The Crew Chapter Fourteen
Sunday morning dawned to much warmer weather. The sun felt comforting to anyone who was outdoors early in the day. Spring was definitely hiding around the corner.
In the suburbs of Phoenix, Brian and Tucker were getting hard thinking that it would soon be time for their spring fishing trip. Tuck was thinking that now that the crew owned the house, maybe he and Brian could add a day or two to the trip. He would definitely see what he could work out.
In Lake Henry, Paul was in the shower. He was both frightened and excited. Today he was going to introduce his congregation to Doug. So many people already knew that he was gay that he was hoping the rumor had spread. The less shock there was in the church this morning the better.
Doug had already showered and was preparing bacon and eggs in the kitchen. He planned on wearing a sport shirt, slacks and a sport jacket to church. He had laid his clothes out on the bed, and was only wearing a pair of boxer shorts which he had purchased the day before at Walmart. He had also raided Paul's part of the closet and laid out a light suit, shirt, tie, socks and underwear. He felt the light suit looked appropriate for the premature spring like weather.
Paul came out of the shower drying himself, and in all his glory.
Doug said, `You've got to stop parading around naked or we will never get anything done around here." He went over to Paul, embraced him with one arm and grabbed his cock with the other. He kissed him and then released him. "Later," he said to Paul and winked at him.
"Better hurry. Breakfast is almost ready," he let Paul know.
Before he left Flagstaff, Doug had called his two sisters and two brothers and given them his new address and telephone number. Just as he got back to the kitchen the phone rang. He hesitated to answer and Paul yelled from the bedroom, "It's OK to answer the phone. You live here you know."
Doug picked up the phone and barely whispered, "Hello."
"Doug is that you?" his sister Edie asked.
"Hi darling," Doug responded. They spoke for two or three minutes and Doug explained that his partner was a minister and they had to get ready for church so he had to get off the phone. To which Edie chided him that the church would probably be struck by lightening this morning. As soon as he hung up, the phone rang again. This time it was his sister, Ellie. They had a similar conversation. Just as he hung up, Paul came into the kitchen. Doug wanted to cry again. Paul was so dazzling handsome.
Before he could ask, Doug told Paul that his two sisters had called to wish him a happy birthday, but he would be shocked if his brothers remembered to call.
"Oh, sweetheart," Paul moaned, "we've got to really learn more about each other. If only I had known it was your birthday, I would have planned something. I didn't even get you a gift."
"I got a gift from you, sweetheart," Paul answered. "The gift is you, and if that's not enough, which it is, you bought me clothes and a car. That's beyond the call of duty for any birthday gift."
"Don't make me cry while I'm wearing my Sunday best," Paul said as he embraced Doug.
Paul wanted to arrive early at the church, and go to his office in the rear of the church. The day was so beautiful he knew that his flock would all be socializing outside before the service. He didn't want to introduce Doug until he said something in the church. He went around to the back of the church. He sat Doug in a front pew, and he went to his office to wait it out.
Fortunately everybody was so busy talking and socializing they really didn't notice that Paul was not among them. As it got close to starting the service, they all began to mosey into the church and find seats. Liz decided that she wanted to sit with her Uncle Michael and he gladly obliged her, leaving Michelle and Randy sitting so close to each other that they only took up one space in the pew.
As usual the organist entered and took her place first. She was followed by the choir and then Pastor Paul. Everyone in the church had one of two thoughts when they saw him. Some thought he looked radiant this morning and the others thought he looked exceptionally handsome this morning. Doug thought that he looked like an angel.
The choir led the congregants in a lovely hymn. Everyone had a feeling something was afoot and waited expectantly for Paul to begin his service. He started with the repetitive Sunday ritual of responsive reading. Most of the assembled read the words without giving them much thought, and Paul could tell there was no passion in the reading. He was used to it.
His sermon this day was about falling in love at first sight. The crew, Randy, Michelle, Dan, Warren, Jason and Josie, of course Doug, and a good many other church members, sat up at attention. They had been there and done that and wanted to hear what Paul had to say.
His lesson was from the Old Testament. He related the story of Jacob at the well. He lovingly described Rachel's outer and inner beauty, and how Jacob was smitten at first sight. He went on to explain that poor Jacob had to work for his father in law for many years before he could claim Rachel.
"In today's world," he went on, "we fall instantly in love, marry and then we have to work for our happiness after the wedding. We must never take love for granted," he continued. "Work hard for love. It's worth every obstacle you have to hurdle."
Couples throughout the church took each other's hands and squeezed it. Michael squeezed Jerry's hand with his own left hand and Liz's with his right hand. Doug just sat and cried.
The moment was fast approaching, and in a trembling voice, Paul asked his flock to join him in the social hall after services. Today's libation was to be sponsored by him in celebration of his union to Douglas Jones. He motioned to Doug to stand. For a horrifying few seconds there was utter silence in the church. Then Michael stood up and began to applaud. Immediately, half the congregation joined him. Finally little by little everyone in the church was standing, applauding and cheering.
Paul left the pulpit, took Doug's arm and marched him to the rear of the church. As the congregation piled out, they all stopped to wish the couple well, and Paul introduced Doug to everyone by name. Doug was much impressed.
Paul anticipated a heavier than usual attendance at the social hour and like Jerry, he had arranged for Rosie to handle it all for him. Everyone crowded around Doug for the opportunity to speak to this handsome guy the pastor had snared. They all wanted to know what he would be doing, and when he told them that he would be working for Randy, they were all delighted. He was truly a member of the Lake Henry family.
At one point, Randy had an opportunity to speak to Doug. He just wanted to let Doug know that in addition to industrial construction which was expanding daily in this area of Arizona, he had over a dozen contracts to build summer homes along the lake for the city slickers who had fallen in love with this little town. He assured Doug that his future was secure. Then he whispered in Doug's ear, "Now this is a secret. I got a call from Brian and Tuck. They are a couple of years away from retirement, and they bought a big lakefront lot about a quarter of a mile from the crew. They want me to build two small bungalows where they intend to retire. I'll show you the lot tomorrow. Foster has already designed the houses for me so that they will both be on the lake, but he has no idea who they are for. It's a surprise, so keep it mum."
At that moment, Liz, who was holding Randy's hand, tugged on Doug's pants and asked him if he was going to be her uncle too.
"I guess so," he replied and visions of more Christmas gifts danced in her head.
Little by little, the social hall emptied out and Rosie's crew began their cleanup. She came over to Paul and Doug and gave them each a kiss. Why don't you two go home and enjoy the day. I have the key to the church and I'll secure the building before I leave.
They had no sooner gotten into Paul's car when his cell phone rang. It was Jeff.
"It's such a beautiful spring like day," he said. "We'd like to break in our new deck so we're making a barbeque. Please join us at about 1 PM."
"Wonderful," Paul said. "What can we bring?"
"There's never enough beer at these barbeques. If you have any at home, bring it along, but don't buy special."
Paul and Doug had enough time to change to more casual attire, but before they got dressed again, they celebrated their union in their own special way. As he came in Paul's mouth, Doug said, "Thank you Paul. I love you. I'll always love you. I swear we are for life." Paul started to cry and almost choked on Doug's cum.
There was quite a crowd at the barbeque. Besides the crew, Doug and Paul, there was Randy, Michelle, Liz, Dan, Warren, and Jason and Josie Fisher. Everyone kept toasting Paul and Doug, and the beer was going fast. Jason had brought some wine so that started to go next. Only Jeff refrained from drinking. He had drawn the short straw and was the designated driver back to Phoenix. Although the logic escaped him, he was also appointed chief chef at the barbeque because he couldn't drink anyway.
Paul and Doug got two more surprises before the party was over. First Rosie joined them with a big cake which read "Love Always." Then the phone rang and Jerry answered it. He called Paul into the kitchen where it was a little quieter and told him that Brian and Tuck were on the line and wanted to talk to him. They were on separate phones so he could talk to both of them at the same time. Tuck said that his sons had reported fully what happened at the church that morning. He and Brian were overjoyed, but they expected nothing less from the fine people of Lake Henry. Then Brian wished them a long life of love and happiness before they hung up.
When they went back to the deck and joined the others, Randy began to tap a knife on a beer glass.
"Quiet everyone," he said. "I have an announcement to make." He stopped to give everyone a chance to quiet down and then he said, "My little Liz here is going to be a big sister in the very near future."
Everyone screamed and yelled and embraced Michelle and Randy. Ever the joker, Michael said, "I'll bet it's a boy and he'll come out at least five feet tall." Everyone laughed politely at his lame joke.
While all this celebration was going on, nobody noticed that Paul had walked down to the lake. When he reached the calm waters he turned and looked back at the house. He was pleased to see that all of his dearest friends and loved ones were happily partnered in love. He was sure that his own heart would burst from too much happiness. He bowed his head and said a little prayer:
"Thank you God for your greatest gift, the gift of love. You have given each of these fantastic people, just the right person to love, and spend their lives with. Thank you also, Patrick, for being God's emissary and bringing Doug to me through Brian and Tucker. They will always be my friends for the rest of my life."
He felt Patrick's kiss on his cheek. When he looked up, Doug was standing beside him. Doug threw his arms around Paul and pulled him close. Tears were streaming down both their cheeks as they tenderly kissed.
The End