When Chris and Adam got downstairs, they found Seth in a state of distress. He held one of the twins in his arms. The baby cried in agony.
Eric was there. "Come up to the nursery. Calaway is calling the Doctor. What happened?"
Seth clung to the baby in his arms. Adam noticed that Nanny Renee held Reginald. That meant Beatrice was the one in distress. As they all went up to the nursery, Seth explained.
"We were sitting on a bench at the park, the twins were having a wonderful time in their pram. All of a sudden, Bea began to scream and cry. Her face and hands are puffed up. I don't know what happened. My baby! Dear God, help my baby!" Seth spoke in earnest. He sat down in the rocking chair in the nursery. Bea continued to cry in agony.
Nanny Renee put Reginald in his crib. He was unusually quiet. It was if he knew his sister was in trouble and needed the attention.
Adam stood back out of the way. Chris looked ready to cry because Bea was in pain. Eric knelt by Seth and tried to coo at Bea. Nanny Renee wet a cloth to wipe Bea's little puffed up face.
A sudden thought came to Adam. "Please, may I?" He held out his arms to take the baby from Seth.
Seth let the footman take the baby, maybe Adam could help. Adam knelt on the floor and began to remove the layers of clothing from Beatrice. He worked quickly but gently. Everyone watched with anxious eyes. Even Nanny Renee watched as her hand rocked Reginald's cradle.
When Adam pulled off her little dress, Adam spoke. "Look, here is the culprit." He picked up a dead bee. The others looked at the dead insect in his hand.
"She must have a reaction to them." Nanny spoke in a serious tone. Things like this could be dangerous.
Adam knew what to do. "I'll be back, Your Grace, Milord." He hurried off to go downstairs.
"Ma! Ma! Sting paste! Hurry! Baby Bea!" Adam cried out as he nearly tripped down the stairs.
Judy quickly made a thick paste of baking soda and vinegar. She gave the small bowl to Adam. Her son was gone as fast as he came.
Mark shook his head. "That boy is a wonder, and a credit to you. Doctor McIntyre will be here shortly. I am going up to wait for him."
Adam dashed back into the nursery. Chris had joined Seth to sit on the floor. Baby Beatrice still cried and sounded even more pitiful from crying so long and hard.
The blond footman rushed in and fell to his knees on the floor. He found the reddened area where the bee had stung the baby. It was on her belly, just by her belly button. He frowned, the stinger was still in the skin.
Adam began to gently dab the paste on the area. "This will draw out the venom. The stinger is still in there. I won't try to remove it, but this will help." He spoke to Seth as he cooed to the baby.
"This will make it feel better, little Mistress. Be a brave girl now." Adam spoke in a soft, calm voice as he added another layer of the paste.
Bea's cries turned to whimpers. Seth caressed his daughter's face and neck gently with the cool rag. "There, there, my darling girl. Poppa is here, sweetheart. Oh where is the Doctor? Adam, thank you. It seems to be helping." Seth's mind was all over the place. He was so distressed about baby Beatrice.
"I'm sure he will be here soon. Let's put her in her crib." Eric spoke and tried to comfort.
Adam never argued, but this time he spoke up. "Your Grace. It would be better not to move her. The stinger could go in deeper. Best to wait for Doctor McIntyre. I am sorry, Your Grace."
Eric raised his hand. "No, I trust you, Copeland. Please, go see about the Doctor…"
"No need, I am here. Now tell me what happened." Doctor McIntyre came into the room and knelt on the floor. Adam stood back out of the way.
Seth explained. "… so he said not to move her with the stinger still in. The paste seemed to help." He finished with an anxious look at Drew.
The Doctor nodded. "He was right. Now, everyone but Seth and Eric out, please. Nanny, take the other baby." He opened his bag as he spoke.
Chris, Adam and Nanny Renee, who carried baby Reginald, went into the day nursery to wait. Nanny put Reginald in his crib.
"Adam, what made you think of a bee sting? It never once occurred to me." Renee spoke in a thought filled voice. She felt terrible that she hadn't been more help.
"Because Jason has the same problem. He has to be very aware of stinging insects. Ma read about the paste in an old book. It works." Adam gave a shrug.
Chris spoke up. "I just hope Bea will be alright. Allergic reactions can be very dangerous. One of the children at the orphanage died from bee stings… granted, he ran headlong into a hive… but still." His voice filled with sadness at the memory.
"That is awful, Milord. But yes, a hive is different from a single sting. Jason can get very sick if he doesn't put the paste on right away." Adam spoke with a sigh. Sometimes Jason even had a hard time breathing if the sting was bad.
Everyone looked when Eric came into the room. Worry was deeply etched on his face. "He got the stinger out, but Bea is very ill. She has a fever, and his having a bit of a hard time breathing. Adam, he said without your actions, it could have been… worse. Nanny, look after Reggie. Adam, go tell your mother tea is canceled. Chris, go get your father and Roman at Parliament. They need to be here."
Chris gave a nod. "Yes, pa." He hurried to ride off to the Houses of Parliament, to bring his family home.
"Yes, Milord." Adam too left to go downstairs.
When he got to to the servants hall he was greeted with anxious looks. He explained what Eric had said. "… so now we can only wait and pray."
Judy sat at the table with a sigh. "How well I know this fear, with Jason. It is better now that he is older, but still it can be bad. You were smart to think of it, son." Judy gave Adam's hand a motherly pat.
"It reminded me of how Jason gets sometimes. Oh, I almost forgot, His Grace canceled tea." Adam slapped his head at almost forgetting Eric's order.
"I already assumed so when Lord Christopher called for his horse. It will be alright, Adam. Nothing you can do now, but wait." Judy gave her son another pat. She know how worried Adam was.
"Lord Christopher told us about a child at the orphanage who died from bee stings, but he ran into a hive… still… Baby Bea is so tiny." Adam spoke with a sigh of worry.
The bell from the nursery rang. Adam jumped up, but Mark stopped him. "I'll go." He hurried up the stairs. It made Adam huff.
"Son, stop. It is his job, you know this. The only time you answer bells is when Mark is already occupied. Don't let anything stop the progress in your relationship with Mark." Judy spoke firmly. Adam and Mark had been doing so well since their talk at the park.
Adam sighed. "Yes, ma'am, you're right. It is his job. It's just… it was the nursery."
"I know, son. He will tell us if anything is…" Judy was halted when Mark flew down the steps.
"Adam, Paige, ice room now!" Mark hurried to the room where the blocks of ice were stored.
"Take these." Judy held out some large porcelain bowls. She had an idea of what the ice was for. Judy said a prayer for Baby Beatrice.
Mark chopped chunks of ice with a sharp pick. "Doctor wants to bring her fever down. He said again, if you hadn't acted so fast… anyway… we've got to fill these. Hurry now." The three servants rapidly chopped ice to fill the bowls.
"Come on, you can help me carry them up." Mark spoke to Adam. He knew how worried the young man was.
"Thank you, Sir. Very much." Adam stated as they rapidly made their way upstairs. It left Judy to comfort Paige.
When they got to the nursery, the Doctor met them at the door. "Help me please, Copeland. She is used to you." Dr. McIntyre pointed to the small bed Nanny Renee usually slept in.
Baby Beatrice had been settled on the bed. It was easier for the Doctor than bending over the cradle. Seth sat by his daughter's side. The stress on his face as a sad sight.
"I want to put her in a bed of ice. Hold her a moment, Milord." Drew instructed. The doctor quickly filled the blanket with ice.
"Alright, lay her on the blanket. She will cry because of the cold. Copeland, tuck ice around her while I hold this." Drew pulled up another blanket so Adam could surround Bea in the ice.
Adam spoke softly as he placed chunks of ice around the baby. "I know it's cold, little Mistress, but it will make you feel better. You be a good girl and you'll be laughing with your brother very soon." When he finished, the Doctor had wrapped little Beatrice like an Indian papoose he'd seen in drawings.
"There, I hope this will bring her fever down quickly. Thank you, Copeland. Sit with her a moment, Lord Seth, come with me." Drew indicated for Seth to follow him into the hallway. Seth kissed his daughter and followed Drew.
Adam sat on the side of the bed. "It's alright, darling girl. If you're going to be silly enough to get stung by a bee, you have to take the cure. You know what, you will be as sweet as honey now…" He was halted when Chris and Roman entered the room.
"Roman darling, in here." Seth called out to his husband. Roman gave Bea a worried look, then left to join Seth. Chris entered the night nursery.
"How is she?" Chris frowned when he saw his little niece bundled in ice.
"Fighting a fever." Adam replied simply as he looked at Bea. The baby had her little hand wrapped around the first finger of Adam's right hand.
Chris sat on the other side of the bed. "You fight that fever little Bumble Bee. You will be just fine. One day, Uncle Chris will take you to a wonderful place, with lots of children to play with.
Chris looked up when Dean came into the room. "How is she? Roman just said come home, but not why." He looked as worried about his brother's child as the others.
Chris looked at his step-brother. "Fighting a fever. Adam probably saved her life. He discovered the bee sting the put a paste on it to draw out the venom. She's having a fever reaction. Got her bundled in ice to bring it down quickly."
Dean smiled at his niece and knelt down next to Chris. "Good work, Copeland. Wait, don't I recall your brother has reactions to stings? No wonder you thought of it. Well little Bumble Bee, you didn't have to take your name quite so literally." He gently caressed Beatrice's cheek, it felt so very warm.
"Yes, Milord. My brother does react. Not quite as badly now he is older, but it can be bad." Adam's eyes never left Beatrice as he spoke to Lord Dean. Bea still had her hand wrapped around Adam's finger.
Seth, Roman and Doctor McIntyre came into the room. Adam tried to loosen his finger from the baby's grip, but Seth stopped him.
"Stay, Adam. This is quietest she's been, except when I held her. Doctor said quiet and rest is best." Seth sat back down in the chair next to the bed.
Roman stood behind Seth, his hands on his husband's shoulder. He looked at his baby daughter with deep concern. He prayed silently.
Chris and Dean quietly left. The room didn't need to be filled with worried adults. They went down when they heard Stephanie come in. She'd been with Nattie all day and didn't know about Bea.
The two brothers took their sister to the morning room to tell her about Beatrice. She was shocked to hear the news. There was nothing she could do but pray, and pray she did.
After an hour in the blanket of ice, the Doctor, with Adam's help, unwrapped baby Beatrice. It didn't make the little girl very happy when Doctor McIntyre inserted the tip of the thermometer into her rectum.
"I know little bug, but sometimes we have to endure things. Father is here, baby girl." Roman held on to Be as the Doctor held the glass tube securely. Seth caressed her head. She still felt very warm, despite having been wrapped in ice.
A few minutes later, Drew removed the thermometer. He held the tube up to read it in the light. "One hundred One, still too much. It is down from one hundred three. That is good, but not good enough. More ice and dry blankets. Also, have some beef tea put into a bottle. She need something in her system and not milk with a fever." The Doctor gave his orders.
"Milords, I will do it." Adam spoke to the worried parents.
Roman nodded. "Yes please, Adam. Thank you." He was grateful to the Footman.
Adam hurried downstairs. "Ma! Ma! Beef tea in a bottle. Paige, help me get more ice. Beth, clean, dry blankets!" Adam spoke a bit sharply as he picked up the bowls to fill with ice and went to the ice room.
Mark gave the others a nod. "Do as he asked. He is worried and didn't mean to sound so sharp. Come, Paige." He led the scullery maid to the ice room.
As they chipped chunks of ice, Adam told what he knew. "… so it's down, but still one hundred one. I've read, a high fever for an extended time can cause harm to the brain. Why did the bee have to sting her, it's not like she was pestering it." Adam took out his anger on the block of ice.
Mark let Adam take his out his anger. Better on a frozen block of water than a person. He just had to make sure Adam didn't stab his hand with the ice pick. Paige wisely moved away from Adam.
When the two bowls were filled, Adam felt a lot better. Mark put a hand on his shoulder and give him a wink. Adam smiled. He was glad Mark understood. It was a nice feeling.
Judy gave her son a hug. "She will be alright. Look at your brother. The beef tea is almost ready. Do you want to wait?" She went to stir the rich, nurturing beef tea.
Beef tea was made from extracting the juices from lean cut beef in hot water. It wasn't salty like stock from bones. It was like tea, just made from beef instead of tea leaves. It was very easy on the stomach, yet gave a lot of nutrition.
"I can wait a couple of minutes. Doctor wants baby Beatrice out of the ice for a bit. I am sorry I barked. I am just so worried. It's been a long day with going to the orphanage, then all this." Adam spoke with contrition, he had been a bit cross.
"Son, we all know that. We all get upset and snarky at times. Now, let me strain this. Paige, one of the bottles please." Judy went on about getting the beef tea ready.
Mark helped Adam carry the bowls of ice. Adam also had a basket with the dry blankets and bottle of beef tea.
"Let's get her wrapped back up, then she can try the tea." Doctor McIntyre instructed.
Adam, like before, helped the Doctor pack and wrap the baby in the ice blanket. She fussed as she felt the cold. Adam handed Seth the bottle of beef tea.
Both Seth and Roman sat on the bed with their daughter. Seth rubbed the nipple of the bottle over Bea's lips to encourage her to drink. She turned her head to try to get the bottle away.
"Come on, Bumble Bee, please drink for poppa." Roman spoke softly to his daughter. The Doctor told them Bea needed fluids in her system because of the fever.
Seth tried again. Roman caressed Bea's cheek to get her to open her mouth. Adam watched with baited breath. "Please drink, little Mistress." Adam barely whispered. His fingers were tightly laced together, as if in prayer. It made Seth and Roman pleased to see that Adam cared so very much.
When Bea tasted a drop of the beef tea, she finally began to drink. It wasn't with her usual gusto, but still, she drank.
"That's good, she needs it. She can have more every hour or so. No milk, it's not the best on a fevered stomach." Doctor McIntyre spoke more positively. Maybe Beatrice would be alright by morning.
Eric spoke to Mark in the morning room. "No one is hungry for a large meal. I know it's unusual, but just serve sandwiches and coffee in here. We can eat when we want that way. You agree, my children?"
Chris, Dean and Stephanie all agreed with their poppa. Vince looked up from his newspaper. "I agree as well, my dear. I would like some of Missus Copeland's delicious cucumber sandwiches. Oh, and cherry cake." Vince was content with what was best and easiest for everyone.
Beatrice drank the entire bottle of beef tea. Now she slept, under the Doctor's watchful eye.
"Milord, I will go see about more beef tea. Would your Lordships like something on a tray?" Adam asked as he stood by the couple.
Roman looked at Adam. "Yes please, but nothing heavy. Bring food for the Doctor too. Thank you, Adam." He gave the footman a nod.
"Right away, Milord." Adam nodded then left to go see about the food. He figured dinner had been changed, but he wasn't sure.
Downstairs, Adam found an assembly line. Paige sliced bread, Mark buttered it, Beth and Becky added sliced cheese, tomatoes or cucumbers. Judy added meat, like beef, pork, lamb, chicken or pate. She then cut each sandwich into four small squares.
Adam fell into helping by carefully arranging the cut sandwiches onto a large silver platter. As they worked, Adam told about the food for the Doctor and anxious parents.
"Oh and more beef tea, please. She drank it, ma. It took a bit of coaxing from Lord Seth, but she drank. The Doctor looked quite relieved." Adam smiled as he spoke.
Jason came into the kitchen. "Mark, Glenn is here. Duke Hart sent him to find out how Baby Beatrice is. Said the Hart's didn't want to come over and be in the way."
Mark handed Jason the butter knife. "I will be back. Thank you, Jason." He left to go speak to his brother.
"Adam, we'll serve up in the morning room, the we'll serve the nursery." Beth stated as she added cucumber to the last sandwich.
"Alright. Please tell them I will bring the beef tea in a bit." Adam gave a nod and placed the last cut sandwich on the second tray for the nursery. Becky and Paige worked on the coffee service.
Mark returned in time to help serve. "The Hart's are very worried. Now, Jason put on your coat and carry the coffee. Beth, Becky fresh aprons and caps. Adam, relax for a moment. You haven't stopped since the orphanage. Thank you, Judy. Well done. Come along, children, let's serve." He picked up the large silver tray filled with food.
Adam sat down and ate the beef and cheddar sandwich his mother made for him. "It seems like an eternity since I was at the orphanage, but it has only been a few hours." He let out a sigh and took a small bite.
Judy took a deep breath and exhaled. It had been stressful on the entire house, but her poor son, seemed to have born the brunt of it. She was proud of her youngest.
"Son, I am so proud of you. It has been a very long, difficult day. Do you want to tell me about the dear little orphans? You don't have to. Sometimes, it just helps to talk." Judy reached over and tucked a strand of stray hair behind Adam's ear. It had come loose from the leather thong that held his pony tail in check.
Adam looked at his sainted mother. He opened his mouth and talked about his entire day from Martha, the washerwoman and Elizabeth to Victoria and Mary. Adam, however, was careful and never spoke of Lady Prudence Mayfield or Lord Christopher. He also didn't mention the help he was going to give Tommy. It just felt like the right thing to do.
"I am sure the children enjoyed your time with time. It is a nice thing for Lord Christopher to do. You know, I have some material scraps and ribbons. I will give them to you if you go with Lord Christopher again. Don't worry, I won't say anything about what you told me. Now, I am sure the beef tea is ready. Finish your supper. I have a feeling it is going to be a very long night." Judy stood and kissed the top of Adam's head and went back into the kitchen.
"I love you, ma. Thank you." Adam called after his mother. Adam's appetite was restored. He quickly finished his supper.
When Mark, Jason and the girls returned, Adam was ready to go up. Judy had prepared a kettle of beef tea, to keep warm on the nursery fire. There were also several clean bottles, ready to be filled.
Mark spoke. "Good, the Doctor is ready for Baby to try to eat again. He wants more ice, we will bring it up in a bit. Adam, I know you care, but if they ask you to leave, do so, without complaint. Trust me, son. They know how much you care." Mark gave Adam a look. He wanted to remind the Footman, he was a servant in the house, not a member of the family.
Adam nodded. "Yes, sir." He understood Mark's meaning. But, he couldn't help his worry for baby Beatrice. He took the kettle in one hand, basket in the other and hurried up to the patient.
As he entered the main foyer, he could hear Chris, Dean and Stephanie in the morning room, as they spoke with their parents. The family of Duke McMahon were a rare family. They actually cared about one another, as did the family of Duke Hart. Maybe that's why the two families were always together… because they cared.
Adam met Nanny Renee on the stairs. "I am going down to get the young Master's bottle. Bless him, he misses his sister and knows something is wrong. She will be alright, Adam. She has to be." Renee tried to sound more confident than she looked.
"I'm sorry, Renee. We didn't mean to forget you. Tell my mother I said to feed you. Poor baby Reginald. I will try to come see him. I hope she will be alright, she is so tiny." Adam gave Renee a smile and as much of a hug as he could with full hands.
Renee laughed a bit. "It's okay, Adam. I can look after myself and Baby Reginald. I am not gentry you know." She gave Adam a wink and continued down to the kitchen.
Adam shook his head and went up the stairs. He sometimes forgot Nanny Renee was one of them. When he got to the nursery, he started to put down the basket to open the door. He was halted by Chris.
"I've got it, Adam." Lord Christopher opened the door for Adam with a warm smile.
"Thank you, Milord." Adam returned the smile. He quietly entered the room. He first placed the kettle of beef tea on the hanger in the fireplace. A small fire burned to keep out the damp chill. He then set the basket on the small table.
Seth and Roman sat on the bed with their daughter. Doctor Drew McIntyre dozed in a nearby rocking chair. Chris sat on the floor next to Roman. He was worried about his brother.
The more Adam got to know Lord Christopher, the more his affection for him grew. Adam knew it was wrong to have those feelings. It was one of the few times, Adam wished he was gentry. Well, he would just have to admire Chris… from a distance.
The Doctor woke up when Baby Beatrice let out a loud wail. Her parents and Chris also reacted. Adam dared to move closer, was it a death cry?
Doctor McIntyre carefully unwrapped the crying baby from her cocoon. He held on to her, and used that annoying thermometer. Roman and Seth looked on with anxious worry.
Chris joined Adam, who prepared a clean, dry nappy for Baby Beatrice. "Sees like forever since we got home from the orphanage I hope little Melanie is alright. We will have to tell her, she was lucky that only her food was on ice." He watched Adam expertly fold the nappy to slip onto the baby.
Adam smiled. "I thought about that myself, Sir. Yes, it seems like it was a week ago, not just a few hours ago." He stopped talking. The Doctor had removed the thermometer.
Drew grinned. "That's a good girl. Her temperature is perfectly normal. No more ice, but give her some of that warm beef tea. Wrap her up, but not enough to over heat her. The danger is over. I am going home, I am exhausted." He began to pack up his Doctor's bag.
Seth brought the baby over to Adam and Chris. He had happy tears in his eyes. "She is out of danger. Adam, again thank you for finding the sting so fast. If you hadn't, it could still be in her." He took the nappy and pinned it in place. He wasn't afraid to be a hands on parent. Another rare thing in London society. Children were left to be raised by Nannies and Governesses.
Roman walked the Doctor out, after profuse thanks from Seth and Chris. Seth dressed his daughter in a warm night dress. Adam prepared a bottle of the beef tea. Chris took all the wet, cold blankets and put them in the basket.
"That will need fresh straw tomorrow, before Nanny can use it. At least she has the small couch bed in the day nursery." Chris stated as he watched Seth feed his little daughter. Adam stood back and watched.
"Jason will take care of it, Milord. Lord Seth, I am so pleased the little Mistress is recovered. I just remembered my brother, and his reaction to stings. I am happy to have been of service." Adam spoke with a nod to Seth.
"Oh you were more than service, Adam. Here, you finish feeding her." Seth stood and handed Adam the baby. He gently pushed Adam down in the rocker. The young man deserved it.
Chris' heart melted at the expression on Adam's face. The blond was in baby care heaven and it was a beautiful sight. Little Bea also seemed to like Adam. She began to drink with more vigor.
When Roman came back, he smiled. He didn't mind that the footman fed and held his daughter.
"She is going to sleep with us. Drew believes she will be fine, but just in case, we need to be close. Reggie can sleep with us too, they do better together." Roman spoke with a father's authority.
"Yes, dear. I was going to insist on it. Oh my, little lady, you must say pardon me." Seth laughed when Bea let out a very loud, beef tea induced "burp".
Adam couldn't help but laugh. "Good little Mistress. I am so glad you will be alright. Thank you, Sir, for allowing me to feed her. The beef tea will be alright, as long as you keep it warm."
Roman put a hand on Adam's shoulder. "Thank you, Adam. Go up to bed. I will tell Calaway that was my order. You have earned the rest."
Adam looked relieved. He wasn't keen to go downstairs and just sit. He could work on Tommy's tuition books. "Thank you, Milord. I am rather tired." He stood and handed baby Bea to Seth.
Seth took his daughter. "Good night, Adam. Thank you again. Now, go to bed." He gave Adam a wink.
Adam gladly left and went up to his room. He lit the kerosene lamp, then fell across his bed. It all piled up on him. He simply could not stop the tears as he wept into his pillow.
"I am going to bed. I had an early start with the orphanage. I am so glad she is alright. I love you, my brothers." Chris hugged his family. They bid Chris a goodnight.
Seth and Roman were soon lost in their children. Dean and Stephanie went to spend time with Beatrice and Reginald, as did Vince and Eric. It was a happy family time.
Adam didn't feel the bed dip when Chris sat on the edge. He began to caress Adam's back. "Don't cry, sweetheart. It's alright. Little Bea is alright." Chris spoke softly and kept up the tender touches.
Adam sniffed, then turned onto his back to look at Lord Christopher. "You… shouldn't be here, Milord. But, I do thank you for the care." He managed a smile.
Chris smiled. "Look, I know it goes against tradition, but I consider you a friend. My friend Adam was crying. My friend Adam needed a kind touch. My friend Adam saved my niece's life, because he knew how to act quickly. My friend Adam helped so Bea's parents could be less stressed. Let me be your friend Chris, even if just for a little bit. I hoped to see you draw. I'd love to see your talent." He brushed the stray strand of blond hair from Adam's face.
Adam wasn't sure how to respond. His head told him, this was not right, but his heart screamed yes it was. "Well, I can try to draw something. It has been a long time." Adam got up. He'd put the art supplies on his little desk under the window.
Adam went over to the desk. He lit the kerosene lamp and sat down. There wasn't a second chair, so Chris sat on the trunk at the foot of Adam's bed, so he could watch.
Adam opened one of the sketchbooks and took out one of the new pencils. He looked at the blank paper for a moment. Adam then got an inspirational idea. The sound of a pencil scratching across the paper filled the room.
Chris couldn't see what Adam drew, but he could see how intense the blond was as he drew.
In the distance, the sound of the Great Bell, nicknamed "Big Ben" echoed from the clock tower located at the Parliament Buildings. It chimed eleven times. Chris was often glad it wasn't any closer. It could be loud at times when the wind was right.
Adam finished with a final flourish of his pencil. "Well, remember, it has been a long time since I've drawn anything." He held out the pad to Christopher.
Chris looked at the drawing. Adam had drawn Chris with Melanie in his lap. Mary and Victoria sat next to him. It was how they had looked when listening to the story of Cinderella as Adam told it. It was perfect and wonderful.
"Adam, this is incredible. Simply incredible." Chris stared at Adam's drawing, then at Adam. "Perfectly beautiful. Just like you." Chris whispered softly.
Before he could stop himself, Chris leaned forward and pulled Adam into a kiss… a lover's kiss.