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| Wendell told the cab to wait for them in case the hotel had no vacancy. Opening the familiar doors to the Fairmount Hotel, they made their way across the lobby towards the service desk. There was a lady behind the counter facing her back towards the entrance, but when she heard the footsteps, she turned around. �Oh my gosh! It�s her,� Jeff whispered to his husband, recalling her young countenance from memory. But he could not place her name. He tried desperately to remember it before they greeted. He was thinking that it started with �h� but he wasn�t sure. The lady paused, recognizing her guests as well. She, however, knew their names like it was just yesterday since last they met. �Jeff? Wendell? Is that you!?� She ran from behind the counter and went over to them. Jeff �slyly� eyed her name badge. He truly felt bad for forgetting, but it was only one week that he was in Los Angeles. �Hazel! Hazel! How the bloody hell are ya, mate?� �Me? I�m just great. And you two? It�s been so long,� she replied jubilantly. Jeff held up his left hand and spun his wedding ring around. And then he grabbed Wendell�s left hand drew both up, embraced. A huge smile went over Hazel�s face. �You got married!? That is so awesome! I knew you two were really hitting it off great.� �Yep,� Wendell said, then looked over at his husband, smiling. �It sure is something.� There was a moment of silence as the initial excitement passed. Then Hazel, as hyper as ever, spoke again. �So what brings you back here to Fairmount? And, Wendell, how come I haven�t seen you around at Shirley�s anymore?� Wendell scratched the back of his head. �Well, because I�ve been with Jeff in Sydney for the past year.� �Oh, wow. Australia, huh? How cool is that? I�m so happy for you guys. But what made you come back?� Jeffrey answered this one. �We�re on our honeymoon and we just wanted to revisit where it all started. Plus, give Wendell a chance to visit some old friends in his hometown and all, y�know?� �Fair enough. I�m glad to have you back either way. So..... would you two be wanting our honeymoon suite?� �Oh, you actually got a room like that?� Jeff asked. �Of course!� Hazel exclaimed. She raised her arms in the air and waved them around. �This is the Fairmount Hotel after all. So you interested? It�s a bit pricey though, but don�t tell my boss that I said that. He�d flip big time.� �How much?� Wendell asked. He was the �financial planner� of the household. Hazel replied, bringing her tone of voice down, with more seriousness. �Four seventy-five a night.� �Ouch,� Jeff moaned. �Well, we do have other nice rooms available,� Hazel began, trying to offer other options. �There�s the...� Wendell interjected, �Oh, what the heck. You only have one honey moon.� He turned towards Jeff and whispered to him, even though it was still loud enough for Hazel to hear. �Don�t worry. This can come out of my savings. I still got all that from selling my house.� Jeff nodded in agreement. Once Wendell made up his mind, there was no changing his course. �You take debit card?� Wendell asked, taking his wallet out. �Sure do,� she answered, heading back around behind the service desk. �Oh, you�re gonna love this suite. It�s soooooooooooo romantic. Just perfect for honeymooners. There�s even a nice hot tub.� She turned around and winked at them. �Very nice for you know what. But don�t worry. We clean the entire room well after every use.� Jeff laughed. Wendell was embarrassed by the comment; he was still somewhat shy about open sexuality in public. He held hands and kissed Jeff and everything in public, but just stuff like that always made him blush, especially around people he didn�t know too well. Wendell paid for three nights in the suite. Hazel asked another employee to watch the desk, because she personally wanted to lead the men to their room. They went outside to retrieve their bags and told the cab driver that he could go ahead and take off. The honeymoon suite was located on the top of the building, floor ten. Hazel slid the key in and turned, unlocking the secrets within. It had been about a month since the last time the suite had been rented out, yet every few days, a housekeeper would make rounds through to make sure their best room was in order at all times. She opened the door and watched Jeffrey�s eyes go wide. Then she held the key up to Wendell so he could take it. �She�s all yours,� Hazel smiled, �or should I say, he�s all yours?� She started laughing. Wendell chuckled and snagged the key from her hand. He threw an arm around Jeff and pulled him close. �Nah, HE�S all mine.� Jeff entered the room and eyed it over and over. It was so incredibly romantic. Wendell followed him in, also in awe over the room. There were candles everywhere, unlit at the moment, but would make for great atmosphere. There was a selection of furniture arranged around the room, including a leather and fur sofa, a leather massage chair, and an oversized, fluffy chaise. The bedroom had a grand bed with silk sheets and a dozen pillows. A cabinet rested against the wall. It had a few complimentary love items suited for the occasion, such as feathers and massage oils. It was highly apparent what this suite was meant for. The bathroom was enormous, not only spacious but also had a fairly decent sized hot tub in the center. Jeff grinned when seeing it, knowing it would get plenty of use. �Well, shall I leave you two alone?� Hazel said, not wanting to intrude too much on their honeymoon. �Oh, we weren�t gonna do anything here right away. We�re gonna go out and get some dinner,� replied Wendell. �Yeah, plenty of time for that later. I�m starving,� Jeff added. �Say, Hazel, what time you work til today?� �I get off in about an hour.� �Would you like to come to dinner with us when you do then?� �Sure. I�d love to. But you sure you want me hangin� around on your special time together?� �Of course we do, mate! You�re a friend.� �Yeah, we want you to come along. Been so long it seems since I left. Might need someone to give me a tour to get reacquainted with the city and it�s happenings,� Wendell added. �Well, if you insist....� Hazel said, looking down, blushing. Then she looked back up. �I gotta get back downstairs. It�s great to you see you again.� �Same here.� Jeff turned to Wendell. �Well, I guess we have time for something then. I�m dying to try that hot tub out.� Jeffrey grinned and Wendell smiled back. �I�ll see you later then,� Hazel said, feeling uncomfortable, not wanting to get in the way of their romantic getaway. �Sure, mate. Cya later.� �See you in a bit, Hazel.� �Bye and enjoy.� Hazel left the room, shutting the door behind her. Jeff took his bags and put them near one of the sofas then went immediately to the bathroom to start up the hot tub. Wendell leisurely walked further into the room and did the same with his bags. He looked around the suite a bit then went to the bathroom and saw that Jeffrey was already stripping. He chuckled and admired his lover�s eagerness to get started with the sensual and sexual of their honeymoon. All of a sudden, Hazel opened the door to the suite and stuck her head in. Wendell turned around quickly and tried to the block the doorway so she couldn�t see in, in respect for Jeffrey and all. �Oh yeah, real quick. Don�t forget to use the �Do Not Disturb� sign. I�ll put it on the door now for you.� She reached in and grabbed the sign off the wall hook and shut the door and placed the sign on the knob. �That�s a good idea,� Wendell whispered to himself and turned around to see Jeff naked and climbing into the bubbling water. Wendell took his clothes off and joined his husband in a relaxing, steamy, and sensual water massage. ~~~~~ Riding the elevator down to the lobby, they decided just to go to Shirley�s; nowhere fancy, but a familiar, decent place. Hazel was at the front desk talking to a young guy, her relief for the evening. When she saw Jeff and Wendell coming across the lobby, she grabbed her things and said goodbye to her friend. �Talk to ya later, Tom.� �Good night, Hazel,� the man replied back. She walked over to the two men. �You ready?� Wendell asked. �You bet! I�m hungry too.� Hazel drove so as not to make them pay for a taxi. It was no bother; they were old friends. The sun was beginning to set, casting a soft orange luminescence across the horizon. Wendell and Jeff were in the back seat, holding hands while catching up with Hazel. Every few moments, they�d give each other a kiss, always reminding each other how much they loved one another. She kept glancing into the rear view mirror to see them being romantic and adorable. Not only was she just happy for them, but also it turned her on. The sight of seeing two guys kissing made her lick her lips. Then there was the thought of what they could have been doing in that hot tub. Thinking of such things drove her wild. In the midst of her daydreaming, she swerved the car a little. She was so embarrassed and tried pushing such thoughts out of her head, even though it was impossible to completely do so. Arriving at Shirley�s, memories came back to them. Wendell was more familiar with the building, almost like it was yesterday. Jeff, however, was having difficulty remembering the building, but it was still vaguely there somewhere. Once they got inside, things flowed right back for Jeffrey. He remembered always sitting in the back booth by the window. And then he saw Shirley, who he clearly remembered. She hadn�t changed a bit; still the southern hostess image, kindness and hospitality just emanating from her presence. The restaurant was rather crowded this evening. Practically every table was occupied. And of course the back booth was taken, so they had to sit at one of the smaller round tables in the center. Jeff gazed around, taking the surroundings and faces in. In larger crowds, he had a tendency to grow a little introverted. He�d drop himself from conversation so he could focus on just observing. But when Shirley came over to their table, he came back around to join civilization. �Oh, my Lands! If it isn�t ole Officer White. Where in the heck have ya been, sugar?� �Australia,� Wendell replied, cocking his head, slowly looking up into her eyes and starting a slight smile; the happy, little, shy puppy dog that he was. �Australia!?� �Yep, for the past year.� There was just a brief pause before Shirley continued on. �Well that certainly explains why I haven�t seen you around here. And you didn�t even tell me, Bud! Worried that you didn�t like my cooking anymore.� �Heavens, no! I love your cooking. Just moved to Australia to be with the one I love is all.� �Awww, that�s so sweet. I never knew you were seeing someone. So who is the lucky ga?� Wendell felt a lump grow in his throat. He was extremely nervous about telling her. None of his friends in here in Los Angeles knew, save Hazel. And Shirley was more of a traditional kind of woman, set in her ways. Although she was the nicest woman ever, there was always a possibility that her reaction to the situation would be an undesired one. �Actually...,� he started off, �the lucky person is...,� he sighed internally, �this guy here.� He grabbed Jeff�s hand from across the table. There was a moment of silence which made Wendell petrified and also made Jeff and Hazel tense as well. �Oh, Bud. That�s okay, sugar. I always knew there was something special and sweet about you. Ain�t nothin� wrong with that.� She turned towards Jeff. �And by the way! You look so familiar. I remember you with Bud before.� Wendell interrupted for a second, �Could you call me Wendell, please?� He despised his old nickname. �Wendell?� Shirley repeated back questioningly. �Yeah. That�s my real name. Bud was just a handle I picked up at the station and kept because I never liked it before, but now I�ve come to accept it.� �Oh, you should never be ashamed of who you are and your name, dearie. It�s such a nice name, too. Anyway back to you,� and she pointed at Jeff with her pen. �I know you. But don�t tell me. I know I can remember. I never forget a face and the name that belongs to it.� She thought for a few seconds, tapping her pen on her order pad. �That�s right! Jeff! You were here on vacation for your birthday last year.� �That�s right,� Jeff smiled. �So you�re together now? That�s just marvelous.� Wendell held up his hand with his wedding ring. �Oh, my word! How joyous!� Shirley exclaimed. �How long ago?� Jeff answered, �Just about a week. On our honeymoon now.� �Well then that�s that. It�s on the house today, y�all. Pick whatever you want.� And she handed out three menus. �I�ll apologize ahead of time for the wait. Turned out kinda busy tonight, so our kitchen is like mud, oozing out order after order. I�ll be back in a few to take your order. Nice seein� ya again, dearies.� Shirley went off to greet more people and check on in the kitchen. The meal was delicious, of course, and the evening was special. Jeff and Wendell did not feel like going out even more; just wanted to return to their suite and consummate the honeymoon with a long night of romance. Over the last year, they had remained rather intimate, not just having sex. But that passion had been slowly dipping, with the lack of new and original ideas to experience. But packaged with the wedding was a whole new sense of desire to kick it back into gear, and they were determined to do so. They would not be pusillanimous lovers, facing the downwards hill this early on as it so often does. And so the Fairmount Hotel honeymoon suite was destined to complete it�s purpose, which it was more than adequate in doing so. ~~~~~ The sound of a vacuum cleaner passing through the hallway outside awoke Jeff. Normally, housekeeping would not do anything to disturb their guests, but it was after 1:00 PM so they figured everyone should be awake by then. Jeffrey and Wendell usually didn�t sleep in that late, but they were up so late last night and completely exhausted each other out. Wendell was tucked up into his side. Jeff used his right hand to rub his eyes because his left arm was blocked by his lover. His movements woke Wendell. He looked up at Jeff and then moved in for a kiss. �Well, good morning, Jeffrey.� �Mornin� Wendell.� Wendell shifted position and half-climbed on top of Jeff, feeling frisky all of a sudden. Jeff felt something pressing into his side. He reached underneath the sheets to meet it. �Oh, and good morning, Bud.� Jeff smiled, slightly laughing. Bud was Jeff�s nickname for Wendell�s �love monster.� Wendell pulled the sheet all the way over the both of them and it would be another half hour before the two of them would officially �wake up.� ~~~~~ They came across the lobby, holding hands. Jeff looked over at the front desk. Hazel wasn�t working; she would be in later that day. They were headed to the LAPD office. Wendell missed some of his old friends. The weather was gorgeous out so they decided to walk versus taking a taxi. On the way, Jeff brought up a challenging conversation. �You sure you�re ready for this, mate? You know they�re gonna wonder where you�ve been and why. Think you can handle the reactions you might get if you tell them about me and you?� Jeff asked, concerned for him. The last thing he wanted was to see Wendell getting hurt by old friends. Even though they were friends, it was just the way of the world to change in an instant when receiving that piece of news. �Yeah. It�s something I got to do.� �But why do you have to do it? No one needs to know. You could just talk around it.� �Talk around you? Are you serious, Jeff? I love you. You�re my husband. I wouldn�t do that to you. And I won�t lie anymore. That�s the past. No more hiding.� �Well..... if you�re sure, mate. I�ll be behind you 100 percent.� Jeff put his arm around Wendell�s shoulder for reassurance. As the office building came into view and drew closer, Wendell could feel his entire body and mind growing tense. He wanted to see his friends so badly but he did fear rejection. Now he wasn�t so sure if he could handle hearing negativity from his closest pals. But he owed it to himself, to Jeff, to not be ashamed of who he was. It was time to make a stand or forever live in the shadows. Coming through the main doors, a feeling of ease passed over him. This was familiar territory and was considered his second home back in the day. All the furniture was rearranged, of course, but at least the atmosphere made him feel more comfortable. When he turned the corner of the hallway, he saw many officers crowding around the main desk, most of which whom he didn�t recognize. The station had picked up quite a few rookies over the last year. A couple of the men turned when they heard the two men approaching, but then they faced back the way they were when they realized it wasn�t anyone they knew. It was a strange feeling for Wendell. He was so used to every officer stopping their duties to greet him. He was one to admit he used to have a bit of an ego, but all the recognition he did get was because he truly was a well-respected man of the law. Then the door to the interrogation room opened and the chief of the department stepped through. The man stopped and looked up from the pile of paperwork in his hands. His eyes widened when he saw Wendell�s face. �Boyo!� exclaimed the man. The man was Captain Smith, or Captain Dudley as Wendell and only he would call him; Wendell�s former boss. �Thinking of rejoining the force are ya?� Wendell smiled, walking over to greet him, leaving Jeffrey behind, and extending his hand to his friend. �Dudley, Dudley...� �How�s life been treating you, Wendell?� Captain Dudley was the only person in the entire force that ever used Wendell�s real name. They were very close. But of course it was that closeness which made it all the harder to bring out his big secret. Of all people that could give rejection, it was Dudley who�d hurt him the most. �Can�t complain?� �Not one bit?� Wendell scratched the back of his head, then replied back with enthusiasm. �Not one bit!� �Well that�s good. Living the dream then, boyo?� He nodded his head in agreement. �Actually, yeah. If there is such a thing. And if not, then as close as I can.� �So how�s Australia been?� There were only two people Wendell told about his moving overseas; one was his partner, and the other was Dudley. �Just wonderful, Dudley. Wish I would�ve moved there ages ago.� �Oh... No regrets then?� �Well... I mean, of course I miss everyone here, but Australia has offered just a whole new lifestyle and opportunities. I miss working here from time to time, but I think everything happened for the better.� �Then that�s great. I�m happy for you.� There was a quick silence but Dudley proceeded on with catching up. �So what are you doing for a trade now, son?� �I�m a plumber actually.� �You don�t say. How�s that?� �Eh, not too bad. Good money. Strenuous work at times though, but of course any job does. Wasn�t as bad as I thought at first. Picked up quite easily.� Jeffrey was still standing across the room, giving Wendell some space and time. If he was actually going to do this, then he didn�t want to intrude. It would have to be at his own pace. As he witnessed their facial expressions during their conversation, he could tell the topic hadn�t come into play yet. Jeff did feel kind of uncomfortable being left on the sidelines, but it was something he�d have to accept; compromise was a key necessity in any relationship. During their conversation, Dudley noticed the ring on his friend�s hand. He motioned downwards with his head. �So... you meet someone, then have ya, Wendell?� Wendell looked down at his own hand and held it up as he rubbed the ring with his other hand. �Yea...� and then he looked back up to make eye contact. �I have.� He turned around and waved Jeffrey over with a jerk of his head. Jeff walked over to his side. �This may be a bit of a shock to ya, Dudley, but uh... this is my husband, Jeff.� His gut tensed up, waiting for his friend�s response. But what the darker side of his mind was expecting was not what he got. Dudley extended his hand out to Jeff. �Hello.� �G�day.� Dudley let go of the handshake and looked directly at Wendell with sympathetic eyes. �It�s not a shock, boyo. I already knew. And... it�s no big deal, Wendell. You�re a good friend and was one hell of a loyal officer. I wouldn�t take anything less.� Wendell was deeply relieved; he sighed inside. �You actually knew? But how? I was too afraid to ever let it show.� �Well.... I can�t say I knew. But I suspected. There were certain things, but you know what? Forget about it. It doesn�t affect anything and why should it? And anyway, it�s been much too long, old friend. What do you say about some lunch?� ~~~~~ Dudley and Wendell fell right back into the groove and Jeff felt at ease instantly around him. Truth of the matter was that Captain Dudley was a good man, with an open heart. And with his biggest worry out of the way, there was only one more for Wendell - his partner, Detective Exley. But, in conversation over lunch, Wendell learned that Exley had moved to New York and joined the NYPD. He was disappointed that he would not be able to see his friend, but also relieved because now his honeymoon would be smooth sailing from in on out. Over the next couple of days, Jeffrey and Wendell spent every possible moment together. There wasn�t much to do but walk around the city, but being together was all they needed. All the memories aided the romantic getaway, but it was the hotel suite that heightened stimulation the most. On the fourth day, it was time to return home. Wendell�s vacation wasn�t as long as Jeff�s, so he had to get back; also, not to mention the hotel suite. It was just too expensive to stay any longer. Hazel had the day off and offered to drive them to the airport. At Gate 22, it was time to say goodbye to Los Angeles once again. �Man! I can�t believe you guys are leaving already. I�m really gonna miss you.� Hazel hated partings, especially if it would be a really long time if ever seeing them again. It was their honeymoon that brought them back. What other reason would there be to come back again? �Yeah. I know, mate. Seems so comfy here but duty calls and gotta get back,� Jeff replied, then giving her a hug. �Take care, mate.� �You too, Jeffrey.� Wendell gave her a hug too. �Bye, Hazel. Good luck to ya.� �Buh-bye, Wendell.� The announcement for boarding sounded. The two men grabbed their bags, walked to the terminal entrance, waved one final time, then disappeared behind the wall. Hazel stood there a moment, feeling the sadness in her heart. �Wonder if I�ll see them again... I sure hope so.� And she reached into her pocket to get her car keys. She tossed them back and forth a couple times and then went home. |