My Bodyguard Chapter 25
A very special thanks to Ed for editing this chapter.
This story is not true.
This is a story of love, trust, hope, and commitment. It is not a sex story. However, this story deals with love between two teenagers. If you are offended by stories involving love between two teenage boys, please do not read this story. There will be some sex scenes in this story; however, sex is not the main theme. If you are under age 18 or 21 or it is illegal to read this story where you live, don't read it.
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The next day at school was uneventful. Jeff was all excited when he got home.
"I made two new friends at school today and they are even in the fourth grade."
"Who are they?" Mark asked.
"Their name is John and James. They say that they are my cousins. I didn't know I had some cousins. I was so sad to leave my old friends but now I'm happy."
"I'm glad that you are happy. I work for their dad. Their dad is my mother's brother. He is my Uncle Sam. Sam and Papa Greg have been friends since before they were your age."
"They said that I can come over and play anytime I want. Will you take me over to play, Mark? Please?"
"Not today. I want to talk with Uncle Sam and Aunt Norma first to make sure it's okay."
"Are you going to work out with your weights today, Mark?"
"No, today I'm going to beat up my punching bag."
"Can I beat up your punching bag too?"
"As soon as I'm finished."
"Great, let's go."
Jeff grabbed Mark's hand and started dragging him down the stairs. I had to laugh. Jeff has so much energy. I walked into the living room and Sally was watching cartoons. I said hi to her and asked her how kindergarten was. She smiled and said that she had fun and told me about her day.
I walked into the kitchen and said hi to Mom. She looked really happy. She said that she was making meatloaf for dinner. I told her about Jeff wanting to go to Sam's house and she just sighed. She explained that he had been bugging her also. She went on to say that Dad was going to have to lay down the law with Jeff. Once Mom says no, that's that. There is no playing one against each other in this family. Once Mom said no to Jeff, he should not have asked Mark to take him over to see the twins. Mom went on to say how much fun she had with Sally. I haven't seen her this excited in a long time.
Dad came home and we all sat down to dinner. We all talked about our day and Jeff went on and on about his day. After dinner we all went into Dad's study and he laid down the law. Dad is strict but fair. If you follow all his rules, he can be easy to get along with and you get privileges. If you don't, you lose privileges. He gives us enough rope to hang ourselves. He calls it 'learning self-discipline'. Dad did say that Jeff could go over to visit the twins as long as it was all right with Sam and Norma. And to never enter a room without knocking, always let someone know where you are, and a bunch of other stuff. After our family meeting he called Sam and he said that the twins were bugging him to let Jeff come over too. I was glad that Jeff had made friends with them so quick because he was taking up time with Mark that I wanted to spend with him.
"Dad, we wanted to talk to you about something."
"Okay, shoot."
"Mark and I were talking and we thought that we wanted to have a commitment ceremony around the holidays."
"Don't you think you are kind of young for that? If your sister asked me if she could get married at 16, I would tell her no. That, and you have only been together 2 months. How about you ask me again in about a year and if you both still feel the same I will give you my blessing."
"Dad, we both feel very strongly about this. We feel that we are ready. We wanted to have a ceremony and go on like a honeymoon over the holidays."
"Look, guys, I know what this is about. Your old man is not stupid. I will compromise with you. I will let you have your 'honeymoon' and plan a trip over the holidays. I think that you will find that my attitude about you two having some fun together is less strict than the Pastor Bradley or even Sam. Just remember the one rule we have set down and you'll be okay. One of you could get seriously hurt if you don't know what you are doing. I also understand that you are looking for something that you will both remember the rest of your lives. But you're not ready to commit your lives to each other yet. You might think that you are but I have news for you. You're going to change big-time in the next 4 years. Things you like now you might hate 4 years from now. You are going to get much smarter. You are both still minors. Like I said, a year from now if you still feel the same way about each other we will talk. What were you guys thinking of doing?"
"We really haven't talked about it but I would like to go on a skiing trip like we did last year."
"That sounds like fun. What do you think about that idea, Mark?"
"I have never been skiing before. What's it like?"
"It doesn't take that long to learn. And there is cross-country skiing too, which is a good workout. Mike can teach you and they have bunny hills to learn on. You can rent all the equipment that you need. We could also go as a family. Perhaps Sam and the twins could come also. I am sure Jeff would enjoy it. Your mother and I love to go skiing. What do you guys think?"
"As long as we get some time to ourselves it would be okay."
"Well, the twins can keep Jeff busy. They have daycare at the lodge to keep an eye on Sally. I know that Sam and Norma like skiing. The twins also know how to ski. We can make a family outing out of it. And you guys can still have your privacy. If you want to eat together and stuff, that is fine with me. What do you think?"
"That sounds good to me. How about you, Mark?"
"That's fine with me."
"What about Nancy?"
"She will be over at her boyfriend's parents' throughout the holidays. I'm sorry if you guys feel a bit of a let down but I see a commitment ceremony being the same as getting married. This is a serious step. You're committing your lives to each other. You might feel that you're ready to do that right now but you might not feel the same way a year from now. Today it is common to make commitments and then break them. Let's see how you two survive the test of time."
"Thanks, Dad, I guess we hadn't thought of it quite like that."
"Also, you two need to be careful around Jeff. It might be kind of hard to explain if he sees you holding hands, hugging, kissing, or something. Until you are sure he is going to follow the rules and knock, I suggest that you lock your door. Also keep your computers clean. It is just a matter of time before he finds out about you, Mike, but let's try to keep a lid on the relationship for right now. He has never been in love so he probably won't pick up on other signs that stick out."
"We thought about the computer thing but not the rest of that. He was already asking us why we were sleeping together. We used our standard excuse and changed the subject. It worked on Jeff but not on Ken."
"From what you have told me about Ken, he seems like a good guy. I will let you guys decide how to handle him. I did talk to Sam last night and he did talk to the twins. He told them not to be saying anything about your problems, Mike, to Jeff. He also told them to keep the fact that Jeff and Mark are related to themselves. I would still expect the worst. Telling those two not to do something is just asking for it. Anything else?"
"Nope," Mark and I both answered.
"Well, you two better get started on your homework then."
We both gave Dad a hug and went to our room.
"You're so lucky to have Greg for a father, Mike."
"We're so lucky to have my dad. He really does help me put things in perspective."
"To tell you the truth I'm kind of scared of skiing. I keep getting the vision in my head of my leg in a cast."
"Don't worry, Mark, we aren't going to go on any hills high enough for you to hurt yourself. We better get on our homework though."
After we finished our homework we went downstairs. Jeff and Sally were already in bed so we snuggled up on the couch and watched some TV. Soon we were both tired and went to bed.
The rest of the week went fairly smooth. Jeff did go over to the twins' house several times. I was so glad he had made some friends so fast. That weekend we went to visit Mark's mom. We told her all about our trip to Chicago and she said that she was sad about what happened to Mark's father but she was not surprised. She was really happy that Jeff and Sally got to stay together. We went shopping and bought some gifts for them. We still have a week before Christmas and we have all our shopping done.
Dad made reservations for us all to go skiing up north right after Christmas. Sam and his family decided to go with us. Dad rented a double for him, Mom, Jeff, and Sally. Sam was going to also have a double, with the twins staying with them. Mark and I were getting our own double. Jeff was really excited about this. Growing up in the city, he had never enjoyed any winter sports except ice-skating.
Jeff and Sally seem to be adjusting well to our family. I could tell that Mom and Dad were real happy to have them around. Both were well behaved.
Our friendship with Ken was really growing. He has been coming over after school almost every day. I have hardly seen Doug in weeks. He got himself a girlfriend that is taking all his time.
Jeff decided that Ken was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Ken really seemed to enjoy all the attention that Jeff showed him. About midweek Jeff had decided that Ken had to go skiing with us. He asked Ken to ask his father if it was all right and he asked us to help ask my dad. I knew that my dad would say yes if it's all right with Ken's dad and he can figure out sleeping arrangements but I didn't tell him that. We made arrangements for Ken to stay for dinner. After dinner we all went into Dad's study.
"Papa Greg, we've been talkin' and Ken has nothin' to do this Christmas holiday and I was thinkin' it would be nice if he could come skiing with us."
"You know, Jeff, that the twins are going to be there and you can play with them."
"The twins are my friends and stuff but I feel like Ken is my best friend. He is also friends with Mark and Mike to0. We can all like hang together and, if Mark and Mike want to go away, Ken can keep a eye on us so you won't hav'ta." (I told him to say that one).
"Where is he going to sleep?"
"Mark and Mike have a double room. We could sleep with them." (I didn't tell him that one.)
"Mark and Mike are going to get some privacy on this trip. That is out of the question. Did your dad say you could go, Ken?"
"Yes, he did."
"And you don't mind hanging out with some nine- and ten-year-olds?"
"Not at all. I'm an only child and Jeff treats me like a big brother. I love the attention."
Dad raised an eyebrow and got a knowing look on his face. "And that includes sleeping with him?"
"I wouldn't mind. I have never been skiing before and I really like Jeff."
"Please, Papa Greg."
"Mike, Mark, what do you think of all this?"
"He is our friend and we would love to have him around."
"Even if it means giving up your privacy?"
We both turned red. Jeff looked at us and started to giggle. Then Ken started giggling too. Dad finally broke down and started belly- laughing. We could not help it and started laughing too. After we calmed down I asked, "Jeff, why did you start giggling?"
"You two both turned so red and it was funny and I couldn't help and I started laughing and I couldn't stop and then Ken started laughing and I laughed some more and then Papa Greg started laughing, it was so funny, and then you started laughing, it felt so good."
"I'm not going to ask you why you or my dad were laughing, Ken."
Ken just smiled. My dad picked up the phone and looked up a number. Then he dialed. He asked if there were any single rooms available. Then he gave his name and told them to add it to his reservation.
"Yippee," Jeff yelled.
"Don't get too excited, Jeff. If you don't behave yourself with Ken, you will be back in our room, sleeping with your sister."
"I'll be good. I'll be good. Yippee."
After that we took Ken home. He thanked us for talking, helping him to be able to come with us.
The next two days went really slow. Christmas is on a Monday this year and we're going to get two weeks off of school. Mark's mom is coming over Christmas day along with Sam and his family. Then the Friday after Christmas we are going on our skiing trip and returning on Wednesday the next week after New Year's Day. I could hardly wait.