Second Chance, Chapter 57
Warning:
This story is copyrighted by the author known as David Lee and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without explicit permission.
This story contains descriptions of love and sexual fulfillment between people of the same gender. If possessing or reading this kind of material is illegal where you live, please leave this site at once.
My previous stories may be quickly accessed by searching for my name under the "Stories by Prolific Net Authors" heading which is found under the "Information for Readers" spot.
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For the full disclaimer and additional info, please read the statement that precedes Chapter 1.
As always, I thank my editors Tom and David for their proofing my work and giving me suggestions and lots of positive feedback. They're an integral part of this effort.
Chapter 57
Cameron awoke to the awesome feeling of having his cock sucked. Reese was giving him particularly good head and he couldn't last more than a minute after he opened his eyes.
"Wow! What brought that on?" he asked after regaining his breath.
"I owe you from last night in the car," Reese giggled.
"Hell, last night was paying you back for getting me off before work in the shower."
"Okay, then I'm paying forward. Who's keeping track and who cares, really?"
"I love your attitude. I don't like the idea of keeping score anyway. We don't have anything to prove. Besides, I love YOU," Cam said softly, gazing into Reese's eyes."
Reese pulled Cam closer until their lips met in a gentle kiss. Their actions spoke louder than anything they could have said at the moment.
"I've been wanting to say that to you too, but I was afraid you'd say we haven't known each other long enough to be in love. I honestly feel like I could pledge myself to you forever - right this minute. I've never really wanted to settle down before..."
The guys kissed for several more minutes before Cam suddenly rolled Reese's body off of him, sprang up from the bed, and pulled up his boxers.
"I've got to pee – NOW!"
Cam's hasty exit amused Reese who was also at the point of needing to empty his bladder. He followed his boyfriend into the bathroom at a more leisurely pace and joined him.
Brooke was in her element preparing a big breakfast for the boys. After she was sure they couldn't eat any more, she cleaned up the kitchen and got ready to take them for a drive. She wanted to show Cameron all of the old familiar places where Reese had spent his childhood.
Cam could sense that Reese's mother was treating him like he was going to be part of the family. He loved that idea.
Reese was somewhat embarrassed at a few of the stories his mother told, but Cam kept squeezing his hand to let him know that he understood how parents can be. By the time they had finished their "tour" in was nearly noon.
"I want to treat you boys to lunch at Nina's Hometown Café. If we go there on our way home, we'll beat the crowd that made it to church this morning. The place gets packed on Sundays."
"If you want a piece of her homemade pie for dessert, you'll have to order it when you order your meal or you'll be out of luck. I'm not kidding!" she told Cameron.
Brooke insisted that their noon meal was her treat and couldn't be talked out of it. The special of the day was chicken and noodles served with a big clump of real mashed potatoes, salad, and rolls all for $7.50. Adding a slice of peach glaze pie and a soft drink, her total bill for the three of them wasn't much over $30. The guys didn't feel guilty about accepting her generosity but did insist on leaving the tip.
About 3:00 p.m., the guys both kissed Brooke on the cheek and promised to visit her again soon. Then they put their small bag of clothes in the car and headed back to the Twin Cities. Cam left knowing that his boyfriend's mother had welcomed him without any reservations. Reese left knowing that his mother loved him unconditionally. Both were in a great frame of mind.
Rob, Blake, Eric, and Josh were trying to plan their upcoming wedding. Their problem was not where it would be held or who would officiate. Dane and Colt had easily gotten permission from their grandmother, Greta, to use her cottage by the lake. She said that she could coordinate a luncheon to follow for the grooms and their guests. Father Jerry had agreed to perform the ceremony. Everything on the Iowa end was set.
The boys were deciding on what they would wear and whether they should invite any of their buds and family members or whether they should limit it to the four of them plus Ben, Scott, and Robbie.
"It probably seems strange to take a baby on our honeymoon, but I really don't want to leave him with anyone but you guys or his grandpas and you'll all be there," Rob said.
"I don't care what anyone else thinks, he's ours and we're taking him," Blake insisted. "It's too bad he isn't old enough to walk so he could carry the rings. It would be great to work him into the ceremony somehow."
"I vote we have just the six of us plus Robbie," Josh stated. "If we start inviting friends, we won't know where to draw the line. Besides, most of our best buds will be subbing for us at the club."
"I'd really like to have Luc there, but if I invited him, I couldn't exclude my mom and the rest of my brothers and sisters," Rob added. "I think the best policy is to go off like we're eloping and then no one is under any obligation to buy us a present and we won't be treating anyone differently than anyone else."
Eric and Blake agreed with their boyfriends, so the decision was unanimous. Having come to that conclusion, the guys got down to what they wanted to wear. Scott and Ben had already said that they were going to be dressed in plain black suits with brightly colored matching ties.
Josh and Eric were thinking along the line of light colors, possibly white or tan. Rob and Blake liked the idea of something kind of neutral accented by colorful accessories of some sort. Dane had told the guys about his ceremony with Colt and that they'd worn white. Josh liked that idea, but didn't want to look like they were copying their older friends.
With the day drawing ever closer, they were going to have to come to a decision pretty soon.
The following morning at breakfast, Josh brought up the subject again. He had been pondering it before he went to sleep and had awakened with an idea which he wanted to present to everyone.
"Here's my thought. Since it will be hot in August in Iowa, I think you and Scott should settle for black slacks and white shirts without jackets, Dad. I could see Blake and Rob in charcoal slacks and us in light gray ones. Dad and Scott could wear ties with pink and burgundy in them, Blake and Rob could have plain burgundy ones. Eric and I could wear pink. Then we'd all be coordinated, but have differences for each couple. We could add sashes or cummerbunds in colors that matched our ties. How does that sound?"
"I'm up for that," Scott exclaimed. "But we don't have ties that color. Perhaps you boys could go to the mall to pick out all the ties at once. I know Josh is great with color, so I'd be fine with whatever he chooses."
"That works for me," Rob said. "Blake, what do you think?"
"Whatever Josh decides works for me too."
"If it's likely to be that hot, perhaps we should forget the ties and go for sashes or neck scarves," Ben suggested. "That is, unless everyone is set on wearing ties."
"I don't need to be strangled," Eric joked. "We were trying to be dressy like you old guys,"
"Would you over-thirty types feel like sashes at the waist would be too `gay'?" Josh asked jokingly.
"Hell, what could be too gay for a group of guys in a same-sex ceremony?" Ben laughed. "Let's do it! Those would look great in wedding photos!"
"Okay! Now our only problem is finding a time when we, young-but-mature types, can go shopping together. Our dads will have to trust our judgment." Josh giggled.
Josh and Eric were antsy all day, wanting it to be quitting time so that they could meet Rob at the mall. Blake had to work later and said he would love whatever the others agreed upon. He honestly didn't care as long as he got to marry Rob for real.
Damian noticed that his friends seemed more excited than usual and asked why they were bouncing off the walls in the middle of the week.
"We'll tell you if you won't freak out on us," Eric told him.
"I'm not gonna freak," Damian insisted.
"Well, we're going shopping for bright colored sashes to wear to a wedding."
"That doesn't sound strange."
"It's for OUR wedding," Josh grinned. "Eric and I are going to tie the knot next week."
"Oh my God that's cool! Am I invited?"
"You would be if we could get married in Minnesota. We have to go to Iowa, so it will be a very small affair. It's just the people in our house, not even Rob's brothers and sisters."
"I can accept that," Damian said. "I'm glad it doesn't have anything to do with me."
"What?" Eric frowned.
"My superior tan keeps me from being accepted in some places as you know."
"And we're colorblind as YOU should know," Josh assured him.
"Yeah, you stood up for me against that Chadick person. I'm sorry I even mentioned it. Forgive me?"
"You know it!" Josh said as he hugged Damian.
Eric hugged him too and added, "You still have our backs now that you know we're gay?"
"YOU know it!" Damian grinned.
"Since we won't be able to have you and the guys at our ceremony, I think we should plan a little backyard celebration and invite friends and relatives. I'll bet Rob would go for it. We could all wear our wedding clothes, have a picnic and wedding cake, and just have fun. We don't need to tell anyone ahead of time what it's for. We don't want them to feel like they have to give us gifts. I'll bet our dads would go for it too. They could invite Chuck, Rob, Wade, and Roger to have some guys their age."
"I think that's a great idea. Let's see if we can get everyone to agree." Eric exclaimed. "Damian, you're sworn to secrecy because we want it to be a surprise."
On Friday morning, three vehicles pulled out of the driveway heading for Iowa. They had decided to drive as couples so that they could spend their honeymoons however they chose. Rob and Blake figured they'd need the Beamer to carry the extra things they needed for Robbie and to be able to leave if he became ill or got tired of traveling. They would be free to go home without messing up anyone else's plans. They had room to take all of the wedding outfits without getting them wrinkled.
Josh and Eric went in Eric's convertible so they could put the top down. It couldn't carry much in the small trunk, but they managed to squeeze a small pup tent, tiny cooler, and a sleeping bag in case the wanted to camp. Their luggage didn't amount to much because they figured they'd wear as little as possible.
Scott and Ben took Scott's convertible for much the same reasons their sons had. It was a time to feel free and let the wind blow through their hair.
They arrived in Bentonville at the courthouse mid afternoon in plenty of time to apply for their marriage licenses. As expected, the clerk waived the three-day waiting period so that the ceremony could be held the following day.
From there, they drove to Lake Delhi according to the detailed directions that Dane had given them. As they arrived at the gate, it swung open before they had the chance to get out and push the call button.
Dane, Colt, and an older lady were waiting at the cottage door to welcome them.
Colt made the introductions. He made sure to introduce their grandmother, Greta, first. She immediately asked if she could hold Robbie and he quickly took a shine to her. She beamed when he called her "gamma" as he was likely to do with almost any lady.
Dane ushered them into the cottage and showed them their accommodations.
"We thought we'd put Scott and Ben in the first bedroom, Blake and Rob in the second, and Eric and Josh in the loft. We'll be going back to town after dinner so that you'll have the place to yourselves. The fridge is stocked with food for breakfast so you can be leisurely. I understand that you want the ceremony at 11:00 followed by lunch for the wedding party and participants. Grandma and Jane Masterson from next door will be hosting that."
"This is great. Is Father Jerry coming tonight to discuss the order of service?" Scott asked.
"Yeah, he and Dennis will be having dinner with all of us tonight. It's kind of like a rehearsal dinner."
"Wow, you've thought of everything!" Ben remarked.
"We've helped plan a bunch of these this summer. It's been sort of like a side job," Colt smiled. "I understand you know Chuck Mason and Robert Crouser. Chuck designed and had this large gazebo built as a setting for their wedding. They donated it to be used for other same-sex weddings and word has gotten out about how cool it is. We've been almost as busy hosting weddings as we have been working at our summer jobs. It's a good thing you guys reserved it early."
"Hey, why don't you and Dane sleep in the loft with us?" Eric suggested. "It would be like camping. Then you wouldn't have to drive back and forth. That would cut some of the running out of your schedule. We don't need any privacy tonight; I mean not like tomorrow night!"
"We can do that, can't we Dane?" Colt said. "It would allow us a couple more hours of much needed sleep."
It was agreed that the guys would all stay at the lake. Greta had to go back to town to bring the food from the caterers in the morning, so there wasn't any awkwardness about not inviting her to stay as well.
Around 5:30, Fr. Jerry and Dennis arrived. After introductions were made, they sat with the couples to discuss how the ceremony would proceed. Eric and Josh would walk toward the open gazebo hand in hand followed by Blake and Rob. Scott and Ben would come last. Colt would bring Robbie who would hold a small pillow with all six rings pinned on it. Dane would take photographs to record all aspects of the ceremony. The three of them would wear white, something that Rob and the other guys had agreed on.
The ceremony would begin with the lighting of unity candles. Fr. Jerry would offer a prayer of blessing. Dennis would sing a solo. Then Fr. Jerry would give a short homily about the blessings and responsibilities of marriage. Vows would be exchanged beginning with Josh and Eric. This was so that they would already be married before becoming step-brothers when their fathers tied the knot. No one was sure if it would be a problem, but Father Jerry wasn't taking any chances.
By the time the details were settled, Greta called them in for dinner. Dane and Colt had manned the grill and had also helped prepare the salads. After Fr. Jerry said a blessing, they all dug in. It was delicious - a fine rehearsal meal.
After dinner, Fr. Jerry, Dennis, and Greta left and the guys had the place to themselves. Colt suggested that they take the boat out waterskiing since the water was warm and it wasn't dark yet. Fortunately, Rob had brought along Robbie's life jacket thinking that he might want to be in the water at some point. Everyone changed into swimsuits and headed for the dock.
Before the sun set, each of the guys had managed to take one trip around the small lake. It wasn't as busy as it would be the next day because some of the summer people hadn't arrived for the weekend yet.
Colt made a huge batch of popcorn while Dane took drink orders. They all sat in the living room area for their snack. Robbie fell asleep in Blake's arms, so Rob and Blake retired early. Ben and Scott followed soon after.
The younger set went up to the loft and stripped down for bed. Since they'd been naked together a lot camping, no one bothered to wear anything. After all, they all slept nude anyway.
They talked awhile, but not too long. To everyone's amazement, Eric got drowsy and fell asleep snuggled against Josh. Josh couldn't help but smile. The drive and water skiing must have worn his boyfriend out. It was good that both would be getting a full night of sleep after all.
Author's notes: First and foremost, please do what you can for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Thanks to all who have emailed me recently: : Jeff N, Polar, Rutabaga, Tom A, Jim C, Paul R, Vann, Jim We, Mauricio, Carroll, Greg T, Chea, Patrick, Tim E, and Paul L.
If you're interested, "A Christmas Tale" was posted December 22nd, but is not listed in my "prolific author" profile. Some readers were asking.
Be pulling for the overturn of Prop 8 in California. It looks like 2014 before we could face a constitutional change that would ban same-sex marriage in Iowa. Hopefully by then people will realize that traditional marriage isn't threatened by granting gays and lesbians equal rights!