Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2004 19:40:29 -0700 (PDT)
From: Scotty <niki200sc@yahoo.com>
Subject: College: The Professor and Sean - Part 45

The Professor and Sean, Part 45
by Scotty

Disclaimer:


This is a fictional story dealing with love and consensual sexual
activities between males.  If you are not of legal age, reside in an area
where viewing such material is illegal, or are offended by homosexuality
and/or homosexual themes, leave this site now.

Several songs are quoted in this story. The copyrights to these are held by
the artists or their publishers and not by the author. They are quoted as a
tribute to the artist and the piece.

All persons in this story are fictional and any resemblance to persons
living or dead is purely coincidental.

The author retains all rights to this story.  No reproductions or links to
other sites are allowed without the permission of the author.

All other disclaimers apply.

   We all find treasure in the strangest places; it is the wonder of being
alive.

				  Scotty

Thanks to the individuals who have emailed me to discuss the story.  It is
encouraging to hear from you.  I try to answer all of you, but if you have
to wait a a few days, it is because I just can't keep up with the emails.

Thanks again to all my faithful readers; there's more story to come in "The
Professor and Sean".

The marked improvement in the punctuation and spelling, is the result of
the intelligent and careful editing I have received from Wayne This
competent guy is my beta reader and editor.  I thank him here publicly.  As
Sean would say, "You're awesome!"

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

The Professor and Sean - Part 45

(Ryan narrates)

Quickly getting my jacket and before leaving on my special errand, I went
to the laundry and gave my beloved a kiss.  It was more a peck than a kiss,
and Sean wanted more, so we kissed for a long moment, then I broke our
embrace and said,

"Baby, be sure that Cathy and Janet know they are supposed to have dinner
with us the day after Christmas.  Don't accept any excuses unless it's the
day they are leaving for their vacation.  We don't want to interrupt that.
Bye for now, and good luck with the gift-wrapping.  Love ya."

"Love ya, right back and with loads of kisses and hugs," he said as he
kissed me on the cheek and sent me on my way.

It was fairly cold outside, but then why shouldn't it be, it was December
and just two days before Christmas.  I was slightly surprised when I
realized that tomorrow night would be Christmas Eve.  I was excited and
happy.  I had to be sure to call my folks, Sean had to call his aunt, and
we wanted to be sure to call and say Merry Christmas to Rog and Greg, and
Cathy and Janet.  There was so much to do and it would be fun.

In my mind I had two dinners to plan, Christmas Eve for Sean and me, and
the day after Christmas for the gang.  I had already decided on a standing
rib roast for Christmas Eve, and the wonderful Christmas turkey for the
gang.  The other parts of the meal I hadn't decided upon, but the grocery
store would give me the ideas that I needed.

Without really being aware of it I was pulling into the driveway at Angus
Cameron's home.  I stopped, killed the engine and got out of the vehicle,
and went to the front door where I rang the bell.  Seconds later Blake
answered the door.

"Hey, Doctor Taylor, come on in.  Sorry, but Dad and Mom are out, but they
will be here in about ten minutes.  We can talk and have a cup of coffee
while you wait.  You know, Dr. Taylor, you can just take the stuff and talk
with Dad later on if you wish."

"No problem, Blake, I have some time.  The coffee sounds great."

"Follow me to the kitchen and we can chat there and have our coffee," he
said.

I followed Blake to the kitchen and as I did, I wondered if it was my
imagination or was Blake deliberately moving his ass in a very suggestive
way.  The kitchen was bright and airy reflecting the good tastes of both
Angus and Collette Cameron.

"Take a seat, Dr. Taylor.  I'll get the coffee."

"Please, Blake, when we are not at college, call me Ryan.  That's my name
you know."

"Sure thing, Ryan.  Do you take cream and sugar?"

"Yeah, both.  I'm not sure which I like; the coffee, or the cream and
sugar.  Your dad is a remarkable artist.  I understand that you have a
substantial talent, too.  Is that true?"

Blake brought two mugs of coffee with and the creamer and sugar bowl to the
table.  He handed me my mug and then a spoon.  As I poured some cream into
my mug, Blake sighed deeply and looked at me with concern and almost fear
in his eyes.  I put my usual two teaspoons of sugar in the coffee and gave
it a couple of energetic stirs.

"Ryan, I have to ask you something.  This is difficult for me, but I need
some advice.  Is it okay with you if I pick your brains?" he asked.

"Shoot," I told him.  I noticed his face redden a little and i wondered
why.

Blake fidgeted with his mug, turning it in his hands, taking a tiny sip,
staring at the floor at the same time.  He cleared his throat, looked me
directly in the eyes and said,

"I am gay."

Since I wasn't really shocked, I didn't show any immediate reaction to his
pronouncement.  He looked at me with pleading eyes.

"Do your folks know, Blake?" I asked.

"Yes, they do.  I told them a year ago."

"How did they react?"

"At first I think they were angry and maybe disappointed.  My mom seemed
more upset than my dad, although I think they both would have preferred
that I was straight.  One thing I wanted to ask you is how difficult it is
to be gay?"

"It's not difficult for you to be gay because you are what you are, Blake.
The difficulty is that not everyone in our society is ready to accept
homosexuality.  You've heard of gay bashing, and you know what happened to
Sean.  Sometimes parents disown the child they love the most.  It's crazy.
But I pray you can meet someone like Sean who will bring you unimaginable
love, happiness and joy."

"This will shock you, Ryan, but I have had the hots for Sean for a long
time."

"I can understand that, Blake.  Sean is a handsome and sexy man.  And he is
also a nice person with a great sense of humor and a caring nature.  But,
you can't have him; he's mine." I said with a chuckle.

"Oh, God, Dr. Taylor, I didn't mean that I would actually try to have sex
with him.  It's just that I find him very appealing.  To tell you the
truth, Ryan, I think you are pretty hot, too."

"That's a nice compliment, Blake.  I want to tell you something.  You are a
handsome and sexy guy.
 There are many out there who would enjoy a relationship with you, but
here's some advice from me; don't throw away your body or your love.  Wait
for the right one, and I assure you he will come your way.  When he does,
you will know, and that will be the time to fall in love.  Sex is a
different matter I suppose.  Right now your hormones are in overdrive and
every tight ass and big crotch you see puts you in fuck mode.  Only you can
deal with that.  Just be careful, Blake."

"Would you come up to my bedroom for a minute?  I want to show you some
sketches I have done.  I want you to tell me what you think of them."

I wondered if I was about to get seduced, but I realized that he was not in
that mode.  He wanted to show me something that was private and about which
he wanted an opinion.

"Sure, there's still time."  I followed him upstairs to his room.

He went to the closet and from deep in its recesses pulled out a sketchpad.
He placed it on his desk, but didn't open it."

"Please take a look, Ryan.  I'll sit over here on the bed and when you are
finished, we can talk about them."  I opened the cover and staring out at
me was Sean.  The sketch showed him naked to the waist.  His great smile
had been so well captured that it almost took my breath away.  I turned the
page and I saw myself, naked to the waist, staring back at me.  The
likeness was uncanny.

I turned the page and there stood a naked Sean, his body well drawn and his
cock and balls perhaps a little more exaggerated than he really is.  And
then there was me, naked and hard, with much more body hair than I actually
had.  Did I want to turn the next page?  I did.  It was of me on my knees
with Sean's cock in my mouth in the process of giving head.  The next page
showed him sucking my cock.  And then rimming on the next two pages,
followed by fucking pictures in a number of positions.  Then the cum shots,
and the aftermath with the two of us kissing and our cocks oozing cum.  I
couldn't go on.  I slowly closed the sketchbook.  I took a deep breath and
turned to see Blake, his jeans and shorts at this ankles and he was
masturbating like crazy.

"I'm sorry, but I could see the sketches from here, and every time I look
at them I have to jerk off.  Please forgive me, Ryan.  I am such a weird
bastard.  I am a creep.  God, I shouldn't even be alive," he said amid some
tears.

"It's okay, Blake.  Please understand that I can't watch you masturbate.
It wouldn't be right as I am married to Sean.  I'll just step outside the
door until you are done.  There's nothing horrible about masturbation, or
becoming horny looking at photos and stuff.  Excuse me a minute.  Call me
when you are done and I will tell you what I think about the sketches."

 I turned and left the room and waited outside the door.  In a very short
time, Blake called me back into the room.  He was fully dressed and was
standing near the desk.  I walked over to him and put my arm around him.

He signed deeply and turned to me and said,

"I have had so many fantasies about Sean and you.  It's almost automatic
when I look at the sketches.  Honestly, I guess I hoped that you would join
me, or something.  I'm so sorry.  I have been such a fool."

"These sketches don't suggest a fool.  They're remarkable, Blake.  You have
captured so much that it true about us, even the lovemaking.  I don't think
either of us is as well endowed as you see us, and I doubt that we have the
studly bodies you have given us, but the faces are, are wonderful.  You
should show those first two to your father, Blake.  I think he would be
impressed.
 I would save the others, though, since I think your dad is still
processing the fact that his only son is gay.  It will take a while."

"You think the sketches are good?  Is that what you are saying?" he asked.

"That's exactly what I am saying.  They drip with talent.  Don't waste it,
Blake.  Put that talent to good use.  We should probably go downstairs
before your folks arrive home.  I wouldn't want them to get any ideas about
you and me.  Come on, let's finish the coffee."

Blake suddenly hugged me with great strength and kissed me on the cheek.  I
was not startled, but perhaps a little embarrassed.  He looked at me with
tears in his eyes and told me,

"Thanks so much for listening and for not laughing.  I want someone around
who understands.  Would you and Sean be my friends?  I need some friends
badly."

"You are our friend, Blake.  And both of us will do anything we can to make
your life easier and more fulfilling, with the exception of having sex with
you.  That's not in the cards."

"I didn't have that in mind, really, Ryan.  I just want someone to chat
with, and maybe when the time comes, someone to meet my lover and to check
him out.  Stuff like that."

"You have it, Blake.  And you can visit us any time you want.  I know that
Sean will want to help you as much as I do.  Now heat up this coffee at
little," I said.

"Fuck!" he exclaimed, "I need to put the sketch book away.  Be right back."

He had no more than left the kitchen when Collette and Angus came in the
back door.  I received a great smile and warm greeting from both of them.

"It's so nice to see you again, Ryan," Collette said.

"Hope that Blake hasn't bored you with idle chatter," Angus said.

"No, nothing of the sort.  We just chatted about all kinds of things.  He
just had to go upstairs to his bedroom for something.  He said he would be
right back."

Collette looked at me with wide eyes glassy with tears, "I suppose he told
you he was gay."

"Yes, he did.  I helped him as much as I could.  But Collette, and you,
too, Angus, he just needs to know that you still love him.  He is
distraught about it and even told me that he didn't deserve to live.  He
needs your hugs and reassurances that you love him no matter what his
sexual preferences are.  Gay life is difficult enough without having the
people you love most turn you away.  I'm sorry, I have overstepped my
rights.  Please forgive me."

"He said that?" asked a now emotional Collette.

"Yes, he did." I said.

"Oh, God, it's my fault!  I haven't been loving to him.  He needed me, and
I failed him.  God forgive me," choked out Angus.  Collette was now weeping
softly.

Blake came back into the kitchen.  He stopped, looking at his mother who
was crying and his father who had a hurt and emotion-filled face.

"What's going on here?  What's the matter?" he asked.

Collette went to Blake and took him into her arms and hugged him.  Angus
followed and the three of them hugged each other and wept quietly.

"Blake, forgive your father and I.  We love you, honey, we love you so much
and it doesn't matter that you are gay.  You are our son and we love you.
We have been foolish parents," she said.

"Son, I love you with my whole heart and being.  You are the most important
person in your mother's and my life.  You are part of both of us.  I don't
care if you are gay.  You didn't decide to be gay; you just are.  And we
love you so much, Son," Angus said again hugging his now astonished and
weeping son.

"Daddy, Mommy, I have wanted you to tell me that you still loved me from
the day I told you I was gay.  I am so happy right now.  What made you
change your mind.  I bet it was Dr. Taylor, wasn't it?"  I spoke before
anyone else had a chance.  I looked at Blake hoping he could see kindness
and love in my eyes.  He smiled a small smile, but continued to hug his mom
and dad.

"They asked me if you told me you were gay.  I told them that you had told
me.  And I told them some others things and it helped them to understand
that they never stopped loving you.  They just had a time of forgetfulness.
That's all that happened.  Whatever else you want to tell them is up to
you.  I'm happy to see you three back to normal.  Now Angus, I would like
to pick up the stuff and get on my way."

"Of course, Ryan.  Come with me into the studio.  Blake and I will help you
load the stuff into your vehicle."

It took only a couple of minutes to accomplish that and my mission of love
was over.

I started to extend my hand to shake Blake's hand, but he hurried to me and
hugged me, and then Angus joined him.  I was overtaken by their affection.

"Thank you so much, Ryan.  We are once again a family," said Angus.

"Dr. Taylor, and I want to call you that, you have rescued me from the
brink.  How can I ever repay you?" asked Blake.

"Just keep drawing.  Keep smiling.  Keep in touch with Sean and me.
Finally, drop by and have a meal with us, chat with us and get to know us
better.  I have much more to do, so I have to get on my way.  Good bye to
all of you and Merry Christmas.

"Goodbye, Ryan.  You have made it one of the merriest Christmases that we
have ever had," said a grateful Collette.  ----------------------------
(Sean narrates)

After Ry left, I finished the laundry. When it was dry, I folded it and put
it away.  That finished, I brought my gifts into the living room, and then
cleared the dining table so that we would have a firm, flat surface.  I got
scotch tape, gift-wrapping paper and ribbon, and brought them into the
living room.

It was nearing the time when I expected Cathy and Janet to arrive.  I
hurried to the bedroom and changed into some comfortable jeans and a
beautiful flannel shirt that Ry had given me a short time ago.  I slipped
my feet into a pair of old sneakers.  I checked my hair and was about to
brush my teeth when the doorbell rang.

Hurrying to the door, I hoped that I hadn't forgotten anything that we
would need to do the wrapping.  I looked through the peephole and saw Cathy
and Janet standing there with bags in the arms.  I opened the door, and
welcomed them into the townhouse.

"Hello, and thanks a million for coming to bail me out.  I am in a real
mess," I said as I gave them both a kiss on the cheek.

"For heavens sake, Sean, what are friends for, right?  We love you and
Ryan, and we want to help make this a great Christmas for the two of you.
So, what do we have to do?" asked Cathy.

"Sean, we brought some gift wrap and ribbon and other stuff just in case
you didn't have enough.  Obviously, you have a great many gifts for Ryan,
and from the looks of what's under the tree, he has more than a few for
you," Janet said.

"Why don't you show us what we have to wrap, that is, if you want us to see
it.  Do you have any gift boxes?" asked Cathy.

"Damn!" I said, "No, I didn't think of that.  I am such a loser," I said.
Janet began to laugh and was soon joined by Cathy.  My face reddened, and
then I just joined them in their laughter.  Cathy came and put her arm
around me and told me,

"Don't worry, we brought many with us.  Janet, please go to the car and
bring in the gift boxes while Sean and I start to separate these things
into reasonable size gifts," Cathy remarked.

'I'll be right back.  No fair showing anything wonderful until I get back,
okay?" Janet said.

I laughed and gave Janet a hug, "Don't worry, I will wait for you to return
before I show anything."  She hurried away and Cathy asked me if I had been
able to find something to replace the wonderful chair I would be presenting
to Ryan at the Spring Convocation.  I said that I had, but I would wait
until Janet got back before I would show it.  Cathy laughed and gave me
another hug.

"As always, Sean, you are a man of your word."

Before anything else could be said, Janet came back into the townhouse with
a number of flattened gift boxes of various sizes in her arms.  She dropped
them in one of the comfortable easy chairs and exclaimed,

"There, that should take care of whatever we may need.  Now Sean, let's see
the loot," laughed Janet.

I really didn't know where to start, so I began with the suits, then the
sport coat and the sweater, the loafers, the shirts, the neckties, the
socks, and with a blush or two, the underwear.
 I pulled out the necklace and bracelet and then the rings, and finally the
Rolex.  Janet and Cathy were amazed at the gifts I had purchased for Ryan.
They complimented my taste and assured me that Ryan would be blown away.
They especially liked the jewelry and the cashmere jacket and sweater, but
they had nothing but praise for my good shopping.

"Sean, you amaze me.  This is a perfect example.  Your selection is
wonderful and your husband will be so happy.  The Rolex is just wonderful
and I am sure that will fill in nicely for the other gift.  Oops, sorry
about that," Cathy said.

"What gift?" asked Janet.

"It's nothing, dear.  I just had a slip of the lip," Cathy said as her face
flushed even more.

I took this as the perfect time to show them the other stuff.  I told
Cathy,

"No problem, I was able to get what I wanted.  Let me get it and you can
tell me if you think Ry will like it or not."  I dashed out of the living
room, went to the study, moved my backpack out of the way, and returned to
the room with the package.

Cathy and Janet looked at the package with interest.  I was a little
concerned about what they would think.  I hoped they wouldn't think it was
a terrible idea.  I took a deep breath and said,

"I hope this meets with your approval."

"It doesn't matter if it meets our approval.  Ry is the one who matters.
Don't worry so much.  So show us," Cathy said.

I opened the box carefully because I knew it contained some special stuff.
It had been packed very carefully and by someone who knew how to protect
the contents.  As I was removing the packing, I found a plastic bag that
contained what looked like white cotton gloves.  There was a note attached
to the bag.  I read it to myself as Cathy and Janet looked on somewhat
dismayed by what was going on.  The note read:

'Be sure to wear these white cotton gloves, as they will protect these rare
books from the damage that body oils can cause.  If these are

your books, you should always carefully cleanse your hands before

handling them, or perhaps wearing this type of glove would certainly

extend the life of the books.

It is important to keep them in a place where thereare no extremes

in temperature or humidity.  It is wise to keep them out of the

sunlight, which can be drying and can cause irreparable damage.

Thank you for your interest in rare books and your wise investment

in these treasures.  They will only increase in value in the coming years.

			Faber and Faber, Ltd.
			London'

I opened the plastic bag and pulled out three pair of the cotton gloves.
There were still a number of pair left.  I handed a pair to Cathy and
Janet.

"Sean, I know this is presumptuous of me, but what's going on here?" asked
a curious Cathy.

"You'll see in just a moment," I told her with a smile.

I reached in and lifted out the first item, which was wrapped in a pocket
of cotton or linen.  I carefully removed the covered book, and read the
label attached to the linen bag:

Ulysses by James Joyce First Limited Edition Signed by James Joyce Hard
Cover, Excellent Condition Bodley Head Limitied (England) Estimated Value:
$7,500.00

I then handed it to Cathy and watched for her reaction.  She carefully read
the label, looked at me with confusion and almost disbelief as she then
carefully removed the book from the covering bag.  She gasped as she held
the book reverently in her hands.  I thought for a moment her breathing had
stopped.  Janet looked over her shoulder and had a look of disbelief and
astonishment on her face.  Finally Cathy spoke,

"Holy moly, Sean!  Ryan will be so shaken he won't be able to speak.  This
is such a wonderful gift.  You know your man, Sean.  He will be
thunderstruck.  What a wonderful gift."

As she had been looking and reacting and speaking, I had taken the next
book out of the package.  I read the label:

Finnegan's Wake First Edition, United Kingdom Signed by James Joyce Hard
Cover, Excellent Condition Faber & Faber, Ltd. (England) Estimated Value:
$6,000.00

Janet was carefully putting the first book back into its fabric cover as I
handed the second one to Cathy.  She looked at me with curiosity, and
before she read anything, she asked,

"You got him more than one?"

"Yeah, I love him, remember?" I said with a smile.

Cathy read the label on the book's special cover.  Her eyes widened and she
shook her head in disbelief, looking at me with glistening eyes.  I just
smiled at her.

"Do you have any idea what this will mean to Ryan.  He has taught and
studied this writer for a good part of his life.  He will be in total
disbelief, Sean.  What a wonderful thing this is.  Does he have any idea
about this?" she said.

"No, at least I don't think he does.  He better not know about it.  But,
here, this is the last one," I said as I hurriedly read the label"

Collected Works of William Shakespeare 1925 Edition (England) Faber &
Faber, Ltd. (England) Hard Cover, Superior Condition Estimated Value:
$8,500.00

Cathy read the label and then pulled the large tome out of its fabric case.
She gasped loudly as she looked at the volume, which looked new to me.  I
was astonished. Janet, standing behind her was shaking her head in
disbelief.

"Sean, Sean, Sean!  I don't know what to say to you.  This is a magnificent
gift that you so thoughtfully and lovingly are giving to Ryan.  I mean, I
can't think of anything that would be more wonderful for him, of which he
will be more thrilled than with these three books.  You have outdone
yourself, young man.  What a demonstration of love this is.  I am
flabbergasted, really.  And when I get speechless, then something
outstanding is happening.  This is just, well, it's just beautiful," she
said with much emotion in her voice.

Janet had been silent for the entire time, but she finally found her voice
and told me,

"Sean, this is the epitome of good taste and perception about the man you
love.  He will be so happy, so overtaken by joy, and knowing Ryan, he will
consider himself unworthy of such a wonderful gift.  Sean, we know, don't
we that he deserves this and much more, because he is a wonderful,
thoughtful and caring man who loves you very much."  She finished and
hugged me hard.  Cathy followed suit.

"Cathy, Janet, please be honest, sincere and truthful.  Do you really think
he will like these?  Do you?"

"Will he like them?  Of course, he will.  He will probably chase you around
the townhouse for hours trying to catch you so that he can tell you how
much he likes them and how much he loves you.  If I were you, Sean, I would
finally slow down and let him catch me.  You deserve all the loving he
gives you because you have come up with a gift that will surpass any idea
he might have.
 He will be thinking about all the other wonderful things you are giving
him.  Save this for last.
 What a lucky guy he is to have you," Cathy informed me.  Janet simply
shook her head in the affirmative.

"Okay, then, ladies, so let's get wrapping," I chided them with humor.

Gift wrap, ribbon, tape, gift boxes flew.  Beautiful packages emerged from
the seeming chaos, bows appeared and after some time, the tree had an
enormous pile of gifts under it.  I saw Janet inconspicuously add a couple
of gifts.  Their special gifts from us were gift-wrapped and ready, but I
wanted to wait for Ryan.

I glanced at the clock and saw the time.  It was twelve fifteen.  I told
them that Ry was supposed to be here at twelve thirty and we were not to
worry about lunch.  He was taking care of that.  We laughed and chatted
about Christmas, their trip during break and our trip to Florida with Roger
and Greg.  As we chatted we moved around the room and picked up materials
left from our gift-wrapping interlude.  I asked Janet to wipe the dining
table.

Cathy and I went into the kitchen to get place mats, luncheon plates,
glasses, both water and wine, flatware, linen napkins, salt-and-pepper
shakers and the wine bucket.  We stopped at that point as we didn't know
what Ryan would arrive at the townhouse with for lunch.  Just about the
time we had finished our pickup and setup, Ry arrived home.  He came in
carrying two large handled shopping bags.  He placed them on the entry
floor, came first to me and kissed me firmly and quickly.  He then
approached Cathy and gave her a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek.  Janet
got the same.

"Sean, help me bring in the other bags.  I have a great deal of
perishables," he asked.

"We can all help," interjected Janet.

"We certainly can.  Let's go," offered Cathy.

In a few minutes the kitchen was filled with bags and boxes.  It was then a
five-minute job to put the turkey and beef and fresh vegetables away.  Ry
told us not to worry about anything else.

He shooed us into the dining room and told us to be patient.  We looked at
each other with questioned frowns.  Janet was the most talkative I had
could ever remember.  She seemed so happy and full of life.  She wanted to
let me know that she had brought some absolutely stunning things for Cathy
for the trip.  Cathy reminded her that she was a little limited in what she
could wear.  She assured Janet that she was no longer twenty.  Janet just
laughed heartily telling Cathy that she would look spiffy in a tiny bikini
bathing suit she had purchased.  First Cathy, and then Janet and I enjoyed
a wonderful full-bodied laugh.  Ryan stuck his head in wondering what was
so funny.  Janet told him briefly and he, too, joined the fun.

A moment later he came through the door with was a large silver platter on
which were placed a number of steaming lobsters.  He placed that on the
table and disappeared again into the kitchen, returning with a magnificent
salad, crusty bread, drawn butter and lemon wedges.  Dashing out again, he
returned with all the necessary utensils for operating on the bright red
crustaceans.

We waited until Ryan was seated.  He asked us to hold hands, and then to my
astonishment and joy, he prayed,

"Heavenly Father, accept our thanks that from the bounty You have placed on
this earth for us, we are about to partake of just one small portion.
Accept, we ask, that our thanks may join the multitude of other prayers
that rise in communion in Your praise.  Bless us that we may continue to
enjoy the steadfast friendship that has been forged between all of us
assembled at this table.  Please, Lord, especially accept my thanks for my
beloved Sean and know, dear Lord, that I will love him until I die, and,
dear Lord, allow me to continue to love him in Your kingdom to come.
Amen."

I was all I could do not to break down, but I kept my composure, knowing
that this was not the time, nor the place, for unnecessary emotions.  I
moved to Ry and kissed him softly on the lips and told him,

"That was beautiful, Ry.  I am sure that God heard you."

"Second that," said Cathy.

"And I third it," laughed Janet.

"Let's get after those lobsters," invited Ry.

Amid laughter and good will, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch.

The girls cleared the table, not letting me raise a finger.  Ryan, of
course, kidded me mercilessly, claiming they were spoiling me, as he
brought in a huge bowel of fresh strawberries and cream.  Cathy followed
him with a steaming pot of coffee and Janet with a tray of cups and glasses
and a pitcher of milk.  After dessert, I asked Ry if I might talk with him
for a minute.  We excused ourselves and departed for the study.  Cathy and
Janet were enjoying a cup of coffee.

When we arrived in the study, I asked Ryan when he wanted to give the girls
their gifts from us.  I told him about the gifts that Janet had put under
the tree.  He thought about it for a brief moment and then said,

"We'll save them until we have Christmas dinner with them.  We won't open
what they left until that day, also.  Is that okay with you?" he asked.

"Sure is.  Really kiss me now, Ryan," I begged.  He took me into his arms
and kissed me with urgency and power.  I couldn't have asked for more.

We returned to the dining room and chatted for almost another half-hour.
Janet said she had some errands to do, so she and Cathy would have to
leave.  After some thank-yous and hugs, they left.

I began to clear the table and bring the dirty dishes to the kitchen.  Ry
was now working at putting other groceries away.  I put the dishes down
carefully on the counter and walked over to him.  I hugged him from behind
and kissed his neck.  He sighed, stopped what he was doing, turned and
kissed me hard on the lips.  It took my breath away, but I managed to say
this,

"You are wonderful!"

(To be continued)

I welcome comments about the story.  You may email me at
niki200sc@yahoo.com.