Watching Brad

[gsdx]

WATCHING BRAD
Part LXVI​

"Maybe I should wear my shorts," Brad said. He was standing there in our bedroom, naked, holding up his swim shorts in one hand and the blue Speedo in the other, trying to decide which to wear.

"They don't hide as much as you think they do, Brad," I told him. "They show you when they're dry, but when they're wet, they show everything. They cling to you and you might as well be standing there naked."

"But doesn't the Speedo show more?"

"It only shows the bulge. That's all. The wet shorts show everything, in great detail. Besides, the guys will only see you for a minute or so. You'll be under water most of the time. But it's up to you which you want to wear."

He thought for a few moments, looking back and forth between the two, then tossed the shorts onto the bed and stepped into the Speedo. "I think I'll wear these for you. If we're going to become friends, they'll have to get used to it and so will I."

A minute later, I was standing in the livingroom, waiting for Brad to get another case of beer from the basement. I carried what was left of the twelve-pack. I had one towel over my shoulder and two others in my arm. Nathan and Barry entered from one door while Brad entered from the other, his towel wrapped around his neck and the case of beer in his hand.

Both Nathan and Barry wore matching, loose, swim shorts. As I suspected, Barry was in excellent shape and his thighs were, indeed, huge. The only hair on his body was around his nipples and the ‘V' that dipped down from his navel into his shorts. Nathan, like myself, had black hair on his own chest. His looked more like a ‘T', though, covering his pecs and running in a line down to his belly button, then lower into his shorts. Still, he was in surprisingly-good shape himself. Barry showed signs of a healthy, muscular butt, as one would expect, but neither showed any indication of what they carried between their legs.

Even more surprisingly, it was Barry who was stopped in his tracks at the sight of Brad in his Speedo. I glanced around briefly at Brad's approach. It took an elbow in the ribs from Nathan to bring Barry back to Earth. He looked up into Brad's eyes. "Please forgive me," he said, his face blushing. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have stared like that."

"It's okay," Brad said as he came forward to stand beside me. "People stare all the time. Not many apologize, though. Thank you."

"Still, it was very rude of me. I'm sorry."

Brad simply smiled. "Forget it. Now, let's hit the tub."

I handed the two towels to Nathan and picked up our beers from the coffee table as Brad picked up the other case as well. Nathan wrapped one towel around Barry's neck and the other around his own before grabbing up the other two bottles.

"Well," I said. "It's just a short trip to the hot tub, but a nippy one. Are you ready?"

"Lead on, MacDuff," Nathan said.

I slid open the patio doors and headed out into the chilly night air.

"Woof!" Barry exclaimed as he slid the door closed behind him. "Nippy is right!"

I'm glad I'd unlocked the gate when we got home and started the tub. It was already hot and steaming, and the bubbling action was certainly inviting. Brad set the beer and my towel on the deck and stepped into the tub after me, taking his place beside me on the bench. My arm automatically went over his shoulder and chest. Barry and Nathan sat on separate benches.

"Are you guys like this at home, too?" I asked.

Barry chuckled in the dim patio lights. He sat directly across from us. "No, not really. I guess we're just not as used to showing our affections when other people are around."

"You don't have to screw each other," I joked, "but you can at least be friendly. Come on. Buddy up."

Barry looked over to Nathan and put his arm on the deck. "Nathan?" he said. Nathan hesitated, but only for a moment, then he stood up and slid onto the bench beside Barry. Barry held Nathan the way I was holding Brad. "You know, we've been together for three years, and no-one has seen us do this except you."

I smiled reassuringly. "When you're here, you're welcome to be yourselves. As long as you don't do anything untoward in front of my children. . ."

"Never, Ted!" Nathan said quickly. "Not even this!"

"That's fine to do. They're quite used to it. They're used to seeing Brad and me hugging and kissing, but I draw the line at necking. Brad and I don't even do that in front of them."

"As it should be," Barry said. "You know, Ted? As horrible as it sounds, I'm glad you got creamed on my shift. I think we're going to become really good friends."

"I hope so, Barry," I told him. And I really did.

* * * * *

We were working on our third bottle of beer since we got home. Nathan was really loosening up and Barry was barely recognizable as a police officer. We were laughing and joking and hugging and just having a lot of fun, but it was getting quite chilly and Nathan was shivering despite the heat from the tub. His teeth were beginning to chatter.

"Perhaps we should adjourn to the livingroom," I suggested.

"That would be greatly appreciated," Nathan said as he stood up and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around his shoulders as he climbed out of the tub and ran toward the back door. Barry followed close behind him.

"I'll shut this down," Brad said.

I got out and grabbed the beer and my towel. "Thanks, Brad," I said as I followed our new friends into the house. They were standing inside the door, drying themselves off when I got there. I took the beer to the coffee table before I started drying myself.

"We're going to get changed," Barry said.

"Make yourselves at home," I told them. "If you want to take a shower, use the other bathroom. That one is temperature controlled for the twins."

"You don't mind?"

"Not at all. It's just down the hall here on the left." I winked at them. "There's room enough for two."

Barry surprised me again by blushing.

"I'll get our clothes," Nathan said as he disappeared into the new bathroom.

Barry approached. "I'm glad we met, Ted," he said. "Nathan and I don't have much of a social life. It feels good to have friends we can be comfortable with."

"Same here," I told him.

Nathan joined us then, clothes in arms. "Come on, Barry," he said urgently. "I'm freezing!"

Brad and I showered together when they were finished.

* * * * *

The artificial log in the fireplace was burning down now, the lights were out and three candles were burning on the coffee table to light the room with its soft, romantic flicker. We were working on the last of the beer and sitting on the sofa together with Brad cuddled into me and Nathan cuddled into Barry.

"You know?" Nathan observed. "I never knew ‘doing nothing' could be so much fun. This is nice. Really nice. I feel very comfortable here."

"You're welcome anytime," I said. "We're kind of stuck here anyway. Kids tend to do that to you."

"It will be easier when your Mom and Dad move here," Brad said. "We'll have two sets of parents to pawn them off on."

"Really? They're moving here?" Barry asked. "Where are they now?"

"Crystal Beach."

"Where's that?"

"North shore of Lake Erie. Not far from Niagara Falls."

Nathan looked at Barry. "We've got to get out more. Barry. We've never even been to Niagara Falls."

"We'll go sometime."

"Trust me," Brad said. "It's worth it. You don't need Disneyland for dreams to come true." And with that, he gave me a long, passionate kiss and we were swept back to that night when Brad made love to me the very first time.

When our kiss finally ended, Nathan said, "You know? The temperature went up five degrees in this room when you did that."

"It went up a helluva lot more in our hotel room," Brad said with a sly grin and a wink.

"That's it, Barry! We're going to Niagara Falls!"

I didn't miss the pained look in Barry's eyes.

* * * * *

As Brad locked up the house and shut down the lights, I took our guests to the guestroom, reminding them with a smirk that our bedroom was at the other end of the house. "Knock yourselves out, guys," I had told them.

"Not in someone else's home," Barry had said.

"Then sleep well."

Back upstairs, I found Brad already mostly undressed and sitting on the bed, pulling off his socks.

"Those guys are just too cool," he said to me. "Barry's as big as an ox but he's as cute as a button and as sweet as a kitten. I really like Nathan's hair, though. You should do yours like that."

"Oh, yeah," I said as I started pulling off my clothes. "That's all I need is to look older."

"I think it looks sexy. I think you'd look sexy, too."

I bent down in front of Brad, put my hands on his thighs and kissed him. "With three kids and one nagging boyfriend, you're likely to find out how sexy I can look with grey hair long before you want to."

Brad just smiled at me, wrapped his arms around my neck, and pulled my face back into his for another long kiss. He leaned back onto the bed and pulled me atop him, chest-to-chest.

After his tongue had finished digging out all the beer taste from my mouth, Brad smiled up at me. "I saw you looking at Barry's ass. Should I be worried?"

"Barry's ass doesn't give me a hardon. Yours does."

"So, that's what I feel sticking into me. Will this help it go away?" Brad held up a condom and a tube of lubrication gel.

"You little prick," I said with a grin and I ground my mouth against his once more.

We didn't make love that night. We fell asleep like that, lying crosswise on the bed with me laying on top of Brad. He still had on his underwear and one sock. I still had on my pants and both socks.

Brad's chest made a wonderful pillow.

* * * * *

I awoke to Brad pushing at me. I was still lying atop his body. "Piss! Piss!" he was saying urgently. I rolled off him and he was up and gone before I could start laughing. I got up from the bed and joined him. He was already going when I got there, his powerful stream splashing into the bowl with the thunder of Niagara Falls.

"Gee-sus, Murphy!" he said. "You were squeezing the stuff right out of me. I'm surprised I didn't wash your pants!"

I snickered as I opened my jeans and my stream joined his. "I smell coffee," I said.

"So do I," Brad replied. "Smells good."

"Well, before you go trucking off to the kitchen, you should at least put on another sock or take that one off. You'll have the guys staring at you again."

"If I go dressed like this, they won't be looking at my feet," he said with a little giggle.

"Can't imagine what else they'd be looking at," I said sarcastically. As we pissed, we kissed. "I love you, Brad," I said.

"I love you, too, Ted. Wanna shake it for me?"

As a matter of fact, I did.

* * * * *

"I hope you don't mind," Nathan said when we joined them in the kitchen. "We weren't sure how long you were going to be asleep and I can't live without my morning kick. I went snooping."

"You and me both, pal," I said.

"So, what would you guys like for breakfast?" Brad asked.

"That's not necessary," Barry said as he sat at the table holding his coffee mug in his hand.

"We're eating," Brad said, "and so are you. Eggs and sausage and bacon sound okay to you?" He was already on his way to the refrigerator.

"Here, let me help, then," Nathan said as he jumped up from the table.

I poured myself a coffee and one for Brad, then joined Barry at the table.

"Sleep well?" I asked.

"Very," he replied. He leaned closer to me. "You don't happen to have an extra toothbrush, do you?"

"There's disposables in the guest bathroom medicine chest. Toothpaste as well."

"Thanks," he said as he stood up. "We should have looked, but you know nosey guests and medicine cabinets. Nathan?"

The two men left to do their tooth-brushing duties. I joined Brad and wrapped my arms around him from behind. "Can I help?"

"Nope. Everything's under control."

Since I couldn't do anything else, I kissed his neck instead. I was still kissing him when the guys came back. I pulled away from him as Nathan rejoined Brad in making breakfast for us. I went back to join Barry at the table.

"We've really had a good time this weekend, Ted," Barry said.

"It's not over yet," I told him. "And we've had a great time, too."

"I hope we can do this again sometime."

"I insist on it. Really, you guys are welcome here any time. We enjoy your company."

I suppose it was natural that I would gravitate toward Barry and Brad would gravitate toward Nathan. As it turned out, we discovered that Nathan was thirty-six years old and Barry was twenty-eight. I suppose that's why they never mentioned the differences in our ages and I actually felt better about it. Love didn't know numbers.

Brad and Nathan burst out into a spout of laughter and both Barry and I looked up. They were looking at each other, both with huge grins on their faces, their eyes crinkled in mirth. Barry leaned toward me, put his hand on my arm, and whispered. "Watch. Nathan's going to kiss his cheek."

"If he does, Brad will kiss him back."

Sure enough, they laughed again and Nathan leaned toward Brad and kissed his cheek, and, sure enough, Brad kissed him back. They went back to their breakfast preparations.

I glanced at Barry as he watched them. Tears were forming at the corners of his eyes. His hand was still on my arm and I put my own hand on top of his. "Barry?" I whispered quietly. "Are you okay?"

He looked at me and blinked away the tears, then pulled his hand away and lowered his head. "Sorry," he replied in a soft whisper. "It's been so long since I've seen Nathan so happy." He looked up at me again. "Thank you."

I leaned forward and gave Barry his own kiss on the cheek. "You're very welcome."

Barry's fingers came to his cheek where I had kissed him. "I'm so glad I met you." He glanced quickly at the other two, then back at me. "Can I talk to you alone?" he whispered.

I nodded and stood up. "Be right back," I said to Brad.

"Okay," came his reply.

Barry arose from his chair and followed me to our bedroom. He stopped in our doorway and looked around. "Shit," he said. "This is as big as our whole apartment."

I closed the door and went to the bed to sit on the side. Barry joined me. His head hung down again, his hands in his lap as his fingers fidgetted with each other. He was in silent thought for several very long moments.

He spoke without raising his head. "I love Nathan so much," he said softly, "but things haven't been going very well with us lately. It's been. . ."

Barry paused, tilted his head back and closed his eyes, sucking a deep breath into his open mouth. He blew it out quickly and looked down at his hands once more. "I almost didn't move from BC when Nathan was transferred. He wanted me to, and I wanted to, but. . ." Again, he paused. "It scares me being gay. I've never been in love with another man except Nathan. I don't want to be with anyone else. But I'm so damned scared."

My hand moved to his back to let him know I was there.

"What are you afraid of, Barry?" I asked.

He sucked in another deep breath and sat up straight. His head turned to me finally and I looked into his steely-blue eyes. "Can I ask you an extremely personal question? You don't have to answer if it's too personal."

I nodded my assent.

"Is Brad really as big as he looks?"

"Bigger," I replied honestly.

"Shit."

I saw that look of pain in his eyes that I'd seen while we were in the hot tub.

"Does he. . . um. . . do you let him. . . . Aw, shit." Barry looked away again.

"Do I let him make love to me?"

Barry's head snapped around again, his eyes wide and full of that pain again. "Yes."

"Yes, I do, and I make love to him."

"Does it. . . hurt?"

"Nathan wants to make love to you, doesn't he?"

"Yes," Barry said, nodding.

"And that's what scares you and that's what's causing your difficulties." I made it a statement.

"Yes."

I nodded. "Let me show you something. You're one of the fortunate few to see this." I got up, went to the closet, and pulled out our personal photo album. I found a page with Brad standing there in all his naked, fully-excited glory. I sat back down on the bed and showed Barry.

"Holy, shit," he whispered loudly. I turned to another page where Brad was fucking me. "My, God."

I closed the album and set it aside. I took Barry's hand between both of mine and held it. "Believe me, Barry. If you really love Nathan, it will be the best kind of hurt you'll ever feel. And," I added as I squeezed his hand, "from what I've seen, Nathan loves you just as much as you love him. He'll be gentle, and he'll wait for you. You just have to let him know you'll try if you really want to. Trust me, Barry. He'll understand, and he'll wait, and he'll be so gentle you'll wonder why you were so afraid. And it will be wonderful."

"Were you afraid of Brad?"

"Terrified," I chuckled. "Wouldn't you be?" And then I turned serious. "But it was something I had to do for him. It's something I wanted to do for him. I have no regrets."

Tears filled Barry's eyes and he suddenly grabbed me in his arms and crushed me with his hug.

To Be Continued​

 

[gmoney]

You continue to amaze me! Barry and Nathan sound like great guys.Thanks for another great chapter.

 

[Kyanimal]

Oh, My!, Neil!! Now I have a different word other than "Awesome!". This time, I'm going to go with BEAUTIFUL!!

THANK YOU!!

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

 

[harry113]

Wow !!! do we get to see a foursome next ( just to show Barry how to )
Just kidding Neil ... another great chapter with so much feeling ......
Thanks

Harry

 

[sheep]

Do you suppose we could have just a little peek at the photo album? Aww, I forgot. Brad is not a real person. This is just a story. Could have fooled me though!
Great work, Neil.

 

[gsdx]

Thanks again, guys. One little note of interest before the next chapter. You know Justin's little scar on his lip? That came from me. I have a scar on my upper lip.

I got it when I was a kid about Justin's age. Dad and Mom had taken us driving and we had one of those old cars with the 'suicide doors'. You know, the ones that open backwards. Dad had taken us for a ride through Presqu'ile Park and bought us all Cracker Jack. This was a big treat for us back then. I opened my package and reached for the window handle to roll it down so I could throw away the lid and I grabbed the door handle instead. The door flew open and I flew out.

I still have that scar, but it's been covered for decades with my moustache.

I wanted a way Ted could tell the boys apart, so I gave Justin my scar.

Now, on to the story.

 

[gsdx]

WATCHING BRAD
Part LXVII​

Barry held me in his grasp for a long time. I could feel him sobbing against me and I held him as well until he was ready to let me go. I tell you, that boy is strong. But, he knew his own strength and knew when he'd reached the point of hurting someone. Still, though, his toe was on that line and he was teetering toward pain.

Barry was surprising me all over the place. I thought he'd be the leader of this relationship. I thought Nathan would be the ‘second'. With Barry being so much bigger and stronger, it stood to reason, but then again, was Barry so much different than Brad? Sure, Brad took the initiative many times, but many more times than that, he handed the reins to me. I would guide him and teach him and hold him and love him. I suspect the same was true with Barry. He was learning, and Nathan was teaching him. That he loved Nathan could not be disputed. I saw the same look in his eyes when he looked at Nathan as I saw in Brad's eyes when he looked at me.

Yet, here we was, seeking advice from someone with only a few months experience. What could I tell him that he didn't already know?

Barry relaxed his grip on me and leaned back, away from me. He wiped his eyes with the backs of his hands and forced an embarrassed laugh. "I must look like a complete idiot," he said.

"No, you don't," I said quietly.

He continued wiping his eyes, avoiding my gaze. I suspected he was waiting for me to say something. So I did.

"Would you like me to talk to Nathan?"

He stopped and looked at me. "Would you? I mean, I don't know what to say to him."

"Are you ready to try it?"

He laughed nervously, and turned serious again. "I don't think I'll ever be ready, but it's something I want to do for Nathan."More quietly, he said, "I think it's something I have to do for myself."

"Okay," I smiled and patted his thigh in encouragement. I began to stand up.

He grabbed my arm. "Ted?"

I sat back down.

Barry leaned forward and kissed me on the lips. It wasn't a lovers' kiss. It was a friendly, no passion, kiss. It was short, but spoke volumes.

"Thank you."

I smiled at him and nodded.

"You promise it will be a good hurt?"

I picked up the album again, turned to the photo of Brad fucking me, and said, "Look at my face and you tell me."

Barry looked closely at the photo, then closed the album. His smile was genuine, but frightened. "I'm ready."

"Wait here," I told him.

I put the album back in the closet and opened the bedroom door. I stood there and called Nathan's name. He appeared down the hall, peaking around the doorway.

"Breakfast is almost ready," he called to me.

I motioned him ahead and he came, wiping his hands with a paper towel. When he reached me, I whispered into his ear. "Barry is ready. Talk to him."

Nathan looked at me briefly, then to Barry, who had risen to his feet beside the bed. He stood there, frozen in place. I put my hand on his back and gave him a little push. "Go to him. He needs you."

Nathan moved inside and walked toward his lover. I closed the door behind him.

* * * * *

"I showed Barry a few pictures of the album," I told Brad as we ate breakfast. I'd briefly explained Barry's fears and request for help. Barry and Nathan were still in our bedroom doing whatever it was they were doing. "I hope you don't mind."

"Did it help Barry?"

"More than you'll ever know, I think."

"Then it's okay."

"You realize Nathan's going to want to see them now, too - if Barry tells him, that is."

Brad shrugged his shoulders. "Do you think that's why Barry talked to you? I mean, the way he looked at me last night in my swimsuit."

"Maybe. That's what he wanted to talk about. I think, because of your si. . . Shh. Here they come." They hadn't been in the bedroom long enough to do anything except talk.

They appeared in the doorway, their arms around each other, and smiling broadly. Barry broke away from Nathan, pulled both Brad and I to our feet, and hugged us in his muscular arms, giving each of us a kiss on the cheek. Nathan took his place, but kissed us on the lips instead.

When Nathan stepped back, Barry said, "I'm not ready to do it yet, but I'm ready to work my way up to it. Nathan said he'd wait as long as it takes."

"It only took me a month to work my way up to Brad, if that's any help."

"Shit," Barry said, obviously surprised.

Nathan looked at Brad. "I hope I'm not being too personal, but is that what you meant by dreams coming true at Niagara Falls?"

Brad smiled and nodded as he put his arm over my shoulder and pulled me close to him. "I never dreamed it would ever happen to me."

Barry looked right in my eyes. "Well, if you can do it, so can I."

"But not right now," Nathan said. "I'm starving."

"Help yourselves," I said as Brad and I took our seats and continued eating.

Barry sat across from us whilst Nathan prepared a plate for each of them. When he sat down, Nathan lifted his mug in salute. "May this friendship be a long and healthy one."

"Hear hear!" Brad said.

We all lifted our coffee mugs and took a sip in toast to each other.

* * * * *

I was on my way out the door to go get the kids.

"You don't have to leave," I told Barry and Nathan.

"You're going to have your hands full," Nathan said. "We'll just be in the way."

"Nonsense," I told them. "Now, get your asses back in that livingroom and park ‘em."

Brad put his hands on both their chests and pushed them gently back. "You heard the man," he said. "Park it!"

"I could arrest you both for unlawful containment, you know."

Brad held his wrist together. "Ooo! Handcuffs! Even Ted isn't that kinky!"

Nathan bent over with laughter and even Barry started to chuckle.

"Really, guys," Brad said. "You're not in the way, and you wanted to meet the twins, so just give it up. And plan on staying for dinner, too."

I left them to their chittering and headed next door to gather up my kids and bring them home. Justin and Jeremy opened the door to me, their arms up and ready to be picked up. I did and was soon smothered with hugs and kisses. Of course, I gave them just as many back.

"You know, you shouldn't open the door like that unless you know who's there," as I stepped inside and pushed the door closed with my backside.

"We could see you looking in the hole," Justin said.

"Hi, Daddy!" Lindsay shouted as she ran to me. I bent down and got my sugar. "We made a cake for supper."

"Oh, really," I said. "What a surprise." I looked up at Bernice. She and John were now standing there behind Lindsay. Bernice just smiled and shrugged her shoulder.

"It's cherry," Lindsay said. "It has pink icing!"

"Ooo!" I said. "I love pink icing!"

"So do I," Lindsay said. "J and J wanted blue, but they always get blue. I wanted pink today."

"What a coincidence," I said. "So do I. Thank you, Sweetheart." I gave her another kiss and set the boys on the floor again before I stood up. "Any trouble?" I asked.

"Not a bit," John said.

"We love having them here," Bernice said happily.

The twins were already pulling on their jackets. They could put those on themselves. Lindsay already had hers on.

"I'll bring their bikes over," John said. "They're in the back yard." He left to do so.

I grabbed up the suitcases as the kids said their ‘goodbyes' to Bernice. Lindsay went into the kitchen to get the cake. By the time we got outside, John was standing outside our front door. Brad was there, picking up the bikes and taking them inside. The kids ran straight to John to give him his farewell hugs and kisses as well.

As we stepped inside, John went back home. The boys kicked off their shoes and dropped their coats on the floor. "Hey! Hey!" I shouted as I picked up their jackets and hung them up. "Shoes in the closet!"

"Sorry, Daddy," they said.

With their shoes in their proper place, I picked up the boys and carried them to the livingroom to meet Nathan and Barry, who rose to their feet. Their index fingers immediately hooked themselves between their teeth.

Lindsay was already there, showing off the cake she'd helped bake and Nathan was fawning all over her. He looked up when I spoke.

"Boys? Do you remember the policeman who gave you the lollipop?" They both nodded as Brad rejoined us after putting the bikes in the boys' bedroom. "This is Barry. He's the policeman."

"Hi," Barry said, smiling as he stepped forward.

"Hi," Justin said.

"Do you have another sucker?" Jeremy asked.

"Not this time, Champ," Barry laughed, "but I'll bring some next time I come to visit."

"And this is his friend, Nathan. And this. . . is Justin and Jeremy." I nodded to each as I said their names.

"Oh, Ted," Nathan said softly. "They're even more adorable when they're awake." He held his arms out to Jeremy, but Jeremy wrapped his arm tighter around my neck and shied away from him.

"Okay," Nathan said as he stepped back and lowered his arms. "Maybe later."

"We have a real police car," Justin said to Barry. "Wanna see?"

"Sure," Barry said. For whatever reason, Justin reached out to him and Barry took him from my arm. Jeremy reached for Brad.

"Well," Brad said as he took Jeremy. "This is new."

Nathan sighed. "I should have listened to my guidance counsellor and became a cop," he said. "But no-o-O-O-O-o-o! Nathan King wanted to become an accountant!"

Barry ignored Nathan. "Okay, Champ, where do I go?"

"Downstairs," Justin said.

Barry leaned toward me and whispered, "Which one do I have?"

"Justin," I whispered back.

Barry looked from one twin to the other. "I'm going to need name tags."

"No, you don't," Nathan said. "Justin has a scar right there." He pointed at Justin's upper lip.

"Well, so he does," Barry said. "Good eyes, Nathan. I hadn't even noticed."

"Now watch," Nathan added. "I'll forget which one has the scar."

They headed downstairs together.

I was left empty handed, so I went with Lindsay to set her cake on the counter, picked her up, and followed everyone else to the playroom.

* * * * *

"You've got guts, Ted," Nathan said as we watched ‘the boys' - all four of them - playing with the train and race car sets. Lindsay sat in my lap, playing a Gameboy.

I looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"I wouldn't have the courage to do this," he explained. "A daughter of your own, and then adopting a set of twins. My God."

"If you were in my shoes, Nathan, you wouldn't feel that way." I kissed Lindsay's hair and hugged her a little closer. "I wouldn't change a thing. Except, maybe, another bathroom, and I'm working on that."

"I envy you, Ted," Nathan said in a moment of sentimentality. "You have everything. A beautiful home, a man who loves you, and three gorgeous children who adore you."

"And two really good friends," I added.

"Thank you." He paused a moment. "Would you mind if I take over your kitchen to make dinner for everyone?"

"I was going to order out."

"Not with me in the house. What do you say?"

I shrugged. "Sure, if you feel up to it."

"I love cooking and I usually end up cooking for myself when Barry's on shift. Anything I should avoid?"

"They'll eat anything I have in the house," I said. "Just go easy on the onions and garlic if you use them. In fact, if you can get away with it, don't use them."

"I'll manage." He looked at his watch. "Oh! Best get moving. I'll call you when it's ready."

"Just yell if you need help finding anything."

"Don't worry about me. I'm at home in anyone's kitchen."

"There's a freezer in the laundry room at the bottom of the stairs if you can't find anything you want to make upstairs. And don't forget. We have dessert already."

"With pink icing." Nathan winked. "I won't forget."

The twins were having a ball, as were Barry and Brad. All of them were laughing and bouncing with excitement and Barry was making all sorts of police siren noises which made the twins giggle with unabashed glee. Thank goodness Bernice had put them down for an early nap. There was no way I'd get them in their bed now.

I just sat there, watching and listening and holding Lindsay. And I enjoyed every single moment.

* * * * *

I wasn't expecting to see what I saw when Nathan called us to dinner. The diningroom table was set and candles were burning. Everything was served and waiting, and, in the middle of everything, was Lindsay's prized cake.

Nathan should have been a chef instead of an accountant.

* * * * *

The twins fell asleep in our laps after they'd had their baths. It was just a few minutes past seven in the evening. Lindsay was doing her needlework. Her Christmas village was coming together slowly, but she was determined to finish it for next Christmas.

Nathan and Barry were sitting on the settee and feeling much more comfortable. Barry was cuddling Nathan in his arm, and both seemed completely at ease.

"There's no in-between with them, is there?" Nathan said as he looked at the twins. "They're just ‘go go go' and then they stop. There's nothing in the middle."

I smiled. "That's what little boys do," I said. "They have a built-in timer. They don't slow down. They just switch off all of a sudden."

Nathan laughed lightly.

"We should get going soon, Nathan."

Nathan looked up at his lover. "You don't have to be awake until seven. Can't we stay at least until the kids are in bed?"

"We're wearing out our welcome."

"No, you're not," I told Barry. "When Brad and I get up and go to bed and leave you here alone, then you're stretching it. Until then. . ."

Barry chuckled. "It's been quite the weekend, that's for sure."

"Do this a few more times and the kids will be calling you ‘uncle'," Brad said.

"I think I could handle that," Barry said.

"I could so-o-o-o-o handle that," Nathan said.

* * * * *

Barry hugged me and Nathan hugged Brad. And then they switched.

"I've had the best weekend ever," Barry said, grinning from ear to ear. "Thank you."

"It was our pleasure," I assured him. "Come back anytime."

"Oh, we will!" Nathan exclaimed. "Next time, ask the kids what they want for supper and I'll bring it."

"That's not. . ."

"Not another word, Ted. I've made up my mind. It's on me next time."

"He won't come back if you say ‘no'," Barry said.

"Okay," I said to Nathan. "And if you ever get fired, let me know. I could use a good cook."

"Hey!" Brad shouted, but he was smiling.

I kissed him. "I love your cooking. I just thought it might give us more time together, that's all."

"Well, when you put it that way. . ." He kissed me back.

Behind me, Barry said, "Perhaps we should go home, Nathan. Some people around here might want to go to bed."

Brad started laughing right in my mouth and pulled away. "Man, that was funny!"

I thought it was humourous, but not funny.

* * * * *

"Nathan's hair is natural. It's been like that since he was eighteen."

"Really?"

We were sitting in the bathtub.

"Are you sure you won't at least consider it?"

"You really find it sexy?"

Brad twisted around so he could look at me. "Yes, I do, Pops. I can't wait for yours to change."

"I can, Tiger," I said.

"Would it make you feel better if I tell you I'll love you even more when it does?"

I looked into his bright, green eyes for a long time. "I don't understand you, Brad."

"Don't even try, Ted," he said softly. "I don't even understand myself. All I know is I want to grow old with you and love you every single minute that we do."

Brad kissed me then. He didn't stop until we were ready to go to bed almost thirty minutes later.

To Be Continued​

 

[gsdx]

Oops. I just discovered that British Columbia doesn't have a provincial police force.

My apologies. I should have researched it first instead of assuming there was. Let's just pretend that Barry goofed and meant to say he was on the city police force.

FYI, the BCPP was disbanded in 1950 and has since been patrolled by the RCMP.

 

[harry113]

You're forgiven Neil
What's one little slip in such a marvellous story !
Great chapter
Thanks once again

Harry

 

[gmoney]

Thanks again, Neil. I don't think I have ever been as wrapped up in a story as this. It just keeps getting better!

 

[miaplacidus]

This story is a masterpiece. When I discovered it, I read the first thirty chapters in one night, and now I check the thread for new chapters almost everyday. I'm addicted to it.
I like your other stories too, but definitely this is the best of them all.

 

[gsdx]

WATCHING BRAD
Part LXVIII​

My new car looked very nice beside the van. I'd bought one to match colours with the van as closely as I could. Not everyone liked the old car, but we all liked the van, so the match was inevitable.

It was larger than my old car and could easily hold the boys' safety seats and still allow room for Lindsay to sit with them. Lindsay didn't seem to mind the van, though. It gave her the entire back seat to herself. Still, I didn't like her having to sit alone all the time, so I made sure the car would fit all three children. It, too, had the drop-down DVD player. That I insisted upon.

It was in the first week of April - Wednesday night, I think - that the doorbell rang. The twins were asleep in bed and Lindsay was in for her bath. I answered the door to a familiar policeman. Barry was standing there in full uniform.

"I'm just getting off shift," he said. He took a quick glance at the street behind him. "May I come in for a moment?"

"Of course," I said and stepped aside.

Barry came in and the instant I closed the door, he pulled me into his enormous hug, much like the one he'd given me that night whilst we talked in the bedroom. Brad appeared in the doorway, but stopped and watched. Barry didn't hold me quite as long as he did that weekend.

He ended the hug and pulled off his cap. His eyes were filled with tears again, but a bright smile split his lips. He had to know Brad was standing there. "It happened, Ted," he said. "Last night. It was just like you told me it would be."

My own smile appeared.

Barry glanced at Brad and nodded to him, then looked around him into the livingroom.

"The kids aren't there," I said quietly. "Would you like to come in for a minute?"

"No. I'm on my way home. I just wanted to tell you that it was exactly like you said it would be. Nathan was so wonderful and understanding and gentle. It took me three days, but Nathan was so patient with me. He didn't hurry me. And when it happened, it was. . . it was. . . I'm not afraid anymore, Ted."

"I'm glad I could help, Barry," I said softly.

He looked at Brad. "And you," he said. "Come here." Brad approached us. Barry put his hands on Brad's upper arms. "If it wasn't for you, I'd probably be sulking my way back to BC by now." He pulled Brad into one of his bear hugs. Brad hugged him back. I heard Barry whisper, "Thank you."

When they separated, Brad showed us his wide, chipped-tooth grin. "I don't know what I did, but you're welcome."

"You just. . . You were just. . . you," Barry replied.

"Well, that was easy," Brad said. "Glad I could help, even if I didn't do anything."

Barry turned back to me. "Look, Nathan wants to cook supper for everyone Saturday night. The kids, too. You know, just to say ‘thank you'. Is that okay with you?"

I glanced at Brad, who merely shrugged, leaving the decision up to me. To Barry, I said, "Um, sure, I guess. Want us to get anything?"

"Not a thing," Barry replied, grinning again. "We'll bring it all. I'll have Nathan call you when I get home to clear the menu." He held out his arms and pulled us into a three-way hug, kissing each of our cheeks. "If it wasn't for you guys. . ."

He released us and stepped back. "Thanks, guys," he said. "I mean it. Really. You have no idea how close Nathan and I were to breaking up over this."

I smiled at him. "Just doing our civic duty," I said. "Twice."

Barry looked confused.

"Well, we're always being told to hug a cop today," I added. "We just did."

Barry laughed and hugged us quickly once more. "For good measure," he said. He glanced into the livingroom again and lowered his voice. "Look, we want to bring something for the kids on Saturday. I know what I want to buy for boys, but what about Lindsay?"

"Unicorns or faeries," I said. "She collects them."

"You mean like ornaments or something?"

"Ornaments, pictures, posters, stickers. Anything, as long as it's unicorns or faeries."

"I'll get Nathan on it," Barry said. "He's good at finding that kind of stuff. I'll buy for the twins."

"You don't have to, Barry."

"If they're going to start calling me ‘uncle' like you said, I'm going to start acting like. . . one." He turned suddenly sad and sullen. "I have two real nieces and one nephew, Ted. I don't even know what they look like. My brother won't let me anywhere near them. I want to do this."

I could only shake my head slowly in understanding. This time, I hugged Barry. His hug was gentle and full of appreciation. He whispered into my ear, "God, I wish you were my brother."

* * * * *

Brad and I were lying in bed that night after a sweet sixty-nine. I lay on his shoulder, my hand resting casually on his chest.

"I had no idea how lucky we are," he said. "I mean, we had some problems with your Dad at first, but poor Barry. I can't even imagine how he must feel. Having family and not even knowing who they are. Not even being able to see them."

"It happens."

"It shouldn't," he said. "It's stupid."

"Yes," I said. "It's stupid, but it's life. It happens."

Brad sighed and his chest rose into my hand. "I wish I was built like Barry."

"I don't," I said. "You're perfect the way you are."

"Wouldn't you want all those muscles hugging you every night?"

"Nope. You've got enough." I tilted my head up so I could kiss him. "Besides, when you start slinging dirt and rocks all day, you're going to muscle up."

"What's the difference?"

"Barry's muscles are for his job," I explained. "He works at his.Yours will be as a result of it."

"Maybe I should hire you."

I raised my hand and smacked him a good one on his belly. Brad jumped. "Ow! Hey, that hurt!" But he was chuckling while he said it. His right arm pulled me over on top of him and he kissed me, long and hard. "And you're perfect the way you are. I guess that makes us perfect for each other. At least everything fits where it's supposed to."

"I guess it does," I said, and I kissed him back.

"I love you, Pops."

"I love you, too, Tiger."

"Now, get off me."

* * * * *

Friday evening, after I got home from work and Brad got home from school, we packed the kids into the van and headed for the mall. The boys needed new sneakers for summer. Brad fitted Jeremy and I fitted Justin. We got them two matching pairs each. Of course, they had to wear one pair the rest of the evening. We found swim suits for them as well, and I let Lindsay pick out a new suit for herself. Of course, the twins picked matching blue suits. They wanted the kind that looked like their underwear. They didn't want shorts.

Brad found a suit he wanted me to wear. Mine could be worn on the beach. His would be for our more private moments.

We stopped at the food court. Brad waited with the boys at our table whilst Lindsay and I got the food. Brad and I would be having burgers and fries from A&W with the boys, but Lindsay wanted a sub. We picked them up and returned to the table.

As we were eating, Brad reached across the table for my hand. He held it for just a moment and smiled at me, but it was long enough to get his message through to me.

An older woman approached and stood near our table behind Brad. "How dare you impose yourselves on these children!" she said loudly.

"I beg your pardon?"

"How dare you force your perverted lifestyle on these children! I should call Children's Aid and report you to them!"

I set down my burger and stood up, leaning against the table.. "FYI, lady," I said just as loudly, "Children's Aid gave these two boys to me to adopt. If my lifestyle is good enough for CAS and the boys, then it should damned well be good enough for you! Now go away and let me eat my dinner with my family!"

Several diners in the tables around us burst into applause and others quickly joined in. One young man whistled that whistle I can't do. The woman stuck her nose into the air and walked away.

Brad started laughing. "Wow," he said. "You sure told her!"

"She needs a good dose of ex-lax," I said as I sat down and continued eating my burger.

* * * * *

Lindsay was already over at the Hayes' for the weekend. I'd taken her over when we got home. It was to be ‘boys only' at our house this weekend.

The twins wanted to wear their new bathing suits to bed that night. I wouldn't let them. But I allowed them to wear them in the bathtub instead. They were happy enough with that. - at least until I made them take them off and put on their pyjamas.

As they sat in our laps later, before going to bed, Justin suddenly spun around, straddled my waist, and puckered his lips. I puckered mine and gave him a kiss with a loud ‘m-m-m-mwa!' sound.

"Daddy?" he said. "How much do you love me?"

I smiled at his question. "How much do you think I love you?"

Justin held up his hands and spread them a bit.

"This much?"

"Oh, more than that, Baby."

He spread them to shoulder width. "This much?"

"More," I said.

Again, he moved them apart.

"A whole lot more than that, Justin."

He opened his arms as far as they would go. "Do you love me this much?"

"Oh, I love you wa-a-a-a-a-ay more than that."

"This is how much I love you, Daddy."

I put on my best pouty Daddy face. "Only that much?" I asked.

"It's enough, Daddy," he said. "Watch."

He leaned forward, pressing himself against my chest and wrapping those little arms around me.

"See Daddy?" he said. "It's enough."

I wrapped my arms around him. He was right. It was exactly enough.

* * * * *

Brad and I made love to each other that night. We took our time and did it slowly and lovingly. Despite already having cum once, Brad worked me up into another hardon as he fucked me and brought me to a second orgasm. He pulled out of me at the last moment and finished me off with his mouth. I carefully removed his condom and sucked Brad to his own orgasm. I was going to suck him to another, but he stopped me and lay down beside me, pulling me on top of him.

"My arms aren't wide enough to show you how much I love you," he said. "I decided to use my lips instead."

They were exactly enough as well.

* * * * *

No little knuckles knocked on my chest the next morning. No little hand shook my shoulder. No voice called my name. It was after seven-thirty when Brad finally woke me up with a kiss.

"I hear the television, Ted," he said. "The boys are awake."

"In that case," I said as I pulled Brad's face to mine so I could give him another kiss before life began again for the day.

We got out of bed, pulled on our robes, and Brad gathered up our dirty clothes as I headed off to the bathroom for my morning piss. Brad joined me a moment later, dumped our clothes into the laundry hamper, then stepped beside me for his own piss.

When we were both done and ready, Brad grabbed up the hamper and followed me to the livingroom to greet the boys. They were kneeling on the floor in front of the coffee table, still wearing their pyjamas, watching Saturday morning cartoons, and munching on bowls of cereal.

"Uh, oh," I said. They'd never made their own breakfast before.

"Hi, Daddy," Justin said as he turned to me. "We didn't want to wake you up."

I gave them each their morning kiss and went to join Brad in the doorway of the kitchen. He was standing there, looking and smiling.

"So, Pops," he said as I stood beside him. "You want laundry duty or disaster clean-up duty?"

It wasn't really all that bad. Really. Not all that bad. I mean, there was still some Fruit Loops left in the box which was lying on its side, and I was sure I could salvage most of what was spread out the counter. The bag of milk was empty, though, but the Fruit Loops on the floor were doing a pretty good job of soaking it up. I'd have to wash down the chair they'd used to reach everything. I suppose it would have been easier to run the kitchen through the car wash.

Brad's arm came around me and he hugged me to him. "You go sit with the boys. I'll clean it up and get the laundry started before I make breakfast."

I sighed. "No," I said. "Share and share alike. Do we have a bulldozer in the utility closet?"

Brad laughed and kissed my cheek. "I'll get the broom and mop and dustpan for you." He paused dramatically. "Or the snow scoop."

I sighed again as I waded toward the counter.

* * * * *

"I appreciate you wanting to let me sleep late, but, next time, you wake me up if you're hungry, okay?"

"Okay, Daddy," Justin said.

"Can we have some toast now?" Jeremy asked.

"Sure you can," I told him. At least they remembered they weren't ever to touch the toaster or the stove. "Now, you wait here and watch your cartoons. I'll bring in your toast in a few minutes. Do you both want raspberry jam?"

"Yes, please," they answered in tandem.

I gave them another kiss, grabbed up their cereal bowls, and headed for the kitchen. Brad was there making our breakfast. Coffee was already brewing.

"Tan the bread and jam it!" I called out to him.

"Coming right up!" he called back. "I hope they're big tippers."

"They sure are," I said as I placed their bowls and spoons in the dishwasher. "Two kisses each so far."

"I love those tips," Brad grinned back at me over his shoulder. "Makes it all worthwhile."

My mind flashed back to the mess in the kitchen just minutes earlier. The kisses had made up for that as well.

* * * * *

I hadn't expected Nathan and Barry until later in the afternoon, but they showed up while I was making sandwiches for the twins' lunch. Brad and the boys greeted them. When they came into the kitchen, our guests set several boxes on the table.

"What's all this?" I asked.

"It's for dinner tonight," Nathan said proudly. "I didn't see a deep frier here last time, so I brought my own."

"I'll go get the rest," Barry said.

"Need help?" Brad asked.

"No. There's only one more load."

"I hope you don't mind, Ted," Nathan said after Barry had left. "Barry was so anxious to get here, I couldn't stop him."

I smiled. "That's okay," I said, but I knew it was Barry who couldn't stop Nathan. Actually, I was quite surprised he'd managed to keep Nathan away until noon.

Barry returned and set the second load on the table. Jeremy and Justin were still standing there, waiting patiently. I knew what they were waiting for. Barry reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a handful of lollipops.

The twins' eyes and smiles lit up their faces. "You remembered!" Jeremy said excitedly.

"I would never forget anything as important as suckers for you," Barry said. "Cool haircuts, guys."

"Thank you, Uncle Barry," Jeremy told him.

"Thank you," Justin added.

"See?" Brad said with a satisfied grin. "Told ya."

Jeremy and his brother reached out for the lollipops. "Just one," I said. "And you can't have it until after you eat your lunch, okay?"

"Okay, Daddy," Justin said. "I want orange."

Jeremy took a grape.

* * * * *

Nathan had already sorted out the things he'd brought and put the food away. We were gathered in the livingroom, sipping coffee and watching cartoons with the boys. They were kneeling once again at the coffee table, their plates of half-eaten sandwiches and their glasses of milk in front of them, and their orange and grape lollipops set beside their plates waiting patiently to sacrifice themselves to the pleasure of two little boys' anxious taste buds.

"Nathan hasn't stopped talking about you guys all week," Barry said as he gave Nathan's shoulders a squeeze with his powerful left arm.

"Well, now I have somewhere to go - someone to talk to - when you're on the night shift. It gets pretty lonely in that little apartment when you're not there." Nathan looked at us from the settee. "Really, it does."

"What about your friends in BC?" I asked. "Couldn't you phone them and talk to them?"

"Oh, sure," Nathan said. "If they existed. I knew some gay guys, but none that I would consider friends, and certainly none worth running up a phone bill for."

"Same with us," Brad said. "We don't have many friends, either, really. The kids keep us too busy to get out and meet them."

"You could always have another accident and keep your fingers crossed," Barry joked.

"Yeah," Brad said. "What about other gay cops? Aren't you friends with them?"

"We tend to keep to ourselves, really," Barry said. "We acknowledge each other, but that's about it. Besides, fraternization within the force isn't such a good thing. Causes all sorts of problems. There's just a few others and they tend to spend their off-time in bars in Toronto. Nathan and I are the only couple that I know of. Mind you, it's easier here than in BC. I wasn't even out when I started working there. After I met Nathan and we moved in together, I kept it even more secret." He looked at Nathan. "I don't know how you put up with me for three years," he said.

"I was in love," Nathan said. He leaned forward for a polite kiss.

By this time, the boys were finished their lunch and were tearing open their lollipops. I got up to retrieve their plates and empty glasses.

"Oh, good!" Barry said. "Time for the present!" He jumped up and followed me into the kitchen where the huge gift still sat on the table. "It's okay to give them their present now, isn't it?" he asked me. "I mean, Lindsay's not here to get hers."

"You can give it to her later," I assured him.

He leaned into me and whispered, "I suppose I should warn you. Nathan brought a change of clothes for us, and toothpaste and brushes and soap and shampoo and everything. I think he's hoping for an invitation to stay here again tonight."

I simply smiled at him and nodded. "Consider yourselves invited. I know what it's like to be lonely."

"He can be a bit overbearing and assertive at times. He doesn't mean to be, but he's so much of a people person, and he doesn't get many chances to be it. If it gets too much, tell me and I'll tone him down a bit."

"Really, Barry, we like Nathan and we like you. If you weren't welcome in our home, we wouldn't have told you that you were. Of course, after three days, we start changing rent."

He grinned and hugged me then. "We'll have you over to our place sometime, but I warn you. Our living room is about the size of the twins' bedroom. We don't even have enough places for everyone to sit."

"Why don't you find somewhere bigger?"

Barry shrugged. "We like it, and it's big enough for. . ."

"Uncle Barry!" one of the twins shouted. Probably Justin.

Barry chuckled lightly. "Sounds like someone is getting a little impatient."

He grabbed the package from the table and waited until I had loaded the plates and glasses in the dishwasher. We went back to join the others together.

The boys were standing, waiting. Brad was holding them in place with an arm around each. As Barry sat beside Nathan on the settee and I took my place beside Brad, he released the twins. Justin immediately went to Nathan and crawled up into his lap. Jeremy climbed into Barry's lap. I'm not sure if it was the resemblance between me and Nathan and Brad and Barry, but Justin seemed to be drawn to the ‘Daddy figure' and Jeremy took whoever was left.

No-one seemed to mind.

With Barry and Nathan holding the large gift, the boys ripped into the wrapping paper. We watched as the box unveiled itself, then Justin's eyes widened. "Policemans!" he shouted. "Daddy, look! Policemans!"

Our friends tilted the package so we could see. Barry was beaming with delight as he showed us the race car set with police car and getaway car. "The siren really works, too," he said excitedly.

The boys twisted around so they could give their respective uncles a hug and a ‘thank you'. Each got a one-armed hug in return.

Brad said, "Come on. Let's see what these babies can do." He took the box from them, pulling off the rest of the wrapping paper and letting it drop to the floor. The twins were set down and Barry stood up to join Brad and the boys on the floor behind the coffee table. Brad opened the box and began pulling out the contents.

Nathan helped me pick up the trash. "Kids," he said with a smile and a wink.

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Nathan."

He glanced over his shoulder at his lover. "Neither would I."

He followed me into the kitchen with our coffee mugs as I carried the paper.

"You know, Ted," he said secretively, "I've known Barry for almost five years. We've been together for three years. I've seen him this happy, and it's all because he met you. Thank you."

"What a coincidence," I said, smiling at him. "That's exactly what he told me about you."

* * * * *

Nathan and I sat on the sofa, watching the boys playing with the racing set. All four were laughing and giggling and bouncing up and down and having a ball. Cars were humming around the track and the police car siren was wailing out its warnings.

The doorbell rang.

"Excuse me," I said as I stood up and walked to the door and opened it.

Nancy was standing on the front porch. She seemed surprised to see me.

To Be Continued​

 

[consult28]

Neil,

Been meaning to write and thank you for my breakfast reading material almost every day. You get my blood flowing a little better and I am always sure of a complete eye washing. As Barry said in the latest chapter " God, I wish you were my brother". Thanks for all your stories.
George

 

[gmoney]

Thanks for yet another Joyous Cry! Wonderful as always. -G

 

[harry113]

Once again, Neil, a wonderful chapter !!
Thanks

Harry

 

[shea]

Neil, thank you for another wonderful chapter.
I cannot remember reading something this
long and this enjoyable in my life. You are
truly an artist and I thank you from the
bottom of my heart.
luv ya, shea

 

[miaplacidus]

Awesome!!! I wish if I had your writing skills.

 

[gsdx]

WATCHING BRAD
Part LXIX​

"Surprise," Nancy said.

"Hello," I replied. "Please, come in." I stepped back to allow her entrance.

"I wasn't sure if you were here," she said. "I didn't see your car."

"That's gone," I explained. "The silver one is mine now. I got broadsided a few weeks ago."

"Oh! I saw that on the news. That was you?"

"That was me."

"Were you injured?"

"No," I said. "I was alone and on my way home from work. Shook me up a bit, but that's all."

"Thank goodness. Well, I'm here for your surprise weekend visit."

"I didn't know you did visits on weekends."

"Surprise," she repeated. Her smile was pleasant and inviting.

"Well, come on in. We have company, but I can ask them to leave if you like."

As if on cue, a loud, raucous burst of laughter came from the livingroom, including high-pitched screams of glee from the twins.

"Oh, not at all," she said. "I won't be here that long. Well, maybe long enough for a coffee. I just wore this sweater today and I should have worn my jacket."

"Sure," I smiled. "Come on in. I'll introduce you and we'll get you warmed up."

"Thank you."

Another burst of laughter erupted as we entered the livingroom. "Brad!" I called lightly when the laughter eased.

He looked up. "Oh! Sorry, guys. We have to stop."

Nathan was already on his feet in front of the settee and, as soon as Barry saw Nancy standing there, sprang to his feet as well. The twins got up and came running to say ‘hi' to Nancy.

"Nancy, you already know my three children?" I said jokingly.

"Hi," she said, grinning widely, to the twins. Then, "Hi, Brad. Is Ted adopting you, too?" She ran her hand over Jeremy's hair. "I love your haircuts."

"Thank you," Jeremy said. He took Nancy's hand. "Come see what Uncle Barry and Uncle Nathan gave us!"

Justin grabbed her other hand and, together, they led her to the race track. "It sings and the lights sparkle and everything. Watch!" They dropped to their knees, grabbed up the control paddles, and sent the cars careening around the track, the police car's lights flashing and the siren blaring.

I gave them two laps and then stopped them. "Okay, boys," I said. "Time to stop. Nancy's here to talk, not to play cops and robbers."

They stopped and I bent down to pick up Justin. Brad stepped in and picked up Jeremy. "Nancy, this is Barry," I said.

"Hello," Nancy said, offering her hand for shaking.

"Pleased to meet you, Ma'am," Barry said.

Nancy giggled. "The last person who called me ‘ma'am' was writing out a speeding ticket."

"That might have been me," Barry said with a smirk.

Nancy's smile disappeared. "Oh, shoot! OPP or City?"

"City," Barry replied.

Nancy's pleasant smile returned. "Oh. That's okay then. Pleased to meet you."

"Barry was one of the officers who responded to my accident," I said.

"Really?" Nancy said as she eyed his handsome features and rather muscular arms. "Makes we want to go out and find a street lamp to wrap myself around. Can I ask for you by name?"

"You're married, Nancy," I laughed. "Remember?"

"Oh, yeah," she said dejectedly. "Bummer."

I was still chuckling when I introduced Nathan.

"Nice to meet you," Nancy said, smiling again. "I love your hair. Where did you get it done?"

"Style by Ernie," Nathan said. "Colour by Mother Nature."

"Well, they both did a smash-up job."

"Thank you."

"Nancy is the boys' case worker from CAS," I said.

Nathan's face turned serious. "Oh, dear," he said. "Barry, we should go."

"Don't be silly," Nancy said, shrugging it off. "I won't be here very long anyway."

"We'll go downstairs then."

"Nonsense! Please, sit and finish your coffee."

"Which reminds me," I said. "Brad? Could you get Nancy a coffee please?"

"Sure."

"Black, please," Nancy said as she ran her hands down her hips. "I'm on a diet. High school reunion this August and I've got a dress I need to pry myself into or Elaine will never let me hear the end of it."

Brad handed Jeremy to me and I sat down on the sofa. Nathan nodded in comprehension. "I went to one of those once. Haven't been back again. All those drama queens prancing around."

"I keep saying that every reunion," Nancy continued. "But do I listen? No-o-O-O-O-o-o-o."

Nancy took the single chair and Barry joined Nathan on the settee, but they sat at opposite ends, keeping as far away from each other as possible. Brad soon returned with Nancy's coffee and sat beside me. Jeremy crawled into his lap.

Nancy took a tentative sip. Her face scrunched up and her tongue uncoiled from her mouth. "Brack!" she said loudly. "I hate reunions. But, whatcha gonna do, eh?" She set her mug on the coffee table and turned her attention to me as she leaned forward in the chair. "So, Mr. de Villiers. How are things going?"

"Well, except for a crappy week awhile ago when my car was totalled and the boys and I came down with the flu, not too bad at all."

"Any new and interesting developments with the boys?"

"Well, actually there is," I said. I took Justin's hands in mine and spread his arms wide. "I discovered this is enough love for a little boy."

Nancy's brow furrowed in question. "I'm sorry, I don't understand."

I released Justin's hands, picked him up and turned him around, and set him back down in my lap, facing me. "Show her, Justin," I said.

Justin spread his arms wide once more, leaned into me, and wrapped his arms around me. "See?" I said. "That much love is enough."

"Oh, isn't that sweet," Nathan said. "Out of the minds of children. . ."

"Indeed," Nancy said.

Justin sat back, puckered his lips, and waited patiently for his kiss. I didn't disappoint him. Then it was my turn to hug him. After I turned Justin around once more, Jeremy needed his kiss and hug as well. I didn't disappoint him, either. I looked at Nancy and said, "I can't imagine my life without them anymore. Except maybe when they decide to make breakfast for themselves."

Nancy laughed and held up her hand. "Ach! Don't tell me," she said through her giggles. "Worthy of a HazMat team I bet?"

I nodded.

She suddenly looked around. "Oh, where's Lindsay?"

"Next door at her grandparents," I said. "She's there for the weekend. Which reminds me. My own parents are moving into Durham at the end of May. Dad has been transferred to Whitby."

"I bet they're happy about that," Nancy said. "Being nearer to the children and all."

"That's why they're moving. Dad was offered the job and he accepted it. There's too much family here for them to be missing now."

"We can ride bikes now," Justin said excitedly as he sat upright. "Oupa bought them."

"Brad taught us," Jeremy added. "Wanna see?"

"Not right now, okay?" I said. "Maybe later if we have time."

"Okay, Daddy," Justin said as he settled back against me again.

"Things are going great," I told Nancy. "We couldn't be happier. We have two new great friends and the boys have two new uncles. They're getting a real family now. Two sets of grandparents who adore them and spoil them rotten. . ."

"Oh, that's their job," Nancy said. "I'm sure there's a law somewhere."

"Ours, too," Nathan added.

Nancy looked at Nathan. "So, you two are. . . ?" She moved her finger back and forth between the two.

Nathan was strangely silent, unsure how to answer, or if he even should.

Barry answered for him. "Yes, we are. I hope that doesn't cause any problems for Ted."

"None at all," Nancy said. "It's not our place to choose his friends for him. We trust Ted to do what's best. And Lord knows these boys need all the love and family they can get."

Nathan looked visibly relieved.

"Well, Mr. de Villiers," Nancy said, "this visit is purely perfunctory. It has to be done so I can say I've done it, but I'd like to talk to the boys alone if I may?"

"Of course," I said. I set Justin on the floor and stood up. Brad set Jeremy on the floor as well. "Come on, guys." To Nancy, I said, "You can talk in their room."

Nancy followed us into their bedroom. The boys climbed up on their bed. "The one near the pillows is Jeremy," I told her.

"Thanks."

"Now, be good and answer Nancy's questions. And no bike riding in the bedroom, you hear?"

The boys nodded. I left them alone and closed the door behind me.

"How did you get them, Ted?" Nathan asked. "I mean, did they know about you and Brad?"

"Yes," I said. I quickly explained the boys' story and the rush to get them adopted.

"How horrible for them," Nathan said.

"They could actually touch their father?" Barry asked.

"For two whole days."

"That's one arrest I would have loved to have made."

"They seem so stable," Nathan added. "I'm surprised they aren't in therapy."

"We all are," I told him honestly. "They pulled each other through somehow, though. I like to think I was always their father and they were simply waiting for me to bring them home."

"If you ask me, Ted," Nathan said, "they're the luckiest little boys on the planet."

"And I'm the luckiest man," I said as I pulled Brad tighter to my side. "I've got everything I want and more."

Two little tornados suddenly flew into the livingroom. One landed in my lap and the other landed in Brad's. Nancy followed in their wake and sat down to finish her coffee. "Who's been teaching them to read?"

"Brad and I," I replied, "and even Lindsay. But mostly Terry. They have regular lessons every day during the week. She's better than pre-school."

"Impressive. I've seen those LeapFrogs before, but I thought they were just a novelty."

"Only to those who don't know how to use them to teach," I said. "Terry told me to buy them and I did. She set up the lessons on her own."

"I wish I could find a sitter like her," Nancy sighed. "All my sitter reads is the TV Guide."

We talked for awhile longer and Nancy managed, somehow, to drink all her coffee.

"Well, Mr. de Villiers," she said finally. "Only one more month to go, eh?"

I nodded. "I have the date circled on every calendar in the house."

Her smile was genuine and sincere. "It will be here before you know it. Trust me."

* * * * *

The twins were playing with their new race car set again. Justin controlled the police car. Brad cuddled against me and Nathan cuddled against Barry.

"What nationality is de Villiers?" Barry asked.

"South African," I replied. "My Mom is British. Dad is Afrikaaner."

"Hallo," Nathan said, suddenly excited. "Hoe gaan dit met jou?"

"Dit gaan goed met my, dankie," I replied.

Nathan laughed. "Okay, you've lost me already. I'm hoping you said, ‘Fine, thank you'?"

I laughed as well. "I did indeed, but that's about the extent of my Afrikaans. I understand it, but I can't speak it very well."

"It's a beautiful, fascinating language," he said. "A young lady I worked with in Vancouver speaks it. She taught me to say a few things, but that's the only one I remember. I wish I'd studied it more."

"Both my parents speak it," I said. "That's how they met, actually. My Mom tutored Dad in English and they fell in love and then came me. I'm sure they'll be happy to teach you some."

"I hope so."

I let the twins play until three, but then I told them they had to go for their nap. They didn't want to go, but reluctantly agreed when Uncle Barry promised them another lollipop when they woke up. I knew they were tired, though, and they fell asleep almost immediately.

When I returned to the livingroom, I excused myself and continued out to the hot tub to check the temperature. Brad had turned it down at my request. The boys were going to have their bath in the ‘big boys tub' with us that night. I checked the thermometer and was satisfied with the results. We'd crank it back up again after the boys went to bed.

"What time would you like to eat?" Nathan asked when I returned.

"We usually eat between five-thirty and six," I answered him.

Nathan broke away from Barry's grasp and stood up. "I'd best get started, then," he said.

"Need any help?"

"Thanks, Bradley, but I can manage. I'll call you if I need anything."

"Who did your front gardens, Ted?" Barry asked when Nathan had left the room.

"Brad," I said. "He's doing his parents' house, too, and maybe another down the street this summer."

Barry's brows raised on his forehead as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and touching his fingertips together. "Really? That's one of the things Nathan misses. He owned a house in BC and he loved gardening. He loved that house and his gardens were beautiful."

"Why did you rent an apartment, then?" Brad asked.

"We haven't found a house we like yet." His head dropped. "And. . . we weren't looking very hard until we figured out if we were going to stay together." His head came up again, and he was smiling. "We're going to start looking now, though."

"That's great," I told him, and I was genuinely happy for them.

* * * * *

Brad and Barry were sitting on the sofa with me. They were playing Top Gear on Nintendo and I was watching. I'd been out to the kitchen several times to see if Nathan needed any help, but my offer was always turned down. He was very-much comfortable in a kitchen.

Barry, on the other hand. . .

"His Kraft Dinner sticks to your ribs," Nathan said during my final visit with him in the kitchen, "but it sticks to everything else, too. You have to sandblast the pots and plates and silverware to get them clean. It would make good mortar, though, if you're building a brick wall."

I laughed.

Nathan looked at me, tilting his head down and looking at me from beneath his eyebrows. "You think I'm joking?" He jerked his head toward the livingroom. "Ask him."

He returned to his preparations and I watched him work. I said to him softly, "Nathan, you wouldn't have left him if he hadn't. . . you know. . . ?"

Nathan took a quick glance over his shoulder to make sure we were alone. "He was terrified that I would, and that was his problem. He felt pressured and that just made him tighten up - literally and figuratively. But ‘no', I wouldn't have left him if it had never happened. I love him too much." Nathan sighed heavily and returned to his work. "Unfortunately, I think he might have left me though. He felt he was failing me in the relationship."

I put my hand on his shoulder and kissed his cheek. "But it's all okay now, right?"

He looked at me and smiled quietly. "It's much more than okay now. We owe you big time."

I nodded my head. "What was it about him that made you fall in love with him."

Nathan chuckled softly. "You'll never believe it," he said. "He's gorgeous, and he's got a helluva body, but it was his voice."

"His voice?"

"Yeah. I was at a gay pub one night. Just a small one. I heard him before I saw him and I went all wobbly in the knees. I just had to know who the voice belonged to. Fortunately, the man attached to it was just as beautiful and sexy. What about Bradley? I mean, besides the obvious?"

"Well, the obvious was nothing more than a curiosity to me. I wasn't even interested in men when I met Brad. I was still basically straight," I explained. "It was only after we started talking and I discovered what a shy, lonely, gentle, compassionate, and caring person he really is. When I saw him in his shorts that first day, I expected an ego the size of Manitoba. It wasn't there. I've never fallen in love with someone so fast in my life. It was only after I fell in love with him that the sexual attraction came about and I started thinking about doing things with him."

"He certainly has that way about him, doesn't he? It's extremely difficult not to like him." He stopped his chopping for a moment and looked at me. "Does the age thing bother you? I mean, you're - what? - thirty? And he's like twenty?"

"I'm thirty-three now. He just turned twenty. I don't understand why he likes me, but the age difference doesn't bother me much anymore. What bothers me is that Brad could do a lot better than someone like me."

Nathan turned to face me completely now, resting his hands on my shoulders. "Yes, he could, Ted, but he doesn't want to." His right hand moved to the centre of my chest. "He likes what he finds here, and, when it really comes down to it, that's all that matters." His hand moved back to my shoulder. "Look at Barry and look at me. Barry and Bradley should be together, but Barry looks at me, not him. And he looks at you and you look at Barry, too."

He saw my reaction and grinned broadly and squeezed my shoulders. "Relax, my friend," he said. "I look at Bradley, too, and I'm not blind to the way he looks at me. It's what we know. It's what we like. It's what we're comfortable with. But I hope you know as well as I that looking is as far as it will ever go. It's only a friendly attraction. Nothing more."

"I know."

"You're a very fortunate man, Ted, and so am I. All my life I've dreamt of a man like Barry, but I never thought anyone like him would be interested in someone like me let alone fall in love with me. Neither of us should question it. We should simply accept it and carry on."

"Did you always know you were gay?"

"Oh, yes," Nathan replied. "But, like you, I was in denial for years."

"That's the thing with me, though," I said. "I wasn't in denial. I'd done my experimenting in my teens, but other than that, I never wanted to have sex with another man until Brad came along. In fact, it hasn't been that long since I've really begun to look at other men as attractive and sexy."

"Like Barry?"

"Yes," I smiled, "just like Barry. All I know is that I don't look at women anymore. I look at men and I want to spend time with them. I enjoy their company, and, especially, I enjoy yours."

"Thank you, Ted. I know I come across as overbearing and pushy sometimes, and I often stretch my welcome to the limits. . ."

I cut his sentence short. "If it ever comes to that, I'll let you know. Until then. . ."

My own sentence was cut short.

"Daddy!!"

"Duty calls," I said, and I left Nathan to his own duties as I went to see what my sons wanted.

To Be Continued​

(No big cliffhanger ending, but I'm taking a break for the weekend. I'm not stumped on what to write, but we're in the middle of a heat wave here and I don't have air conditioning. Sitting in front of the computer writing all day in this humidity is rather trying.

I'll be posting the next chapter on MONDAY morning. Get used to these breaks during the summer. I don't handle heat and humidity well.

Thanks. Neil)

 

[gmoney]

Neil, the efforts you have put into this wonderful story are tremendous! If anyone deserves a break, you do! You are so thoughtful to inform your readers and not leave us hanging like a few others have done. Enjoy your weekend and I look forward to Monday.
Thank you so much! -Gary

 

[ronboy]

Neil, you are keeping the great populace of JUB entertained with Ted and Brad's story. That is an awesome task. You are in the driver's seat, and the story moves at your pace. I know this, and I hope that everyone else realizes this too.

Try to stay cool. I don't know what your weather will be like for the next few days, but south of the lake, we are calling for 5 days of hazy, hot, and humid. I do have A/C, and it is running constantly....