North Meets South

Story: North Meets South: When World's Collide

Chapter: 17 A New Life

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

Mature Readers only due to sexual situations and graphic sexual content

Freedom of expression is precious. To do that Nifty needs help. Your donation is greatly desired. Give to http://donate.nifty.org/ or this story ends and all the others! That would be a crime!

Mitch begins a new chapter in his life.

A New Life

Max Belle was going to face charges, but he had to get well enough to go to trial first. He was a rich man and could easily leave the hospital or even the country and the police knew that. They posted guards at the door of his hospital room, which once he recovered enough he would be arraigned. Once that was done, he'd be transferred to the little part of the hospital they had for criminals. It was a week or so after Sasha had been discharged when he had to appear before a judge to determine what would be done. The judge thought he was a flight risk and refused bail and Belle was remanded to custody.

It was a right for a man to have a speedy trial and once he was before the judge, there was little deliberation. The accident and what happened was all on CD thanks to the webcams on highways now.

"All rise." The bailiff called and everyone stood as the judge came to her bench and all did, except Mr. Belle who was still in a wheelchair.

The judge sighed as she shook her head. "Mr. Belle, you have been found guilty of reckless vehicular homicide of your wife, Constance Belle and vehicular assault on Mr. McKenzie and Mr. Lebedev. There is no doubt as it was seen by all on video. You are hereby sentenced to seventeen years in the Federal Corrections Institution in Bennettsville, South Carolina. Upon your release from the hospital, you will surrender to custody and begin your sentence then. It is so ordered." She said hitting her desk with the gavel.

"I had no choice!" Belle said in a wail. "Connie was drunk!"

"As you were, Mr. Belle." The judge said sadly. "Now she's dead. Did it not occur to you that taking the wheel was a bad idea?"

"How were we to get home?" Belle asked.

"You could have called a taxi." The judge said calmly.

This idea was so foreign to Belle. "It was New Year's Day. They would take hours to get there!"

The judge nodded. "You would have been home. Now, you won't be going home." The judge rose and walked out as guards came to wheel him back to return the hospital.

I was not happy, but justice was being done. David was wanting more but nodded. "That's what it should be."

We hired a lawyer. Hans Dunkirk. He was known for being a very sharp man and would be the one bringing the suit against Belle. David was right, the man did some very criminal things and as a result, someone died, Sasha nearly died and I was hurt. I was feeling better about suing Belle now.

I did return to work. I felt so guilty about all the time I'd missed being out, but Alan didn't want to hear it.

"You're a very good manager," Alan said. "The employees trust you. I trust you. The time you take is earned. The time you spent in the hospital wasn't your choice. Don't worry about it."

Then Alik was turning seven. Because Sasha was still in casts, I made arrangements for Alik's party at the condo, inviting Alik's new friends over for his birthday party. And there was the cake and presents and a condo full of noisy children from four to ten years old. Mrs. Cummings was a godsend. She was Russian and spoke Russian fluently and her children spoke enough to understand Alik, but were teaching Alik English better than a teacher. We hired a teacher though, Alik would be attending school the next year, but Sasha didn't want Alik to lose time because of change in languages.

The lawsuit was coming, but we were looking March or April after Belle's trial on the incident. Our lawyer was getting things together.

"There isn't going to be much of a trial, not even a trial like he was sentenced. We'll simply use the footage used." Dunkirk said in our living room to Sasha, me, Tony, and David. "It's a pretty done deal. Open and shut." He smiled. "Modern technology is marvelous. It's documented."

Sasha frowned. "Documented?"

"You didn't see it, but there are traffic cams that recorded the whole thing." Dunkirk nodded. "We have footage of the car heading down the wrong side of the highway and hitting you two." He shrugged. "That and he was pulled from the wreckage on the driver's side, the lab results on his blood alcohol levels. It's a slam dunk." He grinned. "That's evidence we'll have to the Civil Suit and he doesn't want a jury trial."

I nodded. "Because of the publicity?"

"Exactly," Dunkirk answered.

I didn't think about what Tony and I had talked about much that day shortly after I'd gotten home from the hospital. Now it was about to be the end of February when Tony came home whistling. We'd been married a while now and there were signs that he was up to something. First, it was my day off and he usually takes time away to spend with me, but he'd said he'd be back and left a few hours. I knew he was up to something, but I let him have...whatever up his sleeve remain known to just him for now. Tony came in and plopped down beside me on the sofa kissing me energetically, barely containing himself. "Hi! Are you doing anything for this evening?"

I grinned at him knowing he was about to spring something on me. "I was going to make dinner in a few minutes, but nothing scheduled. Why?"

Tony stood up and held his hand out. "Well, dinner will be out, but there are a couple of things I want you to see. You may want to get a coat. It's a little cool out."

I looked down at what I had on. "I'm in jeans. I have on a casual shirt...should I change?"

"Nope," Tony said kissing me again. "You're perfect." He pulled me after him and grabbed my coat from the entrance way closet, handing it to me.

We rode down in the elevator, but as we got to the garage he covered my eyes as we exited the elevator.

"No peeking," Tony warned.

"You didn't," I said suspecting what he'd done as he guided me around. Had he bought me a car? We were in the garage, what else could it be?

"You'll see." He chuckled as we got to where we were to be. Then he removed his hands. "Ta da!"

I gasped! Before me was a Ford Bronco! It looked showroom new! Red! Well, it was red on red, red bumpers, red paint, and a red interior. It shone like new! I walked forward, stunned! On the front was a personal plate that read Bubba Junior.

"It's not brand new, of course. I got it from the Bronco Graveyard, can you believe they even have one?" Tony chuckled. "It's four by four, but has the cruise control, am and FM stereo and cd player. It has all those..." he waved at the Bronco. "...things you need as a country boy. It has only 12,000 miles on it, bought be a man bought it brand new and died a few months later. His wife sold it to the Bronco Graveyard and I bought it for you!" Tony said proudly. "I did have some customizing, engine tuned, got it cleaned and fresh coat of paint, and I added the personal plate..."

I grabbed Tony kissing him passionately and then walked toward the truck. "Tony, I was kidding about..."

"Isn't this what you want?" Tony asked concerned. "I asked you..."

"I never thought you'd get one!" I grinned to him as I waved at the truck. "I should know now to never underestimate you. How did you find it?"

"Internet." Tony shrugged. "It took a little searching, but here it is." Then he looked at me hopefully. "Do you like it?"

"I LOVE IT!!!" I said touching the exterior gently and then turned to Tony. "I'm driving it!"

Tony chuckled holding some keys up and jingling them. "I knew you would."

As I got in, I smiled even more. It even smelled new! I started him up. And it was a him, not a her as men referred to ships, planes, and other things. The engine roared making me smile bigger.

"So, is this he-man enough for you?" Tony chuckled as he got in the passenger side.

I thumped my chest and gave a growl. "We'll see." I grinned and looked at the gears. It was a clutch! You shifted gears in him. "Oh, this is just GREAT!!" I smiled as I put it in gear. "When I was learning to drive, Dad and Granddad both said, if you're going to drive, drive. None of this girly automatic stuff. Drive like a man!" I patted the dashboard. "Now, let's see if you're the he-man truck I dreamed of."

Getting used to a new vehicle took a few minutes, but soon we were zooming down the road. We were turning heads! Not women's heads, but men's heads! Nothing touched a man's testosterone like a good truck and Bubba Junior was just that truck!

Tony sat a while and then looked at me. "Let's go to Boden's Island."

I hadn't thought of it, but... "Sure! If it gets muddy we'll get it washed!" As I headed out, Tony directed me to another street and now I have to explain. If you know about this part of the world and the many islands along the coast. There were several right around Charleston. One was James Island and Johns Island. Boden's Island was a small island between James Island and Folly Beach, which was a barrier island. Before we got too far down Folly Road, Tony had me go along what was considered the back part of James Island. There was a stretch of road that ran along this part, but on the opposite side that faced Charleston and the harbor. From this road, you could see Johns Island across an expanse of marsh. This was an isolated portion of road.

"Turn up here," Tony said. "To the right."

I looked puzzled. There was a dirt road I could barely see off to the right and I took it. "Go down this road?"

Tony nodded.

The road went a little further and left James Island to a little wooden bridge that connected with another island. I say island, but it was surrounded by marsh, not water, but at high tide would be surrounded by water. The island was not huge. Maybe five to seven acres, but wooded with a road in the middle. Someone had lived here? Then I saw a house, but it wasn't pretty at all. I looked at Tony. "We're here because why?"

Tony gave me a tolerant smile. "Let's go outside." He said opening the door.

In the marsh, there were waterways occasionally and one came right by the property. It wasn't deep water access, but the waterway connected with another and then later the Intercostal Waterway some ways off. I saw that whoever had lived here had a pier that stretched to the little waterway near us, but was dilapidated. Tony reached out for my hand and brought me to the house, which really was nothing to look at. It had a back porch Tony led me to. He pushed me forward a little.

"What do you see?" Tony asked.

I looked around. From this angle, you saw James Island and Johns Island but no houses. Before me was all this marsh and the Stono River waterway in the distance. I knew Folly Beach was beyond both the other islands. "I see a lot of marsh and trees. I see some wildlife. Some white egrets."

Tony nodded. "And what do you hear?"

I listened for a moment. "Wind?"

"Nothing else?" Tony asked.

"Am I supposed to?" I was getting why he brought me out here, but I looked at the house. I thought I knew, but.... "You want to buy this?"

Tony looked at the house and waved it off. "I don't want to live here." He pointed to the house, "But maybe here." He pointed to the ground. "It's not the mountains, but it's away from all the hustled and bustle, yet less than a half an hour's drive and you're back in downtown!" He put his arms around me from behind turning me back to the view as he rested his chin on my shoulder as he spoke in my ear. "Yet, we'll have a porch to look out and see all this." He kissed my neck. "All this could be our backyard!" He motioned back at the house. "This we'll tear down and there are things we have to do, like get the bridge fixed so heavier trucks can get out here. We'll also have to have the city water and sewage put pipes out here. The power company to lay lines...it'll take a year or more just for that, but I see a house. Not a big house, with really big windows back here so we can look at this view from our great room, bedroom...one of those houses on the stilt things."

I laughed. "Storm surge pylons? When there's a flood during a hurricane."

Tony turned me around. "Yes, whatever. We'll be elevated with this great view! A nice, comfortable home for just you and me." He grinned. "Can't you see it?" He asked with a tone that said I'd be crazy not to see it.

I nodded. "And there's a Starbucks right over there." I pointed toward a shopping center I knew where there and knew there was a Starbucks.

"See!?" Tony said excitedly. "It's perfect!" Then he held his hand up. "Now traffic can get bad, that's pretty much everywhere, but not like further down Folly Road. This part of Riverland Drive connects to Folly and exits onto the new James Island Bridge and then a straight shot to the hotel!!" He looked more like a kid presenting the most exciting gift! "What do you think?"

I grinned as I ran my fingers in his hair. "I think we need to break the island in." I looked at the Bronco. "And the truck!" I looked at the house. "I'm not doing anything in there." I pulled him in kissing deeply. "We'll have to use cowboy lube again," I said remembering how that didn't go well when we tried it once.

Tony smiled a little more shaking his head. He dug in his pocket and pulled four little tubes of lube. He shrugged. "I sort of thought you might want to."

I chuckled pulling him closer. "I love you, Tony Delveccio."

He smiled kissing me again in a consuming kiss. "I know. I love you, Mitch McKenzie."

"I know." I grinned backing him back to the Bronco. "This time, the back seat folds down. We'll have a lot of room to maneuver."

"And no police or visitors. It's private property." Tony nodded pulling on my shirt to get it untucked from my jeans. "How late do they serve on Boden's Island?"

I shook my head. "Who cares? I'm not hungry for seafood right now." I smiled as I opened the back door a pushed the seats down. "See? Lots of room!"

And Bubba Junior did have a lot of room, but we decided an inflatable mattress would make it positively perfect!

When we got home David, Sasha, and Alik were watching TV. Sasha hated the wheelchair and now got the cast off and wore a wrapped bandage, but loved that he could scratch his right leg now. He was still getting physical therapy on his leg and used crutches to get around. His arm was healed, but he was cautioned be gentle with his arm.

"Where'd you two go?" David asked a little irritated. "I get back from taking Sasha to therapy and I see both cars and no Tony or Mitch. I was getting worried!"

"Well," Tony put his arm around me. "I had to show Mitch the island we're buying." He grinned.

"Island!?" Sasha stopped scratching looking surprised. "You're buying an island?"

I poked Tony in the side making him yelp. "Don't get it twisted, it's a small island over there, between James and Johns Island near the Stono River. He wants to build a house there." But I was grinning.

David looked a little worried. "Oh? What are you doing with this place?"

Tony and I came to sit by them. Tony smiled. "We were keeping it. Either rent it or lease it to you, Sasha."

"We can live here!?" Alik bounced as he said it in Russian.

"Try it in English, Alik." Sasha reminded absently, but Sasha's didn't understand his status was changing, or he just didn't fully understand. "I can't afford this!"

David smirked and shook his head. "Of course, you can, Sasha! The civil suit is coming up and he will pay! You'll have the money. You make enough now to make payments." He looked at Sasha. "I live here, too. I'll help soon." He frowned. "Assuming I graduate and pass the bar exam."

Sasha looked at the condo. "I suppose."

I put my hand on David. "It's going to take a while to build, so we're not leaving for a while. Don't worry." Then I grinned. "Do you want to meet Bubba Junior?" I looked at Tony. "I think I'll call him BJ."

David smiled. "He got you a truck!?"

Even Sasha hobbled down to see it.

David had made dinner that night. Sloppy joes. I was loving it, so did Alik, Sasha, and David, but Tony used a knife and fork.

Things were taking a pleasing turn.

Tony and I signed the papers to buy our little island and Tony didn't waste time getting a crew out to fix the bridge to begin tearing it apart and replacing it with a new one that was sturdy. We were deciding what sort of house we wanted and we went to an architect to come up with the design and I should have known, Tony wanted a good one. You didn't expect just anyone. Of course, the architect was gay naturally, but he was in Charlotte and I got to break in my new Bronco! It drove like a dream. This architect was in his fifties and trying look like he was in his thirties, but not an ugly man, Robert Castil, he was known here in South Carolina and pretty well throughout the East Coast. His black hair was professionally done, but he and Tony had been deep in discussion about what Tony thought the house should be and I just listened.

I sat with Tony as they discussed the possibilities when Tony looked at me. "Well? Aren't you going to say something?" He almost sounded annoyed.

I shrugged. He was a little annoyed I wasn't contributing. "You two seem to have it under control, what should I say?" I smiled.

Tony sat back frowning. "It's your house, too. Tell Bob what you want."

I pulled Tony in a kissed him. "Thank you." Then I turned to the architect. "All I really need is space. Whether it has this wood, or that wood...I don't care. Granite? Whatever. I just like big rooms....space." I looked at Tony. How long had we been married? "We said it wasn't to be a big house, so are we having any extra bedrooms?"

Tony shrugged. "I was thinking two other bedrooms. I'd use one as an office when we have no guests, which I plan not to have any at all!" He grinned. "It'll be just you and me."

Robert Castil chuckled. "A love nest?"

Tony nodded grinning. "Absolutely."

"I know things need to be decided, color and what you use and all that....stuff..." I leaned toward Tony. "You saw the house I was raised in; you saw the house I lived in when we met. I don't care! I just like being with you." I said bumping our heads together. "Be there and I'm good! Why would I change now?"

Tony chuckled. "You can rest assured; I will be there." And then his face lit up and turned back to Robert. "Oh! And windows! A lot of windows to take in the view! Big open windows that let it all in! And one of those Southern wrap-around porches!! If not, along the back where we have a view!"

And that's how it began. Bob, as he preferred and Tony were back at it. I was almost jealous.

Back at work, the other employees were always asking about Sasha, how he was, when he was coming back...

"When he can do it! It's hard to wait on tables with crutches!"

The Civil Suit with Belle came and of course, Sasha and I had to be there. Belle was still not understanding what the was the big deal and his lawyer was not looking happy. There was nothing Kincaid could do but protect Belle's rights, which at the moment were very few. Belle had on the suit and I couldn't even begin to guess the price, but he looked around like he couldn't believe he was here. David, of course, felt it his duty to be there as well to see justice done. This judge was as lenient as the first judge was. Belle had agreed to the bench trial to save on adverse publicity. I had no idea what was in Belle's past, nor did I care, but the decision would be final. No appeals. The judge reminded me of a TV judge I'd seen. Male and nice looking, I'd heard he was a police officer like I was before he went to law school.

"In view of the evidence presented at your trial, Mr. Belle. The laws in South Carolina are to protect people and in view of the death from those decisions, compensation for damages, I order all hospital bills and debts incurred because of this incident that payment be one million dollars..."

"What!?" Belle let the shriek out in shock looking at Kincaid as if expecting him to object, but Kincaid wouldn't even look at Belle.

"....each." The judge said firmly. "Now further, because of your reckless regard for the lives of others, you are further ordered to pay five million dollars..."

"That's outrageous!" Belle screamed holding his head.

"...each!" The judge continued and stood looking down at Belle. "This crime was so needless and grievous; I wish it could be more. You have this opinion you're above the law! I'm telling you, you're not!"

"How can I pay that?" Belle moaned. "That will break me!" He looked at Sasha. "He's not even American!"

"And?" The judge asked. "He is a human being that died! We got him back! Too bad we couldn't do that for your wife. This will hardly break you, but what do you need all that money for in prison?" The judge shrugged. "I've seen your holdings and bank accounts. You could sell one of your expensive homes or even a dealership or two." The judge hit the desk with his gavel. "It is so ordered."

Tony smiled, but it was a sad grin. He put his arm around me. "We didn't want to do this, but we had to."

I nodded. "I know." I looked over as David was comforting Sasha the same way as Tony was for me. "It's just a shame this had to happen." Then I smiled as David managed to get Sasha laughing at something. "Now we can concentrate on some happier things a while! Like another wedding!" I grinned at Tony. "I seem to remember a promise you made to David."

Tony's eyebrows rose. "Oh?"

"You promised David a honeymoon if he got married. You also promised Sasha. Now you can do it for them both!" I said happily.

Tony grinned scratching his chin. "I did, didn't I?" Then he shrugged. "They have the money now..."

I grabbed his arm. "Tony Delveccio."

Tony chuckled. "Okay, okay." Then he pulled me close. "And what about ours?" He asked pressing his forehead to mine.

I was surprised. "We've had three!"

"And?" Tony smiled kissing me gently. "According to you, we haven't left our first one. You and I got the first one, I got the second one, then you had the third one. I guess it's my turn again to choose."

I grinned. "Deal."

Back at the condo we sat for dinner again, baked Ziti again with the garlic bread and all that. It was nice to have our family together. I would miss this when we moved out.

"Have you told..." I looked at Alik and then back to David and Sasha.

Sasha chuckled. "We've been sort of busy."

David looked surprised. "I haven't even graduated yet!"

I nodded. "You will next year. Don't you want to make an honest man of Sasha?"

"Alik." Sasha chuckled and smiled at his son. "I was thinking I would add David to our family." He said in Russian so there would be no misunderstanding. "You know I love Uncle David."

"Sure." Alik looked confused. "We are family now. You said he was."

Sasha nodded. "We are, but I was thinking...I've asked Uncle David to marry me."

David chuckled touching Sasha's hand. "Well, I asked you." David smiled as he spoke Russian.

Sasha rolled his eyes. "Whatever." He said in English and then went back to Russian. "The point is, we're getting married. Uncle David will no longer be Uncle to you, but another father."

Alik looked at them and shrugged. "Okay."

The mind of a seven-year-old is an amazing thing and without anyone ever telling him men shouldn't love or get married, he just accepted it. He knew and loved David, so no problem.

"Have you thought about where and when?" Tony asked.

David and Sasha looked at each other and then David shrugged. "I proposed in a hospital room. Not the most romantic place..."

"I wouldn't even think of marrying him in Russia." Sasha grimaced. "And with no real family there now..."

"We can't do it at the McKenzie Homeplace," David added. He grinned. "The mountains were your home, but not mine. As wonderful as that was....maybe something a little more private?"

Tony shrugged. "How about a cruise ship?"

Sasha frowned. "I worked on one for years."

Tony chuckled. "Only you'll be a passenger on this one. No more kissing butt, they'll be kissing your butt!" He was keeping it light for Alik.

David brightened as he thought of it. "I've never been on a cruise!"

I waved at David. "And there you go! A cruise virgin on his first cruise! What can be better than that?"

"We're picking up the tab for this," Tony added. "I promised David if you or he ever married anyone. The wedding is yours, but I said I'd get you the honeymoon."

Sasha and David were both talking now. "You can't!" "You don't have to do that!"

"Why not?" I asked smiling. "Besides, a promise is a promise." I just smiled. "It's something to think about."

Sasha was driving everyone crazy as he paced. He still had a little limp when he was tired, but he was like a caged animal! The doctor told him he could return to work, but on a limited schedule. I watched as Sasha was all too ready to handle the lunch crowd.

What I didn't expect was to be called into Alan's office. I never dreamed of what happened. I knocked on the door to his office and heard his usual not so gruff answer to come in. This wasn't like Alan. I opened the door slowly and looked inside where Alan had someone in a chair in front of his desk. The hotel's owner was proud that we were independently owned and one of the premier ones, if not one of the oldest hotels in Charleston. I recognized Myron Weinstein, the son of the late owner who'd died just before I came here. Myron was in his late forties with black hair and was battling his love of food by exercising to keep his waist thin, but he was losing. Alan smiled, but it wasn't a happy smile.

"Come in, Mitch," Alan said quietly as he motioned to the other of the two chairs in front of his desk. "We have some sad news." He motioned to Mr. Weinstein. "You know Myron Weinstein."

I shook his hand as I sat. "I've seen you a few times. It's nice to see you again."

Myron smiled and chuckled, but whatever was happening he didn't like telling what it was. "You may not think so when I tell you." He took a deep breath. "I'm selling the hotel."

"Why?" I asked surprised. "The hotel's making money!"

Myron nodded raising a hand to stop me. "It is, but I want out of the business. I'm a lawyer. This was my grandfather and father's dream. Not mine." He smiled. "You two have been great managers, but...I can't put things to the side and always come here. Then again, you two don't really bother me with much, but I'm not a hotel person. So, I'm selling it." Then he frowned. "I'm sorry." Then he brightened. "But you two will have a generous six months' severance and glowing recommendations."

"We're being let go?" I asked incredibly.

Myron nodded. "I'm afraid so. The new owners want their own people in management. It will happen at the end of this month. So, in three weeks." He stood. "I'm sorry."

I rose as it sunk in. Alan and I were being let go! Then I shrugged. "That's the nature of the hotel business." I grinned at Alan. "I don't have to worry about requesting time off now."

Alan grunted. "I always land on my feet." He smiled shaking Myron's hand. "It's been fun."

Myron nodded. "I mean it. You two will walk on water with the recommendation I give. You'll be fine." He assured and left.

I looked at Alan. "Are you okay?"

Alan looked at me and then nodded. "Sure. I'll feel out a few headhunters and see what they can offer." He grinned. "Kent and I may have to move, but you'll be fine."

I frowned. "Alan, I love working with you. I love this hotel. It's a shame we have to leave it behind. The fact that I'm with Tony is great, but I hate losing all this...and you."

Alan smiled coming from behind his desk and hugged me. "You aren't losing me. I'll always be around to get the dirt about you and Tony! Don't worry about that."

"And the restaurant?" I asked thinking of Sasha.

"The new owner has their own, so...they'll be gone, too."

"When are we letting all the other know?"

Alan frowned. "This Monday? We'll have a few mandatory meetings and tell them."

"But they can apply for the new owners, right?" I asked.

Alan nodded. "They'll need local employees, so yes. The other employees already have a work history here, it will be easier."

"Can I tell Sasha earlier?" I asked.

Alan shrugged. "He lives with you, why not? But he needs to let us tell the others, okay?"

Tony got home before I did and I didn't really rush to get back. I hated what happened. I smiled as I entered the condo as the smell of garlic greeted me and something Italian.

"Hi, baby!" Tony greeted readily, but saw my face and frowned. "What's wrong?"

I walked around to him kissing me deeply, which he returned as readily. "The hotel's being sold. I have three weeks there and then out." I thumbed away.

"What? Why?" Tony asked in disbelief.

"Myron Weinstein doesn't want to own a hotel. So, he's sold it to some group." I explained.

Tony hugged me. "I am so sorry, honey."

I shrugged but loved his feel against me. "It's the nature of the hotel business. I'll be fine."

Tony increased his hug. "Yes, you will, but you loved that hotel. I'm sorry he's selling." Then he pushed me back a little. "Now we can go on a longer vacation! A cruise anywhere you want...go anywhere you want! In fact, we can do Queen Mary now! We'll need at least two weeks or more."

I grinned at him. "You just want to go on the Queen Mary!"

Tony nodded. "Of course, I do! I've never been on it. It's supposed to be the best!" He chuckled. "This time, we'd be on equal footing. You've never been. I've never been...so, why not?"

"We're building a house!" I reminded him chuckling.

"Are you swinging any hammer? No." He asked and answered. "Neither am I. It will be built if we're here or not here." Then he grinned. "Besides, I get to choose this part of the honeymoon. You agreed." He pointed out.

I nodded. "I did...but don't..." I waved a hand, "...don't go crazy like you always do."

"Me!?" Tony said like he never did that and offended by the accusation.

"You know you do!"

Tony shrugged almost helplessly. "I like to have a good time! I like to show you a good time. Is that a crime?" He chuckled pulling me closer, his lips against my forehead. "If it is, I'm guilty, otherwise, let me."

That's when the front door opened and Alik exploded in the condo as most seven-year-old boys did. "Hi! I had a great day at school!"

Both Tony and I turned suddenly. "School?" I asked.

Sasha came in with a smile following his son. "I thought we should look at some schools here. I took him to this school downtown. It's a private school and they have children there that speak other languages already, but Alik's the only Russian speaking child, but English is a second language for them."

Alik was almost bouncing he was excited. "They made me take this test." Alik began in Russian. "But it was in English, so they retested me in Russian! I did pretty good!" He said proudly.

"It's called a Montessori School?" Sasha said watching his son. "Small classes and they will teach him English."

"They have this computer that can translate any test into any language!" Alik continued. "It was fun!!"

I looked at Tony. "I'll tell Sasha in a minute about the selling. He doesn't know yet." I said quietly.

Tony nodded. "Okay." Then Tony broke from me. "Have you thought about your own schooling, Sasha?"

Sasha shrugged. "I've asked around, Johnson and Wales is the best one here. I was thinking in the Fall."

"What smells so good? Are we having spaghetti?" Alik asked.

"Spaghetti!?" Tony repeated sounding overly offended. "When have I EVER served spaghetti?" He growled at Alik who laughed at Uncle Tony who approached Alik stalking. "Don't be a peasant! I'm making eggplant parmesan!" He picked Alik up making Alik squeal in delight and cackle with laughter as Tony tickled lightly.

I smiled at how easy Tony bonded with Alik and could make him laugh. I could imagine him when Nick was Alik's age. "Well, Nick needs to get busy. You need some more of those." I said behind Tony. "Grandpa."

Tony turned instantly. "Don't rush him!"

Then David got home from school and it was mayhem a little while until we sat down to eat. Alik let David and his uncles know how he liked the school and the teachers he met and then as things quieted down.

"Sasha." I began quietly. "Is there somewhere you'd really like to go for culinary school?" I shrugged. "You have the money."

Sasha nodded a shrug. "I was going to go here; I work here so..."

I smiled. "The hotel has been sold," I said sadly. "They are bringing their own restaurant. You'd have to re-apply for your job. I've been let go."

Sasha's fork clanked on his plate as he dropped in surprise. "What!?" He then said some things in Russian even I had a hard time knowing what it was. I knew some of his teachings about Russian curse words, he was right, Russians knew how to swear and did it well! Alik looked a little surprised at his father. He knew what his father said. Sasha looked at Alik. "Sorry, Alik. I shouldn't have said that." He shook his head. "I guess..." he thought. "I don't know now!" He said throwing his hands up in frustration. "I live here! I worked here! Alik is starting school!"

I nodded. "You can still do that, but work at the hotel. Now, there was a school you might have dreamed of going to? Now, you might."

Sasha frowned. "I'd love to go to the Cordon Bleu."

Tony nodded. "So, go!" He said simply. "You can afford to." Tony nodded again. "Alik and David will be here. Mitch and I will for a few years until the house is built. They have a campus in Atlanta, I believe."

I nodded. "There's one in Orlando. Hell, you can afford to go to the one in Paris!"

Sasha listened but shook his head. "I think I should stay in the United States." He grinned. "It was hard enough to get in the first time."

"Afraid they won't let you back in?" Tony chuckled.

Sasha gave a nod with a grin. "They might not!" Then he looked at me. "You could become a man of leisure."

I shook my head. "I'd be lousy at it. I'll find something to do."

David grinned. "You could open your own hotel."

I shook my head again. "No. I like the established hotel. Starting one is too hard."

"We'll be going on the continuation of our honeymoon. Only we don't have a certain time to be back now!" Tony grinned.

David laughed. "A continuation, I like that. Where now? Australia?"

"We're thinking the Queen Mary 2, one of those long cruises that last a few weeks," Tony said happily.

"You might consider that for your honeymoon!" I said to Sasha and David. "According to Tony, it's the best!"

"Everything the British do from ships to airlines is top notch," Tony claimed. "It is the best!" Then he looked at Sasha and David. "Just don't go when we do, okay?"

Sasha and David chuckled. "No...group events?" David asked looking at Alik, but the dance of his eyebrows told us what he was talking about.

"Not with a cousin." Tony shook his head.

"Your brother was enough," I said to David who threw his napkin me.

It was Friday when Tony came back from his trip to the office where he worked. He had one of those tubes, the one people send pictures rolled up in and he was smiling!

"Hi, baby!" Tony was happy like a kid on Christmas morning. He pulled the tube roll from under his arm. "Guess what I got!"

I smiled as he kissed me. "Plans for the house."

His face fell a little. "You know? It's no fun if you're not surprised." He growled.

"You asked me to guess. I did. It just makes sense. Sorry." He liked to surprise me, so I caressed his face and changed my reply. "What? What is it?" I asked excitedly, pretending I had no idea.

Tony shook his head. "Too late." He opened the tube and pulled out the plans, but his excitement came back. "Look!" He pointed to the pictures I saw were computer designed, but it almost looked real! The pictures almost looked like photographs, but the perfection told you it wasn't real. "The whole back is all glass!! We'll be able to see that view from our room, from the great room, from the kitchen!"

It was better than those blue and white drawings! I was realizing, this was happening! The new house was going up. This was great!

We began to plan a wedding and suddenly we had help we didn't ask for. Everyone had ideas. Sherry, Mary, Rhonda, and even Michael and Chuck all had ideas and more surprising there were even ideas from David's mother, Aunt Judy to me. My mother wanted to help as did Aunt Hilda, which I'm sure embarrassed her husband, Uncle Earl. Since the budget wasn't really worried about, there were some pretty lofty ideas, but I sensed that David and Sasha wanted a more...quiet service. All the flash and glitter was nice, but it wasn't legal. David didn't want a big wedding like Tony's and mine had been. I felt I could offer help, but this was really David's and Sasha's wedding, so I left it all to them. When asked, I gave advice. Like I knew all there was needed for a wedding? They opted for a quiet ceremony at our church. Being a church by a homosexual that allowed all of us who were different, they had done many commitment ceremonies they could do.

Tony was pressing me about the new house. What did I want was his main concern. I gave my usual reply. "I don't care! As long as you're there, I don't care." I didn't care what kind of wood the floor had or color, I didn't care about the color of paint or things like that. I thought it was a bit early as the bridge to our island wasn't even finished yet. The pipes needed to be run and electricity put out there. Tony wanted the pipes and electricity to run under the bridge and hidden. I hate to admit it, but those last weeks at the hotel were a little bittersweet. That last Friday before our hotel became something else and I'd have all the time in the world, Tony came by the hotel to take me home. This time, he brought the single rose he always sent himself smiling as he walked up. Now no one was surprised at the delivery...or the kiss he gave me unashamed.

We had a little party for the employees and the mood was both ways, sad and tearful, yet a little excitement as a new chapter in the lives of those I'd worked with most of the years. Most were applying for their jobs with this new company and hotel. Sasha opted not to apply at the new restaurant.

I smiled as Alan came over with Kent.

"This simply ends a single chapter in our lives," Alan said to me and Tony. "I'll miss seeing you nearly every day." Then he grinned. "I'll miss those great presents you always bring back for me when you jet around the world."

I hugged Alan. "We have always been good, good friends and still will be. I will always bring you something, even if we aren't working together anymore." I even hugged Kent. "I regret we didn't get to know each other more, but we'll always keep in touch. Who knows, we might see each other more now that Alan and I aren't always working together."

Kent chuckled. "I admit I was a little jealous of you where Alan was concerned. You shared a part of him I couldn't."

"Now, he's all yours." I grinned. "As I said, we'll be around. Just stay connected and we won't drift apart. You've been a great guy to work with, Alan. I'm glad we're friends."

Now that David and Sasha were joining lives, we had our powers of attorney altered. While Tony and I would remain powers of attorney, we would be second to David. The same for Alik. Alik would be first Sasha's responsibility and then David. If they weren't available, it would be Tony and me. Once those papers were signed, David and Sasha were married as Tony and I were. We still had a year to go before the ceremony, after David graduated. It was at dinner again when we all met again at the table.

"I've signed up and been accepted at the Cordon Bleu in Atlanta," Sasha said smiling. "I begin in the fall." He grinned at Alik. "You will stay here with Daddy David, Uncle Mitch, and Uncle Tony."

Alik nodded a little sad. "You said you'd come home on weekends." He said in Russian, understanding English better, but still replied in Russian.

Sasha nodded at Alik. "This is for both of us," Sasha said in Russian, but David's clearing of his throat caused Sasha to smile. "Sorry, the three of us." He grinned at me. "So, what are you planning to do with all this time?" David was understanding Russian a lot more now.

I shrugged. "I have no idea. Tony keeps asking about plans for the house which we can't get to until the bridge is fixed. I don't want to look for a job if we're going away a while."

Tony touched my arm. "You don't have to get a job."

I nodded. "I know, but I'll be crazy without something to do." Then I grinned at Tony. "And that will make you crazy, trust me."

David chuckled. "You could be like some of those other rich wives in New York. Do charity work in the morning, have lunch with the other girls and get your hair done! Remember that movie...To Wong Foo? A day with the girls or something?"

"Do I strike you as someone's rich wife?" I growled at David and swatted him on the arm. "As Tony and I are the owners, you're just staying here as our guest, I could throw you out." Making Alik chuckle as he saw us interact.

David just laughed at that, "But I mean it about the charity thing." He defended. "There are hundreds of charities you can work with. Everything from cancer to AIDS, LGBT causes..."

Tony nodded. "I know you'll find something to do." I watched as he did something he never did, he winked at me.

Sasha had moved back upstairs since he got better and Tony and I were back in our room for now. I grinned as Tony came from the bathroom, shirtless wearing just pajama bottoms. This man aroused me just being him. He pulled back the covers sliding in beside me.

"I was thinking..." Tony began with a smile. "I was thinking....since you don't have to be back any particular time now...we can head up to New York!" He leaned closer kissing me gently. "Take in a show or two, check in on Nick and our nephew David and see what havoc their wreaking on Kathy and Al."

I pulled him even closer. "That would be nice." I smiled again at the warmth of my husband, the feel of him against me. "Now, if you can just take off those pajama bottoms."

Tony grinned raising the cover to see I was already naked. "I'm overdressed, aren't I?" He chuckled.

I nodded. "Just a tad." I flipped him on his back. "I'll take care of it." I smiled raising his arms up over his head. "Just relax."

Tony smiled back. "I always do with you." He chuckled as I did my progression down his chest, into his armpits and down further as I pulled his pajama bottoms off. The smell again working its magic as I was very, very aroused. "I love you, Tony," I said taking him in with practiced ease.

"I know you do," Tony muttered inhaling quickly as the pleasant sensations sent messages to his brain. "I love you."

I smiled. "I know you do." I inhaled again letting his musk work again. "This never gets old."

During the afterglow, Tony's lips worked my neck as he was spooned up behind me. "You need to brush up on Australia and New Zealand."

Afterglow or not, I spun around. "What? When?"

Tony grinned like the Cheshire Cat! "Middle of October till the middle of November."

"The Queen Mary!?"

"The Queen Mary." He nodded. "We'll be there in their spring, I don't know the weather there, but I imagine it's warm." He grinned. "I'm sure there's a nude beach or two." His eyebrows danced at the idea as he rolled us over so he was looking down at me.

I sat up. "I'll find out! How long is the cruise?"

"Three weeks." Tony smiled again wider. "I figured a week before to get used to the time difference..." he shrugged a nod. "...we go down and see Sydney."

I shook my head. "How are you doing this? You'll be away from work a month!"

"So? Most of what I do is on the Internet and they have that down there. Any calls needed I can do. I'll be fine. The Stock Market can be viewed down there." He chuckled. "I can even say it's for research. International Business." He wrapped his arms around me tighter again. "We'll spend a week in Sydney, go to Coogee Beach or anywhere you want for a week. Then board the Queen Mary, celebrate yours and my birthday being waited on like kings." He said kissing me again.

"I've lied to you, Tony." I frowned as I confessed very solemnly.

Tony's eyebrow rose. "Lied? You? Do you even know how?" He chuckled. "That's when you say something is true that isn't, you do know that?"

"I always said things like this didn't impress me." I smiled. "I AM IMPRESSED!!!" I looked at him closely. "You know it's you I love."

He was laughing. "Beyond the shadow of any doubt!" He kissed me and then brightened. "We are rich, you know? You are rich."

I nodded. "I know, it's a hard thing for me to accept, but we are. I hate how I got it, but yes, I am."

"Oh!" Tony brightened. "We can squeeze a trip to Milan again! To get clothes for the trip!" Then he narrowed his eyes. "And none of that shit about the cost, okay? I won't overspend, but we'll spend. It's our money and there's a good part of it that is in the bank because of you. You could finance the whole thing! This is going to be a great trip!"

I looked as he leaned down kissing me. "Which one?"

"All of them!!" Tony said happily. "I want to show you the world!"

Finding what to do was proving a little challenging. I spend a few days not doing anything and it didn't take long before it began driving me crazy! The first day not having to get up at any particular time was great. It was nice the second day and sort of became...nowhere to be again? I've got to find something to do!

Tony, of course, spent time with me, but he still had a job. There were clients he met with and went in a few times to meet with them and promised he'd be gone only a few minutes, but he'd be gone several hours. He was a popular man who knew how to make money and everyone wanted to talk with him.

I was fine with it all, but finding what I could do during the day was a challenge. Alik was with Mrs. Cummings in the day. David was at school and the condo was big! Sasha was lining up school and had other things to do. I did find some causes I could work for and I did volunteer for a couple of those. I was beginning to feel like what David kidded me with becoming...a rich wife having a day with the girls.

I tried to do things, like making dinner for everyone a few nights. I could cook.

There were events that Tony had occasionally that came up and normally I was working and couldn't go to a lot of them, but when he mentioned one a client was having an event and I jumped on it.

"A dinner party?" I repeated what Tony said.

"This Friday night." Tony nodded. "You're coming with me?" He asked surprised.

I frowned. "I would have been working that day and not gotten home in time before," I growled. "I'm going stir crazy! I can make nice just like everyone else!"

Tony chuckled. "You make nice very well. It might be a little stuffy." He warned. "The Dixons. Very wealthy. Old money."

I shrugged. "Old money, new money...I don't care." Then I looked at him. "They do know you're married."

Tony nodded sitting by me on the bed. "Of course, they do."

I nodded. "To a man." I clarified.

Tony shrugged. "It's never really come up, but it's on my profile."

I sat back. "Wait, you have a profile to sell stocks and do investments!?"

Tony kissed me chuckling again. "Naturally, most people see is how much I've made other people and come salivating to me. Bill Dixon is only interested in how much I can make him. I made him a lot! His wife, Deidra Dixon will be there and I sort of have to be there." He shrugged a nod.

"And you've told me about it why?" I asked.

Tony shrugged then raised his eyes to heaven for God to give him patience. "I offered you an invitation to go. I always do!" He said logically, but his eyes narrowed. "I won't lose a client because he finds out I'm gay." He kissed me more intently. "I love you, Mitch! I'm proud of you always, you know that. If William or Deidra Dixon have a problem with it, that's their problem. We were both invited."

"Oh?"

Tony gave another shrugging a nod. "Well, me and plus one. You are always my plus one." He kissed me holding up his left hand and wiggled his wedding ring.

"So, what's the dress for this dinner party?"

Tony chuckled. "Sort of dressy." He waved his hand back and forth. "Go in jeans, I don't care."

"Yes, you do!" I said. "I'll be a reflection of you! I know how you love what you do and how important your image is. I want to be the life mate you're proud of..."

Tony grabbed me and kissed me if only to stop my rant. "I've always been proud of you. You know that."

My fingers went in his hair I loved and the tickle I liked as my fingers ran through it. "I know, but I want to do this. For you."

Tony smiled. "Okay. There's that great outfit we bought you Milan! I don't think you've worn it even once!"

I chuckled. "Well, I wasn't wearing it to Bessenger's when we get barbeque. That's not a good reason."

"Now you have a good reason." He said logically. "Too bad we haven't gone to Milan yet, but you've got something great to wear." He put his forehead against me. "I love you."

Who wouldn't love this man? I sure did. Putting my arms around him I kissed him deeply as I pulled us both down pulling the man even closer if that were physically possible.

I don't normally worry about these things, but...I scheduled an appointment. I never did the whole...salon thing. By that I mean, the manicure...who does that!? And ladies...and gentlemen who had them, those HURT! I don't care how good your hands looked afterward, it hurt! They exfoliated with this wax thing and then soaked my hands in this stuff that smelled minty. Then cut, pushed back or whatever and I don't know how you people put up with it! I had the same done with my face as they wrapped my face with this stuff, put some goop on and then peeled it away in a half an hour, then waxed my eyebrows. Nothing was going to be waxed below the belt, let me set that straight. I didn't have the Einstein eyebrows where the eyebrows went everywhere in the first place, but they were trimmed and shaped. Then the hair was washed, cut, conditioned. I was nearly exhausted when they finally finished. I used a fingernail clipper, a nail file when needed and did my own shampoo and conditioner was just fine, but I wanted Tony happy having me with him, so I did it! No one could doubt I loved Tony after this. I got home and dressed knowing Tony was coming to change and we would go. So, when he got home and I heard when he entered.

"Just give me a chance to change and...." He said as he entered the bedroom and froze looking at me. His mouth dropped open and his eyes grew as he actually dropped his briefcase on the floor. "Holy SHIT!!"

I hoped he'd like what he saw, but... "I hope that's a good holy shit."

He grinned as he walked toward me and just circled me slowly. "Damn! Holy shit and Oh My GOD!!" He reached and stopped as if afraid to touch me. "You look....SPECTACULAR!" Then he held his hand up and added quickly. "You always do, but now..." He waved over me, "...this is...you're still you, but...WOW!!" Then he risked touching me. "You're beautiful, Mitch. You always were, but now...you're just breathtaking!"

I grinned. "I'll be on your arm; how could I be anything else?" I asked kissing him as my arms came around him. "I love you, Tony. This is what you do for a living and you do it damned well. If by dressing better and getting all this shit done to make people take notice of you. I do it with no regrets."

Tony hugged me tightly. "I love you, Mitch." He kissed me again. Then he released me quickly and grinned. "Sorry. I don't want to risk wrinkling you."

Then I pushed him back a little. "But understand! Tomorrow, the Levis, sneakers and t-shirt are back on."

Tony chuckled. "That's who you are and the man I married. In fact, I'll be sure to wear jeans, sneakers, and t-shirt...tomorrow." Then he kissed me again quickly. "I've gotta change."

He changed quickly into a more casual suit like I was and then we were off. So let me explain a little. You all know I wasn't fond of Mt. Pleasant because of traffic problems and other issues. It was growing more and more, but there's Mt. Pleasant and Old Mt. Pleasant. Old Mt. Pleasant was the original Mt. Pleasant. To live there now, you had to have money. The homes were older and some over a hundred years or more. We went to Old Mt. Pleasant that was near the entrance to Charleston by sea. With some modern additions to homes, they were...stately. The home of the Dixons was just that sort of home. Not necessarily big, but it spoke of opulence and elegance. The yard was cut and manicured with roses and other flowering plants throughout the yard. It was well-lit for guests to see. Once at the front door, even the doorbell had more than just a "ding dong." The woman that answered was not the host or hostess, from her black dress and white apron said she was a servant. Maid? She motioned for us to come in with a wave and we did.

We entered as some guests were gathered having their drinks and eating little things from trays that were carried by other people in those black uniforms that were staff both male and female.

A man in his middle to late fifties with white hair looked up with a smile. "Tony! Glad you could make it." He looked over to a woman. "Deidra, come meet Tony Delveccio!"

A woman in her early fifties, elegantly dressed in her...it was nothing short of a gown...with blonde to whitish hair done up on her head came over. She had on diamonds that sparkled on her neck and ears.

Bill Dixon smiled shaking Tony's hand as his wife came over. "Deidra, this is Tony Delveccio, the man that helped me make a small fortune!"

The woman smiled nodding, but her eyes narrowed as they traveled to me questioningly.

"That's my job." Tony smiled. "Thank you for inviting us." Then he put his hand around me. "This is my husband Mitch McKenzie." He said proudly.

Bill wasn't bothered and shook my hand readily. It was Mrs. Dixon that was surprised and...well...she wasn't happy to hear it but shook my hand because it was the polite thing to do. "It's nice to meet you both." She said. Her eyes traveled over me from head to foot again. Only a woman and gay man would do that.

"Come meet some more of my guests!" Bill said happily and led us to meet others.

There was wealthy and there was stuffy. Most of these guests were both! No sharp Southern accents here. If anything, most had that...South of Broad from Charleston accent. If you were really old money in Charleston, that was where you came from and believe me when I tell you, there is a marked difference.

It was later when Deidra came over. "That's a very nice outfit you have on."

I looked down at what I was wearing. "Thank you."

Then she shook her head. "Times have really changed. It used to be no one...like you and Tony would set foot in this house. I'm not trying to be rude. I think that's brave of you."

I smiled at her attempt to tell me Tony and I was lucky to be allowed in her home. "Well, times are changing." I raised my glass of iced tea. "Just like this tea. I can remember a time when you couldn't pay me to drink iced tea made with water from Mt. Pleasant. I'm not trying to be rude either, but the water here smelled and tasted like urine, making the tea taste awful, but now you have city water so it's good now. Times are changing. It's a good thing we've evolved." I smiled as Tony was waving me over. "My husband is asking for me. Excuse me. Oh, this outfit we got in Milan, Italy if you want to know. We're going back in a few weeks to prepare our cruise on the Queen Mary. Have you been on that ship?"

Her eyes widened and then narrowed. "No."

"Maybe you should since according to your husband, you made a small fortune with Tony's help." I smiled and walked over to Tony.

The rest of the evening was pretty good. I could mix and small talk as needed and I want to say we had a good time, but that would be a lie. It wasn't unpleasant is all I could say. Mrs. Dixon didn't have a word to say to me until we said good-bye. I was fine with that.

Tony smiled as I slipped off my shoes to put in the closet. "You were amazing tonight."

I smiled as he sat by me to do the same as he took his shoes off. "I hope so."

Tony leaned into me kissing me. "Thank you for coming with me. You were a big hit." He said pulling my jacket off. "Now, for the moment I've waited for since I first came home." He grinned pulling my tie off and unbuttoning my shirt.

I chuckled. "Since you first came home?" I grinned as I did the same for him. "You don't have to now."

"I've wanted to do this as soon as I saw you." He said pulling my shirt open and his hands traveled in over my skin as he kissed me deeply, passionately, and lovingly. "Let's make love."

I grinned as I kissed him back pulling him down on top of me. "What took you so long?" My hands pushed his shirt off. "I love you, Tony. With all my heart."

He nodded as his nose ran over my face and neck as his lips went from my lips down to my neck. "I know you do." He whispered. "I love you."

I loved his weight on me. "I know."