CARTER

After the scare about Dennis' accident, my stress is finally dwindling. We could go home on the same night as he didn't show any symptoms of any serious injuries. Even though he was slightly drugged, he told me about what went on in the last weeks and then back and forth with the investigator. I didn't suspect a thing because we still have separate bank accounts besides our joint one, so I saw no payments for her services. I encouraged him to call Shawn to tell him about the accident. He sounded worried and asked how soon he could visit.

Something as significant was difficult to be kept among us and the Tates found out not only about Dennis' brother but also about Shawn's visit today. Pretending they were coming to take care of Dennis, they arrived with bags of groceries. Dr. Tate has been in the kitchen since then, making eggs for the entire neighborhood while Cecilia has been smothering her son with attention. Even though Dennis has been rolling his eyes at her exaggerated care, I know he secretly loves it.

"It's short of a miracle that the investigator found your brother in a city as busy as Greenwood," Cecilia says as she rubs arnica cream on Dennis' face bruises.

"Thanks to all the information you and Dad kept about her. She had the right contacts and could access records I couldn't even find when I tried myself."

"It wasn't lack of an invitation to stay in your life," Dr. Tate says and points with the spatula in his hand. "We were open with her that she was welcome to visit."

"I can only imagine that it was tough to give me away and knowing she couldn't have me back," Dennis says. "I respect she gave us the space to become a family."

"And do you and your brother look alike?" Dion asks.

"Same face, but his hair is brown."

"I'm thrilled for you, my darling," Cecilia kisses his cheek, making him wince, and heads to help her husband in the kitchen.

The doorbell rings at the same time Dennis asks Dion for help to go to the toilet. I don't know what I should say to his brother. When I open the door, it's not Shawn standing outside, but Thomas, Abigail and Didier.

"Hey, guys! What a pleasant surprise!"

"We wanted to see how he's doing," Abigail says. "If it wasn't because he messaged me, I would have been scared to death by the news."

"He's doing well among the circumstances," I say as I let them in. "He seems to be managing the pain well and is annoyed because he can't do everything himself. His family is here and, according to the amount of cooking going on, you'll have to stay for breakfast."

"Well, I don't mind staying for breakfast," Thomas says, and hands me a box from Marisol's store. "Here's something for you both."

"The Morgans are here! Well, a part of them anyway. Are you are all joining us for breakfast?" Dr. Tate says when we walk into the living room. "I don't know how to cook for just a few. I'm used to how much these ate," he ruffles Daniel's hair.

"Oy, careful with the hair!" he swats his father's hand while he laughs.

"Looking forward to whatever smells so delicious," Thomas says, earning an approving nod.

"Did he have a seizure while driving?" Abigail asks.

"Luckily no. A kid without a driver's license went through a red. He was fine and crapping his pants when he was told his father was on the way."

"If only my seizures would stop happening when I'm ironing shirts," Dennis chuckles as he joins us. "I have had three victims already."

"Since I can remember, I've been telling you to get those wrinkle-free shirts, but when have you ever listened to me?" Daniel says.

Dennis flips his brother, and it makes me laugh.

"Is the car badly damaged?" Didier asks Dennis.

"The driver's door and the front left fender are damaged. It still runs, but I will be without a car for a bit while it gets fixed. Not that I can drive at all with my arm like this. The situation still pisses me. I've never been involved in an accident because I drive carefully. I even get discounts on my insurance."

"How long do you have to wear the sling?" Thomas asks.

"At least four weeks. Oh shit! The wedding is in three weeks. I won't be able to wear a tuxedo with this. Putting a t-shirt on is torture enough."

"I bet it's painful, but there's always a solution and we know who can help," Thomas says confidently.

"Our mother is a seamstress, but has experience in tailoring," Abigail says. "I'll call her when I get home and ask her when we can come by when Carter is at work. We don't want the groom to see the other groom in his clothes before the wedding."

"Sounds like a plan," Dennis says, and Dr. Tate shouts that food is ready.

We all head to the kitchen to grab plates and find frying pans loaded with scrambled eggs and a tower of toasted bread.

"The one on the left only has vegetable and the one on the right has meat," Dr. Tate says. "There's bacon and sausages on that covered plate and some fruit for Daniel. We don't want to be guilty of your extra session at the gym."

"Is that even possible?" Dion says. "He practically lives there. They should frame your photo and place it at the reception."

Daniel and Dion bicker about the gym and Dion's beer belly and I hear a faint noise that sounds like the doorbell.

"I think Shawn's at the door," I say to Dennis, who gives me an excited smile.

When I open the door, I find my third brother-in-law outside. He looks so much like Dennis, even has the same body build. Before I was nervous about what I would say to him. Now I'm overwhelmed with joy at the extension of the man I love.

"Hello! I hope I'm at the right house. I'm looking for Dennis Tate."

"Hello, Shawn. This is where Dennis and I live. Come inside. There's many people who want to meet you."

"Are you Carter?" He asks and I nod. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he offers me a hand that I shake. "Dennis spoke so much about you. I brought some cookies. The chef in Moonlight House made them for me. Dennis doesn't seem like the kind of guy who enjoys flowers."

"You got that right. He rather has sweet stuff than flowers."

He looks shy and I can imagine how overwhelming it is to walk into a full family home. Especially when they have cheeks full of eggs and pieces of toast hanging from their mouths.

"Here he is!" Cecilia walks to him and grabs him in a hug.

"Mom!" Daniel shouts. "What have we told you before? You need to ask strangers if it's okay to hug them before you do."

"But he isn't a stranger. He's family," she says, caressing Shawn's red cheek.

The family introduces themselves and Dennis and he heads to our home office to catch up in private. There will be time for all of us to get to know him better, but at this moment, this is what Dennis needs. After their long chat, they join the rest of the family, who eagerly start asking him questions. The Morgans excuse themselves as they have to head to an event and I escort them to the door.

"Abigail, can I talk to you for a second?" I say as I wave to Thomas and Didier.

"Sure. How can I help you?"

"I screwed up badly. Dennis and I had an argument before the accident because I saw him and Shawn downtown at a café. I knew nothing about this meeting or his brother and thought the worst. He forgave me, but I still feel that I have to make it up to him. Can you help me?"

"Of course I can. Send me a message about your availability and I will come to your office to make a plan. You are his everything, Carter. Dennis will never cheat on you."

"I know. I was incredibly stupid and I'm grateful that he still wants to be with me."

Abigail kisses my cheek and walks to the car. I give them one last wave as they drive away.

The Tates follow and Dion tells Dennis that he will give him a lift to go to school. There won't be students to teach, but enough administration to work on. Plus, Dennis needs to get started on his teaching plan for the next school year.

Only Shawn is left, and Dennis serves him a coffee with his free hand.

"I feel I've been talking only about myself since I got here," Shawn smiles. "How did you guys meet?"

"We have known each other since college. We have a friend in common who introduced us, but it wasn't until last year when I realized my feelings for your brother were more than just a friendship. Were you surprised when the investigator found you?"

"Even more when she appeared at the club and told me about it. Finding the whereabouts of my brother while serving shots is quite a peculiar way. I knew about Dennis, because my mom told me about him, but I never thought he would want to meet me."

"What things she told you about him?"

"She was 16 years old when she got pregnant from a boy in school who was a year younger than her. My grandparents went to the boy's house to inform him and his parents, and he denied everything. They never pressured her to give Dennis away. She realized she couldn't give him the life he deserved. She got many profiles from different families and picked the Tates. Immediately knew he would be raised in a good family. They told her she could visit any time she wanted. That they wouldn't keep her identity a secret. But she said it wouldn't be fair to anyone to meddle. She always said that giving him away was the hardest thing she did in her life. She loved him and said how much we looked alike as babies. If she could only see how much we look alike as adults."

Dennis watches him with so much love that a knot forms in my throat. She loved him, even though she barely had time to get to know him. I make a silent promise to honor her memory and will continue to give my everything to Dennis. He deserves it.