Emmett was really enjoying spending time with Becca and Will. They were the kind of parents Emmett used to pretend were his. They had talked to Drew and weren’t angry, just concerned about him. They reminded him a few times that their love wasn’t conditional and their support would never be in question. Then they explained to Emmett so he’d understand that even if they hadn’t liked him, they would have supported anyone Drew loved, but were already happy with the changes they saw when he was with Emmett. Becca also let Emmett know that now he was part of their family and he was included in their support for loving Drew. Becca was actually extremely angry about Bellwether’s campaign to smear Emmett and wanted to know why it was all about Emmett and not Brian.
“Brian might have been wild but for the most part he tried to stay out of the spotlight because of his son. I didn’t have anyone who would care what I did. I didn’t think about how my life would look in print. It’s just that in the past it fed into the rockstar image and it couldn’t hurt anyone since I really only had Brian and Ted to worry about. I’m more upset about how it affects Drew’s image.” Emmett told her.
“None of the articles even hint at some of the wilder things that are out there, and there isn’t anything you did that was worse than any other person who was single and carefree.” Becca told him.
“I never really saw the reason to do drugs, and drinking meant dying the next day when we needed to work. Brian dabbled for a while but we watched another guy go down that road and what it did to not just his band but everyone who worked for them. Brian and I agreed it wasn’t something either of us wanted. It never made much sense to me to get everything you dreamed of only to lose it, and we also didn’t want Ted to have to deal with more than what he already did for us.” Emmett told her.
“Drew told us you and Brian put a lot of trust in Ted.” Becca told him.
“Brian and I both sort of feel like shit that we kept our personal lives a secret from him. Not that he even got upset over it. He just dropped everything and once again was there for both of us. I’m just glad I don’t have to deal with the crazy the way Brian and Justin are having to live right now.” Emmett told her.
“What would you call Bellwether?” Becca asked, smiling as she watched her husband direct her sons setting up for the bonfire.
“Nothing new in my world. He isn’t doing anything any other sleazy reporter wouldn’t do. He’s just aiming it at me, since he screwed up listening to an ex-employee of ours with Brian and Justin. Bellwether was smarter this time, since everything he printed about me was the truth at the time it happened. And while I hope our real fans aren’t taken in by the bullshit he prints, I think part of the problem is that Brian and I have been silent beyond the first articles. I have an interview planned when I get back, so we’ll see how it goes.” Emmett told her.
“If you wouldn’t mind, Will and I would love to be there for it. I want to make sure the article includes that Will and I support you too.” Becca told him.
*********************************************
Brian decided to go ahead and talk to Mel about what they’d need to do to get started in finding a surrogate. Brian wanted to do it now since he’d be busy working with Ted when they got back to Pittsburgh. If they could get everything started, then he could also work it out so he could be off to help Justin with the baby and do the things he missed with Gus, being on the road. Justin and Molly sat with Brian as he made the call, putting it on speaker so they could answer anything Mel needed them to.
“Are you sure this is the way you want to go?” Mel asked Brian.
“We have sperm and egg, all that’s left is where to put it.” Brian joked.
“Does Molly really understand what she’s offering you. I’m not trying to tell you it’s a bad idea, it’s just she’s young and making a decision that she could regret later.” Mel pointed out.
“It’s not something I said yes to just because Brian and Justin wanted a child. I said yes because while I love kids, I really love my freedom more. If I decide later that I want kids of my own, I’ll still be able to have them.” Molly told her.
“I need to make sure you understand this child will be Brian and Justin’s when it’s born, and I’ll be asking you to sign away any rights to the child or children. You won’t be the baby’s mother if you regret your decision later in life.” Mel explained to her.
“I won’t because I’ll always be Aunt Molly, and that’s enough for me. I understand that I might one day change my mind and decide children are worth giving up my freedom for, and if that happens I want a child with the person who I share my life with, not with my brother-in-law. I didn’t offer just because Justin told me they were talking about having a child, it was something I’ve thought about since Brian and Justin got married. I wanted to help them have a child that was part of both of them, so I waited until Justin brought it up to offer what I’d already thought about and decided to do if given the chance. We can sign everything as soon as you want us to, that’s how sure I am about it. We can even make Brian and Justin the owners of all the eggs I donate in case they want more kids.” Molly told her.
“Are you sure you don’t have any questions about it?” Mel asked.
“I’m sure. I have an appointment with my doctor for a check-up. After I get through I am going to talk to him about what the next step is, and from there I’d get with Brian and Justin to mix up our babymakers.” Molly said, giggling as Justin hugged her.
“One other thing before we go.” Brian interrupted. “Is there a way that the surrogate doesn’t have to know that Justin and I are going to be the fathers?”
“If you want it that way, it can be done. It’s probably better if you do it that way with everything else going on. I can hire someone to go to the appointments with her and report back to you if you guys what me to.” Mel answered, understanding why Brian would want to do it that way.
“I just don’t want to deal with it somehow getting leaked that Justin and I are having a baby.” Brian told her.
“It wouldn’t help with the Michael/Collier situation, which we need to talk about.” Mel told him.
“If you’re done with me, I can take Gus over to Emmett’s.” Molly offered, to give them privacy.
Brian and Justin waited until Molly and Gus were out the door before telling Mel to go ahead.
“How did the counseling go?” Brian asked first.
“Pretty much as expected, but they’re only doing it to keep with the agreement Collier’s mother made with Deb and Jennifer. Alex can’t tell us specifics due to patient/doctor confidentiality, but the feeling I got was neither of them were convincing anyone they are a couple. Leda got some information that worries me. Collier’s done this before with a tutor, but at the time his grandfather was still around to keep Collier in line. The parents are more interested in distancing themselves from Collier. So they won’t be any real help if he goes off the rails.” Mel told them.
“What about Michael?” Justin asked.
“Michael’s predictable in a way Collier isn’t, which is why I’m not as worried about Michael.” Brian told him.
“Brian’s right, Michael is the kind of guy who doesn’t think anything through. Collier seems to know how to stay on the right side of the law. Nothing he’s done so far is anything we can do anything about. So far all he’s accomplished is ruining Lynette’s wedding and the Peterson’s standing at the club. My only concern is that eventually he might escalate, and we need to make sure Justin’s out of reach for him.” Mel told them.
“I’m not going to do anything but what Corey tells me to.” Justin assured her.
“One other thing. Brandon is trying to get the scoop about Michael and Collier. If he can convince his editor to run it he can also offer them money for an exclusive. The only thing that worries me about it is that right now Collier’s family is keeping him on a budget, but depending on how much the paper values the story it could mean another way for them to get more money. I can’t stop Collier, but Michael is still under the NDA, so he risks a lawsuit if he talks about Brian or Emmett and gets paid for it.” Mel told them.
“Anything else?” Brian asked.
“Lindsay and I were going to ask if you could keep Gus until we work out our problems.” Mel asked him.
“Even though Justin and I could put him danger?” Brian asked sarcastically.
“She knows better now.” Mel answered.
“You mean right now she’s saying the right things.” Brian countered.
“If that’s what you want to believe, I can understand why you do. I’m still dealing with her reasoning for why she cheated on me.” Mel told him.
“Whatever you decide to do, I’ll support YOU.” Brian told her.
“Thank you for always supporting me. I’ll call you if you need to know anything.” Mel told him, hanging up.
******************************************
Justin sat with Gus, as Brian, Emmett, Ben, and Blake took turns singing for everyone. Nell knew all the words to every song and hummed along with them. Drew’s brother and Molly were collecting shells to show Nell, who’d made Brian a necklace out of a sand dollar, which apparently was her way of showing she liked someone. Emmett commented that Nell was still looking for his shell, and told them about Nell.
Justin liked Drew’s parents, wishing his parents had stuck around to meet them, but they were planning to come back with them once they returned to Pittsburgh, to show support for Drew and Emmett.
It took a while before Nell seemed comfortable enough to approach Justin and Gus, but when she did it was more about Gus. Becca came over and sat with them as Gus slid off Justin’s lap to look at the shells she had.
“She loves children.” Becca smiled.
“Gus loves pretty much anyone.” Justin told her.
“I just wanted to thank everyone for not acting any different than normal. It’s hard sometimes to have to watch the way people react to her.” Becca told him.
“Then they aren’t seeing her. Which means they aren’t going to meet one of the best people we know. People underestimate her and look like idiots because she’s proven over and over again she’s more than anyone thinks someone with autism can be.” Drew commented, sitting next to her.
“What she did with the necklace she gave Brian was impressive. Does she sell her work?” Justin asked, since it was good.
“The designs, but not the actual ones she makes. Those she only gives to people who are special to her. I wanted to make sure she had a way of supporting herself, not that any of us wouldn’t do it, but I refused to treat her like a child who couldn’t do anything.” Becca told him.
“I’d love to see the other things she’s made.” Justin told her.
“I keep a book with each one I could show you.” Becca told him.
“He can see my case.” Nell told them, keeping her attention on Gus.
“It’s okay if you don’t want me to, I know how artists feel about their work.” Justin told her.
“I just find homes for my shells.” Nell told him, following Gus as he walked over to his dad.
Justin watched as Nell kept Gus from getting too close to the fire, and how when they got closer to Brian she stayed closer to Emmett but was smiling that Brian was wearing her necklace. Gus sat on Brian’s lap, thrilled when his dad picked up the guitar and started showing him how to play. Emmett offered to show Nell, which made Becca smile.
“She responded to Emmett almost as soon as they met.” Becca told him.
“Emmett naturally draws people to him. I know when Brian introduced us, he made sure I knew he was there if I needed him.” Justin told her.
“I couldn’t take my eyes off him the first time he breezed through a room.” Drew told them.
“He makes your heart sing son, it’s what happens when you meet the right person. Your father still does that for me.” Becca told him.
“It’s the same with my parents, who hopefully you’ll meet soon.” Justin told her.
“I plan to, since it sounds like they’re doing something I agree with.” Becca told him.
“Emmett told her about your mom planning the benefit.” Drew told him.
“She just wants to make sure people who cause us problems know my family supports us.” Justin told them.
“While making Lindsay’s parents regret using Gus and trying to use you and Brian. I have to say I like the way the woman thinks and plan to have her help with that Bellwether.” Becca told them.
“Mom, we can handle it.” Drew protested.
“I know you can, but I’m tired of the way he makes Emmett sound. Emmett shouldn’t have to feel guilty about having done what any single person would do. Bellwether isn’t trying to voice concerns, just shame Emmett for living his life as a proud gay man.” Becca ranted.
“It’s nothing we don’t face with others within our community, he just does it in print.” Justin told her.
“He’s messing with mine, and that isn’t something I take lightly.” Becca commented.
“You and my mother are going to love each other.” Justin laughed.
Molly came with a bucket to sort shells with Nell, while everyone started eating. The night ended with Blake singing to Ted who tried not to look embarrassed at the attention focus on him. Everyone sat around talking about plans for the next couple of months, with Brian and Justin keeping their news to themselves. Brian was going to tell Emmett and Ted when they got back, but for now it was just something he wanted to keep in his family.