Thanks to my Beta..Carolyn, you so rock. Also thanks to Sid, Mari, Roo, and to the Delph boys for all their support. Aida, you wanted this and you got it...enjoy your Heath. lol And to everyone who emailed me on this..thank you. There will be ONE more chapter...and then this one is over. Hadrian...thanks again for letting me use your brain...and hope you enjoyed this. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- WPS23 Michael Staring around I see the whole family there, everyone but…me. I see all the pictures around the room, and look over to Ma, who isn’t looking at me, but at Brian and Justin. I make eye contact with Ben. “What’s going on here?” Ben comes closer, “Michael, what are you doing here?” “I asked you first. What’s going on here?” I reply looking at Ben once more. “What does it look like idiot. We’re celebrating.” Heath points out before Ben looks at him, Heath nods as Ben looks back to me. “What was that look Ben? Are you and this, umm” I start to say as Heath takes a step closer. “You better watch what you’re about to say or I don’t give a rats ass, I’ll kick your ass here and now.” Ben puts a hand up on Heath’s chest. “Not your fight Heath.” Looking back at me, “even though if you speak disrespectfully about him he has the right.” “I can’t believe this, so why is everyone here, everyone but me?” I look into Ben’s eyes once looking around. “We’re here to help celebrate the marriage of a couple.” Ben looks me in the eyes as I once again look around and see everyone in suits and dresses and looking back to Ben and Heath. “Oh my god, Ben you just met him.” “It’s not theirs it’s mine.” Brian speaks before Ben can answer. I look over at Brian who has hold of Justin’s hand, moving towards me. “And you weren’t invited because I didn’t want you here.” “But, Brian. I thought, I,” I see the look in his eyes. He gets inches from my face. “Listen to me Michael, are you listening?” as I nod he continues, “I didn’t want you here at MY celebration, at JUSTIN and MY wedding, and I still don’t want you here.” Looking shocked and upset I can’t believe he’s doing this. “Brian, let’s go talk.” Shaking his head, “Fuck Michael I’m done talking to you. I’m through with you. I want you out of my house, out of our house, and I never want to see you again.” “Brian, why are you doing this? We’re best friends.” I can’t believe this is happening, Why is this happening after everything I have done? Wait, why are they together, married? I did this to keep them apart and I thought it was working. I look up to see Brian laughing, “You’re thinking about your fucking plan, the lie Michael, the one that you planned on using to break Justin and me up again.” Looking from Brian, to Justin to Ben and back, “What lie?” Hoping they haven’t said anything to anyone here. “The one you have been telling us, about cancer. Michael, I fucking believed you, knowing that this is one thing I dealt with on a personal basis.” Brian snares out. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Is this some joke that Justin is pulling to make you do this?” Knowing that I’m caught, knowing I have to make it look like Justin said something so everyone here won’t know. I turn my head back to Brian just in time to get punched in my face, just like at the party, but this time no one is coming to my rescue. Ma comes over and gets between us, “Brian, calm down. Get a drink.” She turns to me with such disappointment in me in her eyes. “Want to explain this?” She turns the tape on of talks that I had with Brian and Ben on the cancer. Looking between the two I can’t believe they taped me. Then Ben speaks up, with a few tears, “Michael, we trusted you, I trusted you and this is so fucked up. I talked to your doctor. Since I still hold your POA he told me everything. I know you only had the stomach flu.” “Ben wait,” But he interrupts me. “NO YOU WAIT. You lied to us because once again you wanted Brian away from Justin. Well just like those times Michael, this one backfired as well.” I try to touch him but he won’t let me. “You’re wrong. I did it. I don’t know why I did it. Ben I love you.” I see Heath looking at me, getting pissed but I don’t care. Ben still loves me, I know he does. “You don’t know what love is Michael. You don’t know what friendship means or you wouldn’t have tried all these years to break them up, knowing Brian loves him and no matter how hard you try to believe he’s that same Brian from all those years ago, he’s not. Justin has taught him more about love and friendship in 5 yrs then you did in all those years you have known him. I’m tired of your childish way Michael.” Ben moves away, “I’m through with you and your petty disregard for your friends.” Moving over by Heath I see him put an arm around Ben and kiss him on the nose. “Mom, this isn’t right.” “What’s not right Michael is what you have done.” I see a tear run down her face. “What’s not right is how you have treated Brian and Justin, and even Ben.” Nodding as she slaps my head and kisses me. “I’m so pissed at you right now, but I still love you. Just, go before you upset more people.” Nodding I move over by Brian and Justin, “I’m sorry.” I start to walk away when I feel a hand on my arm, turning I see Justin standing there, and before I know it, he punches me as well. “If you ever hurt Brian again Michael, I will make your life a living hell, but you won’t get that chance Michael, because he never wants to see you again. Now get out of my house.” Brian pulls Justin back into him, kissing his neck. “He’s right Michael, never.” Nodding, I walk away towards the door, touching Ben’s arm and all of a sudden I’m up against the wall, looking down into the eyes of Heath. “And if you ever bother Ben again, or Brian and Justin, I will make your life worse than hell. I won’t tolerate you hurting friends. And if you think you are big enough to take me on, than bring it Michael. I’m not scared of you.” He lets me go as Ma looks at us. “Heath, enough now.” Heath nods, “Yes ma’am.” I walk to the door and take one last look at what used to be my family, and look Brian in the eye and can tell he’s in as much pain over this as I am. Brian Watching Michael walk out hurts more then I thought it would, but I can’t forgive him for this one. Pulling Justin into me, kissing him he looks me in the eyes. “You okay Brian?” “Yes, just let’s forget him. I don’t want him to ruin this day for us.” He kisses my lips and smiles. “You got it stud.” Looking over at Ben and Heath who nod their heads I feel a bit of guilt for Ben. “He’s happy with Heath.” Justin whispers and makes me smile once more. “I know, and I’m happy with you.” Pulling him in more, laying a big kiss on his lips. “Justin, Justin you have to throw the bouquet.” Daphne laughs. “Why do I have to throw it?” Justin whines out. I can’t help but laugh, “Because you’re the bride.” Everyone laughs, “Fuck you all. Give me my damn bouquet.” I watch as he turns and faces me as I hit which way to throw it with my eyes. Throwing it in the direction, it hit’s the target intended. “Well beautiful, looks like you’re next.” I give her a little kiss on her cheek. “We’ll see.” She looks at Justin. “You did that on purpose.” “Did not, lets dance.” Pulling Daphne over Justin dances with her as Debbie comes over to me. “You look happy.” Deb wipes a tear from her eyes as I wipe the other side of her face. “I am happy. I won’t let Michael ruin this. I’m sorry.” She turns my face towards her. “Don’t apologize. He made his own bed.” She taps my face, “And you don’t owe me anything Kinney, other then making Sunshine happy, which he is.” I look over at Justin dancing with Daphne. “I am too. He’s taught me so much. I love him.” Deb smiles once more, “I always knew you did.” Laughing, “Thanks Mom.” Putting her hands on my face, “Anytime son, anytime. Now go get your man and go start your honeymoon.” “Deb, we aren’t going anywhere, remember?” Laughing as she looks at Carl who clangs his glass. “Ok, listen up.” Everyone looks at him. “Brian, Justin come here.” Walking over to Justin, I look at him as he shrugs. “Ok, what’s going on?” Carl smiles, “Well we know you weren’t going to take your honeymoon just yet, and well we thought that was bullshit, so Brian, Ted is going to handle your business, and Justin, even though you can’t be replaced, there are tons of artists who can try to hold down the fort while you’re gone.” “Carl,” He stops me before I can say more. “And we all pitched in and got you a 7 day cruise to the Caribbean. We want you to go and make that boat rock.” Handing us the tickets I’m actually speechless. “Uh wow,” Looking at Justin who has tears in his eyes, I pull him in, kissing him. “Oh and when you get back, well I’ll let Heath tell you.” Looking at Heath he grins. “Well as an apology for all the trouble I caused and as a wedding present, I’m building you a house. The one Justin showed me in that book.” I feel Justin jump a little. “Wow, I don’t know what to say.” Looking at a happy Justin with a few of my own tears as well, we hug them all. “Well you better go so you don’t miss that ship.” “We have to pack.” I remind them as I look to see Ben and Emmett carrying the bags from our room. “Already done, Baby,” Emmett gushes out. “Well,” I declare looking at Justin, “I guess we’re going on a cruise.” “Let’s go. Let’s get away from these freaks. The freaks we love.” Justin laughs out as I put my arm around him, going over to the door and looking back as Ben and Emmett take the bags out to the car. “Have fun boys.” Debbie squeals. “Thanks guys, girls. This had been the best day, well after meeting Justin that is.” Listening to them laugh, we get to our car that has ‘Just Married’ all over it and the gang stands behind us laughing. Helping Justin in, after kissing him, I climb in, waving as we drive away, to start our new life. Together!