Friends and Family Series

Sandy & Dan

By: Ron Robbins
(© 2011 by the author)
Editor: Frank Perry

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

Chapter 7

We walked to the afterdeck after we had showered and dressed. The steward came out on deck to take our drink order as we sat watching the setting sun.

"Since it's such a beautiful evening, gentlemen, would you like me to set up a table out here for your dinner tonight?"

"Yes," Sandy replied, "that would be delightful; please do. And would you ask the captain to join us for a drink if he is free?"

"Yes, sir," the steward said. "The chef asked that you give him a half hour notice to prepare your dinner."

"Why don't you give us an hour to enjoy our cocktails and then you can serve dinner."

Thank you, sir."

"Sweetheart, you do enjoy sailing, don't you?"

"I love it," I said. "But, as mentioned before, I feel uncomfortable showing my affection for you in public, even if the crew understands."

"I feel the same way, sweetheart, and I think I have the solution. That's why I asked the captain to join us for a drink. Ah, here he comes now."

"Good evening, gentlemen," the captain said.

"Thanks for joining us, Skipper," Sandy said. "Ah, here is the steward with our cocktails."

The steward took the captain's order and left them.

"As you know, Skipper, Dan and I really enjoy sailing and water sports, but we think this yacht is not large enough for our future plans. I'd like you to start looking for a seagoing vessel large enough to accommodate a helicopter. I want a large master suite on the top deck, with a private open deck area that will allow us complete privacy. The ship should have a minimum of twenty guest staterooms and a large comfortable lounge, in addition to a dining room and a conference room. I leave the rest of the details of staff and crew quarters up to your expertise. Dan and I plan to make the ship our second home and office. Although, we will be steaming close to the coast most of the time, I want this to be a seagoing ship, with all the amenities. We are going to need a smaller sailboat for our sailing pleasure. I haven't decided what to do about this yacht as yet. I certainly don't plan to drag it behind us all the time. Maybe my brother would like it. I'll ask him about that. This is just the right size yacht for his family. Once we have decided on a vessel, I want you to sit down with my chief of security, my house manager and my head chef for their inputs. After we know what we're going to need in the way of staff and special equipment, etc., you will sit down with my VP of Finance to do the number crunching to come up with an annual operating budget. Think you can come up with something, Skipper?"

The skipper smiled, "Yes, sir, it will be my pleasure. Did you have a figure in mind, sir?"

"Not really, I've given you the basics. I don't want an ocean liner, but I do want a ship that I can be proud of with all the comforts of home. You don't have to build the vessel from scratch, I'm sure you can find something on the market we can buy and refit."

"How fast do you want to move on this, sir?"

"Yesterday; I would like you to make this a priority, Captain," Sandy said. "Feel free to call me when you have a ship that meets our requirements. I don't think you're going to find exactly what were looking for, but be creative and surprise me. If you find a hull that has the basics and needs major refitting, then let's take a hard look at that possibility. If you need to use an outside consulting firm on this one, don't hesitate to use them. Contact as many brokers you want and get them working on this for you. Maybe you'll want to call some of your academy buddies on this one."

The captain smiled, "Yes, sir. Well, if you'll excuse me, I'll get cracking on this right away; thanks for the drink."

"Our pleasure, Skipper," Sandy said. "What is our ETA for Paradise Island tomorrow?"

"If the wind continues to hold, we should be in between two and three tomorrow afternoon."

"Good night, Skipper; see you sometime tomorrow morning."

The steward walked over after the captain left, "Sir, your dinner is ready."

Sandy and I got up and walked over to the table that had been set up. The steward poured the wine and began serving our dinner.

"This is delightful," I said. "I never knew life could be so pleasant. Sandy … I know in my heart that we belong together and I want to be your spouse. I am honored to accept your proposal of marriage. I would like to have a marriage ceremony as soon as you can work out the arrangements. I know it won't be legal in Georgia, but it will confirm our love to each other before our true friends and family."

"You've made me the happiest man in the world, my handsome, gentle Irishman," Sandy said. "I promise you, my love, I will always be here for you, and I will make you happy. I'm crazy about you and all I want to do is to hold you in my arms and never let you go. God, listen to me, I sound like a love sick teenager. I hope I'm not being too mushy."

I smiled, "You make me feel wanted, and I will never tire of hearing you tell me how much you love me."

"We must call Pete and give him the good news; I know he was very worried about you."

"By all means, it's only fitting that he should be the first to know that he has a new brother-in-law."

"You talk to him first," Sandy said as we reached our stateroom.

"Hi Pete, It's good to hear your voice again. Well, I have some good news and bad news; which do you want to hear first?" I asked.

"Give me the bad news first," Pete said.

"There will be no more hugging and kissing, unless my spouse is present. The good news is … Sandy and I are a couple and we plan to have a commitment ceremony as soon as possible."

"This is wonderful news!!! Congratulations, Dan, I'm really happy for you. Is the lover boy there with you?"

"Yes, let me put him on. I love you, Pete; here's Sandy."

"Hi, bro, we wanted you to be the first to know."

"Well, it's about time, I'm really happy for you both. When will you two be returning?"

"Unless my other half has other plans, we should be home two weeks from Friday, as planned. We have a lot to discuss when we return. I'll be making a lot of changes in my lifestyle from now on. Danny insists that I cut back on my heavy travel schedule. So, brother dear, you'll be seeing a lot more of me in the future. Would you do me a favor and ask the family to join us for dinner that following Saturday. I would like announce the news to the family."

"Sure, that's not a problem. Do you mind if I break the news to Penny? She was concerned about Dan. I would like to put her fears to rest. I'm glad Danny's making you stick around the homestead."

Sandy said, "Of course you can tell Penny. Now, with Danny by my side, I have something to keep me home. We're heading for my villa on Paradise Island, if you need to reach me. We should be there tomorrow afternoon. Oh, by the way, how would you like a present of this yacht? Danny and I are in the process of looking for a larger scow."

"Sure, I'll be happy to take the tug off your hands; the boys will love it."

"Great, give me two bucks and she's yours. Oh, by the way, she does not come with a crew."

"I can live with that, hell, for two bucks, I'll even train the crew myself."

"I'll have the papers transferred over to your division as soon as we have our new boat. If you want, I'll have the Captain find a good crew for you. The Captain will be sailing her back to Savannah, on Monday. I'll let the Skipper know you're the new owner, and you can use the crew until I purchase my new vessel. Enjoy her."

"Thanks, Sandy, the family will enjoy her all the more now. Well, thanks for calling; enjoy your trip, and don't let our Danny boy slip away. Love you."

"He's a keeper; I love you, Pete. Give my love to Penny and the boys."

Sandy hung up the phone and pulled me into his arms and kissed me. "Pete sends his love. I hope you don't mind, but I told Pete it was alright to tell Penny, since she was so worried about you?"

"No, that's fine. I'm glad Pete is breaking the news to her. Right now, my biggest worry is breaking the news to Mom. It's hard enough to face your entire family with this news when we get back, but Mom is another story."

"I'll be there with you when you tell her, my love," Sandy said. "I think your mom will take the news like the trooper she is. She loves you and she will be more concerned for your happiness than anything else. I have the feeling that your mother already suspects your orientation. Mothers sense things like that in their children. She knows that I'm gay, and she already knows that I'm very fond of you. I'm sure that after all is said and done, your mother and Roger will be pleased you are marrying a man of means. Don't forget, baby, you're a wealthy man yourself, now you're my spouse."

I laughed, "You may be right, I only hope she isn't disappointed in me because I'm gay. I also hope Roger is not a homophobic because that would really ruin it. And what's this about I'm going to become a wealthy man? I don't need money, babe, I have you."

"You got that right, my love," Sandy said. "Roger struck me as a worldly individual and will accept you for what you are."

I smiled and kissed Sandy tenderly, "Enough talk for one night, how about we go to bed and make mad passionate love. You may as well get used to it, because I've been saving myself just for you for twenty-four years. So, babe, we have a lot of loving to do to make up for the lean years."

Sandy chuckled, "Well, my big, hot, Irish stud, take me to bed and let the loving begin."

♦      ♦      ♦      ♦      ♦      ♦

"I can't believe that we're leaving for home tomorrow, lover. I will never forget this Island or you, Sandy. I don't want to leave. These have been two of the most fantastic weeks of my life. It feels so natural lying out on this patio naked, and in your arms like this. Why did we take so long to discover each other? You are the most passionate man in the world and I love you so much."

"It's easy to love you, my beautiful Danny. With your perfect body, and that tanned youthful skin, how could I not want for anything? You are perfection. To me, you grow more handsome every day. I never thought I could ever be this happy. You have so much love to give, and you are the ideal companion to be with, I just can't believe how lucky I am. I'm going to make it my vocation to make you happy and never let the love that we share for each other die. You are my soul mate and my partner, and I will love and cherish you forever."

"Don't worry, I don't plan to ever let you go, and I plan to walk by your side wherever that path leads us," I said. "Please promise me that you will try to limit your travel to a week at a time. I don't want to experience these long separations again.

"Don't worry, babe, that will never happen again. I want this marriage to last. I'm in it for the long haul. Anyway, I couldn't take the abuse that you and Pete would give me." Sandy smiled, "Do you really think I'm going to leave a handsome stud like you alone now that you're mine; no way, Danny boy."

Dunnlap Plantation

"Hey, Pete, we'll be landing at your airstrip in approximately one hour. Would you have one of your staff meet us?"

"The boys and I will be there to meet you. Would you like to join us for lunch, or have you already eaten?"

"No, not yet; we will be happy to join you for lunch."

"Great, see you in an hour."

The 737's wheels touched down on the Plantation runway and it taxied over to the airfield hanger. Sandy and I could see the twins waving as the jet approached. The flight steward opened the door and lowered the stairs. We deplaned and walked over to greet Pete and the boys. Pete and Sandy hugged.

"You both look great," Pete said. "The vacation did you a both a world of good. You should do it more often."

"We plan to from now on," Sandy said.

Pete turned to me with a big smile on his face. He opened his arms as I walked over to him and hugged him.

"You look terrific, little brother, welcome to the family," Pete said. "We're really happy that you guys are together."

"We feel the same way. Thank you for your advice and moral support," I said. Just then the twins ran over to hug Sandy and me. Then they jumped all over me. They each took a hand and led me to the van, jabbering on about their last soccer game.

Pete smiled and shook his head; he put his arm around Sandy, "Care to stretch your legs a bit? Let the driver take them back to the house and then come back for us."

"Sounds fine to me," Sandy said.

"I'll let Dan and the boys know our plans," Pete said.

The van pulled away and Pete and Sandy followed them on foot. "You realize we're not going to get a word in edge wise until the twins finish the litany on their doings for the last three weeks. I guess you're going to have to wait until they finish. Don't feel bad; they do the same to Penny and me."

"I'm really pleased they are so enthusiastic about playing sports," Sandy said. "They are certainly better off for it than we were at the same age. I wish someone like Dan had taken the time to get us involved in sports. I think it's made them much more outgoing, and indeed more comfortable around other people."

"You're right," Pete said. "For sure, it's gotten the boys' minds off the books for several hours a week. They're a lot more animated, and better adjusted, because of the workout they get from playing sports. They really look forward to their games. We really owe a lot to Dan for taking them under his wing and for building these teams the way he has. He's a natural athlete when it comes to sports; he loves the game. That's obvious the way he works with these teams. My staff thinks it's super the way he's been able to develop the senior leagues as well. Now that the parents have their own teams it makes it great for the boys. You know some of these players are not bad at all. A lot of them played in college and get a kick out of competing against each other. There is even talk of competing against other company sponsored teams. Wouldn't that be a hoot?"

Sandy smiled, "He is a remarkable young man and as down to earth as you can get. He loves the twins and treats them like younger brothers. I love him very much, Pete. This vacation was good for us. It was the first time we really sat down and discussed our future together. You know, I thought I knew Dan pretty well, but I discovered just how deeply he feels about so many things. He really opened up to me about himself and it was an enlightening experience. You live with a person for over two years and think you know them inside out, but I realized I hadn't scratched the surface. He has very strong beliefs and convictions, and an uncanny insight into human nature. These conclusions and insights did not happen all of a sudden, but developed over a long period of time. He is very aware and sensitive to people's actions, and a student of human nature and psychology. He claims he has been doing this since he was a young boy."

"He told me both his parents were intelligent and encouraged him to study and to learn more. It all started in grade school. It seems he was not only an outstanding soccer player, but also a straight-A student. He couldn't understand why other boys gave him a hard time and taunted him. Like all boys that age he wanted to be liked, and their rejection bothered him. He had a few fights over it, but that didn't solve his problem. He finally sat down with his father and discussed the problem."

"Dan's father told him the other boys were just jealous of his abilities. Dan accepted the answer, but was not completely satisfied with it. He wanted to learn why the other boys resented him. So he made it his business to find out the answers himself. To make a long story short, Dan confronted each boy who'd taunted him until he learned the answer. In the process, he discovered two things. That it was a little more complicated than his father had said, and he ended up making friends with each of those boys."

"What amazed me more than anything else was that Dan did all this when he was ten years old. I know we were geniuses from the get-go, but Dan's brain was developing along different lines, which I think could have been measured, but never was. He told me the trauma he was under when he discovered he was falling in love with me. Dan, in his own logical mind, tried to figure it out, but fell short. Naturally, he was dealing with an emotional issue that he did not understand, and had no experience dealing with on a personal level. He came to you and you set him along the right path. Now that he's had a chance to work with his shrink, he's dealing with his orientation, and is comfortable with our relationship. His only regret is that we cannot have children. And I'm sure you are aware how much he loves children. We talked about having our own offspring, using surrogate mothers, and he is anxious to pursue that course after we are married."

"Penny and I are really happy for you, Sandy. I know that you have found the right one this time. I've told the boys that Dan will be moving back with you now that you are going to be home for a while."

"Dan and I talked about that last week. He still plans to work over here every day until he completes your projects. I promised that I would be helping him on these projects as well. He really enjoys this project and wants to be here for the start-up. He is proud of his designs and wants to see it through to the end. Personally, I think he has done a great job so far."

"Great, this is good news, now maybe Penny and I will be able to plan for our twelfth anniversary party and trip next year. Penny wants us to take a month off and travel to Europe and Australia. Now that you and Dan are going to be around, you two can watch the farm, and play the doting uncles while we're gone. Do you think you can handle that?"

"Piece of cake," Sandy said. "We'll be happy to take care of those little angels."

"Here's our transportation back to the house," Pete said. "Or, would you rather jog back to the house?"

"I think I've had enough walking today," Sandy said. "Next time, maybe; Dan thinks I'm getting soft, so he is planning an exercise routine to get me back into shape starting tomorrow. I just hope it doesn't kill me in the process."

Pete chuckled, "You've been behind a desk to long, baby brother, and it's about time someone whipped your ass into shape."

♦      ♦      ♦      ♦      ♦      ♦

After saying good night to the children, the adults assembled in the drawing room. "How do you think the family is going to react to our news?" I asked.

Pete laughed and said, "They are going to be surprised that Sandy was able to land a handsome straight arrow like you. Don't sweat it, Dan. Our whole family likes you and I'm sure they will welcome you into the family with open arms, not that you're not already, in my eyes, but after Sandy's announcement you will become his other half. Hell, it's not like you're a stranger; you've been living with Sandy for over two years now. The important thing is that you both love each other and that you are happy together."

"Thanks for your kind words Pete. Sandy and I would like to set a date for our commitment ceremony after we talk to the folks. It will just be family and a few close friends. Sandy and I plan to fly up to Manassas to break the news to my mom. I'm not looking forward to that meeting; I feel it’s going to be traumatic."

"I think your mother will accept you for what you are," Penny said. "Your mother struck me as a modern woman and will not be shocked that you are gay. She loves you, Dan, and she wants you to be as happy as you can be in this life. She told me she likes Sandy and feels that you are safe with him. Your mother is also a very practical woman who knows the life style you will have with Sandy. She knows that your future will be secure once you're married to Sandy."

"Yeah, you may be right," I said. "Shortly after I moved in with Sandy, she asked me what my relationship was with Sandy. She asked me straight out if I was gay. I was surprised at the time, because it never occurred to me that she would even think that. I explained we were good friends and nothing more. I told her that Sandy confessed that his was gay, but he would never impose himself on me. Sandy was lonely and wanted a friend, not a lover, and I believed him. What developed over the course of the next two years was something special and truly wonderful. Sandy is an excellent teacher and an understanding companion. With his guidance and encouragement I've been able to grow as man, and have become comfortable in dealing with the important leaders of our industry and society. I feel I've matured enough to feel comfortable standing by his side and not feeling inadequate. Sandy has made me realize that I'll never have the brain power he has, but on the other hand, I have other qualities that he feels he is lacking that will make up for his lack of abilities. We love each other and we both want our marriage to work."

Pete smiled, "I feel confident, knowing you both as I do, that you will make it work and I hope you will be as happy as Penny and I."

"I feel the say way," Penny said.

"Thanks for your good wishes," Sandy said. "Dan and I love you both, and we are delighted to have your support. Well, folks, this has been a delightful evening, but like all good things it must come to a close. We've got to get back home to make sure everything is ready for tomorrow night's family gathering. I hate the thought of what's piled on my desk since I've been gone. We'll probably be ready for another vacation by the time we get through this week."

We said our goodbyes and took the van to the airfield. The helicopter was ready for takeoff. We entered the cabin and buckled our seat belts while the steward retracted the stairs and closed and locked the door. "Are you ready for take-off, sir?" the steward asked."

"Yes, tell the captain to wind her up and take us home."

"Yes, sir."

To be continued...

Posted: 06/08/12