TJ's Journey to Parenthood - 13. Chapter 13

The two men ran and embraced each other

“You didn’t tell me you were coming.” Mack said

“Well babe, it was a bit of a surprise” Rory said smiling

“How did you know where to find me?” Mack question

“Well Jackson reached out to me and he and TJ offered to fly me out here.” Rory said

“Jackson and TJ, thank you so much” Mack gushed

“That was a sweet thing you did boys” Bob beamed

“It was nothing.” I said

“Yes, TJ and I discussed it and we agreed Mack has done so much for everyone the past few weeks and he deserved a little r&r” Jackson said

“On that note Mack, you guys have full use of our apartment in the city. We have arranged an evening for you tonight for you to go out and enjoy yourselves.” I said

“I don’t know what to say” Mack said tearing up

“Mack you’ve been great to us; go have some time with your man.” I said

“TJ and Jackson, thank you for arranging this. I’ve missed having Mack around” Rory said

“The driver is waiting to take you into the city; here I’ve prepared these to go meals for you” Kaiden said

“How did you figure out they were leaving right away? I just asked you to set a plate?” I questioned

“Jackson” Kaiden said

“I think they should get on the road. It may take them a bit to make it into the city” Jackson said

“Yes, sometimes getting into the city at any hour can take time.” Bob replied

“Have fun and don’t think about us at all” I said

The two men walked hand in hand towards the stairs

“I packed a suitcase for you Mack; it’s by the door” CC said

“Um thank you?” Mack said

“She had some help” Kevin said

“We found her standing in your closet and decided to help” Jeff said

“Oh thank god; no offense” Mack said looking at CC while everyone laughed

After they made it out the door we all sat and had lunch

“That was a good thing you guys did” Bob said

“I agree, Mack has done a lot for you guys” Grayson said

“He has and we decided he needed a reward. We asked him to be our permanent nanny as the kiddos love him” I replied

“What you are taking him from the center?” Bob said

“Yes, he told me he is on the road a lot and he misses Rory and he was thinking of quitting. We discussed him working for us and since Rory is a writer and columnist he can work from anywhere.” Jackson said

“So why doesn’t he travel with Mack?” Beau asked

“Yeah if he can work from anywhere” Lucas added

“The facility prohibits it” Bob said

“So you expect the folks who work for you to let their personal lives suffer? That seems unfair” Trace said

“We agree which is why we’ve given him an out.” Jackson replied

“You can’t side step our business and organization to suit your needs” Bob said angrily

“Robert calm down” CC said

“You want something to relax you?” Emma said

“Emma, I wouldn’t if I were you” Kevin said

:”Yeah remember what happened last time?” Jeff added

“You boys are no fun” Emma said

“As for the boys hiring Mack, I will release him from his obligation to our business” CC said

“You need full board agreement” Bob retorted

“Not in this instance” CC said

“This trip was designed to have them see if living in the city is what they want.” Jackson said

“Oh you aren’t staying here” Tracy said

“Dad, we love the city and wanted to closer to you and pop” Jackson replied

“We’ve also started a new private security firm that Kaiden is going to run.” I replied

“What about BHI?” Bob said

“They will still exist but I have zero confidence in their ability to protect my family” I said

“We also want to make sure our brothers have protection as well” Jackson said

“So making decisions without talking to everyone?” Bob challenged

“When it comes to my family I will protect them. I’ve talked with my brothers at length about changes and where everyone will be living.” I said

“Trace are you coming into the city?” Jack asked

“We are looking at the options and haven’t decided.” Trace said

“Honestly Jack, we want to be in the city but also want to have a place to relax on occasion” Grayson said

“Ok, let’s shift the topic; TJ are you accompanying Cam to meet with his mother?” CC asked

“Yes and Grayson and Trace will as well. We need to figure out what his father is up to” I replied

“When is the meeting?” Beau said

“Tomorrow over lunch; we are going into the city to the Cooper home.” I replied

“Aren’t you going CC” Bob said

“I am and just as a distraction” CC replied

“I need to go check on the kiddos” I said standing up and leaving with Jackson trailing behind

“It seems we ruffled some feathers” Jackson said

“It does seem that way babe but we are doing the right thing, right?” I said with uncertainty

“Honey don’t question yourself; we talked with Mack and if Rory agrees they will come live with us.” Jackson said

“Sometimes I wonder if I don’t take everything into consideration” I replied

“I know but we did this together and Mack will be wonderful as our nanny. I hope we can find some folks to help him; we do have quite the abundance of children” Jackson said

“Yeah, yeah” I said pushing the nursey door open to find Tristan sitting on the floor reading to the kids and they all looked at him like they fully understood what he was saying

“Brudder!” Tristan shouted when he saw me

“Hey Tristan, is everyone behaving?” I asked

“Hi daddy, yes everyone doing good” Katie said

“Good to hear” Jackson said

“I reading them Peter Wabbit” Tristan said

“That was my favorite story” Jackson said

“Mine too” Tristan beamed

“Babe, you think you can stay and I can take Tristan and talk?” I asked

“Sure” Jackson said getting on the floor trading places with Tristan

We walked out of the nursery and into the library and I closed the door

“So, you have quite the connection with the kiddos” I said

“I do brudder.” Tristan said climbing into the chair opposite of where I was sat down

“How are you doing? Do you miss your brothers?” I asked

“Well, I miss my brudders but I don’t miss my daddies” Tristan said

“Tristan, you know your daddies love you.” I said

“They don’t” Tristan replied bawling his eyes out. I got up and pulled him into my arms hugging him

“I love you Tristan and so does Jackson and babies” I said trying to sooth him

“They don’t want me and they will never make noises again” Tristan said between sobs

“You don’t mean that” I said

“I do, they not listen to me and they love my brudders more.” Tristan said

“I don’t think that’s the case. I remember what you told me they said and that wasn’t very nice. Your Grandpa Bob is working with them to make things better.” I said

“Grandpa Bob no help” Tristan said

“What do you mean?” I said curiously

“I tell him what they said and he told me I shouldn’t be listening and mind my own business” Tristan said

“Well that wasn’t very nice; I do love having you around.” I said hugging him

“You and Jwackson are more my daddies” Tristan said

“We love you bud” I said

“I wove you more T2” Tristan said

“I love you to infinity” I said

“I wove you double infinity:” Tristan said giggling

“We will be here all day” I said giggling too

I sat in the chair holding him. Grayson stuck his head in the room

“I was looking for you” Grayson said

“Well you found me” I said smiling

“Do you mind if I come in” Grayson asked

“Sure” I replied

“I’ve been thinking about the conversation from earlier” Grayson said

“Which part?” I asked

“The whole where are we living and stuff” Grayson said

“Yeah and after our last conversation we told you live where you want too” I replied

“Well yes we understand but are you really going to help us get live in help and security?” Grayson asked

“Yes Jackson and I are. We’ve been discussing it for a while and we want everyone to be safe and have help. Kaiden has an excellent plan and has been working on vetting a group of people for you, Trace, Beau and Lucas to choose from. We are not making those decisions for you but giving you a list of qualified candidates. We are also looking at their personal lives as we don’t want to create the situation that Mack had” I said

“Good, I just wanted to make sure we had some part in the decision” Grayson said

“We would never make those decisions for you.” I said

“That’s good and I was a bit worried” Grayson said

“You never have to worry, T2 is a good brudder” Tristan said

“I know and I wanted to make sure” Grayson said ruffling Tristan’s hair

“Ok let’s go see the kiddos” I said

“My brudders” Tristan said shouting and leapt from my lap and ran from the room

“He definitely love the kids” Grayson said laughing

“He defiantly does” I said

We had an uneventfully evening and Tristan and his issues with Kevin, Jeff and Bob were weighing on my mind. I also was thinking about what Cam’s father was up to stopping our developments with the tower.

“Babe, did you sleep? You look exhausted” Jackson said

“I’m just worried” I said

“Honey, it can’t be that bad. We can overcome Cam’s dad and as far as Tristan, I love having him around.” Jackson said

“I love you more everyday” I said

We went to the nursey and found Tristan and kids playing on the floor

“Morning brudder” Tristan beamed

“Morning bud, how long have you been up?” I asked

“Before the sun daddy” Jamie said

“Well we are going to get breakfast and bottles and be right back” Jackson said

“Oh bottle service” Mattie said chuckling

“Wow” I said walking out

“Our boy things we offer bottle service” Jackson said

“Yeah that’s crazy” I said

We grabbed some bagels and the put the bottles together and went back to the room and feed the kiddos. Around 10:30 Grayson, Trace, CC, Cam and myself got into the SUV and the driver took us into the city. We arrived at the tower that housed the Cooper apartment.

“Wow, just look at this place” I said

“Park Avenue living” Grayson said

“Don’t forget you guys could have a place here too” CC said

“Ah Ms. Carmine, it has been a while” the door man said

“Glen, how are you?” CC said kissing his check

“I am doing well CC, family is doing great.” Glen said

“I am glad things are well, who has arrived?” CC asked

“You would be the last, everyone was certainly excited to have you here” Glen said walking us in and calling the elevator.

“Thank you Glen” CC said

We traveled up to the 110^th floor and when the door opened it was similar to the apartment we lived in but the entrance was more elegant. CC approached the door and it flew open

“Well as I live and breathe Aunt CC” the man beamed

“Hello Wyatt” CC replied giving him a hug and kiss

We walked in and the view was amazing. There were a bunch of people sitting around talking and the room went quite when we walked in

“Well Caroline, I am so glad you are here” Madeline said standing up

“Hi Mom” Cam said stepping around everyone

“Hello honey” Madeline said embracing her son

“Let me introduce the rest of this group; this here is Tristan Micahel, my nephew; this is Grayson Michaels my nephew and this is his husband Trace” CC said

“Welcome to my home” Wyatt said extending his hand

“Thank you and please call me TJ” I said

“TJ, welcome to the loft” Another man said

“Hello, and you are” I said

“Oh where are my manners, I am Ben Cohen” he replied

“Ben and I have been friends our whole life” Wyatt said

“That is really cool” Grayson said

“We are so happy with what you guys are doing with that tower” Wyatt said

“I wish our dads were still around as they would be helping you fight” Ben said

“Well Baron is helping as much as possible” I said

“Yeah, we were suspicious about his involvement but CC set us straight about everything” Wyatt said

“I well let’s sit and have lunch. I didn’t know what anyone liked so I brought in a variety.” Ben said

We grabbed some plates and fixed our food sitting down.

“Your father is running for Mayor” Madeline blurted out causing everyone to stop what they were doing