Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

the issue."
    "What?"
    "Babe, you're sick. You never nap unless you're sick."
    "I'm fine, just tired." Ryan tried to brush off Jesse's hold but he wouldn't let go. They glared at each other for a moment then Ryan relaxed, slumping against Jesse. "Fine, I'll go."
    "Tomorrow morning. No excuses. Last time you got sick I had to pester you for days. Not again, you understand?"
    Ryan hated spending the money to go in to see a doctor, but he would since Jesse was making such a big deal of his naps and exhaustion. "I said I would. I get off early tomorrow. I'll go into the clinic after work."
    "A real doctor."
    "The clinic has real doctors." He pushed the issue even though he knew deep down he should go see Jesse's doctor, but at fifty bucks for the co-pay it hurt.
    "My doctor. I'll–"
    "Don't you dare say you'll pay."
    "Fine, just go to the damn doctor tomorrow. Okay?"
    "I'll go. Let's just get some sleep. I'm tired."
    Jesse rolled his eyes and let go of him. Ryan stripped off his clothes and brushed his teeth; barely able to keep his eyelids open as he went about his business. He fell into bed, not even realizing when Jesse slipped in beside him. The day had been too much. He didn't like being sick. Maybe the doctors would find the problem and give him some antibiotics to get over this infection.
    Jesse woke to an empty bed. He hadn't heard Ryan get up, but something had made a noise, but what? He waited a minute, listening for sounds of Ryan in the bathroom or the kitchen. Nothing. "Great, where is he?"
    He climbed out of bed, groaning as he shuffled around the end of the bed towards the bathroom. He'd made it almost to the door when his foot connected with something solid. He reached out, steadying himself so he didn't fall. He toed the object and horror washed over him. Jesse raced over and flipped the light switch, revealing his worst fears. Ryan was face down on the floor, his body twisted at an odd angle, like he'd just dropped while walking.
    "Babe. Ryan, wake up." Jesse knelt by Ryan, praying like crazy that his lover would be okay. He checked for a pulse, relieved to find the flutter at his neck. "Ryan, what the fuck is wrong with you?"
    Jesse grabbed Ryan's phone off the nightstand and dialed nine-one-one, giving his address and asking them to send an ambulance. After unlocking and opening the front door, Jesse went back to Ryan, holding his hand and begging him to wake up.
    Someone called at the front door and he yelled out, telling them to come back to the bedroom. He looked down, realizing he was naked and pulled on a pair of Ryan's shorts that were close by. The paramedics slid into place and Jesse backed up, watching them work. Tears stung his eyes as they pushed in a needle, setting up an intravenous flow.
    "Sir, can you tell me anything? Do you know what happened?" One of the paramedics asked.
    Jesse stared at him for a moment shaking his head. "He was tired. We went to bed. That's all I know."
    He watched helplessly as they loaded Ryan onto the metal stretcher and rolled him out to the ambulance. He followed after, ready to climb into the back when the paramedic stopped him. "Buddy, do you think you can drive?"
    "What?" Jesse asked.
    "You'll probably want your car at the hospital. Are you okay to drive?"
    Jesse closed his eyes, assessing his situation. The paramedic was right. He would want his car. He'd follow behind the ambulance. "Yeah, I'll follow."
    "Drive slow. I promise we will take good care of him."
    Jesse's heart thudded as the ambulance doors slapped closed. Walking away from the back of the ambulance, returning to the house to grab his keys and license was the most difficult thing he'd ever done. The lights strobed from the top of the ambulance and the sirens blared as the huge truck pulled away from the front of his house. Tears dampened his cheeks and his chest squeezed like someone was crushing him. He couldn't breath. Every intake of breath hurt, every thrum of his heart stung. He pulled on clothes, grabbed a pair of sweats for Ryan and froze, staring into the drawer at two blue boxes, jewelry boxes. He picked one up, spying a yellow slip of notepaper below them with Ryan's handwriting on it.
    I'll love you till the day I die. You're the most important person in my life. Every day with you is better than the last. I'll do anything for you. I love you. Please marry me.
    Tears stung his eyes as he sobbed and grabbed the other box, opening both. Rings. Two rings. Oh God, oh God. Ryan.
    The