Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)
A new fear overcame Michael, quite suddenly as Kevin turned the car down another long street. The night had come a little too quickly for Michael as he rested his forehead against the cold window. He'd been worried for the last few hours, trying to predict what A.J.'s reaction would be. Anger? Sadness? Happiness? Michael sighed as he felt his body momentarily shiver with nervousness. A brief thought of leaping from the moving car and making a run for the nearest bus station entered his mind but a greater desire to face his fears and the father he never knew overcame him.
"We're here," Kevin announced calmly. "Why don't we head inside?"
The walk up the long pathway was almost unbearable for Michael, he was having enough trouble breathing, how on earth could he look A.J. in the eye and spill an almost 17 year old story? Lucy seemed to read Michael's expression and gently put her arm around his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. Andrea reached the door first and after Kevin nodded, rang the doorbell once. Almost immediately, the door flew open, revealing a surprised Ned.
"Well hello there! This is certainly a surprise!" Ned exclaimed. Lucy and Kevin exchanged warm pleasantries as Michael eyed the main entrance nervously. "Come on in, everyone's in the den," Ned said pleasantly as he shut the door behind them. Kevin glanced momentarily at Michael before turning to Ned.
"Actually, I was hoping we could all move ourselves to the verandah, it's such a nice night," Kevin said evenly, eyeing Ned meaningfully. Ned, although surprised by Kevin's suggestion, quickly nodded before excusing himself to the den.
"Are you absolutely certain that you want to do this now?" Lucy asked Michael as she faced him, looking him over seriously. Michael nodded quickly, unable to find his voice.
"Michael!" Mary rushed out of the den with Dominic at her heels. Her face was fixed with nervous anticipation. She gave him a small smile, uncertain of what to say.
"Andrea, uh, Dominic and I are gonna go get a drink from the kitchen, do you want to come?"
Andrea nodded slowly, "yeah, if that's okay with you?" she asked Michael carefully. Michael plastered a smile as calmly as possible on his face, "yeah, sure, I'll be okay."
"Michael! What a pleasant surprise!" Monica greeted her grandson with a warm hug, catching him offguard. Michael, altogether uncomfortable, responded before quickly pulling back, gluing his eyes to the floor.
"Well, shall we head out?," Kevin said, trying to usher the crowd along. Michael's eyes fixed quickly on the dark hared individual who emerged lastwith Keesha. Michael gulped, it was A.J.
"Come along everyone, Reginald can you fetch us some extra chairs," Alan called as the large group slowly made their way down the hall.
Kevin maneuvered his way to A.J. and quickly pulled him aside. "A.J., Michael was hoping to speak to you privately in the den."
A.J. frowned, somewhat confused but gave Kevin an easy grin, "sure, I guesswe'll be out later," he said to Keesha before gently kissing her on the cheek and turning back to the den.
"So, what can I help you with Michael? How is everyone?" A.J. asked as he shut the doors behind him.
"Everyone's fine," Michael stammered as he jammed his hands into his pants as he paced near the fireplace, his eyes still unable to meet A.J.'s. A.J. nodded carefully, puzzled by Michael's nervous demeanor, took a seat at oneof the chesterfields'. "Have a seat," he encouraged.
Michael stopped and turned before finally sitting on the plush cushions on another chesterfield, opposite A.J. Leaning back comfortably, A.J. waited patiently for his nephew to reveal what is was that was clearly bothering him. Hearing nothing after a few minutes, A.J. ventured, "so, is everything all right with you, you look a little tense."
Michael closed his eyes as the butterflies pounding in his stomach grew fierce. He could do one of two things. He could bolt from the house or he could look A.J. in the eye and spill. Bolting seemed the most inviting but for some reason, Michael remained stuck to his seat.
"Michael, whatever's bothering you can't-," A.J. started before Michael quickly bounced out of his seat, and showed A.J. the paternity test court order.
"Do you remember this?" he asked, almost breathless.
A.J. stopped, mid sentence and stared at the old court order. Memories from years long ago flashed into his mind, "where did you get this?" Seeing Michael's expression, A.J. quickly continued, "yes, I remember it, why do you have it?"
Michael said nothing. A.J. narrowed his eyes, tilting his head slightly, as if trying to read Michael's thoughts. The seed he long thought had died, was now beginning to show signs of life again. "Why do you have this Michael?" he asked more forcefully.
Michael remained rigid as tears began to form. A.J. stood, breathless himself, "what's going on?" he whispered. Michael blinked and the tears fell but he ignored them, his eyes locked into A.J.'s.
"Why didn't you get the DNA test?" he asked hoarsely.
A.J. blinked slowly, "I-I don't know," he stammered, "why?"
"God A.J., you should have done the test," Michael said painfully, his voice barely registering.
"Holly Mary Mother of God," A.J. said, his voice quivering as Michael took a dejected expression, wrapping his arms around himself, casting his eyes downward.
"You...You're my son, you're my son," A.J. said, his voice almost awed at the thought. A thought that hadn't entered his mind in over sixteen years. A.J. almost stumbled as he made his way over to Michael, his whole body shaking. His arm raised slowly, brushing Michael's shoulder. At his father's touch, Michael released and began to sob, how hard and painful it felt inside. A.J. tentatively put his hands on Michael's shoulders and slowly moved them to his neck, gently raising Michael's head. Michael's eyes were red and full of tears as they met A.J.'s haunted ones. A.J. gently brushed a few of Michael's tears with his thumb, before gently pulling his son close as they embraced in a tearful fierce moment.
A.J. clutched Michael, his heart breaking in that instant. He breathed the scent from Michael's hair and nearly began to weep himself as he held what felt like to him, a terrified and shaking child. His child, a part of him much like Mary was, only it wasnít because unlike Mary, A.J. had never been privy to be a part of his son's life. Carly's face flashed through A.J.'s mind and for a moment A.J. felt fury, but as Michael tightened his grip on his father, the moment passed and instead A.J. soaked in his son.
Michael breathed deeply, still shaking violently though, feeling as though he'd survived a near fatal car crash and was huddling in shock at the side of the road. A.J.'s cologne found his sense of smell and Michael breathed it in deeply. He felt safe, secure and for a moment, certain that he would never leave his father's arms. Michael gave a small smile, knowing full well that the nagging thoughts filtering into his head would have to be dealt with, but not now. Now was the time for quiet.
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Wyndemere
"So, I trust Raphael has settled in nicely at Lucky and Emily's?" Nikolas queried as he straightened his tie, checking himself over carefully. Stefan smiled as he rose from he seat, putting down the newspaper he'd been engrossed in.
"Yes, I wasn't able to speak to him but I did chat with Emily for a few moments, reassuring that the guards had arrived. Apparently he and Lucky were deeply involved in some sort of video game."
"Ahhh, yes, the fine art of blowing away blood sucking creatures with the aid of various forms of weaponery," Nikolas smiled as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "you remember Lucky teaching me that few years ago?"
Stefan grimaced slightly, "unfortunately, many of Lucky's bad habits transferred merrily over to you when you were younger and it seems will no doubt filter into Raphael's agenda also. I would expect that once he returns tomorrow evening, he will begin to plead with you to purchase one of those devices."
Nikolas laughed as he poured himself a glass of water, "come, come now Uncle. You know it's all good fun and besides, it's good for Raphael to spend time with the rest of our family. Remember how much pleasure it brought him to visit Gina's brother John in San Fransisco last winter? They got along famously, and now he can barely contain himself for another trip next month." Nikolas sighed as he sat back into the chesterfield, "I just want to give him the kind of family and happiness he deserves. Lucky and Emily, John and his family, no barriers, no hate, just one big happy family."
Stefan squeezed Nikolasís shoulder gently, "I know, I wanted the best for you also." Silence fell over the room as Nikolas sipped his water, both men thinking private thoughts before Nikolas rose, "I'm going to be late."
Stefan arched his eyebrows, "you have a meeting this late?" he asked in surprise.
Nikolas nodded, "I'm closing the deal with the German accountants tonight, I'll be home before midnight. You don't need to wait up," he added.
Stefan nodded, "of course, I always respect your wishes."
Hah! Put it in writing, then we'll see!" Nikolas laughed as he left the room.
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