All Good Things Must End an Ending for Meet My Brother's
I am generally a MA (for mature) writer, but I keep it fairly clean on to keep to community guidelines. If you want more heat, find me elsewhere.
I never intend copyright infringement and am very careful to make my stories my own but since I am using other's characters, please send all love and adoration to the original author. I make no money from my stories and am simply happy to tell them.
Every story deserves a happy ending and I love writing them, though there is often a great deal of turmoil before I get there. I always say that I like to write the last book in a long series that way I always get the ending I think the characters I love deserve. Plus, I'm impatient and don't like to wait.
My stories generally run about 70k-100k. I write between 2000-8,000 words per day.
My current story All Good Things Must End which is my ending to the story Meet My Brothers, is about to be posted. I have 50K words written and will be posting the first 10k words or so as the first chapter. I will post every three days (roughly) until finished. I expect the story to take no more than 30 days to be finished.
My final book in the series starts at chapter 1090, if you haven't read it until there you will need to go read that book first. I stopped reading at that chapter so there would not be any overlapping themes. I will likely finish it at some point but not until I finish with my ending. If you have any questions send me a message and I will try to get back to you.
Credit for Meet My Brothers should go to Red Thirteen. You can find this story on Webnovel & Goodreads
Chapter 1090
Shelly turned to look at Timothy. "Tim, can you believe it? Mia said she is the real owner of Aide Castle."
Timothy gazed at Mia in surprise, wondering if she really was the owner of Aide Castle.
Part 1
Mia sighed and swirled the wine in her glass before finishing it in one long gulp. One thing she had wanted more than anything was to never have to worry about the obscene antics of the Barrett women in Norde City and now they were here, terrorizing common decency with every breath they uttered.
Mia rose with grace, finally leaning forward with both palms flat on the table and stared Shelly down. "You're pathetic," Mia said quietly. "With the exception of Grandma Laura, the women in your family are classless and no longer worth my time or energy." Mia swiveled her head to Sharon, "Time is up, you have twelve hours, or I will have you removed by force. Finally turning her attention to Timothy, Mia turned her displeasure on him, "You should really bring your bitches to heel before they destroy your reputation here like they have been doing for years in Bern City." With that Mia turned and walked away.
"How dare you?" Shelly screamed as Sharon screeched with rage.
"How dare I? How are you not embarrassed?" Mia shook her head, not even bothering to pause.
"Tim, you can't let her get away with this." Sharon screamed.
He was stunned, Tim had never heard Mia talk like that and he could not help the chill that ran down his spine. Something terrible had just happened here and he felt like everything he had been carefully working toward was unraveling at this very moment.
Tim stood and tossed his napkin on the table intending to stride after Mia but was stopped by his mother as she tried to rise as well and follow him. "You will stay here," he barked. "Do not follow me or you will not like what happens." Timothy hurried after Mia praying, she wasn't already gone.
Timothy walked through the entrance doors and out into the courtyard, finally spotting Mia. He knew the instant that she detected his presence. Mia crossed her arms tight across her chest. She looked like she was trying to ward off an attack. Mia looked around like she was hoping a sinkhole would open beneath her and stop this moment from happening.
When Timothy came to a stop in front of her everything in him wanted to reach for her and pull her into his arms, but he couldn't bring himself to try. Mia was just too unapproachable right now. The air felt heavy, electric like right before a thunderstorm.
"I will take care of this," Tim started carefully.
Mia scoffed derisively. "No, you won't, do you have any idea how many times you have said those words to me, Tim? Nothing ever changes. You can't change your family, who they are as people. Do you really think I would collaborate with Barrett Group when Sharon and Shelly would be the spokespeople for my success or failure? Honestly, do you believe I would ever allow my children to be subjected to that kind of trash for the rest of their lives? All other issues that we have aside, your family and mine are not a good match."
"You mean that the Barrett name is not good enough to be associated with yours," Timothy said bluntly.
"Yes, that is what I mean, but don't twist this. My stance has nothing to do with the things that you conveyed to me recently and everything to do with keeping my children from living a life filled with scandal and ridicule. You are great at business but have never been able to manage your household." Mia sighed, "I should go."
"Wait. What do you mean exactly?" Tim asked, emphasizing the last word.
"Fine. Let's tick them off then," Mia raised her hand and started ticking off the items on her fingers. "Me, the divorce, Maya, Luna, attempted murder of a toddler, jail, probation, Ralph, and now your mother being associated with those people on yellow island. The never-ending base behavior of the women that surround you is appalling and somehow it always seems to blow back on me. I will not allow it to touch Ginger and Sage, I can't. This is the line that I must draw. Tonight's events have gone well past it." Mia sucked in a lungful of air; she had not known how heavily those words had been weighing on her.
Mia glanced at the hurt expression on Tim's face that he was trying and failing to hide. She knew she was being harsh, but she did not know how else to make him see that they would never work. Timothy needed to stay out of Norde City and get back to his life. He needed to take those shrews far away from her children. Her car pulled up to the curb and she signaled for Peyton to wait a minute dropping her arms in the process.
"We can get past this, Mia. Why can't we at least try?" Tim tried to catch Mia's hand, but she stepped back.
"Don't you see, there will always be too many things to get past," Mia sighed sadly. "This is never going to happen; you need to accept that." Tim looked like she had struck him.
Mia was surprised that she felt no joy when confronted with his pain. Didn't he deserve to be hurt as badly as she had been? What she really wanted was for him to stop looking at her the way he was at that moment. On impulse she stepped forward placing her hand on his cheek before leaning up and kissing him softly on the mouth. "I'm sorry..." Mia whispered, her breath brushing across his lips.
Too afraid to see the look on his face she turned and climbed into her car. As they pulled away from the curb, Mia realized she was crying. It occurred to her in that moment that for all the times she had told Timothy and herself that they would never work things out, some part of her had been holding out hope that she was wrong.
Tim stared out into the night in the direction that Mia had gone not really seeing anything. He felt like he had been kicked in the chest. He could still feel Mia's soft lips on his and somehow that made it worse because how was he supposed to accept that he would never feel it again? Tim's eyes felt glassy and burned pricking in a way he didn't recognize until he felt the wetness on his cheek. He reached his hand up and touched the spot marveling at the liquid on his finger. He had not even known he could produce tears.
"Tim, are you out here?" Caleb's voice was followed by his fast-approaching footsteps.
Tim turned away from him sharply, trying to pull himself back together, but he was struggling to regain the stoicism he was known for. "I'm here," he started but the words got caught in his throat making him sound like he was choking. Tim cleared his throat and tried again. "What is it, Caleb?" He finally managed. Caleb watched him intently for a moment, his expression betraying his concern.
"Are you all right? What happened?" Caleb asked slowly.
"I'm fine, what did you need?" Tim's voice was gruff but steadier.
"You have been gone awhile. People have started to notice and are whispering some lewd things about you being gone together." Caleb cringed at the hostile expression that crossed his friend's face. "Hey, don't shoot the messenger. I just thought you would want to know."
"What was said and by whom?" Tim barked.
"Well, uhm," Caleb hedged.
"Tonight is not a good night to mess with me," Tim growled out. He knew what was coming was bad as his friend was not generally one to mince words.
"Fine. One person implied that Mia could not hack it as your wife and now has had to settle for being your mistress just to hold onto you and you both disappeared so she could work off the cost of her dress." Caleb cringed internally watching as Timothy's posture went ramrod straight. He knew him well enough that this was an indicator of how close his friend was to black out rage.
"Tell me who said this so I can kill him," Tim seethed. He watched his friend sigh.
"Your mother," Caleb answered flatly.
"What? Where?" Tim questioned looking around.
"It was your mother that said this about Mia, Tim."
An eerie calm seemed to settle over the two men for a few moments before finally shattering when Tim turned on his heel and marched back into Aide Castle with purposeful strides.
Timothy stopped in the entrance hall snagging a glass of deep amber whiskey from a server as they went to pass. He held the server up as he tried to continue his rounds. Tim downed the drink, placed the glass back on the tray and took another waving the man off. He took a slow drink from the second glass before pulling out his phone.
A moment later Heath's voice came from the phone. Tim snapped off a few quick instructions and hung up. Finishing his second drink he managed to still his shaking hands. He was not sure if he had ever been this furious with anyone before. Absently he noted that Caleb was waiting close by.
Straightening his tie, Tim walked into the banquet hall with an unhurried pace. While he was anxious to deal with this matter, he wanted a chance to overhear what was being said. Shelly's nasal voice carried across the few tables that separated them.
"Look, Aunt Sharon, no Mia. Maybe she ruined her dress with all the time she spent on the floor." Shelly said her tone dripping acid. Luna cackled from her seat beside Raymond.
"Shut your mouth Ms. Barrett, have you no shame?" Jasmine retorted appalled. "You are not even fit to clean Ms. Lane's shoes and if they remarry, I hope she tosses you out in the street to live as a beggar. You are beneath my father and I, do not open your vulgar mouth near us again." Jasmine turned away from her as much as her chair would allow. She was determined not to acknowledge her in any way ever again. Shelly spluttered and looked on the verge of responding but Mrs. Barrett grabbed her arm to silence her.
"Quiet, he'll hear," Sharon hissed. Shelly's face took on a petulant expression. She was irritated that she was being held back from her favorite pastime, slandering Mia.
Timothy's face took on a predatory expression. Caleb had seen that look many times usually right before he bankrupted the corporation of someone, he truly despised. "It's too late for that, you both need to come with me right now." Timothy's voice sounded like he was chewing gravel.
"What, why," Sharon huffed. "The banquet isn't over, and we still haven't met the owner yet. Why would we leave just because of a couple of harmless disagreements and a joke? We will lose the collaboration if we leave. Don't let Mia get in the way of a good deal for Barrett Group." Sharon looked at her son imperiously knowing he would have to concede to her logic. "Sit down, Timothy."
Tim laughed humorlessly, "the owner just left. I spoke to them. This party is over for you, it is over for Barrett group so let's go."
"Shelly flipped her hair. "I'm not ready yet. I'll get a car later. It was just a joke Tim."
"A joke? All right then, since you both love making jokes at my wife's expense, we will do this here. Let us see how funny words are when they are all heaping shame and ridicule on you." Sharon started to speak but Tim held up his hand. He waved to a half dozen bodyguards that had been waiting in the entrance hall. The squad headed toward them. Tim knew every eye was on them now. The squad stopped behind him waiting patiently.
"You are both cut off and I mean not a single penny. You will both return home, and you are not to leave that house. If you try to step outside of it, I will toss you out in the streets. Neither of you can be trusted to behave befitting the Barrett name so you will no longer be part of polite society. The housekeepers will be dismissed. If you want to eat you will keep Barrett Residence clean. Your life of luxury is over." The room swirled with hissed conversations and shocked looks.
Shelly jumped from her seat and charged toward Timothy. "How can you do this? You can't, not for that wh..." she screeched.
Tim clapped his hand over her mouth before she could get the word out but her intended sentiment was clear to all present. "Be incredibly careful cousin with your words right now. You will find a husband within the next thirty days and leave my household, or I will find one for you based on my perception of your worth. Do you understand me?" Tim asked looking into her eyes menacingly. Shelly finally nodded jerkily, and Timothy released her face from his grip.
"But Tim," Shelly started shakily.
"Be silent. You will learn to hold your viper tongue. You should be extremely glad that I do not hit women." Jasmine stepped up beside Tim and gave him a questioning glance toward Shelly. "Please do." and before Shelly pieced together the meaning of Jasmine's query a resounding smack resounded through the hall. Shelly's face reddened instantly.
"That's for Mia." Jasmine hissed and gracefully returned to her seat. Shelly's face went apoplectic with rage, but she wisely chose to stay silent.
Timothy signaled for one of the guards to take Shelly in hand before turning to his mother. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Sharon shook her head mutely.
She knew it would do no good to say anything to her son now. Sharon had not seen him like this since before his divorce was final. Whatever had happened with Mia tonight had spelled disaster for the new peaceful Tim they had been experiencing. The ruthless head of Barrett Group was here in full force. Sharon moved past Timothy toward the bodyguards trying to ignore the hushed conversations all around her.
Tim turned toward the two women. "I'm warning you both, do not embarrass me or Barrett Group any further." Tim turned to the squad of guards. "You have your instructions."
"Yes, Mr. Barrett," the head guard affirmed as they propelled the two women out of Aide Castle.
With a sigh, Tim turned to Jasmine. "Thank you for standing up for Ms. Lane. I owe you." To Raymond he continued, "You raised a fine daughter, keep this one close to you." Tim strode out of the venue to the sound of Luna's disgusted scoff. He didn't care and was glad that he no longer had to put up with her. Tim headed toward his car while removing his jacket and loosening his tie.
Caleb caught up to Tim as he reached the car. "What now?"
"I need a drink. A lot of drinks," Tim grumbled.
"Well then to getting drunk it is," Caleb murmured as they both climbed into the black sedan.
"Tim, get up!"
Caleb's voice was loud as he barged into Timothy's room in their hotel suite. Tim cursed grouchily as Caleb opened the blinds. Blinding light pierced his skull causing his head to pound painfully. He threw the cover over his head and tried to sink back into unconsciousness. His drinking binge had gone past way too much less than an hour after leaving the banquet and by the time his guards poured him into bed, he had been a sloppy, near-sobbing mess. He tried to feel embarrassed about dumping everything on Caleb last night, but he just couldn't. He felt drained and nauseous.
"What plausible reason could you have for waking me. Just let me die, man." Timothy's muffled voice came from beneath the covers.
Caleb chortled merrily. "You brought this on yourself. I have information about Sage. Don't you want to meet your son?"
The blanket came away from Timothy's face abruptly and he stared toward Caleb. "What are you talking about? "
"Sage is being released from the hospital in a few hours. He finally gets to be a real boy. So, if you want to see him you had better get up. You know as well as I do that once they hide him in that Lane compound you may never get another chance." Caleb watched as Tim tried to rise, failed, and then bolted toward the bathroom. "I have set pain reliever on the counter. Take a shower, you smell like you slept in a whiskey barrel. I'll be back with clothes. You can't wear one of your power suites." Caleb checked to make sure Timothy was alive when he got no answer. His friend just waved him off which made Caleb snicker quietly.
Serves him right. Caleb hadn't been sure last night if Timothy had been trying to commit suicide by drowning! Now Caleb just needed to find something for Tim to wear that made him look like the hacker legend and less like the ruthless CEO.
When Timothy felt like he had expelled enough of the poison from his body to get off the floor. He set to brushing his teeth, and finally felt his stomach begin to settle. Tim downed the pain reliever for his pounding head and climbed slowly into the shower. He had never been this hungover in his life.
When Caleb returned, he found Tim in a bathrobe typing furiously on his laptop. His friend hit one last key and a bar showed on the screen as a file transferred to a flash drive.
"Is that the training game that you built for Sage? Did you finish it?" Timothy had been using every spare moment to build a hacker training simulation game for the boy. The game would force him to chase a goal then back him up. It would constantly deceive and then change tactics walking the kid into traps that he would have to carefully work his way out of before making it to the next level which would be harder than the last.
"Yes, just finished. Though, I don't think he will accept it." Tim sighed.
"Of course he will. You just need to offer it to him in the right way," Caleb supplied.
Tim scowled at his friend, "and what is the right way?"
Caleb laughed, "that boy is as arrogant as you are, use that Barrett arrogance against him!" Tim grinned.
"How do you know about any of this," Tim asked taking the clothes that Caleb handed him. "I have not had any notifications all day. No one has called."
"That is because I have your phone. Do you not remember?" Caleb was smirking with great humor. After a moment he handed the phone back to Tim.
At first it was a blank for Tim but slowly with dawning horror the hidden memory returned to him. He had drunk-texted Mia. He had told her that he needed her, that she was his life and that he had no purpose without her and the twins. Where had those words even come from? Tim rubbed his hand over his face violently trying to scrub the memory away.
"It's not that bad," Caleb sighed.
"It's bad. I sounded weak," Tim scoffed.
"That is why I took your phone from you, you're welcome. Now get dressed."
"Did she reply?" Tim asked with great hesitation.
"I don't know, it's your phone. I'll be in the sitting room. Get dressed." Caleb turned to leave but hesitated. "Timothy, I think everything that happened yesterday was a good thing for you." A violent look crossed his friend's face. "Hey, hear me out. I like Mia. I like you better when she is around. You two have been stuck in anger over the past, constant miscommunication, and outside interference getting between the two of you, but now she has finally laid it all out. She has given you terms Timothy. You are a businessman, a closer. Show her that you can close this deal on her terms, and you will get your family back. I honestly believe you have a real chance for the first time since we started this crusade. Mia gave you that when she told you what to fix." Caleb watched as Tim absorbed his words before leaving the room.
Tim understood what Caleb was saying but Mia had sounded so final the day before. He had dealt with his family because she was right about them not because he thought it would sway her. Timothy wanted to punish them because they took her away from him again and destroyed his life. Could it be possible that there was still some small chance if he could manage to lay his cards out perfectly?
Tim picked up his phone noticing that he did indeed have a notification from Mia. He was scared to look. He had woken with no hope but after what Caleb said, the hope was there. Timothy was terrified to face the loss of it again.
Tim told himself to stop being a coward and opened his text. There was only one line, a single sentence, but it made his breath hitch in his lungs. The text read 'You don't know how much I wish that mattered.' Mia wished her answer were different? Then he just needed to make sure that he changed the circumstances enough that she could change her answer. It was a small hope at least.
With that thought he got dressed in the clothes Caleb had provided him with. The clothes were very casual. He was wearing light blue jeans and a long sleeve beige tee with some basic sneakers. Timothy had not dressed this casually since college. He stared into the mirror wondering how this was supposed to make Sage like him more. He called Caleb worry evident in his tone.
"Are you sure this is what I should wear? How is this supposed to help?" Tim watched his friend walk into the room through the mirror.
"Actually, I think what you are wearing is perfect. You don't look like such an asshole." Caleb responded and Tim's scowl deepened. "Let the kid meet Mr. Barrett some other day. Be the hacker that fights terrorists today. You are trying to get him to like you not intimidate him." Tim acknowledged his words with a slow nod.
"Is the gift I ordered for Ginger here yet," Tim asked. Caleb nodded in the affirmative producing a small package. Tim took it from his friend. Inside was a small, beaded charm bracelet with a silver heart charm inscribed with the initials 'GL.' Timothy took the bracelet and slid it into his pocket where he had the flash drive already.
"Why does the heart only represent the Lane's? Shouldn't you be represented as well," Caleb frowned at his friend.
Timothy sighed, "That would be ideal, yes, but I did not want to give them a reason to not let her wear it. This is better for now." Changing the subject, Tim asked Caleb if he knew who was going to be present to pick up Sage?
"That is the one thing I cannot help you with. You do have your affairs in order, right?"
Timothy chuckled at the question but realized that the answer was that he did not have his affairs in order. Tim rumpled his hair absently. He had been so busy between working remotely and trying to keep up with Mia that he had not even considered what it meant to be a father in relation to who he was.
"Actually, that is something I need to focus on soon. I want Mia and the twins protected in case something happens to me." Tim said seriously. He knew they were protected by the Lane family but that was not the point. The twins were his responsibility; his heirs and they were too young to protect themselves from the vultures that would come calling if he were not around.
"Something such as the Lane brothers killing you for daring to intrude," Caleb retorted with a smirk. Tim just scowled. "It is time to get going anyway. We don't have an exact timeline, but our source says that he is supposed to be released in the next couple of hours. We are going to have to wait around and hope for the best."
Timothy nodded in acknowledgement. "Then let's go."
Dominic sat behind the ornate wooden desk in his study at Lane residence. His brothers Connor and Nathan sat across from him while his beloved wife Eva leaned against the edge of the desk near him. They had been discussing last night's banquet and the stories that were already trickling in. Dominic was trying to breathe through his rage.
Finally, an alert sounded from his laptop. He had an email notification which he promptly opened. The email included a series of videos from his insider at the party.
"Put it on the big screen, honey so we can all see," Eva urged her husband. Dominic blue toothed his laptop to the large screen on the wall and hit play on the first video. The classless debacle between those women played before their eyes. A short clip followed in which Mia told off the Barrett's.
The next video played and focused on Mia and Tim outside. The camera was too far to pick up many of the words that had been spoken but it was clear that neither party had been happy at the end of their conversation. Mia had kissed Barrett but even Dominic could see that it made them both look more miserable if anything.
Dominic could not help but watch as Barrett stared down the drive for a solid five minutes. It made him uncomfortable, but he could not turn it off. He was grateful when Caleb joined Barrett and the video ended. Barrett had looked like he might just remain a statue in that place for the rest of time and the thought caused an echo of something nearly forgotten to linger in his mind, an old pain.
Dominic was glad as the next clip started but that sentiment ended immediately as the vulgarities being unleashed about his baby sister were heard. Dominic willed himself to breathe as hot rage bubbled in him. Eva placed a hand on her husband's shoulder trying to urge him to be calm.
"They are awful," Eva hissed as the video ended. "There's one more." They hit play and it was clear that their insider was close to the scene. They could read expressions and hear every word. Timothy had been ruthless as he defended Mia; everything about him had projected his desire for violence. Eva was shocked, she had thought he did not care about Mia or the twins but none of his actions in these videos implied that. It looked like he cared a great deal about Mia. Eva looked at Dominic watching him rub his temples like he had a migraine.
Dominic finally looked up at them. "This changes nothing, Barrett needs to leave." Conner had a thoughtful expression on his face while Nathan simply lifted an eyebrow at his brother.
"Honey, you can't be serious, of course it changes things," Eva started. Dominic tried to interject but she silenced him with a look. "Hear me out. Our contention with Barrett was that he was a selfish man that did not care about Mia or her twins but that is not what his actions just said. He gave bone marrow with no hesitation, he has taken your beatings and abuse and still refused to leave. Can you honestly say when you watched those videos that Timothy looked like he didn't care?"
Eva sighed, "our way did not work. It was never going to work with Sage's illness, there is no way to wish the situation away anymore. They have children together. We need to back off and trust that Mia knows her own mind and her own heart. I think we should take a hands-off approach. Let Mia set her own boundaries."
"I agree," Conner said reluctantly.
"Well, I don't," Dominic roared. "I want him to stay away from her."
"Dom, I am sorry, but I agree too. We are only pushing them together by trying to keep them apart. We should back off but encourage Nicholas to step up. What is his problem anyway? Now that Sage will be home, he will have more time for Mia," Nathan finished with a frown.
"I don't want to push so hard that Mia ever decides it is us she needs to run from." Eva said. She thought about the text conversation she had accidentally seen this morning on Mia's phone when Mia had gotten up to help Ginger at the breakfast table. The sentiments were clear. Her family would need to adjust to the possibility that things were not necessarily over between Mia and her ex-husband.
"Fine," Dominic growled, "hands off unless that bastard crosses the line."
Eva sighed inwardly. "Connor, Nathan, and I will go with Mia to pick up Sage." She loved her husband, but she had a suspicion that Timothy would show up today and her husband was still too angry. Dominic nodded, not needing to have her reasoning spelled out to him.
"We will keep a sharp eye on him, brother. If he shows up as the arrogant Mr. Barrett, I will take him outside and beat him to death," Nathan assured Dominic.
"Besides, Sage has been in that hospital for his whole life. Do we really want his first real world experience to be one of us killing his father?" Conner scowled at the thought.
"He might not mind," Dominic snarked. "Sage has a deep dislike of the man."
"He would mind," Eva challenged, before adding a quiet "eventually."
Timothy was worried that they had already missed Sage. Caleb forced him to stop for coffee and a bagel sandwich. He had called it hangover food. Truthfully, the food had helped and after coffee life was almost bearable again. The problem was that Timothy had never felt more nervous. How hard could it be to say hello to a four-year-old? He wanted Sage to like him but knew that it was not going to happen, at least not today.
"Would you stop fidgeting?" Caleb fixed his friend with a stare, "why are you so jumpy?" They had been sitting in the lobby of the research center for about twenty minutes and Tim could not sit still. Caleb wanted to slap him. "Who are you anyway?"
The lobby was simple, just a few seating areas in a bright sterile environment. Caleb could not imagine spending his whole life in this place. Poor kid, he thought. He was curious though, who was this furious four-year-old that was a pint-size version of Timothy. From the laptop conversations it was plain that their personalities were remarkably similar. Caleb chuckled aloud.
"What, what is it?" Tim asked distractedly.
"I was thinking of how much fun you are going to have with a teenager that is just like you," Caleb laughed again. Tim looked at him for a moment and then chuckled softly. The thought of that helped settle Timothy a bit. It could always get worse.
Tim was about to say something when the entrance doors slid open and Connor, Nathan, and Eva Lane entered the building lobby. A few seconds after Mia and the most adorable little girl in the world came bouncing in.
"Daddy!" Ginger yelled happily before running up to Timothy and tossing herself at him. Luckily, he managed to catch her.
"Hey there, princess. You are fearless. How did you know I would catch you?" Tim grinned at his tiny daughter trying to ignore the varying shocked and bemused expressions worn by the Lanes.
"Because you would not let me get hurt. You saved me on the island, so I know," Ginger answered seriously, her hair bouncing around her face.
"I never would." Tim said seriously but quickly switched gears. "I have a present for you, do you want it?" Tim asked, setting Ginger on the floor, and crouching down to her.
"Of course!" Ginger replied, her little face reminding him so much of Mia that it was physically painful. Tim reached in his hand in his pocket and pulled out the small bracelet.
"Pick an arm," Tim told her quietly. Once she had held out an arm he settled the stretchy band onto her wrist. Ginger traced her little fingers over the stone beads. Tim thought she liked it but started getting nervous when she was quiet.
"It's so pretty," Ginger finally breathed out. "Thank you," she exclaimed nearly knocking Timothy over with the force of her hug.
"You are very welcome," Tim replied softly. Then she was off to show her present to each of the Lanes in turn before finally coming full circle to stop in front of Caleb who she promptly demanded to pick her up and look at her bracelet. After Ginger was fully convinced that Caleb had sufficiently appreciated her present she climbed down and stopped in front of Tim.
"So, what are you most excited about now that Sage will be home?" Tim asked his daughter.
"We get to go to school together! I made presents for Sage to give to all our teachers and everything." Ginger was nearly vibrating with excitement. "Hey, did you bring Sage a present?" Ginger loud whispered conspiratorially. "He doesn't like you much but maybe that would help." Both Caleb and Nathan barked out laughs.
Tim watched his daughter bemusedly, "I got it covered and you are right, presents never hurt." He was momentarily distracted when Mia told the Lanes she was going to finish the discharge instructions and she headed into the interior of the Research Center. He picked up Ginger and sat down with her on his lap letting her ramble excitedly about school, her friends, and how great it was going to be to have Sage at school with her.
"I have to say, Barrett," Conner mused walking over to him and Ginger. "I don't recognize you."
"Join the club," Tim chuckled.
"Take it as a compliment. Whatever you are doing now is a vast improvement over who you were before." Connor finished and walked back to his brother.
Tim watched the doctor walk away, his expression contemplative. He had little hope that he and the Lanes could find common ground but just maybe that was changing. Only time would tell. No one had attacked him yet today and that was an improvement over their past encounters. Tim turned his attention back to Ginger who was emphatically describing the school bully. A little girl with red pigtails and big front teeth.
"Then I said, Meredith, you are a prim-oh-donna." Ginger drew out the word exceptionally far and it caused Timothy and the Lanes to laugh.
"Well, what happened after you said that" Tim asked, prodding his daughter to continue his story.
"My goodness, she was such a drama queen. Meredith flopped on the ground like a fish and started screaming." Ginger huffed throwing her hands in the air. "So embarrassing," she finished with an eye roll.
Tim could not keep his absolute delight in this tiny person from his face. "Don't ever change, bug." Tim said to his daughter with a laugh. From a few seats over he noticed Eva smiling at the two of them softly. She gave him a gentle nod before turning toward Nathan.
Tim watched Caleb pace back and forth at the other end of the lobby. He had been on a conference call for the last ten minutes. Barrett Group had a huge merger that was set to be signed today. Timothy heard Caleb reaffirm that 'Mr. Barrett was busy and not available at this time.'
"Fine, I'll ask," Caleb huffed. Under his breath he muttered, "It's your funeral."
"Tim, Mr. Murdoch requests a two-minute conference call before he signs the merger. Everything is ready. He just won't sign until he talks to you personally." Caleb relayed the caller's request to his friend. Tim's hostile glare stopped Caleb from saying anything else.
Tim motioned for Ginger to plug her ears. "I have already told you that I am out of the office today. Tell Mr. Murdoch to take a dive off the balcony." Tim hissed before continuing, "I will not work on my children's time. I get damn little of it as it is there is no way I am going to sell any more of it. Either get off the phone or take it outside. Do not ask me again." Finished speaking, Timothy stuck his fingers in his ears and waved at his daughter with both hands.
Ginger immediately dissolved into a fit of giggles. "Daddy, you're silly."
Tim watched Caleb leave through the entrance. He felt sorry for Caleb having to deal with this situation so that he got time to see the twins, but it could not be helped. He had told Caleb to try to push the signing to another day. Mr. Murdoch of Murdoch Oil refused to allow it. They were at an impasse. The merger had taken two years to come to fruition and was worth millions for Barrett Group, but Timothy did not care. If it had to happen today or never, it was going to be never. No amount of money could be worth giving up any more time with this amazing little girl in front of him. A few minutes later Caleb came back in and flopped in the seat beside Tim looking frazzled. Timothy simply looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I think you are crazy, but I respect it." Caleb sighed before continuing, "Murdoch walked."
"Fair enough." Tim supplied not looking the least bit concerned as Ginger chatted happily about all the types of puppies she would like to have.
"Is that Mr. Murdoch of Murdoch Oil you are talking about?" Nathan asked Caleb with interest.
"The very same." Caleb answered glumly, "he's notoriously difficult to work with which is why it took two years to get him to the table, Tim." Caleb griped at his friend.
"I don't care, and I do not want to hear about it right now." Tim replied. The only thing Tim wanted to think about was his children. Not even Mia held more priority to him today.
After another sigh, Caleb dropped the matter turning to something on his phone.
"Can I come to your house to visit tomorrow, Daddy?" Ginger asked sweetly craning her head to look at her father through her lashes.
"I do not have a house in Norde City, bug. We stay in a hotel." Timothy answered honestly wondering where she was going with this.
"What hotel?" Ginger asked, trying, and not looking innocent. Tim barked out a laugh.
"Nice try. There is no chance that I am going to tell you that and get murdered by your mother when you show up at my door. I know how your brilliant, sneaky mind works. Not a chance, bug." Tim chuckled shaking his head at her audacity.
"But I want to come see you." Ginger pouted.
"Then ask your mom to bring you and Sage to see me. You are welcome anytime but only if you promise not to try to get to me on your own. Do you pinky-promise?" Tim asked holding up his pinky.
After a few moments and seeing no way to get out of it, Ginger grabbed her father's pinky and shook saying imperiously, "I promise, Daddy."
Then the doors to the internal part of the hospital opened and Mia walked out holding the hand of a little boy followed by the fair-haired Dr. Merches. It was the same little boy that Timothy had called a brat on his first visit to the Research Center he realized with dismay. Good going Tim, he chastised himself internally.
Sage looked around inquisitively watching as everyone rose from their seats, his eyes finally resting on Tim and Ginger with a frown. Timothy stood setting Ginger on the floor and steadying her.
Ginger took off for her brother with energy. "Sage, I missed you. I can't wait to get out of here with you. I have so much to show you!" Ginger gulped down air preparing to continue but then went perfectly still. "Right," she murmured.
"Daddy has a present for you, I'm sure it's great. Mine is." Ginger waived her bracelet in from of her brother's face for a few seconds.
Sage turned his cautious gaze on Timothy. "What is it," he asked with more attitude than should be possible for such a tiny boy?
"Just come see." Ginger said and then pulled Sage fifteen feet to stand in front of their father and then she backed off a couple of feet. Tim sent a quick smile her way. That girl was going to be hell-on-wheels when she got older but in the best way.
Father and son perused each other for a while either unwilling or unable to speak. Timothy realized why he had thought the boy at the Research Center before seemed familiar. He was looking in a mirror at his younger self. Sage resembled him just as much as Ginger resembled Mia. Timothy was trying to hold it together, but he felt like he was being strangled.
"Well, what is my present then," Sage huffed.
Tim pulled the flash drive from his pocket and crouched down to be level with Sage. After a second he held the drive up to the boy in the palm of his hand and simply said, "Hello Sage, I am happy to finally meet you."
"Hello, Mr. Barrett," Sage replied, his expression stormy, but his eyes were glued to the flash drive. It was clear that he wanted the gift, but he was extremely cautious. After a minute of careful deliberation, Sage reached out to take it only to pull his hand back at the last second.
"It's alright," Tim began regretfully, "you are probably not up to the challenge right now maybe next time." Tim started to pull his hand away acting like he was going to stand. He was rewarded when Sage snatched the flash drive from him and stuffed it in his pocket. It took everything in Tim not to smirk and give the game away.
"Yeah, right." Sage scoffed. Then his face transformed into what could only be described as an evil grin. Without another word to Timothy, Sage turned and walked back to Mia and Dr. Merches.
"Uncle Nick?" Sage walked up to the other man who immediately turned to look at his godson and raised an eyebrow in inquiry. "Now that you don't have to take care of me all the time, I give you my permission to take mom on a date. How about tomorrow?" Mia went completely still, her cheeks taking on a slight pink hue. Timothy's mouth opened in shock, the Lane brothers snickered, and Eva looked uncomfortable.
"I think," Nicholas replied first turning his icy eyes toward Tim with a smirk then giving his full attention to Sage, "that little boys should leave adult matters to adults." He graced Sage with a rare smile and grazed the soft new hair on Sage's head with his hand before resting that hand on the boy's back.
"No problem, I just wanted everyone to know where I stood." Sage announced arrogantly.
"That boy is ruthless exactly like someone else I know." Caleb whispered.
"I noticed." Tim replied through his clenched jaw that he was struggling to relax. Sage was very clearly rooting for the other team but what was really killing him was that hand on Sage's back, and the way Nicholas was able to so casually touch the boy when he could not. Timothy was out-of-his-mind jealous, and he knew he better not show it. He realized Nathan was watching him with an eyebrow raised. Tim managed to take a deep breath and rolled his shoulders before shrugging at Nathan. What could he say? That sucked.
Ginger bounced up to Tim with a small frown on her perfect face. She sighed heavily as Tim crouched down to her. "I'll work on him," she whispered very quietly.
Timothy smiled at his daughter softly and he felt so lucky that she was his, "wear your bracelet all the time so you can always think of me, all right?" he whispered back just as quietly before placing a kiss on her forehead and hugging her tightly for a moment. Ginger nodded that she would.
"Bye, Mr. Caleb." Ginger chirped. "Bye, Daddy. I'll call you later." Tim grinned at her with a nod.
Everyone was getting ready to leave. Dr. Merches gave the last instructions to Mia and turned without another word and went back into the hospital. Mia walked over to Timothy.
"I will call you tomorrow and set up a visit with the twins. I am sorry I haven't spoken to you before now I have had a lot on my mind." Mia looked uncomfortable as she spoke to Timothy. She was acting even more awkward around him than usual. Maybe she was embarrassed because of the texts or maybe it was because she was dating Nicholas, Tim thought unhappily. He was simply happy that she was not avoiding him and wanted to let him see the twins.
"That sounds great, and I get it." Tim responded. Mia turned and quickly rejoined her family. Eva offered Tim and Caleb a small smile before leaving with Ginger who had grinned at him just before she went through the door. The Lane brothers followed close behind.
"Bye, Sage." Timothy said before Sage walked through the sliding door.
"Goodbye, Mr. Barrett." Sage replied in monotone without turning around. Mia waved at the two of them over her shoulder and they were gone.
"Wow," Caleb said loudly clapping his friend on the back, "you have a son. Congratulations! He is a baby tyrant, but he is your son." Caleb chuckled, "both Barrett children are baby tyrants can't say I'm surprised."
Timothy was in shock. It had not hit him until now. He was a father with two beautiful children. He had the most beautiful, precious, and precocious daughter. Tim also now had a son that was brilliant and far too much like himself. He had heirs. Terror struck him instantly. Timothy Barrett, head of Barrett Group had something to lose, something he would die to protect, and he was rattled. There were now three people he couldn't live without.
"Tim, you alright?" Caleb asked concern clouding his features. "I thought you would be happy about this?"
"I've just never been this scared in my whole life." Tim finally responded with a snort. "Let's go because part of me still wants to murder the good doctor. I am fighting it because he saved my son's life, but he is my son, not his, mine. Yes, we should go." Timothy shook his hands out like he was trying to release the tension from all the day's stress.
Caleb shoved his friend good-naturedly with a chuckle. He could not imagine what Timothy was going through but thought that it must be profound. For a moment he felt saddened and wondered, not for the first time, when it would be his turn. Seeing the change that had come over his friend was starting to make him long for a family of his own.
The two men climbed into a black sedan and Timothy told his driver to take them to a restaurant where they could grab a late lunch and recap the day's events. Timothy felt like there were a lot of things he needed to get done to make his dreams of having Mia and the twins in his life a reality.