Daniel and Jason slept peacefully, bathed in the soft
glow of a nightlight. he marveled at the slow
synchronized breathing of the two boys, listening to
the soft snoring that filled the room. He smiled,
sighing deeply, a lingering scent of bubblegum bubble
bath teasing his nose.
Sometime during the night, Jason had crept into
Danny's bed as was oft the case after a particularly
bad dream. Now he sprawled across the bed, a hand
gripping the sleeve of Daniel's flannel pajamas.
Daniel was curled on his side, one hand nestled under
his pillow and the other cradling his cat Bear. Their
puppy Ricky dreamed quietly at the foot of the bed,
snuggled between the two boys.
This was his family now. These two wonderful
individuals who had somehow broken through all his
barriers and wormed their way into his heart. He had
shielded himself for years from the pain of
abandonment, sinking his life into a new rigid
military family. Now the years of loneliness were but
a memory. All the parts of his life had finally come
together and he was whole. There was a feeling of
completeness he had never experienced before. He was
loved and he loved in return.
These were his boys. If not by birth, then by
circumstance. He would protect them with his life if
need be.
Jason had blossomed after they had taken him in. He
was no longer the frightened child, abused and
neglected by an angry father. He had developed and
exuberant bounce, a quick wit and an easy smile. Now
the shy child he had befriended played football and
was the lead pitcher for the softball team George now
coached. A few months younger than Daniel, he still
tried to protect his older brother from a world that
seemed determined to do him harm.
Daniel, George know, was and always would be the true
child of his heart. Brilliant beyond words, gentle and
compassionate. Some called the boy weak, but George
had quickly discovered the inner strength that made
Daniel who he was. The boy had survived more than most
ever could and George felt himself a better man for
knowing this unique young man.
God, he had come so close to losing this boy. Sitting
in the emergency room waiting for news about the fate
of his son, he felt a loss greater than any other that
he could remember. He wasn't sure how long he would
have survived himself had he lost Daniel that night.
It had been weeks before he could bring himself to
leave the boy's side. He was always afraid Danny
wouldn't be there anymore if he left.Afraid that light
in his life would dim and fade.
He kissed both boys gently on the forehead. One hand
lingered on Daniel's cheek for a moment then moved to
smooth an unruly curl from Jason's face. He pulled the
blanket around the two boys and removed an open book
from Daniel's pillow. Quietly he slipped out of the
room, a little prayer of thanks flashing through his
mind as he flipped off the lights and shut the door.
The End
