"Can you really think of a reason that Peter would suddenly turn on how he feels about you?" Justin asked, trying to begin the conversation pragmatically. "He knows how your sister is, and she knows, at least to some extent, that the two of you are acquainted now. Don'tyou think she'd have tried every weapon she had if she was running a smear campaign against you?"

"I don't know," Brian said tiredly, rubbing his eyes. "I wouldn't put anything past her."

--

When Brian's nephew Peter and his girlfriend Alexis come to spend Christmas in New York, things are off to a great start -- until they're not. Soon, it becomes apparent to everyone that old Kinney family scars run deep.

Both Brian and Justin stress out about confessing their sins…

Following a tragedy on Liberty Avenue, Carl decides to open a shelter for gay youths with some help from good friends and the community.

This story is set in charming1 and Lorie's "Bittersweet Universe" and is a prequel to Bittersweet Promise. However, this can be read as a stand-alone story.