Truth Be Told

Part Two

Craig turned and followed his son into the waiting room. "How are they? Where's Molly? They didn't say much on the phone." He stopped when he saw Brian and the others looking at him.

"Molly broke her arm. She's in surgery to have it set. But other than that she's only got cuts and bruises. She's going to be fine," answered Justin.

Craig sighed, "Thank God!  What about Jen?"

"She's in surgery too.  She's hurt real bad. They don't think she is going to make it," Justin said his voice cracking.

Brian reached for Justin's arm to comfort him but Craig grabbed his hand.  "Don't touch him you bastard. From what I understand, Justin has finally wised up when it comes to you and got away. You are not pulling him back while he's scared and vulnerable."

"Dad, please," Justin pleaded closing his eyes and he rubbed his forehead.

Brian realized that Justin was starting to get a headache.  "Daphne and Eric, Jeremy, Julian.." he said.

"Ethan," Ethan offered.

"Whatever. Take Justin for some water or air," Brian continued.

"I don't want to go too far," said Justin.

"Someone will come find you if there is any news. Your father and I need to talk," Brian explained.

"I don't have anything to say to a child molester," Craig snapped.

"Good because I've got plenty to say. You can shut up and listen," Brain said sternly.

"Go," Brian said to Justin, Ethan and Daphne. Reluctantly, they left pulling Justin with them.

"Why don't you get out of here. Thankfully, you are not a part of his life anymore," said Craig.

"That's where you are wrong. I may have messed up our relationship and he may not be living with me now but I will always care about Justin. And I'm not going anywhere. I will always be here for him. Unlike you, I would do anything for him," Brian explained.

"Mr. Taylor, I know you are upset. But Justin is going to need our support at such a difficult time. Especially from Brian. And God forbid things should get worse. We are not going to abandon him," Deb stated diplomatically.

"Justin doesn't need you, he needs his family," replied Craig.

"We are his family. Have been for almost two years," fumed Michael.

"Yeah, where were you a year ago when we sitting here worried about Justin. I am a parent too Mr. Taylor and I can't for the life of me understand how you could be so unconcerned about your own son when he was fighting for his life, " Deb countered.

"I don't have to justify my actions to you," blared Craig.

"How about trying to justify how I found you yelling at Justin in the middle of the night; while he was still in the coma. You said he deserved what he got and that the publicity was causing you problems," yelled Brian. "You selfish prick."

"I'm getting security." Craig replied.

"Oh no you don't," said Brian, shoving Craig up against the wall with his forearm pressed into his throat.

"Listen to me very carefully Craig. You are NOT going to make this any harder on Justin. Since, as far as I know you and Molly still have a relationship you are going to go over to that corner and read some magazines. If I see you even look at Justin and it makes him uncomfortable. You are going to need a hospital room."

"Don't threaten me, I'm not afraid of a faggot," Craig said glaring at Brian.

"Well, you should be because when it comes to Justin I lose perspective," Brian warned.

"Mr. Taylor, as Jennifer's lawyer. I feel I should inform you that she has given Justin guardianship of Molly. Should something happen to her." Mel said.

"She can't do that without my permission," Craig hollered.

"As the person with primary custody she can. You, of course, have the same rights and visitation that you've always had," explained Mel.

"I'll fight this, I'll go to court," Craig fumed.

"To tell you the truth Mr. Taylor, I hope you do. I would love to get you under oath and on the witness stand. We could talk about how you treated your son- kicking him out of the house and hitting him. How you viciously attacked Brian, twice."

Craig looked at Brian.

"Yes, Mr. Taylor, we know you are the one who tried to kill Brian by ramming his jeep," continued Mel.

"I thought you wouldn't be able to tell," Craig whispered to himself.

"I didn't. Justin figured it out," Brian told him.

"We could also discuss how you have tried to turn Molly against her brother. And how you've done everything you can to make things more difficult for Jen. Not to mention how you tried to get Justin's health insurance cancelled after the attack," Mel said shaking her head.

"That was a financial decision," Craig responded.

"So you say, but when I was looking over the financial settlements. I found out that it only costs twenty-three dollars per month to keep Justin insured. For a person with your income and what Justin has been through medically, I can't believe you would try to ruin his future like that. He was eighteen so the bill was in his name. He would have spent the rest of his life trying to pay it back. His credit would be fucked. He never would have gotten student loans, car loans, mortgages or even a credit card."

"You selfish Fuck," yelled Brian.

Craig looked dumbfounded. He didn't know what to say.

"So, Mr. Taylor, will you please have a seat and if you can't help Justin just to stay out of his way," Mel said emphatically.

Craig realized that he'd lost this round and slinked off to the corner to sit down.

Brian smiled at Melanie, "I knew that bitchiness of yours would come in handy someday."

After awhile, Daphne poked her head into the waiting room. "Is it safe to come back yet?" she asked looking around.

"Yeah, everything's fine now," Emmett answered.

She turned and nodded to Ethan who then slowly guided Justin back to the others.

Everyone waited for news. Justin paced the room nervously. Ethan tried to calm him but didn't have much luck.

A nurse entered the room, "Is this Molly Taylor's family?" she asked."Yes," answered Justin and Craig together.

"She is starting to come out of the anesthetic but she's quite upset. She remembers her mother is injured. When we told her she couldn't see her right now she started calling for Justin.  I take it you are Justin," asked the nurse.

"Yes," answered Justin.  "Can I see her?"

"Follow me," she turned to the other man. "Are you her father?"

"Yes."

"Okay. She said she wants to see Justin but only Justin," the nurse explained. "I'm sure it's just the medication. Things will gradually clear and then, you can visit her."

"But I'm her father," argued Craig.

"When is the last time she went to you for comfort. You're loud and scary," Justin calmly asked then turned to walk away but paused to add "those are her words not mine."

Justin could hear Molly calling him from down the hall, he ran to her and she clung to him, sobbing.

"Shhh Mol, it's okay, I'm here now," Justin said trying to calm his little sister.

"Is Mommy dead?" she asked her eyes wide.

"No, The doctors are trying to help her get better."

"I saw her in the car, Justin. And I heard the ambulance driver. I don't believe you, you just don't want me to cry," Molly said getting more and more agitated.

The nurse entered the room and explained to Justin that it was hospital policy to try other things before giving children sedatives.

"She is fine except for a few bumps and bruises and her arm, of course.  If you think it would help, you could take her for a walk. Even go see all those people in the waiting room."

"Are you sure it's okay?" asked Justin.

"I'm sure, just not for too long she needs her rest. If you can't calm her, bring her back and I'll get the doctor to prescribe something," she answered.

"Okay. Molly do you want to go see Dad?  He's in the waiting room. He's real worried. So are a lot of other people. Debbie, Vic, Lindsay, Daphne, Brian, Ethan, Gus…."

"Gus," Molly smiled, she loved babies.

"Yeah, let's go," Justin said lifting his sister into his arms.

"I can get a wheelchair," the nurse offered.

"No, this is better," said Molly resting her head on her brother's shoulder.

"Watch out for the cast," added the nurse.

Justin walked into the waiting room.

"Molly," several people exclaimed at the same time.  She clung to Justin even tighter.

Craig went to her.  "Baby, I'm so happy to see you," he said as he reached for her.

Molly paused then leaned over to get a hug from her father. "I was so scared, Daddy."

"I  know sweetie," Craig said and tried to take her from Justin.

"No," she yelled and turned back to her brother.

"It's okay, Mol. Shhh," soothed Justin.

Daphne walked up and rubbed Molly's back.  "Hey, Mol, how's my favorite little sister? Does your arm hurt?"

"A little," Molly said looking at Daphne. "I'm happy you're here."

"I wouldn't be anywhere else," Daphne responded, kissing her cheek.

"Hi Molly, " Ethan smiled.

"Hi," Molly whispered burying her face in Justin's shoulder again. "Where's Gus?"

Justin looked around the room and saw Brian holding Gus. He walked over and sat Molly beside the baby. He took the seat next to her.

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