Broken Hearts Can Mend

Published by: eXtasy Books

ISBN :978-1-4874-4264-4

Page :125

Word Count :35369

Publication Date :2024-12-06

Series : #

Heat Level :

Available Formats : Broken Hearts Can Mend (epub) , Broken Hearts Can Mend (mobi) , Broken Hearts Can Mend (pdf) , Broken Hearts Can Mend (prc)

Category : Contemporary Romance , LGBTQIA+ Romance , Romance , What's New

Product Code: 978-1-4874-4264-4

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Aaron’s husband, Colonel Willson Randon, was killed saving the lives of others. Aaron found that he had too much to deal with, and it was overwhelming for him. Thankfully, Will’s best friend, Colonel Eric Weldon, stepped in, keeping his promise to his friend to take care of his family.

Eric was able to get Aaron through this incredibly difficult time. As time passed, love grew between Eric and Aaron, and so did Eric’s love for Will and Aaron’s son. The nightmare was not over, as the two of them had to deal with Will’s evil parents.

But will love win out?

Aaron Randon stood looking out of the giant glass window at the local airport. He watched the plane carrying his handsome husband, Colonel Willson Randon, as it landed. Aaron followed it as it taxied up to the gate. Behind him, Aaron heard Will’s parents nearly shouting at one of the officers who was waiting with Aaron.

He turned, nodded to his own parents, and then said to the Randons, “You will be silent, or you will leave. Choose now.”

Mrs. Randon scowled at him like he was some filthy animal.

“Woman, wipe that look off your face, or you're gone. Now…be…silent.” His anger could be felt throughout the room.

Aaron felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. It was General Franklin Harvey. “Mr. Randon, sir, it’s time for me to take you down.” Aaron turned and looked at the families standing there. Glaring at his in-laws, he said, “Everyone stays put.” Will’s mother tried to protest, but he was having none of that. “Then get out!” he shouted and pointed to the exit. She went silent.

The general guided Aaron down the loading ramp to a metal staircase that led to the tarmac.

Aaron was met by Will’s best friend, Colonel Eric Dalton. “Aaron…I’m so fucking sorry,” he said, his voice shaky with emotion.

Aaron’s eyes filled heavily with tears. “I know, me, too.”

Eric offered him his arm, and Aaron let out a small sob and took it. They walked around to the back of the plane and waited. Aaron watched as a flag-draped casket was lowered to the tarmac. Seven military men in dress uniforms surrounded the casket and then wheeled it closer to Aaron and Eric.

The men stepped back, and Eric said very tenderly, “Go to him.”

Aaron walked stoically up to the casket, but he couldn’t hold his composure. He spread his arms and laid them on top of it. He laid his head on his husband’s casket and sobbed. “You promised to come home to me safe and sound. For the first time in our lives together, you lied to me.” He started pounding on the casket. Sobbing and screaming, “You fucking liar. You gad-damned fucking liar. How can I do all of this without you, Will? How will our boys grow up without you?” Aaron held the draped flag tightly in his fits and pulled it to his face. He sobbed harder.

He cried until Eric pulled him into his arms. “Shhhh. He loved you so much. You were his one and only love. Remember that, Aaron. He died saving dozens of men. He’s a hero.”

Aaron stepped back, tears streaming down his face, and looked shocked. “What did you say?”

“Dozens of young men up there in that plane are here because Will died saving them?”

“Eric, no one ever told me that. Why not?”

“My dear friend, I’ve no idea.” Eric wiped tears from Aaron’s cheeks. “They’re all up there watching.”

Aaron stepped back, saluted, and then waved. He could see that every window had a soldier in it, and they saluted and waved back.

Looking as though he was holding his own sorrow back, Eric said, “That’ll mean the world to every one of them.”

Aaron put both hands on the casket and kissed it. “Welcome home, my hero.” He stepped back and said, “Let’s go.”

Aaron and Eric followed the casket as it was carried by soldiers to the waiting hearse. Aaron took the seat made for someone to ride next to the body, and Eric sat just in front of him.

When they reached the funeral home, the funeral director said to the staff, “Take Colonel Ranson and prepare him, then take him to the Chapel.” They started to roll the casket away.

Aaron told them, “No, he does not leave my sight unless I say so. Please move him into the chapel area. I want you to open his casket. I have some things I need to give him.”

Eric immediately pulled Aaron to him. “You”—Eric stifled a sob—“understand he took a direct hit from an enemy mortar?”

“I do.” Aaron looked sternly at Eric.

Aaron stood by as Eric requested that the casket be opened. Two servicemen folded the flag back and opened the lid. Aaron looked in and sobbed. “What in the hell did they do to my beautiful husband?” He tried hard to wipe away the tears, but they flowed faster than he could swipe them away. He leaned down and laid his head on his husband’s chest. “No, this isn’t real. I want to wake up from this nightmare.”

After a while, Aaron stood up and opened the large envelope that he’d been handed at the airport. He took out his husband’s wedding band and slipped it on Will’s finger. He then took off his own and slid it on the same finger. As he laid his head back on Will’s chest, the tears just flowed. He finally stood up. He touched the medals and badges on Will’s uniform. Aaron bent down and kissed Will’s lips.

“Rest in peace. I’ll love you forever.” He took some pictures out of his breast pocket and showed them to Will. “Pictures of our kids. I took this one of Samuel just last week at his fifth birthday party. And this one of baby Mark that same day. His third birthday is in four days.” He pulled the pocket open on Will’s uniform and put the pictures in his husband’s uniform pocket. “So you’ll remember them.” He bent down and kissed his beloved husband’s forehead.

“Close it and lock it up. It’s never to be opened again. No one can ever see him like that.”

The soldiers did as he said, then pulled the flag back up to put it back, draping the casket. One young soldier walked over and handed Aaron the key.

Aaron sat down and stared at the casket. Eric sat in the seat next to him. “Aaron, are you okay?”