Rhythm

by

John Terry Moore
 

CHAPTER 35

The months flew past; Stephen was on a visit to Singapore and Mrs McIntosh came to stay because the girls needed to remain in school.  He talked to them every day and she assured him they had been angelic; just waiting for his return.  He also talked to Chris and Cassie every few days.  She was remarkably upbeat about Andrew.  He had actually taken his advice and had immediately made an appointment with the medico, Darren Clarke.  Darren had referred him to a young psychologist who, on a daily basis, worked with people affected by marriage breakdown.  ‘The grieving process of separation’ he had called it.  ‘Just like losing a family member through death.’  Cassie said Andrew had tried to discuss the background to his wife leaving, to no avail.  That the young guy forced him to deal with life on a daily basis without his wife!  And having given Andrew some basic, non-addictive medication just to slow his system down, Andrew was at last starting to talk about the future!  About his friend Stephen and the two kids.  “When are you home, Stephen?” she asked. 

“Wednesday.” 

“Good.  Plan on coming around late Thursday afternoon, after school.  And bring the secret weapons with you!” 

*****

Everything seemed to be conspiring against him.  He’d arrived home from Singapore to find his station wagon refused to start.  So the dealer loaned him a car.  Thursday morning that also broke down.  Finally, around two in the afternoon, his own vehicle was returned to him.  And the toilet in the en suite had blocked the previous night; his usual plumber was busy and the kid they sent to fix it was hyperventilating over the smell!  So using the tools from his van, he found some old work clothes and fixed it himself!  And then suggested some career options to the kid!  And just as he left to pick up Elizabeth and Claire, his personal assistant rang from Singapore rang to say the refinery manager had resigned and what should she do?  After some pointed remarks, he asked to speak to Uncle Sin, who had everything under control.  They discussed the succession and progression plan, and agreed on a replacement.  He was so involved on the car phone that he overshot the school, leaving the girls waving from the footpath.  “Shit,” he said, what a bastard of a bloody day.” 

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes and looked at him, understanding things hadn’t been flowing as well as expected.  Remembering he was supposed to be on another mission altogether, he brightened.  “Look, sorry, guys,” he grinned at them.  “I’ve got a nice surprise for you.  I thought we’d call and see if Uncle Andrew is feeling better, what do you think?” 

“There was certainly universal support for that idea,” he smiled.  ‘I just hope we’re not all disappointed,’ he thought, ‘I don’t think I could handle anymore drama just at the moment.  And I especially couldn’t handle total rejection.  I don’t deserve that,’ he thought, sniffing to himself. 

“You got a cold, dad,” grinned Elizabeth, probably understanding much more than she should.  “I don’t think so, love, just my heart is a bit sad and lonely.”  “So’s mine,” squeaked Claire, “cos we miss Unca Andy!”  He laughed at them, ‘We are all hopeless,’ he decided.  But he had to keep going regardless; Lizzie and Claire didn’t deserve to be the pawns in an adults’ game, but he was so besotted he had to try.  Because Cassie had suggested it!  The secret weapons! 

Cassie’s new baby had arrived, a little girl, Amelia, and she was sound asleep in a bouncinette next to Cassie’s desk.  Nearly six months old.  Suddenly Stephen realised with shock that over nine months had passed since Amanda had left.  He smiled at Cassie, who put her finger to her lips.  She wasn’t worried about the baby sleeping, she just wanted the secret weapons to have the element of surprise!  Chris was on the phone, obviously busy with a client, and he waved happily at them.  Stephen looked towards the end of the room and his heart nearly stopped.  Andrew still looked angelic, he thought.  His hair was fractionally shorter, and he had some highlights through it.  He was engrossed at his desk as the girls crept closer.  Suddenly Claire giggled and gave the game away.  His head jerked upright and his face lit up like a searchlight.  They both squealed with excitement as they ran and jumped on him.  He cuddled them as they excitedly told him all the things that had happened since he last saw them.  He was trying to listen to them, but his eyes roamed the room looking for him.  He gazed over Claire’s shoulder and their eyes locked on each other.  “I’ll see you in a minute, guys,” he said to the girls, “because I haven’t said hello to dad yet.” 

It was then smart little Lizzie understood, as she took Claire’s hand, walking toward Cassie.  “Girls,” Cassie called, “why don’t you come into the house, I know where Uncle Andy keeps the ice creams. 

“Just in a bowl?” sniffed Claire, not wanting to move. 

“No, a proper one in a cone!” 

‘Always does the trick,’ Cassie grinned, as she quickly picked up her sleeping baby daughter, and kicked her husband, who finished his phone call and fled after her.  He walked closer, and Andrew laughed, putting him immediately at ease. 

“A well rehearsed little show, don’t you reckon?” 

“Yes, I agree, but I really didn’t organise it, well not much anyway.”  Andrew smiled a brilliant smile, running his hand behind Stephen’s neck, lightly massaging it.  “I think we needed organising, don’t you?” 

Stephen nodded, hardly able to speak.  “I’ve missed you so much,” he said. 

“Me too.”  Their eyes seemed for a moment to have a magnetic quality; drawing them towards each other.  Neither of them, when asked how it all started, could remember.  Because they seemed to have been kissing for hours when they heard a polite cough behind them.  “Ah, there’s no more ice creams.”  Chris stood there, a huge grin on his face. 

Andrew nodded happily.  “Tell ’em we’ll be there in a moment.”  He looked at Stephen and said quietly, “I think it’s time we went home.  I’ll need to get a load of clothes, and quite a bit of other stuff.  We’ll come back tomorrow and get the rest of it.” 

“So how long are you staying this time?” Stephen smiled. 

“About fifty years, if you’ll have me.”  Stephen nodded his head vigorously, further words unnecessary. 

*****

Andrew had the presence of mind to stop at the local pizza shop, hoping there was salad at home to balance out the calories and carbohydrates for the girls.  He noticed Stephen was completely out of sync with his routine; fussing around, making a lot of noise and not doing anything.  ‘He’s nervous,’ Andrew smiled to himself.  So he proposed a walk afterward in the early summer evening.  Their hands found each other naturally, with the girls on either side, as they enjoyed strolling down the street, and along the river.  Two little people began yawning and they turned for home.  Andrew carried Claire the last hundred metres; fifteen minutes later they were bathed and in bed.  It was story time, but the audience was less than receptive!  They stood at the door and watched their future; Lizzie and Claire sleeping so peacefully, happy, contented and trusting. 

Stephen finally found his voice.  “Our time now, OK?” 

Andrew nodded his head happily, as they walked back to the living room.  They cuddled on the big spacious lounge, just chatting away, relaxing in each other’s company, understanding what lay ahead behind the door of the big bedroom, but also wanting to make sure that part of their partnership was kept in perspective.  Stephen lay along the lounge with his head on Andrew’s lap.  Andrew drank in the sight of him.  The broad, muscled shoulders, somehow unusual on an Asian person.  Powerful shoulders that had won them so many races and had taken responsibility when they didn’t.  His mother’s father had been an Englishman, and Stephen had that exotic quality about him that most Eurasians have. 

‘Sheer beauty,’ Andrew thought, ‘inside as well as outside.’  He understood now why Stephen had been so supportive of Adam and Patrick and the other same-sex attracted members of the Eight.  Not able to follow the lifestyle that was natural to him, he had fought on the front line with everyone, encouraging them; loving them and helping them all reach their full potential.  Living his life through their eyes whilst denying his own sexuality.  So sad for someone who had always known who and what he was.  Only today, in a quiet moment, he’d reminded Andrew that there had been compensations; ----- two of them, Elizabeth and Claire!  So his life hadn’t been totally empty.  Particularly when the very person for whom he’d cared for most also loved his kids!  And whilst he genuinely felt sorry when Andrew’s wife had left him, he also felt excitement that at least he’d be able to spend more time with him as a result. 

Andrew massaged his partner’s scalp the way he loved; and he talked about his journey back to where he should have been.  How frustrating it had been that the outcome they had obviously both wanted, had been delayed with no time frame for resolution because his mind felt like mush.  And how with a degree of excitement, he had felt himself getting stronger, the clouds clearing and interest in life returning.  The pills finished, his shitty past life behind him and in perspective, but importantly with a future that he dared hope was still available.  With Cassie grilling him about his feelings! 

“So that woman was playing both sides of the street,” Stephen laughed. 

“Yeah, I guessed you guys would be over because she made bloody sure I’d be there!  But I was shitting myself,” he sniffed, “because it meant so much to me.  I’ve never been so relieved to see that look on your face.” 

“What look was that?” 

“Sheer lust.  The need to get into my pants.”  Stephen roared with laughter and rolled on his side, looking up at him.  With amazing agility, he sprang up, picking him up like a rag-doll, and carried him into the bedroom, pushing the door shut with his foot as they went past.  “This is the way fireman carry people just in case you’re interested, and yes, you talk at lot of shit just like I do.”  They laughed at each other but their physical need had suddenly asserted itself.  They stripped each other’s clothes off, admiring nature’s handiwork.  Andrew thought he had never seen anything quite so beautiful.  He remembered Stephen’s penis from the showers in years past, but had never seen it like this!  It was of normal length but thicker than anything he had ever seen.  Uncut, like most Chinese, beautifully proportioned, and obviously very excited!  But it was his skin that had always fascinated him.  So smooth, dark and almost hairless.  His legs and his pubic area were lightly covered with black hair but it was his upper body that felt so creamy and silky smooth.  He looked down at his own moderately hairy chest, belly and legs.  Quite different to Stephen.  He ran his hands over Stephen’s tummy and back; feeling himself grow impossibly hard in his briefs.  Suddenly they were pulled down and a split second later, a warm, mouth surrounded him and he remembered thinking that someone was making love to him for the first time in his life. 

Stephen grinned at him; licking up his ‘treasure trail’ to his belly button.  Their mouths crossed over as they changed position, Andrew taking Stephen in his mouth, gagging just a little but adjusting to his thickness.  Breathlessly, they found themselves in the sixty-nine position and came both at once.  They looked at each other in astonishment.  Their love life had only just begun and already there was total harmony and total pleasure!  Getting his breath back, it was Andrew who spoke first.  “That was simply amazing,” he gasped, getting his breath back. 

“Unreal.” 

“Look,” he said, “I’m a late starter, much later than you.  I’ve only ever done pretty basic things.  I think you might have to teach me, you know,” he smiled weakly, looking at Stephen.  He cuddled him as he knew he would, rubbing his back and cooing in his ear. 

“Yeah, I know, it’s OK, but you’re great already!” 

“Flattery will get you everywhere.” 

“Yeah, I know.  But you look great when you’re flattered.”  He took him into the toilet and showed him how to douche himself with the equipment there.  Then led him into the shower, washing themselves together.  He grunted at him and pointed to the spa bath, which was already bubbling away.  Andrew climbed in, closed his eyes and allowed the water to soothe him.  A pair of hands lifted him effortlessly, on to his lap.  All the while he gently but firmly issued a string of instructions, most of which went completely over Andrew’s head because he was massaging his prostate with his finger whilst he was talking, and he was so into the sensations that had been awakened in him!  “Jesus, look what you’re doing to me,” he murmured; his rapidly lengthening penis sticking out from his body.  Somehow they made it out of the spa, and dried off, with Andrew so affectionate he even surprised himself.  He realised Stephen had effectively destroyed any of his remaining hang-ups by just being himself!  He felt really relaxed at last, knowing Stephen wouldn’t hurt him, physically or emotionally.  That their partnership had begun some time ago, probably even years ago, without their knowledge.  That very afternoon they had committed to each other without even thinking about sex; and because it had happened that way, the sex was a bonus.  And what a bonus!  Andrew knew what he wanted was exactly what was on Stephen’s mind right now.  And the big Chinaman understood.  “Here,” he said, “lean against the wall, it’ll be easier for you this way first time around.  Push down like I showed you in the spa,” he whispered, and he entered him without difficulty; both of them standing, sliding in and out of him with ease.  Andrew was amazed.  All the stories about the agony of anal intercourse were bullshit, he decided.  It felt beautiful!  Stephen found Andrew’s prostate again, this time with his penis, and just rubbed it gently with the tip.  Andrew’s whole lower body screamed with sensitivity and Stephen starting moaning at the same time.  Within seconds they came together, Andrew coating the tiled wall of the bathroom, nearly losing his footing in the process.  Stephen lifted him upright again, and carried him to the bed, fetching towels and cleaning them up.  They eventually showered again, and crawled into bed, falling asleep in each other’s arms. 

Stephen slept deeply; he had a beautiful dream that this gorgeous guy was giving him head.  Then it felt like someone was sitting on his cock.  His eyes fluttered open to find his partner doing exactly that!  Quickly he sprang up, threw a giggling Andrew on his back and stuck his tongue in that most precious place.  Andrew howled with pleasure as Stephen worked him over.  Finally he coated him liberally with lube and pushed in.  This time it was a little more uncomfortable, but the feeling passed to one of bliss again.  For both of them.  They finished with a huge orgasm, collapsing on each other, totally spent.  Andrew was already dozing when Stephen cleaned him up with a warm face washer, patting him dry with a towel.  Thoughtfully, he dropped a pair of under shorts each next to the bed, before kissing his partner goodnight.  He grinned to himself.  Fancy getting molested in the middle of the night!  Had never happened to him before!  ‘We might be very late twenties,’ he thought, ‘but we’ve got the sex drive of seventeen-year-olds!  Maybe we’re making up for lost time!’ 

Andrew woke early, and for a split second he panicked, not realising where he was.  He had only woken up once in this room before, and that was after that terrible nightmare.  He smiled to himself and relaxed, cuddling into Stephen’s back, smelling his beautiful clean, manly smell.  Even the bad memories couldn’t touch him now; he felt so different, so reassured and ----- confident.  Realising he had to pee, he tiptoed into the en suite, creeping back into bed after he finished.  He noticed the shorts on the floor and understood, pulling them on.  Stephen, usually the early riser, struggled awake and made the trip to the bathroom.  “Hey kid,” he said, grinning, which was their joke; Stephen was exactly a week older than him. 

“Hey Grandpa,” he replied, “you a bit slow this morning?  Can’t keep up with the young blokes?”  He’d forgotten how quickly Stephen could move for a big guy.  In a split second he was on him, all over him, his shorts were ripped off him and it was a repeat of the night before.  With a renewed sense of urgency, he ran to the bedroom door and locked it, flying back on top of him, all over him, driving Andrew mad with desire, arms and legs everywhere.  Within a few seconds he was inside him again, and five minutes later they were lying there, laughing at each other, completely spent.  They heard the girls stirring and showered quickly, removing the evidence and unlocking the door again.  They dozed off in each other’s arms and were woken by a polite but persistent tapping.  “OK, you can come in,” Stephen called, and they swept into the room, jumping on to the bed, full of energy. 

*****

Lizzie had classical Oriental looks; although she would be quite tall when she matured, Andrew thought.  He pictured her grown-up; willowy in stature, intelligent, and very intuitive by disposition.  Could work people out in a flash, like her father!  Like she had done with their partnership!  She and Claire had already decided for them!  Claire, on the other hand would be ‘cuddly’ all her life, Andrew decided.  She would never be a raving beauty but she had a kind, loving personality which matched her rotund little frame.  She would be the world’s best mother, probably have ten kids and still have love left over for stray dogs and stray people!  But the thing that was so noticeable was that they were a team.  What one might lack, the other had in abundance.  They were so loyal to each other it was amazing, and woe betide those who might underestimate the bond between them!  They were sent to be his children, he knew.  An unspoken scenario but a natural one.  In place from when the kids were babies, but in the last twenty-four hours they had become a family. 

The girls slipped under the covers with him whilst Stephen organised the coffee maker.  He came back with a tray, glasses of Milo for the girls and their coffee.  It was obvious this was a special morning; Uncle Andrew and dad together in bed.  Stephen had always insisted that they should never hide anything from the girls.  Nothing.  If they asked a question, tell them the truth.  And it had worked well for them so far.  About their mother in particular.  Andrew was appalled at first, at some of the questions Lizzie had asked.  And she wasn’t much more than a baby at the time!  And he told them about his marriage breakdown and they had accepted it so well.  Of course it was Lizzie who always asked the hard questions first, and Claire just looked her dizzy little self but who Andrew suspected was a lot smarter than any one gave her credit for! 

“Uncle Andy?” asked Elizabeth. 

“Yes Lizzie,” smiled Andrew, knowing he and Stephen were about to be grilled!  “Uncle Andy, how long are you staying with us?” 

“Well my child,” he grinned, looking at Stephen, “someone else asked me that question just yesterday.  But I’m going to give you a different answer.” 

Stephen’s jaw dropped, and he took his hand.  “I’m staying forever.  How does that sound?” 

“Cool,” said Lizzie. 

“Yaaay!” said Claire. 

“So you’re like our mother was,” said Lizzie, persisting. 

“Yes,” said Andrew, “except I’m a man.  So you really have two dads now.”  He looked at Stephen with a steady gaze that said; ‘if you leave the room now, I’ll kill you.’  Stephen grinned.  Andrew felt himself sweating as Madam Lizzie continued the grilling.  “No, that’s not right.  We can only have one dad.”  Stephen nodded, trying to keep a straight face.  “But you’re really like a mum to us Uncle Andy, but you’re also a daddy.”  Stephen looked cornered and confused.  Claire gave a mighty yawn and looked at them all.  “So Unca Andy’s our daddy-mum now!”  Lizzie nodded her head.  “Yes our daddy-mum! that’s good Claire, you’re one smart chick, you know!”  The adults found it impossible to look at each other, but in the end, their sense of humour prevailed and they held their sides and nearly wet themselves.  But the fact remained; Elizabeth and Claire had spoken!  Never again was Andrew ever referred to as ‘Uncle Andy,’ but daddy-mum!  Stephen kissed them all.  “Here’s a kiss for Lizzie, then, one for Claire, and one for daddy-mum!  Now who would like some breakfast?”