Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:31:46 -0800 (PST)
From: E Walk <cane_lane_candy@yahoo.com>
Subject: The Mark and The Mole Chapter 3

The Mark and the Mole
By E Walk
(Copyrighted by the Author)
Edited by Radio Rancher

Chapter 3 -- A Whole New World

Mike and I woke up when the twins started to fuss at 6:30.  Chad was still
sound asleep.  He hadn't moved even when the twins were awake about 3:00
during the night.  We quickly got dressed in our sweat clothes and took the
twins downstairs and changed them.  I fed Mark while Mike started the
coffee.  Jon started to fuss so Mike started to give him his bottle.

It was 7:30 when Grandmother came into the kitchen, "Where is Chad?  The
door to his room is open, but it doesn't look like he slept in his bed."

"Grandma, Chad is just fine.  He is still asleep in our bed."  I figured I
had better tell her why before she asked.  Mike and I explained what
happened and why Chad was in our bed.

I could tell that Grandmother was becoming agitated, "Grandmother,
everything will be fine. Chad is feeling very insecure right now.  How
would you feel if you and your two infant sons had been thrown out and
disowned?  Then he had to witness the spectacle that happened when my
parents came back last evening.  He thinks it was he who caused the
problem.  We need to make sure that he feels loved and needed."

I looked at Mike, "What time did your mother say we should be there?"

"Mom said that we would start to open the gifts about 3:00 and that we
would eat dinner about 6:00.  That means we should leave here no later than
12:30."

Grandma looked at us, "I'll watch the twins if you guys want to go take a
shower and get dressed.  Someone needs to go get some more pampers and
formula.  Why don't you use my bathroom so you don't wake my great grandson
with your moaning and groaning?"

Mike started to laugh, "Grandma, you have a devious mind."

Grandma wasn't about to be outdone, "Michael, I'm just a very pragmatic
person."

Chad was standing in the doorway in just his sweat pants laughing, "I
understand what devious means, but I don't understand what being pragmatic
means."

Grandma turned to see the half naked Chad, "You go get your sweat shirt so
you don't catch a cold and I'll fix you some French toast and bacon while
your two Dads go play in the shower."

Chad must have been feeling more relaxed, "Are you sure you don't want me
to patrol the bathroom?"

Grandma started to laugh, "You can do that later after we get some fat on
your skinny body."

Chad left to get sweatshirt and was coming down the stairs as Mike and I
were going up.  Chad stopped and hugged us, "Thanks for everything, Dads."

I looked at Mike and we both had tears in our eyes.  I hugged Mike, "Come
on Dad, let's make hay while we can."

Mike took his shower while I shaved and then we exchanged places.  We went
to the bedroom and lay on the bed naked and were holding each other.
Neither one of us felt a compelling need to have sex.  We were content to
just hold each other.  We were lying there and there was a gentle knock.
"Dads, may I come in?"

Without thinking I called out, "Come on in Chad."

Chad opened the door, and started in.  When he saw us he started to back
out, "I'm sorry to interrupt, Dads."

Mike sat up, "Chad, get in here.  You must have had a reason for coming
here.  If you are going to be living with us, you will probably see us like
this many times.  Now, what did you come to ask or tell us?  I am sure
Grandma sent you."

Chad was starting to tear up, "Dads, Grandma wants one of you to take her
shopping.  She is getting dressed now.  Did you really mean that you would
permit me and my sons to live with you?"

"I'll get dressed and take Grandma.  Dad Mike will stay and help you take
care of Mark and Jon.  That way you can get your shower while Grandmother
and I are gone.  I'll see if Grandmother has a new toothbrush.  I usually
carry an extra one, but I don't think I packed a new one this time.  Yes,
we'll do everything within our power to enable you and your two beautiful
sons to come and live with us.  Now give me a hug."

Even though I was naked, I hugged Chad.  He looked at me, "You and Dad Mike
are both extremely handsome and I mean all over."  He reached up and kissed
me on the lips.  "Thanks Dad."

When I got to the kitchen, Grandma was waiting, "Let's motor, Douglas."

Mike came into the kitchen as we were leaving, "Don't forget the formula
mix and the diapers.  You might get some more bottles and nipples."

I helped Grandmother into the van, "Okay, Madam, where would you like to
go?"

"Let's start at the Super Target.  Maybe we can take care of all of our
needs at one stop."

Grandma directed me to a brand new store that had only been open for about
six months.  The parking lot was crowded, so I dropped Grandma at the
entrance and went to park the car.  When I got to the store, she was
already waiting with a cart.

Since I had no I idea what she had in mind, I followed her.  The first stop
was the jewelry counter, "Doug, Chad has a small wrist so look for a nice
inexpensive watch that isn't too big or too fancy and make sure it has a
second hand.  Make sure it also has a leather band."

We finally agreed on a watch that would work, "Doug, pay the young woman.
That is your and Michael's Christmas gift to Chad."  I paid the young lady
behind the counter.  "Now come on, we're wasting time."  We went to the
men's clothes section.

Grandma found a small size sweater she liked and then found a warm up suit
that was small, and stopped and picked up a stocking hat and some lined
leather gloves.  She threw the things in the cart and we went to the baby
section.  She found two small snowsuits and I thought we would be leaving
but no.  She found two bassinettes with nice mattresses.  "We'll get the
rest of the things we need later.  Let's go get the diapers and the
formula."

When we went through the checkout stand, I went to give the person at the
register my debit card.  Grandmother pushed my hand away and swiped a card.
So the bill was paid and I loaded a cart.  We went to the entrance and I
told Grandmother to wait until I pulled up before going outside.

As we were driving home, Grandmother started, "Douglas, when we get to the
house, I want you to take everything except the bassinettes, snowsuits,
diapers and formula to my bedroom.  I'll keep my great grandson occupied so
he doesn't see what is happening."

I had no idea what Grandmother was planning, so I did as I was told.  I had
everything in its place when Mike came to me, "Douglas, we have got to find
a way that we can take care of Chad and the twins.  He is so young and
naïve.  We need to make it possible for him to complete his education.  I
have the feeling that he is a very intelligent young man.  It is too bad
that he screwed up, but he is not the first young person to do that."

I kissed Michael, "Don't worry; Grandmother is already formulating
something in that pragmatic mind of hers."

Michael started to laugh, "You are as bad as your Grandmother.  I love you
both."

Grandmother came into the living room, "I am going to go rest, why don't
you two gentlemen show your son how to properly cook bacon for bacon,
lettuce and tomato sandwiches to hold us until dinner.  I'll be back in 45
minutes."

Michael and I went into the kitchen.  Chad was watching the two boys in
their new bassinettes and talking to them.  I started to fix the things for
lunch.  Chad looked at Mike and me, "Is there anyway you could adopt me and
my sons?  I don't think I can give them up.  They are the only worldly
possessions that I have other than that old car and the clothes I am
wearing."

Michael and I both took a deep breath.  Michael took the initiative, "Chad,
believe us please, we would love to adopt the three of you, but since we
are a gay couple, I don't think that can happen.  When we get to my
parents' house, we'll talk to my father and my brother-in-law and see what
we can do.  They are both lawyers.  Now get your butt in gear and set the
table.  We need a soup spoon and a fork."

Grandmother arrived in the kitchen as I finished making the sandwiches, "My
nose could smell the bacon so I knew lunch was just about ready."

After lunch, Grandmother looked at Chad, "Grandson, there are three
shopping bags in my room; would you please put them in Dougie's van?
Michael and Doug, you finish the dishes and I'll take care of the boys.  I
have a suitcase with their things.  Make sure you put it in the van."

We were packed ready to go at 12:30.  Chad and Mark were in the rear seat
and Grandmother and Jon were in the middle seat.  The twins were in their
new snowsuits and sleeping in their new bassinettes which were seat-belted
in.  The two little ones slept the entire way to Ames.  When we pulled into
the driveway of Michael's parents' house, we were met by two teenagers.
They just happen to be Michael's niece and nephew.

As we climbed out of the van, they hugged us.  They were caught a little
off guard when we took out the two bassinettes, and when Chad finally
climbed out, they had funny looks on their faces.  Michael made the
introductions, "Kendra and Kevin, this is Chad and these are his two sons,
Mark and Jon.  Now why don't you take the two boys into the house, while we
unload the rest of the van?"

Grandma and I looked at Mike; Grandma spoke first, "I guess you didn't
describe the extra three visitors to your mother when you talked to her."

"Nope, I figured if I did she would go into a tizzy.  I figured it would be
best to let relationships evolve naturally."

Grandma wasn't done, "I think this might be a couple of interesting days"

We walked into the house, and the adults were all looking at the two
infants.  Mike took charge, "Everyone, this is Chad Harmon.  He and his two
sons will be joining us for a couple of days."

"Chad, I would like to introduce my parents, Pete and Ellen Long."  He
turned to his sister, "This is my sister Elaine and her husband Frank
Wilkins and you already sort of met their children, Kevin and Kendra."

After the introductions were finished, Mrs. Long announced that it was time
to open the gifts.  Chad was sitting between the bassinettes not expecting
anything.  He watched as the gifts were handed out.  When he received the
first package, he almost fell over.  He looked at it and read the note, "To
Dad from Mark."

He carefully unwrapped the gift and saved the paper.  When he saw the
leather gloves, he looked like he was going to cry.  Kevin handed him a
second gift.  Chad was hesitant about opening it and everyone was starting
to realize that there was something special about Chad.  He meticulously
opened the gift and it was a stocking hat from Jon.

I think Chad figured that would be all he received.  When Kendra handed him
a beautifully wrapped box, Chad just sat there and started to cry.  He
looked at Grandmother, "Thank you Grandma."  It took him a long time but he
finally opened the box that had a sweater and warm up suit in it.  He was
sobbing.

He was holding his sweater and warm up suit like they were the ultimate
treasures.  When Kevin handed the last package under the tree to Chad, he
started to shake.  Chad just held the box and no one said anything.  Chad
had tears streaming down his face.  He finally got the package open and saw
what was inside; he bolted from the room.

Grandmother knew what to do, "Douglas, go find Chad and hold him.  I guess
we overwhelmed him."

I went to find Chad.  He was sitting in the corner of the hallway with his
hands over his head.  I sat down beside and pulled him into my arms, "Chad,
its okay."

He finally looked up at me, "Dad Douglas, I feel like my world has been
turned upside down. That star on Christmas Eve must have been an omen.
Dad, would you please just hold me for a moment?"

I was holding Chad when Kevin came to look for us, "Okay you two, its time
for you to come back and join the party.  The twins are complaining because
their Daddy isn't there."

The three of us walked back to the living room and Michael and Grandmother
were feeding the twins.  Mike's mother and Elaine went to check on dinner.
Grandmother wasn't about to let things just happen.  "Peter and Frank, I
want you to be thinking about how we can get Douglas to be the guardian for
Chad.  You are both lawyers, so between the two of you, you should be able
to figure out a way to make it happen."

Michael's Dad looked at Grandma, "Mrs. Walker, perhaps after dinner we
could visit and hear Chad's story and then think about what we might be
able to do."

Mrs. Long announced, "Dinner is ready."

We walked into the dining room which was very festive with candles on the
table.  Chad's eyes lit up when he saw what was on the table.  Mrs. Long
had fixed a ham with a sweet potato casserole and baked corn.  Everyone had
a bowl so they could partake of the mandarin orange salad with coconut.

The twins, who were in their bassinettes behind Chad, were quiet the entire
time we were eating.  When the dishes were cleared, the twins demanded that
they be fed.  After they had eaten and were held for a short time, they
settled down and went back to sleep.  Mrs. Long served desert which was a
rice pudding with raisins and cinnamon.

I noticed that she gave Chad an especially large helping of the pudding.
Needless to say, he ate it with relish. (Editor's note: Who ever heard of
putting relish on pudding?) He looked at Mrs. Long.  "Grandma Long, thank
you for the wonderful dinner.  This has probably been the most memorable
Christmas that I and my sons will ever have.  I want to thank everyone for
making me feel so much at home."

He got up and took the boys to the living room.

I went to check on him; he was sitting with the twins in his arms crying
and singing, "Hush little sons, don't you cry, Daddy's going to be okay.  I
just know that Dad Douglas and Dad Michael will take care of us, but we
need to be good for them.  I watched as he kissed one boy and then the
other."

I was standing in the doorway with tears in my eyes.  Mike came up and put
his arms around me.  He whispered, "What's wrong Dougie?"

I motioned for him to watch what Chad was doing.  Now two of us had tears
in our eyes.  Kevin broke the spell.

Okay Chad, you ate, you need to help with the clean up.  Uncle Mike and
Uncle Doug can take care of boys.  You need to help Kendra and me with the
dishes while the old people make plans for tomorrow.

Chad stood and handed Mark to me and Jon to Mike, "Don't spoil them."

I looked at Chad, "Don't worry your buns, Son."

He hugged both of us as he left to help with the dishes.

If you want to read more of this story and other interesting stories, you
might want to visit www.tickie stories.us.

      Editor's Notes:

It still amazes me how Uncle Ed finds all these wonderful people to tell us
about.  Chad and the twins are adorable and Mike and Doug are very special
indeed. I tend to agree that The Lord had a hand in putting Chad in the
right place at the right time. Grandma managed to get her hand in there
too. She is also very special. Whenever I read a new chapter of one of
Uncle

Ed's stories, I know that it will be a wonderful warm story, full of life
and love. I have never been disappointed by one of his stories.  I know I
never will be either.

Please hurry with the next chapter, Uncle Ed.


Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

P.S. I had some wonderful help editing this chapter and I want to thank him
for helping while I was away for a few days.