Chapter 4

Time was moving so quickly.  It was near the end of July and the garage was filling with baby supplies. Emmett called with exciting news.  Ronni was given the all clear and they were actively working to have a baby.  Em also told Justin he was worried about Natalia.  The guests at Britin were leaving so there wouldn’t be anything to keep her occupied.

“What do you think if she would come down here and help us? We are going to have a baby any day.  I am sure we could use him.”

“Oh, Justin, I think that would be perfect.”

“Well, Em good luck on the pregnancy and I will talk to you soon.”  Justin didn’t even ask Brian before calling Natalia. “Hey, Nat, how are you doing?”

“I’m fine.  The hormones seem to be doing their thing but I am not quite so all over the place.”

“I have a favor to you if you can do it around your treatment.”

“I’m only taking daily pills right now,” Nat responded.

“Will you come down to Atlanta for a month and help us out with the new baby?”

“Seriously?” Justin heard an excited note in her voice.

“Can you leave today?”

“Can you get me a flight after 3:00 today?”

“I will send you flight information in the next half hour.”

“Justin, you don’t know how happy this makes me.”

“See you tonight, Nat.”

Brian came up behind Justin and his arms went around his shoulders, “Who were you talking to?”

“I know I should have cleared it with you first but Natalia is flying in today.  Britin is empty now and he needs a distraction.”

“You don’t need to convince me.  Once Jessi gets here, I can use another set of hands that can deal with all the cooking. I am thinking maybe Nat will decide to stay in Atlanta. I wouldn’t doubt Sal and Brandy could use a good baker.”

“I take it she is still keeping Tom away.” Brian said as his hand moved below Justin's waist.

“Damn, Brian, I don’t have time.  I have to get the flight info to Nat and then I will go to the hospital. What are you doing today?”

“I am hoping to take a ride on the Harley.  It is supposed to be cloudy so not so hot and it is not supposed to rain.  I checked around and found a place that will let me use their track.”

“I can’t say no.  Just be careful, love.  Check your phone when you stop.  Our daughter could be here in the next day or two.”  

“What about the boys?” Brian asked.

“I will drop them off at the daycare.  If for some reason I am not back or if both of us are at the hospital, Sal said she could pick them up.  They are closing early tonight so both of them are free.  We just need to leave the car seats here.”

“You have it all planned as usual.”

Justin looked at his phone.  “I think Mary is getting nervous. I better get moving.”

“You go to the hospital.  I will get the boys to daycare.  I will ride for a while but I will definitely keep an eye on my phone and if the baby is on the way, I will go to the hospital and let the girls know to pick up the boys.”

“Love you, Bri.” He quickly booked an Uber. “You will need the SUV to get the boys to daycare. If the baby is on its way we will have to get transportation figured out for Nat when she gets here but this all may be a false alarm.”

“Relax, Sunshine, we have family that will help if we need them.”

There was a horn beeping.  Justin kissed Brian and as he walked out the door he turned and said, “I love you, Brian, be careful.”

Brian drove the boys to daycare and then went back to the house and left on the Harley Davidson. He took it easy.  As much as he would love to fly through the traffic, he agreed with Justin.  He just had to remember it.  Once he got to the track he could open up a bit. Picturing his boys was all he needed to think about to be careful.  He arrived at the track and then opened it up. He hadn’t felt this kind of freedom in a long time. He loved the air moving around him but he kept thinking about how much Gus would love this.

The Uber dropped Justin off.  He went up to Mary’s room to find her very distraught.  “Mary, what’s the matter?”  He rushed to her bedside.

“Oh, thank god you are here. I just feel …..I don’t know if I am in labor.  They are coming in to check any minute but Conni …. I can’t get a hold of her.” 

Justin knew Conni was Mary’s girlfriend.  “Have you left her a message?”

“Ya, but….” 

“Mary, she will get here as soon as she gets your message and in the meantime I won’t leave your side.”

“Oh, thank you.  Looks like you are going to have a baby soon.  Are you ready?”

“I am.  We have a friend coming in today to help with the older two so we can focus on our daughter. What can I do for you?”

“Just be here.” Mary clung to his hand.

Fifteen minutes later Mary had been examined and she was told she was definitely starting to dilate but that could stop or take several days.  As long as she wasn’t having contractions, it could be days yet. Justin settled into the chair next to her.  He would stay until Conni got there for sure and if she was any closer he wouldn’t leave at all.  He messaged Brian just so he would know what was up and he touched base with Nat making sure everything had been set up for her and then he just waited. He talked with the young man who was working on the mural and helped him through an issue he thought he had.  “You have this.  You can finish that wall without me. I believe in you.” That was enough to give him confidence to continue. 

“Thanks, Justin.  You have taught me so much,” and the call ended.

Mary is so relieved when she finally gets a text from her partner.  Since she wasn’t in active labor, Conni decided to finish work and would be there about 4:00 pm and Justin agreed to stay with Mary until then. It was about noon when everything changed.  

“Justin, I think….I think my water just broke.” Mary sounded so calm it took a minute for Justin to realize what she said. He reached over and pressed the call button while Mary reached for his hand and squeezed tightly. “Ohhhhhh, I think that was a contraction.” As a nurse’s assistant walked in she could see from Mary’s face that she was in the middle of a contraction and she could see it was not a little one.  

“I will go get a nurse that can help you.” She rushed out and by the time the nurse walked in the contraction had passed. 

She checked her over again and when she was done she looked at Mary, “I need to get the doctor. I am sure this baby is on her way but if I am right, this baby …. I’ll be back with a doctor.”  She rushed out the door.

“Justin, I’m scared.  Where’s my phone? I need to call Conni!” Justin handed her the phone and at the same time pulled out his phone and texted Brian.

Justin called Brian’s number, expecting to leave a message but to his surprise, Brian answered.  “Hey, Sunshine.  Everything Ok?”

“Where are you?”

“I just finished up at the track and am heading home.”

“Do that and get the SUV.  Then get over here.  You should have plenty of time but it looks like we might have a baby today.”

“Really!” Brian’s voice got excited and just then Mary groped for Justin’s hand and cried out.”

“I have got to go, Bri, but come to the hospital as soon as you can. Love you!” and Justin hung up.

Brian put his helmet back on and got back on the Harley.  He waved at the guys that supervised the property and he waited for a spot to pull out.  He remembered the sound of Mary’s cry and when traffic cleared, he turned toward the hospital rather than the house.  It should be a quiet ride to the hospital.  It wasn’t rush hour and it was the middle of the summer. There was little traffic.  If it wasn’t so hot, this would be perfect.

An older doctor came in and examined Mary, “Well, young lady,” he said, “it looks like you and your husband are about to become parents.”

“He’s not my partner!” she cried out as another contraction ripped through her. 

“Oh, I’m sorry.  I am going to go get ready to deliver this baby and I will see you in delivery in a few minutes.”

Mary relaxed again and Justin looked at her.  “I will be right back.”  Before she could respond he was out the door.   “Excuse me, Doctor?”

“Yes?”

“Should we be worried? Is there something wrong?”

“Who are you in terms of my patient?”

“I will be the father of the baby she is carrying. My husband and I are adopting her baby.”

“It is nothing serious. She just progressed so quickly, this is going to happen soon.” They both heard her call for Justin. 

“Coming, Mary.”

“I will see you in the delivery as soon as I glance at her history and change.” He moved away while Justin rushed back to the room.

Brian had really enjoyed the ride and the closer he got to the hospital the more he thought about the reason he was going there. They were having a baby girl. Damn, could he love her already? Out of the corner of his eye he saw it but there was nothing he could do about it. He slammed on his breaks and ended up under the truck that had turned into his path.  The last thing Brian thought was, ‘Sunshine is going to kill me.’

The doctor wasn’t kidding when he said this was going to go fast.  By the time they made it into a delivery room, Mary was having contractions come almost constantly.  Justin kept glancing at the clock hoping Brian would make it. Just as the doctor told Mary to push, Conni rushed in and grabbed Mary’s other hand before kissing her. 

Justin thought about calling Brian to see where he was but the cry Mary let out he didn’t move.  Fifteen minutes later Justin was holding a squirming, perfect, little girl.  “Excuse me, daddy, I will have her back to you in about ten minutes,” a nurse said as she took the little girl.  

“Do you know if my husband has arrived?”

“I haven’t heard but I will have someone check for you.”

Brian laid there as they waited for the ambulance.  He looked at the police officer checking on him and said, “I need to get to the hospital.  I’m having a baby!”

“Your wife is in labor?” the policeman asked.

“Something like that. What did I damage and is my bike damaged badly?” He moved a bit and felt pain shoot up his leg. “Damn, my leg.”

“Yes, don’t move.  How is your head? Did you lose consciousness?”

“No, I don't think my head even hit the road.  Everything was slow motion.”  He heard the siren approach and then stop.  

“You OK alone for a minute? I will go tell the EMT about your baby.”  

By the time the gurney was next to him, his leg had really started to hurt. “Shit,” he shouted as they slinted it and then lifted him carefully. 

“Well, Dad, is this your first child?” the female asked as she put in an IV.

“No, third. I need to get there.  My husband is going to kill me.”

“Are you in pain anywhere other than your leg?”

“Ya, I just slid under a truck but no, I hurt but the leg is the only real injury.”

“Well the doctor will decide that but I don’t see anything else. The police officer said you never lost consciousness so that is a good thing.”  Brian felt the ambulance start to move.  

“My phone, is my phone here? I need to tell my husband where I am?”

“You were so close to the hospital, we are pulling in now. They won’t let you call but what is the mother’s name.  I will track him down and tell him before I leave the hospital.” As she said the last sentence she added morphine to his IV and he drifted off.

Justin couldn’t get through to Brian.  If he was driving the SUV, he would answer.  Justin tried not to go there but he thought of the motorcycle.  

“If you would like to come with me, I have a place for you to spend with your daughter.” 

“Any word on my husband?” Justin asked.

“No, I am afraid not.” She scanned a sensor and led him into a room. It was small but it was bright and colorful and, best of all, Jessica Anne was there. 

The nurse watched the young man walk over to the baby and picked her up. “You seem very comfortable with a baby.”

“This is our third.”

“How old are you?”

“24 almost.”

“Wow...I…” there was a knock on the door.  The nurse was puzzled when she saw an EMT.  “Can I help you?” She asked.

“I was directed this way. I am looking for Justin Taylor.”  He couldn’t make out what the EMT said to the nurse after that.

After hearing his name, Justin froze.  He held his daughter close and she nuzzled in.  The nurse walked over.  “I’ll take her.  She will be in the nursery with me.” The nurse walked out letting the EMT in so they had some privacy.

“Justin Taylor?”

“Yes, it’s Brian, isn’t it.  I haven’t been able to get him on his phone.  What happened? How bad is it? It was the motorcycle, wasn’t it.  I shouldn’t have gotten it for him.  I knew it was stupid. He just…”

“Slow down and take a breath.  Brian will be fine but he did have an accident.”

“Is he here? How badly is he hurt?”

“He was very fortunate. He was driving slowly when a truck pulled out right in front of him.  He is downstairs right now.  His leg is definitely damaged but that seems to be his only real injury.”

“His head, did he….”

“His head never even touched the road until he relaxed.  Would you like me to take you down to him?”

“Yes, please. I need to tell the nursery.” 

“I told her you would be going to emergency.”

Justin couldn’t move fast enough as they caught an elevator and went down to ground level. As they got off the elevator the EMT stated, “I have to get back to work but he should be in that bay. If he isn’t, ask the nurse over there. She pointed to a desk and then she joined her partner and they were gone.  

Justin pulled back the curtain just far enough to see it was Brian in the bed.  He rushed across the small area and flung himself into Brian’s arms.  Brian put his arms around him not feeling any pain right now.  “I’m so sorry, Sunshine.  I was being careful.” His mood was all over the place because of the medication he was on. 

“Baby, your leg, how bad is it?”

“Not sure.  The doctor is looking at the xray now. Jessi? Is she here?”

“Oh, she is and she is perfect. She was in a hurry to get here and Mary was a trouper.  At least Conni got here to be at her side.”

“I’m sorry, Justin.  I really was being careful. I….”

“Brian,” the doctor walked in. “Oh, you must be Justin.”

“How is he, doctor, what did the xray show?”

“It is just a clean break.  We will need to adjust it slightly and then we will cast it for a couple weeks and then hopefully, if it looks good, there will be a walking boot for about four to six weeks.  It is obvious you were very aware of your surroundings and driving cautiously or this could have been a very different outcome.”

The meds were obviously affecting Brian.  He started crying and looked at Justin, “I should have listened to you and gotten the SUV. I’m so sorry, Sunshine.” Brian reached for him and hugged him.

The doctor smiled a little.  “The drugs can do that.  It will take us a couple hours to get this set and casted.  I hear you have a new baby daughter upstairs.” Justin nodded. “Why don’t you go spend time with her and if you can come back down in about two hours, he should be ready to go.”

Justin kissed Brian but he was out of it now. “Thanks, doctor.  I will call his father to come get him.” 

As Justin walked away, Brian looked at the nurse who had been there through the whole conversation.  “Did he say my dad? He’s mad at me.  He won’t take me home.”  Brian dropped off to sleep again.” The nurse shook her head.  Those meds did crazy things to people.

Justin sat in a rocking chair. Jessi lay on his bare chest. He was staying here tonight to bond with their daughter.  He had texted Sal and Brandy to pick up the boys and that he would explain later.  Then he called Kevin.

“Hey, Justin, I was hoping to hear from you.  Did you have a nice day?”

“Oh, Kevin, I need you.  Your granddaughter is here and she is beautiful but Brian…”

“Something happened to Brian? Justin what happened?” Kevin’s voice held such concern for his son it touched Justin.

“Kevin, he will be fine. He had an accident on the cycle.  It was totally the other person’s fault but he has a broken leg.  I have no idea what happened to his bike. I am holding this precious baby and….”

“I will be there within a half hour.”

“Come up to delivery first.  Brian will be out of it for a bit anyway.  Kevin, thank you.”

“I am on my way.”

Justin had a short conversation with his mom earlier and now he sent one more text.  It was to Nat.  He said the baby was here and she should take Uber to their house and that there were a couple women there that knew to expect her.  He then leaned back in the recliner and, after reminding himself the boys were safe, he fell asleep.

“Justin, son…” Kevin gently touched Justin’s shoulder as he looked at his new granddaughter.

“Kevin!  Guess I fell asleep.”

“You’ve had quite a day.  May I?” He reached for Jessi and Justin lifted her off his chest and handed her to her grandfather. Kevin kissed her forehead. “Wow, she is so little and so beautiful.”

“Kev, do mind if I go find something to drink and check on Brian and then I will be back so you can take him home.”

“Take your time. This little lady and I need to get to know each other.” Justin walked out and saw Kevin sit down and start to talk softly to Jessi.

Justin used the restroom and got a soda and snack before going downstairs to find Brian.  He went back to the emergency and located Brian.  He was more alert than previously but it was obvious he was in some pain now, too. 

“Sunshine, I didn’t know if I would see you.  I was just wondering about getting home.”

Justin kissed him.  “I am so sorry this happened to you.  If I would have said no to the motorcycle this wouldn’t have happened to you. I don’t know what I would do if….”

“Oh, Sunshine, none of  this was your fault.  It’s all my fault. You told me to get the SUV. I just wanted to get here earlier and see our baby.”

“This isn’t the time to talk about all this but here, Justin showed Brian his phone.  “This is our beautiful daughter.”

“She is beautiful.  And everything is good?”

“Everything is perfect or will be once we are all home.”

“You aren’t going home tonight?” Brian asked.

“No, I need to stay here with Jessi.  I need to have her bond with me and tomorrow, when she comes home, you can spend the next two weeks bonding.”

“Oh, I love the sound of that.  I will call Brandy and….”

“Your dad is here with our daughter and he will drive you home in a few minutes.”

“I don’t know how you do everything but you always do.  I will never ride that bike again.  I will sell it as soon as I get it repaired.”

“Brian, we can talk about this later.  I just needed to see you once more and know you are alright.  I love you, Bri.” Justin held on to him and kissed him.  

“I love you, Sunshine.  You are the most amazing man I have ever met.”

“I will see you tomorrow.” And before either of them said anything else, Justin left.

Sally and Brandy had gotten the boys in bed before Brian and Kevin got back.  The surprise for the boys was when Nat arrived right before they went to bed.  She helped the girls get them in bed and promised Gus he would be here for a while and they could play tomorrow. Once Nat read a third story, Gus fell asleep.  

When Nat walked out, Sally placed a plate of food down on the table, “We figured you haven’t eaten dinner.”

“I actually haven’t eaten lunch either.  This smells great.”

“Bri says you are a trained chef?”

“I specialized in patisserie but of course did plenty of cooking, too.”

“Well, if you would ever want to move down here, we have a job waiting for you.”

“I am sure Justin and Brian told you to offer me a job.”

Brandy sat next to her and rested a hand on her shoulder, “I can’t say I know what you are going through but I have a good friend that has and she said moving was the best thing for her.  She got away from everyone who still called her him.  And leaving behind the high school girlfriend didn’t hurt either.”

“Well I really don’t know many people in Pittsburgh.  I have only lived there for about three months.”

Sally was sitting across from her and said, “But you can fall in love overnight.  I’m not going to lie to you.  We know about your priest friend. Do you really need the pressure of seeing him when you are going through all this transformation shit?”

“As nice as that might be, I don’t have any money.  In Pittsburgh I live at Brian and Justin’s and I help them out and Brian is paying for my medical treatment.  Even if I could work for you, where would I live?”

“Father Kev would help with that. Just know, Natalia, we understand and would love to have you.” Brandy said just as the front door opened and Brian, on crutches, came in the house followed by Kevin.  Nat greeted both of his old friends and helped Brian get comfortable in a recliner.

“Natalia, you are looking good.  And you are feeling better than you were?” Kevin asked as he gave her a hug.

“I am, thanks for asking.  Brian, what can I do for you?”

“I’ll have a bottle of whiskey and a blanket.” He growled.

“No, he won’t!” Kevin said quickly. “No alcohol.  He is on painkillers.  Nat, I will leave these with you.  He can have one at bedtime and then follow the dosage as stated tomorrow.”

“Shit, thanks a lot, Dad.”

“You are welcome, son.  If you would like me to stay the night I would be glad to.”

“We could stay in the main house,” Sally offered.

“Dad, if you want to stay, feel free.  You can stay in one of the rooms upstairs and Nat, you could stay in our room, that way if Gus wanders into our room someone will be there.  I think I will be most comfortable out here.”

They all went their own way.  Kevin decided to sleep on the sofa next to Brian.  Brian told him to go be comfortable in a bed but he said no, “If you need something I want to be close.”

“But Dad, you don’t need to.”

“Brian, when you were young I never had the chance to sit up with you if you were sick.  Let me do this.” Kevin leaned down and kissed Brian’s forehead and pulled the blanket up to his neck.  “I love you, son.”

“Love you, too,” Brian said as the pain pill had him falling asleep.

Justin didn’t sleep much.  If he wasn’t taking care of Jessi, he was thinking about Brian.  What if his accident had been worse.  If Brian had been distracted it could have been so much worse. That is why he hadn’t wanted him on the road.  Well, he wouldn’t be riding it now until they were back in Pittsburgh. He made a mental note to have the cycle shipped home.

Justin heard a light tap on the door and a nurse stepped in, “I have a feeling that little one will want this very soon.” She handed him a bottle. 

“Thank you.  She will be able to go home tomorrow, right?”

“I don’t know why she couldn’t.  All her tests have come back perfect and she is obviously drinking well.”

“Do you know how Mary is?

“She will be leaving in the morning.”

“That’s good. We will meet again at the lawyer’s office in a couple weeks.”

“I think this is one luchy little girl. It is obvious, she is already well loved.”

“She is.” Almost as if on cue, Jessi started fussing and Justin picked her up, offering her the bottle. She latched on and started to drink.

“I’ll leave you two alone unless you want me to feed her. You look like you could use some sleep.” The nurse smiled at the father and daughter.

“Thank you but I’ll keep her here.”

“I knew you’d say that.” She smiled and walked out.

“You’re not my daddies.” Gus said as he crawled up on the bed where Nat was sleeping.

“Hey, Gus,” Nat reached out and gave him a hug.

“Where are they?”

“Well, your daddy is in the family room with your grandpa.” 

“Why didn’t he sleep in here and where is Daddy J?”

“Your daddy had a small accident and he has a broken leg.”

“Does he have a cast? Does it hurt?”

“He does have a cast and how about we see if he is awake and he can tell you if he hurts or not.  Just remember to be gentle with your daddy for now.”

“Just like I was when Aaron was a baby?”

“Yes, exactly.  Walk in there softly.  You don’t want to wake him if he is sleeping.  Is Aaron awake?”  Gus nodded. “I’ll get him.  You go talk to your daddy and grandpa.”

Nat went and got Aaron.  By the time he changed the little guy and he put on a onesie he brought Aaron out to Brian and Kevin. Gus was already sitting on the arm of Brian’s chair and asking him all about the accident. Nat handed Aaron to Kevin and started some breakfast.

Kevin’s phone signaled and he looked at it. He then smiled at Brian.  “I think you have something to tell these two.”

“It’s a go?” Brian asked and Kevin nodded. “Gus,  well, Aaron, too but I don’t think you will comprehend what I am saying. Gus, you asked where Justin was.” 

Gus nodded. “He didn’t get a broken leg, did he?”

“No, Daddy J will be coming home later this morning and he has a very big surprise.”

“Daddy, stop teasing us!” Gus said, looking at Aaron for support.

“Well, a friend of your aunties needed a home for a baby so your daddy and I decided we had lots of love in our house so you have a new baby sister.”

“A baby sister? Really?”

“Yes, she will be home…”

“As soon as I can drive over there and pick them up.” Kevin said.

“Aaron, did you hear that? You’re not the baby anymore.  We have a sister.  Daddy, what is her name?”

“Her name is Jessica Anne and she has dark hair and darker skin.”

“Like Aunt Brandy?” Gus asked.

“Yes, much like her skin.  We are calling her Jessi.”

“I can’t wait, Daddy.  I want to hold her and kiss her.”

“Well, let me shower and grab a cup of coffee and then I will go get them.” He handed Aaron to Brian.

“Hurry, Grandpa!  I can’t wait!”  Gus was all energy now.  

“Gus, why don’t you come over here and help me make breakfast.  We want your grandpa to have something to eat.  Do you want to help me make him a breakfast sandwich he can eat in the car?”

“Oh, yes, that would be fun.” Gus rushed to the kitchen area.

“Brian, if you need me to take Aaron, we can put him in his chair. He is probably getting hungry anyway.” He filled a bottle with milk and handed it to Gus.  “Please take this to your dad.  This will keep Aaron happy for now.”

Gus handed the bottle to Aaron and he laid against his daddy to drink it.

Thirty minutes later, Kevin was on his way to the hospital, Brian had gone to the bathroom and was now sitting at the table with Nat and the boys.  “Nat, I know he is going to argue with you but please help me get Sunshine to go to sleep once he is home.  If he gets a headache now, and can’t get rid of it….”

“I’ll have his tea ready when he gets home, too.  I will do whatever you need me to do to help.

Brandy and Sally appeared like magic.  “We went into work really early and got a lot of stuff made so we could come back and help if we can.  And if you want your own time, we will leave as soon as we meet our new niece.”

“I have told you before, you are always welcome,” Brian said.  “If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to go meet them on the front porch.  Can you just stay in here until we walk in?”

“Of course, Brian.  Can you manage to get out there alone?”

“Ya, I can manage that.  It shouldn’t be longer than like ten minutes but Justin and I barely saw each other yesterday and now….well we have another child now.” 

Sally walked over and helped him up and kissed his cheek, “Take your time.  We got these two.”

Brian sat on the front porch and when Kevin’s car pulled up he got to his feet and moved, with the crutches, out to meet them.  Brian opened Justin’s car door and noticed how tired he was. Balancing himself on the roof of the car the two men kissed. “I missed you.  Did you get any sleep?”

“I had a few catnaps.”

Brian turned now and looked at his daughter for the first time.  He shut the door. Justin got out and Justin walked around and picked up their daughter. Kevin and Brian’s eyes met and Kevin nodded.  He grabbed a couple things the hospital had given them and walked into the house.

“Justin, can we sit on the bench for just a couple minutes.”

“Sure. How are the boys?”

“They are so excited to meet their sister.” Brian shifted and after sitting down he set the crutches to the side.  And that’s when Justin handed their daughter to him. “I had almost forgotten how light they are at this age.”

“She’s over seven pounds.  And the way she ate last night, she will grow fast.”

Brian held her close and kissed her cheeks and forehead.  “Sunshine,” Brian said as he was looking at Jessi’s fingers and toes, “are we good? I am so sorry I didn’t listen to you.  If I had just gone home and switched to the SUV….”

Justin reached over and turned Brian’s face to look at him, “I was just so scared.  You did nothing wrong.  You thought everything through.  If you had driven the SUV that same truck could have hit you.  I was overwhelmed with Jessi excited to arrive and then to hear you were hurt. My first thought was, what if I never get to kiss those lips again.” Justin put his hand around Brian’s neck and they kissed.  The heat between them grew and as their tongues played tag and danced for several minutes, they finally separated when their daughter began to make little noises.  

“Is someone hungry?” Brian smiled down at Jessi Anne.

“I do believe she is and if I am not mistaken there are bodies right on the other side of that door.” Justin took her and waited for Brian to get up on his crutches. Together they entered the house where everyone was waiting.  

Justin wasn’t sure who took Jessi first but he went to make her bottle for her and Brian followed.  Once the bottle was ready everyone sat in the family room getting to know the new family member. Both boys crawled on Justin’s lap, hugging and kissing him and then Gus looked up at him.  Daddy J. I love her already.  Can I hold Jessi?”

“Sure, honey.  Why don’t you get on Daddy’s lap and I will bring her to you.”

Gus carefully got on Brian’s lap and Justin laid Jessi in Gus’ lap.  He remembered how to be careful of the baby’s head and Jessi rested in the crook of his arm.  Aaron didn’t want to miss out and rather than letting him crawl up there, Justin lifted him up and set him carefully on the arm of the chair and Brian put his arm around Aaron’s back to make sure he was secure.  

Everyone snapped a picture of Brian and his kids and then Sally took Justin’s phone, “Go stand behind the chair.”

Justin went behind the chair and had one hand on Gus and one on Aaron.  He rested his head just above the back of the chair. More pictures were taken but then Aaron was done.  Jessi started fussing and the moment was over.  Sally and Brandy offered to take the boys in the pool and Justin and Brian went to their room with Jessi and once Brian stretched out on the bed, he took off his shirt and Justin laid Jessi on his chest. Justin moved around and got in bed next to them. 

“Sunshine,” Brian pulled him closer and Justin laid his head on Brian’s shoulder. “I will never do anything that I think will put this life in danger.  This life is too perfect to leave it even one second quicker than I have to.”

Justin stretched and kissed Jessi and then Brian.  “My life needs nothing else.  Our family is complete.” Justin laid back down on Brian’s shoulder and fell asleep.