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From: Troubador <llywarch_hen@btinternet.com>
Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories.gay.moderated
Subject: ST: Brothers in Arms - Breaking Free Ch 10 Part 1 (M/M, Hist)
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:41:51 -0500
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===================


Outside the rail station in town, Jamie sat in the driver's seat of his 
battered truck awaiting the arrival of the noon train. He felt despondent 
over the argument he and Chris had had before he left. It had started over 
something as trivial as Jamie not eating a meal which Chris' mother had 
prepared but had quickly mushroomed to enfold all the frustrations of five 
years of living together.


Chris' mother and Harald had tried, in vain, to calm the situation but in 
spite of theirs and Jamie's best efforts Chris had stormed off, he had 
headed out to the barn, saddled his horse and galloped off into the 
distance. In any other circumstances, Jamie would have waited an hour to 
allow him to cool off and then followed but today was different, today a old 
friend was arriving and had to be met, so Jamie had watched in distress as 
Chris rode off knowing that he'd be unable to follow until early evening.


In the distance the shrill scream of a locomotive whistle announced the 
impending arrival of the train and so Jamie headed out onto the platform to 
wait. He didn't have long to wait, in the time he'd taken to walk from the 
parking lot the engine was slowing to a stop and some impetuous and 
impatient passengers were already jumping off the slowing carriages eager to 
be about their business.


Jamie waited near the entrance to allow the pushing and shoving of the bulk 
of the passengers alighting here to clear and claim their luggage, all the 
while keeping an eye on the faces to make sure his friend didn't slip 
through. As the passenger density lessened and those passengers waiting for 
transport further east got onto the train he still couldn't see his friend. 
Along the platform he caught sight of another old friend and walked toward 
him.

      "Jamie, mate! How are you?" James Rambeaux said with a broad smile.

      "All the better for seeing a friendly face, mate."

     "You meeting someone?"

     "I thought so but he and his wife must have missed a connection back 
west."

     "Maybe not. I picked up a waif and stray earlier, a big bruiser of a 
lad, broad in the shoulder and narrow at the hips. You're kind of man, I 
think! He must have lost a hand sometime ago because he was wearing a claw 
prosthetic. He was trying to claim his baggage and handle a baby at the same 
time."

      "That sounds like him although he should have had his wife with him, 
not a baby."

      "He seemed very distracted and confused. The train guards had taken 
pity on him and allowed him to ride in back with them, they were helping him 
to care for the baby on the ride out. He was having a lot of difficulties 
caring for a swaddling babe with only one hand. He did say someone was 
meeting him but not who, so Bob and I let him wait in the Porter's Lodge 
until this place calmed down and we could try and contact his friends. You 
should go on over and I'll meet you there once Bob and I have things squared 
away out here."

Jamie made his way to the ubiquitous metal door in the corner of the 
platform marked "Employees Only" and let himself in to James' familiar 
domain. Inside he found a distraught Rick Martens trying, one handed, to 
change a baby's diaper.

      "Here, let me do that for you." Jamie said rushing over.

He knelt on the floor beside Rick, he straightened the rumpled cloth, 
pulling the two wings in tight around the little lad before puling the 
triangle up between his chubby baby legs and fixing the three corners 
together with the big safety pin which Rick had been experiencing problems 
with.

      "Thanks, Jamie! They never taught changing nappies in prosthetics 
class!"

      "Where's Ellie, Rick?"

      "I should have let you know but they wanted money for the extra words 
on the telegram. If I'd paid that then I wouldn't have had enough for the 
rail ticket. She went into premature labour on board ship, just out of 
England,"

As Rick spoke, his voice became a husky monotone, devoid of emotion and 
tears glistened in the corners of his eyes.



Jamie waited but Rick just sat there, his elbows resting on his knees, his 
chin resting in his one good hand. His eyes were locked on a point far 
beyond the door, a point in time rather than distance. As Jamie watched and 
waited the tear began to roll down Rick's cheeks as he relived the past.

      "The ship's doctor managed to deliver Daniel safely."

Jamie waited as Rick struggled to regain his composure and continue to tell 
Jamie what had happened.

      "She started bleeding internally and it was a heavy bleed. The doctor 
said the speed of the delivery had torn something inside but that he didn't 
have the facilities or equipment to do anything. He tried his best with what 
he had but...."

Rick's narration of the past event paused again as he reached over and 
caressed the soft, downy wisps of hair on his son's head.

      "She died about three hours after he was born, she never regained 
consciousness, she never got to hold him or see him."

     "Christ, mate! I'm so sorry!" If we hadn't encouraged you to come..."

     "No, Jamie, don't say that. She wanted this new start as much as I did. 
Her doctors said she was strong enough to travel, there's no history of 
birth problems in either of our families and a week on a ship should have 
been restful. We talked it over and over in the weeks before we left and we 
were both eager to take you up on the offer. I never want you or Chris to 
think that your to blame for what happened. Speaking of Nixon, where is he? 
I though he'd be here."

      "Ah!" Jamie sighed. "After what you just told me this is going to 
sound so pedantic. We had a bit of a spat over breakfast this morning."

      "A domestic, huh?"

      "You could put it like that. The last time I saw him he was galloping 
off into the distance, going off have a bit of a sulk!"

Despite his despondency, Rick's face split into a grin and he started 
laughing.

      "What?" Jamie said, puzzled by the change in Rick.

      "My old mate Chris Nixon on a horse. That must be some sight!"

      "Yeah! On a horse! You have a problem with horses?"

      "I've no problem with horses, I learnt to ride when I was a kid on the 
farm in Somerset, but the idea of Chris on one is difficult for me to 
picture. Bloody hell, that must be a sight to behold!"

      "You'll be riding soon enough, you'll need to get back on a horse if 
you want to earn your keep around the farm."

      "Don't you think this might make this a little difficult?" Rick said 
holding up his arm with the claw on the end.

      "No more so for you than for my uncle. He's short an arm just below 
the elbow and most of a leg to the mid thigh and he manages to hold up his 
end of the duties when he needs to. You wont find him riding close to the 
herd or anything like that but for fencing and general duties he's right in 
there with the rest of us, whatever the weather."

Jamie paused and rocked Daniel as the babe was bored with the conversation 
already and was dozing off. As he cradled the baby his mind went back to a 
conversation he's had with a female friend a few days before.

      "Did your uncle teach Chris?"

      "No. My uncle was just recovering form a stroke when Chris arrived so 
he asked an old army buddy of his to lend a hand. Craig Stallard lost the 
same leg as Chris, where my uncle lost the opposite one so Craig and Chris 
were a match of student to master."

Jamie looked down at the precious little bundle he was holding and seeing 
that he was now fast asleep he started to hand Danny back to Rick.

      "Could you hold on to his for a while, Jamie. Please!" Rick almost 
begged.



Jamie looked at his friend again and this time he saw how physically drained 
and washed out Rick really was, the lines of tension and tiredness writ deep 
into his face told a story of total exhaustion.

     "Jamie. This is the first quiet moment I've had in hours." Rick shook 
his head. "He hasn't really settled like this since his Ellie... died, I 
think he likes you."

As Rick watched Jamie rocking his son from side to side he smiled, the look 
of exhaustion easing slightly as he watched as his young friend settled down 
to nurse Danny.

      "You know something?" Rick said. "I think it's a pity you and Chris 
can't have kids. Sitting there with him in your arms you look like you're 
his dad."

      "You think so?"

Rick nodded as Jamie looked down at Danny's slumbering form and gently 
folded the blanket close around the lad's chin to cut off any stray draughts 
that might wake him.

      "You're a natural." Rick said with a smile.

      "Well, never say never, mate!"

      "I don't understand?"

     "Chris and I have been talking something over with two local ladies. 
They want to have kids but they don't want the inconvenience of husbands! 
You know, women who like women in the same way as Chris and I are together."

      "I hope it works for you, Jamie. I really do. You both have a lot to 
offer kids."

      "The way you just said that doesn't make it sound like you're planing 
on sticking around?"

      "I can't stick around. I have to think of Danny now. He needs all my 
care at the moment."

      "I know you have to think of him, which is all the more reason for you 
to come stay at the moment. Chris' mum would love to look after Danny, we'll 
teach you the ropes and get you started."

      "That's a lot to ask of anyone." Rick sounded dejected.

      "I'm really hurt, Rick!" Do you really think we'd abandon you now when 
you need us the most."



Looking at his friend Jamie laid his free hand on his friends shoulder and 
shook his head emphatically as he rejected the notion out of hand.

      "Right then! You and Danny are coming out to the farm to stay with us 
for a while! You're in no fit state to make a decision of this magnitude 
right now. Have a bath and get some sleep and then you and Chris and I can 
sit down and talk over what happens next."

      "To be honest," Rick whispered, "A bath and sleep does sound really 
good about now. You're not playing fair!"

As Rick Replied the tears started again and Jamie, still holding Danny tight 
pulled hisfriend in close and held him as, inconsolable, he gave himself 
over to the grief he'd held at bay for so long. Jamie felt the warm tears of 
Ricks grief soak into the shoulder of his shirt but continued to hold Rick 
and whisper in his ear, telling his friend that he was home now and the 
family would care for and help him.



James Rambeaux entered his office to witness the strange tableux of Jamie 
with a baby in his arm and his free arm holding the big guy who was crying 
on Jamie's shoulder. Not under-standing what he witnessed he moved about the 
lodge gathering the luggage and placing it on a trolley outside the door 
while Jamie started the delicate task of encouraging the grief stricken Rick 
martens back to the present and out to the truck for the long drive out to 
the house.



Finally, Jamie was able to get Rick to stand and follow him out to the 
truck, James brought up the rear with the last of the luggage. With Rick 
seated in the passenger seat Jamie could see he was in no fit state to drive 
nor was he willing to take his son's slumbering form to allow Jamie to drive 
either.

      "James! What time do you get off?" Jamie asked his friend.

      "Two o'clock. Why?"

      "You fancy coming to our place for dinner?"

      "You know I'll go to the ends of the earth to get some of Martha's pot 
roast!"

      "I really need you to drive. I'm a little tied up and Rick's in no fit 
state to drive."

      "What's wrong with him anyway." James asked as he looked at Rick.

      "His wife died on the ship bring them over. Complications during the 
birth."

      "Poor bastard.

      "He should improve once he and Chris get together. They go way back!"



James returned to his office to see Bob; he returned a few minutes later 
having doffed his uniform and with Jamie seated in the second passenger seat 
he climbed into the driver's seat, started the truck and drove out of the 
parking lot.


Jamie looked over at Rick but his eyes were still glazed with shock, 
obviously lost in his memories. James drove along the highway out of town 
and Rick's attention never wavered but as James turned off the smooth tarmac 
of the highway and onto the bumpy track Rick blinked as the rough ride 
brought him back to the present.


Jamie smiled as he watched Rick's curiosity get the better of him and soon 
he was taking in the sights and sounds of the outlying parts of the 
property, he was looking at the cattle grazing nearby and his interest 
peaked when he caught sight of two of the summer hands riding close by, both 
waved at the Jamie as the truck passed.


Later, as they got closer to the house Jamie almost burst out laughing when 
Rick's eyes bugged wide in alarm as a wild bear emerged from the tree line 
and roared a warning at the passing truck.


When James finally pulled to a stop outside the house, Jamie carefully 
stepped out trying not to wake Danny and entered the house, he returned with 
Alex who assisted James and Rick with the luggage. Alex and James hefted the 
two largest cases and Rick gathered the two smaller ones and they all 
trooped in following Jamie as he headed toward the rooms which had been set 
aside for Rick and his family.

      "We have a smaller with a single bed if you'd prefer not having a 
double to remind you..."

      "Jamie! Stop pussyfooting around my feelings, please." Rick said in 
exasperation. "Ellie's been dead two weeks and I've done with mourning so 
you've no need to be so solicitous of my feelings. I'm just so tired at the 
moment it all got the better of me. I've had to care for Danny day and night 
since she died and I'm just done in. Will you look after Danny until I've 
had some sleep?"

      "Quit worrying and get your kit off, Sergeant Martens! There's a 
shower and bath in the room through there and then you make you get into 
this bed here and sleep. That's an order, sarge!"

      "That's one order I've no problems taking from a junior rank, Private 
Page!"

Jamie smiled and turned to leave but Rick stopped him with a hand on the 
shoulder.

      "Jamie!"

      "Yeah?"

      "Thanks you." Rick whispered. "This means a lot to me."

      "Everything will be all right now, mate! You get as much sleep as you 
need. Sleep yourself out and take as much time as you need to mourn Ellie. I 
don't believe you when said you'd done your mourning. It took me months to 
get over my parents death in the Blitz. Don't fret about Danny, by early 
evening he'll have three honourary uncles vying to look after him."

      "Three uncles?" Rick frowned in query.

      "Alex, Tom and Mike! They are employed here all year round and live in 
the main house rather than the accommodation block with the summer hands. 
The three of them will go silly when they meet him and then, of course, 
there's my uncle and Martha. Danny will be spoiled for choice when it comes 
to volunteers to care for him. If you want anything to eat just head on down 
to the kitchen, you wont have any problems finding it there's always 
something good simmering on the range so help yourself if there's no one 
around. Mi casa es su casa!"

      "Thank you, Jamie. I'll never forget this."

      "Don't mention it, mate. That's what friends are for." 

***The above is the sole responsibility of the poster.***

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