Summer, 1983 (I'll call you by mine)

The Party

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTOPHER!" Was the wake-up call he got from everyone in the house standing in his bedroom. He was 17 today, he was going into his senior year of high school, he was going to lose his virginity tonight. All of these thoughts were going through his sleepy head, when everyone left the room he covered back up. Soon he could smell breakfast cooking from the kitchen. Sophie was no Mafalda in the kitchen, but she was catching up.

"God, you were the squishiest baby, you had this squishy little forehead and you always frowned, couldn't get you to crack a smile for months. He was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, doctors thought there was something wrong with him because all he did was grunt, never cried. I can't believe my little 6lb 4oz baby boy is now almost as tall as me and 17!" Oliver gushed at the breakfast table. Everyone was present this morning, Elio, Jona, Valentina, Marzia, Nicola, Marzia's husband, David and Elios mother.

"Ok, ok dad everybody here now knows I was a squiggie little gremlin."

"I didn't call you a gremlin, you were beautiful and still are. But I'm your dad so I'm partial."

Christopher blushed as he went to go take a bite of his egg when he felt a foot slide up his leg. He looked up startled because he wasn't sure whose foot it was. Across from him sat Valentina and David, at this point, it could be either one of them considering what had happened in the last week. Neither was giving any clue as to whose foot was heading toward his crotch. Christopher panicked when he leaned back in saw that the toes were painted pink, looking up he saw a smiling Valentina slyly looking at him. While David was still engrossed in his food, Christopher wasn't sure if he was disappointed or relieved by whose foot was in his lap right now.

"So before everyone goes home, Elio and I would like to give you my sweet boy your gift. We got you a box seat to see Manchester United play for when we stay the week in London." Oliver handed Christopher the envelope with his passes and tickets along with the Manchester United football kit. Christopher sat with his mouth hanging open and the biggest smile on his face.

"Are you kidding me? I actually get to see Manchester play?" He asked in disbelief. While Christopher loved playing all sports, he played football in the fall and soccer during the summer. He had seen the New York Jets play but he wanted to see Manchester.

"Now, you can invite whoever you want. You're only 17 once, you have all the fun in the world." Oliver said enveloping his eldest son in a hug. Christopher looked to Elio whose smile could have brightened the world. Christopher wrapped Elio in a warm embrace and spoke words that took Elio to a new level of happiness.

"Thank you Papa."

Elio held on to Christopher even tighter, holding back the tears that were threatening to escape.

Oliver looked at Elio, with concern on his face.

"Are you ok?" He asked.

"Me, okay." Elio answered wrapping his arm around Oliver's waist. He didn't want to share yet the moment that he had, had with Christopher. Elio would tell him later.

The rest of the family moved into the house as this mornings guests had all gone home. They had all eaten too much and were ready to relax until tonight's festivities. Elio and Oliver laid at one end of the sofa cuddled up, Christopher sat in a big green chair and Jona sat at the piano.

"Can I?" Jona asked pointing to the piano.

"Yes, I think you should play that piece that we've been practicing."Elio answered.

"Oh, you have been showing him the piano? I thought the guitar was your passion?" Oliver asked.

"You can have more than one passion dad." Jona turned to the piano and began to lightly touch the keys. Soon a steady flow of melodies came from the piano. Everyone closed their eyes, letting the music wash over them. On the last note, Oliver breathed in deep, opened his eyes and looked lovingly at his youngest son.