Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2011 21:53:57 -0700
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Delta Cubed 9

Delta Cubed
by: dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)


9: The Big Family

Sara had made over May's room for the Alexes. Wilson missed her something
fierce and it really hit him when he saw the changes to her former
bedroom. We partied until the late hours. Buy the time we put it all away,
Wilson was asleep on the sofa. I carried him to his room so Judy and I
could start putting the little guy to bed. We removed his clothes and
pulled up the covers. The kid still has the cutest little body and his
undies are getting a little small for him. Showing off his miniature
manhood, I could tell Judy thought he was cute, too. He soon appeared to be
asleep, so we began tip-toeing out.

"Hey guys, where's my kiss? You don't get away that easy."

Judy kissed his forehead and as I bent down he said, "I hope I can sleep
without all that sex right next to me."

I kissed his cheek and tickled his ribs at the same time. Judy asked if we
had been keeping Wilson awake in the tent. She thought he was asleep before
either of us got into anything.

"He was," I said, "it's his humor. He knows what goes on; he doesn't have
to witness it."

She was a bit relieved. Girls! I will never understand them. So what if he
did see us? He knows what two lovers do and why, so why try and hide it?
It's not like we haven't done it in the same bed as our best friends, even
sharing their passion and bodies. Some things I probably will never
understand.

The next day we had a big family meeting. Wilson had never been in one of
these, but as a matter of fact neither had I. Rupert kind of ran things,
chairman of the board, as it were. He was senior and respected by all, so
he was the natural leader. He asked Wilson to sit next to him as we all
gathered around the dining room table. He started out by saying
grandparents have a special relationship with grandchildren.

"It is simply unconditional love and no real responsibility." He put his
arm around Wilson. "You are the luckiest kid in the room, Wilson. You have
about six sets of grandparents whereas most kids only have two." Wilson
just beamed with pride. "We grandparents tend to spoil our grandchildren,
and we really spoil our great-grandchildren, if we have any that is. I want
to say first that Wilson has what every grandparent dreams of for
grandchildren: a loving and supportive family. Every child has a special
talent and everyone has recognized Wilson's, which goes well beyond his
voice and talent; it is his loyalty and devotion to that family.

Every other child in this room, and you are all children from Lize's and my
perspective, also has special talents, and each one must be recognized and
cherished. You have all demonstrated your abilities or talents, be they
recognized as great or apparently taken for granted. Wilson once explained
the 'Fates' to me; Sam told him the Fates may have caused all our paths to
cross, but it is what we make of these crossings that counts. It is time we
recognized our collective obligation to decide 'what counts' is to
mean. Sam, you've probably guessed by now that your life has been
intertwined with mine since the day you met Fred on the porch of the UK
Delta house."

Rupert went on to lead a discussion about our individual and collective
futures, each of us expressing our hopes and desires, our goals and our
dreams.

"Now, families cannot do it for you, all we can do is support, sometimes
facilitate, and maybe once-in-a-while assist. Fred and I have put together
a plan that should balance all of the competing demands on the extended
family resources. From the grandparents point of view, we would just like
to give you young people whatever you need or ask for. Parents, who have a
more direct responsibility for you, require more accountability, but we
both want the same ultimate result: your happiness. Fred..."

Fred explained what the family expected of each member in the form of
contributions. We "children" are expected to do our best at whatever we do,
and to love and respect each other and everyone else in the family and
extended family. In addition, we are expected to contribute to our
individual and collective well-being through work. Those contributions are
ability based. For example, Judy can sell some of her art to the motels. We
would be paid for our work. Being students, our major obligation is
academic performance, and our academic performance pay was to be pooled. In
addition to academic performance, we are expected to work for the family
businesses as we had always done. 75% of this pay was to be pooled; 25% was
for our personal use. Scholarship money was considered performance pay. The
corporation would pay all fees, food, lodging, books, and so on. It would
provide housing and transportation as needed. Depending on income and
expenditures, 80% of the surplus funds could be used at our discretion; the
other 20% would be invested for our futures. In addition to the partnership
in Banff, the corporation purchased a motel in Madison near the university,
which we were expected to participate in the management of. A condo in
which we were all expected to live and one minivan for transportation was
now in place.

The corporation is a kind of co-operative. All of the nuclear families
purchased shares in it and the young people would earn their shares through
a profit-sharing program. Each ones share of the profits reinvests and buys
more shares of the corporation.

Wilson was a bit shaken. He realized he was too young to work and wondered
who put in a share for him, being only a foster child? Lize touched his arm
and said, "I did, Wilson." Fred added that the Kirk family trust would fund
his music scholarships at the Banff school and in Madison.

Sara would do the bookkeeping and Fred would provide senior management, but
we kids must make this work through our joint participation and efforts.

I think we were all dumb struck, except Wilson. "All I have to do is sing
and help our around here?" I added, "and do your best in school."

"Yeah, youÉthe geniusÉwould say something like that."

I knew this was his wry humor. I was not sure the others did. Sara
presented his last report card for Grade 4: "A" in all subjects.

Wilson, being sharp as tack, responded, "I never said I couldn't do
it. Does that mean I get to live with them in Madison?"

"No," Sara said, "you must live with Fred and I until you finish high
school. You can stay with 'them' every other weekend when you go for your
lessons."

"But how can I work and make my contribution if I'm here."

Lize spoke up, "Wilson dear, just being a child and doing boy-child things
is work enough for now."

Fred broke in, "You will have lots of opportunities to contribute in the
future, Wilson. Sara and I are attempting to adopt you, but I can tell you
everyone else in this room wants to do the same thing. Your thoughts on the
matter are paramount."

"That means most important, right? I want to live here with my new mom and
dad. You have often said it takes a village. I can't be divided," he said
looking at himself. "I want to be able to see lots of every one of you and
I want to sing. I really like singing. Can you make Social Services keep me
here, Grandpa?"

"Well, I think we can get the court to give Sara and Fred
guardianship. That would do it."

"If Sara and Fred, why not those four?" pointing at us.

"I can try. Of course, if they would get married sooner rather then later
it would be simpler, and Judge Oxford would be more likely to agree, I'm
sure, son. Apparently you were very pursuasive last time you talked to
him."

Alexandria, who had been quite quiet spoke up, "Granddad, get it arranged
for meÉfor us, please. We four made a commitment to Wilson andÉ"

"ÉIt's the right thing to do!" Wilson piped up. "Mom, dad can I go play
now?"

We all laughed and Sara nodded okay. Wilson went around the table hugging
everyone and disappeared at something close to the speed of light.

"And I always thought your Grandma Lize was the one who always got her
every wish. Lize, I think that boy is going to give you a run for your
money."

"And why not, Rupe, he is the closest thing to a great-grandson we are
going to see for some time, I suspect."

That was an easy decision which everyone could live with. Alex and I
wondered later if perhaps we were biting off a bit more responsibility then
two 20-year-olds should. We decided it was okay since we had one hell of a
strong family behind us. The four of us talked a lot that night about
independence and doing what we wanted, and not just what the family
expected of us. We came to the conclusion that they only expected us to do
the right thing and to do our best. They were just very good at
anticipating what we wanted and needed. I hoped that over time Fred would
stop anticipating and just let us ask once in a while. Judy said she would
get Sara to make that suggestion to him. He probably doesn't realize how we
feel sometimes. I guessed she was right. Hell, most men don't realize how
others feel about things.

Alex's dad made a little statement about fearing for our moral well
being. "Having seen your love and devotion to each other and for that
child, and after talking to the other parents, we support you kids. You
have our blessingÑboth couples. You know, even though we've done it three
times already, it doesn't get any easier. Now, we don't need another
daughter, but we will take her anyway, and we could use another son, too,
Sam."

"Thank-you dad," I said. For the first time Mr. Roe embraced me and patted
my back. Wow! This was getting a bit emotional and a little surreal.

Judy's parents were quietly supportive, as they had always been. Not
wanting to embarrass us, they said their words in private. They were
overjoyed that we were intending to get married and looked forward to being
grandparents. Judy pointed out we both had years of school to finish
first. But her mom just brushed that off like she did everything else she
did not wish to talk about. Her brothers were getting older and in a few
years they would be able to benefit from the guidance of their
brother-in-law and his friend Alex. It makes letting-go just a bit easier.

Alex and I had not had any real sex with each other for some days now. My
ass was looking forward to some cock and so was his, I was sure about
that. I figured Fred was a little shy on the butt fucking too, unless he
was doing some of the staff, and I doubted that. We went to our rooms for
sleep and some emotional release.

Judy wondered if Sara's biological clock was about to go off. She will want
to have a child or two in the near future, and Fred as the biological
father was out. "You could be that biological father, Sam," she
whispered. I didn't answer as my mouth was clamped on her pussy. I was
hoping she would take the hint and start sucking my cock. The boys would
just have to hold off until tomorrow.

Our condo was one wonderful place. Not new or anything like that, but it
was large. Our mothers had redecorated and furnished the place mostly with
cast-offs from their own homes. Jim had come up with a completely new
kitchen. Some of the brothers had wired the place, making sure we all had
first rate work stations, high speed internet connections, sound systems,
and so on. Rita and Randy provided the minivan. It was a few years old but
very low milage, because they traveled so much.

We had four bedrooms and lots of added space. Each couple had a room plus
one for Sara and Fred, and a guest room. In the loft they made a little
studio for Judy, and a practice room for Wilson in the basement, which also
had its own bathroom and a place for Wilson to sleep. This place was four
blocks from the Delta house and two blocks from the motel. Sara went down
with us a few days before classes started. We got settled in, laid in food
and drink, got Alexandria oriented to the campus and generally
organized. Sara presented us with a list of co-op responsibilities and
asked us to volunteer for different assignments: someone to pay bills and
keep the books, someone to organize meals and shopping, and so on. Fred and
Wilson came down and Sara went back. Fred introduced us to the motel
management and, based on our class schedules, decided our work times and
duties. Someone would always be around to look after Wilson when he visited
or came down for lessons.

The place was organized not unlike a Delta house, which was no surprise in
that and you could see Fred's business influence with the schedule boards
and message centers. Fred believed education was something you treated with
the same dedication and respect as a job. Judy was the least comfortable
with that. Arts people always seem to have problems with what they perceive
as restrictions on their spirit. Alexandria in pre-med, Alex in electrical
engineering and me in geology, all coming from the science side, could see
his logic and agree. Not that we are not creative in our own ways, but our
creativity is a bit more focused. For example, my hobby is photography,
kind of science and technology meets light and shadow. Judy's was light and
shadow, too, but with a few dozen more degrees of freedom, as it were.

I had been so accustomed to organizing my life around studies, jobs, house
activities, sports and social things that this was just some old, same
old. Fred suggested I just lead by example and let the others follow, which
they did. We did have a cleaning person come in once-a-week to do laundry,
clean the floors, etc. None of us are neat freaks, but Alexandria and I
like stuff put away, so we kept our mates in line. Okay, we made a
half-hearted attempt anyway. We tried to have one meal a day when everyone
would be together. It varied, mostly between lunch and dinner, but we did
it. Buy mid-term exam time we seemed to have one guest or another around
most of the time.

Wilson was into the swing of things. He would take the bus down on Friday
afternoon and home again on Sunday afternoon, unless he had a ride. Two
weekends a month he would brighten our lives. His voice teacher lived only
a short distance from us on our side of the campus so Wilson could walk or
take a city bus to and from. He was growing and maturing fast, and was very
proud that he could travel by himself and that we trusted him to do so.

He had his voice lessons on Saturday morning and practiced with the Delta
quartet on Sunday in the late morning. One of us would pick him up and take
him to the bus station. Of course, we went home or to Chicago on the
alternate weekends unless it was close to exam time or if a big paper was
due. We were very happy and very busy. We were in love with each other and
with life.

Judge Oxford wrote us a letter about our guardianship application. He would
grant it on the understanding that we would 'tie the knots' by the new
year. He liked the idea that Wilson would continue to live with his foster
parents even after fostering was finished. He liked Wilson's singing and
encouraged us to continue his training, as long as he wanted to, that
is. The judge also noted he rarely wrote personal letters to applicants for
anything, but this was the most unique situation he had ever encountered,
and being unique it prompted unique judicial details. We extended an
invitation for him to visit us when ever he was in Madison.

I showed the letter to Wilson and he was delighted. "Now we belong to each
other officially, don't we?"

"Well, I guess we do, kid. Officially, does it feel any different?"

"Sure does, now they can't take me away."

"Were you worried about that, Wilson?

"Yes, Sam, it was always in the back of my mind that Social Services could
move me to a different foster home."

A tear started to form in his eye. I pulled him close to me and he put his
arms around my neck and buried his face against my shoulder.

"Oh, little buddy, Alex and I would never have let that happen, ever. You
know that don't you?"

"Well, I overheard the DSS lady telling Sara that could happen if her
inspection reports weren't good."

"What did Sara say?"

"She smiled and said something about people doing their jobs, but I didn't
understand it."

"Why didn't you tell one of us this was bothering you?"

"I don't know, just didn't want to burden anyone."

"I love you, Wilson, and so do all of us. You should always tell us if
anything is bothering you, ever. Your family can't help you unless you tell
us you need it, and that's what families are for, supporting and helping
when needed? Our families are never too busy or too stressed to help our
own, never. Understood?" and I tweeked his nose.

"Understood."

I asked Wilson if he would help me plan the wedding.

"Anything, Sam! Can I sing?"

"No," I said, "weddings are like funerals, aren't they? No music or singing
is allowed."

"Okay, I'll just stand up and mouth the words."

For a 10-year-old, closer to 11 I guess, he was sharp. Now, at ten I was
smart, but never as quick on the uptake as he is.

"I need to do a lot of planning and organizing. Can I leave the music part
to you."

"It will be my pleasure, but what kind of music do people have at a
wedding?"

"I think you should ask your sisters and Rita, well, all the women in our
extended family."

"Will they let me sing?"

"No, but you can let yourself sing. We will leave the music program up to
you. Selection of the pieces, performers, accompanist, and so on. Judy and
Alex will write the program and service. The ceremony will be at the Delta
house, and I am asking judge Oxford to do the official bit. After the
dinner we will have a big party at the Delta house, and we will need music
for that too."

"Are you organizing the party too?"

"Well, yes and no. I have asked Randy to be the master-of-ceremonies. He
will do up a program but you get to look after the entertainment. Can you
do that, little brother?"

"Well, I will need a lot of help, but I know where to find it. Yes, I will
do it, if you think I can."

"Wilson, I don't think, I know you can."

We set the date for December 7th. It would be a day of infamy in more ways
then one.

Wilson ran off to get started. I figured he would manage to get direction
from everyone else, so he would not need much from me. I was right.

Alex and I would manage just as easily, we just live together with the
women, or perhaps find a JP for a quick thing in the park or something. But
weddings are for the girl's family and friends. Not that we ever need a
reason to party but weddings are among the best going.

Alex and I made a great organizational team. I had the experience and he
had the linear, engineering thinking. Everyone contributed to the
effort. Sara used the hotel software for invitations, collecting all the
names for the families and so on. Lize made sure the ladies chose florists
and paper stock and albums and photographers and the like. Alex got
transportation and honeymoon reservations, etc. I booked everything else:
catering, housing and so on. This was going to cost a bundle! Fred gave me
a strict, but generous, budget.

Usually brides want to do all this themselves, but Judy is less interested
in things like this than most women and Alexandria was in first year
pre-med so she was just too busy.

Fred also approached Judge Oxford for us and he was most agreeable. It
turned out he was an old classmate of Randy as well as having a judicial
interest in the "project." He even made a trip to Madison on a Friday,
bringing Wilson along, to meet his counterpart in this county. He wanted to
make sure he wasn't stepping on any toes. Wilson was delighted to tag along
with Judge Oxford and "meet all those important people," as he put it. We
extended invitations to a number of people in the university and civic
community, too. All agreed to come as long as Wilson was singing.

This wedding was also a large political event in our lives. Through it, we
were joining four families together with a bond even tighter then we had
before.

It was impossible to keep Wilson away from our bachelor party since all our
male friends, Delta brothers, Alex's brothers-in-law and our dads would be
in attendance. It was, shall we say, tame.

Judge Oxford worked with the girls to make the words they wanted fit into
the lectionary he was bound to. They would not tell me anything about the
music except who was performing. Rita would play, Wilson and the Delta
quartet would sing, and that's all I knew. I was a bit worried because for
a while Wilson had me believing we were entering by march and leaving by
bagpipes. I hate bagpipes!

Wilson came into the Groom's Room just before the service started telling
all the groomsman, Alex and me not to be the least bit nervous, just be
like him, as he strutted around. One of the fellows commented on how brave
Wilson was. He just smiled and pointing at Alex and me saying, "I have good
teachers." Well, how the hell do you show any trepidation after a comment
like that from a 10-year-old? Then just as we were leaving the room, he
pulled out our Wilson Medals and Delta pins from his pocket and insisted we
have them on.

Alexandria and Randy, followed by Judy and Milton, came down the grand
staircase into the reception area of the Delta House to Rita on her violin
playing a march from Sibelius. Okay, we were in by march, I guess. They
joined Alex, me, the groomsmen and bridesmaids in front of the
judge. Everyone else except Lize and Rupert was standing. Wilson sang.

Judge Oxford began by saying, "Marriage is a commitment made between two
people, and I know these two couples are very good at making and keeping
commitments. A little over two-and-a-half years ago, these four stood in my
courtroom making an unsolicited commitment to this boy. Wilson, come and
join us please. I didn't accept it at the time, but they kept it anyway."
He ruffed Wilson's hair. "They, with the help of their families, have
exceeded that commitment a hundred times over. So, I am issuing a court
order granting permanent guardianship of Wilson to these four young
people. Wilson wanted a family, but I think he got a bit more than he
bargained for on that day, but it all worked out. Weddings are also about
joining families togetherÉ" he droned on through the formal part of the
ceremony.

During the ceremony Wilson sang three songs, all beautiful solos. The
quartet sang two and Rita, as promised, played us in and out.

Judge Oxford sure sprang a surprise on us by officially granting permanent
guardianship of Wilson before the wedding vows. He stopped the ceremony and
asked the photographer to come around to the side and take his pictures. He
also made sure Wilson was in the middle of many pictures. I wondered what
awaited us at the reception.

Judy and Alexandria wore very simple white dresses and we wore tuxedoes so
no changing was required. After pictures and dinner it was party time!

It was one of my best, if I say so myself, and I just did. We had to submit
to the usual round of toasts and speakers trying to embarrass us. Everyone
wanted in on the act, and I mean everyone. We even had a video linkup with
the UK house. Wilson was trying to steal the show from the moment we got in
the room. Grandpa Rupert was master-of-ceremonies, and with two couples to
celebrate the toasting just never seemed to end. Everyone danced and sang
and talked to us. It was a great time.

The cake was something to behold. The Delta House cooks worked for several
days on it. Judy thought it too nice to cut, but she sure liked the taste
once her artistic sensibilities were overcome. We had a gift opening at the
condo the next morning. I had no idea we would get so much stuff! To this
day I don't know how we managed to find enough room to store it.

Alex and I had planned for the four of us to go off and a short honeymoon,
but when I saw the look of disappointment on Wilson's face, I knew it
wasn't going to be easy. I ran it by the other three, and we decided no
honeymoon was needed because we had already done that kind of bonding long
before.

I was never so glad as that weekend to be associated with the hotel
business. At least we didn't need to share our bed or bedroom with
anyone. After all the guests departed, the four of us spent another day
just fucking each other until we were all so tender that any continued
activity would have failed to produce pleasure. Besides, we knew that more
partying laid ahead when we went home.

This year Christmas would be spent at the motel in Wisconsin with friends
and family, lots of family. Al and May could not make the wedding but would
join us for Christmas. Wilson was wound up tighter the a clockspring with
all this activity. I guess I was a lot like that at age ten, too.