CHAPTER 29 - THINGS MOVE UP A GEAR AND PART DISCLOSURE

BABYLON - LATE EVENING

BEN

“So…” Emmett smooths down my shirt. “...does that answer the question?”

“Yeah…” I purr, licking his strawberry gloss off my lips. “...want another one?”

“Kiss or drink?” He drapes an arm around my waist. 

“Drink...” I steer him to the bar. “…and can we find a seat?”

“Yes and yes.” He smiles, then sighs as he watches Daphne and Drew. “That’s just a friendship, isn’t it?” 

“Hmm…” I order our drinks then follow him to a booth on the 2nd floor. “...he’s very interested in Brandon, which is a surprise as he doesn't normally go for blondes.”

“I see…hold on, let’s get that cushion in the right spot.” I lean forward. Although he places it perfectly, I can’t help wincing. I was moving a chest of drawers and my back almost gave out, I didn’t get much sympathy as Drew had told me not to do it alone. “Finish up, we're leaving…”

“...why?” I frown.

“Because you need a warm bath and a sports massage. I have a tub and can do all that at my home…”

“...that sounds great; the booth was a bad idea…” I grimace at the stairs and packed dance floor.  

“..won’t be a sec.” He declares, disappearing into the throng. I lean back and close my eyes. I’m not sure how long he was gone, but they snapped open at the touch to my hand. I stare at him and two very large men. “They’re going to take you gently out the back door.” Without further ado I find myself in a cab, and Emmett giving his address after speaking to Drew and Daph who had followed us out. “Be about ten minutes…” He braces his arm across my chest to keep me still. “...they’re going to bring your essentials to us. You’re lucky that my laziness made me get a bungalow!” 

EMMETT

Drew and Daph have just left. Between the three of us, we managed to get him into the bath then out again without causing pain. I chuckle at him stifling a yawn. “This is not going to help you stop that…” He sniffs and reaches for the hot chocolate. “...have marshmallows if you…okay, how many?!” I laugh at the swift return of the mug.

“A mug that size needs three…” He yawns again. “...and a couple of cookies?” I’m back in less than a minute, he breaks a cookie in half and we share the mug in a comfortable silence. “That was delicious, thank you…” He slowly slides down. “...are you on your side already?”

“Mmm.” I grab my toiletries. “Look, I sleep with a white noise machine, which also doubles as a nightlight. If that bothers you, I can…”

“...leave it. And hurry; I’d like to make out before the chocolate gets to me.”

I am back in bed in 8 minutes and we made out for an hour!

BRITIN - DAY BEFORE THEIR ARRIVAL

MASTER BEDROOM

JUSTIN

“Hey…” My protest melts into a sigh as he cocoons me between his thighs and I start to warm up. He massages the base of my skull. “...you have good hands, want to take them lower?”  

“I want to know what’s troubling you.” He kisses my hair. Suddenly tears clog my throat and I try to gulp them down. “Justin, please…”

“….thinking about how she’s going to behave at dad’s funeral, and…” The floodgates open and he holds me as if he’s trying to pull me inside of him. “...she’s so horrible about him!” I hiccup. “She’s done absolutely nothing but try and take, take and fucking take! And what she said about mom! If she had tried with dad, she would’ve known mom, and…” 

“…would’ve known you?” I bury my face in his neck. “She would’ve been exactly the same, at least you didn’t suffer as long as Lynette did.”

“Suppose.” I sniff. He reaches for his pyjama top. “My eyes are super…”

“…silk.” His tenderness makes me cry harder. “You’re so protected…”

“...you, Daph, Uncle George and Uncle Carl can only do so much. And as you know I’m a hit first kinda guy… ”

“...true…” He chuckles. …but it’s not just us. You’ve got everyone who loves Ronald. Didn’t I tell you she’s already got an advanced tanning and their plans for our futures?”  

“No…” I smile as he rearranges us into big and little spoons. “...who from?” I guffaw as he tells me what happened, then gag over their comments in the car. “I wouldn't mind so much if their love wasn’t actually ownership, control, and…no, not ownership, obsessive possession! However, we can’t totally blame them, it’s also down to us because…” 

“...we never stopped them. Never told them in the cold light of day we're not interested in that. We ran away, deflected or the worst…it’s the way they are and then we…”

“...met each other…” I turn as he kisses up my shoulder, I nibble his bottom lip, but before we can get into it his phone plays ‘her tune’. “....you’ve gotta change that from Chopin’s Funeral March after this call!”

JUSTIN

He giggles before putting her on speaker. “Hi, Lindz, how are you?”

“Feeling very neglected!” She whimpers. “We called three times last night. Why didn't either of you return our calls?!”

“And did you find out who gave you guys COVID?!” Michael sneers. “Bet it was Emmett!”

“Sleeping, and it wasn’t Emmett…” I scowl. “…he took a test before he left, remember?” 

“Oh, so he did.” He sounds most put out. “Anyway, you're both definitely negative, right?”

“Yes.” Brian sighs. “What time do you land, Lindz?”

“Five. We’ve got everything sorted out, I can’t wait to see you, have you missed me as much as I’ve missed you?”

“Uh huh.” He grunts and rolls his eyes. “Do you want to go somewhere for dinner? I can book something around eight?”

“Yeah, but just for the four of us.” Michael demands. “They’ve monopolised your time enough. Now, listen, Justy, Lindz and I were talking about the Astergurk dinner. Have you sorted out the paintings…”

“…it’s Asteridge.” Brian clips out, balling his fist. “For a man who wants to be part of Justin’s world, you show a huge amount of disrespect for it.” 

“It was a joke, Brian, where’s your sense of humour?” Lindsay snarks. “I really hope this doesn’t set the tone for the rest of our time together; do try and be happier by the time we get there.”

I put them on mute so he can scream into his pillow. He gives me the nod and takes a deep breath. “...I have been sick for the last few days, Lindsay, you know what I am like when I’m ill.”

“So very well…”

“…what with COVID plus a couple of migraines, no he didn’t…” 

“...does that mean you’re going to be working when we're there?” She sounds very hopeful - which fills us with dread!

“Yes, why?” He asks

“Well, with my great eye for all things artistic, I can help you select the perfect pieces…” 

AIRPORT LOUNGE, NEW YORK

LINDSAY

“...hello? Justin? Brian, are you there?”

“What happened?” Michael pours us some more champagne.

“The call must have dropped. No matter, this discussion is better face to face anyway.” 

“True, and speaking of conversations, what are you going to do about Claudia and his funeral?” He ‘scowls. “There's no way you should be a pallbearer, that’s Brian’s job! It’s you as his daughter that should be doing the eulogy.”

“Of course I should and will! I’ve never honoured his wishes before. I don't intend to start now!”

MASTER BEDROOM - TWENTY MINUTES LATER

JUSTIN

Between Debs and I, we’ve got his breathing back to normal. “So what brought that on?” She asks, tossing away the brown bag, her face darkens as we explain. “And you’re sure that she’s not read Carl’s email?”

“Positive.” He replies and drains both glasses of water. “Why?”

“Got dinner with Carl tonight, and I’m staying at mine as I have an early shift at the diner. How that message is conveyed to my unfeeling spawn is up to you.”

BRITIN - EARLY EVENING

MICHAEL

“Ma, where are you going dressed so fancy?!” I gasp as she comes down the stairs, looking the best I’ve ever seen her. 

“Dinner. Did you have a good flight?”

“Uh, yeah.” I scowl at the wolf whistling Emmett, who is also dressed to the nines. “So where are you two off to?”

“We’re not going out together, though Vic is driving me.” He helps Ma into her jacket. “You sure you don’t want a lift?”

“I’m sure.” She smiles. “What time’s he…”

“...so you’re why he couldn't pick us up!” I snark. 

“You told Brian and Justin that you had everything sorted.” Ma huffs. “Don’t even think of getting anybody to pay either of you back!”

“Of course we wouldn't!” I declare, and Lindsay smiles reassuringly. “So, Ma, where are you going?”

“Dinner.” She repeats just as a horn beeps. “Vic’s here, enjoy yourself, Ems; I want to hear everything!” 

“I will and you will!” He cackles. “Oh, sorry, Georgie, gotta hot date, catch up tomorrow!”

“Give him my regards!” George laughs, then kisses Ma on her cheek. “You look wonderful! Ah, MIchael and Lindsay, I hope you tested yourselves before you came as nobody wants to be ill again.”

“Unc…George, hope you’ve recovered well?” I smile, he looks more sour faced than ever!

“Of course we did, Uncle George.” Lindsay smiles, I cross my fingers. “We’re going to see Brian and Justin after we’ve settled into our rooms…”

“…your rooms? I see, so you didn’t read Carl’s email?” He interjects. “If you continue this blase and dismissive behaviour I will reinstate the fines no matter how much Brian pleads your case!”

LINDSAY

“Uncle George, I promise you I never received an email from him. I got messages from you and Claudia, but…”

“…I’ll get him to send it again and copy you in, Michael…” Debs declares, Uncle George nods, whilst Michael looks at her in surprise. “...both of you and add him to your safe list, when you receive it, so you don’t miss stuff from him again.”

“Thanks, Debs.” I nod, noticing her outfit. “That’s really beautiful on you. It’s Vera Wang, isn’t it?”

“Apparently.” She takes the newest iPhone from her purse. “I’ve got to get Brian or Justin to teach me how this works, told them I wanted something simple but they wouldn't hear it!” We exchange exasperated looks, we’ve not received any gifts from them in weeks. “Let me text Carl, don’t think he’s left yet.”

“Debs, can we speak to him in private, please?” Uncle George gestures towards the lounge. With a nod, she follows and the door is firmly shut.

I check the stairs for anyone approaching. “I hadn’t realised she and Carl had exchanged numbers, did you?!”

“No, if anyone should have his number it should be me as Justy’s best…” His phone chimes. “...ah, his email has come through, have you got it?” I nod and we start to read, our anger and incredulity mounting in equal measure. “This is frigging ridiculous, how the hell has Carl taken ownership of this place, and why didn’t they tell us?!”

“I wondered why you hadn’t mentioned it.” Brian drawls. “Before we go and celebrate, add him to your safe lists as Debs suggested.” Justin joins us looking disdainful as I hand my phone to Michael. How dare he?! 

He pats Michael’s shoulder as he passes. “We’ll meet you in the lounge. After you freshen up, we’ll drop your bags at your hotel then go to dinner…”

“…what do you mean, ‘celebrate’, and what hotel?” Michael starts to follow him, Brian sidesteps my attempt to halt his descent. “Ma, wait! I need to talk to you!”

“My ride’s waiting, we’ll speak later!" She yells, slamming the door behind her.

“As you’ve read, this is Carl’s home.” Uncle George states coldly. “You’ve not earned the right to stay here. Behave tonight and Debs might put a good word in. Or don’t, and see how fast you are on the first flight back!”

“Why would Ma put a good word in with Carl?” Michael frowns.

“Because he’s her boyfriend.” Justin smirks. “And tonight he’s sleeping at hers!”