Chapter 13-1 Book 7

Chapter 13-1

Pre Wedding-Details

Part 2

I eagerly waited for my mother to transform into the angry monster, but to my surprise, she didn't. Instead, she approached Eli and me with affectionate kisses on our heads, the soft brush of her lips against our skin sending a wave of warmth through me. In a tender voice, she said, "I'm not thrilled about this situation, but I'd rather have you boys alive than risk your lives over something that could have been easily resolved." The sound of her voice, filled with concern and love, resonated in my ears.

"I'll look the other way and pretend that everything is fine," she continued, the scent of her perfume lingering in the air, a familiar and comforting aroma. "Besides, it doesn't matter to me if you're not only interested in girls, but also in boys. I fully accept and support both of you being bisexual." Her words wrapped around me like a warm embrace, easing the tension that had been building inside.

"And I strongly suspect that your brother Aaron is as well," she said with a smile, observing Aaron completely naked as Jared forcefully pushed him against the wall and kissed him hard and deep also naked. Soon after, they disappeared into their room, where two girls of their age joined them moments later. Her voice held a hint of curiosity as she chuckled slightly, adding, "And I'm perfectly fine with that if he is." I cringed the moment the door closed, not wanting to find out what my mother said was true, realizing I needed to have a serious discussion with Aaron, realizing my Grandmother was going to freak out if it was true.

With another warm kiss, as her lips gently brushed against my forehead, confirmed her acceptance and support. With a sense of relief, she left us to continue our work, although her expression turned disapproving when Susan emerged wearing a one-piece bathing suit. The sound of Susan's footsteps, softly padding against the floor, blended into the harmonious atmosphere. Despite my mother having bought her a bikini, Susan made her own choice, her independence noticeable. Then I chuckled, hearing one of the girls scream Aaron's name telling him to go harder and begging him not to stop. Susan growled at me, hearing them having sex inside the room. "That's your fault, and I can't wait to tell Dad all about it." I didn't say anything for in truth it was my fault, well mostly my fault. I cringed at the thought, hoping and praying at the same time Aaron wasn't having sex with boys just stimulating them. That part I could live with, and like Jared he was barely old enough to have sex with a girl.

Bishop Sakes entered the room with a determined stride, his footsteps echoing softly on the polished wooden floor. As he approached, the faint scent of incense lingered in the air, mixing with nervous anticipation. My adoptive Mom stood nearby; her worried expression etched on her face.

Taking a moment to exchange glances, I offered Eli a reassuring smile before we followed Bishop Sakes down the dimly lit hallway to our designated room. Upon entering, we received robes to wear, creating a thin barrier to ease the discomfort of the situation.

Bishop Earl's voice resonated in the room, filled with a mix of authority and concern. He spoke of the tapes they had watched, a heavy silence punctuating his words. The weight of their knowledge hung thick in the air, intensifying the tension.

He acknowledged his disapproval, mirrored by Bishop Sakes, yet their contemplation led them to pose a question. Should they ignore what had transpired and let God handle it, considering that our actions were not driven by desire or lust, but by the need for survival?

"Dead is dead, pain is pain," Bishop Earl continued, his voice tinged with empathy. He expressed the notion that while one could be remedied, the other could not. According to him, if our actions were solely focused on preserving our lives, we should let God determine the outcome. However, he added that if our intentions veered towards the forbidden, intervention would become necessary. In such cases, it would be worrisome if we forced our actions onto others, such as Shawn was doing or did, physically assaulting other boys, which could lead to spending time in prison and not a comfortable boarding school like Crest-Ridge.

As we absorbed this perspective, we also came to understand that our impending marriage would legally make us adults tomorrow. This meant that, as adults, it wouldn't be considered a violation but rather a form of consensual love and understanding between partners. Both Bishop Earl and Bishop Sakes stressed this, ensuring that we fully comprehended the significance. They emphasized that nothing could stop us from engaging in consensual sexual relationships with each other or anyone else. The use of fake names would not change this fact.

The weight of this revelation hung heavily in the room, its implications weighing on our minds. Bishop Earl emphasized that as long as it remained within the confines of our relationship, with only each other and the girls we were to marry, they had no authority to intervene. But he issued a stern warning, cautioning against breaking the circle by engaging in sexual acts with other boys or men, unless it was a matter of life or death, or without explicit consent - actions that would be considered rape.

He stressed that if our motivations were purely for pleasure, which would be where their concern lay. In those circumstances, the laws that governed us would step in, and our actions would have consequences. The room fell into a heavy silence as the weight of their words sank in. The gravity of the situation enveloped us, and we understood the boundaries that had been set.

"We have decided to marry you both and the girls tonight, using your real names so we can have a clear conscious even though it is still illegal for same-sex marriage in some states, but again god will have to work it out. Your pretending to be married doesn't change the fact that God, your friends, and your family see you as married. So, you and everyone must accept that you are married. Then when you are married tomorrow again it won't seem so ludicrous and having to explain to anyone that it was just a trick, but if they find out that it was. This would make everything else a lie, and you would be perceived as having raped each other for sexual favors.

"Yet with a real marriage contract with both your names attached no one can say anything about it; because you were all married legally by us for real which will hold up in court where it will be the only place they can debate it, but I have a feeling that nobody will because it would expose the Satanic Church and their own practices that they have married you to each other as well, I call it a nice sticky mess that no one would ever want to touch. So, we will baptize you, and we will marry you. But that is far as we can go. When this is over, it will be up to you if want to stay married or get a divorce, but only if you give us your word that you won't go beyond that, and we will look the other way and never mention it to anyone." We both shook on it and the deal was struck.

Bishop Sakes said. "After supper, we will baptize Eli and the girls, then we will marry you. We will re-baptize Eric as Nate Carrion and then tomorrow we will marry you four as one group. We have decided that we'll have the baptism here. I have sent Stringham to obtain baptism clothes for you all. That way, we won't need to go anywhere and bring any attention to us. It won't be the first time that someone hasn't been baptized in the baptism font. In fact, in some missions, even today missionaries still use a river deep enough or someone's swimming pool or pond. It only has to be a body of water; it doesn't have to be consecrated or blessed. It is the power of the priesthood keys we hold that makes the difference.

"I have decided that we should bless each of the cabins, and we are going to dedicate each of the homes here so the spirit of God can protect its occupants from the Satanic Church. If they step inside this home or property uninvited. The spirit will overpower them and force them to leave, so we have been told. We are also doing it so we can perform our baptisms and the wedding that we have discussed. Plus, it will be a good trial run for the big one tomorrow."

With that all worked out, I felt better about everything and the weight on my shoulders didn't feel so heavy anymore. I opened the door at the right moment when Tony was about to knock as his hand fell through the air. He quickly said. "Dinner is ready, and did we come to a compromise?"

Bishop Sakes said. "Of course we did, but it's a private matter. If they want to discuss it with you it's their business."

Tony said. "Ok, that's good enough for me," and we followed him down to the kitchen. Paul didn't look all that happy; in fact, he looked kind of out of it. My mother remained fully dressed, while Grandma sat next to him and she looked pissed and somehow pleased as punch at the same time. As she sat on the opposite side of the table, next to my brother Aaron, and two sisters Susan and Becky, who were wearing their brand-new robes like everyone else.

Yet, what surprised me was that everyone was here, including Mrs. Hothner, as she took her seat next to Coach Brady and Bishop Lanwall with everyone that was going to show up tomorrow night for the wedding. I said nothing as it seemed that everyone had already introduced themselves to everyone. I smiled, seeing the long dining room tables as if this was one great enormous banquet hall set for a Thanksgiving feast.

Once Dad said the prayer, I watched Mrs. Hothner nudge Coach; he rolled his eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips as he took her hand, kissed it softly, then stood, tapping his glass, and said,… "I have an announcement to make." He waited until he had everyone's attention. He said. "Sara and I have decided that we would like to tie the knot now instead of waiting until next summer.

"Stringham said we could, considering everything has been taken care of regarding the reception hall, and one more couple wasn't going to make a difference. We both don't have a lot of family to worry about sending invitations, and we called them this morning, and told them they are more than welcome to come if they are able. She also wants to be baptized in the LDS Church with me, so I asked if that was all right, and Bishop Sakes said he didn't have a problem. So that is it, it's a done deal." Everyone clapped and congratulated them.

Bishop Sakes stood, and everyone remained quiet. He cleared his throat and said. "I have decided to take Stringham's offer to move down here. I didn't like the idea of not sitting up on the stand and looking down and not finding a familiar face and knowing the people I love were putting their lives in danger as I sit there, and pretend that the outside world cannot breach these walls. I will be turning in my resignation and to the school and to the seminary institute during the break and move after the term has ended.

Stringham offered me a job running the store here in Heber once he remodels and stocks it. With the money he's offering, I plan to build a cabin on the adjacent property. On a more serious note, Bishop Earl and I and my councilor Bishop Lanwall have come to a compromise that we will hold the baptism here instead of down at the local church house. Instead of taking up the entire parking lot full of fancy limos just to put on a show. The church and God are not to be mocked or to be putting on a show for others to watch. The ordinances performed are not to be taken lightly. So, staying within those guidelines, we will bless the house with a dedicated prayer to ask God to watch over this house and the other houses on this hill. And we will baptize all that want to be baptized.

"We will also marry those tonight using real names, real vows under this house, in the sight of God and binding by the laws governed in this State of Utah. Then those we marry tomorrow it will be just nothing more of a show for the world to see. You will sign two contracts for those that are using fake names; with the understanding of the terms, we have discussed that both contracts will be binding. The vows will be honored to the fullest degree and will be submitted and filed for everyone to see if they so desire. May God help them to sort them out? For it gives me one hell of a headache on who is marrying who and under which name." Everyone laughed and he sat down, indicating it was a done deal.

Susan said. "So, you are going to let Eric marry a boy and two girls?"

Mom said. "Of course I am, and the best part about it is you get to tell all your friends and your Dad that he did, and there isn't one blessed thing anyone can do about it. I am looking forward to the wedding and I can't wait to see the looks on people's faces on Sunday when Bishop Earl announces it over the pulpit. Then when I get the pleasure of introducing them to everyone including your father; he's going to be tickled pink, and grandma is bursting to see his reaction regarding his first grandchild which will be the icing on the cake."

Susan snarled. "Tickled with anger you mean. Whoever heard of boys marrying boys and marrying a girl at the same time or two girls? Or is it a girl marrying a girl and marrying a boy or boys? Man, my head hurts just thinking about it."

All the womenfolk of the house decided that we would have dessert after the weddings, and the baptism, so we could have something to celebrate the event. They had everyone change into their Sunday clothes for those who were not getting baptized. It was a flurry of excitement watching everyone run down the hall after clearing away the tables.

We would have our weddings in front of the fireplace, and we would receive the Holy Ghost, have the confirmation performed, and receive what is known as the armor of God, including the big stick Stringham desired. I had asked Jeff if he was still honoring the deal regarding what he had promised Stringham and Tony, and he said he would have preferred it to be done in the church house more. So he can say he got Stringham inside of one other than a Satanic Church, but he was willing to overlook that fact if he promised to go to church regularly.

I told Stringham that and gave me a snarl and said. "I plan too, as long as he keeps his promise to me"

I said. "Be careful what you wish for, because once you have met Jeff personally, you'll never get rid of him unless Jeff wants that to happen."

He said. "Yeah, yeah, bring it on … Can someone please turn up the heat? I am freezing my assets off in these clothes."

Everyone else was fanning themselves as Stringham toasted himself by the roaring fire. Bishop Sakes said. "Ok, Stringham you get to go first then Dr. Sars and her four daughters. Providing I can tear you away from the halls of hell long enough … before we all melt in here."

Stringham said. "Oh, this better be worth it, or I'll kill myself just so I can kick your friend's ass all the way to heaven and back."

I asked the girls and Eli if they ever witnessed an LDS baptism watching them shake their heads no. I said. "We do not sacrifice people or animals. We offer prayers and say words that come from the heart."

Everyone was told to kneel in a semi-round circle as Bishop Sakes gave the dedicated prayer to bless our house as he prepared it to receive God's spirit and many things that the spirit guided him to say. Stringham's teeth started to chatter at the end as he said. "Ok now, where is my big stick you promised me, Jeff?"

Bishop Sakes said. "Step this way, my good man."

Stringham said. "You're sure about this? It's just a swimming pool, not a river, not a baptism font inside a church house?"

Bishop Sakes said. "Oh, I am quite sure."

Stringham followed him into the pool and waded in and said. "Wouldn't have been easier in a bathing suit?"

Bishop Sakes said. "Do you ever stop complaining?"

Dr. Sars said. "Now that would be a first."

Bishop Sakes took Stringham by his right wrist with his left hand having Stringham take Bishop Sakes' left wrist with his left hand. Stringham brought his right hand to the square and said. "David Harold Stringham. Having been commissioned by Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." Then he placed his right hand on his back and was about to immerse him in the water.

Until Stringham said. "You're not going to drown me?" Bishop Sakes rolled his eyes and dunked him, making sure Stringham was covered completely with water, including his clothes, and he brought him up quickly.

Stringham said. "Holy shit! Where in the hell did you come from?" Jeff waved and Stringham looked at me and said. "He's real! He's real! And I can see him!" Everyone looked at him and me as if we were the crazy ones in the room, well except for those that have already seen him.

Dad helped Stringham out of the water and asked how he felt; he said. "Wet … and it feels … that's strange. Why don't I feel as cold?" Mom handed him a towel and told him to take off his wet clothes before he dares track water into her living room. All I could say was at least no one was shy here as he did so and put on a robe and Mom took the wet ones and started piling.

One by one we all entered and were being baptized until everyone that was that needed it was done. We gave everyone a chance to change into some dry clothes like their Sunday clothes as Mom piped church music into the living room as we all waited for each of us who had been baptized.

Eli too started to notice the change, and so did the girls. Tony was a little startled seeing Jeff for the first time as he tried to touch him, but watched his hand go right through him. Jeff would laugh, but so far Tony and Stringham haven't been able to communicate with him … and like always Stringham complained asking why. I shrugged my shoulders. I knew the reason, and it had to do with two things. One he had only done one part of the baptism, now that was done. He needed to have the Holy Ghost confirmed on him. The other is if he truly wanted to listen. So I sat quietly as everyone took their seats.

Mom had decided that the girls and the guys were going to walk down the aisle, using the hallway as the main entrance. They had debated if they should dress the part, but the girls decided it would take too long to put on makeup and everything, But Mom as always said God doesn't care about makeup, but it was getting late so they decided to save it for the main event. So, we set up the chairs so they could have an aisle to walk down; instead of doing it twice, we used the living room as a chapel setting. So, it would be ready when we were ready. Stringham went first as he took a seat in front of the fireplace and Bishop Earl and Bishop Sakes, and his first councilor Bishop Lanwall placed their hands on top of his head.

Bishop Earl said, using Stringham's full name: "David Harold Stringham; by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood which I have been given. I confirm you, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Receive the Holy Ghost, I also give you a blessing that if you always seek the truth, you will discover what you are looking for, I bless you with the strength to endure each of the challenges ahead of you, I bless you that will remain faithful and in doing so you will find wisdom, you find strength where you had none. I bless you with your great big stick so you may kick their ass back to hell.

"Now go this day and fear not the darkness, for the Holy Ghost has touched your soul and strengthened you, but if you slack and you go back on your word. The windows of heaven will be closed to you until you repent and make restitution. God knows your heart. He knows you better than you know yourself. Trust him and your friends and they will lead you. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen." (He said many things, but it was for Stringham only."

Stringham turned and shook hands and jumped when Jeff said. "Hi, my name is Jeff." And stuck out his hand and said, "Sike." Watching his hand go right through it, Jared and I laughed and so did everyone else that could see him.

Stringham said. "Can someone please open a damn window? it is hotter than hell in here? Correction Hell isn't hot, its ice cold." Everyone laughed as Stringham opened the door to cool himself.

Dad said. "Would you like your snowman suit back? Or are you going to freeze us all by keeping the door open?"

Stringham said. "Nope, I am thinking of burning it just so I can buy a new one," But he closed the door, only to have Jeff pop up next to him, scaring the living daylights out of him. I knew he was doing it on purpose, but Jeff was Jeff.