Thank you to everybody who has been with me so far as I rewrite this story. We have, after so many years, finally made it to the brand new material. I wasn't sure I was ever going to get to this point, but here we are. Thank you to everybody who kept reading. Ugly Betty has been off the air for over a decade, yet you are still here. I truly appreciate that.

Just to warn you now, I want to move things time-wise a little quickly, and I feel the best way to do that is to do email and text message chapters. If you have followed my work, you know this is one of my favorite styles of storytelling. It's also a lot easier on the voice recognition software.

I originally wanted to touch base with Marc first, but the plot demands we check in with Matt via his aunt instead. But we begin with a cameo from Daniel. I am just a humble servant of the plot bunny.

Text message name key: Matt is Wayward Nephew. Danny is Daniel because Alexis Senior put that in Brianna's address book. She could never bring herself to change it even if the number changed over time. Since all messages are from Brianna's cell phone, phone messages from her will be labeled as such. I used to use "me" as that tag, but it got confusing after a while.

Chapter 37: Listen to Your Aunt

Early morning June 14, 2010

Danny: Hey, just to let you know we are safe in London. DJ slept on top of me the entire car ride from the airport, but we're here.

Brianna: Good to know. Have you checked on Mandy?

Danny: I checked on Candy, who informed me that Amanda threw her cell phone out the window on the way home. She had about 50 text messages, and 45 of them were from Matt. She didn't even bother to check her voicemail.

Brianna: I'll talk to the wayward nephew about backing off. I know the sister-in-law doesn't want Amanda in contact with Matt, and she's not going to care who originated said contact.

Danny: Thank you. If you can make sure he doesn't mess things up for Marc with his baby, that would be great. Amanda told me the custody situation was already tenuous at best.

Brianna: Yesterday's incident has already disappeared. But I'll remind Matt to keep his mouth shut.

Danny: Thank you. I'll check in again in a couple of days. I'm going to try to get a couple of hours of sleep before having to go into work later this morning. I wonder how many people put in their resignation over the weekend?

Brianna: You should bring in pastries and chocolates.

Danny: I'll send a text to my soon to be co-EIC to see what would be appropriate. I'm not asking Candy because she might kill me. She's still not happy about the roommate thing.

Brianna: Good call.

XXXX

Later in the morning June 14, 2010

Brianna: Good morning, Wayward Nephew.

Brianna: I know you spent Sunday not only hungover but in jail, but I still expect you at the Hartley Center today to work with the kids. They're going to need you considering Jody got arrested.

Brianna: You would think that the embezzlement stuff would have came out in the background check. I'm going to have to talk to the director about that. Jody should have known not to fuck with one of Wilhelmina's kids. You should also value that lesson.

Wayward nephew: Marc punched me. You're my aunt. You should be on my side.

Brianna: He punched you because you're the reason why his best friend had to leave. I would hit you too. Also, my number one responsibility is to keep you from doing dumb shit. I'm failing miserably at that.

Brianna: Daniel texted me in the middle of the night to tell me to tell you to back off. Consider this my latest effort to keep you from doing dumb shit.

Wayward nephew: She left on her own. I had nothing to do with it.

Brianna: Your mom did. She had no choice but to leave the country to get away from her.

Wayward nephew: Yes, she faked a DNA test, but I told Amanda I was okay raising the kids regardless.

Brianna: Because you know that they're actually yours. What if the DNA test wasn't a lie?

Brianna: Also, you know that's not the only reason. Cliff told me that Marc showed you the note.

Wayward nephew: There's no point in worrying about if the result of the DNA test was different.

Brianna: There is a point. I think Amanda made the right decision because I don't believe you are ready for the lifelong commitment that being a parent truly is. I know you had a horrendous example in both of your parents, but it's not an excuse.

Wayward nephew: You turned out pretty well adjusted, so dad wasn't entirely horrible.

Brianna: Your mom is. She always hated and resented me for having to move in after my dad died. She considered me dirty for not being 100% white. Your mom's a bit of a bigot.

Wayward nephew: I'm aware.

Brianna: I'm pretty sure she doesn't want Amanda around because she's Jewish and Puerto Rican.

Wayward nephew: Also, aware.

Brianna: The not entirely heterosexual thing probably doesn't help matters either. She really hates us.

Wayward nephew: Also aware.

Wayward nephew: Is there a point to this Conversation?

Brianna: Monique and Daniel wanted me to make sure that you are going to make good on your promise to her and not press charges against Marc. With the Jody embezzlement/fraud thing, I feel like Jade deserves one parent not in jail.

Wayward nephew: I'm not. Amanda would never speak to me again if I press charges against Marc.

Brianna: I feel like she has multiple reasons not to speak to you again without that. I heard you actually believed her when she lied and said she slept with someone else. You are your father's son.

Wayward nephew: How was I supposed to know that she was lying then and not before?

Brianna: Daniel did.

Wayward nephew: That's because Daniel is allegedly perfect. Everybody loves Daniel more.

Brianna: He did manage to work through his prick behavior earlier than you. Speaking of working on your issues, when is your next therapy appointment?

Wayward nephew: Today, after my time at the center. I'm now going three times a week thanks to you checking me in last week.

Brianna: I was just fulfilling my duties as your aunt.

Wayward nephew: Also, Monique doesn't want me coming into the office until tomorrow. She's organizing a new office space for me.

Brianna: Is Monique still trying to figure out how to keep you and Marc 15 feet apart at all times?

Wayward nephew: Yes. Also, it makes more sense for him to have the nursery office now. I considered leaving all together. I was only sticking around Mead for Amanda.

Brianna: So, are you going to leave?

Wayward nephew: No. I have this new baby brother that I would like to get to know. Tiffany has already banned me from coming to her apartment. So Mode is going to be my only option.

Brianna: Good to know you're not shrugging off all your responsibilities. Maybe I was a better aunt than I thought.

Wayward nephew: I'm not running away.

Brianna: Good. Don't. You've done that too much.

Wayward nephew: Says the woman who ran away to Paris for years. And let us not forget what happened a couple of weeks ago.

Brianna: I just found out I was pregnant by someone who I thought committed suicide because of her asshole father. Also, your mom was awful.

Brianna: In regards to my so-called disappearing act, I was dealing with the fact that said ex-girlfriend needed to know about her daughter without the media watching. I wasn't running away; I was handling my business like a grown-up.

Wayward nephew: I know.

Brianna: Your dad was just upset that I got pregnant by a Mead. Although maybe he just realized how deep south that made us look. Tyler is my daughter's uncle and cousin.

Wayward nephew: This family is a bit much.

Brianna: So much.

xxx

mid-day, June 15, 2010

Brianna: How did your first day at the center go yesterday?

Wayward nephew: Okay. I mostly filled out paperwork and avoid answering questions about what happened to Jody. The kids are taking it hard.

Brianna: And now that's another thing for me to feel guilty about. I was the one who had Jody working there in the first place. She was probably there to alleviate her guilty conscience. Now all of those kids have just been let down by another adult.

Wayward nephew: They seem resilient, though. I think it will be okay eventually.

Wayward nephew: Why are you really texting me?

Brianna: I want to see how you're doing. Your mom has been horrible the last few days, although it has allowed Alexis to go under the radar in New York at the moment.

Wayward nephew: I don't know. I tried to send Amanda a text message but she had her phone disconnected.

Brianna: This should not surprise you. I told you to back off. If the girl doesn't want to talk to you because you were kind of a jerk, you should give her some space.

Wayward nephew: Why do I feel like there is something you're not telling me?

Brianna: There's a lot I'm not telling you. Some of it I don't want in writing.

Wayward nephew: I knew about the letter in the trashcan before you did. I still say it could've been Marc's crazy ex-boyfriend.

Brianna: Apparently, Betty is not good at getting rid of the evidence.

Breanna: Also, I don't think Troy would be threatening Amanda to stay away from you. Threatening you and Amanda to stay away from Marc, yes, but not the other way around.

Wayward nephew: You may have a point. Maybe Amanda purposely left it there for Marc to find so he would understand. Cliff thinks she's left to protect Marc too.

Brianna: That's a question only Amanda can answer.

Wayward nephew: I just told you that she disconnected her phone. I'm not even sure where she is. Monique just said she's somewhere safe when I asked her at work today. She came in late because she had to take Antonella to the doctor's office this morning. They still don't know why she's throwing up all the time.

Brianna: I only heard it's not the nine-month flu.

Wayward nephew: Monique is pleased about that. Not happy enough to tell me where Amanda is, though.

Brianna: Because you're coming off a little stalker-ish. Give Amanda some space. When she's ready to talk to you again, she'll reach out to you.

Wayward nephew: So is this the time I tell you that I called Amanda's parents?

Brianna: Okay, very stalker-ish. How did that go?

Wayward nephew: Her dad threatened to turn me into the IRS.

Brianna: As I've said many times before back off from Mandy because he probably could get the whole family in trouble with the IRS. You know your father. Half of your trust fund is probably in the Caymans.

Wayward nephew: That's true. So you just want me to give up on Amanda? I thought you're trying to get me this stop running away from things.

Brianna: I don't want you to run away from your responsibilities. But let me tell you something about being a parent. Your children are always going to be your priority.

Brianna: Amanda is in the middle of a very high-risk pregnancy, and she needs as little stress as possible. In this case, you giving her some alone time is following through on your responsibilities.

Wayward nephew: I don't think my parents saw me as their number one priority.

Brianna: That's because they're not good parents. Look, my relationship with Alexis is complicated. I plan to move to Cleveland for the foreseeable future so that my daughter can have quality time with her other mom as she undergoes treatment for a heart condition. The same heart condition that killed her father Bradford.

Brianna: So, I'm going to be spending quality time with my ex for my child's sake. I'm focusing on the two of them cultivating their relationship instead of trying to deal with my own Alexis Senior feelings or even making a go at a romantic relationship again.

Brianna: Or what I'm trying to say is you have to put your hopes of a romantic relationship with Amanda on the back burner for your kids' sake.

Wayward nephew: My children are going to be raised by Daniel, so what's the point? You made that decision for me.

Brianna: No, your mom made that decision, which is better than what happened to Tiffany. The safety of your children is another thing that has to come before your own feelings.

Wayward nephew: I know. But Amanda seemed so much happier about it.

Brianna: Amanda so happy about the situation that she lied and tried to say that there was another possible father because she didn't want to ruin Daniel's relationship with Betty. You are very insecure.

Wayward nephew: I'm not insecure. It's just Amanda is best friends with the guy who is now engaged to my last girlfriend.

Breanna: I feel like that is the dictionary definition of insecure. But I don't have time to argue right now. I have a kid that wants lunch. I'll talk to you later.

Wayward nephew: Fine, by.

XXXX

Morning June 16, 2010

Wayward nephew: Have you already left for Cleveland?

Brianna: Not until Friday. Since we're going to be there for a while, I wanted to bring more of Alexis Junior's toys and things. We're going to stay at Jordan's beach house, so I'm keeping most of the furniture here. But I think I'm going to have to bring her elephant lamp at least. She loves that thing.

Brianna: Why do you ask?

Wayward nephew: When I got back from work yesterday, I found an eviction notice under my door. I have a week to move out.

Brianna: That's not good. They should give you at least to the end of the month.

Wayward nephew: Because of Sunday, the landlord decided to terminate my lease or rather Betty's lease that I took over. He doesn't care that I'm one of those Hartley's either.

Brianna: I told you not to fuck with one of Wilhelmina's kids. Have you seen what's happened to Jody? Apparently, she's a flight risk, and she can't get bail yet. Of course, I'm not helping.

Wayward nephew: Neither is Monique. I think she might be why Jody was declared a flight risk. Although Marc also got kicked out. I doubt Wilhelmina was trying for that.

Brianna: Wilhelmina Slater's mind works in mysterious ways. Cliff texted me to let me know that Marc was going to be moving into his guest room. Allegedly it's temporary, just while he has custody of Jade and Marc is looking for a new place.

Wayward nephew: 200 bucks says they are back together by Christmas. They are the new target of Monique's matchmaking.

Brianna: That is a sucker bet. Although I don't think anyone was expecting it to happen like this. Cliff is probably going to have custody of Jade for awhile. Cliff informed me Jody's lawyers are using the incident Sunday to keep Jade away from him for the time being. Cliff is meeting with Jody tomorrow to talk some sense into her.

Wayward nephew: And this is my fault? He was the one who hit me.

Brianna: Yes, it is because thanks to you, his best friend ran away to keep safe from your evil mom. Marc could use his best friend right now.

Wayward nephew: You won't tell me where she is now?

Brianna: I'm not putting anything in writing. I don't trust your mom not to be monitoring your phone. I don't trust your mom at all.

Wayward nephew: You let her have ice cream with your daughter Saturday.

Brianna: I sent DJ with her, and I made sure they had the good pepper spray.

Brianna: And a panic button.

Brianna: Actually, both kids have panic buttons.

Wayward nephew: You are very paranoid.

Brianna: It's not paranoia if you have a reason to be worried.

Wayward nephew: And you have a reason to be worried?

Brianna: You do remember what Marc found in Amanda's trash basket? Your mom always makes me worry.

Wayward nephew: Yes

Brianna: Then, I have a right to be concerned.

Brianna: I assume you're texting Me because you need a place to stay for a while?

Wayward nephew: Yes. If I called the realtor and threw money at it, they can probably get me a decent apartment in a couple of days, but I rather not.

Brianna: Because you were already getting ready to buy a house? Also, even the best realtor would have problems with a seven-day timeframe.

Wayward nephew: Apartment because Amanda refused to move to the suburbs.

Wayward nephew: Or Brooklyn.

Wayward nephew: Or anywhere off the island of Manhattan. She didn't want to be too far from Marc, and now she's not even in the country.

Brianna: Again, remember what Marc found in the trash can. The woman faked a DNA test.

Wayward nephew: And completely ruined my relationship with my girlfriend.

Brianna: Kid, I think you did that all on your own. Pro-tip, if somebody accuses your significant other of cheating on you, you call them first to see if it's true. At a minimum, you make sure the image isn't photoshopped.

Wayward nephew: Maybe you're right.

Brianna: Did you have a breakthrough in therapy?

Wayward nephew: Maybe. It only took two sessions.

Brianna: More like seven years, depending on your point of view. I'm happy for you, nonetheless.

Wayward nephew: I'm still going to the center and doing the volunteer hours like you originally asked. I'm not backing down from that.

Brianna: Are you taking the parenting classes?

Wayward nephew: Yes, even though I don't know why, Daniel will be raising my kids.

Brianna: You never know. Your mom could drop dead of a heart attack tomorrow, and then we can tell Amanda the truth.

Wayward nephew: I think right now, Amanda would still choose Daniel.

Brianna: I don't blame her. You were a bit of a dick to her these last two weeks.

Wayward nephew: I can't grovel when I don't know where she is.

Brianna: Maybe you don't need to worry about the Amanda problem right now. Work on yourself and apparently moving out.

Brianna: Yes, you can move in for a little while as you get yourself together.

Wayward nephew: Thank you.

Brianna: I'll also see if I can get you baby updates. Nothing on Amanda but health checks and ultrasound photos.

Wayward nephew: I'll take it.

Brianna: Look, things will work out eventually. You'll see.

XXXX

Evening June 18, 2010

Wayward nephew: Monique is making Antonella, Justin, and Austin, my helpers, for the Black And White Ball relaunch.

Brianna: Hi, Aunt Brianna. Oh, how did the flight to Cleveland go? It went well. Jordan came and got us from the airport. No, it wasn't awkward. We are actually friends. Really we are. We bonded over our mutual girlfriend faking her death and leaving me really pregnant, not that we knew that at the time.

Wayward nephew: I know you're actual friends. She is Alexis Jr.'s godmother. Which I always found weird, but I'm not going to ask.

Wayward nephew: I'm sorry. I needed someone to complain too, and you're the only person still talking to me. Even Betty told me to go fuck myself. I didn't think it was possible to get her that mad.

Brianna: Well, your mom did publicly out the fact that her fiancé got somebody else pregnant. I bet work is awful for her right now. I know it is because DJ told me. He called yesterday because he wanted to talk to his little sister. He wouldn't speak to Alexis Senior, but he would at least give me a readout on Daniel and Betty.

Wayward nephew: How bad is it?

Brianna: The British paparazzi are vicious. They make Suzuki look like a puppy. Or maybe a fluffy bunny. They can't even get coffee right now.

Wayward nephew: Okay, maybe she should be a little bit angry at me, but her nephew shouldn't. I'm glad we only have to work together in person for the next week. All the other work on the project will be done remotely while he's working in London for the summer.

Brianna: Justin is Marc's friend, so Justin is obviously taking his side. I'm sure Marc probably still hates you.

Wayward nephew: I wouldn't know he's been on paternity leave this week. Also, I'm in a different part of the building, so we won't even see each other.

Brianna: I'm surprised. I know you guys are understaffed.

Wayward nephew: Wilhelmina Slater is filling in at Mode for the week per Antonella.

Brianna: Okay Monique is desperate.

Brianna: Or she wants to keep the woman away from Gio.

Wayward nephew: I was told she's actually sticking to Marc's notes. What about Gio?

Brianna: I heard Wilhelmina managed to buy Dominique out. Thank God.

Wayward nephew: So even Wilhelmina is preferable?

Brianna: Yes. Wilhelmina never actually tried to kill Monique.

Brianna: You definitely got off lightly as far as Monique punishments go. The worst she's doing to you is making you work with teenagers.

Wayward nephew: I know. Things are going okay.

Brianna: Has Antonella stop throwing up on you?

Wayward nephew: Yes, because of not being pregnant, they could give her the good anti nausea drugs. Although she did kick me in the shin twice, she's also team Amanda because they bonded in DC.

Brianna: Again, you're getting off lightly. And you get to hang out with Austin. What's he like?

Wayward nephew: Austin is nothing like dad. He is thoughtful and a hard worker. He also keeps asking me about my time at the sports magazine. He's more interested in that than anything fashion related. Dad would be so happy.

Brianna: Sports are the only thing we can bond over as a family.

Wayward nephew: I don't think Tyler actually like sports that much.

Brianna: Despite being the token heterosexual sibling.

Wayward nephew: You should know Tiffany has banned me from mentioning to Austin that he's my half-brother. That probably applies to you as well. Tiffany signed some sort of NDA with my mom, and Austin can't find out the truth. She doesn't want to have to deal with mom's lawyers if I say something.

Brianna: I don't think that's what happened. Regardless, I will have lawyers look into it. However, it's her call on how much we tell Austin, at least until he's 18. That's what 1 1/2 years away?

Wayward nephew: That's true. I know he's the only member of my team that doesn't hate me.

Brianna: Please try hard to keep it that way.

Wayward nephew: I will.

Brianna: Also, I'm glad you're sticking with the fundraiser project even though Amanda's gone.

Wayward nephew: I have to finish things.

Brianna: Speaking of following through on things, how was your first week at the Hartley center?

Wayward nephew: It's been a weird week, but I have enjoyed my time there. At a minimum, it was significantly less hostile there. Amanda is very well-liked at Mode, and they're all blaming me for her departure. No one's happy.

Wayward nephew: Even Megan called me a fucking idiot.

Brianna: The one who sent you the fake Photoshop picture of Amanda and Daniel to get you to breakup with her? The one that you fell for despite the fact they were obviously doctored?

Wayward nephew: Yes.

Brianna: Oh, how tragic. Would you rather deal with the sick ex-girlfriend who happens to be the other parent of your child?

Wayward nephew: That's okay.

Brianna: Good, don't wreck my house. I'll text in a few days once we get settled in Cleveland. I'm going to have to take Lexi to Cedar Point.

Wayward nephew: Yes, how tragic.

Brianna: There are Peanut characters everywhere.

XXXX

Brianna: Just to let you know we are here in Cleveland. We have a couple of days to settle in before Alexis Senior starts treatment.

Danny: Thanks for letting me know. Please keep me updated on how Alexis is doing. I'm not sure she will.

Brianna: She's just scared of ending up like your father. I don't think Alexis Senior wants to leave us.

Danny: DJ can't deal with losing another mom. So I hope this works.

Brianna: I think it will. We won't be at the hospital all the time. We're just in Cleveland because it's easier for Jordan's mom to treat Alexis this way.

Danny: And it keeps you away from the paparazzi.

Brianna: Yes. DJ said they were vicious.

Danny: They're starting to calm down a little bit. I think one of the Royals did something stupid, and they don't care about us anymore.

Danny: The pastry thing worked. Even Betty tried it at her magazine, and things are slightly less hostile.

Brianna: I'm glad.

Brianna: How's Amanda doing?

Danny: I had her doing some editing on a couple of pieces for next month, but I think she's going to be moving over to help Betty. Regardless Amanda is adjusting. It helps that Matt hasn't tried to make contact since Wednesday.

Brianna: Thank the universe I finally got through to him. I wanted to ask about that.

Danny: Or maybe Matt got the point when Amanda took Betty's phone and told him to fuck off in a text message.

Brianna: He thought it was Betty, which worried him.

Danny: At least he got the point.

Brianna: I may have also promised that if he backed off, I would get him baby updates. He is worried and wants to know what's going on with at least the twins.

Danny: Obviously, I'm sending them to Matt because I don't want him to have any contact with Amanda or Betty for that matter.

Brianna: I could be your intermediary.

Danny: No, I'll send him updates after the next doctor's appointment. My Co-EIC recommended her OB/GYN, and we were able to get an appointment on the 30th.

Brianna: That's good. Thank you for doing this.

Danny: Betty says this is what family does.

Brianna: We are one weird family.

Danny: Definitely.

To be continued…

We covered a whole week in one chapter. See, things are moving forward. Although we will be covering the same week in the next section but from the Marc St. James perspective.