Friday evening, Stan Charles Bergman sorted through his three children’s clothing. He, his husband Bryan Fuller, Bryan’s two adopted children, five-year-old Viola and seven-year-old Hal and the daughter he shared with Mark Antonious Richfield, Lily Hayden, were flying on Mark’s private jet to California, late this evening.
Lily was nearly six years old now and the kids were still on their summer break. It was the last weekend in June, and his second husband, Bryan, a New York City play producer wasn’t happy about going. But Stan insisted if Lily was visiting her father Mark, he didn’t want her going there alone.
The last time Lily went with Stan’s dad, Michael Bergman, Lily didn’t want to leave Mark and her two brothers, Isaac Milton and Jacob Bentley.
Stan folded the kids’ swimsuits into their rollaboard luggage.
Outside the room, Stan heard Bryan talking to Hal about the trip. It seemed as if Hal, a mixed-race young man, didn’t want to go.
“It’s two days, Hal, give me a break,” Bryan said.
“The flight is too long.”
“It’s a private jet. You’ll be asleep most of the time.”
Stan tried not to be irritated and opened another dresser drawer for Lily’s nicer clothing. Mark liked them to dress for dinner.
“Daddy?”
Stan spun around to see Lily, holding a stuffed lamb she’d owned since she was an infant. Blake Hughes, a retired fireman who was Mark’s nanny, had bought it for her.
“What is it?”
Lily sat on the bed beside her suitcase. “Why is Daddy Bryan upset?”
“He’s not.” Stan knew he was. Bryan didn’t want to go. He flat out did not like Mark, or his husband, Steve Miller.
Lily pouted, hugging the stuffed lamb.
Outside the room, the spat continued, “Why do I have to go? Can’t I stay here with Nanny Julie?”
“No.”
“Daddy!” Viola said, “If Hal doesn’t have to go, then why do I?”
Bryan shouted, “We’re all going! That’s an end to this topic!”
Stan glanced at Lily. It wasn’t hard to overhear the argument. Lily held the lamb to her cheek, and her brown eyes glistened. Stan sat with her on the bed, leaning on her. “I think everyone is just tired.”
“I miss Daddy Mark. I want to see him.”
Stan put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “I know.”
“He’s my daddy. Maybe that’s why Hal and Viola don’t want to go.”
“They just don’t want to be on a plane for such a long time. But you’ll sleep for most of it.”
Lily frowned.
Bryan stood at the bedroom doorway of their large condominium on Central Park West. “Can we eat dinner?”
“Yes.” Stan zipped the suitcase.
Lily climbed off the bed, clutching her stuffed toy.
Stan held her hand and they left the bedroom.
