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Life's Illusions - Book Four - Chapter 4
Josef, Carry, and Juan, with Berto, Maria, and the boys had enjoyed the few days while Trevor had been away.
They were entertained by their Chicago family.
It had been after dinner on the day before Trevor was due back, when a member of staff approached Billy, leaning in to whisper a message, Billy just nodded, as if it were nothing, and no one saw, when moments later he gave Josef a brief look, with a flick of the head that said, I need to speak to you in private.
Without arousing suspicion, Josef excused himself from the lounge where they'd all been enjoying the evening.
As soon as he closed the lounge door behind him, Billy grabbed him.
"I don't know what's happened but Aly wants you on a conference call, he gave the specific instruction Juan was not to be alerted".
Josef had an ominous feeling of what this would be about, but he stayed silent as Billy ushered him into Jace's office.
Soon enough Aly was on the conference screen, with Bo's arm wrapped around him, as Josef heard the devastating news.
Aly had been unable to get any reply that afternoon when he'd called to check on Gabby, finally he'd used the key she didn't know he had.
He'd found her, propped up on her bed, dressed in her best dress, her makeup perfect, she'd been dead a while, probably for several hours, she'd looked so peaceful.
When they'd ended the call Josef was completely bereft, he had the worst job in the world facing him, to tell his brother that his child was dead, he knew he couldn't do it, turning to Billy he said.
"I don't know how to do this, can you get Carry in here for me?".
It was only minutes before a concerned Carry arrived, seeing her husband, she knew immediately something was seriously wrong, Josef didn't keep her in suspense.
"Gabby's dead, she committed suicide, Aly found her, I don't know how to tell him, I can't tell him, it will break him, what do I do love?".
Carry took him into a hug.
"You rely on me, it's what we do lover".
Turning to Billy she said.
"We need Juan, Berto and Maria in here, and Jolly and Mel would be a great help, if you could manage it".
It was only minutes before Juan arrived.
Seeing his brother being comforted by Carry he didn't understand.
"What is it Bro, what can I do?".
Mel and Jolly appeared behind him with Berto and Maria,
As they came in, realisation hit Juan, .
"No, don't, please, don't do this to me".
Carry let go of Josef to walk the few feet to Juan, wrapping him into a hug as she said.
"Gabby's gone, Aly found her, she did what she wanted, she went to Carlo, we have to deal with it, I'm so sorry to be the one to give you this awful news".
Juan buried his head in her shoulder and cried like a baby.
Behind him Berto was sobbing in Maria's arms.
When he could muster some degree of composure Juan said.
"Carlo, how do I tell him, he'll be devastated, he loves his Momma".
He shouldn't have been surprised when Maria, through tear filled eyes said.
"I'll tell him, and he's going to live with us, we'll bring him up as our second son, trust me, he'll be loved, he'll have a good life, he already has a big brother who adores him".
It was Josef who suddenly remembered.
"Junior, we have to tell him and get him home, I'll call his CO, I know him".
As the others went back to the lounge, Carry was on her cell to their pilots arranging to leave for Nice and Montclair the following morning, it would bring them into Nice, France, at around mid afternoon the following day.
Josef called the base in Germany where Junior was stationed, asking for the CO by name.
He only waited a few minutes before a crisp efficient voice answered him.
"Captain Caswel-Thorn, sir, what can I do for you sir".
He could picture Gordy, standing to attention at the other end of the call.
"You can stand at ease for a start Gordy, I'm not your superior any more, I'm a civilian without rank".
The reply was predictable.
"Begging your pardon, but no sir, never, you will always be the man who made me, my superior, but that aside, what can I do for you sir".
Josef smiled, then realising why he was calling he almost cried.
"I have to deliver some bad news to my nephew Gordy, it's the worst type of news, but the boy needs to hear it straight from family, is there any way I could arrange a time to speak with him?".
He heard Gordy bark out an instruction.
"Staff Sergeant, find Major Alonso-Caswel-Thorn, I want him in this office before I blink my eyes, and Staff Sergeant, if there's so much as a scratch on his skin, however prickly he might be after a few bevies, someone will wish they hadn't been born".
Josef heard the Staff Sergeant barking orders to what sounded like a small army of personnel.
"Thank you Gordy, It wasn't my intention to put you to this much trouble, but it does give me some time to catch up with you, how are you my friend?, you've not been to visit since Vinny died, we miss you, Carry sends her love, but be clear my friend, you have an absolute royal bollocking to endure at some point from her".
At the mention of Vinny, it was as if Gordy slipped out of his military cloak, he became a civilian.
"You were the only ones who we could be ordinary around, I still miss him Jo, all these years on and he's still my first thought in the morning, I still wake some mornings in a haze, look at his pillow and think, where the heck is he, before I remember".
Josef was somber, but he wasn't going to give Gordy reason to sink into a pity party.
"And if he heard you now, knew we hadn't seen you in nearly twelve months, what do you think he'd have to say?".
Gordy actually laughed.
"I'd get the bollocking I'm not going to avoid, because Carry will deliver it eventually anyway".
As they were talking there was a commotion evidently going on in the outer office.
As his office door opened and the noise got louder, Gordy slipped easily back into role.
His gruff voice barked out.
"Major".
And every sound ceased, obviously as a partly drunken Junior realised where he was.
"Sir, sorry sir, you wanted to see me sir?".
Gordy was predictable in his reply.
"No major, I have absolutely no wish to be in your drunken company, but I have someone on the phone who, for reasons I would rather not explain, needs to speak with you".
Josef listened as Gordy cleared the office, then spoke to Junior in a manner which would never be displayed in company.
"It's a family call Junior, I'll leave you alone, take all the time you need, I'll be outside".
Josef heard the door close, before Junior picked up the receiver.
"Hello, who is this".
Even in his semi drunken state, Josef could hear the fear in his voice.
"Junior, it's Uncle Jo, I have some bad news, sit down boy".
He could hear the resignation in Junior, as he sighed.
"Just give it to me Uncle Jo".
Josef wanted so much to be hugging him right now.
"It's Gabby, she took an overdose, she's gone Junior, Gramps Aly found her, we're in Chicago, your Poppa's in bits, he's blaming himself for leaving her, we need you home Junior, I need you, to help me with your Poppa, I'll have a plane waiting for you by morning, I love you Junior, I'm so sorry I had to give you this news".
It was as if Juniors brain suddenly shot back to reality, his military training taking over.
"Carlo, where is he Uncle Jo?".
Josef knew right then, Junior would be okay".
"He's here in Chicago with us, he doesn't know yet, Berto and Maria are asking if they can have him to live with them, Maria said he'll be their second son, I think it's a good idea".
Junior had relaxed, his voice told Josef that.
"That's good, I really feel for the little tyke, he's had a shitty deal so far, a father who would have worshipped him if he hadn't died without knowing he even existed, a mother who flipped from happy to manic at a moments notice, it's time the little fella had a life he wasn't frightened to wake up to every morning, I'll be back as soon as I can get leave Uncle Jo".
Josef cut the call, then once again put his head in his hands, realising he was getting weary of this being the one who had to shoulder the burden.
He rejoined the family in the lounge just as Trevor arrived back.
The evening was one of mixed emotions, cut short by everyone turning in early, Juan and Josef were the last two left.
Josef moved to sit beside his brother, putting an arm around him.
"I hate that you've had so much hurt to deal with, I wish I could protect you from it, I thought losing Pierre would be the worst, but I know this is just as bad, I can't imagine what you're feeling right now, but you have to know I'm here Bro, you're not alone in this".
Juan's answer, at first shocked him, but on reflection, he realised it was an honest statement.
"It's probably for the best Bro, she was so badly wounded by Carlo's death, much more intensely than I was by Pierre's, if I'm honest, I think this was inevitable, that's not to say Pierre dying didn't almost kill me, it's to do with where we were in life, Pierre and I, we'd had so many wonderful years, but they were still in the throes of young love, I think I always knew this was on the cards, she couldn't deal with life without him, I know, I remember those thoughts it in the early days, but I had values and expectations, what Pierre would have expected of me to fall back on, she didn't have that".
That night, it was doubtful if any of the adults slept, anywhere around the world as news got out.
Aly had sent the news to Woody and Jacqueline, who in turn relayed it to the wider family, so many tears were shed for the family in Montclair.
Before they left for the airport next morning, Jace pulled Josef and Juan aside.
"As soon as you have funeral plans in place we'll be with you, and I thought you should know, I've decided to put plans to pursue Martyn Warren on hold for the time being, something like this brings things back into perspective, I have my boy back in my life, I want us all to enjoy that for now".
They lifted out of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport at ten thirty in the morning local time, with the five hour time difference, they were due to land in Nice France around three thirty in the afternoon, Carlo was quiet, seemingly thinking, for most of the flight.
When they arrived in Montclair they went straight to the house on Avenue Montclair, and it hurt everyone when Carlo said.
"When I go home, I'll be on my own, I'll have to look after myself now".
No one had said anything, they were all stunned, he'd just wandered out into the garden, it was where Eduardo found him a few minutes later, sitting alone sobbing loudly.
As Eddy sat next to him, pulling him into a hug, Carlo said between sobs.
"I don't know how to look after myself Eddy, I'm frightened, why did Mommy leave me behind, why didn't she take me with her to be with Daddy".
Juan was behind them, just about to swoop in and put his arms around them, but he stopped himself, listening to Eddy's reply, his heart bursting with pride for his eldest grandson.
"You're not going back there Carlo, we all want you to live here, be my little brother, Momma and Poppa love you, they've asked Gramps if you can come here and he said yes, we're going to have a fantastic time, I've never had a little brother, and you've never had a big brother, I'll look out for you, we'll do everything together".
Carlo looked completely surprised.
"Really, I can live here, I'd like that, your Momma and Poppa are nice".
Juan moved forward now, engulfing them both in a hug, saying.
"Eddy's right Carlo, you'll live here now, and I promise you'll have a wonderful life, it's time you had some happiness boy".
Turning to Eddy he said.
"Thank you Eddy, you explained that perfectly, now why don't you take Carlo inside and get him set up in a bedroom close to you, we'll go collect some of Carlo's things from the cottage tomorrow, meanwhile Eddy, find out what he's got and what he needs in the way of electrical stuff, you know the usual, the stuff you kids need to survive, television, laptop, music centre, phone, make a list and we can go shopping tomorrow as well, if there's anything you want, put it on the list".
Eddy was used to his Gramps generosity, but at his parents bidding he didn't take it for granted, which was evident in his reply.
"Thanks Gramps, I'll do that for Carlo but I can get what I want when I've saved enough of my allowance".
Juan replied.
"This is a one off Eddy, get it on the list, that's not a request, it's an order".
Eddy grinned and nodded.
Junior arrived home later that same evening, engulfing first his Poppa and then Berto and Maria into hugs, saying to his brother and sister in law.
"You guy's are so kind to take on little Carlo, if there's anything I can ever do to help, just say, he so deserves the life he's going to get with you".
Maria summed it up perfectly.
"He needs to wake up in the morning and be happy, not frightened it might be a bad day, and he's going to get that, don't get me wrong, before she lost Carlo Snr, Gabby was a wonderfully happy girl, she was my friend as well as my sister in law, but little Carlo never saw that side of her, his only memories are of a Momma who hated life, resented being alive, we aim to change that, we want him to grow up loving his Momma, understanding why she did what she did, knowing she loved him, but above all, we want him to have a happy, safe, secure life".
Six days later was scheduled to be the day of Gabby's funeral.
Family were arriving from around the world.
Reya, Aly's sister, and Raul her husband, now in their sixties, arrived in from Tokyo, with Freddie and Freya their children.
Piers and Milo arrived from Sydney.
Sofia, Rick, and their boys, John and Joseph, arrived from Torremolinas.
No one had expected Josh and Bryan to travel, but they arrived from New York, now in their Eighties and Seventies respectively, they were accommodated at Montclair.
The Chicago family, twenty two in total, arrived in.
A complete surprise was an arrival from New York, Daniel Worthington, he was someone helped by PJ and Lenny nearly thirty years earlier, now, after losing his mother and sister in an horrific RTA, the foster son of Chris Worthington and his partner Max, Chris was CEO of Woodruff Banking which the family still owned.
Daniel was thirty nine now, and an absolute God in looks, Juan and Josef remembered him as a young boy, and their Grand PJ telling them he was a credit to his late father, a fallen Veteran.
Daniel was difficult to place, he'd said it wasn't a problem, he'd look for accommodation in Nice, but this was the Thorn family, they wouldn't hear of it.
He was placed in the next bedroom to Junior, with a shared, 'Jack and Jill' bathroom, which he gratefully accepted, but no one told Junior, and he'd never been used to sharing his bathroom at home.
Juniors first encounter with Daniel would be a truly memorable experience.
It had been two days before Gabby's funeral, Junior had awoken in a bad place, remembering his sister, how they'd kept each other safe in the years on the streets, before they were adopted by their beloved Poppas.
He'd gone into the shared bathroom naked, intending to shower.
But his emotions got the better of him, he'd been stood at the mirror, tears running from his eyes when Daniel, also naked, entered the bathroom from the other side.
Junior had his head in his hands, he didn't know Daniel was there.
Daniel saw someone who was hurting and didn't hesitate, he wrapped his arms around Junior saying.
"Hey, I don't know what's troubling you but I can help".
Junior reacted badly.
He would admit that later.
A naked man was hugging him.
Junior spun around and punched Daniel, knocking him to the floor, shouting.
"Get off me you creep".
Daniel was bleeding heavily from a deep cut above his eye, he didn't challenge Junior, he just struggled to get up, left the bathroom and locked the door into his room securely.
Junior snapped back into reality as soon as he heard the door lock click, knocking on the door, he was shouting.
"I'm sorry, whoever you are, I don't know what happened there, please, can we talk about this".
Daniel was not about to open the door, his eye was already half closed and streaming blood, he was trying his best to stem the flow, whilst stuffing clothes into his bags.
Down in the hallway, Juan was passing through on his way to the lounge when Daniel came down the staircase, blood still running from the cut above his eye, dragging his bags, Juan was shocked, but in typical fashion asked.
"What happened, where are you going?".
Daniel replied.
"I tried to offer comfort to someone I thought was hurting, this was my payment, thanks for the offer of accommodation but I think I'll be safer in a hotel, this isn't what I expected, I was brought up with the expectations of family looking after family, I've booked a room at the Marriott in Nice".
And he was gone.
Juan went up the stairs to the top floor two at a time.
When he reached his son's room he didn't knock, he simply barged the door open, shouting at a clearly confused Junior.
"What the fuck did you do, I've just been humiliated by a guest in our house leaving with blood streaming down his face".
Junior just burst into tears.
Juan didn't hesitate he grabbed his son, pulling him into a hug.
"Okay, in your own time, tell me what happened, I, we, need to repair this".
Junior told his Poppa between sobs.
"I don't know Poppa, someone put his arms around me, I was naked, so was he, I was frightened, I reacted badly, I think I might have hurt him, I didn't mean it, he surprised me, I just lashed out".
Juan saw it immediately, there was something else going on here, but what exactly it was eluded him, Pierre wouldn't have missed this, and now he felt completely inadequate, his son was fighting some problem and he didn't know what to do.
"Son, he was offering comfort, that's all, he didn't deserve to be hurt, we need to try and make this right, I know where he's gone, we have to go there and try to repair the damage".
I'll do it Poppa, I can't apologise enough, where's he gone, I'll go now".
Juan almost laughed but he contained himself.
"No son, that might make it worse, you're still naked, and it's late, we'll leave it till morning, he's gone to the Marriott in Nice, get some sleep".
Junior was up before sunrise next morning, he'd had a quick simple breakfast of cereal, and hit the road before anyone else was awake.
The drive to Nice was easy with little traffic on the roads that early.
He arrived at The Marriott around nine thirty.
Going to the check in desk he asked for Daniel Worthington's room number, which of course, the reception clerk would not supply however, he did offer to call Mr Worthington's room and ask if Mr Worthington was agreeable to receiving a guest visit.
Junior accepted the offer, giving the clerk his name as Major Alonso-Caswel-Thorn, then watched the clerks fingers intently as he dialled Daniels room.
4008
The clerk made what he'd assumed was a simple and straightforward request however, when the call was answered his expression changed dramatically, the response he received was obviously a scathing one.
Replacing the telephone handset, he turned to Junior.
"I'm afraid Mr Worthington declined to meet with you Major, I am also required to ask that you leave the building".
Junior was the absolute epitome of good manners, thanking the clerk for his efforts and walking away.
Once out of sight of the desk clerk, he detoured to the elevators.
On the fourth floor he picked up a newspaper from outside a room, and spotting a cleaning trolley, guessed there would be a maid somewhere close by, he found her only two rooms away from Daniels room.
Acting completely foolishly, he told her he'd gone to get a newspaper and left his key card inside his room.
Leading her to 4008 he pushed a twenty Euro note into her hand as soon as her pass card caused the door lock to click green, slipping inside the room.
He could hear the shower running in the bathroom, Daniel was obviously in there because the bedroom was empty, the bedclothes thrown back, it seemed he'd still been in bed when the clerk rang the room.
As Junior was processing those thoughts, the shower stopped and the bathroom door opened.
Daniel emerged, completely naked, a towel over his head as he dried his hair, oblivious to Juniors presence, and this was a real plus, because Juniors eyes were focused on about eight inches of man meat pointing up at a respectable forty five degree angle, surrounded by a thick bush of dark pubic hair, a particular love of Juniors, he would announce loudly on camp, that anyone who shaved their groin to look like a baby probably had some very unhealthy thoughts going around in their head.
Junior was still staring at Daniels rampant cock when Daniel pulled the towel away from his head.
"What the fuck are you doing here?', and why are you staring at my dick?".
Junior smiled, without moving his gaze, saying.
" In answer to both those questions, first, I'm trying to apologise for my stupid knee jerk reaction last night, I'm truly sorry, and second, because that there dick deserves to be stared at, it's magnificent".
Daniel actually laughed at Juniors answer.
It was at that point that Junior looked up to Daniels face, seeing the cut above his eye, and the already blue/black shiner below, letting out a groan, as he said.
"Oh shit, look what I did, you have to do the same to me, it's only fair, I'll give you two swings, no retaliation I promise, please, I can't believe I did that to you, I am so sorry".
Daniel smiled, replying.
"I don't want to do that to you, it's bloody painful, believe me, why would I inflict that on you just for retribution, that's a pretty Neanderthal response".
Junior saw the smile and figured at least they'd broken the ice.
"Well tell me what I can do to appease you, anything, name it".
Daniels reply threw him completely, it was a one word reply.
"Strip".
Juniors reply showed his shock.
"What?".
Daniels response left him with no confusion.
"You heard, strip, you seem to be enjoying looking at my cock, I think a reciprocal arrangement is only fair, so if you're serious about making amends, strip".
Junior just nodded.
"Okay".
And he did, shedding every last item of clothing, until he stood before Daniel stark bollock naked, with a proud nine inches of man meat, also pointing up at forty five degrees, and bouncing with each beat of his heart, and Junior, very red faced, said.
"I believe you have discovered something I don't allow others to see".
Daniel moved toward him saying.
"Fuck others, I'm definitely seeing something I want".
And in the blink of an eye he was down on his knees, Juniors nine inches lodged firmly in the back of his throat.
The only sound from Junior was a long, loud, groan of pleasure, until Daniel disengaged, looked up and asking.
"Are you okay with this?".
Junior almost gasped out.
"Fuck yes".
And he forcibly shoved Daniels head back to slurping his rampant tool".
What ensued was around two hours of filthy, hot, rampant sex.
Junior fucked Daniel in just about every conceivable position, and in some that no one would even think possible, before they lay panting, exhausted, in a euphoric fog.
As they lay wrapped in each other's arms Daniel asked.
"You're not out are you?".
Junior, didn't hesitate, he answered honestly".
"Yes and no, I don't know why, I've known since I was about fifteen, girls are okay, they can take away the itch for some, I've been there, but it takes a guy to really float my boat, and before you ask, my boat has only been floated twice, both times I got emotionally burnt, so I think I just figured, it's not worth it, don't go there".
Daniel wasn't fazed, but his next question did throw Junior.
"If you were guaranteed not to suffer an emotional burning, would you consider a possible relationship?, platonic initially, equal gain for both sides, fuck buddies I suppose you'd call it, but I have to be honest, there is one possible problem to what I propose".
Junior was thinking, digesting, he only said.
"Go on".
Daniel sort of gulped before he answered.
"I'm not a bottom, I enjoy bottoming, but I like to top as well, a lot of guys don't want to go there, I'm telling you this because, well, it has a lot to do with not being honest at the start of something, it has to be a cards on the table arrangement, otherwise the potential for getting burned is already in play, and that's not good for either party".
Junior seemed to be digesting what Daniel was saying, but typical for Junior, he drilled down to the point in question.
"So you'd want to fuck me?".
Daniel didn't see any reason to elaborate, or reply with more than one word.
"Yes".
Junior, didn't comment on that answer, he simply asked another question.
"What about exclusivity, it would have to be monogamous, that is an absolute deal breaker, you see, I can't go into an arrangement like that without I see a working goal, the goal is a relationship that could be the one I have with my soulmate for life, I can't accept anything less than a monogamous relationship".
Daniel didn't hesitate.
"Agreed, on every point made".
Juniors reply almost sent Daniel into a spin, but the prospect of what he was about to do fired him up.
"I guess you'd better set about fucking me then, just go slow, you're only the third guy to gain access to that portal, but before you do, if you do, it means we have an arrangement, is that understood?".
Daniels reply surprised Junior.
"I agree we have an arrangement, but the fucking, as you put it, not now, I want that to be because we both want to do it, because we're in a mood to make love, not fuck to seal an agreement, and don't ever refer to it as fucking in future, unless you want an argument".
Junior asked an innocent question.
"How exactly did we get here when I punched you?".
Daniel didn't hesitate.
"Because really you wanted to make love to me, but your military conditioning taught you to punch first, fuck second, and that will be the last time you hear me say fuck".
Daniel paused.
If you're being honest, if you really want this, whatever it is, to work, if you really have a desire to find a soulmate, don't ever strike out again, in fact, don't hurt me in any way, because if I'm the person on the receiving end, I would not accept any feeble apology, forgiveness would not be an option, you would be, a gone item".
They were spooning, nothing more, just cuddling, when Juniors cell rang, looking at the caller information he saw it was his Poppa.
"Poppa, I have good news, Daniel is coming back with me".
Daniel couldn't hear the other side of the conversation but he could picture Juan saying he would have Daniels room ready, and he could imagine the expression on that face after Juniors reply.
"He'll be sharing my room, we need to talk when I get back Poppa, I should have spoken to you a long time ago".
What Junior heard, but Daniel didn't, was Juan's reply.
"Son, I think I understand, but you have to know, there is nothing you could tell me that would affect my love for you, don't be concerned, bring Daniel home, we'll talk later".
Daniels expression was one of question.
Juan's reply said it all.
"I don't think that was a surprise, just a, why didn't I see that coming, moment for my Poppa, he told me to bring you home, so come on my thingy buddy, let's make tracks".
At reception, Junior wasn't accepting any argument, he settled Daniels account saying.
"This was entirely my fault, I caused this, I'll take care of it, and please, stop arguing, there has to be a point where I could possibly be right, that horse seems awfully high for you, maybe it would help if you got off it".
Daniel laughed.
"Okay, I accept, sometimes I can be so anal, I ought to be straight".
Juniors reply had the male receptionist blushing.
"Nothing wrong with being anal, as long as I'm the one attending to the needs in that particular area".
Daniel looked at the young male receptionist and said.
"Make sure you choose wisely, be loved and appreciated, don't suffer any shit, there's a whole portfolio of candidates out there, don't accept second best, I didn't".
In the car on their way back to Montclair Daniel admitted something to Junior.
"I didn't come to Montclair to attend your sisters funeral, I came to see the man who administers my trust, Peter Montclair, it seems somewhere along the lines my reasons for being here became blurred".
Junior didn't flinch.
"I don't care why you came here, you came, we met, I want what we discussed, I understand, you go back to New York, I go back to my unit in Germany, but in twelve months I'm free to decide what I do, my tour of duty is up, that's when we'll need to decide if what we want can become reality, but for now just know I think you're amazing".
Daniel gave him a little more to think on.
"I'll give you my number, you give me yours, but I won't have any contact with you for twelve months, that's your grace period, if you have any regrets, use it, it's a get out of jail free card, we'll make contact in twelve months if things work out, that shouldn't be difficult, if either of us can't do twelve months, then a lifetime is an impossibility anyway, it's only going to work if we're both committed".
They were together for a week after Gabby's funeral before they went their separate ways.
TBC Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.