A Forever Home, Chapter 6
Before graduation, Kain had one last session with Dr. Dan. He took Gabe with him.
"You two are glowing! I assume that means everything is on track."
"Yup, we're ready and happy!" Kain confirmed. "I feel better than I have for several years. I have a family and I'm on my way to getting a good education -- two years at Kirkwood and another two at the University of Iowa. And due to a number of unexpected events, I have the financial means to contribute toward our life together. Gabe and his dad rescued me at the lowest point in my life, and now I'll get to build a new family with my husband.
"We plan to live in a small apartment near the Kirkwood campus in the fall which will be within walking distance of our classes. The manager of the HyVee on that side of town has agreed to hire us on there, so we won't have to spend much on gas.
"Rod would like us to live with him until then. He's not in a hurry to be left alone with Rusty."
"Who is Rusty," the doctor asked. "I hadn't heard about him."
"He's our family dog," Gabe answered. But he thinks he's just like the rest of us. I'm not sure how long Dad will be alone. He's dating our science teacher, Ms. Patterson. She's been widowed a bit longer than he has and they seem to be attracted to each other!"
"I'm happy for both of you, Dr. Dan said. "I don't think Kain needs my help anymore. However, I want you guys to stay in touch. If you ever want someone to share your sad times or good times with, I'd love to be that person."
The guys both hugged him as they departed.
Kris and Bruce arrived the day before graduation. They were cutting it close on the first part of their visit because they didn't want to impose on the Bartlett's hospitality, and with the wedding about a week later they would be there at least that long.
When the young men met their flight, they had no trouble picking them out of the crowd. They had seen a resemblance between Kris and Kain when they'd Skyped. However, in person, it was almost uncanny. They could have passed for brothers.
Bruce was as handsome as he'd appeared on Skype, and he wasn't shy about hugging the boys when they met. Kain felt like he'd gained another relative! This was a pleasant thought for a guy who'd felt completely orphaned not so long ago.
Rod put their visitors up in the guest room which was nicely set up since it wasn't an office anymore. He had moved the recliner from Grandma's apartment into the room temporarily in case anyone wanted use it for napping, or to watch the small TV.
On graduation day, Rod made sure to take several photos of Kain and Gabe in their gowns at the house before they had to leave for the auditorium in the Doubletree Hotel complex. He was certain that Kain would like to have some pictures which included his uncles.
If Rod and the seniors were to get to the auditorium early enough to get a parking place before the throng of parents and other relatives, they would have to leave soon.
Rather than borrowing one of the family vehicles or calling Uber, Kris and Bruce opted to go with them, bringing along a crossword puzzle book as well as their phones to entertain them during the wait.
It was a delight for Kain to have two family members in the audience watching him graduate. Rod had to sit with his homeroom students on the main floor and Gabe was seated in a different section since students were grouped alphabetically.
The ceremony was predictable. There were the usual musical numbers by the concert band and choir, and of course, speeches by the three students with the top grade-points. Kids like Gabe and Kain also got recognized for several awards, and they were among the salutatorians. Kain even received a scholarship he wasn't expecting.
Once the students began to walk across the stage to be recognized individually, things moved fairly quickly. There was enough time for an official photo to be taken, but that was it. With more than 300 students in the senior class, the principal didn't waste an extra moment.
Immediately after the recessional, the boys found each other and shared a hug. They would have kissed, but they decided this wasn't the time or place. Next week, they'd do that as husbands.
They were soon joined by their buds, Aiden and Todd, who exchanged hugs as well. With all the embracing among students, no one would have thought it gay to do so. Sadly, gay kids are often conscious of how gestures can be misinterpreted by those who are homophobic.
"Just think, next week the four of us will be standing together for another special event!" Todd exclaimed. "I haven't participated in a wedding since I was ring-bearer for my uncle when I was about five."
Rod soon came on the scene having found Kris and Bruce. Introductions were made all around before Aiden and Todd left to go find their parents.
"Kris has insisted on treating us to lunch at the restaurant up on the 11th floor of the Doubletree. This will be a nice celebration for the two of you," Rod said.
After getting in their respective lines to collect their diploma inserts, the boys joined their relatives for lunch. They were pleased to find that their booth was near the large windows overlooking the city toward the north. Kain had eaten brunch there with Rod and Gabe, but he was still happy about the view.
Kris and Bruce turned out to be delightful and considerate company, and no one was in a hurry to have them go home. They fit right in with everyone in the house, including Rusty. Rusty's seal of approval confirmed what the rest of the family felt already. They were both kind and considerate. Knowing that Rod had several days of school left for giving and grading finals to the undergrads after the seniors were gone, the men helped the teens in meal-prep, and they insisted on treating everyone to carry-out on other occasions.
Kain's uncles became quite close to the boys in other ways during that week. They hadn't planned to give any advice about male coupling, but they did so when Kain brought up the subject. Their input was very welcome to a couple of fairly inexperienced kids who wanted their first time to be a pleasurable one. They weren't entirely naïve because they'd learned things from the Internet about stretching.
Kris promised to purchase an excellent type of lube and a lube "launcher" which would help ensure a more pain-free experience.
Finally, their big day arrived. Kain and Gabe arose early enough to make sure they had a leisurely breakfast and had sufficient time to be perfectly groomed. Dressed in their new matching navy-blue suits, they headed for the church about half an hour before most of their family would arrive. Casey was their chauffeur. He volunteered for the duty to keep them from being distracted on their short drive.
The guest list included Dr. Dan and wife, their best buds from lunch and families, a few people from work, some favorite teachers, and Gabe's siblings. By the time they'd invited everyone they wanted, the number had grown to over 35. It was still a relatively small group which was easily accommodated in the covered atrium (which was used as a chapel) for the ceremony and the fellowship hall for the reception.
The service was brief but meaningful. Their best men were Aiden and Todd. It was cool that both were old enough to sign as witnesses.
Since neither groom had a mother to fulfill the duty, Rod lit Gabe's candle which represented him as a single guy and Kris lit the one for Kain.
The church's choir director provided the music. On the small electronic piano, he played a medley of love songs while guests were being seated. Then, when the wedding party was ready to approach the white altar set up for the occasion, he played the traditional wedding march.
Pastor Christine opened with a greeting and prayer. Then she gave a short homily about the significance of the step they were taking in pledging themselves to each other. She used gender-neutral pronouns as she spoke about two people becoming one.
After that, the choir director, who had a beautiful tenor voice, sang In this very Room. He had sung it the month before for another wedding, so it didn't require a lot of rehearsal time. He wanted to help make it a special day for two young men whom he had worked with in the meals program occasionally, and he wouldn't allow them to pay for his services.
Following the solo, Christine blessed the rings and asked the grooms to place them on each other's finger as they repeated their vows. Then, the young men used their individual candles to light the unity candle signifying their union.
"Friends, I now introduce you to Mr. Gabe and Mr. Kain Bartlett. You may kiss your husband," the pastor announced.
Everyone applauded.
There wasn't a formal receiving line, but almost everyone greeted the newlyweds, many of them hugging. Paul, Anna, and Casey were among the first. Even little Evan put his tiny arms around the neck of each when Anna held him up to them.
The meal was definitely first-rate. The caterer hadn't stinted on the quality or amount of food she prepared. When everyone had been served, there was plenty left over. The guys decided to send the leftovers to the women's shelter next door. It was a place which ran on a tight budget and always appreciated donations.
Their wedding cake was actually two cakes. One was and angel food and the other a devil's food. It seemed appropriate to give people a choice. Both cakes were from the HyVee bakery and had been donated by their manager. Their attendants teased them about which of them was the angel and which the devil.
After the cake had been served, Casey drove the couple to the Kirkwood Hotel where the family had reserved one of the luxury suites for their honeymoon. It was a pleasant place for consummating their union. They were to charge all meals to the room which was on Rod's credit card.
As soon as they had registered, Casey handed them an insulated bag which contained a small bottle of Champaign and two flutes for them to share in their room. He said that Rod wanted them to have a special celebration but felt it might not appear ethical for him to do it, so he left the arrangement up to his elder son. The guys appreciated it!
Once in their suite alone, the new husbands didn't waste any time in getting each other undressed. Their hotel stay would last for only 24 hours, so they were bound to make the most of it. Of course, they vowed to extend their honeymoon for the rest of their lives.
They began by turning the A/C to a cooler setting so they wouldn't get too hot. Then, they toasted each other with some of the bubbly. They had put enough ice in the bucket to keep it chilled. They would sip it over an extended period of time because they didn't want to deaden their senses during this new level of intimacy. (That, and Kain would always be hesitant to imbibe much because of his parents' addictions.)
They spent a lot of time in foreplay, teasing one another nearly to the brink before backing off. Without any responsibilities or distractions, their minds were occupied with nothing other than their mutual enjoyment.
Thanks to their searches on the Internet and the advice they'd been given by Kain's uncles, the consummation of their marriage was pleasurable, with only little initial discomfort. They took turns losing their virginity before snuggling together for a nap. When they awoke around 5:00 PM, they showered and dressed for dinner.
Dinner was another pleasurable experience. The culinary staff was made up mostly of students who were studying to become chefs. Therefore, they took pride in preparing everything just as it should be for their guests. Since the guys had been told to order whatever they desired, they had a sumptuous meal. However, being thrifty, they didn't order the most expensive thing on the menu, and they didn't overeat. Part of their discipline came from wrestling and another part came from not wanting to feel stuffed if they decided to engage in more lovemaking when they returned to their suite.
In the evening, they continued to show their love for each other in various ways which didn't include anal penetration. Kain's uncles had told them that many couples preferred showing their mutual love in other ways. Yes, they experienced more orgasms. However, it was the closeness of their relationship which gave them sentiments which lasted beyond the pleasure of sexual release. This bond is what would keep them together for the rest of their lives.
Two radiant young men were in the lobby waiting when Rod picked them up on Sunday. From the looks on their faces, he concluded that they'd had a great time.
"When we got home, there are some wedding presents to open," he smiled.
Since it hadn't been a traditional heterosexual wedding, the grooms hadn't thought about receiving gifts and hadn't registered anywhere. They were only interested in sharing their special day with their friends. Thus, they were surprised that nearly every card they received also contained money or gift cards. It appeared that everyone wanted to help them set up their household but didn't think they should give them toasters and dishes. It would be up to the guys to decide what they needed.
There was a microwave from Kain's uncles, and a gift card from Gabe's family to be used for dishes and silverware. They didn't want to purchase anything which wasn't to the guys' taste.
There was also a gift-wrapped box from Dr. Dan and his wife. It contained a check and a pair of hand-crafted, gilded pears from an art gallery. He included a clever note about their being a pair of Bartlett pears.
The newlyweds retired early. No, it wasn't for the purpose of having another round of hot sex. They needed their rest because they would start summer school in the morning, and they'd be working in the afternoon. Life didn't stand still just for them.
Before they climbed into bed, Rusty came over for some attention. He'd missed them. He spent more time than usual nuzzling up to Kain. It was as if he sensed something new about Kain's place in the family.
It had been a wonderful honeymoon, but it was good to be home.
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Authors notes: Thanks to David C, Tony C, Paul R, Frank K, Ott H, Bill T, Gordon, Chandra B, Geoffrey, Charles G, Michael B, Allen, Steve C, Arn B. David W, Lance C, Ken McC, Randy M, Geoff S, Joe W (2), James C, Chao Y, Mendy D, Paul F, Nic, Eliot M, Joe W (1), and Leslie H who emailed this week.
Thanks for reading this story. If you enjoyed it, please feel free to contact me a dlee169@hotmail.com and let me know. Your emails are the only reward I receive for writing. If you put the title of this tale in the subject-line, I'll be able to find it if it ends up in the spam box.
Thanks to David S for editing. He finds the typos and missing words! He also makes valuable suggestions.
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