When the Bough Breaks

Chapter 6

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Brian's breath caught in his throat as he heard the words read aloud. He looked from Justin to Lindsay and back again trying to let it sink in. It was true, Gus was alive and living right here in Pittsburgh.

He wanted to run, to drive as fast as he could to get his son and bring him home where he belonged. It was only the pressure of Justin's hand in his that kept him in his spot until the time was right.

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Lindsay heard the words she'd been praying for and almost leapt into Melanie's arms. The tears that coursed down her cheeks were tears of pure joy and exhilaration. Her son was alive and soon he'd be home in bed just down the hall.

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Justin couldn't believe his ears, Gus was truly alive. The little boy they'd seen only hours before was their son. He'd thought about this day for a long time and how it would change the dynamics of everyone involved's lives, but to actually hear the words read out loud was almost surreal.

Eric Garrett was indeed Gus Kinney Peterson.

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Melanie watched Lindsay's face and knew that she hadn't been dreaming it up. This was really happening. Their son was coming home after seven years of not even knowing if he was even alive. It was almost too good to be true.

Saying a quick prayer of thanks, she kissed her partner and let her own tears mingle with Lindsay's.

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Tom Garrett looked from his wife's devastated face to the joy that the other families felt. Eric was his son in every way that meant anything. He had to face facts and accept that he had to let him go, but his heart just wouldn't seem to listen to reason.

He wanted to run straight home and lock Eric away. He looked again to the happiness that surrounded him and knew that no matter what any test said Eric would always be his son.

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As the results were read, Abby reached out and held onto the counter to keep from collapsing from the unbearable grief she felt. She'd just been told that the boy she'd raised, the son she'd loved, for seven years was the biological child of a bunch of gays.

She'd promised Eric that she'd always be there for him, that she'd protect him from the evil in the world and now she may be forced to hand over a child to a bunch of perverts.

Taking a deep breath, Abby looked at Brian before turning to Lindsay.

"I'm not giving him up without a fight. Our adoption of Eric is legal. He is my son."

Taking Tom's hand she hurriedly left the room.

Once in the car she began talking at lightning speed.

"We're going to get our son and get the fuck out of this town. I'm not going to let a bunch of fags take him from us. He's a good moral boy, they'll just corrupt him to believe that their "lifestyle" is okay. Well my son knows better."

"Abby, honey, he's their son. If we just take off with him they'll send the police after us and we'll never see Eric, I mean, Gus again."

"They'll have to find us first. We can go to Mexico and catch a flight out. I heard that you don't need a passport there. Once we're in some nice country we can change our names and live a normal life again."

"That's not a normal life for a little boy. He'll always be on the run. We have to do the right thing."

"The right thing? The right thing? You're telling me that I need to do the right thing. Well for your information Tom, I am. I'm protecting our son from a bunch of perverts. Do you really want him growing up with lesbians and fags? He's our son."

"He's their son and there is nothing we can do about it. It's our job as Eric's parents to make this as easy as possible on him. If we do it the right way, we may even get to see him and be part of his life."

"I don't want to just be a part of his life. I'M HIS MOTHER!!!!!! How can you expect me to just hand him over like he's a cake or something? He's my child. I've spent the last seven years raising him to be a good, moral, happy human being and now you want me to send him into Sodom and Gomorrah? Well I don't think so. I will not let him go."

TBC..............

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