Date: Wed, 02 Feb 2022 11:20:26 +0000 From: Wes Leigh Subject: Misunderstood, Epilogue (Gay Adult/Youth) MISUNDERSTOOD By Wes Leigh This is a work of fiction intended solely for the entertainment of my readers; any resemblance to any real people or places is purely coincidental. This story is the property of the author and is protected by copyright laws. The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. If you enjoy this story, please support the Nifty archives today with a thoughtful donation by visiting https://donate.nifty.org/. Epilogue Seven years later ... Alexander and Gabriel ran squealing across the yard, chased by Amber and King. The dogs were getting up in years, but they were still as playful as ever, galloping after the two five-year-old's. The boys had wavy black hair like their dads. Alexander had beautiful gray eyes. Gabriel's were bright blue. Oddly enough, both boys had inherited their genetics from their dads, not their surrogate mothers, which was just fine with Gray and Blue. They were often amazed at how much the boys took after them, not just in physical appearance, but also in personality. Alexander was quiet and thoughtful. Gabriel was boisterous and energetic. They adored each other and were a delight to their fathers. Having both boys conceived at the same time had been a wise move, because they had grown up loving each other like twin brothers. Gray and Blue sat on the porch steps, watching their sons enjoying life to the fullest, as only little boys can do. Gray laughed at their antics, but Blue was strangely quiet. Gray glanced at Blue, noticing the unsealed letter in Blue's hands. He studied Blue for a moment, then asked, "You finally finished it?" Blue nodded. "Yeah. Hardest damned letter I've ever had to write." "You feel better? Now that it's done?" Blue hesitated, thinking about Gray's questions. "Not better. But relieved. You know what I mean?" Gray leaned over and bumped his shoulder against Blue's. "I do. I understand, champ." Blue opened the envelope flap and pulled out the single sheet of paper. He handed it to Gray. Gray took the page and asked, "Are you sure?" Blue nodded again. "I want ya' to read it, my dude." Gray scooted closer to Blue and put his arm around Blue's waist. Then he held the page in his hand and began reading out loud. "It's been hard writing this letter, Dad. "Mom's been keeping me informed on how you're doing. I understand you're almost finished with your probation and that you're keeping your nose clean. For what it's worth, I'm proud of you. I know it hasn't been easy, starting over. Even with Mom doing all she's done to help you out. She tells me you've been a different man. Humble and appreciative. That's good, and I'm glad to hear it. But she also says you still haven't accepted me and my marriage to Gray. That's not so good, Dad, and I'll tell you why. "By now, I'm sure you've heard that Cameron Schaeffer is the one who burned down our store in Amarillo. That little act of revenge cost him his life. It almost cost other innocent people their lives. That's what bitterness does, Dad. It eats at your heart until you're an empty shell inside, trying your best to fill the hole with something, but never finding anything that satisfies the aching hunger. It's a terrible poison, Dad. Bitterness will slowly destroy you and others around you, and you won't notice until it's too late. "That's why I'm writing. To plead with you to let go of the bitterness. "Whether you do or not, I want to say a few things. "First of all, I'm happy. I have the best husband I could ever want in Gray Langston. He adores me and I love him with all my heart. We have two beautiful boys. I named my son Gabriel. He has black hair and blue eyes, and sometimes it scares me how much he is like me. A five-year-old version of myself! Alexander is Gray's son, genetically, but he's just as much my son and I love him dearly. Watching these boys grow up has made me appreciate all you and Mom went through raising me, and I'm sure the next few years will be filled with challenges and joys in equal measure. "But there's one thing I can tell you these boys will never lack ... and that's loving fathers who will accept them, no matter what. That's something I didn't have from you, Dad. "There's no need to go into the reasons why. It is what it is, and I've come to accept it. That doesn't mean I have to accept the way you treated me, Dad. What you did was wrong, from start to finish, and I do not agree with or accept your reasons for doing so. You always insisted it was for my own good. Well, you were right in one way, Dad. One good thing did come out of it. You pushed me away from you and into the arms of a man who truly understands me and who loves me unconditionally. "Maybe someday you'll understand that. Maybe someday you'll understand me. Then perhaps we can start a new and different relationship, one based on acceptance instead of rejection. That will depend on you. As for me, I'm going to live my life with joy, not bitterness. "We're planning a picnic today, Dad. Dallas and Wings are coming. You remember Dallas, I'm sure. He's gay too, Dad. You've never met Wings, but he's one incredible guy, one of the best friends I've ever had. He and Dallas were married (TO EACH OTHER) seven years ago. Gray and I attended, as their best men. I'm not saying this to rub it in your face, Dad. Really, I'm not. All I want you to know is that we are four incredibly happy men, learning to be dads and love our children and be thankful. Dallas and Wings received a very pleasant surprise last year ... twin girls. By a surrogate mother with Dallas as the father. The girls take after Dallas, naturally, but they're going to grow up with four men who love them to bits, give them the best of care, and fill their lives with love. "Speaking of that, you should know that the four of us are very successful businessmen. Gray and I are running Langston Farms. It's become quite an operation, the biggest animal rescue facility in Oklahoma. We adopt out around a dozen dogs every month, but only to good homes where they'll be loved. We understand the importance of love in a home, Dad. As for Wings and Dallas, they've opened a furniture store nearby. They couldn't go back to Amarillo, even with the insurance paying for a new store after the fire. Too many bad memories. I'm sure Mom tells you how Julie is doing as the new manager there. She's a great businesswoman, Dad, so I know she'll do fine. Our store here is Oklahoma is doing great too. Dallas is a terrific manager, and Wings has turned into a fine assistant manager, although to be honest, he's usually busy taking care of the twin girls and watching our boys. He has a talent with kids, and they adore him. "Does that make him effeminate, Dad? In your eyes, that might be true. To me, it's anything but the truth. Wings is an incredible man, and I love him so very much. Hell, Dad. I love all the men in my life. All except you. "It's funny, Dad. I want to love you, but love requires nurturing. If you don't give it what it needs to live, it can be snuffed out and left as a withered root. That's where we are right now. But there's something amazing about love. It can grow back from nothing. All it needs is some encouragement, and it will spring back to life and begin growing again. Pour attention on it, and it'll prosper and grow strong. "The choice is yours, Dad. As for me, I choose love. Love for Gray and Dallas and Wings, for our adorable boys and beautiful girls. Love for Mom and all the other people who've given me their acceptance and love in return. If this makes sense to you, there might even be a time in the future when there can be love between the two of us. Until then, I am content and happy. "Your son, Andrew" Gray sighed and folded the letter, handing it back to Blue. Blue took the paper and slid it inside the envelope. "Well? What do think?" "I think ..." Gray turned and kissed Blue's cheek. "I think I'm married to the most incredible man on the planet." Blue smiled and nuzzled Gray's nose. "Nope. I am." Blue licked the flap and sealed the envelope. "Should I mail it?" "Absolutely." "Will it make a difference?" "I think it already has," Gray replied. "Really? How so?" Blue asked. "It's made a difference in your heart, Blue. You've refused to give bitterness a place to root. That was a letter you needed to write ... for your own good." Blue simply nodded. Then he pointed. "They're finally here." A shiny new Hummer drove over the crest of the hill and pulled into the drive. Alexander and Gabriel ran to the vehicle as it came to stop, jumping with joy. Amber and King stood next to them, barking and howling. The doors opened and Wings and Dallas leapt out, picking up the boys and tossing them into the air, delighting in their screams of joy. Carrying Gabriel on his hip, Dallas walked to the back of the Hummer and opened the hatch, allowing Junior and Crash to jump out. The four dogs immediately began dancing around each other, licking and sniffing and greeting each other with noses tucked under bellies, in typical doggy fashion. Wings opened one of the passenger doors and leaned inside. He unsnapped the seat belt and lifted out the car-seat/carrier holding one of their twin daughters, Annabelle. She was still asleep, ignoring all the hubbub around her. Wings gently brushed Annabelle's bright red curls out of her eyes, then leaned in to kiss the baby girl. On the other side, tiny Rachel watched Wings, her bright green eyes wide with wonder. Dallas opened the far door and leaned in over Rachel. "How's my little pumpkin?" he cooed. Then he sniffed and wrinkled his nose. "I thought I smelled something. I thought it was one of the dogs." Wings chuckled. "They both need a change." Alexander and Gabriel ran away, screaming, "EWWWWW!" Gray walked up behind Wings and hugged him from behind. "Are the girls ready for their first picnic by the lake?" "I think so," Wings replied, "but first, we need a pit stop." Blue laughed as he began backing away. "Been there. Done that. It's your turn now, my dudes." *** It was a beautiful autumn day. Warm breezes blew in off the lake, and the sun glinted on the water. The happy group of four dads, four children, and four dogs relaxed in the shade of an oak tree, finishing the apple pie and ice cream they'd brought for dessert. Gabriel sat on his heels, eagerly asking, "Can we go see the house now?" "Yeah," Alexander pleaded, throwing his arm around his brother in support. "Can we go see the house? Please?" Dallas pulled Gabriel into a giggling hug. "You always want to see the house." Gabriel wriggled in Dallas grip, knowing he'd never get away from the big, strong man he adored. "We can't wait for them to finish." Alexander jumped on Dallas' back, trying vainly to free his brother. "Yeah. We can't wait. Now let Gabe go, you big meanie." Dallas held Gabriel with one arm and reached around to grab Alexander with the other, pulling them both into his lap where he tickled them until they squealed. Dallas paused and asked, "Are you going to behave?" "No!" they shouted as one. Dallas laughed and started tickling them again. "Stop!" Gabriel yelled. "I gotta pee!" "Me too!" Alexander shouted. Dallas released the boys, who stood up, clutching their groins. They giggled as they ran to a nearby tree, slid their pants and underwear down to their ankles and stood side by side, bare butts exposed, watering the trunk of the tree, laughing as their streams painted wet lines on the wood. Turning around, they wiggled their little waists, shaking off the last drops of pee, then pulled their pants up and ran to Gray, the one person they knew they could manipulate every time. "Please, dad. We want to go see the new house." "Yeah, dad. Can we? Please?" Gray smiled and nodded. The boys shrieked and began dancing in a circle, holding hands. Blue snorted. "You spoil them, my dude." Gray looked sideways at Blue and smiled. "What can I say? I've always been a pushover for cute boys." Blue kissed Gray on the cheek and stood up. "Then let's go see the new house." *** The builders were making excellent progress. The walls and roof were up. You could actually get a feel for how the house would look when finished. Gabriel and Alexander ran from room to room, shouting at each other. "This will be our bedroom!" "And this one will be Annie's and Rachel's." "These are the bedrooms for all the other kids!" "The kids we ain't got yet!" Gabriel shouted. Blue shook his head. "The kids we don't have yet." "Yeah, that's what I said," Gabriel agreed. Gray laughed and hugged Blue. "I guess we know who's boy that is." Blue laughed. "Yeah ... OURS!" The boys ran past the adults to the other side of the house. "Here's where all the dads will sleep, Gabe!" Alexander stood in the doorway of the enormous master bedroom, easily big enough to accommodate four men who loved each other and their growing family. Gabriel ran past Alexander into the connected bathroom with the oversized spa tub. He giggled. "And this is where the dads will take a bath." Alexander grabbed his hand and they both jumped into the tub, pretending to wash each other's hair. Gabriel jumped out and ran to Wings, hugging him around the waist. Looking up into the man's eyes, Gabriel asked. "When are your babies gonna be born, daddy Wings?" Wings ruffled the boy's curly black hair. "What makes you think there will be more than one baby?" Alexander ran up. "Daddy Dallas had two baby girls. We think you'll have two baby boys. We want brothers. We got enough girls." "Oh, really?" Dallas replied, grabbing both the boys in a hug from behind. "Yep. We don't need more girls. Just boys from now on," Gabriel insisted. Alexander nodded his head. "And when we fill up all the rooms with boys, we'll build an even BIGGER house!" Blue slid his arm around Gray's waist, hugging him tight. "I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't end up with another set of twins for Wings. Then I suggest we wait a year or two before taking our turn again." Gray kissed Blue on the cheek. "At the rate we're going, we're going to need that bigger house soon." "And what will we do with a bigger house?" Blue asked. "Fill it with love," Gray replied. The end of MISUNDERSTOOD Author's note: It's been a special joy to bring you this extended version of the story, Misunderstood. I've enjoyed diving deeper into the lives of Gray and Blue, Dallas and Wings, their parents, their dogs, and now their children. Thanks to all the readers who asked for more and suggested ideas for the story. Thanks for reading and supporting Nifty. It's been a joy hearing from you and creating our own Fellowship of the Misunderstood. Take care, my friends. With warmest regards, Wes Leigh