Mark Calaway stood in the doorway of Glenn Jacobs' cell. Glenn lay on his bed, and faced the wall.
Mark heard Glenn sigh. "I know you are here. You'd better come in, the guard can't wait all day." Glenn's voice was flat and held no emotion. He remained on his side, preferring to look at the wall instead of Mark.
Mark stepped further into the room. "Chief said you are to have as much time as you want. Knock when you are ready to leave." The guard stated as he closed and locked the door.
Mark wanted to go to Glenn, pull him into his arms and pound some sense into Glenn's head with elegant words. However, he knew with Glenn, that would not work, it would only make him madder than he already was.
"May I sit?" Mark asked in a quiet voice. At the moment, he wasn't going to do anything without Glenn's permission. Mark knew he had to be delicate.
Glenn let out a sigh. "I guess. I promised the Chief I would talk to with you, before I talked to Heyman about custody. You've probably already warned him off..." Glenn shifted when he heard Mark make the slightest sound. He could now see Mark sitting in the folding chair at the foot of the bed.
"You have, haven't you? God, I should have remembered the files. I will find a lawyer you can't touch. I'm getting full custody of Gunner and the baby. You can't stop me!" Glenn was calm, but his eyes blazed and his voice was filled with malice.
"Why Glenn? Why are you doing this? It isn't like you caught me cheating, you were there with me. What is this really about?" Mark looked at Glenn. His tone was filled with confusion.
Glenn sat up. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He stared down at the floor. "Because, I am done. I'm done with prostitution. I'm getting our children away from it. I'm taking my half of the money. I am going to buy a little house and raise our children to be good, honest, hard working members of society. If I invest properly, I can do it... I will do it. You are too hung up in the industry to leave it. Did you know, Jericho has closed his house, you win Mark... enjoy it... but you will enjoy it without me and our children!" Glenn's voice had a matter of fact quality. His mind was made up.
Mark looked at Glenn like he had three heads. "Jericho closed his house? He's out of the sex market? What about..." Mark was viciously cut off by Glenn.
"All that I just said, and that is the one thing you care about? Fucking Jericho? Fuck you, Mark, just fuck you!" Glenn's words hissed through gritted teeth. He glared at Mark with the fire of real hatred in his eyes.
Mark looked like a chastised child. "You didn't let me finish. I was only curious as to what Jericho was doing now. Maybe it's time for me to quit as well. There is nothing I'd like better than to be away from it all. I was truly looking forward to our summer at the lake; just you, Gunner and myself. Glenn, my darling, I'd love that. Maybe... we could make the house at the lake our home. We've never talked about his, perhaps we should?" He looked at Glenn with hope filled eyes.
Glenn looked at Mark. His eyes scanned the man he still loved, despite his current feelings. Could he be telling the truth? Glenn wasn't sure of anything.
"You could no more give up the business, than I could give up my incense. It's a nice dream, Mark, but, I don't believe you. I'm serious, I am out of it. The lake house is too isolated for me, alone with Gunner and a baby. Are you going to fight me on this? I won't be unreasonable, you can have some visitation. I... wish... I could believe you..." Glenn's voice trailed off. Sadness had replaced anger.
Mark got up and went to Glenn. He sat on the bed next to his lover. He fought the urge to pull Glenn into his arms, but he wasn't about to push. He took some time to gather his thoughts.
In the reception area of the station, Shawn, Roman, Dean and Jason stared at the young man. The boy wanted help finding his parents, Mark Calaway and Glenn Jacobs. No one knew quite what to say.
Shawn turned towards the three Detectives. He gave a slight nod towards the door. He wanted to be alone with the boy.
"Well, boss, we'll be going, see you in the morning. Don't worry kid, you're in good hands with the Chief." Dean spoke for the Detectives. Roman and Jason bid Shawn and the young boy a good evening. The three left. Shawn turned back to Gunner. He uttered a quick prayer, and asked for the right words to say.
"Come on, lets go back to my office. Are you hungry?" Shawn asked the young man.
Gunner bit his lip. "I... yeah... no food on the plane... but... the ticket took all my cash... I can't... pay for food." It was odd for him to be without any money, unable to buy even a burger. His parents always sent him a very generous monthly allowance.
"Don't worry about it..." Shawn smiled at Gunner. Shawn then spoke to the officer at the reception desk. He pulled out his wallet and gave the officer some cash.
Shawn turned back to Gunner. "Come on. Food will be here shortly." He led the boy back into the bowels of the station, to his office.
"Go ahead and have a seat. I won't be a minute. My husband is Chief of Detectives, he should hear this as well. Make yourself comfortable." Shawn waved to the couch and the coffee credenza. He hurried off to get Hunter.
Gunner fixed himself a cup of coffee. He loaded the cup with sugar and creamer. He then settled on the couch. Gunner had a feeling something wasn't right. The Chief had seemed almost... afraid... why? Where were his parents?
The boy looked up when the Chief returned. Another man was with him. Gunner stood, out of respect for his elders. Shawn and Hunter approached.
"Gunner, this is my husband, Hunter. Please, sit down. Now, tell us how you got here." Shawn asked as he and Hunter joined the boy on the couch.
Gunner explained. "I wanted to talk to my parents, I tried everything. Skype, email, cell phones, land lines, all with no answer. Only something terrible would keep my folks from calling me back. I had to find out, so this morning, I decided to come to Chicago to look for them. I packed my backpack and ran away from school. I hitchhiked to the airport outside of Stowe. The ticket took all the cash I had, plus I had to put some on the emergencies only credit card my dad gave me. When I got here, I found a cab that would take the credit card. I went to the address dad gave me, but the gates were locked and no one answered the security bell. The cab driver became worried about me and he brought me here, he waved off the money on the meter and here I am. I have the feeling something is wrong. I also have the feeling, you know what that something is. Please Sirs, are my parents... dead?" The young man looked at the Helmsley's with fear in his eyes.
Shawn reached over and took one of Gunner's hands in his. "No, I promise you, they are not dead..." Before Shawn could continue, there was a knock on the door. Hunter got up to see who it was.
Hunter opened the door. It was the officer Shawn had sent earlier to get some food for Gunner. Hunter thanked the officer, took the bag, closed the door and returned to the couch. He handed the boy the bag.
"Here, you eat, son." Hunter smiled and sat down next to Shawn. The two men exchanged a glance. Neither knew exactly what to say.
Gunner was torn, he wanted to hear what the Chiefs had to say, but he was starving. Food finally won when the smell of hot french fries filled his nose. He opened the bag. There was a huge double cheeseburger, french fries and in another bag was a vanilla milkshake. He tore into the food like a hungry animal.
Shawn nudged Hunter. "We will be right back. Eat and enjoy." Shawn spoke as he and Hunter stood.
"Thank you, Sirs." Gunner replied after he swallowed. Ketchup stained the sides of his face. He took another bite. It had been ages since he'd had a good burger. Junk food wasn't allowed at St. Matthews.
Shawn and Hunter stood in the hallway. Shawn broke his own rule and lit a cigarette. "What do we tell him, Hunt? We have to tell him about his parents, but how? How do you tell a boy his parents are in jail..." He let his words fade in thought.
Hunter gave Shawn's cheek a caress. "I don't know. I suppose the hard truth is best. He looks like a smart kid. I think he is probably more aware than he is given credit for, most kids are. Shawn, he will have to come home with us. I am not calling Child Protective Services. That is the last thing he needs." Hunter spoke firmly. He only hoped the kid wouldn't fall to pieces.
"Thank you for that, Hunt. I'd already decided he was coming home with us. I suppose you're right, the hard truth is best. It's going to be rough on him, no matter how aware he might be. We'll also let him see his parents, if he wants. I can't deny him that, not after what he went through to get here." Shawn took a deep drag on his cigarette as he finished speaking.
Hunter nodded in agreement. "I wonder what Glenn and Mark will say. They are together now, aren't they?" Hunter looked at his husband. He frowned, Shawn looked so sad and troubled. He hugged Shawn close.
Mark gave an exasperated sigh. He'd been trying, for the past half hour, to convince Glenn he was telling the truth. "Glenn, my love. I will be in jail for five years. Then, when I get paroled, we will be a family, a real family. No more house of pleasure, I swear it. What can I say or do to prove to you I am sincere?" By now he held Glenn's hands in his. His eyes were filled with anxious worry.
Glenn looked at Mark. He wanted to believe what Mark said, he really did. Glenn then got an idea. "Okay. You really want to prove to me that you are ready to give it all up and lead a normal life, with me and our children?" He looked at Mark with both his eyebrows highly arched.
"Yes, Glenn I do. I will do what ever you want me to do. I love you, and our children. You mean more to me than any whore. I'm sorry I let all this happen. Glenn, I love you, I want to marry you, be a family with you, Gunner and the baby. Please, darlin', let me try. Let me try to fix my fuck ups. Please, Glenn? Can you honestly, with your true heart, say you don't love me anymore?" Mark gently squeezed Glenn's hands. His eyes begged and his voice cracked a bit.
Glenn looked hard at Mark. "Alright. I'll tell you. I know you Mark Calaway, maybe better than you know yourself. I know how you operate, I'll bet you have already told John Layfield, to set up a network for you, down in Joliet. I know you will want to run things, be... what do they call it... Top Dog?..." Glenn paused, he caught the slightest glimmer of truth flicker across Mark's face.
Glenn let out a sigh. "I'm right, aren't I?" He paused again as Mark gave a nod of confirmation. "I thought so. Well, here is what you're going to do. Tell him to forget it; just forget it. You will serve your term like... normal. If you can do that, it will prove you are serious. And Mark, I will know if you cheat." Glenn looked at Mark, his brow still arched. He crossed his arms over his chest.
"But... Glenn... I only... to keep us safe..." Mark sighed when he saw Glenn stiffen. "Alright, I will tell Layfield to forget it. I have a question, what if I managed to make Top Dog anyway? Without cheating?" He looked at Glenn, a worried glint clouded his eye. How did he, Mark Calaway, The Deadman, feared by all, turn into a... a... dick whipped bitch? He knew exactly... when he'd fallen in love with Glenn Jacobs.
"Without anything backing you? I suppose if you do somehow manage it, then you earned it. I swear Mark, one foot wrong and I will take the children and go where you will never find us." Glenn was deadly serious. His face was like granite.
"Alright. If it makes you happy, then that is what I will do. I promise, no cheating. I'll show you that you and the children mean more to me than anything. Speaking of...what do we tell Gunner? What is going to happen if the school finds out. Glenn, I fucked up so bad." Mark sighed deeply. He put his head in his hands. The mighty, fear causing Deadman was a total emotional wreck.
Glenn's hardness relented. He began to rub Mark's back. "Mark, I'm sorry I got so angry... but, I meant all I've said. Who would have guessed that Copeland bitch would have actually pressed charges against us. I honestly don't know Mark. Maybe we should just tell Gunner the truth. It will be hard for him to hear, but telling the truth is better than lying." Glenn gave his own deep sigh. The couple sat in silence, unaware that the subject of their thoughts was only a short distance away; in Chief Shawn Helmsley's office.
While Gunner ate, Shawn and Hunter had drawn the young man into a general conversation. They talked mostly about his performance as a star athlete at St. Matthews. Gunner wasn't boastful, but he was proud of his achievements, as he should be.
Gunner polished off his meal with a last slurp of milkshake. "Thank you for the food. I will pay you back as soon as I can. Now, please, tell me about my parents, because I know you know. Are they... in jail?" Gunner hung his head as he asked the question. If his parents weren't dead or in the hospital, jail was the only likely option.
Shawn and Hunter looked at each other. Hunter gave Shawn a slight nod. He knew Shawn was better at things like this. Shawn was a natural parent.
"Gunner, you're going to have to grow up very fast. I'm sorry, but yes, your parents are in jail. Right here, as a matter of fact. I'll give you the choice, either I can tell you why or they can. I know they are together right now, trying to work some things out. I will leave it up to you. I can assure you, it's not for murder, so you can ease your mind about that. Gunner, I also want you to come stay with us. We have a nice guest room with a private bathroom. We want you to feel safe and comfortable. Now, son, do you want to see your parents?" Shawn gave Gunner a soft smile. His his eyes sparkled with concern.
In Glenn's cell. Mark paced while Glenn laid back down. They couldn't decide what to do about Gunner. The truth, or a version of it.
Glenn's arm was over his eyes, the garish light in the cell was giving him a headache. "Mark, I think we really should tell him the entire truth. He is going to be shocked and hurt no matter what. Let's get it all out, then we can start to try to fix it. You'd better have fucking meant it when you said you are done." He was back to being a bit angry at Mark, for putting them in this situation.
Mark stopped pacing and sat on the edge of the bed. He leaned over so his hand was on Glenn's abdomen. "You're right. I meant it Glenn, I am done. We have enough in the special account to last a while. It will mean we can both be there, full time for our children. Glenn, you're still going to marry me, aren't you?" Mark asked softly as he caressed Glenn's abdomen.
Glenn let out a bit of a purr as Mark rubbed his abdomen. "I don't know why I should, but yes, I will still marry you. I wish it could be before you go down to Joliet. It would give us a sense of family... I can't explain it..." Glenn sat up and Mark stood. They heard the sound of the key in the lock.
Shawn opened the door, just wide enough to step through. He closed the door, but didn't lock it. "So, have you worked things out or are you still at odds with each other?" He asked pointedly. He wasn't about to bring Gunner into an upset atmosphere.
Glenn looked at Shawn. "We are okay, we needed this. I do appreciate you... bending the rules. I just... " Glenn sighed and flicked his eyes to Mark.
Mark picked up on Glenn's thought. "We wish... Gunner... we're both worried about him." Mark sighed and sat back down on the bed with Glenn. Automatically they joined hands.
Shawn was curious. "If you did have the chance to talk to him, what would you say?" He looked a the two men with a wrinkled brow. Depending on the reply he got, Shawn might change his mind about letting Gunner see his parents.
Glenn looked at Shawn. His eyes were filled with sadness. "We decided to tell him everything, no matter how hard it will be. Get everything out in the open, then work to repair the damage. Mark..." Glenn wanted Mark to say it to someone else. If he did, Glenn would take Mark's promise to quit the sex business more seriously.
Mark looked at Glenn, then at Shawn. "I'm getting out of the business. The Deadman's Place is history. Building a normal life with my family is what matters now. I only hope that somehow, Gunner will understand."
"I'm very glad to hear that, very glad. Now, I have someone that wants to talk to you. My best advice; do a lot of talking but do a lot more listening. I am breaking every rule in the book, I hope it's worth it. Good luck, gentlemen." Shawn gave Mark and Glenn a warning glare, as his turquoise eyes flashed.
Shawn opened the door to the cell. Mark and Glenn froze as their son stepped into the room. Gunner looked at his parents, then at Shawn. His dark eyes were filled with anxiousness.
Shawn laid a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Remember what I said. Listen to them, then talk..." Shawn then looked at the shocked parents. "When you are finished, Hunter and I want Gunner to come stay with us. Will that be alright? If so, I will type up a Parental Consent form. If not, he will have to go to Child Protective Services."
Glenn stood. "No... he can't.. not CPS. I would be very grateful if you took him. I know with you and Chief Helmsley, our boy will be safe and well looked after. Thank you..." He paused. Glenn slowly approached Gunner, he couldn't believe his baby was actually standing there.
Shawn glared at Mark and Glenn. "This boy has been through a lot to get here. He was that worried about you. This is going to be hard on all of you. Please, remember one thing, in the end, you are a family. There is no doubt you love each other. Gunner has eaten, I'll send dinner for you two in an hour or so. Alright, you have all the time you need. Good luck." Shawn gave Gunner's hair a friendly tousle, he then left the family to talk.
Shawn and Hunter walked down the administration area where their offices were located. Even though the night shift was now hard at work, the hallways were quieter. The bustle of ringing phones and typewriters clacking was gone until morning. Now only the occasional phone rang and a lone officer typed up some reports.
"I hope they will be alright. Yes... I know what they did to poor little Adam. Calaway and Jacobs should be in prison, but Gunner is as much a victim as Adam. Hunter, thank you for letting him stay with us... you know..." Shaw was halted when Hunter interrupted him.
"Yes, if his parents agree, we will foster Gunner too. The baby should be with its brother. Shawn, you do understand, you can't keep them. It's only while Glenn is in jail." Hunter cast a wary look at his husband.
Shawn gave his spouse a soft smile. "I know, Hunt, I do know. But, for a little while... it will be nice to have children in the house. We can finally use the nursery. I need to freshen the paint, get new carpet. Hunter... I'm sorry... I... lost...our..." Shawn was again halted when Hunter pulled him in close. Hunter gave Shawn's lips a caress with his.
"Shawnnie, my darling. We are past that. We weren't meant to have our own children. Maybe God is answering your question; why. Now, we have the time and space to foster children in trouble. Now, come on,you need to eat. I'll take you to Millie's." Hunter gave Shawn another soft kiss.
He took Shawn to the diner across the street. Millie, the owner, was a feisty old lady, who was like a second mother to the men and women of Precinct 13. She knew every officer by name.
For a few moments, Gunner, Glenn and Mark stood, staring at each other. They looked like they were playing the party game Statues. Glenn finally moved. He went to Gunner and hugged him.
"I'm so sorry, son. We are going to work this out, I promise. Are you alright? How did you get here? Why did you come, now? Does the school know you are here?" Glenn fired off the questions like a machine gun. He led Gunner to the bed so he could sit.
Mark remained silent as he sat in the chair. How was he going to explain the rape charges. He scrubbed his face with his hands as Gunner explained how and why he was there.
"... the school knows now, Mister Shawn called the Headmaster. He told them I was worried about you and my fear led me to come here. Mister Shawn convinced him it would be alright. The Helmsley's are nice people. I'd like to stay with them. I don't want to go to some juvenile hall." Gunner gave a shudder as he thought of staying at a place like that... not much different from where he was now.
"I think we owe Chief Shawn a lot. Of course you can stay with them. Oh Gunner, I love you, but I wish you would have stayed at school... I'm glad you are safe." Glenn hugged his boy. He was very relieved when Gunner returned the hug just as strongly.
"I'm with your pop. Gunner, you had better prepare yourself for some hard truths. Your parents aren't who you thought. One thing, your pop and I want you to know, no matter what you hear, we love you. You are the most important person in our lives. I won't bullshit you with the excuse we did it all for you, but, it kept you in school..." Mark got up and pulled his chair closer to the bed where Glenn and Gunner sat. He was as ready as he could be.
Gunner looked at each of his parents. He had to tell them something. "I love you dad and pops, but I think... you... you... run a whore house don't you?" Gunner's voice was hesitant as he spoke.
Both Mark and Glenn were shocked as they looked at each other. Mark was the one to reply. "Yes, but how did...? We worked so hard to keep it from you. We didn't want... how?" He looked at his son, brow raised.
Gunner gave a slight guffaw. "I over heard one of the guys talking during lunch one day. He was telling, he'd gone home for the weekend. He walked in on his dad and a... whore. He started to snoop around. He found a black business card, and all it said was "The Deadman's Place" I remember once, hearing pop call you Deadman. I put two and two together. Always keeping your jobs a secret, never having me home, then when I was home, it was either the lake house or some fancy hotel... am I right?" He stared hard at Mark.
Mark nodded. "Yes, it is true. We didn't want you around the boys or the clients. We thought you enjoyed the lake house and the hotels. You never said anything. Who was it?" He wondered which of his clients had been so fucking careless.
"Martin Del Rio, but... don't... he didn't know I was listening. He had no other name or information other than Deadman, so no one knew you...my dad... was the Deadman. I hated the hotels. The lake house was fun, at least it was more like a home. That's what I wanted, a place to come home to. Sometimes... most of the time, actually, I felt like you didn't really want me... like... I was some accident... you didn't want to be reminded of. I love you both, very much..." Gunner's words faded. He was finally getting out some long, held in feelings.
Glenn hung his head. "I am so damn sorry your dad and I made you feel that way. You were no accident, trust me. We tried for a long time to create you. When we learned you were finally on the way, it was the best day of our lives, until the day you were born. There is something else you need to know. I am pregnant again. I hope this is the little sister you've always wanted. Gunner, please, don't ever doubt our love for you. We only thought we were protecting you. Maybe, more than we should have. Your dad and I want everything out in the open. Now is the time for any questions. We want to start over. Your dad has something else to tell you." Glenn gave Gunner a tight hug and kissed the top of his head.
Gunner looked at Glenn. "You're... a baby?...are...you happy?" He was too filled with questions and emotions. His bran needed time to soak it all in.
Glenn smiled softly. "Very happy. We wanted another baby for a long time. Just like with you, when he stopped trying so hard, we got lucky. Are you ready to be a big brother?" He hoped to lighten the atmosphere even if only briefly.
Gunner smiled his first real smile. "Yeah. I've wanted a little sister or brother. You said I could ask any thing... so... why are you in jail? How long? I want the truth, no more secrets. I am not a little kid anymore." He looked again from Glenn to Mark. His eyes were wide with question.
Mark took a very deep breath and fumbled to pull a cigarette from his pack." Your pop is in for assault and battery, with terroristic threatening. He'll only be in for a year. I'm in a bit more trouble, son. I did something I really shouldn't have. See there was this whore I wanted, but he belonged to another house..." He finally got the cigarette out of the pack and lit it. Mark then continued.
"Well, I arranged for him to be... brought to me. Like I do all the workers I take in, I tried him out. Your pop did some work on him as well. Anyway, he didn't work out like I'd hoped, So I returned him to where he'd come from. He charged me with kidnapping, assault with terroristic threatening, and... rape. I'll have to be away for a few years. Five before parole. There won't be any trial. I worked a plea bargain. If I hadn't done that, we'd probably be gone for twice as long..." He paused to take a drag from his cigarette. Mark again continued.
"I know I did wrong. It wasn't like I went out and just attacked a random person on the street. Gunner, I want you to know, I've decided to get out of the business. When your pop gets out, he's going to buy a nice little house for you, the baby and himself. Then, when I get out, we are going to be a real, normal family. No more jail or whores, just the four of us. So, tell me son, what are you thinking?" Mark took another deep drag from his cigarette.
Gunner looked at Mark. "Honestly? Honestly, I am glad you got caught. Especially if it means no more... business. Dad... why did you... rape him? No means no." He glared hard at his father.
"Because... we specialized in providing... well, my clients and boys liked it rough... very rough. I had to be sure he was prepared. I should have realized he wasn't suited for our style. I made a very bad mistake. In a bondage relationship, no means nothing. Look, don't try to understand it. You are far too young. I did wrong, we did wrong, and now we are paying for it. When I am out of prison, it will be the end. I promise you. Will you... be part of the family, help your pop while I am gone?" Mark returned the hard look.
Gunner turned to Glenn. "What about you? Are you done too?" He now directed his hard stare at his pop.
Glenn nodded. "I was done when I found out about the baby... after... it was my one last time. I decided, after we returned him, I was out. I can't blame you if you want nothing to do with us. I can't begin to imagine what you are thinking or how you are feeling. It's alright to be angry, Gunner. All we ask, is that you remember that we love you. We made bad choices, and bad mistakes and we are paying for them. We are also being honest when we tell you, we want to make a real home for you and the baby. You can even go to school here, if you want. Gunner?" Glenn looked at his son. He couldn't read the boys face and that worried him.
Gunner picked at a small rip in the knee of his jeans. "That is all I have ever wanted. Why did it take you getting arrested for you to see it? Now, it is going to be at least five years before we can be a family. I will be in college when dad gets home. What hurts the most is, when I needed help or advice, I always had to go to a stranger, when I should have been able to talk to you. How many times did I try to call, but you never had time to really talk. How many times did we plan a summer together and it fell through? You love me, I do know that, I just wish you could have been there for me. Is it too late? Can we really be a family? What about the baby and I? What do we do until pop gets out?" Gunner's voice was filled with disappointment and pain.
Mark crushed out his cigarette. He moved to kneel in front of Gunner. He placed his hands on his son's shoulders. "You're right. We fucked up as parents, big time. We weren't there when you needed us. Nothing we say can ever make up for that. Despite our failure, you've grown into a fine young man. We are so fucking proud of you. All we can do now is try. I am sorry I'll be gone so long... maybe it's also my punishment for failing you. I love you, son. We have to try. I can't make up for the past, but hopefully we can have future. I want that so damn bad." Mark looked up at his son. His eyes were filled with hope. His face held the same emotion.
"Your dad is right. We let you down, badly. I only wish we would have realized it sooner. We honestly thought, we were doing the right thing, sending you off to school. We did break promises, I am sorry. As for you and the baby, Chief Helmsley... both of them, want to foster you, full time, until I get out of jail. None of us want you or the baby in the system. You don't have to go back to Saint Matthews, unless you want to. Gunner, help us. Help us build up our family for the future. While dad and I are gone, you're going to be the head of the family. The baby is going to need a big brother, especially one as strong and brave as you are. I love you so much, my dearest baby boy." Glenn held the same hope in his voice. He pulled his son into his arms and held him close.
Gunner hugged his poppa. "I wouldn't be... I forgive you. It still hurts, but I am going to trust you; both. I'm going to hold you to your promise of a future to be a real family. If not, I will take the baby and find a family, I mean it. I would like to stay here, with the Helmsley's. They have been so good to me already. I love you both, so much. I don't know why, but I do. Dad... you will be a sex offender... will you even be able to live with us?" He cast a glance at Mark, his brow was deeply furrowed.
Mark sighed. "Unfortunately, I will never be able to completely escape the rape. However, because it was a different kind of rape... it's not going to affect my being with you and the baby. It's hard to explain. I don't even understand all the legalities. That's for the lawyer. When I get out, we will be a real family. I love you, boy." Mark leaned in and hugged Gunner tight.
Gunner smiled a bit. "Did you mean what you said? I don't have to go back to Saint Matthews?" If he had his way, he would never go back.
Mark responded. "No, you don't have to go back. I'll somehow arrange for your things to be sent back here. There are only a couple of weeks of school left. My only concern are your final exams. You don't want to have to repeat this year. I'll see if Chief Helmsley can do something, arrange to take your test by email. I can't fix the past, but I can start fixing things now." Mark spoke with conviction. He looked at Gunner with determination.
"Thanks, dad. I don't care if I ever see that place again. The teachers are alright, it's the guys. Most of them are so full of themselves. Boasting about money and their father's being Diplomats. Snobs, the lot of them. I only had a couple of friends, but none really close. If it hadn't been for sports, I would have runaway a long time ago." Gunner almost growled when he spoke of St. Matthews.
Glenn shook his head. "I'm so sorry, son. We thought you liked the school. Honey, why didn't you tell us? Were you that... I... were you that afraid we didn't want you?" His bluish eyes filled with tears at the thought.
Gunner's eyes lowered, his lip gave the slightest quiver. "Yeah..." was all he could manage. Now he of course realized how stupid he'd been; how they had all been. All Gunner wanted now was his dads.
"Oh baby boy, we are so sorry." Glenn whispered with a hoarse voice. Mark rose up on his knees and wrapped his arms around both Glenn and Gunner. The new found family hugged each other and more than a few tears fell.
Shawn sat on the couch in his office, his husband sat next to him. Shawn had sent out for their own dinner from Millie's. Shawn could only manage half his burger.
"You want the rest?" Shawn held up the other half of his burger and looked at Hunter.
Hunter looked into Shawn's turquoise eyes. He saw something he hadn't seen for a while; profound sadness. The sadness he'd seen after the death of each of their babies.
Hunter took the burger, but put it down on the coffee table. He reached over and caressed Shawn's cheek. "Darling, please. It just wasn't meant for us. Yes, it is sad, you would have given us beautiful children, but we can't keep reliving the loss. Even though it will only be for a while, we will have a chance to help two children. If that works out, maybe we can foster more kids. Look on it as an extension of your work at the shelter. Please, baby, cheer up, and smile for me. You are so beautiful when you smile." He leaned over and gave Shawn a soft kiss.
Shawn leaned into both the touch and the kiss. He drew constant strength and comfort from his beloved Hunter. He pressed his forehead against Hunter's. "You know me so well. It's... today... is... you're right... We need to be on point. Gunner is going to need some serious attention. I hope it's going alright." Shawn kept his contact with Hunter, he kept his eyes down.
Hunter realized what Shawn was going to say. It was an anniversary of sorts. It was the day their second baby had died. That, along with all the upset with Adam, the arrests, Glenn's trip to the hospital and now Gunner, no wonder Shawn was in mental over load. He gave Shawn another kiss.
"It's going to be fine. We need to take a weekend soon. You love to go camping, I bet Gunner would like it too. I guess we'd better go check on them. It is getting late." Hunter stated, then quickly polished off the rest of Shawn's burger.
In the cell of Glenn Jacobs, a lot of long open wounds had been patched. Gunner's doubts about his parents love was gone. Everyone was sorry it took such a horrible event to bring them together.
When the two Chief's got to the cell, Shawn called out, through the looked door, that it was time to get Gunner to his new home and settled for the night. He told Glenn and Mark, Gunner could visit again, if they didn't cause any problems for the guards.
Mark's arms were around his family as they all stood together. "We love you boy. We're going to make it through this, I promise." He hugged Glenn and Gunner as close as possible.
"You be a good boy for the Helmsley's. You can trust them. Don't worry about school. We'll that fixed as well. I love you, my precious boy." Glenn gave Gunner's cheek a kiss.
"I love you, too. I'm glad we were able to talk. You two behave, I want to be able to come back tomorrow." Gunner smiled brightly at his parents. He felt good about things and it was nice.
Mark tapped on the door. Both Shawn and Hunter came into the cell. "Don't worry, Gunner is in good hands. Mark, you need to go back to your cell. We will bring Gunner back in the morning. I'll arrange for you to be outside for a while." Shawn gave Mark and Glenn a nod.
After final hugs and kisses, Gunner left with the Helmsley's and Mark went to his own cell. After the doors were locked and Mark was alone, he wept a bit. He was so glad his family was on the road to healing. It would be a long road, but they could make it.
For the first time in many, many years, Mark Calaway prayed to God. He asked for help in keeping his family safe and together. Mark had a new inner peace. Any remaining traces of the Deadman were gone.
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