MEL

I drove around for hours. The people who once claimed to be my friends didn’t seem to have time to listen to my problems and ignored my hints about staying with them. I was ushered out, saying they’d call and we could have lunch sometime. They all acted as if they thought my reaction to Lindsay’s pregnancy was understandable but didn’t see how I could block her from being with her children. It got to the point where I got angry at them for not seeing my side in all of this and having to listen to them pointing out how, when I did the same thing to Lindsay after Gus was born, she didn’t stop me from seeing Gus. They didn’t get how it wasn’t the same. Lindsay cheated with a man, not another woman. 

I called my old boss, wanting to see if he’d help me since I needed to get this moving so I wouldn’t have to use up my inheritance. Which pissed me off even more at Jenny, since my family was willing to help without me having to dip into that money. I was surprised at first when Harry agreed to talk to me, since every other lawyer and law firm I’d talked to weren’t taking my calls, acting as though I was the black plague to anyone daring to help me out. It stung when I was told my old firm was small potatoes to my new boss, but now I was thankful they didn’t bother to inform Harry the way they did everyone else about why I was fired. It made it easier to lie through my teeth to Harry.

He listened as I explained about losing my job. Telling him I didn’t agree with the way they expected me to handle cases. I told him that when they started treating me like my law degree was only good to push paper I wasn’t willing to stay with a firm who discriminated against me for being a woman and so they used their clout to make it look like they were justified in firing me. Harry’s agreeing that he could see how my stubbornness wouldn’t have helped me stung, but I let it go since I needed him to help me.

“I don’t handle discrimination lawsuits,” Harry says, thinking that was why I wanted him to help me.

“It’s not about that, it’s about Jenny. I need you to help me with reassessing the child support her father was paying,” I tell him.

“I’m assuming his financial situation has improved?” He asks.

“He married into a higher tax bracket. And Michael and his husband combined their income. I doubt I could include this, but I know that David has an account under his son’s name, with him having access to it. Which I only know because he transferred money from it to me a few times. When I asked he said it was just a precaution and nothing that concerned me,” I tell him.

“Once we verify they file their taxes jointly, we could probably have the judge reassess the child support going back to when they combined everything. We’d be better off not going after the account in his son’s name. No judge would go for it. I’d rather not make it sound like you’re using your daughter for money, just asking for the support she should have been getting from her fathers,” he tells me. Making me happy, since ten years of increased back child support would give me a nest egg until the bullshit in Canada blew over.

“There’s a couple of things that might cause some problems, and hopefully you’ll be willing to help me with them,” I tell him since so far he sounded like he was going to help me.

“If I can, you know I will,” He said, sounding like he cared when all he was seeing was the fee.

“You remember Gus?” I ask.

“I do. And sorry, I forgot to ask how Lindsay is doing.” He comments.

“It didn’t work out between us, and right now Gus is angry at me and threatening to try to get custody of Jenny from me,” I tell him.

“Mel, I can’t represent you if you don’t tell me everything. We both know he couldn’t win just because he’s angry at you,” Harry tells me.

“After Lindsay and I moved, I found out that the affair she had left her pregnant. I couldn’t cope with her wanting to keep the baby and gave her a choice, me or the baby. Lindsay chose the child and left me to raise Gus and Jenny alone. You know I don’t believe in lying, that would end up hurting someone later, and so I told them the truth; that she put the other child above them and left us. Which is what she did. Only, Gus sees it differently, now that he’s reconnected with Lindsay. I should add, we haven’t been on the best of terms since I didn’t approve of Gus’ relationship with a man twelve years older than him. I told him I wouldn’t support him if he continued to see the man,” I tell him.

“How old was Gus when this happened?” He asks.

“Nineteen. And he ignored me since his father didn’t agree with me. But then Brian wouldn’t since he once slept with a seventeen-year-old when he was twenty-nine. Which tells you the kind of influences Gus would allow around my daughter,” I tell him.

“Yes. But the truth is, according to the law, Brian could, as long as his partner at seventeen consented. And at nineteen Gus is considered an adult, so it doesn’t matter what age his partner is unless the partner could be a bad influence on Jenny. One thing we have against us is that Jenny is old enough that what she wants will be taken into consideration. So, as long as she wants to be with you, we should win. It would also help us to make sure the judge knows Gus is only doing this to get back at you for his mother abandoning him. We also need to make sure Lindsay’s leaving looks as bad as we can make it,” he tells me.

“Gus hired the shithead that defended Lindsay the last time with Jenny. So you know he’s going to make sure Gus knows to make it sound like I’m not fit instead,” I tell him, wanting to avoid the topic of Lindsay.

“As long as Jenny supports us, we shouldn’t have any problems with Gabriel,” He says, waiting for me to agree. “Mel, Jenny isn’t going to give us a problem is she?” He asks when I didn’t say anything.

“Jenny and I had a fight in front of her grandmother. I did something I shouldn’t have, but it’s never happened before,” I say, stalling since he would have to know.

“Do I need to keep reminding you that you called me asking for my help. In order for me to do the job, you can’t keep anything from me,” He reminds me.

“I hit her, not even realizing it. She fell on the floor, making it look much worse than it was. She admitted in front of Michael’s mother and stepfather that it’s never happened before and that it got out of hand today,” I say, trying to keep Harry from hanging up the phone since this was one area that he would have serious issues with.

“You know how I feel about those things?” He asks, not sounding as happy about helping me.

“She’s just at that age where she doesn’t like that I make the decisions in our lives. She wants to stay here in Pittsburgh, where her grandmother will give in to her. I plan to stay here too, once I have everything settled with Michael and David. I think after she knows my intentions she’ll forgive me for my lapse in judgment,” I say, not answering him.

“What made you hit her?” He asks.

“It’s been really stressful lately with the shit in Canada and Jenny seeing she doesn’t get to have her way, the way Gus always does with his father,” I tell him.

“Do you think Gus might have been trying to influence her, in a bid to get back at you?” He asks.

“I don’t know what to think. Until recently, while I didn’t have the best relationship with Gus, the problems were normal ones between me and both of my children. They both act as though they want to blame me for everything. As I said, I’ve been stressed… which I know doesn’t excuse what happened, but I just reached a breaking point when Jenny was saying the things she did, while her grandmother stood by as if my daughter treating me like garbage was okay with her,” I tell him.

“Is there anything else we might be facing if I agree to help you?” He asks, not assuring me he accepted my explanation.

I debated about Lindsay. Since what I did wasn’t something that would help me I decided not to say anything. “Jenny’s father Michael might say Jenny will be better off with Gus. It wouldn’t be about her but about him wanting contact with Brian Kinney. If Gus got custody, Michael would use her for the sole purpose of finding a way back into Brian Kinney’s life. He’ll do anything if he thinks it will open a way to Brian, even if it’s not in Jenny’s best interest,” I tell him.

“I don’t think we’ll have a problem proving what you’re saying,” Harry tells me.

“All we have to do is subpoena the guys he once hung out with, they’ll verify it,” I agree.

“The video will be enough,” He says, confusing me.

“Video?” I ask.

“I’ll get my wife to send it to you after I get home, but for now let me check on a few things,” He says, hanging up.

I started the car, letting go of any guilt over using the money from my grandfather left me. I pulled into a hotel, planning to start looking for a place tomorrow since David’s word was no longer a problem for me. Finally, I felt like something was going right for me.

MICHAEL

Jenny called, letting me know she was staying with Ma and Carl. I listened to her excitement about Gus wanting her to live with him. I let her go on and on, hoping she’d eventually say something that explained Brian losing his mind. Yet all she could talk about was how great Gus’ boyfriend was, and hoping I would help her. I zoned out, trying to think of a way to get this conversation turned around to where I wanted it to go, coming back when she said something about Mel, and that Carl kicked her out of Ma’s house.

“What?” I ask.

She sighed before repeating what I missed. “Just once I wish you’d actually listen to me. Mama and I were arguing and she hit me so hard I fell down. Grandpa told Mama to leave. I just thought you should know since being my father should mean something about caring what happens to me,”

“She better not come here,” I tell Jenny, not willing to have to deal with Mel on top of trying to figure out my life.

“At least you aren’t excusing what she did,” Jenny tells me.

“Of course not Honeybun. It’s something I hate because of what Brian had to deal with,” smiling, since it didn’t sound like I was pushing her towards what I really wanted to know.

“Gus’s dad isn’t anything like Mama made him sound. In fact, I don’t get why you act like Justin is so bad, either. I said some crappy things about Patrick, but he still welcomed me into his and Justin’s house,” Jenny tells me.

“Patrick?” I ask since I really didn’t know anything about the kid, not caring when Ma mentioned him once.

“Um, maybe you should ask Grandma,” Jenny says, as if it was some secret.

“What’s the big deal? I just wondered since you bought him up. I think it’s wrong that everyone acts like I don’t have a right to hear about my best friend. Of all people I expected you to be on my side,” I tell her. 

“Of all people? I thought I had the right to expect my parents to be on my side, not use me for what they want or can get!” Jenny says, hanging up.

“I think she gets that from you. You know, the loud whiny screaming thing,” Hank says, making me jump since I didn’t even hear him come in.

HANK

It’s one of the things that, if I was my Dad, would have sent me running from Michael. It’s why I tried to limit my conversations with the idiot, when he talked he sounded like a whiny kid. Michael had the hopeful puppy look on his face. Which made sense, since without my Dad supporting his ass, Michael might need to find out from his other kid how to work the streets. Michael went to confused puppy look when I snorted at the idea, thinking he would have to pay people instead. Which made me laugh, thinking of my Dad acting as if I was the only fuck up. At least I didn’t marry this asshole and end up paying for everything.

“Why are you here?” He asks, getting the petulant puppy look going- arms crossed, mulish look on his face.

I swore I heard what sounded like rusty gears trying to turn in Michael’s head, thinking he could use me to get to my dad. Too bad all the brain cells left the building when they realized where they’d be trapped when he was born. Hell, this was more entertaining than my Dad having to grovel to his father to help us out. And having my dad get pissed at having to hear his father berate him for once again embarrassing the family name. It wasn’t that Grandfather had a problem with my father being gay, just the people my father married. I spent my life with my grandfather telling me that while Cameron blood flowed through my veins, unfortunately so did my inferior mother’s blood. When I got into trouble in Portland, according to my father and grandfather, it was because I came from my mother’s family and they were barely a step away from white trash. I thought it was funny since even I knew the reason my father married my mother was to have a kid and satisfy my grandfather’s demand to carry on the vaulted family name. He picked her because she should have been grateful that he elevated her status. He never let her or me forget it either. He enjoyed telling her that everything she had in life was because she married one of the Camerons. It’s why he married Michael the idiot. If he’d married anyone my grandfather would have approved of, like say… Justin Taylor, it wouldn’t have worked for my Dad. I only know since my dad had a file on Brian Kinney that included Justin Taylor, who had all the right connections that would have made my grandfather willing to approve if my father had picked someone like Justin. Unfortunately for my father, from everything I read when I stole the file, Justin never let social expectations get in his way when he wanted something, and Brian Kinney was what he wanted. What’s funny is how my father looks down on Brian Kinney; yet without any help, and despite where he came from, the man could buy and sell my family. But they would see Justin staying with Brian as a step down in status, instead of seeing them as the power couple they are. One thing I realized by reading the file was that I was jealous of their kid, Patrick. He was loved by his fathers’, who didn’t care whose blood flowed through his veins, it wasn’t important to them. I wish my family could have been like that. I didn’t bring the file over for any other reason than thinking it was hilarious that Michael still thinks there is any reason Brian Kinney would want the booby prize, instead of the ultimate prize he got with Justin Taylor.

“Enjoying your downfall? You really are pathetic, you know. You had a pretty good thing going with my dad, all you had to do was play your part and feed his ego,” I tell him.

“Yeah, great. Spending all my time pretending you were anything but a spoiled shit and feeding your father’s overinflated ego, sounds really great doesn’t it?” Michael asks me.

“Better than you barely scraping by as all your friends apparently went on to bigger and better things. I might be spoiled and a shit, but it’s better than being you any day,” I tell him. 

“What did I ever do other than help you when you constantly got into trouble?” Michael asks, shaking his head as if he couldn’t understand why I stopped being grateful to have him around me.

Here’s the thing, if insulting someone didn’t work, Michael went for guilt. He’s right, he followed along as my father bailed me out of one thing or another. It wasn’t because either one of them gave a shit that I was ruining my life, it was to keep the assholes my father worships from seeing him as anything but the loving father he wanted everyone to believe he is. It’s why I no longer liked or tolerated Michael; he never stuck up for his kid, no matter what the reasoning for it was. Jenny was everything I wasn’t- a good girl who had strong opinions. Her only flaw was not kissing my father’s ass the way Michael and I did to have the things my father gave us to show off. It took off any blinders I had when it came to Michael. Why would he give a shit about me when he didn’t care about his own daughter?

“Not a damn thing other than to help my father maintain that we were the perfect family,” I answer.

“Yeah, well that’s over now and the one good thing I can say is I no longer have to put up with having a complete fuck-up to clean up after,” Michael says, watching me to see if his words hurt the way he intended.

I tapped the folder on my lap as Michael became confused that I smirked at him instead of being hurt that he admitted the truth I already knew. “No, you don’t have to put up with me, instead you have to sit on the sidelines, which you’ve been doing since the minute Justin Taylor appeared in Brian’s life. After reading this, watching you trying to convince anyone you still have a chance with Brian Kinney will only make you look like an even bigger loser than you’ve always been,” I say, waving the file.

“What is that?” Michael asks, practically salivating.

“It was my dad wanting to make sure Brian didn’t cause any problems for him. Which, reading this, I have to say my dad had nothing to worry about.” I say, handing it to him.

Michael grabbed it, tearing it open as if it held the answers to why Brian would prefer Justin over him. As far as I was concerned Brian came to his senses and dropped the dead weight that was Michael Novotny, when he found Justin. Which made me want to hate Brian Kinney for dropping his dead weight on us.

“That’s it,” Michael says excitedly, confusing me.

“What?” I ask since all I read was every reason Brian and Justin were perfect for each other.

“I get it, Brian once again let his pity get in our way,” Michael says, making me question if he’s lost his mind.

“Pity?” I ask, wondering where Michael came up with that one.

“Fucking Mel. If I’d known I could have done something sooner,” Michael mumbles to himself.

“Known what?” I ask, just curious at what his mind came up with.

“She didn’t tell me Justin took Lindsay’s bastard. Lindsay and Justin knew they were losing Brian since they were gone and he was finally back where he should have been, with me. Brian wasn’t jumping anytime Lindsay demanded anymore… plus she couldn’t use the bastard she was carrying on Brian… God, she’s good. She made it so Brian couldn’t avoid Justin, by running away. Brian was always a sucker when it comes to kids, which was my mistake when it came to Gus,” He mumbles to himself, pacing as he comes up with more delusions to fit his theory. 

“Justin used that kid. Knowing that once again Brian would be there to pay for his ass, which he only did because he felt guilty for what happened to Justin for flaunting his ass at school. If only Mel had told me, I could have saved Brian from letting them manipulate him again,” Michael says as if he was reading a different report than I had read. “Justin knew he was losing when Brian stopped resisting me. He’d also lost Gus’s support, so what does he do, guilts Brian with Lindsay’s bastard, probably making it sound like Brian owed it to him and Lindsay to help with the kid,” Michael says, as if Lindsay ending up in a mental ward for fourteen years was some master plan by the poor woman. 

“Lindsay always hated me, because she couldn’t displace me in Brian’s life, at least until HE came along. She made it so Brian ended up having to keep the trick that wouldn’t leave, around. She enjoyed playing the blond asshole up, just to get back at me. She constantly sang his praises to everyone and made sure I didn’t forget Brian was breaking all his rules for HIM. Did I get the credit for writing the comic? No, I didn’t. It was all ‘Justin is so brave to use his story for the comic and he’s an artistic genius’, not one word on how I wrote the stories for the comic!” Michael yells.

“So you wrote the story that Justin lived?” I ask, thinking that writing ‘BAM’ and ‘POW’ couldn’t have been that hard, compared to actually drawing a horrible part of your life.

“I wanted Brian to wake up and see that he didn’t owe Justin his life. But apparently the asshole did it again, using the kid no one wanted,” Michael tells me.

“Yeah, we unwanted kids hate when our parents love us and want us,” I say sarcastically, deciding it was time to leave Michael to his fantasy that everyone did things because it’s what he would have done. I walk out as Michael is busy telling himself that Brian was only with Justin out of pity.

TED

I woke up to what sounded like a party going on downstairs and Patrick sitting on the end of my bed. Justin mentioned that everyone was coming over this morning to make plans for the day. Justin had a show this evening, and while I’d be nervous as hell at having my work displayed, Justin saw it as a way to help a new artist get recognition. 

“Make sure you tell my Dads’ I didn’t wake you up,” Patrick says, running out the door.

I couldn’t help but laugh since Patrick’s stomach was already legendary according to Emmett. As I get dressed I realize I am truly happy for everyone, we’d all finally stopped letting the bullshit get in the way of what we wanted. I was still amazed at how Michael hadn’t figured out Brian’s silence for the last fourteen years was because Brian was completely done with him. Justin pointed out that Michael had spent the first fourteen years Brian was in his life believing Brian was sowing his wild oats, not that the only position Brian offered him was as, ‘best friend’. 

“Drew and I thought we’d spend the day with Patrick and Taylor, so you can deal with the show tonight.” Emmett tells Justin, as I enter the kitchen.

“My mother wanted to meet for dinner,” Justin tells Emmett.

“Here or out?” Brian asks, kissing Justin as he grabbed coffee and toast.

“Why not just have dinner here? That way I can show Jen what Patrick and I have so far and maybe you and Justin can decide on the place,” Emmett hints.

“I want to, but for some reason Brian won’t agree to any of the places,” Justin laughs, throwing the blame on Brian.

“I’m only getting married once,” Brian tells Justin.

“Well unless you two want to do it on the streets, you need to give Emmett an answer,” Jen says, catching Patrick as he runs to her.

“While it’s how I met my future husband, I really don’t want to get us run over with New York traffic,” Brian jokes.

“Then pick somewhere that would mean something to both of you,” Gus says, watching Jen and Patrick.

Jen walks over to Gus, giving him the smile Justin inherited. “I’ve missed you,” She says, enveloping him in a hug.

“I took the long way home,” Gus tells her.

“You got there, and that’s all that counts.” Jen tells him.

“Now if we could just get Dad and Justin to decide where to get married,” Gus says, not letting go of Jen.

“I like the idea of it meaning something,” Justin tells Brian.

“Think of a place that you both would want to spend your anniversaries,” I suggest.

“Maybe include someplace where the rest of us would have something to do, while you and Dad forget us,” Patrick suggests.

“Which is Patrick for ‘tiring Auntie Em out trying to keep up with him’,” Emmett teases, while Brian got the look he gets when he comes up with a winning campaign.

“Did you think of someplace?” Justin asks, showing he was still attuned to Brian.

“Why not Vermont, since we still haven’t made it there?” Brian asks, making me remember the trip Brian canceled.

“Mountain biking, kayaking, and hiking. Sounds like a plan,” Patrick says, excitedly jumping up and down.

“And a place where I can plan the actual wedding. Sounds like a win,” Emmett says, jumping up and down with Patrick. 

“We’d need to get the resort booked now to accommodate the guests,” Jen says, looking at me.

“Cynthia and I will handle it. Anything you want?” I ask Justin, since both of us knew what Brian would want.

“A cabin separate from the resort,” Justin tells me.

“Make sure the only thing Justin and I might scare is the wildlife,” Brian smirks, as Gus and Patrick groan.

JENNIFER

Having the family complete now that Gus was back, and knowing Brian’s real friends were happy for them, meant I wouldn’t let anyone cause problems. After talking to Deb, I decided to come on an earlier flight. I wanted to make sure Gus knew everything, since as far as I was concerned he was fighting because he wanted Jenny to be loved and wanted. I waited while everyone ate and talked, not wanting to spoil the happy atmosphere. Once Emmett took off with Patrick with plans to be back to make dinner for everyone, I told the others we needed to talk.

“What did Michael and Mel do now?” Brian asks, knowing why I didn’t look very happy.

“Something I hesitate to tell you,” I tell Brian.

“Please tell me it isn't what I think?” Justin asks as I shake my head at him.

“What?” Brian asks, looking at Justin.

“Deb was worried that you would kill Mel for it,” I tell him, still unable to contain my anger over it. 

“Tell me she didn’t lay a hand on her,” Gus begs as Brian looks ready to commit murder.

“I wish I could. And while it doesn’t make it any better, Jenny said it was the first time. Deb said Jenny hit the floor, and she’s bruised,” I tell him, as Brian gets up pacing. “Deb and Carl made Mel leave the house and kept Jenny with them. They also documented what happened, but Jenny didn’t want to press charges,” I tell them.

“What the hell was Mel thinking?” Ted asks angrily.

“She better be thinking I’ll destroy her for it. What else?” Brian snaps since I hadn’t yet said anything about Michael.

“Brian, we’ll deal with them, so calm down while Mom tells us,” Justin says, holding on to Brian to get him to stand still.

“Deb told Jenny what Gus wants to do, and in her excitement over it, she called Michael. She wanted to get him to help Gus, and ended up disappointed when all he cared about was finding out about Patrick and you,” I say, hurting for Jenny having to constantly be disappointed. “There’s more somewhat good news, Deb got a check for a very generous donation to any charity of her choosing,” I say, stopping and trying not to laugh.

“And?” Brian asks when I ended up laughing.

“David is finding out that money and status don’t mean anything when a waitress airs your dirty laundry,” I say, likely grinning like an idiot. “I made a call since the donation came from Henry Parker, David’s boss. I wanted to make sure he wasn’t attempting to save David from what he said to Hunter. Instead, he told me the money is what he would have had to pay David to get rid of him if he hadn’t been able to fire him for cause. Henry doesn’t want any credit for the donation, he just wanted something good to come from his unfortunate association with David. And I’m not absolutely sure, but I think David left Michael since a friend told me he booked a cottage for a few weeks at the country club. David also informed the manager at the club that he wanted Michael’s access to the club revoked. I snooped a little and found out David mentioned he was done letting Michael leech off of him. It sounds like David is leaving Michael to fend for himself, while David jumps ship,” I tell them.

“I trust you won’t let David walk away unscathed,” Brian says, not asks.

“I let Henry know to put the word out, and made sure to put a bug in a few ears about our family’s position,” I assure him.

“Tell Deb to send the file to Gabriel,” Gus tells me.

“Gabriel told me to tell you that he received it. He plans to pay a visit to David, to let him know if he even tries to save himself by going after Hunter, he’ll have to deal with Gabriel, not Hunter.” I tell him.

“I love you, Mother Taylor.” Brian says, kissing my cheek.

“Something I thank God for everyday, Brian loves me,” I tease, meaning it.

“It’s kind of great isn’t it, being loved by the Taylors and the Kinneys,” Gus says, looking at me.