Love on the Rocks

Love On The Rocks – 38

This story contains sexual situations between males. If material of this nature offends you then you should not read this story. If you are under 18 years of age you are probably not legally allowed to read this story. This story is purely a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons living or dead, or to events that may have occurred, is purely coincidental. The author claims all copyrights in this story and no duplication or publication of this story is allowed (except by the web sites to which it has been posted) without the consent of the author.

As I stood in the doorway and looked at George, I didn't need to try to read his reaction. I hadn't shaved for several days, I was wringing wet and my eyes were puffy and red from crying. This was a `me' George had never seen and he was as taken aback as I would surely be if I looked in a mirror.

George stood back as I walked into the foyer, looking through into the lounge room. I saw the swinging door to the kitchen start to open and was surprised when nobody appeared. It was only when I looked down that I realised it was Scruffy, who made his way towards me with his tail wagging, before whimpering at my feet, his paw extended for a shake. It flashed through my mind that maybe this was a good sign. If Ty's dog could still love me ...

As I bent to pat Scruffy, the door swung open again and as Ty walked in he froze, looking at me with a mixture of trepidation and jubilation on his face. A few seconds ticked by before the emotional volcano that had been building up inside of me erupted again and I started to cry. I tried to speak but the words wouldn't come. As tears ran down my face I opened my arms and managed to rasp, "I love you, mate ..."

I don't remember seeing him move but suddenly Ty was in my arms, clinging to me like a drowning man to a life raft. I had one arm holding him close and my other hand was stroking the back of his head. My heart was beating so fast I wondered if I was going to faint.

Ty eventually pulled back from me while still holding his hands around the tops of my arms. He looked directly into my eyes and my memory flashed on the first time we kissed, that fateful day at Grand Apartments. That kiss was initiated by Ty, albeit at my request. This time the smacker was going to come from me and if it turned out that this reunion was `kiss me goodbye', then I was going to make it a kiss to remember.

I put my left hand on the back of Ty's head and drew him towards me. I held his gaze as my mouth hungrily covered his and after a split second's hesitation on his part, Ty returned the kiss and my legs almost buckled.

Ty said what he had to say to me when he belted out Faith Hill's "There You'll Be" for the opening of the AFI Awards, and it was Faith Hill I thought of in this moment ... "It's the way you love me, it's a feeling like this ... this kiss, this kiss (unstoppable) ..."*

Just like that first time, I thought time had stopped. Locking lips like this, I felt I was floating somewhere outside myself and I only returned to my body when I heard George clear his throat. "I'll put the kettle on, shall I?" he said as he made his way to the kitchen.

Ty and I clung together for a long time before we pulled apart. Ty looked at me, tears brimming in his eyes. "I'm sorry Mike," he blubbered. "I am so, so sorry. I wish I could turn back time, but I can't."

"I'm sorry too Ty," I sobbed. "I never thought we'd come to this."

Ty's hand touched my cheek and stroked softly. "I have to know, Mike," he asked. "I really have to know. Can you ever love me again?"

"I never stopped loving you Ty," I choked. "Never. Not once. Even when I was at my angriest, I loved you."

"That's the easier question," he wept. "Can you forgive me?"

"I can forgive you if you'll forgive me."

Ty almost recoiled. "What for?"

"For letting things get to this stage. I should have done something before now, but I just shut down. I ..."

We both jumped slightly when the kitchen door swung open and George walked in with his tray. "Tea's ready," he announced. "And there's cake and biscotti."

Ty and I walked into the lounge and stood in front of opposite couches. I was about to sit when George leapt at me and started helping me out of my coat. "No wet clothes on the settee," he admonished as he removed the offending garment.

George poured tea as Ty and I sat and looked at one another. George disappeared back to the kitchen and it was clear that neither Ty nor I knew quite where to start. We filled the void by sipping our tea until George stuck his head around the door. "The way it works is one of you starts a dialogue," he sighed. "You've had the kiss, you've agreed that you love each other. Now you talk to one another. Call out when you need more tea."

Despite the uncertainty of this sudden reunion, Ty giggled. "I love that guy," he said loudly to me, "even if he's old and wrinkly!"

"Yeah, I'm glad we brought him home with us," I replied, just as loudly. "Same with Scruffy ..."

"Not quite as many fleas."

We knew George was listening close to the door. "Remember I'm making the tea," he called back, "and I can't find my glasses. Ratsack' looks remarkably like Rooibos' to these tired old eyes ..."

George's casual irreverence helped us relax a little, and within a few minutes we started slowly opening the channels of communication.

For an hour we talked through the lead-up to our confrontation in Stanthorpe, the things that had happened along the way that led so quickly to a major upheaval in our lives. It was in this exchange that Ty found out I had gone to see his counsellor with Lachlan.

"You talked to Janet?" he asked. "About us?"

"Thanks to Lachlan and Ellie, yes I did," I replied. "Janet told me some things I needed to know and gave me a different perspective."

"She's fantastic, Mike," Ty enthused. "I never thought I'd want to blurt out all my feelings to some woman I didn't know, but she's really helped me. I've been confronted with stuff about myself I never realised ..."

"She helped me too, mate," I smiled. "I need a bit of healing myself. It's time to let go of some stuff."

Ty looked fidgety.

"What?" I asked.

"Would you think about going to see Janet with me? I've got a murderous rehearsal schedule coming up for the tour, but I'm going to make sure I have some time for a couple more sessions with her."

I didn't hesitate. "Mate, I'd love to do that. I really want us back where we were when we woke up on Bedarra the morning after your showcase. Whatever it takes, I'll do it ..."

For the next few hours, we lay on separate couches facing each other and talked. Ty shared what he'd learned about his control issues and his need to accept that his cherished brothers now had lives of their own; the realisation that he couldn't always make everything OK for everyone.

He also revealed that Janet had helped him recognise that on a subconscious level he felt guilt that he had earned vast sums of money relatively easily while his parents had struggled most of their married life to provide a good, happy home for their three sons.

I admitted my own inability to put my dysfunctional relationship with Aaron completely behind me, acknowledging that somewhere deep down was a real fear that if I gave my heart completely it would be broken again.

Another hour was spent talking about Ty's perception of some of the things I'd done.

"When Lachie was injured, I just couldn't function," Ty cried. "You just stepped in and took over. You dealt with the Department of Defence, you organised Mum and Dad and Scotty to come to Sydney. You just did it all and I did ... nothing ..."

"That's understandable Ty," I tried to assure him. "You didn't know whether your brother was alive or dead."

"Then you organised his release from hospital, took him for his outpatient visits, set up the trust fund. Fuck, you even found his future wife for him. Again I did nothing. I just flashed the credit card every time something needed to be paid for ..."

"I was trying to help you, mate," I sniffed. "I knew how important your family was to you and I wanted to show you that I loved them. I didn't realise ..."

"I know that now Mike," Ty said, new tears in his eyes. "I should have been so grateful but instead I started feeling resentful and I stifled it. I hated myself for feeling that way."

"You should have told me Ty," I said. "We could have dealt with it then and there."

"When Scotty came back from Africa was the worst," he whispered. "When I found out he'd contacted you and you'd picked him up from the airport, that really, really hurt."

"He was embarrassed Ty," I sighed. "I think he needed to gauge my level of disapproval so he could get some idea of what he might be in for when he confronted you and Lachlan."

"Again, I know that now," Ty said quietly. "It was the headspace I was in at the time. Scotty would always come straight to me whenever anything was wrong and I would always fix it. It felt like Scotty loved you more than he loved me. It's so stupid, I know, but that's how I was feeling."

Somewhere around three in the morning, we moved on to Ty's decision to come out. When I asked him outright if he'd gone public for himself or for me, he won me with this assurance that he'd done it for us.

"I meant what I said the last time I saw you," Ty said earnestly. "I'm prepared to give it all up if that's what it takes for us to be together. I'll have to do the tour, but I'll sell Sugarloaf Road and give all the money back to the record company and the publishers. I'll get a job on a building site ..."

I couldn't help smiling at the thought of Ty in overalls, lugging bricks. "I don't want you to give anything up, mate," I assured him. "I know what your music means to you and any fool can see what it means to your fans. I want you to be successful and fulfilled; most of all I want you to be happy."

"You make me happy Mike," he replied, and for the first time in an age I saw that goofy grin I'd fallen in love with. "None of this means anything without you to share it."

"I wasn't expecting the Kenny Best bombshell ..." I ventured.

"I had to do it Mike," Ty replied. "I just needed to put it out there and deal with the wash-up. It gutted me to think I'd lost you, but I needed to stop hiding. I realised the people I care about most in the world knew about us, so it was time to stick up my hand and say `I'm a man who likes men, you're gonna have to deal with it'."

"Are you still glad you did it?"

"You bet. I feel ... free. It's liberating to be able to say `this is me' and not pretend I'm someone else. I was expecting some sort of backlash but there's really been nothing much at all. Mind you, I spent days wondering how you'd reacted to me saying your name."

"That was a surprise," I smiled.

"No repercussions?"

"The senior partner sent me away to the south coast for a few days to hide!"

"I'm sorry mate," Ty said softly. "I know you're probably not ready to be part of my public life, and that's OK, but I'm not going to pretend I don't have someone special in my life."

I remember glancing at the clock and realising it was 3:40. The next thing I knew, light was streaming into the lounge room and I could smell coffee. I eased my eyes open and saw that Ty was no longer opposite me. The clock told me it was now 7:17 and as I sat up and stretched, George walked into the room with coffee and toast.

"Mr. Hill has had his shower, sir," he said, as he handed me a towel and some toiletries. "He's taken Scruffy down to the beach to do his business. I suggest you take your coffee to the bathroom and clean yourself up."

I looked at George questioningly.

"Forgive me sir, but you look like a Yeti!" he explained.

I chuckled as I ran my hand over what was getting on for a full beard.

"I've laid out a razor and shaving cream for you. There are some clean clothes hanging on the back of the door, things you didn't pack when you ... moved. When you're ready, breakfast will be served on the balcony."

Even though he was taking care of everything as he always did, I could sense a real excitement in George that made me feel I was really welcomed home. Ty and I weren't out of the woods yet, not by a long shot, but I had a feeling we were heading in the right direction.

For now I headed in the direction of our en suite bathroom and as I walked into the bedroom we had shared I was touched to see on the bedside table a small framed photo of Ty and me in our Batman and Robin suits, taken at the farm at Christmas, before ... well, just before.

In the bathroom, I shaved off my heavy beard, surprising myself in the mirror by how much older it made me look. I stripped and stepped into the shower and stood as the hot water cleaned and relaxed my body. After washing my hair I stepped out and dried myself before dressing in the clothes George had left hanging on the hook behind the door. He'd thoughtfully left out a new toothbrush and some cologne so I made myself as presentable as I could and followed the smell of bacon and eggs to the kitchen.

George had laid on another of his spectacular breakfast buffets; cereals and sliced fruit, buttered muffins and croissants, bacon, eggs, sausages, freshly squeezed orange juice and percolated coffee. I helped him stack plates next to knives, forks, spoons and napkins as I watched Ty meandering along the beach back to the house with a panting Scruffy in tow.

Scruffy trotted through the back door first and again headed straight for me. He sat and offered me his paw as I crouched down to give him a pat. He was followed by Ty who chuckled and commented, "There's someone else who's missed you!"

"I've missed him too," I grinned, as Scruffy rolled onto his back for a tummy rub.

After we washed our hands, George steered us to the buffet where we loaded up our plates before moving to the table on the balcony. George poured coffee for us both and disappeared back into the kitchen.

"You're looking a bit fresher after your shower," Ty smiled.

"I feel better, too," I answered. "I think I've decided a beard doesn't suit me!"

We hoed into breakfast until we couldn't eat any more and Scruffy was excited to find that for once, there was leftover bacon. As George cleared the plates away, I stood at the balcony railing looking out to sea, reminding myself of how idyllic our beachfront home was. A few moments later, Ty joined me and we stood side by side, watching the gentle waves lap the shore.

The silence was broken when Ty turned and looked at me. "Do you remember Bedarra?" he asked.

"How could I forget?" I smiled.

"Occasionally the sound of the ocean here takes me back to that night."

"I remember the next morning. Day breaking, the birds chirping, me watching you sleep. I'd never really watched anyone sleeping until that day."

Ty looked at me intently and smiled. "I'd only known you a few days and already I was hopelessly in love with you."

"You wanted to pay me a commission on the publishing deal. Then you offered to pay for something I really wanted!"

Ty smirked. "You said, `OK, I'd really like you to kiss me again!"

We both sighed at the memory. "Do you remember how it went?" I asked.

"How could I forget?" Ty laughed as he leaned forward, drew my face to his and pressed his lips against mine. Once again it was a kiss so tender that it made my pulse race, and just like that night on the island, it was as if nothing else existed in the world.

It stopped only when George again cleared his throat. "There are people on the beach with cameras," he cautioned. "Best you two move indoors!"

We walked through the kitchen into the lounge room and again sat on opposite couches. It was Ty who resumed our discussion. "I've got the ARIAs tomorrow night and then next week rehearsals start for the tour," he said.

"How's the box office?" I asked. "Did the Kenny Best program affect ticket sales?"

"It's not sold out, but Vince seems pretty pleased," Ty replied. "We're about 75% full, so we're past break even. The TV ad campaign will kick back in for the last two weeks before the first concert, so it should be OK."

"When do you actually leave?"

"A week from Monday. The first show is in Perth next Thursday, and then it's Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle, the Gold Coast, and Brisbane. Twelve concerts in all."

"So everything's going to be pretty full-on for the next few weeks?"

"Yep," he sighed. "But the rehearsal schedule has been spaced out to allow me time for some sessions with Janet. Did you mean it when you said you'd come with me?"

"Of course I did mate," I assured him. "We've both got stuff we have to deal with and I think the sooner we get started the sooner we'll be able to move forward."

"There's one thing we need to talk about before then," Ty ventured. "The ... well, you know ..."

I knew, but I waited for him to say it.

"The ... punch."

I nodded and automatically ran my hand around my jaw as I recalled the moment.

"I don't know what to say," Ty said earnestly. "Sorry isn't nearly enough. I don't know why I did it, Mike. You know I'm not a fighter. It just came out of nowhere, and then I felt so ashamed of myself that I couldn't face up to it."

"You broke my tooth, mate," I said.

"I didn't know that at the time," Ty replied. "When I finally got back and you'd gone, I copped it from Scott. It was like the wrath of God. I've never seen him so angry, he went completely ape-shit."

"He was very upset when I left," I reflected.

"It got worse when Mum and Dad got home and Lachie arrived. Scott told them what had happened and I copped it from everyone, especially Lachlan. He couldn't believe you'd left because of what I did ..."

I let my mind return to the events of that day and the emotional rollercoaster it set me on. "Ty," I said softly, looking up. "I have to say this. That can never happen again. I can't commit to a relationship where assault is an issue."

Ty's eyes suddenly filled with tears. "I know that Mike," he said. "If only you knew the regret I've lived with because of that moment. I promise you it will NEVER happen again. I've been working with Janet to figure out why I did it and to put things in place so that I deal with a problem when it arises instead of lashing out."

"You know, Ty," I said, "I tried for a while to pass it off, convince myself it happens all the time ... in any Aussie pub ... loud and angry, fists flying, over in seconds. But Ty, it was more than that. It was driven by something dark. It was ... it was like you hated me. No, the truth is you did hate me in that moment."

Ty quickly tried to reassure me. "I could never hate you Mike," he stressed. "Never. I was resentful and I felt like I was useless ..."

We stopped talking when George walked in with a pot of tea and a plate of ribbon sandwiches.

"We only had breakfast an hour ago George!" I laughed.

"I know sir, but I have to do something in the kitchen. It's good to be preparing meals again. Mr. Hill's been living on toast, take-away pizza, and beer."

Ty and I had tea and a couple of sandwich strips before Ty laid back on the couch. "Man I'm tired," he yawned.

His yawn triggered mine and I lay back against the cushions. "So am I," I said drowsily as I rubbed my eyes. The house was so quiet and when I heard Ty start to snore softly, I started nodding off ...

I was enjoying a peaceful sleep, conscious of the fact that for the first time in weeks I had been able to drift off without a heavy heart. I had no idea what time it was when I found myself being gently pulled back from my slumber.

Ty was kissing me! His lips felt warm and wet against mine and with my eyes still closed I sank into it.

I was surprised to find Ty's ardor was making me horny. I was even more surprised when Ty started to lick my face. Oddly, his beard felt prickly. Then I remembered he was clean-shaven at breakfast, so that could only mean ... shit!

My eyes flew open and I pushed myself back into the couch to escape Scruffy's drooling tongue. I was still in shock when I heard a sudden burst of uncontrolled laughter from across the coffee table. I looked up to see Ty splitting his sides.

"Mate!" he guffawed. "That was so fuckin' funny! You had this stupid little smile on your face! ..."

"Scruffy's never done that before!" I exclaimed.

"It's because you had a bit of chicken and mayo on your lip from the sandwiches earlier!"

I patted Scruffy and push him down to the floor before wiping my face thoroughly on a napkin. "Just for the record," I grinned, "you're a better kisser."

"I know!"

I stood and stretched, and yawned again. Ty followed suit and as we looked at one another across the table Ty said, "There's just one thing I still don't really understand mate," he said cautiously.

"What's that?"

"I don't want you to think I'm trying to shift any blame here, but I don't get why you allowed this to happen. Why you let me get away with the way I was behaving. That's not an excuse of course, but I think if you'd been more, I dunno, confrontational with me, I might have pulled my head in."

"I'm not a confrontational person Ty," I said. "I end up dealing with everything as a lawyer, staying calm at all costs."

"Seriously mate, there's another thing that bothers me. When I punched you, you really should have clobbered me back. I don't know for the life of me why you didn't. If you had, we could have seen it as a punch-up between mates and maybe I'd have come to my senses and stopped behaving like an arse."

"I don't fight, Ty. I never have. Even with Steve when we were little. He'd try to pick a fight me with and I'd negotiate my way out of it."

"You didn't even yell at me," Ty continued. "The most you ever did was raise your voice and even then, it was only once or twice. If you'd lost your shit at me, I'd probably have paid attention."

I went to speak, but closed my mouth when it occurred to me that Ty was right. I had always avoided confrontation.

"You never even got angry. You just let me go on being more and more of an asshole," he said.

He walked around the coffee table and stood in front of me. Without warning, he jabbed me in the chest, hard. "What you should have done was go ballistic at me, or threaten to leave. It would have forced me to think about what I was doing."

I stepped back. Ty stepped forward. He poked his fingers into my chest again. "You need to just stand up sometimes Mike, and tell me when I'm fucking up. It might mean an argument, but that's way better than what ended up happening."

I shrugged. "I guess ..."

Ty looked at me and rolled his eyes. He reached out and pulled my head towards him. He kissed me quickly but tenderly and then pulled back. He stared at me and then pulled me back into a second kiss, only this time he bit my bottom lip – hard - and pulled it back with his teeth.

I tasted blood as I pulled back from him. Startled, I held my hand to my lip and asked, "What did you do that for?"

"Because I can," he smirked. "It's not like you're gonna stop me is it, Mr. Lawyer? You'll just stay calm."

I wasn't quite sure what Ty was getting at. I picked up a napkin to dab my lip. "I've got blood on my shirt now," I sighed.

Ty grinned at me. "That's terrible, Mike," he said, as he reached in and grabbed my shirt, tearing it open as buttons flew from top to bottom.

I was shocked and for a moment, angry. "What did you do that for?" I yelled at him.

"Because I can, apparently."

"It's an Armani!"

"Shame!"

"You can buy me a new one!"

"Nah, don't think so."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?" he asked as he reached out lightly slapped me on the side of my head.

"That!" I spluttered.

"Oh sorry, wrong side," he replied as he slapped me on the other side of the head.

I was starting to get pissed off. I pushed him backward and said "Cut it out!"

"Or what?" he grinned. "You gonna punch me? You wouldn't dare!"

"Knock it off Ty," I said lamely.

He stepped forward and pinched my exposed nipple. As I grimaced, he pulled my head towards him again and this time, he licked my bottom lip.

"Blood!" he said as his eyes blazed into mine. "Your boyfriend's a very nasty man! You wanna fuck him?"

"What?"

"Do you wanna fuck me?"

"Well, I mean ... um ..."

"I think you should."

"I'm not ... well, I don't think ..."

Ty lowered his hand and grabbed my crotch. "I think you want to," he smirked. "Your cock's hard!"

He had a point.

Before I could respond, the kitchen door flew open and George walked in, dressed in his coat and scarf with wallet in hand.

We both looked at him as he looked at us.

"Foreplay's changed a lot in the last 50 years," he deadpanned. "Time I was leaving. Henri and I are going to catch the afternoon session of Wish You Were Here' and because you two probably Wish I Wasn't Here', I'll leave you alone to behave disgracefully."

Ty grinned. "I think Mike's gonna fuck me, George," he taunted.

"Very good, sir," George chirped as he walked out the front door. "Don't make too much mess. I'll be home around six."

When Ty looked back at me I reached out and twisted his ear.

"Ouch!" he gasped.

I picked up a glass of water and threw it at Ty's top half, making him recoil. "Better get you out of these wet clothes before you catch a cold!" I said.

Ty stepped back and started to undress. With my eyes locked on his, I did the same. We were down to our boxers when we suddenly rushed towards the bedroom ...

As the door slammed behind us, everything became a blur; a frenzy of ripped satin shorts, tangled limbs and lip locks. Pillows and covers went flying as we hit the bed and rolled backwards and forwards on top of each other, hands frantically roaming over each other's naked bodies.

There was no wooing, no foreplay, just two sex-starved men desperate to sate pent-up urges. As I lay on top of Ty, pinning his arms, I kissed him forcibly, leaving his lips and chin smeared with the blood that still seeped from my bottom lip.

I covered his face and neck with kisses as he grabbed my shoulders and clung to me for dear life. He wrapped his legs around my waist and lifted his ass off the mattress, giving my throbbing cock easy access. With my tongue half way down his throat, I thrust my hips and we both groaned loudly as I sank inside him in one fluid movement.

Sheer pleasure made my whole body slump. For one brief moment I felt like I was astral travelling, so exquisite was that familiar feeling that overwhelmed me every time Ty and I made love; he and I were so physically in tune. The fuck was frantic, each of us trying desperately to please the other and yet racing to get rid of that itch that hadn't been scratched for many weeks.

This was never going to be a languid, drawn-out afternoon session. It had been so long since I'd had any sexual release that I lasted only a couple of minutes. Ty wasn't much better. We'd probably have laughed if we weren't feeling so euphoric.

I stayed with my arms wrapped around Ty while I came down from my high. He kept his legs wrapped around me and his arms held me tight. Our interrelationship skills may need some work, but the intimate side of our partnership was as mind-blowingly perfect as it had been that first time, off the coast of Queensland.

We eventually disentangled and lay holding each other for a long time before I rolled on to my back. I loved it when Ty immediately and instinctively turned and rested his head on my chest. I wondered if he knew how much that simple gesture had always meant to me?

For the next hour or so, as I ran my fingers through his curls and he stroked the hair on my chest, we talked. Ty wanted to know where I'd been and what I'd been doing these past weeks and why I wasn't working. I needed to know how his family felt about his public outing and why he hadn't once called me.

We filled in some gaps before Ty asked me, completely out of the blue, whether I'd ever thought about us growing old together. I was shocked to realise I hadn't. Because he was the love of my life, I'd just assumed we would always be together. Being part of the forever young' generation, I didn't ever think about the growing old' bit.

Ty and me in our late fifties together? We'd be Lachlan's and Ellie's kids' old gay uncles. Would we still be doing what we were doing now? Would I still be an entertainment lawyer? Would Ty still be making music and topping the charts? Would either of us get sick and not be able to work?

I had no immediate answers, so I handballed it back to Ty. How did he feel about staying with me as time took its toll? Would we have this connection five years from now? Ten? Twenty?

Ty was silent for a while and then he sighed. "I was never a play-the-field' kind of guy Mike. I guess I want to be like my Mum and Dad, find that perfect' partner and spend my life with him. I found him. So yeah, I hope I'm with you fifty years from now. I want to think you're always gonna love me and I'm always gonna want to come home to you."

Yeah, there was a little tear. Just a small one; mine. Then we kissed and made love again, slowly and tenderly this time.

We were still embracing when the sun started to sink and the sunlight patterns on the bedroom walls began to change. We didn't disengage when we heard George return home and even though our door was closed, we knew he was taking off his coat in the foyer and hanging it on the coat rack, followed by his scarf and his umbrella. He walked into the kitchen, made a bit of noise shifting cooking utensils and plates and then knocked on our door.

"Come in George," I called.

"Did you enjoy your nap, sirs?" he asked as he walked into the room and surveyed the damage.

"We were very tired George," I chuckled.

"Did you and Henri enjoy `Wish You Were Here'?" Ty asked.

"Marvellous, sir," George replied. "Joel Edgerton has come a long way since Water Rats'. He was runner-up to you in Cosmopolitan's Dream Boat Top 10', Mr. Hill."

"How do you even know that, George?" Ty laughed.

"I'm widely read, sir," George deadpanned. "Surprising, I know..."

"Are you going to feed us, George?" I asked.

"Of course, Mr. Stewart. I'm making prawn tempura with garlic aioli, Moroccan potatoes and a warm root vegetable stack served with a side plate of every green vegetable known to man, followed by vanilla bean ice cream with chocolate sauce and fresh honeycomb."

"Go George!" Ty laughed. "If Scotty was here, he'd have a boner!"

"Thanks for the visual, sir," George smiled. "Dinner will be ready in an hour."

We waited until George left the room before we snuck in a few more kisses. We left it to the last minute before jumping in the shower and cleaning up, redressing and following the food smells to the balcony. George had set the table using our best crockery and the best crystal. We knew immediately he was trying to make this a special night.

We coerced George into joining us for his amazing meal, and the conversation flowed. Ty and I were aware that George was inventing opportunities to weave into the conversation many great memories for the two of us. It reminded us how much he cared for us and how well he knew us individually and as a couple.

The reminiscing died off around the time the ice cream was served; ice cream for Ty was a religious experience, and the ritual needed to be observed. Coffee and more wine followed and when everything was finished, we were shooed off to bed while George cleaned up. We were both tired, so while we kissed and ran our hands over each other's body, there was no late night lovemaking for Ty and me.

As we turned on our sides, I pulled Ty in close and wrapped my arms around him. I drifted off to sleep feeling the happiest I had been for many weeks, and certain I would wake in the morning to a future with this beautiful man ...

I woke with Ty's head on my chest. It didn't seem to matter how I turned in the night, Ty always found his way back to the position we'd established as perfect for us, right from the start. I enjoyed feeling Ty's breath on my abdomen as I thought about the day ahead. It was ARIAs night and Ty was about to take centre stage again. A few days later, his national tour would take him away from me for another three weeks.

As Ty slept, I mulled over what might happen next. I was keen for us to start seeing Janet as a couple as soon as possible, but Ty's schedule meant we couldn't establish a pattern with her for at least a month. In the meantime, I needed to return to work and show Max that his faith in me was justified.

I was still thinking these things through when curly top started to stir. He stretched a little, looked up at me with sleepy eyes and smiled. He craned his neck and kissed me lightly on the lips. "That was the best sleep I've had for a while!" he grinned.

I was about to kiss him back when our 8:00a.m. door knock came. George walked in, opened the curtains and announced that breakfast would be served in 30 minutes. We disentangled and headed to the bathroom. Ty took a long leak while I shaved and then he joined me in the shower where we had fun washing each other. Yesterday's urgent lovemaking had not left us in any urgent need of sexual satisfaction and we were content to reacquaint ourselves with each other's relaxed junk.

We dressed and headed to the balcony where George and Scruffy were waiting. We started breakfast with freshly squeezed orange juice and coffee before George served us mushroom and spinach omelettes with sides of fried cherry tomatoes and hash browns.

"What are you wearing for the awards?" I asked Ty.

"Monique's had a suit made for me by that tailor in Double Bay who has my measurements," he answered. "She reckons it'll be great. I didn't really care, so I guess I'll find out when I turn up today."

"Are you just there as a nominee or are you presenting?"

"Nah, but I'm singing this year. All the nominees for "Best Selling Single' are doing the song they're nominated for."

"`Angels On High'?" I asked.

"Yeah. You know that `Until You Came Along' is up for Best Male Artist?"

"I didn't! That's great!"

Ty took a bite out of his muffin and swallowed another mouthful of coffee before asking quietly, "I don't guess you'd think about coming with me?"

I was momentarily thrown by the question, but I decided I'd answer honestly. "I'm not quite ready for it, mate," I said.

He tried not to show it but I knew Ty was disappointed. "It's your night, Ty," I qualified. "If we play the here's Mike' card tonight, there'll be no focus on your music. It'll be here's the rock star's boyfriend'. I'm not sure I want to be in tomorrow's daily papers as the `mystery guy'. I've got some stuff to work out with this. I don't wanna be David Furnish just yet."

"That's cool," Ty sighed. "I'll just look forward to coming home tonight and letting you polish my trophy!"

I hesitated. "I was planning on going back to my apartment," I said.

"Oh."

"Well, I ... I just thought maybe we should give each other some space. We'll have some sessions with Janet, and then see where we are."

Ty slumped a little. "I just figured ..." he began. "After yesterday ... I thought maybe we'd be able to start again."

A huge sigh from George stopped me replying. He looked at both of us and then stomped into the kitchen.

"Did I miss something?" I asked Ty.

"No idea!" he replied.

I started to tell Ty that it might be a mistake if we simply `normalised' our situation before we found out where our danger zones were, when George appeared on the balcony with two glasses of iced water which he placed on the table at the same time as he dropped an envelope between us.

I looked at Ty quizzically as George returned indoors. Ty shrugged and I pushed the envelope towards him. He tore it open and recoiled.

"GEORGE?" he thundered. "You're resigning??"

I'm not sure which of us was more shocked. George was drying a platter when he walked back onto the balcony. "Floppy and I have decided we may as well go back to the Gold Coast," he stated matter-of-factly.

"But," Ty stumbled, "we need you George!"

"Clearly you don't sir," George corrected.

"Why?"

"Well if you're not going to be living together, I don't really have a job."

Ty hopped in with, "Even if it's just me here George, I still need you."

"Forgive me sir," George replied. "But that's a crock of shit!"

"Excuse me?"

"Well, for the past few weeks I've put up with you moping around the house. You haven't wanted me to cook for you because the pimply boy at Pizza Hut has become your new chef. I haven't been needed to clean your bedroom because you've slept on the couch most nights because you can't face sleeping in your bed without Mr. Stewart. The only real washing I've done for you is undies, track suit pants and smelly tee shirts. You don't need a housekeeper ..."

"We'd be lost without you George," I offered. "You can't leave us ..."

"Us?" George asked. "You living in the city and Mr. Hill on tour and then him coming back to Point Piper to sloth around the house some more? Where's the `us' in that? I can't see why I'm here."

"Are you serious, George?" I asked, shocked. "There's nothing we can do? ..."

"Yes of course there's something you can do," George said, rolling his eyes. "You can go back to your apartment, pack up your things and move back to your home. Today! It's commendable that you're going to do couples counseling, but no real progress can be made unless the two of you are living together and learning new ways of coping – together - with everything that happens in your lives."

I think Ty was as stunned as I was, but it was Ty who found his tongue first. "I'd love you to come home, mate," he admitted. "If I know I've got you to come home to, then everything's gonna be OK. It's up to you."

I needed a moment to think, aware two sets of eyes were on me. It didn't take too long.

"You'll stay if I move back?" I asked George.

"I will," George promised.

"OK, I'll move home," I said, as Ty leaned in and bumped fists with me.

George rolled his eyes and turned towards the kitchen. "Young people!" he mumbled as he moved indoors.

I sat on the bed and watched as Ty walked around in circles, trying to fill a bag with everything he needed for the evening's awards telecast. He packed things and then unpacked them, and scratched his head a lot.

I smiled as I called out, "George!"

In he marched, picked up Ty's bag and dropped it on the floor. "I've packed a case for you, sir," he told Ty. "It's in the hallway. There's a dinner suit, shirt and tie, in case you don't like the outfit that's been made for you. There are jeans, a shirt and jacket for leaving the hotel, a bag of regular toiletries and a separate wet pack with your stage stuff. There's an envelope with publicity photos in it and some felt pens for signing. A few copies of `Hill Songs' in case you need them and some throat lozenges in the zip pocket in case your throat gives you trouble ..."

"Man, you're a fucking legend ..." Ty marvelled.

"Yes sir," George said dismissively. "I called Monique. You're in 3205, the penthouse. Your parents are in 2912, Lachlan and Ellie are in 2914, I'm next to them in 2916, Steve and Fran are in 2918, Scott and Simon are in 2922 and Vince and Consuela are in 2924."

"Who's Consuela?" Ty asked.

"The Artist Previously Known As Miss Can't-Sing-A-Note," George sighed.

"Of course."

"I checked with the hotel and the buffet breakfast is included for all your guests," George continued. "Monique has a media schedule and your radio interviews start at 7:50a.m. Eight are confirmed, and at 9:45 you're required for a `group hug' with the other winners for the cameras. You'll check out at 11:00 and a driver will pick you up. Lachlan and Ellie have their car and cab vouchers have been arranged for the rest of the family to get back here."

"I'll never remember all that!" Ty groaned.

"I've typed it all up and printed it out for you and it's on the top of your clothes in the suitcase, sir," George replied patiently. "I've printed out Monique's media call sheet as well. The conferencing centre will connect calls straight through to your room at approximately 20 minute intervals."

"Is that everything?" Ty asked, exasperated.

"If I've forgotten anything," George deadpanned, "have me flogged."

"I love you George," Ty grinned.

"Yes, of course you do," George tutted as he swept from the room. "All the pretty boys do."

By now I'd laid on the bed watching George in full flight. Ty came and joined me.

"He's awesome!" Ty sighed.

"That he is," I agreed.

We were silent for a while when I asked suddenly, "Ty, are we doing the right thing?"

"Meaning?"

"Should I really be moving home?"

Ty rolled on his side, propped up by an arm. "We can make it, Mike," he whispered. "I need you to trust me. You make me want to wake up in the morning. It would be really helpful if you were actually here in the morning!"

He leaned in and kissed me lightly. I reached out and pulled his head closer, into a deeper more mind- blowing kiss. We were about to start groping each other when George appeared. "No time for that!" he said, clapping his hands. "Your sound check is in 45 minutes Mr. Hill, which means you need to be leaving here in the next ten minutes."

Ty sighed.

"And Mr. Stewart, you need to start moving your things back from the city. It might take a few trips. I'll be leaving for the hotel with Mr. Hill, to get the babies settled, so I've made you spinach and ricotta Cannelloni with a mango and avocado salad. There's some Coldstream Hills chardonnay in the fridge."

"Thanks George," I said, as I ran my fingers through Ty's hair and my morning whiskers across his right cheek. "You're the best!"

"Will I still be the best when I pour a bucket of iced water over you both?" he asked. "That's going to happen in about three minutes."

Ty and I quickly sat up and got off the bed. We heard an engine in the driveway and looked at George. "It's your driver, sir."

"Give us 10 minutes, mate," Ty pleaded.

George closed the door and Ty turned to me. "Mate," he said, as he clasped my face in his hands. "Thank you. Thank you for hanging on to us. We're going to be OK, I swear. Short term I know we've got work to do but long term I just wanna love you and know that you love me."

I smiled, as much as my squashed face would allow. "You gonna kiss me?" I asked.

"I wanna do so much more than just kiss you," Ty replied as he locked lips with me. "But the Gestapo's on my case! Gotta go ..."

"So everyone's coming back here tomorrow morning?" I asked tentatively.

"Yeah," Ty smirked. "They're so gonna be over the moon when they see you!"

"You're not telling them?"

"Nah, thought I'd make it a surprise. You know they'll be more stoked to see you than they will be if I win any awards!"

"Well make the most of it while it lasts, mate!" I grinned. "Good luck!"

The door opened and George started tapping his foot. "We need to be leaving, sir," he said.

"OK, OK," Ty sighed. "I'm leaving."

"I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Stewart," George said. Before he headed out the door, he hugged me quickly. "It's good to have you home, sir," he said. "You both need to start realising how perfect you are for one another."

"Thanks George," I smiled. "I really can't imagine how we'd be without you bullying us! You gave us a scare you know ..."

"Scary George!" he chuckled. "I like it ..."

It felt strange to be suddenly alone in the house, but it was a good strange. I was home! I made a coffee and sat on the balcony where I was joined by Scruffy, who rested his face on my leg and waited for a pat. To complete the picture, Floppy suddenly glided up the stairs and jumped up on to the chair next to me.

"Hey Flops!" I smiled, tickling her under the chin. "It's just us animals for the next 24 hours. Enjoy it while it lasts!"

In the kitchen I located my wallet and keys. Grabbing my phone, I realised it had been turned off since I arrived, which explained why there had been no calls. Switching it on, I had several message alerts. My brother had rung once and left a message and I had three missed calls from Max, who was concerned about where I was.

I called the office, but was told Max was in a client meeting. I was put through to his secretary Trish who told me Max was keen to speak to me.

"Don't interrupt his meeting, Trish," I told her. "I'm heading into the city and I'll swing by the office. Will Max be free in an hour?"

"I'll make certain he is," she assured me.

I called Steve and had to think of a quick excuse why I couldn't catch up with him for lunch. I invented a couple of appointments that couldn't be changed. "Let's do something tomorrow, mate," I said. "We can speak in the morning?"

"Not too early, eh?" he asked. "Got a feeling it's gonna be a big night."

"Don't party too hard," I laughed, "or you'll have Lachlan breathing down your neck!"

"Don't I know it!" he chuckled. "I'll behave. I'm just stoked to be going to the ARIAs. I've never been to anything this top class before!"

"You'll have a blast, Steve," I assured him. "Have a great night. Talk tomorrow."

I gave my animal friends a treat each, locked up the house and headed into town. I pulled up at the office and found a parking spot in the street; I wasn't intending to spend long with Max so it seemed pointless going through the rigmarole of accessing the basement car park.

As I walked out of the lift I was pleased to see Anita back at the front desk. "Hey Michael!" she said cheerfully. "Long time no see!"

"Welcome back Anita. Did you have a good break?"

"My husband and I went to Thailand and had a great time!"

Trish stuck her head around the corner and said, "Max is waiting."

I walked in to Max's office and closed the door. As we shook hands, Max asked, "Is everything alright? You haven't been answering your phone."

"Everything's great Max," I assured him, as I went on to fill him in on the latest turn of events.

"So, everything's OK between you and lover boy then?" Max asked with a smile.

"It will be," I nodded. "We're going to do some sessions with a therapist just to get us back on track, but I feel really positive Max."

"I'm glad, Mike," Max replied. "I've always had confidence in your ability to do the right thing and if this feels right for you, then go for it!"

"I want to thank you, Max," I said, trying not to be emotional. "You helped me through the worst of it and I really appreciate the fact you were there."

"Just protecting my investment!" Max said dismissively. "So, what's next?"

"Well actually, I want to come back to work," I said.

"You've still got another three weeks if you want them," he responded.

"I know, but I'm ready to get back on the horse," I grinned. "Ty's away on tour from Monday week, so it seems like a good time for me to ease myself back into the workforce."

"That's great news, son," Max smiled. "Give me a call the weekend before you start back and I'll give you a head's up on where everything's sitting."

"I will," I said as I stood to leave. "When the tour's over, how about you come and have dinner with Ty and me at our place?"

"I'll look forward to it, Mike," Max said. "I can get my CDs signed!"

A short time later I was back in Castlereagh Street riding the lift to the 15th floor of my apartment block. I looked around at the space that had been `home' for the past couple of months and realized for the first time just how sad I'd felt while living here.

With a month still to go on the lease there was no rush to clear it out, so I decided to leave the goods and chattels for another time and packed just my clothes, toiletries, and personal effects into two suitcases. I changed into gym gear and decided to use the facility downstairs one final time.

I started with the treadmill and graduated to the bike and then lifted weights. An hour and a half later I ended my session with a good sweat in the sauna. I'd showered and was changing when my mobile rang. The caller ID was blocked, but I knew it would be Ty.

"Hey," I said as I flopped down on the bench under my locker.

"Hey mate, whatcha doing?"

"I've just finished a couple of hours in the gym," I said. "George's cooking is going to make me fat!"

"Which gym?"

"There's one in the apartment block in Castlereagh Street and I felt like a bit of exercise. How are things going with you?"

"I've had one quick rehearsal. Sound check is in about an hour. I've just been with Mum and Dad in their suite, explaining how all the `new fangled gadgets' work! They're not used to automatic blinds or the Internet through the TV set!"

"What are you all doing for dinner?"

"Lachie, Ellie, Scott and Simon are all eating at the restaurant downstairs. I was going to go with them but there are too many fans hanging around. It turns into a circus, so I'll eat in my suite with Mum and Dad. I wanted them to go out for dinner too, but Mum wants to be close to the twins."

"I thought George was looking after them?"

"He is and he does a great job, but you know Mum!"

I heard Ty speak quickly to someone. "I've gotta do some more photos, mate," he sighed.

"You go," I said. "Good luck Ty. I'll be rooting for you!"

"I wish you wouldn't say things like that!" he whispered into the phone. "My trousers are tight enough as it is!"

I was back at Point Piper by 6:00pm and judging by the attention I was being paid by my four-legged housemates, it was clearly their dinner time. I had just settled on the couch with some cheese and grapes and a glass of wine when my mobile rang again. This time it was George.

"I'm just checking that everything's alright, sir," he said.

"No you're not George. You're just checking that I've moved my things back!"

"That didn't even enter my mind!" George exclaimed. "Have you?"

"Yes, George. I've not been back long from the apartment. Everything OK there?"

"Yes sir," George replied. "The babies have been changed and fed. Rodney is sleeping but Matthew wants to play. The rattle, in his world, is the best invention ever!"

I heard a doorbell ring and George sighed. "That'll be Dorothy," he groaned. "She keeps inventing reasons to come to Lachlan's room, just so she can check on the children."

"She's just being a good Grandma, George," I chuckled.

"That's what Little Red Riding Hood thought, sir!" George sighed.

I sat on the couch with Scruffy at my feet and Floppy on my lap watching the evening news and the start of a current affairs program before deposing the cat and getting my meal organized so I could eat and watch the start of the ARIAs.

I was seated just in time to see the end of the red carpet arrivals. It always amused me that for red carpets, the stars were already staying at the hotel, so they would all be herded into the basement and put in limousines leaving at five minute intervals, to drive around the block and pull up at the hotel for their grand entrance!

A who's who of Australian rock made their way from the cavalcade to the ballroom, waving to the crowds and posing for photographs along the way. I was just beginning to think I'd missed Ty when the cameras found him, flanked by his brothers as he walked from the limo. He seemed to be causing a commotion as fans surged towards him but were restrained by security officers.

He stood and posed for photographs and moved off the carpet briefly to shake hands with those fans that were close enough to touch him. In the background I saw Steve, Simon and the girls, and to one side trying to avoid any fuss were Dot and Frank looking delightfully bewildered.

A long ad break later, the awards ceremony was underway. The host did his welcome and his warm up, clips were played of the big names and the cameras panned the room focussing on expectant nominees. The close up of Ty saw him leaning over and putting his arm around his Mum.

The host couldn't resist a Tyson Hill joke-de-jour. "Do you like my jacket?" he asked, drawing attention to a tailored red blazer with velvet trim. The audience applauded their approval.

"They had a gold lame jacket waiting in my dressing room, but I didn't like it. I took it back to the wardrobe department, but there was nobody there. I opened the closet and I found this! And this year, Tyson Hill wasn't hiding in there!"

The gag got a groan and a polite round of applause. A quick camera shot of the Hill table thankfully caught almost everyone smiling. If Ty was thrown, it didn't show.

Two guest hosts were introduced and it was straight into the first of the major awards, for Highest Selling Single. With "Angels on High", Ty faced some tough competition from - amongst others - Gotye, Guy Sebastian, Havana Brown and Jessica Mauboy, most of whom had `featured guests' on their tracks.

The presenters, Good Charlotte's Joel and Benji Madden, dragged it out as long as they could, between clips of the songs, before one of them – can never tell the difference – made the big announcement. "The winner of the ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single is ... Tyson Hill, for "Angels on High".

The room erupted as Ty was seen being congratulated by his family before he stood and made his way to the podium. He was handed his award and made a heart-felt speech thanking Vince and his team for their "endless support", his record company, his family, and his fans.

The awards rolled on with winners announced for many categories in which Ty wasn't nominated. In every second ad break I noted the record company had placed ads for Ty's `Greatest Hits' album and the tour. It was only after the half way mark, when the cameras scoured the room again that I spotted Daniel and his Mum Mandy at the table next to Ty. How handsome Daniel looked in his dinner suit, with his matching black beanie.

Surprisingly, Ty wasn't included in the list of nominees for Single of the Year. It was followed by Album of the Year, for which he was competing with the likes of Boy & Bear, Eskimo Joe, and `Gurrumul'. This would surely be close. I held my breath as Delta Goodrem opened the envelope and I expelled it in a great burst when Ty's name wasn't announced.

A short while later, two ABC breakfast radio hosts read out the nominees for Best Rock Album, which pitted Ty against the likes of Eskimo Joe, Jebediah and The Living End. After a montage of clips by each artist, the younger of the hosts announced, "The ARIA goes to ... Tyson Hill for `Hill Songs'!"

This time Ty thanked the musicians who played on his album, the backing singers, his producer and engineer, and the fans who had remained loyal to him from the very start.

The award for Highest Selling Album also eluded Ty, going instead to `Get Closer' by Keith Urban. After a great speech, Urban made his way through the crowd, stopping to shake hands with Altiyan Childs, Angus and Julia Stone, and Ty. Urban and Ty hugged and I laughed at the look of undisguised elation on my brother Steve's face, being so close to another of his musical idols.

Half an hour later, after four of the five nominees for Best Male Artist had performed the songs for which they were nominated, it was Ty's turn. He was announced and strode on stage looking every inch the smouldering rock God. Monique had done a superb job dressing him. He was resplendent in what appeared to be a form-fitting charcoal grey herringbone suit with the thinnest of white threads running through it, a light blue silk shirt with the top button undone and a dark blue silk jacquard tie with a repeated geometric motif.

He launched into "Until You Came Along" and gave it everything he had, bringing the audience to its feet as he took his bows. I knew the stage manager would keep Ty in the wings as the show went to a commercial break just in case he won Best Male Artist, which was coming up next.

I took a quick leak and poured another wine during the break and was alerted to a text message on my phone as I sat back down on the couch. It was Ty: `If I win, this one's for you mate! I love you.'

The presenter, one of MTV's many rock jocks, dragged it out by first voicing the roll call of industry people who had passed away during the previous 12 months, as tribute footage rolled. Then it was on to the big award and each contender was announced.

Ty's biggest competition was Josh Pyke for "No One Wants a Lover" and Gotye for "Somebody That I Used to Know", both great tracks. I figured that Ty had already won two major awards and if this one went to somebody else he should still be well pleased. I was sure he felt the same.

The presenter read through the nominations which were accompanied by clips of their songs and then the big moment came. He played the tease by opening the envelope, gasping and then closing it again, to scattered `boos' from the audience.

"Ok, OK," he said. "I'll put you guys out of your misery. The winner of this year's Best Male Artist ARIA is ... the king of cool ... Mr. Tyson Hill, for `Until You Came Along'."

Once again the audience was on its feet and a visibly ebullient Ty walked on from the wings, his arms outstretched in a show of gratitude to his music industry contemporaries.

He held his trophy high for the photographers and as the applause died down and the audience took their seats, he spoke. "Right up front, I want to salute my fellow nominees, all equally deserving of this award as I am. Josh, mate, that album of yours is on high rotation in my car! As for my song, `Until You Came Along', you may remember I recently mentioned on national television that there has only been one person I've ever loved with all my heart ..."

Ty stood back as the audience began to clap and he waited. Stepping back to the microphone, he continued, "I wrote `Until You Came Along' for him. Michael this one's for you, mate!" He once again held the trophy high, stepped back, bowed, and strolled off stage with the presenter to a play-off of his hit song.

I was beside myself with excitement that Ty had nailed one of the biggest awards of the night and had to stop myself calling him, knowing that he'd be facing journalists in the media room. I received an over-the-top text from Steve who was stoked that the song Ty had written for me was an award-winner, and George also texted to share his elation. His message was quickly followed by a photo of Roddy and Matty in their shared cot, swathed in bunny rugs and fast asleep. The accompanying text read, "Apparently not everybody cares!"

The telecast came to an end and as the credits rolled, the cameras switched to the media room where Ty was centre stage. I caught him pulling Daniel up on to the dais with him and then standing back to give his teenage mate his moment in the spotlight.

A few minutes later, Ty called and I was able to quickly congratulate him. He sounded happy and calm. "I can't talk for long," he called above the din. "I've got to go and do the whole photo thing now and then there's the after party. Just wanted to share the moment with you, mate. Our song won! Woo hoo!"

"I'm so happy for you Ty," I exclaimed. "You did good. I love you, mate."

"Right back at ya, Mike!" he yelled. "Gotta go, things are insane here. Can't wait to get all this done so I can be with you at home!"

We disconnected the call and as I got ready for bed I thought about tomorrow, when Ty's family would be leaving the hotel. They were in for a surprise when they arrived at the house and came face to face with me for the first time in many long weeks.

As I was to learn, I was in for a couple of surprises myself ...

Always happy to have your feedback. marcusis32@live.com.au

FOOTNOTE:

You can hear other versions of songs referenced in this chapter via the following links:

• "This Kiss" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajCmPTZ5K7w