Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last chapter. You are so wonderful.
Chapter 55: Saturday Surprises
August 7, 2010, 10:47 AM
Antonella: Hey, we will be there to get you in 15 minutes.
Austin: Good, I don't wanna be here right now at all. Last night I found out we're moving to Chicago.
Antonella: Shit.
Austin: Tiffany also put in my two weeks notice for me. Not that she told me that.
Antonella: You should know my sister-in-law won't accept any resignation tenured by your mom.
Austin: Daniel definitely didn't. After just telling Justin about the possibility of me being forced to move away, he got his uncle involved. So my paycheck is already being redirected to my own savings account, and I have a meeting Monday with an attorney to work on getting emancipated. Daniel feels Tuesday is too late. I'm hoping George will make it easy on me and just kick me out.
Antonella: Have you told Justin yet?
Austin: We haven't talked because I want to have an actual phone call. However, I don't want George or Tiffany to overhear what I'm planning because they'll try to stop it.
Austin: Tiffany, anyway, I think George would celebrate.
Antonella: Good idea. You can probably stay in the hotel suite next to us for a little while until you get an apartment. Although Mercedes might be moving in there. Regardless, we have it tonight with the kids. Are you bringing an overnight bag?
Austin: Yep, and I packed extra. I figure every day, I'll bring a bag of essentials to work as I pretend I am packing my room up. I'm gonna have to let them take some stuff to Chicago to throw them off the plan.
Antonella: I'm sure Justin will tell you to send them with all the ugly stuff. Besides you can get more. You know your boyfriend wants to dress you.
Austin: This is true.
Antonella: Actually, Monique just said she will have one of the guest rooms renovated for you if you want to stay with us permanently. She will email you color swatches. We have space even with the baby coming. Nana may have bought the apartment next to Monique's as a wedding present for the family. This is now why we have space for a nursery and guest rooms.
Antonella: Although it's a surprise. Monique thinks she's losing her office for you, but it's a sacrifice that she's willing to make.
Austin: It's nice to know somebody wants me.
XXXX
"Where are you going so early today?" Tiffany asked as Austin made his way towards the door of the apartment. She was sitting on the couch drinking a cup of coffee, acting like she didn't completely shatter his world the day before.
"It's almost 11 AM. It's not that early. I'm leaving for a menu tasting for the black and white ball. Even if I'm not going to be here in September, I still need to make sure the menu is perfect." He needs to do his best at this job because now he needs it to survive. Austin is well aware he's on his own now.
"You're still upset about that." Austin gave her his 'are you fucking kidding me' look.
"You're moving me halfway across the country away from my friends and my boyfriend. You made this decision without even discussing it with me. You even quit my job for me. A job that I liked and was going places in. Of course, I'm still angry." Austin nearly yelled.
"You'll find something else in Chicago. You'll make new friends in Chicago. And if you survived the summer with Justin in London, then you'll be fine." Tiffany answered, completely contradicting everything he heard the two discussed when they thought he was sleeping last night.
"You don't believe that, and George definitely doesn't believe that." Austin spat out bitterly.
"That's not true," Austin responded with a glare.
"These walls are thin. I heard everything George said to you last night. I'm still going to be queer in Chicago. Moving halfway across the country isn't going to fix that because there's nothing that needs to be fixed." Austin practically shouted.
"He doesn't mean anything by it," Tiffany replied. Austin couldn't help but scoff.
"Just like it doesn't mean anything when he kept bringing other girls for me to meet."
"It's important for you to meet new friends," Tiffany argued.
"He didn't send any of these girls to be my friend. As I mentioned yesterday before you tore my heart out, I'll be out overnight for my babysitting gig." Austin said, making his way towards the door again. He really just wanted to get out of here.
"You will be watching the kids of Mercedes Wyndham West Black?"
"Yes."
"George believes this is an excuse for you to stay out with Antonella, which is why he said yes," Tiffany explained.
"Since you're moving me across the country without even bothering to consult me at all, I have no problem taking advantage of his homophobia."
"I know you're upset about moving. But it's for the best. It's a good opportunity for your stepfather." Tiffany argued.
"I have no problem whatsoever with you and George moving to Chicago. I just don't think I should have to go with you. I've been paying for rent for the last month. I can get a studio. I'm sure George would be happier without me being there. That way, George can have the marriage he always wanted."
"I'm not leaving a 16-year-old to live in New York City on his own." He's not at all surprised that Tiffany didn't argue against his point about George.
"I don't have to live on my own. I can live with Hilda." They texted last night after he got done with Daniel. Hilda said that she already had a room at her house ready for him. That made him feel better.
"And your boyfriend." Tiffany shot back.
"In a separate room." That happened to be next to each other, but Tiffany doesn't need to know that.
"Still no," Tiffany crossed her hands against her chest.
"There is also Antonella's family. They're currently renovating their home, but Monique said that she has space for me. I can even decorate it. She said she would send over color swatches." Austin is now grateful for what Antonella told him earlier.
"Less of a no but still a no. You should be with your own family." At those words, Austin decided to deploy Justin's suggestion from yesterday.
"Well, there is Matt." As soon as he said the name, Tiffany's eyes went wide. "He's currently housesitting for Aunt Breanna, but you know it wouldn't be hard for him to get a two-bedroom for us quickly."
"You know?" Tiffany asked, confirming everything Austin suspected.
"I do," Austin replied calmly, using all of his acting training.
"I can't believe he told you when I specifically told him not to. I didn't even want him spending time with you. That's why I don't want you working there. That whole family is awful." That explains why Tiffany tried so hard to get him out of there. It's nice to know it wasn't all Justin-related.
"Breanna is not, and neither is Matt. They are both good people that want to help me." Austin argued.
"They just want you in their family." That's a good thing, Austin thought bitterly.
"I don't really have a problem with that. By the way, Matt didn't tell me he's my brother. You did after decades of lying to me." Tiffany looked furious at that moment.
"I never told you who your father was."
"But you did tell me you didn't actually sleep with Matt's father, but we know that's a lie," Austin said as he opened the front door. He is so fucking done with her.
"Come back here," Tiffany yelled as Austin started to make his way down the hallway.
"Monique and Antonella are outside. I need to leave." And honestly, Austin never wanted to come back.
Xxx
Antonella: You look 30 seconds from crying. What happened?
Austin: Why are you texting me when you are literally sitting next to me in this monstrosity of a limo?
Antonella: This is the only car the service had that could hold all six of us comfortably with little Mo's car seat and Freddie's booster seat. We have chocolate. You should have a piece because you need it.
Austin: Chocolate won't fix this. Seriously why are you texting me when we're in the same car?
Antonella: One, so Monique doesn't hear us. Two, so Freddie and baby Mo won't be traumatized any more than necessary. Per baby Mo, she and her sister are with us this weekend because "Mom needs to talk to daddy Chad about kissing Mr. Ryan." Freddie confirmed that but with more cursing. My sister-in-law responded by hugging both of them and giving them a bar of chocolate. Freddie was also not required to put any money in the swear jar fund. Obviously, we couldn't keep the truth from them but let's not make it worse.
Austin: Yes, let's not traumatize them with my family bullshit.
Antonella: However, I am completely up for traumatizing. Something happened?
Austin: You said we need to sit six. There are only five of us. Who else are we picking up?
Antonella: We have to get Matt. Mo is going to make a show for the PI.
Antonella: You just owe Freddie a dollar for the swear jar fund.
Austin: Your aunt can take it out of my babysitting fee. I really don't want to see Matt today.
Antonella: Is that because you think that he might actually be your half-brother? I let you get out of the conversation earlier but not today. Especially because having an older brother is a great way to get out of living with family members you hate, such as your stepfather.
Austin: I now know he's my half-brother, or at least as much as I can without a DNA test being involved. For all we know, Matt's mom cheated on his father with someone else, and Cal is not actually his dad.
Antonella: However, Matt knows for a fact Brianna is his aunt, so there's that. Since we know Breanna is Cal's half-sister, you have to be related to Matt as well.
Antonella: Type your curses. Don't say them out loud. How did you find out that Matt is your brother?
Austin: I pointed out that I didn't need to move. First, Tiffany said she didn't want me living alone. Then she said she didn't want me living in the same house as my boyfriend. Then when I mentioned you, she said I should live with family, and that's when I mentioned Matt. Tiffany assumed that Matt had already told me the truth and spilled all. Just like Justin predicted.
Antonella: Your boyfriend really does understand human nature.
Austin: Oh, look, she's calling me to talk. Or to demand I get back there.
Antonella: And now you owe even more money to the swear jar fun for calling your stepfather a dick. However, I think Monique will probably pay that one out of her pocket.
Antonella: Look, it will be OK. You don't have to tell Matt yet that you know he's your possible half-brother.
Austin: Unless I want to move in with him. I'm not going to Chicago. Being around George is toxic. In Chicago, I won't have the same support system. It's obvious at this point that everybody was trying to protect me from him.
Antonella: Because we care about you, including Matt. He's the one who keeps telling me to bring you breakfast. Your meeting with the lawyers might go better Monday if he's with you.
Antonella: Actually you will have to tell him something, so he'll let you go to the meeting. He is your boss. And now you really need this job if you're going to divorce your parents.
Austin: Oh God.
Xxx
Monique: Hey, we're about two minutes out. Please ignore the fact that we're picking you up in a purple Humvee limo.
Matt: Do I want to know?
Monique: I have Mercedes' kids because they do not need to witness the end of their parent's marriage. Originally Mercedes and Chad were supposed to talk things out this weekend. However, Chad canceled for some allegedly important last-minute business meeting. That's probably an excuse to spend Saturday screwing his boyfriend.
Monique: Therefore, Mercedes hired a moving company and has booked the suite next to mine for the next two months. So, he's probably going to arrive back from his "Business meeting" to all their stuff being gone and divorce papers waiting on the coffee table.
Matt: That's not good. As a child who went through that divorce, I'm willing to help you distract the children.
Monique: I thought Tiffany was after the divorce?
Matt: Carlo wasn't. My mom has always been a "do as I say, not as I do" type of person.
Monique: Considering he already knocked up Claire at that point, I don't think he has a right to be that mad about Carlo.
Matt: Power dynamic issues and other problematic things.
Monique: Oh, before you get into the car, you should know that Austin knows that you're his half-brother. Tiffany fucked up.
Matt: Beyond deciding to take the job offer in Chicago that I know my mom is responsible for?
Monique: From the text messages I saw, Austin presented the idea of living with me as an alternative to Chicago. Tiffany said that he needed to be with family. Because Austin is not an idiot, he suggested you and Tiffany went on a rant about you telling him the truth when she told you not to.
Matt: Shit!
Matt: Wait, you're reading his text messages?
Monique: They don't want to traumatize the kids, so they're texting even though they're sitting next to each other. However, I am on Austin's other side, and his print is really big on his new work phone. When he started cursing, I had to look.
Matt: Oh God.
Matt: Tiffany is calling.
Monique: Please tell me you sent her to voicemail?
Matt: Of course. I see your car now, and it is very loud. I'll be down in a minute.
Xxxxx
Tiffany: Is Austin with you right now?
Matt: I'm meeting with my team to do a menu tasting. Austin is still a member of my team, so yes, he's with me.
Tiffany: Did he tell you that he knows?
Matt: We're currently getting ready to try about 30 different small plates. We are also surrounded by the small children of Monique's sister. However, we will talk about it when we can, along with you forcing him to leave the state.
XXXX
"Were you texting my mom?" Austin asked as they walked into Ross through the back entrance. Monique and her nieces were ahead of them. Actually, they were talking to Wilhelmina. One of the nieces was already hugging the restaurant co-owner.
"Yes," Matt answers quickly. There's no point in him lying to the kid.
"How long have you been in contact with my mother?" Austin asked.
"Since the DC fiasco, which is surprisingly less than two months ago." Matt just realized his entire life was completely different than it was just two months ago. "But you know that I knew your mother as a kid."
"You realizing that I could be your brother was the real reason why you passed out?" Austin asked. Apparently, they weren't going to avoid the elephant for the entire lunch. That's probably for the best.
"Yes. Brianna expedited a DNA test during the time she had me kept in the hospital on a 72-hour hold for a psych evaluation." Austin raised an eyebrow at him.
"You don't survive a family like mine without some serious psychological issues. You know I still see a therapist twice a week. In hindsight, I'm willing to admit I may have had a teeny tiny psychological break that week. It was probably best I was in the hospital for a few days."
"I'm sure you're therapist has helped you deal with your secret brother," Austin remarked.
"I did get two in the same year. Also, I've been working through the implosion of my relationship with Amanda, which was completely my fault." Matt acknowledged out loud. It was easier to do that after coffee/sandwiches with Cory last night. That still happened despite the Austin revelation. He needed it after dealing with Tiffany.
"You're not blaming your mother?" Austin asked.
"No. Because if I told my mom to fuck off years ago, this would not have happened. See, therapy works." Matt joked.
"Why didn't you tell me the truth back then?" Austin asked.
"Your mother didn't want you to know. It didn't help that my mother sent her threatening roses the weekend we found out." Matt explained.
"And has a PI watching you. She probably has pictures of this conversation." Matt wondered how Austin knew about that. Probably Antonella.
"Possibly, but there's a reason why we went through the back entrance. Also, Monique's mom keeps telling her that you hate me because your boyfriend is still mad at me for screwing over his friend Amanda." Which might actually be true.
"So you're trying to convince her that I want nothing to do with you? That might be hard if I end up living with you." Matt raised an eyebrow at that.
"I know you know about Chicago because Daniel told me about my mom putting in my two weeks notice," Austin explained.
"I will tell you right now that none of us accept that resignation," Matt told him.
"Which is good because I'm not leaving. Daniel got me a meeting with his legal team Monday."
"I know. I was planning to come up with some excuse to go with you, but since you know…" Matt trailed off.
"It makes sense. Tiffany says I should live with my family. And honestly, I haven't seen her as family for a while. She's not happy with me. And I think she thinks if we go to Chicago, everything will be magically the same as it was. It won't be." He could hear the frustration in Austin's voice.
"You're never going to be the person you were a year ago again. Too much has changed."
"Like finally acknowledging the truth. I'm still convinced Tiffany thinks I will magically be straight again if she takes me away from New York. I told her this morning that I will still be queer in Chicago."
"I'm sure my mom is hoping for a miracle as well. After my first kiss with Jason W in 10th grade, I've never turned back. I was discreet, but I never denied a part of myself again."
"As discrete as you are when you stare at Cory? The whole office is betting on when you two will get together. Especially after it came out that you're a partial owner of the magazine. Therefore for HR/dating purposes, you are not really a subordinate." Matt was about to respond, but Vivian walked into the restaurant with Britney. Oh, that's not good.
"Matthew, it's lovely to see you again," Vivian said as she kissed him on the cheek. They hung around in the same circles, so Matt is pretty sure that he has known Vivian since he was six at least. Although Matt doesn't remember Monique that well from childhood. He remembers his mom saying some nasty things about Monique when he was a child, but he doesn't remember playing with her like the other rich kids. Considering his mom is a bigot, that makes sense. Thinking about it now, he didn't have that many not White friends growing up. At least ones introduced to him by his mom. That changed when he got older. It had to with Brianna as an aunt.
"I didn't know that you were going to be here. We have the private dining room to do the tasting for the Black and White Ball." Matt explained.
"Oh, I know. Heidi told me. I thought I would join." Vivian explained with a smile. Monique is not going to be happy. The kids told him about their cheating dad within about 45 seconds of being in the car. He doubts Mercedes wants her mom to know what's going on at the moment.
"That explains why they were expecting extra people when I called and let them know that Mercedes' kids were joining us," Austin explained, and Matt mentally winced. He's definitely going to have to text Monique before they get upstairs.
"The grandkids are here. Wonderful." Vivian said just as she turned around to greet Wilhelmina.
XXXX
Monique: How was your heart-to-heart with Austin? Do you both need to get out of here quick? I can call a car?
Matt: We are OK enough that we can get through this tasting. However, we didn't get to finish talking because your mom showed up. She'll be upstairs in two minutes. Wilhelmina is currently distracting her.
Monique: Oh good, then I have at least five minutes to try to convince baby Mo not to tell Nana that she is with me right now because daddy likes kissing Mr. Ryan more than mommy.
Monique: She said that to Wilhelmina a few minutes ago.
Matt: My conversation with Austin was actually less awkward than that. I'm going with him to the lawyers Monday. Can you come up with some reason to explain why neither myself nor Austin will be at work Monday morning?
Monique: Some version of the truth. I think we're going to have to tell Cory about the custody issue.
Matt: Point. I do want to tell him eventually, just not yet. Although when we had coffee yesterday, I did tell him I was having some family issues.
Monique: You had coffee with Cory last night? Oh, I want details.
Matt: It was originally supposed to be a dinner to talk about work, but it became coffee with sandwiches due to finding out Austin was being moved to Chicago.
Monique: Did my mom bring anyone else like her lawyer?
Matt: She brought Britney, who kept rubbing her back as she ran to the bathroom the moment she made it through the door.
Monique: Of course, she did.
Monique: Although that means I have more time to prepare the kids. Do not mention my sister having to dump her husband. I hate the guy, but I don't want my mom to go away on a murder charge.
Matt: She is probably too rich for that, but I will keep my mouth shut.
Xxxxx
Monique put her phone in her purse as she looked at her nieces. They were currently at the window looking at all the people in the restaurant. Normally, Monique had the glass set, so she didn't see the other patrons. However, with the kids there, she decided to set it one way. So the kids could see out, but nobody could see them.
"Matt just text messaged me. Nana is here. And she brought Britney with her." Monique explained to the kids.
"Does that mean that I get to pet the baby? I haven't seen Granny Britney since we found out about the baby." Baby Mo told the group.
'Because your grandfather is a toxic dick, and we were trying to protect you from him,' however, Monique is not allowed to say that. No matter how much she really really wants to.
"You have to ask Britney if it's OK first. You should never touch anybody's stomach without their permission." Antonella instructive. Bless her sister-in-law.
"Let's go over a couple of ground rules. One, don't mention your grandfather at all." Monique instructed her nieces.
"We know that. That's a standard rule, especially since we found out Grandma Britney is leaving. Because she's definitely not gonna put up with an affair, unlike mom." Freddie said bitterly. The almost 9-year-old definitely knew what was up.
"You don't know what your mother has decided, but you're with me so she can talk things out with your father." Whenever he comes home from his business lunch. However, her nieces didn't know that.
"Considering she booked the suite next to ours for the next two months, I think she's leaving," Antonella told the two girls. Which led to Monique glaring at her sister-in-law.
"What? She's actually leaving him?" Freddie asked.
"That's a question for your mom when she picks you up tomorrow," Monique said as she continued to glare at Antonella.
"Fine." The eight-year-old acquiesced.
"Nana Vivian doesn't know about the problems going on between your mom and dad. Your mom would like to tell grandma herself. So, Freddie, no talk about how much of an asshole your father is. Little Mo, do not tell Nana that your daddy likes Mr. Ryan more."
"It's true," the almost four-year-old replied.
"We know it's true. But your mom should be the one who tells Nana this. You're with me because your parents wanted to have a weekend to themselves to deal with this problem like grown-ups.
"That's a lie," Freddie replied under her breath. OK, that kid is already way too jaded to not even be a preteen yet.
"They wanted the weekend to talk things over." OK, Mercedes wants the weekend to serve Chad with divorce papers and get her stuff out of the house. Although it looks like she's just going to get her things out of the house at this point. But again, Monique is not telling the kids that.
"Granny Britney," baby Mo said as she ran to her step-grandmother. Baby Mo has been the one who has truly embraced Britney, even if granny Britney is even younger than Auntie Skye. The four-year-old doesn't care.
"I miss you guys," Brittany said as she hugged the kids.
"Can I pet the baby?" Baby Mo asked.
"Of course, you can pet the baby. Although baby pudding pop is getting ready to come out soon so they might not kick back. They are getting into position." Brittany explained as she placed little Mo's hand on her stomach. Monique wondered if she was already having contractions. She knows from everything she's read that labor is a long experience and begins long before you actually go to the hospital.
"Does this mean I get to come over and play with the baby?" Britney looked over at Monique when little Mo asked that question.
"Actually, you'll have to come over to my house because baby pudding pop is going to live with Gio and me," Monique explained to her niece.
"Really?" Little Mo asked.
"Yep. So how do you feel about getting a new cousin instead of a new aunt or uncle?" Monique asked her nieces.
"Skye already suggested that for our sanity, we treat the new baby as a cousin. Although you raising the baby makes things easier, especially because mom doesn't hate you." Freddie explained.
"Your mom doesn't hate me. She just thinks I have tragic taste in men. I agree with her." Brittany explained. The truth was Mercedes doesn't hate Britney now. The pending divorce has mended a lot of old wounds.
"So does our mom, so she can't say anything to you," Freddie mumbled under her breath. However, Britney still heard her. This caused her to look directly at Monique.
"We'll talk after the menu tasting." It was obvious that the team was waiting for Vivian to arrive. Especially if she was chatting with Wilhelmina. She probably set this all up with her new best friend.
"Oh yes, we will definitely have to talk later, and we should probably call Madison. I want to sign the papers right away."
"You don't want to wait until after?" Monique suggested.
"I'm not changing my mind. And there might not be an after." Brittany said darkly.
"You don't know that," Monique replied.
"You barely survived. You had to have a hysterectomy. You probably would've died if you weren't the daughter of a billionaire who owned the hospital treating you." Brittany replied.
"Vivian doesn't actually own that hospital. She' him and s just on the board." Monique remarked.
"That doesn't make much of a difference," thankfully Brittany said this just as Wilhelmina brought Vivian into the room. That quickly ended the conversation.
"Hello, my darlings. I'm so happy I get to spend time with you." Her mom said as she greeted the girls.
"Nana." Baby Mo cried out as she ran over to hug Vivian.
"I didn't know you were coming," Monique said as she hugged her mom.
"Heidi told me about the tasting Thursday, and I thought it would be great to join you. We're also going to go over choices for the after-party. Gio and Wilhelmina will join us for that part. As well as the wine tasting. You're not going to want to drink, and Britney can't. The others are too young. At least in this country." Vivian remarked.
"My boyfriend told me he got to drink at a business dinner in Paris." Brittany raised an eyebrow, but Vivian didn't.
"It was only one glass for appearances. We don't actually want the international fashion community to realize that Justin is only 16." Monique responded.
"Now that everybody's here, we will start bringing in the appetizers." She heard Heidi safe from the side.
"Is this going to be for the ball or for the after-party?" Monique asked as she got the kids to sit down at the table. Thankfully a booster seat was already brought in. Technically, Ross doesn't get a lot of kids, but they like to be prepared. Especially after that recent business lunch that they had to bring Jade on.
"We're planning to do more of a dessert and cocktails menu for the after-party," Wilhelmina explained for Heidi. Since Wilhelmina was sitting down, it seemed that she was staying for the tasting.
"That makes sense."
"Will there be chocolate Sundays with smiley faces?" Baby Mo asked.
"I'll see what we can find for you," Wilhelmina responded with a genuine smile. Grandmotherhood has been good for Wilhelmina.
XXXX
Justin: Has the tasting started yet? I need pictures. Of course, we want the food to taste good, but it must also look good.
Austin: They just brought out the appetizer options. Well, the things outside of the chefs to watch selection. We decided those weeks ago.
Austin: [Image one attached]
Justin: Why is there a small child diving headfirst into a tray of appetizer options?
Austin: Trying to avoid accidentally telling grandma that daddy is with Ryan now.
Justin: Oh boy.
Austin: Antonella and I have a bet. I think the kids won't make it out of the appetizer round without telling grandma the truth. However, Antonella believes that they'll make it to dessert because they at least want chocolate.
Justin: I think dessert as well.
Justin: Vivian Wyndham West is at the tasting?
Austin: Yep. This completely surprised Monique and Antonella. She brought Britney.
Justin: Good or awkward?
Austin: Good, there was a lot of hugging and crying when I came in. Per Antonella, that's because Monique told her mother that she's adopting Britney's baby.
Justin: This is so great. I'm going to get to do another baby shower. Oh, and I'll get to pick out all the best clothes. Monique's baby will get even more baby swag than Jade.
Austin: I don't know if that's even possible. That child has a lot of couture. I didn't even know there was that much baby couture.
Justin: There's always more, especially when you're the granddaughter of Vivian Wyndham West and your mom is the EIC of Mode.
Justin: So, are we going to talk about the elephant in the room?
Austin: I wanted to have an actual conversation with you on the phone, but that will not happen for a few hours. I need to tell you what's going on. I know Daniel told you about Chicago being a sure thing now.
Justin: Yes. He gave me a chocolate bar. The really good stuff we brought from Paris.
Austin: Using your idea to pretend that I already knew, Tiffany, acknowledge that Matt is my half-brother. Matt confirmed it. He's going with me to the lawyers Monday to help me not move to Chicago.
Justin: See, Chicago was the elephant I was referring to, not you being Cal Hartley's son. So apparently, I am dating my aunt's ex-boyfriend's brother.
Austin: Second part, yes. I don't even want to wrap my head around the Cal Hartley thing. I already know what the rumor mill said that he did to Tyler.
Justin: The rumor mill doesn't even know the worst parts. Daniel might know more, or I can give you Tyler's number. He is still staying with Claire right now as he is working on maintaining his sobriety. Tyler is also looking at other job prospects because going back to bartending isn't the best option at the moment. Also, with Alexis being sick, he doesn't want to leave Claire alone.
Austin: Understandable. He could still do something else in hospitality, though. Monique runs a restaurant despite her alcohol issues. Maybe she has some openings?
Justin: Unfortunately, that restaurant is also run by Wilhelmina, and that would just be complicated.
Justin: So, how do you feel?
Austin: I don't even know where to begin answering that question. My mom is moving me across the country for reasons only known to her. I know George is hoping that Chicago will make me straight again. Why else would he be throwing away the scholarship money?
Justin: Or he knows that you're actually a Hartley, and Matt's going to give you the money regardless of where you are.
Austin: Huh?
Justin: Let me just say this is just a guess. But could it be that Matt and his aunt were using your internship at Mead publications to funnel money to you that you have a right to because you're a Hartley?
Austin: If that's the case, Matt will make sure I get the money regardless, even if I wasn't at Player anymore. So there's no real reason to keep me here, especially if George knows the truth. I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case.
Justin: Talk to Matt.
Austin: I will.
Austin: [Image two attached]
Justin: Yeah, I definitely like the second batch better. I think we should try to match the food colors to the decor whenever possible.
Austin: It's also delicious.
Justin: Good to know.
Austin: Although baby Mo doesn't want to try it because she's not eating foods that are white right now.
Justin: I'm not surprised.
Justin: I am helping grandma Claire with a slideshow for grandpa's going away party. I am trying to get it done by tonight but keep sending me pictures.
Austin: Will do.
Austin: When I get to the hotel, I want to do a video chat. Antonella said she would keep the kids busy so we could talk.
Justin: Antonella is a very good friend.
Justin: She is the best.
Xxx
Monique: So mom is here. She thought it would be fun to surprise me.
Mercedes: Oh shit!
Mercedes: She knows, doesn't she?
Monique: Not yet, at least not from the kids. I'm not sure if my bribe to get Wilhelmina extra time with Connor was effective. Baby Mo told her within 30 seconds of meeting Miss Willy again.
Mercedes: They met Wilhelmina a couple of weeks ago. I had a business dinner here at the restaurant. Chad was supposed to watch the kids because our usual childcare option had a date, but he flaked. Therefore I had to bring the kids with me. They hung out in your husband's office with their portable DVD player and game boys. This is the reason why I told you to get two nannies.
Monique: And my husband didn't tell me about this? Also, next time just call and bring the kids over. They can play dress-up in the closet with Aunt Tamika.
Mercedes: I will keep that in mind. I think that was his deli day. Anyway, I get back from my meeting to find baby Mo eating ice cream in Wilhelmina's lap.
Monique: That explains what she told Willy. Obviously, they bonded.
Monique: How are you?
Mercedes: Oh, you know, hiding in my soon-to-be-former bedroom drinking straight from a bottle of wine. Should I pack up all my things or just enough for a couple of days? If he doesn't even want to actually take the time to talk about this, then I should just leave. There's obviously nothing to save. My assistant already has a moving company on standby.
Monique: Just take enough for the week, then have your assistant and the moving company get everything else. It's definitely time to move forward. But you don't have to deal with the packing yourself right now.
Mercedes: Chad resents me for even considering getting a divorce. Like why couldn't I be the normal country club trophy wife that just lets her husband have his little affair? Let's forget about the fact that I was a CEO long before him.
Monique: If he actually thought that was who you were when you got married, then it was always going to fall apart. You were raised by a woman who kicked out her husband when she found out that he impregnated the nanny.
Mercedes: Then adopted the child because she didn't want her daughter's half-sister to grow up in the foster care system.
Monique: Exactly, so anybody raised by a woman like that is not going to be a pushover.
Monique: And you are definitely not a pushover.
Mercedes: I hope you're right.
Mercedes: I just need this weekend to process and get things in motion. Although apparently, my lawyer just canceled on me. This is fine since Chad is not even going to be here. I'll give him the divorce papers later.
Monique: If your lawyer was Madison, then that's my fault. Britney wants me and Gio to sign the papers today for the adoption.
Mercedes: That explains so much. I knew I shouldn't have gone with the family divorce firm.
Monique: It feels weird that we have a family divorce firm.
Mercedes: You will only need them for the rest of their family law portfolio. They did help you and Gio get custody of Antonella from the evil aunts very quickly. Even if she had to stay with mom for a little while as that was fixed.
Monique: We still haven't been forgiven by the aunties for that. I think that's the real reason why none of them came to the wedding.
Monique: Oh shit. Chad's a fucking moron. Mom knows now.
Mercedes: Which kid?
Monique: You're soon to be ex-husband because I decided to let the girls people watch brunch. He's having lunch with Ryan in the main dining room, and mom saw it from the window up here.
Mercedes: Oh God, he is a moron.
Monique: Or he's being petty because you dumped him.
Mercedes: I was going to dump him. But then he decided to take his boyfriend to my brother-in-law's restaurant.
Mercedes: Has mom hit him yet?
Monique: Wilhelmina just gave him a bottle of wine and told him to get out in the most Wilhelmina way possible. Matt is holding mom back literally.
Monique: Baby Mo just kicked him in the shin. And Ryan is now crying because he didn't know that Chad wasn't in an open marriage. He's apologizing to Freddie as he curses Chad out. Now, mom is trying to drag Freddie away before it gets worse. Everybody has their cell phone out.
Mercedes: Oh fuck! I was trying to keep the kids away from this. Instead, it all blows up without me even being there. When Madison shows up, tell her I definitely want to start the divorce. I need to call PR to release a statement. Thank God my assistant already told PR to draft one.
Monique: Will do. Definitely call PR. I just realized that Suzuki's replacement is here right now filming everything. So expect this to hit fashion TV at any moment.
Mercedes: My assistant just informed me that this mess is now trending on Twitter. They have video of my kids.
Monique: BTW, Britney's water just broke. So at least that broke up the fight.
Mercedes: Oh shit!
To be continued...
Britney is in labor. Baby pudding pop is on their way.