To Serve and Protect

By: BJ Williams
(© 2013-2014 by the author)
Edited by: Gerry Young

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 11

Adam quickly rose from the table and came to Thom, hugging him so tightly around his arm that Thom thought that he would cut off his circulation to it. Shane quickly moved to Aaron for protection.

“I’m sorry that they trespassed on your property, so I’ll be taking them home and teaching them a lesson about respecting other people’s property,” he said.

“The hell you will,” Thom said. “I don’t know who you are and what you are to them, but until I get answers that please me, they won’t be going anywhere with you.”

“Who is that man?” Aaron whispered to Shane.

“That’s my grandmother’s gardener, Manuel; he’s been watching us since my…”

“You boy, Shane, get your skinny ass over here,” he snapped from his side of the gate. “You know that you're just making it harder for you and Adam, the longer you diddle-doddle there.”

“Aaron, call the police while I take care of this intruder,” Thom said as he sat Adam on the chair and came stalking toward the man.

Manuel cautiously stepped back as Thom approached the gate, and Thom could see the fear in the man’s eyes. He had to be around forty-five or so, but as unkempt as the boys were.

“You can’t touch me, señor,” Manuel growled as Thom opened the gate and stood before him.

“The way I see it, you’re the one that is trespassing on private property,” Thom said. “Now, I will count to ten, and if your scrawny ass is still standing there, then I’m afraid that I’ll have to do you some bodily harm as I protect my property.”

“I’ll get the police; my cousin Jose is a police officer here,” he threatened as the distant sound of a siren, disturbed the peacefulness of the morning.

“One … two …” Manuel slowly backed away. “Three and four,” he continued to count. “Five … six,” he looked up as a cruiser came flying down the street and stopped at the end of the walkway.

“Is there a problem here,” a handsome Hispanic man asked as he approached Thom and Manuel. “Manny, what are you doing here?” he asked as he realized who he was when he turned.

“These men are holding my boys and won’t let me take them,” he said and then, Thom noticed his look, he had regretted what he said.

“Your boys? When did you get two boys? Those are Mrs. Jackson’s grandchildren,” he said as he looked past the two men to the scared little boys who clung to Aaron.

“Ah … ah …”

“Shane told me that he’s been looking after them since his grandmother died,” Aaron said as he joined in on the conversation.

“You’re what?” Jose asked. “They were supposed to be in foster care,” he added, both to his cousin, as well as Thom and Aaron.

“Well, they ran away and came back to where they had lived, so rather than send them back, I took care of them,” he said proudly as he puffed out his chest.

“Boys, will you please come here … for me?” Thom asked, and reluctantly, Shane, who held Adam’s hand, slowly walked to him.

Thom removed the towel that had been wrapped around them and both boys stood naked from the waist up, facing him.

“See these welts on their backs and sides? That’s how your cousin cares for them, with this,” Thom snatched the riding crop from Manuel and shook it at Jose.

“Is this true, Manny?” Jose asked.

“Spare the rod and spoil the child, the proverb says,” he said in his own defense.

“Yes, that’s true, but what you have done is called child abuse, because you beat them,” Thom shouted at the man and Jose had to step between them.

“Now let’s calm down and discuss this like adults,” he demanded.

“I’m a police detective, and my partner here is a respected doctor, but this…” he pointed his wagging finger at Manuel, “…he’s a monster and I want him arrested for child abuse,” Thom demanded.

“You can’t order my cousin to do that, police or not; you have no jurisdiction here,” Manuel demanded.

“Actually, Manny, he can press charges against you, so I’m afraid that I have to place you under arrest,” Jose said as he pulled his handcuffs free from his belt and placed one around his cousin’s wrist.

He pulled Manuel’s hands behind him and cuffed them together, before he read him his rights.

“I’ll also have to take the children, sir, because they are wards of the state now,” he said, which caused Shane to grab Adam and run off.

Before any of the men knew what had happened, both boys were gone.

“I’ll find them and call you,” Aaron promised, but he had his fingers crossed behind his back as if he were still a child and fibbing.

“Very well, and I’ll alert child services,” Jose said, and then led his cousin to the cruiser and gently sat him in the back seat. “Please remember … as soon as you find them,” he shouted over the roof of his cruiser, and both men nodded.

Once he had driven away, Thom and Aaron walked back to the house. Thom had bent down to retrieve a damp towel by the pool, and something in the thick bushes, caught his attention.

“Ok, boys, he’s gone,” he said softly and after a long moment, Shane crept out, followed by Adam. “It’s alright, we are not turning you over to anyone,” he promised and both boys came running, with Shane running to Aaron and Adam, running to Thom.

Both men picked up the boys and carried them into the house. Aaron made another breakfast to replace the one that had turned cold and as the boys ate, he pulled Thom aside.

“I want to run something by you, but I don’t want you to…”

“Yes babe,” Thom interrupted.

“But you don’t even know what I…”

“You want us to take the boys; am I right?” Aaron nodded, unable to voice it because he was on the brink of tears. “But the thing is, can you arrange it, and get it done before we have to return home?” again he nodded and fell into Thom’s arms.

“See, I told the boys that your bark was worse than your bite, you big ol' teddy bear,” Aaron kissed him, and when they heard giggling coming from close by, they broke apart to see two smiling little boys.

“See, Adam? I told you that Mr. Thom was Mr. Aaron’s new boyfriend,” Shane proudly said.

“Boyfriend? We're not boyfriends; we're about to get married,” Thom said as he knelt down to their level. “So, boys, how would you like to be our sons and come live with us … forever?” he asked and both boys lunged at him and knocked him over backwards as they tackled him laughing.

Aaron held a hand to his mouth, holding back a lump in his throat that threatened to make him cry. While Thom and the boys wrestled, Aaron slipped away to the bedroom, where he closed and locked the door, before he picked up the phone and dialed.

“Hello, Max; it’s me, Aaron,” he said. “I'd like to come see you … now,” he insisted.

He listened as his ex-lover made excuses, but when he dropped a certain, whispered sentence, Maxwell agreed.

“I’ll be there in a half hour,” he paused and listened. “Alright, I’ll meet you at your office. Is it at the same… great! I’ll see you there,” he said and hung up.

He quickly showered, dressed to impress and went back to join the others. They were sitting on each side of Thom as he told them about his and Aaron’s home in Massachusetts, he assumed, because the boys were squealing about snow.

“Can we build a snowman?” Adam asked.

“I want to build a snow fort like I saw once on TV, before Grammy_” Shane said, stopping short of saying … 'died'.

“Thom, boys, please come with me,” he said and they got up and followed him out to the car. “I’m going to stop by a shop and pick up some clothes for the boys before we go see Judge Maxwell," he explained as he and Thom buckled the towel clad boys into the backseat. He explained to Thom and the boys what he was doing, and never noticed how quiet they had gotten, but Thom did.

“What’s wrong, boys,” he asked after he turned to look at them over the back of the seat.

“Nothing!” they said in unison, but their faces said everything.

He let it drop because Aaron had pulled up to a children’s specialty shop. They took the boys inside and Paul, the owner of the shop gasped when he saw the boys. Again, Thom noticed how the boys and Aaron reacted to him, but instead of inquiring as to why; he stayed close to them, protectively close.

“I want a pair of cargo shorts and a tee-shirt for each of them, and please hurry, because we are pressed for time, Paul,” Aaron snapped. His demeanor said to Thom, that he knew more about this man, than Thom did.

Paul hurried around the small shop, grabbing shorts and tee-shirts, and tighty-whitey underpants, and when he came back to where they all stood, he simply handed the mess of clothes to Aaron.

“It’s on the house, Aaron,” Paul quietly said and looked sideways at Thom, who stood, very intimidated, next to the boys.

“Thank you … let’s go,” Aaron coldly said and ushered them out.

Thom sat in the backseat and helped the boys dress, but his eyes kept meeting those of Aaron’s in the rearview mirror. Aaron’s eyes pleaded with him, saying, "later, please." Thom nodded and smiled when he looked at the two handsome young boys before him.

“Remember, sons, always dress to impress,” he told them and kissed each one on the forehead, and flinched when he felt each boy quickly pull away.

His eyes met Aaron’s and it was his turn for his eyes to speak and they said … "I know."

At the office, Max came out and when he saw Shane and Adam, he paused a breath’s second, before he turned his attention to Aaron.

“Aaron, how nice to see you again,” but when he went to hug him, Aaron turned away, to introduce Thom.

“Max, this is my soon-to-be husband, Thomas Sullivan; Thom … my ex, Clarence Maxwell.” Thom took the offered hand and firmly shook it. “By the way,” he said as he leaned close so that the boys would not hear. “Thom is a well respected Detective with the Springfield, Massachusetts, Police Department,” he paused again, “And he knows,” he finished with a smug smile on his face, which turned Max pale.

Thom assumed that what Aaron had whispered had to do with what he felt was the reason that the boys were timid around the judge.

“Would you please wait here with the boys, while Max and I transact some legal affairs,” Aaron sternly asked, and Thom merely nodded and planted a brief kiss to his lips.

“I trust you, Aaron, so go in there and kick some legal ass,” he whispered so that only Aaron heard.

Aaron smiled warmly at him, nodded and followed Max into his office. Time seemed to crawl, as he and the boys waited for Aaron to return. He kept looking up at the clock that hung on a wall, and each time that he did, it had moved but a minute or two. Finally, after an hour-and-a-half of waiting, Aaron came out, alone with papers in his hand.

Aaron gave all three of them a sad look, which caused them to repeat the look on their faces. He didn’t say a word, but ushered them out of the office and into the car. When Thom tried to ask about what happened, Aaron simply held up his hand to quiet him. It felt like hours until they arrived home, and even then, Aaron stood with a sour look on his face. After he waited a moment, watching their faces, he could not keep up the charade any longer. He waved the papers in the air and shouted, “You boys are now legally our sons,” he yelled and immediately got tackled by Thom and the boys.

“Does this mean that we can call you 'Dad'?” Shane asked, and Aaron nodded.

“But what do we call our other dad?” Adam asked as he cuddled up against Thom.

“I know … how about 'pops', because four times today he looked like he was gonna pop a dude.”

Everyone laughed, even Thom, and after Aaron had gotten them to calm down, he let Thom and the boys read the papers.

“My name is Adam Kyle Smyth-Sullivan,” he proudly read aloud.

“Look here, bro, mine is Shane Robert Smyth-Sullivan. Is this fucking awesome?!?!” he cringed when he realized that he had cursed and looked over at Thom, whose face was red.

“You know Shane, it is fucking awesome, but just this one time,” Thom agreed and when Shane hurried over to him, they hugged and gave each other a kiss on the cheek.

*        *        *

It was well after midnight by the time Thom had packed up what belongings the boys wanted from their grandmother’s house and had gotten the boys home and into bed. While he bathed them, Aaron called Jose and told him what had transpired since he had left with his cousin. Jose was happy for the boys and said that, although, Manuel was his cousin, he had booked him and was awaiting arraignment.  Aaron thanked him and then did a few things on the computer before he kissed both boys goodnight. He wandered about the house and finally found Thom, outside with two drinks and sitting by the pool. Aaron stood there for the longest time just watching him, and hadn’t realized that Thom had been watching him as well.

“A penny for your thoughts,” Thom asked.

Aaron grabbed one of the drinks from the table and sat down. “You know what those boys have endured, don’t you?” Aaron asked, and Thom nodded.

“I have an idea; does it involve child molestation at the hands of that guy Paul and possibly, Max?” Aaron nodded.

“Yes, and that is why I left Max; I caught him in bed with a young teenage boy. And to add injury to insult, Paul was lying beside him with another young boy.”

“But how, where were…” Aaron interrupted him.

“I had a double at the hospital and Max did not expect me home, because whenever I pulled a double, I usually crashed there, instead of driving that long distance home. But as it went, I had the next two days off and decided to make the drive home. But the thing was, I never told Max that I was coming home and that is the scene that I walked in on.”

“I can imagine what you must have felt, honey.” He reached across the table and took Aaron’s hand. “Me, I would have killed them right then and there and taken the boys home or to Protective Services.”

Aaron shrugged his shoulders, he felt ashamed that he had not done more.

“Well, to make a long story short, he moved out with a promise that if I kept what I saw to myself, he would never do it again and deed me over the house, and like a fool I believed him and Paul. But what he did not know at the time, was that I had already suspected him of cheating on me, so I had a friend install a hidden camera in our bedroom and caught it all on tape.”

“I take it that he knows now, right,” Aaron nodded.

“That was how I got this all done so quickly; I offered him the tapes in exchange for legal adoption papers. He was quick to grab at it.”

“Well, it's over and done with, and the boys are safe with us. We’ll get them into therapy and move on with our lives.”

“I love you so much, Thom,” Aaron said and got up, moved around the table and sat on his lap. “Another man would have left but not you, you fought for those boys. Now kiss me before I cry,” he said, and Thom crushed his mouth to his in a passionate kiss as little eyes peaked out the window at them.

“Do you think that they will want to hurt us like the others did?” Adam nervously whispered to his brother, as they watched their dads through the blinds.

“Nah. Our dads are different; they really love us, bro,” Shane answered, as he pulled Adam to him in a spooning position, once back in bed and soon they were both asleep.

“What I’d like to know is, other than using the tapes to bribe him, how he accomplished all the legality of adoption so quickly,” Thom wondered.

“That was easy, because Max is the only family court judge here in the islands. This is also how he knew which boys he could take for his illicit sexual affairs. And before you go thinking the worst of me, I sent the original tapes, anonymously to the DA in Tallahassee while you were at their house packing. I would say that within the next few days, Max and Paul should be getting a visit from the Florida State Police.”

Thom took Aaron by the hand and led him back into the house, where they stopped to check on the boys and smiled when they saw how protectively, Shane held Adam to him.

“They really are close, aren’t they?” Thom whispered so that he would not wake the boys.

“It’s been just them for so long, that each is all the other can trust.”

It was a matter of seconds before they were naked and lying beside each other.

“I can’t wait to tell Andy about our sons,” Thom said and then rolled atop Aaron and kissed him.

They made love and when sated, they curled into their customary spooning position with Thom holding Aaron and fell asleep.

Come morning, not only will the sun rise early, so will the boys.

*        *        *

Michael had surrendered his small one room apartment and moved in with Andy. They had been together for a week, and Michael, even though he had a so-called reputation to maintain, remained his true self with Andy.

“Thom called today to say that they are extending their vacation another week and that they had a really huge surprise for us,” Andy said excitedly. “I bet they got married while they were in Key West. I overheard Aaron telling Thom that the island had legalized it, if only there, but still, they had to have gotten married.”

Michael could tell that Andy was a little bit disappointed, because he wanted for them to get the same thing … a wedding with the party afterwards with friends, and then the honeymoon!

They were sitting and talking, when the doorbell rang. “Are you expecting someone?” Michael asked, Andy shook his head and went along with Michael to the door.

“Yes,” Michael asked when he had opened the door and saw a man in a uniform standing there.

“I am looking for a Michael Brady,” he said.

“I am he,” he said, and the man handed him a telegram.

Michael looked at him and remembered that you always tipped the delivery man, so he dug into his pocket, pulled a five dollar bill from the bills and handed it to him.

“Thank you, sir,” he left and Michael ripped the telegram open, while Andy stood anxiously watching.

“What’s wrong?” he asked when he saw the grim look on Michael’s face.

“I need to go to Florida, Palm Springs, to be exact, because I’m a father,” he said in shock, as was Andy.

“A father? But how? Who?” Andy asked.

“I’m sure you know how, and to tell, who? She’s an old girlfriend I had years ago.”

They returned to the den, where Michael began to tell Andy the story of his past.

“I was barely thirteen at the time. My mother had died and my father was beating me senseless whenever he could. This girl, Barbara Wallace … she and I had been close friends; she talked her mother into letting me move in with them as a foster kid. Well, to make a long story, short, she and I got it on one night and now I see that she got pregnant.”

“You mean you are just finding out now? How come you never noticed back then?” he asked.

“My old man had gone to family court and convinced them that he was sober and wanted me back, when what he really wanted was his whipping boy back. Well, the court forced me back with him and he had moved, which put me in a totally different school district. I tried to find Barb but was told by mutual friends that her mom had suddenly moved them to Florida, to live with Barb’s grandparents.”

“Wow; you, a father; I would never have expected it,” Andy said, and his mind was working, wondering if he would lose Michael to this Barbara whatever. “If you’re going to Florida, so am I,” he said. I can say that I’m not fully recovered and take a short leave or whatever, but you are not going there without me,” he insisted.

Michael pulled Andy to him and asked, “Is someone jealous and worried?”

“If you want the truth, yes; I am worried. Who’s to say that this … this vamp won’t try to get you back by using the child?” he asked as he pushed himself away from Michael.

“Come here, pumpkin, don’t you know that I love you and that a woman could never do for me, what you do and have done? Yes, I was going to insist that you accompany me.”

“Really, Michael? You were going to insist?” he asked and Michael nodded.

“I’ll call the airlines and see how soon we can get a flight, and while we're down there, how about we make a side trip to Key West?” he suggested, which made Andy all the more excited.

While Michael called American Airlines for flights, Andy called his mom first and told her about the trip. Then he called Craig at home, and after a long argument, he convinced him to let both him and Michael take a leave of absence. Michael returned to the room and said that he had two tickets waiting at Bradley Airport for a six a.m. flight to Florida. Both men hurried to the bedroom and began packing, and once finished, made wild, passionate love before calling it a night.

“Do you think that we might be able to get married?” Andy quietly asked.

“Maybe, why? Do you know someone who wants to marry me?” he teased, and Andy playfully slapped his arm. “Oh, you mean you? And me? I guess if we have nothing better to do,” which got him another slap to the arm. “You do know, stud muffin, that you have a very violent streak that runs in you; don't you?”

“I never did until I met you,” he mused, and together they laughed until they fell asleep.

*        *        *

Once their flight landed, Michael rented a car and drove them to the address that had been listed in the telegram. They pulled up to a guard station and had to give their names and the name of the party they were visiting. The guard called the house, listened, and then allowed them in.

“They have more security here than the President does; look at all the gated driveways,” Andy observed.

“Barbara had once told me that her grandparents had money, but holy shit, this is as rich as Beverly Hills in California,” Michael said as he watched the numbers on the gate for the one he needed. “Here we are,” he said when he saw 821 in gold numbers on a wrought iron gate.

He pulled into the short drive and pressed the call button.

“Please state who you are and what your business is,” a man’s voice said.

“Michael Brady, and I’m here to see Barbara Wallace,” Michael yelled into the voice box.

“You do not need to yell, sir, I am perfectly able to hear you when you speak at a normal tone. Proceed up the drive and I’ll meet you at the front door,” he said and immediately, the large gates began to spread open.

Michael slowly drove up the winding drive to the house. When he came to a stop, a man in a formal uniform was waiting at an opened door. Peaking around him was a little boy with snow white blonde hair and ice blue eyes.

“Oh, my God, Michael, he’s adorable,” Andy observed.

“He may not be my son; he could belong to whomever that man is,” Michael remarked and then exited the car.

“Mr. Brady,” the man asked and Michael smiled, nodded and offered him his hand. “I’m Sherman, the butler, head of staff and I don’t do hand shakes,” he stated. “Now if you’ll follow me, Miss Wallace is waiting in the music room,” he turned and assumed Michael and the man with him were following him.

The boy ran ahead of them all and when they were announced, Michael found the boy standing beside Barbara. She did not stand, but held out her hand to Michael, who hurried forward and took it.

“Michael, how much you have changed, you’re so … so masculine,” she observed, for lack of a better word.

“Barb,” he said and knelt before her and gave her a hug. “This is Andrew Butler, my better half,” he said as he introduced Andy.

“Ah, I did hear that you had switched sides after … it’s a pleasure to meet you, Andrew,” she said and invited them to sit as she motioned to the chairs.

She coughed into a hanky, and Michael glanced at Andy.

“Barbara, what’s wrong with you,” he asked. “I know it’s not polite to ask such a question, but damn, girl, you look like death warmed over.”

“You always did a way with words, crude but a way that made them unique to you,” she coughed again and when she pulled her hanky away, Michael noticed a blot of blood on it.

“Please,” he asked as he nodded towards the hanky.

“In a moment when we can talk privately, which is partially the reason that I had you found,” she said.

“So how did you find me, when I had so recently moved into my current address?”

“I hired a private detective to find you,” she confessed. “So now for the other reason … why?” She pulled her son forward and hugged him to her. “Michael, I’d like you to meet your son, Michael David Brady, the David having been my grandfather’s name.”

“He’s got my name?” a surprised Michael asked.

“And why would he not? After all, he is your son,” she said as if there had been no reason for him to question the fact.

She urged her son forward until he stood in front of Michael. The boy was beautiful, with those blue eyes, full pouting lips, and his hair long, yet fashionably trimmed. He was neither thin, nor chubby, but lithe and when he smiled, his entire face reflected it.

“Hello, Michael,” Michael said to the boy and took his small hand when the boy extended it to him.

“I call him David, which should eliminate any confusion for you all, once he’s living with you. He’s nine … well … I’ll let him tell you about himself,” she nodded to her son to do so.

“Then why did you not name him David, instead of Michael?” he questioned.

“I wanted him to have your name, but I also wanted him to have his own identity,” she explained and Michael nodded.

“Like mother said, sir, I’m nine years old and I’m what she calls … 'precocious',” he looked up at Michael with those pools of liquid blue, and Michael’s heart melted. “Mother tells me that you are a Police Officer, sir.”

“Yes, I am, David, and so is Andy,” Michael turned to Andy, who had sat quietly as Michael and Barbara talked.

“Hello, David, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he cordially extended his hand to the boy, who shook it.

“You and my father are … what was that you called them mother?” he asked when he had turned back to her.

“Gay, David, your father and Andrew are a gay couple,” she hadn’t said it as if it was something repugnant, but merely as a fact of life. “Do you remember what I told you that meant,” he nodded his head.

“Gay means that they love the same sex, as opposed to the opposite sex; right mother?”

“That’s correct, David.”

“Will that bother you, son, that Andy and I are a couple?” Michael asked.

“No, sir, as long as you and Mr. Andrew love me and care for me, I do not care that you love each other.”

Both Michael and Andy marveled at how grown up the boy talked and acted. He certainly was precocious, as he had said.

“David, why don’t you take Mr. Andrew to the kitchen and have Mrs. Garfield give you some refreshments while I talk privately with your father. Would that be alright with you?” she asked of Andy.

“Of course it would,” he replied, stood, and when David had offered up his small hand to him, he took it and allowed him to lead him to the kitchen.

“Now, confession time,” she said once they had left the room. “As you might have guessed, I’m sick and dying, Michael.”

The words hit him like a sledgehammer and he sat back in the chair, stunned by the revelation.

“Surely something can be done?” he asked and she shook her head.

“Don’t you think that if something could be done, that you would not be sitting here today?”

“Did you ever have any intentions of telling me about David?”

“Truthfully, no, not until he was older,” she confessed and coughed softy into the hanky. “Michael, I have loved you all these years, and it broke my heart when you were returned to your abusive father. It wasn’t long after you left, that I found out that our nights together had resulted in my becoming pregnant.”

“Why didn’t you call me, or write for that matter?”

“Because of my mother; she was appalled that you and I … well, she did not want you involved in what she wanted to do. She insisted that I have an abortion, but my grandmother intervened. So as part of the agreement to keep David, I was never to contact you and tell you.”

“Then why now, why…”

“They are all gone and David is the only family that I have left. He’s a beautiful boy, smart beyond his years and quite capable of getting into mischief. So there you have it, the entire reason for this visit.”

“I’ll love him, Barbara, and I’ll raise him right, to be a strong man in his own right also. He’ll lack for nothing, I promise you this and I’ll keep your memory alive for him.”

“Oh, Michael, if I had had any doubts about David’s welfare with you, do you think you would be here now? My will established a very sizable trust once I am gone. I have, here, the necessary papers that you’ll need, that will legally place you as his legal guardian, and also, as the executor of his trust. Now, let’s call them back in, because I am about to the end of my strength,” she reached to a small box on the table and pushed a button.

Andy and David came back once Michael had signed the necessary documents. Barbara said her final goodbye to David, who broke down and cried. She assured him that he would see her again someday when it was his time to leave this world. With him between Andy and Michael, they walked out of the room and into Michael’s world and life.

To be continued...

Posted: 02/07/14