North Meets South

Story: North Meets South: When World's Collide

Chapter: 9 A Year

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!

The two return to regular life and spend a year of happiness together. Then they take another trip together. Lucky you don't have to endure it too much. It's life. I express you to the fun and I get to have another great trip! My husband and I did love our cruises. Enjoy!

A Year

We landed in Charleston late Sunday afternoon. Nick was there to greet us. He grinned as we came out of the departure area.

"You two certainly look happy," Nick observed.

"Because we are." Tony nodded. He looked startled when Nick bypassed him and hugged me first. Then he grinned.

"Hi, Pop," Nick said hugging me hard. "I hope you had a good time."

I hugged him back. "I did. Your father showed me a lot of Italy. Even the place in Rieti."

Nick looked at his father. "You never offered to let me see that!"

Tony shrugged. "You never seemed interested." Then smiled as Nick hugged him.

"I got the pictures," Nick said. "How many did you take!? There were hundreds!"

"We saw a lot," I explained. "I wanted everyone to see."

"We're back," Tony said. "Back to the grind."

We got back to the condo and now the chore was unpacking. We had a lot of unpacking.

"Next time," I said to Tony. "We send everything back by mail. That includes all those new duds."

The next morning, I was still on Central European Time. We were up long before it was necessary, but I dressed. Tony was getting himself dressed to go into work.

"Next year, we go on a cruise," Tony said absently.

I chuckled. "We're not back a full day and you're talking about our next vacation?"

Tony shrugged as he tied his tie. "Sure."

"Do I get to say where?"

"Sure," He nodded. "We take fourteen days and cruise Alaska, or the Caribbean, or even one of those great ships to Europe again. See Rome again, Venice..." He grinned coming to me. "You say where." He kissed me. Then sighed. "I won't see you until tonight." He almost pouted.

"We have to earn money to pay for the last trip." I reminded. "We'll see each other tonight." Then I sniffed him. "Good boy. You smell good, but not that other cologne."

"That's for later." He chuckled. "Maybe I'll even put that soldier's uniform back on. If you put that kilt back on." He kissed me as he smiled. "A Highlander and a Roman soldier. Make wild passionate love."

I hugged him close, loving the way he always felt in my arms. "It's a date." Then I kissed him. "Now, I have to go to work."

He nodded as I walked toward the door.

"Maybe we should have lunch!" Tony called to me.

"You know where I work!" I said happily as I headed out the door.

Coming back to the hotel, I smiled at people I worked with as they greeted me, the occasional "welcome back." I began getting things ready to begin the day when Alan came up behind me.

"Tell me everything!"

I chuckled. "That's not possible." I shook my head at him. "I sent pictures."

Alan groaned. "They were nice, but how was it?"

I grinned more to myself than Alan. "It was..." I said in almost a dream-like voice, "there aren't words to describe it. Fantastic, amazing...stupendous." I turned to my boss and friend. "Scotland was very nice, but Rome! That was incredible!" Then I brightened. "I have something for you." I walked back to my office. Alan right behind me. I took the wrapped package and handed it to him. "I know you'll like it."

Alan looked at it. "I'm sure. Unless it's one of those hunky gladiators in here, then I will be ecstatic!" He unwrapped the package. "Espresso! And an espresso maker!"

"I know how you love coffee and all that...Tony lives on it." I touched the gray bag with its bundle of contents. "This is Italian Espresso. From Italy. Complete with one of those espresso thingys."

Alan smiled at me broadly. "I love it!" He pulled my arm. "We'll make some now." Then he stopped. "Unless you're tired of all that Italian stuff."

I shook my head. "I'm not tired of all that Italian stuff. I've grown quite fond of Italy."

He nodded looking at me with a leer. "I'll bet you have."

He began making the espresso as we talked.

"You know, Mitch," Alan said sitting back in his chair. "You need a four-year degree."

My eyebrows rose. "I do?"

He nodded. "I promoted you because you know your stuff. Who knows? I could meet a hunky guy and get whipped off my feet, but that four-year degree ensures you this position." Then he grinned. "If you decide to stay, being married to that handsome Italian stallion you may decide to become a househusband."

I chuckled. "I'm not going to become a househusband. I like working."

He nodded inhaling the smell from the espresso. "You might consider it." He waggled his eyebrows. "You've got a two-year degree. Completing it at the College of Charleston will be easier."

I chuckled. "Go to school with my stepson." I nodded and then shrugged. "I'll think about it."

I took my phone out, "And just one more thing." Sorting for what I wanted, "I'm sending this to you and you alone." I grinned and found what I wanted and sent it to Alan's email. "I'm trusting you to keep it to yourself." There was the tone sound of him receiving an email.

Alan's eyebrows rose, "A naked picture of you and Tony?"

"Better!"

Alan clicked on his computer and gasped at what he saw. "Oh, my god!"

I had sent him a picture on Tony dressed as the Roman Centurion. He was fully dressed with the sword and shield held, his breast-plate shown and it was head to toe. The sandals could be seen and his helmet on.

"Well?" I asked.

Alan sat back, still gaping at the picture. "This is..." he shook his head, "is just evil."

"Evil?" I smiled, but wondered. "How so?"

"Was this taken last week or two thousand years ago?" He waved at the picture. "You have this gorgeous husband and now this!?" He shook his head in disbelief. "A reminder of what I don't have."

I chuckled and stood up, "Yes, that's what I'm saying. Mine, not yours." I turned to leave and stopped. "Oh, what you use the picture for is up to you." I waved at the door. "To me, it's almost better than a nude photo...almost, but wait until you get home or lock the door before you whip it out. Okay? Don't tell if you do or don't."

Alan growled as I entered the hall.

It was about one in the afternoon when Tony walked into the lobby. I looked up grinning at him, he was walking quickly holding something behind his back.

"Where's the fire?" I asked laughing as he approached the front desk.

"I need my marital fix," Tony said leaning over kissing me. "Hi, baby." He said softly. I heard Sherry, at the front desk, sigh. "I missed you." He rubbed his cheek on mine. Then he presented me with a rose. Then he looked over at Sherry, then back to me. "I'm not getting you in trouble, am I?" He whispered. "Kissing you out here."

I shook my head. "Only if you do more." I grinned. "Now's a good time. Departing guests are gone, new arriving ones don't usually come in till after three o'clock. You know that." Then I straightened up. "Does this mean no lunch?"

Tony sighed. "Yes, we can have lunch. I'll be ready tonight. I laid out my soldier's uniform and your kilt."

"I never knew you liked so much role play." I grinned. "Any other roles you're interested in?"

"Maybe." He grinned and his eyebrows waggled. "We have a few decades. I liked the kilt, and I loved the uniform."

"I did, too." Then I looked over at Sherry. "I'll be at lunch." To which she just nodded with a smile. I turned to the camera. "I know you're listening, I'm at lunch! With my husband!"

I arrived home having seen Tony's car, so I knew he was here.

"Tony?" I asked the air.

"Come in the bedroom." Tony's voice said.

I walked in and there was the Roman Centurian, with the shield, armor, helmet, and sword. I chuckled.

Tony smiled. "Well, there's the kilt, let's go!'

We did have a great time. Dinner was almost forgotten. It was afterward, during that afterglow part, I began thinking.

"Do you think Nick will like it if I'm in the same class?" I asked seriously thinking about it.

Tony rolled over looking at me surprised. "You want to go back to college? You're already a manager."

I nodded. "It was something Alan told me today. He could leave. I would be next in line, but I need that four-year degree. He promoted me because he said I knew what I was doing. I won't be able to take his place without that degree."

Tony smiled at me. "That's great!" Then he frowned. "But that means you'll be gone more."

I laughed at him, bringing him in for a kiss. "I'll still be your Highlander. I swear." Then I shrugged. "I need to look into it."

Tony nodded. "Absolutely. Nick will love it if you're on campus with him. He's only got two more years." Then he brightened. "You will be graduating the same year! I get to go for two graduations! My son and my husband!"

I ran my fingers in his hair. "I'm thinking about it."

"Think more." Tony urged. "We have the money."

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Well, we do!"

The summer had begun and I did research the possibility of returning. I talked with an advisor and found with my two degrees, I could have my bachelor's degree in ten months and get my master's degree in fifteen more months! It was combination course load between the College of Charleston and Johnson and Wales here in Charleston. Me with a master's degree!? Who knew? I could take courses on my schedule online. All I had to do was occasionally come to a class, usually once a week and take all exams on campus. It was at the July 4th Celebration at my parents I told them, including Nick as we sat to consume our cookout.

I grinned at Nick. "What classes are you taking this year?"

Nick looked curious but told me what he was taking.

I shook my head. "None I have to take, but I'll be seeing you on campus."

My mother let out a little cry of surprise. Dad just looked stunned.

"No way," Nick said smiling.

"You have two degrees," Dad said confused.

I nodded. "In Criminology/Law Enforcement and Hospitality. They took some of my requirements. But I need a few others to get my bachelor's degree. This way I'll have my master's degree as well."

Grandmother smiled. "I knew he was smart."

"Of course, he is," Granddad said smiling. "He takes after me!"

"How much more do you need to be a manager?" Dad asked.

"That's what I'm going to find out," I smiled as Nick came over beside me. "There's Human Resources, Financing, Management...a whole lot I have done, but I need the accreditation."

"I'll show you some wild times, Pop," He grinned. "We'll be college buds!" Then he looked at me seriously, "But don't jinx me. I have the hots for a few campus babes."

"Why would I jinx you?" I asked. "I'm not interested in any babes."

"Yeah, but you're a parent. You could cramp my style." Nick smiled.

Tony swatted Nick lightly on the back of the head from the other side of me. "Watch it, Romeo."

"I'm just saying, he's kinda between you and me, Dad," Nick said. "He's a parent sometimes and a college chum the next. He could come off as parental."

I put my hand on Nick's arm. "Relax. I'm doing a few courses at the college. Most of my classes will be online. It'll take me a little more than two years, but when I'm done, I'll have my master's degree."

"That's wonderful, son," Mom said happily.

Then as the meal progressed. I looked at Dad. "How's it going at church?"

Dad looked up surprised. "At church?"

"You have a son that married a man," I said simply. "Legal or not, we did it. Not only that, but you and Mom gave me away."

Mom smiled. "You'd be proud of your father." She said confidently. "The last two sermons were about not judging others."

I smiled at Mom, then looked at Dad. "Really?"

Dad shrugged. "I just told them what the Bible said, judge not less ye be judged. We aren't God."

Tony smiled. "They aren't giving you problems about the wedding?"

Dad frowned. "Whenever a group of people gets together, there will always be problems. I can deal with it." Dad smiled.

"And my aunts and uncles?" I asked. "Are they giving your problems? Uncle Thomas or Uncle Earl?"

Dad smiled. "Thomas is married to Juanita. She's Latina, and Earl's married to Hilda. They aren't saying a word." He grinned. "Not if they want peace in their homes."

The summer was ending and then began my college studies. I'd take courses on the computer Tony used for work when he wasn't there. Even when he was if I needed to. Being there when he was home was the most important.

Things were working out pretty smoothly. I'd work in the day, do my courses at night and spend the evening with Tony. We gathered again at my grandparents for Thanksgiving. This time Aunt Mary was there with Uncle Norman. She didn't forget about that like she did our wedding. Only this time they arrived in their new car. I just shook my head as they drove up in the new Cadillac. She wore her best.

Inside later, she walked up. I was in jeans and my pullover. She looked at me. "Back to jeans and simple shirts, I see."

I nodded. "I never left them."

"I get our clothes at some private clothiers in Atlanta," Mary said a little haughtily as Tony came by.

"I told him to put on the stuff we bought in Milan, but he wanted to wear his Levi's and shirt." Tony shrugged. "He's a country boy."

"They're comfortable!" I argued. Yes, I did it on purpose. If she wanted to put me in my place; I was comfortable there. Was she comfortable in hers? Tony grinned and kissed me and then went to help granddad. Mary's eyes were cold and then she walked on.

The week of Christmas, we flew back to New York. Seeing all the Delveccios was fun. To keep his promise. I got to see Wicked!

Tony grinned at me as it started. "My comfort here is, you don't know the music. So, you won't be singing along."

I shook my head. "I didn't with Cats! I knew those songs."

Tony nodded, "But you hummed."

"It's my tell," I grinned. "You said it yourself."

I loved it!

It was nearing that time again, and Tony asked me again where I wanted to go on vacation. We decided a ten to fourteen-day cruise was the best way, now deciding where. I opted for the Caribbean. No time change involved there really.

I needed to put my vacation time request in with Alan, but I needed to be sure the time was okay before putting the paperwork in and I noticed he was very happy.

"What's going on?" I asked him.

"What do you mean?" Alan asked innocently.

I frowned. "Remember when you were complaining I was too happy and wanted to know why. Have you met someone?"

Alan smiled. "Well....yeah." The man blushed. "I did." A man with a fair complexion couldn't disguise it well, "But don't jinx it!" He warned quickly.

I raised my hands in surrender. "I'm not asking a thing. How can I jinx it?"

I saw Alan wanted to tell me or feared he would burst. You could see it! "His name is Kent Lewis. A detective."

My eyes grew. "A detective!? He's a cop!? Here in Charleston?"

Alan nodded. "He came here on a case a few months back and well..." he shrugged. "He's about fifty. He's divorced and we just hit it off."

I nodded. "That's great!" I came around Alan's desk. "You know me, Alan. I don't pry. I won't. When you bring him around, I'll meet him." I chuckled. "Tony's always bugging me to get the dirt. That's just not my style. I'd be glad to have you two over for dinner sometime if you like."

Alan nodded. "I need inviting."

"You're invited. How about next Friday night?"

Alan nodded. "I'll ask Kent, but I'll say yes for now."

I told Tony about inviting Alan and Kent. He was fine with it.

"Who's cooking?" Tony asked me with a smile.

I looked at him pleading. "Who can cook Italian meals better? You or me?"

Tony nodded with a chuckle. "Does Alan like eggplant parmesan?"

I shrugged. "I'll ask, but it's good. Because even if Kent's vegetarian, it works. I'll ask what Kent drinks and make sure we have some on hand when they get here."

The time passed as it always does. Soon it was that Friday. Alan and Kent were coming over. I hoped it would be a good turn for Alan. Everyone needs love. Tony was cooking a great dinner; I could smell it. Complete with garlic bread and a salad. And of course, wine. I would have helped, but he got this control thing going and you didn't interfere. I felt guilty doing nothing. I, of course, would clean up. That was only fair. I nearly jumped when the doorbell rang. Hey, I didn't want to seem too anxious, so I did that lazy walk and answered the door. Opening it, was Alan looking very comfortable in pressed slacks and casual shirt of a coral color, he looked very nice. Then I saw the man with him. I liked him immediately. He wore jeans and a nice blue shirt, was a little thicker, but not fat, but he was middle-aged! We should all look as good. He was about fifty and his hair was black, with grey streaking through it. He was very nice looking.

"Hi, Alan!" I greeted my friend with a hug. Then turned to Kent. "Are you Kent?"

Kent nodded with a smile extending his hand. "I am. Kent Lewis."

"And this, of course, is Mitch McKenzie," Alan said as Kent and I shook hands. We headed in the condo. "That man over there is Mitch's husband Tony."

Kent walked in looking at our home. "Wow, this is big."

Tony smiled, wiping his hands on a dishcloth. "Hi, guys." He greeted. "Welcome to our home. Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes. Can I get you something to drink? Wine?"

Kent smiled. "A beer is better." He grinned.

I nodded. "Alan told me what kind; we have some. I'll get a glass."

"The can or bottle is fine," Kent said shrugging.

"Not in this house," Tony almost growled.

I chuckled at Kent's startled face. "He is what he is. His mother never had so much as a paper plate."

"Never has and never will," Tony stated. "No bottles or cans!" He pointed at Kent with a smile.

Kent nodded grinning. "I see." He again looked around. "What is it you do? This is very nice."

We found out Kent was raised a Navy Brat until graduating from high school and then he joined the Navy. He served almost ten years before he chose to become a civilian police officer and worked his way up to detective.

There it began. A beautiful friendship.

They were a delight to have as friends. Whatever you feel about couples of the same gender, I knew this was going to be the beginnings of a good friendship. The thing was very evident, that Alan was falling in love with Kent and Kent was also falling in love with Alan. Yeah! They both deserved to be happy.

As our trip was being planned...well...I saw something about Tony I hadn't expected.

"What about one of those all gay cruises?" I asked.

He shook his head immediately. "I did one. I vowed never to do another one."

"Why not?"

"Too many fags!" Tony growled. "I never want to be referred to as girlfriend again." He frowned at the thought. Then he looked at me. "Do I look like anyone's girlfriend? They all were practically wearing tiaras!!"

I chuckled. "I'd have to say no to you looking like anyone's girlfriend. Certainly not mine."

He gave me the see look. "And there you go."

"So, they're flamboyant." I shrugged. "So? What's the big deal?"

He shrugged. "If you want to, but I don't think they're our kind."

"They're gay!" I said simply. "So are you."

He nodded. "I'm gay, yes. They are fags. There's a difference. A whole ship full of them..." he shook his head. "...I'd rather not."

I shook my head. Then leaned toward him kissing him. "Just making sure you're still gay."

He chuckled. "Want to see if I am again?"

"In a minute," I waved him off for the moment. "We need to plan. If we're doing this we need reservations and tickets to fly..." I held a flyer up. "What about one of these RSVP Elite Cruises? They're all gay."

He took the flyer. "I've never been on one of these." He looked at the flyer. "They look our age." Then he grinned at me. "Or at least my age."

I rolled my eyes. "You're not old, and why not the other cruise?"

He shook his head again. "All I remember were these young guys in their twenties...half naked, if not completely naked, by the pool. Rubbing body parts together and on me! It was chaos, believe me. We'll look this RSVP Elite up online."

I nodded. "It must have been Hell for you." I chuckled. "Being surrounded by all those half-naked and naked fags."

He rolled his eyes. "You've no idea. I insist on a balcony. They have it, maybe. If not, no."

"Having never had a room....stateroom...I'll go with what you say." I grinned at him. "So, am I a fag?"

He shook his head. "Not even close." Then he grinned evilly. "However, that skirt you sometimes wear..."

"And you don't?" I growled back. "That tunic you wear." I reminded him. "Neither of us wear anything underneath."

He brought me close to him on the sofa pushing me down with him on top of me. "Want to see that I am gay now?"

I smiled. "It might not hurt," I said kissing him. "Faggot." He started kissing my neck and working down my chest. Oh, the agony! It was great!

I hummed as I walked into my office and got my request forms ready. I knocked on Alan's office door.

"Enter!" Alan barked.

I opened the door. "I'm submitting my vacation forms, the dates are filled out, oh Ornery One." I bowed in front of his desk but grinned at him.

"Oh, shut up, Mitch." Alan smiled holding his hands out for the forms. "I'm surprised you're not going to Rome again."

"We'll go back," I shook my head. "The Caribbean. For our anniversary." I sat back in the chair as he read the request over. "So, how is Kent?"

Alan didn't look up but smiled. "He's pretty good." He opened his drawer, took a pen out and signed them as his smile grew to a wide grin. "We're discussing moving in together."

I nodded. I was truly happy for Alan. He might have found that one person to share his life with. "That's good. So, it's working."

He nodded. "So far." He sighed. "He's a little gun-shy. He was married almost ten years while in the Navy. He has teenage children, so he's being careful."

"How many?"

"Three. Two daughters and a son." Alan shook his head. "How did you and Nick get along at first?"

"Tony had been out a while and he told Nick he was gay before he met me," I said. "Nick was okay with it." Then I remembered that first night at Pearlz. "He was very protective of his father. He wanted to be sure about me before we got in too deep. But once my intentions were known, he was fine."

Alan nodded. "Kent's eldest is a girl. She's seventeen. She's okay, I think. His son is the middle child, he's being understandably reserved. His youngest is now thirteen and doesn't like me. I can tell."

"Is she thinking you broke up her home?" I asked.

Alan shrugged. "I don't see how. Her father divorced her mother before he even met me."

I shook my head. "That's immaterial. You're taking her mother's place. She may see you as a threat preventing her parents from getting back together."

"Her father's gay! I'm not preventing anything!" Alan nodded sadly. "Should I speak with her, do you think?"

I held my hands up on that one. "I'm studying to manage a hotel. Not be a psychologist. I was there when Tony confronted Nick about it. Tony obviously spoke truthfully and wanted the truth from Nick. He laid it all out on the table. I don't know about Kent's family dynamics. I'd advise you to be honest, and have her be honest. Don't be offended if she says something you don't like. If you do become defensive, she won't trust you again."

Alan gave a shrugging nod. "Of course, you're right." He sighed. "I just hope she's willing to listen."

I grinned. "She's a teenager. Of course, she won't."

Alan groaned. "Of course not." He nodded. "His marriage ended! He won't even consider going back to his wife. Why is it so hard?"

"They just are," I chuckled. "Relationships aren't easy sometimes, but a good one is worth it."

"Yeah, yeah." Alan groused but wasn't too convinced right now.

I rose to reach over and put my hand on his. "Trust me. Just talk if you choose to talk and then listen."

Alan nodded.

It was a Thursday evening and two weeks until our trip. When I got home from work Tony sprang up instantly.

"We're going to New York. Tonight. Right now." He said waving toward the door and two pieces of luggage by the door. "I packed for you. We're leaving in ten minutes, so pee or whatever and then we go."

I froze. "Okay. Why?"

"We'll be in the Caribbean for ten days," Tony said rushing me back to the door. "You and I need clothes."

"Why?" I asked. "What's wrong with the stores here if we need to get some? Why New York?"

"I'd prefer Milan or even Paris, but we can't do that and have time, so quit asking and let's go." Tony urged. "My tell, remember? Don't fight me on this."

I laughed. "I only fight you when you want me to, for other reasons, but why are we getting new stuff?"

He looked incredibly at me, not understanding why I didn't see why. "You saw those videos! These guys aren't young twinks. They are not fags! These are doctors, lawyers, college professors...you and I are going to be the best-dressed couple on that ship!" He grabbed a piece of luggage and handed me the other. "Our cab will be here any minute."

I put my hand on Tony's chest. "Okay, breath, Tony."

He took a deep breath.

"Relax," I said smiling. "In a lot of ways, you're as bad as Aunt Mary!"

"Please." Tony frowned. "She thought she'd outclass us with that Cadillac last time!?"

I shrugged. "She's a country girl that doesn't want the world to see her as a country girl. She's like that actress in that movie, Mrs. Winterbourne? When she gets in the back of the Rolls and said it was the Cadillac of cars? She didn't know any better. Neither does Aunt Mary. For her that was fancy!"

"Okay. Am I as bad as Mary?" Tony sighed. "Then I am. Fine, but we will be judged. I promise you."

I shrugged. "So? We're judged all the time for being gay."

"That's different, but if we prepare, we'll be at the top." Tony said. "Let's go."

I loved Tony, but you know that having heard it over and over. There were times I wasn't sure why he wanted to compete with everyone. I just went with it. If it made him happy, how could I refuse? I'd get to see Kathy, Al, Angelo, Kathleen, Melissa, and David, so I'd be fine.

Shopping. I hated to do it. You've heard me say that over and over. Doing it all in one day! That was exhausting! Tony never said I was getting a haircut. Oh...excuse me...never just a haircut, but styled. I was to be going on this cruise with my hair cut, but not arriving looking like I'd just had a haircut. What!? That's what Tony said to explain it to me. He was so gay!! I ended up with two new suits, for formal nights. Three new swimsuits, no speedos, and other casual clothes. Tony got them too. They were shipping them to our home address, that's why we came so early. It was late when we finally finished that Saturday night. I almost collapsed on the bed of our hotel suite. Two days of shopping! I told Alan where I was and why. I took two holidays I hadn't used. Alan agreed instantly.

Tony lay down beside me quietly. He saw what that day had done to me and was feeling a little guilty. "You've been great today."

I smiled at Tony and my usual fingers went into his hair as he looked down at me. "I just wish I knew why you are so driven to be at the top."

He shrugged. "I don't know." He sighed. "I guess I always have been. I had to have the best sneakers, the prettiest girlfriend..." he chuckled with me on the absurdity of that one, "...I just..." he shrugged, "...am. I've said to you it's to prove to my parents I'm a success. I guess I'm telling everyone else I am, too."

I pulled Tony closer, my arms moving to their comfortable places, pulling his body close to my own. "You are a success. No one can say otherwise. You know I'm happy with you. I don't have to say I don't need proof; you know I don't."

Tony nodded. "I do know that. I feel I will be judged if you're not dressed the best and happiest from what I give you. I will be judged, not you. I'll be judged for what I don't give you."

I kissed him gently. "Fine." Then I kissed him more passionately. Then looked him seriously in the eye. "Say one thing about to others about me, or to me...onboard or otherwise, I'll call you on it."

He nodded and saluted with his left hand. "Roger that."

Angelo, Kathleen, and the rest of the family had no idea we were in New York until we showed up at Angelo's door. I knew they were surprised at the doorbell. No one comes over unexpected during Sunday dinners. They would never be welcomed back! This was a day for family!

Kathleen looked absolutely delighted to see us. She squealed throwing the door wider and hugging us. "Tony, Mitch... i miei ragazzi preferiti! Così bello vederti! Perche ' non ci hai detto che eri in città?" She crooned hugging us tight together saying it was good to see us and asked why we hadn't told them we were in town.

Then the others were excited to see us too once they knew it was us. Angelo grinned as he saw us. "Benvenuti, benvenuti. Avanti! Mangiare!"

I chuckled as we sat after places were made at the table for us. "Tony, you weren't kidding about we Italians conveying love by feeding us."

"Mangiare! Eat!" Tony nodded grinning. "We do and we are. This just means we're loved a lot!"

"So why no call?" Kathy asked as everyone settled to eat again.

"This was all Tony's idea," I said as I dished out the ever-present macaroni and gravy. "I just get home from work; I haven't even taken my jacket off and he's rushing me out the door to catch the plane!"

Tony waved as questions were being asked by everyone, he held up his hands to stop the questions. "We're going on a cruise. For our anniversary. That's why." Tony shrugged. "We had to get some clothes and where better than Manhattan? So here we are."

Melissa smiled hearing about the cruise. "A cruise? I love cruises. I've been on five. Where are you going?"

"Yeah, Tony, where are we going?" I grinned looking at him.

"You know perfectly well," He growled. "The Grand Caymans, Honduras, Cozumel, St. Kitts....all over the Caribbean."

"Because none of those places mean a thing to me yet," I explained. "They're just places on a map!"

"What ship?" Kathy asked.

"It's a ship in the New Holland America line. A new one." Tony shrugged. "It has a name I can't pronounce."

"The Oosterdam. Is that so hard?" I asked Tony. "It's only a couple of years old. Very pretty from the shots I saw."

Angelo frowned. "I've never heard of them. Why that ship?"

Tony frowned. "Well, it is a cruise for men like Mitch and I are. They're all gay like us." He wasn't sure how his parents would take this news, so his answer was hesitant.

Melissa nodded. "I've seen ads for gay cruises before!" She smiled wider.

"It's not a regular gay cruise," I said knowing how Tony felt about them. "These are older men, professionals...it's not going to be a party ship."

"Why not?" Melissa asked confused. "They look like fun."

I poked Tony in the side lightly. "Tell them, Tony."

Tony gave a grudging nod. "Okay, I refused to go on one of those because there were too many fags onboard." Then Tony shivered in disgust.

They all looked surprised when they heard that. David was the first to say something. "I don't get it. Aren't you two....well...fags?" He asked logically.

Tony glowered. "Absolutely not! We're gay, but we are not fags!"

Even Kathy was having trouble with that one. "Is there a difference?"

I chuckled. "To Tony there is." Loving what was going to come.

"You're damned straight," Tony said smiling.

I chuckled. "Which we are not."

Tony just smiled back. "Mitch and I are not queens, fags are, they're these little twinks calling each other girlfriend," he said very effeminate and even dropping his wrist. "...we don't wear women's clothes and we don't swish like a girl!! Those are fags. We are not!"

I waved at Tony. "See? He doesn't want to stand out against any guy at Walmart."

Tony shook his head, holding his hand up and objecting. "Wrong. First, I'd never be caught dead in a Walmart and I don't want to seem to others as other than who I am. I'm a guy that fell in love with another guy. I'm not a fag!! Is that so hard?"

Angelo laughed. "Grazie alla madre." He said thanking the Blessed Mother of Jesus and crossed himself in gratitude.

I laughed at everyone's reactions. I was satisfied because I was now a real part of this family. I not only could hold my own with Tony's family, but I could give it back. In English and Italian! Yeah!! I noticed Angelo wince. He touched his chest, but above where his heart was.

Kathleen was concerned a little as she broke with the fun and touched her husband. "The pain again?"

Angelo nodded and waved her off. "It'll go away."

The others in the family were concerned. Tony looked worried a minute. "Are you okay, Papa? Al's a doctor."

"I'm fine," Angelo muttered. "I'm seventy-six, that's what's wrong. I'm old. What can be done about that?"

"You should be seen by a doctor, Papa," Al said softly. "Even if is age-related."

"Your doctor son said so." Kathleen nodded. "Monday, you're calling the doctor. You make an appointment and you go!" She said firmly. "I'll go with you to make sure you do."

Angelo frowned. "Smettere di agitarsi su di me, donna." He demanded Kathleen not fuss over him.

"I fuss because if I don't you'll do nothing," Kathleen said as loud.

"I'm old!" Angelo shouted again.

"So am I!! I want you to get older!!!" Kathleen shouted back. "You're going!" She said not accepting anything but that he was to go! No arguments.

Italians also express love by shouting everything. A lot of love was being expressed that Sunday.

The scare with Angelo, who hated being fussed over sort of shook us all. Of course, Al and Kathy, they were both a doctor and nurse, did an assessment, which Angelo barely tolerated as they checked his heart and pulse.

Al sighed more satisfied as he put his stethoscope away. "Well, it's not his heart."

"I told you, I'm old!" Angelo stated again loud. "You ache. That's life."

Kathy rolled her eyes at her stubborn father. "Yes, Papa, that's life, but pain is a signal that says something's wrong. We'd feel better knowing what that pain is about."

Melissa smiled taking her grandfather's hand. "Come on, Grandpa. You only have three more grandchildren to see get married. I don't plan to marry for a good fifteen to twenty years." She smiled.

"Fifteen to twenty..." Angelo repeated in disbelief. "Sweetie, if I make it to ninety-six. I'll dance down the aisle." He patted her hand.

Tony and I watched as the others were hovering around Angelo. When Kathy walked back to either go back to the table or something, Tony stopped her. "You're sure it's not his heart?"

She shook her head. "Not without a thorough workup. I don't think so."

"If there's a specialist or..." Tony began.

Kathy nodded patting her brother's arm. "We've got it, Tony. You'll be kept informed."

Tony nodded. "If you need money..."

I was a little bothered by his comment. Because he had money, throwing it in the situation would cure his father? Kathy was a little irritated, too. You could see it, but she chose not to let on too much.

Kathy frowned. "We've got it." She assured again. Then smiled. "We have access to the best medicines and doctors here in New York. It'll be fine. Papa's right. He is old. We have to consider he will die soon."

I saw Tony's face take on a little shock. I took Tony's hand. "Let's get back to the table. We've got a flight to catch later." Tony just looked at his father and then nodded to me.

Dinner was a bit more subdued but resumed. The conversations weren't as animated as before but had returned to the usual hum.

Tony and I flew back to Charleston and prepared for the upcoming weeks. At work I noticed Alan talking more on his personal phone. I smiled when I saw his smile more because of Kent. He quit asking about me and Tony. Now that he was having his own life more, he no longer had the need to live through mine.

Then it was that Saturday. Our ship was sailing on Sunday, but we were again staying in a hotel to make sure we were there on time. Tony wasn't the problem. I was. I'm never late. I'm paranoid about it. I made sure we had what we needed. Obsessed about it. Passports, driver's licenses, cards, luggage packed and tagged with the ship destination and our carry-ons to the hotel...I had a checklist. Yeah, I was very paranoid. I'd never been on a cruise, but I'd be damned if we got there and forgot something. We couldn't just go back, could we?

"Camera?" I asked.

Tony sighed tolerantly. "Yes." He reached out and grabbed me. He hugged me. "Relax, honey. This is supposed to be fun. Don't get worked up about it."

I nodded. "When we get there and don't have the camera?"

He shook his head. "We get one there! I know they sell them onboard." He assured kissing me.

I sighed. "I was always told to be sure about things. Like, before you close to lock a door, be sure the keys are in your hands. Getting locked out wasn't an option. There will be times no one will be there to bail you out."

Tony smiled kissing me again. "That's a good rule. Unlike some of those others you come up with I question."

"And which ones are they?" I asked smiling but pushing him back.

He shrugged. "There were so many...I can't remember them all off the top of my head!" He chuckled pulling me back in the hug, kissing me down my neck.

I laughed back because he knows it would get me started. Other than sniffing his pubes for his pheromones, this was the direct express. "We can't do anything right now. We've got a cab coming!"

Tony shook his head. "Call it a warm-up."

"Unless you plan to renew our membership in the Mile High Club, stop." I grinned, literally pushing him away. "Now, we agreed. This trip and the clothes were all we were doing for our anniversary."

Then I saw Tony look a little guilty. I could read him like a book now.

"What did you do?"

He shrugged. "It's nothing really...and I can't tell you, it will ruin the surprise!" He argued with a smile.

"What did you do?" I asked again frowning. I could see he didn't want to tell me. "When do I get to surprise you?" I sighed. "You do nice things for me all the time, Tony. You're very romantic. Not a week has gone by where I'm not given a rose in two years by you. I'm fine with that because I know you love me." I shook my head. "I don't need all these surprises. They're nice, but I might like to surprise you. I know it gives you pleasure to do it, so I enjoy it."

"Then do it." He shrugged. "It's our money. That's something you still haven't quite gotten yet." Tony nodded a concession. "It's not really for just you. It's for us. I'll tell you if you want me to, but I'd like it to be a surprise."

I grinned wrapping my arms around him which he pulled me even closer. "Then that's what it'll be." Kissing him gently. "I'll be surprised. I love you, Tony."

He smiled nuzzling my throat. "I know you do."

Then we took a taxi to the airport and flew to Tampa. The sun was still up when we got there and checked into the hotel that right by the port. In fact, you could see the port from our window. The ships would be arriving that night so there was only one to see right now. It wasn't ours.

The thing with being around someone as much as Tony and I were, there were no real secrets. I wasn't perfect. I had issues, but so did he. The young man that escorted us to the room was in his twenties and he was....well...gay. He was happy to be escorting us, I mean, here were two men checking into a hotel room with one king-sized bed when they weren't sold out. We had to be gay and there for someone like he was. No gaydar needed to see that he was gay. I watched Tony's reaction of some revulsion to the man. Now, as much as I claim not to have any real knowledge of psychology, I'd been to several therapists because of my sexuality a to deal with issues that came from my father's attempt to program the gay out of me. Over the years I did learn a great deal on dealing with people. One of the things was, when confronting a person with something you don't like, never say...like...you're an asshole, or you're stupid. Make a distinction. Say, you're behaving like an asshole or what you did is stupid. Never accuse, that makes the other person defensive. When he had first said he didn't like fags, I had a problem with his statement. I kept asking him why it bothered him, what were the criteria for calling anyone a name that clearly wasn't meant to be nice. I even had him voice his objections to them out loud in front of his family. My hope was if he heard it aloud, he might see and hear the folly of what he'd said. His family had trouble seeing any distinction. A confrontation was always hard and I needed to be careful so he did not feel he was being attacked.

Tony nodded to the man that came up with our luggage, tipped him as the bellman left. Tony's face was not happy.

I sat on the bed. "Tony." I began quietly. "We need to talk."

Tony looked over curious. "We do?"

I nodded. "Yeah, we do." I patted the bed beside me. Tony walked over and sat beside me. "What I'm going to say...." I said looking in his eyes. "...you know I love you."

Tony nodded. "Of course."

"I'd never attack you, not physically, emotionally or verbally."

Tony frowned. "You never have."

"So, if I tell you. There are things I don't get." I began. I pointed to the door the bellman left from. "Help me understand. What is it that man did to bother you."

Tony looked surprised. "Nothing."

I nodded. "He did. You're whole body was rejecting the man. Why?"

Tony looked at the door. "I didn't reject him." Then he thought. "Okay, he's a fag. That bothered me."

"Why?"

He thought a minute or two and shook his head. "It just does. He's so....girly."

I shrugged. "That's because he might be gay. Having not seen him have sex with anyone, that's an assumption on my part. He was happy to have a gay couple as guests. You could see it!" I reasoned. "What is it that makes him different than say..." I looked cautiously at Tony, "....Gilbert? You like him."

Tony looked confused. "That's different."

I shook my head. "Why? Because you know Gilbert?" I asked. "From what I've seen Gilbert is most definitely a fag!! These are observations I've made using what your criteria to make a fag! Even your family saw us as fags!"

"We are not like that guy!" Tony shouted. "We aren't like Gilbert."

"No?" I shouted back. "What's the difference? Gilbert doesn't need wings to fly he's such a fairy!"

"That's just Gilbert!" Tony shouted angrily.

"Only different to you because you know him! You're doing what my father did to me, what the priests, nuns, and the church did to you. They judged without knowing you! You're doing the same thing!" I shouted back. "You don't know that bellman or any or the others you call fags!" Then I shook my head. "Is it his behavior that bothers you?"

"Yes!"

"How is how he behaves become a threat to you?" I shouted equally as loud. "Does having a dick dictate how a man acts?"

"Not really."

"Good, because if that were true you should hate Rev. Pat!" I shouted. "You love her! Enough to have her be one of the two ministers that married us. I hate to break it to you, but Rev. Pat was born male!"

"But she's..." he began looking surprised at that, then it clicked what I said. "What!? She is not!!"

"She has an Adam's Apple, Tony!" I clarified loud. "That collar hides a lot. Whether she still has the dick or had it removed, and having not looked up her skirts to check her plumbing I'm telling you she had or still has a dick! She was born male!!!"

Tony was stunned, but couldn't deny it. Then he was about to get up, but I grabbed his arm and held him back. "Why are we shouting?? I'm not mad and you shouldn't be!"

"I'm Italian!!!" Tony screamed back the explanation I knew.

I took a deep breath then said softly. "Baby, what I love about our relationship is that we can be honest with each other. We can be perfectly, bluntly honest. If I do something or act like a fucking asshole I'd want you to tell me. You love me enough to do that. Understood? Or did you lie when you said you'd love me till the end of time?"

Tony was looking very upset. Whether it was because we had a loud discussion or what I told him to upset him because it was true. "You know I didn't lie. I'll love you forever." He said softly.

I grinned, pulled him close and then leaned toward him kissing him. "I didn't lie either. You are the most important human being ever to me to have been created or will be created. But, Tony, I should tell you....just now. You acted like a fucking asshole."

Tony's face was again shocked, but then he smiled. "You really think so?"

I nodded with a chuckle. "Oh, yeah, but you heard me, I didn't call you a fucking asshole, I said you were acting like one. Got it? Understand the difference?"

He nodded with a smile. "I don't know why it bothers me so much." He said softly.

I put my arms around him as I pulled us back on the bed. "Sure, you do. You were taught by your father how a man behaves. It is so ingrained in you, anything outside of those parameters, you don't like." I reasoned. "You're not alone. I'm just as bad."

Tony shook his head. "When?"

I chuckled. "I admit I don't like pushy people." I had an example ready. "There was one instance when....and you weren't there because you don't like buffets, this is BT; Before Tony....I was at a buffet and waiting for a man to finish getting something I wanted. I don't even remember what it was, but there were several people behind me waiting, too. When this Asian lady just burst in line, grabbed the tongs I was reaching for and proceeded to get what she wanted."

Tony's eyebrows rose. "What'd you do?"

"I took the tongs out of her hand and pointed to the end of the line. I told her to wait her turn like everyone else."

"That was the right thing to do." Tony reasoned.

I nodded. "It was. I began to resent people that were Asian, because of that one woman." I agreed. "Here, in the United States I was right, but later I wondered, what made her that way? It wasn't because she was Asian, but because she may not have known what she'd done was wrong. Then I thought, she must have had a life where if you didn't grab what you needed or wanted others might get it first. I don't know what upbringing she had. She must have had to be pushy, to feed herself or family. I was not liking her because she was Asian? I don't know what country she was from, but my reaction was wrong. I vowed not to do it again."

"If you don't do something, how will it change?"

I shook my head. "It wasn't that she broke in line. I disliked her because she was Asian and assumed all were the same. So, I found someone Asian and made friends with him." I chuckled. "He turned out to be a very nice guy." I pushed him back on the bed and leaned on my elbow. "I challenge you. The next time you see a group of who you consider fags, you go up and make friends with them. Get to know them. You may even like them, like Gilbert."

Tony chuckled. "If I find out they are assholes?"

I shrugged. "Then you know they're assholes because you know they're assholes, not assuming they are because you assume they are. Not judging them based on no knowledge at all. Like that guy in New York that called you a WOP."

Tony frowned. "You know what that is?"

I nodded. "Without Papers. It was a slang used on immigrants in New York to demean a group of people based on no knowledge. Many Italian immigrants were victims of that word I know they find very offensive. I don't really understand the insult, but I know it." Then I kissed him. "I know things about me bother you."

Tony smiled. "Not really."

I straddled him. "Nonsense. You hate that I don't have the fashion sense you do and prefer jeans to something by Giorgio or something. You hate that I plan things too much, like when we packed to come here today."

"Well...kind of." Tony nodded. "It was overkill." Then he shrugged. "I don't care about the jeans."

"We have everything because you earned it." I justified. "I've been watching you. I no longer see that you're trying to impress your parents though...or the family."

"Then who am I trying to impress? I can't impress you very easily. I quit trying."

I nodded. "I'm glad you realize that now. I am impressed, by your love of me, but admit, there's a part of you that can't be satisfied. When will you have enough money? Does having a new outfit make you better? There's a part of you that makes you think it will."

"That bothers you?" Tony frowned.

I shook my head. "Not at all. I just know that's you and let it go. There are things about you that aren't always attractive. Just like I'm sure there is about me that doesn't attract you."

Tony smiled. "What is it about me that is not attractive?"

"You're human. A biological being who burps, farts and even had the need once in a while to pick his nose."

Tony groaned in horror. "You saw that!?"

I chuckled. "You were discreet, but yes." I rubbed my nose on his. "You're human, and I know sometimes that little boogers wouldn't come out if you don't pick them out. At least you don't wipe them on the sofa or chair, then we'd had words." I smiled. "God gave us fingers and one reason is to dig them out if necessary." I shrugged. "I also know I have a lot of rules you find tedious."

Tony chuckled. "You certainly do."

"You don't?" I asked. "You have a lot of rules, too, like not serving anything on paper plates or drinks in bottles or cans."

"That's Mama's teaching." Tony chuckled.

I nodded. "I know." Then I waved at our hotel room. "And this! I was surprised. It's just a hotel room. It's a nice hotel, but not a suite." I grinned at him. "We couldn't just have a cabin on the ship, could we? No. We had to have the biggest suite...stateroom."

"We planned in advance." Tony nodded. "We're on another honeymoon."

"I get that," I said. "When we were decorating the condo. What did I say?"

Tony grinned nodding. "You didn't care how I had it decorated as long as you had your easy chair, a TV and some place to put your Dr. Pepper." Then he smiled. "Oh, make sure we had Dr. Pepper on hand and no paisley and no lace doylies things."

I kissed him again. "Those were my only requests. I'm a simple guy, Baby. A guy that adores this one Italian. The fact that you want to do these for us is fine. I'll wear those fancy duds and behave correctly...for you. I do it because I love you." I slid down so we were closer. "If we don't talk about things. We're going to have problems in the future. We have a long, long time to be together. I don't want a miserable life or afterlife." I kissed him deeper. "You know I still love you, right?"

Tony grinned. "I do. You know I still love you, right?"

"I do," I answered. "Personally, I no longer think our worlds as collided. In fact, I think that's why we get along so well. We're too dissimilar."

Tony nodded. "I agree."

I began unbuttoning his shirt. "We'll have a grand trip, Tony. Let's start things here." I grinned running my hands over his hairy chest. "You know how much I love that hairy chest you have," I said lowering my face to nip a nipple.

"I do." Tony grinned, "And other hairy places."

We did have a good night.

The next afternoon, it was time to board our ship. I had seen the many ships that had arrived during the night before while we slept. I'd seen the Oosterdam in pictures, but I'd never been on a cruise ship before, so to me, it was huge!

We were taken by the hotel to the port terminal where our luggage was unloaded as we stopped. Our luggage was tagged and would be in the room....excuse me, stateroom....later. I was just amazed at the number of people there. There to just check-in here. There were a thousand men here! Agents directed us to a line where we came to a woman sat like a bank teller.

"Can I have your names, please?" The woman smiled. "I'll also need your driver's licenses and passports."

Tony nodded. "Sure, Anthony Delveccio and my husband Mitch McKenzie." He brought me forward, as I had the passports and my license.

The woman typed and looked at her screen. She checked our passports and identification then looked at us. Then typed again. "Everything is fine." She held two purple cards out. They were like most hotels now, having key cards as keys. "Don't lose these. Anything you buy onboard even on shore in port you can use these. You'll be on deck seven. Rotterdam. Suite 7046. Have a great cruise!"

"Thanks." Tony took the card with his name on it and handed me mine. The name Oosterdam was written across it and 7046 in big numbers. Elite Class.

"Elite? You mean the cruise?" I asked Tony but saw the cards for the others. They were other colors, yellow and orange. We had the only purple ones I could see.

"No," Tony shook his head. "It's like...the ultimate first class onboard." He grinned. "I told you. We're on our honeymoon!"

"You paid more."

Tony nodded. "I paid more."

Looking around I didn't see a female face as a potential passenger.

"Tony, why are there no female passengers?" I asked. "Lesbians need a vacation, too."

Tony put his arm around me as usual. "There might be a few, but lesbians tend to go on their own cruises," Tony explained. Then he chuckled. "Louise and Kathy took a gay cruise once."

I was surprised. "Why?"

"Think about it," Tony said smiling. "Two straight women who want to have a vacation and not be hit on. Where would be safer for two women that don't want some guy fawning over them than a ship full of gay men?"

I nodded smiled. "That's pretty clever."

"They had fun!"

We boarded the ship in the side. It was huge in the distance; it was even bigger right up on it! Gigantic! The sleek black hull was polished and shiny.

Like the church in Manhattan, all these guys looked like they came off a runway! Handsome, but older. From the early thirties to their sixties. Well dressed in clothes Tony knew they would be. Tony was right, they weren't twinks. There was the occasional young man with an older man and you knew the young guy had a thing for Daddies. Once we handed our keys to a man to check us onboard, he put our key in one at a time in a slot where I heard a "bing" and he nodded to us. "Welcome aboard the Oosterdam."

"Thanks," I said taking the key back.

When we entered the ship as I said, I had seen pictures, but nothing prepared me for the splendor of the ship! It was just so....I don't know. Big!!! The décor was ornate and white! A lot of white. Polished floors and this atrium that had elevators going up the side. It just dripped luxury to me. I was fine being a simple country boy, and I was unashamed to just stand there and stare. It put almost all hotels to shame. This was far, far better.

I heard Tony chuckling. "I take it, we done good." He hugged me.

I patted him on the chest. "Yeah, Tony. We done real good." I said almost reverently in awe. "What do we do now?"

"Whatever we like," Tony shrugged. "I've been on a few and I never leave port without viewing our departure from the top deck. We can check in our suite, or get something to drink." He kissed me. "We're on our second honeymoon!!" He hugged me excitedly.

A couple was passing, where one of them stopped. "Well, congratulations!" The passing man patted my arm. "I know it will be a wonderful two weeks."

I laughed. "I believe you're right." I put my arms around Tony tighter. "We'll make sure it is." I kissed him gently. It was great that he and I could do that. Not that we didn't in public before, but here!? It was not only okay, but it was expected!

"Got the camera?" Tony asked me. "You'll need it." He took my hand and headed to the elevator. "Let's go see!"

We rode up to the top deck. Well, not the top deck, but where we could look over the side and see the entire port, the sky above, the gulf beyond and Tampa. Up here I realized we were up like in a skyscraper, we towered over the port. Only this skyscraper was going to be moving soon. I didn't really drink, right? Well, this young man came by with several drinks on a tray and offered us one each. It was a fruity sort of ice thing with an umbrella. An umbrella!! I'd seen them but never had one. So, of course, I took one. The air was warm, there was this music being broadcast as hundreds of men and their husbands, partners stood to watch and strolled. It didn't take long before we heard the blast of the ship's horn. Who hasn't see that TV show "The Love Boat?" Well, the Pacific Princess would be a dingy next to this ship! But I always wanted to be one of those people on deck waving as we left port. Now I was!

"Here we go!" Tony said as I saw us begin to move slowly. "Happy Anniversary. I love you."

"Happy Anniversary. I love you, too."

"I'm not a perfect man, Mitch, you know that" Tony confessed, "But if you're by my side, you'll make sure I'm a better man. Or you'll kick me in the ass when I'm not." He chuckled.

"That's what a partner in life does." I smiled. "I can count on you to keep me dressed and use the right utensil. I never want to embarrass you, Tony."

Tony smiled. "I've never been embarrassed by you, Honey."

"Good." Then I looked horrified at what he'd said before. "I'd never kick you in the ass, Tony. It's far too pretty for me to bruise it."

Tony chuckled as he saw a deck person come by with glasses of champagne. He took two. Giving me one. He held his up to mine. "Here's to another happy year together."

I smiled clinking our glasses together. "I'll drink to that." Entwining our arms, we drank to another happy, spectacular year.