North Meets South

Story: North Meets South: When World's Collide

Chapter: 14 Ios

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

Mature Readers only due to sexual situations and graphic sexual content

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Mitch and Tony go on their honeymoon again. This time to the island of Ios in the Greek Islands. They return briefly to Rome, go to Ios and make a new friend.

Ios

Alik seemed okay with what his mother said, but I wasn't sure he fully understood. That was yet to sink in.

There was the time difference. It was early evening when Alik was crashed on the sofa while he rested against Sasha in front of the TV. I bought some videos for children his age in Russian for him and he watched that. Then Tasha yawned and rose.

"I better get him to bed." She said smiling reaching for Alik.

Sasha nodded. "I can do it."

I put my hand on Sasha's arm. "Let her. This is going to be while before she can do it again."

Sasha nodded. "Sure."

Tasha lifted her son. "He is getting so heavy. He is growing fast, but you'll need to be ready to make breakfast for him when he wakes up, be it two in the morning here or not." She chuckled.

Sasha grinned back. "I'll be ready."

Tasha held her sleeping son. "This is a good thing." Then she looked at Sasha. "We're doing a good thing. I'll be going to bed myself in a minute. So, I'll say good night."

Watching her go up the stairs, Sasha turned. "Before you scold me again." He grinned. "I know you will if I don't say not to, I can't tell you how grateful I am that you're doing this. You both have literally made me a part of your family. Now you're taking in Alik. So, I have to say thank you."

Tony nodded. "I guess we do come off a little strong at times about that. We care about people. Happiness is important."

"The people we care about, their happiness is very important," I added. "There aren't that many people we care for as much as you, so we want things to work out well. If we can do something to help. That will happen."

Sasha nodded rising. "I know." He leaned down kissing my cheek, then Tony's. "I mean what I say. You two are the best friends I ever had. Thank you." He headed toward the stairs. "I'm just going to look in on him."

I smiled. "He's your son."

Tony waited until Sasha had gone upstairs before Tony frowned. "Are we going to have problems do you think?"

I shrugged. "I can almost promise we will." I sighed. "I like that Tasha told Alik what was going to happen and makes him say what he understands about it, but I don't think Alik really knows or gets it yet. We'll just have to see."

Then Tony growled lightly in my ear as he nuzzled my neck. "Let's go to bed."

I chuckled as he did that. "It's early."

Tony nodded. "It is, isn't it? Who said we have to go to sleep? I'm not sleepy."

The next day, Tony and I got up to find Sasha awake...barely...and sitting as Alik watched some more of the videos I'd gotten him. He was crunching on a child's cereal we'd gotten. Kix or something. He seemed to like it.

"It looks like I need to buy more videos." I grinned as I watched Alik watching intently at the big screen.

"This is a big TV!" Alik told me, still amazed.

Tony leaned into me. "I don't have the translator. What did he say?" Which I grinned telling him.

"Da." Tony nodded and then he went into the office area. He came out with a briefcase and pulled some forms out. "Sasha. There are some things we need to have signed if you stay here." Then he shrugged. "Even when or if you move out."

Sasha turned; his face was curious. "Such as?"

Tony sighed. "Who is your next of kin?"

Sasha turned to Alik. "Him."

Tony nodded. "Can he make a medical decision for your healthcare should you need it?"

"Of course not." Sasha frowned. "He's my only living family, but way too young."

Tony nodded again. "I hope we never have to use this, but if...God forbid...something were to happen and you need a decision made....be it surgery or something. Would you trust Mitch and I would make the right decision? A decision you'd make for yourself?"

Sasha nodded. "I would. You both know me."

Tony smiled. "We'll need that to be legal. If you would...I've had the forms written out in English and Russian so there will be no mistakes. Mitch and I will be you're next of kin unless you can think of someone else." Tony chuckled. "I suppose you're marrying us."

"No, there's no one else I'd trust. At least not here." Sasha chuckled as he took the pen, reading both the contracts. It took a few minutes, but he signed the documents in all the right places.

"Now." Tony pulled another set of contracts. "As far as Alik is concerned...He is and will always be your son. I've also had these contracts made up in English and Russian. We would never be or try to be his parents. You are, but there are things listed here, like picking him up from school if you can't do it. If we take him to the doctor, which we would discuss with you and get your permission to do anything first. Whatever, we can do. Understand? Being a single parent is tough, and we want to help all we can. Is that clear?" He looked at Sasha carefully. "You don't have to. Read it carefully and decide. If you're okay with it, a signature on the Russian form is fine."

"Me signing the Russian form is legal, though?" Sasha asked.

"Absolutely. I had it written up by a lawyer that grew up in Russia. He's American now, but knows it well." Tony nodded, then grinned at me. "He knows the alphabet." I just grinned and kissed Tony quickly, but ignored his dig.

Tony gave it to Sasha, but he didn't just sign it. He read it again and again. He wanted to make sure he understood it all. Then he signed it and handed Tony the forms with a grin. "So, we're married now?"

Tony chuckled. "Yep." He reached out and pulled me into the hug with Sasha. "Just one big gay threesome!"

Sasha shook his head. "That may be a foursome." He said. "David?" Then he quickly held his hand up to stop us. "I'm kidding! I like things one at a time." Then he chuckled. "That particular McKenzie has a lot of energy!"

Tony nodded. "So does this one." Tony hugged me.

The few days seemed to fly by. We showed them Charleston and various places. Even took them out to eat, but soon it was time to take Tasha to the airport. To save on further trauma, we decided that her leaving I would take her to the airport. Tony, Sasha, and Alik were to remain at the condo. As she came down with her suitcase, what I feared would happen, did.

Alik did not like that his mother was leaving. It finally sunk into Alik; his mother was going without him!

"No!" Alik shouted reaching for his mother. "Don't go!"

Tasha knelt again in front of her son but was pulling his arms away from Sasha. "We talked about this. This is what must be done."

"Then I should go with you." Alik wailed.

Of course, this was all in Russian, but Tony could see what was happening and you didn't need to know a language to know what was being said. I was feeling like a voyeur in this. This was a private family moment, but we were there.

"No, Alik," Tasha said firmly. "You have to stay with your father."

"Why can't you stay?" Alik cried.

"Because that's what we have to do," Tasha explained.

Sasha bent beside his son. "Remember I told you about the rules? This is a rule."

"I don't care!!" Alik was now crying even harder.

"I'm not leaving you, Alik," Tasha said, but it was breaking her heart. "I will be back, but I have to go! You know that."

"No, no, no!!" Alik was fighting with all the strength of a six-year-old.

Sasha turned Alik to face him. "Alik, please stop this!" He begged his son. "You're hurting your mother. You're hurting me."

"I don't care!" Alik wailed.

"Yes, you do!" Tasha said firmly. "You're going to miss me. I will miss you, too. Very much, but we have to do this!"

"Why?" Alik bawled.

Sasha forced his son to look at him. "Because we want you to grow up!" Sasha shook his head. "Where we were living is very dangerous! It's our job to protect you. We can't do it as well back in Moscow. You have a chance at a better future here!" Sasha hugged his son hard. "I love you, son. Your mother loves you. We will do whatever we have to do to make sure you can grow up where you're safe, go to school and become a good man!"

"You did!" Alik said.

Sasha nodded. "I was lucky. If my parents could, they'd have sent me away to be safe." The tears were now coming from everyone. Tony and I were crying. "Your mother isn't leaving you."

Tasha nodded. "I'd never leave you. I will be back." She promised.

Sasha nodded. "We still have that connection. You can speak and see her as much as you can. Just as I did you. It hurt me leaving you as much as I had to. I needed to make sure you two had what you needed to live. I had to work. It killed me when I had to leave. There was no choice, I had to!"

"Just like I have to now," Tasha said crying. "I love you, Alik. I'll talk to you once I'm back in Moscow. That won't be for a day or so." She kissed him on the top of his head and then nodded at me. "Let's just go."

What could I do? I simply nodded, took her suitcase, and opened the door. I could hear Alik crying harder and I heard him kicking Sasha as he fought to stay with his mother. Sasha just hugged him tightly and let Alik rave nearly out of control while Sasha refused to let Alik go. I heard Sasha tell Alik over and over. "I've got you. I love you. I've got you. It'll be alright."

When I got Tasha in the car, that's when she broke down and just wept. We had planned to leave a little early as we all knew this would happen both with Alik and with Tasha. I think it is the Boy Scout motto to always be prepared. Well, I was never a Boy Scout, but I like to think I was prepared. I pulled a little pack of travel tissues and handed it to her and just rubbed her back. What could I say to make things better? I just let her cry.

It was a while before she waved me to go, but I headed toward the airport.

"We're doing the right thing." She said weakly. I felt she was saying that more for her own sake than assure me. "It just hurts so much."

Again, what could I say? Then she started to cry again.

By the time I pulled into the airport and parked until she had collected herself enough to go in without anyone panicking. Once we'd gone through security she and I sat until the flight was called.

"Well," she smiled, but her eyes were still a little red and swollen. "The next time I see you, you'll probably be fluent in Russian, perhaps a few other languages." She chuckled. "You still need to work on the accent."

I smiled at her. "It all depends on my motivation. I was highly motivated to learn Italian, just as I was to learn Russian. We'll just have to see. I'll promise to work on the accent."

She hugged me. "Take care of my angel." She kissed me on the cheek. "I know you will. You're good people, you and Tony both."

I smiled wider. "Sometimes. Have a safe trip. We look forward to you coming back."

Tasha nodded. "I still have a few things to do. I'll be in touch." She kissed me on the cheek again and walked through that....tunnel thing. She got on the plane!

When I walked back into the condo, I saw Tony sitting on the sofa...alone. Listening I didn't hear anything from upstairs.

"How was it?" I asked Tony quietly.

Tony shook his head. "It was brutal!" He sighed rubbing his hand over his face. "If Nick ever...Sasha was so patient with Alik. Hell, I was willing to drive Alik to the airport! How was it with Tasha?"

I sat beside Tony. "She had a hard time, but she did it." I looked at Tony. "You understand why, don't you?"

"Yes." He shrugged. "Moscow has millions of people. They're fine, aren't they?"

I nodded. "If you did something to make a future for Nick, wouldn't you do it?" I sighed. "If there was a slim chance of good results in Italy, but a much better one in America, wouldn't you do it? Even if it was traumatic? Your great-grandfather thought so."

Tony put his head on my shoulder. "Yes." He said sadly. "It was so hard! He could be permanently damaged."

"We'll just have to do what we can to minimize the damage. Sasha and Tasha thought it was worth the risk. Have you checked on Sasha?" I asked.

Tony shook his head. "Alik finally stopped kicking and screaming. I was giving them a few minutes before checking in on them." Then Tony scratched his head. "I really need to learn Russian. That translator is good, but..." he shook his head. "There are glitches. If you leave me here with Alik and Sasha's not here..."

I chuckled. "I've checked into a service."

"A service?" Tony looked at me.

"Alik's going to need a sitter and tutor. He needs to learn English and he needs to go to school."

Tony was blinking, he was having a moment to think about what I'd said. "Like who? What service?"

"Au Pairs." I said simply. "There are bonded, hired by people that don't want to have a bad issue with a child's care. We can hire one able to speak Russian and English." I shrugged. "Maybe I could sit in so she could help me with that crazy alphabet."

"You checked on these people." Tony was saying things to confirm what I was saying.

I chuckled. "Yes, Tony. I've found a few services. The best I've found so far is based out of Germany."

"Germany?"

I grinned, turning and pushing him down on the sofa. "Yes, Germany." I leaned on top of him. "I spoke with a woman named Krista. They send Au Pairs all over the world. Their Au Pairs won't abuse physically or mentally according to Krista and I checked with Interpol and their record. They're recommended and have a good rating. Plus!" I grinned as Tony grinned at my enthusiasm. "They don't give a damn that we're gay. In fact, the idea that we were all in committed relationships helped. These are young women and don't want to be sexually assaulted."

Tony nodded. "Uh huh." Then his eyes widened. "Wait, Sasha's not in a committed relationship!"

I smirked. "Please. You saw them." I waved at the obvious. "It's going to happen. We all know it. It's in the stars."

"Okay," Tony chuckled, his fingers in my hair this time. "So, what do we do to get an Au Pair?"

"We'll send our information, and Sasha's, we'll have an interview over the Internet and then we decide after we check out." I narrowed an eye at Tony. "That means no funny business from your family. Mob and things."

Tony chuckled again. "We'll be safe, but you mean Sasha decides." Tony corrected.

"Of course. It's his son." I said logically.

"Have you run it by Sasha?"

I grimaced looking up the stairs. "He was sort of busy for a while, but I'm going to ask him." Then I grinned down at Tony. "We'll probably have to cut this out," I said my hand going up into his shirt to the hair beneath it.

"Probably." Tony nodded kissing me passionately. "What's the harm if Alik sees we're affectionate?"

"Affection. Not sex." I stressed lightly.

It was another few hours when I went upstairs. I hadn't heard a thing from up here. Looking in what Sasha had used for his room while Tasha was here I didn't see anyone. Then in Alik's room, I saw Sasha sitting on the bed with Alik as he rocked and comforted his son. The fact that Sasha had been crying was on his face. I simply was going to leave them alone, but Sasha waved me in.

"I was worried about you two," I said in Russian to them.

Sasha smiled. "It was the shock. He'll be fine." He squeezed his son. "We knew this would be hard on him." He smiled at me. "You did, too."

I was worried that Alik had reverted a little. His thumb in his mouth. I'd never seen him do that the few days he was here. It was probably due to the trauma and he was just comforting himself.

"I sort of knew it would be. Do you want me to bring you something to eat?" I asked Sasha in English, but if Alik wanted it, I'd bring that, too.

Sasha nodded said in English. "Whatever you're fixin'." He hugged his son to himself. "We'll just stay here."

I grinned. "Fixin'?" I repeated. "That was very Southern of you."

"Jeremy." Sasha shrugged with a smile. "It sort of just comes out now. The accent."

I ran a finger over Alik's forehead along his hairline. Alik was quiet, his eyes open, but seemed to have calmed down. Then I smiled at Sasha and left them alone.

I brought up the Sausage and Peppers Tony made. This time, Sasha was curled up with his son on the bed. Alik seemed to have drifted off to sleep.

It was bedtime when Sasha came down with the empty plate.

"He's going to be fine." Sasha nodded. "He ate half of this!" He said happily.

Tony nodded. "He hasn't lost his appetite, good."

Sasha nodded too. "I'm sorry he got..."

"No, Sasha." Tony shook his head. "Don't apologize for Alik missing his mother. We all knew this would happen."

Sasha chuckled. "He's a kicker." He rubbed the crotch of his pants. "He nailed me good a few times."

"Nailed? You sound like a true American." I smiled.

"I'm around it all day." Sasha shrugged. "This the right way to use the word, isn't it?"

"It is." Then I shook my head. "I hope there wasn't too much damage."

Sasha was smiling. "Nah." He shook his head and waved the thought off. "I hope things are better with Alik tomorrow. I go back to work on Tuesday."

I nodded. "Well, that's why it's good you live with a manager." I smiled. "You take any days you need. I'll put you on Family Medical."

Sasha looked surprised. "Doesn't Alan have to approve that?"

"He does." I nodded. "Do you think he'll refuse the best waiter? I don't think so. He'll sign off on it."

"Mitch was looking into some caregivers for Alik," Tony said.

"Caregivers?"

"Someone to look out for Alik," I said. "We all work. He's going to need to go to school, but he needs the language first. I was thinking of getting someone here that knows Russian and English who could help him begin."

Sasha looked amazed. "They have them here?"

"We can find one." I nodded. "There are Russians in Charleston."

Sasha grinned. "Really? I haven't seen many."

"They're there," I said. "We really need a plan. We're going away in a few weeks. You'll need help."

"It's expensive?" Sasha asked.

Tony sighed. "You're as bad as Mitch. Here we go again." He stood up. "You will need help. Damned the expense. You signed a document. I have legal proof you're family now. Like family, we're in this together." Tony walked up putting a hand on Sasha's shoulder. "Family sticks together."

I get up the next morning and find both Sasha and Alik sitting at the table. Alik was not a happy little boy, but he was no longer crying or pouting. Well, that's not true, he was pouting some appearing sullen and withdrawn, but manageable.

"I took the liberty of checking the Internet," I said sitting at the table with them. "It seems there are quite a few Russians here in Charleston."

Sasha's eyes widened a little. "Really? Where are they?" He was surprised.

"All around." I smiled waving around the condo. "There are community events and even some resources locally. We may not have to get an Au Pair."

"What sort of events?" Sasha was interested now.

"All kinds of gatherings." I grinned. "You are not a minority of two. There are several churches and picnics and even baby sitters that speak Russian, but I would like to get anyone coming here from a service where I know they will have to respect our wishes and be held accountable." I motioned for Sasha to follow me. In the computer room/office I pulled up the webpage for Facebook and Russian/Charleston. "Here ya go."

Sasha spoke English well now, but he was having a little trouble with English in the written form. Just as I was with Russian. He had sound it out. That was better than I could do yet.

We both turned as we heard the TV come on. Then we heard Russian being spoken by a high voice, a cartoon from the sound of it.

I grinned at the sound. "Whatever the language, kids know how to use a remote. How is he?"

Sasha smiled nodding. "He just misses Tasha. He's never lived with just me before." Then Sasha gave a shrugging nod. "And of course, you two."

"But no more trauma?"

Sasha frowned. "Not like yesterday." Sasha sighed. "We both hated to do this. We knew it would be hard on him, but...we agreed we had to."

I put a hand on Sasha's shoulder. "We're on your side. Remember that."

"He keeps wanting to contact her." Sasha chuckled. "I tell him she's not home yet. He's impatient."

"The whole point is to get Alik a better chance in life." I nodded. "As Tony asked me, there are millions in Moscow and they're fine. Why do you think it will be better here?"

Sasha thought a moment. "Well...there are no promises this is the best way. He could be kidnapped while here. He could catch a disease here. He could have been raised in Moscow and turn out just fine. The world as big as it is; is a dangerous place." He shrugged. "We may be making a mistake, but I don't think so." He smiled. "I love Russia. I am Russian...for now. There are things in Moscow I'd like to shield Alik from. There are the Bratva and other groups like them that are dangerous." He sighed. "They exploit people to make money. It can be drugs or even sex. Children are taken sometimes and used for both. My son would be prized for the men that like little boys."

I nodded understanding what he was saying. "They're here, too."

Sasha nodded. "I know. I know that things will improve in Russia, but here in the United States, there are those opportunities are in place already. So, why not take advantage of the opportunity?"

I smiled. "I just hope it all works out."

"I believe it will."

I came back into the kitchen where Tony was getting things ready to get his coffee.

"Sorry, I was talking with Sasha," I explained.

Tony nodded. "I can make coffee." He muttered. "I know how it works."

I pulled him into a kiss. "I know, but I like to take care of you."

Tony grinned kissing me back. "I like you taking care of me." He moved his face into my neck. "In a few weeks, there will be nothing but us for two weeks. No hotel, no investors..." he looked at Alik. "And no Russians."

"You don't mind them here now, do you?"

Tony shook his head. "No. Having Sasha here is normal now. We just have a new and smaller one." He cocked his head. "Why are we going to the McKenzie place on Thanksgiving? Don't we go to your Mom's home at Thanksgiving?"

I nodded. "We missed the last two gatherings at the McKenzie's in June and with Grandpa gone now...Uncle Earl and Aunt Pat are going to Aunt Pat's parents...Aunt Mary and Uncle Norman aren't coming; it makes more sense to bring Grandma to the McKenzie's."

"Do you think Sasha and Alik will come?"

I didn't know how I felt about it. "I think it has the potential to go either way...good and bad. It will be done." Then I smiled laughing. "Of course, David will be here this weekend...if things go well between him and Alik..."

Sasha came into the kitchen. "I contracted ChildCare dot com. They're sending a couple of babysitters today." He shrugged. "We'll need one soon when I go back to work and you two will be gone a couple of weeks."

Tony nodded. "If we can do anything, let us know. You hire whoever you think best."

"We'll get a nannycam," I said.

Sasha froze a second. "A nannycam? What is that?"

"A disguised object with a camera in it to watch when we're not here," I explained. "We can even watch on phones or a computer when away if we need to check in." I felt Tony nudge me gently reminding me. "You can, I mean."

Sasha chuckled. "Could you be a little less obvious, Tony?" He smiled. "You've taken part of the responsibility for Alik and Mitch is just voicing his ideas on how to be careful. He just knows where to look for things I couldn't"

I nudged Tony back. "It's all good."

Alan and Kent were taking a week off before we were leaving and going...somewhere. I would be alone, in charge for that week. Sasha had found a woman who spoke Russian and was able to come and watch Alik during the day and evening if needed. Since Sasha's best work was done in the evening mostly, she was needed then and agreed. It was two days before Tasha used the system to let us know she'd gotten home. She and Alik spoke for some time.

Then that Friday afternoon, David arrived. He greeted Sasha with a kiss, but it was barely a peck. Sasha's eyebrow rose at the greeting.

"Is that it?" Sasha grinned.

David pointed behind Sasha. "Alik's right there."

Sasha shook his head. "So?" He grabbed David and kissed him passionately. When Sasha let David go. "That's a kiss hello."

David chuckled as he lips lingered on Sasha's neck. "I didn't want to freak him out."

"Alik doesn't freak that easily." Sasha hugged David to himself. "Letting Alik know you're important will only make it easier later."

Then David looked at Alik and began in very Southern English accented Russian. "Hello, Alik. I'm learning Russian, so it will be...." He searched his mind for the words he was learning. "...hard at times. Be patient."

Alik smiled and replied in Russian, which Sasha heard and chuckled.

"He says your accent is funnier than Uncle Tony's." Sasha laughed as he translated.

"That's because Tony's a Yankee! I'm a Southerner!" David growled but was smiling.

Sasha had to think of what to translate for Southerner but got the idea across to Alik. Then Sasha handed David the Translator. "You will need this. It's all charged up."

David sighed hitting the button. "Good." To which the Translator said. "Khorosho." Then he looked at Sasha. "Why can't it be like on Star Trek? It's all just translated." To which "Pochemu ona ne mozhet by't kak na Star Trek? Eto vse prosto perevedeno." Came over the Translator. "Oh, shut up." And the Translator said. "Da zatknis."

Sasha chuckled and Alik just laughed.

Things looked like it was going to be fine to me. David even insisted he and Sasha not go out that weekend, instead, he got to know Alik with Sasha. Yes, things were going to be just fine. I found games we could get to teach Alik English as well. There were also some videos we could get to help Alik learn English.

The next week was busy for me which I didn't mind because when I needed Alan, he was there with no complaints. So, I stepped in to cover for Alan. I was fine working the occasional weekend alone, but this was my first solo as manager. There were the usual reservation errors....damned Expedia and all those websites. Third party reservations may be cheaper, but what you saw online sometimes was not what you got. They want a refund. So, I tell them...as nicely as I can. You buy it online, the refund has to come online. Not from us. The credit cards used was often the website's credit card, not their own personal cards. And there was again the self-entitled that thought the world owed the...well...everything. Some guests can be so...stupid. They always thought they deserved...everything!

Sasha returned to work, much to Jeremy`s relief. The woman hired to keep Alik only did it from eleven until seven. That's when I got home. Tony made sure I was there before he got there to prevent language problems.

When Sasha came home, I spoke with him. "Maybe we should hire the Au Pair."

"Okay, but why?"

"Because this person will be a live-in," I explained. "Meaning she will be here twenty-four seven."

"Twenty-four seven?" Sasha sometimes didn't get everything. His English was getting a lot better having to use it every day and not falling back on Russian.

"Meaning she's here twenty-four hours, all day, seven means seven days a week," I explained. "She can have days off, but your schedule will be the important thing."

"Will that be better, you think?" Sasha asked.

"What do I know?" I said glumly. "What I know is...if Tony and I do adopt a child, they will have to come from either Italy or Russia, I'm not really wanting to learn another language like Chinese right now. My head will explode!"

Sasha chuckled at that.

"What's happening soon, Tony and I will be gone for two weeks."

Sasha nodded. "I have a lady from a service coming in the day and evening. David's coming also." He grinned. "I've got it covered."

I nodded. "Good." I had to know. "How are things with Alik and David?"

Sasha smiled even bigger, but not at me. "It's pretty good." He was smiling at something he was remembering. "I think it will work out well." Then he smiled directly at me. "But you knew it would."

I nodded, but then shook my head. "I didn't know. I hoped it would. I know him. I've gotten to know you. I wanted it to work out. You, like Tony don't act gay."

Sasha looked puzzled a second, then nodded. "You mean Golub."

Now it was my turn to look puzzled. "Golub, doesn't that mean pigeon?"

Sasha nodded and then shrugged. "Goluboi, which mean blue means faggot, but yes, golub is pigeon, that's the real meaning."

I grinned. "That seems a little odd." Languages were odd. Sounds that mean something? Not what it was intended?

"A word for happy here means gay, so?" Sasha smiled shrugging. "What's the difference?"

"Point taken." I grinned.

Sasha smiled again. "Wait, you know pigeon? What other animals do you know?"

I smiled. "I know sobaki, koshki, loshadi, utki, a takzhe golubyam."

Sasha nodded. "That's dog, cat, horse, duck as well as pigeon." He was more doing that for himself. Then he nodded a little triumphantly. "I am right?"

I chuckled. "You are! Very good. How about nos, glaza, ushi i yolosy?"

"Nose, eyes, ears and hair." Sasha nodded. Then he got a grin that was definitely not anything but sly. "What about knuy?"

I blinked suspecting it wasn't necessarily nice, but I smiled. "I don't know that word."

Sasha chuckled and grabbed his own cock through his pants. "Knuy. That thing all men have..."

I chuckled. "You mean cock!!"

"Yes!" Sasha grinned. "And what about yebat?" He thrust a finger in his loosely clenched fist. "Yebat. What all men do when having sex with their knuy."

I looked to see where Alik was. Then grinned at Sasha. "I'm sure you mean fuck."

"I've got a lot more." Sasha was smiling very broadly now as we heard the door to the condo open. "Russian has a lot of words that are...." He thought of the word in English, "profane? We do it a lot. I'll teach you more later. You can teach me." He started walking away.

"Yeah, but who do I use it on?" I shouted.

"If someone pisses you off, call him a mudak! You just called him a bad word!" Sasha grinned. "The word means asshole or motherfucker as far as I can tell. I need a Russian to be sure which."

"Really?" My smile said this was an interesting turn of a phrase. "I'd like to know the others."

Sasha chuckled. "As I said, there are a lot more. Russian has a lot of profane words. Rivok is not curse word, but means jerkoff. Zaebis, for holy shit. Minet for blow job. Zasranec also for asshole. Potselui mou zhopy for kiss my ass. Zhopa also for asshole...."

I chuckled. "Russia must have a lot of assholes."

"Sometimes I feel like we have more than we should." Sasha grinned. "Eto mnye do huya for I don't give a fuck.

Tony smiled as he came up. "Hi. Sasha." He looked at Sasha's face and mine. "What did I miss?"

I shrugged kissing Tony. "Not much, Sasha's just teaching me to cuss...in Russian."

Sasha shrugged. "And Mitch's teaching me to cuss in English."

Tony looked surprised. "Why? He doesn't ever hardly cuss in any language."

"Yeah, I don't," I admitted. "It never hurts to know what they are." Then I grinned at Sasha. "If someone says zhopa to you, would you know they just called you an asshole?"

Tony smiled. "I do now."

The week did pass and soon I was packing for our trip. I was arranging our clothes when Tony came home. Entering our room, he frowned at what he saw. I only had a few suitcases.

"Are we packing light?" He asked.

I looked at the four suitcases. "Light!?" Then I grinned at my husband. "I suppose this is light for you. We don't need that many suitcases. We don't need that many clothes." I waved at the suitcases. "We can go without any on Ios."

Tony smiled. "Go nude? You? Out in the open!?" He came up to me, wrapping his arms around me.

"It's a private beach. No one else there." I smiled as he kissed me. "Just me and maybe some seagulls."

Tony kissed me gently again. "What's to do for fun there?" His grin told me he knew perfectly.

"I won't honor that question with an answer," I growled. "This way, I'll have no tan lines for sure. If we lay out. It'll be a little chilly at night."

"It will be just you and me." Tony grinned kissing me again. "That sounds wonderful."

"And we're doing nothing about our birthdays until we're on Ios." I reminded him.

He nodded frowning as he thought about it. "I'll be forty."

I nodded. "Still the most handsome man I've ever even heard of."

Things were a little chaotic our last day. I still had to work and so did Tony. David arrived that afternoon and was staying the two weeks. He'd have to go back to Columbia for class occasionally, but he'd be back that evening and it wasn't that far away. Alan and Kent had returned having had a pleasant time. Alan was a little tanner!

Then it was sort of like we were parents leaving the kids home alone for the first time. For me, anyway.

"Our Androids will be on, you can contact us anytime," I said to Sasha who was smiling with his arm around David. Alik in front of them.

Tony grinned. "Are there cell towers on Ios?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm sure there are." I didn't really know.

Sasha chuckled as he shook me lightly. "Go, have a good time. Stop being nasedka."

I frowned. "I'm not being a mother hen!"

David smiled. "Yes, you are Dad. Don't worry, we'll have the party mess cleaned up before you get back." He smirked as he said that.

I knew he was kidding. At least I hoped so.

Alik smiled at me. "Have a good trip, Uncle Mitch. Uncle Tony." He said in English. Very accented, but in English!

I smiled at the boy in delight. "That was perfect!" I said in Russian hugging Alik. "Though, do I say I'm not the one with the funny accent now? Watch your Daddy and David. They're tricky."

Alik grinned. "I will. Are you bringing me anything?" He asked in Russian hopefully.

I smiled. "I think we might."

The doorbell rang as the driver had gotten there. Opening it, I was surprised. This was no cab driver; this was a chauffeur! I hadn't called for the taxi, Tony did. I looked at Tony. "A limo?"

Tony grinned. "Not a super stretch, but yes." He shrugged.

Once in the limo, I smiled at my husband. "Am I a mother hen?"

Tony just rolled his eyes and didn't answer.

We flew to Atlanta and from there we flew to Rome. Again, we were in first class. After an hour or so, Tony took my hand.

"Membership renewal." He grinned pulling some pocket lube out. "Only, you first. I make love to you."

The bathroom for this airline wasn't as big as British Airways. This was Delta. They had planes going all over the United States and the world! It was nice, but the means to an end. No one knocked or wanted to use the bathroom or even noticed. Tony did make love to me and I got to make love to him. With the same results, as I had to cover his mouth while I was making love to him. We cleaned up and returned to our seats. It was then I saw the older lady on the other side of the aisle frowning at us. Not everyone didn't know what we were doing, and she did not approve. It was her problem, not ours. She wasn't a member of the Mile High Club and never would be.

It was a few hours when we started to come down to the da Vinci Airport. Start the mandolin! In a lot of ways, I felt like I was coming home. We'd been here before and now it was an old friend to me. Only this time, we arrived at night. Seeing the Cavaliere at night was still impressive. We entered the hotel which we both knew now. At the front desk, the young woman smiled.

"Welcome to the Cavaliere. Can I check you in?" She greeted in Italian.

"Yes, Anthony Delveccio and Mitchell McKenzie." Tony smiled.

She typed quickly. "Oh, yes. You're in our Penthouse Suite." She read quickly. "The same as before." She nodded. "Welcome back, but only three days?"

I grinned. "We're vacationing in the Greek Islands, but we're returning in a week. We'll be back again, don't worry about that. We love it here."

Returning to the suite, I loved the view and I loved being back in Rome. I was looking out the window when I felt Tony grab me. Pulling me back to the bedroom and pushing me down on the bed as he kissed me, hard!

"I know you know it, but...I love you, Mitch." Tony smiled as his hands came up my sides pulling my shirt from my pants. "For the next two weeks, it's just you, me and a lot of lovemaking. Repeatedly."

"Repetitively in action makes perfection. I can't imagine it getting better, but we'll see." I chuckled as my arms brought him closer. "Well, we need to make sure you've drunk a lot of fluids and eat properly. You'll need the energy."

Tony smiled. "Bentornait bello, romantic Roma. Tutto quello che faremo per le prossime due settimane e divertirci e fare l'amore."

I shook my head. Switching languages was not hard now. "It is beautiful in Rome. It is romantic. Only if you're here. We will do nothing but enjoy and love each other." I said in English. I felt my shirt being unbuttoned and slipped off. "I do love you, Tony."

Tony smiled kissing me. "I know you do."

I sighed. "This is what I've always wanted." I ran my fingers in his hair looking in his adoring eyes.

Tony looked surprised. "Rome?"

"You." I smiled. "A man that loves me, that I know well and we know each other. A comfortable familiarity. We know what we both want and how to give it to the other. No games."

Tony grinned and shook his head. "No games." Then he thought. "I wonder if I can get another Roman Soldier outfit."

I laughed as I pulled his shirt open inhaling his scent. "Not necessary right now," I said as my erection hardened from his scent. "Maybe later." I smiled as my hand went below his pants to his ass. "Right now, I've got what I need right here." Kissing him as hard as he did me. Rolling us over I pulled his shirt off, my nose in his chest hair as I unfastened his pants. Heated and hot sex is great. We did have that. But we also had the slow, passion-filled longing to try to physically join. We no longer just had sex, we made love and we loved each other.

It was at breakfast...well, lunch by the time we woke up. Time was ahead here in Rome. What was morning back in Charleston was midday was here. There was six hours difference.

"Have you an idea what you want to do today?" Tony asked me, sipping his coffee. That precious Italian coffee.

"There are some sites we can see." I nodded. "Return to some...but really, Tony. I just want to spend time with you. We don't have to do a thing we haven't already done. No schedules to keep." Then I grinned. "And no shopping!"

Tony frowned. "Aw, come on. We're in Rome, we have got to shop!" He pouted. "It's a rule!!" He grinned at me.

I nodded grinning back. "I see, and who made up that rule?"

"I did." Tony leaned over kissing me. "Just now." He sat back after kissing me again. "Besides, we promised Alik something from our trip...and there's Sasha and David...."

"Fine!" I stopped him. "We'll shop. For them."

"Why waste time and energy?" Tony asked. "We're here, we might as well shop for clothes for us. We each need at least one outfit."

I shook my head. "God, you are so gay!"

Tony chuckled. "Yes, I am. And madly in love with you."

We did shop, sort of. Nothing in mind, but just wandered around town. We tried a new place for a late lunch. Then we had a nice dinner at La Pergola there at the Cavalieri. Tony got to dress for dinner in a nice blue suit. It was very sharp and with his skin color and hair, breathtaking. I had a nice brown...beige...whatever, it was a suit. There is a dress code.

"Since we're still of Eastern Time. Would you like to explore more of the nightlife in Rome?" I asked, but had an idea about what.

Tony looked at me wiping his mouth on his cloth napkin. "Such as?"

"We've been dancing before, but never over here. I'd like to see a night club here."

Tony's eyebrows rose. "A night club. You mean a gay club."

I nodded. "If we're dancing there, it would have to be."

Tony chuckled. "And you have one in mind." He knew I did.

"There's one nearby, near the Coliseum. Called The Bar." I shrugged. "It has the best rating on the internet."

Tony grinned. "I'm game." Then he narrowed his eyes. "No picking up strangers to bring home, okay?"

"I didn't do that with Sasha! He just followed us home."

"I mean, the last time we were in Rome, those two...whatever...American tourists, we met from California that wanted to have sex with us." Tony growled. "No twinks. Nobody, but for us."

I saluted. "Absolutely."

It was October and it got cool in Rome. While not cold, we wore jackets and jeans out for clubbing. It was a weekend night now and Rome was gearing up to party! As we got to the street, it was easy to see where The Bar was. The building was nice, old made new again, but above the marque was lit with the rainbow colors of the gay flag making the wall glow in those colors. When off, the advertising went away. The music was pumping bass rhythm even at a distance. Male couples were going inside. There were a few girls there, or guys dressed as girls, but mostly all guys. As always there was a middle aged guy that greeted us.

"Hello, welcome to The Bar!" He greeted in Italian. "I've never seen you guys before, are you new here?"

"We're just passing through," Tony said with a smile. "My husband here saw you guys on the internet and wanted to go dancing and here we are!"

The man grinned wider. "Husband? That's very nice! We've got plenty to dance to here." Of course, there is always a cover charge and he was right. Once inside the music was blaring! That's what you wanted, right? The place had a dance floor and guys were dancing their asses off! It was a party inside. Laughing, drinking and yes, there were many kissing. And if I looked hard enough, I might have seen more. For the most part, the guys here were young, in their twenties or early thirties. Some older, but mostly they were here to meet up and dance! No matter what country or language, there is a universal language; music and the love to dance. Tony and I had been to a few clubs and we could dance. When he grabbed me, spun me around and danced me out to the dance floor we were just a couple of guys enjoying being together and danced! Time was unimportant and we danced until either of us had gotten winded. Tony might be turning forty, but his feet didn't know that. He was in good shape as he exercised religiously. So did I. To me there would never be anyone else.

The atmosphere was great and the guys were all friendly. Some wanted to be very friendly. Tony had to go to the bathroom and I didn't, so I went and waited at the bar. Languages were being spoken loudly, Italian, English and others scattered around.

"Dove e il tuo ragazzo?" I heard next to me. I turned to see a guy in his late twenties, not a bad looking guy. Dark hair, that was a plus for me. Asking me where my boyfriend was. From his accent, I knew he was American.

"My husband had to relieve himself," I answered in English with a smile.

The guy's eyes grew. "You're American?" He smiled. "So am I."

I nodded. "I heard that. Tony and I have been married for four years."

"Wow!" The man grinned. "That's impressive. I was going to ask if I could buy you a drink, but I guess that's one out, huh?"

I smiled back. "Yeah, it's out, but thanks."

He shook his head. "He's a lucky man."

"So am I." I shook his hand. "Happy hunting."

Tony was just coming back when the guy walked off. "I thought only women had lines to the bathroom." He looked at the guy who was now approaching another guy. "Who was that?"

I grinned at him then pulled him into a kiss. "Just a man that wanted company."

Tony frowned looking at the guy again. "I walk off and it's open season for you?"

My eyebrows rose. "What, you think I'd be interested?" I raised my finger. "Don't start. You're the only man for me and you know that. The only person for me. I think you'd be flattered. A nice looking guy wants to get close to me, but I only allow you to do that. Now, let's dance some more." I pulled him back on the dance floor.

The sun was starting to shine on the horizon when we headed back to the hotel. We walked through the streets of Rome. Again, I could almost hear the mandolin.

"I had a good time tonight," Tony said taking my hand as we walked.

"There are going to be more nights like this one," I promised.

Then I grinned when I told Tony we were going shopping. For clothes! His face was so...well, his face would split if he smiled any bigger. It was as if telling a child we were going to Disneyworld! You know by now that I hated shopping, but it made him happy. I'd deal with it.

We ended up at the Spanish Steps, or near there. There were names of stores we went in I had no idea who they were. Except for Armani, him I knew. I think we covered half of Rome! Like a kid a Disneyworld, Tony was all over the place. He wanted for me to be included, so he brought shirts and pants, one right after the other to me to see if I'd try them on. I hated that even more! But I did anyway. I think he went overboard as the boxes were threatening to be more than we brought to Rome. The beauty was we didn't have to pack a thing. He only chose a few things to take with us and had the rest shipped!

That evening we went to our rooftop terrace and soaked in the Jacuzzi. Tony sighed as he seemingly melted in the bubbling hot water.

"I was sore this morning," Tony confessed, but a happy smile on his face. "I'll be sore again from all that walking today." Then he brightened. "But it was worth it."

Coming close to him, his arm went around me without his even thinking about it. "It was." I agreed. "Not for what you and I got, but it made you so happy."

"As long you're happy with me. We're good!" Tony said kissing me gently.

I nodded. "There you go!"

The trip to Ios was a little more difficult. We left the hotel in the morning and flew to Athens, then took a much smaller plane toward Ios. It wasn't but a few miles, maybe a hundred in a group of Islands south of Greece known as the Cyclades.

Once we landed and we had to land on Santorini, which had the closest airport. There we rented a car, a little light green Fiat and was ferried to Ios and again things just sort of wound down even more. It was now late Fall, but the temperature in the day was pleasant. But as we rode over on the ferry, I grinned at what I saw. No one cared Tony and I were together. They didn't really seem to know about personal space. Men, women, and children were often together tightly in groups of two or more. Men with men, women with women and men with women. There were a number of men together that I wondered about. Were they relatives, just friends or lovers? Maybe all of the above! No one cared! Tony took my hands as we stood next to a railing and watched as we made our journey. The wind blowing our hair into messes, but we were so relaxed we didn't care.

Tony grinned at me and kissed me. "This is going to be nice. It's so beautiful here!" Then he kissed me again. "You're beautiful."

I smiled back looking at him. "You're relaxed. That's what I wanted for you and me." I brushed his hair with my fingers looking at his handsome face. "You know, you could be Greek."

Tony laughed. "Now I have to learn Greek?"

I shrugged. "What's another language? I'm looking forward to just us for a few days."

Ios was a hilly island. The towns were....white! The homes and buildings were all pretty much white like sun-bleached rock. This wasn't an urban area at all. It was an island and surrounded by the most beautiful turquoise colored water! There were these colored garage doors on many near the coast, adding color to the white landscape. The businesses here were pretty much all for tourism and there were resorts and villas around the city of Ios where we landed. Restaurants were many, so we had places to eat if we didn't want to cook. We were on vacation, so we would probably take up on the opinion.

Once there we headed to the office to pick up the keys for the villa.

It was a little drive to the villa on the beach. It too was white. This wasn't a beach home in the United States. It was better! Stone construction, but was pristine. It wasn't a big place, only two bedrooms, but two baths, a kitchen, and a living area, but open doors and windows allowed the beach view, unobstructed. It was perfect. The wind was cool but nice. There wasn't another house in sight of our villa. Nicely furnished and again, a lot of the furniture was white on the hardwood floors. The beach in the not far distance was deserted. I grinned to Tony.

"Take them off." I pointed to him as I unbuttoned my shirt.

Tony smiled. "What? Now?" He began unbuttoning his shirt, too. "You're really going out naked? You?"

"That's why I rented this villa. It had a private beach. No one around. If someone comes walking up the beach, so be it. It's our beach for the week." I grinned as I kicked my shoes off. Then pulled my pants off. "We can come in if it gets too cold, but it's nice now."

Tony quickly shed his clothes and we both headed toward the water which was still warm. Around the beach, the water was clear on the sandy areas, a topaz color a little farther out to a sapphire blue out deeper and the sky was clear on blue. Tony's favorite color. We enjoyed swimming and just being together until it began to get dark. Then decided we should go in and eat something. We had a fully stocked kitchen, so putting a meal together wasn't hard. But we didn't even bother to dress. We had nothing that had to be done. It was very peaceful.

I woke the next morning hearing the familiar breathing next to me that told me Tony was still asleep. Then I looked at a surprise. Looking in our window was a burro! You know? Donkey? I smiled seeing this creature just looking in, not worried or anything, but just looking. Getting up I walked to the window. He or she didn't move. I heard Tony roll over.

"What are you doing?" He asked sleepily.

"We have a guest." I grinned opening our bedroom door to the patio beyond.

"What?" Tony sat up and looked up, seeing the burro. "Where'd he come from?"

I chuckled as I knelt before our new friend. "I read they're wild here. He probably just wandered over to see there was someone here. He probably just wants something to eat."

Tony propped on his elbow grinning. "You and farm animals." He shook his head.

"I like all animals!" I smiled at the burro. "We have carrots, or maybe you'd like an apple. I had us fully stocked and I know we have apples." I went to the kitchen and brought a couple of apples back.

"Don't feed him!" Tony said, but still grinning. "He'll never want to leave!"

"Why should he?" I asked opening to door easily so I wouldn't scare him. "He lives here, we don't."

The burro backed up a little but was still staring as he looked curiously at my hand with the apples. He was interested.

I held an apple up. "All creatures love apples. Especially horses. So, I'm guessing burros should, too." I held the apple closer. "Here ya go." The burro sniffed and wandered closer, nosed the apple, and took it. Now his little tail was wagging if you've ever seen a burro wag it's tail. Or ever seen a burro. I ended up with apple juice and donkey slobber on my hands but didn't mind. "Yes, you like me. I'm a nice guy."

Tony came to the door and leaned on the frame and just watched us continuing to smile. "I married Dr. Dolittle." He chuckled.

"We're all God's creatures, Tony." I smiled as I gave the burro the second apple and he let me pet him. "He's a sweetheart."

"As long as you have the apples." Tony wasn't rushing out to pet our new little friend. "So, is there anything you want to do? Besides making friends with all the animals on the island."

"We don't have to do anything." I smiled as the burro got closer nosing me for more. "I'm enjoying Bucky here for the moment."

"Bucky?" Tony laughed.

"He's got a name, I'm sure, but he's not likely to tell me, are you, Bucky?

"There's a naked man kneeling and petting an ass named Bucky." Tony was enjoying this, too.

I looked back at him. "A naked man watching the naked man pet the ass named Bucky."

Tony nodded his chuckle rumbling deeply. "Well, before you touch my ass, you'll have to wash your hands from petting that ass named Bucky."

Tony was really enjoying this. "Tony, don't be an ass." I grinned.

Tony laughed harder and shook his head again. "Oh, this is too good, we're playing with the word ass and dealing with a real ass. I don't mind. I like playing with ass, but not that ass. Just your ass." Then he cocked his head. "Which is pretty tempting right now."

I looked at him, but you can't hide anything when you're naked. He was liking my ass right now. "I see that." I got up and came and kissed him passionately while holding my hands away from him. "I'll wash up." I turned back to the burro. "Come back and see us, okay, Bucky. We have plenty of apples?" I washed my hands and then went back to the bedroom where Tony was lying on the bed grinning and giving me the come here motion with his finger. "You want to play with my ass, or have yours played with?"

Tony nodded. "Yes." Then he rolled on his back. "Sniff away! I want you to!"

Again, there were fireworks. It was also apparent he was beginning his midlife crisis.

"That was amazing, Mitch." He sighed relaxing as we both enjoyed the afterglow. "Not bad for an old man."

I grimaced. "Tony, you're going to be forty. That's not old." I rolled so I could prop on an elbow and look down at him. "I realize I'm not there yet, so I don't really understand, but what's bad about turning forty? You're still very good looking and you work out every day and are in great shape."

Tony nodded but didn't meet my eyes. "I do. I find that I have to work out more than I am accustomed to, to get the results I'm used to."

I nodded as my hands just naturally went to the hairs I loved on his chest. "Why are you worried about that?"

Tony's eyebrows rose. "Why? Because I don't want to get old."

I smiled tightly. "That's going to happen. You can't stop time."

"I know." Tony smiled. "That doesn't mean I'm giving in, I'm going to fight it tooth and nail."

"That's fine." I kissed the part of his chest I could and up his chin to his lips. "Just trust in our love and know I'm always going to be at your side."

He grinned but nodded slowly. "I don't know, I know you'll be with me, but I want to be here for you and with you. It's something about that number forty that sort of bothers me. I'm scared I won't be here." He admitted. "I know I won't be a young man anymore."

I grinned. "No, you're better than a young man." I watched his eyes light up a little. "The best steaks are the ones that have aged, like the steakhouse in Manhattan you took me to, or the wine I like has to age into something wonderful, or even cheeses have mature to be at their best and most flavorful. You tell me macaroni and gravy just gets better on the second or third day when their flavors marry and marinate. You're a greatly seasoned man that just gets better with time." I grinned kissing him gently, slowly and putting all the love I felt into it.

"We've been together going on five years," Tony said slowly. "I suppose we're the macaroni and gravy. Just slowly marrying our flavors to become something wonderful."

"We have wonderful now." I grinned. "It's hard to believe it will get better. I can't imagine better, but it will be."

He looked up at the ceiling. "It's hard to get my mind to relax. I keep feeling like I'm late or something."

I chuckled. "For what? We're not expected anywhere for a week."

Tony nodded. "I know."

"No one's expecting us at any time this week," I added.

"I know," Tony admitted with a smile.

"We can go into town, look around the island and just enjoy being together." I proposed.

"That will be fine." Tony nodded. "We will be together. I was amazed when no one looked at us crazy on the ferry. People do, even in Manhattan."

I grinned. "Being gay in Greece is accepted. They were open with whomever they were with. That was nice."

"I love you, Mitch."

I kissed him gently. "I know."