Chapter 22
Jordan
The plates were almost empty, save for a few crumbs of toast. Shadow lay by their feet on the floor, a silent guardian in their shared space. The air was calm.
Jordan took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. As he got dressed, he reflected on last night. He looked at Alex with determination and tenderness.
"I've been thinking," Jordan began, his voice soft but firm. "About what happened last night... your PTSD episode. It was scary, but it made me realize something important."
Alex's eyes dimmed, a shadow passing over them. He put his fork down.
Jordan reached across the table, placing his hand over Alex's. "It made me feel stronger, more resilient. Not because I want to fix or change you but because I want to be there for you. I want to be part of your support system. It was a new feeling, something I didn’t know I had in me."
Alex's gaze met Jordan's.
Jordan continued speaking in a gentle, persistent voice. "I don't expect us to have all the answers. I don't expect you always to be strong. I want you to know that you're not alone. I want to support you while you work through this on your terms."
A silence fell between them.
"Jordan, I..." Alex started, his voice thick with emotion. "I can't tell you how much that means to me. Last night, I felt like a riptide had caught me, making it impossible to reach the shore. You being here after it happened feels like a lighthouse. The words you spoke to me last night will stay with me. "
Jordan gave Alex's hand a reassuring squeeze. "I don't know exactly what you're going through, but I'll always be here to lip-read and stand by you. You aren’t alone, Alex."
Alex relaxed. "Jordan, I have always respected and valued strength. Since the ambush, my physical strength is all I can control. That’s why I work hard on my fitness. Since I have met you, it feels like you share your reservoir of strength with me and allow me to tap into it when I need it. I’m not taking it from you. You allow me access. Your strength, added to my own, allows me to knock down the barriers that have kept me from becoming stronger. It makes me feel more capable of facing the challenges ahead.”
They shared a moment of revelation and silence. They smiled at each other, and Jordan got up from the table.
Jordan gathered up the breakfast dishes. His movements were smooth and practiced. The dishes clinked softly as he did so. The morning sun shone warmly in the kitchen, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
"I'll take care of the dishes and clean up," Jordan offered. "Why don't you go ahead and take a shower?"
Alex nodded. He stood up from the table. As he walked past Jordan, their eyes connected in a silent moment. Leaning down, Alex captured Jordan's lips in a soft, emotion-filled kiss. Jordan responded kindly, his hands cradling Alex's face, deepening their kiss. As they parted, a smile played on Alex's lips.
"Would you like me to take you and Shadow to the pet store?" Jordan asked, his eyes bright. “Brenda and Lisa bought items you wanted to return. We can return those items and get a better cone. The one with a bumper guard."
Alex's face lit up with excitement. "Yes, that sounds great," he said. With a final affectionate glance, Alex headed to the bathroom for his shower.
As Alex showered, Jordan busied himself with clean-up. When Alex returned, he found Jordan wiping down the counter. He approached Jordan from behind and gently hugged him.
Jordan paused, turning around to look at Alex, a question in his eyes. Emotion overwhelmed Alex's face .
"Jordan, I... Last night and this morning, they meant so much to me. I can't stop thinking about it. About you."
Jordan could see the sincerity in Alex's eyes.
"This morning was incredible," Alex continued, his gaze locked with Jordan's. "Waking up next to you, having you get me off twice. I’m usually a shotgun, one and done.” Jordan laughed, and Alex continued, “Sharing breakfast, talking... It feels like a dream. A dream I never thought I could have. I stopped dreaming of this kind of moment years ago. You make me feel things that make me feel like the old me. Stuff that I never thought I would want again, I want now."
Jordan's heart swelled at the words, deeply touched by them. He stood on his tiptoes and touched Alex's cheeks, drawing him closer. "Alex, being with you, sharing these moments—it's more than I could have hoped for," he said.
Their eyes held each other's gaze, a world of emotion passing between them. They leaned in slowly, almost reverently. Their lips met in a gentle kiss filled with passion.
The kiss deepened. Their bodies drew closer as if trying to express through touch what words could only hint at.
As they separated, breathless and with shining eyes, Alex whispered, "Thank you, Jordan. For being here, for understanding, for everything."
Jordan smiled. "I'm here for you, Alex. No matter what tomorrow brings, I’m here for you."
Alex and Jordan gathered the extra dog supplies. The supplies had accumulated from Brenda and Lisa's shopping spree. They found more pet gear in each room. Several dog beds were in the living room—leashes and collars of various sizes hung by the back door. Shadow was not interested in a small pile of plush toys.
As they collected the items, Jordan glanced over at Alex.
"Do you have the receipt for these?" he asked, his voice echoing in the now clutter-free space.
Alex paused. "I hope so. Let me check," he said, heading toward the kitchen. He rummaged through a drawer, the sound of shuffled papers filling the room. After a moment, his face lit up. "Got it! "
With the items and receipt in hand, they made their way outside. Shadow followed them, sensing an adventure was imminent. He wagged his tail with enthusiasm. His injured paw was improving. As he walked, he was cautious and more confident.
When they reached the truck, Alex scooped Shadow up, cradling him in his arms. He placed him in the back seat. Shadow settled, eyes shining with excitement.
Alex and Jordan got into the front seats. Jordan started the truck, and the engine hummed to life.
As they drove, the opening chords of Lou Reed's "Perfect Day" began playing on the radio. Jordan reached out and turned up the volume, a smile spreading across his face. As they pulled into the pet store's parking lot, the song's last notes lingered in the air. Jordan turned off the engine and they smiled at each other.
"Returning things to stores is something I don’t like. Brenda and Lisa gave me a lot to return. The employees are going to be angry with us,” Alex laughed.
The pet store's automatic doors slid open with a soft whoosh. They entered a world full of pet-centric delights. Shadow laid in a shopping cart pushed by Jordan. Jordan looked around, and Shadow sniffed the different scents. Alex pushed another cart filled with excess pet supplies behind.
They moved through the aisles of the store. The store was lively with the sounds of content animals and their owners. Vibrant displays of toys, food, and accessories lined the walls. Each section had a colorful array of options for every kind of pet.
Chris, the store manager, greeted them when they reached customer service. Jordan and Chris recognized each other, their faces lighting up.
"Jordan, it's been a while!" Chris exclaimed, extending a hand.
"Yeah, it has.” Jordan introduced Alex, gesturing toward him.
"Nice to meet you," Alex said, smiling.
Chris's attention then turned to the cart. He chuckled as his eyes scanned the items. "Brenda and Lisa went shopping for you. They had fun that day. No worries, we can sort this out."
"Thanks, Chris,” Alex said, sounding relieved. “I'm sure we'll be spending a fair bit here. "
"Of course! Are you looking for anything in particular today?” Chris asked. Alex told him they would like a better cone of shame with a bumper. Chris laughed and pointed them in the right direction.
They followed Chris's directions and ended up in an aisle dedicated to recovery and health aids. Among the various pet care items, there was a perfect cone. The cone had a bumper guard to make it more comfortable and less intrusive for Shadow and Alex's walls.
Jordan's eyes landed on a collection of plush toys as they continued to browse. He picked up a few, each squeaking as he squeezed them. Shadow, watching from his cart, wagged his tail in approval.
Meanwhile, Alex wandered toward the leash section. His eyes brightened when he found a leash emblazoned with the army logo.
"This is perfect," Alex said, a smile crossing his face as he added the leash to their cart.
With Shadow watching from his cart and their other cart now filled with new finds, they were on their way to the checkout.
Alex stopped near some GPS collars, his gaze fixed on the sleek devices.
"Look at these, Jordan," he said, "Considering Shadow's adventurous streak, one of these might not be a bad idea." After careful consideration, Jordan chose a reputable brand known for dependability and precision. To complement the device, Alex picked out a dark leather brown collar.
"Great find," Jordan said, smiling at Alex's decision. "This will give us a little extra peace of mind when Shadow's out and about."
The friendly cashier smiled as she rang up their items. She showed extra empathy because of Shadow’s injuries and offered him treats.
They engaged in light conversation during the drive home. Shadow sat in the backseat, cozy among his new treasures.
Soon, they arrived at Alex's house. Shadow, awake and energized from the outing, wagged his tail excitedly. Alex carried Shadow up the few steps to the porch, then lowered him gently to the ground. Once inside, the three of them went about their day in contented, domestic bliss.
Eventually, it was time for Jordan to head home. Alex reached out, pulling Jordan into a tender embrace. Their kiss was soft, yet full of emotion .
"Thank you for today," Alex whispered as they parted.
"Anytime," Jordan replied.
“Call me when you get home so I know you made it safe,” Alex requested.
Jordan rolled his eyes. “Yes, Auntie Alex.”
With one last smile, Jordan stepped out into the night.
The week was a whirlwind of moments and memories, bringing Jordan closer to Alex each day. Jordan looked forward to working together at the clinic every morning.
On Monday, when Alex took over the daycare, Jordan watched him from the doorway. Surrounded by a sea of fifty dogs, Alex was in his element, his face lit up with the biggest smile Jordan had ever seen.
On Tuesday, Jordan was in the breakroom with Lisa and Brenda. He drew attention to himself when Lisa mentioned having two new intakes for tomorrow—a Siamese cat named Bossy and a hound dog named Toot. He spilled his coffee on the counter. They asked what happened. He changed the subject. Then, he offered to do the intakes for her. He texted Alex, telling him to stop playing with the schedule.
In the mornings, they ran together. Jordan began to want to wear his hearing aids while they ran. They jogged through quiet beaches and trails, talking about everything and nothing. Their conversation flowed as quickly and as easily as their strides. Jordan really enjoyed listening to Alex.Alex's passion for history and his army stories were enjoyable to hear. He never shared about the ambush or the time after on their runs, but Jordan knew Alex would share if and when he felt comfortable.
Dinner had become another ritual. Spending time together was priceless. It could be a simple meal at home or a quiet dinner at a local restaurant—either way, Jordan savored the moments, the laughter and stories shared across the table.
Each night ended with more time exploring each other in the bedroom. Alex let Jordan have free reign of his body, and they had some amazing fun. Alex was so open to trying things outside what he usually preferred .
Jordan sat in the clinic, reflecting on the week. He watched Alex interact with a timid kitten, a new patient.
In these moments, Jordan realized how much Alex meant to him. They shared glances and laughter, quiet support, and bustling days at the clinic. The kissing had gotten better between them as well. Their kissing sessions had become the highlight of Jordan’s day in exam room three. As the week drew to a close, Jordan felt gratitude for how their lives had intertwined.
The next week, Jordan started to observed a transformation in Alex. Each day brought a new layer of confidence and a brighter happiness to Alex’s demeanor. The weekly sessions with Dr. Martin were making an impact. Jordan noticed that Alex frequently required solitude after these sessions. Jordan respected this silently, giving him his space.
Later that week, Dr. Emily, Rebecca, Alex, and Jordan all gathered with anticipation in exam room seven, with Shadow lying calmly on the examination table. Emily was examining Shadow’s wounds to see if they were healed enough that he could get his staples removed.
Shadow had been making remarkable progress. The once deep and jagged wound on his shoulder, where the glass had cut him, was now a clean line of healing skin. Emily had been meticulous in her care, and it showed. The area was healing nicely, without a hint of infection. Shadow’s paw, which had worried them the most, had also mended well. The swelling had gone down, and the redness had faded. His fur was slowly beginning to grow back in the areas where he had been shaved, a soft fuzz replacing the patches of bare skin.
As Alex held Shadow's head gently, murmuring soothing words, Shadow remained calm and trusting. His deep brown eyes, filled with loyalty and trust, gazed up at Alex, who felt a lump form in his throat. Alex was nervous and anxious, his mind racing with memories of the day Shadow had been injured. He didn't want his friend to feel any pain, even if it was just from removing staples.
Emily approached with a gentle touch and a reassuring smile. “You’ve done an amazing job with him, Alex,” she said softly. “He’s healing beautifully. We can remove the staples today.” Rebecca stood beside her, ready with the necessary tools, her presence steady and comforting.
Jordan placed a supportive hand on Alex’s shoulder, grounding him. The warmth and reassurance in that touch helped steady Alex’s nerves. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes of their bond and their journey together.
Emily began to remove the staples, her movements careful and precise. Shadow didn’t flinch; he trusted the hands that had cared for him so diligently. Alex whispered to Shadow, his voice filled with love and encouragement, “Good boy, Shadow. You’re so brave.”
Rebecca handed Emily the tools she needed with practiced ease, and their teamwork was seamless. Each staple came out without a hitch, a testament to the meticulous care Shadow had received.
As the last staple was removed, Alex felt a wave of relief wash over him. Shadow nuzzled his hand, sensing the change in his friend’s emotions. Alex couldn’t help but smile, tears of relief and gratitude welling up in his eyes. “You did it, buddy. You’re so strong,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Jordan squeezed Alex’s shoulder, his own eyes misty. “He’s a fighter, just like you,” he said, his voice filled with pride and love.
Emily, Jordan, and Rebecca stepped back, allowing Alex and Shadow a moment together. The room was filled with a profound sense of accomplishment and love.
As Alex stood there, still holding the brave German Shepherd, it was clear that Shadow was not just any dog. He had become a part of Alex. His healing journey mirrored Alex’s own, a path of resilience, love, and unwavering support. This moment was a highlight, a beacon of hope and progress for both of them, and it filled Jordan's heart with a deep sense of gratitude and connection as everyone was silent, watching this beautiful moment unfold.