"I have to go to town. I still haven't gotten Jarrod anything for his birthday." Gene looked to Laura. "Any suggestions."
"Well... I know what he'd really like..."
Gene pointed a finger at her. "Now don't you start that again."
"Why? Because I'm right. Gene, you're trying to figure something to get him to show him how you feel. Just tell him." Gene rolled his eyes. "I guarantee he won't be expecting it."
Gene stood. "Fine. Don't help me. I'll ask Michelle when she gets back." He left the room.
Laura shook her head. He must not know his cousin too well.
Gene poked his head in his cousin's doorway. "Michelle, I need to talk to you." He noticed Laura in the room. She was placing tissue paper in a gift box. "Maybe I'll come back."
"You'll come in now." Michelle used her most insisting tone.
Gene entered. "What are you doing?"
Michelle twisted a length of ribbon into a bow. "We're wrapping the gift we got Jarrod."
"Speaking of..." Gene began. "I've been wracking my brain for weeks and I haven't been able to come up with anything to get him. I thought you could give me a hint."
"Gene, you don't have to GET him anything. You know what he'd like..."
"Not you too." Gene was exasperated. "I've got the two of you ganging up on me."
Michelle handed Laura the bow. "I was unaware that 'two' constituted a 'gang'."
Gene folded his arms. "She's been telling me the same thing for weeks. Must be a conspiracy or something."
Laura hid a smirk with her hand. "Oh, yes, your cousin and I have been conspiring against you the whole time." She looked to Michelle. "The big conspiracy to have him tell his brother he loves him."
Michelle chuckled with her.
"Yeah, yeah. Very funny. You know I have trouble saying that."
Michelle cleared her throat. "It couldn't be that much trouble anymore. You've told Nick and I know you told Heath too."
Gene grew irritated. "You know so much about this family why don't you write a book?"
"Gene, there's no need to be rude to her."
Gene relented. "I'm sorry, Michelle. I don't know what it is. Don't you think I want to tell him?" Gene paused. "And I've tried. For some reason it's near impossible with Jarrod. I go to say it and the words just get stuck in my throat and I choke on them."
Michelle eyed him with concern. "What do you do then?"
"I kiss his cheek and hope he knows what I mean." He waved them off sadly. "I'll have to think of something on my own I guess."
Gene had a mental plan to avoid Jarrod for the day. He didn't have a gift yet and couldn't begin to say what Michelle and Laura were suggesting. Gene retreated to the study where it didn't take long to have his plan foiled."
"Brother Gene, care for a drink?" Jarrod was standing by the fireplace sipping whiskey.
Gene shook his head as he slowly crossed the room.
Jarrod set his glass on the mantle. "I've been trying to avoid the big fuss the women in this house are making over my birthday." Jarrod told him. "I'm glad you came in. I can use the company."
Impulsively Gene hugged him tight. "Happy Birthday, Jarrod." He kissed his cheek and let go. Then just stood there looking at his older brother and swallowing. Happy Birthday came out so easily why couldn't the other thing that was clogging his throat.
Jarrod contemplated Gene, his baby brother, only he wasn't a baby anymore. He knew every inch of his brother's heart. And his own heart was feeling what Gene wanted to tell him but did not seem able to. Why was it so difficult for Gene to say. Jarrod wondered. Maybe he had not helped him through it enough. He stepped forward as close as he could and looked Gene in the eye. "Just say it," he said barely above a whisper. "Don't be afraid. Show your heart."
Gene felt Jarrod's blue eyes penetrating him. Why was it so hard with him. He loved him so deeply why couldn't he say it? The air was so thick from the tension of the moment, Gene burst into tears.
Tears glistened in Jarrod's eyes as well. He looked tenderly at Gene, silently willing him to say what was on his mind and in his heart.
Gene gulped and through a sob pushed out, "I...love you, Jarrod." He bit his lip. "I love you so much."
Jarrod wrapped his arms around him and let him cry on his shoulder, the tears he shed now being those of relief rather than of frustration. They held eachother for several minutes before pulling apart. Jarrod took Gene's face in his hands. "Feel better?"
Gene wiped his hand across his eyes. "Yeah," he said slightly surprised by how good he did feel.
"Then why don't you go up and wash your face and change your clothes. We have a big fuss to attend." He moved his hands to Gene's shoulders and gazed lovingly at his brother. "Thank-you."
Gene looked down. "Thank-you too," he said quietly. He hugged Jarrod again before retreating.
The family gathered after dinner for the "big fuss". His mother, Nick, Heath and Audra had given him their gifts and wishes. Now Victoria looked to Gene.
"Little brother already gave me my gift earlier." Though in true Jarrod fashion added, "But I will take another kiss."
Michelle and Laura exchanged a surprised look as Gene obliged by dropping a kiss on his cheek. He'd actually done it.
Laura took a gift box from the buffet. "I guess that leaves us."
Michelle kissed Jarrod and said, "Laura and I got together on something for you."
Jarrod's eyes darted from her to Gene and back. "Yes, I think you did."
THE END