Gentle readers, we're jumping forward a couple of weeks . We're a few weeks before davey's marathon, and we'll begin at the airport, where Richard, davey, Clara, Sam, and Travis, are waiting for Mikel's plane to land.
In the weeks coming up to this, there had been more emails, and more nerves, than anyone had ever remembered at the house. Davey was the center of calm: he had to be. He was running the full 26 miles now, and getting confidence. He kept buttoned up a question that he dared not ask Richie: where was davey's place, when Mikel got here? From what he could tell, nothing had changed. And then it did. For the better. One day, Harris took him aside.
"We need to go out and get a soccer ball davey. I was - what do they call it - face booking - with Mikel, and he told me how much he loves soccer. Well, at least for a little while, we're going to have to keep him occupied and tired." Davey laughed. "Soccer, sir? I can't imagine you playing soccer"
"And you won't have to davey. I told him his dad davey was going to learn how to play from him?" "He did say 'his dad' davey thought to himself): "ME? But I don't know anything about soccer." "Well, you'll learn. Look, you're the jock in this house, and honestly davey." He put his hands on davey's shoulders and looked in his eyes. "You had your adolescence taken from you when you married Heather. I can't give that back to you. Maybe Mikel can."
Davey looked at him "Sir, I don't know what to say." Richard went on "Davey, you have that tv at home . Have you ever watched that show "Modern Family?" "Once in a while sir. I do like it. The old man reminds me of you." He grinned. Harris went on "Well, Phil reminds me of you. He's an adult, but he never lost his childlike spirit. You have yours. It's buried. We gotta get it out. " Richard remembered his 'everready bunny" jumping around for field trip day, and how much fun he had that day. It wasn't staged.
"Well, ok sir. If Mikel's jock dad has to do it, I'll do it." He kissed Richard. "But you're gonna come out there once in a while. I'll even find you a Polish soccer uniform." "DON'T YOU DARE" . There wasn't a soccer team at school - not enough interest - but there were pick up games all the time. Davey went and watched, and occasionally, if the older kids were playing, he asked if he could join in. He enjoyed it. He had to be careful, with the race coming up, but little by little, he learned something. Coach Jackson saw it happening. 'CANNON IF I LOSE YOU TO ANOTHER SPORT." Davey laughed "No no, Coach. It's something different." When he told his boss, the boss smiled. "FUCK. DAVEY'S GONNA BE DAD DAVEY. WITHOUT THE DIAPERS. DAMN."
So here they were, waiting for the flight to arrive. It came in, and the passengers began to disperse.
"It's him. There's MIkel. MIKEL!!!! MIKEL!!!!" Richard was yelling across the hall. Everyone heard him, including Mikel, and he ran over "DAD. OH MY. DAD. " He hugged him. "THANK YOU FOR BRINGING ME HOME." Richard began to cry, and so did everyone else. When he recovered, he kissed Mikel, on each cheek, and then his mouth. Mikel smiled. "Don't you Americans do this?" and he held out his hand for shaking. "Well, yes, we do, but for our loved ones and our family, we DO kiss. Now, let me introduce you to the rest of the family. First, here's Carla." She came forward and hugged him and welcomed him in Polish. He smiled . "Carla, I'm an American boy now. No more Polish please. I am DONE." "Well said, young man," up came Sam. "I'm Carla's husband Sam. I'm so glad you're here. I'll be helping you as much as possible. " "And I'm your uncle Travis," he put out his hand, and then grabbed Mikel. "If you ever get tired of these boring people, you call me. Welcome home, Mikel"
"How about me?" Richard turned around. Jason had said he couldn't be there, but there he was. "Sara is in the car, waiting to get the luggage. She said you probably hadn't planned well enough. I'm Jason. I work with all these people. Welcome Mikel." "OH my goodness. Such a big family. " He saw davey. "Mikel, you have two dads. Me, and davey. Please meet Dad Davey." Mikel looked confused. "I'll explain it to you later, Mikel, but right now. " Davey hugged him. "Welcome son. Now, after you get used to the house, tell me what soccer position you play. We've got a field out in the back. You'll teach me."
"Mikel, you look like you're hungry, and dinner is at home. Shall we go?" "OH YES, Carla, yes. That airline food. UGH." They piled into the car, with Sam driving, and some of them got in with Jason and Sara. Sara was right. No one had envisioned that Mikel would have as much luggage as he had. The two cars were a BIG help. Just before they had climbed into the car, Richard had told Jason that he hoped Sara would stay for dinner.
"I told her you'd say that Sir. She's delighted." Richard was thinking "I'm about to fulfill one of my most cherished fantasies. "
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Back at the house, Sam helped Mikel with his luggage as they went to the lad's room. "Sam, it's bigger than the apartment we had. This is all MY space." "Yes Mikel. It's right next to the bedroom Mr. Harris and davey use. Clara and I sleep upstairs. Jason normally doesn't spend the night, but if he does, there's a second room upstairs. " Sam continued to show him around "Excuse me Sam. I hear everyone calling my dad 'sir' and 'Mr Harris', but they call davey, well, 'davey' . What should I call them?" Sam smiled. "Dad is going to suit them both, although I think you're going to find that davey will be more like your big brother." Mikel smiled "I like davey already. He smiles as if he likes everybody. My dad seems suspicious." Sam laughed. "Oh, you're a perceptive young man."
Clara called from the kitchen. "HEY EVERYONE. DINNER IN THIRTY MINUTES. BUT THERE'S CHAMPAGNE IN THE DINING ROOM RIGHT NOW.' Sam asked Mikel " are you old enough to drink young man?" Mikel smiled and Sam finished . "I did not ask that question. OF COURSE you are."
So there they were: Richard, davey, Clara (with sparkling cider), Sam, Jason, Sara, and their newest, Mikel. Richard was thinking "he's even better looking than in the pictures. How many hearts is he going to break before he settles down?" He didn't ask whether those hearts would be male or female, because he didn't care. But Sara came over to him . She whispered "It's good that a young gay man is going to have such a good pair of role models. You're a good man, Richard Harris." He squinted and whispered back. "How did you know?" She laughed. "Well, don't you see the freedom ring on his hand?" Indeed, Richard had NOT seen that. "Sara, you just made things much easier for me. " She smiled back. "Just part of the job."
"I thought that, because we're all grateful that Mikel is here with us, we'd have an early Thanksgiving dinner. So...." Carla began bringing out the food, and put the huge roasted turkey in front of Richard to carve. He picked up the utensils, and then he put them down, and cleared his throat. "I really need to say something here, folks." And he stood up. "You know, when I was growing up, I spent a lot of time at the movies - foreign ones. French and Italian mostly. And there was usually a scene, near the end, where there's a big dinner, and the father is sitting there, smiling, saying nothing and just being, well, grateful for what he sees in front of him. And for years, I thought 'maybe one day I'll have that'. Well, today I do. Thank you all for being a part of it. " He paused. You need to excuse me for a minute. I'll be in the library, but I'll be back before the turkey cools down."
When he left, Clara spoke "he needs to cry. No one sees him cry." "But, I saw him cry when we met today," Mikel added." Clara smiled. "If you ever tell him that, he'll deny it. Mr. Harris NEVER cries."
They heard him coming back. "Ok... so who's going to explain the dishes to Mikel? " It happened that he knew a lot of them, because Mikel had spent time in Poland, working in restaurants. He didn't know Clara's desserts, but root vegetables, he knew. The dinner went on for a long, long time.
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After everyone had gone to bed, and davey was wrapped in Richard's arms, Richard asked "I'm so emotionally spent today davey. Can you live without my penis tonight?" Davey pushed back into him. "I'll try, but I'll need your fingers... HERE." he put them firmly on his nipple." Richard began nuzzling his ear. "MMMM. Maybe you won't have to after all." He began licking davey's ear. He whispered "davey, we have a son."
"Dads, I'm sorry, but I'm scared in that room." Mikel was in the doorway. He had wrapped a sheet around himself, because they hadn't unpacked enough clothes to find him a robe. "OH, HEAVENS. I didn't think about that Mikel. I am so sorry." Richard grabbed his robe. "I think we can make up a bed on a sofa, or bring something in or something. You can spend the night in here if you like. Is that ok davey?" It sure is sir. Mikel, this house can be scary. I know. Just tell me if you're frightened. I'll try to help you."
"Thank you Dad. I'm so glad to be here." Davey hadn't felt his heart melt the way it did, since Richie told him "I love you." The three of them brought a small love seat into the room. Three strong men, pulling and lifting, but not without difficulty. They made up the bed at the side. "MIkel, I'm going to lend you one of my robes tonight. It might be too short for you because you're so tall, but it'll cover what needs to be covered," Richard smiled. "Thank you Dad." He put on the robe. "MMMM. Mom said you wore a cologne that always told her you were around. I can smell it." Davey thought about how the smell of his lover would get him aroused - as it did now. "Mikel, tomorrow we're going to play soccer, and I intend to show you an American can kick your butt. And then the two of us are going to get this guy out there on the field. " He pointed to Harris. "So, let's get some sleep, because getting him on the field, is going to be harder than playing."
Mikel laughed. "I understand dad. I saw the soccer ball. It's fine, but later in the week, maybe we'll go shop for a better one." Harris began to laugh. "Yes, Mikel, of course. There is much we have to do. Now, though, bed time. Davey and I aren't young anymore. " Mikel smiled. "Dad, can I have one good night hug, from both of you? I was lucky to have a Dad who wanted me, and now I have two. So if I cry tonight, don't worry. I'm just so happy."
"How about a group hug?" Richard suggested, and Mikel looked puzzled "group hug?" "Like this.." The two lovers embraced their new son, before everyone returned to his bed.
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When Richard and davey woke up the next morning, they found a made up bed in the corner. They could hear the sounds of cooking. It was Sunday, but Clara had agreed to stay overnight to make a welcome breakfast. Sam was staying too (the room upstairs was only for the week. They had a weekend apartment). Richard and davey got into robes, and went into the kitchen. They found Mikel at work besides Clara.
"Well.. good morning." "And good morning to both of you," answered Clara. "OH, Mr. Harris, you didn't tell me that Mikel knew how to cook." Richard laughed "I really didn't know. What are you making?" "He's making Polish crepes Sir. And later, he told me we'll go and find some fruit and make a Polish jam. I'm going to learn new things sir!!!! " Mikel leaned over and kissed her. He had gotten up to tell her that he knew she had been suspicious, but he was not the same as his mother. He hoped to prove it to her. "I know my dads are delighted I'm here. But men are easy to fool. Women are smarter. I hope you lose your concern about me Clara. " Clara paused. "You know, Mikel, I insist on people being honest with me. Always. Thank you for being so honest. Now, let's mix up some waffle batter."
"And good morning to all ," Jason and Sara walked in. "JASON! You stayed. " "I told him I wasn't leaving this mansion" Sara added. "A faculty member already lives here so, hey, I can't see any violation of policy." Davey was about to say something and she stopped him. "Don't go there, oh untenured one. " Richard laughed. "You're just getting it everywhere." "Not everywhere," davey jumped in. "Well if you'd rather play soccer ..." and again, davey answered. "you can come out and play with my balls anytime Sir."
"OK, OK. Enough of that," in came Sam. "Now I'm going to make a run to town to get anythng we need. Clara, is there anything new to the list, and does anyone want to come?" Mikel looked at Clara. "Yes, of course, go. Everything will wait. It's not long. "I want to see the place. I'm so excited. Everything is new." He jumped up and down the way davey did sometimes. "Sir, can I?" Richard looked a bit put out, but he was teasing. "Yes, of course. Come back soon though." He kissed davey.. "COME ON MIKEL. THERE'S A LOT TO SEE."
As they left, Richard sighed, and turned to Clara. "Did I just go from having a husband and a son, to having two sons?" She laughed. "Oh, I don't think so Sir. I think you may have, how does it go, 'unleashed the beast?" davey wants to be a kid again. You gave him that." She took Richard's arm. "I know you don't like to hear this, but you're a good man Sir."
"DAMN RIGHT he is," added Sara. "You still owe me an answer about talking to the kids." "OH YES. YES. I'm sorry. Yes, set up a date with davey. Of course I'll go. Just wait until his marathon is finished, please."
He turned to the folks who were there. I wish Sam were with us, but Clara, you tell him, and I'll tell him too. On marathon day, I'm proposing to davey. I have the ring, and Travis has set up a little celebration. I'm hoping you all can be there at the finish line, because this finish line... he faltered... is a starting line for me."
"OH SIR. CONGRATULATIONS. " Clara came up and hugged him "I can't tell you how long we've been waiting for this." Jason too: "Sir, I would shake your hand, but... DAMN IT I'M GLAD YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU HAPPY." And Sara: "Oh, this talk just got much more interesting . I think I'm inviting faculty."
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"Calm down Mikel. You're going to hurt your neck," Sam called to Mikel, who was looking at everything. He got tired of asking "what's that?" in English and everytime davey heard "co to jest?" he tried to answer. In town, as they were walking around, Mikel saw a music store. "Oh, a guitar. I didn't bring mine." "Do you play?" asked davey "Badly. I really play a Polish instrument, but the guitar was more fun. "
Ten minutes later, they were back home with a guitar. It would have to wait, because davey had a soccer game planned after breakfast. "No, no showering now," Mikel said. "You're going to learn how we Poles take care of the environment. Why shower twice when you can shower once? Let's just get into our soccer clothes. " He turned to Richard "You too Dad." "He had to have learned that from davey" he thought. "Yes DAD" Clara teased. You too. "And you my dear," Mikel and davey turned to Clara. It was clear they were in cahoots. "Sam, do NOT let them sit together in the car ever again"
But everyone did change. Davey and Mikel went out first, and did some serious play, and Mikel basically whipped his ass. Then the two of them teamed up against everyone else and whipped their collective asses. There was much laughing, and a lot of hugging. "Next time, we have to get Travis here," davey smiled. "Oh, now THAT's gonna be a lot harder than getting me out here," Richard responded. "Yes, I don't have the means to blackmail him," davey smiled.
"Well, after showering, davey and I are going to take a little nap, so I hope all of you busy yourselves this afternoon." Mikel smiled "My mom used to say that too." He knew exactly what Richard was talking about.
When they got to the bedroom, and were laying next to each other, Richard asked davey "So, how does it feel to be a dad? And a big brother?"
"Sir, this is probably one of the best gifts you could ever give me. Now come on. I missed things last night. Climb on top of me, please Sir." Harris was more than happy to comply. He kissed davey on his neck. "Right there. Right after the marathon. " Davey put his hands on his lover's chest. "And right there." Harris grabbed davey, who wrapped his legs around his lover. "You know what I'd love Sir? You in me. Not pushing, not doing anything. I just want to feel you inside of me." Harris kissed davey. "I can do that. But I want these..." He began tweaking davey's nipples. I haven't heard the sounds you make with nipple work in at least two weeks." He pushed davey's legs into the air, and slid in. Then he moved his fingers to davey's nipples. Davey sighed, and smiled . "OH SIR. I keep on thinking I can't get any happier, and then I do. " RIchard smiled. "I feel the same way love." Their sweet talk was soon replaced by the soft moans from davey, and the louder ones from Harris. He bit his tongue when davey tightened his sphincter, and he shot , biggger than he expected , into his fiance." Davey gave a wicked grin. "Bottoms are in control. discuss." Harris grinned. "Bottoms who are ticklish shouldn't get too cocky. Discuss." he dug into davey's ribs and pits. "NO NO. PLEASE. WHAT IF OUR SON HEARS? " "I COULD gag you darling." "OH SHIT. OH SHIT NO SIR. PLEASE PLEASE. I GIVE I GIVE. ANYTHING YOU WANT TONIGHT SIR. ANYTHING. " Harris stopped. He ran his hand through davey's hair. "Don't think I don't know that. " He pulled davey to him. "Thank you for being a dad, and a lover, and a big brother, and everything you are. " Davey couldn't resist. "you didn't say husband sir. Is that coming?" Harris smiled. "Run your race. Then you'll see..."