The Morrisons Ch. 26

"My saying thank you seems so minute to the brave actions you took that morning."

When I finished my glowing praise, there was a loud roar of applause and some whistles from the group assembled. I saw Joanna smile and shyly wave to everyone as her skin color deepened another shade of red.

"I also want to say before I hand this mic back, Joanna had plenty of back up that morning of the break-in. Tony Williams, his wife Patty, sisters Beth and Barbie were also in the house and all four of them were armed. I want everyone to know they also played a part in protecting our home."

When I finished speaking and handed the mic back, Marsh took it and immediately asked the Martinellis to come up on the stage. He knew that some of them wouldn't be inclined to just walk up in front of a crowd, so he named each of them and asked them individually to join him.

Marsh began to speak as the last Martinelli, Uncle Joey, walked on the stage. "I know at least some of you have heard of the family that I grew up in. I want you to know about the good, strong, happy childhood I experienced." He went on to explain about his parents and how he came to live with the Martinelli family.

Marsh handed the microphone to Papa Victor, who looked very uncomfortable. After a pause he began to speak. "Mama Vicky and I are very proud of the man that Marshall has grown into. Not long ago Marshall called and told Mama that he had something to tell us, and that he would be at our house for lunch the next day. Victoria was elated, and of course when Mama is happy, I am happy, too."

"We had no idea what Marshall had to tell us, but we were just happy to have our boy coming home for lunch. We thought Marshall was just driving out from the Inland Empire of SoCal. Victoria made Marshall's favorite meal, and my brothers and our other son came to lunch as well. After we finished with lunch, Marshall asked us to join him in the den, where he loaded a disc into the DVD player. I would like Victoria to tell you what we saw."

Papa Victor handed the microphone to his wife.

"I'd like you all to know, that Mama knows her boys. I could tell that Marshall did not have good news for us, but he kept up a very brave face, considering what we saw next."

"The DVD was a copy of the view from several security cameras at the Best Western Turner Inn, where the mother of Marsh's deceased wife was working at the front desk."

"Three men came in and attacked her. One of those men was my grandson, and within seconds, Marshall entered the picture, along with his K-9, and killed my grandson and his friends."

That night my nephew Tony Martinelli, with six more of his friends entered the home of Marshall's neighbor. Marshall entered the house just after my nephew, and Marshall and his partner neutralized five of the seven intruders. Two of the men got past Marshall and his partner and were taken down by the young lady on the stage here with us. Joanna Doyle, will you please come over here with me?"

"Today the Martinelli family would like to reward Joanna for her part in neutralizing a man that had become a problem for the family. Antonio, will you join me as well, and bring the briefcase."

"Members of the family had decided to buy a contract on my nephew. Tony was known to many of you that are here as The Butcher."

"Joanna, a contract on The Butcher would have cost our family a very large amount of money. We would like to reward you for your courage in facing The Butcher, and the skills you demonstrated. My brother-in-law is holding a briefcase with a small token of our appreciation. If you don't want to take all two and a half million dollars home with you on the plane, Marshall has assured me that you may leave it here in his safe, and he will arrange a transfer into a bank account of your choosing back on the mainland."

As Mama Vicky finished, Uncle Tony opened the briefcase, and Joanna gasped, and her bright red flush turned pale. She probably would have fallen on the floor if Becca had not followed her and was behind her to catch and steady her.

There was an audible collective gasp from everyone in attendance and you then could have heard the proverbial pin drop, even in the sand.

Uncle Tony took the microphone from Mama Vicky. "Joanna, I want to assure you that I am not angry with you, but I am grateful. Tony's mother and I were at a loss to find a way to help our son. We were never able to do that and my wife died in part out of the grief Tony caused her. Joanna, if you ever need anything. And I do mean anything! You have a very grateful father who will take care of you."

Mary was sitting at a table with Shelly, Jenna, and Hanna. Looking at Shelly, Mary whispered, "a small token?" Damn Shelly, can you imagine what a large token would be?"

Shelly's mouth hung open. "God Damn, she replied. "I guess that butcher fellow really was a bad man. I had no idea. I'm glad it was Joanna in the house and not me that morning."

Mary looked at Shelly and replied; "Shelly, you weren't there when Dan, Ted, and I first met "Judy". She told us that The Butcher was the worst of the worst. The guy Joanna killed was the devil in the form of a man."

Mary looked at Terri and Hanna, both of them were ashen white and trembling having heard what Joanna did at their house while they were in Germany. Up until that moment, they had only been told about the break-in and not about Joanna killing someone. Mary recognized their fear by the look in their eyes and moved to their side of the table immediately. The second Mary started to comfort them; Shelly jumped up and moved over next to Hanna.

They held the girls and talked to them telling them that everything was going to be ok. Ted looked at the girls and then tapped Marion, Kim and Beth. The four of them surrounded both girls while Mary and Shelly talked to them. Mary offered to take them back to their cabin but both of them wanted to stay. It took a little while for them to settle down.

Meanwhile up on stage, Joanna closed the briefcase and turned to Becca. "Would you and Leyanni take me to the safe? I don't want this here with me." She turned back to Uncle Tony then and gasped. "Uncle Tony, I'm sorry I didn't say thank you till now. You kinda took my breath and my brain away. This is way more than I could have ever imagined. I didn't do this for a reward, I did what I thought was my job. I was protecting my friends. You really didn't need to do this."

Antonio Martinelli had some moisture in the corners of his eyes as he replied. "I know Joanna. The true heroes never think of themselves as heroes. They just do what needs to be done. Unfortunately most of them never get the true recognition they deserve. We're glad you're alive and are here to receive the recognition you deserve. Tony would not have paused even a split second to think about killing you. I am grateful to be able to meet you and show you our gratitude."

Leyanni, Becca, and Joanna went to Leyanni's golf cart, and accompanied by the two Turner Security gorillas, Leyanni took them up to the office. Leyanni opened the safe, and Joanna put the briefcase on a shelf inside. Becca, Leyanni, and Joanna left the office, got in Leyanni's cart, and returned to the wedding celebration.

******************

Mary signaled for me when I came off the stage and I walked over to the small group. I looked at Terri and Hanna and saw their eyes were red from crying. I instantaneously asked what was the problem and Terri blurted out, "Dad, from now on, we have no more secrets between us. We just learned what really happened while we were in Germany and it scared the shit out of me all over again. Dad, I knew there was something you weren't telling us but please don't do that again. I want it straight and upfront from now on."

I walked around the table and both girls stood up and hugged me immediately. I apologized for not telling them what really happened but I followed it up by saying, "I was only trying to protect both of you because you've been through so much already. If you want me to be straight forward with both of you from now on, I want both of you to know, I will protect you with every fiber of my being. You both are my girls now and I love you."

I shared hugs and kisses with both of them and asked them if they were going to be ok. Hanna spoke first, "It was just a shock dad hearing all that. I'll be fine because I know we have the best protection ever. YOU!"

"Yeah, but don't you forget what I said MISTER," Terri sounded off. "I want to be one of the first to know what's going on and I'll deal with it in my own way. No more sugar coating anything for me or Hanna. Got that?"

"Yes ma'am," I replied with a salute. "I'll keep both of you in the loop."

Mary, Shelly, Marion, Kim and Beth took turns hugging Terri and Hanna before Ted asked Hanna to dance with him. Mary asked Terri to dance with her and I looked at Beth saying, "I don't believe we've shared more than one dance all day. Come on, let's boogey."

Beth and I danced at least four times, two of which were fast songs and just as we were leaving the dance floor, to take a break. Jake and Kim caught up and joined us as we reached the sand. We found a table to sit at, and a waitress came by and took drink orders.

Jake looked at me with a serious face. "Dan," he asked. "Does this Marshall Mitchel belong to the mafia? It sounded to me like he said his mother and those guys on the stage with him are part of a mob family."

Jake was startled when a voice he recognized came from behind him. "Jake, if you want to sit in judgment, the short answer is yes. If you are the man I think you are, you'd like to hear the whole story, and I'd be happy to tell you the long version if you would like to hear it." Marsh stepped to the end of the table, and sat down.

Jake looked from Marsh to me before he responded. "Marsh, I may be a farmer from a small country town, but I have always tried to be fair with everyone. I have time to listen to the long version if you are inclined to take the time to tell it to me."

"It's a deal." Marsh said. "I'll tell you how I fit in a "mob" family." Marsh gave the waitress his order for a tall glass of strawberry lemonade, and then began to tell Jake the long version.

Marsh began his story around his tenth birthday. He told Jake almost all the details as he remembered them in chronological order. His face showed some sadness when he told about the last time he saw his father. His voice was almost a whisper when he spoke about his mother and the last time he saw her.

After his mother didn't come and pick him up from school Marsh explained he lived with both Marguarita and Mama Vicky until Marguarita had to go to the hospital to give birth to his little sister.

He told Jake how his best friend Mario's family became his family and Mario's uncles Antonio and Giuseppe became his uncles. Marsh reminisced about going to ball games both in California and in New York. He added in the fact that Uncle Joey took them to the beach, many times.

"Mama Vicky made sure I studied and did my homework. I was smart enough to get good grades, so high school and college went surprisingly well."

He told Jake he missed his real mother and father but as time went on, he thought less and less about them on a regular basis. Marsh continued by saying when he was fourteen, Uncle Joey took him and Mario to Vietnam where they studied martial arts with an older guy who became their mentor and friend.

Marsh was very thorough as he talked about his life with the Martinelli family. He also gave Jake some background on the entire family.

He added the information how Dr. James Turner came to know the Martinelli brothers when he had to patch their wounds in Vietnam.

Marsh finished his long version of his life with, "I put myself through med school with my pilot's license. I started investing in tax lean properties and drug seizures while I was in my residency, and by the time I finished and got my FACEP (Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians) certification I was already pretty well healed."

"I will always be grateful for my Martinelli family roots. Mama Vicky, Papa Victor, Uncle Tony, and Uncle Joey gave me many opportunities that a lot of orphan kids never have had. They also taught me right from wrong and taught me to work hard but also smart. I am who and where I am today because I have a wonderful family support system."

"So you see Jake," Marsh finished. "The short answer is yes!"

Beth was overwhelmed when Marsh finished his story and asked him if she could hug him. Of course Marsh accepted the offer and when Beth rounded the corner of the table, Marsh was standing and ready to receive Beth in his arms. As they hugged Beth said, "I knew about your Becky and Elise, but I had no idea you had lost your parents and at a young age. You have made me much more grateful for my loving parents and my close family."

Marsh choked up a little as he said, "I'm OK now Beth. The Martinellis and Marguarita did right by me. Now that I have Jimmy's resources at my disposal, I'm going to try to find out just what did happen to my parents."

Marsh looked at Jake with a wicked smile as he said, "And Jake, The Butcher may be gone now, but if you need a mafia hit man you just let me know. We still have assets." Everyone at the table had a good laugh.

When Marsh finished hugging Beth, Trish, who had been standing behind Marsh while he told his story, turned him around then kissed and hugged him tightly, as she said, "Now I know a little more about my wonderful man too, Beth.

"How 'bout a dance with my special man?" Trish cooed, as she batted her eye lashes.

"I can't think of a way any man in his right mind could turn down an offer like that." Marsh replied. "Excuse us, please?" he said to the friends at the table as he and Trish made their way to the dance floor.

******************

The Turner North Shore Resort was in the habit of throwing parties, aka luaus. They had all the right equipment set up in an outdoor kitchen. There was a barbeque pit and a large smoker to take care of food that needed to be cooked. The chef on this day had a pig on the rotisserie in the barbeque pit and in the smoker there was a half of a beef. Mesquite wood, which was brought in from Arizona was burning in the smoker.

The chef had planned for everyone to be ready to eat around 1730 hours (5:30 pm) and his calculations were perfect. He had carved off plenty of pork and beef which was placed on several large platters. Waitress and waiters scurried around and placed everything on the tables.

Leyanni walked up on the stage and picked up a microphone at the end of Leyland's set. She announced the food was ready and encouraged all the guests to walk around the food tables and choose what they wanted. She told everyone there was enough food and anyone who went away hungry it was because of their own choosing.

Word had been sent up to the rec hall for Jen and Bri to bring the children down to the beach so they could get something to eat. The noise of the party had quieted down momentarily so we heard the excited voices of the younger children as the rushed towards us. Bri and Jen followed the group so they could make sure all the children in their care made it to the right place. The children joined up with their parents who took them to the food tables to get something to eat.

Now, it was more noticeable that many people had taken off their Te pāreu especially amongst our family and friends. We are nudists so it felt more natural and comfortable to be nude. Besides, Leyanni had shed her Te pāreu shortly after all the formal happenings were finished.

There was plenty of light conversation at each table, while everyone enjoyed their meal. I sat with my family and friends, Beth sat on one side of me and Kim on the other. It wasn't like there was a division between the two groups it's just that we mingled with people we knew best. However, many of us wandered around and introduced ourselves to the other guests being there were no formal introductions of who's who in attendance.

As I looked around during a brief interruption in the conversation, I saw Marsh was doing the same thing. As his head turned towards me, our eyes locked on each other and both of us smiled a content smile. Both of us nodded our head in acknowledgement and then we continued to survey all the people who had attended our weddings.

My mind drifted back to how all this came about and I realized if - that was a big IF - we had gone to the original resort that Beth had booked for us, also - IF - Beth hadn't asked Leyanni the all-important question about a wedding, none of this would be happening right now. I don't really believe in KARMA but this was the day of all days of my life.

I was brought out of my daydream when Kim and Beth tapped me on my arms while asking, "Are you alright Dan?"

I looked at each one and responded, "Absolutely, why did you ask that?"

"Because we each said something to you and all you did was stare straight ahead." Beth added.

"That's because," I said, "I was reminiscing about how all this came about. Do you understand the magnitude of what's happened to us in a very short time? Beth and I moved into the top slot at our company and the original resort we were going to stay in had a tragic fire. Becca helped Beth by introducing her to Leyanni and we came to this resort and now, here we sit, a married threesome, our good friends Marsh Becca and Trish were married today with us and all of our friends and family are here to help celebrate. Can you imagine? Everything has been so fast paced and I love it."

Joe Bailey was standing behind me, ready to congratulate us, but stopped and listened to what I said. When I finished he tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Dan, I want to congratulate you Beth and Kim and I hope you have many years of shared love."

I stood up and hugged Joe and thanked him. When I finished, Kim and Beth took turns hugging and kissing him. Kim reached down between her and Joe when she kissed him and hefted his cock. Joe jumped back but Kim held him firmly as she whispered, "One day real soon, I'm going to want this. I hope you're willing to share."

Joe pulled back and looked into Kim's eyes, "Yes ma'am, I will share. Oh God, this is so strange to me. Here I am naked with hundreds of people around, which I'm not used to and now you're making me an offer, I would be a fool to turn down."

"OH NO, I'm getting hard, may I sit down so no one else will see it."

Kim looked down at her hand and sure enough, Joe was not getting hard, he was at full staff. Once again Kim whispered, "Come on, sit down beside me."

I tried to include Joe in conversation but he was too nervous thinking someone would see his hard-on. Kim picked up a napkin and handed it to Joe as she started stroking his cock. With a bad case of nerves preventing an immediate ejaculation, Kim had to work on him for almost ten minutes before Joe groaned quietly, "Please, don't stop Kim. I'm so close."

"I have no intention of stopping Joe. Just think about us having sex someday. Joe, I'm going to spread my legs and you'll be able to see my wet pussy......" Kim stopped talking and worked Joe's cock as he held the napkin and blew his load.

When he was finished cuming, Kim picked up another napkin and cleaned her hand while Joe cleaned himself. Joe looked at Kim and thanked her profusely. Kim smiled, "Joe as I said, one day you are going to enjoy much more than just my hand."

Joe stayed and talked to us for a while and then excused himself when he saw Mary walk towards a bathroom. We watched Joe's white body travel across the sand. Beth giggled and said, "I hope Mary is keeping him coated with sunscreen until he starts to tan."