Friend, since I can’t remember when
Seems like forever we’ve been together
Hey, how long has it been?
Friend, I hope you know that you’re my hero



Never once thought of yourself
Always there to help
Man you’re something else

In the dark you were the light
When the truth was hard to find
When I needed someone to call me on it
You’d call me on it every time

Through all the good, through all the bad
I knew you always had my back
The best part of being who I am
Is that I get to call you friend

Some got ‘em by the hundreds
But when that thunder comes a-rumbling
They’re off and running
Makes me glad that I got one good friend
God knows you’ve had your moments, too

Sometimes I wonder if you knew
How it meant the world to me
To get to be a friend to you

And when I stumble, when I slip
You never let me quit
Always knew just what to say
What I needed to hear, when I needed to hear it

Through all the good, through all the bad
I knew you always had my back
The best part of being who I am
Is that I get to call you friend

In the dark you were the light
When the truth was hard to find
When I needed someone to call me on it
You’d call me on it every time

Through all the good, through all the bad
I knew you always had my back
The best part of being who I am
Is that I get to call you friend

Friend, when I look back on this crazy life
At least I know I got one thing right

If all I ever get to do
Is to get to call you my friend, my old friend

Words by Van Zant

All God's Children Pairing: Jack/Ennis
Rating: NC-17content
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, I am not making any money from this.
Warnings: Sexual abuse of a child, though not graphic, IS discussed. If you would like more info please let me know. Only HEA, so no death for either of our guys.
Summary: Jack and Ennis are together, have a ranch. Junior comes to live with them, so does Bobby. They begin to realize that families come in all sizes and colors and when you least expect it.
Feedback:   Sure! Just be respectful, please.
Special Things: .  A huge thank you to JK for her beta and support. I could not have done it without you!

The following week was busy as usual. Jack could tell that Ennis was doing a lot of thinking, he’d been very quiet. Jack didn’t pressure him to talk about it, just let him be. Ennis had become a changed person since his revelation to Jack on that last camping trip. The hearts he’d woven out of wet twigs, and hung on the tent to show how serious he was about wanting to make a life with Jack, were the beginning of Ennis peeling away the layers of shame and fear. But Jack wanted so much for Ennis to talk to him, share what he was thinking, good or bad, wouldn’t matter. Wouldn’t change how Jack felt about him.

However, Jack sometimes saw Ennis revert to his old ways, becoming lost inside himself. Though it frustrated Jack he knew he had to be patient. Ennis was giving over to this “sweet life” with all his heart.

Ennis still wasn’t totally comfortable with people knowing he and Jack were a “couple.“

Not that they advertised it or anything, but occasionally it came up and both figured it was widely assumed.

He had fought his inner demons to get where he was with Jack today, but sometimes the demons dared to revisit and he would have to work through it. That was usually done on the back of his horse, riding around the ranch. Seeing how much they had accomplished together always helped assure Ennis that he had done the right thing, but laying down next to Jack every night was the cement that solidified his decision.

When Saturday morning rolled around Jack could see that Ennis was pretty antsy.

“Should stay here and tend to the training.” Ennis mumbled over breakfast.

“Keith can handle the training, Ennis. You know that. It’s why we hired him.”

“Shouldn’t ask him to work on the weekend, gotta pay overtime.” Ennis said tightly.

Jack could feel his back tightening. “He don’t mind. He can use the money and we can afford to pay it. Besides, it don’t happen that often.”

“Um.”

“Damn it, Ennis! We agreed we were going to do this. Is there something you’re afraid of?”

“No, I ain’t afraid!” Ennis said.

“Well, what is it then?”

Ennis looked at his coffee cup then shifted his eyes to the tablecloth and back and said, “Never occurred to me that we might…oh, you know…get another kid,“ He looked up at Jack now, “when we decided to do this thing together.”

Jack softened. “Shit Cowboy, me neither. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, who knows, maybe it’s not even something that can be done. Let’s get going, ok?”

Junior stayed at the cabin with the boys when Jack and Ennis went to talk to Miz Hattie. She promised to keep them busy playing a very long game of Monopoly.

They were walking through the yard, toward the road, when Ennis stopped, brought the back of his hand up to Jack’s chest stopping him too. With his chin Ennis gestured toward the road. “There’s that damn car again.” He said.

Jack looked. They had been seeing the car a lot. A dark green beat up Ford Maverick jacked-up with huge back tires and windows tinted almost solid black. It would come by the ranch and slow down almost to a stop. They would see it from inside the cabin sometimes too but never on their property.

“Don’t worry about it none Ennis. It’s just some kids goofing around, remember? That‘s what the sheriff said.”

Ennis didn’t take his eyes off the car. Squinting in the direction of the car, “Yeah, you’re so sure about that, huh Jack?”

“Whoever it is has never bothered us so let‘s not go looking for trouble where there might not be any, okay? And we’ve given the kids instructions on staying in and keeping the cabin locked up.” Jack said.

“Yeah, well, them 3 dogs that HAD to live in the house, ain’t exactly gonna allow anyone to get close to the front door.”

“That’s for sure, best damn burglar alarm ever made.” Jack agreed.

“But, don’t you think it‘s awful suspicious, Jack?”

Jack sighed. Yeah, he thought it was suspicious. But remembering what else the sheriff said he simply replied, “Can’t do anything about someone just sitting on a public road.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t gotta like it.” Ennis said with disgust as they both watched the car and began walking toward the road again, on their way to Miz Hattie’s.

The car started moving then the driver hit the accelerator and was gone, leaving a cloud of dust and flying rocks.

As they turned off the road and walked into the short lane grown over with weeds, Ennis sighed.

“I just never get use to the idea that people actually live here.” He said.

“I know, me neither.” Then it was Jack’s turn to sigh as he gave Ennis a gentle slap on the back and said, “Come on, Cowboy.”

Ms. Hattie, as usual, came out the door to meet her visitors. Ennis and Jack both thought she seemed more hunched over than usual, the hump on her back more pronounced. She sat down in the only chair that was there, it was old and looked as though it could collapse at any moment. Both men removed their hats.

Ennis mumbled a “Afternoon ma‘am.“ while Jack launched into his salesman mode, “Why, afternoon Ms. Hattie, you sure are lookin’ mighty pretty on this fine day.“

Ms. Hattie made no comment, just waved off the remark without losing her same sober expression. Ennis was amused, usually Jack could charm the hind legs off a donkey, but seemed Ms. Hattie wasn’t falling for it. Ennis filed that away for later.

Both men replaced their hats and sat down on the porch step, causing them to have to look up at Miz Hattie.

“No point beatin’ ‘bout the bush.” Miz Hattie started. “Can’t care for Caleb no more, eye sights gettin’ worse by the day. He done had a real hard start in life, no daddy, mama gettin’ herself locked up when he was but a baby, havin‘ to live with his old crippled granny. Boy needs a family. Needs to know he got folks who’ll take fine care of ‘im, be there for ‘im.”

She paused.

Jack jumped in, “Miz Hattie, mind me asking why you want US to do this? I mean, you don‘t know us all that well and…….”

Leaning forward on her cane she looked at Jack. “Knows all I needs ta know young man.”

Jack wondered why he suddenly felt like God himself had just spoke to him, then he felt goose bumps everywhere. Damn, this was weird, not scary, just….weird.

“Seen yer boy ‘round, he a nice boy, polite.”

“Thank you, Ma’am.” Jack replied.

“Caleb an him seem to get on real good.”

Jack nodded, feeling as though Miz Hattie was trying to get something else across to him, he just didn’t know what it was. “That they do.”

Looking into Jacks eyes Miz Hattie said pointedly, “They knows each other. Understands each other. Both their mamas locked up, they already brothers in spirit. Theys just don‘t know it yet.”

Jack immediately felt his chest tighten. He hadn’t once thought about the fact that the boys shared that in common. How in the world could it have never occurred to him? He brought his fist to his mouth and swallowed hard, nodding in response to her words.

During this exchange Ennis examined the dirt next to his boot.

“Yous gotta real sweet girl too.“ Miz Hattie said. Ennis‘ head shot up and he looked at her.

“She brings me baked goods, leaves ‘em on my porch. She don’t know I know it’s her though.” Jack thought Miz Hattie almost smiled. Ennis was too surprised to notice.

Stammering Ennis said, “Oh, I, um, I didn’t know ma’am. Junior never told me she done that.”

With that, Miz Hattie leaned back into the old wooden chair. Looking off into the distance she said “Like I said, knows all I need to ‘bout the both a ya.”

All three sat there on the little porch, lost in their own thoughts.

Finally, Ennis said, “Mind if I ask, ma’am, if you’ve talked to Caleb about this?”

“Ain’t told ‘im yet, but ain’t askin’ his permission, he a child, he don’t have no say in this.” Miz Hattie stated firmly.

Ennis nodded slightly at her statement. He then looked at Jack and with his eyes communicated that now was the time to drop the bomb that he was sure would change Ms. Hattie‘s mind completely.

“Um, “ Jack cleared his throat, “Miz Hattie, there’s something you need to know about us. About me and Ennis. Something we feel you need to know before you make a decision for Caleb‘s …”

“That yer queer? Land sakes young man, I knowed that!” Came Miz Hattie’s seemingly half perturbed reply.

Dumbstruck, Ennis and Jack exchanged glances.

“You have?” Jack asked, feeling like his throat was stuffed with cotton.

“One of the reasons I want the boy to be with you. He got ‘is whole life head of ‘im, he gonna need a strong daddy. Now he got two.”

It got very quiet on the tiny porch. Miz Hattie looked back and forth between Ennis and Jack.

Ennis finally spoke up, he couldn’t stand it, he had to ask, “Uh, excuse me ma‘am, you know about Jack and me and you still want us to have Caleb, raise him and all?“ You don’t want to tell us we’re wrong? Nothin’ like that?”

Miz Hattie leaned forward on her cane and looked into Ennis’ eyes, “Ain’t up to me to say Mr. Ennis, dat God’s business, not mine.”

Shocked, Ennis just nodded in response and murmured, “Yes ma‘am.”

“Is some things I want though.” Miz Hattie said, “Want my boy go to Sunday school an church, every week at The Glory Bound Baptist Church. Same church I went to when I’s a youngin’. Want ‘im to learn The Ten Commandments and to know how to worship The Lord proper.

Jack watched as Ennis turned a bit green, or was it blue? It was hard to discern.

Turning back to Miz Hattie Jack said, “Miz Hattie, if we would decide to do this, there’d have to be something legal put in place, for us to keep Caleb. We couldn’t just….”

“Pastor’s daughter works for the county. Yo family bes at church in da mornin’, she gonna talk to ya. Church is in Lincoln Park just up Highway 50.”

Jack and Ennis looked at each other.

“Well, I’m sure you understand that we’re going to have to go home and talk about all this.” Jack said sweetly.

“You do dat young man, but already been decided, by the Good Lord Hisself.”

Miz Hattie leaned on her cane and stood. Jack and Ennis both stood. They touched the brim of their hats and said “Ma’am.“ when she turned to go back toward the door.

Miz Hattie stopped short, her back to them and said, “Caleb bes happy when he with you, I’s can hear it in ‘is heart.”

Then she disappeared into the dilapidated shack.

Ennis and Jack started walking toward home without saying a word, each lost in their own thoughts.

Finally Ennis said, “Church. She wants us to take him to church. Wants us to bring the whole family there tomorrow?”

“That’s what she said.” Jack smiled a bit.

“I don’t know Jack, about the church thing. Every Sunday?”

“You got something against church, Ennis? Didn’t you say your folks was Methodists?”

“Well, yeah, but, I mean no, I don’t have anything against church. Doesn’t mean I want to go every Sunday though! My folks drug us to church on Easter and Christmas and that was more than enough church for me in one year. Shit, I don’t know about this Jack.”

“Well, why don’t we take the kids and go, just tomorrow. We can talk to the pastors daughter, like Ms. Hattie said, maybe she can answer some of our questions about how all this would work.”

Ennis sighed, looked straight ahead. “Guess won’t hurt anything to go talk to her.”

Jack smiled. “Nope, guess it won’t hurt anything at all.”

They could see the ranch ahead of them. “And don’t worry, if they try to convert you, I’ll throw myself down as a sacrifice.” Jack said as he began running toward the cabin.

“Oh, ha ha, yeah, you’re a real funny man Jack, ya know that?” Ennis yelled as he took off after him.

Jack felt like there was a vice grip around his jaw. “Just pick one.”

“NO.”

“WHY NOT?”

“Don’t see why I gotta wear that!”

“Because. We are going. To church.”

“I don’t care! I still don’t see why I gotta wear it!”

“You want to look nice, don’t you?”

“I can look nice without it!”

“Of course you can, but you’ll look nicer with it, now put one on!”

“You can’t make me, you know.”

Eyes glued on one another, hands on hips, they dared the other one to back down, give in.

Then, “Jack! Bobby needs you upstairs.” Junior yelled from the staircase.

“Ok! I’m coming!”

He turned his attention back to the matter at hand. Then, with total exasperation he threw up his hands and turned to walk out of the room. As he did he said, “Ennis, be a big boy, pick out a tie!”

As he got into the hall he heard Ennis say “Fuck you!”

Jack paused and yelled over his shoulder, “Nice language before going to church there, friend!”

“AND AGAIN!” Ennis yelled.

Jack walked into Bobby’s room to see him laying on his bed with just his navy blue dress pants on, nothing else.

“Junior says I can’t wear my black shirt with my dark blue pants.”

“She’s right, you can’t.”

“Why not?”

‘Oh dear God, I don’t think I can take this.‘ Jack thought to himself.

“Because you can’t wear navy blue and black together.” Jack said as he went to Bobby’s closet.

“How do you know?” That made Jack stop and think. How did he know that? Hum, anyway…..

“I don’t know, I just do.” He pulled a light blue polo shirt out of Bobby’s closet and threw it at Bobby.

Putting on the shirt Bobby asked, “So will this shirt and these pants make me look bad?”

As Jack went to the dresser and got out some navy blue socks and threw them at Bobby,

“What? Bad? No, you’ll like great.” He said

“Oh, I’ll look great, which means I’ll look BAD!” Bobby replied, drawing out the last word.

“Bob, what are you talking about, I don’t have time for games.”

“It’s the new thing dad, saying something is ‘BAD’ means its really good.”

Jack stood, not even knowing where to go with this conversation and quickly decided he was going nowhere with it right then.

“We’ll talk about the new slang you’re learning at another time.”

Bobby began to get the rest of his things on as Jack headed toward the door.

“Do you think Caleb will be at church?”

Stopping, Jack answered, “I don’t’ know Bobby.”

“Well, you said his grandmother invited us, right?”

“Yes Bobby, but I don’t know if they will be there.”

“Ya know dad, I bet that’s why Caleb could never sleep over on Saturday night, cause they go to church on Sunday morning.”

“Hum, that’s pretty smart thinking there Beany.”

“Dad, you haven’t called me that since I was about six.”

Jack grinned. “You’re right, I haven’t, have I?”

Bobby smiled too, “Yeah, and Dad?”

“Yeah, son.”

“Don’t call me that at church, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Thanks dad.”

“You’re welcome, now get dressed! We leave in 5 minutes!” Then Jack left the room muttering something about a muzzle.

Ennis was in the kitchen pouring what was left in the coffee pot into his and Jack’s mugs.

He turned just as Junior walked into the kitchen.

He stared at her and she stared back.

“What’s the matter?” Junior finally said.

“Mind puttin’ a bag over your head before we leave?” He said to his daughter.

“A bag! Why would I do that?” Junior was appalled.

“’Cause I don’t want none of the boys seein’ how beautiful my baby girl is, that’s why.”

“Awww, daddy!” Junior laughed and went to her dad and hugged him. He kissed her on the side of her head. Junior loved this change that Jack made in her dad. He actually allowed himself to express his sense of humor now.

“You look real nice too daddy, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear a tie before.”

“Uh, yeah, well, you may never see me wear one again. It was Jack’s idea.”

“Well, it was a good idea, you look totally gnarly!” Junior gushed.

“What did you say? I look, what?”

“Gnarly, dad. It means ‘really good.’”

“It does, huh? Ok, if you say so.” Ennis was perplexed. “So, are Jack and Bobby coming?” He asked.

“Yeah, Bobby just needed to finish getting dressed.”

With that, Jack came into the kitchen, still muttering to himself. He stopped when he saw Ennis and Junior. They looked up at him.

“Doesn’t daddy look great, Jack?” Junior asked.

Jack smiled.

Junior said, “I’ll take that as a yes. Meet you guys in the truck, geezz, they say women take forever to get ready.” Junior flew out the door as Bobby came bounding into the room.

“HEY! Ennis has a tie on!” Bobby exclaimed.

“Yeah! Doesn’t he look bad?” Jack said, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Ennis looked up, “What do you mean? I thought you wanted me to wear this.”

Bobby just laughed and said “Yeah, he does!” as he went out the door to the truck.

Jack walked toward the door, still grinning, Ennis followed, saying, “Jack, I told you I didn’t need a tie! Now you’re sayin’ I look bad, I should go take it off.”

“Oh no you don’t.” Jack laughed. “Besides, Bobby tells me that ‘bad’ now means something is really good.”

“Oh.” Ennis paused, then snickered, “I thought I looked gnarly.”

Jack stood back and gestured for Ennis to walk out the door first, “I don’t know anything gnarly but you really DO look BAD!”

“Fuck you, Jack!”

“Later, Ennis. And watch your language, we’re going to church.” Jack was still grinning and trying to keep from laughing.

As Jack followed him out the door, Ennis put his right hand behind his back and raised his middle finger in response.

“Nice Ennis, real nice.”

Ennis stomped the rest of the way to the truck, Jack no longer containing his laughter.

TBC

All God's Children

Pairing: Jack/Ennis

Rating:   R for language & content

Disclaimer:  I do not own these charaters, I am not making any money from this.
Warnings:  Sexual abuse of a child, though not graphic, IS discussed here.  If you would like more info please let me know.

Only HEA,  so no death for either of our guys.

Summary: Junior lives with Jack and Ennis, Bobby comes to live with them, Jenny visits as often as possible. They begin to realize that families come in all sizes and colors and when you least expect it.

Author’s Note:  Those of you who know me know that my desire is for Jack and Ennis to raise a family together. I’m trying to accomplish that with this story, I hope you like it.

Feedback:  Sure!  Just be nice about it.

A huge THANK YOU to JK for her beta and support.  I could NOT have done it without you, OKAY?  LOVE YOU !

Friends:  Chapters 2A & 2B are background chapters.  Meaning they do not pick up where Chapter 1 left off but rather they are full of information about what happened before the murder.  I needed to fill you in on how Junior comes to live with Ennis & Jack AND I included a Christmas present for ya'll.
 
Chapter 2-B

Junior settled into the small area Jack and Ennis set up for her in the attic. They promised to build her some walls and paint it a color of her liking as soon as they could. She seemed pretty content and was very helpful around the cabin.

Ennis got Junior enrolled in school where she was to begin immediately following the Thanksgiving break.

On Thanksgiving morning Ennis and Junior sat together on the couch under a blanket and watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Jack sat in a chair, feeling a bit left out, wishing he were the one under the blanket with Ennis. But, he could see how happy Ennis was to have Junior with them and he was happy to just have Ennis there, period. Around mid day they went into town, to a small family owned diner, and had dinner, then back home to watch football. Junior called home, speaking only briefly to her mother, she and Ennis both talked to Jenny. Jack called Texas and talked and laughed with Bobby, finding out near the end of the conversation that Lureen was engaged to a guy named Hughes and would be getting married on Christmas Eve.

Jack’s first reaction was that it seemed awfully quick but then he hadn’t wasted any time getting with Ennis as soon as he could. Course to him that was different, he had known, and loved, Ennis for many years. In any case, Jack was more than a little surprised and found the timing to be amusingly coincidental.

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Before they knew it Christmas was almost here. Junior tried to coax Jack and Ennis to cut down a tree from their land. Instead, they informed her that they would be getting a balled Christmas tree.

“What’s that?” Junior asked.

“It’s a live tree that comes with roots and soil held together in a burlap wrap.” Jack replied.

“I don’t get it. Why would we want a tree that has dirt hanging from the bottom? Besides, won‘t it still get all over the floor?”

“No, “ Ennis explained, “We’ll put it in one of those old wash tubs from the barn.”

Junior was not at all convinced. “When can we get it?”

“Well, we can only put it up about the week before Christmas. We don’t want the tree to get use to living in the warmer temperature because we are going to plant it out in the yard.” Ennis said.

“See Junior,“ Jack went on, “we thought we would get a balled tree so that we could plant it out back at the end of the yard. We will be able to watch it grow over the years and it will always remind us of our first Christmas here.”

“Oh, that’s a nice idea.” Junior sounded touched.

Jack flashed a bright smile at her. “Yeah, who knows, maybe we’ll plant more trees to remember other special occasions.”

The tree wasn’t huge but they all loved it. They put it in the tub from the barn, being careful not to damage the ball, and then draped an old blanket around the tub to hide it. They then carefully placed it away from the large stone fireplace so it wouldn’t dry out. Jack made several trips into town that week picking up needed provisions. On his first trip he got some strings of lights from the general store and he and Ennis hung them on the tree. Junior made a paper chain to hang on it, strung some popcorn for garland and cut out different size snow flakes from plain white paper. They all stood back and admired their first Christmas tree with pride.

On the twenty-second of the month it began snowing. And it snowed and snowed and snowed. As it began to pile up, Ennis kept going to the window and muttering about ‘the damn weather.’ Jack just chuckled.

“It’s December, Ennis, what do you expect in Colorado in December?”

“Well, surely it’s gonna stop soon, three or four inches is more than enough.” Came his curt reply.

Junior laughed, “Daddy! We can’t make the snow stop when we want it to! Besides, I think it’s beautiful!”

“Uh. White death is more like it.” Ennis grumbled. Jack and Junior exchanged amused expressions behind his back.

Bundling up Ennis went out and shoveled a car width path from the yard, just off the porch, to the road. Jack figured it was good for him, burning off some of his frustration.

The snow did slack off some but the next day it started again. “Daddy! Look! More white death!“ Junior mused. By afternoon Ennis had re-shoveled the previous days path and was in, pacing from window to window.

“Jeez Ennis, relax, there’s nothing we can do about it.” Jack said. “Ya act like you’re expecting company or something.”

“Expecting a delivery is all.” Ennis stated quietly.

Jack looked up from the paperwork he was doing for the business. Junior looked up from her crossword puzzle. They exchanged glances then both looked at Ennis.

“This is the first you’ve mentioned a delivery.” Jack observed.

“Well,” Ennis mumbled as he bent over, pressed his face against the glass and looked out the window. “it’s Christmas, don’t need to tell you everything, do I?”

“No, ‘course not.” Jack grinned, got up and walked over to Ennis. They had been pretty discreet about the physical attention they gave each other when Junior was around but Jack walked up to Ennis and put his hand on his back. Ennis straightened back up, they looked at each other. Ennis looked sheepish and Jack was grinning at him. Just as they leaned in toward each other they heard something. Junior jumped from the couch and ran to the door. Flinging it open they could all see a loud truck pulling into the shoveled area.

Ennis threw on his coat, quickly slid into his boots and was out the front door. Jack and Junior stepped out onto the porch and watched at Ennis ran to the truck. He was talking to the man who was behind the wheel. He seemed to be finished talking to the man, they shook hands, but then Ennis ran around to the other side of the truck and opened the door. Jack and Junior looked at each other. “What’s he…” Jack began as they looked back. Ennis reached into the cab and pulled out a large wicker basket. It looked like an old fashioned laundry basket with towels or blankets heaped on it. Ennis shut the truck door with his hip, nodded to the man driving and walked toward the porch. As he got closer what appeared to be in the basket was a blanket, and it was moving. Ennis saw Jack and Junior on the porch and a huge smile spread across his face. Then there was a noise from the basket, it was a high pitch yelping sound.

“Okay you two, in the house, now.” Ennis commanded as he was stepping onto the porch.

Jack and Junior did as they were told and went inside to the living room. Ennis followed quickly, stomped the snow off his boots then went and laid the basket down in front of the tree.

“Merry Christmas!” Ennis said and Jack and Junior lifted the blanket from the basket. He wasn’t sure who yelped, Junior or one of the puppies. In the basket were three collie puppies, all with red ribbons around their necks. They were yelping and their tails were wagging like crazy. Junior reached in and picked up the one in the middle and it immediately began licking her face like she was a side of beef. Jack stood there, looked at the puppies and back at Ennis. Ennis reached down and picked up the one that was visibly the smallest. He grabbed the blanket and quickly wrapped it around the puppy and handed it to Jack.

“I was gonna get just this one but decided it would need a brother or sister so it wouldn’t be lonely. That would have left just one at the farm and I couldn’t do that either so I just took all three of them. You said you wanted dogs. Merry Christmas Jack.”

Jack stood looking at Ennis while petting the puppy to try to keep it calm. Suddenly a huge smile busted across his face. Jack leaned over and nuzzled the collie’s pointed snout and the puppy licked him on the lips.

Jack, who couldn’t quit grinning, said, “Thank you Ennis ! This is the greatest Christmas present I ever got!”

They were smiling and looking at each other as Junior turned her attention from the puppy to them. “Oh please! Just get it over with, will ya?” They both laughed and Jack leaned over and gave Ennis a kiss right on the mouth. Ennis was both embarrassed and pleased.

Ennis insisted the puppies would be raised in the barn but Jack and Junior persuaded him to allow them to remain in the house, just this one night, since it was Christmas Eve Eve, as Junior called it. Just before bed Jack shoveled a small area outside the front door where the puppies could do their business. Two went upstairs with Junior, to sleep in the box, but Jack was not letting go of his runt. Ennis was already in as he climbed into bed.

“Jack! You can’t bring that dog to bed.”

“Can too. It’s my Christmas present.”

As hard as he tried Ennis just could not say, without smiling, “Well, what if I have another Christmas present for you? Don’t ya think it’s possible that dog could get in the way?”

Jack snickered. “Come on, please! Just this once, just tonight.”

Ennis wanted to sound frustrated, “Well, okay, but just this once. After tonight, it’s the barn.”

“The floor.”

“The WHAT?”

“The floor, I want him to sleep on the floor, next to my side of the bed, like Lassie always did with Timmy.”

Ennis burst out laughing, a rare thing for him. Caused the puppy to jump then curl up closer to Jack.

“I’m serious.” Jack said.

“Oh, I know you’re serious Jack! God help me, I know you’re serious!”

As Ennis’ laughter settled, they settled down into bed, Jack on his side and Ennis spooned behind him with his arm across him and his hand on his chest. The runt was on Jack’s other side. It got quiet and they lay, listening to each other breathe.

“You remembered.” Jack said quietly. “You remembered, from Brokeback, how I favored the smallest dog.”

“’Course I remembered.” Ennis whispered in his ear.

“Thank you Ennis.”

“You’re welcome Jack, but no need to thank me.” Ennis said as he leaned up and placed little kisses on Jack’s ear.

“Night Ennis.”

“Night Jack.” And behind it Jack was sure he heard “Love you, bud.”

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The puppies had done very well in the night but were anxious to be put out early in the morning to turn the virgin snow into a blanket of paw prints and yellow patches.

Jack was out and gone early, left a note saying he took one of the horses to check out a piece of fence he had been concerned about before the snow came.

Ennis got up on that Christmas Eve morning feeling pretty pleased with himself, knowing nothing could top his gift of those three little yelping, energetic puppies.

Junior tried to bake some cookies but the puppies were constantly under foot so she gave up after one batch. She and Ennis took them into the living room and just watched them play, no need to turn on the TV, they had live entertainment.

Jack disappeared at one point in the afternoon and Ennis found him with the phone cord stretched at tight as it would go from the kitchen wall into the hallway that went back to their bedroom. Jack said he was talking to Bobby. Ennis wondered why he didn’t wait to call him the following day, on Christmas, but figured he would call him then too.

After dinner Jack appeared to be shuffling around the house getting things together. Things like boots and other outerwear. Ennis knew Jack had a thing about being organized so he let it pass without comment. When he saw that Jack had put the heavy quilt off their bed by the kitchen door he was getting concerned.

“You’re gonna sleep in the barn with the dogs, aren’t ya?” Ennis asked in disbelief gesturing to the heap by the door.

“What? Oh, well, yeah, I mean, they’re just babies Ennis.”

“You’re unbelievable Jack, you know that? They’re animals! They’re use to being in a barn, it’s where they were when I saw the sign by the road and drove up to look at them.”

“Well, I just need to be sure they won’t be scared is all.” Jack said.

Ennis threw his hands in the air and gave a “Ppfftt.” as his only comment, walked out of the room. Jack just smiled.

They were all in the living room with the TV on, the puppies had decided playtime was over for the night, when Junior thought she heard a sound.

“What was that?” She asked.

“What?” Ennis said.

“Sh, listen.”

Then they heard the unmistaken sound of bells. Junior and Ennis got up from the couch and went to the door, Junior stepped back and allowed Ennis to open it. He looked, then stepped out onto the porch where he saw a horse drawn sleigh sitting in the yard. The bells were coming from the horses neck. There was a man sitting in the seat who was the guide for the sleigh.

Jack came up next to Junior, she turned and winked at him. He had Ennis’ coat in his hands, walked up behind Ennis and said, “We’re going for a ride, you need to get this on.”

“What are you up to Jack?”

“You’ll find out soon enough, Cowboy, now get yourself bundled up.”

Ennis did as he was told then turned to say something to Junior and could see on her face that she had been a willing accomplice to whatever was taking place. She just stood smiling at him, “Bye daddy, have a nice time.“

After getting himself bundled up, and their cowboy hats on, Jack grabbed the quilt and nudged Ennis toward the sleigh. They climbed in and Jack covered them both with the quilt.

“Comfortable? Warm enough?” Jack asked.

“Uh, yeah, sure, but Jack…”

“Good. We’re ready.” The horse began moving, Jack turned and grinned at Junior waving to her.

Jack sent up a prayer of thanks, he could not have asked for a more perfect night. It was very clear and the moon shone bright making the snow appear to have been frosted with silver glitter.

He reached and clasped Ennis’ gloved hand under the blanket. “It’s not far, just around the back of the cabin, through the yard, up over the hill and down a ways. Relax and enjoy the ride.”

Ennis could not believe how beautiful it was out there, no lights, just the moon and the gentle sound of the sleigh bells, and Jack. He never once thought about the driver of the sleigh, like he was an invisible being, there, but not there. He couldn’t believe Jack had arranged this for him, for them. What a wonderful present this was, like something out of a movie.

They rode for several minutes in quiet, comfortable silence when Ennis notice a glow in the distance off to his side of the sleigh. Ennis looked at Jack then pointed.

“Yeah, looks like something’s there. Maybe we should have a look.”

Without instruction the horse went in the direction of the glow. As they got closer it appeared to be a tiny cabin of some sort. There didn’t appear to be anyone or anything around. The sleigh stopped directly alongside the cabin. Jack got out and waited for Ennis to come. Side by side they walked up the step onto the tiny porch. Jack reached over, Ennis thought he was going to knock, but instead he turned the rickety knob and opened the door wide. He gestured for Ennis to step in ahead of him.

Cautiously Ennis went in, with Jack so close behind him he was almost touching him.

Jack didn’t want to miss one single reaction.

Both men removed their gloves and put them in their pockets. Ennis looked around,

the glow came from a fireplace on one wall and several old canning jars containing white candles that were placed around the small room on benches that looked like they came right out of ‘Little House on the Prairie’, one of Junior’s favorite TV shows.

The benches looked to have been well used in their day.

Ennis looked up at the wall straight across from the door and saw a large wooden cross, that appeared to be very old, suspended from the ceiling with old chains.

It took Ennis a few minutes to grasp it. He turned to Jack, “It’s a church.” He said quietly.

Jack smiled at him. “Or a chapel or something, that’s what I thought too. It’s ours.”

“Ours?” Ennis asked confused as he instinctively reach up and removed his cowboy hat.

Jack removed his too. “Yeah, it’s just one of the several outbuildings on our property that we didn’t have a chance to see before we moved here. I found it when you went to get Junior in Wyoming. I decided to do a quick ride around the property and here it was.”

Ennis looked at Jack and back up at the cross, Jack leaned over and closed the door to the small structure. Holding his hat and the quilt in one hand Jack took his other hand and held it out to Ennis. Ennis looked down then brought his hand up and gave it willingly over to Jack’s. Jack grinned at Ennis and began walking him forward where the cross was on the wall. He stopped, let go of Ennis hand, carefully folded the quilt and laid it on the floor then took both their hats and put them on a bench that was close. He put his hand out to Ennis again, Ennis, again, put his hand in Jack’s.

Smiling, Jack let out a sigh, shook his head a little and said, “I didn’t think I would be nervous, but I am.”

Ennis just looked at him, complete confusion on his face.

“Ennis, as soon as I saw this, this, church, chapel, or whatever it is, I knew what I wanted to do.“

Ennis looked at him questioningly.

“I want to marry you Ennis.”

Ennis may have laughed if he hadn’t been certain that Jack was being completely serious.

Wide eyed he looked at Jack, “You want to marry me?”

“You heard me right.”

“Guys can’t marry each other Jack, we know that.”

“Yeah, we know that.” Jack said. “We know that is what the people making the laws say and that is what the leaders of the churches say, but do we know, do we really know what God has to say about it?”

Jack looked questioningly at Ennis who looked at the floor and said quietly, “Well, ya got me there.”

Taking Ennis face in his hands and looking him directly in the eye so he could see just how serious he was, Jack said, “I’m asking you to marry me Ennis, tonight, right here, right now.”

Ennis felt like he was walking around in some crazy dream. “Um, how we suppose to do this Jack? The sleigh driver a preacher or something’?”

Jack laughed, Ennis didn’t mean for it to be funny.

“Is that a ‘yes’ Ennis?” Ennis didn’t know what to say exactly, he just looked at Jack.

Jack reached into his pocket and put out a small leather box. He held it up and opened it. Inside were two sterling silver band rings. One was inlaid entirely around in sky-blue turquoise stones, the other inlaid entirely around in tiger's eye stones.

Ennis’ eyes got wide as he looked at the box.”

“I hope you don’t mind, I wanted to be sure we had everything…..”

“Jack.”

“….. we needed to make this night complete.”

“Jack.”

“If yours doesn’t fit or you would rather pick out something else, I…..”

“Jack!”

“Hu? What Ennis?”

“Shut up Jack!” Ennis said as he grabbed Jack and kissed him. He pulled back but still held onto Jack, keeping him close. “They’re beautiful. I can’t believe you’ve done all of this. My God, Jack! I don’t know what to say.”

“Just say you’ll marry me.”

Jack waited, looking into Ennis’ eyes. Ennis, looking back, began to smile.

Smiling back, Jack held the leather box in one hand and in his other hand took Ennis’ hand. He knelt down on the quilt, Ennis followed.

“It’s just the three of us Ennis. You, me and God, nobody else. I don’t see why we need a preacher, a bunch of people around and a piece of paper with our names on it to make us married.”

“How are we gonna know what to say?” Ennis asked.

“Well, we’ve both been through this once before, maybe we can remember a little bit from that and throw a few words in of our own. You know, just say what we feel. And I admit, I‘ve been practicing a little.“

“Oh, okay.” Ennis felt nervous. They looked at each other, then looked up at the cross.

“Uh, well, guess I’ll start.” Jack said, looking a tad nervous too. He cleared his throat and began to speak…..

“Well, um, we’re here, God. I, uh, I thought about this a lot over the past 13 years or so and I know that I want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my whole life. But, some people say it’s wrong. I don’t believe that. I just don’t believe you brought us together on that mountain and allowed us to feel about each other the way we did only to take it away from us, tell us we can’t have it..”

Jack, eyes filled with tears, turned to Ennis, but still talking to God, “I love this man, and we’re here to make a commitment to each other, with your blessing.”

Ennis felt himself shaking and it took everything within him to hold himself together as he listened to Jack’s beautiful words.

Jack took the rings from the box, put the box on the quilt and handed the tiger’s eye ring to Ennis. He kept the turquoise ring and held Ennis right hand, he noticed it was shaking.

“Ennis, I take you to be my husband, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.”

And he placed the ring on Ennis.

Ennis felt like he could hardly breathe. He felt his emotions rising from his bent knees and up to his chest. He looked at the ring on his hand and realized the stones reminded him of Jack’s eyes. Then he knew, he knew why Jack had chosen the rings he had.

His chin began to quiver as he took Jack’s right hand, cleared his throat. Barely able to speak he said, “Jack, I want you to be my husband, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. And I do love you Jack, more than you can possibly ever know and I will cherish you and do my best to do right by you, until death do us part.” He put the tiger’s eye band on Jack’s finger.

They looked at their hands and then at each other, both now with tears streaming down their face. They laced their ringed hands together and looked back at the cross.

Jack spoke, “Well, we did it God, just the three of us. I know you brought Ennis into my life and I can’t thank you enough. I wouldn’t even know how to begin to start. But if you could, would you please help us with this new life we’re tryin’ to start here, we’d sure appreciate it?”

Ennis cleared his throat, “Um, Jack, aren’t we forgetting something? Isn’t there one more thing to do before we’re fully married?”

Jack looked at him blankly. Ennis waited a few seconds, then rolled his eyes and said “Come ’er.” and grabbed Jack’s face and kissed him deep on the mouth.

They came apart and Jack said “Shit! Can’t believe I forgot about that part..”

“Um, Jack…” Ennis gave a sideways glance at the cross.

“Oh, sorry God.” Jack said, looking up, apologizing for the profanity. He turned back to Ennis.

“Guess we better get back to the sleigh so Old Man Kelly can get back home to his wife, it is Christmas Eve.”

They held hands as they got up, Jack picked up the quilt and he started blowing out the candles.

Ennis stepped over to the fireplace and poured the bucket of water, that was already there, on the small flames. “Oh, yeah, who is that guy, anyway, Jack?”

“Old Man Kelly? He owns the dairy that’s up the road a piece, just before you get into town. He and his wife sort of collect antiques on the side, says most of ‘em they inherited from different family members. His father, her grandmother, an uncle. I’d seen the sleigh sitting out next to one of the milking barns when I drove by my first time out here. I kept looking at it and, well, “ Jack said chuckling, “I guess you can figure out the rest.”

“Um.” Was Ennis’ only reply.

After making their way around the small one-room building they came back together at the door, each holding a jar with a candle still lit. They bundled back up, put their hats and gloves back on…as Jack turned to open the door Ennis reached out and took his arm.

Jack turned to look at him, Ennis said, “Thank you Jack, thank you for this, all of it.”

Jack could see Ennis’ inability to say anymore was due to the lump in his throat.

Jack grinned at him, “You’re welcome, Cowboy, but no need to thank me.” And he brushed the back of a gloved hand across Ennis’ cheek. “Let’s go home.”

On the short ride back to the house, over the moonlit snow, neither man felt they could have sat any closer to each other if they’d tried. What a night this had been, their wedding night.

TBC

All God's Children

Pairing: Jack/Ennis

Rating:   R for language & content

Disclaimer:  I do not own these charaters, I am not making any money from this.
Warnings:  Sexual abuse of a child, though not graphic, IS discussed here.  If you would like more info please let me know.

Only HEA,  so no death for either of our guys.

Summary: Jack and Ennis are raising Bobby and the girls visit as often as possible. They begin to realize that families come in all sizes and colors and when you least expect it.

Author’s Note:  Those of you who know me know that my desire is for Jack and Ennis to raise a family together. I’m trying to accomplish that with this story, I hope you like it.

Feedback:  Sure!  Just be nice about it.

Special Things:  Thank you to my Angel bcatjr/Bethie for your idea of my story title.

Thank you to all my HFIA friends who completely understand my insanity and always encourage me to embrace it... while wallowing in it with me.

A huge THANK YOU to JK for her beta and support.  I could NOT have done it without you, OKAY?  LOVE YOU !

Friends:  Chapters 2A & 2B are background chapters.  Meaning they do not pick up where Chapter 1 left off but rather they are full of information about what happened before the murder.  I needed to fill you in on how Junior comes to live with Ennis & Jack AND I included a Christmas present for ya'll.

Alma married Monroe shortly after the divorce. Though she was extremely fond of Monroe she wasn’t in love with him. When she married Ennis, she was sure she loved him. But she was young then and had fairytale notions of living happily ever after. She was older and wiser now and doubted she would ever fall in love again. She needed some stability for her girls and for herself. She needed to know that the bills were going to get paid and there would be food in the pantry.

Alma knew that when Ennis said he and Jack were going to move to Colorado, that meant they were going to ‘be together.’ Like a couple. Like she and Ennis use to be. Or maybe like she thought they use to be. Over the years, those years after seeing what she saw between Ennis and Jack in the alley, Alma forced herself to face a bitter truth. The passion she saw between them, in that alley, in those few seconds, was more passion than she had gotten from Ennis the entire time they were married.

Just who was that dark haired man named Jack Twist? What was it about him that made her Ennis flush so deeply from the inside, out and caused him to appear to lack the necessary power to stand on his own two legs?

But life had gone on and Alma was re-married, had a new baby on the way and a home to care for. Before he left she and Ennis talked about him visiting the girls as often as possible. Alma knew beyond a doubt that Ennis loved his daughters, but she wasn’t at all convinced to allow the girls to come to Colorado to visit him and said she would have to think about it.

Their move to Colorado had been fairly smooth. They had heard about the place from a guy Jack had connections with through the machinery business. It had 20 acres with barns and several small out-buildings. It was enough to start out with and had the ability for expansion in the future….and they had gotten it for a song since it was the brink of wintertime and ranches weren’t exactly selling like hotcakes.

Ennis didn’t have many worldly possessions. Next to his two daughters the two things Ennis treasured most were his horses. So they rented a trailer, Ennis gave notice to his boss and gathered what little else he had to take with him.

Jack and Lureen’s divorce went through swiftly, thanks to LD’s connections at the courthouse. Jack said Lureen wasn’t surprised by his request for a divorce, in fact she seemed relieved. Jack also got a large sum of money as a settlement with the understanding there would be no spousal support. Jack called it ‘LD’s thank you for finally leaving my daughter’ money. But, Ennis knew that Jack had worked his ass off during those years he was married to Lureen. Though Ennis never said it to Jack, he was of the mind that LD was jealous of Jack. Of his looks, his charm and the attention he got from Lureen in the early years. Ennis was positive that LD was jealous of the attention Jack got from clients as well. Jack was a mighty fine salesman, people were drawn to him, unable to resist his brilliant blue eyes, flashing smile and warm, friendly charm. He was like a magnet, bringing in new clients every year. Clients who continued to do business with them because Jack had a way of making each one feel like they were the most important and that generated a lot more revenue for Newsome Farm Machinery.

Though LD loved the money Jack brought in for him he loathed it when clients requested to work with Jack whenever he tried to work on a deal. That, Ennis believed, was the reason LD constantly belittled Jack and treated him with less respect than the dirt on the bottom of his shoe. Jack had certainly taken more shit off of LD Newsome than any human being should ever have to take from another human being. He had earned every penny he got through that divorce settlement. Probably deserved more, truth be known.

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It was just before Thanksgiving, 1976, and just after they had moved into the cabin in Colorado when Ennis got the call from Alma.

“Come and get her! I can’t take it anymore! She’s impossible!”

Then Junior was on the phone sobbing, “Please daddy, please come and get me!.”

Ennis was trying to tell Junior to calm down but couldn’t get a word in. Jesus, women! He was certain he would never understand them.

Jack was in the room too, trying to figure out what was going on as he watched Ennis’ face and heard just one side of the conversation. Then Ennis held out the phone and Jack could hear mother and daughter yelling at each other.

Junior was back on the phone, “I’m packing my stuff right now daddy!”

“Now Junior….” Ennis said before Alma was back on the phone saying, “I mean it, Ennis. Come get her. You deal with her for awhile!”

“Alma, please try to calm down…and… and hang on just a minute, okay?”

Ennis covered the receiver with her hand and looked at Jack, “She wants me to come get her!”

Jack just looked at him and said “So go get her Ennis.”

Alma was yelling into the phone, “She’s upstairs packing her bags right now Ennis. We’ll expect to see you late tomorrow.” click…..

Ennis just sat there with the phone to his ear. Jack watched him get a look in his eye. A look he had seen many times over the past several years.

Cautiously Jack said, “Ennis?”

Ennis hung up the phone, looked at Jack.

“What? I mean how? What will she think? Of us being here…. together? How do I explain it to her? What will I say? I can‘t do this.”

Jack could see the old demons of doubt and fear raising their ugly heads in Ennis’ mind. It showed everywhere. On his face and in his posture.

SHIT! They hadn’t even had time to get use to being together and Ennis was beginning to run scared again.

“Well, on your way back here with her, why don’t you just tell Junior about us?” Jack said.

“I can’t tell my daughter about us Jack !”

“Oh, really? Why not Ennis?” Jack felt his voice shaking as he tried to keep it even.

“Are you ashamed of us? Of me? Of what we have together?” He could feel his voice getting louder as he went on, unable to stop himself, “I thought things were going to be different Ennis.”

That last comment got Ennis’ attention.

He looked at Jack, sighed, “Yeah, I do want things to be different. But, telling my daughter, Jack? I guess I thought I would have some time to think about what I would say to my daughters about us. This is all happening so fast. Maybe she won’t even want to come here if I tell her.”

Exasperated Jack got up, stood in front of Ennis with his hands on his hips. “IF you tell her?“

Ennis said nothing, just looked at the floor.

Jack rolled his eyes, looked away and shook his head in disbelief.

“No.“

Ennis looked up, “What?“

“I said, no, Ennis. No, no, no. It’s not gonna be this way. Out in public I can respect that you don’t want me pawing all over you, and believe me, that’s difficult to do, BUT, I am not going to sneak around in our own home and pretend we don’t feel about each other the way we do.”

Ennis stood now too, thinking.

He looked at Jack. “I know Jack, I’m sorry. Like I said, this is all just happening so fast. I mean, we just got here and now this. I’ll tell her when I pick her up. I just don‘t want her to hate me.” He added sadly.

Jack softened, he put his hands on Ennis’ face. “Don’t assume the worse. Junior adores you, give her a chance, okay?”

“Yeah, okay.” Ennis replied with a knot in his stomach.

Jack leaned in and kissed Ennis on the lips. “I’ve waited too long for this. For you, for us. If we’re gonna do this, if this is going to work, it’s going to start right here.”

“Sure you won’t mind having Junior here, with us?” Ennis asked.

“Course not Ennis. She’s your daughter. We can put a wall up in that huge attic area above the living room, make her a real nice bedroom.”

Ennis laughed, “Hell, we could make enough bedrooms in that area to put seven kids.”

Jack laughed, “Hey now, watch it or you’ll jinx us into having all our kids under this roof.”

Ennis laughed again, “But that wouldn’t be all bad, would it?”

“No, it wouldn’t.” Jack said, smiling lovingly at Ennis.

They kissed again, this time pressing into each other, mouths opening, tongues dancing.

Finally pulling apart to breathe. Foreheads together, Jack whispered, “I really can’t believe we’re here, getting ready to celebrate the holiday’s in our own place, together.”

“Yeah, me neither.” Ennis agreed.

“So, we’ll be having another body in the house soon. What do you say we go to bed and have really loud sex? I promise to make you moan and scream my name so loud they’ll hear you all the way to Montana.”

“Now that’s an offer I would never turn down. Race ya!”

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Ennis kissed Jack goodbye when it was still dark outside. Figured he get an early start for Riverton. Also figured he would stop in a few hours, call to see if Alma had changed her mind. Didn’t see any reason to drive all the way there just to be told everything was fine and Junior wouldn’t be going back with him.

Ennis stopped to get gas and more coffee and went to the payphone outside the gas station. When Alma picked up she sounded totally exhausted.

“Hello.”

“Um, Alma, it’s Ennis.”

“Ennis, you are coming, right?”

“Yeah, I’m coming. In fact I’m on my way. Left early this morning but thought I’d call to see if you were sure you still wanted to do this.”

“Yes, I still want to do this. I don’t understand her Ennis. She’s been impossible lately. She thinks Monroe and I are too strict on her because we won’t let boys call her on the phone.”

Surprised Ennis asked, “Boys are calling her on the phone?”

“Yes, there are 2 boys who have been calling here and we have told them Junior can not accept phone calls from boys, she’s too young. She was furious! Started telling us that other girls are allowed to have boys call them. Everything is so dramatic with her Ennis!“

“Well, Junior doesn’t need to think I’m going to allow boys to call her either.” Ennis stated.

“That’s fine, maybe she will begin to see that it’s not just me and Monroe being mean to her. She seems to think we‘re just out to make her life miserable.” She sighed, “I’m tired Ennis, and the doctors say I need to relieve myself of some stress so the baby doesn’t come too early.”

“Well, I don‘t know about that, but I’m on my way.”

“Thanks for doing this Ennis, maybe you can get through to her.”

They hung up and Ennis went to his truck. Climbing behind the wheel he couldn’t help but wonder why, after the birth of their first child, parents weren’t handed an instruction manual when they left the hospital.  

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Junior sat in the truck with a scowl on her face as Ennis put the last of her stuff into the back. He turned to see Alma standing there, on the porch, with tears in her eyes. He walked over to her and quietly said, “I’ll take good care of her, don’t you worry. You just take care of that baby you’re carrying. I’ll be in touch and you call whenever you want.”

As she wiped at her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater Alma said, “Thank you Ennis.”

He nodded, turned and walked back to the truck moving up close to the window where Junior was sitting. Through gritted teeth he quietly said to his daughter, “You go over there and give your mama a hug or as soon as we are 5 miles out of town I will make you ride the rest of the way to Colorado in the back of this truck catching bugs in your teeth, you hear me?”

Junior’s mouth gaped. She nodded, got out of the truck and went to her mother. They hugged briefly and Junior was back in the truck. Ennis tried to smile at Alma as he they pulled away.

Junior stared straight ahead for a long time, saying nothing to her father. She finally fell asleep. Ennis felt the tension ease as Junior slept. He then began stewing about how to open up the subject of him and Jack.

When Junior woke up her mood seemed to be much better. She asked if she could turn on the radio. Finding a station she liked she sang to the songs and tapped her feet. Ennis suggested they get a quick bite to eat but take it with them and keep driving. After they had eaten and all the trash was cleaned up Ennis cleared his throat.

“Uh, Junior, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“Ok, daddy, what is it?”

“Well, I don’t know how much your mama told you but, uh, well, see, fact is that I don’t live alone in Colorado.”

“Oh, I know daddy, you live with your friend, Jack Twist.”

“Oh, uh, yeah, that’s right. I didn’t know you knew that.”

“Yeah, mama told us. She also told us that you and Jack are more than friends. She said you and him are together, like a couple, like a man and woman couple.”

“She told you that?!”

“She sure did. Why daddy? Is something wrong? You don’t look too good.”

“Uh, I think I need to pull the truck over, maybe get some air.”

Ennis pulled to the side of the road, got out and threw up his lunch near the back tire. Damn it Alma, thanks for that. He got back in the truck.

“You alright daddy?”

“Don’t worry honey, I’ll be fine.”

“Uh, so daddy, is it true, what mama told me and Jenny? That you and Jack Twist are…um, like…you know, together?”

Ennis sucked in all the air his lungs could handle and blew it back out again before he said, “Yeah Junior, it’s true.” He then braced himself for what he knew would come. The disbelief, the anger, maybe some name calling, tear, but there was only silence from the other side of the truck. He couldn’t bring himself to look at her. Finally Junior spoke.

“I’m not going to pretend I understand it. How two men or two women can have feelings like that for each other, because I just don’t. At church Pastor Jeff says it’s wrong for two men or two women to love each other and be together, like a man and a woman. Doesn’t mean I think it’s wrong though. I love Pastor Jeff but he‘s just a man too, couldn‘t he be mistaken? Couldn‘t he just be wrong about it?” Junior looked at her father, waiting for some sort of response.

Ennis cleared his throat. “Uh, well, I suppose so.”

She appeared to be pondering her next question before asking, “Are you happy daddy? With Jack?”

Completely caught off guard by his emotions, Ennis felt himself begin to well up and in a shaky voice he said, “Yes, Junior, I’m happy with Jack. Very happy.”

Junior thought for a few more seconds. “Well then, I guess that’s all that matters, hu daddy? As long as you’re happy.”

Ennis wiped at his eyes then reached over and held Junior’s hand.

“Thanks darlin.”

“It’s okay daddy. I know you’ll be just as understanding when I fall in love and am happy with someone someday.” Junior said smiling.

Ennis just looked at her and back out the front window. Why did he suddenly feel that he was going to live to regret this conversation?

So, I am re-writing the very end of Chapter 1 and asking for your understanding & grace.
Since it is so early in the story I don’t think you’ll find it too confusing.

Chapter 2 will follow immediately and be in 2 parts and will be a flashback and a Christmas present for ya'll.

All God's Children - Chapter 1

Pairing: Jack/Ennis

Rating: R for language & content

Disclaimer: I do not own these charaters, I am not making any money from this.

Warnings: Sexual abuse of a child, though not graphic, IS discussed here. If you would like more info please let me know.

Only HEA, so no death for either of our guys.

Summary: Jack and Ennis are raising Bobby and the girls visit as often as possible. They begin to realize that families come in all sizes and colors and when you least expect it.

Author’s Note: Those of you who know me know that my desire is for Jack and Ennis to raise a family together. I’m trying to accomplish that with this story, I hope you like it.

Feedback: Sure! Just be nice about it.

Special Things: Thank you to my Angel bcatjr/Bethie for your idea of my story title.

Thank you to all my HFIA friends who completely understand my insanity and always encourage me to embrace it... while wallowing in it with me.

A huge THANK YOU to JK for her beta and support. I could NOT have done it without you, OKAY? LOVE YOU !

Read Prologue

All God’s Children           CHAPTER 1