“It’s been a time in the making babe but your dream has finally come to fruition,” Marc says gazing up at the new entrance of to the Muller-Clark Hospital of Hope.

“I just wish that mom and Andre were alive to see this day, “ I say as I fight back the emotions that threaten me.

“I don’t think that this or we would be here if they, well Andre were still alive. I don’t know our lives would have played out.”

“I would have still chosen you darling … always you.” He says giving him a tender kiss.

“You still rock my world, Dr. Clark-Vanderbilt,” he says giving me that smirk that still makes weak. “Do we have time for some fun?” He smirks.

“I guess once a bad boy always a bad boy,” I tell him as I take him by the hand and lead him towards the door.

“Thank God that I found you doctor,” a nurse cries out frantically as she comes running out of the door. “There’s this … oh God … please hurry,” she’s stammering and hurrying away.

Marc and I run after her into the new trauma center where I see Paul, JJ and several other doctors around this gurney. I ease my way through and I freeze when I see the horrendously abused body of a child lying still on the gurney. My mind flashes back fifteen years to when I was as badly mutilated as this child is.

“What have we got here,” I ask as I come back to the present.

“A local police officer found him lying in a ditch just a few kilometers from here. He’s lost a lot of blood and his blood pressure keeps dropping. I think that his lung is either punctured or filling up with blood,” Paul tells me.

“Let’s get up to the O.R. stat,” I tell them as they finish administering I.V.s intubate him. “I want someone to call Dr. Levi and get him here as quickly as possible,” I yell out as I hurry ahead to the O.R. to scrub up for surgery. 

Twelve hours later we exit the operating room exhausted. The boy, John Doe because we don’t have his identity is called and fighting for his life in the I.C.U. After a quick shower I hurry down to check on my patient. It took the total of seven doctors, with most operating simultaneously to stabilize the boy that I take to be around thirteen or so. Like I was, as his doctor I’ve decided to keep him in a medical coma until he’s ready to sustain his heart and breathing on his own. I’m sitting beside his bed quietly crying as I try to imagine the depths of anger and hatred that it must have taken to do such bodily damage to him. There isn’t anywhere on his young body that was left unmarked.

“I thought that I would find you here,” Paul whispers as he comes up beside me and places his hands on my shoulders, giving them a squeeze of understanding.

“How can anyone hate this deeply, Paul? I just can’t understand it,” I tell him still crying as I move my hand to the boy’s hand. “Once he’s able to sustain the grueling process of replacing his face, Dr. Levi is going to do it. Would you like to assist as the boys cardiologist Paul? I’ll be there assisting Dr. Levi as well as JJ.”

“You know I will and just let me know when,” he says leaning down to place a kiss on the top of my head.

“I’m going to adopt him, Marc and I when he’s ready,” I share with him.

“I kind of seen that one coming when I saw that he was a John Doe. Have you spoken with Marc about it?”

“Not yet but he’ll do for me and for the boy because he knows what this kind of hatred is is and does to people.”

“It’s been a long day bro, why don’t you go get some rest,” he suggests.

“I will but I want just a few more minutes and then I’ll go,” I promise him.

I watch my brother that’s not really my blood brother leave and I’m so thankful for Paul. He’s always been the sensitive one that hid his needs deep away to be there for others.

“Hey Paul,” I callout just before he leaves the nursing desk. “In case I haven’t told you lately, I love you bro,” I tell him and he smiles brightly at me.

“I know and I love you more bro and I always will,” he says smiling and then he’s gone.

It’s nearly three in the morning when I finally walk into our bedroom and I’m surprised to find my darling husband awake. “I would have thought that you would have been asleep hours ago sweetheart, “ I tell him and gets up and comes over to me.

“You know that I can’t sleep without my angel beside me,” he whispers as enfolds with his arms. “How about a nice hot bath to relax you and some of those aroma candles that you like?”

“Only if you join me babe.”

He hurries to our bathroom and several minutes later he comes out, naked of and sprouting a massive erection with his trademark smirk. I smile regardless of the fact that I’m exhausted. He tenderly undresses me and leads me into the bathroom, where it’s aglow with soft candlelight and the scents of sage and rosemary. He steps into the tub and helps me get in where I settle against his chest.

“You even remembered the calming salts,” I love how they seem to take me away to another level of consciousness.

“I remember everything that makes my man happy,” he tells me as he gently rubs the sponge over my tense body.

“I get that you’re in pain because of the boy right now,”  Marc says. “I know that this must bring horrific flashbacks for you also. But this isn’t what you want it to be for him and I get that you’re afraid that he’s going to pull away from everyone when reality hits him and it will hit him hard. Sweetheart, you’ve been where he’s going to be because you lived it. You also survived it because you had Andre that loved you back to where you were when you came back to Hamilton. I’m scared of how much it’s all going to hurt him but I’m more afraid of how much this will affect you, my angel. There’s one thing that I want you to remember and never doubt, it’s that I love you. I love you so much right now babe that I can’t imagine ever not loving you. And it’s okay if you if you’re hurting but please don’t let that hurt consume you. I can love enough for the both of us when you feel that you have no love to give, I’ll always understand. What I’m saying is, lean on me when you feel yourself drowning in the hate and bigotry that seems to thrive in our world.”

I turn my head to look at this man that completely blows me away at times like this when he lets all of his walls and protective guards down to let me see his vulnerable heart and soul. I lift my head up and gently kiss him knowing that no matter how far I fall into my personal hell, he’ll always come right into hell and fight the devil himself for me.

“I was truly blessed when you entered my life, Marc,” I tell and kiss again with all the passion that I’m feeling for him.

After awhile we step out of the bath and he carefully dries me off first and then himself. He lifts me into his arms and carries me to our bed where he pulls me into our spooning position and within seconds I’m asleep.

“I’m not sure if you listen to guys like me but just in case that you do I need to ask a favor of you. Please guard this man’s heart from the hurt and hostilities that seems to surround him. He got plunged into his past hell and I haven’t a clue as to how I can help him. I know that you can so would you please guard him from the worst of it. Also be with that boy and give him the strength and fortitude to get through what lies ahead for him. I promise you that he will have a home with us and never know the kind of hatred that put him hear. Thanks for listening God.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing because at first I thought that I was dreaming. Marc was actually praying not only me but for the boy that he promised to adopt. I knew that he had a sensitive heart but his sincere prayer totally blew me away. I lie there in his arms and silently cry because I’m realizing a new depth of Marc’s love for me and for others.

“Shhhh I got you angel,” he whispers when he realizes that I’m crying. “I always will have you,” he adds and kisses my forehead as we both drift off to sleep.

“Buford, I’m surprised to see you here,” Paul says as he looks around for a table to eat his lunch at. The dining hall is crowed and seating is at a premium as looks around.

“Please Haruki, you’re more than welcome to join me,” Buford says gesturing with his hand to the only chair left at his table. “Are you alone?”

“I am and thanks for the seat. So how are Buford, it’s been quite a long time since we’ve seen each other,” I say unwrapping my utensils.

“Yes It has, eleven years two months six days but who’s counting.” 

“Evidently you are and it’s Paul,” I tell him. “I only go Haruki at home to appease my parents.”

“I here that you have a man in your, a Jeremiah,” he says and Paul detects a bit of biting to his words.

“I did but that ended when I left for college because it seems that coming out went against his culture and he refused to do so. I came out to my parents and I was not going to hide my sexuality again. So I devoted the last twelve years to my education and career. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I’m either unlovable or that there isn’t a man that can tolerate a mixed race like me.”

“I always loved you Paul … “

“Well you had a strange way of showing it back then. You simply told my mother that you were my legal guardian and dumped me. You never once looked back, I know because I stood in the doorway and cried as you drove out of my life. Not once did you ever call or text me but just remained absent from my life. So what was I to think?”

“I’m sorry Paul, really I am,” Buford says lowering his head in shame.

“Well it’s neither here nor there so let’s forget about it. Have you found a special someone?”

“No. There’s never been another man in my life since that day. I don’t even do one night stands to satisfy an itch,” he tells him. “Well it was nice seeing you again and I wish all of the best, Paul,” says and as Buford starts to walk past me, I grab his hand and look up at him.

“Please stay.”

“I guess that I can stay a few more minutes,” he looking at me as if hoping for more than a few minutes.

“I was talking about forever, Buford,” I tell him daring to place my heart out there one last time.

“Are you absolutely sure Paul, because my heart can’t survive it if I leave again.”

“I’m sure sweetheart, just tell me how to love you so that you know I mean forever.”

“Just be you and proud to be my man is all. I’m out and proud so we’ll never have to our relationship and love.”

“My shift is finished for the next three days, so come home with me … please.”

He gets up and extends his hand to me. I place my hand in his and the warmth of skin against skin goes straight to my heart. It’s when I stand that he truly catches me off guard because he wraps his arm around my waist and escorts me proudly from the dining hall.

“It’s about time you two got it right,” Marc says as we pass him exiting the building. “Make sure that you do what I would do and them some,” he smirks as waves goodbye to us.

“Believe me, I absolutely plan on it,” I say looking up at the man that never really left my heart and he smiles down at me with a smile that can melt butter.

Twenty minute later I’m standing in Paul’s bedroom and he’s standing before naked, as I am. Finally after all these years Paul is naked and on display, and I can’t believe what I’m looking at. That gangly unsure feminine boy as matured into a gorgeous man. And not just any man, but a Greek god that is carved from marble and meant to be seen and showcased at some fine museum, but it’s Paul and not some statue but a flesh and blood man with defined muscles just where you’d expect them and a face that no longer feminine beautiful but masculine gorgeous.  The geeky sprig of a kid is no longer visible, he’s been replaced with a man that not only knows who he is but what he wants and he’s bold and confident to go after it. 

“Why did you become a doctor when you could have been a top model with a body like yours?”

“I modeled some during college but gave it up when they became to demanding of my time and life. My summer between my freshman and sophomore year was spent doing photo shoots all over Europe, Asia and Australia. I could have been the next top model but why? I wasn’t doing anything important but posing or strutting on a runway. I wanted to make a difference in the world so I walked away and I have never regretted it.”

I give him a kiss that is so passionate it left no doubt as to where I stand on the matter of whether I was here for the moment or in it forever.  I take Paul in my arms, he embraces me and we kiss hard and long with our tongues doing the dance of love.  I push him over onto the bed as I climb on top and I start to kiss my way down him.  The sunlight casts a softness on Paul and he glows in a soft golden tone as I kissed and caress his nipple with my tongue while my fingers entice the other.  He moans in pleasure as I tease him knowing, that it has been as long for him as it’s been for me since he had been pleased and I have pleased. I want nothing more than to satisfy this man and take him to places he hasn’t been to in ages.  I slowly kiss my way to his manhood and I drink in the aroma of his scent.  It’s the scent of a man, and it intoxicates me as I drink it into my senses like an expensive wine.  I lift his manhood and admired its beauty, how wonderfully made it is and I’m happy that he’s giving it up to me.  I extend my tongue, licked around the base of its head before I take it into my mouth.  He arches his back in pleasure and lets out a moan so deep as I slowly slide down his love tool until once again I was inhaling his scent.  My heart does a leap with excitement from the pleasure I am giving to him.  His hands find my head and he plays with my hair as I slowly make love to his cock. I can feel his excitement rising as his cock begins to swell.  I pull off because I want this to last as long as I can, so I slowly kiss my way back up to his lips and we join at our mouths as one. Our tongues do their dance of love again while our hearts play the music to which they dance. I sit up and straddle his stomach while I grab some lube from the stand.  I apply some to my ass and to his cock and then I slowly slide down his cock.  When I’m fully impaled, I start to make love to this man who is watching me with tears in his eyes. Is he thinking of the lost years or is he thinking of us now, I really did not care for I’m falling in love with this man all over again now as I did then.  I find us a rhythm and we make love as our hands hold with our fingers entwined together as we hold on to each other. His hips rise up to meet my downward thrust and his eyes never leave my gaze.  He has the look of a man in love in his eyes and his hands never once let me go.  If ever two people could be one it is us and our love for one another flows through our eyes from me to him and him to me.  When we both climax there’s such an explosion of passion that our world has never known until this moment as we both shout in ecstasy that our senses fill to capacity and overflow.  As we tightly embrace we kiss for what seems an eternity as our hearts beat as one.  When we had finally calmed down from our love making afterglow we just lie there gazing into each other's eyes and smiling.

Meanwhile in the I.C.U. Beau is monitoring the boy’s condition. He’s come through the first twenty four hours and he’s remaining stable. Beau looks at him covered in bandages as tubes run to and from his fragile body keeping him alive.

“How’s he doing babe,” Marc asks coming up beside him dressed head to toe in protective gear and a mask. 

“So far he’s holding his own but he’s got one hell of a uphill fight ahead of him Marc.”

“He’s our son and I know that you’ll move heaven and earth to keep him well,” Marc says placing his arm around Beau’s waist and pulling him to him.

“Do you mean that Marc, that he’s our son?” I ask turning to look at my husband.

“Of course I meant it, angel. Why else would I have said it? I hear the way that you talk about him and it’s only been a day since he came here and already you’ve made a personal commitment to him. How much stronger is that bond going to grow once he’s awake and you and I become involved in his physical and mental recovery.”

“This is why I love you so much because you not only know what to say but that you always seem to know when I need to hear it. That’s why I have always called you my hero babe because you always have me under your protection. I’m not talking just physically honey, you have me emotionally as well. I love you so much that it hurts my heart sometimes the amount of love that I have for you,” I tell and rest my head against his strong chest.

As my ear is pressing to him I’m listening to his heart beating. It’s that rhythmic beating that keeps me grounded whenever I feel my world crumbling around me. But there’s something different, just a slight irregular about how his heart is beating that causes me to push back and place my stethoscope in my ears.

“Stand still for a moment and let me listen to your heart, Marc,” I tell and he gives me a puzzling look. “Shhh, just let me listen and then we’ll talk,” I tell him when he tries to speak.

I listen to the front and then move around to his back, telling him to take in slow deep breaths while I listen. There it is, a murmur that alarms me. In children a heart murmur is usually nothing to worry about because they usually out grow it. But in adults it’s can be a warning sign for possible heart problems, like with the heart’s valves.

“What’s wrong Beau … now you’re starting to scare me and I don’t scare to easily.”

“It’s probably nothing but you have a really pronounced heart murmur and that concerns me sweetheart. I’m going to have JJ run some tests on you. I don’t want to lose you babe because I let something slip by that should have been taken care of.”

“He’s not going to stick me with needles is he?” I got to laugh because he’ll race into a burning building to save someone but show him a needle and he’ll faint like a woman with the vapors.

“Just one big giant needle is all he’ll stick you with,” and immediately his face goes ashen as he begins to sway where he’s standing. “I’m only kidding you babe, now calm down and take a few deep breaths,” I tell him and he does.

“You are so not funny and I WILL get you for scaring me like that. You know how much needles scare me Beau, so why would you even think of fooling me like that?”

“I don’t know maybe I like seeing you swoon like a girl,” I tell him laughing.

“You’re sick and I’m going to get you big time for that,” he says and goes to walk away.

“Wait Marc, would you stay with our boy while I go check on his stats please?”

“For him I’ll do it but then I’m out of here before you think up some other sick prank to pull on me.” I thank him and walk away but not before I hear him say to our boy, “your daddy is one sick motherfucker when it comes to pranks.”

“Good morning JJ, how’s your morning going?” I ask my brother once I get him on the phone.

“Good Beau … oh yeah … just like that, sorry but you caught me at an awkward time. Hubby is sucking my cock and … oh fuck don’t stop I’m close,” now I feel like a peeping Tom listening to my brother and Dennis having sex.

“Give me a call back when you two are done, it’s really important.” I tell him and hang up but not before I here him yelling that he’s coming. “I so didn’t need to hear that,” I say and move around to where the boy’s medical chart is and begin reading it. 

I’m just putting it back when my cellphone vibrates and I see that it’s JJ calling me back. “I’m sorry that I interrupted you guys.”

“Don’t worry about it, that is how Dennis wakes me up in the morning, he gives me one hell of a blowjob. So what is this matter that’s so important to you?” He asks and I love how he can instantly switch mental tracks like that.

“It’s Marc, I was listening to his heart a little while ago and I noticed that he’s got a rather pronounced heart murmur. I’m wondering if you can possibly squeeze him in for a check up and run some tests,” I ask him.

“I’m heading in to my office at the hospital in maybe thirty or so minutes. I’m not booked for appointments until this afternoon because I was going to make my rounds and then try to get some work done on organizing this damn office of mine. I still have tons of boxes that I brought from the states that need unpacking and dealing with. So have him come in around eleven and I’ll get him set up for tests.”

“Just a word of warning, under no circumstance do not mention or show him a needle because he’ll faint dead away on you. He’s petrified of needles,” I warn my brother who has just as bad sense of humor as I do.

“That big tuff stud is scared of a fucking needle,” I can already hear the wheels turning in his head as he tries to think up something to scare Marc with.

“I’m telling you JJ, if you give my husband a heart attack I’ll come after you and kill you, brother or not.” I’m just concerned about his heart bro and I don’t want to lose him.”

“With all kidding aside, I’ll take good care of him. I’ll keep you updated on the test results also. Love you bro,” he says.

“I love you too and give Dennis my love also.” 

We hang up and I walk back to where Marc is and I find him sitting in a chair beside our son’s bed talking to him.

“I know that life hasn’t been so good for you buddy but your daddy and I promise you that we’ll not only protect you from the monsters in your life but I’m gonna teach you how to kick their motherfucking ass too. Now you just get better and remember I’m dad and my husband is daddy. I love you son,” he says as he lifts the only hand that has nothing running to it and softly kisses it.

I’m practically crying because I’m seeing another new side of my husband, the loving father side and I’m moved profoundly by it. Once I pull myself together I step up behind Marc and rest my hands on his shoulders. He looks up at me and I can see the tears that he’s cried for our boy. I don’t say a word but simply bend over and place a kiss on his head.

“I was just telling him some things that I think that he should know about us. I’m going to be dad and you’re daddy. That is if it’s alright with you,” he asks.

“I like daddy and dad makes you the strong, protective one,” and even though he’s wearing a mask I know that he’s beaming with pride because it’s showing in his eyes. “Now before I forget, you have an appointment with JJ at eleven for some tests.”

“Are you really that concerned about my heart angel? I haven’t had any pain that you would assimilate with a heart attack or stuff like that.”

“I’m concerned enough that I want JJ to check your heart and make sure that the valves are working properly. I was thinking about it after I called him and you have been quite tired the past few weeks which isn’t quite like you. I looked up your medical profile and I saw that you had rheumatic fever as a child and that also can affect the heart. So yes Marc, I’m very concerned about you and your heart. I’m to young to lose you and you’re to young to die.”

“Okay angel, I’ll be there for eleven,” he says and turns back to our son. “I want you to know that your daddy is the bestest daddy in the world son,” he says and jumps when the slightly squeezes his hand. “Did you see that Beau he squeezed my hand,” he says full of excitement.

“I did and although he’s in a coma he can still hear you.” Now run along home and get ready for your appointment,” I tell him and he gives his son’s hand a gentle squeeze before dropping it to his side.

I go about my usual rounds and I’m surprised when my cellphone vibrates. I pull it out of my pocket and see that it’s JJ calling me.

“What’s wrong with Marc?” I instantly ask with my heart in my throat.

“First off I want you to calm down. I admitted Marc and Paul and I will be operating on him in about an hour. I ran several tests including a heart catheterization and found that his one of his two atrioventricular valves, specifically the mitral valve and his aortic valve are ready to give out. I’m talking any day they could fail and he would drop dead and there would be no bringing him back,” he tells me and I drop into a chair from the news.

“Have you told him what’s going on JJ?”

“I haven’t because he’s still under from the catheterization test. But I know that you both have living wills that give each other the power of attorney to make decisions for each other medically … “ he lets it rest there.

“I’m on my way over but I want you to revive him. This is something that I feel him and I need to talk about. That is unless you feel that he should just go straight to the operating room.”

“I can’t see any problems with waking him but he’s more than likely not going to remember discussing it with you because of the mild sedative that I gave him to put him under enough to do the procedure. You should have seen his face when my nurse held up the needle that I was going to use. My goodness Beau, for such a powerfully strong willed man he’s like a female when it comes to needles. Oh by the way, you really got the luck of the draw with him when it comes to cocks. That man is certainly packing and anytime you want to do a husband swap, I’m all in for it.”

“Just keep your hands to yourself bro because Marc’s cock is all mine and mine alone. Besides, you’re a top and so is Marc. I’ll be there shortly so get him awake please.”

“I’m on it bro, and just for the record, I’d be willing to bottom for him anytime.”

He says and hangs up before I can rebuttal him.

I hurry over to where they have Marc and my mind is racing. Should I call his mother now or after the operation? Do I tell Marc exactly how serious the operation is and how his chances of surviving it are? Do we go with a mechanical valve or animal valve replacement? Both are good but each have different needs afterwards when it comes to medications.

“He’s waking up but he’s still somewhat groggy. Paul should be here momentarily. Once he arrives we’ll both come in and talk with you.” JJ tells me before taking me in to see Marc.

“Hey sweetheart,” I say brushing aside the hair that’s fallen across his forehead. “I need to talk to you about something very important.”

He sees me and JJ standing there and he gets that smirk on his face before he groggily says. “I’m down with a three way fuckfest if you angel,” he slurs. “I kind of always wondered if you and JJ being twins had the same cock size,” he adds and JJ nudges me giving me a smile.

“I knew that he be down for a group thing, just wait until I tell Dennis, he’ll love an old fashion orgy.”

“There’s not going to be no orgy so why don’t you go scrub while I talk to him,” I tell my brother.

“I can’t, I have to witness the conversation to make sure that it’s on the up and up.” I roll my eyes because he knows that I have power of attorney to make all medical decisions concerning Marc when he legally can’t. 

And in his current state he is not of sound mind to make such a decision. I’m about to talk when Paul enters the room. Great, now you go scrub and Paul can be the witness,” I tell JJ who shrugs and leaves.

“What was that about or do I want to know?” Paul asks.

“You’re right, you don’t want to know bro,” I tell him and turn back to a dozing Marc. “Marc wake up I have something to discuss with you,” his eyes flutter open and again he gives me that smirk. “Just listen to me and don’t say a word, okay,” he nods and tries to concentrate on me. “You need a very serious operation to repair your heart valves honey. If you don’t have this operation you’ll end up dying very young and more then likely soon because these two valves are failing. It’s a very serious operation and there’s always the chance that something can go wrong. I’m not saying that something will go wrong but there’s always that slim chance. Paul and JJ will be doing the operation.”

“I want you to do it angel,” he says as tears well up in his eyes.

“I can’t legally because I’m your husband and I’m to worked up. Paul and JJ are two of the best doctors we have here and they both did their internship under the world’s top cardiac doctors.”

“Will you be there with me … please?”

“Of course I will sweetheart, wild horses couldn’t drag me away from you. It’s a long operation and depending on how well you come through it depends on when you will wake up from it. You’re of very good health and keep yourself in great physical condition, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t breeze right through it. You’ll have one nasty scar down the middle of your chest so you won’t have that perfect looking chest anymore, but then chests are highly overrated. All I want is you to come back to me so we can raise our son together,” I tell him and turn away because I’m having one hell of an emotional battle and I’m about to lose it.”

“Ah angel don’t go crying because you know I can’t handle it when you do that. I’m sorry that I didn’t take better care of myself but I promise you that I will come back to you.” He says and now he’s crying too.

“This problem has nothing to do with whether or not you took good care of yourself. It’s probably an after affect from when you had rheumatic fever as a child and wasn’t properly treated for it. So is it alright with you that they do the operation Marc?”

“Yes, but only if you are with me because I want to feel you, your strength and stamina so I can come through it and come back to you. I love you angel, I will always love you in this world and the next should the worst happen. I know, I know, I’m going to come through this but I just needed you to know that. If anything did go wrong and I … I’m taking our love with me and I’ll be waiting for you to come join me someday. But I want you to go on and find love again, someone that’ll love you as I did baby doll. Okay Paul I’m ready,” he says.

“I love you Marc and there’s never going to be someone else because I could never replace a man like you. So you had better come back or else I will kick your ever loving ass when I do see you and that’s a promise my beautiful bad boy.”

“Handsome baby doll, remember I have a reputation,” he says and I cover his mouth with mine kissing him so hard that I push into him my will for him to survive. “I love you my handsome man and I’ll be waiting for you when you wake up,” I tell him and nod to the orderly so he can take him into the operating room.

“We’ll do our best Beau, you have my word on it.” Paul says giving me a warm hug.

“I know that you will. Have you decided on what you are using for a replacement?”

“JJ and I discussed it and we both agree that a cow valve is the best replacement for Marc. With a mechanical valve he’ll be on Coumadin for life and neither of us like that medication’s side effects. From the studies that I’ve read, cow valve patients have gotten away with just a low dose aspirin daily and no side effects. In his case, between us and you he’s going to be watched twenty four seven and he’s damn lucky to have us all playing on his team.”

“I’m the lucky one Paul. You know I think that the only thing that our old man did right was putting us three boys together as brothers. Although JJ may be my biological brother, I’m closer to you and Dennis then I am to him. But I love you all equally. Now go save my man for me.” He gives me another hug and then leaves me to worry.

To be continued...