Chapter 17

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Saturday night at Babylon was the closing ceremony for the clinic fundraiser and the seasons most sought after gala event. Anyone who was anyone wanted to be seen at Babylon that night. The paparazzi were out in full force. The youngest members of the family were allowed to make an appearance for thirty minutes then whisked away to spend the remainder of the night with Claire at the loft. John and Bobby had come into Pittsburgh for the night to attend. Danny arrived but was hardly noticed which in a perverse way made him happy. Hunter with his Dr. Nick escorted the now retired drag queen into the club.

Lacy was standing outside waiting to see if her father would show. After an hour it was painfully obvious to the disappointed young woman that her father had stood her up. She was ready to give up and call it a night. As Lacy was making her decision to go home, Brian and Justin arrived, fashionably late, and with several members of their family, Katerina included. Justin walked over to the young woman and smiled gently.

"Got a hot date?"

"I thought I did."

"Got stood up?"

"Looks that way."

"Katerina is with us. She doesn't know too many people here. I think she'd love the company."

"Really? I mean, do you think she'd like to be my date? For the night I mean."

"I think she'd love it. Come with me." Justin led the young artist over to his cousin. Katerina had been concentrating so hard on nursing school, taking extra English lessons and volunteering at the clinic, that she had very little time left for a social life. She deserved to let it all hang out for the night with people she knew and that cared about her. Lacy was happy to oblige. It would take her mind off her father and what his failure to show up meant.

The highlight of the evening, aside from all the queens trying to outshine each other and vie for the most photo time, was when they all wanted a dance with Brian. The gala, as with the fundraiser, was a resounding success!

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Even though the fundraiser was officially over, Brian decided to spend a few more weeks in Pittsburgh. Totals were tallied up, formal contracts written, the "I's" were dotted and the "T's" crossed. The clinic was set for life. Life went on.

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"Mr. Devore?" Jennifer said into the phone.

Danny was still at the Plaza. He and Jennifer were still looking for the right place to call home. He had briefly considered an apartment in Brian's building but Danny really was looking forward to mowing a lawn.

"Call me Danny, please. Have you found something?"

"Yes, it's towards the outskirts of town and it needs a little work but I think you'll like it. I can come over to your hotel to get you. We can look at it now, if you have the time."

"I have the time! I'll meet you outside," Danny said enthusiastically.

"I'll be there in ten minutes," Jennifer replied. Thirty minutes later Jennifer and Danny were standing in front of a quaint three bedroom house. It had a large front lawn and equally large fenced in backyard complete with a swing set.

"Swings?"

"The former owners had children. We can have them taken down."

"No, not yet. What happened to them?"

"They were beginning to outgrow the house when the father was transferred to the west coast. They were here for only a couple of years and they never got around to really fixing up the place so they're willing let it go cheap. Quite frankly, I think it's a dump except for its one saving grace."

"What's that?"

"Follow me," Jennifer said with a twinkle in her eye as she literally led Danny down the garden path to an ivy covered gate. "I don't know if the family knew this part of the garden existed or if they did, they never touched it. I found it quite by accident when I first came to look at the house." Jennifer pushed open the almost rust-frozen gate that was surrounded by large hedges.

"A secret garden?" Danny exclaimed with wonder.

"Apparently," Jennifer replied.

"Are you sure it's part of the property?"

"Very sure. I have the plans and the county survey to prove it."

Danny wandered around. He could tell that under the overbrush and weeds that were threatening to consume the plants and flowers was a formal and well thought out garden, complete with water feature and pond.

"Jennifer, look," Danny pointed down to the pond that was almost choked with unattended water plants.

"What am I looking for?"

"Shh, wait," Danny said in hushed tones. "Keep watching. There!" Something orange gold swam by.

"Goldfish?"

"Better. If I'm not mistaken this is a Koi pond."

"Koi?"

"Very expensive gold fish."

"Oh. So is this a good thing?" Jennifer asked pensively.

"A very good thing. I'll take it, swing included. Give them what they asked for."

"What about the repairs? I can certainly haggle. The heating and plumbing is antiquated and I'm sure the roof needs work."

"Jennifer, honey, I know you know what you're talking about but I have the money. All those years of kicking up my heels in pumps have paid off handsomely. Give those kids the send off they need. I want to be in here as soon as possible."

"What's with the men in this family and buying rundown old houses?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Nothing," Jennifer smiled. "Just reminiscing about when Brian bought his dream cottage for my son. It was barely four walls and a floor. Now, it's a palace. If you're sure you want this then let me recommend a good builder. John Anderson, he renovated the theater."

"I know the name. Everyone knows his name and the quality of his work. Do you think he'd do this for me?"

"I know he will. Here's his card; call him. You're family now, he'll do just about anything for family."

"Family?"

"You're Hunter's grandfather, aren't you?"

"How..."

"You've been away from Pittsburgh for a very long time; you've forgotten about the gay grapevine."

"But..."

"Don't worry, we can be discreet when we want to be." Danny just shook his head. "Welcome home, Danny!" Jennifer smiled then dropped the house keys into Danny's hand.

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"Hunter, I don't think this is a good idea." Hunter was pushing Danny down Liberty Avenue toward the comic book store.

"Sure it is, gramps. I have it on good authority that Michael's assistant is going to be quitting soon. He just got his acceptance letter for college. Michael always hires high school kids which isn't a bad thing but they can't give him the hours that he needs and then he always winds up getting stuck doing inventory until midnight."

"Hunter, you are clearly well educated but you're rambling," Danny was finding it frustrating trying to follow Hunter's diatribe.

"I know, gramps. Look, Mikey and Ben are the only real parents I ever had. I love them a lot and you, you are the only grandfather I'm ever gonna get. We have to give it a shot. Okay?" Hunter pleaded.

Danny rolled his eyes dramatically. "Fine, but if Debbie or Brian come gunning for me, I have no qualms about dropping your name."

"Piece of cake, they love me!" Hunter gave Danny a killer smile and Danny laughed.

"I am so fucked," Danny muttered to himself as they pushed open the door of the comic book store.

"Can I help..." Michael's greeting was cut off by Hunter who grabbed him into a big hug.

"Daddy!" Hunter exclaimed as a shocked Michael was hugged to within an inch of his life. Danny shrugged looking very contrite.

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"Ms Marcus?"

"Speaking."

"Danny Devore here."

Melanie sighed into the phone. She hadn't heard from Danny in a few weeks. She had hoped he had gone away or disappeared into some new life that didn't include her or her daughter. JR had been upset at first not hearing from her grandfather, but she had stopped complaining shortly after and everything seemed to be back to normal.

"I want to see my granddaughter."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"I want to see her. I've found a house and I have been having some renovations done the last couple of weeks. I want her to come visit me here."

"Apparently you're not hearing me, Mr. Devore. That is not going to happen."

"Ms Marcus, you know she is growing to love me. How can you keep us apart? What harm do you think I will do to her?"

"The fact that you haven't been in touch has hurt her already," Melanie said relishing each word.

"I don't know how you can say that."

"She has become very quiet lately. I don't think she's up to seeing anyone, but you most of all. I will not have her hurt," Melanie said.

"Ms Marcus, I have been calling my granddaughter at least two or three times a week since we first met," Danny said laying it all out for her.

"That can't be true," Melanie said indignantly.

"I gave JR my phone number right after our meeting in the theater. She called me a couple of days later."

"But you said you called her … and you had no right to give her your number."

"There such a thing as grandparents' rights."

"Don't you fucking quote the law to me!"

"I'm not trying to cause trouble, but I want to be able to spend some time with JR. Please, Ms Marcus." Danny decided that begging might get him farther than confrontation.

"I … I don't know."

"Please, talk to JR. It's what we both want. Please, bring her to my new home tomorrow if that's what she wants."

Melanie thought about what Danny was saying. JR had been quiet lately, but not really sad as she had first suspected her to be. Maybe she had been in contact with her grandfather. "I'll talk to her," Melanie said and cut the connection.

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The following day Danny paced back and forth in front of the window that looked out on his street. Melanie had called and said she would bring JR by at 2 p.m. It was almost that time. He didn't know what had changed Melanie's mind. Maybe it was JR who had been able to convince her, or maybe Lindsay who had made it possible for him to talk to JR when he called after school. He hoped Melanie wouldn't be so annoyed by their conspiracy that she would ruin everything. He was almost at the point of getting what he wanted - a free and open relationship with his granddaughter. They had to come for this visit. It was the first step.

He looked around the room. It looked pretty snazzy if he did say so himself. John Anderson had made the place structurally sound and had helped him clear out the garden at the back. Now that it was spring, he was going to plant the most beautiful gardens back there, and he wanted JR to help him. John had convinced him to leave the swing set up, although he had originally thought about getting John to take it down. He accepted John's advice knowing that the man hadn't steered him wrong with anything else.

The house was sparsely decorated, but he would add to the furnishings as he found things that he really liked. He hoped to decorate one bedroom for JR in the distant hope that at some time in the future her mothers might let her come and stay with him for a day or two.

He heard a car and looked out the window hopefully. The car came to a stop and Danny saw JR hop out. He couldn't keep the wide smile from splitting his face. The child started towards the house but then stopped as her mothers called to her. They wouldn't whisk her away when she had come this far, would they?

Danny hurried to the door and pulled it open. "JR," he called.

"Grandpa." The little girl ran to him and hugged him just like she had that night in the theater.

"JR, welcome to my home."

"It looks very nice, Grandpa," JR said.

"Thank you. Ladies, please come in. I can make us some tea," Danny said to JR's mothers.

"Thank you," Lindsay said. Melanie merely nodded and walked into the living room.

"JR, would you help me in the kitchen?"

"Sure, Grandpa."

"I don't like this," Melanie said as her daughter and Danny disappeared into the kitchen.

"We agreed that JR should have this chance," Lindsay said keeping her voice low.

"If you hadn't stuck your nose in and let Danny call her…"

"She might have run away or done some other stupid thing. I did what I thought was best."

Melanie shook her head. "We need to get to know him. I don't trust him."

"He seems fine to me. And part of the reason we're here is to scope out the place … and him."

"Here's the tea, and some delicious cookies," Danny said as he carried a tray into the living room. JR carried napkins for her mothers.

They spent the next hour chatting. Danny felt like he was being interrogated by Melanie, bur Lindsay did her best to keep things calm and pleasant. By the end of the tea they all knew each other a little better.

"Would it be possible to take JR outside for a few minutes?" Danny asked.

"Why?" Melanie demanded.

"I have something I want to show her."

They all stood up and followed Danny through the kitchen.

"A swing!" JR cried as soon as she was out the back door. "Push me, Grandpa," she called as she ran over to the swing.

"Can I see her next week?" Danny asked.

"I think that can be arranged," Lindsay said sweetly. Melanie glared.

"I love swings," JR cried as her grandfather started her on her upward ascent.

"Your Uncle John told me so," Danny said.

"Did you make this specially for me?"

"I wish I could say that I did, but it was here when I bought the place. Your Uncle John told me I should keep it for you."

"Thanks, Grandpa."

Lindsay smiled. "They're good together."

"How do you know that? Just because he has a fucking swing doesn't mean anything," Melanie hissed.

"If you'd stop looking for faults for a minute, you'd see how happy JR is. She loves Danny. She needs her family like we all do."

"I'm her family."

Lindsay sighed. "Mel, I want her to have a grandfather. My parents don't consider her their granddaughter and yours don't accept us at all. She needs Danny … and he needs her. Please, for me!"

Melanie sighed. "Okay, next week she can come again, and we'll see after that. You owe me big time."

"No, your daughter will be eternally grateful to you. That's more important. If you want payback, I think I could show my appreciation tonight," Lindsay whispered.

"Deal," Melanie said with a laugh. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. The old coot seemed to love JR. Maybe he could babysit for them down the road.

"Higher, Grandpa!" JR called as she pumped her legs. She was so happy.

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