A/N: I should warn you, there is some abrupt physical violence in this chapter, so you have been duly warned. Again, thank you to Rhi for the help and being the Beta Reader for this story. LDB.
Before anything else could be said, Adam found his words. "No, I will not. I'm sorry Alberto, but no!" The blond pulled the ring off his finger, dropped it on the floor and ran to the stairs. Jason was on his brother's heels, but not before giving his father a look of total hatred. At the foot of the stairs, he grabbed Adam by the arm and escorted him up the stairs.
Shawn was devastated. He thought things were finally healing between Vince and himself. Now he realized it had all been a ruse, a lie to prepare him for this moment. Shawn's hand went to his belly, his heart-broken. What he hoped would have been something joyful, was now a worry. He didn't know what to do.
Vincent McMahon watched in anger as Shawn walked out of the parlor and went upstairs. He would deal with his family soon. Now he had to save face. Adam may have just cost him a fortune and much more.
"I tried to tell you this was a bad idea," Cole said. "I told you to let him get to know Alberto first, then tell him about the engagement," Cole with a smug smirk on his face and a deep inhale of his turned up nose.
"Cole, shut up. Layfield, get him out of here. I'll talk to you tomorrow at the bank, ten am," Vince barked. Regal and Morrison appeared with Michael's and John's coats and hats.
Zeb Colter had gone to speak to Alberto. He picked the ring up off the floor and handed it to the Spaniard. "I'm sure Vincent will work it out," the newspaper owner said softly. He could see real hurt in Del Rio's eyes.
"I hope so." Alberto growled as his fist hit the back of a nearby chair, fire began to smoulder in his dark eyes as he continued, "I traded my land for Adam. Vincent has much to lose. I'll sue him for breaking our contract!" Del Rio wanted Adam. If he had a child before his cousin, his family would regain the Spanish throne. McMahon had promised him Adam and when Adam had said he wanted a large family, Del Rio could almost taste the throne. He would have Adam or else take everything McMahon owned, this he vowed.
Vince returned to the parlor after walking Cole and Layfield to the door. As much as he hated to admit that Cole had been right, now he had to fix the mess or Del Rio could ruin him.
"Alberto, don't worry. I'll talk to Adam. He is a good boy and he will obey me. I made a mistake, just give me time to fix it," Vince said as he generously refilled Del Rio's glass of brandy.
"My cousin marries in three months. Adam has two months to change his mind or I will sue you! You signed a contract! My lands in New York State for Adam! I have it in writing! I will take everything you own and smear your name in every newspaper in the east. I want my throne! I need el bébé! Me casaré con Adán o sufriás las consecuencias!" Del Rio growled. He called for his coat and hat, and Zeb did the same.
As Regal helped Del Rio into his heavy woolen coat, Vince spoke again. "Don't worry Alberto. Adam will marry you, I promise. I have always kept my word as far as business is concerned." his tone was firm. Vince's eyes glared and turned toward the upstairs where Adam had vanished to his room, oh Adam would mind him or else.
Upstairs, Shawn had sent his boys to their rooms. He'd promised Adam he'd talk to Vince. Adam just nodded, still in shock that his father would have done this to him.
Jason was torn. He hadn't wanted to leave his poppa alone to face his father. He knew all too well what Vince was capable of. Shawn told Jason to look after Adam, that he would be fine and Vince wouldn't hurt him, not this time. Jason wasn't as confident as his poppa, but he did as Shawn asked.
When Jason got to his brother's room, Adam had changed into his nightshirt. He was sitting in his favorite chair, curled up in front of the fire. Adam held an open book, but he wasn't reading, the book was long forgotten. He stared absently into the flames, even in the firelight Jason could make out how pale his brother was, and the fire did nothing to calm the fear caused trembles. Jason could also make out the drying tracks of tears on Adam's cheeks.
Adam looked up when his brother poked his head into his room. "Billy Jay?" He almost whimpered his brother's name. His green eyes were a mix of emotions, but fear and confusion were the winners.
Jason came into the room. He had removed his jacket and taken his suspenders off his shoulders so they hung at his sides, and his shirt was halfway unbuttoned. He went to where Adam was sitting, and sat on the window seat next to his brother's chair.
"It will be alright Addy Joe, Poppa said so. I hate Father sometimes. He was wrong to do this to you," Jason said softly but firmly. He reached over and stroked the top of Adam's blond head.
"Father isn't going to hurt Poppa, is he? I know he has before," Adam spoke with a sigh. He knew Jason was trying to protect him from the knowledge of their father's abuse, and that Shawn had sworn Jason to secrecy.
Jason moved to sit on the floor at Adam's feet. At first his brows raised in surprise at Adam's knowledge, then his eyes and face turned to sadness. He laid his head in his brother's lap and sighed. "We didn't want you to know, but yes. Father hurts Poppa, a lot. It's been better for the last few weeks. I guess now we know why, he was buttering Poppa up for this. How long have you known?" Jay asked. Now Adam stroked his head, it felt comforting to both the brothers.
"I heard Poppa crying once. Before I could get to him, I saw you go to him. I listened at the door. We have to go to him, Jay. You saw how angry father was," Adam confessed. He then started to jump up. With extreme worry on his face, he reached for the brass fire poker that hung from the mantle of his fireplace.
Jay stopped Adam, although he thought Adam had the right idea. "No, Addy, Poppa said to leave him. He feels sure Father won't hurt him this time. I don't trust Father, but I do trust Poppa. Oh, I wish we could just leave, go someplace where Poppa will be safe. Poppa said he won't bring the shame of a divorce on the family," Jason spoke with his own deep sigh.
The brothers moved over to Adam's large feather bed. The McMahon brothers were wrapped in each others arms. They were afraid for their soft-hearted poppa. Each brother vowed to himself that if anything happened, they would do what ever they could to stop it.
Shawn had changed out of his tux. He'd put on his nightshirt, then wrapped himself in the navy blue, Chinese silk robe Vince had given him last Christmas. He wore his long, coppery blond hair down. When it wasn't held back in a pony tail, his hair fell almost to the middle of his back. He was beautiful, and hoped it would work to keep Vince's temper in check.
Shawn braced himself as he heard Vince coming up the stairs, then down the hallway. The noise stopped. Shawn wondered if Vince was just going to go into his room and not say anything. His luck ran out as the knob of his door turned. The bedroom door opened, and Vince McMahon walked into his husband's boudoir. He wore and unreadable expression on his face; that scared Shawn the worst because he never knew what to expect.
Vince looked at his husband. Shawn stood in front of the fireplace, warming his hands. He thought Shawn looked beautiful, but why couldn't he behave properly? Oh yes, his manner and demeanor were perfect, but he always obeyed. He should have kept his mouth shut about Alberto.
Vince was the head of the family. If he wanted Adam to marry, then his decision should have been accepted without question. Didn't he provide everything for his family? Home, food, clothing, education at the best schools? He asked only to be obeyed in return. When that didn't happen, someone had to be punished, and Shawn was that someone.
"Why did you do that, Vince? With no warning? Without speaking to me first? You always promised me the boys were mine to raise and care for. You only asked that they never shame the family, they never have. I have raised them to be a credit to the name McMahon. You should be proud of our sons," Shawn spoke softly, but firmly. While he was fearful of Vince, he would protect his sons, no matter the cost.
"I did it because I am the head of this family. When Alberto has a child, he will get his throne back; our son would be King, or at least Prince Consort of Spain! What could be more of a credit to the name of McMahon?" Vince said as he moved towards his husband.
Shawn stared at Vince. "Adam? Royalty? Vince, he would never go to Spain, he thinks New York City is a foreign country. The Cape is as far as he'll ever go. No, Vince, there is something you're not telling me. Your only interest can't be in making Adam into royalty." His brow was raised, he knew when his husband was lying and Vince was lying, badly.
Vince stood in front of Shawn. "The land in Upstate New York. I traded Adam for the land! I signed a contract! If Adam refuses, Del Rio will take everything we have! Adam will marry, and in two months! Obey me Shawn, or both of you will regret it." His dark eyes blazed. Vince was taller than Shawn by several inches, he was also more muscular. Vince took exercise everyday and was extremely fit, especially for his age of fifty.
Shawn's eyes filled with shock and sadness. Vince had done the worst thing he could imagine. "Oh Vincent, no, no you didn't? Please tell me you didn't sell our son like a... a... slave on the black market!" He could not grasp that Vince had done this to their sweet, innocent, precious Adam.
"I wouldn't compare Adam to a slave, my pet. I made a business deal, one that would make the family, our family a lot of money and will make our son a Royal! Now, do not question me any further. This will happen. Go to bed, I'm going to speak to Adam. Say no more on this," Vince said in a commanding tone, his hands on Shawn's shoulders. He roughly pushed Shawn toward the bed. It made the coppery blond trip and stumble as his feet caught in the hem of his long robe.
Shawn cried out as he hurt his wrist. He'd bent it an awkward angle as he caught himself to keep from falling. He turned to his husband, fear clouding his turquoise eyes.
"Vince, please don't! I'm with child!" Shawn cried out again, this time in panic. He hadn't meant to tell his precious secret yet, but now he had to.
Vince looked at his husband. That was the last thing he expected Shawn to ever say; at forty he thought Shawn was too old. Vince had no doubts the child was his. He knew Shawn would never break his marriage vows by taking a lover.
For a split second, Vince was pleased at Shawn's confession, then he grew angry. He didn't need yet another baby. At least with Eric, he didn't have to deal with the screaming and crying, dirty diapers and feedings in the middle of the night. He paid for a nurse for his other children, but Shawn would not allow that. No, he didn't want another brat around the house.
"No, Shawn. I'll call Patterson in the morning. He will take care of it. We're not having another baby in this house," his tone was firm as he grabbed Shawn roughly by the shoulders.
Shawn could not believe his ears, Vince was telling him to commit a sin. This he would not do, not ever. He would have this baby. He'd been so happy when he'd found out. Shawn had gone to a doctor on the other side of town, instead of Doctor Patterson, their family doctor. He knew if he were pregnant, Patterson would have told Vince, probably before he could. So, he avoided Doctor Patterson.
"No! I will not do that! Vince, it's a terrible sin! It's murder of an innocent soul! God would send us both right to Hell. I am having this baby, and Adam is not going to marry that man!" Shawn had reached his emotional breaking point. He'd had enough. This was their baby and he would see it born.
In Adam's room, Jason and Adam sat in silence. The occasional "pop" from the burning logs in the fireplace made them jump, and they would look at one another and laugh, but only a bit. The brothers were too far away from Shawn's room to hear any talking, but they listened for the sound of the cries of pain. So far, it had been quiet. Maybe their parents were talking it out.
"Do you think Poppa is alright? We've never heard anything before, why would we hear anything now?" Adam said in a thoughtful tone. He thought there must have been times their poppa had needed help and they never knew it.
"We weren't really listening then. Maybe they are actually talking. Adam, he's our father, but I hate him. I tried to get Poppa to leave once. I told him that you and I would go with him, maybe to New York City or Philadelphia. He won't leave Father, he said divorce is a shame on the family name," Jason said with a bitter tone. He tried to tell his poppa that their father was being sinful in hitting him, but Shawn said it wasn't right to counter one sin with another. Sometimes Jason thought his poppa was a little too religious.
"Sometimes Poppa is..." Adam's words were interrupted by the sound of shattering glass. They also heard Shawn's voice shout "NO!" The brothers looked at each other.
Jason moved to stand, but Adam pulled his brother's arm. "He said to stay here," he said, but his voice wavered. He wanted to help his poppa, but Vince scared him. Sometimes Adam wished he was as brave as Jason.
The elder brother turned to his younger. They, he and Shawn, had worked hard to make sure Adam was happy, protected and safe from the cruel things that went on, many of them in this very house. Jason realized now, that had been the wrong thing to do.
Adam was good and sweet-natured, and a bit spoiled and because of this, he could have a temper at times. Adam could be even more stubborn than a military mule. Adam Joseph McMahon could throw a tantrum worse than any child. Jason looked hard at his brother. It was time, time for Adam to grow up.
"Adam, it's time to grow up now. Poppa and I protected you from things, I think we were wrong. Sometimes in life you have to break the rules. You have to stand up for yourself, and stand up for the things you believe in. Our poppa is in trouble. Are you going to sit there and let that man, our father, hurt Poppa? Just because you're afraid of disobeying Poppa? He only said that to protect us. Well, I don't care! I would die for Poppa! Are you coming?" Jason's tone was commanding and sure; he sounded more like a parent than a brother. He had stood up, one hand on the door knob, the other balled up into a tight fist.
Adam stood up, fire blazing in his hazel green eyes as determination overtook him. "It's about damn time! I am so tired of being treated like one of Poppa's prize roses. Let's go!" He was more than ready. Jason couldn't help but smile, Adam was a lot more aware of things than he'd ever given him credit for. He gave his brother a nod. Together, the brothers left. They had to help their poppa, now.
Shawn lay on the floor of his bedroom. His lip was bleeding, his right eye already turning an ugly shade of deep purple. His blue silk robe was ripped, as was the nightshirt he wore under it. "Please... Vince... stop... please," Shawn panted out in groans of pain. He wrapped his arms around his abdomen and pulled his knees up as he tried to protect the baby growing inside him.
"If you won't go to the doctor, I'll take care of the little brat myself. You're so pious, so self-righteous, so perfect! You're not even spirited in the bed, you just lay there! No excitement; you're too prudish to suck my cock!" Vince ranted like a mad man. Shawn was good in the bed, but he never did the "dirty" little things like Eric did. Eric was such a slut at bed time. That was why Vince liked him so much.
When Vince finished his tirade, he kicked Shawn as hard as he could in the gut. He watched as Shawn screamed in pain. It drove Vince, working him up. The more Shawn screamed and begged, the harder his cock became. When he was done here, Eric would be getting a visit. He kicked Shawn again and again.
"Please... stop!" Shawn whined, he felt a horrible burning pain in his belly. He was terrified for the life of his unborn child.
"I told you, long ago, no more children! I don't want you fat and loose like an old, dried up brood mare!" The vile words continued to flow from Vince's mouth like the poison from a fat rattlesnake.
Before Shawn could move, Vince's foot kicked him square in the small of the back. The moment the hard, well polished, black leather shoe made contact, the beautiful, coppery blond felt a warm wetness on this thighs. Shawn knew then his perineum had opened prematurely; he was losing the little life his body had sheltered for the last ten weeks. He began to sob in earnest.
"The baby, oh please, dear God, not the baby!" Shawn's halted words were full of desperation. He was balled up on the floor as a dark stain began to form on his silken robe.
Vince reached down and, with a strong-arm and swift movement, pulled Shawn up to his feet. Shawn wailed in pain. His legs could barely hold him up on his feet.
McMahon grabbed Shawn by the shoulders and shook him like one of Adam's old rag dolls. "No more children and Adam will marry Del Rio! Am I understood, my pet?" Vince finished his sneered words with a hard, vicious, resounding slap to Shawn's already battered face.
"Father! Stop!" Jason said as he burst into his poppa's room, his tone full of anger. Adam was on his heels. Neither boy had ever been as angry as they were at that moment.
Vince let go of Shawn, who fell in a heap on the bed. "Get out! Both of you! This does not concern you!" His words came out in a sharp bark.
"Go... boys... please..." Shawn said in a tear filled voice. The last thing he wanted was for his precious boys to see this. He also knew he'd lost the baby he'd loved so desperately.
Jason went to Shawn, ignoring his parents. He wasn't about to leave his poppa alone with his father. He was worried that there was something terribly wrong. This was different. Shawn was badly hurt.
What happened next surprised everyone. Adam stepped up to his father and looked Vince square in the eyes. "Stop hitting Poppa! He has done nothing to deserve it! All he's done is love you and taken care of us. And, I am not going to marry Alberto Del Rio. Just... get... out!" The normally calm blond was furious. His face was only inches from Vince's, his fists balled at his sides. It took all he had not to hit his father.
Vince was absolutely livid. How dare Adam speak to him like that! With the speed of a striking cobra, Vince slapped Adam's face so hard it knocked him to the floor. Adam barely missed hitting his head on the bricks in front of the fireplace.
Adam took a moment to catch his breath. He could taste copper on his tongue and his face burned like fire. Both his upper lip and nose were bleeding. Shawn tried to get up. His baby was hurt, Adam needed him. Jason stopped him and went to his brother.
The three men jumped when the bedroom door slammed. Vince had left. Shawn knew he would go to Eric, and for once he didn't care, not one damned bit. He tried to move but the pain in his abdomen made him cry out.
Jason saw Adam was able to sit up, and went to the door. "MORRISON!" he called for the footman. He knew the young man would be better than calling for Regal; Jason had never trusted the butler. In a matter of seconds the young footman came into the room, breathless from hurrying. Master Jason's tone had sounded desperate and frantic.
"Morrison, go fetch Doctor Patterson. Take my horse, he's the fastest. Don't let Patterson put you off, tell him Poppa is bleeding, badly. Hurry!" Jason said to the young man as he went to the wash stand. "And tell Kelly to bring hot water and clean rags on your way out," he finished giving the footman his instructions. Morrison nodded and left to do his young Master's bidding. He was scared and worried.
Adam got up. His face hurt, but he didn't care. He went to help his brother. Jason had carefully removed Shawn's robe and nightshirt, and Adam was both horrified and terrified by the blood on his poppa's thighs.
"Oh Poppa! What? Why?... why the blood?" Adam gasped when he looked at his battered parent. His own bruised face was forgotten.
Shawn looked up at his sons, his eyes filled with tears. He could hardly speak, and his voice was deep and raspy. "I... was.. with child... gone... now..." The tears fell from his turquoise eyes.
The brothers looked at each other. They had never thought of having a baby brother or sister, but now that their sibling was gone, it saddened them. Adam's own tears ran down his aching cheeks. A baby in the house would have been sweet.
Nothing more was said as a knock echoed on the door. Adam gently covered Shawn's naked body while Jason went to the door. It was Kelly, the kitchen maid. She had a bucket of hot water, and tucked under her arm was a bundle of clean rags, made from sheets that had either worn thin or been ripped beyond repair. Jason took the items and told her to make a pot of tea and leave it on the table in the hallway.
Jason and Adam gently and tenderly washed Shawn's bloody body. Adam then took a rag and went to the wash stand. It was made of dark walnut wood and had a mirror attached to it. The blond grimaced as he washed his own bloody face.
Many thoughts ran through his head. He knew he wanted children, but that meant getting married. After tonight, he sadly gave up his dream. If this was marriage he wanted no part of it, ever. The only men he would ever trust again were in the room, his poppa and his brother. He would concentrate on becoming a good teacher and love his pupils as if they were his own.
Before Kelly returned with the tea, Doctor Patrick Patterson arrived. The older man had been the one to bring Jason and Adam into the world. The physician had a soft spot in his heart for Shawn. He wished he could help Shawn, however, his hands were tied. He could not speak about Vince, so he treated Shawn's bruises over the years and kept his mouth shut. If Shawn had been married to anyone else, he would have stood as a witness in court, to press charges of assault or given testimony in a divorce trial. However, because it was Vincent McMahon, he couldn't. A few years ago, Patrick's son got in trouble with large gambling debts. The people he owed the money to were not nice, they were part of the Boston criminal element. The Doctor had to borrow nearly three thousand dollars from the United Bank of Boston. He owed Vince his loyalty, so over the years, he kept his mouth shut.
With a heavy heart, Doctor Patterson confirmed what Shawn already knew, the baby was gone and chances were Shawn would never be able to have another. He told his patient to stay in bed and rest for a week. Shawn's body would absorb the tiny fetus.
There wasn't much else he could do but patch up the other wounds. He assured Shawn his wrist was only sprained and would heal while he rested. The physician made sure Adam's nose wasn't broken. It angered him that Vince's rage had moved to Adam, but again, there was nothing he could do.
He gave Jason some drops to put in Shawn's tea that would help him sleep. He also said Adam could have one drop in his tea, if he couldn't sleep. He left orders with Regal, on his way out of the house, that Mister Shawn shouldn't be disturbed or have callers for the next week.
Jason fixed the tea for his brother and poppa. He mixed four drops of the tincture from the doctor into Shawn's tea and one in Adam's as directed. He wanted his dear brother to sleep, and knowing how Adam worried, he would need the medication.
While Jason was seeing the doctor out and fixing the tea, Adam carefully helped Shawn into a clean, fresh nightshirt. "I'm sorry about the baby, Poppa. Tell me, did Father know when he did this?" Adam asked as he gently brushed Shawn's long hair. He remembered as a little boy, Shawn used to brush his hair to help him relax and sleep. Shawn did seem to relax and it made Adam happy to be able to repay some of his poppa's care and kindness.
Shawn sighed. As much as he wanted to, he could no longer protect his sweet child. "Yes, he did. He didn't want..." Shawn's eyes filled with tears as he continued, "Your father can be... cruel sometimes. He can also be so wonderful. I loved him so much, and he loved me, once..." Shawn let his words fade. How he'd hoped the recent change Vince had made had been real, or at least lasted longer.
"He didn't want the baby? How could a man not want his own baby? Poppa, if this is love and marriage..." Adam didn't get to finish his words. Jason had come back into the room with the tray of medicated tea.
He watched as his two "patients" drank their tea. Jason noticed something else. The light that Adam once had in his eyes had been replaced by something he'd hoped he never see in those hazel eyes; sadness, a deep and profound sadness. It broke his heart.
Jason sat at the foot of Shawn's bed. Shawn sat up against the headboard, and Adam was next to Shawn, his head resting on his poppa's shoulder. The oldest McMahon brother was now the man of the family, a role he took on gladly. He would protect his poppa and brother from now on. As far as he was concerned, Vince was dead to him.
"Poppa, we need to leave here or one day he will kill you, maybe without meaning to, but he will. No more of this 'a divorce will shame the family' talk. I'd rather be shamed than put flowers on your grave," Jason said firmly. He was taking his new role of head of the family seriously. He hoped Shawn would listen to him this time.
"He won't go that far, Jason. This is our home and I am not leaving it. I made a vow to your father and I intend to keep it. I know you mean well, but no son, we are not leaving. Your father will calm down, he's been... under a lot of pressure at work." Shawn's words a bit slurred, and his mouth wasn't saying things the way his mind wanted.
Jason sighed. There was no point in trying to talk about this now, the medicine was working. Anyway, getting his poppa well was the most important thing. They couldn't leave until Shawn felt better.
Adam had fallen asleep next to Shawn. Jason smiled and pulled the covers up over his family. He left to go change into his nightshirt. Jason then grabbed several blankets and a pillow and went back to his poppa's bedroom.
Shawn had a fainting couch in the corner. In the summer, he would sit there with the windows open and read. For now, Jason quietly pulled the couch closer to the fireplace and made a comfortable bed. He wanted to be there if he was needed. Jason also wasn't sure if Vince would return and continue what he'd started, and he wasn't about to let that happen.
Shawn, Adam and Jason slept soundly. Jason had left a note on the tea-tray that no one was to disturb them until called. It was Saturday, so no one had to be anywhere.
Adam was the first one to wake up. He took a moment to remember he was in bed with his poppa and why. He smiled when he saw the covered lump on the fainting couch, knowing it was his brother. He went to the water closet.
Two years ago, Shawn had hired a plumber to come convert the large storage closet upstairs into a water closet. There was a sink, toilet and claw footed bathtub. It sure beat running to the outhouse during inclement weather.
All while Adam was washing his face and doing his grooming, he thought about last night. He winced when the warm water hit his split lip, and it made him angry all over again. Never would he fall in love, because apparently married love was violent and painful, and full of lies and secrets. He wanted none of it, even though it meant giving up his dream. He sighed and finished his business.
Shawn was the next one to wake. It too, took him a few minutes to remember the previous night's events. When he went to sit up, it all came screaming back to him in the form of excruciating pain. The emptiness in his belly hit him hard. Oh, how he had wanted the baby. He'd hoped for a little girl, but now he would never had another chance.
Shawn cried out when he tried to sit up again. It woke Jason immediately. "Poppa?" He went to Shawn's bedside. He saw the pain etched on his parent's face, both in his eyes and in the bruises. His anger for Vince increased.
"I need to go to the water closet. Can you help me?" Shawn sounded more like a helpless child. The older man was usually the one to care for them, but now Jason had to be the strong one. He was ready.
"Of course, Poppa. It's time for us to take care of you for a change." Jason had just helped Shawn to his feet as Adam came back into the room. He'd put on a pair of gray cotton pants, and a white cotton shirt. He wore dark blue suspenders with tiny white flowers stitched on them.
"Oh little Addy, I'm so sorry your father hit you..." Shawn said with a winced expression. It was hard for him to walk, it was so painful.
Nothing more was said as they slowly made their way across the hall to the water closet. While Adam stayed with Shawn, Jason went to his room and dressed. He wore the same as Adam, only his suspenders were black and plain.
Jason pulled the cord next to his fireplace that called a servant to his room. When Morrison arrived, Jason ordered a brunch to be served in Shawn's room. He also told the valet to set up the roll-away bed in Shawn's room.
"Oh, and Morrison, only you or Beth are to wait on us. Master Adam and I will be staying in Mister Shawn's room for a while. Is Mister McMahon back yet?" Jason spoke friendly but formally to the young servant. In proper fashion, Adam and Jason would be called "Master" until they reached the age of twenty-one. At that age, they would receive a key to the house and earn the address of Mister.
"Yes, Master Jason. No, Mister McMahon isn't home. I shall return with your brunch shortly..." Morrison said with a slight bow. The servant turned at the door. "Master Jason? Is Mister Shawn all right?" he spoke in a tone of honest concern, not as a nosy servant.
Jason smiled. If they had been equals in the eyes of grand society, he and Morrison would have been close friends. He could see the sincerity in the footman's eyes. "No, but he will be. Thank you, Morrison," his tone was warm and just as honest.
Jason picked up his books, then went to Adam's room and fetched his brother's books as well. He hoped to keep Adam quiet and resting. A book or two would do the trick.
Adam had managed to get Shawn back into his freshly made bed. Beth had taken the brief moment they were in the water closet to quickly change the linens and dust. She worried when saw the splotches of blood on the sheets, but it wasn't the first time. She felt bad for the sweet Mister Shawn.
"I brought your books. I want you to rest today. We're going to stay in here. You can sleep on the roll-away and I'll sleep here. I'm not leaving you and Poppa alone," Jason spoke in his new parental tone. He only wanted to keep his poppa and brother safe.
"Jason, you boys don't need to move in here. I'm fine. You have your own lives and your studies. We must keep going, like nothing happened," Shawn said a bit reproachfully. He was ashamed that his boys were being affected by his situation. This was between him and Vince, alone. He especially hated that Adam had fallen victim to Vince's temper.
"I'm in charge now, Poppa. You just rest and let me take care of you. You have taken care of me for twenty years, Adam for eighteen, it's your turn. Please Poppa, at least for the week while you're in bed?" Jason asked as he looked Shawn in the eyes.
Shawn laid back against his propped up pillows and sighed. He had to admit, it would be nice to be taken care of for a change. He just wished it was from a loving and caring spouse, not his son. He wanted Jason to have his own life, Adam as well.
"Alright son, but just for the week. Jason, I heard what you said last night, but I don't think I responded clearly. I know you don't understand and I don't expect you to, but I owe it to myself and you boys to maintain our reputation. I want you boys to have a good life, with a good name. I can't leave your father, and I won't leave this house," Shawn said firmly. He tried to explain it, but he wasn't sure Jason understood.
Jason did understand, sadly. They were a part of the grand society, and there was a code they had to follow. Still, if the time ever came, he would stand against society and be damned.
Shawn and his sons had finished their brunch. Shawn managed to drink a cup of rich beef broth and ate some buttered bread. Adam only picked at his plate of eggs and bacon, the food made his cut lip sting.
Beth cleared away the dishes. Shawn slept after another dose of his medicine. Adam sat quietly reading in front of the fire. Even though it was early spring, it was still very cold outside and it was raining with the occasional spit of snow. Jason was at the small desk where Shawn usually did his daily correspondence. He was writing a paper for his business professor. The only sounds in the room were from Jason's quill as he wrote, the occasional flicker of a page from Adam's book, and the popping crackle of the fire as it warmed the room.
The peace and quiet was brutally interrupted when Vincent McMahon burst into the room. Jason stood up so fast the chair fell over. Adam dropped his book and Shawn's eyes flew open. With a bitten back wince of pain he sat up.
"It has been decided. Adam, your marriage to Alberto will take place on May first, here at the house. If you refuse, you will be cut from the will and thrown out of this house. Also, Shawn, my pet, if you object, you will be punished worse than you ever have before. And before you open your mouth, William, if you say one word of objection, I will whip Adam till he screams. This is my house, you are my property. My word is law," Vince spoke in a tone of absolute authority. His dark eyes burned with contempt. Adam had to obey or he would lose everything. Vince then left his family, and then the house.
Shawn looked at his two boys. This was too much. He would not see Adam forced into marriage. He looked Jason in the eye and gave his son a slight nod.
Jason knew exactly what Shawn was telling him. They were going to leave. He nodded in return. He turned the chair back to the desk and sat down. He had plans to make.