Reviewer: Buddieshipper Signed [Report This]
Date: Aug 31, 2026 5:56 am Title: Chapter 1: Endings

I hope everyone finds out that Brian cheated

Reviewer: BritinManor Signed [Report This]
Date: Aug 30, 2026 4:22 am Title: Chapter 5: Revelations

I'm going to sneak this in since I can't read this until a little later. I read all your responses, which helped me remember the story a little better. A friend asked if I had ever fixed up Margaret's and Mouse's stories. (Yours are fairly cleanly written, so she wasn't worried about yours.) Anyway... between reading yours and then I read read and beta'd the other two, so your responses brought my brain back around to what this story was. I did appreciate Mouse's having the family stand up for Justin, but towards the ending, I wasn't overall happy. Margaret's was also very good. I haven't read either of those stories for YEARS, so it was nice to read them, but they are nter-mixing in my head with yours. Maybe reading chapter 6 will get the others out of my head. 

You having Steve look like Stephen Rea... I wasn't sure who that was.... so Google Images were my friend. OMG! Deb, I had to get a different pic in my head, He does not look like anyone Brian would crawl int bed with. And he doesn't look like a businessman, either. Oh well, to each their own.

The reason I questioned it is in Mouse's story, she has him as blond, so for years I always had that picture in my head. Then you said dark hair, so I found a yummier dark-haired Irishman. Brian may be OOC in this series, but he is still vain. LOL

All your references to Simon's story - oh Lord, should I break down and try and get through it? Shhh - don't tell anyone. I'll just blame it on senility.

Thanks for all the responses to my comments, but you really didn't need to do that. 

Hugs, Cathy

Reviewer: marie-france Signed [Report This]
Date: Aug 22, 2026 2:08 am Title: Chapter 5: Revelations

I haven't seen the updated reviews, so I read the two chapters back-to-back. It's really intense, and I wish Justin would make an effort for Gus and at least agree to call him or come see him with his moms. I understand he has nothing to do with Brian, but the rest of the family deserves better. I hope the time away from home is making him reconsider his behavior. He's being "reborn" thanks to Cynthia and all the new people around him; he can only get better. I'm waiting for Michael to confront Brian because he's not being discreet, and Brian deserves the family's full wrath when they find out. It's hard to say, but I like Michael, and I'm even surprised he figured it out so quickly. I can't wait to read the next chapter.

Reviewer: justinsmom Signed [Report This]
Date: Aug 15, 2026 12:14 pm Title: Chapter 5: Revelations

You have a real conundrum on your hands, to get Justin and Brian back together or not.

That is the question. In some ways I don't think they should but thats for you to decide.

I don't like Steve he always reminded me of Dr Dave. 

I was worried that Lindsey and Melanie would discover Justin and cause him to move. Oh so glad they didn't..

I had to grab my tissue box again. The cruelty and ignorance of some people, sorry almost got my soap box (does that expression age me? ;)? Poor Justin dealt with it ln his own. Are daphne and justin going to get back together?

Craziest thing, the one to figure it out was Michael. I love that. 

Not really a Michael fan but he does have his moments. 

Sorry for the long review but can't always get logged in and wanted to say how much I love this story.

Reviewer: BritinManor Signed [Report This]
Date: Aug 14, 2026 7:37 pm Title: Chapter 4: Anniversaries and Birthdays

My stomach almost dropped at the beginning of this chapter when Mel and Lindsay were staying at the Bed and Breakfast. How perfect that Cynthia came up to visit Justin.

Then the girls were at the art gallery. Again, a lump in my throat. I'm not sure about Justin giving them the drawing. GIVING! But with the intricacy of the drawing, if Brian ever sees it, he's going to know Justin did it, since Justin gave him one for Christmas.

I have to wonder if Mel cheated on Lindsay at the beginning when Gus was a baby. Lindsay telling Brian, 'Once a cheater, always a cheater,' makes me think maybe not. This chapter was kind of an epilogue chapter. With us hearing the updates of all the family. Very similar to canon. However, I assume no Hunter, what with Ben writing a book with that storyline.

My heart went out to Gus during Brian's party. And OMG, the plaque that Justin gave to Brian. He's such a sweetheart. He'll take Justin since Brian doesn't want him. The poor boy is so confused. Speaking of an ad agency, I'm surprised the company is Brenner/Vangard. If Brian is a partner, I kind of thought Kinney should be part of the title.

I have to wonder if Vic is seeing that everything about Brian and Justin's break-up isn't what they were all told. Vic's a wise ole' gent. I'm also kind of surprised that the family was so accepting of Steve in Brian's life. Just like it's a common occurrence for Brian to have a boyfriend. And so soon after Justin.

I'm not so sure about Cynthia having that painting in her office. Has Brian ever seen a painting of Justin's? Even if not, he was always able to read Justin's work. Maybe this just speaks to him, and he can see the parallels in his past life with Justin.

I'm so happy that Justin has Sian, Bess, and Phillip in his life. It's kind of a replacement family, but yet a much better family.

I am surprised that there wasn't more said about the comic. I would have thought Brian would have ranted and raved to Michael about Justin drawing those panels, and Michael using them for the world to see. I know Brian's angry, but I expected/WANTED? more.;)

I had to smile at the end... I KNEW it was Justin who came up with the idea about the pictures at the GLC. But... just who did he contact?

Many hugs for this awesome story... and now these LONG chapters.

Hugs, Cathy

Author's Response:

Sorry for the near stomach dropping! I just couldn't resist a possible close encounter. Having Cynthia visit the same weekend was the best way to keep Justin occupied.

Well, fingers crossed that Brian never has a reason to be in their bedroom!

Simon's series veered off after the show's episode 3.09 when Brian and Justin got back together after the Ethan arc so everything prior to that happened in the context of this story. That said, yes Melanie did cheat on Lindsay when she had the one-night stand with Marianne. The updates on all the family was really me just being lazy and not wanting to write chapters drawing out what everyone did over the summer. LOL! I hope it makes sense. Since Hunter came in later in the show I decided to just have him be a character in Ben's new book. I was never very fond of Hunter and wasn't really sure I could write anything to stay true to his character.

Gus is such a sweet boy. I have always imagined Gus and Justin as buddies and that he would always want Justin in his life.

Vangard never became Vangard/Kinney in the show after Brian was made a partner so I kind of stuck with that. I think in Simon's series only the NY office was Brenner/Vangard after the merger of the two companies. The Pittsburgh office remained Vangard.

I love Vic and he is very observant! But he also keeps things close to his chest as they say. He won't say anything until he is more than certain about what's going on. At this point in time everyone is accepting but not totally convinced of the relationship between Brian and Steve. That said, they don't want to piss off Brian, especially since he now lives in NY. And since they all believed Justin's lies, they aren't too concerned that Brian has moved on so quickly.

Brian has definitely seen Justin's paintings since he had a studio in the townhouse. However, he thinks Justin is in Europe so the painting couldn't be Justin's. And you hit it right on the head! The painting does speak to him and he can see the parallels in his life with Justin.

I felt he really needed people around him that made him feel part of a family. I'm glad you like them.

Sorry! I should have written that better! (Maybe I can work it in as a flashback!)

He keeps up with what's going on in Pittsburgh through Cynthia and online news and events. He simply sent an anonymous letter to the GLC with his suggestions.

Thank you so much for the awesome reviews!

Hugs!

Deb

 

Reviewer: BritinManor Signed [Report This]
Date: Aug 14, 2026 3:46 pm Title: Chapter 2: New Life

Good enough for Cynthia! I'm proud of her. (You must have been taking lessons from Nichelle, with what Cynthia said!) :)

I can't believe that yellow-bellied snake. Why wasn't Brian honest with Lindsay? Does he intend to keep this charade up?

Daphne is going to skin Justin alive when she finds out the truth. And he's going to have to keep lying to her, since he told his mom the story about the older man. 

I breathed a sigh of relief that Justin would only be in Vermont and not in Europe.

I LOVED that Steve was only a couple of years under Mr. Cancy. *Smirk*

Justin arranged for all the packaging stuff to be delivered to Brian. I can't believe Brian couldn't even comment on that, even if under his breath. He should have acknowledged to Steve that he couldn't believe Justin would do something like that for him - after everything he did. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, BRIAN!

The gifts you chose for Justin to give Brian, they were all wonderful. You did an exquisite job detailing them.

Oh, Christ! You didn't?! I couldn't believe Jennifer thought Justin was with Steve. What happens when she finds out BRIAN is with STEVE?? And she told Brian she didn;t know where Justin was. How is she supposed to tell Justin to stay in touch with Gus? And let's just say - Justin did go to Europe? He wouldn't be staying in touch with ANYBODY!!!

Poor Stevie, did your boyfriend go away? Good enough, Brian!

But you still don't deserve Justin. 

Loved the chapter! I'm trying to give myself time between them. But not too much time. This story is really quite good already!

Hugs, Cathy

Author's Response:

I always liked Cynthia and decided that she would stand up to Brian and support Justin. I think she realizes, too, that Brian still loves Justin. For right now she's going to continue to stand by Justin.

I'm glad you liked what Cynthia said! :)

Right now Brian is trying to do what he thinks Justin really wants and we'll see how long he can keep up the charade.

At this point Justin isn't in contact with Daphne at all, not even by email.

Yeah, I couldn't have him moving too far away! I've always wanted to visit Vermont after reading Rizabeau's series ‘Songs in the Key of Love' and decided that was where Justin would go.

Hehehe! Me, too!! I just had to do that! I'm mean, after all, he's old enough to be Justin's father and in later stories of Simon's series he seemed more a father figure to Brian than a lover/partner. Always bothered by Brian's colorful language and always ‘making love' not ‘fucking'; must have been horrible for someone as sexually driven as Brian.

To me, the packing materials... it's more that Brian doesn't want to discuss anything about Justin with Steve, even if it's something as mundane as knowing how Brian would pack the gifts for shipping.

I'm glad you liked the gifts! I wanted Justin to have put a lot of thought into them and make them very personal to Brian.

Yeah, I did do that! However, she is really only guessing and Brian was a bit too stunned to set her straight. But don't worry! Justin will keep in touch with Jennifer but only through emails. He knows if he calls she will know something is wrong.

Steve is definitely not a happy camper at the end of this chapter.

I'm so glad your enjoying the story! Thank you so much for reading and all the reviews!

Hugs!

Deb

 

Reviewer: BritinManor Signed [Report This]
Date: Aug 13, 2026 10:39 am Title: Chapter 1: Endings

You're equals? What? You're both very wealthy. You're both tall and both handsome. Is that it? Like Justin said, 'Steve isn't a kid. Mikey won't tease him with Steve on his arm. However, it might be someone else for Mikey to be jealous of. If Mikey thought he was more for Bran than Justin, well, he really won't be able to take Steve's place.

And Steve? He almost sounds jealous of Justin. For him to think Justin wrote a letter begging Brian to take him back. To love him. Grow up, Steve! The blowjob picture was perfect. I almost smiled. Hey, Steve, doesn't Brian give you blowjobs? :D

Then Steve's comments at the end about Justin being gone for good, and knowing how Justin made sure the family knows he's at fault, and thinking that's good, especially for HIM!

What a jerk! I have a better term in mind - but since he probably has a mother, he wouldn't be that. ;)

I totally understood Justin not taking anything Brian had paid for. As soon as I realized Justin didn't take some of his clothes. I knew right away why.

I really hope Brian's man enough to tell the family the truth. I hope he has the decency to tell everybody it wasn't Justin leaving him, but that he fell in love with Steve. If he was any kind of man, he would. If not, he's the lowest of the low in my eyes.

I also wonder if Jennifer and Molly will be friends of Brian's in this story? Hmm, if so, now that he has a new car on his hands, I wonder if he'll give it to Molly.

Big Hugs,

Cathy

Author's Response:

Yeah, it seems that both of them being wealthy businessmen and in the same business makes them equal in their relationship. Also, all the physical comparisons made of Steve and Justin, making it seem like Brian making love to Justin would be physically difficult on Brian but not with Steve because they were the same height. HA! Justin was much more compatible and equal to Brian in life. There is a lot more to being equals in a relationship than status, work interests and physical similarities.

Mikey will eventually realize that he won’t be able to replace Steve in Brian’s life.

I believe Steve is jealous of Justin and that he thought Justin would beg Brian to take him back because it was something that Steve would do himself.

‘Hey, Steve’ doesn’t Brian give you blowjobs?’ I love that!! LOL! :D

I agree, Steve is a jerk (and maybe that other term, too, but let’s be nice to his mother). :)

Stay tuned for how the family finds out what really happened!

I haven’t really decided on how I want to handle Jennifer and Molly in this story yet. In Simon’s later stories both Jennifer and Molly were friends with Brian and Steve. Molly was actually closer to Steve than to Brian because she went to his alma mater.

Hugs!

Deb

Reviewer: Juditka Signed [Report This]
Date: Jul 05, 2026 10:36 pm Title: Chapter 3: Getting It Back

It's not nice of Brian to keep it a secret from his family that he was the one who was unfaithful and not Justin. Even if Justin wants to protect Brian, Brian should take responsibility for his infidelity. I hope the truth comes out. I'm glad Justin is interested in painting again, it's a sign of healing. It's good that he's continuing the comic with Michael. I'm really looking forward to the sequel.    

Author's Response:

Yeah, Brian is a bit conflicted on keeping Justin's secret. On the one hand he does want to take responsibility and tell everyone the truth, but on the other hand he doesn't want to destroy what Justin tried to give him. We'll see what happens if the truth comes out. :)

Justin is definitely starting to heal through his painting. Of course, he will have ups and downs, same as everyone else. Hopefully, Michael will continue to behave as far as the comic is concerned, but we'll see.

Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Hugs,

Deb

Reviewer: marie-france Signed [Report This]
Date: Jul 03, 2026 11:39 pm Title: Chapter 3: Getting It Back

Great chapter. I love Cynthia. Thank you for the update.

Author's Response:

Thank you so much! I love Cynthia, too. Always thought she was a great character who didn't get enough time in the series. Thank you for reading and reviewing!

Hugs

Deb

Reviewer: Juditka Signed [Report This]
Date: Jun 13, 2026 6:38 am Title: Chapter 2: New Life

As soon as you posted the second chapter, I immediately saved it, but only now have I been able to bring myself to read it.  I hate Brian and Steve together so much.     I hated their relationship in Simon's story as well. I liked the other two adaptations (by Margaret - Falling Down the Primrose Path; and by Mouse - One Foot in Front of the Other) a little better, because in them Brian realized that he was wrong and ended his relationship with Steve himself. I really hope that in your story, Brian comes to his senses sooner and find and regains Justin .Please don't disappoint me.    

Author's Response:

I never liked the Brian/Steve pairing either. Steve seemed a bit snobbish, leaning a bit toward the Dr Dave character of Season 1. I also enjoyed Margaret's and Mouse's stories. I have a couple of different versions of Justin's life in this universe. This is the second version. Once I get this one finished and posted, I'm hoping to get the third version posted as well.

I'm not sure if I can get Brian and Justin back together in this version or not, but hopefully I won't disappoint you.

Thank you for reading and reviewing!

Deb Tanner

Reviewer: DoubleJoy Signed [Report This]
Date: Jun 06, 2026 11:24 pm Title: Chapter 1: Endings

Love the writing but, will wait until the story is finished. Not sure of the Steve thing so will wait it out.

Author's Response:

Thank you for the great compliment and the review. I do hope you will continue to read.

 

Deb Tanner