PART FIVE by ThomasMcNab
Chapter One: "The Real Story"
Chapter Two: "A House Into A Home"
Chapter Three: "Coming Out?"
Chapter Four: "Friends"
Chapter Five: "Nina Knows Best"
Chapter Six: "Broke In Half"
Chapter Seven: "Ignoring The Truth"

Previously on 'The Caliente Affairs',
Things between Alex and David got a little more heated when they both told each other how they felt. But Alex's true feelings came out when his sister paid him and Dina a surprise visit, causing him to refer to David as 'just his friend' which hurt David's feelings. Dina received a call and she had to tell Cassandra and Alex that Mortimer had crashed his car. He was unhurt, but Cassandra was hurt at how settled he was with Dina and Alex. Brandi moved in with her fiance Shaun and Dustin almost kissed Lilith Pleasant after Angela Pleasant broke up with him.

Chapter One: "The Real Story"

It had been little over a week since Mortimer's crash; though on reflection, he rather enjoyed the time he got to spend with Dina now he was recovering at home. He'd been so busy preparing for the baby's arrival that he felt as if he'd been neglecting Dina's needs. Just having the time to, as the saying goes, stop and smell the roses gave him a renewed sense of appreciation for his wife and the journey she was embarking upon... the new journey they would soon be taking together, that of raising a newborn baby.

Dina was feeling less than appreciative about Mortimer's newfound sense of fatherhood, however. In fact, though Mortimer would never hear of it, she felt over-crowded by him sometimes. She felt like reminding him that whilst he had been through not one, but two births, this was her first... and with the way things were going, certain changes that were taking place in her body, hopefully her last.

Dina knew that for certain; she couldn't get rid of that one nagging thought in the back of her mind... that this would perhaps be the only baby that she and Mortimer would ever have to raise together. And no-one, except Dina, would ever know that it wasn't even his.

"What is it that you're doing exactly?" Mortimer asked as Dina perched on the edge of the bed with a pen and paper.
"I told you last night; I called the insurance people about the crash," Dina began as Mortimer rolled his eyes, "And they said that they'd call back today to arrange a proper meeting with a solicitor, and that way we can get some compensation from the idiot driver that nearly killed you."
"And I remember saying that I didn't want to get any compensation, didn't you listen?" Mortimer addressed Dina as if she were a small child.
"I figured you were just tired and didn't know what you're saying... I still think maybe you're tired now, are you sure you're going to be able to recount everything that happened?"

"I don't want you leaving anything out, it might affect how much money we get." Dina continued.
"Dina, we can't get any money." Mortimer said with a deep, depressed sigh.
"Yes we can!" Dina corrected him.
"No, we can't... because there was no other driver." Mortimer went quiet as Dina processed his words in her head.

"What... do you mean there was no other driver? Mortimer, you were almost in a car crash, you had to swerve off the road to avoid the other car..." Dina recounted what Mortimer had told her before.
"I lied." He revealed.
"So... what really happened?" Dina asked with worry in her voice as she put down the pen and paper and settled next to her husband, who remained quiet.

"Mortimer, you did crash... you wrote off the car." Dina stated, just to be clear that it had really happened, that it hadn't all been an hallucination.
"Yes, but it was my fault." Mortimer explained.
"So why didn't you just say that? God! You know, I knew something was wrong when you didn't want to go to the hospital..." Dina said to herself as Mortimer perked up a little.
"And I had my reasons... it's why I didn't tell you, any of you. It was over even before I knew what was going on." Mortimer said.

"I didn't want you to worry, it's not good for the baby."
"Worry about what?!" Dina raised her voice, anticipating the story Mortimer was about to tell.
"I think," Mortimer paused and corrected himself. "The reason I came off the road was because... I was having a heart attack." As he knew it would, as soon as the words left his mouth Dina's expression turned to that of a shocked, dumbfounded look. What he didn't expect was the angry voice that followed.
"And you didn't think to tell me this sooner? Your own wife!" Dina gasped with amazement.
"Let me explain; it was small, so small and sudden, and over so quickly that I didn't have time to register what was happening. It caught me off guard and I lost control of the wheel. I went to call for an ambulance but then I thought of you, how much you were depending on me... and, I don't know, I panicked. I couldn't tell anyone. The paramedics would have took one look at me and carted me off to the hospital for, God knows how long!"
"Too right!" Dina butted in.

"Wait, are you saying it was my fault?" She asked.
"No!" Mortimer put his arm around Dina to reassure her, "It was my devotion to you and our baby that made me come up with that story."
"Yeah, which means it was my fault and it'll be my fault when you drop..." Dina blurted out before she could think what she was saying. "I didn't mean, you know I don't..."

"I'm not going anywhere," Mortimer declared, holding Dina's hand. "I'll be here for you both, to look after you both, for as long as I'm needed." Dina looked at him with disapproving eyes.
"I don't need looking after like some invalid. I know you mean well, but for crying out loud don't let your own health take a back seat whilst I'm pregnant. We're going to the hospital tomorrow, no excuses." Dina demanded, before cosying up to Mortimer and resting her head in his arms.

"I don't know what I'd do, if..." Dina started before Mortimer hushed her quiet and kissed her.
"There's no need to think like that; I'm fine." Mortimer reassured her as they laid in each others arms in silence, though inside Dina's head her thoughts were loud and obnoxious... 'What if?', was all she could think about.

Chapter Two: "A House Into A Home"

Brandi skipped off the last step on her staircase and sighed with content. "I still can't believe this is my house." She said to Shaun, her fiance.
"Hey, it's not... it's our house." He replied.
"Of course it is. But what I mean is I can't believe this is the same house I grew up in. You did a wonderful job, I'm so proud of you!" She exclaimed with a little squeal of delight in her voice.
"All I did was the grunt work, you're the one who turned a house into our home." Shaun corrected.
"Now that's not all true, you had your say on some things." Brandi replied as she walked into the kitchen to start making some mid-morning pancakes for her family.

"Like the fish!?" Shaun replied, watching the little swimmers in their tanks.
"Like everything, I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without you and you know it." Brandi cooed.
"Oh stop! You're making me blush." Shaun replied with embarrassment.

Last year, Shaun Wilson had moved in with his fiance Brandi Broke to support her and her three children, none of which were his. But to Shaun that didn't matter, he still loved them like they were his own. Shaun had moved to Pleasantview from Britain three years ago after being transferred by his company. He'd worked for a large property-building corporation almost all his life, starting out as a simple builder and then eventually becoming a CEO of their overseas branch after moving. With Pleasantview becoming one of Sim City's most highly sought after towns to live in, Shaun had many up and coming projects that would accommodate the many families who were aching to live in this idyllic town he now called his own home. When he came to Pleasantview he also brought along his life-long friend Ed Wilson, whom he met and became friends with in school after they both realised they shared the same last name. Shaun met Brandi not so long after moving and pretty soon they were inseparable.

Shaun knew he had a lot of work ahead of him, with Brandi being a single mother after the tragic death of her husband, but he felt as if he was ready for the challenge.
"Who ordered pancakes?" Brandi called out to the room, which only consisted of her, Shaun and her eldest son Dustin. Her other two sons were up in their own respective bedrooms, something which she could have never said before, seeing as how all three of her sons used to share a room. But now each of them had their own place in the house, including herself and Shaun for when they wanted some time alone!
"Yummy, I'll have some." Shaun said.
"How many?" Brandi asked as she hovered over a plate waiting to serve them.
"Actually I was calling the woman holding the pancakes yummy, I'll have some of that." Shaun joked as he scooped Brandi in his arms and pretended to eat her by kissing her neck.
"Ha, Shaun stop it!" Brandi shrieked as she laughed.
"Ugh, get a room, I'm trying to watch TV." Dustin said from the sofa.

"Hey, that's not a bad idea!" Shaun suggested to Brandi.
"Oh no, I can't!" She said as Shaun let her go and she smoothed out the creases in her clothes.

"Sure we can." Shaun persisted in a suggestive tone.
"No really, I'm going out." Brandi replied to a shocked looking Shaun. "You remember me telling you about Nina breaking-up with Don Lothario and how I said I needed to go and see her?" Brandi asked, though not really expecting a positive response.
"Vaguely." Shaun replied in a perplexed, unsure voice.
"Well I thought if I could butter you up with pancakes you wouldn't mind me going out this morning." Brandi revealed.
"Ulterior-motive pancakes? I'm shocked and appalled! Of course you can, you don't have to make me pancakes just so's you can go out - even though I love 'em."
"Well, the pancakes were actually to keep you and the kids happy. I don't know if you know, but this'll be your first time alone with the kids."
"The first time, really? Do you not trust me or something?" Shaun asked, a little worried.

"No, it's not you I don't trust. A new parental figure to take advantage of, it's them I don't trust. Don't feel like you have to go easy on them, we're a united front!" Brandi said as she yanked Shaun forward by his collar and kissed him firmly on the lips.
"Yes, sir!" Shaun replied with a little salute to Brandi as she walked towards the front door. Dustin pretended to stick his finger down his throat as he tried to concentrate on the TV. There was nothing he hated more than PDA's (public displays of affection) from his own mother.
"Dustin, you have a visitor." Brandi called from the door just as she herself was leaving to go see Nina Caliente.
"Who is it?" He replied, not wanting to get up and see for himself.
"It's me!" A familiar voice that wasn't his mum's replied. Dustin got up and switched off the TV.

"Lilith!" Dustin said surprised, "What are you doing here?"
"I rushed over as soon as I heard." Lilith suddenly changed her expression.
"Heard what?" Dustin asked, a little worried and confused.

"That you'd lost your mind and grown a goatee!" Lilith said, now laughing out loud and patting Dustin on the shoulder.
"Oh." Dustin said dejectedly. Lilith kept on laughing and every time she tried to stop she would look at Dustin again and start.

"It's not that funny." Dustin said with disappointment, "Do you not think I can pull it off?"
"Really? No, not at all! It's looks like something crawled on your face and died!" Lilith poked fun at Dustin once more before breathing deeply and resting her hand on his shoulder, "I'm sure you'll grow into it. It's just... God, you look like my dad."
"Consider it gone." Dustin said abruptly as he motioned for Lilith to follow him upstairs. However, a loud cough made him turn around on the spot.

Dustin was faced with Shaun, his mother's fiance who had moved in and redecorated the house completely. Sure he appreciated his new bedroom, but to Dustin the house felt completely different and he resented Shaun a little for coming into his family's life so suddenly and making all of these changes. "What?" Dustin asked in a surprised tone.
"Going upstairs... with a girl... would your mother...?"

"My mum let Lilith in, I'm sure if she was that worried she would have made us talk outside on the porch." Dustin interrupted harshly.
"I just wanted to make sure you were allowed." Shaun said forgivingly.

"Allowed? It's only Lilith, for crying out loud..." Dustin said as Lilith lingered behind and listened in. 'Only Lilith', she thought. It hadn't been 'only Lilith' when they almost kissed two months ago. Maybe he was just saying that to get Shaun off of his back... yes, that must have been it, Lilith rationalised with her conscience. "Besides," Dustin continued, "Mom left you in the house to supervise, not to butt in where you're not wanted." He gave Shaun a cold shoulder and took Lilith by the hand as they both made their way upstairs.

Chapter Three: "Coming Out?"

Alex pressed the doorbell again and nervously balanced on the balls of his feet. It was the first time he had been to David Asher's house, and it was the first time he'd attempted to see him since they had both gotten their feelings out in the open a few days ago. Sure Alex had called, but every time it would be David's mother who answered. It was pretty clear that David didn't want to talk to him, but surely he couldn't ignore Alex if he had come all the way over to visit him.

With this in mind, Alex had the confidence he needed when David finally came to the door. "Hey!" Alex cried out, his heart skipping a beat at the sight of David. His hair was messy and from the looks of his outfit Alex was pretty sure he couldn't have had any plans for the day. David nodded and stood silently in the doorway.

"I woke up today and realised I had absolutely nothing to do. So I thought I'd come and see if you wanted to maybe go out." Alex approached the door but David didn't move.
"Does your sister know you're here?" David asked in a spiteful tone.
"No, why should she?" Alex replied confidently. David sighed and looked away from Alex. "Are you still mad at me?" Alex asked with a little confusion.
"What do you think?" David sarcastically shot back. Alex felt it hit him straight in the heart and he stumbled back, his feelings bruised. David finally left the doorway but instead of letting Alex in he came outside and shut the door.

"What was I supposed to do, David?" Alex asked, truly confused as to why he was taking this so hard.
"You tell me. From the looks of things, if your sister hadn't have interrupted us - call me crazy, but I got the distinct impression that you were actually gonna kiss me." David replied truthfully.
"You're not crazy, I did want to kiss you. I want to kiss you right now." Alex opened up his heart.

"Well maybe I don't want you to." David suggested, each word coated in a harshness that made Alex feel ashamed.
"I don't mean right here, right now." Alex was beginning to try and rectify his sentence until David interrupted.
"You don't? Why the hell not?" David's tone suddenly changed, causing Alex to become a little confused.

"I thought..." Alex trailed off, not sure what was going on.
"Of course I want you to kiss me. It's not as if I have a long list of boys who I can share my feelings with, telling you meant a lot to me and I thought it meant something to you too." David cried out.
"It did, it does. I've never in my life trusted someone's secret more than I do yours."

"It's not a secret, Alex." David groaned as he shook his head as if trying to teach a dog a trick that it just will not learn. "I'm gay. It's who I am and I not gonna hide it." David said bluntly.

"Really, you're telling me you don't hide it? Does your mother know?" Alex asked, already knowing what the answer was going to be.
"Of course she knows." David replied. Alex opened his eyes wide, unable to hide his surprise. That wasn't what he had expected.
"How... why?" Alex stuttered.

"This is me, Alex. And, unlike you, I don't care what people think of me. I can't exactly change my life, I'd be living a lie. It was my mum who made me realise this. And I know, things for you are completely different, but you presented yourself with such confidence when I first met you that I honestly didn't think someone like you would be so closed minded." David accused Alex.

"I am not closed minded." Alex defended himself. "Just because I haven't built up the courage to tell my family, it doesn't make my situation any different to yours, nor does it mean that I don't ache every time I have to lie to them." Alex felt himself beginning to well up, something which David saw too. Grabbing his hands, David locked his fingers with Alex's and looked into his eyes.

"You don't have to lie." Alex laughed at David's ignorance, but David only pulled Alex closer, "You don't. Your family, out of everyone in this world, should be able to understand that you have to be true to yourself." Alex felt his heart warming to David's words. They were true, Alex knew it and he was just being stubborn before.

David suddenly leaned in, but Alex turned away intentionally. "I'll tell them. I'll tell them tonight." Alex promised, not wanting to become disillusioned by a kiss from David. A part of him felt, if he could get through coming out to his family, whatever their reaction at least their would be a reward waiting for him at the end of it.

Chapter Four: "Friends"

"Ooh, fancy." Lilith said as she followed Dustin into his bedroom, seeing it for the first time.
"Oh yeah, it's not much but it's all mine. My walls, my dartboard, my window..."
"My God!" Lilith shouted.

"Not you too?" Lilith said as she saw the poster above Dustin's bed, "What is it with this band? They don't even play their own instruments!" Lilith clucked her tongue disapprovingly.
"Oh, I... don't like them. I just think the - the chick is hot." Dustin muttered half-heartedly.

"Err, what chick? They're an all-boy group." Lilith said.
"No they're not, that girl with the make-up on..."
"Is a boy with make-up on!" Lilith corrected with amusement.
"I... Oh? Ugh, it's like Hanson all over again." Dustin stated to no-one in particular as he collapsed on his bed with a sigh.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about your boy lust!" Lilith joked with a devilish grin.

Dustin kicked his feet back and forth, not really paying attention to Lilith. He opened his mouth but it took a while for any words to come out, "Do you think I was too harsh with Shaun... I, I didn't mean to snap, he just gets on my nerves sometimes."

"It's understandable, what with the British accent, everything he says sounds condescending." Lilith offered as she shifted onto the other end of Dustin's bed, kneeling in front of him.
"Most of the time everything's fine, but when mum's not around he tends to become a little strict."
"And what do you lot do?" Lilith asked, referring to Dustin's two brothers.
"We tell him where to shove it!" Dustin joked as he leant back and rested on his pillow. "Honestly? Beau gets on really well with him and he was around when it counted for Calvin but..."
"He's not your dad." Lilith blurted out before realising what she had said, "And he knows that, he wouldn't have gotten involved with your mother if he didn't know his boundaries with you. You're the oldest, you're all grown up, you don't need parenting anymore."

"I need... I don't know what I need! But..." Dustin said as he looked up into Lilith's eyes. For a while now, Dustin had felt different than he usually did when he was around Lilith. He'd been close to kissing her at Christmas but that was just to spite Angela. Lilith had approached him at school in the new year and simply said 'she knows' before refusing to acknowledge his presence anymore. Work was a different matter though, Lilith acted as if nothing had happened and they continued to hang out like friends. In fact, this was the first Dustin had seen of Lilith outside of work and school. He wanted answers, did Lilith have feelings for him? Did he have feelings for Lilith? "I need something... someone."

Lilith felt her face growing hot and was sure it resembled that of a baboon's bottom! "There's always me. I'll always be here."
"Why are you here?" Dustin asked.
"I needed to get out of the house for a few hours, I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not. Any particular reason for the sudden jail-break?" Dustin innocently asked. Lilith's face however, was now void of any colour at all.
"I couldn't deal with it... I'm a horrible person." Lilith insulted herself, as if not realising anyone else was in the room.
"What? I don't understand." Dustin asked in shock.
"I'm not sure if I understand it all either. I guess it'd help if I talked about it..."

Chapter Five: "Nina Knows Best"

It had been a while since Brandi had really had a good chat with her best friend Nina. She had visited her in hospital after Nina's accident, but since then a lot had happened and Brandi was shocked when she heard from a friend who'd been told by their friend that they had seen Don moving back into his old apartment. After that, Brandi desperately needed to know the whole story. She felt a little responsible for their break-up as it was her own big mouth that let slip about Nina's pregnancy, though Nina assured her later that Don already had found out. The last she had heard from Nina was that the two of them were going to stand by each other. But now something had obviously changed, and when Brandi walked into Nina's house she realised how drastic the changes were.

"Nina?" Brandi called out, amazed at the sight of the stripped wallpaper and dust sheets flung over furniture.
"Brandi? I'm over here." Nina called from the other side of the room.

"What's going on?" Brandi greeted Nina with confusion.
"Out with the old, in with the new is what they say isn't it?" Nina said as she put down the paintbrush and hugged Brandi.
"You're redecorating?"
"Complete overhaul, actually. Upstairs, downstairs, outside..." Nina said enthusiastically.
"Isn't that a little costly?" Brandi asked with concern.

"I think after everything, I deserve to finally have things go the way I want them to." Nina boasted. "And it certainly helped that my lawyer managed to get the DVD Depot to pay up some compensation for my accident." Nina revealed as Brandi looked on in surprise.
"How on earth...?"
"I don't know how, but I'm certainly not complaining!" Nina declared with a big grin.

"Most of it is going towards a little break for myself whilst the major structural work is done. I mean, I can't very well stay here with walls flying up and down... and this staircase is the first thing to go, piece of crap!" Nina insulted the furniture and she grabbed onto the banister, violently trying to pull it apart..
"Nina, stop!" Brandi cried out as she pulled Nina away. "You could've asked to stay with us, we've got the space now." Brandi offered, noting Nina's outburst.
"I just need to get away to be honest, no offence." Nina avoided eye contact as Brandi felt a little hurt inside that her friend had made so many decisions without talking to her.
"All these changes, what brought this all on?" Brandi asked.
"This time last year, all I wanted in life was a husband, a house and a big family... Well I tried that and guess what happened? I ended up flat on my ass... literally! Now I've managed to claw back some dignity..."
"You broke up with Don." Brandi corrected, not understanding what Nina was saying.

"It was for the best. We got together under circumstances that, looking back on, were so insane I should have been committed. I mean, come on, the man was engaged and sleeping with my sister... And I wanted to start a family with him?!"
"I'll admit I always thought it was a little risky, but you two seemed so right together. And, I don't know if you've seen him since the break-up, but he's devastated. I think he's finally beginning to realise what he's lost."
"What he used and abused." Nina corrected.
"Nina, he lost a baby too." Brandi reminded Nina.
"Why did you come, Brandi? Did Don put you up to this?"
"No! I came because I'm worried about you... and after seeing this act I have every right to be." Brandi admitted.
"Act?" Nina asked, a little hurt. "I'm sorry if this comes as a surprise to you, but it was the old Nina who was acting. All my life I let other people call the shots; Don, Dina, now they're gone I can finally be myself... But maybe you don't like the real me." Nina propositioned.

"This isn't the real you." Brandi said instinctively.
"Maybe you're just a little sour because you can't control me anymore either." Nina suggested with a harshness in her voice that deeply hurt Brandi's feelings.
"You've been through a lot this year, so I'll let that one slide. Go on this holiday, you deserve it, but please take care." Brandi offered Nina as she turned to leave.
"Have you seen her?" Nina suddenly blurted out just before Brandi left.
"Not since I was last here. Why? Do you want me to tell..."
"No, if she can't be bothered to see me herself then she doesn't deserve to know." Nina said, referring to her twin sister Dina. Brandi silently walked out of the door and Nina sighed. She hadn't meant to take out her anger on Brandi, but she was just so sick of the way everyone was treating her. She wasn't the same stupid and fragile Nina they once knew, she despised that girl now. Nina couldn't wait to get out of Pleasantview so she could start acting like her true self without any interference.

Chapter Six: "Broke In Half"

"I'm sorry." Dustin offered as he hugged Lilith. She held on and rested her head on his shoulder. Lilith had told Dustin that this morning her mum had sat her and her sister, Angela, down to explain to them that she was going into hospital overnight next week to have some tests done.
"What is wrong with me? My mum expects me to be there for her and what do I do? Leave." Lilith sighed.
"She'll understand; this is probably just as hard for your mum to confront as it is for you." Dustin leaned back to look at Lilith directly in the eyes.
"But she'd cope better if I were there with her and not here." Lilith said with a guilty conscience.

"Then go." Dustin said with kindness.
"I told you, I can't face her." Lilith began as she held onto Dustin.
"Did she say whether or not the doctors think they know what's wrong with her?" Dustin asked.
"She didn't say anything about what it was. It could be her heart, it could be her brain, it could be her legs but she won't say anything." Lilith cried out in frustration.
"She just doesn't want you to worry."
"My mum's going into the hospital; of course I'm going to be worried." Lilith blurted out. She pulled Dustin a little closer, showing him that she hadn't meant to shout at him.

"I just don't know what this means. For one, her and dad have been keeping this a secret for a while, I'm sure of it. And if that's true... only now is she going in for tests, it can only mean bad news." Lilith said all at once.
"You don't know that... I don't know that. The only person who knows whether it could mean bad news is Mary-Sue, so go ask her all this yourself." Dustin offered.
"I know... I know." Lilith reasoned as she squeezed Dustin. "I just needed to see you... I'm really scared right now. You always know what to say." Lilith held Dustin close and looked deep into his eyes, "I'm so thankful we can be together."

Dustin felt himself growing hot; though this gave him a clearer picture of how Lilith felt, he wasn't sure he knew how he felt. And despite his anger at her and their sudden break-up, he still couldn't get Angela out of his heart. He wondered how she was taking this news. Perhaps now, he thought, she would change her plans and stay in Pleasantview, meaning they could get back together. With this realisation, Dustin tried to casually shake Lilith off. "I'm here for you. You're one of my best friends, I'll always be here for you." He offered, still trying to remain casual. "But right now you and your sister need to be there for your mum." Lilith nodded and smiled.

"You're right... I will, I'll go." Lilith said as she turned around. "But," She said, turning back around, "I really want to see you." Lilith said honestly.
"Then let's go out." Dustin said it before he realised what he was saying.
"You mean it?" Lilith asked, a little shocked.
"Oh, sure." Dustin said as he tried to choose his words carefully.

"We'll meet up at the Coffee Hutch, we can talk some more over coffee and sugary stuff." Dustin planned.
"Ooh, I don't think I can turn down an offer like that!" Lilith said with a playful laugh.

"Just, make sure you don't bring along your furry friend." Lilith pointed as Dustin felt his face.

"Ah, come on! It took me six weeks to get it this defined." Dustin said, referring to his facial hair.

But this only caused Lilith to laugh even harder. "Thank you for growing it, it really helped cheer me up."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. I'll shave it off tonight." Dustin said reluctantly.
"And I'll see you on Tuesday?" Lilith offered.
"Okay. I'll be there around six." Dustin said, in the back of his mind wondering whether or not now was the right time to be making decisions about his relationship with each of the Pleasant twins. It seemed Lilith was pretty worried about her mum and perhaps a little too venerable. He got the feeling she was either going to burst into tears or pounce on him, either of which he wouldn't have been prepared for. So maybe, out in the open, Lilith would be less emotional and more open to understanding him if he chose to tell her he that he didn't think they should spend time alone together anymore. It was a long shot, and hopefully Lilith wouldn't see past his facade of concern and realise he still harboured hopes of him and Angela getting back together.

Chapter Seven: "Ignoring The Truth"

Alex hadn't simply been humouring David, if he had he wouldn't have turned down David's kiss. In fact a part of him was still kicking himself for not doing it, but Alex had wanted to show David that when he said he was going to come out he meant it. And besides, Alex was sure he would get another chance soon enough. Already David had asked Alex out on a proper date before he left, surely it would be the ample opportunity to share their first kiss. And how much would David appreciate that Alex wasn't afraid to do it in public, Alex thought as he gave himself a mental pat-on-the-back for being so smart.

Although, all of that rested on Alex overcoming one small hurdle... telling his dad he was gay.

For the past forty-five minutes, Dina and Mortimer had simply been enjoying each others company. With Mortimer bringing up all sorts of tales Dina was sure she had heard many times before; she couldn't tell and she didn't care, all she could think about was Mortimer's revelation that he'd had a heart attack. As he talked about, for what Dina was sure was the second time that day, his good-friend-in-Bluewater's-suprise-pregnancy, Dina stood up suddenly and turned to face him.

"I can't, I can't do this... pretend like everything's okay." Dina expressed her bottled up feelings.
"I already agreed to go and see a doctor tomorrow," Mortimer adjusted to the shift in conversation with little hesitation, making Dina think it had been on his mind too. "What exactly do you presume I do until then? Stay in bed all day?" Mortimer asked sarcastically.

"Don't give me that, just because I'm worried about you. If it were me you'd be all over this, faster than a speeding bullet. I wouldn't even be able to move without a doctor's permission." Dina argued.

"I just, I know you can't see it from my point of view but, all that concerns me right now is our baby. Regardless of what happens to me, as long we bring him into this world," Mortimer assumed, though it was of no shock to Dina. It was an importance she had noticed Mortimer bring up before, passing down the Goth name to an heir. "I don't care what God has planned for me afterwards."

"Well did you ever stop to think for a second that I might care?" Dina asked rhetorically. "You think I don't notice but I do; I hear you speak about the baby's arrival, the mother's journey, you job as a provider, not once stopping to think that life still carries on outside of the womb. You're neglecting things, Mortimer. So much so that something's come along now and you don't even realise how important it is." Dina told Mortimer in a forceful tone that hid her deep concern. "Well I'm telling you: pay attention, before it's too late." Dina demanded as she left their bedroom, not wanting to let Mortimer see her cry.

As Alex was just about to knock on his dad's door, an emotional looking Dina flew out of the bedroom, giving Alex the shock of his life. "I'm sorry." He offered before being rudely shoved out of the way. Dina rushed out of the room and Alex felt his heart sink. He knew it, he knew it as soon as he'd said the words to David. There was no way he could come out to anyone, especially now it appeared his dad and Dina were arguing again. And instead of feeling relieved, Alex felt dirty for continuing to deceive his family.

But, maybe he didn't have to lie anymore. What if he just decided to act as if they already knew? Thinking like that, Alex realised how unnecessary it was for him to 'come out', he had never been one to draw attention to himself. For most of his life people had ignored him anyway. It started when his mum walked out on him and continued through to his dad marrying Dina and moving the two of them out. Would anyone really notice if he announced he was going out with David next week? Probably, but as if they would realise how important it was to him. Did he really expect his dad to just outright ask him if he was gay?! And if he did, in the unlikely event his dad suddenly woke up and realised the blatantly obvious changes to Alex's personality, then Alex would repay his father for taking the time to notice and be truthful to him.

In theory, it was genius, nothing short of what Alex expected from himself, he thought as he suddenly found himself skipping toward the staircase, eager to choose what he was going to wear on his date.

END OF PART FIVE