Spoil Them Rotten

Zach left them there and went to his office to make some plans and phone calls—it was a very busy morning. Zach made a lot of headway in the information and it was nearing time for his guests to arrive. Ben opened the door and asked if it was okay for him and Claude to come in.

"Sure, enter. You're always welcome," Zach welcomed them.

They both had a seat when Zach began his inquiry. "Claude, the bureau is requesting all Ranches to resubmit information on next of kin for all Genmen staying on their property, and your file is short on info. I know how you arrived, but what is your history?"

Claude cleared his throat. "I was raised on the same farm until I was shipped to the one you rescued me from, sir."

"And what about siblings in case something happens to both of you?" Zach asked.

"I had an older full brother when I was younger, but he left one night," Claude replied thoughtfully. "His name was Harvey, Harold, or something—I can't remember, but it started with an H. My younger half-brother was taken as soon as he was born and I never saw him again. He wasn't even named yet."

"That's okay, Claude. It happens too often—families ripped apart. Thanks," Zach said with understanding. "Why don't you go see Sonja and Ty in the Study? It's the third door on the right down the hall."

Claude thanked him and got out of the chair, leaving the office. Claude arrived but there wasn't anyone there, so he decided to look at the collection of books anyway.

Sonja, Ty, and Harry were waiting in the dining room. Ben headed to the study to get Claude, while Zach walked in.

"Everyone will be here soon and we'll start the meal," he announced, then kissed Harry. "How are you feeling? Did you enjoy yourself in the Study?"

"It was fantastic," Harry replied enthusiastically. "I couldn't believe all of the books on humans and Genmen alike."

"Just wait until I get the Library built," Zach smiled, "because you haven't seen anything yet."

Ben and Claude entered the dining room, with Ben helping him take a seat. Claude noticed that there was a nice man sitting beside Zach.

Ben leaned over and whispered, "Looks like Zach's a little sweet on the new guy. Just look at how he can't take his eyes off of him."

"Get real," Claude glared at Ben, then turned to Zach. "Thank you for the invite—a little time away from the boys is always a welcome pleasure."

Harry was staring at Claude when Zach spoke up. "You two have something in common with one another—you're both expecting twins. It's rare enough, but a first for this Ranch."

Claude toasted the young man with a glass of water. "The father must be proud, if he knows."

"He's on top of the world and is going to be the best father ever to them," Harry replied coyly.

Claude couldn't keep from sneaking peeks at Harry as they ate. Where exactly had he seen him before?

"Harry, since you're amongst family, why don't we get to know you better?" Ben suggested. "Tell us your history so we don't say something that will upset you if we hit a raw nerve."

Zach glared at Ben.

"I was born to poor parents and right before I transformed I was sent to another Ranch and stayed there until I came here. The end," Harry started briefly.

"Okay, Harry, start from the beginning this time and fill in the blanks," Ben responded. "We are all here to support you."

Harry started again, his voice growing more emotional. "I had parents—a father and a mother. We were poor and I didn't get enough to eat to grow strong. When I was about one and a half human years, my mother birthed my little brother. He was a fantastic kid—I adored him and I made him a promise that I wasn't able to keep. I promised to watch out for him, keep him safe, and make sure he was never hungry."

Harry's voice broke slightly as he continued. "When he was six months in human years, our father called me out to the porch. Once out there, two massive men grabbed me and started to drag me towards the front gate. My brother came running out of our home headed to me. Mother grabbed a hold of his clothes, but he got away after his shirt came off. He ran up and started to hit one of the men holding me—he pushed my little brother back, but he charged him again, screaming to let me go."

The room had grown silent as Harry's story unfolded. "The man shoved him again, then kicked him in his side, sending my little brother flying across the yard where his head collided with the well pump. The last time I saw him, he was laying on the ground, blood pouring from the gash on the right side of his head and the left side of his rib cage area, and not moving."

"I was sent to the other farm," Harry continued, his voice hollow. "Once I arrived, they tried to feed me up so when I transformed I would grow and be ready for breeding. It didn't work, so this time after a few seasons I was sent out to be bred by any top that would get the job done. They wanted to recoup their investment and then they would release me out of the contract. I talked the foreman into letting me come here because I found out there was a chance my brother was here. He was supposed to have been rescued and sent here before he shifted, but I haven't seen him, so I guess he really didn't make it and it was all lies to keep me on their Ranch."

Claude, with tears flowing down both cheeks, got up from his chair and walked up to Harry. He lifted his shirt to show him a scar, then pulled back his hair and showed him another scar on his head on the right side, which matched Harry's story.

"You don't have to look for me anymore," Claude said through his tears, "because I'm standing right here in front of you, big brother. And I am safe, as are you."

The waterworks started to flow. Harry was overjoyed as he hugged his baby brother. When one of the twins kicked him, they both laughed.

"Guess they want to meet their Uncle Claude too," Harry remarked.

Claude looked at Ben. "Asshole," he said with affection, then hugged Harry again. "Who's the father and is he really going to stick around?"

Zach walked up and wrapped his arms around Harry. "Yes, I will be around to raise our children on our Ranch."

Claude was shocked at what he just heard—Harry was mated to a human, and it was Mr. Zach, the Ranch owner. He stood there with his mouth open when Ben walked up.

"Say congratulations to them, if you can speak, that is," Ben remarked.

"I think he's in shock and his words escape him," Zach observed. "Yes, Claude, I love Genmen, but I'm only in love with this Genman here." He kissed Harry deeply.

Sonja snickered. "I think that this meal is over, Ty, because these lovebirds might need to take this back upstairs before it gets messy here."

"May I walk you out?" Ty asked.

"Only if it's for a drive to get to know each other better," Sonja replied, and they left.

Zach showed his love to the Study, where he told Harry that he and Claude should get to know each other because they had years to catch up on. Ben and himself were going to take care of the boys and spoil them rotten. Besides, they needed to check on the progress Robbie was making on the house.

Ben slowed the buggy as they approached a young lad walking. Willie waved at them and Ben stopped.

"Get on so you can stop by and see your dad before we go to his house and drop you off," Ben told him.

Willie was all smiles and jumped on the buggy, and they took off.