COMPASSION
Chapter 15
Katelyn couldn't believe what an easy life she was having. The two grandmothers spent so much time at the ranch that she was free most days to go riding. The two fathers, when their work was completed each day, spent an hour or so with Michael if he was awake, even changing dirty diapers and feeding him.
"I don't know why you employed me Jack, I never get the chance to look after the baby."
They laughed about it, but they both knew that the novelty would soon wear off and everyone would return to adulthood, ha, ha. Of course it happened. Grandparents became once a week visitors by the time Michael was six months old, but Jack and Darren were with the baby for quality time every day. Jack bought a big SUV for Katelyn to use equipped with the safest child seat that money could buy. Darren insisted that Michael be brought into the clinic for all his checkups even though most of it could have been done at home.
Ebony had died and been replaced with another black horse from the stud and it was decided that this one would be the sire of one for Michael, but they would leave it for a year so that Michael would start riding his own horse at two when it was a yearling. Jack would make no concession to the boy's age as far as the horse was concerned he decided, but he would have a special saddle made to accommodate the little lad. He would be on a lead rein as well.
Michael grew like a weed as babies tend to, surrounded by two loving father's and four doting grandparents. Katelyn realised she would have to put her foot down sometimes or the boy would grow up totally out of control. He would never be able to do anything wrong as far is his grandparents were concerned and she doubted Jack or Darren would do much disciplining. On that subject she was wrong, Jack would not put up with tantrums.
Michael was one year old when Darren found another suitable surrogate and she became pregnant with Darren's sperm. Another son appeared in due course and Michael had a brother, Paul Jack Michaels.
"Now lover, I guess we have about four years to work out how we are going to tell these brothers why they have different family names."
Jack laughed and Darren looked thoughtful.
"Jack, we could solve that problem. Why don't we change our name to Michaels- Hancock and do the same for the boys?"
Jack looked stunned for a minute.
"Or Hancock-Michaels?"
Darren blushed with pleasure.
"No, we couldn't do that. This is the Hancock Double M Ranch, we can't change that. I'm sure my parents will understand, and so will the boys as they grow up. But Jack, thank you, I love you so much and you never stop showing your love for me."
That comment got Darren some serious loving. It didn't matter how old these two men got, the lovemaking never ceased to be amazing for both of them.
"I always feel like that little boy you first made love to Jack. You never cease to thrill me."
"Mmmm, and you never cease to thrill me either. I know I am never going to stop being surprised at how thrilling it is to plant my seed in you. If you could become pregnant we would probably have twenty kids by now."
Both men laughed and went to see their offspring.
During dinner Jack told Darren his thinking on the name change.
"I don't think we should do anything Lover. You have a great family name, I think the boys should grow up respecting the difference but knowing that in everything but name they are brothers. Whatever happens the ranch will go to them jointly."
Darren didn't argue, he never argued, not because he was a wimp but because he still loved Jack with every ounce of his being. His man could do no wrong.
Peace, tranquillity, oodles of love and affection reigned at the Double M. Katelyn was able to watch all this from a semi detached position. She noticed how the two fathers lavished the same amount of love and affection on each of the boys. Hancock or Michaels, it didn't make any difference to either man. The same applied to the grandparents. She knew that John and Sheila were related by blood to Michael and Paul and Elise to Paul Jr. but neither pair of grandparents lavished less love on one boy than they did the other. It amazed her really, so much love in one family could have been so cloying, but it never was. She just knew that these boys would grow up well balanced, but almost certainly a little spoilt, she would try to keep a balance by reining in the fathers occasionally if she needed to. Thinking about it more Katelyn laughed when she realised she would have to do the same to a bunch of cowboys.
Brad and Tom had married and produced offspring way ahead of Jack and Darren who were both Godfather's to the children. In some ways Jack was sad he and Darren had waited so long, there could have been a third generation of all three families growing up together. Never mind, his Godsons would be able to help his boys grow strong and active. That was how things transpired. The huge cookouts the three families had brought Brad and Tom's boys in close contact with Michael and Paul as they grew, and their sisters had an early opportunity to mother these two cute boys, amazingly so much like their father's. It was quite obvious Michael would be big and robust with the same dark colouring as his biological father and Paul was going to be small and fair. The important thing though was that both of them were healthy. Darren monitored both of them with the natural love and concern of a father and Katelyn grew to love them so much that she knew she would not move on until Jack sacked her. Jack realised the situation as well. At Michael's tenth birthday party he was presented with his own tooled saddle to fit his now eleven year old stallion and Jack sat Katelyn down for a talk.
"Katelyn, we've never talked long term for you. I think it's time we did. Where do you see this job going?"
"I hope I'll be able to remain here until both boys have their driver's permits Jack. After that I don't see you needing me for anything."
"Mmm, initially that was what I thought as well. I don't think I could do that to you though because if I read you correctly, you love those boys almost as much as Darren and I do."
Katelyn blushed before looking at Jack again.
"Of course I do. Why else would I rein you and Darren in when you are spoiling them? I want my boys to grow up like their fathers."
That shook Jack for a minute, and then he laughed.
"Yes, you have rapped our knuckles occasionally over the years haven't you? I have a proposal for you then. The boys don't need a nanny any more, but I would like them to have a governess. If I give you a new contract at a higher salary, with pension credits etc. would you remain on my staff until the boys finish school and then remain in some capacity akin to a housekeeper for Darren and I?"
Katelyn couldn't believe her luck. She had never garnered ambitions to be anything more than a mother for the boys despite having a good degree.
"Oh yes Jack. I'll hit the books again to make sure I can tutor the boys when they require it and I'll be delighted to remain here after that."
Jack was uncomfortable at the thought of his next question.
"Kate, I know this is way beyond my need to know, but, you`ve never had a boyfriend and I wondered about you having your own family."
"No problem Jack. I'm not interested in boyfriends and I never wanted to go through all the palaver of having my own children, looking after others always looked much more comfortable, and the boys are absolute darlings, I never want anything more than them."
Jack breathed a sigh of relief, this lady was so good for and to the boys, he realised he had been so incredibly lucky the day he employed her. **************************************************************************** Growing boys eventually means trouble.