Randy Orton tried not to look at his watch as Mister Shinsuke Nakamura read the contract with Orton Pharmaceuticals. Randy had forgotten how seriously the Japanese did business. The man read every single word of the thirty page document.
Mike could see that Randy grew more frustrated with each minute that passed. He casually got up and stood behind Randy. He began to gently massage Randy's shoulders. Shinsuke never noticed. Mike smiled when he felt Randy begin to relax.
At the McMahon mansion, Stephanie sat in Chris Jericho's room. She felt like a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Stephanie knew it would be much better working with Orton than against him. She was only worried about one person, Finn Bálor. Her father had promised that Finn could get his revenge for his brother. Finn would just have to see the larger picture. If he kicked up too much of a fuss, Stephanie knew she would have to deal with it.
Stephanie's thoughts were broken when she heard a voice. "Steph?" Chris called out in a weak, arid voice.
"Hey there. Here, drink some water." Stephanie spoke softly. She filled a glass with water from the pitcher on the bedside tab le. She helped Chris sit up a bit so he could drink.
After two glasses, Chris leaned back against the bank of pillows Stephanie had arranged. "That's better. I feel like I've been smashed by a train...an Orton express." Chris winced a bit as he adjusted his position on the bed.
Stephanie smiled at Chris. "Well, you were. How about some good news, that may help you feel better."
Chris looked at Stephanie. The bruises on his face were a range of colors from near black to pale yellow. "Please tell me, Orton is finally dead?"
The fraction leader took hold of Chris' hand. "Well...no..." Stephanie went on to tell him about the parley and truce with Orton. "..."but, the good news is, Randy will give Jericho Drug and Supply the exclusive contract for Saint Luke's. He said he will raise his contract so high, the board won't accept. We both had to put a lot behind us, but I honestly think it was for the best. Chris, please understand." Stephanie looked like a frightened child. She hoped Chris wouldn't reject her now.
Chris squeezed Stephanie's hand. "You did the right thing, honey. My kid bested Orton's kid, Orton bested me. It's the nature of the business. That Saint Luke's contract means more to me than a few bruises and cracked ribs." He raised Stephanie's hand to his lips and kissed it.
At Orton Pharmaceuticals, Randy bowed to Shinsuke Nakamura. "Thank you for doing business with me. You honor my company. Research and development is so important. Maybe Nakamura Drug will be the one to find the cure for cancer. The, we can distribute it to the world. Dolph and Heath will take you to the airport. I need to see my children in the hospital. I hope you understand." Randy gave another bow of respect.
Shinsuke returned the bow. "I understand. I pray your children recover. Heath make me laugh. Yes, we find good medicine, save world. Arigato gozaimasu, Orton-San." He gave Randy another bow, then ended with an American style handshake.
Shinsuke left with Heath and Dolph. Randy let out a sigh. "Well, Mike, we just put twenty million legit dollars in the bank. That will get four kids all the education they will ever need." Randy gathered his papers and locked them in his briefcase.
Randy handed his briefcase to Mike. "Take that home and keep it safe. I can't risk Hunter getting his hands on that. Not that he will, he has no reason. I'll see you in a couple of hours." He pulled Mike in and kissed him.
"Ran, babe, please let me go with you." Mike had been on Randy to go with him to Adam's, and he didn't care how mad Randy got.
Randy stopped short. They were in the hallways of the executive level of Orton Pharmaceuticals. He pushed the elevator button. Once they were alone in the elevator, Randy turned to Mike.
"No! Michael, I love you, but no. I have to do this alone. Nothing is going to happen to me. If I do it right, they will never even know. Once I have Adam and the babies, they won't dare touch me. Adam had to find out the truth one day. Today is that day. I need you safe, to look after the babies at Stephanie's. Do not argue with me. This is your faction leader speaking, not your lover." Randy was firm and his expression was extremely stern.
Mike sighed. "Yes, boss. You know it's just because I love you, don't you? I don't mean to disrespect your position as the faction leader." He hung his head.
Randy gently lifted Mike's chin with his fingertips. "I know love. But sometimes you forget, business comes first." He gave Mike a kiss just as the elevator reached the basement level parking garage.
At Adam's house, Shawn and Dean actually worked on the insurance paperwork for Dean's private practice. Hunter paced the kitchen like an expectant father, waiting for his first child to be born.
"Maybe he isn't coming." Hunter stated as he paused to look out of the window.
"Maybe his meeting ran long. You know Japanese businessmen are very thorough. I had a client from a Japanese firm, took him four hours to read a one page contract. I wish everyone was like that. There would be a lot less contract cases in court. Please make us some coffee, before you pace holes in the floor." Shawn looked at his husband with a smile. His reading glasses had slid halfway down his nose.
Hunter chuckled. He kissed the top of Shawn's head. "You really need new glasses. Coffee coming up." He busied himself making said pot of coffee. He hated waiting, even though his Detective career was nothing but waiting.
As he drove toward Adam's, Randy spoke to Brett DiBiase on speaker. "Nothing out of the ordinary. Chief Hart and his husband were there for a while. They left, but Helmsley stayed. His husband brought food for the pregnant neighbor, ordinary bag. He then took food to Ambrose. The neighbors got a delivery, he was excited, stuff for the nursery. Nothing else to report, boss." Brett finished his report.
"Thanks, Brett. I appreciate it. I am almost there, make yourself scarce. I don't want anyone around but me. I will be in contact soon." Randy ended the call.
Next, Randy called Stephanie. "Hey, Stephanie, Randy…yes, on my way now, meeting ran long….I will...you will have your brother soon...very good….the kids will like that….yes, I will call when it's over…you too...bye." He finished the call as he turned onto Gladstone Boulevard.
Hunter poured coffee for Dean, Shawn and himself. He was amazed. Shawn and Dean were totally lost in the work they were doing. How could they be so calm? Hunter changed his mind when Dean's pen flew across the room. The physician had jumped when the door bell rang.
Hunter picked up the pen. "Okay, here we go. You can do this." He gave Dean a pat on the shoulder. Hunter sat next to Shawn. He worked on the crossword puzzle he'd started earlier. Shawn winked at him.
By the time Dean got to the door, he looked like a man on the brink of a total breakdown. He also hadn't shaved that day. Dean pulled off his wedding ring with a sigh. He opened the door. "Oh, hey Randy. Come on in. Shawn and Hunter are here too." He motioned for Randy to enter.
Randy followed Dean into the kitchen. "Dean, sorry but you look like shit." For now, he played along. After all, he wasn't totally sure his theory was right.
The duo entered the kitchen. Shawn turned in his seat. "Hi Randy, how are you?" He got up and gave Randy a fatherly hug.
Randy hugged Shawn. He could see real worry and sadness on the lawyer's face. "Worried, Shawn. Hey Hunter, any news?" He sat down as did Shawn and Dean.
Hunter sighed. "No, not yet. Bret and Jason were here earlier. They are out of ideas. A ransom call or note should have happened by now. Randy… could your father have any enemies here? Maybe they took Adam and the children to Saint Louis?"
Randy poured himself a cup of coffee from the pot that sat on the table. "Not that I know of. I… haven't told him yet. Mom wouldn't take it well, her health isn't the best."
"Oh, I didn't know Elaine wasn't well. I am sorry to hear that." Shawn spoke with concern. He'd met Bob and Elaine Orton and liked them.
Randy nodded. "She's not sick. It's her nerves. She doesn't handle stress well. She would be sick with worry about the babies. I'm sorry if I came at a bad time." He nodded to the papers spread out on the table.
Dean stacked the papers and put them in his briefcase as he spoke. "Insurance stuff for my private practice. The government deadlines don't care if you have family problems. Bless Shawn's heart, he had to help me with some of the new changes in the insurance laws."
Randy sighed. "Yeah, I know. I couldn't put off Mister Nakamura any longer. Hunter, I don't mean to be a bastard, but you're the cop here. Why can't you find my family… sorry, Dean… our family. I told Stephanie McMahon the media should be involved, get their pictures out to the public. She refused. Said it would scare the other patients. Can't you make her do it?" He arched his brow at Hunter and sipped his coffee.
"Our legal department is working on it. Federal laws are involved. She or rather he father have to give permission. Vince McMahon is and has been out of town. We are at an impasse." Hunter gave a shrug.
Randy knew it was time to make an opening move. "Speaking of McMahon, I heard something at work today. Apparently Shane McMahon has disappeared as well." He spoke casually and drank more coffee.
Shawn was the one to respond. "Really? I thought he'd gone back to Harvard. The semester break ends this week." He looked Randy directly in the eye, with concern.
Randy shrugged. "You know office gossip. The mother of one of Shane's friends works in the sales department. I overheard her say Shane was missing. Who knows, maybe Shane is with Adam and the babies."
Hunter scoffed. "That makes no sense. I'm sure Shawn is right. He probably went back to university nd didn't tell anyone. Shawn, didn't you say once Shane and his family don't get along?"
Shawn nodded. "Yes, more than once. I'd quit listening to office gossip. I am sure Shane is safe and sound back at Harvard." He finished with the paper he worked on for Dean. He gave the paper to the physician.
"Maybe...um.. Dean do you mind if I go up and use the restroom?" Randy asked with an arched brow. It was time for the next move.
Dean smiled. "Sure, go ahead. Ida has been cleaning like a mad woman, so all the towels are fresh."
Randy laughed. "Yeah, anytime she is up set, either the dust flew or we had more cookies than a bakery." He got up and went upstairs. It was all he could do not to laugh.
As Randy went up the backstairs, Hunter, Shawn and Dean looked at each other. "Any bets on him going to the panic room?" Shawn asked in a barely there whisper.
Hunter nodded. "Notice the change in him? He was too confident. He was fishing about Shane. All we can do now is play the game with him. You're doing great, Dean."
Randy closed and locked the bathroom door. He took a close look at the mirror that was actually a door. He was a tad surprised. There were no fingerprints or smudges on the glass. He gave a shrug, maybe no one had used it since Ida cleaned. He pressed the glass flower. The digital control screen appeared.
Randy entered the code. The mirror door opened. He stepped through. When the door closed behind him, the light came on. Randy went down the stairs. He smiled, he couldn't wait to see his precious children.
When Randy entered the living room area of the safe room, he was a bit shocked. It looked exactly the same as it had the last time he'd been in the room. He looked over at the closed bedroom door. Randy went and opened it. It was empty except for the cot beds. His frustration grew as he checked each room and found nothing. Randy opened the fridge, it was empty. Randy could tell Ida had recently done a rotation inventory of the dehydrated food.
Randy checked every cabinet, drawer and trash can. He found nothing, absolutely nothing. He'd been wrong. Not a feeling he was used to. He also knew, if the Helmsley's did have a safe room, he had nothing to bargain with. He let out a growl of frustration. Another thought hit Randy.
Maybe he and Stephanie had been totally wrong. Maybe the cops didn't have his family after all. If the law didn't have them...then who the fuck did? Randy let out another growl and went back up to the bathroom.
Kenny Omega held in a laugh. He'd heard Randy growl. He just hoped Bret and Jason were ready. Now, the most dangerous part of the game would begin.
Randy used the toilet, flushed and washed his hands. He looked at his reflection in the small mirror over the sink. He was deeply troubled. He'd been so confident he'd find his family, hiding like rabbits in the safe room. Randy also had another problem.
Randy knew he would have to deal with Stephanie McMahon. Their truce was new and delicate. If this got taken wrong, it could be the start of a very bloody war. He thought of Mike. Mike was headed to the mouth of the snake. He was going to the McMahon mansion, so he could be there when...but the children weren't going to arrive, and neither was Shane. He had to stop Mike. Randy needed to explain to Stephanie. Randy pulled out his phone and called his lover.
Randy did his best acting job yet. "Oh hi babe...where are you...oh okay, good…yeah, everything is fine…yes, I am going down now...yes, I will...I'll be there soon...okay….hey Mikey…I love you…bye." He ended the call. It was too late, Mike was at the McMahon mansion. Mike said Stephanie was telling her men about the truce and why he was there. The love of his life was in the lions den...a target. Randy did not know what to do.
Orton knew he would have to go to the McMahon mansion. He could only ask for another meeting under the code of parley. Yes, that would work. Mike would be safe, under the code. Randy would do it in person. He counted on the fact that Stephanie would listen first. After all, it wasn't his fault. Randy took a deep breath, then opened the door.
When Randy got to the kitchen, he was surprised, no one was there. He also noticed the coffee pot was gone. He perked when he heard voices come from the direction of the family den. It made sense, it was a comfortable room.
Randy left the kitchen and went down the hall to the den. He had no idea Kenny Omega was only a few steps behind him. Randy went into the den.
"Oh, hello Chief Hart, Detective Hart. What? Did you have news of my family?" Randy asked the Chief of Police.
The door to the den closed. "Oh yes. We have news of your family, Mister Orton." Kenny Omega spoke with a very smug look on his face.
Randal Keith Orton, the mafia crime boos was trapped...and so was Mike.
At the McMahon mansion, a meeting was well under way. Stephanie smiled warmly at Mike Mizanin.
"...So in a show of good trust, Mister Mizanin is here with us, and will care for the Orton children when they arrive. I know how some of you feel, but I will not tolerate any disrespect. This truce will be very beneficial. Let me give you the details..." Stephanie went on to explain to her council of lieutenants the details of the truce with Randy Orton.
"...and finally, Chris Jericho will have the contract for Saint Luke's. Randy added that as a bonus gesture. So, I will now answer questions, but again, I will not tolerate any disrespect. I will also tell you Commander Flair backs this truce, as do the other three. So, you would be disrespecting them as well." Stephanie spoke firmly, like the leader she was.
Finn Bálor was not happy. Part of the reason he'd been sent to Kansas City wa to get revenge for his brother. "Ma'am...my...what am I supposed to tell my father?" He tried to keep the "tone" out of his voice. It helped that Wade held his hand.
"I do understand, Mister Bálor. I will speak to your father. As a leader, sometimes you have to set personal things aside for the greater good. I will also ask Commander Flair to speak to your father. Finn, please do not mistake it for me forgetting or not caring about your brother. I do care, very much. It just better for everyone. The petty back and forth has to stop. The truce will allow us to make more money and not have to constantly look over our shoulders." Stephanie looked at Finn and spoke with honesty.
Finn gave Stephanie a node. "Thank you, ma'am. I didn't want my father to think I had failed. Hearing from you and Commander Flair will help. I can understand what you mean ma'am." He gave Wade's hand a squeeze. It was hard. Finn was a man who wanted revenge and now, that was impossible.
Back at Adam's house, Randy sat on the couch in the family den. He wasn't sure what was going to happen but what ever it was, it would not be good. He looked at the man who stood at the door. He didn't know the man, but he stank of FBI. He arched his brow at the curly haired man.
"What about my family? Where are they! I want my babies and Adam safe. Do.. is there a ransom? I will pay whatever they want." Randy spoke in extreme earnest. He was once again the very worried parent.
Kenny Omega moved to stand in front of Randy. "Mister Orton, let's stop playing games, shall we? Before we go any further, hand it over...now." Kenny snapped his fingers, then extended his hand.
Randy sighed. He was caught. He opened his suit coat and pulled his weapon out of the shoulder holster. He looked at the blue steel. He could wipe out everyone in the room in a matter of seconds.
"Randal!" Shawn's voice called out like an angry parent admonishing their child. Shawn could tell what Randy had thought, he had to be stopped.
Randy snapped his head up to look at Shawn. He had a feeling of guilt wash over him. With a deep sigh, he gave the weapon to the curly haired man. Kenny stuck the gun in the waist band of his jeans.
Randy looked at Shawn again. "Does Adam know? Are they alright?" At the moment, the only one he had an ounce of trust in was Shawn.
Shawn looked at Kenny. Kenny gave Shawn a nod. "They are fine. Yes, he knows." There was nothing else Shawn could or would say.
"Can I see them? I just want to hold my babies." Randy asked with resignation.
Kenny spoke. "No. I might allow a short visit, if you cooperate with us. We want McMahon and you're going to help us. If you do, we'll see about making your sentence lighter. You should know, we know you killed Alberto Del Rio, among various other crimes. Your cooperation could mean the difference between the death penalty and a long jail sentence. So, will you cooperate or do we go to jail, the choice, Mister Orton, is yours." Gone was the impish Kenny Omega. Now he was Special Agent Omega, and was deadly serious.
"My…Mike…he is at Stephanie McMahon's. I want him out and safe." Randy pushed a bit to see if he had any pull or if he was totally lost.
"Make a call, get him out, but tell him nothing. You're a smart man, you know how to lie." Kenny gave Randy a nod. He would work with Randy to a point.
Rand sighed and pulled out his phone. He called Mike. "Hey baby… a little snag… I need you to meet me at the house...wait...let me talk to her… Stephanie, Randy. I need Mike's help. It's something only he can do...trust me… yep you will have your brother...thank you, Stephanie...yes… Mike, it's alright...I will see you soon, at the house…yep...oh and tell Dolph and Heath to take Mister Nakamura to the airport…love you, see you soon." He ended the call with a sigh of relief.
"Well, since Mister Nakamura was at the airport three hours ago, I will assume, Mike knows you are in trouble. Alright, I will give that one, but that's the only one. Next one, you go to jail, game over. I will assume you understand?" Kenny gave Randy a hard glare. He wasn't playing now.
Randy held up his hands. "Alright, but all he really knows is the plan fell through. He will go home and wait. So, what now? What about Justin? He did me good, I don't want him hurt?"
Kenny let out a chuckle. "You mean Special Agent Doctor Justin Gabriel? Yeah, he is ours, one hundred percent. Don't worry, he will just fine. Now, give me your phone. You won't be needing it." He held out his hand again.
"Wait...wait...Justin is FBI?" Dean asked with shock on his face. He'd been quietly taking it all in.
Kenny looked at Randy as he spoke to Dean. "Yes, he is. But, he is a Doctor first. He is the son of South African, but not a crime boss. Justin's father is the head of their military intelligence. He has worked with us for years, trying to get McMahon…and you. That's why Justin's back story holds up so well." Kenny still held his hand out to Randy.
Randy knew he had no choice. He gave Omega his phone, his key to everything. "So, what now? I will...cooperate. Please, let me see my babies, please." Randy was the desperate father again.
Kenny looked at Dean. "Dean, Shawn come with me a moment..." He then looked at Jason. "He moves, you shoot." Kenny went out to the hall where Dean and Shawn waited.
"It is up to you. They are safe to come out of hiding and return home. However, we are keeping Orton here. That room is his cell, for now. I will be here, along with Jason." Kenny was frank and honest. There would be no more cover up.
Dean looked at Shawn. "It can't be my choice. It has to be Adam's. I will support whatever he wants to do. Justin...FBI...boy...will Drake...sorry, not important and I don't care."
Shawn smiled. "I agree, it has to be Adam's decision. Randy will have to accept it."
Kenny nodded. "Then go talk to him. Please do make sure Adam knows Randy will not be allowed out of that room except for bathroom use. Which will also be supervised. He's going to want to be in prison. I intend to break him… legally, Esquire." He looked at Shawn with a wink.
Shawn grinned. "I am sure, Agent Omega. Can Shane come out of hiding? That boy needs some parental love."
Kenny ran his fingers through his hair. "Well, yes...but not totally. Don't let him leave the house and don't let him answer the phone, or the door. Personally, I would prefer he stays here, but Hunter is smart enough to keep him safe." He again spoke honestly.
Shawn nodded. "Hunter and I will talk. We have Megan's safety to consider. We'll talk while Dean talks to Adam."
"Okay. That's fair. Dean, go talk to Adam. Do assure him, they will be safe." Kenny gave Dean a firm nod.
"Thank you, Kenny. For everything." Dean shook the Agent's hand and headed over to the Reigns'. He was anxious to see his family.
Shawn called Hunter to the kitchen. They too had to talk about Shane and what to do.
Kenny went back into the den. Randy Orton looked totally defeated, and he was. Randy looked at the man who'd finally bested him.
"Were they in the panic room, the whole time?" Randy was curious as to how it all got pulled off.
Kenny let out a chuckle and sat down in Ida's favorite chair. "I'm going to have a lot of expense to explain. All that stuff I had sent today. Oh well, that's why a government hammer costs so much. Yes, Mister Orton, they were here the entire time. But where they are now, I can't tell you."
Randy gave a nod. "So, what now?"
"You help me get Stephanie McMahon..." Kenny paused and looked at his watch. "By now, Mister Vincent McMahon is in the custody of our Chicago office. Stephanie will be told the Chicago District has more business with Vince. I understand you made a truce with her today." Kenny gave Randy a pointed look.
Randy gave a scoff. "Yeah, we did. I was tired of the tit for tat fighting. It was a stupid waste of time, resources...and good men. I figured we could make more money if we worked together."
Kenny looked hard at Randy. He saw something in the criminals eyes...regret. "Yes, it must be hard to kill someone. Well, we are going to use your truce with Stephanie to lure her in."
"I figured. What...about my men?" Randy thought about not only Mike, but his loyal lieutenants.
"I will never lie to you. They will fall with you. What happens to them will be up the to the charges filed on them. Same for McMahon's men. You had to know that would be the answer." Kenny was honest.
"Yes. I figured as much. Look, I'll be honest with you. They will be looking for me. I can't just...vanish." Randy wasn't at all sure how this would work. Mike would be on the warpath.
Kenny again looked at Randy. "Later, you will call Mike. I'm just waiting for something. Again, I won't lie, it won't be easy. But worthwhile things never are." He gave Randy a shrug.
"My father? Once he gets word of this… he won't be happy. Seems like you didn't think things through very well. You Federal boys start out good, but, more often than not, you lose in the end." Randy arched his brow at the FBI Agent.
Bret and Jason Hart each let out low growls. Randy had almost forgotten they were in the room. Kenny looked at his fellow law enforcement brothers. He raised his hand.
"Touché, Mister Orton. Yes, that does happen I regret to say. However, not this time. As we speak, your father and his men are in the custody of our Saint Louis office. Oh, he will probably get out of most of it, but it will tie him up and keep his attention from you. You see, we have been working on this for a long time. All we needed was a way to get to you. Unfortunately, Adam's accident gave us that. McMahon will pay for that one." Kenny had to fight to keep a smug look of his face.
Randy's mouth fell open. "My...father? In...jail? I hope the old bastard rots there. Oh, I love him, but..." His words trailed off. His father had always been more of slave driver than a parent.
It was Kenny's turn to be surprised. "Oh, well…your mother is alright. One of our Agents is staying with her. Would you turn States evidence against him?" Kenny had thought the Orton family was very close.
Randy laughed. "He may be an old bastard, but he is my father. Also, I am many things but a snitching rat is not one of those things, Agent Omega." He gave the man a firm nod.
"I expected that. Alright, I would think Mike is back at your place by now. You're going to tell him you found Adam and the children. You're taking them to Saint Louis. You will also tell him that we don't have Shane. He was with the Helmsley's but he just vanished. Later, Shane will write a note that will be delivered to Stephanie. Justin knows how to handle it on his end. Any other words, that's it, you're done. Am I understood?" Kenny gave Randy a death glare.
Randy nodded. "Understood. Mike will be hurt that I didn't tell him or take him along. I guess it doesn't matter now anyway, no chance for our marriage now. I shouldn't have waited. Adam always told me I took too long to do things. He was right. Yes, I understand. I do hope Justin can handle it. Fed or not, he is a good man."
"He will. It's not his first rodeo. I do know however, that this is his last assignment with us. He wants to be a full time Doctor now. Alright, make your call and make it good." Kenny Omega handed Randy his phone.
Randy took the phone. He took a deep breath. It would be a very difficult call to make.
In the kitchen, Shawn and Hunter spoke in earnest. "I do know Stephanie will get a note from Shane, telling her he was with us, but left without telling us." Hunter explained what he know the plan to be. They had worked out the details when clearing out the safe room.
Shawn sighed. "I want the boy safe, but there is still too much up in the air. Meg must be kept safe. I want Shane to live with us, but after everything is over. I just hope he understands."
Hunter nodded. "I am sure he will. He is a fine young man. Meg will love having an older brother figure. I agree, he has a home with us after all this is over. He will be safer here. I will be here on duty off and on. I just hope this all ends soon." He gave his husband a smile.
"I hope Adam and the children will be alright with Randy in the house. But at least they won't have to hide. Of course, Adam may decide to stay at Seth and Roman's." Shawn sighed. Everything had gone from one to a hundred in a few hours.
Hunter laughed. "Knowing Adam, he will be here, to rub Randy's face in it. Oh, Dean knows about…he agreed, Adam doesn't need to know that you know." Hunter had turned serious.
Shawn gave Hunter a small nod. "Good. I'm glad Dean knows though. Adam should have been honest with him. It's alright, Hunt. One day...Adam will tell me. But it's okay." He leaned over and kissed his husband.
Hunter smiled. "I don't know why you love me, but I am glad you do. Because I love you so fucking much." He returned Shawn's kiss.
"Well, come on. Let's go back and see what's going on." Shawn stood with a smile.
When they got to the den, Kenny held his hand up for the Helmsley's to be silent. He nodded to Randy, who was on the phone.
"...yes, I will be careful. I will call you. I will give them your love. They are sound asleep….I love you, Mike...okay...bye love." Randy ended the call. He slid the phone across the coffee table to Kenny. Randy was clearly upset.
"You did that perfectly, Randy. I know it was hard. Sounds like he believed you." Kenny gave Randy a nod of respect.
Randy sighed. "I've never once lied to him like that before. Yes, he believed me and said it was a good idea. It could tell he was upset I didn't include him, but he understood. So, what now?" Randy gave another sigh.
"When Shane gets here, he writes his note, or I will go to him. Nothing else from you tonight from our end. By the way, that bag has some things for you." Kenny nodded to a large, black gym bag in the corner.
Randy nodded. "Thanks. You were sure of the outcome weren't you?"
"Always best to be prepared. Actually, it took longer for you to work out we had your family than I thought it would." Kenny looked at Randy with amusement.
Randy chuckled. "Chalk it up to excellent acting. It never once crossed my mind. I am actually impressed." Randy spoke with honesty.
Shawn chuckled as well. "I never thought my college acting classes would pay off so well..." Shawn was halted by the sound of voices.
Adam and the children were home.