The Nature of Things

Chapter 59

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Brian woke in the loft alone. Confused he threw back the blankets and stumbled down the stairs looking for Justin. Finding nothing but an empty kitchen he ran back upstairs and threw open the bottom drawer. It was empty.

Looking down he noticed he was still in the tux he'd worn to Prom. Reaching up he let the blood soaked scarf slip through his hands to the floor.

The door buzzed, bringing him back to reality. Michael let himself in and Brian nearly fainted.

"How? You're dead."

"I'm not dead, Bri. What's going on with you?"

"You....I saw you die. You gave Jenny Rebecca's heart to Maya."

"Who's Maya?"

"My daughter."

"You don't have a daughter, Bri. Maybe you should sit down."

"What do you mean I don't have a daughter. Justin and I adopted her ten years ago. She starts fifth grade next week."

"I don't know what you're talking about, but I think it's time to get you to a doctor. Are you sure that Hobbs didn't hit you too?"

"What the fuck are you talking about? What about Hobbs?"

"Brian, did you take too much E? Come on; we don't have time for this. We have to get back to the hospital and check on Justin."

"What happened to Justin?"

"This isn't funny anymore, Brian. You know what happened. You were there. You saved him."

"Michael, please tell me you're fucking with me. Please tell me that the last ten years really happened."

"I can't."

"What about Craig? Is he still dead?"

"Justin's dad? He's not dead."

"So I was never arrested for murdering him? He never paid Casey to destroy Justin? You never raped Justin?"

"Me? Rape Justin? Are you out of your fucking mind? I think we need to seriously get you some help. First you claim that you and Justin are parents to Molly's baby, who by the way is only a child herself. Then you claim that I'm dead and gave you somebody named Jenny Rebecca's heart for your baby. Now you say you were arrested for murdering Justin's dad. Brian I think we need to take you in for an exam."

"I'm not going anywhere with you. This is not right. Take me home. Take me back to Justin and Maya."

"There is no Maya."

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Brian woke from the dream and looked around the room. He was back in the bedroom he shared with Justin. Maya's toys were still on the floor where she left them before bed. Joy filled his heart until the bedroom door opened.

Michael crossed to the bed and slid back under the blanket, kissing Brian before reaching for the light.

"What the fuck are you doing?"

"Going to bed. We have a long day ahead of us."

"What do you mean us?"

"We have to drop Michelle off at school, then you and I have an appointment with Emmett about our anniversary dinner."

"Who the fuck is Michelle?"

"Our daughter, or did you forget we had her?"

"WE don't have anything together. You and Ben have Hunter and you and Melanie have JR."

"Hunter? Ben? And when did Melanie and I have a JR?"

"You and I are, married?"

"Well not legally, yet."

"What about Justin?"

"That twink you took home, what twenty years ago? No one's seen him since that night."

"But we have a daughter together."

"No, you and I have a daughter together."

"God, not this fucking shit again. JOKE'S OVER. I! WANT! TO! GO! HOME!"

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Brian sat straight up in bed, sweat collecting on his forehead. Once again he looked around the room. The painting above the bed was reminiscent of Justin's work. The toys on the floor looked like the Barbies that Maya had been playing with just before bed.

Picking up the pillow he sniffed and Brian smiled to smell Justin's citrus shampoo.

"Thank God."

"For what, Bri."

"For you, Sunshine."

Pulling Justin to him Brian kissed him roughly.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Brian. Now let's get some sleep, our daughter has a big day tomorrow."

"So do we, Sunshine. Thank you God, so do we."

FINIS........

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