Life After Love ~ Chapter 23
LJ being tempermental ~ posting in two parts.
Title: Life After Love Chapter 23
Sequel to: Lost in Life
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: adam/kris, OMCs
Summary of Story: WIP. Kris and Adam are moving on with their lives, jumping into a new venture that promises so much, but the past comes back to haunt them.
Disclaimer: I do not own the real people involved, only those I’ve created.
Warnings: angst, violence, language DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE TRIGGERS. Additional warnings will be posted when warranted.
Next week’s chapter may be up a day early or a day late. Having kitchen reno done next Monday
Recap of Chapter 22 ~ Adam still undecided about doing interviews, asks for advice ~♥~ Jerry finds out Dr. Milner took a leave of absence; very proud of himself *grrr*~♥~ Adam’s goes back to 19E, talks with TV producer, gets more details ~♥~ Adam encounters an abuse victim, she’s afraid to press charges but when she recognizes him for his case in the news, his freedom inspires her to set herself free ~♥~ Peter talks to Ken and Ken tells him everything; Peter convinces Ken he needs to talk to Christine, Adam and the police ~♥~ Adam tells Kris he’s going to do the interview ~♥~ Ken goes home, tells Christine they need to talk
MASTERLIST ~ http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/39293.html#cutid1
:::: ♥♥ ::::
Christine sat in silence, letting Ken talk. Peter and Serena stayed but sat in the corner, giving them a modicum of privacy.
“I don’t understand,” Serena whispered to her husband, “Ken’s in love with Adam?”
“No, I wouldn’t say that … it’s … it’s complicated.”
“That’s an understatement, love.”
Their voices were low but Peter didn’t need to eavesdrop to know what Ken was saying. Christine’s face stayed stoic but her emotions exploded from her eyes. At the beginning of their talk, she’d been holding Ken’s hand, leaning in. As the story progressed, she leaned away, distancing herself as she learned that Ken’s other feelings were for Adam, not another woman. To her credit, though, she still held her fiancé’s hand throughout.
When Ken finished, he let go of Christine’s hand and buried his face in both of his, shoulder’s shaking. Even in the dim light, it was obvious the blood had run out of her face at the shock. She looked towards Peter and Serena but when Serena stood to go to her, Christine shook her head before wrapping her arms around Ken and holding on.
The DiSantos left for the kitchen … not too far away but far enough.
“Can you please tell me what’s going on? Obviously you know,” Serena asked, leaning against the counter.
“You might want to sit for this.”
“I’m fine where I am.”
“Okay … but I’m going to sit.” He took a seat, wishing there was something on the tabletop to fuss with.
“How long has Ken been … feeling things for Adam?”
“Almost since they’d met.”
“But that was over two years ago! You mean to tell me he’s been harboring this secret that long?!”
“’fraid so.”
“Maybe I better sit down.” She took a seat beside her husband and grabbed his hand. “Tell me Peter.”
And he did, from Ken’s first revelations at the hospital after Adam’s attack, to his first attempt at therapy, to the photos sent to his office and finally to the DVD.
“Does Adam … or Kris … know?”
“They’re both clueless … for the moment.”
“That poor man, holding all this in for so long. No wonder it finally got to him. I assume … I pray … he’s going to take this to the police.”
Peter nodded. “He wanted to tell Christine first. I’m worried how Adam’s going to react. Ken told me he felt like Malcolm and I assured him he was nothing like that pervert but will Adam feel the same way? I mean, Adam didn’t care for Malcolm. Ken’s been his good friend … a second father … how’s he going to react when he finds out Ken’s thoughts haven’t always been paternal.”
“Is Ken talking to him tonight?”
“In the morning.”
:::: ♥♥ ::::
“Thank you Peter, Serena, for everything,” Christine said, hugging their friends at the front door.
Ken stood off to the side, watching her. How did ever find such an incredible woman? Though she didn’t speak as he poured his heart out, revealing such personal and embarrassing information, she heard him out, holding his hand. Maybe she was afraid he’d run off again, or perhaps, she did understand, somehow. He hadn’t left one detail out but made sure that he told her how much he loved her and needed her in his life and how he prayed she could forgive him.
When he said all he could, he’d cried. Ken couldn’t see her but he knew she stood up and he expected her to walk away. Then loving arms held him close and she soothed him with calming words.
“We’ll get through this Kenny … I promise,” she’d whispered into his hair.
“Ken?”
He looked up at Peter.
“We’ll be back in the morning,” his dear friend said, offering his hand.
Ken took his hand then pulled Peter in for a hug.
“Thank you for making me face this,” Ken commented, holding him tight. “I’m still scared to death at where things go from here but I’m not backing down.”
Peter stepped back and Serena approached him. Ken was nervous … uncomfortable … until she gave him a hug.
“We love you Ken.”
“Thank you Serena. Good night.”
“Good night.”
Ken and Christine stood in the doorway, watching until the DiSantos’ car disappeared.
The aloneness was overwhelming.
Ken shut the door and locked it, Christine shut off the lights in the living room and they met in the foyer, at the bottom of the stairs.
It was awkward … nothing in their relationship had been awkward until now.
“It’s getting late; we should probably get some sleep,” Christine offered quietly.
“I’m not sure if I can … sleep … but I am exhausted.”
Falling back into familiar gestures, he placed his hand on the small of her back as they climbed the stairs and made their way down the hall. They stopped outside their bedroom, not sure how to proceed.
“I … I’ll sleep in the guestroom,” Ken said.
“Oh … okay … if that’s what you want. Is that what you want?”
“No … but I thought … I mean after what I told you I thought you might not want ….”
She took his hand. “I want you to stop running away from me Ken. I want you in there … with me.”
Without another word, he went into their bedroom, Christine with him. He changed in the bedroom and she got ready in the bathroom. Sitting on the bed, he gazed around, eyes falling on the dresser drawer where he’d hid his dirty little secret. It had been late when he returned and his luggage had been forgotten by the front door. Right now he couldn’t be bothered to unpack and besides, the DVD was in one of those cases and the farther away he could get from it the better.
The knob on the bathroom door jingled and Ken got into bed, covering himself to his chin.
“Can I get you anything … a glass of water?” Christine asked, the light from the bathroom making her glow and take his breath away.
“I’m alright … thank you.”
Switching off the light, she got into bed and lay on her back. They both peered into the dark. A fluttering under the covers led to her hand tight around his. He held on for dear life.
“Good night Kenny.”
“Good night.”
:::: ♥♥ ::::
“Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit,” Adam swore, hopping and trying to get his big foot into his skinny jeans.
Kris was shaving and watching his man through the bathroom door, thoroughly entertained. They’d lost themselves in each other last night to the point they were so worn out they didn’t hear the alarm go off. The insistent ringing of the phone finally roused them. The TV producer needed Adam’s answer. He told them yes, he would do the interview, and they told him they were recording the segment that afternoon. As soon as that call ended, Lane called saying the PR wanted him at 19E pronto so they could go over the questions and rehearse his answers.
All this led to the silly dance Adam was doing trying to get dressed before the car arrived to pick him up. The only thing that could have been more entertaining would have been watching Adam do his make up and hair in record time but they were going to take care of it at the TV station. Apparently, Adam now had ‘people’ to make him pretty when he had public appearances.
“Oh no … nonononononooo … damn!”
The great oak got his foot caught and tumbled onto the bed. Kris burst out laughing, nicking himself on the chin.
“You’re enjoying this way too much,” Adam sneered. “The least you could do is help me.”
Kris held up his shaving cream covered hands. Grumbling, Adam got his foot through the tight tunnel just as a horn honked outside. Swearing some more, he did up his pants, slipped on some flip flops and yanked the t-shirt over his head. The horn honked again and Adam leaned against the door frame.
“Gonna wish me luck?”
“Good luck.”
“Is that it? No kiss?”
“I’ll just mess you up.” The horn honked a third time, longer and louder. “You better get going.”
“So I’ll see you this afternoon?”
“Where else would I be?” He blew Adam a kiss. “Now git.”
Adam blew a kiss back and headed out. The phone rang, Adam notified him as if he couldn’t hear for himself, and the door slammed shut. Kris wiped his face and answered it.
“Hello.”
“Kris … good morning. How are you?”
“Hey Peter, I’m good. What can I do for you?”
“Um … is Adam home?”
“You just missed him. He’s decided to do that interview and its being taped today. He’s run off for meeting at 19E before he goes. Is it something I can help you with?”
“Actually, we need to talk to both of you.”
“We?”
“Yeah … Ken and me.”
“You’ve talked to him? How is he?”
There was a pause. “I’d say … a little better than he was but … listen, is there a chance we can talk to you and Adam between his meeting and the interview? I know this is a rotten day to spring this on you guys but it can’t wait … really.”
“Well, I don’t know. The interview is being done at Indigo … I’ll be there all day … but I don’t know if Adam has the extra time. Give him a call and find out. He just got picked up so the car should still be on the road.”
“I’ll do that and let you know.”
“No problem.” Kris felt uneasy. “Peter, this isn’t good news, is it?”
“I’m afraid not.”
continued ~ http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/56332.html
Title: Life After Love Chapter 23
Sequel to: Lost in Life
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: adam/kris, OMCs
Summary of Story: WIP. Kris and Adam are moving on with their lives, jumping into a new venture that promises so much, but the past comes back to haunt them.
Disclaimer: I do not own the real people involved, only those I’ve created.
Warnings: angst, violence, language DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE TRIGGERS. Additional warnings will be posted when warranted.
Next week’s chapter may be up a day early or a day late. Having kitchen reno done next Monday
Recap of Chapter 22 ~ Adam still undecided about doing interviews, asks for advice ~♥~ Jerry finds out Dr. Milner took a leave of absence; very proud of himself *grrr*~♥~ Adam’s goes back to 19E, talks with TV producer, gets more details ~♥~ Adam encounters an abuse victim, she’s afraid to press charges but when she recognizes him for his case in the news, his freedom inspires her to set herself free ~♥~ Peter talks to Ken and Ken tells him everything; Peter convinces Ken he needs to talk to Christine, Adam and the police ~♥~ Adam tells Kris he’s going to do the interview ~♥~ Ken goes home, tells Christine they need to talk
MASTERLIST ~ http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/39293.html#cutid1
:::: ♥♥ ::::
Christine sat in silence, letting Ken talk. Peter and Serena stayed but sat in the corner, giving them a modicum of privacy.
“I don’t understand,” Serena whispered to her husband, “Ken’s in love with Adam?”
“No, I wouldn’t say that … it’s … it’s complicated.”
“That’s an understatement, love.”
Their voices were low but Peter didn’t need to eavesdrop to know what Ken was saying. Christine’s face stayed stoic but her emotions exploded from her eyes. At the beginning of their talk, she’d been holding Ken’s hand, leaning in. As the story progressed, she leaned away, distancing herself as she learned that Ken’s other feelings were for Adam, not another woman. To her credit, though, she still held her fiancé’s hand throughout.
When Ken finished, he let go of Christine’s hand and buried his face in both of his, shoulder’s shaking. Even in the dim light, it was obvious the blood had run out of her face at the shock. She looked towards Peter and Serena but when Serena stood to go to her, Christine shook her head before wrapping her arms around Ken and holding on.
The DiSantos left for the kitchen … not too far away but far enough.
“Can you please tell me what’s going on? Obviously you know,” Serena asked, leaning against the counter.
“You might want to sit for this.”
“I’m fine where I am.”
“Okay … but I’m going to sit.” He took a seat, wishing there was something on the tabletop to fuss with.
“How long has Ken been … feeling things for Adam?”
“Almost since they’d met.”
“But that was over two years ago! You mean to tell me he’s been harboring this secret that long?!”
“’fraid so.”
“Maybe I better sit down.” She took a seat beside her husband and grabbed his hand. “Tell me Peter.”
And he did, from Ken’s first revelations at the hospital after Adam’s attack, to his first attempt at therapy, to the photos sent to his office and finally to the DVD.
“Does Adam … or Kris … know?”
“They’re both clueless … for the moment.”
“That poor man, holding all this in for so long. No wonder it finally got to him. I assume … I pray … he’s going to take this to the police.”
Peter nodded. “He wanted to tell Christine first. I’m worried how Adam’s going to react. Ken told me he felt like Malcolm and I assured him he was nothing like that pervert but will Adam feel the same way? I mean, Adam didn’t care for Malcolm. Ken’s been his good friend … a second father … how’s he going to react when he finds out Ken’s thoughts haven’t always been paternal.”
“Is Ken talking to him tonight?”
“In the morning.”
:::: ♥♥ ::::
“Thank you Peter, Serena, for everything,” Christine said, hugging their friends at the front door.
Ken stood off to the side, watching her. How did ever find such an incredible woman? Though she didn’t speak as he poured his heart out, revealing such personal and embarrassing information, she heard him out, holding his hand. Maybe she was afraid he’d run off again, or perhaps, she did understand, somehow. He hadn’t left one detail out but made sure that he told her how much he loved her and needed her in his life and how he prayed she could forgive him.
When he said all he could, he’d cried. Ken couldn’t see her but he knew she stood up and he expected her to walk away. Then loving arms held him close and she soothed him with calming words.
“We’ll get through this Kenny … I promise,” she’d whispered into his hair.
“Ken?”
He looked up at Peter.
“We’ll be back in the morning,” his dear friend said, offering his hand.
Ken took his hand then pulled Peter in for a hug.
“Thank you for making me face this,” Ken commented, holding him tight. “I’m still scared to death at where things go from here but I’m not backing down.”
Peter stepped back and Serena approached him. Ken was nervous … uncomfortable … until she gave him a hug.
“We love you Ken.”
“Thank you Serena. Good night.”
“Good night.”
Ken and Christine stood in the doorway, watching until the DiSantos’ car disappeared.
The aloneness was overwhelming.
Ken shut the door and locked it, Christine shut off the lights in the living room and they met in the foyer, at the bottom of the stairs.
It was awkward … nothing in their relationship had been awkward until now.
“It’s getting late; we should probably get some sleep,” Christine offered quietly.
“I’m not sure if I can … sleep … but I am exhausted.”
Falling back into familiar gestures, he placed his hand on the small of her back as they climbed the stairs and made their way down the hall. They stopped outside their bedroom, not sure how to proceed.
“I … I’ll sleep in the guestroom,” Ken said.
“Oh … okay … if that’s what you want. Is that what you want?”
“No … but I thought … I mean after what I told you I thought you might not want ….”
She took his hand. “I want you to stop running away from me Ken. I want you in there … with me.”
Without another word, he went into their bedroom, Christine with him. He changed in the bedroom and she got ready in the bathroom. Sitting on the bed, he gazed around, eyes falling on the dresser drawer where he’d hid his dirty little secret. It had been late when he returned and his luggage had been forgotten by the front door. Right now he couldn’t be bothered to unpack and besides, the DVD was in one of those cases and the farther away he could get from it the better.
The knob on the bathroom door jingled and Ken got into bed, covering himself to his chin.
“Can I get you anything … a glass of water?” Christine asked, the light from the bathroom making her glow and take his breath away.
“I’m alright … thank you.”
Switching off the light, she got into bed and lay on her back. They both peered into the dark. A fluttering under the covers led to her hand tight around his. He held on for dear life.
“Good night Kenny.”
“Good night.”
:::: ♥♥ ::::
“Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit,” Adam swore, hopping and trying to get his big foot into his skinny jeans.
Kris was shaving and watching his man through the bathroom door, thoroughly entertained. They’d lost themselves in each other last night to the point they were so worn out they didn’t hear the alarm go off. The insistent ringing of the phone finally roused them. The TV producer needed Adam’s answer. He told them yes, he would do the interview, and they told him they were recording the segment that afternoon. As soon as that call ended, Lane called saying the PR wanted him at 19E pronto so they could go over the questions and rehearse his answers.
All this led to the silly dance Adam was doing trying to get dressed before the car arrived to pick him up. The only thing that could have been more entertaining would have been watching Adam do his make up and hair in record time but they were going to take care of it at the TV station. Apparently, Adam now had ‘people’ to make him pretty when he had public appearances.
“Oh no … nonononononooo … damn!”
The great oak got his foot caught and tumbled onto the bed. Kris burst out laughing, nicking himself on the chin.
“You’re enjoying this way too much,” Adam sneered. “The least you could do is help me.”
Kris held up his shaving cream covered hands. Grumbling, Adam got his foot through the tight tunnel just as a horn honked outside. Swearing some more, he did up his pants, slipped on some flip flops and yanked the t-shirt over his head. The horn honked again and Adam leaned against the door frame.
“Gonna wish me luck?”
“Good luck.”
“Is that it? No kiss?”
“I’ll just mess you up.” The horn honked a third time, longer and louder. “You better get going.”
“So I’ll see you this afternoon?”
“Where else would I be?” He blew Adam a kiss. “Now git.”
Adam blew a kiss back and headed out. The phone rang, Adam notified him as if he couldn’t hear for himself, and the door slammed shut. Kris wiped his face and answered it.
“Hello.”
“Kris … good morning. How are you?”
“Hey Peter, I’m good. What can I do for you?”
“Um … is Adam home?”
“You just missed him. He’s decided to do that interview and its being taped today. He’s run off for meeting at 19E before he goes. Is it something I can help you with?”
“Actually, we need to talk to both of you.”
“We?”
“Yeah … Ken and me.”
“You’ve talked to him? How is he?”
There was a pause. “I’d say … a little better than he was but … listen, is there a chance we can talk to you and Adam between his meeting and the interview? I know this is a rotten day to spring this on you guys but it can’t wait … really.”
“Well, I don’t know. The interview is being done at Indigo … I’ll be there all day … but I don’t know if Adam has the extra time. Give him a call and find out. He just got picked up so the car should still be on the road.”
“I’ll do that and let you know.”
“No problem.” Kris felt uneasy. “Peter, this isn’t good news, is it?”
“I’m afraid not.”
continued ~ http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/56332.html