North Meets South, Worlds Collide - 81. The Test Results

After Uncle JC said to stop, it did stop, but the three uncles didn’t stop with their hard stares. Tony and I weren’t bothered by the hard stares. Neither were David and Sasha. Alik was really enjoying playing as more and more cousins near his age arrived. More playmates! I was also pleased to see him not use the translator. David came up beside me.

“Do you think Sasha and I should marry in Boston, too?”

“I think you should marry legally.” I brighten smiling at him throwing my arm around his shoulders. “Hey! We can make it a week event. You don’t want to marry on the ship, we’re not clear about the laws of the country the ship, but Alaska doesn’t allow it. Not all of our cousins could come to Alaska, but they might come to Boston! There’s a three-day waiting period anyway.” I watched his eyes widen, but he was smiling more. “There’s a beautiful hotel there. The Omni Parker House. It’s a little stuffy, but it is beautiful. Of course, this your wedding…and Sasha’s. You two need to plan where. We can fly in Saturday before, tour around Boston the weekend.” I looked over as Tony was laughing at whatever Dad was saying. “Tour the places I might want to see.”

“Why didn’t you?” David wondered. “You were there for the three or four days.”

I gave a smirking smile in Tony’s direction. “I indulged his search for the perfect…whatever.” I grinned at David. “It’s a fetish.” I shrugged. “He indulges mine. It’s fair.”

David gave a leering grin. “You? Care to share?”

“No,” I said simply.

The back-porch door burst open and the sound of many feet race through.

“Boys! No running in the house.” Aunt Hilda chastised lightly, not angry at all.

David laughed as did I. “Well,” David said, “we certainly heard that when we were kids.”

I nodded. “It just proves, no matter where they’re from. Boys run.”

Sasha came in from…wherever he had been…slipping his arms around David, kissing him. “I got caught up in a conversation with your Dad and then Uncle Charles…”

“There’s a lot of people to talk to.” David grinned.

“Alik hasn’t relied on that translator at all!” I marveled.

“Well, the new school’s reason is to teach him English.” Sasha chuckled.

“He must be very smart.” I chuckled. “He takes after you, Sasha.”

Tony came over putting his arms around me from behind and hugging me a little. That kiss on the side of the neck was always welcomed. “How are my two favorite McKenzies and one of my to favorite Lededeves?”

“Much better now,” I replied squeezing his arms around me tighter which Tony gave me another tighter hug and kiss.

David looked at Sasha. “Mitch had a great idea! What would feel if we got married in Boston? It would make it possible for more family to come because it won’t be as far.”

Sasha smiled at that. “Sure.”

“We even know the preacher that is more than happy to do that,” I said happily. “There is a minister there at the MCC in Boston, her name is Dr. Janet Kenmore.”

“Mitch,” Tony said cautiously. “It’s their wedding.”

“And? I’m not planning the ceremony, just giving suggestions.”

“That’s what family does,” David said simply. “Deny we aren’t family.” He challenged.

“We had help,” I said to Tony. “Mama, Louise, Kathy, Mom, and even Melissa to help find the best tux!”

“Okay,” Tony looked at David and Sasha, “then for my first suggestion.” He grinned at David and Sasha. “You board Sunday, right?” They both nodded. “I suggest a Friday night wedding. Traditions says that’s formal and a good sit-down dinner. That will give you two time to travel to Alaska and board the ship.” Tony grinned a bit more. “And I insist on buying the wedding cake.”

I chuckled. “Gilbert.”

“Yes, Gilbert.” Tony laughed lightly. “He made ours, it will be delicious! You’ll find out at Christmas.”

“Christmas?” Sasha asked.

“Yes, Christmas.” Tony nodded. “You experienced McKenzie Thanksgiving. Now, as family, to the Delveccio side of Christmas. Deny your family.” He challenged David as he had challenged Tony.

“Okay, okay.” David surrendered. “We’ll go.”

“It can be beautiful,” I said assuring. “There are traditions Tony and I share. We’ll share them with you. A show…Broadway of course…The Rockettes holiday show. It will be great!”

“The Delveccios are different. Typical New York, Queens-raised Italians.”

“You will hear mangia, mangia for eat, eat and they carry on conversations…I mean at once and you are expected to interrupt.” I chuckled as David’s and Sasha’s eyes widened.

“It’s the way Italians way of showing love.” Tony chuckled. “Though I will caution them to speak English.”

“Which they will forget often,” I chuckled, “but a few words of Russian from the five of us. They’ll remember. And they often raise voices, even yell at each other…no one’s angry, that is also a form of love.”

“They will welcome us?” Sasha asked a little uncertain.

“They most certainly will,” Tony said firmly. “You are family! They will love you!”

“When we get home, I’ll even help find the best place to have the wedding!” I patted both on the arm. “You need to reserve the place quickly. There are going to be a lot of weddings in June. There are caterers, invitations with RSVPs once we pay to reserve where.”

David grimaced. “We just want to get married.”

“Which is why you need to do in a state where you are,” I stated. “Not domestic partners or a civil union. So, why not in the first state that legalized it. Though you can choose New Hampshire or Vermont now.”

David chuckled. “But you know it will happen in Boston.”

Mom came by. “They’re beginning to serve dinner.”

“I’ll get Alik,” Sasha said kissing David again and went to locate his son.

Mom smiled at me and Tony, kissing our cheeks. For no other reason other than she loved us.

Sasha came back with his son thrown over his shoulder and Alik was laughing. “Caught him.” He smiled as Alik laughed, but never asked to be put down.

Thanksgiving dinner was just as always and just as much, if not more than usual. The McKenzie family was growing! We did tell the cousins like Sherry, Chuck, and Pam, Michael, Ronda, Mary…a few cousins that the wedding was going to be in Boston. They should get Thursday the 26th and the wedding was a Friday night wedding June 27th. There were delighted faces seeing they didn’t have to pay maybe thousand or more dollars, swearing to be there.

We went back to the bed and breakfast, with Alik asleep between David and me. At David’s side which David had put his arm around Alik. Alik had a very busy day.

After breakfast, we checked out and returned to the home place. Much fewer cars were there now. Those local left the night before. Mom, Dad, and grandmother were still there. So were Uncle Bernie and Aunt Judy, Uncle Charles and Aunt Faye, Aunt Hilda was there without Uncle Earl passing out leftovers to others.

She handed me a platter of ham. “I know you.” She smiled. “You prefer ham.” She looked at Tony, Sasha, David, and Alik. “There’s plenty of turkey left over, stuffing, and cake.”

“Any of that great chocolate cake?” Alik asked hopefully.

Hilda shook her head and smiled. “Sorry, honey, I made three and they’re all gone. There is the cake Aunt Ruth made and coconut cake.”

“That yellow cake with the coconut frosting?” I shrugged. “I’ll take it.”

Aunt Hilda went through the various deserts left. We ended up with ham, turkey, dressing an almost whole pumpkin pie, that "not-mom’s-coconut" cake, several slices of cheesecake of different kinds. “I promise you Alik, I’ll make one when you come for the reunion. I’ll make four and this time, I’ll set some of away just for you.” Putting a delighted smile on Alik’s face.

I worried there was no room was no room in the trunk, but Tony shook his head. He opened the back door on the passenger side. He pushed a button on the seat and pulled the seat forward. “For the lady or gentleman that doesn’t want what they bought scattered over the trunk.”

I shook my head grinning. “I didn’t even know that was there!”

“Now you do!” Tony smiled. “There is even a button on the console that will blow cold air for the meats, milk, eggs.”

“That’s why you take when you buy groceries! I bet you told Sasha.” I smirked. “Never that roadster you drive.”

“You always drive your Bronco.” Tony pointed out smiling. “This is eight years old now. It’s time to get a new one anyway.” He said packing the space with the food. “I’ll make sure you are there when we get it.” He took what I had and put in there. “You will know all the features.” He kissed me. “I promise.”

Mom, Dad, and grandmother came over. Grandmother was getting older and yes, I worried how long we would have her with us. Then again, her mother was 104, so her chances were good! They warned us to be careful and Tony to drive safe, making us promise to come for the reunion here and the Fourth of July in the mountains. Grandmother turned as Sasha, David and Alik came over after saying goodbye to David’s father, mother, and Gary! Gary had done a 180 turn around since he found out he didn’t make me gay and I didn’t make David gay. Then we were on our way. Alik proceeded to tell all he found “cool” at the reunion…in English!”

I smiled at him. “You’re doing well speaking English! I didn’t see you have to use the translator once!”

Alik looked a little happier. “That’s why Dad sent me to that school. I had to use the translator there at first. All the teachers teach in English. Texts I still take in Russian, but I’m reading it better now.”

“Well, we are a three-language family. English, Italian and now Russian.” Tony said. “I hope you plan to keep his Russian current. We should keep speaking English, but speak Russian occasionally to keep familiarity current. My family did with Italian.”

Sasha shook his head and grinned. “I had to make him use it to learn English.”

We arrived home and unloaded with the help of a cart like hotels use they had to use. This one had straps to keep the things from falling off. We got everything up in one trip!

“Сын, возьми свой чемодан наверх и положи в грязную одежду.” Sasha instructed telling him to take his suitcase upstairs and put dirty clothes in the hamper.

Alik looked surprised at first and smiled. “Конечнo!” He took his suitcase and hurried up the stairs.

Sasha grinned at us. “We were approved to stay. I’m going for my immigration done and then I want my citizenship and Alik’s citizenship, but you’re I can’t let him forget he’s Russian.” He shrugged. “I’ll just take this back. Be right back.”

The weekend ended and Tony had his appointment with Dr. Keogh on Tuesday. I saw Tony’s demeanor change back to when we first got on the Queen Mary. I was worried about him, but it wasn’t me that faced this unknown personally. Sure, I was involved but wasn’t me that had this. I would pass him rubbing his back, kiss him to show support. Finally, I sat and brought him in for a slow kiss to show I loved him. “Baby, we promised to say what’s on our minds. I know you’re worried, but what are you thinking?”

“I’m scared.” Tony blew a breath of air. “I keep worrying it could be. Cancer is in my family. Kathy said it, with us it’s not a matter of if we get it, but when.” Then his voice started to shake. “This could be my when.”

I pulled him into a tight hug. “What I was thinking this is so unfair. I can’t do anything about it and I would even take it myself. I can’t lose you. We will fight this. I will be at your side the whole way. I don’t want to lose my very soul.” I let the tears come as they fell. “I love you so much, Tony.” I felt him tighten the hug as I felt him begin to cry softly. He was scared. I again spooned him that night.

The next morning, after his usual coffee, we walked arms around each other to the Mercedes Roadster which he insisted I drive. We went to St. Francis Hospital where they had a whole separate hospital that Hematology and Cancer hospital. I shouldn’t have been, but I was surprised how busy it was in the huge waiting room. Tony hadn’t spoken much that much. Now he was sitting forward with his elbows on his knees, anxious to get this over. Anxious and impatient. At last Tony’s name was called. The nurse led us to Dr. Keogh’s office.

He smiled compassionately at us. “I hope you had a good vacation in spite of this. I know it caused tension.”

“We did even legally marry in Boston,” Tony said.

Dr. Keogh smiled. “Congratulations.” He then sighed. “No more suspense.” He looked at Tony. “It is cancer.” Tony sat forward and let out this slow, agonized moan. I slid my chair even closer putting my left arm around him and took his hand with my right. Dr. Keogh raised his hands quickly. “But it’s just in stage one and we know where it is and it is treatable.” He stressed to reassure.

“How soon can he get treatment?” I asked quickly. “What are the chances?”

“Pretty good.” Dr. Keogh stressed again. “I’d say 90%, you are in stage one, Tony! Your chances are very good. To begin,” he reached in a drawer behind him, he produced something that sort of looked like a lollypop or a magnifier thing with a long tube at what was the handle for the magnifier, “this is a port that has to be inserted surgically, to allow the chemo to be able to get into your body easier.” He placed the port on upper right chest. “Placement is because we can access the large vein that goes directly to the heart and then is pumped through the body quickly.” He smiled at Tony. “The radiation treatment is a targeted treatment and will only be done on your cancer.” He grimaced a little. “Now, where it is will be a problem as it will be hard to swallow and painful, but I urge you to keep trying. You will need your strength. There an Ensure Plus I recommend, it is a higher calorie count than just regular Ensure. I am sorry, but that will be painful too.” He then smiled. “I see you are in great shape, Tony.” He looked at me. “You too, Mitch.” He smiled at us. “I see you have the support from your husband. That will help with your recovery. Don’t change any plans because of this. You have good chances, Tony.” He looked at me. “Are there others that will support him or you?”

“Yes, two at home.” I grinned. “One is my cousin and best friend…we’re more like brothers and this…off the wall at times, big Russian David is marrying in June. They are family.”

“That’s great!” Dr. Keogh grinned more. “You're using them to help you, Mitch. They know?”

“Oh, yes.” Tony chuckled. “David and Mitch share everything.” He kissed me quickly. “Even a bed when they were kids…even after they were kids.”

“He did that one time the night before our commitment ceremony. Tony and I were separated that night,” I said in mock confidentially, “and he was there to make sure I did sneak off to see you! When we were kids, there were two other cousins in that bed!”

Dr. Keogh chuckled. “Please, don’t lose that sense of humor because of this. Laughter is the best medicine…and love. You both have that.”

“How long is the treatment?” Tony asked.

“Six months and then we do a scan and biopsy to make sure we got it all.” Dr. Keogh replied.

“Would another month hurt me?” He asked and saw my frown. “Babe, my sister Kathy is a nurse and her husband Al is a doctor.” He said to Dr. Keogh. “My family gives hugs and…my son, Melissa…everyone will be hugging me. We get together on Christmas and…I don’t them to needlessly worry.”

“A month won’t hurt.” Dr. Keogh nodded and looked at his calendar. “I’ll ask Dr. Hawk to make an appointment that Monday the 5th or 6th of January.” He looked at Tony. “Will that do?”

“Absolutely.” Tony nodded. “I’ll be there.”

Once at the car he drove this time. It’s wonderful what hope can do. He turned down Savannah Highway. Stoplights and traffic, this was not the quickest way home. I grinned when he turned his bleaker on in front of one of my favorite restaurants. Bessinger’s!

“We’ll give the place class!” Tony chuckled.

“It has class!” I said louder, which Tony did often as an Italian.

Tony grinned. “Sure, it does.” He got out. As I came next to him, he brought me into a pretty nice kiss. In the parking lot. Costumers were going and out, but we no longer cared. He grinned and put his arm about me as I did him. We walked into the restaurant that way. We ordered our two Big Joe Pork Sandwiches and two orders of those big onion rings. He had only coffee that morning and was glad to see his appetite was driving him now. “I’ll need my strength. This is medicine!”

I chuckled. “Yes, it is.” And before he pulled his wallet out to pay. I pulled mine out and gave the credit card to the cashier. “I’ll pay this time.”

Tony chuckled. “You are a Delveccio. It comes from the same account!”

“So?”

The cashier was staring and the card with wide eyes. It was a black credit card. “Can I see an ID? He said you are Delveccio, this says McKenzie.”

“Well, we were married in Boston, I haven’t changed the name yet.” I showed my ID that said I was a McKenzie. I tapped Tony’s chest. “Which I need to do.”

Tony grinned as the cashier rang our order up. “Maybe I should become a McKenzie.”

“No.” I shook my head. “You’ve established Delcveccio reputation with what you do. No, my way is better.”

“Okay.” Tony took our cups as the cashier gave me our order receipt and order number. After I got my Dr. Pepper Cherry and he got his sweet tea. We got a booth on the same side as people were looking at us. Whether they’d overheard or saw us kiss in the parking lot. We were amongst jean clad, t-shirt, stretch pants, Walmart bought clothes. I was in Armani and Tony was in Dolce and Gabbana. Which city we’d bought them I couldn’t remember. I chose to think that was why. Italians don’t sit without a way out, so he sat on the outside of the bench. I took his hand. “You’re feeling better. The Tony I met is coming back.”

Tony chuckled. “I’m feeling better. Once Dr. Keogh told me I had it but was confident I could beat this…I feel better!” Our order number was called. “Be right back.” He kissed me quickly and rose seeing the stares. “Oh, we’re not boyfriends. We’re married!” He held up his left hand and wiggled his ring finger. “In Boston. Better get used to it. There are a lot of us out in this world.”

I laughed as some were shocked even more. When he got back, I had arranged the preferred barbecue sauce. “I really love you, Tony.”

“Well, that’s new.” Tony grinned looking with mock surprise and kissed me again. “I really love you.” He smiled and took a hearty bite in an onion ring and munched happily. “Damn.” He held the onion ring out. “These are good onion rings!”

When we got back into the car, he again didn’t go the direction of the house.

“Do I ask?” I smiled asking Tony.

“Well,” Tony began, “I was going to do what we said we would do. We don’t have to if you think we shouldn’t. I was going to the corner of King and Calhoun. I was going to kiss you there.” His eyebrows danced a little. “It is the heart of town and very busy.”

I burst out laughing. “Yes, Tony, I think we should.”

Tony grinned. “You saw how they reacted in Bessinger’s!”

“Let’s do it.”

We parked next to Marion Square Park, which was a popular park with its outdoor theater free to be used for budding singers or groups. A big green lawn used often for picnics by students at the College of Charleston. Directly across the street was the Francis Marion Hotel. Guests checked in and out, but more important was the Starbucks in the corner of King and Calhoun attracting everyone! Students, guests, tourists and any stroller that wanted good coffee. I knew we would go there. There was a small mall and a Walgreens there across Calhoun…there were a lot of people!! Cars passing. We walked hand in hand to the corner crosswalk to go to Starbucks.

“You don’t have…” Tony began again.

I pulled him to me tightly, wrapping my arms around him and kissed him deeply, hungrily, tongues slipped in each other’s mouths as his arms brought me even closer. Breath became short as I felt the familiar swoon. He was feeling it, too. “I love you, Tony. You’re my best friend, lover and my soul. And now, my husband.” I looked at our surroundings. There were stares from some. I grinned that not many surprised were college students, in fact, there were smiles from some. No accidents! “Come on.” I hugged and kissed him again. “Let’s get some coffees!”

The light changed and we walked across the street to Starbucks. Entering, we saw many smiles in there. They could see it clearly from here. And they weren’t mocking or anything. They liked what they saw! They were mostly college students now. Even the young male cashier was smiling at us. He probably was a student as well. His name badge said “Jerry.

“I don’t think my boyfriend would do that with me there.” He pointed at the corner we’d kissed on. “So, what can I get for you two lovebirds?”

I ordered my large iced Vanilla Latte with the four shots of espresso. Tony got his large espresso.

“Mind if I pay this time?” Tony chuckled.

“It’s the same account.” I grinned giving what he’d said back to him.

“You two share an account!?” The Jerry asked surprised. When Tony handed him his black credit card. His eyes widened.

“Do your parents share an account?” I asked.

“Well sure, they were married.” He said.

“So are we.” Tony smiled showing his wedding ring and I put my matching ring beside his. “And now it’s legal. We married in Boston.”

“By the time it becomes nationwide, we’re be married already,” I said.

“Do need to see my ID?” Tony asked.

“Nooo.” The Jerry said quickly, shaking his head. “This is a black credit card. I knew of them, but this is the first I’ve seen.” He looked at the card. “I believe you are Anthony Delveccio.” He ran the card. “If you were buying a car, I would. No one commits a black credit card fraud for $10 dollars and 38 cents.” He grinned handing the card back to Tony. Asking our names, he wrote them on our cups. “Congratulations on the marriage, guys!”

We enjoyed our coffees sitting beside me on the couch, Tony’s arm around my shoulders as we did. Most of the customers were just passing through or using the WiFi here on their laptops.

Our coffees consumed, I looked at my watch. “Okay, it’s almost three. We need to go to avoid the traffic on 26. It will be a bitch with all those hospitals end their shifts a 3:30.”

Tony nodded. “Sure.” We rose, waving to the cashier as we left.

After we crossed the street again. Tony initiated the kiss this time. Then walked to our car with arms around each other.

Getting in, Tony beamed at me. “Now we get ready for Christmas!! The tree, decorating…” his eyebrows waggled again, “then New York!”