It’s fourteen years to the day since Zack Pierce and Sam Patterson declared their love for each other.<br><br>The two men’s lives have settled into cozy domesticity. Zack is now the town’s doctor and Sam works as a police officer. However, news that their best friends Billy and Pete’s surrogate baby is due to be born sooner than expected causes the men to put their anniversary celebrations on hold.<br><br>Events during the next twelve hours will strengthen the bonds of family, love and loyalty.

Twelve Hours II

If you can keep your head when all about you


Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,


Sam took a peek over at Mr. Hathaway, who looked almost asleep.


If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,


But make allowance for their doubting too;


If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,


Sam smirked; he sure couldn’t live up to that. 


“You don’t think anything is wrong, do you?” Hathaway said, getting to his feet and beginning to pace.


“I’m sure everything’s fine. All the others came out okay, didn’t they?”


“Yes, but Mary’s older. We didn’t expect this one. The doctor, your um, friend,” Hathaway said with barely a note of distaste, “said Mary was at an increased risk because of her age, and she’s had trouble with water retention and…”


Sam didn’t want to know, but tried to sound soothing. “Zack’s back there, so if Mary should need any extra help, she’ll get it immediately.”


“Yeah, he’s a good doctor, I’ll give him that.”


Chapter 6