The Gus Diaries

Part 65

Choices of the Heart II
 

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is actually here. To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t all that interested in celebrating, but I was determined to put up a good front despite all the pain I was feeling.

Just a couple of days ago, as classes were ending for the winter break, Jeff pulled me aside in the hallway. He almost seemed giddy with excitement which was definitely not his style.

“You seem happy.” I tried to smile, but it wasn’t quite as bright as I knew it should be.

“Of course I’m happy, Newbie. Our team is in the championship next month, we’re about to have two weeks off with no school and only three scheduled practices, and I finally found the perfect Christmas gift for my boyfriend.”

That put a little more genuine smile on my face. “I hope he likes it.”

“I think he’ll love it. I picked it out myself. No help from your Grandma Jen.”

“Wow.”

“So, when do you want to exchange?”

“You seem pretty fucking anxious.” I couldn’t help but rub his arm, although I was trying to be discreet since we were still in school.

“I am. So when?”

“Look, you’re coming to Britin for most of the vacation starting with Christmas Eve. Why don’t we exchange then?”

“Who else will be there? Your family’s so large.”

“There’ll just be a small gathering on Christmas Eve. The big bash, with all the major gift giving, is on Christmas day.”

“So, who’ll be there?”

“Let’s see... my dads, of course, my moms, Jenny, Uncle Michael and Uncle Ben, Grandmas Deb and Jen, Grandpa Carl and Tucker.” I paused to take stock. “Yeah, that’s about it for Christmas Eve. Then they’ll all go home, and the next day we’ll have the same big group we had during Thanksgiving the next day.”

“It’s a good thing you have such a fucking big house.”

“Does that work for you?”

“Will anyone else be exchanging gifts?”

“When we were kids, we were allowed to open one gift each on Christmas Eve, and the family’s kept up that tradition when we can get together.”

“Sounds great.”

“Jeff,” I smiled a bit coyly, “care to give me a hint?”

He looked at me with the brightest eyes matching the broadest smile. “No.” Then he looked both ways and since no one seemed to be paying much attention to us, he gave me a quick kiss. “Gotta go. Science waits for no man, and I’m bucking for an A in that class.”

He ran down the hall, leaving me feeling rather warm inside as I slipped into my English class just as the bell rang.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

When Christmas Eve arrived, I was in the kitchen helping Pop prepare the appetizers. Dad was in the front living room making sure the tree lights were just right, and then he was going to start the fire in that huge fireplace.

“Pop, why do we make eggnog every year when no one likes it?”

Pop laughed, “I think it’s because some traditions are hard to change. A couple of people actually drink it.”

“Yeah, but do you see the looks on their faces when they do?”

Smirking, Pop added, “That’s half the fun of serving it. You notice that I don’t touch the stuff and Brian wouldn’t go near it.”

Both of us said together, “Too high in fat,” and then we started laughing.

The house seemed so festive. Living in a Tudor mansion lends itself to the Christmas atmosphere.

It was always fun sharing gifts while sitting in front of the fire. Last year, Jenny and I got some of the adults, besides Grandma Deb and Uncle Michael, to actually join in with some carols. Pop’s voice isn’t half bad.

Dad would say it’s like living in a fucking Hallmark card, but that’s okay with me. I like special family moments. To be honest, I think he does, too. What’s that famous quote...Methinks he doth protest too much.

Instead of having a usual sit-down dinner, Dad and Pop decided to serve a shit-load of appetizers of all shapes and sizes. That way, we could just hang around the front living room relaxing and opening one gift per person.

Dad had the built-in bar open, and for those smart people who passed on the eggnog, there was a wide range of choices, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

As Pop and I set out the final two trays of appetizers with some small plates and lots of toothpicks and napkins, the doorbell rang and the family started filing in.

One of the first to arrive was Jeff with Grandma Jen and Tucker. I still can’t believe they’re getting married in a couple of months. They decided to get married on Valentine’s Day. Pop thought it was so romantic, but Dad just laughed claiming that was Tucker’s way of insuring he’d never forget their anniversary. I tend to think it’s a little bit of both.

Each member of the family lugged in a variety of gifts, from very large to very small, and as the evening wore on we’d begin our gift-opening ritual. I already knew that I’d open Jeff’s. He seemed ready to jump out of his skin, he was so excited.

After he kissed me hello and started helping Grandma Jen bring some food into the kitchen for the next day, I couldn’t help but take a peek at the gift he brought that was tagged with my name.

I shouldn’t have looked. I’d kind of hoped that it would be a box shaped like a jewelry box, but instead it looked like a tie box. What the fuck did he give me? Now I couldn’t wait to find out.

Everyone was having a relaxing evening in front of the fire. I had some time to sit and talk with Jenny about the moms. She’s a wealth of gossipy knowledge, and while I sometimes tease her about it, I love finding out what’s happening before anyone else knows.

I think the biggest news was that Mom had a date the previous week. Apparently there was a guy who had come into the gallery and bought a painting a week from Mom for four straight weeks. During the fourth purchase, he finally admitted that he didn’t have that big a house and just wanted to keep coming back to see her.

She was apparently pretty interested in him because Pop confessed quietly, when he heard us talking, that Mom would ask to take care of that client whenever he walked through the door.

The guy finally asked her out, and they must have had a good time because she was going to see him again the day after Christmas and on New Year’s Eve.

It seemed like ages before Dad finally got everyone’s attention. “My, my, what a motley crew we all are -- stuffing our faces and enjoying the brews of the season. But now, I think it’s time we each indulged in a little materialistic gratification.”

“Uncle Brian, in English please.” Everyone started to snicker -- probably more at Dad’s antics than Jenny’s request.

“That, my sweet young woman, means it’s time to each open a gift.”

“Well, why didn’t you just say so?”

Dad laughed, “I thought I did.” He took a sip of wine. “I’ll start this auspicious occasion by opening a gift from my ever-attentive spouse.”

Dad picked up an envelope that was near the top of the pile of presents. It was obvious that Pop was very excited. I don’t know how they can keep secrets from one another. They seem to know everything about each other.

When Dad opened it, he smiled and held up two airline tickets. Then Dad looked closely at the date on them.

“Shit, Justin, I can’t believe you did this.” Dad put down his wine glass and grabbed Pop in a hug that would shame Grandma Deb. They held each other for a while.

“Okay, Kinney, don’t keep us all in the dark. Where and when are you two flying off to Paris or wherever the fuck?” Mem has such a way with words.

The two pulled apart, and I have to admit that I was just as curious.

“If you must know, these are two tickets to Ibiza with a scheduled departure date of February 20th.”

All of us looked back and forth not quite understanding the meaning. Pop chimed in, “Brian’s ten year physical with his oncologist is February 15th, and all test results will be revealed at the appointment.” Pop looked into Dad’s eyes and brushed his hand gently across his cheek. While he continued speaking aloud, it was obvious he was talking directly to Dad. “I have every confidence that we’ll finally get to go and celebrate the outcome of that visit the way I wish we could have celebrated Brian’s first trip to Ibiza.”

I had no idea what they were talking about, but all the adults in the room were crying. I even noted tears welling up in Mem’s eyes.

A few other gifts were opened and everyone ooo’d and ahhh’d appropriately. I loved Mem’s gift to Mom. She got her a white gold charm bracelet. The first charm was already in place, BFF. Mom got all mushy about it, but it was great to see them getting along so well.

It was finally my turn, and I have to admit that I was a bit nervous. Jeff had been so focused on giving me this gift that I wondered what it could possibly be.

I cautiously tore open the paper, not to protect it but trying to imagine how to act happily surprised when I saw a stupid tie or some other nice and meaningless thing inside.

When I finally got the box opened, I was even more confused. There was a key taped to a folded sheet of paper. I looked at Jeff and he was smirking, then I looked at Dad, Pop and Tucker -- so were they.

I pulled out the paper and read it. It was a photocopy of a letter confirming the acceptance of Jeffrey Martin on full athletic scholarship to CMU. Then I took a closer look at the key’s tag. It read, Dear Gus, To be exchanged for a copy of my real dorm key when I get it. Love, Jeff.

I kept looking at him. I think I was in shock. “But why?”

He finally walked over to me and placed his hands on my shoulders, “Let’s see... Tucker and I went over all that each school had to offer. We also discussed at length,” Tucker and Grandma Jen chuckled recalling the lengthy conversations, “whether I wanted to play basketball professionally, or if I had other goals in mind for my future.”

I knew that Jeff was really into science and wanted to become a researcher. “Anyway, when we added up all the hours of practice that I would have been obligated to put in at the Big East schools versus the more academic demands at CMU -- with the same full scholarship, room and board, there was only one choice.”

Then he took my face gently in his hands and looked me in the eyes. “And there’s one more advantage that I’d have going to CMU.” He leaned in and kissed me. It was a deep and warm kiss. I knew that I was tearing up, the shock passing into joy.

“Hey, will you two get a room!” It’s good to know that Grandma Deb never changes.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

Later that night when all the guests left, the fire had died away and Dad and Pop had gone to their room, we followed suit and went to mine.

“Are you sure?” I couldn’t help but be concerned that I had more to do with Jeff’s decision than I should have.

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life, other than the way I feel about you.”

I grabbed Jeff by the front of his shirt and pulled him in for a rough, passionate kiss. Our tongues fought for dominance and we held each other close as the kiss went on and on, never letting go.

When I pulled away, Jeff’s lips were swollen from our aggressive kissing. He leaned back and tried to touch my shirt to pull it off, but I shook my head. I practically ripped off his shirt and began to suck on each of his nipples, then bit lightly eliciting a deep moaning sound that encouraged me to move on.

As I continued sucking and licking, I tapped at his sneakers and he kicked them off. Then I opened his jeans and pulled them down along with his underwear in one smooth, rapid motion. He automatically stepped out of them.

His long, thick cock bobbed free, already red with desire. I got on my knees and started sucking and licking. When I felt Jeff place his hand behind my head and begin to pull me into him, I deep throated him and hummed around his cock -- I’d been getting very good at this -- he yelled, “Fuck!” and I swallowed his cum as he emptied down my throat.

“Oh shit, Newbie, that was fucking amazing.” Jeff was trying to catch his breath as I quickly stripped off my clothing.

“You haven’t seen anything yet.”

I pressed him back onto the bed, urging him up towards the pillows and began to lick and kiss every part of his body. I sucked on his lips and tongue, and left a small mark on his neck.

Making sure we were aligned perfectly with me on top, I began to rub our cocks against each other. My dick was already hard and throbbing, and I wanted to bring Jeff back faster than he ever had before.

“Shit, fuck, oh my God...” was all he could say as he grabbed my shoulders and pulled me down for another intense kiss.

When we were both equally hard, I snatched the condom and lube from the nightstand, sheathing my cock quickly and putting a huge dollop of lube on my hand. After smearing some on my cock, I went for Jeff’s hole. It was actually puckering with anticipation waiting for me. Pressing in two fingers to start, he arched up. “Are you okay?”

“God, yes,” he uttered.

That was all I needed to hear. Scissoring my fingers to open him, I insured that one kept hitting his prostate. The sounds that Jeff was making made me crazy, and I couldn’t wait any longer. Removing my hand quickly, I immediately pressed my cock into Jeff’s waiting hole as he automatically spread his legs further apart and wrapped them behind my back. It was so hot. I rarely had the chance to top, but this was my night to give Jeff all the pleasure and love he’d given me.

Pressing in and out, thrusting more rapidly than I’d intended, we both yelled each other’s name as he shot for the second time in less than thirty minutes, all over our stomachs, and I spilled a huge load into the condom, collapsing on top of him within seconds.

Jeff unwrapped his legs from behind me and held me close. Without leaving my position on top of him, I carefully removed the condom and placed it on the floor next to the bed.

We held each other like that for a few minutes. When I began to feel a chill on my back, I rolled off him and pulled the covers up over us. “Thank you for my Christmas gift.”

“Trust me, Gus, it was a present for both of us.”

Jeff kissed me very gently and placed his head on my chest. I wrapped my arms around him, and the two of us fell into a blissful and peaceful sleep.

Christmas comes only once a year, but this year I was given a gift that would live in my memory forever. Thinking about the choice that Jeff had made, I was in awe of his strength and the thought he put into that decision. But even more, the love that accompanied the decision would be a part of us both for as long as we would be together.

 

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