TJ's Journey to Parenthood - 14. Chapter 14

“What do you mean he’s running for mayor?” Cam said

“Your father has decided that he ultimately needs to be mayor in order to fully stop your agenda.” Madeline sighed

“My agenda?” Cam said loudly

“Cam, your father has not been himself and he sees you working for Jack and working with TJ on the project as your gay agenda to punish him.” Madeline said

“My gay agenda; I went to school with Grayson and Trace and dad black listed me in New York that after 10 whole interviews I was so upset that I didn’t even try anymore and went to D.C.” Cam said with tears forming

“You know he wasn’t always like this” Madeline said

“Yeah once I came out and was the shameful son” Cam said head hanging. Grayson and Trace moved on either side and embraced him

“No don’t think for one minute I am going to be the dutiful wife. I knew you needed your inside man and I have been waiting to talk with you but your father follows me everywhere but here.” Madeline said

“Why can’t he just accept that fact that not everyone sees things his way?” Cam said

“Your father has been a hardhead for as long as I’ve known him” Madeline replied

“Cam, knowing your father as long as I have he wasn’t always this way. He changed in college and became quite the conservative. Heck I am not even sure why you married him Madeline; you had quite the line of suitor’s.” CC said

“You know I’ve asked myself this question quite a bit between Patrick and Richard fighting over us; we definitely could have done better” Madeline said laughing

“They were together so much people thought they were dating” CC said and the room became quiet

“Mom you don’t think….” Cam said trailing off

“No Richard was a pedophile” CC said dismissing it

“What if Patrick was too?” Madeline said

“Is there any way to prove or look into it?” I asked

“TJ, it’s not that easy and some people are good at hiding it. My ex-husband was so good at it and he did it right in front of my face. Looking back I can say all the signs were there but I missed them. He spent so much time with Dylan and Sebastian that it makes me sick to think about what he did.” CC said

“So why did you and Mr. Worthington get married?” Trace asked

“I was pregnant; I was so confused and I didn’t know what to do. Of course I consulted my parents and they said it was my decision and when I told Patrick about the baby and how I wanted to have an abortion he went ape shit.” Madeline said

“Mom I didn’t know” Cam said looking at Madeline

“Of course honey, I don’t really tell this story as it doesn’t shine a flattering light on me. I do have to say that keeping the baby was the best decision ever. If not I wouldn’t have the best son a woman could ask for.” Madeline said looking at Cam

“Me?” Cam said surprised

“Yes, you are my first born. You gave me hope and life and your brothers respect and love you.” Madeline said

“Yeah they got a funny way of showing it” Cam lamented

“Your father forbade them from contacting you. Colt tried and when your father caught him he made a complete spectacle of your brother in front of the whole family.” Madeline said

“If he’s that arrogant why not divorce him” I asked

“If it was that easy I would have done it years ago but our prenup has me at a loss” Madeline replied

“Don’t talk to me about prenups” I said and Grayson, Trace and CC laughed

“My pop tried to get TJ and my brother to sign a prenup before they were married.” Trace interjected

“My brother John has had multiple lawyers looking for an out where I can take him to the cleaners.” Madeline said

“Jack has drawn up many prenups; I’ll contact John and ask him to send it over to Jack and see if he can help” CC said

“Any help is appreciated; we sent it over to Bob and he was no help” Madeline replied

“When is he ever” I grumbled and was met with some laughs

“The question now is how do we stop Patrick” Wyatt said

“I take it dad is running as a republican?” Cam asked

“Yes he is and he’s got quite the backing” Madeline said

“Since Mayor Greenburg announced his plans not to run again no one from the Democratic Party has stepped up.” Madeline said

“I am really surprised no one has stepped up. Don’t people realize what could be at stake” I said

“Yes TJ a lot of people don’t realize what exercising their voices can change; either good or bad. As for candidates we’ve had a terrible selection as of late.” Ben said

“You also have people who don’t want to be in local or state politics and want to be on the national stage.” Wyatt chimed in

“My dad always told me not to trust a politician and that’s why when Baron reached out I was suspect.” I said

“Everyone was suspect of Baron.” Grayson said

“We did a lot of research and talked with him and he’s been very forthcoming and transparent” Trace said

“I wonder if we found someone to run; do you think we could get Baron to support them?” I asked

“It’s a possibility. He’s much more moderate than his old man.” Trace said

“My father always said people were after him to run and be a legacy with his father like the Bush’s and he has shut that down.” Wyatt said

“Do we know anyone who could beat Patrick?” I asked

“I am sure there is someone, we just need to find them” Madeline said

“I know someone.” CC said

“Who” we collectively asked

“Me” CC said

“You?” I asked

“Yes, I’ve beat him once for top of our medical class and I know I can do this.” CC said

“You have skeletons in your closet” I said

“Oh TJ, you need to stay out of my closet” CC said making everyone laugh

“I assure you Patrick has his own skeletons and we will work on figure out just what they are. We need to time things just right.” Madeline said

“I definitely will support you.” Wyatt said

“Me too” Ben said

“I don’t know… I guess I could” I said

“You guess?” CC said

“Just kidding; I would love to support you.” I said giving her a smile

“We need to get working on this” Grayson said

“When does she have to announce her candidacy?” I asked

“We have a year before things are due and it gives us time to plan” CC said

“Won’t residency be an issue?” I asked

“No I have multiple properties and kept New York City as my main residence. There is the penthouse I gave your brother but I still have my Park Avenue Penthouse.” CC said

“You have a Park Avenue Penthouse?” Trace said astonished

“Yes I do; Billionaires Row” CC said

“Our family has places and buildings all over the city. For instance, where your apartment is the building is relatively new. The building that was there was so old and decrepit that it was torn down and re-built and was the one of the tallest residential building in New York. Now that will be our new building over near billionaire’s row. I think the design has over 200 floors” Madeline said

“Is it all sold out yet?” I asked

“No we haven’t started selling as we weren’t sure about permits and time tables. Why?” CC said

“We want to have a place in the city and the apartment while it is 2 floors doesn’t have enough space and maybe Jackson and I could buy a couple of floors. I am just thinking out loud; nothing definite.” I said

“Having you nearby would be quite nice. Tracy and Jack’s place is nice but defiantly not for your growing family. You don’t get many options in the city for a growing family unless the kids all share.” CC said

“Jackson and I had talked a lot about where we’ve wanted to settle. We have decided to sell our West Coast properties as we can make a killing. We looked at keeping them as rentals but the house in Oakland and the apartment in San Diego need to be remodeled.” I said

“Actually TJ, I might ask you to hold off on selling. I wanted to talk to you about remodeling both places and keeping them as rentals. There is more to this but I don’t want to talk in the open.” Grayson said

“Ok bud; nothing definite.” I said

“Cam, I am going to divorce your father but not until I get the prenup sorted and the timing is right.” Madeline said

“OK, do you think I could see my brothers?” Cam asked

“I will try and work something out. I just need to make sure no red flags are raised and get your father suspicious.” Madeline said

“I have an idea” I said out of the blue

“What’s that?” Cam said

“What if he has a huge campaign dinner event here in the city and everyone is there. We could sneak your brothers off to a separate room and you could visit.” I said

“Not a bad idea” CC said

“I have good idea’s every now and then” I said smirking

“What I want to know is how will dad explain my absence?” Cam said

“That has puzzled me as well. He may craft some tale of you off helping the poor in some other country.” Madeline said

“Maybe I should come out against him and him being a family man” Cam said

“I know just the person who could write the story, Rory” I said

“Who is Rory?” Ben asked

“He is my nanny’s boyfried and a freelance writer.” I said

“Is his name Rory Brooks?” Wyatt said getting excited

“I think that is his last name… why?” I asked

“Rory is one of the most sought after columnist and his political pieces and other works are like no other.” Wyatt said

“I am not sure it’s the same person but I can find out.” I said

“If it is he will be the best person to help. His voice in the LGBTQ+ Community surpasses that of many. You seriously need to find out. Do you have his number?” Wyatt said

“I do but he is here in the city with his boyfriend for the weekend and I am not interrupting their time” I said

“Oh it definitely is the same person, I just checked Rory’s twitter and he said he was in NYC with his boyfriend relaxing” Ben said

“Tweet him Ben or better yet PM him” Wyatt said

“Dude you sound so much like my father.” Ben said laughing

“Hey my dad wasn’t always calm, cool and collected. That was his in front of the camera persona.” Wyatt replied

“Ok boys, let Rory be and let me talk with him” CC said

“Fine” they both pouted

“We need to get back home as I bet Jackson is dying for some help” CC said

“Nope, I’ve been checking in with him and he and Tristan are handling it well. Katie is there helping and apparently Bob is sulking” I said

“When is he not sulking” CC said irritated

“Well, it was nice meeting everyone” I said shaking hands with Ben, Wyatt and Madeline

“Bye Mom, can’t wait to see you again” Cam said embracing his mother

“Honey, if you want to legally change your last name, please feel free to do so; if you would like to take Morgan, which is fine with me.” Madeline said

“I’ve never thought about it” Cam said

“You’ve always gone out of your way to distance yourself from your father. A name change would put you even further away.” Madeline replied

“You could officially be Cam, cutting out all confusion.” Grayson said

“In school everything was Patrick C. Worthington and Cam would correct them. Officially we have him in our directory as P. Cameron Worthington.” Trace said

“It’s not a bad idea and I am sure Uncle John would approve” Madeline said

“Yeah even he had a shadow to live in” Cam said

“Well his is a different story but yes, John does” Madeline said

We left the city and Cam was quiet the whole ride home. During the ride back I texted Kaiden to let him know that Cam may need him when we arrive.

We walked into the house in full pandemonium

“If you don’t get me man parts back you will be sorry” Bob shouted

“I told you I was stronger than you” Tristan retorted

“You are in deep trouble” Bob seethed

“Well you don’t have the balls to do anything about it” Tristan said blowing a raspberry and running away

Could I for once come home to a nice and quiet house? Time to figure out what the hell happened.