Cole's Redemption By James
Disclaimer
This story contains sexual/romantic situations between teenaged males. If it's illegal to read this in your location, or if you're offended then find something else to read. Also, please remember to donate to Nifty, as its your donations that keep this site as well as the various materials on it free to the public.
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Cole's Redemption
Chapter 23
Cole
It was now the middle of September, and school was back in session for everyone. I was continuing on in the mornings at the place I had been attending for a while now, but had moved up to where they felt that I could handle public school in the afternoons, and while in the public school, I was taking a couple of required classes, as well as a Gym Class which Kevin, Chance and Cody were in so it was good to see them at that point during the day, especially Kevin!
On this particular Thursday afternoon, I was in the middle of helping Justin gather rocks from the yard. He was going to be making something for his Art Class to be turned in the next day, and he already had in mind what he wanted to create. After I gathered up the cloth sacks to put the rocks in, we headed out.
Finally after walking further back into the woods, we searched, and I watched as Justin felt around, and he came up with a couple of large rocks that were a slightly off-white color, but still bright enough so that paint could be applied without the colors being hidden in the stone.
"Did you want to look around a little more?" I asked as Justin showed me the two rocks he had.
"That sounds good," he answered as he took hold of my elbow, and we headed a little deeper into the woods.
"You still haven't told me what you're going to be making," I said as we walked until we stopped at an area near one of the trees where several smaller rocks sat, several of which looked like Quartz.
"You'll see once it's finished," he replied.
"That sounds good," I said. "I can't wait to see the finished product.
"I can't wait for you to see it as well," he answered. "I think you'll really like it."
"I'm sure I will," I responded.
We gathered up several of the rocks that appeared to be Quartz, then after making sure they were all situated in the sacks, we headed back home.
Once back at the house, I got out the paints that Justin had asked for, as well as the pack of strings that he was going to be using to act as edges to mark off the areas so that he could paint the things he wanted to without everything being a mess of colors. After sitting down beside him, I watched as he worked, and the only help I offered at this point was when he needed one of the different colors.
"So when did mom and dad say they'd be home?" Justin asked as he worked.
"Dad will be home in about 20 minutes," I replied. "Mom will be home shortly after him. I hadn't had a chance to tell you yet, but they had texted me today when I was at lunch. They were asking about how burgers and fries sounded tonight for dinner. Dad wanted to do the burgers out on the grill, and mom would be cooking the fries inside."
"That sounds really good!" he answered.
I knew he would be excited, as he really loved when we had a meal like this, and I was excited as well!
"Good," I said. "I had replied back to them earlier today saying that I didn't think you would mind, and so I'll let them know now that you're good with the dinner plans."
"Thanks," he answered.
"You're welcome," I responded.
After texting them, I put my phone down and then after handing Justin another bottle of paint, he went to work, and moved the brush along applying the liquid.
"So what all did you have planned for the weekend?" Justin asked. "I mean, that is if they don't give you too much homework."
"Hopefully they won't," I answered. "Kevin will be coming over here for the weekend, and beyond that, I'm not sure what else we have planned. Maybe on Saturday all of us could do something out somewhere if no one else is busy."
"I'd really like that!" he replied. "It's always really nice when we all can do things together as a family. That's something I always look forward to."
"So do I," I said.
"I know that dad and mom aren't seeing each other, and I know they're not married or anything like that," Justin went on. "If they did get to where they would want to see each other or even get married, what would you think of that?"
I had thought about that a couple of times, and hoped as I thought more and more about it, that it could happen. They both really did seem to get along really well, especially when they first met. Then it became more obvious how well they clicked as time continued to go by, and I could see that even more so when my mom moved in here after I was released from the hospital. Now Justin was clearly hoping that they could be together thus strengthening our bond as a family even more.
"I've thought about that a little myself," I said. "I would love if they could be together like that, and I have come to hope that even more as mom as continued living with us. I was curious though, do you ever think about your biological mom? I mean, I know that she's never been in your life, and shortly after I started calling Hellen "Mom", you did after asking if she was alright with it, but I was still just wondering as I said."
"I'm glad that my bio mom gave birth to me otherwise I wouldn't be here," Justin replied. "As for missing her, or wondering about her, I can't really miss someone who's never been in my life. Sometimes when I was a lot younger, I'd wonder if she'd ever come back, but that was only for a moment the couple of times it came up in my mind, and at this point as far as I'm concerned, Hellen is my mom, and it doesn't matter that we don't have the same genetic material."
"That really means a lot to hear you say that," I said as we shared a hug. "I'm sure she'd really appreciate that."
"Me too," Justin replied. "She really makes me feel safe, along with dad, and you as well. You really have been good to me as an older brother, and I feel the same about you as I do mom, you and I don't share any genetic material, but you're still my brother, and I love you so much. I'll always love you, and you've really brought a lot of joy to our house when you came here, and I'm really proud to call you my brother, as well as the fact that I'm really proud of how you've turned your life around."
"Thanks Justin," I said as we continued to hold each other. "That really means a lot to hear you say that, and I love you so much too, and you're also my brother regardless of whatever genetics we do or don't have in common. It's truly been a joy to have you in my life, and I really treasure the relationship we have as brothers!"
"I treasure it as well," he answered.
We separated, then he finished the first rock, then after painting the second rock, then the four Quartz rocks, he was finished, and we got up from the table, and I helped him with cleaning up, and getting all the art supplies put away.
After we returned to the table, he told me I could look closer at the rocks, and I looked at them. The four Quartz rocks were painted a dark-green at the bottom on the area facing up towards us, and then above the green, was the dark-blue of a cloudless sky in which sat the sun. Two of the Quartz rocks had several clusters of trees with several blue birds sitting in them, and the second two Quartz had pictures of the woods with several clusters of roses on the right side of the surfaces, then on the left side of them were a couple of rows of Sun Flowers.
On the two large off-white colored rocks, there was a painting of the woods at sun-set on the first one with the grass a darker green, and the sunset shown in dark purples, orange, and a couple of streaks of blue. On the other rock was painted a small patch of woods through which a stream ran, and it appeared to be in the morning when the sun had just risen. There were also ducks that floated in the stream, and several swans glided along beside them. The paintings were really well-done, and were truly peaceful to gaze upon!
"These are really beautiful Justin!" I said truly amazed at them. "I think everyone will enjoy them!"
"Thanks," he replied. "I'm really glad you like them, and I hope everyone else enjoys them as well."
"I really do love them!" I replied as we hugged. "I'm sure they're all going to be as impressed with them as I am!"
After making sure they were dried, Justin took them and stored them away for the evening until it was time to take them to school the next morning, and after he returned, he sat back down, and I moved to rejoin him, then heard the car pull up in the driveway.
After getting up, I saw that it was dad's car, then seconds later, mom's car was pulling up beside it, and they were both getting out, and I unlocked the door so they could both come in without having to worry about trying to handle groceries and keys at the same time.
Dad walked in, then mom was right behind him. We all greeted each other, and after setting down the groceries, we all hugged. I was really glad to see them, and I could see that Justin felt the same.
"Did you guys have a good day today?" our mom asked.
"I really did," Justin replied.
"So did I," I added.
"I'm really glad to hear that," she answered.
"So am I," Dad replied.
"How was your guys' day?" I asked.
"Mine was good," Dad answered.
"I had a good day as well," Hellen added. "I'm just glad to be home though."
"So am I," Dad said.
"We're definitely glad to have you guys home," Justin said.
"Absolutely!" I responded.
After putting away the groceries until it was time to get the food out and ready, Justin showed Mom and Dad his painted rocks, and they really loved them.
"I'm sure that everyone at school will love them," Dad said.
"I think they definitely will," Mom added.
"Thanks," Justin replied.
"You're welcome," they both said.
Once we sat down for a little while in the living room talking about our days that day, it was soon time to get the food started. During that time, I had been thinking about Kevin. He had a large load of homework to get done that evening otherwise he would have been there with us, but he appreciated when I texted him about coming over. It was still nice to have that moment with him though.
Once outside and once the grill was set up, I stood there as Dad watched as I squirted the lighter fluid, then Justin stood across from me with the match in his hand. As he lit it, I watched as Dad put is hand over Justin's guiding it to the grill in the center of it, then once he said "Go", Justin dropped the match, then he lit another one then dropped it after his hand was in position.
"Good job!" I said putting a hand on Justin's shoulder.
"Thanks," he replied.
You're welcome," I answered.
As we stood back from the grill now, I saw Hellen as she was carrying the table cloth, dishes and silverware to the back deck where the picknick table was. I watched for a moment, then let Dad and Justin know that I was going to give her a hand with everything.
Once at the table, I offered to situate all of the items once Mom finished straightening out the table cloth across the surface of the table.
"Thanks, I'd appreciate the help," she answered.
I sat down the stack of paper plates, then after making sure they were in the center of the table, I put the boxes of plastic silverware out making sure that the spoons were on one side, then the forks beside them and then after the knives were on the other side of the spoons, I sat down the napkins then sat down for a moment as I waited for Mom to return with salt and pepper shakers. I sat them down as well, then she and I returned to where Dad and Justin stood as dad was bringing out the burgers.
Justin and I put a few of them on the grill, then Hellen sat down the rest, and after we made sure they were situated, and cooking I went in the house with Mom to get toppings for the burgers ready.
"I know you're not a guy who likes The Works on your burger," Mom began as she handed me a couple of Onions. "But thanks for helping with the toppings anyway."
"You're welcome," I answered. "I'm always happy to help when ever you guys need me."
"I know you are," she said stroking my hair for a moment as I began chopping the onions.
After that was done, I chopped lettuce, then after doing the same to a few tomatoes, my Mom checked the fries, and they were coming along really well.
Finally it was time to eat, and we were all really hungry as Mom, Dad and I got the food situated on the various serving platters, and Justin set out the different condiments. After we got everything the way we each liked it, we ate truly enjoying the food as well as each other's company that evening.
0000
Once the food was finished, dishes cleaned up then put away, Hellen and Daniel watched as Cole and Justin ran around in the back yard throwing a basketball that the other ran to catch. They both were missing the ball almost every time, and it seemed a few minutes in to their play that they were really enjoying far more the physical exertion, than attempting to catch the ball. Both parents smiled as they sat on the deck each of them in a rocking chair and each with a glass of wine in their hand.
"I'd say that tonight was a complete success," Daniel said looking over at Hellen.
"I completely agree," Hellen answered looking back at Daniel. "I definitely enjoyed myself."
"Me too," Daniel replied. "I know that the boys really loved our time together tonight."
"I noticed that as well," she answered.
"I've also noticed that the boys really have been enjoying having you here living with us," Daniel went on as they looked at each other more intently.
"I've really enjoyed it as well," Hellen responded. "You and I haven't talked much though about how much longer I'd be staying here. I really don't want to over-stay my welcome or anything like that."
Daniel saw that she had really been thinking about this for a while, and he was touched at her selflessness. He knew about how her intense love and compassion for others had clearly been used against her by her father and family when they had cruelly taken the son from her who would later turn out to be Cole, and he hated to know that she had gone through that. Daniel was also thinking that he didn't want to see her leave any time soon, and he also knew that his feelings were growing deeper for her as time went by.
As Daniel looked at her, Hellen stared back at him, and she had been thinking about how her own feelings for him while starting out as friendship, were deepening even further as time went by. She saw the love that Daniel had for everyone around him, especially for Cole and Justin, and she saw how deeply he cared for her as they got to know each other more, but as time went by she was seeing that he was growing to care even more deeply for her, and she knew that she was feeling the same way for him as well.
"The truth is," Daniel said taking her hand, and she immediately held on to his hand as well. "I really hope you'll stay for a long time to come. I've really come to care about you, first as a friend and I really didn't think that anything more would come of it."
"I thought of you as a really good friend as well," Hellen said. "I saw immediately how much you love Justin and Cole, and I saw it even more when I moved in here, and I could immediately sense the love you had for them when I met you all those weeks ago when you came to my house."
"Thanks," Daniel answered. "I could see how much love and compassion you have as well, and I could see how much you loved Cole when I first met you, then as you and I interacted while Cole was in the hospital, and when you'd sit with Justin, then when you moved in here once Cole was released from the hospital, I saw that you have a huge amount of love to offer our boys, and I really came to deeply love that about you."
"That really means a lot to hear you say that," Hellen replied as they gazed deeply into each other's eyes. "I've come to really love that about you as well, that deep and intense love you have for our boys as well."
"It looks like we're on the same page about all that," Daniel said. "Just to get to the bottom line though, I really do have feelings for you, and I want us to hopefully be together, and I would love it if we can raise the boys together, and if we could be together as a couple, then who knows down the road."
"I would really love that," Hellen answered as their lips met for the first time. "I too, want us to be a couple, and to raise the boys together. I want us to be a family for always. That would really make me truly happy!"
"That would absolutely make me happy as well!" Daniel replied as they kissed again.
They broke the kiss then, and continued watching the boys play in the yard as the sun continued to recede in the sky.
Author's Notes
I hope all of you enjoyed this chapter. I wanted to have a few more scenes between Cole and his immediate family, as well as between him and Justin given how close they are as brothers. So again, I hope you all enjoyed that.
Also, I hope all of you enjoyed what happened between Hellen and Daniel at the end of the chapter. I had been thinking for a while about whether or not I wanted them to get together as a couple, and to raise the boys together. As I thought about it longer, I decided that I wanted it to be that way, and so here are the results. I hope all of you like how that went as well.
All that being said, I hope you're all staying safe and doing well. Also, I hope all of you have a good evening, and I'll see you all in Chapter 24.