North Meets South

Story: North Meets South: When World's Collide

Chapter: 5 The Delveccios

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

Mature Readers only due to sexual situations and graphic sexual content

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Tony shows Mitch New York City and his family.

The Delveccios

"And I'm looking forward to seeing New York." I nodded. "For a long time, it was more of a fictional city to me. It'd be nice to actually see it."

Tony's eyes widened slightly and he asked, "Fictional? How so?"

I shrugged. "I only saw it on TV. Archie Bunker in All In The Family, all those comedies, SVU...shows like that."

Tony smiled and chuckled lightly. "It's real, you'll see. We'll be flying in on Sunday before Christmas and leave on Friday afterward." Then he looked at me closely. "If that's okay with you?"

"I do have to be back Saturday," I shrugged. "Are there any traditions I need to know about with you? Like decorating or about Christmas itself?"

He smiled. "There have been some changes over the years. We've become more Americanized. Christmas, December 25th was usually a day about church and family. Presents were not exchanged then. That was to be done on January 6th. That's the Day of the Epiphany."

I nodded, "but not now."

He shook his head. "Are you going to tell Nick, my nieces and nephews they have to wait for their presents from Befana?"

"The Good Witch," I nodded.

His eyebrows rose. "You know about her?"

I nodded. "Internet, remember? What about Babbo Natale?"

He chuckled. "They sort of combined St. Nicholas and Santa. Babbo Natale is not as fat, but the kids don't care. Technically we don't even decorate until the 8th, the Day of Immaculate Conception."

I nodded. "Okay, we can do that. What about Midnight Mass?"

His face hardened. "We'll go to our own."

"Why?" I asked cautiously.

"Because I was basically excommunicated," Tony spat angrily.

"What!?" I asked incredulously.

He nodded. "I confessed to Father Phillip about being gay. Later he refused to give me Eucharis afterward."

"He didn't give you the Lord's Supper!?" I couldn't believe that.

Tony explained. "It's more than the Lord's Supper to us. That's the Body of Christ!"

I nodded. "I know, but how dare he refuse you?"

Tony shrugged. "I was living in sin. He cut me off from being Catholic. So, I quit going."

That hurt me. Mostly because it hurt Tony. "I'm so sorry."

"I know." He smiled. "I get it every Sunday now." Then he smiled. "You'll see, the MCC in Manhattan is basically Catholic. Unlike here where it's mostly Baptist. We'll go to the midnight service there. You can meet Reverend Pat." He waggled his eyebrows. "She's quite a woman!"

That made me wonder if this person was a woman, became a woman or just dressed like one.

Then Nick came to stay while his school was off. It was interesting having him there. It was never quiet. On one of the nights before I had the next day off we went tree shopping. Charleston was all decorated to Christmas. The streets downtown were decorated with lights and the overall feeling was very pleasant. We went to several of those roadside places that had trees.

The man brought yet another tree. "What about this one?" He was trying to be patient. You heard it in his voice.

It was a tall tree, but full with a nice shape. It was a Frasier Fur. It was ten feet tall. The ceilings in the great room/living room were twelve feet tall, but put in the tree stand? It might just touch the ceiling.

"What do you think?" Tony asked me and Nick.

"It's another tree," Nick groused, tired of looking. "Who cares?"

"It's your Pop's and my first Christmas Tree." Tony corrected. "It needs to be perfect."

Nick just rolled his eyes.

"I think it's perfect," I nodded with a grin. Then I leaned to Nick. "Your father loves Christmas, apparently."

Nick nodded. "He always has."

We got the tree home in the back of Bubba. Then spent the next day decorating the tree and house. We even had a Nativity Scene on the mantle. For the first time in a few years, I was feeling like it was really going to be Christmas. I had some traditions of my own. Tony and I didn't always see things the same way. Like when he came home one night and as we were watching the TV, it switched automatically as I had programmed it to.

"What the..." Tony looked startled as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer began.

I grabbed the remote before he could change it. "No!" I said firmly. "I'm watching that."

Tony's eyes widened. "You're kidding."

I shook my head. "I've seen it every year. That and Frosty the Snowman. I never miss it." Then I grinned. "There are others, but these two are a must. That and Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown."

Tony looked a little annoyed. "You're how old?"

I shrugged. "If you're too grown up to enjoy them, you're too old." I waved at him. "Please make me some popcorn?"

Tony just nodded and went into the kitchen.

I mean, who didn't like Burl Ives and Rudolph? It made me feel like a kid again. I loved it! But I looked over as we began eating the popcorn to see him looking a little more interested than he would be willing to admit. After it was over Tony smiled.

"You can get these on DVD, you know? You can watch it anytime."

I looked appalled. "That's not the same! It's just not."

Tony smiled holding his hands up to stop me. "Okay, okay. It's not the same."

"Would it be okay if we invited David here for New Year's Eve?" I asked changing the subject.

Tony frowned. "Isn't he going to be with family?" Then he grinned. "I mean the rest of his family."

"We are his family," I said flatly. "Michael will be with his fiancé and her family. I don't think David and Michael have spent that much time apart. He could spend it with his mother and father, but it will be hard on him this year. They are twins."

"What the hell?" Tony grinned kissing me. "Invite already."

"Sherry wants to come, too."

Tony didn't quite roll his eyes. "Anyone else? Your parents will be here, too. We have a big place, but only so many rooms."

"When I was little, we all shared a bed. Chuck, David, Michael, and I in one bed. My other cousins in the other. It was fun. Eight little boys in one room. Four in each huge bed."

Tony smiled. "Kissing cousins?"

I grinned. "Don't be a wiseass."

Then the day came and we flew to New York. I was nervous.

"Relax," Tony said as we were taxiing to take off taking my hand. "They'll love you."

"I hope so," I admitted. "I really want them to like me. Were you nervous about going up to the mountains? Or to Derby?"

"Derby? Terrified. The mountains...cautious." Tony admitted. "You'll see. It's going to be all good." He said confidently. I wish I felt it.

I was a country boy going to the Big City. Literally. When we arrived at LaGuardia and that's how I felt. It was Christmas and the place was nonstop activity. When Nick, Tony and I departed the plane it truly was stepping into another world for me. We went to the area where passengers were meeting family, friends or just going to baggage claim. That's when I spotted a woman waving at us. Well, at Tony.

"Tony!!" She said happily waving more. She was in her early forties and yep, black hair and most definitely Italian. "Over here."

Tony's face lit up as he hugged the woman. There was a young man, with dark hair, but not as black as Tony or this woman's. "Hi, Kathy!" His face was covered in kisses. Then he stepped back. "Kathy, this is Mitch McKenzie. My fiancé."

She smiled at me! Her eyes even sparkled a little. "So, you're the one that caught my brother's heart." Then she hugged me. "Welcome to the family."

I was pleased she just accepted me. No questions asked. "I am the one that caught his heart." I nodded. "È un piacere conoscerti, Kathy." Saying it was a pleasure to meet her.

Her eyes grew in amazement. "He speaks Italian!?"

I chuckled. "From what Tony described about family dinners, I sort of thought it would be necessary."

"And he did it in only eight months!" Nick stated.

I grinned at Nick. "I told you, I was motivated." Then I shook my head at Kathy. "I'm nowhere near fluent, but I think I'll get along fine."

"Better than Dad." The young man laughed.

Kathy looked and brought him forward. "This is David, my son. He insisted he come with me." A nice looking boy about twenty.

Then it was general greetings by them to Nick as well. Then it was a little chaotic as we got our luggage and got to the car.

"We could have taken a cab," Tony said to his sister.

"And what sort of reception would that be?" Kathy asked him. "My brother returns after being gone. With a new love? I'm letting you come without a welcome?" She shook her head. "I think not."

And of course, I had no idea where we were or where we were going, but David drove well. Kathy's husband was a doctor, she was a nurse manager and the house we arrived at what looked very nice. It was a house. Not what I thought it might be. Two stories and lit for Christmas.

"Al's on duty tonight, you'll meet him in the morning if you get up in time," Kathy said absently as she led us in the house. It was pleasant. It felt like a home, not just a house. It was lived in. That's when a young woman about sixteen came in. Her hair was long past her shoulders and just as black as Tony's and Kathy's.

"Hi, Uncle Tony!" The young woman smiled and hugged him. Then cast her eyes over me smiling. "This him?"

Tony rolled his eyes. "No. He's just someone I picked up at the airport." He said sarcastically. "Of course, he is." He grinned. "This is Mitch McKenzie. My fiancé. This..." he said to me, "...is my beautiful, but often annoying niece. Melissa."

I grinned as I shook her hand. "Sorry, he's been picking up my bad habits," I smiled at her.

She chuckled. "I hate to break it to you, but he's always been this way." Then she grinned at Nick. "Hi, Nick!"

That was the night of our arrival. Nick was bunking with his cousin David and Tony and I were in the guest room.

Tony was taking his shoes off as I was changing for bed. We normally only wore underwear, if that much, but since we were guests in someone's house. I wore pajamas. So was Tony. "Tomorrow, we'll go over and see Mama and Papa." He smiled at me. "Then you and I are going shopping."

I rolled my eyes as I slipped on my pajama bottoms. "Fine."

Tony rolled over backward and grabbed me down. "It's going to be fine; I promise." Then he smiled. "After you meet everyone, it'll be smooth sailing." He grinned and kissed me passionately wrapping his arms around me.

I grinned up at Tony. "Are you starting something a little more physical with me?"

"We make love." He shrugged. "We always do."

I chuckled running fingers in his hair. "Okay, but you have to be quiet this time."

He sat up. "I am quiet!"

I chuckled. "Not always." I pulled him back down bring him close to me again as I shoved his shirt off. Getting dressed for bed only to get undressed when in bed didn't make sense...until you undress the object of your desire. That is always arousing.

The morning came when Tony and I came down to the kitchen. The smell of coffee drawing Tony from upstairs. I spotted a man at the table drinking some as he looked at the paper. He looked up with a smile. In his mid-forties, I gathered he was Al. He had light brown hair. "Tony." He nodded standing as we approached. Then looked at me. "You must be Mitch." He offered his hand. "I'm Kathy's husband Al."

"Hi, Al." Tony greeted with a short hug. "Coffee." He said zeroing on the pot.

Al chuckled. "We stocked up before you arrived." He nodded. Al looked at me. "He loves his coffee."

I nodded. "I know. How many cups do you drink, Tony?"

Tony shrugged as he poured his cup. "Three before I go to work and a thermos to work. Then a couple during the day. I don't know how many." He did his luxurious inhale of the aroma.

We talked with Al for a while, then he had morning rounds to make. Then Kathy came down and we visited with her a little longer before Tony said he'd call a cab.

"No," Kathy said firmly. "Do not call a cab."

Tony frowned. "Mama and Papa are more than a few miles away."

"I'm not going anywhere," Kathy said. "Take my car."

"We were going into Manhattan," Tony said.

She shrugged. "Then bring it back when you're done and take the train when you do. No problem." Then she smiled. "Louise, Mike, and the kids will be here tomorrow. You have to see Mama and Papa. Show them you survived." Her eyes were glinting a little too happy about us meeting their parents.

"Exactly," Tony nodded. He grabbed keys off the hook then took my hand. "Let's do it."

When we pulled into his old neighborhood, I felt I was watching the TV. It looked very much like what I'd seen on All In The Family. There were duplexes and single homes intermixed. Most all of those on the street were dark headed and they were Italian. Or Jewish. Tony said his neighborhood was almost half and half. He pulled in front of a house. Then smiled as he pointed. "Here it is. This is the house I grew up in."

I smiled back. "I showed you mine, it's only fair you show me yours."

He grinned, but he was very happy about this. "You want to see it again?" He reached down to his pants, but he knew what I was saying. He was very happy about this.

I laughed at him and stopped him. "Later." I kissed him. "I look forward to meeting your parents."

"Mama is Kathleen, Papa is Michelangelo. Or just plain Mike for friends, Angelo for family." Then he opened his door and looked around the neighborhood. Someone waved to him saying hi, which Tony waved back with a smile. "The neighbors don't really change much here. They get older, but still the same." He inhaled. "This is how the air should smell."

I shrugged. "What? No flowers or the smell of growing grass? The rich red earth?"

Tony grinned as he took my hand, and it didn't seem to matter if you were from the South or the North, you only went to the front door if you were company. Tony went to the back door.

He knocked on the backdoor where I saw an older woman, her hair was done up on her head with gray covering the entire head. A little heavier, but not really fat. She looked up and I saw her face light up. She came to the door, throwing it open.

"Tony! Il mio neonato. Che sei venuto, finalmente!" She said happily hugging Tony and kissing his entire face readily. She'd said he was her baby boy and at last came back.

"Sì, mamma, sono tornato." Tony chuckled saying he was. Then he pulled away and reached for me. "Mama, this is my fiancé, Mitch McKenzie."

(The rest I'm writing in English. The conversations went back and forth from English to Italian. I'll get writer's cramp translating what was said and what it meant.)

She looked me appraisingly. Then looked me in the eye. "Don't hurt my son." She said in perfect English.

The way she said it, I didn't feel threatened. It wasn't upsetting. It was, believe it or not, assuring. She loved her son and wanted to be damned sure whoever got into his life would be someone that could be trusted with her son's heart. I said in my best Italian. "I adore your son, Mrs. Delveccio. I would die first."

The way I said that brought a smile to her face. "That's what I want to hear." Then she stepped back. "Come in!" Then she looked back at a man that came in. "Angelo, see who arrived."

The man was clearly Tony's father. As I inherited a lot of my appearance from my father, Tony had gotten a lot from this man. Very nice looking and in his late sixties or early seventies. It was Tony's face with a few lines, but not that many. It added character to his face. He was gray in his temples and that gray streaked through his dark hair. He had the same build as Tony and he looked like a man that worked hard his whole life. The man looked at Tony, then at me. "Tony." He nodded to his son.

"Hi, Papa." Tony smiled at his father. "It's good to see you. This is my fiancé, Mitch McKenzie."

Tony's father nodded. "A Southerner?" He asked. Looking me over. "I don't see any..." then he said a word I did not know.

Tony laughed. "That's shitkickers." He said to me quietly. "Boots."

I grinned and looked at Angelo. "Sorry, I don't wear shitkickers. I can. I have them, but not this trip."

Angelo's eyes widened as I said it to him in Italian. "You speak Italian?"

I nodded. "I'm learning, sir. I still have a long way to go."

Kathleen shook her head. "He's doing wonderfully. There's a slight accent, but he understands and is understood!"

The man nodded and was walking away.

"Papa! What do you want? He's a good man!" Tony insisted as he called after his father.

"He's a good man! A man!" Angelo said irritated. "He won't give you children. He can't."

"You have five grandchildren already!" Tony said. "One has the Delveccio name. There will be plenty of little Delveccios!"

"Angelo!" Kathleen said sharply. "Stop it. Tony's home for Christmas. He brought someone important to him for us to meet. The least you can do is give the boy a chance." I heard the words, but I could sense the humor in it.

Angelo looked at his wife surprised. "I don't have to take this. You're siding with them."

"I'm not siding with...." She blew an exasperated breath. "Come over here you old..." she used a word I didn't know. I gathered it was like codger or geezer. Not something you learned using Rosetta Stone, "..and hug and kiss your son. Greet Mitch like I know you can."

I was having to bite the inside of my cheek to keep a straight face. Even Tony didn't look surprised or upset at all. This was a well-choreographed, much practiced and performed dance. "I'm really a nice guy, Mr. Delveccio," I said hopefully. His father was all bluster, for everyone to see, but did he mean it? Not really. He was not happy, but he was adjusting.

Tony grinned. "He is, Papa. You'll like him, I promise."

The father was always the hardest to win over. He turned looking at his son, then me. "Is he Catholic?"

"What do you care?" Kathleen huffed. "You barely are! When's the last time you were at Mass?"

"I was raised Baptist," I smiled and saw his face raise up to God for Devine patience.

Tony chuckled. "As a matter of fact, his father and grandfather are preachers."

Angelo's eyes turned on his son in surprise. "Are you out of your mind, son!?"

Tony smiled shaking his head. "Not a bit. Do you remember how you received Louise's and Kathy's future husbands?"

"Husbands," Angelo repeated. "You need a wife."

Tony shook his head. "Had one, don't want another. Thanks."

Angelo waved his hands at us. "Fine." He didn't smile, but he was resolved. "Come in."

Kathleen smiled. "You did better than Al or Mike." She told me.

It took a few minutes before Tony's father was talking much to any of us. We sat at the kitchen table where Tony had another cup of coffee. Kathleen was doing most of the talking to us. She was very pleasant. Then Angelo began asking questions, sometimes while she was talking. I got what Tony said about several conversations at once at the table. I was going to have to pay attention when everyone was there.

"You're from the South," Angelo said quietly, but his mannerism said he was closed at the moment. His arms crossed across his chest as he studied me. "What do you do down there?"

"Now, I manage a hotel in downtown Charleston," I said as Kathleen and Tony stopped to listen. "I was a cop before that. A police officer."

"A cop?" Angelo asked as his eyebrow rose. "Why'd you give that up?"

"I was shot in the hip," I explained. "I have a replacement in that hip now. It finished me as a police officer."

Angelo nodded, thinking. "And before that?"

"I was a farmer."

"A farmer!?" Angelo balked. "You mean cows and stuff like that?"

I nodded smiling. "Cows, chickens, and pigs occasionally. All kinds of vegetables, but that was more for us, my uncle and his wife and my grandparents. We are not a farm for profit now. I was raised on it. We always had fresh milk, butter, cheese...everything."

Angelo nodded again. "A farmer." He was rolling that in his head. Now he was even more confused. "How did you meet? It doesn't seem possible for your worlds to meet."

I explained about the church and how Tony and I met. "Mr. Delveccio," I said. "I know he's been through a lot recently. He is recovering, as much as a man can after seeing and going through what he did. I swear, I love him."

Kathleen smiled when I said that.

"Papa..." Tony began, but I held my hand up to stop him from going further.

"No, Tony," I said softly. "He's your father. It's natural for him to be cautious. He needs to know I'm a good thing for you." Then I grinned at Tony. "Just like my father did to you. Let him question me. It's only fair. He's your father."

Tony nodded with a sad smile. "I'm glad you see that." Then he looked at his parents. "I love Mitch. He's everything to me."

His mother smiled even larger as she looked at her son. "Angelo, look at your son."

Angelo looked at Tony, then nodded. "I can see he really loves Mitch." He smiled and waved a hand at Tony. "He's blushing. The sign for Delveccio men his heart's truly involved." Then he smiled larger. "He means it. His heart is in it."

Kathleen shook her head. "He's never done this with anyone before....not even Jean, the mother of Nick."

Angelo seemed to reach a conclusion. "Okay." He slapped his hands on his leg. "We'll get to know you. Then we'll see if what my son sees in you, we can see."

A major step forward for Tony and me. Mostly for me. I only had his eldest sister, her husband, and their children to go.

It was one o'clock when we returned Kathy's car.

"How'd it go?" Kathy smiled at us when we walked in. "You survived I see."

Tony nodded with a chuckle. "Papa was pretty thorough, but he's reserving his judgment." Then he grinned at me. "Now, you and I are going shopping. In Manhattan."

"Great," I said with little enthusiasm. I hated shopping. For me, if I needed something. I knew what it was, where I'd seen it, went and got it, I was done. I knew this was not going to be the case.

Tony grinned. "It'll be fun! I promise." Then he gave me a questioning look. "Now, for your first trip on the subway."

No wonder you almost never saw a fat New Yorker. These people walked quickly everywhere! Or took a cab or a bus. I held on to Tony's arm as he maneuvered with having practiced for years and did it now without thought. Only occasionally looking to see if I was okay.

New York City was another world! There were so many people all going somewhere, all focused on what they were having to do. As Tony explained, the people here were all focused on what they needed to get done, they weren't necessarily rude. I made sure I had Tony's hand because if I lost him, I probably wouldn't make it out alive. Then we exited to the street. I was a country boy. I looked at the surrounding buildings and all the people. This was a city! There was no comparison of this to Charleston, no matter how sophisticated Charlestonians considered themselves. Manhattan became not a fictional city for me anymore, it was real. Then I looked where we were.

"This is Time Square!" I said gazing at the famous part of Manhattan.

Tony looked at me smiling. "Very good."

"Don't be fresh." I used what he'd often said to me as I rolled my eyes. "I've seen it on TV."

Tony nodded. "I'm sure you have." Then he smiled as he waved at all of it. "Welcome to my world."

"It sure is big."

"With one very major difference," Tony pointed out. Then we, standing in the middle of Time Square, he kissed me. A good kiss, not that he ever gave me a bad one, but it was a good kiss. Then broke off and looked around. "See? Nothing stopped, everything is the same. No one was shocked or offended. They don't care. If we did that at the intersection of King and Calhoun..."

I smiled. "There'd be accidents as drivers are so shocked, people would gasp...there'd be a cost." I nodded. "I got it."

"Now, to find you some suitable clothes to wear. We're going to see the Rockettes tonight. After we skate at Rockefeller Center."

"Skate? On ice." I clarified. "I've never done that. Skate on ice, I mean."

"Never?" Tony asked.

I looked at him with my eyes lowered. "We may get a frozen puddle, but freezing a whole body of water hard enough to skate on..." I shook my head. "Not going to happen. And not hard enough to skate on."

"You have ice rinks!"

"Which only recently became possible," I stated. "We simple country people never bothered to learn. Why?"

Tony grinned. "Well, you haven't had the New York experience until you do. Let's go."

Ankles. That was what you needed to ice skate. Strong ankles. I roller skated, but this was....well, it wasn't natural. Rockefeller Center was beautifully decorated, even in the daytime! That Christmas Tree is huge! There was the famous gold statue, there were the statues of the angels and trumpets. Christmas music was playing and I tried to skate. I spent a great deal of time on my ass, but it was fun. Tony, of course, didn't fall, unless I pulled him down as I did. He found the whole thing extremely funny. It was good I loved him, or he'd pay dearly.

Then we went shopping. After a half dozen stores, I got two dressy casual outfits, three pair of shoes...Italian leather naturally...two coats and one dressy suit. I have no idea how much it all cost. They didn't have price tags on anything! The thing was the clerks all knew Tony by sight! Dolce and Gabbana, Boss, Giorgio Armani...we hit them all! We had to settle for Ready to Wear, we didn't have time for custom made stuff. Whatever. I looked at Tony as I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

"Tony..." I began. "This isn't me," I said softly.

Tony looked a little worried. "I know." He got up and approached me. "It is me."

"Why?" I asked. "I've seen where you grew up. The houses so close together. I saw why you never mowed a lawn. There are no lawns. There was enough room for a driveway to get the car in the garage. The front had two sections you could have, but there were two rock gardens there. You weren't raised that fancy." I touched him gently. "I want to fit in here. Because I love you, but tell me why."

He thought a moment. Then looked at me in all seriousness. "Probably for my parents." He sighed. Then he grinned. "I am gay, so this is just a part of it." Then he was serious again. "You saw Kathy's house. She married a doctor. She's a nurse, but she's doing well. You should see Louise's place in Montreal! It's huge! Literally a mansion." He sighed again. "We don't compete, but it's like..." he thought again. "...we want to show Mama and Papa their sacrifices were not in vain. We are alright. In spite of any screw-ups, we're doing well. I've had more than a few." Then he smiled. "Kathy and Louise were lucky. They married well, but they also did it for love. Now, I'm marrying for love at last." He chuckled. "I know this is all..." he looked around, "...alien to you."

I wrapped my arms around him. "Tony, I love you. Not the money or where you're from, or the clothes you wear. You. If this helps, I do it willingly, but know this, as soon as we're back in Charleston, this comes off and I'm back in my jeans and t-shirts."

He smiled and laughed at that. "I won't have it any other way."

"Hello, Tony." We heard behind him. We both turned and saw a man, in his thirties, but he was gorgeous!! Blond, well-built, and tall. His had a finely tuned chest and green eyes. Perfect skin. His body was his job.

"Luke," Tony said offhandedly.

"Luke." I nodded. In a city with millions of people, we come to a store and meet Tony's ex-lover. I saw on his chest the name tag. He worked here. His other job that paid bills. I did feel uneasy about it, but I saw Tony's face. He wasn't happy or excited, nor was he angry or upset. He had no emotions at all in his face. Reading people was part of my former job as a police officer. I was pretty good at it.

"You look well," Luke said.

"I'm doing very well, thank you." Tony simply said. Then he moved so Luke could see me. "This is my husband, Mitch McKenzie. Mitch, this is my ex-lover, Luke Samuels."

Luke's face held a little pain when Tony introduced me as his husband. "Husband?"

"As legally married as we can be," Tony answered with a nod. "How's Curtis?"

Luke nodded sadly. "We broke up." I gathered this Curtis was the man he cheated on Tony for.

Tony nodded. "I see." Then he looked at the store. "You work here."

Luke shrugged. "I have bills to pay."

Tony nodded again. "And we have a show to go to. I'm showing my husband the good things in New York." Tony was about to turn away.

Luke stopped him. "Tony, I'm sorry," Luke said, "About us."

Tony smiled. "I'm not." He grinned at me. "Because of what happened, I found the right person to spend my life with and I want to."

I smiled at Tony. "I'll change." Then went to the dressing room, leaving Tony with Luke.

"You made your choice, Luke." I heard Tony say. "I wasn't good enough. That's fine. Now I have someone I love, who loves me. I have no doubt about him, I trust him and he trusts me. I'm over you. Now if you'll excuse us."

I grinned as I took off the overly expensive clothes. This was now another situation was closed for me. I came out with the clothes I'd taken off of the dressing room and I handed them to another clerk who had helped us. "A blond?" I asked irritated at Tony.

He smiled back as he rolled his eyes. "It was a lapse in judgment."

I nodded. "I'll say." Then shrugged. "He was nice looking, though."

"That was all," Tony said. "It was destined to fail." He shrugged. Then he looked at something else. "What about these?"

I looked at the turtleneck sweater. "You have to have a neck to wear that."

He smiled kissing me on my neck. "What did I just kiss?"

"To wear it properly, it should lay flat on your neck, they fold under my chin. No thanks."

Tony pulled me close. "I love you."

I grinned. "I know."

We took a cab to Kathy's house. In the city, out of the city and back again. We showered together, my idea. We could have sex and clean up right afterward. Then we changed for going to the Christmas Spectacular! We came down seeing Nick and David for the first time in a day.

David let out a wolf whistle. Nick grinned at us. "Whose that with you, Dad? Does Pop know you're stepping out on him?" Then he brightened. "Wait! That is you, Pop! I didn't recognize you."

I grinned at him. "Runt," I growled.

Kathy shook her head as she came in from the kitchen. "My God! You two look amazing!"

Tony put his arm around me and bowed a little. "Thank you."

"So, what's tonight?" She asked. "Broadway?"

Tony shook his head. "That's Thursday, we're off to see the Rockettes." Then he smiled at me. "Then maybe a carriage ride around Central Park."

Kathy nodded as she walked up to her brother. "Tony, I can't tell you how pleased I am for that you're at last happy." She looked at me. "We owe it to you. He's a changed man."

I shrugged. "This is the only Tony I know."

"Trust us, Uncle Mitch," Melissa said by her cousin. "He's not. He's come a full one hundred and eighty degrees from the man that left here. I like this one."

Tony took my hand. "We need to go." He was taking me to the door. "We'll be late. Don't wait up."

"Remember, Louise and Mike will be here tomorrow!" Kathy called as we hit the street.

The Rockettes were fabulous! The sets, the lights were over the top for me. You could feel the magic of the season. Of course, I was clapping the hardest after it was over. At least from my perspective, I was.

Tony smiled at me. "I take it you liked it."

I nodded. "That's safe to assume." Loving that Tony was no longer worried, not that he was in Charleston, about people here saw we were together. These were strangers, but he didn't hide it that we were a couple.

"I'm glad." Tony nodded. "We'll get a nice meal now."

I looked at my watch. "It's late."

Tony's eyebrow rose. "And? What's your point?"

I kicked myself mentally. Of course, the city that never sleeps. Duh.

He took me to this steakhouse. I saw the prices of the steaks, but Tony frowned at my surprise. "Stop it." He said softly, but gruffly knowing what I was reacting to. I will say the steak was....heaven! So tender and well done, chewing was almost an option.

As Tony and I walked through the city, it began to snow. I held a gloved hand out as a snowflake landed.

"They have snow in Asheville," Tony said.

I shook my head. "This is Christmas Snow. That's different." I pointed to a clock. "It's Christmas Eve." Then I stopped him. "Thank you for sharing this with me."

Tony smiled at me. "I'll share everything with you. I love you."

Hearing it over and over again, it still had that feel like it did when he first said it. "I love you, Tony."

We did take the carriage ride and it was very romantic. I was enjoying this trip. I was learning a lot about Tony. I looked up at the dark sky.

"I always heard the stars can't be seen in New York." I commented. "Now I know it's true."

Tony pointed to the many lights around us. "We make our own stars." Then he reached in his coat pocket. "We agreed to not buy presents for each other...and this really isn't a Christmas present." He pulled a small box out. "I'm giving it to you now...I want everyone to know. We belong together."

I saw the box; it was a ring box. You can't disguise those. I saw Tiffany on it. "We're already married."

He shrugged. "Should I take it back?" He smiled as I took the box.

Opening it, this was the first real engagement ring I'd ever seen given by a man for a man. It had white gold and a huge diamond in the center. It was thick and wide as most men's rings were, but the tiny lights around us made the stone sparkle. I slipped my gloves off and took the ring out. I was stunned! No one I knew had an engagement ring for themselves, not a man anyway. I have no idea what carats it was, nor did I care. It was big. I'm not that kind of gay man who normally thinks about things like that, but it was beautiful. Tony gave it to me. That was the most important thing about the ring.

"My God! Tony!" I said in near speechlessness.

Then Tony looked at me. "I don't see you as my wife or husband. You're a part of me. A completion of me." Then he nodded. "I know we're getting married. We are married, you said it yourself. I want us to have rings we'll exchange then, but for now..." he took the ring, "You asked me to marry you. I said yes. Now, I'm asking you to marry me." He held my left hand out as he slipped the ring on my finger. "Mitch. I love you. Say you'll join with me in front of family and friends, agreeing to spend the rest of our lives together?"

I smiled at him. "I intend to," I kissed him. "I will, Tony. I love you, Tony!"

Even the driver of the carriage was impressed, but he didn't say it. I saw him look back, then forward again. He gave a thumbs up when I looked at him looking back with a smile.

The horizon was starting to pink as we walked back to Kathy's house. We entered as Al had returned from his night on duty at the hospital where he worked. He nodded to us as we came in.

"Do I need to ask if you two had a good night?" Al smiled at us. "The looks on your faces say you did."

Tony nodded. "We did."

Now, I was proud of what Tony had given me, but I didn't want to flaunt it right now. "It'll be time to go to our in-laws soon. We need to grab a few hours of sleep at least." I was going to show them all in a few hours. Do it all at once.

When Tony and I woke, it was nearly noon. Tony groaned as he rolled over on me.

"Good morning, baby." He purred in my ear.

I rolled over smiling at him. Then frowned. "Do I know you?" The old me.

He chuckled. "Oh, yeah, you do. Better than anyone alive ever has or ever will."

I smiled as I played with his sleep tossed hair. "I'm glad you let me know you," I said kissing him. Then I looked at the clock. "Oh shit! We're due at your parents!" I jumped up and literally pulled Tony after me.

It was a good thing Kathy and Al had two vehicles, they left us one leaving a note they had done so and would meet us there. We arrived at Kathleen's and Angelo's before two o'clock, Louise and Mike's plane landed at twelve thirty. They were being picked up by David again.

Greeting his parents was nice, I was no longer a stranger. We sat until the car drove up not more than fifteen or so minutes after we got there. Then in came another of the Delveccios came in. As with Tony, Angelo, and Nick shared appearances, so did Kathy and Louise. Clearly Italian, all with the dark hair and eyes. Louise was the eldest of the three Delveccio siblings of Kathleen and Angelo. Behind them was another young man about Nick's and David's age around twenty. His name was Drew. He had the Delveccio hair, but lighter in the skin. He was very handsome. I'm not just saying that to be polite. He really was. He had Delveccio good looks and a smattering of someone else. Then I saw his father. Mike was French-Canadian with lighter brown hair and brown eyes. He spoke English, but with a French accent. Then, at last, the eldest of the Delveccio grandchildren at almost twenty-five. Erin. With her was another man, I would find out was her new husband. Well, new as in they married two years ago. Marcus. The only one with sandy colored hair. Then as they hugged everyone and was introduced to me, I was thrilled that not one of these people had a bad opinion of me! They were welcoming and quick to accept me. It was great!!

"We are not in the South," I chuckled to Tony.

He grinned shaking his head. "I told you they'd love you."

It was all wonderful. Yes, the conversation was done in both English and Italian! The occasional French as Louise had to translate some of the Italian to French for Mike. The cousins were at ease with one another. Those that married into the Delveccio family were like I was paying attention to conversations so they didn't miss anything. It was delightful chaos! There was laughter all around until Melissa, who plopped down beside me on the couch where a sparkle caught her eye, then she let out...

"Holy Shit!!" She grabbed my left hand to see it closer.

"Melissa!" Kathy gasped in irritation. Then looked at her husband. "She's such a joy to have around." She commented sadly.

Al shrugged. "We're so proud." He muttered to everyone and no one.

Melissa wasn't bothered a bit. "This is huge!" She practically was taking my hand off to see the ring closer. She was smiling at me. "How big is it?"

My eyes rolled. "That's gay to know that." I grinned and shrugged. "As big as it is. I don't know."

Melissa frowned at me. "You are gay! You're supposed to know stuff like that, Uncle Mitch!" Then she looked at the ring again. "This is at least three or four carats!"

"Five," Tony said calmly on my other side. "In the setting for a man, the stone is so deep it had to be that big to show up."

I grinned at him, but my eyes said he didn't need to say all that. It wasn't for me, but his parents. I knew why he did.

The others were crowding to see it, and I let them.

"I know you weren't wearing it when you got here, Uncle Mitch," Melissa said. "I would have seen it."

"He gave it to me last night," I said smiling. "He's making an honest man of me."

"He could make me a dishonest woman if he gave me something like this!" Melissa declared.

"Melissa." Kathy shook her head. "Try to show we taught you some manners." She said trying to be patient. "Or just be civil?"

Erin laughed. "She is! This is as much as she is normally." Then she smiled at me. "So, spill. Let's have the dirt. Where were you and how'd he do it?"

So, I told them about the evening and the after midnight carriage ride and his presenting it to me. All the women were doing that that's so sweet thing. The men were not as happy.

"Damn it, Tony!" Al groused. "Are you trying to show us up?" His face said he was joking.

"You are showing that it is more romantic for a gay man," Mike agreed with his accent. "We straight guys suffer!"

Louise hit her husband. "Leave my brother alone."

"He's a Delveccio." Kathy nodded in agreement. "He is romantic, it's in his blood."

Angelo chuckled. "At least he didn't do it by mail."

I smiled at my father-in-law. "I heard that. He really did that!?"

Angelo nodded, then shrugged. "It worked." He laughed.

"When's the wedding?" Erin asked.

Tony looked at me. "We haven't really decided."

I shrugged. "It's sort of expected to marry in June."

Kathleen looked startled. "So quickly? We don't have time to plan!"

"We don't need to plan that much, Mama," Tony said, but he didn't put his heart into the protest. He knew what she'd say.

"No," Kathleen shook her head. "No son of mine is going to get married without a plan. You're marrying a person you love!"

And it was off! Christmas was going to happen, but now it was all about Tony and me. The women were talking back and forth and even the men were involved. What sort of wedding did we want? Were my parents coming? Would it be here in New York, in the mountains or Charleston? Before the sunset, we had a date, the 14th of June. We decided since my grandparents and parents had more room it should be in the mountains, providing they agreed. My family could more easily get there. I wanted to include things from Tony's culture and he wanted to include mine. Again, it was decided I was to wear my Scottish family's colors. The kilt and everything needed as a Scotsman. The Coatee, the Sgian Dubhs and everything. I needed to make sure I knew what all belonged on what I wore. Remember, my family almost forgot their roots. If they came to this wedding, they'd be reminded.

When it got late and they were about to leave for Midnight Mass, Tony and I told them we were going to the MCC.

"Can I go with you?" Melissa asked hopefully.

Tony looked at his niece confused, "But you're place is with the family."

Melissa nodded. "And so is yours." She frowned. "Both of you. Just because they're too stupid to see it, why should you stay away?"

Then Kathy smiled at us. Then looked at her daughter. "Tell you uncles and the rest of the family why you're in public school now."

Melissa shrugged. "Why not? I'm not ashamed of it." Then she smiled at us. "We were in Religious Studies. Sister Pain-in-the-Ass..."

"Melissa!" Al said crossly, but he wasn't too harsh.

"Well, she is," Melissa said. "She said that all homosexuals were going to Hell. I stood and told her she was full of shit."

"Melissa," Louise was shaking her head, but on her face, I saw the smile.

"Well, she was and I said, not my Uncle Tony! Then said, any simpleton of even the remotest intellect would say that can't be true. Then I called her a stupid bitch for telling everyone that. I said the human race rejoices in that she didn't contribute to the gene pool." The smiled sweetly. "They suspended me and I wasn't allowed to come back until I apologized to Sister Pain-in..."

"Melissa!" Al shouted with a little more force.

"Should I say, Sister Never has and Never will get Laid? I wouldn't think Christ would be that desperate to take her as bride."

"Melissa, just tell them," Kathy said with a prayer for patience.

"Anyway, I wasn't going to apologize. I wasn't sorry. So, that was never going to happen." Melissa stated. "I transferred." Then she hugged Tony. "Anyone who meets you knows that's not true." Then she hugged me. "Now I have two gay uncles!!"

I chuckled as I saw Kathleen cross herself and said a prayer to whatever Saint was in charge of wayward teenage girls. Angelo was chuckling. Her cousins were laughing.

"Now you know why we're so proud of our little girl." Kathy stage whispered to us.

Al grinned. "It's your fault, Kathy. She takes after you."

Hearing all this made me smile. Tony shook his head and got closer to his niece. "Melissa, I appreciate you standing up for me. This is a time for family. I can't go, but you need to." He pointed at his parents. "For them."

Melissa nodded. "Okay, but it was damned unfair." She sighed. Then walked over to her grandfather. "Let's go Grandpa." She put her arm in his and he kissed his granddaughter on the cheek.

Tony chuckled as we hit the street. "She has the face of an angel, with the mouth of a sailor."

I shrugged. "She's honest." I smiled. "You have an amazing family."

Tony grinned. "Which is now your family, too."

I nodded. "And those in Derby are now yours." I pointed out.

"David, Michael, Chuck, Rhonda, Mary....there were lots of people on your side I'm thrilled to have as family," Tony said. "There are Delveccios you might not want in yours." He said with his eyes telling me to ask.

"Who!?"

"Dad has a brother." Tony nodded as my mouth dropped. "Yes. He was a criminal. No mob connections, he isn't that smart. He married and had a bunch of Delveccios that Mom will ward off evil spirits about or the Evil Eye by the spitting if you even mention him or his family."

"Really?"

"You'll see it a lot more now." Tony laughed. "How much vacation time do you get a year?"

I was blindsided by the question and sudden change of subjects. "Two weeks. I hadn't used any before. I had no reason to."

"But you've been gone this week."

I nodded. "It starts over in January."

He nodded walking backward as he led me. "Your passport is coming, right?"

I grinned knowing part of what he was planning. "It should be." Just not why, but I sort of guessed.

Tony nodded. "How about a real honeymoon after the wedding?"

I guided him around an obstacle. "Okay, where did you have in mind?"

He shrugged. "I would love to show you Italy. Where the Delveccios came from. You'd like to see Scotland where the McKenzies came from. Why not a week in each place?"

I chuckled. "I'd love to."

He nodded. "Then that's what we'll do."

We arrived at the MCCNY, as I explained before if I wasn't with Tony I would be hopelessly lost maneuvering through the subway area. I know the city is full of numbered streets, odds one way and evens the other and if you knew where you were and where you were going, just follow the numbers! I had Tony, so why figure it out? Entering I knew we weren't in a Church in the South. It really didn't feel Baptist at all. Tony had been right about the people that attended here, they did dress a whole lot better. The men here did look like they came off runways. I got the feeling that some literally did, they looked like models. The women, too.

"Tony!!" We heard from across the sanctuary. This person, barely five feet and five inches came rushing over. Female. I think. Just because a person wore women's clothes didn't tell you a thing in our circles. She came and hugged Tony which he grinned and hugged her back.

"Hi, Reverend Pat!" Tony said to her.

"How are you?" She asked happily. "You tell me you're leaving and disappear. Hardly a word!"

Tony protested. "I wrote."

"No call, three emails." She shook her head. Then looked at me. "And who have we here?"

"I told you I met someone," Tony said smiling. "This is Mitch McKenzie, my husband."

Her eyes softened and her smile grew. "Husband." She nodded. "It's about time." Then she leaned closer to me. "He was a lost soul. It's great he finally found someone to love. It's nice to meet you, Mitch." She said shaking my hand. "He did write, but I missed him. He's a good man and deserved more than he was settling for. You love him, right?"

"Oh, yes." I nodded. "It's nice to meet you as well." I smiled. "We are legally joined as much as we are able."

"We have a Commitment Ceremony coming the second weekend in June." Tony continued. "I'd like it if you could be there."

She thought a moment. "No, I don't think there are any conflicts." Then she smiled at Tony. "Just tell me where I'll be there." Then she patted him on the chest. "I have a service to do, we'll talk later."

This was NOT the MCC in Charleston. The service was nice, but I sensed it was also more Catholic. It just felt different. The music performed was spectacular. When I said that to Tony, he just laughed and nodded.

"Of course, it is." He pointed to the choir members. "More than half of them perform on Broadway. Different shows, but they sing for a living."

Sure. A gay man in the theater? Like Tony said about gay men in the hotel business. Imagine that. Naturally, the MCC would appeal to them. They needed God, too!

After the service, I pulled Tony aside. "We're planning this like it's a done deal."

Tony frowned. "Is it?"

"We're assuming Mom and Dad will go for this," I stated. "Dad has finally accepted that I won't change. That's a huge step for him. He's even accepted you! I'm not sure how he'd feel having everyone in Morgan's Branch knowing his son was committing to a man."

Tony nodded. "It could be a problem."

"He's a preacher," I said logically. "He has a church."

"We'll ask them next week." Tony smiled. "Then we'll make a decision."

It was now Christmas Day as we went back to Kathy's. They were just getting in themselves when we got there. I saw and heard Nick tell his father he was going to be over at his grandparents after he went over to Jean's. His mother.

It was later in the room we shared I ventured my question. "Is there something I should know about Nick and Jean?"

Tony looked up confused a second. "Like what?"

I shrugged. "He's been here a couple of days, but we've spent little time with Nick. Or his cousins. I was curious."

Tony nodded. "Well, have you heard Nick even mention his mother? Does he fly or take trips back here?"

I frowned. "Wasn't she a good mother?" I asked as we continued to undress.

"She was too young," He said sadly. "We both were. What happened should never have happened." He looked at my face must have told him I was surprised. "No, don't think I regret having Nick, I don't." Then he smiled as his mind went back. "Having him was the most beautiful thing that's ever happened." Then he grinned at me. "Of course, there's you, but..."

"Tony," I groused. "Apples and oranges, you can like them different but still love them both."

Tony laughed. "I'll remember that." Then he sobered. "She just sort of went wild after we broke up." He said putting his clothes on hangers and putting his pajama bottoms on. "I could never regret him." He frowned. "The problem was, she did."

Pulling back the covers I slid in. "She's not close to Nick?"

He shrugged. "He's always with me." He slid in beside me. "He calls her, he goes over a few hours when here, but...not really."

I shook my head. "That's so sad. Nick's a great kid." Then chuckled. "I wondered how you afforded child care and went to school."

Tony shrugged, "Family. Mama and Kathy helped a lot."

"They both worked," I said.

Tony nodded, "We're family. Even papa helped."

Smiling at Tony who was now pressing against me. I felt his hand go down my stomach and into my pajama bottoms, his fingers stroked my cock to hardness.

"Do you feel like smelling anything on me?" Tony asked as he kissed me.

I chuckled wrapping my arms around him. "I always want to do that. Merry Christmas, Tony."

"Merry Christmas, baby."

The next morning was started a little later, but we were back at Tony's parents. This was like a Sunday, I was told. I'd already been in one family gathering where everyone spoke without worrying about interrupting or waiting their turn. I did fine. If I hadn't learned, or started to learn Italian, I would have been sunk. I was proud that I held my own!

There were no small children now, so there wasn't the rush to the tree for presents. They started getting the meal ready. There was the ever-present pasta dish. Excuse me, macaroni. I was told they served it with pretty much every meal. It was a side dish for them. I had a long way to go before I would be able like that all the time. I was family, but not Italian. I never would be, but I was going to be as close as I could be.

It was a good thing Angelo and Kathleen had a big and long dining room table. It was for twelve, we would have been more, but their dining room was only so big. Nick was at his mother's. Yet we crowded in and did just fine. It just added to the merriment! Then Nick came back during the meal, but not alone.

"I told you," Nick was saying to a woman I knew had to be Jean. "He's fine," Nick assured.

She smiled at Nick. "Do you mind if I see for myself?" She was very pretty. Her coloring was not like most here and her hair was dark, but it was deep, deep auburn. "Hello, everyone." She rubbed the back of Angelo, who started to rise, as did Tony and I did. "Sit." She said waving us down. Then smiled at us. "I do miss these family gatherings." Then smiled at Kathleen. "And your cooking." Then she looked at Tony. "Nick says you're doing well, I just wanted to see for myself."

"I'm fine, Jean," Tony said.

She nodded. "You look like you are." Then she looked at me. "And getting married again, I hear."

Tony did the introduction again.

She smiled at me, but it was pleasant. She wasn't mad, angry, or offended. "Nick told me about you. He likes you very much."

I nodded. "I like him very much. I've grown to love him. He is my stepson."

"That's great," And she said it, and I believed she thought it was great. "These two can be a handful, but I think you're fitting in here quite well." Then she looked at Tony. "We're divorced, I know, but I still care about you, Tony. I just wanted to see you to be sure. There's no ill will on my part now."

Tony smiled at her. "I'm fine, Jean. Really. Mitch knows what happen."

"He does?" She asked surprised.

"All of it," Tony nodded. "He does."

She looked at me again. "I blamed him for a while when we broke up and divorced, but then I realized...he is what he is. It wasn't his fault. He's gay." Then she shrugged. "What happened was both our doing. Just take care of him. And Nick."

I smiled at her. "I intend to."

Jean nodded. "Okay. Well, Merry Christmas everyone. Sorry for the awkwardness." Then she left.

Nick grinned at me. "You were a little worried, weren't you, Pop?"

I nodded. "I was."

"I'm starved!" Nick announced as he made Drew move in his seat like they were going to share the chair.

"Get a chair from the kitchen!" Drew instructed, sounding annoyed, but he was grinning.

"If you didn't have such a fat ass..." Nick shot.

"I was here first!!" Drew shot back.

"Boys!!" Kathleen said loudly. Then looked at Nick. "There's one right over there."

Then the chaos resumed. The volume level just rose a little.

I laughed as I thought about what had happened on this trip.

"What?" Tony smiled at me the question on his face.

I shrugged. "I met your family; I met your ex-wife and I even met your ex-lover." Then I kissed him lightly. "It's been a busy week for me. It's all just hitting me funny."

It was wonderful to me how everyone just accepted us, even happy for us. The difference here and back in North Carolina was night and day. I fought for a decade to get my parents to understand. With a few tears and angry words here, it was dealt with and done. Then Erin made an announcement.

"Mom, Dad..." she said at the table, taking her husband Marcus' hand. "...we're having a baby."

Louise literally shrieked with joy; Mike was pounding Marcus on the back. I assume it was in happiness, not for knocking up his little girl, but you never know. The rest of the family was congratulating and giving promises to them about what they needed they'd help. Angelo didn't look happy about being a great-grandfather, but happy his granddaughter was having a baby. Kathleen just cried she was so happy.

The evening wore on and we cleaned up around ten o'clock and went back to where we were staying.

Coming into our room, I heard Tony shut the door, then he tackled me. He was grinning at me big time. "So, how do you feel about my world now?"

I chuckled as he traced my neck and jaw with his lips. "It's different," I said.

He stretched out beside me. "I told you they'd love you. They do!"

I nodded rolling on top of him. "And I'm really beginning to love them. Your nieces and nephews are terrific, they'll be amazing adults. Your sisters never questioned me, just accepted me. Their husbands, too." Then I raised a finger. "Now, New York..." I said hesitantly. "It's beautiful. I like it, but I don't feel at home here, but you know that."

"It's a nice place to visit," Tony nodded understanding.

"Tony," I said opening his shirt. "I love you. As long as we're together, I'll be fine wherever we are. What you've given me, shown me is wonderful." I looked at him closely. "I am impressed. I hope I convey to you, the money..." I held up my left hand, "...the jewelry and clothes...it's nice. You're a very good looking man. You're smart and funny. I love you. Not all this. Am I making sense? I love you!"

Tony smiled pulling me down kissing me tenderly. "Yeah, you are making perfect sense. I know it's me you love. That makes me love you more every day." Then his face lost some of its happiness. "But tomorrow, there's something I need to do."

I gathered it would be unpleasant. Then I remembered where we were. The World Trade Center. "I'll be with you all the way."

He nodded wrapping his arms around me tighter.

The next day we rode the subway toward where the World Trade Center had been. Now it was a massive hole with machines moving in and out as they worked to make it into something else. They were planning different possibilities, but the foundations had to be refortified and ready for new construction. I remained at Tony's side as looked at where this horrible event occurred. I had no idea what was going through his mind. I could guess, but I knew what I guessed wouldn't come even close. We stood there a couple of hours before he turned to me as tears were in his eyes.

"I think I can let it go now," He said softly.

I smiled. "I pray you can." It was cold out, but I took my glove off my left hand, running my fingers in his hair and he turned his face into my hand. "What I'm going to say, I hope I can say it right. I love you, Tony. What happened here was so bad, but I don't regret it." I saw his eyebrows rise and I raised a finger to stop his questions. "Hear me. If this hadn't happened, you wouldn't have come South. We wouldn't have met." I nodded. I would say it as I saw it. "Your son was going to the college in Charleston, but...I don't know. What I do know is when I met you that Sunday. I knew it was going to be important. I could feel it. You needed healing, but so did I! I'm so sorry what happened here. After it did, you had to get away. You came to Charleston. We met and fell in love." His surprise softened to understanding. "I'm glad you came South. I've never been as happy as I am with you. I never imagined I could be. I believe God used this tragedy to bring us together. Our different worlds collided! He brought you to me. I can't regret that. I will always be by your side, Tony." I saw a tear come from his eye. "I am so sorry this happened to you, but I'm also glad it did. Do you understand? There wouldn't be an us if it hadn't."

"I love you, Mitch," Tony said hugging tightly.

I smiled. "That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me. Don't worry if some of it comes back, but you've not had a nightmare in weeks! You aren't taking the anxiety medication. We'll deal with it as we have done. Together. I'll help you. We're going to start a new year and a new life. We'll be married, even though we are now, but I promise, we're together in everything from now on, Tony. I want to be here with you. You're not in this life alone now."

This time he cried, but it wasn't anything like the first time. It was a cleansing. He was purging this event from his mind and soul. After that, he turned, took my hand and we walked away. He never again looked back.

We came down the stairs again at Kathy's, this time our niece was the one to greet us as we were leaving. Melissa flipped on the sofa where she was watching TV and gave a hubba, hubba, hubba.

"You sure you want to marry Uncle Tony?" She asked. "I'd love it if you married me, Uncle Mitch." She batted her eyes at me.

I grinned. "I certainly do want to marry Tony," I said kissing her on the cheek. "Besides, if I didn't I wouldn't be your uncle, would I?"

Tony raised his eyebrows. "Hey, no trying to steal my husband."

Melissa smiled her sweet smile. "I'd marry you, Uncle Tony, but we're related and well...that would just be awkward." Then she looked at me again. "You're hot, Uncle Mitch."

"Oh, and I'm not?" Tony asked.

"You are, but like I said. We're related, so...it wouldn't work out." Melissa reasoned.

Tony grinned. "Yes, it wouldn't. It just couldn't work since I changed your diapers."

Her eyes widened in horror. "No way!" Melissa balked.

Tony nodded and held up two fingers. "Twice. Ask your Mom." He kissed her on her stunned cheek.

I chuckled and kissed her on the cheek again. "Don't wait up."

The thing was, when riding public transportation in New York there was a little bit of everything. Old, young, rich, poor and in all races. A rich man rode the bus with poor men. There were those that used limos and all that, but most just took a cab, bus, or the train. Tony said we'd take a cab back because it would be late and not as safe. It was our last night in New York for now. It was supposed to be nice.

The other thing was what you wore in New York. I had on my nice suit, as did Tony. We wore thick overcoats, almost like a trench. I was glad he'd bought one for me. It was very....dressy, but warm. It was freezing! They lived in it every winter; I could endure it another day.

Phantom of the Opera was captivating! I had to bite my tongue to keep from singing it. I knew all the words. The sets were mind-blowing. It wasn't Michael Crawford as the Phantom, but the guy that performed it was damned well. He had to be; this was Broadway! Tony kept looking over and grinned seeing me so caught up in the show. We had good seats! We were practically in the middle, but I could see everything clearly!

I left the theater and my mind was playing it over and over in my head.

Tony held my hand as we walked. "Did I do good?" Tony asked smiling as I danced down the sidewalk.

I grabbed him by the lapels and gave him one of those consuming kisses. I didn't care who saw us or worried if they cared or not! "Yes, you did." I smiled at him. "That was magic."

Tony chuckled. "It was." He agreed.

Then I frowned and hit him lightly.

"What was that for?" Tony asked, pretending like it hurt. He had on a thick coat; he probably never felt a thing.

"That's for hogging all this!" I waved to the marque that said The Phantom of the Opera. "And all the others."

He laughed again. "I didn't hog anything. We shared!"

I nodded and walked on. "Not really. When we come back." I turned to him. "And we will. It's Wicked!"

Tony nodded. "Wicked. Got it." He saluted and followed me.

"Where to now?" I asked. "I'm walking like I know where I'm going."

"I'm taking you to my favorite place."

It was an Asian Restaurant. Not quite a Chinese Restaurant. No, this was fine dining. No one was ordering take out here. Never had a buffet with all that...stuff. The red walls, the red carpet, the oriental umbrellas on the wall, Asian writing in gold. The music was Asian. I looked at my watch. It was after midnight. This place was still going strong. Diners were aplenty now at this late hour.

"Are they always open this late?"

Tony nodded. "For the after-theater crowd." Then he waggled his eyebrows at me. "Which now includes you."

I shook my head. "This would never be in Charleston."

Tony chuckled. "No, it wouldn't."

I reached across the table and took his hand. "Thanks for bringing me here. I've had a marvelous time."

Tony smiled. "I'm glad." He shrugged. "You showed me yours, now I've shown you mine."

"Show me again," I said looking at him leering. "When we get back."

Tony waggled his eyebrows. "I can't wait."

We told Al, David, and Melissa good-bye. Then Kathy drove us to Angelo's and Kathleen's. We said good-bye to the rest of the family after promising to stay in touch. Kathleen told me to let me know what my parents said so they could get together for the wedding. Emails were given to me with numbers. I had to swear to send them messages and updates. Then Nick, Tony and I boarded the plane and it was off to go back to the South.