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Life's Illusions - 10 years on - Chapter 1
Billy was gobsmacked, mesmerised, riveted yeh, but gobsmacked all the same, his hormones were yelling 'stay and watch, fuck it's hot', but his rational mind told him to get out now.
Quietly pulling the door to Pete's room closed he stumbled back into his own bedroom in total shock, and definitely hot under the collar, what he'd just witnessed had been a shock, but it was still bloody hot, no doubt about that, his own body was still reacting to the sight, he'd reached a hand down to grope his hardness.
Closing his eyes he could still see the firm, meaty, bubble butt of his young brother, he'd been close enough to make out the soft hairs in the sweaty crack, his big balls bouncing up and down as he repeatedly thrust his hard sheathed cock into the wet pussy of the young girl beneath him on the bed, holding her arms above her head as he sucked and nipped at her hard young nipples
Billy wasn't surprised Pete was sexually active, at almost fourteen Pete and Pauly were built, jocks, with girls throwing themselves at both of them, just as they did at him.
Since their thirteenth birthday he'd been aware of several study sessions with fellow students that had turned into obviously serious fuck sessions, he could clearly hear their sexual exploits from his room between their two rooms, he'd even listened in when the brothers had brought home a cheerleader who wanted to see their trophies, (yeh right) and all three had enjoyed a loud session with audible, 'harder Pauly, harder Pete', cries of encouragement.
He hadn't been able to make out who the girl being serviced right then might be, Pete's body was shielding her face, but judging by the moans, squeals and urges for him to fuck her harder , Pete was certainly confident in what he was doing, and by the sound of it she was definitely in agreement.
Beth was the complete opposite of her brothers, she dated Jocks, but dated only, more than one had gone home at the end of a date with a black eye, badly bruised nose or in at least one instance as reported to Billy, almost ruptured testicles curtesy of Beth's foot after a fumbling session which he'd tried to take too far.
He'd gone into Pete's room earlier to ask what the hell had happened in school today.
Although he'd left the school he still received the usual gossip filtered down through friends who had younger siblings there.
He'd already tried to speak to Pauly but his door was locked and he would only reply that Billy couldn't help with this problem, he'd solve it himself soon, his voice had clearly been wavering on the edge of sobbing as he answered.
Gossip had it that three of Pete's and Pauly's fellow football jocks had ambushed, stripped naked and beat Pauly after dragging him into a storeroom behind the Gym, all this while Pete stood idly by, watching, not offering any help to his brother.
Something was seriously wrong if the gossips were right.
Pete and Pauly had been inseparable since birth, none of the usual bullies took either of them on, knowing the other would appear to defend his brother in an instant, and the odds were Beth would chip in too as she was able to throw a punch which easily matched her brothers best, but recently there had been a definite problem between the brothers.
Pauly rarely left his room except for mealtimes and school, at mealtimes Pete spent the entire time glaring at Pauly who kept his head down, never looking back at his brother, at school Pauly was constantly on his own, avoiding any group where his brother might make an appearance, sitting alone in classes.
Last week Pauly had been ill, he'd taken two days off school, stayed in bed both days vomiting.
The rest of the family had noticed but put it down to a sibling rivalry that would work itself out, even Beth had been unable to get the details out of either of her brothers.
It looked as though whatever was causing the rift had come to a head.
Billy knocked on Pete's door around half an hour before dinner and was greeted with Pete shouting to come in.
"Jeez Pete this room stinks like a whore house, you need to do some serious cleaning up".
Pete didn't look to be in a very good mood and his reply confirmed it.
"Hey, my room, you don't like, don't visit, stay in your own room".
Billy was a bit miffed at Pete's attitude but he let it go.
"Point taken, but I came to ask what's wrong between you and Pauly, we're brothers maybe I can help".
This time Pete's answer was just as sharp as he stood up.
"Sissy boy sent you to sort his problems did he, not got the balls to talk to me himself".
By now Billy had heard enough.
"Drop the fuckin attitude Pete, I came to ask you because Pauly won't speak about whatever is going on between you two, but from what I've heard today, you stood and watched your buddies beat him up, is that true, did you stand by and not help him".
Pete was glaring at Billy and made probably his first mistake of the evening, "Whatever happened is none of your fuckin business, he's supposed to be my brother, so mind your own".
Pete obviously wasn't expecting the steel hard backhander that sent him spinning backwards onto his bed.
"So what are you saying, I'm not your brother?, I can't be worried or concerned?, and before you answer you'd best adjust that attitude because next time it'll be my fist not the back of my hand you'll be kissing, now answer me, did you watch while your pals beat up your brother?".
Pete realised he'd pushed Billy too far.
"I'm sorry Billy, I was out of line, but Pauly knows what's wrong, all he has to do is come and speak to me but he won't".
Billy wasn't fooled, Pete had craftily avoided answering the question of watching his brother being beaten up.
"Okay Pete, you still didn't answer the question, but mark my words if I find out you did what the gossips are saying I'll make sure you regret it".
At that he walked out of Pete's room and slammed the door.
PJ was in New York for several days and not due home until the following morning, but there were two seats empty at dinner and Lenny commented that Pauly was unusually late, asking Beth to chase him down.
It was several minutes before Beth walked, no scrub that, marched back into the dining room.
Anyone who saw her face would see the absolute rage and tears flowing.
To Lenny's enquiry if Pauly was on his way she growled a singular 'No' and carried on past her mother stopping behind Pete's chair and slapping him viciously on the side of his head, making his ear sting so badly that Pete yelped in pain, "Get up", she growled.
Pete was holding a hand to his ear as he stood and turned towards her, he was about to launch into a tirade, but that never happened as Beth's closed fist caught him full in the mouth like a hammer, propelling him backwards over the table scattering China, glassware and food in all directions.
There were gasps of shock from around the table, Lenny jumped to her feet, "Beth what on earth is going on".
Beth held her hands up towards her mother.
"I apologise Momma to you and to everyone except this pathetic yellow coward, to him I'm saying this, I dare you, get up you piece of shit, and I'll do it again, you didn't even have the balls to do it yourself did you, you stood and watched while three of your thug friends stripped him, humiliated him, then beat him black and blue, I just found him sobbing in his room, do you want to know why?".
She paused to lean in and stare right into Pete's eyes, he could see the tears running down her face as she jabbed him repeatedly in the chest to accentuate her words.
"He's broken, devastated, not because of the bruises, because today you proved you don't love him, he thinks you'd rather he was dead, he told me he's lost you and it's like part of him is missing, he can't stand it".
She paused and prodded him again hard in the chest.
"So you'd best be listening to me because I know how stupid you jocks can be at times, you'd better make this right, go talk it out right now or you're definitely on your own because if it's not settled I will never, ever, for as long as I live speak to you again".
At that Beth walked away towards the lounge wiping the tears from her eyes on the back of her hand.
Pete remained where he'd fallen looking visibly shocked, blood running from his split lips, it finally dawned on him how out of hand he'd let this get.
Lenny had watched all this play out in shock, they'd never argued, they were the three musketeers, all for one and one for all, she didn't know what to do, she walked towards where Pete was lying on the table.
"Is it true Pete, is what Beth said true, you did this to your brother ?".
Peter was getting up and realised his mother was staring at him also with tears streaming down her face.
"It's between me and Pauly, its nothing to do with anyone else, you all need to keep your noses out".
It definitely wasn't Pete's night, he'd hardly got the last word out before Lenny's hand rattled his teeth as it swept across his face knocking him backwards again, leaving a bright red hand print to the side of where Beth's punch had landed earlier.
Leo at this point told all of the others to go to their rooms and Rosa went to delay the rest of dinner.
Lenny was fuming and crying, Pete couldn't believe they thought he'd caused this, it was Pauly who started it, but he had to admit he should have talked to Pauly, given him the chance to deny it, if he could, not let it get to this.
"I'm sorry Momma, I'll go talk to him".
But Lenny was furious now, "You're sorry, you're sorry, is that for disrespecting me, treating me like something you found on your shoe, or for ordering your henchmen to beat your brother, now answer my question?".
Lenny was almost shouting, she was stood blocking his path demanding a reply and he couldn't bring himself to admit both were true, he'd been so angry with Pauly, he'd felt completely humiliated when the rumours started, his brother gay, he couldn't stand the thought, it made him feel sick, they'd be ridiculed, laughing stocks, he'd distanced himself from Pauly so he wouldn't get labeled the same, only now he realised how wrong he'd been, it didn't matter, Pauly was his brother, his best mate, they could weather whatever came their way, Pauly would lay down his life for him, he hadn't deserved to be treated like that, Pete should have stood shoulder to shoulder with his brother not deserted him, he needed to put this right, to tell Pauly it didn't matter , he loved him.
By now Billy was holding his sobbing mother and glaring at Pete.
"I'm sorry Momma but I need to go see him, I have to tell him I'm sorry".
At that he pushed past Lenny and Billy almost running to Pauly's room, but it didn't matter now, he could have walked, sauntered, or not even bothered, Pauly was gone, all Pete found was an empty room, there was just a note, a single tear stained sheet of paper addressed to Pete, telling him life would never be the same again.
Pete
I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry, I've tried hard to fight it but I can't, it's what I am, even now I can't say it because I know it disgusts you, I disgust you.
I couldn't talk to you about it, I knew you wouldn't understand, but I didn't know how much I disgusted you until today, now I know I can't stay.
I tried to end it all but the tablets didn't work they just made me sick, I'm a coward I couldn't do it the painful way.
When they were doing those filthy humiliating things to me, even when they beat me, it hurt bad but it didn't matter, what hurt the most and made me feel like dirt, was you standing there just staring at me, I saw it in your eyes, you wished I were dead.
I've lost my brother, my best friend, that's too much to take, I can't go on every day seeing that look from you.
It's better I go away, leave you to live your life without me to spoil it.
I love you Pete, I always have, I always will, as far back as I can remember I've loved you the same way I've loved Beth, Billy and Woody, unconditionally, there's nothing you could do to stop me loving you, I wish you could have loved me the same way but I guess that's not to be, I can't fight the way I am, it frightens me but I have to be true to myself.
Goodbye Bro god bless, know that I'll miss you every day.
Stay safe Pete, I pray that one day you can forgive that I was a failure.
Love always
Pauly
The noise which came back to the lounge and dinning room was that of someone in terrible pain, agony, it was a scream, a wail, someone was hurting real bad.
Lenny, Leo, Rosa, Beth, Billy and Woody made it to Pauly's room almost at the same time.
They found Pete on his knees rocking back and forth sobbing, holding the note in his hand, no one could get any sense out of him.
Leo reached down, took the note and uttered just a couple of words, "Oh shit".
Leo thrust the note at Lenny and took off running, heading for the elevator dialling as he ran.
"Casey, lobby now, we have a runner, number four is in the wind".
Leo didn't wait for a reply he dialled again this was going to be difficult, he just prayed they were already airborne and able to take calls.
"PJ, don't ask questions there's no time, Pete and Pauly had an argument, Pauly's run off, I need you to contact the mayor, we need access to the traffic cam network asap, call me back when you've done that and I'll fill you in".
Leo felt bad cutting PJ off but time was critical now he needed to get to the street level.
Casey's elevator arrived in the lobby at exactly the same time as the express from the penthouse, as the doors opened Leo shouted to Casey, "CCTV, 15 minutes, which way did he go?".
He didn't need to say anymore, Casey understood and headed to the security centre behind the lobby desk as Leo ran out to the promenade.
A startled security guy was spun aside by Casey as he rolled back the video feed to fifteen minutes prior to that point and watched an obviously sobbing boy exit the building with a backpack, turning right and heading along the promenade until he was out of sight.
Casey dialled Leo, "Promenade, right, eighteen minutes ago now".
Leo was on foot running, he needed to make up the time difference, eighteen minutes was a heck of a head start, heading right along the promenade there was no sign of Pauly.
It would be a long time before Leo would discover he never had a chance of tracking Pauly.
As soon as Pauly exited the building he dialled a preset number in his second phone, the one he'd bought to keep his secret safe and in a couple of minutes a car picked him up in a street behind the promenade, from that point on he was invisible to the people searching for him.
PJ was in a panic, he'd called the mayor and hurriedly explained the problem, it was a given, the mayor had told him to send Leo to the police traffic cam control centre, by the time Leo arrived they would be expecting him.
He'd called Leo back and listened as Leo ran and briefed him, "PJ, I'm tracking him but I don't see him, I don't know how far ahead he is, I can't see him, I don't know which way he's gone, Oh Christ PJ, I think I've lost him". Leo was out of breath and crying now as he ran.
PJ was fighting to control his emotions, "Leo, stop, breathe, head back home, my boy is resourceful he'll survive, you have permission to view all the CCTV traffic cam footage but I'm guessing Pauly doesn't want us to find him, I'll call Lenny now".
It was all to no avail, Pauly was gone, vanished without trace.
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PJ sat at the breakfast table alone in what was effectively a home without laughter, it had been this way since Pauly vanished, like someone had taken the bubbles out of life, it was flat.
He was hoping and praying that there would be something soon that would change all that.
He was remembering the noisy meals of days long gone when everyone was vying for attention, arguing, teasing.
It was, or rather it should have been, two days before everyone celebrated Pete, Pauly and Beth's 16th birthdays but that wasn't going to happen.
Pauly was still missing.
Pete had changed schools and now attended a private school near to Madrid, he'd bought an apartment using his trust fund money, he hadn't been home in over 12 months, as he put it, 'What's the point, Beth, Billy and Woody hate me, I'm the cuckoo in the nest, it's better I stay away'.
Beth had threatened him that day before Pauly vanished, if he didn't make it right she'd never speak to him again, and to date she'd been true to her word.
Billy had not spoken, just glared, reminding him of his threat that day.
But what really hit home for Pete was when Woody shunned him as well.
He'd gone to Woody's room a couple of days after Pauly left and tried to explain but Woody had cut him off, "I'm nearly 11 Pete, I'm not stupid, I've heard the graphic version of what you and your pals did to Pauly, he's my brother, I'll love him and offer him protection whatever, he's your brother too but you hurt him, what's worse is you didn't protect him, you stood and watched him take a beating, would you do that to me?, don't bother answering it would be a lie, you disgust me Pete, now get out of my room, and don't bother to speak to me ever again because this was the last time I'll reply until the day he's back here with us and you make this right".
Beth, well Beth was there in spirit, but she hadn't been out of her room in the last two days as their birthday approached, apart from family dinner time and school no one saw her, she'd also made it known she would not be at dinner on the day of her birthday forestalling any celebration plans.
Pauly had been gone a little under 2 years, he was alive everyone knew that, thank god, he'd arranged to have Birthday and Christmas cards sent to everyone, including Pete, from weird and wonderful places all over the world so they couldn't be traced.
Around 6 months after he disappeared a letter arrived.
Pip had collected the mail that morning and during the usual sorting of business against personal she'd gasped, Ramon was in their joint office with her and as he looked up he was immediately concerned, she was staring at an envelope with tears pouring down her cheeks.
Ramon was out of his chair in a second and holding her, "What is it, what's wrong?".
She said just four words.
"Pauly, it's from Pauly".
Ramon knew she had to get it to Lenny and PJ fast, right now this was the most important piece of mail on the planet, maybe, just maybe, it could bring him back, restore order to the terribly fragmented family upstairs.
"Go", was all he said and she was out of the door, tears still streaming down her face.
Lenny and PJ were alone in the breakfast room when she entered, they both looked up, at the tears, at the envelope she was holding out to them.
"It's from him, Pauly, I'd recognise that handwriting anywhere".
Lenny had been out of her chair before Pip finished speaking, the envelope snatched from Pips hand, she'd stared at it, scrutinising the writing while turning it over, smelling it, as if his scent would still be there.
PJ was sat motionless his face had paled, she handed it to him.
"Open it lover, tell me he's safe that's all I need, I can't do it".
She was holding the envelope out to PJ, he took it and tears started to flood from his eyes.
Wiping his eyes on his napkin, he gently eased the envelope open, there were two sheets of paper and a photograph of Pauly holding a newspaper dated two days earlier, he started to read then looked up to Lenny, "he's safe and well".
Dearest Momma and Poppa,
I'm safe and well, I miss you all so much.
I won't come back, but I know I've caused you pain and that hurts me.
Please forgive me.
I want to try to explain what happened but I'm asking for a promise from you, if you see something in this that might lead you to me, promise me you won't follow it, I need time to try to work this out, to try to deal with what has happened.
I'll go on now because I know you'll respect my request.
I think you already knew I was gay even before I worked it out.
I cried so much for a long time realising I was different, I couldn't understand why God would make three of us if two were perfect and one was flawed, why he would make me into something my brother would rather see dead, it just didn't make sense.
I was terrified Pete would find out, he'd always been dead set against faggots as he calls them, or I suppose I should say us, I couldn't ever imagine him being okay with it and I couldn't imagine being without him, he and Beth, they're part of me, all our lives we almost knew what each other was thinking, but Pete hadn't seen it or felt it, me being different I mean.
Beth knew, I'm pretty sure she did, heck even Woody knew, I remember him saying something once, I can't remember exactly how it came up but I remember the words like it was yesterday, he said, 'Whoever you end up living with', I realised he wasn't sure if I'd be with a man or woman but he was telling me it didn't matter to him and my heart soared at the time, I remember thinking maybe, just maybe, I could survive this nightmare.
I'd met someone, about 6 months before that day, Reece, he's 10 years older than me.
Please don't dwell on that point, he's done enough dwelling on the age thing to save you both the trouble, he was the reason it all went to hell, but I love him.
Yes I know, I'm really young to be saying that, and he's tried saying all the things you could be saying right now, and more, try 10 times over, but he's been patient with me and he understands now, I'm certain, there's no doubt in my mind, he's the one I was supposed to meet and be with throughout this life, he's my soul mate and despite his battling against me I know he feels the same.
He saved me, there is no other description of what he did, if not for him I would be dead.
Pete found out from one of our friends who'd seen us at the cinema together, he didn't explain, he didn't talk to me, he just punched me in the face, called me a dirty fag boy, told me I was dead to him, then he blanked me, acted as if I didn't exist.
I can't talk about what happened that day, it's something I'll probably always remember as the blackest day ever in my life, but there's no blame, regrets yes, and sadness at the loss of so much that was and is precious, but no blame.
I'd tried to end it all with tablets and failed, Reece was distraught, he cried so much, he wanted to come to you but I wouldn't let him, I was so ashamed at the thought of telling everyone what I was.
Reece knew I'd try again to take my life, so when I asked him to help me get away he made me promise if he helped me, and kept me safe, I'd never do that again, I gave him that promise and I'll keep it.
He talked me into seeing a counsellor as well, I'm pleased he did, it's giving me a lot of help in understanding not just myself but also how we got to that awful day.
We've never done anything sexual, not because I don't want to, it's because he refuses to go there until I'm 16, he is so honourable, he says if I'm still sure on my 16th birthday he'll come to you that very day and ask your permission for us to be together forever.
I know you'll both like him, it's funny, I don't have any reservations about saying that, I know you, I know him, I just know it's a given that you'll take to him the moment you meet.
I love you and miss you, one and all, without exception, so much.
Pauly
And so PJ was becoming more and more anxious, Pauly had not written again, was he still with Reece, PJ couldn't know, they'd just have to wait and see if Reece came to them as Pauly had said he would.
On the day of the triplets birthday PJ asked Lenny to have lunch with him.
It was a beautiful day so they took a table on the Promenade Terrace at SPECTRUM, just the two of them, they'd been sipping their wine and studying menus when Beth sat down at the table unannounced, nothing was said as she grabbed a menu.
The next addition to their party was a complete shock to all of them, Pete sat down.
Pete was the first to speak, "If anyone minds me being here I'll leave, but I wanted to be here, it is today that he's supposed to come isn't it?".
Lenny put her arm around him and kissed his cheek, "We're thrilled you came home aren't we guys?".
Pete looked at Beth who shrugged as if to say, whatever, she still didn't speak to him, nor did she trust him not to deliberately cause trouble if Reece showed up, but she was prepared to lay him out flat if he did anything to fuck this up, she yearned to see Pauly, to hold him.
PJ looked at his oldest son, he'd aged a lot in the last 2 years, he looked as though he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
"What are your plans Pete, are you staying over son?", PJ asked.
Pete looked down at the table, "I don't know yet, I'll let you know later".
They'd had starters and mains, ordered more drinks, and Pete had strolled out onto the Promenade to light a cigarette, PJ had followed him and bummed one off him, he knew they'd both suffer Lenny's wrath later but they could easily get out of that by smooching her.
PJ watched absently as a large white BMW 4x4 X6 with blacked out windows pulled up in front, it seemed a little unusual, the occupants didn't get out, but then it may be a driver just picking someone up after lunch, the windows didn't offer any clue who was inside.
As PJ and Pete rejoined the girls at their table the drivers door of the 4x4 opened and a blonde guy who looked to be around his mid twenties got out.
At around 6 feet tall, with a mop of curly blonde hair, his white Tshirt was straining in all directions to contain the obvious muscles, his navy chinos framed some powerful legs and between the two was an impossibly small waist and flat stomach.
PJ had watched nervously as he made his way towards their table.
When it was obvious he was heading directly towards them 2 security guys got up from a nearby table blocking his path.
He spoke to the security guys in a relaxed way and one of them broke away heading towards the family whilst the other shifted position to block the opening left by his colleagues departure.
"Mr Thorn, the guy over there says you may possibly be expecting him, he gave his name as Reece, he says you'll either know who he is from that or you won't, in which case they'll just leave.
PJ was smiling like a Cheshire Cat, "Thanks Carlos, yes I know who he is, would you bring him across but could you give us about two minutes, I need to speak with my family first".
Carlo sauntered slowly back to where his partner and the stranger were standing.
PJ tapped the table to get their undivided attention, "I'm only going to say this once, I think Pauly's here, I think he's watching us, don't look around, we only have one chance to get this right".
PJ watched as Reece approached the table, "Mr Thorn, Mrs Thorn I'm Reece Caswell".
Reece held out his hand to PJ who rose up and took it into a firm grip.
"It's good to meet you Reece, this is my wife Lenny and my son and daughter Pete and Beth".
Reece shook hands with everyone.
"There are two missing aren't there sir, Woody and Billy, I was hoping to meet them too". Reece said.
PJ laughed, "There's a well known saying Reece, be careful what you wish for, Billy will be here tomorrow morning he's flying in from Boston and Woody, well, he'll be here soon, he should be on his way from school in the next half hour, now shall we enjoy the afternoon before the whirlwind known as Woody hits us".
They all laughed, Reece included.
Lenny looked up at him, she was doing that thing again PJ just knew it, and her expression said it all, he'd passed muster, "Will you sit with us Reece and no one calls us by anything but Momma, Poppa, PJ or Lenny, your choice but definitely not Mr and Mrs nor sir and madam".
Pete was a visible bag of nerves, his hands were trembling, "Can we offer you something to drink Reece?", came from Pete.
The look of shock on Beth's face said it all, she'd been prepared for Pete to mess this up but it looked like he was actually making an effort, he must surely realise this was Pauly's boyfriend.
"A club soda please with lime in and up". Reece replied.
Pete signalled a waiter and ordered Reece's drink.
Until now there'd been a lot of nothing said so PJ thought it time to set the ball rolling, "Reece, did you read what Pauly wrote to us in that letter eighteen months ago?".
"No, I didn't read it, those were Pauly's personal and private words to you. I do know two things that were in there, only because he told me they were important points. He told you he loved you and missed you all, without reservation, and he said he told you the terms of our relationship to date".
He paused to sip his drink.
"I think you know already that I came here today to ask for your blessings to be Pauly's partner, I know how he feels, but that's not for me to tell you. I want you to understand my feelings towards Pauly, he is the other half of me, I was a complete sceptic on the subject of love at first sight, until the day I met Pauly, I won't lie, I'd never been in love before, I wasn't prepared for the express train that hit me, but it did, I was hooked, he's my first thought in the morning and the last before I sleep each night, add to that the thousands of times in between each day and maybe you can try to understand, to me, he is my life".
Reece paused to take a sip of his drink.
"We'd been seeing each other for about 6 months before things became difficult, we'd been to the cinema and as we were leaving I had my arm around him, we came face to face with some of his teammates, they started calling him vile names. I wanted to smash them but Pauly was having none of it, he said it would cause trouble for Pete if I did anything to them so we just left. I didn't know what was going on at school until he'd been ill for those 2 days, he can't lie , he's useless at it, he finally admitted he'd tried to kill himself".
Reece paused again this time because he was having trouble remembering that time without getting angry.
"Thank god he didn't succeed, but I knew if he'd tried once he'd try again, I wanted to come to you but he wouldn't have it, he said he was too ashamed, and then there was that day".
Reece was having trouble controlling his emotions now, he wiped a hand across his eyes.
"He rang me when he got home, he was a mess, he was sobbing, he told me everything, I was so angry, he asked me to help him get away from it all, I agreed to come and pick him up and I did. I'm sorry, I may have been instrumental in hurting you, but I couldn't see him in harms way I had to protect him. Since that day I've concentrated on building his confidence back. I've done everything I can to convince him we're not freaks, we're just a a different normal. I don't know what he told you exactly about our relationship, he only told me he told you about our relationship, I know that's sounds stupid but I'm trying to say, we've err never, you know, I mean we err haven't, you know, err, done anything, oh heck, you know........".
Lenny, Beth and even Pete had tears in their eyes and PJ knew he was close behind them, "Reece, all we've ever wanted for each of our children is to keep them safe and to have them know they are loved, there are all sorts of labels one could use to describe a persons sexual preference but to us they have no significance where the love of our children is concerned we have pledged to love them all unconditionally, it was terrible for us to find out this had been happening and we didn't know about it, it hurt us really badly when Pauly vanished.
PJ reached over and took Lenny's hand before going on.
"When his letter came we were so relieved, we didn't know you, but he gave us the confidence to trust that you would keep him safe and for that alone we will be eternally grateful. Reece we couldn't be more happy that Pauly has found his soul mate, you have our unreserved blessing to spend your life with him as his partner".
Beth with tears streaming down her cheeks was nodding in agreement with her parents.
Reece looked relieved, "Thank you PJ, I know it's strange in this day and age to be so insistent on things being done correctly but that's me I'm afraid, tradition is important to me".
Everyone could see he wasn't finished, and he turned fully towards Pete.
"And you Pete, you've said very little. From what Pauly told me I sort of guessed what your parents and Beth's responses would be, but I couldn't guess yours, I didn't expect to be meeting you here, you hurt him badly, enough that he wanted to die, so much that he actually tried to kill himself, you almost took him away from me Pete. I have to be honest with you, for a long time I wanted to come find you and rip you limb from limb, make you feel the pain you made him feel, but gradually it was Pauly who convinced me to let it go, I had real trouble understanding why he didn't hate you like he should, but the truth is he loves you, just as he's always done, but I have to be sure you understand Pete, I'm saying this in front of your parents and sister, if anyone ever tried to harm him again, I won't be stopped, I would destroy them, that's no threat, that's a promise, so tell me, what are your thoughts, on what I've asked of your parents?".
Pete had been looking down at the table, when he finally looked up there were tears streaming down his face, "I agree with my parents Reece, and one day I want the chance to tell him how sorry I am for what I did, how I hurt him, what I put him through, I want to tell him that I love him, I always have and always will, and I need him. I've missed him every minute of every day since he left, I realised too late how wrong I'd been, I was too late to stop him, I've been so frightened he'd do something to harm himself again, I owe you more than you can ever know for keeping him safe, thank you Reece, please, for me, give him my unconditional love".
"Nope, not happening, do it yourself", was all Reece said.
Pete looked crestfallen until PJ spoke.
"I think maybe your new brother or should it be brother in law is teasing you Pete".
PJ looked at Reece smiling.
"So Reece, is he going to join us, or is he going to stay there behind that tinted glass?, because there are four people here who have waited a long, long time to wrap him into a hug.
Reece laughed, "He said you wouldn't be fooled, how did you know?".
"When you gave your name to our security, you must have said 'we'll just leave' because Carlos translated that into 'they'll just leave", I knew then he was watching us, plus you came right to us so he pointed us out to you, and I'm betting you sat in the car so long after you got here because he was completely thrown when he saw Pete here, he couldn't figure that out could he?".
Reece smiled again, "Correct on all points, give me a few minutes, I can't promise anything, he's so nervous, I wasn't sure he would actually come with me, he was physically sick this morning, but I'll try".
Reece went back to his car and climbed into the drivers seat.
They'd waited, after about 5 minutes a mini whirlwind hit them in the form of Woody, "Did he come, did he, did he show up, for gods sake will somebody please say something".
Nobody answered him because they were watching as the passenger door of the 4x4 cracked open just a little, Woody turned and followed their gaze just as Pauly stepped out onto the pavement.
They must have been a really strange sight, all five of them standing with tears streaming down their smiling faces.
Pauly walked slowly with Reece at his side towards them.
As he passed the security guys, Carlos was heard to say, "Welcome home Mr Pauly, we've all missed you sir".
Pauly stopped for a moment to take Carlos's hand, "Thank you Carlos".
He turned towards them and it had been easy to see the nerves, his gaze kept darting to Pete.
Pete suddenly stepped forward and dropped to his knees, he was looking down at the floor.
Pauly was almost thrown enough to turn and run but Reece was holding him firm, and then Pete spoke, "I'm so, so sorry Pauly, please forgive me, I'll understand if you can't, I'll leave if you want me to, I can't believe I let it get so bad, but you were wrong Pauly, you said you thought I wanted to see you dead, never, I couldn't ever want that, you're a part of me, my brother, I love you. I was angry, and I didn't understand why at the time, but the counselling sessions helped me see why, it was because you didn't tell me, you didn't trust me enough to share with me the one thing which really frightened you. I was angry with you because you didn't trust me not because of the gay stuff but it all got confused in my head. I'm not angry anymore, I'm just sad, really sad, I miss my brother, I love you Pauly, it doesn't matter to me, Gay, Straight whatever, I'll just take alive, happy, healthy and in my life, do you think maybe in time you could try to forgive me?.
Pauly was staring at Pete, there were tears in Pauly's eyes but he hadn't said anything.
Then the most amazing thing happened, Woody and Beth stepped forward and put their arms around Pete's shoulders, they hadn't so much as acknowledged that Pete existed these last 2 years but there, with their arms hugging Pete, they'd looked right into Pauly's eyes and nodded their heads.
When Pauly spoke he was so quiet, "Look at me Pete".
Pete raised his head and looked into Pauly's eyes, both were crying.
"I don't have to forgive you Pete, I don't blame you for what happened, it's true you let it get out of hand but I caused it, and together we compounded it, made it so much worse. Those counsellors are clever buggers aren't they, mine helped me see I caused the problem by not trusting you. I've missed my brother too Pete, I love you as well, thats never changed".
Pauly leaned down close to Pete's ear and whispered, "Now get off your fuckin knees Bro, unless of course you're planning on giving me a blow job".
Woody and Beth burst out laughing and so did Pete.
Pauly just went beet red realising Woody and Beth had heard him.
Pete was on his feet in a second and had Pauly wrapped in a hug, both of them now sobbing.
Reece had left them hugging, now joined by Beth and Woody, Pauly had broken off briefly to hug his parents but his siblings had dragged him back quickly into their clutches.
Lenny had linked arms with Reece and suggested they should take this somewhere more private, PJ asked Reece for his car keys which he'd handed over.
Leaving the restaurant PJ asked Carlos to park Reece's car downstairs and they headed up to the apartment.
Pauly was happy, that was easy to see, and if you watched closely, every few seconds his eyes came back to Reece and their faces blossomed, the connection was obvious, electric.
In Chicago Billy had an easy morning, his last class had been a breeze he was out into the late morning sun by 11.30am and not due to meet his flight out of Meigs Field until 5.30pm, a whole afternoon of leisure or more precisely pleasure.
He'd met a young blonde couple at a house party the previous night, they'd been seriously hot, but messing around last night hadn't been an option, that mornings last class had been an unknown, it could have been a difficult test or a breeze, it had been a breeze but he hadn't known that last night and he hadn't been willing to gamble his grade average on a thick head in the morning.
Billy had no hang ups where sex was concerned, guys, girls, a mix of both, if he liked the person, or persons, it was game on.
The guy who looked to be around eighteen had an unbelievably slim waist and built pecks which flashed a tantalising view of big juicy nipples peaking out from behind the thin straps of his vest each time he moved.
Below the waist he wore silky runners shorts to mid thigh which hugged a prominent bubble butt, the valley of which came into view each time he lifted his arms.
In front it was obvious he was going commando, relying on the net pouch to hold his hefty swaying package above thighs that looked capable of cracking nuts with ease.
If the guy had peaked his interest the girl had most definitely hit the spot for Billy, looking to be around thirteen or fourteen, at first he thought they were brother and younger sister but then he'd realised, she wouldn't be at the party unless she was at least 18.
She wore a soft runners bra top, the nipples of her small firm breasts poked out as if they had been recently stimulated. A short net ra ra skirt over tiny white panties completed her outfit and after a couple of beers and introductions they danced together, the three of them, bumping, grinding and groping all night.
Like Billy they'd had classes in the morning but agreed to come over to his apartment to chill around midday, on reflection Billy realised this was a first, he'd never invited casual pickups back to the apartment before, always preferring to meet in a hotel room rather than give them his address, but he'd sensed they were different, he felt comfortable, horny as hell, but comfortable in their company.
Billy showered and groomed, making sure the boys in the basement were shaved smooth and silky.
He'd dressed commando in a tight pair of white shorts, low enough on his hips to show the lower swell of his nicely rounded butt cheeks and just long enough to hide his hanging cock.
He'd thrown on a loose grey vest top, just short enough to offer glimpses of the treasure trail leading from his abs down into his shorts.
Looking in the mirror he'd liked what he saw.
At midday he'd answered the door to his guests.
Jay had on even smaller shorts than the previous evening but with much wider leg openings and as he'd sat on the couch, even from a standing position it was easy to tell he'd removed the net pouch, affording Billy a glimpse of ball sack and the end of a meaty dick.
Jolly wore a mid thigh length cotton poncho which she shucked as soon as he closed the door behind them, revealing a net bra which did nothing to conceal her small pert breasts, the nipples poking out invitingly and another net ra ra skirt completely transparent with a tiny white thong.
Through the net he could clearly see the lips of her pussy outlined against the thong.
Wow, if they'd looked good last night, right there and then they'd looked good enough to eat, and that was exactly what Billy had in mind.
Billy had got beers from the kitchen and sat next to Jay, admiring the young stud and resting his hand on Jays firm thigh as he'd passed him his beer, sliding his hand up to grope the boys balls and cock while Jolly went off to use the bathroom.
When she returned the thong had been missing and she'd sat down directly on the lap of Billy, who still had his hand inside the leg of Jays shorts massaging, what by then, had become a very evident, and much extended piece of man meat.
Drawing one leg up under her, a completely shaven pussy was then blatantly on display and her pert breasts had been directly in front of Pete's eyes.
Over the course of the next three hours Billy had fucked both of them twice and he'd been fucked long and hard by Jay, while Jolly's lips had brought him to a mind blowing orgasm just as Jay had filled him with cream.
They'd arranged to meet again as soon as he got back the following week and again Billy had realised, this wasn't an empty promise, he would be looking forward excitedly to that date.
At 5.30 he'd arrived exhausted at the FBO office to meet his parents plane, or rather one of them, they had 3, this was number1 and Ben Capple their Chief Pilot greeted him.
Within minutes they were airborne and he'd called his parents to find out if the visitor had turned up.
He'd known everyone was keyed up about what was supposed to happen that day, that's why he'd indulged in an afternoon of fun, to take his mind off the subject.
Like everyone else he'd suffered badly when Pauly vanished, it was like a piece of him had been missing.
Even then two years on, Billy still blamed himself for not knowing what was happening between Pete and Pauly, he should have been more forceful, demanded to know what was wrong, maybe he could have stopped it, but he'd been so wrapped up in his exams, he felt as though he'd let them all down, none of them would be so miserable if he'd done more, after all they'd do it for him, they already had, they'd taken a throw away kid and given him love and a family.
In the many years since PJ and Lenny formally adopted him, never once had there been any hint of the others seeing him as anything other than their older brother.
He remembered feeling a lot of guilt when he'd found out that by being adopted he'd qualified for a share of the 100 million dollar trust fund left to his brothers and sister by their Great Grandfather, he'd caused such a fuss wanting to be excluded from the terms of that trust that Lenny and PJ had called a family conference to discuss Billy's concerns.
After dinner one night they'd all sat down in the smaller lounge and Billy explained his concerns to his brothers and sister.
One by one they gave their reply to what he'd said until it came to Pete and Pauly, it was Pete who said, "Answer me this first, are you my brother according to law?".
Billy was a little thrown by the question as were all the others, but he'd answered honestly.
"Yes, legally and in my heart, I'm proud to say I'm the brother of all of you, and the legal son of Momma and Poppa".
Pete wasn't finished yet.
"If anyone of us were down on our luck, in need of financial help, would you offer help or tell us no?".
It was easy to see Billy bristle at the suggestion he might not help out his brothers and sister.
"Of course I would help, you're my brothers and sister, anything I have is yours if you need it".
Pete was grinning, and Pauly spoke up.
"So what Pete's telling you is, you just answered your own question, both times you described yourself as our brother, and we're all proud to call you our brother so you take your share as you were meant to, end of story".
Billy had one more thing he'd wanted to discuss which came as a surprise to PJ and Lenny.
"My grandparents left me 5 million dollars in trust, I want to share that with my brothers and sister, could it be added to the larger trust, I think it's only fair?".
PJ indicated for Lenny to answer because he'd known it would be a legal minefield to mess with a trust fund.
"In a nutshell, yes it can be done, but it would need to go before a judge, you might be called to explain yourself as it could be perceived to be stealing your inheritance, but if it's what you want I will get the legal work started".
Billy was pleased with her answer and agreed she should go ahead.
As they were leaving the lounge Billy had said loudly, "I know Pete believed me when I said anything I have is his because it seems most of my music collection has migrated from my room to Pete's", everyone was laughing including Pete.
Aside he'd whispered to Pete, "And if Momma finds those dirty mags you nicked you're on your own Bro".
Pete had flushed a deep red.
Coming out of his daydream he'd heard the call connect to the landline in the apartment, Rosa had picked up and brought him up to speed, Pauly was home, by then Billy was bubbling, he couldn't wait to get there, he'd asked Rosa to find Pauly and ask if he could have a word, within minutes he'd been talking to his brother and they were both crying into the phone, he'd made Pauly promise to come back again the following day, he wanted desperately to hold him, he doubted he would ever want to let go.
Reece and Pauly had agreed to stay for dinner and the staff set up a table on the roof terrace, they went to town, Rosa and Ana had well and truly killed the fatted calf.
At the end a cake nearly 2 feet tall covered in white frosting was carried out with 16 candles burning and they sang happy birthday to the triplets for the first time in three years.
In the spirit of the evening Reece had accepted several glasses of wine and at around 10.30pm Pauly pulled PJ and Lenny aside in the lounge, "I'm so sorry, this seems really rude but, I think Reece is hammered, I don't want you to think it's normal for him, he only has a glass of wine on very special occasions, I doubt throughout his whole life he's drunk the equivalent of one bottle, he just doesn't drink, he doesn't like the taste, do you think, could we stop the night, or maybe you could get us a driver?".
They pulled him into a collective hug and steered him towards his old room, opening the door Lenny said, "It's been waiting for you for 2 years son".
His eyes rested on the piles of presents which almost filled the lounge area.
"They've been piling up since you left, you'll need to open them at some point but I'd pay more attention to the gift tags if I were you, my guess is that they say so much.
He kissed them both and they went back to join the others on the roof.
At around midnight Pauly steered Reece towards his old room and helped his very drunken, yet to be lover, undress and get into bed, after stripping himself he put all of their clothes into the laundry bag and hung it on the outside of the door, knowing by morning the clothes would be washed, pressed and back in their room.
Climbing into bed he'd realised two things, this was the first in a lifetime of nights where he would get into bed with Reece and they would still be together when they awoke in the morning, and giggling he'd noticed Reece had an erection which he'd pulled the covers over.
Pauly had lain awake long into the early hours thinking.
Those last 24 hours had not played out at all as he'd envisioned.
He'd known, or at least hoped, he could rely on his parents and Beth being happy to see him.
Woody and Billy he'd been unsure of not knowing if they'd want anything to do with him, he'd thought maybe he'd been an embarrassment to them, probably disgusted them.
Pete he'd been certain of, Pete hated him, hated him so much he'd rather Pauly were dead.
He'd gotten it all so wrong.
When they were settled up on the roof earlier with he and Reece side by side, he'd spied Woody looking longingly at him and he'd whispered to Reece to go chat with his Poppa indicating Woody looking at them.
Reece, the ever understanding guy that he was, nodded and moved over to chat with PJ.
Pauly had beckoned Woody over and he'd shyly approached, but instead of sitting next to Pauly he sat on Pauly's lap, looked him in the eyes and promptly burst into tears wrapping his arms tightly around Pauly and holding on.
"I'm sorry Pauly, I didn't know until after you'd gone, if I'd known I'd have done something to stop it, please don't leave again, I love you, I've missed you so much".
Pauly had held him until his sobbing stopped.
"Listen to me Woody, only two people caused what happened, me and Pete, we were stupid, we should have been honest with each other but we weren't, and that's a lesson for all of us, trust the people you love don't hide stuff, you understand?".
Woody had nodded and Pauly hugged him close.
"Now get off my lap before that big hulking fella over there thinks you're trying to move in on his guy".
Woody laughed, "I love you Pauly".
"I love you too Woody, I always will, whatever problem you have, it's my problem too, so you promise me now, you'll come to me, however big or small the problem it's ours not just yours, will you do that?".
Woody had nodded held out his hand and they shook.
Neither of them had noticed Reece behind them until he spoke.
"I hope you'll trust me as well Woody, if Pauly isn't around you find me and I'll keep you safe, I promise, you're important to Pauly so you're important to me, you understand?".
Woody had smiled and nodded.
As sleep had claimed him he'd realised he had one major problem remaining, they probably expected him to come back there, to live as he had before, but for two years he'd lived in Reece's house, if you could call a seven bedroom villa with private pool, in several acres of landscaped gardens a house.
He'd thought someone was going to be disappointed whatever he did, but that was a decision for another time as sleep had claimed him.
Billy had slept for several hours during the flight and couldn't believe he'd missed the short stop to refuel.
He'd woken and had breakfast when Ben Capple the Pilot came back to see him.
"How much longer Ben, can't you put your foot down or something?, I've got someone really important to see and I'm a bag of nerves I might miss him".
Ben had smiled.
"I know a secret and if you behave yourself I just might let you in on it".
Billy was laughing, "Tell, tell, please Ben".
Ben couldn't keep him in suspense, he'd been just as eager to get back to Torremolinas and give Pauly a hug, he'd been transporting the family around for so long he felt they were his family, he'd felt the loss too when Pauly vanished.
Ben had been the pilot who'd flown Pete to Madrid when he'd changed schools, it had been a difficult flight, in all honesty he'd wanted to smack the boy around the cabin, but he'd opted to stay in the cockpit, he hadn't greeted Pete as he normally would on boarding, and he hadn't gone back during the flight at all.
When they'd landed in Madrid he'd stood rigid at the door to see his passenger off the plane, only then did he see the sadness in Pete's face and the red eyes from crying, he'd tried to say something but Pete had stopped him, "It's okay Ben, I'm getting used to being the pariah, I know I did wrong, I've lost something precious just like everyone else, but it seems I no longer have the right to feel the loss the rest of the family feel".
Ben tried to make him feel better.
"Call me when you're returning, I'll make sure I'm piloting you".
Pete had surprised him them.
"I won't be returning Ben, not until there's a chance I can put things right and Pauly returns, if that doesn't happen I won't go back".
At that he'd walked away down the steps and Ben only saw him once after that day nearly two years earlier, Pete had come home for Woody's birthday, Ben had collected him from Madrid, but Woody had refused to join them for dinner with Pete at the table.
Pete had been devastated, he'd repacked and left the apartment within minutes of Woody's statement, taking a bus and train back to Madrid, he'd not returned since.
Ben had shaken himself out of those depressing thoughts.
"Pauly's at the apartment, he and Reece stayed over so you'll be there in time for breakfast with them, now go spruce yourself up we'll be wheels down in about 20 minutes".
Billy was bouncing up and down as he'd washed up then retook his seat for touchdown.
Ben joined him on the ride which had been sent to collect him from the airport and around 10 minutes after leaving Malaga Airport they were pulling up in the underground parking of the apartment building where Pauly was still asleep.
It had been the early hours before sleep had finally claimed Pauly, he had been coming back to wakefulness, aware he was being hugged by Reece for the first time in a life he was waiting to experience.
He'd revelled in being hugged, his half awake brain was enjoying it, that is, he'd been enjoying it until he heard the unmistakable sound of Reece sniggering behind him.
Hang about here, his foggy brain had been trying desperately to understand this, if Reece was sniggering behind him, then who the hell was hugging him tightly from the front?.
Pauly opened his eyes to be greeted by the face of Billy beaming and staring straight into his eyes.
"I can't believe I'm holding you like this, I thought I'd lost you, I've missed you so much, I love you Bro, don't you dare leave us again".
Billy's eyes were streaming tears now as he still hugged Pauly tightly, until Reece spoke up grinning.
"Okay, I only got approval for our relationship yesterday and already you're in our bed in the arms of another guy, this does not bode well for a long and happy relationship, care to explain?".
Pauly had screamed pulling Billy in even closer before reaching out an arm and dragging Reece into their joint hug.
"Reece Caswell meet my big brother Billy, Billy meet the man who saved me, Reece Caswell, my now very official partner and the love of my life".
Billy leaned over and kissed Reece full on the lips, "Thank you Reece, I'm in your debt forever, welcome to the family".
Billy finally got up, leaving them to shower and dress saying he'd see them at breakfast.
Reece pulled Pauly into a tight hug, "I could get to like this, except I don't remember how I got here or going to bed, I'm praying I didn't embarrass myself".
Pauly was laughing now as he rested comfortably in Reece's arms.
"You were really funny, the first few glasses of wine you kept saying, 'just the one I don't normally drink', but you just held your glass out after about four and kept drinking it like water".
Reece groaned, "I'm not used to the stuff, I'm sorry Pauly, you had a crap start to our relationship, first night and I go on a bender so I'm not able to keep up my end of the bargain".
Pauly swung his legs out of bed and as he'd padded naked to the bathroom he'd half turned and smiled, saying, "Oh your end was definitely up when we went to bed", before he dodged into the bathroom laughing loudly, his morning hard on pointing the way.
Reece had been hardly able to concentrate on what Pauly was saying, his eyes following the firm bouncing bubble butt in front of him as it vanished into the bathroom.
As Pauly exited the shower he'd almost jumped out of his skin as he'd encountered Reece wearing a bow tie, nothing but a bow tie.
As Pauly stood mesmerised by the beauty of Reece's sculpted body he'd realised Reece was holding a small black velvet covered box.
Reece had dropped to one knee in front of Pauly, "I'm sorry Pauly I had it all planned out, this should have happened last night but I was nervous and I messed up by drinking all that wine , but I don't want to wait any longer, you have to know I love you, you're the reason I exist, the reason I wake up each morning, Pauly will you marry me, be my partner, my equal other half for the rest of our lives?".
Pauly was in shock, he'd had no idea Reece was planning this but he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth, he'd been so nervous he was stammering, "Ye...ye...yessssssssssss", he finally shouted, throwing his arms around Reece as he got up to hug and kiss Pauly.
Reece opened the small box and two beautiful rings sat there, 22 carat yellow gold overlaid around the centre with a rope of intertwined white gold.
They took a ring each and placed them at the start of the ring finger of each other's left hand.
"Repeat after me Pauly, with this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee endow, I swear my love and faithfulness until my life is gone from this earth".
Pauly repeated Reece's words and they pushed the rings into place on each other's hands and then they were in each other's embrace kissing.
"That should hold us until we make it legal, and on that subject I have the special licence, your family's all here so what do you say my love, you got anything planned today that beats getting married at say 2pm ?".
They arrived in the dining room for breakfast to find everyone waiting for them but no one said a word they just stared which Pauly found really weird until Reece held up his hand to show his wedding ring, "He said yes, we're on folks".
The room erupted into chaos as everyone wanted to hug and congratulate them both.
A few minutes later Pauly had grabbed Reece by the ear and squeezed while holding fast, "Would you care to explain why they all knew about this but I didn't?".
Reece was squirming in Pauly's grip, "Guilty as charged, I told your Dad last night that I was trying to work up the nerve to propose, that's why he gave me the first glass of wine as Dutch Courage, but I guess I overdid the courage a little, sorry Pauly".
Pauly grinned, let go of his ear and kissed him, "Forgiven and next time someone offers you wine the reply is, make it a spritzer with 50 percent soda, or you could just say no, okay?".
Reece nodded grinning, everyone else was laughing as Lenny said loudly, "That's my boy keep em on their toes".
And so, at 2pm in the Civic Building, Reece Caswell and Paul Thorn became legally married, Mr's Reece and Pauly Caswell-Thorn, a couple for life.
Now that just opened up a whole new can of worms.
TBC
Allan ARB