NOTES: NEWBIE, NEWBIE, NEWBIE - There you have it! This is my first post so any comments would be appreciated. But please, if you can't be kind, at least be funny. : -)) Please let me know what you think at kenitra_canada@hotmail.com.
I know I have at least one reader out there, so thank you Tonny for your emails. I hope there are others out there who like the story ;-|
LEGALITIES: You know the drill. If you are under the legal age for whatever state, province or country you live in, don't read this story. If you are offended by material about homosexual relationships, DON'T READ IT.
This is a complete work of fiction, as everyone should know. It is not intended to imply anything about any one of the Backstreet Boys or any one else. The characters and characterizations are completely invented.
Anyway, here is Part 4. Hope you enjoy! Kenitra (P.S. Thought I'd let you know - I'm female. Hope you don't hold it against me! lol :))
Fate's Reason +++++++++++++ Part 4
The seven-hour bus trip to Detroit was uneventful. They all sat around talking, eating, napping, and playing video games. Once again they made a mad dash through the throngs of fans who always seemed to know which hotel the band was staying at. They had booked an entire floor for the band for privacy and security. The rest of the crew had the entire floor below.
It was mid afternoon and everybody was bored. The hotel was swarming with fans, all but completely blocking any escape for the guys. They sat around watching TV in Howie's room.
Mark's cell phone rang. He excused himself and went out onto the balcony. The guys looked at Brian, then at Mark. Brian just shrugged.
He looked out at Mark in time to see him collapse onto a chair, shaking his head. Brian jumped up and ran to Mark, oblivious of the fact that they were on the twenty-fifth floor.
"No, oh god, no," Mark was gasping and crying. "How is Chris?" He was shaking as he listened to the answer. The five men were all on the balcony now. Brian was sitting beside Mark, his hand on Mark's back. "What hospital?" he asked. "Sick kids?" he repeated. "I'll be there as soon as I can. Call me if anything changes."
He closed the phone and put his head in his hands. No one spoke. Finally, Mark noticed the crowd and looked up, his face streaked with tears. He felt the hand on his back and turned into Brian's arms. Brian held him and stroked his hair. Mark decided now was the time for all truths.
He pulled back. "Can we go back inside and talk?" he asked looking into those intense blue eyes and seeing the confusion and concern he'd put there.
They all walked back inside. The others began heading for the door. "Where ya going?" Mark asked in surprise.
"You and Brian want to talk," Kevin said.
Mark shook his head. "Stay, all of you. What I have to say you should all hear," he paused. "Could someone book me a flight to Toronto?"
"Make that two," Brian said quietly, but firmly.
Kevin looked at his cousin, then at Howie who'd picked up the phone. "Two, Howie," he said.
Mark poured himself a glass of water then sat down, trying to sort his thoughts. He was concerned about Chris, but the doctor had said the injuries were not life threatening.
Howie hung up the phone. "There's a flight in three hours."
Mark smiled weakly. "Thanks D." He looked around at his new friends, seeing the genuine concern on their faces. He took a deep breath. "There's no easy way to tell this so I'm just going to spill everything." He paused again. "Chris is my seven year old daughter. I told my parents I was gay when I was sixteen. They threw me out of the house. I lived on the streets in Toronto for about six months with my boyfriend, working odd jobs and panhandling." Mark had to take another deep breath as long forgotten memories surfaced. "Jamie was killed in a knife fight with some other guys; I was picked up by the cops. I was lucky, I guess, they put me in a foster home with some good people. I went back to school, graduated and worked my way through university." Mark paused as he realized he had to backtrack. "After Jamie died, I spent about a week completely drunk and high. A lesbian couple who we'd been friends with, took me in and took care of me. While I was there, I slept with one of them. I don't even remember it." Mark got up and began to pace. "Once I got my life straightened out, and going to university, I ran into them again with their baby. Anyway, to shorten this story, they asked if I would like to be involved in Chris' life. Chris started calling me Uncle Mark. Things have been going great until now." Mark caught his breath and tears began running down his face. "There was a car accident," he whispered. "Both Karen and Stacy are dead and Chris is in the hospital."
Brian had been standing in front of the sliding glass doors and walked over to Mark, pulling him into an embrace, holding him close. Brian looked over Mark's shoulder. "Could one of you go pack Mark's stuff?"
Nick nodded and left. The others followed Nick, giving Brian and Mark some privacy.
"Thank you," Mark whispered.
"For what?"
Mark pulled back so he could see Brian's eyes. "For not pushing, for not asking, for being here, for everything."
Brian smiled brilliantly. "Mark, I'd do anything for you. I never believed in love at first sight, until I met you. After that first day we spent together, I felt things I've never felt before." Brian rushed his words, needing to say everything before Mark interrupted him. "I know I can't expect you to feel the same way yet, but maybe in time…"
Mark silenced Brian with his mouth. "I love you too, doll," he said and Brian could read that truth in his eyes.
"Why do you call me doll?" Brian asked as the hotel room door opened.
Mark grinned, "Maybe I'll tell you sometime."
"You guys better go if you're going to catch your flight," Kevin said from the doorway. "Marcus will drive you." Marcus was one of the band's bodyguards.
Brian and Mark followed Kevin to the elevator where Brian gave his cousin a quick hug. "Thanks Kev," he whispered before stepping in beside Mark.
The entire drive to the airport was quiet. Brian left Mark to his thoughts, simply holding his hand, handing letting him know he was there.
Mark released Brian's hand when they reached the airport. Brian could see the fear and confusion on Mark's face and wished he could just hold him and comfort him. The one-hour flight was just as quiet. Mark stared out the window, only occasionally looking at Brian or answering a question Brian had asked.
They were going to take a cab until Brian noticed a limo driver holding a sign Mark Laurance and Guest. Brian took Mark by the arm over to the car.
"This is Mark Laurance," he said. The driver looked at Mark, quickly taking in the bruises on his face.
"Of course. Please get in and we'll go straight to Sick Kids." They climbed in and the car sped off into the city.
Mark looked at Brian in confusion. "Kevin, I imagine," Brian said with a grin.
Mark smiled back and leaned over, kissing Brian's cheek. "You have no idea how glad I am that you're here." They sat back and relaxed for the rest of the twenty-minute drive.
Arriving at the hospital, Mark asked for Christine Wilson and was directed to the second floor. Mark went to the desk and asked about Chris.
"And you are?" the nurse asked, checking a chart.
"I'm Mark Laurance. I may be listed as her uncle, but I'm her biological father," he told her.
"Okay, Mr. Laurance, please take a seat and I'll get the doctor for you."
Mark and Brian sat. A few minutes later a doctor approached. "Mr. Laurance?" he asked and Mark jumped up.
"Yes. How's Chris?"
"If you'll come with me, I take you to her."
Mark looked at Brian, his eyes pleading. Brian stood up. "May my friend come too?" Mark asked quietly.
The doctor looked at the two men. "If you like." Brian followed the other two men down the hall. Outside a room, the doctor stopped. "She had some internal bleeding, which required emergency surgery, but we repaired the damage. It wasn't as bad as we feared. Her arm was badly broken and is in a cast. We had to put pins in and she'll require extensive physiotherapy to regain full use."
"Oh god!" Mark gasped and Brian put his hand on Mark's shoulder.
The doctor continued. "She's had a lot of painkillers, but she does know her mother, excuse me, her mothers, are both dead. Try to keep her calm, okay."
Mark nodded and pushed open the door. He inhaled sharply and Brian grabbed his hand.
"Remember, you looked just as bad a couple of days ago. She will heal."
Mark smiled weakly, grateful for Brian's support. He walked over to the bed and sat down, gently grasping the tiny hand. "Chris honey, its me, its Uncle Mark," he said softly.
Slowly the girl opened her eyes. "Uncle Mark?" she whispered.
Mark leaned closer. "I'm here."
Tears began to run down the child's face. "Stacy and Mommy are dead."
"I know sweetie, but I'm here now and I'm not going to leave you," Mark whispered through his own tears.
"Promise?" Chris asked.
Mark nodded. "I promise. Now close your eyes, Chrissy and go to sleep."
Mark waited until he was sure she was sleeping, then he walked over to Brian. Brian held open his arms and Mark fell into them, desperate for the safety and security he felt there.
"I feel so helpless," he whispered.
"I know babe, but she's going to be okay. She has you now," Brian said.
They sat down, holding hands, and watched the sleeping girl. Both dozed on and off throughout the night. Mark woke up first. He checked on Chris and then Brian before deciding to make a quick trip to the cafeteria for coffee.
Shortly after he left, Chris began to stir and Brian woke up. Chris looked over at Brian, her eyes wide.
"I know you!" she whispered.
Brian smiled. "Do ya?"
Chris nodded. "You're a Backstreet Boy, aren't you?" Brian nodded. "Wow!" Chris said.
"I'm a friend of your Uncle's."
Chris looked at him seriously. "Ya know, he's more than just my uncle," she said solemnly.
Brian wasn't sure what to say. "Oh?"
"Mmm-hmm. He's my real daddy, he helped get me born."
Brian decided it would be safer to change the subject. "So you like the Backstreet Boys?" he asked her.
Her eyes lit up. "Yup. I saw your concert last week."
"So who's your favorite?" Brian asked.
"I like Nick bestest, but I like you too Brian," she said so diplomatically that Brian had to grin.
"Hey, what's going on in here?" Mark asked with a smile as he walked back into the room carrying two cups of coffee.
"Uncle Mark?"
"What is it Chrissy?" Mark asked, handing one cup to Brian before sitting down beside the bed.
Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Now that Mommy and Stacy are gone, can I call you Daddy?" she asked.
Mark gasped and looked at Brian, who just shrugged. Mark looked back at his daughter. "Who told you I was your Daddy, Chris?"
"Mommy did before she….she said I wouldn’t be alone cause I'd have you."
Mark sighed, shocked by the turn of events. "You want to call me Daddy?" he asked softly. She nodded and Mark smiled. "Okay, from now on, I'm your Dad."
He leaned over and hugged his daughter carefully. "I love you Daddy," she said softly.
"Love you too, sweetie," he said. Brian wiped tears from his eyes and stepped into the hall.
He leaned against the wall as a woman approached.
"Are you Mr. Laurance?" she asked.
Brian looked up. "No. He's in with his," Brian caught himself, "with his niece."
She walked into the room and a minute later Mark and the woman came out. "Brian, will you sit with Chris? I have to talk to this lady for a few minutes," Mark said. Brian knew immediately something was wrong but he just nodded his head.
"Sure Mark." He went into the room to talk to Chris. The girl had fallen asleep, and Brian was grateful. He wasn't sure who the woman was, but he had a bad feeling.
About half an hour later, Mark returned. Brian knew immediately he'd been right when he walked over to Mark and Mark backed away.
"What's wrong?" Brian asked, his heart pounding in fear.
"We need to talk," Mark said, unable to meet Brian's gaze.
They went down the hall to an empty lounge. Mark walked across the room, as far from Brian as he could get because he knew he was weak, and couldn't afford to be.
"That woman was from Children's Aid. They're concerned about my ability to raise my daughter alone." He looked over at Brian. "I have no family support and no experience. They're willing to grant temporary custody, but will be investigating my background to determine whether I'm a fit parent." Brian knew what was coming and felt his heart breaking. "I can't afford to do anything that could risk me losing Chris." Mark's eyes pleaded for understanding, tears began running down his face, "I love you Brian, more than I thought I could. But I love Chrissy too, and she doesn't have anyone else."
Brian walked over to Mark, ignoring his attempts to remain distant. He grabbed Mark and kissed him forcefully, making Mark open his mouth until their tongues met and Mark stopped fighting. He pulled Brian tightly to him and kissed; kissed him like it was their last. Finally, Brian pulled back, taking Mark's face between his hands.
"Mark, this is not over. I'm going to do whatever I have to, to make sure that you keep your daughter, and I get you both."
"Brian," Mark said softly, shaking his head. Brian ignored him.
"You stay and take care of Chris, help get her better. But I promise that I will be back, and we will be together." Brian turned and left, afraid that if he looked back he would beg Mark to change his mind.