Tristan's High School Life - 45. Chapter 45

TJ's POV

I tossed and turned all night, thinking about my fight with Jackson. I couldn't think of how to fix things. When I felt the bed dip, I sat up quickly, hoping it was Jackson, but it was Jack, much to my surprise.

"Your suitcase is over there," Jack said as he pointed to the dresser. "Get decent and come downstairs, and we'll talk."

My eyes filled with tears as a lot of my stuff was here. There were multiple suitcases and a few boxes. I fucked up. I got dressed and went downstairs and found Beau and Lucas busy making breakfast for the boys, and Jack was busy feeding Bea. So, you're probably wondering who Bea is. Beatrice Katherine Michaels, the newest member of the family. She fits in well with LJ and Tony, and they are super protective of their baby sister.

"Uncle TJ," Tony said when he noticed me.
"Good morning," I replied, sitting at the table.
"You hungry," Lucas asked?
"Not really," I replied, looking at the table.
"Make him some toast," Jack said, looking at me.
"Daddy, can I make toast for TJ? I can do it," Tony said, jumping up.
"Be careful, Uncle TJ; Tony burns the bread," LJ said, wrinkling his nose.
"Do not you bird brain," Tony retorted.
"Boys!" Beau said sternly.
"Sorry, Daddy and Pop," they said in unison.

I watched as Beau and Lucas worked in unison, and they were a well-oiled machine. Jackson and I used to be like that. Lucas set a plate in front of me with some of the blackest toast I've ever seen. He also dropped a napkin in my lap and whispered to fake eat the toast.

I sat there pretending to eat the toast while Tony sat there smiling.

"I figured you could use some more," Beau said, setting a plate with more toast on it.
"Thanks, brother," I said.
"Do you men mind if I have a chat with TJ in the office?" Jack said while making faces at Bea.
"Should be fine; I don't have any online courses to teach until later," Beau said and sighed.
"Do you miss Connecticut?" I asked between bites.
"I do, but we needed to be here for Kat to help take care of Bea," Beau said. "We talked about moving her up there, but then we were taking her away from her other Grandchildren, so we decided to come here. Dartmouth and MIT weren't too happy we were leaving, but our Department Chairs understood."
"So what's next for the Professors?" I asked.
"MIT has agreed to allow me to teach strictly online courses, but I need to find something else. I miss the interaction," Beau said.
"Dartmouth did the same for me, but my boss made a call, and I have an interview at NYU to teach," Lucas said.
"Good for you," I said.
"TJ, let's go talk," Jack said, standing up. I nodded and followed him to the basement office.

"Take a seat, just so you know this won't be an easy conversation," Jack said, and I winced. "Jackson asked Trace to file for divorce."
"He did?" my voice cracked as I spoke.
"Yes, but I talked him out of it," Jack replied, and relief washed over me. "TJ, we have a lot in common and can both be pretty hard-headed. You screwed the pooch, and Trace and Tracy were ready to roast you alive. You can fix this but not overnight, hence all the suitcases and boxes Jackson had delivered. I told him to send them up to CC's, but he doesn't want to see you or be anywhere near you."

That broke the floodgates, and I was bawling like there was no tomorrow. I felt Jack sit on the couch next to me, and he pulled me into a hug.

"What am I going to do," I said between sobs.
"You're going to work on fixing your family," Jack replied. "First thing is you need to be with Tristan at the hospital. Show Jackson that Tristan means the world to you and that work comes second."
"They all mean the world to me," I said.
"Prove it," Jack said. "Now, since CC had the penthouse, there is a separate elevator she had put in during the building. I will have your boxes delivered there, and I will show you the private elevator access. You are to stay at CC's and not go to Tristan's apartment or your own."
"Thanks, Jack," I said.
"I believe in you, so don't let me down. Jackson is my son, and I should be tanning your hide, but I know what a messed-up life you've had. I made a deal with an old friend who is coming to visit, and he's going to help you. Years ago, he helped me, and I think he could make a difference for you," Jack said. "He's coming here from Colorado and should arrive this afternoon. When he gets here, I'll make the introduction."

He patted my leg and left, and I just sat there.

"Uncle TJ, are you ok?" LJ said, coming in.
"Yeah, buddy, I'm ok," I said.

I left the house and went to the hospital, and luckily Xander was with Tristan, but no one else was there.

"Hey Xander," I said, and he jumped.
"Uh, Hi TJ, I'll leave," he said, gathering his stuff.
"Don't leave; he needs you," I said, gesturing towards Tristan.
"Are you sure? I can come back," Xander replied.
"Yes, Xander, I'm sure," I said. "I want to apologize for my behavior, and I shouldn't blame you because I'm a shitty father."
"You're better than mine," Xander mumbled.
"Oh Xander, I'm sorry, I forgot that it's a sensitive subject for you," I said.
"It's ok; I know you didn't mean anything by it," Xander said.

We sat in silence, as I was afraid to say anything else and risk offending him.

"I've been trying to tell the Doctor something," Xander said randomly.
"What's that?" I said curiously.
"When Tristan got his headaches, they seemed to get worse each time. He told me what he thought it was, but I honestly can't remember. A curse or something," Xander said.
"Do you remember when he told you," I said, sitting forward?
"I do because it was the night Rory tried to make spaghetti and failed," Xander said with a smirk.
"Oh man, I remember that night," I said with a smile creeping across my face. "He didn't know you had to cook the pasta."
"Yep," Xander said with a giggle.
"Xander, I don't know if you know this, but I can travel back in time," I said. "I'm going to go back and see what he said to you so we can fix this."
"Just don't stay the whole night," Xander said, blushing.
"Ok," I said with a wink and started my process.

I watched us all sitting at the table as Rory brought the food out and the boxes of pasta. Thankfully Jackson was able to get the Spaghetti cooked so we could all eat. I followed Xander in Tristan's back to Tristan's apartment.

"Are you ok Tris," Xander asked.
"My head has been hurting more, Xan," he replied.
"Have you told TJ or Jackson yet," Xander asked.
"Are you insane? Have you met TJ?" Tristan said, plopping on the bed.

Just then, a cloud overcame Tristan, and I could see the change.

"You will die from an enormous pressure of your brain, and you will pay for your sins," Kevin's voice said, and it brought a chill to my bones.

I came back to the room in the hospital to find Jackson, Tracy, Jack, and some other guy standing there.

"Where did you come from," Jackson demanded.
"I don't have time to explain how pregnancy works," I sarcastically replied. "I know what's wrong with Tristan; it's a curse."