Wings of Love (26 page)

One hour later, Brad came out of the ER and found Zoe, Zach, and Jack.

“He is a very lucky man,” he said. “He’s going to be fine.”

Zoe again hugged him.

 “He has a concussion,” Brad continued, “two cracked ribs, a badly sprained ankle, two lacerations—one on his head and one on his leg—and his knee is pretty badly beaten up, but all in all, he’s going to be fine. The MRI showed no internal injuries, and the X-rays showed no broken bones.”

Jack stood and stepped right in front of Brad. Brad prepared himself for more of Jack’s slanders, but was surprised when Jack said, “Thank you for saving Mac. I still think what you two are doing is wrong, and I’ll never understand it, but you saved his life, and I will always be grateful for that.”

Brad looked at Zoe and Zach with a surprised expression.

Zach stepped up and stuck out his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Dr. Mitchell. I’m Zachary Williams, Zoe’s fiancé,” he said. “We did our best to try and make him understand what you guys have. But he’s pretty stubborn. Maybe, in time, he’ll come around.”

“Hey, guys?” Jack said. “I’m standing right here. I can hear every word you’re saying.”

“I’m glad you can hear us,” Zoe said. “I haven’t forgiven you yet for almost killing my father and ruining our lives in the process.”

“Okay kids,” Brad said. “Jack didn’t want anything bad to happen to your father. He’s just a bigot, that’s all.”

“Fine,” Jack said as he turned and walked toward the doors. “Just keep the shit out of my face.”

Brad looked at Zoe and Zach. “Guys, take it easy on Jack for a while. He’s hurting, in his own way.” Zach and Zoe looked at each other and nodded.

“When can we see Dad?” Zoe asked.

“They’re going to admit him overnight for observation,” Brad said. “And once they get him settled, we can all go in to see him.”

In just under an hour, they were all sitting around Mac’s bed, Zoe at his head on one side and Brad on the other. Brad and Zoe each had a hand, and Jack and Zach were at his feet.

“I think I’m the luckiest man alive,” Mac said. “I have you guys, I survived a plane crash, and,” looking at Brad, he said, “I found you.”

Epilogue

M
AC
opened his eyes to the most beautiful July morning he’d ever seen. It had been seven glorious months since the plane crash, and he was completely recovered. Brad was sleeping soundly next to him. He had a new plane, and to top it all off, it was Zoe and Zach’s wedding day.

Months ago he’d given his house in Anchorage to Zoe and Zach as an early wedding present, partly in hopes of luring them to practice nearby, but mostly because it was time for him to move on. He spent all of his time at the cabin with Brad, and they were truly happy there. A few months back, he and Brad had traveled to Seattle and packed up Brad’s house and put it on the market. They had plans to enlarge the little cabin, but wanted to travel for a while after the wedding and see the world.

Mac thought of his and Zoe’s friends, and Zach’s family staying at the lodge at the base of the mountain, and how perfect this wedding was going to be for Zoe. She and Zach had made several trips to the lake over the past few months, planning out every detail, and Zander and Jake were thrilled to host the event and be involved in the planning. Brad and Zoe had become very close since the plane crash, which made Mac very happy. Jack had even come around a little, but was still struggling with something. In the end, he knew he had no choice but to accept this relationship, or he would lose his family. Jack and Brad forced a civil relationship for Mac and Zoe’s sakes.

Brad moved a little, and Mac held on tighter.

“Morning, Father of the Bride,” Brad said.

“Morning,” Mac replied.

“How did I get so old?” Mac asked. “And when did Zoe grow up?”

“Life happens,” Brad said. “Before you know it, things go and change on you.”

“I know one thing that will never change,” Mac said.

“What’s that?” Brad said.

“My love for you,” he replied. “I know it took me awhile, but I am so here now.”

Brad rolled over in Mac’s arms, and they were face to face.

“Mac, I never thought I would ever be happy again. You gave me a second chance, and I’m not giving that up for anything.”

“I feel the same way, Brad. I love you.”

“I love you too,” Brad whispered. “We have to get up and get ready. We have a wedding to attend.”

“Not so fast,” Mac said as he rolled over on top of Brad and buried his face in Brad’s neck. Brad smiled, because he knew exactly what was to follow.

About the Author

S
COTTY
C
ADE
left Corporate America and twenty-five years of marketing and public relations behind to buy an inn & restaurant on the island of Martha's Vineyard with his partner of fourteen years.

He started writing stories as soon as he could read, but only recently for publication. When not at the inn, you can find him on the bow of his boat writing male/male romance novels with his Shetland sheepdog Mavis at his side. Being from the South and a lover of commitment and fidelity, most of his characters find their way to long, healthy relationships, however long it takes them to get there. He believes that in the end, the boy should always get the boy.

Scotty and his partner are avid boaters and live aboard their boat, spending the summers on Martha's Vineyard and winters in Charleston, SC, and Savannah, GA.

Visit Scotty at http://www.scottycade.com and Facebook. You can contact him at [email protected].

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