Chapter 141
Arriving back in Sydney the stars were out in force in the dark of the middle of the night. A quick skip through customs and we were in the car on the way back to the house. A house I loved but would not be filled with as much laughter as it had in previous times. I knew there would be some hurdles ahead, I just knew I would have to find the strength to make sure I could jump them and push on, and not just for my sake.
Pulling up in the garage downstairs, I sense of fear swept across me as I walked the stairs. I needed to face it, one step at a time.
Waling in to the grand foyer area, I was surprised to be met by Cath, who Michael had organised to be here waiting.
"I always wanted to visit Australia" She said as she saw my face.
"Darling lady, what are you are doing here"
"Did you think I was going to let you do this yourself?" A comforting smile on her face.
"Really, I am fine" I said trying to hide my anxiety
"Yeah, sure. Your brow is covered in sweat, and its not from the heat"
Her sense of being was not lost on me as she grabbed my arm and lead me in to the sitting room.
"I can see why you love it here. I think I prefer it more than Munich and you have a spectacular property there. The harbour, the city, the bridge, the Opera House, its like a window in to everything Australia, I was wondering where you kept the Kangaroos"
I laughed along with her. I knew she was easing me in to situation, and damn, she was a smooth talker.
"Michael, I had cook chill a bottle of Grants favourite drop I the fridge, could you please grab it for me and a couple of glasses."
Even this simple request showed she was a woman that could handle anyone.
"I love watching you handle people" I chuckled
"Who Me?" the devilish smile spoke volumes.
"Now Grant, I am not here to council you, I am not here to put you through therapy, you've done most of that yourself. I am here as a friend to help you settle back in to life and support you with some difficult decisions you may have to make. It was more Jules and Maggie that wanted me here. And before you ask, Diana is asleep in the guest suite. If you think she was missing out on a trip down under, I have news for you."
Pouring us wine, we sat and talked about nothing in particular, more about plans for the airline, news from the foundation, small talk that didn't involve Jackson. I was comfortable with how this was flowing, and was happy to enjoy adult conversation with someone I respected.
"I had sex last night" I blurted out. "Was it wrong?"
"Well that was out of no where." Cath stated. "No, it wasn't wrong. You're healthy, you have needs. All I will say is, is did you do it for the right reason, or was it a forced situation?"
"I needed the touch, to feel loved, to feel connected, and it was mutual" I replied
"Well, that's all I need to know." She replied
Out of the corner of my eye I could see Michael pacing furiously back and forth across the foyer, wanting to enter, but not sure how.
"Big fella, get in here before you wear a path in those tiles." I commanded
"What is wrong, you look pale" I asked
"He's gone. He's left. Just a note on the bed"
"Who? What are you talking about?"
"Karl. He quit last week and has gone back to America. He didn't see us having a future, he said we were on different paths." He mumbled holding the letter in his hand.
"Come, sit" Cath instructed him.
Sitting on the lounge with him Cath placed a hand on his trembling thigh.
"Love is one of those of things that comes ad goes. Sometimes they last a lifetime, sometimes a short time. In this case, it is better to understand it now, than waste years chasing the dream. It is going to hurt a little while, but you are strong, you have been through bigger challenges. I am always here for you, and also you" She added looking at me directly.
"I guess we will be bed buddy's longer" Michael said, making me blush a hot shade of red.
"Don't you look at me like that, Cath" I said as I caught a smirk a mile wide coming from Cath.
"Michael slept with me every night I was away. No sex, just spooned me whilst I cried. To be honest he was my rock, and I love him dearly for it."
Purposely leaving out the last night when he made me cum three times and left me buried in the bed sheets was a detail I thought Cath could live without. Plus, I wasn't ready to share that with her.
"It's 2am boys, I have jetlag, I want to see this city whilst I am here, so I am going to bed."
"If it's not too early, be up and ready by 7am, and we can head down to Bondi and have breakfast on the beach. Just after sunrise is the most spectacular time of day"
"Wonderful. I can't wait"
With that I received a quick kiss, and she swept off up the stairs to bed.
"You ok?" I asked looking at Michael.
"Actually, yeah, I am. I am probably more pissed off that he left a letter than spoke to me. I get what he says, but it's just not how I would have ended things"
"I get that. I do. But there was something I wanted to talk to you about whilst we are both here and home. Having you sleep with me has been the best thing for me. I am happy for us to continue doing what we do, but, I just don't want you to think it is leading to a relationship. I'm not in that space babycakes, but the companionship is what I need."
"I get that, and since we are laying our cards on the table, I'll admit to loving you. I guess it's not a romantic love, but a fatherly love. But then when you call me boy during sex, I get so turned on by it. Then you refer to yourself as daddy and I am hard"
"Fetishes can be fun. You can call me dad whenever you want. I don't think the girls will really care either. But, I have one condition, whenever in a professional moment, or a public moment, Its either Boss, or Grant or Mr Von Garbner. Deal?"
"Deal"
"Those media hounds would have a field day" I laughed.
Michael walked over and grabbed my hand. "Come dad, it's time for bed"
Chapter 142
I was awoken at 5:30 as the first glimmer of sun bounced of the harbour dancing around our bedroom like diamonds on the ceiling. It was a beautiful Sydney morning. Rolling over I instinctively woke the person next to me
"Wake up Jackson, it's a beautiful morning" I said without a thought.
"Boss, it's me" Michael said looking sleepy
"Sorry Michael" I said as I collapsed back on the bed, knocking the life out of me.
"It's ok. I guess some habits are hard to change" Michael said as he scooped me up in a bear hug.
"It will take time, and I don't take offence to it. I know. I understand"
Deflated I hopped out of bed and into the shower. Steaming up the large space the door was opened.
"Mind if I join you?"
"Come in big fella, there is room for 6."
"That almost sounds like an invitation" he joked along the way hopping in to join me
I couldn't underestimate Michaels support over the past few months. He held me daily as I cried, took my abuse when I was angry, caught my punches when I lashed out. A weaker man would have walked away, but his companionship was just that. Company for a man whose world crashed around him. Thankful was not a word I could even begin to use.
"Put that monster away! I am here to shower" I said as I felt his massive cock brush across the arch in my lower back.
"It's just my morning wood. Plus, I would never make a move on you unless you made the first move. I don't work like that"
"I know. Besides, we have breakfast, and I want to show the ladies around town. Can drive today, we will take Chris's car. It has more room than the sedan. Plus it is less obvious."
"Sweet, What about Chris?"
"I have him doing a few things for me today, he can use your car"
"Damn. He will trash my baby" Michael Joked.
Drying off and getting dressed I realised we had been in the shower 40mins just talking shit and rinsing. Today was a good day to be out.
Heading downstairs Cath and Diana were sitting on the balcony looking out towards the water.
"Morning Ladies"
"Grant, it really is paradise up here on the balcony. I have seen pictures, but nothing has prepared us for the beauty of this city."
"It is a special place. Lets go and start our day. I have so much planned."
Heading out we drove around the cliff tops of South head and down to Bondi Beach. Coming around the bend it was a perfect Bondi Morning that only those that live there know that feeling.
Pulling up at Icebergs, Michael parked directly out the front by luck and we walked in and were greeted by the manager.
"Grant, so good to see you back again, I have the perfect table for you."
"Thanks Jesse, I have some German friends here and wanted them to see the sights, starting off with a good Icebergs breakfast"
"Perfect, can I get you a round of Mimosa's?"
"Delightful. Thank you"
As we sipped and talked, then ate and drank our coffee I could think of no better place to be. Leaving a few hours later, I tipped Jesse handsomely for his service, kissed his cheek and left. Heading in to the city we talked and looked and pointed out various things along the way. I had instructed Michael to park as close to the wharves as possible, or Circular Quay as it is known, so we could do the iconic Sydney to Manly ferry trip right across the harbour. Motoring across the harbour in a ferry was one of the things I missed, as it was always so peaceful. With a baseball cap and glasses on, I was not easily recognised and it was nice to be playing tourists, using my limited German to try and sound German, much to the laughter of Cath & Diana.
Walking from the Harbour to the Ocean down the Corso and back we caught the Jet cat back to the city, before making our way to Aria Restaurant overlooking the Opera house and her beauty.
After Lunch I was feeling tired and I suggested I might like to head home. Cath & Diana opted to stay and walk the city, with me giving them strict instructions on how to get home.
"Yes dad, we promise we wont be late" Diana said
"Good, because we have dinner plans tonight with some friends at 7 if that suits"
"Of course, wonderful"
"I'm driving, you can sit shotgun" I said to Michael as we approached the car. "There is something I need to do"
Driving through the eastern suburbs it was apparent to Michael we weren't going home, and after 25mins we reached the cemetery. I knew where Jackson was buried, and I needed to make sure he was ok. Pulling up I looked at Michael and asked him to wait at the car. This was too personal and it was something I needed to do alone.
Stumbling across the park like grounds, I could see from a distance where his headstone was. The newest in a row old plots. Approaching it with caution, I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do or say, but there he was, laid out in the sun, with fresh flowers that had been arranged to be delivered weekly until further notice. He was a landscaper, a gardener, he would appreciate the gesture.
"Hey bub" I started, half expecting a reply. "I just want to say hello. I miss you so much I break when I see your picture. I need to know why you left me. I can't answer that. I worry that you were in pain and didn't say anything and I could have done something. My life will never be the same without you." I stopped talking and sat there. There were no tears, just thoughts. Just memories flooding my mind. I sat there for about 30 mins before I was joined by Michael.
"You ok dad" He asked trying not to sound like he was intruding.
"Yeah, just sad. It just hurts so much"
Crouching down beside me his arm pulled me in close, kissing my forehead. "I know. I have felt the same pain. It gets easier, it just never leaves"
We rose as one and after kissing his headstone, he supported me back to the car.
"Here" I said throwing him the keys, "Can you drive me home"