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Diplomatic Relations	By : jai Category: Individual Celebrities > Athlete/Sports Misc Views: 3147 -:- 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
- 6
- 7
August 25, 2009 New York, NY

It had been fun, Pieter thought as he struggled to get their luggage onto the ship. He and Grant had barely slept since Sunday morning as they tried to cover the entire island of Manhattan. He was even running late because he’d taken a short nap after Grant left at five to pick up the video for the bachelor party.

He’d already been told he was the last passenger to check in and he hurried as best he could. Traffic had been horrible and he’d had trouble flagging down a cab for all their bags until the hotel’s doorman had stepped in. Then his trouble continued at the terminal when he couldn’t find a purser but he was finally on board and he’d been spotted by Ian.

“Ian, my friend!” Pieter dropped his bags and hugged Ian, lifting him off his feet.

“Pieter, you crazy Dutchman, how have you been? We haven’t seen you since your wedding last year.”

“Fine. Where is your blushing groom?”

“He’s over there talking to Siobhan, his stepsister.” Ian turned and waved, “Michael!”

Michael looked over, caught sight of Pieter and smiled. He excused himself from Siobhan and came over.

“It’s Dr. van den Hoogenband!” Michael said as he hugged Pieter. “We missed you in Beijing but how are you?”

“I wanted to be there for both of your big triumphs but then if I had been there, neither of you would have had such triumphs so it was for the best.”

Just then, one of the ship’s crew interrupted them while another came along to take the bags Pieter had struggled with.

“Pardon me. Mr. Thorpe, Mr. Phelps, we’re ready to pull the gangway. Have all your guests arrived?”

“Yes, Mr. Durand now that Dr. van den Hoogenband is here.”

“Very well sirs. I’ll radio the crew and we’ll be departing on time.”

“Pieter, you’re up on deck ten with us so we’ll show you the way. Michael do you have his key?”

“Right here baby. Pieter, you can leave your luggage here but how much do you need for a five day cruise?”

“I intend to be the most beautiful person at your wedding; although with you two it will not be a hard task but I still need an adequate wardrobe.”

They chatted as they made their way to the tenth deck and Michael gave him a short tour of the cabin before the two men left him to settle in. Pieter couldn’t help breathing a sigh of relief that Ian hadn’t asked the questions that Pieter could almost see forming in his mind.

He jumped when there was a light tap on his door but relaxed when he heard Grant’s familiar voice.

“Pieter?”

Pieter opened the door and let his boyfriend inside. “Hello, I made it.”

“So I see. What happened? You were supposed to be here two hours ago.”

“I fell asleep after you left. Thank goodness for the chamber maid or I would still be asleep.”

“Oh god. I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?” Pieter asked.

“I dragged you all over Manhattan.”

“Yes, I remember the handcuffs and threats if I didn’t keep up. Stop being silly. We had a wonderful time but I really need a shower and a snack.”

“You didn’t get anything to eat?”

“No.” Pieter shook his head as he pulled out his toiletry bag. “I know dinner is at ten but I’m starving now.”

“Then take a shower and I’ll be back in a few minutes with a snack.”

&&

The party was just as advertised: all of Michael and Ian’s swimming friends in the ship’s Portofino Grill with an Italian buffet. It was a casual gathering and for Pieter, it was good to see old friends again. Many of them had attended his wedding but he hadn’t really gotten a chance to chat and socialize then. Surprisingly, no one mentioned Minouche; not even Inge, but that was just fine with Pieter.

Of course, with so many swimmers in the room, certain events from the past had to be brought up, especially by Klim and Krayzelburg. It was a nice evening although Pieter was having a hard time staying awake.

He slipped away around one, hoping to go unnoticed but wasn’t surprised when Grant caught up with him as he crossed the pool deck.

“I wish we could spend the night together.” Grant said as they stopped in front of Pieter’s door.

“I know but Ian’s bound to come looking for you at some point.”

“You know, we’re moving to Philadelphia. We’ll have to tell them soon.”

“I know, I know. I’m sorry I’m dragging my feet on this.”

“It’s okay. I understand. Do I get a goodnight kiss?”

Pieter grinned and pulled Grant’s face down to him by sliding his hands around Grant’s neck. Their lips met in the middle and for several minutes, the only sound in the passageway was the thud of Pieter’s back hitting his door and the rustling of material as their hands traveled.

“Oh my god!”

Grant and Pieter broke away from each other and stared down the hall at Ian’s shocked face.

“Ian. Uh, this isn’t what it looks like.” Grant started.

“What else could it be? You were macking on Pieter!”

“Ian, let us explain.” Pieter began but Ian was already winding up.

“What’s to explain? Wait, what happened to Minouche? Does she know about this? Are you having an affair at my wedding?”

A shrill whistle broke the air and Michael pulled his fingers away from his lips. “Ian, it’s almost one thirty in the morning. This is a public corridor. Whatever Grant and Pieter are doing, they’re both adults and it’s not any of our business. Unless they want to tell us later. After we’ve all had a good night’s sleep.”

Michael’s expression and body language must have indicated something to Ian because he immediately calmed down, although he didn’t look happy.

“All right, Michael. Grant, Pieter I hope we’ll have a chance to talk later. Good night.”

Pieter shakily got out his key once Michael and Ian disappeared into their cabin and opened his door. Grant followed him inside and they both collapsed on the bed.

“That wasn’t the way I wanted to tell him.” Pieter said quietly.

“I know but now he knows. They know. The hard part’s over.” Grant said, matching his tone.

“Over? How can you say that?”

“Because we were both dreading telling him. You because of Minouche and me because I was feeling guilty for not telling him from the beginning.”

“Oh. Yes, you’re right. But I don’t want to tell him why I left Minouche. Not yet.”

“Then we don’t go into that part. Say Minouche left you; that it was a mistake to get married but by the time you realized it, all the arrangements had been made.”

Pieter kicked his shoes off and curled up, facing Grant. “I suppose that would work. Should we also tell them about Philadelphia?”

“Yes, I think we’d better. I was going to wait to tell you this but it might come up tomorrow. I have a job in New York.”

“What?”

“No don’t worry. It’s a liaison position with the Australian Embassy. They want my research and I’ll have almost total access to their records in New York and Washington. There are no particular hours but it will keep me busy until you can move.”

“That won’t be until after the divorce.”

“I know but I can’t keep hanging around in Geldrop. Sooner or later, someone will mention my frequent visits to Minouche or someone she knows. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened already. I don’t want to make our relationship something she can latch onto.”

Sighing, Pieter sat up and pulled off his shirt. “Yes. Good point. Robert said something similar a few months ago but I didn’t want to give you up so soon.”

“I don’t want to go but if things aren’t settled by Christmas, I’ll come to visit.”

“You won’t go to Australia?”

“No. Mum and Dad know about you and more importantly, they know how I feel about you.”

“When did you tell them? You never said you told them?”

“I didn’t have to. What else explains all the time I’ve been spending with you? You never officially told your parents either.” Grant replied, sitting up and swinging his legs onto the floor.

“Again, you are correct. Where are you going?”

“To my room.”

“Why not stay?”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Ian knows, Michael knows so why not?”

“All right. And Inge knows too.”

“You told her?”

“No. She mentioned that she heard I was spending time in Geldrop. She didn’t come out in say it but she inferred.”

“Ah. Well?”

“Okay, I’ll stay and we’ll go talk to Ian and Michael later.”

&&

August 26, 2009 On board the Navigator

“That went well.” Pieter said after they left Ian and Michael’s cabin.

“It did. Are you okay with staying with them? Or rather, I could stay with them and house hunt before you come over.”

“I trust your house hunting skills but I’d like to be in on it, if possible. What’s their house like in Philadelphia?”

“It’s huge. Six bedrooms upstairs. Seven bathrooms and I think there’s a suite in the basement.”

“Why did they buy something so big?”

“I think they were thinking ahead to children. And having visitors.”

“Ah. Well I feel better knowing we won’t be crowding them. What are we doing today?”

“How about lounging on the deck? We can use the one here or go out to the pool.”

“I think the pool.”

&&

August 29, 2009 SS Navigator

After the ceremony was finished, Grant knew that his next duty was to escort Whitney and Hilary to the Seven Seas Lounge for dinner once Ian and Michael had started down. It was all part of Ian’s plan to get the guests into the right place so the ship’s crew could set up the pool deck for dancing and dessert.

Because it was a plan conceived by Ian Thorpe, it went as expected although Grant was surprised to see Pieter escorting Mrs. Davisson, Michael’s grandmother, into the lounge. The two appeared to be having quite an interesting conversation and yes, Pieter had been seated next to her for the meal.

He wondered what they were talking about but was soon occupied by the discussions at his own table. Ian and Michael were so giddy at finally being married that Grant almost felt bad for teasing them.

“So, now that Michael’s made an honest man of you . . . “

“I’ve always been an honest man, Grant. For instance, you should never wear yellow. It makes you look seasick.”

“Oh funny. Have you gained weight or is it just the outfit?” Grant asked sweetly much to Whitney and Hilary’s amusement.

“Grant, don’t make me come over here.” Margaret Thorpe scolded from behind him, thumping him on the ear. “It’s Ian’s wedding day. Don’t be up to your shenanigans.”

“That hurt, Maggie! And he started it.”

“That’s what you always say.” Margaret said with a sniff as she turned back to her table.

“Ian, I take back everything I ever said about the seating chart. *That* was worth all six months of your fretting.” Michael said with a grin as the wait staff started serving the first course: three different summer soups in small cups.

Grant stuck his tongue out at both men while Whitney and Hilary laughed.

The wedding meal, one of the few things that Michael had been interested in according to Ian, was magnificent. The summer soups: Sassy Nectarine, Vegetable Gazpacho and Blueberry Frappe, were served chilled and each was unique without being too weird. Instead of salad, the next course featured butternut squash, Brussels sprouts and truffles with a black truffle emulsion. For the entrée, each guest was given a choice between Hot Ruby Lamb, Filet Mignon, Wild Salmon or Roast Vegetable Ziti. Grant struggled between the salmon and the steak but in the end, went with the lamb as had Ian.

Whitney and Michael had chosen the steak and Hilary the salmon and after some negotiation, they each got a small taste of the other meals.

“The salmon and steak are good but I’m glad I went with the lamb.” Grant remarked. “I haven’t had lamb in quite a while.”

“I don’t normally like lamb but that was tasty.” Michael admitted.

“You don’t like lamb because of Aunt Marian.” Hilary said. “We used to go to her house for Easter and every year, she’d try to cook a leg of lamb.”

“Try being the operative word. She always left it in too long and it tasted like shoe leather. It looked like leather too.”

“Ew. Yeah, I remember. Then there was that one time she forgot to buy mint jelly.” Michael said with a laugh.

“I’m not sure I want to know.” Ian said.

“She took apply jelly and mixed it up with mint tea leaves.” Hilary explained with a shudder. “Even Dad wouldn’t eat that.”

Grant gulped. “Okay, tell me which one is Aunt Marian.”

“Don’t worry. She wasn’t really our aunt.” Michael replied. “She was one of Mom’s coworkers and she isn’t here.”

“Ah. Thank goodness because I don’t cook but even I know better than that. By the way, I think your menu is a big hit. The volume in here has taken a nose dive so that means everyone is busy eating.”

“I’m glad it’s successful. We spent a lot of time figuring out what to serve. Hopefully the cheese course will go over just as well.”

“Cheese?” Whitney said with dismay. “After this you expect us to eat cheese?”

“Yep. And then dessert later.”

“We’ll finally see the secret wedding cake?” Whitney asked.

“Yes. Finally.” Ian confirmed.

“What’s so secret about it?”

“It’s the only thing they haven’t talked about.” Hilary explained to Grant.

“That’s because it’s the first thing we decided on.” Michael said.

“But there’s also a dessert table, for those who don’t enjoy wedding cake.”

Grant took a drink of his wine and smirked, “I sense an ulterior motive here.”

“What? What are you talking about?” Ian asked.

“Half of Michael’s competition is in this room. You’re planning to fatten them all up.”

Michael snorted, almost inhaled his sip of soda and had to quickly grab a napkin. “Grant!”

Once dinner was finished, the party moved back to the pool deck and Ian and Michael’s first dance as a married couple. As he watched, Grant couldn’t help wondering how long it would be before he and Pieter could do that.

“What song is that?” Pieter asked from beside him.

“I think it’s called ‘Love with Me.’” Grant replied. “The band is doing a nice job of it.”

“It’s a pretty song. Did you finish writing your toast?”

“Yes.” Grant said. “I hope they like it.”

Michael and Ian separated and the song changed as they danced with their own mother then switched off through ‘Unforgettable’ by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole.

“This is very nice.” Pieter said. “Perfect weather, lovely ceremony. You look particularly handsome, by the way.”

“Thanks. I like that suit on you. The green tie is a nice touch.”

“Thank you, Mr. Hackett.”

After an hour of dancing, it was time for the toasts and Grant wiped his hands nervously on a napkin before heading for the stage with a glass of champagne. The bandleader stepped aside and Grant took the microphone.

“Ladies, Gentlemen and fellow athletes, who don’t really qualify for the other two forms of address. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Grant Hackett, also know as the man who couldn’t beat Ian Thorpe, which is why he must have asked me to be his best man. He is beating me to the altar and why not continue the trend?

“On behalf of Michael and Ian, I’d like to thank all of you for being here on this wonderful night. I especially want to thank Ian and Michael’s parents: Margaret and Ken, Debbie and Ryan, Fred and Jackie. Not only have they raised two great men, they’re also the ones many of us can blame for our disappointments in life. If you’ve ever lost a race to Ian or Michael, the parents are sitting at the tables around the happy couple so be sure to stop by and tell them how you really feel.

“I first met Ian when he was a scrawny awkward fourteen year old that hadn’t yet grown into his feet. The first thing he said to me was ‘Where’s the pool?’ As I was standing in the pool at the time, I wasn’t sure if he trying to be funny or just insulting me. Ian, I’ve finally figured it out and let me just say, we’re still waiting for you to grow into your feet.

Ian and I have had many adventures together. We roomed together through three Olympics and during countless competitions. I’d love to tell you about some of the things we got up to before Ian and Michael got together but Ian has plenty of information on me that I’d like to keep private so we’ll just move on.

“When I met Michael, he was a gawky skinny fifteen year old with big ears who hadn’t yet perfected the art of eating and swimming simultaneously. Obviously, he overcame that hurdle but the rumor that he’s trained his ears to hold food out in front of him is probably baseless.

“Whitney and Hilary have the advantage here of being Michael’s sisters so they have plenty of dirt on him. A strange thing happened, however, when I approached them for some good stories. They got very nervous and wouldn’t tell me a thing! Then I heard that the wedding would be taking place on a ship and it suddenly became clear to me. Yes, that water does look quite cold and ladies, I don’t blame you for playing it safe.

“I have to mention that tonight is not only important because we’re celebrating Michael and Ian’s wedding, but it’s also the fifth anniversary of their first kiss or as I like to call it, ‘The Night Thorpey and Phelpsie Finally Bought A Clue’.

“They took a big risk when they told the world about their relationship but they didn’t want to start their life together with a lie. They knew that with their love for each other and the unwavering support of their families and friends, they’d be able to face down anything. And they’ve made it look easier than it really was. Through the training, competition, university, and all the other commitments they had, they have always honored the commitment they made to each other.

“This is usually the part of the speech where the best man gives the newlyweds some advice but honestly, I can’t think of anything to tell you two that you aren’t already doing. The vows you’ve exchanged tonight are the way you’ve been living since the beginning. So I will leave you with four wishes:

“To Michael and Ian, a day of perfection. A night of bliss. A lifetime of blessings and may your home always be too small to hold all who love you.”

&&

“You bastard.” Ian said a couple of hours later as the party was beginning to wind down and the band finished playing for the night.

“What?”

“That speech. You started off all funny then got mushy on me.”

“I think what Ian is trying to say is that you made him cry.” Pieter offered.

“I didn’t cry!” Ian exclaimed. “The smoke from the candles got into my eyes.”

“Right.” Grant smirked. “Well, I’m glad you liked it.”

“It was wonderful.” Michael said. “I’m glad we decided to skip all the other speeches.”

“I’m not. I was dying to know which one of your dads was going to give the ‘father of the bride’ speech.”

“Oh, see? That’s the kind of thing I was expecting.”

“Ian, if I always did what you expected, it wouldn’t be any fun for me.”

“And on that note, Ian and I will be going back to our cabin.”

Ian protested, gesturing over at Grant, “But we’ve just sat down.”

“Babe? Wedding night.” Michael said quietly.

Grant and Pieter didn’t hold their laughter as Ian sprang to his feet, grabbed Michael by the hand and made for the door with astonishing speed.

“Hm. What time should we knock on their door?” Grant asked.

“Anytime after nine.” Pieter replied.

“That’s sort of boring.”

“True but do you really want Ian seeking revenge on *your* wedding night?”

“Oh. Good point. It looks like the crew wants to clean the room up. Shall we take a midnight stroll on the deck before turning in?”

“I’d like that.”

&&

Monday, August 31, 2009 Philadelphia, PA

Grant closed the door of the guest suite and followed Pieter into the bedroom. “So what do you think?”

“About the house? The drive?” Pieter asked as he picked up bag and put it on the bed.

“Either or,” Grant answered, mirroring his actions on the other side of the bed.

“The house is . . . well, you did try to warn me but I’m surprised Mr. Modern can bear it. The drive was actually interesting.”

“What made it interesting? The company or the conversation?”

“The company was fine, the conversation petered out but I enjoyed the scenery, inside and outside the car.”

“Oh, you sweet talker.”
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Diplomatic Relations