The story below is a work of fiction and contains erotic and/or sexually explicit behavior between consenting males. If you find this type of writing offensive, or if you are underage and it is illegal to view it, please do not read further, but exit now. The author reserves all copyright privileges. This work may not be reproduced, except for personal use, without permission of the author, and may not be linked to any pay sites.
Author's note - Keep the emails coming. Dan
Chapter 34
The surprise of seeing Ethan up and about was a shock to Rick. He and Terry had obviously been planning this. He listened to Ethan bitch about what a slave driver she was but clearly she got results. Rick looked at Ethan, their eyes connected, and they both smiled. The sense of relief for both of them could almost be felt.
"Everyone, while we are all here, I'd like us to raise our glasses for two toasts," Ethan said to the group. "First, to my hard ass, slave driving, evil witch of a physical therapist, and dare I say, new friend, thanks for pushing me and for all of your hard work. Secondly, to the new general manager of ENW Enterprises, congratulations on your new job. To Terry and to Sean - Cheers!" Ethan said.
Everyone raised glasses to the toast. Ethan looked across to see Rick and his reaction to the news of Sean's selection. Warmth, sparkle, eyes filled with love - NOT. He was met by an icy stare and thin lips. This was not what he expected and he was sure he was going to hear about it later.
Kevin looked at Sean and could see how happy Sean was with his new job. Kevin wanted to give Sean a hug but after what happened on the balcony, knew it wasn't a good idea. The timing of Ethan's entrance could not have been merely coincidence, it was a message. Thankfully, God had intervened at the right moment and the kiss didn't continue. Kevin shook Sean's hand, congratulated him, said good night to the rest of the party, and left.
The party broke up and soon Ethan and Rick were alone in the bedroom. The air was filled with tension. Ethan didn't want a big fight but knew that the air needed to be cleared.
"Rick, I am not sure what I did wrong, but I am sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." Ethan said.
"You really don't know do you. Ethan, you say we're partners, you say we're equals, yet we aren't. I hear you say one thing yet you act another. I am sick of it."
"Sorry, Rick, I'm still not clear here. What did I do?" Ethan asked.
"You do things and you don't talk with me about them. You refurbish my house, don't tell me. Fuck Ethan, did it ever occur to you that I might've liked the house the way it was? You had people break into my house and destroy what I'd lived with all my life. You didn't ask, you didn't even see that someone might have issues with it. You make Sarah the head of Compass and didn't even mention it to me. Now you ask my best friend to work with you and I hear about it as a toast at a party. It sucks Ethan. We are not partners, we are not equal, you CLEARLY don't see it that way," Rick was so angry his voice was shaking.
"I know that you have to make business decisions and I don't expect you to discuss those things with me. But if we are partners, I do expect you to talk to me about things that impact us and our family and I do think Sarah and Sean count as that. Shit Ethan, you trust me to decide whether you live or die but you don't trust me enough or think I am smart enough to talk with me." Rick tapered from angry shouting to barely a whisper.
Ah, so that was it, Ethan surmised. This really was about the decision to take him off the life support. Ethan voiced this to a seething Rick.
"Fuck you Ethan. You didn't hear anything I just said. It is about us being partners. Day in and day out. I am NOT here for show and I am NOT here for any kind of free ride. I am here because I love you and I think we could make a helluva team."
Ethan realized he had screwed up. It dawned on him exactly what Rick was talking about. And, Rick was right. He had been insensitive. He thought that he was actually doing the right thing - not burdening Rick with details and things. In reality, he had left Rick out, and it was wrong.
"Rick, first, I am sorry. Second, you are right. Third, I am sorry. Fourth, I am going to fix it, I mean, WE are going to fix it. Fifth, I am sorry."
Ethan thought he could see a weak smile forming and thought it safe to talk some more. "Rick, I love you and I have been insensitive. I do see us as equals. I handle things because it's what I do and it's easy for me and I don't stop to think. I do see us also as partners. I will try harder, I promise," the last words said in his best pitiful sounding voice accompanied by sad puppy dog eyes.
Rick caved. He couldn't resist those gorgeous blue eyes. Deep down he knew that Ethan didn't mean any harm, he just needed to think about his actions. Ethan had realised his mistake. He also realised that Rick was different. He saw it at the press event at the airport, he saw it tonight in this discussion, and he was sure Rick showed it during the last few weeks and while he was in the coma. Rick was strong. Stronger than ever before. He was asserting himself and gaining confidence. Ethan loved him even more. This evening was a turning point in their relationship. Things would never be the same.
Ethan was stretched out on the bed already dressed for sleep. Rick crawled in and kissed Ethan gently. No words needed to be said, the argument was settled. Ethan held the back of Rick's head and pleaded for a longer kiss. It had been weeks. Both were hungry for each other. Their tongues were madly exploring each other's mouths. Breathing was becoming irregular. Ethan could see a prominent rise in Rick's boxers. He let his hand fall to Rick's chest. Caressing his nipples - feeling them become hard and hearing Rick groan with each flick. He rubbed Rick's hard abdomen, marvelling at the muscles and then, the treasure trail which always caused Ethan to swoon - he loved that part of Rick. Rick was leaking precum and a wet spot was showing in his boxers. Ethan played with the wet spot, running his fingers in a circular motion in the wet spot causing Rick to squirm. It had been weeks and it wouldn't take much for Rick to cum at this point. Ethan then slide his hand inside the boxers and wrapped his hand around Rick's hard cock. Ethan moaned as he felt Rick's hardness. This was the only cock he wanted. It was beautiful and he had missed it so much. Rick almost came when he felt Ethan's hand on his cock. Oh, how he missed Ethan's touch, Ethan's look, Ethan's kiss. Rick felt himself building to his orgasm and Ethan picked up the pace, stroking the length of Rick's cock. He could feel Rick's balls tighten, his breathing becoming heavy, and his groans becoming louder. Soon, Rick was shooting - 4 heavy shots followed by 3 smaller ones.
Rick was sure he had blacked out. The next thing he remembers is Ethan gently cleaning him.
"Sorry that was all I could do, I hope you enjoyed it. I know I did." Ethan said to Rick.
"It was wonderful, now lets see what I can do for you."
"Thanks, but we should probably wait. I do have the worst case of blue balls you can imagine and, if I am being totally honest, they hurt. But I think I should wait another day or two. Then, I will take you up on your offer. Deal?" Ethan asked.
"Deal. And I am going to make sure this happens. Ethan, I love you. I am sorry I blew up before but I hope you understand what I was upset about. I think you do and I love you for that."
They cuddled, and fell asleep. Morning came too quickly. Alice and Mark were due to leave on R-1 at 2pm heading back to Nashville. Before breakfast, Ethan wanted to brief Rick on something. He had already learned his lesson.
He explained to Rick that he had sold the check printing business and was almost certain that the new owners would terminate the contract with Mark. He mentioned that he also realized that Alice and Mark were not getting any younger and that it would be difficult for Mark to find another position. So, Ethan had decided to give 10% of the sale proceeds to Alice and Mark. This would amount to $25 million - more money then they could possibly need to live. Their quality of life would dramatically improve and Ethan wouldn't worry about them struggling.
Rick sat listening aware that twenty-four hours ago this type of conversation wouldn't have happened. He was pleased that Ethan had listened and was already putting the lessons learned into practice. He did, however, feel he should caution Ethan about something.
"Ethan, be careful. This is a very generous gift but be sure it doesn't look like a simple hand-out. Tell them that you'd planned to give them this money if you ever sold the check printing business. That you were able to get the price you were due to the fact that Mark and the work he had done maintaining the equipment had increased the value of the company. You must allow them the opportunity to take the money with pride and dignity."
Ethan looked at Rick. Again, Rick surprised him with his sensitivity but also by his increasing confidence. He hugged Rick and thanked him and agreed that that would be the best course of action.
To say that Mark and Alice were shocked would be an understatement. Blown away or gob smacked as they say in the UK would be more like it. Ethan carefully positioned the money so that it came across the right way - following Rick's advice. After some debate, Mark and Alice finally accepted. They would never have any financial worries. Ethan had given them the name of a financial advisor so they could invest and live off the interest. But Ethan did have one request, "Go out and treat yourselves to one big luxury splurge each. Do it for me!"
Kevin had gone to the 11am service. He prayed hard for forgiveness for the kiss the night before. He was sure that the devil was taking over his thoughts and prayed for God to show him the way. He was slipping deeper into depression. He had to fly Ethan's parents to Nashville in the afternoon but should be back in time for the evening service. He couldn't take much more of this. His world was coming apart.
Rick and Adam drove Alice and Mark to the airport. They warmly hugged Rick and told him how much the loved him. Rick was moved and really did view Alice and Mark as his parents, or parents-in-law, or whatever.
Rick arrived back at the condo to find Ethan sitting on the balcony enjoying the late October sun. The temperature was changing and the nights now had a crisp feel. Halloween was the next weekend and Adam was busy planning his costume. He ran off to his bedroom and Rick joined Ethan on the balcony.
"Rick, thank you for a wonderful weekend. It was so nice having everyone here. Look, I know I am being selfish but I am so glad it is just the three of us now. I am glad we had the talk last night. My eyes are open now to how insensitive I've been. I have one more thing I need to do to clear the air to start new. Come with me into the office."
Rick had a knot suddenly appear in his stomach. What had Ethan done now? He was so generous and so giving and Rick couldn't imagine what was in store. Ethan went to the PC and launched Internet Explorer. He motioned for Rick to come and join him at the PC.
"Honey, you are probably going to wig out on me about this. I did this about a month before the accident. I know I should've talked with you and I promise this type of thing won't happen again without us talking first. Here, I want you to sit and drive." Ethan said to Rick as Rick moved to take over the keyboard.
Ethan told Rick go the Bank of America site and then to the online banking section. He told Rick to type in his social security number and then a password Ethan gave him. The screen was populated with information. Rick Stephens, Premier Account, current balance, $1,026,325.86. Silence. Rick stared at the screen. Ethan tensed.
"Ethan, what is this about? How, why?" Rick stammered.
"Like I said I set this up about a month before the accident, just before we left for Europe and the crossing on Tranquility. Perhaps I had a premonition, I don't know but it occurred to me that if something happened to me that you and Adam might need some money to get by for awhile. So, I made a few calls and decided to open an account for you and to make an initial deposit. Besides this, I have put you on payroll at ENW Enterprises and you have the title of Special Advisor. Your salary is $10,000 per month. Looks like you have been earning some interest since I opened the account. I hadn't planned to tell you about this until Christmas.
You would have to know for your tax preparations next year. Of course, if I hadn't made it through the accident, you would have found out."
"Please, before you say anything, you and Adam are my family. I know you can take care of yourself and Adam. But I want us to be a family and Adam needs you to focus on him now. I have more money than I can ever spend and I want to share it with you and with Adam. While we are on that subject, and I might as well go for broke now, you know I took 10% of the sale proceeds from the check printing business and have given that to my parents.
Well, I took another 10% and I have placed it into trust for Adam. You will receive annual payments from the trust until he is 18. At 18, the trust will make those payments to Adam, but only if he is in school or gainfully employed. At 25, the money is his free and clear. You are a millionaire now and Adam will be a very rich young man. But the money doesn't mean anything without the love we all feel for one another."
"Now, I don't have any more surprises and that is everything. Please think this through before you yell at me." Ethan said in a sweet voice hoping to break the ice forming in the room. Ethan braced himself for the fury. He knew he had crossed a line but he felt that it was best to get everything out in the open now.
Rick turned to look at Ethan. His hazel eyes staring into Ethan's blues. He stared for what seemed like an eternity. He then opened his mouth and said, "Thank you Ethan. I love you so much."
Ethan said, "But..."
"No but. Just thank you. I know you love me and Adam and now we are financially secure and that is a relief to me and I know it is to you as well. So now we can just focus on us. You, me, and Adam. For that, I thank you. But, ok I guess there is a but, NO MORE SURPRISES!!!!"
They hugged each other tightly. They then went to help Adam with his costume. There was laughter, talking, and love.
Kevin arrived back in Pensacola at 6pm. Once R-1 was safely in the hangar he headed to church. The service lifted his spirits and he was feeling good. He went to his apartment and decided to have a pizza delivered. About 30 minutes later he answered the door with money in hand. Sean stood smiling. Kevin's eyes filled with anger.
"What are you doing here? Please, leave me alone." Kevin said as he turned and went to slam the door. Sean put his hand out to stop the door.
"We need to talk. Something is going on and I think we need to clear the air."
"There isn't anything to talk about, please go." Kevin snapped.
Sean pushed his way in. Kevin walked into the living room and the two faced each other.
"Kevin, what is your problem? I have tried to be friendly with you. OK, maybe I went too far last night but I felt you wanted it to happen as much as I did. I am sorry if I crossed a line. But, we are going to have to work this out. Our paths are going to cross and I can't bear this tension."
"I don't know what gave you the idea I wanted anything to happen. I am not gay and gay is evil. I am a Christian man and I cannot subject myself to this evil lifestyle." Kevin angrily said to Sean.
"Oh wow. I had no idea. I had no idea that you were so narrow minded and bigoted. You see, the Christianity that I learned and practice talks about love for your fellow man. That only God can sit in judgement. My Christianity is not about hate, and self loathing. I feel sorry for you Kevin. I think you are gay and that you don't know how to deal with it. I think you are lonely and you are scared. Well, I thought we could work on something together and see what happens. But obviously, you are too messed up and confused. I am out of here." Sean turned and left and, for good gay measure, slammed the door on his way out.
Kevin broke down. The sobs seemed to come from deep within him. He heard the pizza guy at the door. He passed a twenty out and asked him to leave the pizza at the door. He couldn't show his face now. He was out of control. He brought the pizza in, had a couple of slices but wasn't hungry anymore. He decided to have some Vodka. Yes, he knew that drinking was frowned upon but he didn't care. The church that set all these rules wasn't there for him. He just didn't care anymore. Where was God's love?
Sarah was about to call Ethan and report on the weekend's events. Protesters had been at Sojourn and Tranquility this weekend. Things had gotten out of hand a few times and some arrests were made. Two things surprised Sarah. First, hundreds of Compass employees turned up and formed a human wall, opening safe passage for passengers. The Compass employees brought along boom boxes and tuned them to a local radio station and played the music loud enough to almost drown out the protesters. This strictly volunteer act by the Compass employees touched Sarah deeply. The second surprise was the media. The coverage on the news showed the protesters in an extremely negative light. They showed interviews with the most radical of the protesters. The types that speak in bible verse and can't connect thoughts in a logical pattern. The protests had clearly backfired. She would also report to Ethan that Quest had arrived in Mobile on Saturday morning and that work had already begun on her refit. All in all, it would be a good update for Ethan.
Rick, Ethan, and Adam ended up cuddled together and were sound asleep by 10pm. Sean was asleep by 11pm. Sarah was asleep by midnight her time. Kevin was still crying by the time everyone else was asleep. He had finished two slices of pizza and a bottle of vodka. He was now in a fetal position on the living room floor. He had vomited but couldn't move so he was lying on the floor in his own vomit. He remembered he had some painkillers left from his knee injury a few months ago. He went to the bathroom, and swallowed all the pills. He washed them down with a beer he had stashed in the fridge. He too was now falling asleep. He collapsed in the living room falling hard to the floor. The convulsions started. He kicked the coffee table over. His bladder and bowels gave way. He was vomiting, soaked with urine and shit. The convulsions stopped. Minor twitches remained, darkness and quiet ensued.
Ethan and Rick and Adam awoke to a banging at the door. Rick stumbled to the door.
"Are you Rick Stephens" the messenger asked. Rick replied and the messenger handed him a legal sized envelope.
Rick opened the envelope, read, and screamed. "Ethan, nooooooooo. They can't do this!"
Ethan hobbled into the other room, asked Adam to go play in his room for a few minutes, took the envelope out of Rick's hands.
A custody hearing was being held in 3 days. A suitable and healthy environment was not being provided for Master Adam Stephens, aged 4 years. The petition also showed that there had been a request that custody of Master Adam Stephens should be awarded to his maternal grandparents. Rick Stephens was alleged to be an unfit parent and should not have custody of Adam.