***. Standard disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to people or events is purely coincidental. Locations within Florida have been used by the author to create the setting.
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I appreciate all the positive comments and constructive feedback I've been receiving. This is a prequel to the story Nailed It published on Nifty. Watch for the sequel in the coming months. Please continue to email me at mastersounder2015@gmail.com. Enjoy the story!
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Hard As Nails: Ch 15 -- Sunday Surprises
Sunday morning found everyone sleeping in. Clay had gotten up at 6:30 and tried to nuzzle his Chief's dick to try to get a rise out of him. He got his Sir's stiff cock, but Sean remained asleep. He nursed on his husband's cock for ten minutes without getting any further response. Clay thought to himself, "Usually I get some sort of response. He must really be very tired. I'll let him sleep."
The former Steeler got up and wandered downstairs. He fixed Sean's coffee as well as one for himself and returned to the bedroom. He placed his husband's cup on the nightstand and returned downstairs to the office.
Clay sat down in his desk chair and started going through Saturday's mail. He noticed a box sitting on the red leather wingback chair in the corner. Getting up he retrieved the package and saw it was addressed to Gunnar Walls from Eduardo Castillo. The box was 23" x 18" and weighed at least five or six pounds.
Clay looked at the clock. It was only 7:18. He knew Gunnar was usually an early riser. Yet no one appeared to be up and moving about. He went back to sorting and opening the mail. He got caught up in a grant proposal that would expand both the wind farm and the solar project. Before he knew it, it was 8 o'clock.
Pushing the intercom for Gunnar's room he asked, "Gun are you awake?"
"Morning Dad! How are you this morning? I love you."
"I love you too, son. I am well. I was going through the mail and found a package from Eduardo Castillo addressed to you here in my office."
"Finally! I've been waiting for over a month for them to arrive. I'll be right there." The teen ran downstairs, out of T2, across the patio, and into the main house. He crossed the kitchen and passed the family room, and the laundry room, and headed into his father's office.
"Anxious for something I gather," his dad stated.
"I had hoped they would have arrived for Father's Day. That's why I had to punt and give you two the white work socks."
"A most practical gift and very much appreciated."
"Well, I want to see these first, but you'll get them later today after I wrap them properly," he kissed his father's bearded cheek, grabbed the package, and returned to his room.
Sean meandered into the office a few minutes later. "Morning my love. Thanks for the coffee." Chief kissed his husband and stuck his coffee-soaked tongue into his mouth and played tongue wrestling for a minute or so. He asked Clay, "Was that Gunnar rushing around earlier?"
"Yes. He got a package yesterday from Eddie. I found it this morning on the chair over there. Did you put it there?"
"Not guilty!" Sean took a sip of coffee.
Clay's phone rang. The caller ID showed it was RJ. "Morning RJ, how is my number 1 brother doing this morning?"
"I'm fine. Mom just informed me I'm going to church this morning. She doesn't insist often, but she sure stressed it today. She's got something up her sleeve. I'll let you know what it is when I find out."
"Oh yeah, when Mom gets a bee in her bonnet, she is like one possessed."
"Anyway the reason for my call is that I signed for a package yesterday from Eduardo Castillo for Gunnar. I put it in your office."
"Yeah, I found it this morning. He's already claimed it. He told me he's been waiting on it for a month. It has whatever our real Father's Day gifts were supposed to be in it."
"Well it has some heft to it," RJ commented.
"That it does. I just don't know when Gunnar would have had contact with Eddie or why. We just need to wait till he shares more."
"Or call Eduardo and ask him," RJ offered.
"We will wait for now. Let me know what Mom's up to, preferably before family dinner at 2. Is Harri joining us today?"
"Her meeting ended early, and she caught a ride back last night. I talked to her for about an hour last night and she called me this morning too. She plans on coming to Mom and Dad's around 11. We need to catch up with a few things."
"Oh, I didn't know you were a catcher, bro," Clay chuckled.
"What's that supposed to mean?
"A catcher is on the receiving end of sexual activity. In other words, she is going to peg you."
"Oh, I think one "catcher' in the family is enough."
"You never know how many are in the family bro. Lots of candidates."
"Well, this guy's ass only let's shit out, except for once a year when I get the fickle finger from the doc to check my prostate."
"Robert Joseph, are you dressed for church?" Martha could be heard calling through RJ's bedroom door.
"I'm on the phone with Junior. I'll be right out, dressed, and ready to go.
"You heard?"
"Yeah, she's pissed about something. You can hear it in her voice every time. Have fun. Maybe we'll shock her and attend church next Sunday."
"Wouldn't want the roof to fall in bro. You haven't been to church there since Grandma died."
"Robert Joseph!"
"Bye! Love you brother mine. Coming Mom!" the call ended.
"So Mom's on the warpath still?" Sean inquired.
"Something has her ire piqued."
"Perhaps she'll share at Family Dinner. By the way, my dad called. Mom and he are driving down for family dinner and to spend a few nights."
"Too bad we didn't know earlier we could have ordered anemones for their room."
"I doubt you would find them within 50 miles of Arcadia, Farm Boy."
"Attention! Attention! Men of the house and you boys too!" Vic's voice sounded through the all-call system. "You are cordially invited to wrap up and proceed to the Salon for a breakfast prepared by your loving daughters and sisters. The last one here does the dishes by himself."
Clay and Sean grabbed their sarongs from the back of the office door and headed to the Salon. Gunnar and AJ had beat them to the door and Erik had a slight lead over Fifth as they raced to see who would get there first. Fifth's sarong came loose and fell to the ground enabling Erik to win handily. When Fifth came in and took his seat the family gave him a round of applause.
"Thank you. Thank you. I'll be here all week." He quipped.
"Not in here you won't." Vic reminded him. "Gunnar you were the first one here. Would you say the blessing, please?"
Gunnar reached for the hands of his father and sister as the rest of the family joined hands. "God gave us Sundays to praise His Holy Name. We thank God for the blessings he has given us. We ask for God's blessing on our meal and those who prepared it as well as for he who will clean up after it. Amen." Fifth winked at his brother.
"To what do we owe this surprise breakfast," Pops inquired.
"Vic and I were talking last night, and we pretty much have the Salon the way we want it for now. We thought we'd show it off so you could all see our handy work," Gitte explained.
Vic brought the breakfast sandwiches she had made to the table. "There are two for each of us," she explained. "Bacon and Eggs for Pops, Erik, Gunnar, and Gitte. Sausage and egg for Dad, Fifth, Andrew, and me. Oh, and half the eggs we used were from our chickens. Gitte gathered them this morning."
Gitte brought in freshly squeezed grapefruit juice for each person. Then she returned with milk for herself and her five siblings. She had made Arnold Palmers for both of her fathers.
"This was a lovely surprise," Pops kissed Gitte's hand after she had set his drink on the table. He blew a kiss at Vic.
"Yes, ladies. Thank you for having us. I like that you are utilizing the rose gardens to decorate your rooms." Dad commented.
The four boys were halfway through their first sandwiches as they mumbled their thanks through full mouths. After breakfast, the younger boys went back to T2 and Fifth started cleaning up the breakfast dishes and the cookware. Sean and Clay sat talking with their daughters about the little touches they had made to make the Salon feel very homey.
"We're 14 for family dinner today. I don't think that pork loin I bought will be big enough," Sean commented.
"Does it have to be a roast or so formal?" Gitte asked.
"What do you have in mind?" Sean inquired.
"Why not do a pulled pork? We can serve balsamic tomatoes and onion as the vegetable dish, with cornbread and butter. For dessert, I can whip up an apple and raspberry cobbler," Gitte offered.
Sean looked at Clay who shrugged. He looked at Gitte and said, "Just because something was always done a particular way doesn't mean it can't be changed."
"Thanks, Dad, I'll come over to the main house in a bit and help get the pork started in the pressure cooker so we can shred it before moving it to the crock pot to marinate."
"No need. I think I can handle pulled pork. I'll nuke it before I start cutting up the tomatoes and onion too," Sean added.
"I'll do some work in the office," Clay stated.
"Like hell, you will. Reed Enterprises is closed on Sundays. You can go play billiards with the boys, clean the pool, cut the grass, weed the flower gardens, dust, do laundry, or a hundred other things I have on my honey-do list," Sean gave Clay the look.
"I'll see if I have any takers for billiards," Clay responded as he stood and pushed his chair back under the table. Sean stood as well and carefully put his chair under the table. He once more kissed his daughters before going into the kitchen and kissing Fifth's cheek as he hand-washed the breakfast dishes.
Gunnar was in his bedroom behind a locked door. He was preparing to wrap the three gifts Eduardo had sent to him. The four-panel frame was done in light oak wood. In the far-right panel, Gun was pictured squatting barefoot in his bib overalls staring down at the ground as if looking at something. His straw hat was cocked back on his head and the piece of wheat was stuck between his teeth.
Next to it was the first of the Greek poses with Gunnar wearing the chlamys with his right side exposed as he turned his head to the right and smiled at someone. His body was almost completely hidden with only his right arm, chest, and leg exposed to indicate he was totally nude underneath.
In the third panel from the right was Gunnar in the Chiton. This image was full frontal exposing his left pec and his quarter-sized areola with his nipple standing at attention. You could almost make discern the outline of his flaccid penis under the drapes of the chiton.
The last panel featured him in a closeup leaning against the stump with the horned helmet behind his right shoulder. The embroidery drew the eye to the teen's face and Gunnar's beatific smile.
"My fathers are going to love these," he closed the panels and placed them back in their box. He grabbed some rainbow wrapping paper and deftly wrapped the package and used curling ribbon to toe and create a bow.
Gun opened the two twin frames. The cherry wood frame was obviously for Mormor and Grampa Reed. It featured a closeup of him showing the bare shoulders and overall straps. His grin was accentuated by the piece of wheat stuck between two teeth. His eyes sparkled as if he was up to no good. The other image was another closeup of him in the Viking costume. This time he had knelt behind the stump with just the top of the horns and helmet in the lower portion of the picture. His eyes and smile once more drew the viewer's attention.
Gunnar grabbed a brown paper bag to wrap the boxed frame. He tied it with twine and set it aside with the package for his parents.
The last frame was done in a very pale wood that Gunnar didn't recognize. He researched it on Google and determined it was either Ash or Aspen. The Walls would love the images. The Viking image was of bis left side from the waist up with the tips of the helmet's horns barely visible at the bottom of the frame. Gun's head was tilted upward as if he was looking into the future with just the hint of a smile on his face.
The teen recalled the instructions Eddie had given him, "Imagine you're on board and you're looking into the unknown." He had pictured himself at the bow looking up and out to an empty horizon searching for signs of birdlife or land. Castillo had caught it beautifully.
The last image was once more of him in the chiton. In this one, he was squatting on the ground with his upturned right hand reaching outward his gaze fixed on something before him. It portrayed him more seriously his face questioning what he was seeing. Those instructions he also recalled as he had to imagine he had just discovered something he didn't understand. The drape of the chiton fell around his cock and balls indicating a hefty package. Gunnar was unsure about it but decided to trust Eduardo's judgment. This one he wrapped in blue paper and white ribbon.
Then there was a folder containing 8 x10s of each of the smaller images as well as four images that were much more revealing. In both the Tom Sawyer and Viking images Gunnar's penis was clearly outlined laying to the left down his pants. Then there was another shot of him squatting in which the cloth of the chiton not only draped his penis and scrotum one could see the outline of the glans. The image of him in the chlamys showed a view of him from the left. The bulge of his genitals is visible poking out the front of the cloak. A note from Eduardo read. "I tried my best not to sexualize the images you are gifting your parents and grandparents. However, almost every shot caught your genitals in some way. These are four of the mildest. I signed them for you as well. Fondly, Eddie." Gunnar placed the images back in their envelope and put them into his desk drawer.
The youngest son turned his attention to the new coffee table book Eduardo had simply titled Blooms. Gunnar thought, "Pops and Dad are going to enjoy getting this collection of Castillo's work." He opened the cover to see a handwritten note from Eduardo. It read, "To an amazing young man and new friend, Gunnar Adonis Walls--Reed. Eduardo"
Gunnar was shocked. It wasn't for his parents but for him. He turned to the next page and was amazed again as the tome was also dedicated to him. That page read, "This book is dedicated to Gunnar Adonis Walls-Reed. May it inspire him and all who view it to pursue their interest in the natural world." Gun teared up a bit. He was surprised by both gestures.
Setting the book aside he went to his desk and took out a piece of his stationery. He dated it and wrote. "Dear Mr. Castillo -- Eddie, Thank you for the beautiful images as well as your kind words in both your inscription and dedication. I shall treasure them as long as I live. Your friend, Gunnar." He addressed an envelope and placed a stamp on it. He would run it to the mailbox in the morning.
In the kitchen of the main house, Sean took out a two 4-pound pork loin to begin thawing it in the microwave. He pulled out the large crockpot and put the liner into it. He gathered his ingredients and doubled them: 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce. 8 large cloves of garlic, 4 teaspoons paprika, 2/3 cup brown sugar, 4 teaspoons coarse Kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 cups of hickory BBQ sauce.
He then began preparing the rub. He combined the paprika, brown sugar, salt, and pepper, mixing them with a fork. Setting that aside, Sean sliced the garlic into 8-10 slivers. He retrieved the defrosted pork loins from the microwave and cut slits in the pork roast and insert garlic slivers. Next, he patted the dry rub mixture on the pork roasts. He placed them in the crockpot and poured Worcestershire sauce over the pork roast. Finally, he set the Slow Cooker on high and set the timer for 4 hours.
Sean got out a large red onion and 8 large tomatoes from the vegetable crisper. After removing its outer skin, he sliced the onion thinly and chopped the slices into quarters. He added them to the large prep bowl. He cut each tomato into 8 wedges and then halved each wedge. These too were added to the stainless-steel prep bowl and mixed with the onion. He added salt and pepper and a dash of oregano before pouring balsamic vinegar over them. He placed cling wrap over the bowel and placed it in the refrigerator.
He sent a text to Vic and Gitte. It read, "Pork in the crock pot will be ready at 1. Tomatoes and onion marinating in the refrigerator. Would one of you make the cornbread and the other the dessert?"
Gitte responded first, "I already started the cobbler over here. Do we have vanilla ice cream?"
Her father replied, "Thank you. And I just checked we have 2 unopened gallons of vanilla in the freezer."
"Guess, I'll do sweet cornbread," Viv replied.
"Thank you both," Pops replied. Sean then entered the dining room. The leaves were still in it, so he only had to put down the tablecloth. He chose a bright yellow over the traditional white they had used the week before. He decided to accent it with bright green napkins. Next, he opened the China closet which housed three sets of fine China: The Reed family China, his grandparent Lund's, and the Bernardaud Vegetal set he and Clay had purchased when they married. He chose to use the wedding China they had purchased in France. He loved the coupe shape service decorated with golden leaves that seemed to be brought to life by a subtle variation of nature in each piece. He had selected the Bernardaud Palmyre service ware to complete the set. He got out the Lund family silverware. To complete the look he used the Reed family stemware.
Chief decided to go looking for Farm Boy. He found him naked and roughhousing with three of their sons. Gunnar was not present. Just as he was going to check on his youngest, Gun barreled out of T2 and jumped into the pool narrowly missing Fifth and Erik. The five guys were so focused on splashing and dunking each other that they didn't notice Sean as he slipped into the pool and quietly made for the grotto.
Inside the artificial cave, Sean sat on one of the benches around the table. He stared out through the waterfall and could vaguely perceive the horseplay taking place. He was able to hear every taunt and wisecrack the boys were exchanging with their father. About 20 minutes later the gang took a break.
AJ asked, "What do you think Pops is doing?"
"Cooking, or sketching, or reading, or...." Erik suggested.
"Hope he's baking Swedish Apple Pie," Fifth added.
Gunnar suggested, "If he's baking, I hope it's semlor buns."
"Not me, I hope it's kladdkaka," Andrew wished.
"You just love all things chocolate. I prefer his kanelbulle. What do you think Dad?" Erik turned his attention to his father.
"Well, kanelbulle is good but I prefer the Norwegian version, skillingsboller because it includes cardamon with the cinnamon," Pops replied. "Let me go find him. I'll be back in a bit." With that, the wet redhead walked out of the pool's shallow end and strolled to the house. Fifteen minutes later he returned. "He's not in the house or the Salon. The girls said they heard from him around 9:30. All cars are accounted for and his wallet and keys are in the bedroom."
Vic and Gitte arrived at the pool. "Are we playing Find our Pops?" "Dining room is all set up," Clay added. "His sarong is in the kitchen. We've been out here for at least an hour and haven't seen him. So yes. A game of Find our Pops is in order. The one who finds him gets their chores done by me tomorrow. If I find him you six have to do my chores."
"You're on," Vic hollered as she ran toward T2 to start looking. Gitte was right behind her.
The boys were hollering, "Stay out of our house! Not fair we can't go into your place." As they scrambled out of the pool and after their sisters. Clay on the other hand wrapped a sarong around his waist and started walking toward his mom and dad's place.
Thirty minutes later all 7 members of the family gathered beside the pool. They were all bewildered that Pops had just disappeared.
"Do you think some of these rednecks kidnapped him, Dad? They are riled up by the mess at the hospital and the high school yesterday," Fifth commented.
"Oh, there would be some sign of a struggling son. The front door was locked and the side door from the kitchen shows no signs of a struggle," Dad replied.
Sean had been keeping quiet the entire time they searched. He had thought about going back into the house and sitting in the library with a book and earphones. He nixed the idea because the 6 kids were checking the yard and he might have been seen. He finally burst out laughing which echo and boomed from the grotto's entrance behind the waterfall.
He heard rather than saw the 7 splashes as his family jumped into the pool. He pulled back as far as he could into the darkness at the back of the grotto as his family broke through the waterfall.
"Where are you Sean Andreas Walls," Farm Boy bellowed. The eyes of the family had not yet adjusted to the dim light inside the grotto. Sean ducked under the water and got to the other side of the table before the family had passed it to check the back of the cave. He pushed off from the last seat and into the pool as they once more hollered for him. Swimming to the far side of the pool he got up and said down on a lounge chair as if he'd been there all day.
Gitte emerged from the grotto first and spotted him. "He's out here," she called back to the rest of the family. There was a lot of splashing and hollering as the 7 made their way to surround Pops reclining on the lounge chair.
"I suppose you think you're funny?' Clay said as he crossed his arms around in front of his chest and tapped his right foot on the ground. He gave his husband the look."
"I do. I slipped past 5 of you over an hour ago completely unnoticed. At first, I was hurt that no one, including my husband," he returned the look at Farm Bot, "noticed me. Then I thought it was funny when you wondered where I was. As your search began, I found it hilarious. Finally, I could contain my laughter no more and you heard me. Yet once again I swam between all 7 of you and took my well-earned place in the sun."
"Place in the sun huh? I'll give you a place in the sun. OK guys and gals grab him, he's getting thrown back in the pool." Seven pairs of hands grabbed Sean and hauled him to the deep end of the pool before Clay and Fifth, who had hold of his feet and wrists threw him in.
Sean surfaced laughing his head off. "I still surprised you and I think I had the most fun."
Their revelry was interrupted by the honking of a car horn. Clay grabbed his sarong and headed for the front of the main house. The rest of the teens scrambled to cover themselves as Sean emerged naked from the pool his blond hair matted from the water as more droplets fell from his beard and mustache. He thought to himself, "No matter who it is, I'm not rushing to get dressed."
He laid back down on the lounge he had previously occupied. A few moments later he heard his name being called. "Andreas you couldn't even come and greet your mother and father." He sat upright and swung his legs to the side so he could stand. His mother was right there as he stood and wrapped him in a big hug. "Ugh, you're all wet!" she complained.
"Not quite. You just dried parts of me," Sean quipped.
His mother pinched his nose. "Once a smart ass always a smart ass."
"Takes one to know one," he replied. "You're a bit early, aren't you?"
"There was no traffic near the 417 and 429 which was a real surprise," Alex offered as he walked up and wrapped his youngest in a bear hug. "It's good to be with you. I know it's only a week, but it feels like a year."
"It's good to see you too Dad. So the drive wasn't too bad?"
"No rather nice. We drove with the top of the Audi down and picked up some extra sun and wind burn."
"I brought you a surprise," Andrea commented. Clay is putting them in the kitchen.
"OK, so it's food or drink. Since you brought it, I'll stay in the food category. Did you bake something?"
"I did. I thought you might like some of my mother's recipe for skillingsboller," Andrea commented as she began removing her sun dress. Within a few minutes, she was naked and helping Alex off with his clothes. The couple was soon joined by their grandchildren and son-in-law, and they all cooled off in the pool.
"So I thought tomorrow we'd go school shopping either down in Ft. Myers or that Mall down near Bonita Springs. The girls can come with me, and we'll ask Martha along, and make it a Girls' Outing while you guys take the boys."
"Mom that sounds great but there is a special faculty meeting tomorrow morning to address what happened yesterday. I was asked to stay away, but I feel that I'm going to confront the homophobia straight on," Clay explained. Afterward, I agree Guys' Day Out shopping for school."
"Are we staying at the high school then?" Andrew queried.
Clay turned to AJ, smiled, and asked, "Do you want to sit in T2 and study 5 days a week surrounded by your three brothers and not meet any other teens?"
"Not really, I was looking forward to JROTC and maybe cheerleading. How do we know now if we'll qualify because of our skills or because they're trying to avoid a lawsuit?"
"I must admit that is a damn good question AJ. Only time will tell. You will get to see your competition compete. If you think they're better than you and you get picked you can always decline and suggest they take the other guy," Dad suggested.
Pops interrupted, "I think it's time you give Mormor and Papu a tour of your new digs. Then we need to get dressed for company."
"What company?" RJ asked as he and Harri walked hand in hand around the corner of the main house.
"Speak of the devil and in he walks," Clay quipped.
"How did you guess I was horned up?" RJ threw back at his older brother.
"Because Harri has been gone all week and I know what a horn dawg you are, brother mine," Clay responded.
RJ stripped off his clothes and Harriet followed suit. Soon the entire family was laughing and talking in the pool. Martha and Leon also joined in a few minutes later.
Sean got out of the pool and began toweling off. "Last minute details for today's family dinner. It's1:55 now so we'll eat in 20 minutes." Vic and Gitte got out of the pool. After drying off the two girls went to the Salon to dress. Gitte had to bring over the cobbler she had made. Vic needed to microwave the cornbread so it would be hot enough to melt the butter.
"We'll show you the Salon after dinner," Gitte told her grandparents. "Mormor M, you should come too and see how we've spruced it up after a week."
"I look forward to it," Martha replied.
"Martha, are you free tomorrow to go shopping with the girls and me? We can make it a Girls' Day Out."
"I'd love to come along. Where are you thinking of going?"
"Wherever we can get the best deals."
Clay asked his father, "Dad you're welcome to come with the guys tomorrow to shop for school."
"Thank you, Junior, but my days of running through malls are over. I'd slow y'all down. You can pick up a treat for me though. Fat and Sugar-free though," he glanced at his wife who nodded her approval.
The family started getting out of the pool and dressing. At 2:15 they gathered in the dining room. Sean was at the head of the table, to his right was Martha then Leon. Gitte was next, with Andrew, Erik, and Gunnar completing the side. Clay took his place at the opposite end. To his right were Andrea and Alex. Next to them were Harriet and RJ, Vic, and Fifth.
Sean decided he would lead the family prayer in Norwegian. He reached for Fifth and Martha's hands and the table joined hands. Bowing his head, Sean began, "I Jesu navn går vi til bords; Og spiser, drikker på ditt ord; Deg, Gud, til ære, oss til gavn, Så får vi mat i Jesu navn. Amen."
Everyone took their seats and Clay explained the meal, "Today we decided to change things up and have a simpler family dinner. We have pulled pork, balsamic tomatoes with red onion, sweet cornbread ala Vic, and for dessert, we'll enjoy an apple raspberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream ala Gitte. Fifth will be glad to bring you whatever you'd like to drink tea, water, coffee, wine, or a simple highball."
Fifth straightened up in his seat. It was the first time his father permitted him to mix a highball. He knew from watching Dad make them that it would be one shot of whatever booze was requested and then the rest of the glass with whatever mixer they wanted.
The food was passed around and the meal was begun. RJ asked for a vodka and tonic for both Harri and himself. His siblings all asked for cokes. Papu asked for ouzo and Mormor A requested a glass of rose. Grampa asked for a decaf coffee. Mormor M chose a glass of rose as well. His father opted for lemonade and Pops ordered a glass of red wine. Gunnar offered to help and Fifth gladly agreed.
After dinner, everyone was enjoying their coffee, cobbler, and ice cream when Sean called for announcements. "I know we haven't been together for a week. We all have things we want to share. Gunnar has asked to go first this afternoon."
"Thanks, Pops," Gunnar began getting up from his seat. He retrieved his packages from the corner of the dining room where he had stashed them. "Pops, would you come down and sit in my place next to Dad?" Sean nodded and moved to sit near his husband.
"Back in June, I had to give Dad and Pops a lame excuse for a Father's Day gift because these weren't ready yet. So this is a belated Happy Father's Day from me and an early Happy Grandparents Day to Mormor A and Papu as well as Mormor M and Grandpa." He handed the wrapped pages to the recipients. The three couples began unwrapping the packages.
Mormor A finished first and opened the double frame. She and Papu smiled broadly, "These are lovely pictures of you Gunnar. Your Greek and Viking ancestry. Beautiful, Thank you."
Mormor M was next, "Your Viking and Cracker heritage in this set. I agree the photographer captured your youthful energy." The couples began passing the double frames down the table so others could see.
Clay opened their package last. Sean and he opened the two side panels to reveal four unique views of their son as a Viking, and Florida Cracker and two views as a Greek teenager. "Are you posing as Adonis in this Gun?" Pops inquired.
"Yes, Pops that's the idea."
"Eduardo certainly did a marvelous sitting with you. When were these taken?"
"Pops, the second day I was at Mormor and Papu's. They were both busy, so I had the day to explore Winter Park. I went into Castillo's Store and asked to meet him. Pietro went upstairs and he came down and one thing led to another, and I was in front of the camera."
"We will have to thank him for sure," Sean commented.
"I already wrote him a thank you note to mail in the morning. But there is more." He retrieved the Coffee Table book. "This is Eduardo's newest book, Blooms. He both inscribed something in it to me and dedicated the entire book to me!" The excited teen showed his parents the inscription and the dedication page.
"That is quite the honor Gunnar," Clay managed. "Did he take any other images of you?" Sean was wondering the same thing.
"No Dad, just the four costume pieces in all sorts of poses."
Both men felt instant relief that Eduardo had acted professionally and had not photographed their son nude.
"Well this is quite the surprise Gunnar," Pops added. "Congratulations on becoming the subject of a Castillo print. You can take my seat while I sit next to Dad." His mother nodded approvingly at him across the table. "Anyone else?"
Martha cleared her throat. "Yes, I would like to announce that tomorrow I will register as a write-in candidate for the School Board seat currently held by Hilda Rice. Five terms are enough for her." There was a round of applause.
Papu was next, "Andrea and I are going to visit China next summer for three weeks. We want to take some time with you Andreas and Clay to discuss the trip before we return home Tuesday."
"Sure thing Dad," Clay replied.
Harriet stood up, "I or should I say we, have some exciting news as well." RJ stood up beside her. "Robert and my work in computer surveillance have been recognized beyond our wildest imaginings. Before I left Washington yesterday, I was ordered to report to General Charles, the Air Force Chief of Staff. The General informed me that 18 Air Force Generals are retiring in the next 3 months. POTUS has been pleased to nominate both RJ and me for the positions of Brigadier General. This is years ahead of when we would have been considered. General Charles specifically mentioned our surveillance work."
Everyone stood up, clapped, and surrounded the couple congratulating them. Pops suggested, "I think this news calls for champagne. As it happens, we happen to have two bottles on ice for just this situation." He led the way into the family room and pulled out the two bottles from the drink fridge under the bar. Clay got down 8 flutes. "Hun, I think you're 6 short." Clay looked at his Chief questioningly then nodded. He put 6 more flutes on the bar. Sean poured one inch of champagne into each flute for the teens. He then filled the remaining eight ¾ of the way.
After everyone had their flute, he raised his glass toward RJ and Harri. "To two of the brightest stars in the US Air Force. Thank you for your service and may you continue to be successful in all your endeavors. SKÃ...L!" glasses clinked, and the bubbly was consumed.
"Who is ready for a tour of the Salon?" Vic inquired. Six hands raised in the air. The two girls led their grandparents, their uncle, and their future aunt out through the kitchen along the walk to the salon.
"We better spray T2 with Febreze before they get there," AJ commented.
"You boys been jerking off downstairs again?" Pop asked with his version of a shit-eating grin.
"Pops, you know how guys sweat. We're sitting naked, we just leave a funky smell everywhere we go," Erik replied.
"Even in these Sarongs my balls are moist," Gunnar added. Then flashing his shit-eating grin, "Want to touch them and see?" he unwrapped his sarong.
"I'll pass," Pops responded quickly.
Dad joined in with, "Nope, I wiped those balls enough when you were a baby. You can take care of them yourself. However, you need to let Fifth do the spraying as you three must help me with the dishes. Let's get them done."
"Ah, Dad, it's that French China. We need to wash it by hand," AJ griped.
"You've been spoilt by modern conveniences. Nothing like getting some practical experiences, especially if you get KP duty in the military." Clay herded the three teens into the dining room, and they began carrying the plates, stemware, flatware, and serving dishes into the kitchen. AJ lost at rock, paper, scissors with his brothers and had to do the washing. Erik and Gun dried and stacked, and Clay moved things back into the dining room China closet. By the time they finished the dishes the tours were over. Fifth had given the tour of T2 to his family members by himself.
As the family gathered in the family room, Andrea asked, "Where is Andreas?"
"Is he playing hide and seek again?" Erik wondered. Andrea looked puzzled. Gite explained, "Pops hid from us today. We couldn't find him. We thought he had been kidnapped by rednecks. Turns out he was in the pool grotto all along laughing at us."
Gun walked onto the patio, dropped his sarong, and dove into the pool. He swam in and back out of the grotto. He shook his head no, as he got out of the pool and walked back toward the house.
"I'll see if he's upstairs," Clay noted as he slipped into the main hall and up the stairs and along the landing. He was about to enter their bedroom when he saw Sean in his overstuffed easy chair in the library with headphones on his ears. The book he had been reading had fallen to his lap. Farm Boy took a moment to study his sleeping husband. He delighted in his big furry blond Norse Greek Sir. HE bent over and kissed Sean's nose, then his eyelids, and finally his mouth. Chief returned the final kiss.
"How long have I been sleeping?"
"I don't know. We took about 30 minutes to do the dishes, so not long. We just didn't know where you went."
"I'm sorry. I guess I'm more tired than I realized. Let's join our guests."
Downstairs the family was discussing the wedding plans. Harriet informed them, "My best friend is the matron of Honor. Both Victoria and Birgitte will be Maids of Honor. I'd like you to pick your own dress. It can be any color or print you like except white."
"Can we add them to our shopping trip tomorrow Mormor A?" Vic inquired.
Andrea looked to Sean and Clay as they took seats on the floor near the fireplace. Sean nodded in the affirmative.
"Now for the hard part," RJ began. "Junior will be my best man. So I'll need two more Groomsmen. I've opted to go with Fifth and Erik, the oldest from both sets of twins." Gunnar and AJ frowned but kept their mouths shut. "I would like Andrew and Gunnar to be ushers and help seat the quests. I'll be in military uniform. I'm going to ask that you each wear dark blue trousers, black shoes, and a dress shirt of whatever color you choose except white, and a thin black tie." All four boys were happy to be involved somehow. "Sorry Sean, I don't have a spot for you."
"Not a problem RJ. I'll enjoy the view."
"What will Mormor M and Grandpa wear?" Vic demanded.
"That's up to them," Harri noted.
Vic turned toward her grandmother. Martha thought a moment. "I know a nice little shop in Fort Myers that we can stop at tomorrow to get our wedding attire. Father will wear the black tux that he wore to the other three weddings."
"Might need it taken in a bit, Mother. I haven't even looked at it since Mary Liz's wedding."
"Oh, I shove its bag aside twice a year when I clean the closet, Father. We'll pull it out tonight and see how you look in it."
"Junior, are we going to have board games this evening, charades, or a movie?" Leon asked his oldest son.
"Gee Dad, I hadn't even thought about that part of the evening. What would you like to do?"
"Board Games. I'm feeling like Scrabble. Do I have three more takers?" Andrea, Andrew and Erik agreed to join the game.
"Cards Against Humanity anyone?" Fifth suggested. Papu, Sean, Gunnar, Vic and Harri agreed to play it.
Birgitte suggested, "Settlers of Katan anyone?" The rest of the family joined her.
Card tables were set up, the game boxes pulled out, and for the next two hours, the family enjoyed each other's company. At 6 in the evening, Harri and RJ took their leave. They were followed by Martha and Leon. Andrea went with the girls back to the Salon to do each other's nails and talk more about wedding outfits. Papu joined the boys to watch a baseball game in T2.
Sean and Clay were alone in the family room cuddling together on the couch. They flipped through a few channels and decided there was nothing on they wished to watch. "Let's go upstairs to the library and just read and listen to music," Clay suggested.
"I fell asleep doing that earlier.
"What were you reading and listening to Chief?"
"I selected; How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue. It's a novel about a woman who takes on an American Oil Company. Much like we're taking on the homophobia in this town. I was listening to Michael Buble."
"Well, we can both listen to him. I want to review a math journal before I start my lesson planning." The two men climbed the stairs and installed themselves in their overstuffed leather chairs. They propped their feet on the shared ottoman briefly playing footsy as they began their reading and listening to the CD.
An hour and a half later when Andrea came upstairs, she walked down to the source of the music. She found both her son and son-in-law asleep in their chairs with books on their laps. She kissed each on the top of their head and turned off the overhead light. She then retired to the corner bedroom to wait for her husband to come to bed.