Date: Wed, 03 Dec 2003 08:32:45 -0800 From: Steve Thomas Subject: Rob, Chapter 21 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 20: "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. Chapter 21 "Oh, Robby, I think that would be great!" "Denny -- it's four kids! They don't even speak English!" "Oh! I didn't know -- I didn't think -- Wow!" "Yeah! And besides, I think that first of all, Jake and Colin underestimate both Craig's ability to calm down, and Chris's desire to have kids. Chris is my best friend -- well, besides you -- and I know how badly he would feel if we got four kids -- especially if he ever caught wind that Jake had anything to do with it." "Wow!" Denny said again. "Well, what should we tell them?" "We've got until morning. Lets' sleep on it. It's a LOT of responsibility. And - - it's children we're considering here, not toys for us!" "Yeah. Well, g'night, Robby. I love you so much!" We hugged good night and he quickly fell asleep in my arms. When he got uncomfortable I eased him to his side of the bed, and didn't sleep much at all that night.   "Rob? Robby! Wake up! It's almost time for breakfast!" Man, when I did finally go to sleep, I was HARD asleep! "Okay -- OKAY! I'm awake." I felt irritable, and I'm afraid I showed it. "Boy, you're not even up yet, but I have the feeling when you get up, it's gonna be on the wrong side of the bed!" He said. "I'm sorry Sweetie Pie! I didn't sleep much. I had JUST gotten to sleep." "OH! Maybe I can go down and make an excuse for you and - " "No, I'm coming. I thought about our little dilemma all night, but I think I have come to a conclusion." "Oh." Denny said, quietly. "Do I get to weigh in on this decision." "Of course! After all, you're going to be a major player!" "Well?" "Well what?" I asked. "What is your idea?" I told him and he wholeheartedly approved. We headed down to breakfast. Jake looked like he was about to pop, but everyone else was there. As soon as we finished eating, Jake asked us if we wanted to go running down on the beach. Chris definitely looked slighted not to have been invited, but the four of us left from the table and went up to get on our sweats. As soon as we were out of earshot, Jake said, "Well?" "Here's what we have decided:" I said. "I am going to talk to my attorneys, and -- " "You mean your dad's attorneys?" Colin said. I looked at Denny. He shrugged. "Please, guys, this is kind of -- well, we want it to be confidential for now at least. But -- no these are my attorneys. My dad has set me up with a trust where I'd never have to ever work -- if I didn't want to. But I like working -- for the present. And Denny wants to finish school." "Okay, so you're not going to - " Colin started. "No, let me finish!" I said a little too curtly. "Sorry, I didn't sleep much last night. Anyway, I want to say this: First, I think you're being too hard on Craig. I think that because you have this heavy responsibility, you think everyone should act at least as down to earth as you. Chris and Craig don't have to act `responsible', like that. They don't have the responsibility of kids. "I also think you underestimate Chris's desire to have kids. You're right, I am Chris's best friend. And I know he would be devastated if he ever caught wind that you referred us. So here's my plan: "As I said, I will talk to my attorneys. I will tell them that we want children, and that you already have done it and can point them in the right direction. This way, it will be MY idea from the start." "Oh." Colin said. "How does that involve the other guys? Does it?" "It does. I know they don't want them split up, but what if we split them between us and Chris and Craig, but we live in the same place?" "You mean like in a group home -- all together?" Jake asked. "Not exactly." I explained. "It would be maybe a duplex. I could have a wonderful duplex built. We'd both have our own quarters -- completely private -- but they would still all be together. I could continue working, Denny could continue his schooling and -- we'd get a nanny to take care of them while we are not there. That would assure that they got female companionship and bonding." "Oh. What happens when the nanny decides to leave?" "Well, here is what I hope we can do. Maybe it's a long shot, but -- do you know the Story of Moses?" "You mean like in the `en Commandments' movie?" Colin said. "Yes. Do you know who raised them?" "Wasn't it Pharaoh's daughter?" "Well, yes -- she was the one that adopted him. But she had a nanny." "She did?" Jake questioned. "Well, if that was so, and she was Pharaoh's daughter, I'm sure she didn't worry about if the nanny would quit." "Well, that's true, but there was another reason." "What?" They both said in unison. "The nanny that Pharaoh's daughter got just happened to be - - Moses' real mother!" "Oh!" Jake said. "Wow!" Colin said. "Didn't you say that the fathers were killed? I wonder if the mothers could be found?" I asked. "Well, I know our kids mom can be!" Jake said. "We write to her for them regularly. I'll bet it is the same with the other mother! I - SHIT! Colin! Why didn't WE think of this? We could do the same!" "Okay, well," I said, "I will get my attorneys on it, and -- we'll see. And the other thing is -- if we do this, I will want to build our duplex -- in Vermont -- so they can be near their cousins, and -- well, if the mothers are sisters -- that would be great too, right?" "Make it happen, Robbie!" Jake said.     Money isn't what makes happiness. It certainly isn't the most important thing in life. It doesn't make or break relationships. But it does come in handy when you are doing deals like this. It turned out that what I was asking was easy to accomplish. Chris and Craig were almost deliriously happy about it. I was able to find a 150 acre estate with two homes, a lake and all fenced. It is a horse ranch, complete with horses and all the personnel to care for them. Rather than a duplex, we made it a compound. It was about a five minute walk between the two homes. And we could build more if it became desirable. I gave Chris and Craig the biggest estate house, knowing they would have company soon enough. I knew that in short time, Seth would want to be near his brothers. As we made our plans to make the move, transfer to new schools, and jobs and the arrangements for the children and their mothers, Seth really looked gloomy. He was soon a happy boy. Jacob Smith Senior asked me one evening while we were in Santa Barbara to have a "chat". He said he would be willing to pop for a place to be built for his son and Colin, and their kids, if that would be helpful. So we had a planning meeting, and invited Seth and Luke. "Seth," I started, "We have been giving this a lot of thought, and what would you and Luke think about moving back to Vermont with the rest of us? There is plenty of room in the larger mansion for all of you, and Chris and Craig have already said that they want you to be there." Seth couldn't even talk. He started weeping and all he could do was cry, grin and nod his head. "I think my Haoli friend here is trying to say, `We'd love to!' I know I would!" Luke said. Tears also in his eyes. Seth cried even harder and nodded his hear even more vigorously. "It won't be easy." Uncle Jake said. "You can't do this kind of thing in total quiet. Someone will get wind of what is going on. And even though gay marriage is admitted there, there will be those who will say eight gay guys in a compound, with six children is not good, no matter how good it really is. No matter that the mothers are there. They will gloss over that part. You will be compared to Jonestown." We looked all around at each other. "I think that if we invite the law in to see what is going on, it will not be a problem." Jake said. "I know the local law where we are, and they will support us. I think it will be a matter of time before they'll do the same in this new area." "Dr. Laura will have a field day with this one!" Someone said. "But we're giving them everything that she demands children get. They'll be raised by their mothers, and they will have very involved fathers -- lots of them!" As long as we were all moving to Vermont, we decided to have a triple wedding ceremony. This was actually Denny's idea. Seth and Luke had never gotten "married" as the rest of us had, but they were ready. "Another thing that I think you should consider." Uncle Jake said. We all looked to him. "We know what you have been doing up behind your closed doors, guys." He waited a minute for that statement to sink in. We all were looking steadfastly at the floor when he continued. "I think now would be a good time to put an end to that stuff. I'm not condemning it, but -- you cannot forever keep that kind of thing from the kids. The earlier you stop -- the easier it will be." We all grumbled yeah under our breath. We knew he was right, but -- well, some things you have to sacrifice for the sake of children. "You're right, Dad." Jake finally said. "Even Uri and Ursula seem to think it's normal, and hopefully they are young enough that they will not remember - " "You've done this with them present?" Aunt Lindy asked, with upraised eyebrows. "No -- well, yes, but -- well, not exactly present. But if they had adult minds, they could have put two and two together." "Very apt analogy, Son." Uncle Jake said. "I want to tell you something. Children are much smarter than most people give them credit for. And you're right, Jakey -- your kids probably do think it is normal for four guys to be together in bed -- in the morning." Jake turned red for the first time I'd ever seen. "So is everyone agreeable? Especially with kids as old as almost eight?" A mumbled agreement. My parents were ecstatic they were going to have grandchildren. The fact that they would be 3000 miles way was not so agreeable, but it was a small compensation. I decided that I needed to really get my own attorneys, after that, though. Attorney/client privilege didn't seem to mean much to dad's attorneys. Before I could even begin the process of buying the proposed estate, dad had bought it for us. Of course it was bought in the name of the corporation. Everything was anyway. The corporation owned everything. All of the real estate we own is actually owned by the corporation. That way, all expenses are deducted as business expenses. We are even given a salary as "caretakers" for the property! Anyway, It saves paying a load of taxes. I would have done it just the same, but I wanted to be the one to do it. It was a small irritation. I know Dad's heart was in the right place. "I just don't understand." Denny said. "My dad isn't the only one." I replied. "Rockefeller said it, way back in 1912, when the Teddy Roosevelt decided to tax all his holdings -- and Carnigie's and all the rich. Never mind that they employed millions of people and were the major reason that America was such a rich nation, with such a huge middle class. Rockefeller said, after conferring with his attorneys, `I want to own nothing, but control everything!' So everything went into the corporation." "My Cad?" Denny asked. I smiled and nodded. "Wow! I guess I don't care. I get to drive it! That's all I care about!" I nodded again. "I still don't quite understand, but who gives a shit?" "Exactly!" I said. "My trust is really part of the family corporation." We had our triple wedding ceremony, and everyone was there. I don't know if Seth was looking over his shoulder, but I know I was. After all the trouble he had here a few years earlier, I guess I was a little punchy. The scumbags were put away forever, after the attempted murder of Seth, and the rape of that brother and sister, but with liberal judges on the rampage, anything is possible. Actually I think that Luke could handle any situation that didn't involve a gun. It seemed an eternity since Jake and Colin were married, and Seth was assaulted that first time, but it was only two years ago. Since then Seth was almost murdered -- drowned, having been pushed off the ferry. Chris almost drowned trying to rescue him in the nearly frozen water. Chris and Colin were unofficially married in Palos Verdes, and Craig was injured so badly in that surfing accident. Seth got involved with that young doctor, then when his doctor died, he was so depressed he tried to kill himself. Then he and Luke got back together, and he has been happy. He's still trying to overcome the physical effects of the suicide -- and the resultant stroke later. I'm happy we are all together now. Denny and I didn't take any time off for another honeymoon, having just had one so recently, but Chris and Craig, and Seth and Luke all went back to Hawaii (It was Seth's first time there). Seth met Luke's sister, but Luke's dad still was not admitting that Luke was his son. Pride is a terrible thing. Denny and I chose the older two of the children as our sons. Chris and Craig got the little girl and boy. All of the children had such impossibly strange names, with the permission of their mother, we gave them American names. By the time we got them all here, with the two mothers, our Christopher was 8. Ryan is 5. Neither Uri nor Ursula could remember their mother. She was very hurt by this. Even though they had kept in contact with letters that Chris and Craig helped them write, they took awhile to re-bond with her. But they did re-bond in pretty short time. Denny is doing his studies via the Internet and mail, since we are located pretty far from any large university. This also means he is always there if the boys need him. I found a job doing pretty much the same as I was in Los Angeles, working as an escrow officer in a small title company. There are two other gay couples that work in this small office, one male one female. Both the guys are fairly fem -- and flamers - which doesn't really work well with us. But they have their friends and they are kind of a wild group. The administrator of this office is another woman. Women seem to be much more comfortable with gays than men do. Before we moved, my old company gave me a going away party. Donny, who was so anti-gay when I first started working there, gave me an extra close hug. He noticed that some were staring and said, "Uh -- that was from my brother!" But it was obvious to everyone he was loving it! When we went to get the few things that Denny had never taken out of his dorm room, and he said a tearful goodbye to his buddies there, the guy who had caused us so much trouble said, "So you two perverts are getting married in Vermont, eh? I approve of your dark windows in your SUV! You SHOULD keep that shit to yourself!" I was so tempted to say or even do something to him, but we just ignored him and his friends all laughed as we left. Actually I secretly agreed with him. We SHOULD keep our sexuality to ourselves. I never see straight people proclaiming their straightness. But there are some, just as there are in the gay community that like to make spectacles of their sexual innuendoes. We both feel not only relieved, but also sorry for Randy and Tad, who have to stay and put up with that crap. As Uncle Jake said, though, we would be facing a new set of challenges in Vermont. Mostly, I feel secure in the love that I feel from Denny and he assures me he feels the same. Christopher and Ryan are very intelligent. They are only allowed to talk to their mothers in Ukrainian. They have to say something in English to us each day. I hired an English tutor to help them with their English. She is also from the Ukraine. She speaks excellent English and is living with us, and also is teaching English to the mothers. I don't want the children to lose their heritage, but I also want them to learn the American language so they can better survive in this country. Chris and Craig also send Jonah and Chanelle to be taught, and as soon as Jake and Colin build their place, Uri and Ursula will come too. It will be a regular opportunity for all the cousins to be together. Two weeks after we had moved, Denny said to me, after we had just gotten the boys off to bed one night, "You know, this is so unreal sometimes. I have to shake my head and assure myself it really is happening." "I know, Baby. We are one of the luckiest couples in the world. I love these kids so much already, and most of all -- I love you more than I could ever tell you." "I know. I feel the same. Really even more than I can show -- but I'll never pass up an opportunity!" And he wrapped his arm around my waist as we walked to our bedroom -- which was at the other side of the house from the kids -- and proceeded to try to show me just how much he loves me. I think I got it! Notes: If you are wondering -- what is Steve doing? Ending the story? Well, yes, I am. You will hear about the whole clan occasionally in the story of Leonards-Lust, which is still ongoing. Thank you for reading. I have met some very nice people doing this. As always, any comments may be sent 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.