Chapter 24

KC Gaming

Natasha Drew was done with her meeting; she went to find Dave Greco, She went to his cubicle. She wasn't sure what he was working on but it certainly wasn't the Berry town project.

"Hey Dave I want you to put together all that you have for the Berry town presentation and come into my office so we can discuss the it"

Dave nervously replied, "I Uhm need a little more time can I see you later this afternoon, I am waiting for a couple call backs., I am really not ready yet"

"You have one hour" She thought to herself, "Boy Matt Camden was right. Let me find that cell number for Brian. She went to her office and found Brian's cell number and called him.

Brian was out at the park with Matt and his dad eating the Mexican food they had gotten when his cell rang, he didn't recognize the number, He answered "Hello this is Brian"

"Hi Brian this is Natasha Drew your new boss. How are you feeling today?"

"I am ok; I am just out with my brother Matt and my dad eating lunch. What can I do for you?"

"Well I was wondering if you could help me. I know you have been working with Dave Greco in regards to the Berry town presentation for Gotham Gaming our parent company and this is a huge deal, I can't seem to get Dave to give me any information on the project, I don't know if he hasn't done anything or not, I can't get a straight answer. I know you were recently hospitalized, But I was wondering what work you have done on it?"

"Well I can give you the basics I don't have my lap top with me to give you everything,"

He told her of the concept he came up with and how he wanted to expand the demographics and the marketing age range, he gave her all the information on the Molly Marmalade character he came up with. She had to tell him to slow down a couple of times he was going on about it with such enthusiasm and so fast she couldn't keep up. He also told her that he has called KC gaming and requisitioned for costumes and for live actors for the presentation, and he was having his downstairs neighbor who herself was an aspiring actress to perform the Molly Marmalade character. "Is that enough for now?" Brian asked "I also have at home on my lap top a digital mockup of what I have planned for the presentation."

"Wow I am impressed," Natasha told him "That's more than enough. Hey since I have your paperwork I have your address I was wondering if I could stop by this afternoon and look at what else you have."

"Uhm well let me see what time they will have me back home." Then he asked his brother, "Hey Matt can we be back to the apartment by 2:45 so my boss can come look at what I did so far."

"Well as long as you don't overdo it sure."

"Hi I am back. Yeah they will have me back at the apartment by 3 pm, is that ok? Oh but I have to warn you my brother Matt who is a doctor will be there and he is well kind of overprotective of me since my injury. He just told me I can have you come by as long as I don't overdo it"

"Tell him I said no problem I won't stress you out I promise. Well I will see you at 3 pm. See you then bye"

"Wow" she thought to herself. "Matt was right he is the one who did the whole Berry town project, and that little weasel Dave is taking all the credit, Now I know who I can trust when I want things done around here, I hope Brian will be functional soon because if all goes as well as I think it will Friday I want him to be the new VP of marketing and development, I just hope within the next month he will be up for the challenge."

Back at the apartment

They finished up the food and hung around at the park and then headed back to the apartment.

Eric told Matt "Don't let me forget, I have an overnight bag for you in the trunk of my car that Sarah packed for you, She also said not to worry and to take all the time you need helping Brian"

"Oh ok Dad thanks"

They got back to the apartment, Eric opened his trunk and got the bag for Matt. They both helped Brian up the stairs to his apartment; it was only 2:15,

"Hey great I have plenty of time to get presentable before she gets here. Let me go shave and get washed up, at least I don't have to wash my hair," He laughed

So Matt and his dad helped him get washed and he shaved then they helped him get into some khakis and a nice button up shirt and then put the immobilizer back on him and then he had Matt go in his dresser and pull out a white bandana that he had and he was going to have Matt put on his head instead of the hat,

"Hey you have a bit of hair growing in. It's actually grown enough so you can barely see the wound from the surgery." Matt said "Are you sure you want the bandana?"

"I am sure; if you can still see the scar I want the bandana." Brian said.

"Brian I have to cover the area again anyway with the bandage so she wouldn't see it anyway." Matt recovered the wound. "Are you sure you want it on?" He asked Brian

"Yes please I don't want her to see it the bandage either ok."

So Matt put the bandana on his head. "How do I look?" Brian asked

His dad and Matt agreed that for the first time since the accident, except for the lack of hair, Brian almost looked like his old self,

"You look great Bri" his dad told him, "you will impress your new boss don't, worry plus you work will speak for itself"

They got his lap top out and the sketch book out. Matt put on some coffee and then Matt and Eric helped him set up his stuff Brian was still off balance a bit so he had difficulty moving around so he was still limited in what he could do also because he was still using only his right arm.

Natasha never did have the meeting with Dave she basically blew him off she left her office about 2:30. About 3 pm she pulled into Brian's driveway, Matt looked out the window and saw the car pull in and a very well dressed young woman got out of the car, Matt opened the door and directed her to the upstairs apartment.

She came in and introduced herself "I am Natasha Drew, nice to meet you all."

Brian went to get up, "No don't get up I assume you are Brian,

"Yes I am and this is my brother Matt and my dad Eric she looked at Both Matt and Brian boy you two really look alike,"

"Yeah and you should have seen how much alike we looked before my injury."

"Hey do you want some coffee?" Matt asked

"Yeah sure" she said;

Matt grabbed everyone coffee and Brian proceeded to go over in more detail the presentation for Friday and pulled out his lap top with the digital mockup, within 30 minutes or so he had given her all the basics,

"There is some more details I have to figure out but this is what I have so far what do you think?" He asked,

"I am blown away by all this Brian, I am impressed. You know I was thinking, are you up to giving this presentation yourself on Friday?"

"Uhm" He looked at Matt,

Matt said "I will take you and stay to monitor you Friday."

"Then ok sure "Brian said "as long as I feel up to it, I can be there, just give me a call later in the week to give me more information, specifically a time."

She stayed for a while longer, just to chat and get to know Brian a bit better. Then at about 4:15 she headed out. She said "I will talk to you tomorrow to follow up with you Brian oh and don't mention our meeting to Dave, I would like to handle that, and I am glad to have you on board, I look forward to working with you, and I have to say I am very impressed with what I have seen of your work so far."

"Thanks a lot I really appreciate it," Brian said Matt went to open the door for her and she left.

Natasha thought to herself, "Boy he is going to make an excellent member of my team If this is what he is capable of when he not at his best because of his injury. Wow what can this man do when he is at 100% I do however have to tread lightly when it comes to Dave Greco, not because I care so much about what he thinks but the man is Brian's friend and from what Matt had said Brian is fiercely loyal, so I don't want to alienate Brian by causing a major problem with Dave." Then she drove home instead of back to the office, she would deal with Dave tomorrow.

Matt watched her drive off and then turned and came back to the living room.

"Wow she was sure impressed with you." Matt told Brian,

"Well I am glad I made a good impression and she liked my work"

"Liked it I would say she loved it" Eric said.

"Yeah I think it is great and all but I feel kinda bad like I am going behind Dave's back or something," Brian said.

"You're kidding me right" Matt said "Oh Brian what are we going to do with you?"

Just then the door opened, it was Bridget, "Wow Brian you're all dressed up. You look really good."

She looked and saw all the Berry town stuff out. Brian told her about his boss coming by and he showed Bridget the presentation, And then Eric told her how much Brian impressed Ms. Drew and that she wanted Brian not Dave to head up the presentation on Friday.

"That's great honey but are you up to all that?"

"Well my watchdog here" he pointed to Matt, "Will be taking me in on Friday, to make sure I don't overdo it, and I don't have any appointments Friday so going to my job for a few hours is all I will have to do that day. I only have one appointment Wednesday, for physical therapy and Thursday I go into Dr. Fitzpatrick's office for him to look at my head." and then Brian stopped for a second and patted his stomach "You know I am getting kind of hungry for dinner."

Matt replied "Hungry, how can you be hungry with all that food you put away at lunch. What do you have a hollow leg?"

Brian laughed and then said "Hey why don't we go back to your house dad and eat what's mom making for dinner?"

"Probably something healthy." Eric said

"Hey you're kind of liking eating at mom and dad's aren't you Bri?" Matt teased,

"Well hey you got to grow up and eat there, I am just making up for lost time," Brian said jokingly

"Besides I want to spend time with everyone again especially Mary and Carlos and the kids before they go back to New York."

"Hey well let me call the house." Eric said "To see what times dinner."

He dialed the house, Annie answered "Hi Eric how's things."

Things are great" he said "but I will have Brian tell you when we get back to the house for dinner, YOU are cooking dinner aren't you?"

"Don't I always Eric" And not that I mind but we left a whole bunch of food in Brian's apartment I don't want him overdoing it by coming here"

"No he wants to come, he misses everyone."

"Ok well dinner is at 6pm we are having lasagna and salad see you in a bit" Annie told him

He hung up and went back to Bridget Brian and Matt, Bridget had the paperwork out for the 3 listings she had to show Matt and Sarah,

"Hey these look great" Matt said, "Sarah will be so to see them excited"

"Well you can show her when we get back to the house dinner is at 6pm you mother said"

"Oh great hey I have to pack up my laptop and stuff. Hey Matt, can you grab me my laptop bag from the bedroom? I will take it with me."

Matt went and grabbed it for him. He packed up his lap top and sketch book and put it in the bag to take with him. Hey are we taking 3 cars Brian asked or are you staying again tonight Matt?" Oh I am definitely staying I don't want to cramp your style but that Dave worries me. He is up to something and I am not having him do anything to cause you a problem. Besides once Sarah and I go back to work I won't get to spend as much time with you so I am getting it in while I can. Besides if Sarah really minded, BELIEVE ME WHEN I TELL YOU SHE WOULD LET ME KNOW."

"Ok if you're sure."

They went to leave shortly thereafter "Hey Matt" Brian asked "Would you mind if I rode with Dad and Bridget rode with you? That way you two could discuss houses and I could have some time with dad."

"No problem" They all got in their respective cars. Eric put Brian's bag in the backseat and helped him in the car and got in the other side and buckled him in.

"Thanks dad, you know with you having to buckle me in I feel like a little kid"

"So is there any particular reason you wanted to drive over with me?"

"Huh, oh no, I just have spent so much time with Matt I thought I would like to spend time with just you. It's kind of nice having a dad that actually cares about me you know. As you know it's not something I am used too"

Eric hugged him and said "I care more than you could possible imagine son" He started the car and they proceeded to drive to Glen Oak and Matt and Bridget followed behind them. They chatted about just stuff in general; Brian just loved spending time with his dad. He still couldn't believe how natural it felt, there was traffic so it took them longer than usual so they just enjoyed the time together by 5:45 they were there.

Matt pulled in front of the house; He saw that the movers had finally gotten there with their van. "Finally our van is here from New York I wonder when the movers dropped it off." Matt said out loud.

Bridget went around the passenger side of Eric's car and helped Brian out, Eric grabbed Brian's bag they all went into the house. Brian and Bridget walked in together

Brian said "oh man it smells amazing in here like…. Italian MMMM."

Unfortunately the smell was turning Bridget's stomach and it made her light headed, Bridget excused herself and quickly went into the downstairs bathroom, she didn't get sick but sat there for a few minutes with her head between her legs. Once she felt better she went back out with everyone.

Annie heard them come in and so did everyone else, She went out to let them know dinner was almost ready" Oh Brian you look so nice today"

She gave him a hug. He went on to tell her he dressed up a bit because his new boss came by the apartment to meet him and hear his ideas on the Berry town presentation.

"I will show you after dinner" "Oh I can't wait to see it Brian, well dinner will be on the table in 10 minutes why don't you and dad sit in the living room until it is on the table."

Mary and Sarah were in the kitchen helping and Bridget went in to help finish and then to help bring the stuff into the dining room. Matt went into the kitchen to see Sarah,

He walked in and said to her "Hey cutie did you miss me?" He gave her a big kiss.

"Yes I sure did." She kissed him right back. "Hey, Bridget brought some paperwork with 3 great house listings we can go over with her after dinner"

"Oh that's so great I can't wait to see them" Sarah said "Oh you must have noticed our van was dropped off oh and the movers went to the storage unit with our stuff"

"Yeah I saw it when I pulled up, any issues?"

"Nope everything is all set. I put all the paperwork in the bedroom. Oh Mrs. Cain you know Heather's mother called back she told Heather about the little girl you told me about and Heather would love to meet with Deena"

"Great, I will call her back tonight and let Brian know so he can call Deena. Oh by the way honey, Brian is worried that you are going to have a problem with my spending so much time with him and not with you and the boys he's wrong, isn't he?"

"Of course he is wrong. Why would I have a problem, he is your brother and he saved our sons' lives, oh my God we owe him so much for that. I would never have a problem at all"

"Then can you tell him that please. He doesn't really believe me." Matt said.

"Hey by the way, where are the boys?" Matt asked

"Out back with all the other kids and Carlos" Mary spoke up. "I will go outside to see them."

He went out the back door, they boys saw him "Daddy" they yelled they were very happy to see them.

He again thought "I am so grateful that Brian saved them from getting hit, I love my brother so much."

He knelt down and hugged the boys. Back in the house they were putting everything on the table in about 5 minutes Annie yelled, 1st outside then in the house "dinners ready."

Eric helped Brian to the table there was a few trays of lasagna, garlic bread and salad. Brian thought he would be funny and said" Well I see what you brought out for me but what is everyone else going to eat"

They all laughed. Matt was astonished at what Brian could eat and said "Man Bri, I will say it again where do you put all that food?" Matt also noticed Bridget wasn't really eating anything. He had his suspicions but maybe it was in his head He was an OB/GYN after all and when a woman was ever sick that's what he always thought so he wouldn't say anything at least not yet.

They all sat and chatted as they ate. The women cleared the table and the guys all hung out in the living room and watched the kids little kids play, Sam and David were out back tossing the ball around when they the dining room and kitchen were cleaned up Bridget got her paper work and had Matt and Sarah sit with her at the kitchen table she went over it with them when did you want to take a look tomorrow?

"Well Brian had an appointment he needs to get to." Matt said

Annie over heard, "don't worry your dad and I are taking him to physical therapy tomorrow, Lucy is covering at the church and Mary and Carlos are watching all the kids. We will be at his apartment by the time Bridget is ready to go to work in the morning."

"Good sounds like a plan thanks mom" Matt said, "I just hope that Dave is out of the apartment by the time I get there or I may say something I will regret." Annie said"

"Oh actually mom don't worry about him, I have taken care of that work situation with Brian's boss just ask dad later but don't mention it to Brian. Bridget looked at him, with a puzzled look. "If you promise not to tell Brian I will tell you later" Matt said

"Ok" She promised.

Annie went into the living room and sat down right next to Brian, "You really do look handsome today honey." And she kissed his cheek.

"Thanks mom I feel pretty good today.

"So tell me what happened today," Annie asked

Eric grabbed Brian's bag. He told everyone in the living room of the work he did with Stephanie in the morning and all the stuff he got set up for Friday. And then he showed them the sketches he did, and pulled out the laptop to show the digital mockup of the presentation.

Carlos said "You did all that today? Wow you're good" They were all pretty impressed.

"You know what the best part is Natasha, that's my boss wants me to head up the presentation" Brian told them

"Oh honey that's great" Annie said "I am so proud of you"

he had put the stuff back in the bag and set it on the coffee table. "Oh Brian, Matt and Sarah are going out tomorrow with Bridget to look at houses. So your dad and I will take you to your physical therapy appointment ok,"

"That sounds great, thanks mom" Brian said

They stayed for a while Brian was getting very tired but he wanted Matt to spend time with his wife and kids. Around 8:00pm Matt and Sarah brought the boys upstairs to give them a bath. Bridget went into the living room and noticed Brian looked a little funny. "Are you ok Brian?"

"Yeah, I am just getting really tired and a little sore and I have a bit of a headache, I think I over did it a little today, he grabbed his bag, could you help me with this, honey? Matt put my medicine in the bag."

Bridget got it out, Annie grabbed him a glass of water Bridget gave him his pain medicines and muscle relaxers and figured she would give him the antibiotics now too,

"I hate to rush Matt but I think I am ready to go home and go to bed,

Annie told him "I will run upstairs and tell him."

"Thanks mom."

She went upstairs; the boys were already out of the tub and in the bed Matt was reading to them. "Oh hi mom did you come up to say goodnight to the boys"

"Well yes" she kissed them both, "and to let you know Brian is a little more than tired and is ready to go," Matt saw that she had a concerned look on her face. "Ok good night boys I will see you tomorrow afternoon", he kissed Sarah and she finished reading to them.

He went out in the hallway with his mom, Ok what's up?"

"Brian all of a sudden didn't look so good he told Bridget he was a bit sore, tired and was starting with a bit of a headache, Bridget gave him his medicine, but he really needs to go home I think right now,"

"Yeah we will get him home and once he is in bed I will call you oh tonight ask dad what I told you to ask him about me talking to Brian's boss, you will get a kick out of it and it will make running into Dave in the morning easier to stomach."

Matt then went downstairs and looked at his brother, and said "Boy Brian do you look exhausted, let's get you home buddy"

Bridget grabbed her bag and Brian's bag and Matt and Carlos helped Brian outside into the car, Matt put him in the front seat, buckled him in and then he completely reclined the seat for him Bridget got in the back, Matt put both bags in the trunk,

Sarah came out and kissed him goodnight. "I will see you in the morning." She said with that he drove back to the apartment.

Dave was at the apartment for a couple of hours. "Where the hell is Brian" he said out loud, "I was lucky enough that Natasha got side tracked today and didn't force the issue of seeing what was done on the Berry town project but I need to talk to him before work tomorrow." He paced back and forth, and then he saw lights from a car pull in the driveway, "Finally he is home" he said to himself.

Matt saw Dave look out the window as they pulled in, Brian had actually fallen asleep "Hey Bridget I will need you help getting him in, he is asleep, oh I saw Dave look out the window, so for now let's keep your bag and Brian's laptop bag in the trunk,"

"Ok that's fine because I have Brian's medicine in my purse anyway and we don't want Dave to get a hold of Brian's stuff"

"Yeah that was my thoughts exactly." Matt said.

Then Matt unbuckled Brian, and said to him "wake up buddy we're home," the medicine made Brian groggy "Yep I am awake" he said

Then Matt and Bridget both got out of the car and both went to the passenger side to help him out, It was a challenge for sure to get him out of the car and up the stairs Matt looked up to the window and so did Bridget. Dave just stood there watching, they managed to get Brian up the stairs and Bridget opened the door "Ok buddy let's get you to bed" Matt said.

Brian was awake but just barely, Dave said "hi Bri glad your back I was waiting for you. Boy do we have some work to do."

Matt said "not tonight he doesn't, he over did it a bit today and we are putting him to bed."

"But we have a lot of work to do"

"What is wrong with you Dave? Can't you see he is barely standing if the two of us weren't on either side he would fall over," Bridget told him

She could see he was mad but she didn't care, they brought Brian into the bedroom, sat him on the bed, Matt shut the door,

Brian said "hey I have to go to the bathroom" So they helped him to the toilet he couldn't even stand to go so they sat him down. He said, "I think the muscle relaxers really kicked in I feel so floppy is the only way to describe it,"

"Yeah I know honey, we will do all the work and get you ready for bed,"

when he was done in the bathroom they brought him back to the bed laid him down and both Matt and Bridget undressed him and put his Pajama's on and then the immobilizer back on He was asleep before they were even done with him,

"Boy is he ever wiped out" Matt said

"Yeah he is" she replied, she took his medicine out of her purse and put it back in the bathroom, "Well at least with him asleep he won't overhear us" Bridget said.

"Now what the hell is up with Dave I am so pissed. Is he that oblivious that he didn't notice or even care about Brian" she said,

"Well don't get too mad, what goes around comes around," Matt said He took Bridget into the bathroom and closed the door to make sure Brian didn't hear anything. He told her about his phone call this morning to Natasha Drew, and all the details.

"Oh Matt that is so great I won't say anything to Brian though, I do feel much better now too."

They left the bathroom. And went into the kitchen, I have to make a few phone calls oh I have a favor can you tell Deena about my friend Heather, He told her all about Heather and how she wanted to help Carrie

"Ok I will call her now, You can tell Dave,"

"Oh gee thanks I think I will call mom first to let her know how Brian is,"

Bridget sat on the chair in the bedroom and called Deena to tell her about Heather. Matt went into the kitchen to call his parents, his cell was low so he put it on the charger, and used Brian's house phone, He dialed it, Annie picked up, "Hi mom its Matt,"

"Oh hi honey how is Brian?" "Exhausted he passed out before we could finish putting on his pajamas, but I think that was due to the muscle relaxers Bridget gave him, He out for the night, I just wanted to let you know,"

Oh by the way Matt, Sarah said to tell you she called Mrs. Cain back and she said to tell you that after you look at the houses tomorrow to meet Heather at 1:30 at the Promenade"

"Ok thanks that saves me a call good night mom see in the morning, he then hung up. He went in the living room Dave was playing video games again. Matt pulled out the cot,

"Dave would you mind shutting that off, it kept me up last night but what bothers me more is it bothered Brian last night,"

Dave ignored him Matt just got up and pulled the plug out of the wall.

"Hey what the hell" Dave said

"leave it off ok just go to bed or work on your project" Matt said. With that Matt lay on the cot and went to sleep.