Jamie - The Journey Begins Ch. 27 - The Open Highway

I was drifting away with the sensations, not thinking just being. In a distance, I heard Ben: "Oh Jamie... I'm gonna cum ... oh god ... Jamie!" I heard him over and over. It was like my mind was playing a song, a lullaby. I'm sure I started to mouth it, repeating what Ben was saying. Then I realized, he was fucking me harder, but slower, with more purpose. With each stroke, his arms were crossing my chest, holding me against him, with each thrust pulling me harder against his body. I was jello in his hands.

"Oh yes ... please Ben, cum for me. Cum in me, please," and with that, I felt his body stiffen, I felt that beautiful cock pulse deep inside me, the warmth spreading. I was literarily speechless. His movements slowed and finally stopped.

"Oh God, Jamie! That was amazing!" He pressed up against me, holding me in place as we both came down from that high. "Have you - did you cum?"

Sheepishly, I wasn't sure if I should have or not for a moment... "No, I was too... swept away with what you were doing to me! Oh god, Ben, we're doing this again soon!!" I turned slightly and started to kiss him. He slipped out of me and I gave a small whimper into his mouth. Not pain, no... just...I was enjoying feeling his fullness. Feeling the pulse of his body in me.

I caught the look in his eyes: there was a flash of ... next moment, he pulled me around. Grabbing the head of my cock and scooping up the clear nectar that was freely dripping from me like a leaky tap, I saw his hand disappear behind him as he turned almost like a ballerina does those toe turns. "We're not done, Jamie. Please finish us both off, I nee-"

I was so close it wasn't going to take me long at all, I lined myself up, rubbing my head against his hole a few times, "Don't tease me, Jamie, I want you." I pushed against him. His body yielded to me. I slowly slid into him, Ben came upright, his back against my stomach and chest, we moved together with every stroke, his head tilted back almost resting on my shoulder. Before I knew it, I was there. "Oh god, Ben I'ma gonna-"

.o00o.

We finally took that shower, the pent-up sexual energy used up for a while. Heading back out to the kitchen with towels wrapped around us, my mind turned to dinner. Luckily, it hadn't spoilt: if it had, I wouldn't have cared. "That was amazing," Ben stretched backward running his hands along his food baby stomach. "We ate like kings, Jamie... hmmm... yum! I have to remember to thank your mom when you speak to her next. That was an awesome meal."

Lying on the corner sofa, Ben propped up against me, I could see his head rise and fall with every breath: his right arm draped across my waist, his hand idly playing with the hair on the side of my knee. At that moment, I could see us years into the future, lounging around outdoors, in the warm afternoon sun, with kids running about in the background. A warm contented feeling spread over me.

Watching my weekly fix of Chicago Fire, propped kinda butt-cheek side-on. Sure, our earlier exploits were coming back to give me some discomfort down there, but Oops - so not sorry. Might end up being not the best idea to bottom when I was going to be sitting on a plane for a couple of hours than an hour and a half drive, still, it was worth every minute of 'discomfort.'

"Jamie, wake up!." Hmmm, I could see Ben's face - he had that look in his eyes, grrrr... I hadn't even gotten out of my uniform, his arms snaking their way under my tunic... "Jamie, wake up! We should go to bed."

"Hmmm yeah, bed... I know you'd like that, I'm sure... oh wait! My eyes flew open as Ben pulled on my hand. "Come on. You're not gonna be able to get up in the morning."

..o00o..

In the end, all the hard work, calls, emails back and forth, online interviews paid off. I landed work at three of the services, Tucson for three months, and two months each with Phoenix then Boston FD's, solving the whole visa thing but... nothing here in Texas with Ben.

"Hey Adam, what's up, great to hear from you mate, what you up to?"

"Working on a few projects. The redevelopment of the site over here is kicking - interested in buying another for investment?"

"Haha, with what money Ad's... it's not like I have bags of cash lying around mate, but thanks for thinking of me. Hey - how's Julie going? How's my apartment going? Have you seen my folks? How are they going?"

"Julies is all good, Mate. She's doing well at work. We're doing ok too. Life's pretty good at the moment. How are you going with work? I was chatting to your Dad the other day. He said you've been stuffed around a bit with the secondment placements. Will that mean you have to come back early?"

"Initially, well yeah. I was kind of hoping to get something with Dallas FD, but have landed work with the Tucson, Phoenix, and Boston Fire Services. Mate, if only Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio ... that would have been a dream, but Dallas was looking for a full-time permanent position. Which, if I was staying here, could work. Thanks to mom and dad when moving to Australia and didn't relinquish their US citizenship, they became (eventually) dual citizens. Funnily enough, when each of us kids was born, dad sorted that stuff out for us too, so we all held the dual status, except for Stephanie, and Mason - he couldn't be stuffed doing what was needed. Pretty typical of him, though, lazy assed. Hey, you still there, Ad's, or has my verbal explosion put you asleep, haha?"

"Nah, mate, I've just had another espresso, so all good. Typical of Mason though - it's hard to believe that he's from the same parents as you and your sisters, dickhead. So how did the whole dual thing work for Stephanie? I didn't even know you guys were dual citizens?"

"It was kind of a bust for her, due to her work, you know, in defense. She couldn't be a dual citizen at the time of her enlistment. That only changed here a few years ago. They're still a bit freaked out in defense about it, but less so if you're a US or UK citizen. Anyway, by the time it all changed, she couldn't see the benefit in going through the whole process to reinstate her dual status."

"So, it's only you and Katie that hold it, yeah, and your folks."

"Yep, plus Jet and Daisy also: Dad made sure that it was sorted for them when they were born. Still it's as confusing as fuck at times. Even I had visa requirements coming over here because the exchange program is inter-government. Shit, it was the first time I'd ever entered the US using my Australian passport because they are super clear that if you have a US passport, you have to use it to enter the country. I'm like, fuck! The confusion, back and forth at LAX when clearing Customs and Immigration, particularly when I offered to just use my US Passport - that didn't help at all and ended with me sitting in the airport manager's office for an hour till they sorted it."

"Pisser. That would have been a blast to see. Were you worried?"

"Nah. What's the worst they could have done - boot me out? I would have pulled the US citizen card. I let the airport guy know that - it helped change their minds. Plus I called the Australian Embassy and they spoke to each other - someone hadn't filed something somewhere. Anyway, the upshot of it all is that I need to remain employed in the field of work as per the entry documents, and all is satisfied with the paper shufflers, so life is looking good."

..o0o..

There was still a bit to sort out, mainly from Australia, if I was going to be a citizen living abroad - a bit to do with property, tax and that stuff. Dad had been a great help - he'd gone through them, putting post-it notes all over the place for me. Even with all of this going on, Ben and I hadn't decided where we were going to live. We finally had to bite the bullet on that one.

With Lucas' wedding rolling toward us all like a freight train out of control, pressure was on us all on top of all of this stuff.

I was concerned with Ben's work way more than he was. His EMT training is not as big in Australia, and so much more than that of our general duties Paramedics - not quite as advanced as the Intensive Care Specialist Paramedics either- although not far off that. We'd found out that it wouldn't take much to skill up to Intensive Care Specialist, just more into the mix I guess. He was more a crossover between them and our Rescue guys. Whereas my skills were pretty much transferrable, water plus fire, don't fall through the roof and your good -- okay, it's a bit more than that, but you get what I mean.

Sure okay, I'd lose rank coming over, but Tom proved with the LACoFD, there is scope to promote fairly quickly. So, while Ben was sleeping, I'd finally decided that I needed to head back to Australia at the end of my rotation in Boston. Go home, resign, settle some of my affairs, talk it through with my family, and hope they'd understand that ... I couldn't do it in an email or phone call, the fire service had been such a huge part of my life and my family's that... well, I just couldn't.

Ben was still unsure about me quitting. We'd talked about it over and over: he was completely okay to leave the US and come down under. But his career! He would be throwing away such a huge part of it doing that, whereas, if I could land a job in the lower 48, he wouldn't have to give up so much. I'd been pretty successful in landing casual appointments with three services. If I have to do that for a few years, it's not so bad. And anyway, if I can land engagements in drier, more arid states, the better: they'd be a perfect match for me. Plus, if I do plenty of head down and mouth-shut stuff, I'd get transfers with the promotion within three years.

"Hey Tom, you got time to chat for a moment?"

"Sure, Jamie. What's up? Let me guess, work, and what to do next right?"

"Yeah, Tom. I think I know what to do. Ben... all of this is so worth it. I needed to make a change, you know! After the divorce and years of not being truly happy, you know..."

"Yep, Jamie, I get it. It's not that you're running away or running from your past as much as you are trying to reset, restart, and in most cases, we only get that opportunity once in life where we can just go for it, so I get it."

"Plus... my life had turned around so much while I was over here, Tom. Yeah, ok, I'd almost been killed, but that was something I couldn't plan for. Lucas and I were having the time of our lives on the trip - it was a turning point for both of us, almost one last hurrah before it was time to ... do I dare say it?... grow up."

"I think it was two different things for you both, different but so entwined, right? For Lucas, it seemed to be a great opportunity to have a fantastic carefree holiday with his closest friend-brother-partner-in-crime. Where for you, Jamie, I'd feel it was more a chance to clear your mind, live carefree for a while so you can find yourself again... am I right?"

"Yeah, I think you got it in one, Tom. I'm just a little conflicted, Don't get me wrong - I love Australia. It will always be my home... where I'm from, a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains...all of that It's where my family and lifelong friends are, but like what Lucas said when we were in the apartment after discharging from the Hospital, 'there must be a reason this stuff happens. It can't all just be random.' I saw Sean's face, I'm sure it was real or an inner part of my subconscious telling me to go on and live, live the life he missed out on. And I can do that with Ben. I love the guy so much... I'll never forget or stop loving Sean, but it's different now... you know!"

"I do, mate. It's tough. But I think deep down, when you got back with Ben after your breakup, you decided then, didn't you?"

"Yeah, I did say I wasn't going to let him go, not going to stuff this up again or let anything come between us. I guess you're right, Tommy. Thanks, mate." In the background I heard the bells drop -- the alarm went off for a fire-call. "That's you, Tommy. Better let you go. Stay safe, mate."

"Thanks, Jamie. Thanks for the call. Chat soon, ok?"

..o0o..

xxxxx

My first shift out here set the tone for my time: the guys were all fantastic. The boss was great - I've had way worse over my time in the job. It was pretty easy. I was Firefighter level, so the grunt work - get to the jobs bowl out, hose and get into it, no management, simple firefighting. Well, that was for the first two shifts. Then a few of the officers noticed my skills and I was pushed into relieving shift, backfilling where there were staff shortages due to leave, illness, etc., even a few times already was in an acting Lieutenant role pretty similar to our leading firefighter job at home.

Over the past week the entire Spence family had flown in from Australia: mom and dad had been in the country for two weeks. Dad popped in to see me on on-shift at Tucson FD. Apparently, Tucson is on the way to GA - bit like flying from Melbourne to Sydney via Adelaide, not really on the way, but for good enough reason it can be, I guess. Anyway, it was nice to see them, spend a bit of quiet private time with the 'rents. The old man and the battalion chief hit it if off. The boss and his wife ended up going out to dinner with mom and dad before they flew out. I was completely fine - I had a few drinks with the guys. The next morning, I was off for sixteen days. Gotta say, though - I was lucky to be able to grab a pile of extra reliever shifts. Plus, the boss knew I was heading back for my cousin's wedding. I think in some ways they were going to be glad to see the back of Lucas and Hailey calling me so they all got a break too, haha.

And what an awesome break it was gonna be - get to hang out with Ben, plus the family was over. I was zooming with Jet and Daisy the other night - my god, how much those two have grown in a few months! I was so excited to see them, Step and Todd, Kate and Jake. A load of my friends were coming over too. Dad had been able to organize a group discount if they got more than 20 people on the booking. Once word got out at home, Gav, Dave, Ty, Sam, Julie, and Adam all jumped at it. Yes, Sam... Sam was coming too! Apparently, Ty and Sam were going to Canada afterward, via NYC. Yeah, I'm just gonna leave that one alone. When I told Ben, there was a moment's silence, then a strained 'Oh really. We'll have to show them around.' Yeah, as long as we don't show them anywhere near your mom or family, they'll be okay, I guess.

Mom and dad headed over to the airport about an hour before me. I wanted to call past the station house and thank the boss again for his help, the job, and time off.

When I finally found my parents, of course, Dad had 'come across' three passes to the American Airlines lounge. "Hey, thanks dad!" I lifted my JD and cola as we settled into our very comfy lounge chairs till our flights out. Mom and Dad were flying direct to Georgia. I was off to Texas, 'home' to Ben and our ever-increasing family and friends flying in.

"All good, son. Gotta say, Jamie - Brilliant timing for you and Ben to have your engagement party the week after Lucas' wedding while everyone is over here."

Mom wandered back with a small plate of food for us all to share. "Have you guys set a date yet?"

"Yeah... Mom, you and dad are coming to our engagement party." I shot mom a confused look.

Without even looking up, she placed the food down while waving her hand at dad and me to dig in. "I mean your wedding, Jamie."

I looked at dad for support. He just shrugged his shoulders. "We're thinking, fall over here next year, spring back home maybe."

"Did you hear that, Robert, next year?" Her face lit up like a 1000w floodlight.

"Mom, please, don't start planning yet... please! We're just thinking it through, ok."

"No worries, son ... fall next year."

"I'm getting another drink, Jamie? Kate?" Dad was making a break for it. "Thanks, Dad, please, a double for me." Mom shot me a 'I think not look'. Dad just smiled and walked off, pretending he didn't see anything.

The rest of our time in the lounge was taken up with general chit chat, hearing how the grandkids had a fantastic flight, and both my parents were excited to see them, although they'd only seen them a few weeks ago.

Finally, my flight was called about 20 minutes before theirs, so we did the whole goodbye and hugs in the lounge. Then, I legged it to the gate - just wanted to get on board. Every moment, a moment closer to Ben.

..o0o..

Ben was waiting for me in the terminal. It had been a warm day out obviously- he was wearing the Gymshark drop arm tank top I'd bought online with a pair of 5" green men's shorts, and white and blue Havaianas -- flipflops. Wow, my clothes looked so goon on him. There was a slight sheen to him - it must be warm outside. It made his buff body look even hotter if that was possible.

As I got closer, Ben hadn't seen me as yet. Someone was taking all of his attention on his cell. Hmm... those extra-large armholes flashed the side of his pec muscles and defined ribs, whoa. Slipping around behind him, I snaked my arm around his waist, pulling him back a little against me. "Hey you're super cute. Can we go somewhere and make out?"

I heard his cell go click. "Hmm you smell nice, stranger." He tipped his head back a little onto my collarbone. "We're gonna have to be quick - my fiancée is due to arrive any moment," he said with a quiet laugh.

"Oh, you're so hot looking. It's gonna be quick, you can be sure of that," I purred while laying a kiss under his earlobe.

"Missed you, Jamie."

"Missed you, Ben." I turned him around and kissed him. "So glad to be back. Let's go."

With that, we headed to the parking garage, and out. We were headed to III Forks for dinner. Some of our families were going to be there, and a few of my friends too.

..o0o..

"Lucas! Chill out mate, it's gonna be ok, Hailey will be here. Hey, you can't even see the part of your eyebrow that got shaved off." Lucas shot me and I' ma gonna kill you look. "ok, my bad but it was funny right? it's what 4days to your wedding, plenty of time for shit to grow back," laughing into my hand over my mouth.

A huge smile spread over his face. "Yeah, you idiot, it was funny. Just lucky for you that Hailey got her friend to shape both too. Look, ok, I like them being thinner like this." Lucas turning his face side to side admiring his recently reshaped brows.

"Lucky for you, mate, that my hair was a long with those beestings you were doing with the clippers. I have chunks of hair missing. Thought Ben was gonna kill you." At that, we both started to laugh. "Jamie, unless we want trouble when we've got kids we'd ..."

"Need to be smarter, or better at it?"

"No, I was thinking more adult."

"The hell you say - more adult? Jesus, Lucas, I was thinking we're gonna need to dig deep, go full-on." He just shook his head, then a sneaky grin. "You're on."

To say that Lucas' buck's night was fun, that's an understatement. Hailey had only made a few requests - no permanent damage, visible markings, or piercings of any type and no leaving a radius of 45miles - break any of these and she was gonna hand us over to a collection of moms. Brrrr... the thought just frightens me! That's why I only snipped a little of his right eyebrow off - he didn't need to wake me the next morning sitting on my chest saying here comes a hornet, zzz, zzz, and getting me with the hair clippers.

..o0o..

The wedding venue looked amazing. Lucas and Hailey had decided on this modern-looking barn at Saddle Creek Dripping Springs. Lucas was shitting himself, which is not a common thing for him or me really - it takes a lot to get either of us that worried. But he just wanted it to be perfect for Hailey, and it was. The big day was finally upon us.

As the family and friends filed in and sat down, we boys were greeting everyone. A few of the aunts laid a few bright red lipsticks smears on us all. Luckily, Stephanie stopped and gave me a huge hug. "Hey Jim Jam, you look all grown up! Shit - so does Lucas!" She grabbed my hand and put a Ziploc bag. "There are a few unscented makeup wipes in there. Y'all gonna need them."