Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2003 12:50:02 -0800 From: Steve Thomas Subject: Rob Ch. 20 This is a fictional story. It is based on the few experiences and many fantasies of the author. If you are really into graphic sex, it may not satisfy your purpose for coming here. If you like to hear of real love and real teen angst, with a little sex thrown in, you are in the right place. There may be some amount of graphic sex between males. If this is objectionable to you, or you are legally too young to be here, you are cordially invited to press your back button. Characters: Robert E. Lee Balser Denny (Dennis Andrew Miggs), 20 Robert F. Balser, Rob's dad Donna Balser, Rob's mom. Roger, Rob's attorney Nana, The Balser's housekeeper Garth Roth, 22 Randy Small, 24 Bob, Denny's Brother 3 years older Gail, Bob's wife Jack, Denny's oldest brother, 9 years older Emma, Rob's boss. Jack's son's, Jacky, Bobby and DennyToo James Miggs, Denny's dad Carol Miggs, Denny's mom, Ray, Denny's dad's Deputy D.A. friend Tad Newliegh, the new roomie Jacob Smith, Rob's former "Landlord" Linda Smith, Jacob's wife Chris & Craig, partners, Rob's roomies. Seth, Chris's Brother Luke, Seth's partner. Etta, The Smith's housekeeper Donny, Works with Rob Timothy -- Donny's brother Rod -- the flight attendant James (Red) Rod's friend Carrie Smith, Jake's sister Dr. Kepanokoma -- in Hawaii From chapter 19: "One more request though?" "Anything!" He said unequivocally. "Don't lose your little boy quality. It's one of the things I love the most!" He grinned and said, "Oh, sure! You want your cake and to eat it too!" "I guess." I said grinning back. "Well, you can eat me any time you want!" "You mean like - - - now?" That's exactly what he meant!! Chapter 20 I had work to catch up on when I got back. Denny was on spring break, but he still lost 3 days of school. So we were both pretty busy boys the next couple weeks. It was only a week until Denny's 21st birthday, and I wanted to do something special for him. I didn't have to think about it much. His mom called me at work and asked me if I wanted to help out with a surprise party. I was all over that! I wanted something memorable, but I also wanted to downplay the gift notion. Not from everyone else -- from me! I wanted us to not only pretend to lead "normal" lives -- but to try to do it! So I determined, rather than just go out and buy something extravagant, I'd agonize over what to buy him like most of the rest of the world does. Two days before, I hadn't had any luck! Then it hit me! The night of his birthday, Denny's mom called and begged us to drop in so they could wish him a happy birthday and give him a gift. He asked me and of course I agreed. We were to stop over there at 6:30, on our way to Newport, for dinner. When we got there, Everyone was hiding in the dark living room. One of them started to sing happy birthday to him. They were instructed to not sing until they saw him, so as he edged further and further into the living room, more and more joined in the chorus. Randy and Tad were there, as well as all of Denny's family, his brothers, their wives and kids. Chris and Seth drove down together from Santa Barbara. My parents came too, with James. James was so proud! He made Denny a key fob for his Caddy, in his metal shop in high school. It was very creative and really looked professional. After all the gifts were presented, my mom reached into her purse and took out two more small packages. Mrs. Miggs brought out a cake from the kitchen, plus yet another gift. The cake said on it, "Happy Birthday to you, Denny and Rob!" They all sang the song again, only this time singing both our names. I gave my mom a chagrinned smile. I was hoping to keep my birthday a secret until after Denny's was past. Denny turned 21 six days before I turned 26. "I wanted this to be Denny's day!" I pouted. "Well, then, you need to communicate your ideas, son!" Dad said. "When Carol called with her idea for a surprise party," Mom said, "I just had to tell her that your birthday was coming soon too." "Well, Just to keep things in order, I want Denny to open my gift to him, before I open mine!" As soon as I said it -- and saw the dismayed look on Denny's face, I wished I could rewrite this script. Of course! He didn't know it was my birthday, so he didn't have anything for me. "Denny! You had no idea! I'm sorry I never told you now. I just wanted to wait until after yours was over." I handed him an envelope. Inside were tickets for a 3 day cruise to Ensenada Mexico, complete with snorkeling and fishing. The date was open. "When?" He asked. "As soon as the doctor thinks you can dive -- after you get those bandages off." He looked at the cake, all his gifts, and back at me. "Thanks, Robby -- You Suck!" Everyone laughed, but the older men caught the deeper significance -- and laughed the hardest. He turned red. "I -- I have a gift for you -- but -- it's at home." The men laughed all the harder. "NO!" he protested. "It's something he'll really like!" His brother Bob quipped, "Yeah, I'll just BET he will!" More uproarious laughter. When we got home, he went directly to the bedroom and dug something out of the bottom of box of junk he had going in the closet. It was a small box. He pushed it toward me. "Hey, my birthday's not `til next week." I protested. I know -- NOW! But I want you to open it -- NOW! I carefully unwrapped the box. I was nonplussed. I had agonized over what to get for him, and not even knowing when my birthday was -- he comes up with the perfect gift! It was a very masculine pendant -- a silver dolphin set with a black pearl and a small diamond. I looked up at him. His eyes were gleaming. I shook my head. "You're right! I really like it! Now I'd like to address the other comment you made at the table!" "What?" "You said that I suck!" "Oh! And were you going to remind me what it's like?" He said with a touch of evil in his voice. "Yeah! You can pay me back on my birthday!" "Deal!" he said, grinning. Damned if he didn't pay me back that same night!     Summer was upon us before we knew it. We spent a lot of weekends in Santa Barbara. Before I met Denny, I would have called you a damned liar if you even suggested that I would be a regular participant in foursomes! I try not to think about it too much. It seems so wrong! Mostly it's with Craig and Chris. Seth seems too much like a little brother to me. When we do get together with Seth and Luke, I just won't do any more than rub elbows with him (maybe lock arms!). But with Chris and Craig it's a different story. I don't know what it is about the difference between Denny and Luke. Luke is so sweet and so passionate, yet it's Denny that I love. I suppose maybe I just won't let myself get too emotionally attached to Luke. It's just so nice, kissing him while Denny will be working on the other end. Those purple eyes mesmerize me! And I have to admit it even bothers me a little that I know Denny is kissing Seth. But I get over it. Somehow none of that bothers me when its Craig and Chris. Maybe part of it is I know how much Denny digs Seth. But I can't complain can I -- when I love kissing Luke so much? Chris says when he and Craig get it on with Seth and Luke, he never touches Seth. Duh! Well, I have heard of plenty of brothers who do that. But somehow it seems wrong. I guess I'm just a prude. I know that the original reason for the ban on incest is to prevent close DNA from making defective babies. So it is definitely taboo for a brother and sister. But two brothers? I may have to just get over it. I love all those guys so much. I have to say, Craig says that he has learned a lot from Jake. I have always fought being attracted to him! And he's older than I am. Maybe I should just let go and let it happen! I don't want to hurt Denny. I am sure he would love to get down with Colin and Jake. I wonder if it's significant that he always is more drawn to the guy that I'm not as much in to? He is FASCINATED with both Chris and Seth. I'm more attracted to Luke and Craig. I wonder if he will be more attracted to Colin? One thing that I didn't like so much -- but probably was for the good -- was that James became less and less interested in spending time with us. He was pretty rebellious at first -- testing my parents. When he found out that they loved him anyway -- and that they did not try to manipulate him for any reason -- he seemed to be more and more the 16 year old -- sometimes the 12 year old -- and less the 25 year old. James had lost his childhood and was being given a chance to get it back. But I missed him. He didn't even once come to Santa Barbara with us. He pretty much guessed what was going on there -- I mean at night after the lights were out -- and didn't want any part of it. He was getting pretty serious about LeDawn. Mom and dad were a little worried because they wanted to spend so much time together. But I convinced them that he maybe needed to develop a severely repressed heterosexual side. They decided that supervised time together would be okay. One night about a week before the 4th of July, I woke up crying, Denny shaking me. "Rob, Rob! Wake up! Whats wrong?!!" "Oh my gosh Den, I had the most realistic dream -- horrible!" "Wow! It must have been. Can you remember it?" "Yeah! It was still seems so real! It's as if it really happened! "Well - - - can you explain it to me?" "I could - - - But I don't want to. Too disgusting!" "Tell me Rob! Please?" Well, it was 4th of July weekend and we went up the Santa Barbara. Oh, Denny, I don't even want to tell you!" "Rob, you can tell me anything!" " Well, I'll start by saying there were aerial fireworks displays over each island, and they were coordinated with displays being set off from the Santa Barbara beaches. Why would I dream something like that? And That was just for starters! When we came back to the guesthouse, the real fireworks started. Jake and Colin were there, but somehow they got Uncle Jake and Aunt Lindy to keep the kids overnight. I guess because it was getting so crowded upstairs. I doubt that they would mind taking their grandchildren for a night! "Jake and Craig were obviously planning something. They left quietly before the fireworks displays were finished, and when the rest of us got back to the flat, they had moved the table out and moved the couch and chairs to the walls. When we walked in, there was disco music playing and Craig and Jake were dancing. No one even LIKES disco! Where did THAT come from? As we came in we each just seemed to know. "I started to dance opposite you. Since Jake and Craig were already dancing with each other, Colin paired up with Chris. It was dark, but I could see Chris grinning and I am sure Colin was a little red-faced. Luke and Seth paired off to dance as well as Bobby, Colins brother was with someone who looked familiar, but I didn't remember who it was. Then I saw Lenny. Tall Lenny -- the first guy I ever kissed! His boyfriend Rennie was there with him. Then it came back to me -- the one with Bobby was Rennie's cousin, Morty! I had been to a party once at his house. "As I was just figuring this out, Jake shouted above the loud music, "Switch partners!" Seth IMMEDIATEDLY grabbed you, and Luke came and danced in front of me. Those purple eyes drilled into my own. The music changed to a slow beat. In my peripheral vision I saw you take Seth into your embrace as you started to dance. I felt a surge of jealousy, but then Luke put both arms around me and pulled himself in close. "I was embarrassed to feel his hardness pressing into my thigh, the top of his head barely came to my chest. I chanced a look down and his eyes again drilled deeply into my own. I bent down and received a very sensual and sexy kiss. I kissed him back then felt a tingle as my face filled with blood. I immediately let him go, and grabbed you away from Seth, as you were also engaged in a passionate kiss. "Just then Jake said `SWITCH!' Again. This time, Bobby grabbed me and his latest partner, Lenny paired up with You. I knew that Bobby was a couple years older than his brother, Colin. He looked a lot older than his 30 years. But he had lost his wife and his son recently, so that must have been very hard on him. He didn't try to kiss me, and I didn't invite it. He seemed a little uneasy. Denny, this is just spooky, it seemed so real! " `SWITCH!' Then Luke was with You and Lenny came to me. Lenny is almost 19. He was barely eighteen when we kissed that first time. Or should I say last kissed. He is one inch shorter than I am. As soon as our bodies touched there was electricity! He was the only one who was tall enough that our groins lined up. "When they did touch, Lenny put his face next to mine and moaned, then grinded in to me. I unconsciously met it with an equal movement, and was surprised to hear a deep rumbling moan come out of my own chest. When his lips met mine, they were ready for it. Almost simultaneously our hands grabbed each other's butts and upper backs and pulled us even closer. I was lost in the kiss momentarily, before I realized that You was right next to me. "I broke the kiss, looked down at you and Luke. You were swaying to the music and were equally lost in a kiss. I turned my attention back to Lenny. As I did, I noticed that Jake and Colin were back together, and had dropped to the floor. They were writhing in a very passionate kiss. It seemed like on cue everyone found their own committed partners and found their way to the floor. Before I knew it, clothes were flying. The music was low by this time, and I looked at the door. It was locked and bolted. No details were left out if THIS dream! "I was still concentrating on kissing You, when I felt hot breath and then a tongue on my genitals. My sharp intake of breath was followed by a similar exclamation from You. From the jolt of electricity that went through me, it surprised me to see that Jake and Colin were very gently caressing both Yours and my dick and balls with their mouths. We both shuddered and then resumed our kiss. We both seemed to start to breath pretty hard at once, when the two causing our excitement stopped abruptly. " `Na-ah!' Jake said. `Not yet!' They moved up to receive the same treatment from us. When they were close, they pushed us gently away and we started switching partners as we had earlier, dancing. Before I knew it, I was sucking on Seth. I actually didn't even know who it was until it was in my mouth. I knew because I knew how small he -- or rather `his' was. "I stopped cold, then just grabbed his butt and pulled him as far into my mouth as it would go. I felt hot tears fall as I willed myself to accept what was happening. And it wasn't like you were right beside me doing Luke. I had no idea where you were! My only thought now was to please my little brother, Seth. It was so much easier to manipulate his dick, as he was so much smaller than you. "You were kissing Lenny with all you had, and his pressure was growing. Then it happened! Seth started to cum in my mouth. SETH! I was all at once disgusted and delighted. I was happy to give him the obvious pleasure he was deriving from this, but knowing it was Seth kept my own orgasm from being all it could have been. "As soon as Seth started to cum, I felt my juice rising. Bobby was sucking on me, and he was also bucking hard from being fucked by someone I couldn't see. When it was all over I saw! It was Colin. His own brother! On one hand I felt a little sick, and on the other, I told myself what was wrong with having fun with friends? It seemed so wrong and yet at the same time seemed perfectly natural. "When we climbed in bed later, both you and I were silent. Finally you climbed on top of me and just put your face in my neck. I started to cry. I couldn't help it. There was so much emotion that I was holding back, to let this night happen. But it all came out, as I wept and cried for at least fifteen minutes. I tried several times to speak, but all I could do was swallow hard and cry some more. "Finally it was you who spoke. `You don't want to do this again, do you?' All I could do was shake my head. You kissed me and for the first time ever you said to me, "It'll be okay, Robby, it'll be okay." That's when you woke me up. "You -- Denny -- oh Denny -- I love you so much! I don't ever want to do that!" "Hmm. "And how about when we do foursomes with the guys?" "Honestly? "Of course" "I always feel a little guilty." "Why?" "I guess it's just my upbringing. I can't rationalize it." "Would you rather we didn't do it?" "Part of me -- yes." "And the other part?" "Denny, the way I justify it is - - you like it." "I do!" "But you know what I worry about?" "I think I do." "What?" "Me and Seth?" He said it almost defensively "Yes, partly." I said. "But I worry more about Seth and Luke. Seth seems to be a little to -- um -- free with his `love'. I am pretty sure it hurts Luke's feelings." "And - - - you're telling me -- it hurts your feelings too - ?" "Denny, I sometimes feel like I can't deny you anything you want. Maybe I shouldn't tell you that, but -- well, anyway - no. I am not worried about you. I trust you and know you love me." "Good. I see what we do with the other guys as just fun. Seth is more my age, so - " "So there's more of an age related connection?" I asked. "Or something." "Yeah, I can feel that somewhat with Luke too. I think maybe that was what was going on in the dream. I feel connected to Luke in so many ways. But I think the big difference is - - he doesn't trust Seth -- like I do you." "Yeah, well, who would want me now anyway -- all disfigured and fucked up inside!" "Denny! You don't feel that way, do you?" "Robby, I've been almost a nut case for so much of our relationship. And you know as well as I do that I'm not clear of this yet. The bandage is gone, but the scar is deep. You could be doing so many things right now if you weren't tied down to an invalid!" "Denny, don't you get it?" I pleaded. "I love you! When you talk this way -- I worry how you would react if I was badly hurt." The implication was out there. "ROB! Don't even think it!" "Why not -- you do." I said. "You wonder why I stay with you. Well, Den, I KNEW your `condition' before we were married! It doesn't make any difference to me." "But you have to sacrifice so much for me! I know you want to be more active." "I won't deny that. But I love you. Period!" "You don't have to worry." Denny said to me. "What?" I asked. "I can see the worry on your face. Rob, I would never leave you for anything!" I hugged him and -- well hugging was just the first thing we did. When we were finished, we got up and took a shower. "What ARE we doing for the 4th?" Denny said. "I've got nothing planned." I answered. "You got any ideas?" Denny just grinned. "No, Denny -- NO! We are NOT going to Santa Barbara!" I tried to make plans to go to my parents, but James had invited LeDawn to be with them that day, and he pleaded with us -- if we came -- to not come as boyfriends! I at first was okay with it, but the more I thought about it the more angry I got! But I had already agreed to it, so I didn't push the issue. I determined to speak with him next time we went down there. Denny's parents were going to be out of town -- at Denny's brother Jack's home in Nevada. We went to Santa Barbara! "NO, Denny! You may NOT tell anyone about my dream!" "Aw, c'mon Robeeeee! Pleeeeeze?" "No! Denny I deny very little of what you want. That's my privacy you're talking about. You begged me to tell you. Don't bug me about telling them!" He looked so cute as he sat there in that bucket seat, the wind blowing his hair, pouting like a 5-year-old. I almost was ready to give in. Almost! We of course drove down there the evening of the 3rd. They held dinner for us. My dream was at least prophetic in one way. The orphan boys, Bobby, Lenny and Rennie seemed to be fixtures there. They didn't stay the night, but they were included in all of the Smith festivities. Uncle Jake had advised Rennie about his father's estate after his family were all killed, and after that, the Smith's had just unofficially adopted them. So I guess we have three new brothers. I almost didn't recognize Lenny. When I kissed him a year ago, he looked like an overgrown boy. I guess along with his newfound wealth has come a workout room! He moved in with Rennie after his family was killed in the earthquake, and they are inseparable. Rennie's parents were very wealthy -- more than my parents -- or even the Smiths. Lenny has grown another inch in height and about (according to him) 35 pounds of solid muscle. This is not the Lenny I kissed in my dream! There was one other similarity with my dream. At about 8:00 PM the night before the 4th, Uncle Jake came up to announce that they were ready to take the children down to the big house. I must have gotten a funny look on my face. "What's wrong Rob?" Said Seth. "Nothin'." I tried to reply as nonchalantly as possible. "M-hm!" He retorted. "Your face often goes red, but I can't remember it ever going white before!" Denny snickered. I shot him a threatening look. "Whoa, whoa whoa, little brother!" Chris said. Better let this one go!" But some people won't accept thing as easy as that. "C'mon, Rob!" Craig prodded. "When did you start holding out on your brothers?" "It -- it really is nothing!" I stammered. "Well then it won't be a problem to tell us." Jake said. I looked over at Denny, hoping that some way he could come to my rescue. He was looking down at the floor, trying his best not to laugh. "It was just a stupid dream." I still tried to downplay it. "I'll betcha Denny could tell us!" Craig said. "Dreams are private domain, guys." Denny said. "I wouldn't do that!" "Unless Rob wasn't here!" Seth guffawed. I really felt backed into a corner. Now it had gotten bigger than it really was! Without going into too much detail, I just explained that I dreamed we had an orgy. "Really! Rob? You dreamed? THAT!??" Chris said, incredulously. "Tomorrow night eh?" Jake said, grinning. "YESSSS!" Craig, chimed in. Seth, Rennie and Bobby were all grinning ear to ear. "No way!" Chorused Colin, Chris, Luke and Lenny. Denny didn't say anything, but I could tell it was killing him not to smile! He was biting his lip. It was almost an even split. Except for Bobby, it split down along couple lines. Or more to the point -- it split each couple down the middle. Well, except Denny was staying true to me! He will get rewarded for that! We all watched a movie down in the big house movie theater after dinner. Lenny, Rennie and Bobby reluctantly left for home after the movie. With only 3 showers in the shower room, it was crowded, with 8 guys in there. I know I know -- that sounds crazy, but when it was bed time, we all disappeared into our own rooms. Seth and Luke gave up theirs for Denny and me, and bunked with Chris and Craig. The showers were like gym in high school -- only no one tried to hide the fact that they were checking everyone else out. I don't think I ever saw Jake naked. He was still quite thin, but not sick looking like he was for so long. His butt was covered with fine hair, and his -- well his dick was bent -- the wrong way! Colin had perfectly smooth muscles. It was clear that he took quiet pride in his body. He was as smooth as Jake was hairy. Seth and Luke still looked about the same. Seth was maybe skinnier than before -- and maybe a little taller. Luke was dark skinned and very well muscled. Both Chris and Craig could be porn stars! They were sexy and very good looking! The only one -- in my opinion -- that rivaled them in looks was Denny, and only because his nose still was healing. The morning of the fourth, Bobby, Lenny and Rennie reappeared for breakfast. They only live 5 minutes away. When Ren's folks died, He bought a wonderful condo on the beach -- to live in with Lenny. But being all alone, Bobby went into a deep depression, so he rented the condo out and moved back with Bobby. Seth and Chris are very close as brothers, but Bobby and Colin always seem a little strained. Growing up without a brother, I really can't understand this, but there must be some history. They're definitely cut out of different fabric. But then so are Chris and Seth. I hope I can be a good brother to James -- but since I don't live there, it seems more like an uncle. "You're lookin' mighty fine there, Seth!" Craig said. Seth beamed. And your friend looks nothing short of HOT! "You been working out, Luke?" Luke's already dark skin turned a dark red from his neck to his forehead. He smiled demurely. "HEY! Quit hitting on my brother, Scum!" Chris said. "Hit on someone your own size!" Everyone knew that Chris and Craig were the same size -- in more ways than one! "I'd like to hit on someone a lot bigger!" he said staring at me. Geez, he's gorgeous! Both of them could be porn stars if they wanted to! Of course I felt my cheeks and ears heat up, as my own manhood swelled noticeably. "Yeah, you've always had a nice one, Balser!" Craig was such a tease! "Yeah," Seth chimed in, "You could get two each of ours inside Rob's!" Even Luke laughed at that one. It was hard for me, (no pun intended!) to keep my eyes from Jake! His -- well, Colin openly called it "Mr. Bentley" because rather than curving into his body as normal, it bent outward. Some kind of sports accident when he was a lot younger. And his butt! Fur! Well, his back was well covered as well, but his but was like a bear almost. Denny was staring, and I patted -- or rather rubbed -- his wet behind. "I like a smooth butt!" We were the last out, and just before we left, alone, Denny turned abruptly and ran right in to me. It wasn't an accident! He embraced me with his whole body, saying, "Yeah, I like yours too, but DAMN! I wanted to reach out and pet Jakes!" "Be my guest!" Jake said as he walked back in the room. "But why not wait until you get to our room?" "Huh?" We both said together. "Colin and I wanted you to come by for a chat -- after you get your jammies on." Without thinking, I said, "We weren't planning on any jammies tonight!" Where did that come from?!! Even Denny turned and dropped his mouth open. I guess I'm getting a little blasé in my old age. "Well -- in our room, clothing is always optional -- suit yourselves." "Just kidding, Jake. We'll come over as soon as we dry off -- AND get our jammies on!" We went to our room, and Denny said, "Are they -- I mean, are we supposed -- I mean - " "With Jake, you never know, Den." I replied. Could be he has been talking to his cousin Chris." "Yeah -- or Seth!" "You think about him a lot, don't you?" I observed. "I -- er -- well, I guess. He's older than I am, but -- I don't know. Both he and Luke look like a couple of teens!" "Well, then you ought to have lots in common with them." "Maybe that's it." He said. "So -- whattaya think? Are you up for a -- well whatever Jake has in mind?" "Like another game of strip poker?" I teased. "No! I about froze last time!" "Get your jammies on and lets go see what they have in mind." "I hate this!" "What?" I asked. "I love you just the way you are! -- With NO jammies!" He said and he squeezed my butt. "Rob -- uh -- I forgot my jammies!" "That's okay! You look better in your boxers and tee anyway. That may take their attention away from your crooked nose!" "Hrmph! I noticed you have no complaints about my crooked nose as it is grazing the hair on your ass!" "You've got a pretty talented nose!" I shot back. As we walked past Chris and Craig's room, even with the sound proofing, it was obvious we were way behind Chris, Craig, Seth and Luke. Denny looked at me and snickered. I said, "I used to jack off listening to those guys!" "Really?" "Yeah! That was before I admitted to myself that I was gay." "Yeah, that's my Robby! (yuk yuk!) `I usta coot'n evun spel hormosestual, now I are one!'" Knock knock! "C'min!" We walked in to Jake's and Colin's room. They were in jammies too. And there with them were Ursula and Uri. "Whoa!" Denny said as he started to back out of the room. "I didn't know they would be here." "It's cool, Denny!" Said Jake. "They don't know the difference between jammers and underwear. Uri thinks that IS pajamas!" "Unca Robbeeeeee!" Said Uri as he bounded across the room and into my arms. Ursula stood by her dads, a little more demure. I lifted him up and swung him around to peals of giggles. Ursula looked on slightly amused -- slightly jealous. I put Uri down and beckoned to Ursula. "Wanna fly?" She nodded and edged over to me. I picked her up and swung her as I had Uru. She giggled, but not so hard. "Take it a little easy, Rob. We have to take them back down to my parents, and it's pretty late." I put her down and said, "So - - - what's up?" "Have a seat." Jake said. Colin spoke next. "As you know, the kids' God-parents are Chris and Craig." "Yeah?" I said. Denny sat quietly. "Well -- er -- I -- um -- we kind of wish that you were -- that -- instead, Rob. But it is what it is -- we're not changing that. But - - - we wanted to talk to you about something else -- related." Colin looked at Jake. "Rob," Jake said, "Uri and Ursula's cousins are in need of adoption. This is kind of tricky, because I think that Chris and Craig would feel slighted -- if they knew we were telling you this before them. But seriously, I -- WE -- don't feel they are ready -- well at least not Craig -- to take on the responsibility of kids. We are in contact with the orphanage, and they quite approve of how we have been raising these kids." Colin spoke again. "They seem to trust us to give them a referral. We don't feel we can take these other kids, or we would. We were wondering -- do you think you two would be willing -- and ready -- to take some kids." I looked at Denny. He already had big tears in his eyes. He nodded ever so slightly. Only I could even tell. I started, "We have talked a little about it. A couple kids would be an awful lot of work. Denny is still going to school. I - " "It's not a couple." Said Jake. "Oh!" I said, almost feeling disappointed. "I thought - Well -- one would be okay, if - " "It's four." Colin said. I sucked in a lot of air, and then blew it out slowly. "Well, so -- there are enough to go around? Maybe Chris - " "They don't want the kids to be split up. They're a family." Denny finally spoke up. "My god! There must be a normal couple that are willing to take them! I mean -- we could give them so much -- but - " "But not a mother?" Jake said. Denny nodded. "That was an issue with us too. Children need both a mommy and a daddy. But in the first place, no one is coming forward. And in the second place, most people don't want a litter. Most couples want a baby -- maybe two -- babies. These kids are from 1 ˝ to 7." "Whew!" I said. How can we -- I mean how did you plan to keep this from YOUR cousin?" "Chris?" Jake said. "I know he's your best friend, Rob, but in the interest of the kids, it would be better to keep it a secret." "Keep it a secret that we have four kids!!??" "No -- that I referred you. I can give you the name of the orphanage and you can contact them. If Chris and Craig wanted to badly enough -- they would have kids." "Where are their parents?" "Both the same. Dads killed in local uprisings. Moms could not care for the kids." "Wow!" Denny said. "Whaddaya think?" Jake said, as if he were closing a real estate deal." "Well, first of all, Denny and I are flattered by the offer." Both Jake's and Colin's faces fell. "I think that Denny and I would like some time to think about it -- at least discuss it privately." Both of their faces looked relieved. "Of course! How long do you need?" I looked at Denny, and he looked as if at the watch that was not on his arm. "How about morning?" Both guys broke into wide smiles. "That will be terrific!" Said Colin. "I'll take them down to Gramma and Grampa now." Just before Colin and the kids got out the door, Denny said, "Good ploy, by the way!" "What?" Jake said looking way too innocent. "Using those darling kids as bait!" They both smiled. When Colin got back, they showed us some "tricks" that we didn't even know existed! When we were finished, and I got up to go into our room, Colin said, "Aw -- do you have to go?" "We've got some heavy decision making to do before morning, Bro!" I said. Notes: FOUR kids!?? Are they crazy!?? I guess we'll see. Comments, as always, may be addressed to Steve at s4d@hotmail.com. Please put Rob in the subject line. Thanks and love, Steve Bottom line: Love will Rule in the end.