Love Of Family (2024 Revision) - 16. Playful Boys & Family Bonding

Ev'lynn and Lyle hugged and kissed the younger family members before leaving for another engagement, and everyone else worked together cleaning up the dining room and kitchen. They put some leftovers in travel containers for Linda and Tom to take home, and the rest of the food went into the fridge. While Troy and Jaycen took Levie to the bathroom to check and redress his wound, the Wilmont siblings acted like excited little kids wanting to play show and tell and dragged their bemusedly giggling parents to the stable to meet the couple's new equine grandchildren.

"How's the pain, Lev?"

"It's not as bad as I thought, Jaycepop. The hardest part is not being as active as usual and getting to roughhouse with you guys."

The older couple hugged their boy.

Troy looked into his son's eyes and said, "While we hate seeing you in pain, Levie Michael, we're hopeful this has been a learning experience for you about not making rash decisions."

Levie looked from one dad to the other and childishly whined, "Hey, I've been hurt, and you're jumping on me."

Jaycen stroked the young man's back and firmly said, "Troypop's right, baby boy. We know your heart was in the right place, but your brain was on the wrong path. Don't forget, you made a choice to get involved in a dangerous situation without knowing any facts and unarmed."

Levie hung his head and listened wholeheartedly to what his Bropops were saying as tears streaked his cheeks.

"Levie, we're not saying this to be mean or to gang up on you," Troy added as he hugged his boy.

"However, your actions did get you hurt, and knowing the depth and strength of your feelings to protect and love your family, if Bran had gotten hurt as well, you'd have never forgiven yourself."

"I... I never thought about the possibility of Bran getting hurt," Levie remorsefully said.
Troy and Jaycen embraced and kissed Levie, and Jaycen said, "That's why we're saying this to you, baby boy. We only want you to be more thoughtful in the future."

"Thank you for loving me enough to let me know when I've screwed up. I love you, Dads."

"We love you more, our sweet angelic boy."

Tears fell from the three pairs of eyes as the men hugged and kissed each other.

A little while later, Jaycen and Troy were stretched out on the sofa with their feet in each other's lap, and Levie was in one of the two matching recliners, reading a story. They looked up when the alarm dinged, letting them know the kitchen door opened, and smiled, hearing the returning family members' voices.

"If I hadn't experienced it, I'd never believed it," Linda said as she, Tom, and their boys walked into the family room.

"What's so unbelievable, Sis," Troy asked.

Jaycen stretched before moving to a sitting position. The childlike redhead used the distraction to his advantage. Grinning, he wrapped his arm around Troy's left ankle and tickled his soul mate's sock-clad sole.

"Jayce," Troy squealed, stretching out his almost lifelong lover's name as his body jumped. When the tickles moved to the bases and pads of his toes, they scrunched as the boyish giggles became louder and slightly higher pitched. He struggled and tried to pull his left foot free from the red-haired tickler's grasp.

The Wilmonts and Levie chuckled at the playful husbands.

"Ya need some help, Troypop," Brandon asked.

Jaycen was so busy being mischievous and playful that he didn't think about what Brandon asked until he felt an arm wrap around his ankles, immediately followed by five fingertips rapidly strumming up and down his trapped soles. Instantly, his body squirmed, his toes scrunched, and his soles wrinkled as the muscle-toned redhead dissolved into a fit of laughter and released his husband's foot. "I'm sooo gonna tickle the life outta a certain little blonde boy," he threatened while wildly laughing and rocking back and forth.

Levie giggled and said, "Hey, Jaycepop, I forgot to tell ya, Bran loves tickling feet."

"Gee, ya don't say," Jaycen said while laughing like crazy.

The blonde-haired attacker nervously giggled as he slowly moved away from the sofa when the eldest Stillman finally freed his feet.

"You're sooo goin' down," The redhead playfully threatened with a mock menacing growl. He narrowed his eyes and licked his lips before he dove onto his former tickler and pinned him face down on the floor.

"I was only helping Troypop," Brandon squeaked while squirming and trying to escape. His legs slid back and forth, and he grunted as he tried and failed to buck the heavier and stronger male off of him.

"You succeeded, Bran. However, you also got yourself caught while executing your rescue mission."

Jaycen managed to grab his frantically flapping arms and trap them against his sides. Next, the older man's vice-like legs gained control of the wildly animated, less muscle-toned, slender legs. Despite his valiant efforts, Brandon knew he was hopelessly trapped but still didn't stop struggling even after he was flipped onto his back with his wrists pinned above his head by one of Jaycen's hands. Sweat dripped from their foreheads, and he smiled like an innocent angel while looking up at Jaycen and said, "I wuv you, Jaycepop."

"Nice try, Brokid, but this time, I'm immune to your display of cuteness. After all, I did help to raise Levie."

"Yeah, and you taught the boy all of your tricks for distraction by cuteness," Troy said as he giggled.

"However, I perfected them," Levie added.

Jaycen looked at his husband and kid, blowing raspberries at them. He turned his attention back to his struggling captive, then leaned down and kissed the young man's nose before he executed his ticklish revenge by using his free hand to dig into and tickle his captive's deep, cavernous pit hollows.

"Oh, shit," Brandon exclaimed before his shrieks and hyena laughter filled the room. His legs kicked, and the rest of him writhed around and bounced up and down on the hardwood floor. The tickle assault then moved to his ribs and stomach, which caused the laughs to become high-pitched squeals.

Once satisfied, Jaycen stopped tickling and said, "Love ya, Son," as he pulled Brandon onto his lap and into a brotherly embrace, kissing the giggly younger man's cheek.

Tom chuckled and said, "Looks like Brandon, the fearsome tickle monster, has met his match in Jaycen."

Brandon blew a raspberry at his dad before giggling and saying, "Just wait, Jaycepop. I'm gonna get stronger, and one day, I'll out-maneuver and out-tickle you."

Jaycen smiled as he ruffled his new Brokid's blonde locks and said, "Ya never know, baby boy. You might one day be able to get the best of me but know this, I'll always get my revenge."

"Once I'm all healed, Bran will have Greg and me to help him, Bropop," Levie said. He giggled when his dad growled and glared at him.

After everyone settled down, Troy asked his question again.

"I was referring to how the horses communicated with us and showed their affection," Linda responded.

Levie got up and sat across Greg and Brandon's laps, who'd taken up residence on the love seat so that Tom and Linda could sit in the tan recliners. He giggled when his brother and boyfriend cuddled him, then squealed and squirmed when the playful pair kissed and nuzzled both sides of his neck.

Greg looked at the walls, and for the first time, he noticed a beautiful oil painting of the blended Stillman and Moore family. "Aww, babe, you were so cute in that pic, my sweet Leprechaun," he whispered in his mate's ear and giggled when Levie blushed. Suddenly, he gasped and said, "No fuckin' way."

Greg, language," Linda firmly stated as her head snapped to the right and glared at her boy.

The other guys chuckled as Greg blushed and said, "Sorry, Mama, but trust me, it's totally fitting."
"What are you talking about, Son?"

"Papa, that's them," Greg excitedly responded as he pointed at the older redheaded couple in the portrait.

"Who the hell are you talkin' about, Bro?"

"Brandon Joseph," Linda called out.

"Sorry, Mom," Brandon said.

Greg finally composed himself to explain his outbursts.

"The night my birth parents beat me close to death and tossed me out onto the street, I was walking in the heavy snowfall, trying to get to Mama and Papa's house for help. When I woke up in the hospital and was strong enough, I told Mama, Papa, and Bran that I wouldn't have made it if that couple hadn't picked me up in their brown and tan pickup truck."

"Holy fuckin' shit, are you sure, Bro," Brandon asked.

This time, everyone looked to Linda for the admonishment. They all chuckled when she threw her hands up, shook her head, and stated, "Greg was right when he said that's about all you can say that fits."

Levie, Jaycen, and Troy gasped when they realized what Greg was saying, and Jaycen said, "Bro, you might be mistaken and thought you saw a couple who looked like Mom and Dad. It couldn't have been them because they died about five years earlier."

"I swear, I'm not mistaken, guys. The couple told me their names were Mark and Stacy and said they were on their way home from visiting their three kids at their ranch. Then, Mark insisted on giving me a ride to where I wanted to go. I would've died from the cold and blood loss if they hadn't come along and given me a ride."

"Did Mark or Stacy say or do anything distinctive you can remember," Levie asked.

Greg closed his eyes and recalled the memory, then snapped his fingers and said, "Stacy was humming a beautiful melody to a song that she said was her youngest son's favorite to sing with her."

The room was silent until Levie began singing America's Nineteen Eighty-Two song, "The Last Unicorn," from the movie, "The Last Unicorn."

Greg's eyes widened, and he almost hollered, "That's it. That's the song she was humming."

Tears filled Levie's eyes as he kissed his boyfriend, then moved from the love seat to the sofa, where he worked his way between his Bropops and kissed their cheeks. He looked at the two men and said, "Dads, we've always believed that Mom and Dad are watching over and loving us. Why isn't it believable that they were also watching over the ones who'd become an important part of our lives?"

Tom leaned over, placed his hand on Jaycen's shoulder, and said, "I know we never met Mark and Stacy, but after witnessing the abundance of love that created this family, I can honestly say that I believe your parents were Greg's guardian angels that night."

"Oh shit, it's three o'clock," Brandon almost shouted. He cringed, then blushed at his reaction before finally giggling like the little boy he was at heart because of the others jumping from the sudden outburst. "I've gotta get ready for my trail ride. I've gotta get dressed, do my hair, and..." he paused to sniff his armpit and shuddered. "Wow! I gotta shower," his comment had his family cackling and shaking their heads.

Troy was the first to compose himself and take control of the situation. He stood up, walked over, and wrapped his arms around the overexcited male. "Shh, it's okay, baby boy. Take a couple deep breaths and calm yourself before you have a stroke," he said while lightly stroking the soft blonde locks and hugging his newest kid.

Brandon closed his eyes and relaxed in the brunette's fatherly embrace. He looked into Troy's eyes and said, "Dad, Troypop's hugs are like yours and Greg's."

"I'm excited and glad that you and Greg are comfortable enough with the Bropops to let them into your hearts so they can be an additional source of brotherly and parental love and guidance." Hearing his son's words and physically feeling Brandon's belief in his statement, Tom smiled. He felt overwhelming relief and love flow from his heart, and when he felt his wife's hand grasping his, he knew she felt exactly like him.

Troy and Jaycen smiled as tears streamed down their cheeks, for they felt relieved and loved that Levie would have another set of parental figures who'd love him as much as they loved their boy.

"I'm speaking for both of us, Tom and Linda. We feel the same way about your love and acceptance for Levie," Troy stated. He dried Brandon's tears with his thumb and said, "How about you go upstairs with your brothers and let them help you get ready for your evening with Rhett."

"Umm, what should I wear? I don't think I have anything suitable for a trail ride."

Troy chuckled and suggested, "Lev, go into our bedroom and choose something from my clothing. Bran looks like he's my height and weight or close enough that something will fit. Also, grab my two-inch tan boots from the closet for your bro to wear tonight."

Jaycen added, "While you're there, grab one of my Stetsons from the closet that will match the clothes you choose for Bran."

"Thanks, Bropops," Brandon said. He hugged the older men and kissed their cheeks before showing his parents the same affection.

"Thanks, Dads, you've really come through for all of us," Lev stated as he and Greg hugged and kissed the four parents before running after their brother.

Jaycen went to the kitchen and returned with four Bud Lites. He handed three of them out before sitting on the love seat beside his husband. "Linda, Tom," he said. "I hope Troy and I didn't overstep or cross any boundaries today with Bran and Greg."

Troy sipped his beer and said, "If so, we'd like to apologize. In the three months Greg spent with Lev and the time shared with Brandon, we feel like older brothers and parental figures to your boys."

Linda and Tom silently communicated and nodded their heads.

"Guys, there's nothing to apologize for because no boundaries have been crossed," Linda said.

"Linda and I thoroughly love the way you two interact with our guys. You always hear other parents say they love and accept your child as their own, but their actions sometimes contradict their words. That's not the case with this family because your sincere actions back the claim."

"My Tommy's right," Linda said as she leaned over and kissed her husband. "Not once did I get the feeling that either of you saw or felt a difference between Levie, Greg, or Brandon. Especially with the playful roughhousing between you two and our overgrown boys. That has given Tom and I great relief and joy because we know that should anything happen to us, our boys will be protected, guided, and loved as if we were still physically with them."

Troy and Jaycen looked at each other with tears in their eyes.

Jaycen said, "We have that same relief and joy knowing that you and Tom would be there for Levie in our stead."

The couples smiled as they stood and shared a group hug.

"What if we don't get along," Brandon asked as he paced back and forth, getting used to the height of Troy's cowboy boots.

"If he sees you like this, that just might happen," Greg accidentally said a bit too loud. He cringed when Levie lightly slapped the back of his head. "Sorry, Bran, you know I love ya, Bro. Look, the two of you feel something for each other. Just calm down."

Brandon sighed as he sat on his raven-haired brother's lap, laid his head on the broad shoulder, and pulled Greg's arms around him. "That tickles, bro," he said and softly giggled. His upper body slightly squirmed because Levie lightly stroked his bare back with his fingertips while hugging him and Greg.

"It's also working to divert your nervous energy," Greg stated as he kissed his brother's cheek and mouthed thank you to his mate.

Brandon, dressed in Troy's light purple polo shirt, light blue jeans, and tan boots, stood before the full-length mirror attached to the en suite bathroom door and smiled at his reflection as he fussed with his blonde locks.

"You look amazing," Levie said as he walked a circle around his brother.

"Totally, Bran. If I weren't with Lev, and you weren't my brother, I'd be sooo into you," Greg commented.

Brandon blushed as he softly chuckled and said, "I just hope Rhett thinks so too."

"C'mon in," Levie said after they heard a light knocking at the bedroom door.

"Holy shit, Bran,' Tom exclaimed. "When did you get to be so handsome?"

Brandon giggled and said, "About the time I put on Troy's clothing."

"You're gonna have the boy so mesmerized, Rhett's not gonna remember how to speak when he sees you, Brokid," Jaycen stated.

"Guys, you're gonna make me blush," Brandon mock whined while giggling.

"We just came to tell you guys that we've gotta head to the medical center," Linda said.

"Is everything okay," Greg asked as he and his mate and brother became concerned.

Troy placed his hands on Levie's and Greg's shoulders and said, "As far as we know, everything's fine. Rusty and Leon want our help with something."

"Bros, that's code for official Sheriff business, and we'll get nothing more outta them. By the way, Jaycepop, Bran can't wear your Stetson because your head's too big." Levie stated while giggling. He squirmed and squealed as Jaycen lightly tickled his neck and ears.

"Bran, we want you to feel safe everywhere you go on this and Oak Ridge's property. After Troy's accident, we've installed cameras throughout the entire property that blend in with the trees and greenery. At night, we've always had a security team patrol the borders."

"Thanks, Jaycepop."

"Son, we hope you and Rhett have fun this evening, but don't do anything neither of you are comfortable doing," Tom said.

"Lev, make sure that you and Greg lock up, and after Bran returns, set the alarm," Troy said.

Greg, Brandon, and Levie moved in sync as they stood and saluted the adults. They giggled and then, in unison, said, "Sirs, yes, Sirs."

The four parents shook their heads, chuckling at the boys' antics as Jaycen said, "At ease, you goofballs."

Everyone hugged and kissed each other, and the boys followed their parents downstairs, assuring them they'd be fine.