North Meets South

Story: North Meets South: When World's Collide

Chapter: 13 Alik

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Mature Readers only due to sexual situations and graphic sexual content

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Sasha brings his six-year-old son to the United States. Permanently.

Alik

The next morning, we all got up. Sasha hadn't come down yet. He had to go to work that day, too. I was to make breakfast that morning. I made Tony's coffee and heard David come down.

"Sasha's not coming down?" David asked.

I smiled at David. "He meant what he said. I've never known him to say something he didn't mean."

David nodded. "How do I tell him I chose him?"

"You'll have to show him," I said simply. "The thing with Tony and me, we were in the same city. Our relationship was right from the moment we saw each other. I swear I've never seen you act the way you did that night. I've never seen Sasha interested in another person. There is potential there. There have been people that have expressed interest in Sasha, but he didn't react as he did with you." I looked at David directly. "Can you live in a gay relationship?"

"Who cares? If I love the person I'm with, that will be enough." David said.

"Yes, but this Sasha comes with baggage. He's bringing a son here. If you date Sasha, you're dating Alik, too. Sasha doesn't want to die on Alik if he can help it."

David looked up the stairs. "I need to tell Sasha."

"This isn't fun and games," I said.

David nodded. "I know, but I need to tell him."

I grinned. "You can do it when you take him to work." I patted lightly David on the chest.

"If he lets me."

"It's Sunday." I grinned again. "Sasha will have to if Tony and I aren't here." I walked into the bedroom. "We're going out for breakfast before church!" I said to Tony who was getting ready for church.

Tony looked surprised a second. "We are?"

"Just you and me." I grinned.

Tony smiled knowing what I was up to. "Playing the matchmaker?"

"It will work!" I said coming in and began changing.

As we were about to head out, I hugged David. "Just tell him and also tell him I'll pick him up after work. Drive carefully home."

I picked up Sasha after he finished work. I didn't ask a thing about what he and David discussed, but Sasha was more relaxed in conversation. Something was resolved.

It was three days later when a delivery man rang our doorbell. Opening the door, the delivery man smiled holding a box and a clipboard.

"Mr. Delveccio?"

I shook my head. "He's in his office, hang on."

Tony took the box and signed what he needed. Then he smiled at the box. "This will make things easier."

The box had something Tech on it. Electronics? Then he opened the box and pulled out what looked about the size of a cellphone out. He assembled what he needed, put the battery in and turned it on.

"Okay, say something in it." Tony held the device up to me.

"What do you want me to say?" I asked.

There was hardly a pause when a voice came back. "Chto ty khochesh', chtoby ya skazal?" The voice was a bit mechanical, but it was clearly Russian and easily understood.

"That's Russian!" I grinned taking the device from Tony.

"Eto russkiy!" The device said again translating what I'd said.

Tony hit a button to stop it from doing any translation. "Yes! Another friend I've helped financially wants to invest in this electronics cooperation. This company does hardware and it working on the translation device. Before he invests he is allowing us to test a product for them. This is it!"

I grinned. "And it translates Russian into English?"

Tony smiled turning the device on again. "Konechno!"

"Of course." Came the voice in English.

"This thing was specifically programmed English/Russian. They want one with all languages, but we're testing the English to Russian."

I pulled Tony into a kiss. "That's great!"

Tony nodded. "We should still learn Russian, but you'll get it faster than I will, but if Alik says to me," he clicked the thing on again. "I need to go to the bathroom!"

"Mne nuzhno idti v vannuyu!" The voice said.

"Then I can say. Upstairs, second door on the right." Tony said into the device.

"Na vtorom etazhe, vtoraya dvcr' sprara." The electronic voice said.

"What about slang?" I asked smiling at Tony.

Tony shrugged. "I gotta pee." Tony said to the device.

"YA dolahen popisat'!" The voice came again.

"Is that right?" I asked.

Tony shrugged. "How do I know? We'll have to ask Sasha when he gets here."

I kissed Tony again. "At least we have something to work with! This is great!"

"It's a prototype, so we have to be careful with it."

Sasha had gotten a ride home, so when Sasha got home from work he plopped down in a chair as we sat on the sofa. "YA ustal!" He sighed wearily.

Tony grinned. "Say exactly what you just said again, just the way you said it." He held the translator up.

Sasha's eyebrow rose. "YA ustal."

"I'm tired." The electronic voice said.

"Yes!" Tony said triumphantly which of course the device said. "Da."

Sasha grinned looking at the device. "What is this?"

"Chto eto?" The voice said.

"It's a solution to our problem!" I said putting my arm around Tony's.

"Eto resheniye nashikh problemy!" The device said.

Sasha grinned even wider. "This is amazing! Where did you get this?"

"Eto potryasayushche. Gde ty eto vzyal?" The device translated again.

Tony clicked it off. "I asked the man investing in the company to let us test it, and what better way than on a child?"

Sasha shook his head. "You are too kind." He marveled.

"Can you be too kind?" I asked smiling.

Sasha smiled. "Can I ask question?"

"You just did." Tony grinned.

Sasha rolled his eyes. He was picking up Tony's and my mannerisms. "Other question."

"Sure." I sensed this was going to be serious.

"How old is David?" Sasha asked.

"Oh," I nodded noting the change of subject. "He's now twenty six."

Sasha nodded. "So, we're nine years different."

"Is that a problem for you?" Tony asked. "He's finished with college." Tony looked at me. "You said he was thinking of going back to graduate school."

I nodded. "He is thinking of it." I took Tony's hand. "Tony's six years older than I am. What's three more years?"

Sasha shook his head. "I suppose not problem. I like him." Then Sasha looked up at us. "I guess you know that." Sasha got up as he walked to the windows that overlooked the river beyond. "But my life is mess right now. I have Alik and problems immigrating and other things."

"It's going to be better," Tony said hopefully.

Sasha nodded. "With help from you." He chuckled. "Maybe I should not pursue David at all. Too much for him now."

I nodded. "You've not met Nick. Tony's son. I never thought I'd be a father of any kind, much less the father of a man of twenty years."

"Twenty!?" Sasha turned stunned. "How old when Nick born?"

"Nineteen," Tony answered.

"David's pretty smart," I said smiling. "You can't deny there was a connection."

"His parents know he dates men?"

"You need to talk to David about that," I said softly. "I brought the first man by a man to our family as a new member." I shrugged. "They won't be too surprised, but don't worry about the age problem." I chuckled. "My aunt married a man almost twenty-five years older than she was. I have a friend whose mother is five years older than his father." I chuckled. "That blew my mind at eight years old. Before that, I didn't even know a man could be younger than his wife."

"You need to concentrate on Alik now," Tony said putting a hand on Sasha's shoulder. "If it happens and it works with you and David, don't fight it."

"David's a good man," I said. "I hope it does work with you two. I'd love to have you as family. You're a good man, too. David will get serious about someone eventually. I'd love it if it was you."

Tony nodded. "Don't look for problems yet. It's good you're aware of the possibility of problems, but we'll be there to support you. Whatever you decide."

I graduated! I had my master's degree! It was a little later than I hoped, but with the delays, it couldn't be helped.

We finally got a date for when Tasha was to bring Alik over. Sasha got his license and could drive, but Tony had a surprise for me.

"What's for dinner?" I asked as I came in the door after work.

"Reservations," Tony said immediately, but I looked at him trying not to act suspiciously. I knew him and that made me suspicious.

"What are you up to?" I asked coming over to him kissing him.

Tony frowned, but his heart was giving him away. "Who says I'm up to anything?"

My eyes narrowed. "You're whole body."

"Damn!" Tony huffed. "I can't get by with anything."

"What did you do?" It was a good thing because he was now very happy. He could barely contain himself!

"Sasha's now driving. He often takes Bubba to work, like today." Tony shrugged. "So, we need another car."

"You bought Sasha a car?" I asked. Tony wouldn't do that without telling me or asking Sasha.

"Not for him."

"For who?" I asked.

"You and me." Tony shrugged. "You can drive the new car or the other car. It's ours." He came up behind me and was rushing me out. "You gotta see it."

Yep. It was another Mercedes. I didn't care what the E, C or S was. 250, 300 or whatever. Yes, I was a gay guy. I learned to fix Bubba because I wanted to drive. I did it out of necessity. Fixing it was enjoyable to a point. Bubba was mechanical, but thing...! This was all computer this and optic that!

"This is an AMG S63 Coupe!" Tony said proudly of the black two-door sports car. "Isn't she beautiful?" He was so happy his face was going to crack! "Premium ride, premium sound, navigation....everything! We don't need a key!" Then he shrugged knowing that didn't make sense. "Well, you need the fob." He held up this little black thing and pressed a button and the car started up with no one in it! Tony was a little boy with the best toy ever at Christmas! "Listen to him!"

I chuckled. He wasn't trying to impress me at all. He loved it because he wanted it! "I'm sure you two will be very happy."

Tony frowned a little. "Oh, come on, don't be that way!" He begged a little. "It's ours! I'll enjoy it, I hope you will, too." He tossed the fob to me. "Where are we going?"

"I thought you wanted an excuse to show me the car!?"

Tony nodded. "I'm still hungry. You drive. I swear you'll fall in love."

I walked over to Tony. "I did. With you." I said kissing him deeply. My fingers went in his hair. "I'm sure I will fall in love with him. I'm happy you're happy."

"Then you must be ecstatic!!" Tony declared kissing me harder. "Because I am!" He pulled me to the front door. "Anywhere you want to go. Let's go!"

Getting the feel for the new car, I was very cautious. It took a few miles for me to get the feel of her. The steering was tight and the brake very sensitive. I took it slow but learned what I needed to do. I had adjusted all I needed. Mirror, the height of the seat. Tony activated something. Typed in my name and then pressed the button again.

"Now all you need to do is get in," Tony explained. "Hit this button for your settings and the car will adjust for you." He said happily. Then he gasped as I shot off the road and on to an off street. Here in the South, there were a lot of wooded areas if you were familiar with the area. I stopped in a place surrounded by large oak trees and isolated. Often used by....well couples that don't have money for a room but want to...well...make love!

Tony was surprised but figured it out. "Why are we here?"

I put the car in park and scooted around to face him. "To take care of that." I reached over and put my hand on the crotch of his pants that was beginning to tent up. "I'm not sure I know what to do here. You've got a raging hard-on because...what? The car?"

Tony rolled his eyes and then gave his shrugging nod. "Well, it's exciting!"

I chuckled getting very close. "It is for you. I'm not jealous of a car. Don't worry." I kissed him deeply and hungrily. "These seats are really made to make the ride comfortable, not sex...and the backseat...."

"We'd barely fit in alone, much less together." Tony chuckled as he kissed me back. "So, what do you plan to do?"

I grinned. "What people have done over a hundred years in cars." I pulled him into a greater kiss as I unzipped his pants. Taking him out I engulfed him and began to work. He groaned as his left hand grabbed me pulling me closer, his right hand slapped the overhead with a thud and grabbed the leather thing you haul yourself out with over the door as you were sitting low and held tightly. The fact that he was already hard only made my work easier and he exploded quickly. That center console thing was really bothering me. "Nice car to drive and ride in, but any sex is a bit...challenging."

"It's bitchin'!" Tony rubbed the dashboard almost in a caress.

I sat back grinning. "Bitching." I repeated. "Bitching? Who are you?" I grinned at Tony.

"I'm a very happy man," Tony replied beaming. "That's who."

I shook my head still smiling at his happiness. He was happier than the boy with that toy on Christmas. I could never take that away from him. I chuckled bringing him for a kiss. "I'm very glad you are."

"What about you? You need to cum." Tony asked moving as if he were going to try to rectify the situation.

I put my hand on his chest. "I'm good, sweetie. I prefer a bed, pillows...or even a chair or sofa. I'm good. I'll wait until we get home." Then I looked at the dashboard. "How do I crank this sucker up?"

Tony grinned. "Hit this button." He kissed me again. "It says start."

"Are you going to be a pain in the ass the rest of the week?" I started the car up.

"I can be." Tony waggled his eyebrows.

"That never hurts." I kissed him and put it into gear. "You don't have it in you to hurt me."

As we pulled out onto the road, we were surprised as some blue lights flashed. A cop. This is a favorite place for other things. That was always much later. An expensive car drives out of an area known for illegal activities, so there would be some suspicion.

"You do have the registration and insurance," I said.

"Of course," Tony said a little irritated.

The police officer came over shining a flashlight at us. It was dusk, not dark. He flashed the light to the backseat. A fancy new car in an isolated portion of Charleston. He was doing his job.

"Can I ask what you're doing out here, gentlemen?" The officer, maybe thirty asked.

"We just got a new car," I said squinting at the light. "We were just riding around."

"This is an odd place to ride around in a new car like this." The officer frowned.

"Do you want to tell him the whole truth?" Tony asked me.

I shrugged. "It doesn't bother me."

Tony took the registration out and his license. "As you can see, we are the owners."

"It also reads Mitchell McKenzie." The officer said reading.

"That's me," I said smiling pulling my license out and giving it to him.

"I got a little sexually excited when riding in him and well...my husband here took care of my problem." Tony smiled pleasantly. "We needed privacy."

The officer's mouth popped open. He was gaging whether we were telling him the truth or being smartasses.

"And since I graduated from a police academy, unless they've changed laws recently, what we did was no crime. Now, while we are not married legally, we are married and even if not, two consenting adults..." I looked at Tony. "...you did consent, right?"

"Oh, yes." Tony nodded. "I even offered to return the favor."

I shook my head. "Having given the blowjob in here. This really isn't that comfortable for more and barely comfortable for what I did. So, I passed. He was so excited about the car, I just had to." I shrugged.

The officer was completely...amazed....shocked...disbelieving.... "You're shitting me." He said at last.

"Nope." I smiled as Tony leaned over kissing me. I ran my fingers over Tony's face. "Now," I looked at the officer. "Unless you suspect a crime...you know...probable cause. We're going to dinner." I took Tony's and my licenses and the registration from the gaping-mouthed officer. "I say barbeque."

Tony brightened. "Oh, those great onion rings! As big as a New York bagel! Let's go. If there's nothing else?"

The officer was speechless but shook his head.

"Have a good evening, officer," I said and pressed on the accelerator.

Tony looked behind us as we drove off. "I think we blew his mind."

I nodded. "He's new. Odd things on the job are a constant as a police officer."

"The oddest thing you encountered?"

I chuckled. "Well, there was the guy with the grandmother fetish."

Tony looked in shock. "Grandmother....he didn't rape or..."

"No, no," I shook my head. "He was twenty-three and at the last encounter he had a girlfriend that was eighty-four." I laughed at Tony's eyes as they widened.

"You're kidding."

I grinned. "You just got a blowjob from a guy. People say that's a fetish." I chuckled. "I certainly have with you and you know it."

Tony grinned. "The hair thing, yes." He shrugged. "I like when you do that." Then frowned. "But grandparents?"

"Grandparents human, too. They were both over twenty-one and consenting, so?"

Tony shrugged a nod. "Yeah, they are. So, what's the latest with David?"

I grinned. "He's thinking of going to Law School in Columbia."

"Law School." Tony nodded. "We need more Southern Lawyers." He said sardonically.

"A gay-friendly Southern lawyer." I pointed out.

"Nothing about Sasha?"

I shrugged. "I haven't asked. Either him or Sasha."

Tony scrunched up his face. "You've got to learn to get the dirt."

I grinned. "Why?"

"To share of course!" Tony said like it was obvious.

Later that evening we were getting ready for bed. All I needed to do was done. Now I waited for Tony to finish and come to bed. I knew he was beginning to go through that middle of life thing all men go through. He came out of the bathroom carrying his t-shirt as I watched him come in. Watching him lift the shirt over his head he caught me looking at him as he pulled it down. I like the play of his muscles as he moved and they rippled. He worked hard to stay in shape. Then he smiled and rolled his eyes as I admired my husband.

"What are you doing?" Tony asked but knew.

I shrugged. "Admiring the view," I said pulling the covers down beside me. "You get better looking all the time."

"You're biased."

I nodded. "I am, but that doesn't make it a lie. To me, you're like a fine wine. As time passes, you just get better and better. I will say, you're better looking now than when we first met."

Tony smiled coming lying beside me. "We missed the trip this summer, so how about one in the fall? A sort of third honeymoon?"

I shook my head. "We haven't finished the first one. I don't know about you, but I'm still on our first honeymoon."

Tony chuckled kissing me gently. "You love me." It wasn't a question. Now it was a statement of absolute fact. "But let's not bring another human back this time. You pick where you'd like to go this time."

I nodded. "But I like having Sasha here."

Tony nodded. "I do, too..." then he sort of looked away. "Okay, I'll tell you a problem I had with Sasha."

"Problem?" I moved away a little to see his face clearer. "What problem?"

"This is the old me talking, okay?" Tony stressed. "You said you love me over and over. I believed you, but..." he hesitated, "...I was worried when Sasha moved in."

I waited, but Tony didn't come out with more. "Worried about...?"

"You are so beautiful...and he's a very good looking man and..."

My eyes widened. "You feared I'd cheat on you!?" Would we ever escape this demon? "But..."

Tony held his hand over my mouth to stop me. "I feared you'd be tempted and he might encourage that temptation. Now it's been a few months and I know you love me..."

"I've never been tempted with Sasha or any other man." I looked at Tony closer. "Were you?"

Tony shook his head. "Not really. He's a good looking man, but when you look at me, I can see you love me. I can't think of anyone else."

I frowned. "Who made you worry about things like this?"

Tony shrugged. "Everyone." He frowned. "I wasn't faithful, Luke wasn't faithful..." then he looked at me. "...Jean wasn't faithful."

"What!?"

"She said I was her first, but I knew that wasn't true. The first affair was hers, not mine." Tony growled.

"I can't believe that," I couldn't believe my ears. "I believe you, but..."

Tony pulled me back down. "Don't blame her. She was too young. When she was pregnant she hadn't even finished high school. I don't blame her. I know things were tough for us when we first married. I hadn't earned as I can now. I know she had an affair after we got married before I cheated on her, but my point is..." he kissed me again, "I was worried when Sasha first got here. I'm not now. You love me. You know I love you."

I nodded. "Sasha is a good looking man. He's a nice man, too. I get something from you I never get from Sasha." I pulled him closer, loving the feel of his body against mine. "Love....and that scent!" I rolled him over pinning his arms over his head as I like them. My nose coming down over his chest getting that faint musk there that only got stronger as I went to his armpit. "You know where I get it the strongest."

Tony chuckled. "Why are you waiting?"

The Fourth of July and New Year's Eve had nothing on the fireworks we had. It was explosive!

I talked with Sasha and found out what Alik liked to do. Tasha and Alik were coming in two weeks. I found out he liked puzzles I got some puzzles I thought he would enjoy and some with letters so he could learn them.

Learning Russian was taking a turn for the not so pleasant. I was having trouble with Russian letters! There were thirty-three! There were two B's. They weren't B's exactly, there was the B that was the buh sound, but there was another that had the veh sound. The first of those letters looked like a number and not a letter at all. There were two letters that had no sound! How the hell did the crazy language evolve? There were other letters that had no English similarities! And word structure and sentence structure was hard and seemed impossible to me! I tried!

Sasha came home one day and I just blew up. "Russian letters and shit make no sense!"

Sasha laughed at me in surprise. "And English letters do?" He grinned sitting beside me at the computer I was using. "They're just different. You learned Italian."

I nodded. "They were at least Greco-Roman! The Roman side of the Greco-Roman of the alphabet. Now, I'm learning a language that's...just alien!"

Sasha laughed heartily. "You know there's a Russian Alphabet song, just like in English?"

I grumbled. "I figured, but I'm learning Russian. I figured I'd skip that."

Sasha shook his head. "Not if you want to learn." Then he pulled up the website. "There's one to learn numbers. Children learn them. You should."

I sighed. "I am a child when it comes to the Russian language. Okay, I'll learn the damned songs."

"You don't have to with that translator," Sasha said simply.

I looked at Sasha surprised. "Should something go wrong with it?" I grinned. "It will give Alik and me a chance to get to know each other at least. I'll teach him English and he can teach me Russian."

"You have a very good heart." Sasha smiled. "That you're willing to do this." He smiled holding up his hands. "I didn't thank you." He pointed out defending himself.

"Maybe you should as I'm learning Russian," I grumbled. Then I smiled again at Sasha. "You're English is getting much, much better. You're using conjunctions!"

Sasha frowned. "Conjunctions?"

"Connected words like can't instead of can not," I nodded. "You're using A and the, and or while as well as others. Very good."

Sasha ducked a little. "There is no real safety net here." He explained. "When I worked on the ship, I had many friends that when I stopped working, spoke Russian. Here, there is only you and Tony. I'm being forced to learn."

I nodded again. "Which you need to make me do. Just as Tony did when we spoke Italian at home to make me learn. You have to do the same."

Sasha agreed. "That won't be a problem for me. You're learning Russian quickly. That is wonderful."

"I'm motivated." I sighed remembering what Tony asked of me. "Okay, what's happening in your love life?"

"My love life?" Sasha asked and then nodded as he got it. "Oh, yes...I am very intimately involved."

I didn't like that, and the way he said it sort of threw me. "With who? Not that it's my business again."

Sasha held up his right hand and showed it to me. "We have been involved for decades." Then he grinned at me holding it to me. "Want to shake it?"

I hit Sasha lightly in the back of the head. "Eto ne smeshno, ty, glupyy russkiy." I said telling him; that wasn't funny, you stupid Russian.

Sasha burst out laughing. "It was funny!" He looked at me. "You're asking about what's happening with David."

I shrugged. "I hope so. I'd like to think there was. There was chemistry between you two."

Sasha nodded. "I'm learning about how things are said in this country and what I understand about what you said, yes, there is chemistry between us. He's a very good man."

I nodded. "I just told you that."

"He's planning to come back the weekend before Tasha and Alik get here. He wanted to leave Tasha and Alik to us. To me." Sasha said.

"Alik will understand you dating a man?" I asked.

Sasha nodded. "As he understands Tasha is dating men. He knows there will be nothing between Tasha and me."

I smiled. "Good." Then I looked back at the computer. "I guess I need to learn more." Then I stopped. "Oh, Tony and I are going away for two weeks at the end of October and beginning of November. We're leaving that Saturday the 23rd. We'll be back November 6th."

Sasha nodded. "Another cruise?" He grinned.

"Rome and various cities in Italy maybe." I grinned. "Between my birthday and his. He turns forty then." I answered. "I don't know what you've got planned Thanksgiving..."

"Thanksgiving."

"The twenty-fifth. We're going to the McKenzie home place. You and Alik should think about coming." Then I smiled. "If David hadn't already invited you."

Sasha looked a little uncertain. "He hasn't."

"Sasha, I will say I'd love for things to work out with you and David. I've said it before, but if for no other reason, I'm inviting you as a friend. Maybe it will help you decide if you want to join our crazy family. You'll see McKenzies at their best and worst."

Sasha nodded. "You really want me to seek a relationship with David."

"I want you to find someone," I stressed. "No man should ever be alone. Humans weren't made to be that way. I hope it could be David, but if not, you're a part of my life and will always be included from now on. Got it?"

Sasha grinned. "From what you've said, it will bother some of your family there." He said. "I think you like doing that."

I nodded. "I do." I grinned. "It is fun, but I don't ever want you to be hurt. Especially you're feelings."

"YA bol'shoy mal'chik. YA mogu s etim spravit'sya." Sasha claimed saying he was a big boy and could handle it.

I smiled but was deadly serious. "YA vsegda budu zaschishchat' tekh, kogo ya lyublyu. Eto otnositsya i k vam." I told him I was protective of those I love and that includes him.

"And you worry you can't learn Russian alphabet?" Sasha smiled. "You said that almost perfectly!"

"Speaking is easier than spelling or writing Russian," I said. "So, it wasn't perfect? Only almost?"

He chuckled. "We need to work on the accent and a little on pronunciation, but yes."

I smirked. "It was a year before I had my first dream in Italian, I had to wake Tony to tell him. When I have my first dream in Russian, I'm going to tap dance on your head!"

Sash laughed at that. "I look forward to it. How's Tony doing?"

I grinned. "He's trying. At least he has the translator." I turned back to the computer. "Who's sponsoring Tasha?"

"She has family here. They are sponsoring her. They live in New York. That will happen after we get Alik out."

"New York?" I grinned. "We have family in New York, too. Maybe we can see them next time we're there."

Tony insisted I plan our next trip, but I knew so little about Italy, so I asked him a lot about where we could go. I finally said Italy, more specifically Rome, had to be a stop. We should see other parts of Europe or even Greece. I asked where he'd want to go that he'd never been. He said he'd never been to Athens or any city in Greece, so that was where we were going. Then I found the place to go.

The next weekend David came early on that Friday. The man that arrived was a little different. He was still the same David, but he matured a lot. That would have happened anyway, but I have to give Sasha the credit of causing it to happen as quickly as it had. David hugged me when he got there. I took him up to his room. The first door he looked in his eyes widened. It was redone for a six-year-old. There were toys around, the puzzles I got and books in Russian and English. Art work of various superheroes on the wall and paintings.

"Alik's new room, I presume?" David smiled.

"No, I did it for you." I griped. "Of course, it's for Alik."

David nodded. "It's really happening, isn't it?"

I nodded also. "It is. Tasha will be in the room Sasha's in now, but only while she's here. Then he moves back after she leaves."

David smiled. "I hope it goes smoothly." He looked at me a little wary. "I hope Alik likes me if Sasha and I work out."

"If you two do, he'll love you," I assured.

It was later David was getting things together as we made dinner.

"When I say this..." David began, "...understand, I'm just voicing."

I stopped and nodded. "Okay."

"Sasha will be the first....serious person I've been involved with," David said slowly. "And I want it," David assured quickly. "I want a good relationship as you and Tony have. We won't be playing if we have sex."

I shook my head. "No, you won't." I put my hand on David's shoulder. "It doesn't mean you can't have fun, but it will be serious."

David nodded, but he knew this already. "We won't be just having sex."

"I hope not."

"And he's uncircumcised." He grinned.

My eyebrows rose at that. "Well, it's just an educated guess as I've not seen his dick, but I don't think they circumcise in Russia as standard for boys. We all know Sasha's dick works since he has Alik. Unless there's a medical reason and he hasn't shared anything like that he won't be, but surely you've seen an uncircumcised dick before."

He nodded, chuckling. "Dad and I suppose all our McKenzie dads weren't being born in the country. There were some guys at school in the shower, but..." he shook his head. "...none I ever touched." He looked at me. "Is Tony?"

I smiled. "Next question or statement." It was none of anyone's business. "You'd be willing to live in a permanent relationship? I think you both deserve that if you both want it."

David nodded. "If we loved each other, sure."

"Have you told your parents you're dating men?" I asked.

David chuckled. "Mom knows I've been out with guys. Dad knows I've fooled around with a few guys..."

"Would they be surprised?" I asked.

David shrugged. Then he looked at what we were doing. "We'll see when it happens." He looked at the counter where I was working. "What are you making?"

I chuckled. "The American Southern man's version of Italian macaroni and gravy."

David was lost a second and then smiled. "Oh yeah, spaghetti and meat sauce."

"Never say that around Tony."

David shook his head laughing.

"I invited Sasha to bring Alik to Derby for Thanksgiving," I said to David, whose eyes widened. "He'd come for sure if you haven't offended each other and you invite him." I looked at David. "He needs to meet the McKenzies eventually. Whether as Tony's and my friend or your....whatever...friend, boyfriend, partner or significant other."

David chuckled. "Friends is a little platonic; boyfriend is a little middle and high school, but a partner is a little more permanent...I don't know if we're even more than friends now."

I smiled putting my arm around his shoulder. "I say you are friends and heading to boyfriend perhaps. Permanent will depend on you."

Then Tony came in the condo. "Two of my favorite McKenzies!" He grinned coming over. "Mind if I greet my favorite McKenzie?" He asked, but leaned in kissing me. "Hi, my favorite person."

Grinning at Tony, my hands traveled into his hair. "Hello, yourself, my favorite person." I stood back a little. "You had a good day, I can tell. Make a million today?" I asked.

"Not for us personally, but I did." Tony nodded and then one arm hugged David. "Hi, David!"

"I definitely want what you two have." David grinned back. "Good to see the love is still alive."

Tony looked at me. "Did you book it?"

He was asking about our trip soon. I nodded. "I did. It's more money than we spend..."

Tony gave me his look and shook a finger at me. "Don't go there." He growled.

"More than I've spent." I corrected. I rubbed my hand over his face, but I saw his expression. "Don't look at me that way! You remember the conversation we had about your last hang up, well, this is mine!" I kissed him again, this time taking a little longer.

"Booked? As in a vacation? Where?" David brightened. "Who are you bringing back this time?" He grinned.

"We're taking the extension on our honeymoon," Tony answered.

"We're going to Ios on a private beach in Klima." I chuckled as Tony didn't care if David were here, he was kissing me again.

"Where we won't have a soul nearby. We can walk naked on the beach and swim in those crystal blue waters." Tony added. "We're spending the first three days in Rome. The Cavalieri! Where we had the second part of our first honeymoon and getting the same suite."

I looked at him smiling. "You got it?"

Tony nodded. "I told you, being a club member has its perks!"

David frowned. "I sort of hate you two right now." He grumbled.

"You could honeymoon in Russia!" Tony pointed out.

I put my hand on Tony's chest. "Gay men are not as well liked in Russia as we are in Italy."

Tony shrugged. "There's always the beach in North Carolina!" Then he brightened. "I will promise you this. When you or Sasha find the one to be with and marry, we'll send you wherever you want to go."

"If I marry Sasha." David grinned.

"If you marry, you go. Sasha can marry anyone he wants; I'll send him and whoever wherever, but for you, if you marry, we'll send you." Tony swore.

David frowned. "Why?"

I frowned. "Has there been another cousin or relative here as much as you, even before Sasha? No. So, the answer is obvious. You like us, we like you! I've always liked you and Michael."

David grinned. "Sweet!"

Tony looked at the counter at what we were doing and inhaled sharply in horror. "No, no, no, you can't use chopped meat alone!" He said appalled. "Where's the veal? Are you doing meatballs?" He groaned. "I came just in time." He shoved us both away. "Let the Italian do this and save the macaroni and gravy."

I laughed with David. "See?" I pointed to Tony who was moving to correct my "not Italian cooking" take on cooking a real Italian dinner.

"Chopped meat?" David asked.

"Ground beef." I clarified. "They have different terms up North."

David nodded. "Oh."

When Sasha came home from work, I was pleased to see him greet David with a nice kiss. There was affection there. Though Tony and I shared the table, most of the conversation was between the two of them. Tony gave me a grin as we were again forgotten as Sasha and David talked about futures. David wanted to become a lawyer after he'd finished school he realized being more than a college graduate was needed. Sasha wanted to open a restaurant one day. He'd had some culinary training and just needed the degree.

"Well, that's what Johnson and Wales does and it's here in Charleston," I said smiling. "Are you planning to open Russian Restaurant?"

Sasha shrugged. "Is there anything else?"

Tony growled. "An Italian Restaurant?"

"I'm not Italian!" Sasha said as I often did. "I'm Russian! There isn't a decent Russian Restaurant near here!"

"No Russian Restaurants at all!" I corrected. "You could change that. I'd come!"

"Hell, I've eaten his cooking, it's good, we'll even invest!" Tony claimed nodding. We were all getting along just fine!

Sasha nodded with a smile. Then we got around to Alik.

"What else does Alik like to do?" I asked more for trying to be prepared for the little guy.

Sasha smiled. "He loves a lot of things, but he likes football."

My eyes widened a little. Of course, he was a boy, so the love of sports would be in his genes. "Football?" I repeated. "Not our football, but soccer?"

Sasha shook his head. "I mean football. I've seen what you call football, the foot's rarely involved! When we play football the foot is always involved! Why even call your football, football?"

I shrugged. "Beats me, we just do. I was a runner. Track and field was my game."

"Swimming for me," Tony said. "Just a little baseball."

"I did track and field." David nodded. "Oh, and basketball."

"Hockey!" Tony said happily.

"Yes, hockey." Sasha nodded with a smile waving his hand to emphasize his agreement. "Now, there's a game!" Then he looked at me. "You never played hockey?"

"We had to make the damned ice here in the South. I never really had the chance to learn." I explained.

"That's horrible!" Sasha shook his head. Then he looked at David and completely changed the conversation. "Would you like to meet my son?"

David looked surprised. "I have an appointment with my advisor next weekend. I can't be here when he arrives."

Sasha shook his head. "I mean tonight."

"Tonight? He's in Russia." David pointed out.

"Yes." Sasha nodded, "But Tony arranged that I can see and talk to him on the computer. I have a call coming soon. I'd like you to at least meet him." Then he added. "And he to meet you."

David smiled. "I'd love to."

We went in with Sasha as he made the connection with the server to begin the call. We waited as there was a beeping to let Tasha and Alik know we were trying to connect. Now, this conversation is going to be in both Russian and English. To save myself carpel tunnel from typing, I'll just do it in English. The screen suddenly came alive as the little happy face appeared. Alik was smiling at his father.

"Hi, Papa!" Alik greeted in Russian.

"Hi, Sport!" Sasha greeted warmly. "Are you getting ready for your big trip to see me?"

Alik nodded immediately. "We're going on a big plane!" It was amazing to watch a child's mind work. "I've got a loose tooth!" He opened his mouth and wiggled a front tooth proudly.

Sasha chuckled. "You're growing up! I can't wait to see you."

Alik nodded and then frowned. "Mama said I'm going, but I won't come back. Why is that?"

Sasha nodded. "Because we're making a home here in the United States."

"You and Mama?" Alik asked.

This was going to be the issue with the little man. "Well, Mama will be coming to the United States soon, but not right now. It will just be you and me for a while. I've really missed you."

Alik didn't like this part. Not the missing part, but Mama not being there, "But she is coming over to stay soon?"

Sasha sighed. "Yes. There are rules in place, rules we have to follow. We can't just move. You can move because you're my son and I followed the rules so I can stay here, therefore you can stay here, too. Mama has to follow the rules as I did so she can come and stay. Understand?"

Alik nodded, but he wasn't too sure. "I'm trying."

Sasha smiled. "Well, I have things so you can like being here. We have a nice room for you here. I have some people here that are looking so forward to meeting you. These are people that really love me and will you, too." Sasha pulled Tony and me over so we could be seen by Alik. "This is Tony Delveccio and Mitch McKenzie. They are Papa's true best friends in the world. We'll be staying with them a while."

"Hello, Alik." I greeted the little boy in Russian. "I'm just learning to speak Russian, so if I use the wrong word or don't say it right. You can help me."

Alik smiled as I said it. Maybe my pronunciation was what he thought was funny, I don't know. "It does sound a little funny."

Then I pulled Tony over. "Yeah, well hear Tony." I jabbed Tony lightly in the gut. "Go ahead, Tony. Say hello."

"Hello, Alik." Tony greeted. "We look forward to...." He looked at me and asked me a question which I answered, "....meeting you."

Now Alik was smiling even more. "He does sound funny."

"He's trying." Sasha grinned. "He really wants to meet you and make you comfortable here. When you get here, you can help Tony and Mitch with their Russian and they'll help you with English. Does that sound fair?"

Alik nodded. "Sure."

I smiled. "Maybe you can help me with the Alphabet song. I'm still trying to learn it."

Alik grinned and that's when I saw Sasha in his face. Alik was Sasha's son. "That's easy."

"Oh really?" I said mockingly haughtily as you would a child. "Wait until you learn the English Alphabet song." I pointed out.

Alik just smiled back.

Then Sasha pulled David over. "And this is my friend, David McKenzie. He's Mitch's cousin. He's a special friend to me." Then he looked at David and switched to English. "You can say hello to my son. He is learning English."

"Hi, Alik." David waved. "I look forward to getting to know you."

Sasha translated what David had said. Then asked for Tasha. They spoke to make sure she had Alik's birth certificate and passport, but just to be sure. Tasha certainly was alert and assured she had everything under control. Then Alik came back on.

"We'll speak one more time before you come," Sasha said. "You have a good day." He kissed his hand and touched the screen. "I love you, Alik."

Alik smiled. "I love you, too, Papa." He did the same as Sasha had done. Then the screen went black.

Sasha looked at David. "That was my son."

David smiled with a nod. "He sure is. Looks just like you." Then David touched Sasha's hair. "Except for the hair."

Sasha chuckled. "He has my mother's hair." Then Sasha shrugged. "Or his mother's mother. They both were blonde."

David smiled. "I just hope he likes me." Then he sighed. "I really need to learn Russian."

"You might want to," Sasha kissed him gently. "I know he will love you."

"Okay!" I said suddenly knowing when we should leave. "We're not needed right now. Come on, Tony." Taking Tony's hand and we walked out of the room.

I knew that David and Sasha went back to that gay bar. This time, I knew it would go well. That was confirmed when I came out the next morning and saw Sasha in the kitchen again in his sweat pants and t-shirt. He was whistling.

I grinned. "You're happy."

Sasha nodded. "I am." Then he looked at me. "I'll tell you if you want to know."

I smiled and patted his chest. "I know you're happy, that's all I want to know."

Sasha grinned. "We both are."

"Good." Then I went to start Tony's coffee. "Now to get things ready for the day." Then I grinned even bigger. "Besides, David and I are cousins, very close and more than that, we're friends. He'll tell me without me even asking."

David came down then. He walked up to Sasha and kissed him passionately. "What are we making?" The McKenzie/Lebedev coupling had begun.

"You didn't wait for the third date," I said smiling at David.

"So, sue me." David shrugged laughing.

Working was just fine. Alan and Kent were happy. Now my cousin and Sasha were getting there. Tony and I were happy. This was all good!! I often saw Sasha where we both worked as well as at home. He had become the most popular waiter at the hotel's restaurant. He was charming, efficient, and paid attention to details and was often asked for by name for those eating and staying often enough. Jeremy was not pleased when Sasha reminded him of the days off he'd requested. Sasha had a son coming. No job was that important.

Then, the day came. Sasha was excited! He could barely stand still. He paced and he fretted about...everything! He worried if we had what Alik would like to eat on hand. Did we need to get more?

"Sasha!" I grinned grabbing him to keep him still a moment and continued in Russian. "It will be fine. What we don't have, we'll get. Take a deep breath, buddy." I shook him lightly.

Sasha did stop a few seconds and did do what I asked taking a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I just want things to go well. I want him to like it here."

I nodded. "He will."

Then Sasha looked worried. "This will be traumatic for him. He's lived with his mother all this time. Not with me." Then Sasha looked at me. "I'm sort of scared."

Smiling at Sasha, I nodded. "There might be some problems. In fact, I'm sure there will be. You're not alone. David will help and you know Tony and I will help with whatever we can." I looked at Sasha closer. "You know that."

Tony came out of our room. "Is everything okay?" He asked noting the anxious look from Sasha.

Sasha and I switched back to English. "Sasha is just worried about how to ease Alik to life here."

Tony nodded. "Whatever is needed. We'll do it."

We went through security to wait. Tony and I went through as translators. Soon the plane was pulling up that little tunnel thing to unload passengers connected with the plane. Sasha was watching anxiously as the crew and employees readied the plane to disembark. Then as passengers started to get off, naturally we'd gotten Tasha and Alik first class tickets and they were some of the first ones off. Tasha was a beautiful woman. Of course, she was. Dressed in a red top and casual dark pants, her dark hair and showed a petite figure that said she took care of herself. She was about a foot shorter than Sasha. Alik was all boy. He was going to be tall when he matured but for now, a typical six-year-old who brightened when he saw Sasha.

"Papa!!" Alik shouted running into Sasha's waiting arms. Sasha pulled his son into a hug so tight as tears were coming from his eyes. Sasha buried his face in Alik's neck, cheek and kissed him repeatedly. Tasha just smiled as she, Tony, and I watched. She loved that Sasha was so happy. So, she was pleased the same was said about her son.

Sasha didn't care who saw or even registered anyone was looking. "I am so glad to see you." He said kissing his son again.

Alik smiled back. "I'm glad to see you, too." Then he waved back to the plane. "It was a long trip!!" Then he opened his mouth. "Look! My tooth is gone!"

"I see that!" Sasha nodded grinning. "The long trip is because it was a long way!" Then he looked at Tasha. "How are you? Did you travel okay?"

She nodded. "It was a long trip." She said kissing Sasha on the cheek. "Of course, Alik slept on the way, but I just can't."

Sasha nodded and then looked back at me and Tony. "These are dear, dear friends of mine. Natasha Ivanov, this is Tony Delveccio and Mitch McKenzie." Sasha said in Russian. Tony had the translator held out.

Tasha nodded shaking our hands.

"My Russian is not that good," I told Tasha. "It's good practice if I use it."

"My Russian is terrible." Tony grinned allowing the translator to do its job. "I'll let this thing do my talking and listening."

Tasha laughed at that and said to me. "You're Russian is a little different. It's a little odd, the accent."

I glared at Sasha. "So, I've been told."

Sasha chuckled. "I told you, you're doing very well!"

Tasha shook her head. "You've been speaking Russian how long?"

I shrugged. "A few months."

"Months!?" She nodded. "Then I say you're doing very well. You must have a good ability for languages."

I chuckled. "I love to talk if that's what you mean."

"He does," Tony said and the device translated. "He learned Italian fluently in eight months."

Then Sasha looked at his son. "This is Alik. My son." He said proudly to us. "Alik, this is your Uncles Mitch and Tony."

Tony and I shook Alik's hand as Sasha put him back on the ground.

"Let's get your bags." Sasha smiled.

Getting their things were not hard. Tasha only brought one little suitcase, but Alik's things were in three!! He was moving!

While Tony, Alik, and Sasha got their bags, I talked with Tasha.

"Alik seems like a pleasant little boy," I said to her. "He's well-mannered and intelligent. You've done a great job raising him."

"He's a good boy." Tasha agreed, "But I'm sure Sasha has told you what we face in Moscow."

I nodded. "He has." I had to be sure of one thing. "Sasha told you he and Alik will be staying with us. That Tony and I are married, even though it's not legal."

She nodded. "He has." Then she laughed. "I knew Sasha liked men and women. We met near the base where Sasha was stationed. We had a pretty exciting weekend."

I smiled. "I can imagine."

She smiled. "He was pretty exciting. Of course, you see what happened." She waved at Alik. "I believe he likes men more than women, but he just likes having sex."

I nodded smiling. "It's what we were made to do." I shrugged.

She laughed. "Well, after I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wasn't getting an abortion, so I decided to at least tell Sasha. I didn't expect or want anything from him. I figured he'd yell, deny it was his or what many men do, ignore it. I was shocked when he...well...he was surprised, but not that much. He knew we'd had sex and unprotected. Then he actually was sort of excited about having a child." She looked down as we walked. "I never asked him to support Alik, but he has. Every day while I was pregnant he'd call or come by to see if I was eating, following the doctor's instructions, even brought me groceries when I was low." She chuckled. "He really wanted Alik."

"But you know he likes men," I said cautiously. "You're not hoping for a future relationship?"

She laughed at that. "No, not at all. We've been clear about that to each other. I even have a boyfriend. He's already immigrated to New York."

"Really?" I smiled. "He knows about Sasha?"

She nodded grinning at the memory. "Oh, yes. Sasha was grilling Egor and it was worse than having Egor grilled by my father." She laughed. "What temperament did he have, what experience with children did he have...it was almost brutal, but Egor is a good man and understood. He answered all Sasha's questions."

"Egor would be a good step-father."

She nodded. "He wants children of his own, but yes. I think he'd be an excellent step-father. I doubt Sasha will let go too easy. Not that I'd want to take Alik away from him. Egor and I will probably marry when I come to the United States."

I put her hand in my arm. "That's good to know."

There were so many suitcases, Tony and I decided that a van was needed to take them home. Tasha could only stay three days, she had to fly back to go to work.

Yes, it was again the same thing when they walked into the condo.

"It's huge!" Tasha said to me and looked at the furnishings. "And so clean and pretty."

"Bau!" Alik said looking at the condo.

Which got Tony tapping the device. "Bau?"

"Wow." I translated for him.

Tony nodded. "Oh."

"Sasha's responsible for the clean part," I said grimly. "Even though I tell him not to, he cleans anyway."

Sasha frowned at me. "I am a part of the household. You keep telling me it's my home. I'm going to clean my house!" He'd been around us enough to smile as he said it gruffly.

I leaned into Tasha. "I know he just wants to show me up." Then I said loudly. "I cleaned before Sasha came."

"I cooked," Tony added. "Italian, of course."

Sasha grinned. "Of course." Then he looked at Alik. "Be prepared for a lot of great Italian meals."

Tony was again tapping on the device frowning. "This thing works and then it doesn't."

I grinned taking Tony's hand and kissed him. "Now you know why I'm learning Russian, honey." Then I turned to Tasha. "I'll show you where you're staying. We have the room ready for Alik as well."

"I'm just not as good at languages as you are." Tony grinned and shrugged.

"There are other things you're good at." I winked at him. "There is a couple of things that you are very good at." I grinned saying it all in English.

Since Sasha had moved in I hadn't really paid a lot of attention to what he'd done to the room he was giving Tasha. Since he'd moved out, I was surprised at the little touches he put in here. Sheets that would definitely appeal to a woman with her love of floral patterns, fresh flowers in the room in vases. Soaps that were fragrant as well as pretty in her bathroom. Any sign that it had been occupied by a male was gone. He might not be in love with Tasha, but he loved her. If you understand the difference. She was smiling when she entered the room.

"This is bigger than half of my apartment in Moscow," Tasha said softly looking around and then she looked at me. "Are you sure you two don't do....anything illegal?"

I chuckled. "No, we're kingpins. Crime bosses." Then I shook my head. "Does Tony strike you as dangerous? Do I? I'm a manager of a hotel. Tony does investments and stocks. All perfectly legal. Tony's just very good at it."

She nodded. "You'll give Alik a good life here."

"Sasha is working hard to make sure Alik does," I assured. Then I saw tears form in her eyes. "You're not having regrets, are you?"

She waved me off shaking her head. "No. I know this is for the best." She looked at me. "I'm letting my son go. It's just so hard!" That's when she started crying more.

I walked over to her and put my arms around her. "I can't imagine how that feels, but I know it can't be easy."

That's when Sasha came by with Alik. Sasha looked in, his eyes widening. "Is everything okay?"

Tasha turned around quickly, more to keep Alik from seeing her cry. "We're fine."

"She's just voicing some pain about what you two are doing," I said to Sasha. "It's just a mother being a mother."

Sasha walked in telling Alik to stay in the hall. "But we agreed..."

"I'm not changing my mind!" Tasha shot. Then she said softly. "It just hurts, just as it did every time you had to leave Russia. Leaving Alik behind. It's going to hurt. I'm sorry, but even though I know it's for the best, it's going to be hard."

Sasha smiled, but his eyes were tearing a bit understanding the pain. "I know." Then he hugged her. "I'll take good care of Alik." Then she just cried on Sasha.

I went into the hall. "We'll just give them a moment, okay? I'll show you your room."

Alik didn't listen very well to me or his father. He was six! He came into the room. "What's wrong, Mama?"

Tasha sniffed and knelt in front of her son. "Do you remember what's happening this week?"

Alik nodded. "I will be staying with Papa."

Tasha nodded. "What does that mean?"

Alik didn't seem to understand what she was asking.

"We've talked about this," Tasha said patiently. "I will be leaving here and you will stay. I'll be going back home. This will be your home. I won't be here."

Alik frowned. "But not forever. You said."

Tasha nodded. "Not forever. I will be back, but for a while, it will just be you and Papa." Then she looked up at me. "And some very kind friends."