The Nature of Things

Chapter 28

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Two months after the verdict was read, Molly was starting to get comfortable with her pregnancy, but she had yet to reveal to Brian and Justin that she wanted them to raise the baby. She wasn't sure how either man would react since they were barely on speaking terms.

Justin still hadn't forgiven Brian for not believing him about Michael and refused to step foot in his house if Brian was there. This did not make it easy for Molly to subtly hint at them raising the baby.

She was drinking milk from the carton when Brian came in for a cup of coffee. He laughed at her and shook his head.

"If you keep that up, the kid will have bones as strong as Fort Knox."

"Milk, it does a body good," Molly teased.

"Damn I wish I'd thought that campaign up. I'd be a multi-billionaire right now and could finally get the fuck out of the Pitts."

Molly laughed and pulled the bacon from the fridge as Brian got out the pans. They cooked breakfast together in silence. They were just sitting down to eat when Molly brought up Justin.

"Do you think you and Justin can ever get back to what you had before?"

"I don't know, kid. He's convinced I betrayed him."

"Well, you kinda did, Bri."

"I know. I should've believed him, but it was a fucked up situation and I was sure that Michael could never do something like that."

"I guess it would be hard for you, with Michael being your best friend forever and all, but Justin was your partner. You should've known he wouldn't lie to you." Molly watched Brian digest this before continuing. "How would you feel about raising my baby with Justin?"

"I don't think that is such a good idea, Molly. You should find a stable two parent home for your baby. Justin and I aren't even able to be in the same room together. How can you expect us to raise a child together?"

"I think that it would be the best thing for all of us."

"Why?" Brian questioned her logic.

"Because then I get to be a part of my baby's life every single day and I see how you are with Gus. You've become a great dad, Brian and I want my baby to have that."

"I don't know Molly."

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Casey was led into the visitation room and was shocked to see Craig Taylor waiting for him. Smiling wickedly he sauntered over and sat down across the table.

"Nice to see you again, Craig."

"How are you, Casey?"

"Why the fuck do you care? What do you want, Craig?" Casey knew that this was not a social call.

"I need the name of the man you used."

"I can't just give that information out."

"How much?"

"More than you have."

"Whatever it costs, I want that name."

"Why?" Casey was curious about Craig's motives.

"Because I need to finish what I started and only you can help me. Tell me who the hell you used to fuck my son."

"It won't do any good, he's already remembered and confessed. Last I heard he was no longer welcome in the Kinney household."

"Then I need another name. Someone that will destroy that whole fucking bunch."

"I can't really help you now can I Craig? I'm locked away here in this hellhole to rot for thirty years because of that little bitch."

"Watch your mouth, that's my daughter you're talking about."

"Fuck you." Casey motioned for the guard and stood to leave.

Craig grabbed his arm, stopping him. "Whatever it costs."

"I'll think about it."

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Justin stood before the painting and tried to control his anger. He hated that his hand still cramped and that he couldn't finish a painting in one day anymore because of it. Massaging it, he thought about all the times that Brian would do it for him.

He missed him, a lot, but there was no way in Hell that he'd forgive him for what he'd done. He always chose Michael over him.

He was still feeling sorry for himself when Molly called and asked him to lunch. Cleaning up he met her an hour later at the diner. He kissed her cheek, pressed a hand to her barely bulging stomach and slid in the seat across from her. After placing their orders with Debbie, Molly broached the subject of the baby.

"Justin, I have a favor to ask of you," Molly started hesitantly.

"Anything for you Mollusk, you know that."

"Great, so you'll raise my baby with Brian, then. He wasn't sure you'd say yes." Molly watched the expressions that crossed her brother's face and waited for his tirade.

"What? Are you out of your fucking mind?" Justin was barely below a scream.

"No, I want you and Brian to raise my baby. Together."

"Molly, that is not going to happen. I can't believe you asked me this after all the shit Brian has done to me."

"Calm down, Justin. Brian is sorry for what happened with Michael, hell he even punched him out. But you have to make the first move and forgive him. He loves you Justin. And I know you love him."

"I'm sorry, but I can't even consider it."

"Can't or won't? Justin, I don't want my baby out there somewhere not knowing where he came from. I want to be there everyday to see him grow. I want to see that first step, hear the first word."

"Then you should raise him yourself."

"Come on Justin, I'm only seventeen. I don't even graduate from high school for another month. I'm not the right person to raise this baby. I want people who will love him and teach him love and tolerance. I want someone who will protect him at all costs."

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Casey sat in his cell staring at a picture of a little boy standing next to his father on the first day of school. Just to the left of the happy picture stood a little boy all alone, staring at the family with tears in his eyes.

He'd hated Brian since that first day he'd seen him standing there holding Jack's hand. As a little boy Casey cried himself to sleep every single night wondering why his father loved Brian more than him. By the time he was in high school and saw Brian in business class he knew that he'd get even someday.

Brian Kinney would pay for being the son that Jack raised.

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