When the Bough Breaks

Chapter 2

Gus let his mother comb his hair one last time before taking his lunch box and walking like a man to the bus stop for his first day of kindergarten. She kissed him just before he boarded the bus and tried to hide her tears from him.

Gus hid his fear behind the smile he shot his mommy, and sat on the first seat behind the bus driver. With a shy wave he went out into the world on his own for the very first time.

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The phone interrupted Brian's shower and he grabbed it with that same hope he'd had for the last three years that somehow they'd found Gus alive.

His heart dropped when he heard the words that he needed to come to the station to identify the body of a little boy that matched Gus's description. Over the last few years he'd dreaded the ringing of the phone and every trip to the morgue.

He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Gus was still alive. He could feel his son and nothing would convince him otherwise. He prepared himself to join Lindsay at the morgue to once again look into the lifeless eyes of a little boy that just might be his son.

Brian held his breath as the medical examiner pulled the bagged body from the fridge. His mind raced with memories of Gus laughing and playing in the loft. He thought of that first birthday when Gus had helped Justin remember prom and how Gus's laughter had filled them both with hope for the future.

He was carried back to the night his son was born and how his life had changed the moment he looked into his hazel eyes. He could see the knowledge that Gus had buried deep inside of his heart, a knowledge that he was loved. For the first time in his life Brian had felt unconditional love and it all came in a tiny little package.

Lindsay held Brian's hand as the ME unzipped the body back and pulled back just enough so that they could see his face. A loud gasp filled the room just before Lindsay began to cry.

"It's not him," Brian stammered before wrapping his arms around Lindsay and letting his tears fall.

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Gus bounded into the house excitedly telling his mom everything about his new teacher and class. His energy was endless and she smiled at how much joy he'd brought to their lives. She worried that it would all end and she couldn't shake the feeling that Gus was not supposed to be there with them.

Just that morning she'd seen the article about Little Angels Adoption Agency being prosecuted for illegally adopting children out. Abby had spent most of that day on the phone with her attorney, who'd assured her that Gus's adoption was perfectly legal.

She looked down at her son and smiled knowing that little Eric was her son in every way. If it weren't for his dark hair and eyes, she could almost convince herself that he was her real son.

Eric had been her pride and joy from the moment she laid eyes on him. He'd been so shy and scared that Abby went out of her way to make him feel comfortable in his new family. He'd slowly blossomed under her watchful eye and became a bright and happy little boy.

It wasn't often but it usually happened in the middle of the night when she was in his room watching him sleep that he'd cry out for his mommy. He was very restless and she could tell that he was dreaming about the life he'd had to bear before he'd come to their home.

She imagined him alone in a dark room, hungry and alone. Abby imagined that her little Eric had suffered tremendously at the hands of the woman who gave him life. She thanked God that he was free of that horrible life now.

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Justin entered the eerily silent loft and looked around for signs that Brian was home. The Armani suit coat flung over the bar stool was the clue he needed to know that he was there. His mind raced and the only thing he could think was that they'd finally found Gus and that was what had Brian so quiet.

Since Gus's disappearance Brian had hated silence. He'd filled the house with loud music or television that he didn't even hear. Most nights Brian ate in silence, but balked at the idea of the house not being noisy.

Justin knew that it was a way of keeping the voices in his head from getting too loud. Brian blamed himself and he had for three years now. Justin had tried everything he could to get his partner to lighten up on himself, but Brianwas determined to accept the blame.

Lindsay had spent countless hours in therapy with Brian trying to convince him of the same. It had only taken her two years to get him to even talk about that day and Gus. The two of them clung to one another when things got desperate or out of hand.

He knew by the look on Brian's face that he'd been to identify another body.

"Was it him?"

"No," Brian simply stated barely audible.

"Thank God."

"It was still someone's son and now they have closure."

"But at least we can hold out hope that he's alive, Bri."

"Alive and being tortured or raped? Is that any kind of life for a little boy?"

"He's not being hurt."

"You can't possibly know that, Sonny Boy."

"I'd feel it if he were hurting Brian. I love him too."

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Lindsay held onto Melanie and prayed that wherever he was, her son was okay. She could still feel him out there in the world somewhere and one day she'd find him.

Melanie held her partner as she cried useless tears. She felt helpless to do anything at all. They'd been through this all before, hundreds of times, and every time it tore Lindsay apart. Melanie did her best to stay strong for her but then she'd find herself alone in a hot shower and the tears fell unchecked.

Gus's disappearance had affected them all and everyone had to handle it in their own way.

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Little Eric kissed his mommy's cheek before snuggling down in the bed with his teddy bear. Abby looked down at his sweet face and sent a silent prayer up that he would always know he was loved. She asked God to keep her son safe from the life he'd had before.

Closing the door, she knew that she would do whatever it took to keep Eric safe.

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