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Life's Illusions - Book Four - Chapter 8
It was the afternoon of twenty eighth of December, Junior was in his office at Guardian London when his PA advised him he had a visitor waiting in reception.
"Who is it, I don't have an appointment scheduled do I?".
His PA had received a call that morning from Juniors Poppa, what he'd said had been communicated in the strictest confidence, but he'd made it very clear, although he was Juniors Poppa, it wasn't a parental request, it was a command, from the CEO of the Guardian Parent Company.
"My son will receive a visit from Daniel Worthington later today, you will make sure my son receives Mr Worthington, if he doesn't get to speak privately with my son, you and I will be at serious odds".
The call ended before Juniors PA could make any comment.
Now he was facing his Boss, and all he could say was.
"It's someone your Poppa insisted you see, I'll get his name and background if you really need it".
Junior sighed.
"No, don't bother, if Poppa is insisting, just wheel him in, I'll wing it".
In Lanzarote on December twenty fourth, when Daniel had arrived alone, and gone straight to the privacy of his room, the mood had been seriously strained.
Juan was already in Lanzarote, he'd arrived with Berto, Maria and the boys.
Junior had been due to join them, but he'd had some sort of last minute delay which he hadn't explained, when he hadn't arrived by the morning of Christmas Eve, Juan had told Woody he was intending to fly to London, he was concerned by Juniors absence.
Woody in turn grabbed Jacqueline, almost dragging her to meet with Juan, where he simply said.
"Tell him, he needs to know, otherwise this could all go horribly wrong".
Juan looked confused, Jacqueline looked nervous, but she explained.
"Juniors pals have put a plan together, to get Daniel and Junior in the same place, where neither can escape for several hours, to see if they can work out their differences, I helped them, my pilots work closely with Daniels, I arranged for Junior to be smuggled aboard Daniels plane without him knowing, they're in the air right now, they'll be here around three this afternoon".
Jacqueline expected Juan to be annoyed, instead he threw his arms around her saying.
"Brilliant, I love you Jacqueline".
For the rest of the day Juan was absolutely bubbling with excitement.
When Daniel arrived alone, and obviously depressed, Juan's state of euphoria crashed.
Juan had sought out Chris and Max.
"We need to find out what happened before it goes too far to be put right, I want you to come with me, I know you'll stop me if I go too far".
The three of them had gone to speak with him, only to find Daniel slumped in a chair, sobbing uncontrollably.
Juan had been the first to scoop him into his arms.
"What is it Daniel, what happened, where is my son?".
When he answered it wasn't what Juan wanted to hear.
"He wanted us to get back together, I so wanted to tell him yes, but I couldn't, and he could see it without my telling him, I could see the hurt in his eyes, it was the last thing I wanted to do to, hurt him again, I love him so much, he's gone back to London, and now Jono will come after me".
A lot more was said as the four of them tried to find a solution, finally, Juan asked.
"Answer me honestly Daniel, do you love my son?".
Daniel didn't hesitate.
"Yes".
Juan was slightly emboldened.
"Set aside for the moment all the things that stopped you agreeing to be with Junior, without all of those things, would you want to spend your life with him?".
Chris and Max could see where Juan was taking this, they didn't intercede.
Daniel took a moment to respond.
"If those things didn't exist, then yes, I love him, I would want nothing more than to spend my life with him".
Juan got bolder, he could see Chris and Max's concern.
"Tell me, lay it out, what exactly is stopping you from saying yes, what is it that threatens to rob me of my son?".
Daniel had stopped crying, his attention was now fixed on Juan.
"How are you being threatened, what could rob you of your son, I don't understand?".
Chris and Max understood what Juan was doing, he was going to use guilt to force Daniel to view the big picture.
"You Daniel are threatening to rob me of my son, you know how we lost his sister, a broken heart is a powerful tool, now I'm asking you again, what exactly is stopping you from saying yes to my son?".
The tears started again as Daniel contemplated Junior taking his own life.
Juan barked his request again.
"Answer me Daniel".
But Max had heard enough, he stepped in, enveloping his Foster son in his arms.
"Too far Juan, leave it now, we'll take it from here".
Juan started to object but Max cut him off, his tone telling Juan to back off.
"I said no, now leave it".
After Juan had left Max spoke to Daniel.
"I made him back off, but what he said, I know you understood him, and I know how that would affect you, it's time for you to decide child, could you survive, would you even want to survive, if Junior died?".
Max gave him a moment, Chris just looked on, trusting Max as he always had.
"I'm not going to ask you to voice the reasons you have which are keeping you from taking Junior back, all I'm saying is, sometimes the things we think are so important, they aren't really that important at all when we look at the big picture, someone who hurt us by mistake, a mistake they freely admit, someone who might have done something else which, had we been together would be wholly wrong, but if we weren't together, was it so wrong, was even it wrong at all, however much it hurts to admit we don't like having the knowledge it happened".
Chris looked confused, but Daniel looked up at Max.
"You know?".
Max looked back, his tears mirroring Daniels.
"Yes child, I know what your dilemma is, but I'm asking you to remember, you weren't together, he was a free agent, and he got badly burned again as his reward, he didn't know, you can concede that point easily, you know his principles are unquestionable, we're going to leave you now, I can see I need to explain a few things to your Poppa Chris, you think long and hard, call us if you need us, and know how much we love you".
No one had seen Daniel on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, it was the Twenty Seventh of December when he came into the main house to find Juan, he was sitting with Max, Chris, Woody and Jacqueline in the lounge.
He deliberately faced Juan and said
"I need your help".
Juan looked up, his response natural.
"Anything, name it".
Daniel was surprised, his reply showed it.
"You don't know what I need, you might not want to help me".
Juan didn't show any expression, he was far to worried about his son, but his reply reinforced Daniels beliefs in where Juniors principles had come from.
"Daniel, if you need help I'm here, I'm not here to question you, I love you, if that weren't enough, my son worships you, irrespective of anything else, I will always help you, so what is it I can help you with?".
Daniel visibly gulped before answering.
"I need to speak with Junior face to face, but I doubt he will see me, can you help me?".
Juan still showed no emotion, he simply asked a question in return.
"This meeting, and the expected outcome, does it have the potential to hurt my son, any more than he is hurting right now?".
Daniel shook his head, saying.
"No, do you want me to explain?".
Juan replied, and for the first time in a long time he felt he could actually hope.
"No child, I accept your word, if you're not going to hurt him I'll get you in, but you said something which struck me as being strange the other day, about Jono coming for you, I would like you to explain that".
Daniel answered honestly without thinking.
"Before leaving Montclair he told me if I ever hurt Junior again, he'd come for me, he'd destroy me, and I hurt Junior again".
Now the assembled company watched as Juan reached for his cell phone and dialled.
None of them knew who he was calling until the call connected.
"Jono I'm assuming you know who you're talking to, good, I will dispense with the usual greetings because I'm not happy with the reason I find myself calling you, your parting statement to Daniel Worthington when you left Montclair, I'm assuming that should be treated as rhetorical, not as the threat I heard in those words when they were relayed to me, because if I'm wrong and it is the latter, rather than the former, it puts you firmly in the cross hairs of both myself and Junior, and that is most definitely a very dangerous place to find oneself believe me".
Juan was silent as there was obvious conversation they couldn't hear, until Juan replied.
"Just so long as we understand each other, you make any move on Daniel whatever the relationship situation between him and Junior, and I'll come after you, that is not a threat, it's a very firm promise, goodnight Jono".
Juan looked at Daniel.
"I love you child, come to me if you need anything in future, now, tomorrow I'll arrange for you to see my son, go get some rest".
Daniel went back to his room, finally able to sleep, his mind settled, he knew where his future lay, if only he could make it happen.
When he'd gone Juan looked at Max and said only two words before bursting into tears.
"Thank you".
Max grabbed him into a hug.
"You laid the foundation, I just guided him to where he needed to be looking".
In his office, Junior was stood with his back to the door concentrating on a detailed ground plan, he heard the door open, assuming it was his PA again.
"Well who is this mystery visitor my Poppa wants me to meet?"
The response sent a chill down his spine, causing him to turn slowly for fear he was wrong.
"It's a fool who caused you to walk away not once but twice, a fool who now understands, he can't live without you".
Junior was just staring, unable to speak, Daniel misinterpreted his inaction.
"Was I wrong to come?, I had to see you, to ask if you can forgive me".
That was the trigger for Junior, he almost leapt across the space between them, dragging Daniel into his arms, crying tears of joy.
"Let's not talk about forgiveness, I'm just too happy, I have you in my arms, there can be nothing better than how I'm feeling right now.
Whilst they were still hugging and kissing, Juniors PA delivered a bottle of champagne which had no doubt been chilling in an ice bucket for some time.
"Your Poppa, the one with the really scary voice, said you are to drink this, then, and here I quote, get your bloody arses on that plane, because he desperately needs a hug from both of you".
A little over eight hours later, they arrived at the Christmas House in Lanzarote, to be mobbed by family.
Juan took them both into his arms and with tears in his eyes said.
"Don't do that to me again, it hurts too much".
On New Years Eve morning Jacqueline called all of the staff together.
I realise this is short notice but I want the family to celebrate New Year here tonight, and I'm asking, is it possible to put together enough buffet food for this evening?".
The kitchen staff looked at each other before the head cook spoke.
"Yes we can do that, if it's what you want, we'd be honoured to make it happen".
Jacqueline's next request really surprised them.
"Could you get everything ready by around four this afternoon?, you see, we don't want you working this evening, if you can manage it, and we'll chip in with manual labour, we want you all to take the night off, come back here, bring your family, friends, loved ones, or go celebrate wherever you want, just enjoy the New Year, can we do it?".
The head cook replied laughing.
"We can and will do it, but please, don't try to help, we love you so much, but you're a nightmare when you try to help".
Jacqueline actually laughed, saying.
"Okay I promise, we'll stay out of your way, let's make it happen".
That evening, most of the staff returned, bringing family, friends, and loved ones with them.
Jacqueline made it plain, anyone who couldn't get home was welcome to use the empty bedrooms, but none of them stayed over.
At a few minutes before midnight Woody called for attention.
"It's almost time to move forward into another year, to reflect on all the last year gave us, we as a family want to thank our staff here for putting up with us over this Holiday Season, we know we're high maintenance, we try to help, but as Jacqueline was advised earlier today, we're a nightmare when we try to help, I just want everyone to raise a glass to the guys who look after us, we thank you".
It was now only about ten minutes before midnight and Junior stepped up beside Woody, surprisingly he was holding hands with Trevor.
Junior released his hold on Trevor and spoke as he dropped to one knee.
We aren't a couple as you all know, but we needed each other's combined support because we want this year to end on a point where we give a message to two individuals here, who we know we cannot exist without, so here's me going for it, Daniel Worthington, I love you, I'm sorry I've put you through hell this last year, if I could take it all back I would, but better still, agree again here and now, to marry me, I so desperately need you to say yes".
Daniel walked to him and the assembled guests heard him say.
"Oh yes".
Then it was a clearly nervous Trevor's turn as he dropped to one knee.
"Dillon, I've told you so many times I'm going to marry you, but I've never done this proposal thing, well stand by to be blown away, I want to take you back to a sunny day in a park in Philly, I sang you a song which told you all about the heartbreak I felt when you disappeared from my life, I meant every word in that song, I love you, I lost you once through my stupidity, I can't see how there would be any reason to exist if you weren't in my life, so I'm not just asking, I'm begging, will you marry me, please?".
A tearful Dillon stepped forward and pulled Trevor to his feet, saying.
"Yes, and I love you too".
Then suddenly the local church bells were ringing in the New Year
As everyone raised their glasses and kissed the New Year in, Jace had more reason than most to raise his glass, he hoped in about five hours he would have reason to raise another toast, and he did, the moment after a text came through which said, 'Dinner delivered, the guests are dinning".
But even he was shocked to see the breaking news reports the following afternoon, with CNN reporting the tragic death of their revered 'Superintendent of Police in Chicago' who seemingly drove his car off a bridge into a fast flowing river last evening, losing his life, he had been driving home from a party whilst, it was suspected, under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Joseph was watching Jace when the news broke, a little later he followed Jace out through the Promenade gate, down to the beach where the waves were rolling gently in.
There, he watched as Jace threw a cell phone way out into the sea.
As Jace turned to walk back he was visibly shocked to be facing Josef.
They stood stock still, just staring at each other, until Josef spoke.
"Let's go get a beer, you can tell me what you've done".
Jace started to object, but Josef's words silenced him.
"Don't insult my intelligence Jace, just explain, I need to know everything, there might come a day when I have to protect you".
It had been almost two hours and several beers before they walked slowly back to the house, with Josef reminding him.
"Not a word to anyone, not even Mel, this is your burden to carry to your grave".
Josef had listened as Jace told how he'd heard about Martyn Warren's love of alcohol, drugs, and young boys.
He'd used a contact to find out more, and the more he heard the more certain he was the man needed bringing down.
He'd received a tip off that Warren would be attending a private party on New Years Eve, an exclusively private event.
Jace had arranged for a package of lethally strong Crack Cocaine to be delivered to the Superintendent at the party address, he knew the man wouldn't be able to resist, and he'd arranged for a tip off to the police department that a party would be taking place, one that had drugs and underage boys on offer.
He'd also cleverly arranged for the press to be tipped off that a raid was happening on the party venue, ensuring the drugs and boys were known about, this only because the local police couldn't hide the fact they'd had to raid the property if there were Paps with cameras camped outside.
As it turned out, two Police Officers escorted Martyn Warren from the property, watched as he got into his car, and with lights flashing shadowed him until he'd left the property and joined the main highway.
Listening to Jace tell the story, Josef had been surprisingly uninterested in the details of the party, or of the police raid, he was only interested in who Jace had used as a go between to set up the raid.
When Jace finished speaking, Josef simply said.
"I know who you used, I'll apply some discreet pressure, which should dissuade any thought of returning to extort a little extra from you in the future".
Looking directly into Jace's eyes he said.
"I can't judge you, I would have done what you did, don't let it play on your mind, it's one less cockroach in society, nothing more, but this knowledge has to stay exactly where it is now, no one can ever know what you did, and don't be eaten up with rage when it's all buried, when he gets a heroes send off, just be content that Karma paid him a visit, and she demanded his life as her dues".
Dillon had admitted to the family he felt as if a weight had been lifted from him, the prospect of being involved in the battle Jace had wanted to wage had frightened him, now he could move forward, marry Trevor, and be happy, something he really hadn't known in so long.
New Years Day for everyone was a get going day.
Ary, Bobby, and Trevor were performing a concert at Camp Nou, the home of Barcelona's famous football team.
Capable of seating one hundred and twenty thousand, the extended staging, reaching out over a hundred metres into the middle audience area, had meant reducing the seating capacity to ninety five thousand, but still it had sold out within twenty four hours.
Trevor had said to Dillon.
"Notice what's different, I know how many of our concerts you've been to, look at the stage, at some point something will be missing, and listen, you'll understand, know why, and don't freak out when I tell them I'm marrying you, because I'm going to be telling the whole world, every chance I get, it's the only way I can stop my heart from bursting".
Dillon laughed, something strange for him in recent years, saying.
"I'll probably die from being too happy, you'll overload me with happiness, but I'll die happy".
The concert that night was possibly the most emotional they had ever staged.
The family were in a VIP area just off to the left of the main stage.
Dillon was baffled at first, he couldn't see anything different about their opening stage setting.
As they finished their third song, Ary spoke to the audience.
"Thank you all for your support, after all, we're just three ordinary guys who write, and perform music, it's you who make it what it is, make us what we are, and we're so grateful".
He beckoned Bobby and Trevor to join him before he spoke again.
"Tonight we are making changes, too our name, too our stage setting, and most importantly, one of us has a wonderful change he wants to tell you about, so I'll hand you over to Bobby".
Bobby smiled at his brother.
"I echo everything Ary has said, and I have some wonderful news, in our charity concert last year we told you why we called ourselves 'Missing One', it was always a description of how we all felt, because our younger brother had left home after a disagreement when he was nine years old, and he never came home".
There was virtually no sound in the stadium, they were hanging on his every word.
"Well he heard us, we have him back, we are truly grateful, for whatever force gave him the strength, the confidence to get in touch, this has been the most wonderful, most special Christmas we have ever known.
A great roar went up with many of the audience screaming congratulations, Bobby waited for them to settle down before going on.
"But back to the changes, there right behind us, our name projected in light, well tonight it changes, we're adding just one letter, going forward we will be known as, 'Missing None'.
As he spoke the projected name changed, causing another amazing roar from the audience.
And the pin spot, which had always picked out the empty microphone stand, was extinguished, the stand disappeared into the darkness.
Dillon saw it happen, too him it was a massive gesture, Trevor and his brothers were telling the world how much he meant to them.
Then Dillon realised Bobby was speaking again.
"I'm going to hand you over to Trevor now, he has news that eclipses anything we've told you so far".
Trevor grinned.
"I have to tell you guys, nothing can dampen my spirits tonight, you all know, we're not really brothers, Ary and Bobby are brothers, I'm someone they chose to befriend many years ago, and for that I'll always be eternally grateful, so their brother Dillon, he's not related to me, which I'm also grateful for, because many years ago, I fell in love with Dillon, and my heart has been in pieces these last ten years, well no more, because last night as the year turned, he agreed to marry me".
Now you had to cover your ears, the roar and whistling were so loud.
Then the chanting started.
'Dillon, Dillon, we want Dillon, Dillon, Dillon, we want Dillon, Dillon, Dillon, we want Dillon, Dillon, Dillon, we want Dillon, Dillon, Dillon, we want Dillon'.
Trevor walked across to stage left and held out his hand.
At first Dillon just stared, scared to do anything, then he realised, with Trevor and his brothers, he'd be okay.
He walked very slowly towards Trevor, when their hands met Trevor pulled him into a hug, whispering.
They're happy for us, they just want to tell you, I'll keep it short, I promise".
Walking back to centre stage the roars, applause, whistling reached a crescendo as Bobby and Trevor put their arms around both Trevor and Dillon, and Trevor spoke again.
"Here he is folks, the one who holds my heart, my Dillon".
It was a full ten minutes more before the atmosphere in the arena came down enough for them to carry on, but carry on they did, giving one of their best performances ever,as the press reported next day.
The headlines and news reports in El Pais, El Mundo, and ABC, concentrated on something else next day, El Pais headlines said it all.
'Missing None, the concert to eclipse all others, and every Euro to Homeless and Children's Charities'.
The boys had decided they didn't want profit, not when all of their hearts were bursting with happiness, but they hadn't told anyone other than their accountants and management.
Dillon woke up in Trevor's arms that morning, his first words.
"Thank you, I never would have believed I could have the confidence to do what I did last night, walking out on that stage, in front of all those people, you gave me that confidence, helped me believe in myself, I love you Trev, I always have".
Trev smiled, drawing him in closer.
"I think, no that's not true, I know, I've loved you for as long as I've known you, and I wasn't lying when I said my heart was broken in those missing years, because it was, I work in an industry where groupies are abundant, never, not once, was a single one of them appealing, they weren't you, they couldn't compete, don't ever leave me alone again Dillon, it hurt too much".
In the suite Junior and Daniel occupied, much the same scenario was playing out, but Daniel was forced to admit, he'd already spoken to Jacqueline, their wedding would be in the grounds of Maison de Dieu, arranged by Jacqueline.
Junior just sighed in agreement, if he had Daniel his world was good, not a lot else mattered, he was more than content.
TBC Allan
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