Breach of Contract
CHAPTER 10: The shit hits the fan
The meeting with Ellen and her attorneys was scheduled for eleven o'clock at the offices of Logan, Norris, and Love. Matt, Ian, Nathan Ramos, Kyle Voelker, and Henry Zimmerman walked into the conference room at 10:55. Across the table sat Ellen, Fletcher, Patterson, and a couple of associates for show. Fletcher had replaced Ellen's previous attorney and all Ian could think was "What an arrogant ass." Then he remembered he was representing his own boyfriend, and wonder if he wasn't himself an arrogant ass.
Fletcher was about to start the meeting when Logan and Love walked into the room.
"What are you two doing here?" Norris barked.
"Easy Paterson," Logan said, "we're just here to protect the interests of the firm."
"And, we haven't seen a good fight since Victor Ortiz vs. Andre Berto in 2011," Love said with a small sneer.
Norris didn't say anything in response and then motioned for Fletcher to start.
"This is our revised offer," Fletcher said and pushed a folder over to Ian, who without taking his eyes off Fletcher, slid it to Kyle.
Kyle opened the folder and scanned the one-page document. Their offer was $250,000, 3 weeks for the kids to be with Matt during the Summer break and alternating Thanksgivings and Christmases. Kyle closed the folder, then said, "This is our counter," and passed a folder to Fletcher.
Fletcher looked at the agreement, and Ian could see him getting more and more pissed as he read. He didn't even get to page three before he yelled, "This is a load of horse shit. How the hell did you come up with a ten million dollar number? And there is no way that a Colorado judge will take kids from their mother and send them to Chicago to live with two perverts."
Nathan said, "Actually we believe the offer of a ten million dollar cash settlement is being quite conservative. Considering Ellen Norris-Harris' wealth, we believe 20 million is a realistic proposal; however, Mr. Harris is willing to settle for less in the interest of an expedited negotiation."
"I don't know what you're trying to pull," Norris bellowed, "but Harris signed a prenup and the most he gets from Ellen is $300,000. As for the house, that is the property of the Norris family trust. He and Ellen don't own it."
Kyle pulled a document out of his briefcase and handed it across the table, and asked, "Is this the prenup in question?"
Norris looked at it and said, "You know damn well it is."
Kyle then handed another document across the table and said, "That is a copy of Ellen Norris' and Matthew Harris' Massachusetts wedding certificate. As you will note, they were married before the prenup was signed. We stipulate that Mr. Norris was unaware of the marriage at the time he drafted and presented it to Mr. Harris. However, it is our view that no reasonable judge would consider this a valid post-nuptial agreement given that it was presented to Mr. Harris at the direction of his father-in-law and future employer, at Mr. Harris' bachelor party, no doubt after Mr. Harris had consumed a number of drinks and without the advice of independent counsel."
Fletcher decided to step in, "Even if we were to accept that the prenup isn't binding, Ellen does not have any personal assets that would justify such an award."
"That is where we disagree," Kyle said. "As one-quarter beneficiary of the Norris Family Trust, we contend that she does have assets and Mr. Harris is entitled to half of them. Also, it is our contention that the house was a wedding gift from the trust to Mr. and Mrs. Harris."
Kyle slid another folder across the table, then continued, "Page one is a photographic copy of Mr. and Mrs. Harris' wedding register. As you can see, listed among the gifts, is the current Harris home. Recording the gifts in this registry was the responsibility of Mrs. Harris' sister, who was also her bridesmaid. It is our contention that as a member of the Norris family, and at the time a trustee of the trust, she understood the home to be a gift. Additionally, the second document is a photographic copy of a wedding card found in the wedding registry that has the note `To our lovely daughter and new son-in-law, we hope you fill Grandmother Lilly's home with love and children and make it your home for the rest of your lives.' Our view is that, at minimum, the intent was to convey to both Ellen Harris and Matt Harris life-time tenancy to which we attach an estimated value of $1.5 million dollars."
"This is all smoke and mirrors," Norris yelled as he grew more agitated. "Your wild imaginings and speculation will be laughed out of court. The conditions and terms of the trust give Harris no claim on any part of it and your estimates of its holdings are fantastical. You may know family law, boy; but you know nothing about trusts."
Kyle was unfazed by Norris' insult and said, "I will concede that "Estate and Trust law is not my specialty. That is why Mr. Henry Zimmerman is here to advise us. Mr. Zimmerman is a senior partner at Preston, Robb, and Moore where he is the head of the Trusts and Estates department. He also teaches Trust and Estate law at the University of Chicago Law School."
Zimmerman pulled an envelop from his coat pocket and handed it across the table to Patterson Norris, then said, "That is an order for you to produce the Norris Family Trusts' governing documents, the most recent three years of trust audits, and a list of all the trusts' assets for our review."
"Fuck you!" Norris said as he stood up and stormed out of the meeting. Ian noticed that Love covertly slipped Logan what looked like several bills, he couldn't see the denomination, but he guessed they weren't just a couple of twenties."
Fletcher was rattled by Norris' outburst and tried to get back on track by saying, "While Mr. Norris, takes a break, let's move on to the issue of custody. You have to realize that no judge is going to let you take the children out of state and into another jurisdiction. I am sure we can agree that the custody arrangement we have offered is consistent with other's where one of the parents lives out of state."
Now it was Ian's turn to pass a folder across the table. Fletcher looked, and his eyes got wide, then he said, "You bought a house yesterday! What are you up to!"
Ian said, "Mr. Harris is prepared to remain in Denver if the court states that is a condition for custody of the children. His employer has also agreed that he can live and work in Denver."
"Who is this alleged employer?" Fletcher snarled.
"Me," Zimmerman said, "Yesterday Mr Harris was very busy. Not only did he purchase a house, he also joined the law firm of Preston, Robb, and Moore. He will be assigned to me in Trusts and Estates, and I will have full discretion as to which office to assign him. We currently don't have a Trusts and Estates presence in our Denver office, but I think Colorado needs a good Trust attorney." Ian noticed when Zimmerman mentioned expanding the Denver office, both Logan and Love frowned.
Ian decided it was time to lay the cards on the table, and said, "This is the bottom line. Mr Harris doesn't give a shit about your money. As you know, he received a very nice settlement last Friday, he has a good job with significant potential for advancement, and as soon as the divorce is finalized, he is going to marry someone who has plenty of money to insure he and his children have a very good life. So, if you agree to his terms on custody, which are he gets sole custody and he can relocate with the children to Chicago, he will drop the financial demands and we can settle this today. If we can't reach an agreement, then we are fully prepared to litigate this in court. Of course, litigation will likely put everyone's life on hold for at least a year and probably longer."
Logan finally interrupted, "It is well after lunch time. I think we should take a break. Why don't I give Mr. Coburn a call when we are ready to resume discussions."
As everyone was getting ready to leave, Ian said, "Hey Fletch, congratulations."
"For what?"
"Well, there have been rumors circulating in legal circles that this firm is opening an office in D.C. and I just learned you have applied for admission to the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court. I figured that as Logan, Norris, and Love's newest partner and hot shot litigator that's where you are headed."
Fletcher was at a loss for what to say and looked at Logan and Love. Logan chuckled and said, "Damn Coburn, if I didn't know better, I would think you have a mole in our office. We would appreciate it if all of you kept that quiet until we make an announcement next week."
Zimmerman piped up, "Of course we will. Professional respect and all of that."
When they got down to the building lobby, Zimmerman smiled and said, "That was a pleasure to watch. My wife is enjoying the spa at the Brown Palace today, so let me take you to one of my favorite places to eat in Denver."
The place Zimmerman took them to was a small family deli in a strip mall tucked between a Goodwill and dry cleaners. "This is the best Kosher Deli in Denver. I may not be very overly religious when it comes to attending services, but when it comes to corned beef, you gotta be kosher. My people may not have invented corned beef, but we perfected it."
After they ordered Zimmerman asked, "So anyone want to bet on what time they call to capitulate."
"You really think they are going to capitulate?" Nate asked.
"Yeah, I was looking at both Ellen and Fletcher when Ian said we were ready to go to litigation even if it took a year or more. It was clear neither of them wanted that. Ellen will want more contact with the kids, but I really doubt Fletcher does. In fact, he probably is pushing her right now to accept the offer."
Ian looked at Matt and asked, "You've been quiet all morning. What are you thinking?"
"I really want custody, but I don't want to cut them off from their mother and grandparents. I just don't know what to do about that."
"Do you mind if I make a suggestion?" Zimmerman said.
"No, I could really use some advice," Matt said.
"Denver is a wonderful city in the Summer. I spent every July out here with my aunt when I was a kid. You just bought a house here, and you get four weeks of vacation. Even if you have to put in some time for a client, the firm has an office here you can work from, and it's less than a three hour flight from Denver to Chicago. Matt, you have a benevolent and understanding boss who has a soft spot for happy endings. Of course, I don't know about that slave driving asshole Ian works for."
Ian laughed, and said, "That's a great plan."
"Good, now that that's settled," Zimmerman said, " I am saying they capitulate at 3:43."
As it turned out, the capitulation happened at 4:15 and Nate won the $100 pool.
That evening, Matt was over the top happy. He was like a kid before Christmas. Finally, Ian wrestled him to the floor and pinned him with his arms above his head. Then he said, "You are driving me crazy. What's it going to take for you to settle down?
Matt looked up at Ian, smiled, and licked his lips.
"Oh fuck," Ian said.
"Yeah, you got that right babe."
Ian bent down and gave Matt a kiss, and soon the two were making out hot and heavy. Ian managed to get Matt's shirt off and Matt lifted his arms up so Ian had access to his pits. Hairy arm pits were Ian's weakness. Matt's pits trapped his masculine musk without stinking and it drove Ian insane. One deep breath and Ian knew he had to have Matt's cock buried deep in his ass.
Ian looked down at Matt and said, "I need you to breed me."
Since reconnecting, Ian had most often taken the more assertive role in bed. However, when Ian insisted on "being bred," Matt understood what his lover wanted: Ian wanted to be the object of savage desire. He wanted a statement of unqualified sexual desire and devotion. He wanted to know Matt was completely crazy for his body.
Matt smiled and in one quick movement reversed their positions. Once on top, Matt began to suck Ian's nipples and licked his chest. Ian moaned, and Matt knew Ian's cock would soon be dripping precum. Matt kissed Ian and forced his tongue deep into Ian's mouth. As they kissed Matt began to grind his cock against Ian's. Now they were both leaking onto Ian's tight abs.
"Do you want it rough?" Matt asked, even though he already knew the answer. He just wanted to hear Ian ask, no beg, for it.
"Yes, yes! Fuck me hard. I need you to pound my ass!"
Matt pushed Ian's legs back until he rolled onto his shoulders and his hole was pointed to the ceiling. For a moment Matt admired the tight, pink, pucker then used his tongue to lightly tickle the sensitive hole. Suddenly, a memory from their law school days jumped into Ian's mind. It was their second time fucking that Matt learned just how crazy Ian got when his pucker was teased. When Matt pushed the tip of his tongue into the hole, Ian's entire body shuddered with pleasure and anticipation. Matt spit on Ian's pucker and used his tongue to work it in. Then when Matt was ready, he lubed Ian's hole and slowly sunk his hard cock deep. Ian didn't have to say anything, Matt knew what he wanted and what Ian needed. He took total control. He was the captain of the ship, and Ian was just the crewman taking orders. Ian had faith that at the end of the day, Captain Matt would get them both safely through the cumming storm and into a tranquil harbor.
The metaphor of Matt as a sea captain came to Ian in their days at Harvard. One night Matt had slipped him off the bed so that his shoulders were on the floor and his back against the side of the bed. Matt then took hold of Ian's ankles, spread his legs, and plunged his cock deep. Looking up from the floor as Matt hammered his ass, Ian thought Matt looked like a painting he once saw of Francis Drake at the helm of the storm tossed "Golden Hind." When Ian told Matt about the image of the ship captain, Matt thought the story was quite funny, not necessarily the reaction Ian was looking for. Nevertheless, for the next month, Matt would slap Ian's ass and say, "I need me some of this Golden Hind."
Ian's mind was brought back to the present as Matt began to pound away with long powerful strokes. Several times, Ian nearly shot his load, but each time Matt would stop or change the pace increasing both Ian's desperation and anticipation. Matt was working up a sweat and small streams were running down his body and onto Ian, where they joined Ian's perspiration to form rivers that ran down Ian's torso. Then it happened, Matt's cock hit Ian's prostate just right and press the button to open the floodgates. A huge stream of cum burst from Ian's cock and landed in the middle of his forehead. Matt gave one more heavy thrust down into Ian, forcing out another equally powerful blast. However, this time Matt stayed with his cock deep inside Ian and his sperm flooded Ian's insides. If he didn't know that Matt was the only other person in the room, the amount of cum in his ass and the tenderness of his hole would have led Ian to believe he was at the center of an orgy. There was no need for a second or third round, they had all been wrapped into the first.
After showering together, Ian and Matt decided to sleep in the suite's other bedroom. Ian chucked as he wondered what the housekeeper's reaction would be to an extra generous tip two days in a row.
When they slipped under the sheets, Ian cuddled up to Matt and said, "That is what I have been missing."
"What do you mean."
"I mean getting fucked by a confident, take-charge lover. In our previous life together, you were always more confident and assertive in bed than I was. Since then, it seems our rolls have been reversed. I am not saying I want to go back to being the passive, mostly bottom I was back then, but I don't want that for you either. I want us to be equals in decision-making, running a household, making financial decisions, and in bed. I know I have taken charge and made decisions, like buying the house, without really always talking them through. I did that because you were reeling from the divorce, the fear of losing the kids and your job and your financial situation. Well, buddy all of those issues are settled, it's time for you to reengage. We are partners and I expect you to stand up and push back if I start to be "Mr. in charge" as Heather sometime calls me."
"I understand, it's just that you bring so much more to this relationship than I do."
Ian grabbed Matt's balls and gave them a good squeeze. "Ow! What the fuck was that for?"
"To remind you that you are a man, and to get your attention. First of all, after your settlement with Logan, Norris, and Love, you are financially independent. You can walk away from me and do quite well. FYI, that's not money I got for you, that's money you deserve for the work you've put in, and the abuse you've taken over the last ten years. Second, I got you in this bargain. You are not a worthless piece of shit: you are a diamond. Granted, I had to wash off a lot of shit to get to that diamond, but I am so happy I found it...."
Matt, couldn't help but laugh at the analogy.
Ian continued, "Finally, I got something I had no idea how much I wanted or needed: I got a family. Being with you and the kids has shown me just how hollow my life has been. Yes, I have made a lot of money, and have a good house, and a successful career, but for what? Without a family, all of that is just stuff, but now with a family it's a home and a life with purpose."
Ian started to cry, as he said, "I am the one who isn't bringing equal value to this relationship. I just hope you can find I am enough."
Now Matt started to cry as well. He pulled Ian in closer and wrapped him with both arms, then said, "Of course you are enough, you are more than enough. I am not the master of metaphors that you are, but a diamond is just a shiny rock until the jeweler combines it with precious metal, then it's something people admire and wish they had as well."
Ian wiped his eyes and said, "So, I'm still your Golden Hind."
Matt laughed, and said, "No babe, you are my Golden Love and the treasure of my heart," and then he kissed Ian.
I hope you enjoy "Breach of Contract."
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