Sequence 9:15
Sequence 9:15
Written by Mandi
Beta’d and Co-Authored by my_lil_darlin
Warning: NC-17
A/N: With thanks to Lily for her suggestion that I ran with. :)
“I like this cut for the neckline.” Junior pointed at one of th’ photographs in th’ bridal catalog.
Alma nodded. “I like that one, too.”
“I think that’s the one I’m gonna order. I want it in burgundy,” Junior said, testin the waters.
Her momma completely ignored her, flippin the book back a few pages. “What ‘bout th’other dress style you liked?” She did some pointin a her own. “This one, here.”
“Momma, you said you liked that first one.”
“But I thought you liked this one. What’s wrong with it?”
“Nothin’s wrong with it.” Junior had all she could do not t’ roll her eyes an’ make a face. “I jus’ want this other style. I like it better, an it’s gonna be in burgundy.”
“Junior, that’s such an unflatterin color for a weddin.” Alma tried t’smile, like she was ‘splainin this concept t’Rachel instead a her college-aged daughter. “Why not lavender? Don’t you like that?”
“No. You know I don’t like pastels, Momma,” Junior repeated, for what she hoped would be the last time today.
Alma fussed with the catalog, rustlin th’ pages back and forth and refusin t’meet her daughter’s eyes. “Pastels are a must for a weddin.”
“That’s why Kurt and me chose September, so we could do a darker color…”
“You’re gonna make th’ whole ceremony look morbid,” her mother replied, steamrollin Junior’s argument. “Let’s do lavender, honey. Jus’ do it for your momma…”
“But I hate it; it’s an ol’ lady color, Momma. ‘Sides, it’d look stupid outdoors, with the fall leaves…”
“Well.” Alma shrugged a little. “That right there might be a good reason t’move it into church, Junior…”
“Momma, no,” Junior groaned, lowering her face into her hands. “Not this again.”
“Honey, I’m sorry, but I jus’ wanna see you do this right.”
“I am doin it right!” Junior pounded on th’table with one small fist. “I want a burgundy weddin, outside, with my two heathen daddies, an my gay weddin planner!”
Alma was wide-eyed, speechless for once.
“Momma, I’m sorry,” Junior sighed, pushin hair outta her face. “I know you don’t like Eddie, an I know you really don’t like Uncle Jack or Daddy, but please… please, for me, jus’ once, on my special day...”
“I’m doin my best, Junior… I’m givin you the best I got,” Alma sniffed. “I’m sorry it ain’t good ‘nuff for ya, but I ain’t got th’money or th’ nice house your daddy has with that man…”
“It ain’t ‘bout any a those things!” Junior interrupted. “ Will ya listen t’me? I jus’ want my weddin outside at th’ ranch, in my colors, an I want you there. I’m a grown woman, but I still need my momma. I don’t want t’fight ‘bout churches or dress colors… this is gonna be th’ most important day a my life, an’ I can’t do it without you an Daddy an Jack there.” She peered at her stubborn mother, hopeful she was finally gettin through t’ her. “All three a ya,” she added in a whisper.
Alma was quiet a moment, then took her daughter’s hands, lookin somehow both happy an sad, all at one time. “I know, baby… I know…” She sat back in her chair as all the fight drained right out a her. “All right, let’s get on th’ phone an order those burgundy dresses…”
**
“Well, that’s settled,” Jack sighed, clickin the phone back on the receiver.
“Whut?” Ennis looked up from his Cheerios.
“I hired a builder t’come start on the gazebo on Monday… this comin Monday, so we gotta get our shit all ready for him.”
“You never ask me ‘bout nothin’ no more,” Ennis grumbled, ploppin his spoon back into th’ bowl.
“Ennis, this is the guy we both agreed on two weeks ago.” Jack rolled his eyes. “Swear t’Christ, ya don’t listen t’a word I say.”
“Oh.” Ennis got up and went over to the sink, where he dumped the rest a the soggy flakes down the garbage disposal.
He went over an’ got behind Jack, holdin him protectively ‘cross the chest, rockin him slowly, reminded of a long ago embrace on a mountainside, back when they was kids. “I listen to ya, I jus’ listen better when you’re sayin shit I like t’hear…”
“Hmmm.” Jack leaned back into Ennis, lowering th’back a his head onto his shoulder, an turnin his forehead gently into Ennis’ still mornin stubbled chin. “Feels nice.”
“Remember standin like this when we thought we was only gonna be together a few more days? Up on Brokeback?”
“Jesus, you remember that?”
“Uh… guess so, yeah…” Ennis rushed t’make a joke of it. “Prob’ly ‘cause it was the one time I caught ya not talkin.”
“Ennis,” a warm hand came up an covered his arm, rubbin gently, “It’s jus’ you an’ me here. You don’t gotta act like that.”
A warm sigh gusted over Jack’s face as soft stubble scratched against his skin. “I remember,” Ennis whispered.
“I’d almost forgotten,” Jack murmured, still rockin slowly to an unheard beat. “Boy… I miss those days, but I don’t miss the deadline.”
“Th’ whut?”
“Knowin we was comin back down, knowin I probably weren’t never gonna see you ‘gain… I don’t miss that feelin.”
“Nah. Me neither.”
Jack turned slowly out a th’ dozy embrace, restin his arms ‘round Ennis’ neck. He leaned in for a kiss, gettin it gentle but still clumsy, even after all this time. Ennis warmed into it quick, his hands rememberin what t’do, where Jack wanted t’be touched.
They shared a moment a deep, emotional intimacy that Ennis couldn’t deny or escape. It was times like these that caught him up an sometimes made him wanna run for cover; it jus’ seemed like too much half the time.
Jack must a felt the intensity, an Ennis’ boilin desire t’tear away from it, ‘cause he kissed him quick t’end it, but Ennis took it further, determined not t’let his insecurities get the better a him.
That jus’ got Jack’s fire burnin even hotter. “Ever do it on a kitchen table?” he asked through their kiss.
“Huh?”
Jack spun him ‘round, pushin Ennis up ‘gainst the table. Ennis caught on fast, hoistin himself up to sit himself on the cool wood surface, an’ Jack made quick work a their pajamas, strippin ‘em down t’only the bare necessities. “Lay back there,” he instructed.
“It’ll break…”
“Table’s sturdier than ya think,” he reassured him, helpin Ennis t’lean all the way back onto his elbows, rubbin his hands down his stomach, graspin onto his hips ‘fore his lips lowered an…
“Jesus!” Ennis grabbed the edge a th’ table an held on tight; it was ‘bout all he could do with Jack goin wild down there, usin one hand t’take care a himself beneath the table, his head bobbin fast.
“Mmm hmm,” he hummed, vibratin all over Ennis.
Th’ feelin of it rocketed up Ennis’ an shook his brain back an forth in his skull. “Oh, sweet shit,” he groaned, his hands holdin the sides a Jack’s head, guidin him towards what he craved, what he needed…
Jack’s tongue swirled an twirled, knowin th’ exact pleasin points a Ennis’ body, strokin ‘em all in time, jus’ as they were needed. Weren’t long ‘fore Ennis felt the growin pressure, an he panted out a warnin jus’ as he shot loose, Jack takin him all down in one go.
The rockin an squeakin a the table eased; neither of ‘em had taken notice of ‘til now that they’d come back t’Earth. Jack lowered himself into a chair, restin his cheek ‘gainst Ennis’ leg with a sigh a contentment. It weren’t too often they got t’do such wild things, Ennis bein the skittish type he was, so he always took appreciation of it when it happened.
“Better clean this place up,” Ennis said when his breathin came back t’normal. “Don’t want nobody eatin on this table, not after what we did on it.”
With a chuckle of agreement, Jack kissed Ennis’ leg an reached for his pajama bottoms to use for a rag.
**
“A builder?” Don demanded on the phone when Jack ‘splained why they couldn’t come play euchre that night. “Y’all hired a contractor?”
“We’re gonna need a gazebo out back for Junior’s weddin in September. We ain’t real good at drawin up plans, so we hired a guy from downtown…”
“Oh, th’ hell you will.” Don laughed good-naturedly. “I’ll draw ya up some plans and get it done for ya. Consider it our weddin present t’Junior, ‘specially seein we didn’t know what t’get her anyhow. Sue said she probably wouldn’t need one more toaster or another fondue pot, but what she does need is a gazebo!”
“I’ll pay ya for the work,” Jack offered.
“I ain’t too concerned ‘bout that. We ain’t in any need a cash, but if you feel like ya gotta, pay half a what you were gonna pay that builder, an we’ll call it even.”
“I’d feel better doin that.”
“Okay, then. Now get your asses out here; we got a euchre game t’play.”
**
After the game, Don an Jack went off t’talk ‘bout designs for the gazebo, leavin Ennis an Sue to themselves.
“Junior sure did grow up fast,” Sue remarked.
“Did it while we weren’t lookin,” Ennis sighed. “I miss m’li’l gal.”
“We all do.” Sue reached for his hand, strokin it gently, almost motherly. “She was a good kid, but she’ll be an even better woman. Can’t wait ‘til she gives you and Jack some little girls or boys a her own.”
“Never really thought on it.” Ennis shook his head. “I can’t picture her bein a momma. I know she will, an she’ll be a great one, but she’s always gonna be a kid in pigtails t’me.”
“T’us, too.” Sue nodded. “We never had kids, Ennis, you know that, but we always considered Junior as one a our own… If we ever would a had kids… we would a hoped for one like her.”
“Thanks.” Ennis smiled warmly. “I know she loves y’all dearly.”
“We adore her jus’ as much. It’s a shame, but… ah, hell, ya don’t wanna hear me gripe.”
“Whut?”
“Don an I never could have kids,” she said, but Ennis already knew that. “His family blames me for it, though I don’t think they know no better. It’s ‘cause a when I was younger, I had a kind a female cancer an… oh, you don’t wanna hear all a that, an I’m fine now, but the point is… I’m jus’ glad I got family. Real family.”
“’Course ya do.” He squeezed her hand, feelin horribly uncomfortable with th’way th’ conversation had turned.
“Mean it, Ennis. We consider you an Jack an Junior our family.”
“We feel th’ same way. An Jack an I, we’re real grateful ya don’t look at us funny for bein who we are.”
“It’d be pretty wrong a us t’do that. It’s been done t’us enough times over our not havin kids. Don’t think it’d be right a us t’turn ‘round an treat someone else badly for not bein what everyone ‘spects ‘em t’be.” She met Ennis’ eyes and smiled at him. “You an I, we’re lucky, Ennis,” she continued. “We may have it rough at times, but we both got fine men t’ help get us through it. Don’t know ‘bout you, but I’d be lost without mine.”
Lost. Ennis thoughts went back to them lonely years without Jack, times he almost couldn’t remember now. I’d be more’n lost without him. “If I ain’t got nothin else, I got him,” he finally murmured.
“Ain’t that the truth?” Sue laughed a little, not soundin entirely like she meant it. “When Don’s family pressured him t’leave me for someone who could bear his children, he stopped talkin to ‘em. They came ‘round eventually, but it never was the same, but I knew then exactly where I stood. I was the most important thing in the world t’him.”
“Jack dropped his entire life for me,” Ennis added, findin he wasn’t entirely unwillin t’talk ‘bout this. “He had himself a rich wife, big house, good job, everythin a man could want, but he gave all that up for me, when all I had t’offer him was a crappy apartment in Riverton.”
“Oh, I think we both know you had much more t’offer him than jus’ that apartment, Ennis Del Mar.”
“Not much.” He shrugged. “Still don’t know what it is I give him that keeps him here, but whatever it is…”
“C’mon, now, you know better,” Sue chided. “You’d be a fine catch for anyone. Jus’ so happens Jack was th’ lucky guy what got ya.”
“If you say so.”
“I do. An’ so would Jack. So don’t you go arguin with neither a us.” Her chuckle was th’ real thing this time. “You made a comfortable life with each other, an’ that’s a beautiful thing. You both loved each other so much, you each worked hard t’make the other happy… that’s the kind a love that’ll see ya into eternity. It’s a gift, Ennis, one most folks never get. Don’t take it for granted.”
He wanted t’tell her how he never had, how he woke up every mornin an smiled at Jack in such a way t’tell him how happy he was that Brokeback had happened to ‘em, along with every little damned thing afterwards. Or t’say t’her how Jack was the first thing he thanked God for in his prayers, or how he waited all day long, every day, jus’ t’see Jack smile at him an remind him t’take off his muddy boots ‘fore walkin on the floor he’d jus’ swept that afternoon. He didn’t have words t’tell her ‘bout that face Jack wore while they were makin love, that expression that said he’d forgotten which body his soul belonged to.
“What’re y’all talkin ‘bout?” Don showed up at the kitchen table, Jack trailin behind, a few drawings an sketches in their hands. “Y’all got awful quiet.”
Wordlessly, Ennis smiled warmly at Jack, stood up an took him into his arms, squeezin his long, lithe frame close t’his own, delightin in the good feelin’s wellin up all over him from the contact.
Jack was stunned, so he took a second ‘fore wrappin his arms ‘round Ennis. “What’s got into you?”
“You did,” he murmured into the side of Jack’s neck, inhalin the sharp, clean scent a him.
Sue got up an hugged her husband with equal fervor. “We were jus’ talkin ‘bout what fine men we got.”
“Were ya?” Don smiled, leanin in for a soft kiss.
“Yep.” She grinned like a young girl in love, blushin under Don’s fond gaze. “Don’t tell Ennis, but I think I got the best.”
“Don’t tell Sue,” Ennis whispered in Jack’s ear, “but I know she’s plum wrong.”
**
It was dark in their bedroom, but th’drapes were open, lettin th’moonlight stream in an’ pool on th’floor around th’ overstuffed chair they were sharin.
“You really think you got the best, huh?” Jack nuzzled Ennis’ cheek, still straddlin his lap long after their romp was over.
“Yep.” Ennis hugged him a little closer, buryin his face in all that dark hair.
“Ain’t you sweet, but speakin a that, I don’t think you could sweet talk me into another go.”
“Don’t think I got th’ energy anyway.” Ennis locked his arms loosely ‘round Jack’s midsection. “Much as I want to…”
“Hmm.” Jack casually ran his fingers through Ennis’ curls, gettin a pleasurable sigh. “You ever regret we couldn’t have a real weddin?”
“A real weddin how?”
“Don’t play dumb.” He gave Ennis a gentle slap. “Y’know what I’m talkin ‘bout.”
“We had our weddin in a corn field.”
“Wish we’d had our friends an family with us,” Jack lamented. Was that what he was doin, lamentin?
“Would a been nice,” Ennis agreed.
“But I ain’t complainin,” Jack added quickly, not wantin Ennis t’feel bad; it’d been a grand enough gesture for them t’get hitched in that field as it was.
Ennis turned an’ pushed Jack sideways into th’chair, so he could get up. “Y’know,” he said, walkin completely naked t’his underwear drawer an pullin somethin out a it, “I was keepin this for th’ right time…”
“What ya got there?”
Ennis walked back to him and dropped to his knees next to th’ chair. “This.” He popped open a small black box, showin his husband a gold band with five beautiful diamonds in it, glistenin pure white fire in the moonlight.
Jack gasped. “Oh, Ennis! You didn’t…”
“Was thinkin… We got the tuxes on hold fer Junior’s big day. Let’s keep ‘em rented for an extra week, an then let’s you an me get our friends together an get married ourselves, right out there in our gazebo.”
Jack was overcome by this sudden turn of events. “You mean it, baby?”
Ennis sat back on his heels, smilin ear to ear. “I’ll be your Cowboy, if you’ll be my Rodeo…”
Jack fell to his knees, shoutin his approval as he leapt into Ennis’ waitin arms. They fell full length onto the floor, the ring and its box clatterin beside them, refusal of another tumble left far behind, literally in the dust.
TBC
Written by Mandi
Beta’d and Co-Authored by my_lil_darlin
Warning: NC-17
A/N: With thanks to Lily for her suggestion that I ran with. :)
“I like this cut for the neckline.” Junior pointed at one of th’ photographs in th’ bridal catalog.
Alma nodded. “I like that one, too.”
“I think that’s the one I’m gonna order. I want it in burgundy,” Junior said, testin the waters.
Her momma completely ignored her, flippin the book back a few pages. “What ‘bout th’other dress style you liked?” She did some pointin a her own. “This one, here.”
“Momma, you said you liked that first one.”
“But I thought you liked this one. What’s wrong with it?”
“Nothin’s wrong with it.” Junior had all she could do not t’ roll her eyes an’ make a face. “I jus’ want this other style. I like it better, an it’s gonna be in burgundy.”
“Junior, that’s such an unflatterin color for a weddin.” Alma tried t’smile, like she was ‘splainin this concept t’Rachel instead a her college-aged daughter. “Why not lavender? Don’t you like that?”
“No. You know I don’t like pastels, Momma,” Junior repeated, for what she hoped would be the last time today.
Alma fussed with the catalog, rustlin th’ pages back and forth and refusin t’meet her daughter’s eyes. “Pastels are a must for a weddin.”
“That’s why Kurt and me chose September, so we could do a darker color…”
“You’re gonna make th’ whole ceremony look morbid,” her mother replied, steamrollin Junior’s argument. “Let’s do lavender, honey. Jus’ do it for your momma…”
“But I hate it; it’s an ol’ lady color, Momma. ‘Sides, it’d look stupid outdoors, with the fall leaves…”
“Well.” Alma shrugged a little. “That right there might be a good reason t’move it into church, Junior…”
“Momma, no,” Junior groaned, lowering her face into her hands. “Not this again.”
“Honey, I’m sorry, but I jus’ wanna see you do this right.”
“I am doin it right!” Junior pounded on th’table with one small fist. “I want a burgundy weddin, outside, with my two heathen daddies, an my gay weddin planner!”
Alma was wide-eyed, speechless for once.
“Momma, I’m sorry,” Junior sighed, pushin hair outta her face. “I know you don’t like Eddie, an I know you really don’t like Uncle Jack or Daddy, but please… please, for me, jus’ once, on my special day...”
“I’m doin my best, Junior… I’m givin you the best I got,” Alma sniffed. “I’m sorry it ain’t good ‘nuff for ya, but I ain’t got th’money or th’ nice house your daddy has with that man…”
“It ain’t ‘bout any a those things!” Junior interrupted. “ Will ya listen t’me? I jus’ want my weddin outside at th’ ranch, in my colors, an I want you there. I’m a grown woman, but I still need my momma. I don’t want t’fight ‘bout churches or dress colors… this is gonna be th’ most important day a my life, an’ I can’t do it without you an Daddy an Jack there.” She peered at her stubborn mother, hopeful she was finally gettin through t’ her. “All three a ya,” she added in a whisper.
Alma was quiet a moment, then took her daughter’s hands, lookin somehow both happy an sad, all at one time. “I know, baby… I know…” She sat back in her chair as all the fight drained right out a her. “All right, let’s get on th’ phone an order those burgundy dresses…”
**
“Well, that’s settled,” Jack sighed, clickin the phone back on the receiver.
“Whut?” Ennis looked up from his Cheerios.
“I hired a builder t’come start on the gazebo on Monday… this comin Monday, so we gotta get our shit all ready for him.”
“You never ask me ‘bout nothin’ no more,” Ennis grumbled, ploppin his spoon back into th’ bowl.
“Ennis, this is the guy we both agreed on two weeks ago.” Jack rolled his eyes. “Swear t’Christ, ya don’t listen t’a word I say.”
“Oh.” Ennis got up and went over to the sink, where he dumped the rest a the soggy flakes down the garbage disposal.
He went over an’ got behind Jack, holdin him protectively ‘cross the chest, rockin him slowly, reminded of a long ago embrace on a mountainside, back when they was kids. “I listen to ya, I jus’ listen better when you’re sayin shit I like t’hear…”
“Hmmm.” Jack leaned back into Ennis, lowering th’back a his head onto his shoulder, an turnin his forehead gently into Ennis’ still mornin stubbled chin. “Feels nice.”
“Remember standin like this when we thought we was only gonna be together a few more days? Up on Brokeback?”
“Jesus, you remember that?”
“Uh… guess so, yeah…” Ennis rushed t’make a joke of it. “Prob’ly ‘cause it was the one time I caught ya not talkin.”
“Ennis,” a warm hand came up an covered his arm, rubbin gently, “It’s jus’ you an’ me here. You don’t gotta act like that.”
A warm sigh gusted over Jack’s face as soft stubble scratched against his skin. “I remember,” Ennis whispered.
“I’d almost forgotten,” Jack murmured, still rockin slowly to an unheard beat. “Boy… I miss those days, but I don’t miss the deadline.”
“Th’ whut?”
“Knowin we was comin back down, knowin I probably weren’t never gonna see you ‘gain… I don’t miss that feelin.”
“Nah. Me neither.”
Jack turned slowly out a th’ dozy embrace, restin his arms ‘round Ennis’ neck. He leaned in for a kiss, gettin it gentle but still clumsy, even after all this time. Ennis warmed into it quick, his hands rememberin what t’do, where Jack wanted t’be touched.
They shared a moment a deep, emotional intimacy that Ennis couldn’t deny or escape. It was times like these that caught him up an sometimes made him wanna run for cover; it jus’ seemed like too much half the time.
Jack must a felt the intensity, an Ennis’ boilin desire t’tear away from it, ‘cause he kissed him quick t’end it, but Ennis took it further, determined not t’let his insecurities get the better a him.
That jus’ got Jack’s fire burnin even hotter. “Ever do it on a kitchen table?” he asked through their kiss.
“Huh?”
Jack spun him ‘round, pushin Ennis up ‘gainst the table. Ennis caught on fast, hoistin himself up to sit himself on the cool wood surface, an’ Jack made quick work a their pajamas, strippin ‘em down t’only the bare necessities. “Lay back there,” he instructed.
“It’ll break…”
“Table’s sturdier than ya think,” he reassured him, helpin Ennis t’lean all the way back onto his elbows, rubbin his hands down his stomach, graspin onto his hips ‘fore his lips lowered an…
“Jesus!” Ennis grabbed the edge a th’ table an held on tight; it was ‘bout all he could do with Jack goin wild down there, usin one hand t’take care a himself beneath the table, his head bobbin fast.
“Mmm hmm,” he hummed, vibratin all over Ennis.
Th’ feelin of it rocketed up Ennis’ an shook his brain back an forth in his skull. “Oh, sweet shit,” he groaned, his hands holdin the sides a Jack’s head, guidin him towards what he craved, what he needed…
Jack’s tongue swirled an twirled, knowin th’ exact pleasin points a Ennis’ body, strokin ‘em all in time, jus’ as they were needed. Weren’t long ‘fore Ennis felt the growin pressure, an he panted out a warnin jus’ as he shot loose, Jack takin him all down in one go.
The rockin an squeakin a the table eased; neither of ‘em had taken notice of ‘til now that they’d come back t’Earth. Jack lowered himself into a chair, restin his cheek ‘gainst Ennis’ leg with a sigh a contentment. It weren’t too often they got t’do such wild things, Ennis bein the skittish type he was, so he always took appreciation of it when it happened.
“Better clean this place up,” Ennis said when his breathin came back t’normal. “Don’t want nobody eatin on this table, not after what we did on it.”
With a chuckle of agreement, Jack kissed Ennis’ leg an reached for his pajama bottoms to use for a rag.
**
“A builder?” Don demanded on the phone when Jack ‘splained why they couldn’t come play euchre that night. “Y’all hired a contractor?”
“We’re gonna need a gazebo out back for Junior’s weddin in September. We ain’t real good at drawin up plans, so we hired a guy from downtown…”
“Oh, th’ hell you will.” Don laughed good-naturedly. “I’ll draw ya up some plans and get it done for ya. Consider it our weddin present t’Junior, ‘specially seein we didn’t know what t’get her anyhow. Sue said she probably wouldn’t need one more toaster or another fondue pot, but what she does need is a gazebo!”
“I’ll pay ya for the work,” Jack offered.
“I ain’t too concerned ‘bout that. We ain’t in any need a cash, but if you feel like ya gotta, pay half a what you were gonna pay that builder, an we’ll call it even.”
“I’d feel better doin that.”
“Okay, then. Now get your asses out here; we got a euchre game t’play.”
**
After the game, Don an Jack went off t’talk ‘bout designs for the gazebo, leavin Ennis an Sue to themselves.
“Junior sure did grow up fast,” Sue remarked.
“Did it while we weren’t lookin,” Ennis sighed. “I miss m’li’l gal.”
“We all do.” Sue reached for his hand, strokin it gently, almost motherly. “She was a good kid, but she’ll be an even better woman. Can’t wait ‘til she gives you and Jack some little girls or boys a her own.”
“Never really thought on it.” Ennis shook his head. “I can’t picture her bein a momma. I know she will, an she’ll be a great one, but she’s always gonna be a kid in pigtails t’me.”
“T’us, too.” Sue nodded. “We never had kids, Ennis, you know that, but we always considered Junior as one a our own… If we ever would a had kids… we would a hoped for one like her.”
“Thanks.” Ennis smiled warmly. “I know she loves y’all dearly.”
“We adore her jus’ as much. It’s a shame, but… ah, hell, ya don’t wanna hear me gripe.”
“Whut?”
“Don an I never could have kids,” she said, but Ennis already knew that. “His family blames me for it, though I don’t think they know no better. It’s ‘cause a when I was younger, I had a kind a female cancer an… oh, you don’t wanna hear all a that, an I’m fine now, but the point is… I’m jus’ glad I got family. Real family.”
“’Course ya do.” He squeezed her hand, feelin horribly uncomfortable with th’way th’ conversation had turned.
“Mean it, Ennis. We consider you an Jack an Junior our family.”
“We feel th’ same way. An Jack an I, we’re real grateful ya don’t look at us funny for bein who we are.”
“It’d be pretty wrong a us t’do that. It’s been done t’us enough times over our not havin kids. Don’t think it’d be right a us t’turn ‘round an treat someone else badly for not bein what everyone ‘spects ‘em t’be.” She met Ennis’ eyes and smiled at him. “You an I, we’re lucky, Ennis,” she continued. “We may have it rough at times, but we both got fine men t’ help get us through it. Don’t know ‘bout you, but I’d be lost without mine.”
Lost. Ennis thoughts went back to them lonely years without Jack, times he almost couldn’t remember now. I’d be more’n lost without him. “If I ain’t got nothin else, I got him,” he finally murmured.
“Ain’t that the truth?” Sue laughed a little, not soundin entirely like she meant it. “When Don’s family pressured him t’leave me for someone who could bear his children, he stopped talkin to ‘em. They came ‘round eventually, but it never was the same, but I knew then exactly where I stood. I was the most important thing in the world t’him.”
“Jack dropped his entire life for me,” Ennis added, findin he wasn’t entirely unwillin t’talk ‘bout this. “He had himself a rich wife, big house, good job, everythin a man could want, but he gave all that up for me, when all I had t’offer him was a crappy apartment in Riverton.”
“Oh, I think we both know you had much more t’offer him than jus’ that apartment, Ennis Del Mar.”
“Not much.” He shrugged. “Still don’t know what it is I give him that keeps him here, but whatever it is…”
“C’mon, now, you know better,” Sue chided. “You’d be a fine catch for anyone. Jus’ so happens Jack was th’ lucky guy what got ya.”
“If you say so.”
“I do. An’ so would Jack. So don’t you go arguin with neither a us.” Her chuckle was th’ real thing this time. “You made a comfortable life with each other, an’ that’s a beautiful thing. You both loved each other so much, you each worked hard t’make the other happy… that’s the kind a love that’ll see ya into eternity. It’s a gift, Ennis, one most folks never get. Don’t take it for granted.”
He wanted t’tell her how he never had, how he woke up every mornin an smiled at Jack in such a way t’tell him how happy he was that Brokeback had happened to ‘em, along with every little damned thing afterwards. Or t’say t’her how Jack was the first thing he thanked God for in his prayers, or how he waited all day long, every day, jus’ t’see Jack smile at him an remind him t’take off his muddy boots ‘fore walkin on the floor he’d jus’ swept that afternoon. He didn’t have words t’tell her ‘bout that face Jack wore while they were makin love, that expression that said he’d forgotten which body his soul belonged to.
“What’re y’all talkin ‘bout?” Don showed up at the kitchen table, Jack trailin behind, a few drawings an sketches in their hands. “Y’all got awful quiet.”
Wordlessly, Ennis smiled warmly at Jack, stood up an took him into his arms, squeezin his long, lithe frame close t’his own, delightin in the good feelin’s wellin up all over him from the contact.
Jack was stunned, so he took a second ‘fore wrappin his arms ‘round Ennis. “What’s got into you?”
“You did,” he murmured into the side of Jack’s neck, inhalin the sharp, clean scent a him.
Sue got up an hugged her husband with equal fervor. “We were jus’ talkin ‘bout what fine men we got.”
“Were ya?” Don smiled, leanin in for a soft kiss.
“Yep.” She grinned like a young girl in love, blushin under Don’s fond gaze. “Don’t tell Ennis, but I think I got the best.”
“Don’t tell Sue,” Ennis whispered in Jack’s ear, “but I know she’s plum wrong.”
**
It was dark in their bedroom, but th’drapes were open, lettin th’moonlight stream in an’ pool on th’floor around th’ overstuffed chair they were sharin.
“You really think you got the best, huh?” Jack nuzzled Ennis’ cheek, still straddlin his lap long after their romp was over.
“Yep.” Ennis hugged him a little closer, buryin his face in all that dark hair.
“Ain’t you sweet, but speakin a that, I don’t think you could sweet talk me into another go.”
“Don’t think I got th’ energy anyway.” Ennis locked his arms loosely ‘round Jack’s midsection. “Much as I want to…”
“Hmm.” Jack casually ran his fingers through Ennis’ curls, gettin a pleasurable sigh. “You ever regret we couldn’t have a real weddin?”
“A real weddin how?”
“Don’t play dumb.” He gave Ennis a gentle slap. “Y’know what I’m talkin ‘bout.”
“We had our weddin in a corn field.”
“Wish we’d had our friends an family with us,” Jack lamented. Was that what he was doin, lamentin?
“Would a been nice,” Ennis agreed.
“But I ain’t complainin,” Jack added quickly, not wantin Ennis t’feel bad; it’d been a grand enough gesture for them t’get hitched in that field as it was.
Ennis turned an’ pushed Jack sideways into th’chair, so he could get up. “Y’know,” he said, walkin completely naked t’his underwear drawer an pullin somethin out a it, “I was keepin this for th’ right time…”
“What ya got there?”
Ennis walked back to him and dropped to his knees next to th’ chair. “This.” He popped open a small black box, showin his husband a gold band with five beautiful diamonds in it, glistenin pure white fire in the moonlight.
Jack gasped. “Oh, Ennis! You didn’t…”
“Was thinkin… We got the tuxes on hold fer Junior’s big day. Let’s keep ‘em rented for an extra week, an then let’s you an me get our friends together an get married ourselves, right out there in our gazebo.”
Jack was overcome by this sudden turn of events. “You mean it, baby?”
Ennis sat back on his heels, smilin ear to ear. “I’ll be your Cowboy, if you’ll be my Rodeo…”
Jack fell to his knees, shoutin his approval as he leapt into Ennis’ waitin arms. They fell full length onto the floor, the ring and its box clatterin beside them, refusal of another tumble left far behind, literally in the dust.
TBC