Copyright and Disclaimer: 1. This is a fictional story with fictional characters. 2. No one is to steal this story under any circumstances. 3. This story deals with relationships and not sex, so if you're looking for a story with a lot of sex in it, this isn't the story for you.
Good day everyone! Glad that you are here to read part 37, entitled "Thank You"
'THANK YOU'
It's been three weeks since Leo moved out and Ryan moved in with Kurt. Things so far have been going well. Leo and Jesse have been in the process of redecorating their apartment together while Kurt and Ryan kept dancing around the knowledge that Ryan wants to get married.
Since Leo moved out, him and Kurt have made a new tradition of having breakfast together every Monday morning to start off their week. They met at the diner they usually go to and talk about their weekend or anything that was on their mind.
"Ryan's going to propose soon," Kurt said taking a sip of his coffee.
"He is?" Leo asked excited. "How do you know?"
"I just have a feeling," Kurt said. "When we last talked about it, you were getting ready to move out so I told him to ask me when I wasn't feeling so sad and that I would say yes."
"Okay," Leo said taking in that information, "So what makes you think he's going to ask now?"
"Well, it's been three weeks since you moved out, I'm obviously not that sad any more. It just makes sense," Kurt said. "He wants to get married and I told him I would say yes."
"And you still hate the idea of marriage, don't you?" Leo asked.
"It's not that I hate the idea of marriage," Kurt explained, "It's just not something I ever thought I would want. Look at you and Jesse."
"What about me and Jesse?" Leo asked.
"You two have a history together that goes back over three years," Kurt replied. "You two just moved in together and the idea of marriage has never come up and you're both perfectly happy."
"Yeah, but one day I want us to get married," Leo replied.
"Seriously?" Kurt asked.
"Yeah," Leo replied. "I like the idea of us being legally recognized as partners. I want the whole family thing too."
"Really?" Kurt asked. "Kids?"
"Yeah, I love kids," Leo said. "I want all that."
"How very Rockwell of you," Kurt said.
"You really don't want all that?" Leo asked.
"The marriage thing I can possibly deal with," Kurt replied. "But the whole family thing, I don't know."
"Ryan has a daughter," Leo said. "Marrying him will automatically get you a family."
"I know," Kurt said. "And that freaks me out. You know how bad I am with kids."
"What are you talking about? Kids love you," Leo said.
"The feeling isn't mutual," Kurt groaned. "They're just so noisy and they cry all the time."
"But they're also a lot of fun and filled with so much love," Leo said. "You really don't want that?"
"No," Kurt said. "And I think that's probably what I'm most hesitant about if I accept Ryan's proposal."
"Does he know this?" Leo asked.
"Of course not," Kurt said. "How do I tell Ryan, as a father, that I don't like kids."
"Honesty," Leo suggested.
"Yeah, cause that always works so well," Kurt sighed.
"True," Leo said. "I should learn to take my own advice."
"What do you mean?" Kurt asked.
"So, Jesse and I are redecorating the apartment," Leo said. "And I don't know what his problem is, he must be color blind or something."
"What do you mean?" Kurt laughed.
"He picks these paint colors that don't match," Leo said.
"How bad could it be?" Kurt asked.
"Would you combine a peach color with bright green?" Leo asked.
"Ew," Kurt replied.
"Exactly," Leo said. "And since we had such a big fight last time about redecorating I am trying my best to hold my tongue, but I'm afraid if I do then the place will look like a disaster."
"Well, you either stop him or get used to an apartment decorated by the color impaired," Kurt said.
"I would like to just do the whole thing myself, but he's so into us doing it as a couple," Leo said.
"Then just take your own advice and talk to him," Kurt said.
"Neither one of us is very good at confrontation huh?" Leo asked.
"Nope," Kurt replied.
Later that day when Leo was in his office waiting for Joey who called earlier to say he was coming by. When he finally came he had a big smile on his face.
"What are you so happy about?" Leo asked.
"Have you noticed how I'm dressed?" Joey asked prompting Leo to look at his attire. Joey was wearing a suit, complete with a tie.
"Why are you all dressed up?" Leo asked.
"Remember when we sent out a bunch of job applications?" Joey asked.
"Yeah," Leo replied hoping for the best.
"Well, I didn't want to say anything until I knew for sure, but I got a job," Joey said.
"Really?!" Leo asked happily jumping out of his desk to give Joey a hug.
"Yeah, I started last week," Joey said. "I wanted to make sure it was a job I could handle before I told you the good news."
"That's so great Joe," Leo said. "What's the job?"
"I'm a receptionist at the Riviera Art Gallery downtown," Joey said.
"That's great," Leo said. "I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you," Joey said. "I just really wanted to thank you for everything you did for me. You and Kurt really helped me out by giving me a place to live, buying me groceries, paying the bills at the apartment. It means the world to me and I want to pay you both back."
"Pay us back by keeping up the good work," Leo said. "How about you come over to Jesse and my place for dinner tonight?"
"I was supposed to see Hank tonight," Joey said.
"Bring him along," Leo said. "I'll have Kurt and Ryan come over. It will be fun."
"Okay. That sounds great," Joey replied. "Well, I have to get back to work. I'm on my lunch break."
"All right, we'll see you tonight," Leo said.
"See ya," Joey said as he headed out.
Leo sat down at his desk smiling, proud to see how far Joey has come.
At work Kurt was in his office when Claudia called him into her office.
"Yes Claudia?" Kurt asked walking in.
"Sit," Claudia simply said with no clear emotion if she was in a good or bad mood. "I've been very impressed with your work lately."
"Thank you Claudia," Kurt said.
"But none of it has been quite as good as your piece you did with Gabriel Brocks," Claudia said. "There was a lot more substance in that piece. More depth. You brought out his personality which the readers loved."
"I see," Kurt said. "Well, I'll definitely try to do that more in my future pieces."
"I have your next assignment," Claudia said.
"Oh great," Kurt replied. "I was just finishing my last one."
"You're going to do a follow-up interview with Gabriel," Claudia said.
"What?!" Kurt asked shocked. "Why?"
"His issue was the best selling one in the history of our magazine and the readers would like to see a follow-up on him," Claudia said. "He's hot right now. He has a new movie that's coming out, he just finished filming another one, his advertisements with Public Image clothing is huge and Public Image are big contributors to our magazine. Must I go on or can you figure it out for yourself?"
"I can figure it out for myself," Kurt sighed.
"Good," Claudia said. "Now go get started."
"The thing is Claudia," Kurt said. "Gabriel and I broke up a little while ago and I just think that it might be kind of awkward and unethical."
"Are you a professional?" Claudia asked, "Besides you dating the person you were originally assigned to interview, are you a professional?"
"Of course," Kurt replied.
"Would you do anything unethical?" Claudia asked.
"No," Kurt replied.
"Then I don't see the problem here," Claudia said. "You're meeting with him."
"Yes Claudia," Kurt said as he walked out of her office. When he got to his office he quickly called up Ryan to tell him.
"You're kidding," Ryan said after Kurt told him the news.
"Babe, we were caught up in a whole love triangle with him. Do you really think I would joke about something like this?" Kurt asked exasperated.
"Are you going to do it?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah," Kurt replied. "I have to."
"Can't one of the other writers do this piece?" Ryan asked.
"No. Claudia wants me to do it," Kurt sighed. "She hates me."
"I'm sure it's not personal," Ryan said.
"I don't know how the hell I'll be able to do this," Kurt said.
"You can," Ryan said. "You'll be fine."
"You know, I read in some magazine that he had started up a relationship with someone he met up on the set while he was filming that movie in Canada," Kurt said. "I think he cheated on me while he was up there."
"Does that really matter?" Ryan asked.
"No, but I'm just saying, it shows no respect," Kurt replied. "He could have at least dumped me and then started dating someone else, right?"
"Right," Ryan said, "I think you're getting a little off track here."
"I know, I'm rambling," Kurt said. "I just don't want to do this."
"It's just like taking off a band-aid," Ryan said. "Do it quickly, it won't be so bad."
"You're right," Kurt said. "Thank you. Oh, Leo called. He wants up to go over to his and Jesse's place tonight for dinner. It's a celebration thing for Joey."
"For Joey?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah, he got a job," Kurt replied.
"Oh awesome," Ryan said. "Well dinner sounds good then."
"Good, I'll see you later. I love you," Kurt said.
"I love you too," Ryan replied hanging up and then getting back to work.
Leo meanwhile, was in the middle of work when Hank came by to see him.
"Hey Leo," Hank said walking in.
"Hey Hank, how are you doing?" Leo asked.
"I'm doing all right," Hank replied. "Has Joey come by today?"
"Yeah, he told me the good news," Leo said. "I invited the two of you over for dinner tonight."
"Oh, ok," Hank replied sitting down in the chair facing Leo's desk.
"What's up?" Leo asked. "You look a little down."
"Is it wrong that I'm a little jealous of him?" Hank asked.
"Joey?" Leo asked.
"Yeah," Hank replied. "He is starting to really get his life together and I feel like I'm stuck at square one."
"Hank, it's going to take time for you to rebuild your life," Leo said. "You've been doing good so far. You're taking online courses, you're out looking for a job. You're doing okay."
"I used to live in Newport Beach," Hank said. "I drove a BMW, I lived in a mansion overlooking the ocean with an infinity pool. Now look at me, I live in small room with two other homeless gays like me that the center provides us and I have no money. How is that progress?"
"Yeah, but look at what you had to endure when you lived in Newport," Leo pointed out. "Your dad abused you, your mom looked the other way. What kind of life is that?"
"I just want my life to begin," Hank said frustrated.
"It will," Leo assured him, "Just trust in yourself and you'll get there. I'll tell you what, tonight after dinner you and me will talk and discuss job options for you. We'll go over the applications you sent out to places and fix up a resume for you."
"No, don't bother," Hank said getting up and heading for the door.
"Wait, where are you going?" Leo asked.
"No where," Hank replied as he left Leo's office.
"Wait, come back Hank," Leo called out, but Hank just left.
Later on, after Ryan got off of work he went over to Jesse and Leo's place to help set up for dinner. When he got arrived only Jesse was there so the two grabbed a couple beers and relaxed.
"So how is life living with Leo?" Ryan asked.
"It's great," Jesse replied. "We're looking at paint colors right now for the bedroom."
"Redecorating as a couple?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah," Jesse replied.
"Fun?" Ryan asked.
"Honestly? Not really," Jesse replied.
"How come?" Ryan asked.
"I thought it would be really fun doing the whole redecorating thing together, but it's not," Jesse said. "It's a lot of work and there are so many paint samples to look at and so many different types of paint and then we have to think about gloss or no gloss. It's so much stuff and Leo's so into it."
"And you're not?" Ryan asked.
"No," Jesse replied. "I love him and love spending time with him, but doing this whole thing is just not for me. I've been picking out horrible colors to try and get out of doing it."
"And what does he say?" Ryan asked.
"He's being too sweet about it and saying, 'oh those are interesting colors. Let's think about it.' and then we continue our search for the perfect paint," Jesse replied.
"Well, hopefully he'll get the hint," Ryan said.
"Yeah, we can hope," Jesse sighed. "So how is life with you and Kurt?"
"It's good," Ryan said. "Took him a bit of time to get over Leo moving out, but he's good now. I've actually been thinking that it might be a good time to propose to him."
"Wow, really?" Jesse asked.
"Yeah," Ryan answered. "Well, I was going to, but then he got some news that is worrying him right now."
"What is it?" Jesse asked.
"He has to interview Gabriel," Ryan said.
"Seriously?" Jesse asked. "His boss is making him interview his ex-boyfriend?"
"Yeah," Ryan said.
"Is he going to do it?" Jesse asked.
"Yeah, he has to," Ryan replied. "It's his job."
"But it's Gabriel," Jesse said. "That has to be difficult."
"It is," Ryan said. "I just hope it goes well for him."
"Me too," Jesse said. "So this puts a halt to your engagement plans?"
"Yeah," Ryan said.
"Ryan, can I ask you something?" Jesse asked.
"Yeah, of course," Ryan said.
"Are you sure Kurt wants to get married?" Jesse asked. "Before you said he didn't and I'm surprised how quickly he changed his mind."
"When we talked about it a few weeks ago he said that he would say yes if I asked," Ryan said.
"Oh," Jesse said.
"You think he might say no?" Ryan asked.
"I don't know," Jesse said. "If he said he'll say yes then I'm sure he will."
"Do you think he feels pressured into it?" Ryan asked.
"Ryan, if he didn't want to get married, would it be the worst thing in the world?" Jesse asked curious.
"I don't know," Ryan sighed, "It's something I've always wanted. I can't imagine not having it."
"But can you imagine life with out Kurt?" Jesse asked.
"I can't imagine that either," Ryan said.
"Then I guess you just have to find out which is more important to you," Jesse pointed out.
Ryan thought it over of what he really wanted in life and what was most important to him.
"Can someone help me with the groceries?" Leo asked as he walked in carrying four big bags filled with stuff.
"Whoa! You get enough stuff?" Jesse said hurrying to help Leo out. He grabbed a couple bags from Leo and set them down in the kitchen.
"Thank babe," Leo said giving Jesse a kiss. He then gave Ryan hug. "Would you two do me a favor and get the rest of the groceries from the car?"
"There's more?" Ryan asked.
"Oh yeah," Leo replied. "We're having a feast tonight.
This is my first time cooking for guests here!"
"And how many guests do you plan on having?" Jesse asked. "Cause with all the food you brought in already you have enough to feed an army."
"Enough talking," Leo said. "Please get the rest of the groceries. I have to get started on this meal."
Leo then started getting to work as Ryan and Jesse just laughed and went to get the rest of the groceries.
Back at Kurt's work he was getting ready to leave when Gabriel stopped in.
"Hey," Gabriel smiled.
"Gab," Kurt replied surprised to see him, "Hi."
"I just found out you would be interviewing me again," Gab said.
"Yeah," Kurt replied. "Claudia kind of sprung that on me. But if you don't want me to then just let her know and she'll reassign it to someone else."
"No, it's fine," Gab said. "I can handle it."
"Great," Kurt said unenthusiastically.
"So how have you been?" Gab asked.
"I've been doing all right," Kurt replied.
"You and Leo handling things okay?" Gab asked.
"Yeah," Kurt replied. "We're doing fine."
"And how's Ryan doing?" Gab asked.
"Why does it feel like I'm the one being interviewed here?" Kurt asked.
"Sorry," Gab replied. "I was just curious."
"What are you doing here anyway?" Kurt asked. "Our interview isn't for a couple days."
"Well I found out that you were interviewing me so I wanted to come by and make sure you were okay with it," Gab said.
"I'm fine with it," Kurt lied. "I'm a professional."
"Great," Gab said. "Then I guess I'll just see you in a couple days."
"Yeah, sounds good," Kurt replied.
"Kurt, can I ask you something?" Gab asked.
"Sure," Kurt replied.
"Do you ever think about us?" Gab asked. "I know this is an off the wall question, but do you ever think that maybe we didn't give us a fair chance?" But before Kurt could answer that, Gab quickly changed his mind on, "Forget I asked. I don't know if I want to know that answer. I'll just see you in a couple days."
"Okay," Kurt smiled.
"Bye," Gab said quietly and then left Kurt's office. Kurt's cell phone then began to ring.
"Hello?" Kurt answered.
"Where are you?" Ryan asked.
"I'm at work," Kurt replied.
"You're still at work?" Ryan asked. "Leo and Jesse are cooking dinner right now."
"I had an unexpected visitor," Kurt said. "Gab stopped by."
"Oh?" Ryan asked. "How did that go?"
"It went all right," Kurt replied. "I guess."
"You okay?" Ryan asked.
"Maybe it was stupid of me to agree to do this interview with him," Kurt said.
"If you really don't want to do it, then talk to Claudia," Ryan said. "But I think you can do it."
"Yeah?" Kurt asked.
"Yes," Ryan assured him.
"Well, I'll think it over," Kurt said. "I'll be over in a bit. I love you."
"I love you too," Ryan said before he hung up.
Over at Leo and Jesse's place the two were finishing up cooking dinner when Joey came over.
"Hey, am I late?" Joey asked.
"Not at all," Leo said giving Joey a hug. "We're still waiting for Kurt and Hank."
"Hank isn't here yet?" Joey asked. "Weird."
"Why?" Leo asked.
"He stopped by my work earlier today and said he wasn't doing anything today," Joey replied.
"Maybe he just got caught up doing something," Jesse suggested.
"Hope so," Joey said. "He's been a little down lately."
"Well, when he gets here I'm sure he'll be in a better mood," Jesse said. "After all, we're celebrating. We're all really proud of you."
"Very," Ryan said. "I remember the first time Nick introduced me to you and to see how far you've come since then is really great."
"Well I just want to thank you guys for being so good to me," Joey said. "I wouldn't have been able to be where I am now if it wasn't for you guys. Especially you Leo, thank you for everything."
"I'm just glad to see how far you've come," Leo said giving Joey a hug.
"I hope Hank gets here soon," Joey said looking at his watch. "I don't know what's been bothering him lately."
"Yeah, he seemed upset when he stopped by my office today," Leo said.
"What did he say?" Joey asked.
"He just wants his life to start," Leo said. "He's frustrated is all. I'm sure he'll be fine."
"You think?" Joey asked. "Maybe I should go to the shelter at the center and see if he's still there."
"Well dinner will be ready in ten minutes," Leo said. "Just be back quickly."
"I will," Joey said as he headed out to go find Hank. About five minutes later Kurt came over.
"Hey, sorry I'm late," Kurt said.
"It's okay," Leo said. "Dinner is almost done."
"How are you babe?" Ryan asked giving Kurt a kiss.
"I'm good," Kurt replied. "I had some time to think on my way over here."
"Oh?" Ryan asked, "And what did you have to think about?"
"I decided that I worry way too much," Kurt said.
"You've just realized this?" Ryan asked jokingly.
Kurt smiled and gave Ryan a playful slap on the arm, "Jerk."
"So how are you going to function in this worry free attitude?" Ryan asked.
"We'll see," Kurt said. "I just have to let things happen and just go along for the ride."
"Good attitude to have," Ryan said as he wrapped his arms around Kurt.
"Food is ready," Leo said.
When Kurt and Ryan went into the kitchen to join Leo and Jesse they were shocked at how much food Leo had made.
"Oh my God Leo," Kurt said looking at the huge bowl of pasta and the chicken platter and the dozens of dinner rolls. "How much did you make?"
"Well, I've never really done a dinner party before so I didn't know how much to cook," Leo said. "Did I over do it?"
"Maybe just a bit," Kurt laughed.
"More food to enjoy!" Jesse said.
"There will be left overs for weeks," Ryan said.
"Where did you say Joey and Hank were?" Kurt asked.
"Joey went down to the shelter at the center to look for Hank," Leo said.
"Really?" Kurt asked getting an idea.
Meanwhile, Joey just arrived at the shelter at the Center and went to Hank's room and found him sitting on his bed looking at an old photograph of himself when he was younger.
"Hey," Joey said coming in, "We were all waiting for you at Leo's."
"I don't think I'm going to go," Hank sighed.
"What's wrong?" Joey asked. He then looked at the photo Hank was holding, "What are you looking at?"
"Picture of me when I lived in Newport," Hank said. "I had the whole world in front of me. I had the money to go and do what I want."
"But you were abused," Joey said. "What kind of life is that?"
"Yeah, but maybe if I had just stuck it out then things would have turned out all right," Hank said.
"Hank, you couldn't live in that type of world," Joey said. "If I learned anything from being around Leo and the rest of them is that we deserve a good life. We deserve to be happy. And you weren't happy living that life."
"I know, but my future seemed more secure then," Hank said. "I was going to go to UCLA and I would have had a car a place to live."
"And you would have still been abused," Joey pointed out. "That's not right."
"I just feel like I have nothing," Hank said.
"That's not true," Joey said, "You have me. Hank, I don't even know where I'm going with my life, but I know now that as long as I just keep trying then I'll be all right. It will all work out."
"I don't know if I can," Hank said.
"You can," Joey said. "I used to feel the way you do. I still do sometimes, but we just have to stay strong.
We can do it together."
Joey then kissed Hank softly.
"I'm sorry to be so messed up," Hank said.
"You're not," Joey said hugging him, "You're perfect. I love you."
"What?" Hank asked surprised to hear Joey say that.
"I love you Hank," Joey said again, "I really do."
Hank just smiled. It was the one thing he's needed to hear his whole life and it was the one feeling he needed to feel for someone. "I love you too."
"I have an idea," Joey said.
"What?" Hank asked.
"How about you move in with me," Joey replied.
"Are you serious?" Hank asked. "Joey, we haven't been dating for that long. I don't think we should be taking that step yet."
"Then you can stay in one of the other rooms," Joey said. "I just want you to have a place to really call your own. You share this room you're in now with three other people."
"So I could have my own room?" Hank asked.
"Yeah," Joey replied. "You can live in another room and then hopefully later on we can share a room together."
"Really?" Hank asked touched. "That would mean the world to me."
"Consider it done," Joey smiled giving Hank another kiss.
"Thank you so much," Hank smiled wrapping his arms around Joey.
"Come on," Joey said taking Hank's hand. "Let's go to Leo's."
"No need," Leo said poking his head into the room.
"What are you doing here?" Joey asked.
"Well, Kurt, Jesse and Ryan thought I made too much food for just us so we brought it down here to have a little meal with everyone here at the center," Leo said.
When they went into the common room of the shelter they saw Kurt, Jesse and Ryan setting up a little buffet line for the food and the thirty people staying at the shelter began to line up to enjoy.
"Thank you," young teenage girl said, "I haven't had food like this for years."
"It's our pleasure," Leo said. "Now enjoy!"
The guys all stood back and smiled feeling good for what they did.
"Oh hey Leo," Brady, one of the other workers at the Center, said walking up to him. "We just had a guy come in who needed a place to stay. He's settling into room four right now if you want to go introduce yourself and set up a meeting with him. His name is Russ."
"Good idea," Leo said. "Thanks. I'll be right back guys." Leo then left the others and went to the room to say hello and welcome to the new man who would be staying at the shelter. When he got to the room he gently knocked on the door.
"Come in," Russ called out. Leo then opened the door and he went completely cold when he made eye contact with Russ. He then remembered when he hired an investigator to find Wayne.
FLASHBACK
"Did you find him?" Leo asked.
"I told you I would," Harvey replied. "He was tough to track down, but I was able to."
"Where is he?" Leo asked opening up the envelope and taking out a few photographs that Harvey had taken.
"He's not doing so great," Harvey said.
"Where is he living?" Leo asked.
"He has a little place in East Los Angeles. It's in a bad neighborhood," Harvey replied. "From what I found out, he is staying there and working at a local diner."
"How was he able to rent a place?" Leo asked. "The police are looking for him."
"He's going by a different name," Harvey answered. "He's going by the name of Russ now."
END FLASHBACK
"Oh my God," Leo said as he tightened his fists as he was face to face with the man who killed his best friend, "Wayne."
To Be Continued...
With any comments, questions or feedback please e-mail me at ilj4ever44@yahoo.com. Thanks so much!