Bad as New

 

Chapter 1

 

Brian was tossing and turning, having a horrible nightmare. So many blonds, so little time. He couldn't help them. Brian's arms flailed, searching for Justin. Blood, there was blood. An ever widening pool of blood. Justin, Justin...

 

"JUSTIN!" Brian sat up with a start. He was sweating profusely, shaking the whole bed as he shivered under the sheet. He couldn't breathe, couldn't breathe.

 

"Brian! It was only a dream. You're all right. I'm here, I'm here." Justin hung onto his lover, trying to comfort Brian. It was some time before Justin could get Brian to loosen his grip and then he could go for a cool cloth to wipe the sweat off of Brian. Brian held onto Justin as if he were his lifeline. Justin was Brian's lifeline.

 

"I need a fucking cigarette."

 

"You haven't had a smoke in over a year."

 

"Justin, I can have a fucking cigarette if I want to. You can't stop me."

 

"Don't want to stop you. I just want to know why. What was the nightmare about?"

 

Justin rearranged the pillows so they could sit up. Brian fumbled around in the bedside table looking for a pack of cigarettes. Brian's hands were still shaking, as he was trying to light up. Justin snatched the cigarette out of Brian's fingers and lit it for him.

 

"It's stale," Justin commented as he handed the old cigarette over to his trembling husband.

 

"I don't care. I need it."

 

"Okay." Then after a time, Justin ventured. "Can you tell me about it?"

 

"Bad dream."

 

"I figured. The prom again?"

 

"Sort of and something more." Brian inhaled the harsh smoke.

 

"What?"

 

"Jason Kemp and Hunter."

 

"They were in your dream?"

 

"Yeah, and you. There was blood, so much blood."

 

"Brian, why after all this time? You haven't had a bad dream like that in years. What could have possibly brought this on?"

 

"Not sure." Brian had a vague idea of what triggered the dream. He wanted to confide in Justin but he didn't think Justin would be too pleased when he heard it. In the dim light of the sunrise, Justin could tell that Brian was hiding something.

 

"Brian..." Justin said in that tone that told Brian Justin was onto him.

 

"Fuck! Why do you know me better than I know myself?"

 

"For the same reasons that you know me better than I know myself. That's the way it's supposed to be. Now spill, Kinney."

 

"Okay, but if I start talking, you have to promise me not to say a word until after I'm done. I'm serious Justin. I don't think I can do this if you question me. You have to trust me here." Hazel eyes pleaded to blue.

 

"I promise," Justin whispered. Brian snubbed out the cigarette then nestled down into the mattress. He maneuvered Justin onto his chest so that he could feel Justin's warmth but not look into his eyes as he spoke.

 

"Okay, here goes. I've been spending a lot of time at Kinnetik. We've gotten a few more high profile accounts and Cynthia wanted me to do my thing. You know what I mean."

 

Justin nodded on Brian's chest. Sometimes Cynthia just wanted Brian to stand there and look menacing while she made a pitch to a difficult client. It was a good cop, bad cop thing, a bit clichéd but it worked. Some of Brian's long term clients even welcomed dealing with the arrogant 'asshole' for old times sake. Moreover the deal was made even before Brian sauntered into the room. But it was a game he was more than willing to play.

 

"We started working on The Rage PR, so I really have to spend time there. Oh, by the way, Kinnetik took your suggestion. It turns out that many of the employees have kids, so we turned part of the break room into a nursery. It's perfect because the refrigerator and sink are in there and the restrooms are close by. We've hired two certified baby-sitters for each branch. It works out perfectly."

 

Justin gave Brian a little squeeze, pleased that his suggestion had panned out.

 

"I was coming back from the diner one day. You know, through that one alley near the bathhouse when I heard a noise. At first I thought I was going to get mugged. Then I saw this skinny blond boy. Shit, he couldn't have been more than sixteen. He was dirty and had a runny nose. He wanted to blow me for ten bucks. God, Justin, he looked like Jason Kemp, Hunter and you all rolled into one."

 

Justin wanted to scream at Brian. How could he think that he'd ever whore himself out? Brian sensed Justin's anger.

 

"I know you would have never done something like that but think about it. What if Craig had thrown you out when you were younger or if you hadn't met me, and some fucker raped you? Things might have turned out different. Not that me being your first was any great prize but I did try to keep you safe."

 

Justin remained tense until he worked it out in his head. It was true; Brian did try to keep Justin safe. Justin had taken a stupid chance. If anyone else had found him that night, it could have ended very differently. Brian stayed quiet until he felt Justin relax then he went on with his story.

 

"I wasn't going to let the kid blow me but I just couldn't leave him there. I was only going to give him some money. He watched me take out a couple of twenties and began to drop his pants. He thought I wanted to fuck him, so I dragged him to the bathhouse. I know the owner. And before you say it, yes, he was an old trick and that was way before I met you. But it doesn't hurt to network. So I gave the kid some money and made him and Terrence, that's the owner, a proposal of my own. I made Terry offer him a job and arranged for him to sleep in one of the rooms upstairs. I helped find a room that was habitable. I told Frank, that's the kid, that I'd match whatever Terry paid him if he kept off the street and worked there. The kid thought I was crazy. So did Terry. But I sold them. I didn't think the kid would stick it out. I figured he'd take the money and run, or it would go up his nose or in his veins. But I've checked up on him. The bathhouse never looked better. The place sparkles and doesn't smell half bad. Terry said business has improved and the kid is taking in tips and not for blowjobs, just for handing out towels and condoms."

 

Brian felt Justin smile against his chest. "Rage saved the day," Justin whispered.

 

"No, he didn't. I'm not sure I did the kid any favors. Some asshole saw me giving him the money I said I would and thought the kid was hustling. After I left the guy nearly beat the shit out of Frank because the trick wouldn't take no for an answer. Thank the gods, he was near the diner; Debbie scared the john off. She tried to bring Frank inside but he ran off. He finally showed up at the bathhouse. Terry patched him up. But the kid won't talk to me. Terry told me all about it. Justin, I don't know what's gotten into me. I don't know if I did a good thing or made it worse for Frank. Anyway I think that's what caused the nightmare."

 

Brian let out a long sigh.

 

"Can I talk now?" Justin asked softly.

 

"Yeah."

 

"I think you are a beautiful, sweet, kind and caring man. What you did took guts and maybe one day Frank will realize that. But you remember how stubborn teenaged boys can be. I was stubborn and stupid at times. And look at Hunter, yeah, he turned things around but he had a lot of people helping. And Jason, maybe if he had met someone like you he'd be alive. Brian you can't save the world, but what you did may have saved that boy."

 

"But I want to do more. What good is having all of this fucking money if I can't do anything good with it?"

 

"What the fuck are you talking about? You do a lot of good with your money. You support the Vic Grassi House and The Farm. Only God and Ted know of all your other charitable contributions. Brian, you do more than all of us put together."

 

"But is it enough?"

 

"I don't know."

 

"Can we ask someone?"

 

"Brian, who do you suggest we ask? How do you ask? What are you going to do, go up to the first underage hustler you meet and say, excuse me, how can I make your life better? See, I'm Brian Kinney, aka Rage, and I want to do something with my money."

 

"Justin, your sarcasm is not appreciated."

 

"But do you get my point?"

 

"Yes, dickhead, I get your point. No walking up to total strangers and underage hustlers. With my luck someone will recognize me. Can you imagine the rumors that would, would..." Brian fell silent as an idea suddenly came to him like one of his pitches.

 

"Would what? What, Bri?"

 

"Justin, we know an underage hustler."

 

"We do?"

 

"Yeah, we do or did. Now he's all grown up and with a master's in Social Work."

 

"You are not suggesting..."

 

"Yes, I am. Think about it. Who better than Hunter to ask?"

 

"But Brian, why?"

 

"Why?"

 

"Yeah, why? Why go all through this? Is it just to find out what charities to support or do you have something else in mind?"

 

"Maybe. Now hear me out. What if I can make part of the bathhouse into an outreach center? Hustlers hang out there all the time looking to pick up tricks before they go in. Terry doesn't give a shit just as long as the business is transacted before they go into the building. He could be arrested for pandering if money changed hands inside the building. Yeah, he cards the kids that look young but anyone can get fake ID. Hunter would be perfect to run the place, give the kids some counseling and make sure they've been tested. Maybe link to the local high school or set up tutoring for GED's. We can put in computers and..."

 

"Calm down, Brian! You've started up a program before you've even found out if it can be done, before asking Terry and before asking Hunter. You don't have to sell me. But there's a hell of a lot of people you will have to sell including the city of Pittsburgh."

 

Brian tried to stop his racing heart; he struggled to regain control. But it happened every time he knew he had a winning pitch, the old adrenalin rush. But this time the campaign wasn't for a pair of underwear or some libido pill. This campaign was for life.

 

"Okay, okay. I'm calm, I'm calm. I'll call Hunter in the morning. Let me pitch it to him first. If he thinks it's a good idea then we take it from there."

 

"Brian, it is the morning."

 

"Shit. Do you hear the Squirt?"

 

"Yeah, she's talking to one of her stuffed frogs."

 

"You know I could kill my brother for giving her those."

 

"They're cute, Brian."

 

"No, they're frogs. And he delights in reminding me about them."

 

"Big baby."

 

"Am not."

 

"Are too."

 

"I'll show you who's a big baby." Brian pounced and began to tickle Justin until he begged for mercy. Just then Briana decided she had had enough of talking to her frogs and wanted to join in all the fun she heard her daddies having.

 

"Dada," her little voiced cried out. Brian stopped in mid tickle to retrieve their daughter.   After a quick change of Bree's diaper and into a fresh sleeper, father and daughter rejoined Justin in their big bed.

 

"Dada, Dada, Dada!" Bree called out as she saw Justin.

 

"Come here, baby." Justin beamed as Brian placed Briana into Justin's arms. Brian gently pounced, kissing and tickling the two most important blonds in his life.

 

After a while the three lay exhausted and softly giggling. Then Brian heard the soft rumblings of Justin's stomach.

 

"Hungry?"

 

"I could eat."

 

"You hungry too, Squirt?"

 

"Ba!"

 

"Okay, 'ba' it is." Brian said as he climbed out of bed, naked. Justin still holding Bree, noticed Brian's state of undress.

 

"Bri, one of these days you will have to wear clothes around the Squirt."

 

"Justin, it's August, it's hot. I like being naked. Besides, she doesn't care."

 

"I like you being naked too but when she's seventeen and her boyfriends come around to pick her up for a date, trust me, Bri, Bree will care."

 

"Well, when she's seventeen and has boyfriends, I promise to put on some clothes. For now, I prefer to be comfortable in my own home. Let's go make breakfast."

 

"Yes, Brian. But I'll do the cooking. Don't want your naked ass to get singed."

 

"Fine, Bree and I will have our juice, won't we?" Brian stated as he took his daughter from Justin and carried her into the kitchen, still naked.

 

"Ba!" Briana agreed. Justin laughed, shook his head and followed them down the hall to the kitchen.

 

Once breakfast was over, Brian decided to place his call to Hunter at the Farm. He wondered if he would be able to get Hunter to agree to his plan. He dialed Hunter's cell.

 

"Hello," Hunter answered after a couple of rings. He sounded like he was out of breath.

 

"How's the new Master of Social Work?" Brian asked with a smirk.

 

"I see that look on your face, Kinney," Hunter laughed. "There's no such thing as Master of Social Work."

 

"What should I call you, oh exalted one?"

 

Hunter giggled. There were some perks to having his degree. Having Brian Kinney call him 'oh, exalted one', was not the least of them. "I have a master's in Social Work," Hunter said slowly.

 

"I see there's a very fine distinction there."

 

"What do you want, Brian, other than to tease me?"

 

"I might have a use for your newly acquired credentials."

 

"What … what are you talking about?"

 

"Are you busy?"

 

"You mean other than shoveling some shit in the barn?" Hunter laughed.

 

"Well, if you accept my invitation, please shower and scrub up really well."

 

"What invitation?"

 

"For you to come to dinner tonight. Can you?"

 

"I … I guess so. What is this all about?" Hunter asked bewildered. Brian had never asked him to dinner, especially not alone.

 

"If you come to dinner, I promise to explain, you get a delicious meal and you can play with the Squirt for half an hour."

 

"That sounds like an offer that is impossible to refuse," Hunter laughed.

 

"Then we'll see you around six?"

 

"Sure, I'll be there," Hunter said. He closed his phone, looked at it with a shake of his head and then went back to cleaning out the stall.

 

 

Bad as New

 

Chapter 2

 

Hunter arrived at the cottage promptly at six. He figured that if Brian Kinney called it would be best to be punctual. He pulled up in front, got out of his truck and strolled up the path. It was late August, still hot but with a slight breeze that took the edge off. The shrubs and flowers in the garden were all in full bloom. Hunter smiled to himself at the thought of Brian Kinney, home owner and gardener. Hunter knew that Brian took pride in his home. And while Brian did have a professional landscaper come over monthly to keep things neat, Brian, Justin and Gus had gotten into the habit over this summer of doing a little of the gardening themselves. Brian called it 'therapy'. Justin called it 'puttering'. Gus called it 'silly' but went along with it because he enjoyed the time he spent with his father.

 

Hunter knocked on the front door.

 

"Hey, Hunter, right on time. We're in the porch." Brian opened the door with his warm greeting for Hunter. "Want a beer?"

 

Hunter shook his head, no. He really did want the beer but he took his anti-viral medications faithfully and they didn't mix well with alcohol. Hunter opted for bottled water.

 

"Justin's been grilling up a storm, so I hope you came with an appetite," Brian commented as his led the boy to the porch.

 

"Been shoveling manure all day, I'm hungry. I could eat a cow," Hunter laughed.

 

"Then cow it is," Brian answered with a chuckle.

 

Justin was finishing grilling steaks and chicken for their meal. Salad and sweet corn on the cob were on the table. Briana was sitting in her high chair waiting for Brian to feed her. Justin served Hunter then made up a plate for Brian. Brian was busy cutting up chicken into tiny baby sized pieces for Bree and had a small bowl of mashed peas cooling for her. Brian also had a 'sippy' cup prepared for Bree. She didn't quite have the hang of it so it only held a sip or two of milk but Brian beamed with pride at every valiant attempt Briana took.

 

Hunter watched Brian feed his daughter with fascination. Who knew that Brian fucking Kinney could ever grow up enough to care so thoroughly for a baby? Justin spied Hunter staring at his spouse and daughter. He knew what Hunter was thinking.

 

"Next year he's putting in a spice garden," Justin remarked, matter-of-factly at the blissful domestic picture Brian presented. Hunter giggled as Brian arched a brow then snorted. They continued to eat dinner with little fanfare.

 

After dinner, the three men cleaned up. Justin took Briana to get changed, leaving Hunter and Brian alone to talk.

 

"You're probably wondering why I called you here tonight."

 

"I am a little curious. I didn't think it was only to feed me. Claire's been doing a good job of that."

 

"I bet she is. You look great, Hunter. How have you been feeling?"

 

"I'm good. My T-cells are right where they're supposed to be and my viral load is practically non-existent."

 

"You playing safe with Nick?"

 

"Yeah, very safe. He spends a lot of time in school and in the hospital so we're not fucking like bunnies; we don't have that much time. But when we do, yeah, we're safe."

 

"Good boy." There was an awkward silence so Hunter pushed a little.

 

"Can we walk down to the stream? I want to see if you've retained your rock skipping skills." Hunter got up and walked toward the back of the porch.

 

"Sure," Brian said as he followed. When they got to the edge of the stream, Hunter picked up a few stones and began to skip them across the surface. He handed a few to Brian and after a couple of false starts, Brian skipped a few too.

 

"You remembered," Hunter remarked.

 

"Had a good teacher," Brian said quietly with a far away look in his eye.

 

"Brian, what's wrong?" Brian leaned on the big rock and began to tell Hunter about Frank. He told Hunter of how helpless he felt and his fear of making things worse for Frank. He didn't mention the nightmare but Hunter could tell how deeply the events had affected Brian. They both sat, leaning against the rock in silence for some time.

 

"Hunter, I'd like to do something, I mean really do something worthwhile. But I'm not sure how to go about it or even if it would make a difference," Brian sighed. He was doing a lousy job of relaying his thoughts.

 

"Tell me what you have in mind and let me be the judge of whether it's feasible or not." Hunter wanted Brian to get to the point but realized Brian had to do it in his own way

 

"You know the bathhouse off of Liberty?"

 

"You mean Terry's?"

 

"Yeah. Did you ever, um...?"

 

"A few times, but the cops hung out there too much. It was easier in a hustler bar or on the street. I thought Terry'd be retired by now."

 

"Nah, business is way too good. And now that the kid's got it all cleaned up, he's attracting a classier clientele."

 

"So, what about it? You want to shut it down or something?"

 

"No, I was thinking about some sort of clinic or counseling center inside. Well, not inside but around the back. The building has a back entrance. It looks like when the bathhouse was built it was really a high-priced gym. The gymnasium part is still there but Terry uses it for storage. I don't think he knows what's in it. I was able to get a copy of the original plans for the building. It probably was a men's club in the fifties, with a gym, pool, sauna, massage rooms and small apartments for traveling businessmen. I guess over the years when we took over that part of town, it became a bathhouse. I was thinking that we could rent the space, clean it up and make it into a counseling center for runaways and hustlers. Kids like you used to be, scared, lonely, nowhere to go and we can get them tested. Maybe even get tutoring for them, job counseling. That sort of thing."

 

Hunter let some of what Brian mentioned settle in then it dawned on him.

 

"What do you mean, WE?"

 

"I mean, you and me. Actually, you. I'd put up the money. You'd run the place."

 

"Me? You want me to run a clinic? What about the Farm? I love it there. I can really do something good there!"

 

"I know that but that's only three months out of the year. What about the other nine months? You going to sit around watching the grass grow? Hunter, who better than an ex-kid hustler to offer counseling? You still look like a kid, not much older than Frank. And you of all people know what's at stake. Hunter, you have Ben as a mentor. He knows what you're going through. He's always been there for you. Those kids don't have anyone. If Ben and Michael didn't pull you off the street, where would you be now?"

 

"Probably dead," Hunter whispered but without hesitation. Brian put his arm around the ex-littlest hustler.

 

"Then help me do this. What good is all my fucking money if I can't do anything significant with it?"

 

"Brian, you do a lot of good with your money." Sensing there was a little more to it, Hunter pushed Brian just a bit more. "Brian, what's the real reason? Some hustler trying to blow you isn't news. A lot of guys want to blow you; a lot of guys would pay you to let them."

 

"I had a...that kid, he...shit. Frank. He reminds me of you and Justin and..."

 

"Jason Kemp?"

 

"Yeah. Fuck, Hunter. If it wasn't for Debbie, no one would have even known Jason Kemp's name. If it wasn't for you, the truth would have never come out about his murder." Brian shot up and began to pace, startling Hunter into getting up. "I don't know why but I have to try to do something."

 

"Okay! Okay, Brian. Let me think about it. The summer's almost over and you're right, I have no idea what to do with myself when we close up for the season. I wanted to do something to help kids like me, to make sure they knew they weren't alone, that someone cared. Maybe this is why I went through all that shit and lived to talk about it. But Brian, I can't do this all by myself. And I'm sure there are rules and state and city regulations. All the money in the world won't help if I can't get through the red tape."

 

"Then enlist Bobby. He's one hell of a lawyer and he's the legal eagle behind the Farm. He'll know what to do. I still have some pull at the mayor's office. I can help there. But I don't want my name in this. Shit, there's already rumors on Liberty that I've been seen going into Terry's. Justin's behind me on this but he doesn't need to hear any shit and neither does Gus. I want to keep my part of this as quiet as possible."

 

"Okay, we'll be discreet; a need to know basis. But you may eventually have to tell the family. You may not have any choice."

 

"I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. For now, I just sign the checks. So, do we have a deal?" Brian stuck his hand out to Hunter to seal the deal with a handshake.

 

"Yeah," Hunter said while grasping Brian's hand, "we have a deal." Hunter smiled at Brian.

 

Just then a frog leapt out from behind the rock.

 

"Friend of yours?" Hunter nodded toward the frog.

 

Brian caught a glimpse of the plump green frog inching his way toward them. "Is that the baby I hear? I think it's time we went back to the house." Brian quickly turned and sprinted back to the cottage. Hunter laughed then broke into a run to keep up with the long legged Brian.

 

Safely inside the house and cuddling Bree against his chest, Brian started to relax. Hunter watched Brian with his daughter and couldn't believe how the man had changed from the incredibly hot, sexy, arrogant man that he had first met. Brian was all those things still, but now he was so much more. Hunter shook his head.

 

"What are you looking at me like that for?" Brian asked.

 

"You look so peaceful, so happy when you hold Bree," Hunter said.

 

"I am."

 

Hunter smiled. "I love babies. Can I hold her?"

 

"Sure," Brian said as he passed Bree to Hunter. "It's almost her bedtime so she may start to doze off."

 

"That's okay. They're best when they're quiet."

 

Justin snorted as he brought in some coffee and cookies for them all. "Everybody loves the quiet moments."

 

"I … I wish someday…" Hunter shook his head and tickled Bree's chin.

 

"You want one of your own?" Justin asked.

 

"I wish that was possible."

 

"It is."

 

"What do you mean?" Hunter asked. "You know I'm positive. I'm not going to pass that on to a child."

 

"I'm not saying you should, but you do have a partner too. If you and Nick make the decision to have a child, Nick can father the baby."

 

"Yeah, but then it would be Nick's child," Hunter said with a frown.

 

"The baby would be yours too. You would need to do all the paperwork in case you ever, you know, broke up or anything."

 

"Did you and Brian do that?" Hunter wanted to know.

 

"Of course we did," Justin explained. "Gay couples have to be very careful. You never know what could happen."

 

"I think Bree's asleep," Hunter whispered as he stared at the little bundle in his arms.

 

Brian got up and took the baby. "I'll put her down." He disappeared with his daughter.

 

"Patrick's getting so big. He's not a baby anymore," Hunter observed as he fixed his coffee.

 

"I know," Justin agreed. "They grow up so fast." He sipped his coffee and munched on a cookie. Hunter remained silent. "You know," Justin said. "If you're worried about a baby being more Nick's than yours, I don't think you have to worry."

 

"What do you mean?" Hunter asked not sure why Justin was bringing this up again.

 

"Look at Brian. Bree is more his than mine. I may have provided the sperm, but he dotes on Bree like nothing I've ever seen. She's his baby through and through. You could be the same. I see a lot of similarities between you and Brian."

 

"You do?" Hunter asked but with a smile. That comparison pleased him.

 

"Remember when we first met? You hated my guts, and you didn't want any help from anybody."

 

Hunter nodded. "The bad old days."

 

"But once we got to know you, we found a big heart under that prickly surface. That's the way Brian is."

 

"Thanks," Hunter said with a genuine smile. "I have to admit I never thought I'd hear you say something like that."

 

Justin laughed. "A few years ago, I never would have said it. You sure knew how to push my buttons, especially where Brian was concerned."

 

"You're awfully lucky," Hunter said staring down the hallway where Brian had disappeared.

 

"Don't I know it!"

 

"Glad that you do."

 

"I think you've found a pretty good one in Nick," Justin added.

 

"I think so too," Hunter smiled as he finished his coffee.

 

"How do you think Nick will feel about Brian's proposal?"

 

"I don't know. We'll still be separated, but at least it's a major career move for me if we can make it work," Hunter said thoughtfully.

 

"Couldn't Nick apply for a residency at one of the Pittsburgh hospitals when the time comes?" Justin asked.

 

"Yeah, I guess he could … if he wants to."

 

"He'll want to be near you," Justin said hoping he was right. "Everything's all right between you two, isn't it?"

 

"I guess. It's just hard being so far apart."

 

"I know."

 

"You and Brian were separated a few times, weren't you?"

 

"More than a few."

 

"How did you hold it all together?"

 

"Just hold on and believe," Justin said with conviction. "If it's meant to be, it will work out."

 

"You sound like Claire," Hunter chuckled.

 

"I think we've all learned a lot from that remarkable woman," Justin stated.

 

"That we have, Sunshine," Brian said as he came back into the room.

 

"What took you so long?" Justin asked as he looked up at his husband and Brian leaned down for a kiss.

 

"I was watching the Squirt."

 

"It's his guilty pleasure," Justin grinned.

 

"Among other things," Brian agreed with a waggle of his eyebrows.

 

"On that note I should probably get going so you two can enjoy some of those guilty pleasures." Hunter stood up as did Justin. "Thanks for dinner and the talks."

 

"Any time," Justin said.

 

"I'll walk you out," Brian said as he followed Hunter to the door.

 

Hunter and Brian walked out to Hunter's truck.

 

"Is this old piece of junk still rolling?" Brian asked as he gave the back tire a kick.

 

"Hey! Take it easy on that. I have to talk very sweetly to old Betsy here so she doesn't give up the ghost at the first sign of trouble."

 

"Hm," Brian said thoughtfully.

 

"What?"

 

"Oh nothing. We're having dinner at Claire's day after tomorrow. Bobby and John and Patrick will be there. If you don't have a chance to talk to Bobby before then, maybe that would be a good time," Brian suggested.

 

"I need to give this whole thing some serious thought," Hunter said honestly.

 

"I know you do. Just make the thoughts go the right way," Brian grinned.

 

"You're incorrigible."

 

"I think that's the first time you've ever said that to me. Many others have used it frequently however," Brian laughed. "I'm not sure if I should be horrified since I thought I had changed for the better."

 

"You didn't need to change as far as I was concerned."

 

"Yes, I did. I had some very important things to face up to and let go of."

 

"And Justin helped you do that?" Hunter said.

 

"The one and only.

 

"Thanks for the offer, Brian. I really mean that. The fact that you think I could set up a center like that and make it work is a real vote of confidence. I appreciate your faith in me."

 

"As far as I'm concerned you're the man for the job."

 

Hunter grinned. Brian watched the smile play across the young man's face.

 

"Get your mind out of the gutter, kid," Brian ordered.

 

"There's no harm in thinking."

 

"No, I guess there isn't, but don't do that in front of Justin," Brian warned.

 

"Which one of us would be in trouble?" Hunter teased.

 

"Both of us," Brian laughed as Hunter drove away.

 

 

Bad as New

 

Chapter 3

 

"There you all are! I was beginning to worry." Claire exclaimed as the Kinney/Taylor family walked through the front door of the farm house a little later than the appointed time.

 

"I hope we didn't ruin dinner, Claire. We had a couple of false starts," Justin said by way of explanation. Brian was so nervous about the evening that he had forgotten the baby's bag. Fortunately they weren't too far from the cottage to turn back.

 

"No. Nothing's ruined. I've learned to plan ahead for you three. Now, let me take your precious little girl while you set up her high chair."

 

Claire reached for Briana as Justin set up her portable high chair and took out her supplies from her bag. They greeted Steve, John, Bobby, Patrick and Hunter before finally settling down at the table. Brian noticed two extra place settings at the table and arched an eyebrow. Hunter noticed the inquisitive look and responded.

 

"Nick's coming; he should be here in a few minutes. He was able to get some time off before the next semester. And I asked Bill to come. Is that okay with you?" Hunter asked Brian. Brian nodded nervously. He felt like he was on display and he wasn't thrilled about it.

 

By the time the dinner fixings were on the table Nick and Bill had arrived. Hunter and Brian were exchanging nervous glances all throughout the meal. If Justin didn't already know what was going on, he'd be one very jealous Sunshine. Nick, on the other hand didn't have a clue and it was getting obvious that he wasn't a happy camper.

 

The dinner conversation was light, ranging from the Farm to Rage to Kinnetik and of course, Bree and Patrick. Nick wasn't having any of it. Claire sensed an impending queen out and began to remove the breakables and sharp objects from the table. Nick was able to contain himself until it was time for dessert.

 

"Forgive me, Mrs. McNally, but I want to know what the fuck is going on? Hunter, why are you and Brian looking at each other that way? And why aren't you stopping them?" Nick pointed a finger at Justin with his last statement and slapped the table with his hand, startling Patrick and Bree.

 

"Nick!" Hunter stood up and growled at his boyfriend. Hunter couldn't really blame him, they were acting a little weird and Nick knew of Hunter's fascination toward Brian. Secretly Hunter was pleased that Nick was a little jealous but he also knew what Brian wanted to propose. Hunter didn't want Nick's jealousy to cloud the issue.

 

"Let me," Brian started to stand and went into full ad exec mode. He grabbed an oatmeal cookie off the top of the heaping plate that Claire brought in from the kitchen. Brian took a bite and started to pace while he made his pitch.

 

"Nick, please don't be angry or jump to any conclusions. What I have to tell you may involve some of you and definitely will affect all of us. So let me get this all out and then Hunter and I will answer your questions." Brian scanned the faces of the family and watched them nod in agreement.

 

"I've been spending a lot of time at Kinnetik. The Pittsburgh office is going to handle the PR for the Rage movie. For those of you that don't know, that office is not in the best of neighborhoods and every once in a while when I walk to the office, I'm made an offer that I have to refuse."

 

"Brian, I'm not sure if I understand you," Claire remarked in all innocence.

 

"Claire, Brian's office was a rundown old bathhouse. That part of Liberty is known for hustlers, flop houses, short stay hotels and more bathhouses," Hunter tried to explain delicately.

 

"Oh, so the offer was for..."

 

"Sexual favors. Let me clarify that. Some snot-nosed little blond kid wanted to suck me off for ten bucks. I turned down his offer but made him one in return. He now has a job at the local bathhouse, hustling towels and condoms and cleaning up. He's doing well from what I hear," Brian continued.

 

"But what does this have to do with any of us?" Bobby asked.

 

"I'm getting to that. The kid struck a sore nerve in me. He reminds me of Justin when we first met and he is a lot like Hunter, like Hunter used to be. There was also this other kid, several years ago, a hustler, we never knew much about him but he wound up dead in a dumpster near the diner. Nobody cared about him, no one except for Debbie. With her persistence, Jason Kemp's name was finally made known and with Hunter's help, his murderer was discovered."

 

"Oh my!" Claire gasped.

 

Nick had never heard this part of Hunter's past and was more than curious and very proud. Hunter smiled and patted Nick's hand. "Later," he mouthed to Nick.

 

"I don't know if it's all the hoopla about Rage, or because the kid was so young or that he reminded me of Justin..." Justin saw the strain and worry splay across Brian's face and slipped his hand into Brian's for comfort. Brian stopped to squeeze Justin's hand which calmed him then went on. "I feel I have to do something worthwhile with my money. I want to fund a counseling center and clinic for runaways and hustlers and I want Hunter to run it."

 

"Brian!"

 

"You what?"

 

"You've got to be kidding!"

 

"Do you know what you're up against?"

 

"What about the Farm?"

 

The whole family was in an uproar except Hunter, Brian, Justin and Bill.

 

"Brian, I think that's an excellent idea and I can't think of anyone more qualified to run it than Hunter," Bill said with conviction.

 

"Bill?" Steve looked at his friend and partner in the Farm with astonishment.

 

"Okay, let's all calm down and analyze this one step at a time. First, we put aside Brian's motives to fund the clinic. I suspect there are a multitude of reasons and frankly there aren't enough hours in the day to delve into the psyche of Brian Kinney." Bill scanned his audience and then went on. "Now, let's look at how this will affect the Farm. The majority of the work with the kids is done over the summer, three months that Hunter can use his unique talents to help out the children that stay with us. That leaves nine months that we use Hunter as a farmhand. Does anyone but me and Brian see the waste there? Hunter worked his butt off to finish his education and with honors and went on to get his masters. Aren't we doing Hunter a disservice by not letting him practice what he's been trained to do and for a most worthy endeavor?" Bill waited a moment to allow that to sink in.

 

"Steve, we can always hire another farm hand to handle whatever Hunter has been doing. Next summer, if the clinic is up and running, we can work out a schedule with him. He can spend time in Pittsburgh and time up here. I do that with the high school. You know that." Again Bill paused as he saw Steve nod in agreement.

 

"Nick, I realize that you and Hunter have precious little time together while you're in school and learning what it takes to be a doctor. And I imagine you feel a little guilty that you're always so busy. But do you expect Hunter to just sit around and wait until you have five minutes to spend together? And perhaps, don't you find it a little distracting trying to rush through a complicated experiment in the lab when you think Hunter is waiting? I'm sure Hunter is well aware of how heavy your schedule is. Once you're out of school, it'll be time for your residency. Allegheny General has a link with Penn, I'm sure you can do your residency there. You want to specialize in Infectious Diseases, right? That's a major hospital; you can learn a lot there. And maybe when you're ready you can give some time to the clinic. Your knowledge of HIV and AIDS would be invaluable there." Nick smiled at the thought of working with Hunter.

 

"Claire, I know you've grown accustomed to having Hunter here," Bill began.

 

"Bill, you don't have to say another word. I will miss Hunter terribly but Pittsburgh is not the other side of the world and you're right, it would be selfish of me to want him to stay here when there are so many needy young people out there. Hunter, you've accomplished so much; you are the best man to take on this project." Claire's eyes were moist with unshed tears but the pride in them was obvious.

 

"Bobby, Brian and Hunter will need your talents. I'm sure there is a lot of legal red tape that must be cut through to get this project off the ground. It may go a little easier since the initial funding will be put up by Brian. I'm sure there are grants and special funds that can be applied for and I know some pharmaceutical companies may get involved too. You will have to do some research," Bill continued.

 

Bobby was pleased to be included and since he specialized in charities he knew where to start.

 

"Brian, where did you intend the clinic to run out of?" Bill addressed Brian.

 

"Terry's bathhouse. It's a very large building and only a small part of it is used. There's a separate entrance to the area that I was of thinking of but it will need a lot of renovations. And the more work we do to upgrade that part of town, the better it will be for the community."

 

"Then I suspect you may need John's talents. I see this as a family project to some extent," Bill added.

 

"I'm beginning to see that too. I didn't want to become overtly involved, for many reasons. I still have a certain reputation down there. I can't let that get in the way of business or get back in a bad way to Gus. He's at an age where acceptance by his peers is crucial. If it gets back to him that his dear old dad is spending time with whores, he may not understand, no matter how noble the premise may be," Brian said with worry in his voice.

 

"Brian, how can that happen?" Justin didn't see any problem.

 

"Brian's right. I can see Lindsay being a supporter once she gets the full picture but Melanie may jump to conclusions too quickly. Brian, you may want to have a family meeting to let them all in on it. At the very least, Ted may have to be informed. He is your accountant."

 

"Bill's right on that point," Bobby spoke up. "Ted will need to know unless you plan to use someone else to handle the accounts.

 

"Shit! I wanted this to stay quiet. If Ted finds out, then Emmett finds out, then it'll be all over the Pitts." Brian scrubbed at his face at the thought that his life would again be at the mercy of scrutiny.

 

"Brian, may I remind you that Ted is a certified account and a licensed individual. Your business is confidential and he will treat it as such," John said sternly to Brian, his eyes reminding Brian of the conversation that they had had the day before Brian's wedding. Ted had been instrumental in setting up various trust funds. Brian nodded.

 

"Hunter, you've been very quiet during this discussion. What's your take on this?" Bill asked Hunter's opinion. It was his life that was about to take a major turn.

 

"Needless to say, I was a bit shocked that Brian proposed this to me. It's silly when you think about it. I did all that studying and I still feel like I should be mucking out a stall. This scares the shit out of me. I wouldn't know where to begin, how to get the kids into the clinic to get the help they need," Hunter confessed his apprehension.

 

"You start small. Start with the boy Brian helped. The word will slowly get out that the help is out there. That you care about what happens to him. Follow up with him. Sure, he may feel that having a job and a place to sleep is all that he'll ever need but in a couple of years from now, it won't be enough. And what if he turns out to be HIV positive? How will he feel then?" Bill was trying to get Hunter to think things through.

 

"He'll feel like killing himself," Hunter stated almost coldly. When he had been on the streets, there hadn't been a day that went by that Hunter didn't feel like there was nothing to live for.

 

The family remained silent.

 

"Honey?" Claire wanted to help, wanted to take away Hunter's pain but she couldn't.

 

"It's okay, Claire. Most days are good. I have a lot to live for." Hunter smiled at the woman who was more of a mother than his own ever was. He looked down as Nick took his hand. "If this clinic can save just one kid from becoming positive or get them off the streets then it will be worth it."

 

Claire got up to make a fresh pot of coffee and put the kettle on. Brian got up to check Bree's diaper and get her another piece of cookie and some milk. The family buzzed quietly and hovered around the table and the kitchen cleaning up. Within twenty minutes they were back seated around the table.

 

"As I see it," Steve put forth his opinion. "We close up the Farm as usual and prepare for the Fall harvest. There is an older young man who expressed an interest in farming, I'll speak with him. If it works out, I'll offer him a permanent position. He's a local boy who never had any real direction in his life. This may be just what he needs. Although my barn will never look as clean and organized as it has since Hunter got his hands on it. Hunter, would you consider giving up old Betsy. I think Joey would give her a good home," Steve said with a smirk and a wink to Brian.

 

"Uh, I guess so but how am I going to get back and forth to Pittsburgh?" Hunter asked, totally bewildered.

 

"I think I may have a solution to that." Justin stood, dug into his pocket and pulled out the keys to his Cherokee.

 

"You're giving me your Cherokee?" Hunter's eyes grew large.

 

"Yeah, if that's okay with you. I was going to get a new one but she still has a lot of life in her and I'd like to see her have a good home." Brian smiled at his spouse. Justin often had twinges of jealousy when it came to Hunter. Brian couldn't be more proud of Justin at that moment. "Just use the good gas and change the oil regularly," Justin counseled.

 

"Okay, so now I have some new wheels but that doesn't get me a clinic," Hunter commented.

 

"I think that's where I come in." Bobby got a pad and pen and started to make some notes. "First, we see who actually owns the building in question and start from there. I'll research what it takes to get a license to run a clinic of this sort. If that goes well and we get a go ahead from the city, then we find out what renovations are needed and permits."

 

"That's my job," John jumped in. "We'll have to submit plans to the city inspectors. Brian, you may have to renovate the whole building not just the part you want to use for the clinic. That may be a big financial expense."

 

"Then I'll have to get Ted involved. Between him and Bobby they know my net worth and how much I can spend."

 

"Brian, a lot of Babylon's profits come here to the Farm. And while I don't want to turn down free money, the sale of the Kinney paintings really set the Farm up for life. Take that contribution and put it towards the clinic." Steve looked to Bill and Bobby for affirmation and they both concurred.

 

"Steve's right," Bill confirmed and Brian nodded.

 

"Okay, I guess Ted can do that," Brian agreed.

 

"Uh guys, where am I going to stay during all of this? I mean I guess I can stay with Ben and Mikey or at Deb's but considering the amount of phone calls I imagine I'm going to make and the research, I'd rather not do it under their noses. Especially if we want to keep Brian's name out of this. Talk about some major rumors. Plus if they see me out on the street, it'll get back to them very fast. They may all think I'm hustling again."

 

"My apartment building. On the third floor, there's a vacancy. It's a studio, just right for a young man starting out and there's a bonus. It's close to the back stairs. That staircase leads to the alley around back. I can have a special lock and code installed. You can come and go as you please without being seen, at least until we feel comfortable about letting the world know what we're up to. The rent can be part of your salary for now."

 

Nick gave Hunter and Brian a pleading look.

 

"And we can have an extra key made for your special guest. The studio is big enough for two." Brian smirked with his tongue planted in his cheek as he directed his comment to Nick. Nick's smile lit up the room.

 

"I'm going to miss you," Nick whispered to Hunter.

 

"Not hardly. Bill's right, you need to concentrate on your studies. Brian and Justin's relationship has weathered many separations but they always found their way back to each other. And look at Emmett and Drew. They were separated for years but now they're so happy with each other. I think if our relationship is for the long haul, we can make it work."

 

Nick nodded. It was true. This would be a test for them both but they were both starting out in their life careers. Some things needed to be accomplished before they made that last commitment.

 

As Bobby and Brian continued to make some notes, Hunter observed that Patrick and Briana were both yawning as they sat in their respective high chairs.

 

"Guys, I think some of us are getting bored," Hunter said as he nodded toward the children.

 

"I guess that's our cue," Brian said as he looked over at his daughter who was getting sleepy. "Come on, Sunshine, we better get her home." Justin agreed and began to pack up their stuff to go home.

 

Later that evening after Briana was tucked securely in her crib, Brian and Justin decided to cuddle under the stars on the brass bed. The night was cloudless, the stars looked bright. Justin's head was resting on Brian's chest. The even beating of Brian's heart comforted the younger man. Brian's fingers were entwined in Justin's hair. With each caress of the silky tendrils, Brian began to relax.

 

"Justin, am I being an asshole?" Brian whispered softly.

 

"Why do you ask?" Justin said raising his head a little to see Brian's face.

 

"Is the reason why I want to open that clinic because I'm arrogant enough to think that Rage can save the day or is it that my past sins have guilted me into it?"

 

"I don't know. Does the reason really matter? What matters is that you have an idea, a very good idea and instead of going off and trying to do this on your own, you came to the family and asked for help. And now with their help, something very good may come out of it."

 

"But what if I fall flat on my face?"

 

"First of all it won't be just you falling on your face. We all have a stake in this. And second, we won't let you fall." Brian gently pushed Justin back down so his head could again rest on his chest.

 

"Promise?" Brian asked.

 

"I promise." Justin replied.

 

 

Bad as New

 

Chapter 4

 

Brian walked into Kinnetik the next day.

 

"Where's Bree?" Cynthia asked.

 

"Good morning to you too," Brian replied. It seemed his daughter was more popular than he was.

 

"Didn't you bring her?"

 

"Do you think I have her hidden under my shirt or that I left her outside the front door?" Brian asked now fully annoyed. "No. I didn't bring her."

 

"You haven't had your coffee yet, have you?"

 

"No!"

 

"Let me rectify that immediately," Cynthia said going into the break room and returning with a steaming mug just the way Brian liked it.

 

After a few sips of coffee had passed Brian's lips, Cynthia ventured to ask, "Why are you here today? I wasn't expecting you."

 

"I need to see Ted. He's supposed to be meeting me here … right now."

 

"Morning, Cynthia, Bri," Ted said as he came through the door.

 

"Very punctual, Mr. Schmidt," Brian observed.

 

Ted gave his little smile and went to grab a coffee. "Be right back."

 

"When you call him Mr. Schmidt something big is up," Cynthia said looking at Brian. "Want me to get lost?" she asked still able to read Brian pretty well.

 

"If you wouldn't mind," Brian replied.

 

"I mind, but I'm used to it."

 

"Thanks."

 

"You'll tell me if it's anything I need to know about."

 

Brian's non-committal shrug puzzled Cynthia as she left the office closing the door behind Ted who had just returned.

 

"What can I do for you, Boss?" Ted asked.

 

"Sit down."

 

Ted gave Brian a quizzical look but sat on the sofa next to him. He took a drink of his coffee. "Is something wrong? Am I being fired?"

 

"Not yet," Brian replied with a smirk unable to resist the temptation to play with his old friend.

 

"Shit!"

 

"Calm down, Theodore. I'm not firing you."

 

"Thank God."

 

"You are, however, being sworn to secrecy."

 

"I am?" Ted asked. Brian nodded. Ted made the motion of locking his lips and throwing away the key.

 

"That's not good enough this time, Ted," Brian said solemnly.

 

"Oh fuck!" Ted reacted. "Is it the 'C' word again?"

 

Brian nodded.

 

"Cancer?"

 

"No."

 

"Cocaine?"

 

"No."

 

"Caffeine?"

 

"No."

 

"Cody?" Ted asked grasping at straws.

 

"Fuck no!" Brian grimaced at that awful memory.

 

"Then what the fuck is it?" Ted asked sweat beginning to break out on his brow.

 

"Charity."

 

"Charity?"

 

"Yes, Theodore, charity."

 

"Charity for who? Why are you scaring the shit out of me about charity? Who needs charity?"

 

"I do."

 

"Fuck, Brian, you haven't gone and done something stupid, have you? Have you lost all your money on some fly by night scheme?"

 

"Do you really think I'm that much of an idiot, Schmidt?" Brian shook his head. "I'm beginning to wonder why I keep you around when you think so little of my judgment."

 

"Brian, Bri, Boss, just tell me what's going on. Please!"

 

"Okay, but not a word of this goes any further than this office."

 

"I promise … on my mother's grave."

 

"She's not dead."

 

"I know but I didn't know what else to say."

 

"Your solemn promise will suffice."

 

"Solemn, solemn," Ted promised his hand on his heart.

 

"Okay, listen up. I need to know exactly where my finances stand and how much cash I can safely donate to a charitable cause."

 

"Oh, you mean to get a tax break? I already took care of that. You don't…"

 

"Shut up, Theodore, and listen."

 

"Sure, Bri."

 

"I want to renovate Terry's bath house and turn it into a clinic and drop-in center for gay and straight street kids, hustlers and other unfortunates."

 

Ted's eyes had got very big. "Have you any idea…?"

 

"Yes, I fucking do have an idea. I want to do this, Ted. I want to help some of those kids like Jason Kemp. I don't want any more of them to die or get AIDS."

 

"You're serious, aren't you?"

 

"Yes, I am."

 

"It will take a lot of money."

 

"That's your job."

 

"And there's all the red tape."

 

"Bobby's looking into that."

 

"And the renovations."

 

"John."

 

"And who's going to run it?"

 

"Hunter."

 

"Hunter? He's just a kid."

 

"He has his masters in Social Work. He's not a kid."

 

"You really have thought this through."

 

"All I need to know is if you can spring enough cash to cover the cost of the building, the renovations and the licenses and all that shit."

 

"I'll see what I can do."

 

"All the money from Babylon that was going to the Farm is now going to be channeled into this project."

 

"That should help."

 

"I realize that things may be tight for a while, but I want this to happen. Bill is willing to come down from the Farm after they close up for the season. He'll help Hunter get everything set up. John's looking at what renovations need to be done and he'll start as soon as I buy the building."

 

"Buy the building? You're closing the last bathhouse in the area?"

 

"No, Terry will still run his business from his current site, but it will be updated and he will be paying us rent."

 

"Okay," Ted said shaking his head. "This is a big undertaking."

 

"Make it work, Ted. I know you can do it."

 

"I'll do my best."

 

"I know you will."

 

Ted stood to go get started shuffling finances and crunching numbers. "You're sure about this?" he had to ask one more time.

 

"Very, and Ted, no one is to know about my part in this. Is that clear?"

 

"Crystal."

 

Brian gave him a funny look and they both chuckled. Ted had come a long way from the bad old days of crystal meth.

 

"Now, I have to go see a man about a building, and then I'm going home to play with my daughter."

 

"You do that, Bri. I'll call when I have some bottom lines for you."

 

"I know you will. And thanks."

 

Ted left the office wondering how he was ever going to keep this all to himself. He knew he couldn't even risk telling Allen. He felt like he was going to explode. But he also knew that he would make this work for Brian. Who the fuck would have thought?

 

Brian took the time to consult with Cynthia on Kinnetik's latest clients and current campaigns. So far so good, Cynthia had everything under control. The Westbury campaign was in full swing and despite Pullman's initial protestations, the campaign was doing very well. It earned Kinnetik a bonus and a renewal even before the contract was up.

 

Brian was pleased and relieved. Even if the clinic did acquire grants and donations, Brian might never re-coop what he'd have to lay out. If he was lucky, the bathhouse rent might cover the operating costs of the clinic. How ironic was that?

 

Brian finished up his calls, packed up his briefcase and after saying goodbye to Cynthia and Ted, he decided to walk over to Terry's. He stopped by the Vette which was parked on Liberty to stow his briefcase before going to the bathhouse. The late August air was hot and sticky, the Labor Day weekend was upon them, Brian and Justin decided to host the family's Labor Day bash at the cottage. Brian wanted to check on Frank before going home to help Justin prepare for the barbecue. He placed his case on the passenger seat, pulled off his tie and threw it into the backseat, locked up then cut through the alley toward Terry's. Unbeknownst to Brian, he was seen.

 

Across the street Michael was sprinting down the avenue to get to the comic book store. He had stopped by the diner for breakfast but it was so busy that his order took longer than expected. He was sweating, his t-shirt had an orange juice stain down the front and he was expecting a delivery. Michael was about to break into an all out run when he saw Brian across the street. He was ready to yell out to get Brian's attention before he drove off but then stopped in his tracks when he realized that Brian wasn't getting into the Vette.

 

'What the fuck?' Michael thought to himself. As he watched Brian throw his tie into the car, lock it then head back down the alley. 'Where the hell is he going?' Michael crossed the street and started to follow.

 

Michael hung back as he watched the tall brunet duck into the alley toward one of the sleaziest bathhouses in all of Pittsburgh. 'I do not fucking believe this,' Michael mumbled to himself as he watched Brian take a quick look around then head up the steps and into the bathhouse. Michael stood there for a while, dumbfounded. He wasn't sure if he should leave, or go inside and yank the slut out of there. He wasn't sure if it was any of his business. Then again this was his best friend. Brian might need him like he always did in the bad old days when Mikey would drive the drunk or stoned Brian home. Or take him out of the backroom of Babylon when Brian's tricks were trying to make a four-course meal out of him. Michael knew that Brian could never really change. Not really change. Nothing could change Brian fucking Kinney.

 

Michael was about to leave when the door opened and Brian and some blond kid walked out. He watched as Brian dug into his pockets and handed the kid a wad of cash. 'Holy fucking shit!' Brian patted the kid on the head then opened the door to allow the kid back inside. Michael ducked behind a dumpster as Brian started toward him and to his car. He heard Brian's cell ring.

 

"Hey. I'm done. Want some lemon bars? No? You sure? Okay, I'm heading home after I meet up with the locksmith. Kiss the Squirt for me. Yes, dear, I'm fully prepared to shuck corn. Bossy bottom. Love you too. Later." Brian shut his phone then walked to his car.

 

Michael crept out from behind the dumpster, not only was he sweaty, now he smelled like a garbage truck. 'Shit.' Michael made a beeline for his store and for the phone.

 

"Hellooo."

 

"Emmett? It's me, Michael."

 

"I guessed. What can I do for you?"

 

"Nothing. I wondered if you heard anything about Brian."

 

"Brian? No, nothing except the usual buzz at Babylon. He made the grand entrance last Friday night. He looked so fabulous in his leathers. Why?"

 

"Oh nothing. In his leathers? Was Justin with him?"

 

"No, but someone had to stay home with the baby. Besides, Justin's been working very hard on the movie and he has another show coming up."

 

"So Justin wasn't with him."

 

"I think I just said that. Michael? What's going on?"

 

"Nothing. I gotta go, I have a delivery."

 

"Bye, Honey."

 

Around lunch time, Michael had the chance to go home to shower and change into clean clothes before heading back to the store. Ben was home working on a lesson plan for the upcoming semester.

 

"Hey Baby, have time for lunch before you go back?" Ben kissed his husband gently.

 

"Yeah, I have time. My delivery came early so I don't have to rush back. Boy, it's hot out."

 

"Then you're in luck. You can enjoy your lunch in air conditioning."

 

"Did Hunter call?"

 

"Yeah, he said he'd see us this weekend at the barbecue."

 

"Oh that."

 

"You do want to go, don't you?"

 

"Wouldn't miss it."

 

"Good, it'll be nice to spend a relaxing day with the family in the country."

 

"Oh yeah, very relaxing. Um, Ben, I think I'll take my sandwich with me back to the store. Is that okay?"

 

"Sure Baby. Oh, Scott and Brad asked us over tonight for some wine and hors d'oeuvres. Is that okay with you?"

 

"That's fine. See you later."

 

"Later, Michael." Michael barely pecked Ben on the cheek as he scurried out the door.

 

Brian pulled into the yard at the cottage. He smiled as he thought about Justin and Bree waiting for him inside. His life was just about perfect. If he could get the clinic up and running, it would be perfect. He shook his head at that thought. In the past whenever things seemed to be going too well, life would kick him in the ass. He thought about the prom, the fiddler, Stockwell, Vance. Surely that was all behind him.

 

He gave himself a good shake and grabbed his briefcase before heading into the house.

 

"Honey, I'm home," he called out.

 

Justin stepped out of the kitchen carrying a squirming Bree in his arms. "There's Dada, sweetheart. She's been calling Dada all morning."

 

Brian smiled. His two favorite people and they seemed to have missed him as much as he missed them. "Have you been calling, Bri, all morning?" Brian said with a smirk as he took the baby from Justin. Bree giggled happily as Brian nuzzled her neck. Now everything was perfect in her world too.

 

"I wasn't calling your name, but I think that could come later," Justin replied with a suggestive wink. "I have some lunch ready and Bree has been fed."

 

They went into the kitchen and Brian placed Bree in her high chair. She watched her father's dig into the salad that Justin had made.

 

"How did it go today?" Justin asked.

 

"Ted's on board."

 

"Good, we need him if this is going to fly."

 

"Are you worried?" Brian asked looking into his husband's eyes.

 

"A little bit. This is a huge undertaking, Brian."

 

"I know. I'm a little freaked too. I don't think I really believed it could happen."

 

"It's happening," Justin smiled offering encouragement to his partner.

 

"I saw Frank today, gave him the latest installment of his salary."

 

"Interesting that you call it a salary," Justin observed.

 

"He's a good kid. I think he's heading in the right direction now."

 

"Don't be too disappointed if every kid doesn't turn his life around."

 

Brian raised an eyebrow. "I guess I sound like Pollyanna."

 

"Remember when you used to call me that?"

 

"Yeah, how times have changed!"

 

"For the better," Justin said as he finished his salad. "I'm going to put Bree down for her nap. Want to meet me in the bedroom?"

 

"I'd rather meet you in the sun porch."

 

"Okay," Justin smiled as he lifted a sleepy looking Briana from her high chair.

 

Brian poured a couple of glasses of wine and carried them out to the brass bed. He set them down by the bed and threw back the covers. He started removing his clothes.

 

"Hey, wait for me," Justin grinned as he joined his lover.

 

"Always," Brian said softly. He handed the wine glass to Justin. "Here's to a successful undertaking."

 

"Absolutely. Here's to the Jason Kemp Clinic and Drop-in Center," Justin added.

 

"Where did that come from?" Brian asked.

 

"You always let me name your businesses. I thought that would be appropriate."

 

"It's perfect … like you," Brian said taking Justin's glass.

 

Brian tumbled them onto the bed removing clothes and kissing his delicious partner. In short work they were naked and locked together. Everything was perfect. Just the way it was supposed to be.

 

 

Bad as New

 

Chapter 5

 

Saturday afternoon the whole Liberty-Bridgeton family converged at the Kinney-Taylor cottage. The sun was warm, the breeze cool. Many brought bathing suits to splash in the stream. Brian had the grill going and the porch was overflowing with delectable salads, fruit and vegetables. The whole day started off perfectly.

 

"Ma, I'm telling you, something's up with Brian," Michael whispered to Debbie as she was filling up a plate with salad.

 

"What's up, Honey?"

 

"Haven't you been listening to me?"

 

"Michael, start making some sense and I'll listen."

 

Michael huffed and crossed his arms across his chest and trying to give his mother the evil eye without getting smacked in the process.

 

"Okay, honey, start again. What do you think is going on with Brian?"

 

"I think Brian's tricking again. I never really thought he stopped. All that monogamous shit. I knew he couldn't do it. He's not disciplined like me," Michael said smugly.

 

"Bite your tongue, Michael. Brian Kinney is devoted to Justin; he wouldn't trick."

 

"Then tell me why I saw him come out of Terry's bathhouse the other day and give some young hustler a whole lot of cash." Michael spat out his innuendoes then turned and walked away.

 

*****

 

"Jen, can I ask you something? I mean, I don't want to jump to any conclusions but I just heard something disturbing and I was hoping maybe you heard something different." Debbie was very concerned that something once again would try to get in between Brian and Justin.

 

"Sure, Deb, I'll help if I can. What did you hear?"

 

Debbie leaned in closer to Jennifer. "Is everything okay between Brian and Justin? I mean, Sunshine didn't tell you that they were having problems, did he?"

 

"Debbie, you're worrying me. What kind of problems?"

 

"Tricking problems. Brian was seen paying for it."

 

"Debbie!"

 

"Shhh! Keep your voice down. No need to let everyone know. Maybe they're going through a rough patch. Justin does have to travel a lot."

 

"Oh, so now it's my son's fault that they're having problems. If Brian kept his pants zipped, there would be no problem."

 

"Jen, it takes two to have a problem. You know I love Sunshine, but he's not all that innocent."

 

"Deb, we're not having this discussion." Jennifer got up from her chair and stormed her way outside.

 

*****

 

"Hi, Sweetie, how are you?" Emmett asked Jennifer as she stomped through the garden toward the stream.

 

"I'm fine," Jennifer said automatically.

 

"Jen, honey, I have eyes. You lose a sale or something?"

 

"No, Emmett, it's, I don't, oh Emmett. I thought that this time they were happy. Really happy! I thought that all of that tricking shit was in the past."

 

"Who's tricking? Who's not happy?" Emmett looked around at the whole family, laughing, relaxing, kids tossing a ball, Briana and Patrick romping in the yard under the watchful eyes of their dads. Everyone looked happy and content. He certainly was.

 

"I'm not sure...Justin, maybe. I don't know. I think I want to go home." Jennifer turned and walked toward the lane.

 

*****

 

"Emmett, baby, why are you standing here all by yourself?" Drew put his strong arms around his lover. "What's happened?"

 

"I don't know. One minute everything was perfect, now I don't know what's right anymore."

 

"Emm, I'm not following you."

 

"Drew, look at Justin and John over there with the kids. What do you see?"

 

"I see two very proud dads. What do you see?"

 

"I think I see Justin batting his eyes at the wrong Kinney."

 

"Emmett..." Drew growled. He couldn't believe what Emmett was suggesting. "You can't possibly think that they're having an affair?"

 

"Look over there; Brian and Bobby seem to be in a huddle."

 

"Emm, Bobby is Brian's lawyer and they're friends. Don't you think that a man with Brian's portfolio would have to consult with his lawyer, and often?" Emmett nodded but couldn't suppress the sinking feeling that the twinkle in Bobby's eye wasn't for the first born Kinney son. "Cheer up, baby. This is a family barbeque, don't go spreading rumors."

 

"Mmm." Emmett went to go get himself a beer.

 

*****

 

"Hey, Drew."

 

"Allen, my man. How are the boys?" Drew asked, referring to Allen's kettle drums.

 

"Too loud?"

 

"No, I've grown rather fond of them. And they're better than my alarm clock."

 

"Even on the first floor? I'm so sorry, Drew."

 

"Allen! Don't be. I really don't hear them as much as I see their vibration. I have a trophy, an old one, it kind of dances when you start practicing then stops when you stop. I find it comforting, in a weird sort of way." They were silent for a moment when Drew decided to query Allen. "Um, Allen, I know that Emmett and Ted have been best friends for forever. Do you think he could talk to Emmett for me? Reassure Emm, that things are okay. It appears that Emmett is seeing things."

 

"Seeing things? What things? Does he need to see a doctor?"

 

"Not those kinds of things. I think he believes that Brian and Justin have been tricking."

 

"Tricking? With whom?"

 

"Bobby and John, respectively."

 

"I don't believe it. Look at them." Allen tilted his head toward Brian and Justin as they were chasing the giggling Briana around the yard. Both Allen and Drew watched with smiles as Brian pretended to fall then snatch Briana as she tried to come to his rescue. Her giggles were infectious and soon Briana and Justin were piled on top of Brian, laughing and sharing kisses.

 

"No, Drew, I don't believe it. Neither one of them would jeopardize that. You tell that to Emmett. Drew, I never believed in fate or true love or in the power of family before I met Ted. I believed only in the music, the notes, the sound. Now, I have love and the music has gotten so much better. This crazy family we've gotten ourselves into, Drew, is held together by the Kinney-Taylor glue. No, maybe before they made their commitment but not now."

 

Allen and Drew continued to watch as Briana's hands were held by both her dads as they followed the Anderson-Morrison family to the stream. Drew nodded in agreement at Allen.

 

*****

 

"Bobby, how goes the research?" The Kinney-Taylor and Anderson-Morrison clan were in a secluded glade. Patrick was busy chasing frogs. Brian was a safe distance away with Bree snoozing comfortably on her daddy's lap.

 

"Better than expected. Especially since the initial cost is coming from the private sector. City Hall seems to find it amusing that a clinic will share the same address as a bathhouse but as I told them, it's two sides of the same coin. Most of the men who come to the bathhouse try to act responsibly and use protection. It's the hustlers and barebackers that take the risks."

 

"Hey, you and I are thrown in that mix," Brian said softly.

 

"Oh, Brian, for crying out loud. You know what I mean. I haven't been with anyone else since I met John and you know John's history."

 

"Or lack thereof."

 

"Exactly. And I know you, Kinney. You made that commitment to Justin and nothing or no one could ever make you break it." Bobby glared at Brian, daring him to deny it. Brian blushed.

 

"Red, I was always afraid of that word, commitment. And yet I made commitments all the time in business. But to say that word out loud and all that it implies, including monogamy. Scared the shit out of me."

 

"And then you realized that life without Justin was scarier than that word."

 

"Yeah. Did the little twat tell you the name of the clinic?" Brian said, trying to sound annoyed but very pleased that Justin had named the clinic. He also successfully changed the subject.

 

"Yes, he did, and I like it. It's simple and to the point. I was surprised that people still remember Jason Kemp after all this time. It will be a good memorial to a life wasted by hate, and maybe it will save some kids from the same fate."

 

"Just try to make it happen without putting me in the poor house," Brian snarked.

 

"I'd never let that happen. Nor would Ted. I can't believe how he came up with the numbers but he did. You may have to give him a raise."

 

"Shit. You're kidding, right?" Brian scrubbed at his eye in mock pain.

 

"No, I'm not, but I'll let you wait until after the ribbon cutting ceremony; prolong the tension a little." Bobby broke out into a giggle and was quickly joined by Brian.

 

"I knew there was a reason why I like you, Red." John and Justin strolled over with Patrick and joined Brian and Bobby sitting on the grass.

 

"Hey, big bro, what did you think about the plans for the building?" Brian asked his brother.

 

"You're a tease; you know that, don't you?" John said with a smirk.

 

"I don't understand." Justin looked confused, his eyes darting back and forth between the brothers.

 

"Well, my dear, sweet, blond brother-in-law, your husband knows of my passion for classic architecture. The plans for the bathhouse revealed much more than a bathhouse. Brian was correct in assuming that it was a luxury men's club back in the fifties. That whole part of town, while always thought of as bohemian, was at one point affluent. Very affluent. That porno theater you said was next door was once a playhouse, then when movies became more popular, it was converted into a movie house. Then when the big multi-plexes took over, porn. I'm dying to see if any of the original decorations were preserved. To top it all off, the last building was a bowling alley and indoor arcade."

 

"Wow," was all that Justin could say.

 

"Yeah, wow," John mimicked then he glanced at Brian who had a very funny look on his face. "Brian?" When Brian didn't answer, John addressed Justin. "Justin, he's too quiet; he's beginning to scare me."

 

"Brian, what are you thinking?" Justin asked while gently removing the sleeping Briana out of Brian's lap and placing her into his own. Brian had the look of someone who wanted to pace. Brian got up and started to pace back and forth, muttering and inadvertently giving a pitch.

 

"Think about it, what if we're able to renovate that whole block? Time the completion of the renovations with the Rage movie. Rage was born on Liberty Avenue, what better than to have the premiere there?" Brian paused, walked toward the house a bit then squinted as the sun hit his eyes as he scanned the yard. "Hunter!" Brian called out for the boy, who then sprinted over. "Hunter, let me ask you a question."

 

"Um, okay." Hunter didn't have a clue what Brian would ask.

 

"Hunter, when you were still on the street, what were some of the things you'd dream of?"

 

"You mean, other than you fucking me?" Brian didn't dignify that remark with a comment and let a death glare fly. "Okay, okay, just kidding. I always wondered if I was going to make enough money to buy something to eat. Especially in the winter. You could always make enough money when the weather was warm but in the rain and cold. There was never enough. That's why we'd hang out in small groups. Sometimes we'd make enough for a pizza or a few sandwiches. Why?"

 

"If you had a job..."

 

"But who'd give a real job to a street kid?"

 

"That's my point!" Brian declared as if everything was crystal clear.

 

"Hold on, Brian, you're not thinking what I think you're thinking?" John got up and started to pace along with Brian. It was like watching a tennis match with twin players.

 

"You're thinking what good is getting a kid off the street when he's got nothing to do with himself." John was following Brian's line of thought.

 

"Right, and what legitimate business would want to hire a street kid, or hustler or someone who might be HIV+. So if we..." Brian kept the thought moving.

 

"If we renovate the other buildings, do a little vocational training, we have a..." John continued.

 

"A trained workforce and the kids will have their first legitimate job to put on their resume. Most of them are too young to have been working so it wouldn't matter what they did before. We can run the businesses as not for profit and the proceeds go back into the venture or for profit, then some of the net can go to the clinic. We'll need Ted to crunch more numbers."

 

"Brian, this is so farfetched that it may just work. Bobby?"

 

"Yes, John."

 

"Some of my..."

 

"You want to know if you can afford a financial piece of this." Bobby saw the longing in his husband's eyes and he smiled. John was always looking out for others, just like Brian.

 

"Yes, John, I see no reason why we can't financially contribute to this project. And I'm sure Ted could be persuaded to crunch a few more numbers."

 

They all laughed and then decided to get back to the house and consult with Ted. Their disappearance from the party was fuel for the fodder.

 

 

Bad as New

 

Chapter 6

 

"Michael, it's Emmett."

 

"Hey, Emm, what's up?"

 

"Have you talked to Justin lately?"

 

"No, not since the party. Why?"

 

"Um, do you think everything's okay between Brian and Justin?"

 

"You noticed it too, didn't you?" Michael asked relishing the likelihood that Emmett would prove his concerns about Brian tricking to be true.

 

"There seemed to be some funny business going on," Emmett admitted thinking about seeing Justin with John and Bobby with Brian.

 

"Exactly. Brian will never change," Michael said proudly remembering what he had seen of Brian and the young hustler.

 

"Maybe not," Emmett said sadly. He didn't want to believe that Brian and Justin would cheat on each other, especially with John and Bobby.

 

"I knew that so called marriage would never last," Michael said triumphantly. Justin would leave Brian before much longer. The whole sordid mess was bound to come out. If Emmett had noticed so would everyone else.

 

"I better go," Emmett said feeling like a big hole had just opened up in his world.

 

"Who were you talking to?" Drew asked as he came into their apartment.

 

"Michael."

 

"Oh, what did he want?"

 

"I called him."

 

"Just catching up on old times?" Drew asked with a smile.

 

"I wanted to ask him about Brian and Justin."

 

"What about Brian and Justin?"

 

"I think there's big trouble ahead for them."

 

Drew frowned. "What kind of trouble?"

 

"We think they're cheating on each other," Emmett said softly.

 

"Cheating? Not that nonsense you brought up at the party?"

 

"You saw them with John and Bobby that day."

 

"Yeah, so?"

 

Emmett stared at his boyfriend like he was a blind idiot. "You know."

 

"You mean…? No, that can't be true. I don't believe it."

 

"You saw them. Don't try to wish it away."

 

"But…"

 

"Our not so little family is going to be ripped apart."

 

"I can't believe…"

 

"Believe. Give me a kiss and big old hug. I need you, baby."

 

Drew pulled Emmett close and kissed him slowly. All the time he was thinking about the imminent break-up of Justin and Brian, and wondering how he could have been so wrong. How could he have missed all the warning signs?

 

As Michael hung up the phone at his house, Ben came into the living room from the kitchen. "Who were you talking to?" he asked.

 

"Emmett."

 

"And how's our dear Emmett these days."

 

"Worried."

 

"Worried? About what?"

 

"Justin and Brian."

 

"What on earth is he worrying about them for?" Ben asked in bewilderment.

 

"He thinks Brian's cheating on Justin and they're going to break up over it."

 

"What would make him think such a thing?" Ben demanded.

 

"We both saw some things," Michael said significantly.

 

"What things?"

 

"Let's just say it involves a hustler."

 

"A hustler?" Michael nodded solemnly. "Michael, you have to be wrong about this."

 

"I wish I was." Michael shook his head dramatically.

 

"You have to be."

 

"I bet other people have noticed it too. It couldn't just be me and Emm. It was so blatant."

 

"Maybe I should talk to Brian."

 

"Do you actually think he would admit anything to you … or to anyone? He's going to screw up his life because he can't keep his dick in his pants."

 

"But Brian hasn't done that for a long time."

 

"Maybe he has and we just didn't know before."

 

"Michael, I…"

 

"Don't get involved, Ben. The shit is going to hit the fan and I don't want to get coated with it."

 

"But they're our friends. Brian is…"

 

"Don't bother finishing that statement. I think Brian is going to be persona non grata very soon."

 

Michael pulled Ben's head down for a long kiss. Ben wondered what he could do to help this situation. Maybe he should speak to Brian, or maybe he shouldn't.

 

*****

 

"Jennifer!"

 

"Hello," Jennifer said coldly as she turned to face her son's husband. "What are you doing in this part of town?"

 

"I had some business down the street," Brian replied. "How about you?"

 

"I just finished showing a property in that building," she said pointing across the street.

 

"Want to grab some lunch?"

 

Jennifer studied Brian for a minute. "I don't think so," she said straightening her back. If Brian was fucking around on her son, she wouldn't demean herself by eating with him and pretending nothing was happening.

 

"Is something wrong?"

 

"No, I have to go," she said rushing away before she called him a bastard or ripped his one remaining ball off or cried like a fucking baby.

 

"Well, that was special," Brian said shaking his head. He'd have to ask Justin what was eating his mother's ass, and he was sure it wasn't some young buck.

 

*****

 

Allen walked into the diner for lunch. He saw Debbie talking to some young kid. He heard the last bit of the conversation.

 

"So you're sure you've never seen Brian with any of the hustlers you hang around with?" Debbie was asking.

 

"No," the kid replied.

 

"Keep your eyes open, and if you see anything let me know."

 

"Okay, thanks Deb," the kid said taking the bag of food she handed him in exchange for the ten dollars he offered her.

 

"You're a good kid, Frank. Thanks for doing this for me. Hey. Allen, how are you?"

 

"Can I get a burger and fries, Deb?"

 

"Sure thing. In the mood for junk food today?" she laughed.

 

"Yeah, it just takes over every once in a while."

 

"That's what keeps us in business."

 

"Deb, who was that kid you were talking to?"

 

"He's … he's a hustler but he's trying to turn his life around."

 

"I heard Brian's name mentioned. What's going on?"

 

"Don't spread this around, but Michael thinks Brian is tricking again," Debbie said confidentially. "I'm trying to get some verification of that or else prove him wrong."

 

"Somebody else said the same thing."

 

"Really?"

 

"I said it couldn't be true," Allen replied. "But maybe it is."

 

"Does Ted know anything?"

 

"He hasn't said."

 

"Maybe you should ask him."

 

"Or maybe it's none of our business."

 

"I guess you have to make that call," she said as she put in his order.

 

*****

 

Brian walked towards the bathhouse. He wanted to check on Frank and discuss a couple of things with Terry. As he walked down the street he was joined by Frank who appeared carrying a bag of food.

 

"Lunch?" Brian asked with a smirk. Frank nodded. "How does it feel to have money to pay for your meals?" Brian asked wanting some feedback as to whether his efforts were really making a difference.

 

"Not bad," Frank smiled. "Except for when it is your last ten bills."

 

"Ah, time for your monthly stipend," Brian said tongue in cheek.

 

"Yeah."

 

They stopped in front of the bathhouse. Brian took out his wallet and handed Frank a handful of bills. Frank smiled.

 

"I need to see Terry," Brian said.

 

"Terry's not in today. He wasn't feeling well."

 

"Shit!"

 

"He'll be in tomorrow, I think."

 

"Okay, behave yourself."

 

"I won't do anything you wouldn't do," Frank said as he watched Brian walk away. He looked at the money in his hand and stuffed it in his pocket before entering the bathhouse.

 

Carl Horvath watched the transaction between Brian and his trick from the spot where he had just parked his car. He was on the way to the diner to have lunch with Debbie. It looked like everything Michael had said about Brian was true.

 

Since Terry wasn't around, Brian went back to Kinnetik. It was lunchtime and the whole agency took the time to eat lunch together in the conference room. It was Brian and Cynthia's way of fostering a family feeling. For about an hour the men and women that made up Kinnetik could relax, catch up on gossip and hash out any concerns. Brian and Cynthia found it a good way to stay abreast of any ideas that the staff may have and the staff felt appreciated. Brian was about to tackle his usual dry turkey sandwich on whole wheat when Gus came running into the office.

 

"Gus!" Brian looked at the clock. It was the middle of the afternoon and Gus should have been in school. Gus had cut class and run all the way to Kinnetik.

 

"Dad, please I have to talk to you!" Gus was breathing hard; his heavy backpack was cutting into his chest.

 

"Okay, come on, into my office." Brian snatched up his sandwich, gave Cynthia a strained look then herded the younger Kinney into his private office.

 

Brian wrestled the backpack off his son and led the boy to the sofa.

 

"Hungry?" Brian asked as he offered half of his sandwich to the boy. Gus nodded and took a small bite. Gus gave his dad a scrunched up look as he slowly chewed the dry bland sandwich. Brian shrugged then went to the wet bar for a couple of bottles of water.

 

They ate in silence for a while then Brian asked the question.

 

"So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company, in the middle of the afternoon, when you should be in school?" Brian's tone was very parental.

 

"Dad, I need to ask you something and I need you to give me an honest answer. No bullshit, okay?" Brian was about to admonish the lad for language but the anguish on Gus' face told him that there would be another time for that. Brian nodded. "Is everything okay between you and Justin?" Gus asked with tears welling up in his eyes. Even though he was very young when his mother and Melanie had problems, he remembered his family had broken up for a while.

 

"What makes you think something's wrong between me and Justin?"

 

"Just answer me first then I'll tell you." The tears were now slipping down the boy's face.

 

"Gus," Brian drew the boy into his arms. "Gus, I swear, on the top of your head, Justin and I are fine. Never better. You want to speak with him?" Gus nodded as he sobbed. Brian took out his cell phone, hit one on the speed dial and set the phone on speaker. Justin answered on one ring.

 

"Hey," Justin said on the other end.

 

"Hey. Justin, I have a very upset young man here who thinks something's wrong with our relationship."

 

"Who, Bri?" Brian nudged Gus and he spoke up.

 

"Hi Justin, it's me, Gus," Gus said meekly.

 

"Gus, what's wrong, buddy?"

 

"I heard Uncle Mikey and momma talking. Uncle Mikey said he saw dad tricking and paying a hustler. I don't understand all of it but they think you're cheating on each other and with Uncle John and Bobby. I had to come here. Please, I don't know who to ask. Dad?" The tears were flowing freely now. Brian and Justin started talking all at once as Brian hugged his son. Finally, Justin's voice cut through.

 

"Brian, I think you need to tell Gus what's going on. I know you wanted to keep things quiet but he has the right to know."

 

"Are you sure?"

 

"I'm sure. You know I'll support whatever you decide. Gus?"

 

"Yes," Gus barely squeaked out.

 

"Your dad is a wonderful man and I love him more than anything in the world. Remember that. Now, you listen carefully to him and you call me anytime you want. Okay, buddy?"

 

"Okay."

 

"Bri, I'm hanging up. I love you."

 

"Love you too, Sunshine. Later."

 

"Later." Brian cut the connection and handed Gus some tissues. "Gus, this is a long and difficult story but you're a smart kid, so listen up. And you're sworn to secrecy until Justin or I tell you it's okay to share. And for further proof..." Brian went to his desk and hit the button for the intercom. "Schmidt! Get your ass in here." Scrambling footsteps were heard outside Brian's office. Brian winked at Gus who almost broke into giggles as Ted came running to do his master's bidding.

 

"What can I do for you, Bri?" Ted was breathing heavily. He had sprinted in from the other end of the office.

 

"Theodore, Gus here, has heard some nasty rumors from some of the family. I think it's time we shared our scheme with him and he has already taken the oath of silence."

 

"Um, sure, Bri. What scheme?" Brian snarled at Ted. "Oooh! That scheme. And who's spreading rumors?" Brian growled. "Ah. Well, we knew sooner or later this would happen. Okay, how can I help?"

 

Between Brian and Ted, the whole concept for the clinic, theater and bowling alley was explained to Gus. Brian didn't go into detail of his reasons how this all came about but Gus got the picture of the social importance of the venture.

 

"We studied about Stockwell in our poly-sci class. I didn't know you had anything to do with it. The teacher said it was the Committee of Concerned Citizens."

 

Ted pointed at Brian. "Gus, meet the committee. It was all your dad. He took all his money, made the TV ad and bought air time." Gus gaped at his dad in wonderment and awe. Brian blushed.

 

"Look, the point is," Brian quickly tried to change the subject, "that we're trying to do something good for this part of our city. And I didn't really want anyone to know my involvement. Hence your oath. Ted knows, for obvious reasons since he's the one who's going to make sure I don't lose my shirt. Justin knows because I can't keep any secrets from him. John and Bobby know because John's construction company will head up the renovations. Bobby's my lawyer so we all needed him. Hunter is going to run the damn thing and Bill from the Farm is coming down here to help. So that means Claire and Steve know and we can't forget Nick cause he and Hunter are, well you know. Fuck! The whole damned family will know sooner or later." Brian nervously paced; this was getting out of hand.

 

"Dad! No queen outs, okay? I get it and I think it's a great idea. You really think you can get it all done by the time Rage is released?"

 

"We're hoping. Justin got a call from Brett. Most of the filming is done. It's the editing that's going to take the most time; at least six to nine months. John says that if the basic structures of the buildings are sound, the renovations will go quicker. So we should have it timed right." Brian took a few sips of water before continuing. "Gus, I'm sorry you had to hear about this through the gay grapevine but just try to hang on and don't listen. Sometimes Uncle Mikey says things before he puts his brain in gear. And you know Mel and me don't always get along. If it gets real bad then ask your mommy to call me. I'll explain things to her and she can be your ally against the masses."

 

"Okay, pop. I can hang tough. We Kinney men have to stick together." Gus got up to give his dad a hug. Ted quietly backed out of the office to give the Kinney men some privacy. Rage saved the day, again.

 

 

Bad as New

 

Chapter 7

 

After Brian had successfully calmed Gus, he brought the boy back to school and smooth talked the principal. Gus swore on all things holy that he would never cut class again and even volunteered to write a paper on the inner workings of an ad agency. Brian didn't have to go back to Kinnetik so he decided to go to Babylon and give the books the once over. He didn't really have to do that since Ted was on top of the business end at Babylon too, but Brian had some nervous energy to work off before going to the loft. Hunter was planning to move down and he wanted to check out the place and see if he had anything in storage to give to the boy. Brian parked the Vette in the alley and went into the club. He was greeted by a very angry Carl Horvath.

 

"Brian, you have some nerve." Carl had grown to respect the man and he couldn't believe that Brian would let everyone down by breaking his vows.

 

"Carl, I don't know what you're talking about." Carl was growing red in the face with anger. "Um, let's take this into your office." If Carl was going to tear Brian a new one, he'd rather have it done in private. Carl spun around and stomped to the office. Brian quietly followed.

 

"Sit down, Brian." Carl pointed to a chair. He was in full law enforcement authority mode. Brian had the feeling he was going to be interrogated. Carl sat on the edge of his desk and with his bulk, looked down menacingly at Brian.

 

"Gonna use the rubber hoses on me, Carl?" Brian tried to joke.

 

"This is no laughing matter, Kinney. Now I want some straight answers and no bullshit. You get me?"

 

"Yeah, I get you." Brian realized the rumor mill had struck again.

 

"I want to know why I saw you giving money to that little hustler. Don't you get enough at home?"

 

"Carl, my sex life has nothing to do with you."

 

"Normally, I'd agree. But lately there have been too many rumors. Too many people have seen you buying it. Debbie's gotten herself all in a snit. And I have to go home to that woman. You know as well as I do that she's like a dog with a bone. If you don't come clean, she'll hunt you down. So now I'm asking, what the fuck is going on? Are you and Justin fucking around on each other?"

 

"Carl, I can't go into detail because the deals I'm making are not all written in stone yet. Bottom line, Justin and I are fine. No one's tricking and I'm not paying for it. What you saw, what you think you saw is me living up to my end of a bargain." Brian rubbed the bridge of his nose. He was getting a headache, something he hadn't had in a very long time.

 

"What bargain?"

 

"A few weeks ago, Frankie, the blond hustler, tried to proposition me. You saw him, Carl. He's Hunter, Jason Kemp and Justin all rolled up in one. I turned him down but I couldn't leave it at that."

 

"What did you do, Brian?" Carl looked exasperated at Brian.

 

"I dragged his skinny ass into Terry's and I asked Terry to give him a legit job. I told the kid if he stayed clean, I'd match whatever Terry paid him. What you saw was me giving him the stipend. Look, I know it wasn't one of my smartest moves but I can't close my eyes to it anymore. Carl, you know as well as I do, the city doesn't have the resources to get these kids off the street and into a program. Shit, there aren't any programs. Hunter was one of the lucky ones and you know all the shit he went through. I'm, we're, trying to do something good with my money."

 

"Who's we?" Carl was a very perceptive ex-cop.

 

"Justin, for one. He knows everything and supports my plan. Ted's involved because he crunches the money. I needed Bobby cause he's my lawyer. John's construction company and Hunter."

 

"Hunter?! Brian the kid's just starting out, why get him involved?"

 

"Because he's an integral part of the plan. We need him to run the center."

 

"Center? What center?"

 

"Officially it'll be called the Jason Kemp Clinic and Drop-in Center. A place where street kids can come in, get advice, maybe a meal and a line on a real job. Carl, who cares what it's called? It's a place where these kids can talk to someone who has been there. Someone who knows what it's like on the street, to be hungry and dirty and be fucked by every perv that's out there." Brian was getting tired of explaining himself again and again.

 

"Okay, okay, I see where you're going with this. This is a very big undertaking. And you say Justin knows everything?"

 

"Yeah, he gets to hold me when the nightmares come," Brian whispered. Carl was stunned. He very rarely got to see the vulnerable side of Brian Kinney.

 

"All right, I'll see what I can do, to get the family to back off. But it won't be easy especially when Debbie's involved."

 

"I know and I'm sorry you're caught in the middle but it can't be helped. We haven't got the official go ahead from the city yet. If they say no, then all our plans come to a halt."

 

Carl nodded; he could see that Brian was serious about the clinic and the toll it was already taking. "If I can help in any way, you'll let me know."

 

"Yeah, just try to steer Debbie away and get Michael to shut the fuck up. Bobby should know in a few days if we get all the permits and licenses, then I don't care if the President himself knows."

 

"Brian, Bush and his assholes are long gone."

 

"Yeah, but they left a lot of shit in their wake. I gotta go, Carl. Hunter's moving back to the Pitts and that's not for public knowledge. He wants time to scope out the old neighborhoods, get the feel of who's on the streets before all is revealed. He'll be moving into my building."

 

"Is that wise? The biggest gossip queen lives there."

 

"Yeah, well, can you see him moving in with you or Mikey? And trying to creep out at night? I don't think so. It'll be fine. That kid has a way of making himself invisible. There is something you can do, though."

 

"Name it."

 

"Like I said, Hunter will be going to some of his old haunts. Can you put a quiet word out that he's not a hustler? I don't want some hotshot cop putting the screws to him."

 

"Putting the screws to him? You've been watching some very old movies lately, haven't you?"

 

"Yeah, you try pacing with a baby who's teething in the middle of the night. There's nothing good on cable. I got into the habit of watching the AMC channel." Carl and Brian laughed then shook hands. Carl drew Brian into a hug.

 

"You be careful. I know you want this to keep quiet but you know the shit will eventually hit the fan."

 

"I know. Thanks for helping and coming to me first. I appreciate it."

 

"You're welcome Brian. You're my friend as well as my employer and I'd do anything to keep you and Debbie from getting hurt."

 

Brian nodded; he knew all that Carl said was true. The shit would hit the fan. Brian hoped he'd be able to duck fast enough.

 

Brian drove to the loft, parked out front and sauntered inside. There was no reason for him to hide; he owned the damn building and still had his apartment there. It wasn't unusual for him to go and check out the loft. He went up to his loft and had a good look around. Shades of the days and nights he spent sucking and fucking Justin brought a smile to his lips and a twitch to his cock.

 

"Hmm, maybe the futon cushions," he thought out loud. Hunter was planning to move in over the weekend but he had next to nothing by way of furniture. Brian thought he might have some things to give him. His ringing cell broke his reverie.

 

"Kinney."

 

"Hey Bri, where are you?"

 

"What's it to you, Schmidt?" Brian snapped at his old friend.

 

"Whoa! Hey, I'm not your enemy."

 

"Sorry, Ted. I just came from Babylon. Carl chewed me a new one."

 

"Why?"

 

"He saw me giving Frankie his stipend and jumped to the wrong conclusions."

 

"Shit, I'm sorry, Bri. Look, let me try to set up an account for the kid then we can transfer the money directly to it. That way no one will see that happen again."

 

"You can do that?"

 

"Piece of cake, Brian."

 

"Make it legal, Ted. We can't take any chances that someone thinks the kid's on the payroll for the wrong reasons."

 

"Hey, legal is my middle name."

 

"Uh huh. Why did you call me?"

 

"Oh, yeah. I just got a call from Emmett. He's leaving tonight for a canapé convention in New York and wants me to look after his apartment."

 

"A fucking what kind of convention?"

 

"A canapé..."

 

"Never mind that! Where's Drew?"

 

"The Ironmen are on the road with their first away game, so..."

 

"That means the gossip queen and his boy friend won't be home for a few days."

 

"Correct."

 

"What about Allen?"

 

"Rehearsals. The symphony is getting ready for a series of concert tours."

 

"So, he's gone for most of the day."

 

"And night."

 

"That means we can get Hunter in with little fuss."

 

"Yup."

 

"You're a genius, Schmidt."

 

"Thanks, boss. And listen, I have plenty of stuff down in the storage area. Hunter can go shopping. Brian, has Bobby called you yet?"

 

"No, you?"

 

"Not yet."

 

"Shit. I really want this to happen. I think it'll be a good thing for the whole neighborhood."

 

"It will, Bri, and I know it'll happen and soon."

 

"I hope so, Ted. I can't take much more of this skulking around. I don't want this to hurt Gus or Justin. You know I don't give a shit about what they say about me..."

 

"Brian, you don't owe me any explanations. I'm behind you 100%."

 

"You behind me? In your dreams, Schmidt. Now go earn me some money."

 

"Yes, boss, Brian, Bri. Right away." Ted cut the connection as he heard Brian let out a laugh. A laughing Brian was a happy Brian and Ted vowed to keep his friend and employer very happy.

 

*****

 

Hunter made his way in the back door of the loft building. He was carrying a suitcase with his clothes and a box with a few of the necessities of life. He took the back stairs and quickly unlocked the door to his apartment. He carried his stuff inside and set them down turning to close and lock the door quickly.

 

Hunter turned and looked around the big open space. Well, it wasn't really all that big, but it was enough. It was a start, a start on the rest of his life. He could live there without any problem. He noticed something piled in the corner. When he went over to see what it was he noticed a note pinned to the futon cushion that he recognized from Brian's loft.

 

The note said: Hunter, feel free to use this. It has been thoroughly cleaned, so no fears in that direction. You can have it until you get a bed. I'd like it back; it has some sentimental value. Ted will be home tonight and he has some things in his storage locker that you might be able to use. Give him a call. Allen's going out of town. B

 

Hunter smiled to himself. At least he would have a place to sleep tonight. He pulled the cushion out and opened it. Inside was a pillow and a set of sheets. Hunter smiled. Brian Kinney was sure something. "Sentimental value," he whispered to himself as he set up his bed.

 

It didn't take long for Hunter to stow his meager possessions. He'd bring his computer down from the farm later. He hung the few clothes he had brought with him and put the food that Claire had sent into the fridge.

 

He looked at his watch and decided to call Ted at Kinnetik. When he was connected, he got right to the point. "Hi, Ted, Brian left a note saying you might have some things I could use for my apartment."

 

"I sure do. When Allen and I moved in together we had duplicates of a lot of furniture and small appliances. Most of it's still in our storage unit. You're welcome to whatever you want."

 

"That would be great, Ted."

 

"Oh, and good news, Emmett and Drew are both out of town. Allen will be practicing late tonight, so we could bring whatever interests you up to your place tonight."

 

"That's wonderful. What time?"

 

"I'll be home before seven," Ted said. "Why don't you come down around eight? Allen will have gone to rehearsal by then and we can raid the storage unit."

 

"I'll see you then," Hunter said. "And thanks."

 

Looking around and deciding that there wasn't much else he could do until he found out what Ted had to offer, Hunter decided to go scope out the bathhouse. He went out the back way and started walking towards Liberty. He was pretty sure he knew the place Brian meant. He turned down the street that he thought the bathhouse was on. Up ahead he saw a blond boy that looked a lot like how Brian had described Frank.

 

"Hey, Frank," Hunter called taking a chance that he had the right kid.

 

The kid turned and looked at the guy who had called to him. "How do you know my name?" Frank asked as Hunter caught up to him.

 

"Lucky guess. I'm a friend of Brian Kinney," Hunter added by way of explanation.

 

"What? Did he send you to spy on me?"

 

"No," Hunter laughed. "Nothing like that. Do you know anything about what Brian's planning to do with the bathhouse?"

 

"A little. Terry's been griping about all the changes coming. Why?"

 

"I'm going to be in charge of a clinic there if everything works out."

 

"A clinic? Are you a doctor?"

 

"No," Hunter said shyly thinking of how Michael had wanted him to be just that. "I'm interested in working with kids like you."

 

"And what would you know about kids like me?" Frank asked warily.

 

"I was you a few years ago," Hunter replied.

 

"What? What the fuck are you talking about?"

 

"I was a hustler until some good people gave me a chance for something better."

 

"Good people like Brian?"

 

"Yeah, him … and others. I understand he's helping you too."

 

"He got me a job and he matches what Terry pays me."

 

"That's great. It's nice to have money in your pocket," Hunter said.

 

"Yeah."

 

"But what do you want to do down the road?"

 

"Survive."

 

"Once you get past the survival problem, and I think you already have, what do you want to do with your life?"

 

"How the fuck should I know?"

 

"That's what this clinic is going to be for," Hunter explained. "We're going to try to get you kids help if you need it, a chance at a decent job and hope for the future."

 

"Are you for fucking real?" Frank asked his mouth hanging open in disbelief.

 

"You can pinch me if you don't think I am. Ow, not that hard."

 

Frank laughed. "You may be real, but are you for real?"

 

"I hope to prove that to you and any others who want some help."

 

Frank studied Hunter trying to decide if this guy was shitting him or not. "So what do you think of Brian Kinney?" he asked.

 

"I think he's the best," Hunter said honestly.

 

"Yeah, and he sure is good looking. He smells wonderful."

 

"Yeah, I know," Hunter said. "I'll see you tomorrow or the next day. I gotta go."

 

"Sure," Frank said as he watched Hunter walk away. He'd have to see if this guy showed up again. They were going to make a fucking clinic in the bathhouse. He could hardly wait to see this. He wondered what some of the other hustlers and the patrons of the bathhouse would think about that. He quickly made his way to the bathhouse door. He had the evening shift and the tips were always great at that time of day.

 

Ben watched Frank walk into the bathhouse. He had seen Hunter as he caught up with Frank and had been about to call out to his adopted son. Ben knew the kid Hunter approached was a hustler. He had been propositioned by him a few weeks earlier. But what the fuck was Hunter doing with him? What was Hunter doing in Pittsburgh and not at the Farm? Why hadn't he let him and Michael know that he was here? There seemed to be only one answer, an answer that Ben didn't want to believe. Hunter was starting to trick again. He had heard the last bit of their conversation about Brian as Ben had crept closer. This had to be Brian's evil influence. Not only was Brian tricking but he was sucking those around him into it too.

 

Michael had been right all along.

 

 

Bad as New

 

Chapter 8

 

"Ted, thanks for dinner," Hunter said as he cleaned his plate. He was sitting at the dining table with Ted in Ted and Allen's loft. "Claire sent some food with me but this was a nice change."

 

"Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Allen decided to go out and grab a bite with some guys from the orchestra. Do you think you're going to enjoy setting up this clinic?"

 

"I think so. It won't be easy."

 

"I guess it will take a while to gain the trust of the hustlers."

 

"Yeah, but I think I made a step in the right direction this afternoon."

 

"Why? What happened?"

 

"I went to scope out the bathhouse and I met that Frank kid that sort of started all this."

 

"Did you now? What's he like?"

 

Hunter hesitated for a moment. "He's like all the rest of them. He's like I used to be. They're all running away from something. They need to start running towards something instead. Anyway I made contact with him and told him a little of what we're planning to do there."

 

"I got the go ahead from Bobby this afternoon. The papers will be filed tomorrow. The clinic is a go."

 

"That's great," Hunter smiled. "I'll soon be official."

 

"What's your first move?"

 

"There won't be an actual clinic for a while yet, but Frank will start to spread the word for me. I want them to see my presence around the area, get to know me. They have to learn that I'm on the up and up, that I'm not screwing with them or turning them in to the cops."

 

"That's true. I think that's a good idea. You know, I've seen the plans for the renovations. I think we might be able to find you an office space while the changes are being made. It would give you a base to work from. I'll talk to Brian tomorrow."

 

"That would be great, now let's go see this furniture you don't need anymore."

 

*****

 

Ben was sitting in the dark living room when Michael came in having stayed late to complete his inventory at the comic book store.

 

"Why are you sitting in the dark?" Michael asked.

 

"It seemed appropriate."

 

"Why? What's wrong?"

 

Ben let out a long sigh. "Everything."

 

"Are you sick? Ben, oh no. What's going on?"

 

"I'm not sick. I saw Hunter today."

 

"You went to the Farm?"

 

"No, he's here in Pittsburgh."

 

"He is? Why didn't he let us know?"

 

"Because we've failed him," Ben said choking back tears.

 

"Failed him? What are you talking about?"

 

"He's gone back to hustling," Ben said wearily as he wiped at his eyes.

 

"Don't say crazy stuff like that," Michael replied his voice full of fear. "He wouldn't do that."

 

"I saw him."

 

"Saw him? Saw him where?"

 

"Near Terry's bathhouse. He was with a kid who tried to hustle me a few weeks ago."

 

"That … that can't be true," Michael said desperately. "It just can't be."

 

"Well, it fucking is, Michael! Do you think I'd make something like this up? I saw them together with my own two eyes. Our son has turned back to the streets."

 

"No, it can't be," Michael said sitting down beside Ben and holding his head in his hands. "It can't be true," Michael whimpered. He looked up at the pain written all over Ben's face and then he knew it was true.

 

*****

 

The next day a very enraged Ben stormed through the doors of Kinnetik and stalked towards Brian's office. His was met by Cynthia who was about to go in, carrying Brian's lunch in a bag.

 

"Hi Ben."

 

"He in?" Ben asked curtly.

 

"Yes, I was about to take in his lunch," Cynthia raised the bag. Ben snatched the bag out of Cynthia's hand.

 

"I'll deliver it to the son of a bitch." Before Cynthia could say or do anything, Ben was through the doors.

 

Brian was sitting at his desk pouring over the permits and licenses that Bobby had faxed over. Ted was looking over his shoulder and they were discussing when to start the renovations on the bathhouse. They both looked up as the freight train known as Ben Bruckner threw the bag down on Brian's desk and proceeded to get ready to throttle him.

 

"You fucking son of a bitch! First you fuck up your own life and now you're messing with mine. I could, could..." Ben hadn't felt this angry since the time he had 'roid-rage' and slammed Brian into the locker. His fists were balled up ready to strike.

 

"Ben!" Teddy threw himself in front of the big man. He knew that Ben could tear him in two but he needed that time to get Ben to calm so they could get to the bottom of this. "Ben, stop. You have to get a hold of yourself. What do you think Brian's done?"

 

"That fucking whore has been seen with that little hustler and now I saw Hunter with him last night. Why Brian? Why can't you keep your dick in your pants and away from my family?" Ben broke down and fell to his knees. Everything he believed in was crashing around him and he had no idea how to stop it.

 

Ted looked at the hapless Ben sobbing on the floor then looked at Brian who was completely stunned into silence.

 

"Brian, do something! You've got to tell him and NOW!"

 

"Oh for fuck's sake. Ted, help me get him up off the floor. Damn he's big. Shit, probably banged his knees up bad." Ted and Brian were able to get Ben up and to the sofa. "Go get me some water, no, tea. Someone should have some herbal shit tea around here." Ted went for the door. "No, stay here with me. Get Cynthia to do it. Ben may not believe what I have to say." Ted nodded, went out to Cynthia then quickly returned. Who would ever believe that Brian Kinney needed Ted Schmidt to protect him?

 

"Ben, if I explain what you saw, will you promise to listen and not break my neck?" Ben nodded slightly. "Ben, I swear on Briana and Gus' heads that I have not been tricking and Hunter is not turning tricks." Brian waited to see Ben's reaction.

 

"Then why did Michael say he saw you give that hustler money? And why didn't Hunter tell anyone he was in town?"

 

"Because, my brawny friend, I've been giving the kid money to keep him off the streets. He was hitting on half the men in the neighborhood. I took him to Terry's and got him a real job but you know Terry's a cheap bastard."

 

Ben looked up at Brian with a 'duh' look.

 

"Okay, maybe not. The bathhouse is so not you. I've been matching what the kid's been earning at the bathhouse. He passes out towels, cleans up..."

 

"The place has gotten so much nicer ever since..." Ben and Brian turned to glare at Ted. "Um, so I've heard."

 

"Anyway, I give the kid a few bucks as long as he stays clean."

 

"And Hunter?"

 

"Hunter will be the head counselor of the drop-in center," Brian said proudly.

 

"What drop-in center?"

 

"The one we just got the license and permits to open. We're going to renovate the bathhouse and use part of it as the clinic. Next will be that old theater next door and last but not least the bowling alley at the end of the block. With any luck, we'll have that end of Liberty looking pretty damn skippy by this time next year. Sooner if John moves his ass quicker. That's if my money holds out."

 

"You? You're funding all of this?"

 

"Brian's putting up the initial costs. We've applied for city and government funding and we've redirected some of Brian's charitable contributions to the new clinic. John and Bobby have donated their expertise to the cause. And your son, Hunter..."

 

"The new Master of Social Work," Brian smiled warmly as he spoke that phrase, "has been trying to scope out the territory. Get to know the new kids on the block, so to speak. The kids he used to hang with are all gone. But there's always a new crop to take their place."

 

"Ben, the plan is to offer as many kids as we can a real job, get them training, and tested. Maybe get them back in school," Ted continued from where Brian left off. "That's why we decided to try to clean up the whole street."

 

"I understand," Ben finally said something. "What good is getting a kid off the street if he doesn't have a job?"

 

"Correct thinking, Professor. Now, you still want to hit me?"

 

"No, but I think I owe you lunch."

 

"Okay, but not at the diner. I don't think I'm Debbie's favorite person right now."

 

"She doesn't know?"

 

"Not yet, but Carl does. We've been trying to keep this quiet because we weren't sure if we'd get the permits from the city. I don't make promises I can't keep."

 

"I should have realized that. Brian, I'm so sorry," Ben said very contritely. "But I still don't understand why all the secrecy about Hunter."

 

"It was a difficult decision for him to make. Everything's so clean and fresh up at the Farm, and neat. All he had to do was get up, muck out a barn, say a few words to some kids then go home. Don't look at me that way, I know it was so much more but think about it. He left this life so long ago. I don't think he knew if he could come back here. So he needed a little time to figure things out."

 

"He's a lot like you." Ben made his revelation.

 

"Me?" Brian was almost horrified at the thought.

 

"You're both very complicated men, many layers and you both tend to keep things to yourself. And it's only the people you love and trust that get to see all the layers. And you've both worked very hard to achieve your accomplishments." Things were getting way too emotional when Cynthia came in with a cup of herbal tea.

 

"It's peppermint, I hope that's okay," Cynthia stated, handing the cup to Ben and hoping all the shouting was over for the day.

 

"Thank you, its fine and I'm sorry if I frightened you."

 

"You get away with it only once and that's because you're cute. Next time, I wipe the floor with your ass. This is my shop, mister, and no one shouts around here but me." Brian cleared his throat a little and arched a brow. "Oh, and Brian too, but we tend to ignore him," she said in a loud whisper to Ben that she knew Brian and Ted could hear. Then Cynthia left the office. Ted giggled until a Kinney death glare stopped him.

 

"Now, did I hear you say something about lunch?" Brian very quickly changed the subject.

 

"Sure, how about that Italian place a few blocks over?"

 

"Sounds good. If you have the time, we can cut through near Terry's. I'll give you the quick tour. Ted, you want to join us? It's the least I can do for you throwing yourself in front an on-coming truck."

 

"What truck?" Ted asked in all ignorance.

 

"That truck," Brian nodded toward Ben who was now blushing from head to toe.

 

"Thank you, Brian, but I think I should start working on setting up the special account for the clinic. I can transfer the money, we can collect interest while..."

 

"Ted, Ted, all that money stuff is giving me a headache. Just do what you do and give me the bottom line later." Brian regally waved his arm.

 

"Sure thing, boss," Ted said as he waved goodbye at his two friends as they walked out.

 

Ted sat at Brian's desk to study the clinic papers, opened the brown paper bag and pulled out Brian's sandwich. As he took a bite out of the dry turkey on whole wheat, he mumbled, "Needs mayo." Then he continued to do what he did so well.

 

*****

 

Brian and Ben walked along the street from the restaurant where they had had lunch. Ben's good humor had returned and he had apologized profusely for jumping to the wrong conclusions. Brian was beginning to wish the big man would just shut up about it and things could return to normal. Maybe the tour of the bathhouse would take both their minds off the earlier drama.

 

As they turned into the street where the bathhouse was located Brian started his explanation of what the renovations would entail. He became very animated as he pointed to the various buildings and the long term plans for each. When they arrived at the entrance to the bathhouse, Ben was about to start up the steps when Brian stopped him.

 

"Not that way, Ben. We don't actually need to go into the bathhouse."

 

"And here I was kind of looking forward to it," Ben grinned.

 

"A trip down memory lane?"

 

"Just wanted to see if anything had changed."

 

"It hasn't." Ben grinned. "And this time of day it's hardly worth looking."

 

"I don't really want to go in there," Ben admitted. "I'm in a committed relationship. Anything we might find in there is of no interest to me."

 

"Michael's very lucky."

 

"I hope he sees it that way. What am I going to tell him about Hunter?"

 

"Don't tell him anything until I give you the go ahead. There's just a few more papers to sign and i's to dot and then the whole thing will come out."

 

"I don't know if I can keep it from him. He was very upset. You saw how I was."

 

"If you have to tell him, then do. Ask him to keep it between you two. Okay?"

 

Ben smiled. "I'll handle it."

 

"Thanks Ben," Brian said pulling the big man into a hug.

 

Just as that happened Michael crossed the street heading for the diner to grab some late lunch. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Ben and Brian hugging. All he could think was what the fuck was going on. He stepped back behind the building so they wouldn't see him but he could peer out at them.

 

"I should be thanking you, Brian," Ben said as he released Brian from the hug. "So should a lot of other people when you get this up and running."

 

"I don't want thanks. I want it to work."

 

"It will," Ben said confidently patting Brian on the shoulder.

 

"Then come," Brian said loudly. "Let me show you the entrance to the place that will change our world." Brian gestured to a doorway a little farther along the building.

 

"You have your own entrance?" Ben asked with a big smile and a shake of his head.

 

"This will be Hunter's entrance," Brian said. "Come in." He used his key and unlocked the door.

 

"I can't believe my little boy will have his own office and in the back of a bathhouse," Ben laughed.

 

The two men went inside letting the door lock behind them. Michael stood rooted to the spot. His fists clenched and unclenched. Now it seemed that Ben was going along with some weird plan involving their son, Brian and the bathhouse. How had the world gotten so screwed up?

 

Michael turned slowly and started across the street not paying any attention to where he was going or what was happening around him. His head was full of images of Brian and Ben together and Hunter with men all over him. Everything was so wrong.

 

Michael never heard the horn as the street sweeper approached him. He just kept walking. The first time he realized how close he was to the street and what was about to happen was when the first wave of water hit his shoes and lower legs. As the rest of the street sweeper passed him by and he stood stock still, the water shot higher and higher drenching him from head to toe. He looked like a drowned rat as he seemed unable to move.

 

Finally he got his soggy shoes to start moving and he ran in the direction of the diner. "Ma," he whined forlornly. "Ma!"

 

 

Bad as New

 

Chapter 9

 

The next few weeks were busy for the 'clinic gang.' Everyone had their assignments and were going about them quietly. Brian took more care not to be seen going over to Terry's. It was made easier since Ted set up a bank account for Frank. As it turned out, Frank was the son of a local professor at PIFA. He had fallen into the wrong crowd, ran away from home and was afraid to go back. When Justin heard all this, he made contact with the professor to feel out if Frank would be welcomed home. Justin's own non-existent relationship with Craig made him leery. If Frank's father was anything like his own, the rejection could wipe out all the good that was done. Ben also knew of the professor so he and Justin planned to make a visit.

 

John and Bobby were spending a lot time in Pittsburgh too. John and his foreman were busy taking measurements, walking around with hard hats and clip boards and generally doing things 'constructiony.' Since John had a financial stake in the project, he decided to take a more hands on approach, starting with a clean up crew for the bathhouse. Terry almost shit a brick when he thought it was Brian in the hard hat wielding a hammer and poking at tiles. John's friendly demeanor set him straight, so to speak. John even agreed to have the majority of the work planned for the bathhouse section of the building to be done between the hours of four in the morning and noon, the slowest part of the day. The work on the clinic side was being done in rotating shifts starting off with a small office for Hunter.

 

Bobby had to file some documents in person so he and Brian met one afternoon at the courthouse. Bill and Hunter decided to go along too. Bill had colleagues in Family Court and the court appointed counselors all had offices nearby. Karen, the same counselor that assisted Brian's sister and her boys, was in the neighborhood too. Bill thought it would be a good idea to introduce her to Hunter. Karen had a lot of experience and would be a great resource for Hunter. Hunter's background would be invaluable to Karen as well. The fact that Hunter was still very young looking didn't hurt. Karen and Bill knew that street kids would more easily trust Hunter than other adults.

 

Bobby and Brian had just finished signing the last documents making the Jason Kemp Clinic a reality. They were so happy and pleased with themselves that they were practically skipping out of the building. They were going to meet up with Bill and Hunter for a congratulatory lunch. Bobby and Brian hugged warmly and exchanged a chaste kiss. Brian's dream was closer to becoming real. Melanie Marcus, attorney at law and very self righteous bitch, saw the innocent encounter and did what she did best, jumped to all the wrong conclusions. She stomped up the courthouse steps with blood in her eyes and vengeance in her heart.

 

"How could you?" Melanie spat out and then slapped Brian across his face. "I swear, Kinney, I will somehow make sure you never see Gus again. And you...," Mel pointed at Bobby, "you should be ashamed of yourself. You call yourself a lawyer." Without waiting for any explanation, hurricane Melanie, blew away.

 

"Shit, Brian! Are you okay?" Hunter and Bill had just arrived to see Melanie pop Brian. Brian, rubbing the side of his face, mumbled that he was okay.

 

"Brian, I think it's time we tell the family what's going on. You can't keep taking the brunt of the fallout," Hunter said. Hunter and Ben had met shortly after Brian's encounter with his father. Ben admitted to Hunter what he had thought, and now he was so proud of Hunter for taking on this task. But Hunter didn't realize how bad the rumors had gotten and their toll on Brian.

 

"What fallout? Brian, what is Hunter talking about?" Since Bobby did the majority of his work and research from Harrisburg, he had no idea what was happening in Pittsburgh.

 

"Come on; let's go find a place for lunch. I think I need a drink." Brian's cheek was still smarting and he preferred not to have this conversation on the courthouse steps. His crack about needing a drink garnered annoyed and concerned looks from the men in his company. Brian shrugged, "It's purely for medicinal purposes." The looks didn't go away. "Fine, iced tea then." Brian held up his hands in defeat then strode away leaving three men sprinting to catch up.

 

*****

 

"John, come take a look at this."

 

"What is it, Gordon?"

 

"Come and look." Gordon, John's long time friend and trusted foreman had decided to take a break from the bathhouse renovations to sneak a peek into the theater. Gordon shared John's enthusiasm for classic architecture. They were both exploring the dilapidated building when they made a wonderful discovery. Following Gordon's flashlight beam, John looked up at the ceiling of the old theater.

 

"John, do you see it? There, under those old drapes and banners."

 

"Damn, they didn't rip them down. It's like stepping back in time."

 

"Can you imagine how opulent this theater must have been back in its heyday? I hope we can do it justice."

 

"Look at that, it's all gold leafed. Gordon, we're going to need artisans as well as a specialized work crew."

 

"Didn't your brother-in-law graduate from PIFA?"

 

"Yes, what about it?"

 

"I bet you can get restorers and artisans there. And for a project like this they'd work for next to nothing, not that money is an issue. Hell, just to get my hands on that chandelier I'd pay you!" John and Gordon laughed then started to sneeze. The place needed a good airing and protective equipment before any work could be done.

 

"Gord, these old buildings..."

 

"Yeah, I know, I'll call haz-mat." John and Gordon locked up the old building.

 

*****

 

Brian arrived at the cottage in the middle of the afternoon. "Justin," he called as he came through the door.

 

"Out here," Justin responded from the sun porch.

 

Brian found him standing in front of an empty canvas staring at it. "Painter's block?" he asked.

 

"Yeah," Justin said still staring at the canvas. "You're home early." He turned to kiss Brian and a little gasp escaped his throat.

 

"Brian, what happened to your face?" he asked as he gently touched the red area on one cheek. Brian winced.

 

"An angry encounter with a pissed off lesbian."

 

"Melanie?"

 

"How did you guess?"

 

"What the fuck is her problem?"

 

"She saw me give Bobby a kiss outside the government building where we signed some papers. She jumped to the usual conclusion that I'm a no good two timing son of a bitch and slapped me across the face."

 

"I'm going to knock her senseless the nest time I see her. How dare she…?"

 

"Easy, Sunshine, I'd pay money to see that, but I'm afraid she'd kick your ass."

 

"No, she wouldn't, not when I'm defending my man."

 

"You are so sweet," Brian cooed pulling Justin against him and kissing the sweet lips.

 

"Does it hurt much?" Justin asked when Brian released him.

 

"Only when I breathe."

 

"Ah, poor baby. Come with me and I'll try to take your mind off it," Justin proposed.

 

"Okay," Brian agreed allowing Justin to take his hand and lead him over to the big brass bed. "Bree?" he asked as Justin began removing his clothes.

 

"I put her down about fifteen minutes ago. We should have lots of time before she wakes up."

 

Justin removed each piece of clothing kissing the skin beneath. He alternated that with kisses to Brian's bruised cheek, soft butterfly kisses that barely touched the surface but somehow seemed to draw all the heat from the tender spot on Brian's face. When Justin was finished with Brian's clothes he gently pushed his husband back onto the bed and proceeded to slowly remove his own clothing, leaning in for long sensuous kisses or brushing his lips over Brian's cheek.

 

By the time Justin was naked Brian was panting with desire and the short gulping breaths didn't hurt his cheek at all. The only pain he felt was in his groin, and it was a very pleasant ache … for his straining cock to be so far up Justin's glorious ass that they could never be separated.

 

Justin lay down beside his husband and cupped his face in his hands. "My big brave warrior," Justin whispered. "I love you so much and I'm so proud of you."

 

"Why are you proud? Because I took a beating and kept on ticking?"

 

Justin chuckled. "Ever the ad man." He threw his leg over Brian's body and sat on his husband's groin. Brian let out a groan as he felt Justin's weight and his cock seemed to laser in on Justin's hole temptingly out of reach.

 

"Let me fuck you," Brian whispered as he bit into the tender skin of Justin's neck. "I want you … bad."

 

"I know and I want you right back."

 

Justin rose up allowing Brian to position his cock beneath Justin's ass. Slowly Justin lowered himself taking each glorious inch of Brian's dick until he sat back down on Brian's groin. Brian looked up at his lover with eyes dark with lust.

 

"I should come home early more often," he smirked.

 

"I may never let you leave," Justin grinned. He relished the heat and fullness of Brian inside him. He knew he'd have to start moving soon, but for now their joining was perfect.

 

"You'd get sick of me," Brian groaned trying not to buck his hips up. He wanted to drive his dick farther and farther into his lover until the heat and tightness took over and he forgot all the hurt from earlier in the day.

 

"I'll never get sick of you. I want you all day every day."

 

Brian smiled as he felt Justin rise up and clench his ass around Brian's cock to keep it from falling out. "If those fucking rumor mongers could see us now, they'd know how ridiculous their accusations are."

 

Justin began moving faster up and down. "Maybe we should make a tape and send them each a copy," Justin giggled as he felt the warmth spread through his body. He loved Brian's dick and where it was at the moment was exactly right.

 

"Show the wannabes how to do it right, and the rest can just drool over how beautiful you are," Brian said as he raised his head and Justin leaned down to kiss him.

 

"How beautiful we are, and together we are better than ever."

 

Justin's motions became faster as he bounced above Brian. Brian drove his hips up to meet each downward movement of his husband. Their rhythm was impeccable and they knew all the angles and motions and tightenings and thrusts to get each other off.

 

"Close," Justin gasped.

 

"Yeah."

 

Justin sat down with a thump and Brian shot his wad up the tight channel of his lover's ass. "Aaaahhh!" he gasped as he felt Justin come and then collapse against his chest. His arms went around his husband cradling him against his body as the last tinglings of orgasm swept through them.

 

Some moments later Justin shifted feeling Brian's dick fall away. He always felt so open and exposed after their coupling. That was when he needed Brian's arms around him and that is exactly what Brian did, pulling some sheets over them before snuggling close to Justin. They both dozed off having made the world a little better for each other.

 

A ringing phone woke them about a half hour later.

 

Brian picked up the phone on the table by the bed. "What?" he barked into the receiver.

 

"Dad?"

 

"Gus, I'm sorry. I didn't look at the caller ID."

 

"Dad, can you do something about momma?"

 

"What's Melanie done?" Brian asked although he feared he already knew the answer to that question.

 

"She says I'm not to see you, that she's going to try to get some sort of restraining order. She can't do that, can she?"

 

"What the fuck? I don't know, Gus. What does Lindsay say about this?"

 

"They're fighting. I don't know what's going to happen."

 

"Hang tough, Gus. I'll see what I can do."

 

"Thanks, Dad, and please hurry."

 

Brian set down the phone. "Fucking Hell!"

 

"What now?"

 

"Melanie has told Gus he's not to see me and she's going to get a restraining order."

 

"She can't do that, can she?"

 

"How the fuck should I know? She's the legal mastermind."

 

"Call Bobby," Justin said as Bree started to make wake up noises on the intercom. "I'll go get our daughter."

 

By the time Justin returned with a newly diapered little girl Brian was hanging up the phone from talking to Bobby.

 

"What did Bobby say?" Justin asked as he handed the little girl to her father.

 

"He says he doesn't see what grounds Melanie could use for a restraining order, but that she is devious enough to come up with something. We have to wait and see what reasons she uses."

 

"I can't believe she would do that to you."

 

"She's always hated me."

 

"But I thought things were so much better."

 

"Until she finds an excuse to start hating me all over again."

 

Justin shook his head as he watched Brian tickling Briana's tummy. How could anyone keep Brian away from his kids? He loved them so much.

 

"You know," Justin said thoughtfully. "You were keeping the clinic quiet until all the papers were signed and everything was in place. It pretty well is."

 

"So what are you saying … that we tell them?"

 

"Why not? It will stop all this rumor and innuendo."

 

"Not by half. They're always looking for some way to put me in my place. But it would cut the legs out from beneath some of the worst gossipers."

 

"Yeah, like Michael and Melanie."

 

"Then I'll have to answer all those questions about why I'm doing this and how much money do I actually have…"

 

"Fuck them. You don't have to answer anything you don't want to."

 

"I think that's what got me into this mess in the first place," Brian griped.

 

"Well, I don't know about you but I've had enough of this fucking shit. I'm putting a stop to it."

 

"And just how are you planning to do that?"

 

"I'm sending an ultimatum to our family and friends."

 

"An ultimatum?" Brian chuckled although there was little humor in his laugh.

 

"An ultimatum. I'll start calling after dinner."

 

"I love the powerful assertive Justin Taylor, but how do you plan to get them here? What makes you think they'll listen to your ultimatum?"

 

"I'm going to tell them that if they ever considered themselves to be my friend they will be here Saturday afternoon. I'll say that if they don't come they will be persona non grata as far as I'm concerned. And then I'll end the call by saying that you and I have a major announcement to make."

 

"They'll think you're announcing that you're kicking me out. You know that, don't you?"

 

"Yes, I do," Justin grinned. "All the more reason why they'll want to come."

 

"You are a devious man, Justin Taylor."

 

"How do you think I got you?" Justin laughed.

 

"I should have known I was no match for you when you conned me into letting you stay that first night." Brian laughed right along with his husband.

 

He stood up and they hugged each other with Bree trapped between them. She giggled in delight liking this much better than the serious conversation they had been having before.

 

"Let's go start dinner," Justin said his head full of all the machinations he would pull on Saturday.

 

"I hear the wheels turning," Brian said.

 

"I'm going to rip a few new ones. There are some people who have been picking on you … and me for far too long. It's time they saw the error of their way."

 

"I'm glad I'll have a ringside seat to this extravaganza."

 

"You'll have the place of honor, and I'm sure you'll enjoy the entertainment."

 

"I know I will," Brian laughed. He could hardly wait. Most of their friends had no idea just how smart Justin was and what a bulldog he could be when he felt he or the family had been wronged. They were going to get an earful and Brian was determined to enjoy every minute of it. They would turn on him again soon enough.

 

 

Bad as New

 

Chapter 10

 

"Debbie, are you sure you want to do this? Why can't we just go over to his office and ask him?"

 

"My dear sweet Emmett, do you really think that Brian Kinney would tell us the truth?"

 

"Deb, he's always told the truth. He's brutally honest sometimes."

 

"Not about this, he won't. We have to confront him and soon before something happens! We have to save him."

 

"Save who, Ma?" Michael had walked through Debbie's door with Jennifer close behind.

 

"Oh, hi Michael, I didn't hear you come in, and Jennifer! What are you doing here?"

 

"I was showing a building near Liberty and stopped by the diner."

 

"Yeah, I was picking up some lemon bars for dessert when we got to talking. So we decided to come over. What are you guys up to?"

 

"Your mother wants to try some sort of intervention."

 

"Inter-what?"

 

"An intervention."

 

"Who are we going to intervent?" Michael asked with a dumb expression on his face.

 

"Brian," Emmett replied.

 

"Why are we going to intervent him?" Emmett sighed loudly; he never understood how Brian put up with Michael for all those years.

 

"Oh for crying out loud!" Debbie shrieked. "Michael, baby, we just want to talk to Brian and Sunshine to find out if we can help them. It's obvious that something's going on and it's our job to make sure they're all right."

 

"Why, Ma? Brian can take care of himself. If they're having problems then he should just kick Justin out."

 

"Michael! How dare you think that it's all my son's fault that they're having problems." Jennifer knew better than to come to the Novotny home for sympathy.

 

"He's done it before with the fiddler and Brian got hurt," Michael said nonchalantly as he pulled out a lemon bar from his bag and began to eat.

 

"Mikey, that's ancient history," Emmett said gently. "Something more serious is going on and I think it involves more than Brian and Justin."

 

"What do you mean, Emmett?" Jennifer's eyes grew wide. She wondered just how much worse things could get.

 

"I don't think it's an occasional trick we're talking here."

 

"I knew he couldn't do it," Michael mumbled as he took another bite of the sticky confection.

 

"So, don't keep us in suspense. What do you know?!" Debbie shouted.

 

"I think Brian and Justin are sleeping with John and Bobby," Emmett sadly stated.

 

"Ewww, that's incest!"

 

"Michael! He means John and Justin and Brian and Bobby!"

 

"Oh. Are you sure?"

 

"Well, think about it. They spend a lot of time together. And they did go away on that trip together. And John looks so much like Brian. And he's a bottom. We all know that Justin's really a top, he only bottoms for Brian."

 

"He is?" Michael didn't have a clue. "Brian would never let Justin top him." Emmett wondered if Michael knew just how stupid he was sounding. Before anyone could comment, Carl walked in.

 

"Hey, baby, I didn't know we were expecting company." Carl looked around and wondered what the convention was all about.

 

"This just sort of happened," Debbie shrugged.

 

"So what's this all about?"

 

"We're discussing the Brian and Justin situation," Emmett tried to explain.

 

"What situation is that?" Carl hadn't gotten the okay from Brian yet to discuss the clinic.

 

"Carl, honey, we were thinking of having an intervention. We have to let them know we love them and we'll be there for them. And then I'll smack the shit out of them."

 

"Deb..." Carl was trying to figure out a way to stop it when the phone rang.

 

"Hello. Sunshine! How are you? Okay. This Saturday afternoon? Uh, I think that should be fine. Emmett? He's here. He's invited? And your mother is here too and Michael. Everyone? Sure. Can I bring anything? You're sure. Okay, honey. See you then. Bye, Sunshine." A very perplexed Debbie hung up the phone.

 

"Who was that, Ma?" Apparently Michael was too interested in a second lemon bar to pay attention.

 

"Sunshine."

 

"What'd he want?" Michael asked, now paying attention.

 

"He issued a summons."

 

"A what?" Jennifer asked.

 

"He said that if we wanted to continue to be his family, we'd all show up on Saturday afternoon. If we didn't, he'd never speak to us again."

 

"That little shit! Who does he think he is?" Michael started to fume.

 

"I can't stand around here and listen to you all insult my son. Maybe you shouldn't go on Saturday. At least he'll know then who his real friends are," Jennifer shouted and stalked out of the house. Debbie jumped as Jennifer slammed the door.

 

"I guess that takes care of the intervention. See ya'll on Saturday. Tootles!" Emmett left the house.

 

"Are you going?" Michael was still not sure if he should go.

 

"Of course, we're going. And if you know what's good for you, Michael Charles Novotny, you'll be there too!"

 

*****

 

"Mom?"

 

"Gus, I'm taking a shower!" Gus snuck into the bathroom after he heard Lindsay get into the shower. He had to tell his mother that his father wasn't doing what Melanie said he was. He didn't know of any other way of getting his mother alone.

 

"I know, but I need to tell you something in private."

 

"But in the shower?" Lindsay hid behind the shower curtain and stuck her head out.

 

"This is the only way."

 

"Okay, lambskin, just make it fast." Gus made a face at the nickname Lindsay still used for him. He was almost a teenager for cripes sake. With a sigh Gus quickly related his conversation of several weeks ago with his dad and Ted. Lindsay listened intently. This was so like Brian. She was proud of Brian and a little pissed at Gus that he cut school.

 

"Mooommm! What are we going to do? I love momma but I don't want her to stop me from seeing Dad and Justin. And what about Bree? I love her too."

 

"I know, sweetie. We'll think of something. I promise. Don't worry. Your dad has gotten himself out of bigger messes than this one. He'll figure it out. I love you, lambskin."

 

"Love you too, Mom." Gus gave Lindsay a quick peck on the cheek then snuck back out of the bathroom and just in the nick of time. Melanie came in a few minutes later.

 

"Lindz?"

 

"Yeah, Mel."

 

"I got the strangest phone call from Justin a few minutes ago."

 

"Oh?"

 

"He said that if we don't go up there this Saturday then we shouldn't bother ever speaking to him again. Do you think he's going to finally wise up and throw the fucker out?"

 

"I don't know. I guess we should go and find out."

 

"Okay. Oh, and Lindz?"

 

"Yes?"

 

"We're out of milk." Melanie left the bathroom as Lindsay shook her head under the spray.

 

*****

 

"Ted, are we doing anything this Saturday?"

 

"I don't think so. Why?"

 

"Justin left a message on the machine. Sounded rather cryptic but important. He wants us to go up there this Saturday. Is that okay with you?"

 

"Sure."

 

"Do you have any idea what it's about?"

 

"Maybe, but I'm not at liberty to say."

 

"You don't think they're breaking up, do you?"

 

"No, Allen. I can't speak for them but let me assure you, Brian and Justin have never been closer."

 

"Okay then." Allen and Ted kissed and then went about making dinner.

 

*****

 

"Debbie, what are you doing?" Carl asked.

 

"Figuring out what I'm going to say to that asshole."

 

"What asshole?"

 

"Brian fucking Kinney."

 

"Debbie, he's not such a bad guy," Carl said trying to smooth things over.

 

"You have to say that because you work for him. You know, maybe you should think about quitting and getting another job, or just retiring completely."

 

"I like my job at Babylon."

 

"Yeah? You turning gay on me? Hanging around all those horny young gay guys can't be good for you."

 

"I've grown kind of fond of them," Carl grinned. "Besides, I didn't think you had any complaints about our sex life."

 

Debbie grinned back. "No, definitely no complaints."

 

"Why don't we go prove that point beyond a shadow of a doubt?" Carl asked waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

 

Debbie giggled. "That sounds like an excellent idea," she agreed as Carl took her hand and led her upstairs. Carl hoped this would take Debbie's mind off reaming Brian a new one until the man had a chance to make his announcement.

 

*****

 

"Justin? I got your message on my answering machine. What's going on, honey?" Jennifer asked as she finally got to speak to her son. Their line had been busy ever since she got home from Debbie's.

 

"You'll find out on Saturday, Mom."

 

"I'm worried. There are all these rumors flying around about Brian, and you, and Bobby and John."

 

"Bobby and John?"

 

"Yes, didn't you know?"

 

"Apparently the gossip grapevine has been at full tilt," Justin said with a shake of his head. This was worse than he had suspected.

 

"Are you all right, sweetheart?" Jennifer asked concern evident in her voice.

 

"I'm fine and I'm strong and I'll explain everything on Saturday," Justin said curtly.

 

"Okay, I'll be there," Jennifer said before hanging up. Justin didn't sound like he was hurting. He seemed to have come to terms with whatever was going on. She prayed that Saturday wouldn't bring the dissolution of Brian and Justin's marriage.

 

"Why didn't you just tell her the truth?" Brian asked as Justin set the phone down.

 

"Because now I'm really pissed."

 

"Why?"

 

"My mother just told me that the rumor is that you and I are sleeping with John and Bobby."

 

"What the fuck? Who the hell ever came up with that one?"

 

"I don't know and I don't care, but I refuse to have them thinking like that about you, and about me, and about John and Bobby. This is beyond contemptible."

 

"Easy, Sunshine," Brian said putting his arms around Justin's chest.

 

"I'm not taking it easy on this one. They are going to regret ever buying into these fucking rumors."

 

"My little Rage."

 

"Yeah, that's exactly what I feel like, full of rage. These are supposed to be our fucking friends."

 

"I understand that, Justin, but we did precipitate this by not telling them the truth from the outset."

 

"You mean we're not allowed to have anything private without them jumping to the wrong conclusions."

 

"I didn't say they were blameless," Brian backed off.

 

"Well, I've had enough."

 

"What are you planning?"

 

"You'll see on Saturday."

 

"Now you're starting to scare me."

 

"Good, because I want them all to be scared too."

 

"Justin…" Brian said wrapping his arms around his husband from behind.

 

"Yes, dear," Justin grinned as he turned around in Brian's arms to look into his eyes. "All the redness has gone out of your cheek," he observed as his fingers lightly brushed over the bruised area.

 

"Must be the healing powers of JT."

 

Justin's smile was radiant at Brian's words. "I like to think so," he whispered.

 

Brian pulled his husband into a long and sizzling kiss. "I want you inside me," Brian whispered.

 

Justin smiled and nodded. "Anytime, big guy."

 

"I think I could use some more of JT's restorative powers before I face the angry contingent on Saturday," Brian stated.

 

"You can have as much of me as you can take," Justin chuckled.

 

"There's no such thing as too much of you."

 

Justin smiled. That was exactly what he wanted to hear. He couldn't believe that their family and friends couldn't see the love between the two of them. How could they doubt their commitment to each other? "Of course not," Justin said with a sweep of his hand.

 

"Cocky little bottom, aren't you?"

 

"Cocky little top, if you meant what you just said."

 

"Oh, I meant it."

 

"Then let's get started before you change your mind."

 

"I wouldn't do that."

 

"I know and that's why I love you. You always mean what you say," Justin said leading Brian to their bedroom. Everybody else was going to find out the same thing on Saturday if everything went the way he hoped it would.

 

 

Bad as New

 

Chapter 11

 

A couple of hours before the appointed time, Jennifer Taylor drove up and parked on the lane in front of the cottage. She was surprised to see a few cars already there. She had hoped by coming early she could avoid the crowd, offer her help and find out what the announcement was about. It didn't look like she'd get the chance. Jennifer recognized Claire and Steve's car, John's Navigator and Justin's old Cherokee. Jen found out that Justin had given the truck to Hunter but wondered just when they had gotten that close. It didn't make much sense. There was always a little tension between her son and the former hustler. When did that change? There was another truck in front that she had seen at the farm a couple of times but didn't know who it belonged to. Jennifer took a deep breath, strolled up the path and knocked on the door.

 

"Mother Taylor! So good of you to come, and so early." Brian couldn't keep all of the snark out of his voice but at least he wasn't rude.

 

"I, um, thought I could help with something," Jennifer stammered a little coldly. She wasn't sure if seeing Brian home was a good thing or not.

 

"Come in." Brian stepped aside to invite Jennifer in. "We're in the porch having a nosh. Join us," Brian smirked. Jennifer nodded then quietly followed Brian through to the sun porch.

 

They were all there. Justin was sitting with Briana as she was attempting to eat a piece of muffin like a big girl. John and Bobby were equally engaged with Patrick making sure he drank his juice not wear it. Hunter, Nick and Bill were sipping coffee. So that's who the other truck belonged too. And then there was Steve and Claire. Claire acknowledged Jennifer's arrival; her cool expression chilled Jennifer to the bone. Claire had the air of a lioness in full protection of her cubs. Jennifer knew how sensible and level-headed Claire always conducted herself. If something was amiss, Claire would be the first to address it. Jennifer was getting the sinking feeling that whatever the rumors, whatever the assumptions, they were all wrong.

 

"Justin, honey." Brian exchanged places with Justin so he could greet his mother properly.

 

"You're early," Justin greeted his mother with a light peck to her cheek.

 

"I thought maybe we could talk." Jennifer began to sweat.

 

"Mom, you can wait for the others. I don't want to have to repeat myself but you're welcome to stay. We have coffee, juice, fresh muffins and I can put the kettle on for tea." Jennifer was about to answer when Brian's voice caught her attention. Bree had just finished her muffin, was out of her high chair, made a beeline for the nearest potted palm and stuck her little hands in the dirt.

 

"Squirt! We've had this discussion before. No digging in these plants," Brian said sternly.

 

"Gar-gar!" Briana replied with a sweet innocent giggle. Brian arched a brow at his daughter.

 

"That doesn't work on me. You know the garden is outside." Briana was properly admonished then held up her dirty hands to her daddy.

 

"Dir." Brian sighed then swept the toddler into his arms.

 

"Dirt. Let's go wash your hands, Squirt, while we put the kettle on for Grandma Taylor." Brian carried Bree to the kitchen to rinse the dirt off her hands with Jennifer closely behind.

 

"Justin," Claire started, "you could have told Jennifer the truth. She is your mother and she loves you. She's hurting."

 

Justin was feeling guilty but he had an agenda and he wanted to stick to it. "I know. But it's important that I do this my way. They all have to learn that if they have a question about my relationship with Brian that first, it's really nobody's business and secondly, they should just ask."

 

"She's your mother," Claire restated.

 

"I'll apologize after, I promise." Claire nodded then poured herself more coffee.

 

Out in the kitchen, Brian put on the kettle then washed Bree's hands. Briana giggled with glee as her dada let her make sudsy bubbles with the soap. When the kettle startled to whistle, Brian indicated to Jennifer where the fixings were to make her tea.

 

"Want a cup?" Jen asked her son-in-law.

 

"No thanks. Never really developed a taste for tea. But Justin has a variety, so knock yourself out."

 

"Brian, what's this all about?" Jennifer couldn't stand the suspense.

 

"Jennifer, far be it from me to get in the way of an angry Sunshine. Even I don't know what's in that little blond brain of his. Suffice to say, this is his show."

 

"Brian, please, cut the bullshit."

 

"Jen, I really don't know but trust him. He knows what he's doing."

 

"Can you answer a question? Truthfully, answer a question?"

 

"If I can."

 

"Do you love him?"

 

"Jennifer, I really love your son. I've been in love with him since the moment I laid eyes on him. He's my life. And he has to do this his way."

 

"I know; he's a stubborn little shit."

 

"Yup and with the biggest balls in the state of Pennsylvania."

 

"Hey, I diapered those balls."

 

"Then you should know."

 

"Dada! Gar-gar." Briana arched one petite golden eyebrow at her father. She wanted her say in the conversation.

 

"What did she say?" Jennifer enquired.

 

"She wants to take a walk in the garden. We planted some Fall mums and the roses are still blooming." Jennifer was astonished that Brian Kinney knew what an eighteen month old baby was saying.

 

"Briana, sweetie, will you show Grandma your garden?" Jennifer asked Bree. She needed some time to get herself together before facing her son and the rest of the family.

 

"G'ma?" Bree looked up at the pretty older woman and smiled a happy toothy smile then held out her little arms.

 

"Is that a yes?" Jen asked Brian.

 

"That's a yes. Just keep her out of the dirt. Justin will tan my hide if she gets dirty." Jennifer's eyes grew wide. "Hey, I have to live with him, you don't." Brian winked putting Jennifer at ease. "Jennifer, just believe in him. He does know what he's doing."

 

Jen nodded then took her granddaughter out into the warm Fall sun.

 

At the appointed time, the Liberty Avenue contingent arrived.

 

Carl was nervously chewing on his lips. He had tried very unsuccessfully to dissuade Debbie from barging in with all guns blazing. Debbie was practically running up the path to the door.

 

Ben had tried to get Michael to see reason but couldn't. Michael was right behind his mother.

 

Lindsay pleaded with Melanie to drop her restraining order against Brian but Melanie went to the first Family Court judge that would hear her. The gods were with Brian that day. The judge happened to be an acquaintance of Bill and Karen's, was previously introduced to Hunter and Brian and was familiar with their efforts to open the clinic. The judge, while not revealing anything to the fuming lawyer, did have her escorted out of the courthouse. Melanie's anger was further fueled by Lindsay's unwavering loyalty. Gus and JR remained quiet.

 

Emmett, Drew, Ted and Allen arrived together. Emmett couldn't quite understand why Teddy was so quiet. Emmett was worried that his friend would get hurt in the fallout. He had visions of the Kinney empire toppling to the ground and Ted back on the streets with crystal meth as his only friend. The tall queen hung onto Drew for dear life, praying that their world would survive the day.

 

"All right, what the fuck is going on?" Debbie shrieked as she pushed open the door letting them all in the house. Debbie stomped through the house and into the sun porch.

 

"There you are! And all together I see. What are you plotting? An extension to the house so that you can all live together and have your orgies. Brian Kinney, you should be ashamed of yourself," Debbie kept rambling on. The noise level rising, echoing against the glass walls. Jennifer had Gus and JR take Patrick and Bree into Gus' room to play. They didn't need to see the so-called adults act like idiots. Whatever Justin had in mind was going to get messy. Gus arched a brow at his father who nodded imperceptibly at the boy. Gus smiled weakly but led the younger children out of harm's way.

 

"Kinney, I don't know how you bought off that judge but I will find out and when I do..." Melanie screamed.

 

"Oh, who cares about that! Sunshine, I want you to know that we're here for you and if you have to move out, I'll help in any way that I can."

 

Justin was uncharacteristically quiet as his anger grew. Outwardly, he appeared calm; only Brian knew that at any moment the real Rage in the family was going to explode.

 

"Ma! Why would Justin need our help? It's Brian who needs my help." Michael started to take a couple of steps toward Brian but a death glare made him stay frozen to the spot. Brian's curled fist reminded Michael of when he had said the wrong thing to Brian a long time ago and got a black eye for his efforts.

 

"Debbie, I think you should take a seat." Justin was attempting to regain control of his home and the situation. But so many people were talking all at once.

 

"No, Justin, I think you should sit down. I think both of you should sit down and explain a few things. First..." Debbie had her speech all planned for her intervention.

 

John got up to pace. He could not believe the audacity that Debbie had. He was very fond of the woman and knew her importance to the lives of practically everyone in the room but this was Justin and Brian's home.

 

"John, you should sit. I have a few words for you too!"

 

"Debbie," John growled. Claire was the only woman who had the right to take that tone with him. Justin, who was closer to John, put his hand on John's arm, just like he did when Brian was about to explode and gently calmed the enraged older brother.

 

"Look at that," Emmett whispered to Drew, Ted and Allen. Justin's action did not go unnoticed. "He handles John just like Brian. This is worse than I thought."

 

"Debbie, don't you think you ought to let Justin tell us why he asked us all here?" Bobby attempted to be ever the logical voice of reason. The pretty red-head stepped into Debbie's space.

 

"And you're not anymore innocent in all of this than the rest of them!" Debbie pointed her finger into Bobby's chest. Brian Kinney, defender of red-headed twink lawyers, let out a low growl of his own and pulled Bobby toward him. He had seen Debbie in action too many times and feared for his friend.

 

"Oh no," Emmett cried then buried his eyes into Drew's shoulder.

 

Justin had had just about enough and shouted at the top of his lungs. "If you all don't shut the fuck up and sit down, I'll throw you all out and never speak to you ever again!"

 

It became so quiet that all Brian could hear was the stream trickling over the stones and the frogs calling for an Autumn mate.

 

Justin took a deep breath and then sent a glare around the room that froze all of them in their places. This was going to be hard, but it had to be done.

 

"I invited you all today with the stipulation that if you were our friends you would be here." Justin did his best to keep his voice calm. "Brian and I…"

 

"Oh God, here it comes," Emmett moaned.

 

"We know, Justin," Debbie called. "You can stay with me if you need a place."

 

"For fuck's sake!" Justin exploded again. "Close your mouths and open your ears. For once in your fucking lives listen without drawing conclusions before I'm done."

 

Everyone looked rather sheepish at Justin's outburst. They sat quietly waiting for Justin to explain.

 

"Brian and I," Justin began again, "are well aware of some of the rumors that have been circulating about us and about Hunter and John and Bobby."

 

There were some knowing nods from various people but no one opened their mouth.

 

"To say the least we are very disappointed that our friends and family would think those things."

 

Debbie opened her mouth to protest but Carl squeezed her hand so hard she gasped instead.

 

Justin was standing beside his easel which had a cloth covering what it held. He reached for the cloth and threw back the cover revealing the sketch of Brian and his dick that Justin had done for the show at the GLC all those years ago. Some people gasped, a couple snickered and a few smiled.

 

"I see some of you remember this sketch. That was how I saw Brian at first. This compellingly handsome, extremely sexy, enigmatic man." They all stared at the sketch and a few people said, "Yeah."

 

Michael stared remembering the old days when that had been Brian to a tee. He was in bed with an erect dick and eyes hazy from drugs, just the way Brian Kinney was supposed to be. Sex personified. Michael felt Ben squeeze his leg and he looked at his husband like a stranger. He had gone to another place and time.

 

"Michael, that's not Brian anymore," Ben said gently.

 

Michael shook his head and Ben wasn't sure if it was denial of that fact or finally some acceptance that what Ben had said was right.

 

"I was definitely in lust," Justin said as a few chuckles were heard. "I became the trick who wouldn't go away, as some of you liked to call me." Justin looked at Brian who smiled lovingly at his husband. Justin refused to look at Michael. "But gradually things changed and I want you to see that. It's all recorded in my sketches. Look and learn."

 

Justin began by lifting away the dick sketch. Underneath was a sketch of Brian's head showing the arrogance and power of the man. It was mounted on a background to hold it flat as were all the ones underneath it. Justin waited till they'd all had a good look then lifted it away to reveal a sketch of Brian and Gus taken from the photo that Michael had shot that night at the hospital when Gus was born. There were a few "aahs" before Justin lifted it away. Next was another sketch of Brian holding out his arms waiting for someone to walk into them. Only Justin knew that Brian was waiting for him that day that he had walked on Liberty by himself for the first time after the bashing.

 

Justin continued through the sketches that chronicled their lives. There were some of him and Brian, several of Gus and Brian, a few with the people in the room including a couple with John and Bobby on their trip. The second last sketch was Brian and Justin holding the newborn Briana. Their love for each other and the baby was written all over their faces.

 

The last sketch was Brian and Briana digging in the garden. It had been made yesterday when Justin had found them outside puttering with the fall flowers. Brian's hand held Bree's waist as she leaned over crushing a clod of dirt in her little hand. Brian was looking up at someone or something, love shining out from his handsome face.

 

"Who do you think Brian is looking at in that last sketch?" Justin asked defiantly. If they didn't get it now, they never would.

 

"You," several people whispered.

 

"Me!" Justin stated. "Brian and I love each other. We always have since we met and we always will," Justin added looking defiantly at Michael and deliberately using those words. "I know we've had rough patches and have split up in the past, but I don't understand why so many of you continue to doubt us to this day. But it stops … now! We are not breaking up. We are not fucking around on each other, like Brian would have to pay for it," Justin snorted at the absurd idea and glared at Michael. "We are not corrupting Hunter. He has already started a new job in Pittsburgh which is why some of you have seen him there. He'll be working at the new Jason Kemp Clinic and Drop-In Center." He heard Debbie gasp. Justin removed the sketch of Brian and Bree to show his impression of what the bathhouse would look like from the outside once John finished his renovations. "This new center is located in Terry's bathhouse which now belongs to Brian whose ideas and finances have gone into getting this charitable organization off the ground. It should help a lot of hustlers and street kids if all goes well. And who better to counsel them than Hunter."

 

Justin stopped there looking around the room. He saw a lot of sheepish looking people and some defiant glares coming from Claire and John and Bobby.

 

"I'm sorry, sweetheart," Jennifer said. "I should never have listened to rumors. I'm so glad everything is all right between you and Brian."

 

"It's never been better," Justin said giving her a kiss.

 

"I'm sorry I doubted you guys," Emmett said tearily leaning his head on Drew's shoulder.

 

Justin cleared his throat. It seemed like he had made his point. "You may have noticed that there are quite a few sketches that I chose to show you, but I have thousands more that chronicle my life with Brian. I want you each to take one of these and if you ever doubt us again, look long and hard at the sketch, and then fucking ask us about whatever's bothering you."

 

"Can I have the dick one?" Hunter asked with a grin."

 

Everyone laughed and the tension was broken.

 

"No, Hunter," Justin said holding that sketch against his chest. "That's the only one that you can't have. Neither can anyone else."

 

Hunter grinned and nodded. They all started talking to each other with people gradually coming up to say they were sorry and give Brian and Justin a hug. Many also apologized to John and Bobby. A few started to select their sketch each appreciating that they were getting an original Justin Taylor.

 

"Ladies and queens, oh and Carl and Steve, of course," Brian said loudly. He glanced at Carl who gave him a thumb's up. "This has been the Justin Taylor show and I think he has done admirably in making his point. I hope to fuck you all get it now. We have coffee and muffins and fresh fruit for those of you who still consider yourself our friends and would like to stay. Go see Claire in the kitchen if you would break bread with us."

 

Many people headed for the kitchen glad to seemingly be back on good terms with Brian and Justin. Justin was talking to his mother and Brian watched as she selected the sketch of him and Bree in the garden. That surprised him because he thought she would want the one of the three of them which of course included her son.

 

"Why that one, Jennifer?" Brian asked.

 

"If I ever again doubt that you love my son, all I have to do is look at this sketch and I'll know," she said as she smiled at him.

 

"I hope you never doubt it, because I do love him."

 

"I know," she said softly as she headed for the kitchen.

 

"Kinney, you are a fucking ass!" Melanie berated him.

 

"Do tell," he replied with a smirk.

 

"Why didn't you tell me what you were up to?"

 

"You mean in the split second between when you stopped talking and your hand connected with my face?"

 

"Yeah," she said.

 

"I hope this means you will drop your attempts to keep Gus away from me."

 

"I have to or I won't be getting any into the next millennium."

 

"Ew, way too much information!"

 

"You're lucky all I'm doing is grossing you out," Melanie laughed as she walked away.

 

"Brian," Michael said. Brian turned and looked at his old friend. "Why didn't you tell me what you were doing at the bathhouse?" he accused.

 

"Michael, I'm under no obligation to tell you everything I do in my life. I would be much happier if no one knew I was even connected with this clinic."

 

"But when I saw you in the alley giving money to a hustler…"

 

"You jumped to all the wrong conclusions and started spreading these vicious lies."

 

"I didn't mean them to be…" Michael said pathetically.

 

"I'm not the old Brian anymore. When are you going to learn that?"

 

"That's what Ben said."

 

"Ben's a very wise man. Maybe you should start listening to him," Brian said gently. If only Michael could grow up.

 

"I'll try."

 

"Good, then go get some coffee and choose your sketch wisely."

 

"Wisely, what do you mean?"

 

"Nothing, Michael, just get some coffee." Brian shook his head as Michael walked away.

 

"Asshole!" Debbie said stepping up beside Brian and giving him a gentle swat upside his ear.

 

"You rang?" Brian retorted although his voice held little humor.

 

"I'm sorry I didn't have more faith in you, Brian."

 

"You remember me as a teenager, a bit like your son does. I'm a different person now."

 

"I think that became very clear today. Forgive me?"

 

"Always."

 

As Brian gave Debbie a hug he watched Ben and Michael looking through the remaining sketches. They seemed to have narrowed it down to the one when Gus was born, the one of arrogant Brian and the one with him and Justin and newborn Bree. Brian held his breath. This selection would tell so much. If Michael picked the one at Gus' birth that might mean he had realized that Brian was now a family man. If he picked the one of him, Justin and Bree, that would show acceptance of Brian's family life and his husband. Brian released Debbie who turned to watch too. They each took a breath as Michael looked carefully at each sketch. Finally he reached down and selected the arrogant Brian.

 

Brian and Debbie both groaned. "He still doesn't get it. Perpetually stuck in the past," Brian said sadly.

 

Debbie replied, "I don't think he ever will get it."

 

 

All the Rage

 

Chapter 1

 

JKCDC Diary

 

9/23/2013

 

Dear Diary;

 

Oh, that sounds way too gay but Bill suggested I keep this thing. He thinks it will be good to keep a running record of my 'clients' and a record of my feelings. Bill thinks I may have some trouble sorting out my feelings about being so close to where it all started, so close to the streets. I think he's right. Already the word's out. I've been meeting with some kids out on the street. They feel weird coming in here. But that's okay. Frank's been asking about how it was for me. It hurts bringing all that shit up. Shit, I wrote shit. Is that okay to write? What the hell, it's my diary I can write whatever I feel like. Damn, this is scary. I see myself in the mirror and I don't look like any social worker that I've ever met. They're usually old women with a bun in their hair. I don't think I'd look good with a bun. HA.

 

Can I really do this? Can I really make a difference? Brian seems to think so, so does Bill. And fuck! Justin gave me his Cherokee. I guess they all believe in me.

 

Terry's been cool. He can't believe how great the bathhouse looks. John had the place retiled. Hauled away all that nasty smelly tile. Eiwww, gross. I don't want to think about all the cum that spilled over them. Yuck. John made this nice office for me; it's kind of temporary. It's not finished yet. Said he's going to make me a nice big office. I wish I could open the window, just a little. I got used to all that fresh country air. I'm not used to being cooped up. But he said he was going to replace all the windows cause if we opened them they may not shut.

 

It's quiet in here. I guess the workmen are having lunch. I'm getting hungry.

 

*****

 

"You've got mail!"

 

To: xhustlermsw@jkcdc.org

From: studman@kinnetik.com

 

Hey Kid!

 

You hungry? Got time for lunch? Let's give Debbie a thrill.

 

B

 

LOL That Brian. He's always looking out for me. If he wants to spring for lunch, I'm not going to insult him by turning him down.

 

To: studman@kinnetik.com

From: xhustlermsw@jkcdc.org

 

Yeah, big guy, I'm starving. Meet you out in front of your office in 10.

 

H

 

*****

 

I guess I'm having lunch.

 

Later, Diary

 

*****

 

Anderson Construction Work Log 9/23/13

 

Windows, need new windows, heavy duty with sturdy locks.

 

Alarm system.

 

Paint. I wonder if Justin would consider adding his expertise to the decor.

 

Note to self, call Justin.

 

The theater, I can't wait to get my hands on the theater. Man, that place is going to be beautiful. Gordon tells me the haz-mat crew is almost finished. And I got a response from PIFA. They're going to send me a class full of kids and professors that specialize in restoration. I haven't been this excited in working on a project since we renovated Brian's cottage.

 

Carpeting, insulation. With all the fu..., massages going on at the bathhouse, I have to make sure the place is soundproof.

 

Bowling alley. I wonder why Brian is so insistent that the bowling alley is fully restored and with the arcade and snack bar. I don't think there'll be much call for bowling down here but what Brian wants he usually gets.

 

Note to self, ask Brian about the bowling alley.

 

"Hey Johnny!"

 

"Yeah, Gordy."

 

"Don't you ever stop working? It's lunchtime, man. Time to refuel!"

 

"Coming!"

 

Lunch.

 

*****

 

Brian and Hunter slid into a booth at the diner. Debbie wasn't working so they gave their order to someone named Jane who seemed to have the personality of pebble.

 

"She won't be here long," Brian observed.

 

"Why do you say that?" Hunter asked.

 

"They'll eat her alive."

 

"Not if Debbie trains her properly," Hunter asserted. Most of Debbie's work was training these days. She hardly worked a full shift anymore, since she was getting up there in age. Only don't tell Debbie that.

 

"Who's Debbie training?" Emmett asked sliding into the booth beside Brian. Ted sat down next to Hunter.

 

"The new waitress. She seems a little less than she should be."

 

"Remember that Loretta Pye woman that Deb trained?" Emmett asked. "She learned quick; maybe this one will too."

 

"Yeah, if Deb shows her the old baseball bat trick," Ted chuckled.

 

"Those were the good old days," Emmett said with a faraway look in his eyes.

 

"I don't dwell in the past," Brian asserted. "Neither does Hunter."

 

Hunter smiled. It was interesting having Brian Kinney speak for him, and Brian was almost right. Hunter didn't like to dwell in the past, except that lately working with the young hustlers seemed to be taking him back to his past more and more.

 

Everyone placed their orders before the talk continued.

 

"So, how are things at Jason Kemp?" Emmett asked.

 

"We're actually making some progress," Hunter said proudly. "I was going to tell Brian that Frank, the kid who started the whole thing, has been using my computer and is seriously looking at some distance education courses so that he can finish high school."

 

"You take those over the computer?" Ted asked.

 

"Yeah, he's really quite good on the computer. Maybe we can get him into some career related to computers once he gets a high school diploma."

 

"Your first success story," Emmett beamed and Brian smiled a little shyly. This was very good news indeed.

 

"Don't get too carried away," Hunter warned. "He's just looking at the courses. He hasn't signed up for anything yet."

 

"But if he does, then others will probably follow suit," Brian said hopefully.

 

"True," Hunter admitted. "I wish we had more computers so that others had access more easily."

 

"You know," Ted said thoughtfully. "I was thinking the other day that it's about time we upgraded all the computers at Kinnetik. They've used up their depreciation value. If we donated them to the drop-in center and took a tax write off, we could almost pay for the new ones."

 

"And the centre would get computers just over two years old," Brian added.

 

"That would be great," Hunter said.

 

"Enough about business," Emmett said. "What fun things have you all been doing?"

 

"Nothing much," Ted responded.

 

"I know, sweetie. I was directing that question at those among us who actually have a life."

 

"Hey, I have a life and a partner," Ted defended himself.

 

"Yeah, you, Allen and the kettle drums," Hunter smirked.

 

"I just thought of something," Emmett said looking into each face. "This is almost like old times."

 

"What do you mean?" Ted asked as Brian continued to play with his fork. Some things never changed.

 

"Remember way back when," Emmett said. "We'd be here in the diner for lunch, you, me, Brian and … Michael."

 

"Now it's Michael's son," Hunter laughed as their meals arrived.

 

Ted and Emmett both looked at Brian. "What?" he said as he took a bite out of his sandwich.

 

"How are things between you and Michael these days?" Emmett ventured.

 

Brian shrugged and took another bite of his sandwich. Ted shook his head at Emmett. Hunter watched the interplay and wondered if he should talk to Michael about his relationship with Brian.

 

"Don't even think about it," Brian admonished glaring at Hunter.

 

"How did you know?" Hunter asked with a grin.

 

"You're a social worker. What else would you do?"

 

They ate in companionable silence for a while.

 

"Well, I should get back and spur Frank on to greater heights," Hunter said as Ted let him out of the booth.

 

"It's really great that things are starting to take shape at the center," Emmett said.

 

"If you want a tour, Hunter would be happy to show you around," Brian replied.

 

"Are you going to have a grand opening?"

 

"I don't know how grand it will be, but we'll have some kind of opening soon. John is having the time of his life working on the old building."

 

"Brian," Emmett asked looking into Brian's eyes. "Is there anything I can do about the Michael situation?"

 

"Not unless you can finally make him grow up," Brian retorted shoving Emmett with his hip so that he could get out of the booth.

 

"Why did you have to bring that up again?" Ted asked as they watched Brian walk out of the diner after paying his bill.

 

"I just wanted to help."

 

"He'll be like a bear with a sore paw for the rest of the day."

 

"Sorry," Emmett said getting up. "Go hide behind your computer or something. Don't let him see you."

 

"Better yet," Ted said with a grin. "I'll go order new computers."

 

"You're the only one I know that that would make happy," Emmett sighed and followed Ted out of the diner.

 

*****

 

To: studman@kinnetik.com

From: xhustlermsw@jkcdc.org

 

Hey Big Guy;

 

Thanks for lunch.

 

H

 

To: xhustlermsw@jkcdc.org

From: studman@kinnetik.com

 

No problem, got to keep an eye on my investments.

 

B

 

To: studman@kinnetik.com

From: xhustlermsw@jkcdc.org

 

Yeah, right. I'm on to you!

 

H

 

*****

 

JKCDC Diary

 

9/23/2013

 

Same day, after lunch.

 

Brian bought me lunch today. It was nice to be treated like an adult. And even Ted and Emmett treat me like an adult. They're proud of me. It's a good feeling. I just hope I can live up to their expectations. Shit, I hope I can live up to mine.

 

Frank's back and he brought a 'friend;' gotta go.

 

*****

 

To: bmorrison@lawassoc.net

From: numbercruncher@kinnetik.com

 

Bobby;

 

I got an interesting donation today from the GLC. Apparently they caught wind of the center. I think this is a first, a not for profit org. donating to another not for profit org.

 

I'm not sure if I'm going to tell Brian. He hates the GLC. On the other hand...lol

 

Ted

 

To: numbercruncher@kinnetik.com

From: bmorrison@lawassoc.net

 

Ted;

 

For your own self preservation, I think you better tell Brian. He may not like it but if he finds out without you telling him first, there maybe hell to pay.

 

Take the donation, Ted. It's a testament to the good work that the JKCDC will do for the community. The GLC is recognizing that.

 

Bobby

 

To: bmorrison@lawassoc.net

From: numbercruncher@kinnetik.com

 

Bobby;

 

Will do!

 

Ted

 

*****

 

Anderson Construction Work Log 9/23/13

 

Gordon and I discussed how to proceed with the restoration. I consider this project more as restoration rather than construction. Not only are we restoring fine old buildings but if all goes as planned, we will be restoring a neighborhood back to its former glory.

 

Normally, we'd do one building at a time. But since time is a factor, the Rage movie is set to premier next Spring, we've decided on three separate work crews. Two crews will be supervised by Gordon. Those will be the crews working on the bathhouse/clinic and the bowling alley. I'm being selfish but I want to work on the theater myself. If I had the power, I'd be the only one to touch those stuccoed walls and the ornate gilt ceiling but I don't have that luxury. The artisans from PIFA will be here tomorrow. I have the original plans for the building and I can't wait to explore every nook and cranny.

 

I feel like a kid at Christmas or the first time I set foot in a hardware store. I better control myself. Brian may find out that I'm having way too much fun and he may charge me for doing the work. LOL Ted would love that.

 

Back to work.

 

*****

 

To: hotassartist@yahell.com

From: studman@kinnetik.com

 

Hey!

 

I'm heading home soon, want me to bring you or the Squirt anything? And the office misses Bree. I think they like her more than me. I wonder why.

 

B

 

To: studman@kinnetik.com

From: hotassartist@yahell.com

 

Hey;

 

Yeah, we need milk and maybe something chocolate for dessert. I'm in the mood for something decadent. I forgot to go to the store, got caught up in a painting. And before you ask, Briana and Patrick had a play date. Rachel came by and took both kids for today. Bree should be home by the time you get here.

 

And I know why.

 

J

 

To: hotassartist@yahell.com

From: studman@kinnetik.com

 

Mmm, chocolate and decadent, the possibilities are endless. See you soon.

 

And you'll have to let me in on the secret.

 

B

 

 

All the Rage

 

Chapter 2

 

Brian walked into the cottage loosening his tie as he did so.

 

"Hey, hotassartist, where are you?" he called.

 

"In the kitchen," Justin replied.

 

Brian found his partner with his head in the oven and his ass in the air. "Yummy," he said.

 

"It hasn't even started to cook yet," Justin laughed.

 

"I wasn't talking about the food," Brian smirked.

 

"Oh," Justin grinned looking over his shoulder and seeing Brian's eyes glued to his ass. "I was just putting supper in the oven."

 

"Here's the milk and something decadent," Brian grinned.

 

"Okaay," Justin said closing the oven door. He placed the bags of milk in the fridge and went to open the box that Brian had set on the counter.

 

"No, you can't open that just yet," Brian said laying his hand on top of Justin's to stop him from looking inside.

 

"Why not?"

 

"It's for later."

 

"How much later?" Justin asked.

 

"When we go to bed."

 

"Oh."

 

"Where's the Squirt?"

 

"She's staying overnight with Patrick at John and Bobby's."

 

"She is? How come?"

 

"When Rachel took Patrick home Bree didn't want him to go, so they all decided that Bree would stay the night with her cousin."

 

"Well, isn't that convenient."

 

"Convenient?"

 

"For what I have in my box," Brian said tongue in cheek.

 

"What the fuck is in this mysterious box?" Justin demanded reaching for the box.

 

"Uh, uh, uh," Brian said grabbing the box before Justin could reach it."

 

"Briiaaan…"

 

"It's dessert."

 

"Could we have dessert first?" Justin asked with one of his sunshine smiles.

 

"You'll spoil your dinner," Brian admonished.

 

"You know I can always eat," Justin said. He really wanted to know what was in the box. Then a thought hit him. "If it's chocolate and we have it first, then you don't have to eat dinner if you think it's too many calories." Justin looked at Brian with his best puppy dog eyes.

 

Brian smiled. He loved the sweet, innocent, ever hopeful Justin. That was one of the main reasons he had kept his lover around all this time. That, and the fact he couldn't fucking breathe without him. "That's very persuasive," Brian said thoughtfully.

 

"We have about an hour before dinner will be ready."

 

"Okay, get naked," Brian said unbuttoning his shirt.

 

"What?"

 

"You know, take off your clothes, disrobe, find your inner nudity, and your outer for that matter."

 

"What have you been drinking?" Justin giggled.

 

"I'm sober as a judge," Brian said dropping his pants. "Hey, keep up. I'm way ahead of you."

 

"Yes, sir," Justin said quickly shucking his clothes.

 

When they were both naked Brian drew Justin into a long, torturous kiss that left them both gasping and hard as rocks. Brian grabbed the box wrapped in brown paper and taking Justin's hand led him out to the sun porch. He turned on the lamp next to the brass bed and handed the box to Justin. Quickly Justin ripped off the brown paper to reveal three jars of chocolate body paint, one each of milk, dark and white chocolate.

 

Justin's eyes got very large as he licked his lips. He heard Brian groan as the man watched Justin's pink tongue swipe around his lips.

 

"I can't believe you bought this," Justin said.

 

"Why not? You're an artist, aren't you? And that is paint."

 

"You…" Justin started and then thought better of it. "Lie down," he ordered.

 

Brian slid onto the bed lying on his back and watching as Justin opened the milk chocolate container. Using his index finger Justin scooped out some chocolate and stuck his finger in his mouth letting out a small humming sound of satisfaction as he did so.

 

"You're supposed to use it," Brian chuckled. "Not just eat it."

 

"I will," Justin said studying Brian's naked body with his artist's eye. He held up his thumb like every artist in an old "B" movie had done. Brian smiled as Justin dipped his finger into the jar once more.

 

"Yum," Justin said. "Chocolate lips." He proceeded to paint Brian's lips with the chocolate and then lick and kiss and chew it all off. "Yum, chocolate nipples," he said dabbing chocolate on each of Brian's breasts then sucking it off. Brian was panting and arching his back as Justin cleaned off his handiwork. "Yum, belly button patties," Justin cooed filling Brian's navel with chocolate which he then proceeded to lick and suck out. "And finally chocolate dick," Justin grinned as his finger painted patterns all over Brian's erect cock. Justin started licking and sucking off the chocolate as Brian groaned and writhed. "Precum and chocolate," Justin stated. "Most decadent of all." With deft use of his lips and tongue Justin had his husband shooting his load into his mouth in no time flat.

 

When Brian had recovered, Justin was lying next to him grinning like the Cheshire cat. "That was very delicious," he said staring into Brian's eyes. "Are you ready to try out your artistic talents?"

 

"Absolument."

 

"Ah, French chocolate," Justin giggled as Brian dumped a small pile of the chocolate on his chest.

 

Brian was much more studious in his approach to his painting. He saw Justin as the ultimate canvas and decided to paint everything first before licking any of it off. By the time he had used up all the chocolate in the milk chocolate jar, every body part was coated. Brian had painted his ribs on his chest and a heart where his heart would be. He had kidneys and a long sinuous colon that looked surprisingly like a very long dick. He painted the bones in Justin's legs and arms. He outlined all of Justin's facial features with chocolate and then sat back on his legs to study his masterpiece.

 

"Um … aren't you going to lick it off?" Justin asked as Brian continued to study him.

 

"I like it. I think I'll leave it on," Brian smirked.

 

"Asshole," Justin laughed as Brian pounced and started licking everywhere. It wasn't long until Justin was coming into Brian's mouth and he got to taste the essence of chocolate and cum.

 

"You and chocolate, what more could a man ask for?" Brian laughed as Justin began to recover from his orgasm.

 

"That was fun," Justin said giving Brian a long, soft kiss. "Thank you."

 

"Ce n'est pas rien," Brian replied.

 

"What's with the French?"

 

"Chocolat," Brian grinned.

 

"Ah, oui. Is that the oven binging at us?"

 

"I think so."

 

"I'll go turn it off. Do you want to eat now?"

 

"Hell no, we've got two more jars of chocolate."

 

Justin giggled. "We don't have to use it all tonight." Justin disappeared into the kitchen. He returned momentarily and snuggled up to Brian.

 

"You said you'd tell me why the office likes Bree better than me," Brian grinned.

 

"You already know," Justin said.

 

"No I don't."

 

Justin sighed. "Aside from the fact that she's the most adorable little girl in the whole world, she never bosses them around, she never yells at them, she shares her cookies with them and she gives kisses to anybody who will take one. Can you say the same?"

 

"No, I never share my cookies … except with you," Brian laughed.

 

Justin laughed out loud as Brian reached for another jar of chocolate. It was going to be a long and delicious evening.

 

*****

 

To: benbruckner@carnegiemellon.edu

From: hotassartist@yahell.com

 

Hi Ben;

 

Just wondering if you spoke with Professor Thomas about Frank. I'll be in the Pitts tomorrow. John wants me to have a look at the interior of the theater and he wants my opinion on the decor for the clinic. We can meet the professor at PIFA or anywhere else you suggest.

 

Let me know;

 

Justin

 

To: hotassartist@yahell.com

From: benbruckner@carnegiemellon.edu

 

Hey Justin;

 

I spoke with Professor Thomas yesterday and he really wants to try to connect with Frank. He says it was all a big misunderstanding. Frank's mother had passed away two years ago They were both grieving and then Frank took up with the wrong crowd. Professor Thomas tried to find him. He had no clue Frank was still in Pittsburgh. He misses his son so much. I did warn him that Frank may be too frightened to see him but he just wants to make sure Frank is alive.

 

Let's play it by ear.

 

Ben

 

To: benbruckner@carnegiemellon.edu

From: hotassartist@yahell.com

 

Sounds good to me. I'll email Hunter at the clinic. We may need Hunter to smooth things with Frank.

 

Later;

 

Justin

 

To: xhustlermsw@jkcdc.org

From: hotassartist@yahell.com

 

Hi Hunter;

 

Ben and I have been in touch with Frank's dad. He really wants him to come home. We won't do anything to jeopardize the work you've done so far so any suggestions you have will be appreciated.

 

Justin

 

*****

 

JKCDC Diary

 

9/25/2013

 

Dear Diary;

 

Frank is negative! As Brian would say, thank the gods. And Frank's dad wants him to come home. Justin and Ben are going to meet Frank's father tomorrow. I hope it goes okay. I think they think that the minute father and son see each other, all the hurt will suddenly vanish but too much time has passed, too many things have changed for Frank. They will have to learn about each other, develop a new relationship, not try to pick up where they left off.

 

Holy shit, I sound like a social worker. LOL

 

To: hotassartist@yahell.com

From: xhustlermsw@jkcdc.org

 

Hey Blondie;

 

Go slow! Frank misses his dad too but he's scared that he won't be forgiven. I'm not going to force Frank into anything. We did have one small victory; he's negative. His tests results came in today. Of course he'll have to go through the whole series of tests but this is a good first step.

 

I'll be in touch;

 

Hunter

 

To: xhustlermsw@jkcdc.org

From: hotassartist@yahell.com

 

Great news! I'm going to forward your email to Ben.

 

Later;

 

Justin....and don't call me Blondie >:o(

 

*****

 

Anderson Construction Log 9/26/13

 

The kids from PIFA were here yesterday and will be back later today. Justin is coming to Pittsburgh today too. I can't wait to hear his opinion on the clinic decor and then take him on a tour of the theater.

 

Drooling is so unbecoming for a grown man.

 

*****

 

JKCDC Diary 9/30/2013

 

Sorry Diary, I haven't been consistent in my entries. I'll try to catch up. John's crew installed the new windows, now the work on creating a real office and work stations can begin. They need to do some major rewiring of this old building. Ted sent over a couple of computers. Frank has a real knack with them so he's helping me set them up.

 

Ben and Justin brought Professor Thomas to the center on Friday. It was very emotional but a good start. I'm glad Ben was here. He was able to give Frank's dad the parent point of view. I was able to supply the rest and without me confessing my own past sins. It's hard not to make this personal. Bill says I have to step outside of it and concentrate on the client not how I felt when I was on the street. It's not all about me.

 

Frank isn't ready to go home and he's certainly not ready to go back to high school. But he does want to graduate so he's decided to take his GED courses here at the center. Professor Thomas nearly flipped when he realized where Frank was working and living but I reassured him that he's working a real job. I don't think the professor really understands how Frank 'earns' his living. He's probably in denial. The two of them will meet with me twice a week for the next month or two so they can get back on track.

 

Frank, his dad and Ben went to the diner for lunch. Call it a supervised visit. Ben acted as a buffer. I think Ben may want to volunteer here. I can use his insight and his gentle way.

 

Justin was nearly bouncing off the walls. He and John were discussing decor. Decor! It's a fucking bathhouse for cripes sake. Blondie is such a goofball. There he was walking around with color charts and swatches. John was following him with a clipboard writing down everything Justin was muttering. I hope John knows what Justin was talking about; I certainly don't. He was so cute. lol I just called Blondie, cute.

 

Oh, oh, the work crew is back and with lots of paint buckets. I think I'll go for a walk.

 

Later, diary.

 

*****

 

Anderson Construction Work Log 9/30/13

 

Justin has some wonderful ideas for the decor of the clinic and for making the bathhouse more classy. I wonder if Bobby would get angry if I had a sauna over there one night. I better ask him first. I've already been hit on by dozens of men who think I'm Brian. You know I never really believed that he 'did' so many men but now I believe. Where did he find the time or the energy? I'm getting exhausted just by turning them down.

 

I'm so proud of Hunter. He has the center well organized. He was able to direct my work to accommodate the clinic's needs, and very diplomatically too.

 

Justin will be here tomorrow and we're going to take another look at the theater. I can't wait.

 

Brian's offered me the loft. I may take him up on it. It's a long trip back and forth from Bridgeton. It's either that or I'll stay with them at their cottage. That way Bobby and Patrick can stay with me. I'd miss them if I stayed at the loft by myself. Who knows who might knock on the door! Besides, I want to sleep in the sun porch one night. Frogs don't scare me. Ha!

 

 

 

All the Rage

 

Chapter 3

 

John Anderson-Morrison walked into Terry's bathhouse. He looked around nervously as he approached the front desk. He had never been in a place like this in his whole life. Well, he had, actually. He had made several visits to Terry's when they were examining the building before Brian bought it, and since the renovations had started he had been through the place a couple of times. But he had never deliberately been to a bathhouse that wasn't related to his work.

 

John took a deep breath and opened his mouth. "I'd like to take a sauna," he said his mouth suddenly dry.

 

"We don't have a sauna," the man behind the desk replied.

 

"What?" John asked in surprise.

 

"I said we don't have a sauna," the guy repeated looking at John like he had two heads.

 

Just then the door opened and a man entered. "Hey, Cory," he said to the man behind the desk.

 

"Hey, want the usual?"

 

"Yep."

 

Cory tossed a towel to the man who had just come in. Take number 5."

 

"Thanks." The man looked John up and down and licked his lips while undressing John with his eyes. "You staying?" he asked John.

 

"Um … I'm not sure." John felt the heat in his cheeks as he blushed scarlet. He had just been propositioned … again. Bobby was going to kill him.

 

"I'll be in number 5 when you decide." With a suggestive leer at John the man disappeared down the hallway with John staring after him.

 

"Look man," Cory said. "We don't have a sauna but there is a steam room if you want to use it. Looks like you just got a better offer though."

 

"I did?"

 

"Huh? Who are you? You do know this is a bathhouse, don't you?"

 

"Yes, I know."

 

"And you are gay?"

 

"Yes, I am."

 

"Then do you want to stay or are you leaving?" Cory demanded. "If you're staying I need thirty bucks or a credit card, fifty if you want a room."

 

John felt panic sweep over him. He wanted to just run out the door and go home to Bobby where he could be safe. He could hold Patrick in his arms and never think about this again. But Bobby and Patrick were a couple of hours away and it was getting dark and he had to work tomorrow and he was being such a chicken. He could just tell anybody who hit on him to fuck off. He wanted to go to the steam room and let the heat and moisture take away all the aches of working all day and being so far from his family.

 

He sucked in a deep breath and pulled out his wallet. "Here's thirty," he said laying down the money. He could do this. Bobby had told him to go ahead and get a steam before he went to stay the night in the loft. Bobby had said steam. He must have known that there was no sauna in a bathhouse. John shook his head at his stupidity.

 

Cory snatched up the money immediately, perhaps worried that John would change his mind. He handed John a towel. "Steam room's down that hall, right at the back. Here's a key for a locker."

 

John picked up the key. The tag read number 13. "Just my luck," he muttered as he started down the hall. The first doorway he came to was open a crack and he could see two men fucking as he went by. What the fuck was he doing here, he wondered to himself. He kept walking. The next doorway revealed a naked man sitting on a bed. The guy looked up hopefully.

 

"Brian?" he said with a frown. "Hey, Brian, come on in."

 

John started. "I'm not Brian," he said and hurried on.

 

Door number five contained the naked butt of the man John had seen at the front desk. He was lying on the bed and humped the mattress suggestively as he saw John staring at him. "Come on in," he grinned.

 

John shook his head and hurried to the end of the hall. He entered a room with lockers along one side and benches in front of them to sit on. A couple of men looked up when they saw him enter. "Kinney?" one of them said.

 

"My name's Anderson," John said hastily hoping to set them straight. Every man in this fucking place seemed to know Brian.

 

"You look just like…"

 

"I know. He's my brother," John said as he began to unbutton his shirt. He had come this far; he might as well get his sauna, correction steam. John took off his shirt and unzipped his jeans. He kicked off the work boots he was wearing. As he started to slide his jeans down his legs he felt eyes staring at him. He looked around to see the two men who had been in the room when he entered and two more who had just arrived staring at him.

 

"What?" he demanded feeling very uncomfortable.

 

"We just want to see if it runs in the family," one of the men smirked.

 

John felt himself blushing, but he knew he had nothing to be ashamed of in that department. He shoved his jeans down and turned for all of them to see.

 

"Looks like the Kinney cock does run in the family," another man laughed. "Can I suck it?"

 

John grabbed his towel and quickly wrapped it around his hips. He had seen the door marked steam room when he had entered. He quickly walked to the door and went inside. He let the door hit his ass as he stood just inside. He needed a good swift kick in the ass for having come there in the first place.

 

John peered through the steam seeing one or two men sitting in the heat. He stepped forward and saw an empty ledge where he thought he might be safe. The men looked at him and one of them smiled. He watched the man's hand go to his cock which was covered by his towel. The man squeezed his dick while looking suggestively at John.

 

"Not interested," John said curtly as he sat down.

 

"Since when is Brian Kinney not interested. Oh, he's married now, isn't he?" the man chuckled. "Dick whipped."

 

John kept his mouth shut. They could think he was Brian if they wanted. He needed to perfect his Kinney death glare. Maybe that was how Brian kept the ravenous hordes at bay. John had no idea what Brian put up with on a daily basis until he had started spending so much time in Pittsburgh.

 

The door to the steam room opened and some of the men from the change room entered. They all looked at John who was sitting innocently soaking up the steam. They proceeded to cruise the men in the steam room. One nice looking redhead eyed John again. John shook his head, so the guy sauntered over to the man who had been squeezing his dick. They shared a couple of words and then they got up and left the steam room. John knew where they were going. A couple of the men who had just come in pulled off their towels and set them on the ledge. They then sat on the towels and proceeded to kiss. John could feel his dick harden as he watched the men make out. He had never been privy to this kind of sexuality and he found it fascinating. But he was shocked that it also turned him on.

 

John stood up and hurried out of the steam room. He unlocked his locker and pulled out his clothes. He wiped at his sweaty body with the now damp towel. Just then Frank appeared and handed him a fresh towel. John reached for his wallet to tip the boy.

 

Frank smiled. "It's on me. For Brian."

 

"Thanks," John said touched at Frank's simple gesture. Brian had done a good thing helping that boy. John quickly dressed and went out to his truck without getting hit on too seriously. He headed for the loft. On his way he debated going to Bridgeton instead. He wanted Bobby. He pulled out his cell phone and hit the speed dial.

 

"Bobby," he said as soon as the connection was made. "I'm coming home."

 

"You are not!"

 

"What do you mean?" John frowned.

 

"I mean that you are going to the loft right now."

 

"But…"

 

"No but's. I'm at the loft waiting for you. Get your ass over here."

 

"Thank you," John said with a catch in his voice as he cut the connection. He didn't want to talk on the phone when he could be in Bobby's arms in just a few minutes. He sped through the streets of Pittsburgh arriving at the loft only three minutes later. He parked the truck and saw Bobby standing at the front door of the loft building. He raced up to his husband and pulled him into a warm, rib crushing bear hug. "I love you so much."

 

"Let's go upstairs," Bobby smiled as he caressed John's cheek. "Then you can show me just how much."

 

John unlocked the door using the key Brian had given him and they raced upstairs. It didn't take long for them to be in the big platform bed, making use of it in a style that Brian and Justin would have been proud of. When they were done, they lay in each other's arms savoring the afterglow.

 

"Why did you come here?" John asked after a bit. "And where's Patrick?"

 

"Grandma Claire is taking good care of him. I think she and Steve are going to spoil him rotten while I'm gone."

 

"I wish you had brought him."

 

"He's fine where he is. He'll have a great time … and so will we without any worries for a day or two."

 

"A day or two?" John asked looking into Bobby's eyes.

 

"I took tomorrow off at work. I want to see the theater and I want to spend time with you. We can go home together on the weekend."

 

John leaned in and kissed his partner. "You are so good to me."

 

"So," Bobby smiled, "tell me about the bathhouse."

 

John shuddered. "What do you want to know?"

 

"Everything."

 

"You just want to make fun of me," John said.

 

"Maybe a little. You sure as fuck sounded scared to death when you called."

 

"They thought I was Brian, and there were men squeezing their cocks at me and dropping their towels and humping mattresses … and each other."

 

"That's usually what goes on in a bathhouse," Bobby laughed gently.

 

"I just wanted a sauna."

 

"I know," Bobby chuckled.

 

"Why didn't you tell me that they don't have saunas?"

 

"I think I said you should have a steam," Bobby said running his fingers through John's hair as John lay on his chest.

 

"I didn't realize that until I was there. You could have warned me what I was getting into."

 

"And then you wouldn't have gone."

 

"Probably, but why would that be a bad thing?"

 

"I wanted you to have a chance to see what one aspect of gay life was like," Bobby explained. "You never had that opportunity."

 

"I found out what Brian's life must have been like," John said with a wry smile. "I don't know how he did it."

 

"That's a loaded question," Bobby laughed. "Brian did it every which way and then some."

 

"Yeah, it's a hard act to follow especially when they think I'm him."

 

"You didn't…?" Bobby said with a frown of concern.

 

"Of course not, but they were checking out my dick and throwing themselves at me."

 

"Ah, a chance of a lifetime … to be Brian Kinney."

 

"I don't want to be Brian Kinney. I just want to be me … with you."

 

"You sure know how to sweet talk a guy," Bobby smiled. "Are you sure you didn't take any of them up on their offers."

 

"Very sure."

 

"I'm glad you didn't like the baths," Bobby said. "I just thought you might as well see what it was like."

 

"I want my life with you and Patrick. Someone else can have that life."

 

They made love again appreciating everything life had given them, and sure that it was much more than the men in the bathhouse had.

 

Before John fell asleep he thought about his adventure at the baths. He didn't think he'd write it up in his work log. Then he snuggled against Bobby and fell into a sound and peaceful sleep.

 

*****

 

Anderson Construction Work Log 10/8/13

 

The bathhouse/clinic work is complete. Justin was here yesterday to see the finished product including his contribution to the decor. He seemed very pleased and so does Hunter. I have to hand it to both of them; they both handle themselves so professionally each in their own respective fields. I know Justin is an artist but he has a knack for interior design. I see why Brian entrusted the cottage decor to him as well as Kinnetik Part Deux. He has vision, coupled with a certain practicality that just makes sense. The clinic looks inviting and warm, and offers a safe haven to anyone who needs it.

 

Hunter asked for a kitchen area and although we couldn't set up a real kitchen, we were able to have an area where Hunter could have coffee, tea and a refrigerator to store cold beverages, and a microwave. He also managed to work out a deal with a vending machine outfit that has sandwiches, fruit, small salads and easy to heat soups. Many of the clinic patrons come in off the street tired and hungry. We also installed a small shower and renovated some rooms so that the street kids could clean up and sleep. I've never seen so many young boys looking so tired and lost. The word is out that Hunter and the clinic offer them safety and a place where they may be able to turn their lives around. Some of my work crew have donated cots and bedding. Many of them have teenage boys; there but for the grace of God… I am very fortunate, and proud of my men.

 

Hunter has set up a link with Allegheny Hospital. A couple of nurses from the HIV clinic have volunteered their services to test the kids and along with Hunter, provide counseling. I'm so proud of Hunter; he's making Brian's dream a reality.

 

On an interesting note, my dear sweet brother-in-law, Justin, convinced me to give the bathhouse another go. Now, why would I torture myself again? The renovation and conservation of the theater is slow going so I took the opportunity to show Justin the bowling alley. The renovation will go quickly there. I took Justin on a tour and got his opinion for its decor. Of course I got caught up in some minor demolition and Justin suggested that we work out the kinks, later on after work, at the bathhouse. (Tomorrow the two of us take a good look at the theater.)

 

That little shit strolls into the bathhouse like he owns the place. He made sure he had his own flipflops (and he got a pair for me), went right up to the counter and paid for the two of us and then led me to the locker room. Oh boy! The looks we got; I think everyone thought I was Brian and expected a show. I never saw so many men trying to squeeze themselves into a locker room. Justin smiled sweetly, batted those baby blues and then dropped trow. All those men salivating, it would have been disgusting if I didn't find it so amusing. Justin appeared unfazed by it all. He stowed his stuff in a locker and patiently waited for me to undress and wrap myself in a towel. A couple of guys who realized that I wasn't Brian wanted to know if Justin had any more Kinney men to share. I was about to give them a piece of my mind, but Justin innocently retorted that HE had all the Kinney men and he wasn't going to share. For a minute I thought there was going to be trouble but then everyone laughed. I don't think I'll ever get used to this gay thing.

 

Side note: Justin is a beautiful man; he reminds me so much of Bobby. Same pale creamy skin and young compact body. Put a mop of red hair on Justin and they're almost interchangeable except for one very obvious difference...that ass! Okay, I love Bobby with all my heart and would never dream of sleeping with Justin but I'm human and I'm a man. A gay man. That ass is so, so, shit! Justin grabbed a towel that barely covered his ass, and then me and half a dozen other men followed that ass into the steam room. At that point I should have decided on a cold shower instead. But I digress.

 

We found some empty space and sat. Justin allowed the steam to work its magic and soon, so did I. Some men were speaking in whispers, others were kissing and a couple of others were jerking off. Justin just sat there ignoring it all. He reminded me of Brian when he ignores the stares and propositions. One guy stood in front a Justin and asked if we were interested in a threesome. Justin thanked him and politely turned him down.

 

After about an hour, Justin asked if I had had enough and we went back to the locker room to cool down and change. What happened next was really the kicker of the evening.

 

As Frank handed us a couple of fresh towels, a gentleman asked about the clinic next door and about the construction. Justin went into mini-adman mode and explained the purpose of the clinic and about all of the renovations. Brian would have been so proud of him. As it turned out the guy was a local businessman, and so were many of the other patrons. They were fascinated. Justin also reintroduced me and informed them that it's my construction company behind the renovations. Would you believe by the time we left I had exchanged business cards with several men and we had pledges of contributions for the clinic? Not only were they all pleased about how well the bathhouse turned out but they were ecstatic about the theater and bowling alley. Who'd a thunk it?! And who would ever think to network in a bathhouse. I've got to hand it to Justin; he really knows how to work a crowd.

 

Justin and I left to go back to their cottage. Bobby, Patrick and I will be spending this week there since Justin will be working with me on the bowling alley and perhaps in the theater. I hated being away from Bobby and our son, so Brian invited us to stay with them. Brian and Bobby will drop off the kids at Claire's and then go to Harrisburg while Justin and I come to Pittsburgh. It's the best solution for all of us.

 

*****

 

"I can't believe you want to do this."

 

"Why the fuck not?"

 

"Brian, you know how you get sometimes with Bree."

 

"Oh, and just how do I get with Bree?"

 

"Possessive, impatient, fanatical."

 

"Fanatical? What the fuck?"

 

"I'm sorry, Brian, but it's true."

 

"I take care of her and make sure she's safe."

 

"Of course you do, but do you want to do that with Patrick as well?"

 

"I can handle it."

 

"I'm sure you can, but for a whole week?"

 

"Justin, for fuck's sake, these are children we're talking about."

 

"I know, but you're not noted for your patience, and Patrick can be a handful."

 

"He's three. I'm bigger than he is."

 

Justin laughed. "Size has little to do with it. What will you do if he starts crying or throws a tantrum or runs away?"

 

"He's three. Where is he going to run to?"

 

"There will be two of them, Brian. You'll have to keep track of Patrick, and Bree. It won't be easy."

 

"If Claire can do it, so can I."

 

"You're really serious? You want to look after both kids for the week that John and I will be in Pittsburgh?"

 

"I believe that's what I've been saying for the last hour."

 

"Okay, okay, don't get testy."

 

"I'll show you testy," Brian leered and pounced on his unsuspecting husband.

 

Brian and Justin were in their bed at the cottage while Patrick and Bree were tucked away in their beds also at the cottage. John and Bobby were in the big brass bed on the sun porch. Once they had got into bed, Brian had broached the subject of him taking care of the children for the week. He was sure he could work from home instead of going in to Kinnetik Part Deux, and still manage to look after Bree and Patrick. Justin had been skeptical of the whole idea, thus causing the little tiff. Brian was about to wipe all doubts out of Justin's head in his tried and true fashion.

 

Justin moaned as Brian's lips found all the best places on his body. Brian's hand fondled Justin's balls rolling them around and squeezing gently, sending Justin into ecstasy. His cock ached; it was so hard from Brian's kisses and touches and whispers. His hole clenched wanting Brian inside him.

 

"Please," Justin moaned.

 

"Please what?"

 

"Fuck me, long and slow."

 

"Not till you tell me you know I can handle the kids."

 

"Briiiaaan!"

 

"Nope," Brian smirked knowing he had Justin exactly where he wanted him, begging for it. Justin was always so easy. That was one of the things he had always loved about him.

 

"Please, Brian," Justin panted as Brian's thumb slid through his slit picking up some precum that Brian licked at with his tongue. Justin moaned again at the sight. "You can do anything, Brian. You're Rage. You're invincible. Now fuck me, goddammit!"

 

Brian smiled. "My pleasure," he grinned as he shoved his dick up Justin's waiting ass. He had got what he wanted. He would prove to all of them that he was a good father and could handle two children. He was no wimp. He thrust hard into his husband and heard the air forced out of Justin's body. He looked down into Justin's beautiful face as his thrusts grew faster. Justin stared into Brian's eyes. He couldn't believe Brian wanted to look after the two kids for a whole week. He obviously didn't know what he was getting into, but this seemed to be something that Brian wanted to prove to himself and to everyone else.

 

Brian captured Justin's lips in a scorching kiss as he slowed down his thrusts prolonging their coupling. With his enormous expertise he angled his thrusts finding all of Justin's sweet spots and causing the man to babble incoherently. Brian kept up this pace until he knew Justin was a blithering pile of goo and his own balls felt like they would explode if he didn't get off soon. With a few hard thrusts he felt his orgasm overtake him and Justin joined him right after.

 

They lay side by side trying to get the world to stop spinning out of control. They were drenched in sweat from their marathon fuck. Justin's cum was all over his chest and over Brian's stomach where he had collapsed on top of his husband.

 

"You really want to look after the kids, don't you?" Justin panted as he tried to get his breathing back to normal.

 

"What makes you think so?" Brian asked tongue in cheek.

 

"When you fuck me like that, you have something to prove," Justin observed knowing his husband so well.

 

"So, are you going to support me when I ask John and Bobby about doing this?"

 

"I support you in anything you want to do," Justin said rolling on top of Brian and kissing his lips softly.

 

"I guess that's why I keep you around," Brian chuckled.

 

"That, and what we just did."

 

"Yeah, and the overriding fact that I love you and couldn't live without you."

 

Justin smiled as he laid his head on Brian's heart. Brian pulled the sheet over them and they fell asleep all wet and sticky and perfectly happy.

 

 

All the Rage

 

Chapter 4

 

Before the household was awake, Brian was up, showered, dressed and making breakfast. Today, John and Justin were heading for the Pitts and Bobby to Harrisburg. Brian had decided he'd try to work from home this week and take care of the kids. Last night he had convinced Justin that he was capable of caring for the two children but in the light of day, he was losing his nerve. He might require back-up, so he made a few calls before waking Briana and Patrick.

 

The two little ones were sharing Bree's crib; they were still small enough. Brian stood over them watching their peaceful sleep; a soft smile graced his face. Aside from Gus, they were the most beautiful and precious things he had ever beheld. Patrick's shocking red hair was growing more and more like Bobby's while Briana's hair took on more of the golden strawberry blond like Molly. The two had plenty of room in Briana's queen-sized crib, yet the babies appeared to find comfort in sleeping close. The sleep of the innocent. Brian could only imagine that Justin had looked like that as a child. He silently mourned the loss of that innocence. If Brian knew then what he knew now, he would have done more to preserve that innocence in his husband before he and Chris Hobbs had robbed Justin of it.

 

Brian shook the old bad thoughts from his brain and reached in for Bree to waken her and clean her up. In a few moments, John came in to tend to his son. The brothers shared a few quiet minutes, each counting their blessings, knowing how differently their lives would have been if not for their partners and their children.

 

John and Brian had the kids sitting in their respective high chairs eating breakfast, when Justin and Bobby came to join them.

 

"Brian, are you sure you want to do this? I can at least take Patrick to Claire's on my way to Harrisburg," Bobby offered to his brother-in-law.

 

"No, I want to do this. Look, I'll admit, and out loud, that I'm not sure if I can cope for the whole day. I really do need to spend some time going over the Rage PR before Brett's peons ruin the whole thing. But I won't be able to do any work on it until later on due to the time difference. So the kids and I will spend the morning together outside. It's still fairly warm. We can do a little gardening or digging, as the case may be and then later Claire will come by to have lunch and spend the afternoon. I'll ease my way into full baby-sitting duty gradually. Will that satisfy you all?"

 

Brian scanned the faces of the adults and saw the three of them visibly relax. They all appeared to find his compromise acceptable. After breakfast, everyone was duly kissed and sent on their way. John and Justin drove into Pittsburgh together while Bobby headed for Harrisburg.

 

Brian dressed the children in warm jackets and they were off to the shed to get out their gardening tools. Small plastic buckets and spades were loaded up in a wheelbarrow as well as an adult sized shovel for Brian. Brian set a big bag of soil in the barrow as well as several ornamental cabbages that were slated to edge the front path. Then he lifted each child, set them on top of the sack of soil and they were off. Brian wheeled the laughing children around the yard and then to the front of the house. Each child was given her/his own bucket, spade, clump of dirt and plant. Brian watched the determination on the faces of the kids and chuckled as Bree was giving her cousin a lesson in "gar-gar." So far, this parenting thing wasn't half bad.

 

*****

 

JKCDC Diary 10/9/13

 

Hi Diary;

 

Some more good news for Frankie and his dad; Frankie has started working on his GED and is showing a lot of aptitude for computers. Frankie's decided that after he gets his diploma, he wants to enroll in a technical school. He's quite the geek. Frankie is still not prepared to give up his job next door but he has decided to move back home. I've set up a course of family counseling sessions for them with Karen. Professor Thomas is very relieved but he's having some trouble coping, on several levels. He needs to come to terms with his son being gay and formerly a hustler, but he loves Frankie and hasn't rejected him. It's a brand new start for both of them.

 

The computers from Kinnetik were delivered and Ted had the Geek Squad come in to set them all up. They're practically new and will come in handy.

 

It's been quiet around here, construction-wise. The whole building was sand blasted and now the masons are giving the outside of the building a makeover. Terry is actually happy. He said that selling the building and the business was the best move he ever made. Apparently Brian made him a great deal and as a salaried employee he can afford better health care and time off. Terry never had that opportunity before. He's taking more pride in the place and it's paying off. It's business as usual for the bathhouse; it's a bathhouse for crying out loud, but the clients love it.

 

I gotta go, another new face just walked in.

 

*****

 

"John, am I finally going to see inside the theater? I've heard the buzz through the PIFA grapevine and I can't wait to see it."

 

John and Justin were pulling up into the alley close to the theater and Justin was practically bouncing with nervous energy.

 

"Yes, Justin. Today is the day. We've had to take our time in there. The haz-mat team needed to make sure there was no left over asbestos and the restoration crew wanted to go over everything with a fine tooth comb. Somehow, most of the ornate decorations have survived. I'm surprised that the place wasn't vandalized years ago. The crystal chandelier alone is worth thousands."

 

"Wow!"

 

"Yeah, wow. Gordy says all it needs is a good cleaning and rewiring and its light will again shine."

 

"You sound almost in love."

 

"I am. I'm an architect and a builder. These old theaters were once prized, held in reverence by their community. I love their classic, elegant design. Modern buildings are so sterile, lifeless at times. It will be a thrill to see this one restored."

 

"Thank you."

 

"For what?"

 

"For letting me help."

 

"Justin, not only are you a wonderful and creative artist but you have a knack for interior design. I want to see this building through your eyes. But..."

 

"But what?"

 

"Am I taking you away from your art? Don't you have a show to work on?"

 

"No, I don't. Now that my name is out there, Sidney wants to hold back a little, not flood the market as he put it. I'm still painting but the next move is to wait for the Rage movie and then strike after that. So, I'm free as a bird for now. And I need the time to recharge. All that crap with the family and the stupid rumors knocked me out for a while."

 

John nodded with understanding. He knew how upset Justin was and disappointed that he and Brian had to prove themselves, again, for the family. But that was all water under the bridge.

 

"Come on; Gordon's waiting for us. I want to have a look at the stage. It's one of the last places to explore. And I saved it for us!" John said with a bright smile that almost rivaled Justin's.

 

John and Justin went into the old theater. Both men were wide-eyed as the bright work lights lit the whole place. Many of Justin's old professors were there with the latest class of students who were majoring in restoration. Justin went to greet some of his former professors as John checked in with Gordon and the rest of his crew. Justin was introduced to the present class of PIFA who were just as excited with meeting one of the university's most famous alumni as they were with being chosen to assist with the restoration. The whole theater was abuzz with workmen and restorers. John and Justin made their way to the stage.

 

Pointing out some of the theater's more fascinating features, John and Justin made their way center stage.

 

"Here, look up; you can get a great view of the chandelier," John said as he pointed toward the ceiling. "We'll be taking it down later on in the week as soon as we remove the seats. We're going to try to keep as much of the original fittings as possible."

 

Justin remained silent as he listened to the excitement in John's voice as John told him the plan of attack. They were approaching the apron of the stage when John felt the old not-maintained flooring give way. Justin instinctively reached out as John went feet first down through the boards. Off balance, Justin toppled in and landed on John.

 

"John! Are you hurt?" Justin attempted to scream but had the wind knocked out of him when he landed on John's chest. His cries came out in a whimper.

 

"Only my pride and they'll be pulling out a shitload of splinters from my back and my ass. But I don't think I'm hurt. I've taken worse tumbles than this. How about you? You hurt?"

 

Justin took a mental inventory of all his parts.

 

"No, but I think I twisted my ankle."

 

"You didn't hurt your arm or your head?" John knew about Justin's injuries from the bashing and prayed nothing was re-injured.

 

"No." Justin's voice came out like a sniffle. John knew Justin was scared and the cold dank and dampness of under the stage was probably throwing Justin into shock. John protectively curled his arms around the younger man to keep him warm and to comfort him.

 

"Don't worry; we'll be out of here shortly. If I know Gordon, he's already called for an ambulance."

 

"No, no hospitals," Justin whimpered against John's chest.

 

"Shush, just as a precaution," John reassured the young man.

 

"Brian. I want..."

 

"I know. We'll call him. Stay still; try to relax. We'll be out of here soon."

 

Just then Gordon, John's right-hand man and second in command was peering through the hole.

 

"Hey, Johnny! You okay, man? Still in one piece?" Gordon and John had worked together for over twenty years. They were a well oiled machine, following certain procedures in case of accidents.

 

"We're all right, Gordy," John called up. "Just a little scared and cold. I'm an idiot. I should have examined under here first before traipsing across the stage. I bet termites and wood worms have had a field day in here."

 

"Yeah, well, at least you found out which boards we need to replace," Gordon chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Help is on the way as we speak. Don't move," Gordon instructed.

 

"I know the drill and we're in no immediate danger, but Gordy..."

 

"Got it covered, pal. Calls noted and placed. Hang tough. You'll be up and outta there in no time."

 

John felt Justin snuggle into his chest as John began to pet Justin's back and whisper words of comfort into the blond's ear.

 

*****

 

Claire had joined Brian and the children not long after John, Justin and Bobby had left for work. She found them all in the front yard busy planting and having a great time of it. Claire was so impressed that she picked up a shovel and started to help. Claire felt her cell phone in her jacket pocket start to vibrate. She let herself into the house to answer the phone in private.

 

"Okay, Gordon, I understand and thank you for calling me first. I'm with Brian and the children. I'll call Bobby. Bobby and Brian will meet you at the hospital. I'll stay here with the children. You take care of John and Justin for me."

 

Over the years, Gordon and Claire had an understanding. In the event of an accident she was the first to be notified. Her level-headedness was a god-send when it came to notifying spouses of John's crew of an accident. Not that there were many but sometimes shit happened. Even when it involved her son, Claire remained calm. The tone of Gordon's voice was proof enough that it was only a minor accident. But now she had the gruesome task of informing two of Pennsylvania's biggest drama queens that their spouses lay hurt on the basement floor of the theater. Claire took a deep breath to prepare herself.

 

"Bobby Morrison."

 

"Bobby, sweetheart, I need you to come to Brian's right now."

 

"Oh no, Claire. Did something happen to the kids? Did big bad Brian get outdone by toddlers?"

 

"No, dear. The children and Brian are fine. Your husband on the other hand, had a little accident at the theater. You and Brian will have to go to Pittsburgh. Now, I'm not going to say anything to Brian just yet. He'll just fly into protective mode and want to drive to Pittsburgh by himself. Just get here soon and I'll explain everything."

 

"I'm on my way. Claire..."

 

"He's fine and so is Justin but John'll be madder than a wet cat and blaming himself for the accident. Now come here, but drive carefully."

 

"Yes, ma'am."

 

*****

 

Within the hour Bobby Morrison was pulling up in front of the Kinney/Taylor cottage. He hastily parked his car then raced up the path and into the house.

 

"Hey Bobby, why are you home?" Brian looked at his harried brother-in-law and then at Claire. Something was not right. Brian's eyebrows shot straight up then his eyes narrowed. Brian began to glare at Claire.

 

"What's going on?" Brian growled out.

 

"Brian, I need you to sit and stay calm. Bobby, you sit down too."

 

"Claire..." Brian began but was immediately cut off but Claire's raised hand.

 

"Sit, both of you and listen. John and Justin had a little accident at the theater about an hour or so ago." Claire looked at her watch as she began her speech. "I received a call from Gordon; that's John's assistant," Claire explained to Brian. "John was showing the theater to Justin when some rotten boards gave way and they fell through."

 

Brian shot up and began racing around getting his jacket and stuffing his wallet into his pocket.

 

"What are we waiting for? We have to go there!" Brian shouted in panic.

 

"Brian! Slow down! I know you want to go and you will in a few minutes. Justin wasn't hurt badly, just a twisted ankle. More frightened than anything else, and John feels like he has buckshot in his behind but he's fine too. They'll be at Allegheny General by the time you get to Pittsburgh."

 

Brian and Bobby allowed Claire's words to sink in.

 

"Brian, let's go; I'll drive." Brian nodded. He and Bobby went to check on the children who were taking a nap after their hard work in the garden. Kissing both kids as they slept, Brian and Bobby left the nursery, kissed Claire and drove off to Pittsburgh in silence.

 

*****

 

Hearing the sirens and commotion coming from the street, Hunter left the clinic and went outside just in time to see John and Justin being loaded up into the ambulances. He ran to ask one of the workmen what was going on. He relaxed when he was told that they weren't seriously hurt but they were going to the hospital to be checked out. Hunter ran back to the clinic to alert the family and then went to the hospital.

 

By the time Brian and Bobby arrived at Allegheny, half the Liberty Avenue family had been informed of the accident. Hurricane Brian stormed into emergency, demanding to see Justin. Bobby, taking a more subtle approach, quietly asked about John and Justin and each man was lead to their respective spouses.

 

John was lying on his stomach, his back and buttocks prepped with a disinfectant and the splinters being removed. Bobby found a stool and sat at the head of the gurney as the PA carefully removed each splinter. John remained stoic but relieved that Bobby was there to hold his hand.

 

In another cubicle, Brian found Justin laying on his own gurney with his ankle wrapped up with an ice pack. The Orthopedic resident was waiting for the results of his x-rays before applying a soft cast to Justin's ankle.

 

"Justin!" Brian managed to squeak out.

 

"Brian!" Justin replied, then held out his arms. Brian immediately climbed onto the gurney carefully maneuvering behind his husband, drawing Justin into his arms. Keeping his leg still, Justin twisted slightly to accept the thousands of kisses Brian feathered onto his face.

 

"I love you, I love you, I love you," Brian whispered over and over to his boy and held him tightly to his chest. Justin snuffled as his shock and fear were chased away by Brian's strong embrace. Neither man was aware of the resident when he came in, removed the ice pack, wrapped Justin's ankle and then applied the soft cast. A few minutes later, a nurse came in with a stockinette, special shoe and crutches.

 

Within a few hours of the mishap, the Kinney/Taylor, Anderson/Morrison family were on their way back to the cottage.

 

 

All the Rage

 

Chapter 5

 

Justin woke with a start. He had slept fitfully trying to find a comfortable position for his injured ankle. Brian had been awake most of the night too, giving Justin pain pills and kisses to try to comfort him. Justin turned to the side and realized that Brian was gone.

 

"Brian?" he called softly not wanting to wake the rest of the house. It was still early.

 

"Did you call me?" Brian asked coming into the bedroom and closing the door behind him. "I brought you some juice and another pain pill."

 

"You're taking such good care of me," Justin smiled as he downed the pill and the juice.

 

Brian slid onto the bed beside him. "How do you feel this morning?"

 

"A bit better. Did I keep you awake all night?"

 

"That's okay. I wanted to be sure you didn't need anything."

 

"I need to pee," Justin grinned.

 

"Ah, bodily functions. Want me to carry you to the potty?"

 

"I'm not a baby," Justin said with a glare at his husband.

 

"I know, but I don't mind carrying you," Brian smirked.

 

"Oh?" Justin looked fondly at the man who meant so much to him.

 

Brian nodded and scooped Justin up into his arms. He carried Justin into the bathroom and sat him down gently on the toilet. "I'll be back in a minute," he said and left.

 

Justin wriggled out of his sweats and sat back down. By the time he was finished and wondering how he could get back to bed without his crutches, Brian reappeared in the doorway.

 

"Ready for me to deliver you to your bed, sire?" Brian chuckled.

 

Justin shook his head, but couldn't help but smile at how solicitous Brian was being. He felt himself being picked up once again and carried back to bed. Before Brian could set him down, he said, "Can I sit in the living room? I'm sick of being in bed."

 

Wordlessly Brian carried Justin into the living room. He set Justin gently down on the sofa and disappeared into the kitchen. He returned to a puzzled Justin a moment later. In his hands was a tray with fresh coffee and a toasted bagel. He set the tray down on the coffee table and smiled at Justin.

 

"You cooked," Justin giggled.

 

"Hey, any disparaging remarks and I'll eat that myself."

 

"Sit with me?" Justin asked patting the sofa beside him.

 

Brian shook his head and scooted in behind Justin so that he could keep his leg extended and up and Brian could wrap his arms around him from behind. Justin sighed as he leaned back against the strong chest.

 

"Comfy?"

 

"Yep. It was almost worth hurting my ankle to have you look after me like this," Justin whispered.

 

"Shut up and eat your bagel while it's warm."

 

Justin smiled as he knew Brian didn't like to be complimented on things like how well he looked after him. He picked up the bagel and nibbled at the edge. "Good," he said.

 

"Glad you like it. I thought I'd make us a salad for lunch."

 

"You did? But I should go in with John and check out the rest of the theater."

 

"You can't walk without crutches and you still have pain. You're not going anywhere," Brian stated emphatically.

 

"I guess it could wait for a day or two," Justin conceded as he munched on his bagel. Brian handed him his coffee as Justin finished licking his fingers. "Yum, that was good."

 

"I'm glad you have your appetite back. You had me worried last night when you went right to bed."

 

"Too bad I didn't sleep much," Justin said with a yawn.

 

"You've got all day. Oh, there's Bree," Brian said squeezing himself out from behind Justin. He grabbed the throw and covered Justin with it. Justin smiled affectionately at the big lug who had stolen his heart so many years ago. Brian hurried off to get Bree. He returned carrying a smiling Bree and a sleepy Patrick trailing behind them.

 

"I'll take her," Justin said and Brian deposited their daughter in his arms.

 

"Patrick? Do you want to go wake up your sleepy fathers?" Brian asked.

 

Patrick nodded and Brian opened the door to the sun porch. Bobby and John were sleeping in the big brass bed. After two seconds Justin and Brian heard the squeals and laughs as Patrick attacked his fathers in bed.

 

"Kids make the best alarm clocks," Justin grinned as he bounced a giggling Bree on his thighs.

 

"Take it easy with that ankle," Brian warned him.

 

"You're such a worry wart."

 

"I want you mobile as soon as possible," Brian stated. "Then you can ride my cock," he mouthed to Justin. Justin laughed and Bree giggled some more. "Ready for breakfast, Squirt?" Brian asked.

 

"Hungy, Daddy," Bree said.

 

"Okay, okay," Brian sighed dramatically. "A house husband's work is never done."

 

Justin laughed out loud at that ridiculous statement coming out of Brian Kinney's mouth. "You are so full of shit," Justin couldn't resist saying.

 

"Shit," Bree repeated and then giggled along with her father.

 

"Now you've done it," Brian said.

 

"Shit," Bree repeated with a big smile.

 

"Christ, Brian, get her some breakfast and maybe we can take her mind off it before she says it anymore."

 

"Shit!" Bree repeated bouncing up and down in Justin's arms.

 

Brian couldn't help but laugh out loud.

 

"You're not helping," Justin said.

 

"Shit," Bree said once more before a laughing Brian disappeared into the kitchen.

 

*****

 

"You're being an ass, you know that?" Bobby said to his stubborn husband who was stiffly attempting to get dressed.

 

"Hey, I don't have the luxury of working from home like some of us in this family," John groused back in a whisper. He almost envied Brian and Justin's ability to work from home when they pleased.

 

"John, you don't mean that as it sounded. Justin's an artist; he doesn't punch a time clock. And Brian has earned his right to work from home. His employees probably prefer it that way. I have it on good authority that he bellows quite loudly. And you know with Justin temporarily legless, Brian is not straying any further than the garden shed. Now, stop being so stubborn and stay here. I brought my laptop and I can work up in Brian's office. Someone has to apply the antibiotic ointment to your back and ass, unless of course, you and Gordon have a very special working relationship."

 

"Uh, uh..." John stuttered with embarrassment and with shock; he couldn't believe that Bobby would think that he and Gordon had anything but a professional relationship. John was trying to find the right retort when it dawned on him that Bobby was only pulling his leg, but he was also right. The wounds on his back were supposed to be cleansed and dressed at least three times a day. They also needed to be examined for signs of infection, something that John couldn't do all by himself. John sighed loudly with resignation then went to call Gordon. Gordon ordered John to stay put for the remainder of the week to heal and reassured his boss and friend that all was going well with the theater and bowling alley work. John and Bobby joined Brian and Justin in the kitchen for breakfast.

 

"So, did you convince him to stay here?" Brian asked as he pushed a heaping serving dish of waffles in their direction. Bree was happily munching away on her own waffle as well as Patrick. At least someone appreciated Brian's cooking.

 

"Yes, I did. He's so pig-headed at times." Bobby brought a pillow for John to sit on at the cozy kitchen table. Brian had rearranged some chairs so that Justin could sit at the table with his leg propped up.

 

"He's sitting right here, ya know!" John grumbled. He was feeling uncomfortable and in need of strong coffee.

 

"I'll get you some coffee," Brian said as he got up to fix his brother a large mug of java.

 

"I'll get your pain pills." Bobby got up to retrieve John's prescription.

 

The hapless and temporary invalids traded looks.

 

"Just go with it, John," Justin advised. "This is a battle you're not going to win. Let's face it; we're loved by two very stubborn men. I, for one, am going to relish every minute of it." Justin's eyes sparkled with amusement and with love. John realized Justin was right and resigned himself to go with the flow.

 

After breakfast, John decided to take 'first watch' with the kids. They set Justin up in the sun porch on the chaise lounge with plenty of snacks, beverages, sketchpads and pencils. John's injuries were more annoying than anything else. He took the kids outside to explore the garden and surrounding forest. Bobby and Brian were up in the attic office working quietly at their computers. The balcony gave Brian a view of Justin. Brian relaxed as he noticed the pain medication do its magic, allowing Justin to get some sleep.

 

The clear glass of the sun porch afforded Bobby an unobstructed view of the countryside. He could see John with the children as they followed him closely and listened as he told them about each tree and flower.

 

Bobby and Brian were satisfied that their family would survive this latest drama.

 

*****

 

"Debbie? What are you doing here?" Brian answered the door, surprised to see the artificially red-headed waitress standing at his door. Over her shoulder was half of Liberty Avenue all holding bags, boxes and containers brimming with food and beverages.

 

"We're here to make sure those sweet children are being properly fed. Now, are you going to let us in, asshole? This stuff is getting heavy."

 

Brian shrugged then stepped aside to allow Debbie, Carl, Emmett, Lindsay, Jennifer and Ben through the door. He was about to shut the door when Steve's truck pulled up and he and Claire got out carrying more food.

 

Bobby, hearing the ruckus, came down from the office to see what was going on.

 

"I didn't know we were having a party," Bobby whispered to Brian.

 

"Neither did I," Brian replied. "Don't fight it. Just smile and be prepared to eat." Bobby nodded then both men turned to face the crowd. They each wore a sweet smile as they helped to unpack the food and haul it all out to the porch.

 

Soon they were all sitting around in the sun porch nibbling on food that had been brought. The freezer was stocked and everyone was content that the injured parties were being well taken care of. John had returned with the children and Bree was ensconced on Justin's lap and Patrick was sitting on the floor in front of his fathers. They each munched happily on a hot dog that had been brought especially for them.

 

"So how the fuck did you two manage to injure yourselves?" Debbie demanded.

 

Justin looked at John and shrugged his shoulders.

 

"How did you find out about this?" John asked.

 

"Hunter saw the ambulance and was told by someone named Gordon that you two had been injured. He let me know last night," Debbie explained.

 

"And you didn't call?" Brian snarked.

 

"Gordon told Hunter that neither of you were seriously hurt or I would have been at the hospital," Debbie replied with a glare at Brian. And then she added, "Asshole!" just for good measure.

 

"We're all extremely happy that you rushed right out here," Brian continued.

 

Justin gave him a warning look. "We're glad you wanted to help. Thank you all," Justin said graciously.

 

"And here I thought you all were checking out whether I could take care of two children by myself," Brian said tongue in cheek.

 

"What's he talking about?" Emmett asked.

 

"Brian was going to stay home all this week and look after the kids while the rest of us went to work," Bobby explained.

 

Several sets of eyebrows went up immediately.

 

Brian scowled. "I knew nobody thought I could handle it. But spraining your ankle and impaling your butt on shards of wood are pretty extreme measures to keep tabs on me."

 

"I'll vouch for you, Brian," Claire laughed. "He and the children were doing a fine job of working on the gardens when I got the call about the accident."

 

"Sure, put the little tykes to work!" Emmett laughed.

 

"There has to be some reason to keep them around," Brian laughed in spite of himself.

 

"All of you were having so much fun that I had to join in," Claire continued. "Brian is perfectly capable of handling Bree and Patrick on his own."

 

"And that's why you were here, Claire?" Lindsay asked with a wry laugh.

 

"Bitch," Brian mouthed at her. "I can handle two toddlers."

 

"I'm not a toddler," Patrick said. He was four and didn't appreciate being lumped into that category.

 

"You tell them, Patrick," John stated giving his son encouragement. "You're a big boy."

 

Patrick nodded and grinned as he polished off his piece of hot dog. Bree was having more trouble with hers and Justin was breaking it up into small pieces for her. She was not at all happy with the way things were going as she watched Patrick eat his hot dog.

 

"You two should be more careful in those old buildings," Jennifer said looking first at John and then at her son.

 

"We were careful, Jennifer," John assured her. "There were some rotten boards in the stage and we went through before we had time to think of anything."

 

"John got the worst of it because he broke the boards and then I landed on him," Justin explained. "The only problem was that my leg got caught underneath us. Otherwise John made a good cushion."

 

John smiled and winked at Justin. "Hey, I'm the only one who's supposed to use you for a pillow," Bobby said leaning over and kissing his husband.

 

John winced as he leaned into the kiss and sat more heavily on one side of his injured ass. "Ow," he cried.

 

"Sorry, sweetheart," Bobby said stifling a laugh.

 

"Such sympathy," John griped. "Justin and I are injured and all we get is ridicule."

 

"Bree," Justin said as his daughter took that moment to throw the remainder of her hot dog as far as she could. It hit Emmett in the side of the head. "Bree, that is a no no," Justin said in his strict voice as he looked at his daughter.

 

Bree stared into his eyes for a moment while Emmett picked crumbs out of his hair. "Shit!" she said to the startled gasps of all assembled.

 

"Oh my God, what have you been teaching her?" Lindsay demanded of Brian.

 

Brian opened his mouth to react but then decided they wouldn't believe him anyway.

 

"Trust Brian to incorporate foul language into a baby's upbringing," Debbie laughed. "However, far be it from me to criticize. I do have a potty mouth as Carl keeps telling me."

 

"Brian didn't teach her that," Justin said defending his husband.

 

"Then who did?" Steve asked.

 

"It was me," Justin admitted.

 

"Quit trying to take the heat off the big guy," Ben laughed. "Brian can take it."

 

"But…" Justin tried to continue.

 

"It doesn't matter, sweetheart," Jennifer interrupted. "But both of you will have to try to be more careful about the language you use around Bree. I don't want my granddaughter swearing like a trooper."

 

"Mom!" Justin reacted.

 

"I'll try to be careful," Brian stated looking sympathetically at Justin and trying to get him off the hook by taking the blame.

 

"Shit!" Briana said forcefully and then laughed. Everyone in the room had to chuckle. She looked so pleased with herself.

 

"It may not be so easy to stop her," Justin admitted.

 

"Shit," she said again and everyone in the screen porch had to laugh.

 

Brian groaned inwardly. Bree liked being the center of attention and saying "Shit" was certainly getting her that attention. Brian scooped up his daughter and carried her from the room.

 

"Shit!" she said as she was hustled away.

 

 

All the Rage

 

Chapter 6

 

To: hotassartist@yahell.com

From: xhustlermsw@jkcdc.org

 

Hey Blondie;

 

When are you going to get off your fat ass and come back to the Pitts? John says the cast is off and you're walking with a fancy smancy cane that the studman got for you.

 

Seriously, Justin, I have a big favor to ask you. A new kid came into the clinic this week. Lacy came in all beat up; I think a john got rough. Lacy refused to let me look at the bruises so I got one of the nurses from Allegheny to come by. We discovered something real interesting. I thought Lacy was a HE...he's a SHE. She's passing herself off as a boy and doing tricks. The nurse says she wasn't raped and refused the rape kit. The best I could do was to get her into the shower, some clean clothes and a couple of hot meals.

 

It took a few days for Lacy to trust me. But when she did I found out that she likes to draw. She was doodling on some paper and the stuff reminded me of Rage. When I questioned her about it she confided that Rage and you are her heroes. Justin, would you stop by and look at her stuff. I know she has to finish high school. Truthfully I don't even know her age. She looks very young and has a boyish figure. Maybe you can get her to talk.

 

Think about it.

 

Bye, Blondie!

 

To: xhustlermsw@jkcdc.org

From: hotassartist@yahell.com

 

Hey Hunter;

 

I'm coming in tomorrow with John and of course I'll stop by the clinic to meet Lacy. See you then.

 

And stop calling me Blondie!

 

*****

 

JKCDC Diary 10/15/13

 

Justin's coming tomorrow and maybe Lacy will confide in him. I can't seem to get her to talk to me.

 

Got some great news today that will really help me out. I've been putting in a lot of hours and I'm getting tired. I don't want to burn out before I can do some good down here. Karen has consented to move her office here! I certainly have the room. She'll be the day shift and I'll be here in the afternoon till about midnight. She told me that being so close to the courts can be intimidating to some of her clients. We're still close enough if she has to testify but she says the parking is easier and it's more laid back. She's a tough lady and our neighbors will look out for her. I can't wait. She said her lease was running out in her offices and the rent was going up. It's a good deal for the both of us. And maybe she can help Lacy.

 

Some more good news. Emmett and Ben have been spending some time here too. Emmett rallied some of the local clothing merchants and they've donated a lot of clothes. Leave it to Emmett to make sure my 'lost kids' are fashionable lost kids. Many of them are in rags when they show up. We can't salvage their clothes. So I have closets and drawers filled with new or good as new clothes and sneakers. I hated being out there without a warm coat or gloves. Sometimes I thought I'd never get warm again.

 

Ben wants to do some volunteering. He's been living with HIV longer than me; he's living proof that it can be done. And I missed him and Michael so much. It'll be good to spend time with him.

 

Got to go, Lacy just walked in. She looks so tired. Maybe I can get her to take a nap.

 

*****

 

Anderson Construction Work Log 10/15/2013

 

While I was out of commission, Gordon and crew took out all of the theater seating. With a little research, we can match the original red velvet upholstery. The chandelier comes down next.

 

Justin's coming with me tomorrow. I hope he's forgiven me. I hope Brian's forgiven me. I know they don't blame me but I blame me. I can't seem to forgive myself. I was careless, so taken in by my excitement. I won't let that happen again.

 

*****

 

"Brian, will you stop hovering," Justin said as he got dressed.

 

"I don't think you should go back to that theater. Look what happened last time."

 

"It was a freak accident. I'll be fine. John will be with me."

 

"And John's still picking splinters out of his fucking ass!" Brian declared.

 

Justin tried not to laugh. "John's ass is fine. All healed, and so's my ankle … almost."

 

"No, you're not going."

 

"Brian, queen out! Calm the fuck down."

 

"You don't have to do this. John can find someone else to evaluate what should be done with the inside of the theater."

 

"I'm well aware that he can find someone else, but I don't want him to. I want to do this."

 

Brian shook his head. He was losing the battle and he was worried that if he didn't shut the fuck up, he would make Justin seriously angry at him. However, he couldn't stop himself. "Then I'm coming with you," he stated.

 

"Brian, for Christ's sake, I'm not two years old. I'm not a baby like Bree. You're staying here and looking after the kids, and I'm going to Pittsburgh with John. End of discussion."

 

Brian looked like a sad little boy who had just lost his puppy. "I'll miss you. Be careful."

 

"You know I will," Justin said gently running his fingers along Brian's cheek.

 

Brian caught his hand and kissed the palm. He pulled Justin against him. "I'll worry," he whispered.

 

"I'll call you every couple of hours, I promise."

 

"You fucking better."

 

Justin smiled. "Now, can I have some breakfast so I don't starve to death before we get to the theater?"

 

"Okay, if you must," Brian said tongue in cheek. He knew he had to let Justin go, but it had been worth a shot to try to keep him safe at the cottage.

 

They made their way out to the kitchen where John and Bobby were feeding the kids. They were all enjoying frozen waffles that Bobby was toasting for them. Bree sat in her high chair picking up little pieces of waffle covered with syrup. Her mouth and all surrounding regions were covered in the sweet, sticky substance.

 

Justin leaned down to kiss her. "Yum, you taste so good," Justin told her licking some of the syrup off her face.

 

Bree giggled and smiled back at her father with his own smile. She watched Brian pour himself a cup of coffee and sit down at the table. She frowned and raised her arms for him to pick her up or at least kiss her. Brian ignored her lost in his own thoughts about how Justin would get through the day without getting hurt again.

 

"Someone's trying to get your attention," John said to Brian.

 

"Hm."

 

"Brian, what's wrong? She wants a kiss."

 

"Far too fattening for me," Brian observed in a dispassionate manner.

 

"Brian?" John asked again frowning at his brother and wondering what the hell had got into the man. Everyone knew that Bree was the apple of his eye.

 

"He's worrying about me falling through a floor or off some scaffolding," Justin said as he retrieved his waffle from the toaster.

 

"Scaffolding! You are not fucking going up on scaffolding!" Brian declared.

 

"No, I'm not. I was making a point. Do you see what I've been putting up with ever since the alarm went off?" Justin asked as he covered his waffle in syrup.

 

Bobby chuckled. "They'll be fine," he said to Brian. "I have John's word on it."

 

Brian snorted as he watched Bree's face scrunch up ready to cry. "She's about to blow," he said smugly as he sat back and watched his daughter let out a blood curdling scream.

 

"She wants her father even if he is a fucking asshole this morning," Justin said picking Bree out of her high chair and trying to soothe her. She whimpered against his shoulder holding her little hands out to her other father and opening and closing them in a way that could only mean she wanted his attention.

 

"Brian!" Bobby said looking at Brian like he had suddenly grown another head or turned into someone none of them knew.

 

Brian stared at Bree for a minute and then the hard façade dropped from his face. "Come here, Squirt," he said softly taking her from Justin's arms. "It's okay, little one," he whispered against her hair as she clung to his neck. "Daddy's been in a foul mood this morning. I'm sorry."

 

Bree leaned back looking into her father's face, her own eyes sparkling with tears. "Dada," she said as she pressed her face against Brian's.

 

"I know, baby, I've been bad," Brian cooed.

 

"Let's go clean up Patrick," Bobby said leading his husband and son out of the kitchen and leaving the Kinney-Taylor tribe alone.

 

"Brian, are you going to be all right?" Justin asked as he sat down beside Brian and Bree.

 

Brian held Bree's little face against his own. "I'll be all right if you are," Brian whispered.

 

"I'll be fine. Nothing's going to happen to me."

 

"Promise?"

 

"I promise," Justin said. "Are you up to handling both kids on your own today?" Justin was concerned that Brian's meltdown would make him less able to withstand a whole day of toddlers.

 

"We'll be fine, won't we, Bree?" Brian said.

 

Bree pulled her sticky face away from her father's and looked into his eyes. She patted his face as if to say that she would be a good girl just for him.

 

Justin leaned down and kissed Brian's lips softly. He licked a little of the syrup off Brian's cheek.

 

Brian chuckled. "Didn't you get enough syrup on your waffles?"

 

"It's you that I never get enough of," Justin whispered.

 

"I'll be here when you get home."

 

"Hold that thought," Justin replied as he kissed the top of Bree's head.

 

"Don't be late."

 

"I won't."

 

Brian stood up still holding Bree and walked Justin to the front door where they met John and Bobby and Patrick. Brian took Patrick's hand as the other men made their way out to their vehicles. Brian waved Bree's hand as the cars started down the drive. Patrick waved to his fathers.

 

"Well, guys, do you think we can get through a whole day of being together without having another crisis?"

 

Patrick looked up at Brian. "Sure," he said.

 

Brian smiled and looked at his daughter for confirmation.

 

"Sur," she mimicked Patrick.

 

Brian kissed her cheek and they went back inside to clean up the mess from breakfast. Brian was less worried about looking after the kids on his own than he was about what might happen to Justin in Pittsburgh. He'd give them a couple of hours and then he was calling if he didn't hear from Justin first.

 

*****

 

"Wow! This place looks huge without the seats," Justin remarked to John as they went into the theater. The scaffolding was up along the walls to get to the ornate cornices and moldings and in the middle of the theater to reach the chandelier, which was coming down piece by piece. "This is so amazing. How will you remember how to put it all back together again?"

 

"We've taken pictures of how it looked before we started removing it and we have a lighting specialist and someone who specializes in antique crystal. Each piece is tagged, numbered and catalogued," John said proudly.

 

"Wow! You've thought of everything. This must be a very expensive undertaking."

 

"Under ordinary circumstances, I'd agree with you but these aren't ordinary circumstances."

 

"What do you mean?" Justin asked, very curious and wondering if Brian was going to be broke again. John saw the look on Justin's face and chuckled.

 

"Don't worry, we're not sending my brother to the poor house. Not yet, anyway. We have several contributors to the restoration of this theater. First, many local businesses have donated to the clinic and to the restoration of the entire street. They've recognized the advantages of having this part of town cleaned up and contributing revenue to the area. Secondly, we have the local historical society who discovered what we're doing. They want to make this theater a stop on one of their tours. They have suggested and introduced me to many artisans and experts in this type of restoration. We've applied for government grants that will cover much of the costs. And of course, we have the folks from PIFA. Many of the professors are experts in their chosen field. This is like a dream come true for them. They've donated their time and the students win because they can use the work they've done as credit toward their degree. This is a win-win solution for many of us." John beamed as he described the work and how it all was coming together.

 

"But what do you want me for? I'm certainly not as qualified as who you have here," Justin commented with a small frown and a wave at all the people who were busy at their craft.

 

"Justin, I want you here for several reasons. You have a creative eye which I appreciate. This really is my first attempt at restoration on this massive scale. You speak the same language as many of the artisans here so you can explain things to me. I've designed many buildings but mostly with modern materials. We plan to take a step back in time and try to match some of the original materials that were used in the construction of this beautiful old girl, minus the hazardous materials. I know you know how to mix paints like they used to and how to paint frescoes. Mould has gotten to many of the original frescoes and we may not be able to restore them but we may be able to match them and paint new ones. And I'd like to chronicle the progress in your sketches. Yes, I know we can take photographs and we will but I'm an old fashioned draftsman. I understand hand drawn pictures much better than a cold photo. Maybe I have a little of JAB Kinney in me too. I used to go to the stream and doodle. I'm in no way as good as you but I love the hands on detailed work."

 

Justin smiled warmly at his brother-in-law. They were kindred spirits in art.

 

"May I wander around a bit? I have my sketchpad, and I'm itching to use it." Justin's hand slipped into his messenger bag to retrieve his pad and pencils.

 

"By all means. Just stay clear of the stage and any offending scaffolding. Your husband will tan whatever's left of my hide if something else happens to you."

 

Justin and John laughed softly but Justin heeded John's warning. Justin wandered the building's interior for a while, found a quiet spot away from the 'traffic' and scaffolding, sat and began to sketch.

 

*****

 

Back at the cottage, Brian was as tense as a caged bear. The weather was damp and cloudy so he couldn't take the children outside. He was worried about Justin, it was too early for lunch and Snuffaluffagus wasn't cutting it. The kids were bored and Brian's patience was wearing thin. Briana was preparing to test out the terrible twos even though she was only eighteen months old. She always was a precocious little thing.

 

Brian and the kids were in the sun porch. Brian attempted some work on his laptop, while the kids were drawing at their own set of easels that Justin had set up for them. They each had their own set of crayons and pads. Brian's mind was racing, trying to analyze and quell his irrational fears for Justin's safety. Logically, he knew that Justin, a grown man, was quite capable of taking care of himself. Logically, Brian knew that John would look after him and logically, Brian was being an overly dramatic drama queen. Logic be damned. Justin was miles away from him; he missed Justin. Brian was scared for him. And that's all that Brian cared about.

 

Bree, on the other hand, cared only that she couldn't find the right blue crayon. Patrick was using said crayon and she wanted it and now. Briana stomped her little feet over to Patrick's easel, snatched the crayon out of her cousin's hand without asking, pushed him, then stomped back to her own easel. Brian caught the whole exchange and was not amused.

 

"Briana Victoria Taylor-Kinney!" Brian bellowed in a voice that had never been used for his daughter, startling both kids. "That was rude and impolite. You know better than that. Give the crayon back to Patrick and ask nicely for it," Brian demanded of his petite but willful child.

 

Bree stared at her Dada and at the crayon but didn't move. Brian walked to her, and stared at the crayon in her tiny hand. "You, Miss Briana, get a time out."

 

Brian scooped up his daughter, removed the crayon clutched in her hand then took her to her room. Placing the child in her crib, he set her straight on certain rules of acceptable behavior. "You will stay here for five minutes, then you will apologize to Patrick."

 

Noiselessly, tears began to stream down her little face. Bree had an idea that what she did to her cousin was wrong but it was the realization that her dada was upset with her that saddened her the most. She sat in her crib as she watched her father leave her room and shut her door.

 

Brian was very upset. This was the first time he actually had to discipline his daughter and he had no idea if he had done it right or was making a mountain out of a mole hill. He sat down on the floor just outside her room. He could hear the little sniffles of Bree's cries and he ached to rush back in to hug her. Instead, Brian stayed put on the floor and stared at his watch. This was the longest five minutes of his life.

 

Patrick had witnessed many moods of his uncle throughout his short life. He was unsure what to do and felt like crying. Being a child of the technology age, Patrick was well versed at the fine art of using a cell phone.

 

"Uncle Bri? Can I call my daddy?" he asked softly of Brian who was also trying not to cry. Brian pulled out his phone and hit number three on the speed dial.

 

"Sure, Sonny Boy, here." Brian handed the phone to Patrick who ambled to the living room to speak to his dad.

 

"Brian?" John answered.

 

"It's me, Daddy."

 

"Sonny Boy! Are you okay?"

 

"Yeah but..." Patrick tried to explain what had just happened to his father but all that came out was that Bree was crying in her room and Brian was sitting on the floor looking sad. John got the gist of the time out situation.

 

"Don't worry, Sonny Boy. Just stay quiet for Uncle Brian. It will be okay. I promise. Uncle Brian is just upset. Everything will be okay. I'll try to come home early."

 

"Okay, Daddy."

 

"I love you, Sonny Boy."

 

"Wuv you." Patrick said then flipped the phone closed.

 

Patrick went back into the hall as Brian stood counting down the seconds. Five minutes, no more no less. At the appointed time, Brian gently rapped on Bree's door, opened it and went in. Briana stood up, her face all snotty, looking like a glazed donut with tear streaks. Brian took out a wet nap and cleaned her face.

 

"You wet?" Brian asked his daughter. Briana shook her little head, no.

 

"We ask before we take something, you understand?" Bree nodded. "And NO pushing." Bree looked down at her little feet.

 

Brian lifted his contrite baby girl, gave her a hug and a kiss then cuddled with her in the rocking chair where he had spent many a night with her for her nightly feedings. Spying Patrick at the door, Brian beckoned his nephew in to sit on his lap too. Brian's lap and the rocking chair were big enough for all of them. When they settled, Briana reached out to pat her cousin's face by way of an apology. Patrick smiled brightly. Bree then patted her daddy's lips, again in an apology and for a kiss, which she immediately received. Brian relaxed, held the children close and began to rock.

 

All was right in their world again.

 

 

All the Rage

 

Chapter 7

 

Justin was still holed up in his little corner sketching to his heart's content. He loved the remnants of the fresco that the PIFA people were revealing. It was badly damaged having been covered with some kind of horrible stucco type stuff, but it was possible to see that it had been a mythological scene, probably Jupiter and Io. He would know for sure as more was revealed. He wondered if the fresco on the opposite wall would be mythological too. He had never painted anything like that and it would be a real challenge to try to match the style of the original artist and create the feeling of mythological Greece. Justin could feel his fingers itching to pick up a brush and paints. Instead he sketched hoping he was capturing the feel of the fresco as it continued to be revealed.

 

When Justin's phone started vibrating in his pants, he jumped and gasped for air. He had been so engrossed in the sketch that he was completely taken off guard.

 

"Hey," he said into the phone knowing that it was Brian.

 

"Hey, yourself. You haven't broken anything else, have you?" Brian asked.

 

"Just a pencil or two," Justin chuckled.

 

"Good."

 

"How's everything on your end?" There was a long pause that made Justin start to worry. "Did something happen?"

 

"Um … I … I had to do something I didn't want to do," Brian managed to get out.

 

"You did? What did you do?"

 

"I had to give Bree a timeout," Brian said sadly.

 

Justin felt himself grinning and was about to laugh when the tone of Brian's voice registered and he realized how upset Brian must be. He had never had to discipline Bree before. "What did she do?" Justin asked trying to keep his voice level.

 

"She stole Patrick's crayon and pushed him."

 

"But … she's only half his size."

 

"I know, but she's mighty … and she's willful."

 

"Willful?"

 

"She wouldn't say she was sorry or give back the crayon, so … I had no choice."

 

"I know, Brian. We talked about when this might happen."

 

"But I expected you to do it."

 

Justin chuckled. "Things don't always work out the way we expect."

 

"How did you know to be away today?"

 

"I didn't," Justin laughed. "It's just the luck of the Irish that she chose today to be a bad girl. How did Bree take the time out?"

 

"She sniffled and whimpered. It … almost broke my heart."

 

"How do you know she whimpered if she was in her room?"

 

"I listened at the door," Brian admitted.

 

Justin smiled. He could just picture Brian trying to make himself stay out of the room until the timeout was over. It would have broken Brian's heart not to go comfort the little angel, turned devil, who was the apple of his eye. "How long did you give her?"

 

"Five minutes."

 

"Five whole minutes!" Justin chuckled.

 

"Hey, I almost didn't make it," Brian said seeing a bit of the humor in this turn of events.

 

"But Bree did."

 

"Yeah, she seems fine and she kissed me and made up with Patrick."

 

"Then all's well that ends well."

 

"It didn't feel so 'well' a while ago."

 

"You did the right thing, Brian. She has to learn that she can't always have her way, and she certainly can't go around pushing people when she doesn't get it."

 

"Thanks, I needed to hear that."

 

"You're welcome. I hope the rest of the day goes better."

 

"Me too, and you take care of yourself."

 

"I will."

 

"Later."

 

"Later."

 

Justin closed his phone and returned his attention to the work on the frescoes. He picked up his pencil and was about to start sketching when he heard Hunter's voice saying his name.

 

"Hey, Hunter," Justin said looking up. "What are you doing over here?"

 

"Expanding my knowledge of old buildings," Hunter grinned at Justin.

 

"In a good way, I hope," Justin said with a smile.

 

Hunter nodded. "There's someone I'd like you to meet," Hunter said stepping aside and revealing what looked like a young man standing behind him.

 

Justin realized that this must be Lacy that Hunter had e-mailed him about. "Hello," Justin said.

 

Lacy looked at him carefully and then she gasped, "You're JT!"

 

Justin laughed. "Well, JT is based on me."

 

"Wow! Then, is there a real Rage?"

 

Justin nodded. "That would be my partner, Brian."

 

"Holy shit! I love that comic so much. Was it all your idea?"

 

"No, if you look at the credits, you'll see that I collaborate with Michael Novotny. He writes the dialogue and most of the story lines, and I do the art work."

 

"I love the drawings," Lacy continued to gush. "Your work is so great."

 

"Do you like to draw?" Justin asked knowing from Hunter's e-mail that she did.

 

"Oh, yes."

 

"Do you have some of your work that I could look at?"

 

"I … I have a few drawings over at the clinic. Hunter gave me some paper and pencils."

 

"I'd love to see some of them," Justin said hoping that her work really was as good as Hunter had let on.

 

"You … you'd actually look at them?"

 

"Of course," Justin laughed.

 

"That would be so great. But maybe they're not very good," Lacy said having some self-doubt creep into her euphoria at meeting the creator of Rage.

 

"Why don't you bring them by tomorrow afternoon?" Justin said. "And let me be the judge of that."

 

"Okay," Lacy said practically hugging herself at this stroke of good fortune.

 

"Thanks, Justin," Hunter said giving Justin a wink for his efforts. "Come on, Lacy. We better let Justin get back to work."

 

"Huh?" Lacy said staring at Justin's sketchbook. "That's so good," she said unable to tear her eyes away from the picture Justin was drawing based on the fresco.

 

"Lacy, we need to go," Hunter said taking her arm and trying to lead her away.

 

"See you tomorrow, Justin," Lacy called over her shoulder as Hunter hustled her out of the theater.

 

"Looks like you have a major fan there," John said as he walked over. He had been listening to the conversation between Justin and the young man. "I thought he was going to drool all over you."

 

"It wasn't that bad," Justin laughed. "Hunter thought Lacy would enjoy meeting me. Apparently she likes to draw."

 

"She?"

 

"Hunter says Lacy's a girl."

 

"Well fuck me! I would never have guessed."

 

"That seems to be the way she wants it."

 

John shrugged. "Did you hear from Brian?"

 

"Yep, why do you ask?"

 

"I had a call from Patrick."

 

"Shit!"

 

"Did Brian tell you what was going on?"

 

"He had to give Bree a timeout. I think it hurt Brian more than it did Bree."

 

"Yeah," John agreed. "Patrick said Bree was in her room crying and Uncle Brian was sitting by her door looking very sad."

 

"That would be it in a nutshell," Justin said. "Do you think we should go home early?"

 

"I think we should let them sort it out themselves and go home when we are scheduled."

 

"Okay, that seems like a plan. I hope the place is still standing," Justin observed.

 

"Brian won't get that upset, will he?"

 

"It's Bree who has the stubborn streak a mile wide."

 

"Just like her father," John suggested.

 

"Just like Brian."

 

"It makes for a volatile situation."

 

"Yeah, but I like your idea. We stay out of it and let them settle it between themselves."

 

"And pick up the pieces afterwards."

 

"Maybe," Justin said with a sigh as he went back to his drawing.

 

*****

 

"Lacy, you don't have to go back out there!" Hunter nearly shouted in frustration at Lacy who was packing up her meager belongings in a thread worn backpack and preparing to go back out onto the streets.

 

"Hunter, I have to, I..."

 

"No, you don't. Look if you don't want to sleep here, come home with me or I'll find you some place. Please, Lacy, how long do you think you can survive out there? One day you'll piss off a john who wants a real boy not a trick that just looks like one," Hunter pleaded with the girl.

 

"What do you know about it?" Lacy screamed at Hunter. "How can you possibly know how it feels to have them do, do, things to you? Day after day, night after night."

 

"How? Because I was there! Do you know how I met Justin?" Lacy shook her head. "I was out on the streets; my own mother started pimping me when I was barely a teen. I propositioned Ben. He and Michael eventually took me in, cared for me, got me help. With a lot of help, including Justin's, I managed to turn my life around and so can you. Lacy, give me a chance, give yourself a chance." Hunter stared at Lacy, waiting for a sign that she'd give him the opportunity to help her. He saw her start to relax just a little bit when an idea came to him.

 

"Lacy, I'm hungry, and it's almost dinnertime. Let's go to the diner. I want you to meet someone." Hunter said with a glint in his eyes. Lacy nodded. Hunter and Lacy locked up the clinic and went to the Liberty diner for dinner.

 

*****

 

"Well the house is still standing," Justin remarked as he and John pulled up in front of the cottage and right behind Bobby's car. The three men got out of their cars and stood on the path.

 

"Looks quiet enough," Bobby said while straining to see inside the windows.

 

"And I don't hear any shouting or crying," John added as he cocked his head toward the house.

 

"I guess we should go inside," Justin said bravely as he led John and Bobby toward the front door. They all exchanged looks, took a collective deep breath and Justin opened the door.

 

The three men were immediately assaulted by the wonderful aroma of a roast that was presently sizzling in the oven. Fresh rolls and sweet potatoes were in the warming oven. And the salad was rinsed, chopped and draining in a colander in the sink. There was even gravy in a pot on the stove. Bobby dipped his pinky into the gravy which was staying warm in a double boiler, and tasted it.

 

"Shit! This is good! Tastes like Claire!" Bobby announced with enthusiasm.

 

"My mom, she's got to be here. I can't believe he did this all on his own," John commented in disbelief then went in search of his mother.

 

When John's search turned up nothing, he and Bobby joined Justin in the living room. Justin was standing near the sofa, his sketch pad and pencil in hand. He quietly turned and brought the pencil to his lips then nodded toward the sofa. Justin went back to sketching as John and Bobby came closer. This was definitely an 'awww' moment.

 

Brian was dressed in his usual black tank, worn jeans with the top button undone and his feet bare. Briana was lying on top of her daddy with her little head tucked under Brian's chin, one of her little hands clutching a small bit of Brian's shirt. Brian's arm held his daughter in place. Patrick was nestled close to Brian's chest, his arm stretched out so that his hand was touching Bree. Brian's other arm secured the boy close. Justin was furiously sketching, trying to capture the moment before they all woke up.

 

Just as Justin completed the preliminary sketch, the timer on the oven went off with a resounding 'ping.' Brian's eyes fluttered open and he smiled as his saw Justin staring down at him. Patrick stirred and Bobby lifted him up. Brian gave Bree a little kiss on her golden head before Justin relieved him of her. Brian stretched then got up to tend to the roast while Bobby and Justin tended to the kids. John followed Brian into the kitchen.

 

"Answer me something, truthfully, Brian," John started as he sat at the granite island and munched on a carrot. "Did you do this all by yourself or was my mother here to help."

 

"Oh ye of little faith," Brian snarked.

 

"Spill, little bro," John demanded.

 

"All right, no need to get your boxers in a bunch. Your mother was not here but I did call her for some advice. The roast basically cooks itself, just have to stick it in the oven at the right time. The biscuits are the little dough boy mix, you know that pop'n fresh thing. The kids had a great time helping with those, and I just boiled the hell out of the potatoes. And even I can't ruin salad."

 

John listened intently and agreed. Brian was more than qualified to read package instructions and follow directions. But...

 

"But the gravy, Bobby said it tastes like Claire's. How did you manage that?"

 

"Easy, big bro. It is Claire's. She knows how much I love her gravy, we all do. So when she makes up a batch, she makes extra and freezes it for me. I've got my own little stash," Brian stated proudly.

 

"Oh." Then it dawned on John that he didn't have a stash of his own mother's gravy.

 

"Hey! How'd you get her to give you her gravy? Even I don't have any!"

 

"I asked," Brian said smugly.

 

"You WHAT?"

 

"I asked. Did you ever ask?"

 

"I, I..."

 

"You know, big bro, I thought I taught you better than that. When you want something you gotta go after it. Next time, ask your mom for some gravy."

 

"Oh." John smacked his brother with a dish towel then proceeded to gather up the dishes and cutlery to set out on one of the wicker tables on the porch for dinner.

 

After a very quiet and enjoyable dinner, Brian and Bobby began the task of clearing the dishes and stowing the leftovers as John and Justin prepared the kids for bed. The guys then settled on the porch with beer and wine while the kids quietly played in Bree's room before bedtime.

 

"Listen guys," Brian began. "This has been fun but I really have to get some work done. I have several calls to make over the next few weeks and I have to really do some serious work on the Rage PR. I can take the Squirt with me to Harrisburg and the Pitts but your contingent of ladies will have to take Patrick. I hate to do this but I need to earn a living." Brian gazed at his family and noted three heads nodding in agreement. It had been fun leaving the kids with Brian, but no one had any doubts that Brian needed the freedom to move around and do his thing. A lot of what he did would have a significant role in the outcome of the theater and bowling alley. Not to mention the success of Rage. They all agreed; it was back to the babysitters for the children. Brian's temporary stint as house husband was coming to an end.

 

Later that night, the children were safely tucked in their bed, John and Bobby were cuddling in the brass bed on the porch and Brian and Justin were doing their own cuddling in their own bed.

 

"Bri?"

 

"Hm?"

 

"You feel better now?"

 

"About what?"

 

"Today, doling out the punishment."

 

"Not my favorite job in the world but yeah, I'm okay with it. I just hope I don't have to do it again for a very long time."

 

"Neither do I. You sounded so sad on the phone. I hate it when you're sad."

 

Justin cuddled closer and nipped at Brian's earlobe. Brian felt his cock twitch and grow hard, all sad thoughts miraculously vanished. Justin climbed up onto Brian while reaching for the tube of lube conveniently left under the pillows. Justin lubed himself up then slid himself down onto his mate's hard proud cock. Only love filled, lustful thoughts filled whatever brain cells were left that still had the power of reason.

 

 

All the Rage

 

Chapter 8

 

Lacy and Hunter slid into a booth in the Liberty Diner. Debbie arrived immediately to see what her favorite grandson wanted.

 

"Hey, kiddo," she said giving Hunter a peck on the cheek.

 

"Deb, I'd like you to meet someone. This is Lacy."

 

"Hello there, Lacy. Haven't seen you around here before."

 

"I don't really frequent places like this," Lacy said.

 

"Oh?" Debbie reacted thinking that Lacy felt herself too good for the diner. "What sort of places do you frequent?"

 

"The streets," Lacy said glaring at Debbie for making her reveal that.

 

Debbie's eyes revealed that she now understood Lacy's comment. "I see, so what can I get you two?"

 

"Couple of burgers and fries," Hunter said looking at Lacy for agreement.

 

"Coming right up," Debbie said as she went to put in the order.

 

"I don't think she likes me," Lacy said.

 

"She thought you were dissing the diner."

 

"Huh?"

 

"When you said you don't frequent places like this."

 

"But …I meant I never had money or felt clean enough to come into a nice place like this."

 

Debbie grinned as she set down a couple of sodas in front of the two. "I figured that out from your next comment," she said giving Hunter a butt with her hip so that he would make room for her to sit down next to him.

 

"So, who is this young man?" she asked Hunter.

 

"Um…" Hunter began, not sure how much to reveal.

 

"I'm a girl," Lacy declared.

 

"Well, fuck! You could have fooled me," Debbie said.

 

"I've fooled lots of men," she said boldly.

 

Debbie frowned. She wasn't sure what that statement meant. Hustlers either male or female were very common along Liberty Avenue but this one seemed different, if that truly was what she was implying.

 

"Lacy's trying to straighten her life out," Hunter said trying to ease the tension between the two women. "She's been staying at the clinic for a few days."

 

"That's not much of a home," Debbie observed.

 

"Better than what I've had for months," Lacy said with a scowl.

 

"Lacy is very good at drawing," Hunter said hoping to strike some chord between these two.

 

"Like someone else we both know?" Debbie asked giving Hunter a pat on the cheek.

 

"Yeah, someone who once had need of a room at your house," Hunter grinned back.

 

"Are you talking about yourself?" Lacy asked looking at Hunter.

 

"No, I'm talking about Blondie."

 

"Blondie?"

 

"AKA Justin Taylor," Debbie supplied.

 

"He was on the streets?" Lacy asked in amazement.

 

"Not exactly," Debbie replied, but his father kicked him out and he needed a place to stay."

 

"Wow, I had no idea," Lacy said.

 

"Lacy just met Justin today. She loves his Rage artwork," Hunter explained.

 

"And you think she should spend some time in the room where it all began?" Debbie laughed.

 

Hunter shrugged. "You're quick on the uptake, Grandma."

 

"Grandma?" Lacy blurted out. "She's your fucking grandma?"

 

"I'm his fucking grandma," Debbie averred.

 

"Holy shit!"

 

"That's for sure," Debbie laughed as she got up to answer the bell indicating their orders were up. She returned in a minute with the burgers. "I'll let you two digest that little tidbit … and your burgers. The room is available if you want it, Lacy," she said as she moved away to wait on some other customers.

 

"Is she for real?" Lacy demanded as she dug into her burger.

 

"That's Debbie."

 

"But … she doesn't know me from Adam … or Eve," she chuckled. "And she's willing to give me a room in her house … just like that?" she asked snapping her fingers for emphasis.

 

"Just like that," Hunter said. "But there will be rules."

 

"Rules? Fuck!" Lacy groaned.

 

"Hey, Deb, you got a minute to tell Lacy about the rules at your place?"

 

"Sure," Debbie said as she passed by. "No tricks in the house and be home by three."

 

"Three?"

 

"In the morning," Hunter laughed.

 

"Jesus, I wish my parents had had rules like that."

 

"No parents have rules like that," Hunter laughed. "Just Deb … and she's not your parent."

 

"No, she's your grandmother." She shook her head still unable to connect all the dots and make this weird experience come into focus. "How am I supposed to pay her for living there, especially if I can't trick?"

 

"I thought you wanted to give up tricking," Hunter said with a frown.

 

"But what do I have as an alternative?"

 

"You could work here," Debbie said as she passed by arms loaded with plates.

 

"Here?" Lacy asked finishing her burger.

 

"Justin used to work here," Debbie supplied as she passed by going the other way.

 

"Justin worked here … and lived at her house?"

 

"Yep," Hunter nodded.

 

"If it's good enough for Justin Taylor then it should be good enough for me." Hunter and Lacy both smiled.

 

*****

 

Brian pulled up in front of Kinnetik. It seemed like ages since he had been in there. He wanted to check how everything was going and see how the Rage PR program was progressing. He scooped Bree out of her seat and carried her and her bags into the building. Justin had gone with John to the theater, and they would meet for lunch later. Bree was going to be spending her morning at the daycare at Kinnetik. Brian had a moment of anxiety as he set her down and took off her sweater. He hoped she would be in a better mood and behave more acceptably than she had with Patrick. He shuddered as he thought about another timeout.

 

"Dada," she said holding up her little arms. "Kiss."

 

Brian smiled and picked her up kissing her cheek and then blowing a raspberry against her neck. She giggled happily.

 

"Mr. Kinney, are we going to have the pleasure of Briana's company today?" asked one of the helpers in the daycare.

 

"I hope it will be a pleasure," Brian replied. The girl looked quizzically at him. "Bree seems to be starting the terrible twos a little ahead of schedule."

 

"I see."

 

"You may have to give her a timeout if she misbehaves."

 

"No, dada," Bree said patting Brian's lips. "Good."

 

"You're going to be a good girl and play nice with the other children today?"

 

"Yes, dada."

 

"That's my baby," Brian smiled giving his daughter a large smacking good kiss on the cheek. She giggled with pleasure.

 

"I'll take her, Mr. Kinney," the woman said as he handed Briana to her. "I'm sure we'll have a good day."

 

"Bye, dada," Bree called over the woman's shoulder as Brian walked away. It still tore at his heart to leave Briana alone without him, even if she was only down the hall from his office.

 

"Bri!" Ted said as he spotted Brian coming out of the daycare. "We didn't expect you today."

 

"Have to keep the peons on their toes," Brian smirked.

 

"Well, this peon is happy to report that we've pretty well covered the costs of the renovations. The city is kicking in with funding for the theater and it's in the works to have it declared a historical building."

 

"Great," Brian said. "Do you happen to know how the Rage promos are progressing?"

 

"Um, no, not my department, but I'm sure Cynthia has it all in hand."

 

"I hope so."

 

"How's Briana and Justin?"

 

"Peachy."

 

"Is anything wrong?"

 

"No," was all Brian said before disappearing into Cynthia's office.

 

*****

 

The morning had gone really well. Justin had talked to the restoration team from PIFA and they had worked out the preliminary process for the frescoes. Justin had agreed to take full control over the artwork and would have a team of students who would help him when the time came.

 

He was sitting on a board suspended across two cement blocks sketching another of the frescoes that had been revealed. He looked up to see Lacy standing off to the side watching him.

 

"Hey," he said.

 

"Hey. I'm not bothering you, am I?"

 

"No," Justin smiled. "What can I do for you?"

 

"I brought my sketches over. You said you would have a look at them."

 

"Sure. Let's see," Justin said holding out his hand.

 

Lacy brought her sketches around from behind her. Se held them out tentatively. "I can take it if they're really awful. Be honest and don't worry about hurting my feelings," she said as she handed them over to Justin.

 

Justin knew exactly how she was feeling. He had felt that way once upon a time, the first time he had shown his work to Lindsay. He had held his breath waiting for her evaluation. If she liked them he would be so happy and relieved. If she said he had no talent, he would be devastated but he wouldn't show it. Thank God she had liked his work.

 

He smiled up at Lacy as he took the sketches. He could see the apprehension in her eyes. This meant a lot to her. That was always a good sign. He glanced down at the first sketch. The pain in the drawing was evident. It showed a young man, not Lacy, who had obviously just injected himself with some illegal drug in an ugly alley. The needle lay beside his hand on the filthy pavement. He was completely oblivious to a rat that crawled across his foot. Justin shuddered.

 

"You hate it, don't you?" Lacy asked having seen his reaction.

 

"No, no I don't. It's very powerful and very real. Not all art is pretty." Justin heard Lacy let out a long breath. He looked at the next sketch. It was of a similar subject but showed a drug deal going down. He flipped through the rest of the sketches some showing anal intercourse and fellatio and young men huddled together against the cold. They all had a certain Rageian quality to them. Not exactly comics but minimal shading and detail.

 

"So what do you think?"

 

"I think you have talent, but you could use some training."

 

Lacy snorted. "Yeah, like I could afford some training," she said with disdain.

 

"How would you like to assist me with my work here, and I could give you some of that training in return?"

 

"How much do you pay?"

 

"Nothing."

 

"Nothing?"

 

"The lessons will be your payment." Justin waited to see her reaction. If she refused then she wasn't really committed to doing anything worthwhile in art.

 

"What would you want me to do?" she asked after a minute of digesting what he had just said.

 

"You'd be a gofer. Sharpen pencils, get me coffee, help me move this damn bench around to where I want to sketch," Justin replied.

 

"I could do that," she said.

 

"Then do we have a deal?"

 

"Sure." She held out her hand to shake.

 

"Great. Help me gather up all my pencils and shit and I'll take you to lunch. You can meet Rage if you'd like to."

 

"I can?" she grinned. "I'd love to. Here, let me take that," she said as she lifted Justin's sketchbook out of the way and watched him stand up and lean on his cane. "Are you hurt?"

 

"I'm getting better. My ankle stiffens up when I sit too long. Store all that stuff under the bench and let's go."

 

"Yes, sir!" she said with a big smile.

 

'When did I become a sir?' Justin wondered.

 

*****

 

"Cynthia, what is this shit? We've got some of the best artists and ad men in the whole fucking country and they can't handle a little PR for a fucking cartoon! Do I have to do everything myself?!"

 

"So I take it you don't like what they've come up with." A statement rather than a question. It was obvious to Cynthia that Brian was not pleased with the preliminary mock ups for the Rage movie.

 

"In a word, no," Brian answered with a glare. "It looks like the same old shit that every other movie ad looks like. I want something better, new, different."

 

Brian spent all morning pouring over the boards and each one of them left him disappointed. Somehow the artists were fixated on Rage the romantic, the human side of Rage. It was okay but it didn't have enough...rage. It was too sweet, too placid, too fluffy. Brian wanted that angry, raw quality that Justin had made popular. Justin.

 

"Hey."

 

"Hey, where are you?"

 

"Where you left me, in the theater. My assistant and I were about to walk over to Kinnetik and see if you were free for lunch."

 

"Assistant?"

 

"Long story. So are you free for lunch?"

 

"Depends."

 

"On what?"

 

"On whether JT can save Rage."

 

"Did IceTina freeze him again?"

 

"No, the fucking bad mocks ups for the PR campaign did."

 

"Uh oh. That bad?"

 

"Worse. Justin, it looks like Disney. It sucks and not in a positive life affirming way. These guys don't get it but you do."

 

"Me?!"

 

"Yeah, you. Look, get your bubbly butt over here ASAP and help me with this. I'll pay you as a consultant."

 

"I don't need your money."

 

"But I need you."

 

"Okay. My assistant and I will be there in about 15 minutes. And Bri, I want you to be nice."

 

"Nice? I'm always nice."

 

"Yeah, like a basket of angry cobras. Later."

 

"Later." Brian cut the connection and began to set out the pitiful boards on easels.

 

"Was that really Rage you were talking to?" Lacy asked all excited and a little apprehensive.

 

"Yeah, the asshole himself," Justin groused. He really couldn't believe that the ads were that bad and that his very own husband offered to pay him for working on them. Brian never had to pay Justin for anything he did for Kinnetik, not that he did a whole lot but in some weird way Brian's honor demanded that he pay. Justin shook his head as they finished safely stowing Justin's sketches of the frescoes and prepared to go over to Kinnetik.

 

"Fucking piece of shit!" Justin and Lacy entered Brian's inner sanctum and watched Brian mutter and curse as he paced back and forth in front of the boards.

 

"Gus, no Bree, can draw better than this! What was he thinking? That's supposed to be a superhero. He looks like he can't save himself out of a paper bag!"

 

Brian kept on cursing and pacing and didn't see Justin who sidled up to look at the boards. Lacy was in awe seeing the real Rage; he was even more beautiful and sexy in real life. Rage and JT together in the same room; it was almost too much to bear. And Brian was in full Rage mode.

 

"Brian," Justin said softly so as not to startle the man. Brian turned to see his husband standing next to him.

 

"Well, it's about fucking time!" Brian's anger immediately vanished as he saw Justin and drew the younger man into a hug. "I missed you."

 

"It's been only a few hours," Justin said as he returned the hug and chuckled.

 

"I know, but very long hours," Brian whispered into his blond's ear. Justin smiled then pulled himself out of Brian's arms.

 

"We have a guest." Justin indicated Lacy with a nod of his head.

 

"Your assistant?"

 

Justin nodded. "One of Hunter's lost kids." Brian arched a brow. "It's okay, she wandered into Hunter's clinic not too long ago and she likes to draw," Justin whispered.

 

"She?"

 

"I know, so be nice. Lacy's been hustling."

 

"You mean hooking."

 

"No, she pretends to be a he and..."

 

"I get it. Well, show Lacy in." Justin waved Lacy over.

 

She slowly walked toward Brian and Justin but kept closer to Justin. Cautiously, Lacy extended her hand out to Brian.

 

"It's nice to meet you, sir," Lacy said meekly with her eyes cast down. Brian gallantly took the small hand in his, brought it to his lips and gave it a chaste kiss. Then he twirled her around so that he stood in between the two, put his arms across both their shoulders and faced the dreadful boards.

 

"Well troops, how the fuck are we going to fix this shit?!"

 

 

All the Rage

 

Chapter 9

 

Brian, Justin and Lacy walked down the street towards the diner.

 

"We could have gone somewhere else for lunch," Brian said.

 

"The diner's fine," Justin replied. "Right, Lacy?"

 

"Sure," she smiled. "And I can always scope out the place."

 

"Scope it out?" Justin asked. "Why?"

 

"Debbie offered me a job there, and since you won't pay anything for me to be your gofer, I may just take it."

 

Justin grinned. "Did she tell you that I used to work there?"

 

"Yeah, and she offered me your old room at her house if I needed a place to stay."

 

Brian raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

 

"You'll have to remember that the room is her son, Michael's room. Don't call it mine or you'll create waves."

 

Brian snorted. "How's your ankle holding up?" he asked as they neared the diner. "I don't want you overdoing it."

 

"You can carry me back, if it swells during lunch," Justin laughed.

 

"Twat!"

 

Lacy smiled watching the two men who seemed to have such fondness for each other, and such an easy rapport.

 

They entered the diner to be greeted by Debbie with much kissing and hugging. Even Lacy got a hug from Debbie since she didn't want to leave her out. They sat down at a booth and placed their orders. Justin and Lacy ordered grilled cheese and fries.

 

Debbie looked at Brian and asked, "Turkey on whole wheat, no mayo?"

 

"I'm feeling adventurous today," Brian smirked. "I'll have a club sandwich with fries, hold the mayo."

 

"Yes, sir," Debbie smiled and then bustled away.

 

"You're ordering fattening food!" Justin gasped in mock dismay.

 

"You can help me wear it off later," Brian grinned and waggled his eyebrows.

 

Lacy watched the two men and wondered how they had come to this place in their lives. She knew she'd never have anything like that with someone else, but it was kind of nice to see it.

 

"So, what are we going to do about this fucking ad campaign for Rage?" Brian said. "I seem to be fresh out of ideas."

 

"How do you usually get your ideas for ads?" Lacy asked curious as to how the process worked.

 

"Usually it just hits me, and then there are the times when I used to get stoned and go to the backrooms."

 

Lacy's eyes got very big. This was a successful ad executive and he was admitting to being in backrooms and using drugs. She shook her head in disbelief.

 

"Like 'Eat the Meat'?" Justin laughed.

 

"Hey, that was inspired," Brian chuckled at the memory.

 

"You mean like dick?" Lacy asked.

 

"No," Justin laughed. "It can of course be interpreted that way, but it was an ad campaign for a steakhouse."

 

"And they let you do that?" Lacy asked still trying to figure out this Brian Kinney.

 

"I can be very persuasive," Brian said tongue in cheek.

 

"And it sent the profits for the steakhouse through the roof," Justin informed Lacy.

 

"It was rather successful," Brian smirked.

 

"So, why don't you do something like that for Rage?" Lacy asked.

 

"And just what might 'something like that' constitute?" Brian demanded. "That's the problem.

 

Lacy frowned. "Well, how about 'It's All the Rage'?"

 

"Hm," Brian said. "That might work after the movie opens."

 

"Feel the Rage," Justin jumped in.

 

"Have you felt the Rage yet?" Brian said thoughtfully. "I think we might be onto something."

 

"I like it," Justin said.

 

Lacy smiled and then gasped as Brian leaned across the table and kissed her cheek. "You have an amazing assistant, Justin. You better hang on to her." Lacy felt herself blushing.

 

"Hey, pardon my fucking interruption, but you might want these meals before they're stone cold," Debbie said as slapped the plates of food down in front of them.

 

"That would be a nice change," Brian smirked now very pleased with himself.

 

Debbie gave him a gentle cuff to the ear and bustled away to serve someone else.

 

"You're actually thinking about living with her?" Brian asked rubbing his ear even though it hadn't hurt that much.

 

"I think it might be interesting," Lacy said biting into her sandwich.

 

"Interesting," Brian scoffed.

 

"You can follow in my footsteps," Justin joked.

 

"That wouldn't be so bad," Lacy said with eyes that looked lovingly at her new mentor.

 

Brian felt a little jolt run through him as he realized that Lacy might have more than just an artistic interest in his husband. He'd have to talk to Justin about that later.

 

They ate in silence for a while. Brian was running the ideas for Rage through his head and he liked what was happening. He would have a busy afternoon ahead of him. After a few minutes he realized that Justin had taken one of the quarters of his club sandwich and had offered another quarter to Lacy. They were helping themselves to his fries while he was lost in thought. At least the food wasn't going to waste.

 

"Had enough?" Brian asked with a smirk.

 

They both nodded.

 

"I think we should take a couple of lemon bars back with us. We'll need a snack later this afternoon," Justin said.

 

"Take some for John. He loves those things."

 

Justin nodded and went to the counter to purchase the lemon bars. Brian threw down a wad of bills and they headed out waving to Debbie as they left.

 

"You really want to live at Deb's," Brian said shaking his head.

 

"I'm leaning that way," Lacy giggled. She was learning to like Rage.

 

"Hey, want to come back to Kinnetik and play with Bree for a few minutes?" Brian asked Justin.

 

"Of course," Justin smiled.

 

"Do I need to carry you?"

 

"No thanks, I think I can manage."

 

"Who's Bree?" Lacy asked.

 

"Our daughter," Brian said proudly.

 

"You have a daughter?" Lacy was very surprised.

 

"Yes, we do," Brian said firmly.

 

"Wow! How old is she?"

 

"Eighteen months."

 

"I bet she's adorable."

 

"Absolutely," Brian smirked.

 

"I bet she takes after you," Lacy laughed.

 

"Naturally," Brian replied.

 

Justin chuckled and let Brian have his moment in the sun. Then he said, "Lacy, take these back to the site for me?" He handed her the bag of lemon bars. "And make sure John gets at least one."

 

"Sure," Lacy said. She watched the two men walk away, Brian's arm lovingly wrapped across Justin's shoulder. They seemed to have it all.

 

*****

 

JKCDC 11/4/2013

 

Dear Diary;

 

Today is the day. Karen is here! Thank the gods, as Brian would say. We'll be spending this week together and then next week I'll start coming in later in the afternoon. These 12-14 hour days are getting to me and I can't afford to get sick, not just when the clinic is really doing some good in the community. I've even gotten some 'referrals' from the local cops. Instead of hauling the hustlers down to the precinct, they've been giving them a choice to come to the clinic. Some of the older kids choose jail, it's all they know. But the younger ones, the first-timers, they've been choosing to come here. I hope the theater and bowling alley get finished soon. I have no idea what I'm going to do with all these kids.

 

John has been very helpful, though. He can't give them real jobs due to regulations but many of kids having been 'runners' for his crew, getting lunch or going to the hardware store, things like that. And I've been able to reunite a few with their families. One kid wound up here from Ohio, how, I don't know. But we were able to track down his mother and she came as soon as she could. I think Brian had a hand in that one. He set something up with Liberty Air so she could fly in and take her son home. Karen was able to set up counseling for the both of them through the local child welfare services. We'll be getting reports on their progress.

 

I still haven't gotten through to Lacy, I still don't know her full name or where she came from but she's thinking about taking the job at the diner, and staying with Debbie and Carl. She hasn't been tricking and has been helping Justin at the theater plus doing a little work for Kinnetik on the Rage campaign. Brian's in full adman mode, barking out orders and coming up with a kickass ad for the movie.

 

On a personal note, Nick will be taking some time off around Thanksgiving and Christmas. He wants to visit the clinic and stay with me at the loft. I can't wait.

 

Back to work, diary.

 

*****

 

Anderson Construction Work Log 11/19/13

 

Everything over at the clinic is done, inside and out, finally. There's always something to repair in these old buildings and just when I thought it was complete, we'd find something else to repair. But in the long run, it's worth the time and expense. Business is booming over there. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. I'm still uncomfortable with the whole bathhouse experience but I guess it's a necessary evil and a part of the gay mystique, if there is such a thing. But aside from all that, I'm proud of what we accomplished and with minimal disturbance of the business itself.

 

The theater is still slow going and it has to be so that we get it done right. As it turned out the whole stage had to be removed, Justin and I were lucky, if we had fallen through at a different end we would have been hurt worse. I think I still have a splinter or two in my butt although Bobby swears there's nothing there. And Justin's ankle is all better; he's his usual bouncy self. He's so enthusiastic about the work that he charges up everyone. His love for the work is contagious. Lacy and the PIFA students can't help getting caught up in his energy. It's wonderful to witness. Even some of the men I've worked with for years have commented on it.

 

The second crew is going full steam ahead at the bowling alley. Brian appears to have a personal interest there but I'm not sure why. When I've questioned him about it he clams up on me. Maybe I should get Justin to work his magic. I'm curious why Brian is so insistent that the bowling alley retain that 50's look. I'm not even sure he was ever in the place but he's always asking about it. I guess it's a Brian Kinney thing.

 

We did make an interesting discovery. The basement was used as storage and we had to practically gut it but we found some of the original pinball machines; many are still in working order. I brought in a 'pinball expert' and she's having the time of her life fixing and cleaning them up. We planned to reinstall them and of course, some of the latest computerized games. I can't wait to show Brian.

 

Back to work.

 

*****

 

To: almostmd@pennstate.edu

From: xhustlermsw@jkcdc.org

 

Hey Handsome!

 

When are you coming to the Pitts? I've got a nice new bed, the refrigerator is stocked and a whole bunch of DVD's to watch.

 

I miss you;

 

Hunter

 

To: xhustlermsw@jkcdc.org

From: almostmd@pennstate.edu

 

Hey Baby;

 

I miss you so much and I'm driving in on Wed. the 27th, I hope you can close up early but if you can't, that's okay too. Just as long as we can spend some time together. I'm proud of you, Baby. You've even made the school paper..."Social Worker alumnus makes a difference." You've done it, Hunter. I've saved the article and I'll bring it with me.

 

You've made a difference with your 'kids' and you've made a difference in my life too. I want to grow up and be just like you. I love you, Baby, and I'll see you soon. Do you think Debbie will have some turkey for us? Lol

 

Nick

 

*****

 

Over the next few days Lacy spent a lot of time with Justin. She enjoyed watching him work on his sketches and she copied some of his techniques, often drawing the same thing Justin was working on. She would then compare her drawing to his and he would point out ways she could improve her piece. Her style continued to be rather simple compared to Justin's, but he told her that having her own style wasn't a bad thing. He encouraged her in every way possible.

 

Finally Lacy came to Justin at the end of the day and asked him about when he worked at the Liberty Diner. Justin knew that Debbie had offered Lacy a job there and he hoped this meant she was going to accept it.

 

"So, did you like working at the diner?" she asked him.

 

"Not at first."

 

"Why?"

 

"It's hard work. Don't kid yourself," Justin said shaking his head. "And I was working there to pay back a debt."

 

"A debt?"

 

"Yeah," Justin smiled. "I stole Brian's credit card and used it to go to New York."

 

"You stole from Rage?" Lacy asked her eyes large.

 

"Yep. He was so pissed at me before I stole the card and then I prayed he'd come after me, and he did." Justin had a shit eating grin all over his face.

 

"Did he punish you?"

 

"Over and over and over again."

 

"I bet!" she scoffed.

 

"I didn't say what kind of punishment it was," Justin laughed.

 

"I can only imagine."

 

"Yeah."

 

"So you were working to pay off what you charged to his card?"

 

"Uh huh. But I grew to love it after a while. Debbie's great and the tips weren't bad. It saw me through a bad period."

 

"Do you think I'd be any good working there?"

 

"If you listen to Debbie and do what she tells you, I don't see why not."

 

"What about staying at her house?"

 

"What about it? Did she tell you her rules?" Justin asked with a grin.

 

Lacy snorted. "Such as they are. Was it hard living with her?"

 

"Actually no. She's great and she has your best interests at heart. She's a family when you don't have any other."

 

"I left my family behind … and I won't go back."

 

"Nobody's trying to make you, but you couldn't ask for anyone better than Debbie to look out for you."

 

"So you think I should do it."

 

Justin nodded. "But one caution, try not to let the Captain Astro wallpaper drive you insane. And maybe try to get her to hang some new curtains, since you are a girl."

 

"Who the hell is Captain Astro?" Lacy demanded.

 

"You'll see if you decide to live there."

 

"You're really scaring me," Lacy said.

 

Justin laughed. "I'm not trying to, just giving you fair warning. It obviously worked for me and it just might work for you."

 

"I think I may be ready to give it a try."

 

"Good girl. Now I could really use some help cleaning up. I want to meet Brian at Kinnetik."

 

Lacy started gathering up Justin's sketches. "What if I take the job at the diner and Debbie wants me to work during the day?" she asked.

 

"Then you don't act as my gofer that day. Now that my foot's better I can get around and look after myself for a day or two."

 

"But I can still come back on day's I have off?"

 

"Of course, you can. With what I'm paying you, how can you possibly stay away?"

 

Lacy laughed and pelted her "boss" with a crumpled up piece of paper.

 

*****

 

"Thanks for the ride over here, Hunter," Lacy said as Hunter's SUV pulled up in front of Debbie's house.

 

"I don't mind at all."

 

They got out of the truck and made their way up onto the porch.

 

"I'm kind of scared," Lacy admitted as Hunter reached for the door handle.

 

"Relax. Debbie's great."

 

"I'll try."

 

The front door was flung open and Debbie stood loud and proud in front of them. "Get your asses in here. I have dinner ready," she squealed pulling Lacy into a hug. "Welcome home, sweetie. Where's your stuff?"

 

"There's not much, but it's in the back of Hunter's truck."

 

"Carl, you and Hunter bring in Lacy's stuff and I'll show her her room. Come with me," she ordered and dragged Lacy up the stairs. "I would have liked to change the wallpaper, but I didn't have time. I did change the room a little. I hope you like it."

 

"I'm sure it will be fine," Lacy said wondering what she was going to find as Debbie opened the door and stepped inside.

 

Lacy stood staring at her new home. She could hardly believe her eyes. The wallpaper was truly ugly, but Debbie had done her best to make the room more feminine and homier. There was a pretty pale pink bedspread and matching curtains on the window. The dresser had a pale pink scarf lying on top of it and there was a cute pink lamp beside the bed.

 

"Holy shit!" Hunter said as he came into the room carrying Lacy's backpack. "This looks great!"

 

"Thanks, kiddo," Debbie smiled.

 

"She's been fixing the place up ever since Lacy said she might be interested in living here," Carl said as he set the small box he was carrying down on the bed.

 

"Thanks, Debbie, I appreciate your efforts," Lacy said.

 

"No problem. Let's eat," she said as she bustled out the door.

 

"That's the other thing," Hunter warned with a laugh. "She'll be feeding you all the time."

 

"I can stand that," she replied. She took a last look around her new home before following Hunter downstairs for dinner.

 

 

All the Rage

 

Chapter 10

 

Another holiday, another day of eating and the gathering of family. This year's arrangements were slightly different to accommodate the ever changing and expanding family. Gus, as planned would spend the Thanksgiving holiday with Brian, Justin and Bree; they all would be at Claire's. Debbie commanded that Hunter, Nick, the 'girls with JR, Michael and Ben would have Thanksgiving at her house, including, of course, Lacy. Debbie thought it would be good for Lacy to see and interact with the girls. Emmett decided he was going to do his own very FABULOUS version of Thanksgiving at the loft with Drew, Ted and Allen and he insisted that Hunter and Nick join them for dessert later that evening. Nick didn't care where he was as long as Hunter was at his side the whole time. They had spent the night fucking and sucking their brains out until the wee hours of the morning and had fallen into a sated sleep somewhere around four Thanksgiving morning. And they had slept through the alarm.

 

"Yeah," Hunter mumbled into his phone.

 

"Don't you 'yeah' me, young man." Debbie shrieked on the other end of the phone.

 

"Where are you?"

 

"Debbie?"

 

"Well, of course, it's me, asshole! Now you get your skinny twink ass out of bed this minute, young man, and get over here pronto. If my turkey is ruined, there'll be hell to pay! So move it, mister!" Debbie shouted then hung up.

 

Hunter stared at the phone then shuddered with the realization that they had overslept and they were late for Debbie's extravaganza. Hunter jumped out of bed and started running around looking for clothes, starting the shower and screaming for Nick to get up.

 

"Where's the fire?" Nick asked trying to rub the sleep from his eyes.

 

"Come on, she'll kill me if I ruin her dinner," Hunter babbled.

 

"Who'll kill you?" Nick had an idea but couldn't resist teasing his panicked boyfriend.

 

"Debbie, asshole. Now get up before she sends the cops over here to drag us to her house."

 

"Oh Baby, she wouldn't do that." Nick sat up and watched as Hunter went through his closet looking for something nice to wear and then searching through Nick's bag for something equally as nice.

 

"Come on! I have the shower going to heat up. Let's go!" Hunter threw down the clothes on the bed and then proceeded to drag his uncooperative boyfriend out of bed and into the bathroom. Nick broke out into a fit of giggles. He couldn't believe that his brave, streetwise and tough boyfriend was afraid of an aging little woman with a horrendous red wig.

 

"You won't be laughing when Debbie smacks you upside your head, now move it!" Hunter yelled.

 

"Yes, dear." Nick snickered but followed his boyfriend into the shower.

 

*****

 

"Brian, stop fussing, it looks great," Justin admonished his spouse as Brian was putting the finishing touches to his fruit salad. Claire had insisted that the only thing that Brian and Justin needed to bring to dinner was themselves and the children. It had been a few years since she had the opportunity to host Thanksgiving and there were enough hands at her house helping. Since construction came to a halt for the holiday, John and Bobby took Patrick back to their own cottage for the long weekend. They missed their home but missed being with Brian and Justin too. The four men fell into an easy rhythm living under the same roof and the children loved being together. They would all go back to Brian's after the weekend. It just made the commute so much easier on all of them.

 

Brian felt horrible unable to bring something so he made his fruit salad. He personally went shopping to his favorite organic fruit stand and picked out all the best, tree ripened fruit. He woke up early to chop and dice the fruit into bite sized pieces carefully drizzling a little lemon juice over the fruit that might turn brown and then arranged, said fruit, in a large bowl so that the colors would compliment each other. Then he topped it all off with Grenadine and sprigs of fresh mint. To Justin's artistic eye, the salad was a masterpiece and he complimented his worried husband several, no hundreds, of times. But that didn't stop Brian from fussing. Justin shook his head, instructed Gus to load himself and Bree into the Cherokee and helped Brian and his salad into the passenger side.

 

"Just drive carefully, I don't want the strawberries to fall into the grapes," Brian instructed. "It'll ruin my color scheme."

 

Justin nodded then sighed. Big bad Brian, worrying about strawberries and grapes. No one would ever believe it!

 

*****

 

"John, just ask him." Bobby told his husband as they were preparing to get up and get ready to walk over to Claire's to help with the preparations.

 

"You think I'm being foolish, don't you?"

 

"No, I don't but it's an awfully big undertaking."

 

"I can do it, but do you think Brian and Justin will go for it?"

 

"I have to admit that at first I thought it was definitely a hair-brained scheme but after spending so much time with them, and the kids love being together, I think they'll go for it."

 

"But Brian values his privacy."

 

"Yes, he does but he also values you. When he really thinks about it, he'll love the idea. And I bet he'll break out the old tool belt to prove it."

 

"Maybe I should ask Justin first."

 

"You afraid of your brother?"

 

"No, maybe, a little. This will be a big change for them. Damn, I'm not so sure. It seemed like a good idea when it came to me but now..."

 

"John, you'll never know until you try."

 

"I didn't know a lot of things until I tried."

 

"You mean me?"

 

"Yeah, Baby, I mean you. I didn't know I'd like being with a man until I was with you. I didn't think I could be a father until Patrick."

 

"And you didn't think you could be a brother until Brian."

 

"Yeah. I'm hopelessly in love with you and I can't even conceive of my life without Patrick..."

 

"And a life without Brian in it?"

 

"Never. He's the most stubborn, pig-headed man I've ever met but I can't see myself without him either."

 

"Sounds like someone else I know."

 

"Oh yeah? Can't imagine whom you're referring to."

 

John and Bobby fell back into bed laughing and made love one more time before heading out.

 

*****

 

"Well, it's about fucking time!" Debbie called out as Hunter and Nick finally made it to the house. The family was already gathered and the food was being put on the table.

 

"I'm sorry Deb, did we ruin Thanksgiving?" Hunter asked as he smiled meekly and gave his grandmother a hug and a kiss. She gently cuffed him behind the ear, and returned the hug with one of her own bone crushing ones.

 

"No, I'm used to timing my meals around horny twinks." Debbie winked at Nick and gave him his own hug. "Go sit down; I want to hear all about the clinic and Nick's studies. We're finally getting a doctor in the family!"

 

With the Thanksgiving fixings on the table and everyone seated, Carl said grace and the meal began.

 

*****

 

"Drew, honey, you going to help me with dinner?" Emmett drawled as he stretched a little then curled his lithe frame around his burly man.

 

"Of course, anything for you, Baby, you know that, and we have a lot to give thanks about," Drew whispered against Emmett's cheek.

 

They'd been together for several years now and it was only getting better. They were aging but aging together. Drew had grown comfortable with being out; it was no big deal for him anymore. He had grown up and was very thankful that Emmett was there and wanted him. Drew had a vested interest in the Ironmen and with Kinnetik, and he adored Emmett. He was so different from Emmett but it was their differences that made their relationship work, just like another couple he knew. And Drew was now a part of a family, a very large unique family. As he flipped Emmett over for another round of lovemaking, Drew knew in his heart that he had a lot to give thanks for.

 

*****

 

The minute Justin parked the Cherokee in the yard, Gus helped Briana out of her car seat and took her into the house. There he was greeted by Claire, Steve, John, Bobby and Patrick. Rachel and her family were going to spend Thanksgiving with the Morrisons but they all promised to stop by for coffee and dessert later on. Justin was holding the fruit salad as Brian got out, stretched and retrieved his salad.

 

"Brian, you're being silly."

 

"No, I'm not, now go clear a path to the kitchen. I want this salad to be perfect," Brian commanded.

 

"Yes, your majesty, your wish is my command." Justin gave a little bow then scurried to do his master's bidding. Brian was carefully walking to the house with his large burden, praying he wouldn't trip sending fruit flying.

 

"All hail the conquering hero of the fruit salad!" Justin bellowed as Brian made it into the house and placed the bowl on the table. The fruit remained just where Brian had placed it, not daring to budge under the watchful eyes of the master chef. Brian blushed when the family applauded as he unveiled the salad.

 

"It's almost too pretty to eat." Claire declared as she gave Brian a hug and a kiss.

 

"You did good, little bro," John added with his own hug.

 

"Looking good, big guy," Bobby teased.

 

Steve stepped up and was about to comment when Brian stopped him with a look.

 

"Okay, okay, I get it." Brian conceded that he was being ridiculous but accepted a handshake then a bear hug from Steve.

 

"It does look good," Steve said as he clapped Brian on the shoulder. "Come on, you deserve a beer. It must be five somewhere in the world." Brian nodded and gratefully accepted a cold one.

 

After dinner, while they waited for Claire's coffee to brew, John decided to take Brian down to the stream. They needed the walk to allow all the wonderful food to digest and John wanted to suggest something to Brian.

 

"You swear there aren't any frogs!" Brian groused.

 

"No frogs, you big baby. Sheesh, you're a grown man. You'd think you could handle a few frogs," John teased his brother.

 

"Hey, you weren't the one who nearly got slimed to death by a poison dart frog," Brian protested. John giggled nervously, he was losing his nerve.

 

"John, what is it? You didn't bring me down here to talk about frogs. Is everything okay?" Brian turned to look into his brother's eyes, eyes that were so much like his own but softer somehow.

 

"Everything's fine; I just wanted to ask you about something. I had an idea the other night as Bobby and I were falling asleep on the sun porch. I love that porch."

 

"I know, so does Justin. It can get a little cool in the winter sometimes but when the sun hits it, it warms up. You should build one."

 

"I would if I could but there's no room and we're too close to the stream."

 

Brian nodded as he leaned against the great rock. John's cottage was nestled more into the woods as opposed to Brian's. He had a lot more room. Room enough for two or more cottages before the tree line and his own stream.

 

"Brian, this past month, staying with you and Justin, the kids being together, I've loved every moment of it. So has Bobby and the children have grown so close."

 

"We've enjoyed it too."

 

"You have? Really?"

 

"Yes, really."

 

"And you don't mind the intrusion? I know you value your privacy and the quiet."

 

"John, it's not like you guys are noisy and I've learned to tolerate a little noise with the blond ambition boy. He can really crank up the noise when he's painting. I'm kind of dreading when the construction is done and you guys move back here."

 

"Really? You're not shitting me, are you?"

 

"No, I'm not. I've kinda been wishing that there was some way of expanding my house to make it more family friendly. But I like the intimacy of the cottage, you know what I mean?"

 

"Yes, I do and that's the reason I wanted to talk to you. I think I have a way of doing that without doing more construction to your house."

 

"How?" Brian was intrigued.

 

"You're right about having the space for expansion. You do around the back, on the other end of the porch. What if I moved my cottage and attached it to the other end of the porch. The two cottages would remain separate for privacy but be attached via the porch. We'd each have our own homes but the families would be together. The Pittsburgh experience has become very lucrative for my business. You can't believe how many jobs we have lined up after we finish the theater and bowling alley. I'll be spending a lot of time there. And I can still maintain my office in Harrisburg. Gordon lives in Harrisburg so he can work from there."

 

"Can you do that? I mean move your whole cottage?" Brian asked all wide eyed. The thought of literally moving the whole house had never occurred to him.

 

"Yes, I can. It's relatively simple. You hoist the whole thing on hydraulics then onto a huge flatbed. Then you replant it on a new foundation. Piece of cake."

 

"Um, big bro, you don't expect me to break out my tool belt, do you?"

 

"Nah, besides the last time you did that, it fell off." John laughed thinking back to when they built the treehouse and Brian demonstrated how the tool belt fit around his slim hips or rather didn't fit, and Justin wore the tool belt.

 

"Hey, no thinking about Justin's ass; that ass is mine," Brian snarked.

 

"Wouldn't dream of it, little bro. So what do you think about the Anderson-Morrison family moving to your neck of the woods?"

 

"I think we need to talk to a certain blond and red-head."

 

"I think so too." There was a pause in the conversation as the brothers contemplated the whole idea.

 

"Come on, big bro. Claire's coffee should be ready by now and I'm still not so sure that there isn't a frog hiding out here to get me." John laughed and drew Brian into a hug.

 

"Heaven, forbid!" Arm in arm the beautiful brothers sauntered back to the house.

 

*****

 

"That was the best Thanksgiving," Nick said as he and Hunter drove back to the loft.

 

"Huh?"

 

"The best."

 

"What are you talking about?" Hunter asked in amusement.

 

"Well, think about it. We fucked all night and didn't wake up until it was time to go to Debbie's. We ate a delicious meal, schmoozed a little, and now we're going home to fuck some more. Perfect!"

 

Hunter laughed. "Yeah, how could I have missed that?"

 

They pulled up at the loft and Hunter squeezed the Cherokee into a parking space. Hand in hand they ran into the loft to continue with their own special brand of celebration and thankfulness.

 

*****

 

On the first floor Emmett and Drew were just finishing up their Thanksgiving dinner. Emmett had made turducken which Vic had taught him about many years before. They had enjoyed it and had invited Ted and Allen to join them for dinner. There would still be plenty of leftovers for the next few days.

 

They were stuffed and moved into the living room before tackling dessert and coffee. Emmett hoped Hunter would remember to join them.

 

"It seems funny to be having Thanksgiving without the whole gang," Ted said.

 

"Funny, but kind of nice," Drew replied.

 

"Nice?" Emmett asked.

 

"Don't get me wrong. It's nice being with the 'family', but the group is getting so large that's it's kind of nice to have a more peaceful and calm Thanksgiving."

 

"I see what you mean, sweetie," Emmett said kissing his partner. "It is nice. I'm glad you two could join us."

 

"I agree with Drew," Allen said. "The whole 'family' can be a little overwhelming."

 

"I don't think Brian was too fond of us all getting together, after the whole clinic/hustler fiasco," Ted mused.

 

"It was amazing that he didn't rip us all to shreds," Emmett observed.

 

"Justin did that for him," Drew laughed.

 

"Yeah, Justin is a little bulldog when he wants to be," Allen agreed.

 

"I wonder how their Thanksgiving is going," Ted said.

 

Allen sighed. "It always comes back to Brian and Justin, doesn't it?"

 

Ted laughed. This had been a long standing bone of contention between them. "They are the most interesting couple."

 

"I don't know," Emmett replied. "I think Drew and I are pretty fabulous."

 

They all laughed and agreed with Emmett. "You should call Hunter and make sure he's coming for dessert," Drew reminded Emmett. "We can find out how everything went at Debbie's."

 

*****

 

Nick and Hunter were on their second round of coupling on Hunter's new bed when the persistent ringing of the phone interrupted them.

 

"Just a little more," Hunter groaned as Nick thrust into him. "Don't stop. Harder. Oh yeah, right there!"

 

The phone went to the answering machine as the young men finished what they were doing. That was much more important than any phone call.

 

Nick rolled away and disposed of the condom. Hunter snuggled up against him. "Best Thanksgiving ever," Hunter grinned. That had become his new mantra.

 

Nick smiled and kissed Hunter. "I hate the thought of being separated even for a day."

 

"Did you apply to Allegheny General and Pittsburgh for your residency?"

 

"Both."

 

"When will you know?"

 

"Some time after Christmas."

 

Hunter groaned. It all seemed so far away. "I wish we could be together every day."

 

"Me too," Nick said kissing Hunter once again.

 

"I wonder who called," Hunter said after a minute or two.

 

"I'll check," Nick said getting up. Hunter heard a "Shit!" and asked what was wrong. "That was Emmett reminding us to come for dessert. I forgot all about it."

 

"I could use some sustenance," Hunter grinned. "You wore me out."

 

"Want to go down?"

 

"Yeah, we should. Let's take a shower first."

 

"Should we let them know we're coming?"

 

"I'll call," Hunter said. "Go start the shower."

 

Hunter dialed Emmett's number and waited for him to answer.

 

"Hey, baby, are you home?" Emmett asked.

 

"Um … yeah, just got in," Hunter lied.

 

"I know you guys have been fucking. We could hear you all the way down here."

 

"You couldn't!" Hunter reacted.

 

"No, sweetie, we couldn't. I'm just yanking your chain. Are you coming down?"

 

"Is it too late?"

 

"Not at all. See you in a few minutes. "They'll be right down," Emmett told everybody as he went to get his chiffon pumpkin pie ready to be served.

 

A few minutes later a knock at the door signaled the arrival of the lovebirds. Emmett welcomed them in and served the pie and coffee.

 

"So, how did things go at Deb's without all us fabulous people?" Emmett asked with a laugh.

 

"Good," Nick said.

 

"Hey, come on," Emmett encouraged them, "Dish!"

 

Hunter laughed. "Debbie and Carl were great. They made Lacy feel really welcome."

 

"Lacy?" Ted asked.

 

"She's this girl who was hustling and came to the clinic. She's off the street now, working at the diner and living at Deb's."

 

"In my old room?" Emmett asked.

 

"That would be Vic's old room," Hunter chuckled. "No, she's in Michael's old room."

 

"There sure are a lot of old rooms at Debbie's," Drew laughed.

 

"It's an old house, sweetie," Emmett said giving Drew's thigh a squeeze. Drew smiled affectionately at his partner.

 

"So how does Lacy like it there?" Ted asked.

 

"She seems to be getting along fine. Michael is more than a little pissed at how Deb redecorated his room," Hunter said.

 

"Redecorated?" Emmett squealed. "Did she get rid of that hideous wallpaper?"

 

"No," Hunter laughed. "Just the hideous curtains and the hideous bedspread."

 

"Well, that's a start," Emmett had to admit.

 

"Deb's going pink with the room, since Lacy's a girl," Hunter explained.

 

"Pink with the Captain Astro wallpaper," Emmett asked with a shudder.

 

"It is kind of gross," Hunter had to admit.

 

"I'm sorry I asked," Emmett said.

 

"Lindsay and Mel were there. Can you believe that JR's in first grade this year."

 

"They grow up so fast," Allen said with a smile.

 

"And we get older," Emmett observed.

 

"No, we get better," Drew corrected him.

 

"That was sweet," Emmett said kissing Drew once again.

 

"This pie is delicious," Nick said.

 

"Thanks."

 

"Could I have another piece?"

 

"Certainly, we want you to keep up your strength for other activities later tonight," Emmett said as he went to cut another piece for Nick.

 

"This has been the best Thanksgiving," Nick said kissing Hunter while he waited for his pie.

 

"I think we can all agree on that," Drew said, and they all did.

 

 

All the Rage

 

Chapter 11

 

Holiday season 2013 came and went. Since each family did their own thing for Thanksgiving, it was decided that Brian and Justin would have the pleasure of hosting Christmas. And with everyone's help and cooperation, the Christmas celebration went off without a hitch. That's not including Briana who somehow quietly climbed out of her crib and finding the Christmas presents neatly wrapped under the tree, she managed to rip through several packages, all tagged for her daddy Justin. Fortunately Brian found her in time before Justin found his gifts. With strict instructions from Brian to Justin to keep their daughter occupied for thirty minutes, Brian quickly re-wrapped the presents and thereby saved Christmas, well, his little portion of it. Brian loved watching Justin open his gifts. Justin's ageless face would glow with joy and delight.

 

Shortly after New Year's, the construction on the theater and bowling alley continued in earnest. The bowling alley was a cake walk compared to the theater which was very detailed and at time tedious work. But John's attention to detail was paying off. The stage had been replaced as well as all of the old wiring. Everything was being restored and what couldn't be restored, was replaced by a replica that duplicated the original. Even the old dressing rooms had been restored. The last fixtures to be reinstalled would be the theater chairs, elegantly reupholstered with plush red velvet, and the crystal chandelier.

 

Justin and his fellow artists were literally slaving and sweating over the frescoes that lined the upper walls of the theater. To save time, Justin had sketched the scenes that were revealed where the stucco was removed. For the areas that were damaged beyond recognition, Justin used his artistic imagination to fill in the missing scenes. The frescoes were done in a style reminiscent of Greco-Roman paintings. Each artist had his or her section of wall to paint using Justin's sketches as a template. The subtle differences in personal artistic style went un-noticed by the untrained eye and each artist was encouraged by John to find a way of incorporating their signature into their section. Rather than using his name, Justin used his cowry shell and sunburst symbol.

 

Lacy, when she wasn't covering a day shift at the diner, continued to act as gofer for Justin and the other artists. Taking their cue from Justin and recognizing a budding artist in their midst, the PIFA crew was very patient with Lacy. One of the professors encouraged Lacy to finish high school so she would be able to submit a portfolio to PIFA. Lacy finally admitted to Karen that she had run away from her home to get away from an abusive boyfriend. Karen was able to get Lacy to reveal her full name and birth date but little else. Karen hoped that the positive feedback Lacy was receiving from Justin, his fellow artists, Debbie and even from Brian, would convince Lacy to finish high school and apply to PIFA or anywhere else she desired. Karen seemed to be making some headway with her, and Hunter was very grateful. Even though Lacy continued to hide under boy's clothing, Hunter was painfully aware that Lacy was a girl. He and Karen spent many hours trying to understand why Lacy hustled as if she was a he. Whatever her reasons, Lacy was safe and off the street. She appeared to be on the right path.

 

As good as things were going at the clinic and with the construction, Brian was having a devil of a time with the Rage PR. Brett finally had given Brian the date for the premiere, April 5th, which suited Brian just fine. It wouldn't interfere with Briana's second birthday party. But aside from that, Brett was fighting Brian regarding an idea for a contest that Michael was running in the comic. Twelve lucky winners would get to go to the premiere. However Brett wanted the Hollywood premiere to be very posh and star filled. Brian felt that it should be focused toward the readers, and the population that made Rage a success. Brian decided that if Brett didn't want the winners to go to LA, Brian would have them all come to Pittsburgh, the home of Rage. Brian worked out a deal with Liberty Air, and with a local four star hotel. To hell with Brett and to hell with LA. Rage was born on the streets of Pittsburgh and it would be the streets of Pittsburgh celebrating. Brian fucking Kinney would see to that.

 

One afternoon, mid-January, Brett Keller and his posse of yes-men sauntered into Kinnetik. Brett was momentarily rendered speechless at the juxtaposition of Kinnetik's seedy looking exterior with the ultramodern and expensive interior. Even the chipped plaster on the support columns had a certain charm. The decor of Brett's offices paled by comparison and Brett was envious. Kinnetik screamed out Brian Kinney while Brett's offices only whispered. Brett was not happy.

 

"Brett Keller to see Brian Kinney," Brett announced to anyone who cared to listen as he walked into the main office. Brian was taking a short break, peeking in on Bree as she was playing in the daycare. One of Brian's guilty pleasures was watching his beautiful daughter. Brian, the blissfully happy daddy, leaned over and kissed Briana's golden head. She giggled in delight. Brian Kinney, master of Kinnetik, exited the day care area and went back toward his office.

 

"Brian Kinney! You're a difficult man to track down," Brett exclaimed with a false smile and shook Brian's hand.

 

"Brett Keller, as I live and breathe. What brings you to the Pitts and everyone knows where to find Brian Kinney," Brian sneered back.

 

"Thought I'd personally oversee the Rage PR. You know, look over what you've got, maybe I can lend a hand." Brett leaned into Brian's personal space and ran his hand suggestively down Brian's back. Brian's eyes narrowed into a Rageian death glare, Brett backed up a bit then cleared his throat. "Seriously, Brian, the faxed copies and emails don't do the posters justice. And since you seem to avoid sunny LA, LA decided to come here, to dreary Pittsburgh. Honestly Brian, how can you prefer Pittsburgh to California? What keeps you here?"

 

Before Brian could answer, Justin walked into the office with Briana toddling behind.

 

"Hi Bri!"

 

"Dada!"

 

Both of Brian's beautiful blonds smiled their most sunniest of smiles at Brian.

 

"That's what keeps me here, Brett." Brian swooped down and swept Bree into his arms then reached out for Justin's hand. Justin was there at Brian's side faster than you could say Kinnetik. "Brett, you can keep your LA sun, I've got my sunshine right here."

 

Brian kissed his daughter then Justin. Ignoring his office full of people for a minute, Brian wanted to know what Justin was doing at Kinnetik.

 

"I wanted to see if you were free for lunch and to look at the latest Rage boards," Justin confided.

 

"I'm not so sure about lunch but I was about to show Brett and his goons the boards. You're welcome to stay," Brian informed Justin.

 

"How about I send out for lunch while you get the boards set up?" Justin suggested.

 

"Wait, I have a better idea. That asshole thinks that LA is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I wonder how long it would take Emmett to do lunch."

 

"I don't know but it's worth a shot. I'll call Emmett."

 

"I'll get Cynthia to set up the boardroom." Brian leaned over to kiss his spouse. "I love you, you know," Brian whispered into Justin's ear.

 

"I know," Justin whispered back then took Bree back to the outer office to make his calls.

 

"Brett, old man, why don't you and your assistants make yourselves comfortable while I send out for lunch then we can look over the boards. Consider it a working lunch," Brian snarked just a tad. He wasn't convinced that Brett actually knew what work was.

 

Within the hour, Emmett, breezed into Brian's inner sanctum.

 

"Hi, hi, hi!" Emmett said while regally waving his hands around. "Ooo, sweetie, don't you look as gorgeous and as hot as ever," Emmett winked at Brian as he gushed. "And who is this?" Emmett asked, giving Brett and his cohorts the once over.

 

"Emmett, this is Brett Keller, the man who is bringing Rage to life on the big screen," Brian stated with flare. "Brett, this is Emmett, my personal caterer." Brian growled low into Emmett's ear, "Tell me you brought over something to wow the pants off this asshole."

 

"Don't worry, honey, your Auntie Em has it covered," Emmett whispered back.

 

"You had better, or you're one dead Auntie Em," Brian snarled.

 

"Brett! So nice to meet you. I've heard such wonderful things about you," Emmett schmoozed loudly. Just then, Cynthia entered the office.

 

"Brian, lunch is set up in the boardroom as well as the boards, anytime you're ready," Cynthia, ever the professional, informed Brian.

 

"Thank you, Cynthia. Brett, gentlemen, please come this way." Brian led Brett and posse to the boardroom.

 

Emmett had set up a veritable feast of sandwiches on the boardroom table. Brett and his posse sauntered in giving the place the once over. Brett did his best to find fault with the place but had to admit that Brian had style.

 

They took seats around the table and Emmett began to hand out the plates he arranged. He had made large sandwiches on focaccia, pita and exotic whole grain breads. These had been cut into small pieces about the size of two mouthfuls each. Each plate contained a selection of four sandwiches filled with everything from chicken and goat cheese to the best egg salad any of them had ever tasted. There were so many oohs and aahs and yummies that they all forgot about the Rage PR boards until they had sampled each of their sandwiches. Emmett placed the large trays of sandwiches in the center of the conference table so that the men could choose more of the sandwich they liked best. Everyone was so enjoying the unexpected flavors that they hardly noticed that Emmett had set glasses of elderflower flavored water in front of each of them.

 

"What is this?" Brett asked taking a drink.

 

"Elderflower," Emmett grinned.

 

"It's … refreshing … and different," Brett admitted.

 

"My clients always seem to enjoy it," Emmett smiled.

 

"Brian, how did you find this man? I'd like him to cater for me in Hollywood," Brett laughed.

 

Brian snorted. "The commute might kill him, but I don't doubt he could handle it."

 

Emmett beamed under the praise. He knew he was good, but Hollywood?

 

"So Brett," Justin interrupted the Emmett lovefest. "What do you think of the boards?"

 

Brett looked around the room noting the "All the Rage", "Do You Feel the Rage?", and "Let the Rage Capture You" on top of drawings of Rage in various poses and actions. "I don't think the public is going to make the connection. The comic book fans will, but nobody else will get it."

 

Brian sighed. "That's the fucking point! It's aimed at the people who know about Rage but interesting enough to get those who don't understand it to ask 'Who's Rage?'. That's what we want to start, curiosity, questions, interest. Then we go from there." Brian didn't know how to explain it any better than that.

 

"I don't know," Brett said with a frown. His entourage looked equally bored.

 

"Brett," Justin said watching Brian's blood pressure start to escalate. "This is the preliminary campaign. As the opening approaches, we start the contest to win a trip to the opening. Brian has made sure that the premiere in Pittsburgh will get national coverage. Paul Thomas has agreed to aid in all the promotion. It's going to be great."

 

"How can you be so sure?" Brett scoffed.

 

"Because we fucking research these things!" Brian bellowed. "Cynthia, would you care to show Mr. Keller the demographics and the focus study that was just completed?" Brian stood and stalked out of the room.

 

Justin watched him leave and knew he would go to Bree. She would calm him down.

 

"Is he ticked?" Brett grinned. His posse smirked too.

 

"Gentlemen, if you would care for some sweets," Emmett said replacing the sandwich trays with a huge tray of fruit and tiny tarts and cookies and truffles. It looked almost too good to eat. The posse started to dig in.

 

Emmett gave Justin the high sign to join him at the back of the room. "Should you go after Brian?" he asked.

 

"He'll be in the daycare playing with Bree. He'll come back when he's ready."

 

"I thought he was going to toss the whole lot of them out on their ear," Emmett chuckled.

 

"He would have ordinarily, but he doesn't want to fuck up the movie for me."

 

"Right, well, at least they liked the food," Emmett said as he readied a carafe of coffee for them.

 

"It was great. I don't know how you did it on such short notice."

 

"I'm a good, little boy scout, always prepared."

 

"Can't thank you enough. And they were really impressed," Justin said meaning every word.

 

"Oh, oh," Emmett said as Brian came back into the room. He had debated bringing Bree with him, but had decided that if things were going to get nasty, she would be better somewhere else.

 

Justin looked at Brian who nodded and sat down at the conference table. "I hope you enjoyed your lunch," he said slowly.

 

They all nodded. "I still want to steal Emmett away from you," Brett joked.

 

"I can't be bought or stolen," Emmett said as he placed the coffee in front of them all.

 

"Brett," Brian began. He was going to tell this idiot that he was the advertising expert and they were going to do this his way.

 

"No need to say anymore, Brian. I've looked at your research and it indicates you're right. You are Rage after all," he laughed trying to make everything okay. The research certainly seemed to back up Brian's approach.

 

Brian scowled. He had been ready to take on Brett Keller and now, apparently, he wasn't going to get that chance. "I'm glad you've come to your senses."

 

"I may not like your approach, but if it works, we all win."

 

Brian couldn't argue with that. "Then I better get back to work." He stood and walked out of the boardroom.

 

"I hope it wasn't something I said," Brett laughed as did his minions.

 

"You have no idea just how lucky you are," Justin added and went after Brian.

 

"So, Emmett what do you say about relocating to Hollywood?" Brett teased.

 

"If you want to pay me to relocate and find me a long list of clients, I would be happy to come. I could use a vacation."

 

Brett laughed and shook his head as he and his entourage stood and made their way out of Kinnetik. Emmett started to clean up.

 

Justin headed for the daycare knowing that would probably be where Brian had gone. He found Brian sitting in the rocking chair holding a sleepy Bree in his arms. He looked up when Justin came in. "Are they gone?" he said softly as he rocked his daughter.

 

"I'm hoping they will be by the time we come back." Justin knelt beside his husband and their daughter running his fingers gently through Briana's blond locks. They stayed that way for a few minutes until Bree drifted off. Brian stood up and laid her down on one of the little cots. He kissed her cheek as did Justin and the two men walked back to the main office.

 

Emmett was almost done his clean-up. Brian noted that Brett and his gang had disappeared.

 

"You didn't head out to Hollywood with Brett?" Justin asked with a laugh.

 

"He couldn't afford me," Emmett said with a big grin.

 

"I owe you one, Emm. I wanted them to drool over lunch and you pulled it off," Brian said.

 

"It's the least I could do in return for all the business you send my way."

 

Brian nodded. "So Brett couldn't convince you to go?"

 

"I wouldn't go anywhere with that guy. I know an asshole when I see one."

 

Brian snorted. "You've had lots of practice identifying assholes," Brian said in his best self-deprecating voice.

 

"There are assholes and then there are assholes," Emmett stated with a chuckle.

 

"And which category do I fall into?" Brian smirked.

 

"Only the best, sweetie, only the best." Emmett and his boxes and trays departed Kinnetik.

 

 

All the Rage

 

Chapter 12

 

"John, you wanted to see me?" John had called Brian at Kinnetik and asked to meet him at the bowling alley. It was just about mid February, the bowling alley renovations were cruising right along. Hunter already had a list of 'lost boys' who would do well there. Brian and Ted were interviewing candidates for manager. Brian's dream was getting closer and closer to reality.

 

"Come on, let's go inside. It's freezing out here," John exclaimed as he opened the main doors to let them both in.

 

John and Brian slowly entered the newly transformed bowling alley. John watched as the hardened expression on his brother's face softened and took on the look of a little boy at Christmas time. Brian was floored. He turned quickly to gaze at John.

 

"Go on, you can walk around, no hard hat required," John chuckled as Brian took off like a shot to explore the whole building. Brian was especially pleased with the arcade. There were a dozen of the refurbished pinball machines as well as a dozen more modern computerized games. Kids young and old would have fun there.

 

The alley's polished floors shone under the lights and the clatter of pins crashing echoed throughout the building as each lane was tested. Brian was happier than a bear in a room full of bottom boys.

 

Later on at the diner, the brothers shared a quiet corner to have lunch.

 

"Brian, why?"

 

"Why what?"

 

"Why all the interest in an old bowling alley? The clinic, I can understand and I applaud your courage for suggesting the center, and for following through so thoroughly. The theater, that's a bonus for me, Justin, the neighborhood and I hope, for Rage. But it's just an old bowling alley."

 

Brian became very quiet as he pushed his food around his plate. John recognized the signs of his brother deep in thought and debate with himself.

 

"Jack," Brian said softly.

 

"What about him?" John gently prodded. He knew how much it still hurt Brian to speak of their father.

 

"Sometimes he'd take me bowling. Most times he'd wind up so drunk that I never knew how we got home in one piece but we did. It just reminds me of a bowling alley we once went to. It was a happy memory," Brian sighed and then pushed around a bit more of his lunch.

 

John got up from his seat, scooted around the table to sit next to his brother. He then slipped his arm around Brian's shoulder.

 

"Thank you for sharing that with me," John whispered into the brunet hair around his brother's ear. "My mother tends to remember Jack as a young dashing lover; you remember the man he became. I know he was cruel but somewhere in him was the father I wanted."

 

Brian understood. Jack may have been the most horrible father a child could ever have but at least Brian had one. John never did.

 

The brothers sat in their booth, quietly reflecting, each silently vowing to be the best fathers possible for their children.

 

*****

 

"Brian?" Justin said softly, trying to broach a touchy subject with his spouse as they lay wrapped around each other in their big four-poster.

 

"Hmm?" Brian answered casually. He had a sneaking suspicion what was floating around the blond brain of Justin Taylor-Kinney.

 

"You know what Friday is?"

 

"I believe it's the fourteenth."

 

"Uh huh and do you know what that means?"

 

"Um, it'll be seven weeks and one day until the Rage movie premieres? And eight weeks minus one day until our daughter's second birthday?"

 

"No, you big asshole! It's Valentine's Day and I want to go out for dinner and go to Babylon," Justin demanded.

 

"Oh do you now, and what do you suggest we do with the Squirt?"

 

"My mother has already volunteered to baby-sit Bree on Friday and keep her for the night. We can stay at the loft Friday and then go home Saturday with Bree."

 

"Have it all worked out in that little brain of yours, eh Sunshine?"

 

"Yes, I do. And I won't take no for an answer. We've all been working very hard and we deserve a break, so don't argue with me."

 

"Wouldn't dream of it, Justin. But don't you think I'm too old to be shaking my sorry ass on the dance floor?"

 

"No, I don't. Brian; you're as beautiful as the day I first saw you. The face of a god and his name is Brian Kinney," Justin sighed at the memory.

 

"That's Brian Kinney-Taylor. And if you think I won't make a fool of myself then we'll go to Babylon. You'll still be the most beautiful man there," Brian murmured as he gave Justin a little squeeze.

 

"Brian, make love to me." Justin pleaded as he wriggled himself so that Brian was on top of him.

 

"My bossy bottom," Brian whispered as he reached for the lube to prepare Justin then slide his way home into Justin's heat. They rocked together until completion then sated, slipped into sleep still locked together in their embrace.

 

*****

 

Friday morning there was a big scramble in the Taylor-Kinney home. Brian and Justin had packed a bag with their best club clothes so that they could look dazzling when they made their entrance into Babylon that night. Neither of them wanted to feel old or out of place. Justin had made heart shaped cookies covered in pink icing for the kids in the daycare at Kinnetik. He had also made enough for all the employees at Kinnetik as well. He figured they would get enough mileage out of Brian giving out heart shaped cookies to last for several weeks.

 

Bree knew something was up, but she wasn't sure what. Brian insisted on dressing her in the new pink dress he had found for the occasion. It had little ruffles on the collar and a row of red hearts along the bodice. She looked as delicious as Justin's cookies.

 

Brian carried her into the kitchen where Justin was boxing up his cookies.

 

"Happy Vantine's Day, Daddy," she cooed to Justin just as Brian had taught her.

 

Justin turned around with one of his radiant smiles. He knew where that had come from even if Brian still professed to hate the commercial holiday. "Thank you, sweetheart, and Happy Valentine's Day to you too." Justin leaned in and kissed his daughter as Brian brought her closer. He then reached up and cupped Brian's chin kissing him as well. "Thank you," he whispered.

 

Brian shrugged but couldn't help but smile. "Ready to go?"

 

"Have you got Bree's bag?"

 

"By the front door."

 

"Our bag."

 

"Right beside Bree's."

 

"Cookies are ready."

 

"Check," Brian chuckled. "Then let's get this show on the road."

 

"Remember the good old days when we could walk out of the loft with just the clothes on our backs, set the alarm and never have to think about all this stuff."

 

"Were those the good old days?" Brian asked. "I kind of thought these were."

 

Justin grinned. "You old romantic. I love you so damn much!"

 

"Backatcha."

 

"Let's go," Justin said giving Brian a quick smooch as he went by.

 

They loaded the car, Justin doing most of the carrying and stowing while Brian got Bree situated in her car seat. With the cottage locked and everything turned off, including one last trip to make sure the stove was off, they headed for Pittsburgh.

 

"You'll make sure each person gets a cookie," Justin told Brian.

 

"What?" Brian asked with a frown. "I thought you were coming in to hand them out."

 

"No, I have to get to the theater. We're starting the last fresco today, and we're already late. They need me to help them get started."

 

"Fuck!"

 

"Brian," Justin admonished, looking over the seat back to see if Bree was paying attention. She seemed engrossed in telling her stuffed rabbit something very important.

 

"You know I hate Valentine's Day," Brian groused.

 

Justin snorted. "Yeah, that's why you taught Bree to say Happy Valentine's Day."

 

"Happy Vantine's Day," Bree giggled having heard her name.

 

"See."

 

"What makes you think I taught her that?" Brian asked. "She probably picked it up from all the Valentine's Day ads or from the kids at daycare."

 

"Sure," Justin said sarcastically. He knew Brian had taught their daughter so that he didn't have to say it himself, but he didn't want to argue about it. "Anyway, give the kids at daycare their cookies for the morning snack and you could … put the rest in the break room with a sign if you don't want to give them to your employees personally."

 

"Okay," Brian said almost too quickly.

 

Justin frowned. He knew Brian too well not to be surprised by that quick response. He'd have to check later to see what Brian did with the cookies. He hoped they wouldn't end up in the dumpster out back of Kinnetik.

 

Brian dropped Justin off at the theater and headed to Kinnetik with Bree. He carried the box of cookies and his daughter into the daycare. The daycare lady, Alice, helped Brian take out the box of cookies designated for those in the daycare. Brian kissed Briana and then took the rest of the cookies into his office. He found a piece of white foamcore and some markers and got to work.

 

Some time later Brianna came into his office holding onto the hand of Alice's helper, Mary. "She wanted to give you a kiss and ask you to come hand out the cookies to her classmates," Mary smiled.

 

'Shit!' Brian thought. He had hoped that Alice would do that for him. "All right," he said wearily standing up and scooping up his beautiful little girl. "Let's get this over with."

 

They walked down the hall to the daycare where the class was sitting in a circle on the floor. Alice patted the chair beside her and Briana went to sit beside her friend, Joe. Brian walked to the front and sat down beside Alice. She handed him his box of cookies.

 

"Do we all know what today is?" she asked.

 

"Vantine's Day," they all chirped.

 

Brian smiled. They all said it just like Bree.

 

"That's correct," Alice said. "Briana's dad has brought us all a treat for Valentine's Day."

 

There was a round of cheers as Brian opened the box. "These were actually made by Briana's other daddy," Brian explained, "but he asked me to bring them in for you. More cheers broke out as Brian looked into the box. He noted that each cookie had a name on it. Trust Justin to know everybody's name and use it on fucking cookies.

 

"Joe," Brian said and saw the little boy next to Bree stand up and come towards him, albeit a little hesitantly. "Here you go, Joe," Brian said. The boy took the cookie and held his arms out for a hug. Brian had to smile knowing that signal so well. He gave the boy a warm hug and Joe hurried back to sit beside Bree. He broke off a little piece of his cookie and offered it to Bree who smiled and took it, popping it in her mouth. Bree seemed to have her first beau.

 

Brian continued calling names and giving hugs until the box was almost empty. Bree got hers last except for Alice and Mary who also received a cookie with their names on it too. Brian had to give them a hug as well. When he stood up to leave the whole group chorused, "Thank you, Mr. Kinney."

 

"You're very welcome," Brian replied with a smile. That hadn't been so bad.

 

"Thank you, dada," Bree said running up to him for a hug before he left.

 

"You're welcome, Squirt," Brian said giving her a raspberry on her cheek. She giggled happily.

 

Back at his office Brian was about to get another surprise. He had placed the box of cookies in the break room and thankfully they didn't have anybody's name on them. Brian shuddered when he thought about having to hand them out individually to his employees. At least Justin hadn't done that to him. With the cookies he had concocted a sign that said, "Sweets for the creative, hard working, capable staff of Kinnetik." He had quickly exited the room before anyone saw him and associated the cookies with him.

 

"Bri," Ted said coming into the office with one of Justin's cookies in his hand. Brian looked up. "Thanks for the cookies. They're tasty," Ted said as he bit into his.

 

"How do you know I had anything to do with them?" Brian asked.

 

"Who else would have put a sign like that with them? Mine would have said 'Help yourself.' And nothing more."

 

"Are you sure you meet all the criteria for having a cookie?" Brian smirked. He just couldn't resist."

 

"Huh?"

 

"You know, creative hard working, capable."

 

Ted blinked and said, "I'm capable and hard working. The creative part I'm not so sure about."

 

"Yes, you are," Brian smiled.

 

"I am?"

 

"Creative finances like you managed to swing for the clinic project."

 

"Oh yeah," Ted beamed. "I guess I do have a creative side. Anyway, thanks for the cookie."

 

Brian got back to work only to be interrupted by Cynthia thanking him for the treat, and then Murph from the art department, and then Tom and Carol, and every fucking employee. He knew Schmidt was behind this and he would make him pay eventually. Finally no one else came to thank him and Brian could get back to work on Rage. He was arranging copy and ads for several magazines to coincide with the opening of the movie.

 

As the afternoon wore on Brian was looking forward to seeing Justin, going to dinner and Babylon, and having a night alone in the loft.

 

*****

 

After work, Brian and Justin drove to Jennifer's house to drop off Briana; she'd spend the night with her Grandma Jenn and Aunt Molly. Then the boys raced back to the loft to shower, change into something sexy then out for dinner and hopefully if they had the energy, Babylon.

 

Brian had made reservations at their favorite Italian restaurant that was gay friendly and had quiet corners where the lovers could enjoy their meal in romantic seclusion. He had ordered a bottle of their favorite wine which was waiting for them, chilling in a bucket next to the table. He also did something that he thought he'd never do, arrange for flowers. In deference to Justin's allergies, Brian ordered flowers low in pollen and with a very light scent. The bouquet was in a crystal vase on Justin's side of the table. As they approached their table, Justin's smile lit up the entire room.

 

"What's this?" Justin gushed as he indicated the flowers and wine.

 

"Thought if I did things right, I'd get lucky tonight." Brian blushed; he still had a little trouble doing romance.

 

"Oh, you're getting lucky, all right," Justin cooed.

 

"Then I guess I did something right," Brian whispered into Justin's ear as he held the chair for his spouse.

 

Dinner was a leisurely affair. Rather than a large heavy meal the lovers chose a variety of appetizers, salads and fruit dishes that were bite sized so that they could feed each other, nibbling on each delicacy and on each other. They spent several hours enjoying the atmosphere and each other.

 

After dinner as they were finishing the wine, Brian was experiencing a moment of self doubt.

 

"Justin, are you sure you want to go to Babylon?"

 

"Yeah, I'm sure."

 

"Why? You certainly fit in, you're so beautiful. You still look like that young boy under the lamp. Justin, I'm forty-four, I can go in as the owner but not as a clubber."

 

"Brian, five years ago tonight, you proposed to me, in front of everyone, in front of all of Liberty Avenue. I want to go to Babylon with the sexiest man in all of Pittsburgh, no matter what your age." Justin was so emphatic about what he wanted that Brian couldn't dare to argue. He simply nodded then waved for the check. Whatever Justin wanted...

 

*****

 

Brian and Justin got to Babylon with the Valentine celebration in full swing. The thumpa thumpa music was loud and jumping. The men were swaying and gyrating. Babylon was the place to be this night.

 

Brian sauntered to the edge of the catwalk, surveying his kingdom with just a smidgeon of the arrogant man that once was. Stately, elegant and overwhelmingly sexy, that was and is Brian Kinney. Justin hung back a little to let Brian have his moment. Justin was well aware that under that facade of arrogance was a man who still had a need to prove himself if not to everyone then to himself. Brian watched his patrons enjoying themselves and he stretched to his full height with pride. When Brian gestured to Justin to join him, Justin sidled up to his spouse. Brian raised his arm as Justin took his place at Brian's side. The kings of Babylon and of Liberty were home.

 

Justin pointed down at their favorite bar; the whole gang was there. For the moment, time stood still. It was the year 2000 again, they were all young, beautiful, ready to dance and cruise. "Let's Hear It For The Boy," blasted from the speakers. Justin grabbed Brian's hand and pulled him down the stairs and onto the dance floor. The sea of men parted for their kings as Brian and Justin put on their show. When the music changed the whole gang made their way through the dancers to join the lovers. Brian and Justin with their family of friends danced the night away.

 

"Brian," Justin murmured into his lover's ear, as Justin danced with his arms around Brian's neck. Brian leaned back to see the lust in his husband's eyes. He nodded then took Justin's hand as he led him to the backroom.

 

In the backroom, Brian found a secluded corner, pushed Justin up against the wall then ravished his face with a myriad of hungry kisses. Brian turned Justin around to face the wall, shoving his slacks down. He took out a small tube of lube from his pocket to prepare his boy.

 

"You want me, don't you?" Brian growled into the blond's ear then bit his neck.

 

"Yesss, fuck me," Justin groaned back. Brian roughly pushed his hard dick into Justin's trembling ass, waited until Justin pushed back then began to fuck.

 

Savagely they bucked and fucked until they both came with loud moans, Brian doing his best to keep them both standing as their knees threatened to buckle. Leaning against the wall, Justin slowly turned to face Brian. Both men had ear to ear smiles; their lust for each other never grew old.

 

"Let's go home, Sunshine." Justin nodded as they righted their clothes to head for home.

 

At the entrance to the backroom, a familiar person, um, ass, caught Brian's eye.

 

"Hey Todd, how's it going?"

 

"Fine," Todd replied as his ass was being plowed.

 

"Sunshine, it's nice to know some things never change," Brian remarked to Justin as they climbed the stairs to the catwalk and then exited the club.

 

 

All the Rage

 

Chapter 13

 

Lacy stepped into Kinnetik. She always felt slightly overwhelmed by the style and presence of the place. That was the way she felt about the man who owned it to. She was overwhelmed by his style and power and beauty. No matter how friendly Brian Kinney was to her and how he joked around with her, she was slightly afraid of him. He was Rage after all.

 

She walked over to the reception desk and cleared her throat as the woman behind the desk ignored her. Lacy's clothes had improved somewhat since she had started working at the diner and earning some money that she could spend on them. However, she still dressed mostly androgynously and in colors that helped her fade into the background.

 

Finally the woman behind the desk deigned to glance up at her. "May I help you?" the woman asked with that superior tone that Lacy was only too familiar with.

 

"I'd like to see Mr. Kinney," Lacy said.

 

"Mr. Kinney is extremely busy. Do you have an appointment?"

 

"No, but…"

 

"I'm afraid you'll have to make an appointment for some future date. May I ask why you wish to see Mr. Kinney?"

 

"His partner asked…"

 

"You know Mr. Kinney's partner?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Well, I…" the woman stuttered. She wasn't sure what to do with this upstart who was claiming to know Mr. Taylor.

 

Just then Brian came down the hall from the conference room. He glanced up and saw Lacy. "Hey, Lacy, what are you doing here? Did something happen to Justin?" he asked as he realized that might be the reason she had come to find him. Justin had been hurt again.

 

"No, no, nothing like that. Justin's fine," Lacy assured him. She watched him visibly relax.

 

"Then what can I do for you?" Brian asked his smirk firmly back in place.

 

"Justin asked me to find you and see if you could come over to the theater."

 

"Why?"

 

"He wants to show you something."

 

"He does, does he?" A sexy smile passed across Brian's face as he thought of a certain ass and balls and cock. His own dick responded immediately.

 

Lacy watched his face and grinned. She had seen how much the two men cared for each other, and apparently they still got off on each other like teenagers. "I don't think that's what he wants to show you," Lacy said in a whisper daring to voice her thoughts.

 

Brian glared at her for a moment and he could see her visibly cower. Then a grin began and he said, "I want to see whatever Justin has to show me. Let's go."

 

Lacy's mouth dropped open. "Right now?"

 

"Yeah, I have nothing here that's more important than Justin."

 

Lacy followed Brian out of Kinnetik and they began the walk that would take them over to the theater complex. Lacy studied Brian as they walked along side by side. He knew she was watching him and he wondered what she was thinking.

 

"How have things been going for you, Lacy?" Brian asked.

 

"Fine."

 

"Fine is the kind of answer that means absolutely nothing."

 

"Yeah, I guess it does," she laughed. "I'm living at Debbie's now."

 

"And how's that going?"

 

"She has the best rules," Lacy chuckled.

 

"Yeah," Brian agreed. "I used to like them a lot when Justin was living there."

 

"Were you two together back then?"

 

"Off and on," Brian said remembering the ups and downs of the early stage of their relationship.

 

Lacy looked sideways at him but she understood by his tone that he didn't really want her to pursue that. "I'm working at the diner. I like making some money … honestly."

 

Brian understood where that came from. For a lot of the hustlers they had never held a real job. "How's the art thing?"

 

"I've learned a lot from Justin," she beamed. "I started a drawing course at the GLC too."

 

"Good for you," Brian said as they approached the theater.

 

"You go in. I should check in with Hunter," Lacy said.

 

Brian raised an eyebrow. Obviously she was making herself scarce. Maybe Justin was waiting inside naked and ready. Brian's cock jumped in his trousers. He hurried up to the door and went inside calling, "Justin."

 

"Over here," Justin called back and Brian followed his voice to the side of the theater. Justin had all his clothes on which was a disappointment, but he also had one of his radiant smiles. John stood beside him.

 

"Hey, John," Brian said looking around. Both Justin and John looked up. The chandelier shone in all its glory above their heads. "Not bad," Brian said stunned by the brilliance of the newly refurbished and polished light fixture.

 

"It's glorious, isn't it?" John said a look of absolute bliss on his face.

 

"Not bad at all," Brian repeated gazing up at the fixture.

 

"Well," John said, "I have to run off to check on a couple of things now that we're almost through here."

 

"Through?" Brian asked.

 

"Once the seats are in, we're done," John said with a smile.

 

"That's great," Brian replied and John hurried away with a glance at Justin. "What's going on? I feel like I'm caught in a big secret or something," Brian scowled. He still liked to be in control.

 

"I'm done too," Justin grinned.

 

"Done? You mean the frescoes?"

 

Justin nodded and reached out for Brian's hand. He led his husband around the theater stopping at each fresco so Brian could get a good look. Neither spoke until Brian was done looking at the last fresco.

 

"They're wonderful," Brian had to admit. They had the look and style of the fifties and just a little hint of Justin Taylor thrown in.

 

"You like them?" Justin asked with a self-conscious grin.

 

"John picked the right man for the job," Brian said with a sexy grin.

 

Justin threw himself into Brian's arms. "I was hoping you'd like them," he whispered into Brian's ear as he kissed Brian's cheek.

 

"I am a little disappointed though," Brian whispered back.

 

"Disappointed?" Justin asked pushing Brian away. "What are you disappointed about?" Justin looked crestfallen at Brian's words.

 

Brian had to smile and he said, "When Lacy came to get me, I was picturing you laid out naked underneath one of the murals all aroused and waiting for me."

 

Justin's smile beamed back immediately. "That's what you thought, huh?"

 

"Yep," Brian said.

 

"I think that could be arranged."

 

"You do?" Brian asked raising an eyebrow in surprise.

 

"Go lock the door."

 

"Naughty boy!" Brian said with a big grin.

 

"Just the way you like me," Justin said pulling his T-shirt off over his head.

 

Brian tore his eyes away and headed back to the entrance. He flipped the lock and tried the door to be sure it wouldn't open. He headed back to Justin who was lying on a drop cloth right below the fresco that Brian liked the best. It depicted some kind of bacchanal without too much graphic sex going on. They could do that part themselves.

 

"Is this what you had in mind?" Justin cooed playing with himself while he waited for Brian to get rid of his clothes.

 

"Even better than what I was thinking," Brian grinned as now naked he slid down next to this husband and kissed the lips that he loved so much. "Ready?" he asked when they broke the kiss.

 

"Always ready for you," Justin said as Brian entered him. Their lovemaking was swift and heated and wonderful.

 

When Brian pulled out after they were through, he leaned against Justin and whispered, "We should meet like this every day."

 

Justin giggled. "Even when the theater is operational."

 

"We could charge extra for people to watch. I could pay off this place that much faster."

 

"You are incorrigible," Justin laughed slapping Brian on the chest.

 

"I know, but you love me anyways."

 

"Always," Justin whispered before Brian's lips claimed his once again.

 

*****

 

St. Patrick's Day was approaching and Pittsburgh as well as most of the country was preparing for the wearing of the green. The Rage premier was all set for the fifth of April. Brian had a couple of concerns, well more than a couple of concerns. First, was the grand opening of the bowling alley. John assured Brian that it was ready, but should it a part of the theater opening or done on its own? And then of course, there was the clinic. Hunter had the solution for that one.

 

Hunter and Karen decided to keep the publicity surrounding the clinic low key. The word was already out on the street that the clinic was open and available to anyone who had need of its services. Having a big 'ta do' might even be detrimental. So, Hunter decided to have a small ceremony one afternoon and invited the principle contributors to the project. Emmett provided the lunch, nothing fancy but hearty and plenty to go around.

 

The main event was the announcement of which ex-hustler was ready for legitimate employment. Some had decided to go back to school full time or into vocational school, others decided to take advantage of the clinic's computers and take online courses. It was ongoing and quite a few of the older kids wanted to try their hand at real jobs. Hunter had a list ready for Brian and Ted to look over. A number of openings for ushers, box office, concession stand and maintenance jobs were available at the theater. The bowling alley needed its own set of employees. Some of the upper level positions were being filled by members of the community but many would be filled by Hunter's protégés. This pleased Brian to no end. His dream was a reality.

 

Justin had suggested having the grand opening for the bowling alley coincide with St. Patrick's Day. Emmett would cater; typical 'Irish' fare was planned and the whole 'family' from Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Bridgeton, as well as community leaders, were invited.

 

The newly renovated "Liberty Bowling Alley" as it was now known, was decked out in green bunting. Brian nearly gagged at the numerous leprechauns and shamrocks that hung from each wall, door and any other surface. But who was he to argue with Emmett and Debbie, his own personal decorating committee. Brian put on his happy face and tried to stay pleasant. Briana and Justin saw to that.

 

On St. Paddy's day, everyone who was anyone was Irish for the day. But Brian did manage to get back at Ted for that little Valentine cookie annoyance.

 

Early on St. Patrick's morning, Brian went to every bakery and donut stop he could find. He snuck all the sweets into the break room and placed a small placard next to the feast. It read, in Ted's distinctive scrawl, "Help Yourself." Brian left the break room nibbling on a green donut and remarked to the first person he met that there was plenty more where that came from and how thoughtful Ted was for bringing the pastries. Poor Teddy got little work done that day.

 

*****

 

"Emmett, what's on the menu?" Brian asked the master caterer, knowing full well what the main dish was.

 

"Corned beef and cabbage with boiled potatoes, of course. And I have plenty of Irish stew," Emmett drawled as he rolled his eyes.

 

"No salad?" Brian snarked. He hated corned beef and cabbage.

 

"Yes, oh mighty queen of thin. I have your fucking salad. You'd think for once you'd get with the program. Your husband and daughter seem to like my stew."

 

"Yeah, well it wasn't forced down your throat every Sunday night. I'll stick with the salad," Brian groused, but then added. "Emmett, you did a fine job here. The whole family is having a great time, including Hunter's kids. I'm really very grateful."

 

Brian's praise effectually rendered the flaming queen speechless as Brian went to mingle and be the consummate host.

 

Later on in the evening before the family went home Brian made an announcement.

 

"Ladies and gentlemen, last year at Bree's birthday we announced that anyone who wanted to go to the Rage premiere in LA would be our guest. There are also two dozen lucky contest winners who will be going to the premiere of their choice, here at the grand opening of the Liberty theater or in LA. And I'm very happy to announce that Paul Thomas and Brett Keller will fly in for our gala then fly out to get back in time for the LA opening which will be later that night. So, I'll need to know who will be going where so I can finalize the arrangements. Please see me or Ted before you leave tonight."

 

Brian set himself up at a table and had a pad with him so he could tally up the names of who wanted to go where. The Andersons et al, all wanted to be a part of the Pittsburgh premiere. They had all contributed in a large way to the success of the clinic project. It was only fitting that they should enjoy its success.

 

Debbie, Carl, the munchers, Ted, Allen, Emmett and Drew all wanted to celebrate here, in the Pitts. Hunter and Nick wanted to attend the Pittsburgh gala as well. Jennifer and Molly wanted to be wherever Justin was going to be and were very happy to attend here. When it came time for Ben and Michael to decide, Brian ran into a little hitch.

 

"LA!"

 

"Pittsburgh!"

 

Michael and Ben said respectively at the same time.

 

"Which one is it, boys?" Brian asked as he looked up at the poster men for gay marriage.

 

"Ben, come on, we have to go to LA. That's where all the stars will be!" Michael exclaimed.

 

"Baby, it's the middle of the semester; I can't fly off to California. Besides, the whole family is choosing to stay here and I'd like to celebrate with them."

 

"Be-ennn!," Michael started to whine until Debbie walked over and smacked Michael upside the head.

 

"Michael Novotny, you will be here for the opening and that's final!" Debbie stated emphatically and then walked away as Michael rubbed his head.

 

"Okay, Ma," Michael mumbled. "Pittsburgh," he grumbled to Brian. Ben winked at Brian then led his partner away.

 

"I guess that's it," Brian smirked. His whole cwazy family would join him and Justin for Rage right here in the Pitts.

 

"Dad?"

 

"Hey, Gus."

 

"Dad, can I go to the movie too? I've never been allowed to read the comic. Justin's showed me some stuff but I'm too young to read the whole comic."

 

"Gus, the movie is rated PG-13, you'll be fine and I, we, want you there. The theater has special box seats and they're all reserved for the family. You'll be sitting with me and Justin."

 

"Thanks, Pop!" Gus threw himself into his father's arms for a hug before leaving with his mothers.

 

That night, back at the cottage, Brian grew very quiet. All the renovations were complete. The bowling alley would officially open for business the following day. Already a number of schools and amateur bowling leagues had signed up to reserve dates and lanes to hold practices and tournaments. The luncheonette would be open for business and the arcade was ready for hordes of kids. And the theater was ready for Rage. John, Bobby and Patrick went back to their own cottage. Life would return to normal.

 

"Bri?"

 

"Hmm?"

 

"What's wrong?"

 

"Nothing."

 

"Brian..."

 

"I miss them."

 

"John and Bobby?"

 

"Yeah and Patrick."

 

"I miss them too. Are you considering his idea about combining the cottages?"

 

"As far-fetched as it sounds, I am. I love our peaceful life but..."

 

"You love being close to them."

 

"Yeah."

 

"I do too. We've all grown so close. And we have the land."

 

"Yes, we do."

 

"Then you should talk to John."

 

"You mean it?"

 

"I mean it. I love you, you know."

 

"I know."

 

 

All the Rage

 

Chapter 14

 

The day before the opening of Rage: The Movie, Brian Kinney was in full PR mode. He stood outside the renovated theater watching the strobe lights being mounted atop the building. They would arc through the evening sky drawing all the lucky people who had tickets to the premiere of the film in Pittsburgh.

 

Another crew was polishing the brass fixtures in the entranceway to the theater. The red carpet would arrive the following morning. Life size posters of Rage and JT and Zephyr stood in the overhang. They would be moved out to the front of the building before the VIP's started arriving. Brian smiled. Everything was going like clockwork just the way he liked it.

 

Brett Keller and Paul Thomas and their entourages would arrive later that day and the last minute details would be worked out. Brian had arranged for lots of press to cover their arrival. Most of the limos in Pittsburgh had been hired to transport the glittering special people who would attend the premiere.

 

Brian pulled out his phone and hit a number.

 

"Cynthia, did you get those hotel reservations sorted out?"

 

"All set. Brett and Paul each have a suite and their minions have all been assigned rooms."

 

"That's good. Trust that asshole Keller to change the number of people coming with him at the last moment."

 

"Don't sweat it. It's all taken care of."

 

"I never sweat it. Keller could sit in his bloody limo for the whole time he's here for all I care."

 

Cynthia chuckled. "Just heard from a couple more publications that will be there tomorrow night."

 

"Excellent. Everything is falling into place."

 

"Thanks to the hand of the master."

 

Brian smiled. "I'll be back at Kinnetik in an hour or so. You can reach me on my cell if anything comes up in the meantime."

 

Brian cut the connection. He glanced at his phone and hit number one. It rang a couple of times before a voice answered.

 

"Hey."

 

"Hey, yourself," Brian replied with a smile on his face.

 

"How's everything going at the theater?"

 

"Right on schedule."

 

"Great! Do you know what time Brett gets in?"

 

"His plane lands around five today."

 

"Do you think I should come into the city to meet him?"

 

"Damn right you should! I'm not taking him to dinner by myself."

 

"Okay, I'll be there," Justin laughed. "I'll drop Bree off with Mom and meet you at the loft around six."

 

"It's a date," Brian grinned.

 

"I remember when you hated that word."

 

"Some things do change, and dates with you are one of my guilty pleasures." Brian felt his face flush at the admission, but he didn't care. Justin was what made his life perfect. "Wear something dazzling."

 

"You don't have to compete with Brett, you know."

 

"I know, but he always has that superior attitude."

 

"And you like nothing better than showing him up."

 

"I'll see you at six," Brian said.

 

He put away his phone and went to reprimand the assholes who were moving the life size posters of Rage without a thought in the world to the fact that they were paper and could easily be damaged by their careless handling of them. He would have everything perfect for Keller and the star of their movie. After tonight no one would think of Pittsburgh as a cultural backwater.

 

*****

 

Brian pulled up in front of Pappagano's. He adjusted his tie and looked over at Justin. "Nervous?" he asked.

 

"No, You?"

 

Brian snorted. "Never."

 

They got out of the car and handed the keys to the valet.

 

"Do you think they're already here?" Justin asked.

 

"Damn well better be. I'm the one who's always fashionably late."

 

Justin smiled and slid his hand into Brian's. "Let's go."

 

They walked into the restaurant causing more than one head to turn. Brian surveyed the room with that arrogant look of his. The maitre d' hustled over and welcomed them.

 

"Is our party here?" Brian asked.

 

"Yes, Mr. Kinney, they arrived about ten minutes ago."

 

Brian smiled. He had them now. He allowed the maitre d' to lead them through the restaurant. He could see heads turning as they went by. They had a table in the back corner where four people were already sitting. Paul Thomas had brought his girlfriend, a beautiful young starlet, and Brett had some pretty woman sitting next to him.

 

"Guess they decided to go all hetero," Brian whispered.

 

"Well, Paul is, but Brett…" Justin said as they approached the table.

 

"Brian, Justin," Brett said standing up. He did the introductions and they all sat down.

 

"I see you got drinks," Brian said. "I hope they've been looking after you."

 

"Excellent service so far," Paul said.

 

"They wouldn't give us menus, said you had ordered something special," Brett added.

 

"I took the liberty. This restaurant has a salad that is to die for and their chicken Wellington just blows me away. I hope that was all right," Brian said looking around daring anyone to contradict him.

 

"There was a chorus of, "Sounds great. Oh, that sounds delicious. I can hardly wait."

 

Brian signaled to the waiter who brought more drinks. When the wine steward arrived, Brian ordered a red and a white so people could have their pick. He was in his element orchestrating everything that happened.

 

The dinner went off without a hitch. Even Brett had to admit that the food was excellent. Paul and his girlfriend raved. As dessert and coffee were selected, Brian allowed his group to make their own choices. He ordered a port and offered it to everyone as well.

 

The conversation turned to the film. Paul brought up the fact that the buzz in Hollywood was very positive. The public seemed to be very interested in the contest to win tickets to the premiere. The winners were featured on TV in L.A. Brian smiled knowingly. His promotion techniques had paid off. Now if only Brett had done justice to the film.

 

"I heard that you had restored the old theater where the film is being shown," Brett said.

 

"Actually my brother did most of the restoration," Brian replied.

 

"Your brother? Couldn't you find a real restorer in Pittsburgh?"

 

Justin reached out and rested his hand on Brian's arm. He could see Brian seething beneath his smooth façade. "My brother is an excellent restorer and architect. I think you'll be mesmerized by the theater," Brian said through clenched teeth. "And then there's Justin's frescoes."

 

"Oh, that's right, you're an artist," Paul's girlfriend said.

 

"And the creator of Rage," Brian added looking pointedly at Brett.

 

"I can hardly wait to see the theater," Paul said with a smile. "I love old buildings."

 

"Then this will be your cup of tea," Brian said.

 

"I think you'll both love what we've done with it," Justin said finally releasing Brian's arm.

 

"I'd like another port," Brett said.

 

Brian signaled the waiter and another glass appeared almost instantly. He had to smile at the prompt service. He had made his wishes known to the owner and they had certainly come through for him. Of course, the fact that he had fucked most of the staff didn't hurt either.

 

By the time they walked out of the restaurant Brett was feeling no pain and Paul had thoroughly enjoyed himself.

 

"I think having the premiere here where Rage was created was a stroke of genius," Paul said. "There's as much talk about that in Hollywood as there is about the premiere out there."

 

Brian nodded and soaked up the praise. He had known he was right about the PR, but it was always nice to have that proven to all and sundry.

 

"That's our Brian, a fucking genius," Brett said somewhat drunkenly.

 

"Looks like it's time to get everyone back to the hotel," Paul said as their limo finally pulled up. They all climbed in with assurances of meeting promptly for the premiere the following evening.

 

"That went … not bad," Brian said with a smirk.

 

"I'd say you won," Justin chuckled as they climbed into their car.

 

"Won?"

 

"When you make Brett Keller get drunk to avoid listening to everyone sing your praises, I'd say you won."

 

Brian snorted. "I don't need to win over that ass. I already know I'm better than him. But it doesn't hurt to prove it to him," Brian grinned.

 

"Let's go the loft," Justin whispered. "I want to fuck the new power player."

 

Brian's grin was spread all over his face all the way home.

 

*****

 

This was it; this was the day of reckoning for Brian, Justin, Michael, and Rage. All of Pittsburgh would be watching, sending its ripples all the way back to Hollywood. If Rage failed in his hometown, he would never recover.

 

It was arranged for the family and community leaders to arrive early to partake in a private celebration. Emmett had set up a special buffet in the theater's lobby then John, along with Justin and the lead consultant from PIFA would host a tour to point out the renovations and special highlights of the theater including the enormous crystal chandelier and the restored frescoes. Paul Thomas was extended an invitation since he expressed an appreciation for 'old buildings'. Brett was also given an invitation but Brian knew the asshole wouldn't take him up on it, preferring to make his grand entrance at the opening. Paul came, and after he'd slip out to make his entrance.

 

The family listened intently to John and Justin; even the mayor was impressed. He remarked how the whole neighborhood and city would benefit from the entire project, which included the clinic. Hunter declined photos with the mayor. He did not want the publicity to deter any potential clinic patrons. He was afraid they might be intimidated by Hunter's new notoriety. Instead, he settled for a handshake and a "well done, my boy."

 

Brian was dressed to impress and practically glowing as his brother and Justin worked the room. John may not have been at ease when it came to making speeches but when it came to discussing architecture, he could certainly hold anyone's attention. Bobby beamed at his spouse.

 

The family was given the choice of proceeding directly to their box seats or they could make the grand entrance with the rest of the honored guests. So, naturally they all followed Brian as he went out a side entrance and around to the front to walk the red carpet. The mayor himself was going to cut the ribbon with Rage and his creators. At the appointed time, they all took their places at the front entrance as the mayor made his speech.

 

"Ladies, Gentlemen, honored guests and fans of Rage!" Cheers erupted from the crowd when the mayor mentioned Rage. "It is my extreme pleasure to officiate at this opening of Rage: The Movie and the opening of the grand old and newly restored theater. May they both have a long run!" The crowd whooped and applauded as the mayor cut the ribbon and the doors opened.

 

The camera flashes went off like firecrackers as the mayor, Paul Thomas and Brett Keller were escorted into the theater and unbeknownst to them, by Hunter's 'lost boys.' Karen and Bill accompanied Hunter and Nick into the theater, each clapping Hunter on the back; his lost kids weren't lost anymore. Even Lacy showed up with Frankie and his father.

 

When everyone was seated, the overhead lights dimmed then went off leaving only the crystal chandelier shining proud. John could hear gasps and murmurs of appreciation. Gordon leaned over to his friend, "We did good, boss," he whispered into John's ear. John nodded. Then the theater went dark.

 

In one of the dressing rooms that Brian had chosen to be his refuge from the noise and crowd, Brian was pacing. He was nervous as a virgin at his first orgy. He didn't need to see the movie; he had lived through most of it. The thought of seeing JT bashed on the big screen was too much for him to bear. He was content to wait out the two hours backstage. Thank the gods, Emmett had anticipated all his needs and had set up a cooler with Brian's favorite bottled water. Brian thought he could drink a river and still feel parched. Halfway through the movie, Michael came backstage to find Brian.

 

"Hey, why are you hiding back here? The movie's great," Michael asked of his oldest and dearest friend.

 

"I can't watch. I have the DVD Brett sent us. I'll watch it at home."

 

"It can't compare to the big screen."

 

Brian just waved his hands at the remark.

 

"The memories of that night still hurt, after all this time?"

 

Brian nodded almost imperceptively. Then Brian had a horrible thought.

 

"Justin," Brian gasped.

 

"He's fine. Ma's with him and Jenn and Claire."

 

"They must think I'm a shit."

 

"No, they don't and neither does Justin. They all remember that night a little differently. Only I remember how you looked when I found you at the hospital. Justin, he still doesn't remember most of it."

 

"Thank the gods. I have that pleasure all to myself," Brian whispered.

 

Michael crossed to his friend and gave him a strong embrace. The friends clung onto each other.

 

"I love you," Michael whispered into Brian's chest.

 

"I love you too, always have, always will." They stayed together locked in their embrace until the movie had ended.

 

Brian pushed Michael back a little so he could look into the warm brown eyes.

 

"You missed the ending," Brian quipped.

 

"I know the ending. Fuck, I wrote the ending!" Michael laughed.

 

"Yeah, you did, didn't you?" Brian laughed back.

 

Then all of a sudden the theater began to quake as the audience stood to give Rage an ovation.

 

"I guess they liked it," Michael said nonchalantly.

 

"What's not to like? Rage is very likeable," Brian stated confidently as he stretched out his arms.

 

"Asshole," Michael snarked.

 

"Come on, Zephyr. I think Emmett is going to introduce us."

 

"Ready when you are, Rage!" The best of friends linked arms and walked out to the wings of the stage.

 

As the ending credits were rolling the chandelier's light began to glow and then a spot light lit a corner of the stage. Emmett, master chef and showman, stood with a microphone.

 

"Fans of Rage," Emmett began, "I'd like to introduce the makers of Rage: The Movie."

 

More cheers reverberated throughout the theater as Paul Thomas and Brett Keller were introduced. Brett commandeered the mike and went off on his take of the making of Rage, but he was gracious and wise enough to give credit where credit was due. He then passed the mike over to Paul, who, after his applause grew quiet, thanked the fans of Rage, and Brett, for giving him the opportunity to play this unique superhero. When he finished his humble speech, there was more applause then he bowed and passed the mike back to Emmett.

 

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the distinct pleasure of introducing you all to the real creators of Rage and the inspiration for JT, Zephyr, and of course, Rage."

 

There was a sudden and collective intake of air as the whole theater realized that their beloved characters were real, and not just ink and paper.

 

"Michael Novotny! The writer and creator of the story of Rage and you may recognize him as Zephyr." Michael got screams and resounding applause as he walked across the stage and took a bow.

 

"Justin Taylor! The artistic genius who brings life to Rage and his sidekick. You may also know him as JT." The crowd went wild as Justin, JT, the object of Rage's affection glided across the stage to take his bow and his place next to Michael.

 

"And now, our dear fans of Rage, the man himself, the real Rage and without him, none of this would be possible. Hold on to your seats boys and girls, Rage is here. Brian Kinney!"

 

The theater erupted in deafening applause and cheers as Brian sauntered across the stage looking so much like his alter ego. The ageless Brian fucking Kinney took a curt bow then swept his JT up into his strong arms. The crowd went wild.

 

"Thank you all!" Emmett called out through the mike. "And good night. Long live Rage!"

 

*****

 

In the ballroom of the hotel where Brett and Paul were staying, a special gala was set up to celebrate the opening. The contest winners were treated to dinner, dancing and autographs from Paul and Brett. Many of the fans brought their comics to have signed and of course, they all wanted the autographs of the real Rage, JT and Zephyr. Gus beamed with pride as his dad signed comic after comic without a grumble. He giggled as Brian was forced to put on his Rage face time and time again. Again the cameras went off as the fans stood in line to have pictures taken with Rage the man and Rage the actor. Even John was asked to pose with his look-a-like brother. The movie promised to be a huge success. And a fantastic time was had by all!

 

Bobby's phone vibrated in his pocket and he went to find a quiet corner to answer.

 

Rachel was looking after Patrick and Briana, and knew to call him if they were needed.

 

"Hello?"

 

"Ola, Senor Bobby?"

 

"Si, this is Bobby. Who is this?"

 

"Senor Bobby, it is Miguel."

 

"Miguel? Edna's Miguel?"

 

"Si, yes. Mister Bobby, my English, not so good."

 

"It's okay, Miguel, I understand you. Why are you calling?"

 

"My lady, Senora Edna, she has gone to her beloved husband."

 

"What? Um, que?"

 

"Miss Edna has died, three days ago, in her sleep. Very peaceful. She wanted you and Senors Brian, Juan and Justin to know."

 

"Oh Miguel, I am so, so sorry. Is there something we can do for you? We all loved her so much."

 

"Si, I know this. Can you come to the hacienda?"

 

"Yes, yes. I'm not sure when but some of us will come as soon as we can."

 

"Gracias, Mister Bobby. Miss Edna left you many things. Please come when you can."

 

"We will, and I'm so sorry Miguel. We will miss her."

 

"Si, Mister Bobby, I will also miss her."

 

The connection was lost and Bobby stood not knowing what to do. John watched as Bobby walked back into the ballroom to rejoin the party.

 

"What is it, baby? Are the kids okay?" John asked, seeing the look of anguish on his partner's face.

 

"They're fine, a client … I'll tell you all about it later, at the loft."

 

"Okay, if you're sure." John kissed Bobby's flaming red hair and gave him a little squeeze.

 

"I'm sure. Let's go rescue Rage; he's been ravished by the hordes." Bobby chuckled at the sight of Brian surrounded by his overzealous fans.

 

"Brother and brother-in-law of Rage to the rescue," John laughed as they went to Brian's side.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 1

 

"I'm going to miss you," Justin whimpered as Brian carefully withdrew from him. The lovers had been spending their last few days together fucking, sucking and making love every minute they could, as Brian was preparing for his trip to Panama.

 

It was mid-May. The Rage movie was still going strong. The bowling alley was already in the black and Hunter's clinic was making a difference in their corner of the world. It was decided that Brian and Bobby would make the trip to Panama, leaving John and Justin home with the children. Justin was preparing a 'Rage' show for the Bloom gallery. And as the result of the magnificent work John's construction company did on the bathhouse, theater and bowling alley, he was spending a lot of time in Pittsburgh with new clients. It made sense for them to stay behind, even though none of them were very pleased about the whole idea. But practicality won out. There was no way the dads were going to put the kids through all the vaccinations they would need to go out of the country. End of discussion.

 

"I know, Justin. I'm going to miss you and the kids, but it can't be helped. Bobby spoke to Miguel. Edna must have carried on the search for more Kinney's. He said she made a significant find but then she got sick and quickly made arrangements for us to take possession of them. I wish there was another way to do this but we have to bring documentation that we're, I mean me, that I'm the rightful owner. Aside from our names being similar, Miguel said the portraits themselves would leave little doubt that I'm related to Kinney."

 

"I realize all this, Brian, and it makes sense that Bobby goes with you. You may need a lawyer, and he speaks Spanish well enough to get you through the red tape. Bobby said he cabled Mr. Perez and he's willing to help too."

 

"Maybe that will make things go faster. I hope we can wrap things up within two weeks."

 

Brian gathered Justin in his arms as they rested after their heated round of lovemaking. After a long silence Justin whispered softly something that was pressing on his mind.

 

"Bri?"

 

"Hmm?"

 

"You and Bobby..."

 

"What about him?"

 

"You care a lot about him."

 

"Of course, I do! I love him."

 

"And he loves you, but..."

 

"Justin, what's going on in that little blond brain of yours?"

 

"You're going to be far from home and we loved Edna so much and he's so beautiful and..."

 

"And your gerbil is going to die from over-exhaustion if you don't stop this nonsense. Justin, I haven't been with anyone else in over eight years, I'm not going back on my vow and neither will Bobby. You have to believe that."

 

"I do. In my head, I do, but..."

 

"Justin, you and John will be spending a lot of time here alone too. And I know he's attracted to you, anyone who sees you is attracted to you, but I know my brother and I trust you. Please trust me," Brian whispered, almost pleading.

 

"I do trust you. But if something happens between you two, if you need his comfort, I'll understand."

 

"Jus, all the comfort I expect from Big Red, is a peck on the cheek and maybe a hug. And that's as far as the comfort will go. That's all the understanding I need you to have," Brian said emphatically.

 

"Okay," Justin murmured against Brian's chest as Brian rolled Justin on top of him.

 

Patting Justin's well-fucked butt, Brian made a suggestion.

 

"Justin, I think I wore you out. You sore?"

 

"A little, but it's a nice sore."

 

"Then how about you wear out my butt."

 

"You mean it?"

 

"Yeah, I want to feel you all the way to Panama," Brian purred into Justin's blond mane.

 

"Your wish is my command," Justin purred back as he reached for the lube to prepare his spouse.

 

*****

 

Bobby rolled off his husband then found himself crushed against John's strong broad chest.

 

"God! I'm going to miss you," John exclaimed into Bobby's red hair.

 

"Not anymore than I'm going to miss you but we all can't go."

 

"I realize that but knowing doesn't make it any easier."

 

"Yeah," Bobby softly agreed. "You guys going to be okay while we're gone?"

 

"Yes. Grandma Claire has rallied the troops. Justin, the kids and I will be fine. He has a show to work on and I have a dozen new clients in Pittsburgh to keep me busy. We'll be fine."

 

"John, you and Justin..."

 

"What about him?"

 

"He's very attractive and you could be Brian's twin."

 

"And Justin's so in love with my brother, and I'm not stupid," John chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. Ever since they learned of Edna's death and they had decided who was going to go to Panama, there was a dark cloud lingering above both cottages.

 

"No, you're not, but you're human and I completely understand if you find yourself in need of some human contact with him. And I'd rather it be him than some stranger."

 

"No, you wouldn't and nothing's going to happen. Bobby, as beautiful and sexy as Justin is, he's also young enough to be my son. And that's how I think of him. So get any thoughts of me and Justin 'contacting' out of that red head of yours. You get me?"

 

"I get you, and I want you in me. Now!" Bobby demanded as he maneuvered himself under his spouse.

 

"Mmm, my fiery red-head," John whispered as he reached for the lube.

 

*****

 

The next afternoon, John, Bobby and Patrick drove to Brian and Justin's cottage. It was decided Brian and Bobby would leave from there, drive to Brian's loft, leave the car there then take a cab to the airport. It was all neat and well orchestrated. And none of them were very happy about it.

 

When Bobby and John arrived they found Brian sitting in the kitchen brushing the Squirt's hair. The slow methodical brushing seemed to be pleasing to both of them.

 

"What's going on?" Bobby asked staring at Brian.

 

"He doesn't want to leave Bree. He's afraid she'll grow up and forget him while he's away," Justin replied.

 

"He'll only be gone for a few days," John replied.

 

"Um … John, I know how he feels," Bobby said softly. "Quite frankly I'm worried about leaving our little guy. Bobby leaned over and chucked Patrick's cheek. Patrick giggled and hid behind John's leg. "I hate the thought of leaving Patrick behind. There's something about not being the biological parent that makes me want to be near him all the time. It's like he'll lose his connection with me if I'm not there for him."

 

"That's crazy, Bobby," John said giving his husband a gentle hug.

 

"I know it is, but it doesn't stop me from feeling it. I can't help myself, and I bet Brian can't either."

 

They all stood in the doorway watching Brian continue the slow brushing of his daughter's hair. Then his fingers twined in the golden locks and he buried his nose in Bree's fine, soft hair. He began to murmur to his daughter too low for the others to hear.

 

"I love you, Squirt. I'll miss you like crazy. Will you miss me, or will your little life go on just like normal? I want you to remember me. I'm coming back. I promise."

 

Bree turned her head and looked up into her father's sad eyes. "Sad, Daddy?" she asked and patted his cheek.

 

"Just a bit," Brian replied and leaned down to kiss her forehead.

 

"Brian," Justin interrupted. "Bobby and John are here. It's time to go."

 

Justin watched Brian's arms tighten around Bree. He was afraid Brian was going to break down completely. They held their breath as Brian straightened his back and stood up. He kissed Bree again and handed her to Justin.

 

"I'm ready," he said.

 

"Let's go," Bobby responded immediately, thinking that he should get Brian out of there as fast as possible.

 

John grabbed Brian's suitcase and took it out to the car. Brian checked that he had his passport and money and cell phone. He crushed Justin and Bree in a final hug.

 

"Look after Bree and Gus until I get back."

 

"I will," Justin promised as he kissed his husband.

 

John returned and Brian pulled him into a fiery hug. "Look after my family, big brother."

 

"You got it. We'll be fine, Brian. Hurry back. And take care of the man I love."

 

"I will."

 

Brian and Bobby climbed into the car and with a final wave to Justin holding Bree and John holding Patrick, they set off on their adventure to Panama. Bobby was driving, but he couldn't help looking over at Brian to make sure the man was all right as they headed down the road.

 

"I'm fine," Brian said after a few miles.

 

"I know you are," Bobby stated.

 

"Then stop looking at me."

 

"I … I've never seen you so emotional," Bobby admitted.

 

"It doesn't happen often."

 

"I had a meltdown earlier today at the thought of leaving Patrick, like somehow I'd be forgotten because Patrick isn't totally my blood. Is that how you were feeling?"

 

"Sort of. I've never been away from Bree since she was born, not for more than a day or two. I need to protect her and look after her."

 

"Justin will do that."

 

"I know … but it's not the same."

 

"Where's the big, bad Brian Kinney who's supposed to look after me on this trip?" Bobby joked.

 

"Oh, he's here, but where the Squirt's concerned, I'm a bag of mush."

 

Bobby laughed. "That's for sure."

 

Brian glared but then smiled and they set off on their trip with less emotion. The trip to the loft was soon over and then they were on the plane waiting to taxi down the runway.

 

"I never thought I'd be going back to Panama," Bobby said.

 

"Neither did I."

 

"I wish we were going to visit Edna, instead of seeing what she has left us."

 

"It won't be the same without her there," Brian admitted.

 

The plane started to taxi into position. "Well, this is it. It will be interesting to see what Miguel has for us."

 

Brian nodded and leaned back as the plane started to lift off.

 

*****

 

"Why haven't we heard from them? It's been hours. They should be at Edna's by now!" John was nervously pacing the cottage. He had tracked Brian and Bobby's flight and it appeared to have landed on time. He had half expected his phone to ring the minute the plane hit the tarmac.

 

"John, maybe they can't get a signal. Who knows how powerful cell towers are down there," Justin offered by way of an explanation.

 

John nodded at Justin's logic. "You're right, of course, and I'm acting like an overly dramatic drama queen." John sighed loudly as he checked the chicken in the oven. John and Justin were preparing their evening meal. John and Patrick planned to stay at Brian and Justin's cottage while Brian and Bobby were away. It was the practical thing to do since he and Justin were spending most of their time in Pittsburgh.

 

"Yeah, well, you can count me in on feeling like a drama queen. I keep looking at my phone too, wishing it would ring. Mmm, the chicken smells good," Justin commented as his stomach gave an appreciative growl.

 

"I think your stomach agrees. We have some time till dinner. I'll get the kids washed up and they can help us make the salad. Okay?" As Claire had taught him well, there would be little time for idle hands.

 

"Okay. I want to clean up my brushes before they ruin."

 

John went for the children as Justin went to clean up his studio. No idle hands.

 

*****

 

"A-llooo! Mr. Brian and Mr. Bobby! It is sooo good to see you again. And muy bonito!" Brian and Bobby were expecting Miguel to pick them up at the airport but this was not Edna's Miguel. This was the Miguel who reminded them all of Agador from "The Birdcage". And he was standing on the other side of customs, waving frantically at them.

 

"Miguel? What are you doing here?" Bobby asked quickly as an inspector was rifling through his carry-on bag.

 

"My Juan has sent me to bring you to Senora Galloway's house. Edna's Miguel, very sad, very, very sad. Too sad and sick to drive. It will be my pleasure to drive you and to attend to every need while you visit." Miguel had a mischievous grin on his face.

 

Bobby made it through to the other side and was engulfed in the long arms of the flaming Miguel.

 

"Miguel," Brian growled as he pried his red-headed brother-in-law out of Miguel's roaming hands.

 

"Forgive me, Mr. Brian. It is so good to see you again." Miguel gave Brian a chaste hug. Looking around, Miguel gave the men a curious look.

 

"My brother and Justin aren't with us. They had to stay home with our children," Brian explained.

 

"Children?" Miguel was very surprised.

 

"Yes, John and I have a son, Patrick, and Brian and Justin have a little girl named Briana," Bobby stated proudly. Miguel looked at both men who beamed back with pride and shook his head.

 

"Adios Mio!" Miguel stated loudly.

 

"Miguel, we'll show you pictures of the children, later. Can we go to Edna's now? It was a long flight and we're tired."

 

"Excusa me, Mr. Brian. Si, of course. We go now. So sorry." Miguel continued to mutter away quietly as he grabbed both their bags and showed Brian and Bobby to Juan's car.

 

*****

 

"God, I'm stuffed. I didn't think I was that hungry," Justin commented as he patted his full belly. John softly chuckled. It was one of the comforting constants in his life, Justin's hearty appetite. The children appeared to be full too. Patrick and Bree were rubbing their full bellies too.

 

"I'm happy everyone liked my chicken. And we have plenty to make sandwiches and salads," John said as he started to clear the dinner table. "Justin, can you clean up the kids? I want to put the kettle on. I can use a cup of tea."

 

"Me too!" Justin agreed as he spirited the children away towards the bathroom.

 

*****

 

"Mr. Perez?" Bobby started to question the gentleman who was so helpful to them all when they visited Costa Rico eight years prior.

 

"Juan, por favor."

 

"Juan. I don't understand. Why are you here in Panama? Please don't misunderstand me. Brian and I are grateful to see familiar faces but when did you meet Edna? How did you meet Edna?"

 

Miguel had driven Brian and Bobby to Edna's home and they were met by Juan Perez, their savior, while in Costa Rico. And it appeared that Miguel and Juan were still in a relationship.

 

"Senora Galloway contacted me, she contacted all of us."

 

"All of you? I don't understand." Brian scanned Juan and both Miguels. Edna's Miguel was clearly tired and weakened by the loss of his mistress and friend.

 

"Mr. Brian, did you not know that your Justin wrote to Edna and spoke of the Kinney journal and paintings? And he sent Senora Edna copies of newspapers about what you did with the paintings and of how they helped children. He sent many pictures including the final resting place of Kinney and Patrick. Mr. Justin wrote many details. My Juan and Senora Edna were able to contact all those you met during your sojourn. We had taken up your cause to find evidence of the artist and his love. Each in our own homeland, and we kept in contact with the good Senora. It was her plan to have the four of you come here to see what we accomplished."

 

Brian stood silent, gaping at Miguel's words. Juan and Edna's Miguel smiled through their grief.

 

"Even Father Paul?" Bobby asked with astonishment.

 

"Si," Edna's Miguel said softly.

 

"Well, fuck me!" Brian exclaimed.

 

"It would be my pleasure, Mr. Brian," Miguel laughed. And then they all laughed as Edna's Miguel passed around small glasses filled with rum and they all toasted Edna and the lives she touched.

 

After some time Bobby remarked, "Miguel, may I use your phone. We must call home; John and Justin must be worried sick."

 

"Of course, Senor Bobby, please, this way." The elder Miguel showed Brian and Bobby the phone.

 

*****

 

"Hello?" A sleepy Justin answered the phone.

 

"Hey."

 

"Hey, yourself. You guys okay?" Justin yawned as he heard his husband's voice.

 

"We're fine. You okay? How's the Squirt?" Brian asked, his heart aching to be home with Justin and his family.

 

"She's fine, Bri. It hasn't even been twenty-four hours."

 

"I know but I miss her, miss you."

 

"We miss you too. How's Miguel and Marta?"

 

"Justin, it's a very long story, something for your Sunshine File and your journal, but go get John. I have one anxious red-head here wanting to speak to his husband."

 

"Okay." Brian heard some fumbling and then John came on the line.

 

"Bobby?"

 

"No, it's me, big bro. You looking out for my family?"

 

"Yes, I am. Not a blond hair out of place. You looking out for my man?"

 

"Yes, hold on before he rips the phone from my hand." John softly chuckled as he heard Brian grumble and Bobby demand the phone.

 

"Give me that! John?"

 

"I'm here, baby. I miss you."

 

"Miss you too."

 

"You at Edna's?"

 

"Yes, and you wouldn't believe who else is here."

 

"Who?"

 

"Juan Perez and his Miguel!"

 

"Agador, Miguel?"

 

"The very same."

 

"How?"

 

"Long story. Look, we're tired. The old man's about to drop."

 

"Hey, watch it with the old shit!" Brian was heard in the background.

 

"Then take the old man to bed and e-mail us in the morning. Bobby, I love you, hurry up home."

 

"God, John, I miss you so much. I love you. Kiss Patrick for me. Put Justin back on before Brian has a cow." Brian grabbed the phone and gave Bobby a weary glare.

 

"Brian?" Justin said into the phone.

 

"I'm here, Sunshine, I'm here," Brian whispered, his voice cracking with emotion.

 

"I love you, come home soon."

 

"As soon as we can."

 

"Promise?"

 

"I promise. Give Bree a kiss for me and let Gus know what's going on. We'll e-mail you tomorrow with the details. Now go to sleep. I know Sidney's been keeping you busy."

 

"Yes, you big smoosh."

 

"Justin..."

 

"I know, you sooo love me. Take care of Bobby. Later, Bri."

 

"Later, Sunshine." Brian cut the connection then drew Bobby into a hug, Brian's chin resting on top of the red head.

 

"You all right, big guy?" Bobby asked into Brian's chest. Brian only grunted, unable to speak at the moment. "Come on, let's go to bed."

 

Brian pushed Bobby away so that he could look into the gray blue eyes and arched an eyebrow.

 

"If you promise to behave yourself, I'll guard your virtue while we sleep. I don't think either one of us will sleep if we're alone. And I think Miguel has designs on your killer body," Bobby said with almost a straight face.

 

"Uh, um..." Brian sputtered.

 

"I, on the other hand, can resist your charms," Bobby stated with confidence. Brian nodded and followed the red-head back to the others to say their goodnights.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 2

 

The following day Brian and Bobby set about looking into the files that Edna had assembled for them. There were at least three new places where Edna seemed to have discovered some Kinney/Patrick artwork.

 

Amongst the papers was a page that Bobby immediately recognized as a page from Kinney's journal. It revealed something that they had not known before. It read:

 

I have been troubled lately by thoughts of my wife and children who I have abandoned for all intents and purposes. They are left alone in America while Patrick and I make our way here in Central America. I know they are well provided for, but I miss them and can't help wondering what the children have grown to be.

 

I long to hold a little one in my arms again. Patrick says we should try to adopt a baby here, or maybe one of us could father a child by a local woman. As much as I would love to have a child with us, I can't see either of those things happening. Patrick, however, is quite taken with the idea. We will have to have a long talk about this.

 

"What the fuck do you suppose this means?" Brian asked having read the passage aloud.

 

"Do you suppose there's a little Kinney or Patrick running around Panama somewhere?" Bobby asked in return.

 

"If there was a child we would be looking at someone a couple of generations later. Did you find any more references to a child anywhere?"

 

"Not yet."

 

"I can't believe that there might be some Kinney descendants down here."

 

"You Kinneys do get around, don't you?" Bobby laughed.

 

"Twat," Brian reacted. He wasn't at all sure how he felt about this unexpected turn of events. It didn't sound like Kinney was very eager to follow Patrick's suggestion, but Brian knew how persuasive blond boys could be. He turned his attention back to the documents to see if he could find any other references to a child.

 

*****

 

Meanwhile back at the cottage, Justin was getting Bree dressed after breakfast. John was doing the same for Patrick. Neither of them had had a very restful night. Sleeping without their partners did not lead to a peaceful sleep.

 

"Are you sure you want to keep both the kids today?" John asked.

 

"I'll be fine with them."

 

"But don't you need to paint?"

 

"I can do that when they're napping or when you come home tonight."

 

"I like the sound of coming home. I really want to get started on moving our cottage over here next to yours," John stated.

 

"Then why don't you set the wheels in motion while Brian and Bobby are away? Maybe we could surprise them with a fait accompli for when they return."

 

"I don't think they'll be gone that long, at least I hope they won't," John said with a frown. "But I could get the process started."

 

"Go for it," Justin said.

 

"Patwick," Bree said reaching out towards her cousin. "Pway."

 

"You're going to play nicely with Patrick, aren't you?" Justin asked.

 

Bree nodded her head. "Dolly?"

 

"Here's Dolly," Justin said handing her Raggedy Anne.

 

"Love Dolly," Bree gushed hugging Raggedy Anne close to her chest. "Down."

 

Justin set her down and she ran over to Patrick and took his hand.

 

"Play nice, Patrick," John admonished.

 

Bree tugged Patrick's hand and they ran to the sun porch to see what they could find in the toy chest that was kept in a spot out there.

 

"See, they'll be fine. Go to work," Justin said.

 

"Okay, and thanks for letting me stay here, Justin. I would have been so lonely at home. I mean … I'm still lonely without Bobby, but not as lonely as I would have been at our cottage without him. You know what I mean."

 

"I know," Justin smiled. "I miss Brian too."

 

John gave Justin a hug and called out goodbye to Patrick. He grabbed his briefcase and headed out the door. Justin watched him, wondering how he was going to last all the days until Brian came back. He missed him so much.

 

*****

 

"Miguel, are you feeling better?" Brian asked the elder Miguel. He and Bobby were worried about the gentleman who was suffering the loss of his longtime mistress and friend. The housekeeper, Marta, hovered closely, bringing him tea and making sure he ate regularly.

 

"I am good. I miss my Senora," Miguel said forlornly. Brian knelt closely and agreed.

 

"We miss her too. She was a wonderful person. So bold and so filled with love, all of us were proud to have known her and you and Marta. Edna was very fond of you both and she appreciated how you took care of her and her husband's chapel. That meant a lot to her."

 

"Gracias, Mr. Brian. Senora Edna love you. She called you her sons, she very proud of you and Mr. Justin. She wrote to all those you met here and found more paintings. She kept them safe, en banco," Miguel tried to explain to Brian.

 

"Miguel, are you well enough to take us to the bank?"

 

"Si, maybe Senor Perez will allow Miguelito to drive." The elder Miguel gave Brian a small smile.

 

Patting Miguel's knee, Brian went to find Bobby and the others for a road trip to Edna's bank and perhaps more Kinney's.

 

The younger Miguel drove Edna's car as the elder Miguel gave him the directions. Juan Perez who still was the bank manager of the First National Bank of Cartago, thought it best to accompany Brian and Bobby. Bobby had the necessary documents to prove Brian Kinney was the rightful heir to the Kinney legacy and the senior Miguel had a copy of Edna's will. The will clearly stated that any and all paintings, sketches, photos and/or documentation pertaining to JABKinney and Patrick Taylor, were to go to Brian Kinney or Justin Taylor or their emissaries.

 

Juan had made contact with the local bank manager who was also saddened when he learned of Edna Galloway's passing. She was one of the oldest and dearest customers of his bank. Edna spoke enthusiastically of the paintings she had found and left in his vault for safety. Esteban Sanchez was looking forward to meeting Juan Perez and Brian Kinney.

 

"Senor Sanchez, I am Juan Perez," Juan began his introductions. "This is Brian Kinney from America and his friend and lawyer Roberto Morrison. And this is Senor Miguel Colon," Juan indicated Edna's Miguel.

 

"Miguel and I are old friends. I am so sorry; we will miss Senora Edna. She was a very good lady." Mr. Sanchez shared a hug with Miguel. The younger Miguel cleared his throat.

 

"Oh, and this is my friend Miguel Cortez. He is my constant companion." Juan's Miguel beamed. Brian shifted his weight nervously back and forth on his feet. All this chitchat was giving him a headache. All he wanted was to see what Edna had found and get the hell out of Panama and back home to his family. Sensing Brian's impatience, Juan focused on the subject at hand.

 

"Mr. Sanchez, I do not wish to be rude but Mr. Kinney and Mr. Morrison have traveled a long way and miss their families. May we proceed with the transfer? I believe we have all the documents you require."

 

"Of course! Gentlemen, please follow me." They all followed Sanchez toward the vault. After copies of the will and Brian's passport were made Sanchez brought Brian and Bobby to the vault. There in a special cabinet were six paintings, three small sculptures and a carton filled with documents.

 

"Holy shit!" Bobby exclaimed.

 

"Well, fuck me!" Brian murmured. With Juan and the younger Miguel's assistance, the Kinney treasure was moved into Sanchez's office.

 

"I can't believe Edna found all this." Brian was astounded as he rifled through the papers and photos.

 

"Brian, how are we going to get all of this home? I can't see this stuff as carry-on luggage. It's hundreds of years old. I won't trust it on the plane."

 

"You're right. Mr. Sanchez, do you know a UPS store nearby?" Brian asked the banker.

 

"Brian?" Bobby wasn't quite sure what Brian had in mind.

 

"Bobby, we bring everything to UPS. They'll pack it and ship it."

 

"But..."

 

"No buts. I use UPS all the time. We'll watch them pack up everything and I'll be making a strategically timed phone call as we catalogue what we ship. And of course, we insure everything for millions," Brian stated smugly.

 

"Millions?" Bobby gaped at his brother-in-law.

 

"Yes, millions. I have no idea if these paintings are authentic. We'll leave that to Sidney, but I won't take any chances."

 

"Okay, lead on." Bobby stood back and watched the master at work. Soon they were thanking Mr. Sanchez for all his help, bidding him goodbye, loading the treasure into Edna's car and heading to the UPS store.

 

*****

 

"Hello?"

 

"Hi Justin, it's John."

 

"Hey, didn't you just leave here a little while ago?"

 

"Yeah, but I wanted to give you the heads up. I'm going ahead with the plans to move our cottage so I need to send a crew to your house to start the process. Gordon is going to head up this project since I'm spending a lot of time in Pittsburgh. Besides I need an objective opinion on this project."

 

"Okay, okay!" Justin laughed at the tone of John's voice. So much determination, just like Brian when he's hawking a pitch. "Thanks for the warning, John. See you later."

 

"Later, kid."

 

*****

 

Bobby knocked on the guest room door hoping that Brian was still awake.

 

"Come in," Brian called out. Seeing a worried Bobby, Brian waved him closer to the bed.

 

"Come here," Brian whispered softly as he patted the bed. "What's wrong?"

 

"I miss John and Patrick. I know it's silly. We've been separated by business before but at least we were in the same country. Brian can we go home tomorrow?" Bobby pleaded.

 

Brian gently nudged the red-head down onto the bed next to him then turned to face him.

 

"Sure, Big Red, I'll call the airline in the morning and try to get us on the first flight out." Brian swiped a lock of red hair away from Bobby's pretty sad eyes.

 

"You know that was quite a show you put on this afternoon," Bobby casually remarked as he gazed steadily into Brian's hazel eyes.

 

"I have no idea what you mean," Brian drawled.

 

"Yes you do. You were very, very..."

 

"Masterful?"

 

"You could put it that way. You barreled through and took charge."

 

"I'm a take charge kind of guy."

 

"I know. In other circumstances I would have found the whole episode a turn on."

 

"Really? I'm intrigued, a big bad top like you turned on by a little assertiveness. And you lawyer types, a very aggressive and assertive breed."

 

"And your brother's no wuss. He's rather a..."

 

"Bossy bottom?"

 

"Mmm, I see you know the type." Bobby chuckled warmly at Brian. Their little banter was beginning to relax him. Bobby wasn't feeling so lonely and homesick as before.

 

"Bobby, years ago I would have had you up on all fours while I pounded into you."

 

"Probably. And now?"

 

"And now, all I want is to hug one of my best friends while I try to get some sleep. I miss my family too. And my brother is one hell of a lucky man. Thank you for taking this journey with me. This delving into the past, gives me the creeps."

 

"I understand that but remember, delving into the past led you Claire and John. And now we have more Kinney papers to weed through, not to mention the art treasure trove. I bet Sidney was ecstatic on the phone."

 

"Yes, he was. He'll be counting down the minutes until the shipment arrives. I should have called Justin but then he would have wanted to fly right down."

 

"Then John would have been right behind him. Brian, can I sleep here with you?"

 

"Wh, what?"

 

"Please, Bri. I didn't sleep very well last night and I'm so tired. You almost..."

 

"Almost what?"

 

"You almost smell like John. I..."

 

"Shhh. Go to sleep. For a big bad lawyer, you do a good impression of a little boy."

 

"Something about you Kinney men, makes us blue-eyed types turn into goo."

 

"Sleep. We have a lot to do tomorrow."

 

"'K." Bobby murmured as Brian pulled the sheet over both of them and snuggled close. Brian soon heard Bobby's even breathing as he fell asleep.

 

"Sleep well, Red. I'll get us home as soon as I can. I promise. I miss my love too," Brian whispered into the soft red hair. With thoughts of Justin and his children filling his head, Brian went to sleep.

 

*****

 

"Brian?" Justin called out into the dark at the Brian shaped shadow near the sun porch door.

 

"Sorry, Justin, it's me, John," John answered back.

 

"Oh," Justin groaned as he punched a pillow.

 

"Sorry to wake you. I'm so tired but I just can't seem to sleep and I have to drive into Pittsburgh tomorrow."

 

"You want to sleep with me?" Justin couldn't see it but he thought he could almost hear that Kinney eyebrow arch up. "I meant sleep, nothing else, cause if I don't get any real sleep soon, I won't have the energy to look after the kids or do any painting. I don't need Sidney on my back."

 

John stood at the glass door for a few moments, nodded then slowly made his way into the bedroom Justin shared with his brother.

 

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Justin?" John said hesitantly.

 

"John, have you slept since they left?"

 

"Not really."

 

"Then get your ass in this bed."

 

"Yes, sir!" John eased his way onto the huge four poster. Justin edged closer so that he was at John's side. The last thing John heard as he slid into a peaceful sleep was a loud sigh emanating from Justin's side of the bed as he too went to sleep.

 

Patrick and Bree snuck into the sun porch. They had been awake for a while and Patrick had very kindly showed Bree how she could get herself out of her crib. The children made their way over to the big four poster and watched John and Justin sleep.

 

"Dada," Bree said softly.

 

"Sh," Patrick replied putting his finger to his lips.

 

Bree giggled but said no more. She couldn't help but grab her father's toe which was sticking out from under the sheet. Justin shifted and turned on his back when she touched him. He let out a small moan.

 

Patrick took Bree's hand and pulled her towards the bed. It was a long way up onto the bed but Patrick being taller climbed up first and helped Bree to squiggle up beside him. They sat at the end of the bed watching their fathers sleep.

 

Patrick whispered in Bree's ear. She giggled and nodded her head. And then they pounced. Justin felt a weight hit him in the chest and sat up abruptly tumbling a laughing Bree down onto his legs. Patrick hit his father's chest when he pounced, but having more experience with doing this, he held onto John's neck as his father bolted upright.

 

"What the…?" John sputtered and then started to laugh as Patrick kissed his face. "Where did you come from, little Red?"

 

"We were waiting for you to wake up?" Patrick replied. "Why are you sleeping with Uncle Justin?"

 

John and Justin shared a shocked look. That didn't sound good at all. Justin was pulling Bree up into his arms while the little girl giggled at the joke they had played on their fathers.

 

"You're in for it now, munchkin," Justin laughed as he blew raspberries on Bree's cheek. Bree giggled in delight. "I guess you guys are ready for breakfast, huh?"

 

Bree nodded and Patrick yelled, "Yes!"

 

John looked at the clock and realized that they had slept right through the alarm. It was the first good sleep either of them had had since their husbands left for Panama.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 3

 

"Brian?" Justin said as he answered the phone.

 

"Hi, Sunshine," came Brian's response. Justin could hear the smile in his voice.

 

"You're calling early in the morning." Justin and John had just finished feeding the kids. "What's up?"

 

"I have big news."

 

"You do? What happened?"

 

"Edna managed to find six new Kinney paintings and some sculptures. I'm having them sent by UPS to Sidney. They should be in Pittsburgh this afternoon. I thought you might want to go into the city and see them when they arrive at Sidney's."

 

"Holy fucking shit! Six more! And some sculptures." John raised an eyebrow and stared at Justin wondering what this conversation was all about. "Edna certainly was busy."

 

"She was a game old doll. We owe her a lot."

 

"That's for sure."

 

"The other reason you might want to come to the city is that Bobby and I have managed to book a flight home for late this afternoon. We'll be back in Pittsburgh just before ten tonight."

 

"You're coming home so soon?" Justin gasped. "That's the best news of all."

 

"I'm glad you feel that way. We have some papers to sign this morning and a few loose ends to tie up, but Bobby and I both wanted to get home as soon as we could."

 

"That's wonderful." John was looking askance at Justin wondering what was going on. Justin gave him a thumbs up, and mouthed that he would explain.

 

"Here's the flight info," Brian said and Justin quickly jotted it down. "And bring Bree with you," Brian begged.

 

"But that's way past her bedtime."

 

"I know, and if she's asleep, that's fine. I just really need to see her little face … and yours."

 

"Okay, she'll be there," Justin said knowing how hard it had been for Brian to leave Bree in the first place.

 

"I love you," Brian whispered.

 

"And I love you right back," Justin stated. "See you soon."

 

"Later," Brian said before cutting the connection.

 

"What was that all about?" John asked.

 

"They're coming home tonight," Justin said his face radiant with love.

 

"No way!"

 

"Yep, just before ten tonight."

 

"Then everything must have gone really well."

 

"Apparently."

 

"What was that about Bree?"

 

"Brian wants me to bring her to the airport. I don't think he can wait to hold her."

 

"And Bobby's coming with him?"

 

"Yes."

 

Just then John's cell phone rang and he rushed to answer it, knowing that it was probably Bobby telling him all the same things that Brian had told Justin. When John hung up, he had a big grin on his face.

 

"What?" Justin asked.

 

"Bobby wants me to bring Patrick too. We're going to have a couple of sleepy children to contend with, but Bobby decided that we should all take tomorrow off. We'll drive back here tonight after we pick them up. We can all sleep in as long as we want."

 

"That sounds like a plan. If we take the Navigator, I could put Bree's car seat in it, and Patrick's is already installed. We can all squeeze into it for the ride back to the cottage. I need to go into Pittsburgh with you today. We could drop the kids at the daycare at Kinnetik and then pick them up for dinner. They could have a nap at the loft before we go to the airport."

 

"Great, then let's do it. I have to see a client at ten over near Saint Anthony's Church."

 

"Father Tom would love to see Bree, I bet," Justin said. "I could visit with him until you're done with the client and then we could drop the kids at Kinnetik and I could head for the gallery."

 

"Let's get this show on the road," John said. "Patrick, Papa's coming home tonight, and so is Uncle Brian."

 

"Yay!" Patrick yelled and skipped around the room. Bree followed him doing her best to imitate what he was doing even if she wasn't sure what all the fuss was about."

 

*****

 

John, Justin and the kids packed themselves up for the trip into Pittsburgh. Like most parents of young children, the back of the Navigator had extra clothes, blankets and snacks. The plan was to drop off John for the meeting with his client while Justin took the kids to see Father Tom. The good father had never met Briana and hadn't seen Patrick for some time. As John was driving toward the church, a thought came to him.

 

"Justin, why hasn't Briana been baptized? I know you're not Catholic but Brian is. I'm sure Father Tom would do it. He did officiate at your wedding," John queried his brother-in-law.

 

"The subject never came up," Justin countered.

 

"Never? But Brian agreed to be Patrick's godfather. You'd think he'd want the same for Bree."

 

"John, Brian did that for you and Patrick. He hasn't stepped foot in a church since. And frankly I wouldn't want to be the one to ask him about it."

 

"Then I'll ask him. I'd be honored to be Bree's godfather, that is if you and Brian don't choose someone else. Why don't you ask Father Tom about it? Maybe a private ceremony can be done at the cottage. Perhaps at the stream, with just the immediate family in attendance. I bet Father Tom would be agreeable. He seems to be a free thinker; he's obviously not homophobic."

 

"You don't know the half of it," Justin blurted out.

 

"I think there's a story behind that comment?" John arched an eyebrow as he kept his eyes on the road ahead.

 

"There is but it's for another time when there are no little ears around."

 

"Okay, but I expect a full explanation."

 

"You got it. So tell me how you go about moving a whole house," Justin conveniently changed the subject to something he knew would get John's mind off Father Tom. By the time they arrived at the church, Justin had gotten a rudimentary lesson in the finer art of transplanting a house.

 

"Father Tom?" Justin called out quietly as he, Bree and Patrick walked into the church.

 

"Justin? What brings you here? And who is this?" The handsome priest gazed warmly at the children.

 

"This is Patrick. You remember; he's John and Bobby's son," Justin reminded the priest.

 

Father Tom chuckled at the memory of the distraught Brian coming to him to ask advice about being the boy's godfather and the lengthy confession Brian made in preparation.

 

"And this is our daughter, Miss Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor!" Justin's pride was evident in his voice.

 

Father Tom shook Patrick's hand and then took Bree's tiny hand in his to give it a gentle shake.

 

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Patrick, and to meet you, Miss Briana. Justin, they're both so beautiful. Come, we have a small grotto out back. It's a bright sunny day, so let's bring them outside while we talk."

 

Justin nodded then followed Father Tom through a set of doors that led to a pretty grotto surrounded by trees. There was a statue of St. Anthony looking like he was contemplating life, in one corner and a statue of St. Francis near a fountain. There were several sparrows bathing in the fountain. Justin committed the serene scene to memory for a future sketch.

 

"How are you, Justin, and how is Brian doing? I hear the Rage movie is doing well and I also hear that Brian is involved with the new clinic."

 

"You hear right, Father Tom."

 

"Justin, we know each other too well, you can call me Tom." Justin filled Tom in on how Briana came about, Kinnetik's expansion, the Rage movie and all about the clinic, theater and bowling alley.

 

"Brian's been busy. You both have been. What brings you to Pittsburgh today?"

 

"A few things. John's seeing a new client today and we recently discovered more JABKinney paintings. They should arrive at the Bloom gallery later today. I want to be there. Bobby and Brian are flying home from Panama tonight so John and I are going to pick them up."

 

"I'm glad you were able to squeeze in a visit," Tom laughed. Justin's dance card was very full today.

 

"You haven't seen Patrick since he was a baby and I thought you'd enjoy meeting Bree."

 

"You've been blessed."

 

"Yes, we have. Tom, Father Tom, John brought up the subject of baptism. Briana hasn't been baptized and I'm not so sure Brian would even go for it but if..."

 

"Justin, if you're trying to ask me if I'd baptize Briana, I'd be honored to."

 

"But I'm not Catholic and I don't think Brian would want to do it in a church. He still has bad feelings about the church." Justin stared off, watching the kids chase each other around the stone fountain.

 

"Justin, the Catholic Church may not sanction same sex marriages but I know that God recognizes the love you and Brian have for each other or I wouldn't have been at your ceremony. If you want Briana to be one of God's children then I'll perform the ceremony. And no, it doesn't have to be in a church. We can do it out here or at your cottage. As I recall, your grounds are extensive; we could have it back there. Talk it over with Brian. If he agrees we can work out the details later."

 

"Thank you, Tom. When things settle down, I'll speak to Brian about it." Then like any proud daddy, Justin pulled out his wallet to show Father Tom Briana's baby pictures.

 

Unbeknownst to Justin or Tom, a stern looking gray haired woman, was standing in the church doorway staring at the children and at Justin.

 

Joan knew the blond man who was sitting with Father Tom. She had met him a few times. She would never forget the first time she had seen Justin Taylor. It had been at Brian's loft, the day she found out that her son was a homosexual. Joan shuddered at the memory.

 

She stared at the children. Neither of them was the little boy that they called Gus, the one who was Brian's son. She hadn't seen Gus for years. He must be a teenager by now. Time had somehow got away on her. These children were much younger. The little boy looked a lot like Gus when he was that age. Had Brian had another son? Another grandson that she knew nothing about! That would be like Brian to keep this child from her too. But where did that mop of red hair come from?

 

The little girl was an absolute angel, so sunny and happy. She was younger than the boy and was having trouble keeping up with him as they ran around the fountain. But that didn't stop her from trying. She was tenacious. That tenacity made Joan smile. What a lovely little girl! So much like … Justin Taylor. She must be his biological daughter, and therefore somewhat related to Joan; that is, if Brian and this man were still together. Joan's grandmotherly arms ached to hold the little girl.

 

Just then Justin looked at his watch. He stood up and called the children over to him. The children came obediently, and Joan marveled at how well behaved they were especially compared to Claire's brats who had been out of control for most of their childhood. Justin bent down and talked to the children seriously. They nodded before turning and saying goodbye to Father Tom. He shook their hands and smiled fondly at them. Each child took one of Justin's hands and they started back into the church.

 

Joan ducked into an alcove where she could watch them unseen. They made their way through the church with Justin saying something about being picked up outside. He also mentioned something about a baptism. Joan wondered if it could be a baptism for the children. That made her smile. Maybe Brian hadn't totally turned against his religion. There might be hope for him still.

 

When the group exited the church, Joan made her way to the front door to watch what else might happen. They were talking on the steps when a big SUV pulled up. A man got out and the little boy ran over to him and was immediately scooped up and kissed. At first Joan thought it was Brian, but she quickly realized it was that Anderson man that she had seen at the showing of the Kinney paintings. He was Jack's bastard son.

 

Joan continued to watch as the Anderson man and Justin put the two children in their car seats. They spoke briefly to Father Tom and then drove off. Joan walked down the main aisle of the church and knelt in one of the pews. She prayed once again for her son's soul, and for the souls of the beautiful children that she had seen.

 

"Mrs. Kinney?" Father Tom said as he came down the aisle after John and Justin had left.

 

"Father Tom," Joan replied. "I saw you with that young man and the children."

 

"Did you?"

 

"What were they doing here?" Joan demanded.

 

"With all due respect, that's not any concern of yours," Father Tom responded hoping to keep Joan's nose out of the Kinney-Taylor marriage.

 

"It is my concern when that young man is living with my son. Whose children are they?"

 

"Joan, please, you know I can't answer these questions."

 

"Surely you don't condone their filthy lifestyle. I can't believe you won't try to rescue those children."

 

"Those children are happy and loved and have everything a child could wish for."

 

"Except for a normal family life," Joan said haughtily. Obviously she was getting nowhere with the good father. She would have to find other means. "Good day, Father."

 

Father Tom shook his head as he watched Joan make her way out of the church. As much as he had tried, he would never understand the woman.

 

*****

 

"How did your meeting with your client go?" Justin quickly asked as John headed for Kinnetik. He prayed that John would be too preoccupied in the thrill of a new client and not bring up the subject of baptisms.

 

"It went well. How was your chat with Father Tom?" Two could play that game, thought the older and wiser John. John smirked when he heard Justin's sigh.

 

"Father Tom is for it and he would do it at the cottage if we asked. But I'm still not sure about Brian. John, you know that Brian would probably cut off his one remaining real nut before having anything to do with organized religion. I'm not brave enough to bring up the subject."

 

"Since when does Justin Taylor back down from a challenge? This is no different than fighting the family when they thought you and Brian were tricking or when Brett wanted to kill off Zephyr. Brian has always called you a tenacious twat and my brother is never wrong. So what if he yells, big fucking deal. He's yelled before; it wouldn't be a normal week if Brian Kinney didn't bellow and strut his stuff. What are you afraid of?"

 

"I'm not sure. I don't want to tempt fate."

 

"Now you're being ridiculous. Ask him or I will, if he says no, then he says no. When Bree's older and she decides for herself then so be it. I just know that baptizing Briana would mean a lot to many of us." John pulled into a parking spot near Kinnetik. "Justin, I'm going to bring the kids inside to daycare then check on the clinic, theater and the bowling alley. I want to make sure everything is in tiptop shape. Do you want to take the car to the gallery?" John asked as he helped the children out of their car seats.

 

"No, thanks. The gallery's not that far and I need the exercise. The walk will do me good." And I have a lot to think about, Justin thought to himself.

 

"Okay, I'll meet you there later. Say hi to Lindsay and Sidney for me," John called out as Justin gave Bree and Patrick a kiss before John took them into Kinnetik.

 

*****

 

"Claire."

 

"Mother?"

 

"Who else would it be?" Joan decided to visit her daughter rather than call. Her daughter would have a harder time pushing Joan out the door than hanging up on her.

 

"Why are you here, Mother? It can't be to berate me because of the boys; they're all grown up and doing well. I'm married to a good man who loves me and my boys and takes good care of all of us. So, what is it?"

 

"Brian," Joan said coldly.

 

"Brian? What about him? His monthly check to you late or something? Mother, leave Brian alone. He's happy; he doesn't need your interference."

 

"You watch your tongue, young lady. I am still your mother, honor your mother and father."

 

"Mother, I stopped honoring you the day you tried to take my children away from me. What are you up to?"

 

"I have a right to know if I have more grandchildren."

 

"Grand..." Claire's mind was racing. Of course Claire knew about Briana, and she and her boys were at Briana's first birthday extravaganza but Joan was never told. When Joan didn't bother to RSVP to Brian and Justin's wedding invitation, Brian cut the old bat completely out of his life. It was the final straw. Claire knew that Brian was hoping for at least a confrontation with his mother. Something that proved to him that Joan cared even at some basic level. But all Joan said was, it was a sin. Nothing more, then she tore up the invitation and threw it in the trash. Claire never told Brian but Justin knew. Nothing was ever said about Joan again. And Joan never questioned how her bills were paid on time or how the mortgage got paid off.

 

"Mother, stay out of it. It's none of your business."

 

"Of course, it's my business and I'll make it my business." Joan scowled at her daughter. How dare she talk to her that way!

 

"I think you better leave, Mother." Claire opened the front door.

 

"Fine, I'll leave but I will meet my one and only granddaughter!" Joan exclaimed as she slammed the door behind her.

 

"Fuck!" Claire said out loud to no one in particular as she picked up her phone to call the cottage. Hearing the machine pick up, Claire left her message. "Brian, it's me, please call me as soon as you get this. She knows, Brian, Joan knows about Bree. Please Brian, call me."

 

Claire prayed that her brother would call her as soon as possible before Joan had the chance to cause trouble.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 4

 

Justin watched as Sidney carefully unpacked the paintings sent from Panama. He held his breath as each was revealed. They were wonderful. Some were religious in nature, as was the custom of the time. Families, especially those with some money, would have a shrine to a favorite saint. There were a couple that appeared to be portraits of family members of some family with enough money to afford such a painting. Justin wondered why the family would have parted with such a treasure, but then he realized that many families fell on hard times. Perhaps the painting had provided some much needed income. Maybe the younger family members no longer saw the value of family history when they inherited these paintings. Whatever the reason that they had become available. Justin thanked Edna for finding and attaining them.

 

Sidney was equally thrilled with the paintings and was already planning another Kinney show at his gallery. He pointed out to Justin Patrick's face looking back at them from some of the paintings. Justin had to smile. Obviously JABK never grew tired of painting his lover, just like Justin never got tired of painting Brian.

 

They unpacked the three little sculptures from their bubble wrap and cardboard. They both stood staring at them in amazement.

 

"They have to be Patrick's," Justin said.

 

"Why do you say that?"

 

"They remind me of something of his I saw in South America."

 

"He did other Wise Men?"

 

"You think these are the three Wise Men?" Justin asked.

 

"Don't you?"

 

"I'm not sure. I guess they could be."

 

"Then what do you think they are?" Sidney asked with a frown.

 

"I'm not really sure, but they seem to be a set. This one reminds me of JABK," Justin said running his hand over one of the sculptures. "I love the flowing gowns. They could be saints or angels without wings."

 

"They're beautiful enough to be either of those, but I still think they are the Wise Men."

 

"Have it your way. Maybe they're three gay guys," Justin laughed.

 

"I think I'll stick with my Wise Men theory," Sidney said as he used his cutter to open the box of papers. "My God, Justin, there's a lot to go through here.

 

Justin carefully lifted and examined the clumps of paper. "A lot of it seems to be Edna's records of what she found and how she obtained the art work. There's only a few pages of Kinney's diary. I'll look at it first."

 

Sidney sighed. "I'm not as young as I used to be. Do you realize it's after five? I should have closed the gallery twenty minutes ago."

 

"I guess we were so wrapped up in this that we didn't even notice. Your salesperson seems to have left, and it looks like he turned out the lights."

 

"That's good," Sidney yawned.

 

"I better call John."

 

Some time later Justin, John and the children arrived at the loft. They had bought takeout for dinner. The kids loved their McDonalds and John and Justin had found some halfway palatable stuff at the same fast food emporium.

 

"We better get rid of the remnants of this meal. Brian will kill me if he finds out I was feeding Bree this crap," Justin said as he finished his fries.

 

"You kids go play on the rug," John said. The two ran off to get their trucks and dolls and toys. "I'll help you clean up. We can put all this down the chute. Brian will never know."

 

"Don't count on that."

 

"Why? What do you mean?"

 

"Brian has a sixth sense about some things. He usually knows when I don't want him to know something."

 

"That's not good," John said.

 

"Tell me about it," Justin laughed.

 

They cleaned up and let the kids play for a while. By eight o'clock both children were showing signs of sleepiness. Their fathers laid them down on the big bed and it didn't take long for them to fall asleep.

 

*****

 

John and Justin stood outside the security barrier at the airport. Bree and Patrick slept in their strollers. Getting them into the SUV without waking them had been tricky. Patrick came to for a bit but then went right back to sleep. Bree didn't even seem to notice that she was being moved.

 

The televisions said that Brian and Bobby's plane had landed. They were waiting expectantly for their husbands to appear.

 

"What the fuck is taking so long?" John griped. "Where are they?"

 

"They have to clear customs and get their bags. They'll be out soon," Justin said trying to be optimistic. His arms ached to hold Brian.

 

"There's Bobby," John practically yelled and he bolted forward swooping down on his husband like a giant bird of prey. He pulled Bobby into his arms roughly and buried his face against Bobby's neck. "I've missed you so much," he whispered before he kissed him right in front of the whole airport. They got a few rude stares but many more smiles of understanding.

 

Justin was left with the two strollers. He couldn't leave the children alone so he stood on tiptoe and waved his arms frantically. Finally Brian, who had been looking around anxiously ever since John descended on his traveling partner, spotted Justin and jogged over to him.

 

"Sunshine," he said huskily as he took Justin into his arms.

 

"You're home," Justin cooed as he felt Brian's strong arms pull him close. They held each other for a few moments.

 

"Where's the Squirt?" Brian asked as he kissed Justin and released him.

 

"Right here," Justin said pushing the stroller forward.

 

"Squirt," Brian said kneeling beside his daughter and holding her little hand.

 

"You can pick her up," Justin said softly.

 

"I don't want to wake her."

 

"I doubt she'll wake up, and if she does, she'll be so happy to see her daddy."

 

Brian smiled and unhooked the restraint in the stroller. He gently lifted his little girl into his arms and cradled her there. She slept on obliviously. "I've missed you both so much," he whispered as he pulled Justin against him.

 

"We missed you too."

 

Bobby rushed up and knelt in front of a sleeping Patrick. He gave him a kiss and then turned to the others. "Let's go home," John said.

 

"That sounds like the most wonderful thing in the world," Brian said.

 

They quickly made their way to the SUV. Brian refused to let Bree go back in her car seat. They unhooked it so Brian and Justin could squeeze in the back next to Patrick in his car seat. Brian held Bree all the way back to the cottage.

 

When they had the children safely stowed in their crib, John and Bobby headed to the sun porch and Justin and Brian went to the main bedroom.

 

"I should have taken a shower," Brian said as he undressed.

 

"I like the smell of you just the way you are," Justin said softly.

 

"I missed you so much."

 

"I couldn't sleep without you beside me."

 

"I had some trouble with that too," Brian admitted remembering the night he and Bobby had spent in the same bed because they were so lonely for their partners.

 

"I'm glad you're home," Justin said huskily. He wanted his husband so badly that he could taste it.

 

Brian pulled Justin against his naked body. Justin could feel Brian's hardness against his groin as the man kissed him and then kissed him some more. Brian gently lowered Justin onto the bed and knelt between his legs.

 

"I dreamed about this while I was away."

 

"But the real thing will be better," Justin promised. That earned him another long and burning kiss that left them needy and on fire.

 

"Now, please, Brian," Justin begged.

 

Brian fished the lube out from under the pillow and prepared his husband. He then sank his aching cock into the soft tightness of Justin's body.

 

"Oh fuck!" Brian groaned as he embedded himself fully. "I never want to be away from you again."

 

"You don't have to be," Justin said.

 

Brian found their rhythm and started them on their journey to the fulfillment they both knew awaited them. When he finally came just after Justin had, he knew he was really home. It was the only place he wanted to be.

 

*****

 

Early the next morning, Patrick and Briana were the first to rise. It was all quiet in the house with each couple still fast asleep. The lovemaking that went on the night before and into the morning was sweet and tender, tinged with the sorrow they were all feeling for the loss of their dear friend Edna. And the joy and relief that their journey to Panama was completed so quickly, and the two families were now whole again.

 

Patrick, learning the ways of being a gallant young man, kindly assisted his petite cousin down from her bed and onto her daddy's big four-poster. Bree started to giggle softly as she was preparing her pounce. Patrick smiled broadly and put his finger to his mouth to quiet her. He gazed at his unsuspecting uncles who were wrapped around each other in a peaceful sleep. His Uncle Brian looked so much like his own handsome father. Justin's pale creamy skin reminded Patrick of his daddy Bobby, except for the blond hair. Patrick tiptoed out of the bedroom and quietly hurried into the sun porch where his own daddies lay asleep. The scene was almost identical with his daddy John wrapped protectively around Bobby. As if on signal, both children pounced on their daddies, squealing loudly at the 'oomphs' each dad exclaimed, and giggling with glee as each child was rewarded with kisses and tickles. After some time the giggling settled down and breakfast was declared. A naked Brian climbed out of bed with Briana in his arms and started for the bedroom door to begin breakfast.

 

"Uh, Bri," Justin began as he noted the obvious state of undress his lover was in. Brian stopped at the door and turned to his partner. Justin got out of bed and put on a t-shirt and sweat pants. Justin stood with his hands on his hips and glared at his spouse, a jovial twinkle was in his blue eyes.

 

"Oh for fuck sake, she's not seventeen!" Brian said with a loud sigh. The glare became more intense. "Okay, okay." Brian put his daughter down on the bed as he rooted around in his drawer for some jeans. "What's this world coming to if a man can't be comfortable in his own home? Don't answer that," Brian grumbled. Now at least partially dressed, Brian picked up his daughter and went for the door. "May I?" he asked Justin.

 

"Yes, you may," Justin chuckled at Brian's back and winked at Bree, who appeared to be enjoying the whole encounter safely from her father's arms. She didn't care if her father was naked or not, she just cared that he was home. "Besides, Brian, we have guests."

 

"They are not guests; they're family and they've seen us naked."

 

"I know they have but that doesn't mean they want to now, and the construction crew should be here soon."

 

"Construction crew? What construction crew?" The plans for combining the cottages had slipped Brian's mind with all that had recently gone on.

 

"John's construction crew, specifically Gordon and his men. They should be here any minute now. John had them here to start marking out and clearing the land behind the sun porch. Brian, you do want to go ahead with combining the two homes, don't you?" Justin was a little worried that Brian wasn't serious about this undertaking.

 

When it sunk into Brian's sleep deprived and caffeine free brain, Brian nodded. "I remember, Sunshine, and yes, I'm all for it. I think it's the best deal for all of us. Especially since John's been picking up more clients out of Pittsburgh. I'm not the only Kinney with branch offices," Brian stated proudly. He was truly happy for his brother's good fortune.

 

After a hearty and leisurely breakfast, the family planned to catch up with one another. Justin and John were interested in learning what transpired in Panama and they all wanted to know what was in the box of documents that Edna had accumulated.

 

"Sidney and I didn't have time to go through all the documents but the gist of it all was about what Edna had found, how she went about it and the contacts she made. I'm not sure if she had a premonition that she wasn't going to be around to carry on the search, but she left instructions for her bank manager and Juan Perez to contact us if more Kinney and or Patrick art is uncovered," Justin explained. "But we'll have to go through the papers more thoroughly. Sidney said he'd ask Lindsay to help."

 

"What about the paintings? Did he find any more journal pages in them?" John remembered how finding Kinney's will in the back of the mansion painting saved them all from losing the farm and Claire's home.

 

"I don't know yet. Sidney will have the restorers start on the paintings today. I'm sure he'll call if he finds anything." They were all quiet for a moment then Bobby remembered the snippet of journal he did get to read.

 

"Justin, we did read of small bit of Kinney's journal. He mentioned that Patrick wanted children. Kinney missed his family terribly but he seemed to be afraid of entertaining the idea of having children together with Patrick. I can't begin to imagine what they would have had to go through to have children as they were trying to find a permanent home for themselves. Look at what they had to go through just to be able to live together. They never seemed to find peace." Bobby's voice was quiet and sad at the thought of Kinney and Patrick spending their lives alone, without the privilege of having children.

 

John gently patted Bobby's hand, remembering the heartache they both suffered in trying to have a child of their own. The lovers again counted their blessings. The world was far from perfect but they were fortunate to have good homes, wonderful careers and the children they wanted.

 

Sensing the mood was turning morose, Brian suggested they all get cleaned up and take the kids on a little 'march' through the woods, check out the area and plans for the latest renovations for the Kinney/Taylor 'estate'. Everyone cheerfully agreed.

 

With the breakfast dishes scrubbing away in the dishwasher the families got washed up and prepared the children for their outing. The weather was warm and inviting, just right for a walk through the woods and down to the stream.

 

As they were preparing, they first converged in the kitchen. Justin wanted to pack some snacks and bottles of water. They also decided to pack some blankets and toys. That's when Brian noticed the light on the answering machine blinking. They had gotten home late and had other more important activities on their minds the previous night; listening to phone messages was not a high priority.

 

As Brian was reaching for the button, Patrick decided to share his innocent observations.

 

"Uncle Brian, you and daddy really look alike."

 

"Yes, we do, Sonny Boy."

 

"He calls me that too."

 

"He does? We think a lot alike too," Brian said proudly and with a smile.

 

"He sure looks a lot like you when he's sleeping with Uncle Justin!"

 

"He what!?"

 

"I said..."

 

"I heard you. Justin! John? Is there something I should know?" Brian knew nothing could have happened between Justin and John but he couldn't help the jealous tone in his voice. Justin, John and Bobby all started talking loudly and at the same time Brian's finger grazed the button on the answering machine.

 

"Brian, it's me, please call me as soon as you get this. She knows, Brian, Joan knows about Bree. Please Brian, call me." The terror and concern in Claire's voice was painfully obvious.

 

"Oh fuck!" Four voices called out as they stared at the damned machine.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 5

 

Lindsay slid into a booth at the diner. She had decided to get out of the gallery for a while. Sidney was driving her nuts with the constant chatter about the Kinney paintings. He was like a man obsessed.

 

Just as she got settled Hunter came in. He spotted Lindsay and walked over to her booth. "Hey, mind if I join you?"

 

"Hi, Hunter. No, please sit down. But, shouldn't you be at work?"

 

"I'm taking a break and checking up on one of my former charges." Hunter cocked his head toward the counter where Lacy was taking cash from a customer.

 

"Oh, that's Lacy, isn't it?" Lindsay asked. "How's she doing?"

 

"She moved into Debbie's house, Michael's old room."

 

"And Michael let her?" Lindsay laughed. "I would have thought it would be too traumatic for him to have a girl living in his room."

 

Hunter made a face. "You don't know the half of it. But he is over forty now, and he hasn't lived in the room for like twenty years."

 

"But it's still his room," Lindsay chuckled.

 

"What can I get you?" Lacy asked as she came over to their table.

 

"I'll have coffee and a lemon bar," Lindsay said.

 

"Make it two," Hunter added. Lacy hurried away to get their order.

 

"How long has she been working here?"

 

"Not long, but she seems to be doing pretty good. I'm glad she's off the streets."

 

"You're doing good things at the clinic."

 

"Thanks. So how come you're in here this time of day?" Hunter asked.

 

"Do you remember Edna Galloway?" Lindsay asked him.

 

"Sure, I danced with her at John and Bobby's wedding. She was a hoot."

 

"You heard she died?"

 

"Yeah, I was sorry to hear that."

 

"Me too. Anyway, she has been investigating JAB Kinney and his artwork ever since Brian and Justin visited her in Panama. She left them some of his paintings that she had been able to retrieve. Sidney's driving me insane about preserving them and the next show he wants to have to showcase them. I just needed a break from him for a while."

 

"Who's JAB Kinney?" Lacy asked as she set down their orders.

 

"He's Brian's great, great something-or-other," Lindsay chuckled.

 

"Did you say you have paintings of his?"

 

"Yes. Why, are you interested in art?" Lindsay asked.

 

"Lacy helped Justin with some of his frescoes for the theater," Hunter offered.

 

"Mostly I got coffee for him and helped him move his bench," Lacy laughed. "But I enjoyed it."

 

"Justin's going to be really busy with all the papers that Edna amassed about Kinney. He's the one who went through them all the first time. And now he's got his Rage show coming up as well," Lindsay explained.

 

"Maybe I could help him," Lacy offered.

 

"Oh, I don't know, honey," Lindsay replied thinking it wasn't a very good idea for Lacy to be working with the old documents.

 

Lacy made a face. Obviously she didn't like being called "honey" and being told that she couldn't do something. "Well, tell Justin if he wants my help, he just has to ask," Lacy stated as she walked away.

 

"What's with her?" Lindsay asked Hunter.

 

"I think she has a crush on Justin."

 

"A crush? But doesn't she know that he's…"

 

"Of course, she does, but it doesn't seem to make any difference to her. Justin was nice to her and he's an artist. That's all that matters to Lacy."

 

"I see. Is Lacy interested in men?"

 

"I don't really know what Lacy's interested in, other than art."

 

"Hm," Lindsay replied. "Well, I better get back to the gallery and see what Sidney's up to now."

 

"See ya, Lindsay," Hunter said as Lindsay left the diner.

 

"Hunter," Lacy said as Hunter stood up, "will you tell Justin that I could help him with the papers."

 

"Sure, Lacy, but don't get your hopes up. Justin was very protective of all the documents surrounding the artist Kinney when he first found out about him. He may not want your help."

 

"Just tell him, okay?"

 

"Sure," Hunter said as he left her a big tip along with his bill.

 

*****

 

The four men continued to stare at the answering machine wishing they hadn't heard what they had heard, but knowing it wasn't going to magically disappear. Joan Kinney somehow had learned about Briana. Now they were going to have to deal with her.

 

The cottage became very quiet, until Bree tugged on her daddy Justin's hand.

 

"Pee pee, Daddy." Bree looked up at Justin. She was a little more than two, her potty training was going very well but when you gotta go, you just gotta go.

 

"Okay, sweetheart, let's make a pit stop before we go outside," Justin said to his daughter as he led her to the bathroom.

 

Gordon and his work crew had shown up and were out back preparing to mark and stake the area that was going to be excavated for the addition.

 

"Patrick, why don't you come out with me and say hi to Gordon. I want to get an update on the plans." John held out his hand to his son.

 

"Okay, Dad!" Patrick's enthusiastic voice answered back.

 

That left Brian and Bobby in the kitchen to collect the backpacks and supplies for their outing. Bobby reached for a backpack to swing on his back, his hand gently grazed Brian's forearm and Bobby rested it there for a moment.

 

"Brian..."

 

"I know, Red. We have to tell them about our night together."

 

"Yes, we do and nothing happened between John and Justin."

 

"I know that too. I trust Justin and I trust my brother, he's an honorable man."

 

"Both of them are." Brian nodded in agreement. "Bri..."

 

"Bobby, Justin was probably tired and worried. He has trouble sleeping when he's under stress. And with Edna's passing, the Rage movie and now his art show, top that off with us being out of town, he needed John."

 

"Just like I needed you. They're not the only honorable men in this house, Brian. You are too. You could have taken advantage of the situation but you didn't. You were, are, a good friend. And I appreciate your tenderness and caring."

 

"Please don't spread that around," Brian said with just a touch of snark.

 

"Your secret's safe with me, Big Guy." Bobby smiled his own sunny smile at Brian as Justin and Briana came out of the bathroom.

 

"You wash your hands, Squirt?" Brian queried his daughter.

 

"All keen, Dada!" Bree held up her freshly scrubbed hands at her taller daddy.

 

"Then let's head 'em up and move 'em out, people," Brian declared as he led his merry band out the sun porch door and onto the path to the stream.

 

While John was speaking with Gordon, Patrick was trailing one of the crew men, Stan, handing him the pegs he needed as Stan marked out the perimeter for the cottage. Stan smiled fondly at the boy who looked so much like his father, John. Patrick was growing tall like a weed. Stan recognized a budding builder in their midst. Seeing Brian leading the troops, John excused himself, calling Patrick then joining Brian and the gang.

 

The longer legs of the Kinney men made short work of the trek through the woods, leaving Justin and Bobby with Bree in between them. They each had one of Briana's hands, swinging the giggling toddler over rocks and branches. Their slower trek gave Justin and Bobby time to talk.

 

"Bobby, nothing happened between me and John. You have to believe that. I needed..."

 

"...to be held. I believe you, I do, Justin and well, the same thing happened to me and Brian. I was so tired and missing Patrick and John. But I was also so wired that I couldn't..."

 

"...sleep. Yeah, I know. I was tossing and turning and I saw John's shadow at the porch door. For a minute he looked so much like Brian, I asked him to sleep with me. They almost..."

 

"...smell alike. Yeah. I mean, I'm not a wuss and you and I are certainly not effeminate but the moment I laid down and Brian hugged me close, I felt..."

 

"...safe. I know what you mean. When John and I had our little accident, that was the one thing that kept me calm. John smells like Brian and I felt safe. What is it about those Kinney men that turns us into..."

 

"...mush? I have no idea, Justin. I've gone into court hundreds of times. Fought against injustice but one touch of John's hand against my cheek and I feel so..."

 

"...loved, so wanted and weak in the knees. It's the..."

 

"...best. Yeah." Blue eyes met blue eyes, moistened with happy allergies and sunny smiles.

 

"Brian, nothing happened between me and Justin." Brian held up his hand to cut off his brother's explanation or apology.

 

"Big bro, I know you and I know Justin. No further explanation is warranted or required. Red and I had our own needy moment down in Panama. We were tired as hell and neither one of us was going to get any sleep until he crawled his little ass into my bed. Then we were out for the count. By the way, your boy can snore."

 

"Don't I know it!" John and Brian shared a laughed as they made it to the glade near the stream. Brian opened his pack for a blanket to spread on the soft grass. Patrick ran toward the stream, his father calling out words of warning to be careful.

 

"Oh, Dad, our stream is much bigger than this," Patrick called back. The woods were his playground.

 

"Let it go, John. You're not going to win that one. Patrick's a smart little boy, besides I can see him from here."

 

As Brian and John were smoothing out the blankets, Justin, Bobby and Bree made it to the glade.

 

"It's about time you guys got here. We were about to send out a search party," John said to his spouse then bent down for a kiss, which was readily given.

 

The men settled on the blankets, Justin pulled out his sketch pad and began to sketch St. Anthony's grotto from memory. Bree toddled toward the stream and to Patrick who, by his Kinney nature, went into his own protective mode. He took Bree's hand and began to teach her the wonders of their corner of the world. Each man relished the peace and tranquility of their surroundings until the memory of Claire's message loomed over them. Brian, who was lazing on the blanket abruptly sat up.

 

"Oh fucking hell! What the fuck are we going to do about Joan? And how the hell did she find out about the Squirt?"

 

"Brian," John began, "I think that may have been my fault."

 

"No, John, it was me," Justin retorted.

 

"But I was the one who drove you to the church."

 

"Well, I was the one who spent time with Father Tom."

 

The explanations and apologies went flying back and forth too quickly for Brian and Bobby to keep up. After a few minutes of frustration, Brian stood up, effectively stopping the banter.

 

"Will you both shut the fuck up! John, explain how you guys got to St. Anthony's. The short version." John explained about the client he needed to see near the church, Justin visiting Father Tom with the children and their conversation about baptizing Bree.

 

Justin took over the conversation, relating the details about the chat he had with Father Tom and how Tom would perform the baptism here at the cottage if Brian wanted to go through with it. John quickly added that he would be proud to be godfather if Brian so chose.

 

"We'd need a godmother," Brian said softly, almost absentmindedly.

 

"Claire," John said.

 

"Your mother?"

 

"No, your sister. She'd be perfect and I bet she'd do it if you asked." Brian nodded. He hadn't agreed to the baptism but he knew it would make a lot of people happy including John, Claire senior, and Debbie.

 

"And I guess I've been good since my last confession. This time around it wouldn't take so long." Brian chuckled at the memory of him sitting with Father Tom as he confessed his sins in preparation of becoming Patrick's godfather. "As I recall that one took hours." The four men laughed jovially for a few minutes.

 

"Damn it. How did Joan get into this?" Brian grumbled.

 

"I don't know, Bri, but we know Joan goes to church practically every day. Maybe she saw me there with the kids. Maybe she saw John pick us up. She knows about him. Brian, you need to call your sister."

 

"You're right, Sunshine, but later. Right now I just want to relax in my own backyard." Brian laid back down, using one of the backpacks as a pillow. As he began to doze off under the canopy of trees in the warm Spring sun, he heard a tiny giggle.

 

"Dada?" Bree's little voice broke through Brian's sleep fog.

 

"What is it, Squirt?"

 

"Look!" Brian opened his eyes as his daughter held a fat frog inches away from Brian's nose.

 

"Holy shhhhhhhh...!"

 

"Brian!" John, Justin and Bobby yelled out.

 

"...sugar!" Brian sprang up from the blanket and began running in circles around the blankets. "Keep that slimy thing away from me!" he called out with a look of horror on his face. Bree wasn't sure if she really scared her dada and she froze in her tracks then looked to Brian for reassurance. Her dada Brian, gave Bree a sly smile then winked at his precious daughter and then began running around the blankets again as Bree chased him with the frog. Justin, John, Bobby and Patrick fell onto the blankets rolling around in hysterical laughter.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 6

 

"Claire?"

 

"Hello, Brian. I haven't heard from you in a while," Brian's sister observed.

 

"Well, by the sound of that message you left me, it's been too long. How the hell did she find out?"

 

"She wouldn't say, but I think she must have seen something at church because she mentioned Father Tom and then clammed up when I asked her about it.

 

"Fuck! Justin had Bree and Patrick there the other day. He was talking to Father Tom."

 

"Then that must have been when she saw them and put two and two together. She's not stupid."

 

"When she's not fucking drunk."

 

"Brian, I know you don't want anything to do with her, but she's getting … old."

 

"So, am I supposed to feel sorry for her after everything that she's put us through?"

 

"I don't know," Claire sighed. "I just wish we could all get along. You forgave me for a lot of things I did."

 

"You didn't try to take all the money from JAB Kinney, even after you knew it was meant for a good cause. She tried to take your fucking kids away from you, Claire. I don't see how you can stand to be around her."

 

"She's a lonely old woman."

 

"She's an unforgiving SOB. I refuse to have her tell me one more time that I'm going to Hell for being gay."

 

"I know she's been mean to you, but I wish…"

 

"What did you tell her about Bree?" Brian asked cutting her off before she made another plea for him to forgive their mother.

 

"As little as I could."

 

"What exactly did you tell her?"

 

"I told her that Bree was Justin's daughter, that you two are still together, and that you consider Briana to be your daughter too."

 

"I don't consider her to be my daughter; she is my daughter!"

 

"Of course, Brian, that's not what I meant."

 

"So what does the old battleaxe intend to do about this piece of information?"

 

"Truthfully, I don't know. She clammed up when I tried to press her about how she found out. She wouldn't tell me much of anything."

 

"There isn't anything she can do, is there?" Brian asked. He waited with bated breath for his sister to answer.

 

"Honestly, I don't know. She seemed to think Bree was a beautiful little girl."

 

"She is a beautiful little girl, and she doesn't need any shit from Joan."

 

"Any time that I can, I'll encourage her to stay out of it."

 

"Thanks," Brian said not really reassured but unable to think of anything else they could do about it. "I … I have something else I'd like to ask you."

 

"You do?" Claire said wondering at Brian's hesitation. It was rare that he wanted anything from her.

 

"We're thinking about having Bree baptized. That's why Justin was talking to Father Tom."

 

"Oh Brian, that's wonderful. Everyone should be baptized."

 

"Even Jews and Muslims?" Brian snarked.

 

"You know what I mean," Claire chuckled.

 

"Sorry, I just couldn't resist."

 

"So what do you want to ask me?"

 

"Would you consider being Bree's godmother?

 

"Oh, my God! Brian, are you serious? I'd love to, but what about Molly or … or someone else from Justin's side of the family?"

 

Brian sucked in a breath. He hadn't really asked Justin, and Bree was his daughter too. Maybe he would want Daphne to be the godmother. "I wanted you."

 

"I think that's just about the nicest thing you've ever said to me. Why don't you check with Justin to be sure this is all right with him. If he agrees, I'd be honored to accept."

 

"Thanks, Claire, I'll let you know."

 

Brian hung up the phone wondering that his sister had been so understanding about the whole situation. He really did need to talk to Justin about this.

 

Later that night as Brian and Justin lay in their bed having again expressed through their bodies all the things that they meant to each other, Brian rolled on his side and looked into Justin's eyes. "We need to talk," he said seriously.

 

"We do?" Justin asked feeling a chill run through him. Talking still wasn't Brian's favorite thing to do, and when he uttered that statement, it usually did not bode well. "Tell me what it is, before I get scared."

 

"It's nothing scary," Brian chuckled leaning in to give Justin a reassuring kiss. "I love you."

 

"Thank God for that," Justin laughed suddenly feeling much better.

 

"It's about the baptism."

 

"You don't want to do it, do you?"

 

"Why do you say that?"

 

"I know how you feel about religion."

 

"I hate organized religion."

 

"I know."

 

"But that doesn't mean that Bree will have the same feelings when she grows up. I want her to have every advantage in life, and I know that baptism is important to John and his mother, and to Debbie…"

 

"And your mother," Justin added.

 

"Can we leave her out of this?"

 

"She's involved, no matter how much we deny it. She's the reason you hate religion so much."

 

Brian made a face. He didn't want to get into all that. "I asked Claire about being Bree's godmother when I was talking to her today."

 

"What did she say?"

 

"She said she'd be thrilled, but she wondered why it wasn't Daphne or Molly. I never even thought to ask you. You seemed to agree with Claire as the godmother."

 

"I do agree."

 

"But what about Daphne or your sister?"

 

"Molly's still young and Daphne and I each have separate lives now. I'm fine with Claire being the godmother."

 

"Do you realize it will be all my family as godparents?"

 

"So…?"

 

"But she's your daughter."

 

"She's more your daughter than she is mine. I know how much you love her, and I know John loves her too. As for Claire, I was so proud of you when John suggested it, and you went along. Look at how far you've come."

 

"A cut above my usual asshole status?"

 

"In case you haven't noticed, you haven't been an asshole for a long time."

 

"Not in your eyes anyway."

 

"Never in my eyes."

 

A long and sweet kiss came next. They could both feel themselves getting hard. "Before we do anything about this," Brian said grabbing Justin's burgeoning cock. "What are we going to do about Joan?"

 

"Do we have to do anything?"

 

"I don't want the old biddy causing trouble."

 

"You know, having this discussion with your hand around my dick is counter productive," Justin laughed.

 

"I guess it is," Brian agreed rolling over on top of Justin.

 

"Why don't you just invite her?" Justin asked right before Brian stuck his dick up Justin's ass. They never got around to the answer to that question.

 

*****

 

Over the next few weeks, life began to return to normal or what constituted as normal for the Kinney/Taylor tribe. Brian returned to work, first making the rounds at Kinnetik Part Deux, then checking in with Reilly and Perspective via video conferencing and then finally at Kinnetik. Brian had a big soft spot for his first and primary office. It was where it all began. Since John and Justin, both had business in Pittsburgh, they all traveled together on many occasions. Bobby went back to work in Harrisburg, leaving Patrick in the capable hands of his Grandma Claire.

 

Justin's primary task other than preparing for Rage: The Art Show, was weeding through all the documents and photos that Edna had amassed. While Edna was certainly thorough in her research, it was all a little haphazard and unorganized. And then there was the discovery of more Kinney journal pages.

 

As a team of art restorers were working on the Kinney paintings, the first thing they did was to remove the paintings from their frames. Five out of the six paintings had their original frames. The sixth painting was unfinished, just a light pencil rendering of what could have been a man holding a child. There were a few preliminary brush strokes.

 

Immediately the journal pages were placed in protective plastic sleeves and then scanned into a computer so that they could be read and analyzed at a later date. Sidney gave the newly discovered pages to Justin who reverently placed the original journal pages into his bank vault with the rest of Kinney's journal. The copies, Justin added to his copy of the journal, along with Edna's notes and findings. Taking a break from his labors, Justin decided to recharge at the diner.

 

"Sunshine!" Debbie, who still worked an occasional lunch shift, called out to one of her favorite boys. Then crossed to the entrance to give Justin a hug.

 

"Air, Debbie, breathing would be good," Justin whispered as he felt the air in his lungs squeezed out in Debbie's formidable grasp.

 

"Sorry, sweetheart." Debbie loosened her hug and gave Justin a sloppy kiss to the cheek.

 

"What brings you here today?"

 

"Just taking a break, Deb. I've been working on the Rage art show and the papers that Edna collected. And when Sidney took the paintings out of their frames, he found more journal pages. I have a lot of reading to do. It's been exciting but tiring, you know what I mean?"

 

"I know honey, but do you have to do it all by yourself?"

 

"I guess not but I can't ask Brian to help. He's so busy with the Rage PR, the next phase of the campaign is going to hit soon. Bobby is way too busy and John has picked up a lot of new clients here in the Pitts. I thought about asking Lindsay but she's so busy at the gallery."

 

"Tell me about it. Sidney's been running her ragged. He's a regular pitbull." Just then Lacy came in to collect her paycheck. She had a day off and wanted to do a little shopping. "Hi sweetie, be right with you!" Debbie addressed Lacy. "Justin, maybe Lacy could help. She's interested in art and it's not like she has a lot to do other than pulling a shift."

 

"Maybe," Justin nodded. Hunter did mention to Justin that Lacy would be more than willing to help. But Lacy was a kid and what did a kid know about art? "Duh!" Justin said out loud and smacked himself in the middle of his forehead. He was just a kid when he knew that art was his only way of life. "Lacy, do you have a minute?"

 

"Sure, Justin. What can I do for you?" Lacy asked as she slipped into his booth.

 

"Well, first you can join me for lunch and then you can say yes to helping me decipher a mystery."

 

"A mystery? I like mysteries." Lacy became very animated and pleased that Justin wanted to spend time with her.

 

"The first mystery is easy. What do you want for lunch?" They laughed out loud and then gave their lunch orders to Debbie.

 

"So what's the real mystery?" Lacy leaned in slightly to listen to Justin's every word.

 

Justin began his tale about his Sunshine File, how his discovery of the artist, JAB Kinney, led to the discovery of Brian's other family. For the next two hours Justin went through the journal he had put together chronicling the trip they took to South and Central America and of the people they met along the way. Including the newly and dearly departed, Edna Galloway. Lacy couldn't help but get caught up in Justin's enthusiasm about the journal and in the cataloguing of JAB Kinney's paintings. It amazed her that even over one hundred years ago, a Kinney sacrificed everything for his Taylor.

 

"Justin, can I ask you something?"

 

"Sure."

 

"You and Mr. Kinney, you've been together for a long time, haven't you?"

 

"Lacy, my relationship with Brian is nobody's business." Justin flung himself into defensive mode.

 

"I'm sorry if my question offended you, it's just that you're so lucky. I wish … I wish I could find someone who cared about me that much." Lacy looked so sad, Justin felt badly that he had reacted so negatively.

 

"Lacy, Brian and I didn't always have an easy time. From the moment I met him we've had to work real hard to get where we are. There were times when I didn't think we would make it. I … we both made some stupid mistakes. But we've learned from them and keep on learning. It's the only way to live." There was an awkward pause for a moment then Justin ventured a question. "Lacy, why do you pretend to be a boy?" A single tear slipped down Lacy's face.

 

"I thought if I was a boy it wouldn't hurt so much. Boys aren't supposed to care if they're alone and they can do more than girls can do."

 

"That's so not true. Boys hurt just the same. And girls can do anything they set their minds too. Melanie's a lawyer, my friend Daphne is a doctor. And look at Debbie."

 

"Debbie? But she's just a waitress."

 

"She's more than just a waitress. She was a single mother who raised a son all by herself. She helped to take care of her brother, Vic, when he was dying from AIDS. She helped a lot of people, even Brian. She saved me and Hunter. She helped catch a murderer and helped to prevent a corrupt politician from getting elected mayor. She gave me a home when I needed it. And she's doing the same for you." It became quiet again as Lacy took in all that Justin said.

 

"Lacy, why were you hustling? Why did you let men use you like that?"

 

"I needed the money and I'm a..."

 

"You mean you're a vir... But you were... Oh." Justin said softly when it dawned on him what Lacy was trying to say. "That doesn't matter anymore. You're young and strong and have a good chance at a long and productive life. I predict good things for you, Miss Lacy." Justin tried to lighten the mood as he pretended to read the coffee grinds at the bottom of their cups. Lacy giggled and blushed. JT cared about her and right now that was all that mattered.

 

"Justin, I really would like to help with your research. I could visit you at the gallery or we could meet here."

 

"No, I have too many papers and photos to go through. There's not enough space. I have to spend the mornings at the gallery for the next few weeks but if you rearrange your shift, we can meet over at the loft and work there undisturbed for hours."

 

"The loft?"

 

"Just ask anyone about Brian's loft. Even though it hasn't seen a trick in years, the loft is still legendary," Justin said with a wink and a twinkle in his eye.

 

"Okay, I can meet you here tomorrow at one, then you can show me the loft."

 

"Great! I'll see you tomorrow and remember, Lacy, you can do just about anything you want to." Justin paid their check, kissed Debbie goodbye and narrowly missed being squished again.

 

Lacy sat back in her seat and thought, maybe being a girl wasn't so bad after all.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 7

 

Brian walked along the street with Gus. It was Friday and Gus was coming for the weekend to the cottage. Brian had taken his son out of school early and was meeting Justin and Bree in the park not far from Kinnetik for a picnic lunch. It was a beautiful day and Brian was looking forward to spending some time with his children, and with Justin. They didn't do this kind of thing often enough.

 

They turned into the park while Gus was telling his father about his plans for the summer. He wanted to go to swim camp which was the first two weeks in July. Brian thought that was a great idea. He also asked Gus if he'd like to work at the cottage for the rest of the time. There would be a lot of odd jobs that would need doing when John and Bobby's cottage was moved there, and also a lot to do in preparation for that. Gus liked the idea of earning some money and being around his father's family more.

 

"Dada!" a little voice screeched and Bree came running across the park and threw herself into her father's arms.

 

"Hello, Squirt," Brian grinned giving her cheek a quick peck. She giggled happily. "Aren't you going to say hello to your brother?"

 

"Hi, Gus," Bree said and held out her arms for Gus to take her. When he did, she kissed all over his face making him giggle.

 

"Hey, Brian," Justin said finally having caught up with his rambunctious daughter. "I couldn't hold her back when she saw you."

 

Brian kissed Justin softly and smiled at his little family. Justin was carrying a thermal bag that contained fried chicken, rolls and drinks. They headed for one of the empty picnic benches.

 

Joan Kinney had just pulled her car into a parking space across from the park when she saw Brian walking with a young man. It took her a minute to realize that the boy had to be her grandson, Gus. But he was hardly a boy anymore. He would soon be as tall as his father, and he seemed so grown up. She had missed his whole childhood.

 

She felt a sudden wave of sadness pass over her. Everyone shut her out of their life, even though she had done her best to correct their deviant ways.

 

She watched in fascination as the little blond girl ran to Brian and he scooped her up and kissed her. She felt a clench in her heart at the sight. Then Brian handed her to his son and the little girl kissed him too. And then Brian's partner arrived and they kissed - all so natural and loving. But, it wasn't natural. It was all wrong. It went against God's laws.

 

Joan shook her head. How could they be so happy living lives of sin, when she was so careful to follow God's doctrines and ended up alone and sad? This was just not right.

 

She sat in her car watching them as they spread out their lunch. The little girl got a piece of chicken and tried to feed each of them. They all laughed and pretended to take a bite. Then she would eat some herself. They all seemed so happy.

 

Joan had the greatest urge to get out of the car and go over to them. She wanted to pick up the little one, whose name she didn't even know, and kiss her rosy little cheek. She was her granddaughter and she should have that right. But, they had cut her off, hadn't even told her of the existence of the beautiful little child. They were so cruel to her.

 

A stray tear escaped and Joan wiped at it in annoyance. She refused to cry. Some day they would get their just desserts. She had to believe that. And some day she would get hers. It was just that she wanted what she deserved right now, and that was to hug that beautiful little girl who didn't even know that she had a grandmother.

 

With a final look at the family and a swipe at another tear, Joan started the car and drove away. Her errand would have to wait for another day. She needed a good stiff drink.

 

"Bree, here's your sippy cup," Justin said handing his daughter her cup of apple juice.

 

Gus popped the tab on a can of soda as Bree watched him. She held out her hand indicating that she wanted some of Gus' Coke.

 

"No, Squirt," Brian said firmly. "You and Dada are having juice. See." Brian took a sip of his guava juice and Bree decided to have some of her apple juice. "Good," Brian said rubbing his tummy.

 

"Good," Bree replied rubbing her tummy in imitation of her father.

 

Gus laughed. "You have her trained to do everything you do."

 

"God, I hope not," Justin said feigning great displeasure.

 

"Hey, I've been on my best behavior for years now," Brian told them.

 

Justin and Gus laughed and Bree looked at them like they were crazy. She didn't see anything funny and they seemed to be laughing at her Dada.

 

"C'mon, Bree, let's walk off some of this food." Brian took Bree's hand and they walked along the path.

 

Justin and Gus watched. "Where's your bag for the weekend?"

 

"It's in Dad's car over at Kinnetik."

 

"Let's gather all this up. Can I get you to take it to the car? I have to go meet Lacy. We're starting work on the documents Edna left us."

 

"Sure," Gus said helping Justin pack everything back into the bag. "Is there a lot to go through?"

 

"Yeah, it's going to take a while."

 

"When will you be home?"

 

"I'll come home with John at the end of the day. See if you can get your father to barbecue and make a salad for dinner."

 

"He'll do it."

 

"How can you be so sure?"

 

"I'll tell him I want to barbecue and he'll be right out there protecting his lovely machine." Gus gave a wicked laugh and stuck his tongue in his cheek.

 

"You look so much like your father when you do that," Justin observed.

 

"I'll take that as a compliment."

 

"You should. Your father's the handsomest man I've ever seen."

 

"You still love him, don't you?"

 

"More than anything."

 

"And he loves you."

 

"I know," Justin said with a smile. "Well, enough sentimentality. I better get going. Tell Brian I'll see him at home."

 

Justin walked out of the park and Gus sat at the table waiting for his father and sister to return. He always knew how much Brian and Justin loved each other. He wondered if he'd ever find someone like that. The only problem was that he was beginning to think she'd have to be a girl. He wasn't sure how his parents would feel about that.

 

*****

 

Justin hurried down Tremont. He hoped Lacy didn't have to wait too long for him. He had enjoyed his lunch with Brian and the children so much that he was running a little behind. He saw Lacy standing in front of the loft building. He waved and hurried to join her.

 

"Ready for some work?" he asked.

 

"Yep."

 

"Then let's go." Justin unlocked the front door and they made their way up to the loft. When Justin slid back the heavy door and Lacy stepped inside, all she could say was, "Wow!"

 

Justin chuckled. "That's the usual reaction, but quite often it has more to do with Brian than with the actual loft."

 

"Doesn't it bother you that Brian has kept this place?" Lacy asked.

 

"No, it doesn't," Justin said thoughtfully. "This is where Brian and I first … fucked, and where we first made love and where so many things happened to us. I wouldn't want him to get rid of this place."

 

"He still doesn't … you know?"

 

"No, he doesn't, but we use the loft sometimes if we don't want to drive all the way out to the country. It has its uses, just like right now." Justin pointed to the pile of papers on the dining room table. There was another box on the floor beside it.

 

"You weren't kidding about how much you had to weed through."

 

"Well, let's get started," Justin said as he walked over to the table. He leaned over and lifted a pile of papers out of the box.

 

Lacy couldn't help but admire the view.

 

"Ready?" Justin asked as he turned around.

 

She hoped Justin couldn't see the flush of color in her cheeks. "Um … yeah," she replied.

 

After a few hours they had to take a break. Their eyes were getting tired from trying to read Kinney's journal, and Edna's tiny scrawl was almost as bad. Justin stood up to stretch his legs and then get a couple of bottles of water. Spying the nearly bare refrigerator and empty cupboards, Justin made a mental note to buy snacks for Monday. Wouldn't do well to pass out from hunger while they were working.

 

"Lacy, were you able to change your shift for next week? Another pair of eyes is making this a lot easier."

 

"Yeah, no problem. Debbie wants to train a new waiter so the lunch shift is perfect. I don't mind the dinner shift and I get good tips."

 

"Cool. A new waiter?"

 

"Yes. Debbie doesn't work that much and Kiki's been hinting that she wants to hang up her apron for good so we need more help. Hunter brought Andy in about a week ago. He's an older kid and tired of living on the street." Justin smiled. Hunter was having great results with his program.

 

"Andy couldn't be in better hands than Hunter and Debbie." Sitting back down at the table, Justin started to review what they had organized thus far. "Okay, so what do we have so far?"

 

"From what I've read in your research, the stuff that Edna found must have happened when Kinney and Patrick were still looking for a permanent home. It looks like they were in Panama for more than five years but something happened and they had to leave. There's so much stuff here. How did you organize things the first time?"

 

"I had help. John's mother, Claire, and I put all the Kinney letters in chronological order then I did the same thing with the Kinney journal and then there's my journal notes that I took while we were on our trip."

 

"That's a lot of work."

 

"Tell me about it. The letters alone took us weeks to read. We had to be careful with them. We didn't want to damage them. All the originals are in a safety deposit box at the bank. What's in these books are copies. I'd die if anything happened to the originals; they're too delicate to handle."

 

"So that means you have one book for Kinney's journal, one for your own and one for the letters and then there's all the notes and photos that Sidney made and Edna's notes and pictures."

 

"That about sums it up. It's all over the place. I don't know what book to look in anymore." Justin's voice rang with frustration. They sat back in their seats, quietly looking at all the data amassed.

 

"Justin, this might sound like a crazy idea but what if we collate all the notes and letters into one big book. A very large book or maybe two large books."

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"See here," Lacy pointed to a picture of one of the paintings found up at the farm. It was of a beautiful garden with row after row of sunflowers. "There's a date visible in the corner. Now I know I saw something about it. Here! Kinney wrote about it."

 

I miss our home and our extensive gardens. While others of our class preferred roses, my darling wife preferred sunflowers. Some grew taller than she. Whenever I see a sunflower, I am reminded of home and of the life we left behind us. My beloved Patrick has promised me that when we find a home, he shall plant sunflowers.

 

"Now I get what you mean! That's a great idea and it might make things go a lot faster. We can start with the letters then collate the journal then add my notes and Edna's. This way we'll have more of a complete picture. Thank you, Lacy." Justin got up and swept the lithe girl out of her chair to give her a hug. Lacy blushed a deep crimson. "Let's see how far we get today before John comes to get me. I can have Gus help me over the weekend and then we can tackle more on Monday."

 

"Gus?"

 

"You remember Gus, Brian's son."

 

"Oh, yeah. I remember him from the Rage opening. He looks a lot like his dad."

 

"Big time! He'll be just as tall as Brian real soon."

 

"Mmm. How much time do we have before John shows up?"

 

"A couple more hours. That should be enough time to put the journal into the letters. Let's get cracking."

 

By the time John showed up at the loft, Lacy and Justin had combined Kinney's letters with his journal. Since most of Justin's notes were interspersed with the journal, they were also included, and all the pictures they took of Kinney and Patrick's art as well. It was a great start. John knocked as he rolled back the door.

 

"Hi kids! Whoa, what is all this?" John spied all of the stacks of papers and photos."

 

"Um, we're organizing?" Lacy ventured. There was a method to their madness.

 

"Uh huh. Justin, do you want to leave this stuff here or take it home with us?"

 

"Home. I can't leave it, not when Lacy figured out the best way to put this all together." Justin smiled broadly at the girl. "Lacy, help me put this stuff in the box and then we can put the binders on top. I want to keep on working when I get home. Are you working tonight or going home?"

 

"Home," Lacy said with a happy sigh. It was nice to have some place to call home. Debbie and Carl had made her feel so welcome.

 

"Then we'll drop you off, little lady," John said with a handsome smile. Lacy couldn't help but notice just how beautiful John was, almost as beautiful as Brian.

 

With the Kinney treasure packed up, the loft secured, John loaded the box onto the elevator. It was time to call it a night.

 

That night Justin instructed Gus about what they were doing with the papers. Gus agreed to help. He liked being treated like an adult, like he was really worth something. While Brian played with Bree, the other two got to reading through the pages of Kinney's journal.

 

"Um, Justin, did Kinney and Patrick have a child?"

 

"What? Did you find another reference to that?" Justin asked suddenly excited.

 

"I just read this," Gus said handing Justin a photocopied page of Kinney's journal.

 

Justin greedily grabbed it and started reading.

 

I have begun a painting of Patrick and our darling Katherine. She is such a beautiful little girl. No one could ask for a more beautiful daughter. Even though I miss my children back home, Katherine has taken a very special place in my heart. She and Patrick will be so beautiful together in the painting. He is all blond and sunlight and she is dark and radiant. I love them so much. I hope I can finish the painting before we must move on, and it seems that won't be too long from now.

 

"Holy shit!" Justin crowed. "Brian, come see this. Kinney and Patrick had a daughter."

 

"No shit," Brian replied as he walked over. Bree followed her father watching him as he used that special word.

 

Justin handed the page to Brian who read through it quickly. "That man is just full of surprises," Brian observed as he handed the page back to Justin.

 

"I wonder why they had to move on," Justin asked.

 

"Maybe after they conceived or adopted their daughter, the locals weren't too fond of them. You know that people think we're all pedophiles."

 

"That's sick, Dad," Gus protested.

 

"I know, Sonny Boy, but this was a long time ago, and people weren't very enlightened. Although, it hasn't seemed to have helped much in this day and age where people have access to all the best information. They continue to believe what they want to believe."

 

"Like your mother," Justin observed.

 

Gus was about to say something about his grandmother that he had barely ever seen, but then decided that it was best not to pursue it.

 

Bree watched what was going on and wondered who they were talking about.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 8

 

"Dad?" Gus said as he and Brian walked out to the stream behind the cottage.

 

"Yes, Sonny Boy," Brian replied. He was watching Justin and Bree chasing each other up ahead. He shifted the thermal bag with their lunch and drinks to his other shoulder.

 

"There's something I want to ask you."

 

"Shoot!"

 

"Um … when did you know you were gay?"

 

Brian looked at his son. Was Gus about to tell him that he was gay? Brian braced himself for what was to some, and said, "Around your age." He tried to keep his voice normal.

 

"Really?'

 

"Yep."

 

"Dad, I don't think I'm gay," Gus blurted out.

 

"What?" Brian asked startled at this turn of events. "Are you sure?"

 

"No, I … I haven't done anything yet," Gus blushed.

 

"Then you don't know for sure?"

 

"No, but I like to look at girls. They make me feel funny."

 

"Funny?"

 

"All squishy inside, especially Pamela Black."

 

"Who's Pamela Black when she's home?" Brian asked.

 

Gus laughed. "She's a girl at school. She's a couple of grades ahead of me, but she's … great!" Gus said enthusiastically.

 

"Well, at least you didn't say it was Pamela fucking Anderson," Brian replied swiping his hand over his face. How did he get himself into these conversations? Right! He was trying to be a fucking parent.

 

"Pamela Anderson's got humungous … you know."

 

"I know, but I'm trying not to think about them," Brian chuckled.

 

"You're not mad, are you?"

 

"Mad? About what?"

 

"If I'm not gay."

 

"You are what you are, Sonny Boy, and that's fine with me."

 

"Thanks, Dad."

 

"I didn't do anything, and quite frankly, you'll have a much easier time of it if you're straight."

 

"You think so?"

 

"I know so."

 

"Was … was it hard for you?" Gus asked knowing his father hating talking about stuff like this, but he really wanted to know.

 

"Hard enough," Brian said thoughtfully as they spread the blanket out on the grass by the stream. "My parents would have been horrified if I told them I was gay. My father would have beat the snot out of me."

 

"No?"

 

"Yeah, he would. I never told him I was gay until just before he died."

 

"What did he say?"

 

Brian debated how to answer that and decided that the truth was the best way. "He said I should be the one dying, not him. He thought all gays should have AIDS."

 

"That was so cruel. I'm sorry," Gus said giving Brian a hug.

 

"It's not your fault, Sonny Boy."

 

"I know, but it's so … mean. What about your mother?"

 

Brian chuckled at the memory. He had taken Ted's Viagra and had been fucking Justin into the mattress when his mother arrived at the loft with a cake. That had taken care of his hard-on. "She stopped by the loft one day," Brian said out loud. "She found Justin there and put two and two together. She keeps telling me how I'm going to burn in Hell for my perversions."

 

"Fuck!" Gus reacted.

 

Brian looked at his son but didn't say anything.

 

"Is that why she's always so mean to you?"

 

Brian nodded. "She can't seem to help herself," he added not wanting to poison Gus against her, although it wasn't likely that Gus and his grandmother would spend any time together.

 

"I wish you could make it up with her."

 

"I've tried many times, but she doesn't want to give an inch."

 

"What about Bree's baptism?" Gus asked. "You could invite her."

 

"You're not the only one who thinks I should invite her. Maybe she'll like my straight son and my yet to be determined daughter," Brian chuckled.

 

"Yeah, maybe," Gus laughed and picked up Bree who had just toddled over to him. He swung her around eliciting joyous giggles.

 

Brian and Justin watched their children and smiled at each other.

 

*****

 

Early Sunday morning, Gordon arrived at the cottage to consult with John about their plans. Bobby and his sister had arranged a play date for Patrick and Briana with some of the children in Bridgeton. Patrick would be entering kindergarten in the Fall and they decided that he needed to interact with the children he might meet. Even though Rachel's girls were much older, Rachel and her family were well known in the community. Bobby packed up the kids and headed for Rachel's house. Brian and Gus did some more 'bonding' as Brian puttered around the garden, planting colorful annuals. It was the time in Gus' life that he needed his father and Brian wanted to cement his relationship with his son. That left Justin with the Kinney journal and papers.

 

Justin packed the newly organized journal, all his notes and of course, his sketchpad, and headed for the glade by the stream. It was a peaceful place for him to reflect and study the information they all had amassed.

 

My beloved John has encouraged me to write down these words. My hand is not as elegant nor as eloquent as his, but I shall endeavor to recite what is in my heart.

 

Kinney has sacrificed so much me, for us, I can not tell you. He suffers, at times, from a melancholia that is difficult to break. I would watch him walk within a field of flowers; tears of sadness would mark his beautiful face. There is no cure for when one is missing home.

 

I have seen my beloved at times of great joy! When he takes brush in hand, all his pain appears to vanish. The love of his art is on his canvas.

 

There are the times that nothing in the world exists but for him and I. It is at those times when we express our love and devotion to one another that cannot be duplicated. It is always different and yet the same. Our forbidden love.

 

My Kinney is a man amongst men. Taller than most and surprisingly strong. No one who would gaze at him could know his physical strength and his strength of will and of character. And he is the most silent man I have ever met. I have scarcely heard him utter two words together. For, between ourselves, there is no need for words. I am able to see his thoughts in his eyes.

 

His beautiful eyes that can be as green as the leaves upon the trees and as brown as God's rich earth. His eyes shine with gold and then as black as night in the throes of passion. His eyes are my gateway into his soul. My dear Kinney is my life.

 

My beloved has informed me that soon we must leave this place. We have been able to call this humble village home for several years now but the elders of the village have grown suspicious. The priest has forbidden us entry to the chapel. Kinney has found peace within God's house. To be unable to walk within its walls wounds him. We are again, without a home.

 

"Justin? Sunshine? What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

 

Brian and Gus had finished their planting and decided it was time for lunch. John invited Gordon to stay so they could discuss the construction plans with Brian and Justin. John, Brian and Gus made short work of creating the thick sandwiches they were all about to enjoy when Brian went looking for Justin. Brian found his partner leaning against their boulder by the stream, tears running down his face.

 

Justin held up the copy of the page that touched him so, for Brian to read. Justin heard a hitch in Brian's breathing, the only indication that Patrick's journal entry had hit its mark with Brian. Brian gathered Justin into his arms.

 

"Oh Sunshine, they did find a home. We know where they finally settled and we know they eventually found peace." Justin's eyes that so reflected the sky gazed deeply into Brian's eyes, their love reflecting back. "Justin, they have a home here, with us and with Claire. Kinney and Patrick are home." They sat for a few more moments, comforted within their embrace and warmed with their love until a familiar rumble signaled it was time to return to the house.

 

"Sunshine, methinks your stomach has more important things on its mind other than Kinney's journal. Lunch is ready." Justin softly giggled then wiped his eyes. Brian helped him pack up the journal. Hand in hand, they went back to the house.

 

*****

 

Justin pulled up in front of the loft. Lacy was waiting for him by the front door. He turned to Gus who was sitting beside him in the vehicle.

 

"You sure you want to spend the first day of your summer vacation going over old documents with me?"

 

"I'm sure," Gus grinned.

 

"Then let's go. I'll introduce you to Lacy."

 

They got out of the car and approached the front door.

 

"I brought another pair of eyes to help us," Justin said as he stuck the key in the lock. "Lacy, this is Gus, Brian's son."

 

"Hi," Lacy said giving Gus the once over. He was a very young version of his father. She didn't think he'd scare her the way Brian did, though. "Justin told me that you found the reference to the daughter that Patrick and Kinney had. That must have been exciting."

 

"It was," Gus smiled. He liked the looks of this Lacy. She was all right. "And Justin told me that you're the one that figured out how to organize all this data. You must be pretty smart."

 

Lacy couldn't help but smile at Gus' compliment. It had been rare in her life that someone had thought she was smart, street savvy, but not smart. She liked this kid.

 

Gus followed Justin and Lacy into the building. They decided to take the stairs and Gus watched Lacy's butt all the way up. He quite liked that butt. He felt a tightening in his groin that kind of scared him. He was definitely not gay.

 

Once inside the loft they got to work. Gus watched as Lacy continually leaned towards Justin or looked over his shoulder or touched him in some other way. Gus wanted to do all those things with Lacy but he didn't have the nerve. It didn't take Gus long to figure out that Lacy had a big time crush on Justin. He wondered how that could be. With a frown he set down the papers he was reading and watched more carefully. Justin was absorbed in what he was reading, but Lacy would ask a question and they would lean close to find some reference or discuss something.

 

Lacy looked up and saw Gus staring at her. He could see her blush and then she moved away from Justin. This was too weird. Gus wondered of he should talk to Justin about it. Or maybe he should talk to Lacy. That would give him a chance to talk alone with her. He liked that idea.

 

"I'm going to go down the street and get us some donuts and coffee," Justin said.

 

"Sounds good," Gus replied, "but I'll have soda."

 

"Make mine soda too," Lacy said.

 

"Three Mountain Dew's?" he asked with a grin.

 

They all laughed and Justin went out to get their afternoon snacks.

 

"You like Justin, don't you?" Gus asked when Justin had disappeared.

 

"Justin's great! He's been teaching me to draw."

 

"You like art?" Gus asked feeling his heart beat even faster.

 

"I draw all the time. It was pretty rough; however, until Justin started tutoring me. I owe him so much."

 

Gus digested that fact. Maybe he had jumped to the wrong conclusion. "I like art too. My Mom works at the Sidney Bloom Gallery and is an artist too."

 

"Your Dad's very talented in advertising."

 

"I know," Gus smiled. "He and Justin are great together." Gus watched Lacy's face drop and knew that his original suspicions were probably true. "What kind of stuff do you draw?"

 

"Real stuff," Lacy said defiantly.

 

"Meaning?" Gus asked with a frown.

 

"What did Justin tell you about me?"

 

"Nothing, just that you were helping with all these papers."

 

"I … I was on the streets for over a year," Lacy admitted. She waited to see what Gus' reaction would be.

 

"Like Hunter?"

 

"Exactly like Hunter." She wondered if Gus would understand the full import of that statement.

 

"You hustled?" Gus asked.

 

"Yeah, among other things. That's what my art is about. I draw street people and what their lives are like."

 

"Wow!" Gus reacted. "I draw my family and friends and my house."

 

Lacy laughed. "I guess we come at art from different directions."

 

"I'd love to see some of your work," Gus said.

 

"Maybe I'll show you some time. And you could show me yours."

 

Gus' smile was brilliant as he basked in the glow of his first successful conversation with Lacy, and the promise of more to come.

 

The loft door opened and Justin returned with the donuts and Mountain Dew. He wondered what had Gus in such a good mood.

 

*****

 

"Hey Johnny! I'm glad you were able to work from here today." Gordon and his crew arrived early at the cottage to continue the preliminary work for the joining of the two cottages.

 

"No problem, Gordy. This means a lot to all of us. I want it done right."

 

"Eh, man, I wouldn't screw up your house. You sign my pay check," Gordon laughed.

 

John joined in and then remarked, "Gordon, it's not my house I'm worried about. We screw up Brian's cottage, there'll be hell to pay."

 

"Don't tell me you're afraid of your scrawny little brother?" Gordon was teasing John.

 

"Brian's not so scrawny and he's been working out. You haven't seen him in action. I, for one, do not hang around when he's angry." John gave an exaggerated shudder then they cracked up again. "Seriously, we did a great job on this cottage; I don't want to ruin the look of it."

 

"John, you know I would have never gone along with this plan if I didn't think it was a good idea or it would look like shit. I think it's a fine idea and quite frankly you won't be able to see your cottage from the lane. The angle is different since you intend to join the sun porch via your kitchen. Your front door will be on the side. We can extend and widen the driveway to bring it closer to your door."

 

"Oh hell, please don't tell me you have to rip out any of Brian's garden. He'll kill us both."

 

"You big wuss! I promise, not a flower or shrub will be sacrificed during the joining of the cottages." Holding up his hand, Gordon continued, "I give you my solemn vow." They both broke up into another fit of giggles. "Seriously John, I've been waiting a long time to get my hands on your cottage."

 

"What are you talking about?"

 

"John, as well kept as your cottage is, it has never been really renovated. Your mother kept it as a summer rental. It needs to be rewired; you still have fuses, for fuck sake! You need a new water heater and I intend to raise your roof like we did for Brian. You know as well as I do that you'll be running your own dynasty soon and you can do it from home. Bobby will eventually go into private practice or at the very least, want the ability to work from home too. And what if you want another child?"

 

"Enough! I get the point. Sheesh."

 

"Eh, just trying to keep my boss happy."

 

"You know you're full of shit."

 

"Yeah, well, comes from working with you for over twenty years. By the way, do I have a time limit on this project?"

 

"Yes, I'd like it to be completed by Labor Day. Brian is seriously considering having Briana baptized. I think he wants to do it here. We'd have all summer to get this done, re-landscape and get settled in."

 

"Okay, then let's shoot for mid-August."

 

"Which in Gordon speak means the end of July. Gordy, that's barely a month."

 

"John, I can do it. The primary crew, here, six days a week. We have over twelve hours of daylight to work with. When we get close, a second crew to prepare your cottage. It'll work John, I promise."

 

"You've convinced me. The men are all here, let's get cracking." John and Gordon went to speak with their crew and to begin, in earnest, the latest renovation to the Kinney/Taylor home.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 9

 

"What the fuck was that?" Brian asked sitting up in bed.

 

"What was what?" Justin asked rubbing his eyes.

 

"That!" Brian stated as a loud rumbling came through their bedroom window.

 

"Must be the bulldozer," Justin said.

 

"Bulldozer? Nobody told me about a fucking bulldozer, and it's barely the crack of dawn.

 

"Calm down, Brian," Justin said. "I meant to tell you last night before we went to bed, but you … distracted me."

 

"I distracted you?"

 

"You know…"

 

"Oh, yeah, but what the fuck is a bulldozer doing here at this ungodly hour?" Brian demanded.

 

"They're leveling the area in preparation for moving the house, then they're digging the foundation and then…"

 

"Fuck!" Brian interrupted. "One of the reasons we have this place is because of the peace and quiet. How fucking long are we going to have to listen to that?" Brian demanded as the bulldozer let out another roar of power.

 

"The bulldozer won't be here too long, but once the house gets moved there will be all the construction and renovation."

 

"Tell me again why I agreed to this?" Brian asked as he rubbed at his aching head.

 

"So John and Bobby and Patrick can be nearby. It'll be fine. We'll be gone most of the day while they're working."

 

"I guess…" Brian said reluctantly. He had got used to his privacy and peace at the cottage, and he didn't take it well that it was all being interrupted.

 

"Dada," Bree called from the hall.

 

"What are you doing out of bed?" Brian called as Bree pushed back the partially open door.

 

"Noise," she said climbing up onto her fathers' bed.

 

"I know, sweetie," Justin said. "It's loud."

 

Bree covered her ears and let her Dada hug her against his chest. He kissed her little cheek.

 

"It won't be for very long, Squirt," Brian whispered against her hair. "Will it, Justin?"

 

"Um … hopefully not."

 

"Hopefully?" Brian glared.

 

"Let's get ready for work. We can leave all this noise behind when we go into peaceful downtown Pittsburgh."

 

Brian threw a pillow at Justin as he escaped through the bathroom door.

 

When they all met in the kitchen some time later, Brian was still not a happy camper. He cornered John. "Do your guys have to come at the crack of dawn?"

 

"If they don't then it will take that much longer to complete this project," John said reasonably.

 

Brian let out a long sigh. "Well, they better not touch any of my flower beds."

 

"They've been warned about that," John said.

 

"How long are we going to have to listen to that?"

 

"Today and tomorrow," John replied.

 

"That's all?"

 

"For the bulldozer," John amended. "Then there will be the carpenters building the frames for the foundation and then the cement trucks…"

 

"Fuck!" Brian reacted. "Maybe I should just stay at the loft."

 

"Are … are you sorry that you agreed to this?" John asked looking crestfallen. "If you are, tell me now, and I'll put a stop to this right now."

 

"No, no, I didn't mean that. I just hate the noise."

 

Justin set the waffles and bacon down in front of the men. It was his turn to make breakfast. "I guess we could stay at the loft, but it's not really good for Bree. All her stuff is here."

 

"I know," Brian conceded. "I'm just being a bitch. Don't even listen to me."

 

"You're not being a bitch," Justin said kissing his cheek. "You've just got used to your peace and serenity out here in the country."

 

"Serene," Brian said thoughtfully. "Did you ever think Brian Kinney could be serene?"

 

"You are serene. Sometimes I think you forget how much you've changed over the years," Justin grinned at him.

 

"I haven't changed at all," Brian stated.

 

"Of course not," Justin chuckled. "You only go to Babylon about once a year to check on the books and you garden your little heart out at every opportunity and you'd rather play with Bree than with a hard co…"

 

"Don't finish that statement," Brian interrupted looking at Bree and Patrick who were taking in every word.

 

"Sorry," Justin replied, "but you do forget how much you've actually grown up."

 

Brian snorted. "I was always the grown-up."

 

"Waffle," Bree said as she stuffed the last piece of her syrupy waffle into her mouth.

 

"More?" Brian asked.

 

Bree nodded her head. "Good."

 

"Yes, they are. Your daddy knows everything, and he's a good cook too."

 

Justin chuckled. "And don't you forget it."

 

"Yes, dear," Brian said in his inimitable falsetto.

 

*****

 

Standing outside of Kinnetik Father Tom was rather bewildered looking at the structure. Of course he knew that Brian owned his own business; he always kept up with the gay grapevine. Father Tom was also well aware that the building was a former bathhouse. But he had never seen the building up close and personal. The outside of the building still had the look of it original purpose, including the "men only" sign. Father Tom was working up the courage to go inside when an attractive woman came up to the door.

 

"Excuse me, Father, may I help you?" Cynthia was returning from a lunch meeting when she spotted the priest.

 

"Um, this is Kinnetik, isn't it?" Father Tom asked rather shyly.

 

"Yes, Father, it is," Cynthia chuckled. "The building often gets this reaction. It's why Brian never had the facade changed."

 

"It fits him. Oh, I'm sorry, I'm Father Tom. I officiated at Brian and Justin's commitment ceremony.

 

"Cynthia Morgan, and I remember. I was there. I'm Brian's personal assistant and partner. Do you have an appointment?" Cynthia didn't remember seeing the good father's name on Brian's schedule.

 

"No, not really. I guess I should have called. Brian does have to travel a lot."

 

"Don't worry. He's here but he may still be in a meeting. Why don't we go in and I'll give you the fifty-cent tour then you can wait in his office." Father Tom agreed and followed Cynthia into Kinnetik headquarters.

 

"This is very impressive," Father Tom expressed his compliment as they completed the tour. Cynthia led the priest into Brian's office.

 

"Father, I don't mean to pry but is this visit business or pleasure." Cynthia had run interference for Brian for nearly twenty years. Old habits died hard and she would do just about anything for her friend and boss.

 

"A little of both, I think. Let me ask you something first. Have you known Brian for a long time?"

 

"Longer than most. I was his assistant when he worked for Ryder and stayed when Vangard bought them out."

 

"So, you must know him well."

 

"Very well. Father, is something wrong?"

 

"No, no. I'm sorry to be so cryptic. I'm assuming you know of the rift between Brian and his mother."

 

"Rift, is putting it mildly. Yes, I am well aware of it."

 

"And has he told you that he and Justin are considering having Briana baptized?"

 

"I've heard rumors to that effect."

 

"Mrs. Kinney is a regular at my church. She visits nearly every day. I try to encourage her to reconcile with her children but the divide grows wider. She was once close with her daughter but..."

 

"I remember that too. Everyone here was pulling for them. Brian was hurt at what his mother attempted. But what does that have to do with Briana's baptism?"

 

"I'm hoping the ceremony could help to unite the Kinney family."

 

"Father, you ask a lot. And I'm not the one you should be talking to."

 

"On the contrary, you are the perfect one to speak to. I need to know how to approach Brian. You know him as well as anyone and you know what he's capable of. Do you think he'll consider inviting his mother?"

 

"I honestly don't know. And you're right, I do know what Brian Kinney's capable of."

 

"Tell me about him, aside from the obvious."

 

"But you know him, have spoken to him. I've heard him grumble about you. And I believe you've heard his confession."

 

"You know about that too?"

 

"Father, you'd be surprised at what I know. And it's all to protect him. I make sure he's given the clearance he needs to do his job. What he does, how he does it affects a great many people and I'm not just talking about the ads he comes up with. His success is our success. So I have to be able to read him even when he's in our Harrisburg branch."

 

"I understand. The business Brian is just that, all business. And how is he with his family?"

 

"Father, I'm not at liberty to speak about his personal life. He loathes anyone prying into what he feels he must protect. And he will do all within his power to protect the ones he loves."

 

"I've seen him in action. I have no intention of getting on his bad side."

 

"Father Tom, just be honest with him. Above all Brian values honesty and straight- forwardness, if you excuse the pun."

 

"His mother is a lonely old woman and I'm afraid she'll never know the joy of holding her granddaughter in her arms. I wish there was something I could do to make her see that what she believes is God's will is so wrong. I fear she'll die alone."

 

"She's not sick, is she?"

 

"No, from what I see she's as healthy as a horse. But her spirit is dying. There is no love in her life. I've spoken to Claire, her daughter, and she tries to include Joan in family gatherings but Joan..."

 

"I know. Brian did invite her to Christmas dinner once, right after Joan tried to sue them and take away Claire's children. He even paid Joan's attorney fees when he found out she didn't have the money. He continues to pay her bills and her mortgage."

 

"He's a good son. He loves his mother."

 

"Father, I've seen Brian at his worst and at his best. You'd never know that under all that Armani armor there is a little boy who only wants his mother's love."

 

"Then help me to convince him to invite his mother to the baptism."

 

"All right, I'll do it but if I get fired, it'll be your fault!" Just then Brian sauntered into his office.

 

"What will be your fault?" Brian asked as he looked back and forth at his assistant and his confessor.

 

"Um, er..." Father Tom sputtered.

 

"I think I'll go see what Ted's up to. Nice chatting with you, Father. See you later, boss." With a flurry of her heels clicking on the floor, Cynthia left Brian's office. Brian watched her breeze out of the room then fixed his gaze on the hapless priest.

 

"Now, Brian, you know I have your best interests at heart and your mother isn't getting any younger and..." Brian held up his hand.

 

"Enough!" Brian bellowed as he sat at his desk and scrubbed at his eyes. "You're here to convince me to baptize Briana and invite Joan." A statement rather than a question.

 

"Yes."

 

"Okay."

 

"Okay?! Just okay? No yelling, no screaming, no one thousand reasons why this isn't a good idea?" Father Tom stood in front of Brian's desk doing a good impression of a carp out of water.

 

"My partner and my brother have both been at me and now Gus wants to know more about Joan. I don't think I have a choice in this matter."

 

"Yes, you do and from what I understand, Justin is Briana's biological father and he's not Catholic. You don't have to agree to anything."

 

"But it will make my family happy. Both John and my sister want to be Briana's godparents. Justin's all for it and Debbie will be over the moon, so will John's mother."

 

"And what about you? I know how you feel about the church and about Joan. What do you want, Brian?"

 

"What do I want? World peace, the cure for AIDS and Cancer..."

 

"Brian..."

 

"I want...I want her to like me." Brian answered the priest's question in a tone barely above a whisper. Placing his hand on Brian's shoulder, Father Tom offered him comfort.

 

"Then let me help." Brian could only nod.

 

*****

 

Over the next few days the bulldozers finally left. The new foundation was about to be poured, the new electrical and TV cables were laid as well as the pipes for water, sewer and gas. The joining of the two homes was getting closer. The school season was over which afforded Gus the opportunity to spend time with his dad before he went to camp. Rage: The Movie was still hot. And Rage: The Art Show was garnering more than just a passing interest. The second phase of Kinnetik's Rage PR hit the public with great success.

 

Brian and Justin were able to take a little time off to spend at home with Bree and Gus as well as to supervise the construction. After a long hike into the woods and a hearty dinner, Brian decided to prepare a very sleepy Briana for bed. Justin was lounging on the settee in the sun porch, studying more of the Kinney journal, while Gus was quietly reading a book.

 

Brian brought his daughter into the bathroom, turned on the shower to warm the water, stripped them both and then stepped into the shower. He held the child close as the warm water sluiced over them. Briana held onto her dada's neck as Brian passed a soapy cloth over her skin. Bree giggled softly as the bubbles tickled her toes and her dada kissed her tummy. Brian knew that his daughter was growing up fast and these innocent pleasures would not last long. Soon his baby wouldn't need her dada to bathe her. When their shower was finished, Brian wrapped Bree in a big fluffy towel. Grabbing a robe for himself, Brian went to put his daughter to bed.

 

Justin knew that Gus could hear Briana's giggles emanating from her bedroom and he ached for the little boy who never got to spend that kind of time with his father. He also ached for Brian, knowing how guilty Brian felt. Gus caught Justin looking at him.

 

"It's okay, you know," Gus said quietly.

 

"What's okay, buddy?"

 

"That Dad dotes on Bree. I know he loves me."

 

"He feels bad that he wasn't there more often for you when you were younger."

 

"He doesn't have to. I know what he did for me. As soon as I was old enough to understand, Mom told me all about it. No apologies, no regrets. Isn't that what Dad always said?"

 

"Yeah, but sometimes..."

 

"Jus, Dad and me, we're okay. I like that I'm old enough to hang with him and we can do guy stuff."

 

"You mean plant flowers?" Justin laughed.

 

"Yeah, who knew Pop has a way with impatiens?" Gus cracked up with Justin.

 

Brian walked in the porch to find his son and his lover laughing like a pair of hyenas with tears rolling down their cheeks.

 

"What?" Brian asked looking very perplexed and wondering what the joke was. Gus and Justin caught the expression on Brian's face and then cracked up all over again.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 10

 

Joan Kinney sat at her kitchen table. She had a bottle of sherry in front of her. It was mostly gone. She had been drinking for most of the afternoon. She couldn't quite understand how God could be so cruel to her to leave her all alone while her family went on with their sinful lives.

 

She could see that beautiful little blonde girl running around the fountain in the churchyard. She was Joan's granddaughter, a child that she had never even seen before. The little girl had to be two years old, and Joan hadn't even known she existed. Her son was so cruel. He wouldn't even tell her about the children. She had had to find out about Gus totally by accident. Brian's son must be a teenager by now. She took another sip of her wine. Her children were so wicked to keep her from her grandchildren.

 

With a sigh Joan polished off the rest of her glass of sherry. She still had a little more in the bottle, but she might need it later tonight to help her sleep. She was pretty sure that she didn't have any more liquor in the house either. She screwed the top on the bottle and wearily got up to put the bottle in the cupboard.

 

She had just cleaned everything up when her front doorbell rang. She wondered who would be coming to the house at this time of day, probably someone selling something. She decided not to answer it. The bell rang again. She quietly made her way to the living room and peered through a crack in the curtains.

 

Her heart soared. It was Father Tom. She hadn't had a visit from him at home in a long time. She had to go to St. Anthony's if she wanted to see him. She had a feeling he didn't approve of some of the things she had done with regards to her family. But that didn't matter now. He was here. Quickly she opened the front door.

 

"Father," she said with a big smile. "What a lovely surprise!"

 

"How are you, Joan?"

 

"I'm fine. Please come in," Joan said stepping back and holding the door open for the priest.

 

Father Tom walked past Joan getting a whiff of liquor as he did so. He shook his head. He knew that Joan was a secret drinker, but he had hoped that she had cut back on that as he had suggested. Apparently his hopes weren't to be realized. Joan was a very lonely old woman.

 

"Would you like some coffee, Father?" Joan asked.

 

"That would be nice," he said thinking that the coffee would do her more good than him. He followed her to the kitchen where she started a pot of coffee and pulled out some cookies from a cupboard.

 

"To what do I owe the honor of this visit?" Joan asked as the coffee started to drip.

 

"I haven't visited you lately, and there's something I want to talk to you about."

 

"No, you haven't been here for months," Joan said unable to keep the judgmental quality out of her voice.

 

Father Tom could hear the accusation in her voice. She was one unforgiving woman. "Joan, I believe you know about the existence of Brian and Justin's daughter," Father Tom said gently.

 

"And who might that be?" Joan asked as she took down some cups for the coffee.

 

"This is your granddaughter I'm talking about."

 

"Did he send you here to taunt me with the granddaughter that I didn't even know existed until a few days ago?" Joan demanded.

 

"No one wants to taunt you, Joan."

 

"Sit down, Father. The coffee's ready," Joan said her voice like ice.

 

Father Tom sat down at the kitchen table and accepted the coffee that Joan handed him. He noted the trembling in her hand, as she gave him the cup.

 

"I am here on my own recognizance. No one asked me to do anything. I just thought I might be able to pave the way to some understanding."

 

"Understanding? What understanding? That my son has children that he doesn't even want me to know exist? That he has effectively turned everyone against me including my daughter? I understand all these things only too well."

 

"Joan, please, sit down. And calm down. What I'm here to tell you is nothing like that," Father Tom said in his most gentle voice.

 

"And just what do you want to tell me?" Joan demanded taking a sip of her coffee and wishing it was something much stronger.

 

"Brian and Justin have decided to have their daughter baptized."

 

"And you're going to do it? In the church?"

 

"Yes, I'm going to do it, and no, not in the church."

 

"Then it isn't even valid," Joan said with that supercilious tone of criticism that she had perfected to a tee.

 

"Yes, it is valid. Priests are allowed to baptize outside the church under certain conditions," Father Tom said carefully.

 

"Conditions, like having two homosexuals for parents?" Joan asked glaring at the priest.

 

"That has nothing to do with the baptism."

 

"Says who?"

 

"Says me!" Tom retorted finally letting Joan get to him. "Look, do you want to hear what I have to say or not?"

 

"I suppose … since you're here," Joan said sipping her coffee.

 

"The baptism is going to be held at Brian and Justin's home."

 

Joan snorted. "That disgusting loft that half the men in Pittsburgh have been through, if I am to believe half of the rumors that are circulating."

 

Father Tom raised an eyebrow. Obviously Joan was getting information about her son from somewhere, and it was not of the flattering variety. "The baptism will be at their home in the country."

 

"They have another home?" Joan asked. She let out a barely audible moan, as what the priest had said registered. Her son had another home that she had never see, had never been invited to, had never even known existed. Just like her granddaughter.

 

"I believe Brian is going to invite you to the baptism," Father Tom continued.

 

"Invite me?" Joan asked in true surprise. "Why would he invite me?"

 

"You are his mother, and he knows how important the church and religion are to you."

 

"Then why isn't this being done in the church?" Joan demanded.

 

Father Tom sighed. There was no winning with Joan. "Justin isn't Catholic," he said taking that as the easiest explanation of why the sacrament needed to be outside the church.

 

Joan digested this fact. So, she had been right that the blond man, this Justin, was the little girl's father. She wondered at the fact that Brian would even consider inviting her. "Where is this house?" Joan asked.

 

"About halfway between here and Harrisburg."

 

"All the way there?"

 

"Yes."

 

"I don't know," Joan said suddenly uncertain. She would like to see this house. She would like to see how her son actually lived. She would like to hold her granddaughter, if only once before she died.

 

"We'll see that you get a ride there," Father Tom said thinking this might be the reason for her hesitancy.

 

"I can drive myself," she stated.

 

"Of course," Father Tom said realizing he had guessed incorrectly about her motives for not answering. "Would you consider coming to the baptism?"

 

"I … I don't know." Joan closed her eyes and thought about what this might mean. Then she realized that Brian hadn't even asked her yet. It was Father Tom who was proposing this, and there was no guarantee that Brian would ever give her a chance to attend the ceremony.

 

"All I'm asking is that you think about it. And when Brian calls, listen to him and say yes."

 

"I … don't know," she repeated.

 

"I better go. Think about what I've told you. I can show myself out," he said as she showed no signs of getting up.

 

Joan never replied to his statement. She seemed lost in thought. He quietly left the kitchen and let himself out the front door.

 

Joan sat at the table for a while. This was an interesting turn of events. She wasn't sure what she would do if Brian ever did call her and invite her. She would have to hear him actually say those words before she believed any of this. She slowly got up and retrieved the remainder of the bottle of sherry.

 

*****

 

"Justin, its Sidney Bloom, my boy! We haven't seen you at the gallery for a few days. Are you doing your Justin Taylor, the elusive man of mystery routine?"

 

"No, Sidney, I'm doing Justin Taylor, exhausted house husband routine. We're doing some construction on the house and someone needs to be here. I've been volunteered. Besides, it gives me the time to continue my research on the Kinney notes. Why, is someone missing me?"

 

"We all miss you, my boy. But that's not the reason I called. Justin, we cleaned the unfinished canvas. And you'll never guess what we've found."

 

"What! What?"

 

"Kinney started a portrait of Patrick..."

 

"That's what I thought it was."

 

"But that's not all. Patrick is holding a child, a little girl. The hair and eyes look dark but aside from that, she could be Briana's twin."

 

"No shit?"

 

"No shit, to use your expression. Justin, we photographed the canvas and I will email you a copy so you can see for yourself but you should come here. I have a proposition for you."

 

"What?"

 

"Finish it."

 

"WHAT?!!"

 

"Finish the portrait. Just like you did with the portrait of Patrick. I want you to finish the painting."

 

"But I can't. I can't paint like him and it will ruin the original canvas. No, Sidney, I won't do that."

 

"I thought you'd say that. Then do the next best thing. I'll pack the canvas up for you and you can take it home, copy it onto a fresh canvas and then complete the portrait. The Rage movie has sparked more interest in your work. We can do a study. A Justin Taylor study of JAB Kinney. You have his notes, his journal and your own experiences from your journey. Do this, Justin. Take all the time you need. We can have a special show and dedicate it to Edna. We can start the exhibition here then take it to New York, maybe California. The possibilities are endless, my boy."

 

"I don't know what to say."

 

"You say, yes Sidney."

 

"Yes, Sidney. Um, do you want me to come into Pittsburgh to pick up the canvas?"

 

"Give me a couple of days. Since you're not going to paint it, we'll apply a preservative. I'll call you when it's done. Maybe Brian can bring it home or I can have it delivered. Don't sweat the details. Now, I've just emailed the picture. Have fun studying it. I'll be in touch."

 

"Uh, sure, Sidney. Bye.... Huh, well, fuck me."

 

*****

 

"Justin? You okay? You look a little flustered. The kids giving you a difficult time?"

 

"Hmm? No, John, I'm fine. Gus has been doing his big brother routine with Bree and Patrick, they're angels for him. I just got off the phone with Sidney; he's sending me an email with a picture of the unfinished canvas. He says it's a portrait of Patrick holding a child that looks a lot like Bree. He wants me to finish the portrait."

 

"You're kidding, right?"

 

"Nope. Sidney says that except for dark eyes and hair, they could be twins."

 

"Well, it does make sense. If Patrick decided to have a child by a local woman then it stands to reason the child may have dark hair and eyes. And since you and Patrick resemble each other, the features of the baby could look like Briana. There's no doubting that you're Briana's father."

 

"You mean in spite of the fact that Brian dotes on her day and night. Is miserable if he's separated from her for more than an hour and she has him wrapped around her little finger. Sure, I may have donated the sperm but that's about it."

 

"Oh stop it. You dote on her too. You're just not as blatant as he is. And Bobby's the same way with Patrick. And Justin, the way you've included Gus. You and Brian are doing a wonderful job. This could have turned out so differently with Gus but he's a fine young man."

 

"I know, we're very lucky. Brian loves Gus so much."

 

"Yes, he does."

 

"Mmm. Uh, John, why are you home so early? I thought you were in Harrisburg today."

 

"I was. I checked in at my office and then decided to take my husband to lunch."

 

"But Bobby came home early today."

 

"So I found out. So we're both here. We've been getting a progress report from Gordon. Where's Brian? I thought you two we're taking some time off."

 

"We are but he went to visit his sister."

 

"The baptism?"

 

"Yeah, and to talk about Joan. I think he's going to invite her."

 

"Do you think she'll come?"

 

"I have no idea. I guess we'll have to wait and see."

 

"I guess so. Justin, do you think Brian will be home soon?"

 

"I think so. Why?"

 

"Nice afternoon for a barbecue!"

 

"Very nice."

 

"I'll get the steaks!"

 

"I'll get the salad!"

 

"And I'll find Bobby; he can help."

 

"Oh, yeah!"

 

Later that night after the whole family enjoyed their impromptu barbeque, they were all lounging in the porch. Justin printed out the picture that Sidney e-mailed. Under the bright light of the chandelier, Justin took a good look at the picture.

 

"Holy shit!" Justin exclaimed out loud, forgetting that his daughter had a fascination with that word.

 

"What is it, Sunshine?" Brian asked more than a little concerned.

 

"This is the picture of the unfinished Kinney canvas. Look!" The family gathered around Justin to look at the photo. Even Briana tried to climb up her daddy's leg to see what had them all amazed. Justin lifted his daughter to hold her in his arms as Brian snatched the photo out of Justin's hand.

 

Brian stood back then held the picture at arm's length so that it was next to Justin and Bree. John and Bobby stood near to Brian and they saw the same thing he did.

 

"Holy fucking shit!" The three men said together as they looked from the photo to Justin. Father and daughter blinked owlishly at the three men who were standing with mouths agape and staring.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 11

 

Justin was preparing his canvas for the new version of Patrick Taylor and his daughter. He was still feeling a little funny about copying Kinney's original painting, but Sidney had convinced him that people would love to see the finished painting at the gallery showing of the newfound Kinneys. Tomorrow he would sketch in the outline of Patrick and Bree. He was going to use Bree's face for the baby since she seemed to look so much like the sketch. It gave him a slightly eerie feeling, like he was somehow resurrecting the past.

 

He was out in the sun porch at his favorite place to paint and that made him feel better. He could hear the carpenters constructing the frame for the foundation of John and Bobby's cottage. The bulldozers had left the day before. Things were moving along.

 

He looked out at the area where his sun porch would be linked with the new one that would join the two houses together. It was going to take a little getting used to. He had loved the cottage ever since the first time he had laid eyes on it, but now there would be two houses joined together, and John and Bobby would be living there with them … permanently.

 

Justin loved his brother-in-law and his spouse, but this seemed so final, like they were somehow trapped, doomed to be together for all time. Justin wasn't sure where this feeling had come from, but he didn't like it much at all. The big problem was that it was too late to do anything about it. All the plans were under way.

 

A tap on the door to the sun porch pulled Justin out of his reverie. He opened the door and smiled at John.

 

"I saw you standing there lost in thought," John said as he came inside.

 

"I guess I was," Justin said. "Would you like some coffee?"

 

"Sounds great."

 

They moved into the kitchen and Justin poured them each a cup of coffee. They could hear Patrick and Briana playing in the living room.

 

"They seem to be getting along well," John observed.

 

"For now," Justin said with an enigmatic look.

 

John frowned. "Is something wrong?"

 

"I … I guess I'm having second thoughts about the whole "join-the-cottages-together" thing."

 

"You are?"

 

"It just struck me that it's so permanent. What if we have a fight over something, and we don't get along anymore?"

 

"Do you think that's likely?" John asked truly surprised at Justin's comment. "We get along so well, and Bobby and I have lived here for the past few months. We'll actually have more room, more space when we get our cottage here."

 

"I know," Justin sighed. "I guess I'm worrying about nothing."

 

John nodded, but he suddenly felt a little less happy about the direction things were going. "You know, we can still call a halt to this if you don't want us here."

 

"That … that's not what I want. I do want you here. I love having meals with you guys and Patrick. Bree would be lost without him."

 

"Then, what's the problem?"

 

"Things change … over time. Nothing ever stays the same forever."

 

"Then if the changes become a problem, you tell me and we'll work something out."

 

"Thanks, John," Justin said standing up and giving John a hug.

 

"Where's Brian?" John asked. "I thought you guys were taking some time at home."

 

"We are. Brian's gone into Pittsburgh to bring back Gus and Lacy."

 

"Lacy?"

 

"Yeah," Justin chuckled. "They're going to help me put together some more of my journal. We could have done it in the city, but it's such a beautiful day that I thought we could have a picnic lunch. It'll be good for Lacy to get some fresh country air."

 

"She seems like an … interesting girl."

 

"To say the least," Justin laughed.

 

"I better get back to work," John said standing up. "I hope you're all right with what we talked about."

 

"I'm fine," Justin said. "And I better get our picnic lunch made before Brian gets back. Care to join us?"

 

"If you don't think I'll be spending too much time with you," John said sticking his tongue in his cheek and looking so much like Brian. "I'd love to."

 

"Asshole," Justin laughed and pitched a carrot that he had just pulled out of the fridge at John. John beat a hasty retreat.

 

When Brian arrived with the youngsters, Justin had their lunch all packed in the thermal bag. He had Patrick and Bree all doused in suntan lotion and ready for their excursion to the stream.

 

"Hey, Lacy," Justin said when they all came in.

 

"Wow, what a great house!" Lacy said looking around. "But why is there a construction zone next door?"

 

"We'll let my brother explain," Brian said.

 

"He's joining us for lunch," Justin added. "We might as well get started. Gus, can you grab the chairs and blanket for me?"

 

"Sure," Gus said as he picked up the two folding chairs and the blanket. We don't usually take chairs."

 

"Somebody may feel more like sitting in one of them than on the grass," Justin explained.

 

"Is that an age crack?" Brian demanded with a scowl.

 

"I didn't say anything about you," Justin chuckled and gave Brian a sweet kiss on the cheek. "Onward to the stream, troops!"

 

They made their way down to the stream and found a shady spot to set out the blanket. Nobody was particularly hungry, and John had yet to arrive, so Patrick and Bree ran around chasing each other. Justin and Lacy sprawled out on the blanket, and Gus asked Brian to show him how to skip stones again. He was getting better at it, but hadn't quite mastered his father's fine technique.

 

After they skipped a few stones, Gus sat down on the big rock and Brian joined him. "What do you want to talk about, Sonny Boy?" Brian asked.

 

"How did you know I wanted to talk?"

 

"You can skip stones almost as well as I can. You don't need my help. So tell me what's on your mind."

 

Gus turned his head and looked back at Justin and Lacy who were lying on the blanket talking while keeping an eye on the kids. "I … I like her," Gus said.

 

"I like her too," Brian said with a frown.

 

"No, Dad, I LIKE her," Gus repeated with a different emphasis.

 

"Oh?" Brian replied suddenly taken aback. That was not at all what he had suspected.

 

"She's pretty, and I feel things when I'm around her."

 

"She's a little old for you," Brian said, being practical, and since he had nothing better to say.

 

"She's only a couple of years older than me, but that's not really the problem."

 

"What is the problem?"

 

"She has a crush on Justin."

 

"What? She looks up to Justin. She'd like to be like Justin, but a crush…" Brian let his voice trail off as he watched Lacy laughing at something Justin had said. She leaned closer to him at every opportunity.

 

"See," Gus said. "She never even notices I'm around when Justin is there."

 

"There could be other reasons for that," Brian said but he continued to watch Justin and Lacy.

 

"So, you're going to paint the portrait with Bree's face?" Lacy asked. "I think that's brilliant."

 

"Thanks," Justin chuckled. "There's nothing brilliant about it. The sketch looks like Bree."

 

"But you'll be doing it. I can't wait to see it."

 

"Thanks," Justin said again. Sometimes Lacy was a little over the top. "How are things going at Deb's?" he asked changing the subject.

 

"Oh, fine. I feel like I'm following in your footsteps. I've been thinking about taking some night courses."

 

"That's great."

 

"You think so?" Lacy asked leaning over toward Justin bringing their faces close together.

 

"Yeah, I think we better get lunch out," Justin said suddenly feeling uncomfortable. He looked up to see Brian's eyes on him.

 

Lunch was quickly laid out and Justin made a big deal of sitting Bree on his knee and feeding her. He wanted to keep Lacy at a distance. Gus sat down beside Lacy trying to get her attention. She had no eyes for anyone except Justin. John joined them and watched as Brian kept a constant eye on Lacy. He wondered what was going on.

 

When lunch was finished, Lacy helped them clean up and then volunteered to take Bree and Patrick back to the house with Gus while Brian and Justin gathered up the blanket and chairs.

 

"I think we have a problem, Brian said.

 

"I know. I thought she'd get over it, but it's getting worse."

 

"Are you going to talk to her?"

 

"Not today," Justin said with a sigh. "We should be able to get most of the journal organized and then I'm backing away."

 

"If she lets you," Brian said as he strode towards the house.

 

*****

 

It dawned on Brian that the faster Justin's notes and the Kinney journal were organized, the faster they could distance themselves from Lacy. But Gus, who was doing his best not to develop his own crush on Lacy, might get hurt in the process. Brian was really dreading that possibility but he might not be able to prevent it.

 

After dinner, the whole group sat at the long table in the porch to help Justin complete the journal. With everyone working in tandem, all the notes, letters and journal pages were placed in chronological order. It was now just a matter of putting them into binders. Bobby's contribution was his ability to create an index and a cross reference appendix. A few hours later, it was all done.

 

John and Brian put the little ones to bed. Gus and Lacy were content to blow things up on a computer game. Bobby put the kettle on for tea and began to rustle up something for dessert. Justin settled back on the settee, his favorite spot in the whole cottage, other than in bed with Brian, to skim through the newly organized journal.

 

He chuckled out loud as he read through some of his own notes of their exploits traipsing through the jungle and the attack of the dreaded dart frog. The hackles on the back of his neck were raised as he read about the priest who had dared to cover up the Kinney paintings when he found out the artist was gay. And he smiled at the picture of the stained glass window of Kinney as a prophet or teacher with his hand out toward Patrick and his followers. All good memories but somewhat sad.

 

The strain of it all was getting to Justin as he looked through the glass of the sun porch and spied the construction site. A few trees had to be sacrificed for the project, it added to Justin's mixed feelings about the joining of the two homes. He felt stupid, guilty, and embarrassed all at the same time. And then there was the journal. Justin felt their pain. He wished he could be magically transported to Kinney's time to take them both back to the present where Kinney and Patrick could live and love in peace.

 

When the family reconvened in the porch, they found Justin with red-rimmed eyes and a sniffling swollen nose.

 

"Do you want us to make ourselves scarce?" John whispered to his brother, knowing that it was a Brian comforting Justin moment in the making.

 

"No. That would only make him feel worse. Just act normal, well normal for us. Pass out the tea and cookies and show Gus and Lacy some of the 'finer' moments of our trip down south. He'll be fine."

 

"Okay."

 

John took Brian's suggestion and quietly orchestrated the seating of Gus and Lacy at one of the wicker tables to show them the photos to their trip. Bobby brought in milk for the teenagers and also some fruit to go with the treats. Brian gently removed the binder from Justin's hands then settled himself on the settee with his spouse, gently maneuvering Justin so that Brian sat down behind him with Justin up against Brian's chest and half in his lap.

 

Bobby placed a couple of cups of tea on a small end table near the lovers, close within their reach. Brian nodded and smiled at the redhead who knew what Brian was trying to do. Gus gratefully accepted a glass of milk from his uncle and snagged a few cookies. Gus, who was privy to seeing his Dad comfort Justin many times, was warmed by his father's strength and love. Lacy was slightly embarrassed by it all.

 

"It's okay, Sunshine," Brian whispered into Justin's ear and carefully reached for a cup and saucer. He placed the comforting herbal brew into Justin's hand and encouraged a sip. With each sip, Brian felt his lover relax more and more. When the cup was empty, Justin was asleep, nestled into Brian's strong arms, the cup and saucer safely back on the table.

 

"Um, should we go inside?" Lacy asked hesitantly to no one in particular.

 

"No, you'll get used to it." Bobby said matter-of-factly. He was quite used to the supposed stoic, non-emotional Brian giving comfort to Justin, and had been on the receiving end of the big lug's comfort a few times too.

 

"Yeah, Pop and Justin get mushy all the time. They're worse than my moms," Gus giggled. John and Bobby joined in the joke then cracked up further as they watched Brian try unsuccessfully to stop them with a death glare.

 

"Not working, li'l bro. We're onto you," John laughed at Brian's exaggerated sigh.

 

"But won't we wake Justin up?" Lacy ventured. She thought they were being rude.

 

"Nah, Justin can sleep when he's secure in Brian's arms. Nothing will wake him," Bobby explained.

 

"Oh. Um, how do I get home?" Lacy didn't think she was going to stay the night.

 

"I can drive you back or you can stay the night. I have business in Pittsburgh tomorrow."

 

Taking out his cell, John called Debbie so she wouldn't worry. "There, all settled. There's a bunk bed in Gus' room or you can use the futon in Brian's office." John indicated toward the spiral staircase.

 

"Okay," Lacy said as she bit into another cookie.

 

It was all so natural for them all seeing Brian and Justin wrapped up together, seemingly without a care in the world. Even as Brian shifted so he could remove Justin's sneakers and his own shoes then settle back down again, Justin stayed asleep, subconsciously knowing Brian was near. Brian and Justin were more than just partners and lovers, they were mates for life. No one, nothing would ever change that.

 

"Uncle John?"

 

"Yes, Gus?"

 

"Was Pop really attacked by a frog?" Brian let out a very loud sigh as his brother regaled them all about Brian's first run-in with a bullfrog and then his subsequent 'attacks.' He slipped into sleep as Bobby told the story of the attack of the poison dart frog.

 

*****

 

"Hey."

 

"Hey yourself, Sunshine. How you feeling?"

 

"Better. What time is it?"

 

"About seven-thirty."

 

"In the morning?"

 

"Yup."

 

"Did we sleep out here all night?"

 

"That's also a big yup."

 

"The last thing I remember was you handing me a cup of tea."

 

"You must have been very tired; you fell asleep after the last sip."

 

"I didn't do anything stupid, did I?"

 

"No, you were an angel."

 

"Silly man."

 

"Yup. And this silly man has to pee and it's my turn to make breakfast. So let me get up and do that thing I do." Brian stretched, kissed Justin then made a beeline for the bathroom. Justin giggled softly to himself. Brian Kinney, silly man, love of his life, his great protector and the maker of the best bacon and eggs this side of Pittsburgh.

 

Justin opened the sun porch door to let in the fresh summer air, the sunlight streaming in, sparkling against their crystal chandelier. He again looked over at the construction site. Gordon and his crew were arriving. Gordon waved over at Justin and Justin waved back.

 

"Hey Sunshine, who are you waving at?" Brian asked as he brought in a mug of coffee for Justin.

 

"Gordon and his crew." Justin took an appreciative sip of his morning caffeine and smiled his full wattage at his lover.

 

"There's the Sunshine I know and love. You had me worried for a while."

 

"I know. I was feeling..."

 

"Lesbianic?"

 

"A little, but I'm better now. I think I'll do a little painting today!"

 

"He's baaaccck! Breakfast first, little boy, then you can paint to your heart's content." Brian leaned down to kiss Justin's nose then led his husband to the kitchen.

 

Lacy watching from the balcony, smiled then shrugged her shoulders. "I wonder if Rage can cook?" Lacy mumbled to herself as she hurried down the stairs for breakfast.

 

Brian was in full chef mode when Lacy arrived in the kitchen. He had bacon frying and scrambled eggs cooking and toast that just popped.

 

"Can I help?" Lacy asked.

 

"Butter the toast," Brian ordered as he stirred the eggs and flipped the bacon.

 

"You do that very well," Lacy said with a grin.

 

"Thank you, fair lady."

 

Lacy blushed and buttered some more toast. "I didn't think Rage could cook," she grinned.

 

"Rage has many talents," Brian smirked as he plated the eggs and turned off the bacon. He took out the strips laying them on a paper towel to get rid of the excess grease. "Order up," Brian bellowed and Lacy went into a fit of laughter. "What?" Brian asked as the family began to assemble in the kitchen.

 

"I just had this hilarious vision of you as the short order cook at the Liberty Diner."

 

"Bite your tongue!" Brian said. "Or I'll have to use my mind control abilities to wipe your brain clear."

 

"You can't do that, can you?" Lacy asked in mock horror.

 

"Only the Shadow knows," Brian said and then uttered an eerie laugh worthy of a forties radio broadcast.

 

"Quit trying to scare the girl," John said as he came in with Patrick.

 

"She asked for it," Brian replied like a little boy who had been caught doing something bad. He set out all the plates of food along the counter. Everyone grabbed a plate and loaded up heading out to the long table in the sun porch to sit down for their meal.

 

"These eggs are great," Lacy said. "What's the little green specks?"

 

"Chives," Justin smiled.

 

"And a dash of rosemary," Brian smirked.

 

"Right out of Brian's herb garden," Justin added.

 

"You have an herb garden?" Lacy asked in amazement.

 

"I do. I told you Rage has many talents."

 

"I'm beginning to see that there's a lot more to things … and people than meet the eye," Lacy said thoughtfully.

 

"And I bet there's a lot more to you than meets the eye too," Brian observed.

 

"A well rounded life is a good life," Justin grinned.

 

"As long as it doesn't all go to your ass," Brian smirked.

 

"Why you!" Justin sputtered. "Them's fighting words."

 

"Wrestle you in bed tonight," Brian laughed and waggled an eyebrow.

 

Lacy watched the easy banter and began to understand even more about what Brian and Justin had together. She decided that she might like the same thing for herself … if she could ever get that lucky.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 12

 

"I'll have a look at it, Father Tom," John said as he headed up the stairs. "See you in your office in a few minutes."

 

John climbed to the top of the stairs and then proceeded up into the nether regions of St. Anthony's. He had been called by Father Tom to come have a look at why there was a major leak in one section of the church. John had already been up on the roof outside, and he suspected he had found the problem. He was doing the inside examination to be sure that his suspicions were correct. If they were, he would save the church mega bucks. The problem could be fixed with some new properly installed flashing, and not with a complete re-roofing as the contractor had informed Father Tom.

 

Some minutes later, having decided that he was right in his evaluation of the situation, John made his way back down to the main floor of the church. As he came out of the stairwell he bumped into a woman who leapt back when he touched her.

 

"Sorry, ma'am," John said in his best contrite voice.

 

"You might watch where you're going," the woman criticized in her most put-upon voice. She smoothed her dress before looking up at who had bumped her. "Oh my!" she reacted. "Brian!"

 

John chuckled recognizing Brian's mother. "No, ma'am. I'm John Anderson, your son's brother."

 

"My son's brother," Joan said as if truly digesting this fact for the first time. "You do look so much like Brian."

 

"I'll take that as a compliment," John smiled.

 

"It wasn't meant as a compliment … just as a statement of fact," Joan said coldly.

 

"I'll still take it as a compliment. Brian is one good looking man."

 

"Are you one of them too?"

 

"One of…? Oh, you mean homosexual. Why yes, I am."

 

"You shouldn't sound so proud. It's disgusting."

 

"I beg your pardon!" John said drawing himself up to his full height. "There is nothing disgusting about my life at all. I lived the first forty years of my life like I was straight. I was never really happy, and it's only since I've found my true self that I have a husband and a son and all the happiness that I can handle. I owe an awful lot of that to Brian."

 

"Brian? What did he do? Corrupt you?"

 

"How can you say such things about your own son? Brian is a wonderful man, if you would ever open your eyes and your mind and your heart enough to see what he truly is."

 

"I know what he is," Joan said ice dripping from her voice. She turned to walk away.

 

"Not so fast," John said. He had been about to grab her arm but thought better of it. "You're going to hear me out."

 

Joan stopped and turned back. "I have nothing further to say to you."

 

"Well, I have something further to say to you. You can either listen to me here … quietly. Or, I can shout it across the church at you."

 

Joan looked around to see a few people kneeling or sitting in the pews, praying or meditating. One of them was Ruth Mitchell, the biggest busybody in the church. That would be all she'd need was for Ruth to hear what this Anderson person was going to say. She'd never be able to show her face in the church again. "Okay," Joan said, pulling John into a side chapel. They sat down in one of the pews. The room was empty otherwise.

 

"Why do you have such harsh feelings towards Brian?" John had to ask.

 

"The Bible says…"

 

"Bullshit!" John reacted. "You use the Bible as your scapegoat. Why do you always criticize and condemn everything Brian does?"

 

"How dare you!"

 

"I dare, Mrs. Kinney. Jack may have married you, but he loved my mother." John had wanted to say that for a long time. "Jack was my father too, and I'm gay. My mother loves me and thinks I have made something of myself. Why can't you love Brian? Why do you always have to run him down?"

 

"You don't know anything," Joan spat out. The references to Jack really hit home. She didn't like to think about Jack being the father of this man.

 

"Then why don't you enlighten me? I'd love to know."

 

Joan looked into John's eyes. They were Brian's eyes, and Jack's eyes. She had loved Jack at one time, but she had always known that he didn't truly love her. And now she knew why. He loved this man's mother. That was part of the reason he had kept a part of himself away from her. That had always hurt her, so she had done the same thing to him. She had become more remote and demanding, as if she could force him to love her, or at least make him suffer the way she did. That's how the "warden" had come about.

 

John watched the emotions flash across Joan's face, and he waited.

 

"You won't like what you're about to hear," Joan said with a sigh.

 

"I'll take my chances."

 

"Brian was the child I always wanted. Claire, she was the mistake that bound Jack to me, but Brian, he was to be the symbol of our love, our commitment to our marriage." Joan stopped and drew a ragged breath.

 

"Then why don't you love him?"

 

"I do, but…" Joan didn't know what words to use to explain this, but she decided to try. "When I told Jack I was pregnant with Brian, he was supposed to be happy. He was supposed to love me. He was supposed to want our marriage. Instead…"

 

"Instead?"

 

"He told me to get rid of the baby," Joan said as a silent tear ran down her cheek.

 

John flinched. He had never heard this part of Brian's story. "Did Brian know that?"

 

"Yes," Joan breathed. "He knows."

 

John shook his head. "But you didn't get rid of the baby."

 

"No, I thought I could convince Jack that this was the baby he wanted, and when it turned out to be a boy, his son, I thought he would be happy."

 

"But he wasn't?"

 

"No, he never wanted the baby and he never let me forget that. His drinking increased and he stayed out late, and I know he had other women. I grew to resent Brian for putting even a greater divide between Jack and me."

 

"How can that be Brian's fault?" John asked. "He was just a baby."

 

"I know, but it didn't stop the resentment, and then I found out that he was gay and…"

 

"And you condemned him to Hell."

 

Joan nodded her head.

 

"Isn't it time to put some of these demons to rest?" John asked daring to lay his hand on top of Joan's.

 

She flinched but didn't draw her hand away. "Jack used to touch my hand like that when we first met. It meant he had something important to say to me."

 

"I have something important to say to you," John said gently. "In a few weeks, Brian and Justin's daughter is going to be baptized. I think Brian is going to invite you. You should come."

 

"He won't invite me," Joan said shaking her head.

 

"I think he will. And you should come."

 

"I should?" she asked seemingly bewildered.

 

"It could be a new start for each of you."

 

"I … I'll think about it," Joan said. She stood and looked down at this man who was so much like Jack, maybe even more than Brian. "I will think about it," she repeated as she disappeared from the chapel.

 

*****

 

"And just where do you think you're going, Sunshine?" Brian bellowed at Justin as he neared the construction site.

 

"Fuck, Brian! You nearly gave me a heart attack! I was just looking." Justin jumped back from the newly poured foundation.

 

"Justin, you and construction, not a safe combination." Brian glared at his spouse, the memories of his and John's mishap at the theater flooded Brian.

 

"Oh, can it, Kinney. Nothing's going to happen. And why aren't you worried about Bree and Patrick. They're out here all the time."

 

"Not alone, they're not, and they have more sense to stay away."

 

"Asshole," Justin groused but he backed away from the edge of the foundation. "I'm not a baby," Justin mumbled under his breath as he drew closer to Brian.

 

"I know you're not." Brian smiled as Justin instinctively went to Brian's side as he raised his arm and placed it protectively over Justin's shoulder. Justin's arm snaked around Brian's waist as always. "But you know how I worry," Brian said to soothe Justin's ruffled feathers as they strolled back to the house. Changing the subject, Brian wanted to know how the Kinney research was going.

 

"Make any new discoveries in the journal? I haven't seen your nose out from within those big binders for weeks."

 

"Yes, I think I did," Justin answered enthusiastically.

 

"Happy discoveries?" Brian asked hopefully. For the most part, the Kinney journal was a sad testament to the pain and suffering those two men had to endure over their life together. It had taken a lot of restraint of Brian's part not to take the whole damn thing and burn it. He was tired of seeing Justin looking sad or with tears in his eyes. Life was stressful enough without that added burden.

 

"Want to see?"

 

"Sure," Brian answered with a small sigh. He hoped for some good news. They headed inside to sit in the sun porch and look at the journal.

 

The war is over and Patrick and I will be able to return to San Antonio. We have heard that our meager home still stands if not somewhat damaged. What does it matter? As long as we have four walls that we can call home, we will be satisfied. I have written to Martha in preparation for our homecoming. She was good enough to store our possessions before we had to flee and when we return she will send them to us. She is such a good woman. I have told her many times in the past that I would release her from our bonds so that she may marry again to one that is worthy of her love, but she refuses. She says she is satisfied with our arrangements and will brook no argument. I am truly blessed.

 

"Martha Kinney was cool for lack of a better term. She must have really loved Kinney," Brian stated after he read the entry.

 

"Wait, there's more." Justin was almost bouncing as he shoved another page into Brian's hand.

 

My dear Martha has decided to take Katherine home to Pennsylvania. The child's mother died en route to San Antonio, stricken with a fever. Patrick was heartbroken. He had developed a true relationship of sorts, with her. He had hopes of having a son one day. I mourned his loss. But the child was his solace. And now that we are home, to stay I hope, we are unable to care for her properly. Our housekeeper has offered to help but the child needs a mother and someone who is not swayed by prejudice. I had written my goodly wife and her first thought was to journey here to meet Katherine and to renew ties with me. I do not wish to hurt my beloved wife but she is a stubborn woman. She has left us with little choice. Patrick is unsure of her motives. But two grown men, living with a baby in a land that is only now trying to repair itself, we will take heart knowing that sweet little Katherine will be well cared for.

 

"Fuck me!"

 

"You see? Maybe there is another Kinney running around in the state of Pennsylvania."  Justin smiled smugly.

 

"You're wrong, Justin, not another Kinney, another Taylor."

 

"Fuck me!"

 

"My pleasure, where's the Squirt?" Brian leered suggestively at his husband.

 

"Um, spending time with Patrick at Grandma Claire's."

 

"How convenient. And us with a big brass bed right over there just waiting for us to fuck on." Brian waggled his eyebrows at Justin who was still a little shell shocked.

 

"You're incorrigible."

 

"Your point?"

 

"Race ya!" Justin scrambled from his chair, throwing off his clothes as he dove onto the brass bed. Brian was fast on his heels.

 

*****

 

The July 4th weekend was closing in on the Kinney-Taylor tribe and everything was in the ready for the combining of the cottages. As simple as John said the process was, it really wasn't. The leveling of the land behind the sun porch went well as did the pouring of the new foundation and the laying of the new pipes and cables. It was the actual moving of the house itself that had John and Gordon concerned. You don't move a one hundred year old house without any trepidation. But John and Gordon decided it was best to keep those facts from Bobby and the rest of the family.

 

As the first crew was preparing the land, the second crew was preparing the house.

 

Each day Bobby and Claire boxed up all the breakables. Anything that could fall was laid down onto the floor. Gordon, John and the crew inspected every brick and stone. Anything that remotely looked loose was reinforced. The plan was to jack up the house, hoist it en masse onto a flat bed, then truck it to the cottage. The drive itself would take the better part of a day. The next day the house would then be placed onto its new foundation and then reconnected to the new pipes and cables. For most of July, the plan was to raise the roof to give John and Bobby a working attic, attach the home to the sun porch, make an opposing balcony, complete with spiral staircase and rewire the home. No more fuses.

 

Claire and Debbie decided to have an old fashioned 'barn raising' party to celebrate the house moving and July 4th. The difficult part of that plan would be convincing Brian. Claire and Debbie decided to call in their secret weapon, Justin.

 

Up in the attic aka Brian's office, Justin was having a 'conference call' with Claire and Debbie.

 

"Justin, you know Brian will listen to you. You're the only one who can do this."

 

"Sunshine, Claire's right. The asshole would never say no to you."

 

"Claire, Deb, I..."

 

"Justin, the weather is going to be perfect. We'll all help to cook and clean up. You two won't have to lift a finger. And we can call Emmett."

 

"That's a wonderful idea, Claire. Emm would jump at the chance. He's been working on some new creations; he'd love to test them out on the family."

 

"Oh, Debbie, I hope he's not planning to do that shrimp dip thing. It's too hot out. It might become fatal."

 

"No, no, I didn't like that one either. He was thinking more along the lines of fruit salads and hummus."

 

"I love hummus." Justin sat back and listened to Claire and Debbie go on and on about the menu, what they were each going to bring, the decorations and how big all the children have gotten. They seemed to have forgotten that Justin was there.

 

"Justin? Justin, sweetie, are you there?" Debbie's voice broke through his thoughts.

 

"Um, yeah, Deb, I'm here."

 

"So how do you like our plan?"

 

"Sounds okay to me but..."

 

"Fan-fucking-tastic! We'll see you Friday the 4th at ten in the morning!"

 

"But..."

 

"Wonderful, see you then, Debbie. I'll speak with you later tonight."

 

"Okay, Claire! Bye, honey."

 

"Goodbye, Debbie. Bye, Justin."

 

"Bye, Sunshine."

 

"Bye, I think." Justin cut the connection with the two ladies then sat back in Brian's big leather chair.

 

"FUCK! What have I done?!"

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 13

 

"Hello-oooo!" Emmett called out as he knocked on the cottage's front door. It was eight-thirty in the morning on July the 4th. Debbie, Carl, Claire and Steve would arrive at ten. Emmett wanted to get an early start on his special canapés and other masterpieces so he convinced Drew to get up at the crack of dawn and drive to the cottage. Ted and Allen along with Hunter and Nick would arrive with the rest of the family at about one. The whole entire family planned to celebrate the 4th and the planting of John and Bobby's cottage next to Brian and Justin's.

 

"Emmett, I knew this was a bad idea. I bet they're not even awake yet," Drew groused and was very embarrassed.

 

"Drewsie, honey, they have a baby and we all know that babies get up early. They have to be awake." Using the big brass knocker, Emmett banged on the door a little harder. Suddenly the door swung open hard. A very irate and naked Brian Kinney holding a giggling Briana stood in the doorway.

 

"What!?" Brian yelled, hazel eyes glaring, boring a hole through the startled queen and his equally startled boyfriend.

 

"Um, good morning, Brian?" Emmett said meekly with a shrug of his shoulders. "Brian, do you always answer the door au naturel?"

 

"Emmett, this is my home, my door; I will answer it any damn way I please." Brian stepped aside to allow Emmett and Drew who were both holding bags and cartons of ingredients for his goodies into the house.

 

"Oh, for crying out loud, Brian, give me Bree and go put on some clothes!" Justin came sprinting out from their bedroom, one hand pulling up his sweat pants, his other hand pulling down his t-shirt. "Sorry, Emmett, Drew. He still likes to walk around naked."

 

"Oh well, old habits die hard. And he's still one gorgeous hunk of man," Emmett commented appreciating the view. Drew experienced a moment of jealousy but when he took another look at the ageless Brian, Drew had to agree with Emmett's assessment.

 

"He's standing right here, you know," Brian growled.

 

"Brian!" Justin had that 'don't mess with me' look on his face and held out his arms to receive Briana.

 

"Oh, all right!" Brian grumbled as he handed his precious daughter to her father. "But somebody better have coffee waiting for me and a good explanation why Emmett Lagasse over here interrupted my beauty sleep!" With that, Brian turned on his naked heels and stormed off toward the bedroom. The three men all turned to watch Brian's fine ass saunter away.

 

"Oh my, is it getting hot in here?" Emmett stood fanning himself.

 

"Emmett, why are you here so early? Debbie and Claire won't be here until ten." Justin successfully changed the subject as Emmett began unpacking his supplies and delicacies. Justin sat Bree in her high chair and started the coffee. Patrick came running out of the sun porch to drag his chair closer to the table and all the action.

 

"Morning, Patrick," Justin addressed the boy.

 

"Happy forth a July!" Patrick greeted everyone.

 

"Hey, Sonny Boy." Brian rejoined the group wearing a wifebeater and cut off jeans. His long legs that went on forever garnered more than a couple of appreciative sighs.

 

"Hi, Uncle Bri!"

 

"Where are your daddies?" Brian enquired as he ruffled the soft red hair.

 

"Right behind you," Bobby grumbled. On his days off, Bobby was not a morning person.

 

"Can someone tell me why we're all awake at this ungodly hour?" Bobby looked around at the men in the room.

 

"That's what I want to know," Brian continued to grumble and complain. John nodded in agreement and began to prepare breakfast.

 

"It's all my fault," Justin replied in a meek voice.

 

"Your fault? Justin, take a breath and tell us what's going on other than it's a holiday and we're about to enjoy another one of our cwazy widdle family gatherings. Or should I say our cwazy humongous family. Because we must number in the hundreds by now." Brian sat in a chair with a plop and gratefully accepted a cup of caffeine from his spouse.

 

Justin was about to explain about the conference call and how he got himself and Brian roped into hosting yet another party when the whole house started to shake.

 

"Brian!" Justin cried out. Brian bolted out of his chair, grabbed Justin, Bree then hugged them protectively to his body. As suddenly as the shaking began, it stopped.

 

"Was that an earthquake?" Emmett managed to squeak out as he huddled closer to Drew, wide eyed and pale.

 

"The house!" John gasped then ran for the front door.

 

"The what?" Bobby had Patrick in his arms and followed John to the front door with Emmett and Drew close behind.

 

"You okay, Sonny Boy?" Brian whispered into Justin's ear as he kissed the blond's temple and then the top of Bree's head.

 

"I'm fine but what's happening?"

 

"Not sure, let's go." Brian and Justin, with Briana in his arms joined the group at the front door. "What the fuck?!"

 

In the lane, on the biggest truck they all had ever seen was John and Bobby's cottage. As Gordon and a few of his crew jumped out of the truck, the rest of his men pulled up behind the truck on the lane. John ran out to greet them.

 

"Gordon, it's a national holiday! What are you doing?" John asked, just as bewildered as his family was.

 

"Johnny, my man, we all took a vote. We decided that you couldn't celebrate living in the land of the free and the home of the brave without a home. So here it is. Now before you get your boxers in a bunch. I have a few more calculations to make and we can put this puppy to bed in a few hours. Now, the guys and me need some coffee and we heard from a little birdie, meaning your mother, that you all are having a barbeque. Consider us invited. Don't fret, Johnny boy, our wives are bringing enough food to feed a platoon and we brought three extra grills. So coffee first and don't sweat the details."

 

John stood gaping at his friend. Bobby, Brian, Justin, Emmett and Drew all heard Gordon's plan and were just as dumbstruck.

 

"Justin, sweetie, do you have another coffee pot? I think we're going to need it," Emmett asked. Justin nodded then led everyone except John and Brian back into the house including Gordon and his crew.

 

John and Brian stood staring at the cottage sitting on the flatbed then looked at each other.

 

"John, answer me one thing?"

 

"What is it, li'l bro?"

 

"When did I lose control?" Brian asked the gods in the sky and his brother.

 

"The moment you met Justin, of course," John smirked, clapped his brother on the back then prodded him into the house for a fresh cup of coffee.

 

After several pots of coffee and some delicious muffins that Emmett whipped up, Gordon and his crew headed back outside. They went out the front door just in time to greet Claire and Debbie who were coming in laden with bags and boxes.

 

"What the fuck is going on?" Debbie demanded. "I had to park down the road. Do you know there's a fucking house sitting in your driveway?"

 

"We know, Deb," Brian groaned.

 

"What's going on, John?" Claire asked her son.

 

"You knew we were moving the house, Mother," John said sheepishly.

 

"But I didn't know it was arriving here today."

 

"Neither did I," John admitted. "Gordon and the guys took it upon themselves to complete the move today so that we could celebrate the birth of our country with the birth of our new home."

 

"Well, bless their hearts," Claire said giving John a hug.

 

"Will some of you young bucks fucking march down the road and get the rest of the supplies from my fucking car?" Debbie demanded.

 

Drew, Justin and Bobby all headed out with a, "Yes, ma'am."

 

"Um, Deb," John began hesitantly. "There's been a slight change of plans."

 

"Change?" Debbie demanded and glared at John. To be on the receiving end of Debbie's glare was never fun.

 

"Um … Gordon and the boys will be joining us for the barbeque."

 

"What? I don't have food for all those extra people!"

 

"You always have way too much food, and they…"

 

"Not that much extra food!"

 

"Their wives are…"

 

"Fuck! Their wives are coming too?"

 

"Yes, but…"

 

"And what about their children?" Debbie asked as the horror spread across her face.

 

"Them too."

 

"And don't forget the grandparents," Emmett said forcing down a giggle.

 

"Are you all fucking nuts? I can't feed all those extra people." Debbie looked horrified. The usually unflappable Debbie didn't know what to do, especially since there wouldn't be a store open from one end of the country to the other.

 

"But Debbie, you…"

 

"I wonder what Brian and Justin have in their fucking freezer. Maybe we can find something that we can add to what we have. But knowing those two, it will have to be poppers and peanut butter."

 

Claire smiled gently at Debbie who was in such a flap. "If you'll stop for a minute, Deb, I think John has something to tell you."

 

"If this is a fucking joke, I'm going to rip off your ball and make you eat it."

 

"Ouch!" Brian said coming into the room with Bree. "It's not wise to anger redheads."

 

"Don't I know," John sighed. "Debbie, the boys' wives are bringing a ton of food, and they have three extra grills, so don't sweat it."

 

"Well, why the fuck didn't you say so?" Debbie demanded.

 

Brian smirked and whispered in Bree's ears not to listen to Grandma Debbie's bad words. Bree giggled and filed another bad word away for future use.

 

"How did you know?" Debbie asked Claire when her blood pressure had returned to somewhere within the normal range.

 

Claire smiled. "I've known Gordon and the boys for many years. Whenever they come to a barbecue or a get together they always come with plenty of food. They would never impose themselves without taking care of all the logistics."

 

"Speaking of fucking logistics," Debbie said. "We better start getting this mess tent operational. Where are those hunky fags who went to unload my car?"

 

"Right here, Deb," Justin said as he, Drew and Bobby came in laden with all the goods from Debbie's car. "We'll move your car up to the house once they get the cottage out of the way." Justin looked around. "That's not a sentence I ever thought I'd utter," he laughed.

 

"That's for fucking sure!" Debbie laughed. "Let's figure out how the fuck we're going to get everything ready, and what we're going to do with everyone when they get here. It's a good job I've had years of training at the diner."

 

Everyone laughed and did what Debbie told them as she started issuing orders.

 

Some time later, Justin walked out into the sun porch. They had put the screen up around the brass bed hiding it from general display. Justin was looking for Brian and not seeing him anywhere in the porch or outside, he peeked behind the screen. Brian was lying on the bed, Bree asleep beside him.

 

"You okay, Brian?" Justin asked.

 

"Yeah."

 

"You don't look okay," Justin replied as he slid through the small opening between the screen and the wall.

 

"I'm fine."

 

"Talk to me, big guy." Justin sat down on the edge of the bed.

 

"This has all got out of hand," Brian said with a smile.

 

"Yeah, the barbeque is growing to astronomical proportions."

 

"Not just the barbeque."

 

"What are you talking about?" Justin asked with a frown.

 

"I see now why you were worrying about joining the houses together. This could be an example of the rest of our lives."

 

"Fuck!" Justin reacted. "Move over. I need to lie down too."

 

Brian scrunched over trying not to wake Bree. Justin slid onto the bed and into Brian's arms. That's how John found them an hour later, holding each other tightly.

 

*****

 

"Bri?" John whispered softly so not to startle his brother. "Time to wake up." John gently ruffled the rich auburn hair.

 

"Mmm, how long have we been asleep?" Brian rolled over, Bree and Justin were beginning to stir.

 

"Just over an hour."

 

"Shit, some host I turned out to be."

 

"Don't sweat it, Brian. I realized that this whole 'joining the cottages' thing has really strained your patience. I'm sorry I ever suggested it."

 

"Don't be. I have been known to be the king of bitching at times, but I want this. We want this. I never imagined myself in a relationship." Brian paused as he swiped a lock of blond hair from Justin's sleepy angelic face. "Let alone a long, monogamous relationship complete with picket fence and 2.8 children. And then when it did happen, I imagined that I'd grow old and gray with my beautiful young twink sitting in my lap as I rocked us in a rocking chair."

 

John chuckled as Brian made his diatribe with a straight face.

 

"John, I still want those things, but I wouldn't mind a set of rocking chairs with us Kinney men rocking a pair of hot twinks on our laps."

 

"I'm not a twink," Justin and Bobby said in unison. Bobby had peered around the screen wondering where John had gotten too. He couldn't help but hear their conversation. The four men cracked up with laughter.

 

"John, Gordon's ready and the whole family, I mean the whole family, is here." Bobby informed them.

 

"Okay then, let's get this show on the road. Brian, let's keep the children in here. It's going to get very loud out there," John counseled Brian and Justin. Brian nodded and then watched as his big brother went into foreman mode. Bobby called a few strategic people and soon everyone was huddled into the sun porch or on the opposite side to where the flatbed was to drive the cottage along the new makeshift driveway.

 

Justin's studio was situated on the west side of the sun porch, the brass bed, Brian's garden and the main side entrance, on the east side. John thought it wise to create a new driveway along the west side to keep far away from the garden. The truck with the cottage began to inch its way along the new path. The crane that was to guide the cottage placement was already in place with Gordon at the controls. John and several of his crew were guiding the truck. They used headsets and portable radios to speak with each other instead of trying to shout above the noise. They were a well-orchestrated team, forged over years of living and breathing construction. They were a sight to behold.

 

A hush descended on the family as they held their collective breath, watching as John and Bobby's cottage crept closer and closer to its new foundation. Claire beamed with pride. She had seen pictures of the beautiful buildings and homes that her son had designed, even had a photo of John and Gordon walking the high steel. But Claire McNally nee Anderson had never witnessed her son in action before.

 

Almost wordlessly, John and Gordon using a series of hand gestures, the flatbed came to a halt. The men scurried about uncoupling the cottage from its moorings. The crane came down. Within the hour the cottage was settled upon its new foundation, its new home. Next week the actual renovation and securing the cottage to the new foundation would begin. The family began to breathe then let out a roaring cheer. The trucks were then driven out of the driveway and back onto the lane.

 

"Fan-fucking-tastic!" Debbie cried out. "Let's eat!" The cheering grew louder as the family filed out of the sun porch toward the grills and tables that were set up beyond the garden. Everyone pitched in with the cooking and serving and later on, the cleaning. The party went on well into the night.

 

Toward the end of the evening Brian and John took a quiet moment and walked around the newly seated cottage.

 

"In a few weeks you'll be able to move back in permanently. I won't find your tightie whities in my washing machine anymore," Brian quipped with a smirk.

 

"Can you honestly say you'll miss them?" John retorted.

 

"Yeah, I can, but I'm comforted knowing that when I look outside I'll see them hanging on your clothes line. What's with you and hanging out your laundry to dry?"

 

"At least its clean laundry."

 

"Touche, big bro. John, I am happy that we decided to do this."

 

"Why?"

 

"Besides the fact that I love my big manly gorgeous brother, his beautiful twink husband and their very special son, I miss it when you're not around. And I feel safer when you're here."

 

"Safe?"

 

"I'm being selfish. I like quiet but sometimes it's too quiet. We're out in the middle of nowhere. Our nearest neighbor is about three miles away. It didn't matter so much when it was just me and Justin. Not as long as I could call him every five minutes and make sure he was okay. But now with the Squirt, well, you know."

 

"Yeah, I know. I feel the same. Your ability to run your dynasty from your own home is a plus. Remember when Bobby had that virus? My Mom and Steve were on vacation and I was working on a big job. I would have given my left nut to have had the ability to stay at home with him."

 

"Hey, watch it with the nut reference."

 

"Sorry, but you understand. Justin's studio is here. You have your office right upstairs and if Gordon has his way..."

 

"Which he will."

 

"No shit. I'll have a similar office in my brand new attic. It stands to reason that one or two of us will be here at all times. I like that."

 

"I do too. And there's another advantage to having my macho brother here..." Brian's voice trailed off and his eyes grew wide.

 

"What's that?" John questioned. He didn't see what Brian did.

 

"Um, you can protect me from FROGS! Holy shit! Is that the baby calling...I think I hear Justin! Gotta go." With that Brian sprinted back to the sun porch and the safety of Justin's arms. John looked around and found the cause of Brian's hasty retreat. A small tree toad had hopped onto a branch of a bush. John roared with laughter.

 

As John approached the sun porch, all aglow with lights and the warmth of his nearest and dearest, he saw Brian pacing and gesturing, telling Justin all about the giant frog that was about to attack. John watched as Justin followed his lover around the porch offering his support. He saw his family doing their best not to break out into belly laughs as one of the most important persons of their lives swore that the largest frog known to man had dared to attack Brian Kinney.

 

John stood in the doorway, smiling. Justin caught his eye as Brian held out his arms describing the six-foot frog monster. John held up his thumb and forefinger to show Justin the true size of the hapless one inch toad. Justin nodded and gave his manly man a hug.

 

"My hero," Justin cooed into Brian's chest.

 

"I could have been slimed to death, Justin."

 

"Never happen; you're Rage. No frog known to man would dare slime you." Brian sighed into Justin's hair.

 

"How would I ever survive without you, Sunshine?"

 

"You wouldn't." Justin gave Brian a toe curling kiss and all thoughts of monster frogs were vanquished.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 14

 

The next couple of weeks went by in a flash. The work on the cottage went on non-stop. Gordon was lifting the roof at the same time that his crew was affixing the cottage to the foundation. Once the roof was raised and the under-structure in place the work switched to the inside of the building and the noise level decreased accordingly.

 

One morning Brian awoke to the sound of the alarm. It had been his practice to go into Kinnetik everyday and escape the banging and pounding from next door. Usually that was what woke him up, the sound of hammers or drills or men shouting. This morning it had been his alarm. He frowned and listened.

 

"Hear that, Sunshine?" Brian asked as he poked a sleepy Justin in the ribs.

 

"I don't hear anything," Justin replied rolling over.

 

"Exactly!"

 

Justin sat up. "Do you think that means they're done with the outside work?"

 

"There's one way to fucking find out," Brian smirked.

 

"Let's go," Justin said kicking off the sheet and getting up.

 

"You think we might actually get our fucking lives back to normal?" Brian asked as he pulled on some shorts.

 

"Our fucking lives have been just fine," Justin grinned before pulling a T-shirt over his head. "It's our sleeping late lives that have been disrupted."

 

Brian gave him the patented Kinney smirk. If there was one thing they could count on, it was plenty of good fucking.

 

They peeked in Bree's room and she was still sleeping along with Patrick. They quietly made their way to the front door and snuck out without awakening any of the other sleeping beauties in the sun porch. They walked over towards the new cottage where Gordon gave them the high sign. They joined him looking up at the new roof.

 

"You guys finally finished banging and pounding?" Brian asked.

 

"Did we disrupt your beauty sleep?" Gordon asked with a laugh.

 

"Yes," Brian said keeping his face straight.

 

"Oh, um, sorry," Gordon replied.

 

Justin gave Brian a swat in the chest and smiled at Gordon. "He's such a drama queen."

 

Brian raised an eyebrow as Gordon laughed. "I've had to deal with his brother for many years. I'm used to it," Gordon said.

 

"Was John a drama queen even before he knew he was gay?" Justin asked.

 

"He had his moments, but we never quite knew what to call them. Now the guys simply look at me and mouth, 'Queen out'."

 

"Ahem," Brian said clearing his throat. "We did come out here for a reason. The dramatic lack of ear shattering noise this morning … could that possibly mean that the only remaining work will now be inside the cottage?"

 

"I believe that could be the case," Gordon said using exactly the same tone Brian had.

 

Justin giggled. He could see why Gordon got along so well with the other Kinney male. Nobody put anything over on Gordon.

 

"Then I guess I don't need to go into Kinnetik today," Brian observed.

 

"I wouldn't be too hasty," Gordon warned.

 

"Oh, why?" Brian frowned.

 

"We're doing eave troughs later today."

 

"Shit!"

 

"But we'll finish them today and from tomorrow on should be relative peace and quiet."

 

"That's something to look forward to."

 

"Brian, I know this has been a bit of a trial for you." Brian nodded. "But I haven't seen John as excited and happy about anything since the work on the old theater. He's so looking forward to living here next to you two."

 

Justin watched Brian's face soften and turn into a smile.

 

"You've done a great job, Gordon. And ignore my griping. I know this will all work out," Brian said extending his hand and shaking.

 

"I know it will," Gordon said accepting the handshake.

 

"Let's get ready for work, Sunshine," Brian said turning to Justin before things got any more emotional. "Looks like Kinnetik is going to have to put up with me for one more day."

 

"Cynthia and Ted will be so happy," Justin said before Brian elbowed him in the ribs.

 

Gordon watched them walk back to their house arms around each other.

 

*****

 

Brian pulled up in front of St. Anthony's. He turned off the car and sat staring at the imposing façade.

 

"Brian," his sister said gently. "Are we going in?"

 

"If we have to."

 

"You know, you don't have to do this if you don't want to."

 

"Father Tom wants to talk to you about being Briana's godmother and I want to finalize what we're doing about the baptism."

 

"Then let's go," Claire stated and opened her door.

 

"Claire, do you think this is the right thing to do?"

 

"Absolutely! Brian, Bree can make her own decisions about religion when she gets older, but in the meantime I think it's good for children to know about traditional religion. It gives them a grounding in what is right and wrong and how to treat people."

 

Brian snorted. "It helped your boys, didn't it!"

 

"I know they were little terrors for a while, but they've turned out very well," Claire said icily.

 

"I … I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply… It's just that I don't believe in all this shit."

 

"But, like the good father that you are, you're going to give Briana every benefit that you can … just in case."

 

"Just in case her father goes to Hell."

 

"Brian, stop that!"

 

"Okay, okay, let's get this fucking shit done."

 

They walked up the steps to St. Anthony's and opened the heavy door. They had just got inside the main part of the church when they heard a loud gasp. Brian turned and felt his stomach clench and his heart rate accelerate to beyond the speed of sound.

 

"Hello, mother," Brian said making sure his patented smirk was firmly in place on his face.

 

"What … what are you two doing here … together?" Joan managed to get out. She was truly amazed to see both of her children walk through the door of her church at the same time.

 

"We could tell you that we're planning a funeral," Brian said.

 

Joan blanched.

 

"Brian," Claire said, the warning very clear in her tone of voice. "We're here to talk to Father Tom."

 

"About what?" Joan asked wondering if it was the whole baptism thing.

 

Brian hesitated. He knew this was his moment to tell Joan everything about the baptism and invite her to attend. He just wasn't sure he could force the words out of his mouth.

 

Claire looked from Brian to Joan and decided to take matters into her own hands. "We're here about Brian's daughter, Briana."

 

"Oh?" Joan said. She had never heard the little girl's name before. "What a beautiful name!"

 

Brian raised an eyebrow. He had half expected Joan to make some comment about him naming his daughter after himself, some implied criticism. He hadn't expected a compliment.

 

"She's going to be baptized on Labor Day weekend," Claire added hoping Brian would jump in some time soon. But he seemed totally paralyzed.

 

"That's good," Joan said. "All children should be baptized."

 

"Unless they're Jewish or Muslim or Buddhist…" Brian said, not understanding why the words were coming out of his mouth.

 

"Brian…" Claire said again touching his back and trying to make him control whatever was happening to him.

 

"I better let you get to your meeting then," Joan said with a look that could only be described as sad. She turned to walk away.

 

"Mother," Brian's voice stopped her.

 

She turned back to look at his tortured face. "Yes?"

 

"Would you like to come … to the baptism?" There he had said it. He half expected to be struck down in this house of God, or at the very least that Joan would laugh in his face and ask if he was delusional.

 

"I … I'd very much like to come," Joan said holding herself tall and proud with a little smile on her face.

 

"You would?" Brian blurted out.

 

"I would."

 

"Then we'll make the arrangements later," Claire said. "We better go, Brian. Father Tom will be waiting for us." She took Brian's arm and propelled him towards the priest's office.

 

Brian let himself be led, but he couldn't help but look back to see the little smile on Joan's face. He couldn't tell if she was happy to have been invited, or if she felt like she had just won some battle with him. He knew which one he thought was probably the correct choice.

 

"Brian! Claire. Good of you to come!" Father Tom exclaimed when he saw brother and sister walk into the rectory.

 

"I always come, Father. You should know that by now," Brian snarked, saying the words before engaging his brain.

 

"Brian Kinney, that was rude and horrible! Apologize this instant." Claire turned beet red and admonished her younger brother.

 

"I'm..." Brian started, only to be stopped by Father Tom's raised hand.

 

"I take it you had a run in with your mother?" Tom looked up into Brian's eyes. Brian nodded contritely and began to blush. "Brian, sit, you look like you're about to fall down. You look tired." Brian merely sighed.

 

"Father, Brian's being even more moody than usual. They've been doing some construction on his home and I'm afraid it's put Brian in a bad mood." Claire glared at her brother with her own version of the Kinney death glare. Her version was just as effective as Brian's, perhaps even more.

 

"I see. Then why don't you both relax. I'll see if we can rustle up some coffee and we can finalize the arrangements for the christening."

 

"It sounds so simple when you put it that way," Brian mumbled.

 

"It is, Brian. I don't want this to be a painful experience for you. It's supposed to be a joyous time for you and your family. You're bringing Briana into God's family," Father Tom attempted to counsel Brian.

 

"And if I don't have her baptized, does that mean she's condemned to Hell like her fucking old man?!" Brian stood up and roared, his anger, frustration and his feelings of unworthiness came to the fore. Brian stormed off out of the rectory and inadvertently found himself in the grotto. The same grotto that Justin sketched when he visited with Bree and Patrick weeks ago.

 

Claire stood shocked. She hadn't seen Brian this upset in a very long time. She felt helpless, not having a clue of how to help.

 

"Give me a minute with him," Father Tom reassured Claire. Claire nodded and quietly followed Tom out to the grotto.

 

"Brian..."

 

"Don't, Father, I'm an asshole. I know that. But for most of my adult life Joan has used her religion to torture me. I don't want her to do that to Bree. I'm afraid she'll..."

 

"What Brian? Afraid Joan will turn your daughter against you? Not a snowball's chance in Hell. Did Justin tell you about his visit here?" Brian nodded yes. "He showed me pictures of Briana as a baby and a few recent ones too. Brian I know Briana isn't your biological child but that little girl couldn't be more loved if she was. And more importantly, she loves you. It's so obvious in the pictures. Even as young as she is, she loves you. You and Justin have a beautiful loving daughter. No one, not even Joan can ever change that. You have to believe God would never let that happen." Father Tom put his arms around the taller man, offering his comfort and support as well as his guidance.

 

After a few moments, Brian was able to speak.

 

"Not here, not in a church, not even in this garden. You do it at my home. We have a stream not too far from the house. I want it done there with my family all around us," Brian whispered quietly in the good Father's arms.

 

"St. John baptized Jesus in a river. I have no problem with this."

 

"Good. Saturday, August 30, one o'clock, my house. And Father, would you mind blessing our home?"

 

"Didn't I do that already?"

 

"Yes, but now...let me put it this way, I think I'm considered an estate. You'll see."

 

"Whatever you say, Brian," Tom said with a smile. "Are you good to drive?"

 

"Yeah, my moment is over."

 

"You sure?"

 

"I'm sure. I'm allowed one per day. I'm good to go."

 

"Then I'll say goodbye to Claire. I'll be in touch with you, John and Claire as we get closer to the day. But I'm sure it will all work out fine."

 

"From your lips to God's ears, Father," Brian smirked, his tongue firmly planted in his cheek.

 

"Out of my church, Kinney." Father Tom, good naturedly pointed toward the exit.

 

As Brian and Claire walked from the grotto through the church toward the front door, Brian called back to the priest, over his shoulder.

 

"I've been thrown out of better churches than this one, Padre!" Brian and Claire heard Father Tom crack up in very unpriestly-like laughter.

 

Joan Kinney heard this exchange from one of the chapels. She had been in the church when Brian had raised his voice to Father Tom. She hadn't been able to hear the words, but she had heard the shouting. She had witnessed an upset Brian storm out of the rectory and take refuge in the grotto. She had tried to keep the smile off her face. She knew the church was no place for her wayward son, especially since she knew he would never renounce his wicked ways. The smile had crept across her face until she had looked out into the grotto and had seen Father Tom consoling her son.

 

That had been hard to watch. Father Tom was her rock and salvation, not Brian's. She knew she shouldn't be jealous, but somehow she was. She had gone into the chapel to pray that the jealousy would leave her. Then she had heard Brian joking with her priest. Brian always landed on his feet no matter what happened to him. That was another reason she resented her son. He had all the luck.

 

She waited until Father Tom went back into his office. She spent a few minutes more in silent meditation, thinking about what she had promised to do. Brian had actually invited her to the baptism. That had been huge, and she had actually accepted. She wasn't sure what all this meant, but it seemed like a new beginning.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 15

 

Brian was barbecuing steaks. They smelled wonderful. Justin was in the kitchen making a salad. Bree was playing with her dolly in the sun porch. John, Bobby and Patrick were having dinner over at Claire and Steve's. It was kind of nice to have the place to themselves for a while.

 

"Salad's ready," Justin called. "How long for the steaks?"

 

"Another few minutes for yours. Mine hasn't even sailed across the flames yet," Brian laughed. He loved his steak very rare.

 

"I don't know how you eat raw meat," Justin said coming over to the barbeque.

 

"It's not raw. It's rare."

 

"I don't care what they call it. It's still raw."

 

"Sissy," Brian laughed.

 

Justin elbowed his husband good-naturedly. This was an ongoing battle that neither of them would ever win, and they didn't really care.

 

"How was your visit with Father Tom?" Justin asked out of the blue.

 

Brian frowned and tried to keep the emotions off his face.

 

"What happened?" Justin asked. He had learned a long time ago how to read that Kinney face.

 

"What makes you think something happened?" Brian asked. Justin stared at his husband just waiting. "Okay, okay. Claire and I ran into Joan at the church."

 

"Does she live there now?" Justin asked.

 

"Seems that way," Brian chuckled. "Every time one of us goes near the place, she's there to observe and comment.

 

Justin understood the Kinney shorthand. "And what was her comment?"

 

"She was aghast that her two children were in her church together."

 

"When did it become her church? And why was she aghast?"

 

"I guess I took her look to be aghast. She was certainly surprised."

 

"Not half as much as you were, I bet," Justin chuckled.

 

"You got that right."

 

"What did you tell her about why you were there?" Justin wondered what kind of a story the two Kinney children had come up with.

 

"The truth," Brian replied looking into Justin's blue eyes.

 

"About the baptism?" Justin asked in surprise.

 

"Your face looks a lot like Joan's when we laid that one on her."

 

"Asshole," Justin said giving Brian another shot to the ribs.

 

"I asked her to come."

 

"You didn't?" Justin's eyes were very big.

 

Brian nodded. "And then you should have seen my face when she said yes."

 

"Holy fuck!"

 

"There was nothing holy about it. I'm still not sure why I asked her, and I'm even more unsure about why she said she'd come," Brian admitted.

 

"She saw Bree the other day. I bet she wants to hold her granddaughter." Brian's face got a very strange look on it. "What?" Justin asked, worried.

 

"She said Briana had a beautiful name," Brian said almost in a whisper. He threw his steak on the barbecue so he could avoid Justin's gaze.

 

"She does have a beautiful name. Why does Joan acknowledging that fact upset you?"

 

"That's the first nice thing she's said to me in … as long as I can remember."

 

"Oh, Brian…" Justin said as he pulled Brian into a hug.

 

Brian held on for a minute, tugging possessively on Justin's hair. After a deep breath, he let go. "You're going to make me burn my steak," He said flipping the still raw hunk of meat. "Get Bree. This is ready."

 

Justin walked away knowing that Brian had said as much as he could about the encounter with his mother. It was better to just leave it alone now. But Joan Kinney better not fucking upset Brian on what should be one of the happiest days of his life.

 

*****

 

As July was coming to an end, the work on John and Bobby's cottage was beginning to wane. With the new roof and attic, Gordon had the opportunity to drop new electrical cable to bring the one hundred-year-old cottage into the 21st century. That made Gordon feel a whole lot happier. And then there was the new heating system. He and his men did it all and preserved the quaintness of the old home. John and Bobby were very pleased. They were especially happy that their home was now in a habitable state. Patrick had his room back and all of his things and they were all now able to sleep in their own beds.

 

Brian split his time between the two offices, taking Bree with him when he could so that Justin had the peace and quiet he needed to complete the artwork for the Rage show and his work on the Patrick/Katherine portrait. If the painting turned out well, Justin wanted to present it to his mother as a gift on the day of the christening. Justin realized that Jennifer didn't always get the chance to spend as much time as she'd like with her granddaughter. And that was partly their fault. Bobby had once called Brian and Justin selfish in the way that they were raising Briana all by themselves, with little help from the family. It suited Brian and Justin just fine and of course, Jennifer was at least an hour and a half away. Justin thought his mother would love the painting. That is if he could get it finished. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping in the trees again since the noise of the construction was now gone. Justin had no excuses not to paint. And that's how Sidney Bloom found Justin, painting away in the sun porch.

 

"Hello, my boy!" Sidney called out in his flourished style.

 

"Sidney! What are you doing here?" Justin called back. Sidney and a few burly bears were standing in the doorway leading from the porch into the garden.

 

"My dear boy, if Mohammed will not come to the mountain..."

 

"Then the mountain comes to Mohammed. I get it. I'm sorry Sidney but so much has been going on here. I just haven't had the time."

 

"No need to apologize. You're not the first artist who likes to stick close to his studio and this is a perfect place for you to work. And I see you've made wonderful progress." Sidney looked around and saw all the large life-sized posters of Rage and the other characters. And he couldn't help but notice the Patrick/Katherine painting.

 

"What do you think?" Justin nodded toward the portrait.

 

"I think it's beautiful. Will you allow me to display it at the gallery? We never discussed what you wanted to do with Edna's treasure once we restored them all."

 

"I guess a show wouldn't hurt. You could do it along with the other Kinney's, maybe some of my other work too."

 

"Ah, I see, perhaps a display of styles across time and genre. Sounds perfect! Now for the reason that I'm here. I have a little something for you. They're not the originals, of course, but I do think you'll be pleased. Gentlemen." The bears brought in several cartons and placed them on the table. Sidney had them step back so that Justin could open the boxes.

 

"Sidney, what did you do?" Justin asked his agent, friend and mentor as he gingerly opened the first carton. "Holy fucking shit! It's a...."

 

"A wise man. Three wise men when you open the other boxes." Sidney nodded toward the boxes and his companions opened them, pulled out the statues and set them each on the table.

 

"How? What are they made of? They're heavy but it's not stone. And I prefer to call them the three gay guys."

 

"I'll leave what you call them up to you. After the statues were cleaned, we made castings of them, I had these made for you. I thought you might like them."

 

"Like them! This is so great! I love them. Thank you, Sidney."

 

"It's the least I could do. I have been pressuring you lately."

 

"I do my best work under...pressure."

 

"Be that as it may, do you have any idea where you'd like to display these? Here, in the porch or..."

 

"Are they waterproof?"

 

"Waterproof? Why, yes they are. They're made of a hard resin. They will stand the test of time. Better than the originals, I imagine."

 

"Then if you and your, um, men, wouldn't mind a stroll through the woods, follow me." Each man picked up a heavy statue and along with Sidney, followed Justin's swishing tail on the path to the stream.

 

Near the great rock in the small clearing by the stream, Justin stood to look around for a special spot to place the statues.

 

"Here, place them here." Justin picked a spot away from the water's edge, up on a pile of flat boulders. The workmen placed the statues then stepped aside so that Justin could arrange them to his liking. When he was done, it looked as though the three, whatever they were, were standing, engaged in congenial conversation. Justin was very pleased. He crossed back to where Sidney was standing and gave the older man a warm embrace.

 

"Thank you," Justin whispered into Sidney's lapel.

 

"You are most welcome, my boy."

 

Back at the cottage, Sidney had one more surprise for Justin.

 

"Before we leave, I have one more surprise for you."

 

"Sidney, you've already done enough."

 

"Nonsense. And I think you'll agree that this painting belongs here. Whoever planted your garden did a fabulous job. This painting will fit right in."

 

Sidney removed a large painting of a field of sunflowers from its protective crate. The flowers were huge and were standing against a sky of deep blue. The painting felt at home in its surroundings. Justin was speechless.

 

"I suggest that back wall, in between those two doorways, away from the direct light. It should be safe there." Justin could only nod. "Then we shall leave you to it." Sidney exclaimed as he shooed the men from the cottage, leaving the still speechless Justin standing, gazing at the wondrous painting.

 

Several hours later, Brian, John, Bobby along with the children found Justin sitting on the floor in the sun porch staring at the sunflower painting which was leaning up against the back wall. Brian handed Briana to John and knelt on the floor next to Justin.

 

"Justin?" Brian said gently as he laid his hand on Justin's arm. "What's wrong?" Justin looked up slightly startled; he hadn't heard them come in. All of Justin's attentions were rapt in the painting.

 

"A name," Justin whispered.

 

"A name? What name? A name for what?"

 

"A name for our home. We should have a name for our home."

 

"I didn't know we needed a name, Sunshine."

 

"We don't need one but I'd like one." Brian settled on the floor and drew Justin in closer. Even in the summer heat, the stone floor was chilly. Brian had Justin in his lap with his arms wrapped about him. John and Bobby stood quietly and waited. "This cottage, both of them, they look like all those old English cottages I've seen in books and in paintings."

 

John knelt next to the two men and offered his opinion.

 

"They should, they were originally built over a hundred years ago. It makes sense for them to have been fashioned like English cottages." Justin and Brian nodded.

 

"Have you ever noticed how the English have names for everything. Their great estates. Their cottages. Even their fields." Brian and John exchanged worried glances. Brian raised his hand to touch Justin's forehead. "I'm not sick....Sidney brought this for me today." Justin nodded toward the painting.

 

"I remember. It was part of Edna's treasure that she left for us." Brian smiled at the fond memory of Edna.

 

"The colors are so bright, now that it's been cleaned. It looks as though Kinney painted it yesterday," Bobby commented. The colors were dazzling, a testament to the artist and the artisan who restored it.

 

"Justin, what would you like to name our home?" Brian asked.

 

"You said it yourself, Bri."

 

"I did? What?"

 

"Edna's Treasures. On a little plaque, near the front gate or over the main door to the porch. I never want to forget her and what she has done for all of us." The four men smiled. It was a fitting name.

 

"Then Edna's Treasures it shall be." They sat for a few more moments until Justin's stomach grumbled. He had forgotten all about lunch and hadn't a thought about dinner. Brian groaned; his butt was getting cold. "I think your stomach has signaled the dinner bell and the next time I sit on this floor, remind me to put down a pillow first." Brian struggled to his feet, bringing his spouse with him.

 

"Hungy, Dada!" Bree declared.

 

"Good idea, Squirt. Let me change out of this suit and we'll make dinner. So what's on the menu tonight, little lady?" Brian asked his daughter.

 

"Hot dogs!" Briana said loudly, Patrick agreed with a giggle.

 

"Then hot dogs it is. I love a well-done wiener, boys and girl!" Brian announced with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek and a twinkle in his eyes as he headed for the bedroom to change.

 

John, Bobby and Justin burst into belly laughs at Brian's double entendre. The kids, however, wondered what was so funny.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 16

 

Bobby and John had moved into their house and Brian and Justin began to settle back into their routine, having their own home all to themselves most of the time. Bree missed Patrick and sometimes the little boy would march through the sun porch connection between the two houses, dragging his favorite blanket with him, and tell his uncles that he was spending the night with Bree. That was fine with everyone. They still had meals together, even devising a schedule of sorts as to who would cook on certain days. Other than some scheduled dinners, they left mealtime open, and no one was expected to come to dinner or breakfast unless they were invited or called ahead. That gave them all privacy and alone time, but also a feeling of family and togetherness.

 

Justin took Bree to St. Anthony's so that she would get to know Father Tom a little better. He explained to Bree what would happen for her baptism. She seemed okay with it, but Justin wasn't sure how much she actually understood. They didn't meet Joan this time.

 

Gus came back from camp full of stories of adventures and fun. He stayed at the cottage for a weekend, and Brian and Justin arranged for him to stay for the long weekend when Bree was being baptized.

 

While Gus was staying at the cottage he had a chance to talk to his father about some things. Apparently he had written to Lacy while he was at camp, but had received no reply.

 

"So what does that tell you?" Brian asked as they worked in the flower garden behind the sun porch.

 

"It tells me that she … that she … probably doesn't want to be my friend," Gus finally admitted. He knew that was likely the case, but he hated to admit it.

 

"I bet Lacy would be happy to be your friend. I just don't think she wants to be more than your friend."

 

"Oh." Gus' face fell.

 

"There is an age difference, you know," Brian said trying to soften the blow a little.

 

"Two years," Gus stated.

 

"But at your ages two years is an eternity. In my experience, girls want a boy who's older."

 

"And how would you know?" Gus asked pulling out some weeds.

 

"I had a few girls in my time."

 

"You did?" Gus asked in surprise. "But you're gay…"

 

"I wasn't always sure of that fact. I tried a few girls, and there were many more who would have been happy to give it up to me."

 

"Daaaaaad!"

 

"Well, it's true. I think you'll find the same thing may happen to you."

 

"But I want Lacy."

 

"Gus, I think it's highly unlikely that you and Lacy can be more than friends. You need to face that harsh truth … and move on."

 

Gus pounded a clump of dirt in frustration. Brian watched and tried to hide his smile from his son. The teenage years were never easy, and it didn't matter if you were gay or straight.

 

"Brian, Gus," Justin called from the doorway of the sun porch.

 

"What is it?" Brian asked.

 

"I want to show you something."

 

"We'll be right there," Brian replied. "Let's clean up and put the tools away. That's enough for today."

 

Gus nodded and started cleaning off his hoe. "The gardens are going to look great for the christening," Gus said.

 

"They fucking better," Brian stated. "I've put enough fertilizer and water and hard work into them, that they better be spectacular.

 

Gus laughed. "I never thought I'd hear you say that. Who knew you were a closet gardener all these years."

 

"I'm out of the closet now. I want everyone to witness the fruits of my labor," Brian smirked.

 

"They'll be duly impressed."

 

Brian and Gus made their way inside after storing their tools. Justin and Bree were standing beside the easel.

 

"Did you finish it?" Brian asked with a smile.

 

"I did, and I think it looks great, doesn't it, sweetie?" Justin said to Bree who nodded her head.

 

Justin turned the easel and both Gus and Brian let out little gasps.

 

The painting showed a Patrick with a gentle, fatherly smile on his face. He looked so much like Justin but was also uniquely Patrick. Justin had captured him just right. In his arms sat a little girl of about Bree's age. She had beautiful black ringlets that framed a face that was totally Bree.

 

"She looks exactly like Bree," Gus said picking up his sister. "See, Bree." He held her out towards the painting.

 

Bree stretched her arm trying to touch the still wet canvas. Gus kept it just out of reach.

 

"Bree," Briana said pointing to the painting.

 

"That's Katherine," Justin said to his daughter, "but she looks just like you."

 

"Bree," Briana repeated.

 

"What do you think?" Justin said looking at Brian.

 

"I think it's beautiful, just like the artist and his daughter."

 

Justin smiled. "I know what Patrick looks like from photos, but we don't have any images of Katherine. I hope giving her Bree's face is all right." Justin still had some concerns about how his painting would be received.

 

"It's so beautiful, Justin. Everyone will love it," Gus said.

 

Justin smiled. "That was just what I needed to hear. I guess we can show it to John and Bobby at dinner then."

 

"They'll love it too," Brian said pulling Justin into his arms and kissing him.

 

"Dada, Daddy," Bree called holding out her arms. She wanted some of that loving too.

 

*****

 

"Brian, what are you doing?" Brian was walking out of the sun porch wearing nothing but a very skimpy black thong bathing suit. He was carrying Bree who was wearing her own frilly bathing suit bottom. Brian had several big fluffy towels and little else.

 

"Going for a dip in the stream," Brian said by way of explanation. Before Justin could react, Brian was halfway through the woods.

 

"Oh," was the only reply Justin could come up with. As Justin stood admiring Brian's rear view, John and Bobby came through their door into the porch.

 

"Justin, what the fuck is Brian wearing?" John asked loudly. "Or should I say, not wearing." Both he and Bobby caught a glimpse of the scantily clad Brian as he and Bree marched along the path to the stream.

 

"Um, a thong?" Justin sputtered out.

 

"I can see it's a thong. What little there is of it, but why? And where is he going?" John demanded.

 

"He said to the stream."

 

"Justin, your stream is barely three feet at its deepest point."

 

"I know. Look, I'm just as confused as you are. Brian likes the stream but he's not one for taking dips in it and certainly not dressed like he should be posing for one of his own ads."

 

Bobby, who had remained quiet throughout the whole exchange, made a suggestion. "Why don't we all go to the stream and find out what's going on?" Justin and John turned to look at the redhead who was standing with a smug expression on his face.

 

Justin smacked himself in the forehead and gave a short, "DOH!" Then they all laughed, called for Patrick and ambled down to the stream.

 

The path to the stream had been naturally worn by the years of Brian and Justin's foot traffic, but Gus and Brian had been working on it regularly in preparation for the big day. Brian had gone to a garden center and purchased bags and bags of crushed shale which they neatly raked along the path. When the shale was dry, it was the color of pale grey purple. When dampened it was almost lavender. Where the grasses and wild flowers were thin, Brian had planted perennials and other spreading ground cover. The overall look was relaxed and natural as if Mother Earth herself chose to guide the path of the traveler to her own secret garden. At the clearing, Brian had planted lilies and other plants that were hearty, spread easily and could take care of themselves.

 

When they got to the clearing, Brian and Briana were already in the deepest part of the stream. Brian was bouncing Bree up and down in the water. Every few bounces, he and Bree would go under the water for a few seconds. Briana, secure and safe in her father's arms was giggling non-stop. Her laughter, almost as infectious as her daddy Justin's, caused them all to laugh along with her.

 

"What is that brother-in-law of mine doing?" Bobby said absentmindedly.

 

"I have no idea," Justin responded.

 

A thought came to John. "I know. Clever man, my brother." John smiled at Brian's ingenuity.

 

"You mind letting us in on the secret?" Bobby asked as he stripped down to his underwear and helped Patrick out of his clothes. The August air was hot and the stream was very inviting.

 

"Justin's been bringing Bree over to St. Anthony's to meet with Father Tom so she wouldn't be frightened of him, right?" Justin and Bobby nodded. "We know that Bree enjoys her bath time with her daddies but..."

 

"I get it!" Justin exclaimed. "Brian's getting her accustomed to the stream so she won't be frightened the day of the ceremony." Justin lovingly beamed over at Brian.

 

"Yup," John agreed as he too stripped down to his own underwear and followed Patrick and Bobby into the cool stream.

 

Seeing his family except for Justin wading into the stream, Brian called out. "Hey, Sunshine, come on in; the water's fine!" Justin scrambled out of his clothes and joined the party.

 

After about thirty minutes of splashing around, they made for the shore and the towels. Brian, ever Mr. Prepared, had plenty of towels.

 

"Brian, that was so cool!" Justin said while giving his clever spouse a peck on the cheek.

 

"Yeah, the water felt good."

 

"No, silly, I mean the way you're getting Bree ready for the baptism. You're really looking forward to it, aren't you?" Justin gazed into Brian's eyes for affirmation.

 

"I guess I am." Brian hated to reveal all his deep dark secrets. "I didn't want the Squirt to be scared on her big day." In his heart, Brian knew it was he who was scared, just a little.

 

"She'll be fine," Justin said with a little nod of his head. "And so will you." He added in a whisper that only Brian could hear.

 

"Brian," Bobby began, "do you mind telling us why you're looking like the cover of Vogue?"

 

"Blame it on Schmidt."

 

"Ted? What's he got to do with your bathing attire?" John looked at his brother with raised eyebrows. "Not that it doesn't suit you. If I wasn't happily married and of course, not your brother..."

 

"Eiwww!" Bobby, Justin and Brian said in unison then cracked up at the absurdity of the statement.

 

"Spill, Brian."

 

"Ted was pretending to be an ad man again for a swim suit manufacturer. They gave him a bunch of samples to give to the staff to try. For obvious reasons he gave this one to me." Brian smirked at his own cleverness.

 

"Uh huh," John mumbled nonchalantly.

 

"What, are you implying that I don't have the physique to wear this thing?" Brian glared at his brother. Brian was still a fanatic about his body and dared anyone to say that he didn't look good. And he refused to complete that statement, 'for my age.'

 

"Oh no, you have the right physique. But, you know Ted's been exercising and being in love agrees with him. I think he could do that bathing suit justice," John said with his own tongue in his cheek.

 

"What? How could you, you..." Brian couldn't believe that John thought that Teddy could possibly have a better body than he did. Then Brian got the joke. "Why you son of a bi...."

 

"Hey, that's Claire you're about to disparage," John quickly retorted before Brian could finish the expletive. Then John, who by now had put on his pants and sneakers, bolted down the path.

 

"Come back here, you big chicken!" Brian called after his brother then bolted right after him. John's 'braak, braak, braaking' like a chicken left Bobby and Justin laughing like hyenas.

 

Wrapping the kids up in the fluffy towels and gathering up the extras, Bobby and Justin picked up the kids and began to walk the path back up to the house.

 

"Jus?"

 

"Hmm?"

 

"Could I borrow that thong later?"

 

"Sure, but I don't think black is your color."

 

"I wasn't thinking of me wearing it." Bobby glanced at Justin then waggled his eyebrows. Justin got it and waggled his in return. The hot summer air was full of giggles that afternoon.

 

Later that night, Brian and Justin decided to enjoy the clear warm summer night in the porch on their big brass bed. They began to snuggle together under the sheets.

 

"Bri?"

 

"Hmm?"

 

"Did you invite them?"

 

"Yes. I telegrammed and emailed."

 

"Think they'll come?"

 

"There's a good chance Juan and his Miguel may come but Edna's Miguel and Marta, I'm not so sure."

 

"Mmm. Brian, you were very clever today, you know. I mean about acclimating Bree to the stream. By the time we're ready for the baptism, she won't be frightened at all."

 

"I am clever, aren't I?"

 

"Asshole. But I have to admit, you are."

 

"Good, at least I know I'm appreciated."

 

"Oh Brian, I always appreciate you." Justin slipped his hand onto Brian's cock and gave it an appreciative squeeze.

 

"Sunshine, are you trying to seduce me?" Brian asked in his low, warm, sultry voice.

 

"Yes," Justin purred back into Brian's ear. "Is it working?"

 

"Yes, it is."

 

"Working enough to get me a trip to the top?" Justin continued his not so gentle massage of Brian's legendary organ while nibbling on Brian's ear. Rolling over onto his belly to accommodate Justin, Brian gave him his answer.

 

"Anytime, Sunshine, anytime." Justin found Brian's lips as he found the lube.

 

The following morning Justin and John were humming in their respective kitchens preparing the family's breakfast. It was a glorious morning so they decided to have breakfast together in the sun porch. John and Justin were busy, flitting back and forth bringing in their trays and pots of coffee. Every time Brian and Bobby attempted to help, they were gently but firmly told to stay put and relax. Even the youngest members of the family were busy bringing in napkins and placemats.

 

"Brian, sitting on a pillow this morning?" Bobby leaned over and stole a look.

 

"I could say the same about you," Brian smirked as he took a sip of his perfectly prepared coffee. "Looks like we both had a good ride last night."

 

"Mmm, I guess so. What's your excuse?" Bobby cocked his head waiting to hear how Brian got topped.

 

"I'm clever and appreciated." Brian gingerly sat back but with a very satisfied grin on his face. "And you?"

 

"I'm a sucker for a certain man in a tiny black thong."

 

"Ah, so that's where it got to."

 

"Yep....thank you."

 

"My pleasure." Breakfast then commenced.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance  Be Forgot

 

Chapter 17

 

The week before the baptism was a hectic one around the Kinney-Taylor estate. Brian had arranged for Emmett to cater the affair. The number of guests seemed to be growing by the day. Nick had arranged to come with Hunter. Daphne and her latest beau were going to make the trek to the cottage.

 

The only one who hadn't committed to coming was Justin's father. Justin didn't really expect his father to attend, but as always, there was that small glimmer of hope that ran through Justin. Justin had learned the hard way that a relationship with his father was about as likely as a relationship between Brian and his mother. And yet, Joan was planning to attend. Claire even said that she had taken Joan shopping for a new dress for the occasion. The universe seemed to be unfolding in a very bizarre way.

 

On the Friday before the baptism, Gus arrived with his mothers and Jenny Rebecca. Brian had been going to go pick up his son, but the munchers had other ideas. They had brought Gus as soon as Melanie had been able to get off work. They told Brian they were planning to stay for dinner and would bring dessert with them. Brian had tried to get them to change their plans but they wouldn't hear of it. Brian knew something else was definitely up, but for the life of him he couldn't figure out what might have caused them to get their knickers in a knot.

 

Brian watched the car pull into the driveway with some apprehension.

 

"Hi, Dad," Gus said giving his father a hug as he came through the door.

 

"Sonny Boy," Brian said.

 

"Where's Bree?"

 

"In the sun porch with Justin."

 

"Can I take her outside? I want to show her how to catch the new nerf ball I got for her."

 

Brian smiled. He loved the fact that Gus wanted to play with Briana, and usually came with some little gift for her. Briana loved her older brother with all her heart. "Of course you can. Go get her."

 

"Hi, Brian," Lindsay said coming into the house and giving Brian a peck on the cheek. "I brought dessert."

 

"Greeaaat!"

 

"Brian," Melanie said abruptly coming along behind her wife. She had a firm hold on JR's hand.

 

"Hi, Uncle Brian," the little girl said.

 

"Hello, my beauty," Brian said using his best flattering voice. JR giggled.

 

"You are so full of…" Melanie began.

 

"Mel," Lindsay stopped her. She gave Mel a funny look and Mel closed her mouth tightly making her way into the kitchen.

 

Brian and Justin had planned to barbeque because the weather was great, and the kids would love it. Brian was in the middle of making salad when the girls arrived.

 

"Go play with Gus and Bree," Melanie ordered giving her daughter a push towards the doorway to the sun porch.

 

JR looked at Brian who gave the slightest nod to the little girl, followed by a smile. JR skipped out the door. Brian always felt the poor child had been hampered by her unlucky choice of parents.

 

Brian began chopping more vegetables while Lindsay put on a pot of coffee and exchanged knowing looks with her wife. Brian groaned inwardly. If they had something to say to him, he wished they'd just fucking say it. But he would never be that lucky. They'd make him sit through a long, tedious and digestion wrecking dinner before they bombarded him with some new cruelty or twisted piece of logic about how he was handling his life. It was going to be a long evening.

 

And tomorrow would be even longer. It was supposed to be a good day, a joyous day, but Brian suddenly had such a feeling of foreboding that he felt his stomach tighten and clench. He felt like he might be sick to his stomach.

 

*****

 

Meanwhile back in Pittsburgh, Jennifer Taylor was on the phone to her ex-husband.

 

"You're not going to go, are you?" she demanded.

 

"Of course not," Craig Taylor replied as if it was the most natural response in the world.

 

"You son of a bitch! This is your granddaughter's baptism, your only grandchild. It's a major event in her life."

 

"We're not fucking Catholics and what kind of a baptism is held at the home of homosexuals instead of in a church?"

 

"Your granddaughter's baptism, that's whose!" Jennifer couldn't believe the arrogance and stupidity of her former husband. She wondered how she could have ever loved him.

 

"Who is this Father Tom that is overseeing this farce?"

 

"He's the priest at Joan Kinney's church," Jennifer replied trying to be reasonable and keep her voice level. She really did want Craig to attend for Justin … and most of all for Bree.

 

"That old bat must be turning over in her grave," Craig sneered.

 

"She's not dead and she will be attending the ceremony."

 

"Well, fuck me!" Craig said. "I thought the old biddy hated her son."

 

"Maybe she's willing to put aside her feelings in order to attend the baptism of her granddaughter."

 

"It's not even her fucking granddaughter from what I hear."

 

"Brian has adopted her. Justin and Brian are the legal parents."

 

Craig snorted. "What kind of a fucked up society do we live in, where the state allows two fags to adopt a little girl?"

 

"Justin is her biological parent, Craig. I would think you would want to meet her and be there."

 

"Well, you thought wrong!"

 

"Then … then … go fuck yourself, you stupid asshole!" Jennifer slammed the receiver down hearing her blood pound in her ears. Craig still had the power to upset her unlike almost anyone else.

 

*****

 

Dinner was winding down. Justin and Brian had barbequed hamburgers for the kids and steaks for the adults. John, Bobby and Patrick had joined them. Brian had hoped if they had more people it might make the dinner go faster. He had picked at his food waiting for the bomb to drop.

 

When Justin and John took the kids outside for a little walk before dessert, Bobby went into the kitchen to make coffee and get the dessert dished up. Brian looked at the two women sitting at his table in the sun porch. He had had this drag on long enough. His last nerve was wearing very thin.

 

"Tell me what the fuck is going on!" he demanded.

 

Lindsay looked at Melanie and Melanie looked at her. Finally Mel shrugged and took the bull by the horns.

 

"What provisions have you made for Gus now that you have this daughter?" Melanie asked trying to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.

 

"This daughter? Her name is Briana, and it's none of your fucking business what I do or don't do for Gus."

 

"It most certainly is my business, Brian," Lindsay said in an accusatory voice.

 

"I've told you that Gus will be well looked after."

 

"He's in high school, and we need to know where he stands with regards to college," Melanie stated bluntly.

 

"If Gus wants to go to university, I'll make sure that happens," Brian stated.

 

"And what about your will?" Melanie continued.

 

"What about it?" Brian snapped.

 

"Does Gus get anything?"

 

"I'm not fucking dead yet! You'll find out when that joyous occasion comes about." Brian shoved back his chair ready to get out of there. He should have gone on the walk with the kids.

 

"Brian, sit still," Lindsay asked placing her hand over Brian's. "We're just trying to make sure Gus is treated fairly."

 

"And why the fuck would you think I wouldn't treat him fairly."

 

"With you, who knows," Melanie sniped.

 

"Well, fuck you!" Brian said vehemently and stood up.

 

"There's something else, Brian," Lindsay said in her softest voice.

 

Brian groaned. "Haven't you caused enough shit to fly already?"

 

"This is important," Lindsay said. "It's about JR."

 

"What about her?"

 

"We … Mel and I don't want her to feel like a second class citizen if her siblings suddenly have these trust funds, and she has nothing."

 

"I'm not JR's father," Brian declared. "Get Michael to look after that."

 

"He doesn't have the resources that you do," Melanie stated.

 

"Then maybe you should have chosen me as her father," Brian glared and stomped out of the sun porch. He wanted to go find Bree and Gus and hug them, and maybe even JR to make up for her bitch of a mother.

 

Bobby walked into the sun porch carrying coffee and mugs. "You two are something else," he observed as he set down the tray. He had heard everything from the kitchen.

 

"Kindly keep your opinions to yourself," Melanie told him in no uncertain terms.

 

"Normally I would, but you've upset Brian on what should be one of the happiest days for him and Justin. So, I'm going to tell you something that never gets spoken of again. Understood?"

 

Melanie and Lindsay stared at the redhead wondering what he was going to tell them.

 

"Brian has set up trust funds for all the children. They will be well provided for."

 

"But what about JR?" Melanie asked.

 

"There's one for her too. I drew up all the paperwork."

 

"Well, fuck me!" Melanie said. "Why couldn't he have just told us that?"

 

"You know Brian never volunteers information like that. He keeps his cards close to his vest."

 

"Thank you for telling us that, Bobby," Lindsay said. "Melanie, let's go find the kids and make nice with Brian. We owe him an apology even though we can't actually apologize." She yanked Melanie's wrist hard and they headed out the door. Bobby had to smile to himself. Brian would kill him if he ever found out what he had told the women, but it was worth it to see Mel have to eat humble pie.

 

*****

 

The rest of the evening passed congenially. The girls decided to use the brass bed in the porch. The night air was still warm enough to sleep with just the screen door in place. Gus and JR took the bunk beds in Gus' room. Sensing that his cousin was a little 'not right,' Patrick decided to sleep with her. Briana settled down immediately with her older cousin there to protect her. It was all rather hushed at 'Edna's Treasures.'

 

The one advantage of having a sun porch was the ability to see the sun rise. One disadvantage was the ability to experience the sunrise. As the sun began to peek through the trees, its first rays hit Lindsay right in her eye. Melanie, asleep on her stomach, merely drew the sheet over her head to further block out the sun's annoying way of waking one up. Lindsay, on the other hand, was now wide awake. And she thought it best to get up and try to make up for last night's drama by putting the coffee on and starting breakfast. It was the least she could do.

 

Emmett would be arriving around ten with his delicacies, and his minions to serve them up. Bobby would be heading for Harrisburg airport to pick up their special guests from Central America. The family would arrive at one and the ceremony was scheduled for two. Emmett had planned enough finger food, salads, punch and other beverages to take them all into the evening. And then afterwards, he planned a barbecue. There was enough food to feed the entire state and then some.

 

Lindsay threw on her robe and carefully padded through the porch toward the kitchen. As she passed the master bedroom, she couldn't help but notice the door was slightly ajar. Unable to quell her curiosity, Lindsay took a peek inside. Justin was slightly propped up on the pillows with Brian's head on his chest. Justin's arm was around Brian and one hand was gently combing through the brunet hair. Justin looked up and acknowledged Lindsay who began to blush at her intrusion. Justin brought his finger to his lips and then mouthed, 'I'll be out in a minute.' Lindsay nodded then continued to the kitchen. When Justin came out the kettle was on the stove and the coffee maker was bubbling.

 

"I'm sorry, Justinl it was rude of me to have looked in your room," Lindsay said contritely.

 

"It's okay but don't let the big guy know; he's been jumpy for days. It might throw him over the edge."

 

"Last night didn't help either."

 

"No, it didn't."

 

"He told you."

 

"Yes, he did. Lindz, he's not the same man who keeps everything to himself. Well, not everything."

 

"Bobby told me that Brian provided for everyone, including JR."

 

"Yes, I imagine Brian did."

 

"Imagine? He didn't tell you?"

 

"Not the specifics, he hinted. And I really don't want to know. All that I want to know, that I need to know, is that he loves me and that he's happy and above all, that he's healthy. That's all I really care about. The rest of it will work itself out."

 

Justin poured some hot water into mugs and offered Lindsay a choice of teas.

 

"You surprised me," Lindsay said as she blew into the hot mug.

 

"How?"

 

"The way he was laying in your arms. I always imagined it the other way around. With big bad Brian protecting his little Sunshine." There was no malice or sarcasm in Lindsay's voice, just a statement of fact.

 

"Eighty percent of the time, you'd be right. I always sleep better when I'm in his arms. I do feel protected by him. He cares so deeply about things, about people, about us. It hurts him when those he loves forget that he has feelings. We all forget. I'm just as guilty, and he easily forgives."

 

"But does he forget?"

 

"No, he never forgets. And sometimes it becomes too much for him."

 

"And then he needs your strength."

 

"Yes. And I give him whatever he needs, whenever he needs it," Justin said solemnly. Just then Brian breezed into the room.

 

"What I need is coffee. Plenty of coffee, black, with..."

 

"I know, your majesty, with a pound and a half of sugar. Coming right up," Justin said with a flash of his smile and a kiss to Brian's lips.

 

"Where is the star of this show? I'd thought she'd be out here with you?" Brian asked as he looked around for Briana.

 

"She and Patrick were still asleep when I came out," Justin replied, just as curious as Brian.

 

"Here they are!" John announced as he and Bobby walked into the kitchen. John had Patrick over his shoulder like he was carrying a sack. The boy was laughing loudly. Bobby had Bree under his arm.

 

Handing her over to Brian, Bobby acknowledged the ownership. "I do believe this one belongs to you."

 

"Squirt, did you pounce on your uncles with Patrick?" Brian raised the child so that they were nose to nose, Briana giggling madly.

 

"Yes, Dada," Bree answered softly.

 

"And was it a big pounce?"

 

"Yes, Dada."

 

"That's my girl!" Brian kissed the child on her nose and gave her a wet raspberry to her cheek, then sat down with Bree in his lap. "So what's for breakfast, Sunshine?" Justin rolled his eyes as he threw a dish towel at Brian and Bree, landing it on their heads. Under their tiny towel tent, father and daughter cracked up into giggles.

 

*****

 

"Bobby, where are you?" John asked into his phone.

 

"I'm still at the airport," Bobby replied, just as frustrated as his husband. It was eleven, the plane carrying Juan, Miguel, Edna's Miguel and Marta should have landed an hour ago.

 

"Bobby, I really want you here."

 

"I know. I'm going to arrange a car and a driver for them and leave specific directions for Juan. If the plane lands anytime soon, Juan will be able to get them here in time."

 

"Okay. Father Tom won't mind starting a little late. And God only knows if and when Joan will get here. I'm sure they'll get here in plenty of time. Come home, Bobby. If all his pacing is any indication, I think Brian needs all the support he can get." Bobby smirked at the thought of Brian needing anyone but Justin but he agreed with John.

 

"I'll be home soon," Bobby made his arrangements and then high tailed it back home.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 18

 

Brian paced his bedroom. He had escaped in there to get away from Emmett and his continual string of instructions to everyone. The tall queen had become very good at his party planning and catering job, but Brian didn't appreciate the way Emmett had taken over the house. In fact, Brian didn't appreciate much of anything that was going on.

 

His house was starting to fill with people and he just wanted to be alone. Jennifer was dressing Briana in a new dress she had insisted on buying. Brian had already found what he thought was the perfect christening outfit. However, it was going to get wet when Bree was dunked in the stream. So, a compromise had been reached. Briana would wear Jennifer's dress for the baptism and then change into Brian's outfit for the rest of the party.

 

Then there was the whole problem of the Central America contingent. Apparently their plane was late and Bobby was delayed at the airport waiting for them and guests were starting to arrive and Brian wished for a pistol so he could blow his fucking brains out. This had to be the fucking stupidest thing he had ever agreed to do.

 

"Brian," Justin's soft voice interrupted his morbid thoughts. Brian turned to look at his husband. "I brought someone to see you." Justin gently pulled Briana through the door. "Show Dada how pretty you look," Justin encouraged her.

 

Briana shyly stepped forward and then did a little pirouette almost pitching over at the end of it. Brian couldn't help but grin. "That's my girl," he said with all the pride in the world. He had to admit that Jennifer had selected a beautiful dress. He carefully picked up his daughter and smoothed her dress so that it didn't get wrinkled.

 

Bree's arms went around Brian's neck. "Love you, Dada," Bree whispered in his ear.

 

"Love you right back," Brian whispered kissing her little cheek.

 

"You okay?" Justin asked.

 

"Now that I have the Squirt in my arms, I feel much better."

 

"People are starting to arrive."

 

"Oh, who?"

 

"The usual culprits, Debbie and Carl and Michael and Ben. I'm sure Michael wants to talk to you."

 

"And why is that?"

 

"You know Michael," Justin said. "He'll have something important to tell you whether you want to hear it or not."

 

Brian made a face. "Let's go face the music," Brian said with a smile. "Or the wrath of God or whatever else the fucking Fates have in store for us."

 

"The Fates have good things in store for us, Brian. It's going to be a happy day," Justin said as Brian pulled his husband into a hug. They walked out of the bedroom together.

 

There she is, little sweet one," Debbie cooed seeing Briana. She rushed over to give Briana a kiss and then wipe off the smudge of red her lips had left all over the little girl's face. "You look good enough to eat," she added, finishing rubbing off the lipstick. "And you done good, kiddo," she said to Brian giving him a kiss and then continuing the procedure she had used on Bree. Briana giggled and hid her face in her father's shoulder. "And Sunshine, you have the most beautiful daughter in the whole wide world, except for my Jenny Rebecca, of course," she added and began swiping at the lipstick she had now left on Justin's cheek.

 

"You better go fix your makeup, Deb," Brian said. "Or you won't have enough lipstick to go around."

 

Debbie gave him a little swat, and then asked, "Is your mother here yet?"

 

"She probably won't come," Brian said staring at the front door.

 

"Is she coming with Claire?" Debbie asked ignoring his pessimism.

 

Brian nodded and decided to say no more. Claire hadn't arrived yet, and he was sure she would be minus Joan when she got there.

 

"Brian," Michael said reaching up to give Brian a hug. "Haven't seen you for ages."

 

"How are you and the professor these days?"

 

"Just fine," Michael smiled. "I wanted to tell you that I think it's great you put aside your own feelings about religion and are doing this for Bree."

 

Brian looked into Michael's eyes. He could see that Michael meant every word he had said. "Let's hope I can agree with you when this is all over."

 

"Don't be a pessimist. The baptism will be great, and everyone's going to have a lovely time."

 

"Tell the powers that be," Brian said as the front door opened and Claire and Steve McNally entered. He carried Briana over to welcome them. At least he'd have two of his surrogate moms there when his own fucking mother failed to show.

 

*****

 

Joan Kinney sat in the backseat of her daughter's car. She watched Claire and her husband. They seemed happy. Claire seemed content for the first time in her adult life. Maybe her children had finally grown up too. She wondered why they had so little time for her though.

 

"I thought Peter and John were coming to the baptism," Joan said.

 

"John's driving down with his girlfriend and Peter," Claire said.

 

"When did he get a car?"

 

"It's not his car," Claire sighed. "It belongs to his girlfriend."

 

"Must be nice," Joan sneered.

 

Silence ensued for many miles. Joan smoothed the skirt of the new dress she had bought for this occasion. She wondered if she looked all right. She had asked Claire, but Claire had merely said, "Of course you do," like it meant nothing. Nobody really cared what Joan looked like, but she did. She knew Brian had made a name for himself in the business world. She wondered if there would be any famous or important people attending. She wanted to look nice, better than nice, so that Brian wouldn't be ashamed of her.

 

With a start, she wondered where that thought had come from, but she knew. She had always felt inferior to Brian. He took every occasion to let her know that she didn't live up to his standards, like he had any standards. That was one of the reasons she had always told him he was going to Hell. He thought he was better than her.

 

She wanted to show him that she could interact with his uppity-up friends. She wouldn't be bested on this day. And she certainly would be able to hold her own with that Novotny woman. Joan wondered if Brian had invited Debbie. Most likely he had. He seemed to think more of her than he did of his own mother.

 

Joan felt a little twinge at that thought. Maybe she shouldn't have come. Maybe Brian would snub her in front of all the people he had invited. If he did, she would be mortified. But she was doing this to meet her grandchildren. That's what she really wanted. Maybe they could finally connect and she would be able to see them occasionally. It was so lonely at her house every day. This could be a day to change all that. She just had to look good and act like she belonged there. Joan half snorted to herself. The world really was topsy-turvy when she was trying to act like she belonged in a house full of homosexuals. It didn't matter though; she could do this for one day. Joan straightened her back and sat rigid in the backseat. She could do this. She would show them all.

 

*****

 

One o'clock and all was not well, not well with Brian. Everyone else appeared to be having a grand old time. Emmett's canapés and other wonders were a big hit. The wine was flowing and the family was in lovefest mode, all hugs and smiles. Brian, on the other hand was a nervous wreck. Outwardly, Brian appeared cool and in control. No one, other than Justin, was aware that inwardly, Brian was worried. Worried that his mother wouldn't show. Worried she would appear and make a scene. Worried that she'd be drunk, get drunk. Worried that halfway through the ceremony Joan would produce a legal document declaring she was suing for custody of Bree. Worried that his mother might actually be nice for a change. Brian was just plain worried.

 

The whole family was there, admiring the newly conjoined homes, the pleasant gardens and landscaping and overall, enjoying each other. Father Tom was getting reacquainted with Briana then went to take a peek at the stream. He wandered down the path. Father Tom had seen pictures of the area but nothing prepared him for the serenity of the clearing.

 

"Beautiful," Tom said to himself as he looked around. There were several folding chairs set up for the elder guests and whoever else wanted to sit. The ceremony would be relatively short. The guests would be brought to the clearing, Tom would say a few words then he, the parents and the godparents would walk into the stream, with Briana, of course. Father Tom would then say the words bringing Briana into God's company as he immersed the child in the water. "God has touched this place," Tom commented as he was examining the replicas of the Patrick statues. The glade at the water's edge was perfect.

 

"Talking to yourself, Padre? A sign of the Devil," Brian snarked, wishing he had a cigarette to inhale.

 

"I guess I am," Tom replied ignoring the snark. "This place is miraculous. Just perfect for God's work."

 

"I hope so. I could use a miracle about now."

 

"You still worried about the baptism?"

 

"No, not really. I think I can handle it. All I have to do is stand around, look pretty, ooh and ah over the gifts and pay for the fiasco. It's John and Claire that have the hard part. What I'm worried about is..."

 

"Joan?" Brian lost his voice and could only nod. "Brian, you have a wonderful home, correction, estate. And this is God's own garden. Only miracles can happen here today."

 

"I'll hold you to that," Brian replied, unconvinced. Just then, John leading the family, came into the glade.

 

"Brian, it's time," John said gently then stepped to the side so that the family could all join in.

 

Justin came toward Brian, all smiles with Briana in his arms. The sun filtered through the trees, reflecting off the gold of their hair. Dressed in white linen, Justin looked like an angel carrying an angel. Brian couldn't help but gasp at their beauty, his heart bursting with love.

 

Gus came closer next. Tall, lean, a little gangly with youth but with a beauty and poise all of his own. Brian beamed with pride at his son then drew him close into a hug with Justin and Bree. Brian gave each one of his most loved a chaste kiss to the temple.

 

Debbie, Claire and Jennifer quietly approached. They all had in common a mother's pride in Brian and Justin and the choice they were making this day. Jennifer kissed her granddaughter then her son and then Brian. She took out a hanky and then took a seat.

 

Claire gave them each a soft smile as she gently tickled Briana's ear, then gave Jack's second son a warm hug. "My Jack would be proud of you," Claire whispered into Brian's ear then withdrew to take a seat next to Jennifer.

 

Debbie looked up into the hazel eyes that had plagued her over the years, angered her at times in the past, frustrated her, made her life a living hell, was her strength and her salvation. "I love you, kiddo and I'm so proud of you. You're doing good." Debbie gave Brian a little cuff behind his ear.

 

"Awe, Maw," Brian groused with love. Debbie took a seat on the other side of Jennifer.

 

"Brian?" Claire, Brian's sister, called out his name. Standing next to her was their mother. Joan looked nice in her new dress, very smart and sophisticated. And she was sober. Unable to formulate a coherent sentence, a soft, nervous giggle escaped Brian's throat. Fortunately Father Tom came to the rescue.

 

"Joan! I am so happy you decided to join us. Please, allow me to escort you to a seat. After the ceremony I would be proud to introduce you around." Joan was about to retort that of course she should be here. She was the grandmother to Brian's children. She had every right to be here, more than some who would try to take her place. She was about to glare at Debbie and that Anderson woman but caught herself in time.

 

"I'm very happy to be here," Joan said sweetly, half believing it. Then she allowed Father Tom to escort her to a seat near Carl and Steve.

 

Brian let out the breath he was holding.

 

"Ladies and Gentlemen," Father Tom began. "For those of you who don't know me, I am Father Tom. And I am very happy that you all have come today to witness a rebirth. The bringing of Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor into God's family." Father Tom paused to scan the faces of the family and friends present. Everyone was smiling, including Joan and her son.

 

"Saint John baptized God's children in the waters of Jordan; his church was the open air. And so shall we commend Briana to God, here in God's forest, with her loving family and friends as witness."

 

Tom beckoned to Brian, Justin, John and Claire, and they followed Tom into the stream. Brian carried Bree, whispering reminders about the little dip she was about to take with the good Father. Brian handed Bree to John as Tom was about to begin the ceremony.

 

They all took their place midstream. John with Bree next to Claire. Brian and Justin close by keeping eye contact with their daughter to reassure her. As Father Tom raised his hand to bless the congregation, five more people entered the glade.

 

The family turned to see who the new arrivals were. No one recognized the guests except for Bobby who immediately escorted the elder Miguel and Marta to their seats after giving them both a kiss. Bobby greeted Juan and his Miguel with a warm hug then embraced Father Paul who had journeyed long and hard to be there. Bobby was about to show the missionary to his own seat when Father Paul gestured toward the stream. Wordlessly Bobby nodded and guided their dear friend into the water.

 

Joan who up until now still had doubts about Father Tom's motives in all of this was now truly curious at the arrival of these foreigners and of this elderly priest or monk. She had no idea who they were, and what their importance was to the lives of Brian and Justin.

 

Judging by the murmurs of curiosity, the rest of the family was just as bewildered.

 

Father Tom watched as Bobby brought Father Paul out into the water and waited as Brian, Justin and John greeted their old friend from Santa Ana. Paul was quickly introduced to Claire, Father Tom and to Bree who seemed to take to the kindly monk immediately.

 

"Father Paul," Tom addressed the monk. "Would you join me in the christening of Briana?"

 

"I am but a brother, Father Tom. A missionary, my son."

 

"Then you have brought many into God's flock. I would be honored if you stood here with me and blessed this child as well as her parents and godparents."

 

Father Paul nodded his consent and moved to stand beside Tom. "Then we shall begin...."

 

Brian heard little of the words that Tom was saying nor the responses from John and Claire. Brian heard the water as it trickled across the stones. He heard Bree giggle as Tom made the sign of the cross on her forehead. He heard the responses from the family who knew the ceremony and prayers. He heard Justin's sighs as he watched with pride at their good little girl who was behaving like a princess. Brian heard the gentle breeze as it rustled the leaves. The birds that seemed to chirp arias for them and even the frogs appeared to behave, croaking from the far shore. All, little miracles that filled Brian's heart with joy.

 

Then as Father Tom and Briana came up from the stream, Brian heard his daughter's laughter, the sweetest sound in the world next to Justin's moans of passion and Gus' 'Daaaad.' Brian Kinney truly felt blessed.

 

When the ceremony was complete, the group carefully walked out of the stream to the greetings and congratulations of the family. Emmett was prepared with towels and they would change back up at the house. John started the introductions of the newcomers to the family as they all walked the path to the house.

 

Juan's Miguel appeared fascinated by Emmett's canapés and couldn't help but comment and comment and comment and suggest different spices and other combinations. Emmett was polite and thanked the tall Central American queen for all his ideas, silently begging that Miguel would find a short cliff and take a long walk. After Miguel went to find his Juan and mingle with the other guests, Emmett found Brian changing his damp pants in the bathroom.

 

"Emmett, what the fuck is wrong with you?" Brian groused as he was trying to pull up his slacks.

 

"Brian, far be it for me to interfere but I'm telling you if that skinny queen from Barcelona tries to add paprika to one more of my canapés, I will not be responsible for my actions." Before Brian could reply, Emmett huffed then left the bathroom with a slam of the door. Justin, witnessing Emmett leaving the bathroom in a snit, opened the door to see his spouse on the floor with one leg in his pants and laughing like a hyena with tears rolling down his face.

 

"Um, Brian, what's up with Emmett? And why do you only have half your pants on? And why are you laughing like that?" Justin stood there with his hands on his hips waiting for an explanation for the very strange scene.

 

"Later, Sunshine, I swear, I'll try to explain it later. But we better get out there fast before Emmett kills Miguel." Brian cracked up again and began bouncing trying to get his foot down his pant leg. "Welcome to dueling queens!" Brian was laughing so hard that he banged into the bathroom door and wound up on the floor again. Justin left his husband there as he went outside to prevent the carnage.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 19

 

The guests at the baptism had made their way back to the house. Joan had walked with Claire and her husband, but then Claire had disappeared to change into some dry clothes. Joan stood just inside the door of the sun porch and looked at the large group of people who had come there to help her son and his partner celebrate this joyous occasion for their daughter.

 

Joan had trouble getting her head around that concept, but she was there and she would have to make the best of it. She saw Father Tom talking to the priest who had arrived at the last minute. She wondered who this man really was and how Brian had found a man of the cloth from South America who would come all the way to Pennsylvania to take part in a baptism. When did her son get so friendly with priests? Joan shook her head.

 

"Hello," a young voice said from beside her.

 

Joan turned and looked at the younger version of her son. "Hello, Gus," Joan said formally.

 

"You know my name?"

 

"Of course, I do," Joan said rather testily. "I'm your grandmother."

 

"Then why don't you ever come to visit me?" Gus asked with a frown.

 

Joan blanched, but managed to say, "Because I've never been invited."

 

"I remember a Christmas a few years ago when I was just a little kid. Dad took me down to the street to meet you. He gave you something and asked you to come up to the party. You refused."

 

"Yes, I guess I did. I wasn't ready then."

 

"But you're ready today?"

 

"I'm here."

 

Gus smiled. "Would you like some sandwiches? Auntie Emm makes great sandwiches," Gus said extending his arm for Joan to take it.

 

Joan linked her arm through her grandson's and walked towards the food table with him. Gus handed her a plate and told her which of Emmett's sandwiches were the best. Joan was pleased at how polite and considerate this young man was, not at all like his father. She took Gus' suggestions and loaded a plate. Gus pointed out a couple of chairs and led his grandmother over to take one of the seats.

 

"You have excellent manners," Joan said as she sat and smoothed the skirt of her dress.

 

"Thanks," Gus smiled. "My mothers would be happy to hear that."

 

Joan winced at the plural of the word. Gus used it so casually, but then he had been brought up in the midst of perversion. He didn't know anything else. Joan watched her grandson eat his sandwiches slowly and genteelly. His mothers must have done something right. Joan could barely believe that she was endorsing lesbians, and she shuddered involuntarily.

 

As Joan nibbled at her sandwich, she watched the people around her. Father Tom was still talking to the other priest. Her daughter and her husband and the boys were in a little group together. They seemed to be enjoying themselves. She could see a tall man bustling around checking on everything. He looked kind of familiar.

 

"Who is that man?" she asked Gus, deciding she wanted to know who the obviously gay man was.

 

"That's Auntie Emm," Gus said. "You're eating his sandwiches."

 

"Oh my! I thought Auntie Emm was a woman," Joan replied.

 

"Nope," Gus laughed. "Auntie Emm," he called. The tall man bustled over.

 

"What can I do for you, Guster?" Emmett asked.

 

"Do you know my Grandma Joan?"

 

"We met at your husband's funeral," Emmett said thinking back. "That was longer ago than I care to remember."

 

"Yes," Joan said clutching at the collar of her dress.

 

"You have a great kid there," Emmett said pointing at Gus. Gus blushed. "He takes after his dad in a lot of ways."

 

"Really?" Joan asked. She saw very little similarity between Gus and her son other than their physical attributes.

 

"He has a good heart, just like his father," Emmett continued. No one else had wanted to sit with Joan, and Gus actually seemed to be enjoying himself. "Brian has done a lot for me and many others as well," Emmett explained. "When I was starting up my party planning business, he sent me a lot of customers and helped me get through the first couple of years. They were difficult ones."

 

"Brian did that?"

 

"Yes, he did. He's got so many contacts in Pittsburgh. People would do almost anything he asked."

 

"This is my Brian you're talking about?" Joan asked with a frown.

 

"Most definitely. And he and Justin are the best parents."

 

"I see," Joan replied although she didn't really see at all. She wasn't sure this flamboyant man really knew what he was talking about.

 

"I need to check on the sandwich trays," Emmett said before bustling off.

 

"Who's that woman?" Joan asked Gus, pointing at Jennifer.

 

"That's Grandma Jenn," Gus said. Joan raised her eyebrows. "She's Justin's mother."

 

"So you have two grandma's now counting me," Joan smiled. She did like the sound of that.

 

"Actually I have tons of grandmothers," Gus laughed. "There's both my moms' parents, but I never see much of them. And then there's Grandma Debbie and Grandma Claire."

 

"Grandma Claire?" Joan asked. "But she's your aunt."

 

"No, not that Claire, that one!" Gus said pointing at Claire Anderson-McNally.

 

"Oh?" Joan said. She remembered the woman from the Kinney art show. She had forgotten that her name was Claire, like her own daughter's. Joan frowned and stared at the woman.

 

Claire Anderson-McNally felt eyes drilling into her back and turned to face Joan Kinney. She smiled and began moving across the room towards the woman and Gus.

 

"Hi, Grandma Claire," Gus said. "Do you want to sit down?"

 

"Yes, Gus, I think it's time," Claire said with a smile. Gus got up and walked over to his cousins. They looked like they were having fun. "So, Joan, it's good to finally meet you."

 

Joan gave a little huff before she said, "Jack's little piece on the side."

 

Claire chuckled. "I had him long before you did, dear. I could call you the same thing."

 

"But he married me and stayed with me," Joan stated with a smug look.

 

"Because I never told him about John."

 

"You didn't?" Joan asked raising her eyebrows once more. There were so many strange and surprising revelations this day.

 

"I knew he had to go away to make money and to further his life. I never told him about John because I didn't want to hold him back. And then he started a family in Pittsburgh. I didn't want to destroy that."

 

"Like you could have…" Joan sputtered.

 

"Oh, I could have all right, but I chose not to."

 

"Don't let on that you did me a favor," Joan said huffily.

 

"I know now that I didn't. I didn't do Jack any favor either." Joan cringed, because she knew Claire was right. They had made each other miserable over the years of their marriage. "I think it's time that we lay all the things from the past to rest. We all came here to celebrate Briana's baptism. It should be a happy day. Are you happy, Joan?"

 

Joan snorted. "I'm fine."

 

"Of course you are."

 

Joan stared at Claire. "Are you happy?" she asked in return.

 

"Definitely," Claire smiled. "That's my husband Steve, over there. And you've met my son, John. He and Brian look so much alike." Joan nodded. "And that's Patrick, my grandson," Claire said pointing to the little redhead who was walking into the sun porch holding Bree's hand. Bree was decked out in the new dress that Brian had bought for her. "They're so sweet," Claire said beaming with pride.

 

"She's a beautiful little girl," Joan had to admit. "And he's a cute boy," she added as an afterthought.

 

"They play together all the time. They're as close as brother and sister."

 

"Really?" Joan said. She didn't know what to make of all these grandmothers and sisters and brothers who weren't really related at all, at least not by blood. She wasn't even Briana's grandmother by blood. She felt a chill run up her spine, even in the warm August air.

 

"Brian and Justin are so proud," Claire said smiling at the proud parents who followed their daughter into the throng of guests.

 

Joan studied the smiling faces. Everyone seemed to be truly happy, even Claire Anderson, even her own daughter. Why was she the only one who had been left out of everything all this time? She couldn't see that it had all been of her own doing.

 

Briana and Patrick walked over to the food table and looked up. Bree turned to her fathers and said, "Hungy, Dada."

 

Brian immediately picked her up and held a sandwich for her to nibble on. Everyone watched with smiles on their faces as Brian gave a gentle kiss to the top of the little blond head. "You done good, Squirt," Brian whispered into her hair. Bree smiled and patted her father's face.

 

John came over and helped Patrick get a dish of the food that he wanted. The two handsome brothers surveyed the guests as they held their children and the food.

 

"I think everything went very well," John said to Brian.

 

"Of course it did," Brian said sucking his lips into his mouth.

 

John laughed. "You are such an a…" Brian raised an eyebrow stopping John from saying more. "With this little angel, how could it not?" he asked leaning over to kiss Bree's cheek. The little girl giggled with pleasure. She liked being the center of attention, even though she had had to get one of her new dresses wet.

 

Joan watched the exchange along with the other guests. She had never seen Brian act like that. He was so gentle and loving with Briana. She wondered if he had been that way with Gus too. She had never known that side of Brian existed.

 

"Well, Joan, it was nice to finally meet you," Claire said. "I should get back to my husband."

 

"Certainly," Joan said wondering if she would be left to sit all by herself.

 

"Hello, Mrs. Kinney," Michael said sliding into the chair that Claire had just vacated.

 

"Hello, Michael," Joan replied. "How are you?"

 

"I'm just fine. You look very nice today," Michael added deciding to be as nice as possible to the woman who sent shivers down his spine when he looked at her. "I just wanted to tell you that it's really great you came today. I know it means a lot to Brian."

 

Again Joan's eyebrows went up in surprise. "It means a lot … to Brian?" she asked.

 

"Right, it's a day for family."

 

"I hardly think Brian considers me family," Joan said with bitterness.

 

Michael swallowed hard. "If you don't mind me saying so, Mrs. Kinney, you are his mother, and his family, if you would only give him a chance."

 

"A chance? Whatever do you mean?"

 

Michael sighed. "You're so judgmental about him."

 

"I beg your pardon," Joan said haughtily. "I have done nothing but warn him about what will happen to his immortal soul."

 

"What about what that does to him here on Earth?" Michael asked letting his voice rise a little in agitation.

 

"What?"

 

"It hurts him when you tell him he is going to Hell. All he wants is for you to love him."

 

"Of course, I love him. I love both my children."

 

Michael realized he was getting nowhere, but it had been worth a try, in spite of the fact that Brian would kill him if he ever found out what he had just told his mother. "Brian has been my best friend for years and he's a good man, Mrs. Kinney. I wouldn't have my business without his help."

 

"Is that so?" Joan asked. Here was another person telling her how Brian had helped them in business.

 

"That's so," Michael said sadly as he stood up.

 

John and Bobby arrived carrying Patrick, and Michael quickly moved away. "Hello, Joan," John said in a familiar voice. "It's nice to see you here today."

 

"Hello, Mr. Anderson," Joan replied formally.

 

"Please, call me John. This is my husband, Bobby," John said watching Joan flinch at his use of that term. "And our son, Patrick. Say hello to the lady, Patrick."

 

"Hello," Patrick said with a smile.

 

"I saw you walk in with Briana, young man. You looked very grown up," Joan said.

 

"Thank you," Patrick said with a smile.

 

"Mrs. Kinney, Brian is so pleased that you're here," Bobby added.

 

"Is he really?" Joan asked. She had been told that so many times today that she was almost beginning to believe it. Bobby nodded. "There are certainly enough people here," Joan observed.

 

"Brian has done a lot of things for a lot of people. He's well respected and well loved," Bobby said laying it on a little thick.

 

"And did he help you start your business too, Mr. …?"

 

"Call me Bobby. No, not exactly. I'm a lawyer, but he has sent some business my way. I was thinking more of how he saved our wedding. It would have been a disaster without all Brian's hard work and know-how."

 

"You had an actual wedding … in a church?"

 

"No," John smiled sadly. "It was at the farm. We're not allowed to marry officially in Pennsylvania, not in the eyes of the government, but it was a lovely ceremony nonetheless, wasn't it, Bobby?"

 

"The best," Bobby smiled and reached up to give John a sweet kiss. Patrick hugged his dads and leaned in to get some of the kissing too.

 

Joan watched with eyes that still had trouble believing what they were seeing. This all seemed so normal, so right, but she knew that none of it was acceptable at all.

 

"I saw you talking to mother," John said. "Have you met her husband?"

 

"No, not yet," Joan said wondering why they would want her to meet the man.

 

"Steve works at the Farm and helps young people get back on the right track with their lives. He worked with your daughter's boys," Bobby explained.

 

"Yes, I remember," Joan said wondering why Claire's children had needed the Farm. Joan had wanted to do her duty. She would have taken the boys and straightened them out. She had even tried to sue for custody, but they never gave her the chance. She remembered all the hard feelings that had engendered.

 

"Brian saved the Farm when he and Justin found the Kinney paintings. All the proceeds go to financing the Farm," Bobby said before he remembered Joan's part in claiming the paintings for herself. That had caused a lot of strife for them all, until Joan's claims had been refuted. Joan visibly paled at the memory.

 

"We better get some more food for this young man," John said hastily and they moved away.

 

Father Tom walked over to Joan. He was accompanied by Father Paul. "Joan, I'd like you to meet Father Paul all the way from Santa Ana, Venezuela. Joan is Brian's mother," Father Tom explained.

 

"Ah, Brian's mother. It was such a pleasure to have Brian, Justin, John and Bobby come to my small church in Santa Ana. They left behind such a heritage for the church. They were so generous with their contributions. You are a lucky woman to have such a son." Joan opened her mouth to protest but nothing would come out. "I am so happy to be here today for this wonderful event."

 

"Thank you for assisting with the baptism," Joan finally managed to say.

 

"Anything for Brian and his family," Father Paul stated sweeping his arm around to indicate the whole room.

 

"Let's get something to drink," Father Tom said. "Would you like something?" he asked Joan.

 

"A glass of wine would be lovely," she said, suddenly feeling the need for something to calm her nerves. This day was beginning to be too much.

 

The two clergymen went off to get the drinks. Ted Schmidt sidled up to Joan and introduced himself. "I was at your husband's funeral," Ted explained.

 

"Ah, yes," Joan remembered. "You were with that man," Joan said pointing at Emmett who was still flitting about.

 

"Emmett, yes," Ted smiled. "I just wanted to say that Brian is very pleased that you came today."

 

"Why does everybody keep telling me that?" Joan demanded.

 

"Maybe because it's true," Ted said. "I've been … friends with Brian for a long time."

 

"You're one of them?" she asked.

 

Ted gave a rueful smile. "Yes, I'm gay."

 

"And proud of it," Debbie said coming up to Joan. "How are you, Joan? This is my husband, Carl Horvath."

 

"Oh, you're married?" Joan asked.

 

"Yes, just recently. Carl's a great guy." Carl smiled fondly at Debbie and kissed her cheek.

 

"And what do you do, Carl?" Joan asked.

 

"I'm a retired police officer, and now I work for Brian."

 

"Brian?"

 

"Yes, I manage his club," Carl said. "Ted works for Brian too."

 

"Both of you work at a club?" This was news to Joan. She had no idea Brian owned a club.

 

"No," Ted laughed. "I work at Kinnetik. I'm the CFO there. Brian gave me a chance when I had some problems … a few years ago. He helped me turn my life around."

 

"That's wonderful," Joan said her eyes wide with amazement. This day just got stranger and stranger.

 

"And here's the girl of the hour," Debbie squealed leaning over to pinch Briana's cheek as Justin and Brian brought her over to Joan.

 

Bree giggled and looked up affectionately at Debbie. "Gamma Debbie," she laughed.

 

"Briana, this is your grandma too," Justin said. "Say hello to Grandma Joan."

 

Brian watched Joan's face. He saw it soften at Justin's words. Justin was far kinder than he would have been.

 

"Gamma Doan," Bree said walking to Joan's knee and raising her arms to be picked up.

 

"She wants to be picked up," Brian said.

 

"I can see that," Joan retorted.

 

"Let me help you," Justin said. He picked up Bree and set her on Joan's lap. Bree turned and kissed Joan's cheek.

 

Brian thought he saw a tear glisten in Joan's eye as she tilted her head and kissed Bree's cheek. That was the first time … ever, that Brian could remember Joan kissing anyone. He shook his head slightly.

 

"You look very lovely today, Briana," Joan said wrapping her arm around the little girl's waist.

 

"New dwess," Bree said patting her baptism outfit.

 

"Me too," Joan replied smoothing her own skirt.

 

"Pwetty," Bree said.

 

"Thank you, dear," Joan said and she really meant that. She looked up into Brian's eyes. She thought she could see tears there that matched the ones in her own eyes.

 

 

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

 

Chapter 20

 

As the day passed pleasantly into evening, Joan continued to get an earful from her son's 'family.' She couldn't believe that everyone at the party had wonderful things to say about Brian. Not only wonderful things, but stories of how loving and loyal he was. And how if not for him, some great disaster might have befallen or that his actions saved a relationship. Joan could have sworn that her son would never have had a successful relationship but here was living proof. Joan knew that Brian had made a financial success of himself, but she never dreamed that he had an impact and touched the lives of so many. It was almost unfathomable.

 

Father Tom returned with a small glass of wine for Joan and sat down to enjoy his own glass.

 

"Joan, are you enjoying yourself?"

 

"Yes, I am," Joan replied, the surprise very evident in her tone of voice.

 

"You seem surprised," Tom remarked.

 

"I suppose I am. Brian's friends appear to be very well mannered and they all speak very highly of him.

 

"And this surprises you?"

 

"Yes, it does."

 

"Why? Did you think homosexuals and lesbians make it a point to be rude or indiscreet?"

 

"I guess I was expecting..."

 

"Lewd behavior?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Joan, this is a very special day. Everyone here respects that and they respect Brian and Justin."

 

"I see that now." There was a pause in their conversation as Joan contemplated the day and the revelations she was experiencing. "Father Tom, would you tell me about some of the guests. I know a few but many are strangers to me. For instance, that pretty blond girl standing with Jennifer and Justin. Who is she?"

 

"That's Molly, Justin's sister. She's a few years younger than Justin."

 

"She's lovely."

 

"Yes, she is."

 

"And that handsome man with Emmett. He looks like an athlete."

 

"That would be Drew and he was a football player. He's retired, but still works for his team as an announcer. Brian uses him as a model."

 

"A model? What kind of model?"

 

"For clothes, usually sporting goods, that sort of thing. He's very popular."

 

"And is he...?"

 

"Gay? Yes, Emmett is his partner; they've been together for several years now. I think Brian had a little hand in that one. Same for Ted and his partner, I think I heard that Ted had some doubts but Brian urged him."

 

"I had no idea."

 

"Not many do."

 

"And that pretty redheaded woman over there; she looks a little like that Bobby person."

 

"Ah, that would be Bobby's older sister, Rachel. She is a very special person indeed."

 

"In what way?"

 

"John and Bobby wanted to have a baby. They found a surrogate but unfortunately the woman miscarried. They were very discouraged, then Rachel volunteered. Patrick is a product of John and Rachel and therefore, blood to Bobby."

 

"And Rachel's family supported this?" Joan asked Father Tom, not realizing that Dr. Morrison had come over to introduce himself.

 

"Yes, we did. We're very proud of both our children." Dr. Morrison extended his hand to Joan. "I'm Dan Morrison, Bobby and Rachel's father. I believe you're Mrs. Kinney, Brian's mother?"

 

"It's Joan and yes, I am," Joan answered as she took Dan's hand. Father Tom excused himself and Dan took his seat.

 

"Joan, if you don't mind me saying, you look rather perplexed. May I help?"

 

"I'm not sure. Let me ask you something. Do you approve of your son's lifestyle?"

 

"Quite honestly, it took me some time to come to terms with the choices my son made."

 

"Then you don't approve," Joan exclaimed feeling somewhat vindicated.

 

"I didn't say that. My initial reactions were based on what I saw, assumptions that were not wholly correct. But my son was patient with me and helped me to see the truth of it, and as I said I'm very proud of him. And who wouldn't be proud to have a highly successful lawyer for a son. And of course, there is John."

 

"John?"

 

"Yes. He's a good man, very honorable. Hard working and very old fashioned."

 

"Old fashioned?"

 

"He came to me to ask my permission to marry my son. Believe me when I say, I was not expecting that." Dan smiled at the recollection.

 

"But it's not legal."

 

"Sadly, no. The only same sex couple here who are legally married is Michael and Ben. But only in Canada, that's where they were married."

 

"Who else is married?"

 

"Lindsay and Melanie, and your son and Justin."

 

"Yes, they had a ceremony, didn't they?"

 

"Yes, they did. Rather a spectacular one if I recall, but you didn't attend, did you?"

 

"No."

 

Dan thought he heard a touch of regret in Joan's voice. "If you'll pardon me, my wife is giving me the eye. I think she wants me to mingle. It's been nice speaking with you. I hope you won't be a stranger to the cottage."

 

"It has been lovely, Dan," Joan smiled. It was nice to meet a real gentleman. As Dan left to join his wife, Jennifer came to sit with Joan.

 

"I hope you don't mind but I must sit. Bree has been running me ragged. She must have shown me every flower she and Brian have." Jennifer plopped into one of the wicker chaises to put up her feet.

 

"Does Brian employ a gardener?"

 

"A gardener? Heavens no! He does it all himself. And he gets the kids to help. Brian put in every damn plant and flower you see." Jennifer pointed toward the garden."

 

"All those flowers?"

 

"Yes, and some of the lilies we saw by the stream. Who knew Brian Kinney had a green thumb?" Jennifer giggled. Joan caught herself in a short laugh. It was almost foreign to her, laughing. She hadn't laughed in years.

 

"And he allows the children to plant too?"

 

"Allows? He insists. Gus and his dad putter all the time. Briana loves it. She calls it 'gar-gar.' Patrick gets into the act too. Don't tell him I told you but Brian even planted a spice garden. Justin loves to make pasta with fresh oregano."

 

"Justin cooks?"

 

"Yes, he's very good at it. Brian can barbecue a mean steak and he's a whiz with bacon and eggs."

 

"I never knew."

 

"Joan, it's common knowledge that when I met Brian, I thought he was a bad choice for Justin. My son was so young, so innocent, I thought Brian would..."

 

"Corrupt your son?"

 

"Yes. And they didn't always have an easy time of it. For the first five years of their relationship, it wasn't one. They both had to grow up, and they have. I've never known two other people who love each other like they love."

 

"And you aren't afraid for Justin?"

 

"Afraid? In what way?"

 

"Aren't there diseases that they get?" Joan spoke in hushed tones.

 

"There are diseases that anyone can get. But if you're talking specially about AIDS, then no, I'm not afraid. They're monogamous." Joan gave Jennifer a curious look. "They are exclusive, they haven't been with anyone else for over eight years now."

 

"But..."

 

"Take my word for it; those two only have eyes and every other body part, for each other."

 

"Oh my!" Joan blushed. "How can you condone their lifestyle?"

 

"Very easily. I love my son. He's my first born, I almost lost him once to hatred. I won't take that chance again. And look at him with Bree. How can anyone not want to be a part of that?" Briana took that opportunity to scoot over to Jennifer and climb up to sit on Jennifer's lap. "I wouldn't miss this for the world!" Jennifer smiled brightly as she hugged her granddaughter.

 

*****

 

Justin found Brian hovering around a coffee pot in the kitchen. It was nearing seven and the guests that were staying longer were about to be treated to barbecued steaks and chicken. Emmett and 'the men' took over the grill and had shooed Brian away. Brian decided it was time to replenish his caffeine quota.

 

"Bri, why are you hiding in here?"

 

"I'm not hiding, Sunshine. Just waiting for fresh coffee. You want some?"

 

"No, thanks. I think I overdid it with the sun tea.

 

"It was good. I have to admit, Emmett outdid himself again."

 

"Yes, he did. And so did you."

 

"I didn't do shit."

 

"Sure you did. You held it together during the christening and you've been very polite with your mother."

 

"If you haven't noticed, Justin, I barely spoke two words to her."

 

"I've noticed, but you've been behaving."

 

"I'm afraid not to. If I ruin this day, your mother, Debbie and Claire would have my other ball. And not in a positive life affirming way."

 

"Asshole."

 

"Yes, but I'm your asshole."

 

"Yes, you are and I wouldn't have it any other way." Justin smiled brightly at Brian. He was so in love with him, so proud of him that his heart was bursting at the seams.

 

"Thank the gods." Brian drew Justin into an embrace, resting his chin atop the younger man's head. Justin hung on knowing that Brian was taking that time to get his emotions under control. Brian felt Justin smile into his chest; he knew Justin was onto him.

 

Joan walked into the kitchen smelling the fine brew and witnessed their embrace. "Oh, I'm sorry." Joan blushed at the sight of her son and partner sharing the moment.

 

"Don't be," Brian said calmly. "Would you like a cup?" Brian addressed his mother.

 

"Yes, that would be nice."

 

"You better go supervise the grilling of my steak, Sunshine. I will not be happy if I'm forced to eat a piece of shoe leather." Justin nodded, gave Brian a chaste peck on the cheek then went back through the porch to the gardens.

 

"Sunshine. That's an unusual nickname," Joan commented softly.

 

"Maybe, but it fits him. How do you want your coffee?"

 

"Black with sugar is fine."

 

"Hmm." There was an uncomfortable silence that was making Brian nervous again.

 

"Brian, thank you for inviting me. I'm having a lovely time. Your children are beautiful. I hope I can come and visit again." Joan was unable to look at her son, her words spoken almost into the coffee cup.

 

"I'd like that, mother." Brian was pleased, his mother actually wanted to come back. The silence was becoming deafening until John came to rescue the Kinneys.

 

"Excuse me, Brian, but Father Tom wants to say a few words before we have supper."

 

"We'll be out in a minute," Brian said to his brother. John nodded slightly then left the kitchen.

 

"He looks so much like you." Joan still found that amazing.

 

"I know. It's nice having him around."

 

"Oh?"

 

"Claire says he's a lot like Jack when he was younger. Sometimes he's not just an older brother. Sometimes I wish..." Brian couldn't continue. John wasn't Jack; Joan certainly wasn't ever going to be like Claire. No matter how much time has passed Brian still wished for parents who accepted him just because he was their son. Brian just shook his head. "Let's go out before the ravenous hordes eat up all the food."

 

Brian stepped aside to allow his mother to pass. Joan turned and reached out her hand to caress her son's cheek. "A baptism is, in a way, a new beginning." A statement, nothing more, but it spoke volumes to Brian.

 

"Yes, it is," Brian agreed. Then he followed his mother out.

 

"Ladies and Gentleman, before we enjoy this bountiful repast in the company of our friends and family, I wish to again extend my congratulations to Brian, Justin, Briana and Gus. And thank them for making this choice. At Brian's request, I am very happy to bless this newly renovated home dubbed Edna's Treasures and the families that reside under its roof." Father Tom paused and whispered a little prayer.

 

"My dear friends, as the waiters are passing among you, please join me in a toast. A toast to all of us and to those we hold dear who are no longer with us." As Tom raised his glass, the family raised theirs along with him. "Let us all share in the joy of this day and be comforted knowing that our loved ones are with God. To love. To life."

 

"To love. To life!" Everyone repeated the toast then supper began.

 

*****

 

As the party continued at the Kinney/Taylor cottage. Craig Taylor was just about to leave his office. He often came to work on a Saturday. He got a lot of work done when the office was closed. Hearing a noise at the outer door, Craig went to investigate. A dashing young man with raven hair, bronzed skin and piercing blue eyes stood in the outer office.

 

"May I help you?" Craig cautiously approached the young man.

 

"Are you Mr. Craig Taylor?" the man said with a slight Hispanic accent.

 

"Yes. Who wants to know?" Craig eyed the man suspiciously.

 

"I believe we may be related."

 

"Related? I don't think so." Craig backed up. "If you don't leave this office immediately, I'll call the cops."

 

"I hope you don't mean that. I have some papers that may explain." The young man reached out to hand Craig an envelope.

 

"I insist that you leave," Craig shouted, ignoring the envelope.

 

"Aren't you curious to know who I am? And how we may be related?"

 

"No."

 

"Pity. Maybe your son would be interested."

 

"I don't have a son," Craig spat out.

 

"Ah, so the famous artist, Justin Taylor, is not your son."

 

"He is, but we're not on speaking terms."

 

"I see. Then perhaps I should seek him out. Maybe he would like to meet a relative." The stranger turned to leave. Curiosity got the better of Craig and he called out to the young man.

 

"Wait! What is your name, just in case I do speak with Justin?" Craig lied. He knew he'd never speak with his son again.

 

"My name is John Patrick Taylor." The dark stranger turned then walked out the door.

 

 

And Never Brought to Mind

 

Chapter 1

 

Craig felt a tightening across his chest. The man claiming to be a relation, a John Patrick Taylor, had just slammed his way out of Craig's office. If he didn't know any better, Craig might have thought he was having a heart attack. He wasn't, he was having a panic attack. He immediately got on the phone and called his lawyer, but the son of a bitch had the nerve to be away for the long holiday weekend with his family. Craig was working and his lawyer was away playing happy family.

 

Shit!

 

Craig had no family. His second marriage was failing. He thought when he met the beautiful and talented Susan, he had hit the jackpot. But now she was beginning to resent him. She wanted children of her own and wanted Craig to 'reconnect' with Justin and Molly, a son who's queer and living with the child molester who tainted him and a daughter who now hates him. He once had a beautiful and dutiful wife but she's now making it on her own. Now this, a man trying to stake a claim on whatever money he had. No way. Craig picked up the phone, then slammed it down again. He turned off the lights and locked up the office. Out in the hall he pulled out his cell.

 

*****

 

"Mother, it's getting late. We can drive you home now," Claire whispered to Joan who was sitting in the porch holding the sleeping star of the day.

 

It was just about nine. The christening party was winding down. Emmett's minions had cleaned up; he and Drew had gone home. The leftovers were packed up and stored, and each guest went home with a goody bag. Nick and Hunter were saying their goodnights. Claire and Steve were just about out the door. John and Bobby had put Patrick to bed and were lounging with the family in the porch. Ted, Allen and the rest of the Liberty Avenue gang were all ready to hit the road. Jennifer and Molly were helping Justin load up the Patrick/Katherine painting into her car when her cell phone rang. Jennifer saw who the call was from, and almost didn't answer.

 

"What do you want?"

 

"Jen, I may have a problem. I need your help."

 

"Oh?"

 

"I mean, we may have a problem. Not you, but Molly and maybe Justin."

 

"You son of a bitch!" Jennifer screamed into her cell. "You refuse to speak to our son, you don't acknowledge our granddaughter and now you want my help? How dare you!"

 

"Jen, please!" Craig desperately pleaded.

 

"Speak fast, asshole." Craig quickly told Jennifer about what took place in his office. "Shit. The family is here. I'll get back to you." Jennifer snapped her phone shut cutting off her ex-husband mid-sentence.

 

"Mom?" Justin and Molly said in unison. They were very concerned hearing only their mother's side of the conversation.

 

"Let's go inside. We may be in trouble and may need the family's help." Justin and Molly followed their mother back into the cottage.

 

In the porch, Joan was tired but reluctant to give up the precious little girl she was holding. Joan had behaved impeccably during the whole day. She didn't get drunk; she remained calm and polite, even when she saw several men kissing each other and even Gus' mothers were prone to overt displays of affection. Joan had kept her eyes closed for most of the afternoon. But she couldn't turn a blind eye to the sweet little girl who won her heart. And her heart ached, knowing she'd have to leave soon. Joan wasn't sure when she'd be invited back again, if ever.

 

"Mother, Claire, it's late. And we have plenty of room if you want to stay the night." Brian couldn't help but notice how his mother hadn't moved since Bree had climbed into her lap and fallen asleep.

 

"But I..." Joan couldn't believe her son's suggestion. Plus she had no clothes, nothing for an overnight.

 

"Mother, we can figure something out. Claire, John's mother, stays here often to babysit. I'm sure we can find something for you to sleep in. The Squirt will have fun eating breakfast with her grandmother in the morning."

 

"Well, if it's not too much trouble and Claire and her husband don't mind staying, I'd love to have breakfast with Briana." Joan paused then ventured a questioned. "Brian, why do you call her Squirt? It's so unladylike."

 

"Mother, if you haven't noticed, I'm no lady." Brian was about to explain when Jennifer rushed in with Justin and Molly hot on her heels.

 

"Brian, I think you better put the baby to bed. We may have a potential problem."

 

Jennifer helped herself to a glass of wine and waited until the family gathered and Brian put Bree to bed.

 

"Mom, what's going on and what did Craig say to you that made you so angry?" Jennifer was visibly shaken and Justin needed to know why. Brian's fists began to ball up at his sides. Jennifer was about to explain but she hesitated when she saw Joan.

 

"Brian?" Jennifer gazed at her son-in-law with the question in her eyes.

 

"It's okay, Mother Taylor. You can speak freely," Brian reassured Jennifer, using that term for her that may have at one time been derogatory but now was a term of endearment.

 

"Craig, that bastard, just called. He said a young man claiming to be a relative snuck his way into his office demanding money. Well, that's not exactly what he said but you get the idea and I'm not sure how this is going to affect anyone but he wants my help and I thought I'd ask you all and....." Jennifer was so nervous and flustered, she wasn't making much sense.

 

Brian was getting a headache.

 

"JENNIFER!" Brian shouted, startling almost everyone in the room. "So some guy comes in and claims to be a relative of Craig's, big fucking deal! What difference does it make to us?"

 

"I guess I didn't make myself clear." That remark garnered a Kinney glare.

 

"He said a young man with black hair and blue eyes with an accent walked in with some papers and claimed to be related to Craig and Justin."

 

"Yeah, so? Craig probably got around," Brian snarked.

 

"Brian, I don't think you fully understand. Craig certainly doesn't because he has no idea what we know." By now the whole family had a headache.

 

"Jen, honey, WILL YOU GET TO THE FUCKING POINT!" Debbie shouted in frustration.

 

"His name, the man's name..." Jennifer began.

 

"WHAT!?" The family, minus Joan who was thoroughly confused, shouted back.

 

"John Patrick Taylor!"

 

It got so quiet in the porch that you could hear a pin drop. Justin sidled up to Brian then hung on to him in a limpet-like grasp. Brian kissed the top of Justin's head then closed his eyes. The family waited in silence. They could almost see the wheels turning in Brian's head. Then the master quietly issued orders.

 

"Bobby, does your computer have copies of our contracts?" Brian addressed his brother-in-law.

 

"I'm on it. I'll check Justin's first then yours," Bobby replied as he got up and went up his spiral staircase to his attic office.

 

"No loopholes. Clear?"

 

"Clear."

 

"Ted, go up to my office. You know I'm linked to Kinnetik and Perspective and you need to check on the special accounts..."

 

"You got it, boss." Ted climbed the other staircase to boot up Brian's computer.

 

Brian looked around and casually addressed the family.

 

"We have one advantage," Brian remarked softly. Justin looked up into Brian's eyes.

 

"What's that?" Justin asked.

 

"It's a holiday weekend. You really can't conduct too much business until Tuesday. We have time to formulate a plan and to make sure your assets are protected. And the kids."

 

Justin nodded; he trusted Brian to protect him and their children.

 

Brian closed his eyes again, deep in thought, then they snapped open.

 

"Mel, you still handle Michael's accounts and contracts?"

 

"Yes, I do."

 

"You better go through everything with a fine tooth comb. Check out the contracts that have anything to do with Rage. If Michael's assets are too closely wrapped with Justin's..."

 

"I understand. Lindz, we should go, I need to do some research." Lindsay nodded, then she and Melanie started to get ready to leave, Debbie and Carl with them.

 

"Bri, should I be worried?" Michael asked his long time friend and at times, guardian angel or devil as the case may be. Brian smiled reassuringly at Michael.

 

"No, Mikey, you let me do the worrying. I promise, it'll be okay. Professor, take your husband home and, um...distract him. I'll keep you posted. This may prove to be nothing." Ben nodded and they said their goodbyes.

 

"Pop? Me and JR, can we stay. We don't have school until Tuesday." Gus wanted to stick around to lend his support to his father and Justin. And Gus knew he and JR could keep an eye on Bree and Patrick while the grownups dealt with the latest drama. Brian understood what his son was doing and he couldn't be any prouder than he was at that moment.

 

"Check it out with your moms. If it's cool with them, it's cool with me." Brian gave Gus a hug and ruffled the boy's hair.

 

"Okay, Pop."

 

"Brian?" Ted called out from the attic office.

 

"Yes, Theodore."

 

"Bri, a lot would have to happen for anyone but the designee to get a hold of any of the special accounts. They're all locked up tighter than a drum," Teddy said with a bit of mirth in his voice.

 

"Same here, Big Guy," Bobby called out from the opposite end of the porch. "We did a lot to protect your individual assets as well as any joint assets and ventures."

 

"How about the Farm?" Brian glanced at Claire and Steve.

 

"That's all dependent upon JABK, nothing to do with Patrick. We're okay there but I'll go through it all again in the morning, just in case." Bobby shut down the computer and rejoined the family.

 

"Ted! Hang it up for now. It's late." Brian looked up at the balcony.

 

"You got it, boss." Ted came down the stairs.

 

The family offered their support and promises to call the next day. Joan watched her son. The significance of what was happening was lost on Joan but she couldn't help notice how the family rallied around Brian and Justin. And how, in a crisis, Brian remained cool, level headed and in control. This was something Brian didn't get from either her or Jack. This was something Brian developed all on his own. It's what helped to make him so good at what he did. Brian was the unnamed protector of the family and they, in return, would do just about anything for him. She was trying to understand why. Joan had never seen the family side, the sweet and gentle side of her son. She never knew that this part of Brian existed.

 

"Sunshine, let's work out the sleeping arrangements, then go to bed. There's nothing much more we can do right now." Brian, Justin, John and Bobby got everyone settled in for the night, locked up the cottage then went to bed.

 

*****

 

Joan rolled over and opened her eyes. She looked around disoriented, then she realized she wasn't in her own bed. It had been years since she had slept anywhere but in her own bed.

 

Gradually it all came back to her, the baptism and her beautiful granddaughter, Briana, the party and Brian suggesting that she stay for the night. She reached for her wrist and gave it a pinch. She was still there at the cottage. It wasn't a dream. Brian had actually invited her to stay overnight. Her head could hardly comprehend it.

 

She was sleeping in Brian's office on the upper floor of the cottage. Claire and her husband had taken the sun porch bed. Joan had been amazed to see it revealed when the screens that surrounded it were pulled back a little bit. It had been almost invisible while the party was going on. And now here she was on the pullout couch in Brian's office. It wasn't bad as a bed.

 

She looked around the office noticing the desk and computer and pictures, pictures of Justin and Gus and Bree and various combinations thereof. With a sigh she noted that there were none of her. Of course, there wouldn't be since Brian had cut her off after the lawsuits about the Kinney paintings and over Claire's children. And truthfully Joan had estranged herself from Brian as well. She had felt so hurt and cheated by what had happened that she had never made any effort to contact Brian after that. What she knew about him came through Claire, and that was very small and guarded.

 

Joan drew in a deep breath and propped herself up against the back of the couch. She didn't here any noise from below. Glancing at her watch she saw that it was still early. After the upset last night about somebody named John Patrick Taylor, Joan wondered if people would sleep late.

 

Just then there was a light tap on the door to the office.

 

"Yes," Joan said hesitantly pulling the sheets up under her chin.

 

"Gamma Doan," a little voice said.

 

"Briana, is that you?" Joan asked. There was a wide smile on her face.

 

The door opened slowly and a little blond head peeked around. "Gamma Doan," Briana said again.

 

"Come in, little one," Joan said holding out her arms.

 

Briana ran over to the bed and Joan helped her up. The little girl nestled against her and Joan hugged her tight.

 

"What a beautiful face to see first thing in the morning," Joan said kissing the top of Bree's head. Bree giggled contentedly. "Did you enjoy your party yesterday?" Joan asked. Bree nodded. "You were such a good girl, so grown up." Bree beamed with pride. "I loved having you sit on my lap. Did you know you fell asleep there?" Bree shook her head. "Where is everybody? Are they still asleep? Where are your daddies?"

 

Bree pointed at the door and said, "Dada."

 

Brian knew he was busted. He had been listening to the exchange between Bree and his mother. He wiped the tear from his cheek and pushed open the door. "I'm here, mother. Bree wanted to see you, and I'm going to start making breakfast."

 

"You? Cook?"

 

"I cook," Brian said simply. "Only a few things but I do them … well," he said with some pride. She still had a way of criticizing everything he did.

 

"That's good, Brian. I guess I should get up."

 

"Do you want to stay with Bree for a while until breakfast is ready?"

 

"That would be lovely, wouldn't it, Briana?" Bree nodded her approval.

 

"You have towels and everything from last night, so I'll go get to work on breakfast," Brian said stepping out of the room.

 

"Shall we go wash our face and hands, Briana?" Joan asked. Brian heard his mother's voice. "I bet you're a big girl and can wash your own hands. You're so beautiful, and such a good girl." Brian heard Joan's words and wondered that he had never heard anything like that in his life before. Joan had rarely if ever had a kind word for him. He hurried downstairs.

 

When Joan and Briana appeared a little while later, Brian was in full chef mode. He had a huge pan of scrambled eggs cooking and bacon frying. Justin was buttering toast. Claire and her husband were setting the big table in the porch. Everyone said good morning to Joan as she came into the room.

 

Joan felt herself blush and mumbled a greeting back. She held tight to Briana's hand. They almost seemed glad to see her, and she found that strangely disconcerting.

 

"Can I do something?" she asked.

 

"Could you pour some glasses of orange juice?" Justin asked as he continued buttering. "Oh, and a guava juice for Brian."

 

Joan looked up startled. Guava juice? She wasn't even sure what that was. She released Briana's hand.

 

"Dada," Briana called as she ran across the kitchen and wrapped herself around Brian's leg.

 

Joan expected Brian to yell or shake her off or tell her to get out of the way, as he was stirring and flipping things. Instead Brian dropped his utensils, turned a couple of knobs and picked up his daughter. He tossed her in the air causing squeals of delight. Then he kissed her cheek and said, "Is Miss Briana hungry this morning?"

 

Bree nodded. "Hungy, Dada."

 

"You certainly have your father's appetite, Squirt," Brian said blowing a raspberry on Bree's tummy where her nightshirt had ridden up.

 

"Hey," Justin laughed, "a hearty appetite is a good thing."

 

"It certainly is," Bobby said as he came into the kitchen with John and Patrick. He snatched a piece of Brian's bacon. "Can we do anything?"

 

"Dish up the food," Brian said. "It's all ready. He carried Bree out to the porch and set her in her high chair. Everyone followed picking up platters of food or toast or a tray of juice. Joan trailed behind wondering who this stranger was in her son's body.

 

Soon they were all settled around the table.

 

"I hope everybody slept well," Justin said as he dug into his food.

 

Joan looked at her eggs. They had little green bits all through them. She wondered if she dared taste them. After all, her son had cooked them. She looked up and saw everyone digging in and mumbling about how good they were.

 

"Um … what are these green things?" Joan finally asked.

 

"Herbs … from my herb garden," Brian said. "A little basil and lots of chives."

 

"You … you have an herb garden?" Joan asked in disbelief.

 

"Brian has quite an extensive one," John said proudly. "We have fresh herbs for all our cooking thanks to him. He does all the flower beds too. Maybe he'll give you a tour when we're finished eating," John suggested.

 

Joan stared at her son wondering again at all the things she didn't know about her son. She took a bite of the eggs. They weren't bad. In fact, they were quite delicious. "These are very good, Brian," she said.

 

"Thank you," Brian said, "and if you'd like to see the gardens, that can be arranged."

 

"Thank you, I'd like that." Joan continued eating her eggs and bacon and toast. She watched Brian breaking up pieces of bacon for Bree and helping her use her spoon to get some of the egg into her mouth. He seemed so patient and loving. How could she have been so wrong about him all these years?

 

"Would you like that tour now, Mother?" Brian said as he shoveled the last bit of egg into Bree's mouth. He wiped her face and hands and lifted her out of her high chair. "Briana loves the gardens. She's my best helper. Aren't you, Squirt?" Brian tickled her tummy and Bree giggled nodding her head.

 

Brian and Joan walked out through the door at the end of the sun porch. Outside he set Bree down and they each took one of her hands.

 

"Here's the herb garden," Brian said nodding at the nearest bed. It's close to the door so that we can get the herbs easily."

 

Joan nodded. "What kind of herbs do you grow?"

 

"A little bit of everything," Brian replied.

 

"How … how did you come to do this?"

 

'No thanks to you and Jack,' Brian thought. "I taught myself by planting and seeing what would grow. I read some books on herb gardens," Brian said aloud.

 

"You always were the smart one," Joan admitted.

 

Brian almost made a retort to that but bit his lip instead. Bree was trying to pull her hands out of those of the adults. "Let her go," Brian said. "She loves to run around out here."

 

Bree took off as soon as they released her. She ran over to the flowers sticking her nose in some and smelling. They watched her pull at one large flower until she broke it off falling back on her bum when it finally gave way.

 

"You don't mind that she breaks them?" Joan asked.

 

"No, more will grow to replace that one," Brian stated. He knew if he had done that at Bree's age in Joan's meager garden, he would have been in for a strapping. Her gardens were sacrosanct.

 

Joan chuckled as Bree ran over to them carrying her flower. Her enthusiasm was infectious. Brian expected her to give the flower to him. She almost always picked a flower for him when they went on one of these walks. Surprisingly she ran right past him crashing into Joan's legs.

 

"Gamma Doan," she giggled. "For you."

 

"Oh my!" Joan said, a humongous lump suddenly developing in her throat. She blinked rapidly trying to hold back the tears. "Thank you, sweetheart," she managed to get out.

 

"Pwetty," Bree declared.

 

"Very pretty, just like you," Joan said smelling her flower. "I'll take this home with me. It will remind me of you."

 

"You can always come and see Bree. We have lots of flowers too," Brian admitted.

 

Joan nodded but was unable to say anything else.

 

Hours later Joan sat at her kitchen table, her flower in a little vase in front of her. It had been a most amazing weekend. She had so much to think about and remember and evaluate. But uppermost in her thoughts was a lovely little girl with blond curls.

 

 

And Never Brought to Mind

 

Chapter 2

 

John Patrick Taylor woke up in the cheesy little bed that he had flopped down on only a few hours prior. After his unsuccessful encounter with, with, with what? His uncle, a long lost cousin? He had no idea how he was related to Craig Taylor or if he was truly related to the rude man he had met the previous day. JP had ridden around for hours in his small rented car. He hadn't been ready to go back to the hotel and face his sister. JP was disappointed. He had expected hesitancy and possibly fright. He was aware that Craig Taylor was rich and that the artist Justin Taylor was richer, perhaps all Americans were suspicious. But JP wasn't prepared for all the anger. And he was chastising himself for not being prepared.

 

JP and his sister had lost their father only months before their trip to America. Their father had left them, their mother and the rest of their family, comfortable. JP had taken over the family's business, a modest little dry goods store in Panama. They weren't here for a hand out. At the reading of their father's will, they learned of the search that their father and grandfather had begun into the past. Of where the very un-Hispanic name of Taylor had come from. In the papers left to them was a rough genealogy of the Taylor family tree. It dated back over a hundred years.

 

JP had decided to take up his father's cause. He scrimped and saved for a ticket to America, specifically to Pittsburgh where all the clues appeared to lead. JP had wondered where his blue eyes came from and why a close cousin had blond hair. Now he was angry. They didn't have a lot of money to spend so that's why he and his sister were forced to stay in this cheap hotel on the outskirts of the great city of Pittsburgh. Perhaps the famous artist Justin Taylor who was probably living in a grand mansion, would be more friendly. JP would try the gallery on Tuesday.

 

*****

 

Brian woke up with a start, his hand searching the expanse of cool sheets, looking for Justin.

 

"Justin?"

 

"Out here." Justin called from the porch. Brian got up, grabbing the quilt from their bed to wrap around his naked body as he padded through the open glass door to the porch.

 

"Why are you out here all by yourself? You'll get a chill." Brian noted that the temperature had dipped with the cold Autumn rain that was sheeting down the sides of the glass porch.

 

"Couldn't sleep," Justin whispered. He was wearing only sweat pants and he was beginning to shiver as he stared out into the dark night. Brian drew closer, wrapping them both in the quilt.

 

"Your gerbil's on overtime," Brian gently snarked into the blond hair as he tightened his hug. Justin sighed loudly as he nodded. "If I have to watch the rain with the most beautiful and most stubborn man in the state of Pennsylvania, can I at least do it from our brass bed?" Brian heard a small giggle. "I'll take that as a yes. Come on."

 

Brian guided Justin toward the bed and they climbed in. Settling themselves onto the bed, they faced the windows and watched the rain until the din lulled them back to sleep.

 

*****

 

Tuesday morning and the summer was officially over. Patrick was starting his first day at school. John and Bobby were driving everyone crazy with their incessant worry about the boy's backpack and lunch, how he would get along with the other children and their overall separation anxiety. However Patrick was excitedly chattering away, looking forward to being a big boy and finally going to school. Bobby had plans to recover from the stress of leaving his child at the school by burying himself in Justin's contracts to make sure there were no loopholes. While John was planning to personally tear down an old warehouse brick by brick and start on a new project. Brian was on his way to Kinnetik with Briana and Justin in tow to escape the madness for the peaceful land of Liberty.

 

"Bri, leave me here," Justin said as they pulled up in front of the gallery. Sidney wanted to make plans to take the Rage and Kinney paintings on the road for a brief tour. Justin was debating with himself whether he wanted to go on the road again or stay home. "I'll call later and we can meet for lunch if you don't have an appointment." Justin kissed Brian and the Squirt as he got out of the Jeep.

 

"Later, Sunshine," Brian called out as he pulled away from the curb.

 

"La-er, Daddy," Bree mimicked.

 

"Later," Justin called back with his full wattage smile for his family. Then he entered the gallery.

 

"Justin, my lad! So good to see you," Sidney gushed with enthusiasm. "Have you decided to travel with your paintings or reap the rewards from home?" Sidney had heard of the latest drama from Lindsay and suspected the answer.

 

"I'm not sure." Justin said with a loud sigh.

 

"Whatever you decide is fine with me. We have time. I'm thinking about a small show in a loft gallery in Soho. Very bohemian. Just some wine, cheese and crudités. Maybe you can make an appearance for the first night then come back home."

 

"I like that idea. I don't want to stay away for long."

 

"I understand. Let's look over your portfolio and choose a few Justin Taylor originals, shall we?" Justin nodded and followed Sidney to his office. Neither man noticed the dark haired gentleman off to the side, admiring a Kinney portrait of Patrick.

 

*****

 

Bobby held Patrick's hand as they walked up to the main entrance of the elementary school. He wondered if Patrick felt half the trepidation that he was feeling. He looked down at the red head walking confidently beside him and let out a long sigh. His little boy was growing up. He swallowed the lump in his throat and pushed open the door.

 

At the main desk he gave his name and Patrick's. The secretary directed them to one of the classrooms. Slowly Bobby led his son down the hallway to the kindergarten. There was a mass of mothers at the door all seemingly dropping off their children just like he was.

 

Bobby and Patrick got into line and waited their turn. Patrick looked at the other children, smiling at some and looking sadly at the ones who were crying.

 

"Why are they crying, Daddy?" he asked Bobby. "They're not going to be hurt, are they?"

 

"Of course not," Bobby chuckled. "Some of the mommies are going to be sad to see their children be away from them all day long."

 

"Will you miss me, Daddy?"

 

"You bet I will, but we know that you can do this. You'll like school."

 

"I think so too," Patrick said confidently.

 

Bobby smiled as the mother ahead of him in line walked her son over to the little group sitting quietly on the carpet in the classroom. She hugged her son before he sat down, and then wiped away a tear as she went to join the other mothers at the back of the room.

 

"Mr. Morrison, nice to see you again," said the kindergarten teacher. "And Patrick, are you all ready for school?"

 

"Yep," Patrick stated.

 

"That's great. Perhaps you are ready to join the other children for our story circle."

 

Patrick nodded and started to walk away. Bobby still held his hand. Patrick turned back to his father. "You can go now, Daddy. I'll be fine."

 

"I know you will," Bobby said choking back a tear.

 

"Don't cry, Daddy."

 

"I won't and I'll be here to pick you up after school," Bobby promised.

 

Patrick nodded and went to sit with the other children.

 

"He's very grown up," Mrs. Kinsella, the teacher, said with a smile. "Do you want to stay for a bit?" she asked. "Some of the others want to be sure their children don't start crying. I usually find that the children forget all about what's going on as soon as we get started with a story."

 

Bobby nodded and moved to the back of the room. He watched Patrick talking to the little boy who had sat down just before him. They seemed to be imparting some kind of kindergarten wisdom to each other.

 

Mrs. Kinsella started the story and the children were immediately drawn in. No one cried or looked back at their parent. They were absorbed in the story. The parents began to drift out of the room feeling that their children would be safe with Mrs. Kinsella.

 

Bobby went with them stopping by his car and taking out his cell phone. He punched in a number and waited.

 

"I did it," he said into the phone when it was answered.

 

"How did it go?" John asked.

 

"He was braver than me," Bobby admitted. "Not even one tear. Well, not from him anyway."

 

"Are you okay?"

 

"He's growing up, John. The next thing we know he'll be heading off to university or getting married."

 

"Jesus, Bobby, give him a couple of years before that happens."

 

"I know. I'm sorry."

 

"You'll be fine," John said reassuringly. "And Patrick will be great from what you tell me."

 

"I know."

 

"I'll see you tonight. Try not to miss him too much."

 

"I'll try," Bobby said ending the call. He climbed into his vehicle letting out a big sigh. He would find things to keep him busy while his son experienced his first day of school.

 

*****

 

About twenty minutes after he went into Sidney's office, Justin walked out. They had made some decisions about the paintings and Justin was feeling good about the whole process. As he stepped out into the gallery some movement off to one side caught his attention. He turned and looked into the very blue eyes of a man he did not know. The man stared at him unblinking.

 

Justin felt a twinge of fear. He stepped back and reached for the knob of the door, ready to retreat back into the safety of Sidney's office.

 

"Justin Taylor?" the blue eyed man asked.

 

"Yes?" Justin replied hesitantly.

 

"I … I think we may be related."

 

"What?"

 

"My name is John Patrick Taylor. I've come all the way from Central America to find you."

 

Justin stared at the eyes so much like his own. He knew this had to be the man who had cornered his father. "What do you want?"

 

"I want to find members of my family. I know there are Taylors in the Pittsburgh area that I am related to. I hope you are one of them."

 

"I bet you do," Justin muttered. "I understand you met my father a couple of days ago," Justin said wanting to be sure this was the man he thought it was.

 

"Yes, yes, I did. He was very … unpleasant."

 

"That would be Craig," Justin snorted. At least they had a mutual dislike for Craig Taylor in common. "So, what do you want from me?"

 

"Just a bit of your time. I wondered if we could perhaps get a coffee and talk."

 

"I don't think that's such a good idea," Justin said.

 

"But why? I merely want to talk and find out a few things."

 

Justin hesitated. "Okay, I guess we could go across the road. There's a Starbucks there."

 

"There's a Starbucks everywhere. America is such an amazing place," JP said with a big grin as he opened the door of the gallery holding it for Justin to walk through.

 

"Yes, I guess it is." Justin hoped he wasn't making a huge mistake as he led this long lost Taylor across the street.

 

*****

 

"Brian, you have a visitor," Cynthia said as she entered Brian's office with Joan Kinney. She showed Joan in and settled her on the sofa. Cynthia left but quickly returned with a tray with coffee and fixings, knowing Brian was going to need it. Brian and Ted were going over all the special trust fund accounts that Brian had set up for the children of his family and other family members. They were conferencing with Bobby as Cynthia came in.

 

"Bri, switch Bobby to my desk. I can finish up," Ted suggested then he gathered up the documents and excused himself.

 

"Hey, Big Guy, I can finish this with Ted. It'll be fine. I'll see you later at home." Brian nodded then spoke into the speaker.

 

"Yeah, later, Red." Brian pressed a few buttons and cut the connection. Brian had that 'deer in the headlight look' for a moment before his face became the hardened mask that Joan and the rest of the world knew as Brian Kinney. He quietly sauntered to the sofa and sat. He poured the coffee as he addressed his mother.

 

"Why are you here, Mother?" Joan was slightly taken aback at Brian's cool tone but decided to ignore it.

 

"I never really got the chance to say thank you for inviting me to Briana's baptism and your warm reception for me. Frankly I was surprised how warmly I was received by your entire family. Most of them are complete strangers to me. They...were very polite." Joan gratefully accepted a cup of coffee from her son and carefully sipped the hot brew.

 

"That they are, most of the time," Brian snarked, thinking back over the many times when he wanted to throttle half of them, but he was also so lucky to have each of them. "They, we, were very happy that you joined us." Brian paused; he wasn't sure what to say.

 

"If you have time, do you think we can have lunch together today? I realize it's short notice." Joan was beginning to have doubts regarding her decision to come to Kinnetik.

 

"I have the time but we may have company for lunch."

 

"Oh?"

 

"Justin and Briana may join us."

 

"Are they here?"

 

"Briana is in daycare. Justin went to the gallery this morning."

 

"Daycare? Isn't she a bit too young for daycare?" Joan didn't approve of daycare. If Brian had a wife, it would be her job to care for the child until she was of school age.

 

Brian ignored his mother's disapproval and removed the empty coffee cup from her hand. "Come with me," Brian said in a tone that brooked no refusal.

 

Joan carefully followed Brian down the halls of Kinnetik. She marveled at the sight of all his employees hard at work. Somehow Joan envisioned that orgies and other perversions took place in this building. But while the atmosphere was jovial and relaxed, she could see that everyone was doing his or her job.

 

"You employ women?" Joan mumbled.

 

"I'm an equal opportunity fag," Brian said before he realized what had spewed from his lips. He saw Joan cringe at the word fag. Brian debated whether to apologize but they had reached the daycare door. "Here we are," Brian said as he opened the door.

 

"Oh my!" Joan exclaimed at the sight of the half dozen children at play and the two child minders busy reading or drawing with their charges. "Is this the daycare?"

 

Brian grinned. "It was Justin's suggestion. He knew as we grew and matured that many of my employees would have children. It just seemed right. And it comes in handy. I like having the Squirt with me." Just then the Squirt in question came running up to them.

 

"Dada!" Briana squealed with delight as she threw herself into Brian's legs.

 

"How's my little girl? You being good?" Brian asked his daughter as he scooped her up into his arms. "Say hello to Grandma Joan."

 

"Hi, Gamma Doan," Bree said sweetly and with her own sunny smile.

 

"Hello, Briana. How are you today?"

 

"Fine. We have party?"

 

"No dear, I'm here to have lunch with you and your father, if that's all right."

 

"Hungy, Dada," Bree patted Brian's face.

 

"Okay, ladies, I see I'm outvoted. Let's find out if your Daddy can join us and we can go to the diner." It dawned on Brian that Joan might not like the diner. "Or we can go somewhere else." Brian looked at his mother.

 

"The diner will be fine."

 

Brian cracked a small smile. He made sure daycare knew that Briana was going to be with him for lunch then escorted Joan back to his office. Punching Justin's number, he waited for his husband to answer.

 

"Hey."

 

"Hey yourself. I have two hungry ladies here ready to go to lunch. I was wondering if you can join us."

 

"Two?"

 

"Yes, Bree and my mother."

 

"Your mother?"

 

"Yes, Sunshine, we're about to go to the diner. Are you free for lunch?"

 

"Um, give me about thirty minutes and I'll meet you there."

 

"Justin, is everything okay?" Brian could hear the hesitancy in Justin's voice and was beginning to worry.

 

"Stop it, Bri, no need to worry. I'll see you at the diner. Later."

 

"Later, Sunshine." Brian hung up the phone. "We'll meet him there. Mother, I'm going to take Bree to the bathroom then we'll be ready. We'll only be a minute."

 

Joan nodded and sat on the sofa while Brian took Bree into his private bathroom.

 

"Come on, Squirt, time to preen so we can wow them at the diner."

 

"'Kay, Dada."

 

Joan couldn't help but smile.

 

*****

 

Justin snapped his cell phone shut.

 

"You have to go?" JP Taylor asked. They had been sipping lattes at Starbucks sitting at a small table in a quiet corner of the store. Justin still wasn't sure if he had made the right decision to confront this stranger that very well might be intent on destroying his family. He learned very little other than that JP and his sister found out about the American Taylors at their father's funeral.

 

"I'm joining my partner for lunch. Look, John, I'm still not sure what you want of me but I need to know. Are you here to hurt my family?" Justin did his damnedest to appear stern and menacing. He knew he couldn't pull it off like Brian but he had to try. Even though Justin had about ten years on JP, his innocent good looks still made Justin appear eighteen.

 

"I'm not here to hurt anyone. I just want to know if it's true that we have relations here. Take this, I have plenty of copies." JP handed Justin the envelope that he had tried to give Craig, but Craig was too frightened to take. "There's a copy of my passport so you know I'm not an illegal. I've written the phone number of my hotel on the envelope. Please, Mr. Taylor, I'm just here for information. My sister and I go home next week. I don't have much time." Justin took the packet and slipped it into his messenger bag.

 

"Okay, I'll look this over and contact you tomorrow." Justin got up to leave then he turned to look at JP. "Can you find your way back to the hotel?"

 

"Yes. Thank you. Until tomorrow then?" JP said with hope. Justin smiled weakly then walked away.

 

 

And Never Brought to Mind

 

Chapter 3

 

Brian pushed open the door to the diner. He had Briana in his arms. He held the door back as he let his mother precede him into the diner. He nearly bumped into her as she stopped just inside the door.

 

"There's a booth in the back," Brian directed her.

 

"Oh … oh, of course," Joan said glancing around at all the same sex couples sitting together. She knew she should have insisted that they go somewhere else.

 

"Take the back booth," Debbie said with a smile as she hurried by laden with plates.

 

"I see you got our reservation," Brian called after her. He knew she would have given him the finger if she didn't have her hands full.

 

"I can't believe Debbie still works here," Joan said as she sat down.

 

"Debbie is the diner, and she wouldn't know what to do with herself without it," Brian said with a smile. "Do you want to sit next to Grandma Joan?" Brian asked his daughter.

 

Bree looked from her father to her grandmother and back again. She gave a little frown. She always loved to sit beside her Dada and he usually wanted her there. He was good at feeding her French fries and bites of hot dog. But this was different. She looked at Grandma Joan and finally nodded her head. "'Kay," she grinned.

 

Joan smiled and accepted the little bundle from Brian. She had thought Briana would refuse. After all she hardly knew the little girl and Bree had only met her for the first time on the weekend. She was pleased that Briana wanted to sit beside her. She placed Briana on the inside where she couldn't get into too much trouble. Brian smiled his approval.

 

"What do you want for lunch?" Joan asked the little girl.

 

"Hot dog!" Bree cried.

 

"She always has that when we come here. Someday I hope to get her to develop taste buds that will appreciate something more … refined," Brian snarked at his mother.

 

Joan looked at her son. She realized she knew next to nothing about him and his life. She turned to look at Briana. Instinctively she knew that Brian would do anything, would provide anything that the little girl wanted. Where had he learned all these things?

 

"What can I get you?" Debbie asked as she sidled up to the booth. "Good to see you again, Joan."

 

"I'll have the usual, and a cheeseburger and fries for Justin. The usual for Bree too. Right, Squirt?"

 

Bree looked up and repeated carefully, "Usual."

 

Debbie wrote each order. "You've been training her to do that, haven't you?" Debbie laughed.

 

"Don't have to," Brian smirked. "She's a smart little cookie. Knows what she wants, and how to get it."

 

"Cookie," Bree repeated hoping that meant she was getting one of those too.

 

Debbie chuckled. "And what will you have, Joan?"

 

"A grilled cheese sandwich, please."

 

"Got it," Debbie said. "And drinks?"

 

"Coffee and a glass of milk," Brian said. Joan nodded.

 

Debbie moved away to put their order in and get their drinks.

 

"What made you come to see me today, Mother?" Brian asked.

 

"I told you."

 

"You've never asked me to take you to lunch before."

 

"I might have even treated you, but you didn't give me the chance," Joan said with a little smirk that matched Brian's.

 

Brian looked up and then realized that his mother was making a joke. His mouth dropped open, before he could stop it. Once he recovered, he coughed and then chuckled. "Good one, Mom."

 

Joan looked at her son. He had called her Mom, without a sarcastic tone to his voice and without using his usual formal term of Mother. Were they making progress? "I wanted to thank you for asking me to Briana's baptism. You didn't have to do that. And … and I really did appreciate it."

 

"I'm glad you came."

 

A young man took that moment to walk past their booth. He managed to jostle Brian's shoulder as he went by. Brian looked up and smirked at the man. Then he shook his head. The man shrugged and mouthed, "Another time."

 

"What was that all about?" Joan demanded. She had watched the unseemly display and couldn't understand why her son didn't set the man straight.

 

"He didn't mean anything. It was harmless."

 

"I would hardly call that harmless. And you're waiting for your husband. How dare he?"

 

"Give it a rest, Mother."

 

"I will never understand this crazed attitude about S E X," she said spelling out the last word. "How can you be so promiscuous?"

 

"S E X," Briana spelled just the way Joan had done. She had no idea what it meant but she liked learning new things.

 

Joan and Brian both looked at her and shook their heads, frowning at her.

 

"I'm not promiscuous," Brian snapped at his mother. "You don't know anything about me." He could feel his anger rising. Why did she always have to do this to him?

 

"S E X," Bree singsonged.

 

"Hey," a voice said from behind him.

 

Brian turned to tell the trick to fuck off, when he realized it was Justin. He stood up and kissed Justin whispering, "Hey, Sunshine."

 

"What's wrong?" Justin asked as he held Brian in a brief hug.

 

"Nothing, now that you're here," Brian said letting Justin slide into the booth first. He might need to make a quick getaway and he didn't want to be trapped on the inside.

 

"S E X," Bree piped up.

 

"I see you've been instructing our daughter in the fine art of spelling."

 

"She doesn't know what she's saying," Joan said quickly. She realized she was responsible for what Bree was saying.

 

Debbie brought their meals and set them out in front of them. Brian glared at his mother.

 

"S E X," Bree repeated with a little giggle.

 

Debbie looked at her with a strange expression on her face. "What the fuck are you people teaching her?" Debbie demanded.

 

Joan winced at Debbie's choice of words. She hoped Bree didn't start saying that word too.

 

"Stuff some hot dog in her mouth, Joan," Justin said with a laugh.

 

Joan stared at him and then realized what he was doing.

 

"S E X," Bree said once more before Joan held a piece of hot dog at her mouth. Bree opened her mouth, gulped the food and then chewed happily.

 

"You are so smart," Brian said giving his husband a kiss on the cheek.

 

Justin grinned. "I think I'll come back to Kinnetik with you. I want to see what happens when she starts spelling at her daycare."

 

Joan and Brian laughed at Justin's antics. "Oh my," Joan said. "That could be a problem."

 

"Not my problem," Brian said with a grin.

 

"You are so bad, Kinney," Debbie said giving Brian a gentle cuff to the ear.

 

"Hey, I had nothing to do with that."

 

"Sure, blame your mother," Joan said making them all laugh.

 

Debbie walked away. Who knew Joan Kinney had a sense of humor?

 

*****

 

That evening Brian and Justin walked into their kitchen to find Bobby and John and Patrick making dinner.

 

"How come you're cooking in here?" Brian asked setting Bree down so she could go play with her cousin.

 

"I forgot to do groceries," Bobby admitted. "I took Patrick to school and I … everything else went out of my head for the rest of the day. I've never done anything so hard."

 

"Hard?" Justin asked. "Did Patrick cry?"

 

"Hell, no! He was a brave little trooper. He sized up the joint and then told me to go home."

 

"So, he liked school?" Justin asked.

 

"He loved it. That's all he talked about all the way home. He loved the stories the teacher read and the drawing he did. That's it there on the counter. Isn't it beautiful?"

 

Justin picked up the paper covered in brown, black and red paint. "I love the red accent. Just what this composition needed."

 

"Are you making fun of me?" Bobby asked.

 

"Never," Justin said trying not to laugh.

 

"You're taking it all a little seriously, aren't you?" Brian asked.

 

"Not at all," John said defending his husband.

 

"Patrick was totally independent once he got to his classroom. He … he didn't need me anymore," Bobby said feeling tears well up.

 

"No shit!" Brian snarked. "Glad some member of your family has balls."

 

"Hey," Bobby reacted. "Wait till you have to take Bree to her first day of school."

 

"Oh, fuck!" Brian said as the realization hit him that one day he would have to do that too.

 

After dinner the family allowed the kids to play for a while and then they put the children to bed, exclaiming, "It's a school night!" That left the adult population time to unwind on the porch. The night was cooling but it was comfortable in the porch. John was reading his newspaper. Bobby was perusing a law journal as Brian was looking over the latest Wall Street Journal. Justin was sitting on the settee with the packet of papers that JP gave him earlier in the day. He hadn't gotten the chance to speak with Brian about it yet. And Brian was curious to know what had captured Justin's full attention.

 

"More Kinney journal, Sunshine?" Brian indicated the papers in Justin's hand. Justin froze.

 

"Um, no." Brian arched an eyebrow waiting for Justin to explain. "I met with..."

 

"Before lunch, you were with John Patrick Taylor," Brian said softly and coldly as he slowly got up from his lounge chair.

 

"Brian, he was at the gallery; he wanted to talk."

 

"Talk," Brian mumbled as he stared at Justin then walked toward their bedroom and through the connecting glass door. Brian opened his closet door and stood staring at his clothes. His leather jacket at the far end of the closet caught his eye. Brian took out his old jacket. It was the one he wore for years when he was on the prowl for a new trick. He pulled the jacket on. It fit like a second skin. Brian inhaled the scent of old leather, cigarettes and whiskey. He went back through the doors into the porch. Justin could sense Brian's anger. He held his breath as Brian went out into the night.

 

Brian stood outside the main door to the porch and began to zipper up the jacket. Feeling something in the inside pocket, Brian pulled out an old pack of cigarettes and lit one up. They all watched as Brian stood on the path looking toward the lane and his car. Brian turned and walked toward the stream. He didn't need any light; Brian knew the path by heart. Justin, John and Bobby watched Brian disappear into the night.

 

"That went well," Bobby said absentmindedly.

 

"At least he didn't shout," John noted.

 

"That's the problem," Justin replied solemnly.

 

"What do you mean?" Bobby wanted to offer Justin comfort but wasn't sure what was going on.

 

"Justin, could you perhaps start from the beginning?" John asked.

 

"I went to the gallery and John Patrick was there. By the way, he likes to be called JP. He introduced himself and wanted to talk. We went to Starbucks for a coffee and he gave me these papers. It seems that his father and grandfather were tracing their family tree. They wanted to know why there were a lot of fair haired, blue eyed children in the family. And where did the Anglo name of Taylor come from. JP's father died not too long ago and the papers and family tree came to him. He's here to discover if we're related."

 

"That's not so farfetched. Look at all the research you've done into Kinney and Patrick," John stated logically. "But back to Brian, why is the fact that he's not shouting cause for concern?"

 

"Because a shouting Brian means he'll get over it. He'll rant, have a queenie moment and then it's gone. Over. He's over it. A quiet Brian is a hurting Brian. That jacket, the cigarettes, if we were in Pittsburgh, he'd be out the door and in the nearest back room. His own form of pain management."

 

"No, I don't believe that. He's changed and he didn't drive off. He went to the stream. He's probably sitting on the big rock waiting for you," John said to Justin, almost pleading for Justin to believe.

 

"I hurt him, John. I should have told him right away. I meant to but things got in the way."

 

"Yes, lunch with Joan and us going on about Patrick. We didn't give you a chance. But I still don't understand Brian's reaction. Justin, you're a grown man, you can handle this."

 

"That's the problem, I am a grown man." Justin sat down and pondered his next move.

 

Out by the stream, Brian was leaning against the great rock. He had two more stale cigarettes left and in spite of the coughing, he was determined to smoke them both. Brian could not for the life of him figure out why he was so angry. It was times like these that he wished he was back at the loft. It would have been so easy to go to Woody's or Babylon to get his dick sucked. But he was stuck in the fucking country with stale cigarettes that tasted like shit.

 

"FUCK!" Brian cried out as he threw the pack on the ground, crushing them under his boot. "Fucking little shit!" In the dim light, Brian picked up a few stones and tossed them into the stream. He got one to skip five times.

 

"Two babies," Brian mumbled, a stray tear slipped down his face. "Shit, since when am I a fucking lesbian?"

 

"Brian?" Justin was standing at the entrance to the glade. He was wearing one of his old warm comfortable hoodies. The moonlight filtered down through the trees surrounding Justin with a warm glow. He looked like that seventeen year old boy boldly standing under the street lamp daring Brian to pick him up. "Brian, I should have told you immediately when we got home but I don't regret meeting him and I don't need your..."

 

"You're right, Justin. You don't need a damn thing from me. You are a grown man; you're quite capable of taking care of yourself. I just got used to being the one who took care of things. No, Sunshine, you don't need me at all."

 

"Brian, I do need you. I need you to take care of all those details that I have no head for. I need you to keep everything in order for me so I don't have to. I need you to take care of me and Bree. I need you to protect me, to love me, to hold me when the bad dream comes back. I need to know that wherever I am, whoever I'm with, there'll never be anyone as good as you. I need you to fuck me, to rim me, to suck my dick. I need you to make love to me. I just need you."

 

Brian stood motionless, listening to Justin. Justin prayed he got through to his stubborn husband. Brian raised his arms, Justin immediately went into them.

 

"I love you, you know."

 

"I know."

 

The lovers walked back to the house surrounded by moonlight and by their love.

 

*****

 

Patrick came bouncing into the kitchen where Justin, Brian and Bree were just finishing up breakfast. He had his backpack firmly strapped on and he looked ready to take on the world.

 

"Hey there, buddy," Justin said. "Ready for school?"

 

"Yep," Patrick said decisively.

 

"Me too," Bree said bouncing in her high chair.

 

"How about your dads?" Brian chuckled knowing what a hard time they were both having with the concept of their son growing up.

 

Patrick frowned. "Dad's doing okay, but Daddy is … acting weird."

 

Brian knew Daddy Bobby was experiencing separation anxiety, but he was surprised that Patrick was perceptive enough to realize that. "How is your daddy acting weird?"

 

"Don't tell anybody but he cried at school yesterday. He has tears in his eyes every time he looks at me," Patrick explained. "I don't want him to be sad."

 

"He's not really sad, Patrick," Justin said gently. "He just misses having you with him most of the time."

 

"Oh?" Patrick said thinking about what Justin had told him.

 

"So you like school?" Justin asked deciding to change the topic a little.

 

"It was great! I got to draw and color and play with a soccer ball."

 

"Me too, me too," Bree called. She wanted some attention and she didn't see why she couldn't go with Patrick. They did everything else together.

 

"Easy, Squirt," Brian said. "Your turn will come."

 

"Now!" Bree demanded.

 

"You're too little," Patrick stated knowingly. "When you grow up like me, then you can come to school."

 

Bobby and John walked into the kitchen just as Patrick made his statement. Brian watched tears well up in their eyes.

 

"I could take Patrick to school today, if it would make things easier," Brian suggested.

 

"I'm fine," Bobby said doing his best to suck it up.

 

Brian shrugged and Bree called out, "Chool, Chool."

 

"That's school, Squirt," Brian corrected her.

 

"Looks like you may have something of your own to deal with," John said trying hard not to smirk. "You guys better get going, and so had I." He gave each of the men in his life a kiss on the cheek and headed out the door.

 

"Have you got everything?" Bobby asked Patrick. Patrick nodded. "Then let's go."

 

They started walking back to the sun porch to go through and get their vehicle.

 

"No, no, Patwick," Bree cried. Big tears started to run down her cheeks.

 

Patrick looked at Bree and came back over to comfort her while she was still trapped in her high chair. He stood on tiptoes to give her a kiss on the cheek. He held her little hand. "I'll be back later today. Don't cry, Bree. Don't cry like Daddy."

 

Brian did his best to stifle his chuckle but a little one escaped. Bobby looked daggers at him.

 

"Come on, Patrick, we have to go," Bobby told his son. "You don't want to be late for school."

 

Patrick ran over to his father with a bright smile. "I'm ready," he said confidently.

 

Bree watched her cousin disappear into the sun porch and then the real wailing began. Brian did his best to soothe his daughter. He lifted her out of her chair and walked around the kitchen with her. He tried everything, but she continued to wail non-stop for the next few minutes. Her face was red and huge tears made tracks down her cheeks.

 

"Patwick," she called mournfully like she had been abandoned to the worst fate imaginable.

 

"Come on, Squirt. It'll be all right," Brian cooed at her. "You're staying here with me today."

 

Bree wailed louder.

 

Brian bounced her and swung her around trying to distract her. Nothing did much good as Bree continued to cry.

 

"Do you want me to take her?" Justin asked not able to stand the sound of his daughter's pain any longer.

 

"You're due at the gallery. You better get going," Brian said holding Bree against his chest. Her breaths were coming in great heaving sobs.

 

"Chool, Patwick," she whimpered.

 

"I know, Squirt," Brian whispered into her neck. "Get going," he said to Justin. "We'll be fine."

 

Bree let out another wail as Justin went out the door. He felt guilty about leaving Brian with a crying Bree, but he did need to get to the gallery, and surely she couldn't cry too much longer.

 

"What if we go plant those mums that are in the garage," Brian said to his daughter.

 

Tear-filled eyes studied his face and the crying stopped. "Gar-gar?" she asked with a big gulp.

 

"Gar-gar," Brian repeated.

 

"'Kay," she said.

 

Brian breathed a sigh of relief and grabbed a tissue to wipe her tear stained face.

 

 

And Never Brought to Mind

 

Chapter 4

 

Justin felt a little guilty leaving home in the midst of Briana's outburst but he had to go to the gallery and he had to trust in Brian's ability to cope with their daughter. Needless to say, Justin was distracted and missed the turn off into Pittsburgh. That and the traffic were making Justin very late. JP was waiting for him.

 

"You! What the fuck are you doing here?" Craig growled at JP. Craig had had an attack of conscience, plus his wife insisted that Craig personally speak with Justin about the young man who claimed to be related. Even though Craig Taylor managed to keep up with Justin's success, he paid no attention to the discovery of the Kinney art. Craig Taylor wanted nothing to do with Brian Kinney or any of his family. Craig had come to the art gallery in hopes of finding Justin and having a word. Finding JP Taylor was the last thing Craig wanted to do.

 

"I could ask you the same, Mr. Taylor. I have an appointment with your son. He mentioned nothing of meeting with you today." JP tried to remain calm. Justin was already twenty minutes late and he had no way of contacting him.

 

"Why would my son want to meet with you?"

 

"Perhaps he is curious to learn about the past. And not afraid of finding family."

 

"You are no family of mine!" Craig began to shout. Lindsay and Sidney came rushing out of the office to find out what the noise was about.

 

"Please, I must ask you to leave," Sidney addressed Craig. "This is a respectable establishment. My patrons come here to admire works of art not to be assaulted."

 

"W...what?" Craig sputtered. He had no response; he had never been asked to leave any establishment before.

 

"Sir, my name is John Patrick Taylor. I have an appointment with Mr. Justin Taylor. This 'gentleman' is trying to prevent it." JP hoped that someone would intercede before Craig did something rash.

 

"Excuse me. Did you say John Patrick Taylor?" Lindsay was well versed with Justin's research having been involved with much of it.

 

"Yes, and you are?"

 

"Oh, forgive me. My name is Lindsay Peterson. I'm Mr. Bloom's assistant." Lindsay indicated Sidney. "And I'm a close friend of Justin. His partner is my son's father. Justin has a bit of a drive into Pittsburgh; he may have hit some traffic. Let me show you to a quiet corner of the gallery where we can wait for Justin." Lindsay nodded to Sidney who slid between Craig and JP before any violence could occur.

 

"Are you people nuts?" Craig continued to shout. "This man is an impostor. He's no relation of mine or Justin's." Justin hurried through the door.

 

*****

 

Brian was spacing out the dozens of pots of mums to get a feel of where they were going to be planted. Briana was toddling behind, imitating her Dada's gestures that he was making in his quest for the perfect spots for his flowers. Brian had a feeling that Bree wasn't totally into 'gar-gar' today but he pressed on hoping to forestall any wailing Briana had in mind. They had planted about five pots when Briana became tired.

 

"Hey, Squirt, how about I clean you up and you can lay down on the brass bed and watch me gar-gar. Okay?" Brian watched as Briana contemplated her Dada's suggestion then yawned. Gar-gar and crying was very hard work.

 

"'Kay, Dada."

 

"Okay, Squirt. Let's wash up, get changed then you can watch from the comfort of the big bed."

 

"Dolly too?"

 

"Dolly too."

 

"'Kay." Briana yawned again as Brian picked her up then brought her in the house. After he cleaned her up and dressed her in a fresh outfit, Brian placed the child in the middle of the big brass bed. Brian moved the screen aside so Briana had an unobstructed view of the whole porch. She was facing outside so she could watch Brian in the garden. Brian sat with her for a few minutes then after she was settled he went back outside. Brian planted two more pots of mums then pulled out his cell phone.

 

"Cynthia, I have a very important job for you."

 

"Sure, Boss. What do you need?" Brian filled in his number one assistant regarding his most important project.

 

*****

 

"Craig, what you do want?" Justin said coolly to his father.

 

"I wanted to warn you about that man. I wasn't sure if your mother told you about him."

 

"Yes, unlike you, my mother speaks to me and on a regular basis. I've met John Patrick."

 

Craig ignored the snide remark. "You've met? Why would you do such a thing? He's out for money."

 

"I don't know that and the only way I will learn what he wants, is by talking to him. Now if you'll excuse me." Justin turned to walk away but Craig grabbed his arm.

 

"Don't you walk away from me, I'm not finished speaking to you. I'm your father."

 

"Craig, I have no idea what you are. My father left me fourteen years ago. Don't worry about your precious money. I can buy and sell you ten times over. If it's money JP's after then I'll deal with it." Justin walked away leaving Craig stunned into silence.

 

*****

 

Father Tom walked out into the main part of the church. He carried his notes for the next homily that he would deliver. He set them on the pulpit and looked out at the church. There were a few people sitting in the pews lost in prayer. He noticed a familiar face in her usual seat. He smiled at Joan Kinney as she raised her eyes and looked at him.

 

Noting the look on her face, Father Tom walked down to where she was sitting. "Joan, is something wrong?"

 

"I … I think so," Joan said with a tinge of sadness in her voice.

 

"Would you like to walk into the grotto and talk?"

 

"Um … maybe that would be a good idea."

 

Father Tom took Joan's arm and they walked out to the back of the church.

 

"What seems to be the problem?" he asked as they sat on the little bench.

 

"This is where I first saw Briana," Joan said.

 

"She's a lovely little girl, and she seemed so happy that you went to her baptism."

 

"Did you see her fall asleep on my lap?" Joan asked proudly.

 

Father Tom nodded. "I did, so what's wrong?"

 

"I … I called Brian yesterday and he took me to lunch at the diner. Briana came with us."

 

"I see."

 

"No, no you don't. I couldn't believe that I allowed my son to take me to that diner, that den of iniquity," Joan said shaking her head.

 

Father Tom sighed. "I'm sure Brian would have taken you somewhere else if you had asked."

 

"He said he would, but I thought I could go there … especially after I had been around all those gay men at the cottage."

 

"But you didn't like it at the diner?" Father Tom asked.

 

"It was horrible. Brian was flirting with this young man and he showed no remorse when I called him on it."

 

"Joan, I'm sure…"

 

"No, don't tell me it was all right, because it wasn't. It was wicked, and none of them seem to see anything wrong with what they're doing. I can't stand the evil of it."

 

"But Briana's not evil," Father Tom said trying to steer her to a more neutral topic.

 

"She will be if she has to grow up under those kinds of influences."

 

"Joan!"

 

"I'm sorry, Father, but I don't think I can be around my son. I can't bear to see what his perversion is going to do to that sweet little girl."

 

"Joan?"

 

Joan stood and quickly rushed back into the church before Tom could stop her. By the time he returned to the altar she had disappeared from the church. The good Father sighed and went into his office. There seemed to be no getting through to the heart of Joan Kinney, that is, if she had one.

 

*****

 

Justin walked over to where Lindsay and JP were talking.

 

"Did you get rid of him?" Lindsay asked.

 

Justin nodded. "What the fuck was he doing here?"

 

"He wanted to warn you about this gentleman."

 

"I don't get why he would even bother," Justin said with a sigh. "What does he care if I get taken or robbed or killed?"

 

"I … I'm not here to do anything like that," JP protested standing up. "Maybe this wasn't a good idea."

 

"I'm sorry," Justin said quickly. "My father knows how to push all my buttons. We bring out the worst in each other."

 

"I'll leave you two alone," Lindsay said thinking that they had private business to discuss. She went back into the office.

 

"Your father is a nasty man," JP said.

 

"You got that right. I'm sorry he's such an asshole."

 

JP smiled. "It's not your fault he's like that."

 

"Look, I wanted to show you something," Justin said. "Come over here."

 

JP followed Justin across the gallery. He wondered what the man wanted to show him.

 

"These are the latest JAB Kinney paintings that we have recovered." He pointed to the display still laid out around the section of the gallery. "This is Patrick Taylor, Kinney's lover, and my ancestor as well as yours." JP stared at the face of his family member. Patrick was shown as an angel in the painting.

 

"Why is he an angel?" JP asked.

 

"Kinney painted a lot of religious portraits. It was a common theme at the time. He painted what would bring in money for them."

 

"I see," JP said.

 

"This is a preliminary sketch for a painting of Patrick and his daughter, Katherine." Justin pointed to the unfinished portrait. "Sidney asked me to do a copy of the painting as it might have been finished. This is a picture of what it looked like." He pointed at a large poster of the painting he had given to his mother.

 

"She's a beautiful little girl."

 

"She has my daughter's face," Justin said with a smile.

 

"You have a daughter?"

 

"Yes, Briana. Maybe you would like to meet her?"

 

"I'd like that. Do you trust me enough to let me meet your daughter?"

 

"I trust you," Justin said slowly, and as it came out he knew that he was starting to trust this stranger who could be part of his family.

 

"That's good to hear. I was beginning to think I would have to go back home with nothing to show for my efforts."

 

"What did you expect to find here?" Justin asked.

 

"You, and maybe some other family members."

 

"How would you like to meet my mother?"

 

JP smiled. "I'd like that."

 

*****

 

Joan returned home; she immediately went to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of sherry. She hadn't had one in several days and thought she could use one to fortify herself after her chat with Father Tom. Joan wasn't ignorant of the fact that Father Tom was disappointed in her. He probably believed that Joan and her son were making some strides towards a 'normal' relationship. Whatever that meant. She was almost disappointed in herself. If she continued to distance herself from Brian, Joan knew she would never see her beautiful granddaughter again nor her grandson, Gus. Gus was such a pleasant and polite young man. How could growing up in the midst of all that perversion produce a normal young man? Then again, how could growing up with two normal parents produce children who now detested their mother? Joan took another small sip but then poured the rest of the glass down the drain. The sherry had lost its flavor and so did this long standing argument Joan was having with herself. The choice was abundantly clear. Cut Brian and Claire out of her life, and Joan dies a lonely old woman with no joy or grandchildren to flavor her life.

 

*****

 

"Hi, honey. I didn't expect to see you today?" Jennifer said cheerfully as Justin entered her office off of Liberty. Her smile faded when she saw the handsome dark stranger who accompanied her son. "Justin, who is your friend?"

 

"Mom, this is John Patrick..."

 

"Taylor," Jennifer finished the sentence and gingerly extended her hand.

 

"It is an honor to meet you, Mrs. Taylor." JP took the dainty hand to shake it.

 

"Please, it's Jennifer. I haven't been Mrs. Taylor for quite a long time. I don't wish to be rude but my son is rather trusting. Too trusting for his own good."

 

"Mother!" Justin began to protest but JP stopped him.

 

"Justin, your mother is correct and I have always listened to my mother's advice. Mrs. Tay...I mean, Jennifer. My father passed away not too long ago. Right after his funeral, I was given these." JP handed Jennifer another copy of the papers he had given Justin to study. I became very interested in tracing my past. And if the paintings Justin has shown me today are any indication, Justin is too. I merely came here before family obligations could prevent my ability to travel, to learn what I could about a possible connection to Patrick Taylor and Justin. I wanted to introduce myself to the head of the family but he was not..."

 

"He's an asshole," Jennifer responded very quickly and with unladylike snark.

 

"Yes. Well, I was fortunate to run into Justin yesterday and gave him the same papers I have just given you. I have no secrets. I'm here to learn the truth and then go back home."

 

"Home. You've mentioned home. Where is home?"

 

"I live in Panama. My family has for many generations."

 

"And your obligations?" Jennifer pressed.

 

"I am engaged to be married. We are to be married upon my return home and then I officially take over the family business," JP explained.

 

"Which is?" Jennifer would ask the questions her son would not.

 

"My family runs a small dry goods store. It is not much compared to the businesses I have seen here but it is ours. It has been handed down from father to son."

 

"You're very young to have such a responsibility."

 

"You are very young to have a grown son and grandchild." Jennifer gasped slightly. Justin revealed a lot to this stranger.

 

"Thank you," Jennifer responded as she recovered herself and her manners. "May I ask, why do you think you're related to Justin? Taylor is a very common name. And I am aware of the history Justin discovered. And it is true that the paintings of Patrick resemble Justin in many ways. I think it's his romantic notions that keep him hoping that he is related to Patrick. I still haven't seen any evidence to prove the connection."

 

"Or evidence against it either, Mom." Justin was finally able to slip in a word.

 

"That's true, sweetheart. But we may never know for sure. The journal revealed a daughter only, named Katherine and she was taken by Martha to live here. If Katherine survived to marry and have children, they wouldn't be named Taylor."

 

"You have the journals of Patrick Taylor?" JP asked hopefully.

 

"Only a few pages. Actually I have some of the Kinney journals. Patrick was John Aidan Brian Kinney's lover from the time he was in his twenties until he died at age seventy-one."

 

"Then I may have the missing pieces you seek. My grandfather had a statue that Patrick created before they left Panama. He was trying to have it restored or copied before it disintegrated."

 

"Yes, we came across many statues but the materials were poor and most of them didn't survive the harsh environment."

 

"That is true. There are many artists in the family, none as acclaimed as you but still appreciated for their talents. My grandfather wanted to preserve our past so he tried to have the statue restored but he failed. Before it fell apart, they were able to make a copy. Again, in not the best material but it was all we could afford. As the statue crumbled we found a thick packet of velum wrapped in leather in the base of the statue. This is where we learned of Patrick's children."

 

"Children?!" Justin and Jennifer said at the same time.

 

"Yes, children. He had male heirs."

 

"Holy fuck!" Mother and son said at the same time.

 

*****

 

"Brian?"

 

"Hey, Sunshine. How's your day going?"

 

"Fine. Um, I have something to ask you but I don't want any yelling. You need to listen carefully, maybe sit down." Justin heard Brian sigh loudly then a chair scraping across the floor.

 

"What is this going to cost me? You didn't find a puppy or something equally as furry?"

 

Justin snorted a laugh. "No, Brian, no furry fluffy animals."

 

"No, amphibians either?" Brian asked in a voice that went up an octave or two.

 

"No, you big goof! No pets. I'm bringing my mother and a guest for dinner."

 

"Oh, I can handle Jennifer. Who's your guest?"

 

"JP Taylor."

 

"Fuck!"

 

 

And Never Brought to Mind

 

Chapter 5

 

It was John's turn to pick up Patrick from school, so he decided to take advantage of his new office and go over some plans for a new office building he was commissioned to design. The new building would replace the old warehouse his construction company recently demolished in Harrisburg. As he walked through the sun porch to Brian and Justin's end of the cottage, John could hear Brian pacing in his own attic office. John situated his son at their kitchen table for his after school snack and then homework. That is, if you call collecting Fall leaves homework. Patrick took his assignment very seriously and he wanted to have Bree help him with it to make up for leaving her crying.

 

"Sonny Boy, I need to speak with Uncle Bri. When you finish your snack, we can work on your assignment."

 

"Okay, Dad, I'll be here." Patrick beamed at his dad. John nodded then ruffled the soft red hair.

 

"I'll be back in a few minutes. I think Uncle Bri is having one of his moments."

 

"Not another queen out."

 

"Yes, well, sometimes those can't be helped. Take your time finishing your cookies."

 

"Sure, Dad." John was amazed how grown up his son really was. But now to deal with Brian. John took a deep breath then headed for Brian's office.

 

"Brian, what's wrong? I can hear your teeth grinding from downstairs."

 

"We're having guests for dinner."

 

"And this is a bad thing because..."

 

"Because one of those guests is John Patrick Taylor, the other is Jennifer."

 

"Isn't Jennifer usually a pitbull when it comes to Justin? I can't imagine her willingly allowing Justin to do something that might cause him harm."

 

"John, one of the reasons I'm with Justin is that Jennifer couldn't deal with him after he got hurt, so she dumped him on me. Not one of her smartest moves."

 

"Oh, cut the horse shit, Brian. She was doing you a favor and you know it. So you had a few... or five rough years but you were both too young. So get over yourself and let's deal with the now. First, where's Bree? Patrick has a homework assignment and he wants Bree to help him with it."

 

"Your son wants a two year old to help him with his homework? And what the fuck kind of homework assignments do they give out in kindergarten?"

 

"Leaves."

 

"Leaves?"

 

"Leaves. He has to collect Fall leaves and glue them to construction paper and write his name."

 

"All of that, huh?"

 

"Asshole. First things first, where's Bree?"

 

"In her room taking another nap. She was worn out from crying and planting mums. She doesn't understand why Patrick goes to school and she doesn't. They haven't been separated for almost a year. She exhausted herself."

 

"I'm sorry, Bri."

 

"Don't be. I think I found a way to let her go to school, but how do I deal with this new Taylor?"

 

"You don't. You let Justin and Jennifer deal with the new Taylor. You keep your mouth shut and be the supportive partner I know you can be."

 

"So I'm supposed to sit back and watch Justin get hurt?"

 

"No, you figure out what you're going to make for dinner and help Justin make decisions based on facts not conjecture."

 

"Now you sound like Bobby."

 

"You learn a lot when you fuck a lawyer."

 

"Now who's the asshole?"

 

"Takes one to know one. I'll help you with dinner but let's get the homework out of the way first."

 

"Oh goody. Another trek through the woods. I've spent so much time out there, I'm beginning to take root."

 

"And you love it almost as much as I do. Come on; let's get this show on the road."

 

"Yes, big brother."

 

"Hmumph." The Kinney brothers fetched their children for a walk through the woods.

 

*****

 

"Lucy, I'm hooome!" Bobby called out as he entered the sun porch door.

 

"Daddy!" A flying red-headed bullet known as Patrick Anderson-Morrison came running into the porch to tackle his father.

 

"Hey there, little man. How was school today?"

 

"Good! We learned about leaves."

 

"Wonderful, help me get out of my suit and you can tell me all about leaves. They don't teach about leaves in lawyer school."

 

"They don't?"

 

"No, they don't."

 

"I can teach you all about leaves. Can Bree come too? I was teaching her about leaves."

 

"Sure, kiddo. Let's go."

 

"Breeeeee!" Patrick shouted and his cousin came running in, crashing into Bobby's legs like a goalie.

 

"Hi, Unc'l Bobby! We did hom-werk!"

 

"You did! Tell me all about it." Patrick and Bree lead Bobby into his cottage, chattering away about leaves and homework. John and Brian were standing in the doorway on the Kinney/Taylor side, sporting ear to ear grins. They watched the kids inform Bobby about leaves as they pulled him into the Anderson/Morrison side of the cottage.

 

"Dinner," John and Brian said in unison as they ducked back in to get a start on dinner.

 

*****

 

Justin was in his Cherokee leading his mother and JP in her car toward the cottage. Since they left the Pitts relatively early, the traffic was light. He kept looking at them through his rearview mirror. Justin was worried how Brian was going to react to JP. Brian was behaving rather stoically, more than his usual stoicism and that's what was worrying Justin. He was also concerned that his mother and JP would be driving back to Pittsburgh, alone, later tonight. Justin hoped he had made the right decision.

 

Jennifer kept her eyes on her son's taillights although she could find her way to the cottage blindfolded by now. She and JP chatted about little things, family things. Jennifer had no qualms about letting this dark haired stranger with piercing blue eyes know that there were two lawyers in the family and a cop. Retired status not withstanding. JP recognized the signs of a mother lion protecting her cub. He had no intention of messing with a mother. His own mother would tan his hide if his behavior was nothing less than perfect. He was here to learn about his ancestor and then go home. And that's what he was going to do.

 

"JP, I feel awful about your sister. Are you sure she'll be all right by herself at the hotel?" They had offered to pick her up, but JP insisted that his sister would be fine.

 

"Please don't worry yourself. My sister is young and very shy. She doesn't speak English that well. It is her request to stay at the hotel. She has grown fond of watching CNN."

 

"You're kidding, right?"

 

"No. I'm not. She's learning a lot."

 

"You sound like Panama is primitive."

 

"Far from it but we don't watch much television."

 

"Lucky you. Sometimes I can't get away from it. And it's all garbage."

 

"She's particularly fond of American Idol."

 

"I can't believe that show is still on," Jennifer snarked. She was never fond of reality shows; her family was far too real for her.

 

*****

 

As the cars turned into the lane that led to 'Edna's Treasures,' Jennifer heard a small gasp escape from JP.

 

"What's wrong?" Jennifer asked the young man.

 

"Nothing. It's not what I expected," responded JP in a soft manner.

 

"What did you expect?"

 

"I thought a man like Justin Taylor, so successful, so rich, would live in a grand house."

 

"Are you disappointed?"

 

"No, it feels like home."

 

Jennifer wasn't quite sure how to take that statement so she remained quiet as she parked the car.

 

Justin opened the front door to the cottage and was greeted by the warm smells of dinner. John and Brian decided on a simple meal of grilled marinated chicken, pasta with sauce that Justin had made with Brian's herbs, and salad. Brian walked into the living room to introduce himself to the 'new' Taylor.

 

"Hey, Sunshine." Brian gave Justin a kiss then kissed his mother-in-law.

 

"Brian, I'd like to introduce..." Justin started.

 

"The ubiquitous John Patrick Taylor. Or do I call you JP," Brian snarked coolly.

 

"JP, is fine, sir." JP cautiously held out his hand to Brian. He felt if he made one false move, he might lose his hand. JP quickly surmised that he had attempted to introduce himself to the wrong head of the family. It was Brian Kinney that was the head of the family, not Craig Taylor.

 

"Bri," Justin pleaded a warning. Brian's eyes softened ever so slightly.

 

"It's Brian, not sir. And welcome to our home. Dinner is ready. I hope you all came hungry."

 

"I can eat," Justin said in a perky voice, relaxing just a bit. He recognized Brian's attempt to be civil.

 

"I skipped lunch today," Jennifer chimed in.

 

"It smells wonderful. I thank you for inviting me," JP added.

 

"Then follow me to the porch. We'll have a lot more room out there," Brian said as he led them out to the sun porch.

 

As they passed the living room, JP noticed the Kinney/Patrick portrait over the fireplace.

 

"Dios Mio!" JP went to stand in front of the portrait of Kinney sitting on the great rock with his hand out toward Patrick. Patrick, lovingly looking at JAB Kinney. "It is Patrick, yes?"

 

"Yes," Justin answered. "With his lover, JAB Kinney."

 

"Then it is true what the legend said."

 

"Legend?" Justin asked as he gazed at the painting. No matter how often he looked at the painting, its beauty never stopped impressing him.

 

"Yes, the two white men. One tall and dark, the other smaller and very, very fair, came out of the jungle seeking a home. They thought they had found it in Panama but were then forced to leave. They left a legacy of paintings and statues and the seeds of my family." JP and Justin continued to stare at the painting in awe.

 

"Hungy, Daddy." Brian sent their daughter to light a fire under Justin knowing that if anyone could get Justin to stop staring at the portrait, it would be Briana.

 

"Okay, baby, let's eat dinner." Justin scooped up his daughter and led JP into the porch.

 

*****

 

Dinner was pleasant if not a little strained. Brian couldn't help but scrutinize every move JP made and he listened very closely to what JP was saying. To everyone but Justin and possibly John, Brian looked cool and disinterested. His nonchalant facade was just that, a facade. Brian was memorizing every word that JP Taylor spoke.

 

After dinner, Bobby brought the kids into Patrick's room so they could play for a while before dessert. Justin, Jennifer and JP helped to clear the table, put on coffee and arrange the fresh baked cookies that Claire had sent over with Bobby. John and Brian were straightening up the dining room table.

 

"You see it, don't you?" John said quietly, in that low Kinney tone that Brian had perfected years ago.

 

"Yes."

 

"They could be brothers."

 

"I know."

 

"What are you going to do?"

 

"Take my older and very wise brother's advice. Wait for the facts and not make any decisions based on conjecture."

 

"I've got your back."

 

"I know."

 

Both John and Brian immediately saw the family resemblance between the two Taylor men. At first sight, you were struck by their obvious differences. Justin fair and light. JP dark, with olive skin tones. But the shape of the face, the blues eyes and body were the same. In the bad old days, JP would have been exactly Brian's type. Craig only saw an interloper seeking his meager fortune. Jennifer only saw a possible threat to Justin's happiness. Brian and John saw the descendants of Patrick.

 

Over cookies and coffee, Justin and JP traded journals. Justin brought out the binders he had put together containing all the research that was done on Kinney and Patrick. JP had brought along copies of Patrick's diary. It was approaching midnight before both Taylors noticed that they were alone in the porch.

 

"Sunshine, it's past your bedtime."

 

"What time is it?" Justin asked Brian with a yawn.

 

"Almost twelve."

 

"Shit, my mother."

 

"She said goodnight three hours ago."

 

"Damn, I'm sorry, Brian. Why didn't you stop us?"

 

"As if I could. JP can take Gus' room. That bottom bunk pulls out to a full. JP, you're stranded out here with us but you're more than welcome to stay the night. We can take you back to the Pitts in the morning. "

 

"Thank you, Brian, that is very generous of you. I apologize for disrupting your home." Brian waved off the apology. "Justin, I'm sure you can dig up something that will fit JP, you two are the same size."

 

"We are? How can you tell?" Justin asked in all sincerity.

 

"Believe me, Sunshine, I'm very good at sizing up a man. I'll say good night now. I need my beauty sleep. JP, feel free to call your sister so she won't worry. Later, Sunshine."

 

"Good night, Brian," JP called out to Brian's back as he turned to go to the bedroom.

 

"Come with me to the kitchen. You can call your sister while I dig up some clothes for you."

 

"Are we really the same size?" Even JP didn't see it.

 

"If Brian says we are, then we are. Brian's never wrong about the size of men," Justin smirked and JP turned an interesting shade of pink.

 

 

And Never Brought to Mind

 

Chapter 6

 

Bree crept out of her bedroom. She headed towards her fathers' bedroom intending to go in and pounce on her Dada. As she came to the kitchen doorway she saw someone standing at the counter chopping something. She stared at the man wondering what she should do.

 

"You can come in," JP said with a big smile.

 

"Who you?" Bree asked.

 

"I'm JP. You met me last night, but you were sleepy and I bet you forgot all about me."

 

Bree continued to stare. "Where Daddy and Dada?"

 

"I think they're still asleep."

 

"What you doing?"

 

"Making breakfast. I thought it was the least I could do." JP dumped what he was chopping into a big bowl and stirred it around.

 

"What you making?"

 

"A frittata."

 

"What dat?"

 

"It's eggs with all kinds of good things inside," JP explained. He dumped the contents of the bowl into two frying pans and set them into the oven.

 

"Hungy," Bree said.

 

"Well, it will be a while before the eggs are ready. How about some … Cheerios?" he asked as he looked in the cupboard.

 

"Yay, Cheewios!"

 

JP laughed and lifted Bree up onto one of the stools at the counter. He took out a little dish and poured her some Cheerios. "Want milk?" Bree shook her head as she picked up one of the Cheerios and popped it into her mouth. JP poured himself a cup of the coffee he had made and sat down on the stool beside her. "What time do your daddies usually get up?" he asked Bree who was crunching her Cheerio.

 

"Now."

 

"Oh?"

 

"I get them," Bree said. "Down."

 

"Are you the family alarm clock?" JP laughed. He didn't know how true that was.

 

"Down," Bree repeated.

 

JP lifted her down but admonished, "Let's allow your daddies a few minutes more of sleep. How be we go outside?"

 

"Gar-gar," Bree said.

 

"What's gar-gar?"

 

Bree took JP's hand and started dragging him through the sun porch. When they reached the door Bree tried to open it but she wasn't quite tall enough. JP pushed it open and they went out, Bree still holding him by the hand.

 

"Gar-gar," Bree said pointing at the flower gardens. "See."

 

"Gardens, of course," JP said with a grin. "You like the flowers?"

 

"I help Dada," Bree said proudly.

 

"You garden?"

 

Bree smiled and nodded her head.

 

"We better go back inside and check on breakfast," JP said as he opened the door so they could go back to the kitchen. He kept Bree's hand in his as they made their way. He deposited Bree on her stool where she could eat a few more Cheerios. He checked his frittatas and pronounced that they would soon be done. He sat back down beside Bree.

 

"You're such a little girl to be gardening," JP said.

 

"Me big girl," Bree declared. "Go to school."

 

"You go to school?"

 

"No, she doesn't," Brian said as he came into the kitchen, "but she wants to because her cousin has started school.

 

"I go to school," Bree said with a frown.

 

"Maybe that can be arranged," Brian said kissing the top of his daughter's head. "Something smells good."

 

"I made breakfast. I thought that was the least I could do for all the hospitality that you've shown me. I hope that's all right."

 

"Sounds good to me," Brian replied appraising the young man. Maybe he had been worried for nothing.

 

"It's almost ready."

 

"Hey Bree, want to go pounce on your uncles? They need to partake of the fine feast JP has cooked up for us."

 

"Down," Bree said decisively, and she was away through the sun porch to get Patrick and perform her morning duty.

 

Brian chuckled knowing all too well what was going to happen.

 

Justin came out of the bedroom rubbing his eyes. "What's going on?" he asked.

 

"JP made us breakfast, and I just sent Bree to get her uncles up."

 

"That was cruel," Justin chuckled. "Morning, JP. Is there any coffee?"

 

"Coming right up," JP said as he poured a mug for Justin and a second one for Brian. "You have a beautiful daughter. She was telling me how she does gar-gar. I didn't think such a little girl could garden."

 

"She's a special little girl," Brian stated with his patented smirk.

 

"She told me she's a big girl and she goes to school," JP contributed.

 

"Ever since her cousin started school," Justin explained, "she so wants to be big like Patrick and go to school too."

 

"She's going to get her wish today," Brian said smugly.

 

"Huh?" Justin said.

 

The Anderson-Morrisons took that moment to appear following a running Bree who came crashing into her daddy's legs.

 

"You sent her, didn't you?" John accused Brian. Brian smirked. "I could have used a few more minutes of sleep."

 

"Then you would have missed the fine repast that JP has cooked up for us."

 

JP was removing the eggs from the oven and had started making toast. Everyone pitched in and soon they were all seated around the table enjoying the frittatas.

 

"This is delicious," Bobby said. "What all did you put in it?"

 

"Whatever I could find in the refrigerator. That's the way we use up all the leftovers back home."

 

"These are the best leftovers I've ever had," Justin said enthusiastically.

 

"I usually refuse to eat leftovers, but I can make an exception for this," Brian admitted.

 

Justin almost choked. "Quick, JP, give me the recipe."

 

They all enjoyed a laugh at Brian's expense. They finished their breakfasts and started to clean up. JP insisted that he would look after that while they all got ready for their days.

 

As everyone assembled at the front door to leave, Brian pulled out a little backpack with Dora the Explorer on it. She was still popular after all these years. Brian held it up for Briana to put her arms in.

 

"Come on, Squirt. Here's your backpack. We have to get you to school," Brian said.

 

Bree stared at her father. "Chool?" she said.

 

"Yep, you're coming to school with me."

 

"Yay!" Bree yelled as she and Patrick raced out the door stopping by the cars to wait for their fathers.

 

"What are you doing, Brian?" Justin asked.

 

"Cynthia has informed the daycare at Kinnetik that it will now be referred to as school. Bree starts school today," Brian said smugly.

 

"You crafty devil," John laughed.

 

"I couldn't take another day of her crying," Brian admitted.

 

"Let's get this show on the road," Justin said as he and JP made their way to the SUV and started getting Bree strapped in.

 

"Have a good day at home, Bobby," John said as he headed out to take Patrick to school.

 

"I think it's going to be a very good day," Bobby said as he watched the vehicles head down the driveway.

 

*****

 

Brian sat at his desk at Kinnetik. He leaned back with a self-satisfied smile on his face. The Squirt had been as happy as a little elf when he took her to the daycare and Alice greeted them by saying, "Welcome to school, Briana." Briana had beamed when she had heard that. She was currently enjoying her first morning at school. Brian had checked to see that everything was going as planned. His daughter seemed to be quite content.

 

Then another thought ran through his brain, and he reached for the phone.

 

"Mother?" he said when the phone was answered. "Would you like to have lunch with me?"

 

"What do you want, Brian?"

 

"I want to take you to lunch."

 

"I … you … you never ask me to go anywhere. What's happened?"

 

"Nothing," Brian chuckled. It was kind of fun to make Joan so flustered. "You asked me out for lunch and I thought I'd return the favor … oh, and we don't have to go to the diner." He could almost hear the sigh of relief.

 

"Would Briana come with us?"

 

"I thought this would just be the two of us, and the place I was going to take you doesn't serve hotdogs."

 

"Hotdogs? What are you talking about, Brian."

 

"Bree always has hotdogs when we take her out. Remember the diner," Brian explained. His mother just didn't get his sense of humor.

 

"So it will just be the two of us?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Do you think that's wise?" Joan asked.

 

Brian chuckled. Maybe he and his mother did have some similar ideas of humor. "Probably not, but I thought we could give it a try anyway."

 

Joan gave a little laugh. "Why not? I'm always up for a challenge."

 

Brian almost choked at Joan's statement which was one that he used a lot, only in a very different context. "I'll pick you up in fifteen minutes."

 

"What? Today?"

 

"See you in a few minutes," Brian said before his mother could back out or he could chicken out.

 

Not quite an hour later they walked into Pappagano. The maitre d' greeted Brian warmly and quickly escorted them to their table. When they were seated Brian ordered a bottle of wine.

 

"You look nice today," Brian said as they waited for the wine. "That's the dress you wore to Bree's baptism, isn't it?"

 

"You're very observant. Yes, it is. It's the first new dress I've had in years."

 

"Maybe you'd let me take you shopping someday," Brian said wondering what the hell he was doing asking to spend more time with Joan.

 

"I can buy my own clothes, Brian," Joan said icily. She thought he didn't approve of her dress. It probably wasn't good enough for his fancy lifestyle.

 

"I know you can, Mother. I just thought you might like a treat. It would be something we can do together."

 

"Oh, um, then in that case, of course."

 

Brian smiled slightly. At that moment their waiter arrived with the bottle of wine which he opened and they tasted.

 

Joan smiled her approval. The wine was very smooth, not like the cheap stuff she usually bought. "This is very nice."

 

"I'm glad you approve, Madam," said a voice from behind her. "Good afternoon, Mr. Kinney. I hope everything is to your satisfaction."

 

"Thank you, Alberto. Mother, this is Alberto Pappagano, the owner of this restaurant."

 

"Oh, hello," Joan said looking at the impeccably dressed man. "You have a lovely restaurant."

 

"Thank you, lovely lady. I hope Brian will bring you here again." He walked away visiting some other tables as he moved through the restaurant.

 

"Do you know everyone, Brian?" Joan asked.

 

"I could say yes, but that would be a fib," Brian chuckled.

 

"And you never fib?"

 

Brian's face became serious. "No … rarely," he replied.

 

"Do you realize that I know next to nothing about you," Joan said seriously.

 

"We haven't had much chance to get to know each other."

 

"That's true, but that's not the way it should be."

 

"No, I guess it isn't. We could always start now," Brian said wondering that he was suggesting this, and Joan was agreeing.

 

Joan was nodding her head. "I'd like that."

 

"The first thing you should know is that I'm more than a homosexual," Brian stated deciding they needed to get that out in the open.

 

"I've begun to realize that since you invited me to the baptism. I'm glad you gave me that chance."

 

"I am too. To us," Brian said holding up his wineglass. They clinked them together.

 

"To us," Joan repeated.

 

Joan was impressed with the restaurant, the menu selections and presentation of their lunch. She was enjoying every minute of it and was slightly amused as the wait staff did everything but bend over backwards for her son. Little did Joan know, that eight years prior, the wait staff would have bent over the other way for her son, but that was a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. What Joan didn't find amusing was how little Brian actually ate. Joan knew so little about her son, she wondered if his lack of appetite was normal or was he sick. And if he was sick, was this the reason why Brian had become civil to her.

 

"Brian, I've enjoyed myself thoroughly. The food is excellent."

 

"I'm glad; Pappagano's has never let me down. I bring clients here all the time. Justin loves it too." Brian was trying to keep the conversation light. He still had no idea how to talk to his mother.

 

"I don't want to pry, but are you well?" Brian looked up and arched a brow. "You ate so little. I don't know how you keep your strength up."

 

Brian wanted to say something like, 'it's due to the high protein breakfast I enjoy regularly', but he refrained. "I...I'm not sure. I just try to eat healthy. It's become a habit over the years and one I'm afraid to break. But if you're thinking that the cancer is back, then don't. I get regular checkups and scans. I've quit smoking, more or less and I don't drink as much as I did. Justin has this thing about wanting me to live forever so I can be his sugar daddy." Brian snarked a little trying to lighten the mood but Joan didn't quite understand the joke.

 

"He lives off your generosity?" Joan was serious and Brian realized he had made a poor joke. He reached over to pat his mother's hand to reassure her.

 

"Mom, Justin does no such thing. I was joking, badly, but joking. He's very successful at what he does. One of his paintings can sell in the thousands and he's made millions off the Rage movie. No, the little shit doesn't need my money. But we do look after each other. I make sure he takes his allergy medicine and carries his inhaler. And he makes sure that I do eat and see my doctors. Since the Squirt came into our lives, it's more important that we do take care of ourselves."

 

Joan nodded. She could understand that, as a parent, you wanted to be around to watch your children grow. Maybe if she and Brian could come to a long lasting truce, Joan would be around to see her grandchildren grow up. They quietly sipped their wine as they waited for the dessert menu.

 

"Brian, you never got the chance to tell me why you call Briana, Squirt." Brian saw the tiniest of twinkles in his mother's eye. Brian smirked. He knew for every morning he and Justin were awakened with a pounce, his sweet little angel would never live down the nickname, Squirt. Brian was going to relish in torturing Briana later in her life. Brian leaned in closer to his mother to whisper and...

 

"Oh, Brian!" Then mother and son shared their very first laugh together.

 

 

And Never Brought to Mind

 

Chapter 7

 

Justin, JP and his sister drove into Pittsburgh and parked near the alley that led to Kinnetik. JP was leery bringing his sister but she insisted that she would be fine. This end of Liberty still retained the look of the former trade that was popular several years prior. JP thought he had made a terrible mistake bringing his young, innocent sister to this part of town. Justin sensed JP's nervousness.

 

"JP, don't worry. Look," Justin pointed to Brian's SUV, "there's Brian's car. We're safe here." JP nodded but he was still worried for his sister's safety.

 

That morning Brian, Justin, JP, and Briana had driven into Pittsburgh. Brian dropped Justin and JP at his hotel. They wanted to go through the journals again and organize them so they could make copies to exchange. JP would drive Justin into the city after they had lunch. The three walked up the alley to Kinnetik.

 

"I'm sorry, Justin, but I cannot bring my sister into this place." JP looked at Justin in horror.

 

"Why?" Justin didn't understand.

 

"That is why!" JP pointed to the 'men only' sign.

 

"Oh that. It means nothing. This place used to be a bathhouse but it hasn't been that in ages."

 

"But can women go in there?" JP quietly and rapidly translated the conversation for his sister.

 

"There are lots of women in there. Matter of fact, this branch is run by a woman. It'll be okay. I promise," Justin reassured JP as he held open the door.

 

JP and his sister were amazed at the modern cleanliness of Kinnetik's interior; the exterior of the building did not prepare them for it. Justin waved at all the familiar faces and led them into Brian's inner sanctum.

 

"Hey, Sunshine! What are you guys up to?"

 

"We came here to make copies of the journals to exchange. I thought we could save some money by doing it here instead of Kinkos."

 

"You do know, the last time I caught you making copies at work, we both got fired, and you were suspended from school for making politically subversive posters." Brian smirked at the memory of the Stockwell fiasco.

 

"Please, Justin. I don't wish you to get in trouble. We can go to Kinkos. We have the money." Brian and Justin realized that JP was really frightened.

 

"JP, don't worry. I know the owner of the business." Justin smiled serenely.

 

"Intimately!" Brian added.

 

"I don't understand. You said this office is run by a woman." At that moment, the woman in question breezed into Brian's office with a tray of coffee and tea. No matter how successful Cynthia became, she would always bring her boss and long time friend, his coffee.

 

"And I do one hell of a job! Hi, I'm Cynthia Morgan. It's nice to meet you. Brian, Joseph and Scott are video conferenced in the board room. They're ready when you are." Cynthia then breezed out.

 

"I'll be there in a moment. Justin, take your journals upstairs into the art department. Take whatever you need." Brian got up to go to the boardroom for his meeting. He paused to give his spouse a tender kiss and then stood in front of the petite dark haired beauty that reminded Brian a lot of Molly. "And who is this?" Brian waited for an introduction.

 

"Forgive me, Brian, I am so rude. Please allow me to introduce my sister." JP translated to his sister.

 

"Hello, Mr. Brian. How are you?" JP's sister said with a heavily accented shy voice.

 

"I'm very well, little lady." Brian brought the dainty hand to his lips and made a gallant bow. "And you may call me, Brian."

 

"I am Katerina."

 

Brian smiled sweetly at the girl. "I'm very pleased to meet you Katerina." Brian winked at the girl who blushed immediately. "Jus, I gotta go earn my keep."

 

"Okay, Bri, but dinner later with my mom and Molly. They want to meet Katerina."

 

Brian mouthed 'later,' then went to work.

 

"Justin, are you sure you won't get into trouble using the equipment here?"

 

"JP, I don't think you understand. This is Kinnetik, an advertising agency."

 

"Si, I understand but..."

 

"Look!" Justin pointed to the Kinnetik logo on a plaque that was on the wall. "Brian Kinney is Kinnetik."

 

"You mean?"

 

"Yes, Brian owns the company. And our branch in Harrisburg, and we're partners with a branch in Los Angeles. That's what I meant when I said I know the owner of the business. I'm married to him." Justin beamed.

 

JP quickly translated for Katerina and they all shared the laugh. The trio finished their coffee, gathered their papers and went to the art department for some serious copying.

 

*****

 

"Daddy!" Briana came to a screeching halt as she crashed into Justin's legs as they waited for Brian to finish his day. Brian had retrieved Bree from 'school.'

 

"Hi, baby! How was school?"

 

"Chool! Good! Hom-werk!"

 

"You have homework?" Justin looked down at his very excited daughter who appeared to crave homework. Then Justin looked up at Brian. "Homework?" Justin asked Brian.

 

"Hey, you're the one who got 1500 on his SATs. We can't help it if we have another genius in the family," Brian snarked, just a little.

 

"But homework? What kind of homework does a two year old get?"

 

"Leaves!" Briana and Brian said in unison then broke out into giggles.

 

*****

 

Justin drove to Jennifer's house with JP and Katerina. Brian and Bree followed in the Cherokee. As they got out of their cars, they failed to notice the dark BMW that was parked across the street. Jennifer opened her door and ushered the family inside.

 

Jennifer had made sure Molly would be there. She wanted Molly to meet these long lost relatives, and the girl had studied Spanish in school, so Jennifer thought she might be helpful with any language problems.

 

"My name is Katerina," the dark haired young lady said.

 

"And that's about as much English as she knows," JP explained.

 

"Gamma Jenn," Bree called not getting the usual amount of attention that she was used to.

 

"How's my girl?" Jennifer asked bending down to pick up her granddaughter.

 

"I good. I go to chool," Bree stated proudly.

 

Jennifer looked from Brian to Justin. "We'll explain later," Justin said quickly.

 

Molly had pulled Katerina aside and started speaking to her in Spanish. By the smile on Katerina's face Molly couldn't have done anything better for her.

 

Jennifer served drinks and they all sat in the living room until everything was ready in the kitchen. Molly and Katerina continued to chatter to each other. Brian was watching them carefully.

 

"Brian, you're staring," Justin said giving his partner a nudge.

 

"I am not."

 

"Yes, you are. You haven't taken your eyes off Molly and Katerina since we sat down."

 

"Don't you see it?"

 

"See what?"

 

Brian sighed. "For an artist I don't know how you can be so unobservant."

 

"Asshole! What the fuck are you talking about?"

 

"Imagine Molly with black hair or Katerina with strawberry blonde hair."

 

"Oh, my fucking God!" Justin exclaimed as he did as Brian told him.

 

"Now you know what I'm staring at."

 

"They … they could be sisters," Justin said doing his own share of staring. "Do you see it, JP?" JP nodded having followed Brian's instructions too. "How could that be after so many generations and different parents?"

 

"How come you still look so much like Patrick?" Brian asked making Justin think once again.

 

"I just assumed that it was meant to be since you looked so much like Kinney."

 

"You know what you get when you assume," Brian chuckled.

 

"Asshole!"

 

"No, just an ass," Brian laughed as Jennifer called them into the dining room for dinner.

 

Dinner went by quickly with some banter and conversation that Molly did her best to translate for Katerina. She seemed to have the most trouble with Brian's snark, and periodically JP had to help her out. Katerina seemed to enjoy herself and seemed much more at home with the group by the end of the evening.

 

As they were all saying their goodbyes while standing in the open doorway, Molly initiated a hug with Katerina. That led to more hugs as Jennifer embraced JP. She was about to let go of the young man when this figure came running up the sidewalk and yanked Jennifer's arms from around JP.

 

"Get your hands off that fucking gold digger," Craig screamed. The veins in his temples were standing out.

 

"Craig," Jennifer cried. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

 

"Saving you from these South American moochers. They'll drain you dry." He reached out and shoved JP farther away from his ex-wife.

 

"Craig, you have no right to be here," Jennifer stated loudly. "Kindly leave JP alone."

 

"Oh, so now you're on a first name basis with these … these … people!" Craig shouted.

 

"Dad," Justin said. "Calm down."

 

"Shut the fuck up, and don't call me dad. I have no son."

 

Brian stepped forward. "Your ex-wife politely asked you to leave. You've pushed enough people around for one night. Now get your sanctimonious ass out of here before I kick it so hard you'll be able to shit through your mouth."

 

Craig opened his mouth to say something but Brian stood on the step above him and loomed very large. "Tell this fag to mind his own business," Craig bellowed at Jennifer.

 

"She doesn't have to tell me anything, and she already told you to leave."

 

"I'm not going anywhere," Craig stated but he backed up a step when Brian took a step forward.

 

"Perhaps you need some help," Brian said as he grabbed Craig's arm and turned him around. Before anyone knew what was happening Brian had planted his size 12 in Craig's ass and gave him an almighty shove. Craig went running down the front lawn trying to maintain his balance and not fall flat on his face. He crashed into the Cherokee which was parked on the street. That was what saved him from going ass over tea kettle into the road.

 

"You'll all be sorry you didn't listen to me," Craig shouted as he regained his footing. "Fucking assholes!" he practically screamed as he made his way to his BMW and peeled off down the street.

 

"Thank you, Brian," Jennifer said. "He frightened me. I haven't had to deal with his temper for a long time."

 

"You're welcome, Mother Taylor," Brian said with his patented smirk.

 

"My hero," Justin cooed giving Brian a kiss on the cheek.

 

Somehow Bree had managed to sleep through all of this, safe in Justin's arms. He carried her down to the Cherokee and set her in her car seat.

 

"Are you sure you know how to get back to your hotel?" Justin asked JP.

 

"I memorized the route," the young man said as he and Katerina got into his rental car. "Thank you for a lovely dinner, Mrs. Taylor," he added.

 

"I'm sorry that it ended on such a bad note, but you're very welcome."

 

"Call me in the morning," Justin instructed them as the car pulled away.

 

"Time we got the Squirt home and in bed. She has chool tomorrow," Brian grinned.

 

"Thank you, Brian. I'm glad you were here to deal with Craig," Jennifer said.

 

"So am I," Brian said kissing her cheek. "Make sure your doors are locked when you go inside." Jennifer nodded and took Molly's arm as they started back to the house.

 

"Why does my father have to be such a dick?" Justin asked as he fastened his seatbelt.

 

"Thank God that's one thing that doesn't run in your family," Brian said as he started the car.

 

*****

 

Brian sported a smug, self satisfied grin on his face for most of their drive home. He half listened as Justin called JP at the hotel to make sure they got there okay and promised to meet JP and Katerina in the Pitts the next day to do some sightseeing and to see the Kinney/Patrick art at the Bloom gallery. Justin then called his mother to make sure they were safe and secure and that Craig hadn't returned to harass them further. As it turned out, seeing the large boot print on Craig's pants and getting his end of the story, Susan called Jennifer and apologized for her idiot husband. There would be no joy in Muddville or in Craig's bedroom for some time to come or not come.

 

The smug look suddenly vanished and was replaced by a frown as reality set in. Brian had literally kicked Justin's father's ass.

 

"Shit, I shouldn't have done that," Brian mumbled as he gripped the steering wheel tighter.

 

"What?" Justin asked as he flipped his cell phone shut.

 

"I'm sorry, Justin, I should have never hit your father."

 

"Brian Aidan Kinney! You have nothing to apologize for. And Craig ceased being my father a long time ago. He deserved everything he got. Besides, I love it when you get all guard doggy and caveman on me. You can do that any time you want. You were protecting your family and I love you for it."

 

The smug look instantly reappeared.

 

They made it home to the cottage in record time; the traffic was very light at that time of the night. With Bree settled into her bed and her hom-werk secure in her backpack for the next day, the boys took a quick shower then settled into bed for the night.

 

Justin pounced. Brian's caveman behavior had turned Justin on so much that he fucked Brian into the mattress and then some. After their loving they cuddled close to recover.

 

"Wow, Sunshine, if I had known you'd react that way to me getting all caveman, I would have done that years ago. You were quite masterful."

 

The smug look immediately appeared on Justin's face. "Bri, I never got the chance to ask about your day."

 

"I had a good day. Bree loved school."

 

"You never fully explained that one."

 

"Cynthia had the art department put a new sign on the daycare door. It reads, 'Kinnetik Pre-school and Daycare Center.' The ladies who run the place are certified teachers and they were happy to do it. The parents are pretty happy about it too. The kids may get a little jump on kindergarten. I've been told the children are sucking it all up like sponges."

 

"Way cool."

 

"Yup, and I had lunch with my mother today."

 

"You what!?"

 

"I took Joan to lunch."

 

"Not at the diner. I don't think she was very comfortable there."

 

"You're right. I shouldn't have done that. I took her to Pappaganos. She looked real smart in her new frock and we had a nice genteel lunch."

 

"Um, the wait staff behaved, right?"

 

"Jus, it's been years since I fucked any of them and those waiters are probably long gone."

 

"Yeah, but the legend lives on."

 

"Alberto was there. He made Joan feel like a princess. We had a good time. I think I need to go slow with her. She needs to see that there's more to me than being gay."

 

"Brian, you shouldn't have to change for her, for anyone."

 

"I'm not, Sunshine. But she needs time to get used to me. And I need to take the time to show her the real me. Not what Joan assumes is me."

 

Brian laid his head on Justin's chest and kissed a dusky pink nipple. Justin hugged him close and began to slowly rake his fingers through the soft brunet hair.

 

"Besides," Brian whispered, "I want my own mother. I'm tired of borrowing everyone else's." Justin heard Brian sigh and felt him begin to relax. The even little wheeze told Justin that Brian was falling asleep. Justin continued to gently massage Brian's scalp until Brian was asleep. Justin kissed the top of Brian's head.

 

"My hero," Justin whispered as sleep took him too.

 

 

And Never Brought to Mind

 

Chapter 8

 

Friday morning and Edna's Treasures was abuzz with activity. The men were getting ready for work and the children were getting ready for school. After the rocky start at the beginning of the week, they were all falling into a nice routine.

 

John and Bobby were off to take Patrick to school as Brian, Justin and Bree headed for Pittsburgh.

 

"Justin, drop me and Bree off and then take the car so you can chauffeur JP and Katerina around."

 

"Okay. I want Katerina to see the Kinney/Patrick exhibit. We can meet you later for lunch." Justin kissed Brian and Bree then drove to the hotel to pick up his 'cousins.'

 

Justin had fun shepherding the Taylors around town. His tour included the theater that John et al, renovated and the bowling alley. After some shopping they wound up at the gallery. JP wanted to show Katerina some of the artwork that was discovered including the Patrick statues. Katerina also had the opportunity to see many Justin Taylor originals. Justin's cell began to ring as they were admiring the paintings.

 

"Hey, Sunshine."

 

"Hey, yourself. What's up?"

 

"Not me at the moment but I need to tell you something and I think you better sit down."

 

Justin became slightly alarmed and found a bench in a quiet corner. "Okay, I'm sitting. Please don't tell me something bad happened."

 

"Depends on your point of view."

 

"Brian!"

 

"Down, partner. We've been summoned."

 

"We?"

 

"Yes, we, including JP and Katerina. The whole gang is getting calls as we speak. Tonight. And we better not refuse."

 

"How did she find out?"

 

"Jus, you know her network of spies is almost as advanced as mine. It would have happened sooner or later."

 

"Yeah, but I was hoping to get them safely back on the plane before she got the chance."

 

"Not a snowball's chance in hell." At that moment Lindsay ran out of the office with her cell phone at arm's length. Justin could hear Melanie shrieking on the other end.

 

"Shit, Melanie must have gotten the summons. She's cursing at Lindsay now."

 

"That explains my ears burning. She must be cursing me out too. I gotta go, Sunshine. Mikey's calling and Ted just ran into my office. And if I'm not mistaken, Emmett's on my other line."

 

"Shit! Brian, how does one translate Debbie for JP and Katerina?"

 

"I haven't a fucking clue. Later."

 

"Later," Justin said meekly.

 

"Justin, are you all right?" JP saw the distress on Justin's face. Justin could only shrug.

 

A few hours later Justin, Brian, JP and Katerina pulled up in front of Debbie's. They had dropped Briana off with Grandma Jenn. They were deep into consultations about new outfits for Bree's dolly when they left. A great evening would be had by all at the Taylor residence.

 

"Well, I suppose we have to go in," Brian sighed as he cut the engine.

 

"Excuse me," JP said, "but I thought this was a party. Why are you so … so reluctant to go in?"

 

"The person giving this fiesta is … um … a little unusual," Brian tried to explain.

 

"A lot unusual," Justin corrected.

 

"More unusual than your father?" JP asked with a look of wonder on his face.

 

Brian snorted. "A different kind of unusual."

 

"Excuse me, please, but what does that mean? Katerina is getting frightened."

 

"Debbie is a wonderful woman, but she comes on rather … strong. Try to prepare yourself for the Spanish Inquisition," Brian told JP.

 

"I … I don't understand," JP said apprehensively.

 

"It's very hard to explain, but just know that her intentions are good," Justin said, as the door to the house was flung open.

 

"Get your asses out of that vehicle. Everybody's here and we're fucking waiting for you." Debbie's voice cut through the night air.

 

"Let's go," Brian sighed. "The fun's about to begin."

 

Slowly they climbed out of the Cherokee. JP and Katerina looked rather bewildered as they marched stoically up the path to Debbie's front door.

 

"So you're the people I've been hearing about," Debbie said holding onto JP's shoulders and looking him up and down. "I can see the Taylor resemblance," she declared. "I can't believe you came all the way from South America to find Justin."

 

"Actually JP was looking for anyone in our family," Justin supplied. "He happened to find my father first."

 

"Shit!" Debbie reacted. "What's the word for too fucking bad in Spanish? Never mind! Get yourselves into the house. We have tons of food. That'll make you all feel better."

 

"Along with a fifth of scotch," Brian mumbled as Debbie shoved them into the house.

 

Everyone was assembled inside with their bowls of putanesca and glasses of wine. Justin made the introductions of JP and Katerina and made sure they got some food.

 

"So," Debbie said cornering Katerina, "what are you and your brother planning to do now that you've found Justin?" Katerina stared at her with big eyes. "It's a simple question. There seems to be some concern that you're after his money."

 

"She doesn't speak English, Deb," Justin said as soon as he realized what was happening. He had been talking to Emmett. "They're not after my money. They just wanted to check out their heritage."

 

"Who knew that Patrick Taylor was so fucking prolific," Debbie laughed. "And here I thought he was gay."

 

"He may have been gay, but he wanted children," Justin replied.

 

"Looks like he got his wish, and in spades. Have you figured out how many children he had?"

 

"Several."

 

"Holy fucking shit!" Debbie was her usual effusive self.

 

"JP, how many children do you know Patrick Taylor had?"

 

"At least three."

 

"So you're descended from these children?" Debbie asked her guest.

 

"From one of them," JP agreed.

 

"This is really fucking unbelievable," Debbie reacted.

 

"It is the way of the world," JP said simply.

 

"And he's a philosopher too," Debbie laughed.

 

JP frowned wondering what this loud woman was talking about. He merely stated what he thought.

 

"Eat up," Debbie ordered. There's plenty more where that came from. She bustled off to the kitchen to dish up some more of her pasta.

 

"I see why you tried to warn me," JP said to Justin. "She's … different."

 

Justin chuckled. "You got that right."

 

"But she has good food."

 

"Make sure you tell her that, and you'll make her day."

 

JP smiled and nodded.

 

Justin looked around, but didn't see Brian anywhere. He headed towards the back door figuring that Brian had beat a hasty retreat to the calm and quiet of the back yard. He opened the door and stepped outside. Brian and Michael were standing looking up at the stars while Brian smoked a cigarette.

 

"JP seems to be okay," Brian was saying.

 

"But how do you really know that? You and Justin are worth a lot of money," Michael countered.

 

"Jesus, Mikey. You sound like Justin's fucking father."

 

"Well, I'm just looking out for your best interests. Isn't that what best friends do?"

 

Brian let out a sigh. "Yeah," was all he said.

 

"Brian," Justin interrupted. "I think JP and Katerina might be ready to leave." He thought maybe it was time they all got out of there.

 

"That sounds like a plan," Brian said.

 

"Be careful," Michael warned.

 

"I'm a big boy and so is Justin. We can handle this."

 

"I hope so," Michael added.

 

Justin took Brian's hand and they went back inside. They spoke to JP and Katerina who were more than ready to leave. They had felt very overwhelmed by the crowd of people and all their questions. Even kind and gentle people like the very muscular man who was Debbie's son-in-law had bombarded them with questions. After some rapid goodbyes they made their way out to the Cherokee.

 

When the door to the house closed behind them, the room erupted with more questions and admonishments.

 

"I wonder who they really are?"

 

"Brian and Justin need to be careful."

 

"That Katerina is a beautiful girl. Do you think she's looking for a rich husband?"

 

"She's looking in the wrong place coming here."

 

"That JP has the most beautiful eyes."

 

"They seemed nice, but you never know."

 

As the Cherokee drove away, Brian looked at his somewhat shell shocked passengers in the backseat. "Don't worry. They're harmless, and I think they've had all their shots."

 

Brian was deep in thought as they drove to Jennifer's to pick up the Squirt and then head for the hotel. As Justin jumped out of the Cherokee to get their daughter, Brian had an evil but nice thought. He turned to look in the back seat to ask his newly found 'family' an important question.

 

"Tomorrow is Saturday; did you two have any plans?"

 

"No, not really, maybe drive through the city again," JP answered for them both and quickly translated for his sister.

 

"Good, then you're going to pack an overnight bag and come home with us. Believe me, the Pitts is not that interesting."

 

"Come home with you?"

 

"Yep, I think I have a plan."

 

"What plan?" Justin asked as he opened the back door to strap Bree into her car seat.

 

"A little barbecue plan," Brian snarked then he motioned for them to switch places. "You drive; I have some calls to make. To the hotel, James."

 

"Asshole," Justin groused with a grin. He pulled out into the street as Brian took out his cell.

 

"Deb, is the gang still there gossiping about us?" Debbie was the first on Brian's call list.

 

"Yes, you asshole, and didn't you just leave here?"

 

"Aw, Maw, give me a fucking break."

 

"What is it, kiddo, you leave your favorite butt plug behind?"

 

"You know, Deb, that's even gross for you. I called to issue my own summons. You can pass it along to the gang. The cottage, tomorrow afternoon at one. The last big barbecue of the season before it gets nasty. It's supposed to be warm and sunny. Oh, and bring Lacy."

 

"What are you up to?"

 

"I'm always up. See you tomorrow and tell Emmett he better not wake me at eight."

 

"Goodnight, kiddo."

 

"Night Maw, and good night, Mikey!" Brian laughed as he cut the connection.

 

On the other end, Debbie howled with laughter as Michael turned beet red as he hung up the extension phone.

 

"John?" Brian made his second call.

 

"Hi, Bri, what's up?"

 

"Why is everyone interested in my cock?"

 

"Maybe because it has its own zip code," John answered without hesitation. Over the years John had grown very wise in the ways of Brian Kinney. "How was the summons?"

 

"Not bad and I issued one of my own for tomorrow afternoon. You think your mom and Steve can join us?"

 

"I'll call them now. See you soon?"

 

"We're on the way."

 

"Later, bro."

 

"Later."

 

It was easy enough to pick up whatever JP and Katerina would need for a couple of days, drive to the cottage and then settle them in for the night.

 

The lovers cuddled close in the middle of their four poster, looking at each other.

 

"Bri, I think my gerbil jumped ship and is doing a tango in your brain. What's going on in there?" Justin gently thumped the top of Brian's head.

 

"Something about the timing of all this has been grating on my nerves."

 

"What do you mean? Are you thinking like my father that JP and Katerina are after my money?"

 

"No, Sunshine, I don't believe that. If that were true, they would have had a lawyer drop papers in our lap demanding a cut. No, it's something else. I just haven't worked it all out yet."

 

"And you think by bringing everyone together tomorrow, you'll be able to figure it out?"

 

"Not sure. But why did JP take so long to introduce his sister to us?"

 

"Maybe it's just like he said, she's shy, young and doesn't speak much English."

 

"No, there's more to it. And Justin, when we went to Panama, practically everyone spoke English or enough English to communicate with us. Go to sleep, Sunshine. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be one busy day."

 

"Okay. I love you, you know."

 

"I know." The lovers somehow got impossibly closer and fell asleep.

 

*****

 

"Helloooo!"

 

"Fuck! I will personally yank his balls off and shove them down his fucking throat." Brian cursed Emmett as he got out of bed to go to the sun porch door.

 

"Brian! Pants!" Justin rolled over and buried himself under a pillow. Whoever was at the door, Brian was more than capable of dealing with him.

 

"Emmett, I said not before eight!"

 

"It's not before eight; it's eight-thirty." Emmett smiled his best toothy grin while Drew blushed and tried his damnedest to make himself very small.

 

"Go. Kitchen. Make coffee, plenty of coffee and do NOT wake up the kids. I am going back to bed. You will NOT wake me before nine-thirty. Understood?"

 

"Understood, your majesty."

 

Brian mumbled another curse then stumbled back to bed.

 

Promptly at nine-thirty, a gentle rap at their bedroom door awakened Justin.

 

"Come in?" Justin softly called out.

 

"Hey, baby, you decent?" Emmett was carrying a tray with coffee and fresh biscuits.

 

"Em, what are you doing?"

 

"Bringing the king and his consort breakfast in bed. Now, wake up his majesty before this gets cold. I know he hates cold coffee."

 

"He's awake." Brian rolled over to glance at the clock then snorted at the time. "Emmett, I'll kill you later, after my coffee."

 

"You do that. Here ya go, sweetums. Enjoy. I'll start breakfast for the masses. I think I hear your little angel and if those giggles I hear coming from the other cottage mean anything, Patrick just woke up his dads. Kids make the greatest alarm clocks," Emmett chuckled, then left to go back to the kitchen.

 

Emmett and Justin shooed away everyone from the kitchen. Everyone left with heaping plates of Emmett's morning delicacies to eat at their leisure. John and Drew went to watch ESPN and talk sports. Bobby took the kids along with JP and Katerina through the garden and down to the stream. Brian escaped the madness by going to his office to look over some contracts and catch up on business news via the internet. They had a few hours before the family would descend upon them. Something didn't add up and Brian was determined to figure it out by the end of the day. Then let the chips falls where they may.

 

Brian's eyes wandered toward Justin's end of the attic office. He smiled softly, shaking his head at the pile of papers and mess that constituted Justin's organization of his desk. No matter how long they lived together, Justin was still a slob. He kept everything they shared neat and orderly, but whatever was truly Justin's was still a mess. Brian crossed to Justin's desk to shuffle through the papers trying to make sense of it all. As he came across a folder that said 'Edna' a few notes in Edna's distinctive scrawl fluttered out.

 

As Brian retrieved the papers, many had sticky notes attached with Justin's scribble on them. They all said the same thing, "Edna-need help reading this." Brian shook his head again. If Justin needed help 'translating' Edna's handwriting, he could have come to him. Brian had no problem reading the woman's scrawl. One note in particular caught Brian's eye and it might be the key to JP and Katerina.

 

 

And Never Brought to Mind

 

Chapter 9

 

The party was in full swing chez Kinney-Taylor. The barbecues were humming and everyone was cooking. Emmett was having a fit because all of his plans were being totally ignored. Nobody really needed a party planner when old friends got together and there was plenty of beer and food.

 

"Gus," Bree said to her brother looking up into his face and turning her toe in as she scuffed her pink running shoe across the floor of the sun porch.

 

"Yes, Squirt," Gus said with a smile as he gulped down the last bite of his hamburger.

 

"Go to stream?"

 

"You want to go down to the stream?" Gus asked to be sure he had heard right.

 

Bree nodded and gave her best 'take me please' look. "Fwogs," she managed to say.

 

"You little…devil," Gus said with a laugh. "Dad will kill us if he finds out."

 

Bree scuffed her toe some more and merely smiled.

 

Gus decided he might as well take all the kids, so he rounded up Patrick and JR and went to tell Justin and Brian where they were going.

 

"Watch the little ones," Justin said. "They can do silly things around water."

 

"I'll be careful," Gus promised.

 

"I know you will, Sonny Boy," Brian said ruffling Gus' hair.

 

"Could you use a little more help?" Lacy asked seeing them all getting ready to go out. She had been enjoying watching everyone kibbitz around in the porch but a little time in the sun sounded good.

 

"Um … sure," Gus said. "Everybody take someone's hand and let's go," he said enthusiastically.

 

"No unexpected baptisms," Justin cautioned as they all made their way out the door. Gus was in the lead holding Bree's hand who held Patrick's hand who held JR's hand. Lacy took hole of JR's hand and the two oldest made a kid sandwich of the younger ones. Justin finally smiled his approval as it looked like Gus knew what he was doing.

 

"They teach them things like that at swim camp," Brian joked elbowing Justin gently in the ribs. "They'll be fine."

 

"I know, but I can't help it if I worry."

 

"That's why I love you," Brian said planting a big, wet smacker on Justin's lips.

 

"Hey, Kinney, you got any dance music in your collection?" Emmett asked. Having decided to give up with his organization of the party, he thought dancing might be fun. "We don't hit Babylon much anymore so let's shake our booties here." He did his patented praise Jesus twirl.

 

Brian shook his head, but went into the living room to pop in a dance mix that he had. The speakers in the sun porch began blaring the techno music. Everyone grabbed a partner and started dancing.

 

"Come on, Carl," Debbie laughed. "We can't let these homos outdo us." She took Carl's hand and they began to do the hustle. Everyone was somewhat speechless until they got used to the sight.

 

"Brings back good memories," Ted said as he danced with Allen.

 

"Yeah," Emmett agreed as he gyrated with Drew. "Loneliness, multiple turn downs, drug overdoses, waking up someplace you don't remember going."

 

"Good times," Ted laughed. Things had certainly changed, especially for him. He pulled Allen closer and bumped suggestively against his groin. Allen was the stability and grounding that Ted had always needed. With Allen he always felt special. He could almost believe that he was special.

 

Brian and Justin were doing their special grinding act much to the consternation of Melanie. "Don't those two ever get enough," she griped as she danced with Lindsay.

 

"Leave them alone," Lindsay smiled. "They're having a good time."

 

"Are you?"

 

"What?"

 

"You seem to be more interested in what they're doing than in what we're doing," Melanie sniped.

 

"Fuck you, and in only the best way," Lindsay laughed swinging Melanie around and kissing her heartily.

 

"Ew!" Brian commented. "Keep them away from my brass bed."

 

Justin snorted. "Don't be such a dick. And when did it become your brass bed?"

 

Brian stuck his tongue in his cheek and then said, "Don't you remember how long it took us to fumigate that bed the last time they stayed here?"

 

"If you don't bring that up again," Justin whispered against Brian's ear, "I'll let you do whatever you want to me in our brass bed tonight."

 

"Do you think you've got anything new for me?" Brian challenged.

 

The fire in Justin's eyes immediately flamed. "I think I can come up with something. I'm very creative."

 

"I know, my little artiste," Brian smiled. "What do you think has kept me around for all these years?"

 

JP and Katerina watched the people dancing, as they drank their beers. After a hushed conversation they finally stood up and began dancing with each other. Brian observed them over Justin's shoulder. He particularly noted the beautiful Katerina, and wondered why she kept so much to herself. Not speaking English didn't really account for her very shy demeanor.

 

Finally the dance disc ran out and everyone grabbed a beer to cool off. Brian went back inside to find some other CD's to dance to. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

 

As they were well into the second dance session Gus and the kids were walking back from the stream. Bree had found several frogs but Gus has talked her into leaving them by the stream, and not bringing them back for her father. He hoped that little gesture might earn him some brownie points when he started bugging his father about a car as soon as he got his license.

 

"Gus," Lacy said as she moved up closer to the boy. "I haven't seen much of you since we stopped working on the journals with Justin."

 

"I guess we move in different circles now," Gus said with a sigh. He could still go for Lacy but he knew she didn't feel that way about him.

 

"I'm still working at the diner. You could stop in some time."

 

"I … I don't think that's such a good idea."

 

"Why not? I thought we agreed to be friends," Lacy said.

 

Gus decided to take a page out of his father's book and hit the problem straight on. "You know I still like you?"

 

"Yeah, but…"

 

"I just don't think I'd be comfortable around you."

 

"Oh," Lacy said sadly. "That's too bad. I don't have many friends."

 

Gus looked at her and his heart softened. "I didn't mean that quite the way it sounded. I like you, and I'd like to be friends. I just don't want it to be awkward."

 

"Me either."

 

"Okay, I'll stop into the diner this week. When do you have a shift?"

 

"Everyday, three till nine," she replied with a big smile.

 

Gus felt himself blush. He liked making her happy and it didn't take much. He'd go to the diner and be the best friend he could.

 

"Gus, fwog," Bree cried as they got to the edge of the grass at the back of the house. She pointed to a large bullfrog hopping near the path. "Dada!"

 

"No, Bree, no frog for Dada."

 

"Why?" she pouted.

 

"Bree, how about I give you a piggyback ride?" Lacy asked.

 

"Yay! Piggy!" the little girl yelled.

 

Lacy quickly picked her up and got her positioned for her ride bouncing her gently. Bree laughed and giggled and forgot all about the frog.

 

"Thanks," Gus smiled at Lacy as he let Patrick climb on his back.

 

"That's what friends are for," Lacy giggled as she and Gus ran towards the house with their riders screaming in delight. JR followed along wondering when she had become too big for such things.

 

When they entered the sun porch, the dancing was pretty well over and dessert was being set out. Bree gave Justin a hug and a kiss, but she couldn't see her Dada anywhere. "Dada?" she asked her other father.

 

"Hm," Justin said. "You stay with Gus and I'll see if I can find him. He's been acting strange all day."

 

"'Kay," she said as she ran over to Gus who was getting juice for his charges.

 

*****

 

"Hi. My name is Lacy," Lacy said shyly to the petite Katerina. Katerina was a couple of years older than Lacy but shorter in stature. Lacy hadn't totally given up boy's clothing; to anyone who didn't know Lacy, her gender was still a mystery.

 

"I am Katerina." Katerina held out her hand which Lacy gently took to give a little shake.

 

"Are you a girl?" Katerina asked in a whisper and in English.

 

"Yes. Does that bother you? Did you think I was a boy?" Lacy had no idea that Katerina wasn't supposed to be able to speak English so she carried on. She thought Katerina was whispering because she was embarrassed by not knowing if Lacy was a girl or not. The girls were sitting at the far corner of the sun porch away from most of the family and the noise.

 

"I thought maybe you were a boy but then I heard you talking to Gus. I hoped you were a girl like me."

 

"Like you? I wish I was like you. You're so pretty. You look like a girl." Lacy leaned in and whispered more softly. "You have boobs like a girl. Mine are so small, that's why they think I'm a boy."

 

"And you want people to think you're a boy?" Katerina found herself fascinated by Lacy and a little scared by her.

 

"I feel safe when I look like a boy, then men don't usually want to hurt me." Katerina wasn't sure what Lacy meant but men frightened her. She was always safe with her brothers, especially JP who always looked after her even when they were small children, but that was going to change as soon as they went back home. She felt safe with this new family because the men weren't interested in her. She had nothing to fear from them. All they wanted was each other.

 

Brian was up in his office again skimming through Edna's notes, the ones that Justin was unable to read. From his vantage point he could see Lacy and Katerina huddled together in their corner, sipping their sodas and nibbling their snacks. Brian was beginning to make sense out of it all. One note, he couldn't help but read over and over again.

 

How stupid am I? I've lived in this village for most of my adult life. I've known all the families, witnessed countless births and buried many dear friends. And yet, I did not put two and two together.

 

I have shopped in their store long before Juanito was born. I knew his grandfather. Helped him to go through our large Bible, searching the old records. And yet when I met the boys, I still didn't put it all together. I was so taken with those boys. Regretted that one or all were not my own son; it blinded me. And then they went home, back to America. I should have told Juan. And now it's too late.

 

Juanito must marry and take his father's place. The boy loves the girl they have chosen for him. They were friends since childhood and grew to love each other. They will have a good marriage. Even at this young age, they will have a good marriage. But Katerina. The child will not be happy.

 

When the boys were here, JP and Katerina were babies. Meeting Justin would hold no meaning for them. And then as they grew older, it was evident Juanito would follow his father's footsteps.

 

I pray I made the right choice. If my Keith were here to guide me, I would feel more confident. Maybe it will work out and it's only a phase. I pray it's only a phase she is going through. If she were a man...men seem to have an easier time of it. The poor sweet girl.

 

Juanito protects her but when he marries and takes over the business, he will not have the time to protect her as he once did. She will bow to the family pressure. Maybe I should show what I have learned to Juan. He is still the head of his house. It should be up to him.

 

"Brian, why are you hiding up here?"

 

"I'm not hiding, Sunshine."

 

"Then what are you doing? The kids miss you and we have guests."

 

"Them!? They're not guests. Freeloaders, the lot of them."

 

"And you love them. Now answer the question. What are you doing? And is that my Edna file? The one with the notes I couldn't read?"

 

"Yes, it is. And you should have come to me with this. I could have helped you. Edna and I didn't just e-mail, we faxed. We faxed a lot. I got used to reading that chicken scrawl of hers."

 

"But what does this have to do with anything? Did you learn more about Kinney or Patrick?"

 

"No, but I did learn more about your Central American cousins. And they knew Edna. Or at least she knew the family, their father to be specific."

 

"You're kidding?"

 

"No, I'm serious and I think I know why they're here."

 

"So what are you fucking waiting for? Tell me!"

 

"Not yet. If I'm wrong and I make a huge fucking mistake then let it be my mistake, not yours. If I'm right, I'll share the credit."

 

"Brian Kinney, you don't have to fight my battles for me!"

 

"I'm not, Sunshine, besides I thought it turned you on when I got all caveman."

 

"It does, but sometimes I have to beat my own chest. Do you know what I mean?"

 

"Yes, I know exactly what you mean. Come on, let's go down. I feel the need for some more thumpa thumpa music. I have to burn off the gazillion calories of dessert."

 

"Bri, we haven't had dessert yet."

 

"Just being prepared."

 

"You." Justin gently swatted Brian across his very flat stomach then gave his man a kiss. Whatever Brian was up to, Justin would have to trust that Brian would make it all turn out right.

 

*****

 

"Lacy, can you help me? I can't go back home." Katerina leaned in to whisper in the girl's ear. "Can I trust you? You seem to know things. I can't go back home." Katerina was almost in tears as she pleaded at Lacy.

 

"I don't know what to do. I just got off the streets. I'm not even seventeen!"

 

"Then I don't know what to do. I can't go back. I'll have to hide someplace." The tears in Katerina's eyes pierced through Lacy's soul.

 

"Wait, I think I know someone who can help." Lacy searched the family in the porch. Her eyes fell on Debbie. Following Lacy's line of sight, Katerina began to shake.

 

"No, not her. She scares me; she is so loud."

 

"I know but she's a good person. She helped me when I had no place to live, no job, but she's not the one I'm looking for." Lacy scanned the crowd again. "There he is!" Lacy found the man who she thought could make sense of all of this. "Come on, we need to go for a walk in the woods."

 

"Not another walk in the woods," Katerina mumbled but followed Lacy anyway.

 

Tired of all the loud music, John switched the CD's and something ridiculously romantic began to play. He grabbed Bobby, held him close and they began to sway. Bobby nuzzled at John's neck as his lover danced him around the room. It reminded them of all the nights they spent at the Honey Bear. Like Brian and Justin who appeared to have outgrown Babylon, he and Bobby found it easier to dance at home.

 

The lovers in the room followed John and Bobby's lead and danced, before Emmett's desserts would call them away.

 

 

And Never Brought to Mind

 

Chapter 10

 

"Lacy, what the fuck am I doing out here? It's getting dark and I want to spend some time with Nick. You know we don't have much time together." Hunter groused as he was led to the stream by the two young women.

 

"Hunter, Katerina needs your help. You know stuff."

 

"What stuff?"

 

"Kat, I think you better tell Hunter."

 

"But how can he help me?" Katerina's eyes got big as she looked Hunter up and down. He was still so youthful looking that she didn't think he knew anything.

 

"Christ! Will one of you tell me what the fuck is going on?" Hunter was getting frustrated and he wanted to get back to Nick.

 

*****

 

"Look at them. You'd think it was an orgy, not a barbecue!" Emmett complained, loudly, to Debbie as he watched the couples hugging and kissing and groping in various corners of the cottages.

 

"Emm, honey, it wasn't long ago that having an orgy was the point of the evening."

 

"Well, right now, my dessert is the point of the evening," Emmett huffed back.

 

"Sweetie, where is that hunky man of yours? You need your priorities rearranged."

 

"Here I am." Drew recognized the upset look on his partner's face. "What is it, baby?"

 

"Oh Drewsie, nobody cares that I slaved over dessert. And Starbucks has nothing over my blends. If they don't eat soon, it'll all be ruined."

 

It was true. Since 99% of the people in attendance were gay, no one felt obligated to show any restraint. Debbie and Carl were used to it as were Claire and Steve. The whole cottage was immersed in love. The only one who was a little taken aback was JP. He had never seen so many gay people in one place before. He had no idea where to look anymore.

 

"Don't worry, baby. I'll get their attention." Drew put two fingers in his mouth and let out a rip roaring and very macho whistle.

 

"Listen up, people! Emmett slaved all morning making dessert and you all are going to eat it!" Drew bellowed loud enough to be heard across a football field.

 

"Well, why didn't you fucking say so?" Debbie countered. "It all looks wonderful, Emm!"

 

Debbie and Carl went up to the table to load up their plates. They were followed closely by Ted and Allen and then everyone else. The kids were treated to special cookies that Emmett had made specially for them. Soon the whole cottage was oohing and aahing over the delicacies. Emmett's smile was back and that made Drew one happy partner.

 

"See baby, you just have to know how to handle them," Drew said to his now ecstatic lover.

 

"My hero!" Emmett cooed into Drew's ear as he made up a plate for his man.

 

"Auntie Emm!" Bree came running up to Emmett holding one of Emmett's cookies in her little hand.

 

"What is it, sweetheart?"

 

"Cookie, good!" Briana said to the tall queen who now had tears of joy in his eyes.

 

Emmett scooped up the little girl and gave her a hug. "Then my work here is done," Emmett whispered into the golden locks. Brian and Justin looked on with big grins on their faces.

 

"The Squirt's work is done too," Brian whispered into Justin's golden locks.

 

"Yeah," Justin whispered back.

 

*****

 

JP and Katerina were standing in front of one of Justin's unfinished pieces. It was a large abstract piece with a myriad of colors running through it but surprisingly peaceful at the same time. There were tears in Katerina's eyes and JP was very animated as he spoke to her in Spanish and in hushed tones.

 

"No! Impossible. You will come home as planned. You will not disgrace the family."

 

"Please, Juan, I can't go back. You love Felisia; you are meant to be together. I do not love Pedro. I won't love him."

 

"Nonsense. You will learn."

 

"I am not like you; you know this. Please don't make me."

 

"Trouble in paradise?" JP and Katerina jumped as Brian silently glided over and snarked loudly at the brother and sister who were in their heated argument.

 

"Brian, I do not want to be rude. You have opened your home to us but this is a personal family matter. It's no business of yours," JP attempted to stand up to Brian which was rather difficult when Brian was looming over him.

 

"A family matter, huh. In that case it may affect Justin and what affects Justin affects me. And that makes it my business." Brian's voice was getting louder and the family was beginning to gather around them.

 

"Brian, what are you doing?" Justin came trotting over to see what got his spouse's thong in a twist.

 

"Just clearing the air, Sunshine. The pieces are beginning to fit."

 

"What are you talking about?" Justin asked all wide-eyed.

 

"Yeah, kiddo, what are you talking about?" Debbie couldn't keep her nose out of it.

 

"Kinney, why are you harassing them?" Melanie jumped in.

 

"Well, since you all ARE our family, I guess you should know too."

 

"Brian, no," JP pleaded.

 

"Are you scared of the truth?" Brian glared at JP.

 

"What truth?" Justin fired back. He was getting annoyed at Brian and embarrassed.

 

"Their truth. Edna Galloway's truth." JP and Katerina gulped at the mention of Edna's name.

 

"Who knows Miss Edna?" Katerina asked, speaking English quite clearly.

 

"Yes, we know Edna and I know she knew your family and for one who claims not to speak English, you do it very well." Brian's eyes narrowed and zoned in on the helpless girl.

 

"Brian, be nice," Lacy said meekly as she came over and put her arm around Katerina.

 

"Another country heard from," Brian snarked then grinned. His suspicions were right.

 

"Brian, I think you better explain yourself," John, the voice of reason spoke.

 

Brian nodded, got himself a mug of coffee and began his pitch. "First off, I believe you when you said you were only here to find relatives and that you never meant to go after the 'Taylor fortune'. Whatever that may be. I did think that the timing was more than coincidental. Edna's death, The Rage movie going worldwide. But it was all just coincidence. You should have been honest with us. Edna told your father about us. You knew all about Justin before you got here. We would have understood your curiosity. We shared your curiosity about our ancestors. At least Justin did and sucked us all into it."

 

Brian slipped his arm around Justin's shoulders and gave him a kiss to the temple. "If it wasn't for Justin, a lot of what you see here would not have existed. Now for your little problem," Brian began again.

 

"Problem?" Justin looked up at his lover and then at JP and Katerina.

 

"Yes, Sunshine, a very big problem if I'm not mistaken. JP is engaged to be married and as soon as he goes home, the wedding will take place and he will take his place as head of the household and run the business his father left to him." Brian looked at JP for affirmation and JP nodded confirming what he said.

 

"Oh, for a minute I thought you were going to say he was gay and was trying to get out of the wedding." This time it was Michael who ventured that hypothesis.

 

"Very good, Mikey! Close but no cigar. Nope, our little JP over here, is straight. Straighter than straight. I haven't seen someone this straight in a very long time. He's not even bi or gay curious. We have one little happy het in the family."

 

Several in the family broke out into giggles at Brian's description of JP, and the young man in question blushed deeply from head to toe.

 

"Katerina on the other hand..." Brian paused dramatically for effect and to let his implication sink into the collective family brain.

 

"Un-fucking believable!" Debbie shouted.

 

"Shit! The man's gaydar works for lesbians too!" Melanie grumbled loudly for everyone to hear. She hated when Brian was right about things as usual.

 

"Yeah, well, we can blame it on Patrick's genes. It appears he passed on the gay gene or in this case the lesbian gene to little Katerina. And herein lies the problem. Katerina probably just finished high school and now she's supposed to follow the family traditions and culture, get married and start making babies. Married to a MAN. Not a good thing if you're a lesbian."

 

A number of "Shits!" "Fuck!" And "Oh that's so sad," ran through the family. Katerina slumped next to her brother and Lacy tightened her hold.

 

"So, if I can trust my eyes, Miss Katerina Taylor wants to stay here in the land of the free and the home of the queers. While JP goes back to take his rightful place as head of the Panama Taylor family."

 

JP and Katerina both nodded in agreement.

 

"Bri, can we help them?" Justin's blue eyes looked up into Brian's with hope.

 

"I don't know, Sunshine. I think that's one for the lawyers in the family to answer. She certainly has a home here with us or with any one of us, including your mother when she learns about all of this. We can find her a job and certainly send her to college if Katerina has a career in mind. As for becoming a citizen, that's not up to me. I can make everything else happen in a heartbeat when Katerina and JP give me the word."

 

"You would do this for me?" Katerina gazed with awe into the hazel eyes that were filled with strength and love.

 

Brian imperceptibly nodded at the girl. Katerina burst into tears of joy and relief. At that point, the ladies in the cottage all rallied and took the girl into the living room to console her and make plans.

 

The sun porch began to buzz with activity and noise of the men gossiping, and kids at play.

 

"Brian, you can't fix everything." Ben came up to his friend to add some of his wisdom.

 

"I know but she can't go back and get married because it's what's expected of her. She's much too young to have her spirit crushed."

 

"And since when have you become an expert on teenage spirit?"

 

Brian arched an eyebrow at the professor. "Forget I said that. I think you have a lot more experience with teenagers than I care to know about."

 

Ben laughed then gave his friend a hug.

 

"Brian." Hunter stepped up into Brian's space.

 

"Ah, the master of social work. What words of wisdom do you have for me? You gonna tell me I'm making a mistake or making things worse for her?"

 

"No, I'm not. Lacy and Katerina cornered me before and told me a little of the problem. And I think Lacy has a big fat crush on Katerina."

 

"Lacy and her crushes. First Justin and now Katerina. What is it about those Taylors?"

 

"I haven't a fucking clue. But I do know what Katerina wants to do with her life."

 

"Oh pul-leese, don't tell me she inherited the Taylor artist gene."

 

"No, she does like to draw but it's a hobby, not a career option. She wants to be a nurse. God knows we can use more nurses. And maybe I can convince her to work with me at the clinic. Even with Karen and Nick, I can't keep up with everything. I can use the help."

 

"I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to get her school records and enroll her in nursing school but before we do that I think JP is going to need counseling." Brian and Hunter glanced at JP who was sitting in a corner, looking miserable and guilty for bringing his sister with him to America. "Damn, I corrupted another Taylor."

 

"Bri, from what I see, the Taylors don't need your help. They do it to themselves." Hunter patted Brian on the back then went to console JP.

 

"Brian, Bree's getting sleepy, so is Patrick. Bobby and I are going to let them say goodnight and settle them in Patrick's room. It's much quieter on their side." Justin held a yawning Briana in his arms. Bobby had a sleepy Patrick in his. Brian kissed his daughter goodnight and watched as Justin and Bobby made the rounds then disappeared into the Anderson/Morrison side of the cottage.

 

"Brian." It was Claire's turn to talk with Brian.

 

"Have I made a mess of things?" Brian needed Claire's level head and calmness to reassure him that he had done the right thing.

 

"No, honey, you did what you always do. You take care of the people you love. You can count on me and Steve." Claire drew Brian into a hug then went off to help Emmett clean up. Everyone pitched in to set the cottage back to normal.

 

*****

 

Sunday morning at the cottage and the air was cool and crisp. For some reason Justin was up with the birds. He dressed in warm sweats and thick socks then quietly padded to the kitchen to put on the coffee and set the kettle on the stove. He turned the flame on low so the water would take some time to boil. It was times like this when it was all quiet in the cottage when Justin loved to paint. And that's where Katerina found him, in the porch with a mug of tea in one hand and a paint brush in the other.

 

"Good morning, Justin."

 

"Good morning, Katerina. Did you sleep well?"

 

"Yes, I did. I slept better than I have in months."

 

"That's good. The water in the pot is still hot if you want tea. Help yourself."

 

"Thank you, I will in a moment. Justin, may I ask you something?"

 

"Sure."

 

"When did you know?"

 

"Know?"

 

"That you liked men instead of women."

 

"I guess I always knew I liked girls as friends and not as girlfriends. But I guess I was about sixteen when I really knew for sure. I met Brian when I was seventeen. That was it for me. I knew I'd never love anyone else but him."

 

"So young!"

 

"Yes, it really scared my mother, and my father kicked me out. We haven't been father and son since."

 

"I'm sorry. You must miss him."

 

"I do; sometimes I miss him a lot. Brian had it worse than me. It's only now that he and his mother are learning to be a family again. But my mom and I are very close. She's the best."

 

"Yes, she is a wonderful person. She made me feel so comfortable. So did Molly. Is Molly a, a..."

 

"A lesbian? No, she likes guys. She likes them a lot," Justin giggled. "When did you know?"

 

"I guess I'm like you. I always knew but it didn't really matter, until I was told that it was expected that I get married. I don't want to be with someone I can't love."

 

"I know the feeling. Brian and I broke up once and I lived with someone else for a while but it was horrible. It felt wrong. We got through it though." They were silent for a while and Justin sipped some more of his tea.

 

"Your Brian is a good man. Much machismo, yes?"

 

"Very macho. Until he queens out."

 

"Queens out?"

 

"You'll find out soon enough. Just ignore him; we all do." Justin gave Katerina a coy smile.

 

"What do you know about Lacy?"

 

"Not much. Hunter found her. At first we all thought she was a boy. She was living on the street. He got her cleaned up, got her back in school. Debbie gave her a job and took her in. She's a good artist. She's still young and very confused, so be careful." Katerina understood the warning and nodded. "But it would be nice for Lacy to have a female friend."

 

Katerina smiled. She could be just friends with Lacy. For now.

 

All of a sudden, squeals of laughter were heard coming from the master bedroom and a loud "oomph" as Bree pounced on her Dada.

 

"Up, Dada, up!"

 

"I'm always up, Squirt." More laughter and then Justin heard the sound of the bedroom door opening.

 

"Brian! Pants!" Justin yelled. The bedroom door slammed then reopened after a minute.

 

"Katerina, I don't want to frighten you but Brian has a tendency to walk around naked."

 

"Naked?!" Katerina said in horror, then her face softened. "He is a very beautiful man. Maybe if I had known such beauty in men existed, I wouldn't be a lesbian."

 

Now it was Justin's turn to be horrified. The two Taylors began to laugh as Justin cleaned up his brushes. They then went to the kitchen to start breakfast.

 

*****

 

The following Saturday, Justin and Katerina took JP to the airport.

 

"You are certain you will not come back with me?" JP asked his sister one last time. Katerina could only shake her head, no. "I'm not sure when I can come back. We may not see each other for a very long time."

 

"I know but it must be this way. I love you, Juan. I promise to study hard. I will try to make you proud of me."

 

"I am proud of you. I love you, Katerina." Brother and sister shared their tears.

 

"Please take care of her," JP pleaded to Justin.

 

"I will, I promise. And she'll write you and e-mail you and we can use the video phone. Maybe we can bring you and your wife up here for a vacation." JP nodded then hugged his cousin. "I'm glad you took a chance on us. Thank you for bringing Patrick home."

 

"Thank you for sharing your discoveries with me. My family will be pleased to know we have Justin Taylor and Briana in our family. I will send pictures of our family as soon as I get home."

 

Brother and sister hugged one more time then JP stepped through the security gate on his way back home.

 

*****

 

"Brian, you didn't have to bring me shopping. I've been buying my own clothes for most of my life."

 

"I know, Mom, but Kinnetik is up for an award. It's all black tie and I want you there."

 

"But these clothes are very expensive."

 

"I can afford it and I want to do this. Please, Mom." Brian turned his best puppy dog eyes on his mother hoping she'd agree and not get angry.

 

Joan laughed at her son's ploy. "Enough with the eyes, I get it."

 

Mother and son shared the laugh as Brian motioned to the sales staff at his favorite stop. They were then descended upon by a half a dozen men and women all there to please Brian fucking Kinney and his mother.

 

As Joan Kinney was modeling a Vera Wang for her son, Craig and Susan Taylor came into the store. Craig had an important dinner to attend and he wanted them to look perfect. Craig accidentally backed into Brian and turned to offer an apology. Craig visibly paled then backed away when he saw who he had bumped into. A low growl escaped Brian's throat.

 

"Son, who is that man?" Joan asked, wondering who it was that upset her son.

 

"No one, mom. Absolutely no one."

 

--end--