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Author's Chapter Notes:

So, this chapter is on the short side as I cut it in half. Sadly, an old back injury has decided to flare up the past two days and it makes sitting for any length of time uncomfortable. But I also wanted to get something out today, hence the half chapter since I came to a decent ending place. I'll post the rest on Sunday.


 

April 5

Justin stirred and slowly became aware of hands smoothing over his baby bump, stroking and massaging as a low, soothing voice filled the room. He fought back a smile as Brian began talking to Sunbeam in an easy, gentle tone. It was a weekend ritual he engaged in whenever he woke up before Justin; which, let's face it, was most days. Justin had never been one to rise early, preferring his soft, snug bed for as long as he could possibly get away with it; especially lately.

Who knew that carting all this additional weight around could be so damned exhausting?

Keeping his eyes closed, Justin shifted into a more comfortable position, happy that Daphne still had her maternity pillow, otherwise sleeping would have been a bitch. Brian paused, obviously watching to see if Justin was going to wake up. And then, when Justin settled back down, careful to keep his breathing measured and easy in the pretense of sleep as he loved these moments, Brian pressed a kiss onto his belly and continued.

"You really need to ease up on your Papa, my Sunbeam," he murmured, running his hands along Justin's stomach, easing any residual aches. It took everything in Justin not to groan aloud with pleasure because he seemed to be perpetually achy these days. "He had a tough time sleeping last night with you wiggling around like that."

Justin grinned internally as Sunbeam gave a kick at just the right moment, eliciting a low, delighted chuckle from his husband. Brian often said that they were just random kicks and movement, but Justin was convinced that Sunbeam knew exactly who was talking. The baby never squirmed or wriggled around this much when Justin was alone; it seemed that Sunbeam was as enamored of Daddy as Papa was.

"I bet you're going to be a dancer just like your Papa," Brian chuckled, continuing his impromptu massage. "Or I hope so. You don't want to be like your Daddy; he can't dance for shit unless he has Papa there to make him look good."

Justin snorted internally; wasn't that the truth? He loved Brian, but his idea of dancing was a sexy grind and sway, leaving much of the work up to his partner. Not that Justin minded, but dancing certainly wasn't his forte, unlike Justin, who had been forced into etiquette and dancing classes from a very young age by his mother.

"Don't tell your Papa this," Brian confessed in a low voice; one so low that Justin had to strain to hear him. "But the only reason I was even able to dance with him at his prom is that I forced your Auntie Em to teach me. It's a good thing your Papa was so good at following my lead, because I didn't know anything other than the dance steps that Auntie Em taught me."

Justin couldn't help but smile a little at that; he had often wondered how Brian had managed to pull that off when Justin knew damned well Brian wasn't much of a dancer. He'd always assumed that Brian had taken a few ballroom classes to get him by when he had to attend galas and other events that his clients threw. But to hear that he'd actually gone to Emmett and demanded lessons was funny as hell; he and a certain Queen needed to have a long talk about that.

"Although, I have since taken lessons because your Papa does love to dance," Brian continued, pressing his cheek and ear to Justin's stomach; and Justin had to hold back a hitch in his breathing and quell the urge to run his hands through Brian's hair. "And I'd do anything to make him happy; but that's our little secret."

Justin's heart fluttered a little at that confession ; God, he loved this complex, contradictory man more than he could ever say. That Brian had gone out of his way to learn something for no other reason than to make Justin happy…well, he should be used to it by now, as Brian always did these sweet little things. But it always surprised him no matter how many times he learned about them. Pressing his face deeper into the pillow, he let a few tears of happiness soak into it before rubbing them away.

"We are so lucky to have your Papa in our lives," Brian said, his voice growing hoarse as he continued to lay against Justin's belly; something he'd often claimed let him feel as close to Sunbeam as possible. "I'd hate to see how my life would have turned out if we'd never met. He, your brother Gus, your sister Jenny and you are the best things to have happened to this reformed club boy's life. And I am so grateful that he never listened to me and actually left all those years ago; I couldn't live without him."

Justin bit his lip as Brian fell into a somber silence; he shifted again, knowing that Brain was going to get serious just by the tone of his voice. And he wanted nothing more than to run a soothing hand over Brian's hair and shoulders, but he also knew that it would halt the flow of words and Brian needed this. He needed the chance to unload whatever it was that was bothering him before it ate him alive, so Justin refrained.

"For a while there, I was afraid I would have to," Brian whispered. "When he left for New York… I thought this is it – he's finally going to find more exciting things and people to fill his life and I'd just be a fond memory after a few years."

Never. Never in a million years, Brian. You are my heart and soul and I would have never been able to forget you. I could have lived without you if I absolutely had to; but forget you? Have you become nothing but a memory? Never. I would have only been living a half-life. I could've never lived without you; no one would have ever measured up. I wouldn't have even wanted to try.

"I forgot for a little while just how stubborn your Papa is," Brian gave a watery laugh, tugging at Justin's heartstrings. "And I did a very stupid thing and tried to let him go so that he could live his dream unhindered."

How this impossibly stubborn man could have ever thought that Justin would let him go without a fight, he didn't know. But he was glad that he'd listened to his gut instinct when he hadn't heard from Brian in a few days and rushed back home to kick, or really, fuck some sense into his idiotic head. It was worth living on ramen for a month afterwards to fly home and make sure the man knew that he was stuck with Justin for good.

"But your stubborn Papa stormed home and persuaded me otherwise," Brian continued with another watery laugh, and Justin could hear the fond amusement behind it.

Justin smiled as he recalled the day he came home; it had been a Friday, about midday and it had taken all of his persuasive and wrangling skills to get the shifts of his new job covered so that he could take care of a 'family emergency.' He'd marched straight into Kinnetik, ignoring the new receptionist's queries on why he was there, stormed into Brian's office and slammed the door shut, informing an amused Cynthia that Brian was going to be busy for the foreseeable future.

Brian's eyes had widened as he stomped over to his desk, slammed his hands down on it and demanded to know why he was being an asshole and ignoring him. And then, when Brian was far too stunned at seeing him standing there to say anything, Justin had rounded the desk, climbed into his lap and told him in no uncertain terms that he wasn't going to allow the self-sacrificing asshole to push him away the best way he knew how.

"I won't tell you how," Brian snickered, and Justin could feel the grin that spread across his husband's face as he got caught up in the memory. "As you are far too young – and you better not even dare think of such things until you're at least thirty, maybe forty – but he talked your equally stubborn Daddy around and it really was the best decision your Daddy has ever made to listen to him. Even if he became a bitchy little queen when I replaced the money for his ticket afterwards; don't tell your Papa I said that. We don't need him giving Daddy hell for his language."

Asshole. He still remembered the argument that action had precipitated; and the equally passionate make-up session that came as a result, when this time, Brian stormed his castle and told him to stop acting like an ungrateful brat.

And thank God Brian didn't go into that; the last thing they needed to do was explain the birds and the bees to Sunbeam at this early date. Although, with their genes involved, if he thought Sunbeam would be waiting that long to experience life, he was seriously delusional. Neither of them had been the sort to let life pass them by, and he doubted that their children would either. Just look at Gus and Jenny for an example.

"I guess, what I'm saying is," Brian said, lifting his head off of Justin's belly to rest his chin on the arm he'd draped across it. "Your Papa is the most amazing man in the world – bright, strong, independent, talented as fuck, and so beautiful it hurts sometimes; your Daddy couldn't have asked for a better man."

Tears pricked behind Justin's eyelids; it always floored him to hear Brian's thoughts on him. Even after all these years later, Justin was awed by Brian's regard; he didn't feel as if he deserved it sometimes given the bratty way he acted.

"But it's also important that we remember," Brian lectured, bringing a small smile to Justin's face. "That because he is that strong, we have to be vigilant and keep an extra close eye on him. We need to protect the little twat from himself sometimes because he thinks he can take on the world, and in his optimism, he sometimes forgets that people can be real assholes and gets hurt."

Oh, Brian; when are you going to learn that it wasn't your fault? You did nothing wrong. I was young and immature and impulsive and I thought, because of my intelligence, I knew better. You tried to warn me, but there was no way you could have prevented my getting hurt because I was determined to grab life by the balls and live it full out.

"And it's our job to make sure that doesn't happen," Brian murmured. "Because Daddy wouldn't be able to live without his Sunbeam and Sunshine." Brian paused once more before finishing quietly. "Life wouldn't mean anything without either of you."

Justin took a deep breath, the tears spilling over once more as he listened to his husband's words. He desperately wished that he could convince Brian that the bashing wasn't his fault. Hobbs was sick and in denial and Justin fully believed that if it hadn't happened at prom, then it would have happened at another time; and this time he might have been alone and stranded and bled out because Brian wasn't there.

But he didn't know what he could say to ease the guilt that still lingered today; he'd tried multiple times to tell Brian this very thing, but Brian stubbornly held onto the notion that if he hadn't shown up, Justin wouldn't have been hurt. Which was complete bullshit as who the fuck brings a baseball bat to prom?

He hated to think of what might have happened had Brian NOT been there.

Sighing, Justin stirred again; as comfortable as the maternity pillow could be, he was getting to the part of his pregnancy where laying in one spot for long periods of time just wasn't comfortable anymore. And he was just thinking of giving up the pretense of sleep when he felt a sharp pain on his ass; yelping, Justin's eyes popped open and he glared at a smirking Brian, who'd just pinched him on the ass.

"What was that for, asshole?" Justin demanded, glaring halfheartedly at his husband.

"You can open your eyes, twat," Brian said dryly, bringing a dull flush to Justin's cheeks as he realized that he'd been caught. "You weren't fooling anyone."

Justin sheepishly grinned, but couldn't bring himself to feel much remorse. Brian rolled his eyes, sat up and then slowly crawled up the bed until he was laying next to Justin facing him. Justin carefully turned on his side, sighing with happiness when the pillow eased the strain on his lower back and then met Brian's chastising look.

"I didn't want to interrupt the Daddy and Sunbeam time," Justin huffed, realizing that it was a lame explanation even as he said it. Brian snorted in complete disbelief, letting Justin know that he wasn't falling for said explanation either. But in for penny, in for a pound. "Besides; I dare you to try sleeping with this wiggle worm inside of you."

Brian just rolled his eyes again, and then leaned over and softly kissed Justin on the lips, seemingly happy that Justin wasn't going to address the more serious part of his confession. Which, Justin would be getting back to that in time, but not right now. Right now, he just wanted to enjoy these quiet moments and forget about the world lying just outside their door, waiting to come in and destroy their peace.

This weekend was supposed to be about them after all; not about stalkers or obsessed accomplices or faithless friends determined to split them apart or meddling family members or…any of the hundreds of things that routinely cropped up. This was their weekend and he refused to think about those assholes if he could at all help it.

"You're adorkable by the way," Justin teased, smirking when Brian merely arched a brow despite the flush in his cheeks. "Did you really ask Em to teach you to dance?"

"Why would I ask that dizzy Queen anything?" Brian huffed and looked away, the color in his cheeks deepening.

"You did!" Justin crowed, chuckling when Brian hissed and sent a disgruntled frown his way. "You sooooooo adore me!" And then he laughed again when Brian muttered that it was debatable under his breath. Justin grinned and then leaned over a dropped a soft kiss onto his husband's pouting lips. "You never told me that! So adorkable."

"And if you tell anyone," Brian growled, sending a heated glance Justin's way; not that Justin was very worried. "I will twist your balls into a knot."

"No you won't," Justin sighed happily; the things he learned about his husband when the other man thought he wasn't paying attention. If he only knew, Justin was always paying attention when it came to him. "You like them far too much; and twisting them would mean that they'd be out of commission for the foreseeable future."

"That could present a problem," Brian conceded with a thoughtful frown and then glanced at Justin from the corner of his eyes. "Perhaps I'll just paddle your ass then."

"You say that like it's an actual deterrent," Justin smirked, knowing that this was all a front and that Brian really wasn't upset about Justin overhearing his conversation.

"I really need to find a better method of punishment," Brian huffed; he rolled over onto his hands and knees, so that he was now hovering over Justin, who was eyeing him warily. "You enjoy that one too much."

"Hey, don't blame me for being a kinky bastard," Justin said, and then squeaked when Brian grabbed his legs and yanked him to the edge of the bed. "What are you doing?"

"I do believe that someone asked for a special wake up call this morning," Brian purred, sending a delicious shiver tripping down Justin's spine as he pulled Justin's boxers off. "Far be it for me to not follow through with said request; and then some…"

"Brian…!" Justin squeaked in protest again; and then he groaned as his husband's mouth engulfed him and he couldn't think of anything to save his life.

… … … … …

Several minutes later, Justin lay sated and winded, a fine sheen of sweat covering his body as Brian flopped onto the bed beside him. He took in several gulps of air, trying to get his breath and heartbeat under control before he glanced over at a relaxed and smiling Brian, who was lounging back against some pillows, eyes closed with not a care in the world, as if he hadn't just sucked Justin's brain out from his dick.

"But what about…?" Justin asked with a small frown on his face; he fully expected that Brian would be on his way to giving Justin orgasm two by fucking him into the mattress; he had to be harder than a rock by now, but instead he just laid there.

"No need…" Brian said with a shy smile and an adorable flush to his cheek.

Justin furrowed his brow at those words and started to get upset at the thought that his husband was holding back because he thought Justin wouldn't want him to, when he looked down and…oh. That's what he meant; well, okay then.

"You mean you…?" Justin asked, feeling ridiculously pleased that his husband had gotten so turned on just giving him a blow job that he actually came from that alone.

"Watching you come is the hottest thing," Brian quietly confessed, stroking the backs of his fingers over Justin's cheek. "And sometimes I can't help myself."

"The feeling is mutual," Justin admitted, a slow, bright smile stealing over his face. One that Brian couldn't help but return as he leaned over and kissed Justin slowly and deeply, sending little zings of pleasure down Justin's spine. But sadly, it ended just as quickly as it started and Brian climbed out of bed and tugged Justin up.

"Come on, Sunshine," Brian commanded, tugging Justin into a reluctant sitting position; he really wanted to know what was more important than laying around and making love all day. "Up and at 'em; we have things to do…"

"I thought that was people to do…" Justin quipped, unable to resist teasing the other man; he knew that Brian never even thought of tricking these days, nor did either of them miss it, but it had been a big part of their life at one time and Justin still liked to get his little digs in from time to time. It kept his husband on his toes.

"There is only one ass that I'm interested in these days," Brian murmured, squeezing said ass as he pulled Justin to his feet and against him; Justin's smile broadened as, while he knew that, it was always nice to hear. "And I plan to plunder it thoroughly tonight; for now, however, we have an appointment to make. So, shower time and a quick snack so we can get on our way."

"Still not planning to tell me where we're going?" Justin pouted; he pulled away with a yawn and then stretched, smirking internally when he caught Brian's eyes on him.

"Nope," Brian huffed, looking hastily away and heading towards the en suite bathroom. "The whole point to a surprise, Sunshine," he tossed over his shoulder, "is that it remains unknown until you get there."

"You're so annoying," Justin complained, pulling off his tank top, or really Brian's tank top, as he followed in his husband's wake.

"You love me anyways," Brian said just a touch smugly; and God help him sometimes, but Justin did – completely, utterly and without reservation.

"I do," Justin said very seriously as he cupped Brian's jaw with hands; Brian smiled that sweet, shy smile that always tugged at Justin's heart. "Very much so."

"And I love you too, Sunshine," Brian said, just as quietly and sweetly as he'd once confessed that he'd bought that palace out in West Virginia for his prince; for no other reason than to prove to Justin that he loved him. Justin smiled bright and happy, just as he had then, as Brian wrapped his arms over his shoulders and pulled him close to whisper against his ear. "More than I can ever express sometimes."

Justin tipped his head back and pulled Brian's mouth down to his, his eyes fluttering shut as their lips met and Brian instantly deepened the kiss. God, he could never get enough of Brian's kisses; they were as addicting now as when he had been a seventeen-year-old, inexperienced twink on Liberty Ave for the first time. Sighing as Brian pulled away, he leaned his brow against Brian's, just enjoying the moment until his husband reluctantly pulled away with one more kiss.

"Now enough stalling," Brian stated as he turned to the shower and started adjusting the temperature until he knew that it would suit the both of them. "Time waits for no man; not even beautiful, blond princes, Sunshine."

"Aren't you in a romantic mood today," Justin smiled, sighing with pleasure as he stepped under the warm water.

"Tell anyone that and I will deny it to my dying breath," Brian threatened as he stepped into the shower, closing the door behind him and crowding Justin up against the tile wall.

"Please," Justin scoffed, and then groaned as Brian turned him around to soap him up, his fingers working magic on any lingering aches. "Do I look stupid? I know better than to besmirch your asshole reputation..." Justin paused for impact before continuing on with a shit-eating grin. "You do a fine job of that yourself."

"Always the comedian," Brian huffed, smirking when Justin squawked as he smacked him on the ass; Justin stuck his tongue out at him.

"You love me this way," Justin said in an airy tone; and then choked up a bit when Brian dropped a kiss on the tip of his ear and whispered:

"I do; I do."

And then he lost himself again as Brian's mouth covered his and his husband's hands found much more interesting things to do other than soap him up.

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