Lost Sister

Part 9

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Brian and Justin rushed to the hospital.  They found Cait and Lindsey waiting.  Lindsey was wrapped up in Cait’s arms sobbing.  Hearing the two men approach, Lindsey disentangled herself from Cait and fell into Brian’s arms.  Justin watched the two old friends and knew that the fight a few hours ago had been forgotten.

Sensing that Brian and Lindsey were in their own world, Justin turned to Cait.  “What happened?”

“We really don’t know much, but apparently, Melanie was at the bank during a hold up.”

“Is she going to be alright?”

Cait turned and looked at her brother and Lindsey and then turned back to Justin and whispered, “They don’t think she’s going to make it.”

“Oh, my god!  Does Linds know?”

Shaking her head, Cait answered, “No, they pulled me aside and told me.  Lindsey was already too distraught.  They were worried about how she would take it.”

Wondering how he would feel if something happened to Brian, Justin could only grasp Cait’s hand.”

           

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Several hours later the doctor arrived and told them that Melanie was dead.  Lindsey collapsed and was taken away to be sedated while Brian watched in shock.

“Justin, can you go get Gus from the babysitter’s? I want to stay with Lindsey.”

“Sure Bri, I’ll bring him home to the loft.  I’m sure Lindsey is in no condition to take care of him right now.”

“I need to be here with her.”

“I know.  Cait and I will take care of Gus.”

“I know you will, baby.  Can you call everyone and tell them what happened.  You’ll handle it better than I could.”

“Of course.”  Justin squeezed Brian’s hand.  “We’ll take care of it.”

“Thank you … for everything.”

Justin gave Brian a soft kiss and left the hospital with Cait.

 

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Brian held Lindsey in his arms.  The sedative had relaxed her.  She was too out of it to comprehend that Melanie was dead.  As Brian held Lindsey, the future stretched before him and for the first time the destination was unknown.  A feeling of dread clutched at his heart and Brian knew that changes were looming on the horizon.

 

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Justin and Cait took Gus home to the loft.  Brian had added a small bed and screened off part of the loft for the times he had Gus with him.  Remembering the first time he had seen the loft changes, Justin felt tears well up in his eyes.  Here was living proof that Brian had changed and loved his son like no other.

Cait came up behind Justin and wrapped her arms around his waist.  The two friends stood in silence for a few moments watching the young boy sleep.

“Brian really loves him.”

“He loves you, too.”

Turning to look at his best friend, Justin could only smile.  “I know he does.”

Helping themselves to some of Brian’s expensive whiskey, the two friends made their way over to the couch.  They sat in silence for several minutes.

“I can’t believe Melanie is really gone.  She could be abrasive at times, but I really loved her.”

Cait sighed wistfully, “I never really got to know her.  She hated me on sight.”

“That’s because you’re Brian’s twin sister.  She never cared for him.  Besides, I think she knew Linds was falling in love with you.”

“What???”

“Please Cait, I know you love her, too.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about.”

Rolling his eyes at her, “Remember who you’re talking to Irish.”

The older woman had the decency to look chagrined. 

“I know you didn’t mean to, but I think it was inevitable.”         

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Lindsey has always been in love with Brian, but she knew she would never get anywhere because she didn’t have a dick.  Then you come along, a lesbian Brian Kinney.  She never had a chance.”

“So you’re saying any feelings she may have for me are simply misguided feelings towards my brother?”

Justin knew he was treading on tedious ground.  “No, I just think that fate has a strange way of working things out.”

Cait was not about to be mollified, “So fate decided to have Lindsey’s wife gunned down so she could be with her lesbian fantasy of Brian Kinney?!?!?  That is seriously fucked up Justin!”

Pulling his friend into his arms, Justin held Cait as she cried.  “I love her Jus. The feelings I have for her are like none I’ve ever had before.”

“I know. Caitie, I know.”

 

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Brian took Lindsey home from the hospital and got her into bed.  The evening’s events had worn him out.  The shock of Melanie’s death had rocked his world.  Everything was going to change and he worried about what those changes would mean.

Deciding that he would spend the night with Lindsey in case she needed him, Brian decided to call Justin.

“Hey baby!”

“Hey, how’s Lindsey?”

“Asleep, that’s about all I can say.”

“Is she aware of Mel’s death yet?”

“No, I don’t think so.  She’s still pretty drugged up.  I’m going to spend the night here.”

“Ok.  I love you, Brian.”

“I love you too, Sunshine.”

 

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Brian stayed at Lindsey’s for two days.  The two old friends talked for the first time in a long time.

“I feel so guilty.”

“Why?”

“We were fighting when she left that day.  I will never forgive myself that the last words we had were in anger.”

“Linds, shit happens and life gets in the way.  Melanie knows that you loved her.”

“Our last fight was over Cait.”

Brian was not expecting this, “What?”

“Melanie accused me of falling in love with her.”

“Are you?”

Running her fingers through her long blonde hair, Lindsey wasn’t sure how to respond.  “I don’t know.  I like her a lot, but I wonder if it’s left over feelings that I have for you.”

Rolling his lips into his mouth, Brian could only nod.  It had crossed his mind that Lindsey might develop some kind of attraction for Cait because she was his twin.  Melanie’s death only complicated things.

 

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Brian went with Lindsey to the attorney’s office to go over Melanie’s will.  What shocked the two of them was that Melanie’s will gave Brian back his parental rights to Gus.  He never expected Melanie to do that considering how Mel felt about him.  The attorney, a partner in Melanie’s firm, gave Brian a letter that Melanie had written to him.  He decided to wait until he was home to read it.

“Brian, I have a huge favor to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“I still have so much to deal with.  Losing Mel, the state of our relationship when she died, just lots of things, and I don’t think I should be taking care of Gus right now.  He’s still so young and I’m afraid that I can’t handle it right now.  Can he come and live with you for a while?”

Brian hesitated to answer.  He and Justin were planning their move to Paris. Brian feared what canceling those plans would do to their relationship.

Sensing his reluctance, Lindsey quickly continued.  It’s okay, Bri. I’m sure my parents can help.”

“No fucking way, Gus is my son, too.  He can stay with me as long as he needs to.”

“But what about your plans with Justin?”

“We’ll be ok.”

“What about Paris?”

“Justin can go and I’ll join him when things are settled.  Don’t worry about it.”

“Brian …”

“No Lindsey, we have to do what’s best for him.  Losing Mel is going to be hard for him and we have to make sure he doesn’t lose anyone else.”

The two friends hugged as Brian tried to decide what he would tell Justin.

 

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Justin was cooking dinner when Brian got home.  Having arranged to pick up Gus the following day, Brian headed home to break the news to his fiancé.  Fiance?  He briefly wondered if Justin would still want to marry him after Brian drastically altered their plans.

“Hey, how did it go at the attorney’s office?”

“It was ok.  Melanie gave me back my parental rights to Gus.”

“Really?  She must not have hated you that much.”

“Apparently not.”

“There’s something else, isn’t there?”

“Lindsey is still really fragile and she’s worried that she can’t take care of Gus right now.  He’s going to be with me indefinitely.”

Justin couldn’t believe what he was hearing.  “Brian, what about …?”

“You’re going to go to Paris like you planned.  I’ll join you when things get settled.”

“No! Brian, I won’t.”

Brian hung his head sadly.  He was worried that Justin’s reaction would be to tell him to fuck off, but he had hoped that he wouldn’t.  “I understand, you need to stick with your plans, but Gus is my responsibility now.”

“Brian, you are fucking insane if you think I’m going to go globetrotting and leave you here.”  Waving his engagement ring in Brian’s face, Justin continued. “This makes your commitments and obligations mine too.  Gus will live with us and we will help our family get through this.”

Brian’s only response was to collapse into Justin’s arms.

 

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After making love tenderly and relaxing in Justin’s arms, Brian suddenly remembered the letter from Melanie.  Disentangling himself from his lover’s arms, Brian went to get the letter out of his coat pocket.

He handed it to Justin asking the young artist to read it, he was a little nervous about Melanie’s final words to him.

 

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Hey Asshole!

 

If you’re reading this then something has happened to me and you’ve found yourself saddled with a kid you never wanted.  I’m just kidding, but it’s still always fun to bait you.

 

As you already know, I’ve given you back custody of Gus and you’re probably wondering why.  As much as I hate to admit it, you are his father and a good one.  You love him and he loves you.  If I’ve died before Lindsey than she’s going to need your help.

 

Please take care of her, Brian.  Don’t let her mourn me too long and help her move on.  She’s strong, but she deserves to be in love and have someone love her back.  She’s the best thing that ever happened to me and I’m grateful for the years we’ve had.

 

So here I am entrusting the woman I love and my son to you.  I know what a selfish prick you can be, but you are also loving and honorable to those you care about. Remember our wedding?

 

See you’ve been busted, although, I suspect Justin has known this for years.  Take care of my family, Brian, as you have been for years.

 

Melanie

 

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Brian was crying as Justin finished reading the letter.  Gathering his lover up in his arms, Justin could only whisper.  “I guess she didn’t hate you after all.”

“No, I guess she didn’t”

 

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