Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2003 16:06:54 -0700 (PDT)
From: rimpigfl <rimpigfl@yahoo.com>
Subject: SUBIC SURRENDER 24

DISCLAIMER: I don't fucking care how old you are. If you like the idea of
two hunky young Marine's getting it on with each other then read on!

By the way, no Marine's were injured or killed in the writing of this story
but that's not true of what's going on in the Middle East or other foreign
places. I would ask your prayers, good thoughts or whatever for all the
Marines serving our country (that's us guys!) around the world.

This is dedicated to every one who has ever served in the USMC - Semper Fi!

SUBIC SURRENDER - Part 24
MICHAEL'S STORY - Part 9
by RimPig   2003

That weekend in Key West was one of the memories that I most cherish. We
made love so many times I lost count. We walked all over and talked. We
talked about what we wanted our lives to be like now that we were going to
basically be in charge of them. We had our own home and jobs.  Our future
was pretty well laid out and we were both happy with it. Well...maybe not
completely.  At least I wasn't - and Matt, as perceptive as always, knew
it.

"Michael, what's wrong? What is it that's bothering you?" he asked as we
sat on a quiet beach as the sun was setting.

"Something stupid." I said. I didn't really want to talk about this.

"If it's bothering you that much, it's not stupid." Matt said, leaning his
head against my shoulder.

"Trust me, it's stupid." I said.

"Michael, we don't hold things back from each other. We trust each other
with everything." Matt said.

And I reddened in embarrassment because I knew he was right. What he said
was true. I could trust him with this. Even if he didn't understand, he
would accept.

"I want us to have a son." I said quietly, hanging my head at the
admission.

I felt Matt's arm come around my shoulders as he pulled me to him.

"I want the same thing. It's not stupid, Michael." Matt said.

"Yes, it is! No matter how much cum we shoot into each other's bodies,
neither one of us is going to get pregnant. And with the laws the way they
are, we can't adopt a child they way my Dads adopted me." I said.

"Oh, so that's what this is all about. You want to do for some kid what
your Dads did for you."  Michael said quietly.

I looked at him in shock! Yes, that was exactly it but I marveled at his
ability to divine this in me.

"How did you know?" I asked.

"Babe, it's easy. I know how grateful you are to Mike and Rick. You want to
show them that they did a good job raising you by raising a boy of your
own. I couldn't agree more. I mean, it's perfectly normal for us to want to
be fathers. Just because we're Gay, it doesn't change that part of our male
natures." Matt said.

"No, I never thought it did. I've never felt like I was less of a male
because I love you. I've never felt like we were abnormal or 'sick' or
anything." I said.

"I did." he said quietly.

"What do you mean?" I asked looking at him.

"Look, I didn't grow up with my Dads the way you did. When I was growing up
with my Mom, I knew that I was attracted to guys when I was real little. I
didn't know why I was because all the older guys I saw were into women. I
just figured that I'd eventually change. Actually, I prayed that I would
because I heard my uncles, my mother's brothers, talking about 'queers' and
'faggots' and I knew that was the most terrible thing on earth to be." he
said.

"But you never seemed to have a problem with being Gay, even from the
beginning." I said.

"When I came to live with my Dad, I was already convinced that I was never
going to change.  Plenty of guys my age were already going nuts over
Playboy and stuff and it just left me cold. I was terrified of meeting my
Dad because I didn't want him to ever know I was 'queer'. I was so relieved
when he told me about him and Brian I almost cried! Knowing my Dad loved
another guy made it okay because I really love my Dad and I wanted, more
than anything, to be a man like him. I thought I'd have to go into the
Marine Corps to become that, but I found out that day that I already was
like him in some very special ways." Matt said.

"That is so cool!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah, it is." he smiled. "Of course, when I met you, I was done for. I
knew there was not only never going to be a woman in my life, I didn't
think there was going to be another man. I guess I was just precocious or
something. I know my Dad and Brian kind of took how I felt about you as an
infatuation that I'd soon get over."

"Yeah, Rick and Mike took my going crazy over you as the same thing. I
think they're all truly shocked that things have worked between us. I think
they finally believe that we were meant to be together." I smiled.

"Soul-mates." Matt said.

"Yeah, I like that - soul-mates! I've found that what I feel for you
doesn't just come from my heart or my groin. It goes deeper than that. I
don't know how else to say it...without you, I can't see my life having any
meaning at all." I said softly, licking at his neck.

"Like mine would without you?" Matt said.

"But I know we have enough love to give to a son. Between us, I know we
could be good parents to him." I said.

"I know we would, too. But have you thought of something...what if we
raised him and he turned out to be straight?" Matt asked.

"So? Would that make a difference to you?" I asked.

"I don't know. It would be kind of awkward, don't you think?" he asked.

"I don't know why it should be. After all, being raised by us, he sure
wouldn't be homophobic." I grinned.

"No, there is that. I guess we should cross that road when we come to it."
Matt said.

"If we ever come to it." I said.

"Well, you know what Father Gray says - 'Pray. Just be careful what you
pray for.'" Matt said.

The last night, Sunday, we had dinner at Antonia's, the place that Mike and
Rick love so much and then walked down Duval Street back to the hotel. We
made love until it was almost dawn and then went down to the beach to watch
the sun come up. We had breakfast and then decided to sleep until about ten
and then head home. We drove back up US 1, hit the Florida Turnpike and
drove back to Fort Lauderdale where we took I-595 back to US 1 and home.

We were exhausted by the time we got home and crashed on my bed in the
cottage. We saw all the boxes when we walked in, stacked all over the
place. Evidently, Mike and Rick had been busy over the weekend getting
ready to move. The cottage would soon be ours and Matt and I could really
start our life together.

A month later, Rick and Mike finally moved and it was Matt and my turn to
spend the weekend in the cottage, cleaning, painting and getting things
ready for the delivery of furniture and appliances that were due on
Monday. Grandpa gave us the day off and he even showed up to make sure that
everything got delivered on time. By the time the day was over, we were in
our new home with all of our new furniture, including our new, larger
bed. However, Grandma really saved the day when she showed up at the
cottage late in the afternoon with two large shopping bags.

"So, how is everything?" she asked when we invited her in.

"Great, Grandma!" I said.

I was so happy with everything and she smiled at my elation.

"Could I make you a cup of tea? I'm just making a pot." Matt asked. He and
I had decided to give up coffee and switch to tea as much healthier.

"Well, yes! I'd love a cup of tea! When did you two switch to tea?" Grandma
asked.

"A couple of months ago. We decided it was a lot healthier." I said.

"I'm glad to see that all of my not so subtle messages were not lost on you
- even though I think they were on your fathers." Grandma smiled.

"What's in the bags, Grandma?" I asked.

"Well, they are some things that you might need. I know the new bed was
delivered this afternoon. Did you two think to buy linen for it? You know
the sheets from your old bed won't fit the new one." she asked.

I looked at Matt, who shook his head 'no' and looked back at Grandma.

"No, Grandma, we didn't. We didn't even think about it." I said chagrined
by our oversight.

"That's what I thought. Males never think of things like sheets and
towels. So I brought some for you." said.

She started pulling sheets and pillowcases from one of the bags. They were
all in pale blue and when I looked, all the sheets and all of the
pillowcases were monogrammed, in royal blue, 'Michael & Matt'. Even the
royal blue towels were monogrammed that way in white.

"Wow! Grandma! Their great!" I said.

"Oh, my God! They're just perfect!" Matt said.

We both hugged Grandma.

We went in and started making up the bed with the new linens and then all
sat down and had tea.  Grandma told us to come over for dinner with them
tonight as she was sure we hadn't had a chance to go grocery shopping. We
thanked her and admitted she was right. We hadn't had the chance to go to
the store yet.

"Well save that until after dinner. You'll find you spend less money at
Publix when you shop after you've eaten, rather than before. Remember, you
now have to feed two teen-age boys! You'll be shocked at what you have to
spend keeping them in food!" She laughed.

Matt and I looked at each other and laughed with her.

"After all," Grandma added grinning. "You can't live on love. If you could
- you two would probably weigh 350 pounds each."

"At least that." Matt said, reaching over and taking my hand.

"Now that you're moved in, have you started thinking at all about your
wedding?" Grandma asked.

We looked at her in shock.

"But Grandma! We've got a year until that can happen." I said.

"Nonsense! It's June now. You turn 18 in December and Matt turns 18 in
April." Grandma said.

Matt and I were silent, looking at each other.

"Okay, what's wrong?" Grandma asked, looking at the two of us.

"We want to get married in June, Grandma." I said softly.

"June? When in June?" Grandma asked.

"June 2nd. Just like you and Grandpa and Mike and Rick." I said.

Grandma looked at us, and I could swear she had tears in her eyes. She
reached out her hands to both of us and squeezed ours in hers.

"Thank you, boys. I'm as honored to share that date with you as I was to
share it with Rickie and Mike." she said and let go of our hands. "However!
Even though it's a year away, there are still plans to be made! There are
things to arrange and I plan to see that everything turns out the way a
wedding should! Now, first of all, the color scheme. I take it that like
most males, your Dads included, that your favorite color is blue?" Grandma
said.

"Just look around, Grandma." I laughed.

Everything in the cottage was now in some shade of blue from the lightest
sky blue to deep royal blue.

"Yes, figures. I love the male of the species by you guys are really
unimaginative when it comes to colors!" she laughed. "With you're
permission, I'm going to make a beautiful wedding for the two of you. A
little more elaborate than the one I did for Rickie and Michael now that I
have more time to pull it together."

"But, Grandma, our Dads haven't even agreed to this and Father Gray hasn't
either." I said.

"Michael, Matt, nothing against your Dads but the decision isn't their's to
make. Don't you realize that once you turn 18 you are legally adults in all
ways - except you still can't legally drink alcohol until you're 21? As to
Father Gray, he and I have already talked. He is more than willing to marry
the two of you. Don't forget, he's seen you over the last 5 years - the
same as all of us have. We know how much in love you two are and how much
you understand the meaning of marriage. My God! I think the two of you
understand more about it than I did when I married Hank!" Grandma laughed
and we blushed.

"Now, I didn't mean it that way!" Grandma laughed again. "I mean that you
two have five years of loving each other and struggling against
restrictions to be with each other, restrictions that were not meant to be
harmful but were stupid nonetheless. None of us knew how to deal with two
boys in love at so young an age." Grandma said.

"You've always treated us as a couple. You've always respected our
relationship - from the very beginning. You never did think of it as just
'puppy love' the way our Dads did, did you?" Matt said.

"No, I never did. You're right. But I saw something between you two that
your Dads and even Hank were too blind - maybe too 'male' - to see. It was
that same indefinable thing I saw between Rickie and Mike the moment I saw
them together. I've seen the same thing between your Dad and Brian,
Matt. And I saw it between the two of you. I'll admit, I was shocked to see
it between two twelve year olds, but I've learned to trust my instincts
over the years and, so far, I've been right." Grandma said.

"You were sure right this time!" I said, putting my arm around Matt,
pulling him close to me and burying my face in his long, golden hair.

"Well, then, do I have your permission to throw you the best wedding you've
ever seen?"  Grandma asked.

Matt and I looked at each other and smiled.

"Yes, Grandma. You have our permission." I said.

"As long as you understand that it's the ONLY one you'll ever do for us."
Matt said and I squeezed him tighter.

"Oh, I know that! That's why I want to do this for you." Grandma said
standing up. "I've got to go. I'm helping Molly get dinner ready and I've
got to start planning. By the way, I take it that you are enough like
Rickie and Mike that you want this to be informal?"

"Yes, please! We don't want to have to wear suits in June!" Matt said.

"Okay, just wanted to make sure." Grandma said as she went out the door.

"What do you think she's going to do?" Matt asked.

"Well, if it was Grandpa, I'd worry. He'd probably hire the New York
Philharmonic and rent out the Broward Center for the Performing Arts! But
Grandma is a lot more practical - and not such a spendthrift!" I said.

"Good. I want it to be nice, but not so lavish that it makes every one
uncomfortable." Matt said.

"Look, babe, anything you want, just tell Grandma. She'll do it. After all,
it's our wedding." I said.

"Well, there's at least one thing we don't have to worry about." Matt said.

"What's that?" I asked.

Holding up his left hand, he said, "We've already got the rings."

I pulled his hand to my face and kissed the Claddagh ring on his hand.

It didn't seem like a year passing - Matt and I were so busy learning all
the ins and outs of the company and learning how to live together. We
didn't think that being together 24/7 would be that much of a change, but
it was. There were adjustments that we needed to make to each other but
nothing major. I heard somebody say that you never really know someone
until you live with them. I can tell you from experience that this is very
true! However, the more I came to know about Matt, the more I loved
him. All too soon, it was - unbelievably - the night before our Wedding.

Grandma had spent the last year well. The patio and pool area where the
wedding would take place was a wonderland of flowers! There was an archway
installed and covered with roses where the actual ceremony would take
place. There would be a pair of classical guitarist who would play for the
wedding ceremony and the reception. There would not be a lot of people
there, but there were people coming from the Copeland and Son and some of
our friends were coming too. Vince and Josh were coming, along with Josh's
Dad, and Grandma had even persuaded (with a pair of tickets, hotel room and
the promise that neither of their parents would know that they were in
town) Bart and Steve to fly down for the ceremony. What none of us knew,
however, was who Josh had invited to the wedding. He'd talked to Grandma
about it and she agreed but told him not to get his hopes up about it.

It was about an hour before the wedding was to start. The invitations had
been issued with that time on it so that everyone could get there in plenty
of time. There were drinks and appetizers ready with a dinner scheduled for
after the wedding. Matt and I had decided we wanted the wedding in the
evening so that it would be cooler. The invitations were for six in the
evening with the wedding at seven and dinner immediately after. The guests
had just started arriving. Steve and Josh along with Josh's Dad were about
the first ones there, his Dad explaining that Josh had rushed them all to
get them there early. I didn't understand when Josh winked at me when his
Dad said this. I didn't understand, that it, until about ten minutes later
when in through the gate walked a man I had never seen before. He was tall
and very handsome. He was dressed in blue jeans and a denim sport coat with
a pastel blue t-shirt underneath. He had very dark hair and green eyes and
I wondered who he was.

When Josh's face lit up at the sight of him, I realized that there was only
one person this could be - his Dad's former lover, Scott. The look on
Josh's Dad's face confirmed this. His Dad's face was one of longing and
trepidation, however. Scott had a look of determination on his face as he
walked straight towards Josh's Dad.

"Hello, David." Scott said to Josh's Dad.

"Hello, Scott." Josh's Dad said and for a moment, it was very awkward
between them.

Then Scott reach out his arms to Josh's Dad and said, "David, I've missed
you more than I can ever tell you."

At this Josh's Dad moved into his former lover's arms and they kissed
deeply. Pulling back from the kiss, Scott looked at Josh's Dad and said,
"We need someplace to talk."

Josh and Vince took them into Grandma's house and from what I understood
later, Grandma let them used the guest room to talk. Vince and Josh came
back out and over to us.

"What do you think is going to happen?" Matt asked Josh.

"Scott's going to ask my Dad to go back with him. He's going to offer to
move here to Florida."  Josh said.

"You know all that already?" I asked.

"No, I talked to Scott on the phone a couple of night ago before he came
down. He told me that he'd been miserable without my Dad and me. I told him
about Vince and I and told him my Dad was just as miserable. I just hope
the two of them won't let their male egos get in the way of them getting
back together." Josh said.

"Well, we're all hoping the same thing for your sake, Josh." I said.

About that time, our Dads showed up and Father Gray. He asked to see us
alone and we went into the cottage.

"Is there anything that you want to add or change in the ceremony? Now's
the time to do it."  Father Gray said.

"No, nothing. Everything we've discussed is just fine." I said and Matt
nodded his approval as well.

"You know you two are the youngest people of any sexual orientation that
I've ever married. I have never considered people as young as you to be of
sufficient experience to really understand what the commitment of marriage
really entailed. You two are the exception. I think you are very well aware
of what marriage entails. It really is a pleasure for me to bless the union
of the two of you - not that it needs my blessing really. I believe God
himself intended you for each other and has already blessed your
relationship." Father Gray said.

"We believe that as well." Matt said and gave me a significant look.

"Uhh, Father, there is something that we would like you to add to the
ceremony. We know that there is a part of the blessing that talks about the
possibility of having children. We'd like you to put that in." I said.

Father Gray looked at us quizzically.

"Is there something you want to tell me about that?" he asked.

I looked at Matt to explain.

"Father, we really want to have a son, a child to raise just as Mike and
Rick raised Michael. We don't know how it will come about, but we are very
committed to it. Not now, of course, when we're older." Matt said.

Father Gray sat there staring at us for a moment.

"Well...it's highly unusual, given the situation, but I think that I can
arrange it." he said.

"Thanks, Father. We really appreciate it." I said. "I think we better go
and get dressed now. You can use our other bedroom to change."

"Thank you." he said.

Matt and I had chosen matching outfits for the ceremony. The outfits were
in a blue cotton gauze, a long collar-less top and drawstring pants with
sandals. We found the outfits in the Undergear catalogue. We figured they
would be cool in the heat. We would walk down the aisle and our Dads would
be at the front waiting on us to act as Best Men and witnesses of our
union.

Father Gray went out and assumed his place and then Matt and I waited until
the guitarists struck up what we requested to be played as we walked down
the aisle - Pachelbel's Canon. We did not hold hands, merely walked side by
side. When we walked back down the aisle as a married couple we would hold
hands. As we walked down the aisle, I suddenly looked over and there was
Josh's Dad and his ex-lover Scott, sitting there - HOLDING HANDS! It was
obvious that both men had been crying but there were huge smiles on their
faces as they looked at each other, not really paying any attention to what
was going on around them. Vince and Josh were sitting next to them, Vince
with his arm around Josh and Josh with a beautiful smile on his face as he
watched his Dad and his Dad's ex-lover. Maybe the one thing Josh wished for
other than a lover for himself, had actually come true - his father and
Scott were going to get back together?

I looked at the head of the aisle where Matt and I were headed. There were
my Dads, who the same outfits that they had gotten married in so many years
before, dark blue Hawaiian shirts and khaki slacks. Matt's Dads were
dressed similarly, only their Hawaiian shirts were predominately red. We
joined them in front of Father Gray and the ceremony began.

"I want to welcome you all, friends and family, to the celebration of the
loving relationship between Michael and Matthew. Marriage is a state of
relationship created by God for the mutual benefit of each person which
enters it. It is not to be taken lightly because it is one of the most
important steps that anyone takes in life - becoming one with
another. Anyone who knows Michael and Matt know that they do not take this
step lightly. They have waited a long time for this day and have worked
hard to build a relationship with each other. A relationship so strong, so
enduring that it brings us here today in celebration and recognition of
what Michael and Matt have been to each other for so long - partners."
Father Gray said.

"And so, Michael, will you have this man to be your partner, to live
together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor
and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be
faithful to him as long as you both shall live?" Father Gray asked me.

"I will."

"And, Matthew, will you have this man to be your partner, to live together
in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep
him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to
him as long as you both shall live?" Father Gray asked.

"I will." Matt answered.

Then Father Gray turned to our family and friends.

"Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold
these two persons in their marriage?" he asked.

And all our friends and families said, "We will!"

Then Father Gray continued:

"O gracious and everliving God, look mercifully on these men who have come
seeking your blessing, and assist them with your grace, that with true
fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep the promises and vows
they make. Amen."

Then it was time for us to make our vows to each other. I took Matt's right
hand in mine. I looked deep into his eyes and said, "In the Name of God, I,
Michael take you Matthew to be my partner, to have and to hold from this
day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and
in health, to love and to cherish until we are parted by death. This is my
solemn vow."

Slipping his hand from mine, he took my right hand and looking into my
eyes, he repeated the same vows. We had decided that we wanted the
traditional wedding vows rather than creating our own. They said everything
that we wanted to say and we found that when it came to something like
this, we were both very traditional in our thinking.

After the vows, it came time to exchange the rings. Since we had never had
them off our fingers since the day we first put them on each other, Father
Gray agreed to bless them while we still wore them and then we would make
the changes afterward. We both extended our right hands on which the rings
were and Father Gray blessed them.

"Bless, O Lord, these rings to be signs of the vow by which these two men
have bound themselves to each other. Amen." he said.

Then I slipped the ring from Matt's right hand as he extended the left hand
to me. I slipped the ring onto his left hand with the heart, crown and hand
facing towards him symbolizing the fact that he was now married to me.

"Matthew, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I
am, and all that I have, I honor you in the Name of God." I said and then
kissed the ring on his hand.

Matt then took the ring from my right finger and placed it on my left,
saying the same words and kissing the ring as I had. Then Father Gray had
us join right hands while he wrapped one side of the white brocaded stole,
that he wore over his cassock and surplice, around our joined hands.

"Now that Michael and Matthew have given themselves to each other by solemn
vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings, I
now pronounce that they are partners together in the Name of
God. Amen. Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder!"

And all our friends and family shouted. "AMEN!"

Then Father Gray said, "Let us pray." and all of us bowed our heads.

"Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation, and
giver of all grace: Look iwth favor upon the world you have made, and for
which your Son gave his life, and especially upon these two sons whom you
have made one flesh in Holy Matrimony.

"Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that
each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a
comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy.

"Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and theirs
spirits in you Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and
one another all the days of their life.

"Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge
their fault, and to seek each other's forgiveness and yours.

"Make their life together a sign of your Love to this sinful and broken
world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and
joy conquer despair.

"Bestow upon them, if it is your will, the gift and heritage of children,
and the grace to bring them up to know you, to love you and to serve you.

"Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that they may reach
out in love and concern for others.

"Grant that all married person who have witnessed these vows may find their
lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed.

"Grant that the bonds of our common humanity, by which all your children
are united one to another, and the living to the dead, may be so
transformed by your grace, that your will may be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Amen."

There had been a stir among our Dads and among our friends and family when
Father Gray read the part about the granting of children. I looked up and
saw Rick giving me a strange look. I just smiled and winked at
him. Finally, Father Gray put a hand on each of Matt and my head and
quietly said,

"God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and
keep you: the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you
with all spiritual benediction and grace; that you may faithfully live
together in this life, and in the age to come have life everlasting. Amen."

He removed his hands and looking out at our friends and family said,
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you Michael and Matthew - married
partners for life!"

This was received with lots of cheering and applause as Matt and I
kissed. We walked back down the aisle, hand in hand, now as a married
couple. I have to admit there were tears of joy in my eyes and when I
looked at Matt, I could see them glistening in his eyes as well. As we got
to the end of the short aisle, I grabbed him and kissed him again, only
this time much more deeply.

"I love you, Matt." I said.

"I love you, Michael." Matt said.

"You're now mine forever." I grinned.

"And don't you forget that you're mine forever!" Matt laughed.

That's all we had time for because everyone crowded around us offering
their congratulations.  Our Dad's were first, kissing and hugging each one
of us and telling us both how proud they were of us. Then it was Grandma
and Grandpa's turn. Grandma was still crying, as she had been from the
moment we walked down the aisle.

"Grandma, don't cry!" I said.

"I will if I want to!" she said through the tears. "That was just as
beautiful as Rickie and Mike's wedding."

"It ought to have been, you planned both of them." I said, giving her a
hug.

Grandpa didn't say a word, I could see how he was fighting back tears. He
simply hugged each one of us quite tightly and then took Grandma's arm and
pulled her over to the drinks table.

Molly was next. She, like Grandma was in tears, dabbing at her eyes with a
lace trimmed handkerchief.

"Oh, it was such a beautiful wedding! And you two are so beautiful!" she
said, hugging Matt and me. "I never knew all those years ago that I would
see this day in your life Michael. I thank God that I did and I'm sure that
your Dad is looking down from heaven and smiling on the two of you."

"Thanks, Molly." I said. "I'm sure he is, too."

Vince and Josh were next. Josh had tears running down his face and Vince
had his arm around him, supporting his lover.

"Oh, Josh! Not you, too!" I laughed.

"No! These tears aren't about your wedding! Though it was beautiful. My Dad
and Scott have re- united and Scott is going to move here to Florida!" he
said.

"Yeah, we're gonna be a family!" Vince said, beaming.

"Oh, God! That's wonderful, Josh!" Matt said, hugging our little friend to
him.

At that moment, Josh's father and Scott walked up. The each shook hands
with us. Scott looked at me. "I have already heard from Josh everything
which you two have done for him, and for that I am very grateful. I love
Josh as if he were my own son and losing him was almost the worst part of
what happened to David and I. Now, it's your wedding that brought us back
together so I am doubly grateful to you. David and I intend to talk to
Father Gray and I hope you two will attend our wedding in a few months,
once I can get moved down here."

"We would be honored to." I said, putting my arm around Matt and grinning
at Scott.

"We plan to make it a double wedding." Vince said, hugging Josh to him who
beamed up at his lover.

"That's right. A double wedding." Josh's Dad said smiling.

"Oh, God! That's great!" I exclaimed, hugging Josh and Vince.

Matt hugged both of them as well.

Our old friends Bart and Steve came up to us and hugged both of us.

"Well, you guys finally did it! You been wanting to do that ever since
junior high, I'll bet." Steve said.

"Yep! You've got that right!" Matt grinned.

"So how things going with you guys?" I asked.

They looked at each other and both blushed. Same old Bart and Steve! Still
having trouble talking about their feelings for each other.

"Father Gray gave us the name of a priest that will marry us out in LA."
Bart said quietly.

"Oh, my God!" I exclaimed and Matt and I hugged both of them all over
again.

"We just figured that if you guys could do it, we could, too. We know that
we want to spend our lives together. There hasn't been any question of that
since that night when you helped us get back together. It was one of the
things we talked about that night. For the first time, we actually talked
about what it was we really wanted our lives to be and the only answer we
could really come up with was 'together'. We will let you know when it
happens, in case you can come out to be there." Bart said.

"There's no way you could keep us from it!" I said and Matt agreed.

Dinner was served and after it, Mike stood and got everyone's attention.

"At a traditional wedding, it's the Best Man's prerogative to make the
first toast. Since there were four of us, we flipped coins to see who got
to go first. I won!" Mike said and everyone laughed.

"Michael, when Rick and I brought you home from New York, we never even
dreamed that we would see a day like this in your life. To be honest, we
had several conversations about what we would do if you ended up straight!"
again, laughter filled the patio.

"But when you and Matt met, we had trouble believing the two of you when
you said you were in love, as young as you were. You both seemed to have
wisdom beyond your years because here you are, married to each other. Rick
and I wish you the same happiness that we've had all these years." Mike
said and sat down.

Then Rick stood up.

"We had a little talk with Father Gray, here," Rick said, indicating the
priest. "We thought he had made a mistake in the ceremony putting in that
part in the blessing about having children. He told us that the two of you
had asked him to leave that in and why. I just want you to know, that we
think that someday you will both make excellent parents and Mike and I both
pray that you get that chance if that's what you two really want. I know
from our experience, we can really recommend having a son as one of the
most wonderful things that can happen in your life."

Matt's Dad was next.

"Matt, Michael, I'm not a man for a lot of words. I'm proud of both of you
and I hope you will allow me to call you both 'son'." he said and then sat
down.

Brian stood next to his lover and looked at us.

"Michael, I remember when they brought you home from New York. I remember
the rush we were in to get your room built for you. There was a lot of love
and care and concern that went into the building of that room because of
the way that all of us felt about your Dad, Rick and your Grandpa, Hank. I
still think it is probably the best piece of construction that Copeland and
Son ever built and, if you do have a son of your own, I hope that will be
his room as well." Brian said and then sat down.

We thought that things were over until Grandpa and Grandma stood up. They
looked at us and Grandma went first.

"Michael, Matt, now that you are both 18 and legally adults, there are some
things that Hank and I want you to have. First of all, this is for you."
she said, handing us a large, thick white envelop.  "That is the deed to
this property, the front house and the cottage. They will be transferred
into your names tomorrow so that should something happen to Hank and I, you
will always have your home here."

"Now these envelops go to each of you." Grandpa said, handing out six
manila envelops - one each to Matt and I, Mike and Rick and Brian and
Matt's Dad. "In them you'll find partnership agreements. You six men now
own sixty percent of Copeland and Son Construction. To Rose and I, this
makes it truly a 'family' business. You all are like son's to us and your
sons are our grandchildren. And, Michael, Matt, if you do have a son, you
make sure he takes over the business after you!" Grandpa laughed and we all
did.

We stayed up late talking, with all our friends and finally Matt and I went
back to the cottage together. We were scheduled to drive to Key West in the
morning for our honeymoon - where else but at the Pier House in the
Hemingway suite, this time courtesy of our Dads.

I went to go into our new bedroom when Matt grabbed my hand. He pulled me
into our old bedroom and to the old, double bed.

"I'm superstitious. This bed gave us a really good start last time. Let's
let it start our marriage as well." Matt said, kissing me gently.

I pulled him too me and kissed him passionately as we fell across the bed,
still in each other's arms.

THE END of Part 24 of SUBIC SURRENDER.
MICHAEL'S STORY - Part 9

If you like the story, write me at rimpigfl@yahoo.com. 

I have a lot of other stories on NIFTY. If you want a complete list, write
me and I'll be glad to send it to you.

RimPig