In A Ball Of Red (5/5)

[paulacas]

Title: In A Ball Of Red

Author: YanzaDracan

Word Count: 5,591/24,622

See Masterpost for the rest.

 

 

 

"Christian…" Jensen stopped at the frozen glare. "I'm sorry…I…there was…in the past…" He looked away, but not before Christian saw old hurts chase across the handsome face.
 

"I'm not that person." Christian touched the front of his shirt where Jensen knew a locket containing a lock of Steven's hair lay against the broad chest.
 

Jensen knew Steven wore a matching locket holding one of Christian's dark curls. He and Jeff at been at the Twin C picking up horses Kane had trained for them when the men had stood before their family and committed themselves to each other. He breathed a sigh of relief, it would take some time, but in the long run they would fine.
 

Parker giggled at the gasps of surprise when Eliot and Alec made their appearance just as Christian stopped glaring at the pretty cowboy.
 

"Took long enough." Christian quipped.
 

"Yeah, well, Alec has more stuff and gigaws than any three women I know." Eliot groused.
 

"Hey! Now! It's not all mine! There's stuff for the babies and things and you know…" Alec trailed off when he saw everyone grinning at his ruffled feathers. "I fell for it again." He sighed.
 

"So we're not here all night," Christian looked over at the Carlsons, "Chris, his wife, Sandra, and Steven Carlson, owners of the Twin C." He turned to Jensen and Jeff. "Jensen Ackles, half owner and foreman at the Rocking M, and Jeff Morgan, the other half of Rocking M." He turned to the other half of the group. "You've already met Parker…this is Alec Hardison, his Nana runs the best hotel in New Orleans, and my brother, Eliot Spen…"
 

Before he could finish, Eliot interrupted. "Eliot Spencer Kane."
 

He took in Christian's wide eyed look of surprise. "Fresh start, Di-na-da-nv-tli."
 

Christian blinked rapidly several times before clearing his throat. "We're wastin' daylight, and Cookie'll be hoppin' mad we don't git his supplies to 'im."
 

They finished loading in silence, but Eliot observed as he helped. He watched the interactions of the group. Could see Chris and Sandy were deeply in love…a love match, not a marriage of convenience. He couldn't quite get a picture of Jensen and Jeff…the the careful way they moved around each other made him think they were a couple trying to look like a couple. Steven constantly threw glances at Christian, a bracelet of his brother's dark hair encircled Steven's wrist to match the one he'd seen on Christian's earlier.
 

The ride back to camp was full of laughter and conversation. Christian even started to unbend toward Jensen after the two had dropped back from the others for a while. By the time they reached camp, the families had begun to merge.
 

Parker sighed as she sat in the cool shade of the large adobe house, feet propped on an ottoman. If she'd known having babies in the summer was this miserable, she'd have had Alec carry them. She smoothed a hand over her belly, her cotton dress was one the workers' wives had made for her-loose, cool, and comfortable. She felt the babies turn-can see them in her mind. She described them to Christian once when he was doing her check-up. He'd given her his soft smile that he saved for family and told her he couldn't wait to meet them. Then his eyes twinkled as he whispered conspiratorially that it would serve Eliot right for the nightmares he gave other fathers until he'd met her and Alec.
 

She loved Eliot and Alec, but Christian was her big brother. He always seemed to understand her and didn't think she was strange or crazy. They shared smiles and winks between them and made everyone else crazy trying to figure them out.
 

Loud voices on the patio drew Parker out of her musings. She looked at the clock on the mantle surprised to see it was the end of the day. She started to roll off the couch onto her feet when Eliot's voice made her stop.
 

"If you're right, I'm not running off to the city. You promised Parker you'd deliver her babies."
 

"There are doctors better qualified than me to deliver them. It's not safe here." Christian pleaded. "Alec talk some sense into him."
 

"I agree with Eliot." Parker heard Alec's reply.
 

She walked over to the French doors, but kept out of sight. She saw Christian throw his hands in the air.
 

"She's carrying your children! Don't you want her safe?"
 

"She's safe here." Eliot crossed his arms over his chest.
 

Parker grinned. She knew that stance. She covered her mouth to keep from giggling when she saw Alec mimic Eliot. Looks like they were staying no matter what Christian argued.
 

Steven came quietly up behind Christian and wrapped his arms around his waist. "You can't send us all away because of a vision."
 

"It's not just that." Christian sounded pouty. "I hear things." He pulled away from Steven. "I've seen sign when I'm out working the horses. I just got finished talking to Jim, sent a rider to Jensen at the Rocking M. I was gonna talk to you and Chris after supper."
 

"You can talk all ya want," Eliot glared, "we're not leavin'." He spun on his heel and left the room.
 

After supper, Christian told the family what he'd seen and heard, but they all agreed with Eliot. They would stay and if the bandits came they would face them together.
 

Cattle and horses were rounded up and brought closer to the house. The gate to the house was kept closed and guards posted around the wall. There were tunnels under the house. Christian had used the one that started in the linen closet by Steven's suite of rooms, and came out at the river to visit Steven before he had moved into the big house. One tunnel led to the large wine cellar, which had a fortified oak and iron door with weapons and ammo stored alongside the wine. The third tunnel went from the dry goods pantry to the tack room in the barn. Sandra checked all the tunnels and packed saddle bags of supplies that were left in the tunnels should they need to abandon the house.
 

Arrangements were made between the Rocking M and Twin C if they should need a place to go to ground. Eliot and Alec had scouted the area on the other side of the river and laid in provisions where a camp could be made and easily defended.
 

All the while the Carlsons continued to prepare for the debut of their Quarter Horses at New Year's. Temporary quarters would be erected in the courtyard to house the guests. Christian continued to prepare the horses. With Parker in her eighth month, he refused to travel too far from the main house. The thief was irritated that her body wouldn't move and obey as was her norm, but Sandra kept her occupied fixing up a nursery for the twins and making clothes with the material they had brought with them from Corpus Christie.
 

Eliot and Alec had been making the monthly supply runs to Corpus Christie, often returning with packages from Nana Hardison containing knitted and crocheted items for the babies.
 

During the nights when Parker was restless, they would lie in their room and talk of the future. They decided when they returned to New Orleans at Christmas they would help Nana run the hotel, among other things. Parker had asked if they could steal Christian and take him, too. Alec pointed out Steven would be sad if they took Christian. Parker adored Steven because he wrote songs just for her. Though she wanted Christian close, she didn't want Steven sad.
 

"They better come visit or I'll steal them both." She announced as she finally drifted to sleep.
 

Steven rolled over expecting to bump into Christian's solid back. He sighed when he looked around the room finding Christian's clothes and gunbelts missing. Dreams were riding Christian hard, stealing his sleep. He constantly woke, prowling the compound walls, scaring the life out of the guards as he cat-footed around the perimeter making sure his family was safe.
 

No matter how worn both men were from their day's work or their exhausting bouts of love making, more often than not, Christian would be slinking through the shadows, pale eyes causing the superstitious cowboys to cross themselves whispering about haints and brujos behind his back.
 

There had been several small run-ins between the bandits and the ranch hands with only minor injuries on both sides. Christian and Eliot both felt they were merely testing their preparedness.
 

Steven rolled over expecting to bump into Christian's broad chest. He gave a quiet moan as bruised skin and ill-used muscles protested his movement. Christian was both--rough and tender-almost desperate to crawl inside Steven as they'd made love. He didn't know what had been riding Christian besides him, but when Steven passed out across his chest his last thought was he needed to ask Christian what he'd been whispering in Cherokee.
 

Ready for the day, Steven moved quietly down the stairs to find Christian on the couch, Parker dozing against his chest while he rubbed her lower back. The stormy eyes told Steven the babies would be making their entrance into the world soon and that Christian was worried.
 

The warm smile he received when he brought Christian a mug of coffee made waking up alone almost worth it. He pulled the ottoman close to the couch so they could talk.
 

"Soon?" He asked softly.
 

"Today." Parker started to wake until Christian soothed her. "Labor's already started."
 

"Long?"
 

"Hard. She's so slim…"
 

Emotions rolled across the rugged face. Steven loved that Christian never tried to hide from him, but he didn't know how the ease his worries.
 

"I can't…Eliot and Alec…What if I can't…"
 

Steven reached out and grabbed Christian's chin to force him to look up.
 

"You'll do your best. You save who you can and we'll deal with the rest." He placed a chaste kiss on the full lips. "I'm bringing the weanlings in today so you'll have a new batch of babies to worry over tomorrow."
 

He threw Christian a teasing look over his shoulder as he carried his cup back to the kitchen. He stopped to have a quick word with his mother. She nodded her agreement. He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before heading out to meet his father at the barn.
 

Soon it was only Christian, Parker, Sandra and the dogs at the house. Christian's sixth sense had been prodding him until paranoia had him and Sandra fixing a pallet in the wine cellar for Parker and moving what medical supplies they would need along with plenty of water.
 

Christian left River on watch while he secured the house.
 

Hard labor had started and Parker, bless her heart was being as quiet as possible. Christian had left the door open so he and River could hear what was happening on the upper floors. The babies were in position, but where Parker's slimness helped her slither into places others couldn't, it was not conducive to birthing twins. Christian feared he was going to have to cut open her womb and take the twins before all three died. Though she had only encouragement for Parker, Christian could see the worry on Sandra's face.
 

Finally he could wait no longer. He calmly explained to Parker what he was going to do. Eyes wide with pain and exhaustion searched his face. Giving him one of her bright, off kilter smiles, her slim hand cupping his cheek, she boldly stated,
 

"I know you'll save us all."
 

Too choked up to say anything, Christian kissed the palm of her hand and directed Sandra on how to put Parker to sleep using ether.
 

Christian sat back on his heels with a weary sigh. Parker was cleaned up in one of her Mexican peasant dresses she'd worn during the late stages of her pregnancy. He smiled sadly as he brushed the blonde bangs off her face. There would be no more babies, but somehow he didn't think any of them would mind. He looked across the room where Sandra had just finished cleaning up the second twin.
 

Parker had been dead on when she described her twins. Christian wasn't sure how his clever little sister-in-law had managed it, but she had given each man a child. Christian had delivered the boy first. He showed his father's impatience by trying to push his way out to clear the way for his smaller sister.
 

The miniature replica of his own face left no doubt the boy was Eliot's, but the little girl was a perfect combination of Alec and Parker. From the café au lait of her skin to the dark blonde ringlets on her head, she was already a heartbreaker.
 

Christian scouted the house before deeming it safe to move Parker and the twins to their rooms across from his and Steven's. Sandra fixed them a quick snack before putting the finishing touches on the pot of stew she'd set to simmering before Parker's labor.
 

Christian got Parker to rouse enough to eat and drink a bit before feeding the babies and drifting back into a healing sleep.
 

The shouts from the guard outside Steven's bedroom window had Christian checking his knives and guns and heading outside after setting River to guard Parker and the twins.
 

Chris, Steven, Spirit, Eliot and Alec were heading to the house from the barn when the guard shouted. Seeing Christian rush out the door they hurried toward him.
 

"Hurry you need to get the women and babies out of here." Christian barked.
 

"BABIES?!" Alec gasped.
 

"Parker?" Eliot asked quietly.
 

"I had to take 'em. She pulled through fine, but there'll be no more babies." Christian looked away from the men.
 

He was surprised when he was engulfed in a hug by Eliot and Alec.
 

Christian pulled away. "Come on. We have to move."
 

"Chris grab Sandra. She's got supplies for the twins. Have her grab one of the babies, then git to the tunnel that goes to the river."
 

Chris nodded and went in search of his wife.
 

"Alec get the other baby, Steven you'll be carrying Parker. Be careful of her stitches. There's plenty of medical supplies at the campsite. Eliot and the dogs will have rear guard."
 

Everyone else was moving not stopping to think about Christian's barked orders…All but Steven.
 

"Christian?" He stopped in the middle of the kitchen.
 

"What?" Christian grabbed a couple extra canteens of water to give Eliot.
 

"You are coming, too?" His expression was suspicious.
 

"Right behind you as soon as I get things situated." Christian brushed past Steven toward the stairs.
 

"Christian. Look. At. Me." Steven demanded.
 

Taking a deep breath he turned to face his life. Looking into beloved blue eyes, Christian pulled out the heavy artillery.
 

"I need you to keep my family safe. I trust you to protect them for me." He drawled quietly.
 

'You sonofabitch. You expect me to leave you behind while you stay here and play hero. Let Eliot and Alec take care of their family. Dad will take care of mom. You may think you're the expendable, but you are NOT expendable to me. Please Christian. I love you don't do this to me." Steven pleaded.
 

Christian cupped Steven's face in his callused hands. "I love you, too, darlin'. I promise I'll follow so quick you'll never miss me." He kissed the frowning mouth fiercely. "After we git y'all's fancy cow ponies spread across the country, we'll take that trip to Mexico we always talked about."
 

Steven's smile was sad and angry at the same time as he gave Christian a final hard kiss before moving up the stairs. He gently folded a quilt around Parker, who gave him a sleepy smile as he settled her in his arms.
 

"Did you see the pretty babies Christian gave me?" She rubbed her face against him sleepily.
 

"You did good, sweetheart." Steven assured her.
 

He almost dropped Parker at her next statement.
 

"Don't go to Mexico…come to New Orleans. Nana Hardison will take care of you after." She suddenly fell back to sleep.
 

"I never get used to her and Christian sayin' crazy stuff like that." Eliot drawled.
 

Steven looked at the retrieval specialist. His face was full of awe as he looked at the babies being held by Alec and Sandra.
 

"Meet your niece and nephew, Christiana Evangeline and Spencer Hiram Hardison-Kane. I want you and Christian to be their godparents, as well as their uncles. There's nobody I'd trust more to raise them other than Nana or Chris and Sandra." Eliot and Alec looked expectantly at him.
 

The lump in his throat threatened to choke him as his emotions roiled through his chest. He nodded, but before Steven could tell Eliot Christian's plans, shots sounded outside. River and Spirit growled at the humans they'd been told to protect.
 

"Time to move!" Eliot growled.
 

Chris took point with Sandra, Alec and Steven in the middle with Parker and the twins. A moue of distaste on his face, Eliot pulled his gun as the group started down the tunnel. They paused to rest at the halfway point giving Steven a chance to rest his back and arms. He quietly told Eliot his conversation with Christian. Before Eliot could respond, River's yip of impatience had everyone on their feet. The dogs were as anxious to get back to Christian as Steven.
 

Finally they reached the tunnel's end. Eliot and Chris cautiously opened the camouflaged entrance, checking for threats to the women and children. Finding none, they quickly crossed the foot bridge and headed to the previously prepared site. Gunshots could be heard even this far from the house. Exclamations of surprise had Eliot and Steven hurrying to catch up with the others.
 

Eliot and Alec had found a shallow cave in the rocks, but Christian had used canvas to hide the entrance and weatherproof their hiding place.
 

After getting Parker settled, Steven and the dogs started back toward the ranch. When Eliot made a move to follow, Steven turned to him with a glare.
 

Pointing a finger at dark haired man in his path, he tried to keep his voice low.
 

"You stay here." Steven punctuated by pointing at the ground. "Christian's doing this for you-for your family. So you will stay here and protect that family, and what's left of mine. I will take care of whatever he's left for me."
 

Steven's anger left Eliot slack jawed. He knew people. He read them like others read books, but never had he seen any clues that this man before him could be this angry-this dangerous.
 

He continued to watch the blond man striding angrily back the way they'd come, a black dog on each side. He startled when he heard a quiet chuckle behind him.
 

"Eliot Kane meet Steven Carlson." Chris' tone still carried laughter.
 

Eliot turned to the older man. "I'd have never thought…"
 

"No one does. He seldom shows his temper when there's an audience, but once he's got you alone he can gut you with the sharp side of his tongue. Git's that from his mother." Chris said more to himself than to Eliot as he turned back to the camp still chuckling.
 

"The others settled?" Eliot called out. When Chris nodded Eliot turned his face back to the ranch. "I'll keep watch."
 

Steven crept through the quiet house, pistol in hand. One part of his brain was sighing with relief that none of the bandits had gotten into the house. His mother would have been a terror if she'd come back to find things broken and bodies in the parlor.
 

The three quietly moved out the side door that led to the stable yard. He noted the bodies on the ground. Another wave of relief washed through him when he saw that most of the bodies were strangers. He noticed Jim, the foreman leaning against a gatepost, a slightly bloody field dressing wrapped around his shoulder.
 

"What's going on, Jim?" Steven crouched next to the man, the dogs on watch for threats.
 

"The bunch that attacked us are all dead but two. That Christian's a sneaky bastard. Had weapons and booby traps all over the place. Don't know how any of us kept from gittin' in 'em."
 

"Probably put them where we normally don't go." Steven mumbled more to himself than to Jim.
 

"Probably right."
 

"Do you know where he is?"
 

"If I had to guess I'd say between the last two and them fancy horses of yers."
 

"Shit." He stood to go to the barn, but before he got more than a couple steps, the dogs hit his knees from behind sending him face first in the dirt.
 

Before he could shout at the dogs, three horses charged by his hiding place. Since they were saddled, Steven assumed they belonged to their attackers until he saw a familiar body hanging from the side of one of the horses. A stranger standing in front of the Quarter Horse barn had to scramble out of the way. When the running horses disappeared into the shadow of the barn, Steven saw Christian roll into the cover of the barn wall. When the intruder passed Christian's hiding place, an arm snaked around his neck, broad hand covering his mouth as his Bowie knife slid between his ribs. He was dead before he hit the ground. If what Jim said were true, only one attacker remained.
 

Pistol in hand, Steven started making his way toward the barn. The dogs had run into the barn looking for Christian when he heard the soft footfall he'd come to associate with his lover. He turned just in time to see him, his heart in his eyes, purposely step between the remaining bandit's gun and Steven. Time seemed to stop as Christian began to crumble and Steven fired hitting the stranger in the heart. His gun was holstered and he was wrapping his arms around Christian as his knees hit the dirt.
 

Steven laid him down gently pulling on jacket, vest and shirts, thankful his cowboy didn't wear a union suit. A little higher and the bullet would have gone through his shoulder instead of his upper chest. Steven cursed Christian as he tried to bind the entrance and exit wounds until he could get him to the house. By the time he got his precious burden on the living room couch, the rest of the household had returned from the campsite.
 

Eliot and Chris rushed forward to help Steven with the bleeding man.
 

"Where's his kit?" Eliot asked.
 

Sandra came up from the wine cellar carrying Christian's medical kit.
 

Though he didn't have Christian's skill, Eliot did the best he could. By the time Christian was settled in their bed, Steven, Alec and Chris had made the rounds, bringing the wounded men to the house for Eliot to patch up, checking the horses, gathering the horses of the dead men, and hauling the bodies away from the house for burial. From what they found in the leader's saddlebags, the bandits were after the Quarter Horses Chris was planning to showcase.
 

It was well after dark before everyone got cleaned up and settled down. Sandra moved between Parker and the twins and helping Eliot. Christian had yet to regain consciousness, but his skin remained cool to the touch. Now that the bleeding was stopped and the wound stitched, their biggest concern was fever and infection.
 

Steven crawled in beside Christian gathering the wounded man against his chest before drifting into a fitful doze.
 

When he woke the next morning, Steven was worried by the overly warm skin pressed against his. He knew a little fever was normal, but Christian still being unconscious had them all concerned. Steven continued Christian's routine of working with the horses. Once the trainer was back on his feet he'd be upset if his babies had been neglected.
 

Parker was on her feet, moving slowly in deference to her stitches. She couldn't lift her babies, but she could sit in a chair and hold them while they nursed.
 

A sly look entered the indigo eyes as she convinced Sandra to settle her and the twins in the big bed with Christian.
 

Being careful of his wound, she laid one baby on Christian's chest while she fed the other. She chattered like a magpie the entire time-telling him the babies' names and why they chose those names, about how worried Steven was, how growly Eliot was acting, and Alec staying out of everyone's way by helping with the repairs from the attack.
 

Parker yawned as her eyes drooped. Babies and wounded people were hard work. With the twins tucked securely between them, Parker snuggled down in the blankets and drifted to sleep.
 

Sandra woke her gently with lunch. After the twins were fed, she took them to change, leaving Parker talking to Christian again.
 

Parker stared, her head cocked as she studied the problem of waking Christian. She ran through the process like Christian was something to steal. A slow smile lit her pixie face. Men hated when women cried-made them feel helpless. Under their tough exterior Eliot and Christian both hid a soft heart.
 

Using tricks she'd learned from Sophia, Parker concentrated on how she would feel if she lost one of the boys or her babies. Tears welled in her eyes and she started to sniffle. Her voice cracked when she talked about Christian and Steven coming to New Orleans to spoil their babies.
 

"You can't go to Mexico. You can't even drink the water. They don't have any real good stuff to steal." She brushed the tears off her face. "You have to come back. You can talk to your grandfather some other time. Steven needs you here. You can't walk into the sunset, there's too much here for you."
 

Steven stopped at the bedroom door and listened to Parker try to cajole Christian awake. *Wait a minute!? What did she mean Christian was talking to his grandfather. He thought Christian and Eliot's grandfather was dead. HELL'S BELLS!*
 

He'd never given it serious thought when Christian said the spirits talked to him.
 

A loud sob from Parker drew his attention back to the bed. Long dark eyelashes fluttered. It took several tries before sounds came from the fever dry throat. Steven was by the bed in a flash with a glass of water. The blue/grey eyes were dull, the rugged face creased with pain, but it was the most beautiful thing Steven had seen.
 

"Christian?" He cupped the stubbled jaw.
 

The corners of the full mouth quirked up. "Hi." His eyes roamed the room until they landed on the teary eyed Parker. "Parker, sweetheart?" He looked to Steven for clarification.
 

"Everyone's fine except for you. You ever scare me like this again and I'll have to kick your ass." Steven promised.
 

Sandra stepped into the room holding Spencer. Tears of relief filled her eyes when she saw an awake Christian being fussed at and over by Steven and Parker. She deposited Spencer with his mother and went to get Christiana, and alert the others that Christian was awake.
 

Needing to reassure himself his twin was on the mend, Eliot became brusque with the crowd in the room. He shooed every one out save Steven and Parker. He went to her to help her to her feet.
 

"Time to go back to our room, sweetheart."
 

"Why?" She was genuinely confused.
 

Eliot forgot he was dealing with Parker.
 

"I need to change Christian's bandages and help him clean up."
 

Parker simply stared-waiting for someone to answer her question.
 

"So?"
 

Eliot rolled his eyes as Christian and Steve tried not to laugh.
 

"Christian'll probably want some privacy.
 

Eliot was trying to be patient.
 

Parker chewed her bottom lip in thought.
 

"You and Christian are identical, right?"
 

Eliot cringed. He just knew he was coming in on the short end of this conversation.
 

"Yes, Parker, we're identical."
 

"I've seen you naked lots so that means I've seen Christian naked-not seeing a problem-unless you're not exactly identical." She grinned happily.
 

Choked snickers continued on the other side of the room. Blushing hotly, Eliot crossed his arms over his chest.
 

"Parker…" He growled.
 

"Fine." She huffed as she swung her legs over the side of the bed.
 

Christian gave a contented sigh as he rested against Steven's side. His chest wound was healing nicely, Parker and the twins were fine and the ranch was returning to normal. He drifted down into sleep.
 

When he opened his eyes he was in bed, but he was alone. Instead of the warm tones of wood of his and Steven's suite, everything was in shades of red, even the ceiling?...sky?
 

He climbed out of bed surprised to see he was dressed in buckskin pants and moccasins, feathers and beads adorned his long braids. A road led into a blood red wall. His grandfather and parents stood at the beginning of the road.
 

His parents opened their arms beckoning him to them. His grandfather stood to the side, his expression concerned and uncertain. Smiling, Christian started walking forward, anxious to know the people who died before he had a chance to know them.
 

A sound behind him caused him to stop and turn. Happiness lit his face when he saw Steven. He tried to step toward his love only to find he couldn't move. He looked to his grandfather.
 

"It is not your true time, v-gi-li-si. You must choose to stay," he pointed to Steven, "or go." He motioned to Michael and Laura Kane.
 

His mother implored him. She wanted to know her sons.
 

Christian's eyes never left Steven's face.
 

"You could have lived when we were born." His voice was flat. "You chose your husband over your children." He started to move toward Steven.
 

"Please. I didn't know how."
 

Christian turned his head toward his parents. Then he heard a click and the sound of a cylinder turning on a revolver. He turned back to Steven who now held a cocked pistol.
 

"Steven?"
 

"If you want to go with them…then I'm coming, too." Steven stated flatly.
 

"What about your mom and dad? The plans we made."
 

"None of that matters without you."
 

He raised the pistol.
 

The oppressive heat of the Indian Summer day lingered after dark. Sandra smiled at her unconventional family as they scattered across the patio. Eliot and Alec passed Spencer back and forth while Parker nursed Christiana. Chris sipped a snifter of brandy while catching up on his stockmen's periodicals. She reached across her mending to steal a sip or two from Chris' glass.
 

Worry nagged at her mother's heart for her son. It had been two days since Christian had gone back to sleep. She could feel the desperation rolling off Steven. His odd comments about someone wanting to keep Christian had not eased her mind.
 

The adults stopped and raised their heads as the night stopped and held its breath.
 

Eliot handed Spencer to Alec and started for the house when the sound of a gunshot caused the night the exhale. Eliot, Chris and Sandra raced for the stairs-afraid of what they would find.
 

A pistol lay on the night stand. Christian sat up against the headboard, tears streaming down his face as he held an equally teary-eyed, shivering Steven against his chest. Christian and Eliot exchanged a look, Christian shifting his eyes to the heavy roof beam. Eliot looked up to see a bullet imbedded in the wood.
 

Torches burnt lightly around the perimeter of the house and stable yard. Candles and oil lamps scattered over tables laden with fine china and crystal twinkled like fairy lights. Two shadows merged into one hidden from the eyes of their guests. The shadow separated into two men left breathless by their midnight kiss.
 

"Happy New Year, darlin'." A voice full of whiskey, expensive cigars and lust floated on the night breeze.
 

"Happy New Year, Christian." Steven panted against tan skin covered with black silk.
 

Christian was smiling, but it was tinged with sadness as they took a step back from each other. Not wanting to separate entirely, Steven pulled Christian back against his chest.
 

"I miss 'em, too." Steven whispered in his ear.
 

Eliot, Parker, Alec and the twins had left after Thanksgiving. Alec wanted the twins' first Christmas to be in New Orleans. Eliot wanted to find a home. Parenthood had apparently cured his wanderlust. Parker just wanted something to steal now that she could fit back in her harnesses.
 

Before they got on the boat, Parker pulled Steven to the side and threatened him with things that still made him shiver if he didn't promise to bring Christian to New Orleans after their Quarter Horse showcase.
 

"I'd say your high dollar cow ponies are a success." He grinned at the group of men and women talking animatedly by the corrals.
 

With a grin he stepped away from Steven and handed him a flute of champagne.
 

"To the future." Christian toasted.
 

"To our future." Steven added.
 

When they finished the sparkling wine, Christian reached out his hand looking at Steven over his shoulder with an arch to his eyebrow and shimmering blue heat in his eyes. Without hesitation Steven took the hand, and stepped into the light.