Watching Brad

[caddymac]

Great Story, Love it.

 

[harry113]

Neil. dear guy,
I just don't know how you do it !!!
Absolutely fantastic ...... yet another box of Kleenex
Thank you
Harry

 

[sheep]

Brad says to Ted, "I hope you never have to go anywhere without me. I don't think I can sleep without you beside me anymore."
Well Brad, I do have to go on a business trip but you can stay with Uncle Sheep. He has a nice Mustang convertible. You will like it.

 

[gsdx]

Well Brad, I do have to go on a business trip but you can stay with Uncle Sheep. He has a nice Mustang convertible. You will like it.

Ummmm. Sorry to break the news to you, buddy, but. . . Brad's not real.

 

[DeafFoxDemon]

neil, how u come up with these story??? u must have a very creative mind!!!

 

[kcm17480]

That was very touching.

 

[sheep]

Ummmm. Sorry to break the news to you, buddy, but. . . Brad's not real.

I'm shattered.

 

[gsdx]

WATCHING BRAD
Part XXXXIII​

Fortunately, there were no tiny eyes peering at me or tiny hands poking at me or little boy voices saying "Daddy, we're hungry" when my alarm went off at six-thirty. The house was still silent. I crawled out of bed, grabbed my robe, and headed for the bathroom. Brad was right behind me. He locked the door behind us. I took a piss while Brad cranked up the shower. His morning hardon wouldn't let him piss yet.

"I wish I could take are of that for you," I told him.

Brad could still smile about it. "I'll survive," he said. "It's not just you and me anymore. I'll adapt."

I'm not sure why I felt so guilty. I felt bad about that. First there was just the two of us. Then Lindsay came to stay. And now I'd taken on this adoption thing. Sure, both Brad and Lindsay had gone along with it, but I think they had done it for me. And now Brad was being neglected. I couldn't take care of him when he needed me to.

I joined him in the shower. "Brad?" I said. "Are you going to be okay with this?"

"Sure," he said. "Why shouldn't I?"

"Well, for one thing, I can barely move around in here without you poking me somewhere and we can't do anything about it."

Brad stopped washing his armpits and pulled me into a soggy hug. His hardon trapped itself between us. He pushed me back when he'd held me long enough and looked deeply into my eyes. "Parents have had to deal with this for centuries, Ted. We'll find our times together. We'll adapt. And no-one has ever died from a neglected hardon that I know of."

"But it's not fair to you."

"Is it any more fair to you?"

I thought about that for a moment. "No, I guess not."

"Like it or not, Ted, you're stuck with me. I ain't goin' nowhere, as they say. When I fell in love with you, I fell in love with your family, too, no matter how big it is."

He hugged me again. "I love you, Ted," he said softly in my ear. "It will be okay for us. We'll manage."

I hugged him tighter. "I love you so bloody much," I told him just as softly.

* * * * *

Brad was preparing breakfast. I was sitting on the side of Lindsay's bed. "Time to wake up, Sweetheart," I said quietly as I put my hand on her shoulder.

Her eyes opened and found mine. "Hi, Daddy," she said.

"Good morning, Sweetheart." I gave her a ‘good morning' kiss. "You go to the bathroom and I'll wake up the boys and take them in when you're finished, okay?"

"Okay, Daddy."

I lifted her out of bed, kissed her once again, and sent her on her way. Fortunately, Lindsay isn't a bathroom hog like her mother and, only a minute or two later, I heard the toilet flush and the faucet running.

I moved to the boys' bed and placed my hand on Jeremy's shoulder. "Jeremy," I called. "Time to wake up."

Jeremy rolled over to look at me and he smiled. Justin woke up as well. Both climbed to their knees and crawled into my waiting arms. Their corn silk hair glistened in the morning light and their blue eyes sparkled like sapphires. They both kissed a cheek, then I picked them up and took them to the bathroom. I held them up again so they could wash their hands, and then I sent them off in front of me toward the kitchen.

Their eyes lit up at the array of cereals waiting for them. Justin selected Corn Pops. Jeremy wanted Fruit Loops. Lindsay was already halfway through her bowl of Rice Krispies. They climbed onto their knees on the chairs opposite Lindsay as I prepared their cereal. Brad was almost finished cooking our breakfast.

We all sat together that morning, having our first real meal together - the boys on one side of the table, Lindsay on the other beside Brad, and I sat at the end. Everybody appeared to be so comfortable, as if we had been doing this for years. I feared it might be the calm before the storm.

Lindsay finished eating first and ran off to get dressed for school. The boys finished next and I sent them in to watch cartoons as Brad and I finished eating and cleaning up the dishes. Lindsay's insistence on buying a dishwasher was prophetic at best. It was going to be a God-send now. Load it up. Turn a dial. Voila! Dishes done!

I sent Brad off to get dressed for classes with a pat on his terrycloth-covered bum, but not before I made him give me a nice, warm hug and a nicer, warmer kiss. I finished cleaning up the kitchen before joining Brad in our bedroom so I could get dressed for the day.

"That was fun," he said. "It's going to be interesting cooking for everyone now."

"We can take turns," I told him.

"You're too busy being the father. I can handle it."

"I'm not too busy to do my share."

Brad turned toward me, dressed only in his socks, underwear, and T-shirt. He put his hands on my arms. "Please, Ted," he said. "Let me do this. I don't mind cooking." He pulled me into a hug. "You feel so good," he said softly.

My hands move down his back to the solid cheeks of his ass. My fingers dug into him and I pulled his crotch into mine. Brad leaned back so he could look into my face. "That feels so good, too," he said. "But this is neither the time nor the place."

"It will be tonight," I told him. "Somehow, it will be tonight." We kissed then.

* * * * *

It was cold that morning, and there was a light dusting of snow on the ground. Kind of scary for early November, but certainly not unheard of. There were more flurries in the forecast, too. But, it was nice and warm in the van. The twins were buckled into their safety seats behind me as I drove to Zellers. With the clothing size list and a fist full of credit cards, I was ready to buy these boys some clothes.

I managed to convince them that I couldn't carry them everywhere and that they would have to start using their own feet. However, just for this day, they wanted me to carry them. So, I did. At least until I found an empty shopping cart nearby. I set them in and they sat down, their faces full of happy smiles, ready for their ride.

Inside the store, I went directly to the boys' department. Socks first. I let them pick out their favourite colours, which was light blue, dark blue, and any shade of blue in between. "I thought you liked red," I said.

They shook their heads ‘no'. "Trish bought red to tell us apart," Justin said.

I sighed and grabbed up a dozen pairs of socks in varying shades of blue. I bypassed the packages of white underwear and went straight for the blue. There was no way we were going to be able to keep their clothes separate short of sewing their names into each one, and I wasn't about to be bothered doing that. As long as it was clean, they could share it and wear it.

Fortunately, there was a stock of thermal underwear as well. I equated the sizes and picked up four sets. They would at least be warm. I picked up four more pairs of pyjamas while I was at it. T-shirts and shirts were next, and finally the jeans. I found a pair their size, but they looked long. I lifted Justin out of the cart and held the jeans up to his waist. Yup, too long. Jeremy wanted out as well, so out he came.

I found a shorter pair and held them up to Jeremy. Just right. I started digging through the piles until I found five more pairs, then turned to put them in the cart.

The boys were gone.

My heart exploded in my chest. Panic almost knocked me back into the shelves. I looked quickly in both directions. No boys were in sight. "Jeremy?" I called. "Justin?" I dropped the jeans to the floor and took off running toward the nearby aisle intersection. "Justin! Jeremy!" I shouted.

"I think they went that way," a woman pointed to my left.

"Thanks," I said as I took off again. I called their names again, scanning the aisles as I passed. An older man and woman appeared two aisles in front of me. The man pointed ahead of him.

"Justin!" I called. I reached the intersection beside the man and woman and looked up the aisle. A stock boy was walking toward me, one little boy was attached to each of his hands. "Oh, God," I said as I ran to them and snatched them up in my arms.

"They were looking for the toys," the stock boy explained.

"Thank you," I told him and he returned to his duties.

I knelt down on one knee, setting the boys on the floor, and kissed each one on the cheek. "Why didn't you answer me when I called?" I couldn't hide the panic and fear that still clouded my voice.

"We thought you would be mad," Justin explained.

"I'm not angry," I said. "But you scared me half to death. I didn't know where you were."

"We're sorry, Daddy," Jeremy offered.

I hugged and kissed them again. "You can't go away like that anymore, okay?" They nodded. "If I'm busy, I want you to hold onto my pants so I know you're there beside me. Can you do that?" Another trick I had learned from Lindsay. Both boys nodded. "Promise me you'll do that."

"I promise," Justin said.

"I do, too," Jeremy added.

I gave them one more big, reassuring hug. "I love you guys," I said, more to make them feel better about their mistake, but I suddenly realized that I already did love them. That's when they hugged me back and kissed my cheeks.

I stood up and held each one tightly in my hands. My heart was returning to normal again, but I was still shaking. We walked back toward the abandoned cart. The first woman who had directed me was standing there, holding the discarded jeans in her arm. She held them out to me.

"No-one touched your cart," she said as I took the jeans from her. Two hands immediately grabbed my pant legs, one on each leg.

"Thank you," I said.

She bent over slightly, putting her hands on her knees and looking at the twins.. "You shouldn't scare your father like that." She looked at their hands as their tiny fingers grasped at my jeans. She smiled. "That's the way. You both hold onto him so he can't get away from you." She stood up then and looked at me. "Adorable," she said.

"Thank you again," I said. She continued with her business and we continued with ours. I put the jeans in the cart, pushed everything to the end, and set the boys back into place. "We'll go to the toys soon, okay?"

"Okay, Daddy," Justin said.

Bathrobes were next. Nothing felt better than getting out of a bathtub and into a nice, thick, warm, terrycloth robe - especially in winter. The ones I picked out were big, but the boys would grow into them soon enough, I was sure.

I knew all about boys and snow, and how wet they could get. I was one of them once, and I remembered it well. I found a bin full of mittens and picked out eight heavy, warm pairs in case they had to double them up on colder days or just dry out a pair over the hot air vent. I picked out four toques and two scarves as well. My boys were going to be warm and dry.

I found two pillows for them. I'd given them two from our bed, even though the boys used the same pillow. I couldn't fault them. Brad and I had used the same pillow every night - except one. I let them pick out their own comforter and they settled on a green one with all sorts of jungle animals on it.

Then we hit the toy department. I took the boys out of the cart and stood back. I told them that the other toys at the house belonged to everyone, but they could pick out two toys each just for themselves. Justin was looking at the cars and trucks, but Jeremy was checking out the action figures.

With their selected toys, we hit the checkout counter. Lots of HBC bonus points on that trip, I'll tell you. They would come in handy for Christmas shopping.

I took them to Burger King for lunch. We made a bathroom break first, though. The three of us crowded ourselves into a cubicle and I let them pee first, then they stood behind me while I went as well. I washed my hands first, then held each of them up to wash theirs. They liked the hand dryer and my arms almost fell off holding them up as they kept hitting the ‘on' button.

True to their word, they stood beside me as I placed our orders and held onto my jeans, and they still held onto me as I carried the tray full of food to a table. I took off their coats and mitts so they could eat, but they each wanted to keep wearing their new toques. Justin dove into his lunch with gusto, but Jeremy picked at his, pulling small pieces of burger apart with his fingers.

"Is something wrong with your burger, Jeremy?" I asked.

He shook his head ‘no', avoiding my gaze.

"What's wrong?"

When Jeremy didn't respond, Justin answered for him. "He thinks they will take us away again."

"Why would they do that?" I asked.

Jeremy looked up at me then. The sadness in his face almost made me cry. "They always do."

Oh, God. What do I say to that? I couldn't tell him that wasn't going to happen. I didn't even know myself. All I could do was assure them.

"I'll do everything I can to make sure they don't take you away this time."

"Promise?" Jeremy asked.

"I promise, Jeremy," I said. "I'll do everything I can to keep you with me." But I knew that, until the papers were signed and sealed, Jeremy would never be convinced.

* * * * *

I felt like a king walking into my work with a twin on either of me. The receptionist, Sally, went all ga-ga over them, as did everyone else. JW showed even up in my office as the boys sat in my chair and looked at everything.

"Sally called me and I came looking," he said, smiling. "You'd better hold onto them, Ted, or she'll take them away from you."

Not a good thing to say in front of a four-year-old boy whose worst fear was just that. Jeremy started crying and scrambled up in the chair, reaching for me. I grabbed him up in my arms and his tiny fingers locked onto my coat.

"Sorry, Ted," JW said when he realized what he'd said. "I wasn't even thinking."

I nodded at him as I continued trying to ease Jeremy's troubled mind. "No-one's going to take you away," I told him softly. "Remember my promise?" Jeremy continued crying into my coat, holding on for dear life.

"I'll go, Ted," JW said. "Bring them to my office before you go. I have something for them."

I nodded again and he left. I picked up Justin in my other arm and sat in my chair as they settled onto my lap. It took awhile to calm Jeremy down, but he eventually realized that Sally wasn't going to come take him away from me and eventually became himself again.

I took them to the bathroom again before heading to JW's office. He motioned them to his desk. Jeremy was hesitant, but followed his brother. I stayed close behind them both.

JW leaned close to them and whispered, "Can you keep a secret?" They nodded their heads. "I like chocolate," he added. "Do you?" Again they nodded their heads. JW put his finger to his lips and said, "Shhh," then opened the middle drawer of his desk. It was half-full of chocolate bars. All sorts of them. Enough to keep the boys bouncing off the walls for a month.

"You can have as many as you like," JW whispered.

"You can have two each," I told them.

Four hands started pawing through the drawer looking for their favourite candy bars. Maybe they couldn't read the names, but they certainly recognized the packages. Jeremy preferred the ones with nuts. Justin preferred the ones with cookie waffers.

When they had made their selections, I held out my hands to take them. "I'll hold onto them for you," I said. "You can have one when we get home and another before you go to bed."

"What kind does Lindsay like?" JW asked.

"Got any Reece's in there?"

JW searched and came up with two packages of peanut butter cups. I grabbed a Mars bar for Brad and a Coffee Crisp for myself before JW closed the drawer.

The boys were asleep in their car seats before I got home. They didn't even wake up when I unbuckled them and carried them inside. Terry met me at the door and let me in. As I held them, she pulled off their boots, mittens, and toques, and undid their coats. I took off Justin's coat as Terry took off Jeremy's and laid Justin on the loveseat with his back against the back of the small sofa. His eyes opened slightly. "Jeremy?" he said sleepily.

I picked up Jeremy and laid him in front of his brother. Justin's arm automatically came around him. A moment later, he was asleep again. Terry and I spent the next little while taking labels off all the clothes. As Terry replaced the blanket on the boys' bed with their new comforter, I grabbed up the underwear, socks, shirts, pyjamas, and pants, took them downstairs, and tossed the first load into the washer.

Terry had a mug of coffee ready for me when I got back upstairs. She sat with me at the kitchen table as I sipped it.

"Do you know you haven't stopped smiling since you came home?" she said.

I hadn't been aware.

* * * * *

After dinner and Wheel of Fortune, I had my first bath with the boys. Actually, they had the bath. I had a fully-clothed shower whilst sitting on the side of the tub. It all came at me at once. The twins were screaming with laughter at me and dowsed me a few more times.

I stood up. Water dripped down my face, down my shirt and pants. A splash hit me from behind. I turned around.

"Okay, boys," I said, "that's enough." Another splash hit my face. My voice became louder. "I said that's enough!" When the third splash hit me, I shouted, "Stop it! Now!"

The boys froze. I grabbed a towel off the rack and shoved my face into it, as much to calm myself down and to think as to dry myself. Some start. I'd lost them in the store, I hadn't convinced Jeremy someone wasn't going to take him away again, and now I'd lost my temper over a little bit of water. I took a deep breath through the towel, wiped my face one more time, laid the towel over the side of the tub, and sat down on it.

I looked from face to face, took another deep breath, and said quietly, "Okay. A new rule at bath time. You can play, but you have to try to keep the water in the tub and off me. Okay?"

The boys looked at me, their eyes wide. No yelling. No hitting. No spanking. No threats. No anything except talking. That surprised them, and, frankly, it surprised me as well. Boys were certainly a lot different than girls. This was going to be a learning experience for all of us. But the learning had to begin with me, and I knew exactly where to start.

I smiled at the boys and repeated, "Okay?"

They nodded and said, "Okay, Daddy."

"Good," I said. I opened the door and yelled, "Brad!" He appeared a few seconds later. "Watch them. I have to make a phone call." Before I left, I turned to the boys. "That rule applies to Brad as well, okay?"

They nodded again. "Good. I'll be right back." I dug my cell phone out of my pocket as I went to our bedroom and closed the door behind me. I found the name quickly on my phone list and punched it in and waited for it to be answered on the other end.

"Jacob McConnell speaking."

"Hi, Jacob. It's Ted de Villiers. I need your help again. Do you have time?"

"I'll make time, Ted," he said. "What do you need?"

"I'm trying to adopt a set of twins, Jacob. They've had a rough life and I need to know everything I can about them. Their father was gay and was murdered by his lover about a year and a half ago. The boys have been with CAS since then. I need to know what the father and his lover were like, what kind of relationship they had, any abuse, stuff like that. Can you do it?"

"Names?"

"I only have the boys' names. Justin and Jeremy M_____."

"That's all I need. I'll handle it personally, Ted," he said.

"You have someone else working for you?"

Jacob chuckled. "I have three someone elses working for me. How soon do you need it?"

"As soon as possible," I told him.

"You'll have it sooner than that."

"Thanks, Jacob."

"I'll call you."

I returned to the bathroom. The boys were playing quietly and Brad was miraculously dry. Until I knew I could leave them alone in the bathtub and be safe, they wouldn't be in there by themselves.

Brad stood up and I kissed him. "Thanks," I said.

"I'll get a mop," he said with a smirk and left the room.

I sat on the tub again. "Thank you for being such good boys while I was gone," I said. "Now, let's get your hair washed."

Brad arrived with the mop and dutifully sopped up the water on the tile floor as I washed and rinsed their hair with fresh water poured over them from a handy dandy plastic milk pitcher. When Brad was done and gone again, I lifted Jeremy out of the tub, wrapped him in a towel and patted him dry, then scrubbed the water from his hair. I got him into his pyjamas and sent him out to sit with Brad and Lindsay.

I did the same with Justin. "Daddy?" he said as I patted him dry.

"Yes, Justin?"

"Is Brad your boyfriend?"

"Yes, he is."

"Does he hurt you?"

"No, Justin, he doesn't."

His lip began to quiver and tears flowed into his eyes and I suddenly realized what was going on in his mind. He didn't believe me and he was convinced life would repeat itself. I grabbed him in my arms. "Oh, Justin. No, Baby. Brad won't hurt me like that. Never."

"I don't want you to go away," he said into my shoulder.

"I'm not going anywhere, Justin," I told him. "I can promise you that."

* * * * *

Our bedroom door was closed and, except for the sounds of our kisses, the house was silent. Justin had settled down quickly after our little chat. By the time I carried him into the livingroom, Jeremy was curled up on Brad's lap, his head lying on Brad's chest as they watched television. Justin soon duplicated his brother's position with me, but I had the added benefit of Lindsay joining him. After all, I had two legs and Justin was using only one of them.

We hadn't sat there like that for long. Within ten minutes, Justin was asleep against my chest and Brad had another sleeping boy in his arms. At eight o'clock, I sent Lindsay in for her bath. "You can come back and sit with us until your bedtime," I told her. We followed her down the hall and into the bedroom. As Lindsay retrieved her nightgown, Brad and I put the boys to bed and tucked them in.

After a kiss on the forehead from each of us, we stood back and watched them sleep. My left arm was around Brad's waist, his right arm around my back. "Now I know why I found you standing in the doorway at three o'clock in the morning," he said. "I'm starting to understand how you've felt for the past ten years with Lindsay." I hugged him closer.

And now, I hugged him closer still. We were naked this time. Brad was on his side, leaning over me as our lips made innocent love with each other. His cock lay against my hip, pressing into it and burning into my skin. My own cock lay trapped between Brad's elbow and my stomach, his hand resting on my chest.

He leaned back a bit and looked into my eyes. "Now," he said, "isn't this better than chipping ice out of the hot tub?"

His eyes sparkled like emeralds in the light of the bedside lamp. "Brad?"

"Ye-e-e-e-e-s?" he said with that delightful, chipped-tooth grin of his.

"Shut the hell up and kiss me."

That delightful, chipped-tooth grin found my lips once more. They didn't stay there for long, though. Moments later, they travelled over my chin and down my neck and onto my chest as he rose to his knees beside me. My cock twitched in anticipation of what was about to happen as Brad's teasing tongue drew nearer and nearer. He ignored it completely and went to work on my balls instead.

This wasn't just my party, though. It was Brad's party, too, and a tug on his back brought him around to me. His knees straddled my head, his balls hanging low above me. My hands came around his hips, planting themselves on the upper portions of his rounded ass cheeks. With little effort, I raised my head and Brad's nuts became my playthings. My tongue and lips matched Brad's, motion for motion, lick for lick, nip for nip. And then Brad would switch and match my actions.

My lips travelled up the side of his sack, kissing and nipping and tonguing my way to his groin. I buried my face there, my chin pushing against the underside of his cock, his balls hanging against my cheek. I kissed him there for a long time and I could feel him pushing down against me while my own hips pushed upward. What I was feeling was exactly what Brad would be feeling. From the swelling of his cock against me, I knew he was feeling good.

I moved around to the back of his ball sack and trailed my tongue down to his balls, then to the other side and up again. Slowly, my tongue found its way to his ‘tween', that area of skin between his balls and his asshole. Brad's moans of sudden pleasure vibrated against me, sending shivers of excitement into me. I pulled on his hips, drawing his ass downward until my head was resting on the bed and Brad was sitting on my face. My tongue found his asshole and the rimming began.

Brad had pulled my legs up toward my chest, locking them behind his arms. His own tongue dug into my ass as mine was doing to his. Our groans of pleasure joined each other as I matched each push of Brad's tongue, each swirl, each lick, each flick. He flapped his tongue like a butterfly wing and sent bolts of electricity into me. My cock swelled, as did his, and I knew my orgasm wasn't far away.

I dug into him then, both with my fingers on his ass and my tongue in his button. My moans became louder and more urgent, and then I felt the tell-tale pulsations of Brad's cock, and mine quickly joined his rhythm. We came at the same time, as we usually did. Our cum combined and blended together between us. Our groans were muffled by the cheeks of the other's ass. Our panting breath blew jets of warm air against us.

Our no-hands climaxes were just as exciting and satisfying as any other. We clutched at each other and pressed against each other. We came and we came, spattering each other with our seed, and, when we were done, Brad collapsed on me. He lay on me for a long time before he turned around again and lay beside me. He grabbed me in his arms and rolled me onto him, kissing me with all the passion he could muster.

Nothing had changed. Brad still kissed me as energetically as he ever did. He still held me as tightly. His fingers still caressed me as tenderly. His body was as welcoming to mine as ever. And his chipped-tooth smile told me that he was as happy as he ever had been. Nothing at all had changed. Our love would survive.

To Be Continued​

 

[gsdx]

Toques (pronounced with an 'oo' sound like 'toots' or 'boots') are knitted hats.

(Scroll to the bottom for pix.)
http://www.tenpackbmx.com/products/clothing/headwear_index.html

http://www.rockydirect.com/productList/1000499/1000074

Sometimes, they have pompoms attached to the top, especially for kids. They're very warm and can be pulled down to cover the ears. They're very popular up here.

 

[sheep]

I heard them called Tubogens as a kid, and had a few as well. But in Florida, you don't have to use them a lot.

Excellent Story Neil, and I am getting a geography lesson as well on Canada.

A toboggan is a thing you sit on to slide down a snow covered hill. You need a toque when you do this to prevent frostbite.

 

[sheep]

On a side note, would you believe that in my 31 years of life, I have never seen Snow before? Born and raised here in Sunny (or should I say wet) Florida.

We could arrange to swap houses for the month of February if you want!

 

[gsdx]

Here's some pictures of toboggans:

http://www.ntsled.com/

Every self-respecting Canuck had one of these when they were a kid.

In the longer toboggans, like the one with the little boy, you could pile a whole lot of kids on them. The person in front would sit with his legs around the chains you can see and would lock his feet into the curve part. He could steer the toboggan by tilting the curve in the direction he wanted to go.

The other kids would sit behind in a row, holding onto the person in front and locking their feet under the legs of the person in front them.

Them was the good old days.

 

[sheep]

Give me my two weeks of winter, around New Year's day, where we dip to a freezing 45 degrees F. What tempature scale do you use up there anyways?

It's been known to hit 45ºF in January but I wouldn't hold my breath. That would be about 5 or 6ºC.
We converted to Celcius about 30 years ago. I should have bought futures in thermometers, thermostats and the like.
0ºC = 32ºF
100ºC = 212ºF
Of course the U.S. officially adopted metric around 1872 but decided gay marriage was a better target to rally the *right*.
Now we resume our regularly scheduled programming.

 

[gsdx]

No, Thank you!!!

I can just see the Florida boy freezing his ass off in a Canadian Winter. Give me my two weeks of winter, around New Year's day, where we dip to a freezing 45 degrees F, and I am fine all year long.


EDIT: What tempature scale do you use up there anyways?

We use celcius up here. Zero C is your 32ºF. Minus 20ºC is your Zero.

We don't freeze our asses off up here. It's usually the ears and noses and fingers and toes that are first to go, but not our asses.

Mind you, on the really nippy days, you can snap off a chunk of frozen moustache if you're not careful.

 

[gsdx]

WATCHING BRAD
Part XXXXIV​

The second morning, Thursday, was easier than the first. We knew what to do, more or less, and, somehow, we got five people into one bathroom and ready for the day without incident. The boys seemed to understand the situation and adapted admirably. Both they and Lindsay were content with the blanket separating their beds. The boys still didn't like the pink, though, and wanted us to paint their portion. After breakfast, I took them into the study to show them where their new bedroom was going to be and told them it could be any colour they wanted. They didn't complain about the pink after that.

Nancy phoned just after Lindsay went to school, asking if she could drop by, just to see how the twins were fitting in. She was in our home an hour later, with her supervisor. We showed them the bedroom with the blanket wall, which met with their approval, and then spent ten minutes sitting with the boys on their bed talking with them alone as Terry and I waited in the livingroom. I'd got the toys I'd bought them the day before and had them waiting when they came out. Minutes later, with empty boxes and packages all over, the twins were on the floor playing. Terry and I cleaned up the mess as Nancy and Mr. Sparks sipped their coffee.

I took them into the kitchen to talk privately, leaving Terry to watch the boys. I wasn't going to say anything about the incidents in the store, at my work, and during bath time, but honesty won out. I thought it best to tell about the bad as well as the good.

"They're so afraid I'm going to be mad at them or that someone is going to take them away."

"I wish I could tell you more about them, Ted," Nancy said sympathetically, "but we don't know very much ourselves. I've told you everything we know - everything we can."

"I'm finding out," I told her. At her questioning eyebrow, I continued. "A friend of mine is a private investigator. He's digging up everything he can on the boys, their father and mother, and the man who killed their father."

"We can't stop you, Mr. de Villiers," Mr. Sparks said. "And I don't think we would if we could. We have neither the time nor the resources to do so ourselves, but I know the importance of understanding where these boys came from. I must admit, this visit has surprised me more than I expected. Nancy told me about the changes in the boys, but I never expected this. They're like two entirely different children."

A burst of happy laughter came from the livingroom. "Like that," Mr. Sparks continued as he glanced toward the doorway into the livingroom. "None of us has heard that before. It's a nice sound."

"We rarely get gay couples, Ted," Nancy took over. "Most go through private agencies. I suppose they think they have a better chance of adopting. We don't get many children of gay parents, either, and few go through the trauma the twins have been through. Most of them go through those agencies as well. But this was a police matter and we had our duty to perform."

"My lawyer has a colleague who deals with adoptions," I said. "He recommended I go through Children's Aid."

"We're glad he did," Mr. Sparks added. "Could I see the rest of the house?"

"Of course," I said. Nancy joined Terry and the twins as I took Mr. Sparks on his tour. We began in the basement. The toys impressed him, especially that most of them were packed away in the toy box. Only the Gameboys and the half-built house and the box of Legos were out.

He chuckled. "I expected to see toys all over the floor."

"It's their job to put them away when they're finished playing with them," I said. I showed him the guest room and powder room with the single sink and toilet, then the laundry room. I unlocked the storage room and the furnace and utility room so he could see. "I'm going to buy a freezer next," I said. "We just have to make room in the storage room for it first."

Mr. Sparks nodded.

Upstairs, we stopped for a moment in the livingroom. "We're taking out this wall to open up the staircase," I said. "Then we can eliminate that door into the downstairs."

"Are you allowed to do that?"

"It's a living area downstairs," I explained. "Yes, we can do it. If it was just a basement, we'd have to keep it closed up."

"You've done your homework."

"I have friends who watch Mike Holmes," I smiled.

"Who's that?"

"A contractor on HGTV."

"Oh," he said. "I don't watch much television."

We went into the study next. The twins joined us and latched their tiny fingers on my slacks. Mr. Sparks noticed. "It's a rule," I told him as I put my hands on the twins' shoulders. "That way, I know where they are."

"I'll have to try that with my son," he said with a grin. "I never know where he is."

"Anyway," I explained as my hand drew out the design, "this door will be the entrance to the new bathroom. It will be small, but functional. The toilet and sink will go here along this wall and the tub and hand shower unit will go at the end. Easier to rinse hair than with a milk pitcher. There will be a walk-in closet off the bedroom behind the tub. A door into the bedroom will go somewhere here. Those closets at the other end will come out and the main door to the bedroom will go out to the right near the top of the stairs. It's a utility closet at the moment."

I felt a tug on my pant leg and looked down. Justin was looking up at me. "Yes, Justin?" I said. His finger motioned me down and I squatted so he could whisper into my ear. I nodded, wrapped my arms around both boys, and picked them up. "Excuse us," I said to Mr. Sparks with a smirk. "Toidy break. Make yourself at home. I'll be right back."

As I headed out the door, I said, "You know, you're going to have to start doing this by yourselves. What are you going to do when I'm not here?"

"Do it ourselves," Justin said.

Then Jeremy whispered in my ear, "I need help wiping my bum."

"Oh," I said, and I smiled. I took them into the bathroom and closed the door. "Who's first?" Jeremy stuck up his hand. I helped him pull down his pants, set him on the toilet, then said, "Call me when you're done, okay?"

"Okay, Daddy." I loved that sound.

Mr. Sparks was coming down the hall as I stepped outside to wait. "They need a bit of help with this part."

He leaned in to whisper in my ear. "Believe it or not, you miss it when they don't need your help anymore."

"I know," I said. "I have a ten-year-old daughter."

He nodded, then indicated my bedroom. "May I?"

"Of course."

He put his hands on the door frame and leaned in for a look around, but, out of propriety, didn't enter. To me, he asked, "Do you have any pictures of Brad?"

I looked down the hall and shouted. "Terry! Could you show Mr. Sparks our photo album, please?"

"You bet, Mr. Dee," she shouted back.

"I'm done, Daddy!" Jeremy's voice came from beyond the door.

"Terry will show you," I said to Mr. Sparks. "Help yourself to the coffee."

With a nod, he was gone. I went inside, helped Jeremy, then set Justin on the toilet for his turn. "Call me," I said, and stepped back outside again. Minutes later, the twins were cleaned and washed and back playing with their toys.

"Can I get my Gameboy, Daddy?" Jeremy asked.

"Sure," I said.

"I'll take him," Terry said. Jeremy's hand slipped into Terry's. I still didn't understand their ease with her after what I'd heard, but I was happy to see it. Terry had a way with kids.

"Justin, could you come here, please?" He came to me and I picked him up and set him on my lap. "You're not afraid of Terry, are you?"

He shook his head ‘no'. "We know you are our Daddy. Terry looks after us when you are away. That's okay."

"I thought you were afraid of women, like Trish.."

"Trish tried to be our Mommy," he said honestly. "Terry is our friend. Not a Mommy."

"Thank you," I said, and I set him on the floor again.

He walked over to Mr. Sparks, who was sitting with Nancy on the loveseat. "Hey," he said. Mr. Sparks looked up. "We want to live here with Daddy. Can we?"

"I certainly hope so . . . um. . ."

"Justin," I said.

Mr. Sparks glanced at Nancy. She held up her hands in defense. "Don't look at me," she said. "I still can't tell them apart."

He glanced back at me. I just smiled and shrugged. His attention returned to Justin. "Well, Justin, I certainly hope you can."

"Thank you," Justin said, then went back to his toys and began bulldozing the carpet.

Mr. Sparks closed the album and set it on the coffee table. "Thank you," he said.

"I hope you get to meet Brad, Ron," Nancy said as Terry and Jeremy returned. "He's a real sweetheart, and not very hard on the eyes." She said with a wink.

Ron's head snapped around to her. "Why, Nancy," he said. "You surprise me."

"What?" she said with a laugh. "Married women are supposed to go suddenly blind? I don't think so, Ron!"

"Touché!" Terry added.

Nancy turned to me. "You're just lucky you got to him first or my Jerry would be signed up with every online singles' dating service by now looking for a new wife. Can you say ‘hot'?"

And there was much rejoicing. (Alright! I stole that from Monty Python. Sue me.)

"Well, Nancy," Mr. Sparks said as he rose to his feet, "I think we should leave now, and don't forget to pack your fantasies." I rose to my feet as well, taking his extended hand. "It was good meeting you, Mr. de Villiers. I'd like to come back sometime to meet Brad if I may?"

"Any time," I said. "He's at Ryerson during the week, but he's here nights and weekends. You're always welcome."

I showed them to the door after they'd pulled on their coats. "Stay warm," I said, and then they were gone.

"Your architect phoned while you were in the bathroom, Mr. Dee," Terry said when I returned to the livingroom. "Your plans are ready."

"Excellent," I said. "Care to try your hand at a little one-on-two whilst I go get them?"

"Sure," she said, smiling brightly. "We'll be fine. Won't we, boys?"

"Yup," they answered in unison.

Twenty minutes later, I was talking to the architect. He'd even made 3D computer images of the finished rooms for me based on the info I had given him.

"Looks good," I said.

"Your plumber should be able to tie right into your service," the young man explained. "The laundry room just below the bathroom already has its own line. Good planning."

"Lucky planning, more like it. I like the open staircase," I said. "Looks really good."

"The column is there purely for esthetics," he said. "It's not supporting. You can eliminate it if you wish, but I think it acts as a ‘warning beacon' of sorts for the steps.."

"Good idea. I like it."

I wrote out his cheque and, with plans and photos in hand, I left. I detoured to my work on my way to City Hall just to check up on things, solved two minor problems, then I was on my way again. I stopped by Zellers to pick up another toy box for upstairs and two stepping stools for the bathroom. The building permits would be ready for pick-up on Monday or Tuesday and the renovations could begin.

I got back home just in time to put Justin and Jeremy down for a nap, then sat back with Terry as we enjoyed another mug of hot coffee.

"We got along fine, Mr. Dee," she said. "I don't think it's going to be a problem at all."

"That's good to hear."

"They don't fight with each other," she said. "I expected them to at least argue, but they don't."

"That might change," I said. "Up to now, they've had to rely on each other too much to argue."

"I hope not," she said. "By the way, could you tell me how you tell them apart?"

I explained the tiny scar. "You'll notice other differences, too, once you start looking. When Justin isn't doing something with his hands, he makes fists. Jeremy doesn't. Jeremy twitches the right side of his mouth when he's thinking. Things like that. Sometimes they imitate each other, but the scar is a dead give-away."

"Very observant. Did you have lunch?"

"No," I said. "I can make something."

"So can I," Terry said. "How about a ham sandwich with mozzarella?"

I nodded. "How about two? Would you mind?"

"Not at all," she said. And off she went to make them.

I pulled out the computer drawings and looked at them. It was all coming together.

* * * * *

I survived the second bath with the boys and came out of it with only a few minor splashes. We'd changed the time, though. Now, bath time was before Wheel of Fortune, not after it - the bonus of that being the boys now had a time limit. If they wanted to watch Pat and Vanna do their stuff, they had to be out of the tub and in their PJs before seven o'clock.

I was left more-or-less on my own that night. Shortly after Brad had cleaned up the kitchen after dinner, he'd hit the computer in our bedroom. Some sort of CAD drawing he had to do. I'd dropped in on him to see a few times, but it was all just a bunch of lines and notations to me.

I did quite well on my own, actually. At eight, I put the twins to bed and got Lindsay's bath ready for her. I took a fresh coffee in for Brad and set it on the desk, leaning over his back and wrapping my arms around his chest, my hands cupping his pecs. "How's it going?" I asked.

"I'm getting there," he answered. "It's not easy, though."

It still looked like a bunch of lines and notations to me. "Can I get you anything else?"

Brad turned his head to look up at me. "A kiss would be nice."

I couldn't resist. I twisted my head down and around so I could find his lips. I gave him a quick, little kiss, then stood up, my hands dragging up his chest to his shoulders. I gave them an encouraging pat and said, "I'm sure you'll figure it out." I left him to his work.

Lindsay joined me on the sofa following her bath and curled up in my lap. I had been sitting there with my feet propped up on the coffee table. "How are you doing, Sweetheart?"

"I'm okay, Daddy," she said sleepily.

"Any problems with the twins?"

"No. We have a lot of fun together. I like having two brothers."

"That's good."

"I feel sorry for them," she said. She sat up and turned to face me. "Is that wrong?"

"Why do you feel sorry for them?"

"Well, I was thinking about when I lived with Mommy and I couldn't see you for a whole week. I tried to think what it would be like if you weren't my Daddy anymore and it made me sad. Justin and Jeremy must have been really sad not to have a Daddy for a whole year."

"They were, Sweetheart," I said, "but they're happy now."

"So am I," she said. "Why haven't Grandma and Grandpa been over to see them yet?"

"They wanted to let the boys get used to living here first," I explained. "They'll be over on Saturday for supper when Grandma and Grandpa de Villiers are here."

"I bet Grandma Hayes brings a cake."

"I bet she does, too," I smiled.

"I hope they like J and J as much as we do, Daddy," she said. I liked that. ‘J and J'.

"I know they will, Sweetheart."

"Maybe I should make name tags for them," she suggested. "That way Grandma and Grandpa will know which one is which."

I chuckled lightly. "I think that's a good idea, Sweetheart," I told her.

"Will you help me spell their names?"

"You bet I will."

She puckered up her lips, waiting for her kiss. I gave it to her with pleasure. She curled up on my chest again to watch television with me. She was wearing her warmer flannelette nightgowns now, but I grabbed the blanket off the back of the sofa and wrapped it around her anyway.

* * * * *

I felt lips pressing against mine and I felt like I was dreaming. I recognized those lips and there was no mistaking the kiss. It was Brad. I opened my eyes and looked up into his handsome face. "Brad?" I said.

"Shhh," he whispered. "You'll wake up Lindsay."

I glanced around quickly. Lindsay was sound asleep on my chest. "What time is it?"

"After two," he said. "I just finished. Come on. Time to go to bed." He carefully lifted the blanket away from Lindsay and folded it up quickly as I rose to my feet, still holding my daughter. "I'll get the lights," Brad said.

I carried Lindsay down the hall to her room, flipped on the light, and put her gently into bed under her blankets. She stirred, but didn't wake up. I kissed her forehead, checked on the twins, and went back down the hall to the bathroom. Brad was already in there, taking his bedtime leak. I joined him.

Minutes later, I was asleep again, this time in my own bed with my best friend in the world sleeping on my chest instead of my daughter.

* * * * *

Friday was my first day without the boys. Still, I phoned home three times in the morning, once twice noon, and once more in the afternoon to check on them. Terry assured me they were fine, but it didn't stop me worrying.

I didn't stop worrying until I stepped through my front door at home and two little boys and one little girl jumped into my arms for their hugs and kisses. The hugs and kisses were worth all the worrying I had done.

"Look what Terry helped me make!" Lindsay was shouting. She held up two small, rectangular name badges on white cardboard. She'd drawn a fancy blue frame around each in permanent marker ink and had printed one name on each. She'd even decorated them with tiny stickers of cars and puppy dogs and kittens. Terry had attached a small safety pin on the back of each with a few dollops of hot glue.

"Ex-cell-ent!" I said proudly.

"Terry wrote their names on a paper so I could copy them."

"These will come in very handy," I said and gave Lindsay a hug for her efforts.

The boys were anxious to show me what they'd learnt on the Leapsters that day. As I watched, Terry came up beside me, all bundled up to go home. "Potatoes and veggies are ready, Mr. Dee," she said. "And the chicken's ready to go in the oven."

"Thanks," I said. "Come on. I'll write out your cheque." I took her to the kitchen, filled out her pay cheque, and handed it to her.

She glanced at it and was about to tuck in into her pocket when she looked again. She held it out to me. "This is wrong, Mr. Dee," she said. "This isn't what we agreed upon."

I smiled at her. "I decided to change our agreement unilaterally." I stood up to face her. "You do more around here than you should, Terry," I said. "You deserve every penny of it."

Terry gave me a big hug and stretched up on her toes to kiss my cheek. "Thanks, Mr. Dee."

"My pleasure. Thank you." I followed her to the door.

She was just about to open it when it opened and Brad stepped inside. Brad got a hug and a kiss on the cheek as well. "See you Monday," she said, and literally skipped out the door.

"What was that all about?" Brad said with a surprised grin.

"I gave her another raise. Welcome home," I said and he fell into my arms to get his welcome home kiss. When I finally released him, I told him, "Get your coat off and go see what the kids did today. I'll get supper on the go."

As I was turning on the oven for the chicken, a happy little voice yelled out, "Brad! Look what I can do now!"

* * * * *

The twins were bathed and dressed in their PJs and bathrobes. We were all sitting around watching Jeopardy when Mom phoned. "We're on the Four-Oh-One, Teddy," she said, "just off the Four-Twenty-Seven. Traffic has been good. Your Dad says we should be there before eight- thirty. Can you keep the twins awake until then? I don't think I can wait until tomorrow."

I haven't heard such excitement in Mom's voice in years, and my heart melted at it. "I'll keep them awake, Mom. See you soon. Tell Dad to drive carefully."

"We will, dear," she said. "Bye."

I hung up. "Well, boys," I said to the twins, "do you want to go to bed or do you want to stay awake to meet your Grandma and Grandpa de Villiers?"

Jeremy, who was sitting as usual in Brad's lap, began bouncing with undisguised excitement and shouted, "Can we?"

"Sure," I told him. "Just this once."

Lindsay jumped up off the sofa. "I'm going to have my bath now, Daddy, so I can be ready."

"Okay, Sweetheart." And off she went to get her night clothes ready. I picked Justin off my lap and set him beside Brad. "I'll be right back. I have to get Lindsay's bath ready."

"Okay, Daddy."

God, but it felt good to hear that word. The tub was still filling as Lindsay arrived.

"Daddy? Will you wash my hair tonight?"

"Sure I will, Sweetheart," I said. "I didn't think you wanted me to do that anymore."

"I don't," she said, "but I miss it sometimes."

"You just tell me when," I said and pulled her in for a nice, big, Daddy hug and kiss.

As she undressed, I turned off the faucets and checked the water temperature one more time. The smell of lavender bath oils wafted up to me. No wonder Lindsay liked bathing in it. It smelled so nice.

I sat on the tub as I lathered, rinsed, and repeated. When I'd poured the last pitcher of water over her head, I pressed may palms down her hair to squeeze out the water, then I grasped her cheeks and pulled her head forward so I could kiss it. The scent reached my nostrils. I smiled at her and said, "You smell just like apricots. I could eat you right up."

"Aw, Daddy," she said, suddenly shy.

"You hurry now, okay? Grandma and Grandpa will be here soon. Call me if you need me."

"I will, Daddy."

"I love you, Sweetheart," I said as I kissed her hair again.

"I love you, too, Daddy."

* * * * *

The doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" Lindsay yelled as she jumped off the sofa. I picked up Justin as Brad picked up Jeremy. Their hand-made name tags were pinned to their bathrobes.

"Well, boys," I said, "this is it. Ready to meet your Grandma and Grandpa?"

Justin shook his head ‘yes' and I kissed his cheek. I kissed Jeremy's as well. Brad got a kiss on the lips. "Here we go," I said. I took a deep breath and headed for the front door.

To Be Continued​

 

[Trent0n1]

What a fantastic story Neal....I'm really loving it! Such a skill in story telling you have, and I'm so grateful that you're sharing this one with us all!

Beanie I understand....sometime here in Oz the temp gets cold enough to wear them....and then you have the kids who wear them all year round! I just don't understand that.

Hey Sheep....you want to swap houses and come on down to Australia? February in Oz can be a touch warm... For me....I'd love to visit Canada one day.

Trent

 

[sheep]

Hey Sheep....you want to swap houses and come on down to Australia? February in Oz can be a touch warm... For me....I'd love to visit Canada one day.
Trent

I wanted to circumnavigate Oz on motorcycle with a friend from QLD in '01 but the logistics didn't work. Shipping the bike over and back was hella expensive and the other option was to buy a new one there and sell it after the trip. Also a non-starter. Since then I crashed my bike and a long flight like that is too hard on me.
I can't handle really hot temperatures either!

 

[harry113]

Hi Neil,
Thanks for two more wonderful chapters.
It's the most scary thing when kids vanish in a mall, my heart was in my mouth ....... & the relief when Ted found them!!!!! oh wow.
Thanks for the piece about the toboggans, it was fascinating.
Sheep, I hope you weren't too damaged in the bike smash. I ride a Yam FJ1200.
Peace & Love
Harry

 

[gsdx]

WATCHING BRAD
Part XXXXV​

Mom and Dad were already inside and the door was closed. Several large Zellers bags sat on the floor, as did a suitcase. Mom was bent down, kissing and hugging Lindsay. Dad was kissing her other cheek. The boys had one finger hooked between their teeth, watching intently.

"Grandma," Lindsay said as she pointed. "Look."

Mom stood up and turned around to face us. "Oh, my," she said, her eyes moving from one small face to the other. She took the few steps forward to stand in front of me. Dad came forward as well, and Lindsay moved to stand between myself and Brad.

"Mom? Dad? This is Justin," and, indicating his brother, I said, "and this is Jeremy. Boys? This is your Grandma and Grandpa."

Mom reached out and put a hand on each boy's arm. "Hello," she said.

"Hi," the twins replied in tandem.

She looked at me. "Can I hold him?" She held up her hands to Justin.

"They might be a little bit. . ." I didn't get to finish. Justin released his grasp around my neck and reached for Mom.

She took him into her arms as Dad reached for Jeremy. He went to my father as easily as Justin had gone to Mom. "Oh, Jan, look at them," Mom said softly. "They're beautiful. And their eyes! The prettiest blue I've ever seen." She gave Justin a kiss on his cheek, his finger hooked once more in his mouth.

"We didn't have a Grandma before," he said softly around his finger.

"Well, you have one now, my darlings," Mom said as she hugged him and kissed him again. Then she gave me a one-armed hug and a kiss as well before doing the same to Jeremy and Brad.

Lindsay led Mom into the livingroom.

Dad followed her lead, giving both Brad and me a hug. To me, he said, "Thank you, Son." To Brad, he said, "Get the bags, would you?" He followed Mom into the livingroom.

I smiled at Brad and shrugged before I grabbed up the suitcase and two plastic bags. Brad grabbed the rest. I set the suitcase near the stairway and took the bags into the livingroom, setting them on the floor near the coffee table. Brad set his bags down and disappeared into the kitchen. The kids were on the sofa and Mom and Dad were removing their coats and hats. Dad held them out to me and I took them to the entryway closet.

By the time I returned, Mom and Dad were seated on either end of the kids with Lindsay sitting in the middle. "I made the name tags myself," Lindsay explained proudly. "Terry helped me spell their names."

"And a wonderful job you did, dear," Mom said. "Now, I know which one is which. Can you tell them apart?"

"Sure," Lindsay said. "This one is Justin and this one is Jeremy."

"How do you know?" my Dad asked.

"Their name tags," Lindsay said with finality. "D'uh."

Three adults burst into laughter. Three children joined in.

Despite the laughter, though, I could see the boys' eyelids beginning to droop. "I'm going to have to get them into bed soon," I said. "Sorry, Mom."

"I understand," she said, "but I have something I want to give them first. Hand me the bag that's poking out in squares." I grabbed the bag which looked like it was poking. "That's the one," Mom said. I gave it to her and she opened it. "Let's see. Blue was for Jeremy." She pulled a package wrapped in blue paper. "Which one is Jeremy?" she asked as she checked name tags. She needn't have bothered. Jeremy was already reaching for it. Mom smiled and said, "Here you go, Sweetie." Then, "Green is for Justin, and. . . pink is for Lindsay."

Following the first round, she pulled two more packages each from the bag and handed them to the three excited children. All three looked at me with eager intent. "You can open them," I said as Brad appeared behind the sofa and watched from above. Hands ripped and paper flew. Lindsay began slowly at first, but quickly gave up and started ripping as well.

Justin got a dump truck which actually dumped, Jeremy got a full assortment of Star Wars action figures, and Lindsay got a two packages of unicorn and faerie decorations stickers for sticking on greeting cards and such. I knew she wouldn't though. They'd probably be stuck all over her room.

In the next round, Justin got a working back hoe and Jeremy got an assortment of Super Hero action figures. I knew, first thing in the morning, Batman would be doing battle with Darth Vader as a back hoe dug up my carpet and hauled it away to the kitchen. Lindsay got two unicorn charms for her bracelet - one standing, just like her garden unicorn, and the other rearing up on its hind legs.

The toys were set on the coffee table.

In the final round of gifts, each child got a new Teddy Bear. Lindsay and Justin pulled theirs out immediately, but Jeremy sat there, looking at it. His tiny fingers reached out to stroke it gently, and then he lifted it out of the box as if he were lifting delicate glass and he cuddled it. Mom was wiping tears from her cheeks, a very content smile on her face.

I was about to speak to remind them of their manners when Jeremy came to his knees, the box falling to the floor. He turned to Mom, who was sitting closest to him, and, with one arm clutching his new Teddy, he wrapped the other around her to give her a big hug and a "Thank you, Grandma." Justin and Lindsay stood up to do the same.

Brad returned to the kitchen as I rose to my feet. "Okay, boys," I said. "Time for bed." After a goodnight hug and kiss from their new grandparents, and, with Teddies in one arm, I walked them to their room, their tiny hands in mine. I sat on the bed as I removed their bathrobes, leaving the name tags attached. I pulled them into my arms for a big, warm hug and a kiss on their cheeks. "I love you guys," I told them, and they hugged me back as best they could.

I lifted them into bed and tucked them in, their new Teddies clutched tightly to them. "So, how did you like your new Grandma and Grandpa?"

"Can they live here with us?" Justin asked.

"No, they live somewhere else, but they'll be here tomorrow, and we can go visit them later where they live."

"Okay, Daddy," Jeremy said softly.

I gave them another kiss on the forehead. "Now, you go to sleep, okay?"

"Nitey-nite, Daddy," they said.

* * * * *

The livingroom was cleaned up. Lindsay was checking out her stickers, undoubtedly imagining all the places she was going to stick them, and Mom and Dad sat beside her on the sofa. Brad entered with a tray.

"I've never made loose tea before," he said. "I hope it's okay."

Mom took the cup offered to her and took a hesitant sip. She smiled up at Brad. "It's delicious," she said with a polite cringe. "Tomorrow, I'll show you how to make it less crunchy."

Mom took Lindsay to bed when it was finally time for her to go and we sat around afterward just talking. Brad sat beside me on the loveseat. He unconsciously held my hand until he saw Dad looking at us and he self-consciously pulled his hand away.

"This is your home, Son," Dad said to Brad. "I don't make the rules here."

Brad looked at me. I just took his hand and held it.

Mom opened the other bags, pulling out new coats, jackets, boots, and snow suits for the boys. There was another assortment of mittens and toques and scarves. They were top quality and would keep the boys warm this winter. To help keep things even in the family, she'd brought along two new outfits and a new winter coat for Lindsay as well.

By ten-thirty, Mom was ready for bed herself. "Well," she said, "it's been a long, exciting day, and it's time to give these old bones a rest."

Brad cleaned up as I took Mom and Dad to the guestroom. I turned on a table lamp in the den. "I'll leave these lights on," I told them. In the bedroom, I showed them the small bathroom and where they could find extra blankets and comforters if they needed them. "Will you be okay down here?"

"We'll be fine, Ted," Mom said, giving me my own hug and kiss.

Dad did the same. "I'm proud of you, Son," he said. "It takes guts to take on a family like this. If you need any help. . ."

"I can manage, Dad," I said. "Thanks anyway."

* * * * *

I thought I was the prude in this pair, but Brad was the one who made me chuckle when I swung around so he and I could engage in a little sixty-nine before going to sleep.

"Are you kidding?" he whispered loudly. "Your parents are just downstairs."

"And we're way up here," I said.

"Do you really think we should?"

"Look. If you don't want to, I understand. But we're in our home. They don't make the rules here. We do. Now, you don't have to do anything if you don't want to, but I want to."

Without waiting for a response from him, I sank my mouth over his cock and sucked it into me. He gasped and his cock swelled. Moments later, his lips found my own cock and I was drawn inside him.

We were in no hurry, but it happened quickly. All too soon Brad was pumping his seed into me. Before he finished, I began pumping my seed into him. Our orgasms were tender, intense, and sweet all at the same time, and just as enjoyable as every other climax we had shared. As I turned around again, Brad pulled the blankets over us and we hugged and kissed for a long time before we fell asleep.

* * * * *

"Brad!" I whispered loudly. "Shit!"

Brad was sitting up in bed in a flash as I scrambled out of bed. "What is it!?"

"The time!"

He glanced at the bedside clock radio. "Damn!" He, too, scrambled to get out of bed.

Twenty past nine! I hadn't slept that long in ages. I pulled on some underwear, grabbed my bathrobe, and pulled it on as I headed for the door. Brad was right behind me, pulling his on as well after he pulled on his underwear. The kids' bedroom was empty.

Down the hall to the kitchen. There was Dad, sitting at the end of the table, enjoying his morning cuppa. Lindsay sat in her usual spot and the boys sat opposite her. All were happily munching on a bowl of cereal. Mom was working at the counter.

"Good morning, sleepy heads," Mom said as she looked around at us and smiled.

"You should have called me," I said as I gave her a peck on the cheek.

"When was the last time you got to sleep in?" she asked.

"I can't remember," I said.

"That's why I didn't call you. We managed well enough."

I went to Lindsay for her good morning kiss, then around to the boys for their kisses. Dad held up his hand. "I've had plenty already this morning, Son." I haven't seen Dad smile like that in a long, long time.

"You boys sit down and eat," Mom said as she brought two steaming mugs of coffee to the table.

I looked at the twins and gave them an accusing glance. "Very funny," I said. "Now, put on your own bathrobes."

"You mean. . . ?" Mom said, swishing her finger back and forth between the two boys.

"Yup," I said as I picked him up and stood him on the chair. "This one's Jeremy, not Justin." I picked up Justin as well. "Now, switch."

They did, snickering to themselves the whole time.

Mom gave her best hands-on-hips scolding glance. "Just you wait until I figure out which is which," she said. "You won't be able to fool me for long."

The boys giggled again. And so did Dad.

As I had told Terry, I didn't even have to look for the little scar anymore. There were so many subtle clues which screamed out their real names. I always wondered how a mother knew which child was which, but now I knew. Simple observation.

Brad had taken his place beside Lindsay and I took my place at the opposite end to Dad. Mom presented us with a full English breakfast. Or, as near to full English as she could make it with Canadian food. There was no black pudding, of course, and we had hash browns instead of baked beans. I secretly hoped Mom wouldn't make her Bubble and Squeak sometime over the weekend. I couldn't stand that stuff and I didn't want anyone acquiring a taste for it around here. Funny, that. I liked black pudding. Go figure.

Brad and I showered separately that morning. What we did in our bedroom with the door closed was our business. What we did in the bathroom with my parents around was a different matter. The kitchen had been cleaned up after breakfast and Mom had done all the dishes by hand. She refused to use the dish washer.

I took Dad on a tour, with Brad following, as Mom helped the kids try on their new clothes. We stood in the livingroom and I pointed to the outer staircase wall. "This is all going to be opened up and a railing installed. There will be a column here at the end."

"Oh, that will be nice, Ted," Mom said. "Those stairs are rather frightening."

"What about the downstairs?" Dad asked. "Off the den? Are you going to open that up, too?"

"I haven't really thought about that. I didn't know if I could."

"Dad said only the inside wall was supporting," Brad offered.

"It would make a world of difference, Son."

"I suppose I could get another permit."

"No permit needed," Dad said. "You're not making any structural changes. Check into it with your carpenter. If it's not supporting, knock her down."

It was an appealing idea. I would certainly think about that one. We went into the study then, and I moved into the room and faced the door. "This will be the bathroom. The toilet and sink will be along the outside wall there and the tub will be about where I'm standing. I was hoping you'd come back to plumb it up for me."

"I'd like that, Son," Dad said.

"There will be a door here leading into the boys' bedroom.

Dad nodded, turned, and looked. "Taking the closets out, then?"

"Yes," I said. "There will be room behind the tub here for a small walk-in closet."

Dad nodded again. "The laundry room should be right under here if I remember correctly," he said. "I saw it last night. Let's go have a look."

I led the way. Dad looked behind the washer, then up to the ceiling. "Would you boys pull this washer out a bit?" Brad and I began moving it. "Careful now, don't pull too hard. You're all connected. There, that's enough." He squeezed in behind the washer and began looking at the pipes and into the holes. "Got a torch?"

"A what?" Brad asked.

"Flashlight," I said.

"Oh. I'll get it."

"We might just get lucky here, Son," Dad said.

Brad soon returned with the flashlight and I handed it to Dad. He peeked and he poked and he pulled, then he shook his head. "Can't see. Help me up."

I helped him to his feet.

"I'd like to cut a small hole in your drywall."

"Sure," I said. "What do you need?"

"My toolkit." He pulled his keys out of his pocket and tossed them to Brad. "In the boot. . ."

"Trunk," I said.

". . . The small red one without the lock."

Brad headed up the stairs again.

"I can get things for you, Dad," I said. "Brad's not a slave."

"No, he isn't, Son. I'm just doing my part to keep him in good shape for you." Dad smiled and winked at me.

I was stunned. My father had actually said that?

It's obvious he saw the expression on my face. "It's okay, Son," he said sincerely. "I've been a fool. Brad is a wonderful young man. He's not out for what I thought he was out for, and you're not out for what I thought you were out for, either."

I knew what Dad was talking about without asking. Money and meat.

"I was wrong before, Ted. There's real love between you two. I can see that now. I think Brad would still be with you if you lived in a cardboard box in an alley somewhere."

I hugged him. Hard. "Thank you, Dad."

I could feel Dad nodding his head. "I love you, Son."

"I love you, too, Dad," I told him. "I should tell you more often."

"So should I, Son. So should I."

* * * * *

We were sitting in the livingroom again. Brad and I were sipping our coffee and Mom and Dad were having their ‘Elevenses'. "You're going to save a fortune in plumbing," Mom said.

"It's a good thing your boyfriend suggested you move the bedroom and bathroom around, Ted," Dad added. "Good going, Brad."

Brad blushed. "Total luck," he said shyly. "I was thinking about doors."

After Brad had returned with the toolkit, Dad had taken out a drywall knife and cut out a square of drywall big enough to stick his head in. Whoever had built the house had had the foresight to bring the sewer line all the way to the other end out the house. Perhaps they had intended to install their own bathroom at one time and never got around to it. Dad could tie right into it. Otherwise, it would have meant possibly digging up the floor so he could connect to the powder room. And the hot and cold water feeds were already there as well. We had been lucky indeed.

That's when I remembered that the architect had told me a few days earlier that the sewer line was there. I'd forgot. I chose not to let that little brain fart become known to anyone else.

Right after lunch, we bundled all the kids up, piled everyone into the van, and headed off to Zellers. Mom didn't like the way the snow suits fit on the boys and wanted to get a larger size for them. Lindsay held my left hand. Justin held my right hand. Jeremy, of course, held Brad's hand. I liked the way Brad had been brought into all this. Jeremy still came to me when Brad wasn't around, but, as long as Brad was there, Jeremy went to him first. Personally, I think Brad walked a little taller and puffed out his chest a little more when Jeremy was walking by his side. Besides, Justin and Jeremy got to ride in their own carts when we all went shopping together.

Mom took us on a little detour in Zellers and bought us a new teapot and a new strainer. If Brad expected a return visit from her, he was going to have to learn how to make tea properly.

"One spoon per cup and one for the pot," she said. "Stir it to ‘elevate' the tea and let it steep for about three or four minutes."

"What does it mean to ‘elevate' the tea?" Brad asked.

"I don't know," Mom said. "Just do it. It's not tea until you elevate it. Stir it once more before you pour it. And use this strainer. Chuck the other one in the dust bin."

Brad looked at me. "Garbage," I said.

Brad just shook his head. "Gee-sus, Murphy! I never knew I'd need a translator for English."

Dad laughed. Really hard!

Of course, no trip to Zellers with kids in tow could end without a stop at the toy department. Especially with Mom leading the way. "Mom, you're going to spoil them."

"You hush now," she replied. "It's a grandmother's job to spoil her grandchildren. You and Brad go over there to those books and grab up anything you can find for preschoolers. Tonight, you start reading to them. Every day, you hear? Do you still read to Lindsay?"

"She reads her own stories."

"And you can read them to her. Better yet, wait here. As soon as we have the toys they want, we'll all go over there together and they can pick the books out themselves."

"But Mom. . ."

"Forget it, Son," Dad said. "I haven't won an argument in almost forty years."

* * * * *

John and Bernice came over shortly after we got home. Brad had gone over to collect them and to help carry over everything that Bernice had planned to bring for dinner that evening. The kids were playing with their new toys, of course, and John and Bernice barely had time to get their coats and boots off before Lindsay was dragging them into the livingroom to meet the twins.

"J and J?" she said. "This is Grandma and Grandpa Hayes. She makes the cookies. Did you bring a cake for dessert, Grandma?"

"Yes, I did," Bernice replied. "And ice cream as well." She turned her attention to the boys. "Hello," she said.

"Are you really our Grandma, too?" Justin asked.

"Yes, I suppose I am."

The twins looked at each other, their faces full of smiles. "Now we each have one!" Jeremy said.

* * * * *

Mom and Bernice busied themselves in the kitchen, preparing dinner together. The kids were still playing on the floor and laughing up a storm. Dad and John were sitting on the settee together talking about the renovations. Brad and I sat on the sofa just holding hands and feeling more proud than we had ever felt.

Dinner was doubly delicious, having been prepared by two of the best cooks in the world. Brad and I cleaned up and put the dishes in the dishwasher as Mom and Bernice gave the twins their bath. I didn't think the boys would have allowed it, but their whole attitude toward women had changed drastically. They had what they needed, what they wanted - a home and a family.

Jacob phoned that evening. He had all the information I wanted. That man worked fast, I'll tell you. I invited him over for the next afternoon at three. Mom and Dad would be leaving around one or two to head back to Crystal Beach. He promised he would be here.

I didn't do very much parenting that night. Mom and Bernice handled it all for me. They put the boys to bed, and Lindsay, too. All I had to do was to go in and kiss them goodnight.

Bernice tried a cup of loose leaf tea, made by Brad under Mom's watchful eye, but John would have none of it. Coffee for him.

Mom handled breakfast again in the morning and let me and Brad sleep in to almost eight o'clock. John and Bernice came over again at ten and, within a few hours, John and Dad had make up a partial supply list for me. Enough to get things moving, at least. Of course, the two new Grandmas spent most of the time doting over their newest grandchildren. Now that they had their step stools in the bathroom, they could use the toilet and wash their hands themselves - except when it was a ‘sit-down' job, and they even let their new Grandmas do that for them, too.

Brad spent a lot of the morning playing the piano for us, which surprised Mom to no end.

"Oh!" she screamed suddenly and jumped up. Scared the hell out of me and everyone else.

"Mom!?" I said, jumping to my feet as well.

"I almost forgot!" she said as she headed for the basement stairs. "Stay here, dear," she said to me. "I'll be right back."

I wished she hadn't come back. In her hands were several DVDs. "We had your home movies transferred," she said with a smile.

Brad looked at her with the most evil smirk on his face. "Including ‘Thwack Thwack'?"

Mom held up a DVD. "Right here."

Brad burst out laughing.

"Where's my hammer?" I asked.

* * * * *

Mom and Dad were on their way home. John and Bernice were downstairs with Brad and the kids. I sat at the kitchen table with Jacob.

"It isn't pretty, Ted."

"I need to know, Jacob."

He nodded. "Their mother's name is Cindy. Their father was Brent. If you want last names, I'll give them to you, but I've left them out of my report."

"No last names."

"I didn't think you'd want to know. Brent and Cindy were never married. As far as I can find out, Brent had always been gay and had several partners throughout his teens. For his prom, he invited Cindy to go with him. For whatever reason, he decided to have sex with her that night. The only time he was ever with a woman. Maybe to prove something to himself. She became pregnant and found out it was twins. She wanted to have an abortion, but both Cindy's parents and Brent talked her into going through with the birth and Brent would take the twins. He kept his word. Cindy and her parents wouldn't have anything to do with them after that.

"Brent met George before the twins were born and they moved in together shortly after. Now, George is bad news right from the start. He has a record as long as your arm. Abuse, assault, attempted murder, drugs, alcohol, impaired driving, burglary. . . you name it, he probably did it. He never touched the boys, but he used them to get at their father. Brent suffered three broken bones over the first two years of the twins' lives, plus a broken nose and cracked rib. He never laid charges, probably because George threatened to hurt the boys if he did, and he probably didn't leave George for the same reason. George would come after the kids.

"No-one knows why George killed their father. There were no arguments heard by the neighbours or anyone else. I think Brent had decided enough was enough and wanted out. George isn't talking. He's in Kingston Pen now for a long time. Anyway, the father was dead for at least two days before the police were called, and that's only because the neighbours heard the boys crying constantly. They were discovered in their playpen in two-day-old diapers. Their father lay on his back with a kitchen butcher knife sticking in his chest. He was close enough to the playpen for the boys to touch his face for two whole days."

I couldn't speak. The horror burned in me and my love for the twins shot into orbit. I could only imagine what must have gone on in their minds. But at least I understood now. I knew what they had gone through. What I still don't understand, though, is how those two beautiful boys came out of all that without nightmares and emotional problems and needing long-term counselling.

Jacob closed the folder and pushed it toward me. I pushed it back. "Destroy it," I said. "Get rid of everything, Jacob, and never mention it to anyone."

He merely nodded, put the folder into his briefcase, and stood up.

"Thanks, Jacob. Just send me the bill."

He put a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it. Without another word, he found his coat and was gone. I sat there at the table, staring at nothing for a long time.

Then I stood up, went downstairs, and hugged my kids.

To Be Continued​

 

[caddymac]

I don't have the last couple of chapter read yet, but I love this story.