A/N – Thanks for the comments! I can't believe you didn't guess the brother. * Kikimoo – Andrea's mother died in childbirth.
Chapter 59
Jeff kissed the top of his wife's head. "I know you are hurting and I'm so sorry you never got to meet her. Maybe there are more letters. I'll look through the office one more time."
"Okay." She was eager to find out if she had relatives out there besides her brother.
Liz rubbed her mom's back as Audrey strode towards them.
"They found a letter attached to the back of your picture."
Jeff felt Andrea tremble. "You should sit down."
She sat on a chair and carefully opened the letter. Trevor and Jason were now standing in the doorway.
As she read, her hand started noticeably shaking as she cried.
"Mom?" Liz asked.
"Oh my God," Andrea said as put her hand over her mouth.
When she started to drop the letter, Liz picked it up. "May I read it aloud?"
Andrea shook her head yes as Jeff's arms swallowed her up.
"Well, if you're reading this, then you are about to get a shock. Gloria gave up our son for adoption. She lied about who she was and said she was single. Your brother actually lived pretty close until he was an adult and moved to Chicago for a while. When he decided to come back, I formulated a plan and contacted him for business purposes, that way I could get to know him a little without telling him the truth. He's closer than you realized. You see, Trevor Dillon is your brother. I had him tested without his knowledge and we are a match. He's a good man and I know that he wouldn't have been if he had lived with us. In essence, I saved him. Now you know all of the truth. I trust that you will make Gloria suffer. Goodbye Andrea."
Everyone was staring at Trevor who was trying to process what he had just heard.
"I—This can't be true. I'm not adopted."
"Maybe they just didn't tell you," Liz said.
He quickly dialed his phone. "Ma?"
She smiled. "Hello Trevor. Are you still in Pine Valley?"
"No. I'm back in Colorado. Are you sitting down?"
"Yes dear, and your father is right next to me." They were retired and living in Florida now.
He turned and walked back into the hallway, sagging against the wall. "I don't know how to ask you this gently. Ma, am I adopted?"
Tears sprung into her eyes, causing her concerned husband to grip her hand. "Yes."
'Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want you to know because your parents weren't the nicest people. I happened to catch a glance of your mom at the adoption agency and I saw her on television with your dad several years later. I found out that they lived nearby and I just wanted you to feel loved and accepted. We thought that knowing they were close by and could afford to take care of you but didn't, would have hurt you. If that was a mistake, then I'm so sorry. You are my heart."
Trevor shut his eyes. "Ma, I have to call you back later, but I'm not mad at you okay. I love you and we'll talk about it later."
"Okay."
"Please don't fret about it. You are my mother in every sense of the word and I will always love you."
She pushed out a short breath as she tried to gather her composure. "I love you too."
"Bye."
He walked back to the doorway. "It's true. I'm adopted."
Andrea could see the tears in his eyes as she stood. "If you want, we can be retested. I'm sorry for all of the drama."
Trevor swallowed hard.
"Why don't we give them some time alone," Jeff said.
Liz kissed her mother on the cheek. As they filed out, Audrey and Elizabeth gave Trevor a pat on the arm to reassure him.
"Welcome to the family," Jeff said before walking away.
Trevor took a few steps into the room. He was aware of some of the things Andrea's parents had done and it made him sick. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you."
Tears were still streaming down Andrea's face. "In a way, I'm so glad you didn't have to experience living in this house. You were better off for it. Were your parents loving?"
"Yes." He almost felt guilty about it.
"Good. That means only one of us is screwed up."
He gave up trying to hold back his emotions and a tear rolled down his cheek as they studied each other.
"Are you willing to have a relationship with me?"
He shook the fog off. "Yes."
She breathed a deep sigh of relief. "Do you have any other siblings or children?"
"No."
They both took several steps forward. Andrea slowly reached her hand out and touched his face as she smiled. "I have a brother."
Trevor closed his eyes for a few seconds. "We've missed so much."
"I know."
"Come here," he said before pulling her into his arms. They stood like that for a few minutes before Jeff interrupted.
"Everything okay?"
They broke apart.
"Yes," she said before wiping her face. "We have a lot to catch up on."
Jeff held out his hand. "I'm glad it was you."
Trevor smiled. "You know what this means?"
"What?"
"I get Audrey's cooking a lot more."
Andrea smiled. "Definitely."
They went downstairs and Liz noted that Andrea and Trevor were holding hands so she approached them and gave him a big hug.
"Welcome to the family Uncle Trevor."
"I like the sound of that."
Sarah and Steven stood and gave him hugs too.
Audrey wiped a tear away before doing the same. "We're a crazy family, but we stick together and watch out for each other. Now, we'll do the same for you."
"Thank you."
"Now, you will have to have Thanksgiving with us. You can invite your parents if you want."
"I will ask them." It was a nice gesture and he was sure his mom would be okay with it.
"Alright, what do we have left to do?" Andrea asked.
"The moving vans just left. You ready to get out of here?" Francis asked.
"You bet ya!"
Francis looked at his watch. "In a half hour all the utilities will be turned off. They took the refrigerator and stove to the shelter. I think they got most of the good stuff."
"Alright."
"There are photo albums in the study," Trevor said.
Andrea bit her lip.
"I would like some pictures of you when you were younger."
"Me too," Sarah said.
"Alright."
"Why don't you let us go through them and pick them out," Liz said, hoping they could save her from some bad memories.
"Okay." She turned to look at Trevor. "I should have asked you if you wanted anything."
He shook his head. "Honestly, you are the only good thing that came out of here. I'm fine with your choices."
She smiled.
Steven patted him on the back. "That was smooth Uncle Trevor. I must get it from you."
Trevor chuckled. "Amateur."
Audrey grinned. "Tell him, Trevor."
"Um, you are supposed to be on my side. Us guys have to stick together."
"Maybe later, depending on what football team you like."
"I'm an Eagles fan."
Trevor made a face. "The Bears all the way."
"It's not like either one of them are going to make it to the super bowl."
Trevor grabbed his chest. "You just hurt me, nephew."
Francis chuckled.
"Who do you like?" Trevor asked.
"The Giants."
"I'm with the Cowboys," Sarah said walking towards them.
"What?" all the guys said at once, making her laugh.
Trevor patted Francis on the back. "I'm sorry man. We can get her help."
"There is no help for her," Steven quipped.
Sarah chased him for a minute but I was unable to catch him.
Liz and Jason came back carrying some albums. "Alright, we're done."
"What about the artwork?" Liz asked.
"I was going to ask you if you wanted anything or if we should donate it?"
Liz didn't necessarily like their taste, but there were a couple of artists she liked. "There's a few I'll take. Other than that, I don't think they are expensive or anything." Jason followed Liz and helped her remove them from the wall.
"Habitat for Humanity will be here soon. They'll go through and remove some salvageable materials and then tomorrow morning, we'll knock it down," Francis said. They weren't going to stay for the entire demolition, but Andrea would see enough.
She gave him a hug. "Thank you so much for helping me do this."
"You're very welcome."
"Let's go get something to eat and then do something fun."
"There's a miniature golf place nearby," Trevor said.
Liz smiled. "I haven't done that in a very long time."
"Alright, then let's go."
They walked out and Jeff grabbed his wife's arm, stopping her momentum. "Are you sure you don't want to look around?"
"Yes. It will upset me too much. I'm done. I think it's better this way."
"Okay," he said before gently kissing her.
She grabbed his hand and pulled him through the front doorway, never looking back. It was freeing.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
Miniature golf was a riot. Steven and Trevor were competitive and crazy and Andrea loved every minute of it. Trevor was going to fit into their family just fine.
"You're lucky," Audrey said.
"I know. Considering his genepool, he turned out great," Andrea said.
"Frederick was a monster and so was Gloria," Audrey had read her father's name on some paperwork.
Andrea laughed as she watched Jeff and Trevor try to grab Steven. Audrey was happy to hear her laugh.
"You know, I admire you."
Andrea looked over at her. "Why?"
"You're a fighter and you didn't let those bastards win. You fought for your family instead of just walking away. And I know that after everything you've been through, you'll never take them for granted."
"I won't. They are too important and I will never do anything to ruin my relationship with them again. If anything, knowing how unimportant I was to my parents and how much that hurts actually makes me want to be the complete opposite with my kids. No more hiding my emotions, I'm done with that."
Audrey slightly smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. I always thought you and Jeff were perfect together."
Andrea grinned as she watched Jeff and Steven crack up laughing at Trevor's antics. "I'm a very lucky woman. Is it crazy that sometimes, I wish I could still have children?"
"Yes and no. When you consider 2 a.m. feedings and poopy diapers…"
"True. I didn't think about the details, but several times during our relationship we talked about adopting. When I see Trevor and how wonderful his parents are it makes me want to do that for someone."
"Well, talk it over with Jeff and see how he feels on the subject."
"Yeah. Of course, if one of my children would pop out some grandkids, I would have my fix."
Audrey looked at her like she was crazy. "You better get your own because that first grandbaby is mine."
Andrea laughed. "You think so?"
"Oh, I know so." Audrey wasn't playing. She had waited long enough to spoil her great-grandkids.
"Who do you think will go first?"
"I don't know. I want to say Sarah, but Liz and Jason might give them a run for their money. I don't think Emily is there yet." It wasn't lost on her that Sarah was disappointed about not being pregnant before.
"She's still young."
Everyone ran towards the table and sat.
"You're limping more," Andrea said to Jason.
"I'm fine."
"No you're not," Audrey said. "You're staying with us next round."
Jason didn't know what to say.
"You can't argue with them," Liz said, knowing it was for the best.
He sighed. "Fine."
"Do I even want to know who won?" Andrea asked.
"Uncle Trevor," Liz said.
"He cheated," Steven added.
Trevor smirked. "If it can't be proven in a court of law, it didn't happen."
Steven rolled his eyes.
"None of us are good losers," Jeff said.
"That's because you are all winners," Audrey said.
"I'll let Steven win next round so he doesn't cry," Trevor said.
Jeff chuckled at the look on Steven's face. Francis patted him on the shoulder.
"Trevor, do you have a girlfriend?" Audrey asked.
"Nope, I'm newly single."
"Grams, don't even go there. He doesn't live in Port Charles," Liz said seeing the gleam in her eyes.
"Exactly who were you going to make him the victim of?"Steven asked.
Audrey groaned. "You make me sound so horrible. If you must know, I was thinking that he and Felicia might work. She's single right now."
Sarah shrugged. "She's pretty and nice."
Trevor frowned and looked over at Steven.
"She's pretty. You could hook him up with Alexis."
Audrey pursed her lips. "I don't know."
"Alexis an attorney," Liz said.
"And Felicia?"
"She runs the diner in town."
Trevor shook his head. "I'm really not good with long distance relationships."
"You could always move," Andrea said surprising him. "Seriously, I hate the fact that I'm leaving tomorrow."
"Well, I guess for now, we'll have to take turns visiting and we can video chat."
"True. I can't ask you to give up your life here. I understand."
Steven stood. "Come on Uncle Trevor, it's time for you to experience the agony of defeat."
Trevor grinned. "Bring it."
They played another round, this time Liz won. Afterwards, they were going to rest at the hotel and then catch up with each other later.
"Andrea, there's something I need to go do right now."
"What?"
"I want to confront Gloria."
Andrea grimaced. "I know I can't stop you, but I don't think you know what you're walking into. She won't care if she hurts your feelings."
"I can take it. Besides, I plan on doing all of the talking."
"Will you call me after you're done?"
"Of course and I'll come by later."
They embraced and then she walked him to his car.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
Gloria sat in the interrogation room, hoping that it was Andrea who had come to visit her so that she could lash out at her. To her surprise, her son walked through the door. "Well, well, you are the last person I expected to see."
Trevor sat across from her. "I just need you to know that I want nothing to do with you. The way you treated Andrea was vile. I'm so glad that I had loving parents and never had to deal with you or him. After I leave here, I'm going to make it my mission to make sure that you rot in jail."
"You shouldn't talk to your mother that way."
"My mother isn't here. You are just an egg donor."
"Don't you want to know why I gave you up?"
"No. I don't care because if you are breathing, you're lying." He stood. "If you try and hurt Andrea in any way shape or form, I will bury you. I've pieced together enough information from Frederick's clues to make sure you are punished thoroughly. Andrea and the rest of her family are off limits."
Gloria was livid.
"So, mommie dearest, burn in hell."
He strode out of the room as a stunned Gloria cursed under her breath.
