Sons of Sparta - A Story of the Spartans, Book 3
(inspired by the story 'Spartan' parts 1 through 4)
by argouru
Note: All credit for the creation of the Spartans and Amazons, as well as the Spartan mythos belongs to the author 'CF', to whom I owe special thanks for his allowing me to write about these incredible people.
WARNING: Portions of this installment of the series includes a section regarding mental illness.
Henry found the reactions of the family both heartening and amusing. The twins were taking this in stride, knowing that as the eldest sibling, it was only proper for Henry to have the first of the next generation of sons in the family, but he could tell they were also saddened to have to wait even longer.
Steven was both shocked and put out. "~I thought I would be the first,~" he grumbled gently over the phone. "~I met my partner months before you found your guy!~"
"Yes, but you aren't living with Giorgos yet, so it's slower going for you. Maybe things will pick up for the both of you once you leave college."
"~I hope so,~" Steven sighed. "~Well congratulations all the same.~"
"Thanks."
Fred, Ash and Will were supportive, but Fred couldn't resist a friendly tease. "You two little monkeys must've been rolling around like weasels every day to Emerge so fast! I'm proud of you... Slut!"
"Up yours too!" Henry grumbled with a smile laced with suffering at his younger sibling's demeanor.
The granddads were thrilled. "~So I get to become a great grandfather?~" David asked with joy in his voice.
"Here's hoping," Henry replied nervously.
"~Well good for you Henry,~" Matthew replied happily over the speaker phone.
The dads were delighted. "~That was fast!~" Sam said in amused shock. "~I still can't believe you Emerged so soon!~"
"~I'm very happy for you guys,~" Daniel added cheerfully. "~So you'll be moving back in about five months, right?~"
"What?" John asked frowning as he stared at the phone in shock. "Why?"
"Dad Daniel, we haven't gotten that far yet," Henry said, then turned to his partner. "Taking care of a gestating Spartan is a lot of work and I refuse to burden you with taking care of me all by yourself. Once I get big enough to need more care that I can provide for myself, we'll move back home until after the baby is born. That way we'll have all the help we could want."
"But what about the apartment?" John asked.
"We'll keep everything paid up while we're staying at the dads' house, then come home once the boy is settled enough to travel."
"Alright, if you guys can put up with us for that long, then I won't object. It'll make getting to work a lot faster anyways," John said to the older couple on the phone.
The Spartans chuckled at that...
Henry grumbled as he finished up in the bathroom and went to get ready for work. Man... Being gestant is a pain in more ways that I thought. In addition to the pains he endured from his womb made of filaments, he had to meditate two hours a day to keep his temper under control and always be aware of his stomach's proximity to everything to avoid risk to the child growing within him. He had always been so used to being strong and ready for anything, but now he was having to get used to being vulnerable all the time and hated every moment of it. Then he'd begin to feel guilty at the resentful feelings he was having. The rest of the time, he couldn't help but to wonder what the child would be like. Will he look more like me or John or look like both of us? Then he would chide himself for getting his hopes up. It wouldn't be until the last four weeks of gestation or so before he could begin to start becoming truly attached to the child, but it was hard not to think about it often.
Daniel and Sam came over the next morning, bearing all of Daniel's old gestating clothes for Henry to use in order to help save money, now that they had a child to save up for. The clothes were a little out of date, but not awfully so, making Henry feel relieved that he wouldn't look too bad in them. The next day, Henry returned to work, only now he was working in the hospital dispatch office instead of being on call with Craig, who showed up with a smile.
"You vapid whore!" he teased with a grin.
"Vapid?" Henry countered with a smile. "I resent that!"
"Well look at you! So are you and John gonna get married now? You can't have your child be born out of wedlock, you know, or people will talk," Craig teased.
"Actually..." Henry said slowly. "Next month we're getting registered with the SPNA along with Steven and Giorgos and I was thinking about exchanging rings with him, but haven't gotten around to actually asking him about that. Some guys don't like the idea."
"Well you'll never know if you don't ask."
"True."
"So ask him tonight."
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to try," Henry said slowly, wondering if he was only setting himself up for disappointment...
That evening as they ate spaghetti for dinner, Henry kept glancing at John nervously, trying to figure out if he should ask or not. John noticed the not so subtle glances and couldn't resist. "Quit staring at me you creep!" He said rapidly, stunning the Spartan, then smiled at him. Henry began to laugh, then winced as his filaments sent a sudden sharp pain through him.
"Ow! Please don't make me laugh! It hurts too much! ...But still, I suppose I earned that."
"Sorry... What's on your mind?" John asked.
"Well... You know the registration we're doing with Steven and Giorgos? Well... Sometimes when partners get registered, they'll exchange rings... Like the way humans do when they get married. Would you...?" He stopped then, seeing the wealth of emotion on John's face as the human looked at him with moist eyes. "What's wrong?"
John hung his head. "You beat me to the punch," he said timidly, his voice thick with emotion. "I meant to ask you, but was worried that since you're Spartan, you would think it was a waste of time."
"John..." Henry sighed, unable to believe after all this time that the human didn't realize that Henry would do anything for him. "I would never think that it would be a waste of time. There's Spartans who get married, even to each other. You should've realized that you can talk to me about anything. I just wish you wouldn't keep everything to yourself all the time... So, does that mean your answer is yes?"
"Of course it's yes," John replied thickly, moving around the table to hug Henry gently to avoid hurting him and kissed him deeply for some time before he pulled back with a frown of worry. "Um... How are we going to afford the rings?"
"Actually Dad Sam and I already talked this over," he said, looking at his partner apprehensively, "The dads offered to help pay for them..."
"At this rate they'll spend themselves into the poor house!" John said resentfully. "Look... I know I should be grateful, but they still have four more kids at home to take care of. They can't afford this!"
"Well, Dad Daniel said since Fred is now offering to work his way through art school, that frees up the money they had saved up for him."
"But what about Ash and Will? They might want to go to college."
"I thought of that too, but Dad Sam said they'll have enough time to save the money back up before Ash graduates from high school. They'll be alright, John. They want to do this for us as a wedding present, so let them do it. Please?"
"Oh alright," John huffed, "I mean if they have to be that mean to us by shoving their helpfulness down our throats all the time like that!"
Henry just stared at his partner in confusion at the human's wording, gazing at him with narrowed eyes and an amused frown on his face...
One month later, which was eight months after John and Henry had moved in together, they stood in rented tuxedos before the judge of the Santa Rosa, California city courthouse alongside Giorgos and Steven who were dressed the same. Henry was trying hard to ignore the stinging pains from his womb as the shirt covered it and had to leave off the cummerbund, but other than that, he looked very nice. Behind the pairs, all of the Spartan family, including Matthew, David, Ryan, Liam, their sons, Walter, Dennis and their boys, Nathan and Howard with their sons and the Amazons were there. All of Giorgos' family was also present and as they all stood there, Inna Xarhakos frowned to herself as she looked around for John's family, who were all absent.
Where is the boy's family? she thought to herself with shock and sadness. They should be here for this day. I admit that this is not what I had thought Giorgos' life would be like, but he is so happy. The woman smiled to herself. My boy is so much in love... And if they are willing to let my future grandsons carry our name despite tradition, I cannot object to them being together. Henry and John look very happy together too, but his family should be here. What kind of people would miss their own child's wedding? She shook her head, unable to understand why they had not come.
Up front, John looked around happily at everyone who had gathered to bear witness to this day. Unlike Inna, who was sad that his family wasn't here, John was glad those horrible people weren't here to ruin one of the best days of his life. He knew that they would never understand. 'It' had no business being in his life with the way 'it' acted. His sister clearly didn't want anything to do with him and he felt the same way. As for the woman who had given birth to him, well... The last thing I need to ruin this day is her being here lecturing me on how I don't know what I'm doing and how I should get home and go to my room, or something... They never treated me with respect, so why should they have any right to be here? Besides, these people are my family now and they're a way better one than I ever hoped to have.
"You okay?" Henry asked him quietly.
"I'm good," he said with honesty.
"You look good in a tux," Henry said with a smile.
"So do you," John said, scanning his eyes up and down his partner's frame with interest. Henry really knew how to wear the tuxedo and looked incredible in it. The human glanced over at the other waiting pair and smiled. "Guess we're not the only ones here fawning all over each other," he added, nodding to Steven and Giorgos, who stood speechlessly staring deeply into each others' eyes.
"They do make a cute couple," Henry added gently, smiling with happiness at his brother's joy. "I'm really glad Steven found his partner so young in life."
"You wish we'd met sooner?" John asked.
Henry blew his breath out of his mouth slowly. "I kind of wish so sometimes, but I know I wasn't ready. Shit, I wasn't fully ready when we -did- meet, but you being in that coma helped me some in its own odd way. It gave me time to accept the bond and avoid hurting you once you awoke and experienced it for yourself. I would've hated for us to go through what the dads did. I don't think I would've ever forgiven myself if I hurt you like that..." He hung his head to hide his shame.
"Hey," John said, seeing this. "Stop beating yourself up over it, Henry. I already forgave you, so it's more than time for you to forgive yourself. It's only natural to want to protect yourself from perceived pain. I understand that more than most. It's okay... Just let it go and be happy already, dammit!" John teased in a whisper, making Henry chuckle.
Apollo, who was standing nearby, invisible and masking his presence from everyone, gazed and His grandsons and their partners, feeling very happy for all of them and glad that He had chosen to come and bear silent witness to the ceremony. He, too, was mad that John's family was not here to share in the event, but His anger was more because He knew they would all have refused to attend, even if John had invited them. Deep down inside, He understood and approved of John's reasons for excluding them. He stood back and waited patiently for the ceremony to begin.
Henry and John looked over to see Giorgos' family all present and looking very happy for him and Steven. John then looked around at everyone else, Daniel smiling at him encouragingly, but Henry noted Inna casting a worried glance at John, one laced with sadness. He couldn't help but to wonder why she looked that way.
Just then, the judge banged his gavel and said, "Next on the agenda... The Spartan Partner bond recognitions of Steven Danielson to Giorgos Xarhakos and Henry Danielson to John Williams. Will the parties please step forward." The four men approached the bench and stopped several feet away. "Now, I don't wish to sound rude, but I have an overbooked schedule today, so for the sake of expediency, would you all mind if I did both parties at once?" The four men shook their heads. "Good, then let's begin. Who will go first?"
Steven glanced at his older brother, shrugged and spoke. "Age before beauty."
Henry glowered at him, sighed in disgust and turned to face the judge, clearing his throat. "I do solemnly declare that I, Henry Danielson, am certain beyond any doubt that I am joined in a partner bond with John Randall Williams."
"And now your turn," the judge said to John.
"I do solemnly declare that I, John Randall Williams, am certain beyond any doubt that I am joined in a partner bond with Henry Danielson."
"And you," the judge said to the other Spartan.
"I do solemnly declare that I, Steven Danielson, am certain beyond any doubt that I am joined in a partner bond with Giorgos Thaddeus Xarhakos."
"And lastly," he said to Giorgos.
"I do solemnly declare that I, Giorgos Thaddeus Xarhakos, am certain beyond any doubt that I am joined in a partner bond with Steven Danielson."
"Do you understand," the judge asked, "that by signing your names into this database you are entering into a permanent, life-long, unalterable contract?"
Each of them answered in the affirmative. "Now each of you read the second paragraph of your copy of the contract," the judge told them.
"I understand that on entering myself into the database that I, Henry Danielson, will be committing myself to a permanent, life-long, unalterable contract in law. I agree to take equal legal responsibility for the actions of John Randall Williams, up to and including incarceration and withholding of all rights, in order that we are not forcibly separated."
John followed with the same statement in regards to Henry, then Steven and Giorgos in regards to each other.
"Now come forward and sign the paperwork to verify that your names will be entered into the database in connection to each other of the pairs and in conjunction with the Spartan Partner Nonseparation Act. By virtue of registering in the database of legally recognized Spartan partnered pairings and in the presence of the court of the state of California and before these witnesses, I declare that Henry Danielson and John Randall Williams, as well as Steven Danielson and Giorgos Thaddeus Xarhakos are to be entered into said database in accordance with the law and that no act of law will ever permit any of you to be forcibly separated for your partner. Furthermore, I hereby confirm that your legal rights will be upheld, that you each remain in partnership under law as recognized by the United States of America in accordance with the law of all nations."
The judge looked around the courtroom. "Does anyone find fault with these contracts being instated under due process?" No one objected. "Then the contracts are hereby instated and shall be filed with the law enforcement authorities of the state of California to be accessible to all states, nations, counties and principalities. Now if you have rings, this would be the time to exchange them."
Daniel and Sam came forward with Henry and John's rings, but Daniel suddenly paused as he lifted up the ring box marked with an 'S' on the top. "Oops! Wrong one!" he said, blushing as he put the box back into his pocket, then reached into his other pocket for the box marked 'H'. Sam offered the ring box he had to John, acting as father to the human as none of his own blood relatives were here. Inside, the priest felt saddened by that, but resolved to make the most of the occasion.
Henry and John took the rings and placed them onto the right hand ring finger of their partner. "John," Henry said. "This ring represents my love and devotion to you and your happiness. Wear it always and know that I will always be here for you."
"Henry," John answered, "Take this ring and with it, all of my love for you. I will always try to do my best by you and love you with all my heart."
They kissed tenderly for a moment, then turned to gaze at Steven and Giorgos as Daniel and Kosma moved to join their sons. Daniel pulled out the ring box and went to offer it to Steven, but Kosma stopped him. "You are sure you have right box this time, yes?"
"Yes," Daniel replied, blushing.
"Behave yourself Papa," Giorgos muttered as Daniel cleared his throat and offered the case to his son.
The second couple exchanged their rings, Steven smiling at his partner. "Giorgos, I love you very much. I look forward to spending the rest of our lives together."
The Greek man slid the ring gently onto Steven's finger, looking deep into his eyes. "I love you as well, Steven. I am very proud to be yours and hope that one day soon we too will be able to have children of our own."
They kissed and hugged, then turned back to the judge, who cleared his throat. "Giorgos Thaddeus Xarhakos, as a person of foreign origin, your registration to a native citizen of the United States of America entitles you to legal recognition as a citizen of this country for as long as you and Steven Danielson are bonded together. As there has never been a single case of a Spartan separating from his partner, I would say this grants you permanent U.S. citizenship. Congratulations."
"Thank you," the Grecian said with sincerity.
"Then with the formalities out of the way," the judge added. "I hereby declare these unions official. Congratulations to you all. Please clear the way for the next case."
As they moved away, Henry grunted in pain. "I can't keep this shirt over me any longer," he grumbled, opening the tuxedo shirt and freeing his womb from the painful confines of the fabric, which was irritating his filaments. "That's better."
"You okay?" John asked with worry.
"I'll be fine," he said, kissing John gently to sooth his partner's worries.
With that, everyone went out to a celebratory dinner at a nearby restaurant. Afterwards, Henry and John drove home while Steven and Giorgos went to a hotel that the parents had all chipped in for to celebrate their honeymoon alone together...