CHAPTER 20: ...REMEMBER WHO OWNS THE COPYRIGHT

Emmett was disgusted by what he was witnessing. Lindsay slobbering all over some bald man... YUCK! But the man she was literally slobbing down in front of the police station? WHAT THE YUCK?!! Pulling out his phone, he quickly snapped a picture, wishing more than anything to unsee what he’d just seen. Without hesitation, he sent it off into cyberspace, hoping that it would reach his intended target before their plane was scheduled to take off. But as he moved away from the scene that was quickly turning his stomach, he had another thought and smiled.

Dialing, he said into the receiver, “You’ll never guess who just bailed little Miss Avarice out of jail.”

“Emmett? Where are you?” Jennifer asked.

“Just leaving the scene of multiple crimes being committed, not the least of which is that Thunder Twat has been released from jail before her arraignment hearing.”

She sighed. “I swear the Pittsburgh P.D. will never learn their lessons, will they? So who bribed a cop to release the bitch before she was brought before a judge?”

“None other than Gardner Vance.”

“Oh really?”

“Really.”

“Well, I think this calls for a few calls, especially to one named Constance Shelton.”

“Constance Shelton? Who is that?”

Her tinkling laugh reached his ears. “The woman who is currently divorcing the Bald Avenger. I think she’ll be really interested in his current mistress.”

“What makes you think she’s going to become his mistress?”

“Lindsay is a leech, dear. She’d be a fool not to latch onto him, trying to set herself up that way. And contrary to popular opinion, Lindsay’s not a fool.”

“Point well taken. So what do you think their next move is?”

“I’m not sure yet, but let me think on it. Are you available for lunch tomorrow?”

“I’m supposed to meet with your uncle and the bride, but I think we can reschedule that.”

“No need. I’m sure that Uncle George will want to be in this meeting. If Frankie is there, it will mean double trouble. She loves Justin… even more than I do, I think.”

“Well it should be an interesting meeting of the minds. Let me know how that phone call goes, Sugar. I’d be real interested to hear what Ms. Constance has to say.”

“Me too. We’ll speak soon,” Jennifer promised as she disconnected the call.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Brian, Justin, and Mel walked into the building which housed Child Protective Services. Walking down the dimly lit hallway into the main area of the building, Brian had the feeling that his life as he’d known it was about to change drastically. Part of him wanted nothing more than to turn back the way he came, running and screaming in order to outrun what was seeming to be his fate. He hated that term - ‘fate’ - because if there really was such a fickle bitch controlling his life, she owed him an explanation and some serious payback for ending up with Jack, Joan, and Claire as blood relations. He gripped Justin’s hand a little tighter at that notion.

“Brian, calm down. Everything is going to be fine,” Justin whispered as they stood at the front desk waiting for the attendant.

“You can’t know that, Sunshine. After all, these are Claire’s children and we both know what she’s like.”

“Yes, but you can change their minds. You’re a master at that. I mean, look at Mel.”

The short brunette looked at Justin and then Brian with a smirk on her lips. “Oh, I don’t know about that Justin. I still consider Brian an asshole, but now I’ll admit that he’s one with feelings.”

“Nice to know there is at least some constancy in this world,” Brian said, snickering before sobering. “What am I supposed to do with them?”

“Treating them as you would want to be treated would be a good start,” Justin said. “You have to know, Brian, that this isn’t going to be easy for them either. Wouldn’t you have wanted someone to get you out of that hellhole if you’d had the chance?”

Brian thought about what Justin was really saying to him, and decided that he was right. If there was a chance he could have escaped the Kinney household, he would have taken it. But there weren’t many options available to him back then. There was always the fear of someone knowing what was going on within his house. Knowing that if word got out, or if attention was drawn to what really went on behind closed doors, there would be hell to pay. Sometimes he wanted to take the risk, but the way his luck was running at the time, he felt he would have just ended up in a worse situation, or right back with Jack and Joan beating on him. Better the devil you know…

“Mr. Kinney, Mr. Taylor, and Ms. Marcus, I’m glad I caught you before you left,” Trevor said as he hurried into the waiting area. “I want you to know that before we tried you, we did try to reach their grandmother, even going to the house. There was still no one home after nine o’clock tonight.”

“So what does this mean exactly?”

“It means that I was able to grant you temporary custody on an emergency order from a judge we know. You’re free to take the boys and go to handle your issues in Florida, but if you have to leave the country, we need to be notified and would have to grant you special permission to do so.”

“What would Mr. Kinney and Mr. Taylor need to do to obtain permanent custody at this point?” Mel asked.

“Whoa, Mel!” Brian exclaimed. “We don’t even know how this is all going to work out at this point. It could be that World War III will start once John, Peter, and I are sharing the same space.”

“Give me a moment to confer with my clients please?” Mel asked. At Trevor’s nod, she led Brian and Justin a little ways away from the social worker. “Brian, would you like them to go back to that house of horrors? I didn’t mention this before, but whatever Claire has done, they aren’t going to let her out.”

“How do you know?”

“My contact at the police station said, without going into particulars, that unless she pleads out, this is going to go to trial. Either way, she is going to get jail time. The evidence of her crime is irrefutable. However, they don’t know the extent of Joan’s involvement just yet; only having heard Claire’s very public accusations that she was involved. In any case, based on what you know of Joan Kinney, would you say that she was meant to raise a cactus, let alone two young, impressionable boys?”

Brian looked over to the social worker, who was trying hard not to look as if he was eavesdropping. “What about their father? Was he contacted?”

“He was, Mr. Kinney. He has already filed paperwork giving up his parental rights to both John and Peter. It was done the same day his divorce became final.”

“So basically, it’s like they are orphans,” Brian commented, shaking his head. Sighing deeply, he said, “Okay, I’ll take them, but I swear if they give me one gray hair, I’m bringing them back.”

“No, he won’t,” Justin said quickly. “Brian, you can do this… WE can do this; together we can do anything.”

“Sunshine, I know you are feeling very optimistic after today, but aren’t you forgetting that you have your therapy, you’re starting college in a few months, and we’re starting a company on top of all of this? We’re young, hung and will be incredibly busy as it is. Are you really ready to add reluctant fatherhood into the mix?”

“I’m not going to be, but I am going to stick around to help you. You won’t have to do all of this alone. I’m sure the guys will help too, and I know Mel will. You have support, and it’s time you use it.”

“How are you going to handle Joan when she comes looking for them?” Brian asked Trevor.

“The police are aware of the matter already so how they handle it is their jurisdiction. But I will let you know in advance if there will be any problems with the adoption paperwork. We really want to keep these boys out of the system as much as possible. All of us have been touched by their story.”

“What do you mean? Is there more that I should be aware of?”

“Yes, but I think I will let them fill you in on all the details. Suffice it to say, Mr. Kinney, that the cycle of abuse was in its beginning stages and not quite as significant as you’ve endured.”

Brian swallowed hard. “You know about me?”

“Yes. We did an investigation before even approaching you with this. It’s why we felt that it was in Peter and John’s best interest to be with you instead of in foster care. You’ll understand what’s happened far better than someone who’s paid to take care of them.”

Melanie reached out to touch Brian’s shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I know the situation is not ideal, especially coming on the heels of Gus’ situation. But if anyone can handle this, Brian, you can. And like Justin said, you’re not alone in this. Ted will help, and you know that Emmett will be thrilled to have two young boys to dress to the nines.”

“Oh great, they’ll have a completely warped view of gay life.”

“No they won’t. They’ll receive a firsthand education in tolerance. Considering what we just went through, I think it’s best that we have them,” Justin pointed out.

“How much of that do you think they know about?” Mel asked Justin.

“From what I’ve seen of Claire and Joan today, I would say that they know quite a bit about the situation and their views of it. Perhaps getting to know me and Brian will dispel some of what they heard either of them say. It will also help that you’re here, Mel, and that they will get to know Gus. Kids have a way of seeing through to the heart of things that we tend to forget to look for as adults. I’m sure that even though it may take time, it will all work out for the best.”

“Ever the optimist, Sunshine.” Brian exhaled sharply. “Well, let’s get this done so that we can be on our way. And I don’t give a damn what happens next... no more delays! I don’t know why I feel this way, but time is really of the essence now.”

The three of them followed Trevor back to a really comfortable looking conference room where John and Peter were sitting. The first thing Brian noticed were their drawn expressions. He remembered the almost vacant look in their eyes from his own childhood; a look that he still saw sometimes when he looked in the mirror.

“John, Peter, your uncle Brian has come with a couple of his friends to take you out of here,” Trevor announced as he picked up a manilla folder on the door. “These are the documents you will need for them to get on the plane.”

“Where are we going?” Peter asked at the same time John said, “You still a faggot?”

Brian narrowed his eyes at the eldest brother. “I’m not a bundle of sticks, but yes I’m still gay. If you have a problem with that, feel free to take your chances with the State.”

John swallowed hard at Brian’s response. He was angry at their situation, but also scared to death that they would have to return to their mother and grandmother’s idea of care. It couldn’t be any worse living with them or his father, God forbid. “No problem, Uncle Brian. Just making sure.”

“Good. Now that’s settled, we are going to Florida for a few days. My friend, and the mother of your cousin, has a family emergency. Have either of you ever flown before?”

“No,” Peter answered. “What’s it like?”

Justin stepped up to the little boy, who couldn’t be more than eight years old. “Taking off is not my favorite thing to do, but the ride is usually pretty okay. Since we’re flying at night, you’ll be able to look out of the window and see the lights. It can be very fascinating.”

“Will you hold my hand during take off?”

“Peter, don’t be such a baby!” John admonished him, but silenced at a look from Brian.

“He’s not being a baby, John,” Justin said patiently. “In fact, believe it or not, some adults even become nervous during the event. It’s nice that you will be a brave boy, but don’t knock someone because they have a fear. There will be plenty of things in your own life that will make you scared and you’ll want someone to hold your hand, too.”

John nodded, acknowledging silently that this was one of those times. He didn’t know what to expect from these men, only what his mother and grandmother had said about his uncle and his uncle’s lover. It was enough to have him second guessing their motives for taking them in. “Just promise that you won’t hurt us.”

Justin really looked at the boy then. He was doing his utmost to appear strong and brave in front of his brother, and Justin could feel his heart soften in response. “We won’t. Brian and I won’t physically harm either of you. Sure there will be times that we may hurt your feelings, same as you’ll do to us, but you’re safe now. And we’ll do anything to make sure you remain that way. Deal?”

John nodded and displayed a Kinney-esque smirk for the first time since they arrived within the room. Brian saw it and gave one of his own. Justin was a genius at handling the belligerent pre-teen, but he supposed that was because he was one not so long ago. Brian took the requisite forms from Trevor to sign, taking care to include Justin’s name on each one. When he handed the pen to the young blond, Justin’s eyes grew wide.

“Brian?”

“Don’t ‘Brian’ me, Sunshine. If anything happens to me, you’re legally responsible for them. What you told me will also now apply to you. You won’t be alone to handle this all by yourself should that happen. Besides, it beats the alternative of them ending up back in the clutches of the harridans of Pillbox Lane.”  

Justin nodded and signed the paperwork with his left hand. He didn’t trust his right one not to shake because of the life-altering documents he was signing. It was a major task and act of trust that Brian was putting before him, but he could understand why. Joan and Claire were exactly like Craig in Justin’s eyes. Their children were only useful to them to gain status and money, especially in Claire’s case. They were assets only in what they could provide for them, not young people with brains and ideas of their own. Brian had broken that cycle, as had Justin, by becoming something new and someone different. Being with Brian and Justin would give the boys that chance, too.

“Where will you want the money the State gives for taking care of them to go?” Trevor asked, shocking Brian and Justin.

Brian looked at Melanie to answer. “I believe that Mr. Kinney is going to open up a trust fund in their names as we have done with our son, Gus. They won’t be able to touch it until their of age, but between all of us, we’ll provide for anything they need.”

“Very well. Call me with the details when you set it up. In the meantime, I think this concludes our business,” Trevor said, extending his hand first to Melanie and then to Brian and Justin. Finally turning to John and Peter, he said, “I will be checking up on you boys from time to time. I don’t think I have to tell you to stick together and not give your family a hard time. It is never this easy to place children, but out of the kindness of his heart, your uncle is willing to save you from the system and keep you together. Honor that sacrifice, okay guys?”

“We will,” Peter answered as John just nodded his assent. They both realized this could have gone a lot differently than expected.

“Good. I’ll be in touch soon, but if you have any questions or concerns, all of my numbers are on this card. My supervisor’s numbers are on the back,” Trevor said as he handed the card to Justin.

As they left the building, Justin noticed that the boys didn’t have anything with them. “Brian, we have to go shopping the minute we reach Miami. I wonder if any of the stores at the airport are still open to at least get them some things for the flight. Have you boys eaten?”

“Awhile ago, Uncle Justin,” Peter said, shocking the adults to silence.

“You don’t have to call me that if you don’t want to,” Justin recovered.

“No. I meant it. But if you don’t want me to call you that…”

Justin smiled. “It’s absolutely fine with me if you want to call me that. In fact, I’d be honored. I have a little sister, and with luck it will be years before she makes me an uncle. You guys could be my first nephews.”

“I would like that,” Peter said, taking his hand.

“We have to pick up Gus, and then we can be on our way.”

“Gus?” John asked.

“He’s our son and your little cousin,” Melanie answered in place of Brian, who was still silent.

“Cool. We’ve never had a cousin before.”

“That’s good to know. Like you’ll be Justin’s first nephews, you’ll also be Gus’ first cousins.”

“How old is he?”

“He’s almost two.”

“Wow! You weren’t kidding when you said ‘little’ cousin.”

“True, but how old are you, John?”

“I’m almost twelve.”

“That’s a fun age.”

“Not really.”

“Why?”

“My mom, dad, and grandmother said that I’ve become a problem child.”

“They lied,” Brian said as they got into the car he rented at the airport. “They just didn’t know how to deal with you.”

“And you do?”

“No. But that’s why I keep Justin around. Not so long ago, he was your age.” He smirked.

“Ha, ha, Brian, very funny. You’re such a damn riot. Although he isn’t wrong, he meant it as a joke,” Justin said.

“Mom said that you’re a nineteen year old…” John trailed off, instinctively knowing that what he was about to say would upset everyone.

“It’s okay, John. I can just about imagine what your mother’s feelings about me are. I am nineteen, and your uncle’s lover. Brian is twelve years older than me. The way I see it, this makes me a good person to mediate between you and your uncle when he thinks you’re too young to do something.”

“Oh great, now I’ll have three teens to argue with.”

“Not three, Uncle Brian. Only two, because I’m not that old.” Peter chuckled.

“Okay, two teens and a midget then.” Brian said.

“I’ll take that… for now. Soon, I’ll be taller than all of you, but still younger. It’s a good trade off,” Peter said, making them all laugh as the car pulled into traffic.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“What are you doing with Gus, Uncle Vic? Where’s Brian?”

Vic rolled his eyes at hearing the voice of his unfavored nephew. Brian had called him and requested for him to meet them at the Diner. After receiving the call about his nephews, Brian asked him to babysit Gus, not knowing how long the situation at CPS would take. He had thought that with the verbal thrashing Michael had received twice today, he would be in Woody’s drowning his sorrows. No such luck!

“Brian isn’t here, Michael,” he answered, leaving out that he was on his way. He hoped that the man would get the message to go away, but Michael was always deliberately obtuse when it suited him to be.

“And why do you have Gus again?”

“Uh… none of your business, perhaps?”

“It’s just that with Lindsay in jail, I thought…”

“And that’s your problem right there, Michael. You thought. You thought your vicious comments about the guys would blow over and you would automatically be forgiven. You thought nothing you do should taint your idea of friendship with Brian. You thought joining forces with Lindsay would get you everything you wanted, including but not limited to: Justin going away, things returning to the way they were before he took Brian’s attention away from you, and you returning to the top spot of being the most important person in Brian’s life. Well I have news for you, nephew. You’re officially scraping the bottom of the barrel in the Kinney food chain. If I were you, I’d do my best to remain there, because once he remembers that you’re still around sticking your nose in his business where it clearly doesn’t belong, he’s going to make sure you get the message to stop it in a most vicious way. And we both know that Brian doesn’t do anything small or quietly. Are you prepared for that?”

“You’re wrong, Vic! Brian will forgive me!” Michael folded his arms, pouting petulantly. He didn’t want to hear virtually the same speech his mother had given him earlier. He refused to accept that Brian was done with him in favor of some blond boy ass trash when he had always been there. Why couldn’t anyone see what he knew to be the truth? Brian always forgave him! They were best friends and had been forever, and they would remain that way!

“Not if Justin doesn’t. And that won’t happen if you don’t apologize TO JUSTIN and mean it,” Vic retorted, interrupting Michael’s mental tirade. For his part, Vic had enough of verbally pounding on the cinderblock that seemed to be Michael’s brain and decided that the conversation was over. So standing up and moving over to the counter with Gus’ baby carrier, he asked Kiki, “Is that order up yet?”

“Just now, Darling.” Then she lowered her voice. “Are you going to take it out to them? They just pulled up.”

“Yes, I’ll do that. They have enough to deal with and don’t need to add him into the mix.” He pulled out thirty. “Keep the change. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

As he headed to the door, Michael called out. “Uncle Vic, where are you going? We were still talking!”

Vic turned back. “Feel free to keep doing that, Michael. Talk some sense into yourself; I’m done trying.” Vic handed off the baby and the food, advising Brian’s driver to hurry and drive off quickly. As he walked down the street, he turned back to see Michael literally chasing the black sedan just short of oncoming traffic. He laughed at the sight thinking, Almost like a puppy chasing his tail. They don’t stop until they realize it can never be caught. He wondered when Michael was finally going to stop.  

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Nancy was fuming by the time she arrived at her daughter’s house. She couldn’t believe that Ronald was trying to play hardball over one of her many indiscretions which had happened so long ago. She’d arrived home to find that her key no longer worked, and an envelope with her name on it taped to the screen door.

Opening the item she found a note:

Nancy,

If you are reading this, maybe it has finally dawned on you that I’m not playing. Enclosed is a copy of the pre-nup agreement YOU signed, as well as the post-nup addendum I had added, which you also signed. Also enclosed is the key to the storage unit where your things have been housed. I would advise you to deal with YOUR daughter, as Lynette has already stated that you will not be welcomed in her house.

Goodbye, Good Luck, and most of all Good Riddance,

Ronald

She had a good mind to burn their shared home to the ground in retaliation. Looking over the paperwork again, she couldn’t find one discrepancy in the terms he’d laid out before her. Marching back to the cab, she demanded that he take her to Sherbrooke Drive, where Lynette lived with her third husband. Knocking to the point where it would be considered banging, she waited to be let in.

“Nancy, what are you doing here?” Lynette asked, when it was apparent that she wouldn’t go away.

“It's mother and obviously I need a place to stay for the night since your father is being impossible.”

“No, that would be you who is being impossible, but then are we really surprised?”

“And what is that supposed to mean?”

“It means that you never knew when to quit while you were ahead. Both Daddy and I have told you to stop trying to fix the messes Lindsay always finds herself in. She isn’t you, and she isn’t going to be you. But then again, apparently she is your protege after all. Now once again your re-education of Lindsay efforts has cost you. So I would suggest you go stay with her. I’m not about to be cut off from Daddy in favor of associating with two tarts. You broke the eleventh commandment mother: Thou shalt not get caught.”

“And what if Larry was to find out that you’ve been sleeping with the poolboy?”

Lynette laughed at her mother’s attempt at blackmail. “He would know you were lying. You see, unlike you, my affairs were honest and I had my husband’s permission to engage in my extramarital activities, since they were impotent. That wasn’t what broke up my marriages; it was that they felt bad that they couldn’t give me the children I wanted.” Pressing her hand lightly against her midsection, Lynette rubbed gently. “Larry hasn’t had that problem.”

It was then that Nancy noticed her burgeoning belly. “You’re pregnant?”

Lynette laughed. “Larry would prefer the term ‘knocked up’ but yes, Nancy, I am. So no, there won’t be a poolboy in my future, just as there wasn’t one in my past. That was always you and then Lindsay. I have much higher standards. Well, I hope she has room to put you up, because my husband and I aren’t going to. Bye now!” Lynette said as she stood back from the door to slam it in her egg-donor’s astonished face.

Angrily, Nancy went back to the cab and demanded to be taken to the nearest Hilton hotel until she could contact Lindsay. She hoped that things were going well between her daughter and Gardner Vance because, thanks to Ronald, she was low on funds and knew she wouldn’t be able to comfortably survive staying more than two weeks in the hotel. Six thousand dollars was nowhere near enough to keep Nancy in the manner that she was used to. She would have to depend on Lindsay to keep Gardner happy and thereby able to take care of her. As her mother, Lindsay owed her that; a lesson Lynette clearly had forgotten. She would deal with her eldest daughter as soon as she established herself as the former Mrs. Peterson, with Lindsay’s help. As she sat there watching the lights go by, she couldn’t help but plot her revenge for when she was within the WASP nest once again. And it would all begin with that fucking ingrate, Ronald James Peterson. The divorce isn’t final yet, you fucker!   

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Jennifer walked into her home office, surprised to see her daughter hanging up the phone.

“Malinda Anne Taylor, who were you on the phone with this time of night? You remember the rules. No phone calls made past eight in the evening,” Jennifer scolded her young daughter.

“Calm down, Mom. I just had a little family business to discuss.”

Jennifer couldn’t help but grin. Her pre-teen daughter sounded so grown up and so much like her brother just then. Sobering quickly, she asked, “And what pray tell couldn’t wait until morning? I’m sure your little friends could have, since tomorrow is Saturday.”

“That would be true if I was talking to one of them. I wasn’t.”

Jennifer started to get a little concerned at the all-knowing smirk on her child’s face. “Then who were you talking to Molly, and I want a straight answer!” All manner of things were running through her mind. She’d already had a son who she thought had grown up too fast. She wasn’t prepared to handle her daughter’s budding adulthood so soon.

“Don’t worry, Mom. It wasn’t some older perv. Well sort of. Uncle Fred does have a perverse way of thinking, but I think that’s mostly regarding business.”

“Your uncle Fred? What did he want?”

“It wasn’t about what he wanted… but what I did.” Molly smiled brightly then. “I asked him for a favor and in turn, he asked me to help him out with some computer stuff.”

Jennifer smiled. It was every parent’s hope that they would birth geniuses. It was ironic that through grace and a little misfortune, depending on how one looked at it, she had. Justin was considered an artistic genius as well as excelling in academics; Molly was gifted with computers. Craig was against Molly skipping grades, but Jennifer was beginning to reconsider. “So what was the favor and is it legal?”

“Oh, of course it is, Mom. Uncle Fred would never involve his favorite niece in anything illegal. That would be asking for your knuckles, and he’s not too far gone to remember that thrashing you gave him some years ago.” Molly had heard the stories many times of how her uncle had tried to get fresh with her mother when he didn’t realize she was engaged to Craig Taylor. It was still a running joke between the older adults. “I asked him to take care of Craig. He’s going to repay all of the money to mine and Justin’s trust funds and bail the pain out of jail. Then he’s going to take him to the ranch and make him work off the debt until his trials come up. In turn, I come up with a new program for Uncle Fred, which updates on its own, so he can stop outsourcing for his businesses. He said it’s costing him a fortune since the people he hires always have to come back because there are glitches with the updates they install.”

Jennifer was shocked at what her daughter had planned with the help of her uncle. She couldn’t help but admire her twelve year old and be in awe of her at the same time. “So let me get this straight… in exchange for a computer program, he agreed to take care of Craig?”

“I wouldn’t say ‘take care of’ per se. More like make his life a living hell. You know...like in order to get him used to what prison will be, so that the transition from freedom to captivity will be easier for him. I’d say we’re performing a humane service for all involved.”

Jenn shook her head at her daughter’s reasoning. She honestly couldn’t find fault with what Molly and Fred agreed to. Granted, she understood the workings of the ranch that Fred worked on, aside from his multi-billion dollar corporation specializing in home improvement stores. Funny how they kept the terms legal, when Craig would consider the entire episode a form of extortion.

“Well okay, go and watch some television until it’s time for bed. I have my own business dealings to conduct.”

“Sure you don’t want me to help? Negotiating seems to be my specialty this evening.”

“Get out of here, little Miss Taylor!” Jennifer laughed as her diminutive daughter hopped down out of her overstuffed office chair.

“You’re not angry with me for getting him out, are you Mom?” Molly ran over to her, hugging her around the waist.

She looked down into the young face so much like her own and answered, “Not at all, Molly. In fact, I’m very proud of you and I’m sure Justin would be, too.”

“Good! You think I could get a boyfriend as hot as Brian someday? He’s really smart and handsome.”

“How about we just concentrate on finishing school first,” Jennifer evaded, thinking she wasn’t prepared to lose another child to the Brian Kinneys of this world.

“Okay, but I’m going to keep my eye out.”

“Don’t get your eye poked out,” Jennifer retorted as she gently pushed her daughter out of the room. It couldn’t possibly be time for me to have that talk with Molly already, she thought as she crossed over to her desk.

Dialing the number she knew by heart, she then waited for the phone to connect the call. “Constance dear, it’s Jennifer. Is your private eye available right now? You might want to tell him to get over to your former residence right now...”

By the time Jennifer finished explaining the situation to the woman on the phone, she had a smile on her face a mile wide. She had her former best friend back, and Gardner was about to receive the ass kicking of a lifetime.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

While at the airport, Justin decided to check in with Daphne. He was already missing her, even knowing this trip was necessary. It would be the first time in a few years that they weren’t going to be within a bus ride’s distance of each other. It was funny to him how that worked. Even living with Brian, and at times with Deb and Vic, until recently there weren’t many days that they hadn’t seen each other. So while Brian and Mel had taken John and Peter around to get some things to occupy them on the plane ride, he decided to give her a call and let her know what was happening. Having eaten on the way to the airport, Justin suggested that it might help keep their nervousness down since neither had ever been on a plane. She picked up the phone.

“Hey, you! I was just sitting here thinking about you. Are you okay, Jus?”

“Yeah, or at least, I think I am.”

“Was Brian able to get Gus?”

“Yes, he was, along with Melanie.”

“I can’t believe that bitch could do that to her own child!”

“True, especially since that was her reason for being such a bitch to me. And now on top of it all, Brian has been given custody of his nephews…”

“WHAT?! When did that happen?” He proceeded to tell her the entire story from when they left the restaurant. As he finished, she asked with shock in her voice, “So you’re their guardian, too? Wow, Jus! That’s…”

“Strange, I know.”

“Not so much strange as unbelievable, in a good way. So does this mean that you and Brian are finally doing the committed thing?”

“We haven’t had time to talk about any of that, Daph. And I honestly don’t want to push that. Right now, I think we’re both satisfied with the way things are and we’re together because we want to be.”

“Well that’s something, I guess.”

“It is, and it’s enough for now. During this whole thing, did you know that Brian hasn’t tricked once?”

“I didn’t officially know that. I just know that I hadn’t seen him out and about when I couldn’t come over to the loft. That has to mean something.”

“Just that he couldn’t trust me not to have an episode…”

“No, Justin. It means more, even I know that. But you are right. Whatever you and Brian are will work itself out. You have to believe that.”

“Part of me does, but the other part feels guilty. It’s like he’s put his whole life on hold for me. And now with Gus and the guys…”

“You stop that right now, Justin Taylor,” she scolded him strongly before softening her voice. “Let me tell you what I see. I see a man who has finally begun to accept responsibility. Granted he didn’t ask for it, by any stretch of the imagination, but he loves you enough to see to your needs and happiness. Now whether that’s as a friend or as a lover, it doesn’t matter. What does is that he’s been loyal to you in his own way, even before all of this began. He’s told you the truth of things regardless of how you’ve felt about them, so that makes what you are doing with him now have meaning to me. Trust me, I wouldn’t trust your care and handling to just anybody, Jus, but I trust Brian and I trust in him.”

“It just feels like it’s all moving a bit too fast.”

“That’s because it is, but not because either of you aren’t prepared for it. Let me ask you… could you see this stage of Brian’s life happening with Michael?”

Justin cringed at the thought. “Michael would have talked Brian out of all of this and used the situation to bleed Brian dry, both emotionally and financially.”

“Which you aren’t doing. You’re being there for him in a way his best friend would never be capable of. Michael is too selfish and used to having things his way; too used to seeing Brian as his fourteen year old hero to accept the man he’s grown to be. Same with Miss Bug-up-her-ass Peterson. You, on the other hand, met Brian as the man they refuse to see. You challenge him to do what’s right, for himself and others, all the while letting him be himself when no one’s looking. Beyond the physical, Justin, it’s what Brian needs and you give him that.”

“Even while I complain to you?”

“Everyone needs a sounding board sometimes. Besides, it allows me to live vicariously through you in a good way. Watching you fight with Brian and for Brian has allowed me to know what I will handle and won’t take when I finally find someone for myself. It’s been very enlightening.”

Justin laughed. Hearing things from Daphne’s point of view put things as they are in perspective for him. Then he got an idea. “Hey Daph, have you found employment for the work-study program at college yet?”

“No. Although I have an interview on Monday. Why?”

“How would you like to be a nanny to a baby, and two pre-teens, while completing your education?”

“I think I would like that, but would Brian and Mel go for it? I don’t have much experience with babies like Gus, although working summer camp for the last two years has given me an idea of dealing with John and Peter.”

“Let me talk to them and find out. We could use the next few weeks as a bit of trial and error. Besides if you’re still planning on being a pediatrician, every little bit of experience could help, right?”

Daphne thought over the wisdom of Justin’s words. He was right, that it could definitely help, although she had been having second thoughts about her major. “But what if I want to go into something different?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“I don’t know yet, but it’s something about the idea you had for the school. Justin, you know what we went through at St. James. Sometimes I wonder how we made it out of there with our sanity. If I could, in some way, spare another kid from that…”

“I know, which is why I thought of it. So you would be willing to work with me and help me pull it all together?”

Daphne smiled, and Justin could hear it in her voice. “Was there ever any doubt? I was there, too. So maybe I could major in Secondary Education instead of going Pre-Med?”

“It’s up to you, but what would your folks think? I know they had hopes that you would join them in their practice.”

“They did, but they have to accept that it’s my decision.”

“Except that they are paying for you to attend Carnegie…”

“True, but they aren’t like Craig, or at least I’d like to believe they aren’t. Tell you what, let’s work out something solid before I broach the subject with them. If they don’t agree, then I’ll just have to find another way to pay for my education.”

“Okay, I guess. In the meantime, we need to get you on a plane to Florida. How soon can you be packed?”

“In minutes. Do you think Brian and Mel would have a problem with me coming?”

“No, but if they do, I’ll think of something. I’ll book you a ticket now. Don’t forget your I.D.”

“I won’t. Oh, this is going to be so much fun!”

“Sort of, but don’t forget the reason we’re going in the first place.”

“Oh right! How is Mel holding up?”

“Nervous as hell. I’m glad Brian decided that we should go with her. It has to be hard knowing that your parent is at the end of his life.”

“I would imagine it is, except for… oh, sorry, Jus.”

“Don’t be; I’m not. I suppose that in time I’ll be able to forgive what Craig has done and then the grief of it will hit me all at once again.”

“Still he’s your dad…”

“No, he’s just the sperm donor, and I’d like to keep thinking of him that way. To think of him otherwise would really bring home again how much he hates me.”

“Well if it’s any consolation, your little sister is paying him back big time.”

Justin was surprised to hear that. He was already shocked that she’d petitioned the court on her own to remove Craig’s parental rights. He still couldn’t believe that she’d gotten her own attorney to work with his mother’s to make that happen. Smart little whelp! “What’s Molly done now?”

“She called me to ask for some advice on her idea to make Craig pay. She involved your Uncle Fred.”

“Oh shit! He hates Craig.”

“Indeed he does, which is why she called him, since he does it sneakily. I would imagine that by now Craig is on his way to Fred’s ranch, and will be up to his neck in shit by morning.”

“Literally,” Justin said, laughing. “I wonder if Mom knows.”

“She probably does by now. But listen, I’ll see you at the airport soon. What time is the flight?”

“Midnight so you’d better hurry. It’s after ten now.”

They hung up just as Brian came upon him. “Who were you talking to? Everything okay?”

Justin smiled brightly. “Everything’s fine, although you have to go get another ticket for our new nanny.”

“Nanny?”

“Yes. With this many kids and with us starting Kinnetik and me attending school soon, we’re going to need one. Plus Mel still has to work.”

“True. So who did you get?”

“Daph will be here soon.”

“My woman? Good choice, Sunshine!”

“Well as someone who shall remain nameless because he would get a big head says, ‘I don’t really have bad ideas’.”

“That’s debatable, but we’ll let the point go for now. Daphne’s coming. Now only if Cynthia could be away from the office… but I need her to be my eyes and ears while I’m gone. Shit! I’m going to need a bigger place.”

“You guys could always move into mine,” Mel offered, having overheard the conversation thus far. She was impressed with Justin’s initiative to see to their new needs for the kids. In her mind, he was making a major comeback from the traumas that befell him.

“Or you could move into one of the empty lofts in the building,” Brian retorted.

“Or maybe we should all just find a new place. No offense, Mel, but a life in Muncherville won’t do either of us any good. And honestly, do you want to live everyday in the place you shared with Lindsay? I wouldn’t,” Justin pointed out.

“That’s true. If we’re going to start fresh, then it would seem to be the only option, but it still needs to be near Liberty Avenue,” Mel agreed. She had to admit that she didn’t want the memories, even though with Gus in her care, some couldn’t be avoided. She wondered if it made her a bad person that she wasn’t grieving the end of her and Lindsay as a couple, even after they had spent so many years together.

“Mel, this is for the best,” Justin reassured her, seeing the confused thoughts flit across her face.

“You’re right, Justin. I might as well start this new phase how I mean to go on, and that’s definitely without the specter of Lindsay dogging my every thought and action. So what are we thinking?”  

“No suburbs,” Brian ordered.

“No problem,” Justin answered. He knew that was mainly a sticking point with Brian for many reasons, but primarily because it would be what Lindsay would have demanded of him if Brian had wanted her. It’s why Mel ended up in Muncherville against her own inclinations. Like Brian, Mel was more of a city dweller, at least for now. “Let me just make a call. In the meantime, you go get Daph’s ticket while I handle this.”

As Brian walked off to do Justin’s bidding, Mel asked, “What did you have in mind, Justin?”

“I think I’m finally beginning to understand what my uncle George meant when he said that being a WASP has its privileges and I’d better get used to it.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“It means that money doesn’t talk, Mel, it screams, and we’re about to make some people throw a tantrum.” He waited for the call to connect. “Hi, Mom. I need a favor.” Justin put the phone on speaker so that Mel could hear.

“Justin, I was just about to call you. Gardner Vance got Lindsay out of jail without going before a judge.”

“He did what?! How?”

“Apparently he bribed someone to release the bitch back into the wilds of Pittsburgh. You know they’re planning something.”

“I know. Have you called Cynthia yet?”

“Not yet, but she’s my next call.”

“Good. She’ll need to go into the office tomorrow. Hopefully Marcie can go with her. If Gardner is planning what I think he is…”

“I know. They won’t have much chance to clear the other office files out of there before Gardner has a chance to set whatever wheels Lindsay will turn in motion.”

“It could be nothing though…”

“I doubt it with the two of them involved. Besides, it looks like Lindsay will be supporting her mother. According to sources, Ron finally told that battleaxe where to stick her blade. Ordinarily I would say putting Nancy up would be enough to keep Lindsay out of trouble but...”

“Revenge breeds strange bedfellows.”

“Indeed, Son, but I suspect your reason for calling wasn’t to gossip?”

“No Mom, it wasn’t. Although I have to say, it was very informative. You know the old bath house that just shut down right off of Liberty Avenue?”

“Is that the building where you and Brian first had sex in public?”

Justin gasped. “How did you know that?!”

“I know a lot more that I would choose to forget if I could, Justin. Believe me when I say no parent wants to know about their child doing that!”

Mel laughed at Justin’s tell-tale blush, but otherwise kept quiet as Justin answered. “Yes well, that’s right. It was called The Adonis. So about my favor... How would you like the chance to turn it into killer office space and the property right behind it into a small mansion?”

“Why? What’s going on?”

Justin explained what had happened since leaving the Belle Aire Country Club restaurant earlier that evening. Then he began to describe in detail what he wanted the places to look like when they were finished. “So you see, Mom, we need the spaces, and if it pisses off a few people…”

He could hear Jennifer’s smile through the phone. “Ah, the Brian Kinney School strikes again, but he’s right. Living well is the best revenge and looking well while doing it… well, I can just see the constipated faces your collective success is about to bring. And a mansion within the City could be just the thing to cause a huge bout of verbal diarrhea. After all, everything is all about status with them, isn’t it? Okay, count me in, Son. Send me the plans by email since I know typing at the moment is easier than drawing it out and I’ll take care of it. I’m sure my friend, Armand has been dying to get his hands on a project like this. He’s an architect and a general contractor with his own business. You’d like him.”

“I’m sure I would. In the meantime, call Cynthia and have her put you in touch with William Murphy, also known as Murph. Between the two of them, they can give you and Armand an idea of how Business Brian thinks while still giving the place touches fit for me and Mel. Their knowledge will come in handy when designing both the office and the house.”

“Will do. And if he exceeds your expectations, I might be inclined to sign an exclusive contract with him. Now that I’m in business for myself, it’s something to seriously consider. What’s the timeline?”

“First things first is to secure the building and land behind it…”

“Not a problem. Since Diane’s company was the realtor on file, I inherited the account. Based on the work, we can lowball the offer. I should know within a day or two if it’s accepted.”

“Good, but don’t go any more than one-hundred and twenty-five thousand for it. Remember I’ve seen the inside of the building, and although structurally sound, it’s going to require a lot of work just to sandblast the cum off the walls and floor.”

“Thanks for another visual I didn’t need or want, dear,” Jennifer said cringing. “I doubt they will counter-offer that much. It seems the owner is in a hurry to sell and would accept a short sale on the property. You’re sure you want the office building quadruple-paned glass and chrome?”

“Absolutely. I don’t want them to only see the clients going in and out of the building, but how we work outside of Vanguard’s box. Just make sure to have electronic shutters on all of them and that everything is fireproof. I don’t trust Gardner not to try to sabotage our efforts. Same goes for the house where Lindsay is concerned. She’s already going to have several shit fits as I suspect Michael will as well. But also, could you hire movers to clear out Mel’s house tomorrow? With Lindsay being freed, I don’t want her to have an opportunity to sabotage anything Melanie has going with Brian and I. Before she really knows anything, we want the house to be put on the market.”

“Perhaps that should be the first call I make. I know a couple of guys that will move a client in the middle of the night for an extra fee.”

“Brian and I will reimburse you. Mel has a key to her place at the loft. Emmett has the spare.”

“Well okay, darling. Let me work out the particulars with the movers so that I can get started on acquiring the property and land first thing in the morning. I have to admit, a mansion in the middle of the district is a genius idea. The good thing is that because you’re building up, not out, there shouldn’t be an issue with the zoning board, especially when it comes to selling should you all ever consider that. Your office space as it is will take up an entire block and they’re not going to want it vacant for much longer. It’s a prime area for hustlers and squatters to take advantage of if left unattended. I’ll put a rush on the permits once the sale is completed so we can begin construction immediately. Meanwhile, be careful on your trip and we love you.”

“I love you and Molly too, Mom.” Justin hung up the phone smiling wide. He turned to his companion. “So Mel, having any second thoughts?”

She smiled back at the infectious grin. “Not a one, Justin. Not a one!”