Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 08:27:36 -0800 (PST)
From: Randy Howard <randyhoward2@yahoo.com>
Subject: The Strathmore's / Chapter 8 / Beginnings

The Strathmore's
By
Randy Howard2
Chapter 8

This is a work of fiction. The names are no way real or to
be associated with anyone alive or dead.  This is
copyrighted, and belongs to me.  No one is to copy this
without my written permission.

A special thanks to my good friend Bill H. for his editing
work with this story.

>From Chapter 7.

"I love you my lover, my man, my life," Kevin says.

"You are my world and my love, to you I give my heart,
forever my love, my babe."  They just lie there holding
each other as if time has stood still for these two lovers.
The two weeks pass quickly when you are two hearts in
love.

They are soon once again in war reality, searching for
enemy soldiers that are hiding in tunnels.  They are
searching a group of tunnels when out of one a Viet Cong
rushes them, plunging his knife deep into Kevin's chest.

 "Medic!" David screams.  "Medic!"  Kevin opens his eyes
and looks up at him, staring straight into his eyes.

"It looks like we had a short love life babe," Kevin says
and his breath is short and shallow.  "I love you babe, and
will for all eternity my love."

"No Kevin, hold on babe, please do not leave me," David
says with tears in his eyes.  "Medic!" he screams again.
"Kevin stay with me babe," he says.

"Davy, we both know that I'm dying," he says.  "I need
you to tell my dad that I love him also, love.  Davy, find
someone to love again babe," he says and gasps for a
breath. "Davy, hold me tight babe and kiss me," he says.
David lowers his lips to Kevin's and he kisses him softly as
Kevin's life leaves him.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

David holds Kevin tight, and he cries hard, his tears falling
onto Kevin's face.  He feels his heart breaking as he holds
the man he loved in his arms.  The medic comes, takes
Kevin from him, and feels for a pulse.

"Quick I need a stretcher here," the medic yells.

"What do you mean?" David asks.

"He's still alive, but barely," the medic tells David and his
heart leaps.

David follows the medic to the helicopter as they put Kevin
in. They are securing Kevin when they are attacked by
gunfire.  They pull David into the helicopter as they take
off.  A bullet hits his leg and he cries out in pain.

"He's been hit," the medic cries out to the others on the
chopper.  "Looks like an artery," the medic says as he puts
a tourniquet on David's leg.  They are flown back to Saigon
and rushed into the operating room.  Several hours later
David wakes up.  His leg is bandaged, and he is in pain.  A
doctor comes over to him to examine his wound.

 "Doctor, how is Kevin," David asks.

"He is one seriously hurt man, soldier," the doctor says.
"The knife missed his heart, but it punctured his left lung.
It also severed several of his blood vessels, causing him to
bleed internally."

"Will he make it doc?" David asks.

"I think so, but he will have possible complications later in
life," he says. "He may always have a shortness of breath if
overexerted."

"Where is he sir?" David asks excitedly.

"Second one on the right," he says and points over to where
he is.

"Doc, we grew up together, would it be possible to be next
to each other?" David asks.

"I don't see why not, it might help in his recovery," the
doctor says."  An orderly comes over later and moves
David beside Kevin, who is still out cold.  When Kevin
finally comes to, he turns his head, sees David in the bed
beside him, and starts to cry.

"I thought I lost you," David says reaching out his hand
towards Kevin.  "Please don't cry," he says to him.

"You did there for a moment, loose me," Kevin says.  "But
something pulled me back. It was our love David," and his
eyes are still filled with tears.

"I love you so much Kevin, please don't ever leave me
again like that," David says as his own tears roll down his
cheeks.

"I felt those tears when you held me out there where I was
wounded," Kevin tells him.

"How could you Kevin?  I had lost you already," he tells
him.

"It was those tears that called me back.  They were like a
song, singing to me, calling my name to come back to
you."

"Kevin I don't know how or why, but I know that I have
you again, and I will never let you go."

Kevin and David finally recovered enough to go home with
a medical discharge.

"Sean what have you got going today," Ryan says feeling a
little depressed.  "I don't want to be alone again love. I
cannot take not hearing from David, I don't know if he is
alive or dead."

"I have several clients that I should meet with," he tells him
as the doorbell rings and Danbury answers it.

"Sirs, its for you," Danbury says.

Ryan and Sean both go to the door and standing there in his
uniform is David.  He drops his bags as he runs to Ryan's
open arms and cries.  Ryan wraps him tight in his arms and
kisses his face, as his own tears flow like rain.

"I love you dad, and I forgive you for everything," David
says as he cries on Ryan's shoulder.  He lifts his head after
a bit and says. "Can you ever forgive me for the way I left
you hanging?"

"David my son, I forgave you the minute you walked out
that door love.  I am so happy that you made it home to us,
son," he says as he kisses him again.

"Dad," David says as he turns to Sean, who takes him in his
arms. "I love you dad, and forgive me dad, for the pain that
I caused you."

"I have son, many times over, my love for you is more than
enough to cover anything you do," Sean says as he kisses
his son and holds him tight.

"Oh I almost forgot, I want you to meet the person that I
am in love with," he says walking to the door.

Ryan and Sean both look at each other then turn towards
the door.  David goes outside, reaches his hand out, and
says to both his dads.

"Dad, this is the person that I have found, that has made
my life complete," and he pulls on the hand and Kevin
comes into view.

"Oh my God, Kevin," Ryan says.  "When did this happen
son?"

"We confessed our love to each other one night almost
eight months ago in a fox hole.  We didn't know if we
would make it out alive so I told him how I loved him."

"I told him I had loved him also that same night," Kevin
says.

"I am so happy for the two of you," Sean says hugging
them both.

After the initial greetings are finished, Kevin asks Ryan,

"Ryan do you know where my dad lives?  I went to my
house and someone else lives there now."

"He is living with us son," Ryan tells Kevin.  "Ever since
that fateful day he came back with us.  Your dad, Dan,
suffered a heart attack and died shortly after you boys left that day.
Tyler has not been himself since," Ryan says holding Kevin's hands.
"He is upstairs in his room, son, the second one on the left," he tells him.

Kevin takes David's hand and they go upstairs, to the room
that Tyler stays in.  They softly knock and they listen as he
says.

"Come in Ryan, it's open," Tyler says thinking that it's
Ryan.  Kevin opens the door; Tyler is sitting facing out the
window.

"Good morning dad," he says and Tyler quickly turns,
covering his mouth with his hand.  Kevin rushes inside, and
he takes his dad in his arms, kissing him on the face.

"I love you dad, I've missed you so much," he tells him as
the tears start to fall.  David softly steps back out into the
hall and closes the door, to give them time alone.

"When did you get back son?" Tyler asks.

"This morning, our plane got in an hour ago," he tells him
sitting beside him on the sofa.  He has his arm around Tyler
and he is holding him snugly, kissing his dad's head.

"I suppose you know of your dad's death," Tyler says
looking up at his son.

"Yes dad, I heard shortly after the fact, you wrote me," he
tells him.

"He died a lonely, bitter man son, no matter how much I
tried to get him to shed that hatred...." and he can't say
anymore.  "I guess you know that David must have been
killed in the war son," he says to Kevin.  "His dads never
got a letter the entire time that you've been gone."

"He didn't die dad," Kevin says getting up and walking to
the door.  He opens it and motions David inside, and Tyler
starts to cry.

"My God son you're alive," he says as he rushes to give
him a hug.  "We thought that you were dead, when we
never heard from you son."

"I was as wrong not to write home, as wrong as Dan,"
David says holding Tyler's hands.  "I let bitterness and
lack of forgiveness keep me from the ones I love," he says to Tyler.
"But forgiveness did lead me to the one that I fell in love with."

"I am so happy for you son," Tyler says.  "When may I
meet this lucky person that has captured your heart?"

David takes Kevin by the hand and says. "I would like you
to meet the man that I will spend the rest of my life with,
Kevin Barkley-Cooper."

Tyler bursts into tears, and hugs the two of them as Ryan
and Sean come in the room.

"I always knew you two would someday find each other.
Now let's all go downstairs, I want to hear everything from
the very beginning," Tyler says with his arms through each
of the boy's arms.

They all go downstairs; the boys give them the complete
story of what happened to them from the time they left
Parris Island up to the present.

"I am thankful I didn't know of your injury," Tyler says. "It
would have killed me, to think of losing you also."

"I thought I had lost him forever," David says kissing
Kevin's hand.  "I am so thankful that God gave him back to
me," he says as they kiss.

"Well what are you two going to do now?" Sean asks.

"We have not given that much thought," David says. "I
would like Kevin to go to college, if he wants to, but
whatever he decides I will support his decision," David
says giving Kevin a kiss.

They enjoy a wonderful lunch, catching up on what has
gone on at home.  Later that evening, David and Ryan are
alone, talking.

"Dad...." he says pausing. "I would like to find my real
father's family.  I would like to know if I had any brothers
or sisters," he tells Ryan.

"I always wondered if you would want to know what your
real family was like," Ryan says.  "I can help you son," he
says taking his hand in his. "Of course you know, that they
must never know what happened to Lawrence," he says
with a heavy heart.  "I will always regret not stopping
Matthew from killing that boy," he says as tears come to
his eyes and he turns from David.

"Dad don't do this to yourself, it's in the past," David says
turning his dad to him.  "I forgave you, now you must
forgive yourself, dad."

"I know son, but I robbed you of your natural father," he
says trying to smile.  "I don't know if I can ever forgive
myself."

"Dad he was evil, look what he did to my mother," David
says. "I could never love a father like that.  You and Sean
have been more of a father to me than any blood father
could have been," he says kissing Ryan on the cheek.  "I
love you and dad so much, and I would not trade you for
any natural dad."

"Well tomorrow I will call the agency I use, and have them
locate Lawrence's family.  I know he came from the Dallas
area, but that is all I do know.  Your father's surname was
Carter, his father was a cattleman up in the Dallas area."

"Then that's where we should start," David says.  "Now
dad, I have a very handsome man waiting for me upstairs
that needs my loving," he says getting up and kissing his
dad goodnight.

"As do I son," Ryan says taking David's arm as they go
upstairs.

The next morning Sean is off to court, and Kevin and Tyler
go shopping for new clothes.  Kevin and David have both
outgrown their pre-marine ones, and need the current
styles.  Ryan and David are sitting together as Ryan makes
a call.

"Hello Gary, this is Ryan Strathmore calling."

"Hello Ryan, I recognized your voice sir," Gary tells him.
"What can I do for you, sir?"

"I have a project Gary, my adopted son would like to find
his natural father's family," he tells him.

"Well have you got a name for me or a town to start with,"
he asks.

"Both," Ryan says. "His name was Lawrence Carter, and
he came from the Dallas area.  His family was in the cattle
business there."

"Well that makes my job easy," he says.  "Give me a
couple of days, and I will get back to you Ryan."

"Well son, the ball is rolling now," he tells him.  "Are you
excited son?"

"Scared is more the word.  I cannot forget the reason I am
on this earth, dad.  His family may not want to meet me
after all the pain involved," he says.

Two days later Gary calls back with the facts he found.

"Ryan, I have located his family in Dallas," he tells him.
"He has a grandfather and grandmother alive, and no other
living relatives.  It appears that Lawrence was an only child
for the couple.  They are a very respected and well to do
family in Texas.  I have an address and telephone number
for you," he tells Ryan.

"He is going to be so pleased, Gary.  Thank you for your
hard work," Ryan tells him.  "Can you have a courier bring
the information over to my home today?" he asks.

"Yes sir, I have business in your neighborhood, so I will
drop it off myself," Gary says and they hang up.

Later that evening at dinner, Ryan gives David the package
with the information in it.

"This is all the information that Gary found on your
father's family, son," Ryan says handing David the
envelope.  David opens the envelope and takes out the
papers.

The Gary Sinehelm Detective Agency.
To: Mr. Ryan Strathmore

The family of Lawrence Carter II
Seven Oaks Farm
Dallas, Texas
Grandfather: Andrew Carter
Grandmother: Marie (Henderson) Carter
No other siblings known.
Telephone: 214-555-9863

The Carter family is a well-known and respected cattle and
banking family.  Their estimated net worth is in excess of
998.6 million dollars.

"My God dad, this man is quite something in Texas,"
David says passing the letter to Kevin.  "How should I
precede now dad?" he asks Ryan.


"That is totally up to you son," Ryan says. "I would
probably call and talk to the family first, before traveling
out there."

"What if they don't want to meet me"? David asks.

"Well that's their choice, is it not?" Ryan says.  "Besides, I
can't imagine anyone not wanting to meet someone as
handsome as you."

That night in bed, David and Kevin are discussing the
matter.

"What do you think babe," David asks Kevin.  "Should I
pursue this?"

"How bad do you need to know, love?" Kevin asks.

"I need to know what kind of people I come from.  I know
what my father was like, but that doesn't necessarily mean
his family was the same," he says.

"My grandmother is still living in Texas.  Why don't we go
for a visit and you can look up the Carter's." Kevin
suggests.

"That sounds like a good idea, we can take your dad
along," he says.  "My dads could use some time together
alone.  Now, how about us making some time together sexy
man." David says climbing on top on Kevin.  "I have a
Marine that is itching for a barrack to cuddle in."

"Oh do you now?" Kevin says reaching to turn out the
light.

"Oh what a soldier," Kevin says as David invades his ass.
Their lips meet and they kiss, that kiss is exactly like the one
they shared the first time they kissed.  It brought them to a
place that they shared with no other on earth, alone in their
own time.  David rhythmically fucks Kevin in no hurry to
climax, as their hearts sing a song to each other.  Their
bodies are one as they are joined together, riding the waves
of their love.

"David you fill my heart with so much love, as you love me
with all of your being," Kevin says.

"You give to me your heart and your soul babe, as my man
you have made me complete."

They slowly and rhythmically ride up and down as they
soon reach their climax together.  As Kevin shoots forth his
seed between them, David sends forth his into Kevin.  They
ride back and forth, as they share their love's high, slowly
coming down to their selves.

"I love you so much my lover," says Kevin.

"I love you more than my life," replies David.  They kiss as
they hold onto each other so tight, as if letting go they
might lose each other.  They lay side by side, as they soon
fall asleep, David holding Kevin tightly in his arms.

The next morning they share their news with their dads.

"So dad, what do you think?" David asks Ryan.

"It sounds like a good idea son, besides your grandmother
would love to see you again," Ryan says looking at Kevin.

"You would like to go also dad, wouldn't you?" Kevin asks
Tyler.  "You haven't been home in years, and grandmother
is getting on in years," he says to Tyler.

"Yes son, I guess now is as good a time as any," he says
remembering the circumstances in which he left.

"Good, I will call Blanche and have her make the airline
arrangements," Ryan says referring to his personal
secretary.  "What a difference traveling is now that we have
air travel. When do you plan on going?"

"Well if all are in agreement, this Saturday would be nice,"
David says looking around the table at everyone.

Everyone agreed and left on Saturday.  The flight saved
them two days compared to train travel.  Carl picked them
up at the airport.

"Grandmother," Kevin said as he gave her a hug and kiss.
"I have missed you so much."

"Well not so much that you waited nine years to come and
see me," she says in a scolding voice.  "But you are here
now and that's what matters."

"Hello mother," Tyler says somewhat coolly.  "How have
you been?"

"Hello Tyler," She says rather sharply,  "and where is that
.....that man of yours," she asks bitterly searching for a word.

"He died mother, several years ago," he says looking away.

"Well no great loss then," she says turning and leading the
others into the parlor.  Tyler stands there and tears come to
his eyes, as Kevin comes up to his side.

"He may have had his faults," Tyler says, "but he always
loved me with all his heart," and he cries in Kevin's arms.

"I know dad, and I miss him also," Kevin says holding his
dad.

"So you are my grandson's love interest, are you," she says
sharply looking at David up and down.  "I must say he has
a good eye for the looks," as she moves his head side to
side with her hand.

"Yes Mrs. Barkley," David says.

"Now please, grandmother is good enough young man.  So
he tells me you are here to search out your family roots,"
she says pouring her a sherry.  "Would you like a drink
young man?"

"No thank you grandmother," he replies.  "Yes, my natural
father came from the Dallas area," he tells her.

"Oh really, and what was his name?" she asks taking a sip.

"His name was Lawrence Carter, grandmother."

"Not of the Seven Oaks Carter's?" she asks.

"Yes, have you heard of them?" he asks excitedly.

"Who hasn't that lives in Texas," she says taking another
larger drink.  "The family owns most of the land around
Dallas, not to mention the banks they hold.  The old man
has his hands in almost everything in the Dallas area.  A
real asshole, if I do say so myself."

"What do you mean by asshole?" he asks.

"He gets what he wants and he doesn't care who he steps
on to get it.  His poor wife is just an ornament to him,
someone to fuck when he feels like it.  They say his son,
your dad, was just like him.  Took what he wanted when he
wanted it."

"Well I still plan on meeting them," he tells her.

"Why anyone would intentionally want to be a part of that
family is beyond me," she says downing the rest of her
drink as Tyler and Kevin walk in.

"Well now, feel better now that you got it out of your
system Tyler?" she says pouring a sherry and handing it to
Tyler.  "Here drink it, maybe this will make a man out of
you."

"Grandmother please," Kevin says.  "We didn't come here
to take your abuse.  Dad doesn't deserve to be treated like
this," he says angrily at his grandmother.  "If you can't
show him proper respect... well... we will go to a hotel and
stay."

"Oh calm your britches grandson," she says.  "I'm sorry
Tyler, I am happy that you have come home for a visit.  It's
just that the last time you and Dan were here, well he was
so obnoxious and rude about .... well.... I'm sorry son," she
says and gives him a kiss and hug.

"You don't have to dance around me, grandmother," David
says.  "I know how Dan felt about me.  I have forgiven him
and you should also."

"Well lets have some drinks," she says breaking open the
liquor cabinet.  I have an old fashioned barbeque planned
for dinner tonight, Texas style and a few of your old friends," she says.

They had a marvelous dinner and Tyler saw some of his
high school friends, one stayed and talked long into the
evening.  His name was Troy Grant, and he played football
with Tyler.

"It was so nice to see you again Troy," Tyler says.  "What
have you been doing with yourself since high school?"

"Well let's see. I went to Texas A & M for business, and
upon graduation I went into ranching.  I have a six hundred
acre ranch outside of Houston, with over three hundred
thousand head of cattle," he tells him.

"Did you ever marry, Troy," he asks.

"No I guess I never took the time to find the right person, I
did have the right person at one time but they slipped
away," he says looking down at his lap.  "I hear that you
kind of found someone to share your life with," he says
looking up at Tyler, catching him off guard.

"What do you mean heard Troy?" Tyler asks a bit nervous.

"Well Mark, you know Mark Spencer from school, he went
to Boston College for a spell.  I guess he never finished,"
he says.  "Well he was saying you were living with this
man from down here, a Daniel Cooper, and that you two
were.... well....I really can't say it Tyler," he says turning
red with embarrassment.

"We were what Troy, lovers?" he asks looking at him in the
eyes.

"Well yeah, that was the rumor," he says and looks down.
"It doesn't matter to me, who you live or love with," he
says looking at him again.  "Only that....God this is hard
Ty," he says stammering.

"Troy, look at me," Tyler says now going and sitting next
to him.  "Just say what is in your heart."

"Well I have never been one for rumors Ty, and I hate what
damage they can cause," he says now looking right in his
eyes.  "But, I have .... I .... well I am just going to say it and
you can do as you please Ty.  I have loved you since we
were in high school Ty, and I still do.  There, I said it and
now I will leave," he says as he stands to leave.

"Why didn't you ever tell me, Troy?" Tyler asks him
taking Troy by the hand.

"Well it was not something that a man tells another man
back then, and it still isn't," he says.  "You must hate me
for what I am, Ty," he says and his eyes are wet with tears.

"Troy I do not hate you, I never knew how you felt.  I did
live with Daniel Cooper, and we were lovers," he tells
Troy.  "Daniel died several years ago from a heart attack."

"I am so sorry Ty," he says.  "Well I will go, I'm sorry for
baring my soul to you," he says still teary eyed.

"Troy," Tyler says as he puts his hands on Troy's waist.  "I
want you to stay with me tonight," he says and pulls him in
for a kiss.  Troy wraps his arms around him, and kisses him
hard and long.

"I have wanted to do that for more than twenty years Ty,"
he says looking in his eyes.  "I love you so much and that's
why I have never had someone in my life, you were the one
that slipped away.  I always held out hope that one day this
very thing would happen," he says and kisses him again.

Tyler takes him by the hand and leads him upstairstha to his
bedroom for the night.  They stand near the window as the
moon shines in, and it softens the years on the men.  Troy
slowly undresses Tyler, and he kisses his skin, as he slowly
removes his shirt.  He kneels down and removes Tyler's
shoes and undoes his pants, then pulls them off him.  He
places his thumbs in the band of Tyler's briefs, and slowly
pulls them off.  Tyler unbuttons Troy's shirt exposing his
hairy chest, and he kisses his nipples.  Troy lets out a sigh
as he finally experiences his dream, and Tyler lightly
nibbles his nipples.  He undoes Troy's jeans and pulls them
off, grabbing his boxers with them.  He kneels before Troy
and takes his cock into his mouth.  Troy moans out in
pleasure as he feels his cock move slowly down Tyler's
throat. Tyler swallows it all until he feels his nose in Troy's
hair at the base of his cock.

"Be careful there," Troy calls out.  "I've never done this
and you have me so close love," as Tyler pulls off his cock
and they move to the bed.  Tyler lies on the bed and pulls
Troy down between his legs.  Tyler reaches down and
positions Troy's cock, and Troy slowly pushes in.  Tyler
moans out as the head pops in, remembering how good it
felt.

"Are you all right love?" Troy asks.  "I'm not hurting you
am I"?

"No you're doing just fine cowboy," Tyler says.
Troy slowly pulls out and then quickly pushes in, and Tyler
pushes up to meet him.  They soon find their rhythm, and
they fuck, two men in love.  It doesn't take long and Troy's
cock starts to swell, he is close and he wants to know.

"I'm going to cum love, do I pull out?" he asks.

"No cowboy, fill me with your love," Tyler says wrapping
his arms around him and kissing him hard.  It takes a
couple of pushes and Troy soon erupts, and yells out in
ecstasy.  He picks up his pace as he shoots his seed, deep
into the man he loves.

"I love you Tyler so much.  I know it may be too soon for
you, but would you consider moving in with me?  I want to
share what years we have left together love," he says and
kisses him softly and passionately.

"Can I let you know in the morning cowboy?" Tyler asks.

"Sure enough can love," he says.  He pulls out of Tyler and
he sits up, looking down at Tyler's cock.  He bends and he
takes it into his hand, and he puts it into his mouth.  He
slowly starts to move up and down on his cock, taking
more of it each time he goes down.  When it hits the back
of his throat he gags, pulls off some and then tries again.
This time he swallows when it hits the back, and it slides
down his throat.  He lets out a groan as he starts to suck,
pleased that he has the man that he loves.  He goes up and
down and he soon has Tyler close.

"You might want to pull off Troy, I'm going to cum and
being your first time," he says but Troy starts to suck faster.
He shoots his load into Troy's mouth, and Troy swallows
as much as he can.  Shot after shot Tyler shoots, for it has
been a long time for him.  Troy keeps sucking until Tyler
has no more to give, and he lets his soft cock fall from his
mouth.  Tyler pulls him up and gives him a kiss.

"God that was so good cowboy," Tyler says.  "I
might keep you around for my own one man rodeo," he
says and Troy holds him tight and kisses him just as hard.
They move into a spooning position with Tyler's back
against Troy, and they soon fall asleep.

"Sounds like dad and Troy found each other after all these
years," Kevin says turning to David.

"Yeah it sure sounded like it," David says kissing his man
good night.

The next morning they acted surprised to see Troy still
there, and Tyler told the boys about the night and Troy's
proposal.

"You are going to accept it dad, aren't you," Kevin says.

"Well I wanted to check with you first son.  I did not want
you to think that I stopped loving your dad, but I need to
have someone that loves me and I can love in my life," he
tells his son.

"I will make your dad happy, Kevin, I promise you," Troy
says to him as he takes Tyler's hand in his.  "I have loved
your dad since we were in high school, and I always hoped
that one day we would be together."

"Dad, you have my blessing," he says giving both of them
a kiss.  "I know that you will be happy together."

"I knew you two belonged together," Tyler's mother says
walking into the room.  "Why do you think I invited him
over yesterday?" she says smiling at the two of them.

"Thank you mother, you don't know how happy you've
made me," Tyler says giving her a hug.

"Yes I do son, I may be a miserable old woman, but I know
what love is between two hearts that are meant to be," she
says as her eyes tear up.  "Can you forgive me for the
heartache I have caused you through the years, son?"

"Mother I have always forgiven you, you are my mother,
and I love you," he says hugging her tight.

"Thank you son now lets have a drink to celebrate.  It has
to be twelve o'clock somewhere in this blasted country,"
she says heading for the liquor cabinet.

David gets up and quietly slips out to use the telephone.
He takes out the letter with the phone number on it and
dials it.

"Hello, this is the Carter residence.  How may I help you,"
a voice says.

"This is David Strathmore, and I would like to speak to Mr.
Carter please," he says.

"I'm sorry, but he is not at home this morning, may I take a
message?" the lady asks.

"Is Mrs. Carter at home?" he then asks.

"Yes sir, please hold one minute," she says and sets the
phone down.

"Hello this is Mrs. Carter, whom am I speaking to"? she asks.

"This is David Strathmore, and I am your grandson," he
says.  There is a long silence until she speaks.

"I think you are mistaken young man.  I have no children to
give me grandchildren," she says.

"My father was Lawrence Carter," he tells her, again
there is a long silence.

"Young man, you may think this amusing, but I assure you
I do not," she says quite angrily.

"I do not find it amusing. I know that your son is dead.  My
mother was Beth Cooper, he...." but he is interrupted.

"I know about and who she was," she says sadly.  "Where
are you calling from?" she asks.

"I am in Houston, ma'am, and I would very much like to
meet you and my grandfather," he says.

"He is away until tomorrow," she tells him, "why don't you
come over this afternoon," she says.

"That would be fine ma'am, around one if that's all right,"
he asks.

"One is fine, David," she says. "Do you know where we
live?"

"Yes ma'am, I have your address."

"That's fine, I will see you then," and she hangs up.  He turns
around, Kevin is standing there, and he suddenly breaks
down and cries.  Kevin takes him in his arms and holds him
as he lets it out.

"She wants to see me," he says when he finally stops
crying.  "I'm going there at one today."

"Do you want me to come with you," he asks.

"No this is something I need to do alone."

He goes upstairs and showers, and then dresses in his best clothes.
He gets directions from Troy how to get there, and he
leaves.  He gets there about a quarter of one, and he sits in
the car and waits.  He is thinking about what he will say,
and he wonders what she will think of him.  At one, he
walks up to the door and rings the bell, and waits nervously
for someone to answer.

"Hello," a gray haired lady says.  "You must be David,
please come in."  He enters and follows as she leads the
way into a grand sitting room.

"Please have a seat, young man," she says gesturing to a
chair.  "May I offer you anything to drink?" she asks.

"No thank you ma'am," he answers, too nervous to drink.

"Well I must say that you caught me quite off guard this
morning with that bit of news," she said sitting opposite
David and watching him.  "You are quite a handsome
young man," she says and turns her head hiding her tears.

"I am sorry for upsetting you ma'am, but I have wanted to
know who my family was for many years," he says moving
over beside her.

"It is that you so look like my Lawrence," she says moving
her hand across his hair. "He had blonde hair and blue eyes
as you do David, and that same strong chin as you," she
says holding his chin in her hand. "He died in a boating
accident, many, many years ago.  It was not right what he
did to your mother," she says holding her hand and a
handkerchief to her face.  "I told him and my husband that,
but they would not listen to me.  When I heard that she had
a baby, I so much wanted to help her.  However, my
husband would have nothing to do with the family." and
she drifts off in thought.  "Now young man, how may I
help you?"

"I don't need help, ma'am," David tells her.  "I only
wanted to meet my family and get to know them."

"Please David, I hope that in time you can call me
grandmother," she says, again tearing up.  "I had given up
all hope of ever having grandchildren, especially when I
heard of your mother's death and your adoption."

"I have very nice parents back in Boston Massachusetts,"
he tells her.

"Oh my, Yankees," she says as if it were a disease.  "Not
the Strathmore's of Strathmore Industries," she asks.

"Yes ma'am, the same ones.  I am the sole heir to that
empire," he tells her.

"My you have done well for yourself," she says.  "I thought
that Ryan Strathmore was a single man," she asks.

He knows he must be careful not knowing her.  "He is now
ma'am."

"I see, but he was with someone when you were adopted
then," she inquires.

"Yes ma'am," he says knowing he is not lying, for he was
with Sean, ashamed to mention that they are gay.

"I have a lunch prepared for us David, you are hungry I
hope," she says.

"Yes ma'.... grandmother," he says and her face lights up.

"Good lets have some lunch, and you can tell me all about
yourself," she says taking him by the arm as she leads him
to the dining room.  They have a nice lunch and he tells her
of his life from the time of adoption up to the present,
leaving out about Kevin.  She tells him about his father and
how his grandfather made him the kind of person he was.
It was around seven when he finally decided to leave.

"Thank you grandmother for meeting with me today," he
says giving her a hug.

"David please come back, I want you to meet your
grandfather," she says. "I know he will fall in love with you
just like I did," she says giving him a kiss on the cheek.  He
leaves and he feels as if a part of him as been found. And
yet he knows he still feels ashamed of his lifestyle as he
drives home thinking to himself.  He gets home and it is
late, and Kevin is waiting up for him.

"You all right love?" Kevin asks taking him in his arms as
he comes in.

"Yeah it went great today, she is a wonderful
woman," he tells him pulling away.

"Did you tell her about us?" he asks.

"Are you crazy," he says looking at him as if he was a
lunatic.  "I just met the woman, you don't go springing that
on them.  Hi, I'm your grandson, and I am gay."

"Sorry David, forgive me." Kevin says but he senses
something is different.

"Yeah you know I do," but he does not sound
convincing.

"Want to go to bed love?  I waited up for you," Kevin says.

"No not right now, you go I will be up later," he says
walking away.  Kevin watches him and turns to go upstairs,
then stops and comes back down.

"David are we all right"? Kevin asks.

"Why the fuck would you ask me that"? he says in a harsh
tone.

"Well for that reason for one," he says and his eyes tear up.
"I know you're ashamed of us," he says and runs out of the
room.  David turns to watch as he runs from the room and
turns back to think.

'She did make me feel cheap and degraded today about
myself,' he thinks to himself.  I could not even tell her that
two gay men raised me; I was ashamed of that fact.  How
could I tell her about Kevin'?

He goes upstairs and Kevin is lying on the bed crying.  He
walks over and sits beside him.

"I'm so sorry babe," he says bending and kissing the back
of Kevin's head.  "She made me feel like our lifestyle was
cheap and vulgar."

"Are you going back?" he asks from the pillow.

"She wants me to meet my grandfather," he says.

"Well if she made you feel that way, how much more will
he make you feel"? Kevin asks.  "I don't want to come
between you and your new family."

"Babe please, I love you," he says kissing his neck.  "I am
not ashamed of you babe, it was just the way she made me
feel about what we do."

"You mean sucking cock and fucking ass, David?" he says
turning towards him.  "Well here's a wake up call, that is
what we do stud, I suck cock and you fuck my ass," he says
and gets up and walks out of the room.  David sits there in
shock; he has never seen this side of Kevin.  He falls back
on the bed to think and he soon falls to sleep.

The next morning he wakes and he is still dressed.  He sits
up and finds a letter beside him.  He opens it and pulls out
the letter.


My Dearest David,

This letter is the hardest thing I have ever had to write. I
have gone to stay with my dad and Troy until you can
make up your mind about where we stand as a couple.  I
have never wanted to be an embarrassment to you, but now
I feel that we, or rather, our life together is just that for you.
I hope that whatever you decide you find happiness in the
path that you choose love.  My heart will always be yours
my darling, but I release you from our bond, so that you
may find the life you need.

Your Lover Forever,
Kevin.

David sat there staring at the letter, and he wondered what
to do.  He knew he loved Kevin and he should go after him,
but he wanted to know his family also.  He lay on the bed
and he cried, he cried for almost an hour.  When he got up,
he called his dads in Boston.  He desperately needed their
advice.

"Dad I need your help," he said to Sean.  "Kevin has left
me and I don't know what to do, dad."

"What?  When did this happen, son?" he asks.  "What
happened to cause him to leave?"

"It was me dad, I went to meet my grandmother. She made
me feel so ashamed of the lifestyle I'm living, dad."

"David did she say something to you about it," he asks.

"Not directly, she mentioned that she thought that Ryan
was single and wondered how he could adopt."

"And what did you say to her about that?"

"I told her that he was now but not at the time of the
adoption.  Then Kevin asked if I told her about him and us,
and I snapped at him about how you don't just blurt that out
the first time you meet someone.  Then we had an argument
about us and how we live, and when I got up this morning
he was gone dad."

"Well son, it does sound like you are ashamed of how we
all live and love.  You even sounded ashamed of Ryan and
me son.  I recommend that you find your own true feelings.
Once you have done that, then your heart will tell you what
to do son.  I have to go, Ryan is waiting for me to pick him
up.  Good luck with your decision, and son, I love you no
matter what you decide about us."

It didn't seem to help him as he hung up the phone.  He
thought talking to his dad would give him the answer he
was looking for.  He knew he had just hurt his dad's
feelings also.  He went downstairs and Kevin's
grandmother was waiting for him in the parlor.

"David come in here and sit with me a spell," she says
patting the seat beside her.  "The walls are very thin in
these old houses, and I don't sleep like I used to.  I don't
profess to understand the ways of love between two men,
but love is love I presume.  I know that the two of you have
had a lovers quarrel, and he is over at my son's home.  So
why don't you tell me what is going on, and maybe
between the two of us we can work it out?" she says.

David explained everything to her, from his feelings at his
grandmothers to his missing Kevin.

"Well it looks to me like these new family members have
given you a bad case of self-righteousness," she says.  "If
they truly love you, as I do my own, then whether you love
a man or a woman doesn't matter.  What matters is that
they love you as you, and accept you as you are.  Sugar,
don't try to be something that you are not, it will only eat at
you like a cancer, until it has destroyed the real you. Just be
who you were created to be.  Now has any of this
helped you love?" she asks.

"Grandmother it has more than you will ever know," he
says and rushes out the door.

"Well that was good, now I need a drink," she says getting
up and going over to the cabinet.

David drove over to Troy and Tyler's house and he
pounded on the door. When no one answered, he stepped
back and looked up at the upstairs windows.  He could see
Kevin standing there in the window, and he stands further
back and he yells.

"Kevin Jacob Barkley-Cooper, I love you. You get your
sweet ass down here this minute or I will break that door
down.  I love you babe, and I want to spend the rest of my
life with you."

The door opens and Kevin is standing there, and David
looks at him.  David opens his arms wide and Kevin runs
into his waiting arms.  David wraps his arms around him
and he kisses the man of his dreams.

"I love you Kevin, please forgive me for the pain I caused
you," he says as he starts to tear up.

"I already did love, I love you so my love."  They stood
there and kissed as their passion grew, and their love grew
stronger that day.

"Go and get dressed, I need to take you somewhere," he
tells him.

"Where are we going," Kevin asks.

"You will see when we get there, now move lover man," he
says slapping his ass.

Kevin got dressed and they left in the car.  David drove to
his grandmother's home.

"David is this what I think it is," Kevin asks as they drive
up to his grandmother's house.

"This is my grandmother's house, I want her to meet you,"
he says.

"David you don't have to do this to prove anything to me,"
Kevin says.

"I know I don't, but I have to prove it to myself," he says
and he gives him a kiss.

David rings the doorbell and the servant answers it, and
shows them inside.

"David how nice to see you again, and who is this young
man?" she asks.

"Grandmother before we go any further in our relationship,
I want to tell you something about me.  This is Kevin.  He
is the man that I live with and love," he says and waits for a
response.  "I thought that you should know before you have
me waste any more of your time and meet grandfather."

"Wow, talk about coming from left field," she says.  "That
is not something you hear too often down here in Texas,"
she says.  "I know how much courage it must have taken
for you to come here and tell me.  I do not understand
things like this, nor do I profess to judge them.  I learned
many years ago not to judge anything. I have always
wanted a grandchild, and your orientation doesn't matter to
me," she says.

"Well I did get the impression yesterday that it did," he
says.  "You see, I was raised by two dads," he tells her.

"I figured that much out many years ago," she says as she
leads them into the sitting room.  "I had an investigator
track you down.  Your grandfather and I have come to an
understanding.  He may think he is the head of this castle," she
says.  "But I am the neck that turns the head.  He cost me my son,
long before he vanished.  He does as I say now, and well, I have you
now and now I have two grandsons," she says hugging
them both.  "You do know David that as the joint heir, you
will inherit Seven Oaks someday," she says and he looks at
her with a puzzled look. "You do have one other relative,"
she says, "you have a sister.  Like you, she was a product of
my son's evil side.  Her name is Jeanne Marie Tremont,
and she lives in Fort Worth.  She is one month older
than you are, and she knows only that her father raped her
mother causing her to be born.  She does not know about
you yet, but she does know that I am her grandmother.  I do
see her from time to time, but she is a very busy young
lady.  I think it's time that the two of you met."

"A sister," he says looking at Kevin. "I never thought that
one day I would have a sister."

"She is coming for dinner tomorrow, so if the two of you
would come, that way you can meet her and your
grandfather also. And David, plan to spend the night, ok?"

"Yes grandmother, and thank you," he says and gives her a
big hug and kiss.  "I love you so much," he tells her.

"I love you also, David."

David and Kevin drive home, happy that they are finally
back together and David has his family.  He gets back to
Troy's house and he calls his dad.

"Dad is Sean there?" he says to Ryan.

"David what is it son?" Sean asks getting on the phone.

"I am so sorry for hurting you," he says.  "I knew after I
hung up, that I had hurt you when I called you."

"Yes son you did, but that's part of being a dad," he says
with pride.  "I never needed to forgive you, you did nothing
to be forgiven for."

"I love you so much and I am so proud to be your son," he
tells him.  "Kevin and I are together again.  I took him to
my grandmother's and I told her all about me and how I
grew up and about dad and you.  All she said was that
she already knew dad."

"I take it then that you have reconciled yourself to who you
are son," Sean asks.

"Yeah dad, I know who and what I am, and have no plans
for changing."

"Son, want some good news?" Sean asks. "Ryan and I are
coming out there to shop around for a place to buy."

"Really dad?  You aren't kidding me, are you?" David
asks.

"No son we really are, we are flying in on flight 2698
tomorrow, arriving at nine-thirty.  Wait, your dad wants to
say hello."

"David, isn't that great news son?" Ryan says all excited.
"Did you work out your problems son?"

"Yeah dad I did.  Grandmother is great, and guess what, I
have a natural sister," he tells him.

"A sister?" Ryan says, "When did this come about?"

"She happened like me, except her mom is still alive, and
was born one month before me," he tells Ryan.  "So dad,
you probably did Texas a favor," he says to Ryan.

"David please, I still am haunted by that, but I am happy
that you have someone that is family."

"You and dad will always be my family dad, don't you ever
forget that. I love you more than any flesh and blood relative."

"That makes me so happy son," he says.  "Well we have to
finish packing, so we will see you tomorrow babe.  Oh it is
American Airlines son, dad forgot to tell you the airline."

"I love you dad, see you tomorrow."

David told Kevin about his dads coming out and how they
were going to look for a place to buy.  The next day they
were up early, and headed to the airport.  They parked the
car and went inside.

"Their flight is coming in on gate 17."  They waited
patiently for the flight to arrive and then they heard the
announcement.

"Will those people waiting for passengers on flight 2698
arriving at nine-thirty, please come to passenger services
located on the main concourse," the female voice
announced.

To be continued .

Comments welcomed at randyhoward2@yahoo.com