The Mennonite
The Community - 8 CGW
Cedric Davis reached over and nudged his sleeping nephew Helmut as they approached the new place where the Stroud family was allowed to live, it was a modest 25 ac tract of land, and it had 5 small homes upon it with a small barn and chicken yard. It wasn't anything to get excited over but at least his mother had a roof over her head.
As they pulled up into the yard the door of the house in front of them opened and out stepped Salas Stroud, Helmut & Gunner's father followed by his mother Lana. Lana was glad to see her first born still alive; she didn't know what had become of him after his father's orders.
Salas stood his ground with a soured look upon his face and hands upon his hips. He spoke in an arrogant tone, what business you have here upon my land Cedric Davis; that was followed by Cedric's voice; you'd better watch your tone Salas or you will have nowhere to call home. I just brought the boy by to see his mother so keep your trap closed Salas.
Lana hugged her son and kissed his cheek and asked how he was doing, Helmut replied; making amends for my sins Mother. He whispered to his mother that Gunner survived and was mending well; he was a guest in his and Danis's home. Lana smiled at her son and replied in a low voice; tell my baby to be happy and I will love him always.
Salas snorted and said; what is it you are speaking about wife. Helmut said; not to worry father I just told her I loved her. Salas retorted don't speak to me boy, you failed this family and we lost it all because of you. Helmut walked up to his father and replied to him, this family lost everything thanks to you and your arrogance father. I am making amends to help this family in the eyes of the Mennonite Communities. Salas drew his hand back to strike his son when he heard the sound of a gun being cocked.
Cedric Davis leveled his 9mm Glock down on Silas and said; if you touch a hair on that boy, it will be the last thing you will ever do in this world Salas Stroud. I'm not a Mennonite and I don't mind putting a mongrel beast out of its misery. Salas knew his wife's brother wouldn't miss and lowered his fist.
Cedric looked towards his sister and said; when you wish to see your sons and eventually your grandchildren all you have to do is contact me and I will make it happen. Helmut hugged and kissed his mother goodbye and turned to leave the farm. Lana spoke to her son and said; tell my baby that I love him son.
The slap rang out as Salas hit his wife, Helmut reacted in seconds and was upon his father and beat the hell out of him, all 21 years of rage came pouring out of him all directed at Salas Stroud. Lana was begging Helmut to please spare his life, he was a much better man than his father, but he was still his father.
Helmut left him in the dirt with a warning; touch her again you bastard and the only person I will answer to for putting you in your grave old man will be God himself. Then he checked on his mother and went to the truck.
Cedric looked at Salas lying on the ground and said; you'd better take his advice because he's through taking orders from the likes of you, he will put you 6 foot under next time and I won't stop him. Cedric told Lana goodbye.
The trip was a long one, Helmut asked his Uncle not to say anything to Gunner about the problems because he didn't need the stress. Cedric agreed and said; the subject is closed just tell your brother you took care of things with the family and leave it at that, agreed responded Helmut.
It was late when they arrived back at the house and entered, Helmut walked up to Chandler and hugged him and kissed him deeply. Chandler noticed his swollen knuckles and asked if everything was ok with the family, Helmut responded; never better we came to an agreement on the matter.
Gunner asked if his mother was ok, Helmut responded; she said to tell her baby boy she loved him, father is still father but he won't be giving us any more problems in the future so we can live our lives as we see fit.
Gunner smiled at his brother and asked if that meant they would be joined soon? Helmut responded the sooner the better little brother so I'd better start on that home quickly.
Helmut remarked; we will build them in Phase II brother; they will be grand homes like no others have seen here before, because I plan to fill mine with plenty of grandchildren for our mother to visit and spoil rotten. Chandler hugged his man and whispered that their first child would be here before they knew it. A puzzled Helmut looked at Chandler with a puzzled look and asked how?
Chandler responded that his older sister who left the community was heavy with child and was unable to care for it; the father wasn't a part of her life. She didn't know who it might have been there were too many that she slept with on the Cayes. It was more than likely a tourist that she picked up at a bar and went to his Hotel for the night, she was clean and the child was safe.
Helmut asked how long they would have before the child arrived; Chandler responded; their first born son would be here in about 2 months. Helmut was ecstatic a son to carry on his line, he grabbed his future mate and hugged him and kissed him. The realization of the matter hit Helmut and he said; the homes will never be finished in time for the baby if I don't get started soon, there's so much to do to get ready. Danis said; then it's a damned good thing we know a passel of willing Mennonites that are going to help us, by the way where is this Phase II at.
Helmut replied; it was best that Uncle Cedric shows all of us where it is at. He can explain things better than I can but for now we need to pick out some of those fancy house plans on the computer.
Gunner looked at his brother and said; fancy house plans, just when exactly did you start looking at things on the computer. Helmut replied; brother there many things you don't know about me yet, I might have been born under a rock but that was one place I never stayed under no matter what Salas Stroud ordered, I'm half Davis.
Danis laughed and said; you two are more alike than either of you know.
Chandler opened his laptop and asked what the address was to the site. Helmut replied; go to eplans.com and the whole world would be theirs to have. The boys were amazed at the many different kinds of home plans there, some were nice and simple and others were over the top, Helmut liked one that was 8 bedrooms and 9 baths with a grand staircase along with an in-laws suite for his mom when she would visit.
Gunner thought his brother had lost his mind when he saw the floor plans, but realized the Helmut was serious about filling it with children. Chandler was taken back at the thought of 7 bedrooms filled with children; let's start with just the one first and see if we are cut out to be good parents.
Helmut hugged Chandler and said; I know that we are going to be the best parents ever, just realize where our parents screwed up and do things completely different. The child's safety and welfare comes first along with plenty of love and understanding.
Wow said; Gunner, you do have a lot of Mom in you Helmut. Only the best little brother responded Helmut, now let's figure out what it will take to build our futures.
Cedric Davis was so proud of his nephews, especially Helmut. All it takes is a young man getting tired of crawling on his belly his whole life and deciding enough is enough then standing up to the bullies in his life to become the man that he's destined to be. Cedric looked at the plans and said; If this is the home that you and Chandler will raise your family in who am I to stand in your way, we will start looking at supplies tomorrow but realize it will be built out of metal studs and steel substructure to prevent termites from eating the damned fine home.
Helmut hadn't thought of the cost of the place, it was just a dream of his to raise his family in a fine home so they would never know what he and Gunner had to endure as children.
Cedric looked at Gunner and Danis and said; you boys had better pick out you a nice place also, can't let my family live in shacks it looks bad on the neighbors, because mine will be even bigger than Helmut and Chandlers home.
Danis was blown away at Gunner's Uncle Cedric and how he stepped up to the plate for his family. Sir we don't require a large fancy place for us, the offer is nice but we can get by with a modest home.
Cedric looked at Danis and responded "Bullshit boy" my family will have what I can afford and believe me it will be grand, because I expect you two fine young folk to have a house full of kids, the kind my Emma always dreamed of, life is too lonesome without the sounds of pitter patter of tiny feet on the marble floors.
Danis responded; I'll have to tell my parents about the phase II plans to make sure it's okay with them to move there. Cedric started to chuckle at Danis's loyalty to his parents if he only knew.
The doorbell rang and Gunner answered it, Rob and Joe were there with the kids, he invited them inside. The place was crowded with everyone inside, Joe was the first to speak; it's a little crowded in here son, as he looked at Gunner and Danis.
Cedric spoke; we were just talking about that very subject matter but these two here are trying to be hardheaded.
Rob said; did you tell them about Phase II yet Cedric. Yes I did but they aren't ready to leave the nesting area here.
Joe spoke; well they had better decide or they will have to drive to come see us because we have already picked out our 5ac tract and our new home is starting next week so the boys and girls can have their own bedrooms and baths. Its 6 bedrooms and 7 baths with a mud room/laundry and extra-large eat in kitchen for all of those grandchildren we will be having soon.
Danis sat there with his mouth open at Pop Joe's announcement. He had never thought about them moving from his childhood home.
Rob said; surprise boys we're moving soon and we have a lot of work to so we need to talk about this joining ceremony the sooner the better sons.
Soon the homes were started; Gunner still couldn't understand what happened to the family farm, in his mind he reasoned that he must have been driving there to the fire when he had his wreck. Danis was glad that Gunner's mind was protecting him from the awful truth of what really happened that fateful night on the porch.
The time flew by, there was a phone call from the Hospital in Belize City for Helmut Stroud telling him his son had arrived and was doing fine and he needed to make arrangements to care for the child before Child Services were called, the mother had already left and told them how to contact the child's father. Helmut spoke and said; I'm on my way, we should be there in a few hours.
Helmut was white as a sheet and said to Chandler; our son is here and we need to pick him up today. The whole place was in an uproar, Helmut had to sit down and place his head between his knees to keep from passing out.
Cedric was laughing and said; boys just stay seated and we will get everything ready to pick that boy of yours up. Chandler was excited also he was going to be a parent along with the love of his life, he was glad that they all had a small quiet joining the weekend before just a few hundred people showed up at the barn raising and house building so the timing was perfect.
Able flew them to the hospital in the city to pick up the baby. When Helmut, Chandler, Cedric and Able arrived to the hospital the head nurse looked at Helmut and said; well at least I know who the father out of this bunch of fine looking men folk, let's go see your son young man.
He's a strong young man; I hope you have a great name picked out for him, nothing wimpy he deserves better than that. Helmut smiled and said; yes I do have a great name picked out. Let's stop by records and place it on his certificate of birth than before we see him replied the nurse. They entered the records department and walked up to the counter and Helmut handed the nurse a slip of paper with a name written on it. The records clerk entered the name of Cedric Joseph Reed-Stroud on the certificate as the child's name. The nurse smiled and said; that is the perfect name for that big fellow he will carry it well, now let's go see your son Cedric.
Helmut and the nurse walked out of the records office, he handed his uncle the birth certificate. Cedric Davis was blown away when he read the child's name. The big man almost lost it, he hugged his nephew and croaked out let's go pick up my Great Nephew.
There was no doubt which child was Cedric Joseph, he had blonde hair and per the papers weighed 11lbs. 10oz and was 26in long. All of the nurses were in awe when the head nurse handed Little Cedric to his Father. Helmut was a natural at being a parent. Chandler was so proud of the two men in his life, his mate and their son, Helmut wouldn't let anyone hold Little Cedric on the flight home, it was his job to protect his first born from all who meant to harm him, God help them if they even tried. No one would ever know that Helmut wasn't his biological father, and no one would ever tell.
Helmut spoke to his uncle and wanted to know if they could get a set of family photos to his mother so she knew she was a grandmother for the first of many times. Uncle Cedric said; it would be his pleasure to deliver the news and photos.
They arrived at home and the place we filled with well-wishers, the baby was passed from person to person and accepted into the Mennonite Community as one of their own, the child would never want for anything; there were plenty of Aunts to babysit a moment's notice. There's no doubt that Gunner and Danis's home would be filled with love for this child.
There were plenty of photos taken to record the event. The baby was getting tired and Helmut excused himself and Little Cedric so the child could get a nap. Mason followed them into the room set up for him and asked Helmut what was he to the baby, Helmut sat down and responded; every little boy needs a fine Uncle to look after him to make sure no one tries to bully him. Mason was ecstatic with his new role in life, he kissed the sleeping child on his forehead and walked back to the party beaming.
The party wounded down and it was soon quiet, Helmut was sitting next to his son's crib amazed at this little boy who now depended on him to watch over him for everything in life. Chandler walked up behind Helmut and placed his arm across his mate's neck and said; I love you Helmut Stroud and our son is perfect.
Cedric left the next morning on a mission, there was a Grandmother missing out on her Grandsons life.
Cedric entered the new homestead; the buckboard was not at home. Lana walked out on the porch and smiled when saw her brother step out of his truck, it was nice that her husband wasn't at home so they could sit on the porch and talk about her sons. Lana hugged her brother and invited him to sit on the porch with her since they were alone.
Lana started; how are my boys doing Cedric? They are doing great Lana; they are both building new homes for their future answered Cedric. And speaking about the future Helmut is settling into his newest role just fine.
What role is that dear brother? Cedric handed Lana a packet of photos and said; His role as a loving father and spouse. Lana's hands were shaking as she opened the packet; the first photo was of Helmut holding Little Cedric cradled in his arms, it was a tender moment between father and son. Lana broke down sobbing as she touched the photo. With tears in her eyes she looked at her brother and said; I'm going to miss out of everything unless I stand up for myself, isn't that true my brother.
We only miss out on what we choose to in life dear sister replied Cedric. Lana asked; may I know what my first grandson's name is Cedric. He smiled and replied it's; Cedric Joseph Reed-Stroud. Lana broke out in a smile, a strong name for a strong young man.
Cedric was all smiles and started to fill Lana in on the boys and all about their lives and how proud he was of both of them.
Lana asked if Gunner had forgiven his brother for what he did to him. Cedric replied; Lana, Gunner has no memory of the event, in his mind he thinks he had a car wreck headed to the fire that destroyed the old home place. The Doctors involved think that it would be best that he remember on his own, if he ever regains his memories at all. Everyone involved in his life agree with the doctor's advice. Lana agreed with her brother on this matter and felt that Gunner had been through enough pain in his life.
The peace and quiet was invaded by the sound of Salas coming up the drive in his wagon; she hid the photos of her son and grandchild.
Salas stepped down from the wagon and shouted at Lana; get inside of that house woman, you know you're not allowed visitors unless the man of the house is around. Lana started to rise from her chair then she sat back down and shouted at her husband; Go to Hell Salas Stroud, Cedric is my only brother and we were discussing my son's, I'll be inside when I please and picked up the packet of photos. Salas started to advance towards Lana with his fist clinched only to find himself flying through the air after a fist from Cedric Davis collided with his face landing him in the dirt.
Lana asked her brother if there would be room in his home for her, because her life here was finished; she was needed to be with her sons and her new grandson. She wanted Salas Stroud to have no contact with her grandson ever.
Cedric said; if you need anything from inside he would wait for her. Lana replied; this is the only dress I own and there isn't anything from inside the house that is holding me here, my future is where my boys are at, all three of them.
Lana and Cedric walked to his truck and entered it then drove off to her new future, a future with her children and new grandson.