Ask Me

Chapter 83

Conner and I talked about letting Ted go with Brody to Mary's place.

"Conner, she wouldn't have suggested it if it wasn't important. Have some faith in your son, he's a great kid, but I know what you're saying. If he starts to get effected by it we will pull the plug, but for Brody's sake, I think we at least have to try."

"I agree, to a point, but if he starts getting scared again, I will have to put a stop to it."

The next day we played with the twins who by now were rolling onto their tummies and having a great old time on the floor. They even managed a giggle or two, that was until one of them started crying because he couldn't quite make it, so I talked gently to him and moved him over. Then he wanted to go on his back again. I think my kids have a sense of humor because he wanted me to do it several times, then he wanted his dummy.

Geoff rang and told Conner the next night was a sell-out, but he had reserved three tables for overseas inquiries.

"See, it's the songs you choose Conner, not the heavy rock you do on stage, they are wanting to see your soft side."

"Maybe that's true Brent, I must admit I like doing those numbers, but I'm torn because it's the others that put me in the spotlight."

"Not anymore, and get started on that Etta James tribute album you're going to do too."

"They won't sell, they will be rejected by the Etta James fans, they are pretty fussy about her music being copied and it costs a mint to buy the rights to even sing them, from what I hear."

"You sang them Friday night."

"That's different, there was no one there to sue me." He giggled.

"Con, I think you should get Marty to look into it for you. Your renditions were perfect, If not, then you just have to do a private disc, just for me."

"I will think about it."

"Well don't think too hard, you can do three of her numbers and a few Ella ones maybe throw in a little of Aretha's Respect." He looked at me and kissed my lips.

"Thank you, boss, I think you just created my next personal album."

It was time to go to the park, John had his basket full of treats. We strapped the boys in and for some reason, I think they knew it was time for park play. I like to imagine they were excited to see their awesome brother like we were.

Both Brody and Teddy were sitting on the pavement leaning up against the fence, they weren't close but pretty much within a foot of each other. Conner went over and Brody's face lit up when he saw him. He took both their hands and walked them back to the car.

They both kissed his brothers, who made baby noises, they seemed excited to be going today. When I looked in the mirror Brody was looking at Conner who was talking to him about music.

At the park, I introduced him around, and Grant made a special fuss around him, he couldn't take his eyes off my hunky trainer either. He sat at the table with us while Teddy raced off to play with his mates, Grant had them doing laps today. John offered his treats around and Brody had more than his fill then Con bought out some music sheets, he was going to teach him about reading them. While he did that I held Curtis and I noticed something about Brody, while he was looking at Conner's music he was also watching the boys play.

I stood up and walked over to where Grant was and whispered in his squeaky clean ear.

"Can you teach Brody handballing, he might not be able to play yet, but I get the feeling he wants too."

"What about Conner?"

"He's far too tubby, I need to take him for a run." I giggled as I returned to our table where Andy grabbed Curtis off me.

"Run, Mr. Conner's?"

"Not today Brent, I'm working with my mate here."

"There's plenty of time for that, but you on the other hand cant slacken off."

"Hey Brody, come here for a minute," Grant yelled, Brody stiffened up.

"Yes you, you need to get some exercise." Grant smiled.

"I can't play." I heard his little boy voice say.

"Sure you can, I am going to teach you handballing you don't need to run, just catch the ball." Brody looked at Conner who by now had caught up with the plan.

"Go, it will be fun, we can do this back at the house." He smiled. I don't think he needed a second invitation as the kids crowded around and walked him over to Grant's side. They gently played ball to ball then the other kids had a go. I didn't imagine Brody's giggles as he tried his best to fit in with the others, but I also noticed when he fell the boys picked him up and got on with the job at hand. My boy sure does have some awesome mates.

It was time to pack up and scoot home, for the next hour or so my man will be in his music room. We unpacked Ted's backpack and I saw John place some biscuits into Brody's when he wasn't looking.

Michael rang and I told him he had just finished his footy training and was now learning more about his music. The phone went silent, so I told him that Grant was teaching him handballing, then he got it and I could hear the sincerity in his voice when he said.

"Jimmy used to play handball with him all the time."

"Well Grants very kid-friendly and loves teaching the new kid's stuff, don't stress, he had a ball." I laughed.

I didn't disturb Brody so I said he will be ready at six, but if he was going to be late we will feed him and entertain him until his dad arrived.

"In fact why don't you stay for dinner, that way I can feed the kids early and you don't have to cook."

"You're on Brent, that cook of yours is a magician."

"Yes, he tells everyone that." I looked John in the eyes then laughed.

"And what was that all about Brenten Walsh?" John had his daddy hat on.

"Can you make extra for Mike and Brody, he's staying for dinner and Mike thinks you're a magician in the kitchen."

"Just as well, and I figured they would anyway. Beef stroganoff tonight, so no more biscuits." I could already smell the delicious aroma wafting through the house.

Conner had a break and when Brody went to watch cartoons he told me he was pretty bloody good with the guitar.

"He's even developed his own style, different but good, for a kid."

"You were a kid once Con, at what age did you take up the guitar?"

He giggled.

"Six."

Brody was happy to stay for dinner and he and Teddy even had a tour of Ted's bedroom. He loved the big ship and said he already had some posters of Conner on his wall.

Sharp on ten past six Mike turned up. Brody ran to him and called `daddy'. He was kissed and hugged by his hunky dad, and we all gave him a man hug.

"So what have you been doing today?" Brody rattled off the things he did and the kids he met and uncle Grant played ball with him, he did just about everything.

Ted insisted he sit with him at the table, and John placed a big bowl of mashed potatoes and an even bigger one of stroganoff in front of us.

He also had bread and a few other condiments to go with it.

"I don't like dark things," Ted said.

"Neither do I, Teddy," Brody answered, so Mike and Conner started taking the offending mushrooms out so I snaffled some for my plate.

"Ewww" was the kid's response.

"Yum Yum." Was mine.

They laughed through their meals then they wanted to do some of the plane's wings. So they sat up at the other end of the table and tinkered with it. Mike was smiling and Grant was asking him questions about his fitness training.

"When I was a resident at the hospital they had a gym, so I hit it three times a day just to keep my mind occupied. I was already into fitness but I guess I have overdone it a bit."

"Not at all." I was too eager to say.

"Slut," John whispered into his napkin.

Another round of laughter and a red face for me.

"Daddy, can I go to the park again tomorrow?" He asked Mike.

"I don't know baby, maybe it will be too much for you."

"No it won't, uncle Grant was good with me today. Can I dad, can I?" Mike looked at me and said.

"This is one of those letting go of the doctor times isn't it?"

"It sure is, and we would love to have him with us. And it also looks like you have scored a few after school baby sitters."

He smiled then told Brody it was perfectly fine for him to go. The first step at letting him go of that doctor-patient relationship Mike had somehow built up with Brody.

While Ted and Brody were celebrating I leaned in and said.

"You are his doctor, but first and foremost and the most important thing is, you're his much-loved daddy, let him love you again." It nearly brought tears to his eyes, so I handed Curtis over to him and he started smelling his baby smells.

It ended all too soon, they had to get home to get ready for school tomorrow and I think it will be a different kind of school day for Brody.

"I told you he would turn out nice didn't I?"

"Yes daddy, I like him now, and I got loads of things to show him."

"You do that baby, now close your eyes and go to sleep, pleasant dreams son." We both kissed him goodnight and as usual, I knew his fists were rolled up tight under the blankets.

"What was that all about Brent, the doctor bit you were telling Mike?" Con was asking as we slipped into bed.

"He started out being his doctor and then his dad. When the accident happened he went back to being his doctor, he forgot he's also Brody's daddy, and he forgot he loved him. Because he was hurting so much for Jimmy, he's been ignoring Brody's pleas. He will be fine now that he knows what he's been doing wrong."

"My god, you do know a lot of things, Brent. Maybe you should go into medicine like you were going to do a few years ago."

"Never going to happen, Conner, I have one fat man in my bed and I need to cure him of his fatness."

I slipped down the bed while Conner laughed then he shoved that big fat thing he lugs around all day into my mouth.

A huge bunch of flowers arrived the next day, but they were for Johnny, he swanned around humming to himself. I watched him arrange them into a large vase and when he caught me looking he said.

"I have me an admirer, Brenton Walsh."

"You're cooking does Johnny, it's not you personally."

"Bitch." He replied.

Of course, the flowers were from Mike thanking him for dinner last night. A well-deserved surprise for John and I don't care if I have some competition, I like Mike but I loved Conner, especially his fat bits.

Speaking of the devil he was slogging away again on the piano while the babies slept on the floor, he was trying out his rendition of Aretha's respect song and he was sounding pretty bloody good. I looked at John he nodded.

"Another winner I think son."

"Sure is John."

When Con came out for a break we clapped and he bowed.

"I'm going to teach Brody the chords to play that song and he can accompany me again."

"How much are you going to pay him, Conner?"

"Ten bucks should do it."

"Don't tell Bubby." I laughed at his shocked face.

He pulled out his wallet and slipped a hundred in an envelope.

"His pay for last Friday, I will give it to him at the park."

"Well make sure Geoff gives it to you back."

"Why?"

"Because you may want it for shopping." I laughed again, that one woke Jack up.

The phone rang and Ted was on it for ages I can make a good guess who was on the other end.

"Did you have a good talk to Brody, son?"

"Yes, daddy he was telling me his daddy read a good book to him last night so he wanted to tell me all about it."

"Good."

"I know the story dad, but I didn't say you had already read it to me because he was so excited."

"That's cool son, thank you." I kissed his head this time, he didn't have time to react.

A few days later we were at the park, Brody, as usual, was sitting with us having a small salad roll when Ted came and sat with him.

I overheard their conversation, and I was again blown away by Ted's reply.

"Daddy wants me to talk to someone, I'm sick of talking and I don't want to go anymore." Teddy heard this.

"But Brody, if you are going to see my aunt Mary, she's awesome to talk to, she knows things.""Ted, will you come with me?'

"Sure I will Brody, she can be your aunty too if you like her."

"I might like her if you do."

"You will, she's cool."

Teddy was enthusiastic about going, we had a good talk to him about it last night, and he was definitely in.

Brody looked at me and I nodded and smiled.

"It's a good thing to do Brody, and I promise, you will like her."

"Hey Brodie, sitting there eating cakes isn't going to get you fit. Get over here and do some exercises." Grant bellowed. Both Ted and Brodie giggled their way over then the rest of the team pulled Grant down onto the grass and were tickling him, Grant has never laughed so much since I have known him, well in the past six weeks since Stan dumped him.

We haven't heard from Stan at all, but I suspect Grant has, he sometimes was deep in thought, then at other times, he was on top of the world, especially when Brody and Mike were around. I bit the bullet one day and asked him outright.

"He's been ringing me, his apologies are sincere, as you know well he has the gift of the gab. I don't know whether I want to go back there again. I feel my life has moved on for the better since it all happened."

"It has Grant, you have to see the big picture. If he's going to cheat on you once he will do it again, believe me, I have been there and it's not a good place to be."

"I know, I keep thinking about that when I try to convince myself he's not the right kind of guy for me."

"Who Is the right kind of guy?"

He didn't answer me he just dropped his head and was deep in thought again.

"Well, he might come to you with a lot of baggage, but he does have a beautiful son and from what I have gleaned out of him he's a stayer, not a player." I smiled at him.

"So that's my problem, he hasn't indicated he likes me like that, and I don't want to be the rebound guy and I don't want him to be one either."

"Just take your time, he's going to Marys tonight maybe things will get better for him. But I have to say, Grant, it's been pretty traumatic for him this past year. He likes you, he told me so, but I don't think he's ready."

"So your saying I should wait then."

"What's the alternative, you go back to Stan and ruin what might be a wonderful relationship with Mike?"

"I see what you mean Brent, I will wait. I do know what you're saying. I can't go back to being Grants plaything."

Tonight we have two very special guests, Mike and Brody. He will be up at Mary's, and Brody is having a sleepover with Ted, his very first sleepover. I told Mike not to go home to say with us in the other spare room, because he might want to talk, or he may want to just crash somewhere friendly.

He agreed, and as he kissed his son goodbye he then walked down to Marys.

They were in bed by eight, they were so excited to have a sleepover, it was going to start early. I helped Brody take his brace off, his scars were still obvious. He put his pajamas on and scooted into bed. Teddy and he both had smiles for miles when Conner read them a new story. They weren't tired yet but I think they will get up to a lot of mischiefs when we go downstairs.

"It's Friday night they can stay up a little later Con."

"Why did they go to bed so early then?"

"I can hear the Tv in Ted's room, they are doing what all boys do, having a sleepover means very little sleep and loads of plays." I grinned.

"What was that?"

"What Con?"

"Jack, he wants a cuddle."

"What?"

"I heard Jack he is wanting a cuddle." He got up from the table and grabbed Jack off the floor then started talking to him.

Stuffed if I know, why didn't he just pick him up instead of waiting for him to call.

Mike came back around Nine thirty, John fussed around him and made coffee. His eyes were red raw but we didn't say anything.

"How did it go?"

"Good Conner, she's a lovely lady and knows her stuff. I will send Brody now that I have met her."

"Good, did you get homework?" he stared at me and said.

"Yes." Then he smiled.

Grant joined us and sat tinkering with the plane that was coming together quite nicely.

"I should get Brody one of these, we could do it together."

"He loves Ted's ship." Then I heard little legs running across the upstairs.

"They just raided my kitchen." I laughed.

"Are they still up?"

"Yes, I think tonight's going to be a late one, it's okay, I left snacks on the bench for them."

"Has he been any trouble?"

"Never, not your son Mike, he's an angel," Conner said.

"I better go say goodnight to him, in case he drops off." He got up and went upstairs, I heard kids laughing.

When he came back he was smiling.

"I think I settled them down a bit."

"Good, because I got a big date tonight and I don't want to be disturbed." I don't even know why I said that.

"Oh? who with?" Conner inquired.

"The local headbanging, swearing, foul-mouthed rock star, he wants a piece of my ass tonight," I replied.

"Oh, him, he's gorgeous and good in bed too," Con replied.

Mike was laughing his head off, it broke the solemn private moment he had come home with.

"I believe he's got a tight ass," Mike said, we all looked at him, then laughed.

"And how would you know that Doctor Michael?" I had my inquisitive face on.

"I can look, I'm not completely dead, or that's what my nine inches tell me."

"You can top him anytime Mike, he's the local go-to."

"Topping is my business." He grinned at a very scared Conner.

"And tonight bottoming is mine." I laughed. Grant groaned so loud I'm sure Teddy could hear him from upstairs.

I knew Grant was a bottom, he had to be with that tight bum he flaunts all day in our faces.

John got in on the act.

"Okay, okay, keep the filthy language down boys. Ray are you tired yet?" Poor Ray was still trying to catch up with the conversation.

"Give me a minute John, this conversation is interesting, to say the least. So if I have it right, Conner's going to get a piece of Brent's ass tonight, Mikes got a nine-inch dick and needs a bottom to shove it up. You and I are going to bed early for god know what for, and Grant is squirming in his seat because his ass is now hungry for dick." I screamed with laughter, Jack woke up and wanted me, so Conner had to pass him over for a cuddle.

I couldn't help watching Grants face turn from pink to bright red, now there's a porn scene I would love to watch, Grant and Mike humping.

I heard the showers going as Con and I were saying our goodnights, Ted and Brody were fast asleep, so I had turned the TV off and his night light on.

After five minutes they both had finished and I heard the bedroom doors close.

"Now, what were you saying about a dirty rock star turning you on tonight?" I rolled over and straddled Conner, I was getting very good at this and as I sat on his fat bit I kissed him endlessly. We made love like it was the first time in our lives and Conner was my perfect mate and fit.

When we finished we snuggled in and he said.

"Thank you."

"All my pleasure Conner."

"No, all mine Brent."

"I love you." Then we went to sleep. I didn't know whether Mike and Grant did a dance together but in the morning Mike was smiling and Grant was grumpy.

Teddy and Brodie as expected were up early and in front of the TV when I came down to get some coffee. I kissed them both and started making toast, John was late today it might have been a big night for him too.

Showers were going again then Conner dragged himself and the carry baskets down the stairs to start his day. He settled the boys on the big rug and played with them for a few minutes then he kissed me pulling me away from the table so he could straddle me. Mike chose that moment to come down, Con was dry humping me but suddenly stopped and said.

"Sorry, Mike."

"Don't mind me, boys, I don't mind a little voyeurism now and then."

He got his coffee and kissed both boys on the head, they didn't notice a thing.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Fits and starts Brent, but I managed a few hours."

"Good, what are you up to today?"

"Go home, I got some washing to do today and I want to do my homework. Then I want to have a good talk with Brody about Mary.

"Good, he will do well Mike, but you understand he needs to go."

"Yes I do, we have left it too long, and that shrink I was seeing is only in it for the money."

"Some of them are Mike, but Mary is different."

"She sure is."

"Conner, how are your songs coming along?"

"Good baby, nearly finished."

Are you doing a new album?" Mike inquired.

"Yes, for Disney, their new movie I was asked to do the score."

"Wow, that big bucks isn't it Conner?"

"Well, yes Mike. The good thing is I don't have to organize a concert to get my music out there Disney will do all the promoting."

"Saves some energy I suppose, we caught one of your concerts a few years ago, it was full-on I thought you were going to have a heart attack."

"No, it's all for show Mike, but I must admit it does get exhausting sometimes especially with the groupies." He grinned at me.

"Oh, so last night wasn't a joke then?"

We both laughed and I offered some toast to then both. Change the subject Brent, it's too early for all that, isn't it?

"Brody, get your things together, we have to go." His boy didn't move from the sofa.

"Now baby, we are running out of time."

He slowly moved to the counter and took his backpack, his eyes were still on the TV.

"Okay I will see you later then, I thought I might go shopping this afternoon." That got his attention.

"Where are we going, dad?"

"To the shops, I think I might buy my son a big ship to put together."

He jumped up and down with Teddy and they arranged to see each other at school tomorrow. I winked at Mike as he left with a very excited little boy in tow.

Grant had been out running, he came home five minutes after Mike left. All sweaty and red-faced he headed for his morning shower. I didn't say anything but I think he was avoiding him, maybe Grant expected too much last night and laid awake for ages waiting for Mike to make the first move.

"Did you have a good sleep last night Grant?" Conner's onto it.

"Yes, Conner, off and on and when the rabbits in your room stopped their groaning I went off peacefully." He smiled.

"Sorry." Con blushed.

"It's okay Conner, I nearly joined you."

Then why didn't you Grant, in the heat of the moment anything is possible? That thought got a slap on the arm from Conner. He always seems to know when I'm having dirty thoughts, why is that? Probably because he's having the same ones.

Grants phone went off and he moved to the back yard, I could see him having an `I don't want to talk' conversation because he was scratching Benny's ears and smiling at him.

"It's Stan again, I guess he's wanting to come back," Conner whispered.

"He is Con, that is so sad for Grant."

"Why?"

"If Mike gets his head together they might have a future."

"I thought that, but it's going to take some time for Mike to completely relax again."

"Yes, I hope Grants up for it." He gave me a funny-looking stare.

"They like each other, Grant doesn't want to push him and Mike wants to have a clear head before he starts another romance."

"Okay, I'll leave it to you then." He smiled.

My babies got a morning feed and while Grant did Curtis, Conner fed Jack. They slurped away smiled then slurped away again. The game they were playing was beautiful to watch. I managed to get Ted off the sofa and onto my knees and we talked about last night's sleepover. He liked it and wanted to have another one with Shaun and Bubby included.

John, thank god broke the moment.

"Come on grandson, pie day today come and help me roll the pastry." Ted jumped up and said.

"Coming grandpa, cooks sure do have a lot to do don't they?"

"Yes they do Teddy, and they also need a strong helper."

"That's me isn't it?"

"Yes, my darling boy." The stool was placed at the counter and Teddy's job was to add the ingredients as John chopped them up.

The big day has arrived and Brody will go and see Mary after school. We will take him and Ted there, and Mike will catch up with us at six, but if he can get off work early he will meet us at the drop in house.

There was a little nervous excitement in the air when they both jumped in the car. Teddy held his hand all the time and Brody had that worried look on his face, again.

We reassured him several times, and when we arrived it was Ted who walked hand in hand with him into Mary's place. She immediately put him at ease, offering coffee and drinks for the boys.

She sat in the lounge room of the house with us for a while, Mike arrived and immediately hugged Brody and tried to reassure him once again.

Both boys went into the office and we didn't see them for the next hour. We did hear some giggling along the way, poor Mike was worse than Brodes was I think, he kept looking at his watch and the office door. We talked a lot about school and his job, he had canceled his patient list to come here, he wanted to be there for his boy.

They finally showed their smiling faces and collected their hugs. Mary was grinning and she leaned over to us and said

"I don't need to be doing this job, your son is an expert." I got the gist of what she was saying, I knew Ted would have been a big help to them both.

Mike and Brody talked their heads off as we thanked Mary and started our short journey home. John had the kettle on and offered coffee, then he invited the boys for dinner which Mike gladly accepted.

The kids headed for Ted's room I don't know whether they were talking or playing.

"Did you do your homework, Mike?" I asked.

"Yes Brent, I don't know whether its right or wrong but I did it."

"Leave that to Mary she will sort it out for you."

"After seeing my boys face tonight I am more relaxed about him seeing her. I pray everything is going to be okay with him."

"And what about you?"

"I'm stronger than you think, I'll survive if anything for Brody's sake."

"Yes you will, where do you live Mike, I don't think I have ever asked?"

"In Malvern, it was Jimmy's house and he left it to Brody and me. I have to do something about fixing it up. We had grand plans but unfortunately, the accident happened and everything was placed on hold. Who did this place Conner, it's amazing."

"Our dear mutual friend Dianna up the street. She styled the inside and we got a great builder in to do the bones."

"Can I get the builder's number off you, the plans we made are only on a couple of sheets of paper. I suppose I had better see an architect first."

This is a good sign, he was thinking about making their living conditions better. I think he's thinking about the future more not the past.

"Hold that thought until you talk to Di, she has some amazing ideas. Bring your doodles over tomorrow night and I will get her here for dinner, you can talk while we eat." I smiled but thought maybe all these dinners are too much for him.

"Great, Jimmy was the cook in our house, he was always trying different recipes but I can cook for shit. We have been living on pizza and hamburgers this past few months."

"Well, not anymore Mike, you and your boy come here anytime you want." Conner offered. John put some cheese twists on the table, they had almost disappeared by the time the kids returned.

"Daddy, can we play in the back yard?" Ted asked.

"It's a bit dark out there why?"

"Cos."

"Cos why?"

"Cos why not?"

I can't argue with that one, so I said to watch out for Benny's poops and put the big light on.

"Okay." He didn't put the light on but I knew he would have had a good reason not to.

John served up a brilliant roast pork dinner, all the trimmings were on the table, it was just like a Christmas lunch without the crackers.

"Wow! This meal I am going to enjoy immensely." Mike smiled. I went to fetch the boys and as I walked out into the back yard I saw Teddy walking around it holding Brody, he had discarded his brace.

"Is it all right son?"

"Yes daddy, he just wanted to take it off for a few hours, it makes him want to scratch."

"Itchy baby, itchy."

"Yes, that's it, itchy."

"How does your leg feel Brody?"

"Good uncle Brent, I don't know why I have to wear that stupid thing anyway."

"Neither do I son, want to help dad throw it in the bin?" Mike had followed me out.

"You don't mind dad?'

"Of course not, it was only on because if you fall over you might have done some more damage, you are well and truly cured and I don't see any reason for you to wear it anymore."

"Okay, thank you, daddy, we can throw it away now."

"Brody, please don't throw it away." Teddy was holding his hand.

"Why Teddy?"

"Because some other sick little boy might need it, we should give it to aunty Mary just in case."

"That's a good idea, Teddy, we can do it next week when we go there again."

"Well I for one is very pleased with your progress Brody, now come and get your dinners. I will put this in the laundry cupboard for you."

"Thank you, uncle Brent." Mike picked him up and kissed him endlessly, then he struggled down to walk inside under his own steam.

They both ran inside, Brody didn't even flinch as he kicked his legs back and forth under the table.