"Stuff" Happens

Author's note: It's been so long since I've updated this that I'd have no clue where to start with the reviews. I have read them all and do thank each and every one of you who have read and enjoyed this story. I do realize I left you at a cliffhanger but this chapter solves that for you.

To Seekah: Lol, thank you for your many reviews! And to answer your question: Kosovo is a part of Serbia which is a part of Yugoslavia. Albanians predominately reside there.

Scribbles


Epilogue

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“Hello, I’m Len Stokes for Channel 7 News. Today was the day of the trial for Judith Cutlis. Three months ago now, Judith was attending the trial of her husband’s killer, Max Garner, when she pulled out a gun after the jury found the defendant not guilty. She pulled the trigger, aiming it in the man’s direction but hit his lover, Austin Evans, instead. Austin was listed in critical condition after the bullet pierced his lung, damaging the organ nearly beyond repair. Her trial started this afternoon at 12 and the judge saw fit for her to get a year and 7 days in the Grover County Women’s Correctional facility with a chance of parole after 8 months…..

Max sighed and placed his hands in his pockets. He remembered that ordeal like it was yesterday. Judith yelled out he was a murder and didn’t deserve to live then pulled out a gun, aiming it towards him. But her aim was off and she hit Austin instead. The bullet went into his chest nearly destroying his lung. It took almost 2 months for him to recover enough to come home and only recently was Austin starting to become his normal self. But they were moving on now. Max didn’t want to talk about any of it anymore and Austin refused to have it brought up.

“Hey babe,” Austin started as he came out the kitchen to the den carrying a tray of freshly seasoned and patted out hamburger patties. “The patties are ready for you.”

Shutting off the tv with the remote, Max stood to his feet, kissing his lover gently on the lips before taking the tray from his hands. “I guess it’s my turn, huh?”

Austin smiled. “Yep. The grill should be good and hot by now…”

“How about I put these burgers down and make you good and hot instead?” He wrapped an arm around the smaller’s waist, pulling him close so he could nibble on his neck.

Austin smiled at the wonderful feel of Max’s full lips on his skin. They had made love once before that morning but Austin was really considering another go. However, his mind won over his dick and he playfully pushed his lover away. “Sounds very tempting, baby, but no. We need these burgers on the grill soon cause Regina and Laura are supposed to show up any—“

ding dong

“Well speak of the devil…” Walking to the front door, Austin opened it, letting in both Regina and Laura. “Hello, ladies. Come on in.” Austin said, kissing them on their cheeks as they walked by.

Laura took a deep breath. “Mmmmm. Smells good in here. Have we come at the right time? Should I go ahead and grab my plate now?”

“Not unless you like your meat raw. Max hasn’t put the food on the grill yet….” Austin gave his lover an accusatory glare.

Regina smacked Max’s strong arm. “Max!”

The former soldier raised his hand in the air. “Okay, okay. I get the hint. I’m going.” He walked out the back door towards the grill and began to toss burger patties on it.

Austin invited the women to sit on the couch. “You two have a safe trip up here? With the Fourth of July crowd, I’m sure traffic was ridiculous.”

Laura nodded. “It was a little crazy but not too bad. Actually, with the way Regina drives, other people were more weary of her and her road rage than anything else.” They laughed. Regina just rolled her eyes.

“You know,” She started. “On the way here, they were talking about Judith Cutlis’ sentencing today….”

Blinking, Laura elbowed her girlfriend then said between gritting teeth, “You weren’t supposed to talk about that!”

Austin just smiled. “It’s okay.”

“Sorry, Austin. It seems somebody forgot that you guys don’t like talking about what happened three months ago.”

“It’s okay. Really. I’d heard about her sentencing and I can’t really say I’m happy about it. It’s kind of bittersweet actually—on one hand, what she had done was wrong and she should be punished for it, but on the other hand, I can’t blame her…”

“Really?” Regina asked. Austin nodded.

“Yeah. I can’t blame her because that’s what I probably would’ve done if I were in her shoes. The man who killed Max is about to go free……I wouldn’t take that either.”

“Yeah, but the thing with that is her husband was a monster. He was a rapist and he gave his own son hell…”

“And she loved him.” Austin interrupted. “I’m pretty positive that Judith never knew that side of John. What she knew was the John she fell in love with and the John she married. That’s what she was gonna stick with. Could you honestly say you’d believe it if someone told you Laura was a ‘monster’?”

Regina looked at the blonde woman sitting next to her and smiled. “No, I’d never believe it.”

“And neither would I if it were Max. That’s why I say this is sorta bittersweet for me.”

“Well how’ve you been since the shooting? Health wise.” Laura asked.

“Not bad. I’ll get chest pains from time to time and I’ve just gotten passed the troubled breathing, but I’ll survive.”

“That’s great, Austin. Oh! I nearly forgot! We have some good news of our own.”

The brunette smiled. “Oh yeah? What is it?”

“We were approved for adoption! Vivienne will be here in a matter of weeks!”

“That’s wonderful! Congratulations! So you’re getting a girl, huh?”

Regina nodded. “Yep. Vivi is three months old and is of mixed heritage. She has the curliest head of hair we’ve ever seen.”

“Awww.” Austin loved children. “I can’t wait to meet her.”

“Oh you best believe she’s coming to see her uncles just as soon as we get her.” Regina winked.

Max came back in and headed for the kitchen. “Babe, you seen the hotdogs?” He called.

“Check the Wal-mart bag on the counter.”

“…..Oh. Got it.” As he began to make his way back out to the grill, Austin called out to him.

“Max, come here for a second.” His lover came over and stood next to Laura and Regina on the couch. “Laura and Regina are getting their little girl in a few weeks. Isn’t that great?”

“Oh that’s awesome! Congratulations ladies!”

“Thanks.” The women said in unison.

“When are we gonna have kids, Max?” Austin asked.

“As soon as you have them.” He smirked. His lover laughed.

“As much as I love ‘trying’, pigs will fly before I get pregnant.”

Regina smiled. “You guys should really consider it. Nothings a greater reward than raising up a child.”

Max nodded. “We’ll definitely talk about it.”

Austin stood to his feet, wrapped his arms around Max’s arms, then kissed him. “That’s a good start.”


The End