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The Sweet Life	By : jai Category: Individual Celebrities > Athlete/Sports Misc Views: 8241 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. I do not know the people written about in this fanfiction. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 20
- 21
- 22
May 15, 2010 Philadelphia PA

Ian woke on a bright and shiny Saturday morning and looked around the bedroom. Dr. Kumar, the ophthalmologist that Dr. Nelson recommended, had removed the pads off his eyes on Friday afternoon. There was still some swelling and bruising but his sight was unaffected and he’d spent the previous evening drinking in the sights he’d missed over the past week: Chloe’s smile, Grant’s crooked grin, Pieter’s indefinable shrug and most of all, the way Michael looked at him. He knew he’d been very lucky; the driver of the UPS truck was still in the hospital recovering from a broken jaw, cracked ribs and dislocated shoulder.

“What are you thinking about, Baby?” Michael asked in a whisper, his chin hooked over Ian’s shoulder, his arm around Ian’s waist.

“How lucky I am.”

“We’re both really lucky. Do you want to go visit him, Mr. Blankenship?”

“I don’t know if I should. He wouldn’t be there if-”

“If Steve wasn’t four cards short of a deck. Mr. Blankenship was in the wrong place at the wrong time but it wasn’t our fault, Ian.”

Ian sighed and put his hand over Michael’s. “I know but does he look at it that way?”

“True. Maybe we should send flowers to the hospital with phone number and leave it up to him and his family.”

“That’s a good idea. Thank you, love. You know, we really should finish the front walkway today while the weather’s good.”

Michael shifted a little, aligning his lower body with Ian’s and slinging his leg over Ian’s knees. “Um. Okay I guess we could.”

“You have to stop avoiding the front of the house sometime, love. I know it will be hard but you can’t let this go on. I’ll make a deal with you; after we work on the yard we’ll go visit the garage.”

“Ian, are you sure you want to do that?” Michael asked as he propped himself up on his hand to see Ian’s face.

“Do I want to? No. But I have to do it sometime and it won’t get any easier. Having you there will help so will you do it?” Ian said earnestly, his hand tightening over Michael’s.

“You’re being so strong, Ian. How can I not be there?”

Michael bent down and brushed his mouth over Ian’s and was surprised when Ian’s mouth opened and invited him in. The room was soon filled with the sounds of sighs and moans as they touched, stroked and fondled each other as if for the first time, rediscovering the landscapes of each other’s bodies.

Ian moaned as Michael’s hand wrapped around both of their cocks, his own hand busy tweaking Michael’s nipples, his mouth latched onto Michael’s neck. Ian’s orgasm overtook him in a gentle rush, his semen spilling into Michael’s hand and the boxer briefs they hadn’t bothered to remove. Michael’s seed joined his a few moments later and their bodies went still.

Michael stretched languidly, rubbing his legs between Ian’s and nosing around Ian’s chest. “Green bean Ian, jean lean Ian. Aegean, peon, Crimean Ian.”

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going to write a poem about you but it’s really hard. Ian doesn’t rhyme with any of the good words.”

“The good words?” Ian asked, amused.

“Yeah, like love or passion or heart. Not to mention sexy, smart or devastatingly handsome.”

Stifling a laugh, Ian rolled over onto Michael pushing him onto his back to look down at the daft creature he was married to. “You want me to change my name?”

“It would help.” Michael said, kissing Ian’s nose and cupping his hands on Ian’s bottom.

“Perhaps you should take this up with my parents.” Ian said before running his tongue over Michael’s lips and kissing him leisurely before pulling his head back and staring into Michael’s face. “I missed seeing your smile, love.”

“I missed looking into your eyes.”

“You were really worried, weren’t you?”

Michael nodded, unconsciously tightening his hands. “Uh huh. You would have coped but there’s so much for you to see. I didn’t want you to have that taken away from you.”

“I was worried too but I couldn’t let myself dwell on it for long. Steve tried to take so much from us and I wasn’t going to let him win.”

“That’s my competitive baby.” Michael said proudly with a wide grin.

“I love you, Michael.”

“I know you do and I love you too. Want to know how I know you love me?”

“How?”

“We haven’t brushed our teeth but you’ve been kissing me anyway and that is definitely true love.”

&&

“Daddy, you need to move the rock over a little bit.”

“Over that way or over this way?”

“Towards me.”

“Okay.”

Michael made the adjustment and Chloe walked over the path a few times before nodding her approval. She was taking her job of supervisor very seriously and went over to make sure Pieter was putting enough mulch down.

It hadn’t been as hard as Michael thought it would be, coming back out here. It helped that Ian, Pieter, Grant and Chloe were with him and that someone had removed the crime tape.

“Michael, what do you think about a little pond here?” Ian asked, pointing to where the path curved towards the front door.

“I’m thinking that one of us will be out here cleaning out the leaves every week and it won’t be me.”

“Spoilsport.”

“If you want a pond, we’ll need to find a better place for it or how about a pool?”

Ian stopped shoveling mulch to look at him. “I thought we didn’t want a pool?”

“We didn’t want a big blue kidney bean. I’m talking a lap pool or one of those endless pools. With five swimmers in the house, it would definitely be used.”

“We’d have to get a heater or enclose it.”

“We’ve got the room back there.”

“Hm. Well, it’s worth thinking about. Now we’d better get back to work before Chloe catches us slacking.”

&&

The garage was harder and Ian almost balked when Michael went to open the door. Michael turned to him and pulled him into a hug.

“We don’t have to do this today.” Michael said, prepared to give him an out.

“I have to do it.” Ian said stubbornly, pressing down his panic.

“Okay. You want me to go in first and open the big door? That way it won’t seem so enclosed.”

Ian gave Michael a rueful look. “Noticed that, did you?”

“Um? Well, a touch of claustrophobia isn’t surprising under the circumstances.” Michael ducked inside and hit the button for the door, coming right back out again to put his arm around Ian’s waist.

They walked around to the front, both looking in at the space. Grant and Pieter’s car was normally parked inside but they’d been parking it outside since the incident. The police had returned on Thursday to search for the uniform, starting out here and found it after several hours. Steve had tucked it into a box of clothes they’d been meaning to donate.

Between the paramedics and the crew of searchers, the previously immaculate garage was a disaster area and Ian chose to focus on that rather than the stains on the floor.

“They didn’t bother cleaning up after themselves, did they?”

“Evidently not. You okay out here?”

“Yes. Why don’t we go get a couple of trash bags and the extra empty boxes from the other garage and clean this up? It won’t take long but it really bothers me to see it like this.”

“Okay.”

Ian’s second garage approach was much easier. With the door open and the prospect of cleaning, he walked in and took the side away from where he’d been bound up. Michael quickly got a broom and swept up the gauze and other debris the medical personnel had left. They worked steadily for an hour; each box of donations was labeled and put outside to be loaded in their car while they decided about the rest of the stuff.

“Michael, what is this?” Ian asked, holding up a box.

“It’s an electronic jar opener. I think my cousin sent us that.”

Ian put it down in the ‘Discuss’ pile and moved on. “Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to put all our wedding presents out here.”

“We didn’t. We put all the extra stuff out here; we’re using all the stuff we liked.”

“You’re splitting straws. Ooh, what’s this? A turkey fryer? I don’t remember getting one of-” Ian stopped when Michael snatched the box up and rushed over to the other side of the garage with it.

“You didn’t see this! Step back from the box.”

“Is that my birthday present?” Ian asked, advancing slowly.

“Is what your birthday present?” Michael said, trying to look innocent.

“Michael, I’ve seen it so you might as well hand it over.”

“Is today your birthday? No? Then tough luck. You can have it in October.” Michael said putting the box back on the shelf.

Ian tried a pout. “But I just want to look at it.”

“No because I know you. First it’s a look, and then you’ll want to touch and the next thing I know I’ll be out looking for another present. No way.”

Stamping his foot, Ian went back to his pile with a huff. “I don’t see what the big deal is. You could give it to me early.”

“Five months early?”

“I could give you your present.” Ian tried.

“No thanks. I can wait.”

“Argh! Michael! Come on!”

“Nope.”

“What’s to stop me from just coming out here and getting it when you’re not home?”

“Because you’re an honorable man who would never dream of taking someone else’s stuff.”

“It’s not someone else’s, it’s mine.”

“It’s mine until I give it to you.”

&&

Ian grumbled all the way through the rest of the clean up, loading the car and washing up in the house. Chloe sidled up to Michael as they sat down for lunch with a worried look at Ian.

“Daddy, is Papa okay?”

“He’s fine, pumpkin. He’s just mad at me because I won’t let have his birthday present.”

“Papa! Don’t be mad at Daddy.”

Ian sat back with a pout. “But I just wanted to see it. It’s a turkey fryer.”

“A turkey fryer?” Chloe asked, her expression clearly stating that it didn’t sound like a fun present. “Why did you get Papa a turkey fryer?”

“I never said it was a turkey fryer.” Michael said as he put his napkin in his lap, while he peeked at Ian. Ian’s expression was all he could have hoped for, the surprise then the crafty look Ian got when he was trying to figure something out.

“Why did Papa think it was one?”

“Because I packed it in a box once used for a turkey fryer.”

“And you just happened to find a box that once contained a turkey fryer? Grant asked, clearly enjoying Ian’s expressions.

“Sure, the one Siobhan and Art sent us for a wedding present.”

Ian frowned. “We’ve had a turkey fryer for all this time and you didn’t tell me?”

“You signed the thank you note, Ian. Didn’t you read it?”

Ian shook his head. “Clearly the policy that each of us had to write the note for our own relatives is coming around to bite me on the ass.”

“Ya think? Especially since I have three times as many relatives?” Michael said, finally getting his revenge. He reached up to help Pieter put the platter of tacos on the table. “Oh, Pieter that looks great.”

“Thank you, Michael. Let me get the salsa and we can eat.”

As they all added the fixings to their tacos, Grant asked what the plans were for the rest of the day.

“Well, we need to drop off some stuff at the charity shop because we’ve been meaning to do that for months but I don’t think we have any other plans. Michael?”

“That’s all I have. Did you guys have something in mind?”

Pieter and Grant shared a look before Pieter answered. “We were planning on going for walk over in the park; do you want to go along? Chloe can bring her bike and we’ll also take the pups.”

Ian nodded, “Sounds like fun and we can fry a turkey for dinner!” He quickly ducked to avoid the napkin Michael threw at him.

&&

Although they all thought it was ridiculous to drive somewhere to walk let alone take two cars, they did it anyway. Chloe and the dogs rode with Pieter and Grant while Michael and Ian made the quick stop to drop off twelve boxes at Goodwill then met up near one of the trail heads.

After getting Chloe into her gear and the dogs on leashes, they set off walking with Chloe riding a little ahead but never far enough so her parents couldn’t see her.

“So Pieter what did you want to talk to us about?” Ian asked.

“What makes you think I had something to talk about?”

“Because you and Grant have been giving each other significant looks for a couple of days.” Michael said. “So give already.”

“Well, you know I have a brother Robert.”

“And I have a brother Craig.” Grant put in.

“And? Are you just mentioning this to wipe our noses in your brother-having-ness?”

“Brother-having-ness? That is not a word, Ian.” Grand said.

“Anyway,” Pieter said loudly before the two could start on each other. “Craig and Robert would both like to visit.”

“So what’s the problem? Your brothers are more than welcome to visit.”

“Well, we’d like to know if you are ever going to set up the weight room or not. If not, we’d like to use that room for a guest room; there’s a shower and toilet in there.”

Michael shrugged, leaving it up to Ian. “They’re Ian’s weights.”

“And I’d like to set them up again but it’s much easier using the machines at the school’s gym between classes. Where would we store them?”

“Ian, we can sell them if you want. It won’t hurt my feelings.”

“But they were gifts.” Ian said, looking stricken.

“And they haven’t been used for over a year. Maybe we could donate them to the Y. I know you got a lot of use out of them when you were in full training but there’s no use letting them sit around and gather dust. Seriously, Ian it wouldn’t upset me.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, baby.”

“Okay then. I guess you guys have a guest room. When are Craig and Robert coming to visit?”

“Craig’s coming out in late July to watch the US Lifesaving Championship over in Wildwood.”

“And Robert’s coming in June just to visit.”

“So you’re going to be spreading out your brother-having-ness.” Ian commented.

“That’s not a word!”

“And just so you know,” Pieter said, speaking loudly again, “We think having Margaret and Ken living here would be fun not to mention good for Chloe although your mother better not try horning in on our Chloe time.”

“We just want to be able to have guests every once in a while.” Grant put in after flicking his fingers against Ian’s hair.

“Pieter, Grant repeat after me: ‘my so-in-so is coming and they’ll be here x number of days.’ There, wasn’t that easy? You don’t have to ask permission, it’s your house too you know.” Michael said.

“Well said, Michael and I agree.” Ian said, “You are much more than the guys who live in the basement and play their drums too loud.”

“They’re not loud; you just don’t have appreciation for fine music.” Grant retorted.

“Music? I thought you were holding a voodoo ritual down there.”

Michael and Pieter walked a little quicker leaving Grant and Ian, behind to bicker.

“Will those two ever not snip at each other?” Michael wondered aloud, putting his arm companionably through Pieter’s as they strolled.

“I think it’s their way of letting each other know how much they care for each other.”

“Hm. You’re probably right. So, Robert’s coming for a visit. Will he be here in time for the beach?”

“I’m not sure if he’s bought his ticket yet. I’ve heard about all the complicated arrangements that have been made. Is there room for him?”

“There should be, although he’ll have to share a room.” Michael said then turned around to speak to Ian. “Babe, Robert might be coming with us to the beach and put Grant and Pieter on the mailing list so they can get in on all the gossip. Thanks, Babe!”

He turned back to Pieter with a smile as Ian sputtered behind them. “It’s all taken care of. He and Siobhan will have fun trying to work that out.”

“And it looks like Chloe’s all biked out.” Pieter said, nodding ahead of them where Chloe was stopped on the side of the trail.

As they approached, she stood and held her arms up. “Daddy, I’m tired. Will you carry me?”

“Sure pumpkin but what about your bike?”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got it.” Grant said, coming over and pulling out what looked like a web of straps from his pocket. He handed Gizmo’s leash to Pieter and ran the straps through the bike’s frame, before hoisting it to carry off his shoulders like a backpack. “There. I’m all set.”

“Grant, that’s brilliant.” Ian said as he helped Chloe onto Michael’s back.

“Thanks. Since I’ve pushed this bike a few times, this is much better than leaning over.” Grant adjusted the straps then tweaked Chloe’s nose, making her giggle.

&&
May 27, 2010 Philadelphia, PA

Grant and Ian lifted the new Japanese maple in place and Grant held it while Ian, Pieter and Michael back filled the hole. Grant checked that it was level and they all stepped back.

“I like it.” Ian commented.

“It looks great against the new house color.” Michael added.

“And we only have one more to do so let’s get shoveling, men.” Grant ordered, picking up his shovel and moving on.

They were on their second day of work and it was starting to look like a front yard again. The walk was done, the beds laid out and the oddly shaped muddy patch outside of Ian’s study was newly paved in slate and they’d added a birdbath and fenced it off with a fancy length of ironwork from a salvage place. It would be a great place for Chloe to spend time outside without worrying about her safety.

“What’s left after this?” Pieter asked twenty minutes later, pausing to take a sip of water. “I’m getting calluses.”

“Flowers.” Ian said as he laid aside his shovel and reached for the measuring tape. “And we’re deep enough.”

“How many of those did we get again?” Grant asked.

“Over two hundred.” Michael said, getting ready to lift the tree with Pieter.

They all sighed and continued working. They knew it was going to be worth it but getting there was taking longer than they thought it would.

“I suppose we have to plant them today?” Pieter asked as he held the tree.

“Unfortunately, we really should or we might lose some. Not to mention we’re leaving for New York tomorrow right after Chloe gets out of school.” Ian said as he shoveled. “God, I’m really going to need a back rub after this.”

“We all will.” Pieter said, turning to look at Michael who put his hands up.

“Don’t look at me. I’m going to need one myself.”

“I say we take a couple of hours this weekend and hit a spa. There’s one at the hotel.” Grant suggested.

“And Whitney’s willing to come up to house sit so we don’t have to worry about the animals either.” Ian remarked.

“That’s awfully sweet of her.” Pieter said, picking up the level and holding it against the tree. “We need dirt on Ian’s side.”

“Not really. She has roommates and Pete’s living with his sister so they’re happy to have some time alone. I don’t think Mom’s that thrilled with the idea but Whitney’s a big girl.”

Grant went over and helped Ian add more soil to one side of the hole. “Does your mother not like him?”

“She hasn’t said. I know she didn’t have a problem with Hilary and Craig sharing a room when they were here or on the cruise ship or with Ian and I living in sin for years.” Michael gave Ian a quick smile, “However Pete is technically still married.”

Ian put one last shovelful of dirt around the tree. “How’s that, Pieter?”

“Looks fine, guys. Let’s take a short break and then lay out the flowers. When are the grass people coming?”

“Next Wednesday.” Michael answered as they picked up the shovels and put them in the wheelbarrow, Ian pushing it over towards the driveway.

Grant reached into the ice chest and handed out the water bottles as they all sat down in the shade. “How can one be technically married?”

“Pete and his wife, Julie, got married four years ago and separated a month after the ceremony but they’ve reconciled a few times over the years. He was living with Julie when he and Whitney met in fact. I don’t know how Mom feels about it; she’s keeping her mouth shut. It’s all fine and good to not want to give up on your wedding vows but they couldn’t have meant that much if they were breaking up a month later.”

“So in other words, you don’t approve.” Grant said, emphasizing the ‘you’.

“Not really, I sort of feel like he’s jerking Whitney around. But I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt and see what happens. She’s a smart woman but she’s stubborn.”

“Like the rest of the Phelps’ family.” Ian commented standing up and putting his empty water bottle next to the ice chest. “Let’s get back to work, only a couple of hours more to go and this will be the fun part.”

Groaning, Pieter stood up and hauled Grant to his feet. “Fun. The man thinks this is fun.”

“It is fun. We get to lay out all the plants now.” Ian said a note of excitement in his voice.

“No, now we get to haul all the plants out, fight over where they will go, dig more holes and mulch until our brains fall out.” Pieter said in a mutter as they rounded the house to get the plants they’d stored in the garage the previous day.

“Hey, at least we had them delivered Pieter. We could have also had to unload them too.” Michael said as they all stopped to look at the plan Ian designed on the computer.

“Oh hush, Pieter. You know you’re enjoying this; you preen every time a car drives by. Shall we start with the azaleas?” Grant asked.

“I do not preen!”

“Yet somehow you always seem to be wiping your face with your shirt, exposing your abs. Good thing this is a quiet street so you have plenty of warning. The azaleas go in front of the house; make sure you check the colors. The white ones go at the corners.” Ian reached down and picked up three of the plants in each hand.

After another hour, they had all the plants out in the yard and divided up the labor. Michael and Grant dug holes while Ian and Pieter planted. By two thirty, they were done and sitting on the front porch again this time in the new wicker furniture with sandwiches, chips and snacks looking out over the results of their hard work.

“This really looks great, doesn’t it?” Michael asked.

“It does indeed. Once the grass goes in, we’ll have the nicest yard on the block.” Pieter said proudly.

“Chloe’s going to love her garden.” Ian commented as he turned his head to look at the miniature roses, dwarf conifers and other small growing plants in the child sized area.

Grant glanced at his watch, standing suddenly. “Speaking of Chloe; I need to go pick her up from school. Do you want me to pick up something for dinner while I’m out? I really can’t deal with cooking tonight.”

“How about a chicken or two, some pasta salad and those marinated green beans from the Market?” Michael suggested.

“Oh, the green beans! And it’s early enough so there should still be plenty left. I’ll be back in a bit.” Grant gathered up their trash and dashed into the house, appearing a few minutes later in his car going down the drive with a cherry beep.

“I guess we should all go in and clean up.” Ian said a few minutes later.

“Why? Well, we should clean up but it’s nice out here now.” Pieter said from his place on the swing.

“It is indeed. I can’t wait to see what it looks like in the spring. Once we get the bulbs in, it’s going to be spectacular.”

&&

May 28, 2010 Philadelphia, PA

“How about this one?” Ian asked pointing at a black iron arbor.

“Too plain but that one back there is nice.” Michael said as he walked towards the back fence of the salvage yard. “What do you think?”

Ian looked over the fancier arbor then looked back at the one he’d liked. “It’s definitely more Victorian but it’s so fussy. Maybe we should look for a wood one.”

“Maybe you’re right but there’s nothing that says we have get an arbor today.” Michael took another look around then noticed the clock on the wall. Hell, it’s after twelve; we’d better head back or we’ll miss our train.”

&&

“Do you really want to get a pool?” Ian asked as Michael paid the bridge toll.

“I’m not sure actually. The hedonist in me wants this really elaborate pool with a water fall and Jacuzzi but the practical side says we live in Philadelphia and we’d only use it a couple of months out of the year which is why and endless pool might be a good compromise. I’d be able to do some training at home and we could use it as a spa too. It would also be cheaper to enclose so it could be used year round.”

“Hm. Interesting. Where would we put it?”

“We could build off from the sun room or back in the corner near the second garage. I like the garage option better because it would be close by but not actually in the house. I think Chloe would be safe but hopefully we’ll have a toddler running around in a couple of years and we’d both worry if there was a pool in the house.”

“Good point and well thought out. Okay, I’m sold.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. I worry about you driving to the pool during the winter so if you promise you’ll do your six am swims at home when the weather is bad, I say we get one.”

“Awesome. Thanks baby and I think I’ve got the brochure at the house somewhere. I can call them when we get back from New York.”

&&

“Michael, isn’t that Whitney’s car?”

Michael nodded as he pulled into the driveway. “Yeah but she wasn’t supposed to be here until three and it’s only one thirty. I hope nothing’s wrong.”

He pulled into the garage and they got out, heading into through the kitchen door to be met by Pieter.

“Thank god you’re home.”

“What? What’s wrong?” Michael asked anxiously.

“We’ve been invaded by your sisters and your mother.”

Ian heard Debs’ distinctive laugh and relaxed. “Debbie’s here?”

“Yes. Whitney broke up with The Rubber Band Man this morning and they’re using our house for a girl’s weekend. What time does our train leave? Please tell me it leaves in ten minutes because I’m already packed.”

“The train leaves at five Pieter so you’re out of luck.” Michael said with a relieved smile as he put down the shopping bag. “You really had me worried there.”

“I’m sorry. But they’ve been here for hours and while I’m all for girl talk, there is only so much man bashing I can take.”

“Honestly Pieter, you’re such a drama queen.” Grant said as he came into the kitchen with an empty tray of glasses. “Whitney’s heart is broken and they’re commiserating with her; don’t take it so personally. And they’ve only been here forty five minutes.”

“Maybe I wouldn’t take it so personally if you’d stop agreeing with them!” Pieter said.

Michael ignored them as he walked into the family room to find not only his mother and sisters but also his stepsisters Siobhan and Linda sitting around.

“Hey mom! Hey sisters.” Michael said as he went around the room giving everyone a kiss. “Are you okay, Whitney?”

“Yeah, I’ll be okay. I guess I should have known he wasn’t a keeper when he spent last weekend cleaning out Julie’s gutters but he really had me fooled.”

“Uh, this gutter thing; that’s not some kind of euphemism is it?”

The women laughed and Debbie patted his leg. “No sweetie. We’re saving those for later.”

“Okay then.”

“We didn’t even ask but you don’t mind us taking over the house for the weekend, do you?”

“Nah, its fine. Chloe’s going to be so surprised when she gets home and finds you all here.”

“Then would you consider leaving her here with us? We’d love to spend some time with her and we’re doing girly stuff all weekend.” Hilary said.

Gulping, Michael looked around at the eager expressions on his female relatives and took the easy way out. “Um, well I’ll have to talk it over Ian and-”

“Talk what over with Ian?” Ian said as he came into the room with impeccable timing.

“They want Chloe to stay here for the weekend.”

“Oh.” The happy look went off Ian’s face and he sat down quickly.

“Ian, gosh. Are you okay? Were you more hurt than you said you were?” Debbie asked, getting up to sit next to him.

“Yes. No, I’m fine. I’m okay really. It’s just I haven’t spent a night apart from Chloe since we found her and I was looking forward to showing her New York.”

“In that case, she should go with you. We just thought it would fun to have her here and you’d get a chance to have a nice romantic weekend. We’re disappointed but we’ll see her all week at the beach and-”

“No, Debs it’s a great idea. I know we’ve been sort of monopolizing her time and you really would like to get to know her so-”

“Ian, honestly we don’t feel that way at all. It’s only natural that you want to spend time with her and really, it’s great that you’re so close to her-“

Michael put his fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly, causing both Debbie and Ian to stop talking. “Okay Mom, Ian how about we let Chloe decide what she wants to do? Yes, she was excited about New York and we’ve made plans with her but she might like the idea of staying home too.”

&&

“Are you sure you aren’t mad at me, Papa?”

“Chloe-love,” Ian said, gathering up in his arms. “Of course I’m not mad at you. I’m going to miss you horribly but Granny and the Aunts miss you too and I guess I just have to learn to share you.” Ian pulled an exaggerated pout, making her giggle.

“You’re going to behave?” Michael asked.

“Yes, Michael.” Debbie nodded with a laugh. “We won’t male bash too much and we have Ian’s list of what Chloe can and cannot wear. You know, you guys are going to die when she hits her teens.”

“We’re ignoring that possibility, mom. Will you do us a favor and talk to her about getting her hair cut? Pieter’s the only one who can braid it properly enough for her and he’s not going to be around much the next few months.”

“I’ll see what I can do, sweetie. You guys have a good time.”

Deb and Michael hugged then Michael took Chloe from Ian. “I’m going to miss you pumpkin.”

“I’m going to miss you too, Daddy. You’ll take care of Papa?” Chloe asked, seriously.

“I will, I promise.”

“And you’ll call me tomorrow?”

“We’ll call and take plenty of pictures.”

“Okay. Will you bring me a present?”

“Hm. I don’t know. What did you have in mind?” Chloe whispered in his ear and he nodded, grinning a little. “I think we can do that. Be good for Granny and we’ll see you Monday.”

He kissed her nose and gave her one last hug before setting her down. Pieter and Grant were already on the train and Ian and Michael waved as they went up the stairs. They found their seats across the aisle from Grant and Pieter and waved out the window as they sat down.

The train pulled out three minutes later and it was all Ian could do not to cling to the window. He sat back with a sigh, noticing the amused looks on three faces. “Oh, go ahead and laugh. I know I’m pathetic.”

“It’s sweet, not pathetic.” Pieter said. “You’re not the only one who will miss her.”

Grant nodded and Michael put his hand in Ian’s. “Do you think we should have insisted she come with us?”

Ian sighed and slumped against Michael’s shoulder. “No, not insisted and since we’ve turned down your mom’s invites to have Chloe spend time with her I guess this is a good compromise.”

“I am very proud of you for not dangling a shopping trip to FAO Schwarz in front of her.”

“Thank you. Speaking of shopping, what did she ask for?”

“Ah, that’s a secret.”

“Oh my god. I’ve been gone four minutes and she’s already keeping secrets from me!”

&&

Grant hailed a taxi at Penn Station and they crammed inside, Grant in the front seat for the ride to Trump Towers. It wasn’t anyone’s first choice hotel-wise but Speedo and Citizen was paying for this trip so they weren’t going to complain. They checked in at the front lobby and followed the bellhop upstairs to their suites where their attaché showed them around and reminded them that they had reservations downstairs for dinner.

They freshened up quickly, changed into suits and headed down to Jean Georges; one of the better restaurants in the city where they met Tim Carlisle and David Flaskas.

“Guys! You look great.” Tim said with his typical enthusiasm as he shook their hands. David was a little more subdued but just as happy to see them. They were led to their table, taking their seats and giving their drink orders before settling in for more serious talk.

“Is Chloe not here?” David asked.

“No, she’s having a girls’ weekend with Michael’s mum and sisters.”

“And it’s probably for the best,” Michael added as he fiddled with his fork, noticing Ian looking at him with surprise. “We’re here to test out the pool and there’s going to be press. I’d rather not have her picture in the papers.”

“Oh, right. Yes, okay.”

They enjoyed casual conversations over the offerings off the prix-fixe menu; discussing the food and catching up with recent news until the cheese course arrived and Daniel dropped his bombshell.

“Ian, you know your name is being bandied about for committee membership.”

“Committee? What committee?”

“The IOC. Richard Gosper is retiring and they normally like to replace retiring members with people from the same country.”

“Why me?”

“Because you’re the guy with the most medals, you doof.” Grant said with a smile then gave Ian’s back a pat. “Good show.”

“It’s not a definite thing but Susie called a couple of weeks ago, asked if I thought you’d be interested.” Dave said. “I told her I’d feel you out on the subject. Well, not literally.”

“And thank you for that.” Michael quipped.

&&

“That was surprising.” Ian said once they were in the elevator after dinner.

“The membership thing? What do you think?” Michael asked.

“I don’t know, it’s flattering but I’d need to find out what it involved. Switzerland is a nice country but I don’t want to spend a lot of time there.” Ian said as he stripped off his tie and jacket. “Especially once Jamie comes.”

“Jamie? Is that what we’re going to call him or her?” Michael kicked off his shoes and took off his own jacket.

“Do you object?”

“No, not really. Chloe and Jamie. I like it.”

“Well, I also like Glory if it’s a girl.”

Michael stopped and stared at Ian who was busy hanging up their discarded clothes. “You want to name our daughter after a hell goddess?”

“Why ever not? It’s a cool name.”

“Uh, no. Willow, Cordelia, Faith, Tara and Dawn are cool names. Glory, Druscilla, Harmony, Darla and Anya are not acceptable.”

“You don’t like Harmony? Harmony Margaret Thorpe, doesn’t that have a nice ring? Hand me your shirt, love.”

Holding out his shirt, Michael shook his head. “Well when Harmony grows up and finds out her Papa named her for an airhead off a nineties cult TV show, I’m going to step aside when she kicks your butt.”

“You’d let our daughter kick my butt?” Ian asked with a grin.

“You betcha. In fact, I’ll even hold her sippy cup.” Michael smirked as he slipped off his boxer briefs and headed for the bed. He gasped when Ian tackled him, both of them ending up face down on the king sized bed.

“Sippy cup! That’s insulting!” Ian exclaimed, his fingers digging into Michael’s ribs.

“Hee! Oh. No tick- no tickling!” Michael yelled tried to scramble away but when that failed, he reached around and grabbed Ian’s knee, turning their tussle into a wrestling match. Ian’s superior weight won the day and two minutes later, Michael was pined.

“Now, are you going to admit that was insulting and take it back?” Ian said, his hand held up ready to start tickling again.

“Ian, it would have been insulting if I’d said I’d hold her bottle –Arg!”

**
Thanks for all the great reviews and I apologize for the lack of updates during the week -work has been kicking my ass. Hopefully, I'll be wrapping up The Sweet Life before Christmas (I have that week off) and will start on Grant and Pieter's side of the story.
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The Sweet Life