Emerge Victorious

Chapter 10

The seasons began to change and the family appeared to be entering into a period of contentment just before the chaos of the holidays. Richie and Candy thrived in the Rainbow School, both taking advantage of the support groups that the GLC ran. Lindsay’s ‘divorce’ was becoming finalized. Riley’s offer for the cottage was accepted which meant that soon Lindsay would no longer have any financial obligations to Mel. Lindsay was pleased about that but at the same time saddened. Her long relationship with Melanie was coming to a close. With the last vestiges of Mel’s belongings gone from the house, Lindsay was preparing to close the door on her forever. Except for an occasional phone call from Mel regarding JR, Lindsay was ready to move forward with her life.

Janet, living in a healthier environment and under the tender care of her new ‘family’, was made comfortable. She was far from healthy but a little more at peace. She was still worried about Candy but was reassured that her daughter would not be alone. With Bobby’s legal advice, a guardian was about to be appointed. There were still many details to be worked out but she still had time. Hobbs made it clear that the only help he would provide would be to send Candy away to a boarding school. When Candy heard of that option, she vehemently refused, stating she’d rather be homeless or live at the Jason Kemp Center than take that kind of help from her sperm donor. With the optimism of youth, Candy was sure it would all work out.

Justin’s Then and Now Show and The Emerging Artists Show were still going strong. Justin began to respond to the royal requests starting with the Duke. Candy too had a few new pieces she was working on using a space at the GLC. She didn’t want the chemical and paint fumes to bother her mother. Sidney, after a red-headed birdie whispered into his ear, convinced Lindsay to show a few of her own pieces. The sweet and gentle images of the family’s children were well received which gave Lindsay a much needed boost to her ego and her confidence in herself grew.

The ‘moms’ and Emmett were freely working on the plans for their ‘project.’ Considering how rumors about family events easily got back to the boys, the entire family was sworn to secrecy. It helped that the boys were for the most part removed from the goings on in the city. No one wanted to anger the ‘moms’ or Emmett. They had plenty of time to hone their plans but they all realized that May 2020 was getting closer. All the pieces had to be in place and the time spent on the up and coming holidays had to be taken into consideration.

Bree continued to enjoy her piano lessons. She was fearful that what she revealed to her Daddy would lead to their demise, but for some reason her Daddy chose to hold back certain details of her conversation from her Dada. Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor was wise beyond her years. She avoided Hope at the cottage and at school. Bree concentrated on her music, her soccer and her school work. Justin hated lying to Brian even if by omission. He knew for certain that Brian would lose it when it involved his daughter. When he could, Justin kept a close eye on Hope when she came with her mother. Hope continued to sequester herself in the sun porch during the lessons, content with her books.

“Justin, would you come up here?” Brian asked in a tone that brooked no refusal. Justin was cleaning up after putting the finishing touches on his current painting. Brian watched from the balcony then retreated to the attic office to wait for his spouse. He didn’t have long to wait if the heavy footfalls on the spiral staircase were any indication.

“You called, Bri?” Justin asked all sweetness and light.

“Sit.” Brian pointed to the futon. Justin casually walked over and sat. “What the fuck is up with you?” Brian demanded.

“What do you mean?” Justin asked, coyly batting his long blond lashes.

“Won’t work this time, Sunshine, I’m on to you. Now, spill.”

“Um.”

“Something’s going on between you and Bree and if I’m not mistaken, Patrick’s been avoiding me. Now I know I shower regularly and I haven’t lost my temper lately so I want to know what gives.” Brian leaned his ass against his desk with his arms crossed, waiting.

Justin hesitated; he had no clue how to tell Brian. “While I’m young, Justin,” Brian said with an arch of his brow.

“Bri, I want you to promise me you’ll stay calm.” Brian nodded with trepidation. Justin related the conversation he had with Bree over a month prior.

“That’s it! That woman and her devil spawn are never coming back here,” Brian hissed, his face darkening with anger.

“Brian, please don’t. Bree loves her lessons and she’s having fun. We can’t let a misguided child ruin it for her.”

“Misguided! She’s a psychopath. I knew something was wrong with her. Even Beau knows that she’s a little bitch. I refuse to have her set foot in our home again.”

Justin shot up from the futon and straight into Brian’s arms. “Please, Brian, you can’t do that. Not now.”

“Sure I can. Watch me,” he said as he pushed Justin away and went for his phone to call Faith and cancel the lessons.

“No. Please, don’t do anything rash.”

“Rash?! You haven’t seen rash. No one hurts my family.”

“But it will hurt. It’ll hurt Bree. In spite of Hope, Bree likes Faith and enjoys her company. I’m not blind to Faith’s behavior toward you. Believe me, there are times I’d like to dump a bucket of ice on her. The minute she comes to the door her nose is in the air trying to sniff you out. She conveniently ignores the fact that I’m your partner. And when the lessons are over I make sure Bree goes to her room before I get Hope. Bree hasn’t said anything more about the incident. I had a talk with Susanna, Ashley’s mom. Hope is in Susanna’s class and she keeps an eye on Hope during recess. Hope is older than Bree so other than recess they’re never in the same place at the same time.”

“Do the guys know about this?” Brian cocked his head over to the Anderson-Morrison side of the cottage. Justin flushed. “So everyone knows about this except for me? Is that why Patrick’s been avoiding me?”

“He was there when Bree told me what happened.”

“Fucking hell, Sunshine! Why didn’t you tell me?” Brian looked decimated.

“Because I knew this is how you’d react. You can’t always fight Bree’s battles.”

“If you lecture me on how I have to let go...”

“You have to and you know it. She has to learn that there are people in this world that will never like her. She can’t always win them over with a smile.”

“Like you did?” Brian asked softly. Justin gave Brian a crooked smile. “Come here.” Brian held open his arms. They were immediately filled by his Sunshine. “So what do we do?”

“I’m not sure. Leave it alone for now. One of us needs to be here when Faith and Hope visit. Rachel volunteered to play chaperone if we have to do something and can’t be here during the lesson.”

“Yikes! That red-headed spitfire will skin Faith and Hope alive if she even sees a hint of a threat,” Brian said knowingly. “I guess I should have a talk with Patrick. I love that boy like my own.”

“Yeah, he’s pretty broken up about that. He hangs out in the kitchen sometimes to do his homework while Bree’s with Faith. Beau stays under the table.”

Brian laughed. “Beau’s got to be part human. I swear he’s got more brains than all of us put together.”

“Yeah.” Justin hugged Brian hard, pressing his body close. “You okay with this?” he asked after a while.

“No, I’m not but I guess I will have to be for Bree. But I’m telling you right now, Jus, if that witch says or does anything to Bree, I will not be responsible for my actions,” Brian vowed.

“Get in line,” Justin swore as they stayed in each other’s arms for a very long time before going to bed.

 

*****
 

Brian woke up early the next morning after Justin’s confession. As he made breakfast for the kids, Patrick walked into the kitchen then proceeded to back out.

“Freeze, Little Red,” Brian said over his shoulder. Patrick sighed; his Uncle Bri had eyes in the back of his head. “Sit!” Brian pointed to one of the stools at the counter. Brian put a plate of toast in front of the boy and was getting out the cereal. “Talk.”

“I didn’t want to say anything because I knew...”

“Yeah, yeah. My reputation precedes me. Patrick, I’d never get angry at you if you have something to tell me. Especially when it concerns Bree.”

“I know but Bree begged me not to say anything and you know what happens when she looks at me with those eyes.”

“Yeah, those eyes are very compelling. Got me into a shitload of trouble when I was younger,” Brian mumbled with a faraway look in his own hazel eyes.

“Uncle Bri?” Patrick became confused. He didn’t think they were talking about the same blue eyes. Brian shook his head.

“Patrick, you just go on being her friend and whatever else you are to Bree. She loves you and needs you on her side.”

“I will, Uncle Bri. I won’t let anything happen to Bree, I promise.” Brian came around the counter to give the young man a hug.

“I know you won’t. Us Kinney men have to stick together when it comes to those Taylor eyes.”

“Yeah,” Patrick agreed, still not quite sure what his uncle meant. What he did know was that Hope was a creepy kid and he’d never let Bree get hurt.

Brian released him with a ruffle to the bright red hair then went to get breakfast for his daughter as Patrick began to eat his.

 

*****
 

“I call this meeting to order,” Emmett declared as he rapped a wooden spoon on the table. Before the bistro opened the ‘moms’, including Debbie who was back for the holidays, and Susan, were present to discuss the progress with their plans for the anniversary party. Also present were Ted, Michael, Father Tom, John, and Lindsay.

Michael jumped at the noise. “Shit, Emm, you scared the hell out of me,” Michael groused at the noise then he bit into a warm popover.

“I just wanted to get your attention,” Emmett said with a toothy grin.

“You have it. Do you want to get to the point? I have a business to run,” Mikey grumbled. “Besides, Ma is here, why do you need me?”

“Because we’re all family and you should know what we’re planning,” Emmett explained.

“Fine,” Michael pouted then took another bite.

“How are the plans going?” Teddy asked.

“I’m glad you asked. Papaganos is in. I’ve reserved Friday May 15th and I gave the Plaza the heads up to prepare the suite for the boys just in case they’d rather stay in town for a little honeymooning after. I’m sure the princess will be well looked after.” The ‘moms’ nodded. There were enough grandmothers present to take care of Bree.

“Now this is what I propose for the menu,” Emmett said as he passed around a list for everyone to read and approve.

“The only thing I recognize is steak. The rest of it is in French,” Michael grumbled. Ted rolled his eyes then chuckled. Some things about his old friend never changed.

“Not all of it, Michael. Some of it is Italian,” Debbie scolded her uncouth son. “I approve,” she said with a slap to the table. Debbie hath spoken.

“So do I,” said Jennifer. Joan and Susan agreed.

“Dessert?” Teddy asked. Emmett smiled as he passed around another list.

“Oh!” Debbie smiled with tears in her eyes. There was a selection of Emmett’s famous creations, but the main cake was going to be Vic’s coconut cake. “I bet he’s smiling down on us right now,” she exclaimed as she dug into her bag for tissues. “He’d be so proud.”

“Emm, what will Bobby and I be doing,” John asked. “You seem to have everything all thought out.”

“I’m afraid, my dear handsome man, you’re going to have the hardest job of all.” Emmett gave John a poignant look. John groaned. “Yup, you’re going to have to figure out how to get them here.”

John thumped his head on the table before him. “Can’t we at least tell Justin about these plans? What if he decides to take Brian away for the weekend or something? You never know with those two,” he said logically.

“Oh crap!”

“Shit!”

“Fuck!”

All rang out at the same time as well as a ‘sorry, Father,’ directed at Father Tom who just waved off the cursing. He agreed with the general consensus. Brian and Justin could be a little unpredictable.

“But it’s supposed to be a surprise!” Emmett cried.

“Brian doesn’t like surprises,” Jennifer warned. The family murmured about her being right.

“Well, he’s going to like this one, if I have anything to say about it,” Debbie said with authority.

“Emm, John’s right. We should tell Justin,” Ted said. “We don’t have to tell him the whole plan. We let Justin know that we've arranged a special dinner for the three of them, and of course Gus. Then they’ll all be surprised when they see the family.”

“And if we can get Craig there the surprise will be doubled,” Susan added and everyone agreed.

“Honey, Emm’s wrong about who has the toughest job. I think you do,” Debbie said to Susan.

“Perhaps I should talk with Craig,” Joan volunteered. “I know how he feels. I felt the same way at one time.” Smiling, Father Tom reached across the table to pat Joan’s hand.

“What’s my role in this?” Tom asked.

“You were there when they made their commitment,” Lindsay said. “We’d like you there again to renew their vows.”

“What if they don’t cooperate?” Tom asked.

“They will, won’t they?” Emmett asked looking a little worried.

Emmett had the whole happy scene playing out in his head. Just after dinner and before the dessert they’d dim the lights, Tom and the witnesses including the moms and Craig would be standing in the middle of the restaurant. Emmett would escort Brian and Justin into the magic circle where a spotlight would shine. Tom would then say the words renewing the commitment the boys made ten years earlier.

Emmett burst into tears.

“Oh Honey,” Debbie said trying to console the sobbing queen, giving him a hug.

“Let me, Deb,” Ted said as he took Emm to the back to help calm him down.

“He cares so much about them, doesn’t he,” Joan remarked.

“Yes, he does. Emmett’s gotten so much closer to them over the years,” John said. “Especially to Brian. In some odd way, Brian looks to Emmett for affirmation.”

“But he loves you!” Debbie was worried that John was somehow envious of Emmett.

“Deb, I have no doubt about that. He’s my brother and my best friend. We share something that no one else ever could, but there’s something about Emmett that Brian values. They have a very special bond. Let me handle Justin; between the two of us we’ll get Brian to the church on time,” John teased with a wink.

“We know you will,” Lindsay said.

Just then Ted brought Emmett back to the group.

“You okay, Sweetheart?” Debbie asked her old friend.

“Yes, Honey, thank you. I think I must be going through the change,” Emm said sounding more like his old cheery self. “Well, I guess that’s it for now. We all have our assignments. I call this meeting adjourned!” Emmett rapped the table again loudly with his spoon. Michael jumped and cursed as the family laughed then filed out of the bistro.

“Teddy, it will work out, won’t it?” Emmett asked before Ted left to go to Kinnetik.

“It will, I’m sure of it. The gods are with us,” Ted assured his friend. Emmett gave Ted a big bear hug then quickly filled a shopping bag with tasty treats for Kinnetik.

“They better be,” Emmett murmured to himself as Ted left the bistro and Sean and his other staff came in to start the day. “Chop chop, people! We have hungry mouths to feed,” Emmett exclaimed with a big smile for his culinary staff.

 

*****
 

"May I help you?" Jasmine asked a very tall built man who hobbled into the garden center.

"Yes, ma'am, um, I was wondering if you're hiring?" the man asked trying to keep up his dignity. Jasmine thought the man looked very military with his closely cropped haircut. He was standing at attention.

"I'm not sure but if you'd like to wait a moment, the owners are here. I'll get them."

"Thank you," the man said letting out a puff of air.

Donald had just been honorably discharged. He had been injured by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. He spent several months in a military hospital then several more in rehab. He was a ground trooper but now with a permanently disabled leg he wasn't able to do what he had been trained for. The Army gave him a choice of a desk job or discharge with honor and a full pension. Donald took the discharge but he still wanted to earn a steady paycheck. He had a wife and child to feed. His Army pension would only get them so far. He hadn't told his wife about his injury, he hadn't even told her that he was coming home. He wanted to come home with a job. Donald went to many different places looking for work. He was overqualified for some and under for many others. Even with his gimp leg, he was still young and strong enough for manual labor.

Brian and Todd came out to the counter together. Brian had been reviewing the books with Todd and they had both agreed they needed another person to drive the new truck that Brian had just authorized for the garden center. They needed someone to drive it and someone who was fit enough to load and unload the heavy equipment. Jasmine had come into the office to let them know there was someone applying for the job.

"But we haven't advertised," Todd commented.

"Maybe we don't have to," Jasmine said. She had a good feeling about the eager man at the counter. And she knew that so many men and women who had served came back home with no job waiting for them. This was a way to give back.

Brian looked the handsome man over. Getting no pings, he let Todd take the lead.

"Hi, I'm Todd, this is my establishment," Todd greeted the man with a handshake. The mountain of a man towered over Todd. Brian was just as tall but extremely lean compared to the man standing at attention before them.

"At ease, soldier," Brian quipped and the man relaxed.

"Jasmine said you're looking for work," Todd continued ignoring Brian for the moment.

"Yes, sir. I've just been discharged and I'm strong and healthy. I'm willing to do anything," Donald said trying not to sound too desperate.

"Can you drive a truck?" Todd asked and Donald's smile lit up the room.

"Yes, sir! I can drive just about any vehicle. I did that for a living in the Army before I got hurt."

"Hurt?" Brian asked.

"Um, my leg. But it doesn't interfere with me driving and I can still lift. I'm just not as fast as I used to be so I was honorably discharged, sir, sirs." Donald realized that both men were very important.

Brian and Todd exchanged looks.

"Follow me," Todd said as he grabbed a set of keys hanging on the wall behind the counter. The three walked through the center till they got to the back where the storage shed was. The old truck was in there surrounded by lots of equipment. It looked like it was wedged in. "Get that clunker out here without hitting anything and you've got the job," Todd said tossing the startled man the keys.

"Yes, sir!" Donald saluted as he easily caught the keys then quickly limped to the shed. Even with his obvious injury Donald easily found his way through the equipment, climbed into the truck and started it up. The old clunker grumbled, sputtered then was teased to life by the experienced man. Donald adjusted the seat and the mirrors then within minutes the truck was front and center.

"You're hired," Todd with a smile when Donald jumped out obviously proud of himself.

"Sounds like the carburetor’s going," Donald said as Todd shook his hand, sealing the bargain. "I can fix just about any engine, including lawnmowers."

"We need to check you out, of course, but if everything comes back clean, you've got the job," Brian added.

"Yes, sir. I was career Army, sir, they'll vouch for me," Donald assured Brian and Todd.

"Well, then come on back to the office and we'll start the paperwork," Todd said.

"I'll get going," Brian said as he turned to go. "You've got it all under control," he added to Todd.

"Thanks, Bri. Let me know when we can pick the new truck," Todd said.

"Will do. Very nice meeting you, Donald...?"

"Goodman, sir. And thank you for this chance. I've just gotten home and I wanted to have a job before I got back to Faith and Hope," Donald said.

"Faith and Hope?" Brian asked with an arch of his brow.

"Yes, sir. My wife and my little girl. They don't know I'm discharged. I wanted to surprise them," Donald said then followed Todd back to the center.

"Whoops!" Brian said as he rubbed his hands together then snickered. As he walked back to his Jeep, Brian pulled out his cell phone. "Sunshine, you'll never guess who I just met."

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