Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2018 10:17:49 +0100
From: Clive Westwood <cfgw2000@aol.com>
Subject: Life's Illusions - Book Four, Chapter 32 Relationships

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Life's Illusions - Book Four - Chapter 32

In Montclair, a pot had been bubbling for far too long.

Paul and JJ.

Years earlier, in a seedy bar they'd declared their love for each other,
but time and circumstances had eroded that.

JJ didn't understand, or know what to do, he remembered that night, and the
days that followed, and it was what he needed, a feeling of being wanted,
but it seemed an unlikely event, because Paul had never repeated the
closeness they'd shared for those few days, in truth he'd assumed a distant
stance, and JJ couldn't stand it any longer.

Everything that had happened in the last year had kept JJ from
concentrating on his personal problem, but now he could take stock, Paul
didn't seem to want to move forward, so maybe it was time for him to make a
break, leave the fold.

They'd finally brought in their most ambitious project ever, it had netted
a fortune for each of them, and Daniel had been over the moon, but it was a
completely empty victory for JJ, he had enough money that he didn't need
more, what he really wanted didn't seem to be within reach.

Daniel had arranged a celebratory evening at Maison de Dieu, there had been
so many present it had been easy for JJ to slip away, he'd gone to that bar
in Nice, he'd hoped against hope, it could happen again, that Paul would
come to him, but it didn't happen, and he knew, he wouldn't return to
Montclair.

The board meeting at Maison de Dieu the following day was cancelled when it
became obvious JJ was nowhere to be found.

Everyone could attest, he'd definitely been at the previous evenings
celebrations, but no one could remember seeing him at the end of the
evening, and they didn't know where he was at that point, and they
wouldn't, because, as they were talking, JJ was on an aircraft flying away
from them.

Pauls suite at Chateau Montclair was a complete mess, the staff did their
best to keep it clean, but he was like a whirlwind, clothes all over, and
it was under one of those piles of clothes, a member of staff found it, a
plain white envelope, with the unmistakable handwriting.

He'd known before he opened it what a complete fool he'd been, how he'd
wasted a chance for happiness, but it hadn't stopped the tears from flowing
as he read what Paul had written.

'I'm guessing it will be some time after I'm gone before you discover this
letter. I want to say I'm sorry, but why?, I gave myself completely, opened
up my heart, told you how I felt, and you've left me sitting for all these
years on the sideline, not knowing, not understanding if I'm to wait, or if
I'm even wanted, I keep thinking back to those few days, so long ago now
with the years that have passed, I know you loved me then, but finally I
have to face facts, I can't live my life with only those few distant
memories, I don't think you really want me, and that breaks my heart, I'll
always love you Paul, but I can't stay and pretend, it hurts too much".

Paul knew then how stupid he'd been, his Momma had told him how lucky he
was that JJ loved him, but he'd wanted to keep everything quiet, normal,
and he'd taken it too far, JJ was gone.

He'd shown JJ's letter to Marcel who, instead of expressing the sympathy
Paul had expected, exploded angrily.

"You fucking idiot, why?, tell me, explain if you can, why do I have to
lose my brother because you can't find the balls to commit, you're
pathetic".

Marcel's response was mirrored by that of Pete and Jaque, who were verbally
lambasting a tearful Paul when Roslyn happened to walk in on them, and that
was their downfall, she'd been incensed, even before she knew the reason
for their anger, this was her younger brother, and as head now of the
Montclair-Thorn family, she went straight into an attack, wrapping her arms
around Paul.

"What the hell is going on, why are the two of you verbally attacking my
brother".

Neither Pete nor Jaque answered, Paul said.

"JJ left, because of me, no one knows where he's gone".

Roslyn could see how upset her brother was, and that just served to fuel
her anger.

"So you thought it was alright for the two of you to launch a verbal attack
did you, instead of getting off your arses and finding him, oh no that's
too obvious, well I suggest you back off or you'll have me to deal with,
and I promise you'll not want to be in my line of fire, because I don't
take prisoners, come on Bro, let's leave these idiots to stew".

As they were leaving Jaque answered angrily.

"I'll remind you Roslyn, you're a guest in this house, and that could all
change if you continue to treat us with disrespect".

But whatever Jaque expected to get out of issuing that threat, it wasn't
the shock that he and Pete received in Roslyn's reply.

"Uncle, that's the second time that you've warned me I'm only a guest in
this house at your pleasure, well mark my words, never again will you have
the opportunity to use that threat, I just hope your late sister, my dear
departed Momma is looking down on you now, and what will she think of
you?".

That evening saw Roslyn and Cecile make some difficult decisions, they were
agreed on moving out of Chateau Montclair, but Cecile suggested they make
the break much more permanent, sell their half of Montclair Wines, start a
new life and business away from Montclair.

Roslyn was unsure of how she felt about selling Montclair Wines, but she
admitted, since her parents had died, life in Montclair had seemed to be
nothing but a catalog of bad experiences.

The following day Roslyn had made an offer to purchase a house not far from
Juan's house on Avenue Montclair, it was accepted almost instantly.

It had been recently renovated and required nothing more than furnishing
before they could move in, Cecile vowed to have that done within one week,
she was just as eager as Roslyn to leave Chateau Montclair.

They'd moved in exactly fourteen days after Roslyn's showdown with her
Uncles, Paul had moved with them.

Three days later Roslyn requested a board meeting, to be held in the
Montclair Wines estate office, rather than the usual venue within the
Chateau.

As they met at the estate office, where they were accommodated in a small
cramped office, Jaque made it clear he was not happy that Roslyn had
changed the venue for the meeting, demanding to know why they had to meet
there.

Roslyn actually felt some satisfaction knowing her decision had irritated
him.

"I made you a promise that you wouldn't ever again have the opportunity to
taunt me with the prospect of being ejected from Chateau Montclair, my
family home, but I will never again step through your door, so get used to
being cramped, of course, you could always buy mine and Cecile's share of
Montclair Wines, then you could hold your board meetings wherever you want,
they ought to be short if you're only arguing with yourself as sole owner".

Jaque was startled.

"You're considering selling your shares, why?".

Roslyn's response was a much bigger shock.

"Not considering, that ship sailed on the day you caused us to leave the
Chateau, we are most definitely decided, we can no longer work with you, in
fact I don't even want to be in the same room as you, hence the purpose of
this meeting, to formally inform the board that our share holdings will be
available on the open market as of nine o'clock tomorrow morning".

Jacque was blustering now, in complete shock.

"You don't need to do that, if you're adamant about selling, I'll buy your
shares it was always understood that the business would stay in the family,
but please, rethink your decision, you and Cecile are an immensely
important part of this business, it could totally destroy the company if
the wrong elements became involved".

Roslyn's reply sent his mind reeling.

Yes well, ain't life a bitch, I'm pretty sure when my dear Poppa left the
Chateau to you he had every faith in you ensuring Paul and I would be able
to continue living in our childhood home, but there you go, there's nothing
written down, which meant you could threaten to evict us whenever the whim
suited you, well guess what, it also means Cecile and I can sell to
whomever makes the best offer by sealed bid, as for reconsidering our
decision, I've already told you, we don't want to work with you, so that
would be a no, now suck it up".

Jacque was having trouble processing everything she'd said, but his reply
did nothing to ease the situation.

"You'd risk destroying my life's work just to score a point?, I could block
you from selling on the open market, take it to a court".

Surprisingly it was Fleur who spoke next.

"Stop it Poppa, don't you hear yourself, this is all your own doing,
Roslyn's right in everything she's said, and she has every right to be
aggrieved, since Uncle Woody gave you control of the Chateau you've used it
as a weapon too many times, it's not that long since you barred entry to my
brothers, your sons, how long before you dislike an answer from me and I
get the same treatment, don't tell me it won't happen because we both know
it's a real possibility, it's time you took stock, and you should know, if
Roslyn and Cecile sell their shares in Montclair Wines, I will leave the
company too".

Fleur then stood and left the office with tears flowing down her face.

Roslyn and Cecile followed her, but not before Roslyn gave her uncle a
parting shot, and her voice was chilling.

"You're very free with your threats Uncle, but you seem to have forgotten I
issued one to you, about getting in my line of fire, well you've put
yourself firmly in my crosshairs, so here's, not a threat, more a piece of
advice, remember who my Poppa was, who trained me, if you thought he was a
good businessman, you're looking at the refined model, tread very carefully
or I'll annihilate you".

When Jacque had recounted the days events to Pete that evening as they sat
alone eating dinner, Pete's reply had done nothing to ease his unhappiness,
but it did make him think.

"I don't want you to take this the wrong way my love, but I see they have a
serious point, we have been heavy handed, we haven't afforded them the
level of care Woody and Jacqueline would have expected for their children,
and I'm ashamed to admit that, but what to do about it?, that needs us to
think long and hard, but I fear there is no solution to losing family
control of Montclair Wines".

The date for receipt of sealed bids on Roslyn's and Cecile's shares of
Montclair Wines was fast approaching when Jaque requested a board meeting.

"I'm asking that you refine the terms of your sale documentation, ensuring
that whomever bids will be bidding for Montclair Wines in its entirety, I'm
making my half available for sale".

Roslyn could have asked a whole host of questions, but she could see how
upset her uncle was, so she didn't, she simply asked.

"Why Uncle?".

As a complete surprise, Pete had attended this meeting, and seeing Jaque
struggling he'd reached out to take his hand, visibly giving Jaque the
strength to carry on.

"Because I'm ashamed to admit, I'm sorry, we're sorry, we haven't been the
guardians your Momma and Poppa would have been expecting us to be, we've
treated you badly, and we want you to know that we understand why you want
to leave Montclair".

Roslyn still didn't understand, and her confusion was evident in her reply.

"But why sell your share of the company?, I know what it means to you, I
don't understand your decision".

Jaque needed no help this time.

"I spoiled it, we had the perfect relationship, worked so well together, it
was the reason the company was such a success, without you, without Cecile,
without Fleur, I don't want to be a part of it anymore, it would be doomed
to fail, but I want to give what your Poppa and I built a chance to go
forward, to grow as it has from the first day your dear Poppa, my brother
in law, and my friend, arrived in Montclair, now will you do as I ask,
please?".

Roslyn was herself on the verge of crying as she answered.

"Yes Uncle, I'll do that".

The sale of Montclair Wines sparked a bidding frenzy, and the successful
bidder emerged as one of Daniels clients, whom he described as a caring mix
of successful business brains.

Daniel took time to tell Jaque that Montclair Wines was in very good hands,
the Investment Group who had been successful in acquiring it devoted their
efforts to expanding and improving, without reducing the workforce, they
looked first and foremost at whether the company was overstaffed, if it was
they invariably rejected it as a viable addition to their portfolio, they
were not a slash and sell setup, their acquisitions sometimes stayed with
them for many years before being sold on, but again they were sold on with
the same regard for the company's future growth as was displayed in its
acquisition.

Jaque felt a sense of relief that his and Woody's 'baby' had been given the
best possible chance for continued success.

There had been a few changes written into the sale requirements, in
particular it became necessary to separate Montclair Wines from Chateau
Montclair land, so a program of rebuilding began, well before the final,
winning bid was announced.

When everything settled, Chateau Montclair was left with lands which
stretched over a mile in each direction to its rear, before it became
Montclair Wines land, the vineyards and Wineries.

On the day they signed away ownership of Montclair Wines, Roslyn and Cecile
invited Jaque, Pete and Fleur to dine with them at the house they'd bought
on Avenue Montclair.

As they'd eaten, the atmosphere had been a little stilted, apprehensive,
until, during the lull before their sweet course was served, Jaque produced
a document, which he passed to Roslyn, saying.

"As the eldest member of the Montclair-Thorn family, we want you to have
this, and know, we're truly sorry for everything, but we hope you will
accept this gesture as our attempt to build a bridge, it's all we have a
right to ask".

When she read the document, tears started to form in her eyes and Cecile
became alarmed.

"What is it, why are you crying?".

Roslyn had to gulp a few times before she could reply.

"It's a formal recognition, a legal deed, giving the descendants of
Jacqueline and Woodruff Montclair-Thorn, access on demand to Chateau
Montclair and it's lands, for as long as it is privately owned by the Comte
de Montclair".

Jaque followed it up with a statement that caused them all to erupt into
raucous laughter.

"If I, or any of my descendants ever threatened you with eviction from
Chateau Montclair in the future you can now flick your finger in a, 'Go
fuck yourself', gesture, your right of residency at Chateau Montclair is
assured, as it rightly always should have been".

The night ended with everyone hugging in true family fashion.

The following morning Roslyn and Cecile left Montclair to embark on a world
cruise which would last nearly four months before they headed to where they
intended their future base to be.

In the meantime, Paul had enlisted the help of Guardian's services to track
JJ, but even he was surprised to receive a personal visit from Juan.

"You don't need Guardian to find him, I already know where he is, I've
known since around a week after he left, but I have to ask what your
motivation is for knowing his whereabouts?".

Paul was completely frank in his reply, and it it hit home with Juan".

"I love him, I thought just having him close was enough, and it seemed it
was for me, but I didn't realise, I wasn't giving him anything, I need to
make it up to him, and hope he will give me another chance, I'm prepared to
lay my heart and soul out before him, I realised after he left, there's no
point in being here without him, so I suppose I'm begging, tell me where he
is and I'll lay myself down in front of him, after that it's his choice,
either he'll want me, or I'll walk away".

Juan didn't answer right away, but eventually he said.

"Right now he's in Sydney, he's been staying with Piers and a Milo, but he
moved out last week, he has his own house now, and there's something else,
he's in a relationship, Paul be careful, don't derail his future if it's
only to justify easing your conscience about the past, that wouldn't be
declaring your love, that would be an act of reclaiming something you feel
is rightfully yours, and it would have nothing to do with love, you would
inflict unimaginable hurt on him".

Paul was silent, in thought for a while, then his head snapped up.

"Give me his address, I have to do this, I won't hurt him I promise you
that, if he doesn't want me I'll walk away, but I can't leave it like
this".

Months earlier JJ had called Piers when he'd landed in Dubai.

"Hi cousin, how's life down under?".

Piers had been relieved to hear from him, the whole family knew he was
missing.

"Life is becoming bearable again now I know you're safe, what's going on
JJ?, everyone's been on the lookout for you, where are you?".

He avoided Piers later question in his answer.

"I had to leave Piers, it got to the point where I knew I was just in
limbo, Paul was never going to do anything about us, I need a fresh start,
as far away from Montclair as possible, and I'm making it happen".

Piers really felt for him.

"JJ why didn't you come to us, you know you'd be welcome, this is an
amazing country".

JJ was laughing as he replied, and he realised, it had been a long time
since he'd laughed.

"Well now Piers, they do say be careful what you wish for, because I'm in
Dubai, about to board my flight to Sydney, not sure exactly what time I
land".

Piers took his flight number and told him excitedly.

"I'll be waiting in arrivals for you, and I'm claiming first hug, see you
soon cousin".

As soon as he'd cut the call, Piers called Milo who'd been in Christchurch
NZ for the last two days, then added in Josef and Juan on conference link.

"I've just spoken to JJ, he's in Dubai, about to board a flight to Sydney,
I've told him he can stay with us Milo, but guys, I'm suggesting only
Uncles Pete and Jaque are informed for now, and we ask them to keep it to
themselves for the time being, at least until I can chat with him".

They all agreed, what Piers suggested was the most sensible course of
action, Joseph asked Piers to call Pete and Jaque, he felt they would be
more accepting if the information didn't come third hand, Piers agreed,
Milo told Piers he'd be home mid afternoon the following day and to make
sure Sam drove him to collect JJ from the airport.

After finishing that call, as it was nine o'clock at night in Sydney,
eleven o'clock in Christchurch, he knew he was okay to call Chateau
Montclair, where it would be around midday.

"Uncle Jaque, I have good news, JJ called me a few minutes ago, he was in
Dubai, just about to board a flight to Sydney, I'm going to meet him in the
morning, he'll be staying here with us for a while, but I couldn't get a
proper feel of how he's doing, so I'm asking for a pretty big favour,
obviously Marcel and Fleur need to know but until I get a chance to talk
with him, would you agree to keep his whereabouts to yourselves?".

Piers had come off the call with Jaque's assurance, in Montclair, onlyPete,
Jaque, Marcel, and Fleur, would know where JJ was until Piers, or JJ called
them again.

It had been JJ who'd called his Poppas a few days later, when they finished
the call Pete and Jaque had known, he would never return.

He'd sat with Piers, pouring his heart out, speaking about the years before
when Paul had confessed his love for him, how they'd spent those few
idyllic days together, and how it had then slipped back into an almost
casual friendship, how Paul didn't want it generally known they were in a
relationship, and in truth they weren't, he'd told Piers what he'd put in
his letter to Paul, and how he was determined to start his life afresh in
Sydney.

True to his word, JJ had worked tirelessly, networking his vast circle of
contacts worldwide, collecting introductions and invites to any and all
events in, and around Sydney, until he secured his first project, something
really familiar to him, a Mall project, the sort of project he could have
completed with his eyes closed back in France, and he'd succeeded, he'd
gotten his feet on the bottom rung, and from that point on he was climbing
the ladder.

When he'd mentioned to Piers and Milo after dinner one evening about
needing a bigger office, it had been Milo who'd answered him.

"We have two floors available from the end of this month at Guardian House,
how much space do you actually need?".

Paul had outgrown his first office quite quickly, so he took the two floors
Milo had offered, it was more than he needed right then, but with a staff
of ten Accredited Financial Advisers now, plus the fact he'd forecast that
number increasing to around twenty within his first financial year, and
when each of them had two support staff who carried out the donkey work, he
already needed space for thirty, by the time he reached his first end of
year, he would have a total workforce of around sixty, he'd justified
taking the two floors by reasoning, they wouldn't have to move again, they
could just grow.

And then there was Grant, or rather, Grantham Alexander Medhurst, he'd
invested in JJ's first project, and they'd become friends, hanging out,
going to social events together, and finally, though JJ still couldn't say
exactly how, they'd ended up in the same bed, and stayed there for the
whole weekend.

JJ had told Piers everything, how confused he was, how he hadn't seen it
coming, how he wasn't looking for a relationship, and how he thought he
might be falling in love.

Piers had spent most of their conversation openly giggling, with JJ
constantly reprimanding him, telling him it wasn't funny, but as Piers
replied.

"But that's exactly what love does, it catches you when you aren't looking,
when you least expect it, now stop overthinking it, just go with the flow,
see where it takes you, because he's a really nice guy, and it doesn't take
a genius to see how smitten he is with you, even if you were oblivious".

It had been around that time that a sale board went up on a property only a
stones throw from Milo and Piers house, after one viewing JJ declared he
wanted it, telling Piers.

"If you and Milo need to be away together, or if you want a dirty weekend,
I'm just down the road, the kids can come to me".

He'd viewed the property with Piers, it occupied around the same floor
space as Milo and Piers house, but it had an upper floor with a further two
bedroom suites, and a state of the art office, it was furnished
beautifully, a real plus was that the owners were moving overseas and
wanted to be rid of the entire household contents.

Paul didn't like the back yard, it was a series of paths and patios, with
hardly any planting, just gravel and stones, he'd said he wanted an almost
identical version of Piers and Milo's garden, with lots of greenery and
flowers, Piers assured him, the landscaping company they'd used would
transform it easily.

The realtor had seemed almost disinterested, obviously thinking Paul was
just another time waster, so when Paul announced he wanted it, the poor guy
almost wet his pants, but his question about how Paul intended to finance
the purchase, and Pauls subsequent response, left him completely
speechless.

"It will be a cash purchase, I'd like to complete as quickly as possible,
I'll have my legal team contact you first thing tomorrow morning.

The legal requirements had taken longer than he anticipated, but he'd
finally moved in two weeks later, with the landscaping team arriving as he
was unpacking his clothes into closets and arranging the few personal
effects he had.

It had taken eight days to transform the garden into a green, shrub and
flower filled space he was completely ecstatic about.

Grant had taken him away to the Gold Coast, to Milo's penthouse apartment,
for a weekend break whilst the landscaping was completed.

It was whilst they were there JJ would later realise, he fell utterly,
completely, in love with Grant.

Grant wasn't an Adonis, he was no slouch either, he had a trim body, did
regular exercise, but he wasn't someone you'd see coming toward you on a
sidewalk, someone you'd be unable to take your eyes off, he didn't stand
out in a crowd, except for JJ.

Piers noticed and mentioned it to Milo.

"He's doing what you do, I never realised until now what it was, so I must
owe you a whole lot of cuddles".

Milo was mystified, until Piers explained.

"He absolutely beams when their eyes meet, and so does Grant, you do that,
you always have, but it's only now I understand it".

Milo was almost laughing.

"You numpty Piers, you do it as well, it's love, the feeling you get the
moment you see the one person who is just about everything you've ever
wanted, well, apart from the fact that he doesn't ever put his toothbrush
away, doesn't wipe the basin, doesn't wipe down the shower screen, I could
go on".

By that point a laughing Milo was being battered with a cushion by a
giggling Piers.

On a Saturday, when Milo had to be in Christchurch, promising to be back by
late afternoon, a crisis had arisen at their offices in Sydney, so Piers
had to deal with it.

He'd left the kids, Vinny, Baz, Jezz, Pil, and Gracie, enjoying a game of
tag in the pool at JJ's, and Grant was really enjoying their company.

Vinny had gotten out of the pool to get cool drinks when the housekeeper
beckoned him.

"There's a man at the gatehouse asking for entry, he claims to be Mr JJ's
partner from Montclair, but I've never heard of Mr JJ having a partner
other than Mr Grant, will you ask Mr JJ what I should do?".

Vinny assured her he would take care of it, walking over to the phone she'd
left on the side table, she heard him say.

"Please keep the visitor there for the moment, Mr JJ will contact you
shortly".

Vinny replaced the handset with an uneasy feeling, then went to get JJ.

At the pool JJ was struggling to get away from Grant who was holding him
and tickling him, causing them all to laugh.

Vinny caught his eye, and the look was not lost on JJ, he spoke to Grant
who released him, he'd made his way across to the steps where Vinny was
waiting.

"JJ there's someone at the gatehouse requesting entry, I think it's Paul".

JJ had been climbing the steps out of the pool, but Vinny's words threw him
completely, he missed his step and fell forward hitting his head on the
pool edge.

Vinny's shout alerted Grant immediately, he was instantly next to a dazed
JJ, scooping him up in his arms and shouting to the other kids.

"Out of the pool guys, JJ's hurt, Vinny get them all on the deck, no one
goes back in the pool".

Grant was carrying JJ to a lounger in the outside room where he would be
shaded, there was blood running from a cut on his brow.

Vinny called for the housekeeper to bring the first aid box.

JJ was disoriented, but in his confusion he told Grant about Paul.

"Paul at the gatehouse, need to let him in".

Grant looked at Vinny who nodded.

"Okay, tell them to let him through Vinny, I'm putting Paul to bed, but I
need someone to sit with him, he must not sleep, come get me if he does,
Baz, Pil, sit with him don't leave him alone until I come back okay, keep
talking to him".

Just as Grant left JJ's suite, he heard the doorbell and knew Vinny would
get it, he arrived as Vinny was showing Paul into the lounge.

"Hi I'm Grant, you must be Paul".

Grant held out his hand in greeting but Paul ignored it.

"I know who you are, where's JJ?".

Grant chose to ignore the obvious brush off administered to him.

"I'm afraid he's not available right now, he slipped a few minutes ago
getting out of the pool, bumped his head, so he's lying down, I'm sorry, I
know it sounds like a rather contrived excuse to put you off but I assure
you it's completely true, so I'd ask that you come back another time,
tomorrow perhaps".

Paul was irritable, he'd arrived in Sydney only a few hours ago, he was jet
lagged, and his reply didn't come out as he'd wanted it too.

"You're right it does sound contrived and I smell bullshit, if JJ doesn't
want me here, he needs to tell me himself, I don't want conversation with
some one night stand who thinks he's found a convenient meal ticket".

Vinny now stepped in front of Paul.

"Okay that's enough, you're leaving, it was a mistake to allow you entry".

Piers stepped through the door hearing Pauls response and witnessing
Vinny's challenge, that spurred him into action, his voice booming out with
authority.

"Paul, back off, Grant doesn't deserve to be addressed in that manner, and
my son certainly doesn't need to be placed in the position he finds himself
in, Milo landed in Sydney half an hour ago, I don't need to tell you what
will happen if he finds you posing a threat to our son, family or friend
he'll rip you apart, leave now, Vinny will take you to our house, I'll be
there shortly, now go".

Paul glared at Grant, but didn't say anything more, he turned and walked
out followed by Vinny.

Piers now went into investigator mode.

"Where's JJ, what's going on?"

Grant let it all out as he grabbed Piers hand, dragging him toward JJ's
suite.

"He fell getting out of the pool, he's got a bump on his head, I don't know
if he should go to the ER, Baz and Pil are with him, should I leave, I
don't want to, not until I know he's alright".

Piers checked JJ over, he seemed okay, and he understood fully what was
happening around him, even asking.

"What happened to Paul, I need to see him".

At that point Grant melted away, even Piers wasn't aware he'd gone until
Baz recounted it to him later, in front of JJ.

"He cried, I saw the tears, when you said you needed to see the Paul guy, I
don't understand, it looked like he was hurt".

Piers pulled Baz into a hug.

"Don't try to work it out, one of these days, when love becomes a factor,
you'll understand, and believe me, you'll wish you didn't".

Baz just sighed, more adult mystery.

But Vinny that night got a hug of admiration from Piers.

"I was so proud of you earlier, you stood up for Grant, but let's not let
your Poppa Milo learn about that event, it might not be a good thing, he
tends to lose all rational thought where you guys are concerned".

But Piers efforts were in vain as Milo arrived home and launched a brutal
attack on Paul and both Piers and Vinny heard him.

"You're in our house right now, and you're a welcome family guest, but make
no mistake, when my baby girl tells me with tears that my son had to stand
up to you, I'm promising, if you ever put any of my children in a position
where they think they have to stand up to you again, forget your first
class seat home, you'll be flying freight in a wooden casket".

He'd paused for a moment, but he was far from finished.

"Be very careful Paul, trying to regain something you had and didn't value
requires a finesse in negotiation, but above all it requires a love and
understand I don't think you have, I don't believe you have ever loved JJ,
I believe he was nothing more than a trophy to you, now it's up to you too
prove me wrong, but remember, I'm not the only one watching you, get some
rest, tomorrow you can start your quest, but don't hurt him Paul, he
doesn't deserve it, you've already hurt him, remember it's about making up,
now I'll bid you goodnight".

When Milo joined Piers and Vinny he enveloped them both in a hug, and Vinny
said with tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry Poppa, I didn't mean make you angry with him".

Milo ruffled his hair.

"You didn't do anything wrong Vinny, I was really proud of you, your Poppa
Piers and I made a commitment to protect you and your brothers and sister,
and we take that commitment seriously, I just told him what our position
is, if he chooses to mess with us, I gave him the consequences he'll
suffer, but we have to remember, he's family, and he's tired, let's give
him the benefit of the doubt, now off to bed with you".

When Vinny went to bed, Piers went back to JJ's house, he stayed the night.

Milo on the other hand rang Guardian's Control Room.

A few minutes later he was speaking to Roslyn, somewhere in the Caribbean.

"I think you might need to come here, Paul turned up, completely out of the
blue, insulted JJ's boyfriend, caused Vinny to step between them to stop a
potential fight, I've already threatened to send him home in a wooden
casket if he ever endangers any of my children again, I just don't see this
ending in a nice way, I have a really bad feeling about the outcome".

Roslyn had sighed but assured Milo, if he felt it needed her to deal with
Paul she would come.

They left it that Milo would update Roslyn daily.

TBC
Allan

Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.

Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.