The Cost Of Love (Bxb, Rape, Abuse)

The Calm Before The Storm

Early the next morning Ryan and Austin joined the rest of the family for a big breakfast. There was eggs anyway they wanted, scrapple, bacon, sausage, cream of wheat and the list just went on. Austin helped himself to a good helping of scrambled eggs, toast, bacon and sausage.

"You must be hungry Austin. I've never seen you eat this much before." Shelly pointed out.

"I'm sure after all the fun that was had yesterday." Josh said with a coy smile.

Austin just blushed. During the heat of the moment, he forgot that Josh and Justin's room was across the hall and they must have heard them.

He was surprised to see Clare sitting at the table, and of course, she was dressed to the hilt. He still felt a little uneasy around her after the spat between her and Ryan the day before. After everyone had finished eating Austin offered to help with the clean up. While he was in the kitchen washing the dishes, Shelly walked in and placed a Malia folder down next to him.

"What is that?" Austin asked as he rinsed off a plate.

"I'm not sure. It was left on the door step this mornin'." Shelly replied. "All it has is your name on the front of it."

"I wonder what it is?" Austin questioned as he dried his hands.

Once he took a closer look, he recognized the handwriting. It was from Eric. When he looked inside there was all of his legal documents along with a note:

Austin, I have enclosed all of your paper work that you asked for. I am keeping my word and not contacting you after this. I hope that you find happiness in your life.

Sincerely,

Eric

Austin was taken back that Eric knew where he was at but also happy that Eric gave him his papers. Shelly could see that Austin was a little bothered but could also tell that he didn't want to talk about it. So she told him that if he needed to talk she would be more than will to listen. Austin thanked her and went back to cleaning the dishes. By the time he had finished Ryan and some ideas on what they could do for the day. After they discussed it they decided to head to the beach. He hadn't been to the beach in years and he missed it. Once they had gotten ready they all piled into Austin's car, they headed for Strathmere beach.

"Hey, how was the trip you guys took back in June?" Ryan asked Josh.

"Ugh. It was a nightmare. The first day was nice but then that hurricane hit and we ended up stranded." Josh replied as he relived the events in his head.

"Oh shit, I'm sorry to hear that." Ryan offered.

"Well, it wasn't a total loss. I found my true love on that trip." Josh said as he kissed Justin.

"Like mom always said 'every cloud has it's silver linin'. Ryan laughed.

"That's so true." Josh said as he gazed into Justin's eyes.

"How far is it to the beach?" Ryan asked.

And before Austin knew it, he blurted it out. "We are about 45 minutes away."

"How did you know that?" Josh asked.

"I used to live up this way." Austin wishing he hadn't said anything. He knew now that the questions where going to start.

"Oh that's cool." Josh replied.

That was it. Austin thought to himself. He was sure that Josh would have asked all kinds of questions, but he was also glad he didn't. The rest of the ride to the beach was mindless talking. When they arrived, Austin found a great parking spot, right by the entrance to the beach. Everyone grabbed something from the trunk and headed for the sand. They had gotten to the beach before most of the crowd, so they had a good pick of where to set up.

"Are you guys ready to hit the water?" Josh asked as giddy as a kid in a toy store.

"I'm just going to sit here for little." Justin responded.

"Do you mind if Ryan and I go in?" Josh asked.

"Go ahead and have fun. I'll come in a few minutes." Justin reassured him.

"I'm going to sit out for a while before I join you guys." Austin chimed in.

"Okay, you guys enjoy the sun." Ryan said as he turned and smiled. "Is Justin feeling okay?" Ryan asked as they headed toward the water.

"Yeah, he just has to be careful in direct sunlight. The treatments have weakened his defenses so he just has to be very cautious."

"Okay, whenever he needs to leave you just let me know and we will go." Ryan offered.

"He knows his limits, but thanks for the offer." Josh said as he shoved Ryan into a oncoming wave.

"I never get tired of coming to the beach." Justin said as he watched Josh and Ryan horse around in the water.

"Me too. It has always been a favorite summertime activity." Austin replied as he looked at the crashing waves.

"I know it's none of my business and you can tell me to shut up if I cross a line, but what made you move away from New Jersey?" Justin questioned.

"Well, in a nut shell I ran away from a very abusive boyfriend."

"Oh shit. I'm sorry to hear that. I'm glad you had the guts to run from him." Justin offered.

"Thanks, it was a very hard choice to make but I knew that if I had stayed with him I would have ended up really hurt."

"I know how that is. I mean, I didn't have an abusive boyfriend but my dad hated the fact that I was gay and would abuse me all the time. Josh was the one who broke that silence when he told his parents about what was going on. I was pissed at him at first but then I realized that he did it because he loved me." Justin said smiling towards Josh. "And now that I have this cancer to deal with I really see how much Josh loves me."

"What kind of cancer do you have, if I may ask?"

"Thyroid cancer. They caught it early on so my outlook is promising, but I have to go to treatment three times a week. I went yesterday and I have to go tomorrow and Friday." Justin had a look of despair.

"That's why when you guys came back yesterday you went to lie down. I was wondering if everything was okay but I didn't want to pry into your business."

"I just feel bad because Josh put off going to school till I get better. I told him not to but he is thick headed. I just don't want him to resent me for it later."

Justin's words jolted Austin's mind to how he felt about Eric. It was almost like looking into a mirror. "That is the same way I felt about Eric, but I can tell you this, Josh is no Eric. The way he looks at you and the way he talks about you, I and everyone else can see how much he loves you. Just from the two days I've been around you guys, I can see that he would do anything for you. Don't worry about him resenting you that would never happen."

"You can really see how much he loves me?"

"Everyone can." Austin said smiling. "I think I'm ready to hit the water. Do you want to come to?"

"Yeah that sounds like a good idea." Justin said as he got up.

They horsed around a little in the water, splashing and jumping through the waves, and just having a good time. Soon they were just floating around in the water enjoying talking with each other. Every once and a while a really good wave would come up and they would body serf half way to shore then just float back out. They spent a good two hours out in the water before they came in to eat. Ryan unpacked the famous picnic basket and handed out the leftovers from yesterday.

As Austin ate, he thought how perfect the day was. The weather wasn't too hot, the ocean water wasn't too cold and the company was perfect. Austin wanted every day to be as carefree as this one. After lunch, everyone went back in the water except Justin. He told Josh that he wanted to relax and read a little. Around 4:30pm, they figured that it was time to head back home, but agreed that they would be back before their time was done.

"I have a great idea. How about one night we come down to the boardwalk?" Josh suggested as he closed the trunk.

"That sounds like fun. I haven't been to the boardwalk since I was a little kid." Austin smiled.

"Great, maybe tomorrow night?" Josh asked.

"I don't see why not." Ryan agreed.

When they arrived home, Austin offered to put the beach chairs back in the garage. As he walked in, he didn't notice that Clare had followed him in.