Chapter Thirty Eight

For the first time in years, Brendan woke up feeling completely refreshed and happy. Steven was still fast asleep, legs tangled in the bed covers. Brendan carefully re-covered him to his chin, noting the chill of the morning. He swung his legs out of bed, bracing himself for the cold. He found a complimentary robe in the bathroom and dressed accordingly, the white cotton soft against his skin. Breakfast was chosen: sausage, eggs and bacon. Brendan ordered extra toast on the side with two strong coffees to follow.

Afterwards he sat on the edge of the bed, staring out of the window. There was frost gathering on the grass outside, trees swaying precariously in the strong wind. Brendan glanced again at Steven; he was practically drowning in the duvet. He decided then to keep them both inside that morning and spend lunch with Declan before he went back to Ireland.

A knock at the door stirred Brendan and his stomach, the latter growling in protest.

"Something smells good," Steven murmured from underneath the covers while Brendan closed the door.

"Awake now are ye?" Brendan said, handing Steven his coffee when he sat up in bed.

"If I hadn't all this would be gone by the time I did." Steven pointed out, closing his eyes contently after a long gulp of the warm liquid.

"True," Brendan rumbled, biting a sausage in half and offering Steven the other end.

"What's mine is yours and all that," Steven said, shoving the remainder of the sausage in his mouth. "That's good," He added, chewing heartily.

"Spoken like a true Brady," Brendan said, smiling at the thought.

Another knock at the door startled both of them, Brendan opting to answer. He breathed a sigh of relief when Declan appeared, letting himself in.

"Were you expecting someone else, Dad?" He laughed, flopping unceremoniously onto the bed. "Is that bacon?" He asked, wrinkling up his nose.

"Still the vegetarian?" Brendan sighed, placing Steven's breakfast on his lap.

"It's not a phase, Dad." Declan rolled his eyes, looking hungrily at the eggs on Brendan's plate. "Can I?"

"No breakfast in yer room?"

"I'm a student, Dad. I can hardly afford it."

"Fine." Brendan pushed some eggs from his plate onto another for Declan. "When's the flight then?"

"Trying to get rid of me?" Declan asked, shovelling a large forkful of egg into his mouth.

"Of course not," Brendan began quickly, silenced by Declan's bubbling laughter.

"Kidding! Jeez, you're getting easy in your old age."

"Come on, Deccy." Steven reprimanded him.

"You're like my step dad now aren't you?" Declan turned to him, grin widening.

Steven glanced at Brendan hesitantly.

"Why so serious? It's cool." Declan looked between them. "Come on, you should be happy! This is what you've always wanted, isn't it? What's the problem?"

Brendan locked gazes with Steven, communicating wordlessly.

"We're in the middle of deciding something potentially life-changing."

"More life-changing than getting married?" Declan countered, sobering a little. "What is it?"

"We wanna move," Steven blurted out before Brendan could. Brendan gave him a look, Steven smiling at him sheepishly in return.

"Really?" Declan's eyebrows rose. "Where?"

"We hadn't really thought that far ahead," Steven explained. "But you'll be the first to know, promise."

Declan nodded, looking thoughtfully at his food. "You could come to Ireland."

The thought had definitely crossed Brendan's mind but he wasn't sure Steven would approve on account of the distance from his loved ones. He stayed silent, allowing Steven to answer.

"Maybe," He said carefully. "It's still early days anyway."

Brendan swallowed down his doubts, wondering if Steven was having second thoughts already. Now wasn't the time to ask.

"Have you switched your phone on this morning? Paddy wanted to congratulate you," Declan said, changing the subject.

Brendan reached for his jacket, taking his phone out and checking his messages.

"Huh," He said, tilting his head to the side.

"What is it?" Steven asked, leaning up to get a look at the screen.

"Nothing," Brendan said, shaking his head. "I think."

"You think?" Steven glanced at Declan worriedly.

"I should go get packed anyway," Declan said hastily, plate practically licked clean. "See you in a bit."

"Alright, son," Brendan replied vaguely, still staring at the message.

"What's wrong?" Steven asked immediately once Declan had left the room. He stood up, peering over Brendan's shoulder.

"When did ye last hear from yer dad?" Brendan asked.

"My dad? I dunno; he's left a bunch of messages. Why?"

"Could be nothing," Brendan said quietly, shaking his head.

"Then why do you look so worried?"

Brendan collected himself, switching his phone to lock screen and putting it in his pocket once more.

"I'm not."

"Brendan…"

"Really, it's fine," Brendan said, attempting a smile. "We better get dressed ye know."

"Don't change the subject," Steven said stubbornly, crossing his arms over his bare chest. "Is dad okay? I have a right to know."

"He's fine," Brendan replied. "Probably just another tactic to get us to come home."

"Oh." Steven deflated. "Is he worried?"

"Of course he is, Steven," Brendan sighed, pulling him in close by the waist. "But he doesn't have to be with me around."

"That's the problem with him though, init? He can't get past all that."

"Maybe he'll have a change of heart."

Steven snorted, looking up at Brendan sceptically. "You reckon?"

"I don't know," Brendan said truthfully. "We should enjoy the rest of our trip anyway."

"Okay," Steven said warily, pulling back to look into Brendan's face. "I'm gonna take a shower then, you wanna join me?" He pressed himself boldly against Brendan, all long limbs and soft skin.

"Give us a sec, yeah?"

Steven nodded uncertainly before heading to the bathroom. Brendan pulled his phone out once more when he was out of sight, staring at the message he'd received from Samuel.

Brendan. I know we have our differences but I need your help. It's Steven. Call me. Sam.

Was it a trick? Samuel had called both of them incessantly since they'd left but nothing like this. It certainly seemed like the sort of game he would play but Brendan wasn't confident in that conviction. Even if it was a trick, could Brendan really risk the possibility that it wasn't? He hesitated over the keys on his phone, considering how to reply.

What is it? Better be serious, Samuel.

Samuel replied within moments.

You need to come back. Don't tell Steven. Please.

Brendan could hear the water running from the bathroom. His fingers drummed over his phone.

Give me one day.

Samuel's next reply surprised Brendan more than anything else so far.

Thank you.

Xxx

Brendan was distracted all day. Ste couldn't put his finger on the problem but he knew it wasn't good. Declan seemed to sense something too and he brightened as if to compensate. This was supposed to be a happy day, a celebration. Ste should have known things wouldn't be that simple.

They had lunch out with Declan, the conversation mainly taken up by Ste asking Declan questions about life back home with Brendan smiling and nodding in all the right places. When he went briefly to the toilet during their meal, Ste leaned closer towards Declan.

"What's going on?" He whispered, wary that Brendan could return at any moment.

"I don't know," Declan answered, leaning closer as well. "Did something happen this morning? He got dead weird when his phone went off."

"He mentioned my dad but not what he'd said. I'm worried he's said something to put Brendan off."

"Put him off? Really?" Declan looked at him incredulously.

"What?" Ste asked impatiently.

"I don't think anything could put him off you, he's only just married you!"

"I guess," Ste mumbled, still troubled.

"Listen," Declan said quickly, glancing over Ste's head. "Whatever it is, my dad loves you. Nothing's gonna change that. It could be something of nothing. When I go, ask him outright, he can't lie to you, not anymore. Text me when you know more, okay?"

Ste nodded hurriedly, glancing behind them to see Brendan returning to their table.

"What did I miss?" He asked, sipping his coke. Ste had been wondering why he'd stayed on the soft drinks today.

"Not much," He said, looking pointedly at Declan. "You want me to order you a whiskey?"

"No," Brendan said, voice low. "I need to drive later."

"Drive?" Ste asked, confused.

Brendan looked down at the table, avoiding his gaze. "We should get back today."

"But you said-"

"I know what I said," Brendan cut in. "But something's come up, unavoidable."

Brendan's tone said it wasn't up for discussion. Ste glanced at Declan who seemed just as confused as he was. He shrugged at him, looking sorry. Ste slumped back in his seat, disappointed.

Brendan softened then, briefly touching his arm. "I'll make it up to ye, promise."

Ste nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Brendan sighed and nothing more was said on the matter.

They dropped Declan off at the airport later that afternoon, Brendan more himself when he said goodbye to his son.

"I'll speak to ye soon, alright? I'll call when I can."

"Don't make it too long," Declan told him, hugging his father tightly. He turned to Ste, doing the same. "Don't forget to text me." He whispered so Brendan couldn't hear. Ste nodded, smiling as brightly as he could when they pulled apart.

"Have a safe flight."

"A boring one more like," Declan said, grinning. "Least I've got my music though," He added, popping his headphones in his ears.

"Ye aren't supposed to do that till take off," Brendan said seriously.

Declan laughed. "I know, Dad. Lighten up." He flashed them both a grin before departing, Brendan watching him go until he was out of sight.

"Right, start talking," Ste said immediately, giving Brendan his most defiant look.

Brendan deflated, unable to look at him directly. "Can ye just trust me?"

"I do trust you but we're married now, we should be completely honest with each other."

Brendan raised his eyebrows. "No wonder ye weren't married for long." He joked.

"Oi, don't change the subject." Ste frowned. "Tell me."

Brendan looked away, lips pressed firmly together.

"Fine, I'll go back by myself then and ask dad what's going on."

"No!" Brendan said sharply, stepping in front of him. He laughed a little breathlessly, hands reaching out but not quite touching Ste's chest. "Don't."

"Then tell me the truth," Ste said firmly. "Do you not remember why we left? Dad treating me like this delicate kid who couldn't make his own choices. I don't want that from you, Brendan."

"Alright," Brendan said, hands falling to his sides in defeat. "I don't really know anything. Samuel wants us to come back because something's wrong."

"Did he say what it was?"

"No, just that it's to do with you."

Ste blinked. "And you just trusted him?"

"I can't take that risk, Steven."

"You know what he's been like!" Ste exclaimed. "We shouldn't listen."

"But what if he's telling the truth and something is wrong?"

"Say there is something, isn't it better to stay away? What good will it do going back? Something's not right about this." Ste frowned, worrying on his bottom lip. "I'm gonna call Mitzeee," He said decisively.

Brendan said nothing, simply watched him take his phone out and find Mitzeee's number. She answered on the third ring.

"Ste? Everything okay, love?"

"I dunno, Mitz. I was hoping you could tell me."

"Ah, has Sam told you then?"

Ste paused, glancing at Brendan. "What?"

"He hasn't?" Mitzeee cursed. "What's happened?"

"Nothing. Brendan got this weird message from him telling us to come back."

"You are then?" Mitzeee asked hopefully.

"Should we?"

Mitzeee paused. "Yeah. Be discreet though, okay?"

"Why?" Ste asked sharply and the next moment felt the phone leaving his hand.

"Anne?" Brendan turned away, voice low and urgent. "Tell me what it is, now."

Brendan's back stiffened within moments as he turned slowly back to face Ste.

"What is it?" Ste asked, anger fading when he saw the look on Brendan's face. "Bren?"

Brendan hung up the phone, handing it wordlessly back to Ste.

"Come on, we need to move." He said, grabbing his hand and pulling him in the direction of the flight timetable.

"What are you doing?"

"Checking flights. Where do ye fancy? Spain? Italy? I like Italy. We could go somewhere low key, maybe-"

"Brendan!" Ste tugged his hand free. "What's gotten into you?"

"Terry's back," Brendan said, voice sharp and seething with emotion.

"What?"

"He wants something from ye; Samuel's seen him and he's scared."

"What could he possibly want from me? I don't have money or anything."

"I don't know, Steven. I'm not keen to find out."

"But you were all for going home before we called Mitzeee."

"That was before I knew why! What on earth is Samuel thinking, getting ye to come back knowing what he knows?"

"He must have a good reason," Ste said uncertainly.

"I don't give a fuck, come on." Brendan grabbed his hand again, steering them towards the check-in desk.

"No, Brendan!" Ste pulled them up short. "This is crazy! We can't just run away."

"Why not?" Brendan rounded on him, grip tightening.

"You're scaring me!" Ste told him, earning them a few glances from passers by.

"I had him beaten up in prison, Steven!" Brendan blurted, eyes wild and terrified. "Do ye remember Simon Walker? Do ye remember how far he went to get revenge for something I didn't even do directly?"

"Terry's not Walker," Ste said firmly. "He's manipulative but he's far from clever like he was."

"That's not the point."

"Then what is the point?" Ste stood his ground, not willing to go anywhere until Brendan explained himself.

"There's always someone out to get us, Steven and I can't keep doing it, alright? I can't lose ye again." His voice broke on the last words and for a moment Ste felt himself waver until his resolve found him again.

"You won't! Terry's a thug but he's not stupid enough to hurt me now, if he's been inside like you say."

"I had him constantly beaten up, Steven. Badly. Ye think he'll just forget that?"

"What were you thinking of?" Ste chastised. "He could have hurt you!"

"He didn't; I made sure of it."

Ste rubbed his face with his hands, exasperated. "We can't run away from this, from him. I won't do it."

"Steven-"

"No, Brendan! I've spent my entire life terrified of that man and I can't run from this, not anymore. I need to face him."

"No."

"It's not up for discussion!" Ste stormed in the opposite direction, towards the exit.

"Steven, please!" Brendan stepped in front of him again, hands out to slow him down.

"Let me do this. Let me prove to you and dad that I'm not fragile. I'm Ste Brady, I can do anything."

Brendan groaned. "Ye don't have to prove anything to anyone! I just want ye safe."

"And I'll never feel safe until I know what he wants." Ste crossed his arms again, looking at Brendan fiercely. "You're either with me on this or you aren't."

"Do I get a choice?" Brendan asked, deflating.

"I'm going back whatever you say. I hope you'll come with me."

Brendan balked at that. "Of course I'm fucking coming with ye."

"Good. Let's go then." Ste walked ahead, leaving Brendan to trail along behind. For all his brave words and resolve inside he was terrified. It was taking a great deal of effort to hold himself together and stop from shaking. Brendan eventually caught up with him, taking his hand more gently this time.

"I'm sorry."

"I get it, Brendan. You're worried."

"More than that," Brendan murmured. "Do ye have any idea how much ye mean to me? I couldn't deal if anything happened to ye."

"I know that," Ste said softly, squeezing his hand. "I won't do anything stupid, promise. You can be with me the whole time."

"Course," Brendan said gruffly.

They walked in silence to the car, Brendan not letting go of him.

"If this was the old me, I'd have driven ye somewhere remote by now and not given ye a choice."

"I know," Ste said, sliding into the car. "But you've changed and so have I. I can't let Terry bully me anymore. I'm not that scared kid I used to be."

"Ye don't need to tell me that," Brendan said quietly, starting the car up.

"Everything will be okay," Ste said with more confidence than he felt. He swallowed thickly. "And if it isn't, Italy here we come."

Brendan smiled briefly but he was still tense, knuckles white on the steering wheel. Ste sighed, closing his eyes as he leant his head back. It was going to be a long drive home.