Thicker Than Water - 49. Chapter 49

Diego did his best to not slam things around as he made dinner. He loved his fiancé just as much as he loved his sons, so it was difficult for him to talk to Steve about the bullshit Billy pulled in court. Steve, Billy and Ry had been friends since they were about Caleb's age, and though they fell out of touch for several years, the three were really close since reconnecting. Billy's antics in court were becoming too much for Diego to handle.

Steve sat in the living room only half paying attention to the game plans he was supposed to be reviewing for the coming basketball game that Friday. Charlie had sent him a text, warning him about the shit Billy pulled. Steve was really pissed and sent Billy a nasty text, which his friend still hadn't replied to. Steve watched the love of his life vent in the kitchen and wasn't sure what to say; after all, it was Steve who pushed Diego into working with Billy, and, with the way Billy was behaving, Steve was certain that he made a huge mistake.

Caleb entered the kitchen to get some water but froze, sensing the tension.

Diego was about to slam down a pot when he saw the awkward fear on his youngest boy's face. His anger subsided, he set down the pot and looked at his little boy, mustering a small smile and asked, “What do you need, Mijo?”

“Are you okay?” Caleb asked sheepishly.

Diego opened his arms and Caleb walked to his dad. Diego wrapped his son in a tight hug and said, “I am now.” The two held the embrace for a couple of minutes before Caleb asked for his drink, which Diego gave him before sending him back to his room to finish his homework.

Seeing the moment of peace, Steve stood and walked him to his fiancé. “I'm sorry.”

“For what?” Diego asked.

“Billy, his behavior, the stress you're under because of him, and frankly, everything else. If I would've known he was going to be like this, I wouldn't have pushed him on you.” Tears began to pool at the corners of his eyes. “The last thing I ever want to hurt you or the boys,” Steve managed to choke out before crying.

Diego wrapped his arms around the only man he ever truly loved. “It's not your fault, and I'm sorry if I made you feel that it was. Of course, you're not to blame, Mi amor. This is all on Billy. Ry also wanted me to talk to him about taking my case, so it was going to happen even without you calling him that night. Billy is a grown ass adult, and knows what he's doing is wrong.”

“I know, Babe, but I just feel like it's all my fault. If you lose the boys--”

“If we lose the boys. You're their dad, too, now, so you need to stop calling them my kids. They're our kids, and we won't lose them. I'll take us all to Mexico if I have to, and I fucking dare that bastard to find us.”

“I guess that means I should brush up on my Spanish then,” Steve said, with a weak chuckle.

“Brush up would imply that you know more than the Taco Bell menu.”

“Ouch,” Steve said playfully. The two kissed and held each other, making sure the other felt loved and secure before letting go.

*     *     *

Trevor came to the house to pick up Kenny. All three adults seemed to think that was the best option given how court ended.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Trevor asked Diego after Steve let him in the house.

“I don't want to talk shit about your husband,” Diego said.

Trevor chuckled and said, “I doubt you'd be telling me anything I didn't already know or haven't heard from his brothers. Besides, being a psychiatrist has its advantages in moments like this, plus, I think the less tension there is between our households the better, given Kenny's predicament.”

“Okay, so long as you have the time,” Diego said, offering Trevor a seat in the living room.

“I got nothing but time.”

Diego recounted the events of the day, filling in some details Charlie failed to mention to Steve, such as Calvin and Ashley getting married. Trevor sat back, letting Diego get everything off his chest, which Diego appreciated a lot, since most people would interrupt with either more questions, trying to offer advice or their perspective before hearing the whole story.

“I'm sorry my husband was dick,” Trevor offered once Diego was finished. “He should've acted more professional and treated you with the respect you and your family deserves.”

“Thanks.” Diego was grateful that Trevor didn't offer any excuses. “I wish I felt that I was overreacting.”

“I'm honestly surprised you're not more pissed than you are. I know Billy has his reason for pushing the judge's buttons, but he really needs to find other means of accomplishing his goals.”

“What do you mean, 'Billy has his reasons for pushing the judge's buttons'? Does this still have to do with his dad and the judge?”

Trevor paused, clearly trying to measure his words. “It's very...complicated. I can't say anything more than that.”

“Why not? If our boys are involved or at risk--”

“You just need to trust Billy. Right now, he's the only hope you've got. I wish I could say more, but my hands are tied.”

Diego didn't know what to say. He wanted to lose his shit and go off on Trevor like he had been wanting to do to Billy, but Trevor wasn't the problem...Billy was. Diego just let it go and called for Kenny.

*     *     *

Bryan knocked on his dads' bedroom door and waited. Once he was granted permission, he entered. Both men were laying on their bed relaxing. Diego was on his laptop, while Steve was on his phone. The room was modest with minimal furnishings. There wasn't even a television, unlike his and his brother's rooms, which seemed cluttered by comparison.

“What's up, Chico?” Diego asked, given the hour. His boys rarely came to his room anymore.

He recalled a time early in their relationship that the boys almost exclusively slept with him. Bryan frequently had bad dreams of being abandoned, while Caleb just couldn't sleep by himself. He smiled to himself, remembering Caleb curled against one side, while Bryan spread himself out on the other side. At the time, he prayed for the day that he'd finally have his room all to himself. Once they moved and the boys each had their own rooms and were able to sleep by themselves, Diego felt sad that his boys no longer needed him.

“Well, I, um...,” Bryan stammered awkwardly.

“Is something wrong?” Steve asked, setting down his phone.

“No, but Dad wanted to know if I was still wanting to go to the LatinX open house at the high school.”

“Have you made up your mind then?” Diego asked.

“Yeah, I think I want to go.”

“Awesome,” his dads said. Diego asked, “Is there a form I need to sign?”

“Yeah.” Bryan handed over the piece of paper he had hidden in his pocket.

“What's really going on?” Steve asked, while his fiancé signed the document. “You look like something else is on your mind.”

Bryan looked down, not sure how to say what's on his mind. He'd been feeling off for months and didn't know why. Everything with Calvin, Kenny and school was just too much. Bryan began to tear up as the words got stuck in his throat.

Steve stood and pulled his stepson into a hug. Diego got up and made his way to two of the most important people in his life. He kissed Bryan on the head, rubbed his boy's back, then whispered, “What's wrong, Chico? You can tell us.”

“I don't know,” Bryan said, trying to calm himself down. “It's just...hard.”

“What's hard, Buddy?”

“Everything.”

Diego had everyone sit on the bed. “Bryan, how long has this been going on?”

“I don't know; months, maybe?”

“Are you feeling sad a lot?”

“Yeah,” Bryan said, wiping his face.

“Are you more tired than normal? Feel like you don't have a lot of energy?”

“Yeah.”

Steve asked, “Do you feel like nobody understands how you feel?"

“All the time,” Bryan answered desperately.

“How's your appetite?” Diego asked. “You don't seem to be eating like a teenager your age should be.”

“It's fine, I guess. I just don't get hungry sometimes.”

“Sounds like you have Depression, Buddy,” Steve said, giving Bryan a side hug.

“Yeah, I mean, dealing with Calvin is depressing--”

“No, Chico,” Diego said, with a small chuckle, while holding Bryan's hand, “what Steve is saying is that you might have Depression. It's common with kids your age, and even more so with everything that's going on. It can be triggered by stress, but it could also be a chemical imbalance. Donna and Calvin both have histories of mental health issues, so I wouldn't be surprised if you inherited it from one or both of them.”

“Great,” Bryan said, clearly annoyed. “Instead of child support, I get psychological problems. Yippy!”

Steve chuckled and hugged Bryan. “It could be worse than that. We'll make an appointment for you to talk to your doctor and see about an antidepressant, at least until this bullshit with Calvin is over, and then we'll see if you need something more long term, okay?”

“I guess. I don't like taking pills.”

“I take them,” Steve said. “Every night before I go to bed. That's why I snore.”

Diego rolled his eyes and said, “No, they just make it worse.”

“It's not that bad.”

“I've had nightmares about being chased by bears, only to wake up with you snoring in my ears.”

“Really? I thought you were the one chasing bears.”

Diego blushed and Bryan was confused.

“Anyway,” Diego said, turning the focus off himself. “Is there anything you need or want to talk about? I'm glad you're going on this trip to the high school, so I hope this isn't part of the stress.”

“It's not, at least not anymore. I'm going to be questioned about being LatinX for probably the rest of my life, so I might as well get used to it.”

“I don't think you'll have much to worry about,” Steve said. “The high school is pretty accepting, and if anyone gives you any shit, you let me know.”

“Thanks,” Bryan said, resting his head on his Dad's chest. He yawned and looked exhausted. “Can I sleep with you guys tonight?”

Diego and Steve looked at each other. It had been several years since Diego and Bryan shared a bed, at least since before the boy started puberty, and he'd never shared a bed with any of Diego's other partners. Steve hadn't shared a bed with a teenager since he was one himself. However, the looks they shared said that they didn't want their son to feel unwanted or unwelcome, especially if he was suffering from major depression.

“Sure,” Steve said. “You're lucky we have a large bed.”

They got under the blankets, with Bryan in between them. The dads laid on their sides and wrapped their arms around Bryan, who was on his back. “Good nights, Dads.”

“Good night, Bryan,” Steve said.

“Good night, Chico,” Diego said. He chuckled and said softly to Steve, “Good night, Daddy.”

“Oh my God!” Bryan cried out, as his fathers laughed and hugged him.