Love in the Minor Key

Chapter Ten: Gabriel

"We had a bit of a chat," Dan spoke first, knowing it was the best move. "She's not as bad as a person that either of us thought."

"Are we talking about the same person here?" Phil raised an eyebrow. "This woman cheated on me with four other guys."

"Did you ever think that maybe a couple of those weren't actually cheating?" Dan asked. "Do you really think she'd stay with an abusive guy that she actually slept with? Do you really think it's that easy to get out of an abusive relationship? It's not easy. My mom was an alcoholic because she had to deal with my fuckwad dad. I don't think she stayed because she wanted to."

"Why are you so defensive?" Phil asked. "Are you going to leave me for her or something?"

"Of course not!" Dan shook his head. "I just found the root of her anger and wrong decisions."

"And what is that?" Phil asked skeptically.

"I would put Olivine down and sit for this," Dan sighed, the nineteen year old doing as he was told. "This is going to sound crazy when I say this, because it's crazy in my head."

"Just get on with it!" Phil snapped irritably.

"I kind of dated her mother," Dan explained, "but that's not half of it. When I said I wanted to know my dad's secret, I already knew half of it. The woman that killed my family, she was my dad's mistress and she had two children by him. He lied and lied until it killed him, but I could tell she was being truthful. When I was ten, I'd sneak her some extra money when my dad didn't know. When I was seventeen, we had a relationship in secret. Then, she didn't show up one night, after calling and telling me that my dad had hurt her again, not showing up again for nine months. Everything carried on with us until my dad found out I actually was in love with his little side toy. I left and came back, and my family was dead. I knew she did it. I knew it, and I was happy she did, but one day, I was at my old job, throwing out trash when I found her, bleeding and clinging to a suicide note. I tried to save her but I couldn't."

"Where is this going?" Phil asked, Dan's face dropping.

"Did Hope ever tell you her parent's name?" Dan asked.

"Of course!" Phil nodded. "It was Jasmine Bright and Damien Howell and... wait... Oh my fucking... What the actual fuck?! So you're telling me that Hope is your sister?!"

"There's a lot you don't know, Phil," Dan continued. "Hope, she's willing to open up and be totally honest with you. She's willing to spark a friendship with you, for Olivine, if you're willing to. Do what's right for your daughter, Phil."

"We need to all sit down right now and explain everything," Phil demanded, "and I may consider it."

The other two sat down and each of them, starting with Hope, her telling Phil everything she told Dan. When it was Dan's turn, he revealed his entire life, aside from the at least twenty people he killed. The it was Phil's turn and Dan and Hope both found out that his sister's boyfriend raped him when he was younger, and one time, when he knew the guy was going to do it again, he waited for the guy to release and stabbed him at the the right moment. Then they all had an hour of bonding and stories until Olivine began to cry.

"Would you like to feed her this time?" Phil asked, Hope lighting up as she nodded and began to feed the month old. "So you and Dan have another brother?"

"Gabriel," Dan nodded. "Hope and I were planning to go see him after you two made up. It just took longer than I thought it would."

"Let's pack up and go then," Phil suggested, warming the two siblings. "I will drive this time. Dan, I love you, but you look horrible. Go get changed while Hope and I pack up everything."

Dan laughed and gave his boyfriend a quick peck on the lips before leaving for his quarters. He went up to his wardrobe, looking at his reflection and realizing that Phil was right. Dan signed and put on an anime shirt, some blue jeans, and some white Converses. He combed his hair, deciding to straighten it, and put on some makeup, only for a little bit more color. He checked his reflection in the mirror, happy with what he saw, and went back downstairs, everyone already in the car.

"What took you so long?" Phil teased as Dan got in the front seat.

"I looked like absolute shit," Dan laughed. "I had to take extra time to make myself look at least decent."

"I see that," Phil smirked, Dan playfully hitting him.

"I need to tell you now," Hope spoke up, "that there are only two at a time in his room and they will take anything that could be a threat to their health. That includes devices, keys, knives, and other things like that. So I'd just put everything in the trunk and do that."

"Sounds like a plan," Dan smiled, the rest of the ride remaining silent.

Since the drive was a three hour drive, Dan looked out the window, trying to calm his nerves. He didn't know what to expect from his baby brother, especially whether or not he'd like the man. He let every scenario play through his head, the urge to stab something coming from the recesses of his mind. He fiddled with his fingers, humming to the music Phil was playing. They soon pulled up in front of the hospital and Dan's nerves worsened.

"I will sit in the waiting area," Phil spoke up as he turned the car off. "I know you want me to be there, but this is an obvious family matter, and I don't want to intrude. Gabriel will love you. You'll be okay. Just keep your spirits high and he'll adore you. When we get home I have something for you, okay?"

"Okay," Dan sighed, kissing Phil, Hope directing Dan inside.

"Miss Bright!" the receptionist smiled. "You haven't been in in about a month. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," Hope nodded. "I've just been really... tied up... with life. How about you, Poppy?"

"I am doing wonderful," Poppy replied. "Who's this handsome young man?"

"He's my brother, Dan," Hope explained. "We just met for the first time, and he wanted to meet Gabe."

"You know the drill," Poppy finalized, the two visitors getting rid of anything harmful.

Once everything was secure, Poppy had an unnamed male nurse direct the visitors back, Dan's stomach knotting up more with every step. They were let through a big metal door, the corridor home to many rooms. They stopped at room 611, the nurse letting the two in. When he saw the child, with well kept hair, and big brown eyes, the nerves melted away.

"Hooooope!" he squealed, running to the nineteen year old girl. "I haven't seen you in exactly thirty four days and two seconds."

"I was really busy, Gabe," she explained, the seven year old looking at Dan.

"Who is that?" he asked curiously.

"This is your big brother, Dan," she responded, Dan not knowing what to expect next.