Thank you to everybody who read or left kudos for the last chapter. I always appreciate it.
Chapter 89: Sad and Frustrated
Morning in New York September 21, 2010
Austin walked into the kitchen half-asleep but fully dressed, thanks to his boyfriend picking out his outfit the night before. Thankfully, Justin let him sleep to the last possible moment. As he has been since Sunday, his boyfriend, had an espresso waiting for him. However, Justin was not alone in the penthouse kitchen. Not only was Vivian there despite the fact she was supposed to have a breakfast meeting after 6 AM yoga with Ginger, but so were Matt and Cory casually sipping on espresso at the breakfast bar. That alone was suspicious.
They also had all of Austin's favorites from Gio's spread out on the table. More importantly, Vivian's private chef was nowhere in sight. The staff was never around when they talked about the Tiffany situation. Everybody was too worried about something getting back to Victoria Hartley. This was not good.
"What bad news are you breaking this time?" Austin asked as he sat beside his boyfriend and began drinking his espresso. He only got about three hours of sleep total last night. He needed the caffeine.
"Why do you think we are breaking bad news?" Matt asked.
"You're both down here with breakfast from Gio's, and Ross doesn't serve breakfast outside of special breakfast meetings," Austin told the group.
"The deli serves breakfast." His foster mom pointed out as she placed a plate before him.
"But this is take away from the restaurant, where you should be at now having your breakfast meeting. Also, Chef Kelly is not here, and neither is any of the cleaning staff. There are always here on Tuesdays." Austin pointed out.
"The team is coming Wednesday this week to clean. This food is from my breakfast meeting that was canceled. I had the team bring it here because you haven't eaten the last few days. I thought this would help." Vivian suggested.
"Did you cancel it to give me more bad news? Did they find my mother's body?" Austin was almost sure that was why they were there. The startled expression on Vivian's face made him more concerned.
"Amanda is in the hospital. One of the twins has low amniotic fluid levels." Matt blurted out. Austin wasn't expecting that. But it would at least explain everybody's odd behavior.
"And nobody texted me yet. That's just so wrong." Justin complained.
"They might be busy with Amanda at the moment. When are you leaving for London?" Austin asked his brother. He knew Matt would leave to be with his kids despite Austin not wanting him to go.
"I'm not leaving for London at the moment. Amanda didn't want me there because I stressed her out and caused her heart rate to go so high it brought the nurse in. Or at least that's what Daniel told Cory." Matt frowned. Austin felt more was happening but decided it was in his best interest not to ask questions. He doesn't want to confirm that this is all just an excuse for the real reason Matt isn't leaving.
"I doubt Daniel lied to me. I'm going to need one of the special phones." Cory turned to Vivian. "I think I should function as an intermediary." The 'Matt and Amanda shouldn't talk to each other directly for the sake of everyone's well-being' was left unsaid.
"I have a spare. I'll give it to you after breakfast. I think you're right about needing to be an intermediary. It's best that Victoria remains unaware that Matt is in contact with Amanda." Vivian counseled.
"This is true." Matt sighed.
"Thank you for the phone," Cory commented.
"I'm sorry Amanda is in the hospital. Hopefully it will work out."
"She is far enough along that she can deliver the twins safely. I believe your aunt delivered baby Alexis earlier than this." Vivian added.
"That is true. I'm just worried because I'm here. She's in England, and so is my mother. And my mother is evil." The 'may have had Tiffany killed' goes unsaid, but Austin heard it anyway.
"I think Amanda has a right to be concerned. I don't want you near your mom right now." Austin stated.
"I can understand that. We can go to London together once she's back in the country." Matt suggested.
"I'm coming as well," Justin added.
"Of course, you are." Matt sighed. "Although Monique may need you in Paris for the Alexandria lingerie shoot."
"Especially if Marc cannot go because of Jade's custody situation," Justin added, causing Matt to groan.
"Your mother really is fucking everything up," Cory mumbled to his boyfriend, but Austin heard him anyway.
"Speaking of things that Victoria has messed up, have you heard anything else from the PI team? I'm still trying to track down some phone numbers." He's been going through his computer and old emails to see if there are any numbers or even email addresses for some of his mom's friends. Unfortunately, after she married George, his mom stopped having outside friends. Which means he doesn't have info for most of the pre-George friends.
"Just give them what you have. Even knowing the city can be helpful." Vivian told her foster son. Austin nodded his head yes.
"I talked to our lead PI about an hour ago. Your step-aunt is filing a missing persons report regarding George." Austin groaned at that.
"Of course she is."
"Therefore, it's time for us to file one as well." Austin was sick at the thought of doing that.
"Do I need to handle that?" Austin asked his foster mother. He didn't want to fill out the report. It would make the whole situation real. A part of him hoped his mom was hiding with one of her old friends after realizing Victoria was trying to kill her.
"I spoke with the lawyers, and since you are a minor under my care, I can do it." Austin exhaled in relief at that.
"Good. Does the team have anything else? Do they have any leads?" Austin asked.
"Yes. The team is currently on their way to middle of nowhere Pennsylvania because some hikers found a vehicle matching the van description that George and Tiffany left in." Austin felt his chest tighten.
"So I wasn't that far off earlier? I saw you flinching." Austin pointed at Vivian, causing the woman to sigh.
"They found a body. But they don't know whose it was. It was badly burned and buried in a flooded, muddy van." Vivian explained. "It might be George, for all we know."
"That doesn't make me feel better," Austin stated as he pushed his tray away. He has no desire to eat anything else. He feels on the verge of throwing up.
"Where in Pennsylvania did they find the van? Mom had friends there before George scared them away," A part of Austin's mind is trying to convince him his mother is merely hiding with one of her friends even though he knows better.
"The detective said something about being near the Harrisburg/Hershey area. I'm not sure where exactly the car was found. I'm still waiting for their report with the details." Vivian explained.
"Aunt Rebecca lives around there," Austin stated.
"I thought your mom was an only child. Although this time last year, I thought I was an only child." Matt commented.
"Rebecca is not mom's biological sister. We did live with her when I was little. At least until Mom married George after Grandma died. Rebecca moved to the Harrisburg area when I was about 10. They haven't talked as much in the last few years because Rebecca hates George and tried to stop the wedding."
"Your aunt is an excellent judge of character," Justin commented as he entwined their fingers together.
"She was." Austin nodded his head in agreement.
"Was Aunt Rebecca on the list that you gave the detectives Saturday? I don't remember anybody named Rebecca on the emergency contact list your mom gave me before." Vivian explained.
"She probably wouldn't be there because they had a big fight when I was 12. That was the last time I saw her," Austin explained. "I gave Detective Carl her name but didn't have a phone number. I can't find an email address either. I might have an address somewhere on one of the old greeting cards, but I haven't had time to check out the storage unit yet." George decided that they were only bringing the basics to Chicago. Anything that did not fit in the van was thrown away. Austin stored many personal things, including all the greeting cards his mom kept. In hindsight, he wonders if George knew they were never gonna actually make it to Chicago.
"One of the PIs should go through all of those. If you have a description of the house or even restaurants nearby, it can help." Vivian suggested.
"I remember seeing a roller coaster from her front lawn, but I was 12 the last time we were there. She may not even be there anymore." Austin explained.
"Anything will help. Could there be some pictures?" Vivian asked.
"I'll check the photo album." He wants to do something. Finding a photo is better than feeling useless, like he has been since Saturday. If only he realized what was happening sooner, maybe they wouldn't be here. "Are we going there? Maybe I'll remember more about where she lived if I'm there."
"For now, I think we should hold tight." Vivian's response caused Austin to frown. He was so tired of just sitting here and waiting. "However, I'll mention it as a possibility when I check in with the team in about an hour."
"Good." Maybe Austin would finally have an answer soon. He just wants to know what happened.
"Although you can stay home from work and classes. That will give you time to look for the photos." Vivian suggested.
"That won't take too long. I kept most of the photo albums in my room. I might be done by the time you check in. I would rather go in afterward. At least it will distract me." And Austin doesn't want to be with his thoughts right now because he blames himself for what happened. He is still 100% certain that his mom is missing because Victoria was trying to kill him. It's obvious now that the job in Chicago was nothing more than a way to lure them out of New York safely.
"I'm fine with you coming in late," Cory offered. "It's more important for you to help with the investigation. You can even work from home. I can send some articles to look over and double-check for typos."
"I'd rather do that in the office," Austin told his boss.
"OK. But you can leave anytime you want." His boss told him.
"You can also come with me to work for the day after I get done with the police. I have a board meeting and a charity luncheon. This is a light day by my standards." All the easier to cancel things if they have to recover a body from Pennsylvania.
"I'd rather be with Justin and Antonella." He would be in tears if Justin weren't holding him right now.
"That makes sense. You eat. I have to go make more phone calls." Vivian got up from the table, probably going to her soundproof office.
"I'm not sure I can. I think it's better if I go look for the pictures now."
"There's some yogurt in the fridge. I can make you a parfait." Justin suggested.
"Yes, please," Austin said before excusing himself from the table. He quickly buried himself in his search to find Aunt Rebecca. Anything was better than being helpless.
Xxxx
Meanwhile in Queens
"I wish you were coming with me," Marc said as he waited patiently for the car to show up to drive him to the airport. Tamika promised she would take care of everything. He trusted that his assistant would keep her word.
"I wish we were too, but the lawyer said that we can't leave the country with Jade yet, especially without a passport," Cliff commented. Neither was looking forward to being apart for at least a week. Maybe longer.
"I am 1000% sure Victoria had something to do with that last part. Tamika is making phone calls." Marc said as he grabbed his computer case. It was the only thing he could carry. He wasn't planning to let go of his baby girl until he had to.
"Your assistant knows a lot of people at the Department of State. I am certain she'll know something for sure soon," Cliff reassured.
"I know, but this is the longest I've been away from Jade since those first few horrible days when the lawyers tried to establish visitation before Jade's mother was arrested. I am just worried about going away and her not being here when I return." Because he could see his mom trying to kidnap Jade while he was out of the country, it felt like something her friend Victoria would do.
"The lawyers are hopeful that everything will be resolved, and I'll be able to join you in Europe in time for the Alexandria lingerie shoot." He hopes that's the case because either Marc will have to get a different photographer or Jade will get a week-long sleepover with BFF Jamie. It's still TBD if he or Monique would be the chaperone. Whoever stayed behind would be on kid duty.
"I hope so, too. You better be a good girl for Daddy Cliff while I am visiting your auntie Amanda and your baby cousins." Marc is 99% sure he heard something like 'by da.' Jade is working on her vocalizing.
"She will be perfect for me. We will be okay. Only half the house is still packed. I finally found my camera bag last night." Marc chuckled at that.
"Hilda says the boxes will stay like that for at least two months. She's only now completely settled into her new loft." Marc explained. "Considering that one or both of us is going to be overseas for the next month, that's probably going to happen for us."
"I might ask Austin to come over this weekend to watch Jade while I unpack. For pay, of course. He could use some quality baby time." Considering everything going on, Marc is sure that is the case.
"That's not a bad idea. I need to see if Justin will unpack and organize my closet for his usual fee, so I don't have to do it." Marc is still living out of suitcases, and with everything going on, that will probably be the case until December.
"He has enough styling clients to have a usual fee?" Cliff asked.
"Cory isn't the only person that Justin has dressed for success. He has been styling Mercedes for her lawyer's office and court appearances to make her ex as miserable as possible." Marc explained.
"I know who to consult the next time your mom drags us into a lawyer 's office." Cliff joked as a large black limo pulled in front of their house. "It looks like your car is here. Somebody sprang for the good limo."
"I'm not 100% sure who is paying for all of this, except I know it's not me," Marc told his partner.
"Possibly Brianna because I know she wants her future niece and nephew to be happy. Although it could be Monique."
"This is technically a work trip since I'm going to a few shows on Thursday and Friday." Hopefully, one's that won't involve Victoria Hartley. Thank the universe they have Amanda's cousin planted in the enemy camp, so they have a copy of Victoria's schedule.
"Which is why you raided the closet for Fashion Week appropriate ensembles," Cliff said as he started to take Marc's suitcases down the stairs.
"That would pack well." Thankfully, the driver put the suitcases in the trunk for them.
"Text me when you get to London."
"I'm texting you from the airport, possibly from the plane." Cliff leaned over to kiss him before grabbing Jade out of his arms.
At some point, he was forced to break apart by the driver opening the door for him. That's when Marc saw Spencer sitting inside the car. He was not expecting to see the man. After the awkward date that should not have happened, they've managed to have a cordial acquaintance. Marc has mostly talked to the man via text message since Amanda departed for London in June.
"Vivian asked if we could share the same car." That explains who is paying for this trip. It makes sense because they are staying at a Wyndham West property close to where most of the shows are happening. Getting rooms there this week would be impossible if you weren't Vivian herself. "I said yes because I had to see this cutie pie in person. Amanda keeps sending me pictures. She is a very excited Godmother." Spencer got out of the car so he could hold Jade.
"She is. She is also very sad that we can't bring Jade with us." Cliff explained as he passed Jade over to the man.
"Custody issues," Marc added.
"With her mother?" Spencer asked, confused. Marc has no idea how much Spencer knows about Jade's conception. It wasn't public knowledge due to the conditions of the custody agreement.
"With my mother. She hasn't spoken to me in over three years after I finally came out to her. But now she cares again because I have a child she wants to take away from me," Marc explained bitterly.
"I'm sorry," Spencer said as he returned Jade to Cliff. "I went through something similar with my own parents. I'm almost happy they're gone so they'll never meet their grandchild. They don't deserve to."
"It's OK. I've found a better family." Marc leaned over to give Cliff one more kiss.
"I'll text you soon." Marc stated as he pulled out of the kiss before kissing Jade's forehead. He's going to miss her so much. But he also looked forward to seeing Amanda for the first time in months.
"You better. Say bye to Daddy." Cliff held up Jade's hand to wave goodbye to him. Marc was almost on the verge of tears when he got into the limo.
"You have a lovely daughter," Spencer said once they finally made their way to LaGuardia.
"She's the best. I'm not happy about the situation that resulted in her being here, but I'm glad she's here." Marc commented as he settled into his seat for the long drive. Traffic being what it was, he hoped they made it to LaGuardia in time for the flight.
"I don't regret what happened in studio 54 except that it took so long for me to find Amanda." The regret in Spencer's voice was audible. Although Marc hated that he missed the first few months of Jade's life, it wasn't like he missed the first 26 years. It must be so much worse for Spencer, especially with Amanda leaving the country only a few months after they found one another.
"It's not your fault," Marc reassured the man. "Amanda didn't even know she was adopted until about three years ago. Faye and everyone else kept that a secret.
"I am aware."
"What matters is that you're there for her now. She really appreciates you rearranging your schedule to be with her in London."
"They were going to write me into a coma anyway to replace me with a younger actor." Marc couldn't help but wonder if that was Victoria's meddling. "I decided to fulfill my lifelong dream of doing a play on the West End. I miss theater." Marc knew there was more going on besides that, but he kept his thoughts to himself.
"I have to introduce you to Justin at some point. And his boyfriend, for that matter. They love theater."
"Another ex?" Spencer asked, causing Marc to shiver.
"OK, that's creepy. I'm not into dating guys half my age. Justin is my mentee. Austin works for Matt at another magazine." Spencer glared at the name Matt. Marc wonders how much Spencer knew about the paternity of the twins. Probably not a lot. Marc isn't even allowed to tell Cliff that Matt is the biological daddy. Spencer was definitely out of the question.
"They were the cute young couple that danced together at the wedding I took you to." He doesn't know if he introduced Spencer to anybody at that awkward wedding. Probably not.
"I don't remember much about that wedding," Spencer told him.
"I understand. Justin and Austin work for Meade Publications as part of our career development program." Their families owned some of the company, but Spencer didn't need to know that. "They're both extremely talented and good at what they do. Justin also has a styling business if you need help. His clients include the CEO of Windham West international."
"Next time I'm back in New York I will consider it. It might be a while since I'm scheduled to be in London for at least the next six months. Maybe longer if my agent can get me on Doctor Who. That's another show I've always wanted to do. I want to branch out beyond soap operas now that I'm free of my old contract." Spencer seems happy about getting to move on at least. It's always great when Victoria's plans backfire.
"I'm sure Amanda will appreciate you being there."
"I'm looking forward to being a hands-on grandfather. I never thought I would have this. But I'm glad I do."
"Me as well," Marc said, turning his attention to his work phone. Before getting on a plane, he needed to answer as many work emails as possible.
Xxx
After an hour of Austin hiding in his room, Matt decided to check on him. He did so by bringing in another espresso, which was good because that seemed to be the only thing Austin was consuming. His yogurt parfait lay untouched as Austin went through another family photo album. Five others lay on the other side of the bed, with three other shoeboxes of pictures. For some reason, Austin chose to keep all of that up here, which means they did not need to visit Brooklyn to find them in the storage locker.
"Cory and Justin have already gone into the office. We will go in whenever you're ready." Matt stated as he placed the coffee cup on the nearby table.
"I have just a few more pages of this album to go through, and then we can go." Austin barely looked up from his album as he picked up the fresh espresso.
"Perfect," Matt sat down on the chair across from Austin.
"You know you can go to London. I don't need you to babysit me." Austin said as he turned another page in the photo album.
"You don't need a babysitter, but you do need somebody."
"I have Justin and Vivian. I'll be okay." Matt doubts that since it feels like Austin is on the verge of breaking down at any minute.
"Amanda really doesn't want me there. We didn't make that up as an excuse for me to stay here. I'm pretty sure if I show up to the hospital, she will have security remove me from the premises." Matt has no doubts that Daniel's meeting with security was also about him.
"Why doesn't Amanda want you there?"
"Because she's worried that Victoria is still mad at me for coming out last week." And considering what happened to Cory Thursday, maybe her fears are not entirely irrational.
"Considering my mom is probably in a morgue in Pennsylvania right now, I feel like her concern is justified," Austin remarked as he returned to looking at the photo album.
"We don't know if that was her body. We won't know for at least a few more days." As Austin looked at photo albums earlier, Matt sat in on Vivian's calls to find somebody who could quickly identify the body as Tiffany's. "Vivian is bringing in experts, so hopefully, they'll have an answer sooner than expected."
"I hope so. I want an answer. What's happening in my head is probably worse than what happened." Austin answered.
"I know."
"How do you feel about Amanda not wanting you in London?" Austin asked.
"Sad and frustrated. She still believes I don't follow anything through and believes Daniel will make a better father than me. Considering the examples of parenthood I had, she's not wrong." Matt is the first one to acknowledge his parents were horrible. "At least Daniel had Claire to balance out his awful father. I got Victoria."
"You're not Cal." Matt wasn't entirely sure about that.
"I'm trying not to be, at least." But he's going to end up being an absentee father anyway.
"You're doing okay at this big brother mentor thing." Matt smiled at that.
"Oh good, I found it. I should've checked the vacation album first. This is us with Rebecca at Hershey Park." Austin said as he passed the photo to Matt. He was surprised he recognized the woman in the picture.
"I know her. That's Becky Carlson. She was Dad's assistant before Tiffany. She moved over to accounting before leaving for good because her husband got a job upstate. She returned for a couple of months after Tiffany disappeared to fill in as a favor." Matt explained.
"She was a widow by the time I was three. Her husband was a private investigator and he was killed on the job."
"That's unfortunate."
"She worked at a bank before. I think financial planning, but I was little and wasn't paying attention." Austin answered.
"That makes sense," especially because she was in the accounting department for a little while. Matt also vaguely remembered Becky working for his mom at some point, although he didn't remember exactly when.
"I don't remember what she was doing in Hershey, but I think she worked for the chocolate company in the corporate offices."
"That also makes sense. Get ready to go into the office. I'll pass this information on." Matt said, leaving the room with the picture. He would make a scan to send to the PI team in Vivian's office.
Xxx
a little bit later.
Matt #2: Vivian told me you and Andie are driving to meet the PI team. Is that still happening?
Cal: Yes. We're about 15 minutes away. I figured this was preferable to me just showing up in London.
Matt #2: Yes, but barely. I didn't tell Austin you were going because he'll want to go.
Cal: He shouldn't see the crime scene. Or the body.
Matt #2: This is true.
Matt #2: Austin realized that one of his mom's old friends lives near where the van was found.
Cal: That could be a coincidence.
Matt #2: Maybe but perhaps not. She is your old assistant, Becky. The one that probably trained Tiffany.
Matt #2: [one picture attached]
Cal: I'll talk to the PI to track her down. She hated your mom. She was the one who made me realize how horrible your mom was to Brianna. I doubt she had anything to do with Tiffany's disappearance. They were friends.
Matt #2: Why didn't you tell us earlier the real reason why you broke up?
Cal: Because I didn't want you to hate your mother. I realize now I should have got you and Breanna away from her sooner. I thought I could continue going through the motions until I learned what she was doing to Breanna. We were never really in love. It was a business transaction.
Matt #2: Not a very good one.
Cal: I got you. I don't regret that. You'll understand when you hold your children for the first time.
Matt #2: This won't be anytime soon because of Victoria. Amanda wants Daniel to be the twins' Dad and me to be Uncle Matt.
Cal: This might just be to keep them safe from your mother. She won't do anything to Bradford's grandchildren. She adored that man.
Matt #2: But she knows they're not Bradford's grandchildren. She's the one who swapped the test.
Cal: Your mother only cares about public perception. It's why Vivian fostering Austin was the best tactical choice.
Matt #2: Even though it keeps you far away from Austin.
Cal: I've been a parent long enough to know that sometimes you must do what's best for your children, not what's best for you. This is one of those cases for both of us.
Matt #2: You've learned this now. I don't think you followed that very much when I was a child.
Cal: It would've been best for me to stay married to Victoria. It was better for you and Brianna that we weren't together anymore.
Matt #2: And you're saying it's better if the twins have Daniel as a father?
Cal: It's better that they're not the target of your mother. It's better that you're safe, and it seems that Amanda wants you to have a relationship with the twins. Will they know that you are their biological father?
Matt #2: That's the plan. That could change.
Cal: I don't think it will. Andie just pulled into the restaurant where we're meeting the PI team on the ground.
Matt #2: We're almost at the Mead offices anyway. Please keep us posted.
Cal: I will.
To be continued…