Chapter 84
The dinner was superb tonight, we had some things to celebrate, and when Conner rang Di and Mike talked to her, I could hear her heart beating from where I sat. More work for her and Adam.
We helped John clean up and while we did Conner picked at the pork crackling, I gave him such a stare then grabbed a bit for myself. Grant had been very quiet during dinner and I watched as he went upstairs to get something. When he came back he had a bottle in his hands.
"Hey Brodie, come over here, I'll massage your legs."
Brodie looked at Teddy and they both giggled, then he laid on the baby's rug and Grant proceeded to massage his tired legs. He giggled his way through it then Ted wanted a go, so tonight was full of giggles and wonderful food, I wanted to get into bed with Conner as soon as possible to do some massaging of my own.
"How do they feel son?"
"Excellent dad, they feel really good."
"Thank you, Grant, I guess I should have been doing that."
"It's okay Mike you can't think of everything." Grant smiled, did I just hear Mike groan under his breath?
I have no idea what Mary talked to Brody about, but at bedtime, Ted did say they talked about footy a lot and a little bit about thinking good thoughts instead of bad ones. He also said that she told Brody his daddy was still in his heart and wasn't going anywhere. He was quite tired tonight and went to sleep after the first page of his book. The twins happily sucked away on their dummies and of course, I had to have one too because Conner looked so flaming delicious when I got into bed.
His long curly hair was going wild when I woke up, it was everywhere and so was his mouth, I guess he's in one of those moods today, but who am I to complain. I let him have his fill then went to attend to our boys. I had got up twice last night because I thought I heard them, but they both were false alarms
Di was on our doorstep early, she wanted to know what Mike wanted, so we told her he wanted the whole box and dice, he has some sketches and some old plans of the brick cottage, but it needed a really good updated facelift.
She played with the babies for a long time then helped us feed them. She's a natural mother, and I was proud to call her friend.
"Any news on that rabbit test Di?" I smiled.
"Not yet Brent, if it happens it happens if it doesn't then I have done my best."
"You certainly have Di, any more is a bonus."
"More babies would be a welcomed bonus Brent, but I think Marty's run out of sperm." She giggled.
"Well, you shouldn't try so hard."
"Maybe, that's what Mike told me the other week."
"Well he's a good doctor, take notice baby."
"I have." She blushed, then started playing with Jack.
When she left I helped John clean up some more, not that there was much to do, then we opened the bi-folds to air the house out. Conner was happily tinkering on the piano until he got a phone call. It was like a panic had set in, he was writing and paying all morning. When I took his coffee into him I asked what it was all about.
"I have to go to Queensland, they need me again."
"When?"
"Tomorrow morning Baby, do you have time to come with me?"
"I don't know Con, it's a school day for Teddy, I guess you're on your own."
"Okay, I get it and I want you to be here for the boys. I have to ring Jenny to get the plane ready is there anything you need to tell her?"
"No Con, just tell her I love her, and I will see her soon."
"Okay, maybe we should have them over to dinner one night, it seems ages since I have seen little Conner."
"Good idea, when you ring I will talk to her. How long will you be away?"
"A couple of days baby."
"I'll make it for Saturday night then."Good." He flipped his phone out and dialed her number. I spoke to her when Con finished, she would be happy to call on Saturday but in the afternoon, she and Bob have something to do Saturday night. I didn't ask what but she sounded excited about it.
He went back to his work and John was playing with the babies on the floor, so I took the opportunity to pack a few things for Conner's trip. He must have realized I had gone missing because in a few minutes of me starting, a hunky man was humping my ass.
Feeds were done, nappies changed and a husband has been taken care of, we set out for the park. Grant was already there doing some laps, I wanted to help him but he seems to have shut us out a bit in the past week.
John and Ray had the boys, and when they arrived I couldn't help but notice the big grin on Brody's face, he was excited and talked about playing handball at playtime then doing some fence exercises with Ted and his other mates after school.
He did play some footy and I got a message from Mike asking if he was okay. I text him back and sent him a photo of his boy kicking the footy around.
John had his usual sandwiches and Andy looked a little pale today, I wondered if the extra work was getting him down. When Ray started talking to him he seemed like he was giving him more work to do, so I set about finding out what was the problem.
"I'm okay Brent, just too many things running through my brain at the moment, I'll come good." He smiled as I noticed the makings of dark circles under his eyes. That is really out of character for Andy he's usually the fit one.
"Well you look so tired, maybe you should tell Ray it's too much for you." He stared at me and made a sour face.
"It's all your fault Brenten Walsh, it is all your doing."
"What? my fault?"
"Yes, if you hadn't had the twins Sam wouldn't be on my back to have another one."
"But that's something you both decide together, will you use another surrogate or adopt Andy?"
"No, you don't get it, he's literally on my back."
"Oh." I laughed my head off, it sounds like Sam's found some new energy he has to expel.
"Sorry." I lowered my shaking shoulders.
"So you should be, and yes we might try again, but Sam says to make it feel real, we have to hump at every opportunity. He's turned me into a raging slut these past few weeks." His face was redder than tomato sauce, because everyone heard him, and so did Mrs. Green when she snuck up behind him.
"That will be three hundred words, Mr. Andy. I must not swear like a gutter tramp in front of the children."
"What?"
"You heard me."
"How dare you, I'm not going to do it. I am over this shit."
"Four hundred words Mr. Andy do you want to try for five?" She rested her hands on her hips.
He shut his mouth, Fran was giggling her head off, and trying not to cry. Andy was so flustered he didn't know where to look.
"She got you there Andy, so bloody funny," Fran said.
"Don't you people ever learn, Mr. Bubbies mum, five hundred words first thing on my desk in the morning." She shouted at Fran.
"How dare you."
"Want to make it six?" Mrs. Green is on a roll today.
"Was there anything I can help you with Mrs. Green?" I sucked up to her.
"I wanted to see the babies that's all Mr. Walsh. Lucky I came by because I would never have imagined the absolute filth these two talk in front of them, poor little soles.
"
Andy was reaching for the knife, I laughed so hard I nearly split my ribs.
"Daddy, are you being naughty again?" Shaun was nearby with his mates to see what all the fuss was about. I had to take Jack in my arms and bury my face in his blanket, I was laughing so much.
I passed him over to that Green woman and butter wouldn't melt in her mouth as she cooed and oohed her way through talking to him.
"Don't you worry pet, by the time you go to school these foul-mouthed humans would have learned their lessons." She said to Jack.
"Run Mr. Conner's?"
"Yes, get me out of here I don't want to be her next victim."
Oh, no you don't Brenten Walsh, you stay right here and support us." Andy yelled.
"Daddy, stop being naughty." His son had the right answer. Conner and I ran off chuckling our heads off. I can't wait for Mike to meet her, then she will have her hands full.
We stopped at the tree and had a small kiss, the boys ran past us and Ted Shaun and Bubby were at the back going slowly in case Brody got tired, they screamed when they passed us and Conner pulled me into the bushes.
When we got back Brodie was resting at the table and watching the boys play some kick to kick. He said he was too tired to join in but he was having loads of fun.
Andy had settled down and Mrs. Green had gone. I smiled at him, he sort of sneered back. It was all in fun but I hope for Shaun and Bubby's sake they do their homework tonight, which will give Daryl a laugh.
Mike picked Brodie up at six, he was enticed by us to stay for dinner and Grant was nowhere to be seen.
After we sat down he came down the stairs looking a million dollars, he had his hair cut short and his Levi jeans and shirt were like liquid paint on his body.
"You look nice tonight Grant, dinners almost ready." John looked him up and down.
"Sorry, I forgot to tell you, I won't be here for dinner John, I have a date."
"Oh, who with?"
"An old friend." He sort of smiled then bid us goodnight as he grabbed his keys and walked out the door.
"Strange, he didn't say anything at the park," Con said.
"Very odd indeed," I answered him back. I guess that was a down moment for Mike, he went pretty much silent for the next hour or so.
He handed me his plan and the original house plans, for me to give to Di so she can get started. I also knew why he went quite, Grant's date threw him a bit.
We put Ted to bed, and then I helped Conner check if he had everything. His music was tucked into his backpack, and clean underwear was also packed. I will miss him, but as I said before, it's his job.
There was no Grant in the morning, and I was getting a bit worried about him. Conner ate early and kissed us all goodbye, then one of his drivers took him to the plane. I didn't have time to dwell on it because baths and changes were on my list of things to do. John helped me with the twins and I don't know who was wetter, him or the kids, as he laughed and played with them.
They were dressed for their day then Ted was taken to school by the granddads. I flopped on the floor with my kids and played with them until they exhausted themselves and had their first nap for the day.
Perfect kids perfect skin, I moved my hands all over them marveling in their beauty. The next thing I knew John was coming in to start doing what he does all day in the kitchen.
"Did you fall asleep?"
"Yes, John, I must have been tired still." I stretched out.
"What are your plans for today?"
"I don't know yet, maybe I will go see Di and the kids, but I'm still worried that Grant didn't come home."
"Well, he's a big boy he can look after himself." He smiled.
"I suppose so, but I hope he wasn't doing the nasty with his date. That could complicate things a bit with Mike."
He wiped his hands with a tea towel then sat at the table.
"Son, come and talk to me for a bit."
"What's up, do you know something?" I wanted to know.
"Yes, and no, Stan's in town tying off loose ends and avoiding the British press. We figured he would get in touch with Grant, and we think last night's date was him."
"But he was arrested in London, how did he get out of the country without a passport?"
"The charges didn't stick, so he's free to travel anywhere, I heard."
"So, he's here to get Grant back then." I dropped my head.
"We don't know that for sure son, we think he had to come back to handover the consulate to his next in line. It makes sense while he's here he would want to talk to Grant."
"Yes, I suppose you're right John, it sticks in my gullet a bit though." He smiled at me then carried on the conversation.
"If Grant has an affair with Mike that's well and good, Brody is liking him more and more every day. And they are becoming close, but Mike isn't going to make a move until it feels right. That's the way it should be, he's still grieving for Jimmy, and you of all people would understand that." He took my hands and his thumbs rubbed them, it felt good.
"I know, I guess my expectations are high for the two of them, if its Stan he wants in the end, I can't argue with that even though Mike is the better option."
"Exactly spot on, now coffee?"
"Yes please John, thank you. Sometimes I think I'm all alone in this world but I'm not, and I should have known you and Ray had Grants back."
"That's not all we want to have Brent." He chuckled over to the bench and started the coffee machine.
"John, can I ask you a question, it's rather personal?"
"Go ahead, son." He smiled, because he knew what I was going to ask before I even said it, he shushed me up then said.
"The answer is yes, Brent, we have had some great sex over the years. We would appreciate it if you didn't mention it to Conner. It was just something we did, it didn't detract from our love for each other one bit, but we both wanted it, and we both were on equal ground when it happened."
"Did it turn you on?"
"You have no idea, it was wonderful, and I think Ray will tell you the same thing too. I don't know about you and Conner having a go at it. Maybe you are both strong enough to cope with it, but maybe not. That's something you have to discuss with him openly, no arguments, no jealousy." He smiled.
"Thank you." Was all I could say because he was being really honest with me I wanted to be the same with him.
"We joke about getting Grant in as our third, but something holds us back all the time."
"That's because he's a friend, and it would probably ruin the friendship if that happens, he will no longer be your employee, he will be a sort of lover."
"Then how did you work it, John?"
"Saunas, parties, strangers in the night. Never any of our friends, they talk, and can ruin a reputation as quickly as they can get their pants up." He laughed then went on.
"Mostly overseas out of harm's way Brent. And please don't tell Conner, and please don't think any less of us because of it."
"Absolutely no way would I do that, and I promise my lips are sealed, thank you."
I had a lot to think about, but in the end, as I sipped on my coffee and saw a missed call from Conner, I realized it was him I was missing the most today and it was only him I wanted to play with, saying and doing are two entirely different things, as well as fantasizing.
I bundled the kids up and walked down to Di and Marty's place. She was home thank god because I had forgotten to ring.
"What brings you to my door, my friend?"
I picked little Brent up and started cuddling him, Hope was having a nap so I had to be quiet.
"Just thought I would drop these plans off for Mike." I handed the folder over.
`Thank you, I will have a look in a minute. Are you feeling a bit down Brent?"
"Yes, no Conner for a few days I always miss him."
"Well, I have some news that will cheer you up."
"You're not pregnant?"
"No silly, I've nearly finished the flats, Adam and I spent yesterday afternoon fixing them up, we only have two to do now." She grinned.
"That was quick, you must be exhausted."
"No, Brent, we hired some guys to lug the furniture around and all we had to do was to style the rooms. We already knew where we were going to place things."
"That's a sign of a good designer Di, how do you think you will go with Mike's place?"
She opened the folder and stared at the plans for a bit.
"How much money does he have?"
"I don't know lovely, does it matter?"
"Oh yes, he can get a cheapie or a goodie." She smiled.
"Do the goodie Di, if he can't afford it we can advance him some money."
"I thought you might, this house is huge must have cost them a bomb in that area."
"I don't know Di, I haven't had that sort of conversation with him."
"Well next time just ask him gently." She giggled that beautiful one I adored.
"He's coming around tonight to see Mary, he will stay for dinner I'm sure, so let's wait and see." She started drawing onto a sketchbook, I was smiling at little Brent he had gone off to sleep.
After I put him in his cot I went back and she handed the page to me.
"Ask him what he thinks about that?"
It was a drawing of a beautiful family room leading out to a big backyard, it looked awesome.
"Of course all his rooms are small and pokey at the moment, so I plan to open it up as I did with your place."
"This is amazing Di, and yes I will ask him if he can afford it." I folded it up and placed it in the strollers carry basket.
It will be time for their milk soon so I headed home with a spring in my step.
Grant was home, he was sitting at the table talking quietly with John. I said hello then started getting the kids their lunches. They called their meeting to a halt and John got up to help me. Grant placed the boy's pillows on the floor then started placing them in their regular spots, he played with them and kissed them just about all over.
I wasn't feeling the best and I didn't want to ask him where he had been, and I didn't want John to tell me either. I wasn't mad with him, just a little disappointed.
My phone rang, it was Con, so I asked John if he wouldn't mind looking out for the kids then ran upstairs to take the call.
"Hey baby, it's full-on again. How are the boys, are they behaving themselves?"
"Yes Con, John and Grant are feeding them downstairs."
"Good you're in the bedroom then."
"Yes Con, are you at work or back at the hotel?"
"Hotel, I have just got out of the shower and am standing at the window in the nude."
"Good, go over and lay on the bed for me."
"Have you got a boner Brent?"
"You wouldn't believe how hard it is."
"Send me a photo." I did, and he made slurping sounds.
Being completely satisfied with a good handjob, I went to shower and dress and think about my Conner doing the same thing.
The sex was awesome but a little distant on the phone. There's nothing like the real thing and I wish he would come home soon.
While I was dressing there was a knock on the door. John told me he was putting the boys down for a nap. I went to help him and he looked at me and said.
"Phone sex is wonderful isn't it?" I smiled.
"Yes."
"He's not going back, they had dinner and he stayed the night, but no hanky panky. Stan wants him to move back to England. He told him he wasn't going anywhere near the place again."
I hugged him, a tear escaped from my eye because in the end Grant was a fantastic friend and I would have hated it if he left us.
"Thank you, John, and sorry about before, I guess I was feeling a little lonely." He shut the boy's door and looked me in the eye again.
"Brent, I told him you and Conner wanted a threesome with him. He said he didn't want to because he doesn't like the shape of your ass."
"He what?"
"Joking son, just joking.' He laughed back into his office; the kitchen. Grant was watching TV so I went and sat with him, he took my hand and kissed it I fell sideways and finished upon his shoulder, his arm then went around me, it was nice, he smelt like home.
"You miss him already don't you?"
"Yes, my friend like never before.""Have you been taking your pills?" That stumped me, of course, I would be feeling a little depressed without them. I got up and headed back upstairs to take one.
I loved this house better than the old one but those stairs are going to do me in, every time I come down them I have to go back up for something or other. Anyone with stairs would know what I'm talking about.
At the park Grant set the boys doing some laps except Brody, he placed a towel on a picnic bench and gave him another leg massage, I can do you, Grant, if you like.
He giggled as Brody squirmed under his rubbing hands.
Ray turned up and Bubby ran over to him for their general meeting and surprise surprise Tom and Shane came by. They were on their way to look at cars, but Shane had to be in on Bubbies meeting too for a half hour.
"How is everything going Tom?"
"Good Brent, and before you say anything Shane's father wants to buy him the car. No interfering."
"Okay, I wasn't going to offer anyway, I've spent too much this year as it is."
He laughed it was great to see.
"So it's going all right is it?" He bushed.
"More than all right Brent, I can't say anything but it was awesome."
"Ah, someone got laid good and proper then." He looked around and whispered.
"Shane finally did, it was wonderful." I guessed it was either one that gave it up, now they are in the big boys league. I wanted to buy them something for the occasion but I had better pull my head in and say nothing.
"Have you heard from Tan lately?"
"Yes, he's getting along just fine with his new stepbrother I believe, someone else that's getting it too."
I was so happy to hear that, I loved Tan and I can't wait to meet his new friend.
"Is he nice?"
"He's got a hell of a body on him, Brent, those Asians have a beautiful shape. That's what probably attracted me to Tan all those years ago." Tom talking dirty with me, unheard of, but he was growing up and becoming a wonderful adult, his shyness was leaving him.
"What kind of a car are you buying Shane?"
"A bomb Brent, the best bomb in the yard." I laughed.
"No really, what kind?"
"A good one, one that doesn't conk out and cost a lot to fix."
"I'm buying a new car soon, so you can have mine cheap, it's still under warranty." I again smiled.
"Liar," Tom said.
"No seriously I'm thinking with the twins now I need some sort of family wagon or something like that."
Tom looked at Shane, he turned to me and said.
"I only have five grand."
"That's all I will be getting as a trade-in Shane, give me a week and you can come around and get it."
"But it's only a year old, you should get more than that for it." He argued with me, but I'm better at it than him.
"Yes and it's a beauty, but believe me that's all it's worth on the Go Ship books and they will only give it to an employee or the tea lady." I laughed.
"Seriously?"
"Yes, Shane it's all yours in a week."
He looked at Tom and they both burst out laughing.
"What's so funny boy's"
"Before we tell you we had better make a handshake deal." He put his hand out and we shook, but he had suddenly got me worried.
"What's up?"
"Well I had ten grand, but thought I would start low, you're so easy Brent." They laughed their heads off as they said their goodbyes and left for home. I didn't mind, I would have given it to them, but I guess they wouldn't have taken it as a gift.
"Hi, Jen, it's me. Can you get me a new car, one that's baby-friendly maybe a people mover or something, but it has to be in maroon or burgundy?"
"What about a C class estate Mercedes, there's plenty of room for the boys it's a beautiful car." Since when did my sister know so much about cars?
"Sounds good to me, l will have a look at it tonight."
"Okay don't take too long, I want a drive of it, it's beautiful."
We talked for a few minutes then she had work to do so I hung up and looked for my babies, both Ray and John were staring at me.
"What, what did I do wrong?"
"Nothing son, we were just amazed you took your time looking for a new car that's all."
"Well Shane needed one, and there's no way he wouldn't take mine for free, so I sold it to him. Now I need another one. I can pay for it myself." I opened my hands.
"It will be delivered to your door tomorrow son, John and I will take yours to the garage to have it detailed for Shane."
"What? what did I miss?"
They laughed and John started packing up.
"What?" I said again but they weren't answering me.
I walked to the car in a huff, I haven't even seen the car yet and it sounds like they had one waiting for me already. Brody and Ted got into the car and I looked around at the granddads in theirs, they were still laughing. I started my car and backed out when I heard Teddy say.
"It's so beautiful daddy."
"What is so beautiful son?"
"Our new car I seed it when grandpa shows dad."
"Oh you did, did you, well son I haven't seed it yet, but I will take your word it's beautiful."
"Good, because I liked it." He giggled.
As soon as I got in I dumped the boys on the floor to play then opened my laptop. I searched for cars and found the one I'm getting, it was beautiful, and I loved the color. Ray sat and we had another coffee when John joined us they both took my hands.
"Well you didn't think we would let you drive our grandkids around in that old thing did you?"
"No, I didn't think that at all. Thank you very much." I wasn't going to let them gloat over foreseeing the future so I started reading about all the features it had.
Grant was pissing himself on the couch, so I thought I would have some fun with him.
"Don't ever think your date last night went unnoticed either young man, I'll get to you later." I pointed at him.
Teddy and Brody made whoo whoo noises and I heard Teddy say.
"Uncle Grants in trouble, uncle Grants in trouble." They both chanted and Grant went red.
I left them all to it when my phone rang, it was my husband and I wanted to talk to him in private.
"Did you get it yet?"
"Get what?"
"Whoops." He said.
"Oh, you mean the car don't you?"
"Yes, baby, our anniversary present from the boys."
"Oh, that makes me feel a whole lot better Conner."
"Well it is a nice car, and you do need more room."
"Yes, thank you, I love it. It will be delivered tomorrow I believe. Thank you, Con."
"Are you in our room?"
"No, but give me two minutes and I can be."
"Good open your mailbox." I did and there was the one thing I missed more than anything, Conner's foreskin dripping with pre-cum.
"Daddy," Brody yelled as Mike came up the hallway.
"Hello, my lovely son did you have a good day?"
"Yes daddy, but I missed you."
He endlessly kissed his son then his face fell when he saw Grant.
He greeted us and asked Grant if he had a good time last night. Grant nodded to him and said yes he did.
"We are getting to that later Mike how was your time with Mary?" I said.
"She's a strange one Brent, she didn't even look at my drawing or read my writeup she just tucked it into her drawer and then we talked about love."
"She's good Mike, don't give up," I answered as I helped John put the kid's dinners on the table.
"Cottage pie and vegetables tonight, I hope you're all hungry," John announced.
"Yum." Said Mike.
"Yuk." The boys both said.
"Good, all the more for me." I smiled at them.
"You'll get fat," Grant said.
We all stared at him this time, he laughed like it was a good old joke.
He moved around the table to sit next to Mike tonight. They do look awesome together and all the sparks were there as Grant finally gave us a rundown on his big date with Stanley.
"He wants me to go back to England, I'm not going because it's over for me. I can't trust him anymore but he spent hours trying to convince me to go with him. He was also trying to get me drunk. Maybe he had some dirty thoughts but I wasn't buying his bull anymore. I crashed on his sofa for the night, nothing happened and this morning I said my goodbyes."
"Did you talk about the flat?"
"He's going to put it on the market when he returns to London."
"Good," I said. I also thought I heard Mike let his breath out, but I wasn't sure.
"What is bull daddy?" Teddy wanted to know.
"It's another word like a fart, don't let your teacher hear it please Ted." Both of the boys giggled into their hands, Mike was sort of laughing too.
"Oh Mike, I have some things for you too."
"What?"
"Something Di did while I was there, she wants to know if you want a cheap job or a good job?"
"A good one of course, why would I want a cheap one?"
"She thought you may not be able to afford it." When in doubt blame Dianna. He went quiet then took a deep breath and said.
"Jimmy had insurance, plenty of it, this renovation is for his son and me, from him. But I do have my own money my parents are well off." He smiled and added.
"Is that what you wanted to know Brent?" I blushed and thanked him.
"This is wonderful, and she did this within an hour?"
"Yes she's brilliant and it will be magnificent when it's finished."
"Grant, can I ask your opinion?"
"Of course Mike." He handed it over and Grant smiled to himself, and he blushed a little. I think he's getting a new lover and a son.
Our night finished after Ted and Brody got permission to have another sleepover Saturday night. I insisted Mike stay too, I wanted him to meet my sister if she's still here when he arrives.