Before I start writing I wanted to reach out to everyone who contacted me and thanked me for the story so far. The encouragement to continue was also there, and whilst I am working long hours, and travelling a lot for work, I wanted to give what I could to the story and see where it goes. It characters have become like friends and family, and they are now a part of me, so sit back, pour yourself a drink as we continue on the Journey of the Von Garbners, their family, their lovers and their friends.
Chapter 133
It had been 3 months now since we had returned from America and so much, yet so little had changed. Being back in Sydney gave us comfort and a sense of familiarity we'd not experienced in over the 18months since our rollercoaster had begun. Yes there were some down sides, but over all the positive reaction to us was well received and in most cases we could lead a fairly normal life.
Jackson was busy on the rebuild next door and had purchased a few houses in the area that he wanted to flip. A dream he had held for many years. His goal was to continually have 3 on the go at any one time, and the ability to work with one of his oldest friends, Dunstan, whom he had worked alongside for years. He was also using Kieran for all his architectural work, so it had turned out to be a bit of a boy's club. I could see that he was happy, and none more so than getting into tradie clothes in the morning of tight work shorts and singlet, work boots and tool belt, and working for hours in the sun. Something that elevated his masculinity and drew me closer to him every day. His aura drew me to him as his sweaty body would glisten as he belted away on the tools for hours on end. He wasn't a suit man, he was a tradesman that carried it well.
Michael had commenced his studies at the University of Sydney, some 25 mins away from home, and was loving the challenge it was giving him. He was also coming to the office with me some days when time permitted to pick up on the learnings of business. In reflection it was funny. I always wanted a son that would trail behind me and ask questions and learn. I loved my daughters more than anything in the world, but Michael came a close second to being the son I never had, and I loved our one-on-one time together. It took him a while to step back from being the protector, and allowing Chris to fill the role, but he got there and now jokes about it.
The girls, well they are my pride and joy. Maggie is in NYC still working away on her studies and is spending a lot of time with Steven in the corporate offices with him learning the business. She is still with Beth, and whilst we only met briefly at Jules wedding she is a beautiful and thoughtful soul. who has swept Maggie off her feet, we are encouraging of her relationship and learning to be an independent woman with out her over protective dads hovering over her. Jules, our mother extraordinaire. She is being an amazing mother to the twins, with Marcus by her side. The wedding was spectacular and the family were all together. Jackson was even more emotional than me, and his bond with Jules remains stronger than ever. She has returned to part time work with the foundation where Marcus has really stepped up and is acting in a CEO role whilst Cath takes a break for a month. I was cautious, but as Cath insisted, she wouldn't have suggested it, if she didn't think he was capable. "Trust me, I have put to much of my time in to this. He will be fine, or I will kill him" she laughed down the line as she called.
Sam & James had settled in to Sydney life and James had taken on a role of Global Security these days as I didn't need as much personal protection about us. We still had people watching us, but more from a distance. Sam was still my right hand man, and now things had settled, I had purchased a house in our neighbourhood where they could live, as I know they wanted to share all the trappings of being a couple.
Then I guess there was me. The airline sale had been a success. We had taken control just under a month prior and I was finding my feet. Jane, our CEO was as sharp as a whip and as smart as one too. Her take on the aviation business showed me I had some much to learn, and I was respectfully second fiddle to her, even though I held the position of Executive Chairman. I was too scared to fart with out Janes permission. I was loving the challenge. Weather I was sitting in my office, or sitting in the back row of an economy flight listening to angry or happily travellers. Seeking feedback on what they did or didn't like, and listening to their tales of travel gone wrong, or in one case, nursing a screaming baby whilst his mother went to the bathroom. I was in my element.
"Jackson," I yelled form the bottom of the stairs, "We are going to be late"
"Hang on, hang on" I cant get my pants on, my legs are too thick. I am trying to find a suit that fits" the reply came.
Jackson had bulked up a lot with afternoon training sessions with Michael and now after 2 months not wearing a suit, the issue at hand was for all to see.
"See if Michaels fits you. Just get something on."
Karl was standing beside me with a Vodka at the ready knowing I needed to relax and calm a bit. Tonight was the relaunch of the Airline. New name, new logo, new cabins, new everything. Guests from Politics, business, sports and the entertainment world would be on hand at the unveiling in a hanger at Sydney Airport. It was the culmination of a dream come true for me, and I did not want to be late.
"I'm coming" Jackson yelled out from above as he came bounding down the stairs in a suit he had first bought in Munich when we arrived.
His tanned face, his salt n pepper hair, his stubble, his frame, what was there not to love.
"You look beautiful" I said as he bent down to kiss my cheek.
"Not too shabby yourself." He winked with a smile.
"Ok boys, shall we?" I asked as Michael joined us looking like a god.
"I will be driving" Michael insisted as we headed down stairs.
Hopping in to the car we made our way across late peak traffic and arrived at the airport with 5 mins to spare. Jane was calm and meticulous in her appearance, as I had come to expect, and some media were setting up in the distance.
"Grant, Jackson, I will admit I am a little nervous tonight" she said so matter of fact that I smiled in her direction.
"Oh shut up Jane, I am the one that has to do most of the talking, your just the warm up act" I laughed.
"Good, then to the bar we shall go for a pre show drink" she laughed. I sign I didn't often see.
As we grabbed our drinks, and looked around at the set up, it was not much different to the rehearsal we had had only hours before. It was at this time we were approached by a high profile media presenter who asked if she could ask a few questions.
"Sure, but nothing about the airline until after the launch." I smiled at her
"OK, how about a more open chat about you, your family, your business interests and your return to Australia" She asked, eagerly hoping I would agree.
"Seems you're the only one here with the balls to approach me and ask, how about post launch I give you the first sit down and we can chat then. To be honest, I have a bit on my mind at the moment", signalling to the 737 under a massive cloth behind us.
It was at this time the doors were opened and people were arriving in a quick session. One of the events team came and grabbed me as the Prime Minister was due to arrive, and as we had a good relationship I wanted to make sure I greeted him and his partner personally.
"Come on Jackson, show time" I said as I dragged him away from Michael and Karl who were ogling a local football player who had the looks and body of Adonis, who was rumoured to be gay.
Arriving at the entrance as the official vehicle arrived, or C1 as it is known, we greeted each other as old friends with a handshake type hug, and kisses for his simply beautiful partner.
"Anthony, so good to see you, it has been too long" I said as the media frenzy went off around us. As he and I walked on, Jackson took Jodie by arm and lead her to the bar. My husband the perfect host, I thought as he used his mile wide smile and humour to charm the nation's first lady.
When doing these events, it is important to remain politically neutral, but, the distain I held for the current opposition leader, his policies, his anti gay marriage stance, his refusal to acknowledge our indigenous culture or First Nations People meant he and his team were never on the guest list of events we hosted. And it was fairly well documented by the media. It became a bit of a running joke at any press events I held too.
"Mr Von Garbner, there seems to be no conservative MP's here today, can we ask why?"
"Yes, and it is simple, I don't like them." I would say with a smile.
This would throw them in to overdrive and for some, the laughter would be forth coming. It was always asked, and always the reply was the same.
As the hanger started to fill, the music started to play, and people started to move towards the seats, as Jackson and I escorted the PM and his partner, Jane was already seated.
I made our introductions and as small talk began; it was Janes turn to shine.
I stood at the same time as her, reached out and kissed her cheek. "You're amazing, you've got this" I said as I resumed my seat.
"Well good evening.........." Jane started as she spoke about her passion for aviation, having her dream job, the change of ownership and aviation tomorrow. She was a woman of substance and one of the top CEOs in the country. I was lucky to have her, and I was lucky to have her as a mentor as well.
Chapter 134
"Ladies, gentleman, Prime minister and other dignitaries gather here tonight." I started off with.
"Many of you know me as the guy that unknowingly inherited a fortune, and to others home grown, the guy that was shot at the Icebergs" This last comment gave them a bit of nervous laugh, but as I looked at Michael I could tell he was not impressed.
"To those close to me, they will tell you I am a massive Aviation geek and have been for years. Annoying my husband and daughters with meaningless facts and figures about every plane, flight and destination that there is. This has led me to my latest, and to me, the closest acquisition I have, and why it was so important to make it my own. The company that I purchased has the slogan, "Keeping the air fares, fair" and nothing is more important to me than keeping that slogan as key part of our brand, whilst with changing the look, the feel and the name of the airline."
I was nervous, as I was about to commit marketing suicide. I was changing the name of a brand, to something untried. I knew it was a gamble, but it was one I was prepared to take.
"With everything that has been said tonight, I guess you are all waiting to know what we have done. And I guess I should just get it over with. I would like to ask my friend, the Prime Minister, to come up here and join me for the unveiling."
As Anthony joined me on stage, I also signalled for Jackson to join me, and as the three of us converged together on stage with Jane, the four of us held the cord that would remove the massive cloth.
"It is with this cord I unveil Ausair to the world"
Pulling on the cord, the massive cloth collapsed around the plane unveiling a beautiful metallic blue fuselage with a red tail with the Southern Cross cluster of stars in Navy blue.
To the sounds of the gasps in the audience, followed by a standing ovation of applause the plane stood there in all its glory brilliantly lit by spot lights that highlighted its beauty.
"Ladies and Gentleman, my goal is to fly to just about every destination across this great land, and beyond. We are well under way in establishing hubs in Asia, America, Europe and beyond. Our goal is to fly you faster, cheaper and more comfortable than any of our competitors, and that starts now."
"We are announcing that our everyday fare from Sydney to Melbourne, the 3rd busiest in the world, will have a every day fare of $89 each way. $110 cheaper than our competitor. This isn't a promotional fare, it is our every day fare, and it is how we will keep the air fares, fair."
This created another standing ovation and a lot of hugging amongst the hand picked management team that we had in place. We were excited to be able to do this. And whilst it would initially suck capital out of our business, long term our strategy looked strong.
"I can also announce tonight that we have just placed one of the biggest purchases in history with Airbus for 75 new aircraft to be delivered over the next 5 years, with options for another 75. When I say I mean business, I don't kid around."
By this stage the crowd were overwhelmed and I decided to stop speaking. Walking down the stairs and shaking hands, I walked a group of VIP's over to the plane where we had the first 12 rows of the plane decked out in the new seating and interior for display. The timing we had pulled this together did not allow us to do the whole plane. It was more of a media stunt than anything, and I was pleased with the result.
As the night carried on, I was interviewed a dozen times, shook more hands than a politican and kissed more cheeks than I remember. It was a long night. A good night, just long.
It was near midnight before we hopped in the car to drive home and our spirits were high as we arrived home. Kicking off my shoes as I walked up from the garage, Jackson grabbed me and with his free hand encased my head and forced his tongue down my throat.
"You are amazing. I don't know how you do it every day, but people love you, but not as much as me"
It meant a lot, but whether it was the alcohol or lust, I knew he cared. With that he grabbed my hand leading me up to the bedroom where he practically ripped my clothes off and threw me on the bed.
The passion was almost animalistic, we knew each other well and I knew he meant business. I knew he wanted to fuck me, and it wouldn't be gentle.
Flipping me over on to my stomach he grabbed my hips and forced me up. I heard him spit in to his hand, but feeling it slide against my hole.
"Damn, you do mean business" I said as I let him control the situation.
"Baby, I wanna put my love inside you" he said as I felt the head of his engorged cock open my hole making me wince with the first thrust he took.
Pushing back on to his cock, I felt his thrusts enter me harder and harder which he knew made me hornier the harder he did it.
"Plow me baby" I screamed as he pushed harder and deeper in to me.
His sudden withdrawal made me turn my head, and as I did I noticed a smiling Michael standing there with a hard cock and a naked Karl next to him. Looking at Karl I motioned him to join me on the bed, whilst eyeing Michael off, I looked at him and grinned.
"Wanna fuck your dad?" I asked with an evil smile.
"That's why I am here" he said as thick cock slid in to me making feel the girth of his cock and my eyes rolling back in my head.
Jackson continued to pound Karl as Michael pounded my hole. I didn't want to end, but after about 20 minutes Michael let out an ungodly scream, thrust deep inside me and released his torrent of cum collapsing on to my back.
Jackson for his part shoved a few fingers in my hole feeling Michaels load as he emptied his load into Karl.
We all were spent. Maybe a little drunk, but definitely a little happier. Some kissing and cuddling followed in our enormous bed before I remember slowly going to sleep, feeling loved and content at the same time.