Date: Sat, 13 Apr 2019 14:03:17 +0100 From: Clive Westwood Subject: Life's Illusions - Book Five - Chapter 7 Relationships Please remember to donate to Nifty, it gives so much to all of us. Any amount, large or small, is welcome in order to keep this free site available. Thank you, donations to the address below. http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html Life's Illusions - Book Five - Chapter 7 It was the tenth of January, they'd said their official goodbyes three days ago, Ferdie was living at 'The Nest', Josef and Carry had been insistent, he couldn't manage on his own, he would be staying with them until he was independent again, and he was going insane remembering that last night, Jezz towering above him, impaling himself on Ferdie's rampant cock, crying out in ecstasy as Ferdie's seed filled him, then cuddling softly as they'd drifted of to a contented sleep. The second impromptu Christmas Day had been held on New Years Eve, and at exactly nine in the evening, after a supper where everyone really enjoyed themselves, Carry had announced. "Okay, Christmas is now officially over, sorry folks but something else is upon us, New Year is fast approaching, we're going to our favourite bar on the promenade, stick together or security will be having a heart attack, you have a little over one hour to get ready". It was the point where Ferdie's world was about to collapse, he knew he couldn't do this, it was too far, the physical act of walking with the jolting pain in his arms caused by by every step, but he didn't want it to end. Then Jezz was next to him. "What's that look all about?, is it doubt I see?, you don't think you can do it?, what rubbish, your chariot awaits sire". There before Ferdie was a wheelchair. "Hey, you've even got your own personal psycho driving it, so now all we need to do is get you ready, pick your handmaiden sire, choose from Josef, Juan, or Vinny". But everyone within earshot looked shocked by his reply, including a gobsmacked Jezz. "You, I choose you". It showed in Jezz's stuttered response. "Err ......... Well......... Yes ..... Okay.... If it's what you want..... Are you sure ...... I'm not so sure this is .........oh shit, I'll stop blubbering, it would be an honour". And so they'd been there in his suite, as Ferdie said. "You'll need to help me undress if we only have an hour, it takes me nearly two hours in the morning now my help has gone". Jezz had gulped. "Whatever happens, you have to understand I can't help it". Ferdie's reply actually frightened him. "Touche, bring it on, I can't wait". Jezz had gently undressed him, pulling his boxers off as Ferdie lay back across the bed to reveal a rock hard throbbing boner. Ferdie pulled himself up into a sitting position, mesmerised by the sight of Jezz stripping before him, until he was dragged from his thoughts by Jezz's voice. "Oh come on now, it's nothing new, you've seen it all before". Ferdie was surprised, he began to stutter. "I'm sorry, I......, you're ......., beautiful, ..... I ..... you don't have to do this, it was wrong of me to make you". He was even more shocked when Jezz scooped him up into his arms. "You didn't make me do it, you requested, I agreed, now we are going to shower, and then we'll dress, whatever else happens in between, we'll deal with". He'd sat on Jezz's lap in the big shower enclosure, whilst strong hands soaped his body, caressing every inch, paying particular attention to his rampant cock, until Ferdie had cried out in ecstasy, spurting his built up seed into Jezz's hand, then slumping against the muscled pecs. Jezz had giggled. "Wow, you definitely needed that, now let's get you dressed, it's time to party, there's a New Year fast approaching, with resolutions, and it's going to be a good one". They'd enjoyed a wonderful night, strolling home as a family party around three in the morning of New Year's Day. Jezz had wheeled Ferdie into his suit, helping him out of his chair he'd said. "I can help you undress if you want, or I can make myself scarce, you're probably sick of the sight of me by now". Ferdie's words were quiet, almost hushed, but they were music to Jezz's ears. "Stay, please". They both knew what that meant. From that night until January 6th, they'd hardly been apart, day and night, but then came the moment of boarding different planes, heading in opposite directions, back to a life without each other, many thousands of miles apart. It had been four days since their arrival back from Lanzarotte and Vinny was in Josef's office at Guardian. "I need to do an assessment of the Australasia systems, some of their equipment is knocking on a bit, it would be foolish to risk a complete failure because of old age". Josef was studying security plans for a major concert in the Australasia region, looking over his shoulder was what had prompted Vinny to bring the subject up, but Josef was still listening, and responding. "You know they've underspent quite substantially in this financial year?, I have no idea how Piers does it, he's always been a genius with money, but anyway take that into account, a lot of the cost for whatever you deem necessary will already be available within their budget, any extra will get automatic approval from Juan and I out of the Central Maintenance budget". Vinny was also studying the plans Josef had in front of him, and he pointed to a certain section. "That's not good, anyone gaining access through that door is far too close to the subjects, they'd also have access to the electrical master panels, why isn't that red flagged?". Josef nodded looking at him. "And right there Vinny, we have what is becoming more of a problem each day, you're not trained in risk assessment, but you easily spotted something crucial which is missed by a lot of the Assessors we currently have working the Australasia region, we desperately need to both up-skill and recruit, Milo is literally snowed under trying to monitor and supervise every security plan, it's not supposed to be his responsibility, but we can't not monitor the plans, this is a typical example of what they miss". They were both quiet for a while before Josef's hand hit the desk making Vinny jump. "I've just had a thought, Ferdie's going to be out of commission for another eight to ten weeks, take him with you, I'll speak with Piers and Milo about setting up an open recruiting workshop, Ferdie's one of our best, probably the best, he can assess the candidates, if nothing else it will stop him casting a dark cloud over our apartment for a couple of weeks". Vinny voiced a concern he knew Josef shared. "You do understand that might be a dangerous thing to do?, he may choose not to come back to Torremolinas". Josef shrugged. "An unhappy employee is of no use to me, I'd rather he was happily with us in Sydney, than unhappily with us in Torremolinas, it's a risk I'm prepared to take, and before you say it, yes I know Gracie will want to go too, in all fairness she's pulled her socks up, done what you demanded she do, but that's your decision, no one is going to get involved in that battle for fear of being blamed if it backfires". Vinny smiled. "It's not my decision, I handed Gracie off to Paulette when I brought her back, I promised Carte Blanche decision making on all matters relating to Gracie, I wouldn't go back on that promise, it's not me that's changed Gracie's behaviour, it's Paulette, she's done a marvellous job, but I also know she spent a lot of time talking to my Poppas over the holidays, so I know first hand how angry it made her when she learned exactly what Gracie had put them through these last few years, I'd not be taking bets on how a request from Gracie to be allowed to go home would be received right now". Josef enjoyed the time he got to spend with Vinny, which still surprised him, given the shaky start they'd had. "Your wife, my daughter, is a carbon copy of her mother, as soft, warm, and caring as they come, until rattled, then you get to watch as they transform into armour plated terrors, and it's woe betide any fool who messes with them or gets in their way, Paulette would do anything to protect you, her mother and I found that out first hand remember, Gracie's downfall was inevitable once Paulette saw how much it hurt you to witness the pain she was putting your Poppas through". Vinny broached the subject after dinner that evening, having already brought up the possibility of a trip to Sydney with Paulette earlier. "Ferdie how would you fancy a trip to Sydney, I have some serious assessment, upgrade, and maintenance to carry out, but Jo had an idea for putting a recruitment workshop together while I'm there to gather some good quality Assessors, you'd be the natural choice to sound them out, pick the best". Ferdie's eyes lit up, everyone could see him bubbling, then to their surprise, his expression changed, it was as if someone suddenly turned the light off. "Thanks, but I'm good here right now". He then slowly pulled himself up from his chair and walked to his room, leaving all of them stunned. It was Carry who broke silence. "Well that was a surprise, I'd have bet good money on him jumping at the chance to see Jezz". It was Gracie who enlightened them. "He hasn't heard anything from Jezz since his return, he thinks maybe for Jezz it started out as sympathy, then it turned into a fling which is over". In Sydney it was around six thirty in the evening, Piers and Milo were discussing Josef's proposal for a recruitment workshop and Milo was all for it. "I understand why he's wanting it, we seriously lack the right level of expertise to operate without supervision, I'm so backlogged I'm having to request Josef's, Juan's, and Rick's help on more projects every month, I can't keep up without their help, most months I'm completely swamped and exhausted". Piers understood as well. "It wouldn't be so bad if I were able to help out but I'm just not good at it, all of the logistical and purchasing work I can do with my eyes closed, but risk assessment has never been my forte". Milo came up behind him giving him a hug. "Nor would I want it to be my love, you do an amazing job supplying manpower, machinery, and finance for every project, very few could run an operation as slickly as you do, what you do is an art form all of its own so don't knock it". Piers changed the subject. "When Jezz gets here see if you can find out what's bugging him, I was chatting with Baz today, he reckons Jezz is on a real downer for some reason, a few of his colleagues and staff have mentioned it to Baz". Milo was about to reply when they heard the entrance door on the upper level open then close, signalling Jezz's arrival. They both looked up to the entrance level balcony which gave a view out toward Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the world famous Opera House, expecting their boy to follow his usual pattern where his smiling face would look down at them, then he'd wave his hello before scampering down the staircase to greet them in the lounge. But there was no smiling face leaning over the balcony, nor any scampering feet on the stairs, both were looking toward him as he slowly came into view at the bottom of the staircase, and Milo spoke. "Well that's a different style of entrance, who or what has put you into a bad mood?". Neither expected the response which was almost spit out. "I wish everyone would just get off my case, I thought you invited me over for dinner not a lecture, if that's all this is about, I'll skip dinner thanks". Milo was surprised, but looking at Piers he knew what was coming. "So there is something wrong, but that doesn't give you cause to disrespect your Poppa Milo, now sit down and spill, I want to know what's eating at you". Instead of sitting Jezz turned about and headed for the staircase, replying as he walked. "Like I said, I'm in no mood to be lectured, enjoy your dinner, I'll pick something up on the way home". His foot was hardly on the first step when Milo barked out. "Walk out of that door now and it will be a long time before you earn an invitation to come back through it". Jezz stopped dead in his tracks, turning to look first at his Poppa Milo, then he addressed his Poppa Piers. "And you, is that your wish too, that I never again cross your threshold?". Piers didn't answer, he couldn't, he wanted desperately to support Milo, but the thought of banishing Jezz was just too alien a thought. He realised both Milo and Jezz were staring intently at him, so he turned his back on them, which gave Jezz cause to believe his Poppas were united, he turned and started up the staircase, looking down as he said. "I won't darken your doorstep ever again, after all, I was only some reject you took pity on, so no loss there". Piers was turned away, but Milo could see the tears in Jezz's eyes. They clearly heard the main door open and slam as it closed behind Jezz, at that moment Piers sank in tears into an armchair. Milo tried to comfort him, but he was pushed forcibly off as Piers raged. "Why the hell did you do that, we've lost him, that was just stupid posturing?". But Milo was angry now, mostly with himself, but he wanted to hit out. "You had the chance to change what I said, but you chose to turn away, so don't lay the blame entirely at my door". Piers retort further enraged Milo. "And that's another thing, it's not your fucking door, something you seem to conveniently forget whenever you want to issue a threat, it's our door, it wasn't your decision to make alone". Milo was now bright red in the face. "Well I'll tell you what, let's make it your fucking door, I'll go back to something which once was mine, and will be again, then I'll have my own fucking door, I'm sorry I get it so wrong so often, it should please you to be free of me". Milo's face was bright red with anger as he started to march purposely up the staircase. Piers watched him in shock, unable to speak, his Milo was leaving. But Milo didn't get to the top of the staircase, he only got half way before an excruciating pain started in his left arm and chest, he collapsed immediately, gasping in pain and sliding back several steps. Piers screamed at the same time as his cell started beeping an alarm, and he sprang into action. He was up the staircase to the unconscious Milo in seconds, frantically hitting keys on his cell. "This is Aus Two declaring an emergency, Aus One is down, I think it's a heart attack, he's unconscious, we need urgent medical help at the house". Piers snapped his cell shut then checked that Milo was breathing before bolting up to the top of the staircase and wedging the entrance door open. Running back down to where Milo lay he could already hear the wail of a siren in the distance. Jezz had sat for several long minutes in the driveway to his parents house, hardly able to believe what had just happened. He'd started the car and pulled out of the driveway as an EMT Bike screamed up the road behind him with lights flashing. Natural instinct told him to pull in, ensuring the EMT Biker had plenty of room to pass, but it didn't pass him, it turned into the driveway he'd just exited, his Poppas house. He'd jumped out, leaving the engine still running, he flew towards the driveway, hearing the ambulance approaching. Inside the house he looked down and saw the Paramedic, halfway down the staircase working on his Poppa Milo, his Poppa Piers below them, with tears flooding his face. "Poppa, is he going to be okay?". But Piers couldn't answer, it was the Paramedic who shouted up to Jezz. "Direct the ambulance crew down here, we need him in a hospital asap, it's a heart attack". Jezz flew back out to the end of the driveway, waving his arms frantically to bring the ambulance in from the road. It all became a blur for Piers and Jezz as Milo was loaded speedily into the ambulance and in what seemed like only moments they were in Jezz's car following the ambulance to the hospital. Jezz called Baz on the way and through tears told his brother the news, as they were talking he could hear Baz running and shouting that he would meet them there. In Torremolinas it was seven thirty in the morning, breakfast was being served when an alarm on Josef's cell caused him to jump up, his chair fell backwards as he ran for his office. Carry, Vinny and Paulette knew the alarm sound was specific to Management, and the continuing sound meant it was serious, all three followed Josef into his office as he grabbed a headset and punched buttons on his console. "Guardian One, who, and what, is it?". He'd pulled of his headset and punched the loudspeaker button when he realised the others were behind him. Gracie hadn't run, but she did want to know what was going on, she ambled through the door into the office as the Guardian Controllers voice announced. "Wristwatch alarm, It's Aus One, most likely a heart attack, vitals indicated it's pretty serious, Medics are en route, should be a few seconds away, I'm patching the feed through to you now". They heard the sounds of a siren as it slowed and stopped, then the sound of feet running and entering into a building and descending stairs, they clearly heard Piers shout to indicate where Milo was. Carry heard sobbing and realised Gracie was stood in the doorway, she reached out, pulling her into her arms. They listened as Jezz shouted to his Poppa, and heard the Paramedic direct Jezz to wave the ambulance in from the road. The Guardian Controler interrupted to advise. "Guardian Two and Three are patched in now, Guardian Two wants a link as soon as Aus One is confirmed stable". Josef didn't reply, there was no need, but he did turn to Carry. "Alert the Pilots, were going to be in the air soon". As soon as they confirmed Milo was stable and on his way to the hospital Josef spoke to the Controller. "Patch Guardian Two and Three in now please". It was no more than seconds before he heard both Juan and Rick on the line, Josef didn't give them time to speak. "Bro, we'll be airborne in about thirty minutes, pick you up at Madrid, Rick you have the helm". There was no discussion and Josef cut the call. Turning he saw Vinny behind him with a tear stained face. "Chin up lad, he's a fighter, the last time he was actually dead when they got him to an ambulance, this should be a walk in the park for Milo, take care of your sister and be ready to leave in ten minutes". Josef was still in his pyjamas and dressing gown, he headed to his and Carry's suite where he found his clothes laid out and Carry stuffing clothes into bags, she was moving like a whirlwind. "Just concentrate on dressing Lover, I've got the essentials packed". Exactly ten minutes later they were heading to the FBO offices at Malaga Airport. Surprisingly, Ferdie was with them, there'd been no explanation, no negotiation, as Josef had reentered the lounge he found Ferdie waiting with a bag, he'd simply stated. "I'm going with you, I'll head down to the garage now and send the elevator back up, it takes me a bit longer, can you ask someone to bring my bag, or leave it, it hurts too much to carry it?". Then he was gone. On the way to the airport Carry called first to Aly and Bo in Montclair, her heart breaking as she described the events, and heard them crying, she explained that a private jet was ready and waiting for them if they wanted to follow on, which Bo assured her they would be doing. Her second call was to her PA, informing her to put out a message to the wider family. It pains me to have to inform you of a family emergency. Our dear Milo suffered what appeared to be a serious heart attack at their family home in Sydney only a short time ago. We're in the air as you receive this message heading for Sydney, call if you need reassurance, I'll update everyone as soon as I have further news. In Orange, only a couple of hundred miles from Sydney, Dale received the message and started to cry. Fleur and the children were shocked, they'd immediately swamped him with hugs and questions, through his tears he'd answered. "It's Milo, he's had a heart attack, I need to go, Piers will need help". Fleur was on the ball immediately. "Pack bags guys, we're going to Sydney pronto, we leave in fifteen minutes, chop, chop, Dale, this family is on the move". Her authoritarian approach brought Dale out of his funk. "You don't mind the disruption?". She smiled through tears. "Are you kidding, those guys are as important to me as they are to you, I'm no fool, I know their influence is a big part of why you and I are together, how they counselled you in the early days, I loved them before, but what they gave us, that earned them each a pedestal, now move those cute little buns buster". It worked, Dale grabbed her. "You still like the cute little buns then?". Baz parked at The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and literally ran inside. It took him only a few minutes to locate his Poppa and brother in a private waiting room. "How is he, have you heard any news?". Piers stood up to hug him as Baz cried". "No nothing yet, they took him straight into theatre, but the Paramedics did tell us he came round in the ambulance on the way here so we know he's alive, now calm down". But Baz still had questions. "What brought it on, he must have been stressed, if it's the job you both need to step down, we need you". Piers was about to answer when Jezz burst into another bout of tears and said something that made Baz see red. "It was me, I argued with them, he was chasing after me". Baz immediately flew off the handle at his brother. "You did this, are you fucking mad, why?, I so want to fucking hurt you right now, I swear I don't know you this last week, you've been throwing barbs at just about everyone for no reason". Jezz tried to answer his brother, but both of them stopped dead when Piers spoke. "Both of you shut up, we argued, he wasn't chasing after you Jezz, he was leaving me when it happened, it was my fault". Piers dropped down sobbing into a chair, both of his sons were left staring at him, until Baz broke the stalemate, he dropped into the chair next to his Poppa pulling him into a hug. "Oh yeh, like you two could exist without each other, it was a spat Poppa, that's all, now let's stop with the recriminations and concentrate on positive thoughts". He'd looked up to his brother, Jezz was just standing there crying when Baz said. "Down here dickhead, group hug, we're a family". That's how Dale and Fleur found them, hugging and sobbing. It was only about half an hour after Dale and Fleur arrived that a Doctor came to speak with Piers. "He's going to be okay, we've fitted stents into several blocked arteries, but, and this is critical information, he did some serious damage to his heart, damage to the main pumping chamber that won't repair, it will never be as strong as it was, he'll tire easily, get out of breath, and most crucially, he'll be susceptible to another attack if he doesn't heed this as a very serious red warning, I'll send a nurse to get you Piers, just as soon as we have him comfortable in his room". They were all left staring after the Doctor as he left them. Then the questions started from Dale and Fleur as Piers said. "I can't go in there, he won't want me, Baz, you go". Dale was puzzled, but Fleur launched in. "Okay, what exactly are we not understanding here?". Piers answer, through his tears, completely threw her, and Dale. "He was leaving me when it happened". But Jezz's response had them even more confused. "No he wasn't, he was chasing after me, I argued with them, I caused it, he'd never leave you, just like he'd never stop me from entering your house, it's all my fault because I fell in love with Ferdie and I didn't have the balls to tell him how I felt, I'm a fuckup". Fleur just looked astonished. "Okay, well that's about as clear as mud, so let's get this right, before I wet myself laughing, Milo was leaving you Piers, I've got that right have I?, because I'm sorry, that scenario is only possible in some seriously weird parallel universe, Milo worships you, he has since the very first day you met in the gardens of Chateau Montclair, every sane person on this earth knows that, so how come you don't Piers, you bloody idiot, now let's discuss what is actually going to happen, and remember, I'm channelling Roslyn here, you will go into that room Piers, if it takes me dragging you kicking and screaming to achieve it, do I make myself clear?". They were all looking open mouthed as Piers nodded his agreement, and Fleur responded. "Good, I always wanted to be Roslyn, now I see how easy it is". The door opened and a nurse beckoned to Piers. He found himself suddenly outside Milo's room and the nurse left him. Pushing the door open slowly he saw him, his Milo, alive, laid back against the pillows. As Piers slipped nervously into the room Milo turned towards him, and Piers froze, until he spoke. "You idiot, you actually believed me, come here my love, get into these arms where you belong, because if you're not in them I don't have any reason to go on". Piers did as he'd been told, and he couldn't talk for his sobbing, but Milo could. "I'm sorry Piers, I don't know what came over me, I knew I'd done wrong, I just didn't know how to get out of it, then you started in on me and I just wanted to escape, but all those things I said to you, they're not true, I love you, I can't exist without you, tell me you forgive me please?". Piers at last found his voice. "I love you Milo, and as Fleur reminded me, I knew that a long, long, time ago, in some gardens a very long way from here, that's never changed and it never will, but tonight, I was really frightened, at first I thought you were going to leave me, then it got worse, I thought I was going to lose you for ever, don't do that to me Milo, you're my world". And they hugged sobbing until Piers said. There's someone else who needs to speak with you, and he's hurting as much as I am, can I send him in?". Milo smiled. "Yes Piers, send our boy in". Piers returned to the waiting room and looked directly at Jezz. "He's asking for you, don't be afraid, he just wants to know you still love him". Jezz almost ran to his Poppas room. He actually burst through the door to be drawn into his Poppas arms. "I'm sorry Poppa, I'm so sorry, I love you". Milo was crying along with Jezz but he still found his voice. "And so you should be sorry child, a reject?, what was that all about?, you're no reject, you're our chosen son, and don't you ever forget it, we picked you, we love you, and we always will, but tell me now, what was that all about?, tell me honestly, it wasn't like you so trust me, I know there's something eating at you". Jezz's reply was so quiet Milo had to really strain to hear it. "I fell in love, but I think I was a fool, it doesn't look like he feels the same". Milo got it instantly. "Would this be Ferdie we're talking about?". Jezz just nodded. But his Poppas reply both surprised, and gave him hope. "So, what do you think is the reason that he's in the air heading here right now, do you reckon it's because he likes me so much he can't stay away, or could it possibly be the fact that he's worried about how you're coping?". Jezz looked genuinely surprised. "He's on the way here, really?". Milo smiled. "Yes, so don't fuck it up this time, talk to him, tell him how you feel, he still might not be the right one, but you can't go through life hiding your feelings, playing it safe, sometimes you just have to trust your instincts, lay your heart out". Josef's plane landed into Sydney around ten o'clock the following night, too late for general visiting at the hospital, but he'd requested two cars, one would take most of the party to Piers and Milo's house, the other would take Vinny straight to the hospital for a brief visit with his Poppa. Gaining entry to Milo's room at that time was no easy feat, but finally they relented, and only on the condition, if Milo was asleep, he wasn't to be woken. It didn't matter, Milo was awake, staring at the ceiling when Vinny slipped into his room. "I knew you'd come, whatever the time, I told them you would, I'm okay son, it was scary, but I guess I was lucky". Vinny dragged him into a hug. "Oh Poppa, I was so scared, and so far away, it's a horrible feeling to be so useless, I can relax a little now I've seen for myself, I'll go now, you rest, I'll be back in the morning, I love you Poppa". At the house Piers, Baz, and Jezz welcomed the visitors, though Jezz seemed only interested in helping Ferdie, taking charge of his bag, leading him to his room, where he took a deep breath and announced. "I think I fell in love with you, but I haven't heard anything from you since you left Lanzarote, it's driving me crazy". Ferdie's smile puzzled Jezz, until he answered. "It's true I haven't contacted you, but then, surely that's a two way street, you haven't tried to contact me, and now I need to ask why I'm messing up this room instead of being accommodated in your room?, because, as regards being in love, I don't think I fell in love with you, I know I did". Jez was staring, mouth open, until Ferdie leaned in and planted his lips over the opening. TBC Allan Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com. Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.