Life Marches On

Chapter 1Ian’s heart was beating hard and fast as he watched the jury file back into the courtroom. He looked at each juror, trying to gauge whether or not they had found Dana and Lance guilty. Their blank, emotionless expressions gave nothing away. Ian was terrified that if they were found not guilty, Dana and Lance would come after him and finally succeed in killing him. He needed them to be found guilty and locked up forever so this nightmare could finally end. This horrible chapter of his life had been going on for over a year, and he desperately wanted to move on from it. It started with the brutal murder of his wife, Debbie, and continued with several attempts on his life, Shane’s murder, and the arrest of his sister-in-law, Dana and her boyfriend Lance. When Dana and Lance had agreed to a plea bargain, he thought he’d be able to process everything and move on. But that was all shattered when Lance’s uncle, who is a partner in one of Los Angeles’s major law firms, agreed to represent them. He convinced them to withdraw their plea agreement and take their chances with a jury. The last several weeks he had to relive everything in excruciating detail as their trial progressed. The testimony of each witness and every expert felt like vinegar being poured on his wounds that were still open. Difficult as it was to listen to them, it was nothing compared to when he had to testify. Every aspect of his life was scrutinized and put on public display. Hopefully their trial ending with a prison sentence of life without the possibility of parole would finally allow his wounds to begin healing. The one bright spot of this whole ordeal had been reuniting with his high school crush. Detective Danny Diaz was assigned to investigate Debbie’s murder, but soon removed himself from the case as the relationship he and Ian had both secretly desired in high school, became a passionate and loving relationship. Ian was grateful Danny had been by his side while he went through this difficult episode of his life. Their love for each other had grown and been strengthened as they overcame each new challenge. “Has the jury reached a verdict?” Judge Andrea Perkins asked after the jury was seated. “We have, your honor,” the jury foreperson, a short, plump woman, said. “In the case of the state of California versus Dana Fairchild McIntosh, on the count of first-degree murder of Deborah Fairchild Hughes, how do you find?” Judge Perkins asked. Ian was shaking as he took a deep breath and closed his eyes, anxious over the jury’s decision. Danny reached over and gently took Ian’s hands in his and whispered, “I’m here for you, baby. It’s going to be okay.” “We find the defendant guilty,” the foreperson said. Ian breathed a deep sigh of relief. Tears filled his eyes as he thought about Debbie. He thought back to that day in September when he first saw Debbie on the USC campus. She had tripped going up the stairs to the bookstore and fell flat on her face. He rushed over to help her up and the two of them hit it off instantly. He remembered the countless hours they spent talking and laughing, the fun they had going to football games, picnics at the beach, and just hanging out. Even studying in the library was more fun when Debbie was there. Although Ian knew he was attracted to men, he didn’t want to disappoint his father, General Allen Hughes, so he could never admit that he was gay, not even to himself. He and Debbie were so good together he figured if anyone could help him be straight, Debbie could. Ian remembered how supportive Debbie had been when he finally told her he thought he was gay. He thought of the conversation they had when they decided that even though they both wanted something different romantically, they were such good friends they would stay together until they each found their Prince Charming. Then he recalled the worst moment of his life, the night he watched them wheel Debbie’s body out of their bedroom. “Ian, you must be so relieved,” Danny said, hugging Ian and kissing him. “Relieved?” Ian asked, as if coming out of a fog, not realizing just how long he had been lost in his thoughts of Debbie. “The jury found them guilty on every count. Guilty for Debbie and Shane’s murders, and guilty for trying to kill you. They’re going away forever! They’ll never see the light of day again,” Danny said with a mixture of comfort and happiness. Ian was stunned. Could the nightmare really be over? He hugged Danny as he whispered, “Thank God! And thank you for helping me through all this. I never would have survived without you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” “I’ll always be by your side. You aren’t getting away from me again,” Danny said. When court was adjourned, everyone came up to Ian to hug him and let him know how happy they were with the results of the trial. Ian thanked them for their support and excused himself to go congratulate the district attorney for a successful trial. As he walked to the attorney’s table, he passed by Dana and Lance. “I hate you, Ian! You’ve ruined my life! Somehow, you are going to pay for what you’ve done!” Dana hissed. Lance glared at him and ran his hand across his throat, in a menacing threat. Ian looked at Dana and calmly said, “I didn’t ruin your life, you did that yourself. I’m just happy that you will be locked away so that I can move forward with my life.” “You can live your life with your boyfriend because of the money that is rightfully mine! You stole everything from me, I never want to see you again!” Dana shot back. Ian chuckled as he said, “Then I guess this is your lucky day because one thing you can be sure of, is that I will never come visit you in prison. The sad thing is that you did all of this so you could be with Lance, and all you succeeded in doing was making sure you won’t ever see him again. I wonder how you’ll survive in prison, without your pills or your vodka, without all your money, and without Lance.” Danny saw that Dana was talking to Ian, so he rushed over to get Ian away from her. “Come on, let’s get out of here. I think Inga has put together a nice party for you,” Danny said as he took Ian’s arm. “This isn’t over Ian! You haven’t heard the last of me!” Dana shouted as Ian and Danny walked away. Ian took several deep breaths once they were in the hall and waiting for the elevator. “I never want to see that woman again. Every time I see her it brings back the sadness of losing Debbie and the fear, I felt knowing someone was trying to kill me. I want to put all that in the past.” “Don’t worry, you won’t have to see her ever again,” Danny said reassuringly. “What about the sentencing part of the trial?” Ian asked. “I want to give a victim’s impact statement. I want to make sure she is never eligible for parole.” “You don’t have to do that in person, Babe. You can send a written statement to the court. In your statement you can explain the pain it causes you to even see Dana and that’s why you can’t give the statement in person. We can have the attorney read it for you.” When Ian and Danny walked into their Hancock Park condominium, they were greeted with a round of cheers and applause from their friends who had come to celebrate. The main part of the house had been beautifully decorated with thousands of white roses, which had been Deborah’s favorite flower. A huge banner that read, Justice Wins, was hanging above a massive buffet table that was covered with all sorts of food and a four-foot ice sculpture of Lady Justice as the centerpiece. “I don’t know what to say. This is all so beautiful and touching. Thank you!” Ian said when the cheering and applause subsided. “I really want to thank Jess and the LAPD for the incredible work solving the murders and arresting Dana and Lance. I want to thank the attorneys who did a great job of making sure justice was served. I want to thank all of you for all the support you have given me over the last year. You have all been so wonderful. Most of all, I want to thank Danny. He not only kept me alive in spite of everything Dana and Lance tried to do to me, but he has made that life worth living and brought so much happiness to me.” Ian pulled Danny in for a hug and kiss. As they ended their kiss, Danny said, “You’ve brought so much happiness to me. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you and heaven help anyone who ever tries to hurt you.” Then looking around the room he asked, “Can we have some champagne? I’d like to make a toast.” Waiters carrying trays of flutes filled with champagne circulated around the room. When everyone had a glass, Danny said, “To Ian, the man I love, who has been through hell, may you now find the joy and happiness you so richly deserve.” A few hours later, as the party was winding down and the guests were beginning to leave, Grady Simmons, the manager of Fairchild Properties, the business Ian inherited, came to Ian and Danny and said, “This has been a great party, but you know what would make it even better?” Ian shook his head and smiled as he said, “No, but I’m sure, knowing you, you’re going to suggest turning it into an orgy.” Grady had a look of disbelief as he replied, “Oh, hell no! Some of these people aren’t good looking with their clothes on, can you imagine how awful they’d look naked. I can’t believe you would even think I’d want that.” Danny said, “All you seem to talk about is s*x, so it’s only logical we’d think you’d suggest an orgy.” “I’m not that big of a pervert! The two of you are hurting my feelings, so just forget I said anything,” Grady said in his usual overly dramatic way. “We’re sorry, Grady. Please, tell us what would make this party better,” Ian said, trying to appease Grady. “We apologize. We want to know what your suggestion is,” Danny added. “I was just going to suggest the three of us could encourage everyone to leave and then the three of us could have a wild threesome.” Just then, Ian’s personal assistant, Jared, walked up to the three men. “Is there anything I can get you?” Grady got a lascivious smile on his face as he said, “Change that. Jared can join in, and we can make it a foursome.” “I’m guessing I missed something. What’s going on?” Jared asked, knowing it had to be something s****l since Grady was talking. “Grady’s just being Grady. The only thing that’s going on is Grady’s overactive imagination,” Ian replied. “Come on guys, it would be fun. Don’t be such prudes,” Grady said. “It’s not that we’re prudes, it’s just we know how popular you are, and I’m not really wanting to take a bunch of antibiotics,” Danny said with a smile. “I’ll have you know I got tested just the other day and I am a hundred percent clean,” Grady replied somewhat indignantly. “And what about the eight or ten men you’ve been with since then?” Ian joked. “Hey! I’m not that big of a slut,” Grady protested. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you. So, what is it, six men? Seven men?” Ian teased. “You know if you two are going to treat me like that, I’m withdrawing my offer for a foursome. Jared and I will just have fun and the two of you can be sorry you didn’t join in,” Grady said. “Who said I was hooking up with you? What is it with you, Grady? Do you try to get an orgy going at every party you go to?” Jared asked. “First of all, I only proposition guys that I think are hot. So, you should be honored that I even invited you. Secondly, I heard you and Todd decided you are just good friends, so I figured you might be up for some fun,” Grady said. “Thanks for the offer, but I already have a date lined up,” Jared said as he looked at one of the waiters and smiled. “In fact, I was just coming over here to see if I could get you anything before I take off.” “A waiter? You are passing all this up for a waiter?” Grady asked. “Have you seen the waiter? Not only is he hot as f**k, but he’s from Australia and has the cutest accent. So, if it’s okay with you Ian, I’ll be going,” Jared said. “Go have fun. In fact, take tomorrow off, too,” Ian replied. “Thanks, boss. You’re the greatest!” Jared said as he walked away. “Okay, so I guess it’s back down to a threesome,” Grady said. “You don’t give up easily, do you?” Danny asked. “Not if I stand a chance of being with you two. I remember that time in San Diego. In fact, I’ve jerked off to that memory many times,” Grady replied. “You would be better off trying to hook up with the bartender or one of the other waiters, because it’s not happening with us tonight,” Ian said. “In fact, I think the bartender has been watching you all night. He looks hungry,” Danny added. “I can’t believe you’re willing to pass on this, especially since you know how good I am, but if that’s the way you want it, then fine. Later, losers,” Grady said as he walked over to talk to the bartender. “How are you doing?” Danny asked after all the guests had left. “To be honest, I’m exhausted. I want to put all this behind me. I need to get away from here for a while. Do you think you can get time off of work?” Ian asked. “I still have a couple weeks of vacation time, so that shouldn’t be a problem. Where do you want to go?” Danny asked. “I know this is going to sound stupid and childish, but I want to go see my mom. I just want to be a kid again, if only for a few days. Besides, she keeps begging for us to go visit her.” “Then I guess we are going to England. How soon do you want to go?” “I gave Jared the day off tomorrow, so when he comes back to work, I’ll have him make all the arrangements,” Ian said.