JR got up, crossed the room, and hugged Jim tightly. With tears running down his face, he croaked out -- "Oh my dear boy, it has been more than 25 years since I saw you last. Your father's funeral, here in Pullman. Your mother disappeared with you and your siblings right after the funeral, and we had no idea where you went. I should have seen the resemblance sooner."
Jim was caught flat-footed. His mom told him and his siblings that their dad did not have a family that was still living. JR remained calm as the whole situation was seedy. The investigation of the 'accident' had revealed it was not an accident at all but a targeted hit. Jim's mom got mixed up with the wrong type through their business, was 'in debt,' and his dad had refused to pay for phony bills. They threatened the family, but Finn stood firm in not paying. He had worked late at the office, and on the way home, his brakes failed. He careened off the road and flipped his car. It landed upside down in the river, and Finn drowned.
After the funeral, Ruth took Jim, Ted, and Roberta away for a vacation and never returned. Jim recounted what he knew -- they wound up in Neah Bay, his mom started going by Madeline (her middle name) and registered the kids for school under her new boyfriend/husband's name, Schuster. Both boys, upon graduation, reverted to Reed in honor of their father. With all the details, it made sense how no one was able to find Ruth.
Jim and JR went for a walk to carry on the conversation in private.
Evelyn, JJ, Nanny, Gran, Charlene, Elliot, Conor, and Caleb had moved to the backyard to play. The grandparents wanted as much time with the two little monkeys as they could get.
In the house AJ and Scott's siblings were scattered about the house talking and getting to know each other -- Mel, Grant, Cheryl, Max, Steph, Eva, and Mat were in one grouping talking about common interests and how little their lives intersected even though their professional lives should have brought them together at some point.
Melissa and Eva recognized each other but could not place it until they talked about gymnastics -- their daughters were in the same gymnastics academy. Melissa and Cheryl had run into each other at Bar Association events but beyond that had not run into each other even though they were less than 10 minutes apart in the Bellevue/Redmond area. It was clear to everyone that the families would remain friends regardless of the outcome between Scott and AJ.
Teddy, Becca, JT & Mo were quietly talking about the good old days. When Teddy and Becca moved to California, the two couples lost touch. It was a bit of a shock that they now only lived a mere 15 minutes apart. Now that they had reconnected, they would rebuild their old friendships.
Kevin, Gina, Scott, and AJ were getting to know each other better. It was clear that Kevin and Scott had a lot in common, and as they talked, both Gina and Kevin were getting more comfortable with Scott. Gina continued to throw in pointed comments or questions to ensure that her nickname 'Bear' was well deserved -- she was a mama bear when it came to AJ. Even though he annoyed the crap out of her growing up, she was always there to protect and defend him against anyone.
At one point during the huddle with Mo and JT, Teddy made a quiet comment -- "I really wish they would find wives and have each other on the side..."
AJ abruptly stood and looked at his brother. Teddy shook his head, and AJ went outside to try and ground himself with his kids. He was trying very hard to get his head around this thing with Scott, and this ongoing dialogue between Teddy and JT was not helping.
Becca watched AJ leave the house and decided that enough was enough -- "Theodore Jonathan Reed, you are an absolute asshole. You assured Scott and AJ last night that you were behind them and now you are back to saying get married and fuck around with each other on the side. Can't you see that they are in love with each other? I had my doubts, but I have watched the two of them together, and if you would stop trying so hard to be the college version of yourself, you would see it too."
AJ's departure now made total sense to Scott. They had been crystal clear with Teddy last night -- say your piece and get behind us or get out. He was so done with the bullshit from his brother, he jumped to his feet, grabbed Teddy by the collar, and dragged him to his feet. Teddy was a bit stunned as Scott got right up in his face -- "I'm only going to say this once, you swore last night that you were going to say your piece and get behind us or stay out of the way. Your running diatribe confirms you are the ass that I always knew you were -- I choose AJ over you and as such you need to stay away from the both of us from this point forward."
JR had returned with Jim from their getting-to-know-you walk during this exchange. JR placed his hand on Scott's shoulder -- "Scott, don't do/say something you can't take back."
Scott was furious at this point. Teddy could do no wrong in their Dad's eyes, and he was beyond done -- "Dad, is it time to walk away from you as well? AJ was clear about his willingness to hear everyone out last night, and I am with him 100%. No one had the balls to say anything to our faces; in fact, each and every person in this family told us to our faces that they would support us no matter what. Now today, your son decides it's okay to go back on his word and talk trash behind our backs and you fucking dare to tell ME to be careful about saying/doing something I can't take back, yet nothing for your golden boy. Well, color me not surprised.
I'm going to find AJ, and we will be leaving. I hope you all drive carefully on your trip home. By the way, Dad -- consider this my two weeks' notice; I can't work for a hypocrite."
JR tried in vain to keep Scott in the house but could not prevent him from leaving. Scott exited the house into the backyard. What he saw took his breath away for a moment. AJ was holding both boys, the biggest, sexiest smile on his face, and he KNEW for certain he was home.
Scott made his way over to AJ, then bid farewell to AJ's parents/grandparents and thanked them all for coming over and being supportive. "At least we still have a family that loves and supports us unequivocally. From the bottom of my heart, I love your son and will do everything I can to make him happy." Scott received hugs and kisses from Evelyn, JJ, Nanny, Aoife, Charlene, and Elliot, as well as a genuine welcome to the family comment.
Scott kissed AJ's cheek and took Caleb from him; he took AJ's hand in his and kissed it -- "I love you, and we should go home and spend time with the boys. If this is going to work, they will have to get to know me better." The two men proceeded to the Tahoe, put the boys in their car seats, and drove off.
The 'rents/grandmothers watched the pair walk off hand in hand. Now it was time to get to the bottom of the 'stupid' going on in the house. When they opened the door and stepped inside, there was a lot of conversation/yelling occurring. Most of it was directed at Teddy and JR. They were able to surmise that Teddy had run his mouth again. JR tried to calm Scott down but didn't correct Teddy. Becca and Mo were ready to bust their husbands' heads, and JT appeared to be trying to fade into the background.
