Fanfic: B&S episode 702: part 3/4
Season 7 - Episode 02 - New beginnings
By Marea67
About: Brothers & Sisters
Rate: G
Disclaimer: I don’t own Brothers & Sisters - written with love, not for money.
Summary: Ingredients: Take a couple of Walkers, add a few Wandells, a pinch of Holden and a Caplan formerly known as Harper, a dash of Altamirano and Whitley, a teaspoon of Byrolt, Paresa and Salazar and (for added flavor only) a Barry&McCallister. Mix and shake…and… watch it explode.
Warning: It is my very own season 7, you guys! Go with it! ;) Don’t complain! If YOU can do better, post your own story! (I dare you!)
***** Part 3/4 *****
THE NEXT DAY
*****
“Oh, my head.” Sarah reaches out for the glass of water. “I do hope these aspirins work fast, because I want to have a bit of a clear head, when we have to open this place.”
“You should have stayed away from the red wine last night.” Ryan grins.
“Yes. I should have.” Sarah agrees. “Thanks for driving me home, by the way.”
“You’re welcome.” Ryan’s smile becomes more teasing. “I heard that the catering has arrived. Lovely tuna-sandwiches… I can smell them from here…” Sarah turns positively green. “Perhaps you’d prefer to try the salad. It has mussels….”
“I hate you…” Sarah gasps and runs of the toilets, nearly pushing Holly to the ground.
“Is she alright?” Holly asks Ryan.
“Yes, she will be. There was a dinner last night.” Ryan says, but as he speaks the words, he shows with his hand the lifting of a glass and it being drunk empty. Holly grins.
“Ah! Of course, a Walker-dinner.... Say no more…”
“I missed you at the party last night.”
“I know, but I felt that Nora wanted her family to herself and I didn’t mind having some time so myself either. Took a long hot bath, read a book, had a nice glass of red wine…. It was about all the excitement I needed.”
“I can’t see a problem with that. It is weird though, than none of the other Walkers will be here, aside from Nora, Tommy and Sarah.”
“Yes, I was wondering the same, expecting a whole flood of them.” Holly stares at the door as if she expects it to be thrown open to let the whole herd of Walkers in.
“Well, Kitty and Kevin had the excuse that the kids had to go back to school. Scotty, Saul and Jonathan are making the last adjustments to the restaurant. Justin and Tyler had to work, so they could be free tonight to join the opening of Café 429. For which, I understand, you’ve been invited as well?”
“Yes.” Holly nods. “I was surprised, because, as I understand it, it was a closed party, mostly for family, close friends and a few loyal customers…. And some critics…”
“I suppose that you and I have become part of the ‘family’.”
“Worse than the mob.” Holly smiles lovingly though.
“So, are you ready for this new start?”
“No, I’m terrified.” Holly admits. Sarah enters the room again, just in time to hear Holly’s answer to Ryan’s question.
“It’s not like we are completely without work… .”
“I think we should get the first work-day started. Is Nora here?” Holly wants to know.
“Talking to a few guys…” Ryan answers. “I think that we’re ready to start though.” Sarah and Holly leave Sarah’s office with Ryan right behind them and they find Nora and Tommy in the warehouse.
“Well, who’s going to push the button?…” Sarah wonders, pointing at the red button that will get the conveyor belts running. As all the employees have gathered there together, waiting for the official start of the new company, Holly looks at Nora. Which of one them should say something? Sarah shrugs, Tommy makes it clear that he doesn’t care.
Holly steps aside and Nora clears her throat and steps up. Her hand is above the red button.
“I know that many of you have regretted the loss of Ojai Foods. So have we. When we planned to create Ojai Fruit and Wine, we tried to get back as many of our old employees as we could.
I’m grateful that so many of you wanted to come back, that some of you even took the risk of quitting the new jobs that you had found, to come back here. It took us a while to get back in business, but we’re ready. We’ve made a lot of changes, but … at the core we’re still a family-business. And you are our extended family.
I can only hope that we have made the right decision, that we can continue this company with the same vision that William Walker used to have…” Nora pauses, realizing that so many people here only had good memories of William. “Let’s build our new legacy…” Nora hesitates then takes away her hand.
“Go ahead, Holly.” Nora offers. Holly nervously looks at Sarah and Tommy, believing that one of them might want to do this, but they wordlessly decline. She takes two steps forward.
“I hereby declare Ojai Food and Wine officially opened.” She presses the button.
The laud applause quickly gets silenced by the running belts and the work that has finally officially started and everyone returns to their places. Nora, Sarah, Holly, Tommy and Ryan remain in the hall of the company. The silence there makes all of them uncomfortable.
“What if no one calls?” Sarah gives voice to the words that are on everyone’s mind.
“They will.” Nora says, surprised by how confident her voice is, when she’s not feeling that way at all. “They will.” She repeats, while she says a little prayer, hoping that everything will be fine… The first phone start to ring. Then the second….
“And we’re back in business.” Sarah says with a loud sigh.
*****
Browne uncorks the bottle of champagne, quickly pours some into the two glasses and then he hands over one glass to Kevin. who’s sitting on his desk, legs dangling.
“It’s official! Carter and Walker are in business!” Browne says holding up his glass.
“I still can’t believe it. You and me working together… I hope this is going to work.”
There’s a little frown of concern on Kevin’s face and Browne’s smile fades a bit.
“It had better work. I don’t have many resources left after this….” Browne sighs. “No. We’re not going to be negative today…” He holds up his glass. “To new beginnings, a new start in our lives….”
“To new beginnings.” Kevin accepts.
“And to being the best we can be at what we do.”
“Always.” Kevin promises, looking up when there’s knock on their door. Ron Robinson, the CEO of their most important client ‘Core Athletics’ comes in.
“How are my favorite lawyers?” He asks.
“Wait until you get our first official bill.” Kevin jokes. “What do you think of our offices?”
“I see that you’ve taken up my advice about where to put the desks.” Kevin and Browne nod.
They see no reason why to antagonize Ron and his recent interest in Feng Shui by explaining that the desks are exactly where they themselves had decided they should be, long before Ron had mentioned a word.
“You’ll see, you’ll have a strong company.” Ron says. “Well, according to my wife anyway.”
Browne and Kevin give each other a quick look, finally understanding Ron’s interest.
“Are you guys considering hiring a secretary?”
“We’ve received a few letters and a temp-agency has send us a few resumes, but we haven’t had a chance to look at them yet.” Browne says.
“How was Hawaii?” Ron now asks Kevin. Kevin’s smile becomes big again.
“I had a great time with Scotty and our kids… I think my brother was right to do this for us, because we needed that time together. Scotty’s restaurant is reopening tonight. You’re coming, right?”
“My wife would kill me if I didn’t get home in time to go the opening. She’s been crazy with your husband, and his food, since the first time she came here. I’d be worried if I hadn’t know that Scotty’s interests lie elsewhere.”
“Yes, Scotty’s cooking seems to have impact on people.”
“She was sure glad to be considered one of the ‘in-crowd’ at the ‘invitations only’ opening.” Kevin notices the happiness on Ron’s face and he smiles. Scotty had rightly noticed the absolute dedication between Ron and his wife and he had invited them as a way of making the bond between Core Athletic and Carter and Walker even better.
“I have to leave. I have a meeting in town. I’ll see you two tonight.” He shakes hands with both Kevin and Browne and leaves. Browne holds up some thin files.
“Speaking of secretaries. I’ve read these. There are 3 women I consider to be very interesting and 1 guy…”
However, Browne only hands him three files, holding on to the fourth one.
“Do you know a Lena Johnson?” He asks. Kevin shakes his head.
“Can’t say the name rings a bell. Should it?”
“I got her resume as well. She used to work for Walker’s Landing?”
“Oh, that Lena…. I didn’t know her last name was Johnson though.”
“She’s married.”
“That might explain it.”
“She doesn’t give her reason for leaving….”
“Complicated.” Kevin says, quickly looking at the other files.
“So, I might as well refuse her?”
“No. She was good at her work… It’s just that… her extra-curricular work with Tommy didn’t go well with Tommy’s marriage…”
“I see. She’s one of those.” Browne says with a bit of regret, he liked other work-references and she had fitted the profile he had had in mind. Kevin sits down again, this time on his chair, rather than his desk, and he holds up his hand to receive the file on Lena. As he looks at the picture of her face, he slowly shakes his head.
“No. That would be unfair. Tommy wasn’t very squeaky-clean in all this either. He was married and he should have known better. I don’t condone Lena’s actions, but it wasn’t like she forced my brother into this kicking and screaming, and Tommy was the one who kept going back to her, even when she tried to keep her distance.”
So, go ahead and invite her. We’ve all made mistakes in the past and I’m not going to hold them against her, anymore than I’m going to continue to hold them against Scotty or myself. I see this company really as a new beginning for myself. I know you feel the same. Perhaps it could be one for her as well... We’ll see.”
*****
“I’m rather excited about tonight.” Tyler lets her hands loosely rest on Justin’s hips. After their long kiss she needs to get her breath back. “
It’s so weird, but I feel almost more excited about the opening of Café 429 than I think Kevin, Saul or Jonathan.” Justin says.
“Well, Kevin has his own exciting moment today.”
“I know, so many new beginnings….” Justin sighs, letting go of Tyler. “I wish I could have one as well, but… I don’t know with what I should have a new beginning. I’m happy with you, with my job, with my work-partner and with our apartment. I’m so … boringly happy.” He smiles and Tyler likes the satisfaction that she can see on his face.
“How about September 25th?” She asks.
“Sorry?” Justin doesn’t understand what she’s talking about.
“Our wedding-day. Our own new beginning. Let today be the day that we start planning our wedding-day…” She suggests, teasingly biting her lower lip, while she waits for Justin’s answer.
“Are you serious? You’re not joking? You really want to set a date?”
“Yes, I do.” Tyler laughs and cries at the same time, when Justin lets out a loud scream of joy and he lifts her off the ground in a strong hug.
“I love you, Tyler Altamirano, and I can’t wait to make you Mrs Walker.” And Justin kisses her.
*****
“Dr Avadon? You said you wanted to speak to me?” Kitty asks, holding her phone tightly.
“Yes, Kitty, I’m sorry, but I’d like you to come back to the hospital and have some X-rays taken and another blood-test as well.”
“But my results were good? I didn’t have to come back for another year.”
“I’ve looked at them again. Just doing a random check up of those files that were dealt with during my absence, when I had my broken leg. I can’t put my finger on what is bothering me, but I don’t like the results. They are good, but not as good as I would have expected them to be. I just want to make sure that things haven’t deteriorated in the meantime. I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
“Yes. Yes. Of course….When am I supposed to come for my appointment?”
“I’d like to see you next Friday.” Kitty puts down her phone and rubs her face.
She leans tiredly against the door of the children’s bedroom.
“Don’t cry, Kitty, it’s just a preliminary test. Just to be sure. Nothing to worry about….” She tells herself, but then she sees Grace, safely asleep in her bed and tears come up… “It’s starting all over again.” Kitty whispers and quickly leaves Grace’s room to not wake her.
*****
Scotty nervously wipes his hands on his apron. The staff is ready. He can hear drinks being served at the bar to those guests who had come early. He nearly jumps up when Justin enters Scotty’s office.
“Can’t find him.” Justin says with a sad look on his face.
“I don’t get it. Where is he? He promised me he’d be here on time…” Scotty paces up and down. “I swear, that if he again doesn’t show up….” Scotty starts to threaten.
“I don’t believe that, Scotty. Kevin told Browne that he was looking forward to this and he’d be here on time and that he just had an errand to run…”
“Right….” Scotty’s sarcasm doesn’t go unnoticed. “Once! Just once! For once it is about me and he….. He disappears on me again.” Justin walks up to Scotty and grabs his shoulders.
“Hey, bro, don’t do this to yourself. Kevin will be there.”
“I’m not so sure….” Scotty shakes his head. Justin sighs and pulls Scotty closer, seeing that Scotty is genuinely losing his self-control. Scotty lets Justin hold him for a moment, but then he pushes Justin back. “I don’t want a re-run of what happened a few years ago. I’m going to kill him if he again doesn’t show up…” Scotty’s hands shake with frustration.
“Listen, I know that Tyler and Kevin have been texting and whispering and giggling since he came back from Hawaii. I’m sure that whatever Kevin is doing or wherever he is, he has you on his mind.” Justin tries to calm Scotty down, but Scotty throws his hands in the air.
“I don’t know. I had hoped…” He stops as if he can’t finish his sentence and say what he had hoped for. “I had wanted this to be a new beginning on so many levels… But … my parents didn’t want to come, because they had made other plans and they are in New York. Jordan, my best friend, is in Seattle for his temp job and now my husband isn’t here either.”
“We’re here. And so are your kids.” Justin says. “And mom and the others have arrived as well. Let’s go out there, show your face, laugh, gossip and don’t let the fact that Kevin isn’t here yet, ruin your fun.” He gently pushes Scotty towards the bar and Scotty lets himself be guided.
******
“Well, I think we’re ready.” Jonathan sits down to take the weight of his foot. Though it’s still in plaster he can quite easily move around with the crutches.
“Are you not too tired?” Saul asks, worried about his husband, who’s way too busy for Saul’s liking.
“No, I’m fine. I can’t wait to taste the new ideas that you and Scotty have come with. It all smells delicious anyway. How long until we officially start?”
“30 minutes and Scotty is freaking out.”
“He’ll do a good job. He’s excellent cook.” Jonathan says calmly.
“That’s not it. Kevin isn’t here yet.”
“He isn’t? Well, he’s probably stuck in traffic.”
“Traffic? Why? Did he tell you where he went?”
“Yes. He’ll be here.” Jonathan replies with an amused smile on his face.
******
Scotty takes a look at the clock and he bites his lower lip. Where the hell is Kevin?
“Ah! There you are! Scotty was about to go crazy….” He hears Kitty say and Scotty turns around.
“Why? Did you think I would really want to miss this?” Kevin hugs Scotty and gives him a little kiss on his nose.
“I’m sorry if I scared you.” Kevin then says, a bit guilty. “Things didn’t go according to plan even though I had counted on the fact that schedules wouldn't be kept…. I got you a little gift….”
“Not another house I hope.” Scotty replies worriedly, but Kevin makes him turn around.
“Mom! Dad!” Scotty hugs both his parents.
“Honey, did you really believe that we wanted to miss this?”
“You two were in cahoots with Kevin over this?” Scotty suddenly understands. Bertha laughs and hugs her son again, while she lets Wally explain it to their son.
“We’ll be staying at the June-flower for a few days and then return to New York to continue our trip.”
“So, that’s why you were so late? You went to pick up my parents from the airport?” Scotty can’t believe the trouble that Kevin went through for him.
“Well, not just your parents.” Kevin says, pointing to Scotty’s side. Only now does Scotty notice that Jordan is there as well. He hugs Jordan so tightly that Jordan can almost not breathe for a few seconds.
“My temp job ended last Friday…” Jordan tells Scotty. “I couldn’t wait to be here for you.”
Scotty hardly has the time to say ‘thank you’ to Kevin, because he feels a tap on his shoulder.
“Your parents and Jordan weren’t the only ones waiting at the airport.”
“Chad! Jason! Oh, my God! You guys are back as well!”
The newly arrived are greeted with cheers, hugs and kisses. The noise is overwhelming until Justin takes the microphone, installed behind the bar.
“Scotty! Scotty! Your gift has arrived…” The door opens and 2 men bring a large present all wrapped up in colorful paper.
“The kids have spent an hour this afternoon, wrapping it up.” Justin tells everyone. Scotty walks up to the gift, surprised to not only see the large flat gift, but also wondering what it is and from who gift it is. From behind the gift a man shows up.
“I could not let this day go by without a gift….” Luc Laurent says.
Scotty can suddenly guess what the present is and why Saul and Jonathan had insisted that one of the walls should remain white.
“Unwrap it.” Luc offers and Scotty tears away the paper to see a large painting emerge in warm orange, yellow and brown colors, that will fit perfectly on the wall.
“It’s gorgeous.” Scotty sighs, obviously and genuinely in awe.
“I’ve been here for two weeks, while you were gone, to get the feel of the restaurant and to make sure that it wouldn’t clash with this place….”
“It’s…. I’m speechless.” Scotty is completely flabbergasted.
“I hope you're not too speechless. It’s six o’clock. Time to open your restaurant. Officially, this time.” Tommy announces and Scotty is pushed towards the door, where a huge ribbon gets drawn from side to side. Justin hands Scotty a pair of scissors and Scotty takes the ribbon to hold it steady. He looks up and his eyes meet Kevin’s.
“I hereby the declare this restaurant opened…” Scotty says and he cuts through the ribbon. There’s a loud cheer and everyone wants to congratulate Scotty, who gets overwhelmed by all the kindness and friendship that is given to him.
His eyes search through the room and, as he gets congratulated by Wally, his eyes finally see Kevin, sitting on a table, in the back, letting Scotty take all the glory. His face is soft and loving. When he sees that Scotty has noticed him, his smile turns into a very proud smile, before slipping off the table and instructing the waiters to start escorting people to their tables.
*****
End of part 3/4
**** COMMERCIAL BREAK****
By Marea67
About: Brothers & Sisters
Rate: G
Disclaimer: I don’t own Brothers & Sisters - written with love, not for money.
Summary: Ingredients: Take a couple of Walkers, add a few Wandells, a pinch of Holden and a Caplan formerly known as Harper, a dash of Altamirano and Whitley, a teaspoon of Byrolt, Paresa and Salazar and (for added flavor only) a Barry&McCallister. Mix and shake…and… watch it explode.
Warning: It is my very own season 7, you guys! Go with it! ;) Don’t complain! If YOU can do better, post your own story! (I dare you!)
***** Part 3/4 *****
THE NEXT DAY
*****
“Oh, my head.” Sarah reaches out for the glass of water. “I do hope these aspirins work fast, because I want to have a bit of a clear head, when we have to open this place.”
“You should have stayed away from the red wine last night.” Ryan grins.
“Yes. I should have.” Sarah agrees. “Thanks for driving me home, by the way.”
“You’re welcome.” Ryan’s smile becomes more teasing. “I heard that the catering has arrived. Lovely tuna-sandwiches… I can smell them from here…” Sarah turns positively green. “Perhaps you’d prefer to try the salad. It has mussels….”
“I hate you…” Sarah gasps and runs of the toilets, nearly pushing Holly to the ground.
“Is she alright?” Holly asks Ryan.
“Yes, she will be. There was a dinner last night.” Ryan says, but as he speaks the words, he shows with his hand the lifting of a glass and it being drunk empty. Holly grins.
“Ah! Of course, a Walker-dinner.... Say no more…”
“I missed you at the party last night.”
“I know, but I felt that Nora wanted her family to herself and I didn’t mind having some time so myself either. Took a long hot bath, read a book, had a nice glass of red wine…. It was about all the excitement I needed.”
“I can’t see a problem with that. It is weird though, than none of the other Walkers will be here, aside from Nora, Tommy and Sarah.”
“Yes, I was wondering the same, expecting a whole flood of them.” Holly stares at the door as if she expects it to be thrown open to let the whole herd of Walkers in.
“Well, Kitty and Kevin had the excuse that the kids had to go back to school. Scotty, Saul and Jonathan are making the last adjustments to the restaurant. Justin and Tyler had to work, so they could be free tonight to join the opening of Café 429. For which, I understand, you’ve been invited as well?”
“Yes.” Holly nods. “I was surprised, because, as I understand it, it was a closed party, mostly for family, close friends and a few loyal customers…. And some critics…”
“I suppose that you and I have become part of the ‘family’.”
“Worse than the mob.” Holly smiles lovingly though.
“So, are you ready for this new start?”
“No, I’m terrified.” Holly admits. Sarah enters the room again, just in time to hear Holly’s answer to Ryan’s question.
“It’s not like we are completely without work… .”
“I think we should get the first work-day started. Is Nora here?” Holly wants to know.
“Talking to a few guys…” Ryan answers. “I think that we’re ready to start though.” Sarah and Holly leave Sarah’s office with Ryan right behind them and they find Nora and Tommy in the warehouse.
“Well, who’s going to push the button?…” Sarah wonders, pointing at the red button that will get the conveyor belts running. As all the employees have gathered there together, waiting for the official start of the new company, Holly looks at Nora. Which of one them should say something? Sarah shrugs, Tommy makes it clear that he doesn’t care.
Holly steps aside and Nora clears her throat and steps up. Her hand is above the red button.
“I know that many of you have regretted the loss of Ojai Foods. So have we. When we planned to create Ojai Fruit and Wine, we tried to get back as many of our old employees as we could.
I’m grateful that so many of you wanted to come back, that some of you even took the risk of quitting the new jobs that you had found, to come back here. It took us a while to get back in business, but we’re ready. We’ve made a lot of changes, but … at the core we’re still a family-business. And you are our extended family.
I can only hope that we have made the right decision, that we can continue this company with the same vision that William Walker used to have…” Nora pauses, realizing that so many people here only had good memories of William. “Let’s build our new legacy…” Nora hesitates then takes away her hand.
“Go ahead, Holly.” Nora offers. Holly nervously looks at Sarah and Tommy, believing that one of them might want to do this, but they wordlessly decline. She takes two steps forward.
“I hereby declare Ojai Food and Wine officially opened.” She presses the button.
The laud applause quickly gets silenced by the running belts and the work that has finally officially started and everyone returns to their places. Nora, Sarah, Holly, Tommy and Ryan remain in the hall of the company. The silence there makes all of them uncomfortable.
“What if no one calls?” Sarah gives voice to the words that are on everyone’s mind.
“They will.” Nora says, surprised by how confident her voice is, when she’s not feeling that way at all. “They will.” She repeats, while she says a little prayer, hoping that everything will be fine… The first phone start to ring. Then the second….
“And we’re back in business.” Sarah says with a loud sigh.
*****
Browne uncorks the bottle of champagne, quickly pours some into the two glasses and then he hands over one glass to Kevin. who’s sitting on his desk, legs dangling.
“It’s official! Carter and Walker are in business!” Browne says holding up his glass.
“I still can’t believe it. You and me working together… I hope this is going to work.”
There’s a little frown of concern on Kevin’s face and Browne’s smile fades a bit.
“It had better work. I don’t have many resources left after this….” Browne sighs. “No. We’re not going to be negative today…” He holds up his glass. “To new beginnings, a new start in our lives….”
“To new beginnings.” Kevin accepts.
“And to being the best we can be at what we do.”
“Always.” Kevin promises, looking up when there’s knock on their door. Ron Robinson, the CEO of their most important client ‘Core Athletics’ comes in.
“How are my favorite lawyers?” He asks.
“Wait until you get our first official bill.” Kevin jokes. “What do you think of our offices?”
“I see that you’ve taken up my advice about where to put the desks.” Kevin and Browne nod.
They see no reason why to antagonize Ron and his recent interest in Feng Shui by explaining that the desks are exactly where they themselves had decided they should be, long before Ron had mentioned a word.
“You’ll see, you’ll have a strong company.” Ron says. “Well, according to my wife anyway.”
Browne and Kevin give each other a quick look, finally understanding Ron’s interest.
“Are you guys considering hiring a secretary?”
“We’ve received a few letters and a temp-agency has send us a few resumes, but we haven’t had a chance to look at them yet.” Browne says.
“How was Hawaii?” Ron now asks Kevin. Kevin’s smile becomes big again.
“I had a great time with Scotty and our kids… I think my brother was right to do this for us, because we needed that time together. Scotty’s restaurant is reopening tonight. You’re coming, right?”
“My wife would kill me if I didn’t get home in time to go the opening. She’s been crazy with your husband, and his food, since the first time she came here. I’d be worried if I hadn’t know that Scotty’s interests lie elsewhere.”
“Yes, Scotty’s cooking seems to have impact on people.”
“She was sure glad to be considered one of the ‘in-crowd’ at the ‘invitations only’ opening.” Kevin notices the happiness on Ron’s face and he smiles. Scotty had rightly noticed the absolute dedication between Ron and his wife and he had invited them as a way of making the bond between Core Athletic and Carter and Walker even better.
“I have to leave. I have a meeting in town. I’ll see you two tonight.” He shakes hands with both Kevin and Browne and leaves. Browne holds up some thin files.
“Speaking of secretaries. I’ve read these. There are 3 women I consider to be very interesting and 1 guy…”
However, Browne only hands him three files, holding on to the fourth one.
“Do you know a Lena Johnson?” He asks. Kevin shakes his head.
“Can’t say the name rings a bell. Should it?”
“I got her resume as well. She used to work for Walker’s Landing?”
“Oh, that Lena…. I didn’t know her last name was Johnson though.”
“She’s married.”
“That might explain it.”
“She doesn’t give her reason for leaving….”
“Complicated.” Kevin says, quickly looking at the other files.
“So, I might as well refuse her?”
“No. She was good at her work… It’s just that… her extra-curricular work with Tommy didn’t go well with Tommy’s marriage…”
“I see. She’s one of those.” Browne says with a bit of regret, he liked other work-references and she had fitted the profile he had had in mind. Kevin sits down again, this time on his chair, rather than his desk, and he holds up his hand to receive the file on Lena. As he looks at the picture of her face, he slowly shakes his head.
“No. That would be unfair. Tommy wasn’t very squeaky-clean in all this either. He was married and he should have known better. I don’t condone Lena’s actions, but it wasn’t like she forced my brother into this kicking and screaming, and Tommy was the one who kept going back to her, even when she tried to keep her distance.”
So, go ahead and invite her. We’ve all made mistakes in the past and I’m not going to hold them against her, anymore than I’m going to continue to hold them against Scotty or myself. I see this company really as a new beginning for myself. I know you feel the same. Perhaps it could be one for her as well... We’ll see.”
*****
“I’m rather excited about tonight.” Tyler lets her hands loosely rest on Justin’s hips. After their long kiss she needs to get her breath back. “
It’s so weird, but I feel almost more excited about the opening of Café 429 than I think Kevin, Saul or Jonathan.” Justin says.
“Well, Kevin has his own exciting moment today.”
“I know, so many new beginnings….” Justin sighs, letting go of Tyler. “I wish I could have one as well, but… I don’t know with what I should have a new beginning. I’m happy with you, with my job, with my work-partner and with our apartment. I’m so … boringly happy.” He smiles and Tyler likes the satisfaction that she can see on his face.
“How about September 25th?” She asks.
“Sorry?” Justin doesn’t understand what she’s talking about.
“Our wedding-day. Our own new beginning. Let today be the day that we start planning our wedding-day…” She suggests, teasingly biting her lower lip, while she waits for Justin’s answer.
“Are you serious? You’re not joking? You really want to set a date?”
“Yes, I do.” Tyler laughs and cries at the same time, when Justin lets out a loud scream of joy and he lifts her off the ground in a strong hug.
“I love you, Tyler Altamirano, and I can’t wait to make you Mrs Walker.” And Justin kisses her.
*****
“Dr Avadon? You said you wanted to speak to me?” Kitty asks, holding her phone tightly.
“Yes, Kitty, I’m sorry, but I’d like you to come back to the hospital and have some X-rays taken and another blood-test as well.”
“But my results were good? I didn’t have to come back for another year.”
“I’ve looked at them again. Just doing a random check up of those files that were dealt with during my absence, when I had my broken leg. I can’t put my finger on what is bothering me, but I don’t like the results. They are good, but not as good as I would have expected them to be. I just want to make sure that things haven’t deteriorated in the meantime. I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
“Yes. Yes. Of course….When am I supposed to come for my appointment?”
“I’d like to see you next Friday.” Kitty puts down her phone and rubs her face.
She leans tiredly against the door of the children’s bedroom.
“Don’t cry, Kitty, it’s just a preliminary test. Just to be sure. Nothing to worry about….” She tells herself, but then she sees Grace, safely asleep in her bed and tears come up… “It’s starting all over again.” Kitty whispers and quickly leaves Grace’s room to not wake her.
*****
Scotty nervously wipes his hands on his apron. The staff is ready. He can hear drinks being served at the bar to those guests who had come early. He nearly jumps up when Justin enters Scotty’s office.
“Can’t find him.” Justin says with a sad look on his face.
“I don’t get it. Where is he? He promised me he’d be here on time…” Scotty paces up and down. “I swear, that if he again doesn’t show up….” Scotty starts to threaten.
“I don’t believe that, Scotty. Kevin told Browne that he was looking forward to this and he’d be here on time and that he just had an errand to run…”
“Right….” Scotty’s sarcasm doesn’t go unnoticed. “Once! Just once! For once it is about me and he….. He disappears on me again.” Justin walks up to Scotty and grabs his shoulders.
“Hey, bro, don’t do this to yourself. Kevin will be there.”
“I’m not so sure….” Scotty shakes his head. Justin sighs and pulls Scotty closer, seeing that Scotty is genuinely losing his self-control. Scotty lets Justin hold him for a moment, but then he pushes Justin back. “I don’t want a re-run of what happened a few years ago. I’m going to kill him if he again doesn’t show up…” Scotty’s hands shake with frustration.
“Listen, I know that Tyler and Kevin have been texting and whispering and giggling since he came back from Hawaii. I’m sure that whatever Kevin is doing or wherever he is, he has you on his mind.” Justin tries to calm Scotty down, but Scotty throws his hands in the air.
“I don’t know. I had hoped…” He stops as if he can’t finish his sentence and say what he had hoped for. “I had wanted this to be a new beginning on so many levels… But … my parents didn’t want to come, because they had made other plans and they are in New York. Jordan, my best friend, is in Seattle for his temp job and now my husband isn’t here either.”
“We’re here. And so are your kids.” Justin says. “And mom and the others have arrived as well. Let’s go out there, show your face, laugh, gossip and don’t let the fact that Kevin isn’t here yet, ruin your fun.” He gently pushes Scotty towards the bar and Scotty lets himself be guided.
******
“Well, I think we’re ready.” Jonathan sits down to take the weight of his foot. Though it’s still in plaster he can quite easily move around with the crutches.
“Are you not too tired?” Saul asks, worried about his husband, who’s way too busy for Saul’s liking.
“No, I’m fine. I can’t wait to taste the new ideas that you and Scotty have come with. It all smells delicious anyway. How long until we officially start?”
“30 minutes and Scotty is freaking out.”
“He’ll do a good job. He’s excellent cook.” Jonathan says calmly.
“That’s not it. Kevin isn’t here yet.”
“He isn’t? Well, he’s probably stuck in traffic.”
“Traffic? Why? Did he tell you where he went?”
“Yes. He’ll be here.” Jonathan replies with an amused smile on his face.
******
Scotty takes a look at the clock and he bites his lower lip. Where the hell is Kevin?
“Ah! There you are! Scotty was about to go crazy….” He hears Kitty say and Scotty turns around.
“Why? Did you think I would really want to miss this?” Kevin hugs Scotty and gives him a little kiss on his nose.
“I’m sorry if I scared you.” Kevin then says, a bit guilty. “Things didn’t go according to plan even though I had counted on the fact that schedules wouldn't be kept…. I got you a little gift….”
“Not another house I hope.” Scotty replies worriedly, but Kevin makes him turn around.
“Mom! Dad!” Scotty hugs both his parents.
“Honey, did you really believe that we wanted to miss this?”
“You two were in cahoots with Kevin over this?” Scotty suddenly understands. Bertha laughs and hugs her son again, while she lets Wally explain it to their son.
“We’ll be staying at the June-flower for a few days and then return to New York to continue our trip.”
“So, that’s why you were so late? You went to pick up my parents from the airport?” Scotty can’t believe the trouble that Kevin went through for him.
“Well, not just your parents.” Kevin says, pointing to Scotty’s side. Only now does Scotty notice that Jordan is there as well. He hugs Jordan so tightly that Jordan can almost not breathe for a few seconds.
“My temp job ended last Friday…” Jordan tells Scotty. “I couldn’t wait to be here for you.”
Scotty hardly has the time to say ‘thank you’ to Kevin, because he feels a tap on his shoulder.
“Your parents and Jordan weren’t the only ones waiting at the airport.”
“Chad! Jason! Oh, my God! You guys are back as well!”
The newly arrived are greeted with cheers, hugs and kisses. The noise is overwhelming until Justin takes the microphone, installed behind the bar.
“Scotty! Scotty! Your gift has arrived…” The door opens and 2 men bring a large present all wrapped up in colorful paper.
“The kids have spent an hour this afternoon, wrapping it up.” Justin tells everyone. Scotty walks up to the gift, surprised to not only see the large flat gift, but also wondering what it is and from who gift it is. From behind the gift a man shows up.
“I could not let this day go by without a gift….” Luc Laurent says.
Scotty can suddenly guess what the present is and why Saul and Jonathan had insisted that one of the walls should remain white.
“Unwrap it.” Luc offers and Scotty tears away the paper to see a large painting emerge in warm orange, yellow and brown colors, that will fit perfectly on the wall.
“It’s gorgeous.” Scotty sighs, obviously and genuinely in awe.
“I’ve been here for two weeks, while you were gone, to get the feel of the restaurant and to make sure that it wouldn’t clash with this place….”
“It’s…. I’m speechless.” Scotty is completely flabbergasted.
“I hope you're not too speechless. It’s six o’clock. Time to open your restaurant. Officially, this time.” Tommy announces and Scotty is pushed towards the door, where a huge ribbon gets drawn from side to side. Justin hands Scotty a pair of scissors and Scotty takes the ribbon to hold it steady. He looks up and his eyes meet Kevin’s.
“I hereby the declare this restaurant opened…” Scotty says and he cuts through the ribbon. There’s a loud cheer and everyone wants to congratulate Scotty, who gets overwhelmed by all the kindness and friendship that is given to him.
His eyes search through the room and, as he gets congratulated by Wally, his eyes finally see Kevin, sitting on a table, in the back, letting Scotty take all the glory. His face is soft and loving. When he sees that Scotty has noticed him, his smile turns into a very proud smile, before slipping off the table and instructing the waiters to start escorting people to their tables.
*****
End of part 3/4
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