DISCLAIMER: This is a story out the fantasy that is my mind. It is a story that deals with homosexual material. If you live in a jurisdiction that by some law or reason prohibits you from reading this material then please do not read any further. If homosexual material like this offends you then you should stop reading as well...Though frankly if homosexual material offends you I can't understand why you would be here in the first place.
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Mike
Chapter 11
Joe was just working through the briefing with the State Troopers when Sal got a radio call from Pete.
"Sal is Joe there. Over"
"Stand by Pete"
Sal called Joe to the radio
"Joe here.. Over"
"Yeah Joe, I found him, you had better come here . the old barn on Grauberger's place. Over"
Joe looked at Mike and the troopers. "that doesn't sound good" The four left the office and with sirens blaring they hurried to the location.
Pete came out of the barn as they arrived. He had a sombre look on his face.
"He killed himself Joe" was all he said.
They all went into the barn. The George's cruiser was parked inside and to the back of the barn they saw George hanging from a rope attached to one of the beams. The five men stood staring, not speaking for several minutes. The local officers were obviously deep in thought.
One to the Troopers finally said "I guess we should get him down, and report this." They pulled the cruiser forward under George and Pete and Mike climbed up on it and supported the body while one of the Troopers climbed up on the beam and cut the rope. In spite Mike and Pete holding him they still were not prepared for the weight of the body when it was released and ended up dropping him to the ground anyway.
They brought him to the funeral home and waited for instructions from the Commissioner's office. His family were also called. He had only one brother and only his mother was still alive. Neither said much. His mother asked how John was.
Later that evening when he got off duty Mike hopped into his car and drove to St Johnsbury. He came to the door of John's room. Sean and Nancy were still there. They had heard his footsteps in the hallway although they didn't know who it was. So when the footsteps seemed to stop at the door they both turned and looked. Sean smiled at Mike and motioned him in.
"John" he said softly to the form in the bed "You have company" Sean and his wife got up and went to leave. Mike protested that they didn't have to go.
"No it's alright, we were just going to see if there was anything to eat in the cafeteria anyway. John will be happy to have a change of company." Said Sean.
Mike sat down by the bed. John smiled at him. "Are you ok Mike?"
"I'm fine it is you I'm worried about"
In a lower voice and looking over his shoulder he continued "I was so scared I was going to lose you." Tears came to his eyes as he said this.
John moved his hand to try and grab Mikes. Mike took John's hand in his. They sat quietly just feeling each other's presence.
"You won't have to worry about George anymore John. He killed himself" Mike allowed that to sink in. John released a great sigh.
"You know," He said weakly "you are not s'posed to speak ill of the dead, but that man I will not miss. I'm actually happy he is gone. He was a bully and a coward to the end"
Presently Sean came back into the room bearing a coffee mug. "I didn't know what how you like your coffee so I brought it with cream and some sugar on the side. My wife and I were going across the street to the little Diner there, the cafeteria is closed for meals already."
"You didn't have to do this Sean." thanked Mike
"Not at all Mike after how you have taken care of my brother that's the least I could do. can I talk to you for a minute outside?"
John looked questioningly at his brother, as Mike got up and followed Sean out of the room.
"Mike" Sean began quietly as they stood out on the hallway "When John was waking up today, he kept calling for someone by the name of Mike." He raised his eyebrow slightly.
Mike could feel himself blushing. He just stared at Sean caught off guard and not knowing what to say.
Sean smiled at him, and nodded "I thought so. It's ok Mike you have nothing to worry about."
With that he turned and walked down the hall toward his wife who was waiting for him at the elevator.
Mike watched him and then turned thoughtfully back into the room.
He told John what Sean had just said to him. John smiled. "He knows then, I'm sorry Mike."
"It wasn't your fault John"
"Don't worry Mike. Sean won't say anything to anyone about this."
Mike sat there holding John's hand for some time. They talked about many things that evening. What George's death would mean to the community. Joe would probably take over in the interim. They talked about Mike's bid on the jobs in New York, Miami and SF and what they would do if he was offered one of them.
It seemed like only minutes when Sean and Nancy came back. The nurse came very shortly after that to tell them that visiting hours were over. Mike said good bye to John, squeezing his hand. John knew it to mean a kiss, and the whole thing was not missed by Sean, who just smiled at his brother.
"Smart move brother." he grinned at John. "Get a friend on the inside"
John grinned back and more seriously he whispered. "He's a good man Sean, be good to him"
Sean winked at him and left "See you tomorrow"
When they were out in the parking lot Mike told Sean about George, and what had transpired that day.
"So the reign of terror is finally over for John." sighed Sean. Then he took Mike by the arm "John likes you Mike. I hope you will take care of him. I don't want to see him hurt anymore"
Mike smiled "Don't worry Sean I'll take good care of him"
John was in the hospital for several weeks before he was released to convalesce at Sean's home. In the mean time Mike was a frequent visitor at the hospital. He was there to help John take his first feeble steps. He was present when he was released into his brother's care, a couple weeks later. The staff wondered and surmised but did not question the constant presence of this young police officer sometimes in uniform some times in street clothes in John's room.
He was obviously a friend of the family because John's brother and he often came together. To John it was clear that a real friendship was developing between Mike and his brother. He would smile thinking to himself that Sean would make a great brother-in-law to Mike. Then he would laugh sometimes out loud as he thought of it. He knew his brother and he knew that his brother taking an obvious liking to Mike meant that he and Mike would be free at least from the family side to live as they were meant to.
A few days before John was released from the hospital Mike came in with an official looking envelope. It was still sealed. " I wanted to open it with you" said Mike as he showed John who it was from. It was from the San Francisco Police Department.
John felt a hard knot form in the pit of his stomach. Mike as if he could feel John's fear, took his hand. "John whatever is in this envelope we will make the decision together."
Mike tore open the envelope, and took a two page note out. He handed it to John without looking at it. "You read it John"
John glanced over the contents of the letter and then slowly began to read.
"Dear Mr. McKinnon:
We are happy to invite you to our Office on ________ St San Francisco for an interview on September 23 19__"
The letter went on to describe the job that Mike had applied for and other details he would have to know about the interview.
John smiled up from the letter. "They want you Mike."
Mike had his head down then he looked up at John. "What do you think John?"
John was quiet for several moments. Then he looked up at Mike again. "I think you should go Mike, see what they have to offer and then we can see what we want to do. It might be nice to spend some time on the Pacific Coast. that is if you would want me along. Once you get there you will find all kinds of younger guys there. You won't want a sick old man holding you back."
Mike looked at John and with tears in his eyes said "John I thought I had lost you. I'm not going to lose you again. I won't go to SF unless I can take you with me. I won't lose you again." He leaned forward without thinking and kissed John.
"Do you want me to pull the curtain around so you two can have some privacy?"
Mike almost fell as he jerked up and spun around. Sean fell back against the wall laughing. When he managed to regain his composure and when Mike managed to lose his embarrassment, he said "You know you guys do need to be careful."
Mike nodded sheepishly "I know, just forgot for a moment, your brother is such a wonderful man."
John was still holding his belly from laughing. "Mike's got an interview for a job in San Francisco. What would you and the family think about coming to visit us out there?"
"I don't have the job, John it's just an interview"
John continued on as if Mike hadn't spoken. "You know Sean this might just be the time to set up another hardware store. I could open up shop out there. We should see if there isn't something on the market out there."
For several minutes Sean and John babbled on excitedly about that possibilities totally ignoring Mike who was just standing there looking first at John and then at Sean as each would add something to the conversation."
Mike finally cleared his throat.. "er. excuse me?"
The two brothers stopped and looked at him.
Then they all burst out laughing.
A couple weeks later Mike boarded a train bound for the West Coast. John was by then safely settled in at Sean's home.
Three days later John was lounging in the living room of Sean's house. He would sit there most of the day. Sean's wife would come home from the store every hour or so to check up on him. The phone rang and he picked it up
"John, I'm here, just got in!"
In the background John could here the sound of a train station, with announcement being made over public address systems. Mike must be calling him right from the train station.
"Hi Lover!!!" John almost yelled into the phone. "How was the trip"
Mike felt a surge run through his body when he heard the word "lover" coming over the wires.
"How are you John?"
"I'm doing real good Mike and even better now that I hear your voice. I walk about the house during the day and I have been outside a couple times"
"That's great, John it is so good to hear your voice, I just wanted to call to let you know I got here safely, I have to go my love."
" I love you Mike, go get that job, I want to see the ocean with you."
"Ok John" Mike laughed "I'll call you again tomorrow"
"Ok I'll be here waiting bye now"
"Bye"
John hung up the phone and lay back with a happy smile on his face. He was in love and the man he was in love with loved him back. It was a great feeling. He was truly happy for the first time in his life.
Mike called him several times over the next week. The interview went very well and while they told him that they had several interviewees to review they sounded quite promising. At any rate he would know one way or the other within two weeks. He told John about the homes that he had checked out for them, he told him about the ocean and the palm trees. He told John about a relatively open and safe gay scene. John could tell his young lover was excited. He hoped that he wouldn't be disappointed if he was not chosen.
Mike came back home about a week after the interview. John was able to meet him at the door when he came knocking. Sean and his family stood back and watched as John greeted his "friend". Mike was immediately invited for supper.
It was a very pleasant supper time, John sat beside his Mike. To Sean and his family it was very clear that John had finally found someone that he could be with and be happy with. Sean thought back just weeks earlier when John had broken down before him and Arnie just begging for them to understand that he too had the need to be loved and to have someone, just as they had their wives and families.
After supper had been cleared away Mike said to John. "I think I'd like to go for a ride and get some fresh air, you up to comin along?"
"I think that would be nice, I haven't been out that much lately." Mike helped John get up and put his jacket on. He walked him to the car and helped him get in, fussing over him like a mother hen.
Sean watched as Mike carefully saw John into the car. He said to his wife. "I think I'm being replaced"
"It is good to see him happy. It's been a long time since we've seen him this happy. Mike seems to be a nice young man." She replied, and then with her hand on his shoulder, more softly she said "I don't think any one will ever replace the brother that you have been to John." She kissed him on the cheek and went back into the kitchen.
Sean continued to stand there and watch as Mike and John drove off.
"So where are we going Mike?" asked John as they turned south on the highway
"I thought, with your permission we would go out to the farm, I just want to be alone with you for a little while, and the thought of being with you in your home."
Mike reached over and took John's hand. "I missed you so much John, I don't ever want to apart from you this long again. "
"Me either Mike, I thought you would never come back. I thought that once you got out there and saw all those young bucks you wouldn't want a broken old guy like me anymore. "
"How could you think that John, I told you in the hospital it is you I love not those young bucks as you call them. I want to make my life with you."
The rest of the drive was spent in the pleasant banter that only two people very much in love can have. They arrived at the farm, it was starting to get toward dusk. Mike helped John out of the car and up the steps to the house. John fished out the keys and opened the door.
They stepped into the house, and Mike folded John into his arms, gently hugging him as they kissed deeply for the first time in several weeks. Both men were overwhelmed with the emotion of the moment. The stood there for several moments in the silence of the room, then Mike taking John by the hand led him into the bedroom.
"I know you are not ready yet for me to enter you my love" he said tenderly but tonight I want to make love to you, I want you to know how much I love you, how special you are to me" His voice broke as he said those words and tears were set in his eyes. He was suddenly overcome with the love that he felt for this wonderful man.
"I was so afraid... John I thought I lost you." He wept softly into John's shoulder. "I love you so much."
He once again pulled John to him and kissing his face, his eyes, cheeks, nose. he started to unbutton John's shirt. John stood there eyes closed, head slightly tilted back, tears slowly making their way down his face. He had finally found his... his love. What he had been looking for all his life. He couldn't believe that this man could love him, but he knew that Mike loved him to the depth of his being. "I am so happy tonight Mike" he said through his tears "You have made me such a happy man".
Mike again kissed his face and then removing John's shirt from him his kisses worked down John's neck to his chest. The angry wounds and incision were clearly visible in the half light. "I'm so ugly with those marks" said John as he looked down at them.
"You are anything but ugly John" Mike replied. He spread his kisses over the injuries. "You are the most beautiful man in the world to me. Mike's hands moved down to John's pants, releasing the belt, clasp and slowly lowering the fly. John's knees almost buckled as he felt Mikes hand slide over his member as he slid the fly down. Mike lowered the pants and John stepped out of them. John stood naked except for his briefs, before his lover who was now on his knees before him.
Mike looked up almost pleadingly at John. Taking John's hand and kissing it, he started to speak, his voice seeming a little hoarse.
"John? Will you marry me? I know we can not have a real marriage but in our hearts, will you marry me? I want to be with you forever, I will cherish and honour you and love you all the days of my life. Will you be my husband?" Mike fumbled in his pocket and took out a ring and slipped it on John's left hand. It was a gold signet ring with a small diamond in one corner.
John stared down at Mike and sat down on the bed and wept. He threw his arms around Mike and together they wept. "I love you so much Mike, I never want to lose you, I am yours to my dying day. Yes! A thousand times Yes! I will marry you"
Mike stood up and pulled John to him. They kissed.
Mike helped John out of his shorts and knelt again before him. For a few moments he nuzzled and kissed and gently lick, nibbled and sucked John's now hard rod. He looked up at his lover. "John I can't begin to express how much I love you.
"You already have Mike when you asked me to marry you" John replied softly
Mike got up again and pulling back the covers on the bed he helped John in, and pulled the covers back over him. Then standing right by the bed he slowly began to undress. John lay there watching him. When he was finished Mike went around to the other side of the bed and climbed in with John.
That evening John was the subject of the most intense demonstration of love he had ever thought was possible. Mike ever careful of John's still fragile state gently but without leaving a shred of doubt let him know how dearly he was loved. Never had he felt so complete, so comfortable, so satisfied in his entire being.
They lay for sometime after that in each others arms.
"Mike" John said softly after a while. "We have to get back, Sean is going to worry about me. "
He looked at the clock, and then he really started. "Mike, It's after midnight, it's almost one o'clock!!"
Mike stirred and sat up. He grinned at John, "And look neither of us turned into a pumpkin"
John was trying out get out of bed but Mike held him back. "John, love, lay back, how about I call Sean and tell him we are staying here tonight. I'm sure he probably knows where we are and what we are doing"
John lay back, his mind was whirling about. Of course Sean knew, this would definitely confirm any doubts he might have. He nodded, and gave Mike the phone number to call. It was now or never, if he was really going to be "joined" to Mike he would have to stop hiding at least from his family.
He heard Mike dialling the phone in the kitchen. There was a pause and then "Sean, this is Mike, I'm sorry we are calling so late. uh.. the time kinda got away from us." Another pause "John is ok, we are at his house, and we are staying here tonight" Mike paused again "We just didn't want you to worry, I'm sorry we called so late." Pause "Yeh John is fine, he'll see you in the morning, I have to be in for 8 anyway so I'll have him home well before then" Mike laughed and John heard him hang-up.
Mike came back into the room, looking a little sheepish but grinning from ear to ear. "He figured we were here, he was just worried that you were ok."
He crawled back into bed and spooned into John, kissing the back of his neck. "now my dear husband let's get some sleep."
John felt Mikes hand gently caress his belly and then curl his fingers around his once again enlarging penis
He sighed deeply and contentedly and smiling feel asleep, in the warmth of Mike's embrace.
When John woke what seemed to be only minutes later, the gentle fragrance and muffled sound of perking coffee and the distant spattering of frying bacon and it's accompanying aroma filled his senses. He rolled over to realise that Mike was already up. The clock read 6:15. He guessed he must have slept.
Mike heard John stirring and checking the bacon he hurried in to the bedroom to help his love out of bed. They kissed tenderly. "Hi lover did you have a good sleep?"
"I guess I did, I don't remember anything after you snuggled into me. But it sure felt good to have you here." They kissed again and Mike walked John to the bathroom and then went back to tend to breakfast.
When John came out a few moments later Mike was putting the dishes and cutlery on the table. He smiled at John and helped him sit down. There was toast, scrambled eggs, bacon and fresh hot coffee.
John looked at his plate and at Mike questioningly. "Where on earth did you get this stuff from? My fridge was empty."
Mike smiled at him. "Well I kinda planned that we would be coming here last night so just in case I bought this stuff yesterday and had it in a cooler in my trunk"
John laughed out loud. "You, you sweetheart you are so good to me, I don't deserve you"
Mike smiled at him. "It is I that doesn't deserve you, my love but that is over isn't it, we are lovers we are husbands"
John looked at his darling "Oh yes and forever!"
Noticing the time they quickly ate their breakfast. Mike then helped John back to the bathroom to get cleaned up while he tidied up the kitchen. John could hear him whistling and humming as he worked.
Shortly after seven they were getting in to the car and heading in to town, holding hands as they drove.
Sean met them at the door with a big grin on his face. To John he said "did you have a good evening, are you ok?"
The look on John's face had already confirmed that there was nothing wrong with John. Mike helped him into the house.
As he was leaving Mike turned to Sean. "Sean tonight I would like to come over and talk to you. There is something that I have to ask you and something that John and I have to tell you."
Sean look at Mike and then at John. Both men were blushing slightly. His wife came to the rescue, "Well if you like leftovers from last night we'll see you at 6.
"That would be great" said Mike and then turning to John very quietly he said, "You have a good day ok? I'll see you later" with that he was gone.
Sean knew better than to try and get any information form John, so he didn't even bother asking. John for his part decided he wanted to go the store at least for the morning. "I'm feeling much better and it is time I started getting back into the business.
Sean couldn't help notice that John was looking very relaxed and definitely happy. Many of the worry lines in his forehead seemed to have disappeared. He had a certain smile on his face. The last several months in particular had been hard on his brother and it had hurt Sean to see his brother always with a furrowed brow. That was not the case today.
At one point as John was reaching for something Sean saw the ring. He looked at his brother's hand and tried to remember if he had ever seen that ring before or not. He was sure he hadn't. When had John gotten that ring? Maybe it was one he had at the house and he had put it on last night. But John wasn't one for wearing a lot or any jewellery.
John noticed his brother looking but just smiled and said nothing.
Later that morning Sean mentioned it to his wife. "I don't think I've seen that ring before, and you know John doesn't wear stuff like that."
Nancy looked at him with a smirk on her face, shaking her head. "Sometimes you are really dense you know that? She laughed
"What??" he asked
"Think it through Sean. They spent the night together. They both looked like the cat that swallowed the canary this morning and they want to talk to us tonight. What do you suppose?"
Sean stared at her, he could feel himself start to blush, "No. you think?. no." He started to smile. "Do you really think that?" Now he as grinning from ear to ear.
His wife laughed at him. "Yes I think." she replied "I think we are going to have to say good bye to brother John"
Sally was watching Mike all morning. He came in whistling a merry tune. Joe who was now the interim full-time Chief of Police had asked him to stay in the office for the day. Mind you everyone was happier since George was gone. They were still in a state of shock over it all but the whole office was a much calmer happier place to work. But this was different. Mike was way too happy.
Every once in a while, she noticed that he was staring off in to space with a far-off wistful smile on his face. She knew that he had had a good interview our west but that wasn't it. It was something else. It was almost as if he was in love or. "in love?" She shook here head and went back to her work. A moment later the phone rang and that distracted her again for a few moments.
Mike was in a daze, a very happy fog. It was like he was walking on air. He had proposed to John and John had accepted "I'm yours to my dying day" he had said. Mike was so happy he was almost bursting. He wanted to tell someone, he wanted to tell the whole world, but he knew that he couldn't. Not being able to tell anyone didn't diminish his joy. He couldn't help smile and sing or whistle or hum all day.
Sally asked him at one point as he brought her a coffee, something he never had done before, "Are you alright constable Mike?"
"Oh yeah I'm just great." He replied grinning at her. He walked back to his desk and got back to work.
He called John just around lunch time. They chatted for a few minutes. Sally couldn't make out who he was talking to but she was convinced that Mike was in love. It had to be. He was just acting too weird for it to be anything else. But who could it be? She had never heard him say anything about any girls. And no-one in town had ever said anything to her about him and any of the local girls, not that there were many for a young fellow like him to choose from. Maybe it was someone from out of town, but he wouldn't use the office phone to make a long-distance call. No it had to be someone in town. whatever the case and whoever it was there was no doubting there was a definite change in the young man today.
Shortly after lunch Mike got another call. If he wasn't happy before this put him over the top. He had been accepted to the force in San Francisco. He would start in two weeks. As he hung up the phone, he let out a whoop. Sally who was walking by was caught about her waist and swung around. "I've got the job!" he shouted "I've got the job in California!!" He danced Sally across the office back to her desk. She was laughing.
Joe came out of his office laughing at the antics in the office. He reached out his hand to Mike "Congratulations Mike, I knew yesterday, but they wanted to talk to you today, that's why I asked you to stay in today"
"We are going to miss you." said Sally, she gave him a hug and a kiss.
"I'm going to miss this place too, who knows I may come back for a visit someday"
Sally looked at him as though he has sprouted another head. "Sure whatever you want to believe" she mocked.
"Well you never know"
Joe asked him onto his office. They talked first about what his plans were for leaving. Joe wanted him to get his paper work in order before he left so that his replacement would be able to easily step into the job. They talked about George, and the situation with the Grifters. It was more of a debriefing than anything else. "You know the Grifters were real appreciative of the help you gave them through all this. You will make a great officer Mike. You care about people. Sally is right we will miss you."
"You know Joe I am going to miss this place too. It has been good for me. You will be the chief, and this town is going to relax and be a great place. I've noticed it already. People don't seem to be as up tight anymore. I've enjoyed working with you and Pete and Sal."
They talked for several more minutes. Mike was going to get everything ready and then he planned to take the rest of the time to pack up and travel west. Joe told him to take the rest of the day off.
Mike left the office as if he was walking on clouds. He got a job in California and the man he was in love with had told him that he wanted to the share the rest of his life with him. And all within 24 hours. He couldn't believe how his life was turning out.
He went home first. He called his mother and told her the good news about the job. He chatted excitedly with her for several minutes. While she was excited for him she wasn't happy that he would be so far away, as mothers are want to feel about their children.
After he hung up from talking to his mother he took a long hot shower to try to relax himself. It didn't help he was just as excited as when he started. It was not just he and John, and the new job, he was also nervous about how Sean and his wife would respond to John and him being a couple. He was afraid that with the job an actuality that John might now want to back out.
What would he do? He had promised John he would give the job up if the older man didn't want to move? And if he turned down the job, how could he explain it to Joe and Sally. and what would it do for any chance of advancement later? By the time he was ready to drive the short distance to the Grifter home in town he was shaking. The overwhelming joy he felt earlier was vapourizing into fear.
He parked the car and went to the door. There was no answer. He waited for a few moments and walked back to the car. John must still be at the store. Minutes later he walked into the store. John looked up form the counter and grinned at him. This was more than just another customer greeting. Mike smiled back at him.
He immediately walked over to him. "We have to talk" he said in hushed tones. "Is there someplace we can go?"
John looked almost frightened. "Is something wrong?"
"No, my love nothing is wrong but we do have to talk"
John's heart jumped when he heard the phrase "my love." He took off the apron that he always wore when he was working in the store, and went and went and hung it up in the office. He then told Nancy that he was leaving.
Nancy smiled and told him that they would see him later. She looked at Mike, smiled and waved at him. Mike helped John get into his car. He had forgotten that they were out in public, but looking around he didn't think that anyone was there to see. They drove away and down the highway.
"John we have to talk."
John could hear the nervous quaver in Mike's voice. He broke into a huge smile then he laughed out loud
You go the job!!!" he shouted in laughter. "You got the job! We're going to San Francisco!!!"
Mike couldn't believe his ears. He pulled over to the side of the highway. John leaned over and threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. "I'm so proud of you. I knew you would do it."
"You... you'll still come with me? Will you really come with me John?"
"Are you kidding? When do we leave?" John was jumping with excitement. "We are going to knock Sean and Nance over with this tonight! First we tell them we are married and then we tell them we are moving to the West Coast. This is going to knock them right over." John was laughing with excitement.
Mike pulled back onto the highway doing a U turn to head back into town. "I guess we don't have to talk it over then. You have made me the happiest man in the world John. I can' wait till we get out there and set up our house, our home together. I love you so much."
The two men chatted animatedly as they returned to town. They hurried to the house.
"I guess we should plan how we are going to break all this news to Sean and Nancy" said Mike. "we have to do it right."
They laughed with the excitement if the thought of telling John's brother and family. They didn't get a lot of planning done and when Nancy came home to prepare supper, she found them in the kitchen already putting supper together. She could hear them laughing and chattering from the front door. "Ah young love" she laughed to herself.
The kids arrived home from school about the same time and Mike and John cooled down a bit, but Nancy could see that something was definitely up. They were in love but there was something else as well. The kids thought it a little strange that constable Mike was there, but not in uniform. He seemed to be getting along quite well with Uncle John. And they had never seen Uncle John in such an up mood. He was laughing and talking and just incredibly happy. They looked questioningly at their mother who just winked and smiled at them. The youngest, Ellie, who was eight years old, suddenly lit up. She ran to her mother and in a loud stage whisper said "Uncle John is in love with...!!!" She gasped clapping a hand over her mouth, then she grinned from ear to ear.
Nancy almost choked as she tried not to laugh out loud. She shushed Ellie, but Ellie knew. It was written all over her face. She ran into the kitchen and gave her Uncle a big hug. Normally he would have picked her up but since the shooting he wasn't able to do that anymore. He just bent over and gave her a big hug. As he did so she whispered in his ear "Is he your boyfriend?" John looked up at Mike and then back at Ellie grinned and nodded. "I like him" she whispered again "So do I" He whispered back. She laughed looked at Mike and grinned and then ran off again.
Mike looked at John raising an eyebrow. John smile at him "Can't hide anything from that one." Mike looked to where Ellie had disappeared, caught Nancy's eye and blushed a little.
Nancy sent them both to the living room as she finished putting supper together. They offered to set the table but she told them that they were just to sit and "visit" They decided to take a walk in the backyard. The backyard was enclosed so it was private. Nancy was busy until Brian, Ellie's brother came in. "Mom? Ellie says that Uncle John..." he stopped in mid sentence. Nancy looked at her son and noticed him looking out of the window into the backyard. She followed his gaze.
Out in the yard Mike and John were walking by the vegetable garden. They were obviously in conversation, but what clearly caught Brian's eye and Nancy's was that they were holding hands. It seemed so natural and yet so strange. Nancy looked at Brian and caught his attention. "Mom?"
"It's ok honey I think we will find out all about it tonight. But I think we have to be happy for your uncle John."
"but Mom." the boy was clearly having trouble trying to understand what he was seeing. Just then Sean came in and the moment was gone. Mike and John heard the car in the driveway, and releasing each other walked back to the house.
Nancy had Brian help her set the table. As the two men came into the house Brian almost stared first at his Uncle then at Mike. He just wasn't sure about this. He knew about his uncle of course but somehow he just figured that... he didn't know what he figured. He hadn't figured on this somehow.
Nancy had Mike and John sit together on one side of the table and the kids on the other. It was as soon as the meal was serve and they all started eating that Mike cleared his voice and looking nervously at John, who nodded lovingly at him, he cleared his voice and began "Sean, Nancy, kids, Brian, Ellie, Uh. John and I. well."
"You're getting married!" exclaimed Ellie clapping her hands
John burst out laughing and was joined buy Nancy and Sean and Mike. Only Brian wasn't laughing he just looked confused. Mike noticed that the boy wasn't angry or sad, he was just looking around at the others laughing and he looked confused. He got up from the table, walked around to Brian, and crouched by the boy's chair. "Are you ok with this Brian? We aren't really getting married because we can't, but we are going to be a couple, we are going to be like boyfriends. I know John and I would be real happy if it was ok with you too"
Brian looked down at him. There was a glimmer of a smile on his lips. "I just don't understand it, you're s'posed to marry a girl."
It was very quiet around the table as everyone watched Mike and Brian.
"Well Brian, there are some men like your Uncle John and myself that for some reason aren't interested in girls. We don't know why that is, but it is. I love your Uncle John and I know he loves me very much and we would like to live together and spend our lives together. I will take very good care of him."
"I know but I just don't understand" said Brian.
"That's ok son, there are a lot of things we don't understand" Added Sean at this point. "but your mother and I are happy for your uncle. Maybe someday we will understand how Uncle John and Mike here can love each other like this but for now we have to just be happy for them."
Brian nodded still looking as though he wasn't sure about any of this.
Mike got up and went back to his chair.
Sean turned to both of his children; "Not everyone in town would be happy to know that constable Mike and your Uncle John are a couple so you mustn't say anything about this at school or to your friends OK?"
"Ok Dad" they replied in unison.
There is something else we have to say" said John as they continued eating. "Mike got a job in San Francisco, and we are moving there."
Sean sat back in his chair as though he had been slapped in the face. "What!?"
"You got the job?" cried Nancy. "That is great! When do you start?"
Sean was speechless, as usual his wife managed to view the whole picture, while he was still trying to come to terms with the immediate.
Mike and John and Nancy were chattering away about the job and the move. Sean was still thinking about losing his brother.
"You are moving too John?"
John looked at his brother and nodded
"What about the house, the farm"
"We can talk about that Sean, I am willing to keep it, maybe we can get someone to rent it for now. Old man Lucas down the road uses all the fields now. I'm sure he would be willing to continue to do that. We would just have to see to the house."
"I was hoping and I know Dad wanted to keep it in the family"
"That can still be done Sean, I can keep it in trust until Brian or Ellie get of age to take it over."
Sean sat quiet thinking.
"How soon are you going to go?" Asked Ellie taken up in the excitement of the moment.
"Well I have to start in two weeks, but we don't know yet Ellie" replied Mike. "I might go first and find a place." He looked at John "Or we might go together and find something together."
"But what about Uncle John? he's still sick." Piped in Brian who was still not sure about his Uncle going off to live with Mike, whether here or on the west coast.
"Well Brian you are such a kind nephew to think about me in that way," Smiled John "I have to have another check up that's for sure, but my check-up last week was pretty good. We'll have to see, maybe I will have to stay a bit longer. But I'm sure we can find a good doctor out there that will take me on."
"What we do have to do is have a big party at the farm before we go. Said Mike. "John and I were thinking maybe next Sunday afternoon. We'll invite a bunch of people. John says you do a mean roast pig Sean"
That seemed to bring Sean out of his contemplation. And the rest of supper was spent planning the barbecue out at the farm.
After the kids had gone to bed that evening the four adults sat and chatted over coffee.
"I guess I wasn't much of a host at supper Mike, but it is going to be difficult for me to lose John." Sean looked at the young officer. They could all see the tears set in his eyes.
John got up and went over to his brother. "You will never lose me Sean, I may be some distance away but you will never lose me." The two brothers hugged, John held his brother close. Sean meant the world to him. He knew that this would be difficult for both of them.
"You just make sure he takes good care of you" said Sean softly
"You know I will Sean" said Mike from his place. "You know I will"
They talked for a couple hours about what they might do about the farm, what John and Mike were hoping for in San Francisco. There times of tears and times that the house rang with laughter. Mike and John both felt totally relaxed in this home. They didn't have to be on their guard.
Nancy and Sean watched as the young officer doted on John. He brought him coffee, made sure he was comfortable. Mike watched John's every move. He obviously hung on every word that John spoke. They were just beginning but it was clear the two men were definitely in love.
It was about nine o'clock when Mike got up and said, "Well we should be going home."
Nancy was about to say "but John is living here now" but she bit her tongue. Of course John and Mike would be going back to the farm together. She smiled at Sean, who from the look on his face was at least thinking something similar. He didn't say anything either.
Mike helped John up and then started gathering the cups and plates to take them into the kitchen.
"Now you just see to your John." said Nancy softly taking the cups from him.
He smiled and joined his love at the door. John was talking to Sean about the Barbecue on the coming Sunday. Sean gave John a hug and they left.
"Thank you, Mike." said John as they drove down the highway
"For what?" mike looked over at John and smiled. He reached down and grasped John's hand that came to meet his.
"For using the word 'home' to describe our leaving just now, thank you for just being you."
They chatted idly as they drove, like two people in love and not having anything particular to say but just enjoying the pleasure of being able to talk to each other.
Inside the house it being close to ten PM they went straight to bed. As the previous night Mike made love to John with his mouth, as he slowly undressed him and put him to bed. Then he stripped himself in front of his lover and crawled in beside him. This was where John changed the format a bit.
"Mike " he whispered "I am so much in love with you. Will you fuck me tonight? I want you inside me. I am so full of the love of you I need you to be inside me"
"But?"
John put his finger on Mike's lips to silence him. "I want you to really make love to me for the first time as my husband Mike" Tears were now gathering in the corners of his eyes as he looked into Mike's
"You won't hurt me my love" he reassured Mike
Mike kissed John in response and slowly and deliberately worked his way down his lover's body. He gently paused over the wounds and scars kissing them lightly brushing his lips over them. With one hand he found John's swollen member and slowly massaged it.
John with one arm around Mike holding him, gently fondled the younger man's ball sack with the now rigid cock between his forearm and Mike's belly. He could feel him responding to his every move.
Mike now sat up and positioned himself kneeling between John's legs. John lifted his knees and closed his eyes as his young lover continued to pleasure his body. As Mike leaned forward and took first the head then slid down to engulf his entire cock into his mouth, John groaned out loud and reached his hands to hold Mike's head. Mike slowly and deliberately moved his mouth up and down on John's solid hard member. John moaned in the incredible, intense pleasure that was coursing through his body. "Ohnnnn Mike I love you so much." Words couldn't begin to describe the love and the pleasure that he was feeling at that moment.
Mike continued his attention on John's member, delighting in the copious amounts of precum that were flowing from the older man. At the same time with a moistened finger was had begun to probe at John's sphincter, finding access into the warm bowels. He found himself getting more and more eager to consummate the intense love that he was feeling for this wonderful man.
His mind retraced the weeks and months that preceded this moment. What was the defining moment that turned their lust if you will to actual love. He couldn't put his finger on that moment but he remembered his own blood running cold the day he saw John lying there in a pool of blood. Even now in this moment he found his emotions catching in his throat as the image of his lover on that horrible day flashed before his eye.
He wanted to make John happy, and he loved him more than he had ever loved anyone. He found his feelings for this man at times frightened him, not understanding them, but this night he was not frightened by them at all but allowed them to carry him to the heights of love.
He released John's cock from his mouth. Shrugging his shouldered under John's knees he lifted him up gently and worked himself closer. He now began to nibble and lick and work at John's opening, savouring the musk of the man's body.
John was now writhing in pleasure begging Mike to take him. Mike worked the opening, fucking John with his tongue until the entire area was wet with his saliva and then he worked back up to John's balls and cock again. He again slipped one finger back into the hole but this time the finger was quickly joined by and another and then a third. Mike slowly moved the fingers in and out massaging and gently relaxing the sphincter to prepare it for his now aching member. John had never felt such pleasure in all his life.
Mike once again released John's cock and stand up tall on his knees. With one hand he spread saliva over his quivering cock and then smiling down at his dear love slid his cock into the waiting opening. Both men were surprised how easily Mike was able to enter John. John was obviously so relaxed and ready that there was no resistance. John just lay right back and closed his eyes. He couldn't believe... he was... he just couldn't imagine that his love for this beautiful young man could be this wonderful.
Mike pumped in and out of John, his head thrown back as he was completely taken over by the unbelievable sensations that were overwhelming his body. He was not longer in control and after several thrusts he groaned out loud. "OHHHN FUCKING HELL!!!!.. OHNN JOHN Take me !!!" His body exploded inside the heat of the man he was going to spend the rest of his life with. Sweat glistened on his torso as he continued to thrust in and out releasing his love.
As Mike screamed out his almost agonised pleasure and he felt the man's cock swell and then pulse inside him, John found himself succumb to waves of an orgasm that sent him into raptures of ecstasy.
As the moment came slowly to a close Mike panting for breath slowly lowered his lover back down to the bed and draped himself over him, as his cock slipped out. They lay there was several minutes, both men still floating in the glow and after glow of what had just happened. Neither man for some time was able to find any words to speak. They just lay there, Mike on top of John, both panting at first, but both just... well even later reflecting on that night neither could put into words what they felt in those "after" moments.
After those several minutes Mike carefully rolled off John, strings of John's cum attaching briefly, then breaking as he moved away. He slid an arm under John's neck and drew him close. " I love you so much John" he breathed
"And I you my dear love." replied John nestling in close to his man.
They lay in each other's arms for some time after that quietly talking about their love for each other, how it came to be. They talked about the future. John looked around the old familiar walls of his bedroom as they talked about the move to California. He thought of all the years he had lived in this house, the house he had been born in. This was the very room he had been born in, probably even conceived in, and now he was leaving it. He told Mike of his thoughts. He told him of all the memories this room, this house had for him.
Mike understanding held him closer, comforting him. He told him of the memories they would make together. Mike told him that he too would never forget this house. This was the place he proposed and won the heart and love of his husband. It was in this room the room in which his lover had been born that he and his lover had consummated their love, symbolically giving birth to their life together.
They talked well into the night finally drifting off in each other's arms.
The next several days were filled with activity. Mike was finished at the station on the Thursday of that week. Joe told him to go and prepare for his move. He and John had hastily put together a list of guests at the barbecue, including Joe, Sally and Pete. Arnie was to be there as well as many old friends of both Sean and John.
They had not told anyone that John was going with Mike. Sean and Nancy did the inviting so that even Joe and the others didn't suspect anything. Nancy just told Joe that there would be a Barbecue at the Grifter farm and he and Pete and Sal were invited with thanks for the help they had given John. That was accepted gratefully. A "Grifter Barbecue" was always a great event. There would be a side of beef, and a roast pig, along with mountains of other food to go along with the meat. The final guest list came up to about 50 people.
As well as planning and making ready for the Barbecue, there was the move to plan for. They also had to find a place to stay when they went out west. They figured they could handle a hotel for a few days until they had a chance to look for something more permanent.
John and Sean decided they would rent the house out for now. They immediately put it up for rent, placing an ad in the paper that week. John hoped that he could have it settled before he left. The paper came out on Wednesday. By Thursday noon he had already shown the house to three couples. By Friday night the house was rented.
The days were busy but the nights were theirs. As with all newlyweds it was during those nights that Mike and John came to know each other. Both in intimate intense lovemaking and the closeness of the afterglow when they would just lie there together, talking and enjoying each other's touch and warmth. If there was any doubt with either of them as to whether the one loved the other those doubts were completely swept away in the week from that first night to the following Wednesday when they boarded the train together.
At the Barbecue, the Grifters as a family honoured Joe and his staff for the work they had done. It was at the Barbecue also that John made the announcement that he too was leaving town. Everyone there with the exception of his family and Arnie were surprised.
Earlier on in the week John and Mike had visited with Arnie. They talked for a long time about John and John and Mike.
"Well" said Arnie when they told him that they were going to be living together as a couple out west and that indeed they were already doing so now. "I can't say that I am surprised. I thought something was up the way you responded to the shooting Mike, putting that together with some other things that you guys said and did before and since then, I guess I shoulda known.
Both men smile sheepishly at Arnie. "But you didn't come here just to tell me that"
"Well no Arnie, there is something that we would like you to do for us." Replied John. "Arnie you are my oldest friend and beside Sean my dearest, you never rejected me from the day you knew I was gay. I know it will mean nothing before the law and you have no authority before the law to do anything like this but as my dearest friend and for us to make it 'official' in an unofficial way, we would like you to marry us. Would you do that?"
Arnie looked at the two men in front of him. He liked John very much, he was a good man and as far as he could tell Mike was also a man of integrity. That they loved each other was clear. That they understood that he had no authority to do what they were asking was also clear. He cleared his throat. It was clearly a symbolic gesture that they wanted performed and John was giving him an honour by asking him. He thought back to a conversation he and Sean had with John some weeks earlier when he had finally understood John's loneliness. "I am honoured John, I think that would be a great, I would love to do that for you, as long as you realise under the law it means nothing and even as a lawyer I don't have authority to marry anyone."
"We realise that Arnie, but we would just like to "legalise" it for us. We would love to have a "marriage." replied Mike
It was decided that the ceremony would happen on Saturday night. In attendance would be Sean and Nancy and the kids and Arnie and his wife. It would both of necessity and the wishes of Mike and John a quiet intimate affair.
On Saturday night then two men dressed in black suits stood in front of Arnie by the fireplace in the Grifter home and said vows of love and honour to each other. Both John and Mike were in tears as they spoke the words and slipped a wedding band on each other's finger. Nancy wept as they kissed "in public" for the first time.
Sean wiped a tear from his eye. He was proud of his brother but he was also worried about him. He had always been there to protect him now in just a few days John was leaving to go to the West Coast.
As they kissed and Arnie presented the two husbands to the family, they all ran up to hug and kiss them. Even Brian came up to his Uncle and gave him a hug. He whispered in John's ear. "I love you Uncle John." He gave Mike, if somewhat tentative, a hug and said to him "I guess I have a new Uncle."
Mike grinned and gave the boy a big hug back. "That means a lot to me Brian, maybe in the summer you and your sister can come out to visit us. We'll have to talk to your parents about that"
Brian grinned and nodded vigorously.
Nancy had prepared a small luncheon and John and Mike were surprised with a wedding cake that Arnie's wife had baked for the occasion.
That night back at the farm Mike and John made love together and fell asleep in each other's arms. There was a certain satisfaction and peace that John felt for the first time in his life. He looked over at his sleeping husband (how he loved that word) his husband. He looked over at his husband and kissed him gently on the forehead and smiled. He was finally free and all was well.