Trial Of Strength (Book 14)

"BOB GOES FROM DEATH'S DOOR TO HEAVEN'S GATE"

Bob’s dramatic near-death experience has changed him and transforms his lover Randy. With the darkness behind him Bob craves the sunshine.  He eagerly watches couples make love, restoring his faith in the joys of life. Then a man and his boy unexpectedly break surprising news that provides a thrilling climax to Bob’s journey from Death’s Door to Heaven’s Gate.

---

<><>    Randy Gets His Way, Of Course    <><>

All Bob wanted was to get home from the hospital.  And his lover Randy was determined to see that would happen as soon as Doctor Chad gave the OK.

Several days earlier, the routine of the tribe had been suddenly and unexpectedly disrupted when Bob had suffered a heart attack.  Fortunately, their buddy Doc Chad, the chief of a first-class hospital not far away, had swung into action and, in effect, saved Bob’s life.

Randy had insisted on staying by Bob’s side throughout the ordeal, and when the tough construction boss wanted something he got it.  Chad had broken the rules and allowed Randy to stay beside Bob every step of the way.

The shock had been a life-changing experience for Bob, and when he finally woke he was concerned that his relationship with Randy would never be the same.  But, as usual, sex took care of that. It was a mild, careful fuck on the hospital bed, to be sure, and when they lay in each other’s arms afterwards, Bob smiled.

“Now I’m back, Randy, really back, thanks to you.  All this happened out of the blue and interrupted the story we were living.  It was a shock, and it’ll take a while to reach full strength.  But I feel I’m already back in the saddle, ready to resume life with you and the guys.”

“Just like it always was, eh?”  Randy kissed him.  “Welcome back kiddo.”

From then on Bob’s progress was remarkably swift.  Chad suspected that something unusual had gone on between the two in the hospital room – something of which he would never have approved – but the change in his patient was remarkable.  If this was Randy’s doing, well, Randy was a law until himself, so the doc just accepted the positive result and asked no more questions.

Soon Randy was bugging Chad to release Bob from the hospital.  “You know I’ll take care of him, doc, and there’s a whole bunch of men and boys who’ll be there to help. 

His gruff powers of persuasion won out and Chad, dubious at first, was finally saying, “You’re a hard man to say no to, Randy.  And of course, I can come by your house every day to check on him.  But let me know at the first sign of trouble and he’ll be back right here in the hospital.”

And so, the next day there were fond farewells from the nursing staff who had been won over by the big gypsy’s powerful charisma during his stay, and they carefully helped Bob into Randy’s big truck.

Randy hugged Chad.  “Dude, you’ve done it again – taken care of one of our guys and brought him back to health.  I’ll have to come up with a big way to thank you.”  He grinned roguishly.  “I can think of a few ways already.”

“Down tiger, forget about me.  You gotta concentrate on this hunky lover of yours.  None of that caveman sex, either.  Just tender loving care.”

<><>    Randy Transformed    <><>

The lovers drove back to the compound in silence.  With one hand on the wheel, Randy rested his free hand on Bob’s next to him, squeezing it as if determined not to let him go. Bob smiled to himself, knowing that he had been brought back to life by a combination of Chad’s medical expertise and Randy’s intense expression of love.

It was lunchtime when they pulled up at the compound.  Normally only a few of the men and boys left work and came back home for lunch, but when word went round that Bob and Randy were coming home, they all gathered.  This was the moment they had been waiting for, and they were going to make the most of it.

So when the gate opened and Bob walked in slowly using a cane and supported by Randy, cheers filled the air.  “Thanks, guys,” Bob smiled, “it’s great to be back with you all, thanks to Doc Chad and this big guy here who never left my side.  But if you don’t mind I won’t join you for lunch.  The doc said I have to take things real easy, with a lot of bed rest.

Randy beamed, “And I still ain’t gonna leave his side, even in bed – especially in bed.  This brought a gale of knowing laughter and Mark said, “Plenty of time to celebrate later, guys.  You go and follow doctor’s orders ... straight to bed.”

To loud applause the pair made their way slowly across the garden to the house they shared, and Randy helped Bob upstairs to the master bedroom. They had finally reached the safe place they had dreamed of ever since the drama began.

“Here we are at last, buddy,” Randy said, holding Bob’s hands. He stared into the deep brown eyes.  “I tell ya, sometimes, watching you in that deep sleep, I got scared we wouldn’t make it.” He choked up.  “I was so scared, Bob.  Life without you would be ...”  Tears began to flow and Bob put his arms round him, kissed him and licked the tears from his cheeks.

“But here we are, Randy.  Together, as we’ll always be.  You knew I wouldn’t leave you.  Er, did you mean it when you said you would still be with me now, in bed?”

“You betcha, kiddo.”

Bob’s brow clouded.  “Only thing is, I know what that usually means, and I don’t think I can take one of those caveman fucks just yet.”

“Dude, that’s not what you’re gonna get, either.  You think I’m crazy?  The doc prescribed ‘tender loving care’ – and that’s just what you’re gonna get.  I’m gonna make love to you like I never have before – a whole different me.  And you’re gonna love it. So let’s get naked, kid.”

Bob smiled and pulled off his shirt while Randy watched in awe.  Seductively he undid his jeans, let them drop and stood naked before Randy, who grinned.  “And here is the most beautiful man in the world buck naked, ready for bed ... ready for me.”

Randy stripped, far less gracefully than Bob.  He took Bob’s hand and helped him on to the bed where he lay on his back naked, smiling seductively up at Randy. “Damn,” Randy sighed, you look so fucking gorgeous, dude.”  He reached down and stroked Bob’s face, then ran his fingers down his neck, down the cleft between his pecs, over his ripped abs and into the mass of wiry pubic hair.

“That’s it?” Bob smiled.  “That’s all I get?”

“Hell no,” Randy chuckled.  He got onto the bed, wrapped his arms round Bob and held him tight, kissing his brow, his eyes, his cheek and lips.  ‘A whole different me’, Randy had said, and the change mesmerized Bob.  The rough, tough gypsy was transformed into a gentle, loving soul, his tender touch a far cry from his usual no-foreplay animal attack.  This was all foreplay – and Bob loved it, gazing lovingly into the hypnotic pale blue eyes set in the swarthy features.

Endlessly they exchanged caresses and soft words, their muscular bodies entwined, until at last Randy said, “One thing ain’t changed, dude.  Lover or caveman, I still get rock hard in bed with you.  I gotta cum, buddy.”

He got up on his knees astride Bob’s waist and stroked his cock slowly, smiling down at his awestruck lover who ran his hands over Randy’s solid pecs flexing under his touch. The result was almost immediate.  “Here it comes, kiddo ... all over that glorious body ... aaahh.”

No screams and ecstatic groans this time, just gentle sighs as his cock pumped semen over Bob’s chest, neck and face.  Randy laughed.  “Your turn now, dude.  That ‘tender loving care’ thing includes your cock, so leave everything to me.”

He shifted back on his knees, bent forward and slid his mouth over Bob’s cock. Always a top man, the rugged gypsy rarely sucked cock, but Randy had his gentle side and it drove Bob wild.  “This is it, Randy,” he murmured.  “Drink me, dude, swallow it all.”  Randy gulped down the juice gushing from his lover’s cock, then leaned forward, kissed him and they shared the creamy liquid from mouth to mouth.

Randy fell beside Bob and they lay in each other’s arms for long, silent minutes.

“How d’you feel, kid?” Randy said at last.

“Un-fucking-believable,” Bob grinned.  “We should make love like that more often.  But when I’m stronger I’ll still want the classic Randy rough stuff.”

“Oh, believe me, dude, the caveman will crawl out of his cave soon enough.  But this was damn hot too.  Your heart attack has a lot to answer for.”

“More than you know, Randy.  It’s made me appreciate the value of love between men even more.  When I think of all the guys out there making love, it makes me wanna be there, watching it.  I want to watch them all make love.”

“Why the hell not?  They would love to perform for you – a perfect welcome home present.”

Bob grinned.  “As a matter of fact, I gotta pay a call on the kitchen and the business office.  Those guys held things together real well while I was out of action.  I should check that everything’s still ticking over – at least thank them for soldiering on the way they have.”

“Yeah, same here,” Randy said.  “I gotta check out the guys on the construction site.  Zack, Seth and Pablo have been working overtime while I was watching over you.  I should already be there thanking them, but I didn’t want to leave you alone here.”

Bob chuckled.  “Randy, I’m doing just fine, especially after your ‘tender loving care’ package.  Go to your guys and I’ll make my way to the chefs and then the office staff.  I won’t tire myself out ... promise.  And then we should make an appearance at dinner.  We can’t spend all the time in bed.”

“Why the hell not?” Randy huffed.  “I could spend the rest of my life in bed with you.  But I guess you’re right.  We have all night for that.”

“Randy, we have the rest of our lives for that, thanks to you and Doc Chad.”

Randy flashed his roguish grin.  “Yeah we do, don’t we?  OK, see you back here soon.”  Reluctantly he got out of bed and pulled on his work clothes.  Bob smiled at the sight of the rugged construction worker.  Hard to believe that a while ago he had been the gentle, caring lover smothering him with kisses.

Alone now, Bob dressed carefully and surveyed himself in the mirror.  He wanted to look good for his boys, to reassure them that he really was on the mend.  He knew how panicked they must have been and he wanted them to see the old Bob restored.  He still needed to use a cane, but that would be the only sign of his recent setback.  He smiled at his reflection, then headed for the kitchen.

<><>    The Twins’ Welcome Their Man Home   <><>

He went across the garden the back way to the kitchen as he didn’t want to be waylaid by other guys and answer their worried enquiries.  He could handle all that at the group’s dinner later. 

When he went into the kitchen only the assistant chefs, the redhead Will and young Felipe, were there, working away dressed in their usual uniform of dark green aprons and white chef’s hats.  They looked up and beamed.

“Welcome back, sir,” Will said.  “You’re looking terrific.  Randy has a good effect on you.”

“And the sight of you two ain’t too shabby either,” Bob grinned – “a sight for tired eyes.  Everything go OK here while I was away?”

“Like clockwork, sir,” Will smiled.  ‘We knew that’s what you would want – to keep the routine going.”

“Good for you, kids.  Where are the twins?”

“They’re up in their apartment, sir,” Felipe said, “taking their usual pre-dinner break.”

“And all that implies,” Bob grinned.  “You think they’ll mind if I interrupt?”

“Are you kidding?” Will laughed.  “They’ll be thrilled to see you – no matter what they’re doing.  And I think we all pretty much know what they’re doing.”

“OK, I’ll barge in on them.  Keep the faith, guys.”

Bob went upstairs to the twins’ apartment and knocked at the door.  “Come in Kyle panted breathlessly.”

The sight that met Bob’s eyes was pretty much what he expected.  Both boys were naked, Kyle standing, Kevin on his knees sucking his cock.  Sorry guys, I see I’m interrupting.”

“We’re glad you are, sir,” Kevin said, taking a short breather from munching on his brother’s dick.  “Yeah,” Kyle added.  “We thought you’d like a view of the sunny side of life after the dark place you’ve been.”

“Guys, you can always read my mind.  While I was lying in that hospital bed after my narrow escape I came to appreciate even more clearly the value of love and laughter, and my habit of watching you two in action.  Only watching right now though ... doc said to take it easy.  So carry on with what you were doing, boys.  Jeez, you look gorgeous like that.

Bob sat in an armchair, pulled out his cock and stroked it slowly while Kyle sank to his knees, leaned forward and kissed his identically beautiful twin.  Pretty soon they were lying head to toe on the floor, each with his full, sexy lips wrapped round his brother’s cock, a sixty-nine show that gladdened Bob’s heart.  This was a welcome-home display, he knew, and he loved them for it.

The twins took their time, and so did Bob, sprawled in the chair, stroking his cock while his handsome boys worked on each other, their smooth, muscular bodies rising and falling in perfect unison.

The twins had always copied Bob and they all shared the same unspoken language – which they did now.  Bob could sense that they were getting close to orgasm, and so was he.  The boys got up and knelt on the floor side by side facing him.  They sat back on their haunches smiling identical smiles, and Kevin said, “This is for you, sir. We’ve missed you so much.”

The twins’ climaxes were in perfect sync, and the sight of his handsome boys spurting long streams of semen toward him was perfect.  He took his hand off his cock and watched as it shuddered and sprayed cum on them.  He laughed, “And that was for you, guys, to show you that even when skies cloud over I will always love you.”

They moved forward on their knees and fell on him on his chair, kissing and hugging in joyful reunion.

<><>    The Strong, Silent Type    <><>

 Bob stayed with them as long as their kitchen break lasted.  But then, “Boys, much as I’d like to spend the rest of the day with you, I know you have to get back to the kitchen and I have to drop into the office and see how the guys there are managing.”

“Pretty well, we can tell you that,” Kevin said.  “Never an interruption in paychecks, invoices, supplies and all the other million things Brandon and his team deal with.”

“Yeah,” Bob smiled, “they’re the best.”

Kyle gave a curious smile.  “And, er, Brandon seems to have something special going that helped him through the anxiety of your absence.  He’s pretty tight-lipped about it, but he definitely has a secret.”

“Really?  OK, I’ll get it out of him.  See you at dinner.”

After a final triple hug Bob went across the garden to the low building housing the business office that handled the affairs of the construction company, and the running of the tribe’s home.  It was managed by Ranger Pete’s boy Brandon, who supervised Noah and Vic, Ossie who handled payroll, and Darius’s boy Ryan, a computer tech wizard who spent much of his time in the office.

A chorus of greetings met him when he walked in as the guys all looked up from their computers.  Bob smiled broadly.  “How’s it going, kids?  You miss me?”

Brandon waved him off casually.  “Ah, not so much.  We did pretty well without you.”  They all burst out laughing and Brandon giggled, “Just kidding, sir.  Of course we missed you.  We worried about you and waited every day for bulletins from the hospital.  And I have a long list of questions I need your advice on.”

“How about you guys, Noah and Vic?  Have you heard from your rodeo-star cowboy Charlie?”

“Yes, sir,” Noah said eagerly.  “He’s coming here in two weeks.  He’ll be headlining the rodeo when it comes to the L.A. Equestrian Canter.”

“Great, and you’ll be front and center, no doubt.  And how about you, Ossie?  You manage to get payroll out on time?”

“Didn’t miss a beat, sir.  And no complaints even from the hourly guys about getting short-changed.”

Bob laughed, “You guys are terrific.  I should go away more often.”

“Maybe under different circumstances next time though, eh, sir?” Brandon giggled.

Bob could see the extra sparkle in Brandon that Kyle had mentioned.  Definitely something up.

“I’m proud of you all, and offer you thanks from myself and the whole tribe,” Bob smiled. “OK, Brandon, let’s go over that list of yours, just to make sure there’s nothing urgent.  We’ll get to the rest later.

Work resumed and Bob huddled with Brandon in Brandon’s small back office.  He offered suggestions on several of the more immediate problems, then said, “You’ve done a terrific job here, Brandon.  Congratulations.  But enough of these dry-as-dust figures, how’s your life going?  How’s Pete, that hunky Ranger of yours?”

Brandon’s smile widened.  “He’s incredible as always, sir.”  Brandon paused, as if weighing up how to approach the next part.  “Er, as a matter of fact, Pete will be home earlier than usual and our work here is almost done for the day.  So he and I were wondering if you’d like to come to tea.  Only thing is, I’ll have to welcome him home first, if you can handle watching a Ranger and his boy get cozy with each other.

“Nothing I’d like better, Brandon.  I’ve been telling the twins that my illness has made me appreciate love and affection between men even more.  I can’t get enough of it – mostly watching right now, though, until doc says I can handle the heavier stuff.”

Brandon did a final check on his staff and told them they could finish up and close the office.  Then Bob walked beside his wheelchair and they headed across the street to the duplex Brandon and Pete shared. “He texted me that he’s on his way, so I better get ready for him. I like to greet him the same as Jamie always welcomes Mark home.”

Brandon wheeled his chair up to the bed and took off his shirt and shorts.  Skillfully he eased himself out of his chair and onto the bed, where he lay naked on his back.  Bob had seen Jamie do the same thing many times, except more athletically, when Mark got off work, something he had been doing for years.  Now, watching Brandon do the same thing in his own way, Bob’s heart went out to him.

Ever since he joined the tribe years ago Brandon had always asserted his independence.  Despite being in a wheelchair he prided himself on being able to do most everything the other boys did, though of course there were limitations, which he tried to ignore. 

Even now the difference between him and Jamie was obvious.  Jamie, the tanned California golden boy surfer was an athlete, a man of action who stripped naked and leapt on his bed every evening to greet his cop.  The pale-skinned Brandon did his best to copy him, but had to be content with pulling himself carefully out of his wheelchair onto the bed.

His attempt to be like Jamie, against all the odds, moved Bob almost to tears, a testimony to his courage in refusing to accept his limitations. One thing that was undeniable, though, was his love for Pete, the handsome, muscular Forest Ranger.  They were the perfect couple – living a quiet life together, with none of the noisy drama that accompanied the other man/boy relationships in the tribe.

No doubt Pete too was moved by his boy’s courage and determination, but that was not the basis for their mutual, quiet devotion.  Unlike most of the other men of the tribe, Pete was the strong/silent type – hypermasculine without any of the macho posturing of some others. In that regard Brandon was a perfect match, quietly handsome with his charming features and big round eyes, always happily focused on his lover.

When they heard Pete’s Ranger truck pull up outside, Brandon said, “Just stay as you are, sir.  Pete will enjoy having you here, back to health and watching how I welcome him home.”

He was right.  Pete smiled when he came in and saw Bob sprawled comfortably in the armchair.  “Hey, Bob, you’re looking terrific, not at all like a man just out of hospital.  Brandon and I have something to tell you, but it’ll have to wait while I say hello to my man.  You ready, dude?”

Brandon smiled, hooked his hands behind his knees and pulled his legs back.  He watched as Pete shrugged off his uniform shirt and pulled off his T-shirt.  He unbuttoned his pants, pulled out his cock and stroked it, smiling down at his eager boy.  Shirtless in uniform pants, he knelt on the bed between Brandon’s legs and pushed them further back.

Bob had seen countless couples make love, but Pete and Brandon were different from most – no noise, no whoops of joy, just two men smiling into each other’s eyes.  But despite the lack of demonstration, there was no doubt about the passion they felt as Pete’s cock slid gently inside his young lover.  Their eyes were locked in a mutual embrace, reminding Bob of his own lovemaking with Randy where their eyes made love as they entered their own private world.

Bob’s presence was forgotten – everything else was forgotten except their silent passion for each other.  Bob’s cock got hard, but he didn’t touch it, out of deference to the men making love before him.  This was their moment, so peaceful and elegant, that any other activity seemed inappropriate.  So Bob watched in silence, with a calm, satisfied smile on his face.

Pete’s body tensed, his muscles flexed and he poured his juice inside Brandon who merely had to touch his own cock to spray cum over his own chest.  “Welcome home, sir,” Brandon said simply, and pulled the Ranger down beside him.

<><>    Brandon’s Big News    <><>

After a few minutes Brandon announced, “Now for tea.”  With his usual deft movements he pulled on his clothes, slid into his wheelchair and headed for the kitchen.

Bob and Pete engaged in small talk until Brandon called them into the living room where he had set tea and sandwiches.  At last Bob broached the subject that had been on his mind.  “Pete, before you took care of Brandon you said you had something to tell me.  And ever since I first saw Brandon today I was struck by the gleam in his eye and a glow on his face.  The other boys had already told me he seemed to be hiding some secret.  So, what gives?  You can tell me.”

Pete grinned at Brandon.  “OK, dude.  Time to let the cat out of the bag, don’t you think?”

Brandon was pouring tea and he shrugged casually, suppressing a smile.  “OK, Bob.  You can be the first to know.  It’s just that Pete and me ... we’re getting married.”

<><>    Bob Accepts A New Role    <><>

Bob’s jaw sagged.  “Married? ... Married!”

“So what do you think?” Pete asked.

“I think ...”  Bob’s face broke into a dazzling smile.  “... I think it’s a terrific Idea.  I always think of you as a married couple, you fit so well together.  So ... married ... yeah, it’s the obvious step.  And since same-sex marriages were legalized in California some years back it’s become commonplace.  By the way, who proposed to who?”

“We were both thinking about it,” Pete said, “but I wasn’t sure whether to adopt Brandon or marry him.  As I have long since thought of Brandon not as my boy but as my life partner, marriage seemed the obvious choice.  I didn’t exactly go down on one knee, but I popped the question and he jumped at the idea.  We made love to celebrate.”

“That’s beautiful.  And you’re serious, right?  Have you gone beyond just popping the question?”

“Oh yes,” Brandon beamed.  “We already went to City Hall and got a marriage license. Now we just have to find someone who’s certified to perform marriages, and that’ll be that.  Do you by chance know anyone who could officiate at ours?”

Bob smiled playfully.  “Actually, by chance, I do.  You’re looking at him.”

“You?” Pete asked.  “You’re a registered marriage officiant?  How come?”

“Actually it’s quite simple.  You can become an ordained minister online, it’s quick and free.  Some time ago during an immigrant crisis, a bunch of my fellow lawyers and I signed on so we could perform marriages if necessary.  I did quite a lot back then but not many since – except now, it seems.  If you ask me to.”

“Of course we do,” said Pete.  “It would be perfect,” Brandon gushed, “getting married by a man we both love so much.  Can we do it soon?”

Bob wrinkled his brow in thought.  “Tell you what.  The whole tribe will be at dinner tonight to welcome me home, but I’m tired of the spotlight being on me.  So you can spring the news on them then.  And with the whole tribe gathered together it would be the perfect time to do the deed right then and there.”

“Absolutely,” Pete smiled.  “Surrounded by all the men and boys we love.  You decided what you’re gonna wear, Brandon?” Pete chuckled.

“Shorts and T-shirt like I always do.  We’ll low key it, just slide naturally from loving and living together to being married.  Only difference is we’ll have a marriage certificate to make it official.”

“Hmm,” Bob mused, “that low-key thing.  I’m not sure our crowd can do that.  They’re not good at low-keying anything, especially such a special occasion as this.”

He beamed.  “Guys you’ve been great at restoring my spirits with your displays of love and affection.  But I really should make a few more visits now, especially to Mark and Jamie for the emergency care they gave me before Doc Chad took over.  So, I’ll see you lovebirds at dinner, where we’ll surprise them all with the happy news.

<><>    The Big News Breaks    <><>

Bob made the rounds, ending up in bed with Randy for some gentle pre-dinner lovemaking.  Bob, who never kept secrets from Randy, told him the news of Pete and Brandon, which Randy took in stride.  “It don’t surprise me none.  Those two were made for marriage, I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner.  And of course they asked you to officiate, who else?”  Randy smiled roguishly.  “Maybe one day someone will do the same for you.”

When they eventually went down to dinner the crowd was already gathered, impatient to get a good look at Bob and welcome him home.  They were greeted with cheers and Randy took his place at the head of the table, with Bob seated on his right.  Everyone was there, including Grady, Mario and Brian from the Grady House.

As Brandon’s best buddy Brian, also in a wheelchair, was the only person to know his friend’s secret as they shared everything, and they now sat together giggling conspiratorially.

The four young chefs served dinner and then, as always, responded to the applause with elaborate bows before taking their seats at table.  In addition to the general excitement at the sight of Bob looking so healthy, there was an extra expectant buzz in the air.  It often happened in this group of like-minded men that when news was about to break there was a whiff of it in the air, although only a select few knew the details.

But the secret had to wait, as Bob came first.  Everyone was looking at him and Randy whispered, “They want a speech dude.  You up for that?”

Bob smiled and rose to his feet, which brought an immediate expectant silence.  “Yes, guys, it’s me, the real-life me, thanks to the guys who helped me, plus the thoughts and good wishes of you all.  In particular, I need to thank Doc Chad and his hospital staff who nursed me back from a near-death experience.  Also Mark, Jamie and Felipe who were with me when it happened and administered emergency first aid that Doc Chad said probably saved my life.”

Bob frowned and scratched his head.  “Hmm, let’s see, there was someone else whose name escapes me.”

“Fuck you, man,” Randy growled with a broad grin.

”Oh yeah, that’s right, thanks for the reminder.  How could I forget Randy’s constant devoted presence by my side day and night, and talking continuously to keep me from slipping away?  Even in a coma I was aware of that voice.  I think it’s why I regained consciousness – just to shut him up.” 

He smiled, bent down and kissed Randy.  “I love you, man.  Nothing, not even a heart attack, could take me away from you, buddy. You’re stuck with me, ‘in sickness and in health’ as the old saying goes.”

That brought renewed cheers and whistles until Bob waved for silence.  “And, er, that old saying reminds me of something else, something much more important than my little adventure.  So, I’ll step out of the limelight and yield the floor to Ranger Pete.”

To more applause Bob sat down to a hug from Randy ... and Pete got to his feet.  That in itself was a rare sight.  While some of the men and boys loved showing off to the tribe, strong, silent Pete preferred to stay in the background with his young lover Brandon, who now sat next to him grinning from ear to ear and wriggling in his wheelchair with excitement.

“Guys,” Pete began, “It’s not often I address you all ... what’s that phrase, ‘unaccustomed as I am to public speaking’?  But I have some news that can’t be kept undercover, it has to be shared.  So here it is.  My gorgeous lover Brandon and I ... we’re getting married.”

There was a stunned silence, and Pete had a feeling his news had fallen with a thud ... until the dam burst and they all rose to their feet in a raucous standing ovation. Pete bent down and kissed Brandon, who then pulled back from the table and treated them to excited dizzying wheelies in his wheelchair.

The endless cheers were interspersed with comments, lead by motormouth Eddie’s, “About time, guys, what took you so long?”  His man Hassan asked, “Have you named the day yet, guys?”

“Actually we have,” Pete said.  “All we needed was to find someone licensed to perform marriages ...”

“And we found him,” added Brandon breathlessly as he stopped spinning. “Someone who needs no introduction.”

Bob rose again.  “That would be me.  When I told the happy couple that I became a marriage officiant some years ago, they did me the honor of asking me to perform the ceremony for them.”

Again his voice was drowned in cheers and chants of “when ... when ... when ...”

As so often before, it was Randy’s loud gravelly voice that broke through the din.  “Come on guys, let’s cut to the chase here.  Let’s get the thing done right now so these two lovebirds can go upstairs and consecrate their marriage in the time-honored way.  ‘Cos if you’re waiting for me to dress up in my wedding suit, you’ll have a long wait.”

The cheers changed to laughter at Randy’s no-nonsense way of taking charge – no foreplay – just do it.  Now!

<><>    Vows    <><>

The tribe sprang into action.  Dinner was suddenly over and the four chefs cleared the table and returned with bottles of champagne and glasses.  Will surreptitiously slipped Randy a bottle of his favorite Blue Label Scotch.  “Thanks, Red,” he grinned.  “You know I’m not a champagne kind of guy.”

Brandon pulled back from the table and wheeled himself to a nearby jacaranda tree whose lush branches of violet-colored blossoms arched over him.  Pete stood next to him with his hand planted firmly on Brandon’s shoulder.

It was a picture-perfect setting and Eddie lost no time in pulling out his ever-present camera to film the event – definitely one for the archives – no sex, no rough stuff or any other plaything.  Just a wedding.

With a rattle of chairs the group rearranged the seating to face the blossomy bower, taking their places as a makeshift semblance of a congregation.

“Go do your thing, dude,” Randy grinned at Bob, who walked smilingly over to the expectant couple.  Standing beside them, he said to the assembled tribe.  “Guys, you all know I just went through a dark period and now, at the other extreme of happiness, here we are to celebrate the joy of two of our own much-loved family members.  I don’t know about you all, but for me this is a perfect climax to another adventure in our history.  So here goes.”

He turned to face the couple as Grady’s voice rang out.  “Hey, Bob, ain’t you supposed to ask us something like, ‘if any man knows why these two should not be joined, let him speak now or forever hold his peace?”

“You’re right, Grady, word perfect.  OK, guys, any objections?”  In the ensuing dead silence they could have heard a pin drop.  “Grady, I guess that’s your answer – they’re holding their peace.   Seems they all want it to happen, and I know Pete and Brandon do.  So let’s do it.”

He faced the couple again.  “OK, no elaborate ceremony.  This crowd would just get restless and start shouting things.”

“Or throwing things,” Grady laughed, "like bread.  I myself have been the target of their bread fights many times.”

“So let’s do it before everything falls apart,” Randy bellowed.

Bob laughed. “Or as you so often say, Randy, ‘just cut to the chase’.  OK, as I look at this beautiful couple, I guess this is the chase, so I’ll keep it short.”  He cleared his throat, the crowd was silent at last and Bob smiled.  “You two sure you wanna do this?”

“I do,” Pete said.

“I do,” Brandon echoed.

“OK, good enough for me.”  Resting one hand on Pete’s cheek, the other on Brandon’s, Bob began. 

“For in as much as you Pete, and you Brandon, have consented to be joined together in marriage, by the authority vested in me by the State of California, but most of all by the power of your love for each other, I now pronounce you married – lovers and life partners – to have and to hold, for better or worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish from this day forward.”  When the renewed cheers died down Bob grinned, “OK, guys, this is the part where you kiss.”

And kiss they did. Pete fell to his knees beside Brandon and their mouths clamped together, hungrily, passionately, one wag yelled through the cheers, “Get a room”.

Bob raised his voice, “And so, gentlemen, I am proud to present the first married couple in the history of the tribe.”  He walked over to join the crowd and sat next to Randy.  The kiss went on and on, and when Randy glanced at Bob he saw tears running down his cheeks.”

“You OK, buddy?”

“It’s just ... just so beautiful, Randy.  So much joy after so much darkness.  I ... I feel as if I’ve gone from death’s door to heaven’s gate.  Looking round the table earlier I saw so many faces live with life and plans of their own.”

Randy said, “And there’s many more adventures to come, kiddo.  Mario already hinted he and Grady are hatching plans at the Grady House – an ideal place for a honeymoon, recuperation, celebration and just kicking back and making love.  Grady has plans for Brian and Brandon too.

“But right now I know what you need. I’m gonna take you through that Heaven’s Gate to our own secret world on the other side.”

He pulled Bob to his feet and they went to the happy couple and hugged them both.  “Congratulations, guys,” Randy said.  “You deserve every happiness,” Bob smiled.

Randy took Bob’s hand and they walked off across the garden.  There was no doubt in anyone’s mind where they were going – or what they would do when they got there.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><> 

TO BE CONTINUED IN “A Trial Of Strength – Book 14: Chapter 10