Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2015 16:27:56 -0500 From: Eff Del Subject: flights of angels-chapter 30 Flights of Angels-Chapter 30 By Eff Del At times, we are told that it is important to know when something has reached an end. On the surface, this sounds like logical and sage advice because as we look back, the closing of opened doors, the finishing of projects; whatever we choose to reflect upon are simply moments we have lived and that are now in our past. On the other hand, there are no real endings in life. The moments, the thoughts and the events actually draw into and against each other like pools of spilled liquid that cannot really be contained or containerized. The things we label as `beginnings' or `endings' are in reality, not very different at all. In a true sense, they are actually the same thing presented or perceived differently. There are no real endings. It's just the place where we stop telling the story. I was sitting in my study reviewing my Christmas list and checking off those things that I still needed to accomplish. After having been oblivious to the holiday for three years, I was determined to do it right this year. I wanted my presents not to be lavish, but to be thoughtful... in hopes that the sentiment behind them would be understood, and appreciated. The temptation to go overboard with the boys was almost overwhelming but I was fighting hard not you yield. I was hoping that somehow this could be a holiday filled with joy, love and understanding. For Sean, I'd already obtained several voluminous books on piloting that Captain Lucas had recommended, A Rolex Oyster perpetual Explorer wristwatch like mine, and a pair of skis. My Doctor had told me the cast could probably come off near the end of January so I'd already made certain that my chalet in Breckenridge would be fully staffed and ready. One of the gifts I was giving the boys and Chris was a two-week skiing vacation in Colorado just as soon as my cast was off and I could participate. I'd also had a pendant crafted for him that in form and structure was very similar to the emerald pendant I'd given Jack that long ago night in Houston. Though the chains were almost identical, the pendant portion of Sean's was a skillfully crafted token of half black sapphire and half turquoise; to match his hair and eyes. The jeweler was a master at his craft and the two bits of gemstone were perfectly joined into a `yin yang' configuration almost as if they were one stone. I'd privately opened the box several times since it was delivered and it was so beautiful, I couldn't wait to see him wearing it. I could close my eyes and imagine him clad in this and his gold `noli timere' necklace from Doc Swaim and nothing else. My dick got hard just thinking about it. I marveled that my passion for the little boy got stronger every day and I wondered what my life might be like if I hadn't brought him home. To my surprise, I also realized that it hadn't been a full year yet. My God, how such a short space of time could change an entire life so quickly. There would have of course be many other presents; clothing, sports equipment, books and video games. For Jack, I'd consulted with Andy and purchased him a Beretta 471 Silver Hawk shot gun just like mine. Despite my temptation to do otherwise, Andy had advised me to refrain from getting Sean a similar gun until he was at least fifteen years old. I never second-guessed Andy when it came to shotguns. Jack was also receiving an identical Rolex...I knew the boys wouldn't care or be the least bit impressed with the value of these watches I just hoped they'd like them because they were the same as mine. They would grow to appreciate them for what they were. All of my key employees wore similar watches and Chris, Richard, Barry and Daniel would receive theirs this holiday as well. Jack would also receive an oak handled silver-tip badger shaving brush along with a custom soap mug bearing his new initials. I planned to speak with him about his choice of razor and (hopefully) induct him into the fellowship of the joy of shaving the pleasant old fashioned way. I of course was assuming that at sixteen, he was shaving. Jack of course, was also getting a set of skis. I'd take both boys to Greenwolds after the holiday to get them outfitted in clothing and other gear for the slopes. Doc Swaim had already gifted Jack with a gold `noli timere' necklace identical to the ones he'd given to Sean and me and I was contemplating if some other piece of jewelry might be appropriate. I had an idea, but, I put it aside thinking it might be better suited for the New Year. Young boys didn't need to be overburdened with jewelery. Like Sean, there would be many other presents under the tree for Jack. For Martha I'd located and purchased three extremely rare Royal Daulton figurines to add to her already wonderful collection. For John, a three-week Honeymoon package to a private island in the south pacific...yep, the same place that Chang and Proctor Nick were now working as groundskeeper but, he didn't know them and they didn't know him and this place was over the top luxurious. I'd also managed to obtain one of only thirteen known in the world Balabushka LTD 3 pool cues with ebony points and four-color inlays. I fully expected that he might piss his pants when he opened the box. Richard was a problem but I settled upon a rare set of Merle Seguin handmade sheath knives. Seguin (now sadly deceased) was a custom knife maker from Alaska. Little known to the public, his blades were revered by knife collectors around the world. Richard would recognize them for what they were. I owned one and now Richard would own two. The list of course went on to include Chris, Barry, Doc Swaim and Jenny. There was also Uncle Phil, and Andy and of course, Ricky and Mandy as well as Doctor Scott and the erasable Commodore, though these latter wouldn't be with us to celebrate the holiday. I was happy to see how many I'd checked off my list and noted that I still had lots of time. After three years of drunken neglect, I'd decided that every one of my employees from top to bottom would receive a Christmas bonus of 50% of their yearly salary. It was about time that I showed my appreciation for everything that they'd done and still did. On a sudden inspiration, I decided to buy Sean a new Martin D-28 and Jack a new high end violin so that when we traveled, their older much more valuable instruments could stay safely at home. I decided that this wasn't an extravagance since the instruments they used at home were so valuable (especially the violin) and yet when we traveled, I like the idea of having their wonderful music available and so, high end instruments seemed almost like a gift I was giving to myself. I decided to trust Daniel with that task, since I suspected he knew a lot more about music than just playing the flute. In fact, I suspected that Daniel knew a great deal about many divergent things. He wasn't Walter, but I liked him and already was becoming comfortable with him. I stood up and for some reason, danced around a bit. I was feeling like Scrooge at the end of the old and wonderful Alastair Sim version of the Dickens classic story that more or less had invented Christmas for us all. Satisfied with my work thus far, I got up and went looking for the boys. ****************** There was no soccer practice today and so, I knew that I'd find them at the indoor pool. All three of them were certainly part fish and they spent every opportunity in the water. I knew that Gary was up at Fish Camp meeting with Doc Swaim. The two of them had struck up a very close relationship and I knew that Gary enjoyed the Professor's sage but always gently offered counsel. Despite his happiness, it was obvious that Gary was still struggling with his new physical and emotional relationship with his boy. Gary had spent his entire life in a strictly "straight" environment and so, to now suddenly find himself in a loving and sexual relationship with a teenaged boy was still emotionally difficult. Doc was the best person to help him move comfortably into this new situation...helping him shrug off all the bullshit baggage of guilt and shame and to embrace the joy of it all. Sean was diving from the high board as I entered the area. I arrived just in time to watch him tip the edge of the board, tuck in and do a double summersault before straightening out and cutting into the water with barely a splash. Chris had obviously been working with him because the dive was almost perfect. Certainly the fact that he was naked would have added several points to my scorecard had I been a judge in a competition. It never ceased to amaze me how graceful and fluid that little boy moved...whatever he was doing. They noticed me and I was greeted with "hey Dad" and "Hi Mr. Tucker" and they all three swam to my side of the pool. "Guys, I thought that we might have a Christmas party for your friends and also so they could get to meet Bobby. How does that sound?" ""Would it just be an overnight thing Dad? `Because, I'd like to invite Amanda." Jack said. "Well, yes it would Jack because most of your friends live a good bit away from us but, Amanda could have her own room or I could have John drive her home. You don't have to invite everyone you know, just whoever you'd like to." Later, the guest list the boys presented to me turned out to be surprisingly small. They'd both agreed upon it and it consisted of; Amanda, Rico, Charlie, Mike and Spider. After the invitations had been presented, it turned out that Amanda could come but needed to be home by eleven, and the boys would all spend the night. *************** Charlie had been to the house and around me enough that he was comfortable being his cheeky little self. I could never get out of my first impression that he belonged naked in the forest sitting on a mushroom...a perfect little elf. Everyone who met Charlie just loved him. It was impossible not to. Rico was a confident young man and, since we knew each other, he had no problem being at ease. I noticed that he was becoming a more beautiful boy every time I saw him. When he and Sean were together, they were a stunning couple. Mike, as one of the `Samurai' was quite comfortable in the house and around me as well. He was about as tall as Sean but more slender. His muddy blond hair and dark lashes provided eye-candy as he grinned and sassed his way around. Tall lanky Spider was very diffident at first and I'm certain since it was his first visit; overwhelmed but, just as he displayed in the goal net, he had an inborne confidence and he certainly wasn't timid. Amanda turned out to be a startlingly beautiful little thing with raven black hair and onyx black eyes. She was about five foot eight inches tall and willow thin. I loved her the moment I saw her. My boys and Bobbie already knew that swimming tonight would be bathing suits only. Aside from that though, I noticed that Amanda could give as good as she got and, they all seemed to get along very well. We gathered in the solarium. I'd had furniture moved in to make the room comfortable and enticing for sociability. There was a `conversation grouping' of sofa, love seat and ottomans in front of the fireplace and of course a warm roaring fire was blazing. Chris and I lingered in the room for a while in an attempt to provide some `old guy' credence to the gathering but it was soon evident that we were really third wheels and so, we excused ourselves telling the young folk that we'd see them later at dinner. Daniel smiled at us as we left the room, even having the gall to whisper; "I could have told you so." Before he skillfully waded into the room, attending to the young people's drinks and snacks. I sighed because I was missing Walter but also realized that I had a new staff that was far beyond competent. I knew that someday Walter would become a warm memory, but I wasn't there yet. ************* We had the table in the dining room down to its smallest configuration, but it was still huge. The samurai guys giggled as Spider and Amanda walked into the dining room pretty much overwhelmed. Gary, Bobby, Chris and Doc Swaim joined us for dinner and the table still seemed immense. Martha had prepared a pork roast with broiled potatoes, long green beans and of course, sauerkraut. As the platters were placed before them, the young ones' faces lit up with pleasure...they knew something good when they smelled and saw it. Sean turned to Martha who was sitting next to me and bestowed a gleaming `Sean smile' upon her instantly communicating his love, pleasure and gratitude. Marthat waved a hand casually at the boy and blushed as red as only Martha can blush. Except for Spider and Amanda, the rest of the crowd already knew of Martha's legendary cooking. I was personally delighted as the conversation crossed the table. It was interesting, intelligent and for the most part funny. Spider turned out to be a very clever and humorous kid once he'd relaxed and Amanda just amazed me with her maturity and cleverness. She was certainly not intimidated at being the only female guest, and she most definitely was used to young boy nonsense. On several occasions, she actually made me giggle by her self-confidence as the only hen in a flock of roosters. I smiled secretly as I noticed that Jack had somehow arranged to sit between Amanda and Charlie. His affection for them both was obvious to me if not to everyone sitting at the table. Poor kid, it must be tough to be so young and discover that you're playing for both teams. I was hoping that there would be music after dinner, but, Amanda stood up and proposed that we play `Charades". This surprised me because I didn't think that young people knew anything about that old parlor game. Once again I was proven wrong as they all embraced that idea with youthful enthusiasm. Since there were eleven of us, Doc Swaim agreed to be the `master of ceremonies". He took about fifteen minutes to write down the challenges on small slips of paper and presided over the correct conduct of the game. Through luck of the draw, Gary, Chris, Spider and I were one team. Once the game got started, it was very evident that Spider was as sharp as a tack and the way he threw himself into the game was a hoot. Very soon, Gary, Chris and I were pawing him in genial loud laughter as he turned the game into a comedic tour de force. All too soon, Amanda said that she had to go... even though she didn't want to. "I'll drive you home `Manda." Jack had jumped up from the couch. "No offense Jack, because I know that you are a wonderful and well trained driver, but, considering the hour, I think Amanda's parents would feel more comfortable if John drove her home. He's already waiting out back, why don't you walk her out to the car?" Once Amanda had left, the boys all gathered in the game room and while they played team nine ball, a couple of them tried to figure out the game of billiards on that table. I made a mental note to teach Sean and Jack so that they could instruct their friends. Billiards was an entirely different game from pool but certainly as challenging and once understood, just as much fun. "Now boys," I interjected in my role as the responsible adult, "I have bedrooms assigned for each of you but if you'd rather, I'll have air mattresses set up in the solarium so that you can spend the night together." They all enthusiastically chose the solarium. Daniel quickly and efficiently moved off to have the room converted to a `campground'. Suddenly Sean was at my side and I knew that `something' was coming. "Dad...now that `Manda is gone, could us guys maybe swim for a while you know...skinny swimmin'?" I looked down into those almost turquoise eyes and I knew that I couldn't deny him anything. I also suspected that he knew that very well. "OK Sean, here's the deal; it's ten thirty so you've got a half an hour to swim and then, it's time for bed so...you guys better get going." There was a massive shout of pleasure as they all ran down the hall towards the pool. Doc Swaim had excused himself after dinner and carted back to Fish Camp. Gary, Chris and I entered the pool area assaulted by hoots of laughter from a group of naked happy boys. Though this was Spider's first time with us, he either knew about our private tradition or just didn't have any modesty. I suspected that both were true because he was standing at the diving board laughing and unassuming as the other boys. `Where were kids like that when I was struggling with my sexuality at their age?' I wondered to myself. Chris couldn't constrain himself and was naked before Gary and I even realized what was going on. With a giant splash, Chris had cannonballed into the center of the boys and was soon roughhousing with them. I thought to myself;' I'm counting on him to be part of the future of the `Great Game' but, he's really still just a kid himself...perhaps that's why I'm beginning to love him.' Gary and I didn't join in the frolic; instead, we sat on deck chairs enjoying the view of young bodies...especially wonderful asses, cocks and balls. All the while sipping a tumbler of Glen Fiddich poured from a bottle... I always made certain there was in a cabinet in the pool area. I was growing very comfortable with Gary's company. He was old enough to be an almost father like figure but innocent and confused enough to be like a brother...he was becoming a friend and I suddenly realized that outside of my close staff, I had very few real friends. We both enjoyed the view as five wonderful young butts jiggled their way to the showers. ********************************* Bobby had chosen not to spend the night in the solarium but rather, to go upstairs. I smiled when he announced his choice because, shortly after, Gary bid us all a goodnight and followed the boy upstairs. Their physical relationship was still new and very special. I envied them the excitement of the newness even though I was actually going through the same situation; Gary was exploring an entirely new sexual orientation. It must be fun while at the same time being confusing. The one thing that was certain, was their shared love for each other. It was gratifying to watch. The solarium was (once again), turned into a campground and I bid the boys a good night. Chris and I walked down to my study because I knew that the boys would need time to settle down. As we sat sipping our drinks, Chris leaned forward and placed a hand on my knee. "Eric, I'll spend the rest of my life being sorry for what happened but I need for you to know that I love you and I'm dedicated to you and that I'll n-n-never let you down." Suddenly he was sobbing uncontrollably. "Chris, this sobbing is weak shit and I don't want to hear it. You are not here to be my lover; you are here to be a key player in Magnus Veritas. You promised me that you were capable of doing that. Did you lie to me?" He raised his face to mine and whispered; "N-No Eric it's j-just..." "I don't want to hear about `just' Chris. So... you let Tip fuck you...that's not the end of everything. Our plans and our future remain unchanged. I've forgiven you because there's nothing to really forgive. You had sex with an attractive young man and that's a natural and wonderful thing. We had no promise of exclusivity and frankly Chris, you'll never get that from me...so, I certainly didn't expect that from you. Sex is sex and love is love and Chris, they're not the same thing. I need you to focus on your job and the future. Our relationship will develop as it's destined to and as I told you from the beginning, I don't know what that will be but , you weren't brought here for that. You know what you were brought here for. Are you capable of doing that job?" There were still tears in his eyes but he nodded his head in agreement. "So then, have you invited your mother and Aunt Rita down for the holidays?" "Would that be OK Eric?" "Of course that would be OK you jackass. Most of my staff have no family. We're sort of our own family, but you, do and they should come down and share the holidays with you. You set up the dates and I'll have my plane available. Maybe, you'd like to fly up and join them for the flight down. John will meet you with the limo...you know...really fly the flag for them eh?" "That would be great Eric...I'm just so-o-o-" "Stop this grateful shit right now Chris! This is what you've signed on for." I stood up and reached out my hand to pull him to his feet. "Let's go check on the campers and then...well, it's too late for you to cart back to the condo isn't it?" His grin was priceless. ************** Before we got to the door, it was evident by the sounds that there was some nasty little boy sexiness going on in the solarium. The grunts and moans and sighs and hisses were clear evidence that something was happening in the room. As always, it was dark with just a subtle orange light. I felt a bit guilty but, Chris and I stepped through the door. They were all clearly visible in the soft light and they were all actively engaged in sex. Jack was slowly fucking little Charlie who was on his knees moaning softly. Sean was energetically sucking Rico's cock. The dark haired boy lay on his back with his legs splayed wide. Mike and Spider were off near the windows engaged in an active 69. "Whew" Chris whispered in my ear. "I agree." I whispered back. "Did you know this was going to go on?" "I sort of had an idea. What say we go upstairs and get into our own bit of trouble?" Chris leaned in and kissed me and we headed down to the elevator. ******** A holiday! A holiday! And when you have family and friends, what better holiday than Christmas? We'd spent Christmas Eve rather quietly. Martha had prepared a traditional fish dinner...not the whole `seven fishes' dinner from some cultures but a rather simple fillet of soul with boiled potatoes and angel hair pasta tossed with broiled garlic and olive oil. After eating, we were all quite tired. We'd spent the day erecting our twelve foot tall Christmas tree. We'd giggled like jerks as it fell down three times before we realized that we weren't tightening the stays in the stand evenly. Once we had that figured out, the fulsome fir was quite stable and we began the process of trimming her. This was actually a new thing for Sean, Jack and Bobby because at the NEST, it turned out that the tree was a small artificial thing with no real significance. Consequentially, the boys were excited as was Bobby and the joy and hoots of laughter as they place the ornaments on the tree were just a pleasure. About three quarters of the way through, Martha came into the solarium with three small boxes in her hands. "Boys, these were meant to be Christmas presents, but I think that they're best opened now. They are something that you'll take with you through your lives and perhaps even share with your own children as you trim your own tree. In any event, as you place them on a branch, I hope many years in the future that you'll remember me." She was sniffling as she handed each boy a specific box. They looked up at her and she nodded misty eyed and almost in unison the boxes were opened. With gasps of surprise and pleasure, each boy extracted the treasure from its container. They were identical. Silver `jingle bells' but the size of a baseball and each of them were engraved with their names and the year. "Boys, this is my way of always reminding you of your first Christmas in your new families and your new lives...but mostly to remind you that this is the first year that I've come to love all three of you." In a rush, Sean, Jack and Bobby were upon her and smothering her with kisses and hugs. Tears were fluid and as bystanders, our eyes weren't dry either. Misty-eyed, we watched the boys hang their new ornaments on the tree. The rest of the day was spent `sneaking' our presents under the tree. That afternoon Sean insisted that Jack and me join him for a hike up Hawke's Hill because he wanted to spend a moment at the spot where Walter died. I choked back tears as I agreed that would be a good idea. It was winter and most of the nation was being blasted with cold and snow but here, it was in the low seventies and the sky was a brilliant blue...so blue as to almost bring tears to your eyes. It was the kind of day that made me raise my eyes to heaven and thank my great grandfather for moving the family from Chicago. ****** "Are you sure?" Jack asked. "Yep. This is where he fell and got shot but he saved me when he did it Jack...p'rolly saved you too" "I know. I loved him like he was my Grandpa and I miss him so much." They were hugging each other and from their discreet little squeaks, I knew that they were crying. Sean had brought a small evergreen wreath with red holly berries and he placed it on the stones. "We can go back now." Sean looked up at me with his blue/green eyes moist but not tearing over. I reached over, gripped his little shoulder, and squeezed it. "Walter will always love you little man. You believe that don't you?" His eyes were now brimming with unspilled tears. "Y-Yeah I k-know that but I wish..." His voice deteriorated into a series of squeaks and his back heaved, as he was wracked with sobs. "Walter saved me twice didn't he Dad? You guys never told me but he saved me that time didn't he?" He was sobbing uncontrollably as he spoke and I pulled him tightly against me and tried to hug all of the sorrow out of him. "Yes Sean, it was Walter who saved you. I'll tell you all about it when you're ready to hear it. Walter would have done anything for you...he gave up his life trying to save you that night up here. Walter loved the both of you as if you were his own flesh and blood...he considered you the grandchildren that he never had. He adored you both. His little back stopped heaving and I knew he was calming down. Jack was crying but much more under control and so, I placed a hand around him and we slowly walked down the steep path. ********* I wasn't surprised that both boys followed me into my bedroom. "Am I to suspect I'm having bedmates tonight?" I turned around as they entered my room. They stopped in their tracks for a moment taken aback by my surprising tone. Sean stood stock still with his eyes wide open and his lower lip quivering for a moment before he realized that I was joking. "Dad!" He ran to me and wrapped his arm around my torso. "You silly! It's Christmas Eve and we should spend it together as a family. We wanna be with you tonight Dad." "Ok you two. Hop into bed and I'm going to light a fire in the fireplace." As I turned my back to get the fire going, I heard the sound of clothing being shed and discarded. I knew that when I turned around there would be two naked boys waiting for me. I turned around and the room lights has already been turned down to a warm glow. The flickering light of the fire cast its glow upon the two stunning little creatures huddled together on my bed. The bigger boy was holding the younger one in an embrace as the watched me...hair black and red, eyes blue and green and skin tanned to bronze. Their smiles were all I needed for my dick to turn as hard as stone. I joined them and they shifted so that I was in between them. "You know that Santa only comes for good little boys don't you?" Jack leaned over and kissed me passionately. As he separated out lips and moved down to my nipples, I felt Sean moved between my legs...his little hands forcing them apart. "Then, I guess we'll have to be specially good tonight huh?" Jack croaked in my ear. Both boys giggled wickedly and I surrendered to their ministrations. ****************************** The solarium was like a war zone. Paper and ribbons were everywhere. I felt a bit guilty about the mess but I remembered that I was actually paying people to clean this up. All of the presents were well received but the surprise came with my gift from the boys. I had no idea how they'd pulled it off but apparently, they'd gone to Chris and he'd assured them that they could afford it and Chris had gone with them to the jeweler. It was a ring, thick and bulky like a college ring. It held a black sapphire and a red ruby fitted together and clad in gold. Engraved at the top was the year and at either side was `Sean' and `Jack'. I lost it for a moment as I pulled them both to me and hugged them sobbing silently. Chris' mother and aunt turned out to be delightful and they both insisted upon joining Martha in the kitchen. I knew that by tradition Martha was preparing a standing rib roast with Yorkshire pudding and the whole thing. The ladies apparently got along well and giggles were heard from the kitchen. Dinner was extraordinary. Once it was completed, the women joined us at the table and staff served. It was obvious that Chris' mother and Aunt were impressed and I was pleased about that...I wanted that for him. After the meal, we all went to the music room because the boys had prepared a presentation for us. The first number was a duet between Jack and Sean. It was the old carol; `Lo How a Rose ere Blooming'. As it was announced, I remembered with a shudder that this was the duet they had performed for the NEST just a year ago. It was magnificent. Their voices and their instruments blends perfectly and I was filled with joy. Barry joined on the piano, and Daniel added his very versatile flute and for about an hour, we enjoyed a private and very talented concert. ********** I wasn't surprised that they were waiting for me when I came upstairs. They stood at the side of my bed smiling. They were of course, both unabashedly naked and the sight of them once again astounded me. Jack stood tall and proud in the bloom of his burgeoning maturity. Long limbed and almost grown up cock hanging down against an almost hairless body save for the bush of red hair at the base of his pubis. Sean on the other hand, still had a little boy's cock of about three inches and still just a dusting of pubic hairs still to come. Currently, his proportions were perfect though maturity would probably effect those things a bit. They were my boys and I'd n4ever seen anything more beautiful in my entire life. "Thank you for everything Dad." Sean said as he pulled me down onto the bed. "Yeah, Thanks Sanny Clause." Jack whispered as he pulled close to me. Wrapped in glorious boy flesh, I engaged in an unmarked game of twister on my bed, reveling in the giggles and squeals as a great deal of cum was shared. ******* Soccer season ended with victories for both Sean and Jack's teams. I hosted dinner for both teams but I noticed that Jack wasn't drawn to any of his teammates closely. He was much more involved with Sean's team and particularly little Charlie. It was New Year's Eve and everyone was sipping on a drink waiting for the ball to drop. I was sitting alone reviewing the amazing past year and suspecting that nothing could ever surpass it. The apple of my eye was sitting across the room chatting with John. He had asked Sean and Jack to be groomsmen at his wedding and he'd also asked me to be his best man. We were all three overwhelmed but of course accepted happily. The wedding would take place here at Joyous Gaurde and I'd already gifted them their honeymoon. I was reflecting on the past year when I felt a tug at my sleeve. "Dad, could we go off someplace an' talk?" "Sure son." I took his hand and we walked down the hall to another unused parlor. "Dad, are we gonna stay a happy family like this alla time?" "Well, Sean. We're going to try that's for sure. We may have problems from time to time but if we really love each other, we'll work them out." But, things are changin' ain't they?" "Well, in a way they are. Next week Doctor Swaim has to go back to the University to do some stuff about his new book. Jack is going to go with him to look at the University campus because Jack will be going there in two years." "I don't like Jack leavin' us Dad." "Sean, Jack is growing up just like you are. I hate that you're growing up and I'd love to keep you as a twelve year old boy but Sean, the only little boy that I keep in my heart is Kyle. He can't grow up but you can and you will and I will be happy to watch you grow. Life is wonderful Sean. It's even more wonderful when you know that you're supported by love. I received a `Sean smile" and he danced rather than walked away... happy with my answers and happy with the world. THE END **AUTHOR NOTE** I'm leaving Joyous Gaurde in the safekeeping of your own imagination. I see Jack sailing research ships in the Antarctic and I see Sean flying planes all over the world. I see Jack with both Amanda and Charlie...sharing cabins and fucking their brains out and I see Sean flying jets while at the same time learning about Magnus Venitus. I see Sean at sixteen energetically and joyfully fucking a very willing Eric. You however most probably see other things and that is why stories end. As most of you know, this `saga' has been my first story. It has been a joyful experience not the least of which has been the input from so many of you who have shared the journey. I must thank foremost Michael Nisbett for his probing and incite full analysis of the story as it unfolded. This might have been a very different tale without him. Also, my good friend who chooses to remain behind his nom de plume...Maiocxx without your encouragement this tale would never have reached its conclusion. Thanks to everyone who took the time to write and comment. You have no idea how important that is to a beginning writer. Thanks everyone. -Eff