by Jake Biondi
At the same time, Mateo was sitting in the hospital cafeteria with Rachel. Seated at a table in the far corner of the room, Rachel confronted him.
“We’re hiding in the corner of this awful cafeteria and you’re speaking in a hushed voice. Are you really that embarrassed to be seen with me now? That wasn’t the case before Joyelle got her fangs into you.”
Mateo laughed softly. “Fangs? Joyelle? Are you sure you aren’t talking about yourself? No, Joyelle has nothing to do with this. I just don’t want the world knowing our private business.”
“Well, it won’t be private forever. I’m going to start showing eventually.”
“I know and we’ll deal with that when the time comes.”
“Deal with it? Mateo, we’re having a baby.” Rachel paused for Mateo to reply but he didn’t. “Look, I did everything you asked. I took the paternity test you wanted and your own staff determined the results. My baby is yours.”
“I know that,” Mateo said. “And I’m trying to wrap my head around being a father again.”
“You are a great father. Look what a wonderful job you did with Hugo.”
“I’m not so sure.”
“Come on, he’s the quarterback on one of the best teams in the country at one of the best schools in the country. That alone proves you’re a great father.”
“I used to think so...”
“I love you, Mateo. I want to be your wife.”
Mateo laughed. “So you’ve said over and over again. Yet you don’t seem to understand that I’m not interested in marriage.”
“Not with me, you mean. But you’d marry Joyelle in a heartbeat.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Her baby isn’t even yours. Mine is.”
“You’re twisting everything around.”
“Damn her.”
“Would you please lower your voice? I told you this has nothing to do with her.”
“You know me well enough to know that I always get what I want, Mateo,” Rachel said, getting up from the table. “One way or another, no matter what it takes.” Rachel walked away toward the elevators.
Mateo pounded his fist on the table. “Dammit!”
After enjoying a great dinner together, Patrick and Emmett walked from the restaurant toward Emmett’s condominium above The Boys and the Booze. Holding hands, they continued the conversation that began over dinner.
“Well, did I answer all your questions about the new youth center?”
Patrick laughed. “You did.”
“Not that they were really the reason for dinner...”
Patrick smiled. “You figured out my plan,” Patrick admitted. “I just needed an excuse to have dinner with you.”
“Actually, you didn’t. All you had to do was ask me.”
“How about if I ask you to join me for dinner again some time? What would your answer be?”
“My answer would be...the sooner, the better.”
“I like that answer,” Patrick said as they arrived in front of The Boys and the Booze.
“I had a really great time,” Emmett said. “And I do think the youth center will be pretty amazing.”
Patrick pointed at the restaurant. “Well, look at this place. Anything that you work on seems to turn out pretty fantastic. You have the Midas touch.”
“In everything except relationships, it seems,” Emmett mumbled.
Patrick put his hand on Emmett’s cheek. “Maybe that’s about to change.” Patrick leaned in and kissed Emmett.
Emmett ran his hands up Patrick’s arms and pulled him closer as the kiss progressed. Their mouths explored each other as Patrick held Emmett tightly.
“Thanks for an amazing night,” Emmett said when the kiss ended.
“Thank you, Emmett,” Patrick kissed him again. “See you soon.”
Emmett smiled. “Bye.”
Patrick turned and walked away down the sidewalk as Emmett watched. When he was about fifty feet away, Patrick turned back toward Emmett and smiled at him. Then he turned and continued walking away while Emmett went inside his condo.
Early August brought to Chicago two important events -- the groundbreaking ceremony for the new wellness ceremony and Halsted Street’s famed Market Days festival.
The groundbreaking ceremony, the less chaotic of the two events, brought together members of the Ciancio and Mancini families, their friends, several St. Joseph Hospital administrators, city officials, and the press.
As the sun smiled down on the site of the new center, Gino stood at the microphone next to a large rendering of the Tyler Bennett Ciancio Wellness Center. Behind him stood David, Mateo, and Joyelle as well as the mayor of Chicago.
“Today is a great day not only for my family, but for St. Joseph Hospital and the city of Chicago as well. We are so honored to be here to begin construction of a state-of-the-art wellness center named in the memory of my brother Tyler Bennett Ciancio. At this time, I would like to introduce you to my brother, David Ciancio.”
Gino welcomed David to the microphone and then stepped to the side.
“Thank you all very much for being here today, a day on which we celebrate not only the rising of a fabulous new building, but also the life of my dear brother Tyler. A nurse here at St. Joseph Hospital, Tyler dedicated his life to showing care and compassion to those in need. As many of you know, Tyler’s young life was cut short prematurely in a terrible crash. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about Tyler and wish he were here, but I know he is with us today and so pleased to be honored in this special way that will continue his passion for others. This new wellness center in his name will offer the best care not only for the human body, but for the human spirit as well. Thank you, Tyler, for always reminding us to take care of one another.”
David stepped away from the microphone as Mateo wrapped his arm around Joyelle. Gino motioned for David, Mateo, Joyelle, and the mayor to step forward. He handed each one a shiny, silver shovel. They all leaned forward to dig into the ground beneath them. Photographers snapped photo after photo as they ceremoniously broke ground for the new center.
Later that day, Derek greeted Jensen, Hugo and Emmett as they entered his office.
“Come on in,” he told them, gesturing for them to take a seat at the table near the window. “Great to see you all.”
“Thanks for agreeing to meet with us,” Jensen said as he seated himself at the table. “I know how busy you are.”
Once everyone was seated, Derek pulled out the contract they had asked him to review.
“Did you have a chance to read over the contract that Gino gave to Jensen?” Emmett asked his brother.
“I did,” Derek declared. “And I have to say it really is a generous offer. Not only does it offer a great salary, but it also minimizes your need to travel as well as the number of photo shoots for you to participate in so that you can concentrate appropriate attention on school.”
“Great,” Jensen said.
“I have seen all the work and travel that Cole puts into being the ‘face’ of Cio fashion. He’s busy nonstop -- it’s a full-time job and then some. This contract gives you lots of freedom and flexibility. It’s a great deal.”
“I’m not surprised,” Emmett stated. “Gino is a great guy. Nonetheless, I told Jensen that it was important to have an attorney look it over before signing it.”
“Always good advice,” Derek said. “As far as I can tell, it’s a great offer and I don’t anticipate any problems for you.”
“That’s great news,” Hugo told Jensen as he patted him on the shoulder.
“Got a pen?” Jensen asked Derek, who handed him one.
The three men watched as Jensen signed the contract.
“So exciting,” Emmett added.
“I know Cole is looking forward to working with you,” Derek stated.
“I’m going to rely on him to mentor and train me.”
“You’ll be in good hands then,” Derek agreed. “Congratulations.”
&nbs
p; “I’ll deliver this to Gino myself so that I can personally thank him again for this amazing opportunity.”
“Perfect,” Derek said. “Then you’re all set.”
The Halsted Street Market Days festival brought with it the usual gigantic crowds over the course of its two days. The weather was phenomenal and thousands of people enjoyed the bands performing on the stages at both ends of the closed off street as well as all the food and merchandise the vendors offered.
Inside The Boys and the Booze, Gino, Justin, Cole, and Derek were enjoying dinner away from the crowded street. Adam stopped by their table to check on them.
“Everything okay, boys?” Adam asked.
“Perfect,” Cole said.
Justin added, “As always.”
“Good,” Adam said. “Looks like you could use a few more drinks. I’ll send them right over.” Adam walked away from the table.
“He’s good,” Derek said. “Gotta admit he was a great hire.”
“David’s been raving about him,” Justin added. “I think they’ve really hit it off as roommates…and maybe more.”
Gino smiled widely. “Really? Well, good for them.”
“David’s a great guy,” Cole declared. “Adam would be lucky to date him.”
“So, what do you think of our idea?” Gino asked.
“About a double wedding? I really like it,” Cole said. “Are you sure we can pull it all together in a month?”
“Well, we were thinking about a somewhat smaller event than we had planned in California. Family and close friends at our penthouse. We can have the ceremony on the terrace, cocktails, dinner, and dancing in the living room, dining room, and library.”
“We’ve hired a company to come in and do all the furniture set up and decorating,” Gino added. “And Emmett and Max are doing the catering. It’ll be perfect.”
Cole looked at Derek, then back at Justin and Gino. “Sounds great to us.”
“I’m sure we have a ton of guests in common, but if you can get me a list to add to ours, I’ll take care of the rest.”
“Wow,” Derek said. “You’ve thought of everything.”
“He’s a planner,” Gino stated.
“I did want to throw out one more idea, if I may,” Cole said. “I don’t want Emmett to feel left out or like we are somehow replacing Max and him in what should have been their wedding.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Justin replied.
“So I thought it might be cool if we asked Emmett to marry us. You know, officiate the ceremony.”
Justin’s face lit up. “What an awesome idea.”
“He can get ordained easily in time for the service and then he’d have an important role.”
“I love it,” Gino agreed. “Let’s ask him now. He’s around here somewhere.”
When Adam returned with drinks for the table, Derek asked him to send Emmett over to their table. Adam did and, after a few minutes, Emmett arrived.
“What’s up?” Emmett asked.
Justin pulled a chair over from another table. “Here, sit down for a minute. We have a question for you.”
Emmett hesitantly sat down. “Okay...”
“We have been discussing wedding plans and wanted to share an idea with you,” Derek told his brother.
“We want you involved in a very special way, if you’re okay with that,” Gino added. “It’s important to all of us.”
“Wow,” Emmett said. “That’s cool.”
“We would like you to be the one to marry us,” Cole stated.
“You mean like a priest?” Emmett asked with a smile.
Derek laughed. “I don’t think the celibate life would suit you. No, like a minister. We’d like you to get ordained so that you can preside over our ceremony and marry us.”
“We hope you’ll agree,” Cole added. “It would mean a lot to us.”
“It means a lot to me that you asked,” Emmett stated. “Of course, I’ll do it. I just have to figure out how to get ordained.”
Gino reassured Emmett. “It’s easy. There are even online options. We’ll get it done.”
“Perfect.”
“Then it’s settled,” Justin declared. “Thank you so much,” he said, hugging Emmett.
“It will be an honor,” Emmett said. “I’m so happy for you guys, all of you.”
As Emmett returned to work and the others finished their dinner, Logan and Max were sitting at a table in Boystown Blend having coffee.
“So it was important to me that I share all that with you,” Logan explained. “Patrick encouraged me to do so, as part of my therapy and recovery.”
“I’m glad you did. I had no idea you felt that way and I’m so sorry that I made you feel inferior in our relationship.”
“You didn’t. That’s just how I interpreted things. After a childhood of being knocked down over and over again, both physically and emotionally, I tend to interpret events through that lens of experience. You didn’t do anything wrong. Our relationship fell apart because of both of us, not just you.”
“I’m sorry that you had such an awful experience as a child with your father. And to have tucked those memories away for so long -- well, that must have been very difficult.”
“Reliving them has been hard, too. But, with Patrick’s help, I’ve been able to finally deal with them and put them behind me for good.”
“I’m so proud of you,” Max said. “You really are on the mend.”
Logan smiled. “Thanks.” Logan sipped his coffee. “I also wanted to talk to you about Jesse.”
“What about him?”
“You two were doing so well together, really building a great relationship. But he told me things have sort of soured again.”
“He didn’t take the news about me cheating on Emmett very well.”
“Trust and monogamy are very important to him.”
“They are to me, too, Logan,” Max stated. “But with Dustin, I don’t know. I became overwhelmed with emotion for him.”
“Some might call it lust.”
“Emotion, lust, attraction, whatever. The point is that there was just something that attracted me to him and all sense of reason went right out the window.”
“I see. So where are things with the two of you now?”
“He’s in therapy and we haven’t really spoken or interacted in months.”
“And Emmett?”
“He’s been kind enough to forgive me and continue our friendship and work partnership. But I don’t know that he’ll ever trust me enough to be my other half again.”
“Give him time. It takes time.”
“Right. Look at us. It took time for us to heal but here we are, friends again.”
“Of course,” Logan said as he reached out and put his hand on Max’s. “You were the love of my life. I’ll always care about you.”
Max put his other hand on top of Logan’s. “I’ll always love you, too.”
Entering the coffee shop from the street, Jesse immediately saw Logan and Max at their table holding hands. He paused a moment, then turned and left the place.
“But my future is with Jesse,” Logan explained. “I love him so much and he has been the most amazing man -- supportive and loving -- especially these last few months. I literally would be dead if it weren’t for him. That’s why it’s so important to me that you two get along. If you can’t do it for yourselves, then at least do it for me. It’s very important.”
“I’ll do what I can, I promise,” Max said. “But you know how stubborn he can be.”
“Just like his father…”
In California, the black limousine made its way along the driveway through the Mancini vineyards to the winery. Upon reaching the building, the driver got out and opened the back door to assist Camille out of the car.
She walked toward the entrance as Jose Mendoza came out to greet her. She removed her sunglasses and then shook his hand.
“Mr. Mendoza, so good to meet you.”
&n
bsp; “I’ve been expecting you. What can I do for you today?”
“Tear it down.”
“Pardon me?”
“In case you haven’t heard, I am the new owner of this property. This is no longer a Mancini vineyard or winery. This is Ciancio property now.”
“Yes, I understand that and my entire staff looks forward to working with you. We have an outstanding crew here.”
“Look at this place,” Camille said. “It’s small and insignificant. I’m going to make it palatial, worthy of the Ciancio name.”
“Maybe a few upgrades would be in order--”
“Upgrades? You must be kidding. I have to rid all this land of Mancini rot. No, the entire building is coming down. My architects and crew are already working on the new design. In the meantime, remove that hideous Mancini sign. I’ll have temporary Ciancio signage ordered immediately.”
Camille put her sunglasses on and headed to the limousine. Then she turned back toward the man.
“And Jose, I’ll make sure your entire crew gets new working clothes. No more of those rags the Mancinis had you wear.” She smiled and got back into her car with the assistance of her driver.
As the limousine pulled away, Jose pulled out his cell phone and called Derek. “Mr. Mancini, it’s Jose Mendoza at the winery. We’ve got trouble.”
Inside Chicago’s famed Art Institute, Jensen and Hugo walked through the Impressionist exhibit admiring the art and constantly checking their watches.
“He’ll be here,” Jensen reassured Hugo. “Don’t worry.”
They slowly viewed a few more paintings and then sat down on a bench at the top of the museum’s main staircase. After a moment, they saw Keith walking up the stairs toward them. When he reached the top, they stood up to greet him.
“Thanks for coming,” Jensen said, hugging Keith.
“No problem. I must admit it’s an odd place to meet.”
“We wanted someplace close to your office but where we could talk privately and uninterrupted. This seemed like the perfect place.”
“Now you really have my interest. What’s going on?”
