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The Angel of Pie Jesu.

 

By John T. S. Teller.

 

Part 62.

 

Book two: Journey of the Coin.

 

Sunday 25th August - the day of The Wedding.

 

Gretel.

I've been up since seven preparing some cold bites in the massive kitchen for after the wedding.  At seven-thirty Kurt walks in with his dressing gown on. He grins at me and says, "I thought you might be up. Is anybody else about?"

 

I shake my head. "No. The idle buggers are still in bed. Anybody would think it's a normal morning. Shall I make you a cup of tea?"

 

"Yes please. I'll have the same as you're having."

 

I make the tea and place it in front of Kurt and sit down next to him. Then I ask him, "Do you know what they've got planned?"

 

He shakes his head. "Haven't got a clue. I was going to sort Aleric out with a new suit but he said he was going to wear his cream outfit. That's all I know. Oh, and I know Gareth has got to wear the silver suit he was wearing when they first met. That boy of yours has got it all planned in his head. I've never met anybody like him. But I do know one thing."

 

"What's that Kurt?"

 

"We'd better take some handkerchiefs. He's a proper romantic when it takes his fancy." Kurt grins. "I'm definitely going to smudge my mascara."

 

I smile back at him. "You'll be dressed as a lady then?"

 

He gives an exaggerated shake of his body. "Of course! Aleric told me I'd got to! And Hans said I'd got to. And I'll let you into a secret. You mustn't tell anybody! Promise me!"

 

"I promise."

 

"Hans. He'll be going in a dress. You don't mind, do you?"

 

I smile at him and touch his arm. "Your idea or his?"

 

He smiles back at me. "It's a joint venture. Well, Heindrich is in on it too."

 

"So that's why you've let his hair grow long!"

 

"Uhuh. That's why I'm up now. I'll need an hour to get us both ready. He slept with us last night. He came into us and was crying and asked if he could. I agreed to him sleeping with us, and then I asked him why he was crying. He said he was both happy and sad knowing what Aleric and Gareth were going to do today. They've been through a lot together have Hans and Aleric. I suppose it's the end of an era for him." Kurt takes a sip of his tea and places the cup back down in its saucer. "I suppose it's the same for everybody here, especially your family. How do you and Ralf feel about it?"

 

I shrug my shoulders. "We talked about it after we went to bed last night. We don't have any problems with it." I chuckle. "We feel sorry for Gareth though."

 

"Same here. I love our Gareth to bits, but I wouldn't like to be in his shoes once they've tied the knot, so to speak. Gareth thinks he's the Big I Am, but he's going to play second fiddle in this affair. I've never met anybody like your boy. He's demented. God help anyone who ever harms his man when he's older. He's bad enough now and he's only fourteen. Can you imagine what it will be like when he's grown up properly?"

 

Although I chuckle, I ask Kurt, "So you think it will last that long?"

 

Kurt nods. "I'm sure it will. And that's not because of Gareth. I've only known your boy for eight months but I swear I've never met anyone in my life who is so singularly in love with somebody. His love for Gareth makes my affections for him look like a schoolboy crush. But I know where he gets it from. He gets it off you. Anyway, can you do me some toast and a pot of tea? I'll take them with me and wake those pair up. What are you going to do?"

 

"I've done most of the cold food and the hot bites will only take ten to fifteen minutes in the oven when we get back, so in fifteen minutes I'm going to wake the lot up and then I'll finish off in here. I'll roust the daft buggers out! That Gunther especially. It was almost three when he got home."

 

Kurt laughs. "Whatever happened to your sedate life in the north?"    

 

"That daft bugger of a friend of yours came into our lives. I don't know whether to kill him or love him to death."

 

Again Kurt laughs. "Think yourself lucky. He came into my life more than ten years ago. How do you think I feel?"

 

Again I place my hand on his arm. "I don't envy you. I'll make your breakfast and you can sort your own lot out. And then I'll sort my lot out."

 

******************

 

I knock on Gareth's bedroom door. I expected to have to wait for a while, but Gareth shouts, "Come in. The door's not locked." When I go in with the tray containing a pot of tea and a plateful of hot toast because I know my boy loves it in a morning, he says, "I thought it would be you."

 

Gareth is sitting up in bed. He's at least top-half naked. Aleric is snuggled into him, his head about level with Gareth's belly. He's at least top-half naked too, and his right arm is thrown over Gareth's waist. I point at him. "Is he still asleep?"

 

Aleric mumbles, "I was Mum, but I'm not now! (Gareth chuckles.) What do you want?"

 

I grin at Gareth. "I've brought you two some breakfast. It is past eight o'clock and you've got an important event in less than three hours!"

 

Aleric lifts his head and glares at me through sleepy eyelids. "I know that! We can't be late, can we! We're all here!"

 

"You said eleven o'clock... on the dot!"

 

"I meant eleven o'clock'ish... on the dot!"

 

I go around the bed and Gareth makes room for me to put the tray on his bedside table. Then I go back round to the side where Aleric is and give him a cuff on the ear. "Don't talk to your mother like that! You're not too old to get your bottom smacked! I'll do it now if you don't improve your manners!"

 

Aleric giggles. "It won't bother me." He points a finger at Gareth. "He's always doing it. I'm used to it now."

 

Gareth laughs and Aleric's head bobs up and down. That makes me laugh, and then I lean down and go to kiss my boy on the cheek. But he's too clever for me, and before I get there he turns his head towards me and puckers his lips. "Give me a kiss Mum. You know you love me. Give your special boy a kiss."

 

So I do, and my eyes are misty when I do, and I can hardly see through them when he strokes the side of my face and says, "I love you Mum."

 

I stand up and smile at him. "Eat your breakfast! Where are the clothes you're wearing today?"

 

He points a finger. "In that wardrobe. Why do you want to know?" I go to the wardrobe and take out the complete outfit that's hanging on one hanger, and I also pick up his shoes that are at the bottom of the wardrobe. Then he asks, "What are you doing?"

 

I go towards the bedroom door, and when I've turned the handle I turn and look at him. "When you're showered and you've got your underpants on, then come to my room. If you think I'm letting you loose in that chapel with so much dirt in your ears that I could grow onions in them, then you've got another think coming! And make sure you wash your hair properly with shampoo and conditioner. I'll dry it! I'll use my hair dryer, and my brush. Nobody can do your hair like your mother. How long will you be?"

 

Aleric grins. "You'll have to wait a bit. Me and Gotty have got stuff to do first. I'll have a shower when we've done everything."

 

"What are you going to do?" I ask.

 

He taps the side of his nose. "Dad always says you're a nosy bugger. Mind your own business. You'll know when you go to the chapel." He grins. "Wake Gotty up for me please. Tell him I'll be about half an hour. Tell him to meet me at the chapel and tell him not to forget the you-know-whats. He'll know what I mean. But he won't tell you, so don't bother asking."

 

I look at Gareth. He shakes his head. "I've no idea Gretel, so don't ask me. I've decided to just do as I'm told today."

 

I shrug my shoulders. "The boy's crazy. But he will do one thing! He'll be in my room when he's showered or I'll call the whole thing off!"  

 

*********************

 

They don't meet in the chapel. The twins are together in the house, sorting in the drawers in the kitchen for converter plugs, and then they go upstairs. When they come down they're both grinning and carrying a carrier bag each. Then they go off to the chapel after Ralf has given them the key, which they couldn't find. They're gone a while and everybody in the house is in limbo. Nobody knows what's going on. I feel sorry for Kurt. He and Hans are the only ones who're not dressed properly. The dress Hans is going in is supposed to be a surprise. And Kurt has got to get dressed himself. Then they both come back and Aleric yells, "Right everybody... we're done." He looks at the clock on the wall. "It's five past ten. Everybody except me and Gotty are to be in the chapel by eleven. Hahns on the left front pew... Hansie and his parents on the other front pew. Has everybody got that?" Then he points an accusing finger at Gareth and Ralf. "You're drinking! What's that you've got?!"

 

Gareth raises his glass. "Schnapps. Peach Schnapps. It's a custom in Wales. The groom and the bride's father always get half drunk before the wedding."

 

Aleric glares at him. "The groom?! The bride?! I'm not your bloody bride! I'm your partner, and you're my partner. You're certainly not my bloody groom! Anyway... you sit at the front with Kurt. You're not a Hahn... yet!" Then he looks at me. "We'll have a shower in your room mum. Is that okay?" He grins. "I'll give you a shout when we've got our underpants on."

 

I stare at him. "We! I thought it was just your ears I was scraping onions out of. What's to do with the WE bit?"

 

He gives me one of his naughtiest grins. "Change of plans Mum."

 

And the two boys go racing off up the stairs.

 

When they're gone, Ralf, laughing, says to Gareth, "You got your ears burned there Gareth."

 

Gareth grins. "That's why I said it. I love to see him when he's in a temper." He looks at the clock. "We've got another fifty minutes. Fancy another Schnapps, Ralf?"

 

Ralf chuckles. "Don't mind if I do... son-in-law." 

 

*******************

 

It's not until I've dried and brushed my boys' hair that they surprise me. Aleric isn't going to wear his cream suit. They're going to the `wedding' in black and white trainers, blue jeans, a white sweat shirt, and black hoodies. There's just one difference between them... Aleric's hoody has a Star In The Hood on the front of his. I'm familiar with it. I bought one for each of them last year, and I know why Aleric is wearing it. He had it on when he met Gareth properly that night when he stuffed the mobile phone box down his pants. When he's dressed, I'm thinking to myself that I was right to buy them in a larger size than they were at the time. We didn't have much money back then and I wanted them to last a while. It fits perfectly now.

 

I stand back and look at them. My beautiful boys. Tears are welling up. They see what's happening and both come to me and hug me. Then I gather myself, push them away, take the gold locket from around my neck that contains the gold coin and place it around Aleric's neck. He holds it in his fingers and asks, "What's this, Mum?"

 

I smile at him. "Don't open it and give it back to me when it's all over. Norbert is in that locket. You're all three together now." Then I shrug my shoulders. "What do I do now?"

 

Gottwin answers. "You go to the chapel and take your place Mum. We'll be there in ten minutes." 

 

************ ************** ************* ************** *************

 

Gottwin.

Mum has gone and there's only me and Aleric in the house. I pretend to be fussing over his clothes to make him perfect... but I'm not. I need to touch my brother. Aleric knows what's happening and he stops me and takes both my hands in his and looks right into my eyes. I look into his, and tell him, "I love you Bro."    

   

He nods. "I know you do. I love you. I wouldn't be doing this if you weren't with me. I couldn't. Only half of me would be doing it. That's why I insisted that you also have a ring at the ceremony. It won't interfere with me and Gareth, but it will give me strength while I'm with him knowing that part of you is always with me. Now shall we get on with it?"

 

I grin at him. "I think we'd better. They'll think the bride isn't coming."

 

Al laughs. "Did you see dad's face when I was rollicking Gareth? He thought I was serious. He doesn't know me and Gareth are always taking the piss out of each other about who is the wifey one."

 

I laugh. "Gareth made me laugh when he lifted his glass to you. He didn't give a damn, did he?"

 

"No. I knew he'd have a couple of drinks before we tie the knot. He'll need them before I've finished with him in the chapel. Just watch what he does when I tell him he's got to kneel down. I'll bet you everything I've got that he'll moan about it. But don't start laughing! I know what you're like, you daft bugger!"

 

I can't stop giggling when I say, "We should have worn clogs then we could have made a noise like the mad butler... clip-clopping down the aisle like two bloody horses."

 

Aleric bursts out laughing and it takes us ages to control ourselves. When we've stopped, he asks, "Have you got the CD controller? Are you sure the CD player is switched on?"

 

I pat my hoody pocket. "Yes. Have you got plenty of handkerchiefs? Gareth is going to need them by the time we've finished with him."

 

"I know he will. He'll start crying as soon as he hears the music and sees what I'm wearing."

 

I look into Aleric's eyes. "And won't you?"

 

He nods. "Yes, but I'll be in control of my tears. Gareth can't stop once he gets going. He'll stop when I tell him to get on his knees. He doesn't cry when we argue." 

 

************ ************** ************* ************** *************

 

Gretel.

When my boys enter the chapel, it's surreal. All we can see is the silhouette of them as they stand holding hands as shafts of sunlight bathe them from behind, making them look like two beautiful aliens who have just got off a space ship. For a moment they just stand there, and then the music begins to play. Now I know what they were up to this morning. It's a recording of Aleric taking solo in the S Boys' Choir, and the hymn playing is Pie Jesu, which is echoing around the chapel. They've done a brilliant job of setting up the sound system because the pitch is just perfect and not too loud. They walk two steps forward and Gottwin closes the door behind them. Now that the daylight isn't behind them, we can see them clearly, and I know Gareth can too, because his face is tormented with emotion and tears are running freely down his cheeks. He's not the only one. In fact I don't think there's a dry eye in the chapel. They stand still for a while as the music plays and then, still holding hands, they walk slowly down the aisle while we all look at them. They must have been practicing because their timing is perfect and they get to us just as the music stops.

 

My lovely boys! Aleric should be standing by Gareth now, but they've seen little Hans in his wheelchair, in his frilly dress. I watch both their faces. Their mouths open in amazement, and then, simultaneously, they go to their knees by Hans and each take one of his hands. It's Aleric who strokes Hansie's hair and says, "You're gorgeous, Hans! You're beautiful!"

 

Hans open his arms and my boys give him a great big hug. I look at Kurt and Heindrich. Although they're misty eyed, they're both grinning, no doubt relieved and overjoyed that the twins acted as they did. Kurt catches my eye and winks at me. I smile and nod at him. But at least the interlude has given Gareth time to collect himself. He's wiping his eyes with a handkerchief, and he's smiling too.           

 

The boys get up and Gottwin leaves Aleric, comes to stand by me, takes a controller out of his hoody pocket, turns towards the back of the chapel and presses a button, and when the music begins to play, Aleric looks at Gareth and holds out his hand. When Gareth gives him his hand he takes them to a spot just in front of the raised chancel and pulls Gareth around so they're close and facing each other, takes Gareth's other hand, and both holding hands and looking into each other's eyes while tears are rolling down both their cheeks as the beautiful sound of Time echoes around the chapel, not for a split second do they break their look into each other's eyes. It's as if the world has stood still for them and nothing else exists. I feel Ralph's arm come around my shoulders as I sob at the beauty of the moment. Poor Gareth! Tears are flooding from his eyes!

 

I am the hours
And moments of your yesterday
I am your time gone by
All days and ages fleeting long since passed away,
As endless years roll by.

 

I'll rise in the spark of life
The dawn of all time.
I'll call to the world still yet to be.
The music is everywhere,
In life, in the sea and air
To join in the perfect song of all eternity.

I am the hours,
The days and moments yet to come
Until the end of time
All the centuries and
Seasons that are still to run
As endless years roll by.

I'll rise in the spark of life
The dawn of all time
I'll call to the world still yet to be
The music is everywhere
In life, in the sea and air
To join in the perfect song of all eternity.

The noon of creation rings
And all in the heavens sing
The glorious song through all eternity.

I am the dawn of all time.

 

Gottwin, who has wrapped his arms around my arm nearest to him and has his head pressing against me is also sobbing. I glance across Ralf at Gunther. I haven't seen my Gunther cry for years, but he's wiping away tears with a handkerchief. Only Ralf isn't crying, but that's because he's stifling his tears. The strength of his arm around my shoulders is telling me how he's really feeling. The Hahns are not the only ones moved by this beautiful moment. Little Hans is clutching Kurt's arm and weeping and I know for a fact that her mum will definitely not be pleased that her mascara will be streaked.

 

 When the song has finished, Gottwin looks up at me through tearful eyes and whispers, "Aleric says they're going to have an argument now."

 

I whisper back, "Why?"

 

He giggles, but says nothing. Now I am worried. People don't have arguments when they're getting married.

 

My beautiful boy. He's smiling as he unashamedly wipes away Gareth's tears, and then he wipes his own from his face. Then he grins at Gareth and turns them towards the chancel. In front of them are two prayer mats. Aleric points at the one in front of Gareth and says, "Kneel down."

 

Gareth gives my boy an angry look. "You know I'm not a kneeling down person. We can do whatever standing up!"

 

"Not in my chapel we can't. Kneel down... please!"

 

"You know I'm not a God person. Let's do it like this."

 

(Gottwin is giggling now.)

 

Aleric wags his finger at Gareth. Then he says, very slowly, "Kneel... down... please!"

 

(Gottwin is giggling even more now.)

 

Gareth stares into Aleric's face for a short while, then he kneels down, and then he looks up at Aleric. "Will this do?" he asks sarcastically.

 

Aleric kneels down next to him, and grins. "That's perfect. Thank you. Now don't interrupt me again, please!"

 

Ralf looks at me and shakes his head. I shrug my shoulders and grin. Gunther has stopped crying and he's stifling a giggle. I look across the aisle. Hansie has got a big grin on his face and Kurt is doing his best not to burst out laughing. Even Heindrich, who is usually a stolid person, is stifling his laughter. And I'm thinking this wedding is turning into a farce. But the next part soon dispels that thought.

 

Aleric pulls Gareth's arm up and over his shoulders and he wriggles nearer to Gareth so they're close together. Gareth firms his hold on my boy, bringing them even closer together. Aleric then puts his hands together and begins to pray loudly. "Dear Lord, thank you for bringing Gunther and Norbert and Gottwin and me into the world with such wonderful parents. Me and Gareth wouldn't be here if you hadn't. That's why I'm thanking you first for our parents. They're special and we all love them. The second thing I would like is that you bless Heindrich and Kurt and Hansie. Please make Hansie completely better and make them a happy family like the Hahns are. Especially Hansie. I thought today would be all about me and Gareth, but it isn't. Now I've seen Hansie and how he is now and he's so beautiful, then I know you're reminding us all that life isn't always about ourselves. So, Dear God, before I ask you for some things to do with me and Gareth, I'm sorry for being selfish. Please make Hansie happy. Thank you."

 

 He continues, "Regarding me and Gareth, I think this is the best day in my life except for the day I met him. That was the most special day. It was all down to you. He wouldn't have come to see me sing unless you had sorted it. I'm sorry Josef had to be unwell for it to happen, but thank you for making him better. It wouldn't have been right if you hadn't. But you have brought me and Gareth together and that's the important part. I love him and I know he loves me. I know we're not normal people, but that doesn't matter to me. It's what you think that matters and you wouldn't have brought us together if it wasn't right. And I'm sorry Gareth isn't a God person. But he is really. He just thinks too much. He has to have a reason for everything, but we know it isn't like that. Some things we just have to accept are Your doing, like when you brought Gareth to me. So now, Dear Lord, please bless this union of two people who love each other enormously."

 

Then Aleric turns to Kurt and asks, "Have you got the rings?"

 

Kurt has already got them in his hand. He gets up, goes to Aleric and gives them to him. Then he says, "There you go Sonny Boy. I hope yours still fits." And with a grin on his face, he goes back to his seat.

 

Aleric turns back to face the Raul Painting Window. He looks up at it, takes off the gold locket I've put around his neck, puts it with three rings in his palms, and holds his hands up as if he's making an offering of them. (Three rings! What on earth is going on!) He stares at the painting for quite a while, sort of in a trance, and I know he's saying something, but whatever he's saying is indiscernible. All I can see is his lips moving and his head nodding as if he's having a conversation with somebody. Then he lowers his hands and says, "Dear God, bless Mum's gold locket and these rings and please give me and Gareth a long and happy life together. Thank you."

 

Aleric sorts the rings out and gives one to Gareth, and then he asks, "Who's going first?"

 

Gareth smiles at him. "I will. Give me your left hand."

 

Aleric does as he's told, and Gareth slips the ring onto Aleric's third finger. Aleric does the same to Gareth. Then Aleric does something completely unexpected. He turns and beckons for Gottwin to join them, which he does, and he kneels by the side of Aleric. Now I know why Aleric had three rings and not two! Aleric gives the spare ring to Gareth and says, "Place it on Gotty's finger and kiss it."

 

I'm expecting another argument, but Gareth just smiles and does exactly as he's been told. When Gareth has placed the ring on his finger and kissed it, Gottwin gets up and comes back to me. For once in his life, Gottwin is serious, and when he gets to me, he holds my hand tightly. The moment has affected him deeply. It has me too.

 

Then Aleric and Gareth hold hands and look into each other's eyes. Then they smile. Then they chuckle, and then they put their foreheads together while they bring the rings up so each can kiss the other's ring. I'm expecting them to kiss, but they don't. Aleric gets up and says, "You can get up now."

 

Gareth stays on his knees and cocks his head to look up at Aleric. "Is that it?"

 

Aleric giggles. "Yes. What more do you want? A fanfare!"

 

Gareth gets up. Then he puts his arms around Aleric and hugs him tightly. Aleric wraps his arms around Gareth's waist. Then comes the kiss I was expecting earlier. This is automatic stuff they're doing now. It's as if nobody is around. Gareth puckers his lips and Aleric tilts his head up and kisses him softly. Then they grin into each other's eyes and rub noses. This is the fun bit of what they are. I'm used to it. I've seen it lots of times before, and it's beautiful.

 

When they've finished their canoodling and we're all gathered together congratulating them, and after Aleric has given me back my gold locket with The Coin in it, Aleric says to Gottwin, "Well... play the music then Bro!"

 

Gottwin giggles and presses a remote button again.

 

When the music begins to play, I know it's Welsh music because it's a male voice choir singing in Gareth's proper language. He speaks the strange language sometimes to make us laugh. But I don't know what they're singing. Gareth does... and it must be something special that the boys have chosen because Gareth grabs Aleric, pulls him into his arms and rocks him like a baby. Aleric is looking at me while he's being rocked in Gareth's arms, and he smiles at me. I smile back at him, and nod. He nods. We understand each other. The ceremony may have been unusual, but it was perfection for everyone here. That's because we all understand what these two are and what they mean to each other. If I'm really honest with myself, I'm glad Aleric has `married' Gareth and not a girl. Now, nobody can ever take his Mum's place. And that's important to a mum, especially when you've got such a wonderful son-in-law as I have. But I won't tell Aleric that, even though I'm fully aware of who is the boy and the girl in this relationship. Not that it matters. We women are the boss when push comes to shove. My boy demonstrated that in the chapel.   

 

************ ************** ************* ************** *************

 

Gareth.

We're back at the house and the Champagne corks are being popped. Gretel has done a great job of preparing the oodles of food that are placed on the table. Aleric has hardly let go of my hand since we got back. He keeps grinning at me. I know why that is. His and Gottwin's plans have worked perfectly. When everybody is tucking in and things are settling down, he whispers to me, "Let's sneak off for a minute."  

 

 "Where to?" I ask.

 

He giggles. "To our bedroom. I need a bit of time alone with you."

 

I grin at him. "You go up first and I'll follow in a minute."

 

Aleric is gone and I'm just about to go up to him when Gunther comes to me and asks, "Gareth... would it be a problem to you if I borrow the car again at about seven this evening?"

 

I grin at him. "You seeing Angharad?"

 

He grins back. "Yes."

 

"Have you told your Mum and Dad you're going?"

 

"Not yet, but I will if it's okay to borrow the car."

 

I put my hand on his shoulder. "Be my guest, but watch these Welsh girls. They'll be in your pants before you can say `Dai the Builder'."

 

He laughs. "I already know that."

 

We both giggle, and then I say, "I'll tell you what. In the morning I'll get the hire company to deliver another car here." I grin. "I'll order one with plenty of room in the back seat for you. But just one thing... keep next Saturday evening free. You can bring Angharad with you, but we're going to hear Dai's male voice choir. They don't know it yet, and don't you tell anyone, but he's inviting the three boys up to sing Pie Jesu when we're there. I would like you to be there." I tap the side of my nose. "But don't tell anybody. Our business!"

 

He nods, and grins "Our secret, Herr Rhys-Jones. Where's Frau Rhys-Jones?"

 

I chuckle loudly. "Upstairs... waiting for me."

 

He chuckles. "You'd better go then. You know what she's like if you don't do as you're told."

 

*******************

 

Frau Rhys-Jones. She's lying on the bed when I enter our bedroom.

 

Aleric grins at me and tells me to lock the door. I thought he might be naked, but he isn't. He's wearing just white short boxer type underpants. I don't need to ask him his state of mind. It's obvious by the bulge in them. I'm still wearing my silver suit. Three minutes later and it's been hung up and I'm also in my underpants and lying alongside Aleric, looking down on him while I'm gently fondling the bulge in his underpants. He strokes the side of my face and asks, "Was everything okay with you?"

 

"It was perfect. Everything was perfect."

 

"Even bringing Gotty into it with the rings?"

 

"Absolutely no problem."

 

Aleric smiles. "Thank you. It was very important to me. Sorry for making you kneel down."

 

I smile at him. "No need to apologise. I knew I'd have to. I was just being silly. It was our bit of fun. But you knew that."

 

Aleric grins. "I had a bet with Gotty that you'd make a stink about it. It's what we are Gareth... fun and love. It's what makes us what we are. It's why we are what we are. If we couldn't have fun in our love then it wouldn't be the same."

 

I nod. "It's been there from the beginning. We're challenging each other all the time. Sometimes it gets out of hand and we have a big row, but even those are becoming less the more we get to know one another."

 

Aleric is now playing with my bottom lip. This is our abstract loving time... our talking time... our getting to know one another better time. He rubs his fingers along my bottom teeth and says, "Although I hate us falling out, I also like us falling out."

 

"And why is that?"

 

"Because the making up is so beautiful. Some of our most beautiful times together are when we've been making up. That first time... when you almost buggered off and went to London... when you came home and we made up on the rug in front of the Red House in the Park and we fell asleep and were late getting up to go to Mum's on New Year's Eve, I think that's one of the times when I've loved you the most."

 

I grin at him. "I thought those were when we were in bed."

 

He giggles. "They're not too bad as far as the good times go, but that's pretty much commonplace stuff now."

 

His comment makes me chuckle. "Commonplace eh! I think I may have to improve my technique. How about I do an occasional rape job on you? That wouldn't be commonplace. In fact I might as well start now."

 

Although Aleric is growing, he's still lightweight, powerwise, compared to me, and in a couple of minutes, despite his struggles, I've got his underpants off, he's pinned to the bed on his back with his ankles by his neck and that's when he stops laughing and struggling and surrenders completely to me when he reaches over to the bedside cupboard and gives me a tube of gel and says, "Now you can have your nasty way with me."

 

It doesn't take us long to reach a mutual climax, and when we do, I've never felt more at one with my beautiful boy as I do at that moment. Just one fuck and we've sealed this beautiful day perfectly. It's been fun, deep emotions, love, and finally sex. It's what we are.

 

But before we leave the bedroom, I ask Aleric, "What were you saying to The Painting before you began praying?"

 

He looks puzzled. "Saying to The Painting? What do you mean?"

 

"You had the rings in your hands and your Mum's gold locket and you were sort of offering them up to The Painting and muttering something under your breath. I couldn't hear what you were saying."

 

Aleric shakes his head. "I can't remember doing that. I was nervous all the time. I can't remember doing that."

 

I do remember it. In fact it was creepy at the time. I shivered inside as I do when The Spirit is around. But I decide not to pursue the matter. This is not the time to talk about spirits.   

 

************ ************** ************* ************** *************

 

Aleric.

Every time I catch Gareth's eye, we giggle. After he'd raped me and we'd come off our high, when we were doing our loving bit, I told him I was going to report him to the police for raping a little boy. He laughed at me and said I was to go ahead because that fuck was worth twenty years in jail. Then I saw that mischievous look in his eyes and I knew we were about to have more fun. That's when he said, "If I'm going to serve time for fucking you, I might as well serve a concurrent sentence of five years for gross indecency." So he pinned me down again and sucked me off. When that was over, he grinned at me and asked, "Do you want me to spend any more time in jail?"

 

I laughed and told him, "You can force me to suck you off and add another ten years. The courts don't take kindly to that sort of stuff."

 

He laughed and got off the bed. "That would be going too far. My barrister could probably get me a lenient sentence by saying you were complicit in the first two acts, but the Judge would come down on me like a ton of bricks if I was to do that. Now move your beautiful ass and get dressed before that lot downstairs think we've been having sex."

 

******************

 

We're all sitting outside at the lovely long table, watching the sun go down. It's a beautiful sunset... reds and oranges and yellows melting into the green sea. It's quiet and we can hear the seabirds clearly as they come home to roost. I think too much, that's why my eyes are misty with tears. I'm by the side of Gareth, and sensing my mood he puts an arm around my shoulders and asks, "Are you okay?"

 

I look at him and he sees my tears.  I smile at him through them, and even though I know everyone can hear what I'm saying, I don't care, and I tell him, "Thirty three years ago my Special Man was born in this beautiful land and I wasn't even invented. He spent nineteen years as a baby and a boy and then a young man before me and Gotty emerged into the world far away by another sea. And here's me and you now, together." My look at Gareth is a questioning one. "And you think there isn't a God!"

 

He hugs my shoulders. "I didn't say there wasn't one. That isn't how I think. I need certainty in my life... proof!"

 

"And what do you think this is... a fairy story? We're real. This is happening to us. What more proof do you need? Look around you! Look at Hansie now. He's beautiful! He's been through hell and back and now he's what he wants to be and he's with two parents who love him completely. Is that a fairy story? Look at Gottwin. He's my bro, my identical twin who I wouldn't want to live without if he wasn't here. Is he part of a fairy story? Then there's Gunther who's buggered off to have a night out with a girlfriend he never knew existed until last night. He's been here five minutes and he's in love with Dai the Builder's daughter. Is that a fairy story? Look at Mum and Dad. They've been through hell and back as well. Look at them now. It's as if those dark years have all gone away. Is that a fairy story? Do you think this has all happened by chance? Explain that to me... Herr Clever Clogs Who Doesn't Believe In God!"

 

Gareth kisses the top of my head. "I can't."

 

"Why not? You're the thinker. You're always bloody thinking. You never stop thinking! It's what you do. You can work out when somebody is trying to rip you off before they even begin ripping you off, so this should be easy stuff to you. So, if it isn't God, then what is it?"

 

"I can't believe in an omnipotent bloke sitting on a throne up there, judging people and sending some into a burning fire, but those he likes he gives them a five star hotel on a bloody cloud. That's crap. That's what my mother believes in! She even thinks the bloody world began four thousand years ago even though she was born in a land that has the remains of buildings in it that are fourteen thousand years old! Who does she think lived in them... bloody fairies!"

 

I look up into Gareth's eyes and grin at him. "You take things too literally. You're talking about religion, not God. God makes things happen. Religion distorts what God does. That's human stuff. I'm talking spiritual... not human stuff. Well?"

 

Gareth smiles at me. "You should be a preacher man. I'll build you a bloody church."

 

I chuckle. "You already have done. How about you and me take a walk down there now?"

 

Gareth looks around at the others. "Does anybody mind?" He grins. "We might come back with halos over our heads."

 

Mum laughs. "Off you go. But something's been bugging me all day. What was that song you boys played at the end of the wedding?"

 

Gareth answers Mum. "It's my national anthem... Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau – Land of My Fathers - Land Mein Väter."

 

Mum nods. "Land of God."

 

************ ************** ************* ************** *************

  

Gareth.

When we're in the chapel, Aleric switches on the lights, closes the door, and takes my hand. We walk to the front and stand by the two prayer mats. He looks up at me. I smile at him and kneel down on one. He joins me and asks me to hold him, so I wrap an arm around him and hug him to me. He lifts his head towards me. We kiss softly. He smiles into my eyes and says, "I told you a white lie earlier. When you asked me what I was mumbling about and I said I didn't remember. I do remember. Sort of. I went all hot and funny inside and went in a sort of trance and I heard myself talking to Raul's spirit. I saw him. He came out of the painting in the window. Raul's spirit is our Guiding Spirit. Don't be afraid of it and listen to what it tells you. Promise me you will. It will keep us safe." Then he chuckles. "Pretend there's a genie in our rings. Just kiss your ring, and hey-presto... your wish will come true, like in the fairy stories."

 

I laugh, and nod. "I will, but if you can communicate with it, then tell it to keep out of our bed!"

 

Aleric giggles. "That isn't our Guiding Spirit, that's my spirit that gets out of hand at times. It's a real sexy bugger. I don't have much control over it."

 

I grin at him. "Well, I've got news for you, Boyo! It's inside me now."

 

Aleric looks amazed. "How did it get into you?"

 

Even I have to giggle when I tell him (not the whole story about Hansie, and certainly not about the Magic Coin) that I'd let him inside me in exchange for making Hansie better, and how it takes him over when we're in bed. Aleric asks how it got inside me, and I tell him, "It made me swallow your stuff, but it was It's stuff."

 

Aleric's eyes are wide when he says, "Wow! Is that what it gets up to? I'm going to have a word with it. I want to be in on this act! Who does it think it is, using me to have its naughty way! Give me a right sharp slap next time it tries to do it."

 

I look into his eyes. "Don't you feel anything?"

 

He nods. "Sometimes, but it's just a warm tingling feeling inside me when it wants to sleep with me. I've had it when I've snuggled up to Gotty. It likes sleeping with us both."

 

"That's probably because it is both of you. That's when it's happy."

 

Aleric is thoughtful for a moment, and then he says, "I wonder if it's possible to train spirits to do as you want. Sort of like a pet dog."

 

I grin at him. "You could try it. I'll send you to a spirit handler and he'll show you how to go on."

 

Aleric gives me a really naughty grin. "I know a spirit handler. He also does grooming as well. When you've been to him, you always come away with your paws clean."

 

I chuckle. "He's not a spirit handler... he's an old pervert who like getting inside little boys' pants."

 

Aleric giggles. "That makes two of you then." Then he gets off his knees and sits on the prayer mat, looking at the chapel. I do the same. "He waves his hand around. "I love this place. It's beautiful. How did you find it?"

 

"Your God directed me to it. I was looking for a place to rent. Then I got distracted and saw properties for sale. Then this house came up and I just knew I had to have it for the boy and family I love. So I bought it and I've spent a small fortune making it beautiful for you lot."

 

"Not for yourself?"

 

I shake my head. "No. It was for the Hahns. That's why it's called what it is."

 

"Thank you Gareth. It's the most beautiful wedding gift you could have given to me. Shall we go back to the others now?"     

 

************ ************** ************* ************** *************

  

Gretel.

The sun has almost gone down and the sky is now filled with different blues and the stars are visible when I see them sauntering slowly as they make their way to the house. Aleric has got his arm around Gareth's waist and Gareth has his over Aleric's shoulders.

 

I've put a jumper on, and so has Ralf, who is sitting beside me. Everyone else is in the house... Hansie and Gottwin playing on a games console and Kurt and Heindrich are keeping them company. "Have you seen them?" I ask Ralf.

 

"Yes."

 

"And?"

 

"It's God's will. If I had any doubts about them, then our boy dispelled them when he had his rant before they went to the chapel. He just doesn't care, does he! People would say what they're doing is wrong, but they're the ones who are wrong. What those two have is no different than what we have. It's just a different type of love. What do you think?"

 

"I'm with you all the way. Want a bet with me now that when they get here, Aleric will go and play on the games console and Gareth will ask you if you fancy a peach Schnapps?"

 

Ralf chuckles.

 

They reach us, and Aleric asks, "Where's Gotty?" I tell him. "Right, I'm going to join them."

 

"Fancy a nice peach Schnapps, Ralf?" asks Gareth.

 

Ralf looks at me and I look at him, and we both giggle.

 

To be continued...

 

You can find my other stories on Nifty here. If you wish to comment on this or any of my other stories, just drop me a line to john.thestoryteller@gmail.com Genuine comments will be appreciated. All flames will be extinguished in the trash bin.