Date: Tue, 04 Jan 2000 19:47:06 PST
From: Robert J. Cutter <cutter57@hotmail.com>
Subject: "WINE COUNTRY - Chapter 10"  (Man/Man)

Disclaimer:  The following is a work of fiction.  It contains detailed
depictions of male/male consensual sex.  If you are averse to anything
homosexual, please go elsewhere.

Important Notice: This is the tenth chapter in a novel length work about
Jevin, Nick, Jack, their friends and families.  Please send any comments to:
cutter57@hotmail.com.  Please note that this is the only feedback I get.  So
take a minute and make your opinions known.  Please include /RJC57/ on the
subject line of all e-mails.                               Robert J. Cutter


				WINE  COUNTRY
			----------------------------
	Copyright (c) 2000 by Robert J. Cutter - All Rights Reserved

The author retains all rights to this story.  It is not permissible to
distribute it to any newsgroups and/or other web sites without the express
written consent and permission of the author.


			 Chapter 10 - Nick and Will

I was an overcast Saturday morning.  Nick Turner was busily working on a
vintage car parked in the driveway of his home.  He sat on the fender,
leaning into the engine compartment and feeling somewhat depressed having to
spend still another weekend alone at the house.  Uncle Jack was off at
the shop for the morning and early afternoon; then he would go off to Santa
Rosa or San Francisco or wherever trying again to connect with someone for a
weekend stand.

Every weekend it was the same goddamned routine - and Nick was getting bored
and tired of it all.  After the terrible scene with Jevin this week Nick was
surprised that the guy was still trying.  Jack hadn't been lucky for a long
time now, except for that kid, and that had ended so very, very badly.
Jevin
seemed to be such a nice person, too.  When Jack just brushed him off, Nick
was certain that Jack was no longer made for these weekend prowlings.  The
guy was definitely getting too old.

Nick wanted to get the adjustments to the engine finished and the new spark
plugs installed before the inevitable winter rains came later in the day.
He was working while listening to the Metropolitan Opera radio broadcast of
the week.  Suddenly he became aware of a Range Rover pulling into the
driveway.  It was unfamiliar to him and he could not see who was driving.
The vehicle stopped and the engine shut off.

A tall, very good-looking man stepped out.  He had to be at least 6'-4" and
very, very well built - wide full chest tapering down to a slim waist.  He
was wearing jeans, a red and black flannel shirt, cowboy boots and a yellow
rain jacket.  To Nick, he was just absolutely gorgeous - about the most
magnificent man he had seen in years - years of abstinence and filled with
unending frustrations.  However, after taking his eyes off this attractive
guy, he noticed two young children getting out of the back of the Rover.

The man walked up to Nick and extended his hand.  Nick swung around on he
fender and shook the extended hand.  "Hi," the man said with a stunning,
wide smile on his face.  "I'm Will Kennedy and these are my two kids, Sarah
and Elijah.  And I just love that car you're working on."

"Hiya, I'm Nick Turner, and the car isn't mine.  I'm doing the work for a
client who lives in the LA area.  He has it trucked up here periodically so
I can work on it."  Nick looked into his incredibly blue eyes and seemed to
lose himself in them.  He looked quickly down, away from those hypnotic
eyes.  He noticed, to his dismay, that the guy was wearing a wedding band.

"Daddy, daddy," the young girl said in a whiney voice as she pulled on her
father's jacket.  "That man had no legs.  Look daddy, that nice man has no
legs."

"I can see that, honey."

"Wha' happen to 'em, daddy?  Wha' happen?"

"Sweetie, please don't ask that now.  I'll find out later.  Now please,
Sarah, fewer questions, okay?"

She nodded.  Nick noticed that she was a very cute kid with gorgeous
strawberry-blonde hair, very vivid blue eyes and a beautiful pale complexion
with plenty of freckles.  She was four or five years old, Nick guessed.  He
then noticed the boy who walked behind his father and sister.  He looked
about six or seven and had the same physical characteristics as his sister -
hair color, eyes and complexion.  To pick them as siblings was not
difficult.  "Good-looking father, good-looking children," Nick thought.

"Incredible car!" Will Kennedy said almost to himself as he walked around
the vehicle.  "It's phenomenal.  Just magnificent!  '34 Pierce-Arrow,
right?"

"Right."  Nick was stunned that this guy had correctly identified the year
and make of the car.  "It's a 1240A convertible coupe.  Less than 300 were
ever made."

"I know!  It's the year they went bankrupt.  I've been trying to buy one
like it for years!"  This attractive hunk not only knew about the car he
also knew the history of the car.  Nick looked at him closely.  Besides
being tall he had a very handsome smooth face, big hands, and dark brown
hair worn in a long ponytail.   His demeanor and his appearance said "money"
- lots and lots of money.

"Yeah, it is.  You know, only one person in a million would know that.  How
did you know?"

Will laughed a hearty masculine laugh.  "I happen to own a considerable
collection of antique and vintage automobiles."

"Oh!  Of course!  Will Kennedy!  You guys're the new residents at that
fabulous house up north a bit...uh...Hermitage Park.  Yes, yes I read about
you in the papers."  Nick paused and spoke in a low voice.  "I was really
sorry to hear about your parents.  I was very shocked and upset when I read
about the accident.  Please accept my condolences."

"Thanks, Nick, I appreciate that."  Will turned away for a second or two
before continuing.  "Yes, we moved in about a month ago.  The kids and I
were taking a drive, looking at our vineyards around the county.  There's
one just up at the end of this road, you know."

"The Winterset Vineyards.  Yes, I know it.  Very nice place - and great
wines!"

"As you can imagine, the kids are rather bored with it all.  'Still more
dead plants to look at, Will?'  I keep telling them they're not dead, just
sleeping for the winter, but that doesn't matter.  Anyway, what're you doing
with this beauty?"

"Oh, I'm just tuning it, replacing the plugs and doing some other
maintenance work."

"I notice you're listening to the opera broadcast.  Like opera?"

"Absolutely!  My Uncle Jack introduced me to it and I just love it"

"Wagner's 'Die Walkure'.  Right?"

"Right!" replied Nick.  "Jeez, is there anything this guy doesn't know?"
Nick thought.

"Do you go often?"

"I go about four times a year down in San Francisco."  Nick paused before
speaking again.  "Say, would you guys like to come in for something to drink
or anything?  Kids would you like something to drink and maybe use the
bathroom?"

"Elijah, what do you say?" Will asked.  "Want anything?"  The boy nodded.
Will turned to Nick.  "Thank for you generosity, Nick."

Nick slid off the fender and into his wheelchair.  He wheeled himself into a
corner of the garage and washed his hands and arms in a sink there.
Everyone then went inside.

The house was very large and very nicely decorated, Will noted.  Everything
was extremely neat and beautifully arranged.  The kids immediately went to
use the bathroom while Nick and Will went into the kitchen.  When the
children returned Nick poured soft drinks and juice for all.

Nick showed the children into the spacious den to watch television.  Nick
and Will sat in the kitchen and drank orange juice.  As they sat across the
kitchen table, Will felt himself being drawn to this Nick.  The guy was
seemingly younger than he was, and was a stunning blonde, with gorgeous
straw
colored hair even in the middle of winter.  He seemed to be very well built
(under his coveralls) with a wide chest, and, despite his lack of legs, he
seemed incredibly self-sufficient.  And those heavenly blue-green eyes of
his were breathtaking.

"So how do you like Sonoma County, Will?"

"I like it very much and the kids are absolutely crazy about it.  The house
is much bigger than we're used to and everything is just perfect.  We have a
staff, I have my offices there and all those old cars to play with.  Ever
seen them?"

Nick shook his head.  "No, I've never been that lucky.  How many are there?"

"I think there're fifty-four right now and I'm trying to get some others.
I'm in negotiations with the current owners.  Would sure love to get my
hands on that Pierce, though," Will laughed.  "Guess we'll have to set up a
time for you to get to see the collection."

"I know that the owner has already put the car in his will, so I guess it
isn't for sale.  Yeah, I love to see them sometime but I'm really very busy
right now.  I...uh...honestly don't...uh...know when I can find the time."
Nick was looking for an excuse not to visit the house.  He felt himself
somehow being drawn to this man - this obviously married man - this
obviously married man with two young children.  "I really like to stay close
to home and work around here.I'm just a homebody, I guess.  I'm a little
uncomfortable, you know, going to unfamiliar places - I'm sure you can
understand.  I never know what I'll find; you know, handicapped accessible
and all."

"Yes, I suppose I can understand that, but can't I even entice you with the
opportunity to work on some of these cars?"

"Work on them?"

"Yes, work on them.  I have a '64 Mustang that really, really needs some
immediate TLC.  Don't you think you could find time for that?"

"Er...yeah I suppose so.  When would you like me to come by?"

"This hasn't been planned.  I just happened to be driving by and saw you
working on that Pierce...but...how about this afternoon?  I'm not doing
anything.  How about it?"

Nick thought for a while and looked directly at Will.  Will gave him a
small, questioning smile.  "Okay.  I suppose so," he replied not too
enthusiastically.  He knew he still had to finish the work on the
Pierce-Arrow and he did not necessarily want to be around this gorgeous man
too long.  "Yeah, maybe later this afternoon'll be okay, after I finish up
on the Pierce.  Could you write down the directions to the house and leave
me your phone number?"

Nick gave Will a notepad and he wrote down the information.  They smiled at
each other before Will rounded up his kids, thanked Nick for his gracious
hospitality and headed back to his automobile.

"See you later then, Nick," Will said as he once again sat behind the wheel
of the Rover.  "Try to be over between one-thirty or two and we'll all have
lunch together.  Okay?"  Nick nodded.  He gave Nick another beautiful smile.
  The kids waved goodbye and shouted out their thanks as the Rover pulled
out
of the driveway.

Nick was sitting in his wheelchair in the driveway, next to the Pierce.
"Just my goddamned luck!  Nice guy, many of the same interests, and he's
married with kids."  Nick hung his head and started feeling sorry for
himself.  "Got to stop this!  Can't get into that cycle again!"  He turned
his chair and hoisted his body onto the fender of the car and began his work
again.  "But it's been so long since there was someone - anyone!"

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

"I can't believe my luck!" Will thought as he drove home and reviewed his
mental photo gallery of Nick Turner. "He is so incredibly beautiful, must
still be in twenties.  He has that striking shaggy cut sandy blond hair,
greenish-blue eyes, clean-shaven, and looks like he does some working out.
And we have so many things in common - so much we can talk about.  The kids
may present a problem, though.  Let's take it very slowly and see what
happens.  Shouldn't be any big deal, right?  Right!"  All of this was
going through Will's mind as he pulled to the front of his house and shut
off the Rover.  He just sat there, thinking and eagerly looked forward to
Nick's arrival.  "He is handicapped.  Is this a problem?  Not a problem at
all!"

"C'mon, Will, get outta the Rover," Elijah called.  Will suddenly realized
that he had driven home in a daze and was still sitting behind the wheel.

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

William Clark Kennedy had come to northern Sonoma County one month earlier.
He attended to the details of settling his parents' estate following their
deaths in a boating accident off the coast of Baja California.  An only
child, Will was heir and executor of their estate, which was considerable
and very far-reaching.  His father had been the inventor, patent holder and
producer of several popular computer components whose sales had enabled his
early retirement and his subsequent direction as a philanthropist.

Will had actually settled down in the south Bay Area and started his career
in anti-discrimination law after graduating from Princeton and Harvard Law
School.  Instead, years later, he found himself incredibly rich, with two
young children and a financial empire to run.  The children were not his
biological children.  They were children of his former lover who had been
married and fathered this stunning pair in a youthful flight of fancy.

After seeing the property he had inherited and the area where it was
located, Will decided that he would permanently settle down here.  There was
enough to keep him quite busy running the family enterprises and
investments.  He needed to set up charitable foundations in his parent's
memory.  So what if it was "far from the city lights"?  And the kids loved
the enormous house and all the extraordinary trappings of being very rich.

Physically, Will was an attractive man: thirty-five years old, tall, with
dark brown hair (worn in a long ponytail), ice blue eyes and, as Nick had
readily noticed, very handsome and well built.  He knew he was gay at the
age of twelve and had very extensive experiences in school, the service and
college.  He had had a few regular, steady adult lovers over the years.
This included Ferenc, his law partner and lover who had killed himself and
his ex-wife in a suicide pact, leaving Will the legal guardian of their two
children.

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

Just before 2 o'clock, Will heard a vehicle coming up the drive. He was in
the shop, getting the Mustang ready for Nick's inspection. He stepped to the
opening of the garage and watched as an aqua and white '55 Chevrolet Belair
Coupe rolled to a stop a few yards away and parked beside the Rover.

The driver's door opened and a pair of work boots landed on the concrete
driveway.  Filling the boots were feet and legs.  Nick Turner shifted around
in the driver's seat and got out of the classic car.  He had changed out of
his work overalls; he was now wearing a pair of very loose fitting jeans
held up by suspenders, a plaid shirt and a rain jacket.  As Will looked at
this handsome guy walking towards the garage, he realized that his first
impression of Nick was a little understated.  This guy was gorgeous and
tremendously desirable.  He walked very well, too.  A limp, of course, but
that's to be expected for a double above the knee amputee.  "But is he gay?"
  Will asked himself.

As Nick walked into the shop, he looked at the collection of vintage
automobiles inside the garage and some parked outside the building.  Will
walked up to greet him.  "Oh, man!  What an awesome bunch of cars!  These
are great!" Nick said enthusiastically.

"Yeah, pretty nice, aren't they? And there's another level below this one
with many more," Will said as he once again let his eyes roam over the face
and figure of the standing next to him.  "So, glad that you decided to come
out here."  He hesitated then said,  "I see you're wearing prostheses.  Are
they good?"

"Yeah, they're quite good and pretty comfortable."  Nick walked over to the
Mustang.  "And I guess this is the patient, huh?" Nick said as he peered
under the hood of the beautiful, shiny red Mustang convertible.

"Yep, sure is!"  Will came up and stood beside Nick. The mere presence of
such a stunning specimen of manhood as Nick was making Will very excited and
getting his blood pumping.  "But let's get some lunch first, okay?"

Will called the kids into the house and began to take things out of the
refrigerator and the freezer.  Nick noticed that it was a fabulous kitchen,
with professional equipment including a convection oven, restaurant broiler
and stove.  "This is my special chili.  I made up a batch last week and
froze some of it," Will commented.  "I noticed you looking over the place,
Nick."

"Yes, it's quite professional."

"I love to cook.  You could say that it's my real hobby.  I find it relaxes
me, not to mention that one can enjoy the outcome almost immediately.  Do
you like to cook?"

"Absolutely!  My Uncle Jack taught me when I was a teenager and love it."

"Wonderful.  I'm trying to get the kids interested and Elijah is really
taking to it.  Would you like to prepare a salad?  I have all kinds of
greens, chevre, tomatoes.  Do what you want."

Nick walked to the professional fridge and peered in.  It was loaded with a
tremendous assortment of fresh produce.  He took out a few things and began
working on the salad.  The kids came running in looking for lunch.  When
they saw it wasn't quite ready Sarah seated herself at the table and
continued coloring in a book she had with her and Elijah walked over and
helped Nick retrieve some items from the refrigerator and cabinets.

"Wow!  You have legs!" Elijah exclaimed, having just realized that Nick was
walking around the kitchen.

Everyone laughed.  "Yes, I have legs.  I'm wearing my prostheses.  Like
'em?"

"Yeah!  They look really great!"

In fifteen minutes everyone was enjoying a great impromptu lunch.  Nick
complimented Will on the quality of his chili and Will was enthusiastic
about Nick's salad.  The kids enjoyed themselves too and Elijah even managed
to smile once or twice.

"Will, may I ask something?" Nick asked.

"Sure."

Uh.where's your wife?  Is she away?"  The kids tried to cover their smiles.
This had the effect of unsettling Nick somewhat.

"I'm not married, Nick.  There is no wife."

Nick was silent, his fork poised in mid-air.  "Divorced?"

"No, Nick.  I've never been married."  Nick was now really stupefied.  He
glanced over at Elijah and saw that the boy was smiling again.

"W-w-wha?" Nick responded, now totally confused.

"Okay, Nick, I'll explain," Will said, giving Nick a big smile and fingering
his wedding band.  "Elijah and Sarah are not my biological children.  Their
parents died in a tragic accident and I was the executor of the estate.  I
was named as their legal guardian and I eventually adopted them both.  Their
father was my law partner and committed partner, if you know what I mean.
Simple as all that."

Nick was still slightly bewildered but realized that his first instincts and
attraction to Will Kennedy were totally honest and correct.  He nodded his
head.  "Thanks Will, for sharing that with me.  I appreciate it."

"No problem.  Elijah and Sarah have been with me for two years now and their
last name is Kennedy.  When my parents died, I closed my practice in San
Jose and we all moved here.  We're getting to really love this place.  It
was designed by Richard Meier and is quite magnificent, as I'm sure you've
already noticed.  I'll give you the full tour a little later."

After the four finished their lunches, Will said,  "Okay!  Let's get started
on the Mustang!"

The men went outside to the garage/museum while the kids went elsewhere.
Nick leaned over the fender of the car and asked Will to start it up.  Nick
listened for a while and asked Will to rev it up.  He listened some more and
signaled Will to shut it down.  Nick maneuvered himself around to be able to
get to the engine, carburetor, etc.  Will watched with absolute amazement as
Nick surely and quickly darted about and checked all linkages, belts, wires
et al under the hood.  Nick took a screwdriver from his shirt pocket and
began to adjust some screws on the carburetor.

After five minutes of making these tests adjustments, Nick had Will start
the car again.  They went through the same procedure as before.  When the
engine was off, Nick made a few additional adjustments and had Will restart
the car.  This time after listening to everything, Nick slowly slid off the
vehicle, smiled at Will and had him shut the car down.

"I guess that's it," Nick said.  "It'll run fine now, but I'd replace the
plugs, distributor, coil and a few other things pretty soon.  It's been a
while, I'm sure.  Must have skipped a few regular maintenance appointments."
"So, when can you do the work?" Will asked.

"You'll have to call the shop and make an appointment with Uncle Jack."

"Uncle Jack?"

"Yes, my Uncle Jack and I own the shop where I work and we repair, restore
and maintain old and antique cars."

"Oh, I didn't know it was your business."  Will looked embarrassed.  "I
thought it was only a hobby."

"Sorry I didn't make myself clear.  It's our business - Uncle Jack's and
mine.  It's called Jack's Garage and it's right in town.  We've been doing
this for quite a while and we're very well known throughout this area of the
country."

Will closed the hood of the Mustang.  He suggested a test drive and went
into the house to find out if the kids wanted to come along.  Nick looked
around the enormous garage and at all of the superb old cars, automobile
memorabilia and equipment.

Will came with the two kids following close behind him.  Nick was a bit
taken aback when Will held out the keys to the car.  "Really?  You want me
to drive? You trust me to drive this car?  We barely know each other."

"Sure I trust you.  Why not?  I saw that beauty you drove up in, so I know
you're obviously capable of doing it.  Besides, it very well insured.  I
happen to own the insurance company."

The kids got into the rear seat, the adult up front.  "Are you a good
driver, Nick?" Sarah asked.

"Yes, Sarah, I think I'm a very good driver.  I've been working with cars
and driving 'em since I was about eight years old."

"Oh!  Wow!  That's great!" Elijah said loudly and with enthusiasm.  "Who let
you drive?"

"Well, Elijah, where I lived in central California there wasn't much to do
when I was a kid so I used to go to the dumps and work and play with the old
cars there."  Nick started up the Mustang and listened to the engine as it
roared to life.  "Jeez, this is wonderful.  Just fabulous!"

They settled in and headed off down the road.  Nick felt very comfortable
with Will and the kids; somehow he felt as if he had found a kindred spirit
and they were beginning to connect.  For the first time in many years he
felt completely relaxed with another person who was essentially a stranger.
His
thoughts raced back years, to that first time Vinny had come up to him in
the locker room and they had spoken - and had closely inspected each other.

Nick began to feel good about himself - and about Will and Elijah and Sarah.
  He began to tell Will some of his story and explained how his life had
evolved into what it currently was.  Aside from the work at the shop, an
exercise program and living with Uncle Jack, there weren't many things.
There were no significant others and no real family other than Uncle Jack.
His social life was at an absolute minimum.  It was not a bad life, he
admitted, considering his condition, but not a whole one either by any
means.

Will sat back and absorbed what he'd been told.  He was amazed how much
their current lives were alike.  Except for the two children, Will didn't
have any real family either and had nobody to share his life with.  He
realized that he and Nick were essentially two very lonely people.  Yes,
their financial
circumstances were different, yet they were fundamentally quite the same.
He felt himself being drawn to this guy and not just sexually, although that
was most definitely there.  Will felt true empathy with this man.

The drive over, Nick pronounced the car in good shape.  It had been a
pleasant and most relaxing drive.  Will decided that he had to make the most
of the opportunity at hand - having this beautiful guy here.  "Would you
care to stay for dinner?  I don't know what Mrs. Cummins is making for
dinner but I know what we're having for dessert - we have a home made
chocolate cake; I baked it this morning."

"You baked a cake this morning?"

"Yup.  Right after I got home.  As I told you, I find that cooking and
baking take my mind off of business matters and relaxes me.  So can I induce
you to stay?  I can also give you a tour of the place now."  He gave the
children a stern look.  "The kids, I'm sure, have schoolwork to do so they
will be very
busy."  The children were obviously not happy with Will's pronouncement but
knew what had to be done.

"If you don't mind having me around, I'd like that very much."

"'Mind having you around?'"  Will replied.  "Not at all.  I'd love it!  We'd
love it!"

"Thanks.  Thanks very much."

"And I'm sure the kids like having you here too."

"And I like all of you," Nick blurted out.  He blushed with embarrassment.
"I...uh...mean, I'm not used to such instant acceptance like you've guys
have given me. Usually people just can't get past the 'no legs' thing.  I
guess I'm just blown away by how great you've all treated me."

"I'm thrilled that you like us.  C'mon, let me show you the place before it
gets too dark."

"Great.  From what I've already seen it looks quite impressive," Nick
responded.

Will and Nick walked out onto the large stone and concrete terrace at the
back of the house just outside the kitchen door.  It offered a magnificent
view of the hills in the distance and some spectacular vineyards below.
"Are those vineyards yours?" Nick asked.

"They certainly are.  My father bought some and planted others when he
bought this property.  We don't make any wine, though.  We are
viticulturists.  We grow premium grapes and sell them to the highest bidders
among certain wineries in the area.  Those are the Andrew Kennedy Vineyards.
  You can
see the name on some of the best wines out of California.  I employ a very
large staff."

Will and Nick were standing right next to each other and Will slowly put his
arm around the slender waist of the young mechanic, and pulled him close to
himself.  He could smell the just-showered scent coming from Nick's body.
It was delightful and arousing.

Nick looked into Will's eyes and then looked back to the wondrous scenic
view before him.  He slowly lowered his head until it rested on Will's
shoulder.  They stood that way for a while, watching the afternoon shadows
creep across the valley below.  The gathering rain clouds in the distance
made the scene look almost unreal.

Will did not believe the tremendous effect this young man was having on him.
  "Let's get on with the tour," he said suddenly, trying desperately to
reclaim his composure.  "There's plenty to see, although I think I'll leave
the complete tour of the vintage cars for another time."  Will showed Nick
the outdoor and indoor swimming pools, the tennis courts, driving range and
various other magnificent features of the house and property, including, as
would be expected, the very extensive wine cellar.

Will explained that the house was laid out like an airplane propeller, with
five different wings radiating out from a central entrance area and service
core.  There was the recreation wing, with the vintage car garage on two
levels below, the children's wing (bedrooms, playrooms, computer room), a
dining/living wing (kitchen, dining room, living room, etc., with staff
quarters below), a guest bedroom wing (four large bedrooms, library, and
other rooms on two levels) and then the master bedroom wing.  Since the
house was built on the side of a hill (Californians will build homes7 on any
hill they find) the wings were each on different levels.

"You mean you've got a whole wing for yourself?"

"Yup, and it is more than just a bedroom.  Come, take a look."

Will showed Nick his wing of the house - the closets, the private gym, the
sauna, the indoor lap pool, the enormous bedroom, complete with two
bathrooms, and the sumptuous sitting room.  It even had a small,
well-concealed kitchen.  "Downstairs is my suite of offices.  There is a
hidden spiral staircase behind one of the doors that leads down there."

"Just magnificent," Nick said, an expression of absolute awe on his face.
And awesome it really was!  Will checked his watch and realized it was
getting close to dinnertime.  He walked over to an intercom on the wall and
called Elijah and Sarah to dinner.

During dinner Nick related, in more detail, about his current physical
condition and situation - growing up in Fresno, the accident that resulted
in the amputation of his legs, his high school and college years and about
living with and working for Jack Turner.  He mentioned that he participated
in handicapped swim meets, wheelchair basketball and marathon racing during
those college years, and he still does the swimming and racing competitions.

Nick was able to study Will's extraordinarily handsome face during dinner.
He was so sweetly handsome; his beauty was overwhelming.  And he did not
flaunt it.  Everything seemed so natural; it just flowed from the man.
Will's possessed tremendous self-assurance; he broadcast high-powered
confidence and composure.  Nick believed that this man was in complete
control of his own life and destiny.

Will filled Nick in about his stint in the Navy, then his years in college
and law school, and his working years before he inherited his fortune.  He
told Nick about Elijah and Sarah's mother and father and what a great couple
they were although he did not go into the details of their death.  Ferenc
was
Will's law partner in their small two-man firm; it was situated in Silicon
Valley area and they specialized in civil rights and anti-discrimination
cases, particularly those involving gays, lesbians and the physically
handicapped.

After dinner they all went into the television room; to Nick it was more
like a movie theater.  The chairs were luxuriously comfortable and the
amenities absolutely unbeatable.  One of the service staff brought in
popcorn and soft drinks.  Will put on a good movie, one selected to
demonstrate the
superlative qualities of the home theater.  "The Empire Strikes Back" was
the selection and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all.  They all joked about
George Lucas being a "local" boy since his Skywalker Ranch was located just
a few miles south in Marin County.

Before the kids went off to bed Sarah asked Nick to read her a bedtime
story.  Both Will and Nick were very surprised at this request, particularly
Will.  Nick followed her to her room, which was beautifully decorated and
absolutely filled with stuffed animals.  Nick was very pleased at his
acceptance by the kids
that he began to get a little misty-eyed.  However, he did manage to get
through one whole chapter of
"Charlotte's Web" without breaking down.  It was one of his favorite stories
as a kid and since he knew
the ending he could never read the book without crying.  Sarah kissed him on
the cheek when he
finished reading.

"Thanks, Nick," she said in her high pitched but pleasant voice.  "I like
you."

"You are very welcome, Sarah," Nick replied while kissing her cheek, "and I
like you, too."

"Can you really swim without your legs, Nick?"

"Absolutely!  I swim very well.  I'll give you a demonstration sometimes."

"I hope it's very soon."

"So do I," Nick said in a slightly dreamlike voice.

"Nick, are you gonna stay with Will tonight?"

Nick was certainly taken aback with this remark from this young child.  But
he knew he had to answer her.  "I don't know, Sarah.  I really don't know.
Good night," he said and made a hurried exit from the room before she asked
any more embarrassing questions.

As Nick walked down the hall, he noticed Elijah standing in the doorway of
his bedroom.

"Hi, Elijah.  Ready for sleep?"

The boy nodded.  "Can I ask you something first, Nick?"

"Sure.  What is it?"

"Do you think I can come down to your garage sometimes and watch you, you
know, like fix the cars?"

"Certainly!  I'll ask your dad...uh...Will when it'll be okay.  All right?"

The boy nodded again.  "Can you tuck me into bed now, Nick?" he asked
sheepishly.

Nick walked into Elijah's room; it was a real boys room, filled with
pictures of sports figures and airplane and car models.  Elijah climbed up
to the top of the bunk beds.  Nick covered him and gave him a light kiss on
the forehead.

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

Will greeted Nick in the magnificent family room.  The lighting was subdued
and there was operatic music playing on the stereo; there was also a bottle
of Chardonnay chilling in a bucket.  They spoke at some length about their
boyhoods, their teenage years and about their life as adults.  They spoke of
financial matters and automotive matters, opera and musical subjects,
exercise and diet and love.  They also spoke honestly and openly of sexual
matters as they slowly sipped the wine.

Will was very forthright about his sexual orientation.  "I've probably know
I was gay since I was eleven or twelve.  It started in boarding school, with
a younger kid named Whitney.  He was so beautiful...and so willing.  We were
together for...er...a while.  It was a wonderful time and very fulfilling."

Nick spoke quite openly, the first time he had ever talked about his early
relationship with another person.  He never even spoke to Jack about the
details of his love for Vinny.  "I knew when I was about fourteen that I
liked guys a whole lot more than girls, and I began a relationship with
another guy on the football team - Vinny.  It was very intense for a short
while and I adored everything about it.  But then came the accident and the
surgery and his family moved to LA around the same time and that was the
end.  We even managed to have sex in the hospital one last time."

Nick thought back to that last time he had sex with Vinny - sex with someone
he really loved.  He sighed heavily.  "After the surgery.well." His voice
trailed off.  "Not may girls or boys wanted a guy with no legs.  I had a
very, very uneventful adolescence not to mention a very uneventful young
adulthood.  And now tonight...so much is happening...and your
acceptance...and your affection...being here with you and the kids...I'm so
happy that you want to be with me..."

Will wrapped his arms around Nick and pulled him close, hugging Nick tightly
to his body.  He pulled back and looked directly into Nick's eyes.  He
noticed they were beginning to get wet.  Will looked at the exquisite face
in front of him and how Nick's lower lip was beginning to quiver slightly;
it was so sexy and so provocative.  He knew he could not resist any longer.
He slowly leaned in towards Nick and saw him close his eyes.  Will kissed
those full, sexy and quivering lips and gradually brought up his arms and
put them completely around Nick, drawing this incredibly desirable man to
his body.  The kiss was blissful and they continued to kiss passionately
while holding each other tightly.

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

The two were standing in the middle of the master bedroom, near Will's
over-sized bed.  The lights in the room were low.  Will turned towards Nick
and slowly put both his arms around the younger man's waist.  Nick just
seemed to melt into his embrace.  Will slowly moved his lips towards Nick's
magnificent  soft, waiting lips, and placed a light kiss there.  While he
held the kiss, he let his hands move up Nick's back.  He was thrilled as he
felt the incredibly strong muscles there.

He moved his lips away from Nick's.  Nick's eyes are wide and he had a
beautiful smile on his face.  Will leaned in for another kiss, this time
opening his lips a bit and letting his tongue stroke Nick's
lips.  Nick opened his mouth and let Will's tongue explore the warmth of his
mouth.  Will let his hands explore more of Nick's tempting body.  He ran his
hand up and down his back, his sides and finally cupped Nick's tight ass
cheeks.  Will then slipped his hands to Nick's hips and gently pushed Nick
away so that he could look at those beautiful eyes.

"Will."  Nick stammered.

"Yes?"

"Oh god, Will," Nick whispered.  "Oh god, oh god.  I don't...know what...to
say...I-I don't know...how to say it."

"What's the matter?  Did I do something wrong?"  Will was concerned that he
had move too fast and spoke softly and soothingly in his ear.  Will looked
into Nick's eyes again and saw tears rolling down his cheeks.

"No, no; you were great.  Oh Will.Will.I want you so much," he blubbered.
"I knew it from the moment I first saw you at the house today.  And then
tonight.you, the kids, how you all accepted me.  B-b-but Will, I haven't
done anything intimate with another p-p-p-person in such a l-l-long time."

"Ssssshhhh," Will whispered as he caressed Nick's wet cheeks and soothingly
rubbed his back.

There was a silence as Will continued staring into those eyes.  He ran his
hand through the beautiful blond hair, luxuriating in the feel of its
softness.  "And I do want to be with you, Nick - very much."  Will paused
and swallowed.  "Do you trust me Nick?"

"Oh, absolutely...absolutely..."

"Would you let me to touch your body?"

"Yes."

"Anyplace?"

"Yes."

Will leaned in again and he kissed Nick.  It was a deep, luxuriating kiss,
and this time Nick returned the kiss, exploring Will's mouth with his
tongue.  Will bit down slightly on Nick's tongue; Nick started squirming
around in Will's arms.  "This is absolute heaven," Will thought.

Will reached to undo the suspenders holding up Nick's jeans.  Nick gently
stopped him.

"I'll have to give you instructions on how to de-pants a double above the
knee amputee," Nick said with a laugh.  "There are certain things that need
to be done.  Is that okay, Will?"

"Certainly.  I'm eager to learn and am a great student, particularly if it's
about you, Nick."  Will planted a light kiss on Nick's lips.  "I want to
know everything there is to know about you,"

Will shifted his attention to Nick's broad and obviously powerful chest.  He
unbuttoned the top buttons of the shirt and leaned in to suck and lick
Nick's neck and the exposed area of his chest.  He was nicely hairy, with
thick blonde hair, and Will was enthralled with the smell and taste of this
man, not to mention the vision before him.  He moved his hands up the sides
of Nick's chest feeling the strong muscles of his lats.  Nick shuttered
slightly and began to wriggle around.

Will kissed him hard again, and Nick pushed his crotch against Will's
already swollen and constrained penis.  Will felt Nick's cock pressing into
his jeans and noticed that Nick was starting a slight humping motion.
Nick's whole body was tingling and anxious.  Will realized that he had to
slow things
down.

He slowly walked over to the bed and began to remove the large spread.  He
looked over at Nick standing there, and his whole body vibrated at the sight
of this exquisite man standing there and waiting for him - waiting for his
next move.  Will slowly pulled the spread off, keeping his eyes on Nick all
the time.  He noticed that Nick had an anxious expression on his face and
made a slight shuffle forward toward Will, as if he had a sudden fear that
Will would abandon him or not like what he saw.  Will smiled at Nick and
blew him a soft kiss.  Nick smiled.  "Oh, that incredible smile!"  Will
thought.  "I could live with it forever."

Nick looked at the white satin sheets covering the bed and the magnificent
white and black satin covered pillows that were now exposed.

He said softly, "It looks like it's made for royalty."  Nick's eyes started
tearing again as Will stood up and embraced him once more.

Will stood and slowly began unbuttoning the rest of Nick's shirt; when that
was done the shirt fell to the floor, and Will stepped back and gazed at
Nick's half-naked body.  Nick was covered in the most attractive blonde hair
Will could ever remember seeing.  This was a vision - a perfect vision.

Nick hung his head and was looking at the floor.  "What's the matter, Nick?"

Nick shrugged and spoke in a slightly choked voice.  "I don't know.  Maybe
I'm a little bashful...and...and afraid that you won't like, you know, like
what you see."

"Nick, Nick," Will said very soothingly.  "Nick, I love what I see.  Please
believe me!"

"Well, don't say that until you see the rest of me, because there is less
than...less than usual."

"I'm not worried about that.  Not in the slightest."

Nick moved slowly to the bed.  He sat down on it and using only his arms,
scooted his body to the center.  Then he undid his suspenders, unbuttoned
and unzipped his jeans.  "Okay, Will, this is where you can be of help."

"Just tell me what I have to do and I'll be very happy to do it.  Very
happy."

Nick smiled and Will returned the smile.  "Okay.  It could be a little
tricky so I'll give you detailed instructions.  Are you ready?"  Will
nodded.  "Pull my jeans off of me from the belt.  Peel them down.  When you
see my boxers grasp them too and peel them down.  I'll tell you when to
stop."

Will kneeled on the bed and did exactly what Nick had told him.  He slowly
peeled down the jeans Nick was wearing and grasped the elastic on his boxers
when he saw it.  As he continued to remove Nick's jeans, Will found himself
getting more and more excited and his breathing became labored.  "This
has to rank up there with the greatest experiences of my life," he thought.
As he slowly peeled away Nick's clothing he was able to see the top of the
prosthetic limbs.  This made him even more excited and agitated.

"Okay that's far enough, Will.  Now, you will see a valve-like thing on the
'thighs' of each leg.  On the outside...right.  Now press the valve; this
will relieve the suction...good.  Excellent.  Now, grab both legs, along
with the pants and boxers, and pull slowly."

He slowly pulled off Nick's legs.  It was a tremendous experience for Will
and he thrilled at the sight of Nick's naked body before him.  He was
stunned.and delighted.  He had never seen anything that gave him as much
pleasure as Nick's gorgeous body.  He stood completely still while holding
Nick's prostheses.

Nick's broad, well-developed chest tapered down to his wonderfully thin
waist.  His hips were narrow and the short leg stumps were perfect -
muscular, hairy, narrowing to nicely rounded ends with practically invisible
scars.  Will just kept staring at Nick and his all encompassing beauty.

Nick wiggled his stumps slightly.  "Are you just going to stand there
holding my legs or do you intend to put them down anytime soon?" Nick asked
with a wide smile on his face.  "Will?  Will?" Nick called out.  Will was
jolted back to reality.  "Stand them up in a corner or something.  Prop them
up
somehow."  Will walked over to the closet and set them against the wooden
louvered door.  "Good.  Now, are you coming back to bed?"

Will shook his head as if to get the cobwebs out.  The beauty of his new
friend overwhelmed him.  He was a man in a trance.  Nick rose up on his
elbows and wiggled his stumps again.  Will had to catch his breath; he
became slightly lightheaded.  He was perfect - and he was here - and Will
knew that he was plunging into the realms of strong desire and overwhelming
love.

Will continued to look down Nick's body and reveled in everything he saw.
He had a striking, well-defined, hairy chest (again those magnificent blond
hairs) and a most magnificent cock.  It was circumcised with a gorgeous
helmet shaped glans, was nestled in a large bush of blond pubic hair, and
looked to be about 6-1/2 or 7-inches long and quite thick.  His testicles
looked to be very large and hung low in a stunning hairy sac.  Nick had
spectacularly beautiful genitals.  His arms were also lovely (what about
this guy wasn't?) - very muscular and covered in downy blond hair.  And
those highly erotic and inviting leg stumps!

Will came up to the edge of the bed and started to unbutton his own shirt.
Nick said in a voice throbbing with excitement, "Let me do it, Will - my
friend.  Please sit."

Will sat on the edge of the bed as Nick began to unbutton Will's shirt.
Will was getting incredibly hard.  He could feel Nick's fingers brushing his
chest and he was in absolute heaven.  Will slowly lowered his hands and
rested them on Nick's leg stumps.  Nick took the shirt and threw it into the
pile of
clothes forming on the floor.  Nick leaned over and the two kissed.  It was
a deep, passionate kiss and it left both of them quite weak. Nick ran his
tongue over Will's hairless chest, pausing to lick and bite lightly on each
of his nipples.  He gently pulled away.

"Oh Will! Oh god!" Nick moaned.  "You have no idea how long I have wanted to
do that to a man; how many times I have woken up in the middle of the night
after having a wet dream where I am doing that.  I honestly believed that I
would never be intimate with any person - ever again. Who would want a
legless cripple?  And now to have you with me, and it's all real, and I am
doing it to my man."

"Yes, I am yours - completely."

Nick began to undo Will's belt and unzipped his jeans.  Will stood and let
the jeans drop to the floor.  Nick softly stroked the full and straining
pouch in the front of Will's bikini briefs.  It was now Will's turn to moan,
and moan he did.

"Oh, Nick, Nick, Nick...you are so incredible!  What are you doing to me?"

"Showing you that even though it's been a long time, I know how to take care
of a man."

Nick continued to stroke Will's cock through the thin material, then stopped
and began to lower the briefs.  Will stepped out of his underwear.  They
looked at each other; they were both flushed with the realization of their
newborn love.

Nick touched Will's penis and pubic hair very gently.  Will's cock was about
the same length as his but not as thick.  It was circumcised and sprang from
a large growth of dark hair.  Will's legs were lightly covered with dark
hair as opposed to his chest, which seemed to be completely hairless.  A
thin
line of growth below his navel led to his pubic region.

Nick continued his rapt attention to Will's cock and balls.  Will slowly
lowered his arms and gently took hold of Nick's beautiful cock, slowly
caressing it and working his fingers lightly over the head, feeling the
lubricant being emitted from the slit.  With his other hand he reached down
and cupped Nick's large balls.  He worked his fingers over the hairy but
silken scrotal sac; those magnificent orbs seemed to float around in their
very special vessel.  Nick was moaning softly and breathing rather heavily.

Will slowly shifted his arms until each was gently stroking Nick's leg
stumps.  He caressed them gently slowly applying more and more pressure
gradually.  They felt wonderful in his hands - silky soft and warm.  Will
could feel the scars at the tips as he lightly touched each one.

"Oh...oh...oh...Will.  This is the first time anybody has.has rubbed and
played with my stumps in such a very long time and I can't believe how great
it feels.  I...I...I'm getting so hot."

"I'm glad you like what I'm doing to your stumps.  They're very exciting to
me too, Nick - very exciting.  I love their softness and their beauty, and I
love that they are part of you."

Nick lowered his arm and rolled onto his side.  Will followed suit and they
were together, facing each other.  Nick began to squirm from the feelings
that Will was creating in him and pressed his cock harder and harder into
Will's pubic area.  Their two cocks were rubbing together.  The feelings
were
electric through both their bodies.  Will continued applying pressure to
Nick's leg stumps and began to slowly kiss Nick's mouth again.  They were in
a kissing and cock rubbing frenzy - getting hotter and more aroused with
each passing second.

They broke the kiss and threw back their heads as both began moaning and
yelling loudly.  They both came simultaneously with a tremendous rush.
Their mutual eruptions just kept coming and coming; they felt it warm and
oozing between their bodies.  Will held Nick's waist tightly and felt Nick's
body
shudder and spasm against him.

Nick spoke first.  "Thank you, Will.  It's been so long...so long."  He
began to sob lightly and then shook his head vigorously.  "I'm so
sorry...so...so sorry!  It has been so many years since anyone found me
attractive...attractive enough to make love to me."  Nick wrapped his arms
around his incredibly loving and desirable partner, hugging him tightly to
his body.

"No thanks necessary, my sweet!  But I do have to thank you, Nick.  It has
been years since I found anyone as attractive to me as you are."  He smiled
at Nick who managed to return a little smile through his tears.  Will put
his hands behind Nicks head and kissed him deeply.  His legs stroked Nick's
stumps.  "It was fabulous for me too.  Really!  However, there are things
that the two of us will do that are going to make this seem extremely tame."

"If it's with you, Will, if it's with you, I can hardly wait...I can hardly
wait."

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

After showering together, they cuddled under the luxurious quilts on the
silk sheets.  It was heavenly and so incredibly comfortable.  Both thought
back on the events of the days and both were quite content.

Will did not believe his great good fortune finding this marvelous man.  His
beauty was exceeded only by his wonderful personality.  Of course, his
beauty was definitely not to be ignored.  Not by a long shot!  He thrilled
at the feel of Nick's wonderful body in bed with him.  God!  It was glorious
having this incredible legless stud in his bed.  He began to softly stroke
one of Nick's stumps.  He loved the feel of this hairy leg remnant.  The
slight groove made by the scar and the soft, exciting hair and skin were a
delight to his senses.  Yes, he had been a bit promiscuous following
Ferenc's death.  But now he felt that he had quite possibly found an honest
and true kindred soul - and up here in the boondocks.  He felt so
comfortable around Nick; their common interests were astonishing.  And the
kids!  It was amazing how
quickly the kids accepted him!  Particularly Elijah, who could be so
exasperatingly standoffish.  "Yes!  Here was a man with whom I could find
permanent contentment and fulfillment."

Nick too felt great comfort.  Even more, he felt complete acceptance by this
awesome man.  His great wealth did not seem to be a barrier between them.
They seemed to have so much in common - the cars, the cooking, wines, art,
opera.  And, most surprising of all, he got so along great with Will's kids.
They both had him tuck them in tonight.  It was wonderful!  Possibly...quite
possibly...he would not be lonely any more.  Was this too much to hope for?

They kissed and cuddled and stroked the other.  Will loved the feel of
Nick's body against his own; it was so comforting having this great, loving
stud in his bed.  Nick reveled in the exquisite sensation of Will cradling
him in his arms. luxuriating in his warm and comforting embrace and making
him feel so damned amazing.

As Will reached for the light switch, Nick asked, "Will, would it be
possible to call my answering machine?  I need to check my messages."

"Sure!  Use the phone right behind you."

Nick made the call.  While taking his messages he began to shake slightly
and turned pale as he hung up the phone.  Quickly, his unbounded joy turned
to one of horror.  He sat up quickly.  "Will, I have to leave.  Leave right
now!"

Will also sat up quickly.  "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

"My...my Uncle Jack's in the hospital.  I have to get d-down to Santa Rosa
immediately!"


				End of Chapter 10