A Thousand Rainbows

Welcome back! It's the night before Thanksgiving, and the Connor-Larkin household is filled with preparations for the feast. And we have a visitor with something on his mind.

This story deals with adult themes, primarily same-gender sexual relations. Such relations have their basis in love and commitment, rather than sex for the sake of sex alone. In some cases they will use protection; at other times they will not. You and I should always use protection because we do not live in the world of fiction.

If you are offended the idea of homosexuality or if you are under the age of consent or if you reside in an area where such things are considered illegal or immoral, then you should seek entertainment elsewhere.

Comments may be directed to the author at thornado5@netscape.net

This story is copyright 2004 by Mike Williams. All rights reserved. Thou shalt not steal.

-0-

A Thousand Rainbows by Mike Williams

• 22 -

It was just before seven o'clock when the doorbell rang. As it was the day before Thanksgiving and the Connor-Larkin household was deep into preparing the following day's feast, everyone had agreed that a quick take-out meal would be a welcome break from their kitchen duties. Brian opened the front door to find Paul Miller standing there with three large pizzas and a complimentary box of cheese-sticks. He was surprised to find Paul back at work so soon after being released from the hospital.

"Yeah, well," Paul said through his wired jaw, "I'm well enough to drive, so I'm well enough to get back to work."

"How's the jaw? Are you healing alright?" Brian asked.

"The doctor says I'm doing fine, and I should be able to open my mouth in about two weeks," Paul replied. "But I'll be having dinner tomorrow through a straw. My mom has come up with some pretty creative milkshake meals. Her latest idea is a turkey-and-gravy- with-mashed-potatoes, and it's pretty tasty. We still haven't figured out how to do the stuffing yet; she makes awesome stuffing."

Brian smiled as he handed Paul a hundred-dollar bill to cover the pizzas and a tip. "Come on in, if you've got a minute. I'd like you meet the rest of the family." He held the door open wide to admit the football player. "And I know the boys would like to see you too."

"I'd like that," Paul said. "The guys said their brother is visiting too."

"That's right; you'll find our family just a little unconventional," Brian said.

They entered the dining room where Sarah and Will were seated at the table poring over some notes for the agency and Bjorn was working on some finger foods for the Thanksgiving feast.

Bjorn looked up from his work and wiped his hands on a towel. "Paul, great to see you." He held his hand out for Paul. "How's the jaw?"

Paul accepted the offered hand and grinned through his wired jaw. "Hi, Mr. Larkin. Still sore, but I'm doin' okay."

Brian continued the introductions. "And these are our friends from San Diego, Will and Sarah Becker." Then he turned to his friends. "Paul Miller, Bridgewater Academy star quarterback."

"Actually," Will said, "we used to live in Bridgewater; we all graduated from the university."

Paul shook each of their hands, then looked curiously at Sarah. "I know you from somewhere. Didn't you babysit my brother and me a long time ago?"

Sarah broke into a big smile. "I can't believe you remember that. You were, what ... three years old? And your brother, oh my god, always running around the yard pretending he was a cowboy."

"Well, he got what he wished for; he is a cowboy," Paul explained. "He's the co-captain of the Bridgewater Academy rodeo team. So you have family around here?"

"My grandmother lives in Andover," Will said with his arm around his wife. "And Sarah is the twins' birth mother."

"And they told me at school they have a half-brother," Paul queried.

"Our adopted son," Sarah answered. "Six months younger than Jason and Josh. Todd's mother was one of our roommates during our college days. We were one big happy family."

Paul looked at Brian with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, I told you we were just a little unconventional," Brian said innocently.

And the room was filled with pleasant laughter.

The smell of fresh hot pizza drifted upstairs to greet three very hungry teenage boys, who all but fell over each other in their race down the spiral staircase to the kitchen. The twins were especially glad to see the quarterback they so admired, glad to see him back on his feet, back at work, and now in their own home.

"And speaking of our son," Will said, "that's him with the ponytail."

"Todd," the younger boy introduced himself and offered his hand.

"Paul," the quarterback accepted the hand.

"So how many horses do you have?" Todd asked.

"Well," Paul stopped to count mentally, "nine, and we think there's one or two more on the way."

"Don't get him started, Paul," Will warned.

Paul grinned at the older man, then turned back to the long-haired youth. "You'll get to meet them all on Saturday. You're coming riding with us, aren't you?"

Todd beamed. "Wild horses couldn't keep me away."

Brian tried to steer the conversation toward dinner. "But I think Paul has a few more pizzas to deliver before the night is out."

"Nice meeting all of you. See you guys on Saturday," Paul said as he turned to leave the kitchen.

Brian followed him to the door. Paul hesitated before opening the door. "Actually, Mr. Connor, this is my last delivery for the night. Most of our customers are doing family stuff tonight. So we're closing the store early."

"It must be terrible," Brian speculated, "being around the aroma of pizza all day and not being able to eat any."

"Well, it's kinda like my brother and his horses," Paul explained. "After a while it all just becomes part of your life, and you don't take much notice of it."

Brian snickered. "Pizza and horses ... not exactly the analogy I would have thought of, but I see your point."

Paul smiled, then became quiet before continuing. "I don't want to keep you from your dinner, but ... um ... could I talk to you about something? It's kinda personal."

"Sure, let's go to the den." Brian led the way and paused first at the dining room door to let everyone know he wouldn't be joining them right away. "Go ahead and start without me. I'll catch up with you in a little while."

"Everything alright, Brian?" Bjorn expressed his concern when he saw Paul with his lover.

Brian gave his partner a reassuring smile. "Everything's fine, babe. I love you." And he leaned in to give his lover a kiss before continuing down the hall to the room which served as their home office. Upon entering, Paul noticed a number of certificates and awards on the walls, testaments to the couple's photographic skills. A chessboard sat on a small table between two chairs. Brian closed the door behind him and switched on the stereo which filled the room with soft classical music.

"You guys play chess?" Paul observed and shook his head. "I never could figure that game."

Brian did his best to put his young friend at ease. "It's more for show than anything else; we're not very good players. The best we can manage is a stalemate. Bjorn and I know each other so well that we can almost anticipate each other's moves."

"Almost like Jason and Josh, and the way the finish each other's sentences?"

Brian smiled with pride at the mention of his sons' names. "Something like that. Would it surprise you to learn that Bjorn and I were born at the same hospital on the same day. As they were wheeling his mother out of the delivery room, my mom was being rushed in."

Paul thought on this coincidence for a moment. "Maybe there's something to all that astrology stuff, y'know, where you're born, what position the stars are in."

"I never thought about it like that. We grew up in the same city, but we never met until we were assigned the same dorm room in high school." Brian took a chair on one side of the chessboard and motioned for Paul to take the opposing chair.

"Another coincidence ... or something in the stars?" Paul mused.

Brian became serious in a romantic sort of way as he thought about the twenty-five year relationship with his partner. He toyed with the silver band he wore on his left ring finger. "I've never questioned fate, and I never will. It doesn't matter how everything came about. What matters is that we are together. Bjorn is the best thing that's ever happened to me. He's my life." He paused to take a deep breath before continuing. "But this isn't about Bjorn and me; I want to know what's on your mind."

Paul folded his hands and looked down at the floor. "You and ... um, Mr. Larkin ... well, uh ..."

"It's Bjorn," Brian said softly. "Brian and Bjorn."

Paul looked up and found himself looking straight into Brian's eyes. "You and Bjorn ... uh ... shit. I can't even say it." He looked away.

"Don't be frightened, Paul," Brian comforted the teen. "Would you rather I say it?"

Paul turned back to Brian, closed his eyes and nodded.

"Bjorn and I have been together for twenty-five years, since we were in high school. He's my partner, my lover, my best friend. Our relationship is no secret to anyone."

Paul continued to look at the floor, too embarrassed to pose his questions directly. "When you guys first met, how did you know?"

Brian smiled, briefly reliving his school-days. "Well, like I said, it was just chance that we were assigned to the same dorm room, and we got to be best friends. It was the first time away from home for each of us. I guess we just latched on to each other for some kind of security ... at first, anyway."

Paul looked up, and Brian could see something in his eyes, something that said he was eager to hear more. Brian continued. "Then, as time went on, we became closer, and even our families became closer. We found we had a lot of the same interests, photography, bicycling. But we have our differences too. Bjorn can grow anything in his garden, but he can't hammer a nail. I'm better with woodworking, but I can't keep a cactus alive. He plays the piano; I make apple pies. We complete each other in many ways."

"What about out in public?" Paul asked.

"What about it?"

"Do you ever worry what people say behind your back, about what might happen?"

Brian swallowed and looked down for just a moment, then he looked Paul straight in the eye. "We used to. There was a time when we were afraid of what people might say or do. What they might say doesn't matter. If someone doesn't approve of our relationship and is too cowardly to say it to our faces, then it's of no concern. We have faced our share of people who have had the guts to confront us. We don't argue with them or try to change their minds; they're entitled to their opinions. It's times like that when I just take Bjorn's hand, and we go on about our business. We believe that the best thing we can do is to live as a loving, committed, monogamous couple, in public as well as in private."

This time it was Paul who swallowed hard before posing his next question. "What about what somebody might do?"

"We watch each other's backs." Brian chuckled softly. "To look at him you wouldn't think Bjorn is much of a fighter. Just don't get him riled. There was this one time when we were in college. We were walking home from a movie one night, and a couple frat boys decided to pick on a gay friend of ours. Bjorn jumped into the fray, alone, without a second thought. He beat the daylights out of those two single-handedly. I've never seen anyone turn tail and run as fast as they did. Whenever we saw them on campus after that night, they would always steer clear of us. Bjorn can take care of himself. I'm glad he's on our side."

"What about your family?" Paul asked.

"My folks are okay with it; they love Bjorn to pieces. His father is pretty cool, but his stepmother is a little stand-offish. She tolerates us. My sister feels it's a non-issue. My brother ..." Brian suppressed a sob. "Um ... well, since the day Bjorn and I came out, Tony has resisted all attempts at communication. Despite everything that my folks and my sister and I have tried to do to reconcile us, he has refused to have anything to do with me for almost eighteen years."

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright." Brian wiped a hand over his face. "It's times like that when you learn who your real friends are. You take a moment to grieve, and then you move on." He paused, continuing to observe the young man seated opposite him. "Is there something you want to tell me, Paul?"

The youth, who seemed so fearless on the football field, now appeared as meek as a schoolboy who had been summoned to the headmaster's office. He looked down at the floor and nodded, a barely noticeable gesture.

"I'm afraid," Paul whispered.

"Afraid that you might be gay?" Brian asked softly.

Again, Paul barely nodded.

Brian decided to employ a more direct approach. He rose from his chair and dimmed the lights in the room, then returned to his seat. "Paul, it's just you and me," he said quietly. "Look at me."

Paul raised his head, and Brian looked him in the eye. "We've come this far. I guess that means you trust me enough to have told me as much as you have. But you need to continue. Just close your eyes, take a deep breath, and let it out."

Paul did as he was told and related the thoughts he had shared with Alan Bradley before the Panther quarterback died, but he left Tyler Garrison's name out of his story. "I know that sounds like a lot of science fiction, about Alan and me sharing some kind of unconscious conversation. But when I talked to this guy, he confirmed everything Alan said. He told me their whole history. And then he told me that he has feelings for me too, that he has wanted us to get closer since we first met. I think Alan knew that his old boyfriend had no attachments and that we might be good for each other."

Brian smiled as Paul seemed to be relaxing more and more. "That sounds wonderful, Paul. I'm very happy for you."

"I'm glad you feel good about it. It scares the hell out of me," Paul said. "What if we're found out? Our reputations at school ... our families ..."

"Fortunately," Brian re-assured the boy, "we live in the twenty-first century. Being gay is no longer considered a crime or a mental illness, even though there are a lot of people who still are not ready to accept our lifestyle. My best advice would be to keep it light, keep it private, until you're out of high school, like Bjorn and I did."

"You said you met Bjorn when you were freshmen in high school," Paul inquired. "That means you went through four years together, living in the closet. And I've only got two years until I graduate. How did you do it?"

Brian sighed. "We were careful. We made time for each other. When we did anything ... even something as simple as a kiss ... we made sure there was no one watching. Nobody knew about us. Some of our friends weren't so lucky."

"Can you tell me about them?" Paul asked.

"There were always rumors and gossip about some of the other students. When Bjorn and I were still freshmen, one of our friends was a senior, and he must have sensed the bond between Bjorn and me. His name was Bill, and he came out to us just before the Christmas break. He was the captain of the sailing team, a brilliant student, already accepted to a prestigious university, with a full scholarship. He would have been the valedictorian of his class. There was about a month left until graduation, and the head nurse caught him giving oral sex to a classmate in the infirmary." Brian paused. "He was expelled, forced to leave the school in disgrace. And the prestigious university quickly withdrew their acceptance."

Paul was curious. "What happened to him?"

"Well, after a few years, when Bjorn and I had graduated, we looked him up. It seems his parents sent him to some kind of de-programming institute. But, as is often the case, no amount of so-called therapy could change him. He was strong; he remained true to himself. His parents have long since disowned him. He completed his degree with no help from his family. And today he and his partner are very happy; Bjorn and I attended their commitment ceremony last spring."

"Could the same thing happen to us?" Paul asked.

"I don't know. I would hope that only the good things happen for you, Paul." Brian thought for a moment. "Is there anyone else who knows about this, anyone at all?"

Paul smiled. "Yeah, there are two people. But I promised them a fate worse than death if they breathe a word."

"I can understand you wanting to protect your privacy," Brian said. "But a fate worse than death?"

Paul said, somewhat smugly, "I told them they would never have another anchovy on their pizza ever again."

Suddenly it hit Brian. "Jason and Josh know about this? Those two little scamps." He chuckled. "I think your secret is safe with them."

Paul became quiet. "They visited me in the hospital, came to cheer me up every day I was in there. I don't know what it was. There was just something that said I could trust them. You and Bjorn have got two very special kids, Brian."

"And they never let me forget that." Brian shook his head and smiled at the thought of his sons.

"They actually helped get Tyler and me together," Paul continued.

"Tyler?" Brian asked.

"Oh shit!" Paul whispered. He stopped short with a look of fear in his eyes, the fear that he had just outed his friend to the whole world. He could feel his heart pounding at the thought of what he had just done, and he looked to Brian like he would burst into tears at any moment.

"Take it easy, Paul." Brian smiled and did his best to comfort the boy. "That was the first and last time you'll ever make that slip. Just be thankful it was here, in private. There's no one else who knows."

Paul would not be easily consoled. "They know ... Jason and Josh."

"And you can trust them," Brian said. "And, if it's any comfort, I won't even tell Bjorn."

Paul thought silently for a moment, staring intently at the pieces on the chessboard, but not really seeing them. "No," he said quietly. Then he looked up into Brian's eyes. "You and Mr. Lar- ... Bjorn ... you guys are partners. And if that's really, really true, then there should never be any secrets between you."

"Only at Christmastime." Brian did his best to lighten the mood.

Paul smiled his appreciation. "He should know the truth ... about me. I need to talk to Tyler. Can I use your phone to call him?"

"I think that's a good idea," Brian said as he handed the telephone to Paul and then left the room to get some soft drinks. Passing through the dining room he stopped to whisper something briefly to his partner. Bjorn only nodded and went back to his pizza, much to the concern of the twins and the Beckers.

"Is everything alright?" Sarah asked when Brian had gone back to the den.

"It's fine," Bjorn smiled. "Just a little ... uh, business."

"You can't fool me, Henry-Alexander Bjorn Larkin," Sarah chided. "A mother always knows when there's something going on ... even if I'm not your mother."

"Henry?" Todd asked. "Your real name's Henry?"

Bjorn used the opportunity to divert attention away from Sarah's question. "Yeah, kid. Got a problem with that?" he said with a smile.

Todd smiled back at Bjorn as he reached for another cheese-stick and the ranch dressing. "No, I reckon not."

"Good boy."

Seeing that there was a chance to save their father from Sarah's interrogation, the twins were quick to come to Bjorn's rescue. "We've been studying some famous people in history named Henry," Jason said. "Let's see, there's Henry the Eighth, the King of England ..." He looked to his brother for support.

Josh thought quickly. "Henry Ford, inventor of the automobile assembly line."

Then it was Todd's turn. "Hmm... O Henry, the famous author."

Everyone turned to Will, who was thinking as quickly as he could. "Henry ... Henry ... Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, great American poet," he said, quite pleased with himself. He looked around the room and noticed the surprise on the faces of the others. "What? I minored in American Literature."

By this time Sarah had given up all hope of getting a straight answer from Bjorn.

-0-

Paul quickly dialed Tyler's number, and the call was answered on the third ring. It was Paul's good fortune that Tyler answered the call himself. Paul quickly explained where he was and asked if Tyler could meet him at the Connor-Larkin home as quickly as possible. But he didn't say why. Brian entered the den and closed the door behind him just as Paul was ending the call. He moved two more chairs to the space around the small table.

Paul looked up at him. "How am I going to explain this to Tyler?"

Brian resumed his chair and handed Paul a soft drink. "If he really cares about you and the relationship that the two of you are building ..." He paused, weighing what he would say next. "Well, I think he may see it as just a bump in the road. The ability to look beyond a person's mistakes and shortcomings is a key element in any successful relationship."

"You and Bjorn," Paul asked, "how do you handle it?"

Brian thought for a moment. "I can't give you a specific example. I know we've each had our screw-ups, but nothing comes to mind. I guess we've just learned to put them behind us and move on."

It was then that Paul really noticed the classical music on the stereo. "Do you always have this music playing? Always classical?"

"We like all kinds of music," Brian said with a smile. "Bjorn's got a great collection of classic rock; my taste leans toward jazz. But we keep coming back to the masters. There's something constant about a Beethoven symphony or a cantata by Bach. You can listen to it over and over again, and you'll hear something new every time."

At that moment there was a soft knock at the door.

"He's here," Paul whispered.

Brian reached across the table and placed his hand on Paul's. "Just relax. Everything will be alright." The he stood and turned to the door. "Come in, please."

Bjorn ushered Tyler Garrison into the room and closed the door behind him. Brian offered his hand to the swimmer.

"I don't believe we've ever been formally introduced. I'm Brian Connor; this is my partner Bjorn Larkin. Can I offer you a soft drink?"

Tyler accepted Brian's handshake and one from Bjorn as well. "Yeah, a pop would be nice, thank you." Then he looked at Paul, who had remained seated at the small table. "And you, quarterback ..."

Paul swallowed hard, fearing the worst. "Me?"

"Yeah, you," Tyler said. "I owe you for getting me out of an ugly situation."

"What kind of ugly situation?" Bjorn offered Tyler a chair at the table, where Brian had just placed a glass of pop. "Family problem? Sorry, I don't mean to pry."

"It's no big deal," Tyler replied with a smile as he took the chair on Paul's left. "Just the annual night-before-Thanksgiving visit at my grandparents' house. My father and grandfather usually get into an argument of war and peace. Grandad was career army, and my dad's into the peace movement. Eventually they'll round up Mom and Grandma for a game of 45."

"45," Brian said fondly, as he resumed his seat. "When was the last time we played 45, Bjorn?"

"Too long, I guess," Bjorn replied. "I'm not sure I remember how to play. I think we have a Book of Hoyle around here somewhere."

Brian smiled fondly at his partner, then turned to Tyler, wondering how to begin. But Paul took the initiative. "How did you get here so fast?"

Tyler took a sip of his pop and smiled at his friend. "Actually, I walked. My grandparents just live two blocks away, on West Davenport."

"Oh." Paul was silent for a moment before continuing. "Tyler, I ... uh ... I did something stupid, and I need your help."

Tyler laid his glass on a coaster on the table and looked at his friend with concern. "What's the matter? Did you screw up a delivery? Not enough cheese on someone's pizza?"

"If only it was that easy." Paul swallowed hard and built up his courage before continuing. "No, I made a delivery here tonight, and I figured that, since this was my last delivery for the night, I would have a chat with Brian here. You know that these two men are partners. Did you know they've been together for twenty-five years?"

Tyler turned to Brian next to him and Bjorn across the table, and noticed they were holding hands in full view of everyone in the room. "I think everyone in Bridgewater and most of Cascade County knows they're a couple. But twenty-five years? Wow. I'm impressed. Not many couples make it that long." Then he turned back to his friend. "But how does that concern you?"

"I told them about me." Paul paused. "And ... uh ... your name slipped out."

The blood seemed to have drained from Tyler's face. "Oh fuck!" he whispered, and his breathing became labored. "Oh shit!"

"I'm sorry, Tyler," Paul apologized. "I never meant for it to come out."

Tyler was on his feet. His eyes were wide as he looked at his friend, and his breathing was coming in quick pants. Paul quickly realized that the swimmer was having a asthma attack. He noticed a weight in Tyler's shirt pocket and guessed it was an inhaler. "Your inhaler!"

Brian stood quickly and retrieved the inhaler from Tyler's pocket. With his right arm around Tyler's back to support him he held the inhaler to the boy's mouth and pressed the lever twice. "Breathe easy, Tyler. That's it. Just take it easy." Tyler closed his eyes and found the man's voice to be comforting. Paul and Bjorn watched the scene with concern.

It took a moment for the medication to take effect, but Tyler's breathing was still slightly labored. He opened his eyes, and the color returned to his face. "I'm alright," he said. "Thank you."

Brian released his hold on the boy and hand the inhaler back to him as he resumed his chair. "Good thing you carry that with you."

"I have to," Tyler explained, once again taking his seat at the small table. "I never know what will trigger an attack ..." He looked down, then into Paul's eyes. "... Even little surprises like that can do it."

"And yet you're such a strong swimmer?" Bjorn inquired.

Tyler was silent for a brief moment. "Whenever I'm at a meet or during practice, the coach keeps it in his pocket. And there's always a spare inhaler somewhere nearby."

Paul had been silent during this time, but spoke up. "I'm so sorry, Tyler. I had no idea. I hope you're not angry because of what I said."

"I'm alright, Paul," Tyler re-assured him. "I'm not angry; just a little shaken." He turned to the older men. "Paul and I have only gotten together a couple times to study our history notes. And we've talked a little about what's going to happen to us and where we want this whole thing to go." He paused and turned back to his friend. "I guess I'm a little upset because we both knew we'd have to come clean sooner or later. I just wasn't expecting it to be this soon or to happen like this. I wish you would have talked to me first."

"I'm sorry, Tyler," Paul said. "I needed to talk to someone about all of this. I'm scared, Tyler."

"Scared of what, Paul?" Tyler asked. "We've already agreed that we're gonna keep things cool, keep it quiet, until we both feel the time is right."

Paul gave his friend a little smile. "That's what Brian was saying just before you got here."

Tyler turned to his hosts. "You guys have been together twenty-five years? That means you must have met while you were in high school That must have been rough."

Bjorn took Brian's hand. "We weren't paranoid, but we always kept one eye over our shoulder. We took care that nobody else knew until we were ready."

Tyler took Paul's hand in his own. "But we don't have that luxury. Word is already out."

"Actually you do have that luxury ... and more," Brian said. "The only people who know are sitting in this room. And I can promise you that Bjorn and I don't gossip."

"What about ... um?" Paul nodded toward the door.

"Jason and Josh?" Brian asked.

"They know?" Bjorn raised an eyebrow at his partner.

Brian nodded. "They've known since the beginning. I only just found out this evening." He turned back to the teens with a smile. "I don't think you have anything to worry about from them. Your threat of `fate worse than death' is quite enough."

"A fate worse than death?" Bjorn asked.

"Never another anchovy on their pizza," Paul explained.

Bjorn only sighed and closed his eyes with a happy smile on his face. A squeeze from Brian's hand brought him back to the moment. "Sorry, I was just ... um ..."

"Never mind; that's not why we're here," Brian chastised his partner with a smile. He turned back to the teens. "So, number one, your secret is safe with us. When you're ready to come out ... if that day does, in fact, arrive ... and it may never happen ... just know that we'll be here for you. And, number two, we're no experts on relationships. Bjorn and I have just grown together doing what felt good and respecting each other's limits. But, if we can offer the benefit of our experience, it's your's for the asking. Don't ever be afraid to ask a question or voice an opinion. Too many couples, gay and straight, are out there right now, and they haven't got any idea what they're doing or where they're going." He took a moment to look around the room. "But you don't want me to get on my soapbox about that subject."

Everyone was quiet for a moment, the silence broken only by the soft classical music on the stereo. It was Paul who spoke first. "You okay?"

Tyler had been looking down at the chessboard, lost in thought, nodded. He looked up at his friend. "You?"

Even with his jaw wired shut, Paul was able to give Tyler his famous smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. And I think we're gonna be okay."

"I know so, quarterback." Tyler returned the smile. He stood, bringing Paul up with him. "There's just one little thing."

Paul looked at Tyler with concern. "What's that?"

"This." Tyler wrapped his arms around Paul, and the two came together for a tender kiss. It didn't last more than a moment. But it was enough to make the two teens forget about anyone else in the room, at least for a few seconds. They both came away with big grins, staring into each other's eyes.

On the opposite side of the small table Brian and Bjorn were smiling and trying not to observe the two teenagers. Brian cleared his throat and turned to his partner, bringing them all back to reality. "So, Bjorn, do the forces of good triumph yet again?"

Bjorn looked at the two teens, still staring into each other's eyes, then back at his partner. "I think it's safe to close the books on this one, lover. Happily ever after?"

Brian glanced at the boys, then turned back to Bjorn and nodded. "If we have anything to say about it."

Still holding Tyler's hand, Paul cleared his throat and turned to face the adults. "Thank you ... for everything. Um ... I don't know where we go from here, but I think we're ready to face the unknown." He turned to look into Tyler's eyes one last time. "And I won't be afraid."

Tyler leaned in for one more kiss. "Let's get out of here so these folks have their dinner in peace." He turned to face the adults. "Thank you. We will have a lot of questions, and we will need your support. Thank you for being here for us."

Brian and Bjorn both stood, still holding hands. "Thank you for trusting us," Brian said. He released Bjorn's hand and gave Tyler a hug, while Bjorn hugged Paul. Then the two men switched and showed their young guests to the door.

Paul hesitated before leaving the room. He turned to Tyler and said, "There's just one more thing we have to do."

Without a word Tyler nodded. Following the adults they walked hand-in-hand down the hall to the door of the dining room, where Brian introduced Tyler to the Beckers.

"Nice to meet you all," Tyler spoke for both of them. "And we just want you to know that Paul and I are officially a couple."

Brian, Bjorn, the twins and the Beckers all broke out into spontaneous applause. Will sensed the unease in Tyler's voice. "It'll get easier as time goes on."

Tyler laughed. "I sure hope so, because right now I'm scared as hell."

And the room was filled with another round of applause and laughter.

-0-

to be continued in Chapter 23