Chapter 90
Maxieplus
I fussed over the babies and they both seemed to be okay and we decided no juice until doctor Mike got the results back. They had been peacefully sleeping while John was busy in the kitchen, my phone rang.
"How did it go?" I asked.
"Really good Brent, she's a nice lady and had already done the write up, all I had to do was fill in the blanks. Nothing too out there and nothing said about the babies."
"That sounds fine Con are you happy with it?"
"Yes baby, I have a copy for you to look at."
"Are you on your way home now?"
"I will be an hour away just got to go to the office to talk about the concert lineup."
"All right the boys are doing well see you soon, I love you."
"I love you too." He hung up and I started to tell John what he had said.
"He doesn't seem to be worried about it Brent, maybe it's a good time to do it. This hiding always irked me, he should have been able to do that right from the start."
"It is what it is John, it doesn't matter anymore he's at the top still and if he falls a little he will still be popular, his history will keep his image going." I looked down and I didn't say anything but I was worried for Conner, he doesn't deserve all the shit he may or may not get from the fallout. The one thing I will insist on is he doesn't go on every radio and TV show to try and justify his life, people and fans will make their minds up anyway.
Toddlers were waking from their naps and bottles of milk were produced, nappies changed and clean clothes were at the ready. They had been playing in their pen in just their nappies until we heard the front door.
"Daddy!" They both screamed. Conner strutted in, he was in rock star mode, it happens whenever he is about to do a concert, his whole stance changes.
He picked up Jack, and Grant took Curtis and when he walked over to the kitchen island he looked at John.
"Sorry, no cakes today but there are biscuits in the tin, but Con just half of one each."
He kissed me and the boys were starting to moan so he got the biscuit tin and grabbed a handful. He broke them in half and handed one each to the babies then placed one in Grant's mouth, it was so sensual.
I got one with an even bigger kiss than before.
"Are you positive you're okay with it Con?"
"You have doubts don't you?" He smiled.
"Yes."
"Come and sit for a minute." He and I sat at the table while Grant took the babies and sat in front of the TV. He gave me another biscuit and then took my hands.
"Brent, my gorgeous husband there is nothing on this earth I wouldn't do for you, and today I did have some regrets, and now I have addressed them I am pretty much where I should have been three years ago."
"How's that Con?"
"When I met you I wanted to come out immediately so I could shout from the rooftops that I was in love with an incredible man, it didn't happen because some things got in the way. Now is the right time to tell my fans about you and to let them into some of my private life and I owe you an apology that it took me so long to do."
"You don't owe me anything baby, just be you, that's all I ever wanted." He leaned in and kissed me again, then he got a tissue my eyes were leaking again.
Grants phone rang and I heard him say to Conner.
"They are here Con lets go have a look, John, Brent?"
Conner got up followed by Grant and they walked down to the front door.
I didn't feel the need to go with them because whatever it is I'm sure I will be told later and I was a bit miffed he had interrupted our moment, so I sat with the boys in front of the TV.
"That will be the new cars Brent," John said as he bought his coffee over and sat with me.
I could almost feel him shaking as he tried to suppress his laughter.
"That's nice what colour are they?"
"Yours is Red mines grey."
"Good."
The boys came back and were telling John how awesome they were, then Con said.
"Come on Brent we have a surprise for you."
"Not at the moment Con, I'm watching this show, I'll have a look later on."
"But it's a surprise."
I pulled out my phone and found the photo then I passed it to Con.
"You know?" His shocked voice was at it again.
"Of course, did you forget my sister organises the company cars?"
"Well, she got the colour wrong I ordered a red one."
"No, she didn't get it wrong I changed it to dark green." I grinned to myself then I looked at John.
"Something else you want to say, grandad tattletale?" He huffed and went to make more coffee.
It made sense now with all the kids around, the Mercedes people movers are going to come in very handy. I'm glad John got one too they will come in very handy when the boys play the other schools, he can help transport them.
Life goes on as they say and for the rest of the week Grant's boys watched the mailbox, Con and Marty finalised the concert song line up and Disney will premier its latest movie at the Casino's theatre.
I guess Conner was feeling a little flat today, Jack had come good the pills did the job and he was happily playing with Curtis. It was Con that moped around the house and generally made a pest of himself, the magazine comes out today and he's worried that they might have changed the wording in the write-up. Grant and his men were in place to grab the blackmailer and I believe Di has scored a copy of the magazine and she's on her way here. He answered the door and left Di to haul her stroller and kids into the house, he had grabbed the magazine and headed for the table to read it. I kissed Di and helped her settle the kids, little Brenton sat with our boys and Hope found some dollies to play with. I looked at Conner he was smiling so I deemed everything was okay. John and Ray bought the coffee and biscuits over and we four sat and stared at him. He leaned back and sighed.
"Perfect, it is perfect." He breathed out heavily then looked at Di she shrugged her shoulders and answered.
"Yes it is thanks to me." She laughed.
John took the magazine and started looking through it until he got to the section in question. He then passed it to Ray and I was last to see it. Yes, it was perfect and I was over the moon they used the good photos of me and not Adams silly ones.
The write-up wasn't sensationalised and it concentrated more on the apartment set up and Di's business, our story was secondary. There was a footnote that the apartment was available for hire for weddings. Cons phone rang and he once again smiled and walked out the back, when he arrived back he had a bigger smile on his face.
"They got him."
"Good," I replied.
"Before they rang they had a small chat with him, he's not very bright, just as I first thought, they told him to keep the photos with my compliments and wished him a good day. If he contacts me again they will get the police involved." He laughed.
"You didn't want to have him charged?"
"No baby, as I said he isn't too bright, and everyone makes mistakes, maybe he will learn his lesson, but I doubt it. I don't blame him for wanting to get ahead the easy way."
I kissed his sweet lips and thanked him again for being so smart.
By this time Billy Lane was almost hanging off the local bar drunk as a skunk, he had used the last of his money to try and block out the argument that will start when he faces his wife. I wasn't included in the great blackmail scam, but I did find out later Grant had handed Billy Lane a two hundred dollar reward for finding the camera, that's my man that's how he likes his life to be, honest and helpful.
That night John and I had organised some food and everyone ate at our house, I had my big boy Teddy on my lap he is getting quite big now, I noticed he was just that bit heavier and taller, I think he's going to be a tall man.
"So how is your team coming along son, are they ready for the season?"
"Yes daddy, we need some more players but uncle Grant said he will find some."
"Maybe you should merge with the state schoolboys and make one big team."
"I think that would be okay but I have to talk to Bubby and Shaun to see what they think."
"You do that, now that your bigger you need to get serious about winning."
"Yes daddy, but can I still be your little boy for a little while longer our Curtis and Jack need me too?" Tears and squeeze cuddle's followed after I kissed the back of his neck.
The next day the media fired up, and the phone calls were relentless, in the end, we all turned our phones off. Conner has a spare one that only intimate friends knew the number so he kept that close by. Now that it's out there Jill will do a press release and it will all be about Con's new film and show at the casino mostly, only a little on his private life, thanking his friends and fans for their support, which was awesome.
Yes, there were assholes around that immediately trolled his Facebook with scummy words but Adam and Jill had been administering it and deleting as much as they could, they had recruited Helen and Jenny to do the same. It doesn't matter how many laws are bought in for gays, they still don't automatically change some people's outlook and perceptions of our lifestyle. If only they could walk a day in my shoes they would find that we are very much the same when you drop all the glam and glitter that's perceived to surround our personal lives.
I heard a crisp slap, it wasn't a soft one either then I heard Curtis scream as Jack pulled the toy out of his fists.
"They are at it again dad."
"Okay son which one do you want?"
"I can take our Jack maybe I will have a good talk to him."
"You do that, he likes footy talk." I walked over and picked up Curtis. I kissed his now reddened cheek and went back to the table to cuddle him. I had him laughing within minutes and the little spat was forgotten, when I looked at Jack he was watching a cartoon with his older brother, it made me feel sad inside that he will get his bum slapped when he's old enough to learn right from wrong, but for now he keeps pushing the boundaries and I let him get away with much of it, I'm such a bad parent.
It didn't, or should I say doesn't take that long to get over, I placed Curtis back on the floor and he crawled over to the window to talk to Benny, while I made coffee, I gave Ted the thumbs up and he let Jack go. Jack was immediately at Curtis's side he kissed his cheek then they both were trying to coax Ben to come in and play with them.
Our hound was a smart beast, he did come in but headed for Ted's lap, he knows he won't get his ears pulled with his best mate. Many times I have shielded him from harm, especially from that little scamper Jack, all Curtis wants to do is kiss him he can normally cope with that.
I could hear the front door and knew it was Conner arriving home from the theatre he had been rehearsing his song for tomorrow. He appeared in the family room on all fours, snarling and growling like a bear on heat. The twins screamed then giggled as they tried to get away from him, but he was too big and quick, and so it goes, he catches them belly farts them annoys the crap out of them then he stands up and attacks Teddy on the sofa. When he gets to me he's exhausted so I am content with his gentle kisses. No straight people, changing the laws doesn't change some people's lives, we are just so out there it's not funny, but at home, we are the same. The same poopy nappies crying kids and crazy parents who are kid-like at heart themselves.
He released me then went to ask Ted how his day was, two little ones slapped screamed and competed for his attention until he picked them up and sat them on his knees.
"Did the rehearsal go well Con?"
"Yes baby, it's all set for tomorrow afternoon." Conner is singing the theme song after the movie premiere, Ted is so excited he and his mates will be going and it's being shown early just so the kids can attend, I believe the theatre will be full of kids mostly, and reporters....groan.
Jill arrived with Luke, she had been doing the Brisbane run today and because it was a holiday from school for Luke, he had a chance to sit with my boys in the cockpit and learn how to fly. The novelty had worn off with Ted and he said he would much rather sit at home with me and his brothers. I hope this isn't going to be the norm for him I don't want him missing out.
He headed for the sofa and Conner headed for us he still had the kids in his arms. Jill made us coffee and we talked about her media release, she is very much a staunch ally of ours and although it must be hard on her to take crazy calls about her friends, she is like a brick wall she keeps everything real.
"My boys said they will be over in a few days to see you all, they have been a little busy."
"It will be good to see my boys again it's been a week or two." I stared at her.
"Well, my boys miss the babies so they are coming over."
"Well my boys rang and told me as much from Brisbane today, they are coming for dinner and they miss me also."
"Well, my boys didn't tell me that." I laughed so much I nearly got a mouth full from her.
"Who employs you Jill?" I got her with that old switcher.
She blushed and changed the conversation, and so she should.
"Now how is it all going with Cons coming out party?"
"Really good Brent, It hasn't made any impact on his brand from what I can gather, it's only a few foolish journalist's I had to put back in their boxes, and Adam is deleting the ugly people on social media, he doesn't even want to remind them we have laws in Australia, but the general overwhelming consensus is, who cares." She almost threw her hands in the air and Conner laughed, I think he is relieved he's not getting much flack, and really who does care anyway.
"Are you coming with Luke tomorrow?"
"I have to be there for Conner, so yes I will be there Brent I'm looking forward to it."
"It's a great movie and will be a big hit," Con said.
"The theme song is already moving up the charts Conner and fast."
"They released it?" I said.
"Yes online this morning, everything is going to plan."
John and Ray arrived home and they headed for the boys, gathering up as many hugs and kisses as they could.
"How are things at Go Ship Ray?" I asked.
"Well Brent, things have never run so smooth, I even had a chance to call in to see Sarah's new office, it's gorgeous."
"She got Helen onto it, that woman deserves a rise she's so good," Jill said.
"We will discuss it, now Disney any thoughts?"
"None from this end Conner, the movie will be out tomorrow and your name is already all over the music side of it, I feel it will distract the morons, and you will be as popular as ever."
"The phone calls have stopped, that's one good thing there must be something else going on, something more important than a rock star coming out."
"Yes, I think they are back to dishing the dirt on our government again."
"Good they need a good shake-up."
"Ray, by the way, have you done a new contract for Bubby?" All of a sudden our boys were interested and moved over to the table.
"Yes Brent he will be happy with the terms." He chuckled.
"And?"
"Cant say with the peanut gallery listening." he looked sideways at Luke and Teddy.
"Okay I will leave it all up to you then."
"You do that." He laughed.
Food was beginning to arrive and while they were at the table the boys loaded their plates up then went back to watching their movie, I noticed the cartoons have been replaced by the Avengers movie, they are growing up I think.
The boy was so excited the next day he had ten outfits at the ready to wear and wanted my opinion but because it's the start of winter I told him to put a nice sweater on with his jeans or better still his track pants they are warmer. He tried that then he changed again then decided he wanted to put a wind-cheater on with his denim jacket and jeans.
"Will you be warm enough son?"
"Yes daddy, I like this one the best." I had my doubts so I will pack a woolen sweater just in case. John and Ray will look after the babies they are too small to go and anyway Con has the disc they can watch the movie in comfort. Conner had his black Levis and jacket on he looked awesome, his hair had been done into next week and his face had been well and truly been plucked of any offending hair his eyebrows were perfect. I kissed him a lot when I could get a hold of him and then when I dressed he chased me. Teddy was ready to go he had just made his tenth phone call to his buddies just to make sure they were coming, and of course, they were.
Grant arrived with Mike and Brody then Phil and Dave arrived. They grabbed the kids and then kissed and hugged me, my god, they just get more awesome looking every time I see them, and I missed flying with them constantly.
"So do you want to get this show on the road?" Jill said.
"Okay, let's go." I took a deep breath and looked everyone over for the last time, then I noticed it. Teddy's top had a big photo of Conner the rock star on it with 'My daddy rocks' written on it. It was one that Con had made up for him, funny at the time but now I'm not so sure.
"I think we will change your top Teddy come with daddy." I held my hand out and he said.
"I'm good daddy lets go." I don't think he realised what was happening as I looked at Conner he shrugged and also said we should go. It didn't sit well with me but it is what it is, nobody will notice it anyway, and they probably won't believe the meme, it's just a kid's top for God's sake.
We were driven to the Casino and dropped at the inwards goods dock. Conner and Jill were immediately taken inside to a lift with Grants security men, he will meet Marty in the green room. We were escorted into the Casino and through to the theatre where we saw Ted's friends waiting for him with Andy and Fran then we were escorted with Grant into the showroom. Sitting up front the excitement was building as more and more kids were shown to their seats, some older some younger but all eager to see the new film.
The kids were handed popcorn and drinks and settled down when the music started and some ads were playing. The lights went down and the movie opened with the theme song, Cons deep crisp sounding voice resonated through the venue, my heart
thumped in its cavity and I took Ted's hand, he knew all the words and sang along to the tune, then we settled in to watch it. I had seen it several times at home, but on the bigger screen it was a wonderful movie and the boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves, even more, when Conner appeared at the ending making a small speech on behalf of Disney and then singing the theme song for his guests, he looked awesome.
When the lights went on we were all ushered back to his dressing room where a table of food was almost demolished by well-wishers and kids.
"You did good daddy." Teddy was so proud of his dad, and Conner picked him up and placed him on the dressing table to talk face to face with him, he wanted all the feedback Ted could give him.
"So it is an awesome movie then, which was the best part?"
"The music daddy, you know what the best is already." He laughed.
He had to go and sit with his mates, he hasn't seen them for at least twenty-four hours so they had a lot to talk about.
When it was time to go home we were escorted to the back dock minus Shaun and Bubby and it was unexpected but a few cameramen had bribed their way in. The questions were coming in fast and Con put on his brave face and tried to answer them all as I and Grant got the kids into the van.
"Come on Con, we have to go," I shouted, he looked at me and smiled then said his goodbyes and jumped in beside me. Grant drove home carefully and told us we weren't being followed, but I was still uneasy.
John had a small party waiting when we got in and after I kissed my other sons we settled down to telling Con he was magnificent on stage and deserved an award for his work on the film, he blushed and said.
"I have run out of room on the shelf no more trophies please." He laughed.
Jill arrived with Marty and not long after she and Luke had to go home, something about still unpacking from the move. Mike and Brody left then and that left us with Phil and Dave cuddling the babies, Grant had gone to talk to his men, and then he will leave to join Mike.
"It was a good film Conner," Dave said.
"Yes they do a good job with their movies."
"The music was wonderful."
"Thank you," he said for the last time. It wasn't until we had settled in to have a wine and something to eat with my boys it started.
"Daddy daddy we are on TV."
"What?" Con jumped up and moved to the screen.
There was a film of the arrivals the audience and some of Conners mini-concert, and all of us leaving the casino, the small interview followed with Conner and a photo of a little boy with his daddy on his shirt. The news anchor said Ted's name and the school he went to and he confirmed he was Rick Conners, son. This wasn't about Cons music or the movie, it was pure evil, but I had to stay calm even though I was boiling inside. Teddy was clapping because he was on tv, what does he know he's an innocent.
Conner looked at me and his eyes were fierce, his fists tightened and he walked heavily into the backyard. I looked at my friends and they were open-mouthed, what do we do now what the hell was that all about. I looked into the yard and Con was screaming on the phone he then threw it up against the neighbours brick wall, with force, then he sat on a garden chair and I could see he was doing some deep breathing to calm down. I rang Grant and he was on our doorstep within seconds. Conner saw him and I could hear him say.
"Get Sarah here and get Marty I am going to sue their asses and I will wash the walls with their blood." He was still furious. Grant looked at the kids and held his hands up.
"Calm down Conner," Then he indicated that Teddy was watching him, Con grabbed his arm and marched him into the music room.
"Is daddy okay?"
"Yes Teddy, alls good he's just a little mad at the moment something has happened to one of his friends but everything will be alright baby."
"Okay." He went back to channel surfing he wanted to see if he was on any other news channel.
We had bought him a small phone for emergencies he never goes anywhere without it, he got a call from Shaun then Bubby wanting to know when he was filmed and he innocently told them, I made him hang up then it rang again just as Conner calmly walked back into the room.
"Turn it off Ted." He almost ordered but he didn't hear him, he answered it.
"Yes this is Teddy Richards." When I heard that I rushed to grab his phone and turned it off.
"Daddy, what's the matter who was that?"
"No one Ted just some idiot who had the wrong number."
"But he knew my name."
"He's a nobody." Conner almost punched the wall and Grant marched him down the hallway presumedly to get him out of the house. John started distracting Ted, and Phil and Dave rang Sarah, then Marty. Our concern was that the shit might hit the fan when Ted goes to school tomorrow. They shouldn't have announced his name and his school all over Australia. Our son has been through so much in his short life, and by God, he won't be going through any more of this shit. I will sue if Conner doesn't, and I don't care how much it will cost, I will do it.
By placing his face on the open market they have endangered him and God knows what creeps will crawl out from under their rocks. I went out the front to find Conner he was sitting in the security van watching the replay of the short news item. Grant had found a bottle of brandy and I grabbed a glass for myself.
"How far have we got Grant?"
"I am having security footage sent from the casino, then we will need names of the cameramen, they will be severely reprimanded. That's about all we can hope for Brent, the newsreader only reads what's in front of him, it's the news editor we will go for, he is the one that probably found Teds phone number, hopefully Sarah can get the photo of Ted taken down."
"Can I help, can I do something?"
"Yes you will have to ring Mrs, Green and tell her to expect tight security at the school tomorrow and that Ted won't be attending for a few days."
"Okay, Con are you good?" Red-eyed he looked at me then grabbed me to him.
"This was deliberate they couldn't bag me for being gay so they are coming after Teddy." He was so distraught
"Con please stop reading things into it, nothing will happen and Ted will go to school tomorrow as usual. Please let's normalise this and take it for what it is a simple addition to a news story. The man on the phone was just crazy thinking he could get our address out of Teddy maybe, a fan, or even a stalker. Calm down nothings going to happen to him." I tried to smile with confidence.
"I have opening night in four days, I have to be there I can't watch him all the time."
"Then we will all watch him, go about our business as usual until the man is caught and charged and the school is deemed safe again." I kissed his eyes.
Anything to do with child endangerment Conner goes to pieces, it happened to him and he's not going to let it happen to another child in his care especially his sons.
Grants phone rang and I could see Sarah pulling up at the curb, I got out of the van and waved her over.
"Now fill me in Brent, firstly I have to ring the station and get the item removed so it's not repeated all night but I need to know details."
"Thank you Sarah, the boys are in here." She got into the van and started talking to Grant she could see she wasn't going to get anything out of Conner so we talked to her. Grant told her the men that filmed us leaving were independent reporters and he has an address of their business. Sarah told Grant to get a couple of his men to go to the address and confiscate all the film and photos, if they can't get in they should call the police and say child pornography is being made there. That will get them into the office.
Grant made a couple of phone calls and then Sarah rang the TV station and spoke to their legal department, she was a fierce contender for bitch of the year but she convinced them to cut the part where Teddy was involved, out of their story.
"That will minimise everything Conner, it won't go on forever and I doubt anyone will dare go to his school to harass him."
Conner had finally settled down after thinking the worst and Marty had moved the meeting inside again. We had to be careful because Ted would be listening he already knows it's something to do with him and his phone because he didn't get it back. I had rung Jill to bring her up to speed she was going to get a new number activated right away. We didn't need her as yet and hopefully, nothing will happen and it will all blow over. Grants men let him know they had confiscated the footage and told the two men that they will be sued if any of it hits the media again. He said it wasn't them that knew about Ted's name and school, it was the channels news editor that added that extra piece of information.
I poured myself a wine and went to sit with Teddy, he has to know something, and I have no idea how he will react.
"Is everything all right daddy?"
"Yes son it's fine it's just the TV news mentioned your name and school and the man on the phone wanted to come and see you for an interview, daddy and I don't think it's a good idea, and we got mad he even rang you. But it's all been fixed up now, aunty Jill is giving you a new phone number and you can only give it to Shaun Bubby Brody and Lukey, promise me, baby."
"I promise daddy, what about you?"
"Your grandfathers and daddies will need it also so can you message it to us but nobody else." He nodded his head and when I looked at my phone, sure enough, there was his new number so I wrote it down because he was eager to ring his mates, thank you, Jill.
We found out that call had come from within in the TV station, and I can take one guess who from, the editor or his secretary, Sarah is still on to it.
She took another call while I sat with Ted my other kids were still playing with Phil and Dave oblivious to anything happening, I could hear their giggles in the background.
"It's business as usual boys, the film has been edited, the caller was the editor's young son wanting an autograph, he had accessed his computer, he's only twelve so I don't think he will be a problem, Conner you may consider sending him a signed photo, got to keep the fans happy." She smiled at him, he blushed I think he's feeling a bit foolish.
"Leave his name and address I will get to it tomorrow."
She rubbed her eyes and sat back then smiled again.
"God, how did you organise all that Sarah?" I said as I went to grab a sandwich.
"I have no idea, now can I go home and put my feet up?"
"Thank you honey and sorry for hitting the panic button," Conner said.
"I understand Conner, it could have gotten out of hand but hopefully not a lot of people would have noticed." She said her goodnights and left with her oversized handbag over her shoulder.
"Now who is up for some dinner?" John lifted the mood he's talking Cons language now.
It was getting late and after I put the boys to bed it was Ted's time, he wasn't worried and he was excited to get to school to tell the others he was on tv, Con had calmed down considerably and sat with him and they talked quietly.
Ray and John were cleaning up then they were going to bed. I turned lights out and went to kiss my son goodnight, he had already dropped off and I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"Let's go to bed."
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