door for his fiancé. Adam slid in and buckled up.
"Yes, the one closer to us. Jason and Heath are going to meet us there. We'd better hurry. I'm hungry!" Hunter said with a laugh as carefully laid his garment bag encased robes on the back seat of their car. He then opened Shawn's door for him.
Soon the three couples were seated with Jay and Heath in a large booth at the restaurant. Everyone placed their order and the waitress brought their drinks. Heath and Adam Rose quickly made friends and were chatting together. Wade, Hunter, Shawn and Jason were deep into a conversation about the big upcoming U of C football game. That left Adam and Bret.
The engaged couple held hands and sat there staring into each others eyes. Brown and hazel were lost together in a world of their own. Both wished tomorrow was the wedding. They couldn't wait to start their life together. Bret reached up and gently caressed his boy's cheek, Adam leaned into the touch. It was a quiet and private moment between them as the others talked.
"Hey Adam? Adam? Adam Joseph Copeland? ADDY!" Jason finally got his brother's attention with a near yell and a slap to the blond's shoulder.
"Huh? What? Oh, I dunno" Adam flushed as he tried to cover for the fact that he hadn't heard a word his brother or anyone else had said in the last ten minutes.
The others laughed a bit, "You dunno what your first dance song is going to be?" Jason asked in a teasing tone. He knew Adam hadn't heard him.
"Oh, sorry. Yes we do, 'Dance With Me Tile the End of Love', by Leonard Cohen," Adam said with a smile. It was one of their favorite songs and the one that had played the first time they danced back at Adam's carriage house apartment.
"Okay. Heath, you guys know that or do we need to get a recording?" Jay asked his husband as he made a note in his pocket day planner.
"We haven't ever played it, but it get us the charts and we'll do it. We're not amateurs you know," Heath replied with a bit of a huff. He was teasing, but only to a degree. He was proud of The Lionhearts.
"I'm sure you'll do a fantastic job. Oh good the food, I'm starved," Adam said with a laugh as the waitress put their food on the table. While the four couples ate, the general chatter continued, but the main topic was the wedding.
"Adam, I had my doubts about those vests, ties and cummerbunds, but they look fantastic. Even manged to work in the school colors," Jason said as he took a bite of his food. He was impressed with the way the flame material had turned out.
"I told you it would be alright. Oh Adam, don't let me forget to give those text books I told you about. It will save you nearly a thousand dollars," Adam teased his brother, then turned to the younger Englishman.
"I appreciate that Adam. It's ridiculous how expensive text books are," Adam Rose said in a thankful tone. He was still so amazed at how this group of people had just taken him in as part of their "family".
When the waitress came to clear away the dirty dishes, Bret gave her a nod and a wink. She returned the nod with a knowing smile. Soon she returned with four of her co-workers.
Their waitress was pushing a cart with a birthday candle lit cake and they were singing "Happy Birthday", as they approached, the others at the table joined in the song. "...Happy Birthday, dear Adam, Happy Birthday to you..." they all finished singing. Adam Copeland was blushing furiously. The cake was placed on the table in front of him.
"Happy Birthday, Sugar. Make a wish and blow out the candles," Bret said with a sly wink. Adam shook his head and with one deep breath, blew out the twenty-nine candles on the cake.
Also on the cart were several wrapped gifts which two of the waitress' put on the table as well. When they finished, they took the cart and left.
"You guys tricked me! I was trying to avoid my birthday!" Adam exclaimed to the others at the table, but he wasn't really angry, just very surprised.
"Yes, we did, didn't we? Since you're working on your birthday and Bret is too, this was the only time we could all get together. Don't blame Bret, it was all our idea, we all got together to plan. Why else would Jay and Heath be here?" Shawn said with a laugh. The idea had been Bret's, but they had all planned the surprise.
"Well, thank you everyone. You got me... ooh presents!" Adam said with a happy tone. The first thing Adam did though was cut the cake. It was devils food on the inside with vanilla butter cream frosting. "Happy Birthday, Adam" was written in dark pink icing. Shawn had made the cake and the Reso's had brought it, along with the gifts when they came to the restaurant.
The physician placed the slices of cake on to the plates the waitress brought, along with coffee for all. After they finished Shawn's delicious cake, it was time to open the presents.
The first gift was from Wade and his Adam. It was a beautiful basket filled with wonderful bath products, including body wash, bubble bath, bath salts, a huge loofah sponge, candles and a CD that featured relaxing music. It was all in Adam's signature spicy vanilla scent. Wade knew that Adam loved his long baths on his day off, it wasn't because he thought Adam was stinky.
Jay and Heath's gift came next. It was an elegant sterling silver picture frame, it was made in the Art Deco style that Adam loved so much. Under the "window" of the frame was a sliver plate that had been engraved to say; Bret and Adam Hart, December 6. It would later hold their wedding picture. Adam hugged his brother and brother-in-law tight, he loved the gift.
Shawn and Hunter had given Adam two gifts. The first one was a small box, the second one was bigger. Adam opened the small box first. He gasped when he pulled out an item that had been placed on a long, leather thong. Attached to the leather was the eighteen button rattle from the snake that had bitten Adam.
"So that's what you did when you went in the woods," Bret said as he looked at the necklace. He remembered Shawn had taken a flashlight and gone into the woods, he didn't know what Shawn had done though.
"I had to. Adam, according to the Native American legend, you are now a brother to the rattlesnake. If you wear this, no harm will come to you," Shawn explained. He took the necklace from Bret, who'd been looking at it, and placed it around Adam's neck and kissed his cheek.
"You went back and found the snake? That's amazing, Shawn. Thank you for this, I'm sure it will bring me luck," Adam said as he once again admired the rattle. It was smooth, like polished glass, yet when he shook it, he could see how flexible it was, nature was amazing, beautiful and yet at times quite deadly.
Adam opened the bigger box from the Helmsley's next. It contained a beautiful belt. It took a moment, but Adam realized the belt was made from the skin of the rattlesnake. The pattern was exquisite. The "background" was a light gray and the diamonds ranged from black, to deep, nearly black gray. The skin was mottled with lighter shades of gray to white. The white "outlined" the diamond pattern.
"Shawn, this is wonderful. How did you even think of this? It's unbelievable," Adam's voice was full of awe and wonder as he lightly fingered the beautiful belt. The buckle had a raised, almost 3-D, coiled up rattlesnake etched on to it.
"I thought, if the snake was big enough it would make a nice belt or at least a wallet. After I found it, I saw it was enough for a belt. I took it to the taxidermist who did the deer head that hangs in my office at home. I think he did a really great job," Shawn said with a bit of pride. He was pleased with the way the belt had turned out.
"Yes, he did. Thank you, Shawn and you too Hunter. It fits perfectly!" Adam had stood up and had exchanged the plain belt he was wearing with the new snake-skin belt. It looked nice around his trim waist.
"It looks nice. I wasn't too sure when Shawn told me about what he was going to do, but I must say it turned out beautifully. Happy birthday, this is just a little something extra for me," Hunter said with a smile as he handed Adam a small envelope that was roughly the size of a credit card.
Adam opened the envelope, "Hunter! Thank you! You know this won't go to waste. I love it," he hugged his older father figure. Hunter had given Adam a five hundred-dollar gift card to his favorite book store. The young physician hugged his pseudo parents once again.
Now it was time for Adam to open his gift from Bret. It was a small, sky blue box with a white ribbon around it. There was only one place in the world that had a box like that; Tiffany and Company Jewelery Store.
Adam opened the box, he was stunned. He pulled out a sterling silver chain with a sterling silver medal attached to it. It was a medal of Saint Luke, the Patron Saint of Physicians and Surgeons. Adam had always wanted one. "Bear, it's perfect, oh and an inscription..." Adam flipped the medal over and read what Bret had, had inscribed on to it, he read it aloud, "You healed my heart. I love you. Bret, I... thank you, you healed my heart too. I love you so much," he had moisture in his eyes as Bret took the chain and slipped it over his fiancé's head. The silver medal and snake's rattle made a stark contrast, but they to fit together.
"I love you, my sweet bit of Sugar," Bret whispered softly while the others admired Adam's birthday gifts. Bret had remembered that Adam had always wanted a Saint Luke's medal so Jason helped him pick one. He was pleased that Adam liked it.
Time marched on, more quickly than anyone wanted it to. While Adam was anxious for the wedding, he needed all the time he could get to prepare. The invitations had been sent long ago and the last of the reply cards had finally be mailed back.
Fifty people had been invited to the wedding and all of them had accepted. Any of the guests who were on duty, either at the hospital or a fire department would wear their pagers in case they were called out. Adam's worst fear was that all of them would be called out in the middle of the ceremony. Bret told him he doubted it would happen, but it was just a chance they would have to take.
It was Monday of Thanksgiving week. Adam and Bret were hosting a special dinner on the next day. It was the only day everyone had off. It didn't matter that it was two days before the real holiday, it was the getting together as a "family" that counted.
Adam was busy in the kitchen. Shawn would be there later as would Heath, but for now Adam was alone in the kitchen peeling potatoes. Bret had gone to the printers to pick up the items for the gift bags that would be given to each guest at the wedding reception.
Adam had boiled three pounds of potatoes in their jackets. His was listening to the radio as he sat at the kitchen table peeling the potatoes. His ma had taught him to always boil the potatoes with their skins on to make them more flavorful, and to always save the potato water for making the gravy. He also had a recipe for rolls that required potato water.
He paused long enough to look out of the huge bay window. The late November sky was a mix of grays, and deep gray with white clouds, they all held a slightly pink tinge, a sure sign of snow. As his eyes flicked back to the table, he saw Bret's latest letter from Owen. Adam knew Bret was upset that none his family were coming to the wedding, not even Owen.
Stu Hart, Bret's father was ailing and all the family had to stay and run the sporting goods stores. December was the busiest time of year. At least that was the excuse they gave. Bret knew it was because his sister, Diana had ordered the other brothers and sisters not to go to the wedding. Bret and his sister had a major falling out years ago, when Bret went to the States to go to the University. She convinced the others that Bret didn't care about the family, so they remained estranged.
Owen had planned on coming to the wedding as Bret's best man, but he had to cancel. He had a legitimate excuse, Margret was ill with breast cancer. Owen didn't want to leave her, and Bret understood. He just wished Diana wasn't such a bitch about letting the others come. But that was the Hart family and Bret was used to it. His mother once told him before she died, that Diana and the others were jealous that Bret had gotten away from the stores and made a successful life for himself. It was just something that Bret accepted and hardly ever spoke about.
Bret had told Adam that he had planned to take him to Calgary for their "weddymoon", but since it didn't work out, Diana used that as more fodder with the family. It was all very stupid. When they were off in February, they would go to Calgary. Bret hoped Adam's sweet temper would rub off and wounds would be healed. So for the time being, Bret's family was put to the side.
With a sigh, Adam went back to peeling the potatoes. He hummed along, badly, to the song on the radio. He made a mental check list as he worked. He was doing elegant mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, pumpkin and pecan pies. The elegant mashed potatoes would be baked in the oven as a casserole, it was one of his mother's recipes. Shawn was doing the huge turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing and a lemon cake. Heath was making the green bean casserole and creamed corn. He was also in charge of the gravy, not even Shawn could beat Heath in making gravy. It had to be the red-head's southern heritage. Wade and Adam were bringing a salad and at Adam's insistence a British dessert called Spotted Dick; a steamed pudding made from suet and dried fruit, served with a custard sauce.
As he peeled, he thought of Wade and Adam. Wade Barrett had become a new man. There was no sign of the man who once tried to ruin his life. Adam was just a sweetheart and a genius with a surgeon's blade, even better than the students in the advanced program, hell he was even better than some of the surgeons on the hospital staff.
Adam looked out of the window again. He smiled, there was a deer at the far end of the yard near the thicket of woods. It was licking the salt block Bret had put out for them. He froze the image in his brain, it would make a nice painting.
When Adam finished peeling the potatoes and had cleaned off the table, Bret returned. He was carrying two large boxes and four shopping bags were draped over each arm. Adam ran over and took the boxes, he put them on the kitchen table.
"Wow, I hope I didn't over do the gift bags!" Adam looked at the eight bags and two boxes with a bit of worry.
"One bag has the fifty pill bottles, so it's not that bad. Did the personalized M and M's come yet?" Bret asked as he sat down at the table.
"Yes, about five minutes after you left. They look good, wait, I'll get them," Adam got up and went to the pantry, he brought out a large box.
For one of the wedding favors, they were going to give out "pill" bottles filled with M and M's candies. They had ordered personalized candy. Each candy had a stylized "B" with an "A" intertwined. The "B" and "A were then intertwined over a stylized "H". They looked really pretty.
The white candy "pills" had black lettering, the sky blue ones had dark blue lettering, the red had dark pink letters and the pink ones had dark red letters. Every bottle would have sixteen "pills", four of each color. Each bottle had a "prescription" label that said "Take one pill every day for love and happiness" with "Bret and Adam Hart, December 6, Denver, Colorado".
Bret looked at the candies, "They look great. I wasn't sure how they would turn out. I'm impressed, it was worth the cost," he popped one of the pink "pills" into his mouth with a wink.
"Hey! No eating them till the bottles have been filled!" Adam said with a playful slap to Bret's shoulder. He picked up the box and put it back in the pantry.
Bret started taking the other things out of the boxes and bags. There were sky blue napkins with their names and wedding date printed on them with silver ink. There were black match books with the same engraving only with red ink. A deep pink heart-shaped candle in a glass holder, a deck of cards with red backs with "Bret and Adam Hart, December 6th" engraved with black ink. The last item was a small eight inch, white teddy bear. The bear held a small red heart with a "B" and "A" intertwined with an "H". A red ribbon around the bears neck bore their wedding date. All of the items would go in a glossy, white gift bag with their names, date and place printed on it with red ink. The lettering was done to look like burning flames.
"It all looks great. Shawn, Heath and Adam are going to help me put them together when you have your night out on the fourth of December. Speaking of, where is this stag night going to be?" Adam asked, his brow raised. While he trusted Hunter, he did not trust Jason one bit with his future husband. Not that Jay would hurt Bret, but he would take him to a strip club.
"I honestly don't know. I only know it's casual dress and I'm not to eat dinner first. I've tried asking, but Hunter won't tell. Shawn doesn't know either," Bret said with a shrug. To be honest, he wasn't happy about not knowing where they were going.
"I don't put it past Jason to take you to the Silver G-String or Gay Paris. Just, keep your hands to yourself!" Adam said with flashing eyes, his hands firmly on his hips.
"Don't worry, Sugar. Strip clubs aren't my thing. Why would I touch one of them when I have my own beautiful boy right here. I've got a dollar right here," Bret said with a wiggle of his brow. He pulled a dollar bill out of his shirt pocket and stuffed it down the front of Adam's pants.
With a wink, Adam started to unbutton his shirt and sway his hips to the beat of the song playing on the radio. Bret had kidded, but he liked what his boy was doing. When Adam's shirt hit the floor, Bret stood up with a growl of lust. He tossed Adam over his shoulder and carried him to their room.
He tossed Adam onto the bed. The two men quickly stripped themselves of their clothes. Adam's long blond hair fanned out like silk over the pillow. He pulled his legs up and spread them wide, his left hand wandered slowly to his cock, his right hand ran over his nipples and rubbed them till they were hard nubs.
Bret watched Adam with lust filled eyes. His own shaft grew hard against his abdomen. His left hand wrapped around his own hard on and began to follow he same pace Adam stroked his own cock with.
Adam then sloppily licked the fingers of his left hand. When the digits were went and slick with his spit, he raised his hips and moved his moist fingers to the puckered ring of his hole. He groaned as he worked his first and index fingers into the tight heat. His hands fell into a seductive rhythm of pumping his cock and working his hole open.
Watching his lover filled Captain Hart with overwhelming lust filled desire. He couldn't stand it any more. He slid on to the bed between the paradise of Adam's thighs. All thoughts of the outside world left them as the engaged couple proceeded to have hot and dirty sex. Moans of pleasure filled the air inside as the first snow fell in the air outside.
"... And Lord, we thank you for the bounty of food on this table and ask you to bless the hands that prepared it. We ask this in the name of your precious Son, Jesus Christ, Amen" Shawn concluded the lengthy but humble Thanksgiving prayer. A chorus of "Amen" echoed from the others around the table.
Hands reached out to begin dishing up the delicious feast on the table. Bret and Adam sat at the head, Shawn and Hunter at the foot. Wade and his Adam sat on one side, while Heath and Jay were on the other.
"So, this is a celebration of Englishmen come to the new world and starting the annihilation of the Native Americans?" Adam Rose asked in a completely serious tone. He wasn't trying to make trouble, he just didn't understand.
"Well, no. At first the Pilgrims were friends with the Natives. They learned from the Indians how to grow corn and live off the land. It wasn't until later with Western expansion that the trouble began. I'll give you a book on the real history if you're interested," Shawn explained as honestly as he could.
"I kind of understand. See, with a black mother and a white father, we were not accepted by either community, black or white. It was no better in the city. My parents worked hard. My father was a lawn keeper an my mother a maid at a big hotel. I studied hard and got scholarships for college. My father is too crippled to work now. My sisters are twelve, fourteen, sixteen and twenty. Girls aren't given the same chances for education as boys are. They either marry or wind up working on the streets. It's worse for my sisters because they are mixed. My parents love each other so much, but being in a mixed marriage is worse than being gay. That's why they need to come here, where they will be accepted," Adam explained as they ate the delicious dinner.
"Don't worry little Rosebud. They will be here before Christmas, I promise. They won't have to worry and the girls will go to proper schools," Wade said with a soft kiss to his fiancé's cheek.
"When do you plan to marry?" Bret asked as he buttered a roll and took a bite.
"Summer, between semesters. It's the best time for both of us," Wade answered. He wished it could be sooner, but Adam needed to worry about classes, not a wedding.
"I'll fill in for you at work, so don't worry about that. I know Ted, Cody and Dolph will as well," Adam Copeland said with a smile. He would repay Wade for doing extra shifts so he and Bret could have their own honeymoon.
The meal continued. The eight men stuffed themselves. When they finished, Bret, Hunter, Jason and Wade did all the clean up. When that was done, the four couples curled up together in the living room and watched football games. Bret had recorded a few games so that it would make the day seem more like real Thanksgiving Day. It had been a good idea and they had fun.
After pie, cake and coffee with more chatting the day was over. It had been a fantastic celebration and nobody cared that it was Tuesday.
When everyone had left, Bret and Adam curled up in front of the fire with a rare glass of white wine. They kissed, caressed and relished in the quite time.
In ten days, they would finally be married. Would fate shuffle her cards once again, or would everything be perfect?
A/N: I do not know Adam Rose's (Ray Leppan) family history. I do know he is from South Africa, and born in Zimbabwe. I have given him the family history for the purpose of this story only. No disrespect to him or his family is intended. The story is for dramatic purposes only. Thank you! Also thank you so much for reading and reviewing... we are nearing the end of the story, but there is much more to come! Enjoy! LDB.