Priorities - Book Two

*** ~~~ Trevor ~~~ ***

I woke up still feeling as if I'd let Roger down last night. It was something he wanted and I just couldn't do it. I know we agreed that if we both weren't comfortable with things we shouldn't do it, but I love him so much. Was it too much to ask to give him something he wanted?

I know he's awake, but for the first time since we've been together I feel as if I can't face him. Maybe if I don't move, he won't realize I'm awake. Unfortunately, that's not going to be the way it's going to be.

"Trevor? Are you awake?" His voice… something's not right.

*** ~~~ Roger ~~~ ***

When I woke up this morning, Trevor was still facing away from me. It's not usual for him to be this moody. Normally, he's so confident in everything; I am scared that I caused irreparable harm to our relationship with my selfish request. I need to figure out how to fix this; he's far too important to me not to at least try.

I can tell by his breathing he's not asleep, but I know he's not happy. At one point I actually think I hear him crying. I have no choice; I have to do something. "Trevor? Are you awake?" I'm on the verge of tears myself.

He's still silent and it's killing me. Finally, I act; I gently touch his shoulder and he recoils; that's when I know I've fucked up big time. My fears get the better of me and I run from the room, not bothering to dress. I don't know where to go or what to do, so I sit at the head of the stairs and cry.

I don't know how long I sat there when someone touches my shoulder, "Roger? Is everything okay?"

It's Daddy. I turn my head and can't help myself. I leap at him wrapping my arms around him and cry, "I've messed it all up, Daddy. Trevor hates me! I know it!"

The concern on his face was evident, "It was about the bondage, wasn't it." Daddy asked and all I could do was to cry.

"Bobby!!!" Daddy yelled and Papa came running.

"What's wrong?" Papa asked with emergent concern.

"Go check on Nigel and Alex, please; then go get Trevor and meet us in the family room. We need to talk." It was amazing to me how Daddy could just 'take charge,' the way he did.

Daddy helped me up and led me to the family room. I went to sit on the loveseat, as Trevor and I usually do, but Daddy sternly requested that I sit at one end. I never heard this tone in his voice before and I worried that he would suggest we break up. If that happened, I would hate myself. A few minutes later, Papa and Trevor came down the stairs. Like us, they didn't have a stitch of clothing on, not that that really mattered. Daddy sternly requested that Trevor sit at the other end of the love seat. Something like this had never happened in our relationship prior to this point, and I really didn't like it.

*** ~~~ Nick ~~~ ***

I was afraid something like what happened with Trevor and Roger might actually happen when they first came to me about the bondage issue. In hindsight, I should have forbidden it, but 'til now neither Bobby nor I have ever forbidden Trevor to do anything. We trust him to make the right decisions. To add insult to injury, I further became culpable in this situation because I provided the restraints they were to use. Looking back, had I taken them to buy them the problem may not have happened.

Roger told me what happened last night and I feel as if had I taken them shopping, Trevor would have voiced his concerns. Well, since I was instrumental in causing this mess, it's my job to fix it. I looked at those two sitting on that loveseat. For the first time since Roger's adoption they weren't touching when they used that loveseat. If I know them as well as I think I do, both feel they failed the other. In a way, this is probably the best thing that could have happened to them. They need to learn that a relationship isn't always going to be perfect. Until now, since their adoptions, things have gone exceptionally well for them. Sure, they've had minor things to contend with, but nothing as major as this.

I'm happy that Bobby told me he'd asked Nigel and Alex to remain in their room until he came to get them. I have a feeling this is going to take a little while.

"Babe, this might take some time, please take up some juice and croissants to Nigel and Alex. There's no reason they should starve." I asked.

As Bobby went upstairs I began, "Okay, first off, I want to apologize to both of you."

Trevor and Roger both looked at me and said, almost at the same time, the exact same words, "What do you have to apologize for?"

"Well, I provided the means for this to happen; I should have taken you out to buy them. Had I done that, this might not have happened. That being said, I am going to ask you two to talk to one another. I told you both in the past that a successful relationship is based on trust and people, who trust one another, talk to one another. What happened here is neither of you communicated your fears to the other; if I could guess why, it would probably be that each of you thought you were doing something for the other. Now, Trevor, turn to Roger and explain to him how you're feeling.

He turned and looked at Roger and I could already see the tears beginning to flow from his eyes. He swallowed, and in a shaky voice said, "Roger, I'm so sorry. I wanted to do that for you for your birthday, I really did, but when I was connected to the bedposts and couldn't move I got a very panicky feeling. What you were doing to my body at the time would usually have gotten me very excited, but my brain was only focusing on its fears. I know I should have told you before we did it how I was feeling."

He wiped his eyes before continuing, "I love you so much. When I woke up this morning I was so mad at myself. I was sure you were going to be angry with me and I never want that. When you woke up and asked what was wrong, I couldn't tell you..." Trevor took a deep breath before saying, "…that I was afraid. That's what caused me to pull away when you touched me."

At that moment Trevor broke down and cried. Roger wrapped his arms around my son and said, "Babe, there is nothing you can do that would make me not love you. I was sure I'd ruined the best thing in my life, our relationship, by my selfish desire to try some stupid thing I saw on-line. When you pulled away from me, in my mind it confirmed what I feared and I couldn't handle it; I needed to get out of the room. Please tell me you forgive me?" Roger then wept onto his boyfriend's shoulder.

Bobby came back down to the two of them holding each other as they cried. He turned to me and said, "I guess you fixed things faster than you thought."

I turned to him and said, "No, I only put a Band-Aid on the situation. The healing is yet to come."

*** ~~~ Trevor ~~~ ***

What Daddy did was exactly what was needed. He got Roger and me talking. The more I sat there, the more I realized that the ones closest to me in my family needed to know why I had some of the fears that I did.

I broke my hug with Roger, but still holding his hand I said, "Dad, can you please ask Nigel and Alex to come join us? They're just as affected by this as the four of us sitting here."

I had a plan in my head that I was pretty sure Daddy would not approve of, but I need to face my demons and exorcise them. A few minutes later, Nigel and Alex, clad in their underwear, joined us, sharing one of the overstuffed chairs; Nigel on Alex's lap, of course.

"I wanted to apologize to all of you. Daddy helped me to realize that we are a family. All of us, not just Roger and I. Last night Roger asked me to do something. Normally it would have been no big deal, but in this instance it dredged up some memories I've kept even from myself since I joined the orphanage.

"Roger had asked to restrain me while he made love to me. Normally, that wouldn't be an issue. Before I came to the orphanage at age 6..." I broke down and Roger held me. After a moment I regained my composure. "As I was saying, my step-father used to tie me to the bed and would fuck me. Not only that, he'd invite his friends over and they'd do it too. It didn't matter if I cried or begged, they just kept doing it. One day at school I told what happened. That night as I was tied to the bed once again, the door was busted down. He tried to resist and was shot, my mother was already dead from an overdose."

I cried for a few minutes. Nobody noticed however that Nigel had a shocked look on his face. Once I'd regained my composure I saw it and asked him, "Why do you look so scared, Nigel?"

"You have to talk to Malcolm. I mean it, you gotta!" He said quite emphatically.

Daddy decided it was time to change the mood. "Why don't we all go to a nice brunch before we have to take Nigel and Alex back to the orphanage? We can spend some time talking with Malcolm when we go."

As he'd suggested, we all went up and got ourselves ready to go for brunch.

*** ~~~ Roger ~~~ ***

I was so relieved that things were going to be okay for me and Trevor. Hearing his story though makes me understand how he acted when he first came to the orphanage. He was a recluse. It was only because I pestered him that he eventually got over what had been bothering him. Now I know he didn't get over it, he buried it.

Brunch was wonderful, as usual. Dad was driving so only Daddy had the champagne. Nigel looked at the beverage and asked if he could have a sip. Daddy looked at him, then around the restaurant, "Only one little sip, I doubt you'll like it."

Surprisingly, Nigel tasted it and smacked his lips. "That's good!"

Daddy laughed and said, "Well, you're twelve now, so you only have to wait nine years to be able to drink it whenever you like… to a point. Alcohol, as well as just about anything that tastes or feels good can become an addiction. You need to monitor yourself to keep that from happening."

After brunch we all piled into the car and started heading back to the orphanage. Once we arrived and Mrs. Granger had noted that the boys were returned as agreed, Nigel took Trevor by the hand and said, "We gotta find Malcolm!"

Nigel would have dragged Trevor had he not walked of his own accord. When they got to their room, Nigel went in and found Malcolm sitting on his bed watching television.

Trevor, Nigel, Alex and I sat and talked to Malcolm. It seems that he and Trevor had almost exactly the same thing happen. Malcolm related what he'd had to endure and all of us were in tears.

"Malcolm, I want you to know that I am going to consider you like part of our family, just like Nigel and Alex are. That means anytime they come to visit you're welcome to join them. Actually I want you to know, I want you to join them," Trevor related.

Malcolm wrapped his arms around Trevor and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek, afterward he turned to Trevor and said, "Thank you, but you should know, I'm not gay."

"That's right, you're not gay, you're Malcolm. It shouldn't matter if you're gay, straight, or you get amorously attached to farm equipment. You're who you are and as long as you are true to yourself all is fine." I said to him.

In the end, we left the orphanage having given an invitation via Mrs. Granger for the three boys to spend Christmas week at Trevor's home. They had a huge party planned.

*** ~~~ Trevor ~~~ ***

The next couple of weeks went by in a flash. I had done all of my shopping for gifts. I had made arrangements with a friend of Grandpa's to donate new laptop computers for every boy at the orphanage. In addition, each dorm room was outfitted with a new plasma screen television and either an Xbox or a PlayStation gaming console. In the common rooms, sixty-inch flat screens with both gaming consoles. What good is having lots of money if I can't help those I care about?

The day before our Christmas party we went to collect Alex, Nigel and Malcolm. The three were very excited about being able to attend. For Malcolm it would be the first time he'd ever been to something this fancy. I took the three of them out to get some new clothes. Oh, I had to invite Daddy, I know how he loves to shop; problem is, it's rubbed off on me.

A few hours later, all three had new outfits to wear at the party. Eric and his father, along with Garrett and his parents, would be in attendance. It promised to be a grand time.

That evening, December 23, 2016, found Alex, Nigel, Roger and I in the hot tub. I inquired about Malcolm and Nigel said he was embarrassed because we were all naked. I immediately got out and went to the chest where we kept the swimsuits and passed out one to each of my guests. I then put on a pair of my own and went to find Malcolm.

"Hi Mal. I want to apologize to you. We were not being sensitive to your preferences. We do not believe in forcing anything on anyone. You and I know what it's like to be forced to do something you'd rather not. Please come join us, everyone is wearing a suit.

I then left and returned to the hot tub. A few minutes later, Malcolm came out of the back door not wearing a stitch. He looked at me and smiled before saying, "I thought it was too good to be true. I honestly thought that you all wanted me naked so you could do what my Dad used to. I'm sorry I didn't believe what you had told me."

"Malcolm, there's nothing to be sorry about. If you're uncomfortable with anything, say so, please. We want you as a friend not as someone who fears us." Roger averred.

We spent the next thirty minutes talking like eleven to fifteen-year-old boys and just enjoying each other's company. From that moment on, Malcolm was comfortable with the fact that it was okay to be whoever he was and that nudity doesn't always mean sex.

The morning of Christmas Eve, preparations were in full swing. Ange was in the kitchen along with Roger's mother, Marine. Robert and Ricky were off somewhere, probably having sex. Those two have been at it whenever they've been together since they met a few months ago.

Malcolm, Roger, Nigel and Alex joined me for some miniature golfing, courtesy of Grandpa. He showed up with a van with the logo of King Enterprises emblazoned on its side. We all hopped in and had a great time and were out of the way during the party preparation.

I neglected to tell you that the day we picked up the three, I went to the room of each and every boy and wished them a Merry Christmas. They all thanked me for their new laptops and two of the last hold-outs who'd caused all that trouble when Roger and I, and then Alex came out apologized for their actions.

When we returned home from our outing (Malcolm kicked our asses at miniature golf) we all went up to our rooms to prepare for the evening. Roger and I hadn't really had any time just to ourselves since the arrival of our guests. We more than made up for it in the two hours from when we closed the door to my room until we stepped out ready for the party.

Guests started arriving about seven in the evening and the party was in full swing by eight. Garrett and Eric found me and I introduced them to Malcolm. Garrett got to talking to him when his father came over. Garrett introduced Malcolm and Brant really took a liking to the boy.

Throughout the night whenever I found Brant, Malcolm was by his side. It felt good to see the eleven-year-old so happy. About ten, Brant stood and got everyone's attention.

"First off, Merry Christmas!" This was followed by all assembled repeating what had been said before Brant continued, "The King family has done it again. This has been one of the best Christmas Parties I've ever attended. Melissa and I have been considering adding another Radcliffe to the census; tonight I had the distinct pleasure to meet young Malcolm here. In short, he's won over my heart and that of my wife. If he'll have us, we'd like to begin adoption proceedings."

After thunderous applause George Miller stood and said, "It seems that the King family has singlehandedly begun the process of turning my practice into an adoption specialist. Trevor King, about six months ago, founded the Trevor King Orphan's fund. That fund was set up to aid in the adoption of any child over the age of ten years. Should you truly wish to do this; the fund will take care of all of the paperwork as well as the fees. With the history of successful adoptions, we've been able to streamline the process from one which took months to one that can be done in as little as a week."

Everyone in the room looked at me. "Hey! I just wanted to help others like me to have some of the opportunities I've had!"

The party ended with Malcolm requesting to spend the night and Christmas morning with the Radcliffe's. The rest of us said goodnight and headed to our rooms.

Roger and I exchanged one of the gifts we had planned on giving one another. The entire incident at Thanksgiving has made our relationship stronger.

Christmas morning, we awoke to the sounds of angels. It seems that the orphanage has put together a boys' choir and Dad arranged for them to come to our house Christmas morning to sing carols. Roger and I donned robes and went down to greet them. We joined in on a couple of the songs. Everyone had a great time.

Malcolm came back about noon with a huge smile on his face. He told us that his Dad was going to pay whatever he had to so that Malcolm would be Malcolm Radcliffe before the New Year.

[To be Continued]

 

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