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Life's Illusions - Book Four - Chapter 5
Juniors tour was within days of coming to an end, fending off the calls to re-enlist, he'd held his nerve, hoping Daniel would contact him, but it hadn't happened, he desperately needed to admit, his world was slowly crashing.
Despite calling, texting, he'd not heard anything from Daniel since the day they'd parted in Montclair.
He'd resigned himself, all but given up hope, certain Daniel had changed his mind, he was back in a ground hog day situation, rejected again.
When he'd had his final discharge meeting, the Colonel had put a set of papers before him, saying.
"I get that you are upset, unsure, I want you to take these papers with you, if you sign them before midday tomorrow, I'll be proud to have you as my second in command, you'll be Lieutenant Colonel Alonso-Caswel-Thorn, think about it, do what you feel is right, but if you still decide to go out there to civy street, don't you dare leave this base without coming bye to say goodbye, I need to hug you before you leave boy, now get out of my office".
He felt the incoming text as he was walking back to his quarters, he knew it would be his Poppa, or Berto, asking if he'd made a decision, he didn't want to acknowledge them, it would make Daniels rejection that much more real.
Back in his quarters, he read through the papers the Colonel had given him.
If he signed them he was in for another three years, not a bad thing, he'd loved this life, it had shaped him, obliterated the foolish youth who'd got more than a little wild with anger after his Poppa Pierre passed away, it had made him the man he was today, and he had to face facts, it was obvious, Daniel didn't want him, so, after a few drinks he grabbed a pen and, with tears in his eyes, he signed the papers that would secure his future.
Sitting in front of the log burner, in the lounge of his officers accommodation, with a heavy heart, he heard his cell phone ringing, he ignored it, until it beeped, signalling a voice message.
He'd picked up the cell phone absentmindedly, expecting it to be his Poppa or Berto again.
What he heard as he was sipping from a bottle of beer caused him to nearly choke, spitting beer all over himself.
"You're not answering my texts, so it seems you changed your mind, whatever the reason, I have to tell you, I love you, I'm sorry you changed your mind, I've waited a year, never replied to you because I wanted to give you this chance, this option, you're a really good guy Junior, with a heart of gold, you deserved to make this choice without the obligation of something you may have been regretting, I wish you a wonderful life Junior, but I admit, I'll always wonder, what if".
Junior bolted up out of his armchair, searching on his cell frantically for the text he'd ignored, reading it now with tears running down his cheeks.
'My love, from the dates you gave me, it's now only a day until the end of your tour, I've given you the space I vowed to myself I would, but now I have to tell you, I'm waiting, my heart is aching, if you still want my New York address all you have to do is ask, I'm here if you still want me, I pray that the answer is yes".
Junior said only three words, and they were really only one word repeated, the last one strung out.
"Shit, shit, shiiiiit".
He was dialling frantically, but not Daniel, when the call answered he didn't need to announce himself, he launched into an explanation.
"Uncle Jo, I did something stupid, really, really, stupid, I need an address, the rest of my life depends on it, can you help me?".
Jo was actually laughing when he rang Junior back about ten minutes later.
"Junior, my god, who the fuck is this guy, he's so clean, he could be the next Pope, we have everything, home address, work address, favourite coffee shop, favourite coffee, which bye the way is a medium Latte with a double shot of Caramel, he's a non sugar freak, I'm sending the file to you now, anything else you need, let me know, your Aunt Carry sends her love and asks if she needs a new hat for a wedding?".
Josef had been laughing, but Juniors reply stunned him into silence.
"Thanks Uncle Jo, I owe you big time, and tell Aunt Carry yes, to make it one fuck off big hat, I'm going for gold".
Daniel entered the coffee shop, the place he realised he'd been entering every morning for so many years, today he was in a really dark place, this had been the day he'd dreamed about, Junior would be a civilian, they'd finally be together, he hadn't thought beyond that point, but it seemed he'd been wise to not overthink it, because this morning he was a rejected person, not the loved and cherished person he'd hoped to be.
He gave his order, and nearly crapped himself when someone behind him said.
"Cancel that, he won't need that order, I have it already".
As he spun around, there was Junior, in full combat uniform, down on one knee, directly in front of a stunned Daniel, and a shop full of customers, all of whom had stopped in their tracks, deciding, fuck work, we'll be late, hanging on Juniors every word.
"Daniel Worthington, what are we like?, I thought you didn't want me, I wasn't even looking at messages, you thought the same thing, when all the time we both were yearning for each other, I fell in love with you a year ago, I've been counting down the days until I could be here, until I could ask you a really important question, will you marry me Daniel?".
There was not a sound in the coffee shop where close to fifty customers were collectively holding their breath, until Daniel answered.
"Yes Junior, I'll marry you, I'd be so proud and happy to marry you".
Then all hell broke loose.
As Daniel and Junior hugged and kissed, the noise from fifty customers, clapping, whistling, wishing them well, was absolutely deafening.
They went back to Daniels home in TriBeCa, the apartment building Chris Farley and Maxwell David Spence 11, had bought over twenty years earlier when Daniel was just nine years old.
Chris and Max still owned the building, still lived in the five bedroom, ground floor apartment.
Daniel lived with them, explaining to Junior, he'd been fourteen when his beloved Mother and Sister had been killed in a RTA.
Chris and Max had moved him into their apartment, and their lives, the same day, they'd been his surrogate parents from that day to this, putting him through college and university, attending his graduation like the proud parents they were in reality.
As they entered the apartment, which was vast, Daniel said.
"I want you to meet them, you'll like them, I owe them so much, and all they ask is that I'm happy, I need them to see why I've been such a nervous wreck these last few weeks".
He'd led them to a door, before saying.
"Don't be offended if they grill you, they're just looking out for me".
For a many times decorated soldier, Junior was visibly shaking with nerves by the time they entered the lounge.
Max and Chris were laughing as Daniel, and a nervous Junior entered.
Both stood to greet Daniel, hugging him with obvious love, as Daniel said.
"This is him, this is Junior Alonso-Caswel-Thorn, the reason I've been so difficult to live with for these last few months, Junior these are the guys who I owe my very existence too, Christopher Farley and Maxwell Daniel Spense 11, the guys who took a devastated kid and turned him into a confident City Financier, despite, I'm sure, their friends telling them about the pitfalls of dealing with a rebellious teenager, they are the two most important people in my life, and now yours, because they made me for you".
Max was first to engulf Junior in a hug saying.
"Pierre and Juan's boy, I knew you'd be okay, our foster child was the only one wavering, welcome, let me get you a drink while Chris gives you a hug, what would you like?".
Junior was gob smacked, but in an almost fog he replied.
"A beer please sir".
As Max moved away to get him his beer, Chris moved in, enveloping Junior in a man hug, saying.
"I won't pretend I wasn't worried, until I knew who you were, from that point on I was confident, Pierre and Juan could only raise a good boy, welcome".
Junior couldn't help it, he let out a real belly laugh, saying.
"I've done five tours of duty in Afghanistan, two in Germany and a vicious training camp, but none of that scared me so much as coming here to meet you guys, and your confidence about me being a good boy, well that was seriously challenged after Poppa Pierre died, I became a rebel, got into a lot of serious scrapes".
Chris now laughed, replying.
"And there young man, you just validated our assessment of you, rather than have us labouring under a misconception, you set the record straight, irrespective of how it affected your reputation, I rest my case".
Daniel was grinning at the interaction.
"I told you he had to have everything above board".
Max delivered Juniors drink, turning the subject to something more somber.
"How is your Poppa?, we were so sorry to hear of your sisters passing, such a sad time, but understandable, a broken heart can sometimes never mend, how is your nephew?".
Juniors smile slipped at the mention of Gabby.
"Poppa took it really hard, he takes anything which doesn't go to plan with family hard, I think it's to do with feeling he's failed where Poppa Pierre wouldn't have, of course he's completely wrong but he refuses to see that, as for Gabby, that's still an open wound for all of us, she wasn't just mine and Berto's sister, she was our guiding force when we lived on the streets, before our Poppas adopted us, for me, I didn't just lose a sister, I lost a whole lot more, little Carlo is living with Berto and Maria, he has Eduardo as a big brother, and he has the happy life he deserves".
Daniel could see Juniors moist eyes as he was talking, he knew he needed to change the subject.
"So, when I texted you to say Daniel had turned up, I missed something out".
Max and Chris looked puzzled, so Daniel explained.
"He surprised me in the coffee shop, I told you that part, what I didn't tell you was, when I turned around to confront him, he was down on one knee, asking me to marry him, with an audience of fifty customers looking on in silence, not one of them was going to miss this".
Chris almost shouted.
"Never mind the customers boy, what the bloody hell was your reply?".
Daniel looked surprised, he thought it would have been obvious".
"Well, yes, of course, I thought you would have known that".
Now Max replied.
"Daniel, we're not mind readers, now we need champagne, this moment is not going uncelebrated, our boy is going to be married".
Chris made them all laugh.
"Yes, champagne, we should celebrate offloading the brat, he's now officially Juniors problem, we can have orgies when he's gone".
Max kept them laughing with his reply to Chris.
"My love, your mind can fantasise about all the orgies it wants, but I will remind you, keeping up is not so easy when you pass sixty, so fantasy land is the only place where these orgies will exist".
Daniel just shrugged, indicating, they're always like this, completely crazy.
But they did have champagne, and all went to bed that night a little tipsy.
Before they retired, Junior asked Chris and Max a question.
Poppa is over the moon that Daniel agreed to marry me, he wants to put on a party for us in Montclair, would you come, please?".
Chris just smiled, Max answered.
"If you're asking us to be there, then we will, as the proud foster parents of one of the grooms".
In Montclair Juan was almost jumping up and down, at last, something had gone right, Junior had found a soulmate, and he'd left the forces, something Juan had wanted above everything else.
When they'd lost Gabby, it brought the mortality of his children into a really stronger focus for him.
Berto was safe at home in Montclair, but Junior was risking his life daily in a theatre of war, every time the phone rang, Juan's nerves jangled, was it the military calling to give him the official 'sorry for your loss', speech, that worry was now gone.
When Juan spoke to Jacqueline and Woody the Montclair machine went into overdrive.
It would be a full day of celebration, their very own war veteran, would be declaring his love.
Jacqueline set about arranging an engagement party which would need the space only Chateau Montclair could offer.
In New York, the day after meeting Chris and Max, Junior sat opposite Daniel at a pavement cafe, and asked an honest question.
"Where do you want to base yourself after we marry?, it doesn't matter to me, but it might to you, so that's something we need to get sorted".
Daniels reply was quite honest.
"It doesn't really matter to me either, I'm an investment banker, but I'm more involved with understanding my clients involvement, what that involvement raises in the way of risk and the protection needed, so I can work from anywhere, but if I can't get a realistic picture of my clients risk in my mind, I need to go see the site for myself, and I'm usually hauling a large support team around with me, that's where I need to be practical, I have to know I can get to a reasonable commercial, or private airport, within the hour".
Junior surprised him, could we possibly be based in Montclair?".
Daniel though it through in seconds.
"No reason why not, if I remember rightly, Nice is only about forty minutes drive from Montclair, I can set up with the FBO there alongside Jacqueline's fleet, but where did you plan on us living, I need us to have privacy for the things I want to do to you, and I could hint at some of those things, if you guarantee not to get an erection that the whole of New York passing by will witness".
Junior gulped, his mind wandering, and his cock perking up at the thought of what his brain was thinking, but he dragged himself back from those thoughts when his brain finally got to processing the phrase, 'I can set up with the FBO there alongside Jacqueline's fleet', and he stated rather than asked.
"You have your own plane?".
Daniel looked surprised as he answered.
"Yes, I thought you knew, it's how I traveled to Montclair when we first met, I have a Boeing 747-400, modified, five bedrooms, conference room, two lounges, it can take my travelling staff of thirty".
Junior was honest in his reply, but threw in a question as well.
"I never gave it a thought, but it raises a question, just how high up the food chain are you in the banking world, that you need a plane available at an hours notice?".
Daniel looked completely sheepish as he answered in a muffled tone.
"Pretty far up, I deal with a portfolio of Trillions, in currencies even I don't sometimes remember exist, I have a management team who deal with the details, but there will be times when they won't make the call, those are the times when I have no option but to travel, it could be planned, but it could also be at a moments notice".
Juniors brain was processing that when his mouth asked another inevitable question.
"This is probably a very rude question, you can tell me to mind my own business, I'll understand, but what exactly is your nett worth?".
Daniel smiled, he knew his answer would help ease at least one thing for Junior.
"About twenty percent above yours, it's why I came out to Montclair a year ago, I needed to hear about, and establish the future direction of my own portfolio, which is managed by your Great Uncle Pete's company, I refuse to have it anywhere near my day to day business, I'm worth roughly two hundred million US dollars, give or take a bit, does it bother you I'm worth a bit more than you?".
Junior could see the last question had worried Daniel, he reached across to take his hand.
"No, and it never will, my army pay has always been my budget, the other is something that could easily send me off the rails, I give most of that income to various charities, I don't need it".
Daniel surprised him with his reply.
"Snap, I take my expenses, and a reasonable income, the rest goes to a whole range of charities, so are you going to tell me where we will be living?".
Junior realised he hadn't elaborated, getting caught up in the whole who earned what thing.
"Gabby's cottage, it's a beautiful place, but I need you to see it first, Poppa had it gutted and completely refurbished for Gabby and Carlo Snr, if you think it needs any alterations we can do that, it's five bedrooms, one is a master suite, that would be ours, then there are two ensuite bedrooms, and a further two bedrooms which share a 'Jack and Jill' bathroom, two lounges, a large formal one, and a smaller cosy one, a hallway, kitchen, breakfast room, dining room, then the rear garden has two really cute two bedroom bungalows, for staff, they were converted from the old stables".
Daniel answered honestly.
"It sounds perfect, and unless I'm missing something, it allows you to stay connected with Gabby, that works for me, I want to know more about her, I think I would have liked her".
Junior suddenly broke down in tears, throwing Daniel completely, he was around the table and holding him in seconds.
"Hey, I don't know what I said to upset you, speak to me, I don't ever want to see you upset".
Juniors reply made him relax.
"You were just being you, and you hit the nail right on the head, for now I need to stay connected to Gabby, I still blame myself for her death, she never knew but, I was in charge of operations on the day Carlo died, I put him in as substitute for a sick commander, he shouldn't have been there, it was his R+R period, I've never told anyone that before".
Daniel held him, he couldn't do any more.
Later in bed, as they were cuddling, Daniel asked.
"Tell me about Carlo".
Junior was silent for a while, Daniel thought he'd upset him, then he started talking.
He was my best mate, my brother from another mother, that's what we call it in the forces, we met the first day of class in middle school, by home time bell we knew everything about each other, but best of all, our birthdays were two days apart, from that first year we always celebrated on the day in-between with a joint party, we had the same friends, anyone who didn't accept either of us was promptly ditched by the other".
Junior paused, then let out a sad few words.
"I still miss him so much, it still hurts to even think about him".
He was quiet for a while.
"I was in love with him, from about age twelve, I sat drooling over him, took any opportunity for us to be undressed together, sleepovers, swimming, I used to wank myself sore imagining us together, that went on for over a year until one of our friends called me on it, accused me of being queer, of perving on Carlo, I just froze, I couldn't answer, but Carlo could, and did".
Daniel was fascinated, he urged Junior to go on.
"He ripped the kid to shreds, he was vicious, he told him if any guy was ever likely to get on his pole it would be me, not some piece of shit who thought friendship meant trying to destroy someone, I still remember what he said, word for word after all these years, 'friendship is just that, exactly what it says on the tin, it doesn't run hot and cold, you just slagged my best friend, no one gets away with that, he'll be my best friend until the day one of us goes to our grave, unlike you, because if I see your nasty little face close by again I'll put your teeth so far down your throat you'll be chewing your fuckin dinner when it comes out the other end, now fuck off".
Junior stopped, to Daniel, it looked as if he was back there, back to that day, with Carlo.
"We didn't talk about it until we were back at my house, in my room, I remember, I was trembling, I tried to apologise, he stopped me, said he knew I'd been getting off looking at his body, I started to cry, I thought he was going to dump me as a friend, I was sitting on the floor, my back against the bed, he shuffled over next to me, put his arms around me, said 'whatever floats your boat Bro, for him it was girls, with nice firm titties, and a belief that one day he was going to get into a nice tight pussy, he guessed for me it was a nice guys body and cock, I still remember, I had my head down sobbing, then he shocked me, he yanked my head up, and kissed me, on the mouth, I was naive then, but later I'd understand, it was a full on, tongues at full salute kiss, when he broke the kiss he said, 'I love you Junior, I don't care who you love, it can be me, but that would be pointless, I don't swing that way, I'm never going to, I know that as certainly as you know you don't want a juicy pussy and nice firm tits, go find yourself a guy who wants the same as you, just remember, you and me we're always going to be tight, no nasty mouthed little cunt is ever going to get between us, I meant what I told him, when one of us goes into the ground, that's the day our friendship ends, but even then, one of us will still have our memories, now stop fuckin blubbering yer nancy or I'll make you wear Gabby's lacy panties".
While Junior seemed to be deep in thought, Daniel got two beers, handing one to Junior.
"That was the only real conversation we ever had about me being gay, he would arrange double dates with the hottest girl, who just happened to have a gay friend, it became a thing, if you didn't have a gay friend you were a homophobic freak, gay guys in school were literally being dragged, screaming and kicking out of the closet, and I admit, I sucked more than my quota of dick, but I never went back to any of them, they were all experiments, none of them floated my boat, as Carlo had put it".
Junior looked up from where he was sitting on the floor to Daniel.
"If I'm boring you just tell me to shut up".
Daniel smiled.
"Are you kidding me, I'm intrigued, fascinated".
Junior only said one word.
"Really?".
So he continued.
When things got really bad, in my rebellious years after Poppa Pierre died, even I knew it had to stop, when we celebrated our seventeenth birthday, I was seventeen and a day, he was one day shy of seventeen, It was the day of our party, as we were getting ready, I told him I'd enlisted, he didn't take it well, refused to speak to me at first, then after a few drinks he went absolutely fucking mental on me, in front of everyone, he ripped me to shreds, cried, ranted, told everyone who tried to comfort him to fuck off, then proceeded to drink himself into oblivion, I had to haul his drunken sorry ass back to our house, and throw him into bed, the next morning when I woke up, it was his birthday, and he wasn't there, I started to worry".
Junior stopped for a swig of his beer.
"I was eating breakfast with Poppa, Gabby and Berto when he turned up, he sat down as if everything were normal, he didn't say anything, but it was clear, something was absolutely dying to burst out of him, so I said, okay, where have you been, he looked at me and grinned, a really big shit eating grin, before saying.
"I followed you, I'm going as well, didn't think you'd get away from me that easily did you?".
Junior paused, looking up at Daniel he said.
"You should ask Poppa about that morning some time, I thought he was going to kill me when he found out what I'd done, Carlo, Berto and Gabby were forming a human barrier between us as Poppa screamed and ranted at me, telling me it wasn't the answer, but I knew it was, it took two days before Poppa calmed down, then he hugged me, told me he loved me so much he was going to be on pins and needles all the time I was in danger, I think that's the day I really started to grow up, the day I realised, every decision you make affects more than just you, but I still think, it was the best decision I ever made, I have only one regret, I can't get past the fact, that decision was the reason why Carlo joined up, it was a decision that would eventually cost me my most precious friend, I'd do anything if I could have Carlo back, I know people say the phrase without really knowing what they're saying, but I do, I can say it with conviction, I loved him so much, my heart hurts not having him here".
On Friday they flew to Nice, landing on Saturday morning to find Juan, Berto, Maria and the boys waiting to greet them.
Juan enveloped his son into a firm hug whispering.
"Now I can sleep easy, I love you son".
As they parted Juan realised how rude he'd been.
"Please accept my apologies, I should have greeted you all, but I'm so pleased to see him home in one piece, so Junior are you going to introduce us to the man I'm going to be calling son-in-law?"
Junior just grinned, pointing everyone out as he said their names.
"Poppa, Maria, Berto, Eduardo, Carlo, I'd like you to meet, Chris and Max, then of course, last, but by no means least, my sugar daddy, who's nearly two years older than me, and obviously only after my little boy treasures, I give you my future husband, Daniel".
Amid the laughter they embraced each other with both Juan and Daniel smacking the back of Juniors head, Daniel saying out loud.
"Sugar Daddy, really!!!".
Junior just laughed pulling Daniel into a hug.
"Older man who's loaded, younger boy, forgone conclusion, good job we know better, welcome to Nice and very soon Montclair my love".
Junior took Daniel to see Gabby's cottage the following day, as they were driving he said.
" I'm not sure how you'll be with this, we can only rent the cottage, Poppa put it into trust for Little Carlo, no one knows at this point what memories he'll have of living there, he might want to keep it, or he might not, but until he's old enough to decide, the cottage can only be rented".
Daniel wasn't fazed.
"I'm cool with that, I think it's good that your Poppa had the foresight to let Carlo make the decision when he's old enough to know what he wants".
As they drew up, Daniel fell in love with the cottage.
It sat back from the road, a pretty garden with formal lawn and a myriad of summer blooms leading to the gabled front porch.
On either side were orchards of apples, Daniel marvelled, pointing to the trees loaded down with apples, he said.
"Would those be ours as well?".
Juniors reply wasn't what he wanted to hear.
"No sorry, the cottage is surrounded by what was once the Bishops House, in fact it's called Maison de Dieu, which translated roughly is House of God, or God's House, it's a massive, crumbling, dilapidated mansion, been for sale for as long as I can remember, it would take a small fortune to renovate, those orchards belong to Maison de Dieu, but I doubt anyone would stop you from scrumping the apples, I remember we always did as children".
Daniels interest suddenly perked up, but he didn't say anything.
As Juan led him through the cottage he agreed, it was a beautiful property, somewhere he could be comfortable, and so it was agreed, they would live there, but Daniel had a request which was really not a request, it was something he insisted they had to do.
"We need to speak to Carlo, ask him if it's okay for us to live there, make him aware it will always be his, if he wants to live there one day he can, I don't want him thinking we've taken something from him, he has to know the truth".
Junior grinned.
"I think that's why I love you so much, I agree, we'll talk to him".
The following afternoon was the party at Montclair.
Jacqueline had been planning for what seemed like a Royal visit.
There was a formal family lunch at one in the afternoon, in the White Ballroom of Chateau Montclair.
It had to be held in a large room, they'd arrived in from all over the world, in true Thorn family style, no one was going to miss a party.
And they'd heard the rumours, not only was it an engagement party for Junior and Daniel, there were hints, rumours, Dillon had been found, and that would be reason enough to make the journey, just to spend a few moments with the child they all remembered, the child they'd all thought would never be seen again".
It had been a lavish, family dinner, Woody had officiated, welcoming the family back to Montclair, and handing over to Juan.
As Juan stood to speak, he looked around the room, seeing so much love.
"I want to thank you all, I know for some of you it was an easy journey, for others it was a gruelling trek, for some transatlantic, for others a lot further, but you're here, and that makes my heart sing".
He paused.
"They say every cloud has a silver lining, well today is proof of that saying".
He could see them looking puzzled.
"A little more than a year ago we lost my beautiful daughter Gabby, she took her own life, and left so many of us hurt and saddened.
Now he could see tears and nodding heads.
"Those were dark days for all of us, but because of what Gabby did, my son Junior came home, to play his part in laying his beloved sister to rest, and whilst here, met Daniel who was visiting from New York".
Now there were smiles.
"I know Gabby is at peace now with her beloved Carlo, and Junior is home safe with his soul mate Daniel, so today for me the sun is shining, I'd like to propose a toast, too the loved ones no longer here beside us, and to the happiness of my son and future son in law, Junior and Daniel, here's wishing you health, wealth, and happiness, along with a long life together".
After the toast, when the whistling and clapping died down, Junior and Daniel stood to speak.
Junior led off.
"Thank you Poppa, and to Aunt Jacqueline, Uncle Woody, for this wonderful celebration party, you have put a veritable feast before us".
He paused, looking at Daniel before going on.
"I don't know who was looking down on me a year ago, I must have had the help of so many guardian angels, because the first time I met my beautiful future husband, I punched him, split his eye open and drove him out of the house pouring with blood".
There was not a sound in the room, they were hanging on his every word, waiting for him to go on.
"I don't know how he found it in him to forgive me, but I thank the heavens he did, and what's more he agreed to marry me, where that will be I don't know yet, but when my sugar daddy enlightens me, I'll let you know, after all, this is the Thorn family, we don't miss a party".
Daniel, who was laughing along with everyone else now spoke.
"I echo Juniors thanks, you've all been so kind, as for the sugar daddy reference, I'll exact my revenge in private, but I can settle one point, by asking, soon to be, Aunt Jacqueline, Uncle Woody, if you would allow us to foot the bill, could we possibly have our wedding here in the grounds of your beautiful home?".
Jacqueline and Woody nodded in unison, without having to look at each other.
Daniel was beaming as he continued.
"So, it seems we have the beautiful venue, we'll let you know when it will be as soon as we can, now we have some gifts, so Junior, or should I say toy boy, if you would deliver the first one".
Junior picked up a package about two foot square as Daniel continued.
"Poppa Juan, we hope you will accept this and it will give you comfort".
As Juan took the present and unwrapped it, he revealed a portrait of Carlo, Gabby, and a baby Carlo, Juan could be seen almost in tears as Josef hugged him.
Daniel carried on when Junior rejoined him.
Uncle Woody, Aunt Jacqueline, if I may call you that, we found something old, something beautiful, something looted from this very house during a centuries old revolution, we thought it fitting that it should be restored to its rightful place, with its rightful owners".
As he'd been speaking, four of Woody's winery workers, all burly fellows, wheeled in a large covered item, when they removed the covers, the most exquisite table centre piece was revealed, a solid silver pair of stags rearing up, bearing around the base the Royal Coat of Arms of the Montclair's, it took all four to lift it into place in the centre of the table in front of Woody and Jacqueline, who just stared in stunned silence.
Daniel carried on.
"And most important of all, Junior, go get the little rascal".
Junior marched around the table and lifted a surprised Carlo out of his seat, carrying him giggling back to Daniel, as Daniel handed Carlo a solid gold key, saying.
"This is from us, your key, to your house, an open invitation to use it whenever you want, it's our thank you for allowing us the privilege of living in your house, visit us often nephew".
The afternoon luncheon party moved out into the grounds of Chateau Montclair as the villagers started arriving for a celebration party that went on into the small hours.
Juan and Josef were the first to corner Dillon, with Josef speaking out despite already having seen him in Chicago.
"Dil, we feel so guilty, we tried so very hard, but you eluded us, it shouldn't have been possible but it happened, you're going to be hit on by so many of the family today, are you okay with that, or do you want us to form a bit of a barrier around you?".
Dillon surprised them.
"I have Trevor, he'll be by my side, if anyone gets to emotional he'll move me on, I'm a one time wonder, they have years of need to satisfy, I can't deny them for loving me, I'll be okay, but as soon as Juan and Daniel are settled, we want to come visit, we both love it here".
Life seemed idyllic as Junior and Daniel planned their wedding which Daniel had decided would be the happiest day of their lives on a Saturday in July.
But there we go again, will we, or they, ever learn?, believing in Life's Illusions.
Tut, tut, tut, you should all know better, when does life ever happen like that, not very often, now does it?".
TBC Allan
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