Be Careful What You Wish For

Chapter 1

The morning rush at Emmett’s bistro was waning. Emmett had just taken out a fresh tray of popovers from the oven to cool on a rack. Sean was preparing several trays of tarts and muffins for baking.

“Emmett.”

“Judge Schultz, how are you today? Are you planning another anniversary party already?”

“I’m very well, Emmett and no, no party at the moment. I see you’re very busy but could I possibly buy you a cup of coffee?” Judge Judith Schultz asked as she gave Emmett a poignant look then went to sit at Emmett’s special booth. Emmett and Sean exchanged looks then Emm quickly prepared a tray of coffee and popovers to take to the judge.

“Judge Schultz, is everything okay?” Emmett asked with concern as he poured her a cup of his special blend then plated a warm popover for her.

The judge fixed her coffee then took a sip. “Excellent,” the judge said with a sigh. “Emmett, I had a visit from Melanie Marcus the other day.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, she came to me for my advice as a family court judge, and as your friend.”

“I’m not sure I understand.”

“I have a situation that maybe you can help me with.”

“Anything I can do to help, just ask.”

“That’s what I like about you, Emmett,” the judge said as she took Emmett’s hand into hers and patted it. “There’s a young man, and up until six months ago his life was pretty idyllic. He lived in a comfortable home just inside the Pittsburgh city limits with parents that loved him. They doted on him, but the boy is far from spoiled. He followed the rules - go to school, tidy up after yourself, keep yourself clean and healthy. And they’re religious people, going to the local services every Sunday.”

“Sounds perfect so far.”

“Yes, well, one day his mother came home early from her usual weekly shopping trip. She found him in her room dressed up.”

“Dressed up?”

“In one of her best business suits. He was about to apply her makeup when she walked in.”

“Oh my!”

“Yes, you can imagine what a shock that was, for both of them. These are younger modern people. The parents had met in college, fell in love, but decided to wait until they were established with good jobs before marrying and having children. We’re not talking about old fuddy-duddies who are so inflexible that they’d break if their morning paper arrived a half an hour late. The boy promised that if mom didn’t tell his dad, he would stop.”

“But he didn’t stop, did he?”

“No, unfortunately he didn’t. About a week or two after the first incident when mom was at work, the boy was home. It was a school holiday; he was caught again. This time by the dad.”

Emmett gasped loudly.

“Yes, it wasn’t very pleasant. This time he was dressed in one of his mother’s sexier outfits, right down to the Victoria’s Secret underwear. The boy is only thirteen but growing like a weed. Both his parents are tall and I don’t doubt that when he’s done he’ll be your height or taller. With his back turned, in his mother’s pumps, the father almost mistook his son for his wife.”

“Oh no! He didn’t?”

“Heavens, no! But the father was livid. It took all his resolve not to strike out at the child. There was a terrible scene when the mother came home. And in the end the boy was sent to stay with his aunt, his mother’s older sister. But it’s not working out.”

“How can they send their child away like that?” Emmett asked with tears in his eyes. “We all have our little quirks. Some of the finest men I know dress up in women’s clothing, and get paid very handsomely to do so.”

“I know that, Emmett, and think of the alternative. I’d rather have a cross-dressing son than one on drugs. But their moral values, their way of life does not allow for such deviations. And what’s worse is the boy is quite beautiful. Thin, small features, with pale skin and soulful brown eyes.”

“Back in Hazelhurst my grandmother would call a child like that, delicate.”

“Yes, exactly.”

“Is the boy still with his aunt?”

“No, it was becoming intolerable. He was forced to change schools mid semester. He was an A and B student, now his grades have fallen terribly. The aunt had him on a very short leash, watching him like a hawk, waiting for him to attempt to dress up again. She went so far as to lock up her things and took him back and forth to and from school. He’s been beaten up by some bullies and shunned by the others.

“I learned about him from the school counselor. We immediately removed the boy from his aunt’s house, and frankly she didn’t care that we did. When we contacted the parents, they happily signed over guardianship to Hunter and the clinic. Melanie is his advocate, but, Emm, this child doesn’t belong there. He’s not a streetwise kid. He’s a baby unable to understand what he did that was so wrong, and I’m afraid that if we don’t find a loving home with accepting parents that will encourage his creativity rather than belittle it, we may lose him altogether.”

The judge paused for a moment to sip some more coffee and to have a bite of a popover.

“What’s the boy’s name?” Emmett asked.

“His name is Richard, Richie for short, but I hear he prefers the name Nina.”

“Well, a man must have the right moniker. It helps him to get in touch with his inner woman,” Emmett said with a flourish. “And is he all right? The beatings, I mean.”

“He’s still a little black and blue, but nothing broken. Dr. Nick has seen to his care. Richie is at ease with Nick. I think it helps to know that while they are very professional at the Center, it’s no secret that Hunter and Nick are in a solid relationship. They command respect from the kids.”

“Is Richie gay? Not all drag queens are, you know.”

“Unknown. And he is so young.”

“Thirteen isn’t all that young. I knew I was different from the time I was nine. But we’re not talking about me. How can I help? Do you want me to keep my ears open for a couple who may want to take Richie?”

“In a manner of speaking.”

“I’m afraid you’ve lost me again.”

“Emmett, Melanie told me that you and Drew are seriously looking into adopting or fostering a child.”

“I’m afraid that may be only a dream,” Emmett said with a forlorn sigh.

“Why?”

“Drew and I are not getting younger, and let’s just say some things in my past might not be looked upon as favorable experiences.”

“Are you talking about Fetch Dixon?”

Emmett gasped.

“I’m not that old, and Melanie can be brutally honest. Emmett, that was a very long time ago, and since then, look at what you’ve accomplished. Melanie and I had a long conversation about you and Drew, and then she recommended that I contact someone.”

“Who?”

“Brian Kinney.”

“Oh no, what did he have to say? Probably called me a nelly, um, never mind. What did he say?”

“He told me how invaluable you are to him and his family. And that his daughter might not have gone into the special class that she’s in now, and that when he needs sound advice from a different perspective, he doesn’t hesitate to call you. And if there was anyone who deserved to be a parent and really had the heart for it, it was you.”

“He said all that?” Tears were freely flowing down Emmett’s face.

“Yes, he did. He also said that it was about time you and Drew had children of your own so you could stop trying to steal his,” the judge said with a smile, making Emmett laugh.

“He has beautiful children. Have you seen them?” The judge nodded her head. “Gus is the perfect son. So handsome like his father and yet has that sweetness from his mother. So smart too. He’s studying business at Penn just like Brian did and taking art classes from PIFA. I truly believe Gus will be the next Kinney mogul.

“And Bree, such a little princess. Miss Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor,” Emmett said in a perfect imitation. “She’s a handful. She’s Justin biological daughter and has all of his creativity and his flirty ways. Which she doesn’t hesitate to use on her Dada Brian or on the rest of us. She is a Taylor, but so much like Brian, it’s scary. It wouldn’t surprise me if she became the goddess of the world one day. But she is a good girl. And she brings out the goodness in Brian, just like her Daddy Justin does.”

“Emmett, you have so much love in your heart. Would you consider taking Richie into your home? He needs to learn from example. To be a part of such an extended family that has so much love and respect for one another.”

“We’re far from perfect, Judge Schultz. We’ve had our fights and ups and downs.”

“No family is perfect but you are a family and that’s what’s important. It’s what Richie needs to see. He needs to learn that it takes all kinds to be a family, and everyone’s talents should be encouraged. Will you talk it over with Drew and get back to me?” the judge asked as she rose to leave.

“I will immediately, and I’ll get back to you.”

Judge Schultz took out one of her cards to give to Emmett. “This is my cell number. You call me, anytime.”

“I will, oh I will, and thank you,” Emmett said as he hugged the woman. “Wait!” he pleaded as he quickly went to the counter to make up a basket of popovers and muffins for the judge.

“You know it is illegal to bribe a judge,” Judge Schultz said before taking the basket.

“Judges have to eat, don’t they?” Emmett said with a toothy grin.

Judge Schultz smiled then graciously accepted the donation. “For my assistant,” she said as she turned and left the bistro.

Emmett scurried into the back office where he could make a call. “Drew! Drew, can you hear me?”

“Babe, I can hardly hear you. I’m on the tarmac at O’Hare. The Ironmen are flying to Miami. Is everything all right?”

“Oh Drewsie, we’re going to have a boy!”

“What?”

“A son! We’re going to have a son!”

“The sun! Yes, it’s very sunny!”

“No! No! We’re going to have a son!”

“Yes, the Miami Suns, that’s who we’re playing next.”

“Drew, get your ass on the plane, man, we’re takin’ off!” a voice murmured to Drew.

“No! I said we’re going to have a son,” Emmett shouted into his phone. “We’re pregnant!”

“What! Who’s pregnant?”

“Us! We’re pregnant and it’s a boy!”

“Drew, come on!” a member of the Ironmen team said, as he made a grab for Drew to get him to walk up the steps to the plane. In the melee, Drew dropped his phone which proceeded to shatter into several pieces. He quickly picked up the pieces then sprinted up the stairs.

As they all buckled themselves in, awaiting take off, Drew sat there staring at his broken phone, in shock.

“Drew, what’s wrong? Sorry about the phone.”

Drew just grunted.

“Was the call something important?”

“Uh, I think I’m about to become a father,” Drew said quietly as his brain was trying to piece together what he had heard.

“Cool, man! Hey, guys!” the young man shouted over the hum of the engines. “Drew’s about to be a father! Emm’s pregnant!”

Drew stared out the window watching the tarmac go by as they taxied to the runway. Shouts of congratulation and cheers filled the cabin.

 

*****
 

“Wait! He’s in a meeting! No! You can’t go in there!” the young receptionist shouted, as Emmett marched himself through Kinnetik and into Brian’s office.

Brian was in Pittsburgh for the day meeting Leda to update her on the Lethal Bike campaign and to fill in for Cynthia and other execs. Cynthia and a few execs had gone to London to meet with Shane McKenna at Kinnetik Isles.

“Oh pooh! He’ll see me!” Emmett exclaimed as he kept on marching.

“Emm, is anything wrong?” Teddy asked as Emmett burst through the office door.

“Honeycutt, what’s the meaning of this,” Brian growled. He had some inkling, but Brian kept it cool.

“Oh Brian!” Emmett shouted as he launched himself into Brian’s arms then proceeded to pepper kisses all over Brian’s face. The shocked Brian stood there, preventing the two of them from falling over and onto his desk.

“Emmett!” Teddy shouted. “Stop that!” he said as he tried to pry the tall queen away from his boss in fear of a Kinney explosion.

“Never a dull moment around here,” Leda murmured then laughed at the scene.

The young receptionist could only stand just inside the door, fearing she was going to be fired, and apologizing over and over again. “I couldn’t stop him,” she cried.

“Emmett, what the fuck is going on?” Brian finally managed to ask.

“We’re going to have a son!” Emmett declared then proceeded to swoon in Brian’s arms.

“You know something, Kinney? You were right, maybe I should have asked you to be the sperm donor for our child,” Leda said referring to herself and Jamie as she gathered up her briefcase. Their meeting was obviously over. She laughed all the way outside to her motorcycle.

“Boss, is there something I should know about?” Teddy ventured, receiving a scowl in return. “Let me help you.”

Ted and Brian dragged Emmett to the sofa. After a few minutes, Emmett revived himself. Ted and Brian were sitting on the coffee table waiting and staring.

“Hello,” Emmett said as he sat up.

“Welcome back to the land of the living,” Brian quipped.

“Emm, are you okay?” Teddy asked his best friend.

Emmett then recounted what had transpired earlier at his bistro.

“That’s wonderful news,” Teddy gushed as he hugged his friend.

“Judge Schultz told me what you said,” Emmett admitted to Brian as he looked over Teddy’s shoulder, still in a clinch.

“Did she say I told her you were a nelly-assed bottom queen?”

“Uh huh,” Emmett said with a grin and a nod.

“Good,” Brian said as he left the office in search of coffee.

“Uh, Emm, did Brian really say that to the judge?” Teddy asked as he gently pushed back from his friend. He didn’t think that was really a good thing, but he realized there may have been more to it than that.

“Yes, he did, the sweet man,” Emmett gushed in a way that only Emmett could.

“If you say so, Emm,” Teddy said as he was once again pulled into a hug by his friend.

 

*****
 

“And Emmett fainted?” Justin asked.

“Swooned would be more precise,” Brian replied. “Collapsed into my arms. I think it was all a ploy to cop a feel.”

“Is Auntie Emm all right?” Bree asked with worry on her face.

The family was seated around the kitchen table having dinner in their side of Edna’s Treasures. John, Bobby and Patrick had eaten earlier in their side of the cottages. Patrick was going to baseball practice accompanied by his fathers, and they couldn’t wait until Brian came back somewhat late from Pittsburgh.

“He’s fine, Squirt.”

“Good,” Bree said emphatically. “I love Auntie Emm.”

“Don’t we all,” Brian chuckled.

“You know you do,” Justin admonished. Brian shrugged. “So he and Drew are going to foster this kid?”

“Looks that way.”

“Is he like Curtis?” Bree asked.

“Kind of,” Brian replied choosing his words carefully. He didn’t want to get into the whole cross-dressing thing, and that the boy’s parents had turned him away. That would be too hard and too upsetting to try to explain to Bree.

“What’s his name, Dada?”

“You know, Emmett never said. He may not even know. He was too excited about this whole turn of events to tell us anything useful.”

Justin laughed. “Trust Emmett. I wonder if he’s even told Drew.”

“I certainly hope so. Springing a kid on your partner, especially one that may have problems, is big time stuff,” Brian observed.

“What kind of problems, Dada?” a little voice asked. Bree was taking this all in while she picked at her chicken and rice. She seemed to have developed Brian’s appetite rather than her biological father’s.

Brian groaned. “I don’t know, Squirt,” he answered. “There just may be some problems, that’s all.”

“I hope he turns out to be nice like Curtis,” Bree informed them.

“Me too,” Justin and Brian both said together. They certainly didn’t want big problems for their friend and neighbor.
 

Return to Be Careful What You Wish For