Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2006 08:35:41 +0100
From: Peter C <Peter_Co@web.de>
Subject: A new beginning - part 6

The following story was originally written for a german website and
later printed in my first book "Der Neuanfang". After I translated my
story "Never saw a miracle" into english and getting lots of good
feedback, I decided to translate this story, too. Some readers wrote me
that I don't have to apologize for my English -- so I won't anymore *g*.

The story is set in Germany, so of course there are a few things
unfamiliar to people from other countries. As example temperatures are
given in degrees centigrade: 0 C are 32 F, minus 5 C are 23 F and
so on. If there are any things you don't understand, please feel free
to ask me about it. I love getting emails anyway, and I'd like to say
my thankyous to all of you who already wrote me.

There are two other stories of mine published here on niftys:

"Never saw a miracle" in the gay/highschool section

and

"Different" in the gay/no-sex section

If someone is interested in reading the original german story, it's
here:

http://www.nickstories.de

Look for "Peter's Stories". And if some is interested in buying my
books (in german language, of course): they can be bought directly from
me, even with my signature which will be worth millions when I'm a
Nobel prize winner someday -- lol...


But now let's the play begin^Å

*-*-*

A new beginning -- Part 6 (it is a little short this time, but it was a
good point for a break)

© 2001-2006 by Peter Conrad,  Peter_Co@web.de


Yes, we made it! We were back in Germany in one piece! And the flight
home wasn't half as turbulent as the on to Florida two weeks ago. But
what a change it was: only 12 hours ago we ran around in Orlando
wearing t-shirts and shorts -- now when we were leaving the airport in
Berlin my teeth started to chatter. Minus 12 C and a snow storm! I was
thankful that we changed into our winther clothes even before we
boarded the plane back in Orlando. I was almost ready to spend all my
savings on a ticket back to Florida -- without return!

Half an hour later we were in the car, starting our three hours drive
back home. Three hours if nothing happened. Surprisingly there were no
wrecks or delays, and Reinhardt was also driving carefully. Better
being home a little later than being in a hospital a little earlier. Or
on a cemetery.

A few kilometers from our home we left the highway, and Reinhardt had
an idea.

"How about going to us first and having dinner together? Then I'll
bring you two home."

This one more hour before mom and I would get home wouldn't kill us, so
we agreed. The suitcases wouldn't run away meanwhile.

A few minutes later we turned into the Bergners street, and even from
afar we saw that their house looked a little different. Getting nearer
we noticed dark grey and even black spots on the whitewashed facade,
and in front of the house were parked both a police car and a
firefighters truck. I'll never know how Reinhardt to manage to stop the
car without wrecking it. Speechless we got out of the car, and the two
Bergner men stared totally shocked at what two weeks ago was a newly
redeveloped Gruenderzeit house from the 19th century. While we were
standing there, trying to get the scenery into our brains, an older
woman came out of the house, accompanied by a few men in uniform.

"Oh, there is Mr. Bergner! I told you that he'll be back from America
today!"

She came running to us.

"Mr. Bergner! It's soo good that you're back! It's so terrible!"

She was hysterical, and Reinhardt tried to calm her down a bit -- but I
don't think he was the best person to do so at the moment.

"Mrs. Schmidt, everything will be okay. What happe..."

"It's all so terrible! The poor Mr. Wansmann! Oh my god..."

I guess we wouldn't get any useful information from this woman, but
thankfully on of the guys in police uniform joined us.

"Good evening, I'm chief inspector Flander. Are you Mr. Bergner, the
owner of the apartment on third floor?"

"Yes, I'm Reinhardt Bergner,  good evening. Could you please tell me
what happened here?"

"Of course. Two days ago, in the night from thursday to friday, a fire
started in the apartment below yours. The fire spread over the windows
and the facade, and sadly it reached your apartment, too. The owner of
the apartment where the fire started was found dead, and I think you
can call yourself lucky that you weren't here when this happened. The
fire spread extremely fast, I'm not sure that the firefighters could
have reached you in time."

"How does the apartment look like?"

"I'm afraid not good. All rooms on the streetside are damaged from the
fire, the other rooms from the water. The firefighters had a difficult
job to stop the fire from spreading even further."

I started to sort the information in my brain, connecting it with what
I already knew about the Bergners home. On the streetside were the
living room, the kitchen and Reinhardts bed room. On the other side
were the office, the bathroom and Tims little kingdom.

"Can we go in?"

"I've just talked with the investigator from the fire department, he
cleared your apartment. I'm afraid you can't stay there for quite a
while, but at least you can look if you find a few things to take with
you. The firefighters had to break the door, it's now patched up a bit,
but I'd recommend to get everything valuable out of the apartment until
you have a new door installed."

"How did the fire start?"

"It looks like the guy in the apartment where the fire started went to
sleep with a burning cigaret. Those folks never learn..."

Amen. I tried to smoke once -- and almost vomitted. I never touched a
cigaret again!

The inspector gave Reinhardt the keys, and silently we walked the
stairs up to the third floor. There was a pungent smell of smoke, the
walls were wet, some even covered with ice. The officer was right:
nobody would live here for a long time.

On the third floor Reinhardt opened what was left of the door, and we
stepped in. It smelled even worse, and a quick look around showed us,
that Reinhardt and Tim lost almost everything. Where the fire didn't
rage, the water did a good work. The furniture, tv and hifi-set,
computer, books -- everything was destroyed. With luck a few textiles
could be recovered and washed, but that was it. I just hoped that they
payed their insurance bills!

The two Bergners looked like a picture of misery, standing in the
remainings of their home, still not able to completely to grasp what
happened here. My mom stepped to them, laying one arm around each of
them. Good idea. I followed her and did the same from the other side.

"Reinhardt, Tim, we'll get through this. Together! Of course you'll
stay with us, we wanted you to move in anyway."

Slowly the realization of what happened got to them, and they were
almost in tears. With a lot of effort Reinhardt managed to drag himself
out of the beginning shock.

"You're right. Tim, don't worry, everything will be alright. Maria,
Danny, thank you for taking us into your home. I guess we should start
to look for things which could be recovered. I'll go to the office, all
the important documents should be undamaged in the safe. Tim, would you
go to your room and see if there is anything left what you want to
bring with you?"

"I'll join you, Reinhardt. Danny, would you please go with Tim?"

Of course I wouldn't let the little one face the damage in his room
alone! We went the way I so often took when I was staying at the
Bergners while I was sick, and at the closed door Tim took all his
courage to open it.

As the inspector had told us, the fire didn't reach this room, but the
carpet was soaking wet. On the walls and the furniture was an icy film,
the bed I slept on for a few days was only a wet lump. At this moment
Tim broke down. Thankfully I was able to catch him in time before he
could fall on the wet floor.

"Everyting will be alright, Tim. We'll get through this, I promise you.
Come on, little brother..."

Normally I would have sat him down, but there was not a single place to
do so, so I held him in my arms. I always wished to do this -- but of
course not under such circumstances! He silently cried at my shoulder,
and a few minutes later his legs were strong enough to hold his body
again. With a few insecure steps he went through the rubble to the
showcase which hold his medals and cups. It was destroyed from the
water and the ice, but at least my brother could take the medals and
cups and put them into a half frozen sports bag. The whole time I
stayed close to him, I didn't want to take the risk of him breaking
down again. After a while he took another look through the room.

"You have everything, or is something missing?"

"I guess that's all. Shit, Danny, why did this happen to us!"

"I don't know, little brother. But the officer was right, it could have
been much worse. What if you were here when the fire broke out? Most of
what was destroyed can be replaced -- but not your lifes! And I don't
know how mom and I could survive without you two."

Tim looked at me with tears in his eyes, then he hugged me.

"Thank you, Danny. You're right. Let's go."

Without turning back again we left the room, just at the same moment
when mom and Reinhardt left the office. Reinhardt carried a big steel
cassette.

When mom noticed Tims condition she ran to him and took him in her
arms. Meanwhile I joined his dad on a quick walk through the other
rooms. When we reached Tims room he shook his head sadly.

"Was it bad for Tim?"

"He broke down once, but I hope the worst is over now. How about you?"

"Not much better. Okay, I'm thankful that we're both okay, and the
insurance will take care of the financial loss. But still the fire
destroyed a few things of sentimental value which can't be replaced.
Damned, I wanted to move to your home on my own terms!"

The poor guy.

"But I'm so glad to have you and Maria! This way we still have a future
to look forward to."

"That you have! But I think we should go now. As sooner as we get out
of here the better it is."

"You're right, let's go."

We joined the others and left the apartment, closing the door behind
us. Without words I took shotgun, mom sat in the back together with Tim.

The drive over to our house was an almost silent one, only Tims quiet
sobs from the backseat were heard and soft, calming words from my
mother. At home we quickly unloaded the car and I helped Tim to get his
stuff into my room. Oh. I guess I should start to call it our room now!
I made room in my closet for his clothes and realized the next big
problem! Both Tim and his dad had almost no winter clothes, they had
only what they had on their bodies! In the suitcases were only summer
clothes. Okay, I guess I could help out Tim with some of my clothes,
but nowhere in the house was anything what Reinhardt could wear!

While I did all of this, Tim was laying in his bed apathetic. I went to
him and sat down beside him.

"Hold me, please!"

That I could do for him, but the constellation of him laying down and I
sitting wasn't very practical to do so. I carefully pushed him to the
wall, then I layed down beside him and did what he asked me to do. I
guess this was what he needed, and half an hour later he was asleep in
my arms. Carefully to not wake him up I got up and went down the stairs
to the living room, letting the door of my room open. Downstairs our
parents were busy planing the next steps.

"There you are. How's Tim?"

"He's sleeping now. I let the door open, so he can hear us when he
wakes up and doesn't feel abandoned."

"Good. Reinhardt already called his teacher and excused him from school
for the next days. I'll take a few days off, too."

"What about me? Will you call my school, too?"

"Oh no. You've missed enough school already because of your sickness.
And in contrast to Tim your way from here to your school isn't that
long. We won't have the time to drive him to school and back everyday
for the next few days."

I wasn't happy about this, but there was nothing I could do about it.
Reinhardt called his insurance agent, making an appointment in the
burnt out apartment for the next day. Then we talked about the next
problems.

"Sleeping arrangments are no problem, but Danny, you have to help out
Tim with clothes til we can buy him new stuff."

"No problem, I already thought about it. But what about you, Reinhardt?"

"I guess I have to manage with what I have. We have to go shopping
monday morning."

We talked about a few other things, but most of them had to wait for
the new week. Time to take care of other things.

"Gentlemen, I'll prepare dinner now. Maybe you don't have an appetite,
but we all have to eat, we'll need our strenght for the next days."

To be honest I was really hungry, and while my mom prepared the food
Reinhardt and I took care of the table. When everything was ready I
went up to my room to get Tim. He was still sleeping, he hadn't moved a
bit since I left him. I sat down beside him and shook his shoulder
softly.

"Tim. He, Tim, wake up.  Dinner is ready."

It took me a while to wake him up -- and even longer to convince him
that he had to eat something. When we stepped into the kitchen our
plates were filled already. Especially Tim was still very down, and
even though we tried to cheer him up a bit we weren't very successful.

When our plates were empty we talked about how to spend the rest of the
evening. Mom and Reinhardt wanted to look through the insurance
documents and other things, and Tim announced that he only wanted to
take an shower and go to bed then. I realized that I was tired also --
no wonder after the long flight and the chaos after it.

"I'll join you, Tim. The day was long enough, and tomorrow will be
exhausting, too."

Tim gave me a thankful look, I guess he was glad to not be alone for
now. Mom was quite happy with our decision, too.

"That's good, Danny, take care of your little brother. And give him one
of your pyjamas."

"No problem."

"Wait a moment, boys! Pyjamas... I knew that I forgot something."

With a big smile on his face Reinhardt jumped up from the table and
left the kitchen. When he came back a few moments later he brought one
of the suitcases with him.

"Danny, I know that you're freezing easily and always have cold feet.
That's why I bought you something in Florida. You wouldn't have needed
it there, but now you can put it to good use."

He digged through the suticase, bringing out a dark blue piece of cloth
and giving it to me.

"Here you are, I hope this will take care of all your nightly freezing
problems."

Now I was really curious! I unfolded the soft, fleece kind fabric, and
discovered ... a very special kind of pyjamas! I had seen something
like this before in movies,  but not in this size. It was one-piece,
with a long zipper on the front. That was funny enough, but there was
even more! The legs didn't end in holes for the feet, oh no! It was a
footed sleeper! I broke out laughing and could only hope, that the
others wouldn't hold it against me because of the terrible situation
with Tim and Reinhardt losing their home. But only seconds later I
wasn't the only one laughing anymore, even Tim joined in!

"That's great, Danny! My big brother wearing a babys pyjama!"

His dad shook his head.

"Tim, this isn't a babys pyjama, it's an adult footed sleeper, I bought
in a normal store. And don't you laugh to soon, look what I have here!"

He fetched another piece from the suitcase, this one was light blue,
and gave it to his son.

"Here you are. I mean, I can't take the risk of you being jealous of
your brother!"

The look on Tims face had us in laughters again. I gave him a cheeky
grin.

"At least you now have something to sleep in. Come on, let's go."

I thanked Reinhardt for his present and said my good nights to
everyone, followed by Tim who was still a little dazed about the
sleepers. In our room I put mine on my bed and looked at my brother.

"You'll shower first?"

"Okay, I just have to unpack my washing stuff."

While he did this I got fresh towels, gave them to Tim and he went to
the bathroom.

"And don't forget your cute new pyjamas!"

He laughed quietly. A good sign.

"Hehe, I'll put them on -- but only after I've seen you in yours!"

"Okay, but then I have to shower first."

"Oh. You're right. Go shower, I'll unpack a few of my things."

I did so, and two minutes later I enjoyed the warm water of the shower.
This time I managed to not forget the time, and some 15 minutes later
it was time for put on my new pyjama. Reinhardt was right: I'll never
be cold again in bed with this thing on!

Because of the rubber soles I didn't need my slippers, so I took them
together with my clothes and left the bathroom. In our room Tim had
unpacked one of his bags and was sitting in my computer chair. I put my
clothes away, then I took position in front of my brother, turning
around twice to give him a good view of my body.

"Voilá! How do I look like?"

Tim giggled.

"Like a giant baby!"

"Now I'd recommend you to get a move. Our parents will check on us
soon, and I guess they expect to find not one but TWO giant babies!"

"Okay, okay, I'll put the thing on. Is it as warm as it looks like?"

"No. It's even warmer. Exactly what I needed."

"Now tell me why you even came back with us from the warmth of Florida?"

"Only because of you, little brother, only because of you..."

Oops, I hope I didn't say too much. But what the hell, it looked like
it cheered him up a bit. There was a little smile on his face, and this
way it looked much better than the tears from before. Tim now took his
present and left for the bathroom, and I started the computer to check
for emails. 308! Either someone was very busy writing me or the spam
filter wasn't working properly. Just when the last email had found it's
way on my computer, someone knocked at the door and after a short delay
both my mom and her future husband steppend into the room.

When they disovered me sitting in my chair, wearing Reinhardts fluffly
present, both started laughing loudly. A noise all of us needed after
this terrible day.

"Did I bring you the right gift, Danny?"

"Absolutely! Thank you soooo much!"

"That's good to hear. Now I'm only curious if this other son of mine
will wear his sleeper, too."

"Little Timmy said he would."

"Huh? Little Timmy? Don't let him hear this!"

"What should I not hear?"

Almost unnoticed the door to the bathroom had opened, and ^ÛLittle
Timmy^Ë stepped back into the room. He looked quite similar to me, only
the lighter blue making a little difference. Mom looked enraptured from
him to me and back.

"How cuuuuuute! Seeing you this way I almost wish you both to be ten
years younger. Come to mommy, my little ones!"

Tim and I looked at each other, shaking our heads grinning.

"Reinhardt, they won't come to their mommy! That's the worst with
having kids, they become older and older. One day not so far in the
future they won't need us anymore."

I couldn't let this stand.

"Come on, mom, don't worry. We'll always need you."

"Really?"

"Of course! Who should cook for us if not you?"

"Scoundrel!"

"Besides: even if Tim and I won't need you anymore some day, you'll
still have Reinhardt. Think about washing all the clothes he staines --
you'll be quite busy!"

Now everyone was laughing, then mom managed to get a serious look on
her face.

"Reinhardt, I'm afraid I failed teaching my son good manners. I guess
we have to use other ways of education. Looking at what they're wearing
I think our little kids are not to old to give up hope. And not to old
to get a spanking! Reinhardt, would you please take care of the
punishment?"

Tims dad tried hard to show an appropriate expression on his face.

"I'm usually not a believer in corporal punishment, but when there is
no respect to his own mother I guess I have to put my principles away
this time. And I can't let you be a bad example for your little
brother. Boy, come over and stand your punishment like a man!"

Never! With wild jump I got up from my chair and started to run to the
door. I didn't get far... This giant lover of my mom was much faster
than I expected, and with one single move he caught my hip. Now I could
struggle as much as I wanted, there was no escape from his strong grip.
He only laughed about my struggling, and moments later he sat down and
I found myself bend over his knees, my butt in the air. A quick look
around showed me that everyone was laughing tears now. Everyone except
me! I looked Reinhardt deep into his eyes.

"You won't really spank me, will you?"

He raised his right hand. Right paw would be more exact.

"Oh yes, I will!"

His hand came down quickly, and I prepared for the impact. But
millimeters before he made contact, he stopped his movement and looked
at my mom.

"Maria, I'm afraid the little baby boy is to small and frail for a
spanking. I guess I'll do something different."

Oh my, what devilish idea he had now? I was to learn it soon.

"Maybe it's enough to tickle him. It works with Tim every time."

And exactly that he started to do -- and after a few seconds I was
convinced that a spanking would have been better! Did I tell you
already that I'm extrelemy ticklish? I struggled under his hands, but
still there was no chance to escape. I had tears in my eyes and I knew,
that I couldn't stand it much longer. Panting I cried out my surrender.

"Reinhardt, stop it, please! I promise to be good now! For ever and
always!"

"Why should I stop, I'm having fun..."

"Because ... haha ... because I'll piss my pants if you don't stop! And
this wouldn't be good for the nice present you gave to me!"

"Hm, that's an argument. The only one I can accept."

And he really stopped tickling me. Gasping for air I calmed down, still
laying over his knees.

"You'll give your mom the respect she deserves from now on?"

"Yes!"

"That's not enough. Do you swear?"

"Yes, I swear!"

"That's enough for you, Maria?"

My mother was fighting to not roll on the floor laughing.

"I guess it's enough. At least for now. If he didn't learn his lesson
now you'll give him another one, won't you?"

"Of course! Good. I'll show mercy for now. Tim, I hope you watched what
happens to bad little boys. Be a good boy or you'll find yourself in
Dannys place!"

Puh, I made it through the torture. But still Reinhardt didn't let me
go.

"There was something else... Oh yes, I almost forgot this one."

With these words his big hand landed an my poor behind.

"Ouch!"

Okay, okay, not really ^Ûouch^Ë. It was more the shock of the impact than
a real pain, what started as a hard hit ended in a friendly slap which
even was softened by the thick fabric of my sleeper. But Reinhardt was
impressed from my outcrie, he gave me free instantly. I got up, rubbing
my butt.

"I didn't really hurt you, did I?"

Uh, he seemed to be really worried. I gave him a reassuring smile.

"No, only my pride is a little damaged."

"Good. Now in the beds, you two."

Tim and I did as we were told (I didn't want to risk another of
Reinhardts punishments *g*) and our parents wished us a good night. For
the first time after five or more years my mom gave me a good night
kiss, and Tim got one too. Was it because of the babyish sleepers?
Reinhardt to bend down to me, but instead of kissing me he whispered
into my ear.

"Thanks for playing with me."

My mom opened the window a bit, switched off the lights and then our
parents left the room. What a day..

We were laying silently in our beds for a while, but I guess we
wouldn't fall asleep soon. Then Tim spoke up.

"You're still awake, Danny?"

"Yes."

"Was it very bad?"

"What?"

"The tickling?"

"Honest answer?"

"Yes."

"It was terrible. And at the same time it was funny. Did he do it to
you too?"

"Yes, now and then. But he never had me over his knees."

"Does it happen often?"

"Do I hear fear in your voide?"

"Nope, I just want to be prepared."

"Only once or twice a year."

How reassuring.

"I'll try to sleep now. Good night, Danny."

"To you too."

I turned to the wall. Cold winter air came through the window and I
cuddled in my beddings. I was tired, but still I couldn't fall asleep.
The events of the day ran through my head, and the noises from the
other bed showed me, that Tim wasn't sleeping either. He was turning
and moving in his bed restlessly. I felt so sorry for the poor guy!

The time went by slowly, I got more tired with every stroke of the
church bell, but still I couldn't sleep. Around midnight I heard a soft
whisper from the other bed.

"Danny?"

It looked like Tim had the same problem as I.

"Yes?"

"You can't sleep, too?"

"No, I'm tired, but..."

"Danny... Could I... I mean..."

"What?"

"Can I sleep with you? In your bed, I mean?"

Ohoh. At another time I would have jumping around for joy, but I knew
that Tim only needed one to hold him. And I guess looking at my own
problems with falling asleep it was the same for me.

"Okay, come over. But it will be a little crowded."

We slept in the same bed already in Florida for a few times, but those
beds were at least twice as big as mine. In my bed we wouldn't be able
to sleep together without getting close to each other. Very close!

"Then you have to hold me, not that I fall out of the bed."

"Okay. You want the side on the wall or the other one?"

"The other one."

I moved back to the wall as far as possible, raised the blanket and Tim
slipped into my bed. The next moment he layed beside and did something
I'd never expetect from him! He gave me kiss on my forehead.

"Thank you, Danny."

Then he turned away from me, squeezing his back close to front. I guess
he really trusted me! A trust I would never betray. Softly I put my
left arm around his upper body -- I really wanted him not to fall out of
my bed. I guess this did it, a few minutes later I heard a soft
breathing and realized that my brother was asleep. I followed him only
minutes later...

*.*.*

To be continued in part 7...

I wish all of you a happy new year!

Peter