The Nature of Things

Chapter 57

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*Two years later*

Maya ran through the house laughing with Brian chasing her. Justin sat at the kitchen table and watched his family, grateful for every smile Maya gave him.

Jenny Rebecca's heart was strong and his little girl was thriving beyond all expectations. She looked more and more like Molly with every day that passed. Her blue eyes sparkled the way Molly's used to when she was excited and Justin was thrilled to have the good memories left of his sister.

The past few years had been hard on his mother, but with Tucker's help she was dealing with her grief and pain. They'd moved from the guest house and were even considering adopting a child together.

Tucker and Jennifer had married in a small ceremony not long after Molly's death and Justin couldn't have been happier for his mother.

Lindsay had dealt with Mel's and JR's death with help from the least likely source, her parents. Gus was growing up and trying to understand that Maya had JR's heart beating inside of her. He was constantly at their home with his ear pressed to her chest. Luckily Maya thought it was a game and didn't put up much of a fight.

Ben and Hunter had found it too painful to remain in the home they'd shared with Michael and moved across town near Debbie and Carl. Hunter had taken over the comic book store and was successful at keeping it in the black. Ben continued to teach at the college, while Debbie had finally retired.

Carl and Brian had become very close over the last few years and spent countless hours at Woody's having a drink after work. Carl was the father Brian had always needed and Brian was the son Carl thought he'd never have.

Justin's thoughts were interrupted by a small tug on his pants leg and he looked down into the most beautiful face he'd seen outside of Brian's.

"Dadda, Maya go to school. NOW!"

"You heard her," Brian laughed.

"She speaks remarkably well for a two year old."

"Gee, I wonder where she gets it?"

"I love you," Justin said scooping up his daughter and planting a kiss on his partner.

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After dropping Maya off at school, the boys drove in silence to the cemetery. Brian parked the car and each man walked in different directions.

Brian stopped at Casey's grave and shook his head.

"We could've been friends at one time. Funny how we were so alike, both of us desperate for the love of a man who didn't give a fuck about either of us. Jack was a horrible father, and you were the lucky one for never having him around. If not for Justin, I could be him now. I'm sorry you never had the chance to know that kind of love."

Justin sat on the bench in front of Molly's tombstone and placed the flowers on the ground.

"Maya's getting so big now. She looks so much like you, Mollusk. Mom says her laughter is exactly the same as yours. Sometimes she forgets and calls her Molly. I want you to know that she'll always know who her mother was. Not the person you were at the end, but the woman you were when you gave her life so unselfishly. Without you, we'd never have had her. Thank you Molly."

Both men met at the center of the cemetery and continued on to Emmett's and Michael's graves. They stopped, placed flowers and made their way to the other side.

After thanking JR for her gift, they placed flowers on Melanie's grave as well. Glancing back they looked to Ted's grave and Justin smiled knowing that the small rose bush was placed there by Brian.

Cynthia had been buried in her hometown, but Brian made sure that all of the expenses had been taken care of and that flowers were placed on the grave weekly.

They walked arm in arm back to the car.

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

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