TJ's Journey to Marriage - 6. Chapter 6

I looked at the number and didn’t recognize it. Who would be asking me to meet at the park at this hour? Everyone was here; I wondered what would happen if I didn’t go.

“Brudder go to the park”

“Who is it Tristan?”

“I can’t say but you’ll be happy”

I had to figure out how to step away alone. I really thought about taking JC with me but I wasn’t sure the person would stay.

“I need to go get some air” I said

“Want me to go with you?” JC asked

“No, you’re having a good time listening to these stories.” I said

“OK, I guess I’ll stay. I hope they have more embarrassing stories.” J said with a smirk

I went to the elevator and went down to the lobby. It was a short walk to the park and to the carousel. I was super nervous and didn’t know what to expect. I stood there looking towards the carousel and saw a figure near the bench and was wondering what I got myself into; I almost turned around but Tristan said I’d be happy and he hadn’t been wrong before. So I walked over to the bench slowly and was greeted by a voice I’d hadn’t heard in person for years:

“Hello mini”

“Ddddaaddd; but you’re dead”

“No I am alive and well. I had to disappear and needed you to think I was dead and now that Brayden and your mother are gone it is safe enough for me to come out” I launched myself at him and hugged him

“I’ve missed you so much.” I said with tears coming down my face

“I’ve missed you too bud.” He said

“How did you know where I was and to contact me” I asked puzzled

“Your Grandpas’ can keep a secret.” He said and winked

“They knew this whole time?”

“Yes they did and they kept it a secret to protect me and ultimately protect you.”

“I was at your funeral and I saw you buried and we talked in my dreams”

“First of all it was a double made to look like me and second it’s a part of who you are we still were connected even though we were apart. I even contacted your mother when she was in her coma.”

“Dad it’s so crazy you’re here”

“I know son and I am aware of everything that has been going; your fights, you running away, and your mother attempting to destroy you.”

“Dad did you send me Tristan?”

“I did; I had a friend in the clinic where Kevin and Jeff both went and we made it happen. You needed some positivity in your life.”

“Since your dead, I can’t say you’re my father” I said crestfallen

“Well, you can tell people I’m your uncle”

“So what name are you using now a day’s?”

“Michael James Grant at your service” dad said in an English accent

“Wait a minute; have you been in England this whole time?”

“Yes I have. No one would look there for me and Prescott’s ex-wife Emma is such a sweet heart and so is her son Russell”

“You met Rusty?”

“I did but he didn’t know who I was. CC traveled over to England and gave me a makeover.” The mention of her name brought tears to my eyes.

“Please tell me if she really died or is she alive?” I asked

“She did die and it was quite unfortunate.”

“Wait; is this why Grandpas’ asked to do a pizza party tonight?” I said and dad laughed

“Oh my boy is a genius.” Dad said laughing still

“Ok dad really”

“All right boy wonder, let’s go surprise your brothers” dad said and he grasped my hand like I was a little kid. We walked back to the apartment and up the elevator to the apartment. I opened the door and could hear the laughing as we walked in.

“It’s about time you got back babe, your brother’s are full of stories” J said and paused when he notice the man next to me.

“Hey guys” I said and everyone turned around

“Tristan you made it” Grandpa Ron said

“Yeah dad, I’m here” dad said and Grayson and Beau heads spun around

“Daddy?” Grayson said

“My baby boy; how are you?” Grayson bolted from the couch and launched at dad nearly knocked him off his feet.

“Daddy, I’ve missed you so much” Grayson cried

“Dad is it really you?” Beau said standing there timid

“Yeah buddy, it’s me. Congratulations on the wedding. I expect to see some pictures”

“Oh boy, I got a whole bunch to show you” Beau beamed with pride

“Well hello Kat, Jack and Tracy” dad said

“Tristan, it is so good to see you” Kat said coming over for a hug.

“It is good to see you too” Dad said returning the hug

“Jack, I trust everything is ok?” Dad said

“Well, when you contacted me about Henry I didn’t believe it was you but here you are in the flesh.” Jack said and Tracy looked uneasy

“Well, yeah long story but I am glad things worked out. Tracy don’t worry, I don’t want Jack, I’ve got my own husband now”

“Dad, you’re gay?” Beau asked

“More like bi-sexual” he replied

“We have a lot of catching up to do boys” Dad said

“So how have you been Tristan?” Jack said

“Other than fake dying and watching my wife and supposed best friend destroy everything, I’ve been peachy” dad said sarcastically

“So dad, when can we meet your husband?” I asked

“Soon, he came over with me but is super nervous about meeting you guys.” He said

“You told him about us?” Beau asked

“Yes, I told him I had 3 wonderful sons with the wicked witch of Ohio” dad said and laughed

“You know you aren’t our dad right?” Beau said dejectedly

“Young man, I raised you and took care of you like you were my own. You have my family name and my name is on your birth certificate so you are my son” dad said proudly. Both Beau and Grayson ran over and hugged dad

“So guys, we need to have a long chat about things. I spent last couple of days catching up with Jack and my dad’s. I would like to spend time with my boys and their partners but you can’t call me dad in public since he is legally dead. You can call me Michael or Mike”

“Sounds good Mike, Tracy and I are going to head out.” Jack said

“Me too, I hope we are still on for dinner tomorrow?” Kat said

“Yes, we are and Ethan’s brother asked for your number. Can I give it to him?”

“Well he was kind of cute and all. I guess; I can slum after being married to Brayden and date a doctor” Kat said and caught the elevator with Jack and Tracy

“Son, before we go, please be safe while you are here. I am so glad to have you home” Grandpa Ron said to dad

“Dad, it is good to be back with everyone.” He replied and hugged the grandpa’s good bye

“Lucas, you have become such a handsome young man. I am so glad you and Beau stuck it out and got married.”

“Thanks, Uncle Tristan, I mean Uncle Mike. This is going to take some getting used to” Lucas said

“So JC and Trace, you two have definitely grown up; last time I saw you were both in diapers.”

“Actually Mr. Michaels, sir, I saw you a few weeks ago when we I went to Arlington with TJ, you were standing by a tree not too far away” J said

“Ah so you did see me. I didn’t know TJ was going to be there until I heard him talking to me.”

“Dad how long have you been back?”

“A few months, I was the one who worked with Jack about Henry on behalf of Prescott”

“So why didn’t you stop any of this stuff?” I asked

“I need it all to play out and not let your mother know I was alive.”

“Why?”

“She was after money and when I died, she was not part of the original will. She had forged one and got the courts to agree it was the right one and that the one Bob had was wrong. It was like she was testing us; but since she didn’t know where all the money was she was strapped for cash. She knew I had money just not where. CC and I had quite the windfall when we became of age. Uncle Bob and Paul had our money invested well.”

“So mom was a gold digger?” Beau asked

“Yes and no, she was a hardcore drug addict and Nathan was not good for her at all. He kept her high a lot and I was glad when I was able to cut him out.”

“So are you going to live here permanently? I asked hopefully

“Maybe, you guys will meet Ethan and see what you think of him. You met his brother at the hospital.”

“Dr. Fitzgerald?” I asked

“The one and only Alexander Fitzgerald”

“Did he make sure mom died?” Grayson asked

“He did yes, but your mother’s chance of recovery was less than 10%. Little Tristan has quite the ability and I can’t wait to work with you TJ”

“What about us?” Beau said

“Well I can work with you guys too but we will need to help you get the abilty”

“How’s that?” Grayson said

“Magic, no way to do it but hard to explain”

“It’s ok dad” Beau said as his phone chimed

“Guys, Ethan wants to know if you want to meet him tonight.”

“I guess its ok. Guys?” I asked

“Yes” was the collective agreement

“Mini, come with me please.” Dad said and I jumped up

“Mini?”J said

“Yeah I’m a Junior and I was the spitting image of him, hence mini” I replied

“So you’ve always been a mini weenie” J said laughing and the others joined in

“See if I give you any” I said blowing a raspberry and dad laughed. We rode the elevator down and went outside. Standing next to the building was a guy that was 6’2 and built like a brick shit house.

“Hey babe” dad said kissing the guy

“Hey honey, Alex and I had a great dinner. Thanks for the restaurant recommendation.”

“TJ, this is Ethan. Ethan this is my oldest TJ” dad said

“Nice to meet you Ethan” I said and shook his hand

“Nice to finally meet you TJ, your father has talked non-stop about you.” Ethan said.

“Let’s head upstairs and you can meet everyone” I said and we went up to the apartment

“Hey guys, this is Ethan” I said coming into the living room and watched everyone’s mouth’s drop.

“Dad you did very well for yourself” Grayson said

“Yeah, quite the upgrade” Beau said

“Ethan, this is Beau and Grayson, my middle and youngest. This is Lucas, Beau’s husband, Trace my son Grayson’s fiancé, and JC is TJ’s fiancé.” Dad said

“Nice to meet you all” he replied

“So Ethan, tell us about yourself” I said

“Well I am the oldest of three and my brother Alex is a Doctor and my sister Jules is an Artist”

“That’s cool” Lucas said

“Well it’s not the coolest part, King William is his 2^nd cousin” dad said

“You like to spill that secret don’t you” Ethan laughed

“Yeah I do” dad said smugly

“Well, Prince Harry lives in LA so we need to visit him and Archie. Too bad he got divorced from Meghan” Ethan said

“Well where are you staying?” I asked

“The Hilton” dad said

“Breakfast tomorrow?” I asked

“Yes, we will come over in the morning” dad said

“Love you dad”

“Love you mini, love you more Beau and Grayson” dad said. J walked them out

“Guys I am happy dad is back but I think we need to be cautious until we know things.” I said

“I agree, too much shit has happened” Beau said

“I think we should all go to sleep, it’s been quite the day” J said

“I agree” Beau said and yawned and curled up to Lucas

I sat and cuddled with J while my brothers did the same.

“Brudder we need to talk” Tristan said