Midnight Whispers
QAF Brian and Justin Fanfiction
Sickness & Health, Good Times & Bad

Chapter 74

After Ted and Blake found Nina asleep on the couch they looked at each other and shrugged. Blake grabbed a throw and draped it over the sleeping little girl. They went back out to the kitchen.

Blake smiled at Ted. “Why don’t you see if you can go back to sleep for a while. I’m going to get everything ready for cookie making. I’ll let you know when Nina wakes up.”

Ted gave Blake a kiss. “I’m wide awake. I think I’ll go up to the office. There’s a couple things I want to work on. Let me know when she wakes up.”

Ted made his way up to the third floor office. Originally attic space they had added a rear dormer during their renovations of the house and now they had a spacious office space that Ted and Blake shared.

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In the city by the bay Brian and his nephews took a cab to the waterfront. Peter was anxious for his brother to see the antics of the sea lions. Although he wouldn’t admit it Brian was amused the sea lions. It kind of reminded him of the old baths in Pittsburgh, now Kinnetik’s offices, and the old queens vying for the best positions in the steam rooms.

There was a touristy looking enclosed shopping center on an adjacent pier and the boys asked if they could go in and buy souvenirs. Brian pulled some money out of his pocket. He gave each boy a hundred dollar bill and gave an extra one to John.

“You guys go in and buy whatever you want. John buy Gus and JR each a T-shirt and coloring book with that extra hundred. Actually buy 3 T-shirts and coloring books. Two child mediums and one child large.

Remember the rules. Stay together. Don’t talk to strangers. Don’t give any money to panhandlers and don’t tell Uncle Justin I let you out of my sight.”

John and Peter went inside the shopping center still chuckling at Brian’s rules. Brian sat on a bench outside in his baseball cap and sunglasses amazed by the tackiness of the people passing by him.

Justin and Charlotte spent the morning at the gallery. Rick was delighted by the foot traffic and the subsequent sale of Justin’s paintings. Charlotte was happy because once 50% of the paintings sold the percentage of the sale price that Justin got to keep went up. It appeared that would happen sometime today.

After John & Peter returned from their shopping trip they walked down to Fisherman’s Pier with Brian for lunch. Justin and Charlotte had lunch together discussing his schedule for the rest of the year before heading back to the gallery for a few more hours.

After lunch Brian and his nephews walked down to Ghirardelli Square. Once the site of the famous chocolate factory it was now upscale housing and a large retail store to sell the chocolate now made elsewhere.

Justin has given Brian a list of who was to be sent chocolate and how much should be sent to each person. Brian took the list out of his pocket and scanned down the amazingly long list of names & addresses. Jennifer & Tucker, Molly, Debbie & Carl, Lindsay & Melanie, Kinnetik, Ted & Blake, Cynthia, Emmett, Bloom Gallery, Charlie & Alice, Daphne, the Gardners, the O’Briens, Michael & Ben and a large box sent to the house.

The clerk seemed pretty amazed by the list and Brian was pretty amazed by the total dollar amount of the orders. John & Peter were astounded by the total but knew if this is what Uncle Justin wanted done Uncle Brian would sign the charge slip with a smile.

After the candy shopping they got a cab back to the hotel.

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Once Blake got everything set up for cookie baking he sat at the dining room table and got some work done on his case files. He kept an eye on Nina who started to wake up about an hour after she fell asleep on the couch.

Blake went into the living room and knelt beside the couch. Nina sat up with a worried expression on her face.

“You didn’t make cookies without me did you?”

Blake smiled. “Of course not Honey. The whole idea is to make the cookies together. Why did you get out of bed so early if you were still sleepy?”

“I didn’t want to miss cookie baking.”

Blake gave Nina a hug. “Teddy and I wouldn’t do that to you. If we say we are going to do things together we would never start without you.”

Nina looked around. “Where is Teddy Man?”

“He’s upstairs in the office getting some work done while we waited for you to wake up.”

“The office?”

Blake handed Nina her slippers to put on. “Let’s go upstairs and let him know we are ready for cookie baking.”

Nina took Blake’s hand as they went up to the second floor. There was a door to the stairs to the third floor. Nina was amazed when Blake opened the door and she saw another set of stairs.

“Blake your house is gigantic!”

Blake laughed. “I don’t think it quite qualifies as gigantic but we do have plenty of room for just the two of us.”

When they got upstairs Nina ran over to the desk where Ted was sitting and gave him a hug.

“Come on! Blake says it is time for us to make cookies.”

Ted suggested they all get dressed before cookie baking and Nina reluctantly agreed.

Blake had printed out a recipe from the internet. Ted read the instruction, Blake did the measuring and Nina happily did the mixing. Nina did a little dance when the first batch went in the oven and she loved watching them cook through the oven window as she watched the timer count down the minutes until the cookies were done.

Ted whispered to Blake. “This is big excitement for someone.”

Blake chuckled. When the timer went off Nina started jumping and announced. “They’re done!”

She carefully watched as Blake took the cookie sheet out of the oven and moved the cookies to a cooling rack. As the second batch cooked Nina was much more focused on the batch that was cooling. She let out an excited squeal when Blake announced they were cool enough to eat.

Lindsay and her mother were in a downtown department store with Gus shopping for school clothes. Granny Petersen had reluctantly agreed to the shopping trip. Gus who hardly knew her was somewhat wary of Granny and her insistence on what she called good manners.

Granny had picked out three shirts in the school’s colors, a sweater and 2 pair of pants. Lindsay was somewhat disappointed by her mother’s reluctance to buy anything more.

“Mother, you said that you were going to buy Gus’s school clothes. Now you are limiting that to a few shirts and a couple pair of pants. Michael and Ben bought a whole school wardrobe for JR.”

Mrs Petersen shrugged. “Lindsay dear. You have a washer and dryer, just how many clothes does a little boy need for school. You just need to keep up with your laundry.”

“You were the one who agreed to do this. I wish you were at least honest about what you planned to spend.”

“Well Lindsay I had no idea that these official clothes would be so expensive. It seems like it would be cheaper to just have the children wear uniforms.”

Jennifer and Molly had been shopping in the next department and happened to walk by just as Lindsay and her mother were arguing.

Jennifer looked over at Molly and dramatically raised her eyebrows before strolling over to where Lindsay and her mother were standing with a bored looking Gus.

Gus spotted Jennifer first and ran over to her. “Grandmom Jen! Aunt Molly! What are you doing here?”

Jennifer stooped down to grab Gus in a hug and give him a kiss. Molly got down on her knees and Gus threw himself into her arms.

Granny Petersen couldn’t help noticing that Gus was much happier to see these two women than he was to see her earlier today.

Jennifer has a big insincere smile on her face. “Lindsay dear what a lovely surprise to see you here.”

“Hello Jennifer. This is my mother, Nancy Petersen. Mother this is Justin’s mother, Jennifer Taylor, and her daughter. Molly.”

Nancy Petersen matched her insincere smile to Jennifer’s as the two women shook hands.

Gus had come over to stand next to Jennifer who put her hand on his shoulder and gave it a gently squeeze.

“It’s lovely to meet you Mrs Petersen after all these years.”

“Yes indeed, a pleasure. You must call me Nancy. It is rather surprising we haven’t met before since I know we have quite a few friends in common.”

“And of course you must call me Jennifer. I think we do know a few of the same people. Looks like you are shopping for Gus’s school clothes. We certainly don’t want to interrupt you.”

Jennifer looks pointedly at the clothes Nancy is holding.

Lindsay spoke up. “Don’t worry about that. Actually I think we are done for today.”

Jennifer looks again at the few things that Nancy has over her arm and then at the racks of school clothes.

“How lucky. It looks like I am just in time to buy Gus a few things. Lindsay dear help me with sizes.”

Jennifer took Gus by the hand and went over to look through the clothes with him. Jennifer selected a dark green sweater from a pile and held it up against Gus.

“Gus Sweetheart you have the same fascinating eyes as your Daddy. The color of this sweater really brings out the green highlights. We have to buy it!”

Gus, always delighted to be compared to Brian, got a big smile on his face and took the sweater from Jennifer. “I’ll hold this Grandmom Jen.”

“You are always such a good helper Honey. Thank you.”

Nancy Petersen was not happy with this turn of events. “I always like to see children in lighter colors.”

“Really Nancy? I always think everyone, children and adults, should wear the colors that look best on them. I guess that make me appear vain. Actually I admire people who feel comfortable just pulling the first thing they reach out of their closet and putting it on.”

Jennifer gave an appraising look at Nancy Petersen’s out of style floral pantsuit as she said this with a small shrug. Molly had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing out loud. Her mother was in terminator mode.

Jennifer pulled couple more sweaters from piles and selected three more shirts and three more pair of pants. “Lindsay, what about socks and underwear?”

Lindsay who was holding most of Jennifer’s selections shook her head. “I think we’re good with those but thanks.”

The group moved towards the cashier counter and Nancy looked pointedly at her watch. “I really need to get home Lindsay. I told you I have that we have an Open House scheduled for tomorrow. I need to be sure the house is all in order.”

Lindsay nodded. “As soon as you pay for the things you are buying you can leave Mother. Gus and I can get a bus back to the loft.”

Jennifer shook her head. “That won’t be necessary. Molly and I will be happy to drop you and Gus off at home. Are you selling your house Nancy?”

“Yes. Ron and I decided it is more house than we need and we are tired of the upkeep. We’re going to buy a condo downtown and simplify our life.”

Lindsay let her mother know that Jennifer had her own real estate company.

Nancy nodded. “We have a dear friend of mine handing the sale of our home. I think you probably know her, Barbara Subbia.”

“Oh yes. I did hear that Barbara was dabbling with real estate. I haven’t run into her or any of her listings.”

“I don’t know if I would call it dabbling. Barbara is working with more of a boutique real estate company. They don’t take everyone’s listings and concentrate on personalized service. Right now we are Barbara’s only listing. We signed our contract about two weeks ago.”

Jennifer looked a little confused. “I haven’t seen your listing come up on the multiple listing service. I’m sure I would have recognized the name.”

“Barbara hasn’t put it in the MLS yet. She wants to give her company a chance to sell it first. I think the listing will be posted on Monday.”

Jennifer let out a short laugh. “I wouldn’t let too many people know that. It is actually unethical to not enter a listing in the MLS. In fact a real estate company can get fined if they wait more than three day after a contract is signed to enter a property into the MLS.”

Nancy looked a little confused. “Well I’m sure that Barbara wouldn’t do anything unethical. She told us that the company she works for likes to have their clients come through before they open it to everyone. She is working with Maria Foxe’s real estate office.”

“Oh yes Maria. She has quite a few part timers like Barbara working for her. Her husband is friends with my ex-husband. I always felt that that real estate is something of a hobby for Maria.”

Nancy understood that Jennifer was trying to make her think that she and Ron made a mistake listing their property with Barbara.

“Jennifer how many real estate agents to you have working with your company?”

“Right now I have ten full time agents listing properties and working with buyers. As long as a prospect is realistic about price we are happy to take any listing. I also have a property management area and there are three full time agents there and two part time agents.”

“Well as I said we like the idea of listing with more of a boutique agency where we will get personal care.”

“Well we always say as long as a home shows well and is priced right it will sell eventually in spite of the listing agent.”

Molly’s cheek was getting sore from all her biting and even Lindsay had to turn a chuckle into a not very convincing cough.

Nancy was determined to take Jennifer down a peg or two. “Maria tells me that Craig’s business is doing really well.”

Jennifer signed her charge slip and handed the bag of clothes to Lindsay. She turned to Nancy wide eyed.

“I wonder why Maria would tell you that. I had a letter from Craig’s lawyer earlier this year asking me to reduce my alimony payments because Craig wasn’t able to keep up the payments since business was down at his store. I let the lawyer know that my company was doing so well that Craig could stop paying any alimony.”

Nancy started to hand the bag with the clothes she bought to Lindsay. Jennifer intercepted it and handed it to Gus. “Here Sweetheart, I think you can carry this bag. It’s not very heavy.”

Nancy’s cheeks were flushed with annoyance. “Lindsay told me that the Melanie’s little girl’s father bought all her school clothes. I’m surprised Brian wasn’t able to do that for Gus.”

Lindsay started to say something but Jennifer talked right over her. “Well I suppose that since Brian and Justin are paying the full tuition for Gus and JR and they paid for all Lindsay & Mel’s moving costs and are giving them a free place to live until they get settled in their new job; they felt like they have done more than their share without buying school clothes.”

Nancy pursed her lips trying to think of something to say in reply but was stumped.

Jennifer turned her attention to Lindsay. “What about a new backpack and school supplies for Gus. Who is handling that?”

“I guess we’ll take care of that before school starts. I think his backpack from last year will be okay.”

Jennifer gave a quick shake of her head. “New things are more fun. How about this. On Friday you or Mel drop Gus at Kinnetik instead of daycare. I’ll pick up John and Peter and then get Gus at Kinnetik. We can go bowling and afterwards do a Target run to get everything the boys need for school.”

Nancy feigned surprise. “You’re very generous for boys that aren’t even really part of your family.”

“Gus, John and Peter may not be my blood grandsons but they are my love grandsons and that is what is important to us! We certainly feel like family.”

Lindsay could see her mother wanted to say something but was feeling rather intimidated by Jennifer. Lindsay understood that feeling.

Lindsay tried to claim a little control of the situation. “I don’t know that Gus should miss a day of school just for bowling and some shopping.”

“School hasn’t really started yet has it? I thought Gus and JR were really just in a kind of daycare.”

“Well yes that’s true but still…”

“Lindsay dear that’s just silly. I’m sure Gus won’t miss anything too important. And this weekend is his time to stay with Brian and Justin. So I can drop him there with John and Peter once we are finished at Target.”

Gus looked pleadingly at his mother. “Mommy please can I go bowling with Grandmom Jen and my cousins. We had lots of fun last time.”

Lindsay agreed. There were big insincere good byes to Nancy Petersen before Lindsay and Gus went with Jennifer and Molly to get driven home.

When Nancy Petersen got home she raved to her husband about how rude Jennifer Taylor had been to her. Ron said he hoped she hadn’t spent too much money on school clothes for Gus.

Nancy spent the rest of the afternoon arranging flowers and knickknacks around the house. She ignored the dirty carpets, grimy windows, dusty tables & shelves, filthy oven, greasy stove and less than immaculate bathrooms. Nancy had never really cleaned a house in her entire life and now that they could not afford a fulltime housekeeper the condition of the house had taken a huge dive.

Meanwhile at Ted & Blake’s house cookie making was finished. Blake broke out a box of colored chalk and took Nina out front to draw on the almost new sidewalks. Even Ted got in on the action when Nina handed him some chalk and designated a sidewalk section as Ted’s to decorate.

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After leaving the boys’ shopping bags in the room, Brian and the nephews headed to the gallery. There was a good sized crowd of people walking through the gallery. Justin got a huge smile on his face when he saw his family arrive.

Justin gave Brian a welcome kiss and whispered in his ear. “Ted will be very happy with the results of this show. About three quarters of the paintings have sold already.”

Brian smiled. “In that case you can pay for dinner tonight. I made a reservation for the two of us at Compton Place. It’s a Michelin Star restaurant a few blocks from the hotel. John and Peter are looking forward to burger and fries from room service.”

Later when Brian and Justin walked into the restaurant the Maitre’d smiled at Justin.

“You’re Justin Taylor aren’t you?”

An embarrassed Justin said that he was indeed Justin Taylor.

“I saw your show today at the Baily Gallery. It is amazing. I saw you there but you were busy talking to people. I don’t see your name on our reservations list but I’m sure I can find a table for you.”

An amused Brian spoke up. “The reservation was made by the Concierge at our hotel under the name Kinney.”

The Maitre’d scanned his list. “Oh yes. You are staying at the St Francis. Are you an admirer of Mr Taylor’s art?”

Brian smirked as Justin blushed darker, he was never sure just what Brian would say.

“I am a big admirer of Mr Taylor and his art work.”

A relieved Justin squeezed Brian’s hand. “Brian and I are partners.”

The Matre’d smiled as he led them to their table.

The dinner was amazing. The food was so delicious that Justin found himself moaning a few times with pleasure. Brian was completely amused by Justin’s reactions to the food.

“Save some of that appreciation for later in our room. I bet I can make you moan louder.”

Justin licked his lips slowly. “I look forward to that.”

Taking advantage of the long tablecloth Justin slipped off his shoe and pushed against Brian’s crotch with his socked foot. Justin chuckled as a startled Brian suddenly sat up straighter in his chair with wide opened eyes.

The star struck Matre’d checked with them several times to be see if everything was going well with their meal.

Brian leaned across the table. “You have a real fan there Sunshine. Want to ask him back to the hotel for a threesome.”

It was Justin’s turn to be startled as he looked wide eyed at his partner. Brian laughed. “Got you back Sunshine.”

Justin laughed along with Brian. It was fun to flirt and be silly after talking to art critics and prospective buyers all day.

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Ted and Blake’s day with Nina ended with the three of them watching a DVD of Sleeping Beauty which Nina had never seen before. She sat between the two men until Maleficent went on her rampage than she quickly moved into Ted’s lap. He put his arms around her and she placed her hands on his arms, leaning back against him.

Blake moved closer putting his arm around Ted’s shoulders and leaning his head on Ted’s shoulder. Nina looked over at Blake with a big smile on her face.

“I feel safe with Teddy Man.”

Blake smiled back at her. “Me too sweetheart.”

Ted concentrating on not crying couldn’t say anything. He just gave Nina a little squeeze and a kiss on the top of her head. That night Nina again asked Ted to stay with her until she fell asleep.

After Nina feel asleep Ted walked back to the Master Bedroom. Candles provided the only illumination and a naked Blake lay on the bed with a can of whipped cream.

“Ted Schmidt, I thought I couldn’t love you any more than I already did but I was wrong. You are amazing with Nina and she senses what a kind and wonderful man you are!”

Ted dropped his clothes on the floor as he walked over to the bed with a huge smile on his face
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Om Sunday morning the uncles and nephews went to the breakfast buffet before heading out for a day of sightseeing. Brian held Justin’s hand as they walked to their table both men had a relaxed contented look of their faces. John and Peter kept looking at each other and grinning. The uncles were putting on an excellent show this morning.

At the breakfast table John let Brian & Justin know that Claire had called his cell early in the morning. She was surprised that her sons were in California. Claire had hoped to see them before she was moved to prison on Monday. Both boys said that even if they were in Pittsburgh they had no intention of visiting Claire.

After breakfast they met a town car and driver in front of the hotel which took them to the major tourist sights of the city. They visited the painted ladies, Coit Tower, Golden Gate Park, the Presidio, Haight Ashbury and after a quick lunch a sailboat tour of the San Francisco Bay.

Peter and John enjoyed observing their uncles almost as much as the tourist sites they visited. Anytime they were sitting Brian had his arm around Justin who was plastered to Brian’s side. When they were walking they either held hands or Brian draped his arm around Justin’s shoulders. Justin had a huge sunshine smile on his face all day. Brian was so content he left the baseball cap at the hotel and never once complained about sightseeing. It amazed John and Peter how cold it was when they were out on the bay in the sailboat. They were glad that Uncle Justin insisted they bring their sweaters with them.

That night they all had dinner together in the hotel restaurant and retired to their bedrooms early.

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In Pittsburgh Nina slept until 9 AM on Sunday and they all enjoyed a breakfast of waffles. Ted and Blake took Nina to a park near their house where she enjoyed being pushed on the swings and going down the slide as long as Ted was waiting to catch her at the bottom. Nina and Blake ran around the grassy area before Ted gave her a piggyback ride back home.

Nina and Blake spent part of the afternoon coloring and Nina took a short nap. Ted had called Viola and unlike Blake he refused to accept that she would take the bus to dinner. He left Blake busy preparing dinner with his assistant Nina wearing an apron and standing on a step stool.

On the drive back Viola asked Ted how the weekend had gone. He related all the activities they had done and that Nina seemed very comfortable with him and Blake. Ted let Viola know that they were definitely interested in assuming custody of Nina and starting the process of officially adopting her.

Viola was very pleased. She really needed to go in the hospital and start her cancer treatments. They decided to talk to Nina about her coming to live with Ted and Blake fulltime.

At the Petersen home their real estate agent, Barbara, arrived for the open house without any fact sheets for the house. She hurried back to the office and returned a little after the 1 PM start time. It wasn’t a problem since no one had arrived to tour the open house. Eventually a few people turned up but the condition of the house combined with an overinflated price meant no one expressed any interest in making an offer on the house.

Since the prison where Claire would serve her sentence was a two hour drive from Pittsburgh, Joan Kinney decided she should visit Claire before the transfer. Joan went to the jail for the visit after morning Mass. She found it hard to believe that she was visiting her daughter in jail.

Joan sat primly in the edge of a chair in the common room surrounded by other prisoners and their families. Claire wasn’t expecting any visitors so she was late coming in the room.

“Mother. I didn’t think you were coming today.”

Joan handed Claire a bible that she had purchased for her. “Well I’m not sure when I will have the chance to see you again. I can’t make that long drive to the prison by myself. I hope this bible can provide some comfort to you while you’re incarcerated.”

Claire let out a bitter laugh. “Well I guess it can’t hurt but I don’t see what good reading the bible ever did you.”

“Well dear I am living in my own home and not consorting with drug dealers who talk me into absurd plots to extort money. So I think I am in a better place than you are right now.”

“Yes I suppose that is right. However I’m not so sure you are happy or enjoying life. At least I’ve tried to enjoy life even if I have made some mistakes.”

Joan was amazed at Claire’s attitude. “Some mistakes! Claire your life has become nothing but mistakes.”

Claire sighed. “I don’t really want to fight with you mother. I’m happy you came to see me. You are the only person who I can count on.”

“Did you hear from John or Peter? I thought maybe they would come to visit you today. Whatever you have done you are their mother. They should be here for you today.”

“I called John this morning. He was still asleep. They are in San Francisco with Brian and Justin. John was very rude and said even if they were here in Pittsburgh they wouldn’t have come to see me.”

“Why are they in California?”

Claire had tears running down her face. “Apparently Justin has some sort of art show there. They are going to spend a couple days sightseeing and come back on Tuesday.”

“It’s a disgrace that Brian took those boys to San Francisco. It is all part of trying to make them homosexual. I am going to call Family Services and complain. Your sons should be here to visit you.”

Visiting Time was over and Claire attempted a hug with her mother. Joan stood completely still and murmured. “Not here Claire. Not in front of all these strangers.”

Claire thanked her mother again for coming and left the room. That allowed Joan to quickly exit while other families were still saying good bye.

At Ted and Blake’s house Nina was excited to see her grandmother. She insisted that Viola go upstairs with her so she could see the bedroom Ted and Blake had fixed up for her. Viola was amazed at the things Ted and Blake had purchased to make the room special for Nina.

Viola sat at the child’s table with Nina and her new doll.

“Nina darling did you have a good time this weekend?”

“I was lots of fun Nana. Can I come and stay here some time again with Blake and Teddy Man?”

Viola still wasn’t sure she approved of Nina’s name for Ted but since he didn’t seem to mind she let it go.

“Well darling you know I am sick again and I need to go to the hospital so the doctors can make me all better. It will be quite a while before I am well enough to take care of you. What do you think about living here with Blake and Ted?”

Nina was quiet for a few minutes. “Do you mean live here forever?”

“That might be what is best for all of us. You and I would still see each other, I will always be your grandmother but I think maybe it would be better for you to live here with Ted and Blake.”

“But Nana you would be all alone. I don’t want you to be all alone. We have always been together.”

“We would still be together sometime once I am all better. Let’s go downstairs and talk this over with Ted and Blake.”

Nina hugged her grandmother feeling very unsure about the possible changes in her life. Viola had let Ted know she was going to talk to Nina about the possible changes in her life so the two men were waiting in the living room.

Nina sat with her grandmother on the couch. Blake spoke first.

“So Nina what do you think about coming here to live with us?”

“I don’t want Nana to be all alone. That would make me sad.”

Ted answered her. “Nana might live by herself but she won’t be alone. In fact now we will all be one big family so she will have Blake and me to help her along with you. So you see really this will be better for your Nana.”

Nina looked at her grandmother who had tears in her eyes. “That is very sweet of you Ted but you shouldn’t feel like you need to take me on along with Nina.”

Ted went over and knelt in front of the couch. “Viola you are ready to give us a precious gift. Of course you are going to be a part of our lives. We are here for whatever you need. I plan to take you to the hospital and we will make sure you have rides for all your follow up appointment. Blake and I have already discussed all this. We plan to be a big part of your life from now on!”

Nina looked at her grandmother who had a smile on her face even as the tears ran down her cheeks.

“So Nana is this what you think we should do?”

Viola pulled Nina into a tight hug. “Nina darling I think this will be best for all of us. Ted and Blake really want you to be part of their family and I am looking forward to them being part of my family.”

Nina looked over at Blake. “Does that mean you would be my Daddy? I never had a Daddy before.”

Blake eyes were filled with tears but like Viola he was also smiling. “Yes sweetheart Ted and I would really love to be your daddies.”

Nina shook her head. “No you will be Daddy but this is my Teddy Man he is my friend and my protector.”

Nina got down and hugged Ted. “You will be my Teddy Man won’t you?”

Ted couldn’t say anything but he shook his head and hugged the little girl against him.

Viola stood up. “Well I’m so happy that this has all worked out. I know this is a wonderful beginning to our new family.”

Blake stood up as well. “Dinner just needs some finishing touches and then we can eat.”

Over dinner they decided that Nina should go home with Viola and tomorrow night Ted and Blake would come over to gather Nina’s possessions and bring her back to her new home. Viola said the doctor wanted her to go into the hospital on Thursday and Ted told her he would be available to take her to the hospital.

Ted also let Viola know that their friend, Melanie, was going to draw up the custody agreements and once Viola was out of the hospital they would start the adoption process. Nina seemed to adjust to the changes in her life. She called Blake Daddy but insisted that Ted remain her Teddy Man. That is what made sense to her!

After Blake and Ted took Viola and Nina back to their apartment Ted emailed Melanie about getting the custody papers prepared. He had already let her know about the Nina situation.

Blake was concerned that Ted would be disappointed by not being called Dad by Nina but Ted laughed and said he actually liked being “Teddy Man”. Blake agreed that it was certainly unique and both man laughed as they hugged each other. It was all still a little surreal to think about the new addition to their family.
Chapter End Notes:

Several reviewers have mentioned they like the Ted & Blake part of my story.  If you like Ted & Blake stories be sure and check out "The Visitor" it is a great story and I highly recommend it. 

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