Truth Behind the Lies

Here's another chapter for you. I'm a bit late but with the 4th of July and planning for that I couldn't squeeze in any time. For those of you who are Gender Dysphoria readers, I could've finished and posted that one as well but I was getting late in my posting and I didn't want to wait any longer just so I could update them together so.....It'll be updated if not later on today then probably tomorrow.

Review Responses:
inumoon3: James will think things will start to go his way but it'll take a sharp turn and he'll pay a heavy price. Ha! Yeah, they're all due for an appointment with Dr. Phil, aren't they? Lol.
bambi4real: That's a good thought but you'll read the reasoning behind the Bryant incident in this chapter. My muse thanks you kindly. :-)
cfweber1b: So glad you like it and James WILL get his and he'll be devastated. I added you to the update list.
BennyPeace: Wow, so glad you enjoy my story. I hope it continues to please you. And you're definitely on the update list. ;-)
NeonTokyo: Thanks for the review and glad you enjoyed the cookie!
violetstorm: Thanks for reviewing. To be honest, I had a hard time with using 'mama' myself. But calling everybody daddy confused the hell out of me so I said, 'screw it' and went on with it. Still debating if I'll use that for future mpregs or find another term to use.
Ari90: The outcome of Bryant is in this chapter and you are SO right--James will get his one day.
ScarletHyacinth: Thanks for reviewing. Don't stab James just yet, I still need him for the story, lol! I've got you for the update list.
Rachel: *Bows at your feet* So happy you enjoy my story. I've added you to my update list.
LMS: Thank you for your kind review. I appreciate it greatly. I've added you to the update list.


Chapter Twenty Four

Same Sunday Afternoon


“Well, the best I can say at the moment is that he’s stable.” Dr. Wheatley said. “We had to pump his stomach to rid his body of most of the toxins and fluids have been passed through him intravenously to help get rid of the rest…”

“So that’s good then…” Shay started, still standing near Randy. “He’s gonna be okay?”

“Not necessarily.”

Larry frowned, confused. “But you just said you got rid of the toxins.”

“Yes but we can only hope that we did in time. Mr. Gibson’s heart rate, blood pressure, and breathin’ are bein’ monitored constantly to insure that he stay’s stable. The next 24 hours will be critical.”

“Can I see him?” Shay asked.

“Of course. Although, he was just returned to his room from his surgery so he’s sleeping at the moment. Follow me and I’ll show you to his room.” Nodding the worried son followed the lady doctor down the hall, leaving his lover and father behind to stare after them. Randy was the first to look away and focus on Larry but he never spoke a word.

Tired of the unwanted glares, the tall brunette turned to the blonde. “Is there a problem?”

“Just wondering how you did it.”

“How I did what?”

“Bryant ‘overdosed’? Come on, Larry. I knew you were eager to get rid of him but I’m shocked at your methods.”

Larry took a slow step towards Randy. “You saying I did this to Bry?”

Randy shrugged. “Did you?”

“Fuck no. I’d never do that to him. I came over to your house to see Bry. To talk to him.”

“What do you want with him?” Randy looked into his dark brown eyes and watched as he quickly looked away, choosing to stare at the taupe colored tile on the floor. “Were you trying to get Bryant to take you back?”

“What I was tryin’ to do is none of your fuckin’ business.”

“Well, just in case you were, let me help Bryant out then—you’re not wanted. You’ve caused enough grief for him and Shay.”

“And just like I told Shay—I’d rather hear that from Bryant himself. I messed up with him. I didn’t realize what I had. I just want an opportunity to make it right.”

“Just so you can upset him again?”

“I’m not—“ Larry paused. His anger grew. He just wanted to talk to Bry. To tell him why he acted the way he did and beg for his forgiveness. But he had to get to him first. Larry knew tonight was not the time he’d get that opportunity. “I’m goin’ home.”

“That might be best.”

Seeing no point in telling him to tell Bryant that he’d stopped by, Larry just pulled out his truck keys and walked out the emergency room.

***

Shay was taken aback by all the beeping of the multiple monitors that were surveying his mother’s health. Bryant himself looked small and helpless on the hospital bed of all white. With an oxygen tube down his nose, he was completely glistening in sweat. From his pale face, to his neck, down to his slightly rising and falling chest. Even his curly hair laid weak on his ears and forehead.

Shay’s initial reaction was tears. To see his mother in that state—unmoving—was sickening to him. Placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, Dr. Wheatley said, “I’ll leave you alone.” And she left.

Silently walking to the side of the bed, the young brunette pulled up a chair and sat down. With one hand holding his mother’s limp one and the other brushing the hair away from his face, Shay whispered, “You’re gonna be okay, mama. You have to be. I’d die if somethin’ happened to you.” He kissed the side of his head then leaned his forehead against his mother’s, allowing his tears to come down.

He turned when he heard the sound of the door opening. Randy walked inside and stood behind his lover, kissing the back of his head. “How you holding up?”

Shay shook his head. “I’m not. I won’t be okay until he wakes up.” Randy grabbed another empty chair and sat down. “He took everythin’, Randy. Five bottles of pills at one time. Why would he do it? I don’t understand…”

“I don’t know, sweetheart. I really don’t. All I know is that when he comes out of this, we must do everything we can to help him. Let him know his life is worth living.”

Shay nodded in agreement then turned to his lover and grabbed his hand. “Randy, I’m sorry about earlier—the whole thing with James. I didn’t mean what I said.”

“Don’t worry about it, Shay. It’s over.”

“No, no. I was upset about James calling and I wound up saying somethin’ that wasn’t true. The three of us are family and anythin’ that happens with Jack is your concern.”

Randy smiled, rubbing his lover’s pregnant belly. “Well that’s good to hear.” He kissed him. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

They sat in the silence for a while, listening to the steady beep of the monitors, when Shay finally asked, “Where did my father go?”

“He went home. Where he should be.”

“He gave me and mama hell for years. And when he wasn’t doin’ that, he was never home. He threw his son and grandson out of his house and shipped his husband away to a mental institution…………and he wants to make up? It’s too late to make up.” He touched his mother’s hand, seeing his nails were slightly blue from his earlier trauma. “Mama’s been through way too much in his 41 years. He deserves peace and I’m determined to make things as easy as I can for him.”

***

Friday morning…..Five days later


Richie quickly pulled his car into the parking lot of Northern Ridge Apartments and walked up the first flight of stairs. Knocking on apartment 700, he waited for James to finally open the door. “Hello, Richie.” James said with a hesitant smile. He wasn’t quite sure where he still stood with the young Spaniard, but being as that he was still living in an apartment, basically gave him his answer.

“James.” Richie replied half-heartedly as he brushed passed the blonde and walked inside. “Tristan, Katie, Sabrina, lets go, kids!”

James shut the door behind him. “Would you like a drink or somethin’?”

“No, thank you.” Richie folded his arms, choosing to look at the floor than his estranged husband.

“Ok………You ah, you look good—“

“Don’t try to engage in small talk with me, James, alright? I’m not in the mood. Andalè, mijos!”

“Come on, Richie. How long are you gonna string me up by my neck?”

“Until you choke on it. You caused hell for two families, James. You don’t deserve any leniency.” Just then Sabrina ran to him wearing her favorite white with red poka dot dress. Katie followed behind, toting hers and her sister’s bags. Tristan slowly pulled up the rear. Richie smiled as his 2 year old squealed for him.

“Mama!”

He lifted her in his arms, kissing her cheek. “Hello, sweetie.” Lovingly running his hands over his other two children, he grabbed Sabrina and Katie’s bags. “You ready to go home?” The two girls nodded. Tristan grumbled.

“Daddy, do I have to go? Can’t I stay here with you?” He asked.

“I’d love for you to, kiddo, but you can’t, you know that.”

“But—“

“No, ‘buts’. This is you and mama’s week. You’ll be back here again soon.”

“Let’s go, kids.” Richie said giving them a very gentle push towards the door. He and the kids were due for a family chat when they got home.

***

Same time, different place

“Dat doggie?” Jack asked Bryant as he sat next to him, pointing to a big red dog that was on the cover of a children’s book.

Bryant nodded. “Yeah, sweetheart, that’s a doggie. His name is Clifford.”

“Clibord?”

He laughed. “Yeah.” Bryant had finally woken from his scare on Monday afternoon. When he did, he was immediately ashamed of himself. He nearly killed a man a few days ago and the guilt he felt left him a wreck. Killing was never in Bryant’s character and that’s what scared him the most. He wasn’t the Bryant he used to be. He didn’t know what he was capable of. That, on top of other events that had happened previously led the brunette to believe his illness was winning. He just knew that any day now it would consume him fully and the Bryant that his son knew, that his grandson knew, would be no more. But he was determined not to let it win. He wasn’t gonna let it change who he was. Desperate, Bryant knew his only choice was suicide. Ending his life would end the odd behavior. It would end the pain the illness had brought to him over the years and ease the embarrassment he knew he’d caused his child, which was never voiced openly but was inevitably there. It had to be. He knew he wasn’t the easiest person to care for. He knew he’d frustrated Shay a number of times. That’s why he did what he did.

However it backfired. Bryant lived. And when he awoke he didn’t feel ashamed because he did what he did. No, he was ashamed because he didn’t die. He was supposed to have freed his family from the burden of him. Freed them from having to put up with his actions. He would quickly admit that in a way he WAS happy he survived because he’d miss Shay and Jack. He’d miss Shay’s strong will and courage. He’d miss seeing the person he helped create, a perfect mix of his husband’s bright smile and his own hair and eyes. And Jack. His precious Jack. He’d miss out on seeing the child grow and develop into his own. Deep down he knew he couldn’t leave the tiny blonde angel behind. But I’m still a burden. I’m still causin’ more grief than I’m worth. Just look at the situation now. I’ve got the family spendin’ hours at a hospital instead of at home livin’ their lives. I can't even kill myself right.

Bryant blinked when his grandson opened the book. “Ree agi, g’ma.”

“You wanna read it again?” Jack nodded. “Hon, we just read it twice already. How about a nice nap instead?” He wasn’t shocked at the quick and enthusiastic head shake the blonde tike gave him.

“No eepy.”

“Grandma’s tired, love…” Jack lifted the book in Bryant’s face. “And you don’t care one bit, do you?” Smiling, the child shook his head ‘no’. “Where is your mama?”

Suddenly he heard a rap at the door and he looked up. His calm, amused demeanor changed drastically when he saw Larry at the door. “Larry?”

“Hello, Bry.”

“Wh—what are you doin’ here?”

“I wanted to talk to you. Actually, I’d been tryin’ to talk to you all week but Shay and his bodyguard have been pretty good at keepin’ me away.”

“There’s nothin’ we need to talk about. You’ve made things perfectly clear with me that you don’t want to be together anymore.”

“I know.” The tall brunette stepped further into the room. “I know I said that but I was wrong, Bry. I was so wrong. I’ve been acting like an asshole for years, all because I didn’t realize what I had…”

Of course Bryant wanted to believe those words. He wanted to believe that the man that stood before him was the man he married…..the man he fell in love with……the man he’d lost his virginity to. But he just couldn’t. That Larry seemed so far away, it’s impossible he could ever come back. “Stop, Larry…”

“You were the best thing to happen to me…”

“Larry—“

“I love you, Bry…”

“I said STOP, damn it!” Bryant yelled, startling Jack who was still sitting quietly in his arms. He plugged his two middle fingers in his mouth. “Stop your lyin’.”

“I’m not lyin’ to you. I want you back and I’m determined to do whatever I have to to bring you home with me.”

“Your ‘love’ for me is just like our marriage—nonexistent.”

Larry shook his head. “No, it’s not. I never filed the divorce papers.” To prove his point, Larry pulled out the folded papers from his back pocket and handed them to Bryant. There was Bryant’s angry signature, but Larry’s was nowhere on the paper. “Back then, I was too scared to have it finalized because I’d been with you for so long, I was just used to bein’ married to you. Only now do I realize the true reason I didn't go through with it. I’m still in love with you.”

Bryant’s eyes began to water and he could barely see the words on the paper before him. “Unless that was all a lie, you used to love me years ago. You used to make me believe I was everythin’ to you. Over time, I’ve learned to believe all that was bullshit. You were just puttin’ up a front to win me over.”

“No, Bry, no. Regardless of what you think now, never deny that what we shared back then wasn’t real because it was.” He touched the silver promise ring that was still on Bryant’s right hand. “Those promises I made were real.”

Bryant pulled his hand away. “And how many times did you break them, Larry?” He sobbed, anger steady building. “Do you have any idea how many times you broke my heart? How many times you made me feel like shit? And like and idiot, each time you hurt me I forgave you, thinkin’ MY Larry would come to his senses sooner or later…”

“That’s just it, I’ve finally come to my senses…”

“But you’re too late. I’ve forgiven you over and over and over again…………I’ve ran out of forgiveness with you.”

They heard the sound of Shay’s familiar laughter and knew both he and Randy were making their way to his room. “Lunch has arrived. We bought Wendy’s. Lets—“ He spotted his father then saw his mother quickly trying to wipe away tears. “What the hell are you doin’ here? What did you say to him?”

“Shay, it’s alright…” Bryant started but his son interrupted him.

“No it’s not alright, mama. There’s no need for him to be here.” He looked at his father. “Leave.”

Larry held up his hands in a sign of non-confrontation. “I’m leavin’.” He looked back to Bryant and whispered in his ear. “I’m gonna fight for you. I’ll show you I’m a changed man.” Stepping back, the tall man walked passed a glaring Shay and Randy and went out the door.

Staring at his mother, mouth gaping open, he was curious to know what that was all about. Bryant, however, was not in the mood. “Not now, Shay. I’m too tired to say much of anythin’ right now.” He replied before the young man could even ask.

TBC.....Next chapter, Richie talks with his kids about he and James' separation and then time jumps ahead a bit so things can get a bit more interesting. And for those who might be wondering, yes, Bryant has become suicidal because of his illness. My question to you is, "Will something or someone pull him out his depressed funk or will he finally follow through with his task?"

Anybody else wants to be added to my Scribbles Update List please feel free to let me know. I'm up to 15 at the moment.

Translations:
mijo (mee-ho) -- my son
mija (mee-ha) -- my daughter
mijos (mee-hos) -- my children
andale (onda-lay)-- hurry up