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  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, products, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  This story is also set in a southern state (Georgia); please keep in mind that accents are different all over the world and I like to use them. It isn’t a typo or a lazy way of typing. It’s how it’s spoken. (Or at least the way I speak it, Y'all.) Although I do try to eliminate typo’s and misspellings, they do still happen. Nastiness and negativity do not affect them nor does it affect my love for writing. To everyone who chooses to comment or review, I appreciate you, more than you know!

  Enjoy : )

  To: Gary, my new friend who might love these guys about as much as I do! Thank you for your friendship and continued support…I love your words!

  Contents

  Kingsley

  Morgan

  Kingsley

  Morgan

  Kingsley

  Morgan

  Kingsley

  Morgan

  Kingsley

  Morgan

  Kingsley

  Wade

  Kingsley

  Some people say that everything happens for a reason. I believe that. I believe that people come into your life at sometimes unexpected times and then turn your world upside down; after all, that’s what happened when I met my husband, Morgan. I’d gone home with a random man from a club to work out some frustration that I’d had over dumb shit; dumb shit like my life was changing, and I didn’t have a clue how to handle it. Nothing major, just everyday life kind of shit. It was so out of character for me because I just didn’t get down like that. I didn’t do random hookup’s usually, but I was lonely. My brother Kayson had just found the love of his life and was convinced that Conner was his forever. I wanted that forever kind of thing, too. Of course, I knew that finding it at a hookup bar was the complete opposite of what I should’ve been doing, but I can’t regret it now.

  We fooled around a little bit, this random dude and me; but it wasn’t anything to write home about. We’d both fallen asleep on the couch together mostly from the tiny buzz I had mixed with a sloppy orgasm. Again, nothing to write home about... Imagine my surprise when we’re both awakened by the dude’s boyfriend. Yep, random guy who’s into hookups had a boyfriend. I shouldn’t have been surprised, right? Serves me right… But this dude went from scum to scummier, because his boyfriend had cancer. He was stepping out on his boyfriend, with cancer. What a piece of shit. I’d never felt so terrible about anything in all my life; which ultimately led me back to his front door to apologize. To the boyfriend, not the prick who cheated and didn’t give me the heads-up that he wasn’t single. Dick move, guy.

  Imagine my complete shock when that sick man invited me in for tea, the morning after catching me with his boyfriend. I probably fell in love with him right then, looking back. He was everything I never knew I needed and I couldn’t stay away from him. Determined to make him feel the same way about me, I did what his dick ass boyfriend should’ve been doing instead hooking up with random people from bars like an idiot, and I stuck around. I was worried sick, literally every day, because I didn’t know what the future held for us, or if Morgan even had one. It didn’t look good there for a while, but because I loved him; no I needed him, I couldn’t walk away. I knew that he’d been brought to my life for a reason and if that reason was to last for one day or one lifetime, there was no way I was going anywhere.

  The road to his remission was a hard one. I couldn’t stand to see him in pain, day in and day out. I remember his skin would blister up and he’d look so raw and painful… It was agony for me to touch him, and there were countless nights I found him heaving for hours on our bathroom floor. All I could do was watch from afar and hold him when it wasn’t too painful. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst of enemies, but it was absolute torture seeing it happen to someone you’d readily die for.

  As soon as he was healthy enough, though; he married me. It all seems like it went by at warp speed, but during the grueling days and months of his sickness, it felt like years. Nothing prepares you for a sick loved one. Never knowing what tomorrow could bring, or if it’ll even come; hoping it does and praying it doesn’t at the same time, so you can stay in the moment when you’re both there. In love and together.

  So, the road to where we are now was a long one; but we’d eventually made it. My man beat his disease, and our family was growing by leaps and bounds. My brothers both settled down, and we gained a few brothers-in-law in between; Jody and his husband Cam, adopted Jase, (even though he was technically an adult when they did it), and he came along with his man Joker. Through the shop we all owned, we found Finn, which brought us his baby girl, Lennon and soon after, his man, Jay. And the newest addition to our group; our local sheriff, Wade and the man who’d caught his eye, Foster. They weren’t set in stone, but we all had high hopes for them; especially Morgan. He prided himself on being a matchmaker. Even if nothing came of it though, we’d already claimed Wade, and the husband’s had claimed Foster. It seemed inevitable.

  We still spent time with our little sister, Kady, but she was growing up and didn’t have much time for her brothers, as she was battling school and her million and five extracurriculars. We were all so proud of her though; she was growing up to be a strong, independent woman. Having a single mother would ensure that, but I like to think that the guys and I had a little hand in it as well. The second we learned of her, we jumped ship from California and moved to rural Georgia to be closer to her. A decision I’ll never regret and not only because all of us brothers found and formed our big extended family, but because, since we’d all gotten here, this had felt like home. We were all happy here.

  My phone buzzing on my desk takes me out of my trip down memory lane; “Hello?” I answered the phone distractedly because I was currently sat over my appointment book wondering how we’d gotten so booked up so quickly. With myself, Kayson, Jody, Finn, and Joker, we were still booking solid for months in advance. People were coming from all over the world to get inked by us, ever since we’d been featured in “Crazed Ink” magazine for doing a couple celeb ink job’s, it had blown us up and put us on an even bigger and more recognized map. Our business partner and childhood friend, Jinx and his wife, had even gone back to Cali and opened up a secondary shop and were having the same level of success there.

  “Good afternoon, I’m looking for, Mr. Kingsley Kennedy.” The professional sounding man greeted from the other side of the line. Normally, I didn’t get many calls on my cell unless it was people who knew me. I didn’t just give out my number all willy-nilly now that we had some sort of following. It was reserved for mostly family only.

  “I’m Kingsley, what can I help you with?” I ask, pushing the book aside and giving him my full attention.

  “My name is Murphy Kinzer, and I’m calling from Madison County, DCSF. Is now an okay time to talk?” He asks me, and my heart sank to my feet. See, my husband and I had gone through the rigorous process of trying to start a family. We forked out tons of money, gotten not one but two family lawyers and signed months of applications; done random home inspections, test after test after tests to become eligible to adopt and It took the better part of a year even to become approved. After that, we went through even more. We’d been interviewed at least a half dozen times and even met with several families before one chose us. We were ecstatic; we were going to be parents. We couldn’t wait!

  We got weekly updates and were sent pictures of our little girl from her bio-mom, and I’m not exaggerating when I said that my husband lived for those. We got furniture, car seats for both of our vehicles and we had a nursery all ready in re
cord time, thanks to our brothers and their men. We were ready for our girl to come home. Everything had gone perfectly, and all the hoops we’d jumped through seemed so much more than worth it. Until it wasn’t.

  We were warned that it could happen, that the mother had a set number of hours to change her mind, but she’d assured us both in written letters and a couple of phone calls that she wouldn’t change her mind; then, she did. She did, and we couldn’t blame her because one look at that little snub nose and those rosy little cheeks and her mother couldn’t bear to let her go. Who could fault her for that?

  Morgan and me, however, were devastated. We were crushed because, in our hearts, she was already ours. We loved her so much, just from the sonogram pictures, we’d had hanging up in her room, to the countless little sleepers that were already in her dresser. We were just waiting for her so we could complete our family. Sadly, things don’t always work out the way we want them too, and not only was I heartbroken about the turn of events, but it had done some irreparable damage to my husband. He fell into this dark depression like someone had taken a piece of him and I guess in a way, they had. He was understandably heartbroken for himself, but I knew that deep down he was glad that the baby had a mother to love her enough to want to keep her. It just sucked for us.

  It was hard seeing babies everywhere when the absence of our own was hanging in the air. We had to tell our friends and family that it didn’t work out and the pity and sympathy were almost too much to bear. Morgan threw himself into his work, and the dark and woeful paintings he was selling was a direct reflection of his broken heart and missing piece, but we were trying to find the silver lining.

  That had been five months ago, and even though we’d kept the door closed on the nursery, it was all still there. We couldn’t bring ourselves to get rid of anything, so we closed it away and pretended it wasn’t there. Morgan vowed that we’d never go through this again and stopped the adoption proceedings the next day. That was that….until right now.

  “Mr. Kennedy?” The man asked, and I shook myself from our remembered grief.

  “Sorry, yes. I’m here. I can talk.” I stammered through my reply.

  “Mr. Kennedy, I’d like to apologize for taking so long to reach out. I’m fairly new here, and I’m just trying to play catch up.” He tells me, and I can hear the shuffling of papers as well as a creaking of what I assume is his chair, through the line. “It’s my understanding Mr. Kennedy that you and your husband are looking to adopt? Is that correct?”

  “We were, yes.” I croak, taking a minute to clear my throat. “We were trying, but one fell through and my husband…. We’re unsure if we have it in us to go through that again.” I say honestly.

  “Oh.” He sounded confused, and I heard more shuffling. “I’m so sorry to hear that.” He says absentmindedly. “These things can sometimes happen, and I’m sorry it didn’t work out. I know it’s no consolation but my regards all the same.”

  “Thank you,” I reply, floored that this is even happening. “Was there… I mean, has something changed? For you to call?” I asked hesitantly, not sure I even want to know. I was afraid to hope.

  “Yes, well… I was wondering if I could ask you and your husband to come in to speak with me, but I understand if this isn’t the time.” He says sincerely. I want to ask; I need to know….

  “Is there? Do you have someone needing placement?” I ask, my voice no longer working correctly.

  “Mr. Kennedy, there are countless children all over the world needing placement. Countless children need homes.” He sounded genuinely upset by this, and I could understand why. His job has to be a special kind of torture; to see abandoned and neglected children, every day.

  “I know,” I tell him sadly, I did know.

  “Mr. Kennedy, I’m just going to cut to the chase here. I have a mother who is due in about four weeks. She’s been going over prospective parents for months, and yours and your husband's profile have been at the top of her list for the last several weeks. She’d like to meet with you.” He ends softly. My heart picks up, and I wonder if I’m dreaming. Could I be?

  “Mr. Kinzer,”

  “Murphy, please.” He interrupts.

  “Fine. Murphy, I want to say yes right now. I want to meet her right this second and give you the go-ahead to start everything; but I don’t know if my husband can take the heartbreak of another rejection or changed mind. I can’t put him through that again.” I tell him, truthfully. For as many wonderful years I’ve had with my husband, I’ve seen him hurt too many times to do it again.

  “I completely understand, Mr. Kennedy. I can give you time to talk it over with your husband if you’d like. I can leave you with my phone number, and you can call me whenever you’d like; totally up to you. I certainly don’t want to rush you by any means; but because this is a time-sensitive situation and I’ve only got so long, if you could just let me know something as soon as you possibly can, I would very much appreciate it.” He asks, and I find myself agreeing. I close the books on my desk after ending the call and walk out of the shop without a word. I didn’t have appointments today; I was there because I was shop manager on the days that Kayson wasn’t. Jody was here though, and that was good enough. Nobody stopped me on my way out.

  I don’t remember the drive home; there must be some kind of muscle memory that just kicks in when you’re flying on auto-pilot through a task. I don’t remember the scenery or even another car on the road, had I even fastened my seatbelt? I couldn’t remember. My head was going over the phone call I’d just received. Word for word, I recounted it all, over and over again.

  “You’re home early.” Morgan smiled at me when I walked in and saw him standing at the counter, cutting up fruit for the blender. “What’s wrong?” He must’ve seen something in my face because he went from pleasantly surprised to concerned.

  “I got a call today.” I start out, unsure of how to broach the subject. I should’ve thought about that on the way home, instead of everything else.

  “Ok? Is someone hurt?” He asks, anxiously.

  “No, no, everyone’s fine.” I go to him, pulling him to the living room so we can sit; his fruit forgotten. I’m fucking this up.

  “Then what is it?”

  “I don’t wanna hurt you, and if you tell me no, then that’ll be that. No problems, no questions, no hesitation. Baby, I promise, whatever you decide, we’ll do. Okay?” I say, cryptically. I need him to know that I’ll respect his decision, no matter what. If he decides he can't-do it again, we won’t do it again. End of conversation. I take a deep breath and blurt it out there.

  “DCSF called today. Someone wants to meet with us.” I probably could’ve finessed it a little better.

  “No.” He stands up and backs away. “No, King. I can’t.” I nod my okay but stay where I am. I had a feeling that would be his answer, but I can’t hide my disappointment. Even though I was expecting it, it felt like a kick to my gut.

  “Kingsley.” He whispered brokenly. “I can't-do that again.” He says, and I understand. I do understand completely.

  “I know, it’s okay,” I tell him honestly. It’s too soon.

  “It hurt so bad last time.” He closes his eyes on that whispered confession. I know it did, it hurt me too. I can’t stand him being so far away and hurting, so I waste no more time going to him and wrapping him up in my arms. I love this man more than my own life. He’s the reason I wake up in the morning and the reason I make it through each day. He’s the very best part of my life, and if it’s just meant to be him and me for the rest of our lives, I’ll still be the happiest, luckiest man in the world.

  “Come on, let’s go finish your smoothie before your banana’s get all soggy and gross,” I tell him as we make our way back to the kitchen, hand in hand.

  “I’m sorry.” He tells me without looking at me, throwing chunks of fruit in the blender before turning it on. I’m sorry that I even brought it up.

  Morgan

  “Lenny, co
me to the kitchen, and I’ll give you a cookie!” I holler into the living room where I know my honorary niece is watching cartoons with her Uncle Kingsley. We’re babysitting for the evening while Finn and Jay get a rare night out with the rest of the guys, including newly coupled up Wade and Foster. I’ve got to admit, I totally saw that one coming, and I’ll dust off my matchmaking hat, because I absolutely had a hand in that.

  Not hearing the little footsteps of a running toddler, I wondered what was so important that the word “cookie” didn’t penetrate. I’d just taken them out of the oven and let hers cool a little bit before dishing up mine and Kingsley’s with ice cream on top. Lennon didn’t care for ice cream because she didn’t like the cold. Weird kid, that one.

  “Lennon! Cookie!” I tried one more time but didn’t hear a peep. I carried the bowls with me to the living room and the tiny paper plate with Lennon’s cookies and made my way to the living room where a fairy princess of some sort was singing on the screen.

  Glancing up over the back of the couch, I’m stopped in my tracks when I see a sleeping Kingsley with the most precious, black-haired angel, cuddled on his chest. It knocks the wind out of me at the picture they make. Kingsley with his giant hand on her tiny back so she doesn’t roll away and her tiny little thumb in her mouth, sound asleep. I can hear their slow and steady breathing. Kingsley is so great with her; he’s great with any kid. I remember meeting him with his baby sister and thinking how amazing he’d be as a father. My world was rocked when I thought we’d be parents. I was surprised and happy and excited and scared and every emotion in between. I wanted it so badly and more so than that, I wanted it for my husband.

  Everything was going so well, and we were doing everything to bring our little girl home. I’d heard her heartbeat; I’d seen pictures of her little chubby face through a 3D sonogram, and I’d spent weeks getting updated on every kick and every milestone. I was in the room when she was born, and I got to hold her for hours that first day. It’s amazing how quickly you can fall in love with someone, and I absolutely did. I fell head over heels for that baby in half of a second and so did Kingsley, I know he did.