Incest/Taboo Unbelievable

This story will be dark; you might cry, might enrage you, or whatever you might do upon reading my words. I am not liable for any and all objects destroyed (due to tears or otherwise) upon review of this story. This story will deal with things too horrid to describe accurately without risking the Moderator's ban button. If this isn't your cup of tea, I suggest you stop now and seek other stories you're looking for, whatever that might be. You have been warned.

Last time on Unbelievable... cue music...

"Johnny, would you mind coming with me for a bit?" Bill inquired after they all had caught up.

"Me?"

"Yep, you li'l brother," Bill said, smiling at John from across Ruth's and Wanda's chest. "Ray, come with," he ordered in that big brotherly voice as he and John rose from their seats.

"Okay, what's this about?" Johnny asked once his brothers had brought him to a stop in the dining room.

"Can you teach us to dance like this?" Bill asked, holding out his phone. Of the video clip, he saw on Twitter. Noticing how John watched it without the volume on as he held his phone in his hands.

"I assume you have some music for this?" Johnny spoke, his eyes flickered up from the phone's screen.

"I do, well Ray does; he's the one that found it," Bill said offhandedly.

"Yeah, shouldn't be too hard," Johnny said, hearing the voices from the den conversing about everything that happened over the weekend. "Just getting the two..."

"Three of us," Ray cut in, seeing the confusion in John's eyes.

"We were thinking if you wouldn't mind joining us, the four of us, I mean, to a dance club soon," Bill said, knowing this would be the hardest part. Getting John into a room packed full of people.

"Define soon," Johnny spoke with a hard edge to his voice.

"Say in a month; that should give Ray and me some time to get the moves down," Bill said, praying that John wouldn't say no.

"Only if Annie and Janus can come with me..." His body rocked to the side as Annie threw her arms around his neck.

"I'd love to be your date for the night, Johnny," Annie whispered lustfully into his ear. Recounting how he had her moaning and begging for him to fuck her harder and faster on Janus'... now their bed that very morning. Also, remembering the moans that weren't hers filling the house when Janus and John would sneak away for their own fun.

"We'll have to see how I am that day, Johnny; I don't know if I'll be up for much dancing by then," Janus said, smiling lovingly at John as she stood in the doorway to the den. Feeling the rest of them at her back as she and they looked on.

"Then I'm..." John's voice died in his throat as Annie had that look in her eye warning him not to renege on his promise.

"Johnny, you will take your other wife dancing..."

"Wife?!" Brandan had to catch Katherine as she fainted from shock.

"Okay, I think you two or three need to explain what's going on, like right now. What happened over the weekend?!" Brandan asked heatedly as he tried to rouse his fainted wife.

"There's no need to be ashamed, Johnny; they were bound to find out eventually," Annie said in a sweet, loving tone as she stood close to her little brother. "We eloped. While they were being married in a legal sense, we were married in a spiritual sense."

"We've seen how he is alone, and with one, me, Annie helps Johnny to anchor himself here if that makes sense to you. At first, it started off with him hallucinating she was Julia. When Annie told me about it, we knew we had to break that. We didn't want Johnny thinking we were misusing him in any way. Which we knew would happen if we didn't sort it out. Since then, we've been living like this, so when or if Johnny is ready to move somewhere. This," gesturing to all three of them, "will be the source of where he can find peace for his troubled mind. As Julia was there for him in that dark time, we will be here for these uncertain times," Janus said, her arms running along both Annie's and Johnny's backs as she pressed them into her.

"That's right, Johnny, you just rely on us. We aren't going to leave you in this darkness, not anymore," Annie said in a firm, determined tone.

"Brandan, I had the weirdest dream," Kathrine muttered as she came to. Thinking what she had heard was just a figment of her imagination. "In it, Johnny and Annie were married," she whispered as her husband helped her to stand upright.

"It's no dream, honey, they eloped," Brandan uttered, only to catch her as his wife fainted once again at the news. "Bill, Ray, take Ruth and Wanda to your rooms while the five of us have a private discussion about this," he spoke as he lowered Katherine onto the couch. "Sit, you three, I can't berate you since, well... but damn it, Janus, what made you think this was a good idea."

"Relax, he didn't mean it in that way, Johnny," Janus cooed, lightly resting her hand on John's left forearm. "Well, Johnny can't stay on your insurance forever, now can he?" she shot back. "And I take offense to you thinking I'm some dumb blonde that I don't know what this would mean for him," Janus snapped, causing Brandan to recoil. "Maybe once in a while, take your damn blinders off and listen to him. I mean, really listen to him. You don't have to try and fix him. All you have to do is listen, but you won't, and you never will. That's why we did this." Feeling her cheeks heat when John leaned into her, whispering that her anger wasn't good for their baby girl. "I can understand, and I get it; this is a huge shock to you. Yet, our little Julia is going to need her daddy, and I can't very well take care of my man if he isn't on my insurance."

"But Johnny's not even out of school yet?!" Brandan stated, knowing they were rushing this far too quickly.

"We understand your worry, Brandan, we really do," Janus spoke, with Annie nodding along...

"Dad, Johnny's going to be okay with us; we aren't going to let him disappear again," Annie said in a loving tone as she gazed at her father. "We had to show him just how far we are willing to stand by him so that he will always have someone he trusts by his side."

"But, honey, what about your college..."

"Oh, nothing's changed except for us being married; our plans haven't changed," Annie stated, her eyes falling on her mother as Kathrine began to stir.

"So... you are really married?" Kathrine asked, her voice filling the air as she turned to peer at her son.

"Yes, Mom, we are," Annie answered, noting how her mother's eyes didn't leave Johnny once when she sat up to face them.

"Johnny, you remember the conversation we had after you and Janus visited Jared?" Kathrine asked, not hiding the hurt from her eyes at being left out.

"Yeah?"

"This was one of those times I would've liked to be there with you," Katherine spoke with a trembling voice.

"Sorry, I didn't know if you would stop it or not," Johnny said apologetically.

"Then you three won't have a problem with repeating your vows here, with all of us there, so we all can partake in one of the biggest events in your life," Kathrine said, showing her son she needed this, needed to feel a part of his life in some way.

"Okay."

"Good," nodding her head, "Brandan, it's no use in berating them now after the deed has been done. We'll just have to accept it and trust that Johnny knows what he's doing," Kathrine said, noticing how Johnny was looking at her. "Doesn't mean I like it either, dear, but are you going to tell me you're going to browbeat your daughter and son into getting an annulment?" Watching how Brandan scowled as he set his jaw. "Johnny?"

"Hmm."

"This Friday, I wish to join you three, just to see how you act, not that I don't trust you with them, it's just I... worry about you, I always worry about my li'l John."

"It's not just me that can answer that..."

"Johnny, I'm okay if your mother joins us at our lake house. I want to show her I can and will take care of you," Janus said in a loving tone as her hand gently squeezed his. "I want to show her that you're safe with me."

"If you're okay with it," Johnny spoke in an understanding tone. "But..."

"But what, Johnny?" Kathrine asked; her mind became intrigued when she saw the heat suddenly flare in her son's cheeks. Something she didn't see very often.

"You have to wear that swimsuit from last year, the black one," Johnny said, noting how his mother's eyes widened and that smile of hers crept along her lips.

"Oh, did you like how that looked on me?" Kathrine asked in a light purr. Her eyes flared in her hunger at the sight of her son nodding. Seeing how Annie was just smiling at him when he did. "Then I'll make sure I pack it," she said with a loving smile on her lips. She had learned that trying to dictate her son's life wouldn't end well. So she thought taking a more mentor approach would be better for her, so her son would seek her out with anything that might trouble him. "Might I have a word with Johnny alone just for a bit," Kathrine said, looking at her daughter, Janus, and her husband, knowing Johnny was going to need to take his pills soon and then turn in. Rising from her seat and taking Annie's spot when they were alone. "Johnny, I'm not trying to come off like I'm trying to control you and your life. But are you truly sure this is what you want? Marriage is hard; you have to work at it; you can't just let it sit in boxes like you do with your comics and think it will still be there."

"But you and Dad have been together since forever."

"True, your father and I have been together for a very long time, and that took work. Trust me, it took work, especially for those two years," Kathrine said in a warm tone as her hand slipped into her son's own. "I'm not happy you thought you had to sneak off to do this because you thought we would stop you. Okay, maybe you're right. We might have, only until we knew you three had thought of everything. But we would have been there with you once we were sure you were ready for this kind of commitment."

"You know I have to grow up sometime," Johnny teased jokingly.

"Doesn't mean I have to like it," Kathrine pouted, keeping her elation hidden at the fact that her son was actually joking around with her for the first time in years. "You're my baby, Johnny, and my baby needs to stay my baby for all time," she teased, sticking her nose up in the air. "Honey, I want you to come to me if you ever need help with dealing with marriage troubles. I don't want you hurting your sister or Janus when you can't cope with the stress when something has your mind. Add in the stress of raising a baby, this time is going to be very stressful for you. I don't want you giving up on them, okay?"

"Okay," Johnny muttered, a little uncertain if his mother had something else brewing.

"Now, come, let's get your pills out of the way, then you and your... wives," it took real effort to say that word, "can relax before you three turn in for the night," Kathrine said, getting to her feet, and held out her hand to her son.

That Thursday night...

"Hello?" Janus answered the house line as she watched how Johnny was standing beside his mother as she taught him how to cook. Seeing the joy on Kathrine's face as the two of them conversed with one another.

"Yes, I'm looking for a Johnny Masters." Came a female voice once the line connected.

"May I ask who's calling?"

"A Mrs. Hicks."

"Okay, I'll get him, one sec," Janus spoke before setting the receiver down. "Johnny, there's a Mrs. Hicks is calling for you," she said, sticking her head into the kitchen.

"Oh?" Johnny muttered, wondering what she could be calling about. Feeling his mother's hand on his back as he walked off. "Hello, Mrs. Hicks?"

"Hello, Johnny; I had hoped you would have remembered me."

"I take it this call is about the date for Jared's trial?"

"Very astute. Johnny, how are you? Do you think you're up to being put on the stand?"

"Is there a rule or law against a witness' therapist being there?" Noting how his mother and Janus looked at him when he asked that question.

"I don't know, I'll have to check and see. Are you expecting something?"

"The world is about to enter a world so horrid they believe it only happens in movies. Yes, I think it would be wise to have her there just in case," Johnny said truthfully. "I'll speak to her when you find out if it's okay with whoever."

"Okay. Now before we get to trial, I want to run through it as a practice for you, so you won't be triggered with any questions that might be asked to prepare you for the trial."

"I see; yes, that would probably be for the best," Johnny said, nodding against the phone. "Hold on, let me check," he spoke when she asked if he could come to her office for two days. "Okay, I can be there," Johnny stated once he'd bargained for half a day of school. Returning to his former position, noting how his mother wanted to speak about it, yet she returned to teaching him how to prepare the meal they were about to have.

"Johnny," Kathrine called out as the hinges of the oven door squeaked.

"Yeah?"

"Would you mind if I was there at the lawyers and court?" Kathrine asked, knowing this was going to be very hard on her son.

"Okay," Johnny said, knowing the more there were, the likelier it was that he would be controlled if the need arose.

"So, tell me, what have you all planned for this weekend?" Kathrine inquired, peering at John and Janus.

"We still have to get the baby room set up; we had gotten done painting last weekend. So we'll be setting up the baby's crib and diaper station," Janus answered, flashing John a smile.

"Oh, I wouldn't mind helping set it up with you three," Katherine spoke, gesturing for her and John to join her at the table while their dinner cooked. "Oh, I got you something, Janus; it will help with your ankles if you're anything like me, like when I carried my babies. They were always swollen," she said, quickly getting up from her seat that she had just lowered herself into. "I've noticed Johnny rubbing your feet more lately, so I'm assuming the swelling has started. This will help," Kathrine spoke, looking at Janus as she set the tube down on the table, yet her focus was more on her son than Janus. Hoping to show him that she was taking the health of Janus and their baby seriously. So that he will trust her enough to come to her when their child arrives.

"Oh? How well did it help?" Janus asked, looking over the tube. Her ankles have started to feel swollen here as of late.

"Just have Johnny rub it in good and well; ten minutes should do it," Kathrine said with a wink at Janus.

"Hmm... yes, that does sound like a good idea," Janus mused before flashing John a smile.

And so, their dinner was lively, slowly bringing Johnny into the conversation. To show him that moving forward didn't have to be alone, that they would be there with him as often as he would allow it. Like always, they all could be found in the living room; however, unlike all the other times, Johnny joined Kathrine, who was snuggled against Brandan on the couch. Seeing Kathrine's shock, then her joy at the sight of the gesture as Janus sat beside him. Tentatively reaching out, her heart hammered against her ribs as her son took hold of her hand. Smiling lovingly at her son as her thumb brushed along the back of John's hand. While she just wanted to take her son into her arms at that moment at the gesture, John was giving her. Yet knew that would only push her son back into his shell with her over-eagerness to get her son back, at least to the point of confiding in her. As much as she wanted to get back the boy before John's time at Raven Dale, she was not willing to do so at John's expense. Once the movie was over, Kathrine could be found holding her son in her arms at the foot of the stairs hugging her son good night before John sought his bed for the evening.

All through the school day the next day, John had noticed the increased looks he was getting from the students all around him when he went about his day. He tried; he really did try to ignore the whispers when he would walk pass a group of people. Yet his paranoia was taking hold of his mind, believing they were speaking about him, which they were since word spread about the woman he was seen leaving the school last Friday. John could take solace in the fact that the same girl didn't open her mouth again like she did last week when the classroom's intercom came on telling him that his ride was there. Taking the hall pass from his teacher, who held it out to him before heading out the door. John might not have known a lot of happiness since being freed from the cruel treatments under Dr. Mott's hand. This was one of those rare moments John was eager to be around people. He heard the heated discussion taking place as he neared the school's main office.

"Janus? What's going on?" Johnny asked as he approached her and his mother.

"Hey, baby, how was your day?" Katherine asked, flashing her son a smile. Trying to keep his attention off how the woman was speaking to Janus, who had flashed the Vice Principal numerous times the marriage certificate that had arrived in the mail Thursday. Janus had paid extra to get it fast-tracked. Katherine didn't want John to get upset with how his Vice Principal was treating her. She knew that could end badly for all of them, given how protective John is of the people he allowed into his life.

"Idiot kids being idiots, what's new?" Johnny muttered with a shrug of his shoulders. "What's going on here?"

"John..."

"For the last time, it's Johnny," he stated heatedly. "I would think after the last fifty times I've had to repeat myself to you, you would finally get it. You have no problem uttering make-believe words yet can't muster a single name."

"Do you know this woman?" his Vice Principal asked, gesturing to Janus, who was glaring at her for uttering the name she had asked her not to call John a few times.

"She's my wife unless you're blind," Johnny muttered, rolling his eyes. When the words 'Marriage Certificate' could clearly be seen through the paper when the light shown through it.

"Surely you jest?! Clearly, the woman was not willing to except what was clearly before her very eyes.

"Yes. So can we get out of here now?" Johnny asked, peering over at his mother. Not eager to sour what he had hoped would be a relaxing weekend for him when he knew the coming Monday and Tuesday would be a strain on him. He just hoped he could be of some help to Jarod. It was the least he could do for Julia. He knew he could never repay her for what she did for him while in Raven Dale. Then he knew speaking about the horrors that happened there in a room full of people that he didn't know was going to be the hardest thing he's ever done.

"Of course, honey," Janus answered in a sweet tone as she ambled over to his side. "Annie is already waiting for us in the car. Your mother was taking her time in packing the last of her things. You should have seen her muttering about... things," she said in a joking manner to keep John's focus on her and not the school official. Shooting Katherine a smile when she huffed.

"Mr. Masters, you have not been given permission to leave school grounds." John turned back towards the woman as she called after them as they neared the exit. Giving the woman a look, asking if she was stupid or something.

"Try and stop me. You can't hold me here. Since obviously I'm eighteen, and my caregivers are here," John said in a cold tone as he gestured to his mother and Janus. "This isn't a prison, as much as it feels like it. You have no control over whether or not I leave with my wife," he stated before turning back to Janus, who had a warm smile on her lips as she slid her arm along the small of John's back.

"You leave school grounds; I will have to write you up as..."

"I got this, honey," Katherine said in a loving tone as she placed a hand on John's right arm when she knew the woman was pushing John's buttons. For what reason she couldn't say, however, she was going to put a stop to it. "You and Janus just head to the car. I'll be right behind you," she stated with a warm smile.

"Hey, Johnny," Annie said happily from the open window of the passenger side. Noting how John's eyes were running over her face. "See anything you like?" she purred in a lustful tone. The wedding band on her left finger might not be much to some people who base their marriage on how big of a rock is on it. To her, the two small diamonds that surrounded the slightly larger one that was embedded in the gold band were all that she needed to show off her love for the man she's pinned away for, for five long years. Janus' was the same with the same number of diamonds. The two smaller ones represented her and Annie, while the middle represented John and how it would take both of them to protect him from the uncaring world. That their love would help to bring out the traits of the boy she once knew before Raven Dale got their hands on him.

"Maybe," Johnny muttered, feeling his cheeks heating.

Annie just smiled widely at the sight of those rosy cheeks. Something that John rarely did due to his trauma at the hands of people who were meant to help yet proved to be some of the vilest people on the planet. Resting her arm along the door as she leaned slightly against it just to show off the tops of her 46DDs to her brother's eyes. Her raven hair lightly jostled in the sweet breeze that was flowing through the window. Allowing the enticing perfume she had worn to lull John into a sense of belonging. Plus, to Annie's thinking, it never hurt to show her man just what would always be his.

"You ready for this weekend? I know I am," Annie uttered sinfully. Reaching out, lightly taking hold of the front of John's shirt, gently pulling him into the side of the car. Smoothing out the front of his shirt, she's been waiting all day to feel him beneath her touch. "I've missed you."

"Oh?"

'Mmmhmm, I know Janus missed you too," Annie answered, watching how Janus draped her arm along John's shoulders. Noting how Janus' lips lightly traced along John's jaw line. Something she knew was Janus' own way of showing her affection to him when they were in public. "So hop in, then we'll have all night to let those hands wander," she said with a lift of her eyebrows and a flirty smile.

"I'll just put this in the back for you, Johnny," Janus uttered sweetly as she took his bookbag from him after he got settled into his seat. Seeing his genuine smile appearing on his lips, which rarely happened, she knew he forced his smile when he didn't feel like it. So, years ago, she told him if he didn't feel like smiling, then don't force it. She would know when he was doing so. Her own smile lifted the corners of her lips as she leaned in, getting her kiss in. Her fingernails tickled John's chin as she pulled away. She didn't care if anyone thought their relationship was wrong. That it wouldn't work due to John's illness and his age. What they thought didn't matter, they couldn't say a damn thing anyway since John was over eighteen, and like hell, anyone was going to take the father of her miracle child away from her. Turning her head towards the entrance to John's high school as Katherine marched out, clearly not happy with what was discussed. "Everything okay?" Janus asked, concerned; she didn't want anything to mar this weekend when she knew John was going to need it for the tribulation ahead.

"Don't worry about it," Katherine muttered, walking around the rear of Janus' SUV. "Just someone sticking their nose where it didn't belong," she said offhandedly. Her mood brightened considerably when she opened the rear driver's side door as her son's eyes fell on her.

"Gave the nagging woman a thrashing, did you?" Johnny asked in a teasing manner.

"Of course I did," Katherine said, wiggling her butt into her seat with her nose in the air. "No one bad mouths my babies, no one," she uttered, taking on a protective tone. Feeling the corner of her lip lifting as she peered out of the corner of her eye.

"Does Dad know about this side of you?" Johnny asked inquisitively.

"Mmmhmm, why don't you like it?" Katherine asked as Janus pulled away from the curb. Smiling widely at how bashful John got as he looked away. Noting how Annie had pulled out her phone and brought up a song that she had played on the jukebox in Billy Bob's Dairyland restaurant. "Play the guitar, play it again... My Johnny." Her light cadence filled the interior as she sang along.

"Maybe you're cold. But you're so warm... Inside..." Annie sang, joining in.

"I was always a fool... For my Johnny," Janus cut in her sweet voice, adding to the two of theirs. "For the one, they call... Johnny Guitar." Peering at him in her rearview mirror, seeing that cute, bashful look of his in his eyes. She personally thought John was adorable with those blushing cheeks of his.

"What if you go... What if you stayed... I love you," Katherine sang, meaning every word she spoke. Her heart fluttered as John turned his head to gaze at her, noting how he studied her face. "But you if you're cruel. You can be kind. I know." The three of them sang in harmony as the song continued on. "No matter what comes our way, we are never leaving you, never again," she whispered as she reached over, taking John's hand into hers. So very happy they had reached this point in their relationship that was steadily improving due to the years John had locked himself away. Not that she could blame him. Returning to a house full of strangers in his mind. Forced to live with them like nothing ever happened. However, now, now they knew the truth of what happened to him in that horrid place. Katherine was going to do her damnedest to ensure that her son never has to face that in his life, not while she was alive. "Oh, it's your Dad; I better take this," Katherine spoke, noting her husband's caller ID on the screen of her phone. "Hi, honey?!"

"Hey. So are you four on the road?" Katherine heard the sadness in his voice, knowing they rarely spent a night or two away from one another.

"Mmmhmm, Janus just pulled onto the interstate. Don't worry, Brandan, we'll be back Sunday night," Katherine said, smiling into her phone as she brushed her thumb along the back of John's hand. Remembering the time when he wouldn't even allow anyone to touch him. That still happened, at least with people he didn't know or like; nevertheless, with them... how wonderous it was for Katherine to just simply hug her son after five years John's kept them at arms' length.

"But..."

"Brandan, I know you're going to miss me; no need to pout," Katherine teased, hearing Janus chuckling in front of her. Granted, she did not like how Janus came into their lives, still, with everything going on, Bill's and Ruth's wedding, John's constant battle with his mind, Ray's and Wanda's deepening relationship. It was nice to have another woman her age around just to talk to. She knew Janus took John's health and mental well-being very seriously. Otherwise, she would have never allowed Janus near her son. Looking at John oddly when he gestured that he wanted to talk to his father. Something he hardly did unless he was asked specifically for.

"Dad?" Brandan's eyes widened at the sound of his son's voice. He knew how rare it was to get John on the phone.

"Hey, buddy, how was your day?" Brandan asked in a fatherly tone.

"You know how high school is," Johnny spoke, looking out his window and watching the world whizzing by them. "Idiots being idiots for the most part."

"True, I do remember my school years." Katherine bit her lip, knowing how this was so unlike their son, or the son that came out of that nightmare. She knew John would be forever changed by that place. Yet, that didn't stop her from wanting to hold onto the past to happier times; what mother doesn't want to remember the good years of her son's life and not the quagmire that people made of it. She knew Brandan was elated, too; what father doesn't want to have a special connection with his son(s).

"Well, you shouldn't worry too much. All we're going to do is work on the baby room... and possibly ogle Mom sunbathing nude, amongst other things," Johnny said, joking around for the first time in many years. Noting how his mother's right hand shot to her mouth, her fingertips lightly pressing on her lips.

"Now see here, young man, it's unwise to torment your father with all that... skin."

"See, that just makes it sound so... creepy. Didn't know you perved out on Mom like that. I wonder how she will take that," Johnny mused, tapping his chin as he tilted his head back. Not seeing the huge grin that Annie shot Kathrine, knowing this was one of the few good days in John's mood, granted those days were growing, yet they would always celebrate the news of it, no matter how trivial.

"Have you seen your mother, son? That woman is fire?!"

"I don't know, Dad. I think Janus is just as equally hot," Johnny stated, looking over when Kathrine lightly slapped his left arm.

"Thank you, baby. I am indeed hot," Janus purred.

"What about me, Johnny?" Annie asked, eager not to be left out.

"You're right up there, too," Johnny agreed, knowing the fire storm he would start if he didn't say so. "Although, if Mom packed that black number, you're going to have to step up your game," he said, slyly noting how his mother's face was becoming flush with heat.

"Alright, true; Janus and your sister are up there..."

"Do I hear jealousy in your voice, Dad?"

"I'm not even going to answer that..."

"That's a yes; what a boy's weekend, not what you were after?"

"Honey, don't tease your Dad too much. Not his fault that he's at home while you jet off with over half the women in the family. Leaving your Dad all alone in that bed," Kathrine teased, knowing her husband could hear her.

"Woe is me; now my wife is in cahoots with my son?!"

"Well, Dad, there is always the option of going silently into the night," Johnny countered.

"You wound me, son. So cold," Brandan said, playing up his act. All the while, elation was running rampant in his mind knowing his son hadn't acted like this with him in five long years. Praying that this good mood of John's would carry over for the rest of the weekend. He honestly did want to just sit down and joke around with his son, just like they used to. Hearing his wife's giggle over the line. "Well, I'll let you go, son; I hope whatever you need to do isn't too difficult for you. But you know I'm only a call away. I'd be happy to drive up and lend a hand if you need it."

"I might," Johnny muttered, knowing he was nearly useless with tools. It was only because his father showed him how to do things that he didn't look like a complete moron when working in the yard back at their house.

"Oh? Tell me, Johnny. What seems to be the problem?"

"Just minor things around Janus' house..."

"Our house, don't you forget that?!" Janus cut in.

"She wants to hire a handyman, but I think it's a waste of money when I think I can do it myself... but..."

"Ah. I see, you know you're mother, and I was like this, her wanting to hire someone, me just getting it done without the extra expense. Well, that is a big house for just one person. I'm sure there are a few things that have popped up over the years. I'm assuming you were also inferring to baby-proofing the house?"

"Mmmhmm."

"I know you wanted this weekend for you three; I get that. Not many couples want hangers-on when they're trying to be... well, a couple. But it would be no trouble for me to pack the tools up and head up there. Just to make sure the house is in good condition before the baby comes. When she does, well, you won't have much time to see to the house."

"You sure?"

"Of course, I'm sure, Johnny." A sense of fatherly pride washed over him when his son was asking for help. Brandan might not be able to fix his son, yet he could help to relieve some of the stress John was under. He knew his son took Janus' welfare and their baby's welfare seriously. Even if it was tiny, he would shoulder that burden for his son.

"Hold on." Katherine watched as John spoke to Janus and Annie, really spoke to them and not talked past them like he used to do with them. Wondering how Brandan was acting at that moment when months ago John wouldn't have a thing to do with them. She knew it was a slow process, and she wasn't trying to force the issue. She knew that doing so would just alienate her son further from her and the rest of the family. That was not something she was going to put up with. If she had to wade through the molasses to win a place back in her son's life, those standing in her way better be damn sure they're ready to face a mother's wrath. "Okay, if you want to come up, I'd appreciate the help."

"Consider me already on the road. We'll get started bright and early," Brandan said; he had already been packing up his briefcase and was about to cut out early since it was only one-thirty. He knew if he hurried, he could beat most of the lake traffic to their lake house and be there by six.

"I'll be ready... maybe you can help me with a little project while we're at it," Johnny said, not used to asking anyone for help. It was rather strange for him after the past five years. Yet, he was trying to follow what Dr. Copper had said to him.

"Sure, Johnny, if it can be handled by the two of us, we'll take a look at it in the morning," Brandan said with a smile on his face. Joy burned in his heart that while, yes, John needed help with things he had no knowledge in, it was the fact that his son had asked him for it. Not him or Kathrine having to pull it out of him like they used to have to do to figure out what was wrong with him. "Hey?"

"Yeah?" Johnny answered when they were about to end their call.

"What do you say about if I stopped at that BBQ joint near there, and we have dinner together?"

"The one with the sauce?" Johnny asked, his eyes glanced over to Janus, whose stomach rumbled. Since she hit the fourth month of her pregnancy, she's been constantly hungry. Something his mother had informed him that it was because of the baby since she was eating for two, and babies need a lot of fuel to build their bodies while in the womb.

"The very one," Brandan nodded against his phone as he walked out of his office. Telling his secretary that he was gone for the day.

"Sounds good, don't forget the hushpuppies," Johnny warned.

"Oh, never that; your mother would never let me hear the end of it if I did," Brandan chuckled as he walked towards the elevator. "Love you, Johnny; I'll see you soon."

"I... you too," Johnny said, still unable to utter that one simple word. Not because he couldn't or didn't want to, yet after what he had witnessed and was unable to stop what happened to Julia Anders. He just didn't know if he was good enough to utter that phrase. He knew it was illogical to think that, or that is what Dr. Copper had told him. Still, if he couldn't save the girl he was in love with, did he deserve to feel it or express it ever again? John didn't know how to answer his own question.

"It's okay, baby; there's no need to force it. It will come on its own," Katherine said in a loving tone as her hand lightly stroked his arm once she took her phone from him. "I know how I wanted to stay with you three, but you're Dad is going to be all alone..."

"Oh, I have a feeling he won't be alone," Johnny cut in, looking back out his window. However, his mood soured; his eyes narrowed, his jaw was set, his muscles flexed within it at the sight of the sign for Raven Dale as it drew closer.

"I wish they would take down that thing," Annie huffed, with Janus humming in agreement, knowing how it upset her brother every time he saw it.

"Shh, Johnny, I'm here," Kathrine cooed, sliding her arm along his shoulders as his hands beat against his temples to try and drive out the sounds that she could only assume were playing in his head. "Just listen to the sound of my voice; you aren't there, you're never going back there."

"Easy for you to say, I'm always there."

Brandan walked with a spring in his step as he ambled toward the parking garage. No one could deny that there wasn't a wide smile on his face as his thumb scrolled up his contact list to Ray's number. "Ray?" Brandan spoke into his phone as he pushed on the handle of the door to lead him to the parking structure.

"Yeah? What's up?"

"I need you to gather up my woodworking tools for me," Brandan said, loosening his tie as he walked towards what used to be Kathrine's car until they traded his in for the van they now had.

"Huh? What's going on? I thought you were at work?" Brandan wondered if he had interrupted a make-out session between his son and Wanda since they were the only ones home due to them not having a class that evening.

"I was, but your brother needs my help up at Janus' lake house," Brandan stated, knowing how that news would perk up his son. He knew how Ray was heartbroken when he, along with Bill and himself, learned that Janus wouldn't be joining their family's activities. Not that he could blame his sons, Janus was a very alluring woman. He knew how his boys had been trying to catch a glimpse of Janus nude. He had heard Bill got a peek at what her left breast looked like. Brandan wondered how John could land such a woman when for as long as they knew her, she seemed standoffish, Pondering if something had happened to her like those men had done to his son as he climbed into his car.

"Does that mean we're going with you?" Brandan heard the hopefulness in Ray's voice.

"I don't know, son. I thought you and Wanda wanted to stay home for the weekend?" Arching his left eyebrow when he heard a rustling over the phone as he started up his car.

"Hey, this is to help Johnny, right?" Brandan's eyebrow inched ever higher when Wanda's voice came over the line.

"Well, it's to help get some minor repairs done before their baby comes, but yes, I guess you could say it is to help Johnny," Brandan muttered as he peered back as he pulled out of his parking space.

"Don't worry; I'll make sure Ray has everything ready for when you get here." Brandan wondered why there was excitement in Wanda's voice. He did faintly remember the moans and groans that had filled his house when she was in John's room. Pulling up Bill's number, knowing his oldest son couldn't join them, seeing how he and Ruth were going to meet some venders for their wedding. It seemed to him that the news that John, Janus, and Annie eloping had put a spur in their side. What was once a slow, drawn-out thing now felt like a formula one race car.

Not that he minded, someone was going to have to stay at the house regardless since the contractor that they (meaning him, Kathrine, and Janus) hired was to begin laying the foundation for the connector that would join the two houses. While he was sad that his little boy was moving on with his life or as much as John could given everything. It was still good to see John taking these steps to start his adult life. He also knew Kathrine was happy John was sticking close to home, albeit in the house next door. Brandan, too would have to lump himself into that category. "William?" Using his son's given name when the line connected.

"Sorry, Mr. Masters, he's got his nose so far in his book he didn't even hear it ring." A smile touched his lips at the happy tone in Ruth's voice. It was good to hear that his son wasn't shirking his studies with the stress of wedding planning on his shoulders as well. "Can I ask what this is about?"​