CHAPTER 62 - COMFORT AND JOY - PART 2

CARL

There isn’t a sound, you could actually hear a pin drop if you’re inclined to listen closely. The expression on Justin’s face is like nothing I have ever seen.

“Justin, you seem to…”

“What?” He hisses. “What bullshit are you going to come out with? Tell me, Stage Mother of the Last 7 Months. I seem to have what? For the last time Lindsay, stop trying to live my life! I saw that look when I took Lee away from you. She is our daughter...mine, Brian’s and Ruth’s! You will never be a mother to my children. Or the wife to my husband!”

“Justin. Stop.” Brian orders and he takes Lee off him, who is gurgling happily, seemingly unaffected by Justin’s anger.

“Thank you, Brian.” Lindsay whispers, tears pouring down her face.

“They’re coming back.” He retorts. “And you should be on your knees thanking Gus for loving you still. Because of him, and only him, we haven’t gone for a personal restraining order against you. Now go upstairs and wash away your crocodile tears. And when you come back down, make nice with your little saviour.”

As we hear the bathroom door shut, we all let out the breath we have been holding.

Justin’s shoulders slump and he looks...he looks ashamed. “Listen, Bri how about we look after them for tonight? Just give us their things, you get him home.” Ted asks him. He nods and hands over Harper.

“Come on you, let’s get some fresh air.” Brian starts to lead him out, when Debs stops him.

“No, Brian. Justin come here, come stand right here.” She points to the spot right in front of her. He reluctantly makes his way over. “What the hell do you think you are doing? Why are you ashamed for protecting your children and husband? Now pull yourself together and remember who you are. You are the son of Jennifer Taylor, the husband to Brian Taylor-Kinney, the papa to Gus and the father to Harper and Lee. But more importantly, you are my Sunshine and my Sunshine has never been ashamed and you are not starting that bullshit now!”

It’s very small but there’s a smile. “Okay ma.” He accepts the rib-breaking hug she gives him.

“So we’re not looking after the Caramels then?” Ted asks, his voice tinged with disappointment.

“Oh yes, you are!” Brian smirks. “I have one way to put a smile on his face and an ASPIMA works all the time.” This time the smile on Justin’s face is wider and he relaxes.

“Ruthie! Ruthie!” Gus comes running in, panicked. “It’s Frack. She’s refusing to move and is growly!”

“I don’t want…”

“Quiet!” I bark at Lindsay, who has just returned. “What do you mean growly?” I ask gently.

“She sawed something by a tree when she went pee-pee and now she’s by it and not letting anyone near, not even Frick!”

“Show me!” I demand and follow him out.

GUS

We run as fast as we can back to Uncle Ben and Xavi. Ganka sends them and Gummy back but I want to stay, I’ve never seen Frack like this. “Okay girl, it’s just me. What’s got you so upset?” Ganka asks quietly and slowly Frack starts to move away from whatever it is and he picks it up. “Gus can you run, as fast as you can, and ask Gamma for a box with blankets in?”

“Yes Ganka!” I shout and run to Gamma’s.

When I get there, Leda is doing something with a box and then Ganka comes in.

“Is it okay?” Daph asks with a serious voice.

“Still breathing.” He replies. “I checked around. I couldn’t see any sign of the mother.”

“Give it to me.” She orders and then she does something in the box that I can’t see.

“What’s happening?” I ask daddy.

“Debs! Do you have a pipette?”

“What’s a pip…what Daph said?”

“It’s a very small um…” Daddy stops for a minute. “It’s a little straw that’s small enough for the kitten’s mouth.”

“Kitten?” I gasp. “Frack found a kitten. Can I see?!”

“Not yet Sonny Boy. We need to make sure it is okay.”

“Could it not be okay?” I feel sad.

“It’s very little.” He tells me. “So…”

“It...it could die?”

“Yes it could, but Daph and Leda are doing their very best to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“So Frack was growly because she was trying to keep the kitten safe?”

“Yes she was. You know that she’s a very kind dog. She most probably didn’t want you to hurt the kitten.”

I hold my daddy very tightly and wish very hard that the kitten is going to be okay!

“Gus. Gus. Come on Sonny Boy wake up.” I hear daddy telling me and open my eyes.

“Sorry daddy, I dribbed on you.” I wipe my mouth.

“It’s okay. I don’t mind my favourite boys dribbing on me. Your papa does that a lot.”

I look round the room, Arno and Daph have my Caramels. And Ruthie is sleeping. But where’s the kitten?

“She is upstairs and is doing fine. They have been checking…”

“Her?” I look up at him. “Where’s papa? Where’s momma?”

“Talking to momma with Leda.”

“Well I’m still here, Gus.” Mommy calls out from the other sofa. “Do you want your presents now?”

“Not yet mommy. Can I go see the kitten, daddy?”

“Fizz.” Momma comes in, shaking her head. “I can see how. I had no chance not with two of them.”

Papa and Leda are smiling but I don’t understand why.

“Who is Fizz?” I ask daddy and he’s smiling that papa has got his own way smile.

“Our new kitten.” Momma tells me.

“Our...oh momma, you’re going to take her home tonight? Can we go we go now? Does Gummy know and…”

“Gus, slow down.” Papa laughs. “Fizz needs lots of care and Leda…”

“So with Mel working and you doing whatever it is you…” Mommy sounds funny.

“Mommy, are you okay? Leda is a vet so that means Fizz is going to be looked after really good.”

“I’m fine darling, just a little sad that I haven’t spent much time with you.”

“But I’ve been right here. All you needed to do was talk to me.” I look up at daddy. “Please, daddy, please, can I see Fizz? I will be very quiet.” I beg.

“Sure, let mommy take you up.” He smiles.

“Come on mommy quick!” I tell her and I sigh as she takes her time getting up. “Mommy, please hurry!”

MEL

Ted and Blake had gone home to make up the room for the Caramels and have just texted me. “Teddy is on his way back. Where’d Emmy go?

“Facilities. Unquote.” Leda grins. “I gave him a list. Once we called in Sunshine, it was a matter of time.”

“Xavi and Ben gone to the airport?” I ask and she nods. “She is going to be so pleased.”

“Who is and why?” Lindsay’s bitter and brittle tone slices through the happiness.

“Where’s Gus?” I look around.

“Upstairs with the kitten. Mel, surely your mind is not so full of love that you can’t remember what your son has said.” She looks at Leda with disgust.

Leda rolls her eyes and cracks her knuckles before turning back to Lindsay. “Listen shrewbitch, I am more than a match for you. In fact in certain areas, I surpass your meagre talents. Like Justin said earlier, remember your place and be thankful that Gus wants you in it.”

Lindsay blinks rapidly and is about to say something when the door opens. Debs and Carl comes in along with Emmy, loaded down with cat paraphernalia.

“Please tell me all of that is not coming to my house?” I whimper.

“No silly, some of this is for when Fizz gets bigger.” Emmy replies and starts moving stuff.

“Seriously?!” I look at Justin and Leda and don’t see a speck of guilt. “Come on, at least try to look guilty!”

Ted and Blake come in and for reasons best known to themselves, they are both wearing boiler suits with slings strapped to their chest...the slings still have the price tags on!

“Schmidt, why?” Brian snickers and Justin just shakes his head.

“I want to make sure that…”

“No! Just no!” Justin giggles. “Come on, let’s show you how to put them in the carriers and the slings have to go. Blake you weren’t to know, as they’re prem we prefer them to be in their carriers.” Twenty minutes later, Harper and Lee are off with their uncles.

“So who reckons they will be looking into surrogacy…”

“As long as they look at anywhere but me we’re good. Seriously hurt like the dickens!” Ruth chuckles before closing her eyes again. Although he laughs I see the sadness in Arno’s eyes and make a mental note to speak to Brian tomorrow.

“....or adoption within months of their wedding?” He asks, grinning. “Come on show me the hands.” Every hand, bar Lindsay’s, go up.

“He’d make a great dad.” Brian smiles.

“After all he did…” Lindsay bridles.

“Because of what he did.” Justin snaps. “He came through it all and is a better person for the experience. You’re not over your own addiction and even if you were, you would still be the nasty ass cow that you are now!”

“ASPIMA.” Brian growls and instant silence.

“Said that twice now, hmmm? Okay people, let’s play guess the acronym.” Emmy smiles.

“Wait!” Debs calls from the kitchen. “Okay we’re in. What are we doing?”

“Trying to work out what ASPIMA means.” Leda replies.

“Angry Sunshine’s Prick in My Ass.” Ruth answers, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. “When Justin gets so very cross, Brian let’s him take it out on him. It saves the person who is the cause of his wrath from getting a well-deserved beatdown. Also saves on lawyers and bail money because I doubt very seriously that Justin would willingly go to jail for a love tap.”

“Is that true?” Leda looks from Brian to Justin and back again.

“Yep.” Brian replies, without any embarrassment.

“Hey Gussie. How’s Fizz?” Ruth asks as Gus comes down slowly and carefully with Gummy.

Carl heads to the stairs and waits at the bottom. “Want some help, Gus?”

“No thank you Ganka, but could you stay there?” Carl nods and we wait with bated breath as Gus helps his little sister down the stairs one by one. “Okay, only two more steps Gummy.”

“Did it Gussie! Did it!” Gummy squeals and hugs her brother.

“What is it that you did?” A voice from the door asks.

“HUNNER! HUNNER!” Gummy shouts and runs to him.

“He’s only been away…” Leda begins.

“Yeah less than three days.” I laugh.

“How was Pasadena?” Debs chuckles, kissing his cheek and helping him to loosen Gummy’s grip.

“Fan...fantastic! She’s gotten stronger, I see.” He takes in some much needed air. “Been giving hugging tips, Gamma?”

“Fizz is sleeping Ruthie. Hi Hunner! Carmy!”

“Hey lil bro!” Carmine picks up Gus and gives him a kiss.

As I watch them interact, my gaze falls on Lindsay and she has that malevolent look in her eyes. Okay so like everyone else, I was stunned by Justin’s little speech but he’s always been protective of Brian and Gus. However, like him, I saw the look of outrage in her eyes when he took Lee away from her. Anyone watching her could see the jealousy of Justin and envy of Ruth oozing from her eyes. Somehow, I also know she was wondering why they wouldn’t even have considered her. Except that Brian loves Gus so much, I’m sure that knowing what he knows now about Lindsay, he would have opted to cut off his dick before ever letting his little swimmers near her uterus. Lindsay is just that rotten to the core.

“Okay Sonny Boy, come with us!” Brian orders much to Lindsay’s surprise.

“But Brian, I’ve…”

“We’re just going to say goodbye, then all your attention can centre on Gus, like every good mommy’s should.” Brian interjects and carries Gus outside.

“What happened?” Hunner looks round. “Dad?”

“Tell you when we get home. Okay?” Ben replies and he nods.

Three minutes later, Gus comes back inside. “I can’t believe they let him walk indoors by himself.” Lindsay carps.

“You let him do that plenty of times.” Ruth retorts and Lindsay glares at her. “You knew where he was going so why not follow him and make sure he got back in safely?”

“What are you? Mother of the Year?” Lindsay hisses.

Ruth watches Gus go to the kitchen with Debs to help with dessert before turning to back to Lindsay, with what could only be described as a beatific expression on her face. “Pretty much. Even though I have given up my rights, I am a mother, in spirit, heart and soul. You still have yours, but can you say the same?”

“Gus is the centre of my universe and…”

“What’s he wearing?” Ruth asks and I hear a small snort from Leda.

“What?” Lindsay snaps and tries to turn to the kitchen.

“Oh no, you don’t!” Daph gets up and stands in her line of sight.

“So what is it? Describe in intricate detail what the centre of your universe is wearing. But shouldn’t that be centres? After all Gummy is yours too, right? But you must look at me, into the eyes of the woman that has done the one thing you could never do where those two men are concerned.”

“And what’s that?” She snipes, dismissively.

“Make them both happy.”

“We have pavlova!” Gus announces. “Hunner, can I sit with you and Gummy with Carmy?”

“Sure lil bro!” Hunner gets comfortable and waits for Gus to make his way carefully across.

“Finally Lindsay, you and Gus have something in common.” Daph says only loud enough for us to hear.

“And what is that?” Lindsay looks positively feral!

“He’s not the centre of your universe and you’re not the centre of his.”