New Found Trust

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The magazine that had been the trigger to our success with interior design, contacted us again to know if we had more houses, swimming pools or landscaped gardens to show. This time they wanted us to do it in the form of an interview and not so much put the focus on one house or garden. We suggested that Andre and David would be the ones to be interviewed, as they were the key of our success. When the article was published we were surprised they even had a picture of our interior design crew and the history of the Cannoli family. The result of this article was that more requests came in.

Months and years went by. Christian and Nikki got married. A beautiful ceremony I must say. It was during the summer and the wedding day was God sent! A bright golden sun in an immaculate blue sky made it all even more memorable. Christian wore a dark blue tuxedo and Nikki was spectacular in her white wedding dress. Sergio and Betty were beaming and Nikki's parents were as proud as parents can be. David and Andre had decorated the whole place and the new gazebo we had installed the year before was almost hidden under white drapes and flowers. If that gazebo could talk, it was almost sure Christian and Nikki would not have chosen it! It had been the perfect setting for some of the hottest lovemaking Daniel, Andre and I had performed.

Our whole crew had put their money together to offer Nikki and Christian a dream honeymoon on the Seychelles. They were short of a few hundreds, so the company added what was missing. As for Daniel, Andre and I we had given them the opportunity to have the wedding at the mansion, but also replaced Christian and Nikki's old beaten up car for a new SUV.

The business was going fantastically. We had the opportunity to expand even more, but decided against it as our private life was already reduced to almost nothing. We even decided to politely refuse a few projects. We weren't getting any younger and although Andre and Daniel kept on their routine of swimming every single morning without any exception, the forceful competition they held at the start, was becoming more leisurely swims.

Our sexual activities were still very hot and satisfying, but we enjoyed even more quiet cuddling and just skin-to-skin touch. We learned with time that making love could be done without necessarily sucking, penetrating and shooting our loads. If there was one thing we knew, was that we were still deeply in love with each other. Even though gay marriage was legal, it was still impossible to be legally married for us three. We had a ceremony where we declared our love for each other, surrounded by all of our friends, but it had no legal power. Nonetheless we had a contract sealing our bond. It had been written down by a lawyer and we all three had equal rights.

Officer Stern and Johnny had come out to colleagues, friends and family. Some "supposed" friends didn't accept them, but they said they preferred it that way. Friends who didn't accept their lifestyle were not really friends! When Officer Stern and Johnny decided to life together, the tenants of my house just finished their contract and we offered Officer Stern and Johnny the possibility to rent my house. They gladly accepted. I felt safer as well as I knew they would maintain the house in perfect shape.

David was the only one who had not found his soul mate yet. We guessed his love for Andre was still as vivid as the first day. Andre felt a bit guilty about it although he was not responsible at all. Despite that, they had built a friendship that was the envy of anyone. Those two had that magical complicity that is typical for real friendship. It was nice to see, but we all hoped David would find someone to share his life with. Sure enough, with all the hours he was spending at the office, it was logical he didn't meet anybody. A few of our clients who had been working in close collaboration with David, had shown a definite interest in him, but David seemed to not see it. As he kept really professional in any approach, it was normal those men lost any hope and disappeared quickly. We suggested him to go on holidays, doing some cruises or discover other countries and cultures and David did all of those things, but never came back with a boyfriend or a lover. David had clearly stated he was not going for one-night-stands. We had to wait and hope for a miracle man to drop by!

On weekends, the mansion was always full of activities with friends. Officer Stern and Johnny were regular guests and becoming very good friends. Sergio and Betty were also a couple that came over on a regular basis, just as Christian and Nikki. There were always people around us and even if sometimes we longed to be just the three of us, we enjoyed the company and the sincere friendship that we had with the people surrounding us. It was always pleasant and joyful. It got even more joyful when Nikki announced she was pregnant. We were a bit worried about having to miss our office manager as we called her, but we were overjoyed with the coming of a new human being in our circle. Her pregnancy went well but the delivery of the baby was a bit more difficult. Nonetheless, little Jeffrey arrived on May 1st. Labor day! Literally! That little bugger was going to be spoiled by the grandparents and by us. We just knew that. What we didn't know was that only six months later she announced yet another pregnancy. When she was about five months pregnant she announced that the scan had detected she was carrying twins! That announced a whole lot of work more for the couple. When they were born, Ashley and Audrey were the cutest babies we had ever seen. They were clinging to each other from day one. It was clear they would be very special to each other.

We installed a kind of nursery in one of our spare guest rooms. It would make life a little easier on Nikki once she started work again at the office. We had already hired help for her to allow her to dedicate as much time as possible to her children. She and Christian were so grateful. Betty, the busy grandmother looked after them during the day and finished her work at home after that. Nothing was too much for Betty who had a sincere friendship with Nikki's Mum. When those two had something on their mind, it was impossible to interfere. Andre had been chosen as godfather of Jeffrey. Daniel and I were both godfather for each of the twins.

Before we even realized it, the children were running around the house and the garden. Christian and Nikki had had the fantastic idea of learning them to swim at a very early age. Even as babies, they took their children with them into the water. It was incredible to see how those children got used to the water and not be afraid of it. Whenever they had the chance to jump in the pool, they did it and it took no time at all for us to stop worrying when the children were next to the pool. It was David who had most problems with his nephew and nieces being next to the water, but he soon learned there was no reason for it.

The terrace table became too small for our gatherings. It was David who found a provider who had a huge table coming from a convent. It was a bit over our budget, but the benefits were huge as we could sit easily with fifteen people. The bougainvillea at both sides of the terrace had grown so much over the years that they formed a kind of canopy over the table. It was nice to sit in the shadow during the hot summer months. Actually, all the threes, plants and flowers had grown to maturity and our garden was so beautiful. Andre and David had put a lot of hours in maintaining the garden and we couldn't thank them enough for it.

One weekend we had one of our family gatherings again. David was late, something we were not used to. After about half an hour, Andre started to be really worried and when his cell phone rang, he almost entered in a state of panic. The caller's ID was a number and so, not someone from his contact list. It was the general hospital telling him that David was involved in a car accident and that they had found Andre's number as the one to call in case of emergency. We all wanted to get in our cars and go to the hospital, but thought having about fifteen people arriving at Emergency Room would be too much. In the end, Andre went with Sergio and Betty and promised to call as soon as he would have any news.

About an hour later it was my cell phone that rang. Just as they arrived, Sergio and Betty had to sign a form allowing the doctors to take David into surgery. They had to sign it, as they were the next of kin. The surgery lasted over three hours. David had several broken bones and a spine injury. That was what the doctors tried to fix in the operating room.

When the doctor came out of surgery he came towards Andre, Sergio and Betty.

• The operation went well. Of course, we will have to wait to see how his body reacts to the medication. We had to block several vertebrae on a temporary base so that he wouldn't hurt himself by moving too much. His left leg and his left arm are in a cast. All the pieces of glass from the shattered front window have been removed from the dozen of wounds in his face. He will have to stay immobilized fro a couple of weeks. Once we see he can't increase the damage, we'll take off the blocking of the vertebrae and send him to rehabilitation. For the moment he is still asleep and will be transferred to recovery. For a day or two, or three, we will keep him in ICU. There is no life threating danger, but the slightest inappropriate movement could condemn him to a wheelchair. There is nothing you can do for the moment. I can let you in for a few moments, but very short. After that I would suggest you to go home and let him rest. You will be able to visit him in the morning.

Andre and David's parents went in for a few moments but were then ushered out of the recovery room. When they arrived at the mansion, they updated us. Meanwhile, Officer Stern had contacted his colleagues to have more news. A woman who had suffered a heart attack while driving drove the car that had hit David's. An involuntary spasm in her leg had probably pushed the accelerator down and that explained the high speed with which she had hit David, causing the injuries he suffered. The woman was still alive when the paramedics arrived, but had died on her way to the hospital. Officer Stern had all the necessary information concerning the woman and the insurance company. He had given instructions to call the woman's insurance company, but also David's. The medical bill of David's stay at the hospital and the rehabilitation had to be covered.

The gathering at the mansion was suddenly overshadowed by this event. Even the kids understood there was something happening and were a lot quieter than usual. No one was hungry anymore, except the children. Nikki took care of them as Betty was still in a kind of shock.

The following morning Daniel Andre and I went to the hospital. Betty, Sergio, Christian and Nikki would go in the afternoon. The visits in ICU were limited anyway. David was awake and softly smiled when he saw us. He asked if we knew more about what had happened. We told him what Officer Stern had discovered. He had a single tear coming down his cheek when he heard the woman of the other car had died. He was in hospital and worried about the woman's family. As the doctor saw us, he came over and updated us about David's condition. The only thing David was worried about was the project he was working on. We tried to reassure him, but he went on giving instructions to Andre to finish up the work he had started.

Three days after the accident, David was moved from ICU to a normal room. He would be tied to his bed for several more days so he wouldn't be able to move and damage himself even more. We organized rounds to visit him. As he couldn't move it was important to have familiar faces around him, apart from the nurses and doctors. Andre could finish the project David was working on, following the instructions he received. David insisted that he would transfer everything to his iPad, so that he could see the final result. It was not a question that he didn't trust Andre, but, as he said, each project was a baby of his and he wanted to see it. Andre transferred the finished project and took the iPad with him at his following visit. He showed it to David who was really happy about Andre's work, but still changed two minor details. While he was doing that, a male nurse came in. David saw him and suddenly had a bright smile on his face.

• Andre, this is nurse Jefferson, Andy for his friends ... Andy, this is Andre, my best friend and boss.

• Leave the boss thing out, please, said Andre and shook Andy's hand.

• Don't tell me David is working here! Andy said. This is a hospital and not an office.

David immediately went into defense mode.

• No Andy, I am just watching at a project I was working on and that Andre had to finish for me. You want to see it?

Andy leaned over and watched the project on the iPad and was impressed, but insisted that this was a one-time exception. David was not supposed to work, even if it was just overlooking someone else's work.

• You will be able to do so when the doctor gives his permission, although I don't think he will do so soon. The good news is that I overheard him, telling my chief that the restrains would be taken off tomorrow! Then the hard work will start David. Rehabilitation can be a bitch! Now I have to go on with my tasks. I'll drop by later.

Once Andy left the room, Andre looked at David's face and the smile was still there.

• He is quite nice looking, isn't he? Andre asked.

• Yes, he is, said David blushing, and very pleasant as well. He is really taking care of me as much as he can.

When Andre told us about Andy, we all three had some hope in our eyes. Would it be that something positive would come out of all this? We wondered and hoped for a positive answer to that question.

David went through yet another scan. It seemed that the blocking of his vertebrae had been the best decision of the doctor. The blocking finally been taken out and the David would not be restrained anymore to his bed. He was advised to move as less as possible and to do it only with the supervision of the physiotherapist or a nurse. To David's delight, Andy was appointed to him for most of the day or whenever he was on duty. During the visits Andy was introduced to all of us, one by one.

Andy had been right. Rehabilitation was a bitch. It was a bitch because David wanted to do more than what he was instructed. After each session he was totally exhausted and often had to ask for a painkiller. Andy tried to calm him down during the exercises, but David was stubborn. During one of the sessions Andy asked him why he always tried to do more than instructed.

• I want to be able to walk and to run as soon as possible, to chase you through the hospital corridors! David answered.

• You'd better ask for a wheelchair then! Andy told him with a smile.

It took the physiotherapist and the nurses about six weeks to have David stand on his feet and make baby steps. At the end of the tenth week, David could walk without crutches, but still couldn't run. It took him another four weeks before he could increase the speed bit-by-bit on the treadmill.

It was clear that Andy and David felt something for each other. We could see it in their eyes and the way they were when in each other's company. Andy's dedication to David was surpassing what was professionally requested from him. We could notice they were touching each other more and more. The looks they exchanged were leaving no doubt at all. When the doctor announced David was going to be released the following day, there was a kind of sadness in David's eyes. I knew what to do. I went in search of Andy and asked him if he could be available the next day as to accompany us when we took David home. His face was an open book.

• Don't tell David, it will be a surprise for him, I said.

We agreed to meet by the car. We would get David and bring him down to the parking space. There David would see him. We did as agreed and in his room David looked really sad. He had hoped to see Andy before leaving. But when he saw Andy standing next to our car, he almost jumped out of the wheelchair. Once passed the exit door, David carefully stood up and walked over to Andy. They hugged. When I invited Andy to come over to the house, David had the most incredible look on his face. He just beamed. We had arranged for David to stay at the mansion till he was completely recovered.

We arrived at the mansion and family and friends were waiting for his arrival. It was clear David still felt insecure on his both feet, but he tried to hide it. We sat down at the table that was already covered with food and drinks. Andy sat next to him and although they tried to be very discreet, we could see they were holding hands.

• You know Andy, I said, now that David is out of the hospital and no longer officially in your care, the hospital ethical policy that a nurse cannot be involved with a patient, is not valid anymore. This means that if you want to kiss David, you are welcome to do so. I am sure he won't mind and neither will we.

They looked at each other and ever so slowly we could see their faces coming closer to each other till their lips finally met for the first time. We gave them a round of applause and they were blushing, but the smile on their faces said it all. They seemed really happy. Maybe he felt a bit awkward at the start, being in the middle of such a group of friends and family, but Jeffrey, Ashley and Audrey had a natural way to make him feel at ease. They were constantly all over him. Andy knew how to act with children and the immediate love he showed them was rewarded with the same feelings. He became very quickly a familiar face around the house. David had never seemed so happy.

One evening, when Andy had a night shift, David sat with us in the garden after he had been swimming for over an hour. Swimming was good for him as he put some lost strength in his back and in his legs. He looked a bit sad, but that was only because he had been so used to have Andy around almost 24/7.

• You look sad David, Andre said, anything wrong?

• No, nothing is wrong at all, he answered. It is almost to good to be true. We confessed our love for each other and we want to get old together as Andy says. I love him so much, but at the same time I feel guilty towards you Andre. I vowed to love you all my life and I have the sensation that I am cheating on you!

• That is nonsense, Andre said. You know from the very start that I was not in love with you. I love you like a brother. I appreciate you as a co-worker. I can't imagine my life without you. But you have the right to love and be loved. Andy is giving that to you! Andy is giving you what I can't! It is not because you love Andy that you love me less or vice versa. Please, don't feel guilty! There is absolutely no reason for it. You are not losing me and I am not losing you. We are friends and that will never change.

Andre went over to David and gave him a huge hug and a kiss on his forehead. David clung to him for a moment and then smiled.

And so life went on. The presence of Andy at our gatherings was wonderful. He had such a wicked sense of humor that it was impossible to make the difference between him being serious or joking. Most of the time it was joking indeed. Before we even realized it, Sergio reached the age of retirement, but he said he was far too young to retire. Betty nonetheless wanted him to as she wanted to have some quality time, just the two of them. She wanted to do things they had never time or money to do in the past. She desperately wanted to make a cruise in the Caribbean. We offered them just that as a retirement present. We joked about them going on a cruise and Betty coming back pregnant. There was no risk she said as after David's birth she had done the necessary as to not be ever pregnant again, but she admitted she still found Sergio very sexy and loved the intimacy they shared. It made us think of course.

Daniel, Andre and I were not yet at the age of retirement, but we thought about it. We actually thought more about doing things we had never done and which were still on our list of "things to do". We had everything we wanted and had work an incredible amount of hours and days. We had earned quite some money but almost never had time to spend it. Our three personal bank accounts showed nice figures, as well as our joined account. The business was still flourishing. We started to think about selling the business and with what we could get for it. We were financially secure even if we reached the age of hundred years. Harvey, our bank manager, had seen to it, suggesting good and safe investments. It was to him that we turned to when our mind was made up about selling the business. We let him know what we wanted for it and he said he would keep his eyes and ears open!

It took him about two months to find a suitable candidate, who was financially strong enough to take over. We had put some specific requirements for the sale. If those requirements were not met, the deal would not be sealed. The most important one was of course that all personnel had to be kept for at least two years. We wanted our crews to be assured they didn't lose their jobs.

Archie Ferguson was the candidate Harvey introduced us to. Archie was about thirty-five years old and had already several businesses. All of them were making profits. Harvey assured us he was a good and honest businessman. His other businesses were known all over the state and his reputation was spotless. He had asked Harvey to find him a business that was doing a good job and his price range was exactly what we asked for ours. He came over several times and met the crew at the office. Then he met the other crews. He looked over our accountancy and asked for bank details to have a total view. We gave Harvey our permission to give him the figures he needed.

Harvey warned us that Archie Ferguson was not a man who decided quickly. He was a man who thought things over carefully and looked at all the pros and cons. We were not in a hurry and therefor we were surprised when Harvey called us only a week later to confirm Archie Ferguson's take over. It took some time to have all the papers ready and signed. The transfer of money was easy enough as Archie Ferguson and we had our accounts in the same bank. Once everything was done, our office was moved to Archie Ferguson's building in the center of town. We had offered to work together for a few weeks as to introduce him to our providers and clients, but he said he had experience enough and wouldn't need us. So, suddenly we were free to do what we wanted. The profit of the sales was divided in three and each of us got that amount on our personal account.

That night, we cuddled up together in bed. It felt a bit weird that we had not to discuss any business related subject. The only subjects we would have to talk about were our friends and what we would do with our now free time. As we always did with important decisions, we each took a piece of paper and a pencil and wrote down what we wanted to do. Traveling came first on each list, although the destinations were different. We were about to discuss that when we realized we had all the time in the world to visit the three destinations. The same was with the rest of the list. We had time to do it all. I was a bit surprised to see that none of us had mentioned any sexual activity, but then again, we could do it wherever and whenever we wanted, although it was not a priority on whatever list. We loved each other and being in each other's presence was enough for us. We were happy.

All comments welcome at amahy1957@gmail.com