Independence Day
Chapter 4
With the breaking of the dawn, the scent of sulfur and gunpowder from the Cities festivities last night mixed in with the unmistakable scent of salt air drifting through the open window, Tom stirs, and feels Paul next to him. Knowing again that it wasn't a dream, a wonderful dream that would end with the annoying sound of an alarm clock. Feeling around for his clock, and turning off the alarm before it's obnoxious buzzing, rolling over to cuddle up to his partner. Wondering about the events of yesterday, and what happened with Doreen, was she going to come back and cause more trouble for Paul. If only I knew last year what I know now, if only. But why worry about it. They are together now, and that is what is important. Paul stirs, with out a word spoken, rolls over and greets Tom with a kiss, a kiss of passion, a kiss of love, a kiss of life. The two men crawl out of bed together and head into the shower. Tom was very glad he had the shower constructed the way he did, the shower was big enough for four people to shower comfortably, so two would have ample room to be themselves with each other.
Tom takes the soap and lathers up his friends body, working the soap into every spot, caressing his skin, and working his muscles almost as if he was a masseur. Paul stands there with the water filling the shower with steam, his friend caressing his body with the soap, and thanking God for Doreen's stupidity. Tom grabs the shower hose and rinses off Paul. Tom marvels at the beauty of his friends body, the way the water cascades around his taught muscles, the way his body hair falls flat against his chest when the water is rinsing off the soap, and the way the hair slowly pulls away from his skin as the water is pulled by gravity, down his body, and on down the drain. Tom turns and hands his buddy the soap and whispers, "your turn."
Paul takes the soap and starts repeating the magnificent treatment that Tom had just given him. After Paul has lathered up Tom, he guides him to sit on the floor, as Paul starts shampooing his hair. He relishes the feeling of the long wet hair filled with shampoo in his hands. Tom moans ever so softly, a smile comes across Paul's face, as he gently washes his friends mane. After Paul rinses off Tom he turns off the shower and grabs a large bathing towel. Soft and fluffy terry cloth, he starts to dry off the magnificent body he was just washing. After Paul is done, Tom grabs the towel and returns the favor, paying special attention not to miss anything. While Tom is drying off his new loves back, he drops the towel to the floor, and pulls Paul into his Chest. Holding him from behind, Paul could feel the growing hardness of Tom's manhood. Tom's arms sweep underneath Paul's arms, one of Paul's hands on Tom's erection, while the other slowly and tenderly caress Tom's torso, Paul whispers in Tom's ear, "Good Morning my Love." with that Tom turns around and kisses Paul with a burning passion that made last night look like a dress rehearsal for this morning. Their passion is so overwhelming, they sink to the bathroom floor, and start exploring each other all over again. Paul rolls on top of Tom, and starts exploring every nuance of Tom's body with his mouth, flicking his taught nipples with his tongue, tenderly chewing the muscles on the outside of Tom's armpits. Paul starts to giggle as Tom's attention to Paul's side is tickling him. They start into an impromptu wrestling match that leaves the two in a 69 position. With Tom on the bottom and Paul on top, the two looked like some kind of pistoning machine, in and out, up and down. They both reach climax at the same time, and lay down besides each other catching there breath. Looking over to each other they start to laugh and hold each other in bear hugs, stand up, and shower together again. After they finish washing each other off, Tom finally breaks the silence.
"Is this going to be a daily morning ritual?" as he smiles perversely at Paul.
"Why," says Paul, "you no like?" As his smiling reply hints to the inevitable round two.
Tom looks Paul in his eyes, seeing the love and excitement that the two of them share, "I think you know better than that!" As Tom takes hold of Paul's member, sinks to his knees and services his friends manhood with the gusto and fervor of a man starving, a man that hasn't eaten' anything for days, sinking every time to the base of his blood engorged tool. Paul's body quakes with his orgasm, and pulls away with astonishment on his face.
"You ain't no Virgin are you!" Paul says with astonishment.
Tom stands and takes Paul's face in hand and gives him a tender kiss. "Not after last night I'm not. I've given head a few times, but you are the first I've had full intercourse with. Are you disappointed that I'm not a Virgin in every way?"
Paul's chin drops to his chest, takes his hand and caresses his friends massive erection, "Not disappointed as long as you teach me everything you know."
Tom gleams with happiness. "It's a deal!"
"Lets scrounge something up for breakfast," Paul says as they turn and go out of the bathroom.
Tom gooses Paul's ass and says. "I already had breakfast."
"Smart Ass!" Paul says as they stroll out of the bedroom into the hall and on to the Kitchen.
"Paul," Tom say's, "we need to go shopping before we can eat, I don't have much here."
Paul opens the door to the fridge and Tom's mouth waters. A large bowl covered with a lid is sitting on the bottom of the fridge. The bowl is filled with assorted chopped fruit, and once opened, Tom could smell the unmistakenable smell of liquor. Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Kiwi, Strawberries, Passion Fruit, Star Fruit, Mango's, Oranges, Grapes, Apples, a few chunks of pineapple and topped off with chunks of coconut, all fermenting in Champagne. Paul grabs the Can of Whipped topping and a couple of shortcakes, tops the shortcakes with fruit and a squirt of whipped cream. "I'd rather have your Whipped Cream on the fruit than this stuff!" Paul slyly states, as he opens a bottle of Korbel Champagne and pours two glasses.
"Hey Paul," Tom asks, "what would you have done if I would have thrown your ass out last night?"
Paul stops and looks at Tom with a look of shock on his face. "Where did that question come from?"
"I don't know," Tom says as he takes a glass of champaign from Paul. "I guess it just seems to perfectly planned out, the candles, the bedroom, the breakfast, I was just curious. If I would have planned something like that, it would have all gone wrong."
"A toast!" Paul's states, "To our Independence Day." Glasses clink and they curl arms around each others they drink, they kiss, then.....
RING!!!!!!
"Damn Phone!" Tom walks over to the wall and picks up the intruding noise. "Hello." Tom says in a tone like "what the hell you calling for and it better be good". Paul hears, a few uh huh's and see's Tom handing him the phone, "It's for you, it's the bitch!"
"Yeah, what'cha want Dor. No. No. No." and on and on is all Tom could hear, with Paul's face getting redder and redder, then finally Paul stops, "Goodbye Dor, and don't call me again!" Paul Hangs up the Phone and walks over to the sink. He splashes some cold water on his face and hangs his head over the sink.
Tom stands and puts his hand on Paul's shoulder as his body shakes with anger, "So," Tom asks, "what does she want?"
Paul turns and looks at Tom, with an ashen complexion, tears running down his face, "The father of her unborn baby!" He bursts into tears and covers his face with his hands. Tom cradles his friends head on his shoulder and tries to sooth the roaring hurt that is pouring out of his friend, while deep inside of himself, he feels nothing but hatred and anger boiling up inside, deep inside. The type of anger and hatred that could easily consume ones emotions. They stand there with Tom cradling Paul, as he continues to cry.
Finally Paul stops crying and they sit to finish their breakfast, neither one of them having much of an appetite, play with their food. The silence is unbearable, Tom can feel the hurt and anger Paul is dealing with. After a silence that seems to last an eternity, Tom can't stand it anymore and breaks the tension. "So, what are we going to do?" Tom tried to be encouraging, but didn't feel like he did a very good job.
Paul stands and starts to put the fruit back in the fridge, "I don't know, I can't go back to her, not after everything that has happened, but if she is pregnant, I can't turn my back on her either. It's just a massive pile of shit I didn't need to deal with today." He closes the door to the fridge and leans on the fridge facing it with his hands holding onto the top, softly banging his head on the door, Tom comes up from behind him and lovingly puts his hand on the small of Paul's back.
"What ever happens, we will deal with the situation together." Tom says as Paul stands and puts his arms around Tom.
"Thanks," Paul says, "I needed that."
"I figured you did." Tom said with a grin as Paul jabs him in the ribs.
"You Asshole! I love you." Paul says as he gives Tom a kiss. "I needed that."
As the clock strikes 11:00 am, Dor is sitting in the Dr.'s office gloating over her phone call to Paul. "I'll get him back," she says to herself, "anyway I can." She looks around the Office and notices other women in obvious stages of pregnancy. Thinking how fat and ugly they look, hoping she doesn't get that bad. Her attention is drawn to a young girl sitting with an older gentleman, she seems to be very uncomfortable sitting with him. She couldn't be more than 14 yrs old.
The receptionist breaks Dor's concentration, "Doreen Miller, The Dr. will see you now."
Doreen stands and walks to the door next to the young girl, the girl looks up to her and a tear trails down her face. Dor couldn't help but feel an immense feeling of sympathy for her. Through the door and down the hall to a door that is open. The exam room is stark in white and Aluminum. A few cupboards on the wall, a door on the opposite wall, and an examination table in the middle of the room. Dor sit's down in the only chair in the room next to a wall mounted desk, and looks around. On the walls are the typical framed diplomas and tranquil pictures of fruit in a bowl and cheap landscapes, obviously purchased at a flea market. there's a knock on the other door.
An middle aged man enters and comes over to Doreen, "Hello Ms. Miller," the Doctor says, "I'm Dr. Buller, what can I do for you today."
Boy! Doreen thinks to herself, is he an idiot or what. "Dr.," Doreen answers, "I think I'm pregnant."
Well then Ms, Miller, I think we should find out one way or another if you are or not." the Dr. say's," Go behind the screen and put on an examination gown and we will do some tests."
Doreen sheepishly goes behind the small screen that was folded up and totally unnoticeable behind the cabinets. She peeks through the cracks of the screen and notices the Dr. busying himself with getting everything ready. She walks out from behind the screen and sits on the exam table. A young lady, about Dor's age walks in and brings in a tray with the equipment for taking a blood sample.
"Hello Ms. Miller, I'm Susan, I'll be with you for your exam." Susan sets the tray down and uncovers it. On the tray is a hypodermic needle, two small empty vials, some cotton balls, a rubber tube, and a packet containing a sterile wipe. Dor turns her head away as Susan starts to draw the blood. "There," Susan says, "keep the cotton ball on your arm for a second, I'll get a band-aide, leave it on till the bleeding stops." Susan grabs a band-aide from the cabinet drawer, and places it on her arm. "O.K. Ms Miller, lay back and we will be back in when the blood test is done." As the two go out through the other door, Doreen lays there on the table and starts her plans of getting Paul back.
After what seemed to be an eternity there is a knock on the door followed by the entrance of the Dr. and Susan the Nurse.
"Well Ms. Miller, it seems that congratulations are in order, you are definitely pregnant." As the Dr. proclaims, and Dor's evil mind starts the revenge plans on Paul.
With Tom off to work, Paul calls the mechanic and asks them to deliver the car to Tom's house. Paul walks around the house, picking up the now empty votive cups and wondering what he is going to do if she is really pregnant. He walks around trying to keep himself busy but it's no use. After the car is delivered he decides to go for a drive and think things through. "I can't leave Tom, now that I know what I want, but I can't turn my back on my child?" Paul rambles on to himself as he drives up the coast. As he pulls into a small Ocean side park, Paul notices two men and a small child. they are playing on the recreation equipment. The two men stand next to each other, say something to each other and kiss. The little girl runs up to the men and gives both a great big hug. Paul starts the car and heads back to the city. He has decided if two men can raise a child together and keep there love for each other open, then why can't Tom and himself. Once home, he would have to approach the subject carefully with Tom, as he drives home a feeling of great peace and happiness falls on his mind. "Our love can over come anything."
Late in the afternoon, as Tom is finishing up his work, the intercom comes on, "Yes Nancy," Tom says, hoping it was a phone call from Paul.
"A Mr Johansen is on line 2 for you." Nancy replies.
With complete puzzlement of not recognizing the name, Tom picks up the phone, "Hello, this is Tom Bertrand, how may I help you?"
"I am Isaiah Johansen, I would like to meet with you on a matter of great importance."
Tom is completely perplexed. "Do I know you sir?" Tom asks as he tries to remember the name.
"No you don't know me, and there is no reason you should, we have never met. But I think it is time we should." the voice on the other end says, "can we get together tonight, I know it's short notice but I feel we should get together as soon as possible."
"Well, I guess we can meet tonight, where would you like to get together?" Tom asks.
"I would be honored if you would meet me at Maurice's for dinner." Isaiah says, "see you around 8:00 pm and bring a friend, it's informal."
"Sounds fine sir, I'll see you then." Tom hangs up and grabs his coat, and leaves his office, stopping at Nancy's desk, "If anyone should call I've left for the day, if Paul calls tell him I'm on my way home and not to plan anything for supper."
"You got it boss, Good night Tom," Nancy replies as Tom heads for the elevator.
As the doors close to the elevator, he asks himself, who is Isaiah Johansen? Oh well, I'll soon find out. As Tom climbs in to his Mercedes, flips the top down and heads home. Going through downtown Tom is stopped at a red light, Across the street is the distinguished gentlemen that he saw yesterday. Tom wanted to drive up to him and share with him all the events of the last 24 hours since he first noticed him on the corner, but decided he better not approach a stranger with that kind of information in the City, not that it wouldn't be strange, for it would, just that the man was a perfect stranger. As Tom drives on through the traffic pulls off on the street that leads to the street where he lives he starts wondering who Isaiah Johansen is, Could he be a friend of his parents that died years ago, and if he was, why was he just now making his presence known. Tom turns the corner to the street of his home and see's Paul's car parked in the driveway. Parking his car behind Paul's, putting the top up and locking the car, he heads in to the house, wondering what he would find there now, maybe more candles, or... his curiosity was answered when he opened the door to see Paul sitting on the couch with a look of deep depression.
Tom enters the house, "Hi Honey! I'm home! Tom calls out. But Paul just looks up from the couch, he's been crying. "Paul, what's wrong?" As Tom drops his stuff on the side chair and rushes to Paul's side on the couch, grabs him in his strong arms, and holds him close.
"Doreen called," Paul says, "she saw the Dr today and it's official, she's six weeks pregnant." Paul slumps into his friends loving arms and starts to cry. She told me that if I didn't come back I'd never see my child again.
Tom holds Paul as he weeps, "what do you want to do?" Tom asks, "Do you want to go back to her?" Tom bites his lower lip for asking the question.
"Hell no!" Paul exclaims, "I want nothing to do with that bitch. The only thing I want is for the two of us to raise the child as ours," Paul shocks himself for blurting it out like that, carefully looking up at Tom like a child that was just reprimanded by his parent. "Do you think you could be interested in something like that with me?" A tear trails down his cheek as he study's Tom's face for any emotional sign.
"Well...." Tom replies, standing up and walking around to the other side of the coffee table, I only have one question, Who is going to play the Mommy?"
Paul leaps to his feet and sweeps Tom into his arms, "I LOVE YOU!!!" Paul is swirling Tom around the living room like a rag doll as they laugh with glee.
"Hey now, get a grip," Tom says, "I will call my lawyer in the morning, but for now we have a diner engagement. Do you know a man by the name of Isaiah Johansen?"
Tom stops for a moment and thinks, "No, I don't think so?" Why is he a friend?"
"I got a call from this gentleman at work just as I was getting ready to leave. He has invited myself and a friend to dinner at Maurice's, 8:00pm." Tom looks at Paul, "wanna go?"
"Sure," Paul's says, "after all, we have a lot to celebrate."
"This parent thing has one stipulation," Tom say's, "I want us to have full custody."
"That's fine with me." Paul says as he turns and they go into the bedroom to change for there supper date.
Pulling out of the driveway in Tom's Mercedes, Paul starts talking about babies. Buying clothes, cribs, toys, insurance, and picking out the college. Paul rambles on with Tom paying as close attention to Paul as he can, but he can't help to wonder what Doreen is going to pull. Arriving at the Restaurant the valet come out to great the two, with Paul still rambling on about baby stuff, Tom starts to laugh, "What's so funny Tom?" Paul inquires.
"My question has been answered, I know who is going to be the Mommy! Tom giggles, "You already are!"
Paul grabs Tom's neck tie and pulls him to his face, "And don't you forget it!" Kisses him as the valet opens the car door for Paul.
Entering the lavish resuraunt Maurice's, they are greated by the matrade', a swanky man in his middle 50's with a very bad toape, "Names please," he says in a very bad french accent.
"Johansen Party please," Tom say's trying not to laugh at the man.
Humf, "This way... Gentlemen." the matrade almost indignantly says as he leads the two over to a table with two other men waiting.
Tom and Paul freeze when they get to the table and simultaniously say looking at the men, "Black Lincoln Continental!"