- Text Size +

CHAPTER 67 - THE BEGINNING OF THE END AND THE START OF THE BEGINNING

 

BRITIN - FIVE MINUTES LATER

 

MASTER BEDROOM

 

JUSTIN

 

We have silly grins on our faces as we read the response from Debs and Carl, well, mostly Carl as Debs couldn't see through her tears. They love it and have been speaking to Mel. She knows a judge who deals with adult adoptions, and has agreed to finalise the papers. So, in three short weeks, he will have the mum and dad he deserves. I wipe away the thing in his eye and hand him his spray for his blocked nose. We sit for a few minutes in silence just taking in the enormity of what has happened...what will happen.

 

“So our ceremony…” He begins as he puts the spray down. “...what are we going to have?”

 

“Have?” I am a bit surprised by the question and the lack of pouncing!

 

“Hmm. And do I ask them now or when we officially marry?”

 

“Ask them? Who are you…” I just gaze at him for a few seconds. “...you would do that?” I whisper, feeling choked.

 

“We may be an unconventional couple, but the tradition is that I ask for the hand in marriage from the father first and get the approval of his sister.”

 

I sit astride him and brush my fingers through his hair. “When we get married, and I will ask too.”

 

“To quote you, giving a starving dog a bone. So what…”

 

“Pouncing and nailing. As in you should be doing this now.”

 

“How remiss of me…” He murmurs against my lips before sucking my bottom lip into his warmth. He suckles and swipes before nipping gently, and finally, I mean seriously, kissing me deeply. Judging by that chuckle down my throat, he could feel my keenness! “No hair pulling…” He protests softly.

 

“No more teasing.”

 

“I am trying to build up to a deep, hot, juicy love making, and you are complaining about the prelude.

 

“Fine…” I fling myself onto my back. “...do with me what you will.”

 

“Are you pouting, Jiggle? He leans over me then bumps my nose with his. “Are you?”

 

“Well…” I nip his chin, and then almost scream when he slowly rises then stands by the side of the bed, just staring at me. I feel myself getting a weird combination of turned on and embarrassed, such is the intensity of his gaze.

 

He strokes my ankle, his touch jolts through me. He slides out of his boxers and I reach for mine, but he shakes his head. Slowly he reaches for the waistband and then goes at a snail’s pace, peeling them off me.

 

“Do you remember our best of six? His breath is warm, no, scorching, in my ear. I can only nod. “...want five edges then a final push by the Kinney cock?”

 

“Ye…” His mouth is ravenous, his tongue duelling with mine. He holds my head in position, and I almost swoon as his fingers twist and tease my nipples. He shifts to the side and pushes his leg between mine, then rubs his knee against my balls in tandem with his twisting. I moan and groan in delight, and soon the familiar feeling starts to throb and he slowly eases off.

 

“One…” He murmurs.

 

NINETY MINUTES LATER

 

BRIAN

 

We are covered with sweat, pre-cum, and love bites. What started off as me wanting to edge him turned into a reciprocation session instead...after the nipple and ball play, the feather light touches on the perineum almost sent him over the edge, but for me it was almost touching the hot spot. When I was rimming him he almost bit through the pillow, but now having twisty fingered each other, we have reached the point of almost no return.

 

I look over my shoulder at him as he feasts his eyes on my quivering hole. I am about to chivvy him along when he starts to sink into me, inch by slow inch. And then he stops and withdraws just as slowly.

 

“Sorry. I am so sorry!” He whispers fearfully. “I…”

 

“What the hell were you thinking?!” I hiss as I turn to face him.

 

“Brian...”

 

“Justin?!” I can’t believe he has just done that! “Well?!”

 

“I…” He takes a breath. “...honestly thought I had one on.” I raise my eyebrows, but then he shows me the condom packet and we both stare at each other.

 

“Where is it?” I feel like a shit but I see understanding in his eyes.

 

“I put it on, was looking at you and then…” He looks thunderously at me as I slowly withdraw my hand from his crotch. “...I can’t believe you!” He leaps off the bed and gapes at my grin. “Time and place! And that is not right now! There is nothing for you to be…” He stops and peers at my hand, specifically what is dangling between my thumb and forefinger.

 

“Lookie what I found....” I roll my lips in.

 

“Is that...it?” He sits back down and takes the remains of the condom then scrutinises it. “It broke?”

 

“Uh huh. Seems you had a growth spurt...”

 

“Brian!” He snorts and starts to giggle, soon we are both hooting in the mattress with laughter. “I think…” He gasps out before pushing me on my back, then resting on my chest and grinning “...that we should clean up and…”

 

“I am sorry. For thinking…” I kiss his hand.

 

“I know. I would've reacted the same.” We gaze at each other and I sigh then brush his cheek.

 

“How’d it feel?”

 

“Hot and perfect” He replies quietly. “How was it for you?”

 

“A brief but exquisite glimpse into our future. I mean, if you…”

 

“We can get tested tomorrow and put a rush on it…”

 

“Phone!” I order, and his smile lights up the room.

 

MEL’S COTTAGE - TWO WEEKS LATER, LUNCHTIME

 

LOUNGE

 

MEL

 

This is a new low. I read the email again and my heart sinks further. “Okay, Marcus, time to show him what time it is!” I reach for my phone and call the one person I thought I would never call again. The speed of the pick up somehow fills me with confidence. “Hi, how are you?”

 

KINNETIC - TUESDAY LUNCHTIME

 

BRIAN’S OFFICE

 

CYNTHIA

 

I had said to Hunter it was too good to be true. I know that shithead too well. When he goes quiet, it means something bad, and I was right. We are all simmering with annoyance, well most of us, Brian is flat out raging and Ems is on the cusp of calling his Dom friends to get them to fetch him! But Mel has called us here because she has something to tell us.

 

“The incompetency hearing is tomorrow.” Mel continues. “But he will not get anywhere. How he got someone to write this up will be one of life’s mysteries, but rest assured, nothing will come of it!”

 

“How do you know?” Carl strokes Debs’s arm. “Like you said, he got this written up.”

 

“Nothing will come of it. Now the other reason I wanted to talk to you is because of the wedding. I know you said you were going to have it at Britin, but…”

 

“Nah, guvnor, not anymore…” Benson interrupts as he paces. “...the old man wants it at our gaff. No disrespect meant, but he can get in there. I mean, that's how he heard about it in the first place, right?”

 

Brian rubs his temple then nods, I can't help the sad smile as Justin hands him his spray. How many silent tears has he shed over the actions of that punk? Those were angry and frustrated ones, and whilst these are the same, they are also ones of sadness, and disbelief that he could hurt his Ma like this.

 

“So have it at the palace, and, in the highly unlikely event of him remembering where it is, we’ve got a couple of new and not quite trained pups…” This at least raises smiles. “...so, we good with this? Carl? Debs? The whole shebang at the palace?”

 

“Yes.” Debs replies quietly. “Now can we talk about something else?”

 

ALLEGHENY COURTHOUSE - TUESDAY MID-MORNING

 

COURTROOM FOUR

 

JUDGE FRANKLIN

 

I read the papers again and look at the petitioner and sigh. “Mr Grassi, can you tell me in your own words, why you feel that Miss Grassi is mentally incompetent and should not be allowed to adopt Mr Kinney.”

 

“She has clearly not thought this through, and her behaviour leading up to this has been erratic to say the least.” He looks across the table at his mother and Det. Horvath. “He has…”

 

“Examples of this erraticness, please.”

 

“”She is marrying him, and…” He pauses at the knock on the door and my clerk pokes his head around.

 

“The witness is in place.”

 

“Thanks, Jack. Mr Grassi, I haven't heard or read anything that says she is not in control of her faculties, but what I can see is that you resent what she is doing.”

 

“What she does is no longer my concern…”

 

“Then why are you doing this, if you are no longer concerned with her actions?”

 

“I don't want Mr Kinney to be disappointed when she tires of him. She has cast me out…”

 

“You told her to choose between you and Carl! You spat at him! You tore up the picture of you and her and...”

 

“Sir, please remain calm and sit back down.” I order firmly, and wait for him to do so. “Please state your name. Your comments need to be attributed to…”

 

“Emmett Honeycutt.”

 

“Thank you. Now I have statements that attest not only to her sanity but also to her kindness and support of others, whereas I have nothing that suggests you have learned from her knee.” The people surrounding her frown and look at each other, all except Melanie Marcus. I press the intercom. “Please connect us.” The screen comes on and there are gasps. He looks surprised but somewhat pleased. “Good morning, Lindsay Peterson, is that correct?”

 

“Yes, Your Honour…”

 

“There is no need for you to address me like that, it is a pre-hearing. I understand you wish to make a statement regarding Miss Grassi.”

 

“Yes.” She looks at her and sighs. “There is nothing wrong with her apart from not putting a stop to his behaviour a long time ago. If anyone is mentally incompetent, it is him. The things he has done to her since he and Mr Kinney returned from their trip, which he lied to go on...”

 

“May I have examples?”

 

“Yes. For instance, the invoices he prepared for them both for things he paid for, which only he benefited from.”

 

AN HOUR LATER

 

MEL

 

“The last debacle was when he allowed himself to be led through their rehearsal dinner naked and on a leash.”

 

“A leash?” Judge Franklin repeats, then moves further away from Michael. “And naked?”

 

“If I could be allowed to explain that. You see…” He starts to babble.

 

“No, you can't. I have heard more than enough to throw out this spurious and envy-based petition. I suggest you get help for your emotional issues, Mr Grassi, as Miss Peterson has stated you are the problem, not her. Thank you, Miss Peterson, you have been very helpful. You may leave if…”

 

“Thank you. And I am sorry for my part in causing you all problems. I wish you good luck in the future.” With a tiny smile and a small wave, she is gone.

 

“Miss Grassi and Detective Horvath, I am sorry you had to go through this, but due process had to be followed,”

 

“We understand.” Carl nods and everyone looks stunned but relieved while he looks shell-shocked. “Can we go now?”

 

“No, not yet, there is one more thing, I mean things.” He shuffles through the papers and I try not to cry. “Ah, this is it. Who is going to witness it?”

 

“Ted Schmidt and Emmett Honeycutt.” I answer, and reach for the paper. “You need to sign the bottom here and here.” I take out a Mont Blanc pen bought especially for the occasion. “Guys, come on and sign.”

 

“What is…” Ted begins and then gapes before looking at me. “...now? They are doing it now?”

 

“Yes, now. I thought it would be best to get it sorted out before he tries to do anything else.”

 

“Mel?” Carl looks astonished. “Is this the…”

 

“Yes, Det Horvath, I am the Judge that is going to notarise and arrange for the filing of your adoption of Brian Aiden Kinney.”

 

“Where do I sign again?!” Emmett squeals, and snatches the pen off of Ted, who is in tears, and that sets me off.

 

“There.” I sniff.

 

“Ted.” Blake jabs him, and he shakily signs.

 

“Now. I, Judge Richard Franklin, hereby recognise, formalise and notarise the adoption of Brian Aiden Kinney by Deborah Jane Grassi, and, also in her soon-to-be married name, Deborah Jane Horvath, and Carl Horvath. Congratulations, it’s a boy!” He grins at them and there is a crash as Michael passes out. “One minute. Jack…” He calls through the intercom. “...can you send for an ambulance? Mr Grassi has fainted.”

 

“Yes, of course. I will be right in!” Jack replies.

 

“Let’s go to my chambers and finish this off.”

 

CHAMBERS OF JUDGE RICHARD FRANKLIN - 10 MINUTES LATER

 

EMMETT

 

“You are shitting me?!” Debs gasps clutching Carl’s hand and it takes some strong tugging from him to get her to let go. “We’re…”

 

“I am not. He’s all yours.” Judge Franklin smiles. He looks over the papers one more time before handing them to her. “These are your copies. Mr Kinney, would you like a set?”

 

Brian has not said anything since we came into the courthouse. Michael kept side eyeing him, but he didn’t even look at him.

 

“Yes. I mean yes, please.”

 

“I know you are in shock. After all that has happened today, but it’s all good news, and you have Melanie to thank, and…”

 

“Lindsay.” She adds, and rubs Brian’s arm, he is starting to tremble. “I couldn’t believe it when she said she would speak on your behalf. I think the sea air quite agrees with her.”

 

“Whe...when did you call her?” I ask, still stunned by her coming down on Brian and Debs’s side.

 

“When Del found out that this was going through the system, I called everyone on The Avenue for statements but knew I needed something stronger to refute what little he had. And who better than his ex-co-conspirator?”

 

“Brian, you okay?” Justin takes the papers from him and turns his head to face him. “Are you okay?”

 

“Yeah, I have a mom, a dad, my son and you, what else could I want?”

 

“Very good answer.” He grins. “And it comes in threes…”

 

“What does?” He is beginning to smile.

 

“Good news. You also won the first prize of the bursary for the competition. Found out just before we came in.”

 

“What?! You are kidding me?!” Brian stands up and then sits back down again. “I think I am going to faint!”

 

Our laughter is cut off by a sharp rap on the door and Jack comes in looking dour. “I am sorry to interrupt, but Mr Grassi has come around now. There was no need for an ambulance.”

 

“Great. Thanks for letting me know.”

 

“But he’s refusing to leave.”

 

Angry sighs abound.

 

“Okay, I have had enough of this shit! Where is he?!” Brian barks.

 

“Still in the room.” Jack swallows hard.

 

“Right, excuse me, let me handle this!” He orders and takes off his jacket, carefully hanging it over a chair. “Won’t be long!”

 

“Mr Kinney,  perhaps it would best if…” Judge Franklin begins.

 

But Brian is taking off down the corridor. Justin is in hot pursuit, followed by the rest of us, but because of the head start and his long legs he reaches the courtroom a few seconds before we do and then we hear it.

 

“Michael Charles whatever the fuck you call yourself, you are under citizen’s arrest!”

 

“Don’t talk crap! You can’t...what are you doing?!” He demands nervously as Brian rolls up his sleeves.

 

“Arresting you like I said, and I am allowed to use reasonable force.”

 

MICHAEL

 

I take a step backwards and almost fall against the chair, but just about keep upright then get behind it, holding it like a shield. “Keep away from me!”

 

“Nope! You have had this coming for a long time!” Brian snatches the chair out of my grasp and steps closer. “I am looking forward to this!”

 

“Brian, listen to me...” Carl begins. “...I do not want my first duty as your father to be arresting you, especially over him. Calm down and step away.”

 

“You are very lucky, you know that?” Brian sighs and starts to walk back around the table to the door. “Very lucky.”

 

“Lucky? How the hell am I lucky?! All I want is a life with you! After all we did for you, isn't that what I deserve?!”

 

“No.” Brian sneers. “I am not a trophy that you win!”

 

I throw my hands up in frustration. “We provided you with shelter, love, friendship and support. Don’t I deserve something for all of…”

 

“No.” Ted snaps. “He is not some trinket for you to dangle from your arm! You did not provide shelter or give him sanctuary, his Mom and Uncle did! You did not even give him friendship, you did fake brinkmanship. Now, we were leaving, we have the wedding to finalise, a birthday party to arrange and lives to lead without your malevolent presence.”

 

“Malevolent?! Oh, big fancy words you use. I can come and go as I please, and if that just so happens to be near any of you, well…”

 

“Can anybody hear anything?” Brian interrupts. “Or see anybody in the room?”

 

“Oh how childish! You are going to pretend I don’t exist…” My fury starts to mount as they all follow Brian out, storming into the corridor I feel revulsion as she links arms with him and calls him her beautiful boy. “He's not beautiful! He is an ugly bastard who…”

 

“Mr Grassi.” I turn at the voice and find myself looking at Backroom Bottom Boy Todd. “What are you shouting for?”

 

“None of your business!” After I rush back into the room to gather my things so I can catch up to them, I hear the door click shut and find him leaning in front of it, his eyes trained on me. “And you are doing what exactly?” I sneer as I approach him. “Move out of the way, I have things…”

 

“The only way I'm going to move is if you make me.” When he pulls himself up from his leaning position, I am thrown to find that he is taller than me and there is a coldness in his eyes that I am not comfortable with. “It is time for you and I to have a very long and much overdue talk…”

 

 

 

Chapter End Notes:

Please review kindly and constructively. Thanks.

You must login (register) to review.