Watching Brad

[caddymac]

Love this story.

 

[tommy296]

Neil, This story just keeps getting better! Thanks again for giving me a reason to wake up early!

 

[sheep]

Ho, hum. Another day, another box of kleenex!

 

[Kyanimal]

Need I say the "A" word, Neil? I think so! AWESOME, Man! Deeper, Stronger, Warmer, and it just keeps getting "Better"!

Add Sheep's kleenex to mine, and Everyone else's, and we have a very real fire hazzard going here! Even as damp as they are!!

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

 

[gsdx]

Ummm. . . You've got to believe me, guys. I have no stock in any tissue company anywhere. And I'm really not trying to deliberately create these situations. They happen all by themselves.

 

[sheep]

Ummm. . . You've got to believe me, guys. I have no stock in any tissue company anywhere. And I'm really not trying to deliberately create these situations. They happen all by themselves.

Neil, no problemo. It's all good. To me a good cry indicates I am still human.

 

[DeafFoxDemon]

once again,u write the best story!!! i agree with sheep that we are all human and we need to cry!!

 

[harry113]

Great, Neil
A fast moving & tender chapter, Kleenex at the ready !!!
Looking forward to the continuation with bated breath
Thanks
Harry

 

[kcm17480]

I don't know how to respond to this chapter except that it is definitely brilliant beyond anything that I have read. Neil, you really know how to spin a yarn if you know what I mean.
Thanks
Ken

 

[gsdx]

WATCHING BRAD
Part XXXX​

Sudden fear stabbed through me. Brad knew the boys didn't talk, but I'd totally forgot to tell Lindsay. Panic rose up inside me and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.

It was Lindsay who brought the silence to a halt. "Do you like peanut butter cookies and Root Beer?" she asked the boys.

I looked down at them. They nodded their heads in unison.

"Come on," Lindsay said with an encouraging smile. "We can watch cartoons while we eat."

I started the boys forward, taking a breath again at last. As I passed Brad, he said, "I'll get the drinks." To the others, he asked, "Hi, I'm Brad. Coffee for everyone?"

The ladies responded with a "Yes, please," but David said, "Could I have some Root Beer? I haven't had that in years."

The rest was a mumble behind me. I released my hold on the boys and they went with Lindsay to the table. "These are chocolate chip," she said, pointing, "and these are peanut butter. I helped Grandma make them."

The boys picked up a peanut butter cookie each and began munching as they followed Lindsay's lead and knelt down in front of the coffee table and watched TV. Lindsay took one of each.

"Please," I said to the adults, "have a seat." Trish and David sat on the loveseat.

Nancy leaned over the coffee table, looking at Lindsay. "May I?" she asked politely.

"Yup," Lindsay said, then quickly corrected herself. "I mean, ‘yes'."

Nancy picked up a chocolate chip cookie. "Did you say you helped make these?" Lindsay nodded proudly. Nancy took a bite and began to chew. "Mmmm!" she said, then she grabbed two more cookies and a napkin before sitting in the chair at the end of the coffee table.

"Well," David said as he leaned forward, "I could never resist a good ‘mmm'." He grabbed a napkin and piled several of each flavour on it before settling back in the loveseat, sharing his cache of goodies with his wife. I sat on one end of the sofa, nearest to David.

Brad arrived with four steaming mugs of coffee and four glasses of Root Beer on a tray. He set it down and began distributing them. He grabbed a cookie before sitting down on the other end of the sofa. The kids were on the floor between us.

Justin, who was kneeling closest to my feet, picked up another cookie and began eating. Almost as an afterthought, he picked up another, twisted around, and held it out to me. I took it. "Thank you, Justin," I said. He smiled at me again.

"Jeremy," Brad said. "Could you hand me another chocolate chip?"

Jeremy grabbed one and held it out. "Thank you," Brad said as he took it.

Now, I hope you have realized by now that Justin is the leader of the two. He's the initiator - the dominant one of the two. Jeremy is the follower, probably the younger of the two, the one who depended more on his brother. This is important to know because of what Jeremy did next.

He picked up a napkin, piled some cookies on it as David had done, then stood up and turned to Brad, holding the napkin out in his tiny hands. Brad took them, of course, and then Jeremy climbed up on the sofa, settled in beside Brad, and took a cookie from the pile.

"Oh, my." That was from Trish. I looked at her. Both she and David were watching Jeremy. I glanced at Nancy. She was looking at Jeremy as well, and she was nodding her head slightly, more to herself than to anyone in particular.

Justin followed Jeremy's lead, filling a napkin with cookies, standing up, and setting them in my lap. He climbed up beside me and took the napkin into his own lap. Not to be left out, Lindsay climbed into my lap and settled into my arm. I kissed her hair.

"I don't believe this," David said. "Whatever you're using, Ted, I want some of it."

I shrugged off the statement with a smile. Justin looked up at me and smiled back.

"I don't remember seeing that van in the driveway when I was here before," Nancy said.

"I just bought it," I said.

"Just in case?" she asked with a wise smile.

I nodded. "We're doing some renovations here, too," I told her. I didn't think it would hurt to butter her up a bit. "We're installing a new bathroom and bedroom up here as soon as we get clearance from the city." I indicated the wall behind the loveseat. "It used to be a study."

I could see the questions in Nancy's eyes. I shrugged them off. "We need another bathroom anyway. One isn't really enough for the three of us."

Lindsay suddenly scrambled off my lap. She looked at Justin. "Come on," she said. "I want to show you the new toys we bought. She turned to Jeremy. "Come on. You, too." She headed for the basement door. Justin moved the cookies from his lap into mine, jumped down, and followed her. Jeremy was close on his heels.

"Well," I said with a grin. "Looks like we're all heading for the basement." I stood up and grabbed up my coffee. Brad set the kids' drinks on the tray of cookies and added his own coffee mug before picking it up.

"Here," Trish said. "I'll take that." She added her own mug to the tray and took it out of Brad's hands.

Brad grabbed his mug as he pointed to the glasses in turn. "Lindsay. Jeremy. Justin." Trish nodded, then everyone followed me into the basement.

By the time we got there, most of the toy box was emptied onto the floor and the kids were digging through all the toys there. Lindsay was doing all the talking, of course. The boys still hadn't made a sound.

Brad set his coffee on the small table and went to join the kids. There were two sofas there. Neither matched anything. Nancy, David, and Trish took seats on the floral sofa set against the stairway so they would look straight ahead to the children. I joined the kids as well.

Brad dropped to the floor ‘Indian style', his knees bent and his ankles crossed. I dropped to my knees instead. I couldn't do that ‘Indian style' thing anymore. Justin had discovered the Lego blocks and was building something square. Jeremy had discovered one of the Gameboy systems and one of the game cartridges. Lindsay was still digging through the pile of toys.

Jeremy was still standing, looking at the Gameboy and the cartridge, not exactly sure what he should do with it.

"Do you need some help, Jeremy?" I asked.

Jeremy looked up at me, then toward Brad. He moved toward him and held out the system and the game card. Brad took them and Jeremy spun around and settled into the seat made by Brad's folded legs. Brad looked up at me. His smile was enormous and his raised eyebrows displayed his happiness. He explained to Jeremy how to plug in the card and turn the system on, then which buttons did what on the screen. As Jeremy took over, Brad looked up at me again. His eyes twinkled with excitement. "I think I have a new best friend," he said proudly. Jeremy settled back against Brad's chest and played his game.

I crawled on my knees to place myself between Lindsay and Justin. Lindsay crawled into my lap as I knelt there. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her hair. "Are you okay, Sweetheart?" I asked.

Lindsay nodded as she watched Justin putting blocks together. "Why don't they talk, Daddy?"

"I don't know, Sweetheart," I said. "Maybe they'll talk later when they have something to say."

"I hope so," she said, "because I don't think I can talk enough for both of them and me, too."

I hugged her again as I smiled to myself.

"Are they going to live with us now?" she asked.

"I don't know, Sweetheart," I told her. "That's not my decision. How would you feel now if they did."

Her finger moved to her lip, tapping it. After a long thinking session, she said, "I think I'd like it. They liked my cookies." Pointing at Justin, she asked, "Which one is that?"

"That's Justin, Sweetheart."

"Justin?" she said. He looked up at her. "Would you like to be my brother?"

Justin glanced quickly at Jeremy, who looked up from his game, then back to Lindsay. They nodded in unison.

"Thank you, Sweetheart," I whispered. "I love you so much." I bent my head to kiss her cheek this time, then looked toward the trio of adults. Nancy was standing, making a ‘telephone' gesture and pointing upstairs. I nodded.

Lindsay crawled out of my lap and started helping Justin build his house. At least, that's what it looked like it was going to be. He let her help. "There's windows and doors here, too," she said, digging through the box of bricks.

I knelt there, watching them play together, then I glanced over at Jeremy and Brad. Jeremy was smiling broadly, intent on his game, but comfortably settled against Brad's chest. Brad now had his arms around Jeremy as he watched him play. Whether or not Brad knew I was watching them, I don't know, but he looked up at me, met my gaze, smiled, and nodded once.

It was unanimous.

* * * * *

I was still kneeling on the floor, watching the kids playing, including Brad, when I felt a hand on my shoulder. David bent down and whispered in my ear, "Nancy wants to see you upstairs." I struggled to my feet, helped by a boost from David.

"Thanks," I said with an embarrassed smile. "Football, you know." I shook my legs to get them working again as I looked at Brad, indicating with a glance for him to wait here. I found Nancy sitting at the kitchen table, her cell phone in front of her. I sat down.

"I've just got off the phone with my supervisor," she began. "First of all, we would both like to thank you and to apologize for pushing everything at you so fast. We don't usually work this way, but I'd like to explain. My first thought when I met you that first night was of Justin and Jeremy, especially when I discovered that you and Brad were partners. You were just what we were looking for. As soon as I talked to my supervisor after that initial visit, you were made my priority. I visited personally with your references and phoned those who I couldn't visit. None of them had anything bad to say about you or Brad. Your father even told me that Brad was going to become Canada's greatest British gardener, whatever that means." She smiled and I sent my Dad a silent ‘thank you'. "All of them praised you on how you care for your daughter. The way you took charge following the abuse. I even read the transcripts from the court case with your ex-wife, including your session with the judge in her chambers."

She paused, gathering her thoughts, I guess, before continuing. "Over the past year and a half, Justin and Jeremy have been placed in nine different foster homes. The first time, we separated them and we realized we had made a terrible mistake. It was a disaster. They were unbearable until we brought them together again. Fortunately, one of the families agreed to take them both, but only until we could find another home for them. This went on and on, but the people quickly became frustrated with their lack of communication and the fear they could sense the boys had of them. Trish and David were our last hope, and things were going well until David told us they'd have to give the boys up because of his work. We were scrambling to find them another home, and, with great hopes, a permanent one. We needed a gay couple. They had nowhere else to go, and we didn't like where we might have had to send them. And then you came along.

"I'm like David, Ted. I don't know what magic you're weaving, but it's working. I have never seen those boys as completely comfortable as they are with you and Brad. Perhaps they recognize your relationship and they're familiar with it. They understand it. Jeremy was always the shy one - the one who depends on Justin to look after him. The fact that he's downstairs right now sitting in Brad's lap is something of a miracle in itself. Even David couldn't get that close to him, and David got closer than anyone else."

I would have started crying again if I wasn't so caught up in what Nancy was saying.

"A lot of my co-workers are sitting at home right now with their fingers crossed, waiting for a phone call from me. My supervisor has just now given me permission to ask you if you would like to take Justin and Jeremy for your six-month trial period."

I couldn't speak. All I could do was to nod my head.

Nancy smiled then, relief flooding her entire body. "Wonderful," she said. "Would next week be too early for you?"

I sat back, my jaw dropping and my eyes popping open. "Um. . . No! I mean, no! We're not ready. We don't have anywhere for them to sleep. We need to finish their bedroom and the bathroom first and we haven't even started them."

"There's the bedroom in the basement," she offered. "I saw it just off the stairs."

My head shook back and forth. There was a powder room down there, sure, but still, the boys would be at the other end of the house from me and a whole floor away. That was out of the question. "No," I said. "I wouldn't leave them down there by themselves to sleep. I couldn't. Not even if they slept in our room and we slept down there. It's too far away."

"How long would it take you to get the rooms ready?"

"I don't know. A month. Maybe two. I don't know."

"Isn't there anywhere you could put them?" The happy look she had moments ago was gone. "We're desperate, Mr. de Villiers. You're the only chance these boys have right now. Their only other option is. . ."

"Please," I said, my mind racing for a solution. "Don't say it. I won't put them in the new bedroom with all the construction. That just leaves the living room and our bedroom, and none of them are very appropriate."

"Daddy?" I looked toward the kitchen doorway. Lindsay was standing there.

"Not now, Sweetheart," I said. "I'll be with you in a minute, okay?"

"I need to talk to you, Daddy," she said.

"Please, Sweetheart," I pleaded, "I'm talking with Nancy about something important."

"I know," she said. "I heard you. That's why I have to talk to you, too."

I looked at Nancy. She nodded. "Okay," I said and held out my arms. She came to them and I set her in my lap.

"They can sleep in my room with me," she told me.

"Really?" I asked. She surprised even me.

"If you move my bed closer to the window, there would be room for another bed, wouldn't there?"

"Yes," I said. "I suppose so."

"And it's not for all the time. It's just for a little while until you get their room ready, right?"

"I hope so."

"Then it's okay," she said. "They can sleep in my room. That's what big sisters do."

I glanced quickly at Nancy. Her nod gave me her approval. Any old port in the storm. My eyes filled with tears and I hugged Lindsay close to me. "I love you, Sweetheart," I said through my tears. I clenched my eyes tight to shut them away.

"I love you, too, Daddy."

I heard Nancy politely leave the kitchen, giving us our time.

When I felt like I had held Lindsay long enough, I let her go. She leaned back and looked at me. "Are you sure it's okay?" I asked.

"I heard what the lady said, Daddy. They need us. They don't have anywhere else to go."

I hugged her once more just because I wanted to. "You're the best daughter anyone could ask for." I held her as I stood up and we went to find Nancy. She was in the livingroom, talking once again on her telephone - probably to her supervisor. When she was finished her call, I smiled at her. "When would you like them to move in?"

Nancy's smile joined my own. I set Lindsay down and took her hand. "Let's go tell them, okay?"

"Okay, Daddy," she said, and a third smile brightened the room.

Downstairs, I released Lindsay's hand and sat on the floor beside Brad and Jeremy. "Can you pause that thing?" Lindsay sat down beside me.

Brad pushed a button and took the system out of Jeremy's small hands. "You can play again in a minute, okay?" Jeremy nodded.

"Justin," I said, "could you come over here, please?" He dropped the Lego blocks he was holding and came to sit between my legs as Brad turned Jeremy around to face me.

I looked from one happy face to the other, and both of them looked almost exactly the same. "Would you like to come live here with us?"

They didn't look at each other this time, but somehow their minds were linked together. They nodded in unison. Three times each. And then they smiled at me. Jeremy stood up and hugged me from the left. Justin hugged me from the right. My arms hugged each of them.

They leaned away from me at the same moment and looked at me.

"Are you our new Daddy?" Justin asked.

I lost it.

To Be Continued​

 

[sheep]

That 2nd last line--I lost it too. Pass the kleenex Neil.

 

[Kyanimal]

Kleenex? Kleenex??! I can't seem to see the box!!

 

[harry113]

Neil, that's just fantastic. I kewep making mistakes on the keyss !!!!
Another box opf Kleenex please
Thanks
Harry

 

[dlf0001]

I was hesitant about the direction of the story for the last few chapters, I was focusing on the improbabilities etc etc... (not being the eternal optimist... lol)... but, I am typing with tears streaming down my face... and I'm not a cryer...

Great Chapter. Great story...

I've been hooked... I will continue to look forward to your chapters each day.

Wonderful job.

 

[ronboy]

Neil, if I haven't said yet, I'm saying it now.....YOU ROCK!

 

[shea]

That 2nd last line--I lost it too. Pass the kleenex Neil.

I seem to be losing it a lot lately Neil. Thank you again for this wonderful warm loving story. God bless you.
shea

 

[kcm17480]

I haven't read a story this good in a very long time. On this site there are some very good ones too. This story runs a through a gambit of emotions and I love it. You really ought to consider doing this for a profession because you seem to enjoy doing it. The words just seem to just flow from your brain ever so easily. Thanks again for this beautifully written story Neil.

 

[gsdx]

WATCHING BRAD
Part XXXXI​

Through my bawling, I heard Jeremy say, "Thank you," and I bawled even harder. Except for the first time Lindsay said ‘Daddy', and except for the first time Brad told me he loved me, I'd never heard sweeter sounds in my life. I pulled the boys to me and crushed them in my arms as I cried my happiness into them.

There were more arms around me than I'd ever felt before. Two from Justin, two from Jeremy, one from Brad (whose other arm was wrapped around both Justin and Jeremy's backs), and one from Lindsay, who was also hugging Justin. She couldn't reach Jeremy.

I have no idea how long I sat there hugging everyone, but, the next thing I knew, I was smothering everyone with kisses, starting with the boys, then Lindsay, and ending with Brad. He was crying just as hard as I was.

It was a long time before we calmed ourselves enough that I could extract myself from the group and rejoin the trio of adults. Brad and Lindsay stayed with the boys. Jeremy had climbed once again into Brad's lap. And then I heard them laughing. Four voices where there had been only two before.

David and Trish stood as I approached. Nancy hadn't yet sat down. Trish was still wiping her eyes and cheeks. "I never thought I'd hear their voices," she said. "It was worth the wait."

"You knew from the moment you saw them, didn't you?" Nancy said.

I nodded my head. "From the moment I realized Justin could see me through that mirror. I'll buy a new bed for them tomorrow, and two car seats. I can pick them up anytime after that."

"There isn't much to pack for them," David said. "Would Tuesday be too early? Say, seven o'clock?"

I glanced at Nancy. She nodded. "We'll be there," I promised.

* * * * *

The telephone was ringing, and I counted each one. Mom answered.

"Hello?" she said.

"Hi, Mom," I replied.

"Hi, Ted."

"Could you get Dad on the extension?"

She covered the mouthpiece with her hand, but I could still hear her muffled voice directing Dad to the extension in the kitchen. "He's coming," Mom said.

A few moments later, I heard a click and then Dad said, "I'm here, Son."

I could hardly contain my excitement. "Mom? Dad? Congratulations. You're new grandparents. Almost, at least."

"Oh, my," Mom said.

"So you did it," Dad said. "A boy or a girl?"

"You have a grandson, Dad," I said proudly. "His name's Justin. And Mom? You have a grandson named Jeremy."

Mom burst into tears as I had expected she would. She wouldn't be able to speak for awhile. Even Dad was choked up when he spoke. "I'm assuming they're brothers?"

"Twins, Dad," I said. "Identical twins, and they're beautiful."

Mom cried even harder, and Dad fell silent for a long minute. "Thank you, Son. When can we meet them?"

"They move in Tuesday night. How about next weekend?"

"Saturday or Sunday is good for us," he said.

"Why not come Friday night?" I asked. "You can have the whole weekend to get to know them."

Mom managed to speak. "Won't that be too much for you, Ted?"

"It's something we're going to have to get used to, Mom," I said. "You and Dad can sleep in the guestroom downstairs. If it's too cold, Brad and I'll sleep there and you can have our room."

"Don't want to put you out of your own bed, Son. We could stay in a hotel."

"You're not putting us out, Dad," I assured him. "You're always welcome, and you know that."

"We couldn't get there until eight or nine," Dad said, "and we'll need good directions."

"No problem," I said. "Lindsay will probably still be awake, but the boys are only four years old. I imagine they'll be asleep before you get here."

"Then we can start getting to know them first thing in the morning," Mom said. She was sounding happy again. "I want to bring something for them. What do they need?"

"Everything, I think. Their foster parents said they don't have much to pack."

"Clothes," Mom said. "Do you know their size?"

"No, but as soon as I find out on Tuesday, I'll call you and let you know."

"We'll have to bring toys for them, too, Lilian," Dad said. "Little boys don't like getting clothes as gifts."

"They both seem to like playing with cars and those action figures," I told them. "You know, like Superman or Spider Man."

"We'll find something," Dad said. "I'm ready for those directions, Son."

"It's pretty easy to find us," I told him. I gave him the most direct route from the Four-Oh-One.

"Four turns off the exit," he said. "Easy enough. We've got your number in case we get lost."

"Okay," I said. "See you Friday night, then, and I'll call again on Tuesday with the sizes."

"Looking forward to it, Son," Dad said.

"Thanks, Dad. I love you both."

Together, they said, "We love you, too, Ted. And congratulations."

"It's not a done deal yet," I reminded them. "Lindsay wants to talk to you. Here she is."

I handed the phone to my daughter. "Both Grandma and Grandpa are there."

"Hi, Grandma and Grandpa," Lindsay said excitedly.

I went to join Brad and his parents in the kitchen. He'd gone to invite them over.

"Okay, Ted, give," Brad said when I was seated. "How in hell do you tell them apart?"

I just smiled and winked at him.

"Aw, come on," he begged. "Even Trish and David don't know. What's your secret?"

I tapped my index finger against my upper lip, pointing at the bottom of that ridge between my right nostril and the lip. "Justin has a little scar right here," I said.

Brad sat back in his chair. "I never even noticed."

"I did. The first day I went to play with them in that room. Jeremy took quite the shining to you."

Brad's lips turned from surprise to a gigantic grin. "Wasn't that something?" he said. "Made me feel pretty good, too. I really think this is going to work."

"I know it is," I said emphatically.

"If it gets too much," Bernice said, "Lindsay can stay with us. I mean, at least until you get their bedroom finished."

"We'll try it here, first, but I'll keep you in mind. Oh, Brad. Can you watch Lindsay tomorrow night or should I ask Terry if she can stay later?"

"I can watch her."

"Thanks," I said, then turned my attention to Bernice again. "I have to buy a bed. Do you recommend two twins, a three-quarter, or a double?"

"Go with the double. It's big enough for the two of them and it's cheaper and easier to buy sheets. I'm sure I have a box full of doubles in the basement you can have. Don't we, John?"

"I haven't thrown anything out," he replied. "If you haven't, then they're in there someplace. I'll look when we get home." To me, he asked, "How's things going with the reno?"

"Nothing yet," I said. "I'll call the architect tomorrow. He said it could take a week or so."

Lindsay came into the kitchen then and I left to phone Warren and Bill before taking everyone out for a celebration dinner. Warren was ecstatic that he had two new nephews and wanted to know when he could come meet them. I told him to get in line. He promised to give us a few weeks to settle in. After that, he would take no responsibility for his actions.

Over dinner, Brad and his father discussed the renovations while Bernice filled me in on the care of four-year-old boys. I think I should have taken notes.

* * * * *

Brad and I did nothing except kiss and hug each other that night. Sorry. I suppose I could have made something up, like a three-hour celebratory fuck session or something to keep you interested after all this fluff and stuff, but I'm not very good at making things up. So, the truth wins out. We hugged and we kissed. That's it.

But we did a lot of it!

I drove the van to work Monday morning - my first morning as Programming Manager. I liked that. I had an office with my name on the door and everything. I still did programming, but I could choose to do what I wanted to do now instead of what I was told to do. Now, I could tell everyone else what to do. I liked that, too. And my raise was a lot more than I could have hoped for. My financial worries began to fade. I liked that most of all.

I checked on the architect and was told I'd have the new plans in my hands by Thursday. Then I could apply for the permits. I tracked down the nearest Ontario Early Years Centre and phoned them to check on enrollment. No problem. Free preschool. Can't beat that price. But it was only one day per week for a few hours and Terry would have to go. Preschool was out of the question financially for four half-days per week. I could hire another babysitter more inexpensively.

"Have you heard of ‘Leapster'?" Terry asked when I called her.

"No," I replied.

"It's a computer educational system for kids of all ages. Buy a couple of those and the games and I'll work with the boys right at home."

"Okay, where do I get them?"

"Toys "R" Us," she said. "That's your best bet."

"I'll get them today," I told her. Then, "Terry, are you okay with this? Taking care of Lindsay and the twins? The boys don't relate very well to females."

"I'm okay with it, especially with the raise," she said. I could imagine her smile. "Let's just try it for awhile and see. Kids like me."

"I'll stay home Wednesday and Thursday," I assured her. "We can both get to know them together and we can see how they feel about you."

"I'm looking forward to it."

"We're picking them up tomorrow night," I said. "Would you like to go with us?"

"Could I? I mean, you don't mind?"

"Not at all. They'll get to know you a bit before they start spending their days with you. Look, Terry, I really appreciate this. I know it's a lot, but I'd rather have them at home than in a day care somewhere."

"It's going to be fine, Mr. Dee," she said. "Stop worrying."

"Tell that to my brain."

* * * * *

I left work an hour early that day. It was nice just being able to go. If I wasn't there, I was on call anyway, so no big deal. They had my cell number. I hit Toys "R" Us first, bought two Leapsters, and every preschool and kindergarten game cartridge I could find.

Next up was Sleep Country Canada. Why buy a mattress anywhere else, eh? I found a nice double bed that was comfortable even for me. I hoped Bernice would be able to find those sheets, or it would mean another shopping trip. I could have put the bed in the van, but delivery and set-up was free, and they could deliver it the next day as long as someone was at home to confirm the delivery and to be there during the set-up. Terry would be there all day.

Finally, it was to Zellers for the car safety seats. They cost me almost as much as the bed. But, the law is the law and I had to buy them, so I bought the best I could find. These ones should last until the boys didn't need them anymore, and that was at least four years down the road.

It was after seven before I got home. Lindsay was watching television. Brad had kept supper warm for me. While I ate, he installed the car seats into the double seats behind the driver's seat. He joined me shortly thereafter, sitting beside me and holding my left hand when I wasn't using it to eat.

"Do you realize that, by this time tomorrow, our family will be almost twice the size?"

My fork full of mashed potatoes stopped halfway between my plate and my open mouth. I froze like that for a long time. "Gee-sus, Murphy," I said. "It's scary when you put it like that."

"Sorry," Brad said. But he was grinning at me. "I've got some good news for you, though."

I popped the potatoes into my mouth and looked at him, waiting.

"Dad's talked two of his friends to come over at night to help with the renos," he said. "One of them can even work during the day if you want."

"How much?"

"Nothing. They're doing it as a favour to Dad. The one who can work during the day is a retired contractor. He did a lot of bathroom work. He can do all the tiling and grouting and installations. The only thing he can't do is the plumbing, but you've got your Father to do that. The other guy is a carpenter and he can do the air venting for the furnace."

"That would cut weeks off the deadline," I said. "Not to mention the money I'd save."

"Dad figures, if we can start next week, we could have the whole thing done and the boys could be sleeping there by early December. He said the bathroom should be the first priority, though."

I agreed.

I stared at Brad for a long time. Neither of us said anything. He just looked into my eyes and I looked into his. I don't know how many times I told him that I loved him in that silence, but I know he never stopped saying it to me.

"It's really happening, isn't it?" I asked. "This isn't all a dream."

"It's real, Ted," he said softly.

I stared into his eyes again. "Brad? Are you happy here?"

"I thought I was, Ted," he said, "but I'm a whole lot happier now." He kissed me. "You've given me more than I could ever have wished for. You've given me a home. You've given me yourself. And now you're giving me an entire family. What else would I want?"

"But I haven't had much time for you lately, and there's going to be even less starting tomorrow."

He kissed me again, longer this time. When he finished, he looked deeper into my eyes. "Being with you is enough for me."

I set down the fork and moved my hand under the table. It came to rest on his denim-covered leg and I slid it up into his crotch. My fingers melded themselves around the mound there and I squeezed gently. "You can do whatever you want with this tonight," I told him. "Your choice."

"As long as you do what I want you to do with yours."

I could tell by his wink what he wanted me to do.

* * * * *

I had truly grown to love feeling Brad inside me by this time. There was very little pain anymore, and I could accept him easily and willingly. I no longer let him fuck me because I felt I should. I let him do it because I wanted him to do it. I enjoyed it.

I preferred being on my back so I could watch his face. I loved the way he looked when he felt good. As beautiful as Brad was to begin with, he was even more beautiful when he was feeling good. His lower lip had a way of rolling down when his mouth was open and his nostrils would flare on their own. His eyebrows had a thing going on, too. They would arch up slightly on the out strokes and curl down on the in strokes.

I loved putting my hands on his chest while he was fucking me. I would place my palms over his pectorals and Brad would lean against them as he pushed himself into me. Sometimes, with my bent elbows on the bed, I would support Brad entirely. He loved that part, and I could feel every breath, every heartbeat, every vibration which came out of his throat in his excited grunts and groans and moans. Brad made love with his entire body.

Most of all, though, there was that cock. He didn't fear hurting me anymore. He knew he couldn't. But, for all his size and power and strength, Brad was a gentle, conscientious, caring lover. Except for that one night, following that episode with Mike, Brad's love-making was always slow, yet uniquely intense. There was as much consideration for my own pleasure as there was for his own. He did nothing without a reason or a purpose. If it didn't bring pleasure to both of us, he didn't do it.

He knew when to tilt his pelvis, when to twist his hips, when to arch his back. He knew how deep to go and what to do there, and how shallow he could go and still make me moan. When he made love to me like that, it was all about me. The fact that he got an orgasm out of it was merely a bonus to him. I was his priority. If it didn't make me feel good, it simply didn't happen.

Brad's orgasms usually incited mine as well, but that night, I fought against it, squeezing my cock and preventing it from happening. I wanted Brad to enjoy the full benefit of his request to me.

I watched his orgasm happen on his face and I felt the entire thing deep inside me. He even climaxed with my pleasure in mind as much as his own. It's no wonder my love for him grew deeper every single day.

It was still the same when I made love to Brad. Everything he did was for me. Every look, every sound, every touch, was for me alone. He had mastered a technique which I have yet to master. He could do things with his ass muscles which drove me insane with bliss. Even if I paused and lay against him, Brad could continue the pleasure simply with his muscles. One day, I would put him to the test and see if he could bring me to orgasm without me doing a thing. I was certain he could. But this would not be the day.

That night, it was for him and me, and we both took it to the limit.

* * * * *

I was a basket case on Tuesday. My mind was on the boys and that's as far as it would go. By eleven o'clock, JW came into my office, put his hand on my shoulder, and said, "Go home, Ted."

I didn't want to go, but, by noon, I was sitting at home with my daughter having a nice, hot bowl of chicken noodle soup and a sandwich. I walked her to school after lunch and told her I would be there to meet her after school as well to walk her home. Mags walked with us as Tyler tagged along. I invited her in for coffee on the way back.

Terry was busy in the livingroom doing something or other. I think she may have been watching soap operas. But my attention was all on Mags as we sat at the small kitchen table and sipped our coffee.

"I'm scared, Mags," I said honestly. "I'm scared to death."

"I'm sure you must be, Ted, but you'll be fine."

"I don't know anything about looking after boys. Do I take care of them the way I took care of Lindsay when she was their age?"

"No, you can't. Boys and girls are as different as dogs and cats. You can't treat them the same."

I looked at her. Her face was full of sincere advice and I felt it best that I listen very closely. "Then how can I learn how I should treat them?"

"Every child is different, Ted," she said. "Even the twins. Their bodies may be the same, but you'll find differences in personalities that you can't even imagine. You're going to have to learn how to treat them not as twins, but as two separate boys. Their looks are the only similarities they're going to share. Don't make the mistake of thinking they are identical in every way. You'll lose and they'll win. I know. My brothers are twins."

I dropped my head and let this new information absorb into my mind.

"You're a damned good father, Ted," Mags added. "And you're going to learn how to be a damned good one for those boys, too. You just have to trust me on that."

"I do, Mags," I said. "You have no idea how much I do."

"They need you, Ted. Their life has been crap and they need the stability you can give them. They'll forget everything that's happened to them soon enough. You'll screw up. You'll make mistakes. But that's the way you learn. And that's they way life is."

* * * * *

Terry woke me up from my nap, telling me the bed was being delivered and to say that Bernice had brought over a box of bed sheets. I hadn't intended to fall asleep. After Mags had left, I went around making sure everything was ready for the boys. I hadn't done any grocery shopping yet. I thought I would wait and take them later so I could get the things they liked to eat. I'd been lying on my bed after making sure everything was ready, just thinking and staring up at the ceiling. I wasn't even aware that I had fallen asleep until Terry called me through the open bedroom door.

I stood in the doorway of Lindsay's room, watching the two men assemble the bedframe, when Terry came up beside me. "Mr. Dee," she said. "I found these big cup hooks and this nylon cord in the junk drawer. What if we screw the hooks into the walls and string this cord between them? Then we could hang a blanket or something to give them their own separate spaces."

I looked up and imagined it and I nodded. "Good idea," I said. "I have just the thing. Did you see any pins in that drawer?"

Terry held out her other hand. She already had them. It would be done.

I met Lindsay and Tyler later and walked home with them and Mags. Lindsay came in with me, but Tyler and Mags continued on to their house. Lindsay and I sat talking until Brad came home, and then the three of us talked. Terry, of course, stayed later so she could go with us, and offered to cook dinner for us.

By the time dinner was ready, the three of us were ready for the new, larger family. Lindsay was ready to share me with the twins, although I'm sure she still didn't know how I was going to do it. Frankly, neither did I.

Nancy's car was parked in front of David and Trish's house as expected. She had told us she would be there with the temporary custody papers and all the other legalities I would need. Lindsay came with Brad and me. Terry stayed behind in the van. We walked up to the door and stood there for a few seconds. I looked at Brad, then at Lindsay.

"This is it, guys," I said. "As soon as I push this doorbell, our lives are going to change. Are you ready?"

I got a nod, a kiss, and an ‘I love you' from each of them.

I stood up straight, took a deep breath - which I held - and then I pushed the doorbell.

To Be Continued​

 

[sheep]

Awesome, Neil. Pass the kleenex please.

 

[gsdx]

WATCHING BRAD
Part XXXXII​

David opened the door almost immediately and invited us out of the dark, chilly night. We'd barely stepped inside and got the door closed before stampeding footsteps came toward us and the twins appeared around the corner. One pair of eyes found mine and the other pair found Brad. We both got squatted down just in time for the little steam rollers to plough into us. Justin's arms came around my neck and, from the grip he had on me, he had no intention of letting me go anytime soon. I stood up with him in my arms and Brad did the same with Jeremy.

Nancy and Trish were there by this time, standing a polite distance away from us. Trish was holding a small suitcase and I suddenly realized that the boys' entire lives were packed into that tiny, little package.

"I still wish I had some of your magic dust, Ted," David said. "It's been totally different these past few days. They're talking now, and they've been counting the minutes until you got here. I almost wish they didn't have to go now."

Justin's arms tightened around my neck. "Sorry, David," I said with a smile. "I don't think you could pry these arms off me."

David smiled back. "We know they're in good hands," he said, almost sadly. "That makes it easier somehow."

Trish approached and held out a folded piece of paper. "I've written down the things they like to eat and the things they don't. Neither of them have any allergies that we know of. Food or otherwise. Oh, and they've already had their bath and they don't wet the bed." She held out the suitcase to me.

"I'll carry it, Daddy," Lindsay said.

"Thank you, Sweetheart."

"We've had all their medical files transferred to your doctor," Nancy said. "He should have them soon." She held out a manilla envelope. "Here's all your documentation."

"Thank you," I said as Trish began pulling their coats, hats, and mitts out of the hall closet.

"Their jackets are packed in the suitcase," she said. "They're getting small for them, though. I think you'll have to buy new ones soon. I'm afraid they don't have many things of their own." There was going to be a whole lot of stuff I was going to have to buy. Of that I was certain.

"You have to let go now, Justin," I said. "It's time to get dressed."

"Are we going home now?"

"Yes, we are," I told him.

The big smile he gave me melted my heart, and then he leaned forward and gave me a kiss on the lips. He released his neck lock and I set him down and began getting him ready for the ride home. Brad followed suit with Jeremy. I was so proud of Brad. Already, he was making my job half as difficult. I don't know why Jeremy went to him so easily, but I certainly didn't mind.

As soon as they were dressed, Justin locked his arms around me again and I stood up with him in my arms. Brad joined me a short time later, carrying Jeremy. Neither of them, it appeared, were going to let us go anywhere without them.

Trish came forward, giving both boys a tearful kiss on the cheek. "Goodbye," she said.

"Bye," the twins said in turn. Justin added, "Thank you for looking after us."

"It was our pleasure, Jeremy," David said.

I winked. "This one is Justin."

David blushed slightly. "You'd think I'd be able to tell by now." He shook Justin's hand. "Goodbye, pal," he said. He shook Jeremy's hand as well and said, "See you later, alligator."

"Bye."

Nancy had her coat on. "I'll walk out with you." To Trish and David, she said. "Thank you both so much. We'll be in touch."

"You be good boys now, you hear?" Trish said.

"We will," Justin replied. Then he turned to me. "Can we go home now?"

"You sure can," I told him. He turned back to David and Trish and gave them one small wave and another "Bye."

And then we were gone.

Outside, Nancy told us that she would be visiting regularly to check on the progress, sometimes unannounced. I had no problem with that.

"Call me if you have any problems or questions," she told me. She got into her car and drove away.

I opened the sliding van door and took the suitcase from Lindsay, setting it on the front seat before helping Lindsay get in. She went back to join Terry in the third row of seats as I climbed in myself.

"Terry, this is Justin. Justin? This is Terry. She'll be looking after you when I'm at work."

"Hi, Terry," he said shyly.

"Hello, Justin," she said. "It's very nice to meet you."

I sat Justin in the safety seat nearest the window and buckled him in before taking Jeremy out of Brad's arms.

"And this is Jeremy."

"Hi, Jeremy," Terry said, smiling. Jeremy responded with a smile of his own.

I buckled Jeremy into his seat as Brad got into the front passenger seat.

I climbed out, slid the door closed, and circled the van to my door. David and Trish were standing in the doorway of their home. I opened the door to turn on the interior light so they could see the boys waving goodbye to them. They waved back, and then David gave me a ‘thumbs up' sign. I returned it, got in, and drove away.

"Anyone for Tim Horton's?" I asked and was met by a resounding and unanimous "Yes!" So, off we went for our new family's first outing.

As I thought might happen, Justin had no intention of letting me go anywhere without him. I carried him inside Tim's, holding Lindsay's hand with my free hand. Brad followed with Jeremy, and Terry went ahead of us to hold the door open. Brad and Jeremy found a table big enough for us all as the rest of us went to the counter to place our orders. I pulled off Justin's mitts and hat. Two coffees, of course, and a tea for Terry. When Lindsay said she wanted chocolate milk, Justin agreed. Three chocolate milks were added to the order, plus a large box of Timbits and a dozen assorted.

I paid and Terry said, "Go sit. I'll bring this."

I joined Brad and Jeremy. Lindsay sat near the window. I sat beside her and Justin knelt on the chair to the other side of me. I opened his coat, but left it on. Brad did the same for Jeremy.

Terry arrived with the tray of goodies and set it on the table. I handed out the coffees and the tea, then gave one glass of milk to Lindsay. It was filled almost to the top. "Brad," I said, "do you like this stuff?"

"Yeah."

I handed him one of the glasses. "Drink some of this." He took a few gulps and checked the level. "A bit more," I said. He took another swig before handing it to Jeremy. He did the same with the other glass and gave it to Justin. A little trick I'd learned when Lindsay was younger. "I can't stand the stuff," I said, wrinkling my nose at it.

I had already opened the Timbits and was opening the box of doughnuts. Terry pulled a pile of napkins from the holder on the table and distributed them around the table. I let Lindsay have first choice of doughnuts. She took the one with the candy sprinkles. Jeremy took a chocolate covered one, but Justin wanted the coconut-sprinkled Timbits.

Our first meal as a family - such as it was.

Sometime during our munching out, I asked, "Justin? Why didn't you talk to anyone?"

He wiped coconut sprinkles from his lips with the sleeve of his coat. I handed him a napkin. "That's what this is for." He took the napkin and wiped his mouth again.

"The bad man said he would hurt me and Jeremy if we said anything about what he did."

"That was a long time ago."

"We were afraid he would come back."

"Then why did you talk to me."

Justin's answer was simple. He looked into my eyes and said, "We know you won't let him hurt us."

It took a lot of sips of my coffee to wash down the lump that formed in my throat.

* * * * *

As soon as we got the boys out of their winter gear, I took them to the bathroom, which they both had to use.

"Do you sit down when you pee or do you stand up?"

"We stand up," Justin said proudly. They peed side-by-side. I must say, I was impressed with their aim. They didn't hit the floor once. I had to hold them up one at a time so they could wash their hands in the sink. I'd have to remember to buy stepping stools for them.

I showed them where my bedroom was, and, finally, to Lindsay's bedroom, where they would be sleeping for the next little while. They didn't care much for the pink walls, but, after the initial "pee-eww", they didn't say much about it. I think they would have been happy sleeping in the bathtub if they had to.

I sat on their bed and they climbed up beside me. I explained to them that, if my bedroom door was closed, they had to knock and wait for me to let them in. They could come in if the door was open, but if it was closed, they had to knock and wait. They seemed to understand, but Brad and I would have to be very careful for the first little while.

That's when I opened their suitcase to unpack their stuff. I almost cried for them. Except for the clothes they had on, there were only three other pairs of jeans and two pairs of shorts, two sets of underwear, four pairs of socks, three T-shirts, their blue and red striped pull-over shirts, two button-down shirts, two pairs of sneakers, and two pairs of pyjamas. There was a box of eight crayons (only five were left), three colouring books, a few toy cars, one tiny, plastic airplane that looked like it came from a Kinder Surprise, one rubber ball, and two small, brown Teddy bears.

"We sleep with those," Justin said. Jeremy rarely spoke. Justin was definitely the dominant twin. I took out the bears and held them up. They each reached for their own.

I pulled out their pyjamas. "Okay, boys," I said. "Let's get these on and then we'll go out and join the others for awhile before you go to bed, okay?"

They dutifully started taking off their clothes as I unpacked their things and put them into one of the empty drawers which Lindsay had offered to let them use. I checked labels in everything, making note of the sizes. I wrote them down on the inside cover of one of the colouring books with a red crayon. When they were dressed in their pyjamas, they ran ahead of me back to the kitchen. The table was extended now, with a leaf added. Two chairs now stood on either side with one more chair at each end. That was how it would be from now on.

I allowed the kids two more Timbits each for a late-night snack. (Late for them, at least.) Lindsay declined and went to take her bath instead. Brad got it ready for her. The boys got along well with Terry. That surprised me, considering what I had heard about their reactions to females. Maybe it was her age, or perhaps it was that they now were in a situation they could identify with. Or maybe Terry just had a way with kids. I don't know. Whatever it was, they minded her and didn't shy away from her. That was good. I hadn't been too keen on the idea of having to try to find a male babysitter.

All too soon, though, it was time for them to be in bed. Brad followed me as I chased them down the hall to their room. They climbed up into the bed themselves, grabbed their Teddy bears, and crawled under the blankets.

I sat on the side of the bed. Brad stood beside me.

"Is this our new home now?" Justin asked.

"I hope so," I told him.

"I do, too," he said.

Then Jeremy spoke. "Can we call you ‘Daddy'?"

"Would you like to call me ‘Daddy?"

"Yes," Jeremy replied.

Brad's hand came to rest on my shoulder.

"We want a Daddy," Justin added.

Brad's hand squeezed my shoulder.

I smiled at the boys. "Then you can call me Daddy. Now, it's time for you to go to sleep." I bent down and kissed each forehead.

"Nitey-nite, Daddy," they said.

"Goodnight. I'll see you in the morning, okay?"

They nodded and smiled at me, then curled up together as I stood up.

Brad and I went back to the livingroom to wait for Lindsay to finish her bath. I'd brought the colouring book with me so I could transfer the clothing sizes to paper. I put my arm around Brad's big shoulders and he settled into me, then I phoned Mom and told her the clothing sizes.

"What do they need?" she asked.

"Everything, Mom," I told her. "Except for their coats, everything they own would fit in your carry-on suitcase."

"Oh, my. The poor dears."

"I'm taking them shopping in the morning."

"You said they had coats?" Mom asked. "How are they for winter?"

"They look new, but I think they came from Bi-Way or something. They're pretty cheap."

"Boots?"

"St. Vincent de Paul." I said.

The anger in Mom's voice surprised me. "How can anyone expect those boys to be warm!?" she shouted. "Let me kit them out for winter, Ted. I'll buy everything at Zellers and bring the receipts to you in case you have to exchange them. What size are their coats and boots?"

"Just a sec," I told her. To Brad, I said, "Could you check the size of their coats and boots?"

Brad headed for the hallway closet.

"They're adorable, Mom. You're going to love them. They want to call me Daddy already."

"That's so sweet," Mom said. "Do they know we're coming to see them on Friday?"

"Not yet. I'll tell them tomorrow and show them your pictures."

Brad returned with the sizes and I relayed them to Mom.

"Do you know when their birthday is?"

"Mom," I said, "they're not even mine yet!"

"Humour me, Teddy," she said. "If I come up there and find out I should have brought birthday presents. . ."

She didn't have to finish her sentence. "Okay, hold on. I have to look it up." Fortunately, the manila envelope Nancy had given me was sitting on the coffee table. I opened it and glanced through the papers. I found their birth certificates.

"Okay, here it is," I said. "Oh, well that's cool." Brad glanced over at the certificates. "July first."

"Canada Day?" Mom asked. "Imagine having fireworks on your birthday."

"Well, the six month trial period is up in May," I told her. "I won't know until then. So, don't bake their cake just yet. I might have to give them back."

Mom snickered. "Don't think like that, Ted," she said. "Let me have some fun. In one day, you've tripled the number of grandchildren. We'll see you Friday night."

"Okay, Mom. Love you."

"We love you, too, Ted. Say ‘hi' to Brad for us."

To Brad, I said, "Mom says ‘hi'."

"Hello!" Brad called out.

"Bye, Mom."

"Goodbye, Ted."

She hung up. Brad and I settled back and into each other once more.

"It's the strangest feeling, Ted," Brad said quietly. "I'm scared to death, but I'm not. Know what I mean?"

"You'd better believe it!" I told him emphatically. "But I know I'm doing the right thing."

"I knew you would."

We sat there in silence after that until Lindsay joined us, dressed for bed. She climbed into my lap and settled herself against my chest. "How are you doing, Sweetheart?" I asked her.

"I think I'm going to like having two brothers," she said. "I just hope they don't snore like you and Brad."

She bounced as I chuckled out loud.

"We don't snore, Lindsay," Brad said. "We just let you know when we're still asleep."

"Can't you find a quieter way to do it?"

My chuckle became a laugh.

"Do you want to talk for awhile, Sweetheart?" I asked when I could.

"No," she answered. "I'm tired. I think I should go to bed."

"Okay," I said as I stood up. "If you need to talk to me, just let me know, okay?"

"I will. Nite, Brad."

"Goodnight, Lindsay."

I held her down so she could give Brad his goodnight kiss, then I carried her to her room and tucked her in. The boys were already sound asleep.

My hand caressed Lindsay's hair and I kissed her forehead. "I am so proud of you, Sweetheart."

"Why, Daddy?"

"For letting the boys sleep in your room," I told her. "For being so nice to them and helping me take care of them."

"They're my brothers," Lindsay replied. "That's what big sisters are supposed to do, isn't it?."

"Come here," I said, motioning her into a sitting position. I took her into my arms and hugged her. "I love you so much, Sweetheart. And now I love you even more."

"I love you, too, Daddy."

I held her for a long time, my face buried in her hair. I finally released her and tucked her in again. "Goodnight, Sweetheart," I said and kissed her forehead again.

"Nite, Daddy."

* * * * *

It was after three in the morning. I stood in the doorway of Lindsay's bedroom, leaning against the door frame, my arms crossed over my chest, my legs crossed at the ankles. I heard movement behind me, then Brad was standing beside me. His arm came around my back and his head rested against my shoulder. We were both naked.

"Sorry if I woke you up," I said softly.

"No," he whispered back. "I just know when you're not in bed with me. I hope you never have to go anywhere without me. I don't think I can sleep without you beside me anymore."

I heard Brad, but I was too busy looking at the kids to respond. Still, I knew I felt the same way. My bed would be so empty without him. I wouldn't be able to sleep, either.

There was enough light from the street to cast a soft glow over the boys, even with the blanket hiding the window. "Aren't they beautiful?" I asked. "I still can't believe this is happening to me."

We stood there together, just looking at them. Justin stirred and smacked his lips a few times, then settled into place once again and continued sleeping. I could have stood there all night, just watching them, but I felt a kiss on my shoulder.

"Come on, Ted," Brad said. "You need to get some sleep, too. They're going to need you awake in the morning."

I turned my head toward him. Our lips found each other and we kissed, and then our bodies came together. We went back to bed soon after that, but not before I stood in the doorway for a few more minutes looking at my new children.

I fell asleep thinking of the day that I could say, "This is my daughter, Lindsay. And these are my sons, Justin and Jeremy."

I prayed that day would come next May, and I could hardly wait.

To Be Continued​