Finally however the two weeks were up and the three of them once again found themselves seated in the doctor’s office, waiting for the results of the tests that Stacy had taken a half-hour earlier.
“Congratulations,” smiled the doctor walking into the room. “The operation was successful and you Ms Bass are currently carrying a strong, healthy baby.”
The three sat stun as they the doctor continued on. “We’ll set you up with appointments before you leave,” he continued. “However, Ms Bass you must remain well rested and stress free throughout the pregnancy. Now that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything, in fact you can stay at your own place until you become too far along in the pregnancy, but you must take it easy.”
“She’s staying with us,” interrupted Lance quickly. “We’ll take care of her.”
“I don’t think that’s a very good idea,” sighed Stacy sadly. “You guys drove me crazy. I just don’t want anything to happen to my little niece or nephew.”
“But-” began Lance but Josh interrupted him.
“Maybe it’s for the best right now,” he softly spoke to his husband. “We don’t want Stacy to be uncomfortable and if she thinks she’ll be better off at her own place, we should let her. She can stay with later and we’ll can go over everyday to check on her.”
“Okay,” sighed Lance, only agreeing with the plan since that was what Josh wanted. Stacy meanwhile gave Josh a grateful smile.
“Everything will be fine Lance, trust me,” whispered Josh into Lance’s ear.
“Now that, that is settle,” smiled the doctor. “I have a bit more information for you three to hear then you all can be on your way.”
*~*~*
“Congratulations!” cried Chris later that night upon hearing the news and hugging them both tightly. After leaving Stacy at her place, the pair had then gone over to Chris’ for a late dinner and to tell Chris the good news.
“Thanks,” grinned Josh as he took Lance’s hand in his before they entered Chris’ house.
“JC?” asked a voice from the doorway that connected the hallway to the kitchen.
“Justin?” replied Josh, shocked and surprised upon seeing his former friend. Tightly he gripped his husband’s hand.
“Baby?” asked Lance with concern. “What’s wrong?”
“One of you two explain something,” added Chris, just as confused as Lance.
“Justin and I knew each other on Terra,” explained Josh softly. “We were best friends.”
“Do you want some time alone with him?” whispered Lance into Josh’s ear and he nodded his head.
“Okay,” nodded Lance. “Chris why don’t we go into the living room and watch some TV before we eat?”
“Umm . . . sure,” replied Chris glancing between Josh and Justin. “JC, come and join us when you’re finished.”
“Okay,” whispered Josh as his husband and Chris exited the room. He then turned his attention towards Justin who was still standing in the doorway in shock. “What are you doing here? When did you get here?”
“They took me about three weeks ago,” replied Justin. “Master Chris than bought me during an auction.”
“Chris bought me too,” whispered Josh remembering back to how scared he was that day. “But I was birthday present for Lance.”
“JC, I don’t understand,” began Justin. “You’re not wearing a collar, you’re dressed like them, and you’re treated like them, yet you are a Lamb. What about the laws?”
“I’m a Shepherd,” whispered Josh so softly that Justin had to strain to hear him. “Lance and I fell in love and were married five years ago. I’m a Shepherd by marriage so I’m entitled to all their rights.”
“But why?” asked Justin confused. “You and Bobbie were suppose to be married but now you’re in love with another man!”
“Justin,” sighed Josh. “You of all people knew I didn’t love Bobbie. I love Lance. These past five years have been the happiest of my life!”
“I should get back to work,” sighed Justin, not believing how much his friend had changed. “Master Chris will be mad if I don’t.”
“Don’t be like this Justin,” sighed Josh. “I’m still the same guy you once knew. Plus I’ve been through what you’re going through. I can help you if you’d just talk to me!”
“I don’t need help, I’m well looked after!”
“I know that! Chris takes very good care of his Lambs!” snapped Josh.
“Hello?” called a new voice and the front door slid open to reveal Joey Fatone. “Hey C! Chris told me you and Lansten were coming over tonight.”
“Hi Joey,” mumbled Josh, never taking his glare off of Justin.
“Don’t kill the help C,” laughed Joey, grabbing Josh’s arm and started dragging him down the hall. “Come on lets go find your hubby and Chris.”
“Yeah, fine,” grumbled Josh following his friend but glaring back at Justin as he did so.
“Joey!” smiled Lance happily seeing his friend enter the living room, with Josh, where he had been watching TV with Chris while waiting for Josh. Since the vacation he and Josh had seen little of Joey since he was normally busy with his wife, Kelly and their daughter Brianna. Lance’s smile however faded when he saw his husband’s sour look
“Just like old times!” cried Chris happily.
“Are you okay?” Lance whispered to Josh as the four of them began walking towards the dinning room. “What happened with Justin?”
“Can we talk about it later?” Josh softly asked. Just being near his husband again, forced all his anger out of his body. He could never stay upset when Lance was around. “I don’t want to ruin the evening.”
“Okay,” nodded Lance turning his attention back to Chris and Joey for the time being.
*~*~*
“So what happened?” Lance asked later that night once they were back at their own place, and cuddling on their couch together.
“He doesn’t understand,” sighed Josh resting his head on Lance’s chest. “I think he feels I betrayed him and the other Lambs by marrying you. I just wish he could see how much I love you.”
“Give him time,” reassured Lance, holding Josh tighter to his body. “It’s been five years since he’s seen you and he’s probably still being adjusted to living up here instead of being down there.”
“I hope so,” sighed Josh. “I love you, Stacy, Chris and Joey. You guys are my family now. But it would be nice to have some sort of connection to my past.”
“Everything will work out,” whispered Lance, kissing the top of Josh’s head. “Trust me.”
*~*~*
“Anything else, Master Chris?” asked Justin walking into Chris’ bedroom where he was currently relaxing on his bed, eyes glued to the television screen as he played his newest video game. Justin hoped that Chris wouldn’t want anything more so that he could retreat to his own small room and think about that days events.
“Nope,” replied Chris not looking up from the screen so Justin started walking out of the room. “Do you play?” Chris asked suddenly as his character died and the ‘Game Over’ title appeared.
“I don’t even know what that is,” answered Justin honestly. “All I know is that you play it a lot.”
“Yeah I guess I do,” chuckled Chris as he started up another game. “That’s what happens when all your best friends are married.”
“I wouldn’t know,” sighed Justin lonelier than ever.
“Do you want to learn how to play?”
“Umm . . . sure,” nodded Justin while walking over to the bed, after some thought. He knew his master enjoyed playing those games and Justin needed some cheering up after seeing Josh earlier.
“Cool,” smiled Chris sliding over to give Justin more room to be comfortable. “Follow my lessons and you’ll almost be as good as me. Don’t follow them and you’ll end up sucking like JC.”
“Is that why you wanted me to play with you?” asked Justin coolly, standing up. “To find out the dirt on what happened between me and JC tonight?”
“Calm down Justin,” ordered Chris but he kept his voice gentle and Justin sat back on the bed, knowing that disobeying his master was a bad thing. “Trust me if I wanted to know what happened I could a) just ask JC or b) look at the security tape for the hallway. But I figure whatever happened between you two is none of my business. It only becomes my problem if you have a problem with JC coming over here. Understand?”
“Yeah,” sighed Justin sadly. He seemed that he could do nothing right lately.
“Good, now let’s play,” smiled Chris happily as he picked back up his controller and handed Justin the other one.