Truth Be Told

Part Fourteen

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Brian and Justin were quietly holding each other, getting comfort. Justin was worrying about his mother and if she will recover. He was also worried about what would happen to Molly if she didn't.  Can I raise her? He queried. Justin thought to himself, I'll have to. The only other choice would never work. I can't trust him.

"Justin, I think it's time you talked to a professional about the bashing. From what Ethan told Daphne earlier, it sounds like you are having problems again."

"I have learned to deal with them better. Tonight was just too much, that's all. Most of the time, it doesn't affect my life too much."

"Are you referring to the way you just stopped, like you are some kind of machine or something? That scares me more than the attacks. You are shutting yourself down and that's not healthy."

"No offense, really. I don't want to hurt your feelings but I hope you understand why I am reluctant to take your advice in this area," smiled Justin.

"I am very aware of the irony here, but I really want you to do this. If nothing else, maybe a therapist could help you find better ways to deal with the anxiety attacks."

"Maybe."

"I think it's important, Justin. You can't go on like this."

"Will you come with me?"

"I'll drive you and wait for you in the waiting room. I'll be able to hear if you yell."

"What if I need you in the room with me?"

"You mean participate in the sessions," gasped Brian.

"Yes."

"I don't think that I am ready for that but we could talk about that after you started. Maybe I could sit in as an observer but not participate."

"Not now though, there is too much going on right now. I'll see how things are after we know what is happening with Mom. We should get back. They might be trying to find me."

"Okay, but I'm not too excited to get back."

"They needed to hear that. It's about time they realize what they're doing."

"Daphne has more balls than I could ever hope to have," laughed Brian.

"I know. When she gets started, she usually goes after several people. I wonder who is next or if she is done?"

"I don't think there is anyone left. Me, Craig, Ethan, Michael, Melanie, Lindsay and Debbie. She's got it covered."

"I guess so," said Justin as he walked toward the hospital. "Wait, she told my Dad off too."

"Yes, she really let him have it. You never told me you were scared to come out to her."

"All of our parents had this vision of me becoming this big business executive and she a doctor. They had our future all planned out. We would get married after we got our undergrad degrees and have a baby before she started her residency. Then another when she got her M.D."

"What? What about your art?"

"That was never taken seriously by anyone other than Mom and Daph. Even though, Mom supported my art, she totally agreed with the plan and business school. Oh yeah, they also thought that the Fullers down the street would be ready for a retirement home by the time we were expecting our first baby and we could live there."

"Justin, you were only seventeen when we met, how long had this plan been in place?"

"For as long as I can remember, Daphne and I met at play school when we were three."

"That was a lot of pressure for you. And Daphne."

"It's why I fought the idea I was gay for so long. I felt I would be letting everyone down."

"No wonder your mother doesn't like me. I sure as hell can't give you babies or be a doctor," Brian said.

"She likes YOU. It's the idea of you and your image that she isn't crazy about."

"Justin, I can give you a baby, we can share Gus. Since we are going to be together, he will have two daddies as well as two mommies."

"Brian, that is very kind of you but we might have more children than we know what to do with, I have to be there for Molly. I won't let my Dad get custody. I can't. I won't."

"Of course, I understand. You are going to tell me what you have on your dad and what happened years ago, right?"

"Eventually, but not now. There are other things to worry about."

"Justin, I don't want you to worry about how you are going to raise Molly, if it comes to that. I will help you, Daphne will, hell, even the whole fucked up family will. They are good in a crisis. They stayed here, all of them even though the night turned into one confrontation after another. They would never consider abandoning you at a time like this. It's the everyday that can be a problem."

"Thanks," sighed Justin. He took a deep breath and reached for the door handle.

Brian grabbed his hand, "whatever happens we will deal with it together."

Justin smiled and nodded.

As they entered the room, they noticed that most of the family was asleep. Ted and Emmett were propped up against each other blissfully slumbering. Carl had arrived and Deb was using his shoulder as a pillow. He wasn't asleep and gave Justin a sympathetic smile. Michael stood at the window lost in thought. Ben had his arm resting on the backs of several chairs and Daphne had curled into his side. Mel stared at Lindsay and Gus who were asleep holding each other. Craig slept straight up in his chair.

What a hard ass, thought Brian.

Daphne woke when they entered and told Justin that Vic was reading a magazine while he watched Molly. He had relieved her when he found her falling asleep in the room.

They were still watching the others and their activities, when Dr. Lampert approached.

"Mr. Taylor?"

Brian nudged Justin when he didn't answer.

"What?  Oh, sorry. Not used to people calling me mister," admitted Justin.

"It's okay, can we sit down?"

"It's bad news," gasped Justin, loud enough to wake several of the others.

"No, it's actually pretty good news. She has stabilized considerably over the last few hours. Barring any complications, I believe she will make it."

Justin looked up and silently thanked God for his mercy.

"Her recovery will be very painful and take many months. The injury to her spine is still an issue, but I think with intensive rehabilitation she will walk again."

"What about Molly?" Brian asked.

"Physically, she is fine. Her arm will heal. The trauma she suffered psychologically will take a while to surface. She will be released in a few hours. We will give her a prescription for the pain in her arm. That will come and go. Of course the cast has to stay dry so she will need help with bathing for a while. An appointment will be scheduled every two weeks to monitor the healing of the bones."

"Is there any way that Molly can visit Mom for a minute? She still thinks I am lying to her and that she died."

"I am sorry but children aren't allowed in the ICU."

"Okay, thank you doctor," said Justin.

"I'll come give you another update before you leave with Molly."

"Thanks."

Dr. Lampert turned and walked out of the room. Brian followed the door out into the hall, "Dr. Lampert, can I speak with you for a moment?"

"Sure, may I ask what your relationship is to the family?"

"I am Justin's…Boyfr…partner," stammered Brian.

The doctor nodded, "what can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if we could get special permission for Molly to see her mother for just a few minutes. She has been through a lot in the last year or so. The only constant in her life has been Jennifer. She is going to have a hard time adjusting to the way things are for the next few weeks"

"Months," the doctor corrected.

"Well, that's even worse. You see, Justin is barely holding it together right now and if he falls apart because Molly does, I have no idea how to fix that or even deal with it. My experience with nine year-old girls is rather limited."

"To be honest my concern is that seeing her mother unconscious will do more harm than good," said Dr. Lampert.

"She saw her mother in the car covered in blood and struggling to breathe and keep her calm. This will put her at ease, she will see Jennifer sleeping. If you could tell me what kind of tubes she has, Justin and I will explain them to her. She was allowed to see Justin when he was in a coma last year. After that, she would tell everyone that Justin was tired and when he was done sleeping he would wake up. As far as she understands that is exactly what happened. She teases him because he slept for two whole weeks and that is pretty lazy."

"Since she has previous experience with an unconscious family member, I will make an exception. I hope you know what you are doing. In an hour she can visit for a couple of minutes. I will have the nurse make Jennifer as presentable as possible, hide as many tubes as we can under the blankets. She will be able to hold her hand and give her a kiss on the cheek but NO hugs. The potential for damage is too great."

"I understand and thank you very much. This will make all the difference for Molly."

"I'll have a nurse come and get you when Jennifer is ready."

"Great, thanks."

Brian returned to the waiting room and found Justin and Daphne talking quietly in the center of the room as everyone around them listened. Daphne turned to Brian, "it's about time. I am so proud of you." Then she jumped into his arms and gave him a big hug.

"Get off me. Enough," snapped Brian, as he tried to pry the teen off of him. "Are you trying to completely destroy what little is left of my image?"

"Yes," she smiled.

"Brat," he sighed. "Justin, I talked the doctor into letting Molly see your mother. He said it would be all right in about an hour. A nurse will come get us. We should talk to her about the tubes and monitors, first. I think they are basically the same as what you had while you were in the coma, so she did see them before."

"How did you manage to convince him?" Justin asked.

"You weren't gone long enough to perform a sexual favor," snickered Mel.

Everyone just gave her a dirty look. Immediately, Lindsay picked up Gus and walked away from her.

"I explained to him that Molly did much better last time after she saw you. Also that the memory she has from the car has to be far more traumatic than one of Jennifer sleeping."

"How did I ever forget all the wonderfully thoughtful things you do for me?" Justin asked as he kissed him.

"By remembering all the unbelievably insensitive things I did to you?"

"Not anymore, I promise to see the good not the bad."

"And I promise to try and do good, not bad," smiled Brian.

"I really think you should have something to eat, it's been hours and your body sure as hell isn't used to that!" Brian continued.

"I'm not very hungry," replied Justin quietly.

"I know, but you should have something, anyway. Do you want me to go get something and bring it back here or would you like to come to the cafeteria?"

"Let's go there. Maybe the walk will help me get rid of some of this nervous energy."

They stood and instinctively reached for each other's hand.

"I can't fucking believe it," came a loud voice from the doorway. They looked to find a very hurt and angry Ethan standing there.

Justin took a deep breath, "Ethan, I can explain."

"I don't want to hear it. I guess I should have known. If you would cheat on him with me, I guess I should have expected this."

"You knew I was still in love with Brian. I don't know what to say. I'm sorry. When we met I had completely lost hope and you were so kind and free with your feelings. I wanted that more than I wanted you. I never should have acted on it because I ended up hurting everyone. I really am sorry."

"Save it. Here I brought the rest of your meds. I knew you needed to take them this morning," said Ethan as he handed the bottles to Justin.

"I guess you will have to come and get your stuff so you can move back into the lap of luxury. Pun definitely intended," he added, looking to Brian.

"Yes and no. I will come get my stuff, but I will be moving to Mom's condo to look after Molly."

Ethan's expression softened, "God, Justin, did your mom…"

"No, she is probably going to make it. But it will take a long time so I will be caring for Molly. That way mom can concentrate on getting better."

"I really am sorry that I didn't tell you when she phoned. It was a big mistake, but please, understand that I just wanted you to relax. Seeing you standing here, I know that part of your stress was being separated from Brian. This has to be the most stressful night you've ever had and yet you look more relaxed than you have in the last several weeks."

"Thanks Ethan."

"I'll see you around school, maybe in time, we could be friends."

"I hope so."

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