Earth and Sky

Cowboy,” he said softly. “Everything will turn out for the best.” Grant hated the empty words, especially because he didn’t know if they were true, but he wanted desperately to comfort his lover.

    “I know,” Hunter answered. He pulled out of Grant’s arms and ran his hand over his face.

    Grant knew the strain on Hunter’s face wouldn’t disappear for a long time. He thanked his lucky stars that he had perfect kids, but he understood Hunter’s worries all too well. The years of sneaking around to catch a glimpse of his children to see if they were all right were still vivid in his memories, after all.

    A nurse appeared in the doorway. She had a much more accommodating smile than the doctor and invited them both to follow her. After scrubbing their hands and donning white gowns over their clothes, they were led to an incubator. Inside was a tiny infant with a cap on his head that looked too big and little tubes everywhere.

    “He was born about a month premature, so he’s a little one, but he’s doing surprisingly well. You can put your hand through this hole and touch him. He likes to be touched,” she said with a concerned smile on her face. “Don’t worry too much about all the noises and beeping sounds. We’ll look after those. If there’s anything you need, just let me know.”

    She left the two of them alone, and they both stood there, staring at the tiny tot.

    “Sit,” Grant eventually said. “Do what she suggested. Put your hand inside and just touch him gently.”

    With some apprehension, Hunter sat down and did what Grant suggested. Grant put his hand on Hunter’s shoulder and felt him slowly relax.

    “He’s so tiny.”

    Grant gave Hunter’s shoulder a squeeze. “They all are when they’re just born. He’ll grow. Before you know it, you’ll be teaching him to ride a horse.”

    “Not so sure about that,” Hunter answered softly. “The doctor said he might not even walk.”

    Grant looked around and spotted a stool, which he pulled closer so he could sit down next to Hunter. “We can deal with that, right? We’ll find a way.”

    “I just can’t believe Miranda doesn’t want to see him.” Hunter was gently stroking the baby’s fingers, and the little boy yawned, looking quite content.

    “She might feel guilty or something,” Grant suggested.

    “She’s his mother,” Hunter hissed. “He needs her.”

    “I think you should give him a name,” Grant said, in the hope it would distract Hunter.

    “Who says he doesn’t already have one?”

    Grant shrugged and pointed at a small card stuck to the incubator. It had a teddy bear picture on it and the words “Male Baby Bocanovic.” “Did Miranda mention a name?”

    Hunter shook his head.

    “Then I guess you can choose.”

    Hunter didn’t say anything for a long while; then he suddenly took a deep breath in. “Think she’ll let me name him after my dad?”

    “Don’t see why not,” Grant said with a broad smile. “I think your dad would have appreciated it too.”

    “It’s not like it’s his first grandson. Danny was first.”

    Grant nodded and gently stroked the back of Hunter’s neck. “Yes, but this is the son of his son, and although I’m sure he would have been proud of Danny, he’ll be extra-proud of Matthew because he’s a Krause.”

    “Matthew Krause. I like the way that sounds.”

    After two surgeries and a bit of recovery, they brought Matthew home on a beautiful spring day. They took a detour to Miranda’s mother’s house, and Miranda agreed to see her son, but she didn’t want to hold him, so Hunter and Grant drove back home with the bundled-up infant happily sleeping in his brand new safety seat.

    At the ranch, Hunter introduced Matthew to his grandmother, his aunts, and cousin, and then walked him outside. Grant watched Hunter walk to the back of the house and couldn’t resist following him. Under a large oak tree was a small family cemetery plot where Grant knew Hunter’s dad was buried, among a few other relatives he didn’t know. Grant smiled when he realized what Hunter was doing, and kept his distance, giving Hunter some privacy. He could hear his voice, though.

    “Hey, Dad. Look who I brought to see you. Never thought there’d be another Krause on this ranch, but here he is. This is Matthew. Do you like the name? I know you’d probably think it’s unnecessary to name him after you, but I couldn’t think of a better name for my son. I’m so proud