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Life's Illusions The Next Generation - Chapter 6
Friday 24th December, Christmas Eve.
Reece, Van, Gregor, Brenda, little Andrew, Drew, Myron and their Nanny, left Rome at noon, bound for Lanzarote in the Canaries.
Around Europe, and from America, similar flights were winging their way towards Lanzarote.
Pretty soon the two 4x4 vehicles kept permanently at the house, along with a fleet of cabs, were running a constant shuttle, collecting the arriving family members, and ferrying them to the house, before returning to the airport for the next batch of arrivals.
By late afternoon on Christmas Eve, everyone had arrived.
Van was still limping after his ordeal, the bruising to his leg improving daily, but still troubling him.
Dinner had been a fun time, everyone understood this was the last meal where they would be served by the staff for two days, it was when the family enjoyed their traditional Christmas meal, and after dinner shared presents.
After the presents had been opened, there was an air of anticipation which Van couldn't quite fathom.
Then he'd been completely stunned as a massive birthday cake had been carried out by the staff, whilst everyone started singing 'Happy Birthday'.
Whilst he was trying hard not to cry, he was totally defeated by the sudden appearance of birthday presents from all directions, tears of joy then flowed freely.
By the time they'd finished singing 'Happy Birthday', there was a mountain of presents piled high in front of him on the dining table.
It was Woody who spoke.
"Happy Birthday Van, we, the whole family, hope you will remember this day as a really happy one, a little bird told us you hadn't celebrated your birthday for a long time, we couldn't have that, over the last few years we've been reminded, life is short, far too short, so enjoy it, be happy".
Woody proposed a birthday toast to Van, the children wanted to give him the bumps, something Jacqueline vetoed immediately.
His final present came from Reece, it was a pack of papers, neatly tied in ribbon.
Van looked quizzically at them, until Reece spoke.
"There's only one way to find out what's in that pack, you'll need to open it.
When he opened it, the tears started flowing again as he realised what he was holding.
In the pack were the deeds to the property at Sperlonga, with them were a set of architects plans and drawings, showing what the property would look like after its restoration was completed.
Van was incapable of speaking, Reece told him.
" I know what you said about wanting to be rid of the place, you were almost convincing, but thankfully, I didn't quite believe you, then I saw the sadness in your eyes on the day you signed it away, until then I only hoped I was doing the right thing, but, at that moment, I knew I was right, that house is as much a part of your life as Gregous, and you have to stay connected".
The night proved to be one of the best parties the house had ever witnessed, with Van singing requests for everyone.
Traditionally, the staff were given Christmas Day and Boxing Day off.
On Christmas Day, the family pulled together to create breakfast, lunch was a buffet style meal which had been prepared the previous day, supper was a, 'get what you want from the kitchens', arrangement.
Boxing Day saw the staff return in street clothes, to be waited on by the family.
This was the day Lenny had created, where the family were brought back to the ground, they experienced service, as Lenny always said, it doesn't do any harm to experience life from the other side of the coin, it makes you appreciate the people you ask to look after you.
There were usually a couple of gas grills on the top terrace, churning out steaks, burgers and hot dogs.
Buffet tables groaned with the weight of food loaded onto them.
Down on the lower level by the pool area, was a group of musicians who played and sang until late into the evening, with Van offering to step in occasionally so one or more could rest.
Adult family members poured and delivered drinks, to the staff and their families.
The youngsters toured around the guests, asking if anyone wanted food from the buffet, delivering it, collecting used plates, dishes and glassware back in, ferrying everything to the kitchen for washing.
This last year had seen Jacqueline implement a rule that the family fully agreed with.
In years gone by, the staff would return to duty the morning after Boxing Day to find some parts of the cleaning up done, but invariably, there would be a mountain of dirty china and glasses.
Jacqueline insisted, no one was allowed to go to bed until everything was the way the family found it, the staff didn't get a rest if they had to clean up when they returned.
This would be the last year that Cesar and Allis served as housekeepers, they'd expressed their wish to retire, but had told Jacqueline they wanted to give her enough notice that a replacement could be found, they had suggested around March but would work with Jacqueline.
As it turned out, the problem of finding a replacement was taken care of when Cesar and Allis's daughter, Alma, approached Jacqueline over the Christmas and New Year period.
Alma was now married to Raymond who was English, they had a son, Enrico, who everyone called Rico.
Alma explained, Ray worked for a property management company, he's a qualified maintenance engineer, can and does deal with every element of keeping properties in tip top condition.
When describing herself she was a little less enthusiastic, explaining she was a simple housewife, with an energetic young son to look after, but having grown up in the house, she felt she knew the standards expected.
She'd asked Jacqueline to consider them as replacement housekeepers when her parents retired.
Jacqueline spent a whole five minutes considering Alma's request, the exact amount of time it took Alma to stop talking, before she replied.
"Alma, I've known you so many years, I know the values you were brought up to respect, I don't agree with one thing you said, there is, in my opinion, no such thing as a 'simple housewife', I'm guessing, by now, you've earned a life degree as jack of all trades, so going forward, don't under rate yourself, having said that, my answer is yes, no it's not, it's yes please".
They'd agreed Alma would arrange the transition to suit her parents requirements, but in asking what her parents intended to do about accommodation, Alma had been evasive, unintentional, but enough to raise Jacqueline's suspicions, something wasn't right.
Discussing it with Woody later, Jacqueline told him there was something she wasn't being told and she didn't know if she should force the issue or not.
Woody being Woody, decided a direct approach was the only way to go, so he cornered Cesar and Allis for a chat.
"Okay, I could spend the next hour gently easing into the conversation exactly what I want to know, but I've known you long enough to drop that approach and ask, what exactly is going on that I, we, don't know about, what are you not telling us?".
Allis burst into tears, Cesar looked crestfallen, Woody was shocked, but he put his arms around them both.
"Okay, seems I've inadvertently hit the nail on the head, so we've established there is something, now, how's about we have some tea and discuss this thing, whatever it is, my Momma always said, over a cup of tea, everything looks better.
Over the next hour Woody got the full story, he didn't like it, it saddened him, but it was something to be dealt with, and dealt with immediately.
Later with Jacqueline he recounted what he'd learned.
"Cesar has a muscle wasting condition, they've known for over a year, but with all we've had going on they felt it was wrong to pile further problems on us, the doctors have told him he'll be virtually paralysed in twelve months, can you believe, they are so loyal, so loving, they would choose to suffer in silence, rather than give us a problem".
Woody knew Jacqueline would be upset, but he told her it was something they were going to be addressing immediately.
They sought out Alma, she agreed, she and Ray could take over immediately, Ray could still work out his notice.
Woody told her when they left after New Year, they would be taking her parents with them.
Jacqueline meanwhile was having a tearful conversation with Cesar and Allis.
"When we leave in January you are both coming with us, we are going to London to get a complete medical evaluation and treatment plan, once we know what the doctors have to say, we'll know how to deal with it, what accommodation you will need, no arguments, it's a done deal".
Woody and Jacqueline were reminded of Marion Albright, housekeeper of the London house for as long as Woody could remember.
She'd moved to Montclair at Woody and Jacqueline's begging, been the Grandmother Woody and Jacqueline doted on for many years.
But at ninety one, when Lenny died, it had been Woody who'd sat with her to deliver the sad news, Woody who'd held her as she'd sobbed, but only a short time later, when a truly devastated Woody had held her again, delivering the sad news of his beloved Poppa, PJ's death, it had proved too much, her quiet sobbing had gone on late into the night, they'd found her the following morning, sat in her favourite armchair, clutching a picture of PJ and Lenny, she'd slipped away peacefully in the night.
To Woody it had been a blow he couldn't deal with, after they'd laid her to rest in the family plot at Montclair, he'd sealed up her cottage, visiting it on low days, but never again allowing anyone else to enter, it was his sacred place.
Cesar's health issues were another reminder for him, someone he'd grown up with, someone he respected, loved dearly, someone else he might lose.
The doctors Woody took them to had done extensive tests, dismissing the summing up from the doctors Cesar had seen in Lanzarote, yes the diagnosis was correct, it was a wasting disease, but Caesar would have quite a few years before he gradually got considerably weaker.
In their opinion Cesar needed a special type of accommodation, to ease the strain on his body, if that approach were adopted, he should only see a slow decline as he advanced into old age, yes there would be a point where it worsened, but certainly not in the immediate future.
Woody finally decided it was time to, as he put it, 'Destroy the Shrine', he converted the cottage Marion Albright had occupied at Montclair to be exactly what the doctors had suggested for Cesar, and it would be wheelchair friendly when the time came.
Jacqueline and Jaque, as owners of Chateau Montclair, gave them rent free use of the cottage for both of their lives.
Woody, Billy, Beth, and Pete agreed to club together, buying a small villa property, and converting that as well, in Lanzarote, close to the family house, that one they gave to Cesar and Allis outright, along with a generous pension to fund their retirement.
The cost for the Lanzarote property and pension was eventually split five ways, not four ways as originally intended, after Reece intervened, he argued, Pauly would have wanted to chip in, so he insisted on being included.
When they were shown the cottage at Montclair and given the deeds of the property in Lanzarote, Woody told them.
"You have no idea how much we owe you, you've been a part of the jigsaw, which is the wonderful lives, we as a family, have enjoyed until now, these are our presents to you, enjoy them, with only one condition, work hard to stay on this earth, be healthy, stave off for as long as possible, the day you hurt us by leaving".
On New Years Eve, just after the stroke of midnight, Reece had been the one stunned into silence.
Van took his hand on the terrace, with the whole family watching, he knelt on one knee.
"Reece, I realise we haven't talked about this, and I'm terrified you'll think I'm jumping the gun, but, if I am, it's entirely your fault, you see, I didn't think it was possible I would ever find someone I would fall completely, hopelessly in love with, you changed that, you smashed that theory, I knew almost as soon as we met, you were, you are, the one, the only one, the one I'd been waiting for, when I was kidnapped, all I could think about was how I'd never get to experience life with someone who really loves me, well I don't want to waste any more time, I want it all, and I want it now, Reece Caswel-Thorn, will you marry me?".
Van had expected Reece would be shocked, he wasn't wrong, but it didn't stop Reece from answering.
"Yes, I'd be honoured, you're not the only one who doesn't want to waste time, now get up here and kiss me".
There followed a mad scramble to find bubbly and glasses while Van explained.
"I don't have a ring to give you, I was so scared you'd say no, I'd like us to use the gold bands which were my parents wedding rings, they're identical, they just need resizing, but we can have new if you don't want them".
Reece kissed him on the lips, as much to stop him blabbing as anything else.
"You, that's all I want, anything else doesn't matter, but yes, we'll use your parents rings, continuity of family and tradition, that's important, you do realise, you'll very soon have three step children and six step grandchildren, I think my wedding present to you should be a years supply of hair dye, you might need it".
They'd all laughed, including the children, some of whom were the grandchildren Reece had been talking about.
Reece made a point of searching out Myron later, in the early hours.
He'd found him taking a last stroll on the promenade before he turned in.
"I wanted to ask if you are okay with everything that happened tonight Myron, I know how deeply you care for him, I have to be sure you're not uncomfortable with anything, you see, I think there's something you've been missing, for all the years you've been guarding him, keeping him safe, you're the father he always wished he could have, his love for you eclipses everything else".
Myron blustered, completely unsure how to answer.
"Not possible, all I've done is guide him, make certain he was safe, I agree, he truly is the son I never had, but I never imagined he would see that".
Myron was quiet for a moment, thinking what to say next.
"I'm totally happy, that's all I can say, I know now, he's safe, part of a loving family, and he's finally loved by someone who truly means it, you won't hurt him, that's my belief, so yes, I'm definitely okay with everything that's happened tonight, and to get us to this point".
Again Myron was quiet, this time deep in thought, he started speaking again, but this time, almost hesitantly, as if he didn't really want to say what he felt.
"My only real sadness, is that I'm not sure he needs me anymore, after all these years of looking out for him, I feel I might be superfluous, perhaps it would be better if I found another position".
Reece was shocked, Myron wandered on, deep in thought, not realising he was walking alone.
Back in the house, Reece found Van chatting with Billy and Jay, enjoying a hot drink before bed.
He apologised for interrupting.
"Van, I need to talk to you".
Pulling Van aside he explained about the conversation he'd had with Myron, Van was as shocked as Reece had been.
"Where is he?, I need to stop this now, he isn't going anywhere, I need him, I always will".
Reece was relieved and called Gregor over.
"Greg, Van needs to find Myron, he's walking on the Promenade, would you shadow him, they need to have a conversation, it's something that can't wait".
Gregor followed Van, at a discreet distance,but close enough to guarantee his security.
Van saw Myron ahead and called out to him, Myron stopped, waiting for Van to catch up before he spoke.
"Why aren't you resting?, you've been through a traumatic few weeks, and that leg won't get better if you don't help it along".
Van smiled.
"I could ask you the same question, I know how much you worry about me, these last few weeks have been traumatic for you as well, so what are you doing out here, instead of being in bed?".
Myron didn't answer at once, but when he did, it confirmed what Reece had said.
"I was thinking, about something serious, I think it's time I found another position Van, you have a wonderful person who loves you, Gregous is safe, you're safe, maybe it's time I let you fly".
Van was borderline ready to burst into tears, but he held it in.
"That's what I thought, why I came out here looking for you, Reece was shocked, he knows how I feel about you, he told me what you said".
Myron didn't answer, Van went on.
"You can't leave me, I lost my real parents, not that they ever showed me much affection, I can't ever remember my real father holding me in his arms, my mother did, usually when they were leaving for their travels, or coming back, even then, it was only a quick hug, no more than she did greeting friends".
Van was quiet for a minute, he pulled Myron toward a bench where they sat in the warm breeze, Myron's arm around Vans shoulders.
"Only one person is responsible for my being alive today, there were times, I know you remember them, when I didn't want to carry on, didn't think I could survive, you brought me through those times, guided me, scolded me when needed, gave me the stability to at least function in life, beamed with absolute pride at the awards ceremonies, you are the father I always wanted, you're going nowhere, I needed you then, I need you now, I'll always need you, don't leave me please".
By now the resolve was waning and the tears rolled freely down Vans face as Myron enveloped him into a hug.
"Thank you child, if it's what you want, I'll put my thoughts aside, now let's get you back to the house, and let Gregor get some rest too, I see him lurking back there, just one last question, is it what Reece wants as well?".
Vans reply sealed the deal.
"Who do you think sent me out here, he was mortified when you told him you might leave, he thinks you walk on water, he hasn't worked out what a devious old devil you are yet, give him time, he'll get your measure".
That night Van asked about Reece's parents.
"I'm nervous about asking, you've never mentioned them".
Reece told him about never knowing his father, and how his mother told him he was a nuisance, then about how she walked out one day and never came back, how he waited at the window for weeks, terrified, praying she would appear, but she hadn't, his life in care, and how he saved up to start his first business.
Without realising it he'd also explained how he met Pauly, how they married when Pauly was sixteen and Reece twenty six.
Van was riveted.
"We both struck out with parents, I see you with the family and I think it made you the wonderful, caring person you are today, I haven't ever had experience of being in a family, it's always been just Myron and me, since as far back as I can remember, he's always been the one worrying about me, my parents didn't, sometimes they didn't even tell me they were going away, I would go down for dinner and there would be only one place setting, they could be away for months, not a call, or postcard, nothing, I don't think they wanted me, mostly they just ignored me".
When asked by the family about the timing for their wedding Reece said.
I'm thinking around August, Van has an album out early in the New Year, he'll be touring throughout Europe until after Easter, then he's agreed to do a relief stint in Las Vegas, nine weeks through May and June, plus two troops performances in the first week of September, so for July and August I'd like to think he would rest, but knowing Van that probably won't happen, though I'm hoping to have his studio complex at Gregous completed by then, so I just might be able to lure him into spending some time at home".
Reece wasn't complaining, he was honestly telling it how it was.
Van was a workaholic, not in the normal sense, it stemmed from years of worrying about saving Gregous, he'd worked night and day for nearly eighteen years, not just on music he'd intended to publish himself, he'd become a renowned writer for other artists, listening to what they wanted, knowing their voices, their vocal range, their capabilities, he could write for almost anybody, and he had, just as he'd written advertising material, jingles, film soundtracks.
When Van had complained one day about his music being used in a TV Commercial, Reece questioned why he was complaining, Vans reply surprised him.
"I didn't approve that, I never would, it goes completely against the message in the lyrics, I hate when people just use my work without consulting me".
Reece may not have had a full understanding of the music industry but he knew enough that even he could see, no one was policing Vans copyright.
Over the years it had become acceptable to use Vans work, he wouldn't object, individuals were making money, without any risk he'd object, okay they would make money and have to pay royalties, but that still didn't sit well with Van, quite often the way his music was being used was totally unacceptable to him.
Reece explained the problem to Van, he was shocked.
"You mean I'm getting shafted?".
Reece laughed.
"Well yes, but I can't fault them for that, I'd be a hypocrite, after all, I'm doing the same thing, when I slide my cock up that deliciously tight tunnel, except you give me permission, the language you use whilst I'm doing it is a little more colourful than I'd expect to see in a standard contract, but it does the job, however, these people, they seem to be relying on your lack of objection over the years, I think it's another project I need to address for you".
Van was just grateful, he'd never been any good at the complicated, the legal side of his profession, his management team were a joke.
Reece asked Van what he'd like him to do and Vans reply surprised him.
"I'd like you to manage me, it would be nice to think, for once, I had someone who had my interests in mind, instead of the bottom line, it would be nice to be consulted, even if I agree, but it doesn't happen, I get shafted, over and over again".
Reece's reply was music to Vans ears.
"As of tomorrow, no more, I'm the only one who gets to shaft you, and that will have nothing to do with music, in relation to your music, you get to decide, if you can't, then I'll decide, but it will always be in your best interest".
The following day, Reece showed up at a leading law firm in Rome.
"I understand there's a guy here called Jarred Crawford, he practices entertainment law, I need to speak with him".
The receptionist Reece spoke to, asked him to take a seat whilst she checked if Mr Crawford was in the building, but Reece's answer was probably the deciding point.
"Tell him, once you establish he's in the building of course, I'm Reece Caswel-Thorn, I officially represent Giovanni Gregous, known more commonly as Van, he has about eight minutes left to get out here before I leave your office for good".
In exactly four minutes Jarred Crawford appeared.
"Mr Caswel-Thorn, please, come through".
And so started a long standing relationship, someone to look out for Vans legal interests.
In their first meeting Reece explained to Jarred how Vans management team treated him with complete indifference, infringements of his rights were commonplace, use of his music, without any consultation, happened almost on a weekly basis.
Jarred asked if Van had signed a management contract recently, Reece replied that to Vans knowledge he hadn't renewed his contract in the last five years.
Jarred suggested he would be happy to represent Van, the first thing to do was sack the management company as of now, but with a notification that Van would be instigating an investigation into the use of his copyright without permission over the previous five years.
Jarred also suggested that, although admirable that Reece wanted to act as Vans manager, he had very little understanding of a really complicated business, he suggested the name of someone he trusted, called Jackson, to work with Reece.
Jackson arrived at Gregous the following morning, he was met by Myron and escorted into the smaller first lounge to wait for Reece and Van.
As soon as they entered the room he held out his hand in greeting, first to Van, then moving to Reece.
"Gentlemen, I'm Jackson Crawford, I believe my younger brother Jarred recommended me to you".
Reece was the first to respond.
"Reece Caswel-Thorn, and this, as you probably won't need telling, is Giovanni Gregous, I had no idea you were related to Jarred, is that why he trusts you?".
Jackson smiled.
"When you get to know Jarred better, you'll understand why I smiled, Jarred is a lawyer, he doesn't trust anyone, he recommended me because I'm what you need, someone who knows and understands the intricacies of the entertainment business".
They sat chatting as Myron delivered tea and coffee, then Jackson kicked off with what they needed to clear up.
"I expect a fair basic salary, plus five percent of Vans earnings, most agents would demand ten percent, I don't have a need for the money so I can do pretty much what I want, there would be a request that it is not made general knowledge I'm working on a five percent basis, purely for the sake of protecting the income of others, it could set a precedent for other artists to try to stiff their management".
He paused, but as neither Van or Reece commented he continued.
"This next part, you may not like, but these are my terms, you're a renowned workaholic Van, that would have to change, not dramatically, but I would reserve the right to rearrange how and when you appear in public, I would be insisting on a much greater proportion of down time, some of which would be dictated as R and R, that doesn't mean you retire to a studio, it means you have to actually go on vacation, recharge your batteries".
Reece was virtually laughing, much to Vans obvious annoyance, Jackson went on.
"That's pretty much the extent of my terms, unless you want to ask me any questions, I'll leave you to think on what I've said, call me if you feel you can work with me, if I don't hear from you, I wish you well".
After Jackson left, Reece could see the obvious annoyance in Vans expression.
"I'm going to suggest we don't talk about this now, let's dwell on it, talk about it after dinner, is that okay?".
Van agreed, not sure why Reece wanted to leave it, he'd already decided, it was definitely a no go.
After dinner that evening, they were sat in the garden drinking coffee when Reece said.
"So, give me your reasoning on why you can't work with Jackson".
Van looked totally surprised, his reply hinted at annoyance.
"I haven't said I can't, I haven't said anything yet, so how do you profess to know what I'm thinking?".
Reece smiled.
"Okay, let's try that again, maybe I can phrase it in a way that will encourage a less caustic response".
Van realised he'd snapped at Reece in reply, now he felt guilty, Reece could see him thinking.
"So Van, my tetchy boyfriend, whilst avoiding the urge to sink your beautiful teeth into my neck, would you care to tell me your decision on working, or not, as the case may be, with Jackson".
Van realised Reece was playing with him, it helped put him back at ease, he hadn't intended to snap at Reece, after all, he was only trying to help Van.
"Oops sorry, my bad, you were right, I intended to say no, it wouldn't work, but I realise that puts us at odds, you seem to like him, so why don't I?".
Reece openly laughed before responding, his response surprised Van, it included pulling him into a hug and tickling him.
"Giovanni Gregous you little fibber, it's not Jackson you have a problem with, it's the fact he said you'd have to take a vacation, you're frightened you couldn't do it, couldn't switch off, couldn't actually enjoy yourself".
Through peals of laughter Van replied.
"That's ridiculous, I'll work with him just to prove you wrong, there, you have your answer".
Then looking at Reece's smile he realised he'd been duped.
"Reece Caswel-Thorn, you tricked me, that's wrong".
Reece was openly laughing now.
"Well it's too late, you gave me your reply, but I could agree to pay a forfeit if it would help, say something like, I take you upstairs, strip you naked and bury my face in that beautiful butt, before I push my cock in deep, then ride you to a monumental orgasm"
Van only said two words in reply.
"Terms Agreed".
He couldn't say more, he was to busy dragging Reece toward the house.
TBC ARB
Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.