North Meets South

Story: North Meets South: When Worlds Collide

Chapter: 22 Preparing for Christmas

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 and Tony have returned to their lives and are preparing for the Holidays. Tony finds out what is in his immediate future and has a reaction to it.

Preparing for Christmas

After Uncle JC said to stop, it did stop, but the three uncles didn't stop with their hard stares. Tony and I weren't bothered by the hard stares. Neither were David and Sasha. Alik was really enjoying playing as more and more cousins near his age arrived. More playmates! I was also pleased to see him not use the translator. David came up beside me.

"Do you think Sasha and I should marry in Boston, too?"

"I think you should marry legally." I brighten smiling at him throwing my arm around his shoulders. "Hey! We can make it a week event. You don't want to marry on the ship, we're not clear about the laws of the country the ship, but Alaska doesn't allow it. Not all of our cousins could come to Alaska, but they might come to Boston! There's a three-day waiting period anyway." I watched his eyes widen, but he was smiling more. "There's a beautiful hotel there. The Omni Parker House. It's a little stuffy, but it is beautiful. Of course, this your wedding...and Sasha's. You two need to plan on where. We can fly in Saturday before, tour around Boston the weekend." I looked over as Tony was laughing at whatever Dad was saying. "Tour the places I might want to see."

"Why didn't you?" David wondered. "You were there for the three or four days."

I gave a smirking smile in Tony's direction. "I indulged his search for the perfect...whatever." I grinned at David. "It's a fetish." I shrugged. "He indulges mine. It's only fair."

David gave a leering grin. "You? Care to share?"

"No," I said simply.

The back-porch door burst open and the sound of many feet race through.

"Boys! No running in the house." Aunt Hilda chastised lightly, not angry at all.

David laughed as did I. "Well," David said, "we certainly heard that when we were kids."

I nodded. "It just proves, no matter where they're from. Boys run."

Sasha came in from...wherever he had been...slipping his arms around David, kissing him. "I got caught up in a conversation with your Dad and then Uncle Charles..."

"There's a lot of people to talk to." David grinned.

"Alik hasn't relied on that translator at all!" I marveled.

"Well, the new school's reason is to teach him English." Sasha chuckled.

"He must be very smart." I chuckled. "He takes after you, Sasha."

Tony came over putting his arms around me from behind and hugging me a little. That kiss on the side of the neck was always welcomed. "How are my two favorite McKenzies and one of my to favorite Lededeves?"

"Much better now," I replied squeezing his arms around me tighter which Tony gave me another tighter hug and kiss.

David looked at Sasha. "Mitch had a great idea! What would feel if we got married in Boston? It would make it possible for more family to come because it won't be as far."

Sasha smiled at that. "Sure."

"We even know the preacher that is more than happy to do that," I said happily. "There is a minister there at the MCC in Boston, her name is Dr. Janet Kenmore."

"Mitch," Tony said cautiously. "It's their wedding."

"And? I'm not planning the ceremony, just giving suggestions."

"That's what family does," David said simply. "Deny we aren't family." He challenged.

"We had help," I said to Tony. "Mama, Louise, Kathy, Mom, and even Melissa to help find the best tux!"

"Okay," Tony looked at David and Sasha, "then for my first suggestion." He grinned at David and Sasha. "You board Sunday, right?" They both nodded. "I suggest a Friday night wedding. Traditions says that's formal and a good sit-down dinner. That will give you two time to travel to Alaska and board the ship." Tony grinned a bit more. "And I insist on buying the wedding cake."

I chuckled. "Gilbert."

"Yes, Gilbert." Tony laughed lightly. "He made ours, it will be delicious! You'll find out at Christmas."

"Christmas?" Sasha asked.

"Yes, Christmas." Tony nodded. "You experienced McKenzie Thanksgiving. Now, as family, to the Delveccio side of Christmas. Deny your family." He challenged David as he had challenged Tony.

"Okay, okay." David surrendered. "We'll go."

"It can be beautiful," I said assuring. "There are traditions Tony and I share. We'll share them with you. A show...Broadway of course...The Rockettes holiday show. It will be great!"

"The Delveccios are different. Typical New York, Queens-raised Italians."

"You will hear mangia, mangia for eat, eat and they carry on conversations...I mean at once and you are expected to interrupt." I chuckled as David's and Sasha's eyes widened.

"It's the way Italians way of showing love." Tony chuckled. "Though I will caution them to speak English."

"Which they will forget often," I chuckled, "but a few words of Russian from the five of us. They'll remember. And they often raise voices, even yell at each other...no one's angry, that is also a form of love."

"They will welcome us?" Sasha asked a little uncertain.

"They most certainly will," Tony said firmly. "You are family! They will love you!"

"When we get home, I'll even help find the best place to have the wedding!" I patted both on the arm. "You need to reserve the place quickly. There are going to be a lot of weddings in June. There are caterers, invitations with RSVPs once we pay to reserve where to have it."

David grimaced. "We just want to get married."

"Which is why you need to do in a state where you are," I stated. "Not domestic partners or a civil union. So, why not in the first state that legalized it. Though you can choose New Hampshire or Vermont now."

David chuckled. "But you know it will happen in Boston."

Mom came by. "They're beginning to serve dinner."

"I'll get Alik," Sasha said kissing David again and went to locate his son.

Mom smiled at me and Tony, kissing our cheeks. For no other reason other than she loved us.

Sasha came back with his son thrown over his shoulder and Alik was laughing. "Caught him." He smiled as Alik laughed, but never asked to be put down.

Thanksgiving dinner was just as always and just as much, if not more than usual. The McKenzie family was growing! We did tell the cousins like Sherry, Chuck, and Pam, Michael, Ronda, Mary...a few cousins that the wedding was going to be in Boston. They should get there Thursday the 26th and the wedding was a Friday night wedding June 27th. There were delighted faces seeing they didn't have to pay maybe thousand or more dollars, swearing to be there.

We went back to the bed and breakfast, with Alik asleep between David and me. At David's side which David had put his arm around Alik. Alik had a very busy day.

After breakfast, we checked out and returned to the home place. Much fewer cars were there now. Those local left the night before. Mom, Dad, and grandmother were still there. So were Uncle Bernie and Aunt Judy, Uncle Charles and Aunt Faye, Aunt Hilda was there without Uncle Earl passing out leftovers to others.

She handed me a platter of ham. "I know you." She smiled. "You prefer ham." She looked at Tony, Sasha, David, and Alik. "There's plenty of turkey left over, stuffing, and cake."

"Any of that great chocolate cake?" Alik asked hopefully.

Hilda shook her head and smiled. "Sorry, honey, I made three and they're all gone. There is the cake Aunt Ruth made and coconut cake."

"That yellow cake with the coconut frosting?" I shrugged. "I'll take it."

Aunt Hilda went through the various deserts left. We ended up with ham, turkey, dressing an almost whole pumpkin pie, that "not-mom's-coconut" cake, several slices of cheesecake of different kinds. "I promise you Alik, I'll make one when you come for the reunion. I'll make four and this time, I'll set some of away just for you." Putting a delighted smile on Alik's face.

I worried there was no room was no room in the trunk, but Tony shook his head. He opened the back door on the passenger side. He pushed a button on the seat and pulled the seat forward. "For the lady or gentleman that doesn't want what they bought scattered over the trunk."

I shook my head grinning. "I didn't even know that was there!"

"Now you do!" Tony smiled. "There is even a button on the console that will blow cold air for the meats, milk, eggs."

"That's why you take this when you buy groceries! I bet you told Sasha." I smirked. "Never that roadster you drive."

"You always drive your Bronco." Tony pointed out smiling. "This is eight years old now. It's time to get a new one anyway." He said packing the space with the food. "I'll make sure you are there when we get it." He took what I had and put in there. "You will know all the features." He kissed me. "I promise."

Mom, Dad, and grandmother came over. Grandmother was getting older and yes, I worried how long we would have her with us. Then again, her mother was 104 when she died, so her chances were good! They warned us to be careful and Tony to drive safe, making us promise to come for the reunion here and the Fourth of July in the mountains. Grandmother turned as Sasha, David and Alik came over after saying goodbye to David's father, mother, and Gary! Gary had done a 180 turn around since he found out he didn't make me gay and I didn't make David gay. Then we were on our way. Alik proceeded to tell all he found "cool" at the reunion...in English!"

I smiled at him. "You're doing well speaking English! I didn't see you have to use the translator once!"

Alik looked a little happier. "That's why Dad sent me to that school. I had to use the translator there at first. All the teachers teach in English. Texts I still take in Russian, but I'm reading English better now."

"Well, we are a three-language family. English, Italian, and now Russian." Tony said. "I hope you plan to keep his Russian current. We should keep speaking English but speak Russian occasionally to keep familiarity current. My family did with Italian."

Sasha shook his head and grinned. "I had to make him use it to learn English."

We arrived home and unloaded with the help of a cart like hotels use they had to use. This one had straps to keep the things from falling off. We got everything up in one trip!

"Сын, возьми свОК чемодан наверŃ... и пОНОМи в грязную ОдоМду." Sasha instructed telling him to take his suitcase upstairs and put dirty clothes in the hamper.

Alik looked surprised at first and smiled. "Конечнo!" He took his suitcase and hurried up the stairs.

Sasha grinned at us. "We were approved to stay. I'm going for my immigration. Once done and then I want my citizenship and Alik's citizenship, but you're I can't let him forget he's Russian." He shrugged. "I'll just take this back. Be right back."

The weekend ended and Tony had his appointment with Dr. Keogh on Tuesday. I saw Tony's demeanor change back to when we first got on the Queen Mary. I was worried about him, but it wasn't me that faced this unknown personally. Sure, I was involved but wasn't me that had this. I would pass him rubbing his back, kiss him to show support. Finally, I sat and brought him in for a slow kiss to show I loved him. "Baby, we promised to say what's on our minds. I know you're worried, but what are you thinking?"

"I'm scared." Tony blew a breath of air. "I keep worrying it could be. Cancer is in my family. Kathy said it, with us it's not a matter of if we get it, but when." Then his voice started to shake. "This could be my when."

I pulled him into a tight hug. "What I was thinking this is so unfair. I can't do anything about it and I would even take it myself. I can't lose you. We will fight this. I will be at your side the whole way. I don't want to lose my very soul." I let the tears come as they fell. "I love you so much, Tony." I felt him tighten the hug as I felt him begin to cry softly. He was scared. I again spooned him that night.

The next morning, after his usual coffee, we walked arms around each other to the Mercedes Roadster which he insisted I drive. We went to St. Francis Hospital where they had a whole separate hospital that was for Hematology and Cancer. I shouldn't have been, but I was surprised how busy it was in the huge waiting room. Tony hadn't spoken that much. Now he was sitting forward with his elbows on his knees, anxious to get this over. Anxious and impatient. At last Tony's name was called. The nurse led us to Dr. Keogh's office.

He smiled compassionately at us. "I hope you had a good vacation in spite of this. I know it caused tension."

"We did even legally marry in Boston," Tony said.

Dr. Keogh smiled. "Congratulations." He then sighed. "No more suspense." He looked at Tony. "It is cancer." Tony sat forward and let out this slow, agonized moan. I slid my chair even closer putting my left arm around him and took his hand with my right. Dr. Keogh raised his hands quickly. "But it's just in stage one and we know where it is and it is treatable." He stressed to reassure.

"How soon can he get treatment?" I asked quickly. "What are the chances?"

"Pretty good." Dr. Keogh stressed again. "I'd say 90%, you are in stage one, Tony! Your chances are very good. To begin," he reached in a drawer behind him, he produced something that sort of looked like a lollypop or a magnifier thing with a long tube at what was the handle for the magnifier, "this is a port that has to be inserted surgically, to allow the chemo to be able to get into your body easier." He placed the port on upper right chest. "Placement is because we can access the large vein that goes directly to the heart and then is pumped through the body quickly." He smiled at Tony. "The radiation treatment is a targeted treatment and will only be done on your cancer." He grimaced a little. "Now, where he cancer is will be the problem, as it will be hard to swallow and painful, but I urge you to keep trying. You will need your strength. There an Ensure Plus I recommend, it is a higher calorie count than just regular Ensure. I am sorry, but that will be painful too." He then smiled. "I see you are in great shape, Tony." He looked at me. "You too, Mitch." He smiled at us. "I see you have the support from your husband. That will help with your recovery. Don't change any plans because of this. You have good chances, Tony." He looked at me. "Are there others that will support him or you?"

"Yes, two at home." I grinned. "One is my cousin and best friend...we're more like brothers and this...off the wall at times, big Russian David is marrying in June. They are family."

"That's great!" Dr. Keogh grinned more. "You're using them to help you, Mitch. They know?"

"Oh, yes." Tony chuckled. "David and Mitch share everything." He kissed me quickly. "Even a bed when they were kids...even after they were kids."

"He did that one time the night before our commitment ceremony. Tony and I were separated that night," I said in mock confidentially, "and he was there to make sure I did sneak off to see you! When we were kids, there were two other cousins in that bed!"

Dr. Keogh chuckled. "Please, don't lose that sense of humor because of this. Laughter is the best medicine...and love. You both have that."

"How long is the treatment?" Tony asked.

"Six months and then we do a scan and biopsy to make sure we got it all." Dr. Keogh replied.

"Would another month hurt me?" He asked and saw my frown. "Babe, my sister Kathy is a nurse and her husband Al is a doctor." He said to Dr. Keogh. "My family gives hugs and...my son, Melissa...everyone will be hugging me. We get together on Christmas and...I don't them to needlessly worry."

"A month won't hurt." Dr. Keogh nodded and looked at his calendar. "I'll ask Dr. Hawk to make an appointment that Monday the 5th or 6th of January." He looked at Tony. "Will that do?"

"Absolutely." Tony nodded. "I'll be there."

Once at the car he drove this time. It's wonderful what hope can do. He turned down Savannah Highway. Stoplights and traffic, this was not the quickest way home. I grinned when he turned his bleaker on in front of one of my favorite restaurants. Bessinger's!

"We'll give the place class!" Tony chuckled.

"It has class!" I said louder, which Tony did often as an Italian.

Tony grinned. "Sure, it does." He got out. As I came next to him, he brought me into a pretty nice kiss. In the parking lot. Costumers were going and out, but we no longer cared. He grinned and put his arm about me as I did him. We walked into the restaurant that way. We ordered our two Big Joe Pork Sandwiches and two orders of those big onion rings. He had only coffee that morning and was glad to see his appetite was driving him now. "I'll need my strength. This is medicine!"

I chuckled. "Yes, it is." And before he pulled his wallet out to pay. I pulled mine out and gave the credit card to the cashier. "I'll pay this time."

Tony chuckled. "You are a Delveccio. It comes from the same account!"

"So?"

The cashier was staring and the card with wide eyes. It was a black credit card. "Can I see an ID? He said you are Delveccio, this says McKenzie."

"Well, we were married in Boston, I haven't changed the name yet." I showed my ID that said I was a McKenzie. I tapped Tony's chest. "Which I need to do."

Tony grinned as the cashier rang our order up. "Maybe I should become a McKenzie."

"No." I shook my head. "You've established Delveccio reputation with what you do. No, my way is better."

"Okay." Tony took our cups as the cashier gave me our order receipt and order number. After I got my Dr. Pepper Cherry and he got his sweet tea. We got a booth on the same side as people were looking at us. Whether they'd overheard or saw us kiss in the parking lot. We were amongst jean clad, t-shirt, stretch pants, Walmart bought clothes. I was in Armani and Tony was in Dolce and Gabbana. Which city we'd bought them I couldn't remember. I chose to think that was why. Italians don't sit without a way out, so he sat on the outside of the bench. I took his hand. "You're feeling better. The Tony I met is coming back."

Tony chuckled. "I'm feeling better. Once Dr. Keogh told me I had it but was confident I could beat this...I feel better!" Our order number was called. "Be right back." He kissed me quickly and rose seeing the stares. "Oh, we're not boyfriends. We're married!" He held up his left hand and wiggled his ring finger. "In Boston. Better get used to it. There are a lot of us out in this world."

I laughed as some were shocked even more. When he got back, I had arranged the preferred barbecue sauce. "I really love you, Tony."

"Well, that's new." Tony grinned looking with mock surprise and kissed me again. "I really love you." He smiled and took a hearty bite in an onion ring and munched happily. "Damn." He held the onion ring out. "These are good onion rings!"

When we got back into the car, he again didn't go the direction of the house.

"Do I ask?" I smiled asking Tony.

"Well," Tony began, "I was going to do what we said we would do. We don't have to if you think we shouldn't. I was going to the intersection of King and Calhoun. I was going to kiss you there." His eyebrows danced a little. "It is the heart of town and very busy."

I burst out laughing. "Yes, Tony, I think we should."

Tony grinned. "You saw how they reacted in Bessinger's!"

"Let's do it."

We parked next to Marion Square Park, which was a popular park with its outdoor theater free to be used for budding singers or groups. A big green lawn used often for picnics by students at the College of Charleston. Directly across the street was the Francis Marion Hotel. Guests checked in and out, but more important was the Starbucks in the corner of King and Calhoun attracting everyone! Students, guests, tourists, and any stroller that wanted good coffee. I knew we would go there. There was a small mall and a Walgreens there across Calhoun...there were a lot of people!! Cars passing. We walked hand in hand to the corner crosswalk to go to Starbucks.

"You don't have..." Tony began again.

I pulled him to me tightly, wrapping my arms around him and kissed him deeply, hungrily, tongues slipped in each other's mouths as his arms brought me even closer. Breath became short as I felt the familiar swoon. He was feeling it, too. "I love you, Tony. You're my best friend, lover, and my soul. Now, my husband." I looked at our surroundings. There were stares from some. I grinned that not many of the surprised were college students, in fact, there were smiles from some. No accidents! "Come on." I hugged and kissed him again. "Let's get some coffees!"

The light changed and we walked across the street to Starbucks. Entering, we saw many smiles in there. They could see it clearly from here. They weren't mocking or anything. They liked what they saw! They were mostly college students now. Even the young male cashier was smiling at us. He probably was a student as well. His name badge said "Jerry.

"I don't think my boyfriend would do that with me there." He pointed at the corner we'd kissed on. "So, what can I get for you two lovebirds?"

I ordered my large, iced Vanilla Latte with the four shots of espresso. Tony got his large espresso.

"Mind if I pay this time?" Tony chuckled.

"It's the same account." I grinned giving what he'd said back to him.

"You two share an account!?" The Jerry asked surprised. When Tony handed him his black credit card. His eyes widened.

"Do your parents share an account?" I asked.

"Well sure, they were married." He said.

"So are we." Tony smiled showing his wedding ring and I put my matching ring beside his. "And now it's legal. We married in Boston."

"By the time it becomes nationwide, we'll be married already," I said.

"Do need to see my ID?" Tony asked.

"Nooo." The Jerry said quickly, shaking his head. "This is a black credit card. I knew of them, but this is the first I've seen." He looked at the card. "I believe you are Anthony Delveccio." He ran the card. "If you were buying a car, I would. No one commits a black credit card fraud for $10 dollars and 38 cents." He grinned handing the card back to Tony. Asking our names, he wrote them on our cups. "Congratulations on the marriage, guys!"

We enjoyed our coffees sitting beside me on the couch, Tony's arm around my shoulders as we did. Most of the customers were just passing through or using the Wi-Fi here for their laptops.

Our coffees consumed, I looked at my watch. "Okay, it's almost three. We need to go to avoid the traffic on 26. It will be a bitch with all those hospitals end their shifts a 3:30."

Tony nodded. "Sure." We rose, waving to the cashier as we left.

After we crossed the street again. Tony initiated the kiss this time. Then walked to our car with arms around each other.

Getting in, Tony beamed at me. "Now we get ready for Christmas!! The tree, decorating..." his eyebrows waggled again, "then New York!"

We arrived before Sasha had returned from getting Alik from school. It wasn't long before the door opened and the two came in.

"Hi, Uncle Tony...Hi, Uncle Mitch!" He said happily and rushed over, dug in his bookbag and brought one a piece of paper. "Look! I got an A!"

We looked. It had been a math test. Numbers are numbers. Well, how they write in some countries like the seven with the line in the middle or some put a line through the zero to show it's a number and not the letter O. What I did see, was this had multiplication and division. Some were double digits both to multiply and divide. A couple was triple digits! He got them right! My eyes widened.

Tony was impressed, too! "I think we have a math prodigy."

Alik looked confused. "What's that?"

"Đ'ундеркинд." I translated.

Tony bumped me lightly. "And you keep saying you're not fluent!?"

I nodded. "I'm getting there!" I said loud like a Long Island, Queen's raised Italian would.

Alik smiled bigger! "You think so?"

"Anyone who can multiply and divide where they both are in the hundreds!?" Tony claimed. "Hell yeah! I say you are a Đ'ундеркинд!"

"I surprised my teacher. I was the only to get them all right!" Alik said proudly.

We both hugged him together.

Sasha smiled and instructed. "Đ'озьмите свОК и добраться Đ´Đž вашоК дОПашноК работы. Хорошо, сынок и добраться Đ´Đž вашоК дОПашноК работы. Хорошо, и добраться Đ´Đž вашоК дОПашноК работы. Хорошо, сынок?" He said kindly to take his book bag and get to his homework.

Alik frowned. "Yeah, grammar." He said sadly and glum. "I have to...diagram...ten sentences." He said in dread. "Nouns, verbs, adverbs and all that."

"And you know two people here that are fluent in English." Sasha pointed at us. "I'll check it, but even I might miss one or two. Pronouns and adjectives. I get the words a, the, and those...articles...I'll be learning that myself."

"Certainly." Tony smiled nodding.

"Теперь, добраться до него." Sasha smiled at his son, telling him to get to it.

"Đ"Đ°-Đ´Đ°." He said with no enthusiasm. He took drug his bookbag up the stairs slowly with quiet resolve. Then when Alik was upstairs, he came to us. "Okay, what did the doctor tell you?"

"It's in stage one and he gave me a good chance of beating it...90%!" Tony assured happily. "The treatment will make it rough. I will hurt when I swallow."

"We will have to encourage him to try," I said.

"How soon are they starting this treatment?" Sasha asked.

Tony held his hand up. "We're going to New York. My sister is a nurse, and her husband is a doctor. All are big huggers, and they will feel that port in my chest. It sticks out about an inch. They would ask about it. I don't want to worry them if I can. Especially my son Nick."

"Can you wait a month?" Sasha asked.

"We asked," I said. "It isn't a fast growing cancer and it's stage one. He said a month wouldn't hurt him. I wanted to start tomorrow, but I understand Tony's decision to wait."

"Okay." Sasha smiled.

I hugged Tony. "It's great to have the Tony before this happened back. He's back with wisecracks and one-liners he used to use. If anything, I'd almost say he is in a manic state! We went downtown to the corner of King and Calhoun just to kiss there."

Sasha's eyes widened, but that smirk was knowing. "That's a busy part of town like Taganskaya Square in Moscow. A lot of people walking and cars. Were there shocked people?"

"A few, but it's a college area. There were many smiles!" Tony grinned. "Even Jerry at Starbucks was happy about what he and his customers saw it clearly, he also had a boyfriend!"

"Really!?" Sasha chuckled. "That's the only reason?"

"Gay men, drag queens, and lesbians will do an outrageous things to say we're here, we're queer, get used to it." I laughed. "This was before you, Tony. I was with Ted then. We went to this club called Friends and there were drag queens performing that night. One had this outfit...it had flowing wings when she extended her arms. She was a butterfly! She not only did it there but outside even in the street! There was a man in this lovely dress like from Mexico...a dancer's dress. He looked great, from behind, when he turned around...he had a full beard!!"

Sasha and Tony laughed. Tony said. "That was for shock value clearly. Did he perform?"

"No, he was there for the shock value." I chuckled.

"I say he did!" Sasha smiled. He turned as David came in rushing to us. "Now, you can explain the situation to him."

David asked and we explained it again. "Well, you can count on Sasha and me. We'll be there to support both of you."

I hugged them both. "Thanks, I am so glad you're here."

"Now we'll have a busy few days coming." Tony grinned.

"After the 28th, I'll be here a month!" David said happily.

"Yeah!" Sasha hugged him happily.

Things were good in the Delveccio/McKenzie/Lebedev house. Tony was happy again. I asked Tony to make his baked Ziti.

"You can make it," Tony said he said in minor, light irritation.

"You're the Italian!" I said louder. "I'm not."

Tony's mouth dropped open in mock surprise and even gasped. "Yes! You are!" He yelled back. Then his one eye squinted, but I saw the mirth in his eyes and the smile on his face. "You are a Delveccio and most defiantly Italian!" He said shaking his finger at me.

I smiled at him, hugging, and kissing him. "Aww, I love you, too."

"Now, I'll make the Ziti and gravy, you do the garlic bread!" Tony said.

I saluted. "Roger that."

Tony grinned. "I love you, wiseass and all." He hugged me and kissed me.

Alik came down the stairs. "Why do you two often yell? You're not mad or anything."

Tony rocked us gently his head against mine. "That's what Italians do."

"We only do that with people we love," I said to Alik.

Alik looked disappointment. "You never yell at me! Don't you love me?"

"Of course!" Tony chuckled. "We didn't at first, you might think we were angry or something. We adore you!"

"So be ready," I said. "Go watch TV or something!" I yelled lightly but kept the smile on my face.

Alik smiled now coming to us and hugged us. "I love you, too!!" He hurried off to the TV. An American cartoon.

Sasha came down holding what I assumed was Alik's homework. He handed me the paper. "He did it and David helped him. It's right."

I took the paper looking it and smiled. "Yep!"

"I missed some prepositions," Sasha said smiling a little sheepishly.

"So? It's another language. I had a terrible time with written Russian sentence structure. What the noun is and verb and arranging them correctly." I patted Sasha to assure him. "It will come." I grinned. "Prepositions aren't too hard. In school, they taught us...a preposition is anywhere a mouse can go...over, under, through, around and others."

Sasha smiled. "That will help."

"I had an issue with nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives in Russian!" I said lamenting. "I finally got the alphabet in order though!" I said in triumph and raised my finger to add to that triumph. "I even learned the Alphabet Song! The Number's song too."

"That's great!" He grinned. "You're an American, Scottish, Tony swears you are Italian...you're becoming Russian, too."

"Why not? I told you when I dream in Russian I'd dance on your head!" I said as he smiled back at me. "That proves I was thinking in Russian."

"I'll expect it pretty soon then." Sasha hugged me.

Soon it was Alik's bedtime and David's, he had to drive an hour and a half early to get to his class on time. He took Alik upstairs and put his soon to be son to bed. A few minutes later, Sasha followed his future husband upstairs. Tony took my hand and pulled me to the toward our bedroom walking backward.

"You and I will get ready for bed, teeth brushed and all that," Tony said as his eyebrow waggled again. "Then you and I will share a night of loving."

Then I was pushing him backward. "Allora non perdere tempo. Fretta!" I said to not to waste time and hurry.

"Io vado! Io vado!" Tony chuckled saying he was going.

Making love now was no challenge. We knew what the other liked and how to do it. More than an hour of more, Tony and I separating, both panting to catch our breath.

"That..." Tony panted, "never gets..." his breath was easing, "old."

"No, it's doesn't." I rolled over to him hugging him again. "At first was a fun time of discovery. That was exciting, but you know I prefer this comfortable familiarity best. We have that."

Tony hugged me tight and kissed me. "We do."

We went peacefully to sleep. Tony's warmth against my back, the crackle of the fireplace as it burned between the family room and our room. Peace.

The morning brought the usual, David left at six, Sasha took Alik to school at seven and Tony was at our coffee pot.

I chuckled as I got breakfast started. "That must be why you're so dark. Espresso of if it's coffee, always black with just a little sugar."

Tony smirked. "Sure, go with that. Never mind the Moors' blood in me." He grinned as he saw me taking out things. "What are you making?"

I pulled out a clear plastic with croissants, shook the bottle of extra-virgin oil. "I'm Italian, you said, I was going to make that wonderful buttery casserole, like we had in Rome!" I shrugged. "With a McKenzie twist."

"I can't wait."

The different part is, the breakfast we had in Rome had fine yellow scrambled eggs. I, however, like Mom did, scramble them in the bacon grease. I loved it! I would put the sweet sausage in and when it was almost done, add the scallions, eggs, sage, milk, heavy cream, gruyere, and salt and scramble them together. It took a little prep work, but I did it in a cast iron skillet which it would be served in. It took a bit of time to cook and get the ingredients cooking when Sasha came back.

"What's that?" Sasha asked sniffing and looking at what I was doing. "It smells good!"

"An Italian Breakfast Casserole. I made plenty, you welcome to have some." I told him.

"Absolutely. Alik didn't come down very fast, I got him his breakfast, but no time for me." Sasha grinned.

At the table, Sasha asked. "What the plans today?" He dug in for the first bite and his eyes widened. "This is delicious!"

"The McKenzie way is very good." Tony smiled. "I was hoping to go see our property and then we were going car shopping."

Sasha looked startled. "You're selling your Benz!? I'll buy it!"

"It's almost ten years old!?" Tony said.

"So? I know that car." Sasha explained.

"You could have bought one any time. You have the money." Tony said. "With that million you had me do some investing with, that million has gone to three."

"I know, but where do I go? I take Alik to school and get groceries. I always take that car."

Tony chuckled. "I'd give it to you, but I know you wouldn't take it. You protested when I offered to keep you here without paying rent."

"Damned straight!" Sasha said it in a very American way.

We took his AMG SL 63 Roadster and drove to James Island. Then arrived at the island. The bridge was new and looked strong. Going onto the island where we saw a trench where they were continuing the power lines, the pipes for water pipes and sewage pipes. There were men doing it now! There were other men were clearing the property of the house and getting the wood and dilapidated furniture in a dump truck. One man looked up and came over. The foreman?

The man smiled as we got out. "Expensive car and clothes, one sort of dark...you must be Mr. Delveccio." They shook hands. "James Matthews."

"I am." He held his arm out to me as I got near Tony. He put his arm around me. "This is my husband, Mitch McKenzie."

His eyes widened a little.

"Is that a problem?" Tony asked.

Mr. Maxwell shook his head. "No, I work for Mr. Kincaid. Robert Castie had me working for a month before he told me. He had to, I walked in the office as he was kissing his life partner. You just say it!"

Tony smiled. "Well, of course."

"Are you married or in a relationship?" I asked.

"Married for eighteen years," James said smiling and was nodding understanding.

"And you introduce her as your wife as your wife, right?" Tony asked as James nodded grinning more.

"We married three times!" I added looking at Tony. "Once as each other's Power of Attorneys, again that next June in a Commitment Ceremony and recently we made it legal in the first state to legalize it! We're triple married!!"

Tony chuckled squeezing me quickly. "Yes, we are." He looked at James. "How many times have you married your wife?"

James nodded and scratched the back of his head, smiling. "Just once, but we are renewing our vows at twenty-five years." He looked back and the house. "We'll get this...house...cleared out and tear it down. That won't take too long. We'll continue the laying of pipe, power, and fiber optics. We should have it done by the first of next month. Then we'll start laying the foundation."

Tony grinned. "Of course, you and the others are taking Christmas off, right? A week or two with family and friends?"

"We're taking the week of Christmas." James nodded.

"Take two!" Tony said happily.

"Oh, Mr. Kincaid is just giving us the week with pay," James said.

"Christmas means a lot for Tony and me," I explained.

"Suppose I pay all of you for that extra week?" Tony said. "Say, until New Year's."

James's eyes widened. "Mr. Kincaid won't like it. You don't have to..."

"No, we don't." I smiled.

"Max Kincaid is technically working for me, and you do, too." Tony grinned. "I say you will. I'll tell Max I insisted!" He frowned. "Isn't Robert Castil your boss?"

James shook his head. "Castil has a boss, Max Kincaid. He's the CEO and President of the firm. Robert is a Vice-President, he is a top Architect, but Max assigns the work."

"I'll tell Max, I insisted," Tony said. "He won't say no to me."

"We're just Minions." James shrugged smiling.

"Either you just liked Despicable Me and the Minions, or you have children." I smiled. "I loved Kevin, Bob, Tim, Norbert...all the others!"

James laughed. "I do, too. Kevin's my favorite and I do have children, three. There's Cassie, Casandra really, she's 16. Charlie, Charlene who is 10 and JJ, James junior, a rambunctious six." He said proudly.

"We know about rambunctious six-year-olds." I chuckled. "Our future cousin-in-law had a six-year-old when he moved in with us. He's a brother really."

"I had a rambunctious six-year-old once who's now twenty-six last October." He glanced at me. "I wasn't gay then." He smiled.

I rolled my eyes hearing that again. "Suuure you weren't."

Tony chuckled. "I'll call Max Kincaid when we get home. I promise."

We left them heading toward the only Mercedes Dealership that had new models, but also sold Infinitis, Lexus, Maserati's, Porsche, and other luxury cars. Even Rolls Royce! He had gotten this Roadster there.

Pulling into the dealership we parked in one of the customer spaces. Getting out, a man in his late forties approached us holding out his hand to Tony. "It's good to see you again, Mr. Delveccio."

"Thanks, Mr. Rhodes," Tony said.

"There haven't been problems, have there?" He looked at the roadster.

Tony glanced at our car and then looked at Mr. Rhodes. Shaking his head, he said. "Hell, no! He purrs. I want to put in an order for a 2010!" He looked at me shrugging. "I have that, and you have that Bronco." He looked at Mr. Rhodes. "I can do that?"

"Certainly. We're making a lot of 2009s, but the 2010s will come out. We'll have some ready by June. You can get yours as early as March. You're ordering it."

Tony grinned even bigger. "I've even chosen the model...if you approve, of course." He said to me.

"Show me."

In Mr. Rhodes' office. "What model did you want?"

"A Maybach S 650!" Tony said. "Can you bring an image up to show him." He grinned at me.

I took his hand. Mr. Rhodes did blink. He knew our money was green. He moved his monitor where I saw it. It was bigger than the Mercedes S550 we had. It had to be. I saw the interior. The dash and controls I would have to learn. The back seat! Tony and Sasha could stretch out back there, there was plenty of leg room.

Then they were planning some of the features and options. What I liked was as Tony, the car on the screen changed. Custom paint color, a dark navy that so dark it was practically black. Sporty hubcaps. There were safety features added. Now the interior was in dark navy, just a little lighter than the paint outside, premium sound boasting surround system that made you feel you were at a symphony that played just for you. The artist sang just for you. I wondered how Queen, Billy Idol or even Nickelback would sound...Disturbed, Godsmack and some of the more...energetic groups would sound. There were all music groups and kinds could be accessed from that system that could find any song. There were access ports for everybody could plug their laptops in hooked through our Wi-Fi in the car. Phone chargers for phones and devices that needed power. There were nice sized screens to watch any movie, live show or program in the endless library. They could even choose to lounge as both seats reclined, and Sasha or Tony would still have plenty of legroom! The seats where heated and could be shaped for maximum comfort. Still cold or warm? They had their own climate control! And there were not one, but two cool compartments! There was the one behind the seats like Tony's S550! One as was a little refrigerator in the lower part of the central console for drinks our passenger's desired. A couple of six packs. In a compartment the were four glasses. (Tony would insist of that.) There were desks or trays for them to work or eat that came up from below the seats in front of them. It was a luxury car that was practically a limousine! The trunk was spacious and even Tony's overpacking would fit back there! We added all the extras like Mercedes's mbrace Concierge to get destinations and turn-by-turn directions! Better than GPS! I shook my head to keep the old me from bugging me when I saw the price was going closer to a quarter of a million. I reminded myself we had more than enough money.

Tony was again the excited little boy getting a great present on Christmas! He glanced back at me. "What do you think?"

I chuckled patting him on the arm. "You can't add anything, you got it all. I can get used to driving it." I smiled. "Do it."

Then there were shipping cost because it was not a normal delivery. Tony didn't hesitate and gave his credit card and was getting his license out.

Mr. Rhodes shook his head. "I checked it with the Roadster." He chuckled. "I know this is your card."

Tony paid the whole thing.

We arrived home and smelled something cooking. Sasha smiled at us. "I'm cooking a roast and making Borscht." He waved at the two crockpots. "It will be done by the time David gets home."

"Borscht?" I chuckled. "You never made that for us."

"There are all kinds of borscht. Cabbage Borscht, Vegan Borscht..." he shuttered with a frown letting out a sound of disgust, "Lean Borscht..."

Tony grinned. "What exactly is borscht?"

"Some can be a soup, but I make a sort of heartier stew-like dish." Sasha gave a shrugging nod. "It has salted meat, potatoes, radishes...that adds a sort of purple color to the borscht...but its good! I'm using as a side dish."

"For the vegetable?" I asked.

"There are potatoes and carrots in it." He chuckled. "I'm also making an Olivier salad. Plenty of vegetables."

"If you want...we can do the needed transaction tonight or tomorrow. Change of title can be done tomorrow...if you still want him." Tony suggested to Sasha.

"Yes, I want him! I've been driving it for almost two years! I love that car!" Sasha stated firmly.

"Okay," Tony said chuckling. "It will officially be yours tomorrow."

"So, where'd kissed publicly today?" Sasha smirked.

"Nowhere today, but if we kiss, even in public, we will," I answered.

"Oh, I need to make a phone call." Tony hurried to the computer room.

Sasha jutted his head in Tony's direction. "He seems good."

"Very good."

Then we heard Tony's raised voice. "I'm sorry. I thought you were working for me!" It was quiet a few moments. "I don't give a damn about the schedule you're trying to maintain. How many days are you taking off? Tell the truth, because I can find out the truth." I could see Tony in my mind. I knew how would physically act. "A ski vacations? In Switzerland. For a week? I'll find out." "I don't care that you earned it or not. I don't care if you go a month!" "These men need to go home, spend time with their families and friends...I insist! No reprisals on any of them, you are answerable to me. They deserve this! I am paying for them to go, not you. It will happen." With older phones, you could slam it down. Now, you just disconnect. Maybe new phones with "end call" and "slam call."

Tony came out frowning and froze in place when he found Sasha and I were staring at him, both of us smiling at him. He smiled at us. "I guess you heard that." He resumed his way to us.

"You're Italian! Sure, we did." I chuckled.

"I didn't want to embarrass him, but that arrogant prick needed to remember...I'm paying him to get this house done! Then he went about cost and time...the arrogant son of a bitch." He waved his hand at the absurd notion. "I don't give a shit about his schedule, what will another week cost in getting things done?" He let out an angry, frustrated grunt. "I know he's the President and CEO. He probably doesn't people telling him what he has to do. I heard it in his voice. He had to comply."

Sasha chuckled. "Probably."

We had a good afternoon. Sasha had everything arranged and cooking and then went to get Alik. Tony turned to me on the couch. "Okay. What did you think about today? About the money I spent today?"

I bowed my head slightly. "Okay, the old me tried to come up with an objection, but I squashed it back down. Besides, I know what's in our account and you'll make more. You've done well for two decades. I have no doubt that you can." I wondered. "How do you keep up with trends, new companies and drastically falling stocks and stuff like that?"

Tony chuckled. "I started with the program I used at Morgan Stanley and created shortcuts and improved the search and tracking program. I set up...watch dogs that constantly monitor the stock market. They alert me as new companies that get on the DOW. Those I have to research to know who is running it and what their history is. The program helps me know that as well. The others I already invested in and guided customers to...has an alert that lets me know if one is going down drastically. Stocks go up and down, but ones that fluctuate a lot shows trouble. I prefer stocks that show a steady increase. I have invested in new stocks and I invest some time and they've split and even split again! We're not just millionaires, we're heading toward the hundred million."

"And that million Sasha and David gave you to invest?"

"Is now 3 point 25 million," Sasha said proudly. "I'll keep on doing it for them until they tell me to stop."

I chuckled. "Bye-bye Mustang of David's. I see a Maserati or Ferrari or even a Lamborghini in his future."

"Kincaid or your Aunt Mary can out-snob me!?" Tony chuckled. "Let them think they can." He backed his head back a little. "Am I?"

"No." I pulled him in a passionate kiss. "I love you, Tony."

Tony was still kissing me but said. "I know. I love you."

"I know."