TJ's Journey to Marriage - 8. Chapter 8

“What kind of situation?” I asked

“Well, your mother is definitely dead but Nathan’s body is missing.” Dad said

“Missing? Like did he wake up and walk out missing?” I asked

“We aren’t sure; they are still investigating it. Until we know I don’t want anyone out alone.” Dad said

“So what are we going to do?” I asked

“Well you will do nothing, my company will handle that. Why don’t we do something fun like watch a movie or you guys can catch me up on your lives.”

“Let’s do the last one daddy” Grayson said.

“Any one object?” dad asked and was met with silence

“Ok, who wants to go first?” he asked and Grayson raised his hand

“So, I met Trace when his family came and for dinner over Christmas a few years ago. We kind of just connected and we got along really well. I had always dated girls and didn’t give boys a second look. There was just something about him that was so intriguing. We hung out a lot over winter break and everything just felt right; we texted when he went back home. When we came to New York for TJ to check out living here instead of Julliard; our relationship moved to the next level. After all the craziness of Julian trying to hunt us down and TJ missing we grew so much closer. When I graduated as Salutatorian he was there in the audience with Mom and Beau cheering me on. He helped me study and get high scores on the entrance exams and I started at NYU prelaw. We moved in together and have been enjoying ourselves. “Grayson said

“Wow I missed a whole lot of your life buddy. I am going to be there for you going forward and Ethan and I discussed it and we want to pay for your wedding.” Dad said

“That would be awesome; we have started the planning and we can show you guys what we have come up with.” Grayson said at that moment the door opened and Kevin, Jeff and the boys came through

“T2!! T2!!!” Tristan shouted running over to me

“Hey little man” I said pulling him into a hug

“How are you doing?” he ask

“I am good now that my dad is back” I replied

“I see you are happy now. Mr. T2 daddy I wanted to tell you Nathan body is at morgue just under the wrong name” Tristan said

“How do you know that? You know what, never mind; I will have the guys take a look.” Dad said and made a call.

“How was the flight?” I asked

“It wasn’t too bad for some reason these two slept.” Jeff said pointing at Jake and Josh

“That’s good, nothing worse than crying babies” Jack said

“When we first took the boys to Ohio to see our parents JC and Trace cried the whole time we were in the air both ways. After that trip we drove until they were older” Tracy said

“Speaking of Ohio, your Grandmother wants to see you both” Jack said

“Which one; and please don’t say Grandma Helen.” JC said

“You hit the nail on the head” Jack said and Trace and JC groaned

“I don’t understand why. She flipped out when she found out I was gay; Didn’t she get over you being gay?” JC said

“She did but Grandpa Jerry thinks something deep down must have bothered her; maybe there was a gay gene.” Jack said

“Didn’t she like Lyle a whole lot more than me?” Tracy said

“Well she never really got to know you Tracy, she just assumed you know? I think she loved Lyle because of my dad and his dad being golfing buddies and they were a community pillar in her eyes.” Jack said

“You’d think Grandma would get over herself considering she had the opportunity to move to the Farm with Aunt Stephanie and she chose not to. Uncle Dylan uprooted his life to help her.” JC said

“Very good observation JC, oh that’s the other thing she hates; “The boys name is Jackson, why can’t he go by that.” Dad said imitating grandma causing us to laugh

“Wait till she meets me.” I said

“TJ and JC would make her head explode. We should take Tristan and he can call you T2.” JC said and everyone laughed

“So, I just got off the phone and Tristan was correct; they found Nathan’s body” dad said

“What a relief that is. Anyone know is she had funeral arrangements already?” I asked

“She did not” Jack said

“You know based on how things have gone, could we cremate her? I would like to be sure she’s dead and all.” I said and everyone laughed

“TJ, don’t be so paranoid” Beau said laughing

“Hey if there is a zombie apocalypse one less person” Grayson said

“Ok boys, we get it. Cremation can be cheaper; who wants the ashes?” Dad said

“I think you should keep them” I said

“No we should take them back to Ohio and spread them.” Beau said

“At least I have one sentimental child” Dad said and smiled at Beau

“Alex told me that there is no next of kin that they can find for Nathan. I asked TBG to research him more and see what we can find. If not he will remain unclaimed” Ethan said

“So we will do a small ceremony for Emily and her father, what happened to her mother?” Dad asked

“Well she had some kind of drug overdose and based on what we keep learning Emily may have had a hand in killing her own mother.” Jack said

“So while everyone is here, I want to talk about some plans on being here permanently” Dad said

“Just so you know JC and I are moving to San Francisco.” I said

“I know, I am going to live here in New York and Ethan and I will have a place in California so we can visit when we’d like.” Dad said

“We will have enough guest rooms in our new place in Oakland” JC said

“Nonsense that is your place and we could be there weeks at a time and I know you’d grow tired of us.” Dad said

“So Grayson and I are going to split our time between California and the city too; Grayson is a property lawyer and works for TJJP Properties and for the firm here.” Trace said

“Speaking of the law firm; Liz and I have talked and we’d like to rename the firm to bring the name current. We have been back and forth on how to name the firm and Liz was voted Managing Partner. So Barton, James and Woolery will be no more. Grayson, Trace and Kat, we propose using James, Woolery, Collins and Michaels.” Jack said

“So Pop, Grayson and I have been talking and I was considering taking his name.” Trace said and got quiet

“Jack, does that bother you? You’ve got this look” Tracy said

“I don’t know what to think. When we got married we kept our names and hyphenated the boys last names. I just assumed they’d keep it.” Jack said

“Pop, we talked about hyphenating to Michaels-Woolery, Craft-Michaels and various other versions. Grayson didn’t pressure me and I suggested it.” Trace said

“You know you should just stay Craft-Woolery and Grayson a Michaels. You don’t have to share a last name.” Jack said

“What’s wrong with my last name?” Grayson said clearly offended

“That your name, I feel like Trace is writing off who he is” Jack said

“Pop this is my decision and I will make the final decision. Don’t forget Grayson got Uncle Bob’s share of the firm, so he has a say in the name.” Trace said

“If memory serves, he has controlling interest of the firm. So I wouldn’t anger him or your name could be dropped all together.” Kat said

“Jack, you need to get your head out of your ass. You’ve been on JC to get a prenup but not Trace. You are pushing our son to keep our last name. He doesn’t have to do anything you say. He’s an independent young man.” Tracy said giving Jack a glare

“So you are only pushing TJ and I for a prenup? Are you aware he has more money than me or Grayson for that matter? Pop you are unreal.” JC said

“Ok everyone calm down, you boys can use whatever name your chose. We need to not cause any more drama.” Dad said

“Kevin and Jeff, are you planning to stay in San Diego permanently?” I asked

“Well I thought about your offer to run the mental health part of the company for you and I think we’d like to make a go of it. I wanted to look for a place here too so we can split our time. I don’t like hotel life.” Kevin said

“Well there is one more thing I would like to do regarding BHO, I would like Kat to take over as our legal representation.” I said and got death glares from Jack

“I have been handling the business since Bob passed away. It should remain with me.” Jack said

“The way you have been treating me makes me question your loyalty. Until I can full assess that you will do what is best for me and BHO, I am appointing Kat as legal counsel.” I said

“It needs to go through a vote in the firm.” Jack said

“Well Jack, I hate to say this but I agree with TJ” Liz said

“When did you get here?” Jack asked

“A few minutes ago, my key still works” She said smiling

“This is totally unfair” Jack said

“Jack, it’s not about fair or who has the business. It needs to be someone that TJ trusts and right now it’s not you.” Liz said

“If I may say something, Jack, you are a great lawyer and I know you have BHO’s best interest at heart. I am going to be making a satellite office here for TBG and would like you to be our lawyer.” Dad said

“You want two competing companies at one firm?” I asked

“TJ, we do similar stuff but we really are just a security firm. We protect a lot of high ranking people.” Dad said

“Somehow I doubt that dad” I said

“Well TJ, he is telling the truth; that is how I met him.” Ethan said

“Well good for you.” I said

“TJ, the attitude.” Dad said. I got up and walked upstairs to the room I shared with JC. I sat in the chair and stared out the window.

“Brudder?” I heard Tristan call out

“In here little man” I said and he came in and got in my lap

“Why are you sad? I’m here.” Tristan said

“It’s complicated. I want to believe my dad but I am having a hard time.”

“It ok, I know you not trust people because of what’s happened. You know my brudders and I love you.” Tristan said and wrapped his arms around me

“I love you little man.”

“I love you too T2”

“I can’t wait till I can see you more.”

“Yeah daddy said you gonna have a place near us to visit more.”

“Yep and I can see you, Cody and Christian.”

“That will be fun. We can swim and play games.”

“Yes and do a whole lot more” I said and smiled

“Hey there you are. We’ve been looking for you” Jeff said to Tristan

“Sorry daddy, T2 was sad and I had to come see him”

“I know buddy, you really love you some T2.”

“I do daddy” Tristan said and jumped down

“Could you give me a few minutes with him?” Kevin said from the doorway

“Sure daddy” Tristan said and walked out with Jeff

“So ae you mad at your dad?” Kevin asked

“No, I just don’t want him bossing me around. I am not the same person I was when he left and I am tired of everyone second guessing me.”

“I am sure he didn’t mean to second guess you.”

“Not dad, Jack. He seems to have some sudden dislike of me and it’s getting to be annoying. Does he think I’m my dad? I wonder if there is something more to that story that I know about.”

“Maybe you should ask him but do it one on one not in front of the group.”

“I don’t know. Maybe if JC and I are away from everyone we can make decisions about our life.”

“Just don’t run away TJ; I am here for you.” Kevin said and walked away

“Hey babe” JC said coming in

“Hey, I didn’t mean to walk away from that spirited argument.”

“It’s ok, I understand why you did. I want us to make whatever decisions we have to make together. I don’t want to force you into doing something you don’t and I hope you feel the same way.”

“I do, I just wish somethings were different. Take my mom for example, what happened to her that she started using drugs. How did I miss it?”

“People can be highly functioning when it comes to drugs, alcohol or any number of things. There are people you would be surprised to learn are that way. Sometimes they have a high intolerance to it. Just don’t think about what you could have done as it doesn’t matter anymore. It’s just you and me, together forever.” JC said and kissed me. I broke the kiss and starting singing to JC:

Me and you,

A two man crew,

Side by side we're unified,

And we will never be divided.

Win or lose,

We go in twos,

We're the best of buddies,

Me and you.

No Dogs Allowed!

We've got good vibes,

Our friendship jives,

In our close united status,

Who could ever separate us?

And what's more,

We're in rapport,

We're the best of buddies,

Me and you.

JC starting laughing

“Where did you hear that song?” He asked

“It’s called the Best of Buddies and it was in Snoopy Come Home”

“It’s kind of cute”

“Yeah it is but it describes us a lot” I said smiling

“Hey Teej, could we talk” Grayson said sticking his head in the room.