Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events or locales is purely coincidental and no slanderous intent is implied.
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Email me with your comments at ukwriter12@yahoo.com _______________________________________________________________________________
CHARACTER LIST --------------
Jared Exley -- Uncle Leon Exley -- Guardian of 13 year old Jared Davy - Was Jared's partner, Diane's best friend
Peter Barrington -- Steven's cousin and partner in the law firm
CJ -- Jared's grandson / adopted son Christopher Matthews -- Jared's adopted son Mason -- Jared's grandson -- Myles and Ed's adopted son Myles -- Peter's 19 year old son, Ed -- Myles' lover
Mary Gibson -- Matriarch of the family Steven Gibson -- Mary's husband Paul Gibson -- Mary's son and chief of police Jake Gibson-- Mary's youngest son and police officer Dr. Darren Cartwright -- Jake's partner and Jared's doctor.
Judge James Haroldson -- Mary's brother Jennie -- Mary's sister Diane Gibson -- Mary's sister -Exley HR Director - Steven's ex-wife. Kathy -- Diane's partner Stacy --Diane and Steven's daughter. Tracy -- Peter's secretary
Sheila Miranda Easby -- Jared's Aunt William Webster -- Jared's Grandfather John McNicolls -- Sheila's adopted son
Mavis Pratt -- Stephen's wife
Carl Davidson -- Jared's security Sean Pearson -- Jared's security Mike Pearson -- Jared's security
There are various other ancillary characters, such as the Pratt family that do not play a major part in the story and so are not listed above. _______________________________________________________________________________
An effort has been made to only hint at the area that it is set in so it allows you to use your imagination... Chicago is mentioned, but then again so is Gary Indiana so we know the area it is based in. Other than that we simply know that it is based in a city and most cities have the basic things in common. _______________________________________________________________________________
MOONSIDE MANOR
Chapter 4 -- Then there were more...
Things were moving quickly and everyone seemed to know things that I didn't. Mind you being in hospital did not help in being in the know. I trusted them though and more importantly so did Peter and we knew that the finished product would be just perfect. With everything going on the visitors to the room started becoming less and less and even Peter had to start to go into work again. Many days I just lay there nursing Mason wondering where all of this was going.
Even though I was in hospital I started having regular meetings with Mary, who had very easily stepped in as my personal assistant and I also met with Diane and Sheila everyday to make sure that Exley International had the capacity to undertake the control of international business in the UK and to supervise the move of all of the head offices to the Exley building. Divisions of Exley International already had offices over there, but did we want to combine the two very different businesses under the same roof? Sheila made the decision in the end that the head office would be here in the city and that there would be a team hired to travel between Europe and the US. She already had a fantastic manager in place and a team of buyers that meant she could release control just a little.
Even though I was not in the know about everything I trusted the people that were, something that was totally new to me. The only question mark was Gavin and Mary seemed to have changed his status for some reason. More importantly I trusted Peter and he was the light in my life now and I trusted my attorney more than life itself. Or so Peter thought I actually treated Steven as my attorney and he seemed to know why.
As for Moonside Manor, which we found out Grandpa had named it because when he sat on the porch it always had the moon at its side and he just knew his Etta would have loved it, things were moving really quickly and all favours had been called in and the site would be completed by the end of the month, just two weeks away. Peter and Myles were now living in my townhouse and already started to pack things ready for the move. I would be keeping the house as I always loved the old girl; she just had a wonderful character and was in a prime location for both the university and access to work.
With everything going on as it was visitors to my room dwindled and many times I found myself almost at screaming point. Darren had reluctantly allowed me to start physiotherapy so I had exercise that I could do to keep me occupied and I had taken to walking around the ward and was getting to know everyone. Myles had returned to college, but him and Ed both insisted on coming in once classes were over and meeting their mates in my room to study and homework together.
Peter said that he had been in court with a client all week so we had not been able to spend any time together, but he was due in today as the jury was due to return anytime. He had also pulled some strings and the Judge was due to come to my hospital room to complete the adoption of my grand Children.
Even with all that was going on I just lay there nursing Mason many days wondering where it was all going and why Peter was like he was.
It was Thursday and Peter was due to arrive anytime when Jake came in to spend time with his little buddy, CJ. He could tell as soon as he walked in that I was beginning to get stir crazy from being cooped up. "Hell, ain't it?"
"Pardon me? ... Sorry Jake what did you say?"
"I said that it's hell ain't it? You know when you don't know what's happening."
I laughed, "Yes I guess it is. The problem is that I think that I do know what is happening and I am not sure what to do about it." He simply nodded, "Hey so you know all of this started with just you and me, at least we're still here."
With that there was a gunshot and the worrying thing was that it sounded very close. I couldn't help myself I just started reliving the shooting all over again. I just clung to Mason and sat with CJ so he had me to cling to. The shot itself sounded too close for comfort. "Get one of your team in here and two on the door, then take the rest and see what the hell is going on.
"Oh and Jake if it's a kid in danger, do not hesitate ... OK?"
Jake's guys were good as they were already in place before he left the room. "What's you name son? Can you tell me, and those two on the door? It may sound strange, but when someone is looking after me I sort of like to know who they are."
"Carl sir, Carl Davidson and the guys at the door are Sean and Mike Pearson. We'll be OK sir; you have no worries at all."
"It's not me. I am just curious about what's going on and if someone is in danger we have to help. Has anyone called the police? If not can you organise it and tell the chief to get over here now and I said so."
Jake had taken two of my security team with him and sprinted to where they thought the noise had come from. Sure enough the closer they got to the kids ward the more noise they could hear. "Doc, I told you to move away from him, or you'll get it too. He killed his mama when he was born."
"Good God you cannot be so......"
"Quiet! Now he might as well have killed me with all his cock sucking ways."
"He is eleven years old for pity sake man. You're his father and supposed to love him."
"Move away or you'll both die too." This crazed drunken man shouted.
"Then so be it. I am not stepping away from him."
Jake's heart skipped a beat as he arrived as there on the bed was his Darren protecting what seemed to be a ten year old, but he could have been younger. Jake felt like screaming as he saw the second bullet fly past Darren. With Darren was an orderly putting his body in the way of the father so that he could not get a clear shot of the boy. Jon was petrified. "We are not moving. This little guy has done nothing just leave and we'll find someone to look after him if you don't want him." Jon shouted.
The father was a real hardnosed bastard, he just shot Jon and he slumped over the little guy who was now screaming, "Your next Doc, now move out of the fucking way. He ain't worth it!" Jon had not even finished what he was saying the bastard just shot him. The kids in the ward were now screaming as they loved Jon.
"Your next Doc, now move out of the way. He ain't worth it!"
Jake and his team entered the ward as quietly as possible. "Put the gun down!" He turned and at least now Darren was no longer in his sight, now though his gun was aimed at Jake.
He took a shot at Jake, but missed and hit a nurse on the opposite side of the ward. This guy was crazy and because of that and that alone he was extremely dangerous. They had to do something. "I will tell you once more, put the gun down. We can't let you fire again. There are too many lives at risk." Paul's team had now arrived and were outside the ward allowing Jake to handle the situation as he used to be one of Paul's negotiators.
The man huffed as if lives meant nothing to him. He turned around back to Darren, but by now there was also one our security guards there as well. As this crazed man raised his gun, Jake's man shouted a warning, and when the guy started to move his finger he acted. Without thinking the security guard had taken out the threat to the children and made sure that they were all safe. It is just a shame that it had to be that way, but the bastard was down, but so was the little boy's father as well.
"Darren, are you OK?" Jake shouted through his tears.
"I am ... Call the family and get them in here now. Paul, get in here for Godsake."
Jake had gone over to the nurse to see if he could help, but the other guard said, "Sorry mate the nurse didn't stand a chance, but the kid with her is fine." Darren motioned for my guys to move the kid away from the body.
"Katherine was a bloody good nurse as well Jake. She has a six year old in school. It was just them, her husband died last year. The hospital will call her mom." Darren said. He seemed to be in shock.
"We'll tell Jared and see if he can do anything to help them."
One of the nurses was working with Jon to try to make sure his body was OK. She suddenly screamed, "Doctor! Doctor Cartwright, get over here Jon's alive. We have to help him"
Jake and his team along with big burly police officers just held the kids and cried together. The nurses were running around trying to make sure all of the kids were fine, but they were in shock as their friend had just died.
"Mom!" Even with the ward cordoned off by the police they all knew not to stop Mary as she and her team entered the room. "Mom these kids need help and they need the best."
"Darren is there another ward we can move them too they do not need to stay in here a moment longer."
"Who the hell do you think you are?"
Mary turned to where the voice was coming from, "I beg your pardon?"
"Who the hell are you and why do you think you can start giving orders around here?"
Mary stepped towards this little man that was now strutting his stuff and preening his feathers since he thought all was safe. "I am your worst nightmare. Mary Gibson, head of the hospital board." The man physically turned white, "I happen to know that it should have been you that contacted the police and initiated the emergency plan, but was it? No it was Jared Exley, a patient, and do not try to deny it."
She turned and smiled at the teenager sat on one of the beds hugging a little one. "Also the emergency plan has not been initiated at all because you were too busy hiding under your desk." She turned to him, "You did hear your office door open didn't you? Well that was me and I saw you there and also saw that there was a large puddle on the floor near you." There was laughter from the kids ... "I take it you've changed your trousers? Now I suggest that you go, pack up and leave this hospital because otherwise I will have you arrested for incompetence. Your own people have been killed here. Now go before I kick your sorry ass into next week."
Paul nodded to one of his men, "Escort him off the premises and make sure he does not come back."
"Move the beds into the emergency overflow area and get this room sterilized and revamped completely." Darren shouted to the nursing staff who were all now descending on the ward.
While Darren looked after Jon, getting him ready for surgery to have the bullet removed he was stopped at every turn he tried to take. It was not long before he realised just how unfair red tape can be when someone does not have money. The only problem was that Jon would die if something did not happen and happen fast. Feeling terribly guilty he headed up to Jared's room.
Pretty much at the same time Jake and Mary were getting busy trying to help the gunman's son. "Hi there, what's your name?" Jake asked.
"Chris Matthews." Everyone turned to the little one, who had been amazingly brave. "What's going to happen to me? It was only dad and me. We had no other family. He just went crazy last night when he came home and found my friend and me asleep in each other's arms. Hell he was never much, he used to beat me and everything, but he was still dad. If you know what I mean."
Mary stepped forward, "How old are you son?"
"Eleven, going on twelve."
"OK, well here is what we're going to do. I know a little boy on the next floor who needs a friend. His name is CJ. He is nine years old, going on ten and has a new daddy. I'm one of his Grandmothers. What say we let Doc Darren arrange to have you moved upstairs where we can all watch over you and you can be part of our family? Jared may even want to be your daddy."
"Who's Jared?"
"You just wait and see. He is like Santa and daddy all rolled into one" said Jake.
Paul's team stepped in, secured the scene and made sure that they had all of the evidence that they needed. Once that was done Chris was moved to Jared's room.
"Jared, Peter, I would like you to Chris Matthews. He has been badly beaten and his dad just tried to kill him. He did hurt an orderly and killed one of the nurses. We just thought ..." said Aunt Mary.
"Jared is there anything we can do to help the nurses family as she as a child that will be raised by a grandparent now?"
"Mary find out what cover the hospital has and if that will set the child up and protect them from being put into care. If not Peter we need to arrange a trust fund to protect the child. Ok next..."
Myles stepped forward and took Mason and put him down in his crib and I just held my arms open for him. He jumped off his bed and raced to me. Twenty minutes later as his tears were stopping he looked over and saw my little CJ. They just smiled at each other. He timidly stood up and moved beds. Myles lifted him and placed him next to CJ. CJ placed an arm around him and they both fell asleep. Then as in life CJ though he was younger would be Chris' protector.
"You do not have to say anything I am already on to Stacy to get the papers sorted" said Peter and everyone just laughed.
Darren walked into the room expecting a distraught child, "Well I'll be!" He paused, "Jared, Jon the orderly that was shot protecting that little guy is in a bad way and because he doesn't have insurance the hospital is refusing to treat him. He is what people call a throw away child. He lives in a hospice since his bigoted parents threw him out. Is there anything we can do for him?"
"Myles see the administration and make sure that Jon's medical expenses are covered by my grandfather's legacy. Also make sure that he gets to know me. I want him back in school or if not then in college and supported... He risked his life to save Chris and so he's family now. If he is living in a hostel then he either moves into one of the fifteen bedrooms or one of the apartments that the estate has." As Myles walked out so did Mary to make sure it all happened.
As I laid there I suddenly realised that maybe my Grandfather's Legacy could achieve what he wanted it to, time and time again. I may have been one throwaway kid, but there are hundreds out there and grandfather's legacy would be used to help them.
To be honest I think that the whole hospital deal was driving me stir crazy. How could I be there for everyone? Even if I wanted to it was just impossible. I decided that I would talk to Peter when he came back, as he had gone off yet again. There must be something we can do.
As he came back in with a smile on his face he had been able to organise everything for Chris. "Peter, we have more money than we'll ever need, don't we?"
"Jared sweetheart," I winced when he called me that, "you do not ever have to work again as your grandfather's estate has made you a very wealthy man."
"That's just it though. I want to help kids who are like I was, and for no fault of their own, find themselves living on the street. Or kids like the child of the nurse that was just killed. I want the Barrington Foundation' to be established. I am willing to put $30,000,000 into it to get it off the ground. Then its mission will be to help gay and lesbian children who find themselves abused and thrown away. They desperately need to know that someone cares." I had tears rolling down my face, "Can we change that name though? I want it to be called The Uncle Leon Foundation.' Also we will have to look into this, but you know the estate. There were oil wells, yes? I want all profit from one of those to be added to the foundation every year."
Sheila who had entered the room and heard what I said stepped in and added, "Make that another $5,000,000 from me. I absolutely love the idea and would be willing to serve on the board."
Stephen stepped in with Mary and Myles at that point and added, "Make that up to $50,000,000 in total. Mary would kill me if we did not get involved."
Myles smiled and me, "No ... the starting figures will be $75,000,000 the rest will be from me" he just smiled sweetly at his father. "I also want to be on the board so that I can help where I can with kids like CJ and Chris."
I just sat there and sobbed at the thought of how much good we could do. Peter was already on the phone getting the best people on to it that he could and making sure that the foundation and grandpa's estate were kept well and truly separate. Tracy really had her hands full organising all of this, but I did notice that he never offered any of his money.
The room was a buzz for quite some time after that... Steven suggested we invited Judge Haroldson to be a member of the board and that he was willing to provide any legal representation that was needed on an advisory basis as the attorney would actually be Judge Haroldson's cousin's firm. The talk went back and forth and by the end of the evening we knew that we had something that could only do good in place at last.
As the little ones were falling to sleep there was a little upset as Jake tried to move Chris to his own bed only to have a very distraught CJ scream and cry until `HIS' Chris was put back into his arms. Poor little guy he thought that they we taking his brother away from him.
At around 8:30 in the morning I was woken up by a knocking at the door and my security guard said that the Judge was waiting to see me. I sat up, straightened the bed and told him to show him in.
To my surprise in walked Peter, Myles with Mason in his arms, followed by Steven, Mary and Sheila; the family was here. There then followed by a very distinguished gentlemen, I would guess slightly younger than myself who I assumed was the Judge as he had his black robe on. "Jared I would like you to me my Uncle James, Uncle Steven's best friend from high school and Aunty Mary's brother, but do not let anyone else know." Myles said with a wink.
"So I hear you have been in the wars. Well let's start to sort that now." To my utter surprise and joy he then said, "Peter do you have the rings?" Peter took my hand as he saw the tears flowing down my face and thought that I was happy.
"Jared this is very informal, but I am allowed by the state to marry certain people and I have been trying to get rid of this one for about twenty years. Will you accept him as your partner in life, no matter what the future may hold, till death do you part?"
I looked around the room which was gradually filling. I now saw Jake and the security team with Darren and all of the nurses and Paul and the police that I had got to know over the last few weeks. I looked and Peter and I melted, "No. I'm sorry maybe in the future, but my world has been turned upside down recently and I need time to get it back on track before I do that." Peter just stood there and looked shocked.
"It may happen, but I need to be out of here and back to normal before we make that move."
"Sorry about that Jared, but I was led to believe..."
"Maybe so, but I will not be rushed into anything like this and Peter knows why I'm saying it" I looked at him and his head was down, he was bloody well reading a text on his phone "See a text is more important than we are ... What does it say Peter? `Don't do it?'" He just looked at me and he realised that I knew things were not as they seemed.
"OK then moving on, is there a Christian Justin Pratt, oh my! Was that really your name?" I just nodded. "I believe this little guy is known as CJ. Is he here?"
CJ pulled at Jakes sleeve, "Am I in trouble Jakey?"
"No little one this is good." Jake pick him up and held him in his arms, "Just say yes Judge."
"Yes, Mr Judge Sir." He said in his now very tiny voice.
"Now then is there a Christopher Matthews here."
Chris stepped off CJ's bed, "Yes sir."
"Ok ... now I hear that you both need a new family. Am I correct?"
The two boys looked at each other and said, "Yes sir, Mr Judge."
"Ok now we are getting somewhere, and do you like Mr Jared?"
"Yes Mr Judge, Sir." They both said."
"Would you like Mr Jared to be your daddy and maybe Mr Peter eventually?"
"Yes please sir."
"It is the decision of this court that you Christian Justin, known as CJ, be and you Christopher Matthews be adopted by Mr Jared Ian Exley. Myles step forward; under the circumstances do you still want these changes?"
"Yes Uncle James."
"Very well from this day you will be known as Myles Exley, CJ Exley and Christopher Exley."
There was a buzz now around the room and I wondered exactly what had made Myles do that to his dad. Peter looked totally defeated. The next thing the Judge did knocked me for six.
"Is there a Jon McNicolls in the room?"
"Yes sir."
"I approve your request also and from this day you are also Exley, but your mother will be ... maybe I should have done this first. Is there a Easby in the room?"
"Yes sir."
"I approve both of your requests and from this day your name will be Sheila Miranda Exley and you son will be Jonathan Alan Exley." There was a gasp throughout the room.
"Well an old girl has to have a family sometime!"
"Finally it is my pleasure to conclude the business of today with all of the signed documentation for the Uncle Leon Foundation and my acceptance to sit as the chairman of the board; also to hand over to Jared all of the notarized paperwork finalizing the estate of William Webster. I am sure Peter has it all in hand.
"Hold on Judge. There is one person that has not been taken care of yet." I looked and he smiled as he was still holding some papers, "Before we finalise everything I want to make a change to the adoption of Little Mason. I do want to make a slight change and I'm sure CJ will approve. I think that Mason's daddy ought to be Myles, and I'll remain as his grandfather."
I looked over and Myles was hugging Mason so tight and crying. Ed had arrived late, but was now pushing his way through. "Let me get to him. I have to get to him. Did I hear right? We're going to be daddies?"
Myles nodded and looked at the Judge. "I can't ask Mason as he is so young. So is everyone in agreement?" The general consensus was positive, "Myles I am pleased announce that you are now the proud father of Mason Joshua Exley. You know I still have one set of papers here. Is someone called Ed Carmichael present?"
"Here." We all looked at Ed.
"Myles do you accept Ed as your life partner to love and cherish so long as you both shall live?" now Myles was sobbing.
"Yes." He nodded.
"Edward Mitchell Carmichael, do you accept Myles as your life partner to love and cherish so long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Do you also agree to jointly raise Mason Joshua Exley as your own with Myles?"
"I do."
"Then I am proud to introduce your family to the world; ladies and gentlemen please welcome Mr Myles Edward Exley, Mr Edward Mitchell Exley with their son Mason Joshua Exley." I looked around and there was not a dry eye in the room. Except for Peter who was still texting in the corner even his son was not important anymore.
"Ed, what do your parents think about all of this?"
"They don't Jared. Peter has been my family for the last three years. If you want to meet my father then go down to the local Baptist church and see the piece shit that nearly killed me when I was fourteen years old preaching to all of the sinners."
"Come here big fella." He walked across with Myles and Mason in tow. "Welcome home big guy, welcome home! Now I have four sons and a grandson." Even though Ed had been the quarterback in his high school's football team he broke down in Jared's arms. He finally had a family and this time it was forever.
The Judge looked over to Ed and held his arms out. As they hugged Judge Haroldson said, "You know he was always a bigoted bastard, even as we were growing up my cousin was totally insufferable. Wasn't he Mary?"
"Do not get me going on that man or I may very well end up spitting blood. I don't understand how a man can do what he did to Ed. If was not for Myles he would have died that night." I just looked at Myles and he nodded while his lover sobbed. I knew that my sons were now safe.
That's all for now folks, chapter five will follow soon and then we really find out about Jared's past and how living does not mean you're coping.
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