Taking Stock

Taking Stock

Chapter 6

By Mark Corlis

Copyright 2009

All Rights Reserved

This is a copyrighted work, all right and privileges thereof belonging only to the author. No reproductions of any form may be done without my express written consent. The exception is the website to which this work is posted.

If you are under 18 or this story is illegal in your area, then please leave now. If you're a freak who thinks two men in love is filth, go read your bible and gimme me a break already.

AUTHOR'S NOTES

Hello again my fiercely loyal readers!

True to my word, I bring you chapter 6 in much faster fashion. This one is longer than most and broaches new areas, but don't worry.....I'm standing fast to the concept of true love!

Thanks so much for the kind words of encouragement. Your comments are my soul reward and I feel touched to read them. Keep them coming please to mcnc1966@gmail.com.

My buddy Peejay continues to treat his readers to a wonderful experience in "Plaquemines Parish," located in the Relationships section. Check it out and show him the same love you've shown me over these last months. He's a talented writer and I know you'll enjoy reading his work as much as I do.

Thanks again for your continued support and I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it.

Mark

Chapter 6

The stress felt by Taylor's silence soon passed and everyone went back to enjoying themselves tremendously. As Vin and Jordan spoke more, it was apparent a true friendship was rapidly taking shape. The artist even went so far as to grab his sketch kit (a constant companion wherever he went), and do a crude charcoal drawing of his new amigo.

The resemblance to Jordan was remarkable. With a few short strokes, Vin managed to capture not only the sturdy bone structure, but also the air of innocence that surrounded him. The look in his eyes spoke volumes about the happiness he was now experiencing, but also expressed the fear he felt that all good dreams must come to end.

Carl asked to retain possession of the sketch, much to his boss's chagrin. As usual, though, Taylor relented, happy to see his long time friend so enthralled. Carl excused himself quickly and departed, presumably moving to his house at the rear of the property. Leonard followed closely behind, eager to know what his beloved was up to.

The group (Leonard and Carl included) had consumed a lot of alcohol, adding a jovial air to the impromptu party. As the daylight began to wane, the two remaining couples adjourned to the beach to watch the ocean become a moonlit spectacle. Taylor and Jordan found a suitable place and plopped down, Jordan taking up comfortable residence between his man's legs. He leaned back heavily, enjoying the feelings of warmth and safety the larger body provided him. Taylor responded automatically, wrapping his large arms tightly around the man he was rapidly falling in love with.

Thad and Vin sat next to them, assuming the same position. Jordan giggled to himself as Vin's tiny body almost became lost in his much bigger husband's embrace. Vin laid his head lovingly on one of the strong arms embracing him, planting small kisses on every spot he could. He made eye contact with Jordan momentarily, winking at him, then resuming his appreciative gestures.

As the sun set behind them (they were on the east coast after all), the pink and purple rays turned the lazily churning waters into brilliant prisms. The men were awed by the display, choosing the time to snuggle with their loved ones instead of talking. As the fiery sphere moved off to light another place, it was replaced with a shiny three quarter moon. It cast millions of sparkles that waltzed effortlessly across the never ending waves. Vin's diamond glittered in the white light as well, catching Jordan's eye as he longingly gazed at it. He felt so complete at the moment, held firmly in his new love's grasp while observing the merging of two souls next to him. Passionate kisses ensued as the sheer romance of the scene overtook them all.

Thad soon spoke up, pointing out a fact that had been lost as the day progressed.

"Ya know," he began, "we came here dressed to swim today and we've done everything but!"

The other men looked at each other, nodding their agreement at the obvious fact.

"Who cares if it's night?" Thad continued. "I say fuck it! Let's swim now!"

The two smaller men had bewildered looks on their faces as they were scooped up handily and carried to the ever moving water. The tide was coming in, coupled with a tropical system some distance offshore, making the waves larger than normal. The two larger men ran as fast as possible, dumping their prey mercilessly into a rather large water tunnel. They sunk like rocks for a moment, eventually surfacing with salty water dripping profusely from them.

"Thaddeus Barber," Vin proclaimed loudly, "you may be my husband but you're gonna pay like hell for that one." Before his words were finished, he rushed toward his betrothed, catching him off guard and toppling him into the water. The waves washed the two intertwined lovers neatly to shore, their guffaws echoing through the air.

Jordan followed Vin's lead and moved at a fast pace toward Taylor. Being built more like a mountain, however, the attack resulted in the smaller man being hoisted into the air and his body slammed back beneath the surface. Before he had time to worry about his victim not surfacing, a pair of hands grabbed his ankles and pulled mightily, which made Taylor land flat on his back and sink to the bottom. When he came back up. Jordan was right there, waving his finger as a future warning.

Taylor silently conceded the point and motioned for him to climb atop his back. Jordan wasted no time, skillfully jumping aboard. He wrapped his arms and feet around his new steed, his chin finding the place it fit into neatly at his shoulder. The thick neck and broad shoulders created a crook that Jordan's chin fit perfectly. He decided that this was "his spot" from now on.

Sensing his rider was comfortable, Taylor dove strongly and began to swim out into the dark ocean. Under any other circumstances, Jordan would have been petrified, but he felt invincible whenever this man was around him. They swam another 200 yards before Taylor abruptly stopped. The lights of the estate could be seen in the distance, but Vin and Thad had become invisible to them.

Jordan let go and got a huge shock when his feet touched nothing but more water. A sense of alarm welled up in him that was squelched by his Adonis' strong grasp. He held onto to Taylor as the man tread water with no visible effort.

"You OK?" Taylor asked.

Jordan looked up, staring directly into his eyes. "As long as I'm with you, I feel like nothing could hurt me." He threw his mouth at Taylor's and joined them together. It was Jordan as the aggressor this time, plunging his tongue madly against his lover's. Short breaths burst from the men as their oral duel ended and multiple lip smacks began. Jordan pressed himself tighter against Taylor once the kissing interlude had ended, letting a small, satisfied sigh escape his lips.

"I've never been so happy," he admitted.

Taylor responded by hugging him harder. He knew now, more than ever, that this was the man for him. He was nearly obsessed with making their future together as perfect as possible.

"I feel the same way," he replied, wishing he had something more profound to say. The two floated along, happily tangled together, and gazed at the brilliant moon. Taylor soon realized that they'd left guests on the shore, becoming a little embarrassed at his lack of good hosting abilities.

"What?" Jordan inquired, noticing a change in the feel of his man's body.

"Thad and Vin........we just kind of ditched em," he replied, worriedly.

Jordan smiled and planted another sensual kiss upon his lips. "I wouldn't worry to much about em. I'm sure they're making music as beautiful as ours about now."

"Still, we're the hosts and really should get back to them," Taylor insisted.

Jordan pecked his lips once more and retook his position astride his man's back. His chin found the spot and the two were soon riding the currents back to shore. Once close enough, Taylor extended his arms, flattened his torso and pointed his toes, allowing them to come to a smooth landing on the wet sand. After dismounting, Jordan looked around, noticing Thad and Vin about one hundred feet to his right.

Vin was still atop his husband, only now he was attacking his mouth with unreal vigor. Thad's excitement was obvious in the clinging trunks as he returned the oral assault with equal tenacity.

"I told you," Jordan said, pointing to the amorous couple.

Taylor merely shrugged his shoulders and took Jordan's hand in his. "Walk with me," he said. At that moment, the younger man's eyes blazed and he would have followed him into the pits of hell.

Hades was, thankfully, not their destination. With arms wrapped around one another, they walked past the estate and down the beach, the rapidly crashing waters brushing casually over their bare feet. After about ten minutes, Jordan recognized where they were. Taylor had led them to the jetty where they'd shared their first special contact. He smiled widely at his guy, moving closer to the long stretch of boulders.

As before, Taylor was worried about Jordan's abilities to traverse the rocks safely, choosing this time to take him in his arms and carry him safely to their destination. They took up their previous positioning, with Jordan sitting securely in Taylor's lap. Staring out at an arriving tanker, they watched it pass without a word, the only communication passing between them being a few soft touches. Jordan saw things as perfect, too perfect to be real and lasting. He hung his head slightly, wondering if things were gonna change for the worse the next day.

It was Taylor's turn to ask about the problem. "What's up, baby?"

"Oh.......nothing," Jordan responded. Taylor turned his man around and looked him square in the eyes.

"Where do we go from here if we're already lying to each other?"

Jordan exhaled loudly. "It's this.....it's you....I'm waiting for the bomb to drop!"

A single tear rolled down his cheek as Taylor considered his reply.

"Baby," he started, taking Jordan's face firmly in his grasp, "the past is the past. Don't let it kill us before we really get rolling. As far as the future goes, there's no guarantees. But I can tell you this. I've never wanted to do right by someone so much in my life. I was pretty sure of it before but now I'm ABSOLUTELY sure..........I love you, Jordan."

He went quiet as Jordan's face filled with glee. Their faces slammed together and a kiss for the ages began. It seemed to last forever as the energy of their beings merged into a single, much stronger entity.

"I love you too, Taylor!" Jordan replied breathlessly. He wanted to talk about his fears a bit but decided this time was too fabulous to ruin. They got back into their favorite position and resumed looking at the mesmerizing ocean, content that life wouldn't be without its flaws but this moment in time was.

Meanwhile, Vin and Thad had progressed a bit from their earlier pose. Strong animal urges had overtaken them, assuring that this encounter would be several octaves hotter than their usual love making efforts. Pure unadulterated sex was the order for the day! Two bathing suits were tossed randomly on the beach as their owners had assumed a sixty nine position near the water. Thad's tongue lapped greedily at Vin's carefully groomed hole.

He'd been here thousands of times before through the years but it still excited him beyond belief to see the opening twitch and tremble under his expert guidance. Grabbing his husband's hips authoritatively, he brought his face up further into the now salty crack, inserting his tongue solidly into the most treasured area. Vin moaned wildly as the tongue probed deeper, seeming to send violent currents to his extremely excited cock. Thad bobbed his head from side to side, stretching and probing as he teased any surface he came into contact with.

Never being one sit idly by, Vin bent down and took his man's drooling cock into his mouth. He sucked the well formed head tightly, running his broad tongue languidly across it. He consumed the sweet nectar it was rapidly producing as he pushed further down the mighty warrior. Letting his face fall steadily lower, his nose soon rested in the trimmed pubic hair located just above Thad's now straining member. Knowing he had the leaking head just where he wanted it, he began to hum their favorite tune.

The effect on Thad was instantaneous. His cock swelled in its tight confines, the delicious vibrations producing a much more urgent melody in his balls. He rammed his tongue inside with all his might, causing his cock to push deeper and harder into his lover. The two kept this rhythm up for a time, each enjoying the myriad of amazing sensations it resulted in, the incessant humming continuing on. Vin knew this would never be enough though, extricating the swollen head from his throat and lifting his now overly slick ass from his man's face.

Rolling off the tight body, he threw his legs in the air, giving his husband a look filled with heat and need. Thad didn't need to be told twice. He got behind Vin and lined his cock up with the begging pucker, entering rapidly until he was implanted completely inside. Lustful moans rang out from both of them as they paused to enjoy the newest feelings. Knowing his lover was adjusted adequately and ready to go, he pulled back out completely and stabbed back in almost viciously. He repeated the move several more times, smiling contentedly as Vin's eyes rolled back in his head.

The artisan was feeling total bliss. Every ram forward would stretch him a bit more, a sensation he craved often. Over taxed nerve endings fired signals haphazardly as the advancing cock widened, rubbed and prodded all in its path. Vin wrapped his legs around his love, using his heels to will the rock hard tool deeper within him. Thad moved to making long strokes in and out of the warm tunnel, letting his broad corona contact an array of fiery places. The final steps of his push in allowed the swollen mushroom to move fiercely against Vin's prostate. Thad always knew he was performing well when his lover's manhood would lurch at the moment of contact and spit volumes of pre cum.

Vin longed to burst as he noticed a change in the pace of things. They both neared the end of the tightrope they'd been walking together, as Thad began to pound furiously. His body took over and moved to satisfy the urgent craving burning within. Sweat poured off their bodies and guttural screams of desire poured forth. Thad erupted first, sending many large volleys firing into Vin's nethermost regions. He kept his pace steady as he awaited his man's crescendo. It didn't take long. A few pushes later, a loud yelp was heard as five extremely large ropes leaped out, covering everything from the defined jaw to the deep navel on Vin's body. Being slightly evil at times, Thad drove his half hard member against its favorite target a few more times for good measure. His man's sharp intake of breath and the chain reaction shaking all over his body signaled enough was enough. They leaned together and kissed deeply, Thad's spent member slipping from its favorite playground. He collapsed on top of Vin as he heard a sharp exclamation break from the man's lips.

"OH MY GOD!" Vin proclaimed. Thad followed Vin's eyes to find Taylor and Jordan returned, their eyes wide and mouths agape.

"Hi guys!" Thad said proudly moments before Vin and he cracked up uncontrollably. Their laughter soon spread to the other men, who collapsed to the sand beside them. Even though half of them were totally nude and sticky, no discomfort was felt. The bond of true friendship was cemented as the four of them lay on their backs and let their fits of laughter subside.

Vin and Thad soon rose and headed to the water for a quick clean up. The results of their tryst had matted things badly and it needed to be handled before returning to the house for the night.

Jordan spoke when he was sure they'd passed out of earshot.

"We should have been more careful," he said.

"Probably so," Taylor agreed, "but they didn't seem any worse for the experience."

Jordan sat up to lodge a protest until he realized his man was right. All they did was laugh and laugh, never revealing any hints of anger or embarrassment. He did have one final thing to say on the matter, however.

"I'm not sure I could be that free no matter how much in love with you I am!"

Taylor smiled at the "love" reference and figured that the rest may come in time. It was obvious that he was much more experienced and knew just how edgy some things could be. He was in no rush to push Jordan into anything he wasn't ready for. If they never reached a point where they could make love in the open and be proud of it, that was fine by him. The path they were on was more than enough to satisfy every need he felt.

Two naked, dripping bodies emerged from the water hand in hand and moved to retrieve their discarded trunks. Jordan and Taylor stood up once their guests were dressed and began walking with them back to the estate. Conversation flowed again without mention of the prior hour's happenings.

"So," Vin began, "you two boners gonna let us in on our plans for this week?"

"NO!" Taylor and Thad replied in perfect unison. Jordan and Vin pouted to the best of their ability, having no effect on the pair of staunch rivals.

Taylor and Thad ascended the steps to the veranda at a fast pace, never giving the least hint as to the future plans for all of them. Neither Jordan nor Vin realized how mercurial these men could be about surprises. Having never been disappointed once, though, they decided to shut up and go along for the ride. They sat down in the chairs around the outdoor table, finding a bottle of chilled bubbly and four glasses. Taylor did the honors and filled everyone's glasses like a pro. He felt good getting back to being a gracious host.

"To a magical night," he toasted. Everyone giggled at that but raised their glasses in agreement. As they talked about nothing in particular, Taylor rose and excused himself from the group. He had one more important stop to make before turning in.

Leaving the veranda, he followed the trail leading to the rear of the property and was soon standing on the porch of Leonard and Carl's home. As usual, the two were curled together on their hammock as it gently rocked in the ocean breeze. He knew that they often slept there on clear nights, this one being no exception. Peaking over the edge, he found them sleeping peacefully and paused to admire the beautiful sight. These men were his heroes in every sense, and he hoped to give Jordan even half of what they routinely gave each other.

Carl, being the light sleeper he was, felt the foreign presence around them. He opened his eyes to find Taylor hovering above. For a second, he stared at the man he considered his son. He'd always been proud of him, but now felt a sense of pride greater than he had at any time before. Rolling slightly, he smiled and moved to get up.

"Don't get up," Taylor said.

Carl relaxed once again. "Can I do anything for you?"

Taylor lightly brushed a lock of graying hair from Carl's face. "You've done more than enough already! I just wanted to let you know that things are all set and be in the house tomorrow by 6 A.M."

Carl chuckled a bit. "We know they are. Before we decided to pass up your little beach party, Leonard went over every detail and made sure that all you'd asked for was here and ready."

Taylor smiled warmly. He could always count on these two to watch out for him no matter what.

"Go back to sleep, dad, and sweet dreams!"

"Night, son. Sleep well," he replied, snuggling closer to Leonard's warm body.

It was a closely guarded secret that he referred to them as dad in private. His own father was gone on business quite often, leaving a void in his heart that wasn't being filled. Shortly before the start of his teen years, his father was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away a few months later. Even though Taylor hardly knew him, his desire for a male role model was worse than ever after that. His mother tried, to no avail, to act as both parents. Once she realized how complete her failure was, she decided that radical change was in order.

Having been left a large fortune by her late husband, she sold the family property and moved them south to the house Taylor now lived in. They had more money than they could spend in a lifetime, so his mother made it her mission to use a portion of their wealth to fund various foundations that carried out wonderful missions for the less fortunate. She also hired the two men that would change her son's life forever.

Leonard and Carl entered his lonely existence shortly after their arrival at the new house. Then in their mid twenties, they were dapper in appearance and surrounded by an energy Taylor felt immediately. Billed as a butler and chauffeur, they grew to represent much more. They drove him to school. They helped with homework. They made his meals, did his laundry and made sure he bathed before bed each night. Talking to them was easy for the young lad from day one, and he confided in them often.

It was they who were there to guide Taylor through his earliest homosexual feelings. Never once saying a bad word, they told him of their life together thus far and lavished words of support upon him. It was at that time he began referring to them as dad in private. It wasn't an Oscar worthy event, merely something that Taylor decided was woefully past due.

When his mother decided it was time to retire, he acquired the estate from her and kept his confidantes on. As he considered what a huge difference they'd made in his life, he arrived at the veranda to find a very different scene from the one he left.

Jordan was fast asleep, his chin propped securely on the palm of his hand. Vin had crawled into Thad's lap and disappeared as well. The attorney himself was bleary eyed and valiantly fighting the urge to sleep. Observing this scene made Taylor realize that he was bone tired as well. Scooping Jordan up, he motioned for Thad to follow and went upstairs. He stopped at the appointed guest room, letting the man know his bags were waiting there and they were set to meet for coffee at 6 A.M. Both men smiled, knowing that neither of their lovers would be remotely near waking up at that hour.

After saying his good nights, he moved into their room and placed Jordan carefully onto the bed. A few murmurs came out, but the angelic man continued to slumber deeply. Taylor removed his wet bathing suit and covered him up. Stripping off his own board shorts, he climbed under the covers and reached for the alarm clock beside him. Not being able to see the buttons as required, he switched on the bed side lamp.

Setting it for 5:15 A.M., he moved to put it back when something caught his eye. Standing upon his night table was the caricature of Jordan in an aged bronze frame. Below the drawing were the embossed words "The Picture Of Love." He took hold of it, running his fingers across the hammered metal and the title plate. Carl was a craft addict and Taylor figured he'd made this some time ago, waiting for the right work to place within it.

Positioning the drawing so he could see it first every morning, he replaced the clock and extinguished the lamp. He curled tightly against his man's back and snaked his arms tightly around him. All was right with the world as he drifted into dream land.

Taylor awoke like always, a half hour before the alarm went off. The lights of the estate filtered through the windows, allowing him to view a portion of his lover's picture. As he studied every line and nuance, he thought Thad lucky to be with such a creative powerhouse. He'd decided that Vin should do another exhibition soon, planning to bring it up over the course of their day. Eager to get things underway, he rose from the bed carefully, observing that Jordan pretty much slept like the dead. He kissed his forehead softly and moved into the bathroom suite.

After a thorough cleansing and a close shave, he donned a pair of shorts and a plain T-shirt. Knowing a change of clothes was upcoming, he expended little energy on his attire. He finished his morning duties before gazing at Jordan one last time and moving out the door. Making his way down the stairs, he began to worry that his caretakers would still be at home, leaving him to fend for himself in the kitchen once again. True to form, however, they were awake and busy as bees in the kitchen.

"Morning, dads!" Taylor exclaimed.

"Morning, son!" they replied with warm smiles.

He wrapped them in a group hug and placed tender kisses on their cheeks. They blushed slightly at the attention being lavished upon them.

The kitchen was filled with the wondrous smells that only Leonard and Carl could create. Chief among them was a steaming pot of Kona coffee, which Taylor eyed patently. Tracing the source of his son's gaze, Leonard found his favorite cup and filled it with the rich liquid. He handed it to Taylor, giving him the look a father gives a son when he's amused with his progeny.

Inhaling the rich aroma as it stimulated his senses, he took a first satisfying sip and savored its bold flavor. As he went in for a larger gulp, Thad moved around the corner and into sight. Leonard headed toward the pot and poured a second cup.

"Smells heavenly in here," Thad observed aloud.

"Wait until you get to taste it," Carl added, drawing a look from his partner.

"Can't wait.....I'm starving!"

"Come to think of it, I could use a little something to tide me over too," Taylor agreed.

Leonard handed Thad his coffee and said, "Why don't you two move to the veranda. I'll scare something up and bring it out to you."

They nodded their agreement and moved where directed. The morning was cool and exhilarating. Sea salt filled the air as the horizon showed faint signs that another day was barreling toward them. As they settled in comfortably, Carl appeared bearing two small plates of fruit with a buttered piece of toast on each. They thanked him profusely and began to eat in relative silence. As they munched their pineapple and kiwi, Taylor's mind began to think about his ideas for revenge on Stephenson. He now considered the possibility that Thad could play a vital role in making it a reality.

"I have a few ideas on how to deal with those old fucks at Stephenson and get Jordan the justice he deserves," Taylor blurted out.

Thad's face couldn't hide the shock he was feeling. Quickly, he entered attorney mode and barked a mandatory order.

"Gimme a dollar!" he said insistently.

Confused to the maximum, Taylor fished out his wallet and gave Thad a five, his smallest bill. He took the money and placed it safely in his pocket.

"Congratulations," he began, "you've now retained me and anything you tell me is protected by attorney/client privilege."

Taylor sat back in sheer amazement. He hadn't thought of this monumental detail and was relieved his friend was so on the ball.

"Please continue," Thad said.

Over the next thirty minutes, Taylor spilled out his ideas in a rather random fashion. Thad asked many questions and offered the legal ramifications of such actions. They traded some concepts back and forth until a workable plan began to take shape.

"In its broadest strokes, I love the plan" Thad admitted, "but it needs to be fine tuned a lot. Let's not think about it today. We have much planned and two great men we've left on pins and needles. I say we get to it!"

Taylor grinned widely, glad to be brought back to much more pleasant tasks. "Agreed totally!" he said, raising his cup to his new friend. They finished their coffee and rose to begin setting the day's chain of events into action.

Their first stop was the garden that had so enamored the other men upon their arrival to the estate. Taylor's mother was an expert gardener and had slaved for years to produce the stunning array of different flowers. They moved among the wide variety, Taylor divulging what he knew about each one and their meaning. After listening to all the available choices, Thad opted for a variety of roses mixed with a few Birds of Paradise. The contrasting colors produced a palette he was sure Vin would be enthralled with.

Taylor took a bit more time in deciding, but chose roses of several different colors, a few Anthirium and some blood red day lilies. He also clipped two single white roses in mature bloom.

Gathering their blossoms, they went to the gardener's shack nearby and tied red ribbons around the fragrant bouquets. Admiring their work, they realized they wouldn't be florists anytime soon but it effectively showed what they felt for their respective mates. Taylor sprayed a fine mist of water over them and the pair went back into the house. They now had to sneak back into the rooms and place the gifts where they wanted them. This may have been a touchy operation for some men, but Vin and Jordan could apparently sleep through a nuclear war.

Moments later, they had successfully pulled off phase one of their covert mission. After sharing a fast high five, they moved to the office wing to inspect the materials for phase two. Taylor moved behind the desk, bringing a large bag back with him. He removed the contents and spread them out over the oak surface. Thad cracked up at what he saw, thinking it was totally perfect for the day ahead. Taylor also produced two additional items from a different bag, adding them to the collection. The attorney inspected the new arrivals with a puzzled look on his face.

"For Leonard and Carl," he informed him, laying a white rose across each one. Thad nodded admiringly, feeling like a bit of a schmuck for his earlier misjudgment of Taylor Bryant. He felt more secure than ever that he could trust the man to do the right thing unconditionally. It was great to be making friends with such a quality person.

Moving to the kitchen, they found Leonard and Carl laying out the sumptuous breakfast in the dining room. The time was now 6:15 A.M. and the alarms they'd reset would soon be rousing the sleeping angels. They refilled their coffee and sat back to watch the action begin.

At the prescribed moment, both clocks let out a rude howl that interrupted the boys' peaceful respite. Jordan opened his eyes slowly, realizing it was that damn clock being offensive. He turned to silence it and came face to face with a wonderful sight. Along with the bundle of flowers, the framed caricature of him and a small note that read "I Love You" lay on the pillow next to him. He handled the clock and picked up the delicate blooms. Their smell was heavenly, and he inhaled it deeply. A huge smile appeared on his face and refused to let go. He was truly giddy with happiness for the first time in his life. Checking out the drawing, he read the frame and felt touched to his core. He suspected Carl was behind the gift and would thank him later privately.

Vin awoke to a similar sight, though it evoked a different reaction. Being the flamboyant person he was, he did what came naturally......hooted like a schoolgirl and burst into tears. He also found a picture of him and Thad shortly after they first got together included in the wonderful offerings. Cradling the flowers and photo to his chest, he moved to the door and leaned out. Screaming at the stop of his lungs, he bellowed, "Thaddeus Robert Barber, get your sneaky ass up here!"

Taylor and Thad looked at each other a bit worriedly. The level of Vin's reaction was as expected, yet the tone seemed a bit off. Thad rose and headed upstairs, closing the door to their room behind him upon entering. Vin was sitting up in bed, the flowers and the photo still draped across his chest. He patted a spot next to him and Thad complied, still not quite sure what to make of the whole scene. Vin laced their fingers together and stared at the unified digits for a few moments. He returned his gaze to his husband's eyes as the tears of joy began streaming once again.

"After nearly sixteen years," he began, "I still fall more in love with you each day. Thank you, muffin!" He extended his arms and pulled Thad into a death grip of a hug. Being so relieved at the positive outcome, the lawyer didn't even make mention of the pet name he hated violently. It seemed right for the time. They hugged each other tightly and then joined in a lip lock that burned several notches above normal.

Jordan heard the commotion and figured that Vin awoke to an equally wonderful surprise. None of that mattered, though. He felt as if he would explode if he didn't get to Taylor right away. He tied his short robe around him, donning his favorite boxers, and tore downstairs. Taking the wide steps two at a time, he reached the bottom at a world record pace. His excitement level was extreme as he entered the living room and located the man he knew he didn't want to live without. Increasing his speed a little, he ran toward him and lunged into the air.

Luckily, Taylor noticed the human bullet heading toward him in time to catch him perfectly, feeling arms and legs lock tightly around him. Kisses were soon assaulting his face as he relaxed and wallowed in the attention.

"Just when I think you couldn't possibly get any better, you go and prove me wrong!" Jordan said in between the loving kisses.

"You make it easy, baby," he replied earnestly, traveling into the the pools of his love's eyes.

"Thank you," Jordan replied, squeezing his beautiful man harder.

"Hey now!" Taylor protested. "The day's nowhere near over so I suggest you boys eat hearty so you can keep up!"

The young man's stomach responded for him, gurgling its agreement at a high volume. Taylor giggled and carried his man toward the dining room. Jordan delighted in feeling of his ass rubbing against the man's crotch as they walked. He adjusted his positioning so the contact was more direct and squirmed a bit more than necessary. By the time the short walk was over, Taylor's had a raging hard on that was horribly visible in his tight shorts. Jordan delighted in the effect he had on the currently captive man, sliding slowly over the straining bulge a few times to drive home his new found powers.

Taylor moved to the table and deposited his man in a chair. He took the seat next to him and felt a warm hand grab the awkwardly trapped stalk. The mischievous appendage began by applying steady pressure to the tight girth. It squeezed then released, repeating the move over and over. Every time the pressure arrived, Taylor's face became a bit more flushed. Ecstasy was building inside him with each more powerful grasp. Just as he began to boil a bit, the hand's game plan changed.

The new operation required loose fingers, which began to trace over every hill and valley of his now leaking cock. Starting at the head, they followed the broad tip, pausing to tease the soaked slit. Riding along its natural lines, the two digits soon flanked the broad corona, massaging deep into the ridge surrounding it. By now, the pre cum factory was working double shifts. Taylor's boxers were becoming terribly wet as sweat began to trickle down his forehead. His tormentors remained in their flanking position as they began to move slowly down the engorged shaft. They walked lower while pinching and rubbing, the thumb suddenly joining in the party. It contacted the strong vein on the underside, beginning low and caressing small circles up its length. The other two phalanges continued their duties at the same time, causing the profusely perspiring man to release a huge ragged breath. As fast as it had started, though, the wickedly wonderful torture ceased.

Thad and Vin came bounding into the room, squawking like teenagers. Their faces beamed as they took the seats opposite the other men. Taylor felt as though he'd implode at any second. Evil thoughts of revenge coursed through his battered brain. His plots were interrupted, however, when the ever blunt Vin made an announcement that was overly appropriate to the situation at hand.

"I know two men who've earned amazing blow jobs tonight!" he exclaimed.

Jordan turned to Taylor and stared at him seductively. "Could be," he replied, winking at his totally dying man. "Depends on what they do for an encore," he added.

Vin laughed uproariously! "My protege is learning!" he said, reaching across the table to high five Jordan.

"I pity you," Thad said to Taylor. He didn't respond, still not sure the aching in his crotch would allow him to form understandable sentences.

Vin suddenly picked up on his state, suspecting who and what was to blame. "You OK?" he asked the struggling man.

"Fine," Taylor mumbled. He was anything but fine, still trying to calm his raging insides. His balls felt like a pair of lead weights and his cock could hit a home run at Yankee Stadium. Jordan stealthily reached over and grasped the rampant pole once again. Taylor's body lurched as if a cattle prod had been taken to him.

"He'll be OK," Jordan announced, adding, "soon" to the end of that sentence.

The light bulbs went off above the guy's heads. As his man continued to stroke up and down on his poor manhood, Thad gave Taylor a knowing look. Vin looked proudly at Jordan, happy to see him coming out of his shell. Taylor thought of revealing the whole scenario as the food arrived, saving Jordan's proverbial ass for now.

Leonard looked at Taylor and surveyed his frazzled state.

"What the hell's wrong with you?" he asked, leading to the sound of bellicose laughter filling the room. He gave his adopted son a quizzical look and shrugged his shoulders as he moved to retrieve the rest of the meal.

The table was soon filled with the likes of Eggs Benedict, steaming croissants, crepes filled with various fruits and home fries covered with olive oil and onions. Stomachs responded to the spread as it came rolling out. Once it was all set, the two servers turned to leave.

"Join us, please," Taylor managed to squeak out. It was the first complete sentence he'd formed in some time.

The two men nodded and took seats at the head and foot of the table, as any good parents would. They took the first helpings, watching happily as most of the men dove in like starving pygmies. Taylor just sat there, though, trying to will his hapless cock down. Nothing he tried was having any effect. Sensing his lover's plight, Jordan prepared him a plate with a small selection of everything available. Taylor thanked him and began trying to eat something.

Friendly exchanges occurred between the oohs and ahs over the sumptuous fare. Taylor took a few bites here and there as his cock continued to throb without remorse. Pre cum had, thankfully, stopped pouring out, releasing him from at least one portion of his torture. Jordan made no moves toward the aggravated area, but each touch he placed anywhere on his man's body sent an immediate charge directly to the bloated nut sac.

At long last, all the food was consumed and the last sips of coffee were headed down. Taylor breathed a sigh of relief, even though his tool was still primed and ready for some serious attention. The conversation turned to the day's itinerary, Vin begging to know more. Something snapped inside Taylor and he stood up, revealing his obscenely hard member to the entire crew.

"First stop is upstairs so my teasing boyfriend can finish what he so bravely started," Taylor announced. He brought Jordan to his feet and pulled him to the stairs. Slapping his sexy ass as they bounded upward, they reached the reached the place where Taylor could get the relief he so needed. He kicked the door shut and fell atop his attacker.

"You are so gonna pay, little man," he said. Jordan was turned on beyond belief by these new, commanding ways. He lay back and prepared for an experience he was sure would be mind numbing.

Taylor thrashed his shorts and boxers off, then straddled Jordan's torso. Taking a handful of hair in each hand, he guided the captured face toward his angry, purple member. The desperate need to release his seed meant that this encounter was likely to be short lived. He pushed forward and dragged his swollen head across Jordan's lips. His tormentor's tongue flipped out and licked lightly at it, the manly taste increasing his lust for more. Determined to remain in total control, however, Taylor pulled back each time the eager orifice went for more. The contact felt so awesome that he was tempted to forgo his plan, but, in the end, stayed true to the plot he had in mind.

Thrusting his hips a little father forward, he allowed just the head to breach Jordan's pouty lips. His man's face became more eager as the firm mushroom settled into its lusty home. It didn't hang there long, however. Jordan's face scrunched up disappointedly as the object of his growing need pulled back again. The bulbous head, now leaking like a sieve once more, began to smear its pearly gifts on the over charged mouth. Jordan lips moved rampantly trying to capture its target, all to no avail. It was only offered teasing tastes instead of the treatment it not only deserved, but wantonly desired.

Taylor could stand it no longer. He shoved his hips hard ahead, sinking about half of his thick pipe into the finally happy mouth. He held the filled face still as he pumped in and out with very short strokes. The feeling was totally delicious as his balls began to inch closer to his body. With each forward thrust, Taylor pushed further in. The turgid stick made its way to the back of its victim's throat, pausing for effect before advancing to the closing movements. Jordan nearly gagged on the initial contact, but, wanting to see if he could take it all of the monster, he used shear willpower to keep the reflex firmly under control.

Taylor inched back a bit and bound forward, feeling his cock break through into the tightest, warmest cage it had ever entered. He sighed with anticipation as he withdrew and plunged back in again. It was like nothing he'd ever felt before as he drove his cock deeper and without hesitation. Jordan became immediately turned on as he felt the rigid tube slip into his accommodating throat. He let out moans of pride upon reaching his goal.

The noises sent a glass shattering vibration down Taylor's shaft, letting his nuts know it was nearly time to act. He face fucked his man faster and faster, watching his impressive snake disappear effortlessly down the now open gullet. The sight only made him crazier as he kept the turbo charged pace up. Jordan's own temperature levels rose dramatically as he moaned freely and used his throat muscles to pleasure the steely warrior. He wanted to keep this up for as long as possible, but nature had another agenda.

Signals warped through Taylor's body and he let loose with a passionate scream. It was as if the U.S.S. Missouri had fired its sixteen inch guns in the heat of a bloody battle. Spurt after spurt of thick man cream rolled down Jordan's throat, adding several days of protein supplies to his already sated stomach. The scene was so erotic and surreal that Jordan's own cock broke through its containment barriers and spewed forth a respectable load of spunk into his straining shorts. It was the first time in his young life that he'd ever cum without being touched anywhere on his lower body.

Taylor withdrew his sinking cock after a short while, feeling a sense of fulfillment that was so strong it was violently unfamiliar. Unable to bring his breathing back to normal right away, he collapsed to Jordan's side and rolled over on his back. The only sound in the room was two humans trying to will their lungs to behave normally. He grabbed his man's hand and slowly rolled to face him.

"Holy Shit!!" Taylor bellowed, still gasping slightly for air. "That was so god damn intense!"

Jordan smiled widely, proud that he could give his man such ultimate pleasure. The two kissed, sharing the cummy aftermath that still lay in the younger man's mouth. It went back and forth between them, adding to the sexiness of the whole episode. From start to finish, it lasted just less than fifteen minutes, but captured the heat and lust of several standard love making endeavors.

Still smiling, Jordan said, "I need a shower now!" The wetness that filled his crotch was soaking through to the surface and making him feel uncomfortable. He was a bit apprehensive a after all was said and done, but decided to hide it best he could.

Taylor stood and helped him to his feet. Leading the way, he set the shower and stripped his man gently. There was, indeed, a huge mass of juice contained inside the tight boxers. He grinned and pulled them both inside. Knowing that time was short, they washed each other quickly and exited upon finishing. They dried each other in the same fashion, and then selected comfortable clothing for the day. Jordan was still quieter than usual, rolling the hot scene over in his mind. He was glad they could make sweet love but still have animal sex. Something still wasn't quite right about the whole thing, though.

Taylor's relative silence came from the complete awe he was feeling. Truth be known, he didn't think Jordan had it in him to survive something like this, but he was happier than hell to realize a whole new door had opened in their sexual exploits. Done dressing, they kissed once more before departing to rejoin their guests.

Thad and Vin were seated on the veranda having a jovial talk with Leonard and Carl. Judging by the laughs heard, it was going very well for them. Taylor was happy his dads were bonding with his new friends. Their approval was always important to him, though he never let on. After all, he didn't want them to know they wielded that kind of power over him.

When they stepped outside, Vin's eyes locked with Jordan's. He had changed into a pair of snug pink shorts, and a light green sleeveless shirt. His oversized Dolce & Gabana sunglasses rested on the table in front of him. A pair of Prada flip flops lay near his bare feet, his tattoo blazing in plain sight for all to behold.

"Looks like someone else got their morning protein shake!" he cajoled.

Jordan turned a deep crimson while Taylor stood tall, secretly proud that he'd fed his man such a large snack. Everyone but Jordan broke down at the stark comment, but their eyes showed no judgment or disapproval toward what had just happened. Being a man who liked to remain on schedule, Thad cleared his throat and brought things back to the day before them. Jordan was visibly relieved, but still bothered about something. He tried hard to push it out of his mind.

"Ready to find out what we're doing today?" Thad asked.

The earlier sense of unease Jordan felt welled up inside him. He needed to talk to someone and needed to talk now! This wasn't going away anytime soon no matter how hard Jordan resisted it.

"In a minute," Jordan said. "I need Vin's help with something first." With that, he took the smaller man by the arm and virtually dragged him away. Vin sensed his friend's need to escape and followed along. Finding a bench by a small pond, they finally sat down together. Jordan was silent for a few more moments before the tears he'd been holding back came rushing forward.

"What have I done?" he cried. "I've ruined everything!"

Vin wrapped his arm tightly around the sobbing man. "C'mon sweetie, it can't be all that bad," he said consolingly.

"Yes it can!" Jordan shot back. "He must think I'm such a cheap whore!"

Vin's eyes went wide at that remark. "Whoa now, I'm lost here babe. Start from the top and tell me what happened."

Jordan began to tell the story from the moment he jumped into Taylor's arms. Vin listened intently as the playful torture episodes and the animalistic results that followed were recounted in great detail. Jordan's body shook as he finished the tale, burying his face in his hands.

"The sick thing is that I really liked it, but I'm scared that it's always gonna be like that from now on. What I did was evil, and I got the slut treatment I had coming. I'm not like that, though. I don't wanna be his little concubine. I'm better than that!" Jordan said in between sobs.

Vin sat back and expelled a small chuckle.

"What the fuck is so funny?" Jordan yelled, standing up to leave his mocking friend.

"Easy, buddy. Sit back down and lemme explain," Vin urged.

Reluctantly, Jordan complied.

"When Thad and I first became a couple," he began, "it was like magic. Things that meant nothing to me suddenly took on a whole new significance. We made sweet, passionate love every chance we got. One night we went to a club. We danced and drank the night away with our friends. Bottom line....we were shitfaced when we left."

Jordan looked at his friend, wondering where the hell this winding tale was going.

Vin pressed on. "In the cab on the way home, we were all hands and I was primed as hell for a good fucking. When we got home, I attacked his sexy body right inside the door. We, literally, ripped each others clothes off as we made it to the bedroom. I threw him down on the bed, and jumped on top, putting his bone inside me right away. I rode that bad boy for all it was worth until he flipped me over and gave me a pounding I'll never forget. We both came hard and fast, then passed out right there."

Jordan's curiosity was piqued now.

"I woke up in the morning with Thad still on top of me and his piss hard cock still buried deep. He woke shortly after and went to take it out. I held him in and we made wonderful love again."

"My point is that after sixteen years together, there's no telling what kind of sex we'll have from one time to the next. Sometimes, we want our love affirmed and just do things softly. Other times, we get so hot for each other that the animal in us comes out and we fuck like rabbits. Hell, we even have times that we do both. My point is.....after it's all said and done, he doesn't love or respect me any less."

Jordan let the words sink in for a minute. Could it be that Taylor didn't think those awful things about him?

Vin took the man in his arms and stroked his back lovingly. "Trust me, Jordan. Nothing's changed for you two. You've only found another way to satisfy each other that I think's a shitload of fun."

Jordan laughed heartily into the shoulder he leaned on. "Fuckin A, Vin. It was hot as hell!" They both laughed together, giving that knowing look only they understood. Vin reached up and took Jordan's face in his hands.

"Remember, babe, angels don't have to sing every time you get guys get naked. Sometimes things can be a bit more urgent than usual or you try something new that's kinda kinky and turns you both on. Don't worry about it. You're not a freak!"

Those were the words Jordan was waiting to hear. He breathed a huge sigh of relief as his body let all of the recently built up tension out. He held Vin to him and sunk into the warm embrace.

"Thank you," he said.

"What the fuck are sisters for you silly man?" Vin said animatedly.

The two men laughed until their stomachs hurt. Jordan had never made a friend like Vin, but he couldn't imagine how he'd lived this long without him. They sat for a while so Jordan could finish returning to a normal heart rate. Vin rose and took his friend's hand in his.

"C'mon, sweetie. You look like dog shit and we gotta clean you up!"

Jordan shook his head and followed Vin back into the house.

Meanwhile, Taylor was on pins and needles while the two men talked. He had an idea of what was up and his mind came to thousands of equally awful conclusions. He paced incessantly and wrung his hands in worry. He longed for something to hit hard so he could release the extreme disgust he felt with himself.

"Things were going so well," he thought frantically. "What the fuck was I thinking!"

Thad shifted uneasily in his seat as the man before him became more and more agitated. He wanted to comfort him, but was afraid he'd get punched in the process. He chose to sit and wait until Taylor was ready to talk about what was eating him up.

Leonard returned to the veranda and found the mess that Taylor had become. He'd seen it so many times through the years and was adept at handling this situation. Putting a stern look on his face, he took a deep breath and moved toward the emotional man.

"Sit!" he commanded, pulling a chair out from the table.

Taylor threw him an ice cold stare and ignored the insistent order.

Leonard spoke again, only louder this time. "SIT!" he yelled, pointing to the seat before him.

Taylor recognized the tone and knew it was fruitless to resist. He plopped down and folded his arms across his chest, pouting like an insolent child.

"Talk!" Leonard said forcefully.

"I don't want to!" Taylor replied, his voiced dripping with resistance.

"You thought you had an option here?" Leonard fired back. "As usual, you don't, so I suggest you start now."

Thad was fairly impressed with the scene unfolding before him. He'd found Taylor to be a pretty commanding individual so far and it was very different to see someone else take total control of a situation involving him.

"FINE!" he screamed. "I got carried away with Jordan earlier and I'm positive he hates me now!"

Leonard shook his head in frustration. "How can you be so sure? Did he tell you that?"

"He doesn't need to," Taylor replied. "I can tell without being told anything."

"So my son's a psychic now?" Leonard asked.

"What the hell do you know?" he yelled back. "You aren't in my shoes and have no idea what happened!"

"So educate me, Jeanne Dixon," Leonard replied sarcastically.

Taylor scoffed but began recalling his version of the story. Both men listened quietly as the earlier wanton exploits were told in vivid detail.

"Now you can see that I'm right!" Taylor yelled after finishing his blustering rant.

Leonard and Thad looked at each other and said, "BULLSHIT!" in unison. Taylor turned away from them, determined to ignore their brash comment.

"Look at me, you little shit," Leonard ordered. "I know you think you know it all but you're gonna listen to what we have to say!"

He trudged on without pausing. "So you had hot sex. Did Jordan protest in any way or say no?"

Taylor remained silent, the wheels of his mind turning slowly.

"Don't beat yourself up, Taylor," Thad offered. "It was just different, not necessarily bad."

"But he's pissed at me now!" Taylor replied. "Once again, I've gone too far and fucked up the best thing I've ever had!"

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself!" Leonard said with an annoyed tone in his voice. "You haven't even talked to him to find out what he's feeling. Ever since I first met you, I've seen you let that warped mind of yours carry you in a billion ridiculous directions. Stop it now! Don't argue, just stop!"

Taylor considered the words carefully. It was true he tended to let his mind run away with him, and it was even more true he hadn't heard Jordan's side yet.

"So what do I do?" he asked earnestly.

"Nothing," Thad said, "until you talk to Jordan."

He realized they were right and began to feel a little bit better. It was short lived, however, as Jordan and Vin returned to the veranda and entered his line of sight. His heart jumped into his throat and began to beat wildly.

Jordan regarded the worried look on his man's face. Feelings of guilt overtook him as he saw just how despondent the man he loved dearly now looked. He walked over to him and stood in front of the chair he was in while Vin took his favorite position on Thad's lap. He hoped that what he said had a genuinely positive effect on what Jordan was thinking.

Extending his hand, he was much cooler when he felt Taylor's join with his own and lock their fingers together. He pulled hard, bringing the man to his feet so he could wrap his arms snugly around him.

"I'm sorry," he choked out, "I didn't mean to run off like that."

"It's no problem. I just wanna know that you're OK," Taylor replied worriedly.

"I'm actually better than OK, sweetie. I got a bit freaked out about things but now it's all good!"

Taylor thanked his lucky stars and held Jordan closer to him. "I promise you I won't do that again." The others rolled their eyes upon hearing that, knowing from experience that you weren't always in control of your carnal instincts.

"Don't say that!" Jordan protested. "I don't want it to be that way every time, but I gotta admit, it was one of the hottest experiences I've ever had. I really liked how you took charge and made things happen." He blushed after finishing that last statement.

Taylor looked at him in disbelief. How could he have been so wrong?

"Really?" he said.

Jordan laughed light kindheartedly. "Yes, honey, really!"

The two men embraced tighter and joined together in a passionate lip lock. Both were satisfied that all was right once again and that it was OK to revisit this new and wild world again from time to time.

Vin could stand it no longer and released a sappy "AWWWW" as he jumped to his feet. He charged toward them and threw his arms around the pair.

"I love happy endings!" he announced, much to the amusement of those around them. "My boys have learned that sex for the sake of sex is OK!"

Eager to return to the main agenda and keep Vin's mouth from going off the deep end, Thad stood up and tried to get things back on course.

"Now are we ready to find out what else is in store for the day?"

The boys nodded eagerly and followed their men back into the house. Taylor rushed forward and sped into the office ahead of the main group. He quickly covered his two surprise gifts moments before everyone piled in. Leonard and Carl came in last, excited to see the looks that were coming on the others' faces. As always, they were ready with their camera in hand.

Taylor began speaking first. "As you probably realize now, we're all gay!" The group guffawed at that statement. "Nowhere on earth is that fact more celebrated than where we're headed today. In about ninety minutes, we'll be boarding a plane and flying to Disneyworld, where we'll join their annual Gay Day festivities."

Jordan and Vin drew in deep breaths excitedly. Disney was one of their favorite places on a normal day, let alone on a day where it's filled with their brethren. They talked a mile a minute before Taylor gave them both looks, urging them to shut up so he could continue. They quickly obeyed.

"To identify ourselves as part of this special extended family, we have to wear a specific color. This year, yellow was chosen as the required tone. So, Thad and I took the liberty of having special shirts made to mark this very unique day."

Thad moved first to get the shirts that he and Vin would wear for the event. He held them up to his body, displaying the word printed on them. Everyone smiled as Vin rose to inspect them more closely. The word on their shirts read "Taken." Their respective names were printed on the back of the soft garment. The small man grinned widely, knowing the connotation was perfect. Thad had, in fact, taken his heart and soul years ago, a fact he was only too proud to point out to anyone who asked. He kissed his husband on the cheek while grabbing the shirt. Quickly removing his current top, he placed the new tog over his head and smoothed it out, showing it off to the entire group. Thad followed suit and then faced Carl, the two of them getting their photo snapped for posterity.

It was Taylor's turn to reveal his handiwork. Holding his and Jordan's up, he displayed them the same way Thad did. The words on both were identical, reading "I Belong To Him." The one difference was the arrow beneath the words. Taylor's pointed to the left and Jordan's to the right. Their names were also printed on the back. They shed their shirts and put the new ones on, also standing for Carl so he could snap away. The men were all smiles as they anticipated what the day had to bring.

Taylor looked at Carl and Leonard with a lopsided grin. He took their hands and led them to the place he had concealed only minutes earlier.

"You didn't think I'd leave you two out, did ya?" he asked.

Removing the cover obscuring the gifts, the two older men became misty eyed. They picked up the stunning white roses and inhaled their fragrance, keeping their eyes locked on their surrogate son the entire time. The flowers meant purity, and it had become a tradition for Taylor to present them as gifts. They were meant to show the purity of the love he felt for his nearly lifelong companions. Looking down at their t-shirts, they became even more touched. Leonard's read "Together" while Carl's read "Forever." Their names were, of course, also emblazoned on the reverse side. They cradled their gifts and moved to hug Taylor tightly. Kisses and thanks were exchanged, then they moved to embrace the others as well. As they all compared their new look, Taylor cleared his throat.

"Dads," he began, "you two better hurry and get changed. I don't think you wanna be traipsing around Disney in your suits." It was a big moment that didn't go unnoticed by the two of them. Nobody else may have given it a second thought, but this was the first time Taylor had called them that in front of anyone else.

Leonard and Carl were flabbergasted, having no clue they would be included in the day's activities. They turned quickly and left to follow Taylor's orders. Once gone, Taylor made a phone call and hung up just as the men re-entered the room. The black suits were gone, replaced by their new shirts, linen shorts and comfortable walking shoes. Their faces were lit up like children on Christmas morning.

Checking the time, Taylor motioned for everyone to follow him outside so their adventure could begin. Carl grabbed the keys to the limo on his way out, prepared to drive the crew to the appointed air field. What he found brought another shock to his system. A chauffeur stood beside a new Cadillac limousine, holding the rear door open.

"Good morning, sirs," he announced. "I'm Michael and it's my pleasure to be the driver of your chariot this morning. If everyone's ready, we'll get underway." Carl, for one, blushed. This treatment was foreign to him, but he thought Michael was doing a great job so far. He nodded politely at his compatriot as they all filed in.

The car swung out the gates of the estate and headed to its prescribed rendezvous. The six men talked animatedly as they were whisked away, pulling up in front of the Net Jets hangar a little while later. Michael exited first, opening the door and beckoning his guests out. One by one the men moved, with Carl being last. The man thanked the driver genuinely and placed a hundred dollar bill in his hand. Michael tipped his hat in thanks and returned to the front of the long vehicle. He departed quickly to fetch his next client.

Taylor led them into the door before them. Inside, they found a red haired woman in her mid forties, smiling warmly. She moved to Taylor and threw her arms around him.

"It's wonderful to see you again!" she said brightly.

"Yes it is!" he agreed. "Been far too long."

He introduced the woman to everyone as Grace Porter. They'd met on the first Net Jets flight he'd ever made, becoming fast friends along the way. Taylor requested her personally, whenever possible, and was thrilled she was along for their special day. He brought the woman to each man and performed a more intimate person introduction, saving Jordan for last.

Moving her before the still slightly bewildered man, Taylor put his arm around him and pulled him close, the arrows pointing at them as designed.

"Meet Jordan Maxwell, Grace," Taylor said proudly, "the love of my life."

Jordan extended his hand meekly, only to be pulled into a gregarious bear hug. As the two held each other, Grace turned to Jordan's ear and whispered, "You're a lucky man." Jordan smiled and replied, "The luckiest." His eyes locked with Taylor's as he said this, using his lips to send a sweet air kiss his way as the embrace concluded.

Grace released Jordan and invited the group to come on board. They moved to the tarmac together, their ride to the Magic Kingdom coming into view. It was a Gulfstream G3, painted silver with a black stripe across its midsection. It was much smaller than the one Taylor used for Vegas, but was perfect for creating a more intimate setting for the men to enjoy one another's company. They move up the stairway and into the well appointed cabin. The pilot and co-pilot greeted them as Grace showed them to the available seats. A leather couch and two leather love seats formed a comfortable seating area and the men took their places one by one. Grace told them that takeoff time had come and reminded them to buckle up.

As everyone assembled their safety belts, the stairway was retracted and the engines began to power up. After several minutes, the plane moved smoothly backward and then throttled forward, beginning its journey to the runway. It made a sharp turn and the turbines ramped up to maximum output. The craft began to race down its track and soon lifted off effortlessly into the blue sky above. After a few instructed mid air maneuvers, it reached cruising altitude and the "fasten seat belt" signs were darkened.

Grace wheeled a tray of coffee and snacks out, serving each man personally. They listened intently as she told of her first encounter with Taylor and how they became quite close during the cross country journey. The guys regaled her with tales of their lives, some comments eliciting surprised looks and others loud laughter. By the time the pilot signaled that landing was upon them, Grace had come to like the men as much as she liked Taylor.

The plane descended quickly and soon the tires screeched down onto the pavement at Orlando International Airport. The thrusters howled in reverse, causing the plane to slow rapidly. Once at a safe ground speed, it taxied to its assigned resting place and came to a complete stop. Grace released the stairwell and secured it in place. She bade the men farewell for now and told them they could depart at their convenience. One by one, they embraced her warmly and stepped out to the ground.

As they gathered outside, they found a white Ford Van with the Disney logo embossed on the side of it. Two uniformed workers were stowing the bags that Thad and Taylor had sneakily packed earlier in the day. Once that was done, they loaded the men inside and departed for the resort. Excitement levels really zoomed now as the culmination of their day was close at hand.

The vehicle rolled to a stop at the entrance to the Grand Floridian Hotel. As the group disembarked, a gathering of polite employees removed their bags to a luggage cart and escorted them inside. The hotel's concierge met them immediately, bidding them a warm welcome and issuing three card keys to Taylor. Wishing them a wonderful stay, he gave them his contact information and instructed them to follow the bell captain to their suite. They moved in unison to the elevator and took a short ride up to the private suite level.

The captain led them into the four bedroom Presidential Suite and placed the bags together in a central location. Leonard tipped the man handsomely and he turned to leave them in private. Each person grabbed their own bag and placed it into one of the rather large bedrooms. They hardly noticed the room's plush accoutrements, becoming eager to hit the parks and start having fun.

Taylor located each one's laminated World Pass and placed them around the appropriate neck. This would permit them to go between the different parks at will. Giving one last check to make sure everything and everyone was ready, they headed back to the elevator and rode down to the nearby monorail station.

Very soon after their arrival, the packed train came to a halt and the doors popped open, inviting them to climb aboard. Finding seats together, they nodded to each other happily as they realized not one person on this car wore any color other than yellow. The atmosphere became electrified as the train left the station and announced the Magic Kingdom as its next stop. When it rounded the next corner, Cinderella's Castle came into view and the noise level inside dropped noticeably. All the occupants stared at the whimsical structure as the transport reached its previously announced destination and slowed to a stop. When doors opened, all the passengers unloaded hurriedly, making it appear like a herd of cattle was stampeding down the long gangway.

The men, getting separated in this throng, reassembled at the base of the station's ramp and headed onto Main Street together. The music played jubilantly as they stared in every direction, trying to take in the sights of every nook and cranny. Something important caught Vin's eye and he screamed with joy.

"Tigger and Pooh!" he yelled excitedly. "We need a picture with them! C'mon guys, hurry up!" Taking Jordan's arm forcefully, the tiny man summoned all his strength and took the two of them charging at the costumed characters. Another Disney employee witnessed the spectacle and offered to do the photographic honors. Vin arranged the men around the characters and several photos were snapped in succession. He then had pictures of himself alone, then with him and Jordan, and then with his husband taken after that. His eyes blazed with happiness as he regarded his favorite childhood icons.

With the session completed, they decided first on a visit to Adventure Land. They rode Pirates of the Caribbean, Vin screaming in his special way when the boat careened down the waterfall. All the occupants got a huge laugh out of that. They rode Thunder Mountain, Thad and Taylor loving the exhilarating speed the coaster provided. The Jungle Cruise provided a needed respite where they sat and observed the animated creatures at work.

By the end of the first few hours, they'd ridden rides in over half the park. Space Mountain was a definite do over, Taylor and Jordan riding it four times in a row. Jordan figured it was the fact that his man liked having him between his legs. The Alien Encounter thrilled them all, causing Jordan, Vin and Carl to release blood curdling screams at the intended suspenseful parts. The other men teased them mercilessly as they moved on to other yet to be explored attractions.

Carl and Leonard became a bit tired of the excitement, breaking off from the group so they could visit some of the shops they'd seen earlier. They agreed to meet back up several hours later. The remaining men continued their charge through the resort. They ate mouse shaped ice cream bars and listened to singing bears. It really didn't matter what they did. Seemingly normal activities took on a new meaning among the band of newly close friends.

The nicest thing that they were able to do was show each other affection without restrictions. At practically all times, someone was holding hands, walking with arms around each other, or kissing. Taylor made sure that examples of these displays were photographed, so they'd be remembered forever. Same sex couples were all around them and felt free enough to do the same. It felt nice to know that at least one place on earth was free of life's normal threats, if only for a day.

At the agreed upon time, they met back up with Leonard and Carl, deciding to move to Epcot Center. They boarded a different train and soon the golf ball looking centerpiece was plainly in view. Their excitement built up once again as they moved down the ramp and on to their newest challenge. Hours were spent in Future World exploring the various educational exhibits. Everyone learned something they didn't know beforehand and marveled at the amazing graphics used to present the concepts.

After seeing all there was to see here, they continued on to the World Pavilion. The shopaholics, Leonard and Carl, couldn't resist buying something from almost every store they encountered. The other men found a bar in Germany and sat down to consume beer from huge steins while waiting for the purchasing pros to finish their work. The ale was heavy and bold, going down easily into their sun warmed bodies. A mellow buzz overtook them as they realized that maybe they drank it a bit too fast. The two smaller men were hit slightly harder, deciding to stop half way through the ice cold beverage. Taylor and Thad pressed on, finishing not only their drinks but those of their men as well.

Being sufficiently floating, Jordan scooted closer to Taylor and leaned up to whisper in his ear. "In case I forget later," he said, "thank you for the most wonderful day of my life." He laid several small kisses on the neck before him and hugged his man firmly. The plight shown earlier in the day had all but vanished, the warm, cuddly feelings being in charge as before.

Taylor accepted the thanks quietly, preferring to enjoy the closeness as opposed to releasing another mundane response. He squeezed tightly and ran his chin over the soft hair, breathing in its essence. Never in his life had he been so in love, and his gentle caresses demonstrated all that should be said perfectly. Once Leonard and Carl returned, carrying no less than ten bags, the group rose and moved off to see the rest of the wonderful sights.

After spending the day touring the various cultural exhibits,dinner found them in France, getting a table with a pristine view of the Eiffel Tower (at least Disney's version of it.) They consumed a bottle of tasty red wine while going over their favorite parts of the day. Thad and Vin loved rides like "Monsters, Inc." and "The Carousel of Progress." Taylor and Jordan argued in favor of "Space Mountain" being the best of the best. Leonard and Carl remarked on all the wonderful shops. Since nobody was gonna change their mind, it was decided that the entire place was the greatest ever, having something for everyone to fondly recall.

They continued to rehash things over dishes like Coq Au Vin, Steak Diane and Chateau Briande. Samples from each plate were passed around so all could enjoy the chef's considerable culinary talents. All in all, it was the ideal end to a memorable day. After coffee and mouse au chocolat, they adjourned to the shore of the lagoon and stood witness to a spectacular laser light show set to beautiful music. The couples cuddled close together as various computer generated shapes danced across the water's surface. It was certainly a sight to behold. None was prepared for the day to end, but the human condition began to take over and let them know the time had come.

Once the show ended, six exhausted men moved toward the waiting monorail. The ride back to the Floridian had none of the boisterous chat that populated the trip in. Instead, a silence borne of depleted energy levels filled the air in the train car. When it was time to disembark, the crowd got out more slowly and made their way inside the hotel. Feet were sore and skin was sunburned. Sleep was at the top of everyone's mind as the elevator seemed to crawl toward the private levels. It finally arrived and the men,at last, stepped into the plush suite. They said quick good nights and moved off to their respective abodes for the evening.

Taylor and Jordan stripped in silence. The younger man looked as though he could drop at any minute. The day's earlier stress combined with their hearty charge through the park had left him wasted, almost unable to complete simple tasks. He was thankful when he felt a pair of strong hands guide him to the waiting bed, collapsing to its welcoming surface almost automatically. Taylor managed to get the covers out from underneath his man and tuck him securely beneath them. He then took up residence behind him and spooned in tightly. In a matter of minutes, both were sound asleep. The time was only 930 P.M.!

Taylor awoke at his usual hour and decided not to get out of bed right away. He chose, instead, to stare at the gorgeous man before him. Soon, details of his plan began to roll around in his head and he couldn't wait to get back home and finalize his ideas with Thad.

"I owe you justice, my love," he said, kissing Jordan's forehead then rolling out of bed and leaving the room.

TO BE CONTINUED......