Date: Thu, 18 May 2006 21:28:04 -0400
From: Tyler Peel <tylerpeel@hotmail.com>
Subject: The Road Home Part Twenty Nine

DISCLAIMER: WARNING!! This is a work of homoerotic fiction written by an
adult for the purpose of entertaining other adults. If you are not eighteen
years of age or you have any problem with this type of literature then this
is a warning to read no further. The author will not be held responsible for
any reason if you choose to disregard this disclaimer. If it is not legal to
read the following fictional story in your country then please stop now.


The Road Home Yahoo Group:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/the_road_home



The Road Home:  Chapter Twenty-Nine (Sex, Lies, and Junk Food)


"Hello?" Luke said into the phone as he bit into his apple.

"Hi?  Is your Father home?"  The voice said.

"Nope!"  Luke responded.

"Is your Mother home?"  The voice asked.

"Yup!"  Luke responded with a mouth full of apple.

<Pause>

"Can I speak to your Mother?" The voice asked.

"May I!" Luke said.

"Excuse me?" The voice said.

"May I!" Luke repeated! "May I speak to your Mother?"

"Right. May I speak to your Mother?"

"Can I tell her who's calling?"  Luke asked.

"No." The voice said.

"Are you selling carpet cleaning, new windows, magazine subscriptions,
sponsorships, long or short distance plans, Satellite programming, driveway
resealing, investment opportunities, cemetery plots, wanting political
opinions, tire rotations, furnace cleaning, hard or soft wood flooring, pool
cleaning supplies, newspaper subscriptions, gutter cleaning, vinyl siding,
pharmaceutical drugs from Canada, membership in the Republican party,
discount travel deals, or an eternal afterlife via some remote town in
Mexico where you write blank cheques, get your balls cut-off, and then drink
really bad Kool-Aid?" Luke said as he took another bite of his apple.

"No!" The voice said.

"Are you calling from my school?" Luke asked taking a second bit of his
apple.

"No!" The voice said.

"MOM!!!!!!!!" Luke screamed into the phone. "There's a guy on the phone that
hates Jesus who wants to talk to you!"

"Give me the phone Lucas and get ready for school or else you'll miss the
bus!" Linda said. "Hello?"

"Hi Linda, it's Greg Anderson calling but don't mention my name if Luke is
around."  The voice said.

"Oh Hi!  Haven't seen you at the boy's games in a while?" Linda asked.

"No, sorry, work keeps me late most nights.  Some days I forget what little
Greg looks like!"  Greg laughed.  "But I'm not calling about Greg or Luke.
I received a very strange message from David Peel, a friend of mine from
back in school.  He is looking to talk with Larry about his nephew and
highlighted that it was very important and very confidential.  I am only
supposed to talk directly to Larry but I haven't been able to reach him all
morning."  Greg said.

"Larry is away at a conference this morning in D.C. but will be home this
afternoon. He's driving up to Philly to pick up Derek at school for
Christmas vacation." Linda said.

"Great!  It will do him some good to be out of the office for a day." Greg
said.

"Absolutely and he and Derek are finally connecting.  I think the teen angst
years are finally over between them. though it might be starting up with
Kyle now!"  Linda said laughing.

"How is Derek doing at University?"  Greg asked.

"We're really not sure. but hoping that things turn out okay. It's been a
rough three months for him and lot of growing up.  He's now in a
relationship with his roommate Tyler Peel so that seems to have settled him
down and we all love Tyler so much." Linda said.

"That might explain what the call is about!  This is very off the record
Linda. but David Peel was the type to gay bash back in school.  A really
good guy but very homophobic!  David is a good person but he has very
radical religious views on right and wrong.  You might want to forewarn
Larry quietly."  Greg said.

"Thanks Greg. I appreciate what you are not telling me.  Do you have the
number so that I can give the message to Larry?"  Linda asked.

The banging of the bed against the wooden loveseat frame woke Derek up.  He
heard faint voices as he tried to remember why he had been sleeping on the
loveseat.

"Harder! Harder!" Cody whispered.

"Shut up Cody, you'll wake them." Danny said.

'Wake them?' Derek thought! 'Bang my head once more with that bed and
neither of you will be having sex for a month!'  Tyler stirred and Derek put
his hand softly over Tyler's mouth.  When Tyler looked at him, Derek put his
index finger up to his mouth and then tapped his ear to tell Tyler to
listen.

"Are you seeing stars yet?" Danny quietly teased Cody.

"Actually from this position with my legs over my head all I see is the
underside of Santa's sleigh." Cody whispered back.

"Good enough for me!" Danny said breathing hard.

"I think the sleigh is really cool!" Cody said watching it fly around the
room in circles.

Tyler covered his laugh with his hand on his mouth and elbowed Derek lightly
in the ribs.

Tyler very quietly whispered, "See!  Cody likes my Santa!"

"Cody's getting his brains fucked out hoping Rudolph doesn't shit on him
from all those cookies he's been eating."  Derek said.  Tyler pounded his
leg with his fist to hold back the laughter.  Together, they quietly moved
around to Derek's side of the bed staying as low as possible.

They both placed their palms flat against the side railing over their heads.
  Simultaneously, they raised their heads to peek at the action going on.
They picked the backside and could see Danny's butt moving in and out and
his balls slapping against Cody's ass.  Derek raised his arm with his index
finger pointed out towards Danny's hole but Tyler pulled his arm back. Again
they both watched silently and Derek slid his hands into Tyler's boxers and
pushed them down.  Tyler was already erect as was Derek.  Tyler bent down
under Derek's bunk and began sucking on his cock.  Just enough to tease then
he quit.  Derek looked down at Tyler wondering why he stopped and Tyler
signalled for him to come down and join him.

They moved under the bed to Tyler's side.  Each one turned around slowly and
backed up until they could just see Danny's forehead moving up and down and
Cody's hair hanging a little bit over the edge of the bed.  Tyler mouthed
the word 'morning' and Derek smiled.  Tyler held out three fingers and one
by one pulled them into a fist.  Derek knew that meant on the count of
three.

Again they placed their palms flat on the Tyler's side rail of his bunk.
They looked at each other and trying hard to not giggle, mouthed the words
together.

<One, two, three>

Tyler and Derek jumped up and in unison said, "MORNING!"

"Aahhhhhhhhh!"  Danny yelled which made Cody yell, which made someone
next-door bang on the wall three times!  Before Danny could say another
word, a naked Derek hopped up on the bed beside him and crawled around to
his other side.  Tyler followed suit and was on the other side of Danny and
Cody.

Derek started kissing Danny and Tyler kissed Cody.  Tyler and Derek's hands
were roaming all over Danny and Cody's body.  Derek's finger found Danny's
ass and began working its way in.  Tyler placed his hand on Cody's cock and
began jerking him while he sucked on Cody's right nipple.

"Merry Christmas Cody!" Tyler said between nibbles on his nipple.

"I love you Danny!" Derek said as they tongued each other.

"Merry Christmas Ty. God I wish Christmas came more than once a year!" Cody
said.

"If Christmas came as much as you Cody we'd only have one day on the
calendar!" Danny said.

"Oh God this is so hot!  Where's my Derek?" Cody called.  Derek left Danny's
lips and dropped down on to Cody without losing his finger position.

Tyler worked his way out from around Cody's knee.  He switched hands on
Cody's cock and began kissing Danny.  Tyler moved his right hand around
behind Danny searching for his hole.  When he reached it he burst into
laughter.

"What?" Cody asked not knowing what was going on.

"Nothing Cody, I just found something I wasn't expecting to find!" Tyler
said and he tapped the back of Derek's hand three times.  Derek immediately
left Cody's mouth to join in a three-way spit swap with Tyler and Danny.

"That is so fucking hot to watch from down here!" Cody said as he reached up
and tweaked Tyler and Derek's nipples.

"I love you guys, all of you!" Tyler said getting into the moment.

"You guys need to lie down beside us and join us!" Cody said.

Derek was working his left hand down under Danny's butt to play with his
balls.

"Touch my balls and I will blow right now!" Danny warned Derek as they
kissed.  Derek pulled his hand away like he had touched a hot stove.

"I don't have any lube up here Cody." Tyler said.  Danny bent over and
dropped down on Tyler's cock while Derek and Tyler continued kissing over
Danny's back.  Cody grabbed a tube from his jeans pocket hanging on the
bedpost and handed it to Tyler.  Cody then took hold of Derek's erect member
and began stroking him.  Cody took some lube from Tyler and put it on his
index and middle finger.  He worked his way behind Derek and inserted one
finger, then the second and began moving them in and out. Derek moaned each
time Cody pushed in.

"I'm ready Ty." Derek said between kisses.

"So am I!" Tyler said.

"Make love to me now!" Derek said staring him straight in the eye.

Tyler had to rip Danny's mouth off of his cock so he could lube his cock.
He moved around behind to reach Derek.

"Where's your ear ring?" Tyler asked as he went to nibble on Derek's ear.

"I took it out for a bit." Derek said and Danny smiled at him.

Cody and Derek moved over towards the window to make room for Derek and
Tyler.

Danny stopped pumping Cody and Cody even sat up to watch their Tyler insert
his member into Derek.  Derek flipped his legs back under his arms and
grinned at both of them.  Tyler reached over to the edge of his bed and put
on his cowboy hat.  They all started laughing. Tyler carefully pulled back
his foreskin.

"Whoa!"  Danny and Cody said together.  In one long, slow push Tyler entered
deep within Derek.  Danny saw Derek's eyes roll back in his head
momentarily.  There was no sign of pain on Derek's face, only pleasure.
Tyler used the same speed to re-enter Derek only this time he went deeper.
Tyler's face was tense as he concentrated on Derek's reaction to gauge what
he could handle.

Tyler dropped down on his hands on either side of Derek. He kissed him and
said, "I love you Babe more than anything in this world.  You make my heart
beat and my blood flow!" Tyler began to pick up the pace.

"Cody, your going to hurt you neck trying to watch!" Danny said and he
pulled Cody up on to himself.  "I love you Cody, you are the only star in my
night and the only light that guides me through the day!"  Cody kissed him
and then pulled him back down on to the bed.

Derek nodded in Danny and Cody's direction and Tyler smiled and winked at
him.  The sound of Tyler's balls slapping against Derek's ass and Derek's
shortness of breath made Danny and Cody stop what they were doing.

"Danny, I've got to see this!  We may never get the chance again!" He
whispered in Danny's ear.  Danny nodded and pulled out of Cody's ass.  Danny
moved around to the other side of Tyler.  Danny put his finger to his mouth
to tell Cody not to interrupt.  Cody nodded acknowledgment of the message.

Danny put his hand on Tyler's back and started to gently rub it.  Cody slid
his hand down to jerk Derek off.

Tyler sat up and slowed his movements in and out of Derek.  He smiled at
Danny and Cody as they all looked at Derek who was far away in a haze.
Tyler grabbed Cody and Danny's cocks and brought them both up on each side
of Derek's upper arms.  Tyler fisted each of their cocks jerking them back
and forth.  Cody continued to jerk Derek off while Danny and Tyler began
kissing.

Derek came back to reality and placed his hands with Tyler's on Danny and
Cody's cocks helping Tyler jerk them both off.

"I can't hold it!" Danny said. Tyler and Derek tightened their grip on
Danny.  His first shot never touched Derek but landed on Cody's hair, face
and forearm.  The second, third, and fourth shots lay on Derek's tummy.

Tyler yelled, "My turn!" and pulled his cock out of Derek's ass and began
jacking it so fast Danny and Cody could barely see Tyler's head appear out
of its pocket.  Cody put both hands on Tyler's face and began kissing him.
Derek was masturbating like a madman right below Tyler.  At times their
fists would collide but never was a beat missed!

"Now!" Tyler yelled and through his head back.  Danny and Cody looked at
each other with huge grins.  Tyler's first shot hit from Derek's chest up to
the right side of his neck.

"Holy fuck!" Cody yelled. "That's at least a six inch solid rope of cum!"
The second and the third shots where just as milky white and thick as the
first, but didn't shoot as far.  After the fourth shot Tyler opened his
eyes.  He looked at Cody and Danny with their mouths hanging open.

"Guys! I think Derek needs a little assistance!"  Tyler said and winked at
Derek.  Danny and Cody dropped down on Derek's cock faster than Abbey finds
a treat on the floor.  Danny got to the top of Derek's cock first so Cody
moved on to Derek's balls.  Touching Derek's balls made him groan.

"Here it comes!" Derek said and Danny backed of and laid his head down in
the pool of Tyler's orgasm and opened his mouth.  He jerked Derek as if he
had to save his own life. Tyler quietly inserted his middle finger back into
Derek and closed his hand putting pressure on Derek's prostate.

"Oh GOD!" Derek said never having had three-way action on himself.  Derek's
first orgasm shot over Danny's head and hit Derek in the face catching him
by surprise!  Danny wasn't to be deprived of the rest of though!  He slammed
his mouth down on Derek's cock and sucked him dry.  Derek had to pry Danny's
mouth off of him and when he did Danny grabbed Cody's head and began sharing
Derek's orgasm with him.  Tyler smiled at Derek over the top of Danny and
Cody's kissing.  Derek winked back.

"Umm guys, there's a bit of a mess down here!" Derek said.  Cody and Danny
looked down at Tyler's orgasm all over Derek's tummy, chest, neck and the
side of Danny's face.  They raced to slurp up as much as they could.  Tyler
giggled and shook his head. Derek just smiled.

When they had finished Tyler said. "Somebody didn't get to cum yet?"
Everyone looked at Cody with big grins.  Derek and Tyler each took one of
Cody's arms and pushed him down on the bed laying on his back.  Cody lay
there staring at his three brothers while his cock twitched with excitement.

"Of all of us brothers Cody, you're the one who has been hurt the most."
Tyler began and Derek and Danny nodded in agreement. "While we are all
equal, you are the one that most needs to know that you are loved and will
always have the protection of your three brothers. What happened with Dakota
will never happen with us!  When someone hurts you they hurt all of us!"
Derek kissed Cody's left cheek and Danny followed kissing Cody's right
cheek.  Cody wiped a single tear from his left eye before it could escape.

Danny moved around behind Cody and lifted him up so Cody was lying back on
Danny's chest.  Danny rested against the support beam between the two
windows.  He wrapped his arms around Cody's neck and kissed the top of his
head saying, "I love you Cody."

Derek kneeled down and kissed Cody and then began sucking on his left
nipple.  Cody moaned.  Tyler placed his cock on top of Cody's and picked
them up together in his hand.  Cody immediately twitched which made Tyler's
cock twitch.  Holding both members in his hand Tyler looked into Cody's wide
eyes and winked as he began stroking the two cocks together.

"Whoa!" Danny said. "That is so fucking hot!" Danny had to readjust his now
erect member under Cody's back.

Tyler picked up his stroking pace and he and Cody could feel their balls
slapping together which only heighten the sensation.  As Tyler was much
larger in all senses, his balls hung down just below Cody's so that heads of
their members were inline.  Each thrust down with his hand made Tyler's
balls move back and forth into Cody's.  Cody's began heaving.

Tyler could see how erect Derek was and he focused on Derek's cock to bring
him closer to the edge.

"I'm gonna cum guys." Cody said as his eyes focused on Santa spinning out of
control.

"Derek! It's time!" Tyler said as he threw his head back.  Derek put his
mouth over as much of both cocks as he could.  Tyler's orgasm started first
but the moment Cody felt Tyler's orgasm flowing he also began cumming.
Derek's could feel Tyler's hot cum actually shoot into his mouth and hit the
inside of his cheek.  Derek's mouth was full in seconds and he pulled off
while Tyler and Cody finished on Cody's tummy.

With his mouthful, Derek leaned down and kissed Cody opening his mouth
slightly for Cody to slurp some back.  Derek then moved up to Danny and
Danny inserted his tongued and moved it around the inside of Derek's mouth.
Finally, Derek moved over to Tyler and they embraced as they kissed and
shared their liquid bond.

Danny slid out from under Cody and slurped up all of the remnants of the
dual orgasm lying on Cody's taut little tummy.  He then went for the
ultimate prize and picked up Tyler's thick, sagging cock and put it in his
mouth to slurp up what was left.

"Danny!  Danny!  Sensitive Danny!"  Tyler yelled pushing Danny off of him.
Everyone stopped and look each other and smiled.  They all focused on Cody
who still seemed in a daze and was not completely coherent to his
surroundings.

"Cody?" Tyler said snapping his fingers a couple of times.  Cody came back
from reality to see Derek, Tyler and Danny all kneeling in front of him
again.

"Did I just dream that?"  Cody asked with a furrowed brow.

"Yeah Cody," Danny said laughing. "Tyler didn't just do a mutually explosive
jack off session with you." Tyler, Derek and Danny laughed.

Tyler leaned down towards Cody with his hands resting on each side of him.
"Cody! We love you and will always be there for you!  We are now brother
forever." Tyler said and leaned down kissed Cody very softly and
passionately.

Cody wrapped his arms around Tyler's neck and repeated. "Brothers forever!"

Derek moved in and pushed and pushed Tyler out.  He gave Cody a gentle kiss
and said, "Brothers forever Cody!"

Cody lifted his head to give him a quick kiss back.  "Brothers forever
Derek!"  Cody said with a smile.

Danny bent down and kissed Cody. "Cody, you're my lover forever!"  Danny
said staring into his eyes.

"You know it Babe!" Cody said as wrapped his arms around Danny and pulled
him down over him.

Tyler and Derek moved over to Derek's side of the bed with Tyler on the
outside.  Tyler turned to face his three brothers and wrapped his arm around
Derek.  Placing his palm on Derek's chest he pulled him into him and
whispered in his ear. "I love you Derek. forever."  Derek placed his hand on
Tyler's and squeezed it three times.

Danny lay on his back with Cody on the edge of the bed lying on his right
side.  Cody ran his finger all around Danny's chest and tummy.  Spelling out
'I love you' over and over.  They all relaxed quietly and no one seemed to
know what to say.

Tyler broke the silence by making them all break into laughter when he said,
"God, I need a cigarette after that!"

"I need a cigar!" Derek added.

"I need a cinnamon bun!"  Danny said to a lot of laughter.  Danny began to
sit up so he could go get a cinnamon bun but Cody pressed his chest back
down on the bed.

"You're not going anywhere!"  Cody said.  Tyler and Derek snickered.

Everyone focused on Cody who then realized that it was his turn to say
something. anything?

"I need someone to unstuck me from this pillowcase."  Cody said as his cum
soaked head had sealed itself to Tyler's pillow.

"Ewwwwwwwww!"  The other three laughed and thoughts of post-orgasmic trauma
were dispensed with.

Tyler reached over and grabbed Danny's hand.  Derek added his hand and Cody
capped the situation with is right hand.

"Brothers forever!"  Tyler said.

"Brothers forever!"  Derek, Danny, and Cody chimed in together.

"I love you guys!  Each and every one of you!"  Tyler said. "Are you okay
Cody?"

"Yeah, thanks. Being loved does a lot more than two months of therapy!"

"Not being alone helps." Danny said. "Everyone has the choice to be alone or
not." He added staring at Tyler.  Tyler stared back at Danny but Danny
couldn't read his expression.  He knew he had made his point with Tyler.

"I'm not alone Danny, I have my brothers." Cody said not realizing he was
breaking an uncomfortable silence.

"Babe?" Derek said. "We've got exams to write in just over two hours!"
Derek was the first to rise.  He leaned over and gave Cody and Danny a quick
kiss each.  "Thanks guys for allowing me into your family."  Derek said.

Danny pulled him back for a quick kiss. "Our family Derek, our family!"
Derek smiled.

Danny and Cody got dressed and headed back to their respective rooms.  Derek
stopped Tyler in the hallway coming out of the washroom and said. "I love
you Ty!  Are you okay with all that happened?"

"I love you to Babe!  Yeah, I am more than okay." Tyler said smiling. "I was
afraid that allowing myself to love someone other than you would take away
from us but it doesn't.  I guess we all have enough love inside us to share
with everyone."

"You've been loving everyone forever Ty. You just don't realize it.
Everyone who comes into your world gets to share in all the love you have to
give."  Derek said and kissed Tyler's forehead.

"You ready to shower?"  Tyler asked.

"Yup. You want to put on some boxers and we'll go?" Derek asked.

"Nah.just a towel. Let's walk naked to the shower." Tyler said winking.
Derek chucked his boxers while Tyler grabbed his shaving kit and keys.

As they walked out the door Tyler said, "I want to see if I can beat Danny's
three offers!"  Derek laughed.

As the boys walked naked down the hall with their towels hanging over their
right shoulders catcalls and whistles could be heard.  Derek and Tyler
glanced momentarily at each other and grinned as they entered the shower
room.

Chris rang the doorbell bell twice wondering if anyone was home.  He
adjusted his backpack, as it was heavy with all of his homework.  A young
boy wearing green plastic sunglasses answered the door holding an open
Bible.  He was in cargo shorts with sandals wearing a tee shirt with an
image of Jesus on it and the words 'even Jesus had a fish story' printed
below.  He wore a fake silver chain with a large silver medallion hanging
off of it that said 'JESUS' on it.

"Is Jesus in YER heart?" The boy said in a Southern accent.

"What?" Chris asked not believing what he was hearing.

"I said. Is Jesus in yer heart?  Cause if he ain't then it must be SATAN!!!"
The boy said pulling down his green plastic shades to take a closer look at
Chris.  The boy moved his sunglasses back up the bridge of his nose and
leaned in to sniff Chris.  Chris leaned backwards.

Chris noticed that the boy's hair was greased and flipped back in full
Sunday morning tele-evanglist style!

"You might be the DEVIL knocking at our door!" The boy said in a slow
Southern drawl.

"I rang the bell actually." Chris said taking a step back.

"Are you a SINNER?" The boy responded abruptly!

"Apparently so." Chris said.

"I can exercise the demons from your soul!!!!"  The boy said as he pushed
his shades back up his nose.

"It's exorcise, not exercise and no thank you, that's okay." Chris said
setting down his backpack between them.  As Chris bent down and began to
unzip the backpack, the boy moved behind the open door with only his head
poking out watching what Chris was doing.

Chris reached in and pulled out a large jar of Kraft smooth peanut butter
and extended his arm out saying, "Hi, I'm Chris, you must be Luke?"

Luke eyes lit up and he grabbed the jar from Chris.  He ran towards the
kitchen he yelled up to the bedroom, "Kyle!!!!!  Your girlfriend is here!"

Chris decided it was safer to stay standing outside the door until Kyle
showed up.  Kyle came running across the hall with Abbey in tow and then
jumped over the railing and on to the banister and slid down the stairs
jumping off just before the knob at the end.

"Hey Chris!" Kyle said with a big smile. "C'mon in!"

"Are you sure it's safe?" Chris said sticking only his head in the door and
looking around the room.

"Yeah, Abbey won't hurt anyone. she just barks a lot!" Kyle said holding the
door open.

"It wasn't Abbey I was talking about." Chris said stepping inside carrying
his backpack.  Kyle closed the door and spun Chris around to kiss him.

"I missed you." Kyle said.

"I missed you too. since third period!" Chris laughed. "Should you be
kissing me out here in the front hall?"

"It's just you, me, Abbey and Luke." Kyle said. "C'mon up to my room.  Mom
should be home soon.

Chris paused as he passed Luke's room and saw the wall of peanut butter
jars.  "Whoa! That's totally sketchy!" Chris said peeking into the room.

"Word! C'mon... we've got video to play amongst other things." Kyle said as
he took Chris's hands and pulled him into his room.  Chris looked back down
the hallway as he entered the room and saw Luke peeking around the corner at
him.

"Your brother gives me the creeps." Chris said.

"My brother gives everyone the creeps!  The only person I've ever seen Luke
take too instantly is my brother's boyfriend Tyler.  Luke's a great judge of
character.  If he likes you then you are a good person, and if he hates you
then run for your life!"  Kyle laughed as he set up the video game.

"He's still kind of weird." Chris said looking down the hallway but seeing
nothing.

"Did you bring the peanut butter like I told you?" Kyle asked.

"Yup." Chris said.

"Good, you're 90% in then.  Luke can tell me more about what you are really
like in one day than I could after knowing you for a year and a half."  Kyle
said setting up the two-player button.

"Can I use your bathroom for a second?"  Chris asked.

"Sure, just through that door." Kyle said pointing behind him. "I share one
with Derek.  I'll get us something to drink and snack on. what do you want?"

"Do you have R.C.?" Chris asked.

"Good choice!  We always have R.C.!" Kyle said. "Want something to eat?"

"Actually I brought a couple of bags of Reese mini peanut butter cups."
Chris said pulling two bags out of his backpack.

Kyle laughed. "Are you sure you got enough?"

"I figured I had better bring a second bag for your brother."  Chris said.
Kyle grabbed one of the bags from Chris and yelled, "LUKE!" and then tossed
the bag over his left shoulder at the door without looking.  Chris watched
as a pair of hands came out of nowhere and caught the bag.  Luke ran down
the hall to his bedroom and closed the door behind him.

"Damn! You're good!" Chris said laughing as he stepped over Kyle to go to
the bathroom.

Kyle stopped at Luke's room on his way to the kitchen and knocked on his
door. "Luke?"

"Yeah" Luke said.

"I'm getting some R.C. for Chris and me.  Do you or Mango want anything?"
Kyle asked.

"Mango wants some apple juice." Luke said from behind the closed door.

"Don't eat the whole bag Luke or Mom will notice if you don't eat your
supper!" Kyle said walking away.  "What am I talking about?  Luke could eat
two bags of peanut butter cups and three servings of dinner!

Kyle knocked on Luke's bedroom door on the way back to his room but there
was no answer.  "Luke, Mango's apple juice is outside your door!"  He yelled
through the door.

Kyle came back into the room carrying two cans of R.C. cola.  Chris was now
lying on his bed with the remote control in his hand.

"Thanks!" Chris said taking his can of soda and setting it down on the floor
below him.

"Is Luke in here?"  Kyle asked.

"Not that I know of. though nothing would surprise me about your brother!"
Chris said.

"You'll learn to love him and I think Luke is going to love you as much I
do." Kyle said and they both turned to each other to share a kiss.

"I hope so but he sort of scares me." Chris said as they hit resume on the
video game.

"Lucas scares everyone but once he decides you are good people he'll be your
best friend ever."  Kyle said.

"Like Jeff is now my best friend?"  Chris asked smiling.

"Word!" Kyle said. "Luke is and always will be my best friend in the world."
  They both heard the sound of feet running out of the bathroom into Derek's
room and turned around to see that no one was there.  Kyle looked at Chris
and winked.  They continued playing in silence

"LUKE!  KYLE!" Linda yelled as she came in from the garage carrying
groceries.

"Be right back Chris, Mom is home!"  Kyle said leaving his game.  When he
passed by Luke's room he noticed that bottle of apple juice was gone.  "Hi,
Mom!" Kyle said.

"Hi sweetheart! Did you have a good day at school?" Linda asked.

"Why do you keep asking me that? The only good days at school are Saturday
and Sunday!"  He said taking the bags of groceries from her hands.

"Where's your brother?"  Linda asked.

"Somewhere. and before you ask, I was at Luke's school on time and we made
sure Casey got on the bus!" Kyle said sighing.

"You're such a good boy!" Linda said. "I think we're going to take that sign
out of the front lawn that says "14 y/o free to a good home!" Linda teased
as she kissed Kyle on the cheek.

"Whatever. Chris and I are playing vids in my room."  Kyle said leaving the
kitchen.

"Kyle! Come back here."  Linda said. "I want to meet this friend of yours
that you've been spending so much time with."

"CHRIS!!!!!!!!!!"  Kyle yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Kyle!  Don't be yelling unless there is a fire."  Linda said. "Is Chris
going to stay for dinner?"

"I dunno, but probably if he can?" Kyle asked. "We were thinking of going to
a movie tonight." Kyle added.

"Are you going to take Luke and Casey with you?" Linda hinted.

"Mom!!!!!  That's not exactly my way of having fun on a Friday night!" Kyle
whined.

"It sure is for me though!" Linda teased and messed up Kyle's hair. "Go back
and play with your friend."

Kyle paused to adjust his hair and smiled.  He ran back upstairs.  Kyle came
to a complete stop upon entering his bedroom.  Chris was still lying on the
bed playing the game and Luke was lying on his back using Kyle's game
controller.  The bed was littered in Reese peanut butter cup wrappers and
Kyle was pretty sure it wasn't Chris that was eating them.

"Luke!  Mom's looking for you!" Kyle said as he lay back down on the bed
beside Chris.

"Looks like you made a new friend?" Kyle asked.

"Not really sure.  He climbed up on the bed.  I didn't even know he was in
the room scared the shit out of me.  He crawled onto my back.  I asked him
if he wanted to play your controller and he took it but said nothing.  So I
reached in the bag and pulled out a PB cup and handed it back to him.  He
took it and said nothing.  We played a bit and during a refuelling I handed
back another cup and he took it.  He still hasn't spoken to me.  He didn't
try to kill me or anything so I figure I'm safe!"  Chris said.

"Oh Chris, if Luke didn't like you, you would be dead already!" Kyle teased.
  Chris stopped playing and looked over at him with a straight face and then
turned back to his game.  Kyle started laughing.

"Kyle!!!!" Linda yelled from the bottom of the stairs!

"Be right back. speaking of, watch your back huh!" Kyle teased running down
the hall.

Chris paused the game and looked back at the darkened bathroom.  "I'm
imagining things." He said aloud.

"What Mom?" Kyle asked.

"What do you and Chris want for dinner?" Linda asked.

"Food! I'm starved!" Kyle said. "Anything that doesn't involve vegetables,
liver, or boiled cabbage."

"Who opened another jar of Peanut Butter?" Linda asked.

"Mom! How can you be so smart and ask such dumb questions."  Kyle said with
a big grin.

"Word!" Linda said and Kyle laughed.

"Mom! You're too old to say 'word'!" Kyle teased. "And Chris brought a jar
of Peanut Butter for Luke so I figure that explains the open jar."

"Ahh. Chris is sucking up to lessen the Luke experience?" Linda asked.

"Mom, most of my friends who know Luke won't come near the house!  I really
like Chris so I had to give him a head's up on Luke!"  Kyle said helping Mom
put the groceries away.

"Luke got to the door before I did because I was in the washroom!" Kyle
whined.

"Oh God!" Linda said. "And Chris is still here?" She teased.

"Mom! It's not funny. You've got to stop letting Luke answer the door."

"Kyle, have we ever been robbed?" She asked.

"No." Kyle said not following her.

"That's my point!  If you were going to burglarize this house and you ran
into Luke what would you do?" Linda asked.

Kyle just glared at her.

"Has he been Luke approved yet?" Linda asked.

"Nope. but soon I think! Luke is lying on top of him right now but he still
isn't speaking to him." Kyle said.

"Must be a bit more to your friend Chris than your other friends you've
brought home?" Linda said.

"That's what I told Chris but I think he thought I was joking." Kyle
grumbled.

"How about some homemade burgers on the barbeque with cheese and bacon, some
potato salad, fresh veggies with blue cheese dip and tortilla chips?"  Linda
asked.

"You rule Mom!" Kyle said giving her a hug.

"I know just don't tell your father!" Linda said.

"Don't tell your father what?" Larry said.

"Hey Dad!" Kyle said giving him a hug and kiss.

"Hey Kyle!  Still no takers on Kyle yet, I see!" Larry said to Linda.  Kyle
punched Larry's arm hard.

"I'm going back to play with Chris." Kyle said running out of the room.

"I'm just going to have a shower and get headed to Philly." Larry said.

"Oh honey, before you go and shower I need to speak to you about something."
Linda began.

"Luke?" Larry asked.

"No!" Linda said.

"Kyle?" Larry asked.

"Larry! Shut up and listen!" Linda said pulling out a package of extra-lean
ground beef from the fridge.

"Derek? Dear God don't let it be Derek!" Larry said rubbing his tired eyes.

"Larry!  It's about Tyler!"  Linda said.

"See! I would have made it there eventually!"  Larry said.  "Though Tyler
would always be my last guess."

"Greg Anderson called and said that Tyler's Uncle, David Peel, contacted him
and said it was urgent that he speak to you in private.  Even I am not
supposed to know that he has called and I gather that there is something
wrong." Linda said.

"Does Derek know anything about this?" Larry asked.

"I don't think so. I talked to him two nights ago about arranging when to
pick him up and everything seemed fine. Maybe something has happened in the
last day?  Here's the phone number in Toronto."  Linda said sounding
worried.

"Okay, I will be in my office." Larry said.

"Now don't forget anything!" Tyler warned. "I've stacked it all up on my
bed."

"Yes Mom!" Derek said teasing him.

"Don't fuck this up Derek! I'm serious. I want Kyle and Luke to have their
presents for Christmas morning." Tyler said as Derek had his arms wrapped
around and was kissing him.

"I love you Mr. Peel!" Derek teased. "I'm not sure how I'm going to handle
11 days away from you." He said resting his head down on Tyler's shoulder.

I'm sure we'll make up for it in the Adirondacks Derek." Tyler said kissing
him back. "I've got to get going it's after three now!"

"How much more can you work Ty? You've only had last night and Monday off
work!" Derek asked.

"I have to work tonight, tomorrow, and all day Sunday because of all of the
staff Christmas parties at this time of year.  The tips are great though!  I
haven't made this much money since I started." Tyler said smiling.

"Are you table dancing on the side?" Derek teased.

"Some nights it feels like it." Tyler said. "I love you Derek and you are my
world! Don't ever forget that!"

"You're my world too Babe!  I will email you tonight when I get home and
maybe give you a wake up call in the morning?" Derek said.

"Yeah, I could probably use it!  I hope you and your family have a wonderful
Christmas Derek!" Tyler said getting a bit teary eyed.

"It's me and our family Tyler!  Luke can't understand why you can't spend
Christmas with us.  I love you Tyler! Always have, always will!"  Derek
said.  They shared one more kiss before Tyler left for work.

"Good afternoon, it's Larry Anderson returning David Peel's phone call."
Larry said.

"Hi Larry, good of you to return my call! Have you got a few minutes to
talk?" David asked.

"My time is yours as long as you're not billing me for it!" Larry joked.

"I'm having a problem with Tyler and I was hoping for your help.  I figured
he might be spending Christmas with your family and I wanted to discuss the
situation before he comes to your house." David said.

"As far as I know Tyler is going home to Toronto to be with his parents and
brother for Christmas, but things change so quickly around this house and I
am usually the last to know - especially if it is costing me money."  Larry
said.

"Oh dear. I gathered that you knew about Tyler's family?  I guess you don't.
  This is going to take a little bit of time.  I had better start at the
beginning." David began.

Kyle walked into his bedroom to see his boyfriend Chris sitting on the floor
with his brother Luke sitting in his lap.  Luke was playing a completely
different game now and Chris was unwrapping Reese Peanut Butter cups and
feeding Luke.

"Juice!" Luke ordered and Chris opened the apple juice bottle and held it up
to Luke's mouth to take a drink.

"Oh My God! I don't believe my Chris has become my brother's slave!"  Kyle
said.

Luke looked over on briefly to wink and grin at his brother.  Chris smiled.

"Luke! Get up off of Chris and clean up all your wrappers!" Kyle demanded.
Luke started to say something and Kyle stopped him.  "Mango hasn't been in
here so don't even try to pin the blame on him!"

Luke stood up and before he could even start, Chris jumped up and started
cleaning Luke's mess.  Luke grinned at Kyle and stuck his tongue out!

"Is there a garbage can?" Chris asked looking up a very displeased Kyle
leaning against his bedroom door with his arms folded across his chest.
Chris handed the pile of wrappers to Luke and suggested that maybe he should
put them in the garbage.

Kyle sat down on the floor next Chris and put his game back in.  Luke
crawled up on the bed behind Chris and wrapped his arms around Chris' neck.

Kyle looked over and Luke and said, "You are such a suck up Luke some days I
wonder why I even love you."  Luke leaned over and kissed Kyle's cheek and
then said, "You've got chocolate on your face."  Chris started to laugh.

An hour later there was a knock on Kyle's door and Mrs. Anderson came into
the room.  "Supper is almost ready boys!"

"Oh Mom, this is my friend Chris!"  He said still concentrating on the game.
  Chris began to stand up but Luke wasn't letting go.  He walked in front of
Kyle with Luke still wrapped around him and extended his hand.

"Chris Coulter Ma'am!  It's a pleasure to meet you!" Chris said with a
smiling Luke hanging around his neck.

"Nice to meet you Chris!  You really should talk to Kyle's Dad about having
that wart removed off your back."  Linda said.

"Word!" Kyle chimed in.

"I see you've been Luke approved?" Linda said smiling.

"I think so Ma'am?  Not really sure at the moment.." Chris said winking at
her.

"I think it's a done deal Chris!  Welcome to the family!"  Linda said.

"Hey Mom, Chris and I are thinking of going to a movie tonight if that is
okay?" Kyle asked still not looking away from his video game.

"Which one Kyle?"  Linda asked.

"There's something playing with The Rock in it!" Kyle said glancing over
briefly.

"Hey Kyle, what about seeing Wallace and Grommet: Revenge of the
Warerabbit?"  Chris suggested.

"That's a movie for babies!" Kyle said.

"But if we went to it then Luke could come along too?" Chris suggested.

Linda couldn't help but smile when she saw the grin on Luke's face.  Kyle
stared at Chris with a look of disbelief!  The silence in the room was
broken by sound of Kyle's car crashing into a group of Senior citizens
crossing the road in his video game.  Everyone laughed except Kyle.

"Kyle!" Linda asked. "Have you been eating chocolate this close to dinner?
You know better than that!  Now wash your face before dinner!" She said.
Chris and Luke snickered at Kyle

"It's dinner time anyway Kyle!  You boys wash up and get downstairs.  Chris,
do you need to phone home and tell them you are staying for dinner?" Linda
asked.

"Yes Ma'am. If I may?" Chris said putting his arms under Luke's thighs for
support.

"There's a phone next to my computer Chris." Kyle said walking out of the
room letting everyone know that he wasn't amused.  Chris set Luke down and
picked up the phone.

As Kyle was washing his face in the main bathroom he looked over to get a
towel and saw Luke staring at him from just inches away holding a clean
towel.  "What?" Kyle asked as his face dripped into the sink.

"He's really nice!  I like him.  I can see why you're in love with him."
Luke said with a straight face.

"What?" Kyle asked. "Who said I'm in love with him?"  Luke tilted his head
from one side to the other but never said a word.

"Is it that obvious?" Kyle asked wiping his face dry.

"Only to me. He's not as good as you but he's really nice!" Luke said
softly.

"You're screwing with my head aren't you?" Kyle said smiling trying to test
Luke.

"You're my best friend Kyle.  I've hardly seen you the last three weeks. I
wanted to make sure he wasn't going to hurt you." Luke said.

"Why do you always have to say the right things at the right time?" Kyle
said bending and hugging Luke.  Luke didn't respond but held on to his
brother tight.

"You really think he's okay?"  Kyle asked.

"You didn't have to tell him to bring me peanut butter. I would have liked
him anyway." Luke said softly into Kyle's ear.

"I don't' want to sound like Dad Luke, but don't grow up too fast.  I feel
like I'm starting to lose you."  Kyle said.

"I doubt that will ever happen! We're brothers forever unless you want to
borrow money." Luke said grinning and ran out of the bathroom.  Just as Kyle
was leaving Chris appeared with the 'wart' on his back and they headed
downstairs to the kitchen.

Luke yelled, "Daddy!" seeing Larry in his office on the phone.  He jumped
down and ran into Larry's office.

"Hang on a moment David.  Yes, Pookie, what do want?" Larry said.

"I just wanted to say Hi." Luke said with a big grin.

"Daddy's really busy right now.  Are you sure you don't need something?"
Larry asked.

"Can I go to the movies with Kyle and Chris?" Luke asked.

"Ask your mother!  And would you tell your mother to come here for a moment
please." Larry said.

David could hear Larry giving Pookie a quick kiss.

"Lucas, close the door please!" Larry said smiling.

"Sorry David! Please continue." Larry said.

"MOM! Dad wants you in his office and he said I can go to the movies with
Kyle and Chris!" Luke said jumping up on the bar stool next to his best
friends' best friend.

Linda asked Kyle and Chris to watch the barbeque and warned Luke to stay
away from the barbeque before she went to see what Larry wanted.  Linda
quietly opened the door and then closed it behind her.

Larry was saying a lot of 'Uh huh's and 'no, I think you are wrong David.'
He scribbled down a note on a piece of paper and handed it to Linda.  Linda
read the note and stared at Larry.

"Call Derek A.S.A.P. and tell him I have emergency surgery tonight and can't
pick him up.  Tell him I will get him in the morning.  Do it where the boys
can't hear you.  I will fill you in later.  Who is Chris and I didn't tell
Luke he could go to the movies!"

Linda left the office as quietly as she came in and reread the note.  She
tucked in the pocket of her skirt and went out to the barbeque to put the
boys dinner together.  The boys filled their plates and headed into the
Great Room to watch TV while they ate.

Kyle was the last to leave and asked, "Is something wrong Mom?"

"I'm not sure honey but don't you worry about it!" Linda said faking a smile
that Kyle knew all too well about.

"Is Grandpa okay?"  Kyle asked.

"Grandpa is fine. You're Dad has to go in and do emergency surgery tonight
and can't pick up your brother until tomorrow.  Now go eat and let me know
when you want me to drive you to the theatre." Linda said walking out of the
kitchen in a haze.

He watched his Mom go upstairs and then he heard her bedroom door shut.
Kyle crept over to his Dad's office door getting as close as he could
without being detected.  He moved his ear close and tried to pick up pieces
of the conversation.

"David your thinking is a hundred years old!  You should stop reading
selected parts of the Bible and try reading it front to back!  I can't
believe that you would turn your back on Tyler with all that he has gone
through!  I can't even understand how that boy manages to function on a
day-to-day basis after going through such trauma!  He'd be better off
without you in his life!" Larry said slamming the phone down so hard that it
made Kyle jump.  Kyle moved back to the kitchen as fast as he could.

Just as he picked up his plate he heard a loud bang.  He dropped his plate
on the counter and ran back to his Dad's office.  He opened up the door to
see Larry standing in front of his desk, with one of the guest chairs lying
on its back in the corner and a broken wall lamp dangling from its socket.
He knew right away that his Dad had thrown it at the wall.

Linda came running down the stairs and actually bypassed the office thinking
it came from the kitchen.  When she arrived in the office she said, "What
the hell happened?"

"I stood up on the chair trying to change the dead light bulb and fell
down." Kyle said looking at his father.

Linda looked at Kyle and then at Larry.  She knew Larry would be yelling at
him right now if that were what really had happened.

"Kyle you know better!  Are you okay?  Let your father look at you!  And
Larry, you should know better than to let your son do something stupid like
that.  I'm on the phone with Derek right now so please try not to break the
rest of the house!" She said staring briefly at Larry before leaving the
room and heading back upstairs.

Larry dropped into the one chair left and Kyle wrapped his arms around his
neck and whispered, "Are you gonna be okay Dad?" Larry held tightly on to
Kyle and started crying.  His crying turned into sobs and Kyle just held
still never having experienced this before.  Larry released Kyle and
apologized.

"Dad you're the one who always said you don't need to apologize for being
yourself!" Kyle said.

"Father's don't cry in front of their sons Kyle." Larry said wiping his
eyes.

"That's bullshit Dad!  If you can't be real with your family then who can
you be yourself with?"  Kyle asked.

Larry held back more tears after hearing what Kyle said. "What if you don't
have a family to begin with Kyle?" Larry asked.

Kyle smiled and said, "You join our family because we always have lots of
love to share."  Kyle wasn't expecting Larry to pull him back into a hug
like he did, but when it happened he was happy to be there for his Dad.

"Do you know why we parents tell our kids how much we love them Kyle?"
Larry asked.

"So we don't forget?" Kyle guessed.

"That too, but we never know when we won't get another chance to say it."
Larry said and started crying again.

"Do you want to talk about it Dad? Maybe I can help!"  Kyle suggested.

"You already have Kyle, more than 99% of sons in this world do!  You've made
me the happiest Dad in the world. Go back to your friend and always remember
how much your Mother and I love you!"  Larry said pushing Kyle towards the
door.

"Are you sure Dad?"  Kyle asked.

"Of course I am sure we love you!"  Larry said.

"No Dad, are you sure that you want me to leave?"  Kyle asked.

"No, I am sure I never want you to leave, or your brothers.  And Kyle, thank
you for earlier!  Of all the people I have met in my life, do you know who
you most remind me of?" Larry asked.

"No?" Kyle asked afraid of the answer he might get.

"If I ever call you Tyler Jr. then take it as a compliment!" Larry said
smiling as the tears slowed.

"Always Dad. always!  Don't forget that I love you too!"  Kyle said leaving
and pulling the door shut behind him.

"Everything okay?" Chris asked.

"Yeah. I climbed up on a chair to change a light bulb and fell.  I took down
a wall lamp while I was at it."  Kyle said regretting telling a lie.

Chris jumped up and ran to Kyle wrapping his arms around him. "Are you okay?
You could have been seriously hurt Kyle!" Chris said staring at Kyle.  Kyle
could see the concern in his face and felt like shit for lying.

"I'm fine Chris but thanks for caring. It means a lot to me and says even
more about you!" Kyle said getting a hug from Chris.

"Told ya Kyle!" was all Luke had to say walking back to the kitchen with his
empty plate.  "Are you going to finish this Kyle?" Luke asked.

"I hadn't started it Luke but go ahead and eat it.  I'm not hungry."  Kyle
said.

"Some thing is really wrong isn't it?" Chris asked.

Kyle tilted his head towards Luke and brought his finger to his lips.  Chris
nodded.

"Should I go?" Chris asked.  "It isn't a problem if you want me to leave.
Our family has days like this."

"I seriously doubt your family has days like this one Chris and no, I don't
want you to go. I don't want you to ever leave."  Kyle said.

"Why don't I call Jeff and see if he could give us a ride to the show?"
Chris asked. Kyle nodded with a slight smile.  When Chris returned from the
phone in the kitchen he gave Kyle the thumbs up.

"Luke! Call Casey and see if he wants to go see Wallace and Grommet and tell
him it's all covered okay!" Kyle said.

Luke ran halfway to the kitchen and stopped. He turned around and ran back
to Kyle and pulled him down to give him a hug.  Chris stood over them and
watched the closeness.  Luke grabbed Chris' shirt and pulled him into their
hug.

With Chris and Kyle's face on each side of him he said, "I love you guys!"

"I love you too Luke" Kyle said kissing his cheek.

"I love you as well Luke, thanks for allowing me into your family." Chris
said and Luke moved over to give Chris a full hug! Chris released Luke and
he ran to the phone to call Casey.  Moments later Luke returned with a big
grin.

"Casey's allowed to go!" Luke announced.

"Will you guys go up to my room, and Luke you show Chris how to shut
everything down and then stay there until I come and get you?" Kyle asked.
Luke jumped on Chris's back and they headed up to Kyle's room.

Kyle peeked in through the office door.  His Dad was pacing back and forth
while talking and his Mom was sitting in his Dad's chair.  She looked like
she'd been crying.  Kyle didn't know what was going on but he knew it was
bad!   Kyle knocked on the door and his father waved him in.

"Sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to tell you that we are leaving for the
show.  Chris' brother is going to pick us up and take us." Kyle said and
turned to leave.  His Dad called him back.

"Don't you need some money?" Larry said smiling at him.

"I have money Dad, don't worry about it.  Seems like you guys have enough to
deal with." Kyle said.  Larry pulled five twenty-dollar bills out of his
billfold and gave it to Kyle.

"Make sure you cover Jeff's gas money and show and if they want something to
eat get that too!" Larry said. "Will that be enough?" He asked.

"Yes Sir." Kyle said.

"Now Kyle, you make sure you look after your brother and if Casey is going
keep an eye on him too." Linda began.

"LINDA!  Enough! He's not a little boy anymore.  He loves his brother and
Casey and he will do what is right!" Larry said and Linda didn't speak.

"I've got the cell phone if we need to reach you!" Kyle said but no one
spoke.

"I love you guys." Kyle said walking out.

"Kyle, come here!" Larry said. "We love you and your four brothers more than
anything in this world!" Larry kissed the top of Kyle's head as he hugged
him.  Linda joined in the hug.  The buzzer on the gate went off and they
released Kyle.  He pulled the door shut behind him.

"Hullo?" Tyler said into his cell phone as he was refilling a large pitcher
with Coca-Cola for one of his tables.

"Hey Babe, sorry to bother you at work. Just wanted to tell you that I'm
still here tonight.  Something is wrong at home and they're not picking me
up until tomorrow."

"What's wrong at home?" Tyler asked.

"I don't know and they won't tell me.  The excuse they gave me is a straight
out lie!  How's work going?" Derek asked.

"Insane!  Frick'n insane!  Is Kyle okay or do you know?"  Tyler asked.

"Mom says everyone at home is fine. I thought maybe it was to do with
Grandpa's heart but he is fine too. Whatever it is she isn't telling and
Kyle hasn't been on his computer all night so I have no way of finding out."
Derek said.

"Do you want me to come home right now?"  Tyler asked.

"Yeah, but not really. I am fine and thanks for offering."  Derek said
smiling to himself.

"Derek this is just a job, you are my life!  Just say the word!"  Tyler said
as he finished filling the pitcher.

"I love you Babe, see ya when you get home!"  Derek said.

"Love you too; please call me if you get any updates?"  Tyler asked closing
his cell phone before Derek could answer.

"Tyler!" Gina called. "We need 6 more Rudolph the Red Nose Cannoelis, 2
Santa Claus Cannoelis, one Christmas tree Cannoelis, a Manger Cannoelis, and
some Star of David Christmas cookies!"

Tyler paused for a moment as he was lifting up his tray of drinks to carry
out to three different tables and asked "Star of David Christmas cookies?"

Gina winked and said, "Just making sure you are listening!"

"I hope Santa gives you a new sense of humour for Christmas!" Tyler said
smiling and Gina swatted his butt with a menu.

Tyler's beeper went off and picked it up and spoke into it!  "Shit!" He said
realizing it wasn't a phone. "Don't these people have Christmas shopping to
do?" He mumbled going back to pick up another order.

"Brendan!" Tyler yelled as he stacked his tray.

"Wot up Doood!" He winked and wiped away the sweat pouring down his face.

"Get rich quick! Like now! Marry me and take me out of here!" Tyler joked
not even looking at him.

"Okay, but first can you make me some Star of David Christmas Cannoelis?"
Brendan shot back and the kitchen staff all started laughing.

Tyler paused and held up his index finger!

The entire staff said in unison, "We know! It's the beats for all of us!"
The laughter was heard out in the restaurant.

Angelo came up behind Tyler and said, "Thanks Tyler, they needed that to get
them through the next hour!"  Tyler winked and left with his tray.

Tyler noticed that at one of the tables there was a 9 y/o girl who wasn't
eating her dinner. She was over tired and making a fuss. The parents would
try to do anything to make her happy but it didn't matter.  Customers
sitting near their table were being disturbed by her tantrums. Gina said
"Tyler, Do something!"

"But she's not in my section?" Tyler asked.  Gina glared at him.

Tyler came up from behind and bent down beside the little girl.

"Spaghetti isn't your thing is it?" Tyler asked.  She shook her head no.

"I hate to see a pretty young lady like you be unhappy.  Is there something
else you would like to eat?"  Tyler asked showing a big happy face.  She
thought for a moment and then punched him in the nose.  The sting made his
eyes water.

The mother scolded Trisha for her behaviour, but that really didn't matter
to the little girl.

"Well I was going to ask the Chef to make you whatever you wanted but not if
you're going to be mean!" Tyler said still leaning down near her but back
out of arms reach.

"I want French Toast!" Trisha demanded.

"Sorry, I only make French Toast for ladies who ask politely!  If you want
to ask politely then I will be happy talk to the Chef!" Tyler said getting
up.

"You're rude! My Daddy won't tip you!" Trisha said. Tyler turned around and
bent down beside her.

"I'm not looking after your table so I don't get a tip and I really don't
care if Daddy tips or not!  If you hit me once more I will put you over my
knee, lift your dress, and spank your little girl butt in front of every
customer here!  Now if you don't want your spaghetti, then you come and ask
me politely and I will talk to the Chef!" Tyler turned and left. He headed
into the kitchen and told Brendan to cut four thick slices of the largest
Calabrese bread he could find.  He also asked Angelo to whip up some French
Toast batter but to use Egg Nog instead of Milk!  Angelo looked at him and
shook his head.

Trisha didn't get any sympathy from her parents and she was getting hungry
so she walked over to find Tyler.

"Excuse me Sir!"  Trisha said.

"Yes Ma Lady! How may I be of service to you tonight?" Tyler said with a big
smile!

"Would you please make me some French Toast?" She asked.

"It would be my pleasure to make some special just for you!" Tyler said.
"Come with me!"  Trisha followed Tyler over to Gina at the bar and asked for
one red rose for the lady.

Gina snorted and handed Tyler the rose!

"Would the lady care to take my arm as I escort her back to her table?"
Tyler said handing her the rose. Trisha laughed and took Tyler's arm as he
escorted her back to the table.

"With your parent's permission may I offer you a private tour of the kitchen
so you can see your meal being prepared?"  Tyler asked.  Trisha giggled and
covered her face.

"If you will be kind enough to stand up on your chair I will carry you so
that your beautiful dress doesn't get dirty!" Tyler said and held Trisha's
hand to help her up on to the chair.  Tyler scooped Trisha up and handed her
the rose back to carry with her.   They walked into the kitchen and the
staff started to chuckle.

"Gentlemen! May I introduce Lady Trisha!  She is here to inspect the fine
quality staff who will be preparing her dinner tonight!"  Tyler said.  "Lady
Trisha, May I introduce the head Chef and owner here Mr. Angelo Ciccone!"
Angelo shook her hand and thanked her for coming to their restaurant.  Tyler
then carried Trisha down to meet Brendan.

"He's a cutie isn't he?"  Tyler asked of Trisha and she giggled.  "If you
don't have a boy friend yet I know that Brendan is single!"  Tyler said and
Brendan smiled at Trisha and then glared at Tyler.  "Brendan will be cutting
you specially made toast and dipping it in our secret recipe batter just for
you!"  Tyler returned Trisha to her table and she began to tell her parents
of her experience in the kitchen.  Tyler checked on all of his tables and
those closest to Trisha's table thanked him profusely.

Tyler returned to the kitchen and took the four cooked slices of French
Toast and laid them on a cutting board.  Grabbing a knife he went to work!
The entire kitchen staff took turns peeking at what he was doing.

"Brendan!" Tyler yelled!

"Your bitch at your service!"  Brendan said to a roar of laughter.

"I need some of that white icing you put on cinnamon buns and shit. and I
need it now!" Tyler yelled.

Brendan found a frozen tube that they used for some desserts at private
parties and warmed it in the microwave.

"Get me the icing sugar please and some sort of pancake syrup!"  Tyler
demanded.

"Tyler! This is good! Very good!" Angelo said.

Tyler held up the finished product for all too see.  He had carved a Manger,
which was really just a typical outline of a house.  He used the white icing
to give the effect of a barn door with some windows.  He did some stars out
of another piece of French Toast and with the last two pieces he made some
goats, sheep and pigs.  He poured the syrup to make it look like there was a
stream running by the manger.  He grabbed the powdered sugar, some milk, and
his tray and headed out with Trisha's dinner.

Trisha had a big smile when she saw Tyler coming to her table.  Tyler
presented her a platter and began to explain the dish!  "This is the manger
that Baby Jesus was born in, and here are the goat, and sheep, and pigs.
There was a stream running by the back of the manger and up in the sky there
were all these beautiful stars but one was brighter than the rest!  Do you
know why that star was brighter than the rest?"

"Cause. cause. it guided the three wise men?" Trisha guessed.

"You're a smart young lady!  When do we celebrate Jesus' birthday?" Tyler
asked.

"On Christmas Day!" She answered and then giggled.

"Right and that's in winter right?"  Tyler asked.  She nodded.

"What happens to the weather outside in winter?"  Tyler asked.

"It gets cold and snows!"  She said.

"Right! So we need some snow!" Tyler held up the powdered sugar over the
plate to a height just above Trisha's head and gently tapped the tin can and
it began to snow.

"Now I need you to taste one of those sheep and tell me what you think
because Chef Angelo says if you like it we might add it to the menu at
Christmas time?"  Trisha happily ate one of the sheep in one bite and nodded
her approval.  People around the restaurant had gathered to watch Tyler's
creation unfold and hear the story behind it.  A round of applause began
Tyler gave Trisha a kiss on the cheek.  "Enjoy your meal Sweetheart!" Tyler
said and headed back to the kitchen.

"Brendan!" Tyler yelled!  Brendan turned around and Tyler kissed him right
on the lips. "Did I tell you I love you?"  Tyler said winking at him.
Brendan smiled.

"Your girlfriend out there loved your creation!"  Tyler said and left to go
decorate cannoelis for Gina.

"I can't believe what our boy has had to go through." Linda said wiping
tears away.

"I can't believe an educated man like Tyler's Uncle could be so backward in
his thinking in the 21st century!" Larry said as he paced back and for in
front of his desk.

"What about Derek?"  Linda asked.

"What about Derek?"  Larry responded.

"I don't think he knows!  He would have said something." Linda asked.

"That's really up to Tyler to decide what he tells us or Derek." Larry said.

"We can't let Tyler spend Christmas alone!" Linda insisted.

"We don't have a choice Linda." Larry said. "Maybe he wants to be alone this
Christmas?"  Larry pondered out loud.

"No one should be alone at Christmas Larry.  This is going to ruin my
Christmas just knowing he's alone." Linda said and started to cry again.

"You can't force the boy Linda.  He has to come to that decision himself."
Larry said.

"You could talk to him Larry?  You'll see him tomorrow!" Linda asked.

"I suppose. if I get the chance to be alone.  I would sure like to know why
he's been hiding this from Derek. if he's been hiding it from Derek?"  Larry
pondered.

"Derek wouldn't keep a secret like this from us!" Linda said.

"Linda, there's a bond there that is so tight I think either of them would
do anything the other asked."  Larry said.

"So if Derek knew then he would make Tyler come here for Christmas?" Linda
said.

"Honey, think about the consequences down the road. if Tyler finds out we
told Derek then how would he trust us?  How would our other three boys trust
us to keep what they tell us secret?" Larry said.

"I know Honey. sometimes we know that people do stupid things and cover up
for other reasons, right Larry." Linda said staring at the broken light
hanging down the wall.

"I didn't think that would slip by you." Larry said sitting down across from
Linda.

"C'mon Larry we've had these discussions about our kids before.  We were
both pretty sure that Kyle was gay and Derek caught us completely by
surprise!"  Linda said.

"Ya got me there!  I didn't see that one coming. I'm sure glad it's Tyler
for the time being that he's with.  That boy has had a better effect on
Derek than our 18 years of parenting." Larry said chuckling.  "Speaking of
Derek being gay. remember how we decided that we would have to wait for
Derek to tell us!  I think that was the right course of non-action and it is
the same thing with Tyler!  Maybe Kyle will be straight?" Larry laughed.

"Nope!" Linda said smiling.

"Two out three?" Larry asked.

"Yup! When I came down from the bedroom I saw Chris holding Kyle in his
arms. I think they really love each other but he is only 14 so it might be a
stage." Linda said.

"You're never wrong Linda!"  Larry said smiling.

"Why thank you Larry for finally admitting to it!" Linda teased.

"But we can still count on Luke for grandchildren?" Larry asked smiling.

"Most definitely!  That's where we need to be worried!  I wonder how many we
will have before he turns 18?"  Linda sighed.

"I have the perfect contraceptive for that!" Larry smiled.

"What?" Linda asked.

"To prevent certain allergies, children under two can't have nuts of any
type!  The thought of Luke not having peanut butter will be enough to keep
his zipper up!" Larry laughed.

"Just think of how lucky Luke's children will be to have the Uncles they are
going to have?" Linda said smiling. "Are you going to be okay Larry?"

"Sure, but I'm not going to let that bastard David Peel hurt our son!"
Larry said clenching his fist.  Linda got up and came over to Larry and sat
on the arm of the chair he was in.

"I love you when you get so protective of our children."  Linda teased.

"You're really picking the wrong day to make fun of me." Larry said looking
up at her.

"I'm not making fun of you Larry.  I love that I see the same guy I did on
the day I married you!  I see so much of Tyler in you that if I didn't know
better I would say that you were his real father!"  Linda said rubbing
Larry's back.  "What are you going to tell Derek?"

"Nothing for the moment but I am going to have a talk with Tyler if I can
get him alone."  Larry said.

"How much does Kyle know?" Linda asked.

"He doesn't know any of the details but he knows something is wrong.  I
don't want to lie to him but I don't want to say anything either."  Larry
thought aloud.

"Kyle talks with Tyler on his computer a lot." Linda mused, "So why not ask
Kyle to keep a close eye on Tyler?"

"If I even hinted to Kyle something about Tyler don't you think he would be
the first to pick up the phone and call him?" Larry asked.

"Yes, I imagine so." Linda said. "I wonder how they came to be so close?"

"Maybe Kyle told Tyler about his being adopted and Tyler might bond closer
with Kyle because he has no family?"  Larry suggested.

"I somehow doubt it.  Kyle's always known he was adopted and that's never
been a concern.  In fact the last time it ever became a concern was when he
was in grade five and doing his family tree.  If Kyle told Tyler that he was
adopted it would have been based on his knowing about Tyler's family so I
really don't think he knows anything." Linda said.

"Who is Chris again?" Larry asked out of the blue.

"Chris is Kyle's friend from school.  His brother Jeff played on Derek's
team last year in High School."  Linda said.

"Hmmm you think I would remember him." Larry said.

"I don't think he got a lot of play being two years younger than Derek.
Kyle says that Jeff idolizes Derek!" Linda mentioned.

"It's a small world we live in huh?" Larry laughed.

"Kyle told me that Jeff used to treat Chris like Derek treated Kyle but I
gather when Jeff made the connection of who Kyle's older brother was he had
a change of heart and now the brothers are best friends." Linda said.

"You really know what's going on in our boy's lives.  It seems like Tyler
Jr. is working his magic on Chris and his family." Larry said.

"Of course I do honey. It's my job to keep on top of what they are doing and
with whom!" Linda said.

"What time does their movie get out?" Larry asked.

"It's 8:30 now so it should be out any time.  Why?"  Linda asked.

"Do we have all the frozen crap in the freezer that the boys love to eat?"
Larry asked.

"You mean onion bites, mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers, onion rings,
tortilla chips. all the stuff you hate but eat when there are leftovers?"
Linda teased and Larry glared at her.

"Dig 'em out of the freezer and phone Kyle and tell him to bring everyone
back here to eat!  I'll turn up the heat on the Jacuzzi.  I want my family
home tonight!"  Larry said. "You better call Casey's Mom and see if he can
stay the night." He added.

"Sure honey. I'll do all that while you turn up the thermostat on the
Jacuzzi." Linda said getting up to leave.

"Point noted. What do you need me to do?"  Larry asked.

"Bring some cold sodas from the fridge in the garage, make some of your BLT
nacho's, and shovel the snow off the deck to the Jacuzzi!"  Linda said
smiling.

"Sorry I asked!"  Larry groaned.

"No you're not!" Linda said and winked as she left.

"No I'm not!" Larry smiled to himself.

Tyler laid his head against his dorm room door and sighed before putting the
key in. "Dear God, please let me have the key right side up because I don't
have the strength left to turn the key over."  Tyler said.  "Damn."

Tyler unlocked the door and walked in to see that all of his Christmas
lights were turned off.  He walked down the hallway to the bedroom to see
Derek sitting reading a book wearing his Canadian flag boxers.  The room was
aglow with the light from seven candles burning through out the room and the
only sign of Christmas was his spinning Santa which had been reinstalled in
the ceiling fixture.

"Hi Babe, welcome home.  Tough night huh?" Derek asked getting up and
helping Tyler remove his coat.

"Uh huh." Tyler began. "If we ever have a daughter we're not naming her
Trisha!"

"Word!" Derek said and laughed.  "Relax, I have something for you."

"Derek I'm too tired.  I just want to go to sleep. I'm sorry." Tyler said
unbuckling his belt.

"Shush!" Derek said as he undid his tie.  He helped boost Tyler into bed and
then set a couple of jars up on the bed beside Tyler.  "I want you to put
one of your pillows under your chest." Derek said.

"Do I smell Vanilla?" Tyler asked.

"Those are the scented candles." Derek said as he turned on the CD player
and Kenny Loggins "Outside in the Redwoods" disc began playing.

Derek climbed up on top of Tyler and sat on his butt.  He squirted Vanilla
scented oil on Tyler's back and began a back massage.

"Mmmmm" Tyler moaned. "I didn't know until this moment that I could love you
even more than I already did!"

"Shhhh! Relax and go to sleep my love." Derek said.

After almost 20 minutes of a massage Tyler asked, "Would you come to bed and
just hold me?"

"Sure, just let me put the candles out first!" Derek said gathering up his
massage oils and climbing down out of their bed.  When he returned he
snuggled up close to Tyler.  Derek wrapped his arm around Tyler and Tyler
squeezed Derek's hand three times.

"I love you too Tyler, now close your eyes and everything will be better in
the morning." Derek said.  Derek soon closed his eyes to the sound of Tyler
purring in his sleep and Kenny Loggins singing, "If you believe".

The front door opened to the sounds of five pairs of winter boots being
kicked around.  Larry and Linda came out to meet and greet the five of them.
  Kyle was the first one to run and hug his Dad.

"I love you Dad!" Kyle whispered in his ear.

"I love you too Kyle. Are you going to introduce me to that someone special
and his brother?" Larry said. Kyle pulled away in shock and saw his Dad wink
at him.  Kyle grinned.

Kyle pulled his Dad by the hand like any four year old would in a department
store wanting to go to the toy section.

"Dad, these are my two best friends in the world!  This is Chris and his
brother Jeff!" Kyle said.  They all shook hands.

"Chris it is nice to meet you.  Tyler, I mean Kyle, never stops talking
about you.  Hi Jeff! I think I remember watching you play a bit of ball with
Derek last year?" Larry asked.

"Yes Sir!" Jeff said with a big grin on his face over being acknowledged.

"Well let's all go into the kitchen boys because we've got lots of snacks
for you to eat!" Larry said.  The boys gathered on the bar stools on the
other side of the island while Larry and Linda served up large platters
filled with all the unhealthy treats they could find.  Larry opened the
fridge and pulled out a special plate for Luke and Casey filled with peanut
butter and banana rolls.

"Oh yeah Dad!" Luke yelled raising his arms up in the air.

"Your father made them too!" Linda said.

"Hey guys, I turned on the Jacuzzi and it should be ready in about a half an
hour so if you guys want you can all go hot tubbin'!" Larry said smiling.

"Casey, we phoned your Mom and she said you could stay the night if you
wanted?" Linda said.

"Yay!!!!!!!" Luke and Casey said in unison.

"Kyle you could probably find something of Derek's for Jeff to wear in the
Jacuzzi?" Larry asked.

Jeff almost choked on a mozzarella stick when he heard Larry say that.  Kyle
and Chris started to laugh knowing that it would be an ultimate fantasy come
true for Jeff.

"Actually Jeff, why don't you call home and see if you can both spend the
night.  If you don't mind sleeping in Derek's bed?" Larry said.  That made
Jeff start choking on his R.C. and there was no holding back the laughter
for Kyle and Chris.

"Thank you Sir, but I probably should head home.  It won't be a problem for
Chris to stay though." Jeff said catching his breath.

Larry came up behind Jeff and put his arms around him. "Jeff you are more
than welcome to stay. Any friend of Kyle's is automatically a member of our
family.  You are welcome here anytime you like!" Larry said.

"Thank you Sir! That is really nice of you to say!" Jeff said as he tried
one of the peanut butter and banana roll ups.

Kyle pulled out the change from the movie and gave it back to his father.
Larry put the money in Jeff's hand and said, "Here this is yours for driving
and baby sitting!"

Before Jeff could even say thank you Luke said, "You like peanut butter and
banana?" Luke asked.

"You bet! It's one of my favourites!" Jeff said.  Luke got down from his bar
stool and crawled up on Jeff's lap.  Jeff wrapped his right arm around Luke
to hold him from falling.

"You can sleep in my room with me and Casey and Mango!" Luke announced if
not ordered!  Larry and Linda started laughing and Linda winked at Jeff who
had a big grin on his face.

"Luke, he's going to sleep in Derek's bed!  There's no room with you, Casey,
and Mango!" Kyle said.

"Who's Mango?" Jeff asked.  Another burst of laughter came out from
everyone.

Luke stared each of them down, one by one, until there was silence in the
room.  "Mango is my pet monkey."  Luke said looking up at Jeff.

"Don't worry Jeff, we don't have to feed him because he's already STUFFED"
Linda said with a wink.

"Ohhhh. You know Luke I sleep with Bucky, a stuffed bear!" Jeff announced.
Kyle and Chris started giggling.  Jeff glared at his brother.

"And you know Luke. Chris sleeps with." Jeff started to say.

"DON'T YOU DARE!" Chris said pointing at Jeff.

"Ever seen the two bears on the jar of Kraft peanut butter?" Jeff asked
Luke.

Linda, Larry, and Kyle burst out laughing!  "Yeah I think he's heard of
them!" Kyle said.

"Well Chris has one of those bears with the red ribbon around his neck and
he calls him." Jeff began.

"You are SO DEAD Jeff!"  Chris said getting up to go after him but Kyle held
him tight.

"Crunchy!  Crunchy the bear!" Jeff said barely getting it out over his own
laughter.  Abbey came into the room barking over the noise and Luke got down
from Jeff's lap and went over and hugged Chris.

"They don't understand us!" Luke said resting his face into Chris' tummy."
Chris stuck his tongue out at Jeff, which only brought on more laughter.

"Excuse me a moment!" Kyle said, "I need to go post something on the
internet!" He said stepping down from his bar stool with a big grin.  Chris
grabbed the collar of his shirt and said, "You're not going anywhere!"

Almost an hour later there were 5 white, fluffy towels stacked next to the
sliding glass doors in the solarium.  Larry and Linda were sitting on bar
stools drinking a glass of wine.

"I think there's more water outside of the tub than there is in it now!"
Larry said.

"Are you feeling better Larry?" She asked.

"Yes and no. I love our kids and their friends.  Now that I know I can see
the chemistry between Kyle and Chris.  I wish you had told me before!" Larry
said.

"Really? I didn't think it mattered to you?" Linda asked.

"This is our life Linda and I don't want to miss another minute of it!"
Larry said as he kissed Linda.

Kyle and Chris were on one side of the Jacuzzi and Jeff was on the other
with Luke on one leg and Casey sitting on the other.  What no one could see
was that Jeff's foot was in the crotch of Kyle and Chris giving them a
massage.   Luke began making his rounds and moved to sit on Chris' lap.
Chris was concerned about Luke sitting on his full erection and tried in
vain to move Luke.  Luke slid his hand down into Chris' shorts and moved his
erection to one side and then leaned back.  Chris wrapped his arms around
Luke and quietly kissed the back of his head.  Luke tapped Chris' arm three
times.  Chris flexed his muscle three times against Luke's butt and Luke
laughed.

"Do you think we better bring our two youngest boys in?" Larry asked.

"Give them a few more minutes!  It's winter now and you don't have to deal
with them inside the house all day!"  Linda said laughing.

Luke was the first to notice his Mom and Dad kissing and pointed it out to
everyone.  Chris looked at Kyle and Kyle smiled back.  They both knew that
things must be a bit better.

Luke moved over to Kyle but this time he laid into Kyle and rested his face
on Kyle's chest.  Luke wrapped his arms around behind Kyle and tapped him
three times.

Kyle whispered in Luke's ear, "You'll always be my number one Lukey!"

"Crunchy and Smoothy!  Time for bed!  Get your wet butts in here!" Larry
yelled.  Jeff and Kyle found that funnier than Chris did.  Luke and Casey
did the 10 second dash to the open patio doors, Luke in Linda's towel
covered arms and Casey into Larry's where they were carried upstairs to get
ready for bed.

Kyle reached across and pulled Jeff over beside him.  "I'm gonna head inside
guys!" Jeff announced.

"What?  Why?" Kyle asked.  "We just got you alone to ourselves."

"I think you guys should have a little quiet time in the Jacuzzi alone!"
Jeff smiled.

"NO!" Chris said.

"Look, you guys can come visit me later in Derek's room!" Jeff said winking.

"Jeff!  Derek's boxers are in the 3rd drawer down of his chest.  Don't touch
the Flag or Mickey boxers. He'll know!  See ya in a bit!" Kyle said and
pulled Jeff in for a kiss.

"Not here! Your parent's might see!" Jeff said pushing Kyle away.

"Jeff, they already love you because they know I love you and they trust me!
  Didn't Dad wrap his arms around you and tell you that you are welcome here
anytime?"  Kyle said and Jeff nodded with a frown.  "What's wrong Jeff?"

"I just wish our Dad would do that with us."  Jeff said looking at Chris and
they both looked away.

"Jeff?  How long have you been playing tough guy asshole?  When was the last
time you hugged your Dad and told him you loved him?"  Kyle asked.  Jeff
didn't answer.

"Chris?" Kyle asked.

"I tell him that I love him all the time but he isn't the huggy type." Chris
said.

"So it's both you guys' fault!  Haven't you learned how to train your
parents yet?"  Kyle said and Jeff and Chris started to laugh.

"Obviously not, but you've done a damn good job!" Chris said.

"No shit!" Jeff said. "You've got me under your spell. but then again I like
being under you" He said winking.

"When you go home tomorrow, I want both of you to give your Dad a hug and
tell him that you love him!  Then watch the change happen!"

"Who taught you all this stuff?" Chris asked.

Jeff shook his head up and down and said, "Good question lil bro!"

"Luke." Kyle said very quietly.

"What?" Chris said laughing!

"Let's go in guys!" Kyle said standing up.  The boys went inside, grabbed
their towels, and headed up to Kyle's room.  As they passed Luke's room they
could hear Larry reading a Bearinstein bears story to them.  Chris threw on
a pair of Kyle's boxers and along with Jeff they went back to Luke's room to
say good night.

Jeff returned to Derek's room and Kyle and Chris went to Kyle's room.
"Where's Jeff?" Kyle asked.

"Dunno?"  Chris said.  "Maybe he went to Derek's room?"

Kyle walked through the bathroom into Derek's room to see Jeff looking at
all of Derek's trophies.  Kyle snuck and wrapped his arms around him.

"Ahhh!"  Jeff said.

"Scared ya huh?" Kyle said.

"No!  Cold hands!" Jeff said.

"Sorry, I just brushed my teeth." Kyle said. "Pretty cool huh?"

"Yeah." Jeff said.

"Its just stuff Jeff." Kyle said.

"I know, but it's proof of success!" Jeff said holding the M.V.P. trophy in
his hand.

"So having been given the M.V.P. by a bunch of fucktard's whose world
revolves only around football means something?" Kyle asked.

Jeff looked Kyle. "I'm sorry Jeff. I didn't mean it like that."

"What did you mean then?" Jeff asked setting the trophy back on the shelf
and folding his arms.

"It's a piece of plastic with a fake wood base and some badly etched brass
plate and nothing more!" Kyle said. "Look, if you become the greatest
football player in the world that is great, but it doesn't really mean
anything!  Who was the M.V.P. of the Superbowl in '84?"

"I don't know Kyle and I don't care!" Jeff said getting angry.

"Exactly! It doesn't mean shit and no one will remember anyway." Kyle said.
"Chris and I love you and being loved should mean more than any trophy!"

Kyle pulled Jeff into a hug. "I'm not trying to be mean Jeff. I know there
is more to you than football. I've seen it in you and when you meet my
brother and Tyler they will tell you the same thing."  Kyle said and then
looked up at Jeff who showed no emotion.

"Good night Kyle, I love you, go to bed." Jeff said pushing him away.

Kyle walked to the shared bathroom door and turned and said, "Ever listen to
those hockey parents at the games?  All they can talk about is when they
played hockey and how great they were?"  Kyle walked on through into his
room.

"How was story time with the Bearinstein bears?" Linda asked as she set down
her book.

"They haven't changed much since I read them to Derek and Kyle!" Larry
sighed.

"Are the boys settled down yet?" Linda asked.

"A little but not really.  Luke was blaming it on Mango and Casey backed him
up so I told Mango if he didn't settle down he would be grounded for the
rest of the weekend." Larry sighed taking off his shirt.

"I can't remember the last time you read to any of the boys?" Linda pondered
and Larry stopped and looked at her.

"I assure you that you those days are long gone.  If I'm home, I am reading
to Luke before bed from now on. Kyle, Derek, and Tyler too if they want!"
Larry said putting his pyjamas on.  Linda laughed.

"What time are you leaving in the morning?" Linda asked.

"I hope to be gone by 7:30 or 8:00 at the latest." Larry said crawling into
bed.

"Don't forget to set the alarm then dear!"  Linda said.

"I get up at five most mornings!  Why would I need to set the alarm?" Larry
asked.

"After the day you've had you might just sleep a little later tomorrow!"
Linda said.

"I'm more likely not to sleep at all tonight." Larry said fluffing his
pillow.  Linda slid over to Larry's side of the bed and snuggled up against
his back.

"Turn the radio on for a bit. maybe we can catch the weather for the
morning?" Linda said and Larry set the timer to 30 minutes.

"I'm really proud of you today Larry!"

"For not breaking the entire house?" Larry said.

"That too. I'm proud of you for standing up for our son!" Linda said.

Larry snorted. "He really is our son, isn't he?"

"He was our son long before we knew about his past or even his relationship
with Derek." Linda said.

Larry started to cry and tried to hold it back.

"Let it out Larry.  Don't hold it in." Linda said hugging him tightly.
Larry began to sob.

"I wonder if I will ever be cried out?  I wonder if it will ever stop?  I
wonder why this is happening to me?"  Larry said as he calmed down a little.

"Larry, you of all people know that the parent-child relationship has little
to do with DNA!  It comes from your heart and soul.  Those are happy tears
Larry!  You are sharing Tyler's pain.  There aren't many truer signs of love
than what you are experiencing right now!" Linda said.

"Do the tears ever stop?" Larry asked sniffling.

"For the most part yes, you learn to cry inside.  It's that first day of
school when you send them off on their own.  The first girlfriend, or in our
case boyfriend!" Linda said and Larry chuckled.  "And then there's the day
they move out on you and there are a few thousand other times in between."
Linda said.

Larry thought about Linda's words in silence.

"You're the best Dad they could have ever had and the best husband in the
world!  In some ways I feel worse for you than I do for Tyler right now."
Linda said.

"If that's supposed to make me feel better then you're not doing a good job
Mom!" Larry said.

"Larry I wouldn't change giving up a career for raising our boys for all the
money in the world!  You brought home the pay check but in doing so, you
missed out on a lot of special little moments and not all of them were good
either!"  Linda joked.

"Lucas!" Larry said.

"Lucas!" Linda concurred.

"You still did more as a working Dad than 99% of the fathers in this world.
You gave them everything they ever needed or wanted, but mostly you gave
them your love and you gave them the freedom to become themselves.  Those
boys worship you Larry!  Kyle is 14 and will still give you a hug and kiss
in front of his friends!  Luke would drop a peanut butter sandwich to say
goodbye or hello to you, and Derek, our prodigal son, < Larry laughed> had
to go away to learn for himself what is really important but he figured it
out and that is because of the grounding you gave him in life!"  Linda said
kissing the back of Larry's head.

"I always wondered if all those time I grounded him would pay off?" Larry
said smiling.

Linda ran one nail straight down his back.  "It was a joke Linda!"

"So why do I still hurt so much inside then?" Larry asked.

"What you experienced tonight Larry was sort of like being first on the
scene at a car accident and I must say you handled as well or better than
anyone could. You're really lucky that you got to experience what you did!"
Linda said.

"How so. this should be good." Larry said sarcastically.

"Larry.  Most men never get involved, but you've now taken the next step of
becoming a more active parent.  You are hurting beyond anything you've ever
experienced.  You haven't lost a parent yet so you really don't know what
the pain is like until now.  Remember that feeling pain is still better than
feeling nothing at all!"  Linda said.

"Now you sound like me!" Larry smiled.

"Good Heavens!  I can't be that bad of a Mother?" Linda teased and poked his
ribs.

"I understand everything you've said to me but I still don't know why I hurt
so much right now?"  Larry asked.

"Do you really want me to give you the answer?"  Linda asked.

"Do you want me to get any sleep tonight?" Larry asked.

"I just think it's something you need to figure out on your own." Linda
said.

"Linda!"

"The answer is right in front of you but no one likes to admit it." She
said.

"Linda!!!"

"It's very simple. You've come to the realization that you can't fix every
problem that happens to your sons.  There's a part two to this also?"  Linda
hinted.

"More?"  Larry asked.

"This is the tough part Larry.  Buckle up!  You've come to the realization
that you need your boys more than they need you!" Linda said rubbing his
chest.

"I didn't want to know that." Larry sulked.

"I know honey but I heard this rumour that if you did a good job before they
leave the house, they keep coming back!" Linda said kissing his back.

"I didn't want to know that either!" Larry joked and Linda swatted the back
of his head.

"I know it doesn't matter hearing it from me that you really are the world's
greatest Dad but I can assure you that in time you will hear it from all of
your boys!" Linda said.

"Hold me Linda." Larry said and Linda brought the side of her face against
Larry's back.  The song 'One Hundred Year's' by Five For Fighting came on
and Larry turned up the alarm clock radio's volume.  Larry started to weep
again.


Derek woke up hugging Tyler's pillow but Tyler was nowhere to be seen.
Derek jumped out of bed and dialled Tyler's cell phone number.  He heard the
buzzing and saw that Tyler didn't take the phone with him because it was
still charging.  Derek threw on some boxers and grabbed his keys to run down
and see if Tyler was in the shower.  When he opened the door there stood
Tyler about to stick his key in the door holding a McDonald's bag.

"Shit! You scared the Hell out of me!" Derek said.

"Me? What did I do?" Tyler said.

"You were gone!  You weren't here!"  Derek said.

"Sorry. I just went to McDonalds.  I brought Breakfast Burritos with extra
hot sauce!" Tyler said holding the bag up in the air.

Derek just stared at Tyler. "Are you okay Derek?" Tyler asked.

"Yeah. I had a dream and you got hurt or killed or something. I don't
remember and then I woke and you were gone." Derek said.

"You're sweating Derek. Relax; it was just a bad dream. You said there was
something happening at home and that fear probably brought on the
nightmare!" Tyler said.

"Maybe you right!" Derek mused and calmed down.

"When is your Dad due to arrive?" Tyler asked.

"Not until 10 so I have a couple of hours!" Derek said following Tyler back
into the room.

"Derek! It's 9:45 a.m. now!" Tyler said laughing.

"Shit! You slept in! Why did you sleep in?  You've never slept in since the
day I met you!" Derek yelled and Tyler laughed.

"I was tired and it's Saturday morning. and I had this great massage last
night that made me sleep like a baby!" Tyler grinned. "You really should get
this guy I had to give you a massage!  He's very sexy and has these smooth
hands and ripped muscles.  God he is hot! I'm thinking about moving in with
him next semester so you will have to find another roommate!" Tyler teased.
Derek just stared at him.

"Here Derek, drink your hot chocolate and eat your breakfast burritos!"
Tyler said and Derek grabbed the bag out Tyler's hand and dropped into the
loveseat.

"You're welcome!" Tyler said laughing.

"I had a bad dream and you don't even care!" Derek said with a mouthful of
burrito.

"Yes I care Pookie. but not really!" Tyler said kissing the top of his head.
  "You need a shower Derek!" Tyler said as he climbed up on his bed to
remove Santa and his five reindeer.

"Oh God, you're not really making me take that thing home to Luke are you?"
Derek asked.  Tyler looked down over Derek and shook his head and rolled his
eyes.

"Got to admit you did a nice job on the PB jars!" Derek said as he started
on burrito number three.

"See! You just needed some food in your tummy!" Tyler teased.

Knock, Knock, Knock

"Shit!" Derek said with a mouthful. "Dad is here!" Derek ran down the
hallway to open the door.

"Derek!" Larry said.

"Dad! I missed you!" Derek said hugging Larry.  "Sorry, I slept in because
Tyler didn't wake me up!  I still need to shower and finish packing."

"That's okay Derek.  Actually Derek I am having some problems with the van
and I thought I might get it checked out here before we head home."  Larry
said following Derek back into the bedroom

"Good morning Sir!" Tyler said from atop the bed removing Santa.

"Morning Tyler. Wow! You guys really decorated the place up for Christmas!"
Larry said.

"No way Dad! It was all Tyler! If I were doing decorating it would be much
more tasteful!"  Derek said dropping his boxers and wrapping a towel around
his waist.

"I can only imagine. since your half of the room looks like it should be
photographed and published in 'Better Slums and Hovels'!"  Larry said.
Tyler snickered and then looked at Derek.

"Actually Tyler, if I could borrow you to come along with me to a Ford
dealership while Derek showers and packs just in case they need to keep the
Van for a while?"  Larry asked.

"Anything for you Sir!"  Tyler said.

"Cut the Sir crap out!" Derek said.

"To whom? You or your Dad?" Tyler said with a big grin.

Tyler hopped down from the bed and suggested that they carry all of his
presents for the boys now since they are going to the Van anyway.

"I'll call you Derek if we are going to be more than an hour!" Larry said
giving Derek a hug and kiss before they left.

After Tyler and Larry loaded everything into the Van, Tyler said, "If you
want to follow me I know where the closest Ford Dealership is."

"Get in!" Larry said to Tyler.

"That sounds like more of an order than a request?" Tyler asked.

"Smart boy! It is!" Larry said.

Larry started up the Van and pulled out and left the University and started
driving towards downtown.

"Where's that bakery that you get those cinnamon buns?" Larry asked.

"About eight blocks down and make right at the 1st. National Bank." Tyler
said.

"Is this about last night?" Tyler asked.

"What do you know about last night?" Larry asked.

"Derek called me at work and said something was very wrong at home." Tyler
said not looking up from the floor.  "Are Luke and Kyle all right?"

"Luke and Kyle are fine!" Larry said.  Tyler released a loud exhale and
Larry smiled to himself.

Larry pulled into Brewd Awakenings and told Tyler 'not to move'!  He
returned with two large black coffees and two-dozen cinnamon buns.

"Closest park?" Larry demanded.

"Four blocks that way and down to the waterfront." Tyler pointed as he held
on to the two coffees.

Tyler followed Larry to a picnic table and Larry told him to sit down.

"Yes Sir." Tyler said now pretty damn sure he was in trouble and it was
likely to do with his relationship with Derek.

"You don't want me near Derek anymore do you?" Tyler asked sinking his head
down.

"Actually Tyler if it was legal to marry you guys and I was capable of doing
it you would both be married by now before Derek fucks something up and you
leave him.  You're the single best and most important addition that the
Anderson family has ever had!" Larry said just shy of yelling.  Tyler turned
his head slightly and looked up at Larry.

"Do you have any idea as to why I brought you here?"  Larry asked.

"Is easier to dispose of my body in the water?" Tyler answered with a slight
grin.

"That thought might have crossed my mind last night Tyler but it is daylight
and all." Larry said.  "Anything you want to tell me Tyler?"

"Sir?" Tyler raised his head with a confused look.

"Anything that might be relevant. say. about your past?" Larry asked.
Tyler's head dropped back down.

"How did you find out?" Tyler asked still looking down at the grass.

"That's really not important. The question might be at what point in time
were you going to tell Derek or the rest of your family in Baltimore?"
Larry asked pacing back and forth in front of Tyler.

Tyler didn't respond.

"I'm actually surprised that Derek doesn't know by now!  He doesn't know
does he?" Larry asked.

"No Sir." Tyler mumbled.

"If I were Derek I would googled your name and found that the first 20 news
articles related to a car accident on a major highway in Toronto but while
Derek may be many things he's a lousy detective!"  Larry said.

Tears began streaming down Tyler's face.  He didn't look up.

"I'm sorry Tyler, I shouldn't have said it that way."  Larry said.  "Were
you ever going to tell him?"

"Mmmm Hmmm." Tyler mumbled.

"When?" Larry asked.

Tyler set his coffee down and wiped his eyes with both hands.  "We had a
talk and I promised him that I would tell him everything about me and he
could ask me any question he wanted but not until after New Year's."  Tyler
said.

"Why not until after New Years?" Larry asked.

"After we worked everything out when we got back from Baltimore I was going
to tell him then because I was going back to Toronto for Christmas.  I
figure he needed to know then because if he didn't want to be roommates I
needed to find some place else to live in the New Year.  Then I had this
argument with a relative and I knew there was no way I was going back to
Toronto for Christmas.  If I told Derek before hand he would insist that I
come to your place and I didn't want to do that."  Tyler said looking over
at Larry.

"Why wouldn't you want to spend Christmas with us?  You don't like us?"
Larry asked.

"No Sir. Too be honest, I love each and every one of you more than my own
family with the exception of my brother David.  I don't expect you to
understand this but the reason is really simple.  I don't want people
feeling sorry for me.  I don't want people to be my friend, love me, invite
me for dinner, or anything else because. 'Poor Tyler, he doesn't have
anyone'.  I CAN'T DEAL WITH THAT!!!!!!"  Tyler yelled.

"Sorry Sir. I didn't mean to yell."

"There's one of your basic problems Tyler. You don't have to apologize for
you being you!"  Larry said sitting down beside Tyler.

"Are you going to tell Derek?" Tyler asked.

"No. I can't!" Larry said.  Tyler looked over at him with the same confused
stare.

"Anything one of my son's tells me stays in confidence or else they would
never trust me again."  Larry said not looking at Tyler.

"Thank you Sir." Tyler said.

"You're only hurting yourself and Derek and I can't say how he will deal
with this the longer you wait.  If you really love him and I believe you do,
then you will talk with him very soon!"  Larry said.

"Does Mrs. Anderson know?" Tyler asked.

"Yes she does but that is all!" Larry said. "She did say that this was going
to ruin her Christmas thinking of you being all alone!"

"Don't put that on me Sir. That's not fair!" Tyler said.

"It's no less fair that lying to Derek?"  Larry argued.

"I didn't lie to Derek!  Not saying something isn't lying!" Tyler said.

"Technically no, but in reality yes!  Withholding something this big isn't
right but that is for you to decide and remember that you will have to live
with the consequences of your lack of action." Larry said. "I don't love you
like a son, I love you as my son!  Linda and the boys all feel the same
way."  Larry said.

"Thank you Sir. I feel that way myself."  Tyler said.

"I don't think you really do Tyler!  I think if you really trusted and loved
the Andersons you would have the faith in us to be able to tell us anything
and know that we wouldn't love you any less.  I can tell you that when you
really do love someone you want to be share in their good and bad times.
You're really not setting much of an example for Derek and as for Kyle. he
worships the ground you walk on!  Derek's not a little boy but Kyle still
isn't a man!  I'm not even sure if you'll be able to repair that
friendship?" Larry pondered.  Tyler didn't respond.

"You're not a little boy Tyler and I will respect your right to privacy and
for you to make your own decisions.  If this blows up in your face I promise
to stand beside you because I believe in you and love you but my guess is
you're just going to relive the pain you experienced last July all over
again.  I can't fathom the pain you must carry with you Tyler but I can't
imagine that being alone wouldn't make it any better!"  Larry said pulling
Tyler into a hug.  Tyler's eyes began pour again.

"You have been and always will be a son and brother to the Andersons if you
want to be." Larry said.  Tyler squeezed his arms tighter around Larry.

"Do you know what we call Kyle now?"  Larry asked.  Tyler shook his head no
in Larry's chest.

"Tyler Jr." Larry said and Tyler started to laugh.

"I think that belt for the alternator is now fixed huh?" Larry said and
Tyler nodded still holding on to Larry.

"Sir?" Tyler asked.

"Yes, Tyler." Larry said.

"Just remember that I love you and all of the Andersons!" Tyler said and got
up and walked ahead of Larry back to the Van.

Larry followed behind thinking that wasn't what he wanted to hear Tyler say.
  They rode back to the dorm in silence.  Riding in the elevator Tyler
looked over at Larry and Larry looked at Tyler.  Tyler looked down at the
floor.

"I'm not ready yet." Tyler said as the door opened and walked out ahead of
Larry.

Tyler walked past Derek not able to look him in the face.  Derek could tell
that Tyler had been crying.  "How did it go?" Derek asked as they returned.

"Fan belt for the Alternator.  We'll have working headlights for the road
home. Got everything packed to go?" Larry asked.

"Yeah. Lots of laundry for Mom and a Santa with 5 tiny reindeer for Luke!"
Derek said.

"How many loads do you figure?" Larry asked.

"I think we can both carry everything down in one load."  Derek said.

"Okay, well let me take these two suitcases and I'll put those bags under my
arms.  I just want to say good bye to Tyler first." Larry said.

Tyler turned around from his closet and Larry came up and wrapped his arms
around him.  "We're going to miss you around the dinner table Tyler.  I
don't know why you don't skip the trip up north and come south for the
holiday?"  Larry said.

"I will miss you too Sir." Tyler said.

"Never forget how much we love and will be thinking of you!" Larry said and
kissed the top of Tyler's head.  Larry loaded himself up and told Derek to
take his time, as there was no rush.

"I guess this is it for the next 11 days." Derek said standing in front of
Tyler with his hands in his pockets.

"Yeah. You should get going Derek. If you stand here any longer I think I am
going to cry." Tyler said.

"Me too Ty.  I left your present on your bed!  Remember, no peeking until
Christmas morning!  I love you Tyler Peel!  You are my everything."  Derek
said.

Tyler pulled on Derek's sweatshirt and half smiled as he kissed him.  "You
are my world Derek, my one and only, now and forever!"  Tyler said. "Get
going please!"

Tyler helped Derek load himself up.  A lot of quick glances and eye contact
happened over the next two minutes but no words were spoken.

As Derek stepped out the door he turned around and said, "Is there something
you want to say?"  Derek asked.

"Yeah, I love you Derek Anderson." Tyler said and closed the door.

Derek got in the passenger side of the Van and they left the University to
go home to Baltimore.  Larry pulled into a rest stop to get gas.  While he
went to the washroom Derek pumped the gas.  When he was done he popped the
hood of the Van and checked the oil.  He looked at the alternator and then
twisted the fan belt.  He slammed the hood down and got back inside the Van.

They headed back south on the freeway towards Maryland in silence.  Derek
sat with his arms crossed staring out the window.

"How did your exams go?" Larry asked.

"Fine!" Derek said not looking at him.

"I assume you passed all of your courses?" Larry asked.

"Yes." Derek said angrily.

<The silence continues for about an hour>

"Did they charge you much for the new fan belt?" Derek asked looking out his
window.

"I don't know." Larry said.

"I'll bet you don't!" Derek said.  Larry just looked forward on the road.

"Are you going to tell me what's going on?" Derek said staring at his
father.

"What in particular do you want to know?" Larry said.

"Mom's lying to me on the phone last night, you and Tyler go out to fix a
fan belt but he doesn't take his Jeep, he comes back and I can tell he's
been crying, and I checked the oil when we got gas and it's an OEM fan belt
that probably should be changed!" Derek said.

"All good questions but you're asking the wrong person."  Larry said.

"Who should I be asking?" Derek said.

"If you're that good of a detective you'll also figure out the answer to
that question!" Larry said.

Tyler climbed into bed and turned on his MP3 player and set it to Kenny
Loggin's "Conviction of the Heart" on repeat.  He pulled Derek's pillow
over; hugging it he closed his eyes.




Post your gripes/compliments/questions at:
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Please do not email the author!

Many thanks to Nifty.org for providing a vehicle to display my first
multi-chaptered story and the poor guy at Nifty who has tolerated me over
the last few months!  All Rights Reserved Copyright 2005-2006 Tyler Peel.