Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 13:02:25 -0400
From: m yonge <myonge@hotmail.com>
Subject: Of Gord and John Chapter 11

This is a story out of 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. Some
of my stories involve young men under the age of 18, but never
under the age of 14 which is the current Canadian age of consent.
The following is a listing of other stories I have written that
you might find interesting :

Title                       Category        Date
Joes-Bar                Beginnings      07-Nov-02
Arthur-and-Joe          Beginnings      03-Apr-03
Tour-Guide              AdultYouth      15-Apr-03
Brother-Pat             AdultYouth      07-Nov-02
Father-Greg             AdultYouth      15-Apr-03
JefferyandJason         AdultYouth      18-jul-05


The copyright to this material is  mine subject to the agreement
under this website.  I trust that you will enjoy reading the
stories as much as I have enjoyed writing them.


If you have any comments to pass on I would very much like to
have them.  You can write me at myonge@hotmail.com

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
the end of Washington. 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 Sheriff'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 had
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 meal 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 "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 time 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 livingroom 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.

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"  replied Mike, 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 over 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.

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 with out
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.

"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 sheriff 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 but he knew that he
couldn't.  Not being able to tell anyone didn't diminish his joy.
He could 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 fellows
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 sheriff, 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.  The
hurried into 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 smiled to herself.

The kids arrived home form 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!!!"

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, or maybe 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 hi 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 ecstacy 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 months and weeks 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 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 form his mouth.  Shrugging his
shouldered under John's knees he lifted him up slightly 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 or
ecstacy.

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
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 the Joe and
his staff  and Mike 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 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"  Then 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 had arrived and all was
well.