Chris and Josiah were able to catch the others before they entered Vin's room. Without saying a word, they understood Ezra was getting quality time with Vin."How about we take this food and go to the cafeteria and eat?" Buck asked.
Maggie had heard Buck's suggestion and decided to offer up the break room again. Everyone was busy with the afternoon rounds and the room was empty. "Excuse me gentlemen. If you would like, the break room is available. It would give you some time alone to talk," Maggie suggested.
"Thank you, Maggie." Josiah smiled as he looked at the warm-hearted woman standing in front of him.
"It is no bother. There is a microwave and coffee maker. The coffee bags are on the top shelf. Use two bags, unless you really like weak coffee, then use only one."
"Would you care to join us for coffee?" Josiah asked.
"I can't right now. The afternoon time is usually the busiest," Maggie smiled.
"Maybe after work then?" Josiah asked.
"I get off at 7 p.m.," Maggie stated with a questioning tone to her voice. She would love to have coffee with the man.
"Then how about I take you too the coffee shop across the street, after you get off work?" Josiah smiled.
"Okay, say around 7:30, I'll meet you outside of Mr. Tanner's room, if that's alright?" she asked.
"Perfect, I will see you then," Josiah agreed as he watched her walk back toward the nursing station.
"Well, well, well. Seems our Josiah is smitten," Buck purred.
"Shut up Buck," The preacher chuckled as he led the men into the break room.
"I think she is taken with you as well," Nathan offered with a wink at Buck.
"Gentlemen, we should respect Josiah's privacy. Now who wants to chaperone the young couple tonight?" Chris stated with a straight face.
"Chris, those two I would expect this from. But from you, well, you are supposed to lead by example," Josiah protested.
"Who do you think taught Buck how to be so charming? Don't tell me you thought it came naturally to him?" Chris smirked.
The five men settled down and opened the bag of fast food and divided it up amongst them. Buck put aside the large salad he picked up for Ezra for the man to have later. He would make the stubborn southern cuss eat it, if he had to shove it down the undercover agent's throat himself.
Josiah started to remember when they'd first found out about Ezra and Vin. Then he'd come to find out that Chris and Buck had already known, in fact had helped to get them together. The preacher man had suspected something had changed in the two men's relationship with each other, but he did not know that it had developed into the deep emotional involvement one would find with one of the opposite sex.
The preacher had a hard time for the first, maybe five minutes; before he realized that the two actually belonged together. He watched how protective Vin was with Ezra, and how Tanner had moved to stand between them as if to keep anything or anyone from touching his partner.
The touch of Ezra's hand on Vin's shoulder conveyed the message that it was okay. The silent communication was all Josiah needed to see that the young man was the best thing for his boy. The team's sharpshooter would make sure nothing happened to Standish, and Ezra would do the same for Vin.
Nathan found himself telling the others about the conversation he had had with the Neurosurgeons. It seemed the Trauma people wanted the Neurosurgeons come and consult on Vin's injury. "They mostly told me the same as Dr. Henry. They want to repeat the CT scan of the head tomorrow and do an EEG." Jackson held up one hand to forestall the questions he could see forming on their lips. "And before you ask, the EEG is a test that records the brain waves. The reason they are doing this is to see if any severe damage has occurred. It still will not tell us what condition Vin will be in when he wakes up, or if he will wake up. They stopped the medicine that was keeping him sedated, but it can take anywhere from a few hours or even 'til tomorrow sometime for the medication to wear off." Nathan told the others about what was discussed about Vin's condition.
The men sat quietly for a few moments wondering when all this madness was going to end. The food that was forgotten during Nathan's explanation became a great distraction as they picked at their meal.
Buck happened to look over toward Josiah, wondering how much pain the man was in. He knew that Ezra was like a son to the older man, and that Vin had been taken under his wing due to the Texan's relationship with the southerner.
"Are ya smilin' about Nurse Henderson there preacher man?" Buck snickered.
"No, Brother Buck. I was thinking about the first time I heard about Ezra and Vin's relationship, and about how Vin was willing to take me on if I tried anything to hurt his mate," Josiah smiled.
"Yeah, he does have that over protective way about him when it comes to Ez," JD chuckled.
"Can't say I blame him, I'd do the same way with Rain. No one will harm her in any way if I can stop it. If they do, then I will make them pay." Nathan nodded as he remembered how Vin tore into him over Ezra. "It wasn't pleasant when they told me. I had a hard time at first, not believin' in a same sex relationship. But, after a good woman slapped me upside the head and made me see the light, I noticed the special way they fit each other in every way. Did you know that Rain would not talk to me for a whole week over Vin and Ezra? Another reason I love that woman, she makes me take off the blinders and take another look at things." Nathan beamed as he told them for the first time what occurred that made him change his feelings about Vin and Ezra being together.
"I think I shocked them when I laughed," JD shrugged. "When I stopped laughing and told them it was okay by me, they looked at me and smiled. Then I explained to them that my partner in Boston was gay, and that I would go out to baseball games and such with his significant other all the time. I told them that their being together didn't change how I felt about them."
"Buck, how did you figure it out?" Josiah asked.
"Well last Valentine's day I noticed Ezra comin' in early, and I saw him put something in Vin's desk. I sat and watched as everything fell into place with Jr. finding the gifts and the note. I put two and two together and told Vin. Then I enlisted Chris and we decorated Ezra's apartment, and Vin gave Ezra a Valentine he would never forget."
JD's mind started thinking that something very important as just revealed, he just couldn't think of what it was just yet, but something Buck said triggered something in his head.
"Chris, how did you find out?" Josiah asked.
"Vin told me he had feelings for Ezra long before. Buck has never been able to keep anything from me, and called me up and explained everything about Ezra being Vin's secret Valentine. I wanted Vin to have every chance of making his dream come true, and that dream was Ezra and the happy ever after theme. So me and ole Buck worked on putting together his surprise for Ezra," Chris smiled as he told his part in Buck's plot.
"OH SHIT!"
"What JD?" Buck asked.
"You said this happened on Valentine's Day last year, right?" JD asked.
"Yes," Buck replied.
"Today is February 14th. It's Valentine's Day," JD frowned.
"Damn, no wonder it's really hitting Ezra really hard. A year to the day of…that has to really make today even more painful," Nathan moaned into his hands.
"Have you told Ezra what the Doctors have told you?" Chris asked.
"No, was on my way when you brought us here." Nathan sighed, he just wanted to give Standish and the others better news.
"I think we need to give them more time together," Josiah suggested. He wanted Ezra to have as much time with Vin as possible, just in case the young man did not pull through.
"I think you are right," Chris agreed, knowing he would have wanted quality private time with Sarah if given the chance.
+ + + + + + +
Ezra continued to talk with Vin and reminisce about their good and bad times together over the past year. The southerner would take time to brush his fingers along Vin's face and place kisses on his forehead, eyelids, and cheek. The southerner did everything he could to ignore the breathing tube that was intruding in his favorite space to explore on his lover. No one kissed him as good as Vin could, or tasted as good as his Texan did.
"Vin, wake up soon my love. I miss you so much it hurts my soul to not be able to hold you. I didn't realize just how much I need to hear you say my name at least once a day. I didn't realize how much I have come to depend on seeing you, touching you, talking to you, and living and breathing the same air as you." Ezra continued to speak this out loud, hoping Vin could hear his voice and find his way back.
Vin felt like he was floating one minute, and then the next was like a ride out of control. Then he saw a bright light out in the distance and was not sure where it would lead him. For some reason he did not want to go toward the light; something told him it was a trap. He was looking for Ezra and his gut feeling was the light would take him further away from his lover.
He was sure he was not moving forward, but the light was getting closer. He was finding it hard to breathe and started to turn back, only to find he could not do so. "No, I don’t want to go. I wanna find Ezra, he needs me," Vin shouted at the light.
"Vincent Tanner, you hush now, you hear me," A familiar voice scolded him.
Vin looked around looking for who was talking to him. He was very sure he knew this person telling him to be quiet, but could not place the voice. Tanner looked again toward the light and noticed a movement coming out of the brightness. He was stunned to see his mother coming toward him.
"Mama?"
"Yes, my boy, it's me. Now don't be afraid I'm only here to ask you a question." Jessie Tanner smiled at her only son.
Vin smiled back as he looked at his mother. She looked younger and prettier than he remembered. The look of sickness and impending death were now gone, replaced with health and beauty he had only seen in pictures of her from before he was born.
Jessica Tanner had developed complications after giving birth to her only son. Her heart had weakened, something about a birth defect undetected in her prior exams. She had lived longer than the one to two years the doctors had given her. The strong young mother fought for five years to stay alive for her son, but Jessie had not planned on her father dying a year after her, leaving her son dependent on the county to be raised.
"Vincent, do you want to live?" She asked.
"Yeah, I want to live." Vin answered as tears fell down his face. "Do ya hate me for wantin' ta live?"
"No, I want you to be happy. Why do you want to live?" Jessie asked her son as she reached up and wiped the tears away from his face.
"I love someone and I don't want to leave them. They need me." Vin replied as he leaned into his mother's touch. "It's not that I don't love you, but you are here and happy."
"Yes, I'm very happy. I want you to be happy as well. So, does this someone have a name?" Jessie smiled as she asked her son about his lover.
"Ezra, Ezra Standish. I know it ain't right bein' in love with another man, but he is everything to me. His spirit touches mine like no one's ever has before." Vin explained his feelings to his mother, hoping she would understand.
"You must love him very much to risk your life for his. Does he love you as much? Would he die for you?" Jessie asked.
"Yes, he would die for me. Not just because he loves me, but because he would think himself the less deservin' ta live. That's why I need to go back to him. He deserves to know what it is to be loved for more than just a year." Vin looked at his mother with his heart in his eyes.
"I have watched the two of you. I watched how you made his life more complete and full of love. It would be a shame to bring you here and risk losing Ezra's soul to…I don't even want to mention it." Jessie frowned, knowing that Ezra would end his life, if given the chance, if Vin should die. Losing Vin would be the last wrong of a long list of wrongs done to the unfortunate young man.
"I love you, Vin. I want nothing for you but for you to be happy. If Ezra is what makes you happy I cannot stand in your way. You will not remember this conversation we have had if you choose to go back," Jessie sadly smiled.
"I choose to go back. I can't abandon Ezra like that. He needs me and we have so much more to learn about each other. He deserves to be happy for a long time. I want us to grow old together and see what the future holds for us." Vin made his decision as he moved toward his mother and pulled her into a hug.
Jessie returned the hug as she realized how proud she was of her son. The man made the decision she hoped he would make, for she truly believed that Ezra needed her son to survive. "I love you, Vincent Tanner, and you made a wise choice."
"I love you too. I know I will find you again when it is my turn to cross over to the spirit world. I will find you when I do," Vin promised his mother as she pulled out of the embrace.
"You will not remember why you think this, but whenever a church bell rings you will know I'm saying I love you," Jessie whispered as she turned back and walked back into the light.
Vin watched as his mother disappeared back into the brightness that she had emerged from, and a feeling of contentment overcame him as again he was plunged into total darkness. This time the darkness was not overwhelming, for he knew he was going back to Ezra, back to being alive. His thoughts began to fade and memories of recent events packed neatly away for when they would be allowed to be remembered again.
Vin could hear a familiar voice talking with a southern accent. The voice was the best thing he had ever heard in his life. He still found it hard to let Ezra know he was back, 'but from where? Where did I go?' Vin felt tired and let sleep overtake him, knowing everything was okay now. Ezra was right there beside him.
Josiah softly knocked on the door alerting the younger man to his coming into the room. He did not want to just barge in on a private moment his boy might be having. The others had voted that one of them should first go in to check Ezra and see how he was doing. Then the others would follow so they could all be together when Nathan told Ezra what he had learned from the Neurosurgeons.
"Come in," a southern voice called out.
Josiah walked into the room expecting to see a forlorn Ezra, only to find a smiling, but exhausted man looking back at him.
"Josiah, I swear Vin just smiled. I could almost feel him try to squeeze my hand," Ezra smiled.
"Ezra-" Josiah started only to be cut off.
"Josiah I swear he did. I would not say it if it were not true. If I had any doubt, I would not have told anyone," Ezra vowed.
"I think I will get the doctor." Josiah nodded, as he knew that Ezra firmly believed the Texan had moved. Josiah went out into the hallway and waved Nathan over. "Seems Ezra thinks Vin smiled and tried to squeeze his hand. Maybe you should get one of the doctors to come and have another look." Josiah looked at the others as he mentioned Standish's beliefs.
"I will get Dr. Henry. Why don't the rest of you go in and be with Ezra." Nathan grinned widely as he practically ran to the nurses' station.
The four men smiled and turned to enter Vin's room. For the first time hope entered into their thoughts that Vin was going to pull through after all. They just needed to see what Ezra had seen to make it sink in and take hold.
"Gentlemen, did Mr. Sanchez inform you of the good news?" Ezra asked as he looked away from the men and back to his lover.
"Yeah, Ez, he did. When did he become Mr. Sanchez and not Josiah?" Buck asked.
"Now Buck, don't go messin' with my boy," Josiah chuckled.
"I'm sorry, Josiah, it's just a habit I will have to work on. I promise to do better in the future," Ezra replied, filing that bit of information away.
"Nathan went to find one of the doctors," Chris informed Ezra as he walked over to Vin's bedside.
Chris looked for any sign that Vin was getting better. He did notice that his best friend seemed to be more relaxed, like he was truly in a deep sleep. 'Come on pard, if anyone one can beat the odds you can.' Chris noticed Vin begin to breath funny and then the alarms when off.
Vin felt an overwhelming urge to wake up. He could hear familiar voices and wanted to know more about what was going on around him. He wanted whatever in his throat to go away as he tried to cough it out.
"Vin, darlin', relax. Don't fight the tube. Vin, if you do they are going to give you more medication to make you sleep. Please, if you can hear me, stop fighting the tube," Ezra begged as he took his lover's face into both of his hands.
Vin could hear Ezra's voice telling him to relax and something about more medicine. He tried to open his eyes, but he found it hard to do with the bright light making them hard to focus when he did try to open them.
Nathan, Dr. Henry and a couple nurses, one of them Maggie, came into the room in a rush. The older nurse went straight for the medication box and pulled out a couple vials of different sedatives. "Which medication do you want, Dr. Henry?" The older nurse asked.
Dr. Henry, who was trying to get to his patient, asked for both medications to be drawn up.
"No, please let me try and get him to relax. He is just frightened is all. Please, let me try first before you medicate him," Ezra pleaded.
"I thought you agreed you would not interfere?" Dr. Henry reminded Ezra.
"Please let me try," Ezra begged.
"What would it hurt; it could be the best thing," Maggie suggested.
Ezra moved around and got onto the left side of the bed away from the chest tube on the right, making sure he did not get tangled in anything important. He placed his leg over his lover's and his chest slightly over his lover's left side. Taking Vin's face into his hands he leaned down and began to whisper in the Texan's ear.
"My love, listen to me. Listen to my voice and let me be your guide. Relax and let me help you. There is a breathing tube that is there for a purpose. If you do not relax and listen to me, they will make me leave and pump more drugs into your body to let them do their job. PLEASE VIN, stop and listen to me. I will not let them hurt you, I promise," Ezra kept whispering.
Everyone was amazed as Vin started to settle down more and more as Ezra continued to calm his lover with his voice and his pleading. The more Tanner relaxed the more Ezra would lessen his hold on his body, but he did not break contact. His words changed from pleading to promises of what he would do, if his lover behaved and let the doctors take care of him. In the matter of minutes, Vin was calmly looking at Ezra and nodding his head yes and no to questions asked of him.
"Mr. Tanner, do you know where you are?" Dr. Henry asked and was answered with Vin nodding his head yes, never letting his eyes break contact with Ezra's.
"Mr. Tanner, do you remember what happened?" Dr. Henry asked, again receiving a nod of yes.
"Mr. Tanner, do you wish the tube to stay down your throat?" That question was answered with a glare that needed no words.
"Mr. Tanner, we are going to remove the breathing tube that you seem to have grown such fond feelings for. So, on the count of three, I want you to cough as hard as you can." Dr. Henry chuckled as he removed the tape and tube holder getting ready to take the endotracheal tube out of his patient's airway. "One, two, three, cough." Dr. Henry pulled the tube as Vin gave a nice strong cough.
Maggie immediately then placed a nasal cannula with oxygen on Vin's face with the prongs nestled in his nostrils. "Now, don't give me a hard time. I would hate to have to replace that tube," Maggie smiled.
Tanner glared at the woman as she did her job. When she had finished, Vin looked at Chris and motioned to the door with his eyes. He wanted to be alone with Ezra when he spoke his first words. He looked at his lover who had not moved off the bed. Ezra had tried to get up when Dr. Henry came over to exam him, but Vin had held tight, not letting the man move one inch away from him.
"Mr. Tanner, I need to examine you further. But, I will need Mr. Standish to move for just a few minutes," Dr. Henry requested.
"Dr. Henry, I think we need to give Vin and Ezra just a few minutes alone first. Then you will be able to exam him all you want," Chris stated as he motioned the others to leave as well.
"But-"
Vin glared at the young doctor and motioned with his eyes to leave.
"If he leaves and comes back in five minutes, will you let him exam you, without me on the bed?" Ezra smiled as he asked this of his lover.
Vin nodded his head yes, and he put all the love he felt for this man lying next to him in his eyes as he nodded his agreement.
Dr. Henry reluctantly left the room with the others. He turned at the door about to say something when he saw his patient turned to Ezra. He closed the door, knowing this was something that needed privacy.
"I love you Ezra P. Standish with all my heart and soul," Vin's raspy voice vowed to his lover.
"I love you as well, Vincent Tanner," Ezra whispered, as he stroked his lover's cheek before lightly kissing his lips.
Ezra laid his head down on Vin's shoulder enjoying the feel of his lover's arm pulling him closer. He knew he should get up and let the doctor come in and finish his exam, but he needed these few minutes alone with his life mate. Both men on the bed watched as the door opened and several doctors came in. Ezra turned and smiled to his miracle before getting off the bed.
"They need to make sure everything is going to be okay. I will be right over here." Ezra pointed at the chair by the window, where Vin could watch him as the doctors did their exam.
The doctors conferred with each other then turned to offer their prognosis. It was told to Vin that he would still have a CT scan and EEG done just for safety sake. He would need to have the chest tube for a few more days, maybe longer. But, by the end of the week he should be able to go home, barring any complications. Vin and Ezra thanked the doctors for everything they had done for Tanner's care.
Ezra held out his hand to Dr. Henry and smiled sincerely, "Especially to you sir. You allowed me to keep my promise and be here for Vin. That is something I will be grateful to you for, for the rest of my life."
"Mr. Standish, you have helped me to remember what it was that made me want to become a doctor. Also, you have taught me that there is more to being a good surgeon than being able to cut and sew. There are people involved, a patient and the patient's family," Dr. Henry smiled as he returned the handshake.
"You will make a fine addition to the medical field." Ezra's smiled to let the man know he was telling the truth.
"Thank you. Now, I must get back to work. If there is anything you need just let Maggie know and she will know how to reach me," Dr. Henry told both Vin and Ezra right before he left.
Ezra looked over at Vin and noticed how tired he looked. He walked over to the bedside and decided that it was time for his lover to take a nap. "Vin, you have had a rough couple of days. You need to rest now. I will get the others to come and see you briefly and then you have to rest." Ezra smiled as he gently told his lover what was going to be done.
"I need some mouthwash," Vin stated matter-of-factly.
"Mouthwash?" Ezra questioned.
"Yeah, so I can rinse my mouth out. I want to kiss you proper like, but not 'til I rinse my mouth out," Tanner insisted.
"Oh, I think we have just what you need." Ezra smiled as he opened the drawer next to the bed. Inside he found just what Vin requested.
Standish took the bottle of mouthwash and retrieved a small basin and a cup of water so Vin could rinse out his mouth. In the mean time Ezra walked over and opened the door to let the others come in.
Ezra proceeded to explain what the doctors had told them. He informed the others they needed to go home and get some rest and that he would stay with Vin for now, but he wanted someone to relieve him in the morning so he could return to the condo and freshen up.
Soon, they finally found themselves alone. Ezra pulled two chairs together along side the bed. Vin smiled as he watched the southerner get everything organized and ready for them to settle down for the night.
"So, is that gonna be your bed every night I'm here?" Vin asked.
"Do you have a problem with it?" Ezra smiled.
"Rather have ya up here beside me," Vin suggested.
"No, it is too soon. I do not want anything to happen to extend your stay in this sterile institution as it is." Standish was adamant in his response.
"Can I have a goodnight kiss?" Vin asked his voice still raspy from the trauma of having the tube down his throat, making his voice sound sexy as he asked Ezra for a kiss.
Ezra walked over toward the bed. He looked down at the man, now fully awake, on the bed looking up at him. The indigo eyes were full of love for him as he bent down and gently kissed the lips being offered up to him. At first the kiss was soft and gentle as the lips slowly opened to deepen the kiss. Tongues dueled over who would control the sensual kiss as passion ignited between the two lovers. Ezra kept enough wits about him and did not follow through with what his body wanted him to do. He knew it was too soon for Vin to experience any physical release whether it was on the receiving or the giving end.
Ezra pulled back and rubbed his nose against Vin's; thus allowing them intimate contact but enough distance to calm their passion for each other. "We will have all the time in the world to love one another," Ezra whispered as he gently kissed his partner's face in various places.
"Forever, we have forever," Vin promised.
Ezra stood up and smiled down at Vin, letting the love he felt for the man shine in his eyes. The silent promise to love one another forever passed between them, and Ezra then prepared himself for a night's stay with his very significant other.
"Are ya sure ya don't want to crawl up here in bed with me?" Vin yawned as he was losing the battle with sleep.
"Maybe tomorrow night," Ezra replied as his eyes became heavy. He had almost fallen asleep when the sound of the door opening woke him up. Ezra looked over to see if the noise had awakened Vin, and then he watched as Maggie pushed in what appeared to be a cart of some kind.
"Shhh, I borrowed a cart from the ER. You can at least lie down and stretch out." Maggie shrugged as she pointed out the pillow and blankets on top of the cart.
"Thank you Maggie, for everything." Ezra smiled as he bent and kissed her cheek. "I think there is a man I know that you are supposed to have coffee with." He looked at her with a questioning expression.
"He is waiting for me downstairs. He is the one that piled the blankets on the cart," Maggie giggled.
"He is a good man." Ezra looked at Maggie with a concerned look. "Tread softly with his heart, for it is an open caring heart. It takes chances on lost souls and needs extra special care at times."
"I think I'm woman enough for that job," Maggie promised. "He is very special, and I'm not about to let him slip away without a fight."
"Good, if there is anything you need, please let me know," the southerner said sincerely.
"Well, there is something you can do. You can get some rest and live a long and happy life with that special man lying on that bed behind you." Maggie laughed as she turned and left a stunned man staring at her retreating form.
Ezra was grateful that Maggie was as interested in Josiah and he was in her. He could not help but think what a wonderful couple they would make. Ezra slipped off his jacket, belt, and shoes as he prepared to take advantage of the cart brought in especially for him.
Ezra moved the cart closer to Vin's bed and fixed the blankets just like he wanted them. Then he walked over to the bed and leaned down and kissed Vin, first on the forehead, and then lightly on the lips before retiring for the night.
EASTER SUNDAY
Josiah stood proudly as he read from the scriptures for this special day. He had many things to be thankful for. Ezra was here in church today, and Vin was alive and well sitting beside his mate. Maggie sat on the other side of Ezra holding his hand and whispering in his ear. The smile on his boy's face made him the happiest. The Southerner had been so thrilled when Maggie had agreed to marry him a few days ago. Ezra had hugged him when Josiah had told him the news of his engagement, and then he was shocked and honored when asked if he would do him the honor of being his best man."It would be an honor and a privilege to stand up with you sir." Ezra had spoken with such pride it had brought tears to his eyes.
"No, Ezra, the honor is mine that such a good woman would want to marry me, and a good man would honor me by standing by my side," the preacher said seriously.
Josiah could still remember how Ezra had again hugged him. "You are the father that all children should have. Then this world would be such a better place because of it," Ezra had whispered.
Vin looked up at the cross with Jesus nailed to it and thanked him for giving him a second chance at life. He smiled each time he heard the church bells; for some reason he thought of how much his mother loved him each time they sounded.
"Are you okay?" Ezra whispered as he squeezed his lover's hand.
"Yeah, for some reason I love the sound of the bells. They remind me of my Ma and how much she loved me," Vin sighed.
"Loves you, I'm sure no matter where she is now your mother still loves you very much." Ezra felt so sure of that fact.
"Thanks, Ez. I have a feelin' she would have loved ya." Vin smiled not really sure why he said that.
"I’m sure I would have loved her as well." Ezra squeezed Vin's hand and directed his attention toward the front of the church, Josiah was about to start.
After church Josiah kissed Maggie good bye as she went to work. It had been planned for them to go to church together, and then Josiah would meet the others at Chris's for dinner and some movies. Sundays had become a special time for the men whenever they were not on a case.
Vin suddenly stopped as the bells began to chime again. He looked up at the bells and smiled, and then he looked up toward the heavens and sent a little prayer hoping his mother was happy in heaven.
"Well the church is still standing, so there is hope it will not collapse when I stand next to you on your wedding day, Josiah," Ezra chuckled as they walked toward the cars. The men laughed as they continued on to the parking lot, each man thankful to spend the day together, and to be able to join the other members of their misfit family later today.
"See you both at the ranch. Drive careful and be safe," Josiah yelled back at Ezra and Vin as they were getting into Ezra's Jag.
"You do the same preacher man," Vin yelled back as he listened to the bells again.
"You be careful as well my friend," Ezra replied to Josiah as he got into his truck.
Ezra looked at life mate and smiled at the gentle look on his lover's face. He knew that Vin was thinking of his mother again. The southerner found that the chiming of bells made his lover think of her. He wished that his mother loved him enough to bring such memories of her to his mind. But, he had Vin now and that was all that mattered. "Are you ready?" Ezra asked.
"Ready for what?" Vin smiled.
"To go to Chris's," Ezra gave an exaggerated sigh of frustration.
"Nope, wanna go home first," Vin winked at his mate.
"Did you forget something?" Ezra smiled.
"I wanna make love to you. Don’t think I can wait 'til we get home tonight. I might just have ta jump your bones at the dinner table," Vin growled.
"Vin, really….the dinner table? Where is your restraint man?" Ezra laughed.
"Look who's talkin'. Last weekend ya jumped me in the parkin' lot at the saloon, then again in the barn at Chris's." Vin snorted as he listed the times Ezra seduced him. "At least I'm givin' ya warnin' so we can keep it private in our home."
"Private? In our home?" Ezra looked at his lover as if he'd suddenly grown two heads. "Who is it that wanted to do it in the elevator at Buck and JD's apartment building? We pulled our clothes back on just in time, or Mr. Brigs would have died of a heart attack when the elevator door opened. Then there was the time you wanted to do it on the look out over the Grand Canyon. Yes, you are quite the 'let's fuck only at home type,'" Ezra laughed.
"Ah Ezra, you exaggerate so," Vin sighed.
Ezra took the turn that would take them home. He wanted Vin to make love to him as well, and the fact that Vin wanted to go home meant that it was going to be special, that he didn't want to hold anything back.
+ + + + + + +
Chris looked at the clock and started to get worried and mad at the same time. He was sure that the two adolescent acting lovers were off doing it somewhere. He could not be mad for long if that is what it turned out they were doing. But, it was still so soon after almost losing Vin that caused him to be extra worried.
"Don't worry, pard. They are just actin' like a couple of jack rabbits again is all." Buck chuckled as he slapped Chris on the back as he went back to the living room.
"They are worse than a couple of teenagers. I can't believe they almost got busted in the men's room at Inez's a couple weeks back," Nathan shook his head and laughed.
"I must say that life with them is never boring. But, I will not complain, for they are safe and still with us to create such adventures. They are starting to out do Buck with some of their stories." Josiah barely managed to keep a straight face as he looked back at Buck.
"Now, Josiah, those boys will never be able to out do me. I have many years ahead of them. Plus, they have limited themselves to being…Chris what's that word again?" Buck asked his oldest friend, in an effort to keep him from worrying about the missing two sex addicts of their group. 'Hell, truth be known, they probably do things I wouldn't even dream about.'
"Monogamous. Something you will never accomplish in a relationship, since, you can't even remember the word," Chris rolled his eyes.
"Hey, I see the Jag." JD called out from the porch where he was playing one of his laptop games.
Tanner was driving giving Ezra some time to rest. He had really given the southerner a good loving work out. He looked over at his sleeping lover and knew the man was happy they'd stopped at home before coming to Chris's.
"Vin, just do not tell Buck about this adventure. I'm not sure I could live it down." Ezra purred feeling more relaxed and well sated after the mind-blowing love making he just experienced not even an hour ago.
"Don't worry Ez; this is one for the diary. They can read about it one day after we die from loving each other too much." Vin smacked his lips and smiled at the look of desire that flared in his lover's eyes at small gesture.
"Vin, expect the same treatment when I get my strength back, maybe in the next 3 years or so." Ezra licked his lips slowly letting his tongue dance seductively in and out of his mouth.
Ezra remembered how Vin pulled him into the bedroom and undressed him slowly. Vin aroused his body using his lips, tongue, teeth, and hands. Taking him to the edge only to pull back and leave him wanting more and more. Ezra was left in a state of sexual frustration that had him begging over and over again for release.
Vin had finger fucked him over and over again, to heights of pleasure he'd never been before, but not taking him to the point of completion. Ezra had been so blinded by his passion that he had not noticed 'til Vin got off the bed, that his lover was still fully dressed. He watched as his Texan walked over to the closet and pulled out a special box. All the while he noticed the bulge in the crotch of the sharpshooter's jeans
His mouth went dry as he noticed the object that Vin removed from the box. Ezra was not sure if he should get up off the bed and run or open his legs further and trust Vin not to hurt him. The latter won out as he watched his partner look at him with nothing but love and desire in his eyes.
Ezra knew then that no matter what, Vin would never do anything to hurt him. Then the next words out of his lover's mouth made him realize this was something his mate had planned especially for him. He had at one time been in such need of his lover he couldn't make up his mind if he wanted Vin to take him with his cock or with his mouth.
"Ez, remember that night you couldn't make up your mind what ya want me to do. Well, I figured out a way ya sorta can have both," Vin smiled as he smacked his lips.
Vin pulled the lubricant out of the top drawer and generously applied some to the dildo he held in his hand. By the looks of it the size was portioned to the size of his lover's penis. It had a base at the end to prevent it from getting lost up inside of him. Ezra looked again up at his lover, seeing the question burning there.
"I trust you," was all Ezra had to say.
Vin smiled at him as he kneeled on the bed and slowly took Ezra's cock into his mouth and worshipped it with his tongue, lips, and softly with his teeth. Then he probed Ezra's anus, which he had prepared with his fingers earlier, with the tip of the soft skinned dildo.
Vin had looked up at Ezra with a worried expression when he had heard the soft hiss after the sex toy had breached his opening. "Ya okay? Am I hurtin' ya?"
"Don't stop, God, please don’t stop," Ezra begged.
Vin started to hum as he continued to move up and down on Ezra's hardened member, making the southerner again moan out loud, "Yes."
Ezra felt the dildo move up inside of him 'til the base of the sex toy was touching his ass. Vin matched the movement of his mouth to the thrusting of the firm object, which now gave his lover such pleasure as well. It did not take long for the southerner to develop a rhythm of his own to match Vin's.
"Harder, please harder," Ezra begged over and over again as his prostate was rubbed with each thrust.
Ezra could feel the burning as he was about to explode, and he wanted Vin to take all that he had to offer. He wanted… hell, right now he did not know what he wanted, to far over the edge was his wanton need for release. Finally he came, with a loud scream, or as Vin said later on, "I made ya howl, babe,'" right before he passed out the sheer power of the orgasm.
Ezra woke after a few minutes to see Vin in the process of undressing himself. The southerner smiled as he watched his lover lubricate himself, using slow sensual strokes up and down is hardened shaft as he moved toward the bed. The possessive gleam in is Texan's eyes made Ezra open his legs to welcome his lover's advance. The southerner knew this joining with his mate would not only be of flesh but a joining of souls as well.
"You, always you. I want you now," Ezra pleaded as he lifted himself up and let Vin place a pillow underneath his hips.
"I love ya, Ez. I want ya to know just how much I love you," Vin growled, as he positioned himself at this lover's opening and thrust deep into the loosened entrance to his lover's warm body.
Ezra moaned loudly as he wrapped his legs around his lover and met him thrust for thrust. He encouraged Vin with words like harder, faster, and love me. "Love me, Vin, like the way only you can love me." Ezra panted as he tightened his legs, hoping to bring his lover deeper inside of him.
Vin's growled response brought a smile and made him love the man more, "No one before me, no one after me… Just… Me." Ezra knew that no one would ever love him so completely as the man loving him now. Both men's shouts of release voiced promises of love ever after.
"GOD, VIN…I love you, only you," Ezra yelled as he found his release for the second time.
"EZZZZRAAA…love ya forever," Vin screamed as Ezra felt the warm release of his lover's seed, deep inside his body.
Ezra was brought out of his memory of being loved by his mate when Vin announced; "We're here." The southerner shook himself awake and stretched, earning a lustful look from a beautiful set of blue eyes.
"Like what you see?" Ezra purred as he stretched further lifting up his pelvic area in the process.
"If you don't want me to put on a show for Buck to see a little of what we did back home, you'd better put that ass back down on the seat." Vin growled as he felt his response to Ezra's seductive stretch in his groin. "Ya sure know how to tease."
Ezra heard the loving tone in Vin's voice. It just made him reach over and pull Vin into a simple kiss of contentment. "Thank you for a wonderful day." Ezra smiled as he noticed Chris and the others standing impatiently on the porch. "But, I do believe we are about to be reprimanded for our lustful behavior."
"Don't worry me none. I have no regrets," Vin stated matter of fact like.
"I must say, neither do I." Ezra smiled as he opened the car door and exited the car.
"I apologize gentleman. But, Vin here could not keep his hands off of me." Ezra smiled as he heard Vin snort and burst out laughing.
"Can't blame a man when all ya do is tease and tease." Vin shrugged his shoulders. "Such high maintenance, but well worth it."
Chris and the others could do nothing but laugh as Ezra's smile broke out at Vin's words. The smile was one of the rare ones, for the man hardly ever shared them with the group. But, when he did it was hard to ever stay mad at him.
"Okay, dinner is now being served. Since you boys were late, you have clean up." Chris glared at the young lovers then smiled as they all entered the house like one happy family. With Vin saying he would wash and Ezra would dry. Ezra's reply being something about, "As you wish."
"I wash, you dry," Vin said with a wink, letting his lover know that he wasn't just talking about the dishes.
End