Disclaimer: This story is one of pure fiction. I do not personally know any of the celebrity characters, nor do I have any idea of their sexual preferences. This story does contain homosexual themes, so if you are underage to read such stories or if you find the offensive, please read no further.
I apologize for taking so long with this next chapter, but unfortunately working really cuts into my writing time. I have finished writing the story so things should move quickly now as far as posting the chapters is concerned. Hope you enjoy the rest of No More Secrets!
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Chapter 11
"Dad...Dad!" Danny could feel a hand on his shoulder shaking him gently.
Then the voice again. "Come on dad, you promised."
Danny's body ached as he rolled over. "Okay, okay Ryan, what did I promise?"
"You said we could go to the cove today. Just the three of us. Remember?"
The imaginary light bulb went off in Danny's head. That's right. The little bribe that had resulted in an early bedtime. It has also resulted in what Danny would consider a very "interesting' evening. Now it was time to pay up.
"What time is it?" Danny asked, his body not anywhere close to being fully awake.
"Almost eight!" Ryan said in a tone that indicated it was far later than he would have liked.
"Eight!" "Ryan, you know better than to wake up Josh this early."
"You promised" he said obviously disappointed.
Danny realized his mistake. "Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound like such a grouch. I'm just not awake yet. I'll keep my promise, but I'm just kinda surprised at the time. Since when are you such and early bird? You're like your dad. You love to sleep in."
Ryan smiled. He loved hearing the word `dad', and loved even more having Josh and Danny as his parents. He has waited a long time for a family, but it had been worth it. He had never been happier in his life.
"If we wait any longer," he explained, "the other kids will be awake and they're gonna want to come too. It's not that I mind, but for once I'd like it to be just the three of us. I don't want to share you guys today."
Danny's heart melted. "You know what? I really don't feel like sharing you guys today either. How about you give your dad and me about half an hour? We'll take a quick shower, grab some snacks and drinks from the kitchen and we'll be on our way. How does that sound?"
Ryan hugged Danny tightly. "Sounds perfect! Do you think we can take the jet skis?"
"You bet. Listen, while your dad and I are getting ready, how about you check the gas levels on the jet skis and round up the snorkeling equipment."
"Sure!" Ryan said as he ran for the door, not wanting to waste any precious time. His hand was on the doorknob, when he suddenly turned around, a huge smile covering his face. "Thanks dad, I love you."
Danny gently rubbed Josh's back hoping to wake him without too much difficulty. Much to Danny's surprised JC rolled over, with his eyes wide open.
"Have I told you today how much I love you?" JC asked.
Danny laughed, "No, but you sure as hell showed me. God, I hurt all over."
"You hurt? Try being handcuffed to a bed frame for a good portion of the night."
Danny reached under the covers and ran his hand along the inside of JC's thigh. "Are you complaining?" he teased.
"Hell no, but what are we doing up this early?
Danny was halfway to the bathroom and headed toward the shower. "The cove, remember. We promised Ryan."
"Don't suppose we could do that at about noon, could we?"
Danny tossed a pillow in JC's direction. "You got 25 minutes. Don't keep your son waiting!"
Justin was hoping it was a dream. He was so incredibly comfortable, but off in the distance a voice interrupted his sleep.
"Daddy, can we play in the water?"
Justin inhaled deeply hoping the intake of oxygen would help clear his head. Reluctantly, he turned toward to soft voice and managed to open his eyes.
Next to the bed was Kyle, big blue eyes and blonde curls, in his bathing suit and armed with a beach towel. Justin managed a smile.
"You're up before your sister?" he asked very surprised that Kyle had slipped out their bedroom without his younger sister by his side.
"She's with Aunt Danni. They're feeding Ashley," he said with a disgusted look on his face.
"Didn't feel like hanging out with the girls, huh?"
Kyle shook his head as he climbed up onto the bed and lay down next to Justin
"I don't blame you" Justin concurred as he kissed the top of Kyle unruly curls.
Just as Kyle had settled next to him they noticed the doorknob turning slowly.
"Guess who that is?" Justin whispered to Kyle. "Let's pretend we're asleep."
Kyle giggled, cuddled up closer to Justin and closed his eyes.
If Justin thought that seeing them sleeping would deter Mandi, he was wrong. She pulled the covers back and gently reached over and with her tiny fingers opened one of Justin's eyes. He was trying his hardest not to laugh. When she got no response, she loudly announced "water!"
Both Justin and Kyle immediately burst into laughter, scaring Mandi enough that she was now crying loudly.
The commotion woke you and as you sat up, Mandi ran to your side of the bed, wanting nothing to do with Justin or Kyle.
"Okay, what did you two do?" you asked noticing the guilty looks on both of their faces.
"Gary, we didn't mean to, she was just so funny that we starting laughing. She thought we were asleep and I guess we scared her."
Mandi was now in your arms, her head buried in your chest. You patted her back as you gently rocked her. "It's okay sweetie. Daddy didn't mean to scare you."
Justin leaned over and kissed the top of her hear. "Hey princess, I'm sorry."
She only held you tighter and scooted further from Justin. You were shocked. You had never seen her respond to Justin with anything other that pure adoration.
Justin attempted another approach. "I was kinda hoping we could go down to the water and play for a little while. Do you want to do that with Daddy?"
For the first time since this had all began she turned her head and looked at Justin. A huge smile covered his face and he gave her a quick wink. Ah, the `Timberlake Charm'. It was indeed something to watch.
She reached out her arms to him and as he took her she wrapped them quickly around his neck.
"You're pathetic" you told him.
"What?" he asked innocently.
"You know exactly what. You think that damn smile of yours can get you out of anything."
"You gotta go with what works," he said, knowing you were right, but never allowing himself to admit it. "So, are you going to join us?"
"Do I have a choice?" you asked.
Mandi tugged fiercely on your arm. "Daddy swim!"
You looked at Mandi, then Kyle and finally Justin, all staring at you with pleading eyes. You didn't have a choice, but then again, in all honesty, you didn't mind at all.
JC could not recall a more perfect moment. He was walking along the shore, admiring the sun's rays reflecting off the emerald green water of the cove. Danny's arm was wrapped loosely around his waist and Ryan's small hand was snuggled tightly in his.
Adopting Ryan had not been an easy decision. Both Josh and Danny were deeply engrossed in their separate, but very successful careers. Danny's short stay in New Orleans while filming the Real World had open more doors for him that he ever imagined. While his instant celebrity status had destroyed his relationship with Paul, Danny flourished in the limelight. After his short-lived stint as a bartender at Razoo's where he and Josh had first met, he had signed a lucrative modeling contract with "Nautica" and things had never seemed to slow down. While modeling fell into his lap and he was grateful, acting was his true love. After several guest appearances and an attempt at a sitcom that was a complete failure, Danny finally landed the role that allowed his acting career to take off. "Second Chance" was an hour-long drama focusing on the lives of three attorneys at a prominent New York law firm, each having a "second chance" offered to them. Danny's character was gay and recently divorced after a futile attempt at a straight life. Three years into the show's six year run, Danny was nominated for an Emmy, a distinction he won the following year and each year thereafter until the show stopped production. JC of course had been his biggest fan.
While Danny thrived in the glitz of show business, the behind the scenes life of writing and producing had become JC's forte. He had done some early work with Wild Orchid and of course NSYNC, but it wasn't until after the release of No More Secrets that his talents really came to the surface. He concentrated mainly on new artists, hoping to give them some of the same opportunities that had blessed his own group. He had been one of the driving forces behind the skyrocketing career of Aaron Carter, Nick's younger brother, a fact had annoyed the older Carter immensely, and Rochelle, now a 2 time Grammy winner had been one of JC's most successful artists. He had also signed several artists to his label that had been discovered by the arts programs you and Justin had implemented.
Even with all the success he and Danny had shared, neither of them really felt complete until Ryan. They had debated the adoption at great lengths, making sure they had discussed the pros and cons in detail before making the final decision. Ryan had been orphaned when he was 3 when his parents had died in a car accident and no extended family members stepped up to provide for him. He spent the next 6 years bouncing in and out of foster care. While the majority of people seeking to adopt were enamoured with the idea of an infant, Ryan had fit into Danny and JC's plans perfectly. They had preferred to adopt a son and had no real interest in an infant.
Ryan was painfully shy when they had first met him, not an unusual characteristic for a child who never had any permanent attachments. It was a defense mechanism. Never get close, never get hurt. They had started out taking Ryan for the day and spending some time just to get to know each other. As time went on, week-end visits were added and finally he moved in with them just days before this tenth birthday. The shyness faded quickly and the three of them adjusted easily to family life.
"Dad, is it okay if I ride the jet ski here in the cove?" Ryan asked Josh as he was finishing applying some sunscreen to Ryan's back.
Josh looked over to Danny who nodded. "Just stay out in the middle, away from the rocks."
"Are we still gonna go snorkeling?' Ryan asked, making sure Danny and Josh hadn't forgotten.
Danny grinned widely. "Ryan we have all day. Just the three of us. We can do whatever you want."
The smile on Ryan's face touched JC's soul. Something as simple as spending time alone with him and Danny brought so much joy to Ryan's life.
Ryan headed off to the beach and JC laid down on the blanket and whispered into Danny's ear. "Do you know how fucking sexy you are?"
Danny's eyes lit up. "No, I have no clue. Why don't you tell me."
JC leaned over and delicately placed his lips on Danny's. Danny opened his mouth, anxiously awaiting the intrusion from his lover's tongue.
He pulled JC close to him, savoring the moment of intimacy when he heard Ryan's voice from the middle of the cove.
"Guys!! Watch me!" Ryan shouted enthusiastically.
As all 10 year olds would do, Ryan had not headed Danny's warning about riding too close to the rocks. He cranked up the accelerator and put the jet ski into a sharp turn. As he crossed over his own wake he lost his balance and was thrown from the jet ski, slamming his small body viciously against the jagged rocks before sinking slowly into the shallow waters of the cove.
Both Danny and Josh sat up only to see the scene pass before them as if in slow motion.
The jet ski sat motionless in the water as Danny and Josh raced past it to the spot where they had last seen Ryan, about 25 yards from shore. Neither had spoken to the other, too intent on getting to Ryan as quickly as possible and both fearing the worse.
The cove was crystal clear and very shallow, and Danny managed to pull Ryan from the water after diving down only once.
The blood streamed from the gaping wound on his head and his disfigured arm left no doubt that is was badly broken. His body rested limply in Danny's arms as JC feverishly looked for any signs of life. He knew immediately from the boy's bluish tint that the situation was grave. When he found no pulse JC could feel his body start to shake. He looked to Danny for signs of encouragement, but the tears flowing down his cheeks offered JC no comfort.