Chapter Four: The Morning After(shock)

It has been a needed nights rest for Brian and Justin. Justin is surprised that he is the first to wake up. He sees what could be the saddest yet sweetest sight. Gus is snuggled up really close to Brian and Brian has his arms around Gus, holding him tight. Justin reaches for his phone and takes a quick picture.

Brian must have felt this, because his eyes are slowly opening. "Good morning Sunshine. Did you sleep well on this less than luxurious bedding? Not quite fit for a prince like I had planned."

"I slept just fine old man. Isn't that what you told me to call you? He leaned in and gave Brian a kiss, being careful not to squish Gus.

Brian looks down at Gus and all the events from the night before come crashing through. "I still can't believe they're gone. It's fucking crazy."

"I can't believe it either"

Michael pops his head in, already holding JR. "Ben made coffee and breakfast. The lawyer should be here in an hour, and Ted just arrived. Just about everyone else is here too."

Brian isn't interested in seeing anyone, let alone a crowd. "What do you mean? Who's here?"

"Well you know my mom couldn't stay away, so of course Em came for moral support. Then my mom called your mom Justin. I guess she figured with the lawyer and everything we should have what little family we have here with us."

Gus opens his eyes and looks at Brian. "Where's Mommy?" He turns to see Justin. "Where's Mama?"

Michael tries to back out. "I should leave you guys alone." He heads back downstairs.

"Come here sonny boy. Your dear old dad has to tell you something sad that you might not understand." Brian asks him if he remembers the accident from the day before. Gus says, "Uh-huh, Mommy got hurt by the window. Mama and her wouldn't talk to me. The fireman came and got me out of the car. I was scared. He took me and JR in the ambulance with the sirens. I kept asking for Mommy. They wouldn't let me see her. I want my mommy." He is now crying harder than the night before.

"Sonny boy your mommy was hurt really bad and so was your mama. The doctors at the hospital did everything they could to fix them, but nothing worked."

"Is Mommy and Mama broken. Can I tape them back together like Mama did my toy box?"

Brian looks at Justin. He doesn't know what to say or how to make Gus understand. Justin can see this written all over Brian's face. He is so heartbroken over how Brian is struggling to help his son.

Justin looks at Gus. "Come here buddy. What your daddy is trying to say is that your mommy and mama had to go to Heaven to be with God. Their bodies won't be broken there, like they were here."

"When are they coming back?"

"They're not sweetie. Their bodies will only work in Heaven and not here, so they have to stay there."

"Can I go to Heaven and be with them?"

No sweetie because you were lucky and didn't break. You can look at their pictures and we'll all talk about them. Then one day, hopefully not until you are 150 years old, you'll get to see them again."

Brian is fighting tears. He can't believe that Justin is being the strong one for a change. Brian just wants to make his son's pain go away, but he doesn't know how to do it.

"Who's going to take me and JR home if Mommy and Mama are in Heaven?" Brian is amazed at how well Gus is now taking everything after Justin's explanation.

"Well son, you're going to have a new home. You know how I'm your daddy and Uncle Mikey is JR's daddy? Well JR is going to live here with Uncle Mikey and Ben and you're going to come live with me and Justin."

"Am I gonna have two daddies now instead of two mommies?"

"Yeah I guess so. Is that okay?"

"Uh-huh, Justin used to always play with me when you had to work. He'd tell me you loved me and played trucks with me. He loves me like all the other kids' daddy's do. Right Justin?"

"That's right honey. I'd be very proud to call you my son. Your daddy and I both love you very much." He gives Gus a big bear hug. "Maybe I can even take you shopping today. You're going to need some new clothes. I bet Daddy would even let us go to the toy store and get some trucks or something to play with. How does that sound?"

"Is it okay Daddy?" He turns to Brian for approval.

"Of course it is, but can Daddy come too?"

"Yeah Daddy, you can come too."

This was a short chapter, but the next one is longer. Up next is Chapter Five: Reading the will. The boys are left a surprise by Mel and Linz.