- Text Size +

CHAPTER 26 - SHOPPING WITH THE TAYLOR-KINNEYS

 

OUTSIDE JFK AIRPORT - LATE SATURDAY NIGHT

 

MICHAEL

 

“I can’t wait to see their faces!” I grin at Lindsay and she grins back. We make our way to the taxi rank, having decided to fly out anyway.

 

“Mr Novotny?!” A voice calls out and I turn around in surprise.

 

“Yes.” I reply warily.

 

“Mr Taylor-Kinney sent me for you and Ms Peterson. I’m Ravi. He asked me to tell you to ring him when you arrived to confirm this.”

 

“P-pardon. Um, which one?” Lindsay stammers.

 

“Justin.”

 

“How did?” I look at her.

 

“I don’t know. We will find out when we get there.” She replies, her face pinched with fury.

 

DAPH’S APARTMENT - FIVE HOURS LATER

 

BATHROOM

 

BRIAN

 

“Justin…” I sigh against the shower wall. He thrusts again. “Hurry please!” I push back and he holds my hips still. After three sharp thrusts, we almost slump to the floor.

 

“Christ I needed that!” He gasps. “We need to get a bigger shower in here.”

 

“Uh huh.” Is all I can manage and sigh as he gently withdraws, then soaps my skin. “Hmm need to get some of our toiletries here. Can you put that on the list I know you have?” I look over my shoulder at him and he scrunches his nose up.

 

“Turn around. Check time.” He orders and I stand up straight, look down and love him more at that moment. “Perfect.” He grins up at me.

 

HEAVENLY RETREATS

 

RUTH’S PRIVATE APARTMENT

 

DAPHNE

 

“So girl, what are we doing today?” Ruth asks. “Apart from grin smugly as you thwarted their plan.”

 

“We’re going to amongst others GAP, Gucci, Armani, D&G and of course, there’s the flight home…” I grin evilly.

 

The door knocks and everyone comes in.

 

“Pancakes for you, Justin?” I ask innocently.

 

“Gucci for you?” Brian replies with a grin.

 

“Absolutely. Zipping!” I reply quickly.

 

We have just finished breakfast when the door knocks and in comes Ravi. We are all on tenterhooks.

 

“Well!” Mel finally caves while keeping an eye on Gus, who only has eyes for Frick and Frack.

 

“Spitting feathers!” He laughs. “I have never seen two people look so mad to be picked up at the airport in a limo. Oh by the way they’re here as in staying here...she instructed me! She was jabbering on her phone and I kept saying feet to him every time it looked like he was going to put them on the seat. At one point, I was glad of the stop light so I could wipe my eyes so I could see!”

 

“This gets better and better! So how do we do this?” Ben asks.

 

“Let me handle that.” Brian smiles. “But kudos to Daph, for being from an under the radar WASP family!”

 

“To Daph!” They lift their glasses and I beam.

 

“Under the radar…” Hunter trails off.

 

“Oh you don’t know what happened!” I squeal. “Well…”

 

Start of flashback

HEAVENLY RETREATS - SATURDAY EVENING

 

RUTH’S PRIVATE APARTMENT

 

DAPHNE

 

“Hi Mom!” I wave the varnish at Ruth and she shakes her head and takes out another one and my eyes light up. “Uh yeah, I know her why?” I wave at Ruth and she sits down mouthing what; but I just shake my head as I’m trying to concentrate on what mom is saying and I am getting angrier and angrier. “Okay, try and find out when they are flying out. Thanks mom.”

 

I take a couple of soothing breaths, even though every part of me is happy to run to Pittsburgh with broken glass embedded in my feet just to slap their fucking teeth out!

 

“Need to speak to Brian and Justin.” I growl and 15 minutes later, I feel calmer as they have taken it a lot better than I have! But now, I have to tell Ruth the other thing. And again, she takes it calmly though there is a spark of annoyance.

 

“Hmm...to mess with my business once was bad enough. But to mess with my business and my personal life, is a monumental clusterfuck of a mistake.” She smiles tightly. “But now let’s get those tootsies painted!”

End of flashback

 

MICHAEL & LINDSAY’S SUITE

 

MICHAEL

 

“I still don’t understand how they found out!” I grumble, really put out.

 

“It doesn’t matter right now. Let’s go and meet them.” Lindsay sighs and shoos me out.

 

As we head downstairs, we take in the opulence of the place. I wonder if the one in the Pitts is as good as this.

 

“Oh Mr Novotny, Ms Peterson a moment please!” The receptionist calls out and just as we head in her direction, they all come out of wherever they were.

 

“Yes, what is it?” Lindsay asks and her jaw drops as we are handed a bill. “What’s this for?”

 

“You’ve checked out, so this is for your stay last night. That will be $400 plus tax. Cash or credit.”

 

“Problem?” Ruth’s voice is like a cold bucket of water.

 

“Yes, this bill is the problem! Why are we paying it? I suspect everyone else isn’t.” Lindsay demands, glowering at Ruth.

 

“This is very true. But they were invited…

 

“Justin sent the car.” Lindsay interrupts sharply.

 

“But you told him where to go…so you clearly booked, right?” The look she fixes on Lindsay could stop lava. “Kindly settle the bill so we can get on with the rest of our day. That’s if, of course, you still want to come.” She waits for the bill to be settled and smiles. “Perfect.”

 

Before Lindsay can say anything else, Gus comes running to her. “Mommy! You made it and Uncle Michael too. You’re not going to shout today, are you?” He looks directly at me while I resist the urge to chastise him.

 

“No, I’m not.” I reply as calmly as I can when I hear Emmett laugh and then cough.

 

“Come on people, let’s go!” Ruth calls out.

 

“Yes mommy, let’s go! Gummy’s already in the car Uncle Michael!”

 

Perfection hasn’t begun yet!” Lindsay whispers to me and that is what I hold onto as we follow them out...her name is JR!

 

GUCCI - 90 MINUTES LATER

 

RUTH

 

It is taking everything to keep it together. “You can’t. You really can’t.” I whisper as I look down at the most perfect shoes.

 

“We can. We really can. Excuse me, we’re taking those.” Brian orders.

 

“Wait! And this. You have to have this!” Justin comes running back in with a jacket, a buttery soft dark rose leather biker jacket. “The shoes are from him and this is from me.” He hands it to the assistant.

 

“Daph, for the love of God, how long does it take you to try on a dress?!” Brian shouts.

 

Silence.

 

I spot the exasperation on their faces. “You are the meanest people in the world!” She yells and Brian grins.

 

“And whatever it is she’s bitching about, we’re taking that too.” The assistant nods and goes to help Daphne.

 

ARMANI STORE - TWO HOURS LATER

 

JUSTIN

 

Do not think about how good he looks in those pants.  Do not think about how good he looks in those pants...or where the nearest bathroom is.

 

“Justin!” Ben calls out. “Come, sit next to me. I can definitely tackle you to the ground!”

 

I plonk down next to him with an embarrassed smile. “How can I help it if he looks like that and has improved since he was with you?” I tease.

 

“Hopefully his knot work has improved as well.” He smirks.

 

There has always been something I meant to ask him and now is a good a time as ever. I clear my throat and lean in. “What was it like?” He looks surprised. “Being topped as a top?”

 

“Good. No, that’s not true. He was great! Came once before me and then once after. Never lost his hard on.” He goes a bit pink. “Why do you want to know?”

 

“Be-because well look at you…” I trail off.

 

“He fucked me. He fucked them. But he loves you.” Ben replies “And the fact we’re here in Armani, New York trying on his wedding suit is a testament to that. Down the hall to the left, be quick and I’ll run interference.”

 

I pull out my phone and send a text…

 

HERSHEY’S STORE - TWO HOURS LATER

 

LINDSAY

 

I am exhausted. We seemed to have tramped all over New York and we still haven’t got Gus’s watch or the outfit for Gum...JR. Michael is pouting because he’s seen about four comic book stores but wasn’t allowed in them and now we’re here.

 

Gus has a basket filled to the brim with sweets and chocolate. And as for Justin...well let’s just say I know where all he eats goes. I cringe as he reaches up for some jellybeans and his top rides up causing Brian to stroke the bare skin. Whatever Brian has just said to him gets him to grab some laces too.

 

Hunter is feeding Gum...I mean JR something. “What’s that?” I demand.

 

“Veggie puree and for dessert peach popsicle. Mel, did you hear that?!”

 

“Yes!” She calls back and they all laugh.

 

Why is that funny?!

 

“Guys, I’ll be back. Meet you in the Jomashop, yeah?” Ruth calls out and doesn’t wait for an answer.

 

“What’s wrong with her?” I ask Ben, who’s holding hands with Xavier. I find that particularly tasteless in front of Michael.

 

“She seems fine to me. What time are your flights?”

 

“We’re on the red eye so at eleven. Some of us don’t have the luxury of being able to travel home in an RV so…” Michael snipes and then walks off.

 

“You work for a living and you reap the benefits....imagine that.” Xavier retorts and smiles at Ben. “Speaking of benefits, I think we have a Defcon 3…” He points at Hunter who, I am so happy about this, has a crumpled faced JR in his arms. I wait for the screaming to begin and...nothing. I watch in disbelief as he places JR across one thigh and bounces and there is a little hiccup and then a grin!

 

“Hunter, you’ve done enough today.” Mel comes across. “You and Carmine go…”

 

“Nope, I love spending time with her. Making up, you know. And Mel, yours are in the fridge in your room so let Gummy eat hers.”

 

“Yeah loving you more and more every day! Are you sure?”

 

“About looking after her or what’s in your fridge?” Carmine laughs and that grates on my nerves. I look around for Michael and he’s coming back with two baskets of sweets.

 

“Michael, where the hell are you…”

 

“Oh my God!” Mel gasps and we all look where she’s looking. My heart sinks and soars in equal measure because JR is taking her first steps, but she’s walking towards Hunter.

 

“Come on…” Hunter moves back a few inches. “You can do it…” JR topples forward but after a few minutes, rights herself. With a look of determination, she starts again. “Please tell me someone is getting this!” Hunter sniffs.

 

“We all are…” Brian calls out. “She might not be able to throw flowers but she’s going to walk down that aisle and I don’t care how long it takes!”  

 

When she makes it to Hunter’s outstretched arms and giggles...for fuck sake... he picks her up and the place erupts with applause. Reluctantly, Michael and I join in.

 

“Mommy…” Gus looks so proud. “Gummy walked! Isn’t that great, Uncle Michael?”

 

“Yes great, just great.” Michael smiles but I can see the disappointment in his eyes.

 

JOMASHOP - AN HOUR LATER

 

BRIAN

 

I have seen it, the perfect timepiece that will cover him until he’s in his teens. “Sonny Boy, we need you to come here and sit down, okay?”

 

“Yes daddies.” He trots over almost bursting with excitement. “Is it watch time?”

 

“Yes it is. Now you see this…” I show him an Aerowatch Grand Classic Pilot. “It has a nice big face. But it is going to be too big for your wrist...now don’t get upset. They are going to fix it so that you can wear it as a lapel piece on your suit and when you’re big enough you can wear it. This is what the watch straps are for.”

 

The assistant comes back. “This the young man?” I nod. “Do you have his suit? So we can make it perfect.” Justin puts it on Gus and tells him to stand up straight and stay still.

 

“Hi guys! Sorry, took longer than I thought.” Ruth calls out joining us. “You know the Tower at Carnegie Hall Theatre.”

 

I nod and immediately, a lump forms in my throat. It is one of my favourite buildings and I have always wanted to take Justin there. The only other person who knows that is Ted.

 

“Here you go.” She hands me an envelope and goes to sit with the rest of the group. Gus is still being fitted for his timepiece and my hands are shaking so Justin takes over.

 

“We have to fire Ted.” He whispers as he reads the menu that Ruth is bringing over followed by a show.

 

“After I have hung, drawn and quartered him.” I brush the tear off his face.

 

“Daddies!” Gus comes back puffing out his chest. “Lookit! I’m going to take such good care of it, so pretty!”

 

LULU’S THEN AND NOW - TWO HOURS LATER

 

MEL

 

“Brian!” I laugh. “She doesn’t need that much...never mind, I’ve realised who I am speaking to.”

 

Lindsay and Michael are picking through items and adding them to the pile. Time to investigate what they are putting on there!

 

“Lindsay.” I call out and she smiles as she approaches. “In a few months, this is going to be too small. Why are you getting it now?”

 

“It’s so cute.” She replies tersely.

 

“True. But if you want to get stuff she’s going to grow out of, then it goes in another pile. We’re buying clothes for when she’s two or three. Now let’s sort through it.”

 

Forty minutes later, we are heading to the cars and I have to fight the smile.

 

“Hey Ravi!” Justin calls out. “Okay, you two gorgeous little bubbles, we will see you next weekend.” He kisses a very tired Gus and an almost asleep Gummy.

 

“What’s happening?” Michael asks as he and Lindsay’s cases come out of the car. Followed by the carriers for both of them and also their case.

 

“You wanted to sit with Gus and JR on the plane...has that changed?” I ask.

 

“No but…” He begins.

 

“Then have a safe flight.” I reply.

 

“But I thought you said you wouldn’t let us be alone with them without one of you…” Lindsay is starting to panic as the realisation hits.

 

“Well unless you are going to hijack the plane, it will be fine.” I smile brightly. “And besides, Jennifer and Debs will meet you at the airport to take the kids to their houses and we will pick them up on Tuesday.”

 

“So have a safe flight.” Brian grins at them and between us all, we help them getting Gus and Gummy in the car and after we wave them off, we get into our car.

 

“Everything hurts!” Emmy slumps along one seat pulling off his shoes. “I am in agony!”

 

“Holy fuck, I think my smile is locked on!” Daphne grits out as she stretches her jaw and we actually hear it click.

 

“But it worked!” Brian groans and stretches out, pulling a very tired Justin into his side. He immediately slides his hand under Brian’s top. When Brian covers his hand with his, my smile widens. “Even though I hated shopping like that, it worked!”

 

Ruth yawns and stretches. “Tomorrow morning, it will be lots of lovely spa treatments and then we leave here by two so that we should get back to the Pitts by about eight.”

 

“Great.” I sigh and then giggle. “They are going to be so miserable on that flight!”

 

“Pity.” Ruth grins.

 

AIRPLANE BACK TO PITTSBURGH

 

STEWARDESS

 

“Ma’am, I’m so sorry but you really need to try and quiet her down. This is the red eye and…”

 

“I’m trying!” Passenger 4B tells me, while her companion looks anywhere but at her. “I could walk her around. She was fine until somebody moved her.” She glares at him again before putting her in his lap. “In fact, since you woke her up you can get her back to sleep! I have Gus, my son, to look after!”

 

“He’s already asleep!” He retorts.

 

“And we would like to be too!” A passenger calls out.

 

“Sir please.” I step aside to give him room to come out of his seat. Ten minutes and a clean up later, peace reigns.

 

As I head back to my seat, I heave a sigh of relief and once again wonder why he moved her in the first place!

 

PITTSBURGH AIRPORT - TWO HOURS LATER

 

JENNIFER

 

I watch them struggle through the gates. Both children are sound asleep but the adults look like they’ve been hit by a train and then reversed over.

 

“How was your trip?” I ask, taking Gus from her.

 

“Quick and long at the same time!” She grumbles.

 

“Give me the seat, Michael.” Debs instructs and at first, Gummy shifts but soon settles.

 

As we head to the car park, they trail behind and I pause. “Well, goodnight then.”

 

“Can’t you give us a lift?” Lindsay is almost crying with tiredness.

 

“We really need to get the children in bed as soon as possible, so not really. Goodnight.” I repeat.

 

“Don’t even try it!” Debs tells them, walking quickly to her car without a backward glance.

 

As I strap Gus in, I watch them almost crawl back to the taxi rank and think...well played boys, well played!

 

 

Chapter End Notes:

Please review kindly and constructively. Thanks

You must login (register) to review.