Be Careful What You Wish For

Chapter 6

“Mr. Emmett, how long can I stay here?” Richie asked as he sat at the breakfast table watching Emmett cook up a storm. Drew was quietly sipping his coffee as he watched his spouse stop in mid pancake flip to answer the question.

“Honey, you can stay here forever, as far as I’m concerned, but I think it’s up to you and the court.”

“Why is it up to me?”

“Well, I guess it all depends on how successful you are.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think what Emmett means is that Karen will recommend approval of us adopting you to the judge, if you show signs of thriving here with us,” Drew began to explain as he picked up the gauntlet. “When you go back to school, the judge will check to see if your grades begin to improve. Dr. Nick will be checking your physical progress as well. We all want you to be happy. Which could mean that we’d have to give you up if you’re not happy here,” Drew said softly but honestly. “Your well-being is very important to us.” But not to your parents, Drew was tempted to add, but didn’t.

Drew still could not believe that Richie’s parents threw him out just because he liked to dress in women’s clothes. Cross dressing wasn’t Drew’s thing but it was harmless, and Emmett occasionally would indulge himself in the activity. It made Emmett happy and Drew very happy when he was the recipient of all Emmett’s ‘happiness’.

Emmett served up breakfast to his little family. “Richie, is your room comfortable? I was going to decorate but Hunter suggested that I wait until you settled in a little more.”

“Thank you, Mr. Emmett,” Richie said politely, wiping his mouth before speaking. “I like my room a lot. But was it your office or something? I don’t want to be trouble.”

“Honey,” Emmett said as he came around to give Richie a hug. “Drew and I shared it as an office and guest room but you’re more important. We’ve already set up the alcove to be our new office.”

“I can’t think of anyone more deserving,” Drew agreed as his large paw gently patted the thin boy on the back. “Babe, I have to get over to the stadium. Do you boys want to go to the game? I’ll alert security,” Drew asked as he looked back and forth from Emmett to Richie.

Emmett wrinkled up his nose as Richie shyly shook his head no.

“I’m not really into football, Mr. Drew.”

“Not a problem. Emmett isn’t either, although after all this time he’s learned a thing or two about the game. Maybe another time.”

Drew got his jacket, kissed Emmett then ruffled Richie’s hair.

“I am very happy you’re here with us, Richie,” Drew said before he left. Richie nodded pensively.

After the breakfast dishes were done and the kitchen set to right, Emmett clapped his hands loudly.

“So what shall we do today? We really should get you registered at school. The faster you return to a regular routine the better you’ll feel.” Richie got a look of panic across his face. “Sweetie! What is it?” Emmett asked as he immediately hugged the boy close.

“I don’t want to go back there. They all hate me!” Richie cried.

“We have another option that Hunter suggested,” Emmett offered trying to keep his voice calm to quell Richie’s hysteria.

“What?” Richie sniffled.

“Several years ago, our local GLC arranged with our Board of Education to start up a Rainbow School. You might fit in better there. Would you like to go check it out?”

“Yes, I think so but, I don’t know what a Rainbow School is.”

“Then let’s find out together, shall we?” Emmett asked with a big smile. Richie nodded returning a small smile. He still wasn’t all that sure about Emmett and Drew but they were kind, and Richie was willing to give it a chance.

 

*****
 

“Mr. Kinney?” The surgeon came out of the operating suite into the waiting room looking for the family of Joan Kinney. Brian, Justin, Claire and Debbie were waiting. Father Tom had joined them.

“Yes,” Brian said as he stood up. Justin slipped his hand into Brian’s as Debbie wrapped a comforting arm around Claire.

“She’s fine. Came through like a trooper,” the doctor said. Brian visibly relaxed as he waited for more information. Claire just broke down and cried; Brian rolled his eyes. Tom shot Brian a reproving glare.

“While I was in there, I took a look around her chest. Her heart looks good for a woman of her age and medical history. I anticipate an uncomplicated recovery,” the surgeon said with the usual bravado that most surgeons seemed to have. “If all goes well, you can take her home by Friday,” the doctor said then disappeared back into the surgical suite.

Claire immediately burst into more tears as Brian plopped back into his seat.

“I told you!” Debbie said loudly. “Your Joanie’s too stubborn to have a little thing like a wonky heart valve hold her back. She’ll be back at the bookstore in no time!”

Claire smiled through her tears as Father Tom murmured a prayer. Brian remained quiet as Justin squeezed his hand.

“Now do you want your dick sucked?” Justin whispered into Brian’s ear, placing a chaste kiss to Brian’s cheek.

“Yeah,” Brian whispered back as he closed his eyes then laid his head on Justin’s shoulder.

 

*****
 

“Bree!” Ashley shouted as she came out the door of the school and spied her best friend sitting on the big rock in the playground. “I didn’t think you were here today,” Ashley said as she plopped herself down beside her friend. “You weren’t here before school.”

“We were kind of late,” Bree said staring at the ground.

“What’s wrong?” Ashley asked a frown creasing her brow. “Where were you?”

“I didn’t want to come to school,” Bree pouted.

“How come? You love school.”

“Not today.”

“What’s the matter, Bree?” Ashley asked leaning against Bree’s arm. “You can tell me.”

“My Gamma Joan’s sick. She’s in the hospital and my daddies are with her and I was all alone all last night.”

“All alone?” Ashley asked, her eyes getting very big. “Your daddies left you all alone?”

“Yeah, ‘cept for Unca John and Unca Bobby and Patrick … and Beau.”

“That doesn’t sound like being all alone,” Ashley observed. She was used to having just her mother with her. If her mother wasn’t home, she would be all alone. But Bree still had three other people to look after her … and a big dog too.

“But my daddies weren’t there, and I wanted them to come home. I had to do everything myself,” Bree complained.

“Like what? Did you have to make your own breakfast?” Ashley asked. She usually got her own breakfast every day. She liked when Mr. Brian made them his huge breakfasts, or when Mr. Justin made them porridge. She guessed that’s what Bree was missing.

Bree shook her head. “No, Unca John got me cereal.”

“Did you have to pick out your own clothes to wear?” Sometimes Ashley needed her mother’s help to match up what she was wearing.

“No, I can do that by myself, but I like my Dada to tell me I look beautiful.”

“And he wasn’t there to do that.”

“No, and Unca John said I was pretty, but … it’s not the same.”

“Did you have to do your own hair?” Ashley noted that Bree’s ponytails weren’t exactly as perfect as they usually were.

“No,” Bree sighed. “Unca John did my ponytails, but they’re not the way Dada does them.”

“You sure had a hard morning,” Ashley agreed.

They sat in silence for a little while.

“Is your Gamma going to be all right?” Ashley asked.

“I don’t know. I thought my daddies would call, but they didn’t.”

“They were probably busy.”

“Yeah, but I … miss them.”

“I’m sorry,” Ashley said pulling Bree into a hug.

“Thanks,” Bree said. “I wish they’d come and get me.”

“Maybe they’ll be home after school.”

“I hope so,” Bree said as the bell rang signaling the end of recess.

 

*****
 

“Mom,” Brian said gently as he sat down on the chair next to Joan’s bed. Claire had already been in to see her mother and had returned to the waiting room weeping profusely about how weak her mother was. Brian looked at his mother as her eyes fluttered open. She looked smaller and older, but she didn’t look weak to him. She looked … alive. Brian took her hand in his and squeezed gently. “Mom,” he repeated.

“Brian,” came the whisper of a reply.

“How are you doing?’

“I’ve been better.”

Brian nodded in acknowledgment. “The doctor says you’re going to be just fine.”

“He did?”

“Yes, he did. You came through the operation with flying colors.”

Joan closed her eyes for a moment and Brian knew she was saying a prayer of thanks.

“Didn’t Claire tell you?” Brian asked.

“She just cried and was in…coherent.”

Brian realized that Joan was very tired, and he should probably let her sleep. “Mom, Bree sent you her grey bunny to help you get better.”

Joan gave him a smile in response. “I love that little girl.”

“I know,” Brian said smiling back at his mother.

“Tell her that for me.”

“I will. She loves you too.”

“And Brian … I love you.”

“I … love you as well, Mom. Get some rest and get better … fast.”

Joan nodded, but clasped Brian’s hand more tightly as he started to stand up. “Will you come back tomorrow?”

“Just try to keep me away.”

“Thank you, son.”

Brian leaned over and kissed Joan’s temple. “There’s nothing to thank me for. Just feel better.”

“I’ll do my best,” Joan said as her eyes closed and she drifted off.

Brian walked out into the waiting room.

“How is she?” Justin asked.

“Tired, but she seems in good spirits. She was glad to hear about the grey bunny.”

Justin smiled at his husband and slipped his hand into Brian’s. “Can we go now?”

Brian nodded. “You have a date with a dick.”

“Yes, I certainly do,” Justin said with a big smile, as he and Brian walked out of the hospital.

 

*****
 

“She looks scary,” Richie whispered to Emmett.

“She’s a lesbian, they’re all scary to me,” Emmett whispered back with a wink and a grin. “Tannis runs the GLC, although I must point out that the center is very diverse. We have PFLAG meetings, several bisexual groups and a transgender group. We even have classes for budding drag queens.”

Richie gave Emmett an incredulous look.

“I kid you not! Believe me, knowing if you’re a summer or a winter comes in very handy during Pride week. But I digress. As I said Tannis, with her friend Roy, runs the center. She doesn’t run the Rainbow School, but Tannis likes to meet potential new students and new members of the center.”

“Emmett, how are you? And who do we have here?” Tannis said in that very efficient way of hers.

“Ms. Tannis, allow me to introduce Richie Cross, our new foster son!” Emmett gushed.

Tannis smiled brightly. “Congratulations! I’m very happy for you. How can we help you?”

“Well, Richie has had some difficulties but he’s ready to get back to school. We thought perhaps he would do well here at the Rainbow School. Unfortunately, he’s missed a lot of school this year.”

“Not to worry, our guidance counselor can assess Richie’s abilities and if necessary plan summer courses so he can catch up. But I’ll let the counselor and the headmaster of the school explain the program. Come this way,” Tannis said with authority as she led Emmett and Richie to the headmaster.

While Richie was speaking with the headmaster and counselor, Emmett waited in Tannis’ office.

“Will you be catering our events for Pride Week? I know it’s over a month away but I’d like to get a firm commitment from you,” Tannis asked.

“You have it,” Emmett gushed. “I look forward to it every year and this year...well, I just hope Richie likes living with us. He’ll make this Pride so much more meaningful. Am I making sense?”

“Emmett, some people are born to be a parent and you’re one of them.” Emmett beamed. “I’ll keep anything you tell me about Richie as confidential, Emmett, you know that. We work with Hunter and Karen all the time.”

“I know and I appreciate it. Well, it’s a simple but tragic story. The boy was caught cross dressing by his parents and they threw him out. His school wasn’t very supportive so he’s fearful to return there.”

“So you brought him to the Rainbow School.”

“Yes, I’m hoping he’ll feel more at ease with students who are diverse or have alternate families. He shouldn’t be persecuted for wearing a little lipstick and a camisole.”

“Emmett, not everyone is as accepting as you are, but I hope we can make Richie feel welcome. Has he met your family yet?”

“Not really. He’s met Debbie and Brian and Justin but that’s it so far. Drew thinks we should go slow; let him get adjusted to us before we spring the whole family on the poor boy.”

“Very sound advice. Shall we go over the tentative menu for the main Pride celebration?”

“Let’s.”

While Richie was going over his syllabus, Emmett and Tannis discussed Pride.

 

*****
 

“Uh-unh!” Brian came with a mighty grunt as Justin sucked him off, nearly choking on the copious amount of cum that spewed out of Brian’s dick. Justin swallowed as fast as he could before collapsing down next to his spouse.

“Better?” Justin asked when his jaw was able to formulate the word.

“Yeah,” Brian murmured as he buried his hand into Justin’s thick blond locks. Brian gently massaged Justin’s scalp, relishing in the feel of Justin’s soft hair against his skin. “Come here,” Brian whispered. Justin crawled up and into Brian’s waiting arms.

“Thank you,” Brian said against Justin’s lips as he brought the younger man close so he could be kissed. “I love you. You always know what I need.”

Justin gazed into the hazel eyes that he adored; his own were moist with unshed tears of love and joy. “I love you, Brian, I’ll always be here for you.”

“I know.” Brian pulled the younger man down so that Justin’s head was resting against Brian’s chest. “We should call home.”

“Later. I checked in while you were with Joan. Bree’s okay and the guys send their love. Why don’t you sleep for a while then we can call.”

“Okay,” Brian agreed as his eyes closed. He was exhausted from worry. Safe and secure in Justin’s arms, Brian went to sleep.

 

*****
 

“Mr. Emmett, the headmaster invited me to start classes tomorrow. He said he’d get my records from my old school and the counselor will speak to Miss Karen and Mr. Hunter,” Richie said as they left the GLC. They were walking toward Emmett’s bistro so that Emmett could check in with Sean and introduce Richie.

“Would you like to go to school there?”

“Yes, I liked school before, before I...”

“Before your hobby was made public?” Richie blushed with embarrassment as he nodded. “Richie, never be ashamed to express yourself,” Emmett said gently.

When they reached the bistro, Emmett had Richie sit in his special booth. Sean, Emmett’s other employees and several patrons all greeted Emmett warmly. Emmett brought over a tray with popovers and a pot of cocoa.

“Isn’t it too warm for cocoa?” Richie asked.

“Honey, it’s never too warm for cocoa. Chocolate can cure just about anything,” Emmett said as he poured two cups of the creamy hot treat.

Richie took a sip and couldn’t help but moan with appreciation.

“See? Cocoa is good at anytime.”

They sat quietly for a while sipping their cocoa and nibbling the soft warm popovers.

“Mr. Emmett? Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, but first can we drop the mister? You may call me Emmett or Auntie Emm.”

“Auntie Emm?” Richie asked as his voice rose an octave along with his eyebrows.

“Richie,” Emmett began in a low more masculine sounding voice. “I know what people usually think when they see me and it’s taken me a lot of years to be proud of what I am and of what I’ve accomplished. The children in our family as well as some of the snarky adults began to call me Auntie Emm a long time ago. The nickname sort of stuck and I’m quite proud of it too. I consider myself our family’s own fairy godmother. So I would be honored if you called me that too but only if you feel comfortable enough.”

Richie smiled.

“Now what did you want to ask?”

“Are you gay?”

“Yes, I am, sweetie. Out and proud, with flames burning bright.”

“And Mr. Drew is your...?”

“Life partner. We had a commitment ceremony during a cruise two years ago. My Drewsie is the greatest love of my life.”

“And he doesn’t mind that you like to wear different stuff?”

“Honey, my Drewsie is the sweetest thing. He puts up with my little idiosyncracies. But to tell you the truth, my dress up days are more or less over.”

“Why? Did people make fun of you?”

“Maybe, but that’s not the reason. I spend most of my time here in the kitchen or at my restaurant or I’m interviewing potential clients. I don’t really have the time to indulge in my little fantasies so I channel a lot of that creativity into my business. And I love to recreate my clients’ fantasies for their events. Then sometimes in our private moments I may indulge myself in my own fantasies, for my Drewsie, of course.” Emmett smiled his bright toothy grin, making Richie giggle.

“See, you do understand. We girls all have our own little fantasies. You just have to learn when it’s appropriate to give in to them. Now let’s make a pact,” Emmett proposed as he reached across the table to take Richie’s hands in his. “If you feel the need to play dress up, then you just let us know. If you want some privacy then so be it. If you feel comfortable doing it in front of me and Drew then be my guest. But never, ever feel ashamed. Can you do that?”

Richie nodded.

“Good. More cocoa?” Emm asked as he raised the pot to pour. Richie smiled as Emmett began to pour.

 

Return to Be Careful What You Wish For