Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 15:01:04 EDT
From: KissAndCuddleGem@aol.com
Subject: TED AND LYLE: A LOVE STORY (INSTALLMENT 8)

This story is purely a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons
living or dead, or to events that may have occurred, is purely
coincidental.

Moreover, none of the actions of the characters in this story is presented
with the intent to condone, approve, or sanction their behavior.

If it is illegal for you to read the material in this story for any reason
whatsoever, including but not limited to you not being of legal age, or, if
the content of this story is to the best of your knowledge and belief
unlawful in your particular jurisdiction, please read no further and close
the part(s) of my story that appear onscreen immediately.

The above-expressed disclaimer also does apply to any and all installments
of this story, including those preceding and following this installment.

All questions and/or comments with regard to this story, my third story and
series for Nifty, are most welcome; and, if you wish to contact me, please
feel free to email me at: KissAndCuddleGem@AOL.COM; and I will most
definitely respond to email, as appropriate.


"When I do love, I love with all my heart.  I can only support you by
loving you.  In the end, all I have of value to give is my love.", a
still-giddy Lyle was thinking to himself as he watched Ted about to answer
the door.

"Wait, tie that robe of yours, cuz.", Lyle cautioned Ted.  An embarrassed
Ted, in response, adjusted his robe, mumbling: "Oh, yeah, right."

"Well, shall I hide in the closet?", Lyle asked, semi-humorously.

"Lyle, my dear, after all we have shared, the last thing I'd want you to do
is 'go into the closet'", Ted quipped.

Lyle began to laugh.

"Ted, you're a riot.", he chuckled.

As a nervous Ted peeked through the peephole, he was very much surprised to
see a police officer at the door.

"Is there a problem, Officer?", he questioned, now seeing the officer was
already displaying his badge, apparently anticipating being viewed.

A tall gray-haired gent responded in a husky voice: "Well, I have here a
woman with me that says she is your daughter; and that she is very worried
about your well-being.  She convinced me to come out here just to see that
you are all right."

"That is impossible, my daughter is in Arizona now, must be some prank, an
impostor I'd guess."

Then Ted heard in a familiar voice: "It's me, Dad.  Stan left me, for good
this time.  I came back to surprise you."

A stunned Ted thought to himself: "Suprise me?  This 'surprise' practically
gave me a heart attack."

Ted scrambled to unlock the multiple locks on the door; and, after the
officer ascertained that Ted, the gentleman in question, was fine, he
hastily left, saying he had to resume his evening security patrol rounds.

The expected Syd arrived at the entrance just as the officer had turned to
leave.

Lyle, who Elaine was surpised to see, took control of the situation; and
volunteered to make them all a nice pitcher of lemonade as he led all
upstairs and into the living room.

"Is Dad really okay?", Elaine piped up once the group was comfortably
seated.

A shocked Ted was gradually coming out of his daze; and muttered to Lyle:
"Hold it, Lyle, perhaps you should bring in some of that leftover apricot
brandy instead.  I have a suspicion my dear daughter hear might need
something stronger for this one."

Lyle simply smiled at Ted in response, glad to see that his cousin was
coming around.

Ironically, this is just what had been on his mind, Lyle realized: He was
still especially afraid of Ted's only sire, Elaine; and how she would react
to their coming out.  Well, he would not have much longer to find out the
latter.  As they say in the theatre: "it's showtime!"

Elaine was in some ways like one of South Florida's dreaded hurricanes.
Small but feisty, sharp and witty, and more than prepared to "pack a
punch", so to speak, when least expected, make no mistake about it: She was
definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Elaine began to bombard the two with questions, while Syd looked upon the
scene, somewhat amused by all he took in: "Well, if you are okay, Dad, why
are you in your robe at this hour?  For that matter, why is Lyle here and
in his robe at this hour?  Are you two having some type of pajama party?
Last but not least, that is a beautiful ring on your finger, Lyle,
stunningly so, I don't mean to pry, but what is its significance?"

"Please, Elaine, enough.  Lyle just barely has manage to set the tray down.
Take a sip of brandy, for starters, well, have a full glass perhaps, you
might just need it for this one."

Lyle implored: "Just tell her, Ted, tell her.  This is making me too
nervous.  Let's face it, your plan has gotten screwed up.  Syd, you were
our best friend in high school and we certainly consider you still our best
friend.  We thought that we could enlist your help to share the news with
our family and friends and help us with the party at which to do so."

"Share what news?", Elaine chimed in in a more than a bit demanding tone.

"All right, enough, I have had enough.  Elaine and...ehr...Syd, you are
both here now, so we will tell you this and you will both find out what the
story is together.  I will tell you what is going on, that is.  But not one
word from either of you till I am finished.  This is the thing: Lyle is
gay, I am gay, we are both gay; and we love one another and are in love
with one another.  'Love one another', meaning as lovers, that is.  I asked
Lyle to marry me, that ring on his finger is an engagement ring that I gave
to him as a token of my affection for him and undying love.  The "coming
out" thing was my idea, but Lyle and I are united on this and we want you
both to share in our joy along with other family and friends.  We are not
asking for your blessing per se, though it would be nice to have it, to
have it from both of you."

Syd, noticing that Elaine's coloring had drained from her cheeks, gently
took her hand in his; and said to her in a most soothing tone: "Come on,
Elaine, this must be a shock for you, but you know your dad here loves you
with all his heart.  This is not about you.  Let me go get you some water,
take a deep breath, you look really bad."

"No...ehr...no, that's okay, Syd, I knew something was up, though I never
dreamed this.  I come to you in my time of need for support, my marriage
over after all those years of stupidity sticking by the louse and taking
him back after each time he just picked up and left.  I turn to you; and
this is what you throw at me.  Plus you think I am some kind of a bigot, it
seems, I am deeply hurt."

"Elaine, that's not it at all.  Your dad wanted to tell you, I wanted to
tell you.  But your dad knew that I was not ready for the coming out, all
of these years I have been in the closet and afraid, afraid of me.  Well, I
am not afraid anymore!!", Lyle shouted, sobbing.

Elaine rised from her seated position, her impression left on the sofa
coming into view.  Once up, she threw up her hands dramatically, grabbed
her purse, and was making a beeline to head toward the door.

"Wait, wait, you are not going anywhere.", Ted dramatically stated,
blocking Elaine's path.

"No one is going anywhere, no one is.  We are all going to sit down like
civil human beings and have dinner together and talk things through.  And
do you know why?"

All of the rest of the group close to simultaneously shook their heads no.

"I will tell you why.  I have made too much food, much too much.  I can't
eat it all, Lyle can't eat enough, 'Mister Scrawny' here.  So you two will
just have to suffer along with the two of us till all of the 'evidence' is
gone."

Elaine looked to Syd.  Syd then looked to Elaine.  Lyle stared at Ted and
then looked to Elaine and Syd; and, finally, Elaine just could not contain
herself and began laughing hysterically, tears smudging her mascara on her
cheeks.

Elaine's laughter was contagious, and Lyle and Syd began laughing as well.

Finally, Syd, never one to be short of a one-liner, quipped: "You know,
Elaine, we should stay for dinner.  After all, poor Lyle here will have to
live with your dad's cooking for years to come."

"Lyle, set the table, please, before they change their minds.", Ted said,
not even waiting for Elaine's reaction.

The rest of the evening was a mixture of playful batter, witty remarks,
reminiscing about Ted and Lyle's youths, and some humorous exchanges about
how Lyle and Ted's real life experience was drawing parallels to the
musical "Le Cage aux Folles".  Towards the end of the eve, it was
abundantly clear that the two guests were indeed willing to help them with
their plans for a coming out party.

"Actually, Lyle, I must say: I do like the idea my dad came up with for a
coming out and surprise engagement party all wrapped into one.  Don't you
worry, Syd and I will work together and take care of all of the details.  I
just love parties; and Syd and I have always hit it off.  By the way, Lyle,
that idea you have about lavender and pink balloons floating aimlessly
about is just fine, but I recommend some white ones too, after all it is a
marital-related celebration.  Sticking with traditional is never a bad idea
at times."

"With some exceptions to that of course.", Ted stated, openly hugging Lyle,
his meaning more than clear.

Elaine and Syd smiled knowingly at each other, realizing that that was
certainly true; and that they were now part of something really special,
sharing in the joy of lovers finding their mutual soulmates later in life.

Lyle immediately kissed Ted; and the two shared a very prolonged kiss,
completely oblivious to their surroundings.

Elaine, keenly observing all, was finally beginning to "see" with her heart
and to see just what Ted saw in Lyle; and though she was still mourning her
mother's recent untimely passing, she could not help but be most glad that
her father has indeed been so blessed.