Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2012 14:28:50 -0800 (PST) From: John Michaels Subject: FILINO LOVE - chapter 34 FILIPINO LOVE BY JM Email: mmanlookin@yahoo.com Disclaimers and other info: see chapter one Something I realized I should point out and probably should have done at the beginning, although it shouldn't be necessary. This story belongs solely to me. It is MY intellectual property, and no part of it is to be used or redistributed without my express consent. It is here for your immediate reading enjoyment only and must NOT be reproduced in any way, shape or form without my permission. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation. This and all subsequent chapters are dedicated to my own Filipino Love and are being written from OUR home here in the Philippines. Dreams CAN come true!! CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR While Sanie took her previous seat, the four brothers again sat on the floor in front of her, our two fledgling lovebirds in the middle with their respective older siblings on either side. I took my seat on the sofa with Ronni settling securely on my lap, and, with a nod and smile at Sanie, addressed the boys. "Guys," I began, "as you already know. Paulo and Mario want to tell your parents about their relationship. They both feel they need to be honest with those closest to them, and I can't tell you how delighted and relieved I am to know that you two older brothers are on their side. You had some time to talk about this while Ronni and I were getting dinner ready, and I'd like to hear how far you got with a plan." "We told them about your idea to speak to Mr. And Mrs. Martinez," Paulo said. "Lola Sanie thinks this is a good idea." "Oo, yes," added Mario. "She say the more people who are ok with Paulo and me, the easier it will be for our parents to see it is ok. She say Ronni's parents know how love can come to someone, and it is not who you love but that you really do love someone." "That's pretty much the same thing she said to Ronni and me," I replied. "And I agree, that the more people you have on your side the better it will make things. But I also want you both to understand that this will most likely be a big surprise to them, and they may not feel good about it right away. You may need to give them time and to be able to talk more to the rest of us who do support you before they become as accepting as Mr. And Mrs. Martinez. We all also need to be careful that your parents don't feel pressured – that the rest of us are ganging up on them to force them to accept your relationship. All of us need to be sure that we are there to show our support and to answer their questions. The best way to go about this is to tell them about your feelings for one another and to say that we understand and accept it. I feel the best thing we can do is to remind them that you are both the same boys you always have been, the sons they raised and love. The only NEW thing about you is that you love another boy. It's only a small part of who you are, NOT what you are." While I was saying this, Ronni was translating it for Sanie, who was nodding her head and smiling. When I was finished, she looked fondly at the array of boys before her, focusing on Paulo and Mario. She spoke softly to them for a few minutes, and I could see a bit of tension in their posture. "Lola says she thinks the best time to talk to Mama and Papa is tomorrow after dinner," Ronni said to me by way of translation. "I think Paulo and Mario did not think it would happen this fast. But Lola also says she thinks that it is best to do this now instead of wait. The longer they wait, the more scared they will be." I nodded my head and smiled at Sanie, showing my agreement. "Lola Sanie is right, boys," I said. "Both of you really want this to happen and even if you don't think so, you're as ready as you'll ever be. The longer you wait to do this, the harder it will become. You had the courage to come to me, and now you've talked to Lola Sanie. Look at the support you already have right here, especially Dhomz and Jareth. You were very afraid of what they would say or do, but look how much they love and support you. The way they have taken this is directly from how your parents raised and taught you all to be. That right there tells me that your parents will most likely take this news better than you think they will. But you also need to be prepared to give them a little time to get used to the two of you together. I can't imagine the parents of either of you jumping for joy to know that their son is gay. It's not something parents think about when they have their dreams for their children's lives. So you'll need to be patient and be prepared to answer a lot of questions. The best thing for both of you is to always be honest with them. Show them that you are both still the same boys you have always been, and remember, too, that however they react to your news, it's because they love you." As Ronni translated this for Sanie, Jareth put his arm around his brother and kissed him on the top of the head. "I will be right there with you," he said, giving Mario's shoulder a gentle squeeze, "just like I know Dhomz will be there for Paulo. Everything will be ok." Dhomz nodded in agreement and pulled his brother close to his side. "I am always by your side, for both of you," he said, reaching over and ruffling Mario's hair affectionately. "It is good Mama and Papa know about Ronni and see he is the same boy they always know. It will be hard for them to hear about you and Mario, but they are good parents. They love us very much, and they love Mario too like a son. It will be ok." Paulo let out a small sob and grabbed his brother tightly. "I am so scared," he said quietly, tears starting to run down his face. Despite the fact there was not much difference in their sizes physically, Dhomz pulled his distraught sibling onto his lap, softly stroking his back and rocking gently. "It really will be ok," he said while continuing to try and soothe the frightened boy. At this point, Sanie spoke up. Addressing the four boys before her, she got out of her chair and knelt before them, placing her hands on the heads of Paulo and Mario, like a benediction. Ronni translated for me. "Lola says she knows their parents a long time. She says they are good people and loving parents, and they will always love their children. And she says that she will help them all she can." At this point he started blushing. "She also says that you and I are a very good and positive example of guys who love each other, that there can be no better proof that love between two guys can be a very good thing." At this point, Sanie stood, smiled lovingly at the four boys in front of her and then turned to Ronni and me. "They will be ok," she said, in her halting English. " I go now and come back tomorrow. We meet Venus' house after eat." With a final fond glance at the brothers, she came to where Ronni and I had stood up and wrapped her arms around her grandson. I heard her say a few words softly to him and noticed his arms tightened around her slender frame. He released his hold and stepped back slightly, kissing his lola on the cheek. Placing her hands on either side of his face, Sanie leaned in and kissed his forehead and both cheeks, before giving him a soft pat on the cheek. She then turned to me, and I was soon surrounded by her arms and her love, as she let me know without a doubt that I was part of her family too. She then headed into the cr where she changed back into her biker gear and emerged a few minutes later ready to ride. The brothers got up off the floor and, with Ronni's hand in mine, we all walked with her out to her bike to see her on her way. Securing her helmet on her head, she threw her leg over the seat, kick-started it, kicked up the kick stand, and with a quick wave, was on her way, the front wheel of her bike definitely showing a bit of air underneath as she roared off into the evening. Definitely not your typical little old granny!! Dhomz and Jareth both stared in amazement, their eyes seeming to pop out their heads and mouths wide open. They looked at each other, then at Ronni and me and started laughing uproariously. The younger brothers giggled, having witnessed the spectacle before. "Not a lola like others." Mario finally managed to gasp out. "Nope," said Ronni, laughing at his friends' reactions. "She is Lola Sanie. There is no other like her." The pride and love he had for his grandmother was plain to see on his face. Putting his arms around me, he hugged me tightly. "And there is no other like my Phil either." Tilting his head up, he gently pulled mine down and placed a soft kiss on my lips before resting his head on my shoulder. "I am a very lucky boy." The other boys all smiled at this, and Paulo tentatively put his arm around Mario's waist, not quite sure how he would react to this PDA. Evidently, there were no negative vibes as Mario put his arm around Paulo, moving in so that they were pressed together, side to side. Jareth and Dhomz both smiled lovingly at their brothers and moved in until they were all in a group hug. "You two are going to be ok," said Jareth. "And Mama and Papa will be ok too when we talk to them tomorrow." Both the younger boys looked quickly at each other then at their older brothers. They had both noticed that he had said "we", and each hugged his older sibling tightly. "It will all be ok, Bros" Dhomz affirmed. "We are with you all the way on this." Mario and Paulo both released a small sob and buried their heads on their brothers' shoulders. "Salamat, thank you," Mario said, with tears on his cheeks. "You are both so good to us. I know with your help and Lola Sanie's help, it will be ok. I love you!" Jareth gently wiped the tears from his brother's cheeks with his thumbs. "And I love you too," he said, kissing Mario's forehead. "Always have, always will." Beside them, the same scene was being played out by Dhomz and Paulo. It was very clear that there was a lot of love between the two sets of brothers. This kind of open expressions of love showed evidence of two sets of loving and gentle parents, and it gave me great hope that all would be well for the two young lovers. "I guess we need to go now," said Jareth. "I told my girlfriend I would call her tonight, and it's getting late. Thank you for dinner and the time to talk to Lola Sanie, Phil. I think everything will be ok." "Yes. Thank you, Phil," added Dhomz. "You have brought so much good to all of us. We are so happy you have come to us here." With that, Ronni and I felt ourselves wrapped up in a group hug, all four boys pouring their love into me, and Ronni by default. The boys finally stepped back and Ronni turned, facing the others with my arms still around him. Jareth looked at the two of us and smiled. "You and Ronni have helped us all so much," he said with much feeling. "In such a short time, Phil, you have become such an important part of all of us. You are like our uncle or older brother. You are one of our family now." Needless to say, that garnered another group hug, but finally, everyone got their emotions under control, and each kissing the young lovers on the cheek, with a final wave, Jareth and Dhomz walked down the street toward home, bumping shoulders and acting like typical teens. The rest of us stood and watched for a few moments, then Ronni turned to face me, and with practiced ease, jumped up to wrap his arms and legs around me. Mario and Paulo both giggled at this, then taking each other's hand, and with my love leach firmly in place, we turned and headed back into the house for the night. Finally!! Here's the next chapter for those who have been so patiently waiting. It took a lot more time and effort than I ever imagined to make the move, but I'm finally settled in with my Filipino Love. Wrapping up a lifetime and moving halfway around the world is definitely NOT for the faint of heart!! I hope to have chapters posted on a more regular basis now, but I can't promise they will be timed as quickly as I first was able to. I'm still trying to make a life here and establish our home together. When two guys who have lived alone for a number of years and have settled into their own routines, it takes some adjustment to suddenly be living with someone else, especially one from a totally different culture. But it is definitely worth it!!! And, as always, please consider some financial support to the folks at Nifty. They've been working hard for more than 20 years to bring you this free site, but it still costs money to get it to you. Show them you appreciate their efforts by donating any amount you can to http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html. Thanks!!