Date: Sun, 12 Jun 2005 09:16:52 -0400
From: rye encoke <rye_encoke@hotmail.com>
Subject: Mark and Rye: Homecoming 9

Hi again.  Well here it is finally.  The next installment
of the Mark and Rye series.  The usual disclaimers apply
here.  I don't know Westlife or any other celebrity and
certainly don't know the sexual orientation or their
feelings regarding being gay.  This is all made up in my
wicked little mind.  This continues where Mark and Rye
left off and will be written in the same style, my style,
which is lots of sappy and romantic fluff that hopefully
will have you crying along with me.

The work is mine and unless you have my permission you
can't post it anywhere else.

This is a story about gay relationships and if you shouldn't
be here due to local laws or your age or whatever then leave
now, otherwise continue on and enjoy.

This is the last chapter of Homecoming.  Please read the
Author's notes at the bottom of the page for more info.

Mark and Rye

Mark felt worse than he looked, which was saying he felt
like shit.  His left eye was open again but sort of squinty.
His broken nose made both his eyes black and puffy.  His
constant crying had done nothing to make him look better.

He sighed and straightened his tie one more time as a
knock sounded on his door.

"Hey guys," Mark said softly as his two brothers came in
with Josephine right behind.

Both Colin and Barry went and held him tight and Mark
fought to keep the tears back.

"I wish Rye was here," Colin said through his sobs.

"Me too.  You guys like him huh?  I'm glad," Mark said.

"We love him, Barry asked to be his boyfriend cuz you are
such a dumb shit," Colin said and punched Mark's stomach.

Mark oofed then chuckled a bit.  He had realized when Bry
boy had punched him what a total asshole he was being, but
he still had not gone to apologize to Rye yet.  He just
needed to get through this day first.

He had found out from Shane's family, not directly but by
listening in to the conversations in the house, that Barry
was gay and that Josephine and Jeremy were going to take
custody of his brothers away from his father with the help
of Rye.  He was very pleased with this development.

"I have stopped being a dumb shit, but I embarrassed myself
quite a bit.  Once we have put mama to rest I will fix
things," Mark said and squeezed his brothers close.

Mark leaned down and kissed both his brothers on the head
then picked Colin up and carried him downstairs.  Colin
didn't complain like he usually did when people treated
him as the baby.  Barry held Mark's hand the whole time
as well.

Mark was shocked to find Jill and the boys waiting for
him downstairs.

"My boys," Mark choked out in shock.

Bry boy of course was the first to reach him and pulled
him into a hug which by necessity included Colin who
Mark had not yet released.

"Love you Mark," Bry boy said into Mark's neck.

"Love you too Bry boy," Mark said back as he held onto
his friend.

"I'm not sorry I punched you cuz you deserved it, but I
don't hate you," Bry boy said as he backed off and let
others hug Mark.  Jill had taken Colin into her arms
almost immediately after Bry boy stepped back.

"I deserved it and a lot more.  I'm glad you don't hate
me, I don't know what I would do if you all hated me,"
Mark said as he looked around expectantly.

"He's not here.  He will show up briefly at the funeral
but he is still respecting your father's wishes that he
not attend," Shane said knowing that Mark was looking for
Rye.

Mark nodded sadly.

"It's time," Jeremy said from the door and everyone went
quiet and nodded.

The group left the house and went to the black limousines
that would carry them to the church for the service.  This
ride, as well as for the whole day, only Mark, Colin and
Barry were supposed to ride in the first limousine, the
others would follow in the remaining cars.

As the cars wound through the streets then into the
countryside to the small church that had been chosen
Mark's emotions slowly began to take their toll as tears
escaped and rolled down his cheeks.  Both of his hands
held the hand of one of his brothers and so he did not
wipe the tears away but just let them fall.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, the car stopped
in front of the church.  Mark climbed out and was soon
surrounded by the boys.  Jill once again took Colin into
her arms and Barry was pressed into Nicky.

"Boyo?" Mark asked softly and instantly Shane was there.

"Yeah fella?" Shane responded.

"If I, if I can't finish my speech, would you..." Mark
choked up as he fingered the folded paper in his hands.

"I'll do it for you," Shane said and kissed Mark's cheek
softly and helped move him forward to follow the others
into the church.

There were a few flashes of camera's as they moved into
the church.  The press was here but for the most part were
being respectful and after only 3 or 4 pictures the camera's
had stopped.  Nobody shouted out their names or begged for
an interview.

Inside the church everyone was talking quietly.  Mark and
his brothers and friends were the last to arrive.  After
much discussion it had been decided that Josephine and
Jeremy would greet those attending rather than Mark and
his brothers.  Mark had never been more grateful.

They entered the church and Mark's eyes immediately went
to the flower covered casket.  His knees felt suddenly
week and Shane's arms tightened around him.  He briefly
heard Josephine telling them that his father would be in
the front row and he and the boys were expected to sit
with their father.

Mark shook his head, "No we will sit with the boys.  You
and Jeremy sit up front.  I can't sit with him I need my
boys,"

Josephine nodded and moved quickly down the aisle and
cleared out the second pew.  The group moved slowly
forward and approached the casket where all bowed
their heads briefly and touched the casket then moved
to sit in the second pew.  Mark briefly registered his
father's sour look but ignored him.

Kian and Jill had moved to the one end and Jill still
held Colin.  Bry boy then Nicky were next with Barry
next to Nicky.  Shane slid in beside a barely in control
Barry and then Mark on the aisle.

Mark barely registered what was going on or being said
at the funeral.  He remembered his father turning around
to glare at Barry when Barry had started to cry.  Mark had
leaned forward and whispered, loud enough that the priest
had paused in his reading, to his father, "Glare at my
brother one more time you fucked up piece of shit and I
will haul you out of here and beat you unconcious."

Oliver's eyes had opened wide and he turned toward the
priest quickly.  He was not used to being talked back
to and he was very surprised by the venom in Mark's voice.

After a couple of readings of scriptures the priest said,
"And now to speak for Marie's children we invite her son
Mark to step forward."

Mark's heart was in his throat as he stood shakily.  He
smiled slightly as he noticed that Shane and Kian also
stood and followed behind him to the dais.  They stood
respectfully behind him but he could feel their love
and presence and he drew strength from them.  He unfolded
the paper in front of him and smoothed it out several
times as he tried to control himself.  But instead it
just made it worse.  His eyes clouded up as tears fell.
He felt a pair of strong hands lead him away and he felt
the comforting arms of Kian as Shane stepped to the dais.

Shane cleared his throat and began to read Mark's speech:

	"Mama, I miss you and I love you.  I think that one
	of the boys is probably reading this because as I
	write this I am crying almost uncontrollably so I
	doubt I will be able to read this at your funeral.

	I feel so lost and alone mama.  I did something so
	stupid and I don't know if I even have any friends
	left.  I let father's attitude affect me and I threw
	away the best thing in my life and now even my friends
	hate me.  Bryan punched me.  I hope you didn't see it
	happen because I am so ashamed of those moments.

	You see I had someone who loved me more than anything
	else in the world and I let him believe I didn't love
	him.  You would have loved him mama, he is so kind and
	gentle and he would give anything for me or the boys.
	Bryan thinks he is an angel and so do I.  We even call
	him Angel.  You would have loved him too mama.

	I wanted him to be here today, to sing for you mama,
	to sing you to heaven.  But I sent him away.  Now I
	feel so lost and alone.  I need him so much mama.  He
	saved me once you know.  I was going to kill myself
	when I thought the boys hated me because I am gay.
	But he saved me.  I need him to save me again mama,
	can you ask God to send him to me again mama?"

Shane finally choked up enough that he could read no more
and he wiped frantically at his tears so that he could just
finish and sit back down.

Then the door to the church opened and Mark looked up and
took in the sight of his Nngel come to save him.  Rye strode
down the aisle of the church to the casket.

As he stood in front of it he placed a beautiful white rose
with all the other flowers and began to sing.  His voice
filled the church and everyone stared in awe.  After the
words spoken by Shane about the boys believing Rye to be
an angel and then hearing him actually singing, many in the
church sat in silent awe.


	Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
	From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
	The summer's gone, and all the roses falling
	'tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
	But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
	Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
	'tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
	Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
	And if you come, and all the flowers are dying
	And I am dead, as dead I well may be
	You'll come and find the place where I am lying
	And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.
	And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
	And on my grave will warmer sweeter be
	And ye shall bend and tell me that you love me
	And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.

After the last clear notes finished reverberating in
the church everyone watched as Rye leaned down and spoke
softly to the casket.  Nobody caught his words but finally
he stood and turned and without looking at anybody left
the church.  Rye never revealed to anyone what he had said
at that moment and when asked he would simply look away
and say it was private between him and Mark's mom.

As the door to the church closed Mark jumped as if shocked
and raced to the door, flinging it open and ran outside.

"Angel!  Angel?" Mark cried out looking for Rye but he was
nowhere to be seen.  Mark broke down and fell to the ground
sobbing.

"Shh fella.  Just get through the day and it will be okay.
Come on," Shane said as he lifted Mark up and dusted him
off and led him back into the church.

The service lasted another 20 minutes or so before
everyone followed the casket out.  This time Mark insisted
on the boys riding with him and his brothers and the slow
procession made it's way to the graveyard.  Nobody spoke
in the car, they all just sat and comforted each other.
Mark's mind was numb now.  He wasn't sure if Angel had
come back for him or just out of respect for his mother.
He looked around and realized he was now seated at the
gravesite.  He didn't even know how he had got there. The
priest was saying some final words.

Suddenly Mark's head shot up.  He knew his Angel was
here.  He began to turn around, searching for Rye.  Then
he stopped and his eyes fixed on the man moving steadily
towards them.  His heart was beating fast in his chest.
Rye stopped about 10 yards away and lifted his eyes to
look directly at Mark.  And at that moment Mark knew, he
had his Angel back.  He was forgiven and he was loved.

Rye waited for a moment until the priest had paused then
he lifted his eyes and looked to the heavens and sang out
clearly.  He put into this song all his love and his hope
and his faith.  And those who sat and heard him sing knew
in their hearts that this man sang with the voice of an
Angel.

	Abide with me, fast falls the eventide.
	The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide.
	When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
	Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

	Swift to it's close ebbs out life's little day;
	Earth's joys grow dim, it's glories pass away;
	Change and decay in all around I see,
	O thou who changest not, abide with me.

	I need thy presence every passing hour,
	What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
	Who like thyself my guide and stay can be?
	Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me.

	Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes,
	Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies,
	Heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee,
	In life, in death, oh Lord, abide with me.

Here Rye looked directly at Mark and held out his hand
in invitation.

	In life, in death, oh please, abide with me.

Mark stood as his heart accepted the invitation.  He
didn't even realize that Jill and the boys and his
brothers followed behind him as he walked to Rye.  He
stood in front of the man he knew he loved and looked
into his eyes.

"Forgive me?" he asked simply.

"Always.  Ready to go home?" Rye asked.

Mark turned and looked at his friends and his brothers
and then at the gravesite where his mother's casket was
waiting to be lowered.  He saw the angry glare of his
father and the smiles of his aunt and uncle.

"Goodbye mama.  I knew my Angel would come to sing you
to heaven and come to save me again," Mark said and
turned and took Rye's hand in his.

Together the group left the graveyard and travelled back
to Bryan's house.  They all trooped into the house and
Rye and Mark fell onto the sofa where Mark broke down
again but this time it was Rye's arms who comforted him.
Colin and Barry both climbed into the laps of Rye and
Mark and were held and comforted as well.

Finally, after Colin had cried himself to sleep and Barry
was nodding off, Mark spoke.

"Angel I..." he began.

"It's done my love.  We are both where we belong now, it
doesn't matter the road behind us," Rye said.

Mark sighed.  How could he have been so stupid...again.

The group stayed like this for about an hour til a shout
startled them all.

"Get out of my way I have come to collect my sons,"
Oliver's voice shouted.

Soon a very irate Oliver stood at the door to the living
room, looking past Nicky, Kian and Bryan who were blocking
the entrance.  When his eyes saw Mark and Rye holding Colin
and Barry on their laps he blew up.

"You fucking get away from my sons you disgusting perverts,"
he shouted and lunged forward only to be pushed back by
Bryan.

Colin and Barry cringed and looked scared.  Rye flipped
open a cell phone and began to talk.

"Oliver get the hell out, we have temporary custody of the
boys now.  Here is the paper work, we were just waiting
until after the funeral to present it to you," Josephine
said as she came in behind Oliver and handed over some
papers.

Oliver's face went red then white with rage.

"You aren't taking my boys," Oliver shouted.

"We already have.  Your violent nature and evidence of
abuse provided by Marie was all it took.  They are ours
now.  We are their guardians until they turn 18 and if
they will have us we will adopt them legally," Jeremy
said as he moved forward to stand directly in front of
Oliver.

Colin and Barry brightened up and looked at Rye who was
still talking on the phone but nodded at them.

"Thank God," Mark breathed out.

"You shut your faggot mouth.  I will take my sons and I
will make sure they don't turn out like you if I have to
beat it out of them," Oliver screamed.

"That is a direct threat against the safety of the boys.
Did anyone have a recorder going?" Rye asked as he stood.

"Yes, got it," Josephine said as she held up a small tape
recorder.

Rye's lawyers had told them to start carrying around a
tape recorder any time they were near Oliver in the hopes
of catching him saying something like this.  It would be
just one more piece of evidence.

"Good.  The police are on their way," Rye said then
turned to Oliver, "Your homophobic and prejudiced attitude
has taken the very last people that could have loved you
away.  You are alone now.  The boys will be with your wife's
family.  Mark will be with me.  I have the money and power
to make sure you never see any of them again and I will use
it.  You can fight me, but you will lose."

Rye paused as he heard the car doors slamming outside.

"The police are here now with a restraining order.  It's
up to you now.  You can sign over the guardianship of your
children to Josephine and leave or you can fight it.  If
you fight it I will make sure you are left with nothing....
NOTHING.  By the time I am through with you you will pray
for death.  The choice is yours," Rye said calmly.

The whole time Rye had been speaking Oliver had stared at
him.  He was frightened by what he had seen.  This man, he
had no fear and he wasn't lying.  Deep down, like all who
hate and abuse, Oliver was a coward.  He turned to look at
the police who had been let inside and then back at Rye.

"Fine," he spat.

Quickly Josephine took out the papers and handed them over
to Oliver who signed them without even reading them.

"Sir, please come with us.  A restraining order has been
issued against you and you must leave," one officer said.

"Fine.  I don't want to be around these faggots anymore
anyway," Oliver spat and looked at Mark and his other
children.  "Why God ever cursed me with you three is
beyond me.  You are no longer my children."

With that Oliver left.

On the sofa Colin and Barry burst into tears.  Everyone
went to them and comforted them.

"Shhh, it's okay.  He didn't deserve you three boys,"
Josephine said.

"N n no that's not it.  We are just happy we don't have
to go back," Colin sobbed.

"Are we living with you now?" Barry asked Mark.

"No.  You will be living with your Aunt and Uncle," Rye
said.

"Oh," Barry looked sad then went red and looked at Josephine,
"Sorry, I am glad we are living with you, I just wanted..."

"It's okay honey, I know what you meant.  But you will see
Mark and Rye a lot.  After we file the papers we will be
going to America to stay with them for awhile.  Then we
will decide what we are going to do.  Whether we will come
back here or live in America," Josephine said.

"You would move to America?" Mark asked.

Josephine nodded, "Whatever is best for the family."

"I want to live in America," Barry said.

"I think that will probably be what will happen," Jeremy
said from behind the sofa where his hand was gently
rubbing Mark's shoulder.

"The paperwork should clear in about a week.  I will have
one of my jets waiting for you to bring you to us," Rye
said.

"When are we leaving Angel?" Mark asked.

"We are leaving tomorrow," Rye answered and everyone nodded.

As nice as it had been visiting everyone, the whole trip
had been a very sad and emotionally draining time.  The
boys all knew that over the next few months they would
have family visit them in America.  And Jill had started
a plan to have a get together with all the family at
Christmas.  Yes, it was time to leave.

- Leaving -

Once again everyone had slept together on the cushions
and mattresses in the basement.  The goodbyes to Colin
and Barry were emotional and long but made with many
promises that soon they would be together again. Everyone's
family had gathered to say goodbye and plans made for them
all to spend a few weeks in the future visiting in America.

As they were about to finally leave Rye pulled Mark to him,
with everyone standing around them in the yard.

Rye leaned his head against Mark's and placed his hand on
Mark's chest.

"My true love, my fella," Rye whispered.

Mark swallowed hard, his emotions very clear for all to
see.

"My life, my true Angel," Mark said as he placed his hand.

The families were finally able to feel and know what true
abiding love felt like as the feelings swept over them.
Many of them broke down into tears as they experienced
the purity and wonder of this love.  When it was over the
seven friends waved and got in the car that would take
them to the waiting plane.

"I'm glad that's over," Bry boy said as he lay his head
on Shane's lap.

"Me too.  But I can't wait for Colin and Barry to come
stay with us," Nicky said.

"Thanks for all you did Angel," Mark said as he lay his
head on Rye's shoulder.

"I couldn't leave my brothers there like that.  I have
a lovely house just 6 blocks from the loft.  It's a 4
bedroom in a nice residential area.  There are schools
nearby.  The boys will be happy there and they are close
to us," Rye said.

Nobody was surprised that Rye already had the boys set up.
It was just the way Rye worked.  At first the boys with
Josephine and Jeremy would stay at the loft, probably for
a few weeks or a month or so, then they would move into
the house Rye had for them and start to live a normal life.
School, friends, playing, chores, normal stuff that they
needed so desperately.

Things worked out well.  Oliver had truly decided he no
longer wanted anything to do with his family and never
even showed up in court for the hearing.  The guardianship
papers were filed and then when the lawyers had presented
the possibility that Josephine and Jeremy would eventually
adopt the boys, the judge had decided to cut through the
red tape and approved the adoption on the spot.  The boys
were now legally the sons of Josephine and Jeremy.  That
night the boys had called Rye and Mark and were almost
hysterical they were so happy.

Just 4 days later they were happily exploring the loft
with their new friend Spooky.  Eric had moved most of
his stuff to the loft and had, on Spooky's insistence,
brought the little boy with him as he moved in.

"Unca Mawk's bwothews will get sad some time and I have
to be thewe," Spooky had exclaimed to his parents and
Eric who just shrugged and packed the little boy as well.

Spooky was instrumental in helping Colin and Barry heal
and he was instantly adopted as number one little brother.
At the end of about 6 weeks the boys were ready to move
into their new home with their new mom and dad, they had
actually started to call Josephine and Jeremy mom and dad.
Spooky had been invited for a week and the group of five
spent that week laughing and playing.  The boys were
tearful when Spooky was taken home but the promise that
they could go and visit him in his home at the end of the
month made the parting easier.

Kian and Eric's relationship grew quickly over the weeks
and months.  It would have been odd to anyone outside of
the group but for those who shared the loft it was just
another person to love.  There was some teasing the morning
after Kian and Eric had made love to each other.  Eric was
very loud and descriptive when he made love or was made love
to.  It was all done in fun though and after several months
Eric was brought into the sharing with Mark and Rye but only
with Kian.  It was also only with Kian that Eric played the
game with the boys.

Jill's relationship with everyone also grew very strong.
Almost every night one of the boys or Rye could be found
curled up in her lap or she in theirs.  Although she never
shared intimacy with any of them, the love between them all
was very strong and she never felt separate or unloved.

One night while at the dinner table with all their friends
Mark stood and got everyone's attention.

"I have an announcement to make.  Next month, on the 17th,
Rye and I will be getting married," Mark announced simply.

...the end of Homecoming but more to follow...

Author's Notes:

Well that's the end of Homecoming.  Hope you liked it.
It's not the end of the story of Mark and Rye, but it
will be some time before I come back to this story.

I have other projects I want to work on and so will leave
Mark and Rye for probably about 6 months.  Never fear
though.  I will be back.

I have posted two of my short stories on Nifty.  In the
college section I have Art Imitates Life, and in the
beginnings section I have Nice Tattoo.

I also have opened a Yahoo Group for my works, visit it at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rye_Encokes_Gay_Stories/

This will be the only way to be notified when new stories
are posted.  The Yahoo Group will also be the only way
to see stories of mine that will not be published on
Nifty, such as some Harry Potter stories I am working
on.

So for now this is goodbye to Mark and Rye but you will
see them again around Christmas I imagine.  Hope you
enjoy my other works, and thanks to all the loyal readers
who kept me going and who hung in there.