by J. M. Snyder
“Would you think about coming down to the base for an extended visit?”
“Extended?”
“For a little time. I want to see where this could lead. I can’t come to you because of what I do and I don’t want to try long distance with Skype or Facetime.”
“Is there space enough down there for us to be together as a couple to see this through?”
“I share a small apartment with Stephen, and he’s not coming back. It’s off base, private, and could be a starting point,” Andrew reached over and lightly kissed Ian on the lips. “Stephen made you sound interesting standing up to him and Frank. I wanted to meet this man who could twist both of them up so well. And then at the wedding there you were.”
Ian laughed. “I was stalked?”
Andrew knitted his thick red brow. “Not stalked but anticipated.” He smiled at Ian and went in for a deeper kiss. Ian opened up his lips and accepted a furtive tongue darting in and taking possession. The kiss was long, passionate, and generated heat from within both young men.
Ian pulled away first and looked deeply into Andrew’s pale eyes. “I’d have to go home and arrange the time. It might take a week or two after we leave here.”
“But you’d be willing?” Andrew’s voice was almost breathless in anticipation.
“Yeah. You conga too well to give up on at this point.”
“How about that shower we tried for this morning?”
“We have time but you might want to skip a shower,” offered Ian. Andrew smiled what Ian had come to know as Andrew’s sex smile and he flushed warm all over.
The reason Ian moved his room was for the bathroom and a large jet-powered tub built for more than one. Yes, there was a shower, but really, when he showed Andrew the set-up, he got, “Is there bubble bath stuff?”
Ian laughed. “Yes, my big Marine. We have bubbles.”
* * * *
The hour or so in the huge tub was a lot of touching, pulling, kissing, and slick body against slick body. It was hot and expressive and the two men had fun teasing each other close to the edge. Finally, Andrew had enough and wanted it all but found the tub confining.
He pulled Ian up to his feet and knelt down into the water and taking Ian’s now erect cock fully into his mouth. The taste of perfumed bubble bath and salty precum only made Andrew harder and more determined.
Nothing was said between them except for Ian’s moans and the slick sound of a mouth on cock. What more was there to say between them? Andrew always was better at action than words and he wanted it clear to Ian what he felt and how he felt. Andrew had asked Ian into his life as he had asked no other ever. And he knew Ian had also been alone and apart for a while. They were good together here, and Andrew was determined to make this work and be more than sex on the run.
The service and country had changed and it now offered he and Ian a future they hadn’t anticipated before. And even as it changed, he wasn’t sure there was someone for him. In Ian, he saw a man dedicated to what he does and he did it well. These are things he sees in himself.
“Oh, for God’s sake, just fuck me silly,” moaned Ian as he all but writhed against the tiled wall trying to avoid a faucet or two.
Andrew raised his head with Ian still in his mouth and smiled. Releasing Ian, Andrew stood, facing him. “Come, my sweet man.”
Again, Andrew lifted Ian to the bathroom floor and rolled on top positioning himself to be able to enter the stick slick Ian. From under what appeared to be a thrown towel Ian hands Andrew lube. “I might not be a boy scout but I believe in being prepared.”
Andrew reared back and laughed as he slathered lube on himself and on the rosebud of a hole before him. “I’m glad someone was thinking with more than their cock.”
“It was hard, my dear. And pun intended.”
Andrew was satisfied they were both ready and decided to plunge into his lover full force. He felt Ian tense and then relaxed and let the pleasure of being in Ian thrusting into him wash over him. Andrew hit all the necessary spots with vigor and attitude. Ian arched his back and pushed against Andrew to tell him he wanted him and he was desired.
Ian worked on his own cock and felt his balls tighten as cum spewed forth all over Ian’s stomach and Andrew’s face as he continued to fuck the man on the floor. Taking Ian’s cum seemed to give Andrew that additional boost to thrust forcefully and to fill his partner with his own love. And as Andrew fell onto Ian’s body it was indeed love he felt for the man under him. It struck him like lightning and he felt the charge go through his body.
“I guess I am always going to be on bathroom floors?”
“We can go back to the bed but I will always have fond memories of this floor.”
“Yes, but it’s not your back on the admittedly expensive tile.” Ian leaned up and kissed Andrew on the forehead. Ian heard his phone go off with his mother’s ring. “I bet it is close to dinner time.”
His mother was proposing an early dinner or late lunch then going to hospital. She had been on the phone throughout the morning and early afternoon with Jessie and Frank had been up and sitting in a chair for some time. They agreed to a meal—whichever they wanted to call it—and then all four of them going to hospital. His parents planned to go home tomorrow if Frank was stable, and if Ian was staying for a few days. Looking at a still naked Andrew, Ian assured his mother he would be there till at least Thursday.
Chapter 8
Dinner was comfortable and conversation was easy among the four. Even Ian’s dad seemed to accept that Andrew was a natural part of the mix now. Ian saw his Mother’s wrinkled brow every once-in-a-while but he was used to her worrying and not saying anything.
“Well, as they say—all good things must come to an end,” announced Ian, looking at his watch. “If we don’t want Jessie blowing up our phones we best be on our way.” Ian was careful not to get caught alone with his mother anticipating questions he didn’t have answers for right now. At some point he’d tell her about his “extended visit” to Andrew but he needed to address that with Jessie first. Would Andrew tell Stephen?
* * * *
Andrew was right. He saw Stephen’s eyebrows go up as they entered a few minutes behind Ian and Jessie’s parents as well as looks from Jessie. Oh brother, this was going to be a difficult few minutes. Ian broke the ice asking the assembled how Frank was doing and Andrew took a breath.
“They say he’s doing better but he’s so weak,” offered Jessie.
“His body took a tremendous hit with the heart attack. I’m surprised he survived,” Ian said. “It will be a long rehab for him, as well.”
“The social worker here is looking into facilities in the DC area,” Jessie said.
“Dad’s been asking about you, Andrew,” was the comment from Stephen.
“Is he allowed visitors?”
“Take my slot,” sighed Jessie. “I’m sure he’s tired of seeing me.”
Stephen laughed. “She wears him out.” And then they all laughed. Jessie was not amused.
Stephan and Andrew go down the hall together. Ian and his family all look at each other, nobody speaking, just looking. “So rehab in DC?” asked Ian.
“Better a facility than in our home.” Jessie flopped beside Ian on the two-cushion sofa. “We’d have to have 24/7 care anyway.”
“Stephen good with this?” asked her mother.
“He suggested it. Look, he doesn’t get along with Frank much better than any of us, but he loves his dad.” Turning to Ian, Jessie started the questioning. “So what’s going on with you?”
“Who? Me?” Ian smiled.
“Yes,” offered Ian’s dad. “We’d all like to know that one.” Ian looked over in surprise at his father. “What? I can’t be concerned about my own son? I’m certainly not getting answers from your mother.”
“Because his mother doesn’t know either!” exclaimed Ian’s mother.
“What do you want to know?” asked Ian, trying for lightness. The three of them just looked at
him. “Okay. Andrew and I have found a certain fondness for each other.”
“Fondness. You are the master of understatement.” Jessie laughed.
“Stephen looked pissed when we came in.” There was a question in Ian’s statement.
“He apparently knew at some point Andrew was gay or bi. He insisted Andrew dated and slept with women.” And yet another question in the statement from Jessie.
“It’s my understanding as well.” Ian said to everyone’s raised eyebrows. “He’s a Marine, for God’s sakes!” As if that explained it all.
“So? What’s next? Is there a next?” pushed his father.
“There is a next. Just not sure what that looks like yet.” Ian looked at the frowns around him. “I’m happy right now. Can we all just wait and see?”
* * * *
The walk down the hallway to Frank’s room was silent and seemed longer than the hallway. Stephen stopped before going in and faced Andrew. “We’ve been through a lot together.”
“Yes, we have,” agreed Andrew.
“Are we going to be brothers-in-law?”
Andrew looked startled. “Don’t know yet. I’ve given it some thought recently.” And he added hurriedly, “Marriage in general I mean.” Andrew shrugged his shoulders. “I never thought it would be an option. At least not a real marriage. But it seems society has loosened a little.”
“So where is Ian in all of this?”
“Lord, I expected this from Jessie, not you.”
Stephen smiled for the first time and it was one of his real, wry smiles. “I got marching orders today. Be glad its me.”
“Ian wasn’t looking forward to coming today and it wasn’t all not wanting to deal with you or Frank.”
“Me? Ian and I get along.”
“Oh, you don’t remember the inquisition when you arrived? You all but verbally attacked him several times.
Stephen looked away. “Jessie said the same thing. But I was scared and the doctors weren’t doing anything it seemed.”
Andrew didn’t say anything more. Stephen needed to talk to Ian and that would-be Jessie’s job. “So how would you feel if it were Ian?”
Stephen shrugged. “It would mean we’d see each other for sure. But why ask me?”
“I don’t have family I like much. And you are important to me. Even Frank with his little pea brain is someone I care about. It would nice it you approved.”
They arrived at the door to Frank’s room. “Need I say we finish this after seeing Dad?” And they entered with Andrew laughing.
“Hell, what’s so funny?” Frank being Frank.
“You, old man,” Andrew offered. “You look like hell!”
“They tell me I had a heart attack.”
“And what is amazing many of us didn’t think you even had one,” was Stephen’s contribution to the conversation.
“You are both so fucking funny.” Frank seemingly tried not to smile. “And from my sons, for God’s sake.”
Andrew noticed the plural and was touched. He turned away a moment, not wanting to tear up in front of Frank.
Frank went on. “I have to eat some crow I guess and talk to Jessie’s brother.”
“Ian, Dad. His name is Ian,” sighed Stephen.
“Assuming he’ll talk to you,” agreed Andrew.
“Well, if he won’t, he won’t. Jessie can’t hold it against me then.” Frank looked a little relieved so Andrew’s mission would be to get Ian’s ass in that room. They kept the conversation light and Frank seemed pleased to be going to DC for rehab. Andrew felt he’d stay in the area after he was released but wasn’t going to share that with Jessie just yet. Nurse came in to shoo the two young men out but Frank called to Andrew to come back for a moment.
“Is there something else going on around here?” Frank asked.
“Just you being an ass is all.” Frank nodded but seemed unconvinced as Andrew left.
In the hallway, Stephen raised his eyebrow in question. “He feels there is an undercurrent. I told him it was just all about him and in a way, it is, I guess.”
* * * *
“Oh, hell no!” was Ian’s declaration when Stephen took him for coffee, at Jessie’s suggestion, to discuss talking to Frank.
“You both need to come to terms for Jessie and if this thing with Andrew goes much further. Dad called Andrew his son today.”
And that caused Ian to fall back into his seat with a stunned look.
“So?” Stephen gave him a smirk and a small laugh. “I kind of felt the same way when I kinda figured it out while Jessie was stumbling all over trying to tell me quietly.”
“So, is this the Kumbaya speech?”
Stephen sighed and pushed on. “Do you know what Andrew and I do as part of our service?”
Ian shook his head yes and but said, “No.”
“Neither do the majority of the world. All I’ll say is that Andrew has pulled my ass out of the fire many times and I’ve done the same for him. There isn’t anyone I feel closer to than Andrew. He is more than a brother figure to me. We have put our lives on the line together. It makes for a deep and trusting friendship.”
“I’m hearing a but in there,” observed Ian.
“Not really. But I over reacted when I discovered a part of him he kept from me. I had no clue,” Stephen said and Ian laughed.
“Yeah, I know I tend to be clueless about things,” said a more self-aware Stephen then Ian had given him credit for previously. “I’m in recovery from Frank. Jessie is working on it. But we came to terms with it all and it is because I loved him and trusted him more than anything or anyone else.”
Ian sat back and looked at his brother-in-law. He wanted this all to be leading to a grand statement but there was this feeling of dread attached to it and his pulse raced a bit as Stephen continued.
“So, when I realized the undertone I was feeling in the room when we got here wasn’t about Dad, I was frankly stunned. Andrew has said what I told him about you intrigued him and he obviously found what he wanted.” Stephen paused waiting for something. “I need to hear how you feel.”
“What you need to know is that I am not a sleep-around-guy regardless how this looks. Quite frankly when I woke up in bed with him, I was not sure what really happened. I had a lot to drink to just get through the thought of Jessie marrying you and having to deal with Frank. I had become very sad and then there was Andrew putting together a conga line and suddenly I was having fun.” Ian let the coffee shop waitress pour more coffee before he continued.
“He couldn’t remember my name and he pursued whatever this is between us,” continued Ian. “I feel for him right now more than I have for any man and he is right up there with Jessie in my heart. Where is this going? I haven’t a clue but I want to move forward.”
Stephen and Ian just sit there looking at each other. “You’re moving to be with Andrew.” It was a statement not a question.
“That was some conversation in a short time. We just today discussed that. And I told him I would take a leave of absence—I have the time to still be paid—and see if we can live together. If this is more than sex.” Ian saw Stephen flinch and smiled inwardly.
“And part of that is talking to Frank.” Stephen was emphatic.
“About Andrew and me?”
“Oh, good Lord no! He’d have another coronary.” Now Stephen chuckled. “Both Andrew and I have told him he needs to thank you.”
“Not really necessary. It’s my training and I’d have done it for a stranger.”
* * * *
Ian was not happy to be walking between Jessie and Stephen, the three of them heading toward Frank’s room. They didn’t talk, but Andrew had promised dinner and more if he does this. Ian was focusing on the more.
Frank was in pajamas and sitting up when they entered the room. Jessie went over and kissed him on the cheek, and Ian was proud he didn’t gag as he watched his sister. There weren’t a lot of places to sit and they stood in kind of a semi-circle around th
e bed.
Fortunately, the three of them couldn’t be there long and staff wasn’t happy they went together anyway. Might as well, get this over with.
“How are you Frank? You look a lot better today than when I saw you after surgery,” Ian said.
“I don’t feel all that better,” Frank growled and looked away.
“Once your body gets used to having blood get to your heart and brain again, you’ll feel better. Right now, you’re feeling the chest being cracked open.”
“I feel a little light headed sometimes now.” Frank wouldn’t look up at Ian.
“It’s the oxygen level evening out as well.”
Frank sighed a heavy sigh and finally looked into Ian’s eyes. “I guess I need to thank you for saving my life.”
Ian considered the tone and the words before speaking. “Frank, you and I don’t have to be friends. But we do need to find a way to be in the same room. Can we do this for these two?”
All three looked surprised at Ian because his tone was not overtly friendly. Frank nodded though and looked again into Ian’s eyes. “Yeah. I owe you that and I owe it to them.”
“We need to go and he needs to rest,” said Ian as he turned and left the room.
Frank looked at Jessie. “He’s right; we may never be friends but we can be civil and I will work on that. Okay?”
Jessie leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. “It’s a start, sweetie.”
* * * *
Everyone at the dinner was celebrating. Ian wasn’t so sure the truce would hold especially when they add Andrew into the tolerance mix in the future. But he wasn’t going to spoil the relief in Stephen and Jessie’s face. The dinner had to be fast as Ian and Jessie’s parents had a late plane to catch.
Ian would address his going to have an “extended stay” with Andrew by phone with his mother. Jessie confirmed no one had told the parents anything. Ian was hoping his parents could handle the amount of alcohol being consumed as well as fly. As much as he loved his parents he had only maybe two days left alone with Andrew and for now that was his priority. Jessie and Stephen would have to deal as well.