Truth Behind the Lies

Review Responses:
Reike: Thanks so much for the review. The end is coming up pretty soon and I think you'll be happy with the ending.

ScarletHyacinth: Yes, the babies make their debut in this chapter. Larry and Bry getting a happy ending...? Who knows, maybe. Lol. Sending James to your vampires and demons may be a good idea. I'd say go for it? Ha!

inumoon3: Can't say whether Larry is on the right track with Bry or not--don't want to spoil it for you--but he IS trying. Yes, the babies show up this chapter. Richie and James' relationship is really 'iffy' at the moment. Not quite sure how I want them to end up. Haha, yeah your encouragement and ideas have definitely helped with Our Humble Little Dwelling. I think I may have something worth writing and should have something up pretty soon. I don't know, probably not immediate because I'm also working on moving into my apartment for school, but it'll come.

bambi4real: Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I greatly appreciate it.

Rachel: Thanks for the review!

Sandra: Thanks for the lovely review! I wanted to put you on my update list but your email doesn't show on your Author's Page. You can send your email to mine and I'll make sure to add you on. doritocheese@yahoo.com

violetstorm: Yay, so glad you're enjoying this!

SilverCrescentX: Thanks for the review. Yeah, this story kinda turned into a soap opera. What was supposed to have been a story about Shay and Randy, blew up into this whole new work. I've added you to the list.

Ari90: Thanks for the review!

midnighteyes: I'm SO glad you've taken such a liking to my story! Thanks for the kind words.

MikuyuSado: Yeah, Larry's fight to get Bry back won't be an easy one. Bry's learning to tolerate Larry again but the 'love' part is down the road........if their IS any. Randy's dealing with his aunt won't come in this chapter but the next one will dabble a bit on it. How are things with James and Richie? You'll see in this chapter actually. ;-)


Thanks so much for reading guys and gals. You're great.


Chapter Twenty Seven

Later that afternoon


“Mmmm……Ughhh! Oh God!”

Jack sat quietly in a chair with his two fingers in his mouth as he watched his mother writhe and moan on the hospital bed, his hand squeezing his daddy’s hand to the point of turning red. He didn’t know if he should be scared or laugh at the scene.

Randy’s knees buckled at the extreme death grip Shay had on his right hand. “Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow. You’re gonna break my hand, Shay. I’m in pain here.”

Skin glossy from sweating, breath erratic from enduring constant contractions, Shay quickly glared at the blonde on his left and spoke through gritted teeth, “You don’t KNOW pain.”

Randy swallowed. “…….Right.”

A twenty-something Hindu-American male, Dr. Rammy Gupta, walked in wearing mint green scrubs and a bright smile on his face. He immediately looked at the blonde and sympathized at the pained expression he had on his face. Being the father of four, he’d had his hand crushed a number of times.

Randy saw the doctor and breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh thank goodness you’re here. Tell him he needs an epidural. He doesn’t have to put up with all this pain…”

“Nooo…” Shay moaned. “No needles…”

“But Shay—“

“No, Randy.” He replied sternly. “I didn’t have one for Jack, I’m not havin’ one this time either.”

“But you’re not having one baby this time, you’re having twins.”

“No.”

Dr. Gupta chuckled. “Well, let me check and see how your’re doin’.” He walked to the counter and grabbed a pair of gloves from a box, slipping them over his hands. He dragged a metal stool with him as he walked back to where Shay’s bed was. Sitting down, he lifted the hem of the gown Shay wore and began to examine his stomach.

“Where’s my mother?” Shay whimpered. “Did you call him?”

Randy nodded. “Yeah, I called Garden Haven but he hadn’t come back from his therapy session yet. I left a message at the front desk though.”

Dr. Gupta sat stood back up and pulled his gloves off. “Looks like an epidural wouldn’t do you any good, Mr. Gibson. Nor a natural birth.”

“What do you mean?” Randy asked.

“Well, your body isn’t accommodating quickly enough. The babies are ready to come out now and you’ve hardly dilated.”

Shay grabbed his stomach and held it from the base. “What—what should I do? Is their somethin’ I can take? Should I take some kind of shot?”

Dr. Gupta shook his head. “No, there’s no need for that. What’s happenin’ with you is fairly common in pregnancies, especially those involvin’ multiple children. You’re just gonna have to take a different route—a caesarean. It will be painless, I swear, but first we’ll need to prep the OR and ready the nurses.” He walked out the room.

Gasping at another sharp pain, Shay kept one hand over his belly and the other nearly tearing a hole in the white bedsheets. He moaned when Randy rubbed his head. “I don’t want a C-Section, Randy.” Shay whispered.

“I know, sweetheart, I know. We were both looking forward to you having the babies naturally. But this is for the best. For all three of you.”

Their was a knock at the door then Randy and Shay both saw Bry’s smiling face peek in. “Knock, knock. I haven’t missed the twins grand entrance, have I?” He pushed the door open and walked inside.

Randy smiled back. “No, you’re right on time. But he’s going to have to have a C-Section.”

Bryant looked at his only son as he slowly eased his grip on the sheets and opened his eyes when his contraction started to ease. He gently rubbed the large stomach. “You’re nervous, aren’t you?” He stated more than asked. He knew his child. One look into those brown eyes and he could read the young man like a book.

“A little. I’ve never been in a surgery before.” Shay panted.

Bry kissed his forehead. “You’ll be fine, hon. You and the babies will be just fine. Just remember to breathe and relax, and the whole thing will be over and done with in no time.”

Suddenly the door opened again and Dr. Gupta spoke to the pregnant youth. “The OR is prepped and ready for you.”

Shay touched Randy’s hand, a total contrast to nearly breaking his digits like he did earlier. “You’re goin’ with me, right?”

“Of course. I’m not leaving your side…”

“And I’ve got Jack, so you’ve got nothin’ to worry about.” Bryant added, walking over to the chair his grandson was sitting at and picked him up. Shay nodded then reached to touch his son’s tan, baby soft leg.

“Mama, you gi baby now?” The toddler asked.

“Yeah, pookie-bear, they’re comin’ now. I gotta go but I’ll be back in a little while, okay?” Jack nodded. “Love you, sweetie.” Shay said quickly as a female nurse brought in a wheelchair and helped push him out the door. Neither him nor Randy noticed Larry sitting quietly in the hall.

The tall brunette looked back to the door when he saw Bry walk out, holding the blonde toddler in his arms. “He alright?” Larry asked as he watched him sit down next to him.

“Yeah, he’s fine. He just has to have a C-Section.”

Larry nodded. Just then he felt a tap on his shoulder and saw a young lady nurse with a look of concern on her face. “Excuse me, sir, but do you need any medical attention for your eye?”

Other than the fact that he could only half see out the eye, Larry had almost forgotten about the strong punch Bryant gave him moments earlier.

“No, I’m alright.”

“Are you sure, sir? Cause whoever hit you may have—“

“Trust me…” He pointed to his darkening eye. “This was long overdue.”

Bryant just looked at him.

***

Same time, different place

Richie knocked on James’ door.

“But I don’t wanna stay here.” Katie pouted. Tristan agreed.

“Me neither. Why can’t we just go back home?”

“Because this is your daddy’s week to spend time with you. It wouldn’t be fair to him.”

“So?”

“Tristan.”

“Well, can you atleast pick us up early? Please, mama?” He placed in hands together in a pleading gesture.

“Sweetie, I will pick you up next week but I can’t come any sooner. I promise, just as soon as I can, I’ll be here to get you, ok?”

“Ok.” The boy mumbled, but still not satisfied.

Richie kissed his children goodbye when James opened the door to his apartment. “Chao, mijos. I’ll see you next week, yeah?” The children nodded with their long faces and walked inside the apartment, avoiding any ‘hello’ hugs from James…..with the exception of Sabrina who was oblivious to everything.

Normally, Richie would’ve lingered for a bit just to be with the kids for a minute or two, but since finding out about James’ lies to the children, he could hardly bare the short glimpse of him when he’d open the door. He would much rather drop the kids off from his car and avoid the blonde all together but he knew his kids were too young to walk the large parking lot by themselves and find their father’s door.

James noticed the change in Richie as well. Not that they were on good terms anyway, but somehow James saw he couldn’t even look him in the eye lately. “Richie—“

“I’ll be back next week to pick up the kids…” Richie started to walk down the hall, but James quickly grabbed his arm. And just as fast as he did so, his estranged lover shook him off. “Don’t touch me.”

“What the hell has got you so bitter?”

Richie gave him this are you serious? look. “What? Has your brain been under a rock or somethin’, James? What kind of question is that?”

“I know our marriage has been on thin ice for a few months now, but even your usual passiveness has been different lately.”

“Well with you actin’ like a dick and tellin’ lies to the kids, I think I deserve to be bitter, don’t you think?”

James frowned. “What are you talkin’ about? What lies?”

“What lies?” Richie stepped closer to James and stared him in the eyes. “So I was drunk that night when I found out about your cheatin’, huh? I threw you out for things you didn’t do?”

James’ eyes widened. Oh shit, he knows what I told the kids about why we separated. “Richie—“

“I was bein’ harsh?”

“Now wait a minute—“

“You were feedin’ our kids lies about me! You knew…..you knew Tristan was upset with me after what you told him and you still refused to tell the truth! To keep your ass out the fire, you blame everythin’ on me, knowin’ they’d turn against me! See, it’s slick, connivin’ shit like that that lets me know we’ll never get back together!”

Reasoning with Richie was pointless and James found that out very quickly. He nodded his head. “Alright. Okay, fine. I did it. I told them whatever came up to take the pressure off of me. But I did it because I love them and I don’t wanna lose them, Richie!”

“What kind of bullshit is that? Do you hear yourself? You’ll tell lies about their mother and have them hate him……….because of love?”

“I don’t see what’s the difference in you doin’ it or me doin’ it, cause now they hate me!”

“As it should be! You forced me to do it!”

“How you figure?”

“When we first separated, I told the kids nothin’ about what was goin’ on. Nothin’. Not once did I say anythin’ bad about you because despite bein’ the bastard you are, I saw no personal gain in bashin’ a man to his children. But you apparently have no problem with that, just like everythin’ else you’ve done. You’ve made it your purpose to make other’s lives a livin’ hell.”

“I’ve only been tryin’ to get my family back together…”

“And havin’ Jack over here is part of the solution?”

“Yes. Jack’s my son and I want to build a relationship with him.”

Richie nodded. “So I’ve heard. Tristan and Katie told me how much of a relationship you’ve built with him. You’re constantly havin’ him brought here but you hardly speak to him and you never play with him. He’s grown a closer bond with the kids than he has with you. You’ve been havin’ him over for months now and you don’t think it odd he still cries when he gets dropped off?” Richie pointed a finger in James’ now angry tan face. “You’re not foolin’ me. You blame Shay for what’s happened with us and to get back at him, you take his son every other week. NOT for a relationship, NOT just to see your son………but because you’re an asshole.” Tears formed in Richie’s brown eyes and he saw no need in wiping them away. “We’ve been together for a long time and I’ve had some of the best years of my life with you. Our children bein’ a number of them. Those reasons are what made it so hard for me to finally make a decision about you and me. Not anymore though…” He reached for his left hand and pulled the gold ring from his finger. The blonde’s eyes widened at what was obviously taking place. They’d been married for nearly ten years and not once had Richie ever taken his wedding band off for anything.

Oh God, no. “Richie….please don’t say it.”

Tears finally began to leak down bronze cheeks. “I’m sorry. I’m done, James.” James watched the ring drop from Richie’s hand, falling with a soft ‘ping’ to the floor. His heart sank at the noise, symbolizing the finality of Richie’s decision. “I want a divorce.”

***

Same Tuesday evening

Bry jerked himself awake when he felt Jack kick his legs out in a fit of giggles. Turning next to him, he saw Larry playing ‘Gotcha Nose’ with the blonde child. On his face he saw the most beautiful smile come across his mouth. Bryant couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen Larry look so jovial. Shocked, he couldn’t help but smile himself.

Larry looked up and caught Bry’s staring. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you.”

He shook his head. “It’s okay.”

Jack turned around and tapped his grandmother’s shoulder. “G’ma, Gm’pa ga me nose.” He said, one tiny index finger pointing at Larry.

“Oh is that so?” Jack nodded innocently. “You got Jack’s nose, Grandpa?”

Larry held up empty hands. “I don’t know what he’s talkin’ about. I don’t have any noses.” Jack leaned towards Larry and grabbed both his hands, scanning all over for his ‘nose’. Larry couldn’t hold back a laugh and Bry just smiled at the scene.

The group soon stopped and looked down the hall as they watched Randy walk toward them clad in blue scrubs, cap, and white mask. The closer he got, the clearer they were able to see the well of tears pooling in his blue eyes. He slowly pulled his mask down and spoke in a near whisper, “They’re beautiful.”

Smiling, Bry stood to his feet with Jack and hugged the ecstatic new father. “Congratulations, Randy. Are they okay?”

“They’re perfect. I made sure to count ten fingers and ten toes for the both of them.”

“And Shay?”

“He’s fine. He’s resting right now but the doctor said we could have visitors. Come on.” Bry and Jack followed him with Larry pulling up the rear. Walking into room 317, the group found Shay on the bed, his head tilted to the side as he slept.

Bryant walked to Shay and placed a kiss on his forehead. Shay blinked his eyes a few times then smiled at seeing his mother and son before him.

“Hey sweetheart.”

“Hey.”

“How you feelin’?”

“Okay. Just a bit tired.” Shay reached for Jack’s foot, shaking it. “Hey pookie-bear.” Drawn to him like a magnet, Jack stretched his arms out to his mother and Shay held the child, careful of his tender stomach. He kissed the top of his head.

“Here they come.” Randy nearly sang as he walked back into the room pushing a hospital carriage. Randy was so quiet, no one even knew he’d left the room. “Say hello to Kaylie Shay Dodson and Jayden Randy Dodson.” He pushed the carriage over to where Bry was and the man got his first glimpse of the new additions. Two babies lay together—one in a pink blanket and the other in a blue one. Kaylie—who was currently asleep—had a head full of dark brown hair that lay flat on her small head, where as her brother, Jayden, who was very much awake, had an abundance of dark brown curls and cute blue eyes much like his father’s.

Randy lifted his son and placed him carefully in Bry’s arms then grabbed Kaylie and handed her to Shay. “Oh my God…….Shay, they are absolutely precious. And heavy too. No wonder you became bedridden so soon.”

Shay smiled as Jack leaned over to see his sister, curiously touching her hair. “Yeah, they turned out to be quite the healthy babies. Larger than what is considered normal sizes for twins. Kaylie came first at seven pounds ten ounces and Jayden came five seconds later at seven pounds three ounces.”

Bry noticed Jayden’s eyes never turned away from him. “Hi, Jayden. You tryin’ to figure out who I am, huh?” The baby blinked then cooed. “I’m your grandmother, Bryant. Welcome to the family, kiddo.”

Shay felt a hand in his hair and turned to see Randy’s bright, smiling face. “You feelin’ overwhelmed yet?” Shay asked him.

“Nah. I’m feeling pretty good actually.”

“Don’t worry, you will soon.”

Chuckling, Randy kissed him twice on the lips. “I love you.”

“I lo—“ Shay stopped when his eyes caught a tall brown haired man, that looked very similar to him, standing near the door with his hands in his pockets.

Larry’s eyes didn’t catch Shay’s immediately. He was looking at Bry holding and fawning over Jayden. The sight immediately brought him back to when Shay was a baby and he’d see Bry at home holding their child, looking at him with adoring eyes. A small smirk started to form over his lips but he suddenly froze when he saw his own son staring at him with obvious distaste.


Coming up: A Shay/Larry confrontation, Randy tries to figure out his altered relationship with Aunt Corrine, and Richie comes for a visit.