Chapter One

Gabe and Johnny

Johnny ran the tips of his scarred fingers across the raised lettering of his and Gabe’s wedding invitation. The gold calligraphy seemed to dance across the page as his heart sped up at the thought that in less than thirty days he’d be marrying the man who’d literally saved his life, and then had shown him what real love felt like. The date was set for December twenty-fourth,

Christmas Eve, and Johnny knew that no other present could ever compare to the vows they planned to say to one another. The invitations had been sent out weeks ago, and now Johnny was busy creating a wedding scrapbook that they could show their children someday. Yes, that’s right, children. Over a year ago they’d filled out copious amount of paperwork, had been visited by social workers a number of times, and then they were told to wait. Gabe and Johnny had been placed on an adoption waiting list, and it had been almost a year before they finally received word that a three-year-old girl from Costa Rica needed a loving home.

They’d been given the news two months ago. Gabe had been so excited that he’d called four times, texted eight times, and when he burst through the door of their home, Johnny would never forget Gabe’s whooping and hollering when he tore down the hall and launched himself into Johnny’s arms. Lucy would be arriving in less than a week, and thanks to the help of the Mason clan—he loved those Masons—who worked by Gabe’s and Johnny’s sides, the guys believed they were ready. Well, as ready as anybody can be when a child was coming into their home.

On numerous occasions since they’d received the news, Johnny had been brought to tears at the thought of their daughter being with them on their wedding day. Of course, Lucy would be part of the event since they were a family. He wondered how overwhelmed she’d feel, but hoped by that time she’d know how much she was loved and wanted, and would see the wedding as a big party. Thankfully, the wedding had been planned down to the last napkin, so he and Gabe could spend their time with their daughter, making sure she felt she was home and loved.

The weather had cooled, with highs in the sixties and lows in the forties, but he was nice and warm. He’d set up a secondary office space in the corner of Gabe’s greenhouse, among his love’s stunning orchids. With his specially modified computer system, Johnny had been able to carry on after the fire damaged his hands and body. His clientele didn’t care that he’d lost the full range of motion in a few of his fingers due to the nerve damage caused by the flames. As long as they received sound marketing advice and moneymaking advertisements, they were happy.

However, with the pending arrival of their daughter, Johnny had scaled back his client roster so he could concentrate his time on Lucy. Gabe would be home any minute from his shift at the fire station, the last one for a few months. He was taking parental leave so their family could bond. Since they’d begun submitting their paperwork, Gabe had been banking his leave time—no vacations this past year—to cover bonding leave when their child arrived. Johnny heard Gabe’s truck pull into their driveway and set his project aside for later; his man was home. Johnny pulled his jacket around himself and left the greenhouse. He went into the house through the patio doors and heard knocking on the front door. He was sure that had been Gabe’s truck pulling up the drive, so why would he knock? Johnny rushed to the door and opened it wide. What he found on the other side was a bit shocking. He was face-to-face with a bear. A stuffed bear almost the same size as he was with plush pink fur, big brown eyes, and a rainbow bowtie. He stepped back as the bear entered followed by his overjoyed fiancé. “Honey, we have a lot of toys for Lucy already.” Johnny didn’t want to sound stern since Gabe’s joy filled the room. There was no doubt who of the two of them would be the one spoiling their daughter. “I couldn’t say no to Ms. Snuffle Van Bearstein when I saw her in the window over at Marie’s toy shop.” “Who?” Johnny asked. Gabe held out a framed birth certificate with gold and pink curlicues around the edges. Sure enough, Ms. Van Bearstein’s name was on it. “Well, as long as it’s all legal, I guess it’s okay,” Johnny joked as he took Gabe’s duffle bag and set it on the couch. The sight of Johnny’s large, muscled firefighter holding a giant pink teddy bear made him melt. The strong, dominant man who thrived on control and taking care of others was completely blown away, and undone, by their daughter’s impending arrival.

Years ago, Gabe had pulled Johnny out of a burning building, sat with him for days on end in the hospital, and then brought him home, opening his world to unconditional love. He could imagine what his loving man would do for his child. Gabe set the new bear on the chair and pulled Johnny into his arms. “I love you, Johnny.” He couldn’t help but sink into Gabe’s arms; the man was irresistible. “I love you too, honey. Should we go find a home for the new arrival?” “Definitely.” Gabe smiled. “But first, I’ve been dreaming of doing this all day.” Johnny was swept up into Gabe’s arms, and turned until his back was pressed against the living room wall. Gabe didn’t give Johnny a chance to catch his breath. He was being kissed by a man enflamed. Gabe thoroughly mapped Johnny’s mouth with an eager tongue before releasing him, leaving him hard and needy. Johnny held on to his fiancé’s hand for a few seconds. He needed to allow his head to stop spinning while adjusting his jeans. Gabe had a way of taking over, leaving Johnny dizzy from the onslaught, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. Once he regained the ability to walk, Johnny followed Gabe down the hallway with Lucy’s big pink bear in tow. As soon as they got the news, they’d rushed out and bought paint and furniture to convert one of the guestrooms into their daughter’s bedroom. Johnny had designed the room to be airy and calm by suggesting they paint it a soft muted blue with an occasional cloud or bird in the sky. Gabe had painted the blue and Johnny painted the clouds, birds, and tree on the far side of the longest wall. A small play table sat under the painted leaves, and Lucy’s hand-crafted wooden bed, sat a few feet away. A gift from Gabe’s aunts, who knew many local artists through their shop, Hidden Treasures. They’d had the bed commissioned.

The closet was full of clothing in their daughter’s size and bigger. The adoption agency had provided Lucy’s measurements as well as a few precious photographs. The child’s toy box was filled to the brim as Gabe proudly set Ms. Van Bearstein in the center of the white duvet covering the bed. “Perfect,” Gabe announced with pride before pulling Johnny close. “Absolutely perfect.” Johnny knew he wasn’t only commenting about the room. It had been a hard road getting to this place, but now that they’d arrived at this point, Johnny could be philosophical about what they’d been through. The fire had brought him Gabe, and the time he’d spent healing gave them time to get to know one another, to explore their deep feelings, wants, and desires. The physical trauma of losing the full use of his hands had taught Johnny patience while he worked through physiotherapy. And while he would have been all too happy not to have experienced the pain knowing this about himself, Chris, Gabe’s ex, had taught Johnny to fight for what he wanted.

His life had completely changed compared to when he lived under his father’s rule. He hadn’t heard from his father in over three years, which was odd, given his father thrived on controlling his sons. That thought reminded him. “Frank sent me another email today. He received the invitation to our wedding.” His brother still lived in the same Manhattan condominium for the past eight years, making it easy to track him down. “What did your brother have to say?” Gabe asked, unable to conceal his concern. Johnny understood the trepidation. He and Frank had lost touch for what felt like a lifetime. Johnny had assumed his brother had been living the life of a celebrity plastic surgeon and had no time for him. About the same time his father had thankfully decided to lose interest in Johnny, unfortunately, so did Frank. Which made sense since the communication stopped a little before his brother and father became partners in their own practice. “That he may be able to come to our wedding.” Even though they’d lost touch, Johnny still wanted his brother there when he married Gabe. “Really?” Gabe sounded shocked. “Yes. What do you think?” Johnny asked, because at the moment he didn’t even have a clue as to how he felt about it. He’d asked figuring he’d receive no response or a no. The “maybe” yes had surprised him. “Honestly, that he wants something,” Gabe stated bluntly. “Why? I don’t have anything.” “You haven’t talked to your brother in years and then suddenly he’s free for our wedding. It’s suspicious.” Gabe shook his head. Johnny couldn’t disagree. The sudden “warming” was odd. Now that Gabe knew Frank might come to the wedding, he’d be in protection mode if Frank showed, which meant he’d be keeping an eye on the man. “I know it’s out of character for him to say yes, and we talked about me sending the invitation, but I need to know why he stepped out of my life like that.” “You may not like the answer, baby.” Gabe held him close. “But I’ll be right by your side.” Johnny never doubted that for a second.

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