Chp36 gulf harbor reunion.

The family is about to be outnumbered. As I've secretly added our friends to the schedule. Joe and Roy, Margo and Herd, and the Pecks have arrived. I bounce over a hug the guys, and the very stiff and proper James Peck, retired Lawyer and Congressman of New York now full time snowbird, his wife Vicky is a matronly fireball of energy and happiness. Margo and family are at the lodge; they'll be by later. The Kids need a cool off swim after the plane ride.

Since everyone but me and my CPO is out relaxing, mostly boating and water skiing. I plan a surprise catered barbecue and clam bake. Joe is like a balm on my nerves. Vicky is bouncing with energy to meet the kids. I suspect Margo Bainbridge is also pumped to be an adopted Aunt. I feel a hug and here she is. We four gossip the afternoon preparing for the dinner. Andrew wander in with the his kids and the Grand's. So, soon my herd arrives. Chris is over the moon to see the guys and a little less so about Margo. She always rides him hard about being a better husband and person to me. My boys are excited by the new kids and new adopted relatives.

The Adults are put off at first, but quickly merge into the crowd. The kids are bouncing playful, as Chris dance me around the campfire. I am going to live in this touch, moment and passion. I know something bad is going to happen, every time I get life this good, something bad throw a wrench in my spokes.

Xxxxx

The next morning, bright and early; the boot full of cow pies drops. Andrea is waiting sipping coffee on the picnic table, looking pissed and sad. "I'm sorry Annie-girl. But New York has had a melt down and Christian needs to be there to fix it." I hug her and go kick Chris in the balls, well the balls of his foot, sex muscled, edible toes sexy foot. Shit. Shit! He'll be gone for a couple of days. My sexy god was promising a lot of side sex time. "Chris Andrea here." He rolls awake and moans loudly.

XXXXX

c-pov:

"Chris Andrea here." Anna speaks after kicking my foot. I roll over to look at my pissed off wife. Andrea, shit business. I knew this was coming, dreading it. The merge of the Steiner Inc. to GEH is stalled. I stagger into the restroom, piss and wash my face. I hate leaving Anna, more so with the boys. How will they take this first away trip? I made a point to be at home and available to them since that day in the hospital. Ohh, breath, just take a deep breath. Anna can handle this; I'm a phone call away. A few hours by plane. Hopeful back before the next leg.

"Andrea?" I ask as She hands me a coffee. It must be bad, if she waits for me drinking my morning Java. I look at the ground, hoping this is just a prank.

"Steiner's upper management are going to court to revoke your guardianship of the boy's. They're promoting your stealing they're inheritance. It a ploy to stop they're firing and your stripping them of position and power. The have a couple of congressional assets, and are searching for a judge." Andrea says cold and efficient.

"I would suggest Chris, that I make some calls to old friends. And you move swiftly to remove them from the company. If you need help? I could fly out with you. Says James Peck in his grandfatherly voice. He and Carrick have walked up. They know each other from several Hague cases.

"Christian, you have an airtight Adoption. Not a guardianship. You have made them heirs to your fortune, not your fathers. The judge agreed that the trust funds plus your additional trust funds is more than sufficient. I can call your NY lawyers, or go on the plane?" Carrick states, placing a hand on my shoulder. I lean into him.

"I think you both should make the calls, but stay here. Enjoy the time with the family and my son's. I have sufficient asset in the city, plus Andrea and Roz. If I need you guys I'll call." I sip my coffee.

Andrea how soon?" I ask dreading the question. "We need to leave in fifteen minute, I'm sorry Chris." She pets my arm.

"Christian, please get the boys up and explain." Anna ask as Andrea, Mom, Margo, and Vicky surround her.

I march like a condemned man to the gallows into the RV. I see the Boys are up and have been listening. I step up on the ladder to the overhead bunk. I balk, James hugs me; followed by Langley. "I know you heard. I have to go its business. I will be back as soon as possible."

"Are we, are they going to? I mean take us?" they ask in panic.

"You two troublemakers are my brothers, and my son's. Your mother and I will never let you go. Later when your adults, you'll wish we would lighten up but still hang on to us. Grandpa C did the adoption himself. And you know what he's like in the Law. Your mother will protect you two with her life. The family will protect you with their life. So, you two fishing maniacs behave while I'm gone. Ok?"

They nod, I hug them tight. I hate theses asshole in New York for making me leave my family. I kiss their heads. "Remember while I'm gone, you're the men in the family, that means making uncle Elliot miserable is your job till I get back. so, tuck back in, you have a couple of hours before you need to be up."

"No, way dad. Fish be biting, Grandpa C can take us." I laugh.

"OK, if mom approves. So, hit the deck, my scurvy crew" In my best pirate voice.

"AYE, Captain Copper-TOP" they bellow. I head out to the herd waiting. I kiss Anna as deep and as long as I can. Before I must head away.

Xxxxxxx

Andrea has briefs and papers for me to go over. She added spare laptop batteries. Because by the time we land in New York. I've used up two laptops. I expect Thurgood, but Welch his number two in waiting. The ride into the city goes from bad to worse. Thurgood is in the hospital, with a heart attack, he won't be back. The assholes are stone walling ROZ and the team. The lawyers are running all over the city. Friggin Assholes, I blame my father's immoral and unethical practices, thinking they can intimidate me, bully me. I ooze anger.

My Cell rings, I answer. It Dad and Mr. Peck. The legal problems are contained. The management thinks I have a guardianship, not an adoption. That my past would prevent me from claiming my kin. That I would not want a public speckle, airing my birth family dirty laundry. Well, I didn't do any of that shit, I wasn't around. And I am not letting them golden parachute away.

Shortly after that first Christmas in Florida. We're cruising thru western side of the Appalachian. In a small RV park. I find an old guy fighting with two younger guys. I don't think, I just jump in. After they turned tail and run. I find out the guys are local toughs preying on the snowbirds. Sneaking into the park and breaking RV, so they can rip off people on the repair bills at their garage. The Pecks are a fire ball of a couple. He's a retired Federal Congressman from central NY. She' s a schoolteacher and former country backup singer.

They take to us. See right thru us. We have several long talks as we convoy for a couple of weeks north. I see my father in Mr. Peck. I start to wonder what I missed, the emotions so strong, so close. That I have doubt about Carrick. Mr. Peck and I talk long while fishing. I want to go back and believe them, but you can't undo the past, only effect the future. My future is a petite brunette sunning with Mrs. Peck on the rocky beach south of us. I can hear the audio books playing, as she works thru a textbook. I smile. Mr. Peck punches my arm, he respects my touch issues, "That is always the most important thing, your soulmate. Cherish, respect, and protect her, she always your future. Even when you get old and gray."

We pull up to apartment building near the Park. I quiz as we ride an elevator up to a wrecked, stripped Apartment. "This is your new penthouse in the city, your father's old mistress play-pad. Its stripped and ready for you guys to remodel. Ah! Before you ask, check the views." Andrea chirps

I check, Wow a fantastic view of Central Park, and of the river to Brooklyn. "OK!"

"you have the top four floors, with private entrance, parking and elevator. A separate fire escape with full security. You own the fifteen story building out right. There are currently no tenets. You have free reins to install security and configure the floors. Because with this merger you are going to be spending time in New York." Andrea says. "Your suite is over there. Change into your suit. We have two working bath's and microwave and four army cots, full security and control."

After I shower, shave and change. I walk out to a group of very hard looking guys. Welch signals me "This is Jason Taylor, my right hand, and your personal Security CPO and boss. I'm moving into head of security for GEH. INC. I still have overall command, but Taylor will run the day to day and family protection. He's ex-military, honor grad of the Marine embassy school, Secret service Protection school, with ten years' hands on experience. Question?"

"Thurgood?" I ask.

"He will continue to have a job, limited to his health. He still the sharpest knife in the security business even after the heart attack."
Welch says challenging me.

"Ok. Just don't stress him too much. I think we need to be on the same page. My family, my wife and sons are number one. I'm second and the rest of the family plus Roz family and Andrea are third. The company is fourth. Am I clear?"

"Yes. Mr. Grey. crystal clear." Say Taylor.

We head to the former headquarters of dad's company. Firewind General Enterprise Capital. Located on Wall street just a stone's throw from the Exchange. GEH building is located near the river, with easy access by transit, road, and even helicopter. Dad's building is a waste of space and ego. An edification to his greed and corruption. I was here when we flew out for the funeral. My aunt wanted to buried with her late husband, he died before she gathered my brothers.

The car pulls to the curb. I breath, breath, I can do this. This is my world, my jungle. My companies. "Christian? Remember every minute here is robbed from Anna and the Boy's." Andrea says. I see Taylor nod and grin. Yes. Let's go. "they wanted and fight, let's take the battle to them.