Chapter 30
Jordan
Once they arrived at the clinic, Jordan and Alex took Shadow into an examination room. The first order of business was a thorough examination, including a complete set of X-rays and bloodwork to assess potential internal injuries. The staff gathered around, their faces etched with concern. Jordan positioned Shadow for the scans.
The tension in the room was palpable as they waited for the results. When the X-rays came back clear, showing no broken bones, relief swept through the clinic.
Despite the ordeal, Shadow’s scratches were all superficial. None were severe enough to need stitches. The skilled and gentle staff cleaned his wounds. Shadow was exhausted. His tail wagged weakly in gratitude.
Alex was a constant presence by Shadow’s side, assisting in every step of the care process. Holding Shadow’s paw during the cleaning, he whispered words of comfort. He helped Jordan administer medication to the injured paw.
Dehydration was a concern. Jordan set up an IV drip to ensure Shadow received the fluids needed for his recovery. The dog lay there, his breathing steady. A peacefulness settled over him as the fluids replenished his strength.
Throughout the process, several staff members and volunteers that had been part of the search returned to the clinic. One volunteer returned Sean’s truck to the second base camp. Another retrieved Alex’s vehicle from the first. The clinic became a hub of coordinated effort.
The atmosphere in the clinic was one of quiet efficiency and camaraderie. Shadow rested. He was the center of their world, and his well-being was their goal.
As the day progressed, Shadow’s condition stabilized. His eyes occasionally opened to look at Alex or Jordan. A soft whine of gratitude escaped him. Alex and Jordan found solace together in the moments between treatments and check-ins. The extra staff and volunteers departed one by one.
Alex and Jordan were still riding the wave of emotions from the day’s rollercoaster. They approached Linda, Sean, and Lisa to express their heartfelt thanks.
“Before you all go, we wanted to say something,” Jordan began, his voice thick with emotion.
“We could never have gotten Shadow back without your help,” Alex said. “You were there for us every step of the way.”
Linda stepped forward, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Alex enveloped her in a tight hug.
Meanwhile, Jordan reached out to Lisa, pulling her into a heartfelt embrace.
“You were incredible today, Lisa,” he said, his voice muffled against her shoulder. “Thank you.”
Alex and Jordan exchanged heartfelt hugs to their supporters. Watching the exchanges with a half-smile, Sean pretended to feel left out. “What about me?”
Without missing a beat, Alex and Jordan stepped forward. They wrapped Sean in a joint hug. They filled the moment with laughter and gentle teasing.
“You were amazing out there, Sean,” Jordan said as they stepped back. “We can’t thank you all enough. Especially for arranging to get us back here so quickly.”
They walked Linda to her car, telling her to call them once she got home safely. Lisa and Sean laughed when they heard this, getting into Sean’s truck and leaving behind Linda.
Alex and Jordan stood side by side, watching them go. The clinic parking lot was quiet, but the echoes of the day’s events lingered in the air. Jordan said, “Let’s get our boy and go home. We can watch him there.”
Jordan was the first to stir the following day, his eyes blinking open to the morning light. Glancing at the clock, he decided he would skip their usual morning run. Instead, he turned his attention to Alex, still sound asleep beside him.
Leaning over, Jordan gently brushed his lips against Alex’s forehead. Then he moved down to his cheek, delivering sweet kisses to rouse him. Alex, half-asleep, mumbled a playful protest. Jordan could make out the words “Go away... sleep is more important than kisses.”
Unfazed, Jordan nudged him playfully. “Shadow needs to go to the bathroom,” he said, a hint of mischief in his voice.
That got Alex’s attention. He sprang out of bed with surprising agility, rubbing his eyes.
“Dirty trick, using my dog against my need for sleep,” he grumbled, though a smile formed on his lips.
“So, I guess with the ‘my dog’ comment, we’re keeping Shadow, huh? We’re not just fostering him anymore?” Jordan asked, curious.
Alex’s voice was light, teasing, as he finally stood up, stretching his naked limbs. Jordan chuckled, watching him with fondness. “Yeah, I think Shadow decided that for us, and we’re just now catching on.”
Their laughter filled the room, a sound as comforting as the morning light. Jordan got out of bed and placed his hearing aids in. He joined Alex in coaxing Shadow, who was still curled up and looked quite content in his cozy spot.
“Come on, big guy, time for a bathroom break,” Alex coaxed, nudging Shadow. The dog looked up with sleepy eyes, debating whether the call of nature was worth leaving his comfortable spot.
After a moment of hesitation, Shadow slowly uncurled himself and lazily stretched.
“How much happy juice did you give him last night? He has a hangover.” Alex laughed. The sight was endearing, bringing more smiles and soft chuckles from Alex and Jordan .
After Shadow was done, Jordan leaned against the kitchen counter and sipped his freshly-brewed coffee. Alex began making his tea.
“You were on fire last night,” Alex said. “Re-bandaging and padding Shadow’s paw so that it was more protected. You even changed my bandages and cleaned all the dirt from the ATVs out of my stitches. I guess I’m one of your patients now, too.”
“I need to run your DNA to see what breed you are.”
Alex laughed. “I would guess part Doberman, Labrador, and German Shepherd.”
“I’m thinking a Great Dane and a Collie because all you want to do is cuddle, and you are so damn stubborn!” Jordan joked.
Alex, still naked, walked to Jordan and leaned in for a kiss. “No one has ever accused me of being someone who cuddles. But with you, it’s all I want to do.” He kissed Jordan again. “Thank you for bandaging my wounds, Dr. Williams. Do I get a treat now?” Alex had a devilish look in his eyes, and he raised his eyebrows.
Over an hour later, Alex’s face had that post-orgasm look as he lay on the couch. Jordan had given him a very slow and intense blowjob that made his toes curl.
“Wow!” Alex said.
“Yeah, that was hot,” Jordan agreed. “I love making you squirm and watching your face when you come. You taste like kettle corn, sweet and salty.”
Alex laughed out loud. “Want to get off, too, handsome?” He sat up and kissed Jordan.
“Sure, you returning the favor?” asked Jordan.
Alex sat up on the edge of the couch. He fixed his gaze on Jordan’s naked body, their faces only inches away from each other. The silence in the room was heavy. Alex took a deep breath.
“Jordan,” he began. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you suggested... about bottoming.” He paused. “You know, I’ve always been on the other side of it –- I have always been the one on the giving end. But for myself, I’ve never... I guess I’ve never allowed myself to be in that position. Never wanted to be that vulnerable with someone.”
Alex shifted slightly. The movement brought a wince of discomfort from his recent injuries. “But here’s the thing,” he continued. “I trust you, Jordan, more than anyone I have ever been with. And I’m not just saying that. Our connection, what we have, it’s given me a strength I didn’t know I had. I’m ready to try this. I was hoping you could help me bottom for you. I want to experience that connection I never thought I wanted, but I want from you.”
Jordan listened, his expression softening.
“I’ve always been in control, the one in charge. But with you, I feel... safe. I know this is unfamiliar territory for me, but if there’s anyone I want to guide me through this experience, it’s you.” Alex’s eyes held a sincerity that resonated deeply with Jordan.
Jordan leaned in closer, his own emotions mirrored in his eyes. “Alex, I can’t express how much this means hearing you say this. Making love is something I want to do, but it’s not a necessity if you don’t want to do it. I’ll only consider it if you genuinely want it. Please don’t do it because you believe it affects my feelings for you or our relationship. If you want to do this for you, we’ll take it slow, focus on what you need to enjoy, and adjust things as we go. Your trust in me means everything if you want to do that with me, but only for the right reasons.”
Sitting across from him, Jordan could sense the shift in Alex’s demeanor. The usual barriers Alex put up seemed to melt away in the room’s warmth.
“Jordan, I’ve always faced challenges head-on, but this... this is different. It’s personal and about letting go and allowing someone else to lead. I want it to be you.” He reached out, his hand finding Jordan’s.
As Alex laid back on the couch, he opened up to Jordan. He placed two pillows under his left leg where the bandages were. Jordan started with a gentle massage. He focused on the muscles surrounding Alex’s injured hip and his glutes.
“We shouldn’t make love right now. I don’t want to go to the emergency room. There is no way I want to explain to Dr. Eye Candy that I ripped out your stitches while having sex with you for the first time. How about we start with my fingers to help you get used to the sensation?” Jordan asked.
Alex nodded. Jordan lifted and spread Alex’s good leg and moved Alex’s arm up to support it at his knee, exposing Alex fully. Jordan was in awe of Alex, his heavily muscled body on display. Alex was quiet, quivering, and staring into Jordan’s eyes. Jordan lowered himself to the floor, his hot breath on Alex’s balls as his tongue reached out and licked them. Jordan’s tongue lowered to his hole. Alex rewarded Jordan with the softest moan he had ever heard come from his lips. He spread Alex’s cheeks with his hands and extended his tongue into his hole.
Jordan carefully maneuvered his tongue into Alex. Deeper moans of pleasure rewarded him. Each time, he pushed in deeper.
“Tell me if it’s too much, okay?” Jordan checked in regularly, his eyes always meeting Alex’s for any sign of discomfort. The stretches of his hole progressed as he inserted his first finger.
Alex’s body spasmed, and he tightened up. He said, “Wow, your fingers are so soft.”
“Relax for me, trust me,” Jordan said. “Lay back and open up for me.”
Jordan progressed with his exploration of Alex. He alternated between his tongue and one or more fingers. Exploring at different depths and using widening stretches, he helped Alex fully relax. Rewards of tenderness followed the more that Alex let go.
Tense spasms wracked his muscled body, but slowly released under Jordan’s touch. Jordan anticipated Alex’s needs. He adjusted his techniques to Alex’s reactions.
“You’re doing great, babe,” Jordan assured him. Alex, usually in control, found solace in surrendering to Jordan’s care.
Alex held his legs in the air, giving Jordan full access. Jordan admired Alex’s body. As they continued, he watched tension, contractions, and relaxation levels change. Alex’s desire and excitement grew. The sensation of Jordan being inside of him made his dick erect again. Jordan jerked himself off with his left hand and used his right hand to make Alex moan in delight. Alex began jerking himself off. As Alex got closer and closer, Jordan went deeper and deeper.
Guttural moans filled the cabin as both sprayed their come all over each other, the sofa, and the floor. It was passionate, intense, and primal. Alex laid listlessly on the couch. Jordan was sweaty and breathing heavily, standing over Alex with his fingers still inside of him. Jordan wiped the sweat from his eyes and bent down as Alex leaned forward and kissed him. Jordan gently pulled his finger out of Alex. Alex moaned a sigh of relief .
Alex looked up at Jordan, his eyes conveying a deep appreciation. “Thank you,” he whispered, reaching up to grasp Jordan’s shoulder and pulling him into him. “I didn’t know what to expect, but this... you made me feel cared for in ways I can’t even describe.”
Jordan smiled a warm smile. “Helping you to explore this side of you is just another way of saying I love you,” he replied softly.
The room settled into a comfortable silence. Jordan’s naked body fell fully on top of Alex, and they kissed passionately.
Later, Jordan showered and got dressed while Alex relaxed on the couch. He brought in a small tub of warm, soapy water and gave Alex a sponge bath so they would not have to re-dress his bandages. The sponge bath got so sensual that Jordan couldn’t help climbing on top of Alex after he was all cleaned up. He pinned Alex’s arms against the couch and fucked his mouth to climax.
Jordan, panting, said, “We’ve got to take a break—I’m getting dehydrated.” He wiped the sweat off of his brow from the intense cardio session with Alex.
Alex grinned from ear to ear. “I never would have guessed that Brookings’s quiet ‘woofdoc’ would be such a powerhouse in the sack. I have never been this submissive in my life. It bugs me and excites me at the same time.” He laughed and hugged Jordan tight.
After freshening up again, Jordan sat at the kitchen table and worked on his week’s schedule.
“I feel terrible about Mr. Miller,” Jordan said softly. “Shadow is such a great dog—he must have taken good care of him. It’s heartbreaking to think Shadow must have wandered for days before finding you.”
Alex, busy preparing breakfast, paused and nodded in agreement. The sizzle of eggs in the pan filled the brief silence.
“I’ve been thinking about Mr. Miller, too,” Alex admitted. “We need to call Stephanie and tell her about her father. It’s the right thing to do.”
Jordan looked uncertain. “Don’t you think the police already did that?” he asked, his brows furrowing slightly.
Alex shook his head, flipping an egg expertly. “Not sure, but I think we could ask Sean if he knows anything. If they haven’t reached out, we should. ”
After breakfast, while Alex tidied up, Jordan went to examine Shadow. He gently prodded and inspected the dog’s injured paw. Shadow, for his part, remained calm, seemingly trusting in Jordan’s care.
“The paw is looking better today,” Jordan announced, a note of relief in his voice. He stroked Shadow’s head affectionately, receiving a contented tail wag.
Alex wiped his hands on a kitchen towel, then joined them in the living room. He crouched down next to Shadow, examining the paw himself. “That’s good news,” he said, a small smile on his lips. “He’s a tough one.”
“Just like his dads,” Jordan replied, smiling. “Are you ever going to get dressed today?”
Two hours later, Lisa called Jordan and Alex to come to exam room one. The room was usually for medical procedures and animal care. But it took on a different role as Sean entered with a green wooden box. It was about as big as a thick notebook. His expression was solemn.
Alex and Jordan joined Sean in the room. Lisa quietly took a seat in the corner. A respectful silence enveloped the space.
Sean cleared his throat. “The preliminary reports say it was a heart attack,” he began, his eyes meeting Jordan’s. “His body was severely decayed. But the medical examiner is confident in his initial findings.”
Alex’s brows furrowed as he processed the information. Jordan, standing beside him, placed a supportive hand on his shoulder.
“The state police went through Mr. Miller’s cabin,” Sean continued. “Likely for safety reasons, they will tear it down because it’s in terrible shape. It’s unclear how long he lived there, but it seems he came across it abandoned and stayed there, fixing it up as best he could.”
He paused, then added, “Mr. Miller was a veteran. He was a Marine.”
Sean opened the lid of the green box, revealing a collection of papers, photographs, and letters. They were fragments of a life once lived .
“There’s family stuff here,” Sean said, gently rifling through the papers. “But there’s also this.” He pulled out a small box and carefully opened it, revealing a Military Silver Star. “He was in the Gulf War. He was a hero.”
Alex took a sharp breath. He fixed his eyes on the Silver Star. The room seemed to grow even quieter. Jordan grabbed Alex’s hand and held it.
“Besides the heart medications, there were also meds for PTSD,” Sean added, his voice soft. “It looks like he might have struggled to get the help he needed, choosing isolation instead. Based on what you told me about his daughter, he most likely pushed her away to protect her. It’s what a lot of vets with trauma do, in my experience. They don’t want to hurt others, so they push everyone away.”
“We couldn’t find a phone in his name and have no way to call his daughter,” Sean said, looking at Alex and Jordan. “I told the state police you had her number, and I’d call her. But if you’d like to...”
Jordan interjected gently. “Can we call her? We’ve spoken to her several times since Shadow got injured. We want to let her know.”
Sean nodded. “Yes, that would be good. She should hear it from someone who’s been part of this.” He handed the box to Alex. “I’ll leave this all here with you. We can figure out how to send it to her or see if she wants to come out and claim the body.”
As Sean and Lisa left the room, Alex remained seated, the Silver Star still in his hand. His gaze was distant. Jordan stayed close, offering silent support. In the clinic's quiet exam room, Alex and Jordan dialed Stephanie Miller’s number.
The phone rang, each tone echoing in the still room. When Stephanie answered, her voice was tentative. “Hello?”
“Hi Stephanie, it’s Jordan and Alex from Pawsitive Vibes,” Jordan said, his tone gentle.
“Oh, hi! How are you? And how’s Shadow? Is he okay?” Her questions tumbled out.
Alex and Jordan exchanged a glance, then Alex replied, “Shadow’s doing okay. He’s here with us at the clinic, resting. He’s been through a lot, but he’s strong. ”
There was a pause. “That’s good to hear. Do you think he can still work as a service dog? Have you found someone that he can work with who needs him?”
Her questions hung in the air, but Alex and Jordan knew they had more pressing news to share. Alex took a deep breath, ready to deliver the tough news.
“Stephanie, we have something important to tell you,” Alex began. His voice was steady yet filled with empathy. “We found your father’s cabin in the woods.”
Stephanie’s response was a sharp intake of breath. “My father? What about him?”
Alex continued, his words careful and compassionate. “We’re very sorry to say this, but your father passed away. We don’t know all the details yet, but the police think it was because of natural causes.”
The line was quiet, except for Stephanie’s breathing softly.
Jordan reached out and placed a hand on Alex’s arm in support.
“We’re so sorry, Stephanie,” Jordan added. “We wanted to make sure you knew, and are here for you in any way you need.”
When Stephanie spoke again, sorrow laced her voice. “Thank you for telling me. I... I don’t know what to say.”
Alex’s response was gentle. “It’s okay not to know what to say. Just know that we’re here for you. And Shadow is safe with us. He was incredible in helping us find your father.”
In the softly lit office, Alex and Jordan sat close together. Alex asked, “Stephanie, would you like to come out here to sort out your father’s burial and collect his items?”
There was a noticeable pause on the line. Stephanie’s voice, when it returned, carried a hint of awkward hesitation. “I... I can’t right now. I’m currently looking for a job. I don’t have the funds for a trip like that.”
Alex’s response was immediate. “No worries, Stephanie. If you want to come out, I’ll buy you a plane ticket and arrange a place to stay while you’re here. We want to make this as easy for you as possible.”
Jordan’s admiration for Alex was evident in his gaze. He watched as Alex navigated the conversation with empathy and generosity .
Stephanie’s voice trembled. “That’s incredibly kind of you, Alex. I... I’d appreciate that, but I can’t accept that. I couldn’t pay you back anytime soon. Thank you for the offer, though.”
“Okay, think of it this way—we have a buyer for Shadow. Let’s use that money to get you a plane ticket. We’ll make it part of the sale, so you can be here to sign over the ownership papers,” Alex replied. “We’ll take care of everything and make all the arrangements.”
Stephanie was speechless, “Okay… I guess that would work.”
Jordan chimed in, his voice supportive. “And a man, Captain Sean Montgomery, will call you later today to discuss some official details. He was the first responder on the scene who found your father and allowed us to call you since we knew you already. He’s been helping us a lot with Shadow and your father.”
Stephanie’s response was soft. “I’ll be waiting for his call. I don’t know what to say. Thank you, both of you, for everything.” She began to cry, the somberness of the moment was hard on all of them.
“Are you going to be okay? Is anyone there with you?” Alex asked.
Stephanie replied, “Yes, I’m with a friend right now, she is here listening. I’ll talk to you both later.”
The silence of the line disconnecting was disconcerting.
They put the phone down and sat together, processing the conversation. Alex broke the silence. “Well, that was harder than fuck!”
Jordan smiled at the statement. “We make a good team, so when things are difficult, we just use four shoulders instead of two.”
“You’re right, we make a great team,” Alex agreed. “And I like that—using four shoulders instead of two. Makes the burdens a lot lighter to carry.”
Jordan reached out, his hand finding Alex’s, their fingers intertwining naturally. “You know, in all this craziness, I’m just happy we have each other,” he said, his gaze locked with Alex’s.
“And I’m grateful for everyday with you, and now with Shadow, too,” Alex responded. He gently squeezed Jordan’s hand. “No matter what comes our way, we’ve got this. Together.”