Love In A Time of War

Thelma Treadwell was ashamed on what she was about to do. She sat in her small flat on East 88th. Street. This was her day for her long constitutional. Would there be any harm in going to East 66th. Street? Someone did need to appraise the Renoir, she told herself. Since her mother had died, she had missed a family. Through the years she had had gentlemen callers, but had never wanted the bother of taking care of a man, seriously enough to marry one. She loved her job at Sotheby’s, had her movie and theatre girlfriends, but she had to admit she was lonely. She fallen in love with a 12 year old boy in a matter of a few short hours, and the amazing bond he had with his father. She want to meet this one called padre and see this amazing family again. She cared little that they were two men, all that mattered was the love they had for each other. She made up her mind, put on her hat, raincoat, gathered up her purse, and umbrella, and left her building. It would be about ten-thirty when she would arrive. Not too early, not too late. She smiled and set out on her adventure.

Sunday, if the weather was good, the boys would go to one of the parks, play some ball, sit in the grass with their Sunday “Times” crossword puzzle, or if they felt decadent, go to Rumplemayer’s for their famous hot chocolate and breakfast. At first when they went there, Kringle would come along, the envy of all the other bears who lived there at the St. Moritz. During the winter, they might even skate at Rockefeller Center. Regardless of the weather, it was their day. They rarely spoke to anyone, not even Luisa and Philip.

Today was a dour, rainy kind of day, Klaus loved. A day for indoor projects, and just his boys. He had opened the door to retrieve “The Times”, announcing that this was a good pajama day, and a day for the crossword, some Tommy Dorsey on the record player, and what about making a batch of Eph’s fabulous oatmeal cookies?

The boys loved that idea and Ephraim was pleased to see his love’s spirits high. He and Adam rummaged in the kitchen, making sure they had enough oats, he checked the butter, they needed a lot, and whipped the butter dish from Klaus who was spreading some on his toast.

“Hey now.”

Adam told him he was very silly and they set to work, after Ephraim had lit a fire in the living room. Adam’s favorite part was to wet the bottom of a glass, get sugar on the bottom of it and squish the balls flat as his dads, mixed and kneaded the oats, butter, and other ingredients together. Then they would go in the oven, smelling up the little apartment with their oatmeal fragrance. Ephraim measured out the flour, “just enough,” Klaus announced, and they added the brown sugar. Today, they all had their hands in the large bowl, mixing and kneading together. Adam loved this time more than anything.

In his opinion, what had started out as a crappy Friday had turned into the best weekend. On Saturday morning, he had called his friend Timmy to say he couldn’t play ball, and just said again that he had left school due to an emergency, and so he and his dad, had done their chores, he had done his homework, they had eaten roast beef sandwiches, gone to the automat, which he loved; gotten tickets to see padre play and he been very surprised to find them at the stage door, especially since dad did not seem to care if anyone thought it was odd that he had given flowers to another man, as they walked away from Carnegie hall.

Today, cookies, the crossword puzzle, and he hoped one of padre’s roasted chickens he loved, for dinner. He thought padre was the best cook ever, even better than Nonna.

They had enough pans greased for twenty four cookies and had the first batch in the oven. Adam loved to come in and check on them.

While they were baking, they settled on their stomachs on the floor in front of the fire. Adam always led the crossword puzzle.

“Five letter word down to...”

Ephraim put on his glasses, which Klaus loved to see on him, thinking it made him look even more brilliant, “accustom one to something that could be unpleasant.”

Adam looked at him, grinning, which always broke their hearts. “Thanks. It must start with an ‘I’ because the word across would be iodine. A mineral found in some foods.”

Klaus reached over and tickled them both. “But not in padre’s oatmeal cookies.”

They both said in unison, “KLAUS, you are very silly.”

Adam looked at him intently. “Dad, is it okay to call you Klaus?”

“It is okay, schnucki. I know what the ‘I’ down word is. Inure someone against the ills of the world,” he adopted his huff and a growl, “like the dangers of wandering around New York streets, alone.” He puffed out his chest. “You see, I remember this word from our tutor.”

They were stuck on the fascinating word demimonde, someone they all admitted they would maybe not like to meet, and had only figured out with the help of the dictionary, when the timer went off. Adam tore into the kitchen, followed by Ephraim. The buzzer sounded from downstairs. Klaus had rolled on his back and forgot himself by saying.”Fuck. Who could that be?”

Adam giggled and Klaus hauled himself to his feet. “Sorry, schnucki, that was bad of me.”

His boys were taking the first batch of cookies out and starting on the second as Klaus went to the intercom. “Yes.” He hesitated a moment. “Who? Oh, yes. Will you hold on, please?” He padded into the kitchen in his bare feet. “Miss Treadwell is downstairs. Schnucki, did you invite her here?”

Adam shook his head.

Ephraim stopped putting dough on the cookie sheet. “Why would she be here on a Sunday, unannounced? Didn’t you say she would make an appointment to see and only value the Renoir for insurance?”

Klaus shrugged his huge shoulders and before either could stop him, snagged a still warm cookie and plopped it into his mouth. Through cookie, he said, “we can’t leave her downstairs.”

Adam following his dad’s lead, took a cookie himself and said, “I bet she wants to meet you, padre.”

“Why in the world would she want to meet me? I’m a wreck.”

Klaus teased: “She doesn’t know that.” He leaned in and kissed Ephraim on the head. “You’re gorgeous.”

“Well, now that you two have had your fill of cookies...”

...”Says, who?” Klaus interrupted.

He ignored this. “Adam go to the intercom and say she can come up in ten minutes. We’ll have to act fast and get ready.”

They flew around, folding up the “Times”, putting some cookies out, “she better not eat all 24,” advised Klaus.

Ephraim swatted him on the behind, “you’re a terrible influence on the boy, now go put some clothes on.”

Adam was in his bedroom, so Klaus leaned in. “I’d rather take them off after that.”

Somehow they were ready and with a second batch of cookies almost done, Klaus opened the door and admitted their guest.

“This is terribly rude of me, barging in on a Sunday like this.”

Ephraim came to stand beside Klaus. “It’s wonderful to meet you. We can’t thank you enough for helping Adam.” He extended his hand. “I’m Ephraim Katz.”

Miss Treadwell thought she never seen two more beautiful men. The contrast between the blonde, with the impossibly blue eyes, and dark haired one with all those curls and the green eyes, was stunning. Then Adam came forward and shook her hand. “Hello, Miss Treadwell, you came at the perfect time. We’ve been baking oatmeal cookies.” He back into Ephraim. “It’s my padre’s recipe. He’s the best cook ever. You must try one.”

Klaus guided him into the kitchen. “We need to check on the next batch. Please, go sit with Ephraim.”

“Don’t you two eat a bunch more of them.”

Klaus winked at Miss Treadwell. “You hear that, schnucki?”

Ephraim led her into the living room. “What a beautiful room. This is what I call a living room, that divine fireplace, nice and big, and a little terrace.”

“Will you have some coffee and a cookie?”

“I really should not stay long.”

“Of course, you want to see the Renoir?”

She looked blankly at him at first. She was thinking what a wonderful family they seemed. The world was so myopic in its definition of family, but here was warmth, contentment, and above all, love.

“I’ve only just met you all,” she turned as Klaus and Adam came in the room, “but I had to come. I was so deeply impressed by Adam and the meeting you, Mr. Van Dam, the admiration just grew and I felt I had to meet you Mr. Katz.”

The men and boy exchanged glances and Miss Treadwell was about to speak, when Klaus spoke first. “You see Miss Treadwell, I’m not who you think I am. My real name is Klaus Jager. At the office you heard me called both Bernardo and Klaus. I was a Nazi and in the Gestapo. My brother, who was on trial in Germany, and was also a Nazi and in the SS, has named me as a war criminal and there is a hearing on Thursday to determine,” he paused, and waved a hand helplessly, “my fate.”

Like a wounded football player on a team; the boys closed ranks around him, each taking a hand. “You want to leave, I’m sure.” Klaus said quietly.

Adam still holding his hand, spoke rashly, “You see, Miss Treadwell, it’s all a lie. My dad is a big hero. He saved like 50 some Jewish people, like us. He’s always saved us

and padre and I have to save him now. That’s why I came to Sotheby’s to sell the painting, ‘cause we might need a lawyer.” He breathlessly look down at his shoes. “I’m sorry, dads.” He looked at Miss Treadwell. “They’re my dads you see and I love them. They always say, they love me more than anything, and I say me, too.”

The timer for the next batch of cookies sounded. Miss Treadwell smiled at them. “Oatmeal cookies are a favorite of mine, too, Adam, and if it’s okay, I’d like to take off my coat and hat, wash my hands, and have a little coffee and one with you.”

Adam looked up at her. Such a handsome, incredible young man. He grinned, a mouth full of hardware, as he took her hat, umbrella, and coat, and led her into the kitchen.

Later that evening, Thelma Treadwell tried to remember when she had enjoyed herself more. She had stayed about an hour, had two cookies, some coffee, helped with the final batch of cookies, and by Adam, shown the apartment. His room, she felt was going from child to man, with some pictures on the wall of Rita Hayworth and Ginger Rogers, to the bear sitting on a chair.

“Who is this fine looking fella?”

“That’s Kringle, I’ve had him since I was a child.”

“It’s nice to hold onto old friends like that.”

She glanced at the two photographs on his bedside table. “That was my family back home. They never came back, you see.” She loved the way he said that, yes, like his dad. He picked up the other picture. “This is my family now.”

She looked down at him and knew even though she could never have children, he was exactly what she would have wanted. She knew they felt that, too.

He took her into the hall and stopped before the Renoir.

“Do you know who she is?” They stood looking at the lovely woman in the dark coat seated in the chair. “That’s Madame Marie-Octavie Bernier. She was the wife of the Commander of Renoir’s regiment, during the Franco Prussian war. I always felt like she was watching over my family and me.”

Miss Treadwell patted him on the shoulder. “And so she must continue to do so.”

Upon leaving them, Miss Treadwell said she said never met a more enchanting young man or a wonderful family. She had made a promise to come to Adam’s Spring band concert. She had a plan to see them before that and knew tomorrow on her break, she must discuss her thoughts with Timothy Morgan.

Twenty-two blocks south, the two men were snuggled in bed, under the duvet, naked legs intertwined. Klaus was circling the curls with his fingers. They often read aloud from their latest book. Ephraim stretched and took his glasses off. “A pity”, thought Klaus, for they were one of the things he loved the most about him.

Ephraim turned and took his hand. His lifeline. “It was a good day, I know not what you planned, but a good day.”

Klaus ran his other hand through his chest hair, grazing the pink aureole, surrounded by the brown tan skin and dark chest pelt. “You see, as long as I’m with you two, it’s a perfect day.”

“Darling, I need to ask you a question?”

He leaned in and started nibbling on his ear. “The answer is yes, any time, anywhere,” he moaned.

Ephraim kissed him. “That’s not the question. The question is would you mind going back to Klaus Jager?”

“What a mood killer you are.” He sighed. “I don’t know.”

“You know what I’ve always thought? That it was a strong, sexy name. Klaus, the beautiful, Klaus, the powerful warrior, Klaus, the perfect, Klaus, who is mine forever.”

He went back to his ear. “You know what I want?”

Stroking his face, he giggled. “Ninety-nine percent of the time, I know what you want.”

Klaus rolled on top him, making Ephraim think Yule logs were smaller than he was. He put his nose against his and whispered, “one of your oatmeal cookies.”

Ephraim pushed him off. “You’re a mess, you know that.”

Klaus was pulling on his pajama bottoms and he huffed. “I’m a big boy, I want filling up.”

“Yeah, and not with cookies.”

He growled, left the bedroom and returned with a tray, with two glasses of red wine and a plate of cookies. As he set the tray down, Ephraim drank him in, knowing he was all the drink he needed. He was impossibly beautiful, even before he dropped his pajama bottoms. Those shoulders, a city block wide, the huge biceps, the golden sand colored hair moving over his succulent nipples, to his washboard abs, the treasure trail leading down to his pendulous rod, and duck egg sized nuts, the fuzzdown his golden legs.

Klaus flopped on the bed and sat eating cookies. “You keep that up, we won’t be able to wash the clothes on your abs anymore.”

He put down his wineglass and counted off on his fingers. “You’ve said I huff, I’m a mess, and now you’re alluding to me getting fat. Maybe you’ll leave me for Mr. Polyczyk.” He adopted a mournful expression.

Ephraim put his own wineglass down, took the plate from him, with a yelp from him, and stroked his dick. “The only pole check going on is here, now, and forever.”

Klaus grabbed the plate back, attacking the two other cookies. He leered at him. “Well, let me finish.”

“Hurry up.”

He wrinkled his nose. “Now, I’m slow.”

“No, you’re perfect.”

Klaus finished and rolled on top of him. “I want to try something new. We always rush to cum, and I want us to frot and edge tonight.”

Ephraim raised an eyebrow. “How much wine have you had? Frot and edge, what’s that?”

He tapped his flawless lover on the nose. “That guy in Paris taught me those tricks.”

Ephraim attempted to mimic his boy’s huff. “Really? Maybe you’d rather leave me for him?”

Klaus started to move up and down, beginning to rub their mammoth dicks together. “Nah, he had a nice, baguette, but not like yours.” He ran his tongue over his arched eyebrows which he loved, kissed his eyes, nose, and whispered into his parted lips. “We rub our penises together, using our natural honey, and get near to shooting, hence the edge, but we don’t.” He gazed down into those emerald jewels and spoke quietly. “I want us to play, but hold off till Wednesday night. You see our boy is spending the night with Luisa and Philip and if Thursday turns out..” he stopped.

Ephraim wondered if it was possible to love someone so much you would burst.

“I will always do what you want me to. We will get through this. You are a brave, amazing man; the best man ever. Okay, maybe all 50 did not make it, but you tried, which is winning a war itself.”

“I’m scared.”

“I know, but you have us and always will. How fucking lucky we are.” He brought his head down and kissed him till they both were breathless, tongues colliding together, exploring each other’s mouths, Ephraim was holding the back of his golden, silky hair. When he pulled back, Klaus had a wicked gleam in his extraordinarily heavenly deep blue eyes. “You’ll always do what I want, hunh?”

“Yes, Mr. Frot, train man, now get the fuck moving. Tell me what to do?”

“Follow my lead, but don’t you cum. Leak, but no cum.”

They started rubbing, moving, synchronizing cock on cock, big hairy balls, slapping, and sliding together. When Klaus would pinch a teat, Ephraim would follow. “No clothes pins, Wednesday,” he rasped, “they’d be too much stimulation to shoot.”

He then stoked fur, ran fingers, and tongue along that flat, tight abdomen, propping himself up on his elbows to do so; Ephraim running his fingers up his ass, into the cleft, till Klaus hissed, “careful, boy,” their seepage pooling on bellies, until Ephraim rolled him over and Klaus, groaned, but a different kind.

“I’m lying on oatmeal cookie crumbs.”

Ephraim who was busy chewing on his eraser like nipple points, lifted his head. “Serves you right for eating in bed, and we’ve spilled worse things on these sheets.”

Klaus grabbed his hands. “Now, I’m messy. We slow down a bit, nice back and forth motion, our pre cum as lube, all focus on our pricks, just holding hands.”

They knew they were in another world, a world where no one could touch them; bound by hands, living in each other’s eyes, cocks moving with the fascinating helmets exposed, spewing early seepage, then retracting on the downward, like turtles, heads out to eat, then moving back in, until they would get close, then pull back, noses touching too, breathing into the others mouths, hairy, muscular taught men, moaning and holding on, always through love.

Ephraim broke the spell and pushed him off, a long streak of his juice, like a spaghetti strand, caught between the two of them. “Too close,” he admitted.

Klaus pulled the duvet up over them and pulled him into his powerful arms. “I pray we will always be this close.”

The morning sun woke Klaus before the alarm. He looked at Ephraim and his heart pounded like a jam hammer. He couldn’t lose them. Would they believe him? Would they see that he had tried, as Ephraim had said, to fight a different kind of war?

He put on his pajamas and padded into the kitchen to start the coffee and went in and stood looking at Adam. What four years had wrought. He never thought he could have anyone, let alone a son. They had watched him grow, and become this model of a young man; caring, compassionate, smart, and kind to the core. Yes, he was his father’s son, and he knew he meant Ephraim.

He feared that not only his life as a Nazi would be ripped asunder, but their personal life, too. Two men in the Forties, raising a boy, even if his grandparents were his guardians, was unheard of. They had been sure to only each be seen with him alone, not together, in work and school settings. The school only had him listed with the Garibaldi’s. This apartment was in Philip’s name, although they paid the rent, and they kept to themselves. When Ephraim gave lessons here, the children only stayed in the living room or bathroom, accompanied by Ephraim, and they tried to hide any evidence of two men; the story being that Ephraim had known Adam from Milan, and they had escaped together. The people in his firm had met Adam once before Friday and he had been schooled in what to say. What kind of a life had it been?

He woke Adam, kissed him on the head, told him to clean up well, and reminded him tonight was Moises’s birthday party at Nonna and Philip’s.

“Do you think Nonna will make her sour beef and dumplings? Moises and I love that and padre is bringing his chocolate cake and some cookies,” he poked Klaus, “if you didn’t eat them all.”

Klaus huffed. “Kringle had more than I did.”

Adam smiled and hugged him close. “Dad, are you okay?”

“Everything will be okay, I promise, schnucki. You see I couldn’t live without you, so I have to win this.”

“You will, remember you’re Xenos.” He grinned and went into his bathroom. Klaus poured out coffee, fixed it the way his boy liked, and took it into Ephraim, who was sitting on the side of the bed.

He sat beside him on the bed, feet up on the bed frame.

Ephraim drank some of the coffee and turned, theirs legs against each other. “Dearest, do you remember the five gifts?”

Klaus shook his head.

“Remember in the hospital, when Adam was starting to recover and we gave them to him. Well, you see, it’s time I give them to you.” He took his hand. “Ready? 1. Love, you give love better than anyone I’ve ever known. 2. Courage, you’re the bravest man I’ve ever known. 3. Integrity, no one has more integrity than you. 4. Capacity, you have this gift for capacity to take in everyone 5. Intelligence, you’re the smartest man I know. There are a million more. I’ll tell them to you till we’re eighty.”

He ran his foot over Ephraim’s. “We won’t both be eighty at the same time and you forgot sex.”

Ephraim laughed. “I love you more than than anything and yes you’re better at sex than anyone ever. Go get shaved and your shower. As I’m off today, I’ll get breakfast.”

He stood and looked down at him. No words were needed, they just held each other in that glance that spoke of all they would ever feel.

Klaus had walked Adam to school and with the day off, since he had performed Saturday, Ephraim knew of everything he had to do. He ran through some chores, took a shower. He made the cake, let it sit to cool and called Luisa.

“We have not been able to talk since this happened. You know I have sent off a cable to Germany, to say the family is out, maybe not Ingrid, but the others, no, everything goes to you three, and maybe Ingrid. This investigation, what can we do? Can we go, can we speak?”

“Yes and I hope so. Adam wants to go.”

“He will find out anyway. Let him go. What he did? Imagine to try and sell his Renoir? What a child. You, you are a family. I look at the way Klaus looks at you both. He would walk into fire for you.”

“I know. We feel the same way. I told Adam we had to save him, that’s what made him act.”

“You are so good for him. Come, we must act and plan.”

There was one plan, Ephraim had to enact. He changed his clothes, put the covered chocolate, chocolate cake in the icebox, went into their bedroom, took out the ring and went up to Lexington and down to the jewelers. He would have preferred Tiffany’s, but there wasn’t time. It was a bit awkward asking for two identical gold bands, in the same size. He had lied and said his brother was very prone to losing things and therefore two of the same were needed. He knew his would be a little big, but Klaus’s would be the exact size, based on his grandfather’s ring, which Klaus sometimes wore. They could be ready by Wednesday. Ephraim paid cash and left.

Returning to their building he was met with a horrid shock, when the building manager presented him with a 60 day eviction notice, saying the building would not allow a German war criminal to live there.

He suddenly had to get to Luisa and Philip. How did anyone know?

In the apartment he put the cake in a box and gathered up Moises’s gift. He suddenly felt sick and sank into one of the wing chairs in the living room. This was their home, but was it? It was small and whereas Thelma Treadwell was right, and this room was beautiful, was it really what Klaus wanted? He liked the city, but not like he and Adam did. Images floated into his mind. A Sunday outing, over a month ago to Hastings On Hudson, and a cab ride around town after their lunch. The “For Sale” sign. They made the driver stop, paid their fare and got out. It was beautiful, right on the Hudson, an incredible yard, a nice sized house, that would need much work. They peered through what windows they could and imagined. They had noted down the realtor’s name and number and had forgotten, but had Klaus? He wanted them to be happy in the city. The words became a mantra. “We have to save him.” If they could end this on Thursday, would this, could this, be a sign of a new beginning? He must be strong and get his family through. He couldn’t face alternatives. He stood up, rummaging through the top drawer of the desk and found the realtor’s name and number. A Manhattan number. He went to the phone. If it was still for sale, he would make a bid. Anything for him.

At the same time Timothy Morgan received a call and wheels began to turn in motion.

Later that afternoon he arrived at Luisa and Philip’s glorious New York apartment. Depositing their gift for Moises and the cake, Luisa was shocked to see Ephraim break down and cry.

She wrapped those warm and caring arms around him. So much they owed this extraordinary couple. They had become like their parents, and Adam’s grandparents, even though they were Klaus’s grandparents already.

“Philip is still on the call with Norman Paulson. How did you find out?”

He looked puzzled at her. “We have to leave the apartment. They don’t want what they called a Nazi war criminal there. We got by being two men, with a boy, but this is the end. How could they know?” He walked over to the windows and terrace that looked over Central Park. “I put a bid on the house in Hastings On Hudson. He loved it there. We can move there and wherever we are, so long as I have him, I can live.” He sank into the small loveseat by the fireplace.

Luisa looked down at him and knew he was the rock. He may always say that Klaus had saved them, but he redressed the balance, by holding them all together. Everyone knew it, but him. She also had never seen a love like theirs and with all her heart, she would keep them together, but she also was aware Ephraim did not know the latest.

Philip came into the living room and seeing Ephraim’s face walked over to the loveseat where he was seated, and Luisa was on the ottoman, holding his hand.

“I see you have told him.”

Luisa shook her head. “No, they have been asked to leave the apartment, but Ephraim has, as always known what to do, and has put a bid on the house in Hastings On Hudson.”

Ephraim looked afraid. “What is it you haven’t told me?”

Philip sighed. “Someone leaked the story to the ‘Post’, as an exclusive. If they are trying to throw you out of the building, it could be someone there.”

He looked up at Philip. “I don’t understand.”

Luisa tightened her grip in his hand. She spoke gently. “That a German Nazi war criminal is here in New York, living under an assumed name, and working for Morgan and Associates.”

Ephraim started to shake. Luisa made room for him on the ottoman. Philip spoke: “I made a deal with Norman Paulson at the paper to hold the story till Friday, allowing one reporter into this investigation. I am working on this, along with Timothy Morgan. This way, we hope the reporter can hear the truth and report that.”

“Would they allow that?”

“Many wheels have been turning since we have all discovered this. You have many fans and allies. We must bring them together. A young man named Scott Polyczyk got wind of this, somehow found us, and called me. He is, young as he is, in charge of this investigation hearing.” Philip sniffed. “A Harvard man, but I can forgive him for that. He thinks very highly of both of you, and though extremely irregular, he has spoken to the judge, who will allow a limited number of people in, including this reporter. We must gather the troops and map out others who will come to his defense.”

Luisa stood and paced in front of the fire. “We will get no help from Germany. Villains and traitors all. I had hopes for Ingrid, but have not heard. We cannot let Gunter win. This is one war he will not win; one outcome he will not ruin. But, we must be light and happy these next few days for Klaus. I will get with the Epstein’s tonight. They will do anything for him.”

“I would die for him, you know.”

Philip patted him on the shoulder. “Let us all live through this and you, as always, will be his elixir.”

The dinner had been lovely, Adam had two pieces of cake, loved the sour beef and dumplings, and Philip had surreptitiously taken Sol Epstein into the den, on a ploy to show him his new sculpture, which they all had already seen, and boys had been busy with Moises’s new Science kit, his birthday gift.

Luisa had watched the two men, who seldom took their eyes off of each other. They were the true definition of love.

For Ephraim the days leading up to Thursday were hell, but he knew Wednesday was their alone night, and Luisa and Philip had agreed to bring Adam to the courthouse, the following morning. Luisa would call the school that morning to say he would not be attending, as he was not feeling well. Klaus was against this, but he knew he would learn the decision anyway.

On Wednesday Ephraim was home from rehearsal by two. He had gone to the jeweler, rushed home, had the dinner all prepared; there was some lovely wine and an almond tart to come after the fish, carrots, and potatoes with olive oil, and garlic.

The weather was perfect, so he took his hand and led him to one of the Adirondack chairs on the balcony. He sat him down and knelt at his feet. “I think it’s time.”

There it was, that glorious huff again. “Babe, I thought it was time, the minute I walked in the door,” he finished his wine, “but I was hungry.”

“So am I.”

“We’ve never done it out here,” he shrugged, “but what the fuck.”

Ephraim reached into his pocket, took out the box and opened it. Taking out one of the rings, he took Klaus’s hand. “It may not be official, but Klaus Werner Jager, will you do me the greatest honor ever of marrying me?” He slipped the ring, which was a perfect fit, onto his ring finger.

Klaus burst into tears, nodding his head vigorously. “I’ll never take it off. I love you always and forever with all my heart. Where did you get the rings?”

Ephraim actually blushed. “I took your grandfather’s ring to a jeweler and had two made to the same size. Your size.” He beamed up at Klaus, knowing it was official now. It always had been but he belonged only to him.

Klaus took the other ring, stood up, already half at mast, pushed his way past Ephraim, pulled him up and into him, so close a breeze could not have fit between them, and inquired in a husky tone: “Ephraim Julius Katz, will you make me the happiest man in the world, although I have been since the minute I met you, and be mine, officially, for as long as forever is?”

Ephraim brushed his lips against his and replied. “I told you I would always do what you wanted me to, so a million times yes.” Klaus slipped the ring, which was a little too big, but not too big, on his ring finger.

They stood like that for a bit, their hard ons, already begging for attention, till Klaus broke away and looked down at him, fear in his eyes. “What if tomorrow?”

“My absolute love, there is no tomorrow. Right now, we join together, spray all that pent up and stored up cum, and relish in our marriage, because it is ours, and know we are not complete without the other. We fit; our measurements are complete together.”

Klaus pulled him into their bedroom. “I agree and speaking of that and measurements, I was naughty, thinking of tonight.”

“Why does that not surprise me?”

“You see there was a spare cloth measuring tape at the office and as no one wanted it, I brought it back home with me. Strip,” he commanded.

When Ephraim was totally nude, Klaus shook his head. “That body is pure perfection.” He held up his ring hand. “It always has belonged just to me, but now it’s declared.” He knelt down, running his hands up down the organ’s length, and due to his size, taking both hands to begin to jerk him off, letting any wanton strings of goo, rub on his face. He studied the brown color, the beautiful veins, and when his favorite prize came out of its hood, the way the color went from brown to pink, crowned by the pinkish, purplish head, and the tiny slit, where he now stuck his tongue. Seeing he was fully hard, he placed the tape at the root of his desire, nestled in the curly soft hair, and flattened the tape out. “Fuck, we may have needed a yard stick,” he leered. “You clock in at 7.5”! Fuck, no wonder I get so filled up.” He wrapped the tape around his circumference. “4.5”. He whistled. “Now do me!”

“That monster is always ready to fire. Just so long as it fires at and in me.”

Klaus measured about the same length, maybe a bit longer, but was by far the thicker at almost six inches around, which is, as Ephraim told him, why he had lock jaw and walked like a duck after they fucked.

Their mouths met, two men totally and madly in love, trying to devour each other and drown out the possibilities that tomorrow might bring. They loved to tongue fuck each other, sharing spit as their tongues poked and prodded each other.

Ephraim broke first, to gaze into those royal and cyan blue eyes. “Tonight is about you, my absolute love. Tell me what you want?”

Klaus stroked his chest, pulled hard on his nipples, leaning back and guiding him by them. He took his one hand away and pointed at his heart. “To live there forever.”

He leaned in to rub noses with Klaus. “Done. Always and forever.”

Those peerless eyes turned dark with feral lust. “Remember at the Y, how we’ve really been lifting weights? I wondered if you could lift me up, so I can ride that long yardstick that way? Maybe balance myself in the corner there and we can really fuck.”

Ephraim was hesitant because he knew he could not throw his back out before tomorrow. That was crucial. He sat down on the edge of the bed, as his favorite person in the whole world greased up his pole, then started to slid onto it, straddling his thighs, as they both moaned and groaned together. “Lover boy, that safe is tighter than Fort Knox.” Klaus snickered and kept lowering, grinding, and poking, till he felt the bottom of his ass against Ephraim’s huge nuts and moved and twisted around as it prodded favorite places deep within him. As they were still sitting on the edge of the bed, he grabbed them for a tight tug, and released his mouth from his, he crowed silently, husband’s. Huffing, he panted. “See if you can stand and I’ll grab onto your shoulders.”

Surprisingly he could, which drove Ephraim’s tool further than ever, scraping against Klaus’s prostate and caused an even greater feeling of heat and tightness, as Klaus kept tightly clenching his rear around the hammer ramming deep into him, causing a pool of pre cum to mat their fur together and left them breathless. “Can you reach the clothespins?” Klaus gasped.

Ephraim did and then sat back down so Klaus could attach them to his already pert nipples. “Now ram me like a football tight end.”

They stood, Ephraim being careful not to hurt him, that is more than the brutal pounding he was doing. They reached the corner, Klaus’s powerful arms wrapped around his shoulders, drooling on him and begging for more. Using the wall for support, they rode up and down, up and down. Ephraim squatting and standing and he wondered why Klaus had put his silk pajama top on, but now realized it was for leverage as they teeter tottered up and down, Klaus pinned in the corner maneuvering up and down and wondering if his husband’s seed would shoot out of his mouth. Never had he felt so filled, his balls drawing up with a loud slapping sound, maybe to be heard in the hall. He scooped some of the sweat from them, teasing, and stroking his dick, his head extended, furious at not as imminent a release, as desired.

It was an exhausting way to rut, yet hotter than anything. “Thank god, our squats are paying off,” he rasped. “Now pick up the speed, baby. I’m way too fucking close.” He grunted. “That’s the spot. Deeper, to the right. You are going to wear that prostate button down to a nub.”

He plowed in, pulling out and, as he did his helmet head would be covered under the hood, then, the head peeked out, leaking copious amounts of pre seminal fluid in and around his tight brown pucker. He did this several times, causing Klaus to yelp. Klaus clung to huge biceps, and then erupted a swimming pool amount of cum, all over them. Ephraim, weak as he was, slammed in him to the root, wiry pubic hair against his perfect ass, and fired round after round of scorching juice into him.

They devoured each other, licking up their mess, and cleaning up.

It was a warm evening, so they lay in bed, a sheet loose around them. Ephraim as always had his head on that granite like chest, loving the smell of his release.

He was quiet and Ephraim knew his mind must be going to tomorrow. The clock showed ten, but before they fell asleep, he knew he had to bring him back.

“Don’t you go away, baby boy.”

He took his husband’s hand; he would never get tired of that title, and he gazed down at him. They had both gotten a haircut for tomorrow, but how he loved those curls. There was a small spot on his right cheek; Ephraim had admitted it was an old acne scar, but Klaus thought him the most beautiful person in the world and always would. “Fat chance.” His eyes misted up a a bit; a cloudless blue sky. “I’ve been thinking though, I have faults.”

Ephraim raised his head and laughed. “Really? Do tell? What are these transgressions?”

“Good crossword, but I am serious.”

He scooted himself up till they were nose to nose. He tapped him on the nose. He teased him. “The rings can still go back, you know.”

“You’d have to cut mine off.” He huffed. “We are together forever. Always inside each other.”

Ephraim kissed him. “I hope so.”

“You’re a dirty thing. Here comes foible number one, I huff.”

He laughed again. That loud, hearty sound that made Klaus’s heart sing. “That’s one of the things I love best about you.”

“I have terrible gas.”

He wrinkled his nose.

“You see, it must be a flaw. You wrinkled your nose.”

“Everyone has gas.” He shrugged. “So what.”

“At night, I crowd you to the edge of the bed and steal all the covers.”

“You’ve noticed that I get out of bed, come around and get in the other side, and pull you to me, so we spoon.”

“When I bathe, I leave terrible rings around the sides of the tub.”

“There you have me.”

“I don’t like to share the Sunday ‘Times’.”

“No, you don’t.”

“I can be a fiend and go down to the dregs of cream and butter and forget to tell you.”

Ephraim shrugged.

“The Jager’s don’t have very good toes. You think my feet are sexy, but my toes curl.”

“So does that big rod of yours. You think I’m to complain about that?”

Ephraim rolled on top of him. “What is this all about? Tomorrow? You’re feeling afraid and worrying about these silly things.”

“There’s one very important one.”

He sighed. “Okay. I’ll indulge you.”

Klaus clasped their hands together. His voice got low and wavered. “I love you more than anything ever. I never knew it could be like this. I think of you all the time. You make me whole!”

Ephraim brushed his lips against his. “How is that a fault?”

“You see, you’re supposed to overcome a fault, but I cannot with that one ever.”

He shook his head. “My beyond perfect love and husband, we share the same fault then because neither could I, forever. I love ever inch of you, including the inches we measured tonight.”

“But have you been happy?”

“That,” Ephraim emphasized, “is the silliest statement of all and may get you a spanking.”

“Really? Let’s file that away for later. You beat me up so, or I would suggest now.”

“Listen to me, mister, you are my hero, my deus ex machina, the reason I breathe. Is that happy enough for you?” He rolled off of him. “I need to tell you two things. First, when we met in Milan, I was terrified but there was this calm, as if I knew whatever was going to occur, I could endure because you would be there. When Adam and I went into the bathroom, I thought of suicide and convincing him that was easier than what lay ahead, but there weren’t enough pills, just the few I brought with me.”

Klaus looked shocked and yet he didn’t. “Thank, God. I knew the minute I saw you, you had to be mine forever.”

Ephraim pulled this stunning, marvelous, gentle giant to him. “And I will be. I promise. We will get through this.”

Klaus put out the light. “What was the second thing? You said you had two things to tell me?”

He hesitated, but took his hand. “Remember our signal? Before we got on the plane, we said we would hold hands and one squeeze would be for hope,” he squeezed his hand once, “the second squeeze would be for courage,” he squeezed his hand twice, “and three times, for love.” He squeezed his hand three times.

“They will ask me about the plane.” He shook.

“And if they do, you remember our signal, if we’re not seated next to each other, and most importantly know that you define happiness for Adam and me.”

He turned into him. “Thank you.”

Ephraim kissed him. “No, thank you for being the bravest, kindest, most beyond perfect man ever.” He touched the ring. “Most of all thank you for being mine.”