LIBERTY AVENUE - TWO YEARS LATER

DINER

DEBS

The door to the diner opens and we go quiet. He rolls his eyes and takes a seat at the back booth, then he looks smugly around while spinning an envelope on the table.

“Mother, I would like a cup of coffee, Brian’s and my special coffee, now.”

Swallowing down my shame and fury, I go do what Fauntleroy wants and put his cup down without a word.

“No cheery good morning or enquiries as to my well being?”

“I know how you are, Michael, which is why I didn’t ask!”

“Oh yes, happy! I am very very happy! I have finally gotten what I wanted and deserved...freedom and Brian!”

“But you don’t have him in that sense!” I snap. “I don’t believe your marriage has been consummated has it?!” I smile at his annoyance. “Oh, don’t forget that my son-of-my-heart and I, unlike you, the-spew-from-my loins, have an excellent relationship and we talk!”

“The only reason that…”

“Is because after Justin, you know the love of his life who you made him divorce in exchange for what he needed, and your stint in prison, he’s having you tested for everything under the sun.”

“It was only a matter of time, all my results…” He taps the envelope. “...are in here, and I wanted to share it with him and you all.”

“Share…”

The door opening again has me turning around and a very miserable Brian enters. “Hey…”

“Mother, be quiet. Brian, come and sit down, honey.”

“What is it Michael?” He sits down warily and then swiftly turns his head so that the kiss hits his cheek, I snort and Michael glares.

“No, Brian, we have discussed this. You will greet me in the manner a husband should!” I signal Kiki for the the brandy I know he will need after then cringe as he kisses him, then almost bring up my kidneys when he sticks his tongue deep in Brian’s mouth and holds his head so that he can’t pull away. For five agonising minutes we watch this humiliation be heaped on Brian and still can’t fathom a way to stop the Michael Mendacity Train, not while he holds all the cards! He takes the brandy and, as usual swills his mouth out and spits it back into the glass. “I shall ignore that for now. So I have my results, they are all clear. So today is the day my studly husband!”

Brian takes the glass back and drains it before standing up. “Okay, I will see you tonight then…”

“Oh no, my darling, you don’t understand, Stud! I want you to fuck me here and now! I want you to show The Avenue that you truly are my husband and mine alone, you will never fuck anyone else again!” With that he stands up and starts to shove Brian out. “Get undressed, I have been waiting years for this!”

“Michael!” Brian growls. “I am not doing this…”

“You fucked over every inch of The Avenue, and you are going to fuck me! Or you know what I will do!”

“Michael, be reasonable, you have…” He stops as Michael’s trousers hit the floor and he is wearing nothing but a cockring.

“But first I get to fuck you. Now strip and bend over!”

“GGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

BRIAN

“Brian! Brian!!” A voice screams at me and I sit bolt upright, my body covered in sweat and trembling. The light is switched on and I slowly turn to face...Justin! I haul him into my arms and weep tears of relief. “It’s you, it’s you!” I gibber.

“What’s the matter?!!” He wipes away the tears and sweat from my face. “Want some water?” I nod but hold him tighter. “You need to let go of me then. Take some deep steady breaths okay?”

“Mmmm…” I try to slow my heartbeat, and as he helps me drink the water, I feel reassured when his wedding ring glints in the light. “...oh it was awful! You were gone and I was married to Michael…”

“Yeah, that would be awful.”

“No, let me finish.” I drink more water. “He wanted to fuck me in the diner! In front of everyone, including Debs! He had a cockring but no condom, raw! He wanted to fuck me raw! And I would have to have done so!”

“Okay, now slow down. But first, as a matter of interest, did you have the remains of the brie?”

“Um…” I finish the water then look away. “...maybe.” He coughs and nudges me. “Okay yes.”

“You idiot! That was going mouldy! No wonder you had a nightmare!” He rubs my back some more. “Come on, you and the bed are soaked, let’s change the sheets, put on the blanket then get in the shower!”

Twenty minutes later with my bombshell wrapped in my arms and the warm water soothing my fucked up nerves, I start to feel better.

“As a matter of interest, why would you have had to do it?” His eyes sparkle with mirth under the water. “There is taking one for the team and then there’s that!” I swallow his laughter down my throat and enjoy the feel of his slippy soft skin against mine. I still can’t believe I almost ran him over two years ago and then he barfed on my car. He pulls away from my mouth. “Well?”

“Doesn't matter since I can't remember anyway. Now back to where we…” I capture his juicy lips and plunder his mouth, I reach down to his pulsating cock and stroke up and down, then stroke faster as his fingers tighten in my hair. “Oh my, quick to light, brat…”

“Set me on fire.” He groans, then sucks my collarbone. “At least twice, I, oh yeah there, like that...I was in the middle of a replay and had got to good bit...uuuh!”

I slither down to my knees kissing his trembling body all the way. “Was it this?” I look up as I breathe on his twitching cock. “Well was it?”

“Yes...aaaahhh!” He grips my hair and I let him control the depth and rhythm, all thoughts of my nightmare wash down the drain as his creamy seed slides down my throat.

SLICK’S EMPORIUM - AN HOUR LATER

SLICK

I can’t help the grin as Lindon points out another thing of interest and explains what it is to a somewhat bewildered Annabeth. “You do realise she has no idea what you are banging on about? Besides, she might not want to be a mechanic...oh, for heaven sake, car restorer extraordinaire, better?”

“Much! Now come on, we’ve got some showing off to do!” He puts her back in her carrier and clips her in. “Stop it, they will understand. Adoption is a very difficult process, and although they wouldn't have done, the questions would’ve been in their eyes. Besides, whatever the whatever they feel will melt in the face of that amount of beauty cuteness.”

DINER - TWO HOURS LATER

DEBS

I glare at Brian impatiently. Yes, she is their god daughter, but I, as her honorary grandmother, want a hold!

“Jeez, Slick!” Brian kisses Annabeth’s forehead gently and she smiles at him. “No wonder you wanted the diner closed. So tell us again, how this gorgeousness came about?!”

SLICK

“She’s going to combust.” I nod at Debs and he sheepishly hands her over. Justin is calling Jennifer, demanding that she and Molly come over right now because she is is not going to believe it.

“How the hell did you manage to keep it quiet?!” Mel gasps. “Especially from Debs, she knows everything!”

“Well almost. Oh, she is adorable!” Debs gently strokes Annabeth’s cheek. “Her eyes are so dark and that frown! So how old is she? She can’t be more than 2 years old.”

“No, 19 months. We’ve had her for six months…”

“Six?!” Brian exclaims and gapes at me. “How the fu...fudge!”

“Udge!” Annabeth declares; I glare at him and Justin smacks him around the head.

“Is she why you were away?!” Debs gasps and we nod. “You said you were moving house!”

“We did.” Lindon explains. “We moved for her.”

“You're not mad are you? You understand why?” I look anxiously around at my family. “If it helps ease any craziness or crankiness, you are the second set of people to see her.” There are frowns. “Her grandparents had to be first...especially my Mom.”

“Of course we’re not, Slick! We’re just stunned and delighted..absolutely delighted!” Brian sweeps me into a hug and I blink back tears of relief

We turn to the knocking on the door and see the grinning face of Ems. Oh, how I have missed him. He has turned into a raging success, and spends most of his time in New York and California now. Unfortunately, he and Idaho split up, as he wanted to settle down, but Ems needed to grow his business, which worked out great for Idaho as he met his now fiance at one of the functions and is moving to, ironically, Idaho!

“Hi, what is with the all siren ca…” He trails off as Mel opens the door and just points at Debs and Annabeth. “...all. Who is that? Who’s is that? What’s her name? Can I hold her?” He says all of this amazingly quietly and Annabeth is looking at the source of the noise at first in confusion but then Ems grins and she grins back. “Give me my godchild.”

“Annabeth, and I’ve only just got a hold of my granddaughter, and grandmother beats godfather!” Debs retorts quietly.

“And mother will beat the pair of you if you don’t behave!” I chide them; all they do is grin soppily at me. “Five minutes, Debs, and then she goes to Ems.”

“Deal! Now explain.” Ems orders as he sits down and sets the timer on his phone, I kiss his cheek. “I have missed you too.”

“So, we were always going to have kids, yes even at my advanced age I’m good to go! But what with the emporium expansion there just has not been the time. And when Elsbeth suggested we look at adopting instead, well, it made perfect sense.”

“Is it a private adoption?” Mel asks, still staring at Annabeth in awe.

“Not totally. It is in the fact that the mother has given up her rights. The father is unknown, but it is public in that we will let Annabeth know where to find information about her mother, but only Annabeth. We aren’t privy to that. All we know about the mother is that she is healthy and...and in prison.”

For a while nobody speaks, and I look across at Lindon, who nods and smiles. “Annabeth’s mother is in medium security and was just over three months when she went in. As soon as Annabeth was born, she rejected her.” Ems starts to tear up and Brian gives him a hug. “But there is enough love for her not to miss that.”

“Absolutely! Oh my goodness, what about Gus and Jenny...they are going to be so excited!” Mel gasps. “We have to have a surprise party! When are they back from camp?”

“In two days. Molly can't wait for them to come back and start school together. Gus is, of course, pretending to be mortified!” Lucy chuckles.

“Five minutes are up. Now, grandmother, hand her over!” Ems demands

“Oh, alright, but I am setting the timer and calling Carl!”

“Hey, sweetums, my name is Emmett, but you can call me Auntie Ems.”

“Mannam!” Annabeth burbles.

“Close enough!” Ems sniffs.

OUTSIDE OHIO WOMEN’S CORRECTIONAL FACILITY - THREE DAYS LATER

LINDSAY

I inhale fresh free air! I look around, at first disappointed to see nobody to greet me, but then I here a beep of a horn and see David getting out of the car and approach smiling somewhat nervously.

“David! How lovely to see you! How have you…”

“Lindsay, darling!” I jolt at the singsong tones of Mother as she gets out of the car and strides towards us smiling. “It is so lovely to see you out of that horrible place!”

“Mother! What a surprise! It is great that we have been freed from bondage at the same time.”

“Not quite the same time. I had my sentence reduced, remember?”

“Yes, of course.” I grimace at her oneupmanship. “So…” I head to the car. “...as lovely as it is to see you, David and I have to catch up, so where are we dropping you off?” I frown as he opens the rear passenger seat for me and she gets in the front seat.

“We are dropping you off darling. You need your rest.”

“Nancy, perhaps we should…” David begins as he get in the car.

“Yes, we should.” She turns in the seat to face me. “Now don't get upset, darling, but these things happen…”

“What things happen?” I retort.

“We spent time together, and the more time we spent, the more our feelings grew and blossomed. Then, of course, with the divorce from your father, it made things easier for us.”

“Mother what are you talking about? I really just want to get home and have a bath.”

“I got married again. David is your stepfather. Aren’t you happy for me?!”

DAVID

Lindsay doesn't move, she just looks from me to Nancy. “Say something…”

“What would you have me say? Congratulations?! Can I see the pictures?!” She springs out of the car then starts to pace, which gets the attention of the guard by the gate.

“Lindsay! Get in the car; you are causing a scene!” Nancy hisses.

“A scene?! Oh, we can't have that, can we?!” She spits, I get out and pull her to a stop. “Let go of me!” I squeeze her arm and her eyes widen. “I said let go!” She yanks herself out of my grasp and her eyes spit fire.

“What's going on?!” The guard calls out as he approaches.

“Nothing!” I call out, and Nancy also gets out. “We just surprised her and she's taking time to…”

“Surprised me?! I think the word you are looking for is horrified! I will take a cab home, please, can you call me one?!” Lindsay turns to the gate and starts to head back inside, the guard swiftly follows.

“Lindsay! Come back this instant, or there will be no home for you to taxi back to!” Slowly she turns around and looks astonished then furious. “Now get in and let us be on our way.”

“Peterson, do you still want that cab?” The guard demands.

“No. No thank you. I will be fine, like she said just a shock.” She heads back to the car and there is silence as we retake our seats. Just as I turn to face her, she almost jabs me in the face. I rear back and glower at her. “I never had you down for being an almost necrophiliac!

“Lindsay, do not speak to my husband or about me that way! I did not bring you up to behave like a common garden rabble rouser! Now, I know you are upset because of your hopes for you and David, but it is not meant to be. Truth be told it never was.”

“Truth?! Oh please…”

“I met him before you!” Nancy snarls. “And it was only because of your behaviour that we didn't go on our date at the time!”

We all jump at the knock on the window; I roll it down and smile at the guard. “Is there anything amiss?”

“You tell me.” He looks carefully at all three of us. “I will ask again, Miss Peterson, do you want that cab?”

“No thank you. Honestly, I am fine.”

He nods and then stands in front of the car, pulls out his notebook, and jots something down. “Take care then, and, Miss Peterson, I hope not to see you back inside.”

“Oh you won't.” She calls out, and I wind the window back up then start to reverse. “Unless, of course, you touch me like that again, David, because I will cut your throat!”

BRITIN - AN HOUR LATER

LOUNGE

JUSTIN

I chuckle as Brian tries again to get Bagheera off of the sofa. Despite having finally conceded defeat and bought them both one of their own, he only likes the one we sit in, especially when Brian is sitting in it...or in this case trying to.

“Justin!” Brian gripes as, yet again, Bagheera uses his Tibetan Mastiff side to resist the shoving. “By rights we should sue that breeder!” He puts his hands on his hips and points to the other sofa. “Go sit over there!” Bagheera yawns and rests his head on his huge paws. “Baggie, come on! I just want to sit down and read the paper in peace!”

“Why not…”

“If you are going to say sit on his sofa then don't, because as well as being too dark to read, there is a draught!” He pouts and decides to go for a pull with leverage approach. He rests his foot against the sofa and grabs his collar on either side, this is a bad idea!

“Brian, this is not going to work!” I warn just as he tugs with all his might. I try not to laugh as he lands on his ass with the collar in his hands and Baggie still on the sofa thumping his tail. “They also have quick slip collars now, remember? I believe at your insistence, so they didn't get caught up the bushes.” He glares and blushes from his place on the floor. “Baggie, get down.” I order, and he whines. “Down now.” And with a small huff he gets up and pads to his sofa.

“How the hell?!” Brian is indignant and rubbing his ass as he stands.

“He thinks its a game because you send out mix messages.”

“I do not!” He sits down gingerly. “And luckily for you my ass is not broken!”

“You do.” I curl into his side. “You rough and tumble with him, and then when I am not in you let him sit on this sofa. I don't.”

“I told him to get off the sofa.” He looks pensive.

“Brian…” I sit up and turn his face to me. “...what is…”

“Annabeth is going to be so scared of them tomorrow! They're huge!” He drops his head in his hands. “And then we won't be able to see her unless we go to theirs, but I want her to come to see our home! She's our goddaughter, she needs to…”

“Will you stop queening?! Yes, they are three hundred pounds...but they’re three hundred pounds of adorkable slobber and love!” I rub his thigh and then stare at him. “You do know that she has a dog?” His head whips up; he gapes at me. “I knew you weren't listening, but I don't blame you in the face of all that cuteness!”

I reach for his phone and open the last message from Slick to show him. “I give you Polo.” His beautiful mouth curves into a smile. “She said you would tell me.”

“Tell...oh! That's how I met Slick, she and I got into a bidding war over a 1977 Polo Coupe, which she won. I was so pissed and was sulk...formulating a strategy when she appeared at my shoulder and introduced herself, then pulled me into the vintage room and helped me get my first Lotus.”

“What happened to it?” I curl back into his side and sigh as Baggie starts to creep on his belly towards us. “Send him back.” I order, but before he can say anything Baloo blocks his progress. They low growl at each other before, with a haughty turn up of his nose, Baggie goes back to his sofa but looks pitifully at Brian.

“Why don't I find another way to distract you?” I husk in his ear and slide into his lap and nip his nose. “What is more appealing, three hundred pounds of slobber with puppy eyes or eight by two with blue eyes and hot mouth?”

“No contest.” He growls, and pins me to the sofa.

SLICK AND LINDON’S HOME - NEXT DAY

NURSERY

LINDON

I watch my wife, love of my life, and mother of our child and smile. “So where was he?”

“Out of ten?” I nod. “Thirty seven.” She chuckles and then sighs as Annabeth fights her need to get dressed. “Now look, Missie, we ain't doing this! No chile o’mine is doing buck naked outside the bathroom!” She glares at her Mom. “No.”

“Gramph!” She exclaims, trying to wriggle away.

“Gramph or no gramph, it is happening!” She tries once more to squirm out of her hold, but is denied. “Ann.a.beth!” She goes still and looks at her Mom. “Stop it, I am not playing. You are getting dressed, and that's that.”

“Poop!” She grumbles, then finally allows her Mom to put her clothes on.

DEBS AND CARL’S HOUSE - LATE EVENING

KITCHEN

DEBS

I look up as Carl comes in, and drapes his coat over the chair. “Well? Was I right to be worried about that look between Lindon and Slick?”

“Yeah. I think so. They're saying all the right things and giving the right reasons, but they’re holding back on us.” He sits down wearily. “I just want to know what the hell it is, so we can deal with it as a family!”

BRITIN - A WEEK LATER

LOUNGE

GUS

“God it is so good to be back home! Could not believe we had to stay another week though…”

“You have already moaned about this, bro, wanna shut up now?” Hunter grins at me.

Man, I have missed them all, especially Hunter! I am so pleased that he and Daph are still together, but even happier that Robin and Ben have formally adopted him. They are not married, but are completely committed and besotted with each other.

The two people missing from today are Jenny and Molly, as they have both come down with strep throat. The reaction of Dad when he found out was to run across to the other side of the room like he was warding off the devil himself! I still don’t understand that, it’s not as if they are going to be kissing him or anything!

“Why, just why?!” Dad wails from the hallway as there is a thunk of a plate hitting the floor and Baggie comes strolling in with a steak sandwich in his jaws. “That’s it, Baggie, you are sleeping outside tonight!” He yells as he stomps in, but as usual when he yells, Baggie just looks at him until he stops, then later will lick his face and all is forgiven!

“For the 400th time, it is because you don’t follow through! Tell him firmly to drop it. Take it back off him, then…”

“Justin! I am not going to eat it after it’s been in his mouth and on the floor!” Dad shrieks, his face a mass of horror and nausea. “How could you even…”

“Again, stop queening! I was not going to suggest that, I know who I am married to! Take it away and throw it away.”

“But then it is a waste…” My Dad is actually whining, I have never see this before. “...can you make me another one, Ems?!” He yells towards the kitchen.

“This is the last time!” Is called back, but there is laughter in the voice. “I shall put hot sauce in it!”

“Why hot sauce?! Dad hollers with a frown.

“Baggie doesn't like hot sauce.” Papa grins, and takes a big bite of his sandwich and chews slowly. “Which is why he always goes for your sandwich. You don't put the sauce on quick enough.”

“Why have you never…” Dad begins, then goes quiet and looks outraged as Papa gives some of his steak to Baloo. “...now just a minute! How is what you did different to what I did?!”

I suppress the memory at the crossed arms and his blazing look, which reminds me of Jenny’s ex-father-dictator. We all know now that he wasn't really a father to her, and certainly tried even less to be one to Hunter, but dictator to both of them? Yes, definitely!

“Well, explain!”

“Because I gave Baloo the steak, whereas you let Baggie take yours.” Papa feeds him some more then the remains of the bread. “Which he has now finished.” He nods at a very contented looking Baggie.

“I did not! He used his weight advantage to overpower…” He goes quiet as we all just look at him. “Emmett! I am hungry,  it can't take that long to put hot sauce on a sandwich!” But Auntie Ems doesn't respond. We wait for a minute. “Ems, you okay?!” Dad strides to the kitchen so we follow. We find him just staring at his phone. “Ems?”

“Ted and Blake have...oh god they have…” He starts to cry and Dad takes his phone while we try to mop up the tears. “This is terrible! What am I going to do?!”

“Brian, what's happened?!” Papa demands, as Dad too is just staring before reaching for his phone at the same time as handing the other to Papa. “Oh my god, they got married!”

“Schmidt! Or is it Schmidt-Wyzecki?! If you are thinking of it being the latter, change them around. It flows better! Explain yourself!” He says nothing, just keeps nodding while we glare at him. “Fine. I take it this is also your honeymoon? Yeah, I will tell him to make sure to pour one down his throat. Give hubby one for me, but not on the lips. I know where his mouth has been on you!”

“Brian!” Papa snarls.

“We were their inspiration…” He pulls Papa into his arms. “...they decided to get married on the spur of the moment like we did, so they are now on their honeymoon.”

“Oh.” Papa grins proudly. “So where are they? There must be more to tell than that, as there was a lot of nodding.”

“There is, oh impatient one, but this needs Slick and Emmy Lou to be present. Are you coming around yet, Honeycutt?!”

“Oh sure, he’s the second of my dearest friends to get married without me! I bet neither of you will turn up at my wedding, if I even found someone desperate enough to marry me!” He yells, and we are stunned into silence.

“Emmett.” Dad reaches for him but he pulls out of his reach. “Emmett.”

“For one to do it is okay but not two!” He inhales sharply. “And as for Slick, to be a mother without me! I know I am busy, but I am beginning to feel like you guys are push…” Whatever he was going to say is muffled in dad’s embrace. He sobs some more while Dad kisses the side of his head. “I don’t even know how you two got married and I helped get you together!”

“Ems, we would never ever try anything like that!” Papa tells him firmly.

“But that’s what it felt like.” He weeps. “Everyone is happy and with someone, even Idaho is with someone now, and…”

“Sonny Boy, why don’t you and Hunter be elsewhere while we talk to Ems?”

“No problem, but don’t tell him about the proposal until we get back!”

“We won’t. Now come on, you silly nelly bottom, let us explain where you fit in our world…”

KIKU RESTAURANT, STATION SQUARE, PITTSBURGH - LUNCHTIME

OLIVER

“Well my darling, you have excelled yourself again! Where did you find this place?”

I love the blush that stains her cheeks, it makes her look so adorable. “Sandrine put me onto it. She and Lionel come once a month. He insists that she has a karaage and the beef maki, something about her booty she told me.” Lynette sips her sake. “But she said that the soft shell crab is to die for!”

“In that case, we will have one of each.” I lean in and kiss her hand, marvelling at how much happier she's been lately than she has been in months...no, years! She is finally rid of the ghosts of her past. We are hoping to go and see Gus this weekend now that he’s back from his school trip, even if he had to be put in quarantine for a week with suspected rubella. The relationship between him and Ronald is just wonderful to watch. As for Kimberly, well, she has fitted right in and brought him completely out of himself.

“So shall we discuss the elephant in the room?” Her eyes twinkle.

“Perhaps alligator in the swamp would be a much better description?” I tease.

“Yes! Absolutely! So she’s been released, and chances are that she will come sniffing around for…” She blinks rapidly then stares ahead. “...or she can be making her way to our table right now!”

“Surely…” I maintain my mask of equanimity as Nancy and some snotty looking creep come to our table. Her mouth is stretched so wide it’s a wonder that her face doesn’t split and peel back. “...can we help you?”

“Lynette, you are looking…”

“Happier. Yes we know. Leave and we will remain that way.” Lynette returns.

“Sorry, my manners…”

“What those you don't have? Fake apology accepted.”

“As I was saying, this is David. David, this is Oliver. He is which husband now, dear?”

“Which husband you ask? At least he is mine and not someone else's, although your long ago lustre is tarnished, so I suppose the wives can rest easy. And no tag I notice, but then again with those hips and knees, you should be easy to catch, unless, your lackey here intends to wheel you from bank to bank. I take it you will be robbing the actual building as opposed to a person?”

“Just a minute, I am her husband!” David declares, and they smile sickeningly at each other.

Nobody says a word for a minute. “Well, you took it a lot better than Lindsay did, she was most put out.” Nancy titters, but still Lynette says nothing. “Lynette, you must have a view on who is your new Daddy.”

“You have found a mutual need in each other: you rob cradles and he robs graves. Besides, in order for him to be my Daddy you would need to be my mother, and you’re not.”

“Uhm, Lynette, I feel sure we have met before…” David frowns. “...yes, I am sure I have seen parts…”

“I don't remember meeting you. A person of your ilk would stick in my mind.”

“Well, as you can tell by our demeanour and now worked last nerve, we are done with your company. Now why don’t you stuck up, half witted, for you two married each other, wannabe upper class piles of pus leave with what little dignity you have left, before I call the management?” They look stunned but then David decides to come closer to the table. “Oh, this should be good, what do you intend to do that I won't be better than you at?”

“David, darling, come on, we will revisit this conversation again, Lynette.” While she glares at her, Lynette just sips her sake, “We will come to the house where we will discuss our new familial structure in private!”

“It was you who sought to make a scene, but as you wish.” Lynette smiles and they both frown at her change in tone. “Let me know a date and time as soon as you can. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

As they scuttle away to their table, Lynette smiles brightly and then signals the waiter.

BRITIN - POST LUNCH

DEN

HUNTER

Ems has gone up to have a nap after his crisis de non-cumfidence. Turns out that despite his success, he hasn't had a date, let alone sex, even with myself, in over a year! We are still waiting for Slick and Lindon to come, but she had to fix a nasty leak first.

“He's right you know. He did get me my Papa, and it is time I thanked him!” Gus declares, standing up and looking out the window. “I need to thank him in a Kinney way.”

“Uh, dude, are you coming out?” I gasp. “Which would make your old man so very proud, but losing your cherry to your aunt is just no!”

“Coming out? Not sure to be honest. I mean, how did...Hunter! That is not what I meant when I said that I wanted to thank him! I meant get him a boyfriend! How the shitting heck did you arrive at that conclusion?!”

“Sorry, so sorry!” I hold my hands up in mortification and to block any punch that I really deserve! “I have no idea why or how I went there!”

“We will never speak of this conversation again.” His glare is steely and I nod until it softens. “Besides, if I was and I wanted to lose it, it would be to you.”

“What?!” I croak.

“Now you know how I just felt!” He smirks.

“Asshole!”

PETERSON-MARCH RESIDENCE - FIFTY MINUTES LATER

SUNROOM

LYNETTE

We lost our appetites, but Oliver refused to leave before they did, saying that they would see it as us running away from them. Unfortunately, we then hit traffic as we made our way back; I think we were both glad that Oliver drove as that gave us something else to focus on.

“Oliver.” He looks at me with so much love I know it is going to be fine. “It’s him.”

“I thought it was. I saw the recognition of something as he approached, and when he said parts, you gripped the chair; oh it was very hard not to light into him.” I sit on the sofa next to him and sigh. “What do you want to do? Oh god, do you think she knows?!”

“Do you think she cares? She didn't at the time, years later aren't going to make a difference. As for what I am going to do, I shall do what I did then...kick where it hurts!”

BRITIN - TWENTY MINUTES LATER

LOUNGE

BRIAN

I'm so nervous. Baggie and Baloo are confused by them having their leashes on in the house, but it has to be done. They tend to get excitable when they meet someone for the first time.

“Uh, why?” Gus indicates the leashes.

“Slick has a dog.” I reply. “First time meeting.”

“Wouldn't that be better done outside then?” He frowns just as the door goes.

“No. Go answer the door.” Justin tells him with a grin pulling.

“You guys okay?” He calls over his shoulder as he lopes, as only teenage boys can, to open it. “First Auntie Ems has an attack of the vapours, and then…” I grin at Justin. “...and then Slick has a dog, who is gorgeous! What’s his or her name?!”

“Polo. Can we come in?!” Slick laughs. “Want to take him to meet them then?”

“Yeah!” Gus enthuses. “Where’s Lindon? And what is he?”

“Just coming. Had to get something out of the car. And a Cane Corso.”

“Dad, Papa, isn’t he gorgeous?!”

Polo immediately flops down on the floor and looks up at Baggie and Baloo, who get down to introducing themselves. We all hold our breath but needn’t have worried as they take to each other instantly.

“Shall I take them outside now?” Gus’s smile is infectious.

“Thought you might want to meet someone else first.” I nod behind him and he turns around and goes stock still. “Beautiful isn’t she?”

“Wha…” He trails off and slowly approaches Lindon who has a frowning Annabeth in his arms. “...who is she?”

“Annabeth.” Lindon replies proudly. “Guys, can you come in please?!”

“Guys? Who else is…” Gus begins, but stops as the rest of the family pile in. “...Dad, Papa, what is going on?”

“First, let’s get the boys out, as there are far too many people.” Slick orders, and we nod but Justin and I exchange looks. There is something off with her tone.

Five minutes later they are running around playing, and we head back to the lounge.

“So, Gus, this is Annabeth. She’s mine and Lindon’s daughter.” Slick strokes Annabeth’s head. “Rip off the bandage approach okay?” She looks at Lindon and he nods. “She was adopted and she’s your half sister.”

“What do you mean his half sister?” I look around; everyone looks puzzled and stunned.

“Who told you? When did you know?” Carl scrubs his face.

“A month ago.” Slick rifles in her bag. “We were given baby pictures and stuff. Sit down, you three.” Justin, Gus and I just drop into the sofa. “I just could not believe it when I saw it.” She hands me a picture. “Look. See. Mel come and look too.” She quickly joins us and we crowd around. “I’ve seen all of your baby pictures, Gus, since he is a very proud Dad. She looks just like you but with darker skin and hair.”

“But in order for her to be his sister, either me or Lindsay would…” I gasp and stare at Annabeth, then Gus, then back to Slick. “...Lindsay’s the mother?!”

“Yep.” Suddenly she looks so tired, so I guide her to a chair; Debs grabs a glass and fills it with the first thing that her hand touches. “Need something stronger than water.”

“Shit, sorry sweetheart!” She grabs the bottle of brandy and pours generously. “So she got knocked up?! Who the hell by?!”

“Father is unknown. Got someone looking into that. Trying to get a timeframe. But, Gus, your thoughts? This is why I wanted Hunter to be with you.”

“She’s not my half sister.” He replies quietly; she flinches and Justin looks stunned, but slowly Gus starts to smile. “She’s my sister. You’ve always been so much more than a friend, heck more of a mom than she ever was or would be. Annabeth is my sister, completely and utterly! Can I call Jenny and Molly now?!”

“Um, I hate to bring the mood down.” Ems takes her from Lindon and she gurgles happily. “Hello my pretty Anna-Bee. But could she have kept anything of Brian’s?”

“Kept anything? What do you mean anything?” Mel scratches her head and then realises at the same times as me. And we freeze. “Oh no, surely not?!”

“She had the support account siphoned off and you didn't know until she was in jail.” Lucy begins carefully. “Is there any way of checking? I mean you two are still married, but you still have the control order, so you could have someone look into everything.”

“Or we could do a DNA test.” I suggest. My heart is pounding and I feel sick, not because she might be mine, far from it, but if she is mine then Lindsay would never have told me. “That's the quickest way, isn't it?”

“Yes.” Lindon is understandably wary. “And if she is?”

“You are her father. I am one of three godfathers. I would relinquish my rights, you have my word.”

“Hang on second, how is Lindsay even going to know about Annabeth?” Carl frowns and then gasps. “Slick, you can't be serious?!”

“This is my daughter we're talking about, so yeah I am serious. Lindsay has been released…”

“How the hell do you know that?! Where is she?!” Mel exclaims.

“Brandon told me.” Slick takes a huge gulp of brandy. “And the reason that she is going to know about Annabeth is because I am going to tell her.” She holds up her hand as the disbelief gets louder. “And I have asked for the restraining order to be lifted.”

“Are you insane?! She is going to hound you?!” Hunter explodes.

“And that’s what you want her to do, isn't it?” Ben chuffs a laugh and shakes his head. “This could backfire spectacularly you know?”

“That's what we are hoping for.” Lindon drains the rest of her glass then tops it up.

“Meaning?” Hunter scratches his head and glares at Justin’s giggling after he finished counting on his fingers. “So explain then!”

“She got almost five years in jail, but only served two or so. Her fixation and desire to be better above all else, and her need to wield power, what little she has, is such that she will be serving the rest of her time in no time flat!” Jennifer explains with a smile. “But I would wait a while, Slick.”

“We just want this done. The quicker she....” Lindon pauses. “...what? What do you know?”

“She's just got a new Daddy in the form of Dr David Cameron, and it appears that he hasn't disclosed one tiny nugget of information to his new wife.” Jennifer pauses. “He has failed to mention that he’s gay.”

“You're kidding me?!” I splutter.

“Nope. Remember just before you went to New York and you asked me to check around?” Justin and I nod. “But then you ended up staying a year and he was forgotten about. When you said you were coming back, I spoke to Sandrine, and as far as the WASPs are concerned, Nancy has landed a big and straight, much younger fish!”

“And a dominant. A bad one.” Slick adds, and this time Jennifer is gaping. “And I get to tell the new bride, and no longer grandmamma, that too!”

We all take that in and Ems starts to look a little queasy. “Boys, why don't you two go and get to know Anna-bee, I mean Beth, and call Jenny and Molly while we talk?”

“What about?” Gus looks around, taking his sister who frowns slightly. “Hey, sweetie, I am your big brother, Gus.” She gazes at him for a few along seconds before blowing a raspberry at him. “We're gonna get along just fine. So, what are you guys going to talk about?”

“How the marriage of The Avenue didn't happen on The Avenue.” Ems replies with a lascivious grin. “I have my theories, and need a few scenarios to get my groove back.”

“So your gonna talk about how you and Papa got married? I want to hear that too.” He protests.

“Not this version you don’t!” I smirk, and it takes a few seconds for him to realise. When he does, he turns heel with Hunter and leaves. “So, Ems, how rated did you want it?”

“I haven't spanked my bank in a year. Hot as hell, please!”

“Uh, Gus, wait for us!” Carl calls out, and soon it is just me, Justin, Ems and Slick.

“Um, Slick, this is…” Ems nods at the door.

“Where do you think I get my tips from?” She grins. “Now that we are sitting comfortably, you may begin.”

BRIAN

“You want to tell or shall I?” I head to the cart to pour us some drinks.

“Oh no, you can tell.” Justin replies, waiting for me to join him on the sofa and leans into my side. “You have a much better way with words.”

“True, I am the best adman in Pittsburgh. Actually the whole of the…”

“Ahem! Tips and spank bank need to be added to! Get on with it!” Ems demands.

“Oh, alright. So it was during Maryland. We had just come back from a very long day, and were starving…”

Start of flashback

THE INN AT PERRY BY BELMOND, MARYLAND - JUST UNDER THREE YEARS PRIOR

KITCHEN, EVENING

“Brian, can you take the blindfold off?!” Justin demands.

“Not yet. Be patient, oh tempestuous sprite!”

“I am not tempestuous, I am hungry…” Right on cue his stomach growls. “Bri.an. I am getting hangry now!”

I can feel my temper starting to rise at his brattiness. He has been like this since the restaurant was forced to close early because of flooding just before his starter was served. Then, all efforts to find food were thwarted as the knock on effect was that everything in the immediate vicinity was rammed.

“Calm down or you won’t be fed!” I snap, and he folds his arms.

“Fed?! I don’t even know where the hell we are! We could be in the western quarter of Beirut for all I frigging know!”

“Justin! I was trying to be patient, but since you are determined to be a brat take the blindfold off, eat, and then go be miserable elsewhere!” I snarl and stomp to the table. He stays where he is.

“Which way am I supposed to be facing?! Blindfolded here!”

“Well take the fucking thing off!” I bellow, and he rips it from his head. “See right in fucking front of you is the dinner that I asked the chef to prepare for you because that’s what you wanted in the restaurant!”

“Well, if you had told me that then I would’ve eaten a snack beforehand!”

“How many times did I have say ‘please eat something it will be fine’?!” I scream at him.

“When?! When did you say that?! I didn’t hear you over the roar of my stomach!”

“All the way back to the hotel!”

“No you didn't!”

“Yes, I figging did!” I heave in a calming breath. “Can we eat now?”

“No, I want to starve!”

“God! If you are like this over the restaurant being flooded, it will be hell arranging to get freaking married!”

“So you don't want to marry me now because I am hungry?!”

“Thought you were hangry! I would rather do it quickly than have you behave like Princess Bitchness when things don't go your way!”

“Princess Bitchness?!” He stands up looking like a raging bull. “Find someone and we will do it now and get it out of the way!”

“Fine!”

I stalk to reception and explain the situation, she stares at me for a few seconds.

“What? Can you help us?”

“We have a priest staying here, do you have your licence?”

“Of course!” I snap, exasperated, then sigh. “I love the man with all my heart, but I can't go through this for months!”

The door behind me bangs open and Justin is almost purple with rage. “So are we getting married now or not?!”

“I’ll call him.” She smiles sympathetically and quickly picks up the phone. After five minutes of rapid conversation, she hangs up and smiles. “He’ll be down in five minutes. There is a chap…”

“No, in there is perfect!” Justin blasts. “That way I can eat my wedding dinner and then go to my room for my solitary honeymoon night! Is there another room I can book?!”

“Preferably on the other side of the hotel?!” I seethe.

“Uh, yes, but maybe….” She begins.

“Book it for me, please, under the name of...have you decided what we are going to be called?!”

“Yes! Book him under the name of Justin ‘Princess Bitchness’ Taylor-Kinney!” I head back to the kitchen without a backward glance.

I cover the food back up and wait for his highness to come in, but it is not him, it's the receptionist, I frown. “Called the chef, instructions for the oven. To keep the food warm, the ceremony…” She looks round the kitchen. “...will be a while.”

The door opening again brings in my soon-to-be husband. “At least someone is showing me consideration!”

“Are you shitting me?!” I roar.

“Gentlemen!” A voice yells, silencing us both. “Take it you are the happy couple?!”

“Yes, we're sure delighted to be doing this!” Justin stomps to the table. “Where do we stand, let's get this done so I can eat!”

“YOU COULD'VE EATEN ALMOST TWO HOURS AGO! YOU CHOSE TO WAIT!”

Flashback interruptus

“Just a second, are you telling is that you and Justin got married in the kitchen of the hotel you were staying in?!” Ems gapes at us and Slick just shakes her head.

“Yep.” Justin buries his head in my chest, his face flaming. “And the wedding night apart.”

“Apart?” Slick echoes. “Did you at least have dinner together?”

“Yeah. He married us, we ate and went to our rooms.” Justin cringes. “It was lovely, the meal I mean. We had guacamole with sesame, dauphinois potatoes gratin, and cherries in wine. I spent the entire night sobbing because it was my fault.” He looks up at me. “I had visions of you gone and an annulment waiting for me on reception.”

“As if!” Slick and I say at the same time.

“So what happened next?!” Ems sips his brandy. “Back to the hotness!”

Back to flashback

NEXT MORNING

I haven't see him, and the receptionist from last night is not on the desk, nor is he picking up his phone. Sighing, I go to do another circuit around the dining room.

“Good morning, Mr Taylor-Kinney!” I cringe as the priest from last night strides towards me. “I take it from that expression things are still at an impasse?”

“Yeah.” I shove my hands in my jeans pocket. “Not even answering my calls. We discussed this, we agreed that...”

“Ah. So that's who it belongs to.” He pulls out a phone and hands it to me. “And he is in room 612.”

ROOM 612 - THIRTY MINUTES LATER

The door opens and there is a gasp. “Brian?” His tear filled voice asks and I move the bouquet, I have just bought, so I can see him. He looks awful, red eyed, snot nosed and shattered. “Are...are those for me? After the way…”

“I have only one husband, so yep. A husband, who really should put his phone in his pocket and then queen the hell out.” I hand it to him. “Wanna check it? And shall I put these in water for you? Have you eaten?”

He opens the door wider and I step inside. “You called me 47 times.” He starts to sniff.

“Uh huh. Another question, why were you sleeping on the sofa?”

“Couldn't.” He murmurs. “Let me do these.” He reaches for the flowers and buries his nose inside. “I am so sorry!” He wails, tears streaming down his face. I take the bouquet and pull him into my arms. “So sorry, so sorry!”

“Sssh. Apology accepted. Now go and have a shower and I will…”

“Don't leave me!” He pleads.

“I am just going to move to…”

“No. I want to come back to our suite!” He asserts and then looks around. “Bed’s too big without you.”

“Come on then.”

TAYLOR-KINNEY SUITE AN HOUR LATER

BEDROOM

Our hair is damp from the shower, the room smells of ginger from the shower gel and the honey and dark chocolate body oil that I am massaging into his skin. “I can't believe the way you...” He looks over his shoulder at me as I press and knead his delicious looking bubble butt.

“I deserve it.” He husks and we lock gazes. “I deserve each and every one.”

“You do…” I get off him and head to the lounge. “...now come, as you are, and get them.” I sit on the sofa and wait for him to join me. His eyes are glowing much like his ass is going to be. “Drape. And you get twelve.” He says nothing just quietly joins me at the sofa then lays across my lap. He hands me a butt plug. I raise an eyebrow and smile. “Ah the pleasure pain principle…” He nods. “...I can do that. Now stay absolutely still...”

Flashback interruptus

“Slick! Slick, for god sake what's wrong?!” I grab my best friend as she weeps hysterically. It takes her a good ten minutes, two more brandies, and a special back rub from Ems to calm her down. “So what brought that on?”

“You married him in a kitchen, despite the raging row, you married him in a kitchen. You love him that much.”

“I do. But…”

“Can I have my phone, Ems?” He rifles in her bag and hands it to her, she calls a number and speaks to the person before smiling and signalling for a pen. She writes down the number before repeating it and hanging up. “Can you get Lindon and Mel for me, Justin?” He rushes out the room and all three are back in under a minute. “That was my ma-in-law, she’s given me Nasty Nancy’s number. Seems that Lindsay is sharing house.” She puts her phone on speaker and calls the number.

“What are you going to do?” Mel demands quietly.

“Like I said…”

“Peterson-Cameron residence, Lindsay Peterson speaking.”

“Ah, just the creature feature I want to talk to. This is the Ghetto Queen, or as my friends call me, Slick.”

“How did you get this number?! What do you want?! I am recording this conversation!”

“So are we.” Mel calls out.

“Mel? Why are you with Slick? Dumped Lucy have you?! Seems that Mother was right about the great GQ being a lesbian?!”

“Nope, still very much with Lucy, and very happy to be so. Aren't you going to ask then?”

“Ask what? What could I possibly want to know about your life?”

“Nothing, I was thinking more along the lines of Gus and Jenny…”

She inhales sharply. “I was going to call you to see if they would see me. I have only just been released.”

“Liar, you've been out for well over a week. But the reason I am calling you is to suggest you treat your daughter as you treated your former son and daughter and leave us alone.”

“How I treat my children is none of your concern, GQ!”

“Not them, I mean Annabeth, the little girl you gave away minutes after her birth. She is loved and cherished by Lindon and I. And if you do anything to mess with that, the spanking you got in prison by Queen Edna and friends will feel like a cooling cloth on a fevered brow.”

“Spa...what do you mean you have my daughter?!”

“Be quiet and listen! Bear in mind that you are out on probation when you decide to play a dangerous game!”

She slams down the phone and we all look at Slick.

“And the point of that was? I mean, apart from to tell her.” Ems frowns and then frowns harder as Mel smiles wider. “What?!”

“She’s not yours, Brian.” Mel grins; Lindon looks more than bit relieved, and if I am honest so am I. “She's made no effort to contact you since she’s been out. The last time she was released from prison she headed straight to Kinnetic.”

“And this puts us on an even footing.” Slick sips her drink and eye fucks Lindon.

“Ah.” Ems chuckles. “She doesn't know who the dad is either.” Then he stops laughing. “You don't think…”

“Yeah.” Slick sighs. “He's the other port in a storm Lindon and I have to go dock in.”

“We. We all, have to dock.” Justin tilts up her chin. “We wouldn't have us, be us, without you. It's our turn to protect you.”

Guacamole: https://www.thespicehouse.com/recipes/asian-guacamole

Gratin Dauphinois: https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/ultimate-gratin-dauphinois/

Cherries: https://nationalpost.com/life/food/cook-this-cherries-in-wine-with-cardamom-cream-and-rose-pistachio-shortbread

CAMERON-PETERSON RESIDENCE - NEXT MORNING

HALLWAY

LINDSAY

“Lindsay? Lindsay! What is wrong with you?! Your mother and I have been trying to get your attention for the last few minutes!”

I turn to David and he wisely drops the hand that reached to shake me out of my nightmarish reverie. “I heard some disturbing news yesterday…”

“Yes we heard your shrieking before you stormed upstairs! Who is Ghetto Queen, and why would you be recording a call with her?” He demands, eying me carefully.

“A nuisance that…”

“Oh, that’s a very apt name for her!” Mother announces, coming out of the lounge inspecting her ring. “Her given name is Slick Phoenix, and she is the reason that Lindsay was incarcerated. She just would not be reasonable!”

“Slick Phoenix? And reasonable about what?” He looks between the pair of us.

“It was her credit card that I used.” I explain wearily and then have a thought. “Excuse me, I need to check something!” I brush off mother’s forestalling hand and dash upstairs.

LINDSEY'S BEDROOM

I pull out what little paperwork I have on the bastard I birthed and then call the number at the bottom of the page. It takes forever to answer. “Yes, I would like to speak to Helena Griffiths, please, it’s Lindsay Peterson. Yes, reference 208-725-LAP-00G. Thank you.” I drum my fingers on the bed with impatience, the noise surprisingly loud considering the surface. “Yes, I am holding for...oh well can I speak to the person who took over her cases then? Out at a meeting, may I take their name and what time they will be back in the office? Myram Parks and at 3pm? Good, please give him the message to return my call immediately. Thank you.” I hang up and then close the bedroom door when I can hear footsteps.

“Lindsay?” Mother calls from the other side...if only it was that other side. “Open this door, I want to...”

“No! I have some private things to…”

“Lindsay, do not speak to your mother in that tone! I allowed it when you first got out of prison because I crossed the line, but you will…”

I end his pomposity by yanking the door open and stepping onto the landing. “I will speak to her and you as you deserve to be spoken to!” He glowers at me. “She demanded and did not ask to come in. Just because she was made to be polite in prison, it does not mean she let’s it all out on me!” I step back into the room and slam the door shut, but he opens it and steps inside. “What the hell are you doing?!”

“This is my house. She is my wife. You will treat her as I demand or find somewhere else to live!” Mother enters smiling proudly and smugly. I am about to apologise when my phone pings. “Do not answer that, apologise to your Mother and I for your rudeness!”

I look at my phone and see it is a text from GQ. I am about to ignore it when something catches my eye. “Why would she want me to ask you about a nipple chain?”

“Who are you talking about?” Mother snaps, standing by him and stroking his arm. “Thank you for your staunch defence of me, darling, I have never had that. Lindsay, we are waiting for your apology.”

My phone beeps again and I fix him a beady stare. “GQ just told me to ask you how your nipples are?”

“Nipple…” He begins.

Beep-beep.

“I demand that you give…” David blasts.

“Have you two consummated this marriage?”

“Lindsay!” Mother gasps and I smile at his ashen look.

“I am going to go with no then. And as for your apology, it’s no to that too. Now excuse me, I am going to do something I never thought I would in a million years…”

“And that is what?” Mother demands.

“Talk to GQ.” I snicker at the expressions on their faces: confusion for her but horror for him.

“What on earth for?!” Mother clamours.

“She wants an audience, and who am I to refuse a queen’s demand.” I quickly gather my purse and jacket, thankful that I was going out anyway. “I will see myself out.” I push past them and trot quickly down the stairs. When I look up they are both still standing in the doorway, but now Mother is trying to get his attention.

He seems to have been turned into stone. “David! David, are you alright?!” She shakes him hard and that snaps him out of it.

“What?! Of course I am!” She looks shocked by his tone, he smiles sickenly at her and brushes her cheek. “Sorry, darling, I didn't mean to sna...Lindsay, where are you going?!”

“To visit a queen!” I shout back, and am out the house, slamming the door shut and cackling as I hear his steps thundering down the stairs. I swiftly stride down the path and spot a neighbour just as his door opens, I call out. “Oh, hello! How are you?!”

“Um. Fine, thanks, and you?” The chap calls out, pausing to allow me to catch up with him.

“I thought I would introduce myself. I am Lindsay, the daughter of Nancy Cameron-Peterson, she lives in that house there. I’ve just come back from being abroad. And you are?” I watch David fume in the doorway as he watches us.

“Larkland. Larkland Finley. Will you be staying with your mother and brother long?”

Mother and brother?!

OUTSIDE SCI ALBION PRISON - AN HOUR LATER

MICHAEL

I step outside and take a breath of fresh air for the first time in twenty five months! It feels so good.

“Novotny!” I turn to face the guard who has just opened the door for me. “See you again real soon!”

“I think not!”  I return.

“You will be back, I’m sure of it!” He taunts me. “I shall keep the home fires burning for you!” I turn swiftly on my heel and stride away, his laughter takes a while to fade from my ears.

As I wait to get into the van that will take us back to our EOHOPS house, I start to fume. Not one, not one person came to see me. Nobody wrote! Nobody called! Nobody did anything! I can just about forgive Lindsay, she was banged up as well, but you’d think that they would’ve calmed down by now. And it wasn’t as if it was their money, it was hers!

“Get in, Novotny!” Someone snarls, and I take a seat.

Resting my head against the window, I watch the world go by and think of the irony of where I am going, how I had quizzed Claire about her being in Slick’s place and then she presented that letter, for the ex-offenders home placement scheme. Now I have the very same letter burning a hole in my pocket. I pull it out and read it again. Sighing, I wonder where I will be living for now. I reach for my phone then grimace at it, it was the last phone that Brian bought me but they would not let me charge it before I left this morning, so it is flat. Sighing, I try to see if I recognise the area but I don’t.

“Benkman! This is you!” The guard yells out and the van pulls up next to a miserable looking block, but as he gets out there is screaming and he is swarmed over by a group of people, I turn away as I know wherever I go nobody will be there to greet me.

MILLER-FOX RESIDENCE - SAME TIME

LOUNGE

ELSPETH

I regard this creature who has caused my daughter so much misery with contempt. “Take a seat, I will let her know you are here.”

“Thank you, Els…”

“Mrs Miller-Fox, and you will refer to her as Mrs Miller-Fox when in my company, and not ghetto queen, do we understand each other?!” She flushes before nodding. “Slick, darling, she’s sat like the bitch she is!”

“Mom!” She bellows, laughing, and I relish the sound of that.

How my heart has broken for them, her especially when she found this pile of dirt is the birth mother. Her reasoning for doing this is sound, although Lindon had to be taken out by his father as he wanted to do some rather ungentlemanly talking to the creature! So I am following her lead.

“Hey, she’s finally out!” Slick grins as she enter the room. “You going to stay?”

“Yes. I have some things I want to impart as well. Philip, you remember Sandrine’s husband don’t you, Miss Peterson? Let me remind you, he was the one that got you jailed. Well, he’s asked me to pass on a message, he will do it again.”

“I can assure you, Mrs…”

“Your assurances…” I stop as the door is knocked on and look at Slick, she shakes her head frowning. “I won’t be long.” As I open the door my jaw drops. “What on earth…”

“Can we come in?”

I just step aside and wait for them to take off their coats. “How?”

“I flat out asked and he won’t lie.”

“I see. Follow me.” I blink back tears and lead Gus and Jenny into the lounge. The looks on the faces of Slick and the creature are the same - shock.

“Hey, Slick, thought you could do with some back up, as well as Gramma Els.” Gus tells her as he takes a seat. He turns to his former mother. “Long time no see, been on holiday?”

“Must have been a place with no internet or phone. Nary a call about our welfare. Nary a postcard. Nary nothing...for which I am glad!” Jenny snaps before leaning forward and tapping the creature on her knee. “Look at me. Look at us. We are here for her. You mess with her or our little sister, well, let’s just say you won’t see me coming. Feel me...yeah...see me, not so much.”

“They know?” She queries weakly.

“Well of course they know!” Slick scoffs. “I, unlike you, don’t lie. The moment I got confirmation I told him.”

“You got confirmation?! How?! That is privileged information!” Miss Peterson, for I refuse to refer to her as anything other than that or creature, declares.

“Not when it is in the best interest of the child or the child’s parents.” Slick glares. “And given my history, which you were happy to gloat over, they thought it best that I be armed with all facts.”

“Oh, by the way, Gramma, have you got a vintage diamond engagement ring?” Gus asks, silencing the room for a few seconds. “Well, do you?”

“Yes, it was my mother’s and I…” My eyes go wide. “...really?!”

“Yep, really!” Gus beams. “Heard Mom talking to Grandpop Ronald. With her dad gone, she asked if he would give her away.”

The creature looks like she wants to be sick, and I am so very proud of Gus at that moment!

“I will call him later! Now back to the matter in hand. Like Jenny said, leave Slick, Lindon and Annabee...beth alone. And how can you countenance being in the same room as the man that did that? Your mother marrying him is not a surprise, she has always been cold hearted, but…”

“I am not happy with this union either!” The creature snaps. “It is repulsive! And his bossiness and lecturing tone is…” She pauses. “...why did you want me to ask him about a nipple chain or the consummation of the their marriage?” For once I think her confusion is genuine, and, judging by that smile, so does Slick.

“I am going to assume, he’s not said.” Slick pauses as the monitor she put down flickers briefly; we all hold our breath before silence reigns. “She takes after you in the caterwauling like a banshee respect.”

“Said what?” She demands.

“He’s a dominant, your new daddy is. A bad one. I had to save a twink from his roughhousing in Meathook almost ten years ago by pulling him off him by the nipple chain he was wearing.”

Her mouth opens and closes but nothing is coming out. She looks revolted, but only briefly, before she starts to smile. It is a slow evil grin that almost splits her face in half. “Meathook you say?”

“Yes.” I am on my guard for her next utterance.

“So that makes him gay or at least curious, and goes a long way to explaining why his neighbours think that my mother and I are his mother and sister!” She starts to giggle. “Oh this is priceless! I can’t wait to...no, I shall hold onto that little morsel of information until the time is right.” She coughs delicately, well as delicately as you can when you are a viper. “So what else can you tell me about my father?”

“The one your Mother married or the good man she bullied, just like she bullied Aunt Lynette? The way she treated her was abominable, blaming her for her birth as if she had a choice as to who her father is!” Gus snarls, and it takes a firm tug by Jenny and Slick to get him to sit back down. “She is a credit to his nurture and love, not hers, but look what being favoured by her got you! A criminal record! Did you enjoy your stay? Was the pussy as much of a paradise as I said it would be?!”

“Now just a minute! You will not speak to me like that! I did not raise you…”

“No you didn’t! For once you speak the truth! You bargained! You held hostage! You bullied like your Mommy! The one person that raised me, raised us is called Melanie! You and your fellow convict in arms, did nothing but suck like rabid leeches off of my dad!”

He takes heaving breaths while she looks astonished.

“Say something, Miss Peterson.” Jenny demands and that seems to bring her round.

“I...what I did...no, let me start again. I…”

“Are no longer welcome!” Jenny spits. “Get your shit and leave; and like you did the last time, don’t look back!”

As she rises unsteadily to her feet, she looks at the monitor as my darling granddaughter decides that it is time to wake up. “Waaah!” She cries sleepily.

“I’ll go.” Gus stands but is pushed back into his seat by Jenny. “Hey!”

“You had her all to yourself for a whole week! I have a lot of catch up to do! Coming, Annabee!” She calls out and dashes up the stairs.

“Damn Ems!” Slick chuckles as she had said it would stick and it has! She turns back to Lindsay. “Flat ass out of door, darken it nor mine no more!”

As she head to the door, she stops and slowly turns, her face drained of all colour. “Did you...are you saying that Daddy is not Lynette’s father?!”

“This is what she hears. Always deflecting. Some things never change!” Gus snarls. “But to answer your question, Miss Peterson, yes he is her father but not biologically, like Slick and Lindon are Annabee’s parents, but not biologically!”

“I don’t understand. She...how...I mean who?”

“She, like you, fucked around indiscriminately. Truly, like mother like daughter. Let me show you out!” He stalks towards her and she stumbles towards the front door.

For a few long minutes there is silence after the door is slammed shut behind her; then I hear it: the sound of tears. Inwardly cursing their very names, I go to comfort my grandson.

INSIDE PRISON VAN - SAME TIME

MICHAEL

“Hmmm what?!” I mumble as I open my eyes and look around, the van has stopped.

“This is you! Get up and out! Your hosts are waiting.” The guard tugs on my sleeve, I shuffle along the seat and get out. Before I can even turn around to ask which of these beautiful houses I am living in, the van is gone.

“Michael Novotny!” A voice booms, and I am looking at the most beautiful man, after Brian, I have ever seen!

“Uh, yes!” I stare up and up.

“Hi, how you doing? Sorry I am late, been waiting long?”

“No, just got here.” I do a quick sweep of his wide torso and go back to his beautiful face, his eyes are dark chocolate and although I'm not normally attracted to black men, I would make an exception for him, he is absolutely gorgeous. “So which…” I gesture to the houses.

“Oh, this one!” He strides up the path and I check out that high firm ass...and the look he gives me over his shoulder...yep, game on!

MILLER-FOX RESIDENCE - TWENTY MINUTES LATER

KITCHEN

LINDON

I look up as Mom comes back in. “How's he doing?”

“Better. He’s taking a nap.” She rubs her jaw tiredly. “Jenny has taken Annabee...seriously, just change it, everyone calls her that now…” I chuckle as even at home she's Annabee, Ems does have a way with words, and all because the day he met her she was wearing a bumble bee jumper! “She and her grandpa have taken her to go feed the ducks. And Slick is changing the tire on the Daimler…”

“Mom!”

“What?! Not me, and well you know this, she was checking Pluto and spotted the flat.” I grin at that. “Don't be so smug, can't believe that car is still in the garage after all this time.” I grin wider. “Or that we caught you christening it!” Now she is grinning and my face is on fire! “One nil to me!”

“Hey, when did you get back?” Slick comes in with a smudge on her forehead, I wipe it then give her a kiss. “Just what I needed. You good?”

“Yep. So you gave her a roasting?”

“No, Gus and Jenny handled her. I just told her about her Daddy.”

“And…”

“She is going to drop the dom-bomb in her own time.” She leans against me and then looks up. “We're changing her name to Annabee.”

“Two nil to me!” Mom trills and starts to open the Merlot.

“Three nil.” Slick crunches up her nose and my heart sinks.

“Three?” Mom looks almost rhapsodic in her joy.

“Yeah, the RV is on its way, so we’re moving Pluto to the emporium.”

BRITIN - THIRTY MINUTES LATER

GARAGE

JUSTIN

I will never tire of this! The sight, the sounds he makes, nor the smell of him. I watch my cock slide into his tightness and his groan of delight bounces of the walls. “Good?” I breathe hotly in his ear.

“Best.” He gasps and pushes back. “More. Faster.” He entreats, tapping my hip firmly. “Hammer me for go...oh!” He drops his head on to his crossed arms and goose bumps spread over his back. “Justin, oh!”

“It is so hot in there!” I groan, and start to pump but then the garage doors start to open!

“Oh fuck! Brian, did you kneel on the…”

“Don’t mind me boys, just parking her up!” Is suddenly shouted and we go still, then turn to look at a nonplussed Lionel who stares then frowns. “Justin, how tall are you?”

“Tall…” I can't believe we are having this conversation!

“I reckon about you are about five seven or eight. Being a shorter top has its advantages...yeah, pull out, leaving the tip then step into the thrust. Then step back out. Brian, you need to keep still though. Heavenly. Matthias loves it. Generally we are face to face, but this renders him mute. I will leave her for you to sort out. Later, boys!”

He shuts the door and we just look incredulously at each other. Astonished by the situation...and the fact we are both still hard!

“Wanna try it?” Brian rolls his lips in.

“Yeah.” I moan, and slowly step back. His thighs quiver and he gasps. “Ready?”

“Uh huh!” He shivers as he tries to keep still and then makes a noise I have never heard before but is sexy as hell as I step in. Then I almost bite through my tongue, I can feel the thrust, it is like little ripples and when I hit his hot spot, it is like I am hitting mine, I don't understand it but Christ it feels...it feels utterly heavenly! “Mmmmnnnnah!”

Twenty minutes later, he's coming around. “What happened?” He croaks. He blinks a couple more times and his eyes slowly start to focus. “Where am I?”

“Lounge.” Lionel replies, and hands him some water. “Yeah, forgot to mention that it can cause a short circuit.”

“To say the least.” I mutter from inside my cocoon of blankets at the other end of the sofa.

“Eh?” He lifts his blankets then beckons me to him, I waste no time curling around my sexy beast. “Explain.”

“You passed out then locked up. Took ten minutes for you to relax.” Lionel just about manages to stop the chuckle. “You almost cut off your favourite toy. Never heard a pitch that high!”

He looks mortified down at me. “I will make it up to you.”

“Yeah you will.” I nip his chin. “Speak to Lionel, am going to feed the boys.”

CAMERON-PETERSON RESIDENCE - TWO HOURS LATER

OFFICE

DAVID

I look up at the clock, then my watch, and finally my phone. Where the hell is Lindsay?! I hear the front door open and almost run to see who it is, but it's just Nancy. She went to tea with one of the neighbours.

“Hello, darling.” I kiss her cheek and she smiles. “Did you have a nice time?”

“Lovely. I am going to throw a dinner party!”

You've got to be joking?!

“Really? So what brought this on?”

“Maria, she’s two doors down and said she's not really got to know you, what with you being so busy, and I want to make new friends. They are just the perfect calibre…”

Shame you're not the same age!

“...so what do you think?”

“Think? Sorry, darling, I was just wondering where Lindsay is and if she is okay.”

“Why wouldn't she be okay?” She pouts...yes definitely pouting.

“From what you've been saying this Slick Phoenix is an undesirable character, and…”

“An understatement. She is the true epitome of revolting! And she has all of that money for being a grease monkey!”

All of that money?!

“Not following you, darling. Let's go and have a drink, maybe some more tea or something stronger?” She nods. “Stronger it is. A brandy methinks, and then you can explain.”

I lead her to the lounge and pour her drink. As she settles down, again I look at my watch.

“Have you heard of Phoenix Rising Car Emporium?”

“Yes, it is the best by far. I get my...no, that is not her place surely?!”

“The very same.” She grimaces before sipping her drink. “And those cartoon places, they are hers too! Has many a grubby finger in too many pies in my opinion!”

“Comics not cartoons.” I correct her, my mind clicking over, this is so annoying!

“Have you read any? Disgusting, so degenerate, the level of violence in some of them.”

“How would you know?” I frown and she blushes. “Nancy?”

“Well, once whilst I was away, I needed something to read and happened across one. I didn't read it all just enough to know that they are definitely not fit for decent company.” I smile and nod. “So you will get it done elsewhere now that you know. There is no way you are going to contribute to her coffers.” I frown at her tone. “What is that look for?”

“I have been going there for years, she is the best, and I like the best. I married you after all, didn't I?”

“True. But still I hate the thought of our money making her happy. Whose happiness matters more, hers or mine?”

Before I can answer the front door opens and Lindsay sweeps in. “Ah, you're  here!” She trills and helps herself to a drink. “What have you two lovebirds been up to?”

“Kindly don't use such a common and debasing language to describe the sanctity of my marriage.” Nancy sniffs then stands up. “But since you asked, we need you to leave…”

“Leave?” We both echo.

“Yes, I would rather consummate my marriage with you out of our home.” I gape at her. “Run along, Lindsay, I have waited long enough now.”

“Of course, Mother. You two enjoy. I think I shall try and see Daddy.”

“Your father? Hmmm, not sure he will be welcoming you with open arms. After all, he never visited you in prison did he?”

Again with that tone!

Lindsay finishes her drink with another of those smiles. “Of course he did, Mother, once a week. I shall take my leave of you. David, please be as gentle with her as you were with me.”  

Her sweeping out of the room gives me both relief and a problem!

“And just what did she mean by that?!”

“Nancy, you know how Lindsay and I met. I was her prison doctor. We got to know each other because of your raising of her.”

“My raising…”

“Yes, if she hadn't stood up for herself on the principles you instilled in her, I wouldn't have tended to her so often and by happy circumstance met you.”

She thinks for a few minutes before grinning. “She does have her uses. Her ability to yap like an angry bulldog worked out for a change.” Again, her viciousness astonishes me. “So, shall we?”

I slowly stand up and hope my boy does the same when we get to the bedroom!

BRITIN - AN HOUR LATER

MASTER BEDROOM

BRIAN

“So you put your leg in front of mine, I step back and bend forward?” Justin growls hotly in my ear then kisses me passionately before I can answer. “Would you be inside me already?”

“Mmm.” I tug him gently off the bed and then look around for the right height. I pull him towards the dresser, relishing the sounds of his anticipation. “Hands on there, shoulder width apart…”

“Am I going to be doing push ups or something?” He breathlessly demands, sliding his gorgeous body between me and the dresser, the palming of his cheeks gets a moan of delight.

“Need the stability, and besides, this way I get to watch your face as you cum.”

“Hurry!” He orders, his eyes glowing. Slowly, I open him up and grin at his growl of frustration. “Patience will reap its own reward…” The feel of his hotness is always a pleasure. “Okay, right leg back…” As our legs cross over we both look astonished, it has made him even tighter. “Jesus, you feel that?!” I suck on his shoulder and he nods.

“Don't move!” He groans. “Look at me! Look at me!”

“Christ you are beauti…” Him pushing back takes the words out of my mouth and I have to move; however, this position means whilst I can't pull out too far, I can go deep. “Oh!”

“Kiss me! I can feel you so much!”

I pull his head back and plunder his mouth. Our hips take on a dance of their own, and soon our sweat drenched bodies are struggling to stay upright such is the intensity. Suddenly he wrenches his mouth from mine and arches up. His mouth is open, but there is no sound, no sound from either of us. Five minutes later, we are somehow still standing after the most intense orgasm since earlier on!

“How are you still conscious after that?” I ask as he rests against the dresser. I frown at his silence and then snicker. “Ah you're not.”

Gently I withdraw and carry my beauty back to the bed. When I lay him down, he starts to come around. “Nomoretipsfromlionel.” He mutters before closing his eyes.

“Okay.” I murmur and pull him into my arms.

“You’re going to call him tomorrow aren’t you?” He yawns.

“Fuck yeah.” I reply, and he chuckles before, with a kiss to my chest, he pulls the blankets over us.

EOHOPS HOUSE - THIRTY MINUTES LATER

LOUNGE

MICHAEL

I take the mug of coffee with smile and settle back in the armchair. “You were right.” I take a sip and he looks puzzled. “About me having a nap I mean, just what I needed.”

“You did look done in. So before I do the grand tour, I have to ask, what were you in for?”

“A bogus charge of fraud.” I sneer. “Which neither of them had to pursue!”

“But you did do it, the fraud I mean?”

“Not in the deliberate sense. It was a misunderstanding and I offered to pay it back, but she refused to accept that; so the State took me and my friend to court, think she knows people…”

“Knows people?”

“She’s a nothing, a nobody, then suddenly she has this internationally famed attorney representing her. But enough about that soon to be sorry witch. Tell me about yourself. For a start, what's your name.”

His smile is great revealing perfect pearly whites. “Matthias. Mathias Harriman.”

MATTHIAS

For a guy who has just asked me about myself, he switched the conversation back to himself in no time flat. But that’s okay, the less he knows about me the better. I nod and smile in the right places whilst thinking if anybody is going to be sorry it is him. On two fronts, one for putting that sticker on Mom’s portrait and two for calling my darling sister, Slick, a witch!

MEL AND LUCY’S HOUSE - MORNING, TWO DAYS LATER

KITCHEN

LUCY

I love this kitchen! I check the oven, the bacon is crisping up nicely. I click on the espresso machine then set up the tray, humming to myself.

“Christ, almighty! I knew Nancy was mean, but to do that!” Mel storms in and slams the notepad on the counter. “How long until coffee?”

“Ten minutes. Whatever has the crone done this time?”

“Taken David to Lynette's to explain to her where he will fit in her life!”

At first I don't see why this warrants that reaction but then I go cold. “Do you seriously think she knows?”

“About David's attempted rape of Lynette?” She slops orange juice onto the counter as she pours. “Not sure, but she made a point of telling Lynette that she and David are married in the fullest sense of the word. Revolting, just repugnant!”

“What are we going to do for Lynette?” I take the carton from her before she crushes it. “Oh, maybe we can speak to…”

“Kimberley? She's my next phone call…” She drains her glass. “...let me get that out of the way, then we can have our day in peace and quiet!” I smile at that and get a half grin in response. “Okay, okay, not so peaceful and quiet; not when we have the let's get Auntie Ems laid committee meeting upstairs!” With a quick kiss to my cheek she heads back to the office. “Ten minutes tops!”

“Fine!” I call back, and wait for the sound of the door shutting before closing the kitchen door as well. Sighing angrily, I pick up my phone to dial the queen and font of all knowledge that is Sandrine St Bride. “Hey, Philip, it's Lucy. How are you? We are all well. Is Sandy about? Great thanks…” I wait for a few seconds and then smile as I hear him saying I think your sting or cache is needed, he is so right! “Hi, Sandy, you doing okay? Great. Listen, I need you to do some digging for me, well for Lynette, but I want to get as much intel as I can first. Find out all you can about David Cameron. I can't really tell you…” I pause in shock then ten minutes later am making my way to the office.

MEL

I am scribbling down notes when a stunned Lucy comes in. “Hang on, Kimberley, what’s wrong?!”

“Seems he likes to get handy.” She growls. “That is why Sandy adores Slick so much.”

“Adores Slick, what do you mean?”

“David Cameron attacked Sandy’s nephew, Casper, and Slick got him off of him.”

“Kim...oh you heard that? Okay, yep, yep, fine, yeah, great idea. See you both on Sunday.”

“What's occurring?” Lucy demands.

“Kimberley is going to speak to Sandy to see if the attack was reported. I suspect, like Lynette's, it wasn't. Want a pencil?” She nods and I hand her one which she snaps with great enthusiasm. “Bit better?”

“You need to get more pencils and some supposedly shatterproof rulers. I think there is going to be a lot more snapping to come!”

DEBS AND CARL'S HOUSE - AFTERNOON

HALLWAY

CARL

“Aren't you going to let me in?” Michael demands as if he's still the cock of some walk. “I would like to speak to Mother, I want to give her my new address.” He looks scornfully around. “Which is far more befitting a man of my stature than this ever was.”

“You are living under a rock then?” I retort, and his face falls. “And she's out with Kiki. Won't be back until later.”

“Kiki? That cretin is still about, is she, I mean he?” He sneers then steps forward. “I will wait inside if you don't mind, this is…”

“I do mind. This house is nothing to do with you.” I bite out. “It is our home, mine and Debs.” He gasps. “Yeah, I’ve moved in. But I’m glad you came around. need an address for all the rest of your crap that was in the attic. So which rock near what dung heap shall I send it to?!”

OUTSIDE BEN’S HOUSE - AN HOUR LATER

MICHAEL

“Well this hasn't up changed much!” I mutter as I look up and down the block with contempt and a bit of smugness. Matthias and I have a much better house. I ring the bell again and hear someone coming. When the door opens, I am faced with Daphne! “What are you doing here?!”

“Opening and now closing the door on an asshole!” She snaps, and bangs it shut.

I lean on the doorbell, fuming as I can see her silhouette through the frosted glass. Then she retreats and I wait. Ten minutes later I am still waiting.

“Michael? Is that you?! What are you doing here? Not looking for Ben, surely?! I believe you sunk that ship a long time ago.” I turn slowly then glare at Jeff. “How long have you been out?”

“I was released early and shall be working on getting my records exorcised! Are you still working on that little publication?”

“Expunged. Still a linguistic lamebrain, I see. I, like others, have moved on with our lives, shame you are still stuck in the past. Now go away.”

“I shall go in my own time!” I declare. “There are some things that Ben and I need to discuss…”

“No there isn't!” Daphne snipes, surprising me by coming up the path. She smirks at my frown. “I went out the back door, surely you remember that this has a back door...after all, you took four hours buying the right shade of dull for it. I believe that is Ben verbatim.” She and Jeff laugh so I glare at them. “I think the Kingpin wants us to stop being amused by his continued presence. Not going to happen, but what will happen is this: I am going to tell you to keep away from my house. Come back here again, and I will have you arrested and you know what that means…”

“You live here now?!” I demand. “Where is Ben?!”

“Ben and Robin moved in together after Robin formally adopted Hunter, you remember them don't you, especially Hunter. Surely you must remember how he defended himself by drop-kicking you in the stomach?” I wince. “But if you need another trip down memory lane, I am sure he will be happy to do it again.” She looks down the street. “Hi babe, look who's here!”

I turn smartly on my heel then cross the street, whilst he watches me with a look of such hatred it sends chills down my spine.

DEBS AND CARL’S HOUSE - EARLY EVENING

LOUNGE

DEBS

I contemplate what Carl has told me about the visit of the dumbass and sigh, then it hits me. “Divina!” I exclaim and grip Carl's arm.

“Who's Div...oh Debs you genius!” Carl squeezes me tightly. “Do you think you can call him now then I call Slick and Lindon?”

“Yes! As Brian always says simplest is the best!” I tip out my bag and snatch up my phone pacing as I wait for him to answer. “Danny it's Debs, how soon can you get to mine? Tomorrow? Excellent! Why? I need you to take a DNA test! No not for the idiot, he is ours unfortunately. No, we want to see if the idiot is a father!”

MATTHIAS

I can hear voices as I come down the stairs, one is the berk and the other is a woman. I clear my throat outside the slightly ajar lounge door then knock.

“Come in!” The berk calls out, and I step inside then frown slightly. “Hi, Matthias, this is my dear friend, Lindsay Peterson. Lindsay, this is Matthias Harriman. He’s my host until I find a job and somewhere else to live.”

“Nice to meet you, Lindsay, and you know what I said, Michael, there is no rush. I am happy to have you here as long as you need to be.” His smile almost wraps itself around his head. “Have you offered her refreshments, Michael? If not, I am happy to make it, as I am going to have a coffee anyway.”

“That would be perfect. Thank you, Matthias.”

“Great, how'd you have it?”

“Cream and one sugar, please.”

“Great, won't be long. In the meantime, why not show her around your home?”

“Yeah, come on, Lindsay, let me show you my home.” He orders, and as he waves her ahead of him, his sexy look down my body leaves me cold. “To paraphrase the young lady in Airplane, this time I will have mine black...like my men. Won't be long.”

I have never been so dumbstruck and repulsed in my life!

GUEST ROOM - TWO MINUTES LATER

LINDSAY

“Well, you certainly have landed on your feet here.” I smile tightly.

“Yeah, gorgeous man, gorgeous house, finally a bit of luck!” He lies on the bed, affording me a view of his stomach as his top rides up slightly. “He is so fit! And there has been no mention of a partner either.”

“Michael, you need be careful there. I am sure there is a non fraternization clause in these things.”

“So what if there is? How would they even know?” He sits up into his elbows and grins. “I would love to find out if it is true about that.”

“Still say you should not go there.” I sit next to him and sigh. “Now, I want you to be absolutely calm when I tell you this, okay? Do you remember when we went to New York and we woke up in bed together?” His face twists, then his eyes widen. “What? What have you just remembered?!”

“I...I always carried a condom with me, in...in my wallet. When I checked my wallet it was gone.”

“Oh god! Are you absolutely sure we did that?!” I fight the urge to shudder.

“Yeah.” He swallows hard. “We were both naked, so we must have done.” He stands up. “Is this going to make things weird between us? I want us to remain friends.”

“Weird doesn't come close. Michael, either the condom broke or you didn't put it on properly because I got pregnant…” He rushes to shut the door before leaning against it facing me looking pale. “...and when I found out it was too late to do anything about it.”

“Do anything about...you would've had an abortion?!” He looks slightly hurt. “So what happened to it? Are you after support? I am not in a position to…”

“Michael, listen. I gave birth to a girl and gave her up immediately for adoption.”

“Did you put my name on the certificate?!”

“No I didn't.”

“Oh, thank goodness!” He almost slides to the floor in relief, much to my surprise.

“Why?!”

“I had some time to think and I am not cut out for fatherhood. I don't miss Jenny.  I know how mean that sounds, but our relationship had deteriorated long before my rights were taken away.”

I consider what he has said and have to concede that he is right. They were barely speaking before we moved back to the USA. But this next bit of news might change his mind.

“Have you seen the rest of them since you’ve been out?” He comes back to sit on the bed and his face twists in fury. “I went to see Ma. She has moved Carl in, and is chucking my meager possessions out. Then I found out that Ben and Robin have moved in together and he has formally adopted that psycho, and moved the banshee into the old house!”

“Wow! Well, Mel and Lucy are getting married, apparently. As has my mother!”

“Did you go to see Gus? Who did your mother marry? She's a but too old for that, isn't she?”

“No, I was summoned by the Ghetto Queen. Gus and Jenny were there and took great pleasure in telling me.”

“What were you seeing her for?!” He scoffs. “After all the trouble she put us through!”

I smile as I know I have him where I want him. “Well, turns out that she adopted a little girl…” I pause. “...our little girl. Michael, she has our daughter. Now, I don't have rights to her, but you do and I think you should fight for them! Fight for her!”

“There is no way that witch is bringing up my daughter!” He explodes as he leaps up. “It was bad enough that Jenny admired her so much, but a little mind like that...no, just no!”

“What are you going to do?”

“What do you think?! I am going to fight for my rights then take my daughter back!”

“That will cost money; money you don't have. But that's where my new stepfather comes in.”

“Your stepfather? Why?”

“Because he also hates her.”

LINDON AND SLICK’S HOME - TWO DAYS LATER

LOUNGE

LINDON

My hand shakes as I lower the tray. Debs takes it off me with a smile. “Sorry, I just can’t begin to tell you how happy I am, no we are. He’s not her father.”

“Nope she’s a Novotny/Grassi free zone…” Danny chuckles and takes a sip of wine. “...I have to say though, I would’ve liked to have been a grandfather.”

“You are, trust me you are.” Slick leans across and kisses his cheek. Those are the first words she has uttered since an excitable Debs, Carl and Danny came over and told us the good news. She immediately called Brian, Justin and Ems. “Boys, stop fighting over her.” She chides Ems and Brian as they check their watches to see how long Justin has been holding Annabee. “Now the first thing we have to do is find the true father.”

“And how the hell do we do that?” Carl hiccups...seems he started a bit early!

“Now that I don’t know, but let’s worry about that tomorrow, okay?” She replies.

“Yes. Definitely tomorrow.” Brian agrees. “Now give me my goddaughter, Justin!”

UPMC MONTEFIORE - LATE EVENING

DAVID CAMERON'S OFFICE

DAVID

I can feel the anticipation flowing through my body. I look at Lindsay and her fellow convict, Michael. I have some considerable cache and have been finding more and more out about how Slick Phoenix came to be in this nest. I am livid! How dare she think she can remain as one of us! And after what they’ve told me, I have no problem causing her misery.

“So, Lindsay, you will handle your Mother, agreed?” She nods, but again has that sinister smile she had the day our marriage was consummated. “Okay, I will help you, but on one condition.”

“Which is?” Michael leans forward eagerly.

“I was out of commission for a week because of her. And after the way they both behaved towards me at the wedding reception, some payback to them is also due. So I want seven days and nights with Justin, and I want his darling husband to watch!”

CHIEF SURGEON SCHICKEL’S OFFICE

SANDY ST BRIDE

“Well?” I prompt my dear friend, George, from the far end of the sofa by the side of his desk, he chews thoughtfully. “Are they suitable fare?” I take in the array of canapes in front of him that I had Emmett and Clare prepare for the cocktail fundraiser for cancer research.

“Whoever did these is a genius.” He licks his fingers before taking the potsticker with an impish grin. “So the good and the great of the…” He pauses as the door is rapped upon, but before he can say anything, it is pushed open.

“Ah, George, I…” David Cameron strides in. “...interesting lunch you have there!”

“I am doing a tasting for the…”

“Fundraiser? Good, good, this is what I wanted to talk to you about…” Cameron sits down then helps himself to a canape. “Mmm delicious. Now as you know, I got married recently to…”

“David. Two things…” George interrupts him sharply. “...one, wait to be invited into my, in fact, anybody's office; and two…” He slaps away his hand from the platter. “...ask if you may have some food. Now try both of those things again!” I shrink back further in the sofa as Cameron stares at him for a few seconds. “You want to taste more than I want to allow you…” Slowly he stands up, his face flaming, before turning on his heel and striding back out again, shutting the door hard behind him. “...go to the bathroom!” George hisses, I move swiftly, leaving the door ajar.

The door raps again and I snicker as George takes his time. “Enter! Ah, David, will you be long? I have to attend to my guest…”

“Guest?” He queries, then I get what George is doing. With a smile, I stride out and take great pleasure in the flinch and hard swallow he does on seeing me, I smile brightly at hi and he smiles back, well just about. “Sandrine! How lovely to see you again, it has been a while.”

“Not as long as you think.” I return as I sit down opposite George. “So how have you been, Dave? I understand congratulations are in order.”

“I would prefer if you used my full name, Sandrine. I mean you wouldn't like it if I shortened your name to Sandy, would…”

“I always call her Sandy.” George interrupts. “So, Davey, my boy, what has you in here all of a flap? I  mean, you came in here, the second time, like a man on a mission.” Although he winces at the mangling of his name, he says nothing for a few seconds. “Well, that was illuminating, glad we had this discussion. Now please go back to your post so that I can finish finalizing the guest list and demolishing the rest of this food.”

“Finalizing the...this is what I came to discuss with you.” He looks longingly at the food. “May I sit down?”

“Congratulations. Sandy said congratulations are in order, what for? Try the consomme dumpling Sandy, just exquisite.”

“Yes, uh, I recently got married to a wonderful…”

“Fossil?!” I exclaim. “Preserved in petrified form, the answer to your crossword clue, George. Sorry, Davey boy, please continue what you were saying about your wonderful wife.”

He cuts his eye at me and curls his lip slightly. “Nancy and I recently found each other…”

“Under a rock.” George nods thoughtfully.

“Under a rock? Now hold on there, that was uncalled for!”

“What was? That is the answer to my other crossword clue; where does Patrick live…” George looks innocently at us both, but his eyes sparkle with mischief.

“Oh, I see. Well, as I was saying. Nancy and I wish to make some additions to the guest list, and as your deputy…” He turns to me. “..sorry, Sandrine, but this is hospital business, would you mind waiting outside for a few minutes?”

“Yes I would.” I retort crisply before beating George to the last mini lobster dumpling. We can almost hear Cameron’s nostrils flare. “Since…oh yes, these are definitely going on. Since I am organizing and hosting this fundraiser, I should be involved every step of the way.”

“This is your...well, that makes things a little easier, doesn't it?” He beams before turning his chair to face me, I know he expects me to do the same, thus cutting George out of the conversation, but I just turn my head to him with a frown. “Well, we have mutual friends in common, and…”

I turn back to George. “Okay, can you get our list please, George, whilst I go rinse my hands?”

“Of course, Sandy.”

By the time I get back two minutes later, Davey my boy’s chair is back in its original position.

“So let's begin, shall we?” George smirks.

DINER - TWO HOURS LATER

BRIAN

“Pinch me!” I order Justin hoarsely as everyone looks to the door.

“What? Why?!” Justin hisses back quietly.

“Just do it!” I plead. Although he frowns at the urgency, he does. “Owww! Oh thank god!” I rub my side and breathe easier. “He is real then, but you are here.”

“Okay, what are you…”

“Hello, mother.” Michael’s drone cuts off his question. “No cheery good morning or enquiries as to my well being?”

“I know how you are, Michael, which is why I didn’t ask!” Debs retorts.

My stomach starts to roll as the nightmare pushes its way to the front of my mind. “Please no.” I whisper. “Don't…”

“Oh yes, happy! I am very very happy! I have finally gotten what I wanted and deserved...freedom and…”

Oh freaking hell those are his exact words before he...“You don't have me and you never will! And I will never let Justin go!” I snarl and Justin looks stunned at my outburst. “So ex-con Novotny, what are you doing here?”

“I no longer have an interest in you like that. I have a much better tall, dark, handsome, and no doubt, better hung hunk to attend to my desires.”

“So the first thing you bought with the meager amount you earned in prison was buy a sex toy?” Justin scoffs. “Told you that prisoners have taste.” Smiles and chuckles greet that remark. “Must have been a very frustrating time for you.” I smirk as Justin finishes the rest of his coffee and stands up. “Right, I won't be long, I shall leave him in his capables should he get stupid, I mean when he gets stupid.” I follow his butt as he walks towards the door. He pauses as he reaches Michael, who has that snarky smile on his face. “Jenny is doing great, in case you were wondering.”

“I wasn't.” He snaps before the snarky smile gets wider. “Oh that reminds me, when you see Slack, tell her I want a word with her. Seems she has something that belongs to me.”

“Will do. I am sure she will be delighted to see you again.” Justin gives him one more disparaging look before leaving him somewhat confused in his wake, and me slightly horny at the slow sashay of his hips.

“So what did you want?” Debs snaps my focus back on her idiotic son.

“A coffee and to catch up with an old friend. We’re still friends aren't we, Brian?”

“Nope.” I retort, then feel the low rumble on my feet, I shake my head as he makes his way to the booth. “See you haven’t changed one little bit. You’re supposed to learn by your mistakes, Michael.”

“I have learned. Oh, trust me I have. I have learned a lot.” He returns, and is about to sit down when the low rumble becomes a distinct growl. He takes a couple of steps back. “What was that?”

“A deterrent, all 325 pounds of him.” I smile tightly and wiggle my foot. At first nothing happens, but then I feel him move. First comes the head, followed by the rest of my little boy, Michael gawps and backs up a few more steps. “Michael, meet Baggie. Baggie, eat, I mean meet, Michael.”

“Keep that away from me!” He yells as he almost trips over trying to get away from Baggie’s determined saunter. “Brian! Call him off!”

“I will try, Michael, but he’s still just a puppy and doesn’t follow all instruction that well. Baggie, sit!” Baggie keeps walking. “See what I mean?” I spot Justin coming back and he could not have timed that more perfectly if he tried, as he has Baloo.

“Hmm, you find yourself in a bit of a bind now, Michael!” Debs calls out and he looks quickly at her before turning back to Baggie. “Now you remember that Brian and Justin have two puppies, my have they grown. Meet Baloo, he’s behind you.” He turns slowly. “And he’s heavier and less obedient.”

“I order you to call them off, Brian, you have no idea of the extra misery I will cause Slick!” Michael warns nervously.

“Oh, she's Slick now? Earlier she was Slack. Amazing how restorative the powers of 675 pounds of very protective dogs can be.” Justin taunts him. He turns as I nod at the window, as coming in is Lindon!

He takes in the scene as he comes in and smiles grimly. “Ah, you've surfaced. So, shall we chat, Michael?”

“Us chat? Who are you and what would you and I have to chat about?" Michael is still warily looking between Baggie and Baloo; then he stares hard at Lindon. "Oh it's you. Lincoln isn't it? So why do you want to talk to me?"

“It's Lindon, Slick’s husband and the father to..."

"Oh you married that?! And as for you being the father, I doubt it. So yes let's chat, away from here. I take it Brian has your number, he has mine; it unlike me hasn't changed. Give me a call and we will discuss the test..."

"Test? What test?" Debs demands.

"The DNA test. I want to see my daughter. Lindsay told me everything, and since my name is on the certificate, well, that gives me a degree of power doesn't it?"

Okay, what the hell is he and Lindsay up to?!

RONALD AND KIMBERLEY HOUSE - NEXT DAY

LOUNGE

RONALD

Well, that knocked the winds out of her sails. I stare nonplussed at Nancy and her new husband then take a sip of the wine. “So congratulations then.”

“Is that all you have to say?” She is struggling to hold onto her outrage that I am neither hurt nor scandalised.

“What else would you have me say? We were in the middle of divorcing when you went to prison, and I had lost all interest in you long before that. So why would I care that you have remarried?”

“Lost all...oh, don't play swaggering pride with me, Ronald!” She sneers. “I know you of old!” She turns to David. “Have you nothing to say?”

“Thank you, Ronald. Thank you for treating Nancy in such an uncaring and dismissive manner that she found safety, and, more importantly, love with me.” I watch his gaze flit around the room. “I suppose the material things in your home will keep you warm at night? Come on, Nancy, let's leave him to his solitude.”

My chuckling halts their departure. “What is so amusing?” Nancy demands.

“Who says I am alone? Youth has not made you smart, Dr Cameron, and dotage has not made me some old dodderer that you think to fool. You and Nancy met before she went to prison, in West Virginia. She was arrested for blackmail before you could have your first date, and you two are married for one reason and one reason alone, well two, if you count the supposed cache your dubious association with each other showcases. Nancy wants to rub it in the face of Lindsay that she got the man that she coveted.”

“So you went to visit your daughter but could not visit your wife?!” Nancy hisses.

“Why would I visit someone, and you must get your hearing and memory tested, I was in the middle of a divorce from?” I smile as I hear the front door open and the tapping of claws on the floor. “Hey, Rogue! Did you have a nice walk?” I smile wider as she barrels in to launch herself to enthusiastically greet me by washing my face. “I am taking that as a yes!” I laugh.

“A dog? You got a dog?” Nancy scoffs. “Come on, David, let us leave him to his hound!”

“At least she is a great deal more faithful than the one leading her pup out the door!” They both freeze then turn around to face Kimberley; whilst Nancy looks outraged, Cameron looks insulted. “Dr Cameron, it is Dr Cameron isn't it? You work at Montefiore with Dr Schickel?”

Now they aren't the only ones confused.

“Uh, yes, but I can't quite place you.” He returns.

“We met at a couple of social events a few years back. Didn't like you then, dislike you more now! How dare you two come into our home and treat Ronald like garbage?!” She takes a few steps into the room and the atmosphere changes markedly. “Show them out!”

“Ronald, there is no need to blindly obey…” Nancy begins.

“I was ordering Rogue. On point!” The change in Rogue is instant, she goes from the gambolling Beagle we know and love to a snarling mass of protection, slowly she gets down on the floor but her eyes never leave them. “With or without bite marks your choice.” Kimberley curls her lip in disgust, but that soon turns to a smirk as they edge towards the door. Rogue matches them step for step until they are by the front door.

Without taking their eyes off Rogue they scrabble to get it open. “As amusing as it is to watch you almost crap yourself, you are eating into my quality time with Kimberley. Rogue. Cease!” I order and manage to control my snickering at the relief on their faces as Rogue trots to my side. “I suppose we will see you at the fund raiser in a couple of week's time.”

“How do you know about that?! Cameron demands unwisely raising his voice, which elicits a low growl from Rogue.

“Like Kimberley said, she knows you and like Kimberley I hate your prior actions. Now get out!”

“I had no idea your jealousy would rear its ugly head so swiftly Ronald!” Nancy snipes. “I feel sorry for you my dear Kelly…” She pauses for Kimberley to react; I am delighted that she doesn’t bat an eyelid. With a twitch of annoyance she tries again. “Oh how it must hurt to know that he still holds a torch for me, despite his protests and insults. But luckily for you I am over him, I have a much better and kinder husband!”

“And I have a much kinder wife, who treats Lynette as a mother should!” Rogue growls again and inches forward. “And for the record, I did not go and see Lindsay. Why would I go to see someone who is the emotional doppelganger of her mother?!”

“Come on Nancy, let's go. Lindsay needs to be had a word with, I do not like being lied to!” Cameron pulls her out then quickly slams the door shut.

I shake my head at his childishness; then turn to Kimberley and take her hands before inhaling and exhaling slowly. “Tell me the truth…” She nods. “...is it him?”

“Yes, it's him. Mel and I are taking a statement from Lynette tomorrow and then we will be filing charges.”

“No. Don't do that. Well, not yet.” I take another breath to calm my rage and slow my heart rate. “I want him utterly destroyed then you go get him.”

“Okay. Now do...what are you doing Ronald?!” She gasps.

“Asking you to say yes to any dress you want to wear to our wedding. I said that to her to shut her up, but the moment the words were out of my mouth, I knew I wanted to make it a fact.” I smile up at her and she grins back. “I need you to say it so I can get off my knee!”

“As long as Rogue can carry the rings then I say yes!”

“Great. Now help me up!”

SLICK AND LINDON'S HOUSE - A WEEK LATER

KITCHEN

LIONEL

I am bouncing Annabee and she is giggling, this is the only thing that is keeping me calm. Slick is looking at Brian, who is looking at Justin, whose breathing starts to slow.

“Okay, you okay?” Justin nods. “Tell us again how this came to be, how he thinks this is a viable frigging option?!” Brian orders, wrapping himself around his husband.

“Matthias.” I prompt but he is looking out of the window, he has been doing that since we got here. “Lamb.” He whips around to face me. “Can you tell them again please.”

“I was out for most of the day, but when I came back in I could hear voices…”

Start of flashback

EOHOPS HOUSE - FOUR DAYS PRIOR

LOUNGE

MATTHIAS

“But why, Lindsay, did you say that your dad had come to visit you?!” Michael exclaims and I edge closer to the door. “And why did you throw Lindsay out?”

It takes all of my strength to remain where I am, for there cold as ice and as dank as ditch water sits David Cameron!

“Because it would get to her and as I thought she would, she had to show off her new husband. As for the throwing out, David and I have reached an accord, he has a little apartment that I am going to be staying in.” She smiles at him and he smiles, a genuine smile back.

Okay what the hell is going on with them two?!

“Right. So now what? I have to go see GQ at the end of the week to sort out the rights thing, how do I say what I have to say? I mean I know how I want to say it.”

“Yes but it has to be said in a way that tricks her into saying yes and destroys their relationship too.” Cameron states; again quick looks between him and her are exchanged. “Now why don't you go get us some beer and wine? Oh wait, are you allowed to purchase alcohol with you being an...”

“Of course I am! I won't be long!” Michael retorts and I sprint swiftly up the stairs just in time. Once the front door closes I creep back down and they are talking, in fact they are laughing.

“You sure are your mother's child!” David snickers. “How long have you known that Michael is not the father?”

“Have you seen her?” He shakes his head. “She maybe ‘dark’ but that is definitely not Italian dark! And then I remembered what happened in New York. We both got very drunk and whilst he was striking out with everything, I got talking to a guy at the bar and he helped me to get Michael upstairs.” She reaches for her drink and sips delicately, well as delicately as a rabid rat can. “Michael was blubbering in the bathroom about how nobody wants him blah-blah-blah whereas all I wanted to do was get him to his room so the guy and I could talk, if you get me…” Cameron snorts like a phlegmatic donkey and nods. “...so we were talking when Michael came out of the bathroom took in the scene and wanted to join!”

“Oh my lord!” Cameron exclaims, for once we are all of the same revolting thought!

“But luckily as soon as he got on the bed, before we could say anything I might add, he passed out. But then the guy realised he didn't have a condom but Michael did. And the rest is history.”

“But that doesn't explain why you are helping him heap misery on GQ.”

She sighs. “Lynette is right. I do envy GQ, as hard as that is to admit, she gets everything with Brian...and...and Gus and Jenny. And whilst I don't have my rights anymore, Gus and Jenny are still my children in my heart.” He is not the only one that is surprised by that. “And after what he said about Jenny having caused her much pain and us such difficulty because he was her ‘father who unlike Brian kept his rights’.” Another sigh. “He is glad he is not a father to her anymore, Jenny I mean.”

I can feel my blood boiling as I adore Jenny!

“So what happened to the guy?”

“Don’t know. We fucked and he left.”

“So how is he going to say to GQ the terms that dump the both of them in it. And how can I help?”

“As a matter of interest why are you doing this? GQ and getting to screw Justin aside.”

“I met him once, Michael, I mean…”

“What? When?” She gasps.

“In Babylon. I was talking to the then Stud, just talking, and he got loudly in the way.”

“So…”

“He said that I was far too old and raddled to be a consideration and he got one of the bouncers to throw me out saying I was being disruptive. I was so fucking pissed, especially as I was with some friends, that I took it out on the next guy, which is when I met GQ.”

I hear the key in the lock and again sprint upstairs…

End of flashback

“Finally they are here!” Matthias smiles and heads to the front door whilst we look puzzled. “What kept you guys?!”

“Overslept.” A familiar voice replies and in steps Grimm and Twinkle.

SLICK

“What the…?” I gape at them, we haven't seen them in six months as, now Grimm took early retirement, they have been travelling. I grab Twinkle and hold him tightly as I can. “Explain!”

“Emmett called, then Matthias filled in the blanks. Come to Grimmy.” He coos and Annabee reaches for her favourite grizzly. “So we’ve been doing a bit of chatting to a couple of friends of ours. And they know who he is but not where.”

“Who?” Brian and I ask at the same time.

“Annabee's dad.” Twinkle tickles her under her chin, again she giggles. “So me, Grimm and Matthias are going to find him. You need to agree to whatever they want but ask for a month alone time, lay it on thick so they are hell bent on destroying what you have. Keep their focus on you and Justin.”

“How do you know who the dad is?” Justin asks having regained the power of speech and some colour. Unfortunately, Lionel had filled him in on his life with Cameron and knowing what he wants, he has been a little green since.

Twinkle grins wide. “Because Dets. Bank and Crane arrested him for stealing from Michael's room.”

BRITIN - EARLY DAWN, NEXT DAY

FOREST

BRIAN

I look over my shoulder and watch as the light is snapped off in the bedroom. This means he is going to either go back to sleep or...less than a minute later his studio light is switched on...he is going to paint. Both of these are good, but the painting is better, as it means he is getting it out of his system.

I look down at the insistent tug on the log and smile at the behemoth that is Baggie, he whines pitifully. “Who do you think you are fooling?” I chide him and he wags his tail knowingly.

“Come on then!” I take off running but only get a few feet before he hauls me to the ground in the gentlest of ways. “Ooof!” I protest as he drops his anvil of a head on my chest. I ruffle his ears still disbelieving that he and Baloo have grown into this. “You are such a devil! Let me up!” I order but he merely makes himself comfortable before snuffling in my pocket. “Baggie come on!” I flail helplessly underneath him. “For crying out...get off!”

“Hey.” The laughter filled tones of Justin float down and I smile at him, with a chuff from Baloo, Baggie gets up. “Figured you could do with some help when I saw which jacket you took.” I sit up and he sits next to me. “Seriously you need to be firmer. Because he knows about that pocket.”

I sigh then smile as they wrestle with each other. Never have I see much love between two dogs. “I know. But…”

“It makes you happy?”

“Yeah. It's our thing, yeah I bitch about it but wouldn't have it any other way.”

“Give it to him then.” He orders and as soon as I take out the foil wrapped steak Baggie is back at my side. Drooling. “Hope you have some for Baloo.” I carefully halve the steak and feed our boys. “Brian…”

“I am scared too. Supposing they don't find him? And even if they do, he refuses to help!”

“Exactly. And from what Lionel has said he will be…” He trails off his face filled with fear. “...we need to speak to Slick, I can't, I can't agree to this.” He whispers fearfully and I gather my sobbing husband in my arms, helpless as to how we can get out of this and help Slick and Lindon.

JUSTIN

“Good. Because I am not going to let you! Of all the ridiculous notions!” Momn's annoyed tones startle both of us.

“Just keep adding conditions. At the end of the day they want this.” I gape at Slick as she steps from behind Mom with a basket in her hand. “Brought breakfast.” She hands the basket to Mom. “Because you are one for early morning rising when you are stressing. And you don't eat.” She gestures at me, we both nod she knows us so well. “So she knows he ain't the dad. Keep saying adding conditions. Two things will happen, he will get bored or she will get wise and go after the other fish.”

“Other fish?” Mom queries as she begins to plate up the food. “Off Baggie!” I try not to snicker at his affronted expression, and fail. “Oh you mean David.”

“You do?” I query after getting a puzzled look from Brian.

“Yes it makes perfect sense. Well it does if you think about it. From what Mathias said, he virtually outed himself to her when he told of how he met Michael. This accord they have reached...I will flick your nose and no matter how big you are it will hurt!” Baggie retreats behind Baloo grumbling. “As I was saying this accord is that they have reached is everything to do with maintaining their positions, his secrecy and payback.” She pulls out two more bowls and then the smell hits us. Baggie starts to whimper and crawl on his belly. “I am coming to you!” She declares and takes the bowls to them, filled with their favourite food, turkey neck, kibble and bone broth. “Not one movement or I put it back!” They keep absolutely still, the only thing moving is the steady drip of their drool to the ground.

Brian turns and try to glare a me into silence as I start to giggle. “What?” Slick demands as she watches them eat their food. “For dogs this big they are surprisingly delicate eaters!” More laughter. “Come on what?”

“Was just remembering…”

“No you were not!” Brian attempts to stop me.

“Ah you have to tell now!” Mom demands.

“The first time they had it. Mr Chef here decided that he was going to go it alone one evening…

Start of flashback

BRITIN - FOUR MONTHS PRIOR

KITCHEN

JUSTIN

“What on earth is that?!” I exclaim as I look in the roasting tray in disgust. “That’s not for dinner is it?!”

“Yes but not for us.” Brian declares coming out of the pantry with their kibble. “It’s for the boys, I heard Slick talking about it.”

“What is the it?”

“Turkey necks.” He beams as if this is the epicurean equivalent of manna from heaven for dogs. “Just the thing for growing puppies.”

“Stud. Two things, they are no longer puppies and secondly is this the first time you have tested it on them?”

“Yes to the first time, they are still my babies in my heart.” He stops scooping the meat juices into their bowls and glares at me over his shoulder. “Do I need to say it?”

“That if I tell anyone you will castrate me? No you don’t.” I stand on tiptoes to kiss his pinkened cheek. “But in all seriousness maybe all of that is a bit too much?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know what they get like when they have something new and delicious…”I peer in the roasting tin. “...well delicious to them. They get excited, especially Baggie and they have several pounds on you.”

“Oh I am pretty sure that they will obey their master’s voice.” He declares airily and starts to chop up the necks. I watch with morbid fascination as he carefully makes sure that they both have the same amount and wish that I had my phone with me because this is going to be good! “Right, let me go test. Want to see the masterful way I handle them?”

Keeping the smile firmly off my face I just nod and follow him to the mud room. “Get the door then.”

“Okay, uh Master. But might I suggest that you secure them and then give them the food? Again, several pounds of excitable dogs with their other favourite hooman holding food, which I have to admit smells good.”

“See! Now just open the door.” He orders.

I shake my head at his stubbornness and open up, being careful to be behind it, safely out of the way of their enthusiasm.

“Hey boys! Look what da...aaaah! Baggie wait! Stop! Down!” Brian screams as he runs back towards the pantry slopping their dinner over the floor. Baggie easily fells him, sending one bowl flying and the other about a foot in front of Brian’s head, which he then sits on begins to eat his tail sweeping across Brian's back. “Justin!” Comes a muffled yelling. “Help! Can’t breathe! Get him off me!”

I have tears streaming down my cheeks as I get up off of the floor and go and assist my idiotic husband. “Baggie!” I declare, he stops eating for one second before almost shrugging then wiggling his butt to get more comfortable. I grab the bowl then put it in the pantry and shut the door quickly. As I thought he would, he gets up and starts to eat the stuff on the floor along with Baloo.

“That was horrible! Dog butt on my hair! Dog butt! I think he peed a bit he was so happy! I need a fucking bath and not a fucking word to fucking anybody!” He shouts as he storms upstairs. I wait for the bathroom door to be slammed shut and with the boys help start to clean up the kitchen.

TWO HOURS LATER

“So...um, where do you think I went wrong there?” Brian asks as he comes into the lounge and sits next to me.

“Everywhere.” I reply slightly mollified that he does look contrite and embarrassed.

“Sorry. I should’ve listened.”

“Yes you should have. But you were right about one thing, they did love it. And we need to take them to obedience class. Especially Baggie.”

“Hmmm.” He smiles at their slumbering forms. “I take it I am on walking and clean up?”

“Yes.” I reply then snort.

“What?” He sighs.

“I think that they are going to be huge. You know how delicate their system is.”

“Ugh!”

End of flashback

“But you took them to obedience class and they passed with flying colours. How are they so like they, well Baggie is?!”  Slick asks throwing them both a piece of bacon.

“They are very smart dogs!” Brian beams. “They did enough to pass and…”

“Reverted back to old habits the moment they got home?” Slick chuckles and laughs harder when we nod. “So let’s make a list.”

“List?” I frown.

“Yep. They think that it is us jumping through hoops, but it is so going to be them!”

OLIVER AND LYNETTE’S HOUSE - NEXT DAY

LOUNGE

KIMBERLEY

I have never been so proud of Ronald as I am right now. When he realised who David was and said what he wanted to do, I was, at first sceptical to say the least. I could not understand it. But now I get it. Because of him, Lynette endured such hardship and callousness from her previous husbands and supposed Mother. We take away the thing he values most and then his freedom. Although we have held off for now, we have laid as much groundwork down as we can.

“Are you expecting anyone?” Lynette calls out to Oliver as the door knocks.

“Yes.” He replies as he heads to open it. “Hi George, how lovely to see you. Come in, come in.”

“George? As in Shickel?” I ask Ronald, who nods with a smile. “Why?”

“Because....” Oliver comes in with George. “...we have been doing a bit of digging ourselves.”

I look between the pair of them then at Lynette then George. “Oh my good…”

“What? What is it Kimmy?” Lynette demands worriedly.

“Seriously? Are you serious?!”

“Yes I am serious.” Ronald smiles tearfully. “Once we found out what we knew, I asked Oliver to speak on my behalf.”

“Behalf? Inkling?” Lynette questions.

“Your ex-mother, is one for oneupmanship and always will be. But she has the memory of an amnesiac especially when it comes to her past conquests. She fucks and moves on. Except in your case she couldn’t. I had always known that you weren’t mine biologically but you are mine in my heart. And, of course, she would never admit that she cheated on me. Well not until she could cause the most damage. So between Oliver and I, we went back in time…”

“Back in time? Daddy what are you talking about?!”

“I found your mother’s diaries. She detailed everything. Although she never used names, she did describe her concubines as she called them. And the way she described this particular man got me to thinking, especially when she said he was a doctor. And he was the last one.”

Lynnette slowly turns to George, who has tears in his eyes. “You?” She whispers.

“Yes me. I am your father.”

GEORGE

She has my eyes; both the colour and the warmth, thank goodness. Even during that brief and disappointing moment in my life, Nancy’s eyes retained a coldness that was off putting. I smile again at my daughter, for I refuse to think of her as hers. “A hug?” I suggest, opening my arms a little.

“Oh yes! Yes please!” She weeps, stepping into my arms. “Come on in, Daddy, you too! After all you made this possible!”

“I don’t want to…”

“Ronald, get in here; you too, Oliver!” I order. “You both made this possible!” And for a while we just hug and sniff occasionally. “I can’t thank you two enough, I am the one thing I have always wanted to be: a father.”

“I was going to make some tea, but this calls for something better than that!” Kimberley declares and grabs her purse. “Ronald, I am going to get it and then you can tell her our news as well!”

“Okay, Kimmy!” Ronald replies and wipes his eyes. “Now come on, let’s sit down, she won’t be long.”

I have known the Petersons for years, watched both daughters grow up. Never once thought that Lynette was the result of that night. She, unlike Lindsay, has a quiet dignity about her and is greatly admired at the country club. Her stock has always been higher than Nancy and Lindsay, though nobody would be foolish enough to let them know that for the rancour they would heap upon her, as  evidenced by the barbs that Nancy slung in her direction over her lack of grandchildren, many marriages and the like. When she finally settled - her words not mine - on Oliver, how her hopes sprung eternal only to be dash on the rocks of her infertility for having left it so long to try. Naturally, she, her cronies and the then pregnant Lindsay were oblivious to the disgusted silence that followed that.

“So beautiful. Just so beautiful.” I whisper as I stroke her cheek and she blushes. “It is strange, I know you but I don’t. I only know what she has said about you, and…”

“None of it good I’ll bet!” Oliver grumbles.

“No.” I admit, then turn to Ronald. “So why? Why seek me out after all these years? You aren’t sick, are you?!” I exclaim, searching his face for signs of illness but he chuckles and shakes his head.

“Because you, my dear George, are one of the biggest bitches I have ever met.” I am not the only one stunned into silence, but he smiles wider. “And you loathe Cameron.”

“Daddy?” Something in the way she says that has me looking between the pair of them. She starts to go pale. “Do...do you?”

“Know? Yes I do, but I sought George out before I knew.”

“Oh my god.” Oliver gasps.

“Knew what?” I demand.

“Please, can we not taint this with that?” Lynette whispers and goes paler.

“Someone tell me what the that is?” I order.

“Come on, darling, please.” Oliver begs, and takes her hand.

“But I have only just…”

“And it won't make a difference. The admiration he has had for you should not change. Not your fault, remember?” Ronald interrupts.

“What did he do? Was it some botched job?! Oh, that man’s ego far surpasses his talent! Um, just one second. Why did you call me a bitch?!” I turn to Ronald.

“Because you and Cameron have one thing in common. Well two, but, unlike Cameron, you remained a bachelor. Now he has a Nancy beard.” Ronald replies, and my jaw drops. “Yes, I know that as well. Most of the people in the club do, well apart from one woman.”

“Know what?” Oliver frowns.

“May I for both of you?” Ronald asks gently. “Then it’s done.” Lynette nods then so do I. “Cameron is an ex of Lynette’s from when she was 15, and…”

“What?!” I explode and leap to my feet. “I am going to pull him limb from limb. I will end that fucker! Nobody will find him! I...oh, and as for her!” I snarl and pace at the same time.

“Uh, George…”

“I have a friend in the hills. I can get him there, he has always wanted to go, yes there. I will have to buy some special scrubs, and…”

“George!” Kimberley's voice jolts me to a stop, we all turn to her as nobody had heard her return. “What is going on?!”

“I uh...oh my dear darling girl. I am so sorry. So very sorry.” I sit back down next to Lynette. “So this a deliberate marriage do you think? She married him despite what he did, of all the people?!” She stares at me in confusion and I realise the nastiness of her mother. “I don’t just loathe Cameron, I loathe Nancy as well. Her social climbing is bad enough, her favouritism is worse, but her ability to place blame where it is not due is heinously reprehensible!” I take off my glasses to scrub my face. “I overheard her, all those years ago talking to her cronies. You know the two I mean, joined together in bitchery and witchery for years. Anyway, one night she came in looking furious and they headed to a corner to talk. She was complaining about how stupid her daughter was to go out on a date in something that made her date get a little handsy. She said...she said...that she forbade her from reporting it, as no actual sex took place, he just touched her a little keenly....”

“A little keenly?!” Now it is Ronald who has exploded. “And she told them that?!”

“Please, everyone stop shouting.” Lynette sniffs then sighs. “It goes some way to explaining the looks those two would give me. You never forget it, the looks of contempt, blame, and, sometimes, amusement. They would huddle together, whisper, cast looks and laugh…”

“Those two skankholes aren’t worth….” Ronald begins.

“Three of them. The three of them would do it. It only stopped four or five years ago when I met Oliver. He has been my strength and in him I finally found safety and happiness. Now can we please be done with this for now?”

We nod then nobody says anything, we are just too shocked that her mother would be so cruel and seemingly continue to be. I gasp as I have just realised something. “How long have you known about me being gay, Ronald?!”

“Had my suspicions for years. Now do you have a companion?”

“You’re gay?!” Lynette gapes, and my heart sinks.

“Yes. Realised soon after um…”

“Oh my! Can I tell her that as well as you being my father?!” Lynette beams.

“You’re not…” I trail off.

“Of course not! One of my dearest friends is...oh we need to...Daddy, do you...oh wait, what do I call you?”

“Dad?” I hedge then relax as Ronald grins. “He will always be daddy.”

“Ronald, are you thinking of who I am thinking of?” Kimberley smiles.

“Yes I am. He chuckles. “And I think that we need to leave that to Gus and Hunter to engineer.”

“Oh yes, definitely!”  Oliver laughs. “Did you hear about their conversation when Gus wanted to thank him and Hunter thought he meant he was coming out and wanted to be deflowered?!”

“Yes!” Ronald booms with laughter. “I don’t know who was more disappointed: Brian when he found out that Gus is not gay, or Ems when he found out that if he was he would not ask him for tips!”

“Gus? Hunter? Ems?” I frown.

“We must have dinner, introduce you to the family and friends!” Kimberley decrees and opens the champagne she brought back with her. It’s a Taittinger 1945. “And you know Ems, I mean Emmett, George. Well, you’ve not met him. He’s catering the fundraiser.”

“Honeycutt?! Emmett Honeycutt is doing the fundraiser catering?!” I can feel my face flaming.

“Yes. Why doth you blush?” Oliver teases then stares. “You fancy him?!”

“Oh this is going to be the easiest set up in the world! And if it goes as well as we hope it does, you can be his plus one at our wedding!” Kimberley smiles as she pours.

“Wedding?!” Lynette squeals before bursting into tears, which we know are of happiness, we wait for her to compose herself. “Oh finally, I have a mom!”

LINDSEY'S APARTMENT - MID-AFTERNOON, TWO DAYS LATER

LOUNGE

LINDSAY

I stretch out on the sofa and look up the exquisitely moulded ceiling. Oh yes, I am on my way to my triple A-score: getting Michael back in jail, splitting up Brian and Justin, and getting my own mother back for marrying David.

She had no right! Her time has long past, he was mine! But I have him in a way, just not the way he anticipates. Yes, we are helping each other by getting Michael back where he belongs, but, whereas Mother will quietly divorce and move, I will ensure that she moves out of the area, or I will let her friends and enemies know that she was a beard, and a submissive one at that! I am surprised GQ let that slip, must be losing her touch.

Speaking of touch, I reach behind my head to the table and feel for the invitation to the Montefiore Fundraiser! I can’t wait to go! I turn the invite this way and that, examining its design. Just perfection. The cream of society will be there, and...I frown at the doorbell ringing since I am not expecting anyone.

“How the hell did he find me?!” I grumble as I see Michael on the monitor. I plaster on a smile, then go to let him in. “Hello, what are you doing here?”

“Hi. It’s a bit lonely over at the house. Thought I would come and spend some time with you.”

“Lonely?” I question as I lead him to the elevator. “Where is the gorgeous Matt?”

“Gone. He's got an assignment in another state, going to be away for a month at least.”  He whistles as he enters. “Now this is nice! Two floors is it? Bet this cost stepdaddy a few bucks. How many bedrooms?”

“Three. Plus a walk in…” I turn to face him and feel the dread pool in my stomach. “....you can’t leave the house until you find gainful employment, and they have to sponsor you, including accommodation. I am not sure what you could do for David...”

“Huh? Oh no, I am not going to live with you! Been there, done that! No, I was wondering about using one of the rooms for storing some things?”

“What things?”

“Just some comics and stuff. Matt may be hot, but he is a bit of a neat freak and territorial. Reminds me of France and Catherine, remember they wouldn’t let us have anything anywhere but in our rooms?”

I frown at him and gesture to the glass of wine I had poured when I came down from my nice leisurely bath. He shakes his head, for which I am grateful as I recall his clumsiness with any drinking vessel that isn’t a mug, beer bottle or paper cup!

“Yes. I have water or coffee.”

“No beer? Let me go and get some, be right back! Then we can plan!” He grins at me and before I can ask what is this we shit he is out the door.

WHOLE FOODS - THIRTY MINUTES LATER

MICHAEL

I keep my distance, but him in my sights. There, wandering around the store as if he hasn’t got a care in the world, is my nemesis and reason for my distance from Brian. If only he had choked on the food instead of barfed on Brian and his car, then none of what followed would’ve happened.

“So how long did they let you out for?” I whirl around and find myself gaping at Jenny. “I thought it was a bit warm, they opened the gates of hell so you could come and swrerak havoc?” She looks me up and down. “Oh, you sure packed away your three squares didn’t you?”

“You have certainly taken after your mother in the rudeness stakes!” I snap. “You will apologise for that, not just because I am your father but also because I am a grown up who…”

“Rights removed, remember?! So you are neither of those things! My fathers' names are Ben and Robin. My second fathers are Brian and Justin. Your name is in the process of being expunged from my certificate and replaced with the first two. Uncle J, not that one! It’s the blue pack!”

He is staring at a huge bag of stuff. “I don’t think the boys have had this one, where is…” He gawps and I can’t help but be pleased that my presence upsets him so much that he can’t speak. “...what on earth is that?!”

Jenny turns around and bursts out laughing. “Uncle Brian, are you crazy?! You can't seriously be thinking of giving them that, especially Baggie?!”

I turn back to face her and my heart melts and plummets at the same time. Brian is walking towards us. He is wearing a pair of brown Boss jeans and a top in the same colour. From a distance, if you were to look really quickly, he looks naked! I am about to say something to him as he passes, but he doesn’t even look at me.

“Jenny, what have we told you about stranger danger? Come away from...whatever that is!”

“Brian, you are not, repeat not, going to give Baggie a brontosaurus rib! Or do I need to remind you of the turkey neck?”

“No, Justin, you do not. And it is not a brontosaurus rib, it is the ribs of a cow, the cooked bone marrow is supposed to be excellent. And the bones will be good for their teeth.”

“Bone marrow?” Gus appears from out of nowhere chuckling. “Dad, two things: first, how are you going to get them cooked to get the marrow out? You don’t have a big enough oven! And two, can I be there when you give it to them? I don’t want to miss that!”

Brian looks down at the bones thoughtfully. “Maybe I should’ve gotten them cut in half.”

“Or we could do a barbeque?” Jenny suggests. “That solves the oven problem, and it is supposed to be nice tomorrow

“Oh there’s an idea! Yeah, let’s get everyone around.” Brian grins and again my heart melts. “Ben!” He bellows and I freeze.

“What?!”

“Can you grab the turkey….”

“No! You are not putting them and that on a BBQ!” The twink shouts, stunning everyone. “Baggie will hurt himself and you trying to get to it! No!”

“Legs, now calm yourself, I have learned my lesson.”

“Thank you.” He smiles up at him.

“Brian, how many?!” Ben shouts back.

I feel my temper rising. How dare they treat me as if I am invisible?! But I can neither move from where I am nor speak.

“Four…”

“Dad!” Gus snickers

“Six fresh! Then a frozen pack!”

“Got it! Where are you?!”

“Aisle seven!”

My stomach boils as I wait, sure enough he comes into view, but joy of no joy he has Robin with him.

“Dad, we’re having a barbeque at Uncle Brian and Justin’s! You need to start the ring around Papa!”

“Has he had a stroke?” Robin asks. “Or is this a mime act?”

“Neither. That's him hiding his boner.” Ben replies, dumping the food into the trolley. The entire aisle goes quiet. “That combo is a favourite.”

“What do you mean?” Brian looks uneasy.

“From a distance, and if you look quickly, you kinda look naked in that.” Ben replies. “Now Justin, if you are wanting him to burn that…”

“We are soaking it in kerosene the moment we get home!” He has the nerve to say.

“There is another outfit he droned over, and thought I never noticed.”

“Not the chocolate tee with the green stripes?!” Brian gapes, I am a ball of fire both from embarrassment and fury as Ben nods. “And the dark indigo…”

“That's the one. Why do you think he suggested you wear it so much and would wear almost the same thing? For reasons best known to himself, he thought I didn’t notice.”

“Dad, just why?” Jenny demands scowling at me before walking up to Ben shaking her head. “How could you stay in such an emotionally abusive relationship?”

“It was all I thought I had, but now I know better.”

“Hi hi hi!” I turn to face the shriekiness that is Emmett coming towards us. He pauses for second and stares. “Three whys. Why is he here, why is he so fat, and why does Brian look nauseous?”

“Boner outfit.” Gus explains.

“Oh I see, where are the buckets? Actually troughs.”

“Troughs?” The idiot frowns.

“Yeah. Brian, didn’t you ever wonder why a person who dresses like he does would show so much interest in your shopping?”

“We were just hanging...oh god! Fuck no!”

“Oh...oh! Home now! We are getting rid of every...well, almost everything! I can’t believe that back street raggedy ass Barbie was playing dress my Ken doll up!”

“Move it, everything pre-you needs to be destroyed!” Brian declares. “Guys, can you settle up and we pay you back?! Seriously, home!”

“Sure, honey!” Emmett calls out as they rush by me, then he goes to peruse the trolley. “Finish this, Ben!”

I feel sickened as he approaches, coming to a halt less than a foot away. People are gawking and a couple are filming. “You had no right!” I spit at him.

“No, you had no right. No right to lust after a man in front of me.”

“Hey, you there!” I shout at oine of the guys that is filming. “I want you to get this and post it all over the web. This man…” I am basking in his look of fear. “He has…”

“What is going on here?!” A security guard looms into view.

“I was just going to warn the good citizens of this store that…”

“You are on a tag.” The security guard interrupts. “He has lived here with his boyfriend and son for the last couple of years. We know Mr Bruckner well. So what is it you want to say about him, jailbait?”

“What are you doing here, Michael?” David’s somewhat snotty tone demands. “I wouldn't have thought this was you kind of store.”

“I was just visiting Lindsay, and…”

“Yes, she had mentioned that you stopped by. Why are you in the pet aisle, thought you were going to buy beer?”

“I was. I mean I am, but I got…”

“Well, whatever it is you got, you have taken too long. She has had to go to an appointment.”

“What do you mean?” I frown.

“Michael, you have been here for over an hour now. Lindsay, if you had bothered to enquire, had things to do, so has left to go do them. So not only is there no Lindsay, there is also no place for you to put anything of yours in my apartment.”

“It would only have been…”

“Nothing in my apartment.” He cuts across me. “So since you no longer need the beer, you no longer need to be here do you? I mean, you can get your kind of beer from nearer home, can’t you? Saves you lugging it across town, does it not?”

EOHOPS HOUSE - TWO HOURS LATER

KITCHEN

MICHAEL

I am flapping the newspaper at the alarm to get it to stop. My eyes sting with tears, not just from the smoke from my burnt lunch, but also from the way they treated me.  As the smoke slowly makes its way out of the window, I am subsumed, feel sure that’s the word, with anger! I can’t wait to make them pay! I step into the hallway so I can see to read.

“Yes, this is perfect...” I crow as I make sure every demand is on there, which is why the lunch got burnt in the first place. “...I have to admit from an outsider view he is hot, so it won’t take much to persuade David to fuck him raw! Such a terrible shame they won’t find that on my list of demands!”

I don’t know where the hell he puts it! I smile as Twinkle comes trotting back with a large bag of candy. He, Snook and Matthias are like naughty schoolchildren. I shake my head at Roman as he attempts to take the large soda out of his boy’s hands.

“Me and Twinkle will share.” He pleads. He loves soda almost as much as he loves Roman. “Please?”

“With Matthias too…” He nods furiously. “...go and get a couple more g̫l̫a̫s̫s̫e̫s̫ then.” He looks across at me, knowing full well that Snook is going to drink the lot!

“So what’s the plan?” Roman asks with a smile a̫s̫ o̫u̫r̫ b̫o̫y̫s̫ s̫t̫a̫r̫t̫ t̫o̫ chatter amongst themselves.

“We’re waiting for Slick and Annabee to come, Then Claire is coming with her friend.”

“So happy, Master!” Twinkle trills as he comes over and crawls in my lap. Normally I would make him abide by the rules of our relationship, but not here. This is his family home, and their rules take precedence. “Do you think she will cook us some of those scrummy wings we had at their wedding?”

“Yes, Twinkle, I think she will.” I reply, and he kisses me happily, tasting of toffee. “Now can you get me a drink, please? A whisky, your choice, but no ice, that is for later.” His eyes smoulder. “It is in the freezer already. And…” I am interrupted in my teasing by a lusty wail that means only one thing...Annabee is here!

“Just coming, Miss Grumpity Pants!” Matthias calls out, and heads to the door. He comes in less than a minute later with his niece in full snit, and a very unimpressed Slick behind him. “So what’s up with her?” He yells over the ever increasing volume.

“Don’t know!” Slick yells back, she looks so tired. “She’s been like this since she had her breakfast, and I can’t get her to stop!”

I look at Annabee as she cries and wiggles in Matthias’s arms, going redder and redder in the face and pulling at her top.

“No, Annabee, you have to keep your clothes on!” Matthias pulls at her hand to stop her tugging then pauses. “Slick, what’s this?” He is looking at Annabee’s wrist.

I get up to have a look, her little wrist has red lumps. “Give her to me.” I order. He obeys quickly and I put her on the sofa. I pull off her top as gently as I can and gasp.

‘Oh my God!” Slick cries as she takes in the lump covered chest of Annabee. “She was not like that this morning!”

I press her forehead. “She’s not hot…” I look at her stomach and quickly take off her trousers the lumps extend all the way down her legs. “...how long she been crying?!”

“Since I gave her…” Slick starts to say, then we are stunned into silence as Annabee cries slow and soon she is just snuffling then reaching for Slick. “...I don’t understand. It's all over her!”

“What did she eat?” Roman demands inspecting her back.

“The usual breakfast: eggs and beans.”

“Where the fuck did that come from?!” Lindon exclaims as he comes in and sees his daughter.

“Trying to find out. Did you feed her anything different this morning?!” Slick raps out.

“No, same organic eggs and beans as usual. Jesus, that looks like measles!”

“She’s had her shots. You cried more than her, remember? Maybe it's Polo’s things? Remember, she slept with him last night.”

“She slept with him? What, in his basket?” I echo before quickly wiping the look of revulsion off my face.

“No, of course not! He slept on her bed, but had his b̫i̫n̫k̫y̫, I mean b̫l̫a̫n̫ket, with him.” Slick retorts then frowns. “Is it me or are they fading?” We all stare at Annabee and sure enough the lumps are starting to go down. “We are burning that fucking binky!” She declares.

“We are not!” Lindon objects. “First it is cashmere, and secondly, why would she have a reaction to it now?”

“Uh, Master…” Snook interrupts and we look at him. He waits for Roman to nod that he can continue. “...maybe she’s allergic to what she’s wearing? It looks like dermatitis to me. I get it sometimes, especially with anything with rayon in it. Brings me up in seconds, so painful.”

Slick gives this some thought. ‘Maybe get her allergy tested? We sure as hell aren’t getting anything from the mother as to her allergies.” She kisses the top of Annabee’s head as she starts to suck on her thumb. “My poor little bumble. Mommy didn’t know.”

“Allergies and dermatitis have a tendency to pop up unexpectedly, blindsiding a lot of people.” We turn to the voice behind us and there is a distinguished looking man standing next to Aunt Sandy. “May I take her?”

“Who are you?” Slick demands backing up a bit.

“Slick, darling, worry not. Everyone, this is George Schickel, Dr George Schickel. We will do formal introductions afterwards. Now let him look at her.”

She hands her over and he checks her quietly before nodding. “Yes, this is definitely contact dermatitis. I recommend rosehip oil.” He hands her back to Slick, who looks like she wants to weep with relief. He picks up the outfit that she was wearing and looks at the label. “Cashmere mix, excellent taste. First time she's worn it?”

“Yes. Her godfathers got it for her. We washed it before she wore it though.” Lindon replies, looking up from his phone, before turning it to George. “Which one of these would be best?”

“Any organic one will...this one.” He replies quickly at the pleading look from Lindon.

“Snook, what’s the detergent we use again?”

“Fairy.” Snook replies before heading to his bag. He rifles through it before bringing a small bottle to Roman. “I felt itchy this morning, so packed this. Maybe she could use some on the sorer parts?”

“Excellent idea.” Roman beams, and less than ten minutes later we are all beaming at a dozing, sucking on her thumb, Annabee. “She really is a beautiful little girl. There is no way that those three are using her as a pawn in this game of theirs.”

“Now everyone sit and have brandies if need be. As I said, this is George Schickel, he is the birth father of Lynette.” Sandrine explains. “George, let me introduce you to everyone else…”

FORTY MINUTES LATER

GEORGE

Furious does not come close to my rage right now! I was mad enough when I found out about her abominable treatment of Lynette. Hearing how she behaved with Slick, and how Lindsay was so cavalier and callous made me apoplectic. I sip the brandy and adjust Annabee slightly. Seems we have bonded, I check where we applied the oil and it is definitely helping.

“I can do it for you.” I smile at Lindon, who looks confused. “The allergy testing. I can get that sorted for you tomorrow. She needs - you three need - rest today. Sandrine has my number, get it from her and call me; I will come over with the necessary.”

“Thanks George.” He replies, quietly looking down at Slick who has joined her daughter in sleep. “So, boys, what’s the New York plan? You still going?”

“Yes, end of the week...oh, that reminds me, Twinkle, can you check your Bliss supplies so we can do a restock?”

“Oh, yes, Master!” He squeals and kisses him on the cheek. “Thank you! Oh...Aunt Sandy, can I get it?!” He cries as the doorbell goes. “Pretty please?!”

“Yes you can.” She grins then beams at me as he scampers to the door. “Such a darling boy.”

“Yeah I know.” Grim murmurs proudly.

“Claire! Oh, who are you?” He asks.

“Let us in and I can explain!” Claire laughs and we all turn to the door.

TEN MINUTES LATER

CLAIRE

God it is so good to be home! I love working with Ems, I do, but being back here is so good, I have missed them so much! I managed to unwind myself from the bone crushing hug from Slick and now have a very contented looking Annabee in my arms. “So, everyone, I present the solution and deterrent to the Lindsay problem!” They all stare at the quietly observing lady next to her. “This is the Queen of The Wing and saver of a New York trip, Edna.”

There is silence before Slick’s jaw drops. “Edna? Edna as in Lindsay spanking Edna?!”

“The very same!” Edna replies with an evil grin. “Boy, that ass was flat!” I can tell they are confused by her presence here. “Shall I?” She chuckles.

“Oh please do!”

“May I hold her, Slick?” She asks, whilst she nods she also frowns. “Oh you poor darling! I used rosehip oil on him when he got it. Poor little mite would flare up at the slightest thing.”

“Who would?” Lindon demands.

“My son, and the father of this little girl.”

“What?!” Slick exclaims.

“It was was whilst we were in New York, I bumped into him. For once birds of a feather flocking together worked out. He told me about the fuckfest he had just come back from and how he picked the room clean, but was caught. I thought nothing of it until Ems told me what Bank and Crane were going to do, so I called his mom!” They are so quiet for a long time. “Say something.”

“Where is he?" Lindon asks quietly.

“Don’t worry, he is not interested in being a father.” Edna replies, then stands. “But I would very much like to spike that malicious wheel of hers. Treating a baby like that! I had to stand by and watch her do the bare minimum to keep that poor child alive in her belly. I took to getting the vitamins she was supposed to take, but didn't, crushed into her food! And now, knowing that she is my granddaughter, well, that spanking is going to feel like heaven by the time I am done. If she thinks that he’s the only one going back to jail, she is so wrong, so very wrong!”

GRIM AND TWINKLE’S HOUSE - LATE EVENING

KITCHEN

GRIM

He has been quiet since we got home a couple of hours ago, and I know why. I stop him from stirring the risotto and pull him back against me. “Twinkle, you do realise that we are still going to New York, don’t you? And that it will be a Bliss-ful and pleasurable trip?”

“Oh,  thank you, Master!” He whirls around to pepper my face with kisses. “The risotto will take another 20 mintues, shall I go and check now?”

“No. Come and sit for a minute.” I take a seat at the table and watch him war with himself. He had spent all the time at his Aunt Sandy’s either in my lap or with Matthias and Snook. “I think, we can relax the seating rule, so…” I pat my lap, with a smile he gets comfortable. “...anything else?”

“Anything else, what?” He frowns, but I know my Twinkle.

“Come on, Twinkle. Snook and Roman are going too, and remember he's your best friend.”

“He told him?!” He gasps, going red before searching my face for signs of disapproval.

“You won't know the answer until you ask the question.” I prod gently.

“Ca...can I call you Grim when we’re at home, please?” He asks quietly. “But can you still call me Twinkle? After all, you gave me that name.”

“Yes you can, and yes I will. Now I have a question for you: do you remember anything of what happened that night to Casper?”

“Oh yes, Ma...Grim, I remember everything, and...why do you want to know?”

“Been speaking to Trent. He and Casper have been talking, and he wants to press formal charges against him.” He looks incredulous then frowns. “Let me explain; once the charges are laid, you would need to make a statement.” His eyes go wide. It was not often that I ‘brought’ work home, the last time was with Slick. “It will be fine. All you have to do is tell them wh…” Suddenly he leaps off my lap and dashes out. “Twinkle?!” I follow him and find him in our playroom. He is pulling the trunks out, muttering to himself. “Gray, what the hell is wrong?!”

The use of his name gets his attention. He stops pulling and sits on his haunches. “Statement, don’t need it.” He pants. “It is in one of them, please help me look!”

“What is in one of them?” I wrap my arms around him, surprised to find him trembling. “Tell me, Gray, what is it?”

“The night I met Casper, remember? I had a camera...you do don’t you?”

“Yes, you took...” I then get it. “...you don’t think that you might have…”

“Maybe, just maybe, there is a picture of him...of it. I took so many and used all the film I brought with me...but where would they be?! Ma...Grim, there’s 17 years of memories here, it will take ages to find it!”

“Twinkle. Twinkle, I need you to stop fretting and listen. What was the first thing you did when you moved in with me?” I start to grin but he doesn’t return it. “Let me remind you. You took one look at the clutter and spent three days getting it absolutely pristine, with everything in its place. And, of course, you made...” He starts to beam. “...yes, my darling anally retentive Twinkle, you made a list of everything here, in storage, and, in which box.“

“Oh crap!” He shouts, and once more wrenches himself out of my embrace. This is getting very old now!

“Twinkle! For goodness sake, now what?!”

“The risotto is burning!” He yells as he runs into the kitchen. When I join him, I try not to laugh as I see blackened remains. He switches the extractor on. “One day I am going to cook this blasted dish perfectly!”

“Only you could be a hero and brat in the space of a minute!” I chuckle. “Now come on, let’s order in, then I can reward and punish you for that after.”

“Thank you, Master.” He purrs. Now I am frowning. “You are Master when you say that and in the playroom, but Grim in the rest of our home. Deal?”

“Deal.”

EOHOPS HOUSE -  MORNING, TWO DAYS LATER

LOUNGE

MICHAEL

I am brooding a little. I didn’t want them to come here. I wanted it to be held at David’s place, but he said no, as it was too early for him to come into play yet. He wants them to agree to the terms first, and to get my rights they will!

“Hey, Matthias, is that you?!” I call out as the front door opens.

“You know anyone else with a key?!” He calls back. He strides in, looking as gorgeous as ever. “How have you been...oh, are you expecting guests?”

“Nobody that can't be put off. I thought you were away for a month?”

“Plans changed. Look, I am bushed. If it is okay with you, I am going to crash out upstairs. I won’t disturb…”

“No, no, let me put them off. It is nothing of importance.” I reach for my phone, pacing as our intermediary, Ma, takes ages to answer, but when she does I am surprised to hear Carl’s voice. “I would like to speak to my mother…” I cover the phone and smile at Matthias. “...why don't you take a load off? I shall make some coffee and you can tell me...oh, hello, Mother, one second, all about your trying time?” He thinks for a second before dropping his case by the chair and sitting down with a sigh. “Great, won’t be long.”

I stride into the kitchen and shut the door, I put the phone on the counter and her on speaker, she says nothing. “Are you still there?”

“Yes, what’s the problem?” Her tone is brusque, doesn’t she realise who has the power here?!

“We need to reschedule this meet-up, I have something more important to do.”

“Michael, they have lives too. They need…”

“To rearrange it when I say or they won’t have my daughter in it, now will they?!” I smile at her annoyed sighing. “Now tell them we're meeting tomorrow instead, same time and place.”

“But they…”

“Will be there!” I snap, and cut the call. I set up the tray, then head inside only to find Matthias stretched out on the sofa sound asleep. I put the tray down and just stare at him. He is utterly beautiful in a rough way. I take the blanket off the footstool and cover him up with it. After five minutes of admiration, I take the coffee back and decide that we might as well meet up after all. I call Mother back. I absolutely loved having her control herself, and even better, it is to be at her house. And, now that I have heard that Emmett is back from wherever he was, he can provide the food! We will start with lobster I think!

I try to think of what other meeting hoops I can have them jumping through, and look for my pad, which I could’ve sworn I left it on the table. I am about to head back to the kitchen to see if I had taken it with me, when I spot it. Matthias is using it as a pillow!

“Dammit!” I mutter and try to see if there is any way I can take it without him waking up, but I can’t see how. I ponder my next move when my phone rings. It’s the theme tune from Captain Astro, which means one thing...Brian! I rush to the kitchen, but it cuts off before I can get to it. “Shit!” I fume. Now that is one thing I hate about him, if you don’t answer the phone within 4 rings he hangs up! I wait for the voicemail to come through, but it doesn’t...and that’s another source of phone annoyance for me, he never leaves me voicemails. Seething, I decide to add that to the list. He waits for me to answer my phone, or keeps trying me until I answer!

“Hey.” The sleepy voice of Matthias startles me and I knock over the milk. “You okay? What time are your friends coming?”

“Yeah, am fine. Don’t worry about it, Mattie. Actually, I am going to see them instead now. I should be going, you going to go out tonight?”

“No am going to rest; am absolutely bushed. Why?”

“That's good, because I hate to say this but you do look tired. Why not go up? I shall be about four hours tops. There isn’t much food in the house - but I am sure I can find something and maybe we can eat together when I get back?”

He looks thoughtful before nodding. “Oh, that reminds me, we need to discuss this place too.”

I smile as he heads upstairs, hoping that one of the things we are going to discuss is me being able to have my stuff in here!

BRITIN - TEN MINUTES LATER

STUDY

JUSTIN

Brian and I stare at the paper and start to laugh. When we compose ourselves again, we reread his list of demands. Sandy and Phil came up with a simple plan: send Matthias back home as our spy as it were. He is not to know that he and Slick are related, and after what he said about her before he even knew him, it should be easy enough for Matthias to get things out of him. Case in point, he pretended to be sleeping, resting his head on his notepad, and whilst Michael was ordering Debs around, he took a picture and sent it to us.

“Oh my goodness, what is that supposed to be?!” I hoot, Brian shakes his head. “He wants a syphon to cover his expenses! And what expenses will he have?!”

“I believe he means stipend, and as for his expenses, he says it is for medical bills, etc; but we all know that he’s going to be trying to build up that collection of…”

“Ooh, can we have terms and conditions?!” I tug excitedly on his arm.

“Don’t see why not. What do you have in mind?” He walks me back to the sofa. “I take it this will be innocent enough for him to agree, only for it to bite him in the ass?”

“Yeppity.” I grin. “We will cover all medical expenses as long as he provides receipts?”

“Receipts?” He frowns.

“Hmmm. You know when you went out with the boys this morning for a long jog and I said it was too cold? Seems your brain must still be thawing.” I tease him.

“‘Get on with it, twat.”

“I should imagine that a certain Dr David Cameron would be happy to assist in that.”

“That would be fraud!” He looks shocked.

“And the least of his worries!” I retort. “I mean after the way he treated Lynnette and Casper in the past, without reparation, let alone facing justice! Okay, the ‘council’ threw him out of their ‘set’ as it were when they found out how he roughhoused, which was…” I am stopped in my ranting by a soft kiss. “What was that for?”

“You are a constant source of amazement to me.” He replies.

“I am? Why?”

“Your compassion and fierceness in the face of apathy and dispassion is one of the reasons I love you more each day.”

“Oh.” I lean across to kiss him, then crawl into his lap. I am about to start on his shirt when he stops me. I am stunned.

“Hold that thought, oh horny one. We’ve got to go and do “our master’s bidding”, remember?”

“Well that’s my dick dead.” I pout, and stand up. I join him in the grinning, then pull him to stand. “But I am sure you can revive it later.”

“Come on, we’ve got to go get Ems and then...now what?” He asks as I am reading the paper again. “You are doing more stinking thinking, aren’t you?”

“Maybe.” I chuckle, and lead him out.

DEBS AND CARL’S HOUSE - AN HOUR LATER

LOUNGE

MICHAEL

I look pointedly at my watch then at Carl. “They’re late.”

“You changed your mind about the meeting, then dem...asked for Ems to provide the food. This takes time, so you will have to be patient.”

I scowl. I have to concede that point but I am hungry. “Surely you can offer me a beverage in the meantime? Isn’t that the polite thing to do, especially in these circumstances?” I taunt him.

“Which is why I asked Hunter to bring some stuff on his way over.” He seems unruffled by my goading. “He should be here soon.”

Right on time the door opens, but it is not Hunter, it is Ben and Robin!

“What are you doing here?!” I demand “This meeting is supposed to be just me, Brian, Fat Ass, Slack and Emmett!”

“Hey, Carl, where’s Debs?” Ben asks, ignoring me completely.

“I asked you a quest…”

“She’s helping Ems bring up the canapes for this…” He gestures at me.

Robin gives me the briefest of glances, then snickers. Clearly they need reminding again who is in charge here, and in walks the perfect way to do it. “Beer now, Hunter, in a clean glass.” He stops and stares, then looks at Carl who seems to be smiling. “Did you not hear me?”

“He did, but you can’t have beer.” Carl states, then tosses an envelope in my lap.

“What is this? And why it opened?!” I demand.

“Because it is my letter, Michael!” Mother snaps as she comes in and heads to the kitchen with a basket, which smells so good. “I am allowed to open my own damn post!” She heads back out again.

I look at the front of the envelope and blush slightly. “So what is this 'can’t have beer' nonsense about?”

“Read it.” Carl orders, taking a beer from Hunter, and as I start to do so my face falls. “As she was listed as a correspondent, they sent her a copy of the terms and conditions of being in the EOHOPS house.. As you can see, one of them is that you are not allowed to consume alcohol.”

“But Claire drank when she was in Slack’s place, and with you guys! I saw her!”

“When Slick volunteered her property, it was a trial of the scheme. They have instigated new rules during your absence to ensure that those who sign up for it become decent, law abiding citizens. One of which is sobriety whilst you remain in residence. Alternatively, you can leave, find your own property and there you can behave as you please.” Carl takes a long pull on his beer. “And I, as an upstanding member of Pittsburgh’s finest, will ensure that your abstinence from alcohol will be a model for all other ex-convicts to live up to.”

I scowl at him, then at Ben when he cracks open a beer. “Didn’t you read your letter when you came out?” Ben sneers.

“Oh I am parched, open one for me please!” Mother calls out as again she heads back to the kitchen, then sits down next to Carl. “Thank you, Hunter, now what do you want? To drink I mean?”

“I will have…”

“Oh, for heaven sake, will you heel?!” Is shouted before one of their enormous dogs comes in.

“Hey, Baggie!” Mother laughs as he drops his head in her lap. “Have you been obedient as usual?”

“In answer to your…” I begin.

“Someone grab the bottle!” Fat Ass cries as he comes in. He has four in his arms. Ben quickly grabs the one that is in danger of falling. “Thanks, Ben! Is...oh, you’re here already. Brian, he’s inside...sadly the house and not prison again!”

I ignore the jibe, for I know what will happen to him!

“Okay!” Brian yells before he is dragged in by the other dog. “Hey, Ma, are you sure about this?”

“Yes, it will give you a break after the negotiations.”

Whilst I am pleased that someone has realised the purpose of this meeting, my terms are non-negotiable!

“This is the last of it!” I hear Emmett call out, and as he comes in I am astonished. He looks so different; tanned and bald. Annoyingly, it suits him. “I take it that you have inspected almost everything and found it to your satisfaction?” He glowers at me. “If not, do so now so that I can get out of your company!” All eyes settle on me. I take my time getting up, but as I pass one of the dogs there is a low growl. “Good dog, Baggie!” Emmett calls over his shoulder. “There you go, everything you demanded from the luxury menu.”

“Let me see.” For ten minutes I peruse the food, then am jolted out of my drooling by the sound of a vaguely familiar voice.

“Oh, honey, I am so thrilled! Of course we’re going to come!” Mother is screeching.

“What is going on?” I demand of Emmett.

“I know not, since I am here with you when I would rather be in there with them.”

“Emmett! You have to move to Brian and Justin’s cottage!” Ben shouts. This gets us both back in to the lounge. “So that’s at least one, but it will be two if you say yes to us!”

“One? Us? Please elucidate..oh wait for the malapropomistic amongst us, that is another way of saying explain.” He sneers at me.

“I know what enunciate means, Emmett!” I bark back.

“Great, but I said elucidate.” He snaps back before standing in front of me blocking my view of the room. “So what is this about?”

“Emmett, move out of the way! You seem to forget that the reason that people are here is to listen to the terms of my demands to give up my rights to…” The words stick in my throat as he picks that moment to step aside and I am faced with Detectives Bank and Crane! “...uh, hello Detectives, what are you doing here?” I ask and hope that my voice doesn’t sound as high pitched as it does inside my head.

“You’re out. More’s the pity. When was that?” Det. Crane reaches for a beer before nodding approvingly. “This is really good stuff and perfectly chilled.”

“A few weeks back. So what was…”

“Emmett, you are saying yes, right?” Robin talks over me, increasing my fury.

“Oh come on! You are kidding me! Well, they do say all good things come in threes! Of course I am saying yes!”

“To what?!” I bellow, thoroughly sick and tired of everything.

“Catering the wedding of one of Pittsburgh finest.” Carl replies. He takes another pull on his beer. “And Ben and Robin’s.”