I got this really nice review from "SHADOW1999". First of all, thank you so much! It really made me smile. I'm glad you are liking the story. And thank you to everyone who has continued to support this on it's run. Sometimes I get a negative review here and there, and sometimes it gets me. But, I'd rather that than write something people don't like. So, if you do think something is stupid, or you hate something that happens, please don't hold back! None the less I hope you all enjoy! The next chapter will be the final chapter to expect it to be LONG because there is so much I want to fit in lol.
"You have to hear me out." Mike sat down opposite Austin. "After you were born.. things between me and your mother just weren't the same. It was good for a couple of years and then something just changed.. I'm not saying that was your fault."
"Where is this going?" Austin asked.
"Just tell him, there's no point in dragging it out." Mimi shook her head.
"I.. uh.. I." Mike stuttered.
"He had an affair." Mimi stepped in.
"What?" Austin asked in confusion. "Dad cheated on you?"
"Yes." She nodded.
"Why, how? I don't understand.."
"I don't know why but it just happened.. I tried to stop it as well, for your sake but it just went on and on.." Mike looked down. "I'm ashamed."
"Did you know?" Austin looked up at his mother.
"Not at first.. but eventually I figured it out."
"I ended it after about two years." Mike said.
"Two years?! This went on for two years.." Austin looked at his father in shock.
"You were growing up and I felt guilty.."
"Right." Austin scoffed.
"Look I tried, I stayed with your mother, we tried to work through it but it just didn't work.."
"Alright, but I don't get why your telling me this?" Austin asked.
"Because.. the woman I had an affair with.. she fell pregnant."
"Oh wow.." Austin shook his head.
"Austin.. I never knew… I didn't find out still a few years ago.." Mike looked at Gavin.
"Sup bro.." Gavin said timidly.
"He should be home by now." Ally sighed looking out the window.
"Don't worry, he probably just got stuck in traffic or something." Trish said over the phone.
"You don't think I scared him do you?"
"Not at all, if he didn't want to move in with you then he would have said no. Just relax, like I said traffic. Anyway, you have more important things to worry about."
"I'm trying not to worry about those."
"My mom says that her friends cousin went through the same thing and she got her kid back, besides, Charlie loves you. He'll hate it if they make him go with Paul."
"You think?"
"Of course."
"Hopefully you are right." Ally sighed. "Listen, I think there's someone at my door, might be him. I'll text you later."
"Okay, and Ally, don't worry."
"I'll try." Ally said before hanging up. She took a minute to compose herself before opening the door, expecting to see the familiar blonde haired man she was falling for. Instead she was met with a woman and a taller dark haired man. "Ally Dawson?" The woman smiled.
"Yeah." Ally nodded shaking her hand.
"Carrie Jones, I'm here for the inspection." She flashed Ally her badge.
"Inspection?" Ally asked.
"The court sent me." Carrie smiled.
"Oh… I wasn't expecting you for a few days."
"I know, and I hope we're not intruding. I was in the area and figured it was better to get it over and done with as quick as possible."
"Of course, come in." Ally opened the door a little wider for the strangers to enter. "Can I get you anything?"
"No no, I'm fine thank you." Carrie smiled, again. "All I'm here to do is take a look around and Dallas here is what I like to call the handyman." She laughed and he rolled his eyes.
"I just look at all the technical things, like electrics, your plumbing, condition of the boiler, that kind of thing." He informed Ally.
"He's very multi-talented." Carrie smiled.
"Well okay.." Ally took a deep breath.
"Hey, don't sweat it. This is a nice place." Dallas smiled.
"Thank you." Ally smiled.
"I just have a few questions while Dallas does his thing." Carrie took out a notepad.
"Please take a seat." Ally said taking one herself.
"When was the last time you had your smoke alarms inspected?" Carrie asked.
"I can't remember if I'm honest." Ally said. "But, I did change the batteries last month. I do it every three months."
"Ah good. That's what I like to hear!" Carrie smiled. "This is a bought house correct?"
"Yeah."
"And you're still paying the mortgage?"
"Yes." Ally nodded.
"How many bedrooms?"
"Two."
"Could you show me Charlie's room please." Carrie asked.
"Of course. It's upstairs." Ally stood up.
"Excellent. Try and not break anything Dallas."
"Yes Ma'am." Dallas saluted.
"This has to be some kind of joke right?" Austin looked up at his father who just looked down. "Mom?" He asked seeking some sort of explanation.
"I'm sorry sweetie.." Mimi sighed.
"I feel sick." Austin said bringing his hand to his mouth.
"Son.." Mike sighed.
"No. Don't 'son' me!" Austin stood up. "Why the fuck didn't you tell me this sooner!?"
"Austin, please calm down…" Mimi said trying to settle her son.
"You knew all this time and you just kept your mouth shut?"
"It was for the best!" Mike tried to explain.
"What exactly is for the best? You think telling me 20 odd years later makes it better?"
"Austin, I wanted to tell you but Mike just wouldn't let me.. it's why I had to leave. I couldn't take it anymore." Mimi looked down.
"Wait a minute." Austin said taking a deep breath. "You knew about this?" He pointed at Gavin. "You knew you were my brother?"
"Yeah.." Gavin gulped. "I wanted to tell you.."
"Do you have any idea what you done to me?" Austin stepped towards him.
"Austin." Mike warned him.
"Shut up." Austin snapped. "I thought it was bad enough that my friend slept with my girlfriend, but the fact that you knew you were my brother... You make me sick." Austin scoffed. "You know.." Austin turned to his father. "I spent all this time thinking you hated me.. Everyone always said that I was just being silly.. but I think I was right.. I always thought, if only I could be like Gavin, then my dad would have a son he could be proud of.. well it looks like I don't have to worry anymore. Cause you do have a son you can be proud of." Austin half smiled, uncertain why he was actually smiling.
"Austin don't say that.." Mimi grabbed her sons hand and he gave it a quick squeeze before letting go.
"But it's true, he's doesn't even care." Austin shrugged. "I need to go.. I have things to take care of." Austin shook his head.
"Austin, don't go." Mike put his hand on Austin shoulder.
"Don't touch me." Austin flinched. "You can see yourself out." Austin said as he left, slamming the door behind him.
"What now..?" Gavin asked.
"He'll calm down eventually, then we can talk to him properly." Mike shook his head.
"I don't think he will." Mimi said. "And you know what he's exactly right. You couldn't even tell him you were proud of him.." She shook her head. "You're as bad as each other."
"It looks like your son has everything he needs." Carrie smiled as they headed back downstairs. "It's never really been a problem, if he needs something I'll make sure he gets it." Ally smiled. "I admire that. Just one more question, do you live alone?"
"Yes.. well.. my cat Garfield is around somewhere and... and.. well my boyfriend is going to move in."
"Boyfriend?" Carrie smirked. "Is he hot?" she laughed.
"I guess so." Ally laughed a little.
"Well, best of luck with that. Dallas, everything good down here?"
"Everything seems to be in shape." He smiled.
"Great, well Ally, all I can say is well done. You don't have anything to worry about, this place seems perfect for you and your son… and boyfriend." Carrie winked.
"Thank you." Ally smiled.
"I'll send my report off soon and then hopefully you can get back to getting your son back. Good luck with the case." Carrie smiled rushing out to her car.
"Hey, uh, you had a sticky tap in the kitchen." Dallas pointed back with his thumb. "I fixed it for ya." He smiled.
"You did? Do I owe you something?" Ally asked.
"No no, it was nothing."
"Should it go on her report?" Ally asked all of a sudden feeling nervous again.
"A sticky tap?" Dallas laughed. "No." he shook his head. "I hardly think that's something life threatening."
"I just wanted to make sure you done your job." Ally smiled.
"Even if it got you into trouble?"
"I like to follow rules.. and the law."
"Well don't sweat it, we didn't break the law." He said pulling up what looked like his utility belt. There were some small tools hanging from it along with what she assumed was some sort of walkie talkie. "Thank you." She smiled.
"Anytime." He nodded and picked up his bag. "And good luck with your son." He flashed her one quick smile before heading out to join his partner. Ally went to the door to wave them off when she saw Austin's car parked. She had to look twice to make sure she wasn't seeing things before approaching.
"Austin?" She asked. There was no response. He was staring straight forward. She tapped the window slightly and he looked up at her. it looked like he had been crying. He opened the car door just as Carrie and Dallas pulled out of the drive through. "What's wrong?" She asked.
"Who was that?" He replied, ignoring the question.
"It was the house inspectors.. what's happened?" She asked again.
"They came today?" He asked and Ally nodded. "I should have been there!" He kicked the ground. "It's okay.. it was nothing I couldn't handle."
"That's not the point Ally. I'm supposed to be here supporting you." He looked down at her.
"And you are.. Austin, has something happened? You don't look-" She was cut off when his lips crashed on to hers. Taken by surprise she kissed him back, it was heated and messy. Not like their usual kisses, but she wasn't going to complain. All of a sudden his hands were making their way down her sides and he didn't show any signs of stopping. She panicked and grabbed his hands pulling herself away from him. "What has gotten in to you?" She asked.
"I.. I'm sorry." He stuttered.
"Austin you are worrying me! Just tell me whats going on."
"It's Gavin." Austin said bluntly.
"Gavin? What's happened, is he okay?" Ally asked.
"He's my brother.."
"What?" Ally asked in confusion.
"Yeah." Austin laughed. Ally knew it wasn't a normal laugh, more of an attempt to stop himself from bubbling up again. "I found out that I had a little brother that my parents decided to keep hidden from me."
"Why.. why wouldn't the just tell you?" Ally asked.
"Cause he's a bastard." Austin shrugged. "Pretty funny right?" He laughed again.
"Not really.." Ally stepped back.
"I.. I didn't mean it.." He sighed. "I don't know how to react to his." He buried his face in his hands. "I mean I go home, happy as can be and there they are."
"Let's just go inside.." Ally took his hand.
"Wait.. can we go over this one more time?" Dez asked.
"I've told you like six times! All that's important now is the fact that Austin knows I'm his brother." Gavin sighed.
"So.. how long have you known?"
"A while.. my mom, she got real sick when I was 13. She contacted Mike to tell him about me.. I guess he kinda freaked out, thought if he could pay her off she'd be okay with that. And for a few years everything was fine.. but the more he got to know me the more he started to care?"
"So, Mimi was still with him at this point?" Dez asked.
"I think so. She knew about the affair, but I guess after he stopped seeing my mom she just kinda forgave him.. for Austin's sake. My mom died when I turned 18… that's when I met you guys.. Mike offered me a full time job in exchange for me keeping my mouth shut."
"You know you ruined his life right?" Dez asked.
"Why does everyone have to keep reminding me about that."
"I'm just saying." Dez put his hands up.
"I don't know where he is, he won't pick up his phone.. this is a nightmare. I was hoping he would be here so I could try and explain things.. do you know where he is?"
"Nope." Dez gulped.
"Are you sure?" Gavin asked.
"I'm sure." Dez smiled.
"Well if you see him can you tell him I really wanna talk to him… please."
"I will… and Gavin.. I'm sorry."
"It's cool, I think I've been a bit of an ass.."
"Just a tad." Dez laughed.
"Uncalled for." Gavin shook his head.
"They hate me.. especially my dad."
"Austin, he doesn't.." Ally patted his back.
"He's always favored Gavin over me and I guess I know why now."
"I know you probably feel that way, but I'm sure he loves you. You wanna know what I think?"
"What?" Austin looked at her.
"I think he feels bad about the situation with Gavin… so maybe he's spent these past few years trying to make it up to Gavin, and he's not seen how much he's hurt you."
"He's never once told me that he's proud of me.."
"If you honestly can't see you and him working out your differences then forget about him.. but if you think that it's worth it you need to fight for it… just like you did with me.."
"But I didn't really fight for you.."
"No, but you gave up because you loved me… now you have to give up trying to be perfect for him, and let him accept you for who you are. I know that it probably sucks finding out that you have a half brother.. and that your dad done that to your mom, but I'm sure he's spent all these years regretting not telling you.. and as for Gavin, it wasn't his fault.."
"He slept with my girlfriend Ally, which was maybe for the best but it took it out of me when it happened. I don't know if I can be so forgiving anymore."
"Sleep on it, maybe you'll feel better in the morning?"
"Yeah.. maybe. Why are we even talking about this... Charlie is more important right now."
"It's fine..." Ally stood up. "I'm going to get Charlie back and all of this is going to be fine." He smiled up at her.
"I love you." He said.
"I think I maybe love you too."
"I'll take that." He nodded.
Since the next chapter is the ending I just want to ask now is there anything you want me to do. For instance, anything you want to clear up, anything you want added? What you want to see Dez do, same with the other characters. Really any idea's you have and I will try and add them into the main storyline! :) Have a nice day/evening.
