Breach of Contract
CHAPTER 8: Family Values
Ian drove a little way down the street until he came across a city park with a small playground. He parked the car and said, "Hey kids, let's go play and let your daddy have some alone time." Ian touched Matt's arm and asked, "Are you going to be okay?"
Matt nodded, but couldn't say anything.
"When you're ready, we'll be just over there," Ian said pointing to a play castle with a slide.
Ian took the kids and started walking across the grass to the play equipment. Mandy said, "Big E, what's wrong with daddy?"
Ian stopped and got down on one knee and looked at the three anxious faces. He wasn't sure just what to say, but he started. "Your daddy is making some tough decisions and things are changing for him. But you know what, the one thing that will never change is how much he loves the three of you. The three of you are the most important thing in the world to him."
Mandy said, "I want to live with daddy. I don't like mommy's friend."
"Who don't you like?" Ian asked.
"Fletcher," Bobby said, "he's an asshole."
Ian had to fight hard not to laugh, "Who taught you that word?"
"My friend Eddy. That's what he called the 5th grader that knocked him down in the hall, an asshole."
"Well Bobby, I don't think you should go around calling people that. Some people will get very angry and you might end up in a fight."
"Maybe so," Bobby said, "but he's still an asshole, and if he gives Ian another spanking, I'm going to punch him."
"He hit Ian?"
"Yes," Mandy said, "Ian was running in the house and knocked over Mr. Rockford's bottle. He spanked Ian, and yelled at him, and called him a bad word."
"What bad word? "
"Bastard," Bobby said.
"Do you know what was in the bottle?"
"Whiskey," Bobby said. "He and mommy drink a lot."
Ian was starting to get angry. If Fletcher and Ellen were getting drunk and scaring the kids before they were married, what would happen after they were married? He also decided that he couldn't tell Matt what he was beginning to suspect because he didn't have proof that would stand up in court and he was certain Matt would go insane at the thought of someone hurting his kids.
"Have you told your daddy any of this?" Ian asked.
"No, Mommy said we couldn't see Daddy anymore if we did," Mandy said with tears in her eyes.
Ian decided not to upset the children anymore so he said, "I will fix things. Now go and play." The three smiled and ran to the playground. As they did, Ian wondered if he had just promised more than he could deliver. And, why did the kids seem so willing to trust him to deliver?
Eventually Matt joined them at the playground, and he soon was totally focused on enjoying his time with the kids. It was increasingly clear to Ian that Matt was a natural daddy and his kids absolutely adored him. It would be just immoral if something broke up that relationship. So, while Matt and the kids played, Ian walked over to a bench that was out of earshot and made a phone call.
"Ian, what's up."
"Why didn't you tell me that Geoffrey Logan is your uncle?"
Vance laughed, "The same reason I didn't tell him anything about you. I like to see a fair fight. Uncle Geoff did call me afterward to say he was impressed. He also said he thought your client and friend, Matthew Harris, might be moving to Chicago. Uncle Geoff said he would write a letter of recommendation if he inquired at the firm for a position. Is he moving to Chicago?"
"Yes, but it's complicated. In fact, that's why I'm calling you." Ian then told Vance about the conversation he just had with the kids.
"Wow Ian, you leave Chicago a lonely single, and are coming back a family man."
"What are you talking about?" Ian said defensively. "I'm just helping a friend and his kids."
"Ian, I'm not being critical. I'm happy for you. So what do you need from me?"
"Does the firm have a private investigators they use here in Denver. I'll pay for the service. I just need someone I can trust."
"Let me take care of the P.I.," Vance said. "I'll also have a couple of the associates do a little research on Fletcher Rockford."
"Thanks Vance. I owe you another one. That stack of IOUs is getting pretty high."
Vance laughed and said, "Every time Reba straightens up my desk, she throws them in the trashcan." Reba was Vance's executive secretary and a friend of Ian's parents. Ian had known her since he was a kid. Ian was pretty sure she was instrumental in his getting an interview with Preston, Robb, and Moore the second semester of his third year in law school.
When Ian returned to the playground, Matt's suit coat was hanging on a peg, his sleeves were rolled up, and he was playing like he was one of the kids. Ian asked, "So have you decided on where we are going to eat supper?"
"Casa Bonita," the kids and Matt said in unison.
"Okay, I've never heard of the place, but I am willing to give it a try."
The Casa Bonita in Denver is the last of a series of Mexican themed restaurants that feature a multilevel dining room that is supposed to look like a Mexican resort town. It's a bit kitschy, but it had a cult following, and was even featured in a South Park episode titled "Casa Bonita."
The interior looked like the restaurant's owners got a good deal on a pallet of surplus pink paint. Plastic palm trees, strings of lights, and roaming entertainers tried to create the illusion of a street festival. However, the most iconic act was the cliff divers. The centerpiece of the dining room was a 30 foot indoor waterfall and diving pool. Throughout the evening high school and college age performers would imitate the cliff divers of Acapulco and dive into the pool from the top of the waterfall.
Ian took in the site, and then asked, "Is the food any good here?"
Matt laughed, and replied, "Do you really think people come here for the food?"
They ended up at a table close to the diving pool and the kids totally enjoyed watching the divers, while Matt and Ian enjoyed watching the kids. At one point during the evening, Matt leaned over to Ian and said, "I hope you don't hate me for dragging you here, I promise to take you to a really nice place to show my appreciation for what you did this morning."
"Good," Ian said with a wink, "but just so you know, if your idea of a really nice place has golden arches, you will be sleeping on the couch."
Matt laughed then said, "Okay, but I hope you have a sense of adventure."
"What does that mean?"
"What, don't you trust me?" Matt asked.
"I am not there yet," Ian said.
"I know," Matt said. "But you're getting there, buddy."
Ian smiled, and said, "I'm trying."
After eating Matt asked, "Who wants to go swimming?" All three kids shot a hand straight up into the air. Interestingly, they had a very nice swimming pool at home, and a private swimming instructor. What they didn't have at home recently, was a daddy who was a big kid at heart. Soon, they would find they also had an uncle who was rediscovering his inner child.
Once back at the hotel, and in the pool, Little E and Mandy kept their father totally occupied, while Bobby decided to roughhouse with Ian. Bobby was every bit Matt's kid. At nine years of age, Bobby was already tall standing just over 4-and-a-half feet and nearing 70 pounds, Bobby was big for his age, and while boys that age aren't really `muscular,' he was well built and strong. Like his brother and sister, Bobby was a pretty kid; however, in a few years, he was destined to be a handsome stud. Bobby was going to attract girls, and guys, like a flower attracts bees.
"So Bobby, are you interested in sports?" Ian asked.
"Yes sir, I like playing basketball and baseball. I also like to swim. I like to watch football, but I'm not sure mom will let me play. She might let me play soccer."
"Which would you rather play?"
"Football!"
"So you like to play rough, do you?"
"Yes, I do!" Bobby yelled and tried to jump on Ian's back and dunk him.
Ian laughed at the boy's spunk; then shoved him under water. Bobby came up sputtering immediately and tried to dunk Ian again, and Ian pushed him under water again. Twice more Bobby tried and each time the outcome was the same. Finally, Ian picked Bobby up out of the water and held the boy above his head. Bobby was laughing so hard he couldn't resist anymore.
Ian said, "It's time to teach you a lesson," and threw Booby into the deep end of the pool. However, Bobby sank to the bottom and in a panic Ian swam down to get him. As Ian neared the surface with Bobby in tow, Bobby suddenly came alive and climbed onto Ian's shoulders to push him back down. This time it was Ian that came up sputtering.
Ian looked around and saw Bobby, Little E, Mandy, and Matt all laughing. Ian swam over to them and Bobby threw his arms around Ian and said with a wide grin, "Don't hate me Uncle E."
Ian lifted Bobby up on his right shoulder and announced, "David has slain Goliath!"
Matt laughed and said, "I should have warned you; he doesn't have a drop of quit in his body and is one truly rough and tough kid."
"And tricky to boot," Ian said, and everyone laughed.
"Daddy," Little E said, "What are Mandy and me?"
"Well," Matt said, "Mandy is a princess and a scholar. And you buddy are my cute little charmer."
"Daddy, I'm not cute; I'm handsome," Little E said with an air of authority.
"Yes you are," Matt said proudly. "Now it is time to get you three up into bed."
"Awww," the kids groaned in unison.
When they got up into the room, Matt had the kids hop in the shower and rinse off the pool chlorine, and then he told them a story. Ian got on his iPad to check email. There was a report from one of the associates assigned to research Fletcher Rockford.
In general, Rockford's professional record was impressive. It was clear why he was on the partnership track. However, his personal life was another story. Rockford had a disorderly conduct charge that was dismissed, and he had pleaded guilty to careless driving, which was often code for a DUI plea deal. In college, Rockford was president of his fraternity when it was placed on probation for serving alcohol to underage students. The report combined with what the kids had told him about Fletcher's and Ellen's drinking set off all sorts of warning bells. However, he wasn't ready to share his concerns with Matt because he knew Matt wouldn't be calm or strategic where his kids were involved. Instead, Fletcher would end up with a busted up face and Matt would end up in jail.
Saturday, Matt and Ian took the kids to the Denver Zoo. No matter how many times a kid goes to the zoo, they always seem to be thrilled; and no matter how may times a parent takes his kids to the zoo, he gets a kick out of watching their excitement. Watching Matt with the kids was certainly affecting Ian emotionally. He was falling in love with a family, and while wonderful, it was also scary. He wondered if he could actually be a family guy. He loved his nieces and nephews, but could he actually be a parent.
Then Ian physically shuddered. It hadn't dawned on him until that moment that he was starting to imagine a future with Matt and his kids. How did he get to this place? How had he gone from hating the man to now thinking about creating a life, a family, with him? Was he ready for this?
"Fuck!" Ian said, drawing the disapproving stares of several parents in earshot. He suddenly felt weak and had to find a bench to sit down. Ian had closed his eyes, and put his face in his hands, so he didn't see Mandy walk over and sit down next to him.
"Uncle E," Mandy said, "are you sick."
Ian looked at her and smiled, then said, "No Mandy, I just needed to think about something."
"Can I sit on your lap, Uncle E."
"Sure you can," Ian said, and Mandy crawled onto his lap. She then looked at Ian and asked, "Do you have a wife and kids, Uncle E?"
"No Mandy, I don't."
"Are you lonely?"
Mandy's question hit Ian like a punch to the gut. Ian wanted to lie. He wanted to tell her he was happy and had a good life, but he couldn't. "You know Mandy, I didn't know until just a few days ago how lonely I really am."
"I think Daddy is lonely too," Mandy said.
Ian didn't know what to say. A seven-year-old had just identified the problem and the solution. The question was whether Ian was adult enough to act.
After the zoo, Ian took everyone to The Old Spaghetti Factory. Little E and Mandy ordered spaghetti and meatballs from the kids' menu, but Ian leaned over to Bobby and said, "A big guy like yourself should order from the main menu."
Bobby smile, then asked, What are you having?"
"I'm thinking about the Crab Ravioli with Pesto Alfredo sauce, but I also like Lasagna. How about I order the ravioli and you order the lasagna and we can share." Bobby smiled and nodded.
Ian, Matt, and the kids really enjoyed themselves. Ian and Matt asked about school, activities, and friends. Bobby's favorite classes were science and P.E. He was pretty cocky about his athletic ability, but Matt reminded him that the other boys would soon start to catch up; plus "the only thing worse than a sore loser, is an asshole of a winner."
Mandy's favorite classes were Language Arts and music. She was currently taking piano lessons but hoped someday to play the violin.
As for Little E, he liked everything about preschool except for nap time. As he put it, "Naps are for dumb babies."
Ian laughed and said, "Well, maybe someday, you will change your mind about naps. There are plenty of times I would love to pull out a sleeping pad and just take a little nap after lunch."
"Amen!" Matt said.
After they finished eating, it was back to the hotel and the pool. There were several families also hanging out at the pool, and it wasn't long before Matt and Bobby were in the middle of a pool basketball game with another father and son. Ian watched the game and noticed that although Matt and the other father were both around the same age, Matt was still very much the athlete and the other guy had gone to seed. Take away the stress of living with a bitch and working for her asshole father, and Matt would look just like he did the day he graduated law school.
Ian's daydreaming was interrupted by a tug on his swimsuit. Little E said, "Uncle E, I want a horsey ride."
Ian wasn't sure when he had gone from Big E to Uncle E, but he liked it. Ian bent down and said, "Hop on cowboy." Soon lan was clomping around the pool making horsey noises, while Little E hung on for all he was worth yelling "Giddy up" then laughing like only a four-year-old boy can laugh.
Next it was Mandy's turn to ride. She put her hands on Ian's cheeks and turned his head in the direction she wanted to go. Ian couldn't help but think that Mandy wasn't going to settle for any job, activity, or relationship where she wasn't the one in charge. Mandy reminded him of another strong and independent woman: Heather, his business partner.
Eventually all the other families were gone, and all that were left were a couple of cocky, moderately intoxicated college frat boys, Matt, Ian, and the kids. Matt and Ian were leaning on the edge of the pool watching the kids, when the frat boys challenged Ian and Matt to a game of pool basketball. Ian and Matt agreed, but neither of them really put much effort into the game and the frat boys took the first two games. The college boys both had played football in high school and didn't mind playing rough.
After a little break, one of the boys said, "How about a little wager?"
"What do you have in mind?" Ian asked.
Skip, at least that's what Ian thought his name was, said, "Well, Cody and I ain't got laid in a week and we thought you guys would give us a blow job. You are fags right?"
Matt bristles and stood up to his full height, which put him several inches over either of the two college assholes. Ian grabbed Matt's arm and pulled him back down. The two college jerks smiled thinking they had the upper hand.
Ian looked them both in the eye and said, "Don't use the F-word again or I will let my friend kick your asses into Gay Pride Month. The correct term is `Gay,' and yes we are gay. Now that we've settled that, what do we get when we win."
The two college jocks looked at each other then started to laugh. Cody said in a cocky frat boy tone, "There ain't no way we are losing to two old fa----, two old gays. But if by some miracle you do win, we'll suck your cocks. Hell, we'll even spot you six points."
Skip looked a bit concerned when Cody offered to spot them six, but then said, "Yeah, we'll kick your asses."
Ian looked at Matt, and Matt winked. "Game on," Ian said.
Matt looked at the kids and said, "You guys need to get out of the pool and find a seat." Bobby quickly took charge of his brother and sister.
When the game started, Ian and Matt let the assholes score a quick six to even up the game. Then Ian and Matt quickly shut them down. The frat asses scored only four more points and Ian and Matt cruised to an easy win. That is not to say it was a painless win. As the assholes got increasingly desperate, they got more physical, doing everything but throwing fists. When Matt sunk a 10-footer from deep water to win the game, Ian gave him a high-five and then a quick bro hug.
"Rematch," Skip yelled, "Double or nothing."
Ian walked over and to him and said, "Your mouth is writing checks your ass can't cash."
"Fuck you faggot, I said double or nothing."
Now Ian's anger was up, and Matt knew what that meant. Matt swam over to Bobby and said, "The room key card is in the pocket of my robe. I think you should take your brother and sister up to the room and watch some TV. Do you remember the room number and how to use the key?"
Bobby's eyes got big, but he nodded that he knew what to do.
As expected, the game was even rougher, but the two assholes played even worse and Ian and Matt cruised to a 20-6 win.
Skip yelled, "Forget it man, ain't no way any fag is fucking my ass!"
Ian was pissed and grabbed Skip by the throat and took a couple of steps. Skip was now in deep water and couldn't touch the bottom of the pool. He also didn't have leverage to get away from Ian's grip or to take a swing. Cody started to come to his buddy's aid, but Matt caught him and pinned his wrist almost between his shoulder blades. Cody was screaming and cursing, but wasn't getting away.
Ian gave Skip a couple of quick dunks and he came up sputtering and coughing hard. "Open your eyes and look at me," Ian said. Skip didn't do as he was told, so Ian put him under a couple of more times. This time Skip did as instructed. Ian could see the fear in his eyes.
"Listen Skippy," Ian said, "I told you not to use the F-word, but you seem to be a little slow. Are you slow, Skippy?"
Skip didn't respond and Ian said, "Oh well," and started to push him under water.
"Wait, wait," Skippy said in a panic. "Yes sir, yes I am slow. I am sorry for using the F-word. I will never use it again."
Ian took a step back and now Skip could keep his mouth above water if he stood on tip toes. Ian then said, "So about this bet..."
"Please sir, please don't make me..."
"Settle up?" Ian asked, and Skip nodded.
"Tell me Skippy, if you and Cody had won, would you have expected Matt and me to settle up?"
Skip dropped his head and nodded.
"Look at me," Ian said. "So, what would you have done if Matt and I had decided to welch on the bet?"
Skip didn't answer.
"I know what you would have tried to do before you found out that Matt and I can kick your little frat boy asses, and so do you. Right Skippy?" Ian said with contempt.
Skip's eyes started to water, and Ian could feel him starting to shake. "Fuck," Ian said, "Now you're going to cry. You know what I hate more than a bigot. It's a cry baby bigot. So, listen up asshole. Not only did you get your ass handed to you in basketball by two gay guys, a gay guy just kicked your ass and made you cry. So, I don't need to get my dick up inside of you, I've already fucked you Skippy. For the rest of your sorry life you will remember that you were owned by--what was it you call me--oh yeah, a fag." Ian then pushed Skip back into the deep water, and said, let's go Matt."
When Ian turned around and looked at Cody and Skip, their eyes were wide open like they had just seen a wild beast, and maybe they had. Ian rarely went into a rage, that level of anger that exists beyond fury and wrath. That level of anger where men risk becoming monsters. Ian also knew that it wasn't just Skip and Cody that had pushed him to the edge, it was Fletcher Rockford. These two frat assholes were just stand-ins for the focus of his real rage, the bastard who hurt Little E.
Just before Matt and Ian, open the door to the room, Matt had Ian look at him. Matt turned Ian's head from side to side, then gave him a tender kiss on the lips.
"What was that for?" Ian asked.
"There was still a little bit of your inner barbarian showing, but it's gone now."
Ian laughed, then said, "Shit, I can't believe I came unglued like that."
"I just hope I'm never on the receiving end of your temper. I am sure the only way that kid kept from shitting himself was because his sphincter was clenched so tight it will be a week before he's loose enough to take a dump."
Ian laughed and opened the door. The kids were instantly attached to Matt and Ian and would only let go when Ian suggested they go and get some ice cream.
That night Ian and Matt were cuddled up together, and Ian whispered in Matt's ear, "You're a bastard, you know that?"
"Now what did I do?"
"First, you wormed your way back into my heart. Then, you introduced me to those cute, funny, smart, adorable rug rats. I left Chicago a settled, content, single gay man, but what am I now?"
Matt was playing with Ian's chest hairs and said, "You are the champion of truth and justice, defender of the weak and defenseless, righter of wrongs, a beacon of hope for the hopeless, and a super hot sexy stud muffin."
Before Matt even finished, Ian was laughing his head off. When he could finally speak, Ian said, "I think that is a bit over the top, don't you think?"
"Not at all. I didn't come close to listing all of your accolades. For example, I said nothing about this magnificent fuck stick," Matt said grabbing Ian's penis.
"FUUUCCCK" Ian moaned as Matt started stroking his stiff cock "Aren't you afraid the kids will hear us?"
"The door is closed, the kids are totally exhausted and sound asleep, and I need some love."
Matt rolled onto his side so Ian could spoon behind him. Ian's cock was nestled in Matt's ass and dripping precum. Soon Matt squeezed a big wad of lube into his hand, reached behind, and began massaging Ian's stiff meat. He also lubed up his own ass to prepare for what was to come. Matt lined up his ass with Ian's cock, then slowly pushed it onto Ian's cock. Ian had his arm around Matt's chest and was playing with his nipples when he finally bottomed out balls deep in Matt's warm hole.
Ian and Matt lay absolutely still, with only Ian's throbbing cock buried in Matt's clenching and unclenching ass creating any movement. After several minutes of stillness, Matt began rocking his tight ass on Ian's cock. Ian knew he wouldn't last long. He needed to unleash all the pent up emotions of the last two days, and Matt's ass was just the therapy the doctor ordered.
As Matt rocked on Ian, Ian found Matt's cock and began stroking it in rhythm. "Oh fuck, this is just what I needed," Ian said. Matt moaned and Ian knew he was close. Four or five more strokes and Matt would explode. Ian slowed his strokes down just enough so that he could catch up with Matt. Then when he was on the verge of going over Orgasm Falls, he gave Matt a couple of quick tugs, and together they tipped over the brink and rode a long cascade of intense pleasure culminating in a maelstrom of physical and emotional release. Eventually, they both reached the calm waters down stream and fell into a lover's gentle sleep.
I hope you enjoy "Breach of Contract."
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