Blood, Sweat and Tears Part 60
Iria, Hilde and Solo sat in stunned silence following the retelling of Dorothy's call. On the other side of the table where they sat, Duo dry washed his face before turning to the young lawyer and asking, "There's really no way around this is there?"
Frowning deeply, Iria shook her head, "We may be able to stop the story in light of the illegal way Gallow went about obtaining the information on the children, but you know as well as I that it'd only be a matter of time before word got out anyway. If he was able to find out about your family, it's only a matter of time before someone else does."
Heero had already thought the same, himself, and he was certain that his lover had as well. He placed a hand on the smaller athlete's back to rub soothing circles along it. Weary lines across his face, Duo looked exhausted and mentally defeated over the events of the last few days. That call seemed to have broken him.
Quick to try and make the situation better, Quatre's sister reassured, "I can give judge Toplin a heads up on what you've learned so that when the story comes out the morning of the trial, he won't be surprised. Anyone involved in the court system knows how the press loves to manipulate and twist even the most innocent of findings."
Swallowing past the lump in her throat, Hilde said quietly, "But that won't help the overall public view since they don't know what's going on. They'll wonder how anyone with accusations of abuse and worse could be allowed to adopt children. His celebrity will be blamed for his getting away with something that he's not even guilty of."
"Not to mention what the kids will have to hear from their classmates and friends over this," Solo added solemnly. "They'll be asked questions, sent to school counselors and who knows what else when they're away from our watch."
Duo shuddered at the thought of his kids having to go through that. He needed to protect them from such a fate, whatever the cost on his behalf. In little more than a whisper, the running back announced, "I'm going to call for a press conference tomorrow morning. I need to tell the media about my family before Gallow's warped version gets out." Wide-eyed, his friends' heads snapped to watch him.
Blinking in surprise, Heero breathed, "Duo... are you sure?"
Slowly raising his head to meet the cobalt gaze on him, the braided athlete admitted quietly, "No. But it's not like there's any other choice. If I pull the rug from under Gallow, so to speak, then he'll look like the villain for trying to twist my relationship with the kids.
"Even if he's known for being a slimy journalist, going after someone's family like that would ruin him. It gives him a whole day to think over whether he's willing to let that happen to his career. It might be enough to scare him into pulling the story all together before it hits the presses for Monday's news."
Iria laughed and clapped her hands together. "That's brilliant!" she exclaimed. "I could help write up the wording of your speech in a way that it would make keep any reporter away from the little ones. The first person to attack them would become public enemies."
While still not ideal that the family was going to become known to the world, it was the best option... It was the only option.
Nodding firmly, Duo stated, "All right. That's what we'll do, then." He turned to his lawyer and requested, "If you could help in getting that speech together and setting up that press conference-"
"Taken care of," Iria winked before he finished. She reached across the table to squeeze her friend's hand and told him gently, "You're doing the right thing, Duo. As your legal council, I can tell you that." Gently squeezing the hand in her own once more, she quickly rose and left the room for her cell phone.
Heero shifted his seat closer to his lover's to pull him into a comforting hold. All but collapsing against him, Duo rested his head on a strong shoulder and closed his eyes.
Looking to the clock, Solo turned to his wife and suggested, "We better get to the airport. Dorothy's private jet will be landing before long." Hilde nodded and climbed to her feet. Together, they rounded the table and offered their 'brother's' shoulder a squeeze along with quiet words of support before heading out.
After a long, companionable silence, Duo said softly, "I need to tell the kids about this before anything. They need to know what's coming." Heero nodded, his chin brushing against the braided head that it was resting on.
* * * * * *
A conference call was arranged in the living room. Using the speaker phone on his end, Duo had the children sitting all around him as he asked, "Can you hear me, Marcus?"
Receiver of his private hospital room phone to his ear, the boy replied, "Loud and clear, Dad. What's going on?"
Taking a deep and calming breath, the running back began simply, "Well, it looks like the secret about us won't be a secret much longer. There's a reporter that followed Heero and me to the hospital and found out about all of you." There were gasps and wide eyes all around and there was a groan over the speaker.
"Someone knows about us?" Jamie gapped from where she sat on Heero's lap across the room.
Smiling sadly, the braided athlete nodded, "Yes." He turned towards the speaker phone beside him to reassure, "And don't blame yourself, Marcus. It was only a matter of time before this got out. You didn't ask for what happened to you." The teenager muttered a quiet but relieved ''Kay' over the line.
Violet eyes gazing over the little ones watching him, Duo frowned deeply, "The story that this reporter is writing up on is... bad. And it's going to make things very difficult on all of us if I don't come forward about you first."
Tai and Flora shared a concerned look, already imagining just what 'bad' fabrications could be made up around their relationship with their father-to-be. "We only have a day to act, so I've called a press conference for tomorrow morning so that the public hears the truth before any lies get out," the running back explained.
His eyes suddenly shimmering, Duo took a sharp breath and breathed, "I've promised all of you that I would look after you and keep you safe. Do you all remember that from the first time I met each of you?" Without hesitating, his kids nodded. "Well, that's what I'm trying to do now," he continued in a rough voice. "I don't know how it'll all work out, but I'm going to do everything I can that none of you get hurt by this."
A few tears fell around the room as a still silence fell over everyone. Wiping a stray drop from his face, Heero whispered something into Jamie's ear. The dry-eyed little girl smiled up at him and nodded before climbing down from his lap. Silently, she made her way around her siblings and crawled up into her father's lap as he continued to cry silently.
Blinking in surprise, Duo wrapped his arms securely around the child in his arms as she stretched up to kiss his cheek. "We love you, Daddy," she whispered with that sweet smile of hers. "You do good to keep us safe." Nearly sobbing outright, her guardian hugged her tightly in appreciation with a kiss to her own cheek.
"She's right, Dad," Flora breathed. Face wet with tears, she held onto the running back from the side. "You'll do the right thing for us. We trust you." Tai and the other little ones all gathered close into a group hug. Heero waited until the last of the children were wrapped around each other before joining in.
Marcus's voice called, "We're with you, Dad!" Tai and the others all voiced their own affirmatives as they continued to hold onto one another.
Duo bit his lip and squeezed the his family close. "Thank you, guys," he managed. "You know there's nothing more important than you are." Looking up, he met Heero's shimmering gaze and stated firmly, "All of you." His lover gave him a loving smile at that.
Mary was quickly alert from where she was laying at the sound of the front door opening. Running, she headed to see who was coming in. Gently kissing his children's heads, Duo called to the speaker phone, "Sounds like company's here. Get some rest, Marcus. I'll call you in the morning before the press conference."
Goodbyes were said before the call was ended. Filing into the entrance way, the family was greeted with the sight of Hilde and Solo assisting with luggage.
Right behind them was Dorothy. Looking to the red-eyed running back, she smiled warmly, "Good thing I came with a good supply of tissues for this trip." She lowered her bags to embrace Duo tightly. Returning the gesture at full force, the running back kissed her cheek in greeting.
"Uncle Quatre!" the kids cheered at the same time as the Arab entered the apartment complex. Iria was just on her way down the stairway when she spotted her little brother. The two shared a warm grin while the agent was busy reuniting with his 'nieces' and 'nephews'. After greeting them all, he moved to catch up with his sister.
Lady Une was next to step inside. Instantly on her knees, she scooped up as many youngsters as she could get her arms around at once. Just after her, much to everyone's surprise, Noin appeared. Elated in seeing her, Heero held her tightly with a smiled, "I wasn't expecting to see you here. This is a pleasant surprise."
The young woman chuckled deeply and replied, "Dorothy figured out on her own that I knew about the kids from when I helped get them into the owner's box months ago. As soon as she told me what happened, I packed my things, left the boys with their grandparents for a few days and told Zechs I was needed for an emergency business trip."
Biting her lip, Noin stated, "And I hope that the two of you wouldn't mind, but we took the liberty of inviting someone else who can be of help." That said, she and her friends looked to the door as Sally entered.
Both Duo and Heero's eyes widened at the sight of the physical therapist. Her own shocked gaze took in all of the little ones around her. "I never would have believed it if I did not see it with my own eyes," she muttered to herself.
Grinning when the football players neared, Sally advised, "Dorothy briefed me on the situation during the flight here. I believe that my medical background can come in use when Marcus is released from the hospital I was once a physician for some time before I became a therapist."
Instantly throwing his arms around her, Duo sighed, "Thank you, Sal." The reunions continued on until everyone had a chance to see, or were introduced, to everyone else.
* * * * * *
As the hour grew late, Dorothy, Noin and Lady Une assisted in getting the children ready for bed, insistent that their hosts not have to worry about a thing now that they were there.
Sally and Quatre took charge of getting some tea together for the adults for their discussion and catch up on what had taken place since the last time Dorothy had contact with her star players.
Once informed of the running back's decision over the press conference, the team owner nodded to him firmly, "You're making the right call here, Duo. I'll have to give Karen a call about this since she's been thinking of her next course of action. I'm sure that if your coming forward doesn't scare him into pulling his rendition of the story, she'll see that it's handled." Duo breathed a small sigh of relief in hearing that.
"I can assist in having things ready for a press conference tomorrow morning," Dorothy offered the lawyer of the group. "You certainly have enough on your plate with the upcoming hearing, and I have quite a bit of experience in assembling these things."
Looking to his sister, Quatre added, "I'll be happy to help with the speech you're working on." He raised an eyebrow and smirked, "You know how I am with words when I want to get a point across for people to leave well enough alone."
Iria snickered, "Oh, I do know that all too well, little brother." A since smile tugged her lips as she turned to both assistants and said sincerely, "I really would appreciate both of your help so I can focus on Monday's hearing."
Raising her hand, Sally stated, "I'll be heading to the hospital after the conference for a full rundown of Marcus's condition. If he is going to be released in a couple of days, I'll see to it that he has everything that he needs for his return home."
Lady Une gazed on Duo, Heero, Hilde and Solo as she spoke up, "Noin and I can take care of the children as far as preparing their meals and any other such needs. We both have experience in child care so that the four of you won't have to worry for anything while we're here."
Nodding, Noin concluded, "And we'll stay here for as long as you need us. If all goes well with this hearing and we can move the children to Pittsburgh with us, we leave when you leave to help with getting everything together."
Unable to find his voice, Duo's mouth opened and closed in his attempt to express his gratitude for everyone's thoughtfulness. Smiling in understanding, Heero wrapped an arm around his partner's shoulders and kissed his temple. "I think he's trying to say thank you, everyone," he grinned to their friends. The running back nodded vehemently.
One by one, the lot started staying their good nights and moved upstairs to their rooms for the night. Last to leave of the guests was Quatre. Turning to his braided friend, eh asked, "So how much are you going to be revealing tomorrow morning, then?"
Without hesitating, Duo answered, "Everything. My whole life is going to be an open book tomorrow."
Straightening in shock, Heero and Quatre's eyes widened. "E-everything?" the quarterback sputtered. "But Duo, you don't have to dig up your past when you're only focusing on your relationship with the kids."
"My relationship with the kids involves my past," his lover frowned. "I want everyone to understand why I want to adopt or they'll always wonder. Once everything is out on the table, I don't have anything to hide from or deny anymore." His violet eyes becoming almost wistful, Duo said quietly, "I'll finally be able to be... free from all of this."
Not looking at it in that light, Heero's breath hitched in his throat. Quatre's eyes shimmered the slightest bit in knowing how badly his longtime friend felt like he was constantly looking over his shoulder in fear of the world. Now that it was only a matter of time before the public knew of his family, it only made sense to just bring everything to light.
It was time that everyone knew who the real Duo Maxwell really was.
His mission assigned, the blonde agent grinned and shrugged, "Then, there won't be much that I would be able to prepare as far as a speech is concerned. Something like this will have to come directly from you." Duo nodded in agreement.
Quatre closed the distance between himself and his friend for a tight hug. "Be sure to get some sleep, then," he suggested quietly. A quiet affirmative and a few 'good nights' later and the agent was on his way up to his own room to retire for the evening.
"You heard the man," Heero smirked as he took hold of his lover's hand to lead him out of the living room. Turning the light out behind them and guiding the way up the stairway, the quarterback was lost in his own thoughts and worries regarding the press conference.
It was only his natural instinct to want to protect Duo as much as the children. The thought of his teammate opening the doors to his past for public knowledge had his stomach churning. But... the longing look in his partner's eyes at finally being free of the secret chains was enough to keep him from saying anything against it.
When all was said and done, Heero knew that there was nothing in the world that he could deny Duo.
The door to their bedroom was closed behind the couple and the light was turned off as a silent stripping down began. Once they were down to their boxers, they climbed under the covers and wrapped their arms around each other in their usual hold for the night.
Lying there in silence, Heero was suddenly more and more aware of something that was at odds with his emotions of concern and sadness. Finally aware of it, that feeling overcame everything else and swelled in his chest.
His hand lightly running over the exposed scars of his love's back, a small lump formed in the team captain's throat. Lightly kissing the braided head on his shoulder, he whispered in a thick voice, "I am so damned proud of you, Duo."
Breath hitched in the running back's throat at those sincere words. Tightening his arms around his partner, he closed his eyes in relief at last. If Heero was behind him, everything was right in the world.
Sleep came easily for the pair after that.
* * * * * *
From where they were waiting in the lobby of the closest hotel, Duo and Heero peeked through the closed door of the largest conference room. Inside, a slew of reporters and cameramen filled the space. As another familiar sight, a table sat before them with a variety of microphones set up in a large bundle.
The biggest difference of the whole sight was that it was only a single table with one seat as opposed to a long table where several people could be interviewed at once. As the focus of the press conference, Duo would be all on his own this time.
Swallowing roughly, the running back pulled away from the door. Hands shaking, he adjusted his silver shirt and brushed a few wrinkles from his black slacks. Heero placed a hand on his shoulder with a small frown. "Think you're still up for this?" he asked.
"No," Duo admitted quickly. A nervous smile tugged his lips as he shrugged, "But I'll get through it." Just then, his friends and children entered the lobby. Somewhat settling at the sight of them, he was greeted with warm hugs and words of encouragement.
After everyone had a chance to wish their best to the braided athlete, Dorothy led the way into the conference room. Inside, a lot of murmuring amongst the reporters and staff could be heard. When the children entered, the sound only grew.
The last to leave, Heero turned to his partner and kissed him. "I love you," he whispered. "Just think-in a few minutes, all of this will be behind you."
Biting his lip, Duo nodded and wrapped his arms tightly around the taller athlete's neck. "I love you, too," he managed in little more than a breath.
With one last, lingering kiss, the quarterback reluctantly parted. On his way to the room, he held on to his partner's hand for as long as he could before their arms and fingers couldn't stretch out any longer. Gazing over his shoulder for a final glance, Heero stepped into the conference room to the flashing of cameras and continued murmuring.
Alone in the lobby, Duo paced back and forth. Gripping and fidgeting the end of his braid, he worked on calming himself as best he could. Finally, he headed for the doors just before pausing for a deep breath. "Well, here we go," he told himself before raising a hand to push one of the double doors open.
TBC...
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