CSU: A New Door Opens

Heaven. Absolutely, positively heaven.

Ken's kisses on my neck and gentle touching were driving me crazy.

I never felt so loved.

"Rory, is this okay?" Ken asked as he pulled back enough to look in my eyes.

"It's perfect." I said, in awe of his loving expression.

"Good. I want to do all kinds of stuff, but I want to stay just like this too. Does that make any sense?" He asked, then moved in to nuzzle my neck.

"Yeah. I know just what you mean." I said in a whisper as I enjoyed the feeling of Ken's naked body pressed against mine.

I moved my hand down Ken's body to explore, and enjoyed the feeling of the soft firm skin down his side and finally stopped my exploration by taking a firm hold of his butt.

All of a sudden, Ken moved away from my neck and gave me the most mind blowing kiss ever. I mean, it was pure passion.

Before I knew what happened, I had my hand on the back of his head, holding him tightly to me. I didn't want the feeling to ever end.

Finally the kiss broke and Ken pulled back to look me in the eyes.

His face was flushed and he was panting. The sight was so hot that I just wanted... everything.

Without thinking, I put my hand on the back of his neck and half pulled him down and half lifted myself up to initiate another kiss.

The feeling of his tongue inside my mouth was the most erotic thing I could ever imagine... at least until I felt his erection rubbing against mine.

Okay, let's be real here. I've been doing without for a verrrrrrrrrrry long time. I'm surprised that the kiss alone wasn't enough to set me off, but there was no holding back the floodgates when I felt the incredible sensation of Ken pressing into me.

I felt an energy that seemed to tingle from every part of my body as my excitement built to a peak. I broke our kiss and let out a gasp as I passed the point of no return and felt myself begin to erupt.

I felt Ken arch his body and press impossibly tighter against me, then felt the warm sensation as he too found release.

Well beyond thought, I pulled him back into the kiss and expressed my joy and love the only way I could. I didn't have words to express half of what I was feeling.

Ken's body relaxed against me as he once again eased me back onto the bed without breaking the kiss.

The kiss seemed to last for an instant... or maybe forever... I don't know how to say it. The feeling was incredible and it's like we shared our own little private world where time had no meaning.

Finally Ken pulled away and I could see a look of amazement in his eyes.

"Rory... that was..." Ken said in a whisper filled with wonder.

"Pretty good huh?" I asked, falling in love with Ken all over again just from the beauty of his expression.

"I never..." Ken said with wide eyes as he searched for words.

"I've never been with anyone before either." I said, trying to assure him that I understood.

"No, I mean, I never..." Ken trailed off, obviously lost as to what words should follow.

OH MY GOD! He can't mean...

"Was that your first orgasm?" I asked in amazement.

Ken shyly nodded, looking puzzled and flushed and...

I pulled Ken down to kiss me again for a moment, then whispered, "It wasn't my first, but it was my best."

"I've never felt anything even close..." Ken trailed off in amazement as he rolled his body to one side and snuggled against me.

"Neither have I Ken." I said, then turned my head to give him a kiss on the cheek.

All of a sudden I heard a tapping on the bedroom door.

"Guys, finish getting dressed, the milkshakes should be ready and waiting." Allen's voice said through the door.

Ken seemed to be lost in his thoughts, so I quickly said, "Give us two minutes."

"Okay. I'll be right back." Allen said, and I could tell from the sound of his voice that he was smiling.

I looked at Ken to find an expression of love and wonder still on his face.

Slowly Ken pulled away from me and looked down between us.

"I've seen it in pictures, but I've never seen it for real before." Ken said as he hesitantly reached down to feel the cooling semen on my belly.

"Well, I have a feeling that you'll be seeing a lot more." I said softly, enjoying Ken's look of wonder as he explored the new substance.

Ken looked at me with question for a second, then his expression changed into a smile filled with love and happiness.

"We need to get cleaned up before your dad comes back." I said as gently as I could.

Ken nodded, still wearing the smile. Then got up off the bed and hurried to the bathroom.

He came back a few seconds later with a damp hand towel and started cleaning us both up.

I think that even if Ken weren't so cute, I'd still love him. He's so gentle and caring.

After cleaning us, Ken ran to his dresser and pulled out two identical pairs of short pants.

"Is this okay?" Ken asked as he held up a pair of shorts for my inspection.

"Yeah." I said with a whisper.

Ken quickly pulled the shorts up my legs, then with just a little bit of a wiggle and tug, brought them up over my hips.

He quickly stepped into his own shorts and pulled them up, then laid down beside me.

Before either of us could say a word, there was another knock on the door.

"Come in." Ken said in a peaceful voice.

Allen hesitantly walked into the room and stopped to look at us.

"I guess we're ready." Ken said as he looked up at his father.

"Do you guys have anything you want to talk about first?" Allen asked as he took a seat on the edge of Kevin's bed.

I glanced at Ken to find a look of deep concentration on his face.

"You don't need to be embarrassed. I just want you to know that I'm here if you have any questions." Allen said in nearly a whisper.

"I don't think I have any questions yet... Maybe later." Ken said in thought.

"I'm here whenever you need me." Allen said with a gentle smile, then looked at me with question.

"I'm good." I said, not really knowing what else to say.

"Is he ever." Ken muttered with a chuckle.

A giggle escaped before I could stop it, and next thing I knew we were both laughing ourselves silly.

Allen had a glorious smile as he stood and walked over to us.

"Come on, the rest of the guys are probably finished with their milkshakes by now." Allen said with a chuckle in his voice.

I leaned up on my one good arm and was expecting to be picked up.

Instead Allen pulled both me and Ken into a hug.

Ken and I hugged Allen tightly for a moment, then finally, Allen shifted to pick me up.

"Thanks Pop." Ken whispered in a tone of voice that was complete joy.

"Yeah, thanks." I said as I was lifted into Allen's arms.

* * * * *

"Where are Xain and Jake?" Allen asked as he looked around the living room.

Kevin was sitting on the couch with Reuben and Ricardo sitting in the floor at the coffee table. All three were happily drinking their milkshakes.

"Trying out the new bed, I think." Mona said with a smile as she had Edovina cradled in one arm and held a milkshake in her free hand.

Allen sat me on the couch and Ken quickly took the seat by my side.

Juana looked into the living room and said, "I will start your milkshakes now. I did not want them to melt."

"Good thinking." Allen said with a gentle smile.

Mona looked at us consideringly before saying, "I think you two had better work things out with Rory's parents so you'll be able to spend a lot of time together. Otherwise you'll both be miserable."

I looked at Ken to find him nodding.

"Do you think they'll have any problem with it?" Allen asked as he took a seat.

Kevin quickly got up off the couch and climbed up on Allen's lap, still carrying his milkshake.

My parents... I don't think mom will have a problem. Hell, she barely knows what planet she's on. But dad... I just don't know.

"I can talk to them if you'll let me know how much you want me to tell them." Allen said with a look of concern as he absently cuddled Kevin.

I thought about his offer... it's tempting. But deep inside me I know that I have to be the one to do it. I have to let people do a lot of things for me, but this I can do for myself.

Finally I shook my head and said, "I need to be the one to tell them. I should have told them about me a long time ago."

Allen nodded, and asked, "Do you want me to be there when you tell them?"

I tried to imagine my parent's reaction to the news that their only son is gay... Nothing. There is no way I can even guess what they're going to do or say.

"Yeah. I think that would be good. Thank you Allen." I said softly.

"Can I be there too?" Ken asked hopefully.

I looked at Ken and saw the love and concern in his eyes.

"I don't know how they're going to react. I don't want them to say something that might hurt you." I said honestly.

"I don't want them to say something that might hurt you either. Please let me be there." Ken said in a begging whisper.

'Please let me'... After being out of control of my life and my body for so long, Ken is willing to let me make this decision and will follow whatever I decide. I feel something that's been missing from my life for a very long time... Trust? Control? Respect? I don't know, but whatever it is, I love Ken that much more for giving it to me.

"Okay Ken. But just remember that no matter what they say or do, I still love you." I said sincerely.

"Well that's just not fair." Mona said in a grumble.

For just a minute I had forgotten that there were other people in the room. I'm sure I was blushing as I looked at Mona in question.

"I've been looking for that for decades and they find it right out of the gate." Mona said with an exasperated expression on her face.

"You're not the only one." Allen said with a tender smile directed at us.

"Come off it Allen. You're just as much in love as those two, so don't even try to pretend with me." Mona said firmly.

Allen gave Mona a bashful smile and said, "You're right. I am."

Mona nodded once firmly, then turned her attention to the living room door.

Deacon entered wearing swim trunks and looked around with question.

"I thought you guys were going to be swimming." Deacon said with confusion.

"We were. We just decided to take a break." Allen said with a smile.

"Where's Lawrence?" Kevin asked curiously from Allen's lap.

"He's with his Dad and his brother. They came over while Billy was taking our pictures. Lawrence wanted me to go with them but I thought they should have some time with just the family." Deacon said as he took a seat on the couch beside Ken.

"That's probably a good idea." Allen said with a smile.

Juana walked into the living room carrying a tray of milkshakes.

"Wow. Those look good." Ken said happily.

The milkshakes were huge! Each one was topped with a pile of whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Juana sat the tray on the coffee table and handed the first one to Deacon.

"Thank you." Deacon said with surprise.

Juana smiled and said, "I saw you come in. I thought you would like one."

Deacon nodded as he took a drink of his milkshake.

Juana handed Ken a milkshake, then handed one to me.

Oh my God! It's been... years. Literally years since I had a milkshake.

I brought the straw to my lips and took a small taste, trying not to be overwhelmed by the flavor.

Sweet... creamy... cold... fluffy... heaven.

"Rory's doing it again." Mona said with a chuckle.

I looked at her in question.

"Blissing out." Mona said in explanation.

I nodded and said, "I haven't had a milkshake in years."

"Well, then I'm glad you're getting to have one of Juana's milkshakes. The last time I had one this good was when I visited an ice cream parlor." Mona said, then took another drink of her own milkshake.

Jake and Xain walked into the living room and took a seat on the couch where Kevin had been sitting.

"Well, how did your bed do on it's maiden voyage?" Mona asked with a waggle of her eyebrows.

Jake blushed as Xain impassively said, "I originally did not see the logic in replacing the previous beds due to the fact that Jake and I sleep... entwined. They were adequate."

Allen smiled at the serious statement.

"But Jake demonstrated one of the benefits of having a greater surface area and I now share his sense of gratitude for the thoughtful gift." Xain said seriously.

"I'm glad you like it." Allen said happily.

"What did he demonstrate?" Mona asked curiously with mischief dancing in her eyes.

Xain glanced at Jake for a moment before saying, "It is my understanding that this is a topic that should not be discussed in the presence of the younger members of the family."

"We'll talk later." Mona said with a smile.

Xain gave a single nod in confirmation as Jake ducked his head and chuckled.

I felt Ken give me a nudge and turned my attention to him.

There he was with a seductive look in his eyes, as he held the cherry from his milkshake. Slowly, he started moving it toward my mouth.

I opened my mouth and let him place the cherry just inside, then I quickly closed my lips around his fingers, just for a second.

"If Joe doesn't survive our date tonight, you two are to blame." Mona said frankly.

I shyly looked at Mona to find her and everyone else in the room looking at us.

"I just wanted to give Rory my cherry." Ken said innocently, obviously not realizing the double meaning.

Mona, Allen, Jake and Deacon broke into laughter at the statement. I smiled at Ken and leaned in to give him a quick, gentle kiss.

Juana came back into the room with milkshakes for Jake and Xain.

"Thank you Mamacita." Jake said happily as he accepted his milkshake.

"Yes, thank you." Xain said respectfully.

"So have you guys decided what you'd like to do the rest of the afternoon?" Allen asked into the ensuing silence.

"I'd like to do some more swimming." Kevin said immediately.

Allen gave him a squeeze and said, "I think we'll do that in a little while, after the milkshakes have settled. But I just thought of something we could do right now that I think everyone would enjoy."

All of us looked at Allen with question, willing him to continue.

"If Kevin wouldn't mind, I think all of us would enjoy hearing a story." Allen said with a smile.

"Really?" Kevin asked in wonder and excitement.

"Really. As soon as you finish your milkshake, go get a book to read to us. As soon as the story is done, we can go out and swim again." Allen said with a gentle smile.

"Thanks Poppa." Kevin said happily and hugged Allen tightly.

I took another drink of my milkshake, and noticed the cherry on top of the whipped cream.

I leaned over to whisper to Ken, "You can have my cherry too."

I heard Deacon start to choke from Ken's other side.

Ken looked at Deacon for a second, to make sure that he was going to be okay, then he took the cherry from my milkshake and slowly brought it to his mouth.

I watched as his lips slowly parted and he slipped the cherry inside.

"Allen, did your air conditioner stop working?" Mona asked in a slow, breathy voice.

"It might have." Allen said in a tone of voice that was the same as Mona's.

"I'm finished." Kevin said in triumph and held out his empty milkshake glass for Allen's inspection.

"Put your glass in the sink, then go get your book." Allen said with a gentle smile.

Kevin hopped off Allen's lap and ran out of the room.

"Rory, Kevin just started learning to read a few days ago. So if he gets stuck or something while he's reading, that's why." Ken said quietly to me.

"Okay." I said, then took another drink of my milkshake.

Juana walked into the room and looked around to see if anyone needed anything.

"Kevin is about to read to us. Would you like to join us?" Allen asked with a gentle smile.

"It would be my pleasure." Juana said and took a seat on the couch behind her sons.

A few minutes later, Kevin ran back into the living room.

He was just about to climb back into Allen's lap, when he stopped and instead went to the coffee table.

"Will you help me read Ricardo?" Kevin asked seriously.

The little boy nodded enthusiastically.

Kevin opened the book and moved it half-way between him and Ricardo so Ricardo could turn the pages for him.

"The boy from town sat in the tree.."

* * * * *

I never could have imagined this feeling.

The whole family was sitting around the living room listening to Kevin read.

I was snuggled into Ken's side, occasionally taking a drink of my milkshake and enjoying this new sensation.

The only word I have to describe it is 'Family'.

I can't remember if my family ever sat down together and did something like this.

I guess other families do this all the time, but it was my first time and it was just the most peaceful and satisfying feeling that I think I've ever had.

When Kevin finally finished, everyone, including me, told him what a terrific job he did at reading the book.

Seeing the expression of pride on Kevin's face was so awesome. I mean, it was his accomplishment, but I had a part in letting him know what a good job he did.

"Are we ready to swim now?" Allen asked with a contented smile.

"Yeah. That sounds great." Jake said happily.

"I think someone needs to be changed." Mona said with a loving expression at the baby in her arms.

"We can take care of that." Jake said immediately and walked to Mona.

Gently, Mona handed the baby to Jake.

"Are you up to some more swimming Rory?" Allen asked as he got up from his chair.

"Yes. That sounds like fun." I said peacefully.

He picked me up and carried me upstairs with Ken following close behind.

* * * * *

Kevin walked into the room with his swim trunks in his hand.

"Jake and Xain are changing Edovina downstairs. It'll just take me a minute." Kevin said as he walked toward the bathroom.

"We're just going to change. You don't have to leave." Ken said seriously.

Kevin looked at me with question.

"It's okay if you want to stay. It'll just take a minute." I said, trying to convey that I really meant it.

"Okay." Kevin said quietly.

Ken pulled down his shorts quickly.

He stepped out of them, then stopped and looked at me with a shy smile.

I smiled back at him and looked over his beautiful body. When I met his eyes again, he bent down and quickly slipped on his swim trunks.

The whole process took only a few seconds, yet I appreciated the show.

When I looked at Kevin again, he was already changed.

"Ready?" Ken asked me with a smile.

I nodded and watched as he pulled the short pants down and off my legs.

Ken took a second to look over my naked body, before reluctantly picking up my swim trunks and putting them over my feet.

I glanced over at Kevin and found him watching me shyly. As soon as he noticed that I was looking at him, he turned away.

"It's okay Kevin, I don't mind if you look at me." I said softly, not wanting him to feel any more embarrassed than he already did.

"I just... you got red hair down there too." He said in a whisper but didn't turn back around.

"Yeah. That's probably a good thing. If it was blue, I'd be worried." I said, hoping to make Kevin feel better.

Ken let out a loud laugh and pulled me into a hug.

I hugged him back, then noticed that Kevin was watching us with a timid expression.

After releasing Ken, I motioned for Kevin to 'come here'.

Kevin reluctantly walked to stand in front of me.

"Would it be okay if I gave you a hug too Kevin?" I asked hopefully.

"Why?" Kevin asked in a timid voice.

"I don't know. You just look like you need a hug." I said honestly.

Kevin hesitantly leaned in close enough that I could get my good arm around him.

Before our hug finished, there was a gentle knock on the bedroom door.

"Come in." Ken said absently as he watched Kevin and I hugging.

Allen walked in and looked at us curiously.

I finally released Kevin and said, "He looked like he needed a hug."

Allen smiled and said, "That's good. I was afraid that you'd decided that one boyfriend wasn't enough."

"No, Ken is all I need." I said with a loving smile at Ken.

"Besides, Rory is too young for me." Kevin said with a mischievous grin.

Allen laughed and picked Kevin up into a joyful hug.

I looked at Ken with question, but he just mouthed the word, 'later'.

A moment later Allen put Kevin down, then picked me up and carried me downstairs.

My life this morning when I woke up seems unreal to me now. Like it was just a long nightmare that I finally woke up from. I guess maybe this is what happens when you die and go to heaven. That way you don't miss your life on Earth... I don't miss it at all.

* * * * *

"Ready?" Allen asked me with an expectant voice.

I nodded and took a deep breath.

Allen ran full out and cannon-balled us right into the middle of the pool.

I'll never get enough of that. The excitement of flying and falling... this is living.

When we came up for air, Ken was right there with the inner tube, waiting for me.

"Hold it still." Allen said as he worked me over the edge and got me firmly seated.

I looked around and saw that Ricardo had a smaller inner tube and was sitting in it just like I was.

I waved at him and he waved back.

Deacon swam over to us and asked, "So are you two like a couple?"

"Yeah." Ken said happily.

"That's cool. I'm glad you found someone. Now if we can just get Kevin hooked up, everyone can be happy." Deacon said as he glanced at Kevin happily playing with Reuben and Ricardo.

"Just give Kev some time to find the right person." Ken said to Deacon, then turned to me and explained, "The last one he found was, um... kind of too old for him... and married." Ken said reluctantly.

"How old?" I asked hesitantly.

"Our friend Justy's dad." Ken said frankly.

I know the look on my face had to be complete surprise.

Little tiny Kevin was in love with someone's father?

"Kevin's not trying to get him now, but he still loves him." Kenny said seriously.

"How did Uncle Josh take the news?" Deacon asked as he glanced over at Kevin.

"Kevin didn't really tell me a lot, but I don't think it was too bad. Uncle Josh was still being nice to him after they talked." Ken said in thought.

"That's good." Deacon said seriously.

"I'm just telling you so you'll give Kevin some space about finding someone else. It hurt him pretty bad when he figured out that Uncle Chip was really in love with Uncle Josh. I just think he needs some time." Ken said, then glanced at me and smiled.

"I won't mess with him. Thanks for telling me or I might have said something stupid to him." Deacon said in thought.

"Yeah. I know you'd do the same thing for Lawrence or even Vincent." Ken said with a smile.

"Yeah, I would... Pop is looking kind of alone over there, I'm going to go see if he wants to race or something." Deacon said with a smile.

"Cool. We're going to float over to the deep end for a while. I think Rory needs another coat of sun block." Ken finished with a smile.

Deacon looked at Ken curiously, then got a look of realization. Finally he chuckled and said, "Go for it."

* * * * *

After a long and satisfying application of sunscreen, Ken and I floated around the pool and visited with the family.

Ken raced Deacon a couple times the length of the pool and won every time. Deacon claims that Ken had an unfair advantage because he had a cheering section.

Finally Ken got a raft and decided to lay down and float with me for while. All we were doing was holding hands to make sure we didn't float apart... but it was nice. Just right.

"Rory, it's about time to get out of the pool." Allen said quietly, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"What time is it?" I asked as I squinted over at him.

"Four-Thirty." Allen said with a sympathetic voice.

"I hate for this day to end. It's been so great here." I said as I felt a sense of dread creeping over me.

"And it's been great having you. Hopefully when I take you home we can work it out with your parents so you can come visit often." Allen said, sounding uncertain.

"Yeah." I said, knowing that it wouldn't be that easy.

"Come on. We need to get you changed back into your clothes and get you ready to go." Allen said, trying to sound cheerful.

"Okay." I responded, trying to keep the complete misery out of my voice.

With Ken and Deacon's help, Allen was able to get me off the inner tube and sat me on the side of the pool until he got out and could pick me up.

* * * * *

"I'm guessing that you want Kenny to help you change." Allen said as he sat me on the towel on Ken's bed.

"Yeah." I said reluctantly.

"I'll leave you to change, but remember. We don't have a lot of time. Okay?" Allen asked as he walked to the doorway.

"Yeah. And thanks." I said, knowing that he was purposely giving us some time to be alone.

After the door closed, Ken laid down beside me on the bed and held me gently.

I reached over and pulled him into a tight hug and felt myself starting to cry.

"What's wrong?" Ken asked in a gentle voice as he held me tightly.

"I'm scared." I said as I tried to get my tears under control.

"We'll be there when you tell them. We'll make sure that you'll be okay." Ken said as he rubbed my back.

"It's not that. It's... I feel like when I go back there, the dream is going to end. As soon as you leave, I won't be able to talk or do anything for myself and I'll be all alone." I said past the lump in my throat.

"You'll be fine. I promise that you'll never have to live like that again." Ken said softly as he continued to hold me.

"I know. But... it's so wonderful here... I don't want to go back there. It's like hell." I said desperately.

"I'll do whatever I can to make sure that you're okay. I swear." Ken said with anguish in his voice.

On impulse, I pulled him into a kiss born more of desperation than love.

Ken willingly went along and returned the kiss with enthusiasm.

When the kiss finally broke, I continued to hold him close to me.

"I need to dress you." Ken said with regret in his voice.

"I know." I said reluctantly.

After a long silent minute, Ken said, "You need to let go."

"I know." I said again.

Another long silent minute passed, until Ken said, "I guess you won't have to explain too much to your parents if you won't let go. When they see you stuck to my side, they'll probably begin to figure it out."

I started to laugh, but continued to hold on tight.

Ken moved in and gave me the most tender, mind-blowing kiss to date.

I finally relaxed my hold on him and he moved slowly away.

"Before you go, I'm going to give you my cell phone number. That way you can call me anytime you want to talk." Ken said seriously as he pulled off my swim trunks.

"Yeah, I'll give you my phone number too. Now that my sister has her own line, there shouldn't be any problem." I said, as I thought about how Corina always seems to have a phone in her ear.

"And you'll be going to see Solak tomorrow, so we'll be together then." Ken said as he worked my underwear up my legs.

I looked at Ken carefully and saw that he was trying to fight back his own tears.

In a moment of insight, I realized that I had been selfish, thinking about how I was going to feel when I had to leave and not even considering how Ken was going to feel.

I took a deep breath and said as firmly as I was able, "I'm going to be fine. As long as I know I'll get to see you again tomorrow, I'll be fine."

Ken looked at me with a watery smile and said, "Me too."

There was a knock on the door that startled us both.

Ken looked down at me in only my underwear with a questioning look.

I nodded that it was okay.

"Come in." Ken called as he picked up my pants from beside us on the bed.

"Hey guys. I just wanted to bring you the prints before Rory had to go home." Billy said as he hurried into the room.

"Thanks Billy. We'll be ready in just a minute." Ken said as he fought my pants, trying to get them over my butt.

"Mind if I help?" Billy asked casually.

"Sure." I said as I looked up at him.

"How about I lift while you pull up his pants?" Billy asked as he moved to stand beside Ken.

"Yeah." Ken said with a look of relief.

"Ready?" Billy asked as he grabbed my waist.

"Yeah." Ken said as he took hold of my pants.

Billy lifted me a little and Ken slipped the pants into place.

"Cool. If you want, I can go ahead and carry you downstairs now and we can take care of the shirt and shoes in the living room." Billy said with a smile.

"Yeah, thanks Billy." I said with a smile of appreciation.

"Ken, Allen said something about you going to Rory's house... you might be a little underdressed." Billy said with a smile as he picked me up.

Ken looked down at himself, still wearing the swimming trunks and nodded.

"I'll see you downstairs." I said as Billy carried me toward the door.

As we were just about to the door, Ken mouthed 'love you'.

I hurried to mouth 'love you' back to him before we were out of the room.

* * * * *

"They turned out better than I thought." Billy said as he picked up a photo album.

"See what you think." Billy said and sat the album in my lap.

I opened the book and the first picture I saw was the one of me laying back against Ken while he played with my hair.

"That's my favorite." Billy said with a smile.

"Mine too." I said, then noticed that Allen and Mona were behind my wheelchair, looking over my shoulder.

"What do you think?" I asked as I lifted the book for them to see.

"It's really beautiful." Allen said in a whisper.

"At least." Mona said from his side.

I brought the pictures down to my lap again and turned the next page.

Each picture was it's own story... and every story was a love story.

"You really outdid yourself Billy." Allen said in a voice of wonder.

"It was Rory. The camera loves him." Billy said modestly.

Ken walked into the room to Mona's side to see the pictures.

"Wow, those look great." Ken said as he looked at the album in my lap.

"I've got one for you too." Billy said and handed an identical album to Ken.

"Thanks Billy." Ken said and opened the album.

There was a long moment of silence as Ken examined the first picture in the album.

"Pretty good huh?" Allen asked with a smile.

Ken moved the album down where I could see it and pointed to the picture as he said, "That's how I love you."

I looked up at Ken and said, "Me too."

"If we're going to make it to your house by five, we'd better go now." Allen said quickly.

"I'm going too." Jake said seriously as he hurried into the room.

I looked at Jake curiously.

"Xain is calling his father right now. So if Rory's parents have any questions about what Solak wants to do, he can get us the answers." Jake said seriously.

"Good thinking son. We'd better get moving, we're almost late." Allen said insistently.

Jake paused for a second, then said, "The Vulcans have an ancient expression for that."

"For what?" Allen asked in confusion as he led the way out of the living room.

"Almost late." Jake said, barely containing a smile.

"Really? What is it?" Allen asked curiously, not knowing which Vulcan phrase he could be referring to.

"Fi'pon." Jake said with a grin.

Allen chuckled and said, "On time."