Date: Wed, 06 Sep 2000 14:34:23 -0500 From: fsw99 Subject: Chapter 23 of One Big Happy Family Legal Notice: The following story contains descriptions of graphic sexual acts. The story is a work of fiction and has no basis in reality. Don't read this story if: **You're not 18 or over, **If it is illegal to read this type of material where you live, **Or if you don't want to read about gay/bi people in love or having sex. The author retains copyright to this story. Placing this story on a website or reproducing this story for distribution without the author's permission is a violation of that copyright. Legal action will be taken against violators. If you have enjoyed reading this story, you will find other stories by me in Young Friends ("Matt and Mike" 3/24/00 and "New Neighbor" 12/17/99), Incest ("My New Life" 12/18/99) and Adult Youth ("Sam Finds a New Father" 12/16/99 and "Billy and Jim" 12/13/99). E-mail responses to the stories, story suggestions or other 'constructive' comments or advice may be sent to: fsw99@mindspring.com. Chapter Twenty Three I made an appointment with Mr. Ward for the next morning, and was finally allowed into his office. "But Mr. Ward, I want to file charges against that son of a bitch. The boys will testify. They don't want to, but I convinced them it is the best thing to do. I know it is going to give you lots of publicity that you don't want, but I can't help that. You have the pictures in your hands. I will never allow them go back to live with that man, I don't care what you say," I said calmly. "Well, I can't let them stay with you any longer. It is against our policies. I will just have to find them another foster home to live in until you are approved. I agree that Mr. Wilson has to be dealt with, but I just wish that there is some way we could avoid all the publicity. Running this program is hard enough as it is," he said. "Typical bureaucrat," I thought to myself. "Look, I don't give a damn about how difficult your jobs is. I only care about Ed and Paul. If you make me hand them over to you now, I will go straight to the local television station and tell them all about it. I will call every television station and newspaper in Los Angeles. I think an investigation of your approval policies for prospective foster parents is just what you need," I said loudly. "Look, Stan, I hate what has happened to Ed and Paul just as much as you do. I will deal with Mr. Wilson myself. I will also look into the charges you are bringing against the other two foster fathers who you claim did the same thing to them. But, you have to give us time. Be reasonable, will you? You should be approved in another week or so," he almost begged. "Be reasonable? Reasonable? Ok, this is reasonable to me. Go talk to all of the people who need to approve me as their foster father. I will wait right here. You approve me right now, and we won't go to the police. I won't call either the TV stations or newspapers. I will let you handle it within your department. But, I am taking the boys with me, one way or the other. The only way you can take them away from me is to call the police yourself. Tell them we will be at Channel 7. We need to talk to them, anyway. The pictures of the police taking them away, kicking and screaming, back to another potentially abusive home should be great publicity for you. It should be the lead story on tonight's news. It is your choice. Either we go home as a new family, or we go publicity hunting," I said softly. Mr. Ward didn't say anything for a long time, he just stared at me. I calmly stared back. I had my best poker face on. "Give me a few minutes and let me see what I can do," he said, getting to his feet and walking out the door. I couldn't sit. I paced around his room as I waited on his return. He was gone for maybe fifteen minutes. It seemed like hours. When he finally walked back in, he had some papers in his hand. "Mr. Miller, you have been approved. After you sign the papers, you can officially take the boys with you to their new home." "Thank you, Mr. Ward. I am sorry I had to do it this way, but all I want is what is best for the boys. Living with me is the best thing for them, I can guarantee you," I said, shaking his hand. "I understand. I think they will be happy with you, after all you have told me. Sign where the X's are please. I do want to ask you one question when you are officially their foster father, if you don't mind. Your answer is for my knowledge only," he said. "Gladly. All I want is for the boys to have a loving home. There, all done. Now, is that everything? All of this is finally over?" I asked. "Yes, they are now your new foster sons. And now, for my question. Would you have really gone through with your threats to go to the television stations and newspapers?" he asked solemnly. I stared at him for a moment. "The truth?" I asked. He just shook his head yes. I couldn't help it. A little grin came to the corners of my mouth. So much for maintaining a poker face. "Ed and Paul made me promise one thing, no matter what. No police, no publicity, as long as they didn't have to stay another night in his house." "I knew it. You were bluffing, you son of a bitch," Mr. Ward said, smiling. "Mr. Ward, I am sorry for having to do that, but I am serious about this. I just want what is best for Ed and Paul, and this is it," I said, showing him the paperwork. "I know your job isn't easy, and you have lots to do, so I will be going. Feel free to call or come by if you want to check how the boys are doing," I said, as I walked to the door. "One more thing, Stan," he said. I turned and looked him in the eye. "Don't have a confrontation with Mr. Wilson when the boys pick up their belongings, OK? I have already called him and he will have everything on his front porch waiting for you. Don't let him know anything about your charges. I want to talk to each of the other boys individually. OK?" he asked. "I won't say anything about what he did to the boys to him. The boys won't either. I will let you handle it like I promised. As long as he keeps his distance, everything will be fine. If he even thinks about touching me or either one of them, I will beat him from here to the next county. That is all I can promise," I said as I walked away. I wasn't finished with my new buddy Mr. Wilson yet. **************************** I almost ran down the steps. I didn't wait for the elevator, even though we were on the fifth floor. I almost knocked someone over as I exited the courthouse. I finally got to the parking lot, where all five boys were nervously awaiting me. Paul saw me first, and came running up. "What happened? Tell me!" he shouted. "Let's tell everyone at the same time," I said, as I continued to walk over to my car. I loved my Maxima, but it wasn't practical any more. Four boys in the back seat wouldn't work for long. "Tell us what happened," Paul almost screamed. "I am having to take you back to Mr. Wilson's," I said with a straight face. "No way! I won't go. There is no way anyone can make me go back there," Paul said, looking like he was about to cry. I looked at all of them. Everyone had long faces, especially Ed. I couldn't make them suffer any more. "Well, you are going, Paul. Don't you want to pick up the rest of your things?" I asked, showing them the paperwork. "You mean it worked? You are our foster Dad now?" Paul asked. "Yep. It worked just like we planned. See what we can do if we work together?" I asked. "What a scam," Isaiah said, laughing. Paul almost leaped into my arms. Ed did, too. None of us cared at all that we were getting some pretty weird stares from people walking by. We had another six way group hug right in the middle of the parking lot. We didn't break it until we had to get out of the way of a car trying to exit the parking lot. **************************** "There he is, sitting on his porch like I thought he would be. Now remember, don't say anything to him. Let's just get your things and go, OK? No confrontations. I promised Mr. Ward we would let him handle it," I said sternly. "OK, we promise. You don't have to tell us every five minutes, you know, " Paul said. I parked the car and got out, opening the trunk. "Just stay inside the car, guys. We won't be here long," I said to Robbie, Phill, and Isaiah. I followed Ed and Paul to the front porch, where Mr. Wilson was standing. "Mr. Ward called. I think you have just got yourself into a lot of trouble. You don't have any idea what you are in for with these two." he said to me. Turning to Ed and Paul, he added, "I packed all of your stuff. Take it and get off my property. I hope I never see either of you two again." "Gladly," Paul said, as he picked up one of the grocery paper bags that contained their things. Both boys carried them to the trunk, where they started looking through them. "Hey, all of our CD's are missing. All of our clothes aren't here, either," Paul said. "Those are Larry's CD's. He said you gave them to him. Everything that is yours is inside those bags. Now, get out of here before I give you something to remember me by," he said, walking over to where Paul was standing. "You thieving bastard!" Paul yelled. "How dare you call me that? I am going to slap the shit out of you for that," he yelled, drawing back his hand. I had had all I was going to take from him. I grabbed his arm before he had a chance to hit Paul again, spun him around, and hit him as hard as I could in the mouth. He was a big man, several inches taller than I was and lots heavier, but not in very good shape. I staggered him and he took several steps backwards, but then he regained his footing and came charging towards me. I side stepped him at the last moment, causing him to run past me, but then I grabbed him and his momentum caused us to both fall to the ground, with me on top of him. I quickly rolled over to where I was sitting on top of him and started beating him in the face with both fists. The other boys had run out of the house, and the biggest one came over and pulled me off of him, hitting me in the back of my neck with his fist. "Get off of him, you son of a bitch," he screamed. >From out of his sight, Robbie came over and punched him right in the jaw, knocking him over. "Oh, shit," Robbie screamed, holding his wrist. The bigger boy charged Robbie, but was intercepted by Ed, who tackled him to the ground and started whaling on him. The others from the house started to help him, but Paul got in between the two of them. "I have been looking forward to this for a long time," Paul sneered, taking his karate pose. "Yeah, right. You against the two of us," one laughed. "No, mate, two against two is more like it," Phill said, running up and standing next to Paul. Paul didn't wait, he ran towards the bigger of the two, jumped in the air, and kicked him right in the chest, causing him to fall head over heals backwards. Phill and the other boy started trading punches, and Phill caught him pretty good in the nose, making it start to bleed. I had finally got Mr. Wilson back on the ground, and hit him one more time in his jaw for good measure. I put everything I had behind the punch. His head was against the ground, and couldn't give. The blow finished him off, but it also broke two knuckles in my hand. "Ow" I screamed, getting off of him and walking back to where the others were still fighting. Another boy came running out of the house. "Mrs. Wilson just called the police. You guys had better get out of here," he said. "Thanks, Dave," Ed said, slamming the trunk shut. "Come on, everyone get in the car." We all started getting in, and Paul said, "Dave, I will miss you. You are the only one I will miss, though." "Bye, Paul, Ed. I wish I was going with you," he said. "You'll get out of here soon, you just wait," Paul said, as I started the car with my left hand. "Ed, shift it into reverse for me, OK?" I said, holding my damaged hand in my lap and driving with my left hand. He did, and I backed up and then he shifted into drive and we were leaving here for the last time. "Stan, Robbie's hand looks like it might be broken. I think we had better go to the Emergency Room," Phill said. "OK, I am on my way," I said, as I accelerated. "I don't think it is broken, but it hurts like Hell," Robbie said. "Well, so much for not having an confrontation," he laughed. "I think your first plan worked out a little better than this one, Stan." Everyone laughed at his joke, even me. My anger had finally gone away, even though my hand throbbed like it had been run over by a car. Think we had gotten some peculiar stares in the parking lot at the courthouse? You should have seen all the people in the waiting room at the hospital when we walked in. Robbie and I were holding our bad hands, Paul had cut his knee on a rock when he landed from his karate kick and blood was dripping down his leg, Ed's t-shirt had almost been ripped to shreds, and Phill looked like he was going to have a black eye. Isaiah was the only one who looked normal, and he kept us entertained while we waited with his stories of what he was going to do to all of the other boys, but one of us always beat him to it. It was good to have Isaiah to tease while we waited, or we might have all gone crazy. We waited. And waited. And waited Two and a half hours after we walked in, I walked out with a cast on my broken hand and Robbie had a new removable blow-up cast around his wrist and a sling around his shoulder to hold it steady. At least he had only badly sprained his wrist and had not broken any bones. **************************** I drove home and we unloaded Ed and Paul's belongings out of the trunk. "Phill, can you and Isaiah also clean out everything in my console and glove compartment and bring it into the house. There are also some Cd's in both doors. Bring them too, please," I asked. "Yes, Dad," he said, giggling. I went into my office and got my check book. I would need it several times this afternoon before it was over. When everything had been cleaned out of my car, I walked into the kitchen where the boys were fixing themselves something to eat and said, "Anyone up for a shopping trip?" "Sure. I fixed you a sandwich. Sit down and eat it and then we will all be finished by the time you are done. Do you think you can eat with one hand, or do I need to feed you?" Paul kidded. "I think I can manage," I laughed. We all got into the car when we were through eating, and I drove over to the Ford dealership that was nearby. A salesman walked over just as we were getting out of the car. "Hi. I want to look at Expeditions," I said. "Sure. By the size of the crowd you have with you, you really need one," he said as he watched four boys get out of the back seat. All the boys went crazy when we were shown the large selection of Expeditions that they had. The new models hadn't come out yet, and they were running some very good sales. "These are a lot of money, Stan," Ed said with a worried look on his face. "Don't worry about it. Now that I have slave labor, I plan to hire you and Paul out for every job I can find. You will make me plenty of money to pay for a new car, just wait and see," I kidded. We were at the car dealership longer than I wanted to be, over an hour and a half. We haggled over the trade in value of my Maxima for a long time, and I thought I was going to have to walk away and go somewhere else. But, we finally drove away in our new Expedition, and everyone finally had enough room, since it had three sets of seats. "OK, guys, now time for new clothes for Ed and Paul," I said. Everyone agreed, and we decided to stop at the mall. I was determined to replace all their hand me down clothes and give them to good will. They needed a new start, and that seemed like the best way. All six of us were loaded down with bags when we finally were finished. Paul and Ed had all new clothes, from shirts, shorts, and underwear, down to new socks and tennis shoes. They were both beaming. Paul even made me buy a three pack of briefs for Phill, saying that he was the only one who wore boxers, and he needed get with the program when he spent the night at our house. Phill complained at first, saying he wasn't going to wear any "yank" underwear, but he finally conceded when the teasing got to be too much. He finally just said what was the big deal, we had already seen each other naked, so underwear was not a problem for us any more. We all laughed, but then finally agreed that he was right. This had been a really long, tiring day, so I decided not to cook that night. We ordered pizza again, which made the boys happy. I think they could eat pizza every night. Everyone decided that an early bed time was a good idea, so we all headed for our respective bed rooms. We really didn't have any more secrets that everyone else didn't know already, so Phill and Robbie were sleeping in Robbie's room, since Paul made it plainly known that he was sleeping with me again. Paul calmly changed out of his old briefs into new ones before climbing into bed with me, staring at me with a slight smile on his face as he changed. I enjoyed watching him, and I think he enjoyed watching me watch him. Is that right? Yeah, I guess so. Too many "watch" words in that sentence. Hehehe He didn't hesitate this time, he climbed into bed and quickly snuggled up against me, placing an arm around across my chest. I turned out the light, and hugged him to me. I slept very soundly with him in my arms, falling asleep almost immediately. Why not? It had been a really LONG day. Comments can be sent to fsw99@mindspring.com