Chapter 71
We slept soundly and Con and I managed to do some full-on lovemaking. After snuggling in for the night, eventually, we slept like logs. Teddy was a bit whiney in the morning, nothing I could do would pull him out of the jet lag he was feeling.
At breakfast, I called a team meeting. John was busy packing a picnic basket and Grant organized two other guys to patrol our surroundings because he would be coaching. Ted finally snapped out of it when I mentioned football, then there was no stopping him. He had his uniform on within seconds, then he wanted to go.
The park is huge and busy today, but we managed to snaffle a spot with a flat surface and some shade. Grant gathered the boys and they started playing a game. Two other boys joined in then one more then three, we have a team. The kids were telling them the rules and although they didn't grasp them, they did have a fun game with their new Australian mates. Conner had laid down under a shady tree to have a nap, but I had other thoughts.
"Run Mr Conner?"
"Oh Brent can't we just relax today, I'm a bit tired."
"Okay, but we have to start again soon because you will get fat."
He groaned then got to his feet.
"Come on then, just a short one." Then he took off leaving me in his wake. I had no idea where we were going but it seemed like we had been away for ages and when we got back, all the boys were sitting at the bench eating
I hope John bought enough food. He did but had sent one of Grants men to get a few buckets of Kentucky fried from the shop that is near the entrance we came through.
As I said there was enough food to sink a ship, Conner and I ate our fill and when the chicken arrived. The kids had a piece each then John set about handing it out to the people that were down and out. Some laying under trees some on benches but they all were very grateful, except one drunk that abused him. Grant fixed that little problem quick smart.
We bundled everyone up and Ted and the boys said their goodbyes to their new mates, I think email addresses were exchanged. My homeless friend I had found the last time we were here, has since got married and moved to Canada. I was so happy for her, but a bit sad I wouldn't be able to catch up with her this time. I helped John wash up while Shane and Bubby stared at the computer screen. Ted and Shaun looked on mesmerized.
"Did you do much shopping Tom?"
"Yes Brent, we had to buy an extra suitcase." He laughed.
"Well if it gets too much come see me, I can make room in mine."
"Thank's Brent, and thank you for looking out for us too."
"My pleasure Tom, your like sons to us so it's a no brainer."
Our time in the US was wonderful, we met so many great people on the way, and Con's concerts were very well received all three of them. Disneyland was amazing and all us boys had a great time, we stayed there for three days then we were bushed. We were lucky Con was a star because we had the use of a family buggy and driver to carry us around. The kids had their photos taken with all the characters they liked, and we had a few family ones done too. By the end of our stay, the little kids were getting winey and all I wanted was my bed at home. There's nothing like your very own bed.
Everywhere I looked I could see Cons face on magazines and posters, it got to the stage I got sick of seeing the same photos over and over again. One I had seen on Facebook showed us all in the park with a caption. Rick Conner's feeds concert goers with the money he ripped off them. I was disgusted and wrote a reply that would make a nun blush. That was my way of getting a dig into the idiot that posted it. Enough, my inner self said so I called a halt to all our activities.
The plane ride home was again very long and tedious, but with a lot of patience and bribery, we finally landed back in Melbourne unscathed. Through the cheering sounds of the little kids, I heard Conner say under his breath. "Thank god."
I looked at him and shook my head and said.
"The price of fame Con, can we stay here for at least six months now?"
"Yes, and more baby."
We sailed through customs and will wait this time because there wasn't a big crowd to meet us. Tom and Shane's parents were there to meet them, and it was tears and hugs all round as we said our goodbyes. The parents thanked us and we got some thank you hugs too from the boys. I am going to miss them being around and I guess the four suitcases full of stuff says they had a great time. Di and the kids were there to meet Marty, he dropped his bags and ran to her side he was so glad to get home to them at last. I hugged Di and touched little Brenten he has put on weight and was now smiling. Hope was an adorable little girl she started crying when she saw her daddy, then when he swooped her up into his arms she giggled.
Grant got Conner and us boys into a people mover and Jen Bob and little Conner headed for their place. Andy and his neighbors had their bus, and then there were us six.
"Can I crash at your place boss? I need to get some sleep." Grant asked.
"Yes take Ted's bed he can come in with us," I said.
"Or you can come in with us and let Ted have his bed." Conner joked.
"Okay done deal." Grant grinned. You have torn it now Mr. Conner's, there's no going back.
"Brent, Brent do you think he believed me?" Con whispered as we settled in the back seat.
"Yes Conner, so you had better grease up: your it tonight."
"What are you going to do?"
"Watch the panicked look on your face." I laughed out loud.
It was heaven to be able to sit down with a hot cup of normal coffee at my kitchen table. I had missed my surroundings and felt at peace sitting there. Ted had to play with Benny loads because Benny had missed him. Grant had one of his men walk and feed him, it all worked out for the best because he had to clean up after him too. Conner changed into a pair of shorts and made us another coffee, I didn't have the strength to even undo my jeans.
Grant had changed into shorts also, and while Con was bending over the fridge to get some more milk, he was onto him and humped him thoroughly. Although Conner's 'stop it, stop it' wasn't as loud as his laughter, I kind of got a stiff watching them play.
"Oh don't mind me boy's, do you need lubrication Grant? I have some somewhere and he likes it a bit on the rough side too." I started giggling at Cons shocked face.
We just looked at each other as Ted laughed and played with Buddy. Then Grant excused himself and went to bed, we were so jet-lagged, and being stupid.
Con moved to go to bed and I sat and watched Ted, I fell asleep at the table not long after. When I woke there was no one around. Ted had crawled in with Grant and I got into bed with Conner, after I snuggled up to him I went back to sleep the rest of my day away.
I smelt cooking when I woke up, and I knew John was in my kitchen because it wasn't Con. He was staring at me, I kissed him then ran my hand through his fine chest hair.
"What's up Brent?"
"Nothing, I have missed this."
"So have I, can you do something for me, baby?"
"Anything Con."
"Can you give me some head; I miss that too." I obliged him almost instantly. In my rush, I had exposed our bodies and while I was happily sucking away Grant appeared at our door.
"Umm, I must try that big cock one day, looks delicious." He laughed up the hallway, Con was mortified and pulled the sheet up over us then he started giggling.
"Come on Brenty, keep going I'm nearly there." I went back to my duties and thought Grant has turned my Conner on a bit.
When we finally got up I went searching for a coffee, John was happily playing with Benny and Ted on the sofa.
"Good afternoon son, did you sleep well?"
"Yes John, why are you up?"
"We don't get the jet lag kid, I did some washing and cooking, your dinner is in the oven when you want it."
"Cool. did you sleep well, Grant?" I was blushing when I looked at him, he was sitting at the table playing with his phone.
"Very well Brent, Teddy's bed is so comfortable I might just move into it." Ted's ears went up and he looked at Grant.
"Not my bed your not uncle Grant."
"I might, you can sleep on the couch."
"No, I won't, you can." He grinned.
"But you sit on it all day why not sleep on it too."
"Nope, not going to happen Uncle Grant. My bed my rules." Teddy laughed.
So it went on while I made myself and Con some coffee.
He was on the phone to a radio station when he came out, I suppose we have to put up with that for the next week or two.
We sat in the back yard so we weren't disturbed, Grant waved as he left to go see his guys and I wanted to walk up to Di's place to see the babies. But I will leave that for tomorrow, Marty and she have some catching up to do. I put a load of washing on then Ray came in and John served up the dinner. Teddy was on the phone with Bubby talking shares and footy training, he was organizing his day's again and getting back into the swing of being home again. Too many plays with Benny put him to sleep on the couch and Con and I sat in the sun after he turned his phone off.
"What can I do for you?"
"What do you mean Con?"
"For coming with me and bringing all our friends along, I need to buy you something?"
"Like an anniversary present or something Con?"
"Yes, baby something you desperately want."
"Give me a hundred bucks Con."
He fished around in his wallet and found one then passed it to me.
"Thank you, give me three minutes and meet me in the bedroom." I winked at him.
I went to the bedroom and greased up, today he takes me to heaven and back again, he just bought himself the ride of his life.
It was the moaning in the night that was so unexpected, my eyes flashed open and I jumped out of bed to get to Teddy's room. He was having a nightmare about a plane crash and his daddies died, he told us that as he sobbed his way through his story. We calmed him down to a point he just had tears and a shake now and then, he was so overtired. I pulled the blankets up over us three and Con and I held him while he went back to sleep. A phone call to Mary in the morning is now more than necessary.
We were up early, we let Ted sleep in. Con was in a big panic as I called John and Ray in, automatically John started breakfast as I explained what went on during the night. They both agreed that a visit to Mary would be in order and the sooner the better.
I canceled my brunch date with Diana and checked that Mary would be in her office today. When Ted came out he didn't run for the sofa he wanted his granddad's cuddles. John held him on his lap and whispered nice things in his ear while we sat there just looking at him. Conner got up and started making phone calls, then I heard him shouting.
"Didn't you hear me the first time, our son needs us today." Then he slammed his phone down on the backyard table. It was then I wondered how many phones Con had broken during the tour.
I took Ted and stood him on the kitchen bench, then got a face washer to wipe him down, I tried to get him out of his glum mood by telling him silly jokes, I did get one giggle but that was when I tickled him.
"We are going up the road to see aunty Mary, today baby, maybe she will have some kids there for you to play with."
"Good dad, I like aunty Mary she helps me with things."
"She does son, and you know you can talk to her anytime don't you?"
"Yes dad, it's just my head that tells me things that I don't like."
"Well she will send the nasty thoughts away and you won't have to worry about anything."
"Okay dad, is daddy coming with us?"
"Are you coming to Con?"
"I sure am, I can't leave my boy when he's having scary thoughts, he might need me to save him or something."
"Really dad?"
"Oh yes most definitely son, that's what daddies do and don't ever forget that baseball bat is still under our bed."
"Oh, yeah I forget." His hands scrunched up, then he smiled.
John and Ray started distracting him while we showered and readied ourselves for our day.
"Do you think he will be all right Brent?"
"Of course he will baby, give him a few hours and that terrible dream will all be but forgotten. Thats if it hasn't already gone from his memory."
"I hope so." He was being reflective for a moment then he seemed to remember something and held onto me with a firm grip.
"And how are you?"
"I'm fine Con, just worried for him, but we will get through it as a family because that's what we are." I started kissing his sweet lips.
When we went back to the family room, Ray was hard at it on the laptop and Ted and John were sitting in front of the TV watching cartoons. I made another coffee and sat at the table while Con joined the two on the couch.
"This is amazing Brent, the ships are fully loaded for their maiden Go Ship voyage, I didn't bank on them being so full this early."
"That's good Ray lets hope they will pay for themselves in no time."
"They will I'm sure, what do you want me to do with the profits?"
"I'll leave that one up to you, but shouldn't we be reinvesting the money into the shipping business?"
"Yes boss, that's a good idea for the time being."
All of a sudden John took Ted's hand and they headed for his house, Conner looked at me for a moment then followed. Do I ever get a say in anything that concerns my life anymore, my headache was looming again, but instead of going off my tree. I picked up my coffee and sipped on it then I spoke gently.
"How much of it do I own?"
"Twenty-five percent of it son."
"And the rest?"
"Con, and we have twenty each and Ted has fifteen, you have the decider vote.
I gently put the mug down and rested my hands in my lap, in these situations its best to say nothing at all, just go with the flow as they say.
"Don't make any sudden moves son, it's what we all want. We three have money to burn, our need to make money is a constant force, but it isn't driven by greed. It's something we have done for a very long time and we are good at it. As I told you months ago we are trying to semi-retire. You young ones can have a go at running this one, for us all." He smiled then went on.
"The shipping side of it is a separate company, lock stock, and cargo ships will be run by us board members and of course we will also run Go Ship separately. We are too top-heavy with corporations and investments. You don't have to do a thing just sign papers as Conner does, we are thinking of bringing in a consultant to help Daryl with the day to day office stuff because we understand Daryl will be more hands-on, it's in his nature." He laughed that nervous one he gets when the shit is about to hit the fan...again.
"Who have you got in mind for a consult?" I added.
"Bubby." He laughed his head off and I must admit I found it quite funny too, give him a couple of years and I think he's a good choice.
"Get serious Ray."
"You Brent, you were our first choice." He smiled.
"Good, then make Helen general manager, and she can sort out the office and day to day stuff, and liaise with Daryl."
"She won't like it, Brent, she's got that Go Ship office running like a well-greased engine."
"Tuff, she needs to spread her wings a bit, leave it to me."
"Good we will have our first meeting on Monday morning."
The gift Teddy brought in after this conversation was for me, it was a large model ship in a box, sails and all but in hundreds of pieces, my son and I are so going to love putting it together.
"Happy anniversary baby." Cons eyes were half-closed and so sexy, so I leaned over and kissed him then said.
"Thank you, happy anniversary too." He let his breath out, he knew I loved that sultry look on him. one day I'm going to sit with Ray and find out what's been going on with my investments. No arguments from me today, I have a small boy to fix.
We took Ted's hands as we walked him up to Mary's, he was excited to see her again and he got a jumping swing from his dads on the way. Mary had some small kids in her playroom so Ted headed their way, although they were a bit younger than him.
"Hi, guys how did London go?"
"Great Mary, how's Tony?" I asked.
"He's great thank you, wonderful actually." She grinned.
"Now you had better bring me up to date with what's happening with our Teddy, please sit down boys." She gestured with her hand.
We bought her up to speed and she understood what had brought us to her door.
"Well, I will talk to him and maybe it's not as bad as he thinks. He has this thing he needs to forget, that everyone he loves leaves him and he's scared, but let me talk to him first."
We went to the lounge room and sat while a smiley Teddy went to talk to his friend Mary. She placed him on her desk facing her and then she talked to him face to face. We sat in the lounge room and did the parent thing; we worried sick about him.
"What if he never gets over it, Brent?"
"He will Con, have faith Mary will gently tell him what's going on and he's a very clever baby, he will understand."
"Well, I'll take your lead and try not to worry then, what have you got planned for the rest of the day?"
"I was going to go and visit Di and the kids, maybe I still can."
"How about I take Teddy to a shopping center or something?"
"He would much rather go kick a ball around Con." I grinned at him.
"Okay we can go to the park, can you meet us there?"
"Of course I can, leave the car."
"Sure, we can go with Grant." He kissed me then thanked me.
He was in that office for an hour, and I was getting worried but I didn't hear any crying or raised voices, nothing actually until the latch turned and a beaming Teddy Richards fell into Cons arms. I went to talk to Mary for a moment she was positive that everything was okay with him, every little boy gets scared of losing their siblings or parents. In Ted's case, he thinks the bad man is going to take us away. He knows that isn't going to happen and he's safe, but he still thinks about it.
She said she talked about daddies and how they protect their children, he might not see it all the time but they do have two eyes on him always. She also said that when he has a bad thought he's to immediately replace it with a good one, she also wanted him to draw her something, he's going to drop it off tomorrow, or the day after.
I felt more comfortable, then we talked about the foundation for a bit then Phil and Dave who she said were back to their old selves again. We also talked about the trip and how short it seemed in the end and we were looking forward to getting back to basics. She said that we will see a big improvement in our son when it does get back to a normal life, kids like a routine and Teds just a little out of whack at the moment.
We walked him home, and he was so excited to do his drawing, so I made us coffee and sat with him at the table while he got his tin box out with his coloring pencils in it. I left him to it while I answered my phone, it was Di inviting us for dinner tonight. I accepted and she said she was inviting John and Ray also, which will be good.
"Oh shit, Brent we got to go shopping." Con had his excited face on.
"Look in the hallway closet Con there's heaps of stuff in there." He looked at me all crazy then went to look. I could have gone with him but I was watching my son concentrate on his drawing.
"Where did all that stuff come from baby?"
"Leftover shopping you have done over the past six months, I put it aside for emergencies, and Con?"
"Yes, baby."
"If you take a gift you must replace it within the week, I can't have you draining my supplies." I grinned at him, that's better he will get to go shopping, but not today.
John came in with some fresh carrot cake so I made more coffee while Conner sliced it up and placed it on the plates. Ted's eyes were big because it had icing on it, his drawing was forgotten but I snuck in a look anyway. It was us four and him in the foreground and a dark man in the back where he had scribbled him out and drawn some footballs and an oval with goalposts, I could see plenty of his mates drawn as stickmen too. It was a good sign he was doing what Mary had told him, replacing dark thoughts with good ones.
"Are we all going to the oval today, Brent?"
"I think we might Con and I have to have a kick to kick with our son, he's been too lazy this holiday and I want to get his fitness levels up again." I smiled at a beaming Teddy.
"We will only be a couple of hours or so, then we have to get ready to go to Di's place."
"Okay, then I'll come too." Con beamed.
"We too, if you don't mind," John said.
"Cool, you could do with some exercise." Con then smirked.
Ray arrived and Conner picked Teddy up and threw him over his shoulder, he giggled non stop out to the car.
Teddy was over the moon when he saw Bubby and Shaun at the park it was like old times again, even though he just spent four weeks with them. They had so much to catch up on, the game didn't start until late. I wanted us to get back to as normal as we could in our daily lives so I grabbed Cons hand and we started doing laps of the oval. I thought we would start small so I didn't insist we did the whole park, and anyway I wanted to keep one eye on the kids, well one in particular.
He was running with the ball when Bub's tripped him and he fell flat on his face, his laughter was so good to hear as he dusted himself off and noticed the scrape on his knee. It was some sort of big joke when he came up for a band-aid. John had that task as the other boys that had gathered called for him to hurry up. He started running out to the game again, his war wound was fixed then he remembered something, he trotted back and hugged us four one by one. Then he was ready to play again.
We got back around five-thirty and immediately hit the showers, I could hear Con singing to Ted as I found something to wear, and I was looking forward to seeing Di and the babies.
John and Ray met us out the front and we all walked down the street to Marty's place. We were met at the door by a smiling Dianna who hugged us all as we piled into her hallway. She particularly gave Ted extra hugs then he ran off to find Hope and Brent; his cousins.
I was blown away with what she had done to the house while we were away. She had completely repainted and replaced some ceiling roses to accommodate three large chandeliers that commanded we all look at them. She had also replaced the kitchen to a fabulous bespoke one. It all looked classy and so
upmarket.
Skye was sitting at the table with little Brent in her arms and she wasn't going to give him to anyone, again, until they washed their hands.
"Skye we all just had showers," I explained to her.
"But you touched at least five-door handles on the way here, go wash your hands." She was serious, and she would make a great nanny but even a greater supermodel like her sister, she was breathtaking.
"When are your Melbourne concerts starting Rick?"
"I haven't any plans as yet Skye, maybe Marty will let you know when we are doing some." I think we have had this conversation before.
"Well my girls are waiting, and you're not getting any younger."
Con ignored her and started playing with Hope, she was trying to twist his nose off I think.
Dinner was superb, Di did a great job, and we two talked and giggled late into the night. Con had taken Teddy home and Marty had put the kids to bed. When we stopped catching up I realized it was quite late, and only Di and I had remained. I said my goodnights and promised to catch up as soon as I had settled in again. Their house was magnificent, she has good taste that friend of mine.
I crawled into bed thinking I might have a little taste of my man but there was a third wheel in it with him.
"He wanted to stay awake to say goodnight to you," Con mumbled.
I leaned over and kissed his head and said.
"Goodnight son."
"So did I." So I did the same to Con and we drifted off to sleep.
As usual, I woke with Ted's legs stuck in my back he was twisted everywhere, so I unfolded him and laid him out straight, then went to the toilet. Putting the coffee on I left my boys to sleep. I missed the cartoon channel so I flipped the TV on and sat to watch some morning show that was spewing out a load of crap to its viewers once again. I put it on the cartoon channel and watched something sensible for a change. Teddy was the first out and then Conner not far behind. Ted wanted the remote control, Con wanted to scratch his balls. He made me another coffee and we sat at the table, I was tired, and he was itchy.
"What have you got on today Con?"
"Well I missed the TV interview yesterday, so I guess they will want me in there today to tape a segment."
"Marty will know won't he?"
"Yes Brent and he's got to organize an Australian tour, I'm not getting any younger apparently." he chuckled.
"None of us are Con, don't you think it's too soon to go back on the road?"
"I don't want to do it anymore baby, I think I will just sit home and write songs, maybe do an album or two, but no touring."
"Well if your sure, it would be ace to have you around all day, and we have to get onto that block of apartments. I got a message from the architect he needs to see us as soon as possible."
"Do you know what for?"
"No baby, just that he has some things to run by us."
"Can we set up a meeting for tomorrow, I want to relax today and hang with our son."
"And me."
"And you." He smiled then placed his feet on the opposite chair so I could run my hand up and down his legs.
"Is there anything wrong Con you seem a little distant?"
"No, just feeling the after-effects of the tour that's all. I will come good in a few days." He smiled.
"Okay." I looked over at our son he was getting into that cartoon. I could see him trying to turn his body upside down to see it better, then I froze.
"Fuck Con, he's watching that bloody porn movie." We both jumped up to go turn it off, we must have left the disc in the player and he's pushed the wrong button. I shielded him as he tried to maneuver himself around me, but Con had already pushed eject and was taking the disc out.
"What was that Dad?"
"Daddies new dance moves baby; it's not finished yet." I had to think quick as I grinned at Con.
"Show me the moves dad maybe I can make some more money?" he laughed; I don't think he's been damaged.
Conner took the offending disc back up to the bedroom where he promptly placed it back in its cover then mixed it in with some other ones.
I was laughing on the couch with my son, he was trying to make up some new moves, so when Con came back he handed Ted ten dollars for his help. We showered and dressed, no John this morning so I started breakfast on my own, now where does he keep my frying pan?
Conner got his phone call around nine-thirty, he was to meet Marty at the studio to do a five-minute recording. I wanted to finish my washing and then I was free for the day. Ted will start back at school next week so I thought I might do something special with him today. I was at a loss as what to do then I remembered something.
I dressed him up around twelve then we walked hand in hand down to the shops, I am taking my son out to lunch today; just us two.
We arrived at Nans place and Ted was overjoyed to see all his old friends again. Geoff was the happiest and he fussed around us until we ordered our meals. Ted was taken into the kitchen to talk to the cooks and I could hear him laughing as he told them all about his trip overseas. When our meal arrived so did his other daddy, we quickly ordered him something and he went and rescued his son.
"When do you want to do another event, Geoff?" Conner said to him as he placed Ted's milkshake on the table.
He looked a little surprised at the offer, then he shook himself and said.
"I will check the calendar." His smile got larger as he walked back to the reservation desk.
"I think I will buy this place and start up a night club or dinner theatre." He looked around.
"Maybe it's a bit small, you should be looking at a bigger venue a hotel or something like that." I offered my opinion.
"Okay boss." He smiled, and Conner if you buy a hotel I will divorce you.
Ted was having his usual lasagna today so I went for the same. He smothered his with cheese so I scraped some off when he wasn't looking and he was none the wiser. It was delicious and I wondered again why John doesn't open that restaurant, Conner can do his thing upstairs in the showroom that will keep him home more often. I have to stop drumming up work for him, I want him at home with me.
Lunch was the perfect family affair, we even had dessert and I let Con order a full-sized one. Teddy had exhausted himself because he had a lot of people to talk to after eating, some regular customers recognized him and wanted updates also.
We walked home in the sunshine and when we got to Di's place we decided just to go home and nap, after all, it was a big lunch.
I rang the architect and made an appointment, he told me that the build was going to schedule there were no hiccups. Adam was talking to Con when I hung up something about clothes and Con was making a list.
"Where are we going?" I inquired after I had fully satisfied my man.
"Hobart casino for two nights next month baby."
"And Adam wanted?"
"He wanted me to make sure I had three outfits cleaned and ready for the gig"
"How long will you be away?"
"We will be away for five days, it's the long weekend so Teddy comes with us, the casino is paying big bucks for me, and I thought maybe we might hire a camper and drive from Hobart to Launceston then catch the boat across maybe an overnight trip or something." I guess that sounds all right, yes I will go along with that, Ted's never been on a big boat, me either.
Cons stage costumes are stored upstairs on six big movable racks. I had everything cleaned and ready to go again before we got back from America so that won't be a problem. He does have some beautiful gear up there but he always wears his jeans and t-shirts when he's home its more comfortable for him, anyway we have a month or so but I suppose Adam is just thinking ahead or trying to give me more work.