Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2021 21:04:46 -0400 From: Just Forfun Subject: New Reality 3 This is my first story, so your input is extremely welcome. Email me at jst4fun2nyt@gmail.com and tell me what you like, what you don't like, and even where I mess up continuity or details. There will be sex, but it will be tame compared to some stories. The story is fiction, and any similarities to people, living or dead, is purely coincidence. STDs and Corona don't exist in my fantasy world, so they don't use protection. You should use protection, always!!! Many of my characters are underage, and they will be having sex. If that offends you, find another story. If reading this is illegal where you live, don't break the law! DONATE to NIFTY so you can continue to hate me for any cliffhangers. ************************************************************************** "That was an officer with the California Highway Patrol, there's been an accident. Greg's dad is in the hospital in bad shape. Tommy, get the GLS. Billy, take my phone and call Kevin. Tell him I need a plane to Los Angeles waiting at PIT when we get there, I don't care about the cost. There will be..." he paused a second to count heads "5 of us. Forgive me for presuming but I want you and Tommy with us. Tell your grandma she's welcome if she wants to be with you, that'll make it 6. Tell Kevin a G600 would be real nice but I'm not picky." "Scott, take Greg out to the car. Billy and I will be out as soon as I grab some clothes for the two of you." "Never mind clothes Dad, these are fine and we can buy what we need, don't waste time." "Agreed, let's go." As we were going up the ramp for I-79 James told Tommy "I've called the PA state police and explained. Just drive, and get us there safe. We might have a car show up in front of us, if he does, follow him regardless of the route he chooses." "Yes Sir." "Billy, any news from Kevin?" "Just got an email, quickest thing he could get is an Embraer Lineage 1000. It's bigger than we need but the first available otherwise was 4 hours away." "That's fine, with more room maybe Greg can get some rest. Take my phone, find George, call him. Tell him I need a car at... damn it, where are we going?" "All you said was Los Angeles Sir." "Give me Greg's phone again. The CHP officer said he'd text information." I grabbed my phone from Scott and looked at the text "He's at Cottage Health, Santa Barbara, CA" "Thanks Greg, Billy give that to Kevin...nevermind, who did he get the plane from?" "Wheelsup" "They're in my phone, call them and let them know where we're going, then call George. Give him the bare minimum of information, tell him we need a car at SBA and blood, with this stress Greg's gonna need it." Tommy reached in the refrigerated console and pulled out a bag. "O-Neg Sir. I always kept two bags in client's cars if they're our own kind. I just continued the habit with Greg and Scott." "YOU young man deserve a raise! Keep it in there, he's OK for now, but make sure it gets on the plane." "Yes Sir." "I'm assuming you know where to go at PIT for a private jet Tommy? If not, I'll show you." "Thank you Sir, but yes, I've been there several times. Billy, you said Wheelsup?" "Yeah." "OK, they'll be at the Atlantic Hangers, I'm good, thanks." I picked up my phone again and hit a number "Mike, I'm sorry to bother you on the weekend, especially with what you're doing this weekend but I need to know how good my birth certificate and ID are... It's possible my father is dying, if that happens, I don't need Child Protective Services looking to put me with someone, make SURE that I'm 19, everywhere, please?... There's a spare key to the glass basement door on the ledge above it. Dad keeps his records in a lock box in his closet. The key is in the kitchen in an ashtray in the window above the sink. Call me when you've had someone find everything... Thanks Mike, I'll be OK, I'm just kind of in shock right now." and I ended the call. James and Scotty just stared at me; Billy was too busy on the phone to even notice I had called. We got to the airport and Tommy parked inside the hanger and slipped the guy a stack of $100 bills, grabbed a bag and stuffed the blood in it, grabbed two other bags out of the back and we all climbed into the jet. James must have really pulled some strings because the door was still closing and we were taxiing. The flight steward was doing the safety speech and we were number one for take-off. We were in the air 45 minutes after we left the house, 55 miles away. "We're going to be in the air for 6 hours Greg, try to get some sleep." "I don't know if I can James. One minute I'm falling apart and the next I'm thinking about details I need to deal with." "I saw that son, I have to say that phone call was amazing. I don't think I would've thought of that in the same circumstances." "I'm surprised I did too, but I know we don't need everything falling apart around us if I lose him." "I'm here babe, let's go back to the bedroom and lay down. Even if you don't sleep, we can try to relax some. There's nothing we can do until we're there." "There's nothing we can do once we're there Scotty. My first thought was your dad can save him, God help me I was about to beg him to do it. Then I remembered the law. I know we can't. As much as I want to, we can't. How do you do it James? Tommy? How do you watch friends and loved ones die over and over all these years?" "It's hard son, and it never gets easier. It's why some never renew their lives and chose to die of old age. But like Scott said, he's here for you, we all are. Now go try to rest. If we get any news we'll come get you." "I'll get the news James, I'm keeping my phone with me. Sorry, I need to. For Dad, and to hear what Mike finds." And Scott and I went to the bedroom at the back of the plane. Scott was shutting the door and I started to lay down "Oh no you don't, get undressed. You'll never relax with those jeans all bunched up in your junk." I just stood there, so he came around and slowly undressed me. Any other time this would have been sensual and sexy, but right now I was numb and he was just caring for me. When I was down to my boxer briefs, he pulled the sheets back and pulled me down to the bed. I curled up and he wrapped himself around me and held me. We lay like that for 5 minutes or 5 hours, I don't know, but somewhere along the line I started sobbing. He just held me and stroked my hair. I must have finally fallen asleep because I half-woke to hear Scott on my phone "Thanks Mike, I'll tell him. He's sleeping... No, don't, you've done enough...we'll call you from LA once we know more... Tell David to take care of you, I know it can be hard going through it... Thanks, bye." I did bother to ask, if I needed to know, he'd tell me, and I fell back to sleep. Scott woke me to ask if I could eat. I sat up and took a second to get fully awake, then nodded and got up to get dressed. We went out and sat with everyone and had what was probably the best airplane food I'd ever had but today it tasted like cardboard. The steward must have been one of us because he didn't bat an eye when Tommy emptied a bag into a glass for me. When I finished I asked Scotty about the call from Mike. "He had someone get your dad's box and replace the birth certificate, then examined his will to see if it mentions your birth date. It didn't so they put it back and checked everything else in the box. They searched the house and didn't find anything. He's hired someone at the courthouse to watch for a will from an attorney's office if the worst happens. He feels secure that if any date disputes come up, the two copies of the birth certificate will be fine. When they make the new ones for us, people at the records office replaces the ones on file with the State." "Any other calls?" Scott knelt in front of me, took a deep breath, grabbed my hands and waited until I was looking into his eyes. I was terrified, he was preparing me for the worst, my Dad's gone. "He's still alive babe, but he's on machines. They're just keeping him alive so you can say goodbye. I'm so sorry baby, I'm so sorry." I just sat there with tears running down my face. Scotty stayed where he was letting me process and when the tears changed to sobs he grabbed me and held me. We stayed like that for a while and I slowly got my breathing under control and sat up. Someone handed me a wash cloth and I cleaned myself up and looked at Scott. Poor guy, his shirt was soaked with my tears and snot. I couldn't help it, I started laughing. He leaned back and looked at me like I had lost it until he saw where I was looking and he looked down and laughed with me. Everyone laughed, we all needed it. Tommy saved the day again. The bags he had tucked in the back of the GLS had clean socks, underwear, tee shirts and jeans for Scotty and me. At some point he had Billy pack the bags and was carrying it around 'just in case' since we first met him. Incredible. Scott changed shirts and the steward said we needed to buckle in for landing. Once we were on the ground we taxied to the Atlantic hanger and exited the plane to find an extended Escalade waiting. The driver took our bags and helped us into the big SUV. James looked at me and I nodded, so he said "Cottage Health, Santa Barbera. Do you know it, or need an address?" "I know it Sir." "Safely please, we've had enough bad today." "Yes Sir. Prince George sent this, and his sympathies." and handed James a cooler. It contained blood, sandwiches, soft drinks, and wine. James handed it to Tommy who tucked it in the back for later. We pulled up at the hospital 15 minutes later and walked in the main entrance. Scotty went to the information desk and asked where we needed to go. He came back and led us up to the ICU where he checked us in and we waited. It seemed like forever but was only 5 minutes until a Doctor came out and introduced himself and asked for me. I identified myself and he asked me to come with him. "Is he awake or aware at all?" "He hasn't regained consciousness since the accident Greg, I'm sorry. We don't know what patients are aware of around them, but there is no brain activity so I would say no, he's not aware." "This is my husband Scott, he's coming with me." "Alright, come with me." and he led us to a door and had us put on masks and gowns, then around a central nurse's station to a large glass walled room. Dad was hooked up to a ventilator and had IV's in both arms. It looked just like on TV with the beep... beep... beep... beep... swish... beep... the tears started again and I took Scott's hand and stepped in the room. "Dad, you remember Scott? The new family in Mr. Kline's old house? Scott's my husband now Dad. He's gonna be there for me now cause you can't anymore. It's OK Dad, you can be with Mom now, you can go, I made it here." Maybe I imagined it, but I swear the beep... beep changed it's pace for just a second, then went back to that same rhythm, steady and mechanical. I leaned down and kissed his forehead, squeezed his hand, and turned to go. The Doctor was waiting for us and we went back to the waiting room. "Greg, this is a terrible thing we have to do, but your dad never signed as an organ donor. You can sign for him, if you chose. His death can make a difference to several people on waiting lists. You don't have to decide this minute, but the machines are all that's keeping him here. Please, think about it." It didn't take me one second to reply "Without the machines, he's gone?" "Most would say he's gone already Greg, his brain is dead." "He'd want to help, he always thought he had time to do stuff like that later. Get me the paperwork, please? Let his death help someone." He had the papers in his clipboard and I signed the donor page. The next page was the order to unhook his machines. James saw me hesitate and said "You're not killing him son, you're letting him go. No guilt, no shame, let him go so he can help others." My tears dripped onto the page as I signed. "We'll wait Doctor, we'll sit here and wait, thank you." And we waited. Two hours later, at 2:32 pm pacific daylight time, my father went to see my mother after missing her for over a year. James asked if I wanted him to handle the details and I said no, I need to do it, but his help was very welcome. Scott called Mike to let him know to be watching as James and I talked with the Doctor about what needed done. We could return tomorrow for the death certificate and make arrangements, so with nothing left to do, we went down to the main entrance. Our driver had sat in the parking lot and waited patiently for us. As we climbed in he told James that a hotel suite had been handled by George and there would be food delivered after we arrived. Scotty and I got to our room and found that Billy and Tommy had once again, done amazing. We had new clothes in addition to Tommy's 'just in case' bag, toothbrushes, and a refrigerator filled with soft drinks and blood. We showered together with Scott gently washing me then drying me, and helping me get dressed. We went into the living room of the suite and there was a buffet set up. He made me sit and went to get us some food, returning and sitting by me and forcing me to eat. James came and sat across from us and after a minute I looked up. "Now what James?" "Now we arrange for his funeral. Do you know what he wanted?" "Mom was cremated so I'm guessing he wanted the same. I don't want to guess and go against his wishes, I need his will." And I reached for my phone. Scotty grabbed my hand "Mike's on it babe, it can wait an hour or two." "OK, well what else? Should I have it done here? Or fly him home first?" "That depends on his will, and what you want. Is there any other family at all son?" "No, I'm the only child of an only child. Weird for Catholics, but yeah, his mom died having him, and mine died of cancer. She fought it for years so they never tried after me." "If he didn't specify, it will be easier to have it done here. Shipping a body is involved. Shipping ashes, on a private plane, is simply carrying them on. But don't worry about the practical, if you want it done at home we'll do it at home." "I guess we should give Mike time to get the will." Scott's phone pinged with an email. He looked down and it was from Mike so he opened it. "Mike says he didn't want things to look odd, so he got his photocopy of the will they had found, called the lawyer that wrote it, told him Charlie had died and you had given Mike his name to ask about a will. The guy is checking his computer to give us some guidance and will get a copy of the hard copy to Mike tomorrow morning." "OK, well the copy from his computer will tell us what he wanted..." something sounded wrong. Mike had told me they found the signed copy at home, what signed copy did this guy have. Oh hell, this is going to fall apart, I just know it. "What's wrong babe? What did you think of?" "Think hard hon. What did Mike tell you on the plane about what they found at the house? Word for word if you can." "He said they found the signed copy in your dad's lock box. They read it, checking if it listed anything that indicated your age, and put it back." "Now read the email again." He read and I saw the lights come on. "There's another will. Don't panic though, it could be another copy of the same one. Let's wait for Mike." I took a deep breath. He was right, it could be just the lawyer keeping a copy on the chance that Dad lost his. It could be the lawyer has the legal copy and Dad's was just for reference. And it could be there was a surprise in this will that would cost us all our lives. This couldn't wait. I grabbed my phone and before they could stop me I had Mike on the phone "Mike, get that photocopy of the will to me now please? And get whatever that guy has to me the second you get it... I'm sorry Mike, I'm just worried this is going to fall apart and I'm going to lose more than my Dad today...I know you're on it and I appreciate it, I'm just...to be honest Mike I'm scared right now. Scared for Scotty and James and Donna... I'll be awake waiting.. Thanks Mike, goodbye." "BILLY!!! I need a printer I can use with my phone, or a laptop and printer here, yesterday!" I shouted louder than I needed to and then added "Please?" Billy laughed at my change of tone but he knew it mattered, so he and Tommy headed out the door. 15 minutes later they brought a new laptop and mobile printer and got them set up. Mike sent the will seconds after I had hung up, so we printed four copies and we all read. The will was dated and signed and notarized May 21, 2019, just months after my mother's death and listed me, by name, as the sole heir. It referenced a page that listed retirement funds and savings and stocks but I ignored all that, it was just money. He wanted cremated and his ashes mixed with Mom's and I could do with them as I thought they would like. There was a request that I be allowed to choose a guardian from a list of a few friends of his from work. I barely knew any of them, so thank GOD the only mention of my age had no date tied to it. I had papers saying I'm 18 so no guardian, no foster care. No shocks, no issues, this will make everything smooth. Then we had to sit and wait for Dad's lawyer. And we waited, and waited. Scott kept pushing me to rest but there was no way I'd sleep until this was sorted. It was 8:10 when my phone rang, 11:10 pm back home "Yeah Mike, talk to me... OK, we'll read it... it says what?... Who's she?... Yes I'm an only child... well what's that mean?... OK, get some sleep, call me in the morning when you think you have anything, I don't care how early it is here... Thanks again Mike, goodnight." I jumped up and ran to the laptop, opened my email and printed this new will. I was grabbing the pages as they came out. This new will was dated October 6, 2019 and the file had a note that the hard copy had been signed and notarized and was held by such and such attorney. It said the same about my having choice of guardian but added a line about his supporting emancipation. That got my attention because my supposed 18th birthday was January 30, 2020 but if that was an issue, Mike would have said, so I relaxed a bit and kept reading. It also said he wanted cremated and the same about my mixing his ashes and doing as I wanted. Again, he listed financial assets and I skipped down past that to the lines that had Mike confused. "I leave a life insurance policy of $100,000 to Janet K Johnson. I leave all other assets to be divided equally between any living children." What? I'm his only child, what's 'any living children' mean? And who is this Janet Johnson? I looked up to find Scott, James and Billy all staring at me. They had read it and had the same questions I did. It only took a few seconds for the shock to fade and my mind to kick in. "James, who is this George that's been so helpful?" "He's an ancient vampire and a Prince of the Council. He controls California, and most of the western US. He was close friends with my father, and I count him as a trusted friend as well." "Please call him and ask if he would allow us to visit? I know it's getting late, but I need to take action or I'll go nuts." James made the call and ten minutes later, our driver was taking Scotty, James, and me to a huge old mansion in the hills overlooking Hollywood. As we got out and our driver was leading us in, James muttered "I hate this old house. Every time I'm here I expect Norma Desmond to call for her close-up." "Huh?" "Old movie, I'll explain later. Keep in mind George is a Prince, and over a millennia old. Be respectful." "Do I bow?" "Just a nod of your head, and the less eye contact and the more Sirs in your conversation, the better luck you'll have. Until he knows you at least." "Understood, thanks James." "He'll be in the next room, heads up." We turned the corner and went into an immense room. I don't know if it was a ball room at some point but it could've held 200 people easy. Standing in front of a fireplace that was big enough to park our GLS was a small, slim man with dark hair and a goatee. He looked to be in his late 20's and as we approached you could feel his gaze picking up every detail of the three of us. He gave James a short, quick nod then his eyes settled on me. It was dead silent. "You would be young Gregory I assume?" I took a step forward and nodded my head, "Yes Sir, I am, thank you for seeing us on such short notice." "Time means nothing to me Gregory. Please accept my deepest sympathies. I lost my father over 1200 years ago and it still pains me to think of it. What can I do to ease your pain this evening young man?" "Again, thank you Sir. You have my sympathies for the pain you still feel. My father left a mystery for us in his will, and I can not rest until I unravel it. We, my mate and I" pointing to Scotty "have come to ask your assistance in discovering the answers." James had told me not to hold eye contact for long, but this man was a predator and I wasn't going to show weakness. I wasn't trying to be disrespectful, but I needed to let him know I was here as a friend, not a foe and not an underling. He noticed and gave me a sly grin "I know your maker schooled you about eye contact pup, are you challenging me?" I sensed James flinching, but I stood my ground "I have no intention of challenging you Sir. I respect you for your long life, I respect you for your achievements in that life, and I respect you for what you do for our kind. I gladly honor all of this, but I am not here asking you as a Prince, I am here asking you as a man who has lost his family. We are kindred spirits as it were, paining for a lost father., I stand here on that ground as your equal, asking for your help." We all stood there silent. James seemed shocked at my words and Scott was in awe of this ancient vampire. I had played my hand and it was up to him to fold, call or raise. He broke into a wide toothy grin and said "I'll be damned James, did you coach him?" James let out a tense breath and said "Not at all George, that's all him." "What an incredible young man you've found. Please, friends, relax, sit. Greg, tell me what I can do for you. I am at your disposal. But I have forgotten my manners, Frederick, get them something to drink please." I turned to see a man I assumed was Frederick looking from me to George. The look on his face said he was evaluating me in some way, then he asked us what we would like to drink, and left. When he returned with our drinks, I saw him give George a subtle nod, then he left us. I had passed some kind of test I guess because all the tension was gone and we were just four friends enjoying the evening. George motioned us to a group of chairs and we sat and I laid out the wills and the birth certificate and my actual age and everything. I swear, if he had asked, I would have told him every detail of my life. Some switch had been thrown in our stand off and I knew I had an ally. He listened patiently as I spelled all this out, then picked up his phone, spoke to someone in what almost sounded like French but wasn't. He made two other calls, one in German and the last in English. "Patrick, you will meet with Mr. Gregory Fowler in the penthouse of the Hilton, Santa Barbara tonight. He will be leaving my home in 30 minutes. Solve his problems as if they were mine, goodnight." I was staring at him and his phone manner and he noticed "You think I am harsh young Gregory?" "Please Sir, I'm Greg to my friends." "Thank you Greg. Not for the name but for counting me among your friends. I have an immense amount of power Greg, and more money than you could imagine. Those who work closely with me get courtesies, it keeps them loyal because my interests are their interests. Those farther down the chain, as they say, do as I say because they fear me. Some physically, some financially, some because they're simply weak. Learn when to be that harsh evil person, there is a time and place for it. But at heart, love those that love you and you will have a very long happy life." "Thank you, Sir. And I greatly appreciate the help you're giving us. Now I believe we should be going if we're to stick to your timetable Sir." "Not if you keep insulting me, young pup." he snapped. "I'm sorry, how did I insult you Sir?" "You called me a friend and offered the use of your name, yet you refuse to use mine. I am George, my friends call me George. All others call me Sir or Prince." I broke into a smile "I'm sorry George, it wasn't an intended slight. I promise." "You will advise me when you have news? And let me know that my people helped you?" "I will on one condition." he waited so I continued "You will honor my mate and I by being at our wedding." "I look forward to dancing with Donna again." he said with a grin towards James. "I'll have Frederick see to your needs until you go home if you don't mind? He's one of my most trusted associates." We stood, exchanged the old school French hugs, and followed Frederick back to the SUV and then on to the hotel. When we walked in the room, we discovered who 'Patrick' was. Sitting there having a talk with Billy and Tommy was a man in a CHP uniform with four stars on his shoulders. I don't know all the ranks but I do know that lots of stars means way up the line. He stood and introduced himself as Patrick James Hanson, Deputy Commissioner CHP and he asked that I explain my issues. I asked him to sit and I sat and told him everything I knew, avoiding the fake ID. I had a feeling he knew that, but it wasn't relevant. He took note of the name "Janet Johnson" and the date of the will. He asked me if I could recall my Dad's trips in the year prior to the will. I didn't have to recall, I pulled out my phone and looked them up. I kept his trips in my calendar because we had a deal that he could only miss so many events, wrestling matches, award ceremonies and such and he had asked me to keep him honest. He was pretty good at it too. If a trip came up and he really had to make it, we'd trade a date and he's stick to it. He noted all the dates and their locations. When he had all he thought he needed, he gave me his card and said if I didn't hear from him by noon, I was to call him. I thanked him for coming so late on a Saturday night and he smiled. "I owe George a lot, I'll do anything for him. We'll figure this out Greg, have faith." and he left. I looked at my phone and it was 11:30. 2:30 back home and I got up at 7. Suddenly I was tired. I got up to go to bed and James asked for my phone "If anything happens I'll wake you, I don't want you checking it and not sleeping." "Thank you James. If we're not up by 8 please come get us." and Scott and I went to bed. I was asleep before the lights went out. I guess the time zones were messing with me because I woke and the clock said 5:45. I tried to go back to sleep but it was no good. I could feel Scott fighting it too and finally at 6:20 we showered and went out to the living room. Tommy was missing but James was drinking coffee and Billy was there sitting in his boxer briefs wrapped in a blanket. He blushed when he saw us but I just smiled and he relaxed. We walked to the table and there were breakfast foods in warmers so we made plates and sat to eat. As we ate, James updated us "Patrick called to say they have some leads but none worth mentioning yet. George emailed to say the consensus was things were centered in Los Angeles, so we're in the right place. Mike emailed to say you're free to have the cremation here and bring the ashes home as you please. Your age will stand, the lines about a guardian were required as the will was before your '18th' birthday and if he had died the next day you were still a minor. With no family to challenge your ID he's comfortable saying you're safe with that. That's all we have, but it's early." "Thanks James. I suppose we should be looking for someone to do the cremation." "I've made some calls Greg. I'll print out the list with my thoughts after you eat." "Thanks Billy. And nice legs. Glad to see them finally." At that Billy turned bright red all over and ran for his room. James, Scott and I burst out laughing and when he returned fully dressed I stood and pulled him in to a hug "Hey buddy, you do know that when your friends tease you it's out of love. If I ever stop teasing you, that's when you should worry. I don't know what I would have done without your help dude, please stick by my side for a very long time." Billy wrapped his arms around me and hugged me back "Thanks Greg. If only you were single," I froze "and female" and he broke into giggles. I tickled him and he squirmed away "Rat, I'll get you." "Gotta catch me first!" and he ran back to his room. Tommy emerged from the same room "Hey? Who's stirring up the pup? I was getting some sleep. Oh, hey Greg figured it was you or Scott. Did you get some sleep? "I did, thanks. Have you talked to Leonard? Is he upset you bolted?" "I did and he's not. He asked me to offer a hug and told me if I didn't take good care of you I'd be sleeping alone for the next century." "Oh harsh!" "Yeah, but he snores. It's temping to rough you up a little to make him pay up." I was glad my family was trying to keep me laughing. I knew I couldn't deal with the pain all the time and needed distractions. Then I realized I had thought 'family'. I guess they are. That thought made me smile bigger as I sat and hugged Scott. I reached for a cup of coffee and my phone rang "Hello?... No, I was awake...yes, please...Thank you, see you then." "Patrick is on his way. He'll be here in 10 minutes." I told everyone Scott suggested I take some blood before he got here. It had been a rough day and he wanted me strong, so he poured me a cup and I gulped it down. I had just rinsed the cup when he knocked. James showed him in and offered him coffee or breakfast. Patrick made a comment about cops and doughnuts, as he grabbed a cup of coffee and a few doughnuts. That helped lower my stress level but I was still wound up, come on, just tell me. We sat in the living room with Scott by my side on the sofa. "What I'm going to tell you is off the record and could cost me my job. I'm just saying that out of habit, I know you can keep secrets but it makes me feel better to say it. Greg, are you sure your dad never mentioned this Janet? Or any women on his trips?" "Never. I would have remembered because just after mom died, I was worried he'd bring home some substitute and I'd hate her, but as time went on, I hoped he'd meet someone and not be so lonely. Is she a girlfriend? Did he..." and the lights all came on. "I see you've put it together so I'll fill in the details. I've pulled in favors on levels so high the White House might have had to clear some of this. George did too, so we feel we have the full picture. Janet Johnson was a young lady your dad met on his first trip to LA after your mom died. She was young, single, and well, to put it bluntly, she was a drug addict." "You say was. I take it she's no longer alive?" "She's not, but let me get to that. Your dad spent time with her when he was in LA, and put her up in an apartment and tried to get her clean. He had some luck with that, and in July of last year they found out she was pregnant. It seems your dad wasn't sure he was the father and didn't put them in his will until he had paid her doctor to sneak a DNA test into one of her amniocenteses. She was at risk so the test was normal. He got the results in late September and had his will re-written. That is the will that is in force now. He couldn't get back to LA when she went into labor in late November and she died in childbirth. She was angry at him for not coming and refused to tell anyone the boy's father's name before she passed. We've searched, but we are certain that Johnson wasn't her real name. The doctor that had done the DNA had moved to the bay area before she delivered, and wasn't aware she had died, so the child is in foster care." "I have a brother? He's...seven months old?" "Yes Greg, you have a human brother." we all froze when he said human "Yes, I know, and I keep secrets very well. Anyway, you have a human brother, and you have on file, medical proof that you are his only family. You have to decide what to do with that information." "What do you mean what I do?" "You're young Greg. I'm guessing you're not the 18 I've been told, but like I said, I don't care. By law, you're 18, and you can decide to ignore this and leave the boy in the system. An infant will very likely find an adoptive family and grow up in a loving home. Or you can assert your familiar rights, get custody, and raise your brother." I sat back and looked from Scott "Honey? What do I do?" then to James "Dad? Help me, I don't know what to do?" I was wrapped in a double hug from them both saying they were there and to do what my heart said and everything would be fine. Then I realized what I had said. "Oh my God, James I am so sorry... I just..." "It's fine Greg, you can call me whatever feels right son, just relax and focus." "Babe? What's your heart saying? What do you want to do?" "I want to raise him but I can't force that on you already. We're so young, we'll mess it up." "We won't mess it up. We'll raise him and he'll grow up knowing he's loved." "You want to do this? Really?" "We had talked about how we'd have kids babe. This is fate." I turned to Patrick "I want my brother. How do I do this?" "Your attorney is already making the calls. With George pushing it, I'm guessing you'll meet your brother by dinner, if not sooner. Now that I've told you what we found, I was not here, I have never been here, I was in this hotel to visit my daughter, and you and I have never met. And now that I've said THAT... you have my cell number, if you ever need anything in California, call me, I'll do anything I can to help you, since we've never met." he finished with a wink. I couldn't move, so James showed Patrick out and thanked him again for 'not being here'. I remembered a promise and called George. I told him everything I had just learned and he listened like it was all brand new to him, though I knew he knew all of this. I had found two very good friends in Los Angeles and I was glad. The shock slowly wore off and a sense of anticipation and odd happiness settled in. I still had to deal with my dad's death, but this put a positive on that negative. To distract me from watching the clock, Billy gave me his list of funeral homes and I agreed with his choice so I called them. We faxed them the paperwork they needed and they would collect his body from the hospital, take care of the cremation, and bring his ashes to me at the hotel Monday afternoon. I had successfully distracted myself and when someone knocked at the door I ran to answer it like a child on Christmas morning racing to the tree. I yanked the door open expecting a baby. It was Donna with a girl in her 20's, and two men. One looked 19 and the other looked about Donna's age. Behind me I heard James laughing and coming to greet his wife. Scott filled in the blanks when he shouted "Jack! Matty!!!" and ran past me to hug his brother and nephew. Everyone settled in chairs and couches around the living room and after I got the names and faces sorted, I asked "What are you doing here?" "Why am I here to support my son who just lost his father? You're kidding me, right?" "Well, no Donna, I get it, and I really am happy you're here, but Jack? Matty? Why are you guys here?" "First, dude, you get one Matty per century and you just used it. So did you Squirt, I heard ya" as he looked at Scott "I'm your brother, you're my brother's mate, you're family. And if there's one thing vampires take seriously, it's blood." Everyone groaned at his horrible pun as he was pelted with pillows from all angles, but it made me feel good. These strangers were here, for me, just because I was me. "I landed in CT and when gran told me I had a new uncle and he needed us, I told them to fill up the tanks and kept going west. Nice to meet ya uncle." "You too Jack. Sorry I keep looking at you guys but somehow I thought Matt would be older, and Jack younger." "I told you Matt and Liz had just started over and were going to Yale, remember?" "Oh ya, thanks hon. And Jack, hold on, don't tell me... you were born in 1935 and reset in the 1980's, right?" "Haha, don't I wish. Nah, I was born in 1703. I've been in and around London for 300 years. I reset in '48 after I lost Mum and Da. Then again in '88. I don't like to age much past 60, too many aches and pains." "Oh, so your dad was...Joseph?" "Ya, Da was young when they had me. Mum was a bit older. I think she was almost Grandad's age? Da was...Come on Gran, help me out here?" "Joseph was born in 1615, he had just reset when Jack was born. His mate Sarah was a changed vampire and she told us she had been made in 1543, which made her 50 years older than me and about 50 years younger than James. But enough making an old lady talk about her age! We're here because my newest son needed us." "Wait, wait, which of us is considered the older? Scotty or me?" "OOOH HE can call you Scotty and WE can't?" "NO, you can't. Don't make me say it Matthew!" "Stop it, both of you. Come on Donna, who's the older son, Scott or me?" Everyone got silent as James and Donna looked at each other, grinned, and James said "It's the same as asking 'which came first, the chicken or the egg'. If you ask 100 vampires, 50 will say your date of birth, and 50 will say your date of being a vampire. So you two are just out of luck." Everyone groaned and we threw the pillows at James now. We were all laughing when my phone pinged with a text. I read it and said I had to use the bathroom, and walked in the bedroom. I made a quick phone call, asked a few questions, and said "Yes, do all of that please?" and hung up. When I walked back in everyone was staring at me. "What?" "What was that babe?" "I went to the bathroom." "One, you shouldn't lie to family. Two, vampires have great hearing, we heard you on the phone. Three, we didn't hear you flush or wash your hands. Now, spill it or we're required to hang you from the yardarm." "Really Jack? One, it's not a lie, it's a secret. Two, if your hearing is THAT good, you don't need to ask. And three, hotels don't have yardarms, that's ships." "Oh Jackie boy, he's got you there!" "That's it Scotty, you broke the truce." and Jack pounced on Scott and started tickling him. Billy and Tommy had been in their room, leaving the family to bond, but Billy came out and said "I've got your papers Greg, you want to sign them?" Well damn, ruined by paperwork. Fine, I give up. "OK, I surrender. I'd like my family to please sit and be quiet, I've been working on something since I dealt with the funeral home, and it's all done now." Billy started to turn and I said "I said for the family to come sit Billy, that includes you and Tommy. Get your skinny butt over here and give me those papers. TOMMY, get out here, please?" Once everyone had settled in, I started. "It's impossible for me to believe, but tomorrow morning, it will be one week since I was walking past a vacant house that was no longer vacant, and I met Scott. Less than 48 hours later, I had died, and my whole understanding of the world was knocked upside-down. Vampires were real, and I was one. 24 hours later, I'm richer than I could imagine. Another 24 hours and I'm being told that my Dad, my hero, was dying. Another 24 and I find I have an infant brother and my husband and I are going to raise him. So many changes and I had no choice or control over any of them. It's been proven that if I had been given a choice, I would be in the same place, so that's a good thing. James didn't get killed so there's an upside." Everyone laughed and it helped things time out perfect, someone knocked and I went to the door. There was a young woman holding an infant and a middle-aged lady in a business suit. She asked for my ID and when she was certain I was me, she introduced me to the young lady, who had been fostering my brother. She was torn, but happy the boy had real family. I thanked them and I promised to keep the girl informed on his progress, and they left. I turned around, holding the baby and said "I've been working behind your backs all day with Mike helping me. These papers need my signatures, and I will only sign with certain people's permission, so first page. James, Donna this is an application for a legal name change, changing my name to Charles Gregory Fowler Warnick, if you'll accept me as your son." They were both crying as they nodded and I signed the paper. "The second one is a marriage license..." I didn't get to finish because I was almost knocked over by Scotty jumping up and grabbing me yelling "YES YES HELL YES!!!" "Language around the baby!" I laughed. "This last one I want Scott, James, and Donna to give deep thought before you answer, and if any of you three think it's a bad idea, please speak up. There really isn't a rush." I looked at the three of them. They were all crying but they nodded letting me know they were listening "This last one is an application for the adoption of the infant boy known as "John Doe" by Charles Gregory Fowler Warnick and his husband David Scott Warnick. It names the baby Charles David Fowler Warnick." I looked at Scott and he smiled and grabbed the pen to sign. James and Donna were both nodding their agreement. I had a hard time signing because I was being mobbed by my family. Everyone trying to get their arms around me at the same time.