The Wish by Winters Eden

Author:Winters, Eden [Winters, Eden]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2012-07-18T17:00:00+00:00

THE patriarch of the Anderson household noticed the strained silence on the way to the hospital and chose not to comment. He knew the boys worried about him. Personally, he wasn’t overly concerned with the outcome of his upcoming procedure, for death held little fear for him now. In fact, he’d invented every conceivable excuse to postpone the procedure, secretly hoping that, with Byron gone, nature would simply take its course. It hadn’t happened, and he’d run out of excuses.

He knew his surrogate sons would take his passing hard, but he’d lived a glorious life and accomplished nearly everything he’d wanted to. Besides, without Byron, all the color had fled his world, and he was getting rather tired of gray.

He had one little promise to keep and then he’d be free to join his love. Surprisingly, “Operation Unite Our Nephews” showed signs of promise. Hiding a smile that would be out of place amidst the troubled faces surrounding him, Alfred recalled the early morning hours, barely suppressing his glee.

Since Byron’s death, Paul had made a habit of checking on him before going to bed, and he’d scarcely returned from the bathroom when a soft tap had sounded on his door. Sliding swiftly beneath the covers, Alfred feigned sleep. A soft kiss brushed his forehead, then Paul whispered, “Good night.”

When Paul left the room, reeking of sex, Alfred had stolen a glance at the clock: 4:00 a.m.

He’d little doubt of the identity of Paul’s lover, and Alex’s jealous and protective reaction to the story of Jordan confirmed his suspicions. Alex was an Anderson through and through, and Andersons were exceedingly possessive of what they considered theirs. Alfred’s disclosures were true enough, but baiting his nephew had been fun. If he’d had more time, he’d have shown Alex the pictures of Jordan and Paul in Las Vegas, but pictures of the two men kissing in front of the Mirage might have proven too much. Andersons were a jealous bunch, with volatile tempers to match. One mustn’t poke sleeping tigers.

Alfred kept himself entertained during the short trip, alternating his attention between a subdued Paul and a thoughtful Alex, whose gaze shifted from Alfred to Paul and back again via the rearview mirror as he drove.

At the hospital, Paul settled Alfred into a wheelchair while Alex completed admission forms, each slipping easily into the role they were most comfortable with: Paul the consoler, Alex the businessman. Good boys. They’d learned their lessons well, even if they had yet to realize they’d been taught those roles almost from birth.

They both hugged Alfred and wished him well. An orderly wheeled him into the elevator on his way to surgery, and he smiled encouragement until the doors closed. It won’t be long now, my love, he thought.

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