Justin watched as Brian was saying the right things and trying not to show how he truly felt about the latest stunt Michael had pulled and including Brian’s sister in his scheme. It was just that Justin knew when Brian was happy, sad, or excited, and he also knew when the man he loved was trying to deal with something on his own. They’d had this discussion, and while they both agreed that anything that involved either of them needed to involve both of them; in this case though, the problem really shouldn’t affect Brian, Justin, and Gus. Then Justin thought about how he would have felt if it had been his sister and someone he thought of as a brother, and would, in the end, affect Brian’s surrogate mother. With his mother and step-mother being friends with Deb, Justin’s family was concerned. 

Jen didn’t like the way Deb was going to end up responsible for another one of Michael’s idiotic ideas. None of them could figure out why Michael thought this would bring Brian back to where Michael wanted him. She and Deb went in search of Claire, and on Deb’s suggestion wanted to see what Joan knew. Justin went with them, not to introduce himself to the woman who gave birth to the man he loved, but out of curiosity. Justin didn’t feel the need to inform Joan of Brian’s current life since Justin knew that Brian didn’t have any interest in her knowing about either him or Gus. When the door opened Justin studied Joan Kinney, looking for Brian in the woman who bore him, meanwhile watching Joan’s look of disgust when she saw Deb standing there. She looked even less happy to see Jen and didn’t even look at Justin. Joan looked past them as if worried about people seeing them on her doorstep. When Justin looked around he did notice people looking, but almost as if they were confused that someone was standing on Joan Kinney’s sagging porch. They were reluctantly let in, and Joan pretty much seemed to know why they were there.

“I will not be saddled with another child from that worthless daughter of mine,” Joan told Deb.

“I’ll gladly help with the child. It’s not the baby’s fault that the parents are greedy, selfish human beings.” Deb told her.

“Claire told me Brian talked them both into it. It would be just like him to cause problems and run away from them.” Joan told her.

It took everything in Justin not correct Joan, but he had the feeling it would fall on deaf ears. He stood silently behind his mother and Deb, looking around and trying to find pictures of Brian as a child. Which wasn’t likely when the walls were covered in religious icons and crosses. The empty liquor bottles and the fact that she smelled like a distillery pretty much made talking to her fruitless. 

“Brian has nothing to do with what your daughter and Deb’s son did.” Jen corrected her, not liking anyone throwing blame at Brian.

“Who is she?” Joan asked Deb, completely ignoring Jen.

“I can speak for myself, and my name happens to be Jennifer Taylor. Before you question my place to say anything to you, I happen to know Brian quite well and I also know he didn’t ask for what Claire and Michael cooked up all on their own for their own reasons.” Jen told her.

“Michael and Claire came up with this all on their own. I’m worried about the baby, and the fact that Brian doesn’t need to end up trying to deal with this when he has his own family. Between the two best friends, I’m not sure which one was worse.” Deb told her.

“If Brian had done right by Lindsay…” Joan started to say before Deb raised her hand to stop the morality speech.

“Brian didn’t ask for what Lindsay did, but then you probably approved since you did the same thing to trap your husband,” Deb told her.

“At least if he had done the right thing he would have followed God’s path,” Joan told her.

“Really? Was that how you rationalized getting pregnant to land a husband? That you followed God’s path. I never read that passage in the bible.” Deb told her.

“Why are you here?” Joan asked, changing the subject.

“I want you to deliver a message to your daughter. Tell her that this child will not be used to hold another man hostage. In this case, my son and your daughter are the only ones who will support this child. I will not help in any way unless the child is in my care. This will not open Brian’s wallet or his life to either of them.” Deb told her.

“And I care, why?” Joan asked them, opening the door.

“I didn’t think you did if it didn’t involve Brian supporting you. But you help them and that’s likely the last time Brian will supplement your income.” Deb told her.

“He needs to remember that I’m still his mother,” Joan told her as if that meant eternal support from Brian.

“Why would he, when you forgot that part of being a mother was protecting your son?” Deb asked her.

“In comparison to the child you raised, I don’t think you have room to talk.” Joan sneered.

Jen pulled Deb out the door when she started charging toward Joan. It wasn’t the easiest thing to do, but Jen managed to keep them apart. Justin slowly walked behind them, taking in the house and the woman who gave him Brian. He had no plans to confront her or even talk to her, but he just couldn’t walk off without saying anything.

“If you really object to Brian’s life, then you should trust in God to take care of you, and not the sinner you think Brian is,” Justin told her.

“Honor your mother,” Joan told him, shaking her fist at him.

“Yes, I’ve read that quote too. But it doesn’t say ‘pay for your mother’, but then I’m sure you think it does.” Justin told her.

“Who are you to think you can have an opinion on my arrangement with MY SON,” Joan asked.

“Your future son-in-law,” Justin told her with a smirk, leaving her standing there in shock.

Justin walked toward Deb and Jen, who were both laughing when Joan turned grey and didn’t seem to know what to say to that. Justin stopped and turned, staring at Joan when she rushed off the porch, intent on raining fire and brimstone on him.

“Before you even think that anything you say would matter to me, it won’t. Because I have a feeling that Brian and I going to hell would be better than spending one day in heaven with you.” Justin told her, leading his mother and Deb to the car.

Brian’s mood improved when Gus was confused at how Colin was his uncle when he was younger than Gus. Craig sat with Gus on his lap and explained it, letting Gus ask any questions he had. 

Brian wanted answers too and knew it would be easier to get them with Deb, Jen, and Justin gone. Craig understood and didn’t stop Brian from leaving and trying to get answers. 

Claire still lived in the same house with John and Peter. Brian hadn’t really seen the boys after they made their feelings clear about Brian’s lifestyle and his lack of donating to them like a charity. John opened the door, looking almost relieved to see Brian. It got even more confusing when Peter smiled as if Brian being there was an answer to some prayer.

“Where’s your mother?” Brian asked.

“We don’t know,” John told him, sitting down next to Peter.

“Is she coming home soon?” Brian asked.

“We don’t know, she doesn’t really tell us.” Peter blurted out.

“She acts like we don’t exist anymore. Apparently having this baby is going to give her the life our worthless father didn’t.” John mumbles.

“How long have you two been left alone?” Brian asked, not sure if he wanted the answer.

“She comes by long enough to drop off food and make sure no one thinks we’re alone,” Peter told Brian, as John tried to stop him.

“Do you know anything about where she is?” Brian asked.

“She showed up yesterday, saying she needed to find the guy who told her that you wanted a baby. Then she said something about she better get what she was promised.” Peter told him, ignoring John.

“I already know they think I’m going to support them and the kid. Which isn’t something I agreed to.” Brian told them both.

“We can’t do it,” John told him.

“Why would you think you would have to?” Brian asked.

“Because who else will? My mother, who doesn’t even take care of us?” John said sarcastically.

Brian felt a headache coming on in the form of two nephews who never liked him. But he couldn’t leave them there. 

“Do me a favor and pack some things for a few days until I find out what’s going on,” Brian told them, knowing he needed Justin here.

“Where are we going?” Peter asked, not at all upset to be leaving.

“I need to talk to a couple of people first, then I’ll have an answer,” Brian told them.

Brian was thankful for the first time that Mel knew family law backward and forward. When he called her, she didn’t sugar coat the next steps and told him to stay there while she made a call and then she would be on her way. Brian wasn’t sure what the plan would be, he only knew that he couldn’t leave them on their own. When he called Justin and explained the situation, Justin just asked for the address. When the police arrived with child services in tow, John and Peter were asked questions, which Peter answered when John wouldn’t.

Looking through the kitchen, they found that Claire at least made sure there was food. What she didn’t seem to understand was the boys were too young to be left to fend for themselves. John didn’t understand why it was a big deal since he always took care of Peter when Claire wasn’t around. Justin arrived in time to hear John tell them that and tried not to show how upset he was at John’s warped thinking.

Mel pulled them both to the living room, and John gave the police officer the number Claire left for them to call her on. Even from the living room Brian and Justin could hear Claire yelling, wanting to know what the boys did, before hanging up after the cop told her it was about her children being left alone without a parent. 

Claire showed up an hour later with Michael in tow. Both tried to convince the police and child services that John and Peter were lying. They even tried to play that they were a couple, with Claire complaining that the boys were jealous of the baby and trying to cause problems. Michael couldn’t take his eyes off Brian and got angry when he repeatedly whispered to Justin, ignoring Michael. Claire was sobbing as if she was the victim, and that’s when John broke.

“Give it a rest, Mother, the only thing you care about is making Uncle Brian pay, the same way you said our dad should have to for making you put up with us,” John said, sounding tired and like the ten-year-old he was.

“That’s not true, he didn’t want to be a father, but I refused to give you two up,” Claire told him.

“I know, if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have been born. You tell me that every day, along with how I should be thankful that you didn’t let him convince you to abort me.” John told her.

Justin felt Brian stiffen, and made Brian look at him. Justin didn’t know what caused Brian’s reaction, but he didn’t like the look in Brian’s eyes.

“It’s what my mother always said to me,” Brian whispered to him.

“And Claire uses it the way your mother did?” Justin asked, knowing the answer.

“What are you even doing here?” Claire asked, redirecting her anger. “I bet he came here and made my boys lie,” Claire said in the direction of the police officer, pointing at Brian.

“He came to find you. I just told him the truth, that you barely come home.” Peter told him.

“I’m not allowed to have a life?” Claire asked, stalking over Peter.

“Mrs. Townson, we are concerned and have asked a few neighbors, who all corroborate what the boys have been telling us. They’ve noticed the boys are alone more often than not. What we’d like to do is sit down and explain exactly how this works.” The child services worker, Amy didn’t get that Claire wasn’t going to believe anything she did was wrong.

“The neighbors have always hated me, and my brother would do anything to make me look bad,” Claire told her.

“Your brother hasn’t said anything to us. This is about you and the boys, and from what I’m seeing and hearing, the boys aren’t being taken care of, but instead, are having to take care of themselves.” She told Claire.

“I’m all they have. My mother is a drunk, their father a deadbeat, and their uncle doesn’t give a shit about any of us. Brian owes me and Michael for this baby, but like everything else in his life he ignores his responsibilities and runs off to play house away from us. Why I’m surprised is anyone's guess. He can help Mother get her sherry, but not make sure my boys have what they need.” Claire ranted.

The police officers and Amy were confused at why Claire seemed to expect Brian to support her children. 

“I don’t think I understand why Mr Kinney should be responsible for supporting your children. Could you please explain that to me?” Amy asked.

“He owes it to us.” Michael butted in.

“Actually Brian doesn’t owe you anything, and trust me if you two try to blackmail him into supporting this latest stunt you pulled you’ll be dealing with me,” Mel told them.

“Blackmail?” Amy asked.

“I’ll explain it later if the two of them pursue this. Right now we need to know what you plan to do with the boys.” Mel told her.

“Until we investigate, the boys will have to be removed from your care,” Amy told Claire, gently.

“There is nothing to investigate, I’m here and the boys need to tell you the truth!” Claire told her.

“Do you really want me to?” Peter asked, staring down Claire.

“I guess you boys like staying with your grandmother.” Claire threatened, making Amy frown.

“Get your hands off him,” Michael said, charging at Justin, who was holding Brian’s hand.

“Michael!” Claire shrieked.

“I’m sick and tired of not getting what should have been mine. I’ve put up with you demanding to stay anywhere but with your brats. Then you couldn’t even do what I told you and make sure this blond shit understands it’s time to get out of Brian’s life. I’ve had to deal with fucking Lindsay’s parents just to get the information on where MY boyfriend is.” Michael ranted.

“I thought you two were trying to convince everyone you were a couple.” Mel smarted off.

“Fuck you too! If you’d given Lindsay what she wanted, she wouldn’t have thought that having Brian’s kid was her ticket to his money.” Michael shouted at her, as he was escorted out of the house.

“Just take them to their grandmother. Maybe some time with my mother the drunk will make them see how good they had it here.” Claire told Amy, stomping to her bedroom and slamming the door.

“What happens to us now?” Peter asked Brian nervously.

“Is it true what she said about the grandmother?” Amy asked.

“It’s probably the only truthful thing she said,” Brian told her, looking to Justin.

“We could take them tonight. We don’t live here, but my family won’t mind. We could take them to live with us but we live in Chicago and I don’t know if that makes a difference.” Justin told her.

“They both have the means to bring the boys back anytime they need to be here if they take the boys with them. I talked to the judge who is helping them in with an adoption, and they are qualified to foster. I can have anything you need to be faxed to you tonight.” Mel told Amy.

“It would be easier on the boys to be with someone they know,” Amy told them.

“I’ll call Reese and see if we can locate their father. He didn’t leave because of you boys.” Brian told John and Peter.