This is a love story following the life of two young men who fall in love and have to overcome tragedies in their lives. All the characters are fictional.
Warning - it contains some m/m sex.
The Earl's Son
Once again they flew first class but this time the journey was happier than the last one. They were both so happy and kept on holding each other's hands much to the amusement of the female flight attendant who serviced them. The flight left on time and arrived slightly early, and their baggage came out onto the conveyor belt fairly quickly.
As they walked through the exit gate they saw a sign being held up by a driver with their names on it. Within no time they were zooming out of the airport terminal and on their way. The twenty mile journey from JFK seemed to take no time and they were soon being dropped off outside the apartment block opposite Central Park. The Earl's two bedroom suite apartment was in a seventeen storey building that had clearly been redesigned at some point in its history. As with all the property belonging to the Drayton family it was exquisitely furnished and spacious.
Joe, the guy who managed the apartment, was in his late thirties and warmly welcomed them. Julian had met him once before when he'd come over with his parents several years ago and at the time he couldn't quite make Joe out. He lived alone in the apartment when nobody was using it but when it was occupied he used a smaller one bedroom apartment in the basement. He'd never been seen to have male or female friends around so nobody really knew whether he was straight, gay or what but he enjoyed his job and since the apartment was empty a lot of the year it suited him down to the ground, apart from being well paid. When members of the family weren't using it, senior executives from the family firm could reserve it for when they came to New York.
Joe took their luggage and placed it in the larger of the two bedrooms, each of which had its own en-suite facility. He knew of course why the two lads were in New York and congratulated them on their Civil Partnership. He certainly had no problem with gays and was happy to look after them during their stay.
"I guess you guys would like time to settle in and have a shower before a spot of lunch" Joe said smiling as he rejoined them in the large living room that had a wonderful view of Central Park. Julian said they would and led Robin into the bedroom.
"Just holler if there's anything you need" Joe called out after them.
After lunch, Julian took Robin over to Central Park for a walk. They were both tired after the flight so decided to take it easy and start sightseeing in earnest the next day.
Over the next few days they did all the usual sights including the Empire State building, Times Square, Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Statue of Liberty as well as a boat trip that took in many more. Julian had also booked a couple of plays for them to see which they thoroughly enjoyed. In addition they visited museums and several gay bars including a night club.
By the end of the two weeks, they felt they'd done everything and laughed that they needed another holiday to get over it but it had been a fabulous time and every night and morning they had wonderful sex. Some days they even managed another session before lunch if they were near the apartment!
Joe thoroughly spoilt them and when it was finally time to leave he gave them both a big hug and a kiss. Once again a car had been ordered to take them back to the airport and they were soon on their way home.
Soon after their return, it was time to celebrate their birthdays for another year. As usual it was mainly a family affair so the pair of them arranged to spend a few days at Drayton House for the celebrations to take place. Kevin went with them and whilst there took every opportunity to see Craig!
A few days later, laden with yet more expensive presents, they drove back to London. Julian had another project underway and Robin was practising the piano as much as he could since he'd been invited to do a solo in a charity concert at the beginning of January. Although they'd bought an electronic piano for the apartment for him to use, he ideally needed to practice on a grand. Fortunately he found someone who had one and was willing to let him practice whenever he wanted.
It was the end of September and both Julian and Robin were going through the final amendments to Julian's new play. For once it contained no nudity and instead tackled the serious topic around the coming out of a sixteen year old. They'd cast Trevor in the main part and although he was nineteen he could make himself look younger. Jamie wasn't available since he'd been offered a part in another play so they had to find someone else to play the part of Trevor's boyfriend and a woman to play his mother. It had been decided that Robin would play the father which was going to be somewhat of a challenge for him since he'd have to be made up to look a lot older. Having found the perfect woman to play the mother, they finally decided to offer the part of the boyfriend to Colin who'd been in the last play. He was still quite inexperienced but to some extent that was an attraction since the part needed someone who would come across as young and vulnerable.
They'd just finished putting the final touches together when Kevin popped his head through the door to say that Robin was wanted on the phone.
"Who is it?" Robin asked as he got up to pick up the extension in the living room. As he did so, Kevin frantically waved him outside.
"It's Julian's mother" Kevin whispered, "She specifically asked to speak to you without Julian present".
Fortunately Julian was too engrossed in what he was doing to notice what was going on so Robin quickly went into the small office off the hallway to take the call having closed the door behind him.
"Hi mum, how are you?" he said brightly. Since officially joining the family he'd called her this which delighted her no end.
He could tell immediately that something was wrong so asked "What's happened?"
"It's Julian's father" she said hesitantly, "He's had a riding accident and is seriously injured".
Robin knew Julian's dad frequently went riding round the estate on his horse so the fact he'd been riding was no great surprise.
"What happened?" he interjected.
"It seems he suffered a minor heart attack and fell off his horse. It wasn't until the horse came back to the stables rider less that we knew something was wrong."
"Was nobody with him then?" Robin asked trying to get his head round the news and how he was going to break it to Julian.
"No, he was doing his usual rounds round the estate and was eventually found some while later in a ditch by the side of one of the lanes. It's thought he hit his head on a brick wall. He's in a bad way Robin. You must both come down immediately. I'm not sure how much longer he's got."
Robin said they'd leave immediately and took down the details of the hospital in Oxford where he had been taken. When he finished the call he quickly told Kevin and asked him to pack a bag of overnight things for him and Julian. He then returned to Julian in the living room who was still pouring over his script.
Robin sat down beside him and took his hand. Julian looked at him and immediately knew something was wrong.
"What, what's wrong?"
Robin relayed what Julian's mother had told him and waited for the news to sink in. Julian went white and for a moment Robin thought he was going to feint.
"I've asked Kevin to pack a bag for us" Robin said quietly, "We're leaving immediately".
Robin stood up and Julian followed as if in a trance. He couldn't believe what he'd heard and thought he was in a dream. Robin led him into their bedroom where Kevin was busy packing an overnight bag for them. Between them they got Julian changed out of the sweatpants he was wearing and into a pair of casual trousers plus a shirt. Once they were both ready, Robin picked up the overnight bag and led Julian out the door.
"I'll ring you once we've got more news" Robin told Kevin as the lift arrived to take them down to the car park. Fortunately he'd driven the Jaguar on several occasions now so he felt comfortable to do so since Julian was in no fit state to drive.
The journey seemed interminable despite the traffic being reasonably clear. Julian kept on asking what had happened but all Robin could do was repeat what he'd already told him.
"I've never know him come off his horse before" Julian kept on saying.
Robin tried to explain that it was thought his father had suffered a minor heart attack so it would only take a few moments for him to lose consciousness and fall. If he was riding along at a pace then such a fall could be serious if not fatal but at least he was still alive. Robin hadn't told Julian that his mother didn't think he had long to live. All he could do was support Julian the same way he had supported him a year before when his mother had been shot.
Eventually they arrived at the hospital and fortunately found a parking space fairly easily. They almost ran into the reception area and asked for directions to the ward they needed. It was on the third floor and as soon as the lift doors had opened, Robin saw Julian's mother pacing up and down. When she saw her son she ran towards them and they hugged. She then took hold of Robin and did the same before leading them along the corridor and into a room where Julian's dad was laying in bed. His whole head was bandaged and he seemed to be asleep. Julian's mother explained he was heavily sedated but seemed to know she was there.
Julian sat down on one side of the bed and took hold of his father's hand. He lightly squeezed it and he had the feeling his dad squeezed his back. He bent forward and kissed a part of the forehead that wasn't bandaged and there was a slight flicker of his eyes as if he was trying to open them.
Meanwhile, Robin asked Julian's mum if Alisha had been contacted. She said she had but unfortunately she was away in Paris with Oliver on a short break but they were making their way home.
They took it in turns to sit beside him over the next few hours since having all three was felt to be too much. Later that evening whilst Julian was sitting one side of the bed and Robin on the other his eyes opened. He smiled and held their hands. Julian said he must go and fetch his mum so quickly went outside to where she was sitting. Whilst he was gone, his dad squeezed Robin's hand and said almost in a whisper "Look after him for me Robin, he's going to need you now more than anything."
The strain of saying those few words seemed to exhaust him and by the time Julian had returned with his mother his dad's eyes were closed again. Robin was still taking in the words he'd heard since he knew in his heart what they meant.
More hours passed and an array of doctors and nurses came to look at the patient to monitor his vital signs. He was of course wired up to the usual array of equipment so they knew exactly how he was doing from their monitors outside. In the early hours of the morning Alisha arrived with Oliver. She looked worn out as she rushed into the room. Robin stood up and offered her his chair before going outside to where Julian's mum was sitting with Oliver.
"The doctors have said it's only a matter of time" she said as Robin joined them, "It's unlikely he'll last the night".
"Is there nothing they can do?" Robin asked hoping against hope that there was.
"Seems not; the x-rays have shown there's too much damage and even if he did survive he'd lose his mobility; in addition his heart is very weak".
Robin and Oliver looked at each other not knowing what to say. It seemed she was resigned to the inevitable. The only person who seemed optimistic was Julian but he hadn't been told the full story for fear of upsetting him too much.
"He's going to need a lot of love and support Robin" she said taking hold of his hand, "but I know you'll give him that." She then went on to explain that Julian had always been her husband's favourite although he loved his daughter too but she was stronger and would cope much better. Julian on the other hand would be devastated when the time came.
Sadly the time did come a few hours later. Seeing how he was slipping away, the nursing sister had said they could all stay in the room provided they sat quietly. Julian sat one side of the bed and his mother the other each holding a hand. Robin, Alisha and Oliver sat at the back of the room and watched on waiting for the final moment to come. Eventually the monitors gave out their final sound and Robin noticed the graphs on the screen go flat announcing the end had come. For a moment Julian didn't seem to realise what had happened but once he felt Robin's hands round his shoulder gently pulling him up reality sank in. He cried out in pain once it did so and almost collapsed into Robin's arms. Robin led him outside and they sat down with Julian sobbing his heart out.
Suddenly a nurse and the doctor on duty rushed in and Alisha and Oliver sat down in the anteroom. Nobody said anything since there was nothing that could be said to ease the pain. Finally Julian's mother joined them and the five of them watched as the medical team did whatever they had to do when someone dies.
After a while the doctor came out and offered his condolences. He explained once again that there was nothing they could have done. The five nodded and listened to what they now had to do. Robin had heard it twice before and couldn't believe he was sitting here hearing it all over again. It almost seemed he had a jinx on those he loved.
Julian was in a daze and hardly noticed Robin driving him back to the house with his mother following on behind with Alisha and Oliver in the chauffeur driven Bentley. As they made their way inside, Thomas realised immediately by their expressions that the Earl had died. A slight shake of the head from Nigel confirmed his worst fears.
"I'm so sorry sir" he said to Julian as he walked in, "It is a terrible tragedy". He'd deliberately called Julian sir since he was now the Earl and decided it was his place to do so. He smiled weakly at Robin and gently patted his arm to comfort him.
Julian's mother went straight up to her rooms. So far she'd not shown any real emotion and Robin wondered how someone could lose the person they loved and not do so but everyone was different. She perhaps wanted to grieve in private. Alisha had cried at the hospital but now seemed composed again as she and Oliver went to their rooms. Julian was in a state of shock and wandered off into the large sitting room where he slumped down on a sofa.
"Can I get you anything?" Thomas asked Robin.
"Perhaps some tea please Thomas, neither of us have eaten for hours but I doubt Julian will want anything just yet.
Thomas went off to the kitchen and Robin went to sit down beside Julian. There was nothing he could say to ease the pain. He knew exactly how his love was feeling. Instead he put his arms round Julian and pulled him tight. Julian snuggled up to him and kissed his cheek.
"Why oh why?" he wailed, "How am I going to manage without him?"
"Why, I cannot answer" Robin replied gently, "but you will manage, we all do eventually and I'm here for you like you were for me".
Julian looked up into Robin's eyes and gave a weak smile, "Yes, I know exactly how you felt now and thank you".
A few minutes later Thomas came in with a tray of tea and a plate of sandwiches.
"Thought you might be able to eat these" he said as he put them down on a table in front of them.
"Thanks Thomas" Robin smiled as he looked up at him. He really was a sweet guy and Robin liked him. He also wondered how things would change for them now that Julian was the Earl. Where would they live? Would Julian continue with the theatre production company? What would it mean to his acting career? These were all questions flashing through his mind but he realised that this was not the right time to raise them.
"I'm not ready to take on the responsibilities dad had" Julian muttered later when they were in bed and Robin was giving him a hug, "It's not only the estate but the family firm as well".
Robin hadn't thought of what would happen with the firm. He knew that it was a family business and the Earl had been the Chairman of the firm but then he was a broker and knew about these things. Julian had always said that he didn't want to follow his father's footsteps and refused to do so.
"Your dad must have made some provisions for such an eventuality surely" Robin replied. From the little he knew of the Earl he seemed to have everything sorted.
"Yeah, suppose so" Julian sobbed.
The next few days Julian spent most of his time dealing with sympathy calls from family, members of the estate, the firm and a host of other people. News like this seemed to fly round without any difficulty. It had even made it into the national press and the Financial Times. One of the calls was from George, who was Managing Director of the family firm. He told Julian not to worry about things there since his father had made arrangements for such a situation.
"Once the funeral is over Julian I'll come down and see you to go through it all" George said. Julian had met George on numerous occasions in the past since he'd been one of his father's longest friends and work colleague. He was a kind considerate man in his early fifties and Julian liked and respected him.
The funeral took place a week later in the local parish church. The family had its own plot into which family members were always buried. Julian hated the thought of being buried, preferring cremation, but all said and done, once you were dead so what!
As expected, the church was packed. Julian, his mother and Robin were in the main car following the hearse and other members of the immediate family were in the one behind. Another had been organised for staff members since they too all wanted to attend. As they slowly followed the coffin, Robin's mind flashed back to his mother's funeral and his father's. Julian sensed what he was thinking and held his hand. He squeezed it and held it tight for the rest of the journey, more for his own comfort than anything else.
His father had given clear instructions on the type of funeral service he wanted, not that he was particularly religious but he liked to have everything well organised. Julian was expected to give a eulogy which he was happy to do. He'd loved his father and was able to relay some of the many happy times they'd had together. As he spoke he looked at Robin and smiled. Somehow seeing his lover there in front of him helped him get through it all. He also looked at his mother and his sister, but both were looking ahead as if they were not really present. Neither had shown much emotion yet he was fairly certain that his mother loved his father as indeed his father had loved her. His sister on the other hand had always been a cold fish. She had a hard exterior and Julian had always found it difficult to get beneath that.
Once it was all over and those invited back to the house for light refreshment had left, his mother called him into her suite of rooms upstairs. Since his father's death she'd spent most of her time alone not wanting any company.
"You need to decide what you're going to do Julian" she said as soon as he'd sat down.
"In what way?" he asked.
"Well, are you planning on living here now to run the estate or continuing to live in London? The staff will need to be told since I dare say they are concerned about their future."
"We've only just buried him, give me time mother" Julian replied somewhat exasperated.
"I know, but everything is on your shoulders now Julian and decisions have to be made" she replied gently smiling at him.
"I know but I need time to discuss it with Robin. He's my partner and I can't make important decisions without discussing the implications with him."
She nodded realising that of course he was right. He was so much like his father in that respect; always wanting to keep everyone happy. Not like his sister who was hard and unfeeling; a bit like her really!
"Okay, let me know what you decide and whether you want me to move out."
"Move out? What are you on about? Of course I don't want you to move out" Julian exclaimed somewhat amazed that his mother should think he would.
"Everything has changed Julian, you can't make assumptions."
"Don't you want to continue living here?"
"Yes, if that is okay with you" she replied.
Julian couldn't believe he was having this conversation and just looked at her for a moment.
"Well, I think the house is big enough for you to continue using these rooms and living here as well as me and Robin if we decide to do so, don't' you" he finally said with a slightly contemptuous tone.
"So you don't want to use these rooms for yourself and Robin" she replied, "They are recognised as being the best rooms in the house.
"No mother, I don't so if you want to remain living here then as far as I'm concerned you can do so. I have no intention of chucking you out if that's your concern."
His mother seemed relieved and she smiled sweetly at him, "Thank you".
He left her and went to find Robin who was in the conservatory looking out the window at the expanse of land that stretched as far as the eye could see. In the distance there were trees behind which he knew the lake was situated. It was truly beautiful but he wasn't sure he wanted to live here permanently. He'd miss London too much.
As Julian walked in, he turned. He could see he was stressed and opened his arms to hug him.
"I've just had the most bizarre conversation with mother" he exclaimed as they pulled each other into an embrace. He then told Robin about the conversation and like him, Robin was bemused.
"But why should she think she had to move out?" Robin asked incredulously.
Julian shrugged his shoulders and sat down on the nearest sofa.
"But we need to decide how I'm going to manage looking after an estate down here and a theatre production company in London, not to mention the bloody firm. What the hell am I going to do my love?"
Robin kissed him and put a comforting arm round him.
"First, we make a list of the things we need to decide and the people we need to see to help us make a decision. Once we have all the information we need, we sit down and make decisions. Once the decisions have been made we tell the people who need to know."
Julian looked at him and grinned, "I knew there was a reason why I so loved you; you're so calm and organised; what would I do without you?"
Robin grinned, he was tempted to reply `find someone else to fuck' but decided against that for the moment.
"When is George coming back to see you?" Robin asked instead.
"Tomorrow morning"
Robin suggested they wait until they'd had that meeting before making any other decisions although he couldn't see Julian suddenly becoming that involved in the family business!
During the rest of the day they talked about their preferences. Julian said he didn't really want to come and live permanently at Drayton House although he realised he'd have to make regular visits. Robin made his views known and suggested they make London their main home and visit here as often as was needed. One thing they both realised was that their lives were going to be somewhat different to what they'd envisaged a while back.
The next part of 'The Earl's Son' will be available shortly.
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See Prolific Authors for a list of other stories by Adam Stewart