What a Difference A Year Makes 2
Chapter 3
John sat at the bar of the hotel he was staying in. He had fled after telling Claire what had happened. At first he was just feeling sorry for himself then a day or two later he was feeling like an idiot for leaving and not saying a word to anyone, especially to Bobby. Then the day after that he was so ashamed for running out that he felt like a coward and he didn't know what or how to explain or apologize. So he sat at the bar night after night feeling sorry for himself and drinking himself into a stupor, then going up to his room to pass out. He wasn't very pleased with himself. He had made the decision to try and make things right when he called his mother, Bobby and then Brian. John was about to start on his first of many beers for the night when his cell rang. Seeing that the call was from Claire, John thought he'd better answer it.
"Hello."
"John Anderson-Morrison, you get your ass back home before I send the sheriff out looking for you."
"Mother, I..."
"No excuses. Where are you?"
"Just outside of
"Are you sober?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Then I'll expect you here in about an hour." The line went dead. John sat staring at the phone for a second. The tone of his mother's voice had told him that if he wasn't home soon he'd be in real big shit. John left the bar to check out.
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John opened the door to the main house and quietly crept in. Sitting in the living room were his mother, Hunter and Steve, Bobby and Rachel. All of them were not pleased.
"What do you have to say for yourself?" Claire began.
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry, is bull dinky. Now come in here and kiss your partner and you better apologize for making him and all of us worry."
John did just that. The 'I'm sorrys' as well as many tears flooded from John and from Bobby as the lovers reunited. Steve got the tissues as Hunter made tea. When everyone had calmed, Claire signaled Rachel to make her proposal.
"John, Rachel has something to tell you." Claire led the way.
"John, I'm offering myself as your surrogate."
"No, I don't think I can do that again."
"Don't you think you're being unfair to my brother?"
"Unfair, I..."
"Listen to me. Bobby is just as upset as you are about losing the baby but we have the opportunity to try again. I'm healthy and strong. I've already spoken to George and he will support whatever I do. I've recently had a check up and my doctor sees no problems. My other pregnancies went like clockwork. I will have to be closely monitored because I am older but the doctor sees no reason not to go for it. If it doesn't work then you'll know you gave your best shot and then you can try adopting. John, I know in my heart that this will work. Please, let me do this for you."
"Rachel, do you understand what you're getting into? You'll be giving up your rights to this baby. Can you do that?"
"Like I told Bobby, it won't be easy, but this baby will have the best parents in the world. And while I won't legally be the mother, you'll have the most devoted aunt a child could ever want."
After considering Rachel's proposal and seeing the pleading look in his husband's eyes, John made his decision.
"I'll agree on one condition."
"What's that?"
"That you'll be guardian to the child if anything ever happens to me or Bobby, and you'll be the godmother."
"I can live with that."
John got up and swept his very special sister-in-law into his arms.
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A couple of days later a somewhat smaller than usual
contingent arrived from
When Brian and Justin arrived early in the day, Brian immediately pulled his brother into a warm hug. "I'm so sorry, John," Brian whispered against John's ear.
John held on tight to Brian. "Thanks, little brother."
"How are you?"
"I had a rough few days but things are looking better now." Brian pushed John back so he could look into the eyes so much like his own. "I'll explain later." Brian nodded.
Justin had been sharing a hug with Bobby. He and Brian changed partners all feeling the loss of a little life that really had barely begun. They also felt the sadness that hung over the newlyweds.
"Enough, I need some help," Claire said looking at the display and deciding it had gone on long enough. "Justin, will you and Bobby start on the vegetables, and Brian, you and John can get the silverware out."
Everyone set off to accomplish the tasks assigned to them. Claire always felt that busy hands improved mental attitude. Her theory would be tested today.
Gradually everyone else arrived and the kitchen smelled wonderful making all hungry to taste the delicious food that Claire always provided. As they all sat around the big kitchen table, John decided to make their announcement.
"Most of you know that Bobby and I have been trying to have a child. No, not like that," John laughed seeing the look on Emmett's face. "We actually had a surrogate who was pregnant with our baby. She had a miscarriage on Christmas Eve."
Everyone sighed and muttered how sorry they were.
"Now you know why we didn't want to celebrate Christmas up here. But on a happier note Bobby's sister Rachel has agreed to be our surrogate and we're going to give it one more try. We kept the other pregnancy secret, and it all fell apart." John let out a big sigh.
"So this time," Bobby took over. "We're telling you all, and we expect all your good thoughts and prayers to go into the making of this baby. We all feel this is the right thing for us, and we hope it will work this time."
"It will," came the chorus of replies.
Lindsay got up and gave John a big hug and then Rachel who was there with her husband and children. Everyone wished the couple and Rachel the best and promised to send only good vibes their way.
"On that cheery note, let's eat," Claire said beaming at her son and his husband. She had a good feeling about this.
When dinner was finished Gus wanted his Daddy to play chess in the treehouse. With only a minor groan the father and son donned their coats and went out to start the fireplace so they would be cozy up there once it warmed up.
Michael moved over to Hunter. "Have you had a good holiday?" he asked.
"Yeah," said Hunter holding onto Nick's hand.
"What happens when you both go back to school?"
"I am going back, Michael. Nick and I will do what we did last term. We'll be fine."
Hunter felt Nick squeeze his hand. "We're both getting tested and everything's fine, Mr. Novotny," Nick explained.
"That's good, but I worry. You know."
"I know, Michael," Hunter said, "but we're not so different from you and Ben. We can make this work."
Michael nodded and moved away over to Ben where he gave his partner a kiss.
"What's with him? Nothing ever seems to please him," Nick said.
"That's the first civil conversation I've had with him in a while," Hunter replied.
"You're kidding. If anyone should understand our situation, it should be him."
"I know, but he can't seem to see past what he wants."
"Is he used to getting his own way?"
Hunter chuckled. "He's Debbie's only child."
"Enough said," Nick laughed. "Want to check out the barn?"
"If you can keep my dick warm for me, sure." Hunter had a big grin on his face. Nick knew it was his turn to be the bottom.
All in all it was a happy New Year's Day. However, everyone was looking forward to a much better year to come.
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John and Bobby were holding hands ignoring the disapproving looks they were garnering in the doctor's waiting room. Dr. Gordon's nurse came in and waved for them to join her. John and Bobby followed the nurse into the examination room where they found Rachel laying on the table with sheets draped on her. The nurse quickly disappeared then reappeared holding two folding chairs. Taking the chairs, the lovers set them up so they each could be at Rachel's side. Rachel was nervous and she reached out so she could hold their hands. Bobby kissed his sister's cheek as John gently nuzzled her neck, whispering 'thank you' into her ear. A knock on the door signaled the arrival of the doctor and his nurse with a small cart containing the fixings for their baby.
"Okay people, this is a good day to make a baby!" the doctor announced to put his 'patients' at ease.
The nurse added more drapes for Rachel's modesty and then helped to arrange her feet into the stirrups. The boys tightened their grip on Rachel's hands. Rachel began to whisper the words that soon became their mantra. "Red hair and hazel eyes." The boys beamed at Rachel who seemed to glow with the radiance of a woman with love in her heart and on a mission, a very special mission. When the procedure was complete, the doctor instructed Rachel to stay put for thirty minutes and rest. Rachel closed her eyes and dozed.
Protectively, the boys hovered, never releasing their grip on Rachel's hands. John looked up to gaze into Bobby's eyes.
"Red hair...," John began.
"And hazel eyes," Bobby finished.
A few weeks later they all were at the doctor's office for the official verdict of whether Rachel was pregnant or not. They had debated her using a pregnancy test, but they decided to wait until the doctor gave them the official word.
John and Bobby had picked up Rachel from home. John was most solicitous. He held the door open for Rachel and made sure she was safely buckled into the Navigator. He encouraged Bobby to drive carefully to the doctor's office. Once there he was out of the car like a shot running around to open the door for Rachel and help her gently down the high step out of the SUV.
"Thank you, John," Rachel said with a little smile. George had never looked after her this well even during her first pregnancy. John was something else. He called her every day to make sure she was fine and there was no sign of trouble with the baby.
"You used to do those kinds of things for me," Bobby teased as he watched John take Rachel's arm and begin walking towards the office.
"I still do."
"Not like that."
"Get pregnant and I will."
Bobby made a little face. If John was this caring with his sister what was he going to be like with the baby? Bobby shook his head. It would be all right. "Red hair … hazel eyes," he mumbled to himself as he followed John and his sister inside.
Some time later, because doctors were never on time, they sat in front of the doctor's desk waiting apprehensively for the results of the test taken a few days ago.
"I know I'm pregnant," Rachel said with a radiant smile, "but tell us anyway."
John and Bobby looked at each other and reached for each other's hand.
"Rachel's right," the doctor smiled. "She's pregnant."
"Woohoo," John reacted leaping to his feet and pulling Bobby into a big hug. He swung his partner around and kissed him heartily.
"Gentlemen," the doctor tried to interrupt. "Gentlemen."
"Sorry, doctor, Rachel," John said contritely. "I have been praying so hard that this would be the result. I couldn't help myself."
"That's understandable, John, but take it easy. This is just the first step."
"Right," John agreed sitting down again and looking over at Rachel. "Thank you," he mouthed to her.
"I'm glad you didn't pick up Rachel and swing her around like that," the doctor cautioned.
"Is something wrong?" John frowned.
"No, nothing is wrong, but you do need to take it easy, Rachel. It's still very early in the pregnancy. We need to get you through the next two months and then I think everything should be fine."
"Yes," John breathed.
"Do you have any questions about anything?" the doctor asked looking from one to the other.
They all shook their heads.
"I want to see you in two weeks, Rachel. Here is a prescription for vitamins and folic acid. Make sure you take them faithfully."
"I will."
"Thank you so much, doctor," John said shaking the doctor's hand. They got up to leave.
"Make your next appointment with the receptionist," the doctor told them as she closed her door.
Bobby pulled Rachel into a hug and kissed her cheek. "This is so great. Thank you so much, sis."
"You're welcome, Bobby. I love you both. I knew I was pregnant and I know you're going to have a healthy baby."
John came back with their appointment for two weeks time. He kissed Rachel's cheek too and took her arm. She shook her head and chuckled. "I'm not made of glass, you know, John."
"I know, but you are carrying our child and I want to look after you."
They had arrived at the SUV and John was unlocking the door and opening it for her.
"I hope he doesn't drive me fucking nuts," Rachel whispered to Bobby. "With my hormones out of whack, I may have to kill him."
"I'll try to get him to back off," Bobby whispered back as John grabbed Rachel's arm and assisted her into the back seat carefully buckling the seat belt around her tummy.
"Do you know if it's a girl or boy?" John asked Rachel.
"How would I know that?"
"You knew you were pregnant. I just thought you might have a premonition."
"Afraid not, why?"
"We have to start decorating the spare room in the cottage. I was wondering if we should go pink or blue."
"Don't you think we should wait a week or two?" Bobby asked.
Rachel leaned forward and whispered in Bobby's ear. "Let him decorate. It'll keep him busy."
Bobby laughed.
"What?" John asked as he did up his seat belt.
"Nothing, big guy. Let's go
home."