Love Of Family (2024 Revision) - 8. Coming Together

Her approach was heard before you saw Maureen Jackson as her six-inch-stiletto heels click-clacked along the hospital floor because the echoing sound that resonated from her steps resembled a typewriter's keys.

The twenty-eight-year-old reverend possessed a well of endless energy, and she was renowned for her heart of gold and compassion for others. Conversely, Maureen's take-no-prisoners temper and sailor's vocabulary were also known traits. She was a woman of God who packed a punch and a pistol, and you didn't want to cross or try to argue with her, especially during her time of the month.

"Hey, bros, Rusty just told me what's happened. How's Lev doing," Maureen asked as she rushed over and hugged Jaycen and Troy. Being the Irish twin of Rusty Jackson, she'd grown up with them and was their and Levie's honorary sister.

"We're still waiting to hear about his condition, Sis," Troy responded.

"Please tell me Uncle Stu's the attending physician and not one of the less qualified fuckin' quacks they employ here," she paused, raised her eyes to the heavens, and said, "I know, I promised, but you know I'm a work-in-progress. Amen."

The Stillman men and Wilmonts couldn't stop laughing because of the flaming redhead's boisterous outburst.

"Calm down, Reenie," Jaycen managed to say when the laughs slowed down enough. "Uncle Stu told Troy that he prepped our boy for surgery and that he'll be called when they're done with Lev or in case there's a need for him to be in the OR."

Maureen switched to her minister mode. She looked at those gathered, then asked everyone to join hands, and after receiving permission from Jayce and Troy, offered a prayer of thanks and protection for their loved ones and everyone who needed looking after. As soon as the prayer was finished, she introduced herself to the Wilmonts after apologizing for being rude and not doing so beforehand. Her light blue eyes sparkled as she smiled.

"So, you're the Greg that Lev hasn't stopped talking about since the two of you met. I've been dying to meet you, young man."

"I hope it's been good things, Reverend," Greg respectfully responded as he shook the woman's offered hand. He visibly relaxed when the shorter woman pulled him into a warm and loving embrace and smiled as their energy passed back and forth between their bodies.

"To hear Lev describe you, one would think you created the triple-layer hot fudge-coated chocolate cake that Millie's Bakery sells."

Everyone giggled when Brandon's stomach growled because of the deliciousness of the description. They all sat down and continued chatting while waiting for an update.

"Jayce, Troy?"

"Yeah, Tom," the couple responded.

"I'd love to hear about how you two raised Levie from birth. I don't mean to sound like an unbeliever, but it's not something I've heard about before. Especially given there's only ten years between the three of you."

Greg and Brandon perked up at their dad's question and said, "We'd love to hear about that, too."

Jaycen and Troy smiled, then lovingly stared into each other's eyes as they moved in sync to gently wipe the teardrops from one another's cheeks before sharing a soft kiss. Linda and Tom were moved by the younger couple's deeply rooted love and devotion. They held hands and leaned against one another, with their heads pressed together. Greg and Brandon smiled as they looked at the pair of married couples and held each other's hand. Before the story began, Maureen's cell lit up, and she excused herself. After ending the call, the minister hugged everyone and told them she had to leave to tend to a parishioner.

Just as Jaycen was about to speak, he was interrupted by the sound of tables being rearranged. The families looked to see an older couple getting six square tables and eight chairs lined up in one of the Er's glassed-in waiting areas. Next, they placed a heaping mound of fried chicken, a huge travel container of mashed potatoes with gravy in another container, eight ears of corn, and some fudge brownies for dessert in the center of the tables.

"Well, don'cha y'all wanna come eat, or are ya gonna sit there starin' at us," the woman said as she motioned them over. "I also made cherry limeade for anyone who wants some."

"We do, Mama/Mam-Maw," Jaycen, Troy, and Greg announced. The trio giggled and walked over to hug and kiss the new arrivals.

"I didn't expect to see you guys," Greg exclaimed. He squirmed and giggled when he was tickled on his sides after the older man hugged him. "You're gonna get it, Pap-Paw Lyle," he playfully threatened.

"Good thing I'm not ticklish," Lyle Moore said, chuckling as he gave the same greeting to Jaycen and Troy.

"Sorry for not bein' here sooner, boys, but ya know, there's no rushin' my famous fried chicken and fixin's."

"Thanks, Mama," Jaycen and Troy said as they kissed the salt-and-pepper-haired woman.

Linda, Tom, and Brandon stood to the side with amused smiles, watching the loving display.

"Which one-a-ya kept my grandson from bleedin' out?"

Brandon blushed as his parents chuckled and gently pushed him forward.

"You, young man, are forever in our debt," Lyle said as he and his wife hugged the blonde male.

"Mam-Maw, Pap-Paw, this is my foster and forever brother, Brandon."

"Brandon, we'd love to get to know you, and if you're willing to, let us be your Mam-Maw and Pap-Paw like we are to Levie and Greg," Ev'lynn said as she kissed Brandon's cheek.

Brandon's tears dripped down his cheeks as he lovingly embraced the couple. "I'd love both of those things to happen. I've heard how amazing my brother's new Mam-Maw Ev and Pap-Paw Lyle are."

While they ate and chatted, the other family members noticed Greg and Brandon whispering and Brandon being nudged by his brother.

"Out with it, you two," Jaycen said with a smirk.

"Jayce's right, youngin's. I don't know how it works in your clan, but the Stillmans don't keep secrets," Ev'lynn paused and grinned as she looked at her grown boys. "Unless you're a couple-a horny teen boys who go skinny dippin' in the YMCA's pool in the middle of the night."

Everyone boisterously laughed when Jaycen and Troy dropped their ears of corn and stared open-mouthed at the cackling older woman. "How'd you know," they asked at the same time.

Ev'lynn fixed her boys in a stare. "You boys left an unhappy little five-year-old brother, who woke up when you two got dressed to leave. He heard the plan to go skinny dipping and got into his Tigger and Roo swimming trunks, and with his fins and snorkel, he came downstairs. When your Dad and I asked where he was going, he pouted and said that Troy and Jaycen went to sinny dip in the big pool in town."

No one had a dry eye after hearing the story from laughing so much.

"That boy idolized his big brothers, and he was overexcited the day he became your official son," Lyle said.

"I don't know who was more excited, him or us," Troy said as he and Jaycen dried each other's tears.

Linda closed her eyes and sighed. "I was so wrong for suggesting this incredibly loving family had to break up," she said while drying her tears.

Ev'lynn reached over and gently grasped the emotional woman's hand.

"My dear, you've more than made up for your misjudgment and for being misled by taking in Greg when he needed love and a family the most."

"Mam-Maw's right... Mama Linda."

Everyone's head popped up, and smiles suddenly appeared. "Levie," they all shouted at the same time.

"I'm sorry for running out like I did earlier and not giving you a chance to explain anything. You, Papa Tom, and Bran saved my Greg's life, and I'm forever grateful for that."

Linda smiled and approached the younger redhead. "You've grown up to be an extraordinary young man, and I am looking forward to getting to know you as a person and hopefully as my son," she said as the pair embraced.

"I'd like that, Mama Linda.” He looked at the spread on the tables. “Please, tell me there's food left because I'm one starving red-haired boy," Levie said before giggling as he was showered with affection from his overjoyed family. "Ow!" Levie cried as he jumped and gently rubbed his jeans-clad butt cheeks. "Why'd ya use the wooden spoon, Mam-Maw," he childishly whined.

"Because, ya idiot, ya ran out of the house unarmed, and then ya got yerself shot," Ev'lynn listed, "Do I need to go on, dear Grandson?"

“No, Mam-Maw, your wooden spoon said enough," Levie pouted.

"Good, now, give Mam-Maw a kiss."

Levie giggled and did as he was told, then said, "Umm, would one of y'all take that thing away from her? She's a lethal weapon with it."

"Don't be talkin' 'bout your sweet Mam-Maw like that. I'd hate-ta hafta pull out 'ol Thelma and Louise."

Levie shook his head, laughing. "I wuv you, Mam-Maw."

Ev'lynn turned and stared at Jaycen. "I blame you fer teachin' yer boy yer cute distraction tricks."

Jaycen acted hurt and said, "I wuv you, Mama."

Brandon raised his hand, causing everyone to laugh even more. "Umm, who's Thelma and Louise?"

"One of them is Mama's Glock Nineteen, the other's her Glock Seventeen," Troy responded.

"This family's got more firepower than the US Military," Greg said, giggling as he kissed his red-haired mate. "I love you, Lev. Don't ever scare me like that again."

"I'll try not to, but can't promise nothin'," Levie giggled.

Everyone sat back down, and Brandon and Greg helped Levie with his meal because his arm was in a sling.

After they ate and cleaned up, Troy and Jaycen had their parents drive them to the lot where the Eagle was still parked so they could drive it back to the ranch since Levie's shifting arm was temporarily unable to be used. Linda and Tom took their three boys back to Greg's townhouse and agreed they'd see each other on Sunday morning at the ranch.