Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2012 07:20:18 +0100 (BST)
From: ukwriter12@yahoo.com
Subject: Moonside Manor Part 1  - Chapter 8

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.

This work is copyrighted and I ask that you do not copy, post or
electronically download without my express permission.

If you are too young to be here or it is illegal in your state then please
leave; finally if you are looking for hot sex scenes then look again as
you'll not find any here.

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
Dirk Tobias Matthews - Jared's partner

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

Mikey -- CJ's twin

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
Bryan Patterson -- Exley and Webster Chief Operating Officer
Natalie Walters -- Exley and Webster Finance and Controls Director'

Cody James	- Overseer and ranch operation manager
Ella-Mae James -- Cody's wife -- Davy's friend.


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 8 -- The family grows
----------------------------

We had only been on the road for a few days and I'd already found the half
of me that had been missing for so long. In the short time that we had
known each other Dirk had filled the emptiness and made my soul felt well
again. The amazing thing was that he felt Myles needed a friend and needed
to accept him for me to me happy. They became best mates and thus he
managed to completely fill the emptiness that Peter had left behind.

The time we spent with Ella-Mae and Cody was the best time that I'd had in
a long time and we felt totally at home on the ranch. The fact that my
relationship with Dirk just kept getting better and better had nothing to
do with it. It was as if we grew to know what the other was thinking and
how we'd react to things that happened.

Chris and CJ seemed to bounce off our relationship and had even started
calling Dirk Daddy. He cried the first time that CJ had done that. The
truth was he was more of a father to those boys than anyone had ever
been. I hope with the exception of me as my whole life revolved around the
boys.

As the days flew by we had visited the other ranches and met everyone, but
`Headland' remained our home away from home. We spent some time at the Lazy
Q and it was quite emotional for me knowing that my Davy had grown up
there. I was able to spend some time in his bedroom and found a scrap book
of pictures and things. He had simply put on the front it `For my Jared,
with love'. We decided that his room would never be changed as I felt close
to him in there and even spent some time talking to him and introducing
Dirk to him. Dirk just sat with me in his arms and let me talk as he always
did.

We had also spent several days at Lake Condor and found that the people
that Cody had managing it were once again top notch and had everything in
hand. Jon fell in love with the place and on the first night organised a
camp fire and a sing along to his guitar.  The second day we lost him as he
volunteered to take a group out fishing and then when he got back he took a
group of kids for a trek up the hiking route.

Cody asked to speak to me one day. "Jared I am concerned that I don't have
anyone to hand over the reins of the management of the ranches and this
place to. I'm over fifty and though I do not want to retire yet we ought to
look for my successor as I would like to teach them the ropes and how the
different places run."

"Are you blind old man?" He knew that I was just joking

"Hey you watch yourself you young whippersnapper ... I might have a few
years on me, but I ain't that far away from you ya knows." We laughed.

I continued, "Look at the boys." I pointed to Myles, Ed and Jon as they
stood at the lake fishing. "I've not seen Myles so animated about anything
in all of the time that I have known him. Ed? Well he was born a cowboy; it
is just that he lives in the city. You ought to have a word with them see
what they think. I know they're thinking about what major they will be
taking in university this year and I can think of nothing better than Ranch
Management with possibly a minor in Business Administration." I looked at
him and he was mulling it over. "As for Jon, have you seen him since he got
here? He loves the place and would love to have a chance to get
involved. He'll be looking for a college come University course soon as
well so maybe you can offer some guidance there."

"Let me look into what's on offer and what would be best as I have a friend
who teaches at `Montana State'."

Cody was good to his word, that night he was on the phone for some time to
Professor Wiggins talking about the different courses that were being
offered in the different things. In the morning he and the boys rode out
together on one of the treks and when they came back Myles ran up to me and
just hugged me.

"How did you know?"

"How did I know what?" I asked Myles.

"Jared, how did you know that Ed and I have fallen in love with Headlands
and that poor old Jon would marry this Lake if her could?"

"Myles, it's written all over your faces when you talk to Cody or Dirk
about what they do. As for Jon with what he has been doing since we got
here he might as well be an employee anyway. I knew you were thinking about
your futures, when Cody started talking about the future of these places
... well two plus two equals four."

"Thank you dad..." Myles looked at me and I had tears in my eyes. "Jared
you've been more of a dad to me in the last few weeks than anyone ever
was. I love you dad."

From the side we heard "Ditto" and Ed and Jon joined the hug.

With that Cody moved off to think things through first so that he was
prepared to talk to them all. Sure enough it wasn't long before wherever
you saw Cody you also saw one of the boys.

As the days of our holiday flew by, everyone seemed to settle into their
own worlds.  Myles and Ed were spending more and more time with Cody. Jon
was driving off to be at Lake Condor so that the current caretaker could
start training him. Ella-Mae and Sheila got on so well that they spent time
together and often hit the shopping malls.

Finally, CJ and Chris were working on their art projects that they wanted
to do. The ranch hands loved spending time with the boys as they took them
around to different places to get the pictures that they needed. It was not
out of place to see these two on the shoulders of one of the ranch hands
trying to get a better picture.

I felt as though Dirk and I were meant to be and the more we were together
the closer we became. I don't know why, but this one day when the whole
family were going out for a picnic with Cody and Ella-Mae I asked Dirk
where he wanted our relationship to go, "My, that's a deep question Cowboy,
but I can understand where you are coming from when you have been hurt so
much in the past. Well I'll tell you my wonderful Cowboy."

We rode in silence for a few moments as he got his thoughts together, "Did
you know that there're certain animals out in the wild that when they mate,
they mate for life? I've always been fascinated by the Grey Wolf and if I
were an animal I think that's what I'd be. When they choose a mate they're
true to it for the rest of their lives. They may go to hunt and work alone,
but they come together to bring up the kids and they stay together for
life."

He looked at me and smiled, "Your Magpie in England's pretty much like
that, hence the line in the poem `One for sorry' as it means that his mate
has died; then the next line `Two for joy'. You know I sort of picture
myself like that wolf as I've chosen my mate, my Cowboy. He is the only one
that I want in my bed at night. He and only he will I ever be true to, that
I will ever hold and that I will ever give myself willingly to."

He paused, "Hold up everyone this place is as good as any. Remember it
Jared?"

"It's Peeke's Point."

Dirk jumped down from Dancing Queen and got down on one knee at the side of
Blue. "This is fitting as you're the first man that I have ever looked up
to, but can you get down please?" I jumped down and he took my hand. "Jared
I am not one for empty ceremonies that are easily broken. Neither am I one
for big showy affairs, but Cowboy I love you with all of my heart and soul
and I want to share this moment with whatever God there may be."

He reached into his waistcoat pocket and pulled out two small
boxes. Opening one he took out a ring and said "Jared Ian Exley-Gibson you
have made my world turn inside out and upside down. You are my Cowboy and
always have been. I know that I have finally found my one true soul mate
and I'm not willing to lose you. Cowboy, will you be my partner in life to
love and cherish so long as we both shall live?"

I was crying as the family has gathered around us and this place just felt
special. I had wondered why Sheila and Ella-Mae had insisted on getting the
buggy out and fixing the horse to it to ride out with us all today as they
usually stayed behind to look after Mason. I also wondered why the boys had
their cameras, but had not taken a single picture. Here we were standing
out in the most beautiful country with Dirk on one knee and the cameras
were snapping away.

"Yes." Dirk placed the ring on my finger and I then got down on one knee
and took the other ring from him and just gazed into his eyes.

"Daddy you're supposed to ask Mr Dirk to be yours." CJ whispered and the
family giggled.  I blushed.

"Mr Dirk Tobias Matthews will you be my partner in life through the good
and the bad? I promise that I will cherish and honour you in everything
that I do and everything that I say until we are parted temporarily. Even
then I promise that we will meet on the other side to walk into eternity
together. I love you with all my being Dirk and want you to ride by my side
for the rest of my life. Will you be my partner my love?" He looked around
and as my eyes spanned the area I noticed that the crowd had grown and that
there were tears on every face.

"Yes, my sweet Cowboy. A million times yes..." With that I placed the ring
on his finger and sealed it with a kiss. The crowd cheered and clapped as
loud as I had ever heard. In the background there stood the whole of the
Exley crowd including Mary and Steven and there was also the Webster crowd
as well. Someone had organised this. I looked around and found CJ.

"Is the congregation your doing young man?"

"Nope, Myles helped as well. As soon as daddy Dirk told us what he wanted
to do we got it sorted." I just took him in my arms and hugged him.

As we were hugging Judge Haroldson came over and spoke to us. "In
preparation for this moment Myles and Dirk came to have a word with me the
other day." He handed Dirk an envelope, "I am please to say that from this
day Dirk will officially be known as Dirk Tobias Exley-Gibson." I did a
double take and just looked at him.

"Cowboy, there was nothing special in the name Matthews. Not after what
Chris and I have been through. So I figured that if a bride can take her
husband's name, then why couldn't I do it as well." We hugged and all
headed back to the ranch house where caterers had descended and a wedding
feast had been prepared.

Our family felt complete Jared Ian and Dirk Tobias and their young sons
Christian Justin and Christopher Ian Exley-Gibson. What the judge surprised
me with next knocked me for six as the family was set to grow yet again.

"We all know that Myles and Ed and Mason have already taken the name
Exley-Gibson recently. Well Myles wants to complete the transition and
since both he and Ed are eighteen they want to sever all links to Peter and
have requested that they be adopted by you so that they can be the older
brothers officially to CJ and Chris." He handed me an envelope that had
those papers as well.

"Well it looks like we have us a mighty fine family ... Yes Siree Mr
Cowboy, mighty fine!" Dirk said with a smile.

The festivities had been well coordinated and just as we were getting back
to the ranch house after settling the horses the caterers were wandering
around with drinks for everyone. "Ok, now listen up. It's been a long hot
day so have your drinks then go back to your rooms to freshen up. The
Wedding feast will begin at 5:00pm sharp. Ok it may not be an actual
wedding, but what the hell since when did we need and excess to celebrate."
Then Ella-Mae added, "You two do not even think of showing your faces until
you hear that dinner triangle being rung."

There had been signs posted around the house telling us where to go to
shower and change.  When we arrived there on the bed were match cowboy
outfits right down to the boots, except when something of mine was white
his was black as so on. The only thing that was of any colour was the Levi
501's, which we both love.

Showering with the man I love was like nectar from heaven and I could
really grow to love this feeling. He was so gentle in everything that he
did with me. That day when he filled me we stayed like that for what seemed
like an eternity before he took me on a trip to the moon and back. We were
only just ready when we heard the triangle being hit and that was our cue
to reappear.

There lining the way from the back door to the barn which was quite a walk
was all of the ones that we loved and they were holding gifts. We were
given sacks and told to walk to the barn. As we did so the people came
forward and dropped the gifts in the bags. They had all been told not to
put names on them. Soon the sacks were full and we had thrones made out of
hay bales to sit on as we opened the gifts for all to see. Apparently this
was a tradition that my grandfather started when Cody's father got married
and it has been carried on ever since on the ranch.

As each gift was opened there were murmurs around the barn trying to guess
who they were from with the exception of two. They had left the names off,
but the first Dirk opened and was a photo taken in black and white of us in
a loving embrace. The beauty of it was we were in total silhouette. It was
stunning. I looked at CJ and mouthed "Thank you."

The second gift was slightly larger and again in a frame. This time it was
an oil painting that Chris had been working on. It was of Headland ranch
house, but all of the family including Cody and Ella-Mae were sat on the
porch at different levels. We both looked to Chris and no words were needed
as he could see how we felt from the tears that fell. We simply held it up
and there was an audible gasp from those present.

As the presents continued to be opened everyone seemed to be totally
enjoying themselves.  CJ and Chris were getting rather warm and bored so
they walked to the entrance. As they were standing there they heard a
whimpering noise from around the back of the barn that sounded not only
like an animal in pain but also a young boy.

Without thinking CJ turned to Chris "Run! Go get dad and tell him what we
heard. I have to see what's happening." With that he ran around the back of
the barn and Chris ran to get us.

Once he reached the front of the barn everyone was enjoying the festivities
so much that they could not see how desperate Chris was for help. So while
even one laughed and joked about the presents we were opening Chris put his
fingers to his mouth and whistled so loudly that it made everyone stop.

They all turned and looked at him, "You have to come, CJ and me we were
just outside and we heard like an animal in pain ... but then there was the
muffled sound of a child crying. CJ's gone to see what it is. Someone has
to get to him in case he needs help."

Once outside we all heard the whimpering again and without a seconds
thought bounded towards the rear of the barn, followed by everyone else. We
could all hear the noise now. Then when whoever it was realised we had gone
quiet, we heard in a very small sobbing voice "Buddy you have to be quiet
please as they'll find us otherwise. Oh god I don't think I can take the
pain ... much ...  more ... please just be quiet." He was literally gasping
for air between each word.

"Noooo!" Dirk was off like a shot and Cody followed. You could see the pain
Dirk was in as he was reliving what had happened to him and Chris. When we
got around the corner we could see that CJ had already reached them and was
sitting there with a baby, who was maybe eighteen months old.

Chris sensed what was happening and ran forward and as he knelt down the
boy collapsed in his lap. The now unconscious boy was maybe twelve years
old. God only knows how he managed to get the baby here in this
condition. The boy was so small how could he have managed to carry the baby
when he was in so much pain?

Next to them was a German Shepherd dog that had obviously been badly shot
defending the children, as he too was covered in blood. CJ looked up at
Dirk and I as we ran over to them and all we heard was "Papa!" a blood
curdling scream as he rocked with the baby in his arms.

Jake and Paul got on to the phone calling in favours that I never knew they
had. I stepped up to the little child and took him from the clearly
distraught Chris; whilst Ella-Mae stepped forward and took the baby who
screamed. Both of us were soon covered in blood and we were walking as
gently as we could because they we so covered in blood no one knew how
badly they were injured.

Myles and Ed stepped forward and picked up Chris and CJ to comfort them and
Dirk stepped forward, ever the vet to tend to the dog, who was obviously a
hero.

"Good God no...! Jon, go and get my medical kit from the car. Jared we have
to set up a surgery somewhere. The boy needs to be looked at and goodness
only knows what's happened to the baby. Cody do you have any medical
supplies we may well need them" Cried out Darren as he was doing initial
exams as we walked. He could barely find a pulse.

"We'll clear the kitchen as there's plenty of room in there and plenty of
light." Cody said as he also got one of the ranch hands to get all of the
medical supplies that they had.

Jake stepped up to me and took the boy, "Do what you do best Jared
organise. Darren has this."

I jumped into action shouting, "Stacy activate `Exley protocol 214', we
need a medical helicopter as soon as you can arrange it to fly them both to
hospital. By road would take too long and be far too dangerous for
them. Dirk will you need a chopper to get the dog to a hospital or
something?"

"No there is one nearby, but I have to have a look at him now or he will
die."

Stacy waited for Dirk to finish and then said "On it Jared, will update you
when we have an ETA."

"Diane, Mary organise anyone who's still here so we're all doing what we
can to help.  Mary, contact the foundation as well and get them on to it."

As they both headed off I found Myles and ED who had taken the clearly
distraught CJ and Chris and were trying to comfort them. "Dad we have to
help them. Please, we cannot lose them." Myles demanded and they all nodded
their heads.

"We will do all that we can and so will the Uncle Leon Foundation to make
sure that they are safe, you know that."

Myles shook his head and looked at me, "You know you will have a hard time
getting these two away from them, I do not think they will let you place
them in a home.  I also think it might do them good to have those kids
around."

"We'll talk about it ... Take these two inside while I try to get a handle
on what's happening. Where did Dirk go?"

"I think into the barn to get the dog looked at. He was in a pretty bad
way. Cody went with him, I think."

As I walked away there was Stacy, "Jared ETA 5 minutes tops. They will be
landing on the back meadow it's as close as we can get to the house
safely." She looked at me...

"OK, I recognise that look. Is something wrong?"

"It was just the guy who took the call. I don't know, his response was
almost as if he already knew who they were."

"Thank you. We will watch them and see what happens when they get here
... bring them straight in when they arrive. Darren will need their
help. Find a ranch hand and see if we can get the area lit for them."

"Already on it boss." She said as Kathy and a couple of guys walked up with
some form of lights in their hands. Soon the area was well lit. I headed to
the barn next. All of the presents and food had been cleared by the party
people to one end of the barn. The other end was now an operating
theatre. They had rigged an operating table from two trestle tables. I was
amazed at the expertise that Dirk was working at. With Roger, one of the
security team assisting him as he a medic from the marines and had served
with Jake.  There was a collection of people around holding lights to help.

"Cowboy get in to those kids! We're doing fine and this little doggy here
will survive as he is one hell of a fighter. If that little chap comes
round he'll need to know that his dog's Okay. It will help settle him." I
kissed Dirk's cheek and ran to the house.

There was Darren and Ella-Mae, who I discovered before getting married to
Cody was a trained nurse, working on the young lad. It was clear he had
been badly beaten and I wondered how he'd managed to get this far
especially since he must have been carrying the baby. At the opposite end
of the table was Jake sobbing his heart out as he cleaned blood off the
baby's body. It wasn't his it must have been from the dog or his brother.

"Jared how long is that fucking helicopter going to be? This little one
will not last if Darren cannot get him into surgery." Whatever it was that
had happened, it's clear that the little one whose life was hanging by a
thread had saved the baby and so had the dog.

I moved closer to where Darren was working leaned down and whispered in the
boy's ear "Your doggy is going to survive. He made it and now he needs you
to be there for him as well." At that point Darren looked up.

"What did you just do?"

"I just told this raven haired hero that his dog will live."

"Love... at the same time he clearly rallied. We felt his pulse get
stronger."

I ran out to the meadow as I heard the helicopter and waited for the
team. Soon we were all running back to the house.

As we entered the kitchen one of the medics shouted "Who the hell are you?
Move away from those children." Jake simply held up his identity and also
Darren's. "I don't give a fuck if you are the King of England ... move away
from the children" At that point he pulled a needle out of his pocket.

"Is there a problem?" I asked as Steven and Mary watched in disbelief.

"Yes I'll say there is a problem two known gays are handling children,
obviously put in this condition by them. Now all of you move away they need
sedated. God knows how many of you queers have had a go at them. Move away
and leave them alone now."

I hated bigots, but even more so I hated idiots. "If they move away from
them then they will die."

"Let the little fuckers die! Now move away." He went to lunge at me with
the needle, but the security guard behind him disarmed him easily.

Jake's and Paul's earlier calls paid off because at that point Paul and the
State police from both Illinois and Indiana arrived. "Is there a problem
here son?" the state trooper asked.

"Yes these men are gay and I believe have caused these children harm they
have to be arrested."

CJ had, had enough and ran into the room. "You fucking idiot!" He looked at
me and mouthed `Sorry', I simply nodded. "Me and my friend found them
during dad's party, as we heard them crying. Their names are Marty and
Bobby King with their dog Samson. The dog was shot, not sure what happened
to Marty. Jake and Darren were at the party all day with everyone else. So
how could it be them? Dad that needle is still on the floor I think it may
have something that he was going to kill them with."

We looked around and sure enough there it was on the floor and the security
guard felt his pocket and found another two in there was well.

Looking at the medic Steven said, "Son, I have to ask myself why you place
what you have said as being more important than the lives of these
children. Especially seeing the needles, which I think will prove to be
lethal dose of some type of drug that you were going to use on the boys. I
have to question why? I need to see your ID please."

As he turned to leave the helicopter team leader turned and said, "Restrain
him! Nigel is his name and unemployed when we get back to base is his
status. He's the boy's uncle and I would guess that he is trying to protect
someone. Possibly his brother the boy's step father... Let me see the
needles. As I thought there is enough to kill a grown man in each of
those...

"The stepfather came into the office extremely drunk tonight. They were
both laughing and joking saying that the brat was going to get what he
deserved tonight and he was going to have FUN! I would guess that he did
this judging by these wounds. It looks like they were interrupted and he
fought him off as best he could."

The state police arrested the medic he asked for one call and hell
continued in the kitchen.

"What about the dog?" I asked.

"They don't have a dog, what's his name.

"Marty said it was Samson." CJ said.

"That's who interrupted everything then. Samson belongs to his best friend
Connor Ansom."  He looked around, "Hold on where the hell is Conner?"

"These were the only two that were there. We never saw or heard anyone
else." CJ said.

"Well my guess is that Connor turned up unexpected and found Marty's
stepdad doing nasty things to his best friend. They're here so where the
hell is Conner?" he looked ay Paul, "Officer for heaven sake send someone
over to, 3165 Maple Street and see what's happened." There was soon one of
the Indiana police cars shooting off into the night.

Eventually we got the boys stable, though Marty was exceptionally
weak. Bobby was just in shock. They were then moved to the helicopter. As
it took off they told us which hospital they were taking them to. Darren
stayed with the boys in the chopper and we all headed to the hospital as
fast as we could.

As we were about to leave the police arrived back looking as sick as
anything. Paul went up to talk to them and then came over. "Jared if he
asks about Conner tell him he's...  Oh god I don't know what to tell the
little guy! Check with Darren." He was clearly sobbing now and his whole
body was shaking.

"Paul?"

"Connor was killed protecting the two of them and giving them chance to
run. He never got the same chance. It as though when the he arrived, daddy
knocked Connor out and when he did come too he knew that he could lose
Marty if he didn't do something so he started on the man and the man moved
from Marty to Connor. Connor had very little life left in him when dad
moved back to Marty.

"What life he did have he used to crawl to where he knew the step father
kept his gun.  Then he used it on the man to protect his friends. He was a
bad shot though and the man must have turned and moved toward him as there
was a second shot. Connor was found dead from asphyxiation with the man
dead on top of him. Marty must have known something was wrong as Connor
never came after him. So he just kept walking to try to get Bobby to
safety. Three miles he walked with that baby"

At that point Dirk came over looking tired and worn. "I am going to take
this chap to the closest animal hospital. The bullet looks as though it
went right through him, I guess Connor really was a bad shot or doggy was
attacking the man at the time the gun went off." He said as he and Roger
carried Samson on a blanket to Dirk's pickup. "Once we're finished we'll
meet you out at the hospital." He looked at me, "Sorry our celebrations
were interrupted sweetheart."

"We will have many more. Now go get the doggy settled and then come on to
the hospital.  I am not leaving these little ones."

"I never thought that you would Cowboy. I never thought that you would." We
kissed and then everyone was on their way, except a few ranch hands who
volunteered to stay and try to get everything sorted for Cody and Ella-Mae.

As I was climbing into the BMW, Mary came up to me, "Jared I have the best
at Uncle Leon investigating the family situation. I think there maybe two
sets of grandparents. One set are very old and not very well at all. The
other you will meet as they work at the hospital. I'll keep you updated."

CJ heard and turned to her, "I want daddy Dirk to adopt them if they have
no one."

"OK little one, why Dirk and not me"

"That's easy because you already have four children and a grandson so it is
time our other daddy got some." Chris said as if it was so obvious that we
should have known all along.

The judge was about to step into one of the other cars and shouted to
Chris... "I will make sure if it is possible that it happens. I promise
Chris."

As we arrived at the hospital to say we were shocked by what we saw would
be an understatement. There at the door was Darren desperately working to
save Mart's life as security and nurses blocking their every attempt to
gain access to the hospital. Walking over both Paul and I were fast losing
our patience. I turned to Stacy, "Call the State Troopers they were
involved at the ranch so need to be here now."

I walked up to what appeared to the head nurse "Is there a problem here?"

"There most certainly is. Those kids can't afford to pay the hospital fees
and have no insurance so take them away they are nothing to us."

"Jared the State Police are on their way."

"Paul remove her and detain her till they get here I want her arrested for
attempted murder."

"You can't do that I'm simply doing my job."

"Fine so am I, Uncle Leon Foundation for kids will gladly accept all costs
now clear the way!" and I showed her our credentials.

She moved everyone out of the way, "Do you have a nurse that can assist me
in theatre?"  asked Darren.

"I can, I'm a trained theatre nurse." She looked at the others, "I never
agreed with what she was doing, but it was her and her brother the
administrator of the hospital who insisted. They had a call from their son
earlier." With that they all moved on including Jake who Darren knew could
help as he was a trained medic from the military.

"Do not let anyone leave the hospital until we have got the bottom of
this." Paul nodded.

It was one hell of a night as we waited for news about the boys. Again she
attempted to stop us learning anything and even assaulted other nurses that
were doing their jobs.

Luckily Judge Haroldson was there and told her and the hospital that they
would be facing major incompetence charges and a massive negligence court
case if they did not tell the representative of the Uncle Leon Foundation
as they had already accepted that they were covering the costs. Within
minutes the administration officer of the hospital strutted over to us and
joined the nurse at the nursing station.

"I am sorry, but we can only tell the family about patients."

"As State troopers and Paul Gibson the chief of police are also here with
me you are totally wrong sir. If you continue we will arrest you for
obstructing the medical team in being able to save these two boys lives. I
also point out that since you are the head of the hospital doing this that
I will personally make sure that you both are charged with murder if either
one of the boys dies... Now, will you tell us how they are doing?"

"They are not even in theatre yet... and the little brats won't be!"

"Marty has always been like ..."

Something Mary said to me as we were leaving struck at that
point... "Judge, the medic made a call as he was being arrested I bet these
are the scum he called" He nodded.

I stepped forward, "No one has ever asked for the names of the two children
and yet you have just called one Marty. Just who the hell are you people?
His grandparents..."

At that point an elderly couple walked in. "Yes, they are the boys other
grandparents!  The stepfather's parents and sonny could never do anything
wrong even though he was a sadistic bastard."

"Yes! We're their grandparents." He finally realised that he was beaten,
"They are the kids only other relatives because the mother had to fucking
die of an overdose. Hell even I wouldn't leave the brats with my son."

"I would not leave a dying rat with either of you two that's for sure
... Dr Crippen and Nurse Ratched" the other grandmother stated and we all
laughed.

"Officer remove them from the hospital premises and arrest them with as
many charges as you can come up with, but at least attempted murder of two
children and child abdonment.  Do not allow either of them back on the
premise or I will not be held responsible for my security team." I stated.

I walked over to them, "You're son by the way is dead, killed by the best
friend of Marty. Your son killed the boy while he made time for those two
to escape. Your son was a murderer! I will be telling Connor's parents to
sue you for damages and they will win."  their faces lost all colour.

I continued, "I personally am going to make sure that you two callous
hearted bastards pay for everything that has happened to these children and
believe me I do have the money to ruin you and this hospital if I want so I
hope you have good insurance. Who am I? Jared Ian Exley-Gibson your worst
nightmare. Steve you know what to do."

Myles now stepped forward and asked "Now who in this god forsaken hole can
tell us how my brothers are doing or do we have to sue the hospital as
well?"

"That would be me sure Mr Exley-Gibson, could you and the grandparents
please follow me."

"Sorry everyone needs to know so speak freely." I stated.

"Off course ..." He then went on to explain what Darren had only just been
given access to the theatre's, but would keep us all updated.

Everyone settled in for a very long night. Stacy and Natalie kept
refreshments flowing and updated us all with information when they could.

What did touch me was that the caterer's that were at the ranch turned up
with a running buffet to look after everyone and to wait with us for news.

I took the chance to get to know Arthur and Molly Harper, the boy's
mother's parents. It turned out that their daughter had never done drugs in
her life and yet she was found dead of an overdose. Steven joined us, as
did Stacy who took notes for him.

Both Arthur and Molly were wealthy and their wills stated everything go to
the boys since their little girl had died. It also stated that the father
would control the funds until the boys were of age. Now we came to the
cause of all of this... money was everything to the man. Steven got
together with them and arranged to meet with them so that the kids would be
protected.

"Mr Exley-Gibson?"

I looked around "What will happen to them? We're old and unable to look
after them."

Dirk heard this as he had walked up to me. "Would you have any objections
to me and my partner adopting them?" he asked.

"We would have to be able to be part of their lives. Having said that we
could move closer to wherever you live. There is nothing keeping us where
we are. They're what are important now. Since moving to that home we have
never been the same. Both of us have gone downhill since moving there. We
thought we'd not survive to see the kids grow."

"Stacy that private investigator we use at Exley get him to investigate the
care home.  Let's see why they suddenly got so ill. My guess is it may have
something to do with all of this."

"Now that you mention it there is a nurse there that said she knew the man
and thought he made a wonderful father" said Molly.

"On it boss. What was the name of the nurse?" asked Stacy.

"Peters, Nancy Peters." Arthur stated.

"Okay, will get a report to you as soon as we know what it's all about.
I'll also forward it to Paul if necessary." Stacy stated as she walked away
to get on to it.

"Thanks. Arthur we have a cottage on the grounds of the estate which has
three bedrooms and is really comfortable. Would you consider moving there
so that you can be close to the kids? We also have a suite available in the
main house if you don't mind being around everyone." I stated.

Tears of joy spoke volumes and the cogs started moving to make sure that it
would happen.

Eventually we were told that they had been placed in the intensive care
unit, but were doing well. "Can we sit with them?"

"Oh I do not think that that would be possible" Stated the nurse.

Having heard about everything the head of the hospital board had just
arrived.  Recognising Mary he had been in discussions with her for some
time as they both served on hospital boards.

"Titus Rogers, Chief ... Well chief everything where this hospital is
concerned. First let me say what a pleasure it is to meet Mr Webster's
grandson. Did you know that when everything was happening to you in England
and he felt so helpless he donated to the hospital? We're standing in the
emergency unit he donated. This has saved so many lives.  So many families
owe him more than words can say.

"We have a suite that we call the Webster suite that your children will be
moved to and we will arrange private care for them as requested by your
PA. So," looking at Myles, "yes young man you can stay with your brothers
and we will even add a bed in the room that someone can use while the
children are with us." He looked around at the staff that were standing
around listening. "I will say this that there is going to be heads rolling
and we will find out how something like this could happen. There will be
jobs lost because of this I promise you."

 "Thank you sir..." With that we organised rooms in a local motel for those
who wanted to stay close by.

As he walked away he looked at a doctor. "My office now!"

_______________________________________________________________________

That's all for now folks ... I can't say too much about the next chapter
but all hell breaks out when CJ goes to school and the world is changed.

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