Extraits

ATTENTION RISQUE DE SPOILER !

Avery looked him straight in the eyes and slowly brought the rocker to a stop. There was such love in his eyes that Kane slowly rose from the rocking chair, carefully holding Autumn in his arms, and bent over to kiss Avery's upturned face.

"You're my always. I love you so much. I'd do anything to see you this happy," Avery whispered, and the warmth of Avery's words touched Kane's heart, making his smile grow sweeter.

"I'm glad I found you," Kane said quietly, stepping back as Avery stood.

"I think it was more like me finding you, handsome." For Kane, the sentimental memories were so strong; all he could do was stand there as they held their babies, thinking about their lives, their future, and his love for Avery.

"I can't imagine my life without you," Kane proclaimed sweetly.

ATTENTION RISQUE DE SPOILER !

Avery had occupied his head, heart, and soul for the last forty years. Of course he would continue on like this, probably until the day he died, and just like every time he thought that way, he said a small prayer wishing that day would come sooner rather than later.

ATTENTION RISQUE DE SPOILER !

"Kane, I'm going to be fine. I'm not ready to leave you, honey," Avery said, his voice back to the loving tone he always used with Kane.

"You don't know that." Kane leaned in, bringing his face close to Avery's, placing a simple kiss on his slightly parted lips.

"I do know it. I love you. I don't want to leave you. Forty years isn't long enough. I need at least another twenty," Avery whispered, and Kane's tears fell, dripping down onto Avery's face. Kane used the pad of his thumb to wipe them clean, but the effort was made in vain. The flow never stopped.

"I love you," Kane whispered.

"I don't regret anything. You made me the man I am today," Avery whispered.

"You made me whole," Kane replied.

"Kiss me before I go in," Avery requested, his voice weaker now than only moments before. Kane kissed him, meeting Avery's small swipe of the tongue with one of his own.

"Sir, we have to get you upstairs," the nurse said from the doorway. Kane stood when he saw Avery might fight for another minute. He never released his grip on Avery's hand.

"You fight for me," Kane said, trying to put on a brave face.

"Take care of our family. Make sure our grandbabies know how much I love them."

"Don't…" No more words would come. They both knew the gravity of the situation. Severe heart disease ran throughout Avery's ancestry. Avery had lived longer than any male in his family tree, but the odds were stacked against him. They both knew, at any point, time could run out.

"I love you, always," Avery said, his eyes still holding Kane's as they began to wheel him from the room.

"I love you, always." Kane forced himself to move and bent in to kiss his husband again. He willed himself to remember every detail of their tender kiss before Avery was pushed out from underneath him. He watched as they wheeled him away. Watched as the door closed with a firm click, and he still stood there staring at the thick oak wood. His life had just been pushed through that door, and now the helplessness was setting in. He could feel his body begin the slow steady tremble as he scrubbed his hands over his face, wiping away the tears in frustrated swipes.

"You're beautiful," Avery said as he took in every inch of Kane's exposed skin in front of him. "That was my only thought when I looked at you in the restaurant that first day. You took my breath away. You stole my words. I couldn't speak."

Paulie taught him when one door closes, a window generally opens, and his saving grace came in the way of that little man who ran the La Bella Luna kitchen like a drill sergeant.