World Tour

Brett's uncle's house

 Eddy was already in awe of this place when he drove down the long driveway to Brett's uncle's house. He'd been here before, but that was a long time ago. Somehow he could appreciate the grandeur more now. 
Wow.
This house really was impressive. Brett's uncle was a very successful businessman, and it showed everywhere. The mansion itself was square and white, and it had those old fashioned dark wooden beams. There were several balconies on all sides, with intricately made iron railings. The whole place breathed a Victorian atmosphere: it was like you could just see some British royalty on the large grass field next to the house, playing polo with their regal horses and their fancy sticks. 
¨Hm, still happy with your decision to become a musician, hey?¨ he quipped, glancing left at Brett. 
Brett grinned. ¨Yup. I could have been rich, but now I make YouTube videos and I have you.¨
He knew he was joking around, but to be honest, Eddy would much rather make YouTube videos and have Brett than be rich and have a giant mansion in the middle of nowhere. 
¨I wouldn't wanna trade places.¨ he said, seriously. 
¨No love, of course not. Never.¨ Brett replied, his tone earnest. 
There was a truck on the end of the driveway that seemed just about to set off, having unloaded several big cart-like things with white folding chairs. 
¨So, I guess we know what we're doing this afternoon? Putting chairs on a field?¨ 
¨Yup! That's about right.¨
They got out of the car and Brett's uncle came bolting out of his door with a giant smile on his face. He was a small man with a very round face and glasses that looked just like Brett's. 
¨Hello! Welcome! I'm so glad you are here!¨
Brett hugged his uncle quickly and then Eddy extended his hand, but Brett's uncle suprised him by pulling him into a hug as well. 
¨So formal!¨ he scolded in Mandarin. ¨You are family now, Eddy. In fact, you were always family.¨
Eddy was touched by his honest words. 
¨Thank you, uncle. We're so glad to be here.¨
Uncle seemed to nod and shake his head at the same time. ¨Of course! To tell you a little secret: I'm glad you worked it out eventually and became a couple.¨
What?! Eddy stared at him for a moment before collecting himself. 
Uncle smiled. ¨Yes, I knew Brett loved you, I knew for a long time. Anyway, come! I've had lunch made.¨
Eddy shot Brett an astounded look, but he just shrugged. 
They quickly dropped their bags off in the pool house, which was a beautiful wooden cabin with an open front porch. All the furniture was made of natural wood and there were different hues of white everywhere. Even the giant bed was made of wood with white sheets. Wow. Eddy could happily stay in this place for a while! The big oval pool in front of the house gave him the feeling they were back in the Maldives. 
He eyed the bed and smiled. Yeah, he could show Brett a good time there later. But first there was work to do!

Lunch was very Asian and very good, and also really fun. Brett's uncle was insightful, eloquent, but he had a wicked sense of humour and a glint in his eye. Eddy really, really liked him and he was so happy they got to do this here, in a familiar space with familiar faces. He felt safe. He felt at home. 
 The afternoon flew by in a flurry of activities. Rows of chairs were placed on the immaculate lawn, someone came to put some fabric streamers on the sides, and it wasn't long before it all looked absolutely beautiful. 
Suddenly Eddy felt his eyes welling up and he quickly checked himself. This was not the time, nor the place!
But he already felt Brett's hand around his shoulder. Of course he'd seen. 
¨You good?¨
¨Bretty, I'm real, real good. I'm so grateful that you've made this happen.¨
Brett looked at him, his face, which everyone always thought was so deadpan, an open book to him. He saw the earnestness, he saw the love. 
¨I'm so grateful you let me.¨

They had dinner in the main house, roaring with laughter half the time, but after that they retreated to their little hide out by the pool and they sat on the wooden bench with white cushions on the front porch for hours, just enjoying being there. It felt to Eddy like he was in the eye of the storm. It had been busy, and it was about to get a whole lot busier. But right now here he was, calm, quiet, and so very content. He leaned against his love and sighed.