Thanks to Carolyn for her great beta job. Also thanks to all the girls, you know who you are. Also to the Delph gang. Roo..Nic, love you both and thanks for listening to me all the time. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- QAK 24 Emmett I’m looking at Justin who sits down next to me, with Brian on the other side. “I want to know about my mom.” Justin repeats. “Baby, don’t you think you should rest?” I look at Brian, not wanting to put too much onto Justin. “Em, wasn’t it you who said if I asked, you wouldn’t hide it? That if I ask you would tell me because you’ve never kept anything from me?” I look at him nodding. “Then please tell me.” “Okay Baby. What do you want to know?” Looking at his hands as he twirls his fingers. “Everything. Did she know about what Craig was doing? What happened to her? Everything.” Justin takes Brian’s hand for support. “Well she knew about it, but she was so afraid of him. He threatened to kill all of you, including her if she tried. She hated herself for letting your dad do those things. After Molly died, and you left, your mom did the only thing she could think of to make it right. She killed herself.” I take his other hand. “How?” He asks through tears. “Carbon monoxide poisoning. She put a hose from the exhaust pipe to the car window with the window up.” I look at Justin and wonder if I should go on. “Did she suffer?” Justin looks at me through tears. “They said she went to sleep and died. So no, she didn’t. But Justin, she was a good person. She just was weak in protecting you, Molly and herself. She hated herself for letting it go so far. She loved you both.” Running my hand over his. “He did it.” He said quietly. “Who did what?” Brian asks. “Dad killed her. He might have not put her in the car, or put the pipe in the window and turn the car on, but if he didn’t do all he did to us, to her, she wouldn’t have felt like she owed it to us.” Wiping a tear he leans on Brian. “Sweetie,” I start to say but he stops me. “You killed my father, and I can’t believe I am going to say this, but thanks. The bastard deserved to die.” Burying his head into Brian’s chest. “Justin, I didn’t do it to make him suffer, I did it to him to protect you. I couldn’t let him hurt you anymore.” I wipe my own tears away. “I’m sorry.” I whisper. “Emmett, you did it to protect me, I don’t blame you.” Leaning over to hug me. “I love you Jus, I would do anything for you.” I hug him tighter. “I know I love you too.” He looks from Brian to me. “I want to go to the cemetery where they’re buried.” “Justin are you sure you’re ready for that?” Brian asks him, rubbing his back. “I have to do this. I need to move on but I can’t move on for the future or even the present until my past is resolved. I have to say good bye to my mother and sister. Please take me.” Justin begs us. “Okay, we’ll take you. Go get your shoes and we’ll go.” Brian tells Justin. As Justin walks out of the room and Brian looks at me. “Call Dade and have him meet us there. Just in case something happens.” I nod my head. “I’ll be happy to.” I smile out. After calling the good doctor we head over to the cemetary. Justin As we pull up and park, we step out of the jeep to meet Dade there. Looking at Brian he just smiles at me, nodding his head. “I thought it might be good to have him just in case.” He kisses the side of my head. “Okay.” I quietly say as Dade steps in front of us, “Hey Doc.” “Justin, I understand you wanted to do this. I just want you to know that you just shouldn’t over do yourself. Your mind will let you know when to stop.” Looking to Emmett he smiles. “I knew you couldn’t wait until tomorrow to see me.” Brian and I look at each other before we look at Emmett. “What?” He smirks. “We have a date. You don’t mind do you Justin?” “Why should I? I mean he’s my doctor, not yours.” Hugging me close, he whispers in my ear. “I’m glad because he is really hot Baby.” Laughing he puts his arm around me as I look towards the tombstones. “Are you sure you’re ready for this Sunshine?” Brian asks me coming up behind me. “Yes, I need to do this.” Walking to the gravesite where I once again see Molly and my mothers stones I lean down between them, rubbing my hand on each of them. “Let’s give him a little space.” Dade tells them as they move away. “I don’t know what to say. I really don’t remember every last detail and I’m not sure I want to.” I look down at my trembling hands. “Okay, I’ll just say what’s in my heart. I’ll start with my sister if it’s okay with you mom?” I move more towards Molly’s grave. “Well Mollusk, I don’t know what to say. For a long time we were close. I really hate the fact that I didn’t stop him from hurting you. I should’ve done more to protect you. It broke my heart when you died. I remember things now. I remember how we would end up at Emmett’s and he’d take care of us. I hate that we didn’t have more time together. I know we could’ve and would have been close. I love you Molly. Never doubt that. Please know that you’ll always be in my heart.” Wiping a tear after kissing the stone I turn towards my mothers. I put a hand on the stone as I begin to speak. “Mom.” I look down, wiping a tear and clearing my throat. “Mom, I don’t blame you. I know it was hard. I know I went through a period of not knowing or remembering anything. But now I do. I know you did all you could. I remember you taking beatings when he would let you. Or me taking them for Molly. Mom, I miss you. I know that he’s dead, but I also know he is no where near you or Molly anymore. I love you mom. I’m going to be okay. It was rough awhile, but you know Emmett, he won’t let a good man stay down too long. He is still looking out for me. But mom, I met someone. I met a wonderful man who has been by my side from the beginning of all this and I don’t think he is going anywhere. I like to think you sent him to me. I want you to meet him.” I look over to where Brian is standing. “Brian, come here.” He walks over to me, leans down in front of me and touches my cheek, wiping the tears. “What is it Sunshine?” He softly asks. “I want to introduce you to my mother and sister.” Looking at him, waiting for him to scrunch his nose. But he didn’t. “Okay, Mrs. Taylor, Ms. Taylor I am Brian Kinney. Justin’s boyfriend.” Sitting next to me he takes my hand. “I was just telling them how much you’ve helped me through this.” He smiles at me. “Well I figured that you would do the same for me. Besides, you can’t get rid of me. You are stuck with me.” Leaning over to me he whispers in my ear. “Forever Baby.” “I’m glad I am. Would you like to say anything else to them?” Looking at the stones. “Yes, I just want them both to know how special you are and how every day I will do my best to remind you. I also want them to know that I’ll look out for you and love you for the rest of your life.” “I love you too.” He leans over, stopping right in front of my face. “You think they’d mind if I kissed you?” Smiling I shake my head. “I think my mom would haunt you if you didn’t.” Smirking he leans his lips in and kisses me softly. “Everything okay?” Emmett asks us. “Ya, look Em, since you guys are just going to do it, why don’t you go home with Dade. I would like to be alone with Brian.” Smiling at me he nods his head. “If it’s okay with you Shug.” Looking at Dade who smiles, nodding. “I would like that. Justin call me if you need anything.” He tells me. “Thanks Dade, but I think Brian can handle me for one night.” Looking at Brian who looks at me. “I can handle you for the rest of my life, which I plan on doing.” Kissing me once again. Emmett and Dade both give us hugs before walking away, but not before Emmett turns to my mother and sister’s stones and whispering so low that I barely heard him, “He’ll be okay. We’ll make sure of it. I promise. He has a good man who knows I’ll hurt him if he hurts Justin. Love you ladies.” Turning to Brian I tell him, “Good. Take me home.” Standing up I look down at the stones. “I love you both.” “And they love you. And so do I.” Taking my hand he leads me to his jeep. We drive off and head back to the loft, to try to start our new life together. I look at the man driving and know that my past is just that, the past. This man is my future. My whole future. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There is one more chapter to this story. Thanks for reading.