This story is a work of fiction. The events in this story are fictional. The characters in this story do not exist and any resemblance to real people is purely coincidental. Any use of celebrity or other real persons is entirely fictional and in no way reflects upon their actual sexual orientation. This story contains erotic and/or sexually explicit activities between consenting adults. If you are under age, find this type of work offensive, or it is illegal for you to view this, do not read it.
The Captain of My Dreams – Part 25 By tmabare ©2014
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- From Part 24 * * *
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"We haven't closed on the house yet, what do you think the chances are we can get out of it?"
Teddy couldn't believe his ears. "What do you want to do instead?"
"I want to stay here." Edward could feel himself blush, "I'm sorry, this place is incredible. You've created the home I always dreamed of. And, I know this is the place of your dreams. Bess and Devon would hate me if I pulled them away from this place. I know that now and that this is our home."
Teddy practically threw himself at Edward. "Oh my god, you don't know how happy you just made me."
"So, I take it you think we can get out of the new house?"
Teddy shook his head, "Not a chance, but I think we can do something with it."
A frown formed on Edward's face, "What do you mean?"
"Well, we don't have much room here for out of town guests. I'm thinking we should go ahead and still purchase it and then turn it into a guest house. That way we have a place for family that will preserve our privacy. What do you think?"
Edward laughed, "I think you're just trying to make me feel better about wasting so much damn money."
Kissing Edward lightly on the lips, Teddy laughed. "I don't know about that."
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- Part 25 * * *
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Walking into the Crimson Drawing Room, Teddy was having a hard time breathing. He couldn't believe he was here and what was about to happen. He was standing next to Edward, who looked incredible in his dress uniform. Next to him was Harry, who Teddy had to admit was even more attractive than usual. The three were talking with The Princess Royal.
"Ted, I can't thank you enough for the work you've done."
"No, thank you, Your Highness. It's truly a great cause and I'll continue to do anything I can."
"The donation will keep us going for as long as I'm around, not to mention the offer of internships with your company for women was more than generous."
Harry interrupted, "Okay, that's enough. We don't need him getting a big head."
Edward and Harry burst out laughing, while Anne shook her head. "Are you sure you really want to stay with this one?" Anne said it as she motioned her head towards Edward. "I'm not sure which one of them is worse."
"I'm pretty sure..."
It was then that the door opened and everyone stopped. Teddy couldn't help it, he grasped Edward's arm, "Oh my..."
"Babe, this isn't the first time you've met her."
"I know, but it feels like the first time."
The private audience in the Crimson Drawing Room was beyond words for not only Edward but also Ted. It wasn't the first exposure Ted had to the Queen, but it was by far the best so far. She had the ability to instantly put him at ease and seemed to be so personally interested in them both. They were able to talk for a few minutes about charities and family before she moved on. Ted knew Harry had set this up and he could hug him for it, but he thought better of it.
After leaving the drawing room, Teddy and Edward separated and Teddy walked into the Waterloo Chamber with Harry. Edward's parents were already there waiting for him. They had reserved seating at the front of the Chamber. Soon after taking their seat the ceremony began. Everything seemed to go at a comfortable pace and Teddy found it interesting to hear what everyone was receiving and why. This was the first investiture he had attended and he hoped it wasn't the last.
Ted's took a sharp breath in when he saw Edward walking down the aisle towards the Queen. Even though he had seen him a few minutes ago, Teddy's couldn't get over how incredible Edward looked in his dress uniform. Teddy still couldn't believe he had is sword on, until Edward explained that as one of the Queen's bodyguards it was tradition and only members of the Regiment could actually draw a sword in the presence of the Sovereign. Not that he'd be doing that now.
Edward approached and then stopped, waiting for his name to be called by the Lord Chamberlain.
"Captain Edward Smythe, for services to the Army."
Bowing his head to the Queen, Edward approached. Even though he had just seen her, he forgot how much taller he was than the Queen until she went to place the ribbon around his neck for his CBE. He didn't kneel, but he did bend down so it was easier.
"Very important you get this. I hope we will see more of you. We will talk more later." She smiled and extended her hand for Edward to shake.
He grasped her hand and bowed his head again, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
When she released his hand, Edward walked backwards three paces and then turned and made his way out of the room. He couldn't go far as he was going to be going back in there for his Victoria Cross. This hadn't been as bad as he had first imagined. In actuality, he felt an immense amount of pride.
It didn't take long for the chivalric orders to be awarded and the Lord Chamberlain to announce that there were several military medasl to be awarded. It only took a few moments before Edward was walking towards the Queen again.
The Lord Chamberlain read the citation of Edward's action in battle for which he was being recognized. As he read the accounts of the battle, Teddy almost couldn't listen. But, as he did, he learned more about just what Edward had gone through that day. Harry, who was sitting next to him, leaned over and got Ted's attention.
"He never told you any of this, am I right?"
Ted just shook his head, "John told me some of it, but I had no idea."
"This is why it was so important he was recognized."
As the Lord Chamberlain stopped, the Queen spoke for a few minutes. Teddy almost started to cry as she spoke. The things she said were perfect for the man standing in front of her. She spoke of his service to the nation and also to his personal service to her and the Royal Family.
When she was done speaking to everyone, she moved to pin the ribbon onto Edward. She spoke quietly to Edward as she did it.
As much as he would have preferred to not come and to not receive any medal for his action, he understood the importance to not only him but to his men. Hearing everything that happened that day brought it all back again. Edward could feel his anxiety building and it was taking everything he had to not just walk from the room. Even though it was easier than it had been, this was still immensely hard for him to deal with and hear again.
Teddy watched as the Queen shook Edward's hand again and said something to him. Edward smiled and bowed his head as he backed away. With that he turned and walked back out of the room. The last few steps were faster as he wanted to run from the castle. He wasn't particularly looking where he was going and he ran right into John.
"Whoa, by the looks, we need to talk. Come with me."
"Wha..."
John had Edward by the arm, and was walking him towards a small sitting room along with a member of the household staff. "Harry called me a few weeks ago and said I probably needed to be here today."
"Does Teddy..."
"No, he doesn't know I'm here."
Walking from the room, after the ceremony, Harry was leading the way. "The regiment is having a small get together for Edward at the Officer's Mess at Combermere. We'd like it if you would all join us."
"Rose and I would be honored." Edward's father still seemed to be in awe of walking with the prince, let alone everything else that had happened today.
"Where is Edward?" Teddy was starting to get concerned as the left the Waterloo Chamber and he still hadn't seen him.
"Don't worry, he had a little meeting to attend. He'll be joining us at Combermere."
Something in the way Harry said it made Ted less concerned, he knew Harry wouldn't keep anything bad from him. "Okay."
In the Officer's Mess at Combermere Barracks, Teddy was enjoying watching the interactions of the officers and enlisted members of the regiment. This was Ted's first visit to Combermere and he was looking around the room trying to take it all in. Harry had given him a quick tour and was standing next to Ted introducing him to people he hadn't met yet.
Teddy was starting to get worried, it had been over an hour since the ceremony and Edward still wasn't there. He had checked his phone several times and was just about to call Edward when Harry elbowed him.
"Ah, look who finally decided to show up."
When he looked up, Teddy about dropped his drink. Edward was walking into the room, with John. "What the..."
"I called John a while back and told him I thought he needed to be here today. I figure Edward would have problems and I knew who the best person to help him would be."
Without thinking Teddy hugged Harry, "Thank you."
Harry returned the hug and laughed, "You're welcome. I guess I should do nice things more often."
Teddy stopped when the realization of what he had done set it. "I'm sorry, got carried away." He blushed slightly as he released the prince.
"It's good, you've hugged me before."
"Never while you were in uniform and not in front of..."
"Oh, would you relax. Hugging me doesn't mean anything to them. It's a nice gesture and there is nothing wrong hugging the people you care about. You aren't going to get arrested for..." Harry smiled and laughed, "Well, just don't hug my grandmother."
They both started laughing and didn't stop until Edward walked up.
"Wales, what have I told you about trying to steal him?" The sound of his voice made everyone realize he was much better than earlier. He sounded relaxed and calm.
"You said I could have him for a knighthood, I'm still working on it." Harry said it deadpan and Teddy had to do a double take. Harry then burst out laughing and he and Edward enjoyed the look of questioning on Ted's face.
"John, it's great to see you." Ted hugged his cousin.
"You too." When he released him, John looked at Edward. "Don't look at me, you can keep him, or should I say you're stuck with him."
"Well, aren't you three just the funniest people in the room."
Edward, Harry, and John looked between each other nodding their heads and agreeing.
"Come on, Ted, let's leave the three comedians to themselves and we'll go get something to drink." Rose had Ted by the arm and was leading him off towards the bar.
"Has he always been like that?"
Rose thought for a moment, "No, this is actually the most comfortable and happy I've seen him. He was so serious for so long, I forgot what it's like to see him joke around. I have you to thank for that."
"I love him, Rose. I live every day to try to make us both happy now."
"You do, my dear. In turn, that makes all the rest of us happy too."
Edward was driving them back to the flat, enjoying his new BMW. "This thing is ace."
"Yes, it's better than mine in Florida. I think I need to upgrade." Teddy was watching the look on Edward's face as he drove. "So, what did the Queen have to say? I saw she was talking to you."
A smile came to Edward's face, "She talked about our family and thanked me for the support I had given to Harry over the years. She also wanted me to thank you again for the charity work you've done since you've moved to London full-time. I guess Princess Anne had given her an update of what you two had been working on. She also asked me to come to lunch this week at the palace."
"Oh wow, any idea what for?"
Edward shook his head, "No, guess we'll find out."
After a few minutes Teddy looked back at Edward, "Great John could be here. That was really nice of Harry."
"Yes it was. He's a great friend."
"He is." Teddy sat for a moment thinking of the day's events. "I only wish the boys could have come. They both would have gone insane to see the ceremony. Not to mention, I miss them."
Edward just smiled, "Yeah, would have been nice if they could've come too. Babe, you just spent time with them at Christmas, plus you're going to see them shortly for the wedding."
"I know, I know..." Ted was interrupted by his cell phone. He quickly got into a conversation with Stephanie about something.
Sitting in his office looking across to the park, Teddy was daydreaming about things. He had been spending more and more time lately thinking about the past and the choices he had made. Most of it revolved around David and their relationship. He tried to find some excuse for what had happened or to see if there was any signs near the beginning of what was to come. The amount of time he had been spending on it was starting to bother him. It was something he wasn't looking forward to talk to John about, let alone Edward.
The sound of footsteps approaching brought him out those thoughts. "Come on in, Devon."
"Sorry to bother you, do you have a few minutes?"
"For you, I have all the time you need." Ted stood and motioned for Devon to sit in one of the large leather chairs. Ted moved from behind the desk and sat on the couch across from Devon. "I'm actually glad you came in here, I needed a break."
"I wanted to let you know that Carlo and I met earlier about the inheritance from your mother. He helped me to set up trusts for my brothers and explained how that would all work."
"Good, I'm glad you are able to do that."
Devon shook his head, "I still don't feel right about it. That money should have gone to you."
"We've been over this, Devon. That money is yours now. Believe me, I have enough of my own. Besides, I honestly think that if it wasn't for you my relationship would my mother wouldn't have turned into what it did at the end."
"Thank you, I don't know what I did. But, I have you and your family to thank yet again."
"No, Devon, I have you to thank every day for what you do for us." Teddy smiled at him and then got the feeling that this was not the real reason for this talk. "What else is there? Something is wrong."
"I need to talk to you about Dustin."
Just the tone of his voice told Ted there was something serious. "What's wrong?"
It looked as if Devon was fighting within himself briefly, "I probably shouldn't be talking to you about this... I'm sorry..."
Devon started to stand up and when he did Teddy stood and put his hand on the young man's shoulder. "Sit down."
The sound of authority in Ted's voice startled Devon.
"What is going on?"
Devon was quiet for a few moments. "Something has changed and I'm not sure what to do." Devon took a deep breath, "Dustin has changed. When we were first together we were always happy and did things together. Now..." Again he stopped, and took another breath. "Can I ask you something extremely inappropriate and personal?"
Ted wanted to laugh at the question, but decided against it. "Devon, there is nothing inappropriate or too personal that you can ask him. I'm always here to help you, please go ahead." After he said it, Ted thought of a list of things and prayed it wasn't one of those. He slowly took a drink from a bottle of water he had been holding.
"Do you and Edward have sex a lot?"
The water came out of Teddy's nose as he about choked on it. It took him a few minutes to recover from it. "Wow, that wasn't even on the list of things I was expecting you to ask."
"I'm sorry, I told you it was too personal." Devon started to stand.
"Devon, sit! That's not too personal, you just caught me by surprise is all." Ted took another drink and made a note that this was something he would not be discussing with Edward when he got home. "Honestly, to say we had sex once a day wouldn't be honest. We usually have sex a couple times a day. Why do you ask?"
Devon looked down at his feet, "Dustin doesn't seem interested anymore."
Hearing the hurt in Devon's voice made Ted sad, "What do you mean? I know you guys were having sex."
"At the beginning we were, but it has gotten to be less and less. We still sleep together but... nothing... When I ask him about it he just tells me that sex isn't everything and that I just want it too much. It's been almost a month and before that it was only once a week or less."
Teddy was seriously stunned. Dustin and he had talked about sex several times and it didn't sound like the Dustin he knew. Knowing Dustin's past made it even harder to imagine.
"Devon, that sounds strange. There is definitely something wrong, but I have no clue. I honestly haven't talked to Dustin lately." Ted thought about it for a few minutes. "You know, it's almost as if he has been avoiding me."
"I've noticed that too. Plus... He's been drinking much more than he had been."
"Drinking? He's drinking again?" The shock in his own voice startled Ted. Standing and walking to his desk, Ted picked up the phone and hit the speed dial. It took longer than normal to get a response.
"Yes, sir?"
"Good morning, Dustin. Could you please get everything ready, I'd like to fly to up to Manchester this morning."
There was a pause on the other end of the line, "Ted, don't you think choppering up would be better?"
Something in Dustin's voice hit Ted. "Dustin, I'll be at the airport in an hour." He hung up the phone. `He better not...'
"Devon, I'm going to go have a talk with him. I'm sure there isn't anything too wrong. I'll let you know what I find out and don't worry... I'm not going to tell him we had this talk."
When Devon walked out of the office, Teddy picked up the phone. "Edward, we have a serious problem."
Dustin watched as the Dauphin landed in front of the Jackson Global hanger and saw Ted exit from the rear door as it was opened for him. Ted said something to the flight crew and then started walking towards him.
Ted had his sunglasses on and was intently looking at Dustin the entire time he was walking towards him. It only took him a minute to see subtle changes in how he looked compared to the last time he had seen him.
Dustin reached for the attaché case Ted was carrying, "Morning, Boss. I have everything ready."
"Good."
Entering the aircraft, Ted turned left and went in the cockpit for a few minutes. When he emerged and walked into the main cabin and sat down. As the engines started up, Ted was watching Dustin as he moved about the cabin doing things. When he finally took his seat, Ted was able to notice some more things about the way he was acting. Sitting still he wasn't truly still. Ted pulled his phone and sent a quick text message.
After they were in the air for a few minutes, Dustin walked back to the main cabin. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"No, but you can sit and talk to me for a few minutes."
Something in the way Ted said it made Dustin nervous. "I've got some stuff I need to do, can it wait?"
"Dustin, sit your ass down, NOW." There was absolutely no doubt who was in control and what was going to happen the way Ted said it was.
Dustin slowly sat down across from Ted and looked at the floor.
"Do you want to tell me what the fuck is going on with you?" The anger was building within Teddy and he was past the point of caring. "I swear to God, Dustin..."
"HE told you, didn't he?" The way Dustin said it, there was almost contempt in his voice for Devon.
"I didn't need him to tell me anything. You've been avoiding me for weeks. Then, you pull some shit today telling me I should chopper to Manchester. When I get here, you look like shit. Do I need to go on or do you want to come clean with me?"
Dustin's head just sunk lower. He slowly moved his hands to his face, "Boss, I don't know where to begin."
"Dustin, start with the truth."
He looked up at this boss, "Ted, I don't even know what the truth is anymore or where it all went wrong."
"You know I love you, just pick a point and start." Ted thought for a moment, "I'll make it easier... alcohol or..."
Before he could finish his statement, "Both." Tears started to flow from Dustin's eyes, "I've been messed up for a while now. I've been drinking really bad and drugs."
Ted could only shake his head, "What have you been taking?"
"Pills mostly... But I smoked crack the other day."
All he could see was red at this point. There was one thing Ted couldn't stand, one rule he had for anyone that worked for him or was in his life. No drugs. "Jesus Christ, what the fuck?"
"I don't know, Ted. I just don't know."
"What about Devon?"
Dustin shook his head, "No, never. He doesn't even know, least I don't think he does. But, that isn't all..." His voice trailed off again.
"Go ahead, Dustin. We can't get you help if you don't tell me what's happening."
"I'm not sure you want to know... I've been cheating on Devon."
"What?!?"
His head sunk again, "I've been sleeping with other people. A lot of them."
"Oh, Dustin..."
"Ted, I haven't been using protection."
"Fuck... You dumbass." Ted got out of his seat and walked to the cockpit. A few minutes later he returned and Dustin was still sitting in his seat. Very quickly the plane banked and started to descend.
"Are we there already?"
"No, we are about to land at London City." Ted's blood pressure was still sky high, "Before we land, I need to know two things."
"Yes, sir."
"Do you realize there is a problem and do you want help?"
"Yes, I just don't know what to do."
Ted practically fell into his seat and reached for the phone, "Good, I'm happy you said that. First of all, I am going to help you."
Dustin could feel a change in Ted, "But?"
"Dustin, just so we're clear you violated your employment contract and my trust."
Once again, Dustin's head sunk. "I'm sorry, Ted."
"So am I, Dustin, so am I."
I didn't leave a message on 24, mainly because I knew 25 was going to be following so closely. I finally seem to have broken the writer's block I was having. So much has happened that I won't bore you with the nonsense of my life. I hope that everyone continues to enjoy the stories.
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