Please remember to donate to Nifty, it gives so much to all of us. Any amount, large or small, is welcome in order to keep this free site available. Thank you, donations to the address below. Http://Donate.nifty.org/donate.html
Life's Illusions - 10 years on - Chapter 21
In Marbella the local Circuit Judge was droning on, Juan, Josef and Sofia were sitting bored between Pauly and Reece, until that is, the Court Clerk called out, 'The matter of Juan Ramirez, Adoption, and the Mr's Caswell-Thorn, Juan shot upright and grabbed Josef's and Sofia's hands.
"What if he says no", he was visibly close to tears.
All they could do was squeeze his hands, they couldn't speak, the Judge was already talking.
"Clerk of the Court, this one should be concluded quite quickly, line up the next case please, Madam Recorder please accompany me into my chambers, Young Master Juan Ramirez, come with me".
Reece and Pauly nodded to him, they'd talked about this, told him not to be frightened, easier said than done, he was terrified.
Juan got up on decidedly shaky legs to follow the Judge through the door behind his desk.
Inside the room Juan was surprised, it was like his Gramps office, lots and lots of books lined the walls, as the Judge removed his robe and wig, Juan couldn't help it he blurted out.
"Please don't say no, I'll be really good, I don't want to go back to the orphanage".
Turning back to Juan the elderly man sat down on the big sofa away from his desk, patting the seat next to him.
"Come, sit with me child while I drink my tea and I'll let you into a secret".
Juan sat, still visibly nervous, next to the Judge and opposite the lady from the courtroom who had her little machine with her, she had brought tea for the Judge.
"Now, about this secret, your Gramma is a very old friend of mine, but as friendly as we are, even with me being a Judge, if I said no today, she'd hunt me down and beat me black and blue, well I'm no fool, so I will definitely be saying yes today, but we have to make it look like it's taken us a while to come to that decision, make them think it's a difficult job I do".
Juan didn't hear most of what he'd said he only heard the 'Yes', that's all he needed to know, he balled his fist and pushed it into the air.
"Yes, you said yesssss".
"Thank you Mr Judge, but you know Gramma isn't really tough, she just acts like it, she wouldn't hurt you, honest, she's a softie really, but don't let on you know that".
Setting his tea cup down he chuckled.
"You young man, can believe whatever you want, me, I prefer to err on the side of caution, okay let's go back out there and get this show on the road".
Knowing everything would work out alright and waiting for the Judge to give his verdict were two very different things, all four of the family sitting in the court room were nervous, then the door Juan had gone through with the Judge opened, and out they came again, the Judge holding a beaming Juan's hand, he looked at his parents, brother and sister and nodded his head, Josef's fist was in the air instantly, followed by "Yessssss".
The Judge smiled and looking at Juan said.
"It seems you're not the only one happy about the outcome".
An hour later after visiting the court office to sign and collect the necessary paperwork they exited the building and Pauly couldn't resist.
"Well now I think as a celebration we should let Master Juan Ramirez Caswell-Thorn pick what we have for lunch".
Juan looked at Pauly and Reece, "Could we have pizza please?".
Reece and Pauly were intrigued, Reece had to ask, "Why pizza, you like pasta at the Italian better?".
Juan didn't hesitate.
"Josef and Sofia like pizza better and I wouldn't have got the chance to be adopted without them, so it's their day as well".
Josef chipped in.
"No chance Bro, today is your day, we get pasta, it's your favourite, no arguments".
At Montclair, Beth and Dave, along with their sons, plus Rob and Dianne had just arrived.
They'd planned for it to be at least another month before they moved to France, but Winter-Thorn Developments had moved at lightning speed, the necessary permits and planning consent were in place, so it made sense to get out of the way, let them get on with the development of the new Pacifico Estate.
Chateau Beauchene was nearing completion, it had become a thing of interest to the locals, watching as the great house regained its former beauty.
Winter-Thorn Developments had worked their magic on the old house just as Beth had known they would.
Their belongings, the items they decided to keep from Pacifico, would be arriving as freight in the next few days, once they were in place the family would be able to take up residence.
The gardens had been re established similar to archive pictures of how they would have looked in their heyday.
Well away from the Chateau, beyond a copse of chestnut and oak, hidden from the house and gardens, ten large glasshouses had been erected, each the size of a football pitch.
They'd been labeled as 'Growing Rooms' one through ten, they would eventually produce salad crops intended to be the new business, planting was due to start over the next few weeks.
At dinner that evening Woody remarked that everyone was surprised by their early arrival, but pleased to have them here all the same.
Beth looked at Dave who nodded back to her.
"We have a reason, well, more of a very special reason for wanting to be established as early as possible".
Woody looked puzzled but Jacqueline and Lenny immediately shrieked, it was Lenny, up out of her chair hugging Beth who settled everyone's curiosity.
"You're pregnant, oh my god I'm so pleased for you".
After everyone had congratulated them, Dave explained, "We didn't want to say anything until we were sure Beth was pregnant and she'd reached twelve weeks, the doctors were then able to tell us for sure it was only one baby, Winter-Thorn chose that exact time to inform us they were ready to start work on the development as soon as we vacated, it was a no brainier really, get here and get settled into Beauchene, it gives us a little breathing space before we start the planting schedule".
Looking at Lenny and Jacqueline, Beth said.
"Sorry Momma, a couple of those top floor rooms will need reconversion into a nursery, Jacqueline, how would you feel about me approaching your Nanny, I've always been impressed with how she looked after Paul and Roslyn".
Jacqueline looked at Woody, he grinned and answered Beth.
"No can do I'm afraid Sis, Nanny can help with recommendations but she will have her hands full here at Montclair shortly, it seems we have a similar announcement to make".
Further congratulations were given to Woody and Jacqueline, with Lenny chastising Jacqueline.
"How could you not tell me?, more importantly, how did I miss it?".
As fate would have it, Jacqueline and Beth were due only a few days apart.
On his first day of the new term JJ was walking to school with his cousins Paul and Roslyn.
Paul was in the same year as JJ, Roslyn was three years ahead, they were in the same school but the boys and Roslyn rarely saw each other during the day, it was a large complex serving five villages.
Roslyn parted company with the boys to enter the middle school gate.
Walking on towards their entrance the boys were confronted by a group of known bullies chanting insults.
"Here come the little princes".
There were six of them blocking the boys path, as JJ and Paul tried to pass they were pushed from one to another before being thrown to the ground.
For JJ and Paul this was a common occurrence, they didn't expect any help, nor did they expect mercy from the bullies, it would continue until they tired of the torment, moving on to terrorise some other poor unfortunate.
That was what JJ and Paul expected, but it wasn't what fate had in store for them that day.
JJ was on the floor, held down by the foot of a bully on his stomach, Paul was in a similar position except the foot was pressing down on the side of his head.
JJ, through eyes squinted with pain, saw another set of feet approaching, he expected yet more pain to be inflicted, instead he was shocked, as the feet got closer, one shot out, aiming high, he both heard it connect with the bully's chest and the accompanying gasp of pain as the bully was launched backwards.
Spinning on his heels their saviours foot shot out again, connecting this time with the guy holding his foot on Paul's face, he, like his pal, flew backwards with a grunt of pain.
As JJ and Paul lay on the ground recovering they heard.
"See, I don't hold with violence, but I will use it if the need arises, and when I see six of you against these two, well that's just cowardly, I'm warning you now, if I see you, or hear of you, pulling this stunt again, it will be each of you, one on one with me in the ring, dwell long and hard on that thought, because I guarantee you will know pain if we meet again, now clear off before I decide to give you another demonstration".
JJ took the proffered hand expecting to be face to face with a Goliath, his shock was apparent in his expression when he stood facing a boy shorter than himself and Paul, stocky, but definitely shorter.
The guy laughed, "Yeh, I know, I should be bigger, but what you see is what you get".
He held out his hand to JJ, "Marcel Beauchard, my friends call me Marc, not that I have many, friends that is".
JJ took the offered hand.
"JJ Montclair, this is my cousin Paul Montclair-Thorn, we'd be honoured to be your friends, we can't thank you enough for what you did, but how, I don't understand, you're smaller than us, how did you do it?, can you teach us?".
As they started to walk towards their entrance gate all three were talking animatedly, Marc promised to show them how to defend themselves on condition they didn't use it aggressively, none of them realised they were all heading in the same direction until all they stopped at the same door and JJ exclaimed.
"No way, this is fantastic, we're all three in the same class, the three musketeers, this is going to be a great year".
At lunchtime the boys made their way out to the sports field, JJ and Paul had their lunch boxes with an assortment of sandwiches and cheeses, Marc sat with them but he didn't have any food, JJ had to ask.
"Don't you have any lunch?".
Marc looked down.
"I'm from the orphanage, I get a meal voucher, I don't use it, I refuse to, I'd rather be hungry".
Paul, who usually was the quiet one following JJ's lead spoke up.
"Nope, not happening, not in this gang, all for one and one for all, remember".
Paul passed his box over to JJ, "Split it up Cus (Cousin), I'll speak to Momma, tomorrow we'll bring an extra box".
When they finished eating JJ asked why Marc was living at the orphanage, Paul could see Marc was uneasy talking about it and chipped in.
"Forget it, JJ is sometimes like a bulldozer, he just asks what comes into his head, he doesn't see that he might embarrass the person he's asking, it's your business, you only tell us what you want to, no more".
Marc looked at Paul, trying to make his mind up, they seemed genuine, he decided he'd answer JJ's question.
"I was abandoned, really abandoned, my parents didn't want me, they left me at the orphanage, just walked away, I was five a few days after they left, I remember them, they didn't even like me, my father was a nasty cruel man, my mother was nice sometimes, but she didn't like me when he was around, I don't care, I can look after myself, I pick my friends now, I like you guys".
JJ was reflecting.
"I'm an orphan, my Momma and Poppa died, they loved me, they just died, I was lucky, Poppa Jaque found me, he and Poppa Pete adopted me, that's why they call me 'the little prince', Poppa Jaque is The Comte Montclair, I'm The Vicomte Montclair, I didn't ask to be orphaned, but I was".
Marc didn't pick up on the statement that JJ had two fathers, again JJ couldn't leave it.
"I said I have two Poppa's".
Marc knew what JJ was doing, he was giving Marc the opportunity to distance himself from the inevitable harassment he would lay himself open to by befriending JJ.
"And what, I'm supposed to be shocked?, I'd give anything for one parent to want me, you have two, they went out of their way to show you they want you, love you, I don't give a rats ass who they are, they get my support, and so do you, come on it's time we made our way back to class".
Walking back to class that afternoon would become an indelible memory for each of them as the start of a lifetime friendship, they truly were the three musketeers, and then, into the mix came Roslyn.
As school turned out the boys met Roslyn at the middle school gate for the journey home, when the weather was fine they always walked, if the weather was bad, one of the Montclair staff would collect them, today it was a warm sunny afternoon, they would walk.
Roslyn was chatting with several of her classmates, her back to the boys as they approached, she realised there was something unusual when, one by one, her friends stopped talking, staring past her, she turned still talking, "What are you all looking at it's only.............".
Roslyn's voice trailed off, her eyes fixed on the boy with her brother and cousin, Paul broke the silence.
"Sis, meet Marcel Beauchard, our friend, Marcel this is my sister Roslyn Montclair, we invited him for Dinner".
Marcel spoke up as he extended his hand to Roslyn, not breaking the eye contact they had established.
"I'm really pleased to meet you, but I'm not sure about dinner, I haven't got permission from the Warden to be late back and Paul hasn't asked your parents, it's awfully rude to have me just arrive".
Roslyn took his hand, in truth she grabbed it.
"Hello Marcel, I'm amazed anyone with manners would befriend these two urchins, you said you needed permission from the Warden, is that the orphanage?".
Marcel blushed, looking down as he answered.
"Yes, I live at the orphanage".
Roslyn surprised him.
"Well that's easily fixed, Momma will ring the Warden when we get home, in fact I think the boys should have stuff that will fit you, so I propose you stay the night".
Roslyn had decided, one way or another, this boy would be her Beau, for Marcel there was turmoil in his head, how could he make this girl his, he was in love, he was sure of it, the moment she touched his hand he'd had to move his school bag around front to hide his erection.
At Montclair Jacqueline welcomed Marcel and after a few minutes on the phone to the orphanage it was settled, Marcel would stay the night, he'd bunk in with JJ.
Jacqueline sent the boys off to wash up and change for dinner, instructing JJ and Paul to sort some clothes for Marcel.
For Marcel it was like being transported to another world, JJ's room was a suite, with sitting room, bedroom with king bed, dressing room and bathroom.
When they were alone JJ became nervous.
"Marcel, there's only one bed, I didn't think, if it bothers you I can get you set up in a separate room of your own".
Marcel giggled.
"Stow it, I'm good with this, that bed's so big I reckon we can fit in there easily without our stiffies touching".
JJ giggled.
"As long as you know, if I get a stiffie, it isn't for you, it's for Margot, Roslyn's friend".
Marcel laughed as well.
"Mine will be for Roslyn, she is beautiful".
Paul brought a pile of clothes into JJ's room.
"Try these we're about the same size, they should fit you".
Marcel picked a pair of beige chinos with a navy shirt but the outfit looked odd with his black school shoes, not to be outdone, JJ rooted around in his dressing room and came back with brown socks and a pair of tan leather loafers which fitted perfectly.
After all three had showered and dressed they made their way to the family room where they met the others.
JJ put his arm around Marcel's shoulder, leading him towards his parents.
"Poppas, this is my friend Marcel Bouchard, Marcel, these are my parents Poppa Jaque, The Comte Montclair, and Poppa Pete Montclair".
Both Pete and Jaque welcomed him.
JJ then led Marcel to where his aunt and uncle were sitting.
"Marcel Bouchard, my Aunt, Jacqueline Montclair-Thorn, my Uncle, Woody Montclair-Thorn, and my cousins who you already met, Roslyn and Paul Montclair-Thorn".
Again he was welcomed, but this time he hardly heard a word, his eyes were glued to Roslyn who blushed furiously while Paul just giggled at their obvious attraction towards each other.
At dinner Marcel was placed next to Roslyn, opposite JJ and Paul, they could see the sheer terror in his face as he took in all of the cutlery arranged around his place setting but they couldn't do anything to help.
Roslyn also saw his discomfort, leaning in to hold his hand under the table, she whispered.
"Calm down, watch me, just follow what I do, I'm really pleased you're here, now enjoy dinner".
For Marcel, if his life ended tonight, he knew he would depart this world happy, Roslyn had held his hand, she'd said she was pleased he was there, in his mind it couldn't get any better.
Pete was no fool, he watched Jaque at dinner, and throughout the evening, he was leaving for New York the following day, as they sat out on the patio after dinner he said to Jaque.
"If our family has grown by one when I arrive home, I promise, this time I'll react as you'd wish, he's a remarkable boy".
Jaque couldn't believe Pete had read his thoughts so accurately.
"JJ seems to like him, I like him, you like him, but I think we should let him get used to us, let him decide, I'll sound JJ out, he might not want to have someone take away his number one place, he might not want to share".
Pete smiled.
"You're joking right?, JJ knows what it's like being without parents, if I'm right you may not have to sound him out, I think he'll be sounding us out".
As if on cue JJ appeared on the patio.
"Poppas could I ask you something please?".
Pete smiled, winked at Jaque and replied.
"Only on condition you're going to help him get settled in".
JJ looked startled, "How did you know?, you mean he can stay?, seriously?".
JJ launched himself between both of his Poppas.
"You guys are so good".
Jaque asked the obvious.
"Did Marcel know you were going to ask us if he could stay?".
JJ looked down.
"No, I didn't want to get his hopes up, I'll go talk to him now, what should I say to him?".
Pete hugged their son.
"Bring him out here, we'll talk to him, if he wants us, we'll make it happen".
JJ almost ran back into the Chateau, he found Marcel chatting with Paul and Roslyn.
"Marc, it is okay if I call you that isn't it?, I need you to come with me, just for a few minutes, my Poppas want to talk to you".
Marcel was immediately nervous.
"Did I do something wrong?, I didn't mean to".
Unseen by Marcel, JJ winked at Roslyn and Paul.
"No silly, they just want to talk to you, we'll all come with you if you want us to".
Marcel was still nervous.
"Yes, please, come with me".
All four trooped out to the patio towards Jaque and Pete.
Both started laughing as they approached, Pete turned to Jaque, "Looks like we have a delegation", turning to address Marcel he was smiling.
"Let me guess, you were nervous so you brought backup?".
Marcel just nodded, not saying anything.
Pete went on.
"There's no need to be nervous, we just wanted to ask if you would maybe want to stay with us, permanently?, if you did, we'll make it happen, it's up to you to decide, we want you, but it can only happen if it's what you want as well, we'll give you time to think about it.......".
Pete didn't get any further, the noise from JJ, Roslyn and Paul was deafening, Marcel hadn't said a word, he just stood, staring at Pete, with tears streaming down his face.
It was JJ who brought him back to life.
"Say yes Marc, we'll be brothers, please, say yes, say it now".
He was almost thumping Marcel on the back.
When it came, it was hard to hear, until Jaque held his hand up quietening the others suddenly.
"Yes sir, yes please, do you mean it, I could stay here, be JJ's brother?".
Pete nodded.
"Yes Marcel, if you want it, yes, we'll make it happen, it's definitely what we want, you're an amazing young man, we'd be just as proud to call you our son as we are to call JJ our son, so do you think it's something you'd want to do?".
This time there was no hesitation, Marcel jumped at Pete and Jaque wrapping his arms around both.
"Yes please, yes, yes, yes".
His expression, which had been euphoric suddenly turned serious.
"I don't need anything, I won't cost much I promise, I'll share with JJ, I don't need new clothes, I can wear whatever JJ or Paul outgrow, I'll do chores to earn my keep, I'm strong, I can do it".
As he ran through the list of things his mind was thinking he became more emotional, until he was almost sobbing.
"Please, I'll be good I promise I will".
Pete pulled him into a hug, Jaque was rubbing his back, JJ, Roslyn and Paul all had tears in their eyes, they were hurting just seeing Marcel upset, Pete whispered, but they could all hear him.
"Listen to me son, life with us as a family doesn't mean you just move here, it means we will look after you, provide for you, encourage and help you, but above all we promise to love you, all we want in return is your love, but we, just like you, have to earn it, now you guys have about an hour before bedtime so, you go talk, JJ will reassure you, we trust him to do that, he knows us, trust him, he'll guide you, but if you have questions, promise you'll come to us, nothing is out of bounds, do you understand?".
Marcel nodded.
"Okay guys off you go, I'm guessing you have a lot to discuss, we old fogeys want a little quiet time before I fly to New York tomorrow".
Looking at Marcel he said.
"Poppa Jaque will get on with the legal paperwork while I'm away, so you young sir can consider yourself part of this family, it's going to happen son".
As the others left JJ threw his arms around both his parents.
"I love you so much", and then he was scooting after the others leaving Pete and Jaque speechless, with unbelievably happy hearts.
As they undressed for bed that night a naked Pete threw his arms around a semi naked Jaque in the bathroom.
"It would seem we have gained a child, perhaps we should try for another".
Jaque could feel Pete's hard on pushing into the thin material of his underwear covered ass.
"Oh, and what exactly did you have in mind?".
Pete's hand had wandered down inside the front of Jaque's undies, he was now massaging a hard leaking cock.
"I wondered if the big bad Comte Montclair would like to rape and plunder a loyal subject before he heads of around the world".
With a smile, pushing his hard cock against Pete's groping hand, Jaque replied questioningly, "Big, Bad?".
Increasing the ministrations his hand was delivering Pete replied.
"Well my hand has hold of something big, really big, and it seems we both need it bad".
Turning around as Pete sank to his knees, Jaque felt his underwear being dragged down, he was about to reply, but he only managed a moan as Pete's mouth engulfed his leaking cock.
No one listening that night would believe Pete was being raped, in fact they would probably guess quite rightly that Jaque was a gullible target who had been lured enticingly into the spiders web.
As Pete awoke, he felt Jaque's wandering had between his legs, turning to kiss his lover he whispered.
"Sorry my love, no time this morning, but hold that thought, I expect to collect on Saturday, it will be my incentive to rush home, I love you Jaque Montclair".
Pete was due back on Friday, he was booked on Thursdays Air France flight, from JFK, New York, into Charles De Gaul Paris, it was already arranged, he would stay overnight at The Ritz Paris, taking the train back to Montclair on Saturday morning.
Jaque had excelled, the paperwork granting adoption status for Marcel was all approved, it had been sent by courier overnight on Tuesday to obtain Petes signature, returned on Wednesday evening before presentation to the local magistrate and the Judge on Thursday morning where it had been made official, Marcel was now officially their son.
Pete had skyped them on Wednesday as he signed the papers, laughing and joking, when the boys were despatched from the room so that Jaque and Pete could say their goodbyes, Pete again told Jaque he loved him, but before Jaque could reply the link failed and they didn't re establish it, that single act would later haunt Jaque.
Woody had arrived home on Wednesday with PJ and Lenny, they planned to stay for a couple of weeks.
When Lenny spotted Marcel she was eager to know what was going on, her enthusiasm when she learned he was to be her newest grandson was infectious, PJ was bubbling and before long a plan was in the making.
On Thursday morning PJ called The Ritz Paris, speaking personally to the General Manager, they'd met several times at Hospitality Conferences and were firm friends, when he ended the call Petes booking was cancelled, though PJ stressed on the fact that Pete was arriving at Charles de Gaul Friday morning on AF211, they would need to send the usual Limousine to collect him, instead of one room for Pete, five suites were now booked from that day right through the weekend.
JJ, Marcel, Paul and Roslyn's classes ended at lunch on Thursday, to their surprise, before they could leave the classroom each was handed a note instructing them to go immediately to the Principals office, there they found a smiling Uncle Woody waiting to escort them out of school for a long weekend.
In the car Woody told them they were meeting the others, PJ, Lenny and Jaque at Nice airport.
Only one of the youngsters was fazed, Marcel, he asked nervously several times, just to confirm if Woody was sure they could skip school Thursday afternoon and all day Friday, the others were used to the crazy antics of this family.
When they arrived at Nice Airport, Woody drove up to the FBO office for private flights where Ben Capple, their pilot, was waiting for them, he jumped into the car and gave Woody directions as he noticed a strange face.
"Follow the signs for hanger number four Woody, the plane's out front ready to taxi, the others are all onboard, and will someone please introduce me to this young man".
Ben was looking directly at Marcel.
JJ was quick to respond.
"Ben Capple, this is Marcel Bouchard, soon to be my brother, Marcel meet Ben Capple, Ben is Chief Pilot of Gramps fleet of planes".
Ben reached out and took the nervously shaking hand extended by Marcel.
"I am so pleased to meet you Marcel, welcome to the family".
As they arrived at the plane JJ heard Ben tell Woody number two was en-route from Chicago and should land about the same time they did at Charles de Gaul, number three was already here with Pauly, Reece and their tribe.
JJ whispered to the others.
"This is going to be so much fun, I'm betting all our cousins are meeting us, you'll get to meet everyone Marcel, you'll like them, especially Josef, he's awesome".
Far from being reassured Marcel was becoming more nervous, what if Josef and the others didn't like him, what would JJ, Paul and Roslyn do, would they desert him, in favour of their cousins?".
As they boarded the plane, everyone greeted them, to all the world it looked like Marcel was happy, well to all the world except Lenny and Jaque, they saw it immediately, Marcel was anything but happy.
Jaque pulled Marcel, who had just met his new cousins Bobby and Elly Morton, into a seat beside him.
"Okay, if I were just another guy, I would say you were having a fantastic time".
Marcel, projected a false smile onto his face, almost, but not quite pulling it off, it slipped dramatically when Jaque continued.
"But I'm not just any guy, I'm one of the guys who wants to be your father, so that puts me in a very special category, it puts me in the category where I know instinctively when your not happy, so spill the beans buster, I'm all ears".
To Jaque's horror, the tears, buckets of them, sprang from Marcel's eyes like a waterfall, accompanied by sobs as he buried his face in Jaque's chest.
Jaque lifted him up and ushered him through into one of the two bedrooms at the rear of the plane.
Once the door was shut he sat on the bed pulling Marcel into his lap.
"Now, why don't you tell me what this is all about, is it the flight, are you frightened of flying?".
Marcel was still sobbing, but he shook his head.
Jaque was puzzled.
"Come on son, help me out here, what's upsetting you, if you don't tell me I can't help put it right".
Marcel looked up at Jaque, tears still streaming down his face.
"What if they don't like me, JJ won't want to be my brother".
His sobs got stronger, Jaque pulled him in closer.
"Okay, for a strong boy, you are amazingly stupid you know, and I have to say, you're being pretty shitty to JJ".
Marcel's head jerked up.
Oh good thought Jaque, a reaction.
"You think JJ is so shallow he'd ditch his brother, his new brother, the brother he worked so hard to get, on the off chance his cousins didn't like you, you honestly believe he would do that?".
Marcel was about to answer, but he didn't get the chance, neither of them had heard the door open, neither was prepared for the voice which startled them.
"You'd better get this answer right, because I'm seriously pissed, you actually think I would throw you under the bus if my cousins didn't like you?".
Marcel tried to speak but he didn't get past the first word, "JJ........".
"Why the hell do you think I worked so hard to get our Poppas to meet you, to like you, to want you, is it so hard to believe I would want you as my brother, you're my hero, I'm sorry I don't measure up".
Now JJ was crying, tears running down his cheeks, he turned to leave, he didn't get far.
Marcel launched himself off Jaque's lap grabbing onto his brother.
"No, I'm sorry, JJ, don't go, I'm stupid, I never had a friend, I never had a brother, I'm sorry, I messed it all up, don't hate me please".
JJ automatically pulled him into a hug.
"I don't hate you, we're brothers, sometimes we'll get it wrong, sometimes we'll fight, but we'll still be brothers, we'll always be tight, always be brothers, but you have to trust me, I have to trust you, we have to trust each other, I'm in, how about you?".
Marcel hugged him tighter.
"I'm sorry JJ, be my brother please, I don't deserve you, but please".
JJ pushed him away.
"The silly part is, they are are all gonna like you, they can't not like you, you're such a good guy, you just need to believe it, now let's get this show on the road, we can't take off while you're having a princess moment".
Marcel laughed.
"Did you just call me a princess?, seriously?, you called me a princess, I am so gonna kick your ass when we land Bro".
They emerged from the bedroom, the boys laughing, no one saw the looks Jaque and Lenny shared saying, thankfully, disaster averted.
The dreaded meeting with Josef was for Marcel a non event, Josef came into the plane ahead of everyone else, eager to meet Marcel.
"You, I've been waiting to meet, I hope we can be friends, I can relax now I know JJ and Paul have someone to lookout for them".
By halfway through the flight the cousins were all best friends.
Marcel pulled JJ aside.
"I really am sorry, I got frightened, I'll never do that again, you are an amazing brother, I'm lucky, beyond anything I could have wished for to have you as my brother, did I spoil it?".
JJ was smiling.
"No, you just made it real, we had our first fight, we'll have more, but I promise, if I'm worried I'll tell you, and you have to do the same, we work things out together, we have each other's back".
Petes return journey had been arduous so far, late leaving JFK in New York due to a technical problem, he'd spent the time in the Air France first class lounge reviewing the deal he'd just pulled off, he was pretty pleased with himself, his commission would amount to around 10 Million Euros.
The flight had been smooth, uneventful, he'd chatted with the young stewardess whilst most of the other passengers in first class slept, describing his wonderful husband and sons, that was until they were around three hours from Paris, the sudden noise and drop in altitude caught him completely unawares.
He'd been immersed in figures, columns of figures which fascinated and enthralled him, like musical notes to a musician, they almost spoke to him.
His next project was well underway, he already had several investors lined up, he only needed to gain the interest of a few more and he could make his pitch.
The figures just needed a little tweaking to present a mouthwatering opportunity to the right people.
At first he didn't understand, there was an almighty jolt beneath his feet, the laptop he'd been working on rose up violently, hitting him hard in the face, ripping his earpiece out, he watched, almost in fascination as it hit the ceiling of the cabin, along with a myriad of other items, phones, wallets, glasses, bottles, cups, trays, bags.
He recognised his wallet and the Breitling limited edition wristwatch JJ had given him last Christmas, one of a pair, the other rarely left his husbands wrist, they were inscribed, each with a loving verse which he frequently had to read.
Just as abruptly everything crashed back down, the laptop struck him like a brick just above his right eye, splitting the skin, he was momentarily stunned until he became aware of the stream of blood coming from the cut above his eye, his wallet and watch must have come down on the man sitting directly behind him, he didn't see them by him.
The cabin crew were rushing back and forth attending to injuries, remarkable he'd thought, when some were themselves visibly injured.
The stewardess placed a pad over the cut above his eye, taping it into place.
Realisation struck him like a bolt of lightning, at the same time his oxygen mask dropped from the compartment above him, the plane was angled down, they were descending rapidly, instinctively he reached out for the mask, pulled it sharply down as the pre flight video had instructed, fitting it over his mouth and nose.
They seemed to be dropping for ever, the noise was horrendous, louder even than take off, he could tell there was something seriously wrong with the engines, the were making loud popping noises, as if they were struggling to keep working.
It must have only been minutes, though to Pete it seemed longer before the Pilot made an announcement.
"Ladies and Gentlemen this is your Captain speaking, you will be aware we are experiencing some difficulties at the moment, please don't be alarmed, we now have the aircraft under control".
He went quiet for a few moments.
"We have experienced a mid air collision, the damage is extensive, too extensive for us to make our intended destination of Charles de Gaul Paris, we have just cleared Ireland and are currently over the Irish Sea, it is our intention to head south where we have been offered safe landing at a UK military airfield, we will be taking this option, we are too damaged to continue flying".
Again he went quiet.
"We will be preparing to land shortly, please follow exactly the instructions of your cabin crew, we will be executing a crash landing procedure, unfortunately the collision robbed us of our landing gear, you will hear three words as we are about to touch down, you will hear, Brace, Brace, Brace, you must be in the brace position at that point, thank you".
Pete caught the arm of a stewardess as she made to rush past him armed with cloths, towels, paper rolls.
"What's it like downstairs, can I help at all".
The girl looked to be at her wits end.
"It's Pete isn't it?, it's carnage down there, so many injured, if you're able we'd welcome any help you can give".
Pete followed the girl down the stairs into what could only be described as hell, there was a gale force wind whipping anything not anchored down around the cabin, he registered a massive void where there once had been seats, he could see the ground and clouds through the hole.
There were bodies everywhere, passengers caught unawares like he'd been, except they hadn't been in their seats, leaving them free to be thrown around the cabin like rag dolls.
Above the noise of the howling wind he could hear the moans, cries of pain, people pleading for help.
The young stewardess tapped him on the shoulder, she was shouting to make herself heard above the howling wind.
"It might seem brutal but whatever their injuries they have to be strapped into seats, it's the only way to afford them some protection when we land, get as many into seats as you can, when the signal comes I'll make sure you know, you strap yourself into those crew seats by the galley, no arguments, do it as soon as you get the signal, and thanks Pete".
For the next 30 minutes he worked like a Trojan, lifting and strapping in as many people as he could.
He had just strapped in a father with his young boy when she slapped his back again.
"Now Pete, now".
She had a bullhorn, as she strapped herself in next to Pete, she proceeded to shout, "Brace, Brace, Brace".
In Paris it was just dawning first light, The General Manager of The Ritz Hotel was aware he had PJ and Lenny Thorn as guests, with most of their immediate family.
In his office, listening absentmindedly to the early morning news, he was pulled sharply from his paperwork by an announcement of breaking news, 'An Air France 747 Jumbo Jet, AF211, en-route to Paris France has suffered a mid air collision, the aircraft which is badly damaged is currently attempting a crash landing at a UK military airfield'.
The General Managers blood ran cold, AF211, it couldn't be, he ran from his office past startled secretaries, out to the front concierge desk, he was almost shouting before he got to the desk.
"You have a request to collect Mr Peter Montclair from Charles de Gaul at 10am, what flight number is it?"
Looking in his day request book the Concierge answered, AF211 from JFK, I have it in hand, is there a problem?".
There was no response, the General Manager was running towards the bank of elevators.
At PJs suite the door was answered by PJ himself, dressed in pyjamas and dressing gown, surprised to see who the visitor was.
"Henry, a bit early for a house call isn't it?".
Henry didn't respond, he pushed past PJ, going straight to the TV in the Salon, he tuned it to CNN, there on screen was an image of an aircraft, visibly damaged as it flew over an airfield at low level.
Henry turned to PJ, he didn't need to tell PJ why he'd put this on screen, the ticker tape band running across the bottom of the screen told him everything but Henry said it anyway.
"It's you son's flight, they're going to crash land".
PJ was shaking, he couldn't speak, at just that moment Lenny came out of the bedroom in her dressing gown, she saw them, they were both staring at the screen, the tears started rolling down her cheeks before PJ spoke.
"It's Petes flight, stay here my love, I'll be back in a moment".
Dragging Henry with him he went first to Woody's suite, getting Henry to use his pass key to open the door he slipped quietly inside, going straight to the master bedroom he shook Woody awake whispering.
"Emergency, it's Pete, come with me quietly".
Woody slid out of bed and donned a robe to follow his father.
Out in the corridor, certain no one could hear them, PJ explained the situation.
"We have to somehow get Jaque out of his suite without him alerting the boys, can you do it?".
Woody nodded, he wanted to scream, right now his brother was facing death, being calm was the last thing he wanted to do, but he realised, if the worst happened, his pain would be nothing compared to the pain Jaque and his nephews would suffer.
Slipping silently into Jaque's suite, Woody followed PJs earlier move, in the master bedroom he shook Jaque awake, telling him he needed his help without waking the boys, a groggy Jaque donned his dressing gown and followed Woody out into the corridor where PJ and Henrry were waiting.
Jaque was now groggy and puzzled.
"What's going on Woody, why do you need me?".
Woody looked at PJ, he couldn't help, his child was possibly about to die, Woody took the bull by the horns.
"There's no easy way to say this, Pete's plane is having difficulties, it's suffered a mid air collision, they're trying to land it now in England".
Jaque was shaking, realisation was taking hold.
Woody steered him to PJs suite where a sobbing Lenny was being comforted by Rosa and Leo, the TV showed images of the badly damaged 747 aircraft doing a low level fly past for tower inspection of it's underside.
As they watched the pilot repositioned the aircraft for it's final approach, it was coming down without wheels, onto a runway covered in dense white foam, they could see numerous fire tenders and ambulances positioned well back from where the aircraft would strike the ground.
The ticker tape message running across the bottom of the screen changed, they all gasped.
Husband of The Vicount of Montclair, son of PJ and Lenny Thorn is aboard stricken Jetliner.
They watched as the aircraft came down almost gracefully onto the runway, it seemed to be doing alright, then it all went bad.
The right wing dipped down, it was ripped off, spilling burning fuel in a long wake behind the now spinning fuselage.
The main body of the aircraft continued to hurtle down the runway, spinning as it went, the fire tenders were chasing after it.
They were all glued to the events on screen when the scream startled them, it was a horrible sound, a sound of someone in serious pain, Lenny knew immediately who it was.
"Beth".
As Lenny opened the suite door a sobbing Beth came in, flanked by Dave, Bobby and Elly.
"It's Pete's plane, it's crashed.
Surprisingly Pete was relatively calm, from the crew seat he could see through the window in the door opposite him, he watched the ground approaching, he knew the statistics, it was what he did, he weighed up the facts, juggled statistics, produced a scenario for investment based on its merit, rarely would a jetliner of this size make a safe landing without wheels, even less rare were it damaged, as this one was, add in that they had been too damaged to dump the excess fuel they were carrying, his chances declined with each piece of information added to the mix, he could only hope it was quick and painless.
The bone crunching thud and the grinding of metal told him they'd hit ground, it was extremely smooth for a few seconds, then came the terrible tearing sound as the right wing tore away, at that point it was like being in a washing machine, he was being hit by everything, he could smell Jet fuel, there was a tremendous explosion somewhere above him, a blast of flames came down the stairs from the first class cabin, searing everything in its path, he was fortunate being back, protected, behind the galley wall, but he felt pain everywhere.
As the sliding carcass of the jetliner came to a halt there was pandemonium.
Pete released his belt, all but jumping the distance to the main exit door, swinging the handle he heaved at the door, it didn't move.
He left that door and crossed to the one opposite, through the window he could see fire raging, he didn't dare open that one.
It had to be the first door, people were now staggering towards him.
"Help me, we have to get this door open, it's jammed".
He was using his shoulder against the door when a young man pulled him back.
In French, he said.
"Use your foot at the same time I do, we can get more pressure that way".
They coordinated their efforts, on the fourth kick, the door groaned, on the fifth it flew outward, a small explosion signalled the escape shute unraveling and filling with gas.
Within seconds the first passengers were sliding to safety.
The young stewardess who had belted herself in beside him was unconscious, he undid her belt, carried her to the door where passengers were now exiting, pushing in he literally threw her onto the slide, heading back against the tide of people trying to get to the exit he grabbed the first person he saw who couldn't make it alone, he continued doing that same thing for as long as he could, until, as he carried a young girl to the doorway, an explosion behind him blew them both through the door, with all of his remaining strength he pushed the child towards the slide, but that act alone meant Pete was propelled away from the chute, his body hurtled towards the Tarmac, he hit the ground head first, that was the last thing he remembered.
TBC
ARB Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.