Epilogue
The faint aroma of brewed coffee, mixed as it was with the antiseptic particular to any hospital, was enough to keep Lyn alert. That and the way the boy beside him kept on swinging his legs against the chair.
He reached out and ruffled the boy’s hair. “You know, if you keep it up like this, your dad might have to pay for broken hospital furniture instead of that cool baseball mitt I know you’ve been eyeing since last year.”
Alex turned his head to look at him. He looked so much like Brad, even in the way he narrowed his eyes slightly while turning an idea over in his head. “Mom says you already promised to buy it for my birthday. But it was a secret. Sorry.”
The boy’s regrets seemed to be short-lived as his full attention was once more pulled toward the double doors leading to the operating room.
“Will my dad be okay, Lyn?”
Worries like that were supposed to be the province of adults, but even at ten years old, Alex tended to be more serious than many kids his age. Brad always joked that had to be Bella’s genes at play, but Lyn suspected that his godson’s personality was equally shaped by understanding more than adults usually thought a kid would understand. And maybe, the godfather who also gave the boy his name influenced little Alex in many different ways, not by imposing, but by setting himself – unknowingly – as an example.
“He’s way too stubborn not to be okay. Don’t forget he’s in the best hands. Your godfather would never let your dad off the hook, especially since he’s still salty about losing last time. It looks like he’s not that good at throwing ball,” Lyn said under his breath for comedic effect.
That did bring a smile to Alex’s face when the kid looked at him again. “Do we have to call Alexander Dr. Montgomery while we’re here? Everyone else does.”
“We don’t have to, but we can surprise him by starting to pretend to be all official when he walks out of the operating room. He won’t know what to do for about two seconds.”
Alex grinned, although his eyes still returned to the closed double doors. “It won’t be two seconds. He’ll know we’re trying to laugh at him. Is Alexander a mind reader, Lyn?”
“Not really. He’s just good at pretending nothing surprises him.”
“Yeah, he’s really cool,” came Alex’s verdict of his godfather. “I want to be like him when I grow up.”
“Are you sure? Your dad is funnier.”
That seemed to give little Alex quite the dilemma. Lyn took one of the kid’s closed fists and held it gently. “You know, whenever we had a big exam coming in college, I always had to hold your dad’s hand just like this.”
“Really?” Alex narrowed his eyes in suspicion but slowly unclenched his fist.
Lyn didn’t get the chance to reply since Bella came rushing back, armed with fresh cups of coffee. Her pretty face was marred by dark circles, but she looked as put together as always. “Thank you for keeping him company, Lyn,” she said as she sat down and welcomed her son under her arm.
Alex cuddled by her side like a kitten but only momentarily. He was now squeezing Lyn’s hand with his smaller one.
“We’re okay,” Lyn assured her. “Right, buddy?”
Alex nodded with determination. His eyes went back to guarding the double doors, and Lyn did the same, even as he sipped from the strong coffee Bella had offered him. He trusted Alexander, but the minutes seemed hours, nonetheless.
The doors to the operating room swung open, making him stand, Alex’s hand still in his. Bella did the same.
Alexander walked out, his face mask tugged down, and his surgical cap slightly askew. He looked tired as hell, but his eyes were clear when they met Lyn’s.
Now they could all breathe.
“Alexander,” Bella rushed forward, “how is he?”
“Well, let me break the news first to Alex,” Alexander said, crouching to meet his godson at eye level. “Your dad’s heart and I had quite the match. But I won.”
“So,” Alex asked, “is he going to be okay?”
Alexander ruffled the boy’s hair, smiling like he rarely did. “If he’s not a stubborn ass and does as I say, he’ll see you off to college. And drive you nuts until that day about the music you listen to, the games you play, all the fun things.”
Bella snorted, but she sounded relieved. “We should worry more about him not letting Alex do his homework because of too many fun ideas and too little time. Can we see him now, doctor?” she asked with a tender smile, touching Alexander’s elbow.
“Yes, but only briefly. He needs his rest. Doctor’s orders,” Alexander replied.
Bella took Alex by the shoulders and led the way. Lyn hung back, tugging Alexander’s forearm.
“You did it,” he whispered.
“Have you ever doubted your husband?” Alexander mocked playfully.
“Never,” Lyn said. “That didn’t stop me from worrying like crazy. Good thing I had to comfort Alex; that gave me something to do.”
“He’s a good kid. Come on, now. Bradley wants to see you, and I can’t give you guys more than a few minutes.”
“Aye aye, Dr. Montgomery,” Lyn said, brushing by Alexander’s arm.
He could barely wait to share the news with his husband, but now that Brad was out of the woods, a few more minutes wouldn’t matter.
***
“Dad!” Alex rushed to the hospital bed on which Brad lay, looking a little woozy but happy. He made room for his kiddo, who quickly climbed onto the bed to find his place by his dad’s side.
“Hey, champ,” Brad said tenderly, “didn’t I tell you I had this in the bag?”
“I sent a quick text to your folks to let them know you’re out of surgery. How are you feeling?” Bella said, leaning forward to give Brad a quick kiss.
“As good as new, babe. You guys worried more than me.”
“I didn’t much because Lyn told me you were scared before exams, and it was funny,” Alex said.
Bella moved slightly away, to allow Brad direct line of sight to Lyn, who was quietly observing the family interactions.
“He did what?” Brad asked, grinning and winking at Lyn. “He’s totally lying. The scared little cat was him, not me. Still here, Lyn? I thought you needed to take care of something important.”
“I’m a multi-tasker by definition,” Lyn said with a complicit smile. “How could I miss yet another of my husband’s wins?”
Brad laughed, a sound that sent a wave of relief through Lyn’s chest. “Thought so. He really hates losing, that guy.”
As if those words were enough to summon him, Alexander entered the room. Lyn couldn’t help the jolt of happiness squeezing his heart for a moment. He was so proud of his husband; and, most importantly, he was over the moon because Alexander was his.
“Do you know what beef I have with you, though, Dr. Montgomery?” Brad said in a nasal voice, which made Alex snicker and hide his face in his dad’s shoulder. “When you cut me and sewed me back together, never for a moment did you consider whether I wanted silk thread or cotton.”
Lyn watched as Alexander’s face broke into a sly smile. He had the clipboard with Brad’s chart, most likely needing to complete it with more information. He clicked his pen with flourish. “Ah, Mr. Foster, it looks like I need to add silly jokes as a factor that might aggravate your condition.”
“No, please,” Brad begged theatrically. “I already have to live without salt, sugar, and fries. Don’t take all of life’s pleasures away from me.”
“I will help you eat healthy, Dad,” Alex intervened. “I even told Mom I don’t want any cake for my birthday.”
Alex’s birthday was months away, but it looked like the boy understood that his dad needed to follow strict rules to keep healthy after his surgery.
“We’ll make an exception that day,” Brad promised his son. “I worry more about having your two godfathers hounding me to live right. You know, since the beginning of college these guys have been giving me heart trouble.”
Lyn gasped for show. “Take that back.”
Bella put one arm around Brad and hugged him. “If you have this much energy, it must be a good sign.”
“As much as I’d love to spar using wit and best our patient here at his own games, I’m afraid we must cut this visit short,” Alexander informed them. “But he’ll be home sooner than you think.”
Alex was a good kid. And he also listened to Alexander, whom he admired so much, that Lyn wondered if Brad wasn’t going to get jealous.
He wasn’t; because the years had taught them all well, and jealousy had no place left between them.
***
“You’ve been on your feet all day. You know, most surgeons would be gone the moment they finish their work,” Lyn said with a smile, linking his arm through Alexander and walking slowly down the hallway.
“I bet most surgeons don’t have you waiting for them,” Alexander joked.
“Thank you. You’re really taking good care of his heart,” Lyn said.
“How could I not? He’s our best friend.”
“Yes, he is. You’re still amazing, though.”
“Showering me in compliments again?”
“I like doing it.”
“After ten years of marriage, I thought this kind of thing would die down on its own,” Alexander said, but his lips were twitching.
“Never,” Lyn promised. He pulled Alexander closer to embrace him. “I have news.”
Alexander’s eyes grew wide. There were few things in the world Lyn loved more than giving his husband great news.
“The adoption agency called. It’s happening, A.”
“It is?” Alexander’s face was all a smile now.
Lyn nodded. “Yep. We’re going to have a daughter. We’ll become parents, you and me.”
“Oh, god, Lyn… we’ve been waiting for so long. Are you serious?”
Lyn grinned. “As a heart attack. Oops, wrong simile.”
Alexander laughed. “You’re married to a heart surgeon. Such similes are par for the course. So, is it going to happen soon?”
“Really soon. We are going to be dads.” Lyn could barely fight the urge to jump up and down, but he was aware they were in a hospital and needed to be quiet.
“We are,” Alexander said with a mix of relief and reverence. “That calls for a celebration then. Is it too late to make a reservation?” He made a move to reach for his phone, but Lyn stopped him.
“I already took care of everything. And I also told your folks. I hope you don’t mind.”
Alexander let out a long breath. “Better you than me. You know it never ends well when I talk to them. Good thing I’m financially independent,” he joked, although Lyn knew it wasn’t exactly a joke.
He was wearing Alexander’s family down little by little. Alexander was too stern, too rigid, to meet them in the middle. But this family, Lyn thought with a smile, had a lawyer. If Alexander never lost in the operating room, Lyn made sure to be equally successful and didn’t mind using his skills to get the Montgomery family to warm up to their son’s chosen husband.
And soon, to their granddaughter. There was a long road ahead, but Lyn didn’t mind. Challenges existed to be conquered and made life worth living.
His life. The one he had because of Alexander.
“You know,” he said in a soft voice, “it just occurred to me. Have I told you today how much I love you?”
“Let me think,” Alexander pondered. “Not since this morning.”
“I am yet to meet my quota, then. I love you, A,” Lyn said with all the tenderness inside his heart.
Alexander pulled him close as they walked out of the hospital. “I love you too, Lyn. Let’s celebrate first and you can say it again to me later.”
THE END
Author's note: And that was the story! I
hope you enjoyed it :)
@Derek - Thank you so much for all the comments! I hope the epilogue was to your liking :) It will not take very long until I return with something new.
@FCW Reading - he-he-he... I hope this epilogue made up for that.
@DavidB - By now, I should be known for my happy ends :D No matter how difficult it gets for the characters, they will always find their way back to each other.
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