Chapter 3 

"Hunter, are you sure you want both of us here?" Bill asked. Hunter was just finishing up his breakfast or rather scarfing it down. He hadn't eaten for a few days and his metabolism still retained its youthful enthusiasm.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Between the two of you, you'll figure out why my head decided to do a runner on me."

"Jimmy, can you tell us who the call was from?" Steve handed Hunter a small carton of juice and Hunter took a sip.

"Yeah, my bitch of a mother," Hunter grumbled.

"Your mother? Your real mother? What's her name?" Bill asked. He was rather confused as to why after all these years Hunter's mother had decided to make contact.

"Rita Montgomery," Hunter stated coldly and with disdain.

"Jimmy, I know of your past and what she made you do but do you have any idea why she forced you into prostitution?" Steve thought it best to put things plainly and honestly. It was his honesty that so many of his 'kids' responded to.

"I guess it was because she was one too. Then I came along, the result of a broken condom. She was very young, still had most of her looks but a hooker on the streets, an unprotected hooker doesn't stand a chance." Hunter shook his head at the painful memories. "I guess she tried to make ends meet till I was old enough to work."

"Work?" Bill asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Work the streets, I mean. She got one of her regular tricks to break me in then she used me as bait. We were rather unique, a mother and son team." Hunter began to blush with embarrassment.

"Jimmy, no need to be embarrassed. She broke the most sacred trust between a parent and child, to protect your child above all else. There were many options open to her and yet she chose to bring you into her world. You survived it and surpassed it. And now you've gone back to those streets to help others who were like you. Whatever she wants, she can't hurt you. You're not alone. You're not that skinny little boy anymore. You are a respected member of the community with a masters degree that you worked hard and long for. And one more important fact."

"What's that?"

"You have us, Jimmy. You have your partner and your family."

Hunter gave them a brilliant smile. "Yeah, I guess I do. Besides, I can always sic Debbie on her!" Hunter, Bill and Steve started to laugh. "I wonder when I can go home."

"Now, Baby. I have your papers already. We can take you home." Nick breezed into the room. He beamed as he gave his lover a huge sloppy kiss.

"Thank the gods. I really want a shower and to put on some real clothes. This hospital gown leaves nothing to the imagination." Hunter blushed again. Nick ushered Bill and Steve out while Hunter got dressed to go home.

*****

"Dada! Daddy!" Bree called as she barreled into her fathers' bedroom.

"We're here, Squirt," Brian said as he stuck his head out of the bathroom. He and Justin had just showered among several other things that had been done under the stream of water. They were now shaving.

"You look like Santa," Bree told him as she studied the shaving cream on his face.

"Thanks, I think," Brian said as he sucked in his gut.

Justin snorted. "I don't think she was referring to your belly."

"Neither do I, but it never hurts to check," Brian said sucking his gut in again and standing sideways to view himself in the mirror.

"Still fabulous after all these years," Justin chuckled.

"Thanks! All compliments gratefully accepted."

"You look very nice, Dada," Bree said right on cue and with a big smile.

"You have her so well trained," Justin said shaking his head as he finished shaving

"She's part of my ever growing fan club. Aren't you, Squirt?"

"Yes, Dada," Bree replied. "Where were you?" she demanded. "I waited and waited."

"What's she talking about?" Justin asked.

"I told you to go to sleep for Auntie Rachel," Brian said sternly.

"I wanted to wait for you," Bree pouted.

"I told you we'd be late."

"I waited as long as I could."

"So that's why she slept so late this morning," Justin said as the light dawned.

"You should be grateful. Gave us more time in the shower," Brian said with a waggle of his eyebrows.

"You're the one who should be grateful," Justin begged to differ.

"Hungry, Daddy," Bree stated.

"Okay, let's go get you some breakfast while Dada primps some more."

Brian stuck out his tongue at Justin as he disappeared through the door carrying Bree. Bree giggled as she looked at her silly Dada.

"What do you want for breakfast Bree, Cheerios or toast and jam?" Justin asked her.

"Jello!"

"We don't have Jello."

"Yes, we do. Patrick and me made it with Auntie Rachel."

"Did you now? How about Jello with banana then?" Justin asked as he deposited Bree at the table.

"Yes," Bree replied. She then slid down from the chair and ran into the sun porch.

Brian came into the kitchen.

"Want some Jello and banana?" Justin asked as he sliced banana into Bree's bowl.

"No thanks," Brian replied as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "Want one?"

Justin nodded and Brian poured him a mugful.

"Where's Bree?" Brian asked.

"Sun porch."

"Bree," Brian called.

The little girl came running into the kitchen carrying the cards that she and Patrick had made for Hunter. "Have to give these to Hunter," she said solemnly.

"Let's see," Brian said as he read the two cards. "Did you print this yourself, Squirt?" Bree nodded her head proudly. "You're getting very good."

"Thank you," she giggled.

Justin came over to look and was duly impressed. He kissed Bree and set her back on her chair. He placed the Jello and banana in front of her. She started to eat happily.

"How would you like to come into Pittsburgh and see Hunter for yourself?" Brian asked Bree.

"Auntie Rachel said we can't go to the hospital."

"Hunter's coming home today," Brian told her.

"Yay!"

"He'd be happy to hear you say that."

Bree smiled. "See Gamma Susan? Bake cookies?" she asked.

"Not today, and it's Gramma Susan."

"I know," Bree said as she stuck some banana in her mouth.

"Then why don't you say it?" Justin asked.

"Gamma Jenn said she liked me to call her Gamma instead of Gramma, so I do. She says I cute. And Gamma Joan and Gamma Debbie…"

"Yes, we know," Justin said shaking his head.

"So let me get this straight?" Brian said. "All this time you could say Gramma but you thought you were being cute by saying Gamma?"

Bree nodded and frowned. Usually her Dada was quicker on the uptake.

"You little Munchkin," Brian said as he reached across and tickled under Bree's arms. Bree giggled and scrunched down making a harder target for him to tickle. "Finish your Jello and then we can go visit Hunter, and maybe Gamma Jenn."

*****

"Home sweet home!" Nick said as he escorted his partner into their apartment. Hunter batted away Nick's hands.

"I'm not an invalid, you know. I can walk and chew gum at the same time," Hunter groused. He dumped his bag on the floor and made a beeline to the bathroom to shower and shave. He was feeling very grungy and he didn't like it.

"But apparently not able to answer a phone call from your mother," Nick mumbled as Hunter slammed the bathroom door. A knock on the door broke Nick out of his reverie. He heard the toilet flush and the shower come on full force.

"Bill, Steve, I'm glad you're here," Nick said with relief in his voice.

"How is he?" Bill inquired, seeing the worried look on Nick's face.

"Physically, he's fine and on some level happy to be home. Emotionally, I think he's about to explode and I don't know how to help him. My test tubes, computers and experiments don't talk back to me. Hunter, on the other hand, can get very loud when he wants to. I'm going to make some coffee. I think we're going to need it."

Bill and Steve made themselves comfortable in the kitchen area. The family had made sure the refrigerator was well stocked. Emmett had decided to try to 'cure' Hunter with muffins and other baked goods. There was a basket piled high with them. About twenty minutes later, Hunter clothed in comfortable sweat pants and shirt, joined them.

"Where did all this stuff come from?" Hunter spied the basket of muffins, a pie from the Munchers, and a fruit basket from Brian and Justin. The refrigerator was jam packed with cold cuts, a whole cooked ham and bottles of juice and water. Plus every type of salad known to man.

"Your friends and family," Bill answered.

Hunter snorted.

"Nick, I believe I left my glasses upstairs. Can you go up there and find them for me?" Steve requested of Nick but in reality he wanted Nick to make himself scarce. Bill and Steve decided to take Brian and Justin's offer to stay at their loft while Hunter was recovering.

"Yeah, sure. I have some phone calls to make anyway. I'll do that upstairs. I'm sure they won't mind." Nick grabbed his keys then went out. Hunter bit into a muffin as the door slid closed.

"You guys going to analyze me?" Hunter asked with a mouthful of muffin.

"Should we?" Bill retorted.

"Seems to me you asked for our help," Steve said sharply. "Have you changed your mind?"

"No but I feel like I'm in a cage, and if I don't get out, something bad is going to happen."

"What can possibly happen to you that could be any worse than what you have already survived?" Steve replied.

"The clinic..."

"What about the clinic?" This time Bill spoke out. "You can't be frightened that someone will find out about your past. You've been upfront about it when anyone asks how you know so much about the streets. And when your kids ask about AIDS and HIV, you're very candid." Bill let that sink in before Steve took up the reins again.

"There is nothing your mother can threaten you with or hold over your head. Your life is pretty much an open book," Steve tried to rationalize the situation.

"What if she thinks I'm rich and wants money?"

"Well, you're not broke. If you wanted to help, I suppose you can," Bill replied.

"What if I don't want to?"

"Then don't. You don't owe her a thing; however, you are better than that. And we know you, son," Steve said softly. "As much as you may not want to help her, you probably will and we'll all be there to support you. May I remind you that you are not alone in this."

Nick entered the loft with Steve's glasses in his hand.

"Is it safe?" Nick asked as he glared at Hunter. Nick knew Hunter couldn't help the 'attitude' but as understanding as Nick was trying to be, it hurt that no one seemed to notice that Nick was suffering too. All Nick wanted to do was to make love to Hunter and take away all his pain.

"Nick!" Steve said loudly and enthusiastically. "You found them, thank you." Steve took the unnecessary driving glasses out of Nick's hands. "And how are you holding up?"

"Me?" Nick was thrown off for a bit.

"Yes you, my boy. This hasn't been easy on you. I know you haven't slept or eaten since Jimmy was taken ill. Why don't you go take a shower while we're chatting? You'll feel so much better afterwards." Steve gently gave Nick a push toward the bathroom.

"Um, okay. I guess I can use a shower and a shave." Nick rubbed at the stubble on his chin. Hunter watched his partner go into the bathroom. After a few minutes the shower came on.

"I'm being a shit to him, aren't I?" Hunter asked the empty plate in front of him.

Bill and Steve didn't bother to answer.

"I should apologize, shouldn't I?" Bill and Steve remained silent.

"Maybe go wash his back?" Hunter asked with a slight smile on his face.

Bill winked. Steve nodded his head. Hunter got up to join his lover in the bathroom.

Finding a large plastic container in the pantry closet, Bill began to raid the refrigerator and all the goodie baskets.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Steve was shocked at Bill's behavior.

"In about fifteen minutes, those boys are going to fly out of that bathroom to hit the sheets. In a month of Sundays they couldn't possibly eat all of this food. Now what have we found in the refrigerator upstairs?" Bill filled the container with all of his favorite muffins and fruit. Next he started on the salads.

Steve contemplated the question, staring up at the ceiling seemingly looking for divine guidance. He took out a carving knife and made short work of the ham.

*****

"Did you hear something?" Hunter asked as Nick drove into him once again. They had been fucking nonstop since they came out of the shower, and once while they were in there.

"Ignore it," Nick replied as he knew he was close.

"Oh fuck, Nick," Hunter gasped as he came with a delicious release.

Nick was right behind him collapsing onto the bed as he stripped off the used condom. "Have I told you that I'm so glad you're home?" Nick asked with a big grin.

"I got the message," Hunter replied with his own grin. "Sorry about being such a bitch."

"It's okay. I know you have some stuff to work out."

"There it is again," Hunter said. "Someone's at the door."

They could both hear the steady pounding on the loft door.

"How did they get to the door? Nobody buzzed up."

"Maybe the front door's broken again," Hunter said.

"It stopped. Must have given up," Nick said with a smile as he pulled Hunter on top of him.

Just then Hunter's cell phone rang. He reached for it on the nightstand. "Hello."

"You're in there fucking, aren't you?" Brian's voice came over the phone.

"Yes," Hunter grinned. "Care to join us? Where are you anyway?" Hunter asked with a frown.

"Outside your door pounding the shit out of it." The knocking resumed louder than ever.

"Shit! Can you give us five minutes?"

"I guess we could go up to the loft while you two have a shower," Brian said in his best put-upon voice.

"Bill and Steve went out," Hunter laughed. "No action in that area."

"Bite your tongue … or Nick's. No, I take that back. Get showered and dressed. I have a little girl here who has something for you."

"Oh, okay. Five minutes, um, make it ten."

"No fucking in the shower. We have places to go and people to see," Brian said before he closed his phone.

"Loft," he said to Justin.

With a knowing grin, Justin pushed the button for the elevator.

Fifteen minutes later Brian pounded on Hunter's door once again. A somewhat flushed but fully clad Nick opened the door.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Brian said clicking his tongue. "You youngun's need to learn how to recover more quickly." He breezed into the room.

"Giving lessons?" Hunter asked with his sexy grin.

Justin came in behind Brian holding Briana's hand. "No, he is not," Justin replied fiercely.

Hunter laughed but then he looked at Bree who was hanging back a little. She clutched some papers in her hand. "There's my girl," Hunter said with a smile.

Bree grinned and asked, "You okay, Hunter?"

"Much better, Squirt," Hunter replied.

"Good," Bree said as she released her father's hand and ran over to the young man. "I worried."

"I'm doing much better," Hunter assured her. "What do you have there?"

"For you," Bree said extending the cards to Hunter. He pulled her up onto his lap. "Patrick and me made them."

"You did? Why thank you. Let's read them." Hunter opened Patrick's card and said, "I hope I don't have to have any needles." He chuckled that the little boy thought you got needles if you were in the hospital. A needle would have been so much easier than what he was facing. "And this one must be yours. What's this on the front?"

"A rainbow," Bree said proudly.

"And a beautiful one it is too," Hunter said.

Bree nodded her head like she had been vindicated in the war over whether rainbows could have brown and black in them.

Hunter opened Bree's card. "You signed this yourself. Good girl!"

"Thank you," Bree said a big smile on her face. Then the smile faded. "Hunter," she said seriously, "don't get sick no more. I don't like it."

"I don't like it either," Hunter said kissing her cheek. "I'll do my best not to get sick again."

"'Kay," Bree said with a smile.

Nick, Justin and Brian had been watching the interaction between Hunter and Bree. Hunter seemed like his old self.

"I made a fresh pot of coffee," Nick said, "and we have muffins, although their numbers have dwindled suspiciously."

"Yay, muffins," Bree crowed. She liked those almost as much as cookies.

"I see she has your appetite, Blondie," Hunter laughed.

Justin made a face. "If you weren't sick…"

"I'm not sick. I'm going to deal with what happens," Hunter said hoping that saying it would make it so.

"Good," Justin said as he dug into a muffin. Since everyone thought he ate so much, he might as well prove them right.

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