Page 43

"Okay," Oliver stepped forward and nervously cleared his throat. "Lotty, you have always been an inspiration to me. You are kind, loving, and generous." He turned towards me and raised his glass. "Cheers to you baby sis! You are by far the best of us all. Happy birthday!"

I raised my glass as everyone sang Happy Birthday to me.

The bronze lights of the kitchen glowed over their faces, as they laughed at their own off-key rendition of the song.

Happiness blossomed in my heart when I looked around at my loved ones.

I was missing a few, but this was by far the best birthday I'd ever had.

As the song wobbled to a close I stepped up next to Oliver and wrapped my arm around his waist, offering my silent support.

His clammy hand rested on my shoulder as his fingers dug into my skin.

I leaned in and dropped a quick kiss on his shoulder, hopefully letting him know that I was here for him—always.

"I have one more thing to say." Oliver sucked in a large breath as he collected himself. "Mom, Dad... I know you guys have been worried about me for a while. I have really struggled to find my place in this world, and I think I've found the root of my problems."

Oliver smiled down at me and squeezed my shoulder.

"Actually, Lotty helped me figure it out.

I have been struggling for a really long time.

.." Oliver dropped his head down for a moment, and when he lifted it there were tears in his eyes.

I blinked back my own tears as I rubbed his back.

A presence behind us caught my attention, and I smiled briefly at Archer who had his hand on Ollie's shoulder.

"I don't know how to say this. But, I'm tired of living a double life. I'm tired of lying. And I am so tired of not being able to be my true self in front of you guys. I'm gay."

The second he said it I turned to my parents. There was a moment of silence then my mom burst into tears. She rushed forward and almost knocked me over as she threw herself at Ollie.

"Oh baby," she wept on his chest. "I am so sorry you felt like you couldn't tell us! I love you so much."

I laughed through happy tears at Oliver's bemused face. He let me go so he could properly hug Mom. I grabbed my heart when I could see his shoulder's shaking. She reached up to pat his head as she whispered in his ear.

When she pulled back, they both had huge grins.

Mrs. Johnson bustled forward and grabbed both of Oliver's cheeks, pulling his face down so she could drop a big kiss on his cheek.

"You know I love you like a second son, that will never change," she said as she held his face close, making sure he looked her in the eye.

I wiped away tears as I looked around the kitchen, but my brows furrowed when I saw my dad hanging back. He leaned up against the counter, watching us with his arms folded. My mom and Oliver seemed to notice his absence at the same time as they both looked around.

"Tim," my mom said pointedly, "isn't there something you want to say to your son?"

Dad cleared his throat and rubbed his palm over his forehead. "You know I love you Ollie, and I'm not prejudiced. I don't judge how anyone chooses to live their lives. But are you sure? I mean... this is a big decision. I don't want your life to get... harder."

It was silent for a moment as everyone processed my dad's response.

I whipped my head towards Oliver and my heart broke as disappointment sank into his features.

For a whole two seconds, he had been happy and relieved.

Then our dad had ruined it. I waited for a moment to see what was going to happen but a shadow passed over Oliver's face and I could tell he was retreating back into his shell.

"How dare you," I turned towards my dad and straightened my shoulders. I stepped in front of Oliver as though I could physically protect him from my dad's idiocy.

"Lotty..." Dad held his hand out. "I am just checking I'm not trying to hurt anyone."

"Well, it doesn't matter because you are," I snapped.

"First of all, this isn't a choice. This is who Ollie is.

He can't change it or decide differently and even if he could I wouldn't want him to.

Because I love him no matter what. Isn't that what you preached to us our whole lives?

Family above all else? No matter what we support and love each other?

Does that not apply to you anymore, Dad? "

My dad's eyes went wide as I glared at him. I knew my behaviour was probably a shock to everyone in the room, but I didn't care. Right now, he was not my father, he was the person hurting my brother and I wouldn't stand for it.

"You can say you aren't prejudiced all you want," I continued, "but you obviously need to reevaluate that. What? It's okay for other people to love whoever they want but it's not okay for your own son? That is bullshit, Dad."

The room was once again silent. My dad stood in shock as he opened and closed his mouth without any sound coming out.

I spun back around to the rest of my family and saw my mom and Mrs. Johnson both glaring at my dad.

My gaze connected with Archer's and he raised an eyebrow at me with a small proud smile.

Oliver finally moved forward and pulled me into a tight hug. "Thanks for trying," he whispered in my ear. I tried to prolong the hug so I could make him feel loved but he pulled away. Without looking at anyone else he pushed by and walked out the back door.

"I'm sorry..." My dad croaked from behind us.

I whipped around and glared at him. He was slumped over defeatedly as he rubbed his face. "Make this better, or I will never forgive you," I growled.

My mom stepped up next to me and placed her hand on my shoulder. "Agreed. Tim, I expected better from you."

My dad looked at each of us with wet eyes.

A small knot in my stomach felt some form of pity for him.

He was human and he didn't react well. The softer part of me wanted to help him because I knew he loved us, and he loved Ollie.

But he would get there eventually on his own.

It was up to Oliver to forgive him, not me.

Dad gulped back a sob and nodded before following Oliver outside.

"Are you two okay?" Mrs. Johnson came up to Mom and me and pulled us into a hug. The three of us held each other as we let out frustrated tears. "Come on baby," she added as she beckoned Archer over with her arm.

"Oh uh, thanks Ma. I'm okay." Archer said awkwardly as he hung back.

"Archer Johnson," she sighed, "we have all had an emotional night and you need a hug too. C'mon."

My mom and I let out teary giggles as Archer mumbled under his breath and walked over to us. His long arms could almost encompass all three of us as we included him in the group hug.

"It's all gonna work out okay," Mrs. Johnson assured us as we pulled away. "Those two men are gonna talk it out just fine, you'll see."

My mom nodded and patted her cheeks as she looked around the kitchen for something to busy herself with. Both women weaved around each other as they set out plates and stirred dishes. I wished I could take my mind off everything by keeping busy, but all I could think about was the two men outside.

Archer came up bent his neck to kiss the top of my head. "Are you okay?" he whispered as he rubbed my shoulders.

"Mhmm," I smiled up at him. I knew it didn't reach my eyes when he sighed and tugged me towards the living room.

He dropped onto a couch and pulled me down next to him.

I sank into his warmth as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

He stared out the window for a minute as though he could see Oliver and my dad in the pitch black, then turned back.

"It really is going to be fine. Your dad just needs time to adjust."

"I know," I sighed, "I just wanted everything to go perfectly for Ollie."

"Everything won't ever be perfect though. Your dad was right in a way, things might be harder for Ollie sometimes. But it will never be as hard as it was when he had to hide all of the time." Archer rubbed my shoulder absentmindedly as he spoke.

I smiled up at him. "When did you get so smart?"

Archer playfully glared down at me then a smirk grew on his lips. "When did you start swearing?"

"Clearly I've been hanging around you for too long," I laughed. I relaxed back against his arm, relishing in the release of some of my anxiety.

He angled himself down towards me so he could grab my hip with his other arm. A blush warmed my neck as I wasn't prepared for the heat in his eyes. "Well it was pretty fucking sexy," he said lowly.

"Good lord... Keep it in your freaking pants, Johnson." I whacked him in the arm to get him to lean back. We were sandwiched between our mothers in the kitchen and my father and brother outside. I did not need someone noticing us all hot and bothered.

Archer chuckled and relaxed back on the couch.

We stayed quiet after that, each of us occasionally looking over to the back windows.

My mom had peeked out of the kitchen a few times herself, nervously giving us a sympathetic smile then disappearing.

Finally, the back door creaked open and Oliver walked through.

I jumped up front the couch at the same time that Mom and Mrs. Johnson came rushing out of the kitchen.

We all stopped and stared as Dad followed Oliver inside.

Both men stood silent for a moment. It was clear they'd been through the wringer outside. Residual tears still clung to their puffy eyes while their cheeks were bright red.

Dad cleared his throat and stepped forward, making all of our heads snap to him.

He shifted on his feet while he looked at each of us.

When our gazes connected I kept my face firm and tried to stay devoid of emotion as I waited.

His eyes softened and desperation filled his face.

I could tell he was silently imploring me to forgive, but I just waited.

"I want you all to know," Dad began in a defeated tone, "I am truly ashamed in myself.

I reacted selfishly at the moment. I was thinking about a lot of unimportant things, rather than focusing on what Oliver needed from me.

" His voice broke when he spoke his son's name and tears silently rolled down my cheeks.

Oliver patted Dad on the shoulder and they silently exchanged nods.

"I love him, and I love you all." Dad looked me directly in the eye as he continued. "All I have ever wanted is for my children to be happy, and I'm sorry if I lost sight of that."

We all stayed quiet for a moment until Oliver stepped forward.

"I know this was a lot for us all. But when I decided to tell you guys, it's because you are all the most important people in my life.

I wanted us all to be together, with nothing stopping us from being happy.

So please, don't drag this out. Dad and I are good and I really want us to enjoy Lotty's birthday. "

That was all of the permission Mom and I needed to rush forward and envelope both men in teary hugs. I couldn't stop weeping as I entangled myself between the three people who had always been there for me. I sent out a silent plea that this was truly a new leaf for all of us.

"Okay, time for dinner!" My mom laughed through tears as we all pulled away. Everyone moved towards the dining room but a hand on my arm held me back.

"Lotty I really am so sorry," Dad sighed. He looked down at me warily until I moved forward and hugged his stomach.

"It's okay. I'm sorry I yelled at you," I said as my cheek pushed against the buttons of his shirt.

Dad patted my back and pulled away. "Yeah... that boy really is a bad influence on you." His words made me snap my eyes up to his face, but I relaxed when I saw the gentle smile tugging at his lips.

The rest of my birthday was a breeze after that.

Everyone made a concerted effort to leave the drama in the past as we laughed and ate long into the night.

There was levity in the air while we all interacted that hadn't been there before.

It gave me a glimpse into how our future could be and warmed my heart.

I even noticed my dad treating Archer as he used to before he became the guy who corrupted his daughter.

Archer didn't show much emotion of course, but I knew it meant a lot to him.

Our Whistler trip came to a close and it was nothing that I expected it to be but everything that I needed. Some things that had been in the shadows for a long time were suddenly snapped into clarity. While other issues that I thought had been in clear water, were thrown back into the murky mud.

Oliver had promised to come to visit us soon, and we were going to work together for him to win James back.

My mind had already thought up a million romantic scenarios but Archer had deemed each of them lame.

Not that his contributions were any good.

I didn't think James would respond well to a case of beer and being told to buck up.

I slept on Archer the whole way back to USC, exhausted by everything good and bad that had arisen over the week. As our plane touched down at LAX I smelt the familiar musk of the LA smog. I was anxious to get back to the normalcy of school and my routine.

As we grabbed our luggage and hailed a cab, I mused about where the next couple of months would take us. I could only hope things continued to get easier.