New Love, First Love Series
Part 4
Surprises for Carter, Surprises for Dev.
Carter, to the surprise and pleasure of his boss, asked for a one year extension on the Beryl. Dev and he hardly changed their routine during that time except that they spent one week every month at Dev's home, not far from East Midlands Airport. Mum had remained antagonistic so, much to the amazement of Dev and his dad, Carter borrowed some money from his dad and bought a very pleasant cottage stood in about half an acre of ground.
When Carter showed Dev round he couldn't hide his disappointment.
"I know lover. It looks pretty grim. The kitchen must be late nineteenth century and I almost daren't show you the bathroom. I know it's only three rooms at the moment as well, but there is an old cow shed attached that we can develop without planning permission. I have a project manager coming to see us today with kitchen and bathroom designs. You wait, when we come back here next time it will be liveable. I only borrowed from dad to pay for the cottage so that I could use my savings to develop it."
Dev was really sceptical, but taking a second look round he did realise that the natural beamed ceilings and the big old inglenook fireplace would make a lovely reception room. The old Aga in the kitchen, if it could be salvaged would be an incredible feature there and the bathroom, if it was designed round the old Victorian tub would be amazing. The old cow shed was two storeys, the top half being where the hay was kept in the old days.
"We can have a double height sitting area on the ground floor Dev, bedrooms and bathrooms round the edges and underneath the upper rooms we can line the walls with book and ornament cases. The room with the inglenook could become the dining room because it's next to the kitchen. When we're finished it would be a four bedroomed house with amazing reception rooms, and we can take forever to do it, as long as we have a bed, bath and somewhere to cook meals."
"But Carter, that could take years."
"Yes Dev, but we have years don't we?"
Dev was confused, was Carter planning for them to live here when the Beryl job finished and he went to college. Carter answered the question before Dev could ask it.
"We finish on Beryl next year and you are going to college to finish your degree. What then?"
"You know, I want to join the automotive technical department of a major engine manufacturer."
"And the best place to do it is in the East Midlands. I don't know what I will be doing, but this could be our main home Dev. The cottage has so much potential. I don't mind lavishing time and money on it, we'll recoup it if we sell it to move on so it's no problem. The bonus is that I'm not taking you away from your family."
Dev walked across the gap separating them and hugged Carter, kissed him tenderly and said.
"I love you so much, you never appear to put me anywhere other than in the forefront of your planning."
Carter grinned, "That's because I love you so much as well."
Half a day with the project manager and the specialist builders and the boys left for Spain again. Three weeks later they were back in East Mid, planning to spend the whole fortnight there working at the cottage.
When Dev's mum realised what Carter was planning she softened a little and they had several evenings together making Dev so happy. His dad made it clear how feelings were running after he had been out to see the cottage.
"Despite his mother's attitude towards you Carter you are making this a permanent home aren't you?"
"Yes Dad, Dev is going to work in this area after he has his degree and he wants to be near you and his mum. I still don't know what is going to happen to me in six months time, but by then we will have the beginnings of a beautiful home I hope."
Dad was impressed. He had no knowledge of gay love, but he could see that it was at least as deep as any other love he had seen when it came down to his son and Carter.
Dev went to college already possessing a HNC with endorsements in Metallurgy and Design. His degree course was therefore only going to be two years. After that his future was in the lap of the Gods.
Carter finished on the Beryl at the same time as Dev and took a long leave. The cottage was eating up a load of money so Carter knew he would have to go back to work pretty quick to keep the money rolling in.
Luck played a big part in what happened to him next.
A new aviation company formed at East Midlands Airport to fill the needs of the corporate market in VIP private jets and helicopters. The helicopters would be a mix of Sikorsky 76's and Twin Squirrels. Experienced 76 pilots were a rarity away from the North Sea so when Carter applied for the Chief Pilot's job he was surprised, but pleased, to get an interview with very positive comments after it.
"You are very young for a Chief Pilot position when you have no VIP Charter experience. Would you be prepared to take Deputy Chief Pilot, with the fixed wing boss having overall command? Salary the same as already discussed. We'll pay for your Twin Squirrel conversion and Instrument Rating on Type. You commit for two years or pay back your training costs."
Carter couldn't believe his luck. The salary was better than his previous one, but of course there was no off shore allowance. Dev would have no income for two years so they would have to be a little careful. Money for the completion of the cottage was ring fenced so that would go ahead. Furniture and fittings would have to wait for most of the rooms not in immediate use.
Luck continued to flow their way. An engine manufacturer agreed to pay Dev an allowance for his two years at college if he committed to them for five years afterwards. That was his intention any way so he jumped at it.
Carter didn't say anything to Dev until his leave was over and the new appointment was a reality.
"I have to go back to work on Monday, Dev."
Dev looked devastated.
"Where are you going Carter? How long are we going to be parted this time?"
Carter grinned.
"Mmm about eight hours I would guess, later on I expect I will have to spend the odd night away."
Dev looked at him as if he were mad before Carter grabbed him and danced him round the room.
"I'm the new Deputy Chief Pilot of Bader Aviation, flying out of East Mid."
Carter couldn't believe the reaction. Dev just broke down completely crying his eyes out. Through his sobs he managed to explain.
"I love you so much, I was dreading you leaving me for a long spell abroad or off shore again. That's why I've not mentioned work to you since we finished on Beryl."
"Not going to happen Lover. This is home, we are going to be together almost every night. Transport is no problem, I get a company car, you've got yours, we're made."
Carter danced his partner round the house singing in a totally off key voice.
"This is home, this is where I'm going to live with my love."
Dev was creased up laughing at Carter's antics and thinking, he had never been this happy in his life. Settled down again Carter told Dev his plan to bring Mum round completely.
"My next day off, we go into town and buy the furniture for the next bedroom, plus all the bedding and towels. When it's all in place we invite Mum and Dad for an overnight stay and have a dinner with champagne to christen the cottage."
More happy tears from Dev, and Carter realised he had a very emotional lover here, but he was happy with that.
Carter picked an evening when he had a day off either side so that he could spend the whole day shopping and cooking and then have the next day off to clear up. He would never allow Dev to take time off college so he did all this kind of thing.
The meal was extravagant and Carter worried whether he might have been too ambitious, but he worried unnecessarily. The meal was stupendous. The wines were perfect and starting with Champagne as an aperitif was inspirational. Dev's Mum was overcome by the fizz.
"This is to toast you both for having such an incredibly gorgeous and talented son who you have allowed me to love, and to Dev who I hope will live happily with me here forever."
The three McFallon's were mouths agape at Carter's toast until Dev got his act together and in front of his parents kissed Carter on the lips and said quite clearly.
"I love you so much. Thank you for all the happiness you've brought me."
Both parents smiled and they all drank to the future.
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I have some ideas and at a later date may come back to this story and turn it into my third novel.
I also have pictures of two young men that fill my idea of what the main characters look like. Ask and I'll email them to you.